//------------------------------// // Chapter 19 - Dreams and Nightmares (Edited by JBL 06.26.2017) // Story: The Last Descendant // by Cup of Coffee //------------------------------// I was finally satisfied after my second plate of fish. After nothing but fruit and bunny chow for days, I finally felt like I had eaten a decent meal. Once our dinner had been properly consumed, we shared cups of coffee as I continued to answer their questions. What surprised me was how energetic I felt as well as the improvement in my mood. I partly blamed the days spent in bed which had made me cranky at times, but now I was almost back to my old self. The most significant change was in my mind. The lack of headaches and the need for morphine, along with my decreased paranoia concerning the princesses, had done wonders for my mental state. What remained, though, was a craving for seeing home again. Though I spoke not a word concerning the matter, I think they knew. One piece of good news came from Celestia, who mentioned that the expedition Princess Twilight was leading would soon return to Canterlot. Apparently, they had gathered plenty of information pertaining to the portal, while at the same time discovering specimens they suspected originated from Earth, most of it being aquatic life forms. A large ornate clock on the wall chimed ten times, signifying the lateness of the evening. Celestia glanced at the clock in faint surprise. “It would seem that time passes quickly in good company. I believe I’ll call it a day.” She stood up and ruffled her feathers ever so slightly. “A new room has been prepared for you, Magnus. If you are tired, I can show it to you now.” I shook my head. “I’m not that tired, Princess Celestia, so I think I’ll stay up for a while longer.” It had been about two hours since I woke up, and with the amount of sleep I’d had lately, I was still rather bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. She nodded. “Very well. Luna, perhaps you can show Magnus his new quarters later?” “Of course I will, Sister.” Celestia smiled and looked to Luna, then to me. “Luna, Magnus, good night.” We responded in kind, Celestia nodding to us both and exiting through the door we had entered. Silence overtook the room once I was alone with Luna, though it wasn’t the sort that gave way to awkward uncertainty. Rather, it felt more of a contemplative quiet that engendered thoughtfulness of one’s situation. “Now then,” Luna spoke up after a while, having finished off the last of her coffee, “I believe I should explain to you the power of dreams as you requested. Perhaps we can go outside; the night air is cool and refreshing.” “Sure.” I stood up and stretched. “I said I wanted to see what your night sky looks like, and I meant it.” Luna smiled. “Then follow me.” She led the way, walking towards a nearby glass door. I followed a few step behind, taking the opportunity to fully observe her body without it being completely rude. Her appearance was the most obvious thing that stuck out, especially her height. Her chin was roughly above my waist, meaning she was taller than most ponies, even stallions who, for the most part, appeared to be stronger and taller than mares. Despite her height, she appeared to be rather slender compared to most mares I had encountered. I could clearly see how her muscles rippled beneath her fur and skin, and how she moved with a certain grace and elegance, much like Celestia did. Somehow, she reminded me of a prize horse competing in a show. It was another striking difference between her and other ponies that prompted me to speak up. “Luna, can I ask you a question?” I asked as she opened the door and stepped outside. “Of course, what is it that you wish to know?” “I’m not sure if I’m breaking a rule or something by asking this, but… why does your and Celestia's mane and tail move like that?” I pointed a finger to her mane as I walked up next to her. “Ah, a most interesting question, one which few ponies dare ask about as they believe it is insulting to us.” I focused on her mane and leaned closer. Each individual strand of hair glowed dark blue, undulating as if it was one entire mass. Her hair never fell down straight, instead seemingly being held aloft by the glowing blue mass. I could see what appeared to be tiny stars in her hair and tail, and even what resembled galaxies. It looked weird as hell, but very cool at the same time. “My sister and I are strongly bonded to magic, more so than anypony else in our world. So strong is our bond that our bodies react to magic in many ways, one of them being how my mane billows as it does. Imagine magic as a stream, a current of water, slow and calm, for it is this way that magic flows in our world and so too does our tails and mane… Why are you so close to me?” “Huh?” I looked towards Luna's confused face, realizing that I was mere inches from her mane. “Oh, I’m sorry; I just thought I saw a shooting star in your mane.” “Oh, yes, that happens now and then.” She smiled and continued on, “The time of day that is our element is also reflected in our manes; the dark night and the stars in mine, and the many colours of the rays of the sun in mine sister’s.” “‘Kay, that makes sense… somehow.” Luna led me towards a large open area of the garden, away from the lights emanating from the castle. If you wanted to see the night skies clearly, you had to be away from artificial light. We walked in silence for a while. I looked up at the skies occasionally, but something else caught my attention. Over to the right, I saw the walls of the castle, and just over the walls, I could see the lights from Canterlot. I had yet to see the city itself, and I had no idea how big it was, but considering its status as the capital of Equestria, I expected the city to be huge. Perhaps I might have a chance to see it before I left and buy some sou—right, no valid money. Damn financial situation. Maybe I could trade my cell phone for a shitload of souvenirs? Since they don’t have those here, I could sell it and—it would be useless. I had yet to see a single electrical socket and my charger was in