Pavor Nocturnus

Equestria. A land full of such vibrant life and beauty, yet so marred with the grotesque and vile. Nightmare Moon, Discord, Chrysalis; there was always something lurking just beyond Celestia's watchful gaze. She can bring day and night, yet she cannot see past her own nose. Weakling. The ponies of this land worship her, believe in her, adore her. If she is so powerful, why is she always under siege? She seeks to keep the populace as sheep, burying her past under the stones of her precious kingdom. I will show the ponies the truth. I will bend them, and twist them, and dominate them until they heave up those very stones their god has laid down. They will learn of the vast world beyond Equestria, and the lesson will be relentless.

"Is it gonna be alright, Twilight? Will she ever play the piano again?" Pinkie Pie stood uncomfortably close over Twilight's shoulder. It was a travesty; her beloved confetti cannon had broken down, and she had no idea why. Her first thought was to drag it to Twilight's, and Pinkie rarely ever got beyond the first thought of anything.

The unicorn stopped her magic momentarily, holding the disassembled cannon in suspension. "Will she ever play the...? Look, I don't know what you've been doing with this thing, but its got major issues. The breech is all gummed up with something, and your chase girdle has taken a bit of a beating. I thought you only shot confetti out of this thing?"

Pinkie giggled. "Well, sometimes I need to make an extra super special bang, especially when someone new comes to town! Then I load her up with some fennel leaves, hayseeds, kumquats, and sparklers! Oh, and oregano! Oregano makes a nice boom!" She jumped into the air as she shouted the last word.

Twilight sighed. "I should've known better than to have asked. Can you get me some extra strength gunk remover? Spike should have put it under the kitchen sink."

"Uh huh!" Pinkie exclaimed, bounding off. She threw the cupboard open, but there was nothing but pipes inside. Frowning, she called out to Twilight. "It's not here! Unless it's so strong it removed itself, but I highly doubt that."

"Spike was cleaning the windows by my bed," Twilight yelled back. "Go check around there."

Pinkie bounced, as usual, up the stairs and to the window. It wasn't long before she spotted the bottle next to a cloth laying on the floor. "Oh there you are, silly!" She picked the bottle up, and just so happened to glance out the window. She gasped as she saw something unbelievable. A new pony! Of all the worst possible times! She leaped over the railing, landing squarely in front of Twilight. "Twilight! You need to fix this, stat! We got a new pony incoming!"

Twilight reared her head back, startled. "Of course. Here, hand me that gunk remover. Now, just have to dab a bit in here, here, and here... Aaaand a tad here... Oh and some there..." By now, she had removed the cap entirely and was essentially assaulting the problem areas with a vengeance. Of course, the bottle quickly ran dry. "Oh, looks like we're out. Well, this'll have to do." Tossing the bottle aside, she assembled the cannon. From wheels to barrel, it was still rather rickety, but at least it would fire. Twilight turned to anxious earth pony. "Now Pinkie, be very careful with this. Until I get replacement parts, it's going to be very fragile."

"So it's working?" Pinkie asked.

"Yes." And before Twilight could say another word, Pinkie had grabbed hold of the cannon and dashed outside in a pink blur. She raced down the streets, wildly careening this way and that.

"Make way!" She shouted at the bewildered bystanders. "Very important missive to deliver!" She galloped through the back, quickly grabbing what she needed and tossing bits at the merchants. Without losing any momentum, she expertly tossed the ingredients into the mouth of the beast. She skidded around a corner, and came face to face with the new pony.

"Hi! Welcome to Ponyville!" She shouted, haphazardly pressing the fire button. A multicolored splurge shot out, threatening to engulf the new pony. Suddenly, the goop stopped in midair, a green glow surrounding it. It was dropped to the ground with an unceremonious splat. The stranger didn't seem to react to the odd greeting in any way.

Pinkie was so wrapped up in welcoming her new friend that she never even bothered to get a good look at him. Now, with her party gunk on the ground, she stared at the pony. It was clear that this particular pony was a stallion, and a large one at that. He rivaled Big Mac, but she still figured the workhorse would outbuck this newcomer any day. His coat was a dark grey, and his hooves were pure black. A tattered black cloak was tied around his neck, hood down, revealing his green mane. His eyes matched his hair, as did the glow from his still shining horn. He looked down at Pinkie Pie with a largely passive expression.

