Sweet Dreams, Sweetie Belle...
Be careful what you wish for
Harrison had never seen such an amazing place. He stood on small dirt road taking in the scenery. The mountains, sky, trees and grass were all colored brightly. Hell, even the dirt was nice, it was "the dirtiest dirt in the whole dirt world!", as Pinkie Pie had put it. Finally, Harrison thought, endless nights of wishing to be in Equestria, and he was finally here.
Looking around, there wasn't a living thing in sight. No matter. Harrison figured a walk along the road would take him to one town or another. If not Ponyville, then someplace where he could make new pony friends and start a new life. He hoped they weren't too wary of him or outright terrified, something in the back of his mind told him they'd probably be just fine. Taking a deep breath in, he began his journey, filled with nothing but happiness. His head was held up high, looking at the blue sky and beautiful clouds, but after a dozen steps or so, he realized something was amiss.
His arms weren't at his sides, happily swinging as he thought they'd be. He looked down and stopped breathing. In his arms was a little foal, her white coat was mostly covered by a light purple blanket that matched the colors in her fluffy, curled mane. Large green eyes stared up at him, expecting something. He knew who this was!
"Sweetie Belle!!!" Harrison exclaimed, "What are you doing all the way out here? Where's Rarity?" She was smaller than he remembered in the show.
The filly only cocked her head slightly, still looking up at him.
"Can't talk?"
She blinked a couple times.
Weird.
Harrison reasoned she must be a lot younger than she is in the show. Continuing his walk, he began to look for any homes or buildings. He didn't know how long he walked, he didn't feel tired at all, but Sweetie had fallen asleep a while ago. Questions began to spring up in Harrison's mind.
What is she doing out here?
How did I find her?
Harrison had no recollection of how he found Sweetie Belle, or even how he ended up in Equestria. But even on Earth, he learned not to question good things, so he kept thinking.
Where the hell is Ponyville?
What if I can't find Rarity or her parents?
The last thought was like a bucket of cold water on Harrison brain. He stopped walking, unsure of what he would do. He started walking again when the answer was obvious, one of Rarity's friends or somepony would take care of Sweetie Belle. Wouldn't they? Of course they would.
But what if you don't find anypony?
Harrison's heart felt like it had been gripped in a vice. What if he didn't find anypony? Something told him that that might be exactly what happens.... He looked down at the filly in his arms, her breathing was slow and quiet, she couldn't walk on her own, there was no way she'd make it without someone to take care of her. The vice on his heart tightened. Harrison knew he wouldn't find anypony to care for her, he didn't know how he knew, but he just did. Right then, his new life had just been given purpose.
Keep Sweetie Belle safe and sound.
Harrison desperately looked from building to building. He was in Manehattan, at least he thought he was. Tall squarish buildings were packed tightly together. Yes, it had to be Manehattan. Sweetie Belle had woken up and was whimpering, her stomach growled and it was obvious to Harrison that she needed something to eat. Holding Sweetie Belle tightly to his chest, he slowly jogged from building to building, not only looking for something Sweetie could eat, but also for any ponies.
There were none.
He knew there wouldn't be, but he had to be sure. Breaking into a random house, he went straight to the kitchen and opened the fridge.
"Applesauce, perfect!" Harrison said victoriously, smiling at Sweetie Belle. She returned the smile and it melted his heart. He would make sure Sweetie was safe, always. Nothing was more important. He opened the cabinets and grabbed a bowl, filling it with applesauce. Setting the filly on the counter, he went to get a spoon, but stopped when Sweetie just began to eat it straight out the bowl.
Laughing, Harrison thought about checking the door to make sure it was locked, but decided against it. He didn't want to take his eyes off Sweetie Belle for a second, even though there were no ponies around he was beginning to feel uncomfortable. There was something wrong with this place.
Sweetie Belle has finished eating and let out a cute yawn.
"Tired already?"
She made her way to the edge of the counter, and began to reach out for Harrison.
