Becoming the Nightmare
Chapter One:
My Friends and I
Wait a damn minute, why the hell am I smiling? And why do I look like some shy school girl who just got her panties exposed for the first time? I gave my head a violent shake, and lightly rubbed my left knuckle against my temple for good measure. I frown slightly as I looked at the mark that mysterious appeared on my hips. I touched it lightly, and this caused my frown to deepen.
This thing wasn’t a tattoo that I’m can be certain of. I had felt tattoos before; hell my aunt dated a tattoo parlor artist once. Most artists claimed that they do such a good job that no one would able to feel anything different about the skin that the tattoo rests on. I knew that to be mostly a lie, however. You can’t run a needle, filled with thick ink across soft flesh, and not expect some part of the skin to get damage.
So, trust me when I say I know what I’m talking about.
Still…something about this image seemed off. The skin’s to smooth when I touched it, like the skin around my thighs and hips just morphed into the image I was looking at right now. But that’s just silly, not to mention, impossible. Still, I know I wasn’t dreaming, and the mark on my being was proof that I wasn’t just seeing things either. So that means either one of two things. I was going crazy, or someone was going to the trouble to play one big prank on me.
“Remember, Adrian, when everything else seems unlikely, there’s only one truth you can count on, and that’s the truth you find for yourself.”
I gave me head another shake, just to get the words of my soldier grandfather out of my head. Adrian…how I hate that name! Oh, I get I forget to give you my name, didn’t I? Well, it’s Adrian…Adrian Monk. Before you break out into a giggle fit, like me clarify one thing. I’m not like that fictional TV detective, who has a list of phobias so high, it has it own zip code. No, I was born before that show was an idea in someone’s head. Unfortunately, that didn’t stop people from teasing me when they learn my name, back when the show was still on.
I gave my head another shake, to try and clear it. I didn’t have time to be thinking about names and silly TV characters.
I looked at the Cutie Mark, brow narrowing as I began to think. The mark covered most of hip and thigh, so if I wear long shorts or pants, it should be hidden easily. And since the skin isn’t rough or anything, no one would be the wiser about the mark if they touch my side. The only thing that I had to fear was if I somehow loose my pants, and that shouldn’t be a problem due to my big bone body.
“…Still, maybe I shouldn’t drink tonight and tell the others that I will be their slaves tomorrow? Not that it mattered; I lose each and every year.” MY eyes suddenly snapped opened as I realized the weight of my own words.
Here I have been wasting time with worrying about how a silly mark appeared on me when my friends were probably waiting for me, right at this moment. I didn’t have a clock in here, so I don’t know much time I have wasted worrying over a silly mark I could easily hide.
So, I jumped into my shower, and nearly tripped on the slippery floor. I began to wash myself as I mentally recounted my outfits, and which ones were the best to hide my new mark. Hopefully, I wouldn’t be too late, and my friends would understand.
(…)
…And I’m 30 minutes late. After the showering, I scramble to find some cloths that would hide my new Cutie Mark, and wouldn’t make me look like some sort of fool. Unfortunately, I had let my wash slide this week, and it took me a while to find some cloths that didn’t smell like rotten tuna or eggs. I found a nice pair of kakis pants, and a white tee-shirt, in the end. It’s not the fanciest of outfits, but it’s prefect for a night of drinking. Plus, the venation at Eddie’s Pub is horrible. Even in the middle of a blizzard, the place is hot, hotter then any other place I have even been in. One of my friends thinks that is done on purpose, just so people in the place would buy more to drink.
I would normally have smiled at that little running joke, if I wasn’t running at the moment. See, my friends and I have another tradition related to our birthday drinking. Usually, the looser from last year would arrive at the pub somewhat early, and get the usual table we all sit at. And since…well I don’t think I need to go into that again, do I? And because of everything that has been happening I was now late, and would have sit through an ear full from one of my friends.
I made it to the pub, and stopped outside the door, to catch my breath. I also used this time to compose my thoughts, and try to think up a good lie as to why I was late. Once I was sure I was ready, I stepped into the building. Eddie’s Pub wasn’t anything special, just your typical pub. There weren’t a lot of people today, either, due to it being a work day. I scan the room, and spied my friends, ironically, at our usual table. I tried to put on casual smile as I walked up to them.
