//------------------------------// // A Grim Dream // Story: Shadow Through the Mirror // by King-Mac-13 //------------------------------// Sunset sat opposite of the couch where Grimoire lied. He had stopped writhing, at least, but now he was out cold. Sunset was worried, but she couldn’t let it get to her right now. She had to think of a way to deal with that monster. To do something like this to Grimoire… What would have happened if he hadn’t been there? There had to be a way to stop that thing. “Well, that’s a scary face.” Sunset looked up to see Flash standing in the doorway to the lounge. “What do you mean?” “Well, it’s clear that your worried about this guy. At the same time, you’re determined about something. It’s the look that says, ‘I won’t let this happen again.’” “I suppose that makes sense.” Flash leaned in the doorway. “So, let me ask, why are you here?” “We needed a place to rest. That’s all.” “I mean why in here right now. Everyone else is out back training their magic.” After a moment of silence, Flash continued, “You know him well?” “What?” Flash motioned toward Grimoire. “Oh… I guess. We used to go to the same academy in Equestria. But I got him expelled for using Dark Magic because I thought he would take my spot as Princess Celestia’s student. I don’t know that much, really. But I guess we get alone all right.” “Well, that’s a start at least. So, if you don’t my asking, what did happen anyway?” “More crazy stuff with magic. Until we actually know what it is, there’s not much else to say.” “Huh… Well, I’m sure you’ll figure it out in no time. Though, if you ever do need help, just give me a call and I’ll do what I can.” As he moved to leave, he stopped for a moment, “By the way, it’s clear your friend doesn’t have any physical injuries. It might be something you need to deal with at the source.” He tapped his index finger on his head and left. Sunset turned to Grimoire. He might be right. It’s worth a shot, at least. Sunset placed her hand on Grimoire’s forehead and activated her powers. \/ Sunset found herself walking in a corridor of stained glass. It was surreal, to say the least. Though, not what she was expecting for Grimoire’s mind. I expected a library or something… As she walked, she found herself looking around the hall. Wherever this was, it felt strange; like there was something she wasn’t seeing. Something in the back of her mind. Something at the end of the corridor caught her eye. She found herself making her way to the object. Waiting for her was a shadowy figure in a grey hoodie. A symbol emblazoned on the hoodie was an open book with a blue fireball over the pages. “I’ve been waiting for you, Sunset.” “Grimoire?” Said figure walked into the light, revealing Grimoire under the hood. “Hey.” “Thank goodness. I needed to talk to you. I think we might be able to work together to get rid of this spell on you.” “Oh yeah? A little late to try to help things, don’t you think?” “What do you mean?” “Denying it to help your mind… I guess I can understand that… After all, how could I stand being responsible for getting the others killed.” “What?!” “No, you’re right. That’s not what happened.” His normally royal purple eyes stared into her soul with an ice blue hue. “You murdered them all.” “No! I could never do that!” “Couldn’t you? That knife says otherwise.” Sunset looked to her hand and stared in horror. A bloodstained knife rested in her hand. “Wha… what’s going on?” “What’s going on, is your sins catching up to you, crawling up your back.” He took a deep breath and looked out one of the windows. “I guess now you’ve come to finish your work. Any particular reason you saved me for last?” “This isn’t real! This is the effect of that spell!” “Make your excuses…” He looked back to her, his piercing gaze seeming to glow in the light from the window. “I don’t care anymore.” “Grimoire, I’m serious!” “So am I. You know, it’s a beautiful day. The sun is shining. Flowers are blooming. Birds are singing. On days like this… people like you… should be burning in hell.” He reached out with his magic and pushed Sunset into a wall that seemed to materialize behind her. Sunset stood back up with what strength she could muster. There was likely a fractured rib in there thanks to that wall… “Grimoire, please. I don’t want to do this!” “Now you don’t want to do this?! What about Rainbow?! What about Pinkie?! Rarity?! Applejack?! Fluttershy?! Twilight?! What makes me special that you’d be willing to send them all to their graves but you stop at me?!” “No! I could never hurt them…” “Stop it!” Grimoire rushed forward and took a swing at Sunset. She dove to the side, only to get caught in another push from Grimoire’s magic. “Stop denying it!” He swung his arm and slammed her into the window (which did not break). “Stop denying what you did to them!” Another swing sent Sunset to the floor. He charged forward, his fist raised. Sunset managed to sit up as he approached. “Stop!” She closed her eyes and braced for a strike, hoping that he would listen. When no strike came, she sighed in relief. Maybe he’ll listen now. When she opened her eyes, she was horrified. Her arm was outstretched and the knife in her hand was buried into Grimoire’s chest. Grimoire’s eyes showed pain, shock, and a sense of personal failure. He staggered back and fell to the ground. “Damn it…” He started to laugh, blood running down from his mouth. “I guess I should have seen this coming… You took my dream. What’s my life on top of that… after what you’ve done?” He stood back up and moved passed her. “At least… I’ll get to see them all again…” Sunset remained still in shock. The sound of Grimoire falling to the ground didn’t help. Tears began to run down her face. This can’t be real… The image of Rainbow Dash propped up against a tree, clearly beaten and bruised, entered her mind. This isn’t real… Pinkie lying on the ground, a party cannon nearby with smoke emanating from the barrel. I couldn’t do that… Rarity slumped over a fancy couch, her white dress clearly stained. I would never do something like that… Applejack tied to a tree on her farm, blood flowing from her nose. I wouldn’t hurt them… Fluttershy lying in the forest, animals crowding around in mourning. I can’t hurt them… Twilight sitting up against a wall, her face hidden, and chemicals around her. This isn’t real! Grimoire, lying behind her, blood flowing onto the floor. So why do these feel so real? Sunset buried