In the end, they called me Monster.
If only they knew of the danger we had worked so hard to prevent from consuming us. Of the marvel we had foolishly built to protect us — of the Crystal Empire.
—S

An alicorn — a creature thought to be myth — is admitted to Whispering Pines General Hospital. The old mare is weak and nears her final breath.

But she has one last story to tell...

Juniper has twenty-two minutes of air in her tank to find Starswirl's lost time spell.
It will not be enough.

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Disclaimer: Sweet Dreams, LLP operates under a Limited Liability to Princess clause. Sweet Dreams, LLP assumes and accepts no responsibility for any negative consequences of dream therapy. This includes, but is not limited to: blood loss, depression, infections, allergic reactions, dismemberment, loss of sensation in the extremities, loss of dignity, loss of bowels, loss of bits, a diminishing sense of pride, hives, coma, being forever lost to the dream void, itching, a severe reduction in mental capabilities, and dry mouth.

Inspired by the brilliant show Dream Corp, LLC on adult swim.
Special thanks to Rini-Chan for the absolutely amazing art.

When the fires burn out, and everypony is gone, all we have to leave behind are our soft woes.

The stranger told the changeling that the filly's name was "Lilly".

Two hours was all it took for Canterlot to fall.
Two hours and one bloody night for a new nation to emerge from the ashes of Equestria.
A nation quarantined so that the outside world might survive and contain what was created, nothing remains but a dark continent of monsters and those left behind that flee the terrors in the night.

A massive thanks to all the people who have helped with this project since it was first envisioned five years ago. I could not have done it without the gracious assistance of the many talented prereaders, editors, consultants, and readers like you. It has been a long journey, but one that was worth it.

Thank you once again to the artist who commissioned the cover, Hex Floog - Deviant Art - Tumblr.

Thanks is also in order for my editor for a major portion of this project who poured over every word and who always had amazing constructive suggestions for this tale, The Dreaming Writer.

There is a reason foals are born with a fear of the dark.

- An anthology.

Their chariot shone like silver, roared like thunder, and blew fire hotter than dragons' breath. And everypony knew the day had finally arrived. The Goddesses had returned.

But everypony had forgotten why the Goddesses had left them...

We all have that one pony in our lives.
Somepony to watch over us.
The one who is always there for us.

Very special thanks to Overlord Neon for the cover commission. http://overlordneon.tumblr.com/

As featured on Equestria Daily March 13th, 2018.

Audio rendition created by Star912 is available here.

Luna just wants a piece of cake.