Molly cannot stop crying. Her muzzle wrinkles at the hot, coppery smell of blood as she quivers, unable to move or even think.
"Molly!" her father croaks. "You need to get help, you're the only one who can!"
Molly is forced to look up, and her stomach clenches at the sight of the blood from her father's shattered leg. "B-but Mom's a-already gone t-to get ..."
"You don't understand!" her father pleads. "They're after her, too!"
Molly's heart pounds. "Who's after her?"
"The bad ponies who hate humans."
"B-but ponies are not supposed to be like that!" Molly wails.
"All ponies hate humans, Molly."
"They don't!" Molly screams. "They c-can't!"
"They'll come after your mother and you, too."
"But why me?? I'm not ..."
And suddenly, Molly is. She looks down at two human hands in confusion.
"It's the only way you'll stay ahead of them," Tom says.
Molly looks at him in horror. "But my wings--!"
"They won't get you as far as human legs. They're better. Humans are better. You know that now."
Molly is not sure of anything other than her father is dying, and she needs to get him help. She takes off and runs as fast as she can, despite how odd her human legs feel.
What was the neighborhood of human houses becomes a confusing mix of urban and natural. Trees rise up, thrusting through the roofs of houses. Streets are paved with both asphalt and a thick carpet of leaves. She stumbles as she runs over ground which alternates in suitability between human feet and pony hooves.
Molly hears hooves galloping from behind, and her heart races in fear. Suddenly her mother comes along beside her, a cross look on her face. "What are you doing, Molly?!"
"I'm trying to get help, Mom!" Molly cries.
"As a human? What's got into your head? Don't you know ponies are better?"
Molly gives Theresa a stricken look. "But I -- D-dad said--"
Theresa frowns. "You listened to him? That pony-hater?"
"He's not a pony hater!"
"Then why has he done this to you? Why did he make you human again?" Theresa abruptly stops, and Molly pulls ahead with impossible speed. "Fine, be a human again for all I care!" her mother's rapidly fading voice yells in contempt.
"Mom, no!" Molly tries to stop, but it is as if her legs have taken on a mind of their own. They continue to propel her, taking her around another corner, until she gasps and is forced to stop when the barrel of a shotgun is pointed at her face, surrounded by a magical glow.
"Hey, look, I found another one," comes a female voice that chills Molly to the bone.
Molly swallows hard as Morning Glow steps into the light, an evil look on her face as she levels the shotgun at Molly. "Well, well, look at this. Another human."
"I'm not a human!" Molly cries. "I-I only look like one."
"Let me guess," Morning sneers. "Your father rehumanized you."
"Only to h-help him!"
"Humans don't deserve help. Humans are scum. Humans deserve to die."
Molly thinks she can get away. Yet when she turns around, she trips and falls as hands and feet become hooves again. She flutters her wings to no avail.
"And even as a pony, you're a failure," Morning says. "You don't deserve to be one."
"And you're not really a pony!" Molly cries.
Morning hesitates. "How dare you claim to know what a pony is!"
"Ponies are not supposed to do this!"
Morning laughs. "Seems like you have no idea what being a pony is all about. Better to put a defective one like you out of your misery."
Molly whimpers and covers her eyes with her wings. She flinches when the gun goes off, but when she feels nothing impact her body, she looks up.
A tree has suddenly risen up between her and Morning Glow.
More rise up around her as Morning tries to move in for another shot. Suddenly another mare's voice yells in a reverberating voice, "BEGONE FROM THIS FOAL'S NIGHTMARE AT ONCE!"
Molly is breathing hard even as a strange sort of calm settles around her. The dark sky begins to lighten as if with an approaching dawn. The trees retract into the ground, and Molly flinches when she sees a pony still standing there.
It is not Morning Glow, but a winged pony with black fur and a bright silver mane. Molly blinks as she sees the wings are membraned instead of feathered. The mare takes a step towards her, and Molly cowers against the roots of a remaining tree behind her.
The mare stops. "Please, don't be afraid," she says in a gentle voice. "My name is Moon Racer. I'm a night pony, and I've dispelled your nightmare."
Molly swallows hard, her heart still racing. "H-how do I know I can trust you?"
"I won't come any closer unless you want me to," says Moon. "I know what's happened to your father. It's regretful that your fellow ponies were responsible for such a thing, even though it was an accident."
Molly slowly steps forward. "This is just a dream?"
"Yes. I've taken control of it. You're safe now."
Molly's wings quiver. "I've never met a night pony in my dreams before."
"We're pledged to see ponies sleep in peace. I suspect your dreams have been largely uneventful until now. You must be really frightened about something to suddenly have a nightmare this bad."
"I-I don't know what to do," Molly whimpers. "I don't know what I should think or be anymore. Maybe this is all my fault."
"No," Moon says in a firm voice. "This is most assuredly not your fault."
"But if I never became a pony in the first place--!"
"Molly, stop."
Molly quiets and sits, curling her tail around her haunches.
Moon steps towards her. "You had little choice but to become a pony."
"But I have a choice to stay a pony, don't I?"
"Yes, but that's not something I can counsel you on." Moon wraps a wing around Molly and sighs. "What's happened to your father is a terrible mistake. I'm glad to have heard he's going to pull through."
"But why did this happen?" Molly demands. "Why did ponies do this? They're not supposed to!"
"It's hard for me to answer that, young one," Moon says in a gentle voice. "I could say that this was an accident, which is no lie, but it does little to explain why things came about as they did for that accident to happen."
"I'm not sure I understand."
"I know. You're so young, too young to be forced to contemplate such things, yet now you have to."
Molly shudders. "I don't want to. I just want things to go back to the way they were. Even if it means my father still doesn't know how to treat me."
"Dreams and nightmares alike come about for a reason," Moon says. "In your case, it is a fear that needs to be faced."
"I-I don't want to face it."
"Unfortunately, you must. The first night pony I encountered upon dreamwalking for the first time was one named Phobia Remedy. She taught me that our fears are necessary. They help us confront things we normally wish to ignore."
"I don't know how to confront mine," says Molly. "I'm not sure what they are."
Moon smiles. "You will learn in time. And I will be here if your dreams again descend into nightmare."
Molly relaxes somewhat. "Thank you. But what do I do when I do find out what my fears are?"
"If it is safe to do so, confront them," Moon says. "Head-on and at once. Do not delay, as every moment you do makes it all that much harder to deal with them later ..."
