I drop to one knee. I place a hand over my shoulder to stop the bleeding. I look to my left and see Luna's unconscious form lying on the floor, her body was covered in severe cuts and bruises. I turn to my right and see Twilight's body half in half out of a wall where she impacted, she too was not moving.

“What's the matter commander? Does it hurt?”

I look back to the being in front of me, I grit my teeth as I struggle to stand up, somehow I get to my feet. I feel one of my wings hanging limp behind me and my right arm was useless. I was also aware of the blood streaming down my face from a head injury.

“My my, stubborn ain't we?”

I spit the blood out of my mouth. “I won't go down without a fight.” I remove my hand from my shoulder and go into a half assed fight stance. I knew I wasn't going to win, I may have raw power but my opponent had skill and precision, something I did not. “We both know I can't win, so let's save the bullshit ok!”

The being places a hoof on her chest. “Oh? And I have something you might just want to fight for.” the being flashes her horn and Rarity appears out of nowhere in a magic bubble. “Your sister here would so much like to go home commander, however if you die she will never wake up and you and Luna will die!” The mare lets out a laugh that would send shivers down my spine if I wasn't scared out of my mind already. “So what will it be commander? Fight or give up?” The mare grins.

I narrow my eyes. “If I fight I want to know my opponent.”

The mare laughs. “Fine, I can indulge you. My name is Mischief, I'm a spirit of dreams. Your princess over there has already met one of my kind, her name was Nightmare.”

I look at her in surprise. “You mean Nightmare Moon was similar to you?”

“Oh yes, though she wasn't as...refined as me.” Mischief smiles. “Nightmare was always the power grabber. She would look for centuries trying to find the perfect match for her to infect.” Mischief slowly starts to walk towards me. “Tell me commander, what do you find so appealing about Luna?”

“I don't know what you mean.” I reply.

“Please, do you think I was born last century. I can sense your affection for her...and this other pony...Applejack.” The mare laughs. “Oh, you're going to marry her too! Your mind is a treasure commander, so many things to explore.” Mischief coughs. “We are getting off subject here, you haven't answered my question. Why do you feel affection for the princess?”

“I don't feel affection for her, I respect her.”

Mischief laughs. “Respect! Really? You, Respect her?”

“Yes I do, I respect her. What's so funny about that?” I ask, I had to keep her talking, my arm was slowly healing and the feeling was coming back.

“If you have been around as long as me commander you would know, respect is overrated.” Mischief sets down the bubble containing Rarity and walks up to me. “Though, I can see why she 'enjoys' your company. I'm not even a pony but even I can see your appeal.” Mischief circles me, the grin not leaving her face.

I try to keep my anger in check so the fact my arm was almost healed is kept from Mischief. I ball my fist again as Mischief walks away and approaches Rarity.

“I think my time is over in this dreamscape, I have said my piece and grabbed your attention.” Mischief levitates Rarity over to me and lets her go, Rarity drops at my feet and Mischief smiles. “What? Why are you surprised? If I wanted to kill her then I would have done it when I first arrived.”

“What about Luna and Twilight!?” I shout. “You almost killed them!” I gesture my 'good' arm to Twilight and Luna.

Mischief grins. “Almost being the word commander.” Mischief turns into a cloud of purple mist before letting out a laugh to chill the soul. “Until next time commander, and I can guarantee...there will be a next time.” Mischief vanishes in a purple flash of light.

I stand with both fists now clenched, ready for anything. When several minutes pass and Mischief doesn't return I let my guard down and proceed to heal my wounds. The best bit about being in a dream realm is what ever you think of can happen, and was I thinking I had the best healing powers in Equestria.

I wince as my damage wing makes a cracking sound as the wing straightens and reforms. I watch as my body glows and all my cuts and open wounds close up like they never existed. When my body was fully healed I bent down to Rarity and checked to see if she was breathing. I let out the breath I was holding when Rarity awoke to my touch.

“Oh my...W-What happened?” Rarity asks, getting to her feet only to wobble and fall on her haunches. “My head feels like I pulled an all nighter again.”

I place my hand on her forehead. “Don't move too much Rarity, you're in a dream.” I look up to see Luna and Twilight still out cold. “I have to go and help Twilight and Luna, just wait here ok?” Rarity looks up to me and nods.

I run over to Luna considering she was the best choice to help first. I place my hand on her side and notice she was still breathing albeit very slowly. I place both hands on Luna and close my eyes. Luna's body starts to glow my signature yellow and I after a minute I open my eyes again and smile as Luna was completely healed. I stand up and run over to Twilight not waiting to see if Luna was going to get up.

I repeat the healing process on Twilight and stand up waiting for her to come around. I am rewarded with Twilight groaning and opening her eyes.

“John you're ok?”

I turn to see Luna walking towards me. “I'm sorry Luna.” I look down to Twilight and sigh.

“Sorry? Why are you sorry?” Luna asks, coming up beside me and placing a wing on my shoulder.

“I should have beaten her, I wasn't strong enough Luna.”

