Matthew and Fluttershy ran through the Everfree Forest. They ran as fast as they could. Matthew was still seriously injured, and couldn’t go that fast. Fluttershy remained at his side, helping him up whenever he fell over. He was gripping his chest in pain. He could actually feel his broken ribs, and he would occasionally cough up blood. Coming to a small clearing, he suddenly fell to his knees and started to throw up blood and other wastes. Fluttershy tried not to look, but she couldn’t look away from him. When he finished, she tried to help him up.

“I can’t, Fluttershy. I’m in too much pain,” he started, spitting out what remained in his mouth. “If I keep moving, I think I might die. We need to find a place to just stay for the night. Maybe a cave or something, I don’t know, but we can’t get back home.” Fluttershy looked at him with sad eyes. She nodded and helped him get up. They continued on, only walking now. Fluttershy didn’t leave his side for a moment as she helped him move forward.

“Do you think you’ll be alright?” she asked him. He sighed before answering.

“I think so. But, I’ve never broken ribs before, so I don’t know if this is gonna get any worse before it gets better. Let’s just focus on finding a place to camp, alright?” Fluttershy simply nodded, and they continued on.

Soon, they found a small cave that was probably about 30 minutes from their home. It would suffice for the night. Matthew checked to make sure no animals were living in there. No animals were present, as well as anything that could belong to one. Fluttershy led Matthew in and helped him rest up against the wall of the cave. Fluttershy started to examine Matthew’s chest. Fluttershy could feel Matthew’s broken ribs. He cringed in pain at even the slightest touch.

“I’m sorry, I just want to see how bad you are.”

“It’s fine, just be more careful. I don’t want it to get any worse than it already is.” Fluttershy nodded and continued to examine him. She noticed a large burn mark on Matthew’s stomach.

“Where did that come from?” she asked him, examining it.

“Probably from when Celestia blasted me as I tried to rush her. That wasn’t the smartest move I could have made, and I guess I have that to show for it.” Fluttershy couldn’t do much for Matthew. She wasn’t a doctor, and had little knowledge on how to help heal a human. Sure, she had helped nurture her animal friends, but she was home when she did that, where she could access herbs and soups and other medical supplies. Out here in the wilderness, she couldn’t do that for Matthew. Their best chance was to get home.

“Are you sure you’re alright Matthew? She hurt you so much, and… I’m afraid.” Matthew held her close as best he could without hurting himself.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. But, you’re right about one thing. She really did bang me up really good. I’m going to need a miracle if I want to even hope to defeat her. Wait… what am I saying? I don’t want to defeat her. Damn it, all I want is to be with you, but she is so… stuck up, that she can’t see that.” Matthew let out a sigh and rested his head against the wall. Fluttershy looked up to him and kissed his cheek. He looked to her and gave her a soft smile.

“It seems no matter how hard I try to make my life meaningful and worthwhile, something always comes along and ruins it.” Fluttershy rested next to Matthew and leaned her head on his shoulder.

“Matthew, what are we going to do?” For once, Matthew couldn’t think of anything inspiring to say.

“I don’t know, continue to live like we have been. She doesn’t know where we are, and that’s good enough for now. But, I guess we will have to start planning ahead. Damn it, had I not gotten the bright idea to try to talk to her in the first place, we wouldn’t be in this situation.”

“Had she not been so stuck up back on Earth then we really wouldn’t be in this situation,” Fluttershy added, which made Matthew laugh a bit. Fluttershy joined in, but Matthew started to violently cough. She turned to look at him. He started to breathe heavily. “I feel terrible. I can’t help you at all.”

“Being with me is all I need from you Fluttershy. I don’t need any medicines, potions, or whatever. All I need is you.” Fluttershy smiled and they kissed each other. Releasing the kiss, Matthew rested his head up against the wall. “Now, how about we get some sleep. Hopefully, come morning, I’ll be able to walk back to the house.”

“Alright, but, if you need anything, just tell me.” Matthew smiled at her. She curled up and rested her head under Matthew’s arm. He held her close, and the two fell asleep.

