//------------------------------// // Coincidence // Story: Aslumber (Sanquil Version) // by Sanquil //------------------------------// "Princess Luna!" A voice pierced Luna's sleep, shortly followed by shaking. "Princess Luna, it's noon. Are you okay?" The voice belonged to Twilight Sparkle. "I've made you a daisy sandwich to eat." Slowly, Luna rose from her bed, observing her surroundings. Finding Twilight, she smiled and took the meal from her. Trotting to look out the window, Luna thought about her series of dreams. One she knew for sure was a linked dream with Weaver. The other, a dream consisting of said Weaver being judged in front of both her sister and her. As far as she could tell, it was the outcome she was hoping for, but she couldn't be for sure if it was a premonition. "So Princess," Twilight spoke again, breaking the Night Princess's thoughts, "when are we reentering the Dream King's realm?" For several minutes, Luna continued to stare out towards Ponyville, with it's eerie silence, just like all of Equestria. "Soon." She responded, turning to face the purple unicorn who was her sister's star pupil, capable of casting virtually any spell thrown her way. An idea surfaced. "Twilight," Luna called as Twilight Sparkle retreated back downstairs, "I have an idea that might cut the time it takes to defeat the King by half, if you're willing." "What is your idea, Princess Luna?" Twilight responded a few seconds later, obviously interested. "If it is within my capability, I will do most anything to help the ponies from Equestria from this menace." Looking a little saddened at how Dream Weaver was described, she elaborated on her plan. "It would require me to teach you how to cast two spells, both of which only two ponies in the world are capable of casting: Myself, and the Dream King. Are you up to it?" Stirring, Dream Weaver finally got around to opening his eyes, drinking in the sight of his bedroom, relieved to have visible things within sight after his link dream. Never in his life would ever thought he would be happy to see barriers that restricted where he could go. Leaving the bed, Weaver focused and floated his armor from where it rest and slowly put it on. He couldn't shake the feeling that something game changing was about to happen, but he wasn't sure what exactly it was. It had something to do with his dreams last night, that much he knew for sure. "Celestia!" He called out, ready to finally start the day and figure a plan out for stopping Luna and the six Bearers of the Elements of Harmony. This task won't be easy. He thought to himself. Stopping this band of ponies has never been done, but I believe I have a chance. As he thought this, a piece of his linked dream with the Princess of Night resurfaced. She had a proposition to offer me. Maybe it will change everything. Celestia almost blew the door down when she ran straight into it. Sighing, Weaver pulled the door open, unlocking it in the process. Celestia bound in, clearly just up from bed, her mane disheveled and her uniform lopsided. "My lord." She bowed awkwardly. Weaver smiled, returning the bow, but stopping himself. "I wanted to know if you wanted to grab a bite." The request took Celestia completely off guard, making her legs fall out from beneath her, face planting on the polished marble. Scrambling, she regained her hoofing and answered. "I'd love to." She replied, feeling awkward. Weaver was as well. "May I ask why, though?" Weaver turned from Celestia. "I just wanted to treat you out, considering all you do around here to help me." Under his breath, he added, "Also, I'll never get another chance to do something like this." It took several hours, but eventually, Twilight got the hang of the two spells. The first one was to enter other ponies' dreams, and the second was to remove ponies from dreams, namely the ponies of Equestria from the Dream King. The plan was to split up. Fluttershy and Luna was to go find Rarity and Rainbow Dash, and Twilight was to find Applejack and Pinkie Pie. Strolling through the streets, Weaver and Celestia browsed the diverse restaurants that littered the city. Dream Weaver didn't care where he went, so he left it to Celestia to choose. She was holding out, not wanting to impose, and Weaver could tell. "Go ahead," He spoke up, laughing a little, "choose any place you'd like. I'm the king, remember? Bits are of no value to me." Squeeing a bit, Celestia trot over to a fancy restaurant. Normally, she would never be able to afford such a place to dine, but it was his word, and his word was law. This was the best day in her life. Weaver stopped, sensing two things. Inside the restaurant, Rarity, one of the Bearers, was dining with her husband, Fancy Pants. The second was a strange anomaly. He, of course, knew it could be only Luna and her entourage, but this time, they were separate. Nothing I can do to stop them. He thought to himself, knowing this to be truth. If