R.E.M.

R.E.M. - (Prologue)

It only took a few seconds of falling from an infinite height before I came back to myself. Such a thrilling sensation, but it only lasted for a second at the most. My eyes hurt and strained as they adjusted to the light. Problem was that I lived alone and there was nopony living within a mile or so of my apartment, so that could only mean one thing.

“She really wants my attention, doesn’t she...” I yawned and played with my mane for a little bit. Somepony would’ve probably thought I looked like a drunkard, or maybe a homeless scavenger. One of those abandoned apartment dwellers. They were rare, but annoying, and I’m no scavenger. What was I talking about? Ah yes, the lights. With no energy to spare within me, I rolled off my bed and my face said hello to the hardwood floor. “Ughh...” My muzzle was sore, and the floor was dusty. Kinda smelled like rotten apples. I could’ve really gone for some ripe apples at that moment. I remembered that I had hooves and slowly stood up, turning around to see the Daring Doo themed alarm clock on my nightstand. I had it since I was a colt, don’t judge me.

“Three in the... oh, she better have urgent news for me.” It was three in morning, which meant that it was Sunday and no longer Saturday. “I hate Sundays!” Maybe she heard me from the other room, but it didn’t really matter. Princesses have no sense of timing. Still groggy, I stumbled over to the opening between the bedroom and the kitchen. I say opening because, well, I didn’t install any doors in my apartment aside from the front door obviously. Don’t blame me too much, doors are expensive. I looked around, squinting through the harsh light that illuminated the flat. “Did she really need to turn all the lights on?”

“Is there a specific reason why I shouldn’t have?” Oh yeah, it was her...

“Because it’s three in the bloody morning, on a Sunday, and I’m not in the mood for this, Luna.” I rubbed my temples again as I replied to her. Couldn’t quite see her, but her presence was felt to be sure.

“Sorry for the inconvenience then, but this really is urgent.” I felt her smile, sincerely although only slightly playful. That meant there was something seriously troubling her.

“Alright... Alright, I’ll listen, but only because you’re... you know...”

“No need for the awkward pauses, Pluto.” Of course she used my nickname, always the nickname. My eyes finally adjusted, and then immediately wished they hadn’t. The kitchen area was a dump, cramped and dirty from nights upon nights of take out dinner. The “dining” table was a square monstrosity, its foundation a little crooked to the left. Looked top heavy, but it was functioning. You’d never think a member of the Royal family would be spending any of her time in such a place, but there she was, drinking from a fancy looking little cup. It obviously wasn’t mine, or was it? I was snapped out of my train of thought when I heard her speak up. “Would you like some tea, agent? Made it myself.”

“Um, well, I suppose it couldn’t hurt. At least you called me an agent that time.” I got up on the chair opposite of the princess and sat back on my haunches. A tea cup was in front of me, and if it had eyes I bet a week’s earnings it would’ve been staring into my soul. I gripped it and hesitantly took a sip. “Huh.”

“Hmmm?”

“Surprisingly sweet, not gonna lie.” All of a sudden I felt like not going back to sleep, and my ears perked up, waiting for Her Majesty’s next words. Luna was notorious for being a cryptic mare, but she knew just how to talk to the right ponies, whether it be foals or one of her employees, with me fitting in the latter of those two categories.

“I’m glad you like it. Now, as for why I’m here, I must ask you a question.” She was staring at her tea cup, her mood rapidly changing. Probably had something to do with children. The princess of the night always had a soft spot for children, foals, teenagers, and for some reason she always got especially upset if a kid is in a sticky wicket.

“Let me guess, you have a case for me?”

“Sort of, but it’s more about...” Wait for it! “Tell me, how well do you get along with children? Do you like them, dislike them, or are you apathetic towards them? All this time and I’ve never bothered to ask you that.” I would’ve made a witty comment right then, but it wouldn’t have been worth it. A punch to the nuzzle hurts like spending “quality” time with in-laws. Luna broke her nonexistent staring contest with her tea and looked up at me, and I could tell that she was genuinely worried about something.

