Dreaming
A loud thud erupted from upstairs, followed by an awakening grunt and sigh of relief. Twilight set her book down and checked the clock. 7:15. The mare smiled and gazed at the crackling fire in its home between two brick pillars that began her chimney. She was glad her maroon colt had gotten some sleep; especially if what she was told was true, and he had been kept up for over three days straight.
The growing sound of clanking metal on wood alerted Twilight that Buckler was descending to her level. Before long, Buckler came into view and stood on the opposite side of the living room. The circles under his eyes faded slightly, and a cute bed head flustered what short strands of hair constitute his mane. He gave Twilight a sheepish look, her dark purple hair was surprisingly brought out by the red leather chair on which she sat, with one lower leg crossed over the other.
"Feel better?" The mare asked glancing into Buckler's eyes.
"Much," the stallion replied crossing his forehoofs, a tinge of hesitation postponing his next words. "Thanks for letting me sleep a bit, I... I owe ya one."
Twilight thought the statement over, the feeling of ease that stole her mind when he was asleep upstairs was Heaven, she felt safe, and she wanted that wonderful feeling to stay with her forever. , Twilight called him on his offer. She couldn't help it, she was going to be selfish; she had to be. "Well..." Twilight pushed her two front hooves together in a show of mischievous thought. "If you really mean that, than I suppose there is a way you can settle your debt."
Buckler smirked, a look of knowing in his eye. "Whoa now, Miss Sparkle." He held up a hoof. "Was it not your challenge that I accepted? And as such, in accepting said game; along with winning it, i believe that evens the score. Not to mention the fact that I brought you home that one night."
Twilight let out a patronizing laugh. "Oh Buckler, you wouldn't be trying to wiggle your way out of repaying a kind mare for her deeds, would you?"
Buckler began to rebuke her by pushing the fact she played to his competitive side, not to mention he wasn't dismissing the fact they were even; because of the night he helped her. But bit of the Peace-colt’s mind started to poke at him, as much as he didn't like to feel championed in the least; he was quite curious as to what the mare would ask of him. "I'm listening."
Twilight's dark and playful eyes turned light and slightly nervous. "Well, I was wondering if you wanted to go out on a date."
"Who does the what now?" Buckler replied far more flabbergasted than he intended to sound. Usuly the colt would think over his reactions and emote accordingly, but this wasn't something he was prepared for. He expected to be asked to help clean up the library or go on an errand; the chance of a romantic interface was there, but Buckler didn't think to plan for it. He couldn't believe that she actually thought he was "date worthy."
Twilight giggled, "A date, you know: Going to get something to eat or a nice stroll around the lakes..." Twilight droned on about visiting a story teller she knew whom used magic to enrich the tales of: Starswirl the Bearded, Robin Hoof, and other iconic ponies in days of old.
Buckler stood in awe; he still couldn't believe he was asked out by the protégé of Princess Celestia. His mind started to wonder in the negative, as it usually did when something good happened. A skeptical voice in his mind was in debate with him in pertinence to this being some kind of trick. A way for her and her friends to get a good laugh at his expense. He then wondered if one of the other Peace-colts put her up to it, so they could get a laugh at his expense. He shook these thoughts away as his overactive paranoia, but couldn't dismiss them completely; his over-skepticism had saved his ass on occasion to numerous to count.
"... So what do you think?" Twilight finished with a hopeful though awkward smile.
Buckler snapped from his thoughts by the purple mares eyes. Her eyes, like looking into the very essence of hope and interest. He couldn't say no, he had no idea what the mare had said after asking him on a date, but what's the worst that could happen? "I... umm... Well, if you insist, I will escort you on a date." He replied, he tried to seem charming and intelligent with his response... And apparently it worked. Twilight's eyes grew brighter, and she hugged the stallion.
"Thank you, don't worry we will have a lot of fun." The purple unicorn released the tense Buckler and took a step back. "Sorry, I can get a bit over excited sometimes." A nervous chuckle finished her words.
