Leaving the library, Sonic blasts through the quiet little town. The few ponies that still mill about the otherwise empty streets wave at Sonic as he passes by, receiving either a quick salute or thumbs up in return.

Zig zagging along the town’s main road, Sonic abruptly stops in front of the Carousel Boutique, which is entirely blacked out.

"Great, how am I going to tell her if she's a sleep?" the hedgehog asks himself sarcastically.

Suddenly, a light flickers on as a window lights up on the left side of the shop, prompting Sonic to dash towards its source.

------

Rarity stands in the kitchen, dressed as if she's ready for bed, pouring herself a cup of tea before bed. She uses her magic to lift a white porcelain tea pot that rests on a gilded silver platter, almost dropping it in surprise as she hears a quick rapping against her window.

"Who could that be at this dreadful hour?" the unicorn asks as she sets the tea set back onto the tray.

Opening the window, she smiles at the blue hedgehog below her.

"Yo." He waves.

"Ah Sonic, as always it’s such a pleasure to see you. Though I must ask, what would prompt you to visit at such an hour? Some of us do need our beauty sleep after such a stressful day."

"You must get a lot of sleep then."

"What?"

"Nothing, never mind." He says with a dismissive wave. “Since I'm keeping you, I'll make this quick: train station, noon tomorrow, very important. Got that?"

"Yes, but-" The mare is cut off by a sudden gust of wind that causes her to take a step back.

Rarity lets out an annoyed sigh as she uses her magic to close the window. "Really Sonic, you're almost as bad as Rainbow Dash," She glances at the dust cloud settling outside, "though I wonder what was so important that he would tell me now of all times."

------

Sonic continues to zip around the town and the area around it, informing most of the remaining members of the Mane Six about important train station gathering, receiving a solemn nod from most. An eager Pinkie Pie creeps up from behind a pole, preparing to pounce, only to go crashing onto the ground in front of her. "You’re too slow!" the blue hedgehog mocks after he dodges the pink pony makes a beeline for his next destination.

------

Stopping near a large cluster of windmills, the blue hedgehog scans the area, as if searching for something.

"Now, where is she?" he asks nobody in particular as he continues to look around.

Turning his head towards the sky, he lets out a low groan. "I hope she's not asleep. I'd hate trying to navigate around those clouds at night." He paces around a bit, thinking aloud. "Hmm… maybe I can ask Fluttershy if she'll-"

The hedgehog's pondering gets cut short as something lands behind him.

"Hey," a familiar voice says, prompting Sonic to turn around.

"Ah, Dash, I was just looking for you. You're not an easy pony to find."

The mare lets out a playful scoff. "I could say the same for you."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes, really." Her expression turns less playful. "So, why did you wanna find me?"

"Oh, I just need you to do something."

"Ok."

"I need you to meet me and the others at the train station at noon tomorrow. It's really important."

"Really, what's so important?"

"It's complicated, just trust me on this. Twilight will fill you in on the deets later."

Rainbow Dash nods and gives the hedgehog a salute. "Noon tomorrow. Train station. Got it."

"Good, I'm counting on you, Dash. So don't-" Sonic gets cut off as the cyan mare lets out a loud yawn.

"I'm sorry, I had a bit of a busy day."

"Aww, is my little Dashie sleepy?" Sonic asks teasingly.

"Gah! Don't call me that!" the mare snaps. "That’s what my dad used to call me when I was a filly."

Sonic chuckles. "Sorry."

"No prob." She motions at the clouds overhead. "I'm heading home. Want to come by and hang out for a little bit?"

"Nah. I've got places to go, people to see, more running to do. I'll catch you later."

"Have fun."

"You know it," Sonic says, grinning at the cyan mare.

The two exchange nods and depart, with Rainbow Dash glancing down at Sonic from a nearby cloud as he disappears in the distance.

"I can't believe I just asked him that."

------

Coming to an abrupt stop near a large statue in the middle of town, Sonic holds a red lantern in front of him with a look of annoyance on his face.

"Ok, so even running in the dark with one of these is a bad idea." The hedgehog states as he hangs it on a nearby hook and lets out a yawn. "Jeez, now even I'm getting tired." He sighs. "It’s getting too dark to see out here anyway."

