To Sleep, Perchance to… Nightmare?
Careless Whisper
Author: Draconis187
Time: 20:54
Date: Smatterday
Location: On a cloud above Centennial Park in North Platte, Nebraska.
“Nightmare what are you up to?” Scott asked with a tad amount of annoyance in his voice.
“Well, excuse me for taking a look at our route, Scott!” I spat back before I sighed deeply. “Sorry, it’s just… I thought this trip was going to take me the minimum of a day to complete but it’s taking too damned long. Not to mention you frequent toilet breaks aren't helping speed things up.”
He blushed a little. “Sorry, Scott’s been nagging at me to let him take control.”
“And you haven’t let him because…?” I inquired.
“Oh, I have reasons. I have very good reasons.” He responded cryptically.
Feeling this conversation was going to get us nowhere I left it at that and looked out over Centennial Park. It had a few baseball fields, or ‘diamonds’ as they call them. I am not much of a sport fan but to me baseball is pointless, cricket is better. I placed my earphones in my ears, put Nickelback’s Side of a Bullet on and flew down to the grass as I felt like taking a walk.
So, what do you think of this place Nightmare?
It is interesting but what is that? She replied, lifting our hoof to the fairly sized gazebo in front of us.
Oh, that. I have no clue what Americans call it since they seem to have a different word for everything. We call it a ‘gazebo’. It’s like a building but with no walls. They have a variety of uses though: parties, acting as bandstands, weddings, and so on. I replied matter-of-factly.
Your species is a very strange one Chris. I rolled my eyes as I reponded.
Tell me about it.
The Park was mostly deserted since it was getting dark but I was an Alicorn and I'm sure Scott would come down to warn me if he spotted trouble.
Then again he is trouble. Nightmare responded. Her response made me chuckle.
“Ooh mommy look! It’s a pony! Can I have it please?” A little girl – no older than six – asked her mother.
The mother was dressed in a light blue, floral dress while the girl had a t-shirt with the words ‘20% cooler’ along with a picture of Rainbow Dash wearing her black shades on it. It made me double-take, if she watched the show she would know to be afraid of me, or rather Nightmare Moon at any rate. She either watched a later episode or she can't see who I am clearly or even maybe her mother got her that shirt on a whim.
“No, sweetie. That’s a wild animal and I don’t want you getting near it.” She replied to the little girl.
“Now hold up there madam.” I responded, evidently confusing the pair as I spoke. “I am not some mere animal so would you please refrain from talking as if I'm one?”
Well, I never saw a woman run so fast in my entire life. While she ran holding onto her child for dear life, I heard two remarks: ‘Talking pony!’ I surmised that was the little girl and ‘Aah!’ which I gathered was the mother. Nightmare was standing near the edge of the white cliffs of Dover as she began to laugh hysterically. I will admit I also couldn’t suppress a few giggles.
You didn’t even try to scare them! Hahaha! Nightmare laughed.
I somehow knew I was going to that kind of reaction somewhere. I replied, still giggling.
“What just happened?!” Scott asked as he came down next to us with a scared look on his face.
I wrapped my forehoof around his neck with a grin on my face that seemed to make him uncomfortable as I answered. “Nothing serious, I just talked to that woman and she ran off screaming at the top of her lungs. Her daughter wasn’t fazed though so I doubt she will need counselling, the mother on the other hoof… well hope she knows a good therapist. After all it isn't everyday that you meet a talking pony.”
“Oh is that all? I was worried she was some PAPA woman.” Scott replied.
“Doubtful Scott, her daughter was wearing MLP merchandise so I don’t think she would be a part of that bunch of idiots. I just worry if she calls the police or the park rangers.” I replied.
“You do realise park rangers are for nature preserves like Yellowstone and Yosemite right?” Scott said.
“No I don’t. I'm from another country, remember? I don’t know how things work here in the US. On that note why in the hell does everypony from here go on about how this is the greatest country in the world?” I retort.
“That’s because it is. The world revolves around it.” He said. I’m sure I felt a little arrogance coming from him.
“No, this country is no different than my own. Idiot politicians with false promises, crime wherever you go and you get those morons you can never stand to be near.” I respond with slight anger.
“Well I can't fault you there Nightmare.” Scott replied. “Let’s just change the subject. You seem to be getting tense.”
I sighed. “Sorry, I don’t know why I'm so quick to anger. Maybe I've always been this way or maybe it’s because I'm sharing a body with a pony with issues.”