Jason opens his eyes to a room that is both strange and familiar at the same time. He throws off the sheet with a jerk of a fore-hoof and raises his head, lighting his horn to push back the darkness.
He blinks as his surroundings come into view. This is the bedroom of the apartment he used to live in back in his college days. He had not thought about those times in a while. What is he doing back here?
His ears swivel as he hears sound from the other room. He looks towards the door where flickering light plays against the wall in shifting, unfocused blobs of color. Someone has the TV on, likely one of his buddies from school who decided to crash for a bit. He frowns when he remembers telling them specifically not to watch TV while he is trying to sleep.
He hops out of bed and trots towards the door. The place is small enough that there are no hallways. He steps through the door, and he is in the living room/dining room/kitchen. He is about to make his protest known when his eyes fall on the strange visitor lounging on the sofa.
"Heya, buddy," says the night pony with a grin, and he lifts the bottle of beer held between his wingtips. "Grab yourself a cold one from the fridge and let's shoot the breeze for a bit."
Jason suddenly realizes he's not in college anymore, nor is this really his old apartment. He fixes a stoic gaze on Midnight Star as he says, "If you're here because I asked to speak with you, then I'm on duty, and I don't drink while on duty."
"Dude, this is a dream. Dream beer with dream alcohol. You won't get dream drunk unless you really want to." Midnight smirks. "Though I wouldn't mind if you did. Might loosen you up a bit."
"Are you always this flippant when walking a pony's dreams?"
Midnight takes a long swig of beer and wipes his mouth with the back of a fore-hoof. "All part of my natural charm. So, come on, get a brewski and sit."
Jason sighs and turns towards the small fridge under the counter separating the living area from the kitchen. He opens it and levitates out the first bottle he sees. It happens to be a particular Boulder microbrew that he's quite fond of. He turns the label towards Midnight. "Your doing?"
"Sort of," says Midnight. "I made it so it gives whoever opens it their favorite beer." He turns the label of his bottle towards Jason. "I prefer Mexican beers myself."
Jason examines his bottle for a moment before popping the top and giving it an experimental sip. It tastes just as he expected it would. "You always choose this format for talking to ponies in their dreams?" he says as he heads for the sofa.
"Depends on the pony. You happened to be dreaming about something in your college days, so I went with it." Midnight takes another swig of his beer. "When doing things like this, we try not to mess too much with a pony's head. Better to go with the flow and not try to mold it to something else."
Jason hopped up on the sofa. "Is that a rule of some sort?"
"You could say that, yeah."
"Imposed by your shadow law enforcement agency, no doubt," Jason deadpans.
"Hey, don't be a downer now," Midnight says. "And I doubt you wanted to talk to me about that."
Jason did not intend to talk about it, but he certainly wishes he knew more about how the night ponies operated. "It depends. Does it factor into whether or not Ryan is brought to justice?"
"I had a feeling that's what you wanted to talk about."
"I'll get right to the point," Jason says. "We need some information on Ryan. We need to know who he really is."
"Hey, you and me both. I don't like what he's been doing, either."
"So you have no information for me at all?" Jason says, irritation creeping into his voice. "Why bother doing all this if you have nothing for me in the first place?"
"You know what I think you should do?" Midnight says.
"What?"
"Drink your beer."
Jason frowns. "Can't you be serious about this?"
"Beer is always serious business with me," Midnight says. "Now, drink up."
Jason examines his bottle. "Why?"
"Maybe to set the mood a bit. Stop treating this as an interrogation."
"I'm just trying to do my job."
"This is a dream, dude," Midnight says. "Different rules."
"Whose rules?"
Midnight rolls his eyes. "This again."
"Yes, this again," Jason says. "It's obvious night ponies are operating under some sort of organization. There's no way millions of night ponies just happen to agree to behave."
"Why are you so worried about that?" Midnight says. "Just drink your beer."
Jason gives him a skeptical look.
"We're not going to get anywhere unless you trust me," Midnight says in a more serious tone. "You're afraid you're going to get drunk. I assure you that you won't."
Jason sighs and takes a long drink of his beer. It reminds him of times he spent hanging out with college buddies on the weekends. The memories are bittersweet, as it was during that time he met the woman who later became his soon-to-be ex-wife.
"See? No buzz," says Midnight. "A bit of sacrilege if you ask me. Oh, the sacrifices I make for ponies like you."
Jason is still wary. While he indeed does not have any sort of alcoholic buzz going, he does feel more relaxed. He cannot tell if that is just a mental association or if Midnight is doing something despite all reassurances to the contrary. "So why did you come talk to me like this if you have no information for me?"
"Because I wanted to let you know that we may have a way to get that information."
"How?"
"By getting him fully linked in the dream realm."
Jason raises an eyebrow. "You mean he's not?"
"Theory is that he's got a really weak link," says Midnight. "So thin that it's like trying to find a shadow on a cloudy day. Technically, he's not supposed to be linked, since he's human, but, well, we found out that's not always the case with rehumanized people."
Jason takes a drink of his beer before asking, "And just how do you know this?"
"Because it seems that a magical mind-bending girl named Jenny is linked into the realm again," Midnight explains. "A, uh, colleague of mine is planning on explaining the rules to her tonight."
Jason narrows his eyes. "What rules?"
"The rules of using mind magic. We're kind of a stickler for that sort of thing."
"Is that why that pony I was investigating wound up a mental vegetable? Because he broke some rules laid down by some secret star chamber?"
"Really wish you'd stop harping on that," Midnight mutters.
"Because if you think I'm going to let you do the same to that girl--"
Midnight face-hoofs. "We're not! Jesus, dude, totally different situation."
"So you do know what happened to that pony," Jason says.
"Let's just say I can guess," Midnight says in a terse voice. "Look, we were talking about prime asshole number one Ryan. I'm trying to help, in case you haven't noticed. But I need your help in return."
Jason takes a long drink of his beer, as he feels he needs it despite it having no deleterious properties. "All you've talked about is linking him back to the dream realm. Not sure how I can help with that."
"I'm told you're in contact with Twilight Sparkle."
Jason gives him a wary look. "Why do you want to know?"
"Because she has a soft spot for the Tanner family."
Jason pauses. "Which is apropos of ... what?"
"See, this is where it gets complicated," Midnight explains. "Jenny is one of the few rehumanized people who lost their link to the dream realm and then got it back. Princess Luna wants to know how she managed it and if it can be done for Ryan."
