Typically speaking I don’t dream much, and whenever I do they’re usually nightmares. Tonight however, was one of those precious exceptions.
I was back in my crummy one bedroom Chicago apartment, and back in my old body. The apartment was a simple living room with an attached kitchenette. My bedroom and small bathroom where separated from the main room by the only actual door within the apartment. My living room was made up of a bunch of secondhand furniture and area rugs I’d bought at random garage sales. I was sitting on my creaky, but plush couch, watching my fireplace flicker with dancing flames, while my father sat next to me.
Both of my parents are dead. My mother, Margaret Dresden, died giving birth to me. I know very little about her, only that she was a very powerful sorceress and loved to traverse the Nevernever. She evidently became so accomplished at moving around in the Nevernever that she earned the nickname ‘le Fay’ or ‘the faerie’.
My dad on the other hand was a stage magician. Malcolm Dresden didn’t have a magical bone in his body, but was very good at sleight of hand. He would always go the extra mile to make me happy, no matter the cost to himself. He was a loving and caring man, or at least that’s how I remember him. But that was so long ago, and what precious few memories I had left of him were fading into obscurity, no matter how desperately I clung to them. He had an aneurysm when I was six and I got dropped into an orphanage immediately after.
I was adopted by a Justin DuMorne, a man I thought was a godsend, giving me a chance at a normal life. But in reality he was a monster that had wanted to break me, to bend my mind and make me into his little soldier. I had suspicions that my former adoptive parent had somehow facilitated my father’s death in order to adopt me, but I never really got any hard evidence to support it. Although I suppose it doesn’t really matter anymore, as DuMorne wound up six feet under anyway. Being trapped in a house that mysteriously burst into flames will do that.
I just sat next to my dad and savored the simple companionship. He asked me about my life, about how I was and how I felt. He’d offer congratulations at my accomplishments, and condolences at my failures. He made me remember what it was like to have someone I could go to with anything, what it was like to have someone that would always love me, no matter what happened. But above all else, he made me feel safe. For the first time in a long time, I felt safe and completely confident in the strength of my father.
When I heard him say the words I had secretly wanted to hear so much, I felt a couple tears slide down my face, “Son, you know I love you and that I’m so very proud of you. Don’t ever stop protecting those you care about.”
I knew it wasn’t real, I knew that it was just my vivid imagination, but I didn’t care. To see him again, to hear his voice again, it meant the world to me. I didn’t ever want to leave, because if I left then I’d be alone again, he wouldn’t be there to help me, to comfort me. I didn’t ever want to wake up.
“Harry, Harrrrrryyyyy, it’s time to get up,” a feminine sing-song voice rang in my ear.
“Mrrrmnglr,” I grumbled in response and shifted, turning my back on the source of the noise.
I felt something push at my shoulder. “Oh come on, get up,” the voice repeated, no longer in a sing-song tone.
I didn’t budge.
“Ughh, you’re worse than Spike. Hmmm, I think I know what to do.” The voice faded with the last couple of words as it moved away.
Heh, teach her to try to wake me up. Wait… what’d she just say?
SMACK!
“Acckkk!” I screamed, sitting up from my slumber and clutching at my now throbbing skull.
It took several seconds of bleary eyed confusion before my addled brain pieced together the events of the previous day. I remembered where I was, who I was talking to, and more importantly what I was.
“Oh good, you’re awake. Come on, I made breakfast.” Twilight smiled at me, the book A History of Dragons levitating in the air next to her.
Note to self: Burn that freaking book.
I scowled at the purple unicorn before responding in a gravelly voice. “Why do you keep hitting me with that pony feathered book?”
What the… pony feathered? Where’d that come from?
Twilight, who didn’t seem to notice the strange language I was using, just kept smiling at me. “Because you’re stubborn and breakfast is ready.” She turned and left the room.
I took a moment to recompose myself, and then followed her to the main area to get ready for the day. When I entered the main room I found three plates, two were laden with some kind of wheat while the third had already been picked clean. Spike’s doing I presumed. I noticed that the baby dragon was in a corner of the room picking at his teeth.
“What is this?” I asked as I sat down to my plate.
“That is roasted and seasoned hay. I made it myself. I figured since all you had yesterday where apples and Pinkie Pie’s party treats, that you should get some fiber,” Twilight answered back with a smile.