my car, currently parked in Florida. Crap. “Do you desire to see Canterlot?” Luna had stopped while I was staring at the city lights, and as I heard her voice, I turned to her. “Could be interesting,” I replied, but then remembered something important. “I guess it will have to wait. I can’t leave because I might cause panic since… well, being human and all.” I pointed at myself to emphasize the point. “There are other ways to see the city.” Luna looked towards the tallest tower of the castle. “The astronomy tower is the tallest of the castle. From there, you can see far and wide. Would you like to go there?” I was tempted to take her up on it, but decided that it could wait. “Perhaps later,” I replied. We walked for a while, eventually reaching a small open area. A few benches, some flowerbeds, and a fountain were the only signs of civilization in the immediate area. I sat down on a bench and leaned my head back, staring up at the sky. “Wow…” I had lived my entire life in a small town, but due to light pollution, it had always been somewhat difficult to see the stars clearly. The only chances I had were either when I stayed over at my grandfather's cabin or when my friends and I decided to go camping somewhere. Away from lights, we used to lie on the ground and just gaze up at the skies, wondering about what could exist beyond our own solar system. But seeing the night sky of this world? The differences were huge. The moon loomed large, so either it was closer to this planet or simply much bigger than Earth’s own. Billions of tiny lights twinkled like tiny punctures on the dark canvas of space. A barely visible band of stars was right above us, looking like it could be an arm of the galaxy. I wondered if one of those stars had a tiny blue planet orbiting it, or perhaps it was as they said: that I was actually in a different dimension. I got off the bench and sat down on the grass before leaning back, placing my hands underneath my head and just watching the stars sparkle and shine. I sighed in contentment. “It’s beautiful.” “Thank you.” Luna sat down next to me and beamed as she looked up at the stars. “Every night I change the stars slightly so that not two nights are the same. It takes some work, but it is most certainly worth it.” “Change the stars? Do you control them as well?” “To a certain degree,” she replied and sighed contentedly. “I can alter the light they emit or block it as I see fit. Do you see that bright star two hoofs-width to the right of the moon?” I looked to where she indicated, noticing one particularly bright star. Suddenly, the star moved to the right before making a U-turn, returning to its original position before changing colours. Starting white, it then became light blue before turning red before disappearing and reappearing again with a glimmer of amber and green to it. I chuckled at what I perceived to be a gigantic ball of burning gases light years away darting around like a kid on an all-time sugar rush. “Wow, that’s amazing!” “It is.” There was a note of wistfulness in her voice. “The sky is my canvas, and my magic is my brush. I have never created two identical night skies. Many stars I leave be, as they act as guiding stars to travellers during nights; stars that points to north, south, east, and west. Constellations I also leave at peace, as some races hold them in high regard. Long ago, I did my utmost to please ponykind with my beloved night, creating nights that no artist could ever hope to recreate on canvas.” ‘Meet Princess Luna, Princess of the Night, Guardian of Dreams, and inventor of the GPS; Global Princess System,’ I thought to myself with a chuckle. It was incredible, for lack of a better word. The more I learned about this world, I was increasingly convinced that certain laws of physics did not apply here. Magic, dreams, the sun, moon, and the stars themselves didn’t seem bound by these laws. Rather, they could be somewhat twisted to suit the needs of ponies. I wondered how they would react to Earth, seeing as they were so adjusted to this normality. I lay there in the grass, watching the skies and feeling the short grass tickle my hooves. It felt nice and relaxing, just as it did a few days ago when we walked across the lawn. My mind began to wander, this time my thoughts revolving around myself, my body in particular. It would be weird if the only changes to me were on the outside. What else of my body resembled the ponies? Perhaps I could ask Doctor Mgangah and Doctor Silverheart if they could perform a full physical on me. The silence of the garden was pleasant; the only sound reaching my ears was Luna breathing next to me as she watched the skies with a content smile on her face. I had lived in town for so long that the silence around my grandfather's cabin had been a welcome reprieve from city noise back home, and I felt the same way here. “I believe that I should now explain to you my abilities,” Luna said after a while, rousing me from my contemplations, “and why I watch over my subjects’ dreams.” “Okay.” I sat up and leaned at the bench. “Go ahead.” Luna nodded and looked towards the skies again, as if her explanation could be found amongst the stars themselves. “Dreams are wonderful creations of our minds, for in the dream realm nothing is impossible, a realm without limits, without borders. Our greatest desires, moments shared with friends and loved ones dreamt many times over so that the memory never fades, and performing feats that should not be possible—it can all become true in our dreams.” Her smile slowly faded as she sighed. “Our dreams can also become what we fear most. Losing loved ones, dangerous beasts, creatures with ill intent—as our dreams are without limits, so too can the same be said for our nightmares.” “So how do you do the things that you do?” Did Luna go from house to house, checking on ponies tossing and turning in their sleep? “Every night I wander the dream realm, seeking those whose rest become disturbed. Upon discovering a nightmare, I act accordingly. Often fears and doubts haunt the dreamer, and in such situations, I offer counsel.” “So