//------------------------------// // Chapter 36 // Story: Dreamstrider // by OkemosBrony //------------------------------// “Aurora,” dad whispers while nudging me, waking me from the soothing sleep I was having. My only response is a tired groan as I turning over and crack my eyes open to see him and mom smiling down at me. “Time to get ready,” he speaks softly. “Mom and I will be in the lobby having breakfast. Just come down when you’re ready.” They leave, so I have to force myself to get out of my bed before I fall asleep again. After grabbing a nice, hot shower in which I allow myself to just stand there and let the water and steam relax my muscles from sleeping on the less-than-perfect pullout couch, I quickly brush my mane, grab my hat and scarf, and exit the room. Once downstairs, I place my stuff at the table where mom and dad are sitting and beeline over to the breakfast station, which has all sorts of good-looking stuff to choose from. But I figure I should treat myself, so I decide to not have to make choices and just grab a bit of everything. We did a lot around Canterlot yesterday and I got worn out, so I’m pretty hungry anyways. “You look much better in blue and silver,” mom points out with a smile as I return to the table, all my food in tow. “We approve.” “I don’t think so, though,” I shake my head as I sit down. “I think I look better in green and gold. Maybe it was the four years of being around Dew Drop a lot and her always impulse buying clothes in her school’s colors that did it. Always had more UEC stuff, so I just got used to always having something lying around I could put on.” Mom points at my clothes as she levitates her coffee to her mouth and takes a sip. “We’ll have to take you shopping sometime, then. If I’m not mistaken, those clothes you’re wearing are the ones we bought for you specifically for this game because you didn’t have any Canterlot University ones, correct?” “Sure,” I shrug before shoving a forkful of fruit in my mouth. “First daughter of ours that hasn’t jumped at the opportunity to go shopping,” she smiles as she levitates her coffee cup back down to the table. “I think you’ll enjoy it. Hopefully we can get you excited about CU sports, or just college sports in general. Being a part of that is just so much fun, and Dew Drop was the only one of you that went to a school with a culture like that. Especially if you’re going to be potentially living in Canterlot for your work, I think you’d really enjoy rooting for one of the teams. It makes you really feel like a member of the city, and it gives you so many fun things to do!” “I just don’t have many connections with either school,” I reply after finishing the food in my mouth and preparing another bite of my fruit salad. “Like, everypony I’ve met who’s a big fan of either school went there themselves. There really isn’t any reason for me to do that, so I’ll never have the exact same experience that you do.” “Then we really have to try our hardest to make this weekend memorable for her,” mom remarks as she looks at dad. “If Dew Drop couldn’t get her into it after four years, we’re going to need to go all out if we want it to work.” “Maybe I was just too young to really care that much about it,” I concede. “I’m open to it, at least. If Snowy and I are the minority for not loving college sports, there must be something interesting about it that we’re just missing. I guess just try to show me what it is you three love about all of this so much.” “We’ll try our best,” she winks before picking up her coffee cup again. “Here you go!” dad proclaims as he shoves an enormous pretzel into my face, startling me and almost causing me to back into the pony behind me. “Huh?” I take the pretzel in my own magic and look at dad, who’s already started shoving his into his mouth like he hasn’t eaten for days. “I didn’t ask you for a pretzel, did I?” “He loves the pretzels at the CU stadium,” mom giggles to me. “When we’d go to games as students, he always had me hold his money so he’d only buy one.” “Go on, try it!” he exclaims between enormous bites. I take a bite, and it actually is pretty good. Nice and warm, just soft enough, and the right amount of salt. It’s also kind of chilly outside, so having this warm food is really nice to stave off the wind. The enormous blanket of gray clouds over the stadium doesn’t help it get any warmer, either. While mom and dad start going off about all the hoofball games they attended when they were students here, I decide to just look around the stadium a bit. It’s amazing, really, like nothing I’ve ever seen. Most of the stadium is a solid mass of blue and silver, and there’s basically a solid break where it goes to green and gold for a few sections. I wonder if any of Dew Drop’s friends are over there on the other side, since I know some of them still live in Canterlot or are still in school. I really wanted her to come up for the game so we could all watch it together, but she’s unfortunately too busy. “Fillies and gentlecolts!” the loudspeaker blares, echoing all throughout the stadium. In a few seconds, there’s a huge hush that goes through, making it eerily quiet for a place that over a hundred thousand ponies are waiting