//------------------------------// // This can't be real [Adventure] // Story: Celestial's Half-hours // by Celestial //------------------------------// Twilight fled, deep into the Everfree Forest, on a narrow path barely lit by the full moon above the black trees, caring little for the branches and leaves that were assaulting her fur; she had bigger problems after her. "She's gotta be here! Keep looking for some tracks, guys!" Came the faint voice of Rainbow Dash from behind her. "Hmph, that will be no problem, dear! I'm personally interested in finding her and then beating some proper manners, and fashion sense, in that hard head of hers!" Rarity said. "Hah, More like, egg head!" Rainbow mocked. "Make sure you distract her Fluttershy, Ah'll make sure to lasso her good," joined in Applejack. This is bad, really really bad!, Twilight thought, squinting around and trying to spot a good hiding place to gather her thoughts. So maybe she could make a mental checklist of the things she'd screwed up this time and how to fix them. Not far ahead, she found a large burrow under a massive, old root, and dove inside. She tried to catch her breath and still her panicking heart in the damp darkness. As much respite as this offered, she knew it wouldn't last. They were coming for her, they would reach her eventually, and what could she do? Run away some more? Put them out of the fight? That would only make things worse! "Um, I think she's here, girls!" said Fluttershy, right outside her burrow. Eyes wide with panic, Twilight rushed outside, caring only to escape, and in passing she smacked aside the leaning Fluttershy, who tumbled to the ground with an "Oof!" "Now you've done it Twilight!" Pinkie Pie yelled to the retreating unicorn, stomping a hoof to the ground. "When we get you there will be absolutely no parties for you, for ever ever!" Twilight felt tears spill from her eyes as she strove to focus ahead and keep on the move. Why do I always screw up? Why can't things be peaceful and still for a while? It's always the next impending disaster with me around, and now I botched this one badly, she thought. I couldn't save the day this time, and now everyone hates me. Twilight broke into a clearing as she wrecked her brain, thinking of just what she could possibly do to repair the damage, to make some sort of amends, but her thoughts were interrupted by a sharp cliff that came into view right at her hooves, forcing her to a desperate braking. From here, she could only gallop back into the woods she came from, now filled with the voices of her former friends. So, this is it, she thought, sagging in defeat. There isn't really anything I can do if don't even watch where I'm going and keep making mistakes like this all the time, right? She hung her head and waited for the inevitable; but just as she felt ready to give up, something else sparked inside her. No, that can't be. It just can't. This goes against everything that I have learned so far. My friends might be mad now, but they would understand, if I just tried to explain everything to them. They would stop. They would listen. I have to believe this. Her friendship with them demands that I do. So she stood, and she fought the shivers through her spine as she heard the frantic rustling and the shouts get louder, closer. She could see the bushes shaking few meters away. She took deep breaths and steadied herself. Be strong, Twilight. Believe in your friends. Suddenly, the shaking and the noises stopped; instead of five angry mares, a single, dark blue alicorn walked out from behind a tree, approaching her. Twilight blinked. "...Princess Luna?" "A warm welcome to you, Twilight Sparkle. Please forgive me for not dispelling your nightmare sooner, but We... I thought this could be a good opportunity to determine your inner strength," she said, her expression calm and unreadable. Twilight's mental gears spun back into motion. "My inner... Do you mean this was a test? Why were you were testing me? Why did you make my friends say those horrible-" Luna interrupted her with a forward hoof. "It is not I that conceived this nightmare, Twilight Sparkle; I merely allowed it. I needed... I wanted to ascertain if you could stand in the face of hopelessness." "Well..." Twilight reasoned, I am an Element of Harmony after all, Equestria's final resort, and she knew from experience her role involved facing unfavorable odds. "I guess that makes sense..." "There are many enemies of Order in Equestria who will not hesitate in misdirecting your efforts, instead of confronting you directly," Luna continued. Twilight nodded; she may have had faced Discord's and Sombra's tricks already, but she figured the Princess may want some reassurance from closer up. Besides, what was done was done. "You must be cautious, Twilight Sparkle, for a dominant role in the preservation of Peace and Harmony carries large dangers with it. "You must keep your eyes and ears open, and your mind sharp. Question and be above any event that touches you. Investigate properly, and reason soundly. Do not give in to rushed assumptions." The princess's expression turned softer. "And above all, believe in Us, and in your friends. Whatever evil may befall the land, you and your friends can find the way to dispel it. "And whenever all hope seems lost, and its light would not shine upon Equestria, then you can be that spark, Twilight, as you have already shown in more occasions. "You have proven yourself a worthy bearer of the Elements once more, Miss Sparkle. We bid you a good night," she concluded, turning to leave. "Er...Wait!" Twilight said, "Will I have dreams like this one again, then?" The Princess of the Moon cracked a small grin. "That will depend on you alone, Twilight Sparkle. For tonight, sleep well," she stated as she took to the skies, and disappeared behind the treeline.