“Take you long enough,” I cringed at the sharp tone of my friend, Jennifer Gale.
Jennifer was your fair normal girl; say for one thing…her explosion temper. She’s not one girl I would want to meet in a dark alley when she had a bad day. I had to resist the urge to rub my chin as a painful memory surface in the back of my mind. I didn’t want to relive that experience, so I pushed the memory back as I took a seat.
“So what do you so long?” Jen asked curiously.
Count on that girl to get straight to the point…she hasn’t change since middle school. Oh, guess I forget to mention that I have known Jen since middle school. We even dated our entire senior year. We broke things off two months before we graduated, or as Jen had said “We just weren’t right for each other”. We parted on good terms, and remain friends when we entered the same college.
“Sorry…took a longer nap then I wanted,” I said weakly.
I narrow my eyes slightly, trying to get a good look at the only female in our small group. Jen’s short hair is as black as a moonless night sky. My eyes narrow a bit more as I concentrated on a patch of gray behind my ex’s ears. Jen has been prematurely graying since she was 20, but she’s not bitter because of it. In fact, she thinks her graying hair adds volume to her ember red eyes.
When people first see Jen, they think she some sort of petite little thing, with little meat on her body. But boy, would they be wrong once they actually knew what was in store for them. She’s a fourth degree black-belt in karate, and adds her temper, and you got a bomb just waiting to go off.
Today, she’s dressed casually. She’s wearing a pair of navy blue summer pants, sandals, and a white sleeveless blouse. Jen’s figure could be considered plain as best, with small but noticeable breasts and was just a little wide at the hips. She wouldn’t turn heads, that’s much I can tell you. Still, she not bitter about it, and anyone who make a rude commit about her figure…well you can guess the rest, right?
“Give him a break, Jenny. It’s not like anything bad happen from him being late. Besides, Eddy held our dinner for us. You rock, Eddy!”
That person who just talked is Devlin Macleod, my other best friend, and Jen’s so-to-be husband. Like me, Devlin shares his name with a fictional character. Unlike me, he only shares his last name with a movie character, and probably wasn’t tease about it like I was. And no, he’s not from Scotland. He was actually born in New Jersey.
Devlin was my college roommate, and we become friends immediately. It was me who introduced Jen to Devlin, and though they had a very rough start, they had since grown to love each other greatly. Devlin’s just a big kid at heart. He’s always smiling, and ready with a witty comeback. He also likes to tease Jen to no end, no matter how many lumps he gets because of it.
“Don’t encourage him, Devlin!” Jen said angrily, slapping him on the shoulder. “Remember, we’re following your stupid rules!”
Devlin just gave his future wife a cheeky smile and wrapped his arm around Jen’s shoulder. Jen blush slightly, but didn’t shy away from the embrace. I looked at Devlin and lazily study him. I sad that my male best friend was a kid at heart, and I meant it! He dresses like he still a 16-year-old. Today, he’s wearing a pair of baggy black jeans that has many holes in them, and a neo green ‘tip-out’ shirt.
Man, I feeling the heat just for looking at my friend. How can he not be sweating with all of that heavy stuff on?
I sighed lightly and resume my study of my friend. Devlin has an earring in his right ear, and it was one of those big hole-kinds, the one you can put a finger through. Man, how could anyone wear that sort of thing, it looks so uncomfortable. Devlin’s red eyes sparkle with mischievousness, and with a joking smile on his face, looked ready to tell a joke. That was a typical look for my friend. His keep his golden brown hair long, and in a ponytail.
Wait a minute; is there something different about Devlin’s hair? I blinked twice, and narrow my eyes, focusing all of my attention on my friend’s hair. Did it look…lighter? I study my friend’s hair, trying to determine if I was seeing things or not. Unfortunately, my staring drew Devlin’s attention.
“You’re just going to sit there, staring, or are you going to kiss my lovely face?” Devlin asked teasingly.
I would have frown at my friend’s humor, if I wasn’t already wincing when I heard Jen’s punch connect with Devlin’s shoulder. I swear, if Jen put more power into her punches, she could shatter bone easily. If it wasn’t for the fact that Devlin shot his future wife a teasing grin, I would have said that his shoulder was broken.
“Can we just start, already?” Jen asked, clearly irritated. “I had a touch day at work, and I need something to unwind.”
