Chapter 11: Family Times
In the time frame since Dawn got back to Canterlot from his visit to Ponyville, to two weeks after he met Fancy Pants, Dawn’s Nightmares had been feeling less and less real. It was a Friday night and Dawn Light was ready for bed as his sisters tucked him in and said good night. Before they left, Dawn Light had something to say. “Wait, sisters?” Dawn called to them.
They turned back around and faced Dawn as Celestia spoke. “Yes Dawn, what is it?”
Dawn sat in thought for a moment, looking down at himself as if contemplating an important decision, then he looked back to his sisters with a visage of confidence. “Luna, I think I want to try and face tonight on my own.”
Luna seemed surprised by this. “Are you sure little brother? You don’t want me to come visit you in your dreams tonight to chase away the nightmares?”
Dawn began to rationalize his decision, both to his sisters, and as a double-check to make sure it still seemed like a good idea to himself. “Well, they have been feeling less real over time, and I think tonight, I’d like to try and face it on my own. If I know it’s a dream and that it isn’t real, I can change it right?”
“Of course Dawn, just remember it isn’t real and you can make it what you want. But if you should need me, I will hear you call for me and I’ll come to you.” Luna stated with a smile.
“I will Luna, thank you. Goodnight sisters.” Dawn said with a smile.
“Good night Dawn, I wish you pleasant dreams.” Celestia said with a smile. The two princesses then departed Dawn’s room.
Dawn shifted in his covers a bit before resting his head and closing his eyes. Tooky had a perch for himself in Dawn’s room next to his bed. Dawn sighed contentedly with a smile and soon drifted off to sleep.
Dawn found himself once again in the dark void that had haunted him for so long, though he didn’t feel as afraid this time as he did in the past. “Ok Dawn, you can do this, it’s just a dream, you can make it whatever you want.” He said to himself. “This is just a dream, so make it a pleasant one.” Dawn Light stood firm as he closed his eyes and focused his mind. He struggled a bit but eventually, he got the results he was hoping for. He opened one eye to look around and found himself in a brightly lit open field with a blue sky over head and a single tree on a hill. “HAH HAH, it worked!” he exclaimed in delight. Then, realizing the full extent of this ability to manipulate his dreams, he shouted “WOO HOO, NO MORE NIGHTMARES!” With all the energy he had.
Little to his knowledge, Luna was secretly watching Dawn Light to make sure he would be fine. She was hovering just above the scene and smiled as she saw Dawn frolic around in his dream world happily. “Way to go little brother.” Luna said quietly to herself before leaving his dream.
Dawn Light jumped around with a smile around the tree he dreamed up with pink butterflies fluttering around. “HAH, I did it, I really did it, I got over my fear. I’M HOME, NO MORE VOID! NO MORE DOUBTS! WOOOOO HOOOOOO!” He cheered loudly again as he started flying around.
Morning arrived. The rays of the sun slowly moved to Dawn’s sleeping form. His eyes fluttered open and he gave out a yawn as he stretched out his forelegs. Tooky opened his eyes and yawned as he stretched out his wings. Dawn suddenly sprang awake and jumped out of bed with a huge smile. Dawn rushed over to a window overlooking Canterlot, flung it open and looked out over the town. He took in a deep breath and shouted out in his own royal Canterlot voice. “GOOD MORNING EQUESTRIA!”
Celestia had just raised the sun and was about to head back into her room from her balcony when she heard a shout. “GOOD MORNING EQUESTRIA!”
Celestia couldn’t help but smile. “Well, some pony’s in a good mood this morning.” She mused.
Luna was just now waking up as her eyes fluttered open. She yawned and stretched her limbs. “Five more minutes.” She said to herself, not ready to greet the day just yet.
“GOOD MORNING EQUESTRIA!” Dawn’s voice rang out, startling Luna right out of her bed.
“What on earth?” Luna asked in confusion. After some thought, she recognized the voice and couldn’t help but smile and laugh. “I guess Dawn Light had a wonderful night.” She said with a smile.
