//------------------------------// // One Last Letter // Story: To Sleep, Perchance to... Nightmare? // by Draconis187 //------------------------------// To Sleep, Perchance to… Nightmare? One Last Letter Author: Draconis187 Time: ??:?? Date: ?? Location: Unknown I was walking around in absolute darkness. I tried to create some form of illumination but it didn’t help as whatever light I made was instantly swallowed in the darkness. I couldn’t see the light I knew I had made and it was making me nervous and worried. “Is this a lucid dream?” I asked rhetorically to the darkness in a slightly softer than usual voice, “Why is it so dark?” I received no reply but it was hardly surprising. I could feel a slight breeze flowing over my body from the right. Thinking it could be a clue to what was going on I turned towards it and began walking. My hoofsteps echoed through the darkness, only serving to increase my worried state. The wind was felt as if it came from the arctic regions as I neared whatever the source w- **** **** **** **** Time: 06:23 Date: Siderday Location: Inside the cosplayers’ tour bus the parking lot outside the convention centre “Waah!” I heard the sound of someone screaming as I awoke with a jolt. The scream was soon followed by a crashing sound. I opened my eyes and found the source to be Mrs. Carter sprawled on the other side of the bus, looking as if she just got manhandled by a pro-wrestler. Her hair was a huge mess and yet the curls were still intact. “Ugh, note to self: don’t use an airhorn to wake you up again,” I heard her mutter slightly, the aforementioned can of portable Royal Canterlot Voice was still clasped in her hand, “Good fucking morning.” “Yeah, she’s not a morning mare,” I heard Sugarberry’s tired and half laughing voice say. I looked around to see the others were also rousing from their respective slumbers as well. I must have shouted or something when she forcibly woke me from that dream. Hold on, dream… pillow. I wrenched the offending piece of foam from my mouth. Why this one was foam was not really a relevant question but I tossed it to the side, hitting Scott across the muzzle. “Eww! Dream slobber!” Scott’s disgusted reaction and his face looked as if he were deep in thought for a moment before he began to laugh hard. I rolled my eyes and looked to Tenderheart and Sugarberry. The pair of them had slept in the same bed for the night. And no they did not sleep together in the other sense, they’re only friends… as far as I could tell anyway. “Get up you pathetic creatures!” Janice Carter shouted, having gotten back to her feet and recomposed herself, “The others are already awake.” ‘Pathetic creatures?’ What is she, a poster girl for PAPA? Then again given her attitude, I guess she just might be one. Her daughter likes MLP and yet her mother is a borderline PAPA supporter. There’s something comical about that here somewhere. Or ironic… or both. I got to my hooves and picked up my armour from across the room. There was no way I was going to be able to sleep with metal over my body. I guess sleeping on a cloud would negate that but it was rather clear last night so that option was out. “We need to change the dressings on our wounds,” Tenderheart said, “We can’t risk any infections this close to recovery.” Tenderheart had a point. Janice rolled her eyes and went through the cupboards before tossing a rather large first aid kit at her. I caught it with my magic and looked at her. She returned my gaze with one of pure malice. News flash Janice: one part of me is a villain, you already lost this contest. I gave her my best ‘evil look’ that said: ‘I dare you to try that again.’ Janice left in a huff and went down the stairs. I relaxed and tuned to Tenderheart, who was waiting for me to let go of the kit as her hooves were firmly wrapped around it. I grinned sheepishly and released my magical grip. I think Tenderheart was in control at this point as she expertly took off Scott’s bandages and replaced them with hooves. It was an achievement that should be forever known across the universe. Scott’s face was looking slightly better than it used to. At least now he looked like he was on the losing side of a bar fight instead of looking like roadkill. A harsh statement but true in my opinion. “How do your wings feel?” She asked Scott as she removed the splints. He flapped them very tentatively but smiled, “They are feeling a whole lot better now thanks.” I looked out the window, watching the sunrise. What did that dream mean? Where were Chris and Nightmare while I was dreaming? Is it alright to stay here? My stomach decided to stop me from thinking further and eliciting a laugh from my friends. We came down the stairs to find everypony was waiting outside the bus. We all clamoured out as well with Scott taking a harder, experimental flap of his wings as he jumped. He cringed slightly as he did so and landed on the ground a little harder than what he intended. I guess his wings had not completely recovered yet. Janice looked at us with disgust. Is she going to keep this up for much longer? I swear she’s the most unfriendly human being to ever exist. This includes PAPA. “Well, you took your damn sweet time,” She said as she turned around and