//------------------------------// // Chapter 2- Dreamscape // Story: Restart // by Alden MacManx //------------------------------// Normally, I don’t dream, or at least I don’t remember them. This dream was remarkable from the outset. I was sitting on a cloud, a long way up in the nighttime sky, a big full moon lending its touch to the scene. That was something I admired, being out in the full moonlight, just walking or driving. I find it a good way to relax. I caught some motion out of the corner of my eye, something flying towards me. I looked at it, and the whateveritwas resolved into a pony a lot like Princess Twilight, meaning it was a pony with wings and a horn. Instead of a nice purple hue, this one was black as night, with the sign of a crescent moon on its flanks. I had noticed the flank pictures on all the ponies but decided not to ask just yet. I was sure I would find out in due time, and besides, I didn’t have one. This black pony lighted on the cloud next to me. “Greetings, Gordon Bayles. Welcome to Equestria. I am Princess Luna. I rule the dreamscape. Yes, you are dreaming, and I decided to make my presence known. You are wondering how you arrived in Equestria, are you not?” she asked me. Now, this pony was bigger than me, almost the size of a true horse. I decided to be candid, but as formal as I could be while doing so. “Yes Princess, I am wondering how I got here. Did I fall into a hole between dimensions, or pass through a faerie gate? Do you know if the ticket is one way, or can I hope for a round trip?” I asked. “It is hoped that the trip, for you, is one way, because if you return to your home world, the thing in your head will awaken and start removing your life, bit by small bit. How you got here, I do not know for certain, but my sister and I will investigate the matter closely. The Everfree Forest is home to many strange and unusual creatures, objects and magics. It will take some time to answer if you can go back or not,” she told me, putting a wing over my back and giving me a hug. I must admit; the hug was very pleasant. It made me feel comfortable. “Then, why am I here? What can I do with myself? I’m nobody exceptional, just a supply clerk who rose as high as his ambition would take him. Somehow, I don’t think my skills will be useful here, Princess,” I told her candidly. “You have skills, Gordon Bayles, that you do not recognize as skills, that will prove their value here. You do like to read and study, yes?” Luna asked me. I had to smile, blush a bit and look away. “Princess, without having much of a social life, nor the desire to really have one, I had to do SOMETHING with my time. Yes, I had an extensive library, reading about and practicing many different skills. How could that be of use here?” “I believe the saying is, a little knowledge can be dangerous? Here, your little bit of everything will find its niche. Have you not said that you specialize in generalities?” she asked me with a warm smile. “How did you know I said that, Princess? Yes, I have said that, and it is something I believe in. I find it useful and entertaining, but how will it be useful here?” I asked in reply. “Once you learn how to use your magic, you will soon find just how useful your skills and knowledge will be, my little pony. Wake up now, and trust your teachers, especially Twilight. She knows more than she has told you so far and has had many experiences that will put you and her in some sort of tune. We shall meet again, Gordon Bayles.” Luna said as she faded from sight, as did the dreamscape. I woke up to find myself in bed, the morning light on my face. I made the mistake of opening my eyes, in my confusion of coming out of such a vivid dream. I shut them rapidly, letting out a bit of a scream that I hope was not heard in Westerly. Damn photosensitivity. When I opened my eyes again, using the pillow as a shield (how I picked it up in my hooves at the time, I’m not totally sure), Spike was standing beside the bed. “Are you all right, Gordon? That scream was pretty loud. Twilight sent me to check on you.” “Good morning, Spike. I will be, once my eyes stop aching. Getting full morning sun in my eyes is not conducive to a pleasant wake up. Is it breakfast time yet?” I managed to ask without sounding irritated. “It is, Gordon. What would you like?” the little dragon asked. “Can I ask for pancakes, two fried eggs, toast and coffee?” I asked back as I struggled to get out of the grasp of that most comfortable bed. So help me, Spike pulled a scroll and a quill pen from somewhere and wrote my breakfast order down. “Not a problem! Give me about ten minutes to get it ready, okay?” he said eagerly. “Ten minutes, aye. Thank you in advance, Spike. I’ll be there presently.” “Just take a left once you step out and follow your nose!” Spike said before running off. I shakily made my way to the bathroom, where I settled on a damp toweling down instead of a shower that morning, because I was not entirely sure if I would be done in time. The brush for my mane was fortunately easy to grasp, so I brushed it down, admiring the colors and length. I never could manage to pull off long hair looking good, much less doing a two tone. I have to say I do like brick red and platinum together. Spike’s directions worked, and I made it to the dining room just as he brought out a tray with my breakfast on it. I sought out the butter and applied liberal amounts to both the pancakes and the toast before I took a pull from the coffee mug. I damn near aerosoled the contents all over the dining room. “Are you okay?” Spike called from the kitchen. “Forgot to ask for cream and sugar, Spike. Is there any here?” I called back, using the linen napkin to quickly erase the traces of my bout of spray-can-itis. “They are on the table, just a little way down from you, Gordon.” I looked and found the desired items. “Thank you, Spike!” I called out as I altered the coffee to my own taste before taking a sip. This time, the coffee was like liquid ambrosia, sliding down easily and giving my brain the needed kick start. I was just finishing the pancakes and eggs when Starlight and Twilight entered the room, Spike bringing out their desired breakfasts. “Good morning!” I managed to say after swallowing. “What is the Plan of the Day?” “Today, we are going to try to teach you how to use your magic, at least on the most basic levels, as in light and telekinesis,” Twilight said as she lifted her utensils in her purple aura. “I’m looking forward to the experience, Princess. It will help me feel like I can fit in here,” I said as I dunked my toast into the coffee and took a bite. “I know some methods that should help. I once took a trip to a place where I was changed into a humanoid form, and I remember the drills I did after I returned here,” she told me. “Then again, you had the advantage of knowing what you did before you went there, Twilight,” Starlight said between bites of her breakfast. “True enough, but I’m sure the same drills will help Gordon learn how to use his horn like we do,” Twilight replied. “Then again, if you have confidence in my ability to use magic, then I should start telling myself that I can, once I’m shown just what and how to do it. I don’t disbelieve it, watching you two ladies, I just have to convince myself that I can do it as well,” I told the pair of unicorns. “Well, let’s get started on the basic ideas and theories of magic in Equestria, shall we?” Twilight asked as a large wheeled blackboard was rolled out. All the way to lunch, Twilight lectured, with Starlight as teaching aide, and I listened and practiced. Twilight is a fascinating teacher, and her enthusiasm showed. Good thing I was equally eager to learn from her and learn I did. Before lunch, I had managed to manifest a reddish glow from my horn and managed to lift a fork. Manipulating it came a bit later, but I was able to do it, to enthusiastic praise from my teachers. “You learn fast, Gordon. You should be proud,” Starlight said as she brought out lunch, Spike being occupied in another job. “So, I like learning. I just had to convince myself I could. Now that I can, the door is open, and I can follow the path as far as it goes. WHERE it goes, I don’t know yet,” I said as Twilight refilled my coffee mug. With focus and effort, I managed to use my glow to add cream and sugar to the coffee. “That’s the way to do it, Gordon!” Twilight said happily, obviously proud of my progress. “What’s set for after lunch?” I asked as I took one of the sandwiches off the plate, using my hoof instead of my glow. I was hungry, and I knew I could handle a sandwich. “We’ll take you on a tour of Ponyville and meet some of the ponies here. After all, just staying in the castle can get boring.,” Twilight said as she put the blackboard away. “That sounds like a plan to me,” I said after taking a bite from the sandwich. I’m not sure what was in it, but it sure was good!