//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Element of Harmony is Not Necessary // by Zeltecrast //------------------------------// “Who are you! Stay away from me!” Cherry Blossom is running as fast as she can. She could nothing but sees darkness around her. “Don’t look at me!” In the darkness, Thousands of eyes surround her. All of those eyes focused on her. “What do you want!” “...” “Fine! Just stop looking at me!” “...” “Why! Why me!” The darkness doesn’t seem to listen. All of those eyes keep scrutinizing her. Her legs ultimately give up. She stumbles down. Her leg giving up not because of exhaustion, but because she is subdued by fear. “Please stop... Help me... help...” Like if the darkness listens to the mare plea, her surrounding cleared, leaving only an infinite clean plateau. “Don’t be afraid, for we are here. You’re secure now.” “What? Who?” “...” “Princess Luna! Ah! Where is my manner!” Cherry Blossom tries to get up and lower herself into a genuflect. Only to make her stumble forward. The fear she had earlier had not yet subsided. Poor girl. Many dreams we visit, and this is the first time it has a huge impact on a pony. “Indeed, that is also what I’ve been pondering.” Do you think you can get rid of it? “I don’t think I can.” What causes you to think like that? “This nightmare is special.” I do think like that. But I can’t explain it. So I thought it was just an imagination. “No it’s not just your imagination, I think I have an idea what it is. But I need confirming it first.” Princess Luna waits until the mare genuflects properly. It’s not because she is crazy with authority, she merely knows it will soothe the mare to calm down. “Be at ease. we are not coming here to assert our title, but we are here to help you. miss...” “...Ah! Blossom, Cherry Blossom and please just my name, no need to include ‘miss’” “Very well Blossom. Before we proceed, is there anything you want to ask us?” “Yes! There are many things I’m curious about when it comes to dreaming.” “Hmm? Usually, ponies refrain themselves and say to the effect of ‘no thank you, princess. I don’t want to waste your precious time.’” “My apologies, princess!” Cherry Blossom says while trying to genuflect again. “No need, Blossom. It is a surprise indeed, but a welcome one, and we try to express it. Now inform us what you are intrigued about. But before that, in this lovely plateau, what we require is a picnic.” Princess Luna spawned a carpet and tea. “Yes, princess.” Cherry Blossom sits down. “We have waffles and Pancakes. Which one do you desire? Or, if this is not to your liking you could consider spawning it yourself.” “Let me try it. I’m curious.” “As one would expect, just imagine an item and it will be spawned.” Cherry Blossom imagines a pie and a pie spawned in front of her. “This is so impressive!” Cherry Blossom settles and snatches a bite of her pie. At that moment she asks her first question. “What is a dream? Where does it come from?” “There is no research about the dream because as you naturally know we recently freed ourselves from chaos and war. Therefore research is focused on agricultural and general pony’s wellbeing.” Princess Luna spawns herself a pancake. “So we don’t know anything about a dream?” “That appears to be the chase. But we have an idea of our own. Though we never prove it.” “What is it?” “When we sleep, we and you and anypony else, our mind consolidates the memories we receive when we awake.” “Consolidate? Like we reconstruct or reenact the event that happens in real life, so we can retain more vivid memories?” “Exactly! You understand it quickly. I suspect you have your theory.” “I may have, princess, especially when I have suffered the same nightmare for the prior days.” Princess Luna pours tea for herself and Cherry Blossom. “Your dream just now, inform us about it.” “I don’t know when it starts. When I become aware, the surroundings are pitch black. And then thousands of eyes open in the darkness and stare at me.” Cherry Blossom shuddered. “What represents the most familiar thing you can think of this dream to an event in the real world?” “...A bar! I work as a singer at a local bar called ‘The Blushing Horses Tavern’, Princess Luna should visit.” “We might or might not, Blossom. You will never know.” “Princess Luna, please give me mercy. I don’t want to perform badly when special guest visits.” “Very well, we shall visit, but no promises. And also a little advice for you, sing for the sake of singing, not satisfying your guest.” “Thank you, Princess, will do.” “Where were we? Right, do you