Zecora watched the storm grey skies, her dream, normally bright and cheerful, clouded by a uneasy feeling deep in her heart. As she stared into the darkness she could hear faint whispers in the distance.

(When will we be rescued?)

(What happened to the others?)

(I am so complaining about this in my live journal when I get home.)

(Wait ponies still use live journal?)

Zecora heard the sounds of what she could only imagine were prisoners but she did not know from where they came, any attempt on her part to try a dream communication seemed blocked by a powerful shield, Most likely put up by their captors.

(Where did mommy go? Why isn't daddy moving in the other cage?)

The voice of a young filly, her voice partially croaking with sorrow at the truth she wished to avoid or refused to accept. Her father was dead and her mother most likely shared the same fate. Zecora tried again to reach out but to no avail. Her heart felt heavy, she wanted to comfort the now orphaned filly but just couldn't seem to break through whatever was holding her back.

(I wonder how Zecora is doing. I hope I don't starve to death before the war is over like that poor chap over there. I hope I get to see her again.)

Zecora's ears perked up, she knew that voice. It was the Captain of the border guard, her friend Zippy. Zecora could feel her ears darting around a mile a second trying to see if she could hear her friend again but to little avail. The whispers died down again until she felt something like the coldest part of winter blow from behind her. Something was dreadfully wrong, instead of whispers of what she could only identify as pow's this one had a more sinister meaning. Zecora could hear faith screaming of soldiers, mares and youngling's coming from the edge of the wintery storm. Whatever was happening it was quite clear that they were either panicking or in great pain. Zecora took a few hesitant steps forward until her front hoofs found the chilling ice quickly over taking her dream. As she took her first step onto the ice the blood curdling screams were deafening, dozens...no hundreds of voices all screaming in searing pain.

Zecora backed away covering her ears, tears rolling down her cheeks from the sheer horrible pain. It was as if they all were transferring their feelings across the entirety of the dream realm. Suddenly it stopped, with the exception of a small whine of a young colt.

(It...it hurts..why is...my fur all burned up...what did you do to everyone?)

Zecora listened intently, this colt had survived a terrible ordeal but she could feel his injuries. He was barely alive, holding on by willpower alone.

(*Crunch* ahhh ha...ha..wh...y....*cough* hurk* wh...yyy.............)

Zecora knew what had happened, whoever killed the rest of them just put the colt out of his misery with something metal and blunt. Zecora pushed with all her might to communicate or see what was happening through the colts last few moments of life only to be knocked on her haunches with incredible force. Shaking her head she stood up and stared at the now snowing horizon where the sounds had come from but something was different. Something that looked like another pony...no, the head of another pony was flying towards her. Zecora narrowed her eyes , trying to make out features but couldn't make out who or what it was in the blizzard ahead. The head came closer and closer until it stopped in the distance, arcing its head curiously at Zecora.

Zecora could start to make out broad details, whatever it was, it lacked fur of any kind and seemed to have either deep sunken sockets or very dark eyes. Two small pinpricks of red light appeared on the sides on the strange floating head, moving inwards towards the eyes. Zecora took two steps back, something inside her, something ancient and primal told her to run. The head moved slowly closer until Zecora could make out what it was...a skull, a skull of a pony with flames for eyes.

The creature laughed but made no sound, only a dry hiss coming from its mouth. It opened its mouth, sucking in the cold wintery air. It began to slowly grow in size , its eyes glowing brighter. Zecora tried to take few steps back only to find her front hooves had frozen to the ground. The sky started to rush towards her laughing dryly as it gnashed its teeth. She quickly kicked the ice off her forelegs with her back legs and took off running, she didn't understand why but something told her that this thing is capable of killing through dreams. She looked back to see if she was outrunning it but found its snout was brushing up on her tail. Zecora could feel the malice emanating from this creature and In turn it felt her fear,feeding, growing ever larger.

Zecora cut a sharp left turn and then immediately a sharp right, as if she was being chased by a lion like her ancestors. The skull lunged as she made the sharp right turn, slamming into the ground but quickly righting itself, roaring in anger. Zecora's eyes glowed hot white as she ran and little barriers were sprouting up behind her, barring the monsters path.

I must put distance between me and whatever that thing is.