I just stared at the plate, unsure what to do. All the food I had yesterday, while not what’d I usually eat, was still identifiable as food to me. This was something only a pony would consider eating. Still I didn’t want to offend Twilight, so I started munching on the hay. May God strike me down if it wasn’t the most delicious thing I’d ever eaten.
Hells bells, this is delicious! It’s like really long and thin seasoned french-fries. I bet this would go great with some apples, celery, or maybe a veggie burger. I wonder if they have those he-, wait a minute. This place is screwing with my head!
Changing dietary habits is one thing, but actually changing my thinking patterns is something completely different. Given that I now had a completely different digestive system, it would be expected to have cravings for different kinds of food, but I shouldn’t have changed as fast as I was. After only a day I was already thinking like an herbivore, any thoughts of my usual diet of copious amounts of meat made me physically sick to my stomach. That and the slip of the odd pony swear earlier that I had never heard before, meant that something was messing with my head. Whether it was the spell that transformed me, or maybe the intense latent magic of this place, I didn’t know.
Twilight ate her own breakfast while I sat there and tried to figure out how much of my thought process has changed since coming to Equestria. “Is something wrong with your hay?” Twilight asked, noticing that I’d stopped eating.
I snapped out of my introspective moment and faced her, “Wha- oh no, nothing’s wrong with it. It’s great actually, but that’s kind of the problem.”
She tilted her head quizzically, “How do you mean?”
“I think this place is starting to screw with my head. I mean just earlier without even thinking about it, I said-“
I got cut off by Spike letting out another one of his almighty belches, and a little scroll of parchment materialized in front of us. Twilight caught it with her magic and read it aloud.
My most faithful student Twilight Sparkle and Mr. Harry Dresden
I have returned to Canterlot Castle and will be sending a chariot to pick you up within a few hours. First I must secure something that Dresden needs to see. Bring whoever wishes to come with you to your library and wait there.
Princess Celestia
Twilight looked up from the letter confusion all over her face, she'd completely forgotten about what I was just to saying. “Secure something, what do you think she’s found?”
I shrugged at her, choosing to leave the matter of my thoughts for another time. “Well if I need to see it, then it’s probably something to do with the Red Court. Michael was staying at Rarity’s right?”
Twilight nodded at me, “Yes, just let me finish my breakfast and then we’ll leave.”
Our breakfast lasted several minutes longer than it probably should have, owning to the fact that Twilight was determined to get my input on some of her magical theories. For whatever reason, during the entire discussion Spike didn’t take his narrowed eyes from me.
Does he think I’m going to randomly attack Twilight or something?
I pushed the paranoid dragon to the back of my mind as we finished up our breakfast and set out for Rarity’s. Upon arrival at the boutique Twilight stopped me outside, “Now Harry, I want you behave while you’re here. Rarity can be a bit touchy about her appearance, so no snarky comments.”
“Me, snarky? Perish the thought,” I replied, a devilish grin spreading across my face.
She just sighed as I held the door open for her to go in. The scene we walked in on will be forever etched in my brain. Michael Carpenter, the Fist of God and slayer of many horrible creatures and demons, was standing on a raised platform and wearing a suit similar to a posh Victorian gentleman’s outfit. Rarity was darting around Michael, putting pins in various places and making alterations to the suit as she saw fit.
Upon seeing us Michael gave me a pleading look as the fashion mare stuck a few more needles into a rather plush shirt on his chest.
“Uhm, Rarity can I talk to you for a second?” Twilight asked.
“But of course dear,” answered Rarity. She set down the leftover needles and fabric onto a nearby table and trotted over to talk with Twilight.
Michael and I made our way over to the opposite side of the room. Michael winced a few times as the needles bit into him.
“O-ok, I’ve got to ask. What the hell?” I stifled a laugh and gestured at Michael’s new outfit.
“When Rarity told me that she’s a clothing maker, I asked if she could make me a scabbard for Amoracchius. I gave her the description and she made the scabbard, but didn’t stop making things for me to try on. First a shirt, then a coat, then another shirt, she just didn’t stop!” Michael answered, shuffling uncomfortably in his clothing.
I honestly tried not to laugh in his face, but I couldn’t help it, it was just too freaking funny. I collapsed on the ground and started laughing uncontrollably. It took a few seconds, but I calmed down enough to look up and get a look at Michael’s posh new boots, which set me off again.
Michael face-hoofed, “Honestly Harry, why do I go to you for support?”
