That evening as Marble Vein’s train traveled to Trottingham, and Scratch made further plans for her and her crew in Ft. Trotterdale in my Equestria dreamscape. Back in Ponyville Applebloom was dropping into REM sleep and another lesson with Princess Luna. The filly opened her dream eyes and found herself standing on the front porch of Sweet Apple Acres. This was her default starting point for her lucid dream studies and travel. Another regular feature of this setting was the fact that it was nighttime. The time of the year was springtime when the nights were neither too hot or cold and the air was sweet with the scent of apple blossoms. Stepping off the porch Applebloom made for the CMC clubhouse. She could’ve flown there but she enjoyed the feeling of fresh grass under her hooves as she made her way through the orchard. In few minutes she’d reached the odd collection of cobbled together architectural elements that made the CMC tree/clubhouse. Upon reaching the balcony area she sat down closed her eyes and concentrated. Around her neck a pendant and cord appeared. Opening her eyes she lifted it with a front hoof and stared at it. The pendant had been one of the first sustainable iconic objects she’d created in her dream fabric. At a glance it appeared to be a small, flat tin can with the hand from an old clock tacked in the bottom with a nail. Painted on the bottom of the can in scraggly script were the words clubhouse, home, Ponyville, Luna, and a recently added destination, Stone Mane’s dream fabric. The filly thought about her teacher and hand in the pendant starting twitching back and forth. After a couple seconds it snapped around and pointed West. Applebloom smiled and then let the pendant fade out of existence; she then cast her gaze toward the Western sky. After minute or so she spotted the Co-Ruler of Equestria gliding over the tops of trees heading toward her. Rising to her hooves the buttercream filly watched as instructor cupped her wings and gracefully landed on the balcony with her. The filly having now practiced the etiquette dropped into the proper bow. “Good evening yer Highness.” Said the filly. “Thank ya once again fer taking the time fer my lessons.” “A good evening to you Applebloom. I hope you’ve had a pleasant day!” The filly grimaced. “I’ve had better. Spent the afternoon being measured, poked, and made ta play mannequin fer Rarity while she took measurements fer my dress. I still don’t know why I need a corset fer the thing. Ribs were still creaking when I went ta bed!” Luna giggled. “Oh and what is the fine occasion that requires my student to get a new dress?” Applebloom looked at the planking on treehouse floor and scuffed it with a front hoof. “Actually that’s what I wanted ta talked ta ya about. Ya see next week Stone Mane is traveling ta Hoofington by himself, but he has a lay over here in Ponyville before he catches his final train the next day. He says he wants ta meet me and thank me fer what I’ve a done, But I’m wondering if it’s a good idea?” The princess sat down and gestured for the filly to join her. Applebloom sat down to the right of her. The Defender of Dreams extended her wing and pulled to filly to her side. “And why do you consider meeting your friend a bad? He’s very happy for everything you’ve done for him. What concerns you?” Applebloom sighed. “The problem is that everything I’ve done fer him has been in the Dream Realm where I can do all kinds of amazing things.” The filly pushed a couple leaves off and watched them flutter to the ground. “But that’s all in the Dream Realm. In the Waking World I’m just an plain old earth pony filly with no cutie mark ta my name. My big sister an friends have told me not ta worry, but I can’t shake this feeling that if he meets me. No matter how fancy of a dress Rarity makes fer me; that Stone Mane will be disappointed in what I really am!” The Princess of the Moon raised an eyebrow at this declaration. “May I ask you a few questions my loyal student?” “Sure!” Said the filly. “Am I not speaking to Applebloom of the Apple family who lives at Sweet Apple Acres?” “Yes.” Said Applebloom. “Are you the same pony who attends Ponyville Elementary School, and the same filly I am personally teaching astronomy?” “Um, yeah?” The filly looked confused. “Are you not the filly who also helped Stone Mane in the dream realm when I was stymied? Did you not successfully come up with a strategy to help him overcome his fears and doubts, so he could start down the path of recovery? Answer me honestly Applebloom.” Luna’s presence seemed to grow and Applebloom could feel a great power emanating from the princess. Applebloom actually trembled a little. “Yes Princess did that which ya said. Why do ya ask? Did I do something wrong?” Luna smiled and the warm, caring princess Applebloom adored so much returned. The Defender of Dreams leaned over and nuzzled the buttercream filly gently. “No Little Bloom. You did nothing wrong. You did something amazing. But don’t you see how foolish it is to dismiss your achievements? Whether in the waking or dream world you are very special pony, and I think Stone Mane will recognize it as well.” Applebloom looked up timidly at her teacher. “Ya really think so? Even though I can’t fly or create stuff from thin air when I’m awake?” Luna giggled. “Oh Little Bloom! I think you will discover that Stone Mane likes you not just because you can fly and stuff like that. Trust me my little filly there is more to you than that!” Applebloom didn’t quite understand what Luna was getting at, but she was relieved by her words of encouragement. “So shall we begin your lesson? My loyal student?” Asked the princess. “Yes please!” Said the filly. To be continued.
 
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