In the middle of the night, Trixie's eyes snapped open. She peered around warily through the darkness of the tower bunkroom. She listened to the sound of Starlight's muffled snoring, and Moondancer clutching her plush bear and muttering lines from the pageant in her sleep.
Then Trixie's roaming gaze landed on the window above Twilight's bed. And saw, framed in it, a dragon-winged, purple-armored pony, standing right outside. Standing on thin air, its wings folded, as if it was nothing at all.
The nightmare's glowing eyes met Trixie's, paused briefly to be certain she'd seen it. Then it turned away, slipping into the purple darkness of the Night outside -- and was gone.
Trixie got up, with practiced quiet. She stood for a moment looking at her friends to be sure none of them saw her. And then she stepped forwards into the shadows, quietly vanishing herself.
She found herself trotting up the nave of the black cathedral, in the heart of the shadowy dreamworld City of Nightmares. She came to the dais, to the throne of Night, on which sat Princess Luna, surrounded by her guards.
And bowed gracefully. "Your Highness. You wished to speak with me?"
"Lady Trixie," Luna smiled welcomingly. "My apologies for disturbing your rest. But yes, there is a matter of great importance."
Quickly Luna outlined the situation and Trixie stared, amazed. She was about to ask a question, but Luna held up a hoof.
"The less said the better, my inquisitive student," Luna warned. "This must be kept quiet, even between us."
"They're my friends," Trixie said. "And maybe they could help?"
"They will," Luna said. And then she looked regretful. "This is not something they can be told. It is a thing they must discover. And we must see to it," she added sternly, "that the mistakes of the past are not repeated. Too much has been lost already. The Empire must not fall to the darkness again."
Trixie made a face. "It's just... I'm finally feeling like I belong now. I don't like having to lie to them again."
"It is not a lie," Luna assured her. "All thee has to do is... say nothing for the nonce. And keep thy eyes open."
"Yes, Your Highness," Trixie said, bowing. "You will keep Trixie in the loop, won't you? Give me a hint when it's time?"
"Always, my devoted student. Thou will know when it is time to act. Now, return to bed, and sleep well until morning." She gestured with a hoof, smiling. "We command it."
Trixie's head drooped. "Highness..." she mumbled, wearily.
And then turned over in her bed, her forehooves tucked snugly in the hoof-trap she always wore, to keep herself from presenting stage acts in her sleep. And began quietly snoring.
While through the window over Twilight's bed, the Moon swept onwards through the chilly, icy night outside...