------

Returning to the Golden Oaks Library, Sonic swings open the door and kicks off his shoes as he enters, setting them in the bowl of a large gold trophy near the large stallion bust in the middle of the room. He lets out an amused chuckle as glances at his name etched on a small plate in the middle of the base.

------

Venturing up the long, winding stair case, the blue hedgehog comes to the upper floor of the tree. He spots Twilight lying in her bed, reading a large book with a maroon cover.

"Hey." The hedgehog waves as he comes to the top of the stair case and walks past the mare's bed, causing her to peak up from her book.

"Oh, hi, Sonic. Back so soon?"

Scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, it was getting too dark out to see much, so I headed back."

"I see."
“Well I didn’t!”
The mare giggles at the hedgehog’s joke.

"Oh, by the way, I managed to find everyone and tell them to meet at the train station tomorrow."

"Thank you, Sonic." Twilight says gratefully, laying her book flat on the bed and looking the hedgehog in the eyes. "I wouldn't have been able to bring myself to do it without you."

The blue hedgehog falls back onto his bed. "Sure you could have. Not as stylishly, though, of course."

Twilight chuckles at the bad joke before picking up her book and resuming reading.

------
The lavender mare continues to flip though the pages of the book as the blue hedgehog sleeps soundly in the bed across from her. Stopping abruptly on a page, the mare's eyes go wide as she reads over the chapter's title...

------

A heavily wooded forest consumes the landscape, with large mountains, rising above the tree line. Large ramps and loops made of brick and stone dot the area with small clearings surrounding them. A bewildered Twilight stands atop a small hill as she scans the area.

"Amazing. What is this place?" the mare asks as she rubs her chin with her hoof. "It’s the Green Hill Zone… wait, how do I know that?"

Twilight steps off the hill and begins to trot around the landscape, taking in the local flora as she marvels at the large flowers jutting from the grassy fields.

" I can't believe it worked. I didn't think it-" the mare is cut short as a certain midnight blue alicorn princess glares at her as she exits the small forest.

"P-Princess Luna!" the lavender unicorn stutters as she rears back in surprise at the sudden appearance.

The blue alicorn glares at the mare. "Twilight Sparkle." She pauses as she takes a breath. "You have committed grave taboo: going into another's dreams without their consent or knowledge!" Luna snaps using her 'Royal Canterlot voice'.

Twilight starts to back way. "Princess, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"Hey, who’s yelling over here?” a familiar voice asks, causing the mare to tense up.

Sonic appears from behind a large stone pillar and plops down on a crumbling wall.

"S-Sonic!" Twilight splutters out as she turns to the blue hedgehog.

"Ah, so this is Sonic." Luna bows as she continues. "I do apologize that it was under such circumstances that we… crossed paths." The princess stops her serum as she notices that Sonic is now standing a few feet away from her with a puzzled look on his face.

"So, you're the infamous Luna I've been told so much about." The hedgehog states as he takes a step closer.

"You've heard of us?" The alicorn smiles as she follows the blue hedgehog's movement. "We are honored that we may finally meet."

"Hey, right back atcha,” the blue hedgehog says, giving the princess one of his trademark grins and a thumbs up. "Though I'm a bit suppressed that the Princess of the Night would be-"

"Oh, we see what this is." Luna snaps. "You imagined that we are some sort of creature that hides in the shadows, who only came out at night to raise the moon and lower the sun. We hate to disappoint you, but thy art..."

Sonic scratches his head at the princess's rant. "I was going to say 'pretty'."

Luna's head snaps back at the statement. "You think of us as attractive?"

The blue hedgehog shrugs as he places his arms behind his head and paces back and forth. "Sure, is that weird?"

"In all of our years, nopony has ever been so bold as to say such thing to us."

"Wait, seriously? Nobody’s ever said that you’re cute or anything?"

Luna shakes her head. "Nay. Many have been too feeble to address me in any way other than the usual royal greeting. For you to make such a statement towards us is both refreshing and slightly troubling, since you would so blatantly attempt to court me in such a manner."

"Whoa now, hold on a second there, Sparkles. I have no intention to ‘court’ you. I just said you looked nice."