Nightmare glared in my general direction.
You can’t deny it Nightmare. You have a number of unresolved issues.
Like what, exactly? Pick your answer very, very carefully foal.
Can we not do this now? We might end up hurting others if we just leave our body unattended and somepony has to keep an eye out. I responded, deflecting her question as best I could.
Fine, but tonight you and I are going to have a nice long discussion. Nightmare seethed.
“I'm looking forward to it.” I mused.
“What was that?” Scott replied as we took off to our clouds.
“Let me put it this way… know any ponyisms for ‘being in the doghouse’?” I asked.
Scott shook his head. “Afraid I don’t. But would gather with Nightmare being involved it would be akin to meeting Pinkamena from Cupcakes.”
I physically shuddered, remembering that story and the YouTube video. Nightmare seemed to get a little curious at my reaction to that word.
What made you have such a reaction? That pink mare isn't dangerous, not really.
That’s the same response I had when I first heard of ‘Cupcakes’. I thought ‘Dash and Pinkie are making cupcakes, nothing wrong with that other than it being a little out of character for Dash to be baking.’ I’ll show you once I get on the internet again. I responded.
We landed on the two clouds we were using to rest on and I went online again. I had a few more friend requests on Facebook, as well as some pictures of me with Scott in Lincoln. There was one that said ‘Nightmare’s new BF?’ I looked at Scott – who was busy preening his wings – and chuckled. Who in their right mind would think that Nightmare would find that white stallion attractive? He clashes with my coat colour. Wait, what?
You are still a mare. Nightmare said with a malicious grin.
Hell no! I may be in the body of a mare but I have the mind of a guy and I plan to keep it that way! I retort.
We’ll see. She chuckles.
Brilliant, bloody bucking brilliant. Here, this is the Cupcakes video that was made for the fanfic of the same name. Call me when you’re done watching. I thought to Nightmare as we switched control.
I laid down on a Sova Carrier’s launch pad, looking at a red star as it passed by. It was a calming scene to look at. I've heard about how powerful the mind is but thanks to all the distractions of modern life, we never really take the time to just kick back and think of something to calm us down or take our minds off our day-to-day lives. The best thing is that I could look at the star and not get blinded. My mind seemed to have created its look from all the pictures and documentaries I used to watch of stars and the universe.
All of a sudden I was wrenched off the Carrier and thrown back into control of our body. It almost made my head spin from the force. I opened my eyes to see that the video hadn’t even finished. It had only gone through 20 seconds and Nightmare didn’t seem to want to see any more. I instantly killed YouTube and sighed deeply. In my mind, Nightmare was breathing heavily and looked like she was going to be ill.
You didn’t even finish watching it.
I didn’t need to, that was disgusting from the start. She replied shakily. I know that my desire for eternal night seemed evil but that… that was far beyond what I would ever do.
I know but you had to see what we were talking about. Cupcakes is one of the most disgusting, controversial fanfics since Friendship is Magic began. I responded as I checked my email.
Hello Chris and Nightmare
I’m glad you are safe and sound. I hope that filly is alright, you did the right thing for helping her out. I know how trusting you can be but I think you should be careful around that pony; a leopard doesn’t change its spots after all. I hope you all the best for your trip to Las Vegas have fun but please stay safe. Las Vegas can be very dangerous. Good luck though, I hope to hear from you soon.
Lots of love
Your Mother
“She doesn’t seem to like me too much, does she?” Scott asked.
“Do you mind?! Don’t you know it’s rude to read over somepony’s shoulder when they are reading?” I asked, slightly annoyed with Scott’s lack of understanding with the term: ‘personal space’.
“Sorry about that. I actually wanted to wish you good night that’s all.” He said, a little crestfallen at my reaction. What was he expecting? A hug?
“You could have said it from your cloud, it isn't that far away from me. It’s like three metres at the most.” I replied callously.
“Well, sorry Your Highness!” He spat back.
As much as I hate going to bed in a bad mood I didn’t have that much of a choice. I wanted to get to the Colorado/Nebraska border by midday; I couldn’t take the delays anymore. I just wanted to get to Las Vegas because the anxiety was getting to Nightmare as well as me. I put the laptop away, planning on replying when I got up the next morning.