"So you must be Pinkie Pie," the stranger rumbled. His voice was quiet, though deep. "The famed spirit of laughter."

Pinkie gasped. "Oooh, you've heard of me? Well that's hardly fair, I don't know anything about you!" She pouted for emphasis before letting her exuberant smile return. "So! Where ya from? Oooh no, wait, what's your name?"

He looked at her for a second. His eyes seemed tired. "In your tongue, I am known as Dream."

"Just Dream?" Pinkie raised an eyebrow.

"Yes," his expression never changed. "Just Dream."

"Well, Just Dream, I'm your new pal, and as your new pal, I'll show you around town!" She started bouncing in place. "We'll go to Sugarcube Corner, and to Rarity's Boutique, and Twilight's library, and Fluttershy's cot-!"

Dream placed a heavy hoof on Pinkie's head, stopping her bouncing and jabbering. "This is fortuitous. I must see Twilight Sparkle as soon as possible. I have traveled far to deliver my message."

"Oh, okay!" Pinkie grinned, slipping out from under Dream's hoof with a motion that can only be described as jelly-like. "Right this way!" She spun her cannon around and began to trot down the road with it. The large stallion followed her like a shadow.

"So, where ya from?" The pink pony asked again.

"The name would mean nothing to you," Dream replied. "Suffice to say, it is very unlike Equestria."

"Alright, then why are you here?" Pinkie wasted no time, firing off another question.

"I have dire tidings that must reach Celestia at once. I understand Twilight Sparkle can aid me in this." His voice skirted around any trace of inflection.

"Uh huh. When'd you get here?"

"Just this moment."

"How?"

"A combination of magic, boating, and walking."

Satisfied she had learned all she needed to, she stopped. "Okie, dokie, lokie! We're here!" True enough, the pair had arrived before the massive tree that housed Celestia's star pupil. Pinkie bounded forward and knocked on the door.

After a moment, the door opened. "I was wondering when you'd come back. So, did you meet your new friend?" Twilight asked dryly.

"Yep! His name is Dream, he's from a far away land, he has a message, he just got here, and he got here through "a combination of magic, boating, and walking"!" Pinkie shouted back.

Dream stepped forward. "Twilight Sparkle, chosen of Celestia. Seeing as Pinkie Pie has already introduced me, I will get right to it. May I come inside?"

Twilight looked the stranger up and down. His stature made him imposing, and his dark colours made him seem foreboding. Nevertheless, he looked like he had traveled far. "Of course. Come in, make yourself at home." She smiled.

The dark stallion strode inside without another word. Pinkie wheeled her patchwork cannon in behind him, leaving it by the door. Twilight was a tad unnerved by this strange unicorn, but she was determined to keep an open mind. Dream approached a small reading table and mechanically sat down on a nearby cushion. Pinkie joined him while Twilight called for Spike.

"Spike! We have a visitor! Get some of Zecora's herbs and put some tea on, will you?" She heard a startled snort from upstairs, followed by dragging feet and grumbling. Satisfied Spike was fulfilling her request, she took her spot at the table. "So, Dream was it? How can I help you?"

"There is yet another peril looming over Equestria," the newcomer explained. "My people have experienced it firsthand, and I know it is no small threat. I require your immediate assistance to deliver word to Celestia."

Twilight's eyes widened. "What? Again? But we just drove off the changelings! The ponies of Ponyville aren't ready for another threat so soon!"

Dream shook his head slightly. "Whether they are ready or not, a darkness is coming. It boils over the sea and chokes through the air, its craving for the destruction of this land knowing no bounds. If we are in luck, if I am in time, we may still be able to avert this crisis."

"Puh-LEEZ, nothing could be worse than those changelings' awful Pinkie impressions." Pinkie stuck her tongue out and made a gagging motion.

Just then, Spike entered the room with a clattering platter. "Alright, Twilight, here's your tea. Be careful, it's pretty hot. Who's the new guy, anyway?"

"SPIKE!" Twilight shouted urgently. With the little dragon's eyes glued to the unbalanced platter, he was not expecting any such loud noise. He cried out, throwing the whole set into the air. Twilight barely managed to catch all the cups and the teapot, which she gently placed on the table. The actual platter itself, however, landed squarely on Spike's head. She ignored his cry of pain. "Spike, this is serious! Stop goofing around! Now, this is Dream, and he comes with a grave warning. Take a letter."