Devlin and I looked at each other, a silent message being exchanged between the two of us. You see Jen just got a promotion at her job, the daycare center I part-time at. Devlin and I wanted to take out friend out to celebrate, but Jen had insisted that we save our money for our birthday celebration. Still, we had gotten together a few nights ago, and agreed that we would pick up Jen’s tab this time. We even meat with Eddy, the owner of the pub, and said that we will pay Jen’s share of the booze in advance.
I looked away from Devlin and called to Eddy. “Eddy…I will take my usual turkey club on wheat!”
“And I will have your spicy meatball special!” Devlin shouted to the owner.
I snapped my head in friend’s direction, a look of pure horror appearing on my face. “OH, no, no, no, no, NO! We’re going back to my place, and I’m not spending the rest of my week off airing out my apartment after you stink-it up with your titanic farts!” I said sharply.
Devlin looked at me, his face stoic. I first I thought I won, and then I saw my friend flash his trademark goofy grin. I had to bit my lower lip to keep myself from groaning so loud that I shattered the windows in the entire pub. I knew what that grin meant, and I wasn’t looking forward to it, either.
“You know, A, you came in late, and I think you at least deserve a little recap before my lovely wife-to-be and I get things started again,” Devlin said slyly, his grin turning a little devilish.
I needed to bit my lip again to keep myself from groaning out loud as my friend began to talk. You probably remember how I told you that the minor characters of Trixie, and Lightening Dust were cousins, right? Well, what I forgot to tell you is that after the Nightmare Moon/Night-Flare saga, the two moved to Ponyville, and opened up a small magic/trick shop. Trixie would teach showmanship, and Dust would offer some flying lessons to the Pesagi around Ponyville. The reform Nightmare Moon even began helping the two around their shop when she wasn’t helping Twilight out.
This was consider standard from the show, and no one thought much about it, until the end of the forth season, that is. During the finale, Twilight, her friends, and the princesses all were put into an enchanted sleep by some strange beast, and that’s how the season ended. The season five premiere resolved this by having Night-Flare enlist the aid of the cousins, and three others to go on a dangerous quest to find an artifact call the crest of unity so the spell could be broken and the beast could be defeated. They succeeded, of course, and the main cast was awoken at the two-part episode end.
A lot of fans, my friends including, thought this was Hasbro attempt to try and created a spin-off of Friendship Is Magic. The premiere was met with somewhat good reviews, and positive fan commits, and it looks like a My Little Pony was about to get a spin-off. Sadly, no spin-off was produce before the series ended, and this spark even more fan outrage then the whole Sunset Circle thing.
My friends were even more outrage about this then any other fan I had met. They would often launch into childish arguments about whose the main character would be if the spin-off was ever created. Devlin thinks that Lightening Dust would have been the star, or as he once said, “she was just as awesome as Rainbow Dash”. Jen would usual give a much longer reason why she thinks that Trixie would have been the main character, and the future family would argue until they stalemated. If I was with then when they had one of their arguments, I would often be asked to settle things. I choose to remain neutral when they ask me to take sides, and I would say their arguments are silly. Of course, I just used this as an excuse, as I didn’t want to tell my two best friends that I think Princess Night-Flare would have been the main character.
I look around the pub as Devlin continue to recount his wife-to-be and his latest argument. I was looking for anything to take my attention away from my friend’s voice. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much going on, being a weekday, after all. So, I didn’t have much to work with, and my friend’s voice was starting to get to me, making a bit irritated.
“Alright, alright!!” I scream in defeat. “You can have your stinking sub! Just make sure you air yourself out before you go into my place. Got it?”
Devlin’s grin turned into a triumphant smile, and to my shock and growing irritation, ordered another spicy meatball special with his first order. I couldn’t stop the loud groan that escaped me this time, and I bang my head on the table. It was official, the rest of my week is going to suck, and in big way, too.
(…)
“Kneel…kneel before the great and powerful Trixie, and her amazing drinking skills!” Jen screamed before finishing off her latest mug of beer.
I shook my head slightly at my friend’s antics, no matter how many times I see it. Jen’s usually a humble person, but gets a couple of boozes in her and she does a 180. And she just finished off her filth mug, and was going in for her sixth. I frown a little as I watched her down the entire mug in one go, and then do something I was half expecting her to do. She took off her shirt, and began a short dance.