walked off. “She’s a real ray of sunshine,” Scott whispered to me. “That’s my mother you’re talking about,” Annette said with an annoyed tone, “She’s just… different.” “Annette, we’re all ponies that were once humans. We all have the personality of the original pony in our heads as well, talking to us. I assure you, we are about as different as grass and space. Your mother is not different, she’s malice personified,” I replied. “That is one way of putting it I guess but please keep those opinions to yourselves,” She said looking at her mother who made no indication that she heard our conversation. We walked along The Strip, seeing casino after casino after hotel as we walked by. These things were open 24/7 and it showed as I spied someone by the slots who looked ready to keel over. Whether it was intoxication or sleep deprivation didn’t matter, he wasn’t going to last much longer anyway. We stopped outside a rather interesting looking building named Jamm’s Restaurant. We got in and found the place pretty brown all around. The décor wasn’t too bad really, kinda rustic in a sense. We all sat on soft benches which made the place ‘Alicorn friendly’ since I take up more space than any of the other three. “‘Enter as strangers, leave as friends’?” I read the motto on the menu out loud, “This motto would suit Equestria.” “Well, I’m partial to ‘I’m gonna love and tolerate the shit out of you’,” Scott said with a grin. “Well, minus the cursing, that is the basic motto for us isn’t it?” I curtly replied. Soon our waitron arrived. There was nothing truly spectacular about him as he wore a red shirt with Jamm’s Restaurant on it and a pair of black pants. He smiled at us with that smile that was most likely fake, only Pinkie Pie can smile like that and be sincere. Although, he did fool my friends so his talent wasn’t entirely wasted. “Hello and welcome to Jamm’s,” He said, his smile unwavering, “What may I get you to drink?” “Um… some coffee for me thanks,” I replied. “Lemon iced tea for me please,” Sugarberry said. “I’d like a Red Bull,” Scott said. “An energy drink… at 07:45 in the morning?” I asked incredulously. “Well of course, Dreamy,” Scott replied with a grin. “Just Dream, Scott. You forget who the other half of my personality is,” I warned. “Yeah, yeah I know. I was just messing with your head,” Scott said as he stuck out his tongue at me. We all shared a good laugh as the waiter looked at us. Oh yeah, Tenderheart still had to order. “A lime milkshake for me thanks,” Tenderheart said. The waiter handed us four menus before he walked off to place our orders through. I looked over to the cosplayers’ table and… well they were something else. I swear I was looking at the humanized version of Pinkie Pie as Anthony was grinning and talking at a pace only she was known for. I had to do a double take before looking at the rest. Viola looked at Anthony with slight disgust as she tried to coax him down from his sugar high like a scolding mother. Well she really kept her appearance close to her heart as her red hair was kept almost straight as an arrow as it reached her shoulders and shined as if it were metal in the sun. Annabelle was trying to get Cassandra to tell their waitress what she wanted to drink. Damn, I think that butter coloured Pegasus has some competition in the shy department. Next was Elise and Annette talking to Janice as they decided on what to have. Elise’s pink hair was quite odd. It was like ‘Pinkie Pie Pink’ if you get the idea. On top of that she seemed to be busy with a book about caring for tropical fish. Annette on the other hoof was more upbeat than her uptight mother. I swear that woman looked as if a ten foot pole was shoved up her rear end and was now permanently wedged there for all eternity. I wonder… “Dream, are you still with us?” I was brought out of my thoughts as I noticed Sugarberry’s hoof in front of my face, waving around energetically. “Hm? Sorry, I was just thinking,” I apologised to the rest of the group. “Really? What about?” Scott said, giving me one of those knowing looks. “Get you head out the gutter Scott. I doubt your human would appreciate those thoughts,” I curtly replied. “Pfft! She never lets me have any fun… and neither do you,” He lamented. “We have a reason for that Scott. I don’t know if such behaviour is encouraged in Equestria and quite frankly, I don’t care. You are on Earth and here things run a tad differently,” I replied. “Like cars, computers, phones, oh and let’s go with mankind’s greatest achievement: PAPA,” He retorted. “That’s your argument Scott?” I replied, “You’re kidding right? Humans may have a lot of faults but I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for my human. Even if he resents his own kind.” “She’s right Scott,” Tenderheart said, backing me up, “It was our humans that got us this far. We all share similarities with one another and it is through the bond of the friendship we share with each other that gets us through the toughest times.” I rolled my eyes but decided to let her have her ‘friendship’ moment. Our drinks arrived as Tenderheart finished. I took them off with my magic and set them in front of everypony. We gave the waiter our breakfast orders and he walked off to tell the kitchen. “Isn’t it a little odd that they didn’t raise a fuss over us being ponies?” I asked the group, “I mean, sure there are still PAPA supporters here and they aren’t so pro-active here in Vegas but it is surprising that they didn’t kick us out for being animals since we are equines.” “That would be because the owner became a pony five days ago,” A voice said. I turned around to look at the source and found it was our waiter again. I was rather taken aback but it did make quite a bit of sense. “So you are forced to serve us?” I asked. “Not really,” He replied, “He just waltzed in one day: a bright blue and very small female Pegasus. As we were trying to chase him out before the owner came in, he yelled: ‘I am the owner you useless shit!’ After a quick trivia about our owner, we realised it was him. We’ve been serving whatever ponies came in ever since.” I laughed, “Oh dear that is hilarious! A little filly with the mouth of a sailor! I can just picture it now.” “You don’t have to picture it, I’m down here,” A rather meek but authoritative voice said. Looking down I saw him, or rather her. Maybe around Scootaloo’s size but a lot more peeved off. She had a relatively short, curled lime green mane with magenta eyes. She looked at me as if she were trying to stare down Death himself. “Well? Any more smart remarks?” She asked, crossing her hooves expectantly. “No, I just found it rather funny that a little filly would curse,” I replied. “Humph! Listen, while you are entitled to your opinion I would warn you that I do not tolerate stabs at my condition,” She said, her face was as stoic as one of the Royal Guards. “Pardon my plain speaking but it is not exactly a ‘condition’ as you call it,” I replied, “It’s all some strange and random plan devised by the living patchwork quilt: Discord. Why some people turn into certain ponies is beyond me but that is basically the long and the short of it.” “Uh-huh. I know that stupid, I watch the news,” She replied. I felt a little bit more peeved at being called ‘stupid’ than I think I should have been. I narrowed my eyes and got off the bench. I lowered myself to her level and glared at her. I think at that point the filly in her took over as she turned tail and ran like I was about to kill her. Granted I could do a number of terrifying things to her such as trap her in her worst nightmare but I just wanted her to back off on the attitude. I can’t stand arrogance. I got back on the bench and looked to my pony companions. We all burst into a fit of laughs and giggles as our food finally arrived. The cosplayers looked at us as if we had lost our minds but we paid them no heed as we stuffed our faces. **** **** **** **** Time: 10:34 Date: Siderday Location: In the changing rooms backstage in the convention centre Apparently there was only going to be a single show today since yesterday was meant to have been the final performance for their trip here but my unexpected appearance had caused a large enough stir to extend it for a single day. The performance we were going to be putting on was to be at midday. Luckily for us the schedule for the centre only had a magician with a weird and insanely long name that would have given The Great and Powerful Trixie a run for her bits starting tomorrow as he also needed time to prepare his acts before unveiling them to his potential audiences. If it were a unicorn I doubt there would be any preparation. “These will be your duties for the show: Scott and Tenderheart are going to be helping out backstage while Sugarberry helps out with special effects using her magic,” Janice said matter-of-factly as if we should already know this, “You are obviously going to be the antagonist. We are basically going to start where we left off yesterday with your little impromptu appearance.” I rolled my eyes, “So that means what exactly?” “We are basically going to have to add on and redo the script from that moment. We have enough time to write it up and do a pre-run of the performance before actually doing it,” She replied with a small scowl. I nodded my head, “So then, we are all going to be pitching ideas on what we should do?” ‘Pinkie’ threw her arm around me, “Yupperooni! And if you can’t remember your lines, just adlib like you did when you arrived yesterday!” I now fully understood how I managed to mistake Anthony for a girl, he sounded almost like a carbon copy of Pinkie Pie. It was… weird to be brutally honest. I looked at the other cosplayers and despite the fact that their costumes were as offensive as spitting at the Pope – I blame Chris for knowing about a useless human – they seemed to be capable actors. I nervously pulled off Anthony’s arm with my magic which was a small feat in itself, he had a vice-like grip, “Ok then. I think I get it now.” We spent the better part of the hour pitching ideas. Tenderheart pitched more ideas than the rest of us ponies put together. I wondered if the medical field was not her only pursuit, she was pretty good at scripting. Janice showed a happier side as she smiled at various ideas but returned to the pain in the flank whenever she heard one she did not like or felt was inappropriate. Needless to say, Scott was shot daggers from all females concerned and Anthony. Our