for what they say is the biggest moment of the year. “Today, on this beautiful day for hoofball, we will witness the 713th annual meeting between—” "—the University of Equestria at Canterlot Clovers!” the green and gold section roars, completely drowning out the loudspeakers despite being on the opposite side of the stadium from us. “And your Canterlot University Windigos!” everypony else shouts, including mom and dad. I can swear there’s a faint ringing in my ears after they’re done yelling. “Coming out of the eastern gate, the visiting team: the University of Equestria at Canterlot Clovers!” As soon as the loudspeaker is done, a huge cascade of booing erupts, and I only know their side is cheering because I can see them since the only thing I can hear is just boos. A crowd of stallions rushes out of the tunnel wearing mostly gold jerseys with green pants and helmets. Following them is a small group of unicorns, who shoot up green bolts of magic into the air which explode like fireworks and take the take the form of one massive four-leaf clover, bright green and sparkling, lighting up the stadium. The unicorns shoot up their magic again, which goes into the clouds and turns those the same bright green as the clover. They both persist for a moment, but eventually the clover fizzes out and the clouds go back to their normal gray. “And coming from the western gate, the moment we’ve all been waiting for: your one and only Canterlot University Windigos!” A few pegasi zoom overhead before any hoofball players come out, the trails behind them glinting brightly. When they fly over the stadium itself, the glinting substance falls, which I can now see is ice: the air has grown even colder, and a bit of frost has started to build on the metal benches in the stands. Two ponies wearing old unicorn armor rear up and sprint out of the stadium’s western tunnel, the ground behind them becoming encased in ice and frost as they run into the center of the field. Following them is the CU team, with their sharp blue jerseys and bright silver helmets and pants shining like the ice now on the field. Our side can’t keep its excitement in any longer, and the cheering I hear from them is undoubtedly the loudest thing I’ve ever heard in my life, and frankly is the loudest thing I hope to ever hear. What looks like a million little lights appear in the other section, about equally distributed between green and gold. Out of the bottom of my eye I can see some on our side, so I look down and notice that all the unicorns in our section are doing the same thing with their own school’s colors. I look off to the side, and even mom and dad are doing it while mom’s stomping her hooves and cheering loudly. “And now, to honor Equestria, please stand and remove your hats as we welcome Coloratura to the field to sing the Equestrian National Anthem.” Almost everypony’s standing anyways, so we all take off our hats as the mare on the field does a little bit of waving before taking a deep breath and starting to sing in one of the most beautiful and powerful voices I’ve ever heard. “Equestria, the land I love, A land of harmony…” “Aurora!” mom yells while nudging me, though I can hardly hear her over the roar of the game. “What?” I scream back while turning my head to her. She doesn’t say anything, just moves her head to the side so I can see Sveta standing in the aisle, looking as tough as she normally does. Something’s worrying her, however. Her eyes aren't as bright and determined as they usually are. It’s too loud to try and yell questions to her even though she’s just a few feet away, so I squeeze past mom and dad and find myself in the aisle. “What is it?” She doesn’t say anything, instead just motions her head to the concourse and starts going up the steps. “You’ve been summoned,” she informs me once we’re inside, “by the pony I work for. Please do not say her name, as it would only cause a stir.” She growls. “And more noise. It was bad enough in the stadium. Perhaps your kind should learn to celebrate quietly.” That’s probably racist, but oh well. Not my top concern right now. “Why does she want me?” “I’m not sure,” she shakes her head. “She just said she does.” “I’ll be able to get back in, right?” I worry. “I’m kind of spending the day with my parents.” “You won’t even need to leave the stadium; she has her own private box.” “Wait, what? I can’t have heard that right, she’s here? As in, watching the game?” “Yes,” she growls, louder this time. “And you may ask her any question you wish when you see her, but please, do not ask me things she is capable of answering.” That’s probably her way of telling me to shut up. After walking for a few minutes, we enter a roped-off area patrolled by a few Royal Guards from the palace. All sorts of important-looking ponies and even some non-ponies like griffons and crystal ponies are here, enjoying themselves but seemingly caring little for the game. Most of them aren’t even wearing any of the schools’ colors, so they must just be here to look good. Sveta abruptly stops and looks both ways in the middle of the concourse, then turns and walks through a seemingly featureless wall before disappearing. It must be an illusion, so I walk