“…At least she’s wearing a sports bra this time,” I muttered under my breath.
I watched as my ex-girlfriend go over to the bar and ordered another beer. I frowns a little as I watched Jen down the entire mug in one go again, and go to get her eighth mug. Jen’s not the best at holding her beer down, and seven is usually her limit. So I wonder what change this time, and why she’s having such a better time at holding her own.
“Do you think we should stop her?” Devlin asked, leaning in so he could whisper. “We did agree to pay bill, remember?”
I looked at him with my eyes, keeping my face forward. Of course I remember it; I was the one who suggest it in the first place. I turned my head so I could get a better look at my friend. I noticed two things when I looked at him. First, he had ordered a third spicy meatball special. I frown a little at this, and made a mental note to buy some strong air fresher tomorrow.
The second thing I noticed was Devlin’s hair. It might be the three beers I had, but I swear Devlin’s hair look different again. I narrow my eyes, and tried to get a better look through the poor lighting. It seems more golden, and there wasn’t any trace of brown left in it. And was it longer, or was that my eyes playing tricks on me?
Wait…did Devlin’s eyes look different as well? I leaned in to get a better look at my friend’s eyes. They were different, probably a shade lighter. I looked away from Devlin before he caught me staring, and looked at my half-empty mug of beer. I could normally handle four beers before I felt anything, but today I think I should cut back. I was serious starting to think that something was wrong with me, if it took only three and half mugs of beer to get me wasted.
I moved my right hand to my thigh, and though I didn’t feel it, I knew that the mark was still there. I couldn’t stop the feeling that something was about to happen. I’m not a paranoid man; still something wasn’t sitting right with me. Or maybe the beer wasn’t sitting right with me, and I was just getting nervous over nothing.
‘Hey Nightie!” Jen shouted, appearing from behind, and wrapping me in a tight hug. “Dance with me!”
“I don’t know, T,” I said nervously. “You know I’m not that-”
“Oh, don’t be such a stick in the mud,” Jen said cheerfully.
Before I could protest any farther, Jen had grabbed me by my hand, and forced me out of my seat. She then led me to a small clear area, usual kept clear for dancing, and before I could stop her, she began to dance wildly. I almost chuckle nervously when I saw my ex bust a move or try to at least. Jen was a terrible dancer when we were dating, and she hasn’t improved either. I almost felt sorry for my best friend, who would get settle up with her during her wedding dance.
“Uhhh, Dust, you want to take over for me? Dust…?” I looked at our table and found my friend wasn’t there anymore.
I looked at the bar, and saw, to my horror, Devlin ordering another spicy meatball special. I scowled a bit, and was about to go and stop him. Jen put a stop to that when she dance up to me, and wrapped her arms around my neck. Jeez, I always forget how strong this girl is when she’s drunk. I think she would hurt my neck if she put any more power behind her hold. I knew I wouldn’t be escaping anytime soon, so I wrapped arm around my ex’s waist, and began dancing with her, leading the way so I could avoid having my toes stepped on.
I spin her around, and saw that Devlin had order two subs not one. I groan inwards, and wanted nothing more to go and threw those subs into the nearest trash can. Unfortunately, that plan was put on hold when I felt a sharp pain in my right foot. I didn’t need look to know that Jen had stepped on my foot when I was distracted with my friend’s drunken eating habits. I spin my ex around again, so I could position myself so I could see the only clock in this entire place. I groan again when I saw it was just a little past nine. I had been here for only 90 minutes, and I was ready to leave.
“…somepony, puke already, so we can leave,” I muttered off-handedly.
(…)
Unfortunately, it took nearly 40 minutes for someone to puke, and that was me. Jen kept me dancing for nearly 20 minutes, and the little boozes I had in my system was enough to get my stomach a little upset. And Devlin, with all of those spicy subs in his stomach, started to cut the cheese something fierce, I couldn’t handle the smell, and I upchucked around 9:45. And by the rule set up by my friend, whoever upchucks first, have to stop drinking, and wait for the others to finish. That wasn’t a long wait, thankfully. Jen’s stomach was also a little upset due to her dancing, and took only one more beer to send her running to the bathroom. Devlin wasn’t far behind her. He may like spicy stuff, but his stomach can’t really handle all that spice and alcohol, and he did himself in when he got a seventh spicy meatball special.
