//------------------------------// // Chapter 10 // Story: Waking Nightmares // by Kelvin Shadewing //------------------------------// Waking Nightmares DISCLAIMER: This is a non-profit work of fan fiction. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic © Hasbro. Chapter 10 "...and that's about the size of it," I explained, "So, quick recap, magic boxes, TV show, thought you were fake. Any questions?" Luna shook her head. "No. I feel that any questions would only confuse me further. And I have no choice but to trust what you say." "Thank you." I smiled. "Now then, the question I have: if Applejack was with you all when Discord cast his spell, why didn't she appear for me like the others? Even if this is all in my head, it makes no sense. I mean, I don't dislike Applejack, so I doubt my brain is filtering her out. Do you have any ideas?" Luna looked at the Mane Six's bodies. "We feared that disturbing them would have a bad effect, so where they lay now is the same position as the night they passed out. Do their places mean anything in relation to where they appeared in your world?" I pinched my chin in thought. "Hmm..." Carefully inspecting the layout, I counted the paces from where they were in Twilight's memory when they appeared in my room. "OK, so your bed is exactly where my bed is. But this room is bigger than mine. Applejack was over here, so..." "So?" Luna stepped forward, eager to hear my conclusion. I racked my brain, trying to match everything up. "OK, so if this spacing is right, she would have appeared outside my room. So she must have gotten startled... run off somewhere..." I looked up at Luna. "I have to get back to my world! If I'm right, Applejack could be lost! I gotta find her!" Wait a minute, what am I saying? This isn't real! Why should I find Applejack for her? Idiot! If I bring them back together, finish this quest, maybe they'll get out of my mind. And even if it's not real, wouldn't it be fun all the same? This is a rare opportunity, though. How many crazy people get to be crazy with characters they like? Maybe I could come to terms and keep them around? I'm not even sure I want them to go. And what if I become a vegetable? Living my entire life thinking I'm in Equestria? That might be fun at first, but people outside who care about me will suffer thinking I'm suffering. I can't do something that selfish. "David?" I snapped my head up, pulled out of my thoughts. "Are you OK?" "Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Just... thinking. Did you say something?" "I was saying that I cannot send you to your world." A pang of fear stung me. "Wait, what do you mean? Aren't you, like, a super-powerful alicorn?" "Please, calm yourself," she said reassuringly, "I cannot send you, but that doesn't mean you shant return. While the ponies who occupy your mind sleep in this world, it stands to reason you will only persist here as long as your body sleeps on the other side." "Oh." A wave of relief washed over me. "That makes a lot of sense. So... I just have to wait until I wake up?" Luna nodded affirmatively. "Well then... can I... ask you a favor?" Luna tilted her head. "Ask away." I stifled a fanboy squeal. "I'm sorry, I know this is definitely way out of line, asking this of a princess, but I may never get this chance again." "Do not be shy. If you would bring our ponies back, I owe you any favor." I bit my lip. "May I... hug you?" Luna lurched back in surprise. "A hug is one such thing given freely here. Why do I sense you wish for more?" I sighed and rolled my eyes. Might as well spill it. "Can I cuddle with you? Just until I wake up?" Damn, I got balls. Luna raised an eyebrow. "An unusual request. But under the circumstances... I guess it can be allowed." She lay down on her bed and patted next to her. I really couldn't help squeeing, but managed to keep myself composed as I slipped in next to her and she pulled me close with her forelegs, tucking my head in the crook of her neck. I giggled a little and held myself against her tightly, gently stroking her ethereal mane. I'm sure I'm pissing a ton of people off including this in my story, but hey, it happened, and y'all know you're jealous. And besides, it's my dream, so I can do what I want. Besides, I knew I'd pay for it one way or another later on. John stood on the checker board floor in the middle of a town of floating buildings, distorted images, and the strangest part of all, multi-colored pastel ponies running around, doing nothing that made even a lick of sense. "OK, where the hell am I?" he asked no one in particular. "Ponyville," answered a disembodied voice, "or should I say, the Chaos Capital of the World!" "Wait, I know that voice..." John looked up and spun around, searching for the voice's source. "Is that you, Q?" "I am known by many names." The voice followed up with a malicious chuckle. Then in front of John appeared the body of an eastern dragon with a horse head and mis-matched limbs. "But here, my dear burned-out nerd," said the draconequus, "you may call me Discord." John's eyes bugged. "Shit, man, this is why they say never do drugs!" Discord laughed. "Oh, yes, you'll do splendidly! Now listen here." He disappeared and then came up beside John. "I've got a job for you, and if you do it, all of this," he waved at the distopian village, "will leave your mind forever. Or remain as your dream world. Your choice, of course." John raised an eyebrow. "And if I refuse?" Discord wrapped around him and grinned. "Then I hope you like ponies and chocolate milk, because you'll be here for a very, very long time."