***** ******** ******** *****
I woke up and found myself inside a strange stone building. I looked down and saw I was still Nightmare but it was no major train smash. The building seemed to have been built with the whitest marble in existence. If it shone even a small degree brighter, you would need Rainbow’s shades to avoid the glare. There were a number of pillars made from the same marble lining the sides of the room I was in. Near the top of them were gold banners with a deep blue trim, pinned up on the pillars by either a golden sun or a white crescent moon.
As I looked around the ceiling I noticed something far more important that lay in the centre of the room: a golden pedestal with six multicoloured orbs on it. Five of the orbs surrounded the sixth one which was higher up than the others and was purple in colour.
“Wait a second, I know that pedestal…” Then it hit me. “The Elements of Harmony of course! Wait, what?”
How on Earth or Equestria can the Elements be here and in their original state? I began to walk through the building, which I surmised to be the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters. The exact same castle where the Mane 6 found the Elements in the first season and ended up becoming known as the Bearers before defeating Nightmare. I was utterly bewildered to the situation.
“Wait, oh I get it. I must be dreaming… but I never knew the castle looked like this, what’s going on? Nightmare? Nightmare?!” I called out but to no avail.
Sighing, I continued to walk through the castle until I spotted a situation unfolding at what I could only gather to be the throne room. Sat on a gold throne with a gold sun adorning the top of the seat was a white Alicorn with a pink mane. At first I wondered who it was but then I realised it was a younger version of Celestia.
“This isn't a dream is it?” I asked myself as I saw a blue mare with a light blue mane talking to Celestia: a younger Luna. She looked almost as tall as she was in Luna Eclipsed and had her old manestyle of the first season when she was freed.
As I walked closer, I realised I couldn’t hear them speaking but I did hear something else entirely, seemingly emanating from all around me: Seether’s cover of Careless Whisper.
”I feel so unsure. As I take your hand and lead you to the dance floor.”
“Wait, why would this song be playing in a memory?” I wondered.
The two mares seemed to be getting into a one-sided argument. Luna seemed to pleading to Celestia about something, she seemed to be on the verge of tears. She stomped the ground a few times with her hooves, like a child having a temper tantrum but Celestia was not giving in to her. In truth it seemed like Celestia was completely ignoring her, taking more interest the piece of parchment she had in front of her than her own sister.
“And waste the chance that I'd been given.” The music continued.
The sad tone and rhythm seemed to fit the events that were unfolding before me. Celestia didn’t seem to so much as even care what her sister was trying to say to her. I could only guess what they said to each other as Luna stormed out, visibly screaming.
“The careless whispers of a good friend.” The song continued.
As I was about to chase after Luna to see what was going on, the room began to dissolve around me. I closed my eyes an hoped for the best. When I opened them again I was on the moon, looking around I saw Nightmare looking up at the planet above us as she shed a small tear.
“Uh, Nightmare?” I asked softly, unsure if whether she was my Nightmare or just a dream.
“I’m over here.” Nightmare’s voice came from behind me.
As I looked at her she appeared to be mildly surprised I was here.
“The way I dance with you. Oh oh.” The song began to end, leaving the scene around me in complete silence.
“What-?” I began.
“An old memory. 1000 years ago Luna asked her sister if she could please let the night last just a little bit longer so ponies could look at it. She only wanted a few minutes. She felt unappreciated and believed that everypony hated her nights since not one of them would be awake long enough to fully witness it. Although there were a few ponies that burned the midnight oil as you humans come to call it, even they didn’t appreciate the night, often complaining about the lack of light and never taking time to properly look at the night Luna worked hard to make.” She said solemnly.
“Nightmare-” I said before she put her hoof up in a gesture calling for silence.
“Save it. I'm not asking for your pity. Soon after that day you witnessed Luna gave in to her darker side and I came to be. I tried to extend the night through force and in the end the both of us were banished to the moon until that day of the Summer Sun Celebration, 1000 years later. I'm not asking for your pity, I'm not asking for you to understand. It is mere coincidence that you are seeing a memory.” She said callously.
“Nightmare, how come you have that memory though? You didn’t come into existence until after that day, you just said so yourself.”
“Luna and I were once a single being and as a result we share each other’s memories. Any other questions?”
“Yes… why Careless Whisper? I heard it playing throughout the entire memory.”
“I'm… not sure. I was unaware I still had this memory to be honest.” She spoke back but she seemed to be drifting off in thought. She shook her head and turned her attention back to me. “I would recommend that you never speak of this memory again, either to me or anypony. Do I make myself absolutely clear?”
