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“Don’t worry, I’m sure Princess Celestia will know what to do,” Twilight tried to console Sweetie Belle’s parents as her letter disintegrated in Spike’s green flame, reduced to a cloud of sparkling ash which rose into the air and blew away towards the mountainside castle. Sweetie Belle watched it vanish, then returned her attention to her own prone form, clutched in her mother’s embrace across the room. It fascinated her how strange it felt to see herself like this. It was like staring into a mirror that didn’t look back. She imagined that the feeling would have driven her to stamp her hooves in agitation, if she still had hooves to stamp.

Of course, Diamond Tiara had done enough of that today for both of them. Sweetie Belle was relieved that she had finally run out of energy to spend on frantic panicking. The pompous pink pony simply lay on the floor now, half-resigned to what, to her, must have seemed like certain madness. Sweetie Belle pitied her state, but she was at least relieved that her eyes spent most of the time staring off into space. It was easier for Sweetie to see when her field of vision wasn’t constantly being hurled back and forth by muscles outside her control. Sweetie Belle was even able to speak without Diamond Tiara bursting into fits of screams and shrieks. Now she only whined inconsolably instead. Not that it did her any good to speak. Her host was the only one who could hear her, and Diamond Tiara hadn’t done anything helpful with that position all day.

Sweetie Belle sighed internally as she lamented her plight. Hours ago, it had seemed so harmless. She’d crossed into other ponies’ dreams many times since she’d discovered how. It was a routine for her. Nothing could go wrong. So when she saw Diamond Tiara snoring away in class, she saw no harm in sneaking into her mind and wreaking a nightmare upon the bully that had tormented her for years. Even now, she had to admit that watching her squirm was one of the most rewarding experiences of her life.

But she hadn’t expected Diamond Tiara to jolt back into consciousness, or that the door leading back to her own mind to slam shut as she scrambled towards it. She felt cold dread form in her stomach as she watched her safe return vanish, and a moment later her sight and hearing were one with Tiara’s, and everything was flailing and startled cries. Sweetie Belle tried to call out for help, but she knew immediately from the way Diamond Tiara’s body stiffened that it was a poor decision.

The filly’s head whipped side to side, trying to follow the ghostly voice that echoed through her mind, closer than any sound could be. Nauseated by the erratic movement, Sweetie Belle begged her to be still, but this only made her host panic more. She cried louder and louder, until she fell to the floor, clutching her head and screaming. The next few hours were a blur of confusion and panic that wasn’t her own. She tried to instruct Diamond Tiara to explain to the older ponies what had happened, but every word only fueled her hysteria, and her own catatonic body was of no help. After several hours, their parents had come to seek Twilight’s counsel. Now Sweetie Belle could only pray that Twilight was right, and her alicorn mentor could free her from the prison she’d found her way into.

Several moments passed in tense silence. Twilight’s gaze shifted back and forth between Diamond Tiara and Sweetie Belle’s body. “I’m sure the princess will be here any moment,” she assured everyone. “If anyone can help us figure out what’s going on, it’s-“ She was cut short as a brilliant burst of magic ruptured the air in the middle of the room. But rather than the glow of heavenly light that accompanied Celestia’s teleportation, the portal shone with a dark, undulating gloom. And when a princess appeared through the magic gate, it wasn’t the one they were expecting.

Luna’s energy was a storm of divine wrath as she leapt into the room. Her eyes brimmed with anger, irises glowing with a teal aura that shone even in the afternoon light as they scanned each pony in the room, one by one. The instant they traveled over Diamond Tiara, they fixed onto her, staring through the pink filly to Sweetie Belle’s mind beneath. The princess lunged at them. Her hoof touched Diamond Tiara’s forehead, and the world around them burst into heatless flames, burning brighter and brighter until they blurred into an unbroken veil of light. Sweetie Belle and Diamond Tiara fell backwards, and Luna’s image dove after them into nothingness.

When hit the ground, they were separated, lying on their sides in the endless pale of the dream world. Luna stood over them, her glare fixed on Sweetie Belle. She raised a hoof and pointed behind the white filly to the door back to her own mind.