"Don't worry about it," Buckler replied thinking quickly to break the unwelcome tension. "So. What time should I pick you up?"
Twilight opened her mouth to answer but a certain word he used struck her hard. 'Time' The mare mused on the word; suddenly a flood of emotional thought washed over her. Time had lost a great deal of meaning to the mare. Her mind trailed to Rainbow Dash and how little time they actually had together; she couldn't fight the urge to think about her anymore. For all the time that the maroon stallion had been present, Twilight had put aside everything. The: carved out Cutie mark, the Peace-colt officers’ threat, the Pony in Black... Everything. She didn't want to think about them, she just wanted to have some semblance of happiness in her life again.
"Miss Sparkle?" Asked Buckler, his tone questioning.
Twilight blinked, and then placed her hoof on her chin in thought. "Well, I have some plans with friends tomorrow morning, how does tomorrow afternoon sound?"
Buckler smirked, "I think I can accommodate that."
The agreed to meet at the Library at four o'clock and Twilight waved him off as he returned to the barracks. She observed his figure walking westward into the sunset, his armor reflecting the light of the sun in a magnificent orange that made him seem to glow from head to his flank plate. Blushing, Twilight took on last naughty look at his back side and closed the door.
"Well, well, well." A child like voice called from behind, Twilight spun around and turned beat red upon seeing her purple and green assistant with a teasing grin and folded arms. "So how long has this been going on?"
Twilight bit her lip, "Oh... uh Spike, how long were you, uh... It's not what-" She was cut off by a purple claw being held up from the now smug dragon.
"Relax Twilight, I'm only teasin' ya." His smile faded a bit as his eyes showed a mass of thought. "Though i have to admit, he does seem like a good guy; and you're not getting any younger."
Twilight's awkwardly nervous face relaxed at the dragon’s compliment, and then tightened into a scowl at his remark. "What do you mean I'm not getting any younger?"
"What I mean is you have not ever dated anypony. You go out with Applejack and Pinkie pie a lot and have fun with them, but you haven't... ya know." Spike thought over the words to say before a shocked grin came over his face. "Unless you know, you play for the other team."
Twilight's scowl turned into a deadpan, her assistant fell to ground laughing hard enough to bring tears to his eyes. "Oh man, oh you should see... you should see the look on your face right now."
Twilight's expression softened and she couldn't help but laugh with her friend. The very thought of her and Applejack together was so absurd; it had to be laughed at. The two laughed for a few moments before Spike complained about his sides and forced himself to stop.
"But in all seriousness Twilight." He began again, all comedic tone lost. "You should go and have some fun. Things have been really crazy lately; I think it would be good for you." His eyes were a bit wiser and gentler than Twilight had ever seen them. He almost seemed, fatherly to her at that moment.
Twilight gave an appreciative grin, "Thanks Spike. You're a good friend."
Spike shrugged his shoulders and walked back to his work station in the back of the Library. "Oh but don't think I’m letting you two get all... Lovey dovey on the couch," his tone dry and sarcastic. "Last thing I need is to walk in on you two doing something that bedrooms were made for."
Utter humiliation befell the purple unicorn; she shook it off and yelled at Spike to return to his menial tasks. Though her words were harsh, she could still hear his frantic mirth from the other side of the library, and as strong as it was; Twilight could tell it wouldn't end anytime soon. Though, as frustrated as she was with the dragon, she smiled. The thought of Buckler showing up in a fancy suit and whisking her away to some romantic evening of dancing and fine dining began as an interesting thought.
The thought quickly became a fantasy. Twilight imagined that after the stallion had treated her to the night out eating extravagant food, he would carry her into a gorgeous hotel, the walls lined with portraits of the greatest Ponies in Equestrian history, outlined by dozens of book shelves dedicated to the greatest tomes the present day had to offer. He would burst through the door with a mighty kick, giving himself an edge that would excite Twilight beyond words; then he would carry her into their suite and lay her gently on the bed, his soft and caring eyes never wavering from her.