I just kept laughing, it was therapeutic. Whenever you’re feeling stressed enough to grind your own teeth down to nubs, there really is no better solution than to go and have a laugh with your friends, or in my case laugh at your friends. With all the business with the war against the Red Court, and now this new development, I really needed a good laugh.
“Ok, all of you I’ll be back in a little bit. Bye,” Twilight called back as she turned and left the boutique.
During my spontaneous fit of laughter, I had completely forgotten about Twilight’s chat with Rarity. By the time I’d calmed down enough to ask anything, Twilight had already left.
“Great… Rarity, where’s Twilight going? Uh, and what’re you doing with those needles?” I asked Rarity, who was using a measuring tape to take various measurements of my equine body.
“Twilight’s gone to round up the rest of our little group.” Rarity answered, while measuring the length of my spine. “As for you Mr. Dresden if you are going to Canterlot as a royal guest, then you must look the part.”
“Rarity I don’t need any new clothes. I’m fine as is and I- WOAH! Hey put me down!” I cried out as Rarity levitated me into the air and set me down on the same platform Michael was on.
“Nonsense, of course you need some nice clothing. You look positively ragged at the moment. Now do try to stand still, these needles are quite sharp.” She levitated various scraps of clothing over to me and began working her craft.
I glanced over at Michael who, true to his nature, was trying to look sympathetic but couldn’t seem to hide the grin that had been plastered to his muzzle. I sighed and tried to remain still, lest I incur the wrath of Rarity and her needles.
By the time Twilight had gotten back, Michael had managed to remove his suit and placed it on one of Rarity’s mannequins. The suit that Rarity was making for me was taking on its final form as something fairly close to a tuxedo and a dark fedora.
I’ve got to give her credit, I do like the fedora and suit combo.
Twilight walked into the boutique followed closely by the rest of the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony. “Hiya again Harry, did you have fun at the party last night? Ohhh, snazzy getup,” Pinkie said in her same high-pitched voice.
“Yeah, nice hat,” Rainbow added.
“Rarity, would you take that off of him please? This isn’t a gala we’re going to,” Twilight directed at Rarity.
Rarity sighed and began taking her creation off of me, “Very well Twilight, such a shame though.”
As soon as Rarity had taken the suit off me and turned her back, I looked over at Twilight and quietly mouthed, “Thank you.” She smiled and rolled her eyes. As soon as the group got situated in the room, they all looked expectantly at me as though I was supposed to give a speech.
“Now what exactly has Twilight told you all?” I asked the group at large.
“That something bad is going on and that she needs our help,” Rainbow said at once, “and she’s going to get it.”
I was afraid of that. “I’m going to correct you right there. I do not need your help, and frankly I don’t want it. I am expecting a worst-case scenario is developing here and I don’t want any of you exposed to it. The things I’m expecting to go up against aren’t going to play nice like Nightmare Moon or Chrysalis. But from what Celestia’s letter said it’s up to you to decide what to do.”
Applejack looked calmly from Twilight to me, “Well if Twi wants my help, she’s getting it.”
“I couldn’t possibly let my friends go into danger by themselves. What are you supposed to wear to a dangerous situation though?” Rarity commented, Twilight face-hoofed behind her.
“Yeah, besides we’re going to need a Pinkie Pie party to lighten the mood!” Pinkie added.
“I-if my friends a-are going, so am I,” whispered Fluttershy.
I wouldn’t admit it, but I was a little comforted by their decision and their strength. I just hoped they weren’t choosing to follow me into a furnace.
“Are you certain about this?” Michael asked the group. “We may not be able to protect you all.”
They responded with a unanimous, “Yes.”
“Well, I suppose that’s that. Celestia’s letter said the chariot will be arriving at Twilight’s library, so let’s go ahead and head on over there,” I instructed.
With that we all gathered up our various belongings and set off for the library. Michael had his new scabbard, Applejack had a long length of rope, Pinkie had a saddlebag full of balloons and confetti, while Fluttershy had a bag with various medical materials, and the rest didn’t seem to bring much of anything with them.
During the walk back to the library Michael and I were assaulted with various questions ranging from our favorite party favors, to how we fast we could gallop, to our favorite animals. For whatever reason, the six mares were very curious about all the little facts about their two new friends.
