//------------------------------// // Chapter 7: Sweet Dreams // Story: Enigma // by steampunkwatchman //------------------------------// I felt as though I was floating on a cloud- as light as a feather, so to speak- with the cool air of a fall breeze brushing against my feathers. I opened my eyes and slowly took in my surroundings. Ugh… what? I thought, as I looked on what appeared to my old brick home surrounded by empty nothingness. Could it be? I thought. Was the war just a dream? Had I gone insane!? Was I dead!? Did the cloaked pony turn me to ashes? I stood up and began to wander over to the house. It was just as I remembered it, and as I approached, the crazy yellow doorway of my past opened before me. “Wow,” I said aloud to myself. “It’s exactly like I remember it.” Strange does that mean I imagined my interrogation of Pinkie? The pictures were all in their places, my comfy chair rested by the fire, and my wife's sweet violin sat above the mantle. Oh, how tenderly she would play that violin, creating sounds of such beauty, that they surpassed the sounds of even Nature herself. I continued through the house to the kitchen. The kitchen, I remember the parties we would have here, where friend and foe alike would gather and for a while the world didn't matter, for a while we were free from responsibility, obligation, anger and hate. We were allowed for a few hours to be free, to indulge ourselves in luscious foods, and to share stories around the hearth. I sighed as I continued onward through my old house. I came to my old bedroom. There in my… our, old bedroom, I saw my wife, lying there, peacefully. I knew she wasn't real, She couldn’t be, could she? but, I needed to see her. I stepped carefully towards the bed, trying to be as quiet as possible, lest I wake her and dispel my beautiful dream. I remember how beautiful she looked, with soft, charcoal gray feathers, and bright, entrancing green eyes. I often wondered why she chose me. Back then, I was rash, and not nearly as clever as I am now. Always the runt, always picked last, the weak link. On the other claw, she was the spectral opposite of me: one of the most popular girls at the academy, with lads bending bending over backwards to please her. She could have had anyone she wanted, but she choose me. Initially, I thought it was because I wasn’t the only one going out of my way to do favors for her; I thought it was a self-respect thing, which was the only thing I had going for me back then. When I asked her about it, she replied, “You don’t care about outward beauty, and that is truly beautiful.” It was at that moment that I knew we were meant for each other, and we leaned into a soft, gentle, romantic kiss that must sealed the deal up in heaven, because I ended up marrying her two years later. I can still hear the bells. Back in my bedroom and away from my memories, I smiled, staring at the apparition of one who had once been. There was another presence in the room. “All good things must come to an end, right Luna?” “Impressive perception skills, Griffin.” “Why am I here?” I asked. “I thought you might like to revisit old memories. This one was-” “I told you to stay out of my head,” I cut her off. “Get to the point. Why are we here?” “Oh you’re no fun,” she teased, “You need to relax with your running around all the time trying to be a hero.” “YOU WANT ME TO RELAX?” I shouted as a small flame ignited in the dream world. “RELAX? THERE IS A MURDERER ON THE LOOSE AND YOU WANT ME TO RELAX!” My claws clenched into fists. “Griffin, listen t-” “NO!” The building erupted into flames around us. “YOU NEED TO STOP GIVING ME THESE MEMORIES, THEY’LL DRIVE ME INSANE!” “Young one,” Luna’s voice rose. “ THERE ARE PONIES DIEING! I NEED TO CATCH TH-” “SHUT UP!” the fantasy world shattered at the sound of her voice, leaving us standing in an empty void of starlight. “Griffin, listen to me. I know the pain our race has caused you.” “No kidding.” “We need you, and I am trying to do my job, alright?” “I suppose,” I responded, having unclenched my claws and calmed a bit. “There are some ponies whose dreams I cannot enter,” she told me. “This has never happened before.” “Maybe they don’t like your snooping.” “Griffin it would be best not to drive my patience.” “ Tell me then.Why?” “You are a detective, and I must admit, you have a gift, I need your help.” “Ok, I guess I can help you, but you have to warn me before you dive into my dreams.” “Fine, do this for me and I promise to stay out of your head, most of the time,” she said. “Do you have any idea who’s keeping you out?” I asked. “No. I leave this task solely to you, and I’m sure you shall have a suspect soon.” “Huh, yeah sure,” I said, turning my back to her. “Oh… griffin?” “Yeah?” “You will be hearing from me.” The world dissolved around my and I flew up through the blackness and awoke to the sound of my telephone ringing. I answered immediately. “Yes?” I said somewhat drowsy “Mr. Enigma…” said a low, scratchy voice. “Yes, who is this?” “You are playing a deadly game, Mr. Enigma.” “What?” I was now fully awake as if I had just got slapped in the face. “Back away, Mr. Enigma.” “Oh? And what if I don’t?” “Then you shall face the consequences.” There was nothing but silence for a moment, and then the voice spoke again. “You have been warned.” Click!