Twilight’s breath deepened as she stood with her eyes half closed, her body grew hot and hungry for the touch of the warm maroon ponies arms, she remembered his strong foreleg; wrapped around her back as he carried her to bed, she wanted it again. The mare flushed at the thought of feeling his comforting and affectionate touch on her slender body once more. Her face brushing up ever so slightly against his strong, muscular neck. And his hot breath rasping gently against her ear: causing a rush of pleasure to shoot through her body with every exhale.
Twilight bit her lip as the fantasy enthralled her mind far more than any book she had ever read. All the books in the world could never give her the feelings of passion and desire this one stallion could, nor could they give her the unbelievable satisfaction that was to result from it. The mare imagined Buckler slowly leaning his head down and kissing her deeply, stroking her mane lightly, and herself rubbing her hooves up and down the stallion’s sides to his neck. His fine lips kissing down her chest before lifting her dress and...
Twilight shook the fantasy away noticing some... embarrassing bodily functions were starting to take place, she couldn’t bear to have her assistant see her in such a state. So she quickly wondered up the stairs and found her way to her bed. The unicorn quickly locked the door and snuggled in before she took care of her needs. A euphoric and relaxing calm filled her body; her climax was greater than she had ever reached before. The image of Buckler on top of her, mixed with the feelings of excitement she had from his touch, did wonders to improve the flow and intensity of her self-satisfaction.
She had no trouble sleeping that night...
__________
The dream Twilight had couldn't be any closer to her fantasy. The maroon stallion burst into her home and swept her off of her feet, stealing her away from the boring work of re-shelving books that she hated so dearly. She wrapped her arms around his well dressed neck and smiled seductively as he carried her away from her tree home. It took only seconds for the two to reach the gigantic crystal palace that she created in her mind, the building was a light blue and had stories upon stories of red clothed tables and waiters taking random ponies orders.
Buckler placed Twilight in her seat, a sparkling red dress now covering her body, and her typical mane; now slicked back into a shining, tight bun. The mare gazed with unwavering eyes as the stallion took the opposite seat; she hadn’t even noticed the delectable vegetation that had magically appeared on her plate. The two devoured the herbs before looking at each other and giggling; Buckler raised his hoof, revealing a delicious strawberry and held it gently to Twilight's mouth. She bit the morsel and looked suggestively to her companion.
Mr. Gladius took Twilight by the hoof and lay a gentle kiss on its front. He looked up happily and the purple mare returned the content. He playfully lead her away from the table, and up the stairs of the main hall; passing through the portraits of ponies she couldn't help but admire. The Princesses: Celestia and Luna, Starswirl the bearded, Robin Hoof, Chancellor pudding head and her assistant; Smart Cookie, Commander Hurricane and Private Panzy, and Princess Platinum along with a character Twilight had played in a Hearth's Warming eve play; Clover the Clever.
Twilight couldn’t believe it, everything was just so perfect. The: timing for Bucklers to swoop in and sweep her off her feet, the way he treated her, the gigantic crystal hotel, the delicious meal they shared, it was all just what she wanted. A slight tinge of nervousness struck her heart as they made their way. What would it be like? Would it be painful? Would he be satisfied by her?
After a few minutes of awe gone nervous, being lead through mountains of books; they finally arrived at a giant pair of ominous black double doors. The maroon pony opened the doors and gently took Twilight by the hoof, a reassuring smile on his face. Darkness held the room, save a single, red clothed bed that lay with an invisible source casting light upon it. He lead Twilight in and lay her on the heart shaped bed. (To cliché? BITE ME!) The mare lay back and embraced Buckler, enjoying every moment of his bodies pressure laid upon her, and the taste of his sweet lips upon her tongue. She wished this moment could last forever.
Buckler nicked at Twilight’s neck, something about it seemed… off. His mouth was not as warm as it had once been, and his soft hair began to feel less lustrous. The mare looked down, about to question the sudden changes when Buckler rose up her dress and exposed her marehood. She quickly lay back and enjoyed his kissing on her stomach, growing more and more impatient with his teasing.
