The moment Twilight opened her eyes, she knew something was off. Gone was the small room she and Spike had gone to at the tavern, and so was Spike himself for that matter. No, all around her, Twilight saw nothing but darkness, and eerie purple mist seeping both above and beyond. This was no normal place, and finding herself here was, as one would expect, somewhat unnerving. But, rather than simply panic, she elected to start walking around, looking left and right as she did so. But, no matter how far she walked, or where she looked, it was all the same thing everywhere. Needless to say, this was starting to get to her, and fear slowly crept into her heart, to the point where, at long last, she finally started to speak up, albeit in a hushed and timid voice.

"He...hello?"

No voice was heard to answer her, only the silence that had persisted since she first arrived in this place. Taking a gulp, Twilight opened her mouth to speak again, only to halt herself when, in the midst of it all, she finally heard a sound. It was the distinct sound of footsteps. Someone, or, dare she say it, something, was coming towards her. Realising this, she spun around, and here, she immediately caught sight of something. A figure, veiled in the shadows that surrounded her, far in the distance, approaching her with intent, and the footsteps growing louder with every moment. Instinctively, Twilight took a fearful step backwards, once more calling out.

"Hel...hello? Is...is somebody there?"

The figure drew closer and closer, and the poor girl began to shake out of pure nervousness. Eventually, she found herself frozen in place, unable to move or speak, lest something worse happen to her. In time, the figure drew so close, that Twilight was driven into such a state of panic that she shut her eyes tightly, too afraid to even look at it. Then, as she waited, the footsteps stopped, and the silence returned once more. She waited with baited breath for something to happen, but, when that something finally occurred, it was not what she had been expecting.

"Open your eyes, Twilight Sparkle. There is nothing to fear here."

The voice was commanding, and yet, to Twilight, also familiar. Slowly, she did as she was told, cracking open one eye and gazing upon the figure before her. There, standing tall and proud, clad in her distinct blue and black armour, was none other than Princess Luna. Realising who it was, Twilight opened her other eye, and looked on at the Princess with awe. Then, realisation soon crossed her face, and she bent the knee, looking down at the ground before speaking in a deferent tone.

"Princess!. I...I was not expecting you."

Luna nodded, and then, without saying a word, gestured to Twilight to stand. The young girl gave a silent nod before doing so, though still looked understandably nervous as she looked to the younger of the royal sisters. That silence remained between them for some time, with Luna regarding the youth carefully. And as for Twilight, she simply stood there, unsure of what to do or even what to say. But, in the end, she said perhaps the only thing one could say in her position.

"Princess...what's going on?"

To that, Luna raised one hand, gesturing to the darkness around them.

"Pray, Twilight...where do you believe we are right now?"

Though taken aback by such a question, Twilight, ever dutiful, attempted an answer, bearing a look of concentration as she did so.

"Well...I remember going to sleep in the room above that tavern, and...and then falling asleep. Then...then I woke up here."

Luna nodded, though stayed quiet, a clear sign that she wanted Twilight to continue. The young girl thought long and hard about this, and, in the end, her eyes widened. Her look of concentration was instead replaced with a look of shock, and then, of disbelief, leading to her shaking her head slightly.

"No...it...it can't be."

Hearing that remark, the Princess cracked a somewhat sly smile.

"Oh? And what, exactly, do you find so impossible, young one?"

Looking up to Luna, Twilight's face could not be described as anything other than awe, and her voice matched that sentiment.

"Are...are you...performing dream magic?"

A look of pride crossed Luna's face with those words, and she gave a brief nod.

"Indeed. Few in this world know of such a spell, and fewer still have ever been able to cast it. But myself, Celestia, and others in our blood-line have always had a knack for the more...subtle magics of the world."

Twilight took a step backwards, looking from Luna to the darkness around her.

"This...this is a dream?"

Again, Luna nodded.

"It is. And in dreams, my magic can gain me entry. But I do so, not to pry...but to counsel."

Twilight turned to her, her face becoming one of nervousness once more.

"Wha...what do you mean?"

Luna narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Even all the way in Canterlot, I can sometimes feel the thoughts and hearts of those many miles away, including yours and that of my dear nephew. And what I sense from YOU, Twilight Sparkle...is doubt."

The Princess took a step forward.

"You have concerns, yes? And questions aplenty to go with them no doubt."

Twilight looked away, now feeling somewhat embarrassed about what was being said to her. She knew, in her heart, that Luna was here to help, and for that, she couldn't feel anything other than grateful. And yet, the idea of pouring her heart out to one of her nation's most powerful figures, a woman she hadn't even met until a few days ago, was a daunting prospect. However, as she glanced to the side, seeing the older woman look down at her, she knew that this was something that needed to be done, though she took no comfort in that certainty. Looking back to her in earnest, the young girl let out a sigh, giving a brief nod.

