//------------------------------// // Getting Closer // Story: A Dream So Real // by ThreeZeus //------------------------------// Lyra did not dream. Upon waking, the drowsy mare noticed something different about this particular morning. There was no aroma of breakfast coming from the kitchen. That was, however, no real cause for concern, it had happened before. Sometimes Bon Bon felt like sleeping in, though she was clearly not in bed. Sometimes she had some early appointment or some other urgent business that prevented her from preparing the morning meal. She usually left a note of some sort to tell Lyra. Not wanting to take the gift of deliciousness for granted, Lyra of course never complained at these sporadic events. There was no note. This was a bit more worrying. Bon Bon always left a note. Perhaps she had just forgotten? Perhaps she had to leave suddenly? Perhaps she was just elsewhere in the house? Lyra called out for Bon Bon, but received no response. Whatever the reason, Lyra didn't let herself fret too much. After all, there were some heavier things in her mind at the moment, and there was always a box of cereal in the pantry just in case she needed to make herself breakfast. Lyra thought carefully about the day before and what had happened. The bruise on her flank was proof that Twilight had really kicked her, so why had she suddenly woken up like that? Maybe she passed out? Why did she wake up in her own bed unharmed besides the bruise then? Even with plenty of rest and food in her stomach, none of this made any sort of sense to Lyra. “And where's Bon Bon?” she wondered aloud. Under normal circumstances she wouldn't get too worked up over the earth pony's sudden disappearance, but in combination with everything else happening it seemed strange. It was at that moment Lyra noticed the time. Lyra always checked the time as soon as she woke up to ensure she hadn't overslept, and today she had woken up at around 7:30. However the clock in Lyra's kitchen now read 7:15. Upon closer inspection, she discovered the second hand ticking backwards. Having plenty of experience in clock repair, Lyra was pretty sure that couldn't just happen on it's own. Was Bon Bon pulling pranks or something? Her mind on clock repair, Lyra realized she should probably leave for work soon; if this clock had been wrong the rest of the clocks in the house could be as well, so she couldn't be sure what time it was. Upon attempting to leave her house however, Lyra experienced yet another oddity. She reached out to open her door, and the second her hoof touched it, it gave off a loud bang and shattered into a thousand tiny pieces, causing Lyra to jump back and react with a loud expletive. To the unicorn's surprise however, it seemed no passersby noticed the explosion, nor Lyra's reaction. Deciding to ignore the inexplicable explosion for now, Lyra rushed off through Ponyville towards Dr Hooves' workshop. At one point she stole a glance at the clock tower in order to get a feel for the time, but as if the rest of the day hadn't been weird enough, the two hands of the clock appeared to be blinking in and out of existence over 12 o'clock. Just like the door however, nopony seemed to be reacting to this whatsoever. A brief jog and another exploded door later, Lyra finally arrived in the workshop. To her dismay, the Doctor was not present, meaning she had likely missed him she was so late. “Later than usual, Lyra,”Colgate said as she entered the front of the workshop from her workstation in the back. “Yeah, uh...” Lyra paused, trying to word herself without seeming dumb. “How late am I?” “Well the walls in this room are covered in clocks Lyra.” Colgate grinned to herself. Lyra looked nervously to the walls, but each clock appeared do be malfunctioning in some bizarre manner. Some were ticking backwards, some blinked like the clock tower, some had hands moving in opposite directions. Some had hands that appeared to be racing around the clock. None of them, as far as Lyra could tell, would reveal to her the actual time. Could Colgate not see any of this? Lyra looked back to Colgate and shrugged. “Wow Lyra. I have to say, it's pretty impressive that you've lasted this long here without being able to read a clock!” “No! It's not that! The clocks just...” Lyra carefully considered what to tell Colgate. She didn't want to appear a crazy pony. “They're all doing strange things, or at least they look like they are. Can you not see it?” Colgate looked at Lyra strangely for a moment, as if Lyra had just said something out of place, which granted she had. The next moment however, Colgate's eyes went wide in realization. “They're doing it already!?” “What? Who?” “I