//------------------------------//
// 3 -Bedtime Story 
// Story: PonyNorman 
// by Flutters Is Shy 
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Norman woke up slowly, a beam of moonlight falling across his eyes. He found himself in a room he didn't recognize, lain upon a bed with sheets as dark as midnight. There was...a horse lying off to the side of the bed, its coat as dark as the sheets on the bed. What was interesting however, was its mane. It was continuously shifting, reminding him of how a ghosts spectral trail ebbed and flowed. It looked particularly peaceful, a line of drool on the bed where its head lay.

What drew Norman's complete attention, was the one standing at the foot of the bed.

The one he could tell just by looking at its sad smile that it was dead.

It was even darker than the sleeping one, its entire body a mass of shifting stars and starlight. It floated above the ground, its wings outstreched and flowing. And then it spoke.

"Greetings, necromancer."

"I'm...I'm not a necromancer, sir." Norman shifted slightly under the sheets, eliciting a sleep laden snort from the sleeping horse.

"Am I not dead, necromancer?"

"Umm... yes sir?"

"Then the very fact that you can see me makes your existance clear. Only a necromancer walks among the dead. Only a necromancer talks with the dead. Only a necromancer may touch the souls of the dead." The ghost horse gave a slight smile, his horn shifting and reforming above his brow.

"But...I thought a necromancer was a person who brought the dead to life?"

"Is that not what you do even now? You commune with me, and bring to me life, the ability to interact with the living. Such a crass generalization is what most believe of a necromancer, but that is their fault, not yours. Never forget. You are crucial to the balance of the worlds, you are important to the balance of harmony. Do you understand?"

"I... I think so..." Norman absently rubbed his brow, not really understanding.

"Is she not peaceful, whilst she travels the realm of dreams?" He waved a wing towards the sleeping...female. Said female let out an unfeminine snore, causing Norman to let out a snort of laughter.

"...She is, isn't she?" Norman took a couple seconds to collect his thoughts, "Who is she, anyway? And... do you know how I got here?"

"She is my daughter. But sadly, I do not know how you arrived. My apologies, necromancer. If I but had the information, surely I would grant it upon you. I...it is to my utmost shame I must ask a boon of you, with no recompensense." The ghost rippled, his agitation easily seen. "Never can my daughter hear mine words. Never can she feel my gaze as I look on her in admiration and in pride." The area around the spectres eyes grew wavy and watery, the sadness plainly seen upon his face. "I never stay for long, I do not have the luxury of such hubris. But... to know that she would know...Please, necromancer. I beg of thee. Will you simply let my daughters know... I am proud of them? From my utmost to the end, I am and will ever be proud of them."

Norman was struck speachless. This was a father, one who had watched over his own and never once faltered. One who had stood beside them, and never abandonded them, even in death. This was, regardless of the form or species, an exemplory individual, one who had shown nothing but compassion. And Norman decided, he would show him that in kind.

"Whats her name?"

The ghost gave him a sorrowful smile. "This one, my youngest daughter. I named her Luna, such was her coat, that so perfectly matched the pale moonlight." He gave Luna a small stroke over her head, but was unable to move even a single strand of hair. Norman saw this, and was saddened. To be so close...yet so far....

Norman reached out a hand, and softly ran his fingers through her hair. With a slight moan, she shifted in her sleep and leaned into his hand. The ghost gave a smile at this, and spoke one final time...

"Thank you..."

With a burst of shadows, and a shimmer of moonlight, Norman was left with a softly snoring Luna. Norman raised himself off the bed, and lowered himself to the floor. There was one thing missing from this scene...

With a short jerking of his arms, Norman tore the sheet from the bed and wrapped it around her.