have stage fright, or people staring at you scares you? However, I have suspected it since you, however, prefer a job where you are the focus of interest.” “Yes Princess, that’s the thing, I don’t have any of that.” “That’s it!” I see so that’s what happens. “Wait, let me vocalize it so I don’t have to utter it twice.” Princess Luna takes the last piece of her pancakes. She notices that Cherry Blossom’s pie, not even halfway eaten, she spawns another pancake for herself. Sure, I can wait. “Princess if I may, there is something else I wonder about.” “What is it?” “Is it possible a nightmare is just happening and doesn't have any correlation with the real-world event? Like it from magic? Like what happened to me?” “It is possible. Only just for your note, you are the first pony with this chase.” “Really?” “Yes, when we do our first dream walking, the first thing we notice is almost every pony has a nightmare.” “Almost everypony? Wow, that must be quite a work.” “We admit, we are stunned by the amount at first. But then we notice that, since ponies don’t have somepony to clean the dream world since we think whenever ponies start dreaming, it creates a thought energy buildup.” “That sounds dangerous, princess. What will happen if we leave it alone?” “We don’t know and don't want to wait until we know what happens. We could merely speculate.” “What is it? I hope it will be nothing like Discord.” “Well, if it could retain enough power to manifest itself into the real world. When that happens, it will become a monster, imagine Discord and King Sombra produce a foal but more powerful.” “Okay, I follow the analogy, but more powerful?” “See, it can hide in the dream world whenever we try using the element of harmony on it.” “Yikes! Princess, please protect us.” “We are your princess for a reason you know, so be at ease.” “Yes Princess, thank you so much!” The pancake she just spawns is her favorite, though because of its size it takes a while to consummate it. “You are welcome, Blossom” Princess Luna is giving Cherry Blossom a gentle smile, only to hide her worried mind. “Any ideas?” Try fighting it? “How?” I don’t know, just try to make it get out and shoot it with some random magic you can think of. “We don’t even know where it is hiding. Though I have an idea where it is.” Where? “...” What? “It's just that, this is not the first time you give me some random idea which you don’t even know how to proceed with.” ... Hey! Stop complaining! Admit it that my idea constantly produces a way for our problem. “Alright, might as well try it.” Princess Luna refocuses her attention toward Cherry Blossom. She waits until Cherry Blossom finishes her pie. “Cherry Blossom, we want to try to get rid of your nightmare right now.” “Yes Princess, how can I help?” “To begin with we want to find the foreign magic inside your mind. It will require us to go deep into your mind, would you comply with this?” “Yes Princess, the nightmare has been disturbing my sleep hence my work is disturbed too. If I can get rid of it for my secret, I want to.” Princess Luna nods. “Secondly, what you are going to see is an absolute secret, not even my sister, knows about this. Therefore, I give you two options. One, do your best in keeping this secret. If we even once heard of this not from you, then we are going to kill you and anypony you told of. Or two, we will curse you so you can’t speak of this matter even if you want to.” “This sounds so serious Princess.” “Indeed it is, this is a matter of death or alive of somepony. We can take how much time you need to make up your mind.” “No need, Princess, I already made up my mind. I will take option number two.” “Very well.” Both of them get up from the carpet. At the same moment, the carpet and tea sets dissolve into magic particles. Princes Luna points her horn toward Cherry Blossom. Her horn glows brighter and brighter. With a flash of light, the surrounding is no longer an infinite plateau, but black space. “Where are we, Princess Luna?” “This is what we proclaimed mind space.” “Mind space? Wow.” Cherry Blossom takes her time to observe her surroundings. She stopped when she discovers a pair of glowing teal-colored slit-pupil eyes. “Wh-Who are you!” “Hi! The name Nightmare Moon, nice to meet you, Cherry Blossom.” An alicorn mare with a blue coat and lighter tone blue mane revealed herself from behind Luna. Even though they have similar colors for their coat and mane, one of them has teal-colored slit-pupil eyes. “Hello...” “See Cherry Blossom, I am never alone, I always have somepony beside