//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 // Story: Welcome To Ponyville High // by xxGamer101xx //------------------------------// In front of Twilight stood a tall, dark blue coated mare. She stared in awe as she examined the strange equine. Her mane was dark blue, and she had a splash of black on her flank with a white crescent moon on it. A black necklace with the same white moon on it hung around the base of her neck. Her mane was a wavy and starry blue, almost opaque to her. Twilight slowly grew more and more confused as she noticed the wings and horn… on the horse. “Sweet Celestia,” Twilight gasped in disbelief, running her hands through her hair in an effort to calm herself down. "What am I seeing?" “You have nothing to fear, Twilight Sparkle,” the strange horse said with a booming voice. “I’m just as crazy as Ms. Heartstrings!” laughed Twilight as she was trying to make sense of all this, "I mean I am hearing a talking horse after all." "Twilight Sparkle," said the creature calmly, "Listen to me." “Maybe Ms. Heartstrings was right about the Equine Rebellion after all,” Twilight murmured as a look of fear began to grown on her face. “Is this the face of our new Equine Overlords?” "Enough!" the creature shouted in a booming voice. Twilight snapped out of her thoughts and looked at the talking horse once more. “I am Princess Luna.,” the creature declared. “Do not fear me, Twilight Sparkle, for I come in peace.” “A talking horse!” Twilight exclaimed as she grabbed a fist full of hair. “What kind of weird dream am I having?!” “I prefer the term alicorn, if you insist,” Luna corrected, rolling her eyes at Twilight’s response. “A what?” asked Twilight in confusion as she became to examine the creature again. “Does that explain the wings and the horn?” Luna only sighed and nodded in annoyance at the comment. “Yes. That is a way to explain it.” Twilight cautiously rose from the ground and slowly responded. “You said... you’re Princess Luna. Right?” “Yes,” replied Luna, stretching out her wings and smiling. “It is I, Luna. Princess of the Night.” “How... how are you in my dream?” Twilight questioned, still trying to process these odd chain of events. Twilight then quietly muttered, "And more importantly, how are you here?" Luna only laughed as she began to explain. “”That is quite easy to answer. As the Princess of the Night, I am able to enter the dreams of my subjects. Dreams of those who need my guidance.” “Am I one of those who need your guidance?” inquired Twilight. Luna nodded in response. “Yes. For I have a message for you.” “I just can’t believe that you’re real and not some old legend,” remarked Twilight in awe, but she soon shook her head in confusion. “Wait, I thought were still banished to the moon. And, how can you be Celestia’s sister if you’re… not a person?” “In this world she is human, but I come from a different world. ” Luna laughed softly. “You and your friends freed me from the Nightmare’s possession.” Twilight blinked silently. “I did what now?” Luna tilted her head in confusion. “Twilight, we have met before.” Her answer only confused the girl even more. “We have?” “Yes. Once as enemies and again as friends.” “Really?” Luna only sighed and her eyes began to glow and shouted. “I have something to show you.” Everything around them changed until they were standing in a dimly lit cave. Twilight looked in front of her and gasped. A tree made of blue crystal, its roots and branches stretching to the dimensions of the cave, sat towards the back. On the bottom was the sun and moon, and in the middle of its trunk was a bright lavender star. Each branch of the tree contained a different colored crystal. Blue, red, violet, orange, and pink. “What kind of tree is that?” Twilight questioned softly, staring in wonder at the crystal tree. “It looks... beautiful.” “My sister and I had the same response when we first saw this tree,” Luna said fondly as she too looked at the tree. “A tree made of crystals? How is that possible?” “This tree is no ordinary tree, Twilight Sparkle,” Luna reminded her. “”What make this tree so special?” “It’s known as The Tree of Harmony,” the mare explained, pointing her hoof to its crystals. “Each branch represents an Element of Harmony.” That name rung a bell in Twilight’s head. “My dad used to read me stories about the Elements of Harmony when I was little,” she told her. “I thought they were just some legend.” “They are more than just legend. Where I am from, you and your friends wield them.” Twilight looked at Luna in utter disbelief of what she’d heard. “What?” The lunar princess only sighed as her eyes began to glow once again. “I’m afraid it is time we part ways, Twilight Sparkle.” “Why?” “He cannot know,” Luna explained, frowning as she thought to herself. “My sister learned that lesson.” “What?” Twilight blurted out. “Who is ‘He’? Why can’t he know and what can’t he know?” "We have to keeps this meetings brief, so "he" never figures out what were a are doing." "Who is "He"?" whined Twilight as her voice grew louder. “You know who “He” is, Twilight. Deep down, you know who I speak of.” Twilight couldn’t think of anyone at the moment, no matter how hard she tried. “I don’t! Luna, who is he?!” “I have said too much already. I must go. And it is time for you to wake from this dream,” Luna said in a stern tone. “Who is he?!” shouted Twilight as the image of Luna began to fade away. “What did he do to Princess Celestia?!” “You mustn't tell anyone,” Luna