you’re like a psychologist or something?” “Perhaps that is one way to describe my role. Truthfully, it is much more. In recent months, many nightmares have occurred that required tending to.” “Such as?” “I do not wish to alarm you, but I did say that I would explain it, and I will not go back on my word.” Luna cleared her throat. “For the past twelve months, many situations have occurred that have brought about an increase in disturbed dreams. A race of insect-like beings called changelings attacked this fair city, but they were repelled.” “By Princess Cadenza and her husband, right?” “That is correct. The changelings trapped many citizens in strange green pods in order to feed off their love. For many, being trapped inside such a pod was traumatizing, while for others, it was the changelings themselves that caused nightmares. Many months after the attack, I have battled the nightmares that plagued my ponies, reminding them that I will never fail my duty to them ever again.” I could understand their sentiments. Being stuck in an insect’s pod while struggling to breathe was truly a hellish proposition. “Another incident was Discord, the Spirit of Chaos.” Luna frowned, scrunching her nose. “He once conquered Equestria, forcing ponykind to living in eternal chaos. He was defeated with the Elements of Harmony and turned to stone. His statue once stood in these very gardens.” She waved a hoof around us. “After he broke free from his prison, he began turning Equestria into his own chaotic playground once again. After being trapped in stone once more, my sister devised a plan to reform the chaotic spirit. To our surprise, it would seem that Discord truly wishes to make amends for his past deeds.” ‘Love-sucking creatures that can change appearance, chaotic spirits… Man, how can the ponies live a normal life around here?’ “This Discord character, is he magical too?” She frowned slightly at the question. “Yes, although his magic is chaotic.” “In what way?” “Some of his simplest tricks were turning clouds into fluffy candy; the clouds would also rain chocolate milk.” Leaning forward, I rested my head in my hands. “Holy hell…” I muttered under my breath. “Magnus, are you feeling well?” Luna asked, sounding concerned. “Well?” I shook my head, laughing nervously. “I’m just fine. Hearing about freakish shape-shifters trapping ponies in pods and then proceeding to suck out their love is something I can handle just fine. A chaotic spirit running around playing God with the world?” I sat up straight, staring at Luna. “I’m pretty far from okay.” Luna scrutinized me for a moment before stating, “You are not well. What I speak of frightens you.” “Hell yeah they do!” I got off the bench and walked around with my hands on my forehead. “How can you live like this? Especially that spirit!” I exhaled and wandered some more, taking deep breaths to try and calm myself. It didn’t work. “I understand that these things frighten you,” Luna said calmly, “but you must remember that this world is new to you. You will experience many things which you have never seen before. Trust my sister and myself to keep you safe and unharmed.” I stared at Luna, and admitted to myself that she was right. Culture shock was going to do a number on me and would exact a toll for years, at this rate. Remaining calm was my best defence in this situation, along with trusting Celestia and Luna as much as I could. I wandered back to the bench and sat down, taking a deep breath as I did. “Okay, I’ll just… Continue, please.” “Very well, but I will not mention any more incidents that have occurred, having witnessed your reaction towards them,” Luna stated firmly, which I was grateful for. I didn’t know what other type of things has happened here, and frankly I didn’t want to find out. “Thank you. But how did this all begin, this dream-walking business of yours?” Luna’s smile returned. “It began long ago, before my sister and I became princesses—indeed, long before we arrived in Equestria. The night had always fascinated me. The moon, the stars, the mysterious night and all its wonders—even sleep was intriguing, dreams especially. At one point in my youth, I decided to investigate dreams closer in order to learn from them.” “And what did you find out? Anything interesting?” She nodded, a faraway look in her eyes. “I discovered that I possessed the ability to enter the dream realm at will. At the time, many believed that such ability was impossible, or if it were, then dark magic was responsible. Tis true that dream-walking is a powerful ability that can be abused, but I had no such inclinations.” “I have to admit that it does sound frightening. It could be used for spying on others,” I pointed out. “A valid point,” Luna readily agreed. “The same accusations were once directed at me long ago, which is why I strove to only watch over the dreams of those residing in Equestria and no other nations in order to avoid conflict. If a resident of another nation approaches me for aid, I will of course assist them.” A spy that could see your dreams… Against that, there could be no defence. She could see battle plans and alter the outcome of wars, know what politicians planned to do—the possibilities were endless. Still, perhaps someone had to dream of something specific for her to garner information. “Can you influence dreams?” I asked, curious to know the extent of her powers. “To a certain degree. I cannot change a dream, but in the event of a nightmare, I can remove what torments you.” “Can you create a nightmare?” Luna turned to me, looking befuddled. “Why would I create what I seek to banish? I am the Guardian of Dreams!” She huffed indignantly and turned away, but after a few seconds, her stern visage softened. “To a certain extent, I can create a nightmare by introducing memories of beings that I have faced in battle, both in the physical realm and in dreams,” she admitted. “Oh…” was all I could say. I now wished I hadn’t asked her that. “Wait, beings faced in battle in dreams? Are you talking about creatures from nightmares?” She shook her head slowly and looked at me sombrely. “There were