I suppose these girls take friendship very seriously. Just so long as Pinkie keeps relatively calm, I won’t mind. I don’t think I could survive another one of her parties.
We arrived at the library soon enough and with the chariot nowhere to be seen, we had some time to spare. So we all settled down in the afternoon sun outside of the Library and double checked our equipment. Michael went inside to fetch Amoracchius.
Near the door to the library Twilight was standing and talking with Spike, just a little out of earshot. The latter was looking increasingly distraught as Twilight spoke. After a few moments Twilight finished and Spike embraced her in a tight hug, which she returned. Spike broke apart and rushed into the library, slamming the door behind him as he went.
Twilight made her way over to me and settled down to face me. As she got comfortable I asked, “What was that about?”
“I was just telling Spike that I’d be leaving for a while and that he shouldn’t worry about me,” she answered. “He’ll keep the place nice and will look after your belongings while we’re in Canterlot. Harry, I never did get to ask you. Just how exactly did you get here anyway? The Princess wrote something about a veil in her letter.” A few of her friends behind her were swiveling their ears to listen in.
“Oh, you mean the Nevernever, well that can get kind of complicated. What would be the simplest way to describe it, hmmmm.” I thumped a hoof against my muzzle as I tried to think of a decent answer. “Well you can think of the Nevernever as a realm of pure magic that exists parallel to our own plane of existence. With the right knowledge you could find a spot where the barrier, or veil, between us and the Nevernever is thin enough to rip through. Now one of the important things about the Nevernever is that its geography is not the same as your world’s, or mine. What matters more is the emotional feel of the place where you open a Way. Uh, what are two locations here that are relatively far apart?” I asked Twilight.
“Well Baltimare and Las Pegasus are pretty far apart,” Twilight commented rubbing a hoof under her chin.
After a short episode of paranoia at the mention of these names, I trudged on with my lecture. “Ok then, say you go to Baltimare and find a sad or depressing place, like a graveyard or something. Then you open a Way into a sad or depressing part of the Nevernever. You walk a couple of feet to a cheerier part of the Nevernever, open another Way and you pop out into a cheery portion of Las Pegasus. Granted the walks are almost never that short, and there’s a decent chance of running into some kind of predator, but you get the general idea.”
Twilight took in this information and began processing it, imagining the possibilities. “But how did you get from your world to mine? From the way you described it by simply opening a Way you should’ve been sent back to your own world instead of coming to Equestria.”
“I’m actually not sure about that. I mean the Nevernever is theoretically supposed to connect everything to everywhere, but I’ve never been to a portion of the Nevernever that didn’t connect back to my world. This world is remarkably similar to my own, so their distance from each other wouldn’t be that far apart. So I suppose I could’ve simply moved from the portion of the Nevernever nearest to my world into the portion nearest to yours, but that’s just a guess. I’ll need to ask the princesses about it later to get a better idea.”
It was then that I could hear a flapping of wings and the creaking of wooden supports. We all looked up and saw a chariot being pulled by five large armor clad pegasi.
A golden chariot being pulled by pegasi in golden armor, that’s just showing off. Celestia is looking more and more like an egotist. Then again I did spent my last month’s salary on a new gold inlay for my summoning circle, so who am I to judge.
The chariot touched down on the grass in front of us. Beside me, Rarity practically squealed with excitement at the chariot’s approach. “Oh have you ever traveled in something so breathtaking!” She obviously did not share my opinion about the extreme flashiness of our transport.
The lead pegasus directed his attention at us. “Twilight Sparkle, Mr. Dresden, we are here to transport you and those with you to Canterlot Castle. Will all of this group be traveling you?”
Twilight gave the pegasus leader a curt nod, “Yes sir, we will all be going.”
“Very well then, if you are all ready go ahead and board. The princesses need to talk with you all as soon as possible,” he finished, directing his attention towards me.
I sighed and got up, stretching a little to ease my tensed muscles. “All aboard the express ride to Canterlot, where there will be much mayhem and conflict awaiting,” I called to Twilight and her friends. Who says I can’t be theatrical.
We all shuffled onto the chariot, being careful to ensure that our various possessions weren’t getting crushed. Michael carefully set Amoracchius down on the floor in front of him. The scabbard Rarity had made only covered about half of the weapon, so there was still about three feet of sharpened steel that Michael had to keep an eye on.
As soon as we all got situated in the chariot, the pegasi team took off and raced towards Canterlot.