"Wait a moment," says Jason. "This is about as clear as mud. Why mention Twilight if it's Luna who needs to be involved?"
"Because of what I said about Twilight's feelings for Jenny's family. She wouldn't be quite as keen on this, especially since she's been trying to limit Equestrian involvement."
"And what do you need me for?"
"Twilight's been trying to have humans be more involved in fixing this mess," says Midnight. "I thought you and your partner could talk to Jenny and convince her to help. Maybe tell her it's her duty to her country, or a matter of national security or something."
Jason frowns. "First of all, whatever Miss Tanner will or won't do is up to her and her guardian, and may not involve her becoming a magical test subject."
"Yes, but--"
"And frankly, I'm not sure linking Ryan back to the dream realm is the best idea, especially if it lets your ilk mind-wipe him."
Midnight rubs a hoof through his mane. "We kinda want to avoid that."
"But it's not off the table, is it?"
"Uh, well--"
"You want my help, you're going to have to be honest with me for once," Jason declares. "Is whatever organization you're part of considering it?"
Midnight sighs. "Yes, but only as a last resort! It's always a last resort."
"And that's supposed to reassure me? Who gets to decide whether it's time for the last resort?"
"That's not important right now."
"The hell it isn't," Jason snaps. "You night ponies act above the law, and I refuse to be party to that."
"You don't have to," Midnight says in irritation. "The whole idea behind me coming to you is to help humans haul his ass to jail. Jenny may be the only way you can do that."
"We have other leads," Jason says, though he knows by using the plural he's overstating his case. "We don't necessarily need what you and your cohorts can pluck out of his mind. I doubt it would be admissible in court. Did you ever think of that?"
Midnight drains the rest of his bottle in one go before responding, "And did you ever think that maybe getting him into jail will be peanuts compared to keeping him there?"
Jason hesitates. "What are you talking about?"
"Think about it. He's got the power to make you feel anything he wants. What if he can use that to manipulate people into letting him escape?"
Jason clenches his jaw. He indeed had not thought of that. He had been so focused on getting enough evidence to stick to Ryan in a court of law that he had not considered the details of his incarceration. "Perhaps we could keep him in under sedation."
Midnight rolls his eyes. "Yeah, they tried that on Sunset Shimmer. Good thing that worked out so well, huh?"
Jason could have argued that the situation was completely different, but imagines that would be lost on the night pony. "What's your point?"
Midnight hops off the sofa and heads over to the fridge. He nudges it open with a hoof, and it is now filled with Mexican beer. He grabs a bottle before turning back to Jason. "My point is, you need our help, not just to catch the bastard but to keep him caught. We need your help in catching him in the first place. We actually would prefer humans -- and ponies like you working with them -- to take the lead on this as much as possible." He closes the fridge door with a buck of a rear hoof. "Or do you want Princess Luna to have to swoop in again to save the day?"
Jason would indeed prefer to have less of that. Despite having prevented a riot, Luna's actions complicated an already delicate situation.
"We sure don't," Midnight says. "And I'll answer the question I'm sure you're thinking right now. We don't owe any fealty to Luna. She helped train us, but that's it."
"Then who do you owe fealty to?" Jason asks.
Midnight pulls off the top of the bottle with his teeth and spits the cap into the garbage can next to the fridge. He takes a long drink before replying, "Okay, I'll fess up. We have our own alicorn princess."
Jason's pupils shrink slightly. "You what?"
"Yep, our own Princess of the Night."
"But how can you possibly--"
"And she's also the Princess of Rap," says Midnight. "No pony can hold a beat like her."
Jason blinks. "Wait, what??"
Midnight bursts out laughing. "Hah! I had you going there for a minute, didn't I? The look on your face just now was priceless!"
Jason fumes silently, not trusting himself to respond with anything other than an insulting comment that would just roll off Midnight like water off a pegasus' wings. He has to give up on the idea that this night pony will tell him anything about how his tribe is organized. "The bottom line is that I can't decide for Miss Tanner whether she can or will help you."
"Yeah, but you can encourage her," Midnight says. "Tell her that her country needs her or something. Have Connie talk to her, maybe."
"That would be up to Twilight to convince her, not me," Jason says.
Midnight takes a long drink of his beer. "Well, the thing is, I was told Twilight sorta freaked out after hearing about Jenny. She doesn't want to put that sort of pressure on Jenny."
"But you're willing to let me do the same," Jason says sourly.
"Look, there's another reason you might want to consider getting him linked back into the dream realm. We can better sense where he is and when he's using his power."
"To what end?"
"So we can alert you," Midnight explains. "Remember that there are night ponies all over the world. There's always quite a number of them actively dreamwalking, and the dream realm is not affected by distance. Dreamwalking a pony on the other side of the planet is no different than dreamwalking the pony next door. Isn't one of your problems that you can never be there to witness him using his ability?"
Not that merely looking at him would ever be sufficient evidence in a court of law, but Jason is running out of options. "I'm more concerned with getting him away from the public. We can more easily nail him for identity theft than illicit magic use. Then we could get a court order to have him magically examined and discover his ability that way."
"Funny you should mention that," Midnight says with a smile. "Princess Luna suggests that you go ahead with hauling him in on that identity theft charge."
Jason raises an eyebrow. "Oh? Why?"
"Because she may have known him before he rehumanized. If you incarcerate him, and if Luna pays him a visit, she can get a better sense for him and make it easier for us to spot him in the dream realm once he's fully relinked to it."
"I'm not sure I could arrange that," Jason says in a wary voice.
"Dude, Luna can teleport. She can just pop in and--"
"You don't seem to get it," Jason declares. "You and Luna are not the law. Maybe in this realm you feel like you can make up rules as you go, but not in the real world."
"Look, here's the bottom line," says Midnight. "The best source of Ryan's identity is his own head. Once you have that, you can connect the dots and find other evidence that you can nail him to the wall with."
Jason considers very carefully. The matter of law in this area is sketchy. Where the night ponies are so secretive, it has been near impossible to fit their abilities into the concept of valid evidence and witness reliability. "I remember interviewing night ponies in the past. I got the sense that they tended to keep what they knew of other ponies' dreams and thoughts to themselves."
"Uh, yeah, there's sort of a rule on that."
"Aren't you violating that by advocating invading the suspect's thoughts?"
"Don't the police have to violate privacy sometimes to gather evidence?"
