Following the River of Dreams

Princess Twilight waked out onto her crystal balcony to look at the glorious sunrise and sighed softly as the warmth of a new day began. She had an awful time sleeping the previews night having night terrors. Terrors so bad she feared she never awaken again. What made the whole restless night even more troubling was she'd seen in her dreams a terrible vision. She saw Prince Fledge's kingdom being engulfed by the Plague of Disbelief, yet she had a nasty feeling that there was more to the story then she knew. But that was being silly. She knew the tale of The Golden Horned Alicorn by heart. There was no mention of any evil antagonist other then the Plague. Still she could clearly remember hearing a sinister coldhearted laugh in her dreams last night. And it made her feel very uneasy. Still as she stood in the bright light of day she hoped that things would be better for her friends and all of Equestria.

All that could be heard in the early morning light with the fresh dew sparkling on the climbing ivy of the balcony was the songs of nightingales. She listened to them sing a sweet little melody and sighed once more. She was sure something was very wrong and even the songs of birds wasn't cheering her up any.

"Is everything alright, Twilight?" inquired a gentle voice behind her. Startled she looked around and saw it was only Princess Celestia. She was even more beautiful in the morning sunlight then the first spring rose. The way her mane dramatically blew in the non-existent wind made her the most beautiful sight ever. Not that Princess Celestia was arrogant or egotistical she was as humble and kind as she was beautiful. It was one of many qualities that made her such a great princess.

"Hello, Princess Celestia, lovely morning, isn't it? It's so lovely, the way the golden rays of the sun cast such an invigorating life into all things. It's nice, is it not?"

"It is nice, Twilight, but I don't think it's the weather or morning dew that weighs heavy upon your mind. So tell me my favorite student? What is really bothering you right now?"

"You always did know me better then I knew myself," she replied with a big sigh. "I was thinking of a dream I had last night. It was about Prince Fledge's kingdom. I know I've never seen it with my own eyes, the only picture I've seen of his kingdom is a picture in a book. Yet I'm in no doubt it's even more gorgeous in person. I dreamed it was becoming extinct, which I know is happening, but this was different. I know the story, but I get the feeling there's more to it then just what written down in the "Ponytales" I mean I want to help out Prince Fledge, yet I don't know what good I can do. I mean we all do want to help him, someway, somehow, and yet I keep feeling I'm not the Maiden he's seeking. And if I can't help him find her, then what good am I?"

"Twilight?"

"Yes?"

"I realize you desire nothing short of helping out the Prince to save his world, like you've saved Equestria so many times. You've got a strong heart along with unshakeable faith. You understand the magic of friendship better then anyone I've ever known. So of course you want to help your new friend out. I however suspect while you may not be the "Maiden" he seeks to save his kingdom, you may be the Maiden his heart seeks out. And you must be hurting so much because you can't stand to see someone you love in heartache. It's only natural."

"I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean, Princess Celestia. What exactly are you talking about?"

"Listen to me, Twilight, for this is important. In life there are things people want but don't really need, and there are things people need, but may not really want. There is a difference. Just as its okay to be selfish from time to time, we also need to realize what we need is more important then what we want. What's more, while we may not understand at the time the difference, or may be confused on which is which, we need to realize it sooner rather then later. In life it's important we do remember the lessons that we learn as children. Which is why learning the life lessons from the "Ponytales" is so vitally important. One of the most important things that Prince's Fledge's story teaches us is how important it is to have faith, trust and belief in the impossible. The reason we must believe in those things is because if we don't believe in those things we'll never achieve them in real life. And we all need things in life. We all require faith, trust, hopes, dreams, fun, and most importantly, friendship in addition to love. Those are things we do need, it isn't a want, and it's a need. Now do you understand what I'm talking about?"

For a few moments it seemed that the newest princess was still in a perplexing puzzle of what her mentor was saying. She seemed to be stewing it over in head again and again. At last she spoke. "You're saying what I needed in life is friendship? That I understand. I've done too much research to not grasp the concept that friendship is one of the most powerful forces in the world. However, I still don't know what you mean about the other things. I feel affection for my family as well as friends. I love to assist my new friend out. Nevertheless, I still don't know if I'm gonna be able to help him out at all. After all he needs a female pony that's got dreams of gold and a heart just as pure, and I'm not that. I've got a good heart, however I don't think my dreams are made of gold, sadly."

