Sleep wasn't a part of her to-do-list, it seemed. Because no matter what she did, she just couldn't close her eyes. As if she waited for something. Something important – something she couldn't miss. Whenever the thought crossed her mind she felt more and more awake, until she finally stood up from bed and went down the stairs. She could hear Spike's snoring from the room beside her own, but he never heard her when he slept. He was too far-gone in the land of dreams.

Twilight Sparkle opened the door. She shivered a bit when the cold air met her skin, but that didn't stop her. Without shoes on her feet, she went out in the dark, looking up at the sky above her. There wasn't any sign of something out of ordinary, except the fact that there were no clouds, and that meant only one thing.

Stars.

She grinned happily, tripping to the other side of the house. Not the best idea she had owned, but at the moment it seemed like it. No wonder, all she had eyes for right now was the stars. Those lovely stars, twinkling so beautifully.

Twilight Sparkle waved gently with her wand, causing the lanterns around to slumber. It fell completely dark around her at this moment, making the sky above her head to seem even clearer. Her childish smile grew only wider, and she slowly sat down to take the sight to her heart.

She sighed dreamily. It truly was the most beautiful she had ever seen. It always was. Because no matter how many times she felt like it, that it couldn't turn more beautiful than this, she was wrong. It only grew more beautiful by the second. It was only harder for everypony else to see, because of all the lanterns. Lamps. City-lights.

Twilight turned her eyes to the little village. Everypony seemed to be asleep, only she was awake to be witness to the sight of stars.

"If I only could fly," she whispered to herself.

She could already imagine how it would be like. Flying around in the sky, with no worries at all. It would be simply amazing. Or awesome, if she should believe her good friend Rainbow Dash.

Twilight stood up. Took a deep breath. The air was so clean, so pure – she could stand like this in hours if she were allowed to. But if she did, she would turn out sick, and that would neither please herself or any of her friends.

With a heavy heart she turned around, ready to return indoors.

What she didn't expect was that man.

"Twilight, dear, have you missed me?"

She fell silent, looking at him with fury in her eyes. His own mismatched ones were just as chaotic as ever, and his goat-like beard tempted her to pull it off his face. His wings didn't match each other either, and his hands were hid under a pair of dark gloves. And his horns… She didn't have any words.

Discord was truly back.

"Now, is that the way to great an old friend, Element of Magic?"

"Friend?You're not my friend!" she hissed, walking in his direction. She realized what she was doing, though, and stopped in the middle of her action.

"Oh, my dear Twilight, I'm not here to cause trouble."

He chuckled.

"Only to deliver a message to you."

Suddenly he stood in front of her, and put his finger under her chin. She remembered the first time he did that. But she tried her best to cover her fear.

"Something… You will not be too happy about. Me neither, to be honest."

Twilight Sparkle stood perfectly still. She let her cold looks do the talking. For the time-being.

"Something you will soon realize, even without my help."

Twilight Sparkle almost snarled.

"Say something that makes sense, Discord!"

He chuckled again.

"Sense? You know that I don't like sense all that much," he replied, happy that he got her talking again. Twilight on the other hand…

"I do, but I expect you to not talk in riddles if you're only here to deliver a message."

She didn't bother to ask him how he got out of his stone-prison. For all she knew, this could be a nightmare. It most likely were.

"Oh, all right," he moaned after a while. "As you wish."

Twilight Sparkle began to cough when a pink-like fog surrounded them. Discord moved his hands in a pattern that kept repeating itself, while grinning like he usually did. Before he were locked up.

"And yes, Element of Magic, this is all in a dream. Took me quite some time to appear in the right one," he sighed. "Fluttershy's were all about butterflies and animals, Rarity's – well, fashion – Rainbow Dash the Wonderbolts, and you can guess the rest. But when I saw stars, oh my, I knew I had found the right dream at last!"

She froze when the fog formed drawings in front of them. Discord now held his arm around her, and pointed at the different drawings in the air. Dancing like they didn't know about the two enemies whereabouts.

"Now, hear me, dearest Twilight," he began. "And please, do not look for fight."

She gasped when the figures in the fog formed herself – making her wand stand a little out by turning it white.

"This is message for you, meant only for your eyes."

The figure of herself began waving with the wand, almost like it was dancing.

"Our beloved Princess Celestia, she does now have a plan. One you will not like, although you are her biggest fan. Because you will lose your title, as the time will pass. But older you will not get, though your friends will not last."

Twilight Sparkle narrowed her eyes at the figure when it began changing.