through and emerge in a small corridor that reminds me of Luna’s suite back at the castle. Two Thestrals are guarding the door, but it’s wide open and they look bored out of their minds. They just shoot a quick glance at me before returning to staring at the walls, so they must recognize me. Through the door is a set of old, creaking wooden steps that lead up to a large private box overlooking the game. From the view, I can tell we’re about halfway between the 50 yard line and the goalpost, on the same side of the stadium that our seats are on. There’s a little bar set up on the right side that looks like it’s hardly even touched, a lounge area facing a fireplace on the left that has a nice layer of dust on top of it, and in the center is Luna, laying on a couch and looking at the action. “Come, sit beside me,” she instructs without even moving her head. I go around the side of the couch and find there’s even more room than I thought, so I’m able to comfortably lie down without either of us encroaching on each other’s space. “Nice box you have,” I comment as I look out the enormous window in front of us to try and find mom and dad. “How come I’ve never noticed it? I was just at the game and couldn’t see a thing.” “Illusion magic,” she smiles. The teams take a timeout, so she turns to look at me while not missing any of the game. “Just like the wall you had to pass through to get here.” “But why, though? And on that, why do you even have a private box at the CU stadium?” I can tell she’s trying to repress a smile. “To answer your second question, I have always had a secret love for the sport of hoofball. It was in its infancy when I was banished, so it is thrilling to see its transformations.” She tilts her head a little, which she always does when she’s having really pleasant memories. “Back then it was a game for the working ponies of Canterlot and not a sport fit for a Princess, I used to sneak out of the palace and hide in the old clock tower to watch it, back when this stadium was no more than a vacant lot of grass. When they built the first ever stadium here, I snuck furniture in so I could watch in comfort. And as for your first question, you know I enjoy my solitude. Were word to get out of my enjoyment, I would be beset day and night with questions from the tabloids and offers from everypony wanting to watch a game with the Princess!” She puts a hoof on her head, which is now shaking. “No, I prefer to do so in private.” “So since you like watching games in private, why am I here? Clearly not as a hoofball buddy, especially since I hardly understand the sport myself. I’m just here with my parents.” “Yes, I can see them right there,” she says, pointing to the right of where we are. I try and follow her hoof, but I can’t find anything besides a mass of blue and silver. "I do apologize for not putting them up in the castle, by the way, although every guest room is being used by Princess Celestia to house the various dignitaries you must have seen outside of my box." “They don't mind staying in a hotel," I respond as I crane my neck and try to look where she's pointing. Seeing that I can't find them, her horn illuminates, and two ponies in the crowd are lit up the same color as her magic. I think I can even see them kissing from here. Cute. Sveta brings over a tray carrying a teapot, two cups, and a glass jar of grayish-brown tea in her mouth, then bows after setting it on the small coffee table in front of us and exits the room. A soft click tells me that she's left the two of us alone. “What’s this?” I ask as I take the cup being offered to me in Luna’s magic. “I have something I need to show you,” she replies somberly, staring into her empty teacup. This can’t be good. She places some of the tea in the bottom of my cup and then pours boiling water over it, turning it into the most unappealing steely gray I’ve ever seen. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen tea like this,” I think out loud. “It’s Scum Blend,” she spits, clearly holding something back. “Named after who we’re supposed to see when we drink it.” After preparing herself a cup, she holds it up in a toast. “I shall see you in the dream world, Aurora.” She throws her head back and quickly downs the tea, then places the cup back on the tray and lays her head on the arm of the couch before closing her eyes. I take my first sip of the tea, and the only way I can think of describing it is that it tastes like how it looks. It’s metallic, kind of bitter, and leaves a lingering taste in my mouth. But I can feel it’s not enough to make my body’s magic change, so I have to suck it up and swallow the rest of the cup’s contents. When it’s all empty, I place the cup back on the tray and lay my head on the couch and close my eyes, just like Luna. I push through to my dream, and when I jump through to the dream world, I can feel the weight of the ambient magic start to push me down. It feels like a million soaking wet towels were thrown on top of me, and the landscape reflects this feeling. We’re in a large swamp that spreads as far as the eye can see, seemingly without end. Cold, tepid water comes up to my knees, and a freezing, wet wind is howling through, making the