So, the night was official over. We paid our bills, and stumble out of the pub, clumsily making our way to my place. Now comes the tricky part. I may be somber enough to know where I’m going; my friends were a different story, however. They couldn’t take two steps without tripping over their own feet. Plus, they both had gotten a bottle of cheap beer before leaving, so they were still getting drunk while I was trying to lead them to my place.
This wouldn’t have been a problem for me on a normal day, given my size and mass, but whatever was wrong with me was giving me added trouble. Anytime I would help one of my friends up, they would pull me down and keep me on the ground for a good minute. Man, whatever illness was effecting me was also making weaker then normal. I finally manage to get them to my place, after nearly 20 minutes of tripping, and tipping, that is. Unfortunately, once we reached the door, I found another problem.
“Don’t tell me I lost my keys?” I muttered under my breath angrily.
“Hey Nightie!” Devlin screamed, at the top of his lungs, too. “Hurry it up; I’m freezing me tail off here?”
I looked at my friend and frown bitterly. Of course he was freezing; half of his shirt has been torn open. It happened during his last fall, when the article of clothing got caught on a side railing. I guess I should be thankful that he wasn’t seriously hurt during that one. All he really had was a small rash that probably would bother him all day tomorrow.
My frown turned a little curious as I looked back at my door. It was unseasonable cold tonight. Then again, this past week had seen some unique weather. One day it could be hotter then hell out here and the other it could be colder then winter. And there was the fact that the moon was acting up to. There was a day when the thing didn’t even appear in the sky.
It has been a freaky week, I realized.
I give my head a quick shake, to clear it, so I can get back to the matter at hand. Finding my apartment key, and getting my friends into my place before they pass out from all the boozes in their system. I patted all the pockets I had, to be sure that I didn’t miss it somehow. I groan and slapped my forehead hard when I realized something. I then pulled my shirt away from my chest, and took out a small silver chain, which had my apartment key hanging from it.
I often put my spare key on this chin, just because I’m paranoid I might lose it when I’m out with my friends. I let that old memory fad as I use the key to unlock the door. I open it and place a small doorstop in front of it, so I didn’t have to fight it and my friends at the same time.
“Okay, you two, time to go bedie-bye,” I said as I turned to them.
I frown when I notice that Jen had fallen asleep while I searched for my key, and was snoring lightly. Devlin wasn’t too far behind her, either. He was close to finishing off his beer, and I knew once that was gone, he would be out in a matter of seconds. So, I sigh lightly as I walked up to him, and hoisted him up. I frown as I notice something odd about my friend. Devlin seems…taller tonight? I quickly shook that feeling off. No, he wasn’t taller I was just crouching down so I could carry him. Yeah, that has to be it.
I tried to shake off the uneasiness I felt as I half-drag, half-carry my friend into my place. I leaned him against the couch and quickly placed a light blanket over him. I would normally set up some sleeping bags for them, but I forget today because I was running late. They would have to just make due with some blankets.
I walked outside, and readied myself for what was coming next. I stepped in front of my ex, and lean down, trying to pick her up. Jen stir slightly, and fall forward, covering her arms with her body. One thing I have always hated about Jen is that when she gets drunk like this, she’s heavier then a lead brink. With sigh of slight frustration, I worked until I was able get Jen upright, and grab her by the arm.
I felt uneasy again as I brought Jen into my place, kicking the doorstop out of the door’s way in the process. I then brought my ex over to the couch and set her down next her future husband. I then hurried off to my room, and got an extra blanket. I made sure my friends were comfortable enough before decided to hit the sack myself.
“Now, it’s time to put this little princess-GAHH!!” I never got too finished as someone grabbed my legs and pull them out from under me.
I landed on the floor with a small thud, and was dazed for a moment. I looked behind me once I regained my senses, and saw that Jen had grabbed onto my legs, causing me to fall. And boy, it was ever uncomfortable, with my legs began bent at the knee and all. I tried to free my legs but it was useless in the end. Once Jen had a hold on something, there’s usually nothing that can break that hold. Still, I tried for nearly five minutes, until all my struggling caused my ex to fall forward, right onto my legs. Well, at least my legs were bent anymore. So with a sigh, I got comfortable, or as comfortable as someone could get when they have their ex-girlfriend on their legs, and try to get some sleep.