her face in her knees as the tears continued. Whatever was happening, it felt so real. Why? She knew she could never do something like that. So why was this happening? “You know…” This voice nearly gave her a heart attack. She turned to see Grimoire standing behind her, no worse for the wear His eyes their usual royal purple. “… your nightmares are seriously dark.” Sunset flew upward and wrapped her arms around him. “You’re okay!” She realized what he just said a moment later. She let go and took a step back. “What do you mean my nightmares?” “I protect my mind with a special spell that causes anyone trying to break into my mind, which you’re doing right now, to experience horrifying nightmares. It’s a defense mechanism.” He waved his hand and a doorway opened from nowhere. “Come on, we can talk in the mind, proper.” As Sunset walked through the door, the images disappeared. She felt at peace again. The visions and events in the nightmare were fading, details forgotten. It was comforting as the memories faded away. Sunset went to wipe the tears from her face, only to find two things: 1) The tears were gone, likely a result of leaving the nightmare, and 2) her hands were now hooves! As she found a mirror, she realized she was now back in her pony form. “What the…?” Grimoire tapped her shoulder, he was also back to being a unicorn. “Been in this world so long you forgot what you look like back home?” “No… I just… How?” “You’re in my mind right now. I might be human in form, but my mind is still Equestrian and I haven’t been here long enough to adjust. As a result, in here, I’m still a unicorn. So, care to fill me in about why you’re in mind?” “Well… you’ve been out for more than three hours. I thought I might be able to help you get rid of the spell somehow… I admit I didn’t really think this through as much as I should have.” “Hmm… Let’s talk in the central garden. It’s the best place to really discuss anything.” He began to walk toward the nearby shelf, which split apart allowing him to pass. “Stay close.” Sunset followed him as he passed through each of the shelves, each closing as they passed. They made their way to a central area. Unlike the rest of the mindscape, this looked like a scene from a beautiful painting. The floor gave way for a patch of grass. In the middle of the small field was a table and chairs built for ponies from polished marble. The walls, formed from the backs of the shelves surrounding them, were covered completely by vines. Grimoire took a seat at the table and waved for her to sit. “Would you like something to drink?” Sunset took the seat opposite him, “We’re in your mind. How would that work?” “Obviously, it wouldn’t actually sustain you, but I still remember my manners. Now, you wanted to talk about the Nightmare Requiem?” “Yes. I want to try to help rid of it.” “Truth be told, I’ve already isolated the magic. Now I’m just breaking it down to make sure there’s nothing of it left. This is a methodical process that will take time… Not really a team project… Sorry.” “Oh…” “If I may, a certain level of consciousness is available to me, and I can’t help but notice that the others aren’t here with us. Where are they?” “Training their magic. Whatever that thing that attacked us was, it’s clear we need to get better at using our magic.” “And… you’re here rather than training?” “I… don’t really have a skill I can train. I touch someone and I see into they’re mind. Not much more I can do with that.” “Isn’t there?” “What do you mean?” “Sunset, I designed that nightmare spell you experienced to fight back against the most experienced magic wielders from entering my mind. I only appeared because you aren’t experienced at the mindscape and the nightmare was starting to break your own mind. That’s usually the point where I arrive, wipe the memory of the event, and toss the consciousness from my mind.” “I’ve… been meaning to ask about that.” “Alright. Allow me to explain. I created the spell to keep my mind safe from any that would try to break in. It’s designed to place the intruder into a scenario they fear. Your fear is hurting your friends in some way. The spell put you into a worst case scenario to force you out, but your inexperience caused your mind to believe what it was seeing. It’s the feeling one feels in a dream that seems quote, so real, unquote. The same logic applies here, except you’re not sleeping. As a result, you don’t jolt awake to get away. You’re either forced out or your mind shatters from what you’ve seen. I try to avoid the second option at all costs. If you had trained your ability, you would have been tossed from my mind instead.” After a moment of silence, he continued, “So! If you’re willing, how about we train that skill.” “Wait… how?” “There’s repetition, but I don’t think you want to go through that again. So, mental training is the best option.” “You’re kidding…” “Before you say it, I know you’re intelligent. But that’s not enough for your skill. Right now, you can spit out facts about the ability. We need you to truly understand the skill on a deep level. The process of removing the Requiem will take another hour and a half. Until then, spend time with your friends. When I wake, your training is mandatory. Understood?” Sunset smiled. She couldn’t help but think back to his old goal. In the end, he was still able to teach others. “Got it!” \/ The creature looked out over the forest below him. In his hand was another relic necklace he had torn from the neck of the fool to stand in his way. As it absorbed into his body, he shrank two inches and the antlers on his mask continued to recede. His mind was clearing. He was becoming stronger. I will find them. It’s only a matter of time. For now, I must gather strength. I barely beat them before, and they will only be getting stronger. I must do the same. The thoughts stopped when he felt the antlers disappear entirely. What’s… His face began to burn. It was unbearable. He tried to claw at the issue, only to be stopped by the mask. After a minute of clawing, a piece broke away. He broke the mask away, his mouth revealed. “So this is the feeling of the air…” He began to laugh. “Soon… I can feel there’s something… Something I’m moving toward. Regardless…” Three spikes grew from his mask, on in the center and two flanking it. They almost seemed to form a crown. “… I know one thing. I will continue to become more powerful. When next we meet, I will be unstoppable.”