//------------------------------//
// Nightmare 
// Story: Apprentice 
// by macXtreble 
//------------------------------//

	It was a dark and stormy night, lightning flashing against the ivory towers of Canterlot Castle. A loud thunderclap awoke the Solar princess from her sleep, an aura of unease settling over her as she grew more aware of her surroundings. 
She stepped out of her chambers, silently closing her door behind her, nodding at the guard who stood watch in the hall. He was confused that the Princess was awake so early in the evening, but mentally figured that anypony might have either trouble sleeping or very restful sleep in such a storm.
Celestia silently navigated the dark halls, to which she had become accustomed in the last thousand years, having built this castle so she wouldn't have to be reminded of her sister's banishment. 'As if that helped.' She thought, contemplating. Every time the sun set, she had been reminded of her beloved sister, missing her blue mane and crooked smile. 
Celestia could still remember the first time Luna had raised the moon alone, the weak, but victorious smile she displayed, how she had flapped her wings with joy, her tiny filly frame barely lifting from the floor. "I Did it, Cewwy!"Young Luna had chirped, ecstatic from head to toe.
"You sure did, Woona."She murmured to the memory long past with a soft smile. Despite the past, Luna was here now, and Celestia's mission now was to find the source of her sister's agitation, not to mention the Princess herself.
Her horn lit up white, illuminating the ornate door knob and slowly twisting it, opening the door slightly enough to see the night sky blue mare pacing back and forth anxiously. The stance, her hoofsteps clattering through the Throne room, all seemed eerily familiar to Celestia, though she couldn't recall ever seeing Luna act in such a manner. 
Celestia stepped into the room and stood before her sister, her magnificent white coat gleaming like freshly fallen snow. "What troubles Thee, dear sister?" She whispered, her pale pink eyes piercing Luna's azure ones.
Up close and personal, Luna looked alot more disheveled and upset. Her eyes were tearstained and full of pain, her fur was tousled as if even during the daytime, she'd been tossing and turning fitfully."My dreams... they aren't easy. I've seen her..." Luna looked up at her elder sister. "Did it hurt so badly when you sensed Twilight?"
Celestia looked thoughtful a moment. "For a week prior to meeting her, yes. It was excruciating. You have sensed her in your dreams?"
"Yes, though she doesn't know how to control being in them."
The elder sister nodded. "So, since you know what the filly looks like, we can search for her."
"She's.... not a filly."
"A Gryphon cub? A Dragoness? A Zebra?" Celestia asked. All her suggestions were dismissed with the shake of Luna's head.
"She's a mare." The Lunar Princess stated plainly.
"You mean, an adult?" Luna nodded.
"My Apprentice." Luna whispered softly, as if to a lover whom had caused her much pain but she couldn't stop loving. Celestia knew the feeling well.
The Lunar Apprentice was coming, and soon.