“Sure Nightmare. No further discussions on this ever again.” I replied, giving her a mock salute.
Nightmare began to lead me away from the crying Nightmare Moon and headed off in an indeterminable direction across the moon’s surface.
“Chris.” Nightmare spoke after a few moments of silence. “Thanks.”
I bumped her with my flank. “Thanking ponies now are we? Keep this up and I’ll start thinking you actually care.” I gave a small chuckle as I said that.
What shocked me just after I said that was her smiling back at me. “Maybe… foal.”
“Now there’s the Nightmare I know! The insulter! The put-downer!” I said with a huge grin as we neared a crater. “Uh, Nightmare I hate to be a pain but… where exactly are you leading me?”
“Here.” She said, pointing to a wooden door, complete with a wooden frame.
The door itself was pure white while the frame and markings were silver. What struck me as odd was the handle: a tornado. The door was just standing there, in the middle of nowhere. I felt like I was in an episode of The Twilight Zone.
“What the hay?” I said, completely at a loss at what was going on.
“This door leads into Great Scott’s dreams. There are actually thousands of doors like this.” Nightmare responded as she opened it and entered.
I sighed and went in afterwards. The both of us couldn’t get out of there fast enough after just a minute of being in there. I actually woke up and threw up over the edge of my cloud.
Nightmare, let’s never go into Scott’s dreams again.
Agreed. She replied as she threw up in a crater. I never knew a human's spine could bend that way.
We can't. I never knew you could bend that way either.
I can't you foal. Ugh, that has to be the most disgusting dream in all of Equestrian history.
I won't argue there Nightmare.
I flew down to find a fountain to clean my muzzle with. After a few minutes I found one and cleaned myself up. Once I got back up onto my cloud and noticed Scott making rather lewd twitching motions which only served to make me feel ill again. I tried to block out the thoughts and images of that dream we found ourselves in. I fell asleep again after a while and found myself sat on top of the Arc de Triomphe. Nightmare looked around it in confusion.
“What is this thing?” She asked.
“The Arc de Triomphe. It’s a famous monument and landmark in France. That’s a very long way from here so we’ll never see it for ourselves. But you have to admit, it is a lovely piece of architecture.” I replied.
“I'm sure it is.” She deadpanned.
“Sarcasm now? My, we are moving up in the world aren't we?” I joked.
“Do you think I’m doomed to be alone?” She asked solemnly.
“Wait, where did this come from?” I replied, kind of shocked that she just changed subjects and tones instantly.
“I'm just wondering… if I was never an antagonist would I still be hated or loved?”
“The answer to that is simple: no. Whether you were originally good or evil there will always be fans that are divided by differing opinions. Some even actually hate Celestia and Luna despite they are good. There are even those who hate Twilight if you can believe it.” I responded with a smile. “Besides, if you don’t think you can genuinely change, then I have only two words for you: fake it.”
In that moment I pulled out a guitar and played Seether’s Fake It. How I can play a guitar with hooves and sing in a male voice is an easily answered question: I'm still in a dream and I don’t give a damn.
“I can fake it with the best of anyone, I can fake it with the best of ‘em all!” I sang, banging my head and making my mane fly over my head in the process.
I saw Nightmare give me what was probably the most sincere little smile I've ever seen her have on her face. In a few minutes I changed songs to something else.
“I'm just a step away, I’m just a breath away.” I sang as I recited Skillet’s Hero.
“I need a hero to save my life!” Nightmare sang, having picked up another guitar from somewhere and played next to me, smiling.
I could only smile back as we sang Hero until the world around us blacked out. Nightmare really had some really strong mood swings if she’s playing with me and smiling after just being sad.
Time: 06:34
Date: Moonday
Location: On a cloud above Centennial Park in North Platte, Nebraska.
I got up and grabbed myself a snack from my bag, a carrot and opened up my laptop. Scott was still fast asleep but he wasn’t twitching which made me feel better.
Hi Mom
Don’t worry, the filly was fine. He - he’s in a filly’s body but his parents wouldn’t talk to him like a girl. Very hard headed - is going to make a full recovery, or so I had heard from his father. This gender changing business is a very confusing thing.
Great Scott (the pony that took my things) is actually not that bad a pony. We got our hooves on some more money that I hope will last us until we got to Las Vegas. Hope being the operative term since I have to look after two now which includes myself. Oh, get this… Scott used to be a girl! I wonder what the odds are of a pegasister being ponyfied? Probably more astronomical of a brony staying male, haha!