Tooky was startled from his perch by Dawn Light and caused him to wobble a bit. Dawn looked at Tooky and saw a glare coming from his feathered friend. Dawn grinned with a squee. “Sorry Tooky, didn’t mean to scare you, I’m just really happy this morning.” Dawn went to his bathroom to take a shower, gathered his royal garbs from his vanity mirror and put them on, and was now ready to face the day. “Come on Tooky, let’s get breakfast.” Dawn happily stated. Tooky squawked and flew along with Dawn.
Dawn Light exited his room and saw Night Wing and Feather wind waiting for him just outside his room. “Good morning your majesty, I take it you’re feeling well today?” Night wing asked.
Dawn looked to Night Wing with a big smile. “Sure am. I had a great night’s sleep last night.”
The doors to his sister’s rooms opened and they both stepped out at the same time. “Good morning Dawn, I take it you slept well?” Celestia asked with a smile.
“Best night of my life.” Dawn stated. “I was able to chase away that void on my own last night and made my dream what I wanted.”
“I am pleased to hear that little brother.” Luna said, then asked with a giggle, “Though was it really necessary to shout so loud like you did?”
“Oh, you heard that huh?” Dawn said with a sheepish smile.
Celestia giggled. “I think half of Equestria heard you. You really shouldn’t do that, not every pony is a morning pony like you.”
“I’m just so happy this morning sisters. I feel like I’m finally over my fears and really and truly believe I am home.” Dawn said as a real smile spread across his face.
Luna and Celestia leaned down and nuzzled Dawn light as Celestia spoke. “We are glad to hear it Dawn. Just be careful how you use the royal Canterlot voice from now on, ok?”
“I will, I promise.” Dawn said.
They broke from their nuzzling as Luna spoke. “Come little brother, let us go enjoy some breakfast. Oh! And don’t forget that today is the day Fancy Pants invited us to ride in his airship.”
“Right, I can’t wait to go for a ride and hang out with my friends.” The three then went on their way to the dining hall.
As they walked, they came across Blue Blood making his way through the halls to who knows where, and the princesses and Dawn stopped to greet him. “Uncle.” Blue Blood said curtly.
“Nephew.” Dawn responded the same.
“I trust you are having a pleasant morning?” Blue Blood asked.
“I am thank you. And you?”
“Fine, though I was rudely awakened by some pony’s loud voice shouting out across all of Canterlot.” Blue Blood stated.
“Sorry about that Blue Blood, that was me, I’m just feeling real happy this morning.”
“Really, I couldn’t tell.” Blue Blood stated sarcastically.
Dawn then had a thought. “Say nephew, would you like to join us on Fancy Pants’s air ship today? I’m sure he won’t mind one more pony coming along.”
“You’re actually inviting me?” Blue Blood asked a little surprised.
“Sure, I know we haven’t exactly gotten off on the right hoof, so I figured maybe we could use the time to patch things up. What do ya say?”
“Well I……uh, that is.” Blue Blood was a little surprised by this act of kindness from Dawn Light. He cleared his throat. “Well, that is nice of you to offer, but since you and Celestia and Luna will be gone a while, that leaves me in charge of the castle for a while. Some pony needs to be here to take care of things.”
“Oh, ok then. Well, maybe after, we could set up some time to just hang out, just you and me, would that be ok?” Dawn said, hoping to get some time to spend with Blue Blood.
Blood Blood sneered a little at the thought. “Why are you so insistent on us getting along?”
“Because we’re family, and I would like it if we could get along. Please Blue Blood.”
Blue sighed in defeat. “*Sigh* you’re not going to let this go are you?”
Dawn smiled. “Nope.”
“Very well. I suppose I could set aside some time for us to…..”hang out” as you say.”
“Great, I look forward to it.”
Luna smiled at the scene, and approached Blue Blood as he walked away from Dawn. “Blue Blood, you are actually willing to do this?”
Blue Blood looked at Luna. “Yes, I am, it’s obvious he won’t let this go, so I might as well play along, see if he’ll let me alone for a while If I indulge him.”
Celestia then smiled. “I’m glad you are going to give Dawn Light a chance.”
“Whatever, if you’ll excuse me, I have things to take care of.” With that, Blue walked off with his muzzle in the air.
Upon seeing Blue Blood Leaving, Dawn felt it appropriate to say a goodbye. “Bye nephew, see you later!” Dawn called happily as he waved a hoof goodbye.