beings that once haunted the dream realm, dark twisted spirits that would bring nightmares and feed on fear. I oft wondered if these creatures had found their way to Earth and humans, but based on what you have told me, I do not believe they plague your kind.” My mouth agape, I stared at Luna. “D-Dark spirits?” Luna slowly turned back to look at the moon, a cold glint in her eyes as she did. “They had no name for themselves, for their mindset was only on fear. Ages ago, they planted nightmares in the minds of innocents in order to sustain themselves on the fear of the dreamer. Few in numbers, they preyed on whomever they liked, causing distress wherever they went.” “Oh god…” I leaned forward and placed my hands on my face. “Oh god oh god oh god…” A warm feathery wing wrapped itself over my back, rubbing gently. “Fear not, young Magnus, for they exist no more.” I moved my hands away, finding Luna smiling reassuringly at me. “I drove those beings away ages ago, battling them wherever I encountered them. Without fear to feed on, they ceased to exist. Your sleep shall always be peaceful.” Hearing Luna say those words put me somewhat at ease; at least I knew that dark spirits wouldn’t pay me a nightly visit. Still, hearing that such creatures once existed frightened me more than I was willing to admit. “Thank you, Luna.” I reached up to my shoulder and patted her wing. Still, something that I had wanted to ask her from the very beginning played on my mind. “I need to ask, can you read the minds of dreamers? Can you see their memories when they dream?” “It depends,” she answered. “If somepony dreams of something familiar to them, I can scry their memories in order to find out the meaning of their dreams. If you were to dream of a place you know well, but it is nightmarish in nature, I will search your memories and reveal its true nature.” “So you can read minds.” I sighed. It seemed that I was at least partially right. She nodded slowly. “Yes. I am aware that you see it as an intrusion, but there are times when no other option presents itself. There are events one might forget that can cause a nightmare to form, and in such situations, I will peer into your subconscious to find the answer that may put your mind at ease.” I rubbed my face and blew gently into my hands. “I’m… not sure what to say,” I began, looking up at the starry skies. “On one hand, I understand your job, your duty, and recognize that it is important to watch over dreams. I mean, I was afraid of the dark when I was a kid. I had a nightlight in my room up until I was eleven years old, for Christ’s sake.” “Fear of the dark is a valid fear,” Luna murmured, seeming somewhat deflated for a moment. “One may never know what beasts lurk in the shadows, especially when one wanders a dark forest at night.” I nodded slowly. “On the other hand, your duty seems awfully intrusive, what with mindreading and stuff. There are things people dream of that they’d like to keep private, so I’ll take a wild guess and say that you’ve seen what results in a wet dream.” Luna released a giggle at hearing that. “Oh, more than once. I am bound to secrecy; what I see in dreams, I will never reveal to anypony.” “Good to know. You could probably write a book about stuff like that. 'Raunchy Dreams by Princess Luna: A Tale of Whips and Hot Wax'.” We both chuckled at that, relieving some of the tension that had built up. “I have a proposition for you, Magnus,” she said once our laughter had died down. “Since my abilities make you feel ill at ease, I shall not endeavour to enter your dreams. If you feel that you require my aid, all you have to do is ask.” A wave of relief washed over me. While I hadn’t expected her to forcefully enter my mind after knowing my reservations, hearing her willingly say so was even better. “Really? Do you swear?” She got off the bench, head held high and a silver-clad hoof on her barrel. “I, Luna, Princess of Equestria, Guardian of Dreams, Ruler of the Night, and your friend, swear on my word as a princess and alicorn that I will not visit nor peer into your dreams and mind unless you give me explicit permission to do so." “If you swear on your race and title, then it’s good enough for me.” I felt a bit flustered at the somewhat solemn vow. “I do not wish you to feel uneasy, my friend. As a princess, one quickly realizes the value of compromises.” I nodded in return and leaned back on the bench, allowing the silence to return to us. As I sat there, watching the night sky with Luna, my mind couldn’t help but think about home once again. This time, my thoughts didn’t revolve around my friends or the people I knew; rather, my mind was on how I could explain all of this when, or rather, if I returned home. I hadn’t really given it serious thought since the talk I had with Celestia a couple of days ago. Still, I felt that my apprehension towards interacting with people in my current physical state could be a major obstacle. I was certain that my friends wouldn’t mind. After all, I grew up with them and had been friends for a long time, and I doubted any physical changes to me would change that. I wasn’t that certain about Lisa, though. We dated for just over two years, and as with most couples, we had been intimate. With the radical transformation of my body, as well as the secret of my bloodline, I wasn’t certain how she would react. Sure, she was the kindest person I had ever met, but… What about now? Would she reflect on our time together with disgust, or would she just remember what I looked like back then? It was difficult to say, but I was certain that she would come around after some time. It wasn’t like we were looking to get back together again; she hadn’t even pursued a new relationship after we broke up. What would happen if the odds were in my favour and I was sent back to my correct timeline? How would people react? If I was returned back to the Bermuda Triangle and was rescued by a random ship, things would probably head south. No doubt they would find my appearance grotesque and would call in the relevant authorities, with the end result with me being targeted