A lavender mare tossed and turned in her sleep. Her ocean blue mane with its signature skunk stripe of a magenta hue - bangs, low-hanging semi-bun, and all - bounced with her. Suddenly, her eyelids shot open as she gasped, revealing her irises, which were the same shade as her mane.

She quickly sat up in her bed, her pair of wings springing out. The mare’s horn then lit up, a faint yellow light emitting from it, and an aura of the same color grabbed her round glasses from her nightstand.

Next, not even caring about the mess that was her mane, the Alicorn flew over to her mahogany bookshelf and skimmed through all the titles. On the bottom shelf, she finally found what she was looking for: a beat-up journal titled “Dream Journal,” along with a small phoenix quill.

The mare then plopped herself back on her mattress, and turned to a blank page in the journal.

She sighed in frustration as she began to telepathically began to write about the events in this night’s visit to the Dream Realm. “This has been the same dream since I graduated from the Academy.. It’s gotta mean something, right?”

As soon as the Alicorn finished writing down records of her peculiar dream, there was a polite knock on the door, causing her to flinch in surprise.

A calm voice exclaimed through the door, “You awake yet, hun? You know the Royal family of the Crystal Empire is visiting today, right?”

The Alicorn gasped in realization and, remembering her journal was out in the open for all to see, tucked the book inside her pillow. She then smacked herself in the face with that same pillow.

“You did remember, didn’t you..?” asked the mare from behind the door. When no response came, the unidentified maid sighed in frustration. “Well, just get ready, all right? Also, your Mother would like to have a word with you when you’re finished.”

Hoofsteps echoing further and further down the outside hallway indicated the mare had left Dusk to herself.

“How could I forget all of this?!” Dusk shouted to herself. “And what should I even wear, my uniform?” she muttered sarcastically, before blinking at the idea. The Alicorn rose from her bed again, now walking towards her closet. “..That could actually work,” she said, taking out her Crystal Guard uniform that she inherited from her deceased father.

After a few minutes of polishing her armor and delicately placing it over her wings and chest, Dusk felt ready.

She was just about to leave out the door, until she looked in the mirror and frowned at the state her mane was in.

“How did I even miss that?” the Alicorn asked herself as her turquoise magic grasped a small brush, stroking it hastily in her mane. “Youch!” she yelped as she jabbed the bristles roughly into her scalp a few times.

After that, the final touch was to curl the tips of her mane and put on her silver crown. The crown was embedded with aquamarines and amethysts of the same size.

Now satisfied with how she was presented, Dusk stepped out of her bedroom and into the hallway. As she closed the door behind her, she sighed.

``I’ve walked through all these halls before,

I’ve been in and out of every door, oh-woah-oh..``

Dusk glanced to the side to see paintings of various subjects. One of them that caught her eye was a portrait of her being coronated as a Princess when she had turned eighteen; it was only a week ago, the same day she graduated from the Equestrian Guard Academy.

``There’s nothing in this castle that I don’t know-ow-ow-ow!

In every training, I did my best,

The highest score on every test.

I know that means, it’s time for me to go..``

The Alicorn looked up to the ceiling and closed her eyes as she passed a third corridor.

``I know there’s more that’s out there;

But I don’t wanna see it ye-et!

I know there’s more that’s out there!

Another me I wouldn’t meet!``

Meanwhile, in the Friendship Castle in Ponyville, a unicorn was facing a similar scenario. She had just been told she was going to attend the School of Friendship instead of the School for Gifted Unicorns, but she wasn’t having it.

The unicorn’s fur was a dark magenta, and her eyes were a sunset-orange. She had her scarlet-orange-buttercream ombre of a mane pulled up in a curly ponytail, and she was fidgeting in her seat in the dining room.

“Your mother and I both know you wanted to go to that school in Canterlot,” a male unicorn said to her. His fur was not unlike a tangerine, and he wore circular glasses and a cape. Along with that, his mane and small goatee being a dark shade of orange. “But-”

A unicorn mare seated next to him interrupted, “-It’s so much easier having you home, isn’t it? I mean, the school is literally right next to the castle..” The fur was a mix of light purple and peach, with her eyes being a dark azure. Her mane was dark purple, with some lavender highlights, and one giant streak of turquoise in her curled bang.

The stallion nodded in agreement. “What she said.”

As the magenta mare took all this information in and continued to eat her pancake, she frowned. “But.. I don’t think I’m the right pony to associate with.. friendship and stuff..”

“Well, school starts on next Wednesday. So you have about five days to prepare ahead of time, Luster Dawn,” the tangerine unicorn added before yawning as he got up from his seat. “I’m going to the School to check those transfer students’ files again.”