Upon entering the dining room, Skript was there already, happily eating away. “Hey Dawn Light, good morning.” He greeted.
“Hey Skript.” Dawn said as he trotted over. The two shared a brief hug and Dawn sat next to him. The sisters sat at the table across from the two and began to eat the food that was already set at the table for them.
“Hello Dawn Light, a pleasure to see you this morning.” Discord said after appearing in a flash next to him.
“Good morning Discord, how are you?” Dawn asked as he smiled up at the god of chaos.
“Oh I’m just fine thank you for asking.” Discord sat down and was about to begin eating when he remembered something he’d overheard the day before. “Say, I hear you get to go flying in an airship today.”
“Yep, I just know it’s going to be fun. I don’t suppose you could come along, could you?” Dawn asked.
Discord hung his head a little, then responded quite dramatically “Alas, I cannot, my duties are going to keep me busy today so I won’t be able to join you.”
Dawn Light was disappointed with this bit of news. “Awe” He frowned as he hung his head.
Discord then smiled and gave a suggestion. “Not to worry though, I’m sure we can find something fun to do later on, right?”
Dawn’s smile returned. “Right.”
“I do hope you have fun on your air ship ride with your friends Dawn.”
“Thanks Discord.” So the group just sat and ate breakfast while chatting away.
A little later in the day, Dawn Light, Skript, and the princesses met up with Twilight and her friends at the train station. Dawn Light was the first to great them. “Hey every pony, hi Twilight, hey Spike.” Dawn said as he ran up to them and gave them a hug.
The two returned it happily. “Hey there Dawn, it’s good to see you again.” Twilight said with a smile.
“Yeah, thanks for inviting us to come along on an airship ride, I’ve never been on one before.” Spike said.
“I’m glad you all could come.” Dawn Light cheered.
“DAWN LIGHT!” the voices of three little fillies suddenly rang through the airand charged at Dawn Light, wrapping him in a group hug.
“Hey girls, how is your crusading going?” Dawn asked his fellow cutie mark crusaders.
“Not so good, we still haven’t found our special talent yet.” Apple Bloom stated as they broke the group hug.
“Yeah, still no luck for us, what about you Dawn?” Scootaloo asked.
“No such luck for me either I’m afraid. But I did make a new friend. My sisters had him waiting for me after my visit with you all at Ponyville.”
“Oh yeah, who’s that?” Sweetie Belle asked.
Skript happened to walk up just at that moment to Dawn Light with a smile. “Girls, Spike, this is my new friend Skript. He’s mainly my foal sitter, but we’ve also gotten to be good friends.”
“Well howdy there mister, a pleasure ta meet ya. I’m Applejack.” Applejack stated.
“Hey there, it’s a pleasure to meet you all.”
“HEY, your cutie mark is like mine, except it only has one balloon and there’s a pencil drawing it.” Pinkie said as she bounced in front of Skript. “I’m Pinkie Pie, and I’m super-duper happy to meet you!”
“Hi Pinkie Pie, it’s nice to meet you too.” Skript greeted. The girls went about introducing themselves to Skript before they all went on their way to meet up with Fancy Pants and his wife Fleur.
Once introductions were out of the way, Celestia addressed the group. “I thank you all for coming, it really means a lot to Dawn that you all could come. Now shall we be on our way?”
“But of course princess, lead the way.” Rarity stated.
The group soon arrived at an air ship dock where Fancy Pants was waiting with his wife Fleur. “Hello every pony, and welcome.” Fancy said with a bow. “It is a pleasure to see you again young prince, and an honor to meet your sisters.”
“A pleasure your majesties, how are you doing this fine day?” Fleur asked.
“We are doing fine, thank you.” Celestia responded.
Fancy then turned his attention to the six ponies. “And hello to you all, a pleasure to see you again as well.”
Rarity stepped forward to meet him. “Hello Fancy Pants, it’s good to see you again as well.”
More greetings and pleasantries were exchanged before they finally went to board Fancy’s air ship. It was a large vessel indeed, it was painted white with blue trimming and the balloon itself that held up the ship was white with gold colored swirls on it and a gold colored fin on the back. There were seven ponies working on the ship, four were pegasi with white coats and blue manes and tails wearing a sailor uniform. The other three were unicorns with varying coat and mane/tail colors.