and brought down by some sort of highly trained government agents prepared for exactly this type of encounter. From there, I would wake up in a white painted cell. One room, no windows, a metal bench with thin padding serving as a bed, and a cold metal toilet to do my business in. A thick metal door would be the only way in, surveillance cameras, two-way mirrors, and microphones all monitoring my every movement. A heavily guarded facility, a military camp. Interrogation rooms, guys in suits asking me questions for hours every day, scientists on the government's payroll taking samples, more interrogations. Eventually, my identity would be verified. Panic would swiftly spread. They would probably believe aliens had created agents that resembled humans who commanded a strange green force emanating from their heads. My horn would be surgically removed for safety reasons. Unknown DNA would be found in my cells, verified to be from an unknown creature. Security would be increasingly tightened as leaders around the world reacted, with martial law eventually being declared. People would grow restless and angry as their civil liberties were threatened. Eventually, someone would leak my image to the world, and hysteria would reign supreme. Throughout everything, the hope of returning home to Montana would wither and die, leaving nothing but hollowness in my heart. It would be a complete nightmare. With a heavy sigh, I leaned back on the bench and closed my eyes. When did I ever think that it would be so easy? All I had thought about these last few days was going home. Now that I had tried to reason out the events of my return, it wasn’t that tempting anymore, least of all if it resulted in me in a cell for the rest of my life, and I doubted it would be a long one either. All in all, my future was bleak. I released yet another sigh, feeling Luna’s gaze on me. My face probably didn’t reflect much happiness or appreciation at the moment. Her wing covered my back once again, rubbing it gently. Though it did little to improve my mood, I shot her a grateful smile in return for the effort. “May I ask you something?” Luna suddenly asked, breaking the silence between us. “Sure,” I muttered, happy to talk about something instead of thinking about the future. “When I told you of my banishment, and my past as Nightmare Moon, I expected a different reaction from you.” I looked at Luna, a thoughtful expression on her face. “From your behaviour earlier that day, I expected you to fear me even more, but you did not. I am curious as to what changed.” Luna was right. I have changed, quickly as well. It wasn’t my personality, though, rather a memory that had come to mind. I didn’t answer immediately, instead trying to frame it accurately. “I haven’t been myself since I came here.” I leaned forward and plucked a blade of grass from the lawn, holding it between my thumb and index finger. “How I’ve been acting ever since I woke up in the infirmary the first day… afraid, jumpy, paranoid. I guess it’s human nature to fear the unknown.” I blew away the blade of grass and plucked another one. “It’s okay to be afraid, but it’s not who I am. What I’m like now, how I feel, how I act, this is me. I had to remember in order to find myself again.” “I do not understand. What did you have to remember?” Luna asked, a certain tinge of curiosity in her voice. “My grandfather, Joseph, raised me. My mom died giving birth to me, so he became my legal guardian. He raised me all on his own. He made sure I went to school and all the things a father is supposed to do. It was when I was about eight years old that stuff started to happen.” “What of your father and your grandmother?” “Grandma died in a car crash years before I was born, and my father was never around.” “Oh.” Luna bowed her head briefly. “Forgive me, I should not have asked. You have my most sincere condolences.” “Thanks, but it’s not a big deal. I never got to know any of them, so they’re not really someone I can miss.” I waved my hand. “Anyway, I’m not sure how much Native American blood runs in my veins, but it was enough that I became a target for bullies. See, the native people that lived in my country long ago were called Indians. There were many tribes, hundreds of them, all over the continent. Another people called Europeans came to the country some five centuries ago and contact was made. The natives were seen as barbarians and animals due to their society being less developed than the Europeans. There were wars, massacres, and so on. Even something as petty as derogatory names was commonplace. Some of those names persist to this day, but it’s rare to hear them.” I sighed as the memories came rushing back. “I heard them almost every day.” “The town I live in is okay.” I rubbed the blade of grass between my fingers. A pointless activity for most, but in my case it helped with the stress. “It used to be worse years ago. When I was about ten, there were some kids at my school that found out I’m part native, and they began calling me names. Nickolas Osborne, Jeffrey Thompson, Mark North, and Eric Phelps were their names. Jeffrey, Mark, and Eric were tagalongs, just following Nickolas, the strongest guy. Redskin, Injun, Geronimo, and Crazy Horse were just some of the names they threw at me. Now that I look back at it, it was petty and tame.” “Crazy Whorse?!” she exclaimed angrily. “A truly horrible insult! Had they no shame?” Luna fumed. I just nodded. “There were worse, believe me. I told the teacher, but they never caught Nickolas in the act, and without evidence, there wasn’t anything they could do, other than warn him that they were watching. And walking home from school was a nightmare. He beat me up more than once.” “This Nickolas sounds like a most dreadful character!” Luna snorted. “I thought so too. In my eyes, he was the worst person I’d ever met. Well, things were about to get better. A lot better, in fact. You see, my grandfather was of the belief that things happen for a reason. He encouraged me to find out why Nick was so aggressive. It took a long time, and a lot of bruises, but I found out.” “Oh?” Luna