Dreams help others escape reality. Most of them are symbolic and not what they seem from the naked eye. Nightmares are similar, despite being the opposite. Most of them are either based on past experiences or created by the individual’s mind. What if someone can enter a dream, discovering one’s hopes and fears? There is one Alicorn who will harness the power.
It was an exhausting day for Celestia. She had a busy schedule that Twilight Sparkle finish in an hour. She had to travel all over Equestria, from Manehattan to Phillydelphia. It mostly consists of being a special guest at a gathering or a conference. It was nice of her to attend different places in the same day, in the end it feels like a chore.
During her absence, her sister Luna took charge. Luna rarely comes to Equestria during the day. She usual comes during the night. It gave her a chance to get to know all the ponies, pegasi and unicorns in Ponyville.
One time she listened to Octavia playing the cello. She thought Octavia’s skills were amazing that she made a request. Octavia never received a request, even for an Alicorn. Luna asked her to play a musical piece that reflects the night-time. Her fond of classical musical started to grow.
She became friends with Derpy Hooves. That grey Pegasus crashed into her when she stopped to have lunch. Luna wasn’t mad, she had a good laugh. Derpy found it surprising. It’s rare to see the Alicorn princess react to an accident in a positive way. They began talking about what they were doing all day. Luna took her first bite at a muffin. Every chew filled her taste buds with blueberry. She enjoyed it so much, she hugged Derpy.
It was dusk, the carriage landed outside of Canterlot. Luna knew it had to be her sister. She waited near the door, she couldn’t wait to hear about her day. Celestia walked in exhausted. She could barely take another step. Her legs wobbled and her neck kept bending over. She fell to the floor, her head rested on the marble. Luna rushed over to help her. “Celestia, are you OK?”
“I’m fine dear sister,” Celestia panted. “I been so busy that I didn’t have a break. So how things while I was gone?”
Luna couldn’t wait to say it. All that’s happened today jumbled in her head. She doesn’t know where to begin. “I went to Ponyville and made friends.”
Celestia listened to every word. Aside from the mindless chatter, she still cares for her sister. Luna mentioned that she learned how to grow plants thanks to Roseluck. She rocked the beat with Vinyl Scratch. She mentioned her time with Derpy and Octavia. Luna was going to continue on, she stopped remember her exhausted sister lying there.
Luna helped her on her hooves.
“Thank you, I wouldn’t be able to stand without you.”
“That’s what sisters are here for. So tell me about your day.”
The two sisters trotted up the stairs slowly. Celestia explained that many ponies wanted her to appear at specific times. There were so many place to attend that she had to make some of the meetings short. She even had to resort to cups of coffee just to keep going. They only time she can have rest was when she in the carriage taking her to the next destination. It’s mostly discussions with what’s going on in the town or village she arrived in.
Luna helped Celestia to bed. She brew a tea to help her sleep. She used tea leaves she received from Roseluck. Celestia can smell the scent while the leaves being boiled with water. Luna poured a cup and used the magic from her horn to carry it. Celestia sipped it, she loved it. “I give two hooves up!”
Luna made a little laugh. “I learned how to make tea after watching one of the ponies demonstrate it to me.”
Luna went for the door, it’s now her duty to watch over the night. Celestia gave Luna some advice. “Be careful Luna.”
“I’m the princess of the night. Anypony who stand in our way…” Then she used her royal Canterlot voice. “WILL BOW DOWN BEFORE ME!”
Celestia giggled as Luna left. She found it amusing when she used the voice.
Luna headed for the watchtower. She used a telescope to survey the stars. Everything was in its place. All the citizens of Ponyville went home to sleep. All the clouds were gone. Every pony should see the clear night sky. It helps them find their way back if they’re lost. Luna closed her eyes for a few seconds. It was her way of relaxing.
Her eyes opened in a flash. She noticed that something wasn’t the same. She couldn’t see it but can feel it inside. She couldn’t risk leaving the tower, putting Canterlot in danger. She went through her options. She left her post via flying.
She landed outside the Everfree Forest. Luna deduces that’s where she thinks that something went wrong. Entering the forest wasn’t as scary as Luna remembered. She presumed it’s only scary based on the pony’s fears. She heard faint scream. Instead of searching where the noise emitted, she just galloped through the bushes.