I fell asleep surprisingly easy, and that’s when the dream began.
(…)
I let out a light sigh as I began to move around my bedchambers, gathering up the items I needed. Map…check, scroll with the only clue on it…check. That should be everything I need on a dangerous journey to save my closest friends, and my family from some sort of timeless beast that had put everypony I care about into an eternal sleep. So, now all I needed to go is go and meet my friends. Hopefully we would able to find this artifact and use it to free everypony from this beast’s spell.
I was about to leave, when I saw something out of the corner of my left eye. I knew what it was, but I still turned my head and looked at the full body mirror. I lazily studied my own appearance, more out of habit then anything use. My coat is entirely black, nothing new there. I turned slightly so my cutie mark could be seen. It was a crescent moon, in front an indigo sky, again nothing new there. I stood about the average high a pony, maybe a few inches taller then a full-grown mare. But that’s to be expected, after all, I’m just a lesser princess, like my mentor and good friend, Twilight Sparkle.
I scowled slightly at that term. I hated how some of the more snobbish ponies had given princesses like Twilight that title. She had save this land more times then I could count, and yet some ponies only acknowledge her with a turned up head, and a belittling title. I shook my head to get rid of these thoughts, and focus on my mane and tail.
I had style my mane and tail like Rainbow Dash’s, only with one big difference. A large section of my mane completely covers my left eye. I had started to wear my mane like this when I was introduced to the citizens of Equestria, and not a lot were thrilled when they saw my left eye. I was almost tempted to lift my mane up and looked at my left eye. I quickly decided not to, and turned away. I didn’t have time to waste looking in a mirror, after all. I began walking out of the room when I felt something in the air chance.
“Oh, Night-Night...where are you going?”
My entire body tensed up as a bitter scowl appeared on my face. I knew who that voice belonged to, and I wasn’t looking forward for who was coming next. Discord, or as I like to call him the biggest pain in my tail, appeared in his usual fashion, wearing that annoying teasing grin he likes so much.
“And where did you think you’re going, young mare?” Discord asked in a mock scolding tone, and put his hands on his hip, if he had a hip that is.
“I don’t have time for you, Discord,” I said coldly. “So, please move.”
I tried to walk around Discord, only to have him appear in front of me, his teasing grin seemingly wider. I glared up at him, and that just seemed to make his grin that much wider.
“Discord, is there something you want?” I asked my voice colder then before, if that was even possible.
The misshapen creature frown playfully, twisted at the mid-section and got close to my face, to close for my liking. “OHH, I just wanted to make sure you were ok, Night-Night. After all, I don’t think I can face your mommy if I let anything happen to her wittle moon-dancer.” Discord said before, and pinched my right cheek.
I scowled angrily and batted Discord eagle claw away from my cheek. In typical Discord fashion, the claw came straight off the dragonequus, and hit the mirror I was just looking at. I ignore this, instead looking at Discord with a hard glare.
“Discord, if you don’t have anything useful to say…GET OUT OF MY WAY, uuhh,” I moan slightly as I gingerly held my left eye.
Great, just great! I let Discord get to me, and now my eye is starting to sting. That was never a good sign. I needed to get away from him and calm down. It was never a good thing if I get to angry. So, I began to concentrate, and my horn lit up indigo. I then disappeared in a flash of indigo light, and reappeared in a hallway far from Discord. One of the perks of being the personal student of Twilight Sparkle is that you pick up a few neat tricks here and there.
With a light sigh, I began walking, having made sure that I teleported myself near a chariot landing pad. If I could make there, I could leave the castle and not have to deal with that pain in my tail any more. I could also use the flight to Ponyville to calm down. I don’t want to get to angry and have a repeat of what happen with that noble I meant a few months back.
“Oh Night-Night, why must you wound your poor uncle Discord like that...?” I heard a voice asked teasingly from my right.
I looked quickly to my right, and saw that Discord had turned himself in the brinks of the wall, and was now following me, his grin still on his face. I looked forward and tried to ignore the chaos master the best I could. Unfortunately, Discord’s annoyance level seems to be stuck on high today, and he wasn’t going to leave me alone either.
