//------------------------------// // “As Time Goes On” // Story: Perception // by Xz Hacker //------------------------------// Chapter Eight: “As Time Goes On” After months of fighting countless different types of creature, and after several encounters with stranger things, such as a giant Twilight, Luna and Rarity found themselves on a beach. Luna stared off into the horizon and across the seemingly endless ocean before them. “I think we may have finally reached the end of your fears dear friend.” Rarity walked up beside her, staring off at the same beautiful scene. “Indeed, but somehow I feel as if things may get boring from here on out.” Luna smiled. “I can think of a way to make it more fun.” Rarity smiled and nodded. She reached behind are back and pulled a sword from nowhere. Luna smiled and did the same. Rarity crossed her sword with Luna's. Luna shook her head. “No, better than that.” They suddenly charged by the creature that had stalked Rarity from her first days in the dream world. Both Rarity and Luna jumped back apart to allow the beast to charge between them. It turned to look at them both in turn, then charged towards Rarity. Rarity smiled from behind the sword she gripped in her mouth, and mumbled. “Figures.” It took them no more than a minute to slay the monster. Rarity walked over to its dying corpse and gave it a swift kick. “Well that wasn't very fun.” “My... huuuhhh... apologies miss.” The creature rasped. Luna walked over shaking her head. “I remember the day were he would give us trouble.” Rarity laughed. “We will need to be more creative if we need a challenge huh Luna?” “Indeed, for now away with you.” Luna swept her head, gesturing for the creature to leave. The creature stood up, bowed, and quickly vanished into thin air. Rarity walked over to a pair of beach chairs that had not been there moments ago. She plopped down on one and began sipping out of a small glass that was filled with a pink liquid and had a miniature umbrella sticking out. Luna walked over and laid in the chair next to her, pulling out a similar drink filled with a blue liquid. “Done for the day already?” Rarity pulled down her sun glasses to look at Luna and smiled. “You do know me too well.” Luna returned her smile. “What else am I suppose to do in this place?” They both laughed. In only a few short months they had grown closer than they had ever been with anyone in the waking world. It only took two months before Luna stopped using the royal we, and only a little longer for Rarity to completely stop calling her princess. They had fought dragons, battle hoards of demons, and enjoyed relaxing days at the end of the universe. They had been through more in a few months than most ponies go through in their whole lives. Yet they were only one sixth the way through the entire dream, but they didn't mind. Luna leaned over and whispered to Rarity. “You know, when we finally awaken, I think we will have to do this again tomorrow night.” Rarity looked at her with a sad expression. “Sometimes I forget that this isn't real. I forget that I will wake up, and then I have six years of being stuck in a slow world again.” “Don't fret, I will help you in anyway I can dear Rarity.” “You could start by knocking me out again as soon as we wake up.” “As tempting as that would be, you still need to eat.” “So let me eat and then knock me out.” Luna looked at her with a serious expression. “I know it will be hard for you Rarity, but we really can't stay here forever.” Rarity sighed. “I know, but sometimes I think about just how long my life will be, at least in my eyes.” Luna sat back and sipped on her drink again. “And yet I will live longer than you still.” Rarity took a sip as well. “How do you do it? How do you continue on, knowing that you have so much longer to live, knowing that even as fun and interesting things happen, eventually their novelty will where off and you will be left with nothing but your own thoughts.” “That is easy. I merely don't think about it. I take each day as it comes, and the years pass me by faster and faster.” “Somehow I think that won't be as easy for me.” “It is true that I have never had to deal with sheer slowness that you feel, but try to think of what one thousand years spent on the moon would be like.” Rarity chuckled. “Touche.” Luna smiled. “Keep heart, and remember that for every six years you spend out their, you will have another three with me here.” Rarity jumped up. “I changed my mind, let's fight that dragon again.” “To easy, let's fight the dragon blindfolded.” “With no weapons?” Luna smiled and stood from her chair. “And I shan't fly.”