Matthew and Fluttershy dreamed together, once again of a better life. This time, they saw Sugarcube Corner. All of their friends were inside, waiting to give Fluttershy a big surprise. Matthew stepped out.

“Oh there you are Matthew. I was so worried. I have been out all day trying to find you. Where did you go? What do you want to show me?” Fluttershy asked. Matthew unfolded a pair of white feathered eagle wings. Fluttershy was in complete shock.

“Surprise,” he said, smiling the whole time. Fluttershy started to cry, and that just made Matthew cry.

“Oh Matthew, their beautiful,” Fluttershy said, walking over to Matthew. He knelt down and they held each other close. Releasing from the embrace, they looked into each other’s eyes.

“Thank you Matthew.”

“No Fluttershy, thank you.” And with that, the dream ended.

Matthew and Fluttershy both woke up with tears in their eyes. The morning had actually arrived, yet their dream was only a matter of minutes. They looked into each other’s eyes.

“They were really beautiful. Oh how I wish we could live that life together,” Fluttershy said, her voice cracking a bit from her crying. Matthew held her close, as much as it pained him to do so.

“It’s alright Fluttershy, it’s alright. We’re together, and that’s all that matters.” As much as he hated it, Matthew felt his words were false. It didn’t matter anymore. This wasn’t the life they wanted to live together. What their dreams were, that’s the life they wanted to live together. But, Celestia had made sure that it would never to come to pass.

A few moments passed, but Matthew and Fluttershy finally got up and started to walk home. Matthew wasn’t much better than the day before, but he could now walk after properly resting. The walk took them about 35 minutes, and in that time, Matthew was completely exhausted. They went inside their house, and Matthew literally collapsed onto his bed. Fluttershy helped him to undress, taking off his weapons, their holsters, his hood, bear pelt, and straps and belts. Matthew finally felt a little relaxed.

“Thanks Fluttershy, I really don’t know what I would do without you.”

“Of course Matthew. Whatever you need, I’m here for you. I’ll help you anyway I can to get you back to one hundred percent.” Matthew smiled and they shared a kiss. Fluttershy went to get Matthew some food, which he gladly appreciated. He just rested in bed for the rest of the day. Fluttershy started to try to help him heal. She applied healing gels to Matthew’s wounded areas, gave him the best soups she could make, and above all else, provided him with company. Finally, the two went to bed. They weren’t sure if they wanted to dream of that better life again. But, even if they did, it wouldn’t matter. For that night, Matthew was going to get a little visit.

Matthew found himself in a never-ending sky, but it was the nighttime sky. Matthew could see millions upon millions of stars. He had never realized how beautiful the night sky was. He looked to his feet to see that there was no floor, just nothing. There were even stars below him. Matthew was truly amazed. What surprised him even more was who appeared next.

In a few short moments, Princess Luna appeared in front of Matthew. He couldn’t believe his eyes.

“Hello human. Your name was, Matthew, correct?” He nodded in response. “Well then, Matthew, I have come to provide you with guidance.” Matthew was totally confused.

“Guidance? Princess, why, and really how, would you provide me anything. I killed you. Hell, how was that even possible? Luna, you are practically a goddess, how did I kill you?” Luna simply chuckled at his confusion.

“You may think me a goddess, but I am no truly no more mortal than any other pony. Your blade pierced my throat, and therefore, I passed. It is really that simple.”

“Well, ok then. But still, why would you want to provide me with guidance. Like I literally just said, I killed you. Why is it you aren’t holding a grudge against me for that and yet your sister wants to destroy me?”

“Because, Matthew, my sister no longer has me to live with. Truthfully, Celestia was lonely. I was the only pony she ever really had for company. Of course, she has Twilight and her friends, but they are not always with her. She is always on business, never able to truly be with the ponies she cares about. I was always with her, and now, I can no longer be with her.” Matthew felt his guilt start to build up. He hadn’t taken away Celestia’s sister, but also her only real friend. He sighed.

“Alright, I get that. But, seriously, why are you going to provide me with guidance?”

“Matthew, you must defeat my sister.” Now, Matthew was completely confused.

