Dreaming of Nobody
Dreams, are perhaps more than they seem. They connect those who are gone, and those who are not. Lost, or forgotten, they still find their way back to us. But, is it real, or not? How can we trust them, when we trick ourselves. Is it real, or isn't it?
My dreams are but scattered memories... and my memories are but scattered dreams.... For all the while that I drift here, I only wish to line the pieces up, yours and mine. I only wish for us to meet, for the first time, and forevermore be aligned...
***
" ...More than just a dream? " Twilight Sparkle thought whilst she sat in her small hole in the royal library. This was a place of sanctuary for the young unicorn; a place where the gifted unicorns could come to study. But this wasn't just a hole between bookshelves for just anypony, this was hers, Twilight's hole. This was almost a second home for the young unicorn to puzzle herself with newly discovered magics that, from beforehoof, were unknown to her.
She just couldn't belive the princess would choose her to be her personal student! And as her protege, Twilight had access to the largest expanse of knowledge known to pony kind! And she intended to take advantage of it. All of it. By tome, by volume, by paragraph, by sentence! All of equestrian knowledge was gifted to her through the written texts of scholars of old. From Starswirl The Bearded to Celestia herself.
First things first, the study of magic, naturally. And next, everything else. Though, she soon found herself fascinated with one non-magical book in particularly. An older tome by... well the name was scuffed out by time, but she'd find out later. Perhaps the princess knew? Anyway, the title was, " Dream Island ". It was, puzzling, to say the least. The thought process of the pony whom wrote it must have been maddening. Dreams were dreams after all. The way this tome described them, was like home.
" As all ponys dreamt, we thought nothing of it. " Ha, Twilight mentally chuckled as she continued to read. " A dream is a dream, is a dream. But-but what if... yawnh... what if... " The late hour had finally gotten to the young unicorn. Too tired to read another letter, it was time for sleep, and pudding, I-I mean dreams...
***
Twilight Sparkle now found herself on a thin strip of land. The blinding rays of the midday sun burned her eyes, as they were not adjusted to its harsh, bright light. When Twilight regained her sight she determined that she was on a beach, most likely. A soft ocean churned around as if nothing really mattered; as if no one really cared. There are no seguls to disturb the melody of the winds here, soft and somber as it is. There are no creeping crabs on the sand of this beach, to pinch a sun bather whom happened to be lying about. The palms, so high and so thick, that they make their own small forest. The grasses are green on both sides; ever so sweet. Everything is perfectly calm on this island, " But where am I? " The young filly thought, " I remember going to sleep, so, am I dreaming? A lucid dream maybe? I, I remember reading about these but... "
" A dream, sure, lucid, not so much. "
Twilight Sparkle was not alone on this island. Someone was here too, on an island, and I'm dreaming, so why is this so scary?! Am I having a nightmare instead?! Oh Celestia, oh Celestia ( Twilight immediately commenced freak-out mode )! " W-What? " she asked, fearing the answer.
"Well, " the sultry voice said from behind Twilight's ear, " who said this was your dream, hm? Are you so self-centered? "
Twilight spun around very quickly. No one. " Wha-what do you mean not m-my dream? " not entirely sure who she was speaking with, if at all. This was just too weird.
That voice came back yet again. It was female, but a bit gruff. " What if it's mine? "
"Ahh!! " she screamed at the sound of another coming from behind her yet again. " Who- " But this time, there was someone there, somepony was there when Twilight turned. She was a unicorn, and seemed to be much older than Twilight was now, seventeen or so. Well, she doesn't look scary at least, so this might not be a nightmare, Twilight thought. Her coat was blank white, her mane only a few shades darker with light black tips, and her eyes were a deep blue and hazy. Her cutie mark, though, was lost to Twilight's eyes for her to complete her analysis. Must. complete.
The new mare stared at Twilight queerly with an eyebrow raised high, " Why are you staring at my butt? " laughed the mare.
Twilight imedeatly shifted her gaze, " I was not! I-I was just, looking for your cutie mark, is all... " her face flushed with embarrassment.
