After organizing all of their items and changing into their sleep clothes, the humans finally decide to go to sleep for the night. The beds were small and uncomfortable for Trisha, Mia, and Eva. Trisha slept in a bed by herself closest to the window, while Mia and Eva slept in the same bed. Jeremy slept on the floor in between them, Mina slept on the couch, and Kitsu slept on the floor next to her.
After several hours, Trisha eventually finds herself waking up in the middle of Ponyville in the middle of the night.
"....." Trisha looked around at her surroundings, breathing heavily, as she knew that something was way off about Ponyville. "This isn't the Town Square, is it...?"
She noticed that the very active town of Ponyville was now devoid of it's civilization. It didn't seem like a time in which the ponies were asleep in any of the houses either. In fact, it just felt... completely abandoned. It didn't help that the sky was pitch black, as if the sky never existed...
Suddenly, she hears some galloping in the distance quickly closing in. Trisha turns around to see a dark figure galloping towards her. She knew it was a pony due to the figure and distinct sound they make when they're walking. The pony got closer and closer to Trisha, who decided to go into a fighting stance, and perform a swift roundhouse kick. The pony barely dodged the attack in time.
"What are you doing!?" It was Twilight, who ducked and covered her head with her forehooves, feeling irritated and startled for nearly getting kicked. "You could've knocked my head off!"
"Oh crap, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! I just thought I was going to be attacked!" Trisha frantically explained.
"Let me guess... you thought you had a nightmare?" Twilight asked.
"Yea- wait a minute! Why are you even here? This is supposed to be a dream, right?" Trisha was just as surprised.
"I think I might know..." Twilight said.
"Well, what is it? I'm not used to dreaming about anything, especially something so... weird!" Trisha asked, hurriedly.
"Have you ever heard of lucid dreaming?" Twilight asked.
"I think I might have. My friend Alice talked to me about it at one point during a class session. It's when you're aware you're dreaming, right?" Trisha asked, just to be sure.
"Basically. But there's so much about it that makes it interesting!" Twilight said in a way that came off as a bit nerdy.
"But... I mean, I wasn't aware I was dreaming at first until you told me." Trisha said. "This could be MY dream."
"Or it could be MINE." Twilight said, giggling a bit.
While the two were talking, Twilight catches a glimpse of another pony off in the distance from the corner of her eye. walking away just out of sight.
"Is that...!" Twilight caught sight of a certain cutie mark that made her eyes widen in shock and excitement. She then chased after this pony that went around the corner, galloping across the bridge that lead to the Everfree Forest.
"Twilight, wait up!" Trisha chased after Twilight as fast as she could.
The pony that Twilight followed was already far off in the distance, at the entrance to the Everfree Forest, and could be seen walking inside.
"Twilight, hang on!" Trisha called out, desperately trying to keep up with Twilight, but the purple unicorn was too focused on the pony's crescent moon cutie mark...
"There's no mistake... that's Princess Luna! But... something's off..." Twilight thought to herself, as she continued her pursuit with Trisha.
Upon reaching the forest entrance, they see a very familiar trail of glowing mist in the air. Trisha resolved herself to follow the mist for her own personal reason that relates to the plane crash. Eventually, after following the trail and going through several bushes and trees, they reach a ruined structure familiar only to Twilight.
The structure appeared to be a rounded, yet destroyed temple or a sanctuary of some sort, with broken pillars surrounding the outside and inside of the rounded ground, and a spiral staircase, all made of a hard, gray brick.
There was only one big difference this time that the purple unicorn recognized.
"This place..." Twilight widened her eyes at what she saw.
[It's where you freed me from my prison, Twilight Sparkle, by showing us the true power of thou friendship.]
"Princess Luna! Why...!?" Twilight was confused and mortified, for she had seen a statue of Princess Luna curled into a ball like a foal in the place of where the Elements of Harmony were first discovered. Her statue was held in place by several chains, but even then, that familiar essence; that mist that Nightmare Moon would have as her mane, would leak out of this statue of the princess.
[Twilight Sparkle, I have reached out to you and the human because I wish to warn you of Nightmare Moon, for she is trying to free herself from us.]
"Free herself? I thought we-" Twilight tried to ask, but the princess of the night would continue her explanation.
[Thou only succeeded in freeing me from the prison known as Nightmare Moon. It was never destroyed, for it is merely fractured and has been slowly repairing itself. Because of this, Nightmare Moon wishes to find a new prisoner. Her power has become too much to bear and contain during her self-repair; too much to control. And so, My sister, my niece and I decided that it would be for the best that I am sealed away until further notice.]
"Then... that means... Nightmare Moon brought these humans here because..." Twilight became mortified as she realized the answer.
[It is as thou suspect, Twilight Sparkle. The humans are the Nightmare Moon Candidates.]
"But, that doesn't make any sense! Why humans?? Why didn't she just target a pony??" Twilight asked.