can't believe they're ready that fast? Or maybe they already knew? That must be it. Wow! This is excit-” “Colgate!” Lyra shouted, cutting her friend off. “What's going on? What do you know?” Colgate just smiled at Lyra's clear exasperation. “What's happening to doors?” she asked. “What?” “Doors. What happens when you touch them?” “How-” “Tell me tell me tell me!” Colgate was practically bouncing with anticipation. “They explode,” Lyra finally said. Colgate went wide eyed and she gasped loudly. “That's... so cool! I'm super jealous! When I went through transfer doors just dissolved! Oh Lyra you get all the fun, you know that?” “Fun?! It's not fun. And what do you mean 'when I went though transfer'? This happened to you too?” “Most ponies see all the same kind of stuff, but everypony has a different reaction to doors. But yours is probably the coolest I've heard so far! Well except for maybe Pinkie Pie; doors turned into a pile of jigsaw pieces for her.” “Colgate you're not answering my questions!” Lyra remarked. Colgate just shook her head at the confused unicorn. “You're in no state to work Lyra. You need to go out and explore! There's sure to be all sorts of cool stuff to see!” “But Colgate,” Lyra protested. “You haven't explained-” “No buts! It'll be creepy and weird at first but you'll regret it forever if you don't savor this day!” Colgate shoved Lyra outside the workshop without another word and slammed the door shut. “And I know you could just explode this door to get back through, but don't!” Colgate called outside. Lyra's felt tempted to respond with anger, but contained herself and instead decided on taking Colgate's advice and observe her surroundings. What she saw simply astounded her. Had all this just happened or had she been completely inattentive the last time she walked through town? It was, as Colgate had said, rather creepy and Lyra had to constantly assure herself she was not going insane, but the sights she saw were in so many ways fascinating as well. Pegasus ponies appeared as though they were all flying backwards and upside down; unicorn horns were all flashing like strobe lights and with various bright colors; and perhaps strangest of all were earth ponies whose heads seemed to be perpetually spinning around on their necks. “Discord's got nothing on whoever is doing all this,” Lyra thought aloud. “It hasn't really got the same effect if only one pony can see it,” a voice from behind the confused mare spoke. Lyra spun around immediately to find none other than her boss, Dr. Hooves, smiling kindly at her. “Dr. Hooves! I'm so sorry I was late this morning! It's just- I just- the clocks-” “Lyra, settle yourself,” Dr. Hooves chuckled. “I will of course forgive your absence, I understand the presence of some abnormal conditions. But would you please satisfy a stallion's curiosity?” “Er, sure?” “What happens when you touch doors?” Dr. Hooves asked. At that moment Lyra felt inclined towards a variety of reactions, including but not limited to screaming, running, groaning, and burying her head in the ground. However in the end she just sighed. “They explode.” “How interesting!” Dr. Hooves exclaimed. “Oh and don't look so worried; I assume you crossed paths Colgate this morning and she presented you with a similar query?” Lyra nodded. “Yes, well there are very few other ponies who are aware of your current state of mind, you just happen to have close connections with a relatively large number!” “Right. And Colgate wouldn't explain anything. Will you please tell me what's going on? And tell me who else is in on this crazy thing so I know who'll ask about doors?” Lyra begged. “Of course Colgate told you nothing, it wasn't her place. She may be a strange one but she knows perfectly well there are lines one does not cross. You'll be able to spot others by the fact that they don't seem altered by your damaged perspective.” Lyra blinked. “By which I mean my head isn't spinning in circles right now, is it?” “Oh, right. But you still haven't answered my second question,” Lyra pointed out. “Hm? Oh, well yes, I promise it will all be explained in time. However it's really something that needs to be told at just the right time and I'm afraid-” “So you're not telling me anything either.” “That's correct,” Dr. Hooves affirmed. Lyra swore under her breath. “No need for such language.” “Right right right. Did you want something?” Lyra said, not bothering with manners at this point. “Yes, you need to stay close to me,” Dr. Hooves explained. “Not everyone in Ponyville is an ally or just neutral. We have many enemies as well.” “Twilight?” Lyra asked, remembering yesterday's encounter. “Among others, yes. I understand that yesterday