inside of the stadium seem like a sauna right about now. Dark clouds are looming over us and blot out nearly all light trying to punch its way through, so the whole swamp is dark and dreary. Even the magic here feels the same way, because simply standing here makes me feel depressed. Pure despair hangs very heavily here. “Come,” Luna instructs from behind me. When I turn around, I can see a small building behind her with no windows and just one door on the right side, which is open. My guess is that place looked old even when it was new, which was clearly a very, very long time ago. I want desperately to know what’s going on, but I feel as though I’m about to find out. I follow Luna to the door of the building, and she gestures for me to go in first. When I do, I see that the building is completely empty, not a soul around. There’s a single cell with iron bars surrounding it, so this place must have been a prison. The cell door is open, and there’s a small window at the back with a view of the sky. Now my heart is racing. Why did she bring me here? There aren’t any ponies or demons here, does this mean the cell is going to be mine? What did I do wrong? “Relax,” she calmly tells me, the sound of her hooves on the ground signaling her arrival into the building. “I do not know what it is making you worry, but the best thing for you to do is just relax. You are in no danger.” “Why’d you bring me here?” I ask meekly, walking up to the cell and looking at it through the bars. There’s no bed, no chair, no sink, no toilet even. Just a floor and walls with no features. When she doesn’t answer, I look back at her, and her head is off to the side. “Luna?” “This is where…” She closes her eyes. “This is where he was kept.” “‘He’?” I repeat, slowly walking towards her. “Somepony important to you?” She nods. “Not in the way you must be imagining, however.” Now I’m confused. “How, then?” “He was the pony responsible for the destruction of the original Dreamstriders and my transformation into Nightmare Moon.” I can tell this is a lot for her, but I feel I have to know more. “How? What did he do?” She opens her eyes again and glares at the cell. “His name was Shooting Star, although you may have heard him be called The Nightmare. He had some ideas about a Dreamstrider’s place in the world that were...wrong, to say the least. Felt we were chasing the ‘petty fears’ of ponies and squandering our gift, felt we should use it to rule both worlds and bring stability to them. I disagreed, as you can imagine. Unfortunately, I did not anticipate the ambition with which he would pursue his ideals. He lead malevolent demons into the dreams of all the Dreamstriders, hoping they would destroy our minds and wipe us all out so he could create a new order, one in his vision. Fortunately, I was able to catch him and expel the demons from all our dreams.” She hangs her head. “Or so I thought. He had fled, so I had to chase him and was not able to do a thorough search of everypony he betrayed. A fury demon lodged itself in my mind and intensified my rage towards him, only to leech off it and grow stronger. I did manage to track him down and imprison him here, but it was too late. The demon was too strong, and it took over my body and transformed me into what is now called Nightmare Moon.” “What about the Dreamstriders?” I ask. “Surely they could’ve gone on without you.” She takes a long pause before speaking, a few tears welling up in her eyes the entire time. “He...destroyed them. Mutilated them, then banished them. And not just the Dreamstriders; their families, too. I tried to go after them, but the fury demon had other plans. It tapped into everything I felt anger towards, and when it found the jealousy and resentment towards my sister that ran straight to the very core of my being, that was everything it needed to gain control. It tainted my body and mind, warping me into Nightmare Moon. And I’m sure you know the rest from there.” Out of the corner of my eye, I look at the empty cell; it’s haunting to think that somepony like that is loose. “What should we do?” I barely manage to squeak out. “You do not need to do anything,” she shakes her head. “He has no special powers beyond his wits, and most of his demon allies I was able to kill back when I was hunting him down. I may call upon you in the future to aid me in tracking him, though as of right now, he does not pose any immediate threat. He has only recently escaped, and it will take some time to get out of this swamp even. You and the other Dreamstriders will need to accept some of the work I do protecting the dreamers of Equestria, though it will not place any undue burden on any of you.” “Is this something I’m allowed to tell any of them?” She shakes her head once again. “No, it will only cause panic where none is due. Even if the Dreamstriders were to be made aware of the facts and their severity, I fear what would happen were that information to get out to the public. As soon as whispers of castle proceedings make their way outside the walls, they become magnified and stray further from the truth with each retelling.” “So you showed me this just so I know everything that’s going on?” “And in case things do take a