[Because, it is thou and the Elements of Harmony that she fears! If she were to imprison another pony, she knows that the Elements of Harmony would always rise to the task of breaking her down once more, and the cycle wouldn't end!]
"So... me and my friends... we're at risk for becoming Nightmare Moon...?" Trisha finally, yet hesitantly, asked. "But that doesn't fully explain WHY US."
[Because, Daughter of Eve, It is because in your world, the Elements of Harmony do NOT EXIST.]
"I see... that makes a lot of sense...! But wait! Wouldn't that mean that she'd simply have to escape to their world!?" Twilight asked hurriedly, slowly beginning to see the full extent of Nightmare Moon's new plan.
[Having a human vessel would make going to the land of humans possible. The lack of magic in the land of humans would make bringing everlasting night to that world but a simple task to her when all she has to deal with are mere humans who lack magic.]
"I see... In that case, why did you save us? If we're being targeted to become Nightmare Moon, then why didn't you just kill us when she brought us here!?" Trisha raised her voice, feeling beyond irritated.
"Trisha!" Twilight was shocked that she'd raise her voice to the princess.
[Because, it wouldn't be fair, now would it? Snatched from your world, only to meet a terrible fate! But alas, I saw some use for you and your friends.]
"Use? Just how can we be useful? We don't have magic! Can't you just send us back!?" Trisha was naturally frustrated at this point.
[Daughter of Eve, do you remember the words I spoke to you during your descent?]
"Friendship... is... Magic...?" Trisha repeated, but still confused.
[Correct. Do not let the darkness corrupt your spirit. With your friendship, your bonds, that will be enough to ensure your survival in this world, for you must leave Equestria as soon as you find your friends, before it's too late!]
"Wait, there's a way home!?" Trisha became excited.
[That... may not be possible right now in my current state. But this is why you and your friends must cooperate with the Elements of Harmony until a way to return you and your friends back to your world is discovered.]
"But if Nightmare Moon brought them here, there may be a magic similar to hers, right?" Twilight asked.
[Twilight Sparkle, Nightmare Moon uses a powerful dark magic! Your spirit will be corrupted if you use too much of it! You must find a way to send these humans home that won't corrupt your spirit! Speak with my sisters, for they'll have the answers you seek.]
"Answers, huh? I feel like we have more questions than answers now. But you sealed yourself away to keep Nightmare Moon from getting another host, right? How did she even bring us here if that were the case?" Trisha asked.
[This seal isn't perfect, Daughter of Eve. Even now, Nightmare Moon leaks just enough power to have her minions roam this land in search of her candidates.]
Suddenly, the surrounding area began to disappear, with only darkness closing in on Twilight and Trisha.
[I cannot speak to you much longer! It takes an immense amount of power to speak with you two through your dreams in this state! You must find the other princesses, for they will provide you with the answers you seek. NOW GO, TWILIGHT SPARKLE! DAUGHTER OF EVE!]
Suddenly, Trisha jolted out of her bed, breathing heavily. She checked her surroundings to see that she was back in her room.
"That dream... that seemed a little too real for it to be just a dream... I'll have to confirm it with Twilight when the sun rises..." Trisha thought to herself, shaking in fear more and more, as the realization that Nightmare Moon is actively pursuing her and her friends sets in. "If all of that was true, then being in this world is really bad..."
"What's going on?"
Trisha quickly turned around to notice Jeremy wide awake, looking at her.
"Uh... I uhh... had a pretty crazy nightmare...?" Trisha nervously explained to dispel Jeremy's suspicion. "Why are you up?"
"Did you forget that I'm used to staying up for long hours? It's practically second nature to me." Jeremy said, looking at Trisha with narrowed eyes, as he's still suspicious.
"Right..." Trisha said, holding her head in disbelief over the dream she saw. "Hey, can I ask a question...?"
"Go ahead." Jeremy said, picking up his flat cap and holding it in his hand out of habit.
"It's... about the monster." Trisha proceeded. "What if... I told you that I just had a dream about it?"
"You mean the Nightmare monster that attacked us on the plane?" Jeremy asked.
"Yeah... I mean... It's... it's like, a very real dream, like I found myself talking to Princess Luna in this dream. Twilight was there too..." Trisha continued to explain her dream, gripping her sheets a little tighter. "She told us that there may be some pursuers... minions, after us, and that we have to hurry and leave Equestria before it's too late..."
"Pursuers? What the heck? And what's this about leaving this world before it's 'too late'?" Jeremy rose an eyebrow, asking in a hushed tone.
"I don't know! All I know is that this world... there's gotta be more to it... I want to tell the others, and I know I have to talk to Twilight tomorrow... I'm sure she'll be letting her friends know too." Trisha answered irritably.
"This is bizarre... Look, if something comes after us, we'll just kick their ass. It's simple. Didn't you used to do it all the time back in Middle school, miss 'Bully Hunter'?" Jeremy asked.