you may have felt desperate, but you really should have listened to Pinkie Pie. Talking to Twilight Sparkle was beyond dangerous. You're lucky to still be in Ponyville.” “I don't suppose you could explain what happened back there? I have no idea what happened after she started attacking me, I just remember waking up in bed.” “Yes, I suppose they wouldn't want you to retain that memory,” Dr. Hooves mused. He then turned to Lyra and began to explain. “We got lucky; we realized what was happening and came to your rescue. They blanked your memory to just before that point it seems.” “Who's they?” “I... can't tell you that.” Lyra growled with frustration. “You can't expect me to understand the danger if you won't explain any of the details to me!” “You're right,” Dr. Hooves admitted. “I shouldn't have told you anything.” “Uhg!” Lyra began to walk off. “I'm done with this. I'm going home.” Lyra heard the Doctor shouting after her, begging her to come back, but she was having none of it. She was sick of this craziness, sick of ponies not telling her things, sick of it all. Once home Lyra entered the kitchen and simply began pacing back and forth. She had no idea what was going on, when this insanity and exploding doors would end, or why this was all happening. She wanted nothing more than for all of this to end, but has no vestige of how to accomplish this goal. For now, her only indication was the pace back and forth, and so she did. After what could have been hours just as easily as it could have been mere minutes of pacing, Lyra heard a faint whisper in her ear. Lyra... More craziness. Lyra chose to ignore it. It would go away if she ignored it. Lyra... Louder that time. Just ignore it. Lyra. That time it was loud and clear. Despite knowing it probably wouldn't help, Lyra shoved her hooves in her ears and shook her head vigorously. Lyra. “Great. Now I'm hearing voices. It's official, I'm insane.” No Lyra, you're not insane. You're just getting closer. ________________________________________________________________________________ Lyra jolted awake once more. “NOT AGAIN!” she screamed. “Not wha...?” Bon Bon's tired voice muttered. Lyra apologized softly and put her head down on her pillow, feeling fearful for what insanity tomorrow might hold. ________________________________________________________________________________ Time to wake up Lyra... “Mmmphhh.” Wake up, there isn't much time. “No,” Lyra said through her pillow. Come on Lyra... Lyra slowly opened her eyes; the sun in the window told her it was not too long into the morning; both Bon Bon and herself were usually asleep at this hour. “Just let me go back to-” Lyra rubbed her eyes as if she did not trust her vision. Then again, after the events of the day before and now with voices in her head she had no idea what to trust anymore. You're wondering where Bon Bon is, yes? “Where is she?” Lyra yawned as she spoke, still not fully awake. They took her. Lyra shot into an upright position and now appeared completely alert. “Who? What? Why?” We're in a dangerous situation Lyra. As soon as they can, they'll take you too. “Are they here? Will they take me in my house? And who are they?!” Your house is safe for now, but it won't be for long. If you want to escape, you need to trust me implicitly. “Well I don't trust you,” Lyra said. She got out of her bed and crept into the kitchen, which appeared exactly as it had been left. You're going to have to if you want to evade capture. “Tell you what,” Lyra felt rather silly speaking to air, but her voice stayed firm and composed. “You tell me what's going on and I'll do what you want.” We don't have time. “Then I'm not moving.” Lyra had been expecting an immediate response to her retort, but silence followed it for an extended period. Finally however, the voice did return. One question. “Huh?” You get one question. I will answer it truthfully. But if I answer this question, you need to trust me afterwords. Deal? “Deal,” Lyra agreed. Her first instinct was to ask what was going on, but it occurred to her not to ask something vague. She needed to ask something which had an answer that she could comprehend; something that didn't only raise more questions. After a few minutes of careful thought, she finally asked her question. “Who and what are you?” I believe that's two questions, but for the sake of fostering our trust I will answer them both. My name is Smith. I am a human, and I am a friend. Satisfied? Lyra was at a complete loss for words. She was unsure what the answer to her question would be, but what she had been told was perhaps one of the last things she expected. A human. Most people assumed they were made up, and while Lyra