“Agreed,” replied the peach unicorn, getting up as well. “See you later, dear,” she said, walking over to Dawn and nuzzling her.

Luster Dawn attempted to hold a smile. “You too, Mom..”

And with that, the two elder unicorns left the dining room, leaving Dawn to herself.

The magenta unicorn then lit up her horn, which glowed a pale yellow. She focused her concentration on outside of the castle, and easily teleported on the golden-colored porch, where the sunlight caused it to shine even more.

``Everyone here likes who I am..``

Luster Dawn looked up at her horn.

``And it’s not from a magic spell’s command, oh-woah-oh.``

Luster Dawn gently stepped down the small staircase and onto the dirt path, and glanced at the slowly rising sun and then to her cutie mark.

``Everypony looks past the things my Mother’s done before..

And still I want to go on quests,

The freaky problems, magic tests.

This is great, sure, but that doesn’t mean I want friendship!``

As Dusk exited the corridors and into the Canterlot Gardens, she breathed in the fresh morning air and gazed at the sunrise.

``It’s not that I’m ungrateful,

Or trying to quit now.``

The Alicorn walked past a rose bush and snapped one off of its stem with her magic, twirling it around playfully.

``But they think something’s still missing..``

She then dropped the rose, and she, herself twirled in a pirouette in the air. She was now flying towards the door located at the opposite end of the garden.

``Something that I need?``

Luster Dawn continued down the dirt path towards Main Street, Ponyville. As she passed by a patch of dandelions, she giggled to herself and blew hardly on them with her mouth, causing a flurry of the tiny dandelion seeds to float above her.

``I know there’s more that’s out there,

Creatures that I won’t let help me!

I know there’s more that’s out there;

But I don’t wanna be a part of it.``

The unicorn then paused as a group of fillies passed her by on the bridge above Ponyville River. As soon as the fillies were out of sight, Luster proceeded to step across the bridge, and looked ahead towards the Town Hall.

``There’s only so much this town can offer,

And I’m not saying that’s so bad.``

Luster Dawn waved to Mayor Mare before heading in the direction of the Ponyville Fountain.

``But I know there’s more that’s out there;

‘Cause it’s a life I may have had!``

Dusk was now inside the main room of the Castle. She slowly turned her whole body as she gazed around the ginormous chandelier above her.

``Beyond these rooms,

Beyond these walls!``

The lavender Alicorn continued to spin around while staring at the individual crystals in the chandelier, which all showed her reflection.

``So much I know,

But can’t see it at all!``

Dusk paused her twirling, feeling dizzy. After a few moments to regain stability, she darted to the left of the Main Room.

Luster Dawn was getting closer to the fountain, and teleported herself a coin from her savings.

``This town is home,

Everything is safe!``

She spun around once, still holding the coin in her magic, and frowned.

``But how can I be home,

And still feel out of place?``

The lavender mare galloped up the long staircase towards the Throne Room.

``And I know there’s more that’s out there;

Ton of places to ignore.``

Dawn stopped as a group of teenage creatures passed in front of her, tossing coins into the fountain and announcing their wishes loudly.

``And I know there’s creatures out there..``

She glanced down to see her reflection looking back up at her from the bit.

``Is it wrong for wanting out?``

Dusk approached the top of the staircase, and hopped on her last step. She confidently trotted down the hall, and used her magic to open the door before her.

``And I want to know what’ll happen!

But what it is they won’t sa-ay!``

The group consisting of dragons, changelings, and yaks all giggled with glee as they walked away from the fountain. Luster Dawn took this chance to step forward and gaze down at her reflection.

``I just know there’s more that’s out there;

And I ignore when it calls my name!``

Dusk glanced around the hallway she stepped in. All around her were mosaics on the windows honoring multiple accomplishments during Equestrian history.

``..And I’m searching for my answer,

`Cause I know I’m losing my way.``

Luster then acknowledged the fact she still had a coin inside her magic, and tossed it into the water, her reflection rippling away. She then climbed onto the edge of the fountain, now standing on her hind legs while throwing her front hooves into the air.

``I don’t want what’s really out there,

And I’ll make my own way!!``

The lavender Alicorn fidgeted in her armor due to the discomfort in her wings. Dusk sighed as she stepped before the door leading to the throne room.

``I’ll find it today..``

Her yellow magic enveloped the handle, and thus the tall door creaked open, allowing her to pass through.

“Good morning, Mother!” Dusk shouted, her voice dripping with fake glee, as she was still quite tired.

An even larger Alicorn, with the same lavender coat as Dusk, sat upon the throne. Her navy blue mane with purple and pink skunk stripes flowed in a non-existent wind, her violet eyes focused on an important document which she levitated with her magenta aura. As Dusk called out her name, she gently set the scroll down, and smiled tenderly at her only child.