"Yes, with a search warrant issued by a court of law."
"Think of it like that, then," Midnight says.
"Except there's no court and no law." Jason steps up to Midnight. "Listen to me carefully. I'll agree to your idea--"
"Finally," Midnight mutters.
"--but on one condition: that any punitive action taken against him -- including mind-wiping him -- cannot be done unless duly ordered by the court after a jury finds him guilty in a proper criminal trial."
"The fuck?!"
"You heard me."
Midnight frowns. "Look, we try to stay out of the affairs in the waking world. What gives you the right to claim jurisdiction here?"
"Because everyone involved are American citizens and thus subject to American law," Jason explains.
"Things don't work that way here," Midnight says. "You see any borders? You see anypony asking for your damn passport? You see anypony saluting a goddamn flag?"
"Maybe I can't extend the rule of American law into this realm, but I can sure as hell affect it in the real world," Jason says. "That's my condition, and it's non-negotiable."
Midnight clenches his teeth. "I'm not the one who can agree to that."
Jason jabs his fore-hoof against Midnight's chest. "Then find someone who can. I am not going to have this be decided by vigilante justice."
Midnight lets out his breath as a short, frustrated sigh. "I'll have to get back to you on that."
"Do so. You know how to reach me in the waking world."
Midnight goes to take another drink, then sets the bottle down instead. "You are such a downer, you know that? See if I ever invite you to a kegger party."
Jason actually feels some disappointment. He is sure they could all use a good drink or two when this is all over.
Jenny yelps as she slips and falls with a splash into the puddle formed by the relentless rain, muddying her already tattered and dirty peasant dress. Her heart pounds as she hears the rumbling footsteps and agitated shouts of the closing mob. She dashes off into the darkness, only the occasional candle shining in a window guiding her way.
She nearly falls again as parts of the shabby road run liquid with water and mud. She manages to grab the support beam of a canopy over a front door and swings herself forward, almost falling onto the musty wood. She pounds on the door and yells, "Please! Please let me in!"
A face appears at the window, twisting into a scowl. "Begone with you, foul Witch! You'll not be bewitching me tonight!"
"But I'm not like that!" Jenny wails.
"Begone! You'll not influence me with the Devil's magic!"
Jenny frowns. "It's not from the Devil. I don't know where it's from."
"It can be nothing good if it bends men's minds to your will."
Jenny clenches her teeth. "I do not wish this power."
The face gasps and retreats. "I can feel it now! Go away! Take your enchantments elsewhere, Witch!"
Jenny stumbles back, dropping her face into her hands. Was she about to bewitch this person to secure protection? What greater purpose would that serve in her Story? None! Thus it must not be true.
But ... how can she be sure?
"There she is!"
Jenny is startled out of her reverie by the loud cry. Her blood runs cold as she beholds the mob of townsfolk carrying torches and improvised weaponry. The one in the lead raises a spade above his head and yells, "Get her! Get the Witch! Burn her!"
The mob utters shouts of resolve as they surge towards her.
Jenny runs off as fast as her feet would take her. She has no choice now; the castle is her only sanctuary. Behind her, the mob takes up a terrifying chant.
"Burn the Witch! Burn the Witch! Burn the Witch!"
Jenny's heart races, and her lungs ache as she pushes herself beyond all endurance when the stone ramparts of the castle loom ahead.
"Burn the Witch! Burn the Witch! Burn the Witch!"
Her feet pound against the wooden boards of the drawbridge, feet hurting and bleeding as her shoes fall apart. The mob thunders onto the bridge just a second later, right on her heels. She can feel the heat from their torches, as if a prelude of what would come were they to catch her.
"BURN THE WITCH! BURN THE WITCH! BURN THE WITCH!"
Somehow, against all possibility, she crosses the threshold of the main door of the castle, spins around, and slams the great giant door shut with a deafening crash that leaves an unnerving silence in its wake.
Jenny leans against the door and closes her eyes, gasping for breath. Yet when she opens them a few moments later, she blinks in confusion as what she sees.
She stares at what was the castle door, only to find an ordinary door in its place. She looks down at herself. Gone are the muddy rags she was wearing, and in their place are her normal jeans and blouse. Around the door is an ordinary wall.
"Ah, Miss Tanner, good. You're right on time for your appointment."
Jenny whirls around at the sound of the male voice. Her eyes widen as she beholds a balding man with glasses sitting in an easy chair opposite a sofa. He is holding a small pad and pen and sits in the middle of what looks like an office. Several diplomas hang from the walls.
The man points his pen to the couch. "If you would just lie down, we can begin."
"Lie down?" Jenny says, bemused. "I don't understand."
"If you find lying on the couch to be a bit cliché, you're free to sit instead."
"Cliché? But I ..." Jenny trails off as she looks at the diplomas again. One is for a degree in psychiatry. "Who are you?"
"My name is Psychic Calm."
Jenny frowns. "That sounds like a pony name."
"Indeed it is, for I am one myself. A night pony, to be exact."
Jenny tilts her head. "You, uh, don't look like one."
"Given you are human, I thought seeing me as I was before ETS would make you feel more comfortable," says the strange human-looking pony.
"This is making no sense. This has got to be the weirdest dream I've ever had." Jenny hesitates. "Wait. How did I know this is a dream?"
"Because I have chosen to make you aware as such," Psychic says. "You must understand what is real and what is not for us to make progress."
Jenny's eyes widen in realization.
"And considering the content of your dream, it appears we have a great deal to discuss."
Jenny frowns. "You're dreamwalking me."
"Indeed, yes."
"I lost my contact with the dream realm when I rehumanized."
"Your recent magical awakening has apparently reestablished that link," Psychic explains. "Though I admit it was a little tricky finding you at first."
Jenny clenches her teeth. "I don't want you in my head. Get out."
"As much as night ponies are taught to respect the wishes of those whose dreams they walk, circumstances dictate that I must politely refuse," Psychic replies.
"Why? What do you want with me?" Jenny grabs a fistful of her hair as if to pull it out. "It's bad enough I have to deal with magic I don't want during the day, now I have to put up with it at night, too?"
Psychic taps his pen against his chin. "So you have no desire to practice this sort of magic. Does that include the part concerning altering minds?"
"Especially that part," Jenny says.
Psychic smiles. "That is a good sign, for it is that about which we must speak at length. Please, sit and make yourself comfortable."