ordered, her voice echoing loudly around her. “Their minds have been clouded by chaos. They will not listen to you.” “What do you mean?!” Twilight demanded to know. “Farewell, Twilight,” Luna’s voice softly told her, her image now gone. “We shall meet again soon. You must dream some time.” “What are you talking about?” Twilight asked even louder than before, trying to get the princess to stay. "Luna! Please tell me. What do you mean?" Her efforts were in vain. Even with the silence, Twilight shouted louder and louder, before even she couldn’t be heard. She jolted up from her bed in a fright, sweat drenching her forehead. With a few pants, she cleared her face of the sweat lacing it. She frantically looked at her door as it began to open up. She rose out of bed and opened it, shocked to see her mother standing there. The smile she’d had vanished at the sight of her. “Twilight, sweetie,” her mother said as she drew hand to her forehead. “Are you feeling any better?” “Yes,” responded Twilight as she darted to her dresser. “Much better.” “The little scholar you are,” her mother giggled as she closed her bedroom door. "I haven't seen you this exited for school since you were a little girl." “Mom,” Twilight whined. “I’m not a little kid anymore.” First Shining, now Mom? “I’m only teasing, sweetie!” her mother called. Twilight only shook her head and began to change into her school clothes. As she finished brushing her hair, she saw her reflection in the mirror and began thinking back to the bizarre dream she’d had. I can’t believe it. Ms. Heartstrings was right about the talking horses after all. And the entire school mocked her. If only they knew. She shook that thought out of mind and grabbed her bag before heading out. As she raced down the stairs and out the front door, more thoughts raced through her mind as she made her way towards the bus stop. These dreams I’ve been having and everything that’s been happening sounds more and more like something from Hamlet. Once the bus arrived, Twilight climbed on and made her way towards her usual seat in the back. Even now, everything happening plagued her. It was all too coincidental to be just a figment of her imagination. Maybe Ms. Heartstrings can help with all this. She seems like she knows all there is about talking horses. When the bus stopped, the students aboard started filing out. Twilight was the last to exit. Looking to the entrance of the school, she smiled softly when she saw her friends busy chatting together. Pinkie was the first to notice her, and she waved vigorously and just as happily. “Twilight!” Pinkie shouted in glee, rushing over before pulling her into a hug. “You’re back already!” Twilight smiled as she hugged her friend back. “Yes, I’m back.” “How ya feeling?” Applejack asked caringly. “Gave us all a mighty scare yesterday.” “I’m sorry about that,” replied Twilight in a low tone. “I don’t know what happened.” “I’ll say,” Rainbow remarked calmly, a grin appearing. “I mean we did have a free period after that happened. It wasn’t all bad.” Applejack only rolled her eyes at Rainbow’s response. “Ignore her. How are you really feeling?” “I said I’m fine,” Twilight lied as she smiled, attempting to ease them. I wish I could tell you all the truth. But I don’t know the truth. Not yet. “Are you sure?” Fluttershy softly questioned, just as concerned as the others. “Yes,” said Twilight in an annoyed tone as she a quick glance at all the girls with the same concerned look on their faces. She sighed. “I mean it, girls.” “Ya don’t need to be harsh there, sugarcube,” Applejack reprimanded sharply. "We're only asking because we care for ya, Twilight." “Sorry,” muttered Twilight as her voice grew soft and quiet. I wish I could tell you all. I really do wish I could, it would make things so much more easier. As the girls stood in silence, Rainbow was the first to break it. She cleared her throat loudly and grabbed their attention. “I know Ms. Starlight’s lessons are boring and all, but they never made me pass out,” she laughed, hoping to add some humor to this awkward silence. Applejack smirked before chuckling with her. “Eeyup. That’s one way to give Ms. Starlight criticism.” Twilight laughed as well, adding, “It would help if she didn't speak in such a monotonous voice.” “Or learn how to take a joke,” Pinkie giggled as she added with the rest. "Or stop freaking out every time I come to class late." The laughing stopped and silence came back again. This time, the silence was broken by Rarity. “Twilight, darling,” Rarity said, turning to her. “Are you sure you’re all right?” Twilight was about to open her mouth, but quickly closed it as she remembered what Luna had warned her. Still, thoughts were racing through her mind. They won’t be able to believe me what I say. Something about their minds being clouded by chaos. Whatever that means. “I’m fine, Rarity,” Twilight repeated as she gave her friends a nervous smile. “You girls don’t need to worry about me.” "Lying like this to them, like this makes me feel awful inside." “If you say so,” Fluttershy murmured. “Twilight, you know you’re our friend, right?” said Pinkie as she smiled towards her. “If something’s up, you can always tell us.” “Pinkie’s right, dear,” added Rarity, smiling back to Twilight as well. “We’re all here for you.” The school bell rang, and all the students outside raced in to get to their first period classes. Twilight followed her friends as they too made their way inside the school. *** The final bell