Spike grumbled, retrieving a quill and parchment. Twilight Sparkle cleared her throat. "Dear Princess Celestia," she began. "I have recently made acquaintance with a unicorn named Dream who comes from a far away land. His people have suffered a great evil, and now he fears the same will befall us. Please respond as soon as possible and let us know when he may have an audience. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle. Got that, Spike?"

He bit his tongue in concentration, his quill scratching the parchment. "Yeah, hold on, hold on..." With a meaning jab, he ended the letter. "Got it! Want me to send it now?"

"Yes please, Spike. Again, this is an urgent matter." Twilight replied. Spike nodded and walked over to the front door. He popped the bottom half open and took a deep breath. Exhaling, he sent the letter on its way. The green fire swirled up into the air, vanishing into the approaching dusk. He stepped back inside and shut the door behind him. "Thank you, Spike," Twilight said warmly.

"No problem. Can I go back to bed now?" Spike was already yawning, his feet dragging as he moved for the stairs.

Twilight rolled her eyes. "Alright, fine. Just try to keep it down!" She received only a grumble in reply. Sighing, she turned her attention back to her guests. "Sorry about Spike's poor attitude. Neither of us have been having much restful sleep lately."

"Ha, I hardly sleep anyway!" Pinkie said cheerily. "But then again, lately I've had Gummy waking up at night, which wakes me up, which wakes the Cakes up, and it's pretty weird. Normally Gummy sleeps like a baby dragon."

Dream's eyes narrowed slightly. "This may herald its coming. Be wary of such disturbances."

"It?" Twilight asked. "What do you mean by "it"?"

"The dark has no name that I know, though it breathes as you or I," he explained. "If it is as close as I think, our time draws short."

"You're not very forthcoming, are you?" Twilight wrinkled her nose. "What exactly is out there?"

Dream remained silent, instead pouring himself a cup of tea. He raised it to his lips and drank deeply. After he lowered it, he stared into the steaming liquid. "In truth, I do not know," he spoke softly. "But it is terrible."

Twilight glanced at Pinkie, who just shrugged at her. "Well... Maybe the princess will be able to tell us more. So, um, why don't you tell us more about yourself instead?"

He looked up from his tea. "My journey has been long, and I am weary. I must rest now," he said while standing up.

"Oh, of... of course." Twilight was put off by his cold demeanor. "Do you know where you're staying?"

He opened his mouth, but Pinkie jumped in first. "Oh, I know! He can stay with me! I mean, I don't have much room but I'm sure it'll be super fun!"

Dream's brow furrowed slightly, only for a moment. "I must decline. I have no desire to have fun, only to rest."

"Oh yeah..." Pinkie mused, tapping her chin with a hoof. "Ponies tend to be kinda boring when they're asleep anyway."

"There's a spare bed just upstairs," Twilight suggested. "If you don't mind Spike's snoring, you can always sleep here until tomorrow."

"Do not worry, Twilight Sparkle. I have prior arrangements," Dream replied. "Thank you for your hospitality. I will see you tomorrow." He bowed his head slightly and walked to the door, cloak draped over his body.

"Oh, my pleasure," she assured him, quickly trotting with him to the door. "Don't be afraid to ask if you need anything else!" Her horned glowed as she swung the door open. She got no response as the stallion walked outside. She and Pinkie Pie watched him recede into the distance and turn a corner out of sight. "What a strange pony... Who do you think he's staying with if this is his first time here?" She asked Pinkie.

"I don't know, but I gotta get this baby home," the party pony said, wheeling her cannon up to Twilight. "Don't want her to catch a cold in the night air. Bye!" In a flash, she had departed with her beloved machine.

Twilight put a hoof on her forehead. "Does nopony say a proper goodbye any more?" She sighed. "Oh well. Might as well try to catch up on my sleep." She closed the door and climbed the stairs up to her bed. She fell into it and burrowed under the covers. Her mind was still sorting the information from the sudden encounter she just had, but she was simply too tired to give it much thought. With Spike snoring at her bed's foot and several worries swirling around her head, Twilight Sparkle drifted off to sleep.