“Good morning, Dusk Vedette. I take it you remembered today’s visit from Queen Cadance, King Shining Armor, and Empress Flurry Heart?” the elder Alicorn asked calmly.

Dusk blushed and chuckled nervously. “Not exactly.. But I did remember to wear the appropriate armor this time!” She gestured proudly to her Crystal Guard ensemble, patting it with her hoof.

The Queen nodded. “Anyways, I wanted to speak with you about the reason of why we invited the Royals from the Crystal Empire.”

“..All right. I don’t mind,” Dusk replied. “Uh.. Just out of pure curiosity, where’s Spike?”

The elder Alicorn answered, “Dragonlord Ember was negotiating a new Dragon holiday for the Dragonlands, so Spike and a few others are trying to work it out so it can be approved.”

The lavender princess yawned into her hoof. “Makes sense to me.” She paused and gazed back up at her mother. “So why did you invite my Aunt, Uncle, and cousin, exactly?”

The regal mare opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by the door at the front of the throne room being thrown open.

“Twily!” shouted a platinum-colored stallion. His mane were all shades of dark blue, and his eyes were teal. Two Alicorns followed behind him, one having peach fur and an ombre of yellow, magenta, and violet for her curly mane; the other being shorter with a pale pink coat and a teal-magenta-violet combo for her mane, which were bunched to look like two, fat cinnamon rolls sitting on the sides of her head.

“Shining Armor, Cadance!” the Queen exclaimed, getting to her hooves and running towards the ponies for a group hug.

“Twilight! Hello!” Queen Cadance greeted, stepping in front of Queen Twilight. Then they both crouched to the ground and began to clap their hooves together:

``Sunshine, sunshine,

Ladybugs’ awake!``

The two Alicorns put their hooves over their eyes, then back to crouching on the red carpet.

``Clap your hooves,``

Both mares then turned around, their tails facing each other.

``And do a little shake!``

They wiggled their flanks, in turn causing their majestic tails to shake with them.

As the two Alicorns gripped each other in a hug while giggling, Dusk was caught in a death-grip with the younger Alicorn.

“Cousin!!” shouted Flurry Heart while squeezing the lavender guard-pony.

Dusk struggled in the Alicorn’s bear hug. “Lovely to.. have you here, and all.. but can you just.. let me breathe?..”

“..Right,” uttered Flurry Heart in embarrassment, loosening her grip on Dusk. “That better?”

Dusk nodded, taking in the warming comfort of her elder cousin. It was so peaceful to just relax there, that she didn’t even realize she was falling asleep in Empress Flurry’s hooves.

“Uh.. she’s out, guys,” Flurry said in a hushed whisper, using her telekinetic aura to remove the uncomfortable armor off of Dusk, then lifting the unconscious Alicorn onto her back. “She must’ve had a rough night, huh?”

Queen Cadance nodded in understanding, opening the door towards the hallway leading to Dusk’s bedroom. “It’s best we tell her about the surprise when she’s fully rested, or at dinner.” She paused. “..Whichever comes first.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Queen Twilight added, before she gasped and her face turned to a look of worry. “Am I a bad mother if I don’t know that my daughter is troubled? What if she doesn’t like the surprise either!? What if--”

“Relax, Twily. you’re a great mother to Dusk,” Shining Armor intervened, taking Dusk’s Crystal Armor from Flurry Heart as they quietly stepped down the staircase towards the main room. “I also know for a fact she’ll love your gift.”

Queen Twilight opened her mouth to reply something, but she sighed and smiled.

The next few minutes passed in silence as the four Royals - five, if you count the sleeping Dusk - made their way towards the youngest Alicorn’s living quarters.

Only when Queen Twilight tucked Dusk Vedette in her velvet bed did she finally speak up: “..I guess you’re right. After we tell her about Mission: Ponyville, I think I can also ask her about her experiences in the Dream Realm.”

Flurry Heart nodded subconsciously, watching over her sleeping cousin with a sense of sisterly love.

When Dusk’s father had died on a mission a few years back, the two young Alicorns had grown closer together, acting as if they were siblings. But when Dusk had aspired to go to the Equestrian Guard Academy to honor her father, the two once again were distant, despite Flurry trying to reconnect constantly with her “sister”.

And it was for those reasons why Flurry Heart had started a pseudo-legitimate mission with the help of Queen Twilight, Queen Cadance, and King Shining Armor - Mission: Ponyville - just for her and Dusk Vedette to bond as “siblings,” as cousins, and most importantly, friends.

Author's Notes:

And now we’re in on the surprise for Dusk.

Also, the song at the beginning of this is a pseudo-parody of the deleted duet-version of “What More Is Out There?” from Equestria Girls: Friendship Games.