Where am I? Is this a dream? It feels eerily like a dream. The walls, they're blank. That's the first thing I notice.

But where is the door? How did I get in here? I must be dreaming. I don't remember falling asleep, though.

I'm cold. I only just now notice it. I rub my arms, achieving nothing. It's like icicles on glass.

For a dream, this is shockingly bland. Or... maybe if I'm lucid dreaming...

I will away the walls. They crumble instantly. I feel remotely satisfied. I am now outside, in a desert. A desert which is, frankly, not an improvement over an empty room.

The sand swirls at my feet. I feel the grains scratching at my legs and feet. Suddenly it's turning darker. The sand fades gradually into a deep purple color. Not majestic purple. It's similar, but I can't put my finger on it. All I know is that it makes me uneasy.

Go away. That's all I think. Go away. But it doesn't. I'm trapped in a whirlwind of colored sand. Wind whips at my face. I actually begin to tear up. I could feel that.

Go away!

You pathetic little girl. How can I go away, when I am you?

From the storm the figure of an attractive girl emerges. Perfectly shaped, shamelessly flaunting cleavage. I freeze. Those plush lips bear a condescending sneer, and those eyes glow dangerously, intense cruelty radiating from them.

I had never actually laid eyes on it before. I couldn’t bring myself to watch the videos of it. But I know, without a doubt, that this is none other than Midnight Sparkle.

You are Midnight Sparkle, you weakling!

I shake my head. It's impossible.

You lost once, because you were too weak. Too easily lured by the false gift of companionship. But you will not fail a second time.

Go away!

I will myself to a happier place. I'm in a field. It smells of daisies and daffodils. To my horror, Midnight Sparkle appears along with it. The flowers at her feet wither and die.

Midnight Sparkle will be victorious! And she will tear this world apart for daring to challenge her!

Never! I would never build another one of those terrible machines, if my life depended on it! The Equestrian magic, all of it, is back where it belongs.

What makes you think Midnight Sparkle needs the likes of petty human technology?

You are an apparition. A nightmare conceived by a combination of stressful factors that will ultimately have no affect on-

You idiot!

I gasp as her hands grasp my arms. They burn! I try to wriggle free.

Midnight Sparkle never ceased to be! You belong to me!

Her voice fills my head. It takes up every inch. Oh god, I can feel her voice crawling throughout my thoughts, infecting them with seductive threats.

I... am... Twilight... Sparkle.

Somehow I muster the strength to affirm. Midnight Sparkle scowls.

You ignorant child. Your loss was only temporary.

Her voice softens, and she speaks in a gentler, more beckoning tone.

You surrendered yourself in a moment of weakness. Soon, you will again know power, and you will have the chance to take what is rightfully yours.

I just want a normal life! I want to shop at malls, turn in my homework, eat ice cream while watching sad movies, get my first car, graduate, get a job.

I want my friends. I want... I want Sunset.

Her eyes light up with fury.

Sunset... now, isn't that the one responsible for your downfall?

Yes, she stopped me. She stopped me, because I became a monster.

Her hand lashes out, and there's a loud smacking sound. A second later, my cheek swells with pain.

You dare praise her?

As my eyes well up with tears, I spit. I love her.

You will end her!

I would rather die. I will myself away. I'm on a beach. It's a warm evening. Sunset Shimmer is in front of me.

I take the time to appreciate how good she looks in a bikini. She turns around, smiling warmly. She reaches out to me. I reach back. Before my fingers can entwine with hers, her image burns away, like paper in a bonfire.

Oh please. Rid yourself of these lowly emotions. Accept your fate!

I begin to shake. From fear, anger, cold, all of it. But I shake. Without thought, I bring my fist up in one swing. One swing, and she shatters. For a moment, I feel triumph.

But then I realize that the world is shattering with her. I flounder helplessly as I am left in nothingness. I think of a happy place. Nothing happens. I start to panic.

Help! I scream silently as everything goes to black.

"Twilight!"

I bolt upright. I look around wildly. I'm in my room. My room. This is my bed. My heart is racing.

As I register that I am now safe, I flop back down. Sunset is still sitting up beside me, a concerned look on her face.

Wait, Sunset?

I sit back up. "Huh?"

"You were having one heck of a nightmare. You alright?" Sunset places her hand on my forehead. "You're burning up, too."

Oh, that's right. I invited her over for the "sleepover". That everyone else conveniently wasn't available for.

"I'm fine." I sigh. "Just... really bad stress."

Sunset smiles sympathetically. "Do you need anything? A glass of water? Some toast?"

"Oh, that's fine. I-I can get some myself. You don't need to get up."

Sunset wraps me in a comforting hug. "Alright. Long as we're up, I'm gonna use the bathroom really quick."

She pulls herself out of the sheets, and is off to the bathroom. I climb out as well, and head downstairs. I chug a bottle of water from the refrigerator, and wipe my lips.

That was a terrifyingly realistic dream. For a moment, I even thought my ankles were still red from the sand as I walked down the stairs. Once I re-enter my room, Sunset exits the bathroom.

"Hey, Twi, I have an idea."

"Okay." I pause. "What is it?"

Sunset pulls me into another hug. "I know you've been stressed out lately. Over the incident, transferring, adjusting, and all that."

I nod.

"Well, Canterlot High is going on a camping trip this summer. They do it every other year. I think you should come. It'll help take your mind off things."

I think for a few moments. "I don't know... I've never been camping."

"It'll be fun." Sunset pulls back to look in my eyes. "We stay in cabins, we go hiking, we have campfires." She lowers her voice to a stage whisper. "We're not supposed to, but we can even swim in the lake at night."

I lower my head to try and hide my blush. "Um, I guess I'll think about it."

"Sounds good." Sunset gives me a small peck on the cheek. For some reason I wince slightly. Sunset goes back to the bed. I decide that I need to wash my face.

I head to the bathroom. Hovering over the sink, I splash icy cold water up onto myself. Breathing through my mouth, I wipe my face. I grab a towel to dry myself off.

I look up into my reflection as I bring the towel down. I almost cry out. It was only there for a split second. But I know I didn't imagine it.

I blink, and it's gone.

I hurry back to the bed. I urgently clamber in, tucking myself close to Sunset.

"Whoa, you alright?" Sunset asks.

"Yeah. I guess that nightmare just has me spooked."

Sunset wraps her arms around me. "Don't worry. I'll keep you safe."

I squeeze my eyes shut. I am safe in her hold. Nothing can hurt me. There is no Midnight Sparkle.

There is no Midnight Sparkle.

"Thank you, Sunset."