“Get out!” Luna commanded in a whisper. Sweetie Belle bolted to her feet faster than she realized she could and sprinted towards the door, away from the furious alicorn. She leapt towards the passage and reached out. Her hoof touched it for an instant before her world swam and faded to darkness and dull noise. Moments later, she inhaled sharply as her eyes flew open. She closed her eyelids against the light as her ears adjusted to the relieved voices around her, and she began to register the warmth of her mother’s embrace. The feeling tightened, and she looked up to see her parents looking down at her with tears of relief. Her father was asking her if she was alright, while her mother could only whisper prayers of thanks and hold her tight.

Slowly, Sweetie Belle looked over to where she had been standing captive. Diamond Tiara was lying on the ground. She was still staring around in confusion, but the panic was gone from her. Her parents doted over her, while Luna watched her in silence. Sweetie Belle sighed in relief as she realized her ordeal was over, but her breath caught in her throat as Luna turned towards her. The moon princess’ glare bore into her.

“How did you become entangled in this pony’s mind?” she demanded

“I…” Sweetie Belle stammered, unable to look away from Luna’s commanding glare. “I didn’t…”

“Did you cross over on your own? Did you open the door to her dreams?” when Sweetie Belle remained silent, she bellowed, “Answer me!”

“Yes!” Sweetie Belle admitted, shaking in fear. “I-I crossed into her mind while she was asleep, but-“

“Why?!”

“I…” Sweetie Belle pulled herself away from her mother’s grasp, cowering back as though trying to sink into the floor. She wanted to burst into tears, but Luna’s stare made her afraid to do even that much. “I didn’t mean to-“

“Tell me why you were in this pony’s dreams!”

“I… just…” Sweetie Belle stared at the floor. “I just wanted to tease her. She’s always being mean to me and my friends, and so I thought-“

“That you would abuse your gifts to wreak havoc upon another’s mind?! That you would pass through the door for the sake of a children’s trifle? Why did you not leave her mind before she awoke?”

“I didn’t know it would happen! No one’s ever woken up that fast before, and-“

“Foolish, heedless child!” Luna shouted, causing Sweetie Belle to recoil again. “The power to walk the dreamscape, to see the minds of others as precious few ever see them lies within you, and you squander it like a plaything. Playing jokes and stealing kisses from colts, exacting petty vengeance on those who can’t even comprehend what you’re capable of. All the while you have no contingencies, no failsafes. You dive recklessly from one dream to another, and look at the result. Do you know what happens to a dream walker who becomes trapped in another pony’s mind? Or what becomes of the mind they can’t escape? You have no respect for the power of magic, and you very nearly damned the both of you because of it!”

Sweetie Belle couldn’t find it in herself to meet Luna’s eyes anymore. “I’m sorry,” she murmured, still fighting back her tears. Luna watched the filly huddling on the floor for a long while. Slowly, her expression softened. The rage in her eyes faded, and was finally replaced by regret. She moved slowly to stand before her.

“I am sorry as well, Sweetie Belle,” the princess said. Sweetie Belle finally looked up at her, surprised by her apologetic tone. “I knew that having your dreams plagued by the haunt had changed you. I saw the fortress you built in your mind. I could tell how fast your mastery of your own dreams was growing, and I knew that it would only be a matter of time before you discovered the door into others’. But I didn’t act, because I told myself that you weren’t ready. I let myself believe that there was more time, and as a result, you found out how to open the door alone.” Luna reached out a hoof and placed it on Sweetie Belle’s shoulder. “I should have been there with you. I’m sorry.”

Sweetie Belle could only stare in disbelief at the princess. She wanted to say something, to tell Luna it wasn’t her fault, that she knew she’d been irresponsible. She was sorry, and she’d never be so reckless again. But Luna closed her eyes, and all her words fell silent before they left her. The princess sighed deeply. When she opened her eyes, they were stern, tinged with deep regret.

“The ancient laws are clear. By right, I should seal your door for what you’ve done, and confine you to your own mind. But I offer you an alternative.” She leaned closer, staring deep into Sweetie Belle’s eyes. “Return with me to Canterlot, and I will teach you. I will train you in the ways of the dream walkers. I will teach you how to cross over, how to return, how to fight and influence and protect, and why you have these abilities. You will learn as the precious few before you have learned. And when you are ready, you will join the Dream Guard.”

“The… Dream Guard?”