"I...I do. There are just so many things I don't know about this. Like why the Queen chose me above all others. I...I know she has her reasons..."

Luna rolled her eyes.

"Celestia always does," she remarked in a somewhat dismissive tone.

Twilight, ignoring those words, nevertheless carried on.

"...but...there's just so much about this that doesn't make sense to me."

Luna regarded her carefully, and for a moment, Twilight felt like she was under a figurative microscope, being examined in every way possible. It was, needless to say, an uncomfortable feeling, and yet, when Luna spoke, it was not with the same commanding authority as before. Rather, her voice was slightly softer now, more akin to that of her older sister.

"Twilight...my sister would not have me here speaking to you, had she the choice. She believes in letting things flow as they will, and has only interfered where she believes necessary. In all times, Celestia has always had confidence in those she has chosen, always believing that things will work out if she simply allows people to find their own path."

For a moment, Luna looked away, narrowing her eyes.

"And while I am not willing to outright defy her wishes on this...I feel that it was not right for you to be sent in blind as you have been."

Again, she looked to the girl.

"I believe that, if nothing else...you should undertake this task with greater knowledge and awareness than you have. And I know that, of the myriad questions you have regarding this task...there is one that looms larger than any other."

Though taken aback by the Princess' insight into the matter, Twilight cleared her throat in a nervous manner, giving a brief nod.

"There is. Though...I fear to ask it."

Nodding, Luna folded her arms before speaking up once more.

"That may be...but I assure you, there will never be a better time to ask...than right now."

Truth it may have been, but that did little to alleviate Twilight's feeling of being overwhelmed by this situation. Even so, she steeled herself, taking a few calming breaths before finally speaking out to her elder.

"Princess...tell me...why do the Elements need to be found? If the stories about them are true, then...then why find them at all? I know they're important, and I know a lot of bad things have happened in our word's history, but..."

Curiosity became prevalent on the girl's face as she continued.

"...but...by-and-large...the world has managed to get by without the Elements for thousands of years. So...why does the Queen want them found?"

Luna stared at the youth, taking in her question and looking, for a while, very much deep in thought. Twilight stayed quiet, giving the Princess whatever time she needed to put an answer together. Luna, for a moment, gained a softened look as she let out a sigh.

"Tell me, young one. Do you recall when you first met my sister and I? You remember her question, that of the tales of yore?"

A nod was all the answer Twilight gave, prompting Luna to continue.

"Well...the story of the Elements is not the only tale you know of that had a kernel of truth to it."

Twilight's expression became one of interest as she heard that, and Luna looked away, staring into the purple mists around them, with her own expression that of an almost-nostalgic look.

"There was a time, Twilight, so long ago...when the world and it's people were so much...so much more than what they are now."

Another sigh escaped her.

"History has forgotten so much of what was, with truth having morphed into legends and songs. But...to those in my family...those tales have never been forgotten."

Looking back to Twilight, Luna's eyes narrowed.

"Back in those ancient times...before the rise of my family...before the first stones of Canterlot were set...it was a time of magnificence."

Slowly, a smile crept onto her face.

"Can you imagine it, Twilight? A time where nothing was impossible? A time where the extraordinary was commonplace. Feats of heroism and awe, accomplished by so many."

Raising one hand, Luna balled it into a tight fist.

"It was a time when peoples of all stripes were incredible. And they were strong. Some, strong enough to shatter stone."

The Princess then looked up, to what, in this place, could supposedly be called the sky.

"A time when there were those who could soar above the clouds, like eagles."

Looking back down to Twilight, Luna's expression was one of determination, and even a little pride.

"And as for we mages...well...our power was unlike anything you could imagine today."

Her sly smile returned.

"You think my sister and I are powerful? What we have accomplished in our lives is nothing compared to what once was. The magics in those early times...they were so immense...so utterly beyond comprehension...that those who wielded them were more akin to gods than mortals."

To say that Twilight was intrigued by this story would have been a great understatement, as she looked on with awe at the Princess, as if she were some great fountain of knowledge. Luna, for her part, took a moment to appreciate being regarded in such a way, before taking on a more stern look and getting right back to business.

"Historians, at least, those who bother with such things, will refer to those far-off times as the dawn age, as they are the earliest times known of our people, even though few details were ever written down."

Looking straight at Twilight once more, Luna's look of pride returned.

"But in truth...it was more of a golden age. A time from which all others are but mere shadows."

The Princess turned, starting to walk away into the darkness, prompting Twilight to start to follow her. As they walked in this ethereal realm, the young girl kept her eyes on the royal woman besides her, listening carefully as the latter continued.

"Many great works were forged in those days, Twilight. And the Elements? They were chief among them."

Here, at last, Twilight spoke.