discussion felt like it would never end but it got us all to understand each other on a more personal level as we all laughed, cheered and supported the various ideas even if Janice refused to add them in. I felt like all the problems we had faced before we arrived here were no longer applicable. It was as if we all left Earth and were in a verbal world of Equestria as they all described the various sets as if they were truly real. I felt like I was seeing it through the eyes of the real ponies, not some cosplayers in poorly made costumes. It felt… nice. In the end we were all happy with how the performance was going to go and we all got ready to start the practice performance. I used a little magic to alter the colouration of my armour and cover my other Cutie Mark with Nightmare’s so at least I looked ‘normal’. “You sure you’re alright with being the antagonist?” Sugarberry asked with a look of concern on her face. “I will be fine. I am not entirely Nightmare Moon, am I?” I asked rhetorically. Sugarberry laughed a little and went off to her position above the stage and out of the audience’s sight. Scott and Tenderheart were helping each other wherever possible despite Scott could only see out of his one eye since the other was still wrapped in fresh bandages. Without his splints Scott had been trying to fly more and more whenever the opportunity presented itself. He was still noticeably in pain when he took off but he just grinned and bared it as the expression goes. As everypony left the change rooms, I stayed behind until the cast took their places. I took a deep breath and created an illusion of myself and got ready to see if Chris or Nightmare would take over it. As I released my focus on the illusion, I felt nothing coming from it like before in the hospital. The illusion soon just faded from existence without any resistance on its part. Janice came around the backstage to me with that scowl on her face but it seemed to vanish just like the illusion did as it became nothing more than black vapour. “Sorry, I’m coming,” I said as I got up and walked onstage, ignoring her. I took one last deep breath before the lights came onto me… Time: 11:45 Date Siderday Location: Backstage at the Convention Centre. We were all backstage, feeling confident about our skills since we finished the practise performance not once but twice since time was feeling generous. The cosplayers were making sure that their costumes were fine. I doubted anypony would notice a few breaks in the costume since it did make them seem like large walking plush toys. “Ok then everypony, we all set?” Annette asked as if she were second in command for this thing. In a sense I guess she was since she was Janice’s daughter. I looked to my friends who all gave an infectious snide smirk. I turned to the cosplayers with one of my own and nodded my head. I could hear Janice talking on the stage but even with it I couldn’t make out everything she said but it seemed to be an apology about it being only one performance before they were moving on to the next city. Then there was a whole lot more that I couldn’t make out but I was sure that if it was important for us, she would have told us. The cosplayers all took their places as they stood in place where I had left them yesterday, all feigning being afraid except for ‘Fluttershy’ who pulled it off far better, trying to hide behind the others. Scott was above us, working the lights with Sugarberry who had the best vantage point for her part. She didn’t know a lot of magic as most Unicorns know basic telekinesis and another spell or two depending on their talent. Apparently Sugarberry knew how to find hidden gemstones and other precious ores in the ground which was – sadly – completely useless right now. The curtains were still drawn as I took my spot on the other side of the stage, facing them. I was kind of nervous to actually be performing but I knew if I was uncertain of anything, the others would help out. As the curtains opened up as they were pulled sideways in alternate directions… the place was packed. I swear the entire place was jam-packed. If they were ponies there would be Pegasi up on the rafters. I looked up and actually did see Pegasi – two actually – perched like birds, watching us with smiles on their faces. I felt a little better knowing that it was not only people that were here in Vegas. “What do you want?” ‘Twilight’ asked with a tone of fear in her voice. Again I reiterate: good actors, buck poor costumes. “You know what I want Miss Sparkle,” I said through clenched teeth as I walked slowly towards the group, “Revenge for what you did to me.” As I was edging towards them, they stepped back. I could hear the fans and girls whispering in fear more than yesterday. I think Janice told then I was the real deal and not a cosplayer. “No Elements, no friends and no hope,” I said with an air of malice. “What are you talking about? My friends are right here where they will always stand,” ‘Twilight’ defiantly. I smirked, “Not for long!” I proceeded to lift and throw the cosplayers one by one to the backstage area where Tenderheart and Janice were waiting to catch them. It was actually Annette’s idea to have me ‘get rid of ’ her friends by