“Wow, look at that.” Dawn expressed as he took in the sight of the thing.
“That ship is big, I’ve never seen an air ship before.” Sweetie Belle said.
“I’ll say, it sure is fancy looking.” Scootaloo stated.
“Come along now, let’s board and be on our way.” Fancy called out to the group.
They all boarded and cast off. Once under way and all the ponies were just enjoying the view, Celestia and Luna approached Fancy Pants. Celestia spoke to get his attention. “Fancy Pants.”
Fancy turned to face the princesses. “Yes your majesties?”
“We just wanted to thank you and your wife personally for extending such an invitation to our little brother. He couldn’t stop talking about it since the day he came back to the castle after his meeting with you.”
“We assure you that it was our Pleasure.” Fleur stated.
“He is quite the charming young stallion. He just seems to have this energy about him.” Fancy said. “He just seems so happy and full of life, but then I suppose all young ones are like that. But him…. he seems different, like he has this warmth radiating about him.”
“Yes, I think we know what you mean.” Luna said as she gazed over to Dawn who was talking with his fellow crusaders.
“Anyway, if you need anything, feel free to ask the staff here for a drink or something.” Fancy stated.
“Thank you, we will be sure to do so.” Celestia said.
Meanwhile dawn was enjoying the view with the CMC gang. “Wow, look at this view, I’ve never been this high off the ground before.” Dawn said as he looked over the railing of the ship.
“Yeah, it’s great, I bet you can see all of Equestria from up here.” Scootaloo said. “One day, I’ll be able to enjoy this view whenever I want. Once I learn to fly that is.”
Dawn turned his head to Scootaloo. “You can’t fly yet?” He asked with a bit of concern.
“Nah, but don’t worry, Rainbow Dash is teaching me, I’ll get off the ground real soon with her as my coach.”
Dawn smiled again. “That’s good to hear, flying is a lot of fun. I know you’ll be a great flyer once you get off the ground.”
“Thanks Dawn.” Scootaloo said as she gave him a smile.
“Wow, look, we can see Ponyville from here.” Sweetie Belle stated as she pointed a hoof to the town.
“Neat, I can even see ma farm too.” Apple Bloom said as she looked over the railing too.
“What do you think of the view Tooky?” Dawn asked Tooky who was perched on the railing. He squawked in approval. “OH, I know, let me show you girls this neat trick I picked up.” Dawn suddenly said. Backed up from the railing a bit, then galloped forward and jumped over. He spread out his wings and came to rest on a nearby cloud.
He cleared his throat and began speaking like an announcer. “Mares and gentlecolts, the great prince Dawn Light will now perform feats the likes of which none had ever seen!” He proudly proclaimed.
This got every ponies attention that wasn’t busy working the ship and they all came close to the railing and watched him. “Dawn Light, what are you up to?” Celestia asked with a smile.
“I’m just going to put on a bit of a show for every pony.” Dawn said innocently.
“Please don’t do anything reckless Dawn.” Luna pleaded through a giggle.
“I’ll be fine. Now watch this.” Dawn gave a flat look to nopony in particular, stood up on his hind legs and spread out his forelegs to the side for a moment. He got back on all fours, backed up a bit, then galloped forward and dove off the cloud. He let himself fall a good while and lit up his horn. As he fell, four magically summoned streams started coming from Dawn’s horn. He opened his wings and flew back up to the ship. He hovered there for a moment with the streams gone but his horn still aglow. He flew around the ship with the streams appearing again and flowing with his movements. He looped around the balloon a few times then separated from the ship and did some barrel rolls which caused the streams to twirl with him.
He did a few more tricks in the air with the trail of white streamers coming from his horn to try and create some pleasing visual effects. The ponies all watched with smiles as Dawn performed. Eventually, he came back and landed on the deck of the ship and dismissed the magic he was using. “So, what did you all think?”
“WOW Dawn, that was beautiful.” Sweetie Belle cheered.
“I’ve never seen anything like that before.” Scootaloo said with a smile.