"C'mon, Sweetie.." He said, picking up the filly and wrapping the purple blanket around her. Opening the door with one hand, Harrison expected it to be near dusk, but it was still bright as ever outside. He realized the sun had been in the same spot this entire time, it sent a shiver throughout his body. Sweetie Belle nuzzled up to him. Harrison started looking for how to get to Ponyville. Just because there were no ponies here doesn't mean there isn't any in Ponyville, he thought, desperately trying to convince himself that it was true.
A piece of paper blew across the ground and Harrison bent awkwardly trying to pick it up. It was a map, just what he needed. Looking at it, he knew it had to be wrong, it was only a straight line, drawn diagonally across the paper. Manehattan was written at the top of the line, and Ponyville at the bottom. In between were Baltimare, Appleloosa, Fillydelphia, and Los Pegasus. It didn't make any sense. There was something very wrong with this place.
Having no other option, Harrison began to walk along the straight road marked by the map. As he walked his vision began to flash in and out, each time he was getting farther from Manehattan and closer to Baltimare. When he reached Baltimare, he felt as if he had walked the whole way, but still didn't feel tired. Sweetie was still nuzzled up to him.
The sun was still in the very same spot. Harrison began to get very paranoid, the constant daylight illuminated everything, and he felt like he were out in the open, being watched by....something. Now that he thought about it, the sun wasn't giving any light, the light just seemed to come from everywhere and there were no shadows.
Walking cautiously into Baltimare, he began his routine of kicking down doors and shouting for somepony. Sweetie Belle looked up at him curiously and sometimes giggled when he hurt his foot kicking a door. House after house, Harrison looked for ponies.
There were none.
He wished he could say he was surprised. Once again, he broke into another house and opened the fridge.
"Applesauce? Again?" Harrison was beginning to get worried, but Sweetie Belle didn't seem to mind and she reached toward the applesauce, grunting in effort at trying to get out of Harrison's arms.
So he let Sweetie Belle eat, and when she was done, he picked her up and began to walk to the next town....
The next three towns were the same. No ponies, daylight everywhere, only applesauce in the fridge. Each town had broken down Harrison's hope, but every minute he spent with Sweetie Belle only increased how much he cared for her. He didn't care if there weren't any ponies, as long as he was here, he would take care of her.
As long as he was here, Sweetie Belle would be okay.
Ponyville was in sight, and even though Harrison had abandoned all hope of finding anypony else, he was happy. When he would finish his search for ponies, he and Sweetie Belle would stay here, probably move into Rarity's place and keep her safe. As he entered Ponyville he suddenly became very aware.
This place is real. It *is** real.* Harrison knew it was. He felt the ground beneath his feet, the breeze against his skin, and the little filly cuddled up to his chest. It was real.
Yet there's something wrong. This can't be Equestria.This place is real...but....but...what?
But you're *dreaming*, Harrison. he solemnly told himself.
The realization ripped him apart inside.
"No! No! No!" he yelled. Sweetie began to whimper and look at him. He looked back, expecting any second for it to be over. He closed his eyes shut, and opened them again...
Sweetie Belle was still looking at him, tears welling up in her eyes. Harrison sighed, but it was bittersweet. He was still here, but he knew he was dreaming. He was aware that somewhere, he was laying down in his bed at home.
Home.
No. Home was here. Home was where Sweetie Belle was, he needed to take care of her, nopony else could! There was nopony else here! He held her tightly as he began to run all over Ponyville, shouting at the top of his lungs.
"RARITY!!!!"
"RARITY!!!"
"TWILIGHT!!!"
"ANYPONY!!!!"
".....please.."
This was a dream wasn't it? Harrison tried his hardest to summon forth the citizens of Ponyville, but to no avail. No, this was real, somehow. Harrison knew he was dreaming, but this place wasn't a dream. Sweetie Belle had begun to cry and Harrison held her close, her tears soaking in his shirt. This place was real. There was no doubt in his mind.
But he knew, that when he'd wake up, he would be gone, and Sweetie Belle would be all alone.