" Well why didn't ya just ask? " she turned her flank for Twilight to behold, a cloud of sparkling dust on a dark blue night sky. " See, pretty sweet huh? " the mare boasted with a wry smile.
" Yeah ,thanks. " And now that her previous embarrassment had subsided, " Oh, but one more thing? "
" Shoot. "
" Who in Celestia's name are you! And what do you mean not my dream? What are you doing here!? I would know whether or not it were my dream or not, and furthermore- " she said matter-of-factually rambling along.
" Or is it? Is my answer. " the mare raised her brows slightly.
" Yes, it is. " Super deadpan. " And you still haven't answered my first question. " This mare was getting on Twilight's nerves, and quickly.
" Can you repeat the question? "
" Name?! " Nerves.
" Oh, okay. I, little filly, am Nightfall. And you are? "
Oh. Right, it's customary to reciprocate names in these social greeting things. She sighed, " My name is Twilight, Twilight Sparkle. "
The other pony gasped dramatically, like a three year old that just heard Santa Hooves curse, " Are you a secret agent or something!? "
What. " What? " No seriously, what?
" Well you just sounded like a secret agent or spy there, ' My name is Twilight, Twilight Sparkle, and I'm with the FPI '. " Nightfall said as she took off some dark shades that weren't there before and giggled.
" No seriously, just-just what? " Twilight said in her best deadpan expression.
" As for why I'm here, " she continued unabated, " well, I'm always here. That's ma house, " And she motioned towards, well, everything, plus what looked like a tree house on the ground. No other way to describe it. " The real question is, " and she bopped Twilight on the nose, " why are you here, huh? Come to spy on me? "
Wait, " But this is my dream, you can't live here. And I'm not a secret agent, so stop poking me! " Twilight slapped the hoof away from her chest. " I am not here to spy on you. "
" Well, agent Sparkle, " the white mare grinned, " what if it were OUR dream? "
All that was before began to turn to mist. And now, it Fades to black...
" Twilight dear, " Celestia nudged the sleepy filly once more, " Twilight, it's time for bed. Bed meaning to sleep in one. " It was just like Twilight to fall asleep in a library, book in hoof.
" N-Nightfall.. wha-? " it only took a fifth poke until Twilight conceded and awoke groggily. Note to self, library floors are NOT comfortable. And now I'm just starring at Celestia, like an idiot.
" Here, my student, you seem to be exhausted, let me get that for you. " Celestia said while levitating the book away from the young unicorns loose grip to place it back on the shelf.
" Come now, off to bed. " Celestia whispered to the sleepy filly before putting her on her back, and trotting out of the library. The tome, placed back on the shelf shimmered slightly. Celestia only just missed the slight chuckle from behind the door as it crept... shut.
***
It was but a short trot back to Twilight's chambers. Just down the hall from the library in fact. Twilight requested the arrangement herself in order to be, closer to the knowledge, as she put it. The room itself wasn't really all that extravagant in any case. It too, had a large bookshelf that was bursting with volumes, texts and tomes. A large, for her size, bed was also supplied, along with a nightstand that held an open drawer with her 2 month old baby dragon inside. She decided to name him spikey, for the large scales that jutted strait up from the top of his head. He was so tiny and cute! He was so tiny, in fact, that the one drawer, accounted for an entire bedroom in comparison.
Twilight herself was being levitated into bed for a good nights rest by her mentor, Celestia. " Now remember my young pupil, there is a time for learning, and there is a time for bed. Please, learn this lesson quickly, and rest your sleepy head. "
Twilight was slowly being tucked in, still half asleep and drifting. " O-okay, princess... good night. " Now she was far gone, back to dreamland.
" And good night to you. " Celestia said " And you... " she whispered to the dully shining moon. She only received a dull shimmer as a cold response. One that said " Just leave me alone ".
***
The next morning, Twilight awoke normally, without the use of a goddesses prodding hoof. There were also no disturbances by that Nightfall character either. Where she had sprung from was beyond her. The encounter was strange, much stranger than it had right to be. " Why can't I stop thinking about her though? " Twilight muttered to herself.