turn for the worse,” she mumbles after a few moments’ pause. “While he poses no immediate threat, it is still possible he will pose one in the future. Should that be the case, I want you to know everything I do.” I look back at the empty cell, and my mind just starts racing. “What do you think the odds of him becoming a threat are?” “I wish I could know that,” she whispers almost inaudibly, almost as if she herself is dissatisfied with the answer. “I will do everything in my power to stop him, though I know little of his plans or how effective they will be.” “Anything you need me to do?” After thinking over it a little, she nods her head. “Actually yes, yes there is. Tonight, I shall have a grimoire sent to you along with a note where you can find a specific spell I am thinking of. It is a shielding spell, one that shall guard you against Shooting Star. I ask that tonight, you go to the rest of Dreamstriders and apply it to their dreams. I have already done it for you and me, so we are safe. And while you are at it, do a little reading in it; hopefully, you will learn something that might help us.” “Alright,” I respond uneasily. “Do not worry too much,” she comforts me. “Part of the reason he was successful earlier was because he caught us off guard, but I do not plan to let him have the element of surprise again.” “What do you plan to do about this? How will you find him?” “Very luckily,” she moans as her head droops. “He could have gone in any direction, and although it was not that long ago that he escaped, there is still plenty of time for him to have gotten away.” “What do you think he will do? What did he do the last time?” “He will attempt to ally with the most malevolent demons in this world, and if this time is like the last, he will find demons that exemplify pure evil and malice. The worst creatures in this world, ones even I do not know exist.” “Great pep talk,” I laugh nervously, trying to cover up my fear. I’m sixteen; everypony I knew back in Coltlumbus is still in high school and going on their first dates, and here I am being told that somepony is going to try and get the most malicious and hate-filled demons in the universe to come after us and take over the world. “I do apologize for being less than cheery about this,” she mumbles quietly. “It is a grave matter, and as I have told you, I hold…” She pauses. “Deep, deep hatred towards Shooting Star, and every single day since my transformation, I have regretted not taking his life when I had the chance. I felt I needed to show him mercy, take the morally correct decision, but there are some ponies who simply do not deserve to draw another breath.” I don’t really know what to say, because I’ve never seen this side of her before. I’ve seen her remorseful, I’ve seen her upset, and I’ve seen her pensive, but I’ve never seen anything like this. And I can feel it: she’s not just angry, she’s furious. At this point, I don’t even think she wants to kill him. She just wants to make him suffer. “You should probably get back to our world,” she proclaims after a moment. “Really?” I ask. “After all of that, you want me to just leave?” “It is okay,” she nods while smiling. “You should not get too worried about this, just go back and enjoy the game. He has lost the element of surprise he had last time, so we will have an advantage with him.” “Okay,” I manage to shakily squeak out. “I guess I’ll see you later, then?” She nods. “Yes, and thank you for coming.” We just look at each other for a little bit, then she steps aside to let me past. The wind hits me in the face again when I walk out of the prison, and I’m chilled to the bone while I run back to my dream. As I start moving my hoof towards the puddle of mist that will lead me back to my own dream, I realize for the first time that my hat and scarf didn’t come through with me. Weird, I guess clothing can’t come through to the dream world. Within a few seconds, I find myself back in Luna’s private box. As my eyes flutter open, the CU crowd erupts in cheering as a cannon behind the goalpost shoots glimmering frost all over the stadium. The band starts playing the fight song, Cavalcade of the Windigos, but all that just makes my heart sink. All those ponies don’t even know what’s happening, don’t know what could be happening in the dream world. Yet here they all are, watching a hoofball game and acting like nothing’s wrong. I look over towards where mom and dad are and I can see them singing along, huge smiles on both of their faces. I know Luna told me not to tell anypony, but I really want to tell them. They’re my parents, right? I can tell them anything...right? I don’t even want to go back out there. It’s just a lot to take in, and everypony down in the stadium is enjoying themselves. I’m sure I’ll get over it, but now’s not the time. But I have to go, so I get up off the couch and look back at Luna. Her head is resting on the couch arm, and she looks really peaceful. A tiny bit of drool is starting to dribble out of her half-open mouth, so I can’t help but giggle at that. I’ve never really seen her sleep before, and she looks so much less regal and important now than she normally does. Sveta just nods a little as I walk past her