Zecora managed to get a reasonable distance away. The skull having great difficulty navigating the maze she set up. Zecora closed her eyes and began chattering under her breath, evoking a spell to free her from the dream realm. The skull creature roared and Zecora could hear the sound of barriers shattering in front of her. As she finished her spell she opened her eyes to find she was still in the dream but the monsters jaws were closing around her neck. Zecora tried to roll out of the way but it was too late, the creatures large jaws clamped around her neck, crushing her windpipe.

(Wake up)

The creature put more pressure on her. Zecora could feel her skin tear, the blood flow freely.

(Zecora! Wake up! You're scaring me!)

Zecora felt the teeth crushing her bones.

(I said wake up!*smack*)

Zecora shot up out of bed, her head colliding with Fluttershy's as she sat up.

"OW" Said Fluttershy as she rubbed her forehead.

"Ow indeed" Zecora replied rubbing her own head.

"Are you okay Zecora, you sounded like you were having a nightmare. You were kicking about and yelling, It scared me."

Zecora looked around the bed. the sheets were torn and shredded where her back hooves were and the entire bed, including the sheets were drenched in her sweat. Zecora instinctively grabbed at her neck. Despite some tenderness and shortness of breath everything seemed to be intact.

"I am fine but I am not so sure about other elsewhere."

"What do you mean others? It's just you and me here."

Zecora sighed. She didn't want to worry Fluttershy so much now that she was so close to her due date but keeping a secret from your mate has a nasty habit of coming back to bite you in the flanks. "I..I heard the screams of many ponies crying out in anguish only to be suddenly silenced save one."

Fluttershy wore a worried expression on her face but motioned Zecora to continue. " A young-ling survived but I think...no, I know it was killed soon after by a blunt strike. The problem I am having is I do not know where the screams came from, I could not pinpoint a exact location. The other problem was a strange white skull beast in my dream realm."

"Dream beast?" Fluttershy said perplexed.

Zecora explained in detail about the strange pony skull with fire eyes. How it chased her down despite the obstacles she had put in place. How its radiating evil managed to block her from waking herself up and how it almost managed to behead her.

"I...I'm glad smacking your like that woke you up. I... I'm not sure I could bear losing you like that."

Zecora pondered for a moment how exactly she was still alive. She remembered that while some things may injure you spiritually in a dream, maybe even cause lapses in sanity if exposed to them for a extended period of time. The problem was she had never come across anything that could outright kill anypony in their dreams. surely she thought if It was capable of mortally wounding her she would have woken up to a crushed windpipe, blood everywhere and a mate running around in panic to find the first aid kit. The whole situation puzzled her.

Fluttershy preened at her wings nervously before breaking Zecora's train of thought. "You think Maskia may be responsible for all of this?"

Zecora pondered for a moment. "She is certainly capable of such evil but killing off prisoners the day before you negotiate your surrender terms seems counterproductive. I am quite sure she wants to live so she can at least preach her bigotry to whoever will listen. If Luna or Celestia got word she executed POW's in that manner no being on this planet would contain their combined wrath. Celestia wouldn't outright kill her but she would make her life so meaningless that she wished she was dead. Luna on the other hoof..."

"Would hunt her to the ends of the earth. I have heard stories about Luna flying off in rage from Twilight. I heard when they found the pony responsible for the assassination attempt on Celestia was living in the northern Pinewood Forrest, she tore more then half the woods asunder tracking him down. Twilight told me it took half the royal guard to hold Luna back from making that pony nothing more than a greasy spot on the Forrest floor."

"Speaking of Luna, she has been at our front door for some time now. Please princess feel free to enter whenever you like."

Zecora heard the words "Oh, she's good" followed by the front door creaking open and the sound of four hooves steadily making their way to the bedroom. "May I enter Zecora, I have much to discuss with you." Something seemed off in Luna's voice, it seemed more...muted than before.

"You may enter Princess" Zecora said.

The door opened slowly, revealing a visibly distraught Luna. Her hair was matted slightly, she had bags under her eyes and looked as is she just went ten rounds with Iron Will.She had bruises and minor cuts all along her sides and seemed to be trying to desperately stave off a the noticeable shaking in her legs. Fluttershy hoped out of bed and ran up to the shaken Princess followed soon after by Zecora.

"Luna are you okay? Should I get the first aid kit?"

"Nay, Element of kindness. These wounds will heal in less than a days time."

"But what about those cuts, won't they get infected?"

Luna looked down her left side, her eyes glowed a a dim white and the shallow cuts on her side began to smoke. In just a few seconds her wounds started to close themselves although Luna seemed to be winching in pain slightly.