raised an eyebrow. “This Nickolas character, what was his reason?” I smiled, thinking back to what drove Nick back in those days. Whenever he assaulted me, whether it was a shortcut between some buildings or the trail through the small forest on my way home, there was always hesitancy in his actions. “Fear,” I answered, to Luna’s confusion. “Nickolas’ parents moved around a lot. By the time he moved to Montana, the state I live in, he had already changed schools three times. He was never able to set down roots, you know, get to know the kids in class. Being overweight didn’t help either. The last place he lived at was in a city called New York, and the school he attended was pretty rough. He was bullied, physically and mentally. He was so afraid of being bullied again that he became one.” Luna’s earlier stern visage softened considerably. “I see,” she said with a slow nod. “Perhaps his bullies were never bullied, and he took notice. A far too easy solution to escape his fear.” I nodded. “Yup. Grandpa explained it as passing along the pain to somebody else.” I leaned back with my hands behind my neck. “What my grandfather taught me was to not give in to fear.” “How so?” “‘Fear profits man nothing, Magnus. If you are afraid of everything, then you will lose yourself to fear in the end, cowering and jumping scared like a jackrabbit. Instead, investigate what scares you, understand why it is as it is, and you will understand and no longer have fear’.” I turned to Luna, smiling slightly. “Grandfather’s exact words. I didn’t want to be afraid of Nick and found out that he was bullied at his last school. Knowing that, it was easier to understand his motives. It took some time and convincing, but in the end he came around, being a nice guy with a lot of video games. ‘Course, Adam helped as well.” I finished with a chuckle. “Fear profits man nothing…” Luna looked straight ahead, a hoof under her chin, mulling over the sentence. “So that is why you wish to understand my abilities. That is what you meant when we conversed in the infirmary; you simply wish to know how and why.” “Pretty much, yeah. Grandpa’s advice has helped a lot over the years. I used to be afraid of a lot of things, but when I applied his advice and did some digging, I found out that there wasn’t any need to be. I stood up to my fears, learned about them, and conquered them. Bullies? No problem. A challenge? Challenge accepted!” Luna’s earlier thoughtful expression turned into a smile, and she giggled at the enthusiasm I said the last part with. “A fearless human. It sounds like your grandfather’s advice has benefited you.” “Yeah, it has, and it’s not ‘fearless’, more like acknowledging that I fear something, but refusing to yield to it. The night we talked, I remembered his advice; I could fear you and your sister and become a mental mess, or I could instead try to understand you two and this world.” I leaned back and shrugged. “Although, you and Celestia aren’t exactly what people have to deal with back home. You aren’t exactly bullies or scary dogs.” Luna smiled. “Your grandfather sounds wise in the ways of life.” She was right. He had experienced a lot, learned the hard lessons of life, and had to go through a lot of pain to end up the man he was. His bad leg followed him throughout life, but it never stopped him. He lived with debilitating headaches caused by a lack of magic ever since he was a kid, but he soldiered on. He lost his only daughter when she was in her mid-twenties and his wife a few years earlier. That didn’t stop him either. He lost his parents, my great-grandparents, early on as a kid, thus he had to grow up fast. Throughout all of this, my grandfather never gave up on life. Not once did he lose hope, not once did he lie down and say enough was enough. He always carried on despite what life threw at him. “Yeah,” I replied with a smile. “He was wise and strong, a much stronger and wiser man than I am. I owe him everything.” We sat in silence for a while, only the slight rustle of a calm breeze being heard as it played with the various plants around us. With the blade of grass in hand, I decided to test how my magic would react to something much lighter than the pebble. I focused on my magic, feeling it beat inside me like a second heart. A swirling display of bright green and white that made up my magical aura illuminated the area around us, and for now I was content to just keep it like this. The colours reminded me of the northern lights. I had witnessed it a few times when we had camped close to the border. While videos I had seen on YouTube were nice, seeing it live was completely different. “A gift of magic,” Luna murmured, obviously seeing my magic. “It is truly a rare gift to see in this age.” “So I hear.” “Are you aware of the significance of the gift Star Swirl gave you?” I nodded but kept my eyes on the skies. “Do you realize how much Star Swirl cared for you?” “Enough that he was some sort of spectre for fifteen-hundred years when he could have left anytime he wanted, and also that he wanted me to live here. He didn’t even explain anything to me back home.” I scoffed dismissively, though in truth, I understood why he did what he did. “Would I have died if I didn’t come here? Probably.” “If he spoke to you, would you do as he asked?” I had to laugh at that question. “I don’t know how things work here in Equestria, but back on Earth, it’s never a good sign if you suddenly hear voices in your head.” I paused before giving a serious answer. “No, I wouldn’t. I would probably think I was going crazy and check in at the nearest giggle-bin.” “Giggle-bin?” Luna raised an eyebrow. “Um, mental hospital.” “Oh.” That seemed to halt her for a moment. “Still, I believe Star Swirl made the right decision. I understand the price you had to pay, but I believe what you received is worth it.” “Price?” I allowed my magic to flow back quickly, stood up, and stared at the alicorn in disbelief. Did she just… “The price was my life, Princess Luna. My friends! Everything I had. My goddamn life!” It was the casualness that stoked my ire, as though my entire