"For thousand of years she has ruled, both over day and night. Even with her sister for help, she begins to get tired of too much light. The stars do take their strength, and they're not as beautiful as they were. But she knows somepony who would make them shine, but then she also needs a crown."

She began walking backwards when something grew out of the figures back.

"Another era is about to begin, and dear – you are a part. At the galla you will get the truth, but it will hurt your little heart. Because one day you must say good-bye, to your friends you hold so dear. They will grow old and tired, and you will stay forever young. Love will never come your way – it's best you run before it's too late."

Wings. The figure now got wings.

"Soon you'll see changes, and my, it will seem pretty. But once you get to know the burden, it will be nothing but petty. So good luck, Element of Magic, you will forever live. And maybe I'll see you again, when my chaos once again will begin."

Discord laughed, stroke her chin again, before he and his fog disappeared from the scene. Twilight Sparkle didn't know what to say, what to do…

"My message is now delivered, I hope you received it well. Though, I now know for sure, you will soon see me again!"

She cried when she understood his riddle of words and rhythm. She cried so loud she felt an aching pain in her chest. It hurt so much. Twilight hoped this was nothing but a nightmare, nothing but a big lie from the chaotic man.

It had to be.

"I can't be a princess."
~~

Twilight Sparkle gasped when she opened her eyes, finding herself grabbing onto something. Or someone. She wasn't sure, not until she could see two arms holding around her, carrying her towards the house.

"Hello, Sleeping Beauty."

Spike smiled at her, his grin slightly crooked. His emerald-green eyes beamed down at her, and when she realized he was the one carrying her, her cheeks flushed automatically.

"Did I fall asleep outside?" she mumbled bashfully.

"Yes, good I found you out here before you… You know what I mean," he said, facing the door with a slightly tired look.

"Thank you," she whispered, before coughing. "But I can walk myself. You don't have to carry me."

Spike laughed.

"You've been outside for hours. Of course I have to carry you. Your feet must be either asleep or completely frozen."

Twilight Sparkle rolled her eyes, but inside she was glad the dragonboy was so stubborn. Something they both were by nature.

"But why did you go out?" he asked, seeming curious – and probably irritated that she could do something that stupid. But if he were, he didn't tell her.

"The stars," she sighed with a smile. It soon faded when she thought of her nightmare. "But it's not that beautiful when you're all by yourself."

Then something unexpected happened.

"Whatever happened, it's going to turn out fine."

He stroked her hair.

"That's a promise."

He stroked her hair.

Blushing like a little filly – if she should talk like her dear, old mother – she couldn't wait to get inside. Knowing he could probably see the red colouring in her face made her even more embarrassed.

"There's nothing special happening tomorrow, so you can sleep a while longer," Spike informed, only to break the silence. "I think you'll need it."

Twilight did not respond to this.

"Twi? Something the matter?"

"Just tired, that's all!" she lied, pretending to yawn afterwards. When Spike raised an eyebrow at her, though, she couldn't help herself from giggling nervously. "Really."

"Well, better fall asleep fast, then!" he exclaimed. She hadn't even realized they were inside the house yet, not even the stairs had she sensed. She had probably looked at him all the way up there.

Another reason for her cheeks to flush.

"Careful," he warned her when he gently put her down on the bed. She was unable to say anything to him before she was finally hiding under the blanket once more.

"Thanks, Spike," Twilight smiled. "I don't know what I would do without you."

Her assistant seemed touched by her words, responding by laughing slightly at her kind remark.

"Don't mention it!" He chuckled. "As long as you're alright."

Twilight Sparkle nodded.

"Of course."

They didn't share a single word after this, only gazing at each other as if they waited for some kind of confession from the other. But none came into the light at the moment.

"Good night, Twi," Spike whispered gently. He seemed to have been in his own thoughts for a moment, but she didn't mention it for him.

"Good night," she replied softly, before closing her eyes. It didn't take long before she drifted off to a more pleasant dream than the one earlier.
~~

"What do you think of him?"

Twilight Sparkle tried to ignore her friend as best as she could, keeping her eyes at the words in front of her.

"EGGHEAD."

She sighed when the racer covered the words with one of her hands, grinning in her direction like it wasn't even hers. Her own book was safely put in place in the new bookcase Twi had made for her. She was her more often now, and she actually bought books.

"Yes, Rainbow Dash?"

Dash shook her head so her multi-coloured hair danced in all kind of directions.

"Braeburn. I asked you about Braeburn."

"Oh," she replied. She blushed a bit, but tried to not look Dash in the eye.

"So," Rainbow Dash continued impatient. "What to do you think?"

Twilight sighed.