and into the hallway with the staircase, and I just absent-mindedly walk through the concourse in a bit of a trance. Before I even know it, I’m back at the row where mom and dad are, just standing on the concrete steps. I don’t think they’ve noticed I’m back yet, so I walk in and back up to them. “You’re back!” dad exclaims when I walk up to him, he and mom moving over so I can have a spot for myself. “What was that about?” “Just, you know...some stuff back at the castle.” I force a tiny smile to grow on my face. “Bureaucratic stuff. Boring stuff. Stuff.” “You missed a great touchdown!” mom adds, yelling so we can hear her. “Yeah, uh…” I run my hoof through my mane, trying to think of some lie to get out of here. “Do you mind if I leave? I’m not feeling that great.” “Sure!” He looks at mom and she nods, then they both look back at me. “Lead the way.” “Oh, you’re coming with me?” “Yeah! We can turn on the radio back at the hotel and listen to it there. I’m sure mom brought something that will make you feel better, and if not, one of us can go get it for you.” “You don’t need to do that,” I quickly say, throwing a hoof up. “I know one ticket to this game is expensive, and you guys got three. Plus, you said this is the first CU game you two have been to since you were students, and since this is the game and all—” “Aurora,” he cuts me off. “Sure we’d love to be at the game with you, but we didn’t come up to watch hoofball. We came up to see you, and we’d have more fun sitting in the hotel listening to the game with you than watching it in the stadium without you.” “You sure?” I ask. “I won’t be upset if you two wanted to stay.” “It’s almost halftime, and we’ve had plenty of fun here already,” mom smiles. “We want to spend the day together, and if you’re not feeling well, then it won’t be any fun for you here.” “I just…” I want to just be alone, but I can tell they legitimately don’t mind leaving with me. I guess I can always ask if they can leave the room so I can rest, that would let me be alone for a while. I fake a small smile. “Yeah, sure. Do you mind listening to the game somewhere else, in the hotel lobby maybe? I think I just need to rest a little. I didn’t really sleep well last night, so I think that’s part of it.” He nods, and then gestures for me to leave the stands. Once we’re in the concourse and walking towards the exits, he uses his magic to take my hat off and replace it with his. “Your hat didn’t look very warm, so you should wear mine on the way back. And sure, you can even sleep in the bed because that couch didn’t look very comfortable. But if you want to go back to the palace so you can be in your own bed, that’s fine as well. I understand wanting to go back to your own room and your own bed when you’re sick.” That sounds a little tempting, but I don’t want to have to deal with all the Dreamstriders right now. Just thinking of them actually does make me feel a little sick. “No, I’m fine with going back to the hotel.” Dad nods and goes in front of me, leading us towards the exit. I start following him, and mom comes up real close next to me. “What doesn’t feel good?” she asks softly, almost like I’m a little foal again. “I have a headache, and my stomach doesn’t feel great,” I lie. Figure those are easy enough things to fake. “Which end?” I just look at her, and she’s just looking at me warmly and awaiting my response. “What?” “Front or back?” It takes me a little bit, but my eyes go wide as the realization hits me. “Why…?” “Just want to know what kind of medicine to give you when we get back.” “Front,” I say after thinking about it for a quick second. I figure that one’s more believable, and I can’t imagine they’ll want to be hanging around the room if they think that’s what’s wrong with me. When we walk by the long line for the mares’ room, mom looks at it and then to me. “Do you think you need to go into the restroom?” “I think I’ll be fine on the way back to the hotel,” I assure her. At this point, I just want to get back so I can just be away from everypony else. We walk out of the stadium, and a cold wind picks up as soon as we exit. Mom shivers and runs up to dad to huddle up against him, but I kind of like it. It reminds me a lot of the dream world, even if the cold here is sharper and less inviting than it is there. I never really noticed it before today, but it’s weirdly beautiful right now: sure it’s cold and gray and there’s no snow, but somehow that just makes it all the more pretty. It’s still kind of bright, and everypony looks so warm and cozy in their hats and scarves and coats. Some steam is thrown over us when we pass under a vent, and the warmth is a nice contrast against the frigid mountain air. I look up at the sky, and the wind starts blowing around the bits of my mane that are sticking out from under dad’s hat. Hopefully Luna was right and not much will come of this, because there’s just so much happiness in Canterlot today and it’s hard knowing that this could all be destroyed. I look back down and see mom and dad walking in front of me, but have to look back at the sky instead. Thinking about losing everything around me is bad enough, but the thought of losing all the ponies I love is even worse.