me.” “Yes! Luna is nothing without me, the great me!” Nightmare Moon laughing. “Please stop.” “What? But How?” “I don’t know, we just happen to be two souls sharing one body.” “I see, since when?” “Probably my whole life? Not sure. But I’m reasonably certain I remember Nightmare moon when I was five.” “Is that why you habitually use the word ‘we’ or ‘us’ when you prefer to yourself?” “That is precise.” “I see, so the thing that has to keep a secret is the fact that you have a companion soul?” “That and Mind space.” “I understand.” “Follow me. We need to find that nightmare. I will search for it, meanwhile, you could ask Nightmare Moon for any question you are curious about.” Still, in a dark place, Princess Luna seemingly walks in an arbitrary direction. Cherry Blossom and Nightmare Moon follow her from behind. “...Ah! Nice to meet you too, Nightmare Moon.” Nightmare Moon takes her time to giggle. “I know for sure you have so many questions right now, so ask me anything.” “...What is mind space?” “After we agree with how we are going to live our life, we search for anything anywhere about companion souls.” “Have you discovered anything? For sure this is nothing new.” “Regrettably we cannot discover anything, meaning what happens to us is something that never happens in the past.” “I see, that is unfortunate.” “Yes, we have to work on it ourselves. The first thing we work on is switching the charge on bodies.” “Wait, between Princess Luna and Nightmare Moon, who is the host body?” “It was from Luna.” “My apologies in advance, Nightmare Moon, but isn’t that mean you are a p—?” Princess Luna shoots a piercing glare toward Cherry Blossom as if saying, ‘mention it and I will slay you!’ Goosebumps crawling real fast on Cherry Blossom, causing her to cower. Nightmare Moon naturally gives Princess Luna the look to soothe her, only to earn her a huff from Princess Luna. “Indeed, that's what I believed. But Luna always makes sure that I’m not what I think I was. You recall how kind she is when she helps you with your nightmare right? But she has the terrifying side too.” “I could see that. But still, she is scary.” Cherry Blossom tries to compose herself. Nightmare Moon giggling at both Cherry Blossom and Princess Luna, each with varied reasons. “Where was I? Right, when we switch charge on the body day by day, we notice this place is where the soul lives.” “Soul? But you called it mind space.” Cherry Blossom loses track of how long she has been walking because all she could perceive is darkness. “That is true this is where the soul lives, but there is more to it than that.” “Like what?” “Remember when Luna talks about how a dream is consolidating our memories?” “...” Cherry Blossom bobs her head. “Not only that but when we are dreaming we are sorting through memories.” “You mean those useless memories or simply we don’t cherish them to get deleted?” “Yes! You are so clever! But do you know the deleted memories still could be revived?” “It can?” “It can! With magic, we can restore it from here.” “...” An amazed face could be noted on her muzzle. “Not only that, with magic we can arbitrarily save memories with the highest precision!” “That is absolutely amazing!” “Wait! There’s more.” “There’s more?” “Yes! With enough magic, we can peer into what kind of life we led in the past!” “Nightmare Moon! Can I witness my past life too!” Nightmare Moon could see a dazzling sparkle in Cherry Blossom’s eye. “Sure, let just say this is the compensation you get for the curse you will have.” “Yes! Thank you, Nightmare Moon.” “Now, do you understand how dangerous it is for Princess Luna and me if ponies know about Mind space?” “No offense Nightmare Moon, but that sounds pretty tame for me.” “Hmm, weird, I think I overlook something... right! Because no pony can access their mind space, its safety is close to nothing. Because of that, we can altogether go to some pony and consume their soul.” “What happens if you consume their soul?” “Did you know that a creature's raw power can be gauged by their soul? The bigger their soul the bigger their power is. And one way to increase one soul is to consume another.” “Ah! That sounds dangerous. You wouldn’t be a villain, would you?” “It will be fascinating if this world has a villain that even the Element of Harmony can’t do anything about it.” “Please don’t be such a villain, Nightmare moon.” “Right? So do you understand how dangerous it is? “Yes, nightmare Moon, my lips are sealed.” “Don’t worry about it. You already choose option number two, remember?” Before Cherry Blossom answers Nightmare