//------------------------------// // Denial // Story: Twiliversary: Twilight // by Zeppo //------------------------------// The figure stood there, the hooded robe concealing all features except for his horn and eyes that peered out from the shadow. "No, it can't be. How are you in my dream?" Twilight said as she backed away from the newcomer. The invader seemed to look around indifferently. After regarding Twilight for a few seconds, he spoke. "How boring," he began, "I'd imagine you would've changed the dream by now, considering how much pain it causes..." Twilight now at least knew from its voice that this was a stallion speaking. "Have you been the one sending me the messages?" Twilight asked. "Oh please, don't pretend you don't know the answer" he smirked slightly, "Now as to how I am here, let's just say that Miss Luna's ability to enter dreams it's not as... exclusive as most ponies think." He held up his hoof, "now before you go about all that nonsense about "ohhhh! Who ARE you?" Let's just say I am someone here to help." Twilight highly doubted this naturally, and was struggling to come up with a response when they both heard a noise. "Twilight!" The muffled yelling of princess Luna could be heard as if from behind glass, "Twilight!" Luna cried again. "Pity our meeting has been cut short," said the robed one, "I should probably strengthen that magic cloaking spell next time." He then mused for a second, "oh, and by the way, if you want answers, I'd keep your special guest a secret for now." At this, he flipped his robe and vanished clean out of sight. Suddenly, Twilight saw her vision fly up into the sky until she was about to hit a nearly invisible dome of magic. Forgetting about the properties of dreams, she closed her eyes for impact- -To find herself sitting up in her room with sunlight streaming thought the window, which was closed this time. Twilight looked over to the clock, "10:34" it read, she had slept through the entire night. "Twilight!" The door crashed open and Luna accompanied by two royal guards rushed in. "Twilight, art thou alright?" Luna said as the guards began sweeping the room, their faces tense with apprehension. "We sensed a magic intrusion around here." "Well, it was... nothing I know about" Twilight said, suddenly realizing that she wanted those answers more badly than she wanted to tell Luna the truth. "Hmmm," Luna tried to hide the suspicion in her look and tone. They both stared at each other, Luna's face was one of scrutiny and Twilight's of false innocence. "All clear m'am," said one of the guards. "Very well." said Luna, "Come, we must leave Twilight to her... privacy." Twilight did her best not to break out into a cold sweat as she watched Luna leave walk out the door. Twilight dragged herself through the day, getting many strange looks from Celestia and Luna alike, which she ignored. She saw them whispering to each other when they thought she wasn't looking, also ignored. They kept looking like they wanted to talk to her, ignored. All she wanted was to get back to talking to the invader, he had the answers. Finally night came, and with a quick "good night" to Celestia, she went to her chambers. Twilight looked around for a few moments, and after seeing that all was quiet, cast a magic cloak spell to hide any "adventures" she might have while asleep. She felt a familiar pang of guilt as she considered how much she was hiding from Celestia and Luna, but made it go away for now. She then laid in bed and closed her eyes. "Welcome, and thank you for your cooperation" said the figure as it stood there military style, back turned to Twilight. Twilight looked around, the dream was still set in the picnic scene, but her friends weren't there. She felt a cold feeling without the imagined comfort they brought. "Strange, isn't it," said the figure, "when you don't have those that you trust there to comfort you." He then turned to her, "Tell me, Twilight, would you say you have deep regrets for what has happened to you?" he inquired in an impossibly soothing tone. Twilight was surprised at this sudden question, but stood up straight and said in her trained royal voice, "no, I have no regrets really." She felt pretty good coming off as so confident and professional, but raised her eyebrows when the figure didn't even flinch. "Well," he started in a suddenly scathing tone, "now that I have affirmed that you are a total liar, the healing can begin."