“I don’t mind them, really, but does that have to do with a case? If it is, I’m listening.”

“Good, because this is going to be the first case you’ll receive involving a filly.”

“...I’m sorry, come again?” I wasn’t the right pony for this, yet she was going to me to handle it. Why? Either the other agents rejected it or she came to me first.

“I’m referring to a certain filly, who also happens to be Scootaloo’s friend.”

“Scootaloo? Heh, I know that girl. She’s cool in my book, if just a bit reckless.” Okay, she was very reckless, but give the kid a break for being adventurous. But this wasn’t about her, and not to give the kid a hard time or anything, but she’s got only so many friends. “Can’t be Apple Bloom... maybe Twist?”

“No. The patient is Sweetie Belle, Rarity’s younger sister. You’re familiar with the Element of Generosity, correct?” Luna just kept staring at me, and I wasn’t sure if this was a chit chat between friends or an interrogation.

“Kinda. So the patient is Sweetie then?”

“Yes. She’s not showing major symptoms yet, but...”

“Oh, so there’s no need for you to come talking to me about this.” A little rude, but this all seemed very weird to me at the time, you gotta understand that.

“I’ve been in a few of her dreams, agent, and she’s already developing rogues.” I leaned in closer to the princess to see if what I heard was right.

“Rogues? But if that’s the case, then she would already be sedated!”

“I know, that’s why I arrived here. She only has a small amount of time left before she goes into a coma and the rogues start to fight amongst each other. She’ll be alive, definitely, but there will be nopony at the figurative controls of her mind once she slips away.” My boss frowned and looked at me with pleading eyes. “We need to start the eradication soon, agent. Her life is at stake even as we sit here, drinking tea.” She looked much more bothered by this than normal. We’ve dealt with many patients who went through exactly what she mentioned, and they turned out fine. At least, for the most part. That’s why she has guys like me under her wing. I completely forgot about my own tea cup.

“Alright, I’ll get on it, starting tomorrow. If it really upsets you that much-”

“It isn’t about me, Pluto! It’s about Sweetie Belle!” The princess coughed, rubbing her eyes, and looked at me apologetically. “Sorry about that, but this really is important.”

“Okay. Just a quick question, though...”

“Yes?” Her ears perked up a bit.

“You said that you’ve been in a few of her dreams, right? What did you see in there, exactly?” Probably not the best time to ask that, but my curiosity was a stubborn trait of mine. Luna hesitated and got off her seat, landing on all fours, and looked back at me.

“What were you feeling when you were around the age of say... twelve, agent?” That seemed like a random question, coming from the princess of the night, but I went with it anyways.

“Well... I was confused, definitely. A little scared. Puberty was not kind to me, I’ll tell you that much.”

“Puberty. That’s the keyword, agent. And Sweetie Belle was terrified. The rogues had already manifested, and they were abusing her. I can’t tell you in what ways, not right now at least, but... we’re already running out of time. They were aggressive, even towards me when I was there, and they’ll only continue to torture her until she snaps.”

“So... if Sweetie Belle is twelve, and if she’s going through...” My mind was racing to put the pieces together. Damnit, Luna was far too cryptic at times with her statements, but she was still right. We were running short on time. “I’ll see you tomorrow, or later today I guess, to discuss this further, right?”

Luna only walked towards the front door, her mane blowing in the nonexistent wind. Then she turned around, smirking ever so slightly.

“Yes we will, agent. Oh, and one more thing before I go.” She walked towards me in that royal strut of hers, and looked into my eyes. “You always seem to forget this whenever we have these meetings.” Right then my face went from worried to puzzled in about half a second. I noticed her horn beginning to light up with magic.

“Forget about what?”

“You're still dreaming.” The tip of Luna’s horn appeared to have exploded, a clash of thunder is heard in the distance, and the explosion lit up the entire kitchen with its blinding presence. I felt something big, heavy, and very powerful hitting me square in the chest, and that was when I drifted back into unconsciousness...