Moon, she focuses already on something else. “What is that?” in front of her, there are a bunch of black objects that glow. “What you perceive is not a tangible object, but a projection of a memory. Think of it as a 3D model of memories.” “It’s all black, and I could only see the outline of it in a dim glow of color. Is it safe to touch it? It’s a little too scary when I can’t perceive the color of the object itself.” “It is safe, but before you touch anything it’s wholly appropriate if I explain it first. First thing first, choose an object you want to see.” “There is so much to choose from, from an object that I think I know what it meant to me like that necklace, to a random object like a chair?” “That chair looks interesting, I wonder what kind of memories you have with it.” “I don’t know Nightmare Moon, I think I want that pie. Looks like the most sensible option.” “Very well.” Nightmare Moon and Cherry Blossom walk toward said pie. “Alright, we can use the object as it is.” “You mean if it looks like a food we can use it as food?” “You are right! Here sample it.” Nightmare Moon collects the pie and divides it into two slices. One slice she gives it to Cherry Blossom. The other she eats it herself. “Wow, this is so excellent. Whoever the baker of this pie is a blessing for our world.” “This tastes like the pie grandma often baked for me.” “I think I want a second.” The pie already respawned in its original place. Nightmare Moon takes it for herself now. “You could do that?” “As a matter of course. And also, you could reconstruct the memories it has behind it.” “How is it?” “Touch the object and think you want to recall the memories behind it.” “Like this? There is nothi—?” Cherry Blossom can be seen to be spaced out. But what happens is she reenacts the memories. Seconds later her consciousness is back. “Wow, I can see my Grandma. She looks radiant and fit, too bad I could no longer encounter her.” “I’m sorry for your loss Cherry Blossom.” “I’m okay Nightmare moon. I’m already over it.” “Nightmare Moon! Cherry Blossom! I think I found it!” “Come, look like Luna has found it.” With a nod, Cherry Blossom silently follows Nightmare Moon to Princess Luna. From Luna sounds Nightmare Moon could estimate the distance toward her. While it’s not far, many objects cluttering on the floor restrict them down. “What is it, Luna?” Nightmare Moon disturbs the silence when they reach her. “Look at that. Seems like the nightmare we are looking for.” In front of her, there is a small ball-shaped object. The object emitting a sickening purple-colored smoke. “Have you tried to do anything about it?” “Not yet, I prefer you two are over here if anything happens.” “I see, our initial idea then?” “That is so, alright here we go!” Luna points her horn toward the object. Gradually, she builds up magic in her horn. At a certain threshold, with a flash of light, she releases it toward the object. The magic passes through the object, seemingly doing nothing to it. “Alright, that’s all I can accomplish, your turn.” Nightmare Moon steps forward and does the same. And an identical thing happens just like when Princess Luna tries it. “As expected we can’t do anything to it.” “We are sorry Cherry Blossom, looks like we will attempt it another time.” “Wait, why don’t we just absorb it?” “Again, Nightmare Moon, you could think of random ideas.” “Less talking, more action. Now try it.” Princess Luna shrugged. “Fine, let’s see if that will do anything.” Princess Luna approaches it. At the start, she tries to graze it with her hoof. Nothing happens beside her hoof disperse some of its smoke before it comes back. “No reaction with bodily contact.” Princess Luna talks to no pony in particular but still receives a nod from both of her companions. Princess Luna points her horn to the object. She tries to develop a magical connection with the object. Her horn glows a faint light, and a tendril of magic appears from her horn. The tendril approaches the object slowly. Still, no reaction when the tendril touches the object. “Alright, your turn Nightmare Moon. No reaction from physical contact, nor magical.” Nightmare Moon walks toward the object. “How does it feel when you touch it?” “Just like a ball, and the smoke just like smoke. Nothing special or noteworthy.” “What about magic?” “I don’t feel anything. Like it avoids me.” “Alright, let me try to nudge it first.” When she nudges it, the object reacts to her. The emitted smoke reverts to the object as if the time itself reverted. “Ack!” Because of the surprise, Nightmare Moon is flailing her hoof