This is crazy, she concluded. " A dream is a dream, "
" Is a dream. "
Oh buck. Twilight turned quickly this time to see... a mirror. " Great, just great! I'm crazy. " She began to walk twoards the vanity to style her mane. " I mean, I must be. Nightfall-Nightfall isn't real. " When Twilight looked up to watch her mane take shape, she noticed a mare in the mirror... behind her!
" who isn't real, Twilight? " Princess Celestia asked, as she chose that moment to enter, completely unbeknownst to Twilight Sparkle, whom
was currently searching the room, left, left, right, right, up, down, up, down, back, ahead and starting at Celestia with a paranoid gaze.
" Oh, Princess, i-it's nothing, nothing at all, hehe, nope. Nada, nothin' ta say. I just woke up, so nothings happened... yet... " Way to play it cool. It totally doesn't look like I'm having a nervous breakdown, nnnope.
" Hmm, well, " She must still be tired, " are you ready for today's test on earthbound pony magics? " Celaestia asked.
I have a test on magic today, Twilight thought, and I fell asleep while cramming the night before on dream theory...horse-feathers.
Playing With Nobody
!The Next Day!
Twilight was the definition of confidence. Her coat shined with not only cleanliness, but also bad assery and praise. Praise! From Celestia! Twilight was pretty sure that she was THE unicorn to be right then. Like she was the best pony around. She felt like the world was her daisy sandwich!
Two days ago, she passed her test with flying colors. Not one question missed at all. As a reward, Celestia gave her star pupil fifty bits to buy anything she so desired, and Twilight intended to buy exactly that exactly immediately. The normal hustle and bustle of the Canterlot streets were set about as per usual. Buying food, going to work, etc. Twilight herself was going to the market today to buy a new book for her ever growing collection. Though, true, the royal library had any and every book, eventually, one had to return the oh so precious stepping stones to enlightenment. Alas, other students needed teachings as well.
Today was a fantastic day to walk the streets of Canterlot as well, as shown by all of the smiling faces on everypony about. The sky was a splash of blue with only Celestia's sun to rest lightly on its otherwise clear canvas. The air smelled of dew drops, which dripped so off of the freshly cut grass. In the closing distance, Twilight's favorite book store ( not library, there was a difference ). It was a quaint little thing. The vibrant red shingles hung starkly against the white walls. But what truly stood out was its unmistakable green roof. One that looked like, to anypony passing by or even miles away, a colossal book. ( duh ).
As the little filly entered, and the bell on the plain brown door rang, a very not so busy shopkeeper could be found sleeping in his desk chair. He was the only pony in the building, thus his assistance was rendered moot, giving him plenty of lounge time. Must be a slow day, thought Twilight.
" Hi Mr.Roman! Having a good nap? " Twilight greeted the old stallion with a light chuckle and smile.
" W-w-what? I wus naut nappin'! " Roman defended as he displaced the small book that had previously been resting on his muzzle. Roman was an older, earth pony stallion, with a blue mane, riddled with white hairs. His coat was an outstanding red on his very masculine figure, with hooves blacker than piet. His cutie mark was stone tablet with an X on it. When he looked down, his eyes widened with surprise at his young guests arrival. " Ah! Twi' lass! Here fer a new addition, aye? " he queered in as happy a tone as ever. His thick scoltish accent still holding strong to his gruff voice.
" You got it! I'm thinking something a bit more, umm... risque! " she said with a broad smile. As she said this, a brown stallion came in while drinking tea, and must have overheard her , as he then went on to spit take his tea all over the adjacent bookshelf.