was always fascinated with them, she had never been especially convinced they were real either. Now however, there was a voice inside her head claiming to be one of them. I'll take your silence as confirmation. Go to the Market Square, there will be someone ready to escort you from there. Lyra contemplated the absolute insanity of her situation, then proceeded with the voice's instruction. “Well if I've gone crazy, I may as well just keep going along with it,” she rationalized. That's the spirit. When Lyra did arrive at the market, she was surprised to find just how crowded it was even this early in the morning. She knew Ponyville was active from an early hour, but the idea that so many ponies chose to wake up this early just gave Lyra the chills. Somewhat more calmly however was the fact that everything seemed back to normal; no exploding doors on her way here and nopony was flying backwards or flashing their horn like a strobe like or twisting their heads. “So where's this escort?” Lyra asked quietly. She did not want to appear as though she was talking to herself. One moment... I'm wondering the same thing myself. Lyra felt her nerves tensing. This voice was supposed to know what's up, why did it now sound unsure? I have some bad news. It seems our escort was intercepted. Change of plans; you're going need to get yourself out on your own. Terror gripped Lyra. “You can't just abandon me!” she said with no regard to her volume. Many ponies looked over and gave her strange looks, but she paid no heed. I'm not. It's now more imperative than ever that you do everything I say exactly. Understood? “O-okay.” Lyra tightly clamped her eyes closed for a moment, as if she was hoping she was about to awake from a bad dream. ________________________________________________________________________________ I open my eyes. I look up at the sky. It's the same weather as always; clear and sunny skies. Ready? I hear the voice say. I don't really know what I'm getting ready for, but I don't think it matters if I'm ready or not, so I try to appear confidant by nodding slowly. In truth, I feel completely terrified right now. Look. Straight ahead, little bit to the right. I look and spot what the voice must be referring to. Two stallions sticking out of the crowd. Everypony else is just going about their business, engaging in casual chatter, but these two look dead set on doing important something, and I have some unpleasant guesses as to what it may be judging on what they're looking at. They're looking straight at me. I start to back away, and they pick up the pace. A sudden thought occurs to me, a thought which screams in my mind so strong I can't help but speak it aloud. “This is just like my-” It doesn't have to end the same, I hear it say. I certainly hope it's right. Trust me. I can guide you to safety. “Okay,” I say. “What do I do?” Then I hear it. It's the same voice from the dream. “GET HER!” Run. I'm happy to oblige that command. I bolt away in the opposite direction of my two assailants, weaving my way through a crowd of ponies. Cross the street. Sure, that's no problem. I remember this being a big deal the last time I lived this, but crossing the road isn't such a issue in Ponyville. I keep sprinting forward after making it across, waiting for my next instruction. There's an alley on your right. Go in there. That's a dead end, and I know it. If I go in there, I'll be trapped. Trust me Lyra. I should trust him, shouldn't I? And I almost do, but just as the alley in along side me and I look down it, I make a decision. There's no way I could get through there; it's two walls and a tall fence. No way out. I keep running forward. Lyra... Voice sounds disappointed. I guess I understand, but his idea wasn't a good one, and I have to look out for myself. Besides, that's the way I went last time. I need to do something different, right? Okay, if you go- DUCK! What? CRASH Everything is dark for a brief moment, but I come to pretty quick. I look around; there's Rainbow Dash lying on the ground staring back at me. She looks exceptionally confused. I guess she must of just smashed right into me on accident. Then I hear them, those two ponies chasing me. I try to get up and run away, but I'm too late. I feel a hoof push me back down to the ground. The last thing I see is Rainbow Dash's eyes go wide with horror. I suspect she doesn't really understand what's going on, but this can't be a pretty sight to behold. Darkness descends over me. The feeling of felt on my face and string tightening around my neck quickly fades as all my senses go blank. Once again the last thing I hear is a sound. The sound of a stallion whispering softly in my ear. “Gotcha.”