Well, I am hoping to cross the Nebraska Colorado border before lunchtime today, provided my sidekick wakes up soon. If not I’ll wake him up somehow, I'm sure Nightmare knows of a few methods. Hope to speak to you soon.
Regards
Chris/Nightmare Moon
He’s waking up. Nightmare noted.
Brilliant, we might just make it today.
“Come on Scott, wakey-wakey!” I said in a teasing tone.
“Uh, just five more minutes.” He said, clearly still half asleep.
“It’s PAPA!!” I shouted.
“Ah!” He screamed, blasting off the cloud like a bullet. He looked around to see me laughing my flank off.
That was genius Nightmare.
I amuse even myself sometimes. She replied with a snide grin.
“Don’t… do that!” He yawned.
“Would you have preferred me to use one of those storm clouds?” I replied, indicating to the grey clouds behind us.
“You wouldn’t…” He said.
“No I wouldn’t but Nightmare might.” I replied with a malicious grin.
“Fine, what’s your expectation for today?” He sighed, defeated by my capacity to ruin his day.
“Well, I would like to get to Julesburg before 12:00. Julesburg is just past the border into Colorado. After we get a good rest and some food, maybe get something else we might need I don’t know, we are heading to Denver via the I-76.” I replied matter-of-factly.
“Ok.” He yawned again. “Shall we-”
“Hey you up there!” A voice came from below.
I peered over my cloud to see a police officer carrying a bullhorn, looking straight at us. This was a strange turn of events.
Maybe it’s that lady from last night. I surmised to Nightmare.
“Come down here this instant!” He called with his bullhorn amplified voice.
Not wanting to cause trouble for ourselves by refusing, I gathered our things and landed on the ground with Scott who then took his things off me. The police officer looked rather stern. He was Caucasian, medium build with light brown hair. He had no facial hair to speak of but he did possess sideburns and a lack of sunglasses but given the fact that the sky was overcast, it was understandable. He lowered his bullhorn and looked at us with his judging eyes, as if he was ready to throttle us. His nametag gave his name as Rory Harris.
“Can I help you officer?” I asked innocently.
“Yes, you can.” He replied in a relatively neutral, gruff voice.
He pulled out a small book and took out a pen from his pocket. Wait, is he going to write us a ticket for sleeping above a park? There couldn't be a law against that, could there?
“I need you.” He started. “To give me your autograph. I am actually a fan of the show and I particularly find you the most fascinating character Nightmare Moon. I heard from a woman last night that she saw a black talking pony with blue armour on.”
I was standing in front of a brony police officer and there I was, almost ready to keel over from fear of being carted off, great way to meet your favourite character. I felt all the fear leave me though once he said that second part.
“Sure, I’d be happy to.” I shakily replied.
Go on Nightmare, he’s your fan after all.
I got no response other than losing control as she took the pen out of the officer’s hand to sign a page in his brown, leather bound book. He had signatures from Sean Connery, Amy Lee amongst other – most likely famous – names I didn’t recognise.
“Where you two headed?” Rory asked as he put his autograph book away.
“We’re headed to Las Vegas and making a few small stops along the way to eat and rest.” I replied more confidently since my fears had been negated.
“Really? I thought all of you were heading to New York.” He asked with a slightly confused expression.
“I know but since we haven’t heard anything from New York regarding the current status of Celestia or Luna, I decided to head off somewhere to pass the time.” I replied.
“Ok then, well good luck and stay clear of any PAPA affiliates. They are not a good bunch of folks.” He said, his stern expression having returned.
“Oh, I've met them already and trust me: I have no plans on meeting them again.” I replied, slightly annoyed as I remembered Omaha.
“Ok then, see you Nightmare and…?” He said, finally noticing Scott who decided to preen his feathers again.
“Shcott.” He replied with his head buried in his right wing. I rolled my eyes and gave a small chuckle.
“His name is Great Scott or just ‘Scott’.” I replied on his behalf as he pulled his head out.
“Pleasure to meet you Scott.” Rory said, shaking Scott’s hoof.
“Likewise.” Scott replied.
“Well, see you two and have a pleasant flight.” He said.
“Thanks.” I replied as Scott took off. I followed soon after.
Next stop: Julesburg, Colorado. I thought as the cool air swept past my face as we flew along the I-80.