"I abandoned that a long time ago. I can't go playing hero at a time like this." Trisha pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes as she retorted.
"True... we don't know our environment yet. Hell, we barely know the basics." Jeremy said, before letting out a long yawn. "Agh... I haven't had a single cup of coffee today... I'm getting pretty damn tired."
"Maybe I'm being crazy... but I think I want more answers." Trisha said.
"You'll find them along the way. I just want to focus on finding the others. Anyway, I'm dozing off. Sleep well, alright Trish?" Jeremy said, as he lied back down.
"Yeah." Trisha said before Jeremy nodded off to sleep. "I wonder If I can actually do anything in this world other than just surviving...? We can't possibly rely on ponies all the time, right?"
I come home from school today after discussing today's travel plans with the crew. It hasn't even been that long since joining the CSW crew, and I'm already going on a vacation with them on Spring Break. I'm pretty excited for it! I better tell my parents before I start packing my luggage!
This ordinary, two-story home of mine that I've quickly gotten used to since returning to Westford Island.
This home in which I see a small corridor first thing when I open that brown wooden door. Up ahead is a flight of stairs in which I can quickly head to my room at any time. Down the corridor, there's an opening to my left and right. The left opening is where the kitchen, dining room, and lounge is located, while to the right, I could see the large living room, fitted with a leather couch against the wall, and a large, flat-screen TV to watch movies and TV on.
"Hey mom! Hey dad! I'm home!" I greeted my parents when I went into the dining room, seeing my dad at the table reading his news paper and my mom playing with her smart phone. It didn't take long for them to find out that I'm happy about something.
"How was school? Did you have fun?" My mom asked inquisitively.
"Sure did!" I answered.
"Spring Break's coming up. Do you have any plans?" My mom of course asked due to my expression. "You look like someone who's got plans!"
"Yeah. My friends want to go on a vacation to Italy, and I'd like to go with them since they invited me." I calmly explained, trying to contain my happiness. Really, who wouldn't want to fly to Italy? It'll be fun to rub that in Freddy's face when he gets home!
"Wow, your friends must be rich!" My mom's guess was pretty off...
"Nah, just one of them. You know the club I joined? My club president's been overworking himself, and the others thought this would be a perfect chance for him to relax." I began explaining to my Mom.
"Well, you don't have a passport, do you? Want me to take you down to the office to get you one?" My dad chimed In, as he sat at the table, setting the newspaper down.
"Nah, the school ID you paid for actually acts as a passport, remember?" It was a nice offer though, but our school ID's were pretty pricy considering all the benefits included with the passport.
"Most private schools I know don't have student ID's that go that far... then again, this must be because of the Hopes and Dreams program the school's being funded for." I guess my Dad still hasn't really accepted just amazing my school ID is.
"Well, since you already have a passport, why don't you and I do a little shopping to get you ready for your trip?" My mom suggested, clasping her hands together with a smile.
"That'll be good. Can Mia and Mina come along too?" Well, I couldn't go shopping without Mia and Mina. My mom knew them too when we first lived here in Westford Island. Both of them childhood friends that I haven't seen in years.
"Of course! I think you deserve this trip too. Maybe It'll help you unwind after all of those days of being everyone's heroine." Mom said, giggling a little.
"Mom, I already promised you and Dad I'd stop fighting at school. I left that behind for better things." Why did she have to bring that up?
I'm not a hero. I never was. Not the kind you see in comic books. Trying to do it in real life has consequences.
"I'm not criticizing you, honey. I used to have my own gang back when I was your age after all. But your father is just concerned for you." My mom said.
Even then, I felt just a bit irritated when the memories of my middle school time just surfaced.
"Your mother's right. We just don't want you to get jumped someday." My dad worried.
I probably wouldn't have used my self-defense skills if they hadn't paid for those self-defense classes. I understand they only did it so I don't get molested or whatever, but still.
"I'll be fine, dad! I have a bunch of friends, and we watch each other's backs!" I reassured him.
It's not like he met the whole crew, but he will eventually when one of them decides on a whim to have a party at my house. That's just how crazy they are. But I love them for that, and I really want to know more about them... Being the newest member of the crew, I'll naturally be curious. Always curious.
"Alright, well, we can shop for supplies tomorrow, is that good? Be sure to let Mia and Mina know." My mom set the time for tomorrow's shopping trip, and i agreed with her.
Of course, dad would prefer to stick to work instead of doing the girly shopping gig. On the other hand, he has to remember the result of growing up with two brothers who played a lot of sports with me: A tomboy of sorts. The curiosity was always a little thing of mine.
It was fun those few days, preparing for our trip...
"I better get some sleep. It'll be hard, but staying up like this isn't getting me anywhere. I'll talk to Twilight tomorrow when I get the chance. I... need more answers." Trisha thought to herself before going back under her sheets to return to her sleep.