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// Chapter 17: Trouble Sleeping 
// Story: A Place in Equestria III: Lost in Another World 
// by GoebelTron 
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During the night, while Sunset and Starlight were sleeping, Thomas suddenly woke up, and then carefully got off the bed without hurting himself. Thomas then got his slippers on and grabbed his Snuggle Bear teddy, but Sunset suddenly saw him walking away. “Thomas? What are you doing out of bed?” Sunset asked. “I’m thirsty,” Thomas said, and then Sunset got up, and took her nephew to the kitchen for a cup of cold water. When Thomas finished his drink, Sunset took him back to bed and tucked him back underneath the blankets and then went back to sleep.

Later on, Thomas got up one last time, but he poked Sunset. “Auntie Sunset? Can I get through? I promise it’s the last time,” he said. Sunset looked at him and then rose up, “What is it this time?” Sunset looked at him holding his hands on the center of his waist, and then she realized what it was, “Oh, do you need to go potty?” Thomas nodded, and then she asked Starlight if she could take him to her bathroom, and after a nod in reply, Starlight got up and took Thomas to the bathroom.

While she waited, Starlight heard Thomas singing a song while he went in to pee, and when she heard the toilet flush and the sink running, Starlight realized he wasn’t coming out, so she went in until she smiled warmly after she saw him finally sleeping. She kneeled down, and held him in her arms and carried him back to bed. When he was tucked back underneath the blankets again, Starlight kissed him on the forehead and went back to sleep after she tucked herself in.

Later on, Thomas was now whimpering underneath the covers. Starlight woke up and saw him having his nightmare, so she got up and then sat up on the bed while underneath the covers, and then brought Thomas over and laid him on her soft lap, until she suddenly saw him hugging her waist and crying while struggling and stirring in his sleep. Starlight then smiled warmly and hugged him back, and repeatedly rubbed his hair like a cat, and softly stroked his back with her fingertips. Thomas then woke up and saw him in his Auntie Starlight’s comfort, and then she gave him a kiss on the forehead and hugged him towards her stomach and then he started shaking and whimpered while sniffing with tears in his eyes.

“Shhhhhh shhhhhh... It’s okay, sweetheart. I’m here,” Starlight said softly. Thomas looked up at her face with adorable puppy eyes and then wiped his tears from his eyes and then curled his arms on one of her thighs and laid in fetal position but hugged his Snuggle Bear closer so he wouldn’t feel scared. “How about if you sleep closer to me tonight? I’ll still be here, okay?” Starlight asked. Thomas nodded and then sniffed his tears. When she laid back down on the bed, Thomas laid back in the same position as before, and then Starlight placed her arms and hands on him. She suddenly saw Thomas hugging her leg while sleeping, and then she placed her hand on his head, and went back to sleep.





The next morning, after Sunset woke up recently, Starlight opened her eyes, and then looked down to see Thomas still snuggled up against her and finally sleeping peacefully with his head rested on her belly. He suddenly started to wake up and then squirmed with a little stretch. “Hey, sweetheart. How are you feeling?” Starlight asked. “A little bit better, but I’m still tired,” Thomas replied. “Can I go back to sleep for a few more minutes?”

“Yeah, sure. I’ll still be right here with you, okay?” Starlight said, and Thomas nodded and went back to sleep and then slept where he originally was as Starlight placed one arm on him to keep him calm and then read some of her book. Later on, Thomas fully woke up and rose up from underneath the bedsheets. “Hey there, sleepyhead. Feeling better now?” Sunset asked. Thomas nodded, and then gave her a hug around her belly until she hugged him back. “Why don’t we get you some breakfast?” Starlight asked. Thomas nodded, and then he got up, but he was lifted up and held into Starlight’s arms and set up against her hip.

When she took him downstairs to the kitchen, they saw Sunset making some pancakes. “Wow, you’ve got some style for pancakes like Princess Celestia does,” Starlight said. “Yeah. But at least it’s worth living for,” Sunset said in reply. “I left some on the table for you, Thomas. Just so you know.” Thomas nodded and then went to the table, sat down, and began to enjoy his breakfast.

When they were finished, Thomas got his clothes on and then Sunset and Starlight got ready as well. Thomas then took Sunset’s hand and they left the apartment before Sunset locked the door and then went to take a stroll around the city for something to do. They suddenly saw their friends at Twilight’s house, and in her bedroom. When they got inside and walked to the room, they said hello, and then to Thomas as he waved back.

“What’s the matter with him?” Rainbow Dash asked. “He had a little trouble sleeping last night, after going potty and getting a drink of water, but until he had a nightmare,” Starlight said. “Aww, poor darling,” Rarity said, kneeling down to give him a hug. When she broke the hug, and touched his cheek with her hand and fingertips, Rarity walked back over to the couch until she winked at Thomas, causing him to blush bashfully. When the girls were having their usual talk, Thomas walked downstairs for some privacy, and then walked out the door for a stroll as he felt his heart beginning to shatter from being lonely without the love and care from his momma and aunties and friends.





Meanwhile, the girls were then coming up with ideas for a farewell for Thomas when he returns to Equestria, along with Starlight. “Maybe we can have a dance competition!” Rainbow Dash said. “But he probably doesn’t know how to dance.”

“I suppose, but we could have a play, like a theater production,” Rarity said. “But what would we do for a play?” Sunset asked. “Hmm... Oh, my... I did not think of that,” Rarity said. “We could have a pet show,” Fluttershy said. “But the school won’t allow pets.”

“Well, especially me,” Spike said. “You’re right, Spike,” Sci-Twi said, until Spike saw that Thomas was missing. “Hey, where’d the little feller go?” Applejack asked, and then the girls began to look for him. “He must’ve ran off!” Rainbow Dash said. “We’ve gotta go find him! He could be in big danger!” Fluttershy said. “Or he might’ve wanted to be alone,” Pinkie Pie said. “That does sound like Thomas if he’s feeling let down,” Rainbow Dash said. “Well, we’ve got to find him before he hurts himself!” Rarity said. “Then let’s get moving!” Sunset said, and then the girls ran off to find their friend.