The great princess just lowered her majestic head and sighed. Then she smiled. "Go to your friends for now, Twilight. I'll be in the throne room in an hour to help you help the Prince out, okay?"

"Thank you," and with that she flew off to join her friends. Celestia gazed at the raising golden sun and sighed for a second time. She seemed a bit disappointed and looked like she felt she'd failed. 'You alright, my sister?"

"Luna!"

"I'm here, my sister. I suppose the talk with Twilight didn't go as well as you'd like? I tried telling the Prince the same thing. We've got much in common being both of the night and I too can enter dreams. However, I still think my lesson fell on deaf ears such as yours did too, I take it?"

"Twilight Sparkle is an intelligent and astonishing young pony. She's everything a princess should be. She understands a great many things. Yet it seems however she didn't understand what she's really looking for isn't so much as helping Prince Fledge Dreamwings find his "Maiden". It's about what she's feeling in her own heart. She's afraid to admit that her feelings for him are more then mere friendship."

"As is his feelings for her, I don't know if he's really seeking one maiden out. Or he may be seeking many maidens out. I've got a feeling that he'll need more then just one maiden to save his world and ours as well. Whether that's true or not remains to be seen. However, my sister, I think we can both agree that what those two really need is each other."

"Only with each other will they be complete. Dig a bit deeper and see that they're meant to be. But whether they'll realize it remains as you said to be seen. Still we must do all we can to help out all of them. Still I think it will take more then the magic of friendship to save his kingdom from evil. So we must act now and do what we can to help both of them out."

"Well, I don't doubt her abilities. She did save me from myself, she also found the Elements of Harmony. She in addition survived the other world and saved Sunset Shimmer from herself as well. So there is no mistaking she's got the potential and power to do the impossible. You must agree with me in that respect."

"I do, I do. I watched her grow and I've helped her so far in her journey. Still we must do something to help her out. I have the same opinion as you, Luna. I don't know if Twilight is the "Maiden" he thinks he's looking for, but she may very well be the one his heart needs to be complete."

"For now all we can do is stand aside and just watch it unfold the way fate wants it to be. You can't always control destiny or fate. You do realize that free will and choice are just as important as determining one's path in life. So it's a bit of all four working together at once. Like a dream is a river its self, ever changing as its flows. We are only the vessels and must ride the river best we can and hope we don't get knocked out of the boat."

"You two are extraordinarily wise in addition to very right. Twilight and her friends may be the key to saving the Prince's kingdom, yet we won't know if we can't help a little. The others are waiting for you two. We must get going," spoke up the young sweet voice of Princess Cadence as she trotted on the balcony.

All three of them looked at the sun one more time before going back inside to help out the rest of the gang. The Mane Six had just finished breakfast and were all a bit fidgety. The banquet itself had been great and extremely delicious. Everypony was busy doing something now that the feast was over. The room was buzzing with a lot of activities, that much was obvious.

Applejack had asked Spike to put some more therapeutic ointment on her tender bottom. It was still red but to a lesser degree. She'd be back to normal in another week. Just as long as it didn't get infected, though the curative cream should make sure that didn't happen. Rarity was a fashion genius and her new line of beauty products were as top-of-the-line as any of her dresses. Right now she was busy flirting with an attractive sentinel, and telling him all about her new mane detangle, that would cure him of his split ends in no time. She tossed back her royal purple mane and lowered her brilliant blue eyelashes. This made Spike a bit jealous as he put more lotion but kept it to himself. Pinkie Pie on the other hoof was busy talking with a young gray servant colt, and telling him all the ideas she had for his birthday, which she knew somehow, was in two months, three weeks and four days. How she knew this no-one knew other then just accepting it as part of "Pinkie Pie Sense". Rainbow Dash was busy admiring a portrait of the original Wonderbolts and Fluttershy was trying to make sure she didn't fly off and do something crazy.

All this time Twilight was sitting at the table staring at her crystal goblet playing the glass harp in a bit of a depressing tone. Prince Fledge Dreamwings wasn't anywhere to be seen at first. Then they heard the door to the lavatory slam shut and found him coming out of it. He was still wearing the coat of many colors that Rarity had made for him. So he did still look stunning. He then went to nearest window and gazed at the sun which was now gaining some altitude and his wings flutter eagerly.

