A New Nightmare Awakens

Two days have passed since Ryan started working again, two more days of Nightmare Moon enduring painful and terrifying nightmares.Those nightmares always woke her up screaming like a banshee and crying her heart out, which also woke Ryan up. Seeing Nightmare Moon crying like that in sheer despair for the past two days tugged at Ryan's heart. He always tried to comfort her, while it does work it is only temporary sadly.

Nightmare's nightmare where always the same, she was stuck alone in the jail cell in Canterlot castle back in Equestria, with her sister tormenting her about how evil she was, how much of an idiot she was, and it always went on and on without interruption for the past days.

But not tonight, no, tonight her dreaming mind was silent, which was a blessing not seeing the horrifying images of her sister, Luna, looking at her with sheer hatred and loathing. But even though everything was silent, it was still not as peaceful as she would like it to be. The darkness that surrounded her was oppressive, and malevolent. It was not a place for some to go in alone, and Nightmare Moon knew that, but she could still not escape it.

An enormous explosion of light appeared, it covered the dark plains of fear and hatred of Nightmare Moon's dreamscape in a warm blanket of light and peace. In the distance she could see a shape taking form, the shape of a human. She wondered who it could be, who would come to the rescue of the terrifying Nightmare Moon. She never wanted to be feared, only to be loved. But even that was too much to ask of others who only, see in her a mare of the Night.

It was then that the lone figure started walking towards, and she could tell for it slowly became bigger, and the figure did became clearer as he came closer to Nightmare Moon. What started as a blurry figure gave way to Ryan, with a shock and confused expression on his face, which was mirrored by Nightmare Moon as well.

''Ryan! What are you doing here?'' Nightmare Moon exclaimed, not believing her eyes. 'Was Ryan always a dream walker? Or was it because of all the times we passed together since I arrived here?' She thought confused.

Hearing the voice of Nightmare Moon coming of this winged unicorn, confused Ryan a lot, but quickly shook it off to ask her what happened. ''Well I would like to know what here is to begin with, and why you are looking like this?'' He replied seeing as his last memories where him going to bed with Nightmare.

__o0o__

(The night before they both went to sleep.)

Nightmare was about to go to sleep on the couch, but the memories of her nightmare stopped her from doing so, and she started sobbing uncontrollably. Ryan seeing this sat by Nightmare Moon side and ask, ''Nightmare what's wrong, are you okay?'' He asked, puzzled by Nightmare Moon's attitude in the recent days. He knew that Nightmare Moon was still having her nightmares, but this time, from the looks of it, she will not be able to sleep from just the sheer amount of terror she is experiencing in them.

''No! I am not okay, Ryan.'' She said barely above a whisper, but still loud enough for Ryan to hear it. ''Those nightmares their haunting me, and I do not know why?'' Her sobbing only increased the more she spoke about them.

Ryan was saddened that such a strong woman as Nightmare Moon, was brought to such dept of terror because of nightmares. He took her shoulders in his hand, and said the only thing he thought that might help her. ''If you want you can sleep with me tonight?'' The look Ryan received from Nightmare was bone chilling. She got angry by his lewd demand, and was about to slap him, and probably even punch for what he said. But Ryan, seeing that Nightmare misunderstood what he said, quickly explained to her what he truly meant. ''What I mean is, if you do not mind you can sleep with me on the bed, if being alone frightens you? No funny business just me and you sleeping nothing more!''

Nightmare hearing Ryan's explanation relaxed a little, but she was still terrified by the idea of going to sleep. After a couple of seconds of deep thought she gave in, and accepted his offer, only because he assured that no funny business would happen.

With this out of the way Ryan helped Nightmare back to her feet, doing so himself in the same moment.  They then walked to Ryan's bedroom and promptly went to sleep. Of course sleep would not come for them now that they were comfortable. Exasperated, and still a little afraid of the idea sleeping, Nightmare said the only thing that went through her mind. ''Can you hold me please, at least until I fall asleep?''

Ryan surprised by Nightmare Moon's demand about him holding her, considering her reaction about them sleeping in the same bed, said, ''hum are you sure?''

''Hold me or I punch, then force you to hold me!'' She snapped back, she did not want to threaten him but she discovered that it was the fastest way to convince Ryan to do something.

Ryan not wanting to get punch, did as Nightmare told him, and held her in his arm. ''Gee and here I thought you became less snappy with me.'' He said, slightly hurt by Nightmare Moon's attitude.

''Sorry Ryan,''she said sleepily, and with that she fell asleep. Ryan did the same a couple of minutes later, still holding her in his arm protectively.

__o0o__

(Back in the dream world.)

''What do you mean, 'looking like that'?'' Nightmare replied with a little bit of anger, it happened each time someone saw her, and she was getting sick of it. She prepared herself to hear him scream, but was surprised with the only thing he did was reiterate his question, only more clearly this time.

''What I'm saying Nightmare, is that I didn't expect you to look like some kind of winged unicorn.'' He quickly explained, ''in fact what are you anyway? You told me about you being a pony, but I certainly didn't expect that!'' He said still confused, it amazed him he was able to formulate his question so clearly, considering the state his brain was in.

Nightmare gritted her teeth in annoyance. Her dreamscape was her only sanctuary and she felt violated by Ryan presence, in fact any presence at all would have left her feeling violated. She took deep and slow breaths to try and remain calm, and after several seconds of her breathing exercise, she dared look up at Ryan, and she could still see him as confused as he was mere moments ago.