Twilight shivered violently, despite the explosions of pleasure at the very touch of Bucklers lips around her body, she felt that something was wrong. His lips were growing colder, and when she looked down to observe his actions. She was met by the sight of his once dark red hair, was now fading to grey; the sudden shock of it killed any atmosphere of romance that had once lingered, and gave way to her concern for the stallion’s well being.
Twilight tried to express her concerns for the ponies well being, but no sound came from her questioning lips. She grasped at her mouth and neck with her hooves, feelings of uneasiness crawling threw out her limbs. The distraught unicorn watched in angst as Buckler nuzzled her marehood, his nose cold as ice, and his eyes growing red from blood shot.
The stallion stood up and unbuttoned his black jacket and white shirt. Twilight's eyes went wide as a large hole appeared in his chest; blood began to seep out and his exposed heart was beating a mile a minute. Twilight reclused in revulsion of the sore, a feeling of terror gripping her heart in a vice. "What's the matter Twilight?" Buckler asked slowly his eyes wide, he crawled over the Twilight's paralyzed form and brought his face down to hers, his mouth stuck in a maniacal grin . "I thought you were having a good time."
Twilight’s heart skipped a beat, and she kicked the stallion away and stood up on the bed. The darkness that enveloped the room around them faded in. Revealing dark brown wooden walls that bore numerous sharp and serrated objects mounted on them. She looked around to find even more grotesque images appear; the heads and various limbs of countless and nameless ponies sat on the walls looking outward. Some with their hooves erupting from their eye sockets and other grotesque misappropriations of pony anatomy.
All of the heads seemed to be turned to her; even those whose eyes had been stolen, seemed to peer directly into her soul. She shuddered when the limbs started to flail against their holdings and wall that trapped them, those that were not nailed in fell to the ground, and began patting around aimlessly. A faint chuckle could be heard from the decapitated pony heads, the chuckle grew louder until finally it was a full on bellow.
Twilight shrank back and pulled the covers over her body, her now ravaged locks only emphasized the horror she felt, she wanted to close her eyes, but she was afraid what would happen if she did. Loud clanks and subtle vibrations told of the closeness the disembodied limbs were getting. The terrified mare began to hyperventilate; she looked around to see the pony head's lips were now moving, they were quietly and off key chanting her once favorite Lullaby.
She felt the sheets tug and soon after a pink leg pulled itself onto the bed. Twilight let a muted scream of terror and smacked the body part away. It slammed against the wall with an unprecedented loud thud, and fell limp to the floor; only to pull itself up once again, and begin its second voyage to do who know what to the desperate mare.
"Twilight..." A voice called from the end of the bed. She looked over to see Buckler standing with wide, unblinking eyes looking directly at her. Small cracks began to spread throughout his body, disturbing bone braking noises bombarded Twilight's ears, more tugging from the sheet gave way to another leg pulling itself onto the bed.
The horse heads were giggling now, the unicorn did her best to keep the disembodied limbs away, but they all seemed to have chosen her as their target of congregation, the more she fought the limbs away, the harder the pony heads laughed. The terror in Twilight was unlike anything she had ever experienced. Adrenaline was pumping through her veins, and her heart felt like it would beat out of her chest at any moment. One of the limbs at clamped itself onto Twilight’s hind leg, while its unkempt multicolored clones fought for their own places on the mare's body.
A sickening crunch came from the foot of the bed, the purple pony looked just in time to see the cracked Buckler give a smile that stretched up passed his eyes before he crumbled to the ground; in his place a decomposing and rotting cyan pony, who's mane constituted mostly of blood red with multicolor exposing from the taint.
"Twi-light." A raspy and low voice prolonged her name. The headless ponies had ceased their disturbing
pandemonium, and the ghostly limbs now lay in silent death. Twilight closed her eyes, but couldn't forget what she saw. One of the undead ponies eyes drooped from its socket, her chest was ripped open and her organs spilled out from within. Two holes were ungraciously poked threw her hooves... and worst of all, giant sheets flesh were missing, exposing muscle where her cutie marks were supposed to be.