"Good morning to all of you my friends. How are you all doing today? Prince Fledge? Did you find the accommodations to your liking? Is everything alright, my Prince?" inquired Princess Celestia to the handsome young stallion.

"It was just fine, milady. All of you've been too good to me. I'm very appreciating of all your help. I mean everypony, you and the other princesses, and of course Twilight's friends. Not to mention all the ponies of Ponyville helped me enough, by remaining faithful to their dreams and remembering what my tale taught them. So yes I'm doing much better. So thank you. Thank you all very much!"

"We're so glad we could be of some help, my Prince. However, we've got more pressing matters to attend too. After all you felt the attack, as the Plague of Disbelief is spreading, and your Sovereignty is still under threat of extinction. We promise to help anyway we can, Prince Fledge, but please remember we're only pony. We do have the limits of what we can do and what we can't do." Princess Luna reminded him kindly.

"I know that. I know all of you are going to try and help. Your magical energy booster though has helped me greatly. I think I've got a plan. That I hope all of you can help me with."

"What is your plan exactly, Prince Fledge Dreamwings? We're all ears," Princess Cadence asked as she got the Mane Six attention. Everypony sat down at the table and listen to the Prince outline his plan. No one dared to even breathe and listen with baited breath as he told them exactly what he had in mind.

"I feel the best course of action is to do two things. One I'd like the Princesses of Equestria to help restore as much belief in dreams as possible. So do whatever you've got to get as many ponies as possible to believe in me and the lessons I've taught through my tale. I need you three here to be standing by in case things get ugly."

"What do you mean by that, Fledge? Get ugly? And why did you say the three of them? I'm a Princess too. Why don't you want me to help here?"

"I need you and all your friends, even Spike to come with me back to my kingdom. I can open a portal to back to my home. I'll need you all to assist me in my own world," he explained to which everypony gasped loudly.

"You mean to say you want US to go to YOUR KINGDOM?!" all of the Mane Six and Spike said at the same time in a bit of disbelief. This was totally unexpected and shocking.

'Yes, I may not have found the "Maiden" I'm seeking, at least not yet. Nevertheless I've got an instinct that telling me to bring all of you six and Spike with me back to my realm. I know with you all there to support me I can get some help at least at halting the Plague. Which is why I need all the remaining Princesses to stay behind, I need them to inspire as many dreamers as possible here in Equestria."

Everypony was stunned into silence and the only thing that could be heard was their rapid heartbeats. After about ten minutes though Twilight broke the silence. "We'll do it, Prince Fledge! We're all coming with you to stop the Plague! Are you with me guys?"

"Yeah, it's gonna be totally AWESOME! Why wouldn't we come along for the ride?" Rainbow Dash remarked sarcastically as she did a double backflip in the air. "We'd be nuts not to go to the most perfect pony paradise ever dreamed up!"

"It is gonna be a dream come true for all of us! I've dreamed of running with the glowing butterflies from the time when I was a filly. Hearing them make music under a rainbow sky! Oh I can't wait!" Fluttershy murmured happily.

"If that where we need to go to stop this here evil pestilence then that I reckon is where to go! Nothing gonna be stopping us!" Applejack said as she pumped her hoof in the air.

"Is there anything I need to pack for such a fabulous vacation destination?"

"Oh, Rarity! We not gonna be going for a vacation unless it is one. Is it a vacation Fledge?"

"It's a mission to save my world and yours, but if you want to think of it as a vacation, Pinkie Pie goes right ahead. We need some fun and laughs to get through this hardship. You've said it before that laughter is the best medicine and I'll need all the laughs I can get to help me back home."

"Then it's all decided. We agree this is the course of action. Princess Celestia? Is this alright with you?"

"I trust Prince Fledge's judgment. We shall do as he's commanded. Sister? Cadence? Shall we do our part to help the Prince out?"

"Deal!"

"Great! Thank you all for your help. I can open a portal at midnight. So for now let us go get prepared for this mission. Thank you all."

So with that course of action decided everypony began to prepare for the next few hours to stop a great evil and save two worlds.

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