*----------------------------------------*

Sweetie Belle had expected Luna to take them to Canterlot Castle. But when they arrived in the city, the princess had instead led her through the streets, away from the castle, deep into the cultural district. Finally, they arrived at an old but well kept cathedral. Inside, Luna used her magic to reveal a stone staircase descending into the floor, and led the way into the hallways below. As they walked through the dark and ancient corridors snaking underneath the city streets, Luna spoke.

“In times long past, many dark things filled the shadows of our world. A great number of them sought prey in the dreamscape: the world born of the mental energy of all dreaming creatures. These monsters melded with the energy of the dreamscape, and plagued the minds which connected with it as they slept. Monsters like the haunt that attacked you. They fed on the energy of sleeping ponies, driving their victims to madness, exhaustion, and death.”

“When my sister and I came to power, and I inherited the night’s domain, I learned how to cross into the dreams of others. I learned how to find the monsters that hunted ponies in their sleep, and I learned to fight them. I took on the responsibility of protecting our subjects as they slept. But I knew I could not do it alone. I sought the counsel of the shamans of the buffalo tribes, who have long been close to the dreamscape. They taught me that there were other ponies who had the potential to be dream walkers, and they showed me how to find them, and how to help them open the door.”

At last the stone hallway ended in a large, circular chamber. Torches were placed along the wall, casting a warm glow through the room. Several doorways led to other hallways. Shelves upon shelves were arranged around the room, filled with books ranging from seemingly ancient and collapsing, to new and neat. On the other side of the chamber, a massive woven banner was hung against the wall. Its outer border was a dark blue, framing a smaller span of a lighter shade. In the middle of the light blue, an emblem was stitched in silver. Sweetie Belle recognized it as a dream catcher, a totem that buffalo tribes had made for centuries. In the center of the weave was set a multi-faceted emerald. Its color reminded Sweetie Belle of Luna’s shimmering eyes.

Luna approached a lectern in front of the banner. On it was a leather-bound book, with the same symbol and emerald gemstone etched on its cover. “Together, we founded the Dream Guard. We patrolled the dreamscape, and protected all dreaming creatures from the things that would do their minds harm.” She halted and turned to face Sweetie Belle, who turned from examining the ornate banner to meet her gaze. “Even in my exile, the Dream Guard survived, and though most of the darkness that it once fought has been defeated, it continues to this day. We remain vigilant.”

Sweetie Belle gulped reflexively, but she steeled herself as she addressed Luna. “What do I have to do?”

“Remain here, in Canterlot, and I will introduce you to the others of the order. You will observe our rules and our customs, and I will train you as I have trained the others. I will teach you how to bring comfort and peace to dreamers, how to move safely between dreams, and return to your own mind if theirs’ becomes compromised. And I will teach you to protect yourself and others when necessary. And when your training is complete, you will swear your oath to uphold the duty of the Guard.”

“This is your final chance to back out, Sweetie Belle. If you choose not to join us, I will seal your door for the rest of your days, and return you to your home in Ponyville.”

Sweetie Belle was silent for a moment. “And if I join the Dream Guard?” she asked at last. “Will I have to spend the rest of my life guarding other ponies’ dreams?”

“To be a member of the Guard is not quite as it once was,” Luna admitted. “There are not so many terrors in the dreamscape these days as to require anyone’s constant service. You’ll be allowed a life of your own – a family, a career, whatever you desire. But, if darkness ever does appear that threatens Equestria’s dreamers, then yes, you will be duty bound to protect them.”

Sweetie Belle turned her attention back to the emblem on the banner before her. She studied it for a long time, considering its significance. Its strings and jewel formed the shape of an eye, as if to keep watch over those vulnerable in sleep. She suddenly felt the weight of it all, the meaning and ancient responsibility behind that symbol.

“If you wish to return home,” Luna began, “I understa-“

“I’ll do it,” Sweetie Belle announced, turning to the princess again.

“Are you certain?” Luna asked her. “This is not a power to be taken lightly. Nor is it a responsibility that can be shirked easily.”

“I understand,” Sweetie Belle said. Her stare was resolute, unwavering. There was no uncertainty in her voice. “I’m not afraid.”

Luna smiled. “Then we should begin at once. You have much to learn.”

*----------------------------------------*

My Little Pony and all characters copyright of Hasbro and DHX Studios.