The princess glances at Twilight, who’s blankly staring at the two, then back to Sonic. "We do apologize. We cannot remember when we had such a normal conversation with one of our subjects."

"Hey, no problem, Sparkles. I have that effect on people."

"One should at least attempt some form of modesty, though. One does only get one first impression. Also, why do you address us as 'Sparkles'?”

Sonic points to the alicorn's mane. "Your mane is sparkling, so I figured it was a proper fit."

Luna chuckles. "You amuse me, Sonic. We can see that we shall get along rather well."

"Maybe so, but there’s one thing doesn't make sense. What are you doing here? I mean I understand Twilight, since I know her, but we've never met, and yet, here you are."

The princess tilts her head in response. "Do you not know of my power?"

"Nope, but I do know that a braid or pony tail would really suit you."

"Stop that!" Luna snaps.

"Fine, but that still doesn't answer the question. Are you some sort of memory fragment from that mental link Twilight and I have, or is it-"

"Memory fragment... mental link? What, pray tell, are you talking about?"

Sonic opens his mouth to respond but is tackled into some nearby bushes by a certain lavender mare. "Damn it! Why does everyone keep doing that?"

Twilight lets out a nervous chuckle. "Sorry, but you can't tell Luna about that 'thing'… at least, not yet."

"Where have you two gone?” Luna begins as she looks around. "Are your desires so great that you can't resist the urge to fornicate, even before your ruler?"

Sonic pushes the mare off his stomach and pokes his head out from behind the brush. "Forn-ah-what?" he asks, turning towards the unicorn, who’s blushing a deep crimson red.

"You heard what we said."

"Jeez Sparkles, you have been away for waaaay too long. There’s none of that going on here."

"Oh, but Miss Twilight’s reaction says otherwise."

Sonic's expression turns sour. "You just accused us of getting busy behind that bush over there," he says pointing towards the place the 'apparent deed' was about to take place. "The fact that she reacted to it should mean that nothing has occurred."

Luna's face twists into shock at her blunder. "Oh dear, we have jumped to such drastic conclusions. We are deeply regretful of this and wish to offer an apology."

"Hey no harm to foul," Sonic says as she approaches the alicorn and pats her on the back. "It wouldn't be the first time someone has made unfounded accusations. Apparently, I'm dating half of Ponyville right now."

The two ponies heads snap back in confusion at this statement. "We have misjudged you... again." Luna states as she gives the hedgehog a solemn bow and glances at the sky as large crack begins to form. "This dream is about to end, until we meet again..."

"You mean until we meet. I haven't actually met you yet."

Luna puts on a smirk. "Yes, of course. Until we meet for real. We bid thee farewell."

Sonic nods as he disappears from the area, causing larger cracks to form in the sky as the stone ramps and pillars begin to crumble.

"Twilight Sparkle!" Luna snaps as she motions for the mare to approach her. "He does not know of our power. Let us keep it that way for now."

"Of course, Princess, but why?"

"It would be troublesome for him if he knew we could visit him in his dreams."

"I see, Princess." Twilight looks around. "What is this?"

"The dream is ending. This world will cease to be once the hedgehog awakens. So, it would be best for us to leave now."

"Of course, Luna." The mare bows as she says this.

"Also, I want a full report on what you've seen here and how you managed to accomplish such a feat."

"It shall be done," Twilight says with another bow.

"Safe travels, Miss Twilight," Luna says as she smiles to the lavender mare.

The lavender mare smiles back before dissipating.

Luna looks on as the world around her continues to crumble into an abyss, only to suddenly smirk as her horn starts to emit a dark blue light. "A few braids, huh?" the alicorn muses as she disappears from the dream world, just before it whitens into nothingness.

Next chapter Preview:

Twilight: "You're crazy, you know that?"

Sonic: "C'mon, Skittles. I thought you said you were the fastest thing in Equestria? I'm not even warmed up yet."

Derpy: "Derpy Hooves, at your service."

Rainbow Dash: "Only after losing are you ready to leave."

Author's Notes:

The blue blur rounds up the mane 6 for a meeting with the princess of the Sun. Only to find the ruler of the moon wondering around in his dreams, trying to find a troublesome lavender unicorn. Whats are hero about to face next? Find out next time!