The moon was high in the sky, making the Princess of the Night glow. Flapping her powerful wings while ignoring her translucent mane softly flowing in a magical breeze, Luna surveyed the peaceful world below her. She watched as the lights in homes disappear one by one, and ponies going inside to rest for the next day. She loved her ponies dearly, but they did nothing to alleviate her current problem.
The truth of the matter was simple. Luna was bored. Beyond all reason.
As interesting as things have been lately, it seemed that this particular night was going to be a boring one. Most nights, many ponies stayed up and liked to cause a ruckus or go out, but not tonight. Tonight, everyone seemed to be sleeping.
She sighed as blue eyes noticed a small town off the distance. Ponyville.
A lightbulb went off in her head as an idea as brilliant as Starswirl the Bearded invaded it. If the ponies she ruled over could not amuse her, she’d find another way to do it herself.
“Oh, how wondrous it is to be Princess of the Night.”
Doing a quick barrel roll in joy, she promptly headed towards the darkened town. There were six specific places that she knew could entertain her, no matter if they were awake or asleep.
She fixated on her first target.
A house of clouds flaoting in the sky, housing the current Element of Loyalty.
~~~
She softly touched down on the soft, cloud balcony of the blue pegasus’s home. Peeking through the window, she could make out the curled up, blue form of Rainbow Dash. She was fast asleep.
Perfect.
Crouching down until she was lying on the cloud, she closed her eyes and lit up her horn, casting an old but familiar spell. It was one she had not used in a long time. The soft blue glow softly illuminated the balcony, casting its light onto the wall next to her.
“Let us see what goes through your mind while in slumber…” Her soft whisper went unnoticed.
In a matter of moments, everything around her disappeared and turned into a fine, white mist within her mind. Standing up, her dream self then walked towards a wall of silver fog, disappearing within its depths.
~~~
Her ethereal form soon found itself walking into a questionable establishment—a high class bar of sorts.
Squinting her eyes, she tried to make out the owner of the dream as she searched through the smoky haze. She could make out various tables and booths strewn about; a handful of ponies were scattered throughout the room, whose cigar smoke filled the air. It was at this moment that she was glad that none of this was real, so her senses were not overwhelmed.
Her ears picked up the sound of smooth jazz in the background. Closing her eyes to revel in it for a moment, she decided to find the source, momentarily forgetting about the blue pegasus. What she found was a stage where a small ensemble played, instruments glowing under the lighting. They were soon accompanied by a mare’s low, sultry voice. Realizing that they also had a singer, she took in her presence as well. She was a pretty thing. Brown mane falling gently down her neck. Coat as white as snow. Unicorn. It wasn’t until her red dress sparkled under the dim spotlight, did she notice another detail of the dream.
Looking at the dress, she realized that all the colors were darkened. Nothing shone as brightly as it could. Each piece of elegantly carved wood was darker than she thought it would be. Every stretch of fabric was dull despite looking new. The brilliant colors of the ponies were darker, more inconspicuous.
She was too fascinated by the lack of color, and thus was startled when she heard a disembodied voice begin to speak. It was familiar, and it took her a moment to realize that it was Rainbow’s voice. Her rough voice softly echoed through the air and every inch of the bar.
‘It was a Friday night. Scratch that. It’s Saturday…or maybe Sunday? I can never tell anymore. The days all look the same to me now.’
After a moment of searching, she finally found Rainbow Dash lazily sitting at an empty booth with a large, blue, earth pony stallion standing by her side. Judging by his suit and sunglasses, she assumed he was a bodyguard of sorts. She paid him no mind.
Looking for a better vantage point, she took a seat at an empty booth facing the blue pegasus. She noticed that when she heard the voice again, Rainbow’s mouth hadn’t moved.
‘Bleak. Dark. Rain beat against the windows. The rain wasn’t heavy, but slow—almost deliberate. It was as if the ponies in charge of the weather mixed the rain with snow. I could almost catch each droplet in hoof to examine it.’
Sure enough, it was raining. She couldn’t believe she missed it before. The pitter-patter of the water was incredibly noticeable now. It was deafening as her ears flattened themselves against her skull in an effort to drown out the noise.
‘I look outside, and I see my reflection in the streaked glass. My hard face stared me in the eye. Those magenta eyes that had seen too much, hiding exhaustion behind their steely gaze looked back at me. When was the last time I had peace? Was it ten, twenty years ago? I believe it was back before I was still on the force, catching ponies that broke the law. I was so naïve. The shadows were too enticing. They drew me in. What now? Peace. It was so beautiful. Why is it now that I remember it? I don’t know. I fear that I may never have it again. Even now I feel as if there is a foreign presence watching my every move…’
Slinking down into her chair, she decided to inspect every detail that she could instead.
Rainbow Dash’s attire was interesting and older in appearance. Atop her head rested a gray fedora with a long, blue, feather pinned to the black band of the hat. It accentuated the crisp, pinstriped tailcoat that she wore. The suit was dark, contrasting with toned down colors. She could see the red, the purple, and every color in between. But instead of the vibrant rainbow of color that she remembered, it was toned with gray, muting all of her colors, allowing them to blend into the dim scenery. Even the blue of her wings seemed grayer against the coat.