"I don't see why I should," Jenny grumbles. "I didn't make this 'appointment'."
"I took the liberty of making it for you," says Psychic. "You'll understand why shortly."
Jenny sighs dramatically, not caring that it makes her sound immature. This is her head, and if she wants to act that way, so be it. She drops onto the sofa and folds her arms, giving Psychic an indignant look.
Psychic crosses a leg over the other. "What I am about to tell you, Miss Tanner, is a rather closely guarded secret. I insist that you respect that. We cannot continue unless you agree."
Jenny hesitates but nods. "Fine."
"If you would, please repeat," Psychic intones. "I pledge not to reveal the secrets of the Dreamwardens to those who are not night ponies."
"Dreamwardens?"
"I will explain in due time, but you must make the pledge first."
"And just what secrets am I keeping?"
"Most importantly, our existence," Psychic explains. "And more specifically, our names, though names other than my own will be revealed to you only on a need-to-know basis."
Jenny manages not to roll her eyes. "I pledge not to reveal the secrets of the Dreamwardens to those who are not night ponies."
Psychic nods. "Satisfactory. Very well. I am more than a night pony. I am one called a Dreamwarden."
"Never heard of them."
"And you would continue to be ignorant of our existence if it were not for your ability," Psychic explains. "Long story short, it is our duty to ensure night ponies do not use their abilities to harm others."
Jenny raises an eyebrow. "What does that have to do with me? I can't dreamwalk."
"Some night ponies have the additional ability to affect the minds of others in the waking world," says Psychic. "And a scant few non-night ponies have such abilities as well. Which brings us to you."
Jenny shifts nervously in her seat.
"We take it upon ourselves to police them as well."
"Under whose authority?" Jenny demands.
"Our own, of course."
The surprisingly succinct reply throws Jenny off for a moment. "That sounds too much like a dictatorship."
"In a way, it is," says Psychic. "If it helps any, each Dreamwarden was chosen by Princess Luna."
Jenny is not sure it does. She knows little about the Equestrian rulers save for what she hears through the same outlets as anyone else, and the attitude towards them depends on the venue and context. The Diarchy has been depicted anywhere from benevolent near god-like creatures to oppressive and aloof absolute tyrants. "Is she in charge of you?"
"No," Psychic declares. "We owe her no fealty, at her own request. She has trained us, but we are autonomous."
"So this policing stuff," Jenny says in an anxious voice. "That includes me?"
"Indeed."
"Am I under arrest or something then?"
"Not at all," Psychic explains. "From what I understand of what you have done so far, you have not set out to cause any being any harm."
"Of course not!" Jenny explodes. "I don't even want this power. I wish I could get rid of it." She pauses. "Can you help me do that?"
"That's not something I can do," says Psychic. "All I can do is arrange for supervision."
Jenny raises an eyebrow. "Supervision?"
"I want to make something very clear, Miss Tanner," Psychic says in a firm voice. "The Dreamwardens are very strict. We have to be, as the power of those whom we manage can be formidable and easily abused."
"And you think I might abuse my power?" Jenny asks in a softer voice.
"From your dream earlier, it appears to be something you fear as well."
Jenny shivers but says nothing.
"It is quite natural to fear such a thing," says Psychic. "And as one of my fellow Dreamwardens would say, fear can be good. That you fear it means you are more on guard. I am to ensure you remain that way."
"I don't have complete control over this," Jenny says. "Not yet, anyway."
"Understood. The first incident was indeed clearly a surge."
"And what if it hadn't? What if I had done that willfully?"
"Then this meeting would have had a most different tone to it," Psychic says in a grave voice. "I would be arranging your punishment as well as future supervision."
Jenny's eyes widen. "I was helping my friends!"
"By altering the minds of others against their will."
"Maybe you're not up on current events," Jenny snaps. "Something is not right about what's going on. If we had been captured, they might be trying to pick me apart to see what makes me tick. Or Beverly for that matter. Hell, Twilight Sparkle is involved now!"
Psychic taps his pen against his chin again. "I will admit, matters are rather complicated right now in the waking world, but the Dreamwardens must be unyielding in this matter. Controlling minds is a very serious action and always comes with consequences."
"If we get faced with that situation again, people are going to be expecting me to get them out of it," Jenny says in a low voice.
"Undoubtedly," Psychic admits.
"So am I supposed to ignore them? Am I supposed to just not use my power at all no matter what?"
"To one, a knife is nothing more than a tool to prepare one's dinner. To another, it is an effective weapon. What do you wish this power to be, tool or weapon?"
Jenny would protest that she wanted neither, but that would just run them around in circles. She has little choice but to accept she has this ability, at least until she could speak to an Equestrian mage. That thought prompts her next question. "All ponies are connected in the dream realm, right?"
"For the most part, yes," Psychic replies.
"Including Equestrian ponies?"
Psychic nods.
"Then can you arrange for me to contact one of them about this magic of mine?"
"Princess Twilight has already taken an interest in you," Psychic says in a dry voice.
"She has?"
"Yes, and when we are done here, I will link you to her."
"Thank you!" Jenny gushes.
"Make no mistake, the Dreamwardens usually do not like to invite Equestrian involvement when we can avoid it," Psychic explains. "Princess Luna's recent intervention, for example. We were not entirely pleased with the end result."
Jenny blinks in surprise. Did he just criticize the one who taught them in the first place?
"While what she did at Village Center was necessary given the circumstances, we would have wished for a more subtle approach," Psychic says. "And regardless of what happens in the future, we need to be concerned with the present."
"I just don't like the idea of yet more interference with my life."
"I am not ignorant of what you have gone through," Psychic says in a more sympathetic voice. "I know of Sunset Shimmer's interference in your life at an early age."
"And just what is Sunset to you?" Jenny demands. "Because if you're just another Shimmerist, you can get out of my head right now, Dreamwarden or no."
"I am not," says Psychic. "I have a neutral attitude towards the transformation. It has happened, and we must deal with it. Whether more humans become ponies or ponies become human matters not to me. All that matters now is that those linked to the dream realm are allowed to sleep in peace, and that no being is subjected to unwarranted intrusion into their thoughts." He considers and adds, "If it pleases you to think in such terms, you can consider this a means of cleaning up the mess Sunset left behind."
Jenny looks only partially mollified. Her thoughts are too much of a jumble for her to comment further.