“John, you are strong but you're not disciplined. You have raw power but no focus, that is your failing.” I nod. “Don't agree with me! You're supposed to disagree!”

“You're right though Luna, I have no focus no discipline. I saw it, the power was there but without the skill to use it I was useless.” I help Twilight to her hooves and give her a hug. “We could have all died and I know Luna from you that if you die in a dream you die in reality.” I raise up a hand and turn it into a green blade. “I need to train Luna and not when I finally get to Canterlot but I need to start, now.”

Luna gives me a nod. “It's still several weeks until hearths warming eve, I'm sure we can squeeze in some training before then.” Luna gives me a quizzical look. “Though the question I would ask is where you would want the training to take place?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Well, Canterlot has the facilities but if you prefer to train closer to home I can send some of my ponies to construct a temporary facility in Ponyville.”

“You would do that for me?” I ask.

“Of course, you are my champion and if I'm correct you want to build a military base in Ponyville. My ponies can help you with that and I'm sure the royal architect can lend a hoof too.”

“There's a royal architect?”

“Yes, who do you think designs and builds all the wondrous towers of the castle? Or helps to maintain them?” Luna says with a smile.

“Fair point, but I think we should be getting home now, the others are going to be worried.” I say, looking at Twilight and Rarity as they exchange a hug. “I know I want to feel Applejack again.”

Luna looks towards Twilight and Rarity then to me and smiles. Luna's horn lights up and the dreamscape suddenly dissolves around us.

I open my eyes and squint as the world around me comes into focus. The first thing I see is Luna rubbing her horn before looking at me and giving me a smile.

“Are you ok? Any side effects?” Luna asks.

“Not that I can tell, though it does feel like I'm going to sleep for a week. I feel so exhausted.”

Luna nods. “It does take a lot of energy to bring somepony into the dream realm, you will feel a bit drained for a few minutes.”

I hear a groan beside me and spot Rarity opening her eyes, I hear Twilight mimic Rarity's groan seconds later. I take the time to look around the room only to find it empty.

“Where is everypony?” I ask, blinking away the last of my blurred vision.

“They must have stepped out for a while, there was no way to know when we would come out of the dream world.”

“Ugh! I'm so hungry right now.” Twilight says from her bed. “I could eat anything at this point.”

“I agree darling, I feel like I haven't eaten for weeks.” Rarity adds.

“What do you think Luna? Fancy something to eat?” I ask, going to stand only to fall back on my ass. “Maybe a few more minutes.” I chuckle.

The rooms door opening snaps our attention, Applejack and Celestia stride in talking about something personal, though Celestia could have just told a lewd joke by the way Applejack was blushing.

“And where have you been?” I say.

Applejack and Celestia almost jump out their skin by my question. Applejack charges me and jumps into my arms, our lips lock and I squeeze Applejack tightly.

“Ah'm glad yer back, how did it go?” Applejack says, breaking the kiss.

“Why don't you ask.” I gesture to Twilight and Rarity.

Applejack moves off my lap and gives Twilight a hug then crosses to Rarity and hugs her too.

“Ah was so worried about you girls, we all were.”

Celestia approaches Luna and gives her a nuzzle.

“Sister, I'm so glad you're ok.”

“Yes, the mission was successful.” Luna wobbles slightly. “I think I need to eat and rest, it has been a trying day.” Luna looks to me and nods. “I shall see you soon John.”

I salute. “Thank you Luna.”

“Anytime, my champion.” Luna looks to Celestia and they both leave by the door.

I give Applejack another peck on the lips. “How's everypony else?”

“They all went home, the crusaders wanted to stay but it was getting late and it's a school night.”

I smile. “As much as I would like to stay in hospital and this armour, I feel like I need to sleep for a week.” I turn my head to Twilight and then to Rarity, “but I don't want to leave Twilight and Rarity.”

Rarity puts up a hoof. “We are not going anywhere darling, go and get some rest. We'll still be here in the morning.”

Twilight nods. “Rarity's right, we'll still be here. Go home brother, you have done enough.”

I place a hand on Rarity's left fore leg then mimic the touch on Twilight's right fore leg.

“You two get better, ok?”

Rarity and Twilight both nod and with Applejack following behind I leave the hospital room. I don't walk more than three feet out the door after closing it and I almost collapse. I hold myself up by putting my hand on the nearest wall, I notice something strange about my hands as I look at them, they both had a feint green glow.

Applejack presses against my side. “Are ya ok?”

I turn my head and give Applejack a tired smile. “I guess the dream spell has drained me a little, I think we should head home.”

Applejack nods then she notices my hands. “Should yer hands be glowing green like that?”

“I just need to rest Applejack, I just need my mare.”

Applejack sighs and smiles. “Ok, let's go home.”

Applejack and I walk out the hospital and head for home. I barely make our bed room when my legs give out, luckily I was close to the bed and manage to fall on to it. I reach up and press the vembrace on my right arm, I sigh as the armour around my body vanishes and the softness of the bed sheets assaults my senses. I feel the bed move and a warm body press against my wings, I shiver when I feel a hoof start to rub up and down my feathers.

