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// Her domain 
// Story: Entwined 
// by janushyde 
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It had taken another two days but finally her powers had grown strong enough for Nightmare moon to return to the realm of dreams. Seizing this opportunity the dark mare waited for her host to drift off into slumber so that her work could begin in erest.

Dreams are such a splendid thing. They can take one to incredible hights, provide inspiration, give new insight into ourselves and others, bring fear, and alert us of danger. However there are more to them then being mere images brought up by the subconious mind, indeed they can be a means of communication between beings of the mortal or other plain and even act as gateways of a sort between the realm of the real and the surreal.  Each dream is a world unto itself each with its own rules and while it is truly rare for dreams to be shared they are all connected to each other in subtle ways, creating the dreamscape the land of impossibilities. It was there in her darkest moment of fear and doubt where I was born of Luna’s jealousy, insecurity, and resentment. I have grown over time and claimed the dreamscape as my own and I am the ruler of this empire of dreams. Even now the realm lends it’s power to its empress feeding me strength so that I may once more sit upon the throne of my domain and in time expand my authority and you shall aid me Twilight Sparkle it will take time but you’ll see the truth and come to my side even if I must give you a gentle nudge in the proper direction. Nightmare mused to herself as she watched Twilight dream the dreams of the innocent.

With each passing moment she subtlety manipulated the dream so that it would take the shape she needed to begin her work of reshaping the unicorn into something much greater then she already was.
At first it was a simple meaningless dream just incoherent words and pictures. Overtime as Nightmare’s influence began to take hold things began to change. A simple narrative began to take form.

Twilight spent the day with her friends at a picnic in the park. Laughter abounded as the six mares and young dragon ling enjoyed the company they kept. Then time began to pass and after a while the festivities were brought to an end. Twilight and Spike returned to their home in the library and were about to set to the task of cleaning up the kitchen when a letter from princess Celestia interrupted them. As soon as the letter had been opened and read a seemingly good day became even better as Twilight had been commended by an old professor at the school for gifted unicorns for her work in the field of arcane archeology. She would be expected to give a speech to prominent members of the community at a dinner to be held in her honor.

Not second after Spike had finished reading the letter did the two find themselves in the dining hall at the school for gifted unicorns where the faculty was toasting to twilight’s good health. Time seemed to blur by as the evening progressed the tables were cleared and it was time for twilight to give her speech. So with modest hesitation twilight stood from her seat by Celestia’s side and cleared her throat before letting her feelings and modest nature guide her words. Her piece said Twilight thanked the community for their time and generosity for bestowing this commendation upon her once more taking her seat as applause thundered across the dining hall.

Once more time seemed to shift and Twilight found herself back in her home in the Ponyville Library she was seated at her desk filing away the certificate she had been given when a voice, so very similar yet different to her own spoke up behind her.

Is this it; is this all we are all we want to be?’ The voice inquired hesitation and even a tinge of resentment were audible in its tone.

Twilight turned around to address the speaker and halted briefly upon seeing who it was. The speaker resembled her yet was different. She was shorter thinner almost sickly looking her coat and mane was a washed out monochromatic mirror of her own. Then there were the truly standout features about her eyes were dead black orbs, her horn was broken, however what was most jarring of all was the large empty cavity in her chest where her heart should have been. Pushing past her growing fear and dread Twilight voiced the question on her mind. “Who, what are you?”

The other Twilight let out a single dry chuckle before responding. That’s the question of the day isn’t it? I could ask you the same.

“I know who I am I’m Twilight Sparkle prized student of princess Celestia and bearer of the Element of Magic!” Twilight replied.

Is that really all there is to you, a name and a few titles there must be more to you than that. The voice replied as it approached her stopping only a few feet away.

“Of course not I have my friends, my family, and my position as the librarian in Ponyville! Now who are you and why do you look like me?” She retorted growing slightly flustered by this odd spirt and its questions.

A better answer but it still doesn’t cut to the heart of the matter. I shall grant you an answer though. I am to be blunt your doubts fears, and anxieties given form’ Doubt curtly replied.

“What do you mean by that, I have nothing to fear my life is finally on track now that I’ve got some friends to support me?” Twilight snapped.

Once Twilight had stopped speaking Doubt grinned devilishly then began to pace circles around her. Oh, do you honestly believe that? I don’t think you do, otherwise you wouldn’t have been so insecure when your friends brought up their distaste of Trixie’s bragging. Nor would you have let such flimsy evidence lead you to jump to conclusions about Zecora, or panic so franticly during the parasprite incident. Be honest with yourself if you didn’t have these lingering fears and doubts I wouldn’t be here now would I. Doubt lectured coming to a halt in front of Twilight once more.

“I… I don’t believe you! Sure I have some insecurity but so does everypony! It’s natural to make mistakes like those!” Was her hesitant response,

Indeed it is that’s why I’m here to bring forth these issues so you can address them and keep from making the same mistakes twice. After all you may never know when others may need to count on you in a dire situation. The encounter with the dragon could have turned out far worse if Fluttershy hadn’t been able to reason with him in the end. Doubt cooed, Just think about what I had to say, that’s all I ask after all if you can’t trust yourself who can you trust? With those final words Doubt turned and cantered away fading into nothing as the dream was banished by the first rays of the morning sun.