Psychic leans back slightly. "We do not praise Sunset Shimmer for her actions. While some of us have found a new and sometimes better purpose after the transformation, it does not justify what she did. Some of us believe she truly did not understand what she was doing, especially where night ponies are concerned. That she engineered us at all without an obvious plan to put controls in place is a reprehensible oversight all on its own."
Jenny frowns. "She thought she could do everything herself."
"No being is infallible nor can do it all. That is why there is more than one Dreamwarden."
"It still doesn't help that there's going to be more interference in my life."
"But necessary," Psychic says. "I can almost guarantee that, once you have full control over your ability, you will want to use it. Your comments about helping your friends bear this out. Every being with magical ability feels a need to use it. To ignore it would be like ignoring an arm or a leg."
Jenny wants to deny it vehemently but somehow knows this being will see it for the lie that it is. She willingly chose to accept the Narrative earlier that day to help Bev, even if she did not want the baggage that came along with it. Even hiding the truth would likely get her nowhere.
"It happened again today," Jenny says in a low voice. "But I stopped it before it could get very far."
"Ah, splendid."
"No, it's not! I took that power willingly. Well, the Story part of it, not the other."
"Yes, I understand your ability is more than just altering perceptions to suit a scene. That you specifically halted the mind-altering part of it before it could get out of hand is encouraging."
"But it's like you said just now. What if I do want to use it someday?"
"That, Miss Tanner, is where I and our fellow Wardens come in," says Psychic. "Do not think of us as your parole officers, but your teachers and counselors."
"Do you even really understand what this is?" Jenny says in a plaintive voice. "It's not just the Story. It's not just altering minds. I could deal with just either. Together they're something else, and I don't know what that is. That's what really scares me."
"I understand," Psychic says in a soft voice. "But your mind-altering ability is what must concern me for the moment."
"And if the two are so related that they can't be separated?"
Psychic looks thoughtful, tapping his pen again.
"You just said magic is there to be used," Jenny continues. "What if I find out I can't use one without the other? What then?"
Psychic considers for another moment. "Let us not get ahead of ourselves. While fear can be healthy, it can also cloud our judgment. I would hold some of these questions until you speak with the Princess. She can better answer your questions about your magical powers."
Jenny lets out a long sigh. That is the best she can hope for. "I wouldn't be asking if there were any other way we could contact her. We're not exactly in a good position to move about."
"Realize I have no control over what she will agree to," says Psychic. "Equestria is wary right now of being perceived as having any designs on Earth. This is why the Wardens were upset with Luna's actions. We're not exactly going to advocate for further interference."
"That's fine. I just want to talk to someone about this."
"Now may we talk about your disposition concerning the Wardens?"
Jenny nods. "Yes, go ahead."
"Some of my night ponies at this very moment are dreamwalking among ponies whom they will ask to observe you when night ponies are normally asleep," says Psychic. "They will in turn report their observations each night."
Jenny pauses. "That's it?"
"Not quite," Psychic continues. "You will also need to report to a night pony whom you will tell exactly how and why you used your mind altering abilities that day. You must be completely and unequivocally honest. If your account does not match those of your observers, there will be consequences."
"Wait a minute!" Jenny cries. "What if an observer lies?"
"We are seeking ponies of integrity for the task."
"Okay, what if they're just flat out wrong or make a mistake?"
"That's why I mentioned observers, plural," says Psychic. "We expect not all observations will be perfect."
"I don't get the purpose of me reporting what I did, then," Jenny mutters.
"Consider it a test of your character," Psychic explains. "If you do something you knew was wrong and openly admit as such, that is far better than attempting to gloss over it or cover it up."
"I'm not sure what would be considered 'wrong' in your eyes," Jenny protests. "Or if any use of it is 'right'."
"We take consent into consideration," says Psychic. "For example, your power can be used to augment a story you are telling. If your audience wishes to be willing participants, that is an acceptable use of your power, so long as you do nothing to intentionally hurt them."
"And when I helped my friends escape the law, there was no consent," Jenny says flatly.
"Precisely."
"But I was saving them from what might be an outright illegal action in the first place!"
"Since that was an involuntary surge, it's not being judged by us," Psychic explains. "But had it been willful, I would point out that you didn't know that at the time. You cannot justify such an action in retrospect."
"What if I had known ahead of time?"
"It doesn't do us any good to speculate in such--"
"I'm the one on the hook here, I think I should speculate all I want!" Jenny explodes. "Answer my damn question!"
Psychic gives her a cross look. "Very well. We would give you a chance to explain yourself before us. You would need to explain why you thought such action absolutely necessary and could not be resolved by any other means. We then would judge whether your actions were justified."
"And if you think they're not? What happens then?"
"It will depend on the magnitude of the offense, the circumstances, and so on," Psychic explains. "Some form of discipline or punishment will be given. It will not be permanent."
Jenny's eyes widen. "There are permanent forms of punishment?"
"Unfortunately, yes," says Psychic. "Realize it is reserved for the worst offenses, repeat offenders, or blatant disregard for the rules or the Wardens. I suspect it will never come to such with you."
"That's not very reassuring," Jenny mutters. "I have no other authority I can appeal to?"
"No."
Jenny clenches her teeth. While she has no intention of ever using that power again if she can avoid it, she cannot escape the possibility that she might have used it willingly if she had known everything then that she did now. "So much for Equestria not interfering in Earth affairs."
"If you refer to the inauguration of the Dreamwardens, it was necessary to avoid a greater evil," Psychic explains. "I am sorry if we come off sounding harsh, but we cannot afford to be lenient when the stakes are so high. All I can say is we do our best to ensure everyone is treated fairly. We will be taking into account the fact that you are young and immature. Even among night ponies, we sometimes have foals younger than you who start dreamwalking and must be patiently taught the rules."
"I didn't ask for any of this," Jenny mutters.
"None of us did," says Psychic in a softer voice. "We can only deal with the consequences. Now, before I conclude this shared dream, I must again emphasize your pledge to maintain silence. Speak about it with no one who is not a night pony."
"You mean I can't even tell my Aunt Eileen?"
"Correct."
Jenny frowns. "You might as well ask me to stop breathing. She's my legal guardian. What am I supposed to do when other ponies start spying on me? She's going to start asking questions."
"Your observers will be discreet, and one will be up front with you and introduce himself as such," says Psychic.
"My aunt is pretty observant. She's eventually going to notice something is up."
"You will need to exercise discretion in that case and tell her something that will satisfy her curiosity."
