Take to the Skies

by DamnToasty

Chapter 11: Transparent Dreams

My vision now fully restored, I looked up to the source of the voice that addressed me only moments before. In the empty void stood a form that towered over me while I was in my prone position. Her blue coat was softly illuminated in the astral light that surrounded us. Her mane shone and glimmered with the beauty of the night, as it slowly billowed in a seemingly artificial gale. It was almost as if it were a window into the vast expanse of space. A long horn protruded from her head, while two wings also wrapped around her slender form, both matching the shade of her coat. I looked at her eyes, which were still showing a hint of worry, but that’s not all I picked up. Her face, her body, it all looked so young, but her eyes just gave off that sophisticated energy that she had seen much more than her appearance let on. I was able to pick this up because I had seen it many times before, during my tour.

So, this is Luna. The sister Celestia mentioned. Wow, she could almost pass for Celestia’s twin. They’re almost identical besides the color of their coats. Huh, I guess I was right in my assumption that she was ruler of the night, considering her mane resembles the night sky. After my brief examination of the Princess, the oddity of my situation caused questions to flood my mind.

“W-where…are we?” I asked while rotating my head around, gazing upon my empty surroundings.

Luna began to glance around as well, before she gave her reply. “There is no particular name for it, but I have come to call it, the Void.” This statement only stirred my mind further. Luna must have sensed my confusion, as she gave further explanation. “The Void is where all consciences in this domain travel when in need of rest.”

“So, this is where ponies’ minds go when they sleep?” I state, beginning to gain a better understanding.

“Well, not just ponies. All creatures of the world can appear here, even animals, and now, apparently humans as well.” The last statement was said with a smile. Hesitantly, I returned the expression as I continued to scrutinize the area.

“Wait, if this is where everyone’s mind goes to rest, then where are they?” As I completed my sentence a soft red glint in the corner of my vision caught my eye. Turning to face it, I was met with what seemed to be a hovering red orb. My eyes widened a bit at the appearance of this aberration. But what happened next truly left me in awe. All around me, hundreds upon thousands of orbs manifested within the Void, each of them gleaming with a unique hue. “W-what…” I was left stuttering due to my amazement with the spectacle unfolding before me. The once dark empty space was now bursting with color from the floating spheres.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” I only nodded my head. “Each and every one of these orbs represents a being’s subconscious mind, or more simply put their dreams.” This only increased my wonderment. That is, until I came to a revelation.

“Wait, so how am I here. Shouldn’t I be like…well, that?” I gesture to the orbs. Luna only smiled at my query.

“Just as I can enter the dreams of anypony, I can also pull their conscious into the Void. It is not an act I perform often, but it can prove useful, at times.” It seemed that every statement only heightened my fascination to a new peak. She can actually enter someone’s dreams? Oh man, all of this is just…beyond me. Along with most other things I’ve encountered while here. This world truly is…unique. “Well, I thank you for answering my questions, Luna. But I am also sure you have some of your own, no?” Luna shook her head, leaving me perturbed to the response.

“No, I actually don’t have any questions, well, for now at least.” I kept my befuddled look before I spoke once more.

“Wait, so what was all this about?”

“I simply wanted to meet you for myself. Be able to speak to you face to face, so to speak.”

She did all this, just so she could meet me? Was this like…a test or something? No, that makes no sense, what would she even be testing, my reaction to a bunch of floating colorful balls, not likely. Maybe I should just be happy that I don’t have to answer a ton of stupid questions over again. I’m trying to be helpful, but it does get annoying. I had been so used to going through a Q/A session whenever in this situation that this caught me by surprise. But thankfully, it was a pleasant one.

“Alright, I guess I can understand that, just caught me of guard, that’s all.” Luna nodded in understanding.

After a momentary silence, I finally noticed that I had been seated on the ground for the duration of the conversation. Huh, I guess that slipped my mind. I started to raise myself off from the translucent floor. The sound of bones popping back into their needed positions filled my ears, much to my satisfaction. Eventually, I managed to get myself into a standing position.

I looked down to Luna, only to see her slightly startled at my superior height. I found the look to be rather comical, seeing as it was similar to the expression that had been glued to my face almost the entire time during her lecture. I would have let loose a chuckle, if it weren’t for the unforeseen disturbance.

Out of nowhere, a pounding headache pulsed throughout my skull. It felt as if someone took a hammer to both my temples. I would have keeled over from the staggering amount of pain, if it weren’t for Luna being there to support me. I was left there, leaning on the Alicorn as burning agony continuously pummeled my cranium with a vengeance.

After several moments I started to feel the pain less…and less. Until it was eventually withered down to nothing more than light aches. I lifted myself off the Princess, who looked almost disturbed by the prior episode. I grasped my forehead, still feeling the aftershock of whatever just occurred.

“Ugh…thanks,” I thanked Luna for her assistance. “Jesus, what was that?” I asked out of reflex.

“I…don’t know. Oh dear, I have never seen a being react so violently to the Void before! Are you alright?!” Still grasping my forehead, I waved her off with my free hand.

“Yea, I…I think so. God, that just up and came out of nowhere!” I released my skull, but continued to try and steady my breathing. Luna still looked extremely bothered from the ordeal, but eventually she calmed as well.

“Well, I’m glad that you’re alright now. But whatever just happened could be a serious issue!” I understood her logic, but was still too disoriented to have any desire to pursue it.

“I understand, but, for now, how about we just agree to keep our visits in person, rather than pulling me into the mystical void of pain.” I say the last bit with a strained laugh. Luna’s worried emotions linger for a bit, before they promptly melted away from the humor, as she eventually joined in.

After the laughter died down, we were left much happier than before. “I guess that is all we can really do for now, but I will be reporting these disturbances to my sister, she may be able to help. And, I would be more than happy to pay a visit one night, when you are well.”

“Sounds like a deal to me.” We both shared the thoughtful moment, when suddenly, Luna’s eyes widened. This caused me to have some concern. “Luna, are you alright, is something wrong?”

“Yes, I’m fine. It’s just that it appears you will be waking up momentarily.” This surprised me.

“Wait, how do you know-” I cut myself off as I glanced down. There didn’t seem to be anything wrong other than the fact that my LEGS WERE MISSING! “What the hell!” The entire lower sector of my body had vanished into thin air, leaving me nothing more than a floating specter. Not only that, but it seemed to be spreading. The empty expanse was now eating away at my abdomen. My paranoia caused me to flail my remaining limbs in distress.

“Please, calm down! I promise you this is normal!” Luna tried to reason.

“Normal, since when is this normal!” It had already spread to my lower arms and chest.

“Your unconscious form is simply being transported back into the conscious world! There is nothing to be afraid off!” I had ceased my ramblings but continued to move about frantically, well, as much as I could. The emptiness had consumed both my arms. The only part of me remaining was my head, which was staring directly at the confident face of Luna. I realized the inevitable, as I clamped my eyes shut, and took one…last…breath. And then, I waited…and waited. When I finally realized that nothing was going to happen, I decided to investigate.

Hesitantly, I opened both my eyelids. When I cast my view around my new surroundings, I discovered that I was in fact back in my hospital bed. I looked to my left to see large amounts of light from the sun pouring in from the open windows, giving the room a warm and welcome feeling. I could faintly hear the sounds of birds chirping in the distance, truly signifying the world’s transition into day. I laid back and took several deep breaths, still slightly dazed from that…interesting development.

Once the adrenaline decided to take a break, I was finally calm enough to process my thoughts more clearly. That was one hell of a night.