crazily. The ball sticks to her hoof like an adhesive. “Moony!” “Nightmare Moon!” Princess Luna and Cherry Blossom shout their worry. Although Princess Luna is still stoic as ever. They run toward her. After the initial surprise subsides, Nightmare Moon composes herself. “I’m alright girls. I was just surprised a little bit. In addition, it is our goal to absorb this thing.” “Does it hurt?” Princess Luna asks. “No, it doesn’t hurt.” “How does it feel?” Cherry Blossom asks. “Imagine somepony sticking a ball on your hoof with an adhesive. Something to that effect.” Nightmare Moon shrugged. Princess Luna and Cherry Blossom offer her a nod. Their focus is on the object. At a slow pace, the ball-shaped object continues to permeate itself into Nightmare Moon’s hoof. They patiently wait for the process until it’s done. “At long last, it’s done!” “I can’t believe you can be this joyous.” “Waiting sucks, Luna.” “Wait, let me rephrase that. I can’t believe you worry about when it's going to be done. Did you know that I and Cherry Blossom worry sick about your wellbeing!” “Lu-Luna... You are frightening me. Could you stop? I-I’m sorry...” Princess Luna groaned. “Fine! I’m not even bothering telling you to not behave like that again.” “Nightmare Moon, are you okay? How do you feel?” Nightmare Moon flexing her hoof multiple times. “I’m okay, Blossom.” “But it looks completely pitch-black!” “A part of my right hoof does look completely black. Do you think I will retain this black color when I’m in charge of the body?” “High probability we will consider to deal with it just like with your eyes.” “The first thing you anticipated is habitually what problem something will cause to us. You are not fun.” “It is a problem, but it’s not as much as a hassle. I like the glasses. That’s said, I think you look splendid in black.” “I know right. I will look fabulous.” “Is this the same thing with our theory? “No... It’s something different. This thing is not part of my soul.” “Is that so?” “Princess Luna, What is this theory about?” “See Blossom. We try to theorize the origin of Nightmare Moon. One of them is her soul scattered in the wild and the more considerable piece found her way to my body.” “I see, and this thing is not part of yours, Nightmare Moon?” “No, this is not part of my soul.” “Are you okay, Nightmare Moon?” “I’m okay even if it’s true that maybe I couldn't find my origin and where did I come from.” "wouldn't that make you feel lonely, not knowing where you came from and what you are?" “The lack of explanation about me sometimes makes me feels lonely. But I possess Luna! It is just one theory debunked is all.” Princess Luna rolls her eyes because of the word 'possess' Nightmare Moon uses. “If this is not your stray piece of soul, then the way I conceive it you just consume it.” “I did?” “Indeed, maybe you don’t notice it, but your soul looks bigger.” “I guess I did. A little bit preoccupied with the ball thingy.” Princess Luna giggled at Nightmare Moon antics. “Alright, we have got rid of those nightmares, you should sleep soundly from now on.” “Much appreciated Princess Luna and thank you, Nightmare Moon!” “You are welcome, Blossom. But you did not forget your side of the deal right?” “...Ah! Is it going to hurt?” “It is going to hurt you. We did these multiple times in the past to our enemy.” “Ah! Okay... please allow me time to relax.” “Very well, we are going to wait whenever you are prepared.” After some time, Cherry Blossom finally says. “Alright, I’m ready Princess.” At that time Nightmare Moon broke into laughter. “I’m sorry Blossom, but we already did it.” “What’s that?” “I already place the curse in you, Luna just messing with you.” “Ah?... I see! So that’s what happens. Nevertheless, I can have your promise right?” “You are not even concerned with the prank Luna did to you?” “Well, it is a surprise that the stoic Princess Luna is joking like that, But I am still curious about my past life. Please, Nightmare Moon.” Nightmare Moon giggles at Cherry Blossom. “Very well, but please remember, do not have high expectations. Do you understand?” “I understand Nightmare Moon.” “Alright, here we go!” Nightmare Moon practices her magic at Cherry Blossom. Nightmare Moon and Princess Luna have the feeling they can time travel as a soul because a soul isn't bound in space and time. But what Nightmare Moon does is not time travel, but resurface buried memories. Every so often, ponies will retain a deep attachment that produces memories in their soul, even when they die. Said memories are what Nightmare moon uses for.