"You mean lie to her."
"If necessary, yes."
"I don't like having to do that," Jenny protests.
"Commendable, but you must set aside your consternation for a greater good," says Psychic. "Also, your pledge is more than mere words. It will carry with it a mild magical compunction to abide by it."
Jenny frowns. "For a bunch of people so anal about using mind magic, you don't mind using it yourselves for your own ends."
"As with everything, there are trade-offs," says Psychic. "Much like a police officer is pledged to protect the public yet must carry a potentially lethal weapon in order to carry out that pledge."
In Jenny's mind, it still amounts to giving up more control of her own fate. She feels even less in control than she did when the Narrative first seized her and facilitated their escape from the FBI.
"Fine," Jenny grunts. "Are we done?"
Psychic nods and stands. "I would say, yes." He smiles and extends his hand.
Jenny looks at it warily, but stands and accepts it.
"Fear not, Miss Tanner," Psychic says. "I sense that you are a good person at heart. I don't expect our paths will cross very often in the future."
Jenny dearly hopes not. It was bad enough knowing she is likely wanted by the law. Now she has to toe the line with another law enforcement agency which had little or no oversight.
Twilight looks over the cutie map and the empty chairs with a forlorn sigh. It seems like it has been forever since she was back home, and even as vivid a reconstruction as this in the dream realm is no substitute for the real thing. She makes note to thank both ponies who made this possible: Luna for creating such a detailed dream setting, and Phobia Remedy for performing the tricky work necessary to link Jenny to it.
As if in sync with her thoughts, she hears a familiar voice call out. "Hello? Anyone here?"
"In here, Jenny," Twilight announces.
Jenny appears at the door, her head clearing the top by only a few inches, her eyes wide with wonder. "Wow, what is this place? It's beautiful."
Twilight smiles. "Thank you. It's my home back in Equestria. It's called the Castle of Friendship." She waves a hoof, and a human-sized chair styled like the other chairs appears. "Please, sit."
Jenny crosses the room and sits, looking around as she does. "This place is really amazing. It's like something straight out of some of my stories."
Twilight chuckles. "I realize some aspects of Equestria reflect human ideas of fantasy worlds. In any case, Jenny, it's really good to see you again. I'm sorry we have to meet in a shared dream instead of in person."
Jenny rolls her eyes. "I know, I've had my fill of shared dreams to last a lifetime."
"I, um, take it one of the Dreamwardens has spoken to you."
"So you know about them? I can speak freely about it with you?"
"Yes," says Twilight. "I hope they weren't too harsh with you. Who was it?"
"Psychic Calm."
"Oh, good!" says Twilight. "He's actually one of the, ah ... nicer ones." She almost said "saner" but decided against it at the last moment.
"I still feel like my every action is going to be watched and judged," Jenny mutters.
"Connie Morgan relayed what you told her, but I'd like to hear it from you. Can you explain your abilities in more detail?"
She listens as Jenny explains, and it's all Twilight can do to restrain herself from stating how amazing it sounds. Ultimately, Jenny's own anguished tone holds her back.
"Twilight, I don't want this power," Jenny says.
"I know it's very troubling to you right now when you don't have control over it."
"It's not just that. It's not worth having if I have to worry about mind-controlling people and having some secret police watching me."
"To be honest, Jenny, I'm not sure how to classify your ability," Twilight says. "I've never seen anything quite like it."
"Tell that to Psychic Calm," Jenny snaps. "He only cares about the mind control aspect of it."
"I understand his concern, and I can't really overrule him, but I feel like 'mind control' is too simplistic an explanation. It's more like a temporary altering of reality."
"And what about the part that helps me figure out what's going to happen?"
"That's puzzling as well," Twilight says. "True seers are exceedingly rare even among my own kind. I've met only one in my life, and she needs to do a special ritual in order to gain any insight."
"But this is not predicting the future," Jenny says with some exasperation. "It's more like I can see stuff that's happening somewhere else."
"In that case, it's more like clairvoyance than prediction, but even then it doesn't quite follow any known patterns." Twilight sighs. "I'm truly sorry, Jenny. You came to me for answers, and all I can do is offer more questions."
Jenny's hands ball into fists. "Psychic said the Dreamwardens are cleaning up the mess Sunset left behind. How about someone cleaning up the mess that's my life? She caused this to happen!"
"Jenny, please, calm down," Twilight says.
"How can I when I can never get rid of what Sunset did to me?!"
"Because she might not be the ultimate cause."
Jenny hesitates before saying in a slightly softer voice, "What are you talking about?"
"Yes, Sunset interfered in your life, but the magic you have now has nothing to do with her," Twilight says. "It's something completely different."
"But it never would've happened if she hadn't interfered."
"You don't have to see this as something she forced upon you. You can see it as something that came entirely from you."
Jenny lets out a sigh but says nothing in reply.
"It's hard to explain, as I don't have all the answers yet," Twilight says. "Something has happened to catalyze human magic, not just in you but others as well."
"You're talking about Ryan, right?"
"Yes, unfortunately, but he's not the only one."
"I'm not sure I like that as a theme with human magic," Jenny mutters. "We can both affect minds."
"In completely different ways," Twilight says.
"And you keep saying Sunset is not really the cause, but if she hadn't interfered with my life, I may not have retreated into my own fantasy world in the first place which eventually led me to this. I might have turned out completely different."
"Yes," Twilight says in a softer voice. "But you're not the first person to have a single event change their life. Jenny, I wouldn't be here talking to you had it not been for a single defining moment years ago. A pony I had absolutely no knowledge of at the time -- who eventually became my good friend Rainbow Dash -- did something amazing, something that had never been done before."
"What did she do?" Jenny asks.
"She did a maneuver called a sonic rainboom," Twilight explains. "The details of it don't matter. All you need to know is it created a powerful magical discharge that profoundly affected my life. It not only allowed me to pass an exam to get into a school for gifted unicorns, it gave me my cutie mark and made Princess Celestia take me as her personal student. And it linked me somehow to five other ponies, and we became what you've probably heard referred to as the Element Bearers."
"Fine," Jenny says. "But do you ever regret it happened?"
"Not regret, no," Twilight says. "But it made my life into an endless set of daunting challenges. Had it not happened, my life would have been simpler. I would never have Ascended. I would never have known anything about what Sunset had done. And ... I never would've been here to stop it."
