I was running. Quickly. My hooves pounded on the fast-disappearing ground. Below me, I could hear cries; quiet, heartbreaking, sobs that rang in my ears, like nails on a chalkboard. Down below I saw faces reflected in murky water, all too familiar faces, staring at me with hatred and fear as I raced on above them.
Eventually, after what seemed like an eternity of running, the ground stopped disappearing. I skidded to a halt, hooves slipping on a ground made slippery by countless tears. Shakily, I stared down at my reflection in the water below, momentarily mesmerized by the way the ripples in the water distorted my face. Refracting it, rearranging the shapes into what they truly were. A monster.
Suddenly, something changed. The image in the water shifted to somepony else staring back at me. The narrow strip of ground I was standing on changed to a pathway of stars. The water became more clear, more blue. Confused, My head swiveled back and forth, taking in the new surroundings like a pet in a new home. A voice echoed through the starry field.
"Do not cry, young one. It is alright." A pony stepped out of the water and on the the stars, taking a seat next to me. My face whipped around to face her, startled by the sudden company. A gasp flew out of my mouth at the sight of the mare standing in front of me.
"Y-your highness..." I stammered as I bowed. She simply laughed.
"No need for formalities here, Diamond Tiara." The lunar princess bent over slightly to meet my eyes as I moved into a sitting position. "Now tell me. What is it you fear most?" Her gaze was steady and deep, and seemed to look straight into my very being.
"You probably know already..." My voice was a whisper as I glanced at my reflection in the water below. I sighed. Luna nodded solemly.
"You have many fears. Do not let them. get the best of you. There is a diamond inside you, just waiting to be discovered. And when it is, you are going to shine. Trust me." She smiled as the dream began to fade, making way for the waking world.
I woke up with a new determination.