//------------------------------// // To cure a Nightmare // Story: Kingdom of Harmony // by Stegi //------------------------------// “I have to return to Canterlot and perform my royal duties. I don’t want ponies to worry in the absence of my sister.” Luna was talking with Sunset Shimmer while walking down the hallway. “Princess…” Sunset Shimmer started. “Luna is fine.” The Princess of the Night interrupted. “Ok, Luna... Is it normal for Alicorns to have the kind of healing power I used earlier? The reason I ask is… I've never heard of it before.” The yellow Alicorn wondered. “Each Alicorn is given special magical powers only they can use. One of your special powers is healing.” Luna answered. “This is all so new to me. It's something I always wanted, to become more than who I was. But it is so different from what I expected.” Sunset explained. “I’m sure you will be fine… Will you continue the search for Twilight and my sister?” The dark Alicorn asked. “I sure will. But it’s already late and dark. We’ll continue tomorrow. I think human Twilight needs my immediate attention.” The yellow Alicorn answered. “Are you sure it’s a good idea keeping her here and not sending her back to her own realm?” Luna was concerned. “I know it will not be easy for her. But I will do my best to guide her. In the end, I need her help as much as she needs my guidance to get a handle on magic. I did temporarily close the portal to avoid other incidents.” Sunset replied. “A wise precaution, I shall watch over the human Twilight during the night.” With these last words Princess Luna took off into the night. Sunset Shimmer walked back to the library. The other ponies never left the library. Almost all of them were staring at human Twilight Sparkle. Given what just happened, it was understandable. Pinkie Pie seemed to be the only pony excited about Twi’s arrival. “So, you are a human? Huh?” Pinkie bounced around her. “Mhm.” Twilight wasn’t in the mood to talk. “Well, you look like a pony to me. Not that I would know what a human looks like.” The party pony added. Twilight Sparkle glanced at the floor, ashamed of what she had done to the others. “So did you ponies introduce yourselves yet?” Sunset was back. “I’m Pinkie Pie.” The pink earth pony was still jumping around Twi. “If there was one pony she could guess, it would be you, Pinkie.” The yellow Alicorn added with a smile. “Sorry, I just don’t feel like it. I've got to go.” Rainbow Dash left, she was embarrassed that she was so easily beaten. “Girls, it was an accident.” Sunset Shimmer insisted. “Let her go, she’ll come ‘round and what ever happened to ya’ll, Sunset?” A.J. asked. “When I have figured that out, you will be the first to know A.J.” The yellow Alicorn replied. “Twilight, Darling, are you alright?” Rarity asked the still shivering human pony. “I didn’t mean to hurt any of you. I-I’m so sorry.” Human Twilight replied. “Ah popalipup. No pony got hurt, well at least not for long.” Pinkie smiled. “You were truly amazing Sunset! I mean, I can see that you have become an Alicorn, but your healing magic was extraordinary splendid. I have never seen anything like it.” Rarity said. “H-Have y-you b-become a Princess?” Fluttershy whispered, the shy pony was shivering too. “It’s not official yet. But that is what I have been told.” All ponies with the exception of human Twilight bowed down to Sunset Shimmer. “Guys, no, stop, stop it right now!” Sunset was embarrassed. “Why? What’s wrong Darling? You are a Princess now.” Rarity explained. “She is right, ya know.” Apple Jack added. “Your Highness.” Starlight Glimmer bowed down again, her intention seemed to be a tease. “Please, we are all friends here. No bowing down and most certainly not, your Highness. I’m the same pony I was before. Your friend, Sunset Shimmer, and don’t you ever forget that.” Sunset sounded just slightly upset in a funny way. “She always gets embarrassed when somebody admires her. You should see how worked up she gets when it’s actually a boy who shows his admiration for her.” Twi gained some of her confidence back and actually made the other ponies giggle. Sunset Shimmer on the other hand just blushed. “Jeez, thanks Twi… Are you feeling better?” Sunset’s face was still red. “Yeah, I think I’m good now. I’m keeping my head clear.” The human pony was shocked to find out she had destroyed her own bag. “Oh no, my bag is gone.” Only a piece of fabric and a black spot on the ground was left of Twilight’s bag. She started to tear up again. “Then whose bag is this one then?” Fluttershy pointed at a bag on the desk in the corner. “Sunset’s. We packed some special things for her.” Twi replied. “Oooh ooh ooh, tell us what’s in it. She hasn’t opened it yet.” Pinkie Pie got excited. “No, Pinkie I will open the bag when I feel the time is right.” Sunset gave her the evil eye. “Come on now, Twilight. I’m sure it wasn’t that important.” A.J. said. “But that’s just it. The reason I came through the Portal was to help find Princess Twilight. I brought the gear to help find her. Without it, there is really no reason for me to be here.” Twi calmed slowly down. “Darling, how would some gear help you find Princess Twilight?” Rarity asked. “You don’t need gear, you've got us.” Pinkie tried to encourage the human