“Ah always found yer wings to be fasinatin'” Applejack whispers.

I move a my left arm behind me and start to stroke Applejack's thigh. Applejack in response lifts her left hind leg and puts it over my waist, I continue my stroking, this time with longer strokes.

“I love you Applejack, I always will no matter what.” I say as I close my eyes, I feel Applejack put her fore legs around my chest.

“Ah love ya too John, ya make me happy beyond words.” Applejack nuzzles into my back. “Now ya get some rest, ah'm not going anywhere.”

“Sounds...Great...” I reply as my body relaxes enough for me to finally fall in to a deep sleep.

Applejack woke to a low growl, sitting up in bed Applejack now realised she was alone.

“John?” looking around the room Applejack noticed Winona standing at the foot of the bed and growling at the bathroom door. “Winona? What's wrong girl?” Applejack's gaze snaps up when a flash of bright green light erupts out the bottom of the bathroom door. “What in the hay?” Applejack slides out of the bed and approaches Winona. “It's ok girl, no need to fret.” Applejack place a fore hoof on Winona only to feel her shaking.

A bright flash comes from the bathroom door again, this time Applejack swore she could hear whimpering inside. Swallowing hard Applejack walks up to the bathroom door and places her ear to the wood.

“John? Is it ya in there?”

“Applejack....Stay....Away!”

Applejack felt panic start to rise in her chest, her heartbeat grew faster. Applejack reached for the door handle only to find the bathroom door locked.

“John, let me in. Ah'm scared out here, what's going on?”

“Applejack, please just don't open the door. Somethings wrong I can't stop it!”

Applejack turns her head as the bedroom door opens and Big Mac walks in rubbing his eyes.

“Applejack, what's wrong? What's with the all the noise?”

“Somethings wrong Big Mac, John's in the bathroom and he won't open the door!” Applejack was on the verge of breaking down. “Ya gotta do something!”

“Ah'm not breaking down the door, if that's what yer asking?”

“We can't leave him like this!” Applejack shouts.

“What's going on...” Apple Bloom asks, walking in into the bedroom blurry eyed.

“It's nothing Apple Bloom, just go back to bed.” Big Mac says, right before a loud roar came from the bathroom and a thud that made the door bulge. Apple Bloom grabs Big Macs leg. “What was that?”

“Is that John?” Apple Bloom asks.

The bathroom door thuds again and a crack appears, the green light was now constant giving the bedroom an eerie glow.

“Big Mac, take Apple Bloom and get away, take her to Fluttershy's.” Applejack says, walking away from the bathroom door.

“Ah'm not leaving ya!” Big Mac replies snorting and stomping his hoof.

“Not for debate, take Apple Bloom and go!”

All three ponies jump as the bathroom door explodes outwards showing the bedroom in wooden splinters. Applejack looks to the door and what she sees makes her legs go numb. A large creature was standing in the door way, the creature looked like a diamond dog but with thicker hair and much larger. The creatures eyes were glowing bright green. Applejack falls onto her back as the creature snarls and leaps for her. Big Mac tries to block it's path but the creature just swats him aside like he was nothing. Applejack screams out when Apple Bloom kicks the creature, the creature turns and grabs Apple Bloom around the neck.

The creature roars in Apple Bloom's face and then looks like it was going to bite her. The creature stops and gives Apple Bloom a sniff, the creature drops Apple Bloom to the floor and walks towards Applejack. The creatures hands were full of razor sharp claws but Applejack knew it wouldn't hurt her, she knew John was in there somewhere.

“John, ah know yer in there, please don't do this.” Applejack brought her fore legs up to her face when the creature raised it's claws to swipe, but the hit didn't come. Applejack lowered her forelegs to see the creature was now hovering over her hind legs and giving her tender place a sniff. “Wait...” The creature snarled and Applejack bit her lip.

The creature sniffed her a few more times before giving her marehood a long lick with it's tongue. Applejack shivered as the wet appendage dragged over her folds. The creature then rose on it's front legs and crawled up her body, the creature stopped an inch from Applejack's muzzle.

“Please, come home...” Applejack lifts a hoof and places it on the creatures cheek. The creature raises up a clawed hand and mimics the action on Applejack's cheek. “John, ah know it's you. Yer scaring me...” Applejack notices the creatures eyes flash yellow seconds before it backs away from her and seems to look at it's hands. The creature gives Applejack one quick glance then turns it's gaze to Apple Bloom and Big Mac, the creature throws back it's head and let's out a howl of pain. The creature darts towards the nearest window and crashes through it, Applejack quickly jumps up and leans out the smashed window just to see the creature run in to the darkness of the orchard.

“Applejack...is it gone?” Apple Bloom says, coming up and nuzzling Applejack.

“He ran, he ran because he hurt us. John's still in there Apple Bloom.” Applejack says, giving Apple Bloom a hug. Applejack turns back to the room and finds Big Mac still out cold. “We need to get Big Mac some help Apple Bloom, then we go find John. Ah can't help but feel this is something only ah can stop.”