Twilight felt a warm liquid run down her legs and ruin the bed spread; the fear pulled away all cohesive efforts to retain conscious controlled bodily functions. Her teeth were chattering and her hooves were compressed over her eyes. She was determined not to look at the monstrosity before her. The bed shifted a little and the unicorn began to sob. "Look... At... Me..." The raspy voice growled, kicking off one of the lifeless pony legs.
Twilight didn't dare, she could tell the undead pony was right in front of her. "Look... At... Me..." It repeated, the stench of death itself attacked Twilight’s nostrils, she felt its stale breath upon her face. The fear of not seeing what was about to happen overpowered the fear of the grotesque creature. The terrified mare slowly removed her hooves to find one bloodshot pink eye beaming directly at her. Twilight's mouth hung open; she couldn't deny the identity of the pony any longer; if not for the terror the thing caused her, than the pain of finally coming to terms with the death of one of her best friends.
"Why Twi-light?" The cold voice of Rainbow Dash asked, small amounts of blood spurting onto Twilight's face, her head dangling freely to one side and her face expressionless. "Why don’t you care about me?" It growled lifting Its arm, a syringe gained from seemingly out of nowhere. With an expressionless heave the mare swung the light blade down onto the unicorns face. Twilight found her voice, let a blood curtailing scream as the sound of wet steel dragged in her ears.
Screaming, The purple unicorn awoke to her own rapid breaths. She examined her face with her hooves where the incision was made and found not cuts nor gashes, her eyes darted around her room in a frenzy trying to locate any unprecedented movements or inexplicable additions... a frail darkness and ticking clock were the only things her room held.
Twilight fell back onto her pillow and placed a hoof over her eye. "Oh, oh it was just a dream." She removed her hoof with a relieved smile and found a pair of pink dangling eyes looking down at her, a pony head above them opening it's mouth and a million voices screaming directly into Twilight’s face before the bodiless ponies mouth consumed her entire line of sight...
_
Twilight sprang out of her bed with a jolt, she looked around and bit herself to confirm she was awake now. A slight though welcome sliver of pain shot threw the ponies arm; she held her place in the middle of the room trembling. She stood there for what seemed like hours, her eyes unblinking and her body tense beyond reason. Any unexpected sound would bring an overdramatic eye twitching examination of the room.
Finally daybreak came and the mare eventually got the courage to move again, if only as slowly as Rainbow Dash's pet turtle: Tank. She cautiously made her way down stairs; every creak of wood brought a spike of fear into Twilight's heart. She finally reached the bottom, and after a few more minutes of travel, lay on the couch curled up; nothing but the horrid and decomposed image of her dead friend on her mind. She played the scene over and over in her head, not that she wanted to, but she couldn't help it. Rainbow Dash was dead, and no rationalization could help Twilight convince herself the cyan mare's death was less horrid than her mind portrayed.
Tears shed from big purple eyes, the guilt grasped Twilight's heart like a pair of vice grips. She did care, of course she cared; why would she even question it. She sobbed on the couch clenching her tail. The suffering Rainbow dash looked as if she had gone through, the image of her broken neck dangling; it was too much for Twilight to think about.
"Twilight, are you ok?" Spike asked wondering up to his friend.
Twilight didn't respond, she couldn’t respond. She could only sob and hope the dragon would understand.
After a brief moment, Spike lay a claw on the purple mare's head. "There, there. What happened?" The dragon found himself embraced in tight hug, leaving the forgotten tail abandon by its owner. Spike began to speak, but felt the tears roll from Twilight's cheeks on his chest; his pity caused him to decided it best to hold her and just be there for her. The two stayed in each other’s arms for a time before there was nothing left; and the distraught mare fell back into slumber.
A brown stallion stood outside the Library, his ruffled mane blew in the wind as he observed the two through the window. He turned away and began walking down the street, his once round eyes giving way to hateful and determined scorn...
(What's that? You can't feel anything in dreams, and you can breath under water? :YaDontSay: )