"Do you require anything Luna?"

"Maybe some warm tea. May sit down somewhere?"

Zecora opened a near by closet and tossed some pillows from it on the floor by the edge of her bed. Luna tried to sit down on them but instead just collapsed on top of them. "Oh, my. Are you okay Luna?"

"I will be fine. I am just far more tired than I expected."

"I'll go start up the tea then. Would you like something to eat as well Princess?" Luna's head shot up unexpectedly as the promise of food. The moon goddess absentmindedly licking her lips out of character.

Fluttershy giggled. "I take that as a yes. Would waffles be okay?"

"By all means make whatever you feel like, right now I am in no position to be a picky eater."

Fluttershy gave a bow and headed towards the kitchen, humming a tune to herself. As the sound of Fluttershy's humming faded Luna turned her attention to Zecora whom was busy changing the sweat soaked sheets from her bed with a fresh set. "Zecora I came here tonight becuase I just managed to banish a powerful Anguish phantom. The foul creature had blood caked in its jaws and Its jaw was punctured with one of your many rings you keep around your neck. After I contained it I teleported just outside your home but heard from outside that you were awake and okay."

"I figured you would detect something amiss in the dream realm sooner or later. However, I have never seen such a creature in any dream or nightmare nor have I ever experienced nearly dying in a dream either." Zecora finished fitting the sheet onto her bed and laid down at the base of the bed, leaning over to speak with Luna. "Tell me Luna, was I correct in assuming it can kill through dreams?"

Luna shook her head side to side, much to Zecora's surprise. "Only one anguish phantom has been able to kill anypony in their sleep and it existed long before me or my sister were born. Although this one was fairly close to attaining that level of power."

Zecora rubbed her neck unconsciously. Although she trusted the princesses judgement, the pain from her dream was still fresh in her memory. The gesture did not escape Luna's notice however.

"I understand how you must feel. Anguish phantoms are rare but they can kill you in your dream form, sometimes very painfully but rest assured that if you die in your dream you will merely wake up feeling a tad ill but with no permanent harm done. I need to ask a question of you Zecora, since you are the one to meet this creature first."

A yell from Fluttershy halted Luna's inquiry. "How do you like your eggs Luna?"

Luna raised her voice to near Canterlot royal wee levels as she replied, knocking Zecora clear off her bed. " I prefer my eggs over medium if you would be so kind." A peanut struck Luna in the flanks from behind. As she turned around another one hit her square in the horn, bursting into flame instantly. A very angry looking rabbit was chattering at her and tapping his foot. "Oh, I am sorry for waking you up little one."

The rabbit rolled his eyes and hopped away into the hall, muttering to himself.

"Inside voice if you would, Luna" Fluttershy yelled from the kitchen.

Luna covered her mouth momentarily, finally realizing she used her Canterlot voice instead of a yell. "I'm sorry Zecora, I still have yet to get used to not doing that from time to time." Zecora just managed to get herself back on the bed, shaking her head to get the ringing out of her ears.

Luna continued. "I need to know if you have any idea's how such a creature was formed. I know how they are formed but I did not get a chance to sense from where."

Zecora sighed heavily before answering. "It came from my homelands but I cannot give a exact location. I do know that wherever it was many innocents were slain...including foals."

Luna's eyes glowed a bright hot white as she gritted her teeth in rage, standing up tall, wings quivering with anger. "Was it that coward Maskia that did such a evil thing?" Zecora stumbled back frightened at Luna's sudden outburst, a sign the princess didn't miss. Luna breathed deeply, her eyes going back to normal but still slightly grinding her teeth. "I...I am sorry Zecora, for my outburst. The war with that fiend has lost Equestria many a noble soul, nearly killed my sister and attempted to assassinate many of my closest friends. If it wasn't for my sister stopping me that entire country would be ashes at my feet." Luna huffed angrily for a moment before laying back down on the pillows on the floor. "I know letting my anger control me is wrong but please do not judge me too harshly, this war has wore heavily on my emotions."

"I will not judge you. I too have been angry sometimes about these past two years but you must keep that anger in check, lest you be consumed by it."

"Consumed by what?" Fluttershy walked into the room carrying a large tray of food. Five eggs, three slices of toast, nine waffles, three large slices of french toast and large glass of orange juice.

"We were talking about Luna's anger problems. She has been under great stress lately." Zecora stared at the large plate of food Fluttershy was carrying between her wings on her back. "Dear, that seems like tad much for just Luna."

