Twilight rolled around, pouring sweat in her new bed at the crystal castle that overlooked Ponyville. It was clear that she was having a nightmare, not being able to calm down. In the dream world, she was being chased by a shadow. What this shadow was, or what it represented, she had no clue. All she knew is that it was pure evil, and shouldn’t be touched by its dark taint. What is this thing? What does it want from me? The purple alicorn asked herself. She was surprised to hear the dark form respond to her questions. Don’t you recognize me, poor sweet little filly? It’s me, Nightmare Moon! The voice trembled and shook the world they were in. But, that’s not possible! Me and my friends vanquished you! We watched you disintegrate when we freed Luna from you! The dark figure only laughed.
Did you really think that would stop ME? Pathetic! I am the embodiment of Nightmares itself! You cannot simply destroy me!
“ENOUGH!!!” another voice boomed with equal force as the supposed ‘Nightmare Moon’. “You have tormented this mare for too long! Be gone, and leave this dream!” the new voice said.
Or what, you’ll destroy me? You cannot even touch me, “Princess Luna”
Suddenly, out from behind Twilight, Luna had appeared to protect the confused and scared pony that lie between the two entities. “You cannot harm this mare! SHE IS PROTECTED!” the midnight princess said, slamming her hooves down.
YOU CHALLENGE ME?! I AM NIGHTMARE ITSELF! I CANNOT BE DEFEATED!!! Suddenly, the shadow lunged at the two princesses, only to be stopped by an aura of light, emanating from none other than Luna. B-but that’s impossible! You shouldn’t be able to even touch me! What sorcery have you conjured, devil-mare?!
“I only use the courage against the fear you once chained me with, foul darkness! Your taint can no longer harm me, or my friends! For no light is stronger than the courage to face fears, rather than let them take hold of you! It was Twilight and her friends that taught me that. Never approach this mare again!”
The blackness scoffed at its adversary’s confidence. With one final lunge, the darkness broke through the aura of light. When this happened, Luna’s eyes glowed brightly, and the aura was summoned once more, this time twice as powerful as it was before. “LEAVE THIS CHILD UNHARMED!!! OR SUFFER THE WRATH OF THE NIGHT!” Luna screamed, blasting the aura outwards, diminishing the darkness, and only leaving light. “Are you okay, my little Twilight?”
What did you do, Princess? That was unlike any other spell I’ve seen! Twilight asked.
“’Tis but an illusion. I only used the courage you gave me to face the darkness in the night. Thank you, Twilight.” The princess of the night flew away into the vastness of the dream world Twilight was in. Wait, Luna! I have something I need to say! All this time, all I wanted to say was-
She woke up with a gasp. “Was it a dream?” the alicorn walked to the balcony, and stared at the night sky, realizing it was only midnight. “Or was it something more?”
Curious, the next morning, Twilight Sparkle asked Luna to meet with her in Ponyville in the newly named Castle of Friendship…
“Thank you for coming on such short notice, Luna.” Twilight said.
“Twas nothing, really. Although, we are curious as to why you have summoned us. Is there something wrong, and you require my assistance?”
She shook her head. “No, it’s nothing like that. I was just wondering…”
Luna became curious. “Yes, what is it, Twilight?”
The more the conversation continued, the more nervous Twilight became, and the more curious Luna was. “Well, if it isn’t a bother, I was wondering if you could teach me a few things about entering dreams.” The midnight coated princess was both shocked and surprised at this sudden interest in the realm of dreams, where reality has a tendency to fly away from a pony’s grasp. Could it be that she knew of our interference in her nightmare? Luna thought to herself. Sighing, she said “Okay Twilight, but heed my warning: most dreams are not to be fooled with. It can alter perspectives and change behaviors more than you think. It is our duty as princess to help those in the nightmare too deep to return. In order to prepare, you must wait until we raise the moon.”
And so they waited. Some meaningful conversation was had between the two, mostly about the new roles Princess Twilight is expected to fill.
They both avoided talking about their secret admirations towards one another.
I believe it is time to show her why I admire my night, and protect our citizens in secret. Luna thought. “The time has come, Twilight. Please, join us- I mean me, in exploring the realm of dreams.” The Princess of the Night motioned for Twilight to sit in front of her. “Entering the
Dreamscape is no easy task, and will require you to use every ounce of Equestrian magic you possess.” Like a good student, the purple alicorn raised her hoof, as if still in magic kindergarten. This caused Luna to giggle at her “student’s” silliness.
“Is it going to be painful, Luna?” she asked.
Luna shook her head. “No, but when you enter, you will feel drained at first, which is why it is important to stay near me. Now concentrate. Search your feelings, Twilight. Find a memory that helps you sleep when scared. Do you have the memory?” She nodded. “Good! Now focus on that memory, use it as a doorway.” Twilight heeded her instructor’s words, and began to focus her magic on the memory. Slowly, her horn started to glow, getting brighter with the passing of time.
“Excellent! You learn well, my new student!” Luna said, clopping her hooves. “Now, the hard part. Visualize yourself walking through the doorway your memory created."
“I think I have it, Luna. I can almost reach… There!” Twilight opened her eyes, gazing on the Dreamscape. It was like an ocean of memories, fillies and colts dreaming of cute and adorable animals, stallions and mares dreaming of the past. “I did it Luna! I actually did it!” She looked around, absorbing every detail, every gateway to another pony’s mind. Suddenly, it dawned on her. Where is Luna? She thought.
Twilight began wandering the dreamscape, looking for her mentor of this strange and curious place, all the while in awe of this new world before her. Suddenly, as if someone turned off a giant light, everything went dark, and before her lie a lonesome little filly, scared and in the dark. Is that…? It was Luna, but as a filly. “I’m so scared! Tia, where are you? I’m all alone, and this place is scary!” The filly began sobbing, crying out to anypony who would listen. Are these… Luna’s dreams? Oh, no! This is bad! Something must have gone wrong, and Luna didn’t make it to the Dreamscape!
FRET NOT, YOUNG ONE. YOU ARE NOT ALONE…
“Who said that? Is that you, Tia?” Somehow soothing, yet terrifying, the mysterious voice called out to the crying Luna. NO, LUNA. I AM THE NIGHT, AND I HAVE COME HERE TO HELP YOU BE BRAVE.
Twilight gasped at the scene before her. I recognize that voice- It’s Nightmare Moon!