She dodged every hanging branch, muddy puddle and rabbit hole. If could make it on time, then she can save a pony’s life. Rather than worrying what might happen if she arrived too late, her mind was on the destination. She found a black creature, there were holes in its legs and wings. It had green hair and a jagged horn. It was a fallen Alicorn. It was threatening another Alicorn. It was standing over, ready to strike. The horn glowed green, it spoke in a sinister voice. “Now to prove that my race is superior. This is my chance for revenge.”
Luna fired a beam of magic from her horn. The fallen Alicorn turned to dust. It seemed too easy for her. No creature can die after a single blast. She came to the victim, it was a huge surprise to see… Princess Celestia.
“Celestia! Why are you in the Everfree Forest?”
“Luna? I was going to ask you the same thing.”
Both Alicorns were confused.
“What was that creature that tried to attack you?” Luna asked.
“Queen Chrysalis, leader of the Changelings,” Celestia explained. “She took me down in a single blast and placed me in a cocoon. She disguised herself as Princess Cadence, brainwashed Shining Armour, all of it was a plan to rule Equestria.”
Another question came to her mind. “What were you doing when all of this happened?”
Luna was embarrassed to speak. “I was trapped in the tower fighting… What did you say they were? Changelings?”
Celestia gave a stern look. Luna hesitated. “They were everywhere! They blocked the windows, the doors, even the secret exits.”
Celestia can the logic behind the explanation. The tower was the last place she saw her sister. She couldn’t think of another reason why she was absent.
“Unlike that queen, she was a piece of cake,” concluded Luna.
“Actually Luna, this is a dream,” Celestia explained.
Luna didn’t believe a single word. She just closed her eyes for a short brief of time. There was no way she could have fallen asleep. “How could this be a dream? I must head back to Canterlot.”
Luna turned around and ran. Celestia watched her disappear. “Luna, wait!”
Celestia woke up. She thought of Luna and left her bedroom. She ran passed one of the guards on duty. He asked her what’s wrong, she didn’t hear a word. She climbed the steps in a hurry. Once she reached the watchtower, it was empty. She was worried that she might be a victim of unspeakable evil. She could become something worse than Nightmare Moon. She can see Luna’s dark self in front of her, Nightmare gave and evil laugh, Celestia was helpless, then it was interrupted by a voice.
“Celestia?” Luna interrupted her nightmare. She was standing next to her bed.
Celestia awoke, her eyes opened in a flash. They immediately embraced each other.
“Oh Luna, I thought you became Nightmare Moon.”
“I’m here big sister. I saw you in the Everfree Forest and saved you from Queen Chrysalis.”
Celestia was confused. “How did you know?”
“It’s difficult to explain.” She said she heard the noise and ran to find where it came from. She explained that after saving Celestia she immediately ran to Canterlot, everything was back to normal. She checked to see her sister lying in bed. "After saving you, I came back. I saw you having a nightmare. You were flipping around and starting to panic."
The Alicorn sister have come to a reason for all of this. They see each other's eyes.
"I can enter dreams," Luna said with delight.
"I hope you'll learn how to use responsibly," warned Celestia.
"Oh I will."
Early next morning, Luna wanted to know more about her new ability. She knew there's only one equestrian who can help her learn her new power: Zecora.
She entered the Everfree Forest. She stuck to the path, avoiding the Poison Joke. She arrived at the hut. After opening the door, she saw the zebra near the cauldron. She took a bottle, dumping the contents in the boiling liquid. Zecora can hear Luna enter, she welcomed her with open hooves. "Good morning Luna, ruler of the night. What brings you here during the morning light?"
Her kind words gave Luna the confidence to tell her. "I can enter dreams. I enter my sister's dream and helped her. What I want to know is, how did I do it?"
Zecora found it facinating. Nopony, pegasus, or unicorn can receive such power. It was a natural gift for Luna, according to Zecora. She was happy to help one of the royal sisters. It was her chance to become friends with her. Despite Luna's dark past, Zecora can see her trying to make up for it.
"I may not know about this power, but I'll try to find the answer within the hour." Zecora added ingredients in her cauldron. They watched the liquid create a whirlpool. "Gaze inside for the answer you'll find, before proceeding you must clear your mind."
Luna watched everything turned into night. She's no longer in the hut, she somehow ended up in the Everfree Forest. It was different from the real thing. She heard voices nearby, she hurried over to Zecora's hut. What she saw was Mane 6's meeting the zebra for the first time. She saw Applebloom coming to the door. She didn't see Luna, she just opened the door, as if Luna is invisible.