“I’ll say, that was some fancy flying there partner.” Apple Bloom stated.
“Wow Dawn, I didn’t know you could do that.” Skript said as he approached. “Where did you pick that up from?”
“It’s just a little something I came up with.” Dawn said with a smile. Though he wouldn’t say it, he’d been inspired when he had seen some unicorn fillies running with the magical streamers flowing from their horns. He’d thought that if they looked so dashing on the ground, how elegant would they appear in an aerial display.
“I must say that looked smashing.” Rarity stated with a smile.
“Not bad prince, you got some talent for flying. But tell me, have you ever seen a sonic rainboom?” Rainbow Dash asked.
Dawn was confused by Dash’s statement. “What’s a sonic rainboom?”
“I’ll take that as a no. I’ll show you, get ready for something awesome.” Rainbow suddenly took off into the air and flew out into the open sky. She hovered a bit with determination on her face. She folded her wings in and dove down at incredible speed. Dawn watched in amazement as Dash went faster and faster.
Soon, a cone of air formed around Rainbow Dash and began to get more narrow. Just then, an explosion of colors erupted, spreading out over the sky just below the spectators. Rainbow had pulled up at the moment of the explosion and now had a vibrant rainbow trailing behind her. Dawn’s jaw fell at the sight in amazement, his eyes lit up at the sight. Rainbow Dash flew straight up a few feet in front of Dawn Light and came to a landing. “So what do you think of that?” Dash asked proudly.
“That…..was….AMAZING!” Dawn cheered. “I’ve NEVER seen anything like that before, how did you do that?! You were all falling and then the cone, then that explosion with the rainbow, WOW…I mean…….WOW!” Dawn was ecstatic over the whole thing.
Dash laughed. “Heh heh, I thought you might like it.”
“Like it, I LOVED it! That was incredible. You gotta show me how you do that, you just gotta teach me.”
“Whoa there your highness, this is something that takes a lot of talent, not just any pony can pull it off. It takes a lot of training and practice.
“Awe, so I can’t do it?” Dawn asked as he folded his ears back in disappointment.
“Well hang on, I didn’t say that,” Dash said with a giggle “I just meant that if you want to do something like that, it will take a lot of hard work and training.” Dash pointed out.
Dawn regained his smile. “Then if I want to do something like that, I’ll have to work hard at it huh? But……even if I’m never able to do it, I’ll be fine with that. I just got caught up in the moment. Thanks for showing me that Rainbow Dash.”
Rainbow Dash smiled at Dawn Light. “You’re welcome Dawn.”
With that out of the way, the ponies all enjoyed the rest of the ride in Fancy’s air ship. Half way through the trip, Dawn Light had a thought and went over to his sisters who were sitting near the front of the ship, enjoying the wind in their manes and the sights of the land. Even though both were avid fliers of a millennia and more, they never had the opportunity to just go flying, at least not these days. “Luna, Celestia?” Dawn said to get their attention.
The two turned to face him. “Yes Dawn, what is it?” Luna asked.
“I was just wondering. Do you think maybe, sometime, we could have a family picnic, just me, you, Twilight, Spike, Shining Armor, Blue Blood and Cadence? You know, spend some time together as a family?”
“Well…..I don’t know Dawn, we all have responsibilities that keep us all busy.” Celestia stated.
“Please sisters, we hardly get to spend any time together because of your duties as princesses. And with Cadence being the princess of the crystal Empire, I won’t get to see her as much as I used to before I was taken away. PLEASE!” Dawn begged.
Celestia gave a sigh. She then smiled down at her little brother. “All right Dawn, we’ll see about arranging a little picnic with every pony so we can spend some family time together. But it may take a while for every pony to find some free time to do it.”
Dawn Light had a big grin on his face then. “Thank you sisters, this really means a lot to me. I just want to spend some time with my family.”
“You are welcome Dawn.” Celestia said with a giggle.
And so the rest of the afternoon crept on into the evening until the airship finally returned, its passengers tired and ready to go home. They all gave a heartfelt thanks to Fancy Pants and Fleur de Lys before returning to the train station to see the majority of the group off, then the Princesses and Dawn Light retired to the castle, script at their side, for a good night’s sleep.