''What I am is an alicorn, we are the perfect balance between the tribes of ponies that inhabit the country of Equestria.'' She then took a deep breath because she started explaining to Ryan The three pony tribes of Equestria in questions are, since it would help him understand what she is talking about. ''In the three tribes we have the earth ponies, the pegasi, and the unicorn. The earth ponies, their magic lies in their hooves which enable them the ability to exploit the earth. Then we have the pegasi, their magic lies in their wings, it enables them to control the weather with great efficiency and precision. Then we have the unicorns, their magic lies in their horn, it enables them to use magic directly through the arcane essences presence in the very air itself. Is that clear enough for you to understand Ryan?'' She finished with her chest puffed in pride.

Wide eyed at Nightmare explanation of what the pony tribes are, he was still confused about the whole alicorn thing, were they special, were they rare, and so he decided to ask her for elaboration on the alicorns. ''Wow hum, well thanks for the explanation but I still gotta ask, what is so special about alicorns?''

''What is so special about alicorns!'' She could not believe that Ryan just ask her that question,and so as usual it angered her a little, after all it was simple to understand. ''The alicorns, as I just said, are the harmony of the three pony tribes combined. We stronger than the earth ponies, we are also fast than the pegasi with our wings, and we are also more powerful than any unicorns alive or dead. But more than that we are the only ones who are immortals.'' Now she was just getting tired explaining to Ryan a concept, that was for her, so simple to understand.

''So if you say that alicorns are immortals, it means you're immortal as well, right!'' Ryan said, having difficulty grasping the concept of immortality.

''Exact Ryan!'' Nightmare Moon replied, ''maybe there is hope for you after all eh eh.'' She chuckled at her own little jab at Ryan's intelligence, of course she that Ryan was no idiot by any mean, but making fun of others always seemed to cheer her up a little.

''Yeah yeah laugh it up, but who was the one who is still not understanding what a motor is?'' If she was to mock him in that manner, two could play this game.

Ryan's retort quickly shut up Nightmare Moon, she knew that he knew that she still had problem understanding what a motor his, and him reminding her was a little insulting. She pouted at him, but then a devilish idea came to her mind she concentrated, and changed her the landscape of her dreamscape so that a pool of water would appear under Ryan's feet. Of course she could not do this when she was having her nightmare, since apparently her own mind had decided to torment her in someway, thus blocking her ability to shape her own dream.

Ryan's expression when he realized what happened was priceless, his face shifted from mockingly playful to sheer surprised and panic at the feeling of falling. When he came back up for air, his face showed just how annoyed he was at Nightmare Moon's antic. But then he thought of something, 'if she could do this somehow then how come she just doesn't her nightmare altogether?' With that he voiced his observation. Nightmare Moon's expression wasn't the one he expected, he expected something like shock, but what he got in return was frustration.

Nightmare Moon's frustration was not towards Ryan, but towards herself and what hand fate gave her until now. ''Don't you think I know about that, don't you think I already tried?!'' She all but screamed at him as she started sobbing again. ''I-I can't, I just can't. E-each time I try to change my d-dreams they only get w-worse!'' At that point she could not speak properly as her sobbing grew more intense.

Ryan seeing Nightmare Moon sunk that low also made him realize that what Nightmare Moon needed wasn't the promises he kept giving while awake, but a friend who would be there for her in her time of need, and right she really needed a friend. With that in mind he walked up to her, sat beside her, and hug her neck while rubbing her back and neck. ''I'm sorry Nightmare I didn't mean to make you feel miserable, but I'm here and if you want me as a friend then that is what I will be!'' He said as soothingly as he could, to try and make Nightmare feel better with herself.

Nightmare Moon was not expecting to get hugged by Ryan of all person, after all she kept treating him like dirt most of the time. But hearing him say that work as she started to relax more and more as he kept muttering soothing words to her. In the end she hug him back.

After what felt like hours later they finally separated with the both of them feeling a lot better, and it was shown by the ambient scenery. No longer was it a wasteland anymore with no life in it, but a forest full of life and happiness. 'Nightmares dream must be reflected by her state of mind I think, well at least it showed that what I did was not in vain.' He thought to himself while looking at the forest he and Nightmare Moon found themselves in.

''Thank you Ryan for what you did I really needed that, and if you do not mind. Yes I would like to have you as my friend!'' she with probably what was the brightest smile Ryan ever saw on her face.

''I would be glad to count you as one of my friend lady Nightmare Moon.'' He said and bowed in an innocent mocking gesture.

''Oh please Ryan, just call me Moon, we are friends now.'' But just as she said that the dreamscape of Nightmare Moon exploded in a bright flash of light. It signify that the dream had a=ended and that both of them were about to wake up.

__o0o__

Ryan suddenly opened his eyes, and saw that Nightmare Moon was still held firmly in his arm, in the bed. But something was different, and that something was the fact that her hair was just like her hair when she was in her alicorn form in her dream. Tentatively he softly shook Nightmare awake, ''Night-Moon wake up! You've got to see this.''

Nightmare Moon was also awake but she preferred to remain unresponsive until Ryan showed that he was also awake. At his words she opened her eyes, but what greeted her was a face full of hair that was just like when she was still an alicorn and not a human. ''I do not need you to tell me what I need to see Ryan, because I see it right now.'' Shakily she grasped one of her strand of ethereal hair, just so she could confirm that it was not a dream still. When she grasped it something clicked inside Nightmare Moon, and she started searching inside herself for something that was not there before, and just as she had hoped she found it

Her pool of magic was back, and already it was replenishing with the help of the ambient arcane essence present in the air. She took a deep breath and did the most 'uncouth' thing a mare of her position ever did, she squealed hard and loud.