Luna watched the conversation. Seeing Zecora's kindness to Twilight and the others, made her smile. She watched them leave and head for Ponyville. Just as she was flowing them, the forest suddenly changed back to Zecora's hut. She found Zecora sleeping in her bed. Luna can't remembered what happened what happened. She approached the zebra, nudging her head.
"Zecora... Zecora? Are you awake?" Luna said in a quiet voice.
Zecora opened her eyes, smiling at the Alicorn. She was having a wonder dream. Luna was still confused. "How did I enter your dream?"
"You chose me to enter the dream, to see what it means. Whether it's one's desires or something tragic, it's only done by the use of magic."
The explanation didn't confuse her. She thought about it. "I can choose anypony as long as they're sleeping. I can help all of Ponyville. Sure they appreciated me at Nightmare Night, I think I repay them by helping them. I can enter a one of their dreams if they're in distress." She stopped talking, he thought of what the consequences might be. "What if I tampered their dreams? Will that scar them for life? Will they never forgive me?"
Zecora didn't worry, she placed her hoof over Luna's mane. "It may seem scary at first, you should practise during your time. As long as you gain control of it, I'm sure you'll do just fine."
"Thank you Zecora," Luna thanked as she trotted to the door.
"Princess Luna?" Zecora wanted ask Luna a question. "Before you go, will you use the royal Canterlot voice before you hit the road?"
Luna raised her voice that the sound waves almost blew down the hut. "ALL HAIL PRINCESS LUNA! WHO NOW HAS THE POWER TO ENTER YOUR DREAMS!"
Both Luna and Zeora laughed in amusement. Luna left the hut and headed for Canterlot.
Later that night, just as Luna was about to leave, she heard Celestia grunting and panting. Upon entering, a teapot smashed against the door. She was having another nightmare. Luna had to help her, she closed her eyes and focused.
She opened her eyes only to find Celestia gone. She concluded that she's in the dream world. She left the bedroom only to find Celestia on the floor, all black and blue. Queen Chrysalis made an evil laugh. "Finally, my changelings will become the dominant race in all of Equestria! All that's left is to end your reign."
Luna did't bother intervene, she knew that the nightmare is worse than last time. She called out to her, giving her motivation. "Celestia!"
"Luna?" Celestia said weakly. Her injuries prevente hr from standing up.
"You can't let the leader of the Changelings win. You must defeat this nightmare, if you don't, it will haunt you forever. You can't let this setback get the best of you. You're not just the leader of Equestria, you're a sister, a mentor and most important... a friend."
Celestia believed every word. She regain her confidence. She slowly stood on her hooves, feeling the pain in her body. Queen Chrysalis stood watching, she found it enjoyable.
"Well, I guess you still have what it takes. Even if this fight will be your last. Normally I strike you now, but i'll give you a final chance."
"I might be weak, but inside I'm strong. I will not stand to let you take over. There's one thing that have and you don't: friends who stand by me." Magic began to glow on her horn. It was only powerful for one single blast. She had to make this count, there's no second chance.
Queen Chrysalis backed away when Celestia approached forward. She couldn't believe this was happening. The Alicorn she managed to knock down is back up again. She hesitated to find a reasonable solution, if there is one. "Listen, if it makes you feel better, we can rule Equestria together."
Celestia didn't buy it. "I'm already ruling with someone, her name is Luna. Just for the record, you need some sunlight."
A beam of light shot through Chrysalis' chest and exited through her back. Her scream echoed everywhere. She disintegrated into thin air. Celestia panting slowly before collapsing to the floor. She used up all of her energy, Luna rushed down to check on her. She wasn't worried, she knew her older sister stand up to the changeling queen.
"I did it," smiled Celestia. "Now I can rest."
She closed her eyes, everything shifted beck to Celestia's bedroom. The nightmare has ended. Luna lifted the tossed pillow and blanket with her magical horn. She wanted her sister to have more comfortable sleep. She closed the door quietly before leaving.
Luna walked near Winsome Falls. She saw a familiar pegasus running scared. She immediately recognised her as Scootaloo. She knew that this filly needs her help. She now learned to use her new ability. To herself, it's her favourite, second to the royal Canterlot voice of course.
