//------------------------------// // Chapter 37: Challenges // Story: Through Crimson Eyes // by Level Dasher //------------------------------// When I woke up the next morning, the sun shone through my window, and I could hear the birds chirping outside. It wasn’t anything new, but it just felt nicer than usual for some reason. Mom sat by the window, looking out at the town. “Morning, Mom,” I said. She turned around and replied, “Good morning, Crimson. Did you sleep well?” “Yeah, I guess. I don’t really remember much, but that’s nothing unusual.” When I didn’t see anypony else, I asked Mom, “Hey, where’s Gramma?” “She is with your father. She will likely be back shortly.” I shrugged. “Okay.” As if on cue, Gramma knocked on the door and poked her head in. “Crimson? Would it be alright if you had a visitor?” I raised a brow. “Uh, sure. Who is it?” Gramma smiled and held the door open. When a blue wing pushed an IV pole through, I almost exploded. “DAD!” He smiled as he walked toward my bed. “Hey, Champ. They finally let me out of my room. How are you doing in here?” “Great now!” I sat up and gave him a hug when he got close enough. “Haha, good to hear, buddy.” He ruffled my mane and asked, “Chemo treating you alright?” I sighed. “Yeah, I guess. It’s still annoying, but not horrible. I—” For some reason, at that moment, something just felt… off. “Everything okay, buddy?” I looked at Dad and answered, “…Yeah, but something…” I rubbed the back of my mane and looked around before— My mane. I put my other hoof on top of my head— a full mane of hair. That shouldn’t be there… I glanced around for a moment, then I heard a soft thunk from a dark corner of the room. When I turned to look, there appeared to be a shadow hiding in it. “…Princess? Princess Luna, is that you?” I heard a deep sigh, then Princess Luna strode out of the darkness, shaking her head and muttering to herself. “How could We forget? We knew that was his cue…” I certainly wasn’t expecting it, but it was still great to see her. “My apologies, Crimson.” She sighed again and put a hoof on my mane. “I cannot believe I forgot such an important detail.” I cocked a brow at her. “What do you mean?” The Princess answered, “Well, of all the things I’ve manipulated in your dreamscape tonight, I neglected to remove your lucidity cue. If I was to—” “Wait— manipulated?” I interrupted. “Indeed,” she answered. “You are now aware you are dreaming, correct?” I nodded. “With everything you’ve had to endure the past few days, I thought a pleasant dream was overdue. What you see around you is my doing.” “Oooh…” I looked at Gramma, Mom and Dad. “So they’re—” “Figments of my creation, based on what I have seen in your previous dreams,” she explained. “I fear I made your mother too formal, though it matters not. You are already lucid. Perhaps I should not have meddled, and let your dreamscape perform on its own.” “It’s okay,” I answered. “Thanks for trying. I definitely could use a good dream, with everything that’s going on. Either way, it’s great to see you!” I smiled at her. “Likewise, Crimson. You truly are a resilient colt— despite your own trials, coupled with the stresses of your father’s condition, you still persevere and fight a good fight. Your strength and courage are astounding.” I blushed and rubbed the back of my mane, while I still had it. “Thanks. I’m… doing what I can. You’re right, it’s been tough.” “All the more reason your dreams should be pleasant. Perhaps you would like to take over?” Princess Luna gestured to my parents and Gramma, who were staring at me, as if awaiting some kind of instruction. I glanced between them all, then back to the Princess before I said, “Uuuuh… sure, I guess. I wanna try something first, though.” I closed my eyes and concentrated, then after a minute or so, wiped a hoof across my empty nostrils and smiled. “Ahh, that’s better. I can’t believe that worked!” She nodded. “Ah yes, comfort first. I attempted to keep this as realistic as possible to avoid suspicion, but you’ve already seen through my ruse. I see you have acquired some manipulation skills of your own— impressive.” I smiled at her and replied, “Thanks! I guess I’m alright with things, but I’m not that good with ponies. I haven’t had much of a chance to practice lately.” I glanced at the Princess’s figments of my parents and Gramma, still staring at me. I turned to her and