life was something to be carelessly discarded for a new one. As calm as the night itself, she took a step towards me and stared at me, sincerity shining from her eyes. “You are in good health, no longer in pain, and your friends are alive, only very far away. Your life will not be ended by what your home world could not provide you.” I felt my rage dissipate slightly. Luna’s voice had some of her sister's quality to it, a certain quality that made me slightly calm down for some inexplicable reason. Above all else, I knew she was telling the truth; it was just that… the truth hurts. If Twilight couldn’t find me a way home… My once rapid breathing gradually returned to normal. I relaxed my hands, not knowing they had balled into fists. After several tense moments staring at Luna, I sat down on the bench and rested my head in my hands. “A price,” I muttered under my breath as I stared at the ground. “Then what is it I’ve gotten for that price?” “Life.” Luna sat down next to me, draping a wing over my back. The warmth provided by her feathery appendage was a comforting shield against the chilly mountain wind. “For what is a life worth? The hoard of every dragon in existence cannot pay for a life, nor can all the magic in the world.” I heard her sigh, and when she spoke again, it was tinged with sadness. “Although the loss of the life you had on Earth is terrible, remember that your friends are alive and well in your home world and have not passed away. Your home, your material possessions, they can be replaced—your friends cannot. Hold their memories close to your heart, and they shall never fade.” I nodded slowly and rubbed my eyes. Without realizing it, a few tears had gathered in the corners of my eyes, but were quickly wiped away before Luna noticed. That was a thing about me; I never let anyone see me cry. Even when my grandfather’s coffin had been lowered into the ground, I had worn dark shades to hide my tears and adopted a face of stone to hide my emotions. I had learned it when I was a kid—crying only made the bullies see me as a much more desirable target. I had noticed something about our conversation, or rather how Luna chose her words. She spoke as if I had no choice in the matter, as if I was here forever. It bothered me a little—did she know something I didn’t? Was I really here forever? No way home at all? I didn’t want to deal with this now, so I pushed the thoughts out of my mind, though I was sure they would return. I plucked a straw from the lawn and focused my magic again, making the dual-coloured magical aura appear. With the straw in hand, I willed my magic to focus on it, and after a few moments the magical aura appeared around it. Even this small piece of plant life felt as if it had immense weight. I strained, but it refused to budge. Luna sat next to me, watching my magic at work, her wing still over my back. She alternated her gaze from me to the straw. “Do not strain your magic,” she advised. “Pushing your magic out of your horn is a novice mistake. Your horn is a conductor of magic as well as a focal point. The more you push, the more resistance you will encounter. Instead, allow your magic to flow at its own pace. Similar to how water runs downhill, let your magic flow as it wishes. Let it choose its own speed, and you will find the task of levitating easier.” With my extremely limited knowledge of magic, I took Luna’s advice to heart. Yesterday I had forced my magic and ended up exhausted after a few minutes. Who could be a better teacher than someone who had thousands of years of experience under her belt, or should I say saddle? Following her advice, it immediately felt more natural. The light around my horn became slightly softer, dimming as if controlled by a switch. Even though it felt like the amount of magic was reduced and it took a bit longer to work, the straw slowly lifted off and began levitating an inch above my palm. Slowly, I removed my hand, the straw remaining suspended mid-air. “Bravo! Well done, Magnus!” Luna enthusiastically patted her wing over my back and tapped her forehooves together in applause. “Thanks, Luna,” I replied with a stupid grin as I watched the straw levitate in the air. Her praise felt somewhat ridiculous since she had the whole moon gig going on. Maybe for an amateur like me, this wasn’t that bad? Well, it might have been the tiniest of achievements, but to me this felt like I had done the impossible. After all, no human accomplished this before. I concentrated, and in response, the straw slowly bobbed in mid-air before making its way towards me, coming to a wobbly halt in front of my eyes. I turned the straw this way and that, all the while allowing my magic to flow at its own pace. Accompanying this small piece of entertainment was the sensation of my magic within my body. The feeling of being alive, the feeling of being well. The feeling of life. After playing around with my magic for a while and watching Luna’s night sky, it was time for her to begin her duties. Together we walked back to the castle where the guards waited. I noticed that they had also changed, most of the guards in the castle now consisting of bat ponies, the nocturnals as they were called. Only occasionally did we encounter a pony from the three main tribes walking the corridors. Luna led the way as we walked. I remembered a few details concerning the way to my room, and according to my memory, we were going in the wrong direction, instead heading for the back of the castle. I didn’t ask Luna about it, seeing as she probably knew a shortcut. After a while, we came to a hallway that had a few large wooden doors evenly spaced apart. We stopped in front of one with shiny metal hinges and a golden doorknob. Luna opened the door and we stepped inside. This room was… nice! Very nice! The interior was more akin to a giant living room. Paintings decorated the walls while the floor had several red, green, and blue carpets. In the middle of the room were three comfy-looking couches and some chairs that matched each other, between which was a large coffee table. Plants and fresh flowers stood in