Description
“Don’t worry, I’m sure Princess Celestia will know what to do,” Twilight tried to console Sweetie Belle’s parents as her letter disintegrated in Spike’s green flame, reduced to a cloud of sparkling ash which rose into the air and blew away towards the mountainside castle. Sweetie Belle watched it vanish, then returned her attention to her own prone form, clutched in her mother’s embrace across the room. It fascinated her how strange it felt to see herself like this. It was like staring into a mirror that didn’t look back. She imagined that the feeling would have driven her to stamp her hooves in agitation, if she still had hooves to stamp.

Of course, Diamond Tiara had done enough of that today for both of them. Sweetie Belle was relieved that she had finally run out of energy to spend on frantic panicking. The pompous pink pony simply lay on the floor now, half-resigned to what, to her, must have seemed like certain madness. Sweetie Belle pitied her state, but she was at least relieved that her eyes spent most of the time staring off into space. It was easier for Sweetie to see when her field of vision wasn’t constantly being hurled back and forth by muscles outside her control. Sweetie Belle was even able to speak without Diamond Tiara bursting into fits of screams and shrieks. Now she only whined inconsolably instead. Not that it did her any good to speak. Her host was the only one who could hear her, and Diamond Tiara hadn’t done anything helpful with that position all day.

Sweetie Belle sighed internally as she lamented her plight. Hours ago, it had seemed so harmless. She’d crossed into other ponies’ dreams many times since she’d discovered how. It was a routine for her. Nothing could go wrong. So when she saw Diamond Tiara snoring away in class, she saw no harm in sneaking into her mind and wreaking a nightmare upon the bully that had tormented her for years. Even now, she had to admit that watching her squirm was one of the most rewarding experiences of her life.

But she hadn’t expected Diamond Tiara to jolt back into consciousness, or that the door leading back to her own mind to slam shut as she scrambled towards it. She felt cold dread form in her stomach as she watched her safe return vanish, and a moment later her sight and hearing were one with Tiara’s, and everything was flailing and startled cries. Sweetie Belle tried to call out for help, but she knew immediately from the way Diamond Tiara’s body stiffened that it was a poor decision.

The filly’s head whipped side to side, trying to follow the ghostly voice that echoed through her mind, closer than any sound could be. Nauseated by the erratic movement, Sweetie Belle begged her to be still, but this only made her host panic more. She cried louder and louder, until she fell to the floor, clutching her head and screaming. The next few hours were a blur of confusion and panic that wasn’t her own. She tried to instruct Diamond Tiara to explain to the older ponies what had happened, but every word only fueled her hysteria, and her own catatonic body was of no help. After several hours, their parents had come to seek Twilight’s counsel. Now Sweetie Belle could only pray that Twilight was right, and her alicorn mentor could free her from the prison she’d found her way into.

Several moments passed in tense silence. Twilight’s gaze shifted back and forth between Diamond Tiara and Sweetie Belle’s body. “I’m sure the princess will be here any moment,” she assured everyone. “If anyone can help us figure out what’s going on, it’s-“ She was cut short as a brilliant burst of magic ruptured the air in the middle of the room. But rather than the glow of heavenly light that accompanied Celestia’s teleportation, the portal shone with a dark, undulating gloom. And when a princess appeared through the magic gate, it wasn’t the one they were expecting.

Luna’s energy was a storm of divine wrath as she leapt into the room. Her eyes brimmed with anger, irises glowing with a teal aura that shone even in the afternoon light as they scanned each pony in the room, one by one. The instant they traveled over Diamond Tiara, they fixed onto her, staring through the pink filly to Sweetie Belle’s mind beneath. The princess lunged at them. Her hoof touched Diamond Tiara’s forehead, and the world around them burst into heatless flames, burning brighter and brighter until they blurred into an unbroken veil of light. Sweetie Belle and Diamond Tiara fell backwards, and Luna’s image dove after them into nothingness.

When hit the ground, they were separated, lying on their sides in the endless pale of the dream world. Luna stood over them, her glare fixed on Sweetie Belle. She raised a hoof and pointed behind the white filly to the door back to her own mind.