“So…you even wonder what you did with that Sunset Circle pony?” the dragonequus asked casually.
I needed to bit my lip to keep myself from groaning out loud. Ever single time we’re alone, Discord always brings up my aunt’s only known failed student. It was starting to get annoying, and it was also making me angry. I moaned as I held my left eyes again. It had gone from a mildly painful sting, to a dull throbbing. That wasn’t good, and I quicken my pace, hoping to get out of here, and away from Discord faster.
“C’mon, you can tell me, it only us reform good ponies here…well one pony, and a dragonequus, but who’s counting,” Discord said whimsically.
I tried to ignored Discord as I quicken my trot again, nearly breaking into a gallop in the process. Discord, unfortunately, decided to get serious, and teleported in front of me. And to insure I didn’t teleport out myself, he uses his power to close off the hallway around us. I look at the misshapen creature, and while he was still grinning, the like in his eyes were deadly serious. I would admit it was that look that made me a little scared. When he next spoke, the being of chaos was unusually calm, almost eerily calm.
“Oh come, you can tell me. I wouldn’t tell any other pony, scouts honor.”
I snapped at that moment. I didn’t care how much he scares me looks at the moment. I was pressed for time, and he was bringing up useless things like what happen to my aunt’s former student.
“DISCORD, I DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!! AND I DON’T CARE WHAT HAPPEN TO THAT STUPID SUNSET CIRCLE, GAAH!” I screamed as I felt the pain in my left eyes intensify.
I could feel her, it, trying to work its way to the surface, and worse of all, Discord was at the core of it. I looked at him and his smug face, and felt my temper rise, and with it, I could feel that dark creature stir deep within me. I close my eyes, as I tried to suppress my anger, and the creature that was feeding off of it.
“Discord, can you let me pass?” I asked through gritted teeth, opening my eyes part way. “Beside, don’t you have to lower the sun, and raise the moon?”
Discord put his eagle claw to his chin in an obvious mock gesture of thought. He then waved his lion’s paw, and made a clock appear. He looked at it, again, only pretending to think and that made me that much madder. I felt the pain in my eye get worse, giving me a small headache.
“Oh, you’re right, Night-Night,” Discord said whimsically, and looked at me with a teasingly grin. “I wouldn’t want to disappoint your mommy and auntie, now would I?”
And with a snap of his eagle claw, the misshapen pain in my tail disappeared in his usual fashion, and the hallway returned to normal a second later. I remained there for nearly three minutes, allowing my anger to cool and the pain in my eye to subside. I was about to move on, when my coat suddenly tingle intensely. I knew what that meant, and I could feel my temper returning with a vengeance.
“Oh, and Night-Night, I would watch that temper of yours. I think I felt a little of Nightmary in you just now!” Discord said teasingly.
I snapped my head around in all directions, trying to find that misshapen pain in the tail. Unfortunately, he was casting his voice using his magic, and I doubt he was anywhere close. I looked at the floor, and tried to control my raising temper. I tried every calming method I knew, and none help, I could feel my anger, and the creature tripped in my left eye, peeked.
“GGGGGIIIAAAHHH!!” I screamed with all of my might, as my mane and tail exploded into a mess of indigo energy, and causing massive damage as it spiral outwards.
(…)
I bolt straight up, gasping for my air, as I began to look around. I was in my apartment, and it was light out, meaning that day had come. My mind quickly caught up with my body, and I remember what happened last night. I looked at my friends and saw that Jen, in the course of the night, had released me, rolled over and now have her arms wrapped around her future husband. I couldn’t help but smile at this sight. They did make a cute couple, when they’re not arguing like a bunch of middle school kids, that is.
I looked at the clock, and saw that it 8:29. Hmm, that’s a new record for me. When I drink, even a little, I usually don’t get up until around 10. Still, I wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth, and decided to get up and fix breakfast. I got up, and began walking toward my kitchen. I stopped and held my head as I moan lightly. Now that I was more awake, I was feeling the effect of last night, and I realized I had a small hangover. I tried to ignore it as I walked into my kitchen and began making breakfast. Nothing fixes a hangover like a plate of eggs and bacon.