" Aye! You! Get outa here wit' your leackin' pie whole, fore' I wrench it shut for ya! " Roman shouted angrily, throwing a hoof in the air at the stunned pony, who made haste and left with fear of the larger stallion. " Aw! Ya see what he did! Got his spittle all over ma' best sellers! " There was tea in the words by now. ( no, not ON, but IN the words )
" Oh, I'm so sorry Mr.Roman, here, let me get that for you, " Twilight's horn began to imitate a bright magenta, ever so softly. She concentrated on all of the effected books, feeling over them with her magic. She concentrated on the tea in the paper ( and words). She concentrated on making the tea evaporate with heat, and dry the paper off with a light breeze. C'mon, just a little hotter... And after only three seconds, the books were on fire. " Ah! Oh dear, oh dear! " She quickly blew a massive gull of magic wind to kill the ( for Twilight, raging inferno ) small fire. " I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry! So sorry, sorry, sorr- "
" Twilight, Twilight, i's fine lass. The books are okay. I wus gonna... disinfect'em latter anyways. " He gave her a reassuring look. " Now. Risque, aye? Somethin' a might bit out'a yer comfort zone; naut 'bout magic I'm guessin'? "
Twilight looked sheepish a moment before replying, " Yeah, I know. I almost never stray from spell books and the like, But... " But I need to know what was up with that dream.
" So, somethin' got your thinker buzzin' again? Would ya like ta talk 'bout it? "
" Well... no. No, I think I'll get all I need from my studies. " she looked back up to Roman with gleeful eyes, " Got anything for dreams, or dream theory? "
" Ohh! I see. Is it the midnight willies? " Roman snickered.
" No, no, nothing like that. I mearly wish to be more adequately intimate with the subject, is all. " This time, when the same stallion began to trot in through the door, he simply turned on his hooves and left.
" Well, try lookin' in the nighttime section, maybe you'll fin' what yer searchin' fer back there. " He pointed Twilight off to the far back of the store, even though she already had the whole store memorized.
And here it was. All books centered under the category of ' Nighttime '. Everything from how sleep works, to creatures of the night. " I will never understand that stallions organizational strategy. " Twilight laughed to herself.
" And I'll never understand your magicky stuff either! " joked Roman from all the way up front. " Just cuz ma' special talent is readin' doesn't mean I don't have an elephants hearin'! "
Oops, Twilight giggled before she started to sift through the selection of books. " Now, let's see... Night Fairy, Illusions of the dreamer, Ultimate fantasies, " That stallion just wasn't going to come back this time, " Dream Isla- " wait... Dream Island? Like, from the library? Although this book did seem fairly aged, it was nowhere near as ancient as the one back in the castle. So... a reproduction, possibly? " Well, " she said smugly, " let's see who our mystery author is. Aha! Written by Miss... N-Nightfall? " she spoke the name as a whisper. This called for far more research then she previously thought. This couldn't be true. Twilight checked the section she was under, nope. It was true, she was under nonfiction. Undeniable proof. She snatched the book up in her magic, ( with care, of course ) payed for it with thanks to Mr.Roman, and dashed back to the castle.
While running out of the door she breathed, " I've gotta be super anal about this one. " causing the brown stallion to throw his forehooves up and go home with an, " Oh come on!! "
***
This was just so unbelievable! It nearly boggled the mind of Celestia's most intelligent student. But, surely the answers I seek lie between the lines, she thought. Twilight went strait to her bedroom once she'd entered the castle to curl up with this odd book that had plagued her with so many questions.
" Alright, chapter one, Home. Time to get some answers! " But was just as suddenly interrupted.
" Twilight, " came Celestia's voice from behind the large door, " don't forget to feed spikey again! "
Twilight assumed a more disgruntled look before grabbing a few emerald shards, to toss to the tiny reptilian who took them gratefully. " And now, answers! " Twilight began. This was serious! The lavender filly read every sentence with as much scrutiny as she could muster.
" But I did not expect what came next, "
She read into the late hours of the night, still studying, enraptured. But her adolescence began to betray her once more. Twilight was falling down. Plunging deeper into the seas of her subconscious, until she was again, in a deep slumber with that same book in her grasp...