“Get out!” Luna commanded in a whisper. Sweetie Belle bolted to her feet faster than she realized she could and sprinted towards the door, away from the furious alicorn. She leapt towards the passage and reached out. Her hoof touched it for an instant before her world swam and faded to darkness and dull noise. Moments later, she inhaled sharply as her eyes flew open. She closed her eyelids against the light as her ears adjusted to the relieved voices around her, and she began to register the warmth of her mother’s embrace. The feeling tightened, and she looked up to see her parents looking down at her with tears of relief. Her father was asking her if she was alright, while her mother could only whisper prayers of thanks and hold her tight.

Slowly, Sweetie Belle looked over to where she had been standing captive. Diamond Tiara was lying on the ground. She was still staring around in confusion, but the panic was gone from her. Her parents doted over her, while Luna watched her in silence. Sweetie Belle sighed in relief as she realized her ordeal was over, but her breath caught in her throat as Luna turned towards her. The moon princess’ glare bore into her.

“How did you become entangled in this pony’s mind?” she demanded

“I…” Sweetie Belle stammered, unable to look away from Luna’s commanding glare. “I didn’t…”

“Did you cross over on your own? Did you open the door to her dreams?” when Sweetie Belle remained silent, she bellowed, “Answer me!”

“Yes!” Sweetie Belle admitted, shaking in fear. “I-I crossed into her mind while she was asleep, but-“

“Why?!”

“I…” Sweetie Belle pulled herself away from her mother’s grasp, cowering back as though trying to sink into the floor. She wanted to burst into tears, but Luna’s stare made her afraid to do even that much. “I didn’t mean to-“

“Tell me why you were in this pony’s dreams!”

“I… just…” Sweetie Belle stared at the floor. “I just wanted to tease her. She’s always being mean to me and my friends, and so I thought-“

“That you would abuse your gifts to wreak havoc upon another’s mind?! That you would pass through the door for the sake of a children’s trifle? Why did you not leave her mind before she awoke?”

“I didn’t know it would happen! No one’s ever woken up that fast before, and-“

“Foolish, heedless child!” Luna shouted, causing Sweetie Belle to recoil again. “The power to walk the dreamscape, to see the minds of others as precious few ever see them lies within you, and you squander it like a plaything. Playing jokes and stealing kisses from colts, exacting petty vengeance on those who can’t even comprehend what you’re capable of. All the while you have no contingencies, no failsafes. You dive recklessly from one dream to another, and look at the result. Do you know what happens to a dream walker who becomes trapped in another pony’s mind? Or what becomes of the mind they can’t escape? You have no respect for the power of magic, and you very nearly damned the both of you because of it!”

Sweetie Belle couldn’t find it in herself to meet Luna’s eyes anymore. “I’m sorry,” she murmured, still fighting back her tears. Luna watched the filly huddling on the floor for a long while. Slowly, her expression softened. The rage in her eyes faded, and was finally replaced by regret. She moved slowly to stand before her.

“I am sorry as well, Sweetie Belle,” the princess said. Sweetie Belle finally looked up at her, surprised by her apologetic tone. “I knew that having your dreams plagued by the haunt had changed you. I saw the fortress you built in your mind. I could tell how fast your mastery of your own dreams was growing, and I knew that it would only be a matter of time before you discovered the door into others’. But I didn’t act, because I told myself that you weren’t ready. I let myself believe that there was more time, and as a result, you found out how to open the door alone.” Luna reached out a hoof and placed it on Sweetie Belle’s shoulder. “I should have been there with you. I’m sorry.”

Sweetie Belle could only stare in disbelief at the princess. She wanted to say something, to tell Luna it wasn’t her fault, that she knew she’d been irresponsible. She was sorry, and she’d never be so reckless again. But Luna closed her eyes, and all her words fell silent before they left her. The princess sighed deeply. When she opened her eyes, they were stern, tinged with deep regret.

“The ancient laws are clear. By right, I should seal your door for what you’ve done, and confine you to your own mind. But I offer you an alternative.” She leaned closer, staring deep into Sweetie Belle’s eyes. “Return with me to Canterlot, and I will teach you. I will train you in the ways of the dream walkers. I will teach you how to cross over, how to return, how to fight and influence and protect, and why you have these abilities. You will learn as the precious few before you have learned. And when you are ready, you will join the Dream Guard.”

“The… Dream Guard?”