When Rainbow suddenly straightened her posture, she grew curious as to what may have caught the mare’s attention. Blue eyes scanned the area in search of what was so interesting all of a sudden. It took her a moment, but she finally found the source.
The silhouette of another pegasus had appeared through the haze. The brown mare’s green eyes darted to and fro, searching for something. Or somepony, Luna assumed. Her guess was correct as her hunched form stiffened at the sight of Rainbow Dash. The mare tried to hide behind her short, gray mane, wings frozen at her sides. She practically withered under the rainbow mare’s intense gaze. She tentatively approached the seated pony, wary of the hired muscle at her side. She nervously watched the large stallion, body trembling as if ready to bolt should he so much as twitch in her direction. Her nerves calmed just a bit at the gesture of a blue hoof. Locking eyes with Dash, she took her offer to sit. Gray wings fluttered softly in anxiety as they hid a cutie mark of a card board box.
Neither said a word as Dash stared down the pegasus. The mare in turn began to fidget nervously under the critical scrutiny. She visibly flinched when the sandy voice of the blue mare addressed her.
“Card Stock. Do you know why you’re here?”
Luna’s eyes widened at the detached tone of voice. It was highly unusual for the emotional pegasus, whose voice carried countless emotions at once. Her ears pricked in their direction as she continued to eavesdrop on their conversation.
“Y-you wanted to t-talk to me?”
She felt a hint of pity for the imaginary mare that seemed to shake with every stutter.
“You wouldn’t be here if I didn’t. Do you know what we need to talk about?”
Rainbow Dash leaned forward as the opposing mare shrunk in on herself in a manner reminiscent of another pegasus mare she knew. She tried to hold the blue mare’s sight as much as she could, but had to look away multiple times from the sheer intensity being given to her, unable to hold it for more the few seconds.
One beat.
Two.
The tense atmosphere was interrupted as a unicorn dressed in a waiter’s uniform arrived at their table and set down a drink in front of Rainbow Dash before walking away to service other patrons.
Resting back against the plush cushion, Dash reached out and took the drink in hoof and gave it a quick, experimental sip. She hummed in appreciation for the drink, and not just the nerves that continued to harass Card Stock.
“I said…do you know what we need to talk about?” Rainbow’s voice had taken a darker turn, and Card Stock seemed to take note of the mood. Her chest heaved more noticeably as the guard turned to look at her as well, making her more uneasy by the second.
“It’s about the l-latest job Miss,” her voice quivered.
Rainbow Dash simply swirled her drink in response before answering back.
“And what happened on that job?”
“W-we lost the cargo to a raid…”
“And why were our rivals able to take such a large amount of cargo off our hooves?”
“B-because… W…we were careless Ma’am…”
Blue hooves slammed against the table.
“You’re dang right you were careless! Do you know how much money you cost us? You were supposed to transport the supplies, and you failed. Do you know what happens to ponies that fail me?”
The sudden outburst had startled everyone within range, even Luna. She was surprised at such shameless violence coming from the blue pegasus. She knew that Rainbow Dash was reckless and prone to violence, but not such a chilling extent. The underlying threat was obvious and terrifying at the same time. Her willingness to threaten another pony sent chills throughout her body as she thanked her lucky stars that this was only a dream.
“W-what h-happens to them…”
Card Stock’s fear was so physically evident, that Luna could feel the vibrations on her trembling form at her own table. Though unnerved at the scene playing out before her, she leaned forward in anticipation as she waited to see what happened next.
Nursing her drink, Rainbow slowly turned to the brown mare in contempt. Taking a moment to revel in the mare’s fear, she gave a cruel smirk.
“They get a visit from the Wonderbolts. Sometimes even from Spitfire herself.”
Card Stock jumped to her hooves in a panic, nearly falling over at the speed of which she stood. Her hooves flailed around in desperation as she tried to get the nonchalant pegasus to feel any sort of merciful emotion that would let her leave in one piece.
“What! No! P-please! Give me another chance! I swear I won’t botch the job! Just please! Anything but them!”
Odd. Luna could have sworn that the Wonderbolts were simply around for entertainment. She knew they were a special military branch of the Royal Guard, but they rarely saw any battle unless it was an emergency. She was curious as to why the Wonderbolts were feared here, and why Dash had such control over them.
Luna’s eyes widened as it clicked in her mind.
They were Assassins. Hit ponies.
They existed for the sole reason to remove any and all annoyances or opposition from existence. And judging by the threat of Spitfire, she was most likely the most vicious one of the group. If she was still in charge of the group of fliers within Dash’s dreamscape, then the brutally of those pegasi must be unparalleled.
Ice cubes clinked softly against the inside of the glass, slowly swirling alongside the unnamed alcohol. Dash seemed transfixed by the liquid as she paid no mind to Card Stock across her on the verge of fainting. Her dulled magenta eyes were lidded as she was lost in thought. After what seemed like an eternity, her eyes slowly looked at the hyperventilating mare.
