//------------------------------// // 8- Dreams // Story: The Flames of the Phoenix // by FrostTheWolf //------------------------------// The Flames of the Phoenix- Dreams Sweet Apple Acres         By the time Ember got back to her room, it was close to midnight. Frost had agreed to stay with Twilight in order to not cause a commotion back at the barn for when she came home. By the time she got to her bedroom, the mancer almost just passed out on the bed and fell asleep. But somepony else was still awake as she drifted away into a state of slumber. Somepony who was curious enough to see what exactly did the mancer dream about when she was asleep.         That pony was Princess Luna, Alicorn of the Night and sister of Princess Celestia. It was only two days ago that she had met the caretaker of Philomena and in doing so, got very curious about what she would find inside her sleep. She had traversed through the dreams of many ponies before, but not anypony like Ember. Curiosity was the primary reason why Luna wanted to see Ember’s dreams in the Dreamscape. That way, she could possibly learn more about her like where she was from and what her life was like. However, upon entering the dream, she heard a different voice and saw something… Different.         The first thing she saw was a girl, like Ember, but she seemed excited. She had opened a parcel and had received the scarf that the Lunar Princess had seen before. But that smile soon faded away. She Angrily tossed a note to the ground in a rage and went into her room. The note dropped down to Luna’s hooves as she read the message.         “Emma honey. I’m sorry for telling you this now, but we’re not here this morning because your father and I are heading to the courthouse. It may be hard to take in, but we’re splitting up. Remember though, no matter what happens though, we still love you.”         -Mom         She was surprised at seeing this. Who was this “Emma” that the note referred to? Before she could find out, a bright flash happened and the location of the dream changed. It was now a cold forest. But she didn’t know what was going on. She watched as the events played out, but couldn’t exactly hear the girl talk to the phoenix in front of her. But, at one point, she did hear her speak to the bird. Shortly after the phoenix asked for her name.         “Emma Valkyr. But you may call me Ember.”         ‘So this was Ember back then…’ Luna wondered as she continued to watch. Surprisingly though, The area around her soon faded away. It was now a darkened night sky as Ember could now be seen looking at Luna in front of her. Her arms were folded and she was standing in front of her.         “Good evening, Luna.” She asked. Luna, for one, was quite surprised that Ember was actually talking to her. They were in her dreams and it would take onepony quite a while to realize that she was visiting them. She saw this as the case with Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo, but what made her so different.         “H-how did you know that-?”         “You were here? Well, these dreams that you see are my memories. And they’re a LOT different from dreams. So you won’t be able to find any dreams here, Princess.”         “Oh?” Luna said, a little puzzled by her answer. “Are you saying that what I saw wasn’t dreams?”         “In a way… That’s one of the things that’s a backlash when it comes to immortality for me. I can’t dream. All I can do is look back on my memories. Even the painful ones at times. But it helps me remember what is important and the choices I made. Because there are always consequences for your actions and the choices that you make.” Luna herself was quite stunned by what Ember had to say. So stunned in fact, that she had to say something herself.         “I believe I know what it’s like to face consequences.”         “You do?” Ember asked. “What do you mean?”         “Have you ever heard of Nightmare Moon?”         “Yes, but I was told that it was only a children’s tale.” Ember replied. “Is there something I don’t know?”         Luna nodded. “Well, you see, I was Nightmare Moon. But not by choice. My anger and jealousy took control of me, having me become something I’m not. In the end, I was banished for 1000 years on the moon. To this day, I still feel that some ponies are afraid of me because of who I once was. That nopony appreciates the moon or the night.”         “I do.”         Luna looked at Ember with a surprised expression. “What?”         “I enjoy the night and the light that the moon brings. It, to me, is beautiful and serves as a guide for me when I travel during the evening. You are the one who raises the moon, so in the end, I must thank you for being the deity of the moon and it’s light that helps guide me during the toughest of times. It was the first thing I looked up to after I lost a dear friend of mine long ago. For that, I am grateful.”         “I-i… I don’t know what to say… Thank you Ember.” Luna said as she trotted to her and hugged her using one of her hooves. “That really meant a lot to me. Mostly, I thought that everypony would ignore the fact of what I’m responsible for. But now… I know otherwise.” The area around them began to shimmer as Luna looked around and then back at Ember. “Morning draws closer. I must go.”         “Okay then. Happy Hearth’s warming Luna.”         The princess smiled as she looked back at the Mancer. “You too, guardian of the Phoenix.” Sweet Apple Acres (Next Morning)         As the morning sun rose, Ember rose along with it. The sounds of tiny hooves also rushing down the flight of stairs also woke her up also with everypony else in the household as she left the the door to her room to see Applejack and Big Mac standing in the hallway.         “Let me guess, Applebloom is downstair?”         “Eeyup.”         “Figures. Oh, and Happy Hearth’s Warming.” Ember told the two of them, greeting them with a warm hug. “Should we wait on Granny Smith or-.”         “Granny told me that we could get started if she wasn’t immediately up around the same time we were.” Applejack informed Ember of what she was told last night. “Besides, she told us that you had a gift for all of us.”         Ember chuckled. “Indeed. Let me show you.” The three of them walked downstairs to find Applebloom anxiously waiting for the chance to open her presents while wearing her traditional Apple Family scarf. She, along with her older siblings soon opened their gifts and were very thankful for the members that gave them their things. Afterwards, they turned to Ember, who was holding the box that had her gift in it. She soon opened it and presented the gem that she and Rarity crafted for them. At first, they seemed confused, but upon further inspection and seeing the images of them in there, their faces lit up with pure joy. Enough to the point where Applebloom felt sorry that they weren’t able to get a gift for Ember in time.         “I wanted to be able to show how much all of you meant to me.” Ember told them. “All of you are a blessing to have and the greatest gift I could ever ask for. Being with you right now is your gift to me and that I am thankful for.” With that, the three ponies all trotted over and hugged their Auntie. Because for her right now, she felt comfortable.         She was home. End Chapter 8