I frown when I opened fridge and found it mostly empty. I should have expected as much, shopping day was this Saturday. I did had eggs, and some bread for toast. Sadly, my bacon was spoiled and I had to throw it out. And there weren’t any peppers left, either. That would mean that I would never hear the end of it from Devlin for the rest of the morning. So with a small sigh of defeat, I began working on breakfast.
As I cooked the eggs, I thought back to that dream I had. I know it wasn’t just episode I have seen, and projected into my dreams, it was just too realistic to be a mere dream. Plus, I felt the emotion behind Princess Night-Flare’s words; it was clear that the former villain didn’t like the other reform villain. I frown a little as a thought cross my mind. I don’t ever remember seeing the two former villains interacting that much pm the show.
So how did my mind come up with that crazy little dream when I have never seen them cross paths on the show?
I sigh faintly as I let the memory fad into the back of my mind, and added cheese to make a cheese omelet. I lean in and took in the heavenly smell of the cooking food, feeling like my hangover was lifting already. I pushed my hair away from my left eye so I could a better look at the food I was preparing.
I was about to flip the omelet over, when something clicked in the back of my throbbing head. I normally keep my hair short, and I just had a hair cut last week. So, there should be no way that my hair had gotten long so quick that it would get into my eye. Plus something else seemed off about my hair as well. I turned off my stove and grabbed the patch of hair I just brushed away. I couldn’t see it clearly enough, but something was wrong with it.
Warning bells were starting to go off, irritating my hangover, but I choose to heed the warning, and go check out my hair. I grabbed the toast as it popped out the toaster, and put them on a nearby plate as made my way to my bathroom. I walk carefully around my friends, trying to let them sleep a little longer. My body tensed up when I heard a faint cracking sound, and felt something under my right foot. My immediate thought was that I had stepped on one of my friends’ hands, and broke it. It wouldn’t be the first time something like that had happened.
Yeah…Sometimes it really sucks being so big and massive.
I slowly turned my head to the floor, and saw that I wasn’t stepping someone’s hand. That brought me no comfortable, however. There were only a few things around the immediate area that I could step on, and none of them made me jump for joy. With a slow outtake of breath, I removed my foot from the item in question, and frown angrily when I saw what I had stepped on.
“Damn it, not again,” I muttered angrily as I lean down and picked up the shattered remains of my glasses.
The right lens remained on the ground as I lifted my glasses up from the floor and looked them over. The right side of the frame was broken, and the earpiece was bent upwards. It wouldn’t take much for it to be snap completely off. The left side wasn’t much to write home about, either. The frame wasn’t in as terrible shape as the other side, it was the lens that was in poor shape. There are large cracks on it, making it impossible to see out of it. Finally, the wire connecting the frame has been inwards, and looks ready to break.
I sigh as I let my arms dropped to side. Well, there’s goes the rest of my week. Not only would I be blind as a bat without my glasses, but I would need to dip into my saving funds if I hoped to get them repaired before I go back to work on Monday. Oh, and now I have to bug one of my friends to stay here so they could help me out.
“So much for plastic lens being the answer to all my troubles,” I muttered bitterly, looking at the lens that was still on the floor.
I gasp as I realized something, and looked around. I could see things perfectly. No, I could see better then perfect, if that was even possible. My warning bells were going off again, and I decided not to wait any longer. I walked to my bathroom in a near fast walk, and flip on the lights.
I gasped as I looked at my own reflection. My hair was indeed longer, the back now reaching down to the base of my skull, and the front reaching down to the top of my left eye. It wasn’t my suddenly hair growth that was surprising, however. No, what got me were the strips of indigo that had appeared. It was light and skittered about, but it was still visible. And the longer I stared at it, the more I saw the indigo coloring spread, like a wild fire.
Still…it wasn’t my growing hair or it sudden change in color that had me gawking. It was my eyes that have me jumping in my skin. They had chance completely. They were now a turquoise blue. It wasn’t a bad color, if not a little unnatural. Once again, it wasn’t the suddenly change that got me so nervous. No, what truly had me in stitches was my left eye. It had a slanted pupil, giving it a dragon-like look.
I stared at my own reflection for an untold amount of time, trying to figure things out. Sadly, my brain was completely caught on the fact that my left eye now looks like it belonged on a dragon. It was unnatural in so many ways; I did the only thing that came to mind.
“…By Celestia’s sun, what’s happening to me?