"He's very sweet," she began gently. Her voice turned more nervous when she continued. "He's giving me compliments all the time, and he has this great personality… But I…"

Rainbow Dash was about to interrupt, but she quickly continued.

"I don't think he's my type. I think someone else deserves him."

She smiled nervously at her friend who narrowed her eyes a bit in pure irritation.

"Twilight. That's like the worst excuse ever.What is it that you don't like about him?" Rainbow stood right in front of her now, demanding an explanation. But what if she didn't have any?

"Dash!" she sighed. "I'm… I'm not interested in him. Not like that."

She almost felt guilty for saying this out loud. The poor boy obviously enjoyed her company, and she enjoyed his of course, but maybe not in the same manner.

"You got to find yourself a man, Egghead!" her friend almost cried out, knocking her head. "Hard to believe you're actually smart!"

Twilight Sparkle glanced at the athlete, not amused by her choice of words.

"I mean, he's so cool.And he really likes you, Twi! Why not try?"

Twilight looked down at the book on the table, wanting to run between the lines just to escape from her friend's speech.

"It's like…"

She shook her head.

"You know what, forget it. It's nothing."

Not the smartest thing she could've told Dash.

"Come on, Twilight. What are you hiding?" she grinned. Her whole face brightened up, and she raised an eyebrow only to make her uncomfortable.

"Nothing!" Twilight mumbled, blushing slightly. "Nothing at all!"

"I don't believe you," Rainbow sang, and followed after the student when she stood up to walk the stairs. "Is there somepony else?"

"No," Twilight Sparkle mumbled.

"Is he tall? Super-cool? Maybe awesome? Tell me something!"

The student stopped in the middle of the stairs. She tried to fish something up, something that didn't have to do with boys.

She froze when she found her answer. Because if not a boy were the problem – what if a man were?

"I had a nightmare," she whispered, slowly recovering the memories from the freezing night before.

Rainbow Dash fell silent. Her eyes grew more worried than impatient.

"I dreamt about Discord."

Rainbow wasn't the best to comfort the other girls, but when she saw Twilight burst into tears she automatically put her arms around her. She hugged her while asking quietly what happened in the dream, but Twilight didn't know what to tell her without her getting worried. She told her that he had given her a riddle, blinded her with fear, and in the end she ended up crying. Much like now.

"That's why I can't think much about boys at the moment," Twilight explained. She still had tears in her eyes. Now that she remembered, she was more scared than before. She actually took it seriously. A usual dream wouldn't be so clear, and she wouldn't have felt his hand.

"I see," Rainbow said quietly. "I'm sorry. I just was so eager to hear about you two. I should've been…"

"Dash, you couldn't know. And I still don't like talking about such, so maybe that's a part of the blame?" Twilight joked half-heartedly. Dash laughed of her attempt to brighten up the whole mood, and she somewhat managed it.

"Then let's talk about something else," she suggested. She grinned when she came up with the perfect solution. "Daring Do!"

Twilight Sparkle burst into laughter instead of tears at that comment.

"Sounds like the best choice, Dash!"
~~

"You look troubled, my dear."

Spike blushed when the fashionista commented his state. He quickly turned around to meet her eyes, which usually made him smile like a fool. This time he imagined someone else's eyes. And they were purple.

"Nothing's wrong, Rarity! No worries!" he laughed nervously. Rarity didn't fall for it, though. She only grew more worried, and ended up holding his hand.

"You know you can talk to me, dear. You are my friend."

Before he would feel like the heaven opened up whenever she touched him, or told him something like that – but he only felt grateful. So he smiled softly.

"Thanks," he quietly told her, sighing.

Rarity gave him a warm smile, before letting go of his hand. She put on her jacket, and made sure to find a hat that matched it.

"I need to do some shopping. Do you want to join me? Maybe we can take a little chat at Sugarcube Corner later, as well."

Spike liked the thought. So he responded with a bright smile and an approving nod. Rarity shared an elegant laugh, before opening the door. Then they both left the house and an irritated cat that longed for more food.
~~

"Now, tell me how you feel."

They had been in town for hours, and Rarity had ended up with twenty bags of all kinds of stuff. Fabrics, needles, the newest fashion, groceries, books – everything that was possible to get in a little village. But everything came to an end sometime, and when her shopping came to that point she had exclaimed that they were going to grab a snack. And some tea.

"How I feel?" Spike replied as if he was her personal echo.

"Yes, how you feel right now," she spoke softly, but once again worried.

"Fine, I guess," he said without thinking much about it. He was fine now.

"And earlier today? How did you feel?" she continued. This hit him spot on.