started, “Could you—” “Certainly. Obtaining control of another’s figments is difficult. Perhaps it would be best to—” “Actually,” I interrupted her again, “if you were gonna be here anyway…” I closed my eyes and concentrated again. When I opened them, I smiled at the object in my hoof. I held up the box to Princess Luna and asked, “Do you play cards?” She chuckled. “I have triumphed in numerous games of Hearts against my fellow princesses— as well as Discord, and he is a horrible cheater.” I smirked and cocked a brow. “Challenge accepted.” “Uh, Princess, I hope this isn’t insulting in any way, but…” I laid out all the hearts and the queen of spades. “…I just shot the moon.” Princess Luna laughed. “‘Tis a joke Discord does not tire of. And your father broke one hundred, so you win. You are a formidable opponent, Crimson Star.” She tapped her chin. “I believe you would make for a fantastic Spades partner.” She looked out the window, then said, “This has been quite enjoyable, Crimson. It has been a while since I have partaken in such entertainment. I thank you for the invitation, but I must take my leave now.” I nodded and answered, “Okay. Will I see you soon? We can have another card game— maybe we could even have one when I’m awake!” She raised her brows and said, “Perhaps. We shall see. Give your family my regards, Crimson. Until next time.” With a smile and a flash of light, Princess Luna vanished, and I found myself laying on my back, the tube back in my nose. I glanced around the room and saw Mom and Gramma at the window. When I sat up, Mom turned toward me and said, “Morning, sweetie. Good timing— I was about to head over to see your father. Do you want me to ask High Flyer for the laptop?” I put my hoof on top of my head to make sure—no mane—then answered, “Morning, Mom. Yeah, sure. I wanna tell Dad something.” I smirked. “Alright. I’ll be back later. High Flyer should be here in a few minutes.” As Mom walked out, I couldn’t help but chuckle. “What’s so funny?” Gramma asked me. “Apparently Princess Luna doesn’t think Dad’s a very good card player,” I answered. When she cocked a brow at me, I said, “You’ll understand in a minute.” High Flyer then came through the door. “G’morning, Crimson. Your mom had good timing— I just got back to my station when she asked me for the computer. Looking to talk to your dad, I assume?” “Yep,” I said. “I have a funny story to tell him.” High Flyer smiled. “Sounds good to me. Here, I’ll set you up.” He set the computer on my rolling table and fiddled with it for a minute, then moved the table in front of me and put it at my eye level. I saw the little window with Mom’s name and the empty bubble next to it. “Looks like your mom’s not set up yet. Just give it a minute. You all good?” “Yeah. Thanks, High Flyer. I’ll call you when I’m done.” “Sounds like a plan,” he said. “You know, you can hold on to the computer when you’re done if you want to play some games.” “Maybe, I’ll see. Thanks!” “No problem, buddy.” He smiled again and walked out. As I waited for the little green check mark to appear next to Mom’s name, I called over to Gramma, “Hey Gram, you wanna talk to Dad, too?” She chuckled. “Of course! I also want to hear this little story you have to tell.” She pulled a chair up next to my bed and sat down. “Oh, right. Hey, there he is!” The little mark had turned green. I was about to hit the button when Gramma said, “Why don’t you let your father start the call, sweetheart? That way we know he’s ready. Just be patient, okay?” “Yeah, okay.” I didn’t really want to wait, but she did have a point. After a couple of minutes, the computer finally started ringing. It didn’t take me long to hit the button and find Dad’s face on the other side of the screen. “Mornin’, Champ! Sorry I took so long— Dr. Osis had to talk to your mom and me. I hear you’ve got something to tell me— what’s up?” he asked, letting out a cough. I smirked. “Well, somepony thinks that I’m better than you at cards.” Dad laughed, “Haha, oh really?” He took a deep breath, then looked at Gramma, who had brought her head into the picture. “I don’t think your grandmother has the authority to make that judgement, buddy. Sorry, Ma.” “No, not me,” Gramma said with a laugh, shaking her head. “I know better.” “Oh? Then whom?” Dad asked with a cocked brow. I grinned from ear to ear. “Guess who I played cards with in a dream last night.”