pony. “Sunset, I hope you still have the potion we got from Zecora?” Starlight asked. “You were at Zecora’s? Oooohh…” Pinkie’s eyes got larger. “Oh. I almost forgot all about it.” Sunset Shimmer pulled out the potion from Zecora. “Aaahhh. That kind of potion...” The party pony smiled. “I don’t know dear, you might want to wait until tomorrow with this potion. When Twilight used it the last time she got super worked up. I think you had enough stress for one day. It will not help us find Twilight and the others if you are not at your best.” Rarity added. “Oh shoot. I left Diamond Tiara alone in the throne room.” A.J. remembered. “You are right Rarity. I’m pretty beat. We all should take a break until tomorrow morning… A.J. I will take care of Diamond Tiara. Twi and I can stay here at the castle. We should meet back here in the morning.” The yellow Alicorn said. “By the way Sunset, you were right earlier. She did hold back.” Starlight Glimmer received a smile from Sunset. Sunset Shimmer and human Twilight were the only ones left in the library. The yellow Alicorn went up to the human pony. She helped her stand up on all four hooves. Together they slowly walked towards the throne room where Diamond Tiara was waiting. “You are back! And you found Princess Twilight!” Diamond Tiara bowed down. “Well it’s a long story.” Sunset replied. “Whaaaaaaaaaaaaa… You got wings.” The young earth Pony’s eyes grew super large. “You are a Princess too?” Diamond bowed down again, she was shaking in excitement. “Wow, Sunset. She seems super excited.” Twi noticed. “Sigh. It seems like I have that affect today. Diamond, please get up. It’s alright.” Sunset said. “But you are royalty. This is how I have been told to act around a Princess.” Diamond felt unsure what to do around the two Alicorns. “You are like the little sister I never had. So get up. We are friends remember?” The yellow Alicorn reassured the little pony. “Like a sister?” The young earth Pony’s heart started beating faster. “You mean that?” She asked. “Yes I do. So please get up and help us find a place to sleep.” Sunset reached her a hoof. “There is enough room in my house for you and me.” Diamond said excited. “Hehe, I meant here in the castle. We need two guest rooms. One room for you, and one for me and Twilight.” Sunset surprised Diamond Tiara with that. “Princess Twilight and you? Does she not have her own bedroom, I mean it is her castle after all.” Diamond Tiara was clearly confused. “I will explain later, for now let’s just say this is not Princess Twilight.” Sunset Shimmer just spoke it out, and Diamond Tiara collapsed. Double Princess, not the Princess, like a sister, friends, so many emotions at once was too much for the young earth Pony to handle. Sunset Shimmer picked her up with magic and laid her softly on her back. The yellow Alicorn dropped Diamond Tiara off in a guest room and made sure she was comfortable sleeping in a bed. She took Twi and went to the guest room next door. Sunset entered and used her magic to turn on the light. The bed in the room was big enough to carry both ponies through the night. “I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you.” Twi said. “Don’t sweat it Twi. I had no idea what would happen when one of you girls went through the Portal.” Sunset replied. “My device is gone now. I’m not sure how much help I can be anymore. I’m still not used to this body. It feels alien. Maybe I should go back home…” Twilight explained. “Back home? But you just got here! Seriously Twilight Sparkle, stop thinking about what just happened and relax. Nerd... Explore what you are now, and how you can use it. You should be excited. You are in a strange new world, your physical attributes are completely different, and you have access to enough magic to blow up the Universe.” Sunset Shimmer wanted to encourage Twilight. “You know every time you call me Twilight Sparkle, you lecture me. You are right, it would be exciting if I wasn't scared right now. I’m frightened after what I just did, what I could have done. Thanks to you, it didn't end any worse.” Twi was everything but excited. “I’m sorry. Of course, I should have considered your feelings. Not sure if it makes you feel better or not but I’m really happy you are here. I promise, I’ll help you get a handle on the magic. And don’t worry about Rainbow Dash, she’ll come around... What I’m trying to say is, I want you to stay and I need your help.” Sunset voice got really soft. “How does one even sleep in this body?” Twi asked. “There she is.” Sunset smiled “Just watch me.” The yellow Alicorn climbed up on the bed and laid down slowly, so Twilight could take note and reproduce the procedure. Twi climbed up on the other side of the bed and copied Sunset’s moves. “That was easy. Good night Sunset and thanks.” Twilight closed her eyes. “Good night Twi.” Sunset looked towards the window where she could see the moon in the sky. “Good night Luna.” The yellow Alicorn closed her eyes. “Unleash the magic! Unleash the magic!” Twi’s former school mates were singing. “Why not?! There’s a whole other world right there, and it’s just filled with magic.” Midnight Sparkle said. “But you’re destroying this world to get!” Sunset Shimmer was upset. “So what? There’s more magic there, and