"Earlier," he replied her like earlier. He didn't have the best answer to this.

"Were you thinking about something specific, dear?"

Spike held his breath in a couple of seconds. Then he let it go.

"Yes," he admitted, unable to fight the blush that returned.

"What were you thinking about?" she continued to ask, blinking with her eyes. The long eyelashes framed them perfectly in, and making it harder for him to make up some dumb excuse.

"Twilight," he said without thinking, turning completely red in his face. "And Braeburn," he added quickly to save himself.

Rarity seemed almost relieved.

"Oh dear! Are you afraid he's going to take her away?" she softly spoke, smiling comfortingly. "You are, aren't you, dear Spike?"

He had his mouth a bit open, in pure shock, but ended up nodding slightly.

"Yes, it's a scary though," he acted, playing along. He made sure his face did the same; he even forced a tear to appear.

"Oh, dear," Rarity whispered. "You don't have to fear that. Braeburn is only visiting, and it's good for Twilight Sparkle to have a date for once."

She sat closer to him, and gave him her own cupcake that she had ordered.

"She is not going anywhere, believe me."

Spike bit his lip, but soon after he forced a smile to glue itself onto his face.

"You're right. Thank you, Rarity."

He blushed when Rarity gave him a teasing look.

"But I know it's not the whole story, am I right?"

He almost got the piece of muffin in his throat. Rarity laughed gently when he grinned innocently, pretending he didn't hear her last comment.

"Spike. Dear," she repeated. "I know something else is going on."

He found it hard to lie to her. So did his heart. Therefore the truth came forward a little unexpected.

"I think I am falling for somepony."

Rarity widened her eyes a bit, but her first suspicion quickly faded. She looked him in the eyes, looking for an answer she could not find through words.

"Does she live here?" she asked.

"Yes, she does," he confirmed. He looked down. "And you know her. Really well, too."

Rarity couldn't help herself from smiling. And she knew how she would get her answer – and he would give it to her.

"Does she have beautiful eyes?"

Spike sighed.

"The most beautiful eyes I've ever seen. It's like in the books she's been reading to me all these years, when the boy finally sees the princess. Except that I won't ever get the princess in the end."

He had given himself away without even blinking. The thought made his face red, and his eyes searched after something to rest on.

"This is just too wonderful, Spike!"

He gasped when Rarity hugged him from behind, and she cheered with enthusiasm. She kissed him on the cheek, and the poor boy didn't know how to respond on her silly behaviour. He hadn't seen her like this since… Well, never.

"It's perfect! And I can assure you that the secret is safe with me, dear!"

Spike felt his cheeks gaining even more colour, and he bit his lips when he realized that there was no guarantee.

"You promise, Rarity?" he whispered helplessly. Rarity giggled.

"That's a promise, Spikey-Wikey!"
~~

Twilight was on her way to Sugarcube Corner. She wanted to talk to her party-loving friend, but she didn't have to go that far. She met her on the way.

"Hi, Pinkie –"

"HI, TWILIGHT! Guess what, I KNOW what we're going to do at the gala. It's going to be SO much fun. And I'm going to ask Rarity for a new dress! And it will need a lot of colours. And candies, of course! No one can go to a gala without some kind of candy with them!"

Twilight Sparkle laughed gently at her friend, and shock her head lightly.

"That sounds wonderful, Pinkie Pie. I can't wait to spend the day with you at the galla," she assured the pink-haired girl. "But could I ask you something before you return to your routines?"

Pinkie grinned like she usually did.

"Of course, silly! Ask away!" she sang, dancing around on the spot.

"I just wondered… If you've been having strange dreams lately."

Twi wanted to find out if she was the only one or not. She just had to. And if she was to judge Pinkie's expression, she was.

"Yeah, I mean, I always have, but none that is out of the extra, extra, extraordinary!"

Twilight sighed.

"Sounds great," she replied with a faint smile. "Just… Great."

The pink-haired girl kept quiet for once, and gave her friend a cheerful smile when she lowered her head.

"Something bothering you, Twi?" she asked, standing beside her. She could see that her friend was thinking of something, and as the good friend she was, she wanted her to feel better. Before she left Twi alone, she was going to make her laugh and smile like never before!

"You can talk to me, you know!" she tried to tell her friend with a bright smile, but the student only replied by giving her a sad one.

"I know. I do, Pinkie," she assured her.

"Then, what's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?" she gasped, looking horrified by the thought alone. Twilight had to laugh of her, but the laughter didn't last for long.

"Yes. Yes, I did," she confirmed with her eyes on her shoes. "I had a nightmare about Discord. And he told me he had visited your dreams as well."