I were to go confront them, nothing would be gained from it. Anyways, I have Celestia here that I need to entertain. He entered the eatery after her. The lack of counteraction towards them was unnerving. The King should have struck out to stop them by now, but everything was going smoothly. Luna didn't know what to expect. Either way, she should focus on getting Rainbow Dash. She could feel that Twilight had already entered and was searching out Applejack. Fluttershy squeaked, and Luna trot over to see what was wrong. Sighing, she turned away. Leave it to Fluttershy to be spooked by her own shadow. As suspected, Rainbow Dash was up in the cloud district of the city. The only thing that will be difficult will be trying to convince her that they meant no harm. That and convincing Fluttershy to fly up there. With her luck, Luna will be lucky to get Fluttershy in the sky at all. A bird might fly by, frightening her out of the clouds. After a couple hours in the real world, the three of them were able to rescue Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie. The only pony left to retrieve from The King's domain was Rarity. It should be easy, everypony knew the location she was at The only problem was she was at the same restaurant as The Dream King. "Alright everypony," Luna spoke to the five of them. Spike had left before the start of all this to watch all the pets at the request of Twilight and Fluttershy. "I have really appreciated all your help, but I'd like to get Rarity alone. I believe that Dream Wea... The Dream King is planning a trap, so I need somepony with the ability to get in the Dream Realm to get Rarity if I don't return." No pony liked this plan, but Luna wouldn't take no for an answer. The Princess of the Night had to do this. The sun was setting in the distance while Luna prepared and rested for what was going to happen. The sky was crepuscular, the moon peaking it's face up over the horizon as Luna Flashed into the Dream Realm. While Rarity wasn't looking, Luna sent her back, staying behind, having some business to settle with The Dream King. Trotting out of the fillies' room, she scanned the diner for Dream Weaver, spotting him with... her sister. Luna trot up to him, fully expecting some trap to set off. Nothing happened. Celestia saw her before Dream Weaver turned to face her. "I've been expecting you," He spoke, not facing Luna, his intruder. "and now you've come." "Hello Dream Weaver, we meet again." Luna bowed respectfully, rising back up to see he had done the same. "Celestia," He spoke, addressing his date while maintaining eye contact with Luna. "why don't you head back to the castle. Be read to report for work tomorrow. you have the rest of today off." After she had left their presence, Weaver spoke again. "Shall we continue this outside?" The two ponies sat at the bank of one of the rivers that ran down the middle of the city, draining into a lake in the center. The silence dragged for some time, neither pony knowing not what to say. Finally, Luna broke it. "The proposition." She spoke. He turned to face her. "What was it?" "I was going to offer you," Luna continued where she left off from their dream. "the chance of reform." "I don't understand." He wrapped a stone in his dark blue magic, similar Luna's, and tossed it into the river. "Celestia told me about you when I came back. For some time, We discussed releasing you at a chance to reform you like Twilight Sparkle and her friends did to me." Luna explained. "It would never work. My heart is too dark, and my magic is unpredictable. I still never figured out how to revive ponies from those comas. This is the only way, and now you must leave, otherwise I will be forced to stop you." Weaver gazed deeply into Luna's eyes, tears brimming in both of their eyes. Dream Weaver fixed her with a fierce stare, one to challenge Fluttershy's. It was apparent that there was no way she could convince him like this. "I didn't want to do this." She sighed, focusing. A magical veil covered Dream Weaver. "You've forced me to use this. Don't worry, we'll fix you." A flash of light removed Dream Weaver from the riverbank. A single tear escaped before he was evicted. Luna followed suit, but left the realm completely. Dream Weaver awoke in a dark room. Studying his surroundings, he panicked. The room had no windows, doors, or other means of escape. It was like his dream. He sat, calming himself down. This isn't so bad. He thought to himself. Luna and the main six ponies will be here soon and then... what? They banish me and release Equestria? No. Luna said she... they'll "fix" me. I don't believe it. Suddenly, a bright light flashed in the room, and the seven ponies stood in the room with him. Turning, he faced them. "So," He said, smiling because it all played out like his dream. He locked eyes with Luna. "this is how it ends? you and your friends strike me down, and re-banish me into the Dream Realm?"