“What?” he said simply.

“Matthew, my sister lost her only loved one, me. Without me, her heart has lost all of its love. You must defeat her, and show her what love truly is.” Matthew took a moment to piece everything together. Her words were simple enough to understand. But, Matthew came up with a rather violent conclusion.

“Are you asking me to kill your sister?” To Matthew’s own surprise, Luna nodded.

“Matthew, I ask this of you only because I care for her. If you can defeat her, she will pass on, but she will be reborn with the light of love in her heart once again.”

“What about you?” Matthew quickly asked. Luna looked to the stars of the never-ending sky.

“Well, the same could be said for me, but my rebirth will take more time, about another one thousand years.” Now, Matthew was dumbfounded.

“Wait, so you two can never really die?”

“It is not that we cannot die. We cannot die until we have found a Princess to take our place. Until then, we will live.”

“But, how long will it take for Celestia to be reborn?”

“That will take a matter of only a few days, but like I told you, I will not be able to be reborn for another one thousand years, unless, of course, the love you prove to her is strong enough to bring me back.” Matthew took a moment to take in everything that was going on. He had just been told by Princess Luna to kill her own sister, in hopes that doing so would prove that his and Fluttershy’s love was strong enough to defeat anything, which would therefore revive Celestia and possibly even Luna. Yeah, that all made sense to Matthew. In the world of Equestria, anything having to do with magic made sense to him.

“Alright, well, I guess I have no choice but to accept this mission. So, how am I to begin?”

“By doing what you have been doing,” Luna replied. Matthew raised an eyebrow to Luna, even chuckling a bit.

“You’re joking right?”

“Most certainly not. Matthew, you cannot just simply kill my sister, it must take time. If she continues her efforts, you must do what you have to do to succeed. But, if you can avoid bloodshed until it is indeed necessary, than it will show her even more how strong your love is.” What Luna said actually made sense to Matthew. “But, you cannot defeat her without help. So, you are to seek the help of the zebra named Zecora. She will have something for you that can help you defend yourself against my sister. I wish you the best of luck in your quest Matthew. Farewell.” And with that, Luna disappeared.

“Wait. Wait! Luna!” But she was gone. Matthew knew well enough who Zecora was, but what could she possibly have for Matthew that could help him defeat Celestia. But, Matthew soon was blinded by the shining of a distant star, and Matthew exited his dream.

Matthew awoke with Fluttershy cuddling with him. He looked to her, finding that she was still asleep. He softly smiled and breathed. His breathing was enough to make Fluttershy wake up.

“Good morning Matthew. Sleep well?” Matthew just looked at her for a moment.

“Well, I got a little visit from Princess Luna, but aside from that, yeah.” Fluttershy’s eyes beamed open at the mention of that name.

“Luna? But, I thought she was dead. I know that she is the Princess of the Night, and that she can visit the dreams of others, but I didn’t know she could do that in death.”

“Well, apparently she can. She told me a lot.” Matthew continued on and explained everything Luna had told him in the dream. Fluttershy was truly shocked by what she heard.

“So, we are actually going to have to… k-kill Celestia?”

“Not until we need to. Zecora should apparently have something for me to help. But, Zecora doesn’t know me, so getting her to trust me may be a little tricky. But, she does know you. I guess we’ll just have to see.”

“When should we go?” Matthew thought for a moment.

“We’ll go later today. We can have breakfast, get ready, and go. If Zecora has something that can help me to heal and to help me fight Celestia, the way I see it, the sooner I get it, the better.” Fluttershy smiled and nodded. She got out of bed and went to make breakfast. She and Matthew ate breakfast in bed together. She helped Matthew gear up, and by the afternoon, they were off to find Zecora’s hut.

Author's Notes:

I knew that Luna would make an appearance, but I had planned it differently. But, in any case, this is the end result. Now, Matthew knows he has to go see Zecora to get awesomeness. Can you guess what's gonna happen?

Also, I understand it may be a little farfetched that Celestia and Luna "can't die" per say, but it was really all I could think of. Just work with it. Trust me, everything will be awesome in the end.