vases here and there while a crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling. On the left side of the room, a fireplace was built into the wall. Although there was no fire, the temperature of the room was rather pleasant. There was a glass door that led outside to a balcony where a couple of chairs and a table were located. In another corner was an ornate desk along with paper, quills, and inkwells. What struck me as odd was that the furniture was large enough for me. “Your new quarters.” At first I didn’t hear Luna, captivated by the sheer opulence of the room. After a few moments of silence, I managed to reply. “Huh?” Luna walked into the middle of the room and turned to me. “A delegation from Minoa, the land of the minotaurs, arrived recently. They are currently staying in the guest quarters where your former domicile was located. As you are still a secret, we cannot allow them to find out about you just yet, which is why you have been given this room in the VIP section of the castle.” “VIP, huh?” I whistled as I looked around the room in awe, noting two other doors within the room. “I would be perfectly content with a smaller room.” “Do not be ridiculous,” Luna scoffed. “Your wellbeing is our responsibility. These quarters should be more than enough to suffice for your needs.” She walked towards one of the doors and opened it, revealing a large bathroom. “The furniture has been made with minotaurs in mind, and the same goes for bathroom utilities. They should suit you well.” “If my cell phone works, I should show you some pictures of my house. Then you can see what standards I deem okay, ‘cause this…” I spread my arms, “is too much.” “Very well,” Luna answered with a sly smile as she walked past me. “I do believe the royal guard outhouse is available. I can arrange a tattered bedroll for you.” I stifled a chuckle. “I’ve noticed standards vary greatly around here,” I sniped back. “Our standards apply to guests who reject our hospitality.” Luna snickered as she made her way to the door where her guard escort awaited. “As usual, four guards are posted outside. If there is anything you require, you may ask them.” I nodded to Luna. “Good night. I hope your dreams will be peaceful.” “I’m sure they will be. Good night.” The door closed, leaving me alone in my new living quarters. With its sheer size, I could probably fit most of my house inside it. I wasn’t lying when I said that I would be perfectly content with a smaller room. Still, I shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth. I shook my head and groaned, wondering if there was something in the air that made me think of stuff like that. Curious about the rooms, I decided to check them out. The first one I wandered inside was the bathroom. It was fancy as hell, with all the fixtures and fitting one would expect plus more. Crystals in the ceiling illuminated the room, releasing a soft glow. There was also a large circular bathtub with three steps leading up to it. There were seats inside of it as well; at least four people could fit with room to spare. Checking out the cabinets near the sink, I found toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, towels, shaving foam, straight razor, combs, brushes—just about everything one could expect to find in a bathroom. I decided to investigate the other room, which I was sure was a bedroom. I was right. The bedroom was just as luxurious as everything else. The bed was almost obscenely larger than anyone my size had a right to sleep in, and me wonder how big minotaurs were. A dresser was located at one side the room, opposite the window. Checking it, I found my clothes cleaned and pressed. The floor was also marble, with fluffy carpets around the bed, but the walls and ceiling were darker in colour, with the ceiling itself being black with tiny crystals embedded into the ceiling, illuminating the room. The bed contained fluffy duvets, two large pillows, and green silk sheets. On each side of the bed was a nightstand, and on one of them sat my mobile phone still in pieces and resting on paper, my wallet, sunglasses, as well as a certain red pebble. It took some time to process the grandeur of the room. I began to wonder why they would give me a room like this. Surely they had less… opulent rooms, so why all this for me? Was this the only room away from the guest quarters they had? Meh, don’t question it. Might as well enjoy it while it lasted. I fell down on the bed and oh-my-god was it soft and comfy. If I could lie on a cloud, this was probably what it felt like. I moved up to the headboard and rested my head down the pillow. I stared at the ceiling and pondered the events of the day, concluding that, despite the ups and downs that had become disturbingly routine since my arrival here, it had generally been okay. Still, the way Luna spoke earlier haunted my mind. I could not shake the suspicion that I was here permanently and knew that I had to deal with it at some point in the near future. All I could do now was cling to the hope that I would see Earth again. But what hope was there really? A small chance, so miniscule that the percentage of success was immeasurable. I took off my pants and T-shirt and crept under the covers. Taking a few deep breaths and relaxing, I grabbed my wallet, took out a few photos, and stared at them. One was of me and my grandpa. I remembered the day well. It was just the summer before he died. I had been twenty four at the time and had spent that weekend with him at his cabin. I leafed through the photos until I found one where I was with all my friends. It was on one of our annual camping trips. This photo was taken in Wyoming last summer. We had camped in Grand Teton National Park. It had been five days of just messing around in the forest, fishing, swimming, walking around away from towns. We had planned to go somewhere else this year. Feeling an extreme amount of homesickness crawling up on me, I put away the photos. ‘God, I just want to go home so much,’ I thought to myself as I closed my eyes. As the crystal lights in the ceiling dimmed, I slowly drifted to sleep.