Pinkie Pie was about to say something, but Twilight continued just in time.

"Not only yours. Applejack's, Rarity's, Rainbow Dash'… You get the picture."

It seemed to be too much information for her good friend, or so she thought. In reality she just couldn't stand still for long. But now, surprisingly enough, she was still there. And she was quiet.

"Now that you mention it," Pinkie Pie spoke. "I actually dreamt about old, meanie Discord! I was minding my own business, dancing on candy and cakes and having a great time, before he came in and gave me chocolate milk. CHOCOLATE MILK. Do you have any idea how much I miss that stuff? That's the only reason I wished he didn't turn into stone, so he could give everypony free chocolate milk every. single. day."

Twilight Sparkle blinked several times. Pinkie Pie always knew how to make one speechless, that was for sure.

"Are you OK, Twilight?"

The young magician shook her head, and when she realized her good friend actually had a strange dream, like herself, she smiled a little more hopeful.

"I am!" she almost hummed. "Thank you, Pinkie. And I'll see you tomorrow!"

The student ran down the streets of Ponyville, seeming confident, and she had actually left Pinkie Pie quite confused. Though, she soon ended up giggling.

"Silly Twilight!"
~~

It had been a long day. She had visited each and everyone of the gang, and they had all confirmed her suspicions. That Discord had given them a visit.But why? If it only was to deliver a message, why go through all that trouble?

"I'm home."

She yawned when she turned on the lights, not pleased with the decision. She wanted it to be dark, so she could sleep in peace. But she couldn't sleep just yet.

"Spike?" she mumbled. She was about to repeat her call, but decided not to when she stepped on something. She looked down at her feet, only to find a peace of paper.

"Care to join me next week at Pinkie's party? She's going to hold one for Macintosh, it's his birthday. Would love to see you there. Love Braeburn."

Twilight blushed fiercely, and even more when a voice interrupted her embarrassment.

"I'm up here, Twilight!"

His voice cracked a bit at the end. It sounded almost like he was filled to the brim with some kind of emotion, but which of them she wasn't sure. It could only be in her imagination, of course.

"I'm coming," she echoed back, and ran up the stairs where he probably was.

She gasped at the sight of him. He was sitting on the floor with all kinds of books around him, and he had some drawings floating here and there. Even notes. He sat in the middle of it all and was reading a book about astronomy. Beside him was a book about music and stars – their connection to one another.

"Why in Equestria are you up this late? And with all these books?"

Spike yelped, and dropped the book he was holding on the floor. The sound echoed in her ears, but she kept her focus on him.

"Have something happened?" she asked, still standing on the same spot.

"No," he quickly answered, trying to stand up. Probably he had been sitting there for quite some time, because his feet didn't cooperate at first. "I'm just reading. And I've been doing some singing, as well."

Twilight Sparkle tilted her head slightly.

"Did you know that there will be quite the show on the sky when the gala is? It's not that long until it is, either. I'm sure it will be amazing!"

She sighed happily as a bright smile placed itself on his face. He seemed honestly happy about the thought of stargazing. And at the gala! She wouldn't mind looking at the stars at the night of Luna's celebration, but then again, she always enjoyed the sight. But this time, the thought of seeing it with Spike – it gave her cheeks colour, and she had to cough to be able to speak.

"That sounds wonderful, Spike," she spoke softly.

Spike felt like he melted. He knew he probably look like a mindless dragon right now, but now he at least had a reason for his silly behaviour. This thought made him blush slightly, but after a talk with Rarity – and Applejack who stumbled into him on his way home – he managed to control himself in a better manner.

"Yes, you do," he sighed. Twilight raised an eyebrow at this, and he soon understood he had said something stupid. "Yes, it does! That's what I meant."

He bit his lip while looking away and blushing fiercely. Great. Absolutely great.

"It's best if we both get some rest, don't you think?" Twilight mumbled. Spike had to agree, so he nodded. He quickly began to gather all the books and notes, before finding their rightful places in the many shelves around in the house.

Twilight tried to help him, but Spike insisted to do it on his own. This was because of two reasons. First, he didn't want her to be even more exhausted. She needed to rest. And the second one – he always relaxed when doing these chores. And he needed it desperately.

It didn't take too long before both of them were lying in their beds, and Twilight could sense that something bothered the young dragonboy still. But she did not ask him what.

"Good night, Spike," she whispered. She felt this odd atmosphere between them, so she didn't dare to say more. She was relieved when he answered her, though.

"Good night, Twi. Sweet dreams."

Yes, if only Discord let her be this time.