Knight of Equestria - On Distant Shores

by SupraMacPringles

Chapter 16: The Fear Within Us All

It had only been a single day since the first snowfall but the ground was blanketed in white. Ponies still went about their business as usual, bustling through town on errands and whatnot. Rainbow Dash was right; last night truly brought one heck of a blizzard.

Matt trudged through the cold, his leathery shoes protecting his feet from getting wet. He was on his way to visit a friend atop the very hill he watched the snow fall from last night. He noticed things were different around town, aside from the obvious coating of snow. Ponies didn't stare at him anymore, instead waving and smiling as he walked by. Greetings were common now and Matt had to try his best to memorize names. Ponyville was nowhere near the size of New York and it seemed everyone knew everyone else. He didn't feel entirely out of place now.

He arrived atop the lonely hill, surprised to find out that Luna hadn't arrived yet. He found a relatively dry spot under the tree and sat against it. He crossed his arms and decided to wait; he knew she'd arrive soon.

He gazed out over the town he called home as his eyes felt heavy. He decided to just rest them for a bit while he waited.

The princess of the night swooped through the sky, en route to the hill just outside Ponyville. She had expected to arrive before her friend did, but as the hill came into view, she spotted him lying back against the sole tree atop it. She landed softly near him and tried getting his attention.

"Good day, Matthew Nabal. I trust you are keeping well?" she asked, but he didn't respond.

She walked around to face him, seeing his closed eyes. She assumed he had fallen asleep. She could recall that he had trouble sleeping and his lack of rest must've been tiring him. He had grown very defensive when she offered to watch his dreams. She stood there, wondering what was going on inside his head. She thought it best not to pry and nudged his shoulder with her hoof.

He awoke with a shudder to find that Luna had arrived. He immediately calmed down breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh… It's just you, princess." He said.

He hadn't planned to fall asleep, but seeing that everything pretty much looked the same, he guessed he wasn't out for long. His heart was pounding abnormally fast. He had that dream again.

"Is… everything alright?" asked Luna, noticing his distressed state.

"Hm? Oh. Yeah. I'm fine." he said defensively.

"Have you still not been sleeping well?"

He sighed and regretted telling Luna about his lack of sleep in the first place.

"It is… certainly better. They… aren't as frequent anymore." he said in a melancholic tone.

Luna had assumed his problem was only a few weeks old, but she had no idea of the five months he spent with his nightmares.

"Perhaps if you give me permission, I could-"

"No!" he shouted, before regaining his composure. "Uh, that is to say, I'm sure it's something I have to resolve by myself."

Matt's was one of three dream worlds she didn't enter unless granted permission. One of the other two belonged to her beloved sister and the third wasn't even in Equestria half the time. Surely she could tread anywhere she pleased, but she stayed away purely out of respect and understanding. Perhaps another part of her feared what she'd see deep within the recesses of the three's thoughts. Of course, her curiosity and concern far outweighed her apparent fear.

"I understand, as long as you are sure." She said.

He nodded in agreement before changing the subject.

"You know, a group of us met up here last night to watch the snow. I expected you to drop by, too."

"Oh, that is a shame. I had a few… things to take care of last night."

"Things? Anything interesting?" he asked.

She smirked. "You have your secrets, Matthew Nabal. And I have mine."

He chuckles. "Alright, alright. Fair enough. And just 'Matthew' is fine. In fact, just 'Matt' will do."

The rest of the evening was spent mostly in conversation, until the time came to part ways.
...............
Sometime later, Luna found herself pacing around her room. A struggle was raging within her. She, and assumedly anypony else, could see that Matt needed help. The poor creature had immense difficulty sleeping. Sleep was her domain. It was her responsibility to help those suffering in the world of dreams. But she had promised she wouldn't meddle.

But it was driving her up the wall. He needed help and she needed to help him. It was the only way. Though she would break her promise, she hoped it would be for the best.

She had entered a trance like state to project herself into the dream world, but the hardest part was finding it. Hundreds flashed before her before she had all but given up. However, a new one had formed before her very eyes, and it radiated an eerie orange light. Like a moth to flame, she entered the unfamiliar dream.

The instant she entered, she was assaulted with lights and sounds. A brilliant display of fire surrounded the area. She could hear screaming. She looked around and spotted the wreckage of a large metal structure, burying a familiar form beneath it. She rushed over as her suspicions were confirmed.

Matthew Nabal lay amidst the burning ground, pinned down by a large metal chunk across his legs. He spotted her immediately, but didn't say a word. She shoved the metal off his legs, allowing him freedom.

He rose slowly, almost ominously slow, and began to walk forward. Luna tried to talk to him, but he paid her no mind. He walked to the edge of the flames, gazing down at something Luna couldn't see. She slowly approached his side and looked downward. In the fire writhed a desperately struggling creature, very akin to a human. It screamed and struggled to get on its feet, to escape. But it couldn't. It just writhed until the life drained from its body.

Mouth agape in horror, Luna turned to face him. His face was as stoic as ever, unblinking. She tried to speak, but no words came out.

Within a moment they were both snapped awake, the dream apparently coming to an end. Luna could feel herself trembling. What was all of that about? She could almost guarantee that he'd be waiting to meet her tomorrow. She just wasn't sure she could face him with all that she knows, all the questions she has.

The next day, as she approached the hill, she spotted him leaning against the tree. She landed near him and simply sat down. She didn't know how to begin, so she was hoping he would.

"That…" he began. "That was… my mother."

She didn't bother hiding the shock in her expression, yet she didn't speak.

Matt sighed. "I guess I'd have to tell someone eventually."

He turned to face her, solemn look on his face. She drew closer slowly, opting to sit closer to hear his tale.

"It… it was nearly six months ago. My family and I… we got into an accident."

He returned to looking away from her as he continued.

"My parents didn't make it. It was quick for my father, but my mother… she suffered. And this was all that happened to me."

He pulled up his right sleeve to reveal his long, deep scar.

"But it doesn't matter. What happened, happened. I'm over it."

Her heart ached from his tale, but his last statement bothered her. She simply couldn't understand how somepony could just get 'over it'.

"What do you mean you're over it?" she asked, speaking her mind.

"It already happened. It doesn't change anything. I'm fine."

She knew he was lying. You simply don't have nightmares about something you've gotten over.

"… Are you sure? If you wanted to talk about it, I can-"she said before being cut off.

"No. I told you, I'm fine. It just… lingers with me, for some reason."

"If you think it's for the best…"

"I do."

She sighs. "I understand."

A moment of silence comforts the racing minds.

"I…" Luna began. "I still have nightmares, too."

He looked her in the face, seemingly curious.

"They aren't frequent, but… I'm still haunted by my past misdeeds. I think… it has something to do with fear. The fear within us all. The fear of letting things happen the same way again, or repeating our mistakes." She said, in a comforting tone.

An unexpected smile creeps across his face.

"Perhaps you're right."

It was nice to finally recognize his fear. One day, he may share more with her, in an attempt to conquer their fears. He had a feeling he'd be sleeping better tonight.