“Stop your shameless begging. I’ll give you one more chance. But only because I have another job that I need done that fits your area of expertise. Especially since my other carriers are busy with their own sensitive tasks, and can’t afford any distractions. You’ll receive the necessary information from one of the messengers. You won’t like the result if you fail me twice,” she coldly stated.
Despite the threat, her words seemed to calm Card Stock down as she gave a relieved sigh before slumping back into her seat. Green eyes looked up in gratitude before standing up. Warily looking at the hired muscle at the blue mare’s side, she gave a quick bow before retreating.
Rainbow rested comfortably against the blue fabric of the booth as she watched the brown pegasus quickly leave the seedy bar. Once she was out of sight, she leaned in towards her bodyguard.
Luna took note of the action and strained to hear the quiet words leaving her lips.
“Bench Press, have the Wonderbolts finished their task?”
The large stallion nodded towards her, addressing her in a gruff voice.
“Yes. I received word from their captain that they have succeeded.”
Pulling back, she rested her chin atop her hoof as she reached into her inside pocket. Pulling out a couple slips of paper, she then slid them towards Bench Press. His enormous hoof quickly swiped them and stuffed them inside one of his coat pockets.
“Good. I have another job for her and the team. Those contain information on their next target, as well as information on our little friend, Card Stock.”
Rainbow Dash’s eyes flashed with something unnaturally despicable. Standing up from her seated position, she brushed off her pristine suit of imaginary dust and lint. Once satisfied, the sheer calm on her face sent chills down not just Luna’s, but Bench Press’s, spine.
“Don’t forget to tell Spitfire that if she wants to give Card her ‘special kiss’, to only do it if she fails. She wouldn’t be able to do the job if Spitfire gets her hooves on her beforehand. She wouldn’t survive that encounter. I still wonder how I did all those years ago…”
“Miss Spitfire truly is one terrifying pony.”
“Indeed she is.”
Luna shivered alongside the criminals as the implications of Spitfire’s Kiss shook her body. She had no idea exactly what it was; judging by her fellow ponies’ reactions, she hoped to never find out.
“Come along Bench. We have to pay a visit to Spitfire and Soarin’ to give them the details on a certain thieving rival of mine. Nopony steals my cargo without repercussion after all…”
The blue alicorn tried to look away from the feral grin that now adorned Dash’s face.
“Are we going to send the Wonderbolts to Ms. Firefly’s residence?”
With the grin still at full force, she turned to face her companion.
“Precisely.”
At this, both ponies left their table and headed for the exit. No pony that they passed seemed to pay them mind.
Deciding to take this time to leave the dream before Dash became aware of her presence in her subconscious from prolonged exposure, she quickly stood up, and followed them out the door.
Every aspect of the bar began to fade the farther she walked away from her table, indicating that this portion of the dream was coming to a close. Everything around her became as translucent as her mane, before fading completely, including Dash and her guard. She did not even have to walk through a door as it had disappeared before she could even reach it. Glancing back at the waning remnants of the building, she could barely make out the words on the sign before chuckling softly to herself.
The Rainbow Lounge.
It suddenly made sense as to why no one bothered the blue pegasus. She owned the place. To bother her could not just have them thrown out, but they might even receive a visit from certain pegasi that she would never be able to relax while watching their shows ever again.
Once everything had transformed into the fine mist from earlier, she knew that it was time to leave and explore somewhere else. It was time to search for a new dreamscape.
She walked until she found the familiar wall of silver fog; and soon, it had consumed her.
~~~
Jolting awake, she stood up and took in her surroundings. Pleased to see that she had not been disturbed while in such a vulnerable state, she then peered into the window that housed the Element of Loyalty.
Confusion filled her mind as she wondered how such a carefree and uncouth pony could become such a cold and calculated criminal. Even within her mind. The pristine pegasus she had seen in her dream was a stark contrast to the disheveled mare that was now sprawled across her large bed. She might never understand, but that was just fine. A mare is allowed to dream freely after all.
A sudden snore and rolling of a small blue body startled Luna out of her reverie as she ducked behind a wall, afraid that she had been caught. It wasn’t until she heard Rainbow Dash’s sleepy mumbles did she ease up.
“You dun know who yer playin’ with… Spitfire…stahp…”
Luna smiled at the mare’s imagination while turning to face the night sky. She unfurled her wings and slowly lifted herself into the air to avoid waking the pegasus with unneeded noise.
“That was fairly interesting. Such wonders your imaginative streak can create,” she whispered softly to herself. She was still in awe over the intricacies that such a seemingly simple mare could create. She had visited many dreams, and not all were as elaborately crafted as this one. Suddenly curious, she wondered if all the Bearers held such detailed dreams.
She would soon find out.
Making wide arcs in the sky, the powerful beat of her wings made her starry mane shift and change in the sudden breeze. She wondered who to seek out next, but it was answered as she found her next destination.
She refrained from giggling giddily as she dove towards the next pony’s home; her body absolutely shaking with excitement over what she would witness next.