//------------------------------//
// DustStorm 
// Story: DustStorm's Treatment 
// by DuskShadowBrony 
//------------------------------//

There was a knock at my door. I looked up from my papers. "I'm busy, what is it?" I asked, annoyed at the interruption. The light from my candle flickered as it burned even lower.

"It's Luna." came a familiar voice. 

I shook the sleep from my body, and opened the door. "Sorry, what can I do for you?" I asked. 

Luna walked into my room, looking over my papers. "When is the last time you slept?" she questioned.

I thought about it. "About... Five days?" I replied, heading back to my desk. I could feel Luna's eyes on me, so I turned around again. 

"You need to rest, Dust." her voice was quiet, and had a note of concern in it. 

I shook my head. "I'm close to a breakthrough. I found out a way to solidify magic into weapon forms, just like how barrier spells are solidified magic. But the weapon forms are highly versatile. I believe there can be great merit if we can train royal guards to use this, it will not only cut costs, but increase their combat ability." I turned back to my papers, scribbling more notes down. 

Luna was quiet for some time. "Would you like a cup of tea to get it through the night?" she asked. I may have imagined it, but I thought I sensed a bit of mischief in her voice.

"Thanks, Luna, that would be great." I replied. When I turned around, she was already gone. Frowning slightly, I went back to my work. Sleep was set on my mind, but I shook myself awake again. I had to get this complete. Flipping through my notes, the sound of my papers rustling filled the silent room. I felt like I was missing something. I closed my eyes to think, and before I knew it, drifted off. 

***

My father was examining the wheel of the cart, his toolkit splayed out on the ground. 

"Is it working again?" I asked, also taking a look. 

He glared at me, anger in his eyes. "Of course it's fixed, you stupid idiot. What a stupid question, as expected from a stupid pony. You think I'm as useless and weak as you, not able to fix a simple wheel?" 

I paused, attempting to make sense of the situation. "No..." I said slowly and calmly. "I never said anything like-" I cut off as he struck me across the face.
"
You bitch!" he shouted as he struck me again. "You dare- talk back - to me?" he punctuated his words with more beatings. I cowered on the ground bleeding. He shouted again, as he raised his hoof once more. "Get out of my sight! I don't want to see trash like you!" I scrambled to my feet and galloped away as fast as I could. 

***

I woke up with a start, nearly knocking my candle over. It was caught by a light blue glow of magic. I looked behind me to see Luna, with a cup of tea. She set the candle back down. "You were muttering in your sleep. And shaking. What was it?" her eyes looked sad, for some reason. 

I shook my head. "Nothing. Nothing, Luna. Just a bad dream."

Luna walked over and placed the tea down. “I added a touch of milk and sugar, as you like it. Drink it while it's fresh." 

There was another odd tone in her voice. I was able to compare it to the tone mothers used when talking to their children. A tone my mother never used with me. An alarm bell went off in my head, but I sensed no negative intentions from her. Still, something was off. I shook myself yet again. No. She would never do anything to hurt me. I was just tired.

"Thanks." I said, draining the cup in a single gulp. For a moment, all was normal. Then, my exhaustion tripled. My whole body felt heavy, and I felt Luna catch me before I hit the ground. The ocean of sleep overcame me, as my eyes closed again.