*----------------------------------------*

Sweetie Belle had expected Luna to take them to Canterlot Castle. But when they arrived in the city, the princess had instead led her through the streets, away from the castle, deep into the cultural district. Finally, they arrived at an old but well kept cathedral. Inside, Luna used her magic to reveal a stone staircase descending into the floor, and led the way into the hallways below. As they walked through the dark and ancient corridors snaking underneath the city streets, Luna spoke.

“In times long past, many dark things filled the shadows of our world. A great number of them sought prey in the dreamscape: the world born of the mental energy of all dreaming creatures. These monsters melded with the energy of the dreamscape, and plagued the minds which connected with it as they slept. Monsters like the haunt that attacked you. They fed on the energy of sleeping ponies, driving their victims to madness, exhaustion, and death.”

“When my sister and I came to power, and I inherited the night’s domain, I learned how to cross into the dreams of others. I learned how to find the monsters that hunted ponies in their sleep, and I learned to fight them. I took on the responsibility of protecting our subjects as they slept. But I knew I could not do it alone. I sought the counsel of the shamans of the buffalo tribes, who have long been close to the dreamscape. They taught me that there were other ponies who had the potential to be dream walkers, and they showed me how to find them, and how to help them open the door.”

At last the stone hallway ended in a large, circular chamber. Torches were placed along the wall, casting a warm glow through the room. Several doorways led to other hallways. Shelves upon shelves were arranged around the room, filled with books ranging from seemingly ancient and collapsing, to new and neat. On the other side of the chamber, a massive woven banner was hung against the wall. Its outer border was a dark blue, framing a smaller span of a lighter shade. In the middle of the light blue, an emblem was stitched in silver. Sweetie Belle recognized it as a dream catcher, a totem that buffalo tribes had made for centuries. In the center of the weave was set a multi-faceted emerald. Its color reminded Sweetie Belle of Luna’s shimmering eyes.

Luna approached a lectern in front of the banner. On it was a leather-bound book, with the same symbol and emerald gemstone etched on its cover. “Together, we founded the Dream Guard. We patrolled the dreamscape, and protected all dreaming creatures from the things that would do their minds harm.” She halted and turned to face Sweetie Belle, who turned from examining the ornate banner to meet her gaze. “Even in my exile, the Dream Guard survived, and though most of the darkness that it once fought has been defeated, it continues to this day. We remain vigilant.”

Sweetie Belle gulped reflexively, but she steeled herself as she addressed Luna. “What do I have to do?”

“Remain here, in Canterlot, and I will introduce you to the others of the order. You will observe our rules and our customs, and I will train you as I have trained the others. I will teach you how to bring comfort and peace to dreamers, how to move safely between dreams, and return to your own mind if theirs’ becomes compromised. And I will teach you to protect yourself and others when necessary. And when your training is complete, you will swear your oath to uphold the duty of the Guard.”

“This is your final chance to back out, Sweetie Belle. If you choose not to join us, I will seal your door for the rest of your days, and return you to your home in Ponyville.”

Sweetie Belle was silent for a moment. “And if I join the Dream Guard?” she asked at last. “Will I have to spend the rest of my life guarding other ponies’ dreams?”

“To be a member of the Guard is not quite as it once was,” Luna admitted. “There are not so many terrors in the dreamscape these days as to require anyone’s constant service. You’ll be allowed a life of your own – a family, a career, whatever you desire. But, if darkness ever does appear that threatens Equestria’s dreamers, then yes, you will be duty bound to protect them.”

Sweetie Belle turned her attention back to the emblem on the banner before her. She studied it for a long time, considering its significance. Its strings and jewel formed the shape of an eye, as if to keep watch over those vulnerable in sleep. She suddenly felt the weight of it all, the meaning and ancient responsibility behind that symbol.

“If you wish to return home,” Luna began, “I understa-“

“I’ll do it,” Sweetie Belle announced, turning to the princess again.

“Are you certain?” Luna asked her. “This is not a power to be taken lightly. Nor is it a responsibility that can be shirked easily.”

“I understand,” Sweetie Belle said. Her stare was resolute, unwavering. There was no uncertainty in her voice. “I’m not afraid.”

Luna smiled. “Then we should begin at once. You have much to learn.”

*----------------------------------------*

My Little Pony and all characters copyright of Hasbro and DHX Studios.