***
" Poke, poke... boink! Hehehe! "
" S-stop poking me... " Twilight grunted. Can't a filly get some sleep around here? Sleep. How come I'm not in my bed? I-I remember going to bed last night, I'm sure of it. Then, why am I lying in sand, she realized... and being poked by an anoying- " You! " Twilight hopped to her hooves to see, none other than, " Nightfall... "
GASP! " Me? Oh me, oh my! Don't take me away lil' miss secret agent ma'am! " Nightfall seemed completely theatrical, as she was, on her side with one forehoof propping her up and the other to her brow. Until she finally cracked under Twilight's queer gaze and burst into mirthful laughter.
Twilight Sparkle, however, was none too amused. She wanted answers, and where better to get them than straight from the horses mouth. Nightfall herself, was currently floating around lazily, just coming down from the aftermath of her own joke. Twilight was going to challenge how that was even possible without her horn aglow, indicating a spell being cast, before she recalled that she was presently dreaming. Duh. And if she was dreaming then she could finally do this...
Twilight plopped a detectives hat on her head from absolutely nowhere and said, " So, Miss Nightfall, if that is your real name, " I've always wanted to say that! " who are you, really? "
" Jeez, why so serious? " she said with a creepy grin. " I told you, my name is Nightfall, and I live on this island. "
" So you say. Have you always lived here? "
" Well, no. I did live in the woken world once. Are you a fan!? "
" A... fan? "
" You've been reading my book, correct? "
" H-how did you...? " Is she psychic!?
" Pff, you didn't get too far, did you kid? Chapter 24, there's a special rune in the center of the page, and if you put it on in any way, " and Nightfall motioned towards the ink that seemed to have stained Twi's cheek, " your mind wanders to your dream island for the night. "
Well, That explains how I'm here, at least, but, " But why are you here? If this is my island and all. "
" Cause I'm number one. " She said confidently, with her hoof held to her chest; Twilight just stared unfazed, " What? Don't look at me like that, I meant that I was the first to create one. It was in the book, " sigh, " everyone needs to name there own island. Once named, the rune will change to fit it justly, then bam! Destiny Island. "
" Destiny Island? " Asked the lavender filly.
" That's the name. " Nightfall boasted proudly. " A place where you meet your best friends for the first time. " she smirked.
" Wow! That sounds so fascinating! I wonder if I could make my own island, then, I could study even when asleep! " Twilight had never squeed so hard. The thought of never having to stop studying made her much too anxious to learn this dream spell.
" Wow, how exciting. " Nightfall drawled with so much dripping sarcasm, that it rained down. Literally, it rained sarcasm. ( wonder what that would look like. )
" Oh! H-Hey! Stop that! And studying is to fun! " after one last gush, the sarcastic rain sceest.
" Psh! Filly please, le'me teach you what REAL fun is like. " Nighfall pshawed.
Learn to have fun? The opportunity to learn intrigued Twilight so, " Well... I do like learning... But I still have some questions that I want ans- "
" Yeah, yeah, yeah. But first, " random chalkboard falls from sky whilst Nightfall donned a very tutorly outfit; a small skirt that flowed just past her cutie mark, and a sweater vest ( bow tie included) " class is in session. Lesson one, submarines. "
Submarines, as Nightfall had explained, was a game where everypony would make a big bubble around themselves and fire tiny balls of energy at each other underwater. Of course, in the true spirit of tag, a similar game, once hit, you're it!
" B-but, what if I loose concentration!? I-I can't swim. "
" Dude, " laughed Nightfall, " your dreaming, duh. "
O-Oh, yeah. Kinda hard to drown in water that isn't real, I suppose. Though, she was still hesitant. Nightfall was already in the water, drifting along the top of the deep blue surface. " C'mon! The water isn't gonna bite unless I tell it to. " she winked.
" O-okay...! " Twi' yelled back. Let's take this slow. One hoof, nice, progress. Two h-hoves, okay. Suddenly, Nightfall appeared behind Twilight and unceremoniously shoved her in. Shortly after which Twilight surfaced, "Hey! "
" What? I'm way over here. " Now Nightfall was far down, nearer to the horizon. " Oh, and one more thing, "
" What? " Growled the frustrated filly.