Jenny sighs and runs a hand through her hair. "Maybe I wanted a simpler life," she says in a low voice. "I don't want to be some sort of pioneer in human magic."
"I know, but I have to be honest with you. I don't think I can do anything to remove or reverse this. All I can do is study it, and hopefully help you understand it and control it. Then you can decide whether you want to ever use it or not."
"If someone doesn't decide for me."
"You mean the Dreamwardens?"
"No, I meant the government," Jenny declares. "I'm probably some wanted outlaw by now. What recourse am I going to have if the FBI comes for me again? If I don't use my power, we get caught. If I do use it, I get the Dreamwardens on my case."
"My human friends are hoping to stop that before it happens," Twilight explains. "And as for the Dreamwardens ... if you truly get into trouble with them for doing something you feel is right, I will personally advocate for you."
"You can do that?"
"Yes."
"Psychic said they're trying to avoid Equestrian intervention," Jenny says.
"If they truly believe you did something wrong and you don't agree, demand a trial," Twilight says. "You'll be allowed to have someone defend you or speak on your behalf. You're allowed to call anyone as a witness for you, even me."
Jenny frowns. "Psychic never told me that."
"Likely because he believes you won't ever need it," Twilight says. "He's usually a very good judge of character."
Jenny's eyes glisten. "All I want is some reassurance that people are not going to treat me like some sort of freak," she says in a quavering voice. "I don't want to be forced to live among ponies my whole life just because they're more accepting of magic."
"I can't predict what's going to happen, but I intend to make every effort to see that magic is more accepted," Twilight says. "I have a feeling you and Ryan are not going to be the last to come into such power, rehumanization or no."
Back in his night pony form, Psychic Calm frowns at Midnight as they stand in the celestial expanse of the dream realm. "Your federal agent friend is out of his mind if he thinks the Wardens will agree to such a demand."
Midnight spreads his fore-hooves. "That's what I tried to tell him! Well, not in so many words, since I couldn't tell him about you guys, but that's the gist of it."
"Even if I advocated for such an approach, I doubt I would get consensus," Psychic continues. "Sha'am Maut alone would be incensed at the very suggestion that a day pony would make such a demand."
"Again, I tried to tell him all this," Midnight says in irritation. "And, frankly, all this secrecy wasn't helping my case."
"The Oaths are not up for debate."
"I know," Midnight says in a softer voice. "But you have to admit, it does make things a lot harder in situations like this."
"Situations like this should never come up in the first place. We should be able to handle such a problem ourselves."
"Uh, what happened to this being a human problem and not extending authority into the waking world?" Midnight asks in a delicate voice. "Not that I'm against you all wanting to kick Ryan's ass, just wondering what's changed."
"We were unaware of the sheer scope of his powers prior to the incident at Village Center," says Psychic in a somber voice. "Thus there has been a change in the thinking of the Wardens. We believe we should be the sole arbiters of his fate."
"Uh, yeah, and I can guess what that fate would be."
Psychic turns to face Midnight more directly. "And do you disagree that such a punishment should be considered? All signs currently point to the conclusion that he has acted with outright malice and a complete disregard for the sanctity of other beings' emotions."
"Sounds kinda like what I did," Midnight says.
"That is not relevant, as it was not us who chose your fate," Psychic says. "And Princess Luna likely believed there were mitigating circumstances. If we found something similar with Ryan, we would consider it, as we have with trials in the past. But I am curious as to why are you now defending this human when you were ready to kill him yourself with your own hooves?"
Midnight frowns. "I'm not. I want the bastard brought to justice."
"Then why are you arguing with me? The only reason I am tolerating your insolence is because I had a good session with Miss Tanner. I believe she will make every attempt to follow the rules I laid down."
"At least there's some good news tonight," Midnight mutters.
"Are you seriously advocating that we accept Jason's demand?" Psychic asks.
"Do we have a choice? We need to figure out how to get Ryan linked back to the dream realm. Jason and his partner could convince Jenny to help us with that."
"I can think of any number of ponies who could help convince her," says Psychic. "We do not need Jason's help."
"Okay, maybe not for getting Jenny on board, but what about having Luna meet with Ryan and possibly help us find him in the dream realm? That's kinda more critical, isn't it?"
Psychic frowns. "The Wardens were not very keen on her involvement in the first place."
Midnight could tell the Warden was becoming angry, and he knew pushing the matter would risk getting himself into trouble, but his frustration was too great. "Look, Jason already has enough evidence to nail Ryan for identity theft with or without us."
"And your point is?"
"What if he discovers Ryan's true identity and keeps that information from us? He already trusts us no further than he could throw the lot of us! Then if we fail to link him back to the dream realm because Jenny decides not to help, or Luna has no chance to--"
"Enough," Psychic snaps. "What would you have us do?"
"Jason has a stick up his ass about all this secrecy. We've made exceptions in the past for certain ponies and even humans. Why not take him into our confidence like we've done before?"
"Out of the question."
Midnight takes a deep breath and manages not to face-hoof. "May I ask why?"
"Somepony like Jason will want to make it a matter of public record," Psychic explains. "Or even if he keeps record of it sealed, it will still be circulating within the FBI, and we already know there are unscrupulous people within the organization."
"Who's to say some of them don't already know? If Ryan is not ashamed to use his powers as he pleases, he sure as hell is not going to respect the oath of secrecy."
Psychic's frown deepens, but he remains silent.
"Hell, Ryan is working with Fuller, the same fuckwad they think is behind all the recent shit going down," Midnight says. "He could already know about you guys."
"That is mere speculation. Realize that the Oaths have a meaning beyond words. They instill compulsions for obedience."
"Yeah, but we're talking rehumanized magic here. Look how tricky it was for you to find Jenny in the dream realm. The rules may be completely different for Ryan now."
Psychic sighs. "Very well. I will take this up with the other Wardens."
"Thank you," Midnight says.
"Do not expect miracles," Psychic declares. "I will likely be chastised extensively by Sha'am Maut for even bringing up the idea."
"Better you than me," Midnight says with a tiny smirk. "Oops, did I say that out loud?"
Psychic narrows his eyes.
Midnight's ears droop. "I just earned some new punishment for that, didn't I?"
"Yes."
"Um, I'll just be quiet now and go stand in the corner."
"Please do so."
Midnight honestly doesn't care if he has incurred some small amount of Dreamwarden wrath; it is worth it if it means something was going to get done.