"Oh? Do you think it's too much Luna?" Fluttershy asked anxiously.

Luna stood up and looked over at the large quantity of food Fluttershy was carrying on her back. "Tis a bit much but I thank you all the same. Maybe we can share?" Luna's horn glowed a light blue and two plates appeared on the floor. Luna lifted the tray off Fluttershy's back and began to divide the food up evenly. "As I was saying before, I managed to contain the anguish phantom in the dream realm."

"Anguish phantom?" Fluttershy asked.

"That horse skull thing that attacked me dear."

"Oh."

"Now that you managed to contain it princess how are you going to get rid of it before it causes any more trouble?"

Luna magicked two cups into existence and set them on the floor, pouring orange juice into them evenly from the massive glass Fluttershy had on her tray. "Anguish phantoms cannot be banished or killed in any traditional sense. The only way to get rid of them is to starve them of their source of food. Anguish."

"So you are just going to ...put it in jail?" Fluttershy asked.

Luna giggled to herself as she finished dividing the food up on the trays. "essentially yes, every night I will add another layer onto the barrier holding it in place. As the phantoms urges for food increase it will ram against the barrier harder, expending much of its energy. In time it will just fade from existence back into whatever realm spawned it." Luna levitated a waffle in front of her mouth and began to nibble on the edge as if nervous.

"What's wrong Luna, are the edges a bit too crispy?"

Luna stared at the yellow Pegasus and back at the waffle. "Oh no Fluttershy, the food is lovely." Luna took a large bite out of the waffle and swallowed heartily. "I am just worried about where this phantom came from. Very few things could create such a powerful foe."

Fluttershy nibbled on the end of her eggs. "I think it's best just to not think about it and just enjoy your meal. if you keep thinking about it when you don't have any leads you could drive yourself crazy like Twilight does."

Luna stared at the yellow Pegasus over her glass glass as she took a sip. She's right. She thought to herself. Maybe she was over-thinking the problem, letting all the recent stress and anger get the better of her. On the other hand she felt a dreadful feeling in her gut. Something horrible had occurred, killing many innocents. It would be wrong for her to enjoy a meal when genocide was happening just outside equestrian borders. Luna ate a few more bites of her food and finished of her juice quickly before standing up and bowing her head at Fluttershy. "I thank you both very much for the food but I'm afraid I will have to cut this midnight snack short for I must convene with my sister."

"Oh, well promise me you will make it for dinner tonight? We are having eggplant spaghetti Alfredo for dinner."

Luna smiled at Fluttershy and nodded her head. "I would very much like that but for now I must wake my sister up and tell her what I have learned."

"Wouldn't it be easier to just wait till dawn before giving her the news?" Zecora asked. "Also I hear Celestia sleeps like a brick."

"Oh, that part is easy. I can wake her up in a jiffy."

"How?" Fluttershy asked.

"Water balloons" Luna replied smiling.

In a grassy field just outside the hot springs Zecora frequented stood two colts. One a black Pegasus with a tornado cutie mark and the other a blue Pegasus with a Ghost cutie mark.

"So double S, I guess you felt that too?" said the black Pegasus.

"Undoubtedly. She has returned the original to its full power. I was hoping she would have the sense to just surrender but it seems she is completely intent on destroying Equestria."

"Do you think the sun and the moon can stop her?"

"Possibly, but if they fail then the only way for that weapon to be shattered is for it to pierce a decedent of the ponies that created it."

"But that would mean..."

"Yes Wind, that means...."

"No. I will not allow that prophecy to occur. too many innocents have already died."

"I understand your pain but the best we can do with what magic we have is to help her make the right decision."

"And if she runs away from her responsibilities like last time?"

"I..I don't want to think about that. Let us hope that doesn't happen."

"For the sake of Equestria I hope you are right double S."

"The weapon..i..is ready..my liege" yelped a brown and black stripped handmaiden, shaking nervously as she bowed before a throne made of elephant bones.

"Yes, well done replacement high adviser...err what was your name again?" Maskia stared at the handmaiden for a moment. "Never mind, It doesn't really matter." Maskia stepped down from the throne of bone and strode into the center of the room, her glowing silver armor bouncing off the many mirrored surfaces in the room, making the cowering handmaiden shield her eyes. "Come with me high adviser, you are about to witness history in the making. The reforged Spear of Sealing and my right of ascension awaits."