A hoof sized orb decided then to spring forth from below the depths of warm ocean whitewash, and strike Twilight with just enough force to jolt her, " You. Are. IT! "
The white mare was soon nowhere to be found, as she'd taken her dive. Sharking her way around a lavender flank to, SMACK! " Hey! " Twilight searched for the offending hoof, to find the pony it belonged to was nowhere to be found. How original.
" C'mon, hit me! " yelled a familiar voice from behind the fillies ears. Of course, once she'd turned, nopony was there. " over here, " turn, nopony. " right beside ya, " turn, tail! Twilight dove down, and down whilst she took chase after the tail.
This is so childish, Twilight thought, so immature. Chase somepony. Tag. This wasn't reading a book; that was fun. Playing some silly game, with somepony else, heart pounding, swimming faster. This was more then fun, this was FUN.
Twilight thought she knew fun, ( definition- a joyous activity or feeling. Often shared between one pony and another or group. ) but really, she didn't know the first thing about it. But Nightfall did.
She snapped back to ' reality ' to find herself gaining proximity. The giggles of the unicorn in front of her were getting closer. So close! So close! And. She. Was. BOOM!!
...oops, maybe I put a bit too much oomph in that one, thought a distraught twilight.
GIGGLE.
Oh my gosh!! She's it! She's it! And she's alive!! Wait, Time to run, err, swim. SWOOSH! And the game carried on. They played for what felt like forever. Eventually they wouldn't get tired and keep playing, though psychologically, they would grow tired of the game. For now , however, Twilight Sparkle was having ' real ' FUN.
***
Into the ' late day ', they finally settled down, too ' tuckered out ' to even sit upright. Complete and utter ' exhaustion ' overtook them. The two unicorns lay on the sand of the shore with unspoken words drifting between them: that was so much fun; so awesome; best day ever. The silence only drowned out by the sea churning in its endless tide under the smooth moon.
" So, " Nightfall said, prepared to break the silence, ever hanging, but decided to let the word linger a bit longer.
" So, " Twilight continued, trying to shove Nights out of the air to make way for conversation, " yoooou wrote a book? "
Nightfalls ear flicked, " Mmhm, way back when, " she said hazily, " Ya'know, when I was awake and everything. "
" Yeah... It's awfully... old. " She continued hesitantly.
" Mmhmm, I know. You're wondering why I'm not so old, right? "
" Y-Yeah... " Twilight shifted onto her side slightly so she could best face Nightfall. " It's just, the book I read was ancient; the one in the royal library at least. It was an original, and dated back over millennium. Yet, you still look so... "
" I know... I'm hot. " Giggled the mare. She seemed to regain some cheer at her own humor at least. " Oh, don't look at me like that Sparky. " Night looked off for a second. Her eyes began to moisten, " To answer your question, " Deep breathe. Let it out, " I'm not. Alive that is. " and after that, a long pause followed. There was a tiny, unnoticed choke from Nightfall, but she went on anyway, " I went to sleep one night and I... " I... I never... even the thought was of deep pain and regret. Nightfall was just shaken by the memory.
" And? "
" And I... don't w-wanna talk about it. "
After another pause she went on, " I'm glad you came back Sparky, " Nightfall sat on her haunches now, " A wandering mind like me, is always happy to have a friend. "
" We're friends? "
Nightfalls ears pinned back against her face at the question." I don't know, " the stark unicorn looked back to the little filly, " are we? " she asked with a crack in her voice. Those pleading, starry eyes, begging. Begging for somepony, anypony. For friendship; friendship that only Twilight could give.
" Yeah, " and even more enthusiastically, " the best! " Twilight smiled, and Nightfall smiled back, a tear, rolling along her cheek; one of thanks. They hugged before Twilight went back to the woken world with a promise to meet again soon. A promise that Twilight would gladly keep, granted Nightfall released her from her iron maiden like gripp. And Once she was gone, a smile crept to the remaining mares face. A smile, her first smile, in a thousand years. She looked at the beautiful twilight sky as the moon began to set and went down below her world. Nightfall only had one constant thought shown in her starry blue eyes,
I have a friend.
BLACK OUT...