I want to understand it all!” Midnight Sparkle yelled out. The Wondercolt Statue was destroyed and there were rifts to Equestria everywhere. Midnight Sparkle felt powerful. Students were screaming and aimlessly running about. “Take my hand, Twilight. Let me show you there’s another way… Concentrate on my voice and clear your thoughts.” Sunset’s voice was in Twi’s head. “I can hear Sunset’s voice in my head. I need to clear my thoughts.” Spike’s puppy eyes looked up to Midnight Sparkle. “Spike!” “Take my hand, Twilight… Take my hand... Take my..” Twilight Sparkle heard echoes of Sunset Shimmer’s voice. She took a look around and saw ponies on the floor crying and moaning. The blue Pegasi seemed to have lost part of her wing. It looked like a war zone, a battlefield of a library. “Unleash the magic!” Chrystal Prep Girls were singing. “Ouch. That hurt. What are you doing?” Pony Rainbow Dash started crying in pain. “Unleash the magic!” “Unleash the magic!” “Nooooooo…” Twilight Sparkle screamed. Ponies were in agony, humans were in agony, and all because she used magic. Twilight's dream changed. “Take my hand, Twilight.” She heard Sunset Shimmer, again. Sunset was right in front of her. She reached out with her hand. The girl which seemed to be Sunset Shimmer became all blurry, and her skin got darker. A transformation was in progress. The girl turned into an Alicorn Pony. “You are the pony which arrived with Sunset earlier by the portal.” Twilight noticed. “Hello Twilight Sparkle. I’m Luna, Princess of the Night.” Luna replied. “I don’t even know how or why I am talking to you. This is a dream after all.” Twi said. “Very observant of you. How do you know this is a dream?” The dark Alicorn asked. “First off, you are a Pony talking with a human. Then the constant back and forth flashes between the Friendship Games and my arrival in Equestria. Both are connected through the use of magic. And final, you were somebody else and transformed right in front of me. That doesn’t happen in the real world, at least not in the one where I’m from.” Twilight explained. “Very analytical. You are right, this is a dream.” Luna paused for a few seconds. “Are you punishing yourself, Twilight Sparkle?” “Huh? What would give you that idea?” Twi was confused. “Because, I did the same thing once. Over and over I lived the same Nightmare to punish myself for all the harm I caused.” The dark Alicorn explained. “I don’t think it is that easy. I can’t turn my dreams on or off.” Twilight said. “I see. There is no guidance in the human realm of sleep.” Luna was curious. “Well I wouldn’t say there is no guidance. If you think you are crazy enough you probably go and look for professional help. That is, if you can afford a Psychologist.” Twi explained. “Hm. Interesting. This Psychologist visits your dreams?” The Princess of the Night became more curious. “I only get nightmares when I think about Dr. Phil. Sigh… Nevermind. So it’s safe to say I’m not trying to punish myself. But I might be crazy though. Talking to a Pony about nightmares in a dream kinda qualifies for a nut-case class.” Twilight sounded serious. “Would you prefer this form?” Surrounded by a light blue glow, Princess Luna transformed to the human Vise-Principal Luna. “Wow, an interactive dream. It’s almost as if you were real.” Twi seemed surprised. “I’m real Twilight Sparkle. My special Alicorn magical powers allow me to enter the realm of sleep. I can visit everypony in their dreams. I also guide most of the younger ponies through theirs. But should there be a pony, who doesn't want me in their dreams, then I will just leave.” The Princess explained. “Interesting! So you could help me get rid of my nightmares?” Twilight Sparkle wanted to know. “Yes, Twilight Sparkle. I can guide you through this realm, but banishing your nightmares from your dreams, only you possess that power.” Luna’s voice got softer. “But how? I used magic twice, and twice I hurt people with it. It has been haunting me ever since I used magic for the first time.“ Twi had a sad look on her face. “That may be so. You also received help both times, did you not?” The dark Alicorn got more serious. “Sunset… She was there for me. Both times… She saved me.” The human’s voice got softer. “She means a lot to you. You are afraid to tell her about your dreams because you think it will bother her.” Luna’s voice changed and became compassionate. “H-How do you know all that?” Twi seemed conflicted. “Everypony gets their special somepony. Sunset Shimmer is yours. She is the anchor in your dreams. Only she can return harmony to you.” The dark Alicorn explained. “Are you saying I’m in love with Sunset Shimmer?” The girl was rattled. “Matters of love are Princess Cadance's specialty, I know very little about it. You care for her a lot more than you would like to admit and that is why you haven’t told her. Tell her and your nightmares shall go away.” Luna slowly disappeared in the distance. “Great, I psychoanalyzed my own nightmares with the help of a Pony Princess who turned into Vise-Principal Luna. Scientifically speaking, I’m nuts. Not that it matters, I probably won’t remember any of it anyways, when I wake up.” Twilight was talking to herself. “You will remember…” Luna’s voice was echoing around her.