tossing them offstage to help build up dramatic tension as the two of us ‘faced off’. “Just like I said Sparkle, no friends. Now how ever do you expect to defeat me now?” I laughed as ‘Twilight’ looked around nervously. I then went on to do the whole ‘evil villain monologue’ for about a minute or so. This was Tenderheart’s idea as it gave the others time to collect the ‘Elements’ that were placed close by. In truth they were actually very detailed pieces of jewellery that could almost pass off as the real deal. ‘Almost’ being the operative term as I couldn’t feel any magic coming from them and artefacts of that calibre tended to radiate it in waves. “We got ya, Twi!” ‘Applejack’ said as the others came back onstage, eliciting shouts and screams of joy from the younger audience. The five came back wearing their fake Elements and tossed the tiara to ‘Twilight’ which – with some unseen help from Sugarberry unless you looked hard enough to see her pale pink aura around it – landed on her head without problems. “You were saying?” ‘Twilight’ said happily as the group got ready. “No! Nononono!” I shouted, flailing my hooves in front of me as I helped them pull off the biggest illusion that was the rainbow laser weapon of friendship thing. Somepony save me. The band formed above them and flew towards me. The younger ones of the audience were looking at it with utter bewilderment and I was certain I had heard someone whistle at the ‘amazing what they can do with computers these days’ illusion. The band circled me as I pretended to be deathly afraid of what was about to happen. I used a simple intense light spell to hide the vanishing rainbow and me repositioning my body on the ground. As the light faded, I was laid on the floor as if I had been knocked unconscious. This was also Tenderheart’s idea as well as me removing the last illusion surrounding my armour and Cutie Mark to sell the whole ‘reformed’ idea. “Wh-why am I still here?” I asked, looking up at them with a confused look. “You feeling alright?” ‘Twilight’ asked, giving me her hoof. “I feel… happy. I have you to thank for getting rid of my bitterness,” I said warmly but on the inside I was gagging and mentally facehoofing from the amount of sheer corniness of my lines. Janice is a terrible dialogue for reformed villains writer. ‘Twilight’ hugged me, “We all deserve a second chance. You especially.” I heard a number of “D’awws” coming from the audience as I returned the hug. As much as the costumes suck from a realistic point of view, they are quite soft and warm. Too bad the cosplayers were more than likely hot in there since the air-conditioning was out of order. Sweat and that costume tends to lead to some horrendous and pungent body odours. “Thank you,” I said as we let go of our embrace. “Aw yeah! Looks like we have a new reformed Nightmare Moon!” ‘Dash’ said ecstatically. I genuinely chuckled, “Call me Dream.” The curtains came in and closed in front of us at that point, signalling the end of our performance. I could hear a large amount of clapping and my friends came around as we all got ready to bow to the audience. Janice came around and stood next to Annette as the cosplayers removed their ‘heads’ and stood up. Annabelle stretched, complaining about walking on all fours hurts her back. The ponies and myself laughed a little, as did the other cosplayers. Cassandra offered to massage her back once we returned to the bus, which Annabelle accepted. The curtains opened up once more and we all took a bow. Janice thanked the audience for their patronage and apologised once more for the unexpected extension to the performance. She gazed at me for a second as she said that, but sorry for her I can out glare anypony, even her if I needed to. I looked up again and saw the two Pegasi that were up there cheering as well. I couldn’t help but wonder how they were dealing with their changes and the fusing of two minds. Time: 13: 12 Date: Siderday Location: Backstage changing room The cosplayers were all happy and smiling as the costumes flew across the room with reckless abandon. My friends were having a go at me, laughing and joking at my performance and my illusions. “Well not quite what I would have wanted but it was satisfactory considering we had little planning time,” Janice said from her seat in the middle of the room, “You pulled off a half decent job on those illusions.” “Was that a compliment I heard?” I asked sarcastically, making everypony laugh. “Oh shut up you stupid pony,” She retorted with a small smirk. “There’s the cold-hearted woman we all know and love!” I said with an even bigger grin. As we all shared a good laugh and began talking amongst ourselves again, there was a knock at the door. As Janice answered it, a man entered and looked around before his gaze settled on me. He was of a medium height and had a relatively light complexion as if he never stepped into the sunlight his whole life. He wore a deep blue short sleeved shirt with the York City Knights logo on it. He had a pair of black pants that ended just past his knees. The man also had very – and also receding – short brown hair and green/blue eyes. In my mind, a spark went off and I looked at the man who just grinned at me, “Uncle Norris?”