"But...that still doesn't explain why the Queen wants them."

Luna nodded.

"You are correct. But there is a more...shameful aspect to all of this. One I have yet to speak of."

Naturally, hearing something like that piqued the girl's interest, although, for a time, it seemed as if Luna was less than enthusiastic about speaking of it. Yet, after a while, the Princess stopped walking, with Twilight following shortly afterwards. A silence fell between the two, after which, Luna took a deep breath before speaking up again.

"Doubtless...you are wondering what could have happened between then and now, yes? You wonder why those ancient times could have had such fantastical things...while the present day seems so much...lesser?"

Luna looked to the youth at her side, and while Twilight did not say a word, the look on her face made it very clear that this was indeed what she had been thinking. Luna gave a brief nod to the girl, before looking ahead, narrowing her eyes once more.

"The truth, Twilight...is that for many thousands of years now...magic has been fading from this world."

Twilight looked on with shock at those words, but said nothing as Luna continued.

"Nobody has noticed, largely because of how gradual it has been. But yes...the things that once were...they are gone from this world. The heroes of old? Their like you will not find in the world today. The same can be said of the dragons and other great beasts of the past. The great spells and acts of legends? They too are lesser now. In time, perhaps another thousand years...the extraordinary will be gone from our world altogether."

Of course, after hearing such things, Twilight was, naturally, taken aback by it all. Not about the subject matter itself per se, but that she had been entrusted with it. Her mind raced with all sorts of ideas and questions about this revelation she had been entrusted with, until, at the end, one question above all rose to her lips.

"Then...is that why the Queen wants the Elements found? Does she think having them back will undo what has happened?"

A sigh escaped the Princess, and she looked down at that question. Twilight looked at her and, just for a brief moment, she could have sworn that she saw concern in Luna's eyes. Though about what, she could not say. She remained quiet for the time being, waiting until the Princess finally spoke up again.

"My sister...she hopes for many things regarding those artefacts. But...yes, that is indeed one of the many reasons she wants them found."

Slowly, the Princess looked upon Twilight yet again.

"Much has been lost to the centuries, girl. And much more has faded from what it once was. The Elements, they...they were the greatest accomplishment our kind ever created. To reclaim them once more, to have that power return. It..."

Again, she looked away.

"...it might just be enough to bring those glory days back."

Twilight was, rather expectedly, quite in awe of what she had just heard. It was as if the true weight of her task had been revealed to her for the first time. To think that, by accomplishing such a feat, she may bring back the golden age of her people, perhaps usher in a time of magic that had been unseen for generations. It was a shock to say the least, and one that would no doubt occupy her mind for a long time. But, as for the here and now, she was jarred from her thoughts by the feeling of a hand upon her shoulder. Turning, she looked upon Luna, who looked to her with a soft expression.

"Young one...I realise how daunting this must be for you. I understand that my sister already presented you with such an option, but..."

A sigh escaped her again before she continued.

"...if it is your wish that you not undertake this...please...say so. There is no shame in it, for even the bravest would be overwhelmed by being asked such a thing."

Twilight stood there, staring at her leader's sister for the longest time. Her mind, as always, raced with everything it had taken in. Doubts and worries and confusion all wrestled for control within her mind at this moment. And yet, in the middle of it all, there was something else in there too. A quite certainty. A feeling of yearning she had not known until now. Before, she had been wandering in the dark, never knowing how or why. But now, it was different. Now, for the first time, she actually felt as if she had a grasp on what was being asked of her and, more importantly, what it would mean for her people. For the first time in this entire journey, she knew what was being asked of her, and that, for whatever reason, gave her a sense of confidence that she had not known until now. Slowly, she formed a small smile as she looked up to Luna.

"Princess...thank you for your offer. But...I feel I must carry on with this task."

A moment or two passed before Luna finally reacted to that, and when she did, it was a look of genuine pride. Slowly, she patted the girl's shoulder, and gave a solemn nod.

"That is good to hear, Twilight. If nothing else, my sister has always known how to choose those who are brave and willing."

A small blush appeared on Twilight's face after hearing that, clearly showing embarrassment over being regarded as such. However, this tender moment was short-lived as, just then, Luna started to look away from her. Her expression changed from one of pride to one of, for lack of a better word, worry. Twilight too gained such a look, as she spoke meekly to the older woman.

"P...Princess?"

Luna, for a time, stayed silent, looking far ahead into that darkness, before looking back to Twilight with determination upon her face.

"I regret having to say this to you, Twilight...but I feel that now is the time to wake up."

Twilight looked on with confusion, but had no chance to respond to that, as Luna held up a hand to her, which, for some reason, caused everything around her to go dark. As Twilight began to lose sight of everything around her, she heard one, final utterance from Luna.

"Look out of your window."