rang, and all students made their way out their last period class. Twilight made her way towards the biology room. When she got to the door, she saw Ms. Heartstrings talking to another student. Twilight recognized the boy as the one who sat next to Ditzy Doo a couple of days ago. He was running a hand through his wavy blue hair as he nodded along to what Ms. Heartstrings was saying. He was wearing a yellow long sleeved button up shirt and a white t-shirt with a blue star and a white crescent. “Now, Comet Tail,” said Ms. Heartstrings,, handing him a couple of papers. “Just because your President of the Astronomy Club doesn’t you mean you can stop attending those meetings.” Comet Tail only smiled as he took the papers from his teacher. “You don’t have anything to worry about Ms. Heartstrings.” “If you say so, Comet Tail,” Ms. Heartstrings half-heartedly replied. Comet Tail smiled and made his way towards the exit. He smiled when he saw Twilight. “I heard what happened to you in history. Are you alright?” he asked her. Twilight smiled in response. “Yes, I am. Thank you for asking.” Comet Tail smiled back. “No problem.” As Comet Tail exited the classroom, Twilight’s eyes focused back on Ms. Heartstrings, who was erasing her whiteboard. “Ms. Heartstrings,” she called. The teacher stopped her erasing and glanced at Twilight. “Yes, Twilight Velvet?” asked Lyra as she kept erasing. “It's Twilight Sparkle.” “Are you sure?” Lyra questioned as she raised an eyebrow. “Very sure.” “If you say so,” she replied with a shrug. She finished her erasing and faced Twilight. “What are you here for?” Twilight sighed as she sat down on the desk beside her. She then said in a hushed whisper, “I had a very strange dream last night.” “So did I,” nodded Lyra. “I dreamt I lead an army of horses in the Equine Rebellion.” The purple haired student sighed, taking a deep breath before continuing. “Well... in my dream, there was a, um... talking horse,” she hesitantly said. The professor’s expression instantly turned to one of intriguement. “I see. Go on.” “Well... in my dream, the... horse said that her name was Princess Luna,” explained Twilight. “But, how is that possible? I thought Luna was still banished to the moon.” Lyra thought for a moment as she drew a finger to her chin and began to think. Several moments passed and suddenly Lyra rose with a radiant smile on her face. “I may just be a biology teacher, but this could be case of a different Luna! A talking horse Luna!” She then laughed as her smile grew even wider. "I can't believe it! After all these years of being mocked. More people realize that there is talking horses after all." Her explanation seemed profoundly off… but Twilight couldn’t rule it out when she’d spoken to a talking horse that called itself Luna. “How would something like that be possible?” Lyra laughed. “With every action, there’s a different outcome. This could be an outcome of the past reaching out to us now!” “Really?” asked Twilight in confusion. “But how does that work? Wouldn’t she be human, then?” “What you’re describing to me sounds like what happened to me ten years ago. Expect it wasn’t a dream,” Lyra said aloud, ignoring her questions. "I still remember it like it happened yesterday." Conceding to being ignored, Twilight asked, “What happened?” “When I was a student at this school, I was in the 300 wing. I was about to go to my next period class, but then I saw a brown talking horse.” explained Lyra. "I knew from that moment it was a sign. A sign that the Equine Rebellion was soon upon us." “What did the horse say to you?” Twilight questioned, leaning closer. Lyra only shrugged. “I don’t know. I was too busy screaming and freaking out.” Twilight blinked in confusion as Ms. Heartstrings explained this story of hers. She couldn't believe what had just happened to her and more importantly she couldn't believe that someone else went through something very similar. "So that story Rainbow was talking about was real after all." “What you’re talking about right now, Twilight, seems to be like some sort of message. I don’t hear of anyone being visited by Princess Luna willy nilly.” “Really?” Lyra nodded in response. “Legend has it that Princess Luna used to enter the dreams of others to torment others during her time as Nightmare Moon.” “Sounds pleasant,” mocked Twilight. "That was 1,000 years ago. What you are talking seems that somehow Princess Luna was free from her banishment of the moon." remarked Lyra. "So, it seems like you were visited by a completely different Luna." "How is something like that even possible in the first place?" Lyra only shrugged as she began to put some books away. “Maybe there’s a reason for all of this.” Twilight backed off for a moment and quietly said, “Yeah, I think you’re finally right about something.” “Twilight,” Lyra said as drew her index finger to her chin for moment. She then pondered fro a moment but soon, shouted.“Can you do me a favor?” “What?” “Every time you have these dreams, record them somewhere. See if you notice a pattern. Conduct your own experiment with these strange dreams that you're having.” Twilight nodded in response. “I will. Thank you for helping me Ms. Heartstrings.” Lyra smiled in response. “No problem, Ms.Sparkle.” Twilight sighed as she exited the classroom. As she was making her way to the exit and towards the bus, she could only think about how odd and strange her life as been so far. "Totally not what I thought high school was going to be like."