Into Your Dreams...

Chapter 12: Confessions

Sitting in the Ponyville PD, I didn't have to think too hard about what they brought me in for. It was only a matter of time before they started looking for me.

"Mr. Shadow?" Called an orange unicorn. She was wearing a badge around her neck on a chain and had on a black utility belt, covering her cutie mark. Her mane was also black with a turquoise streak, matching her eyes.

"Yes that's me." I replied back.

"Come this way please, it will only take a few minutes." She spoke so evenly I couldn't detect good or bad intentions in her voice.

"Thank you," I replied simply.

She led me from the holding room they had put me in to a room down the hallway. The plate on the door read 'Interrogation 1'. The orange unicorn rapped on the door three times, then paused, then once more. An intercom buzzed to life below us, installed-apparently- into the floor tiles.

"Just five minutes for cleanup."

The unicorn sighed muttering mild obscenities under her breath, shaking her head.

They had taken me when I was about three feet from Twilight's doorway. I didn't run, I put my trumpet down, and waited for their instruction. They came to either side of me, attaching steel wing cuffs and a horn guarder, to prevent any last-ditch efforts, I thought. I had simply complied and requested they replace my trumpet on my back after they attached the hoof-cuffs. The two officers nodded to each other and did as I asked. Following that, they set up the teleportation circle and zapped us to Ponyville PD, where I met the orange unicorn now standing next to me, waiting for the interrogation room to be..."cleaned."

"So...how are you?" I asked, trying to see if I could could some kind of emotion from her.

"I am doing well." She replied. Her lack of emotion baffling.

"Do anything fun last weekend?"

She did not look at me when responding, "I don't think that is an appropriate topic to discuss."

"Oh come on I won't bite, just trying to make conversation."

Finally breaking character, she glanced over, but briefly. "It isn't protocol."

"What isn't protocol?" I quickly said, coyly.

"It isn't protocol to speak with a potential suspect." She responded flatly.

That got my attention. I hadn't really thought about it since it occurred, but in actuality I was looking quite dangerous. I mean I had assaulted another pony, but I knew it was self defense. It finally dawned on me that I may have very well killed a pony. I started sweating, yet still no change in the unicorn's demeanor. The intercom buzzed twice and the door to the room clicked open. She pulled the door the rest of the way, then motioned into the room with her hoof.

I hesitantly entered taking in the drabness. Now of course I had seen my fair share of crime shows on Earth, and this looked much the same, but actually being there had a...much greater effect. The main difference I could detect was that the walls were grey and smooth, but not a building material I was recognized. The whole ceiling was tinted glass, reflecting on me. The scent of antiseptic assaulted my senses, stinging my nostrils slightly. It made me wonder where the pony was that came in before me was, which furthered my anxiety, but I kept a poker face. I noticed a slight change in the atmosphere in the room and looked over to see the orange pony enter the room shutting the door behind her, and the opening disappeared from view. There was a table in the middle of the room with four chairs, two on either side, all of it glistening metal. She approached the table and sat on one side and nodded to the other side. I looked warily at the chair, detecting menace in its polished surface, but I sat down anyway, associating the perception to paranoia.

I heard a hiss and a grey unicorn pony, another mare, walked in from a new passageway formed when a panel of the wall slid open on the opposite side of the room from the door I entered. She sat next to the orange unicorn, on the opposing side of the table, it felt.

"Hello Mirror Shadow, my name is Ashley Forge, how are you today."

I smiled to myself *If only they knew...*"Can't complain, yourself?"

"Same for me. Now down to business. We received a report of assault by a one Vinyl Scratch, any comments?" The grey mare inquired.

This was a surprise, I wouldn't have thought Vinyl would have been the one to call in, but then again, I still didn't know the condition of Silver.

"I have an idea of what you're speaking of, last night involving a pony named Jake Silver correct?"

"Well yes...wait, did you say Jake Silver? As in..." Ashley looked to the mare next to her and brought a briefcase out of nowhere and set it on the table, starting to rifle through papers. "Yes that is the incident but Vinyl did not use a name in the report." She looked up at me, "Please continue, I'm just looking for a file."

"Well I had been staying at Vinyl's for a few days, so I had a key to the house. I went on a trip with a friend to get a cure for a condition I used to have."

"What condition?"

"I had a condition called the Torment, but I took the cure earlier this morning so I no longer have it."

Her head poked up with a file folder in her mouth obstructing her voice, "Ofay, pleath continrrrr..."

"Alright, I had just gotten back and I head over to Vinyl's, expecting to have a nice chat but when I went in this Jake Silver character confronted me and bucked me into the door, triggering the Torment. When he had come forward to buck me out the door, I 'resurfaced' and threw him outside onto the lawn. I'll skip most of the action suffice it to say we sparred a bit on the lawn and I eventually bucked him into a pillar, then left."

"Hmm, much different from the story we heard in the report, but much more believable than hers." Ashley told me.

"Why what was her story?"

"She had claimed that you flat out assaulted both of them with no provocation, but now that we know that Mr. Silver was involved I believe you are free to go."

"Great."

A wall opened up and Ashley lead me through it, "I apologize for any inconvenience."

"No trouble at all, I'll see you around Ms. Forge."

I then walked out of the PVPD and saw that it was getting to be dusk, so I upped my pace and galloped to Fluttershy's house, trumpet affixed to my back once again. I passed the Treebrary, and eventually made it to Fluttershy's just before sunset. To think that here in Equestria this beautiful phenomenon is actually controlled; a privilege, not just a given.

As I walked up I saw Fluttershy sitting on the roof of her cottage, alone just looking at the Forest. I tried to think of a way to not startle her, but nothing really came to mind since it seemed everything I've tried so far has been unsuccessful. So instead of announcing myself I simply flapped my wings and laid down next to her with no warning. As I figured, she eeped and leapt into the air, holding herself a few feet from the roof. I looked up with a smile,

"Hey Fluttershy how are you?"

"Oh Joe its just you. I'm fine," she spoke more tentatively than normal, "did you get the cure?"

"Yes I did, It's all gone, trust me I felt it leave."

She touched back down on the roof. "Felt it?"

"I'll spare you the details but let's just say I am never eating anything blue ever again."

Fluttershy giggled, "Alright I won't press." she paused then said, "the sunset is beautiful tonight, isn't it?"

My mind took off like a bullet *should I tell her then? This would be the perfect moment to do it, on the roof, backed by the beautiful sunset. Oh but if she says no then what would that mean? But if I don't when will I get another chance?* My nervousness came back with a vengeance, and apparently it was noticeable.

"Joe are you okay? What's wrong?" She turned away from the horizon and looked into my eyes, her magnificent blue-green eyes showing her sincerity and ernest. My inner war took a dramatic shift, and my confidence returned to the point where I could finally express it.

"Fluttershy, I think it's time I told you." I took a deep breath and started. "Since we first met at Vinyl's house for introductions I felt an affection for you. During our trip to the Inner Sanctum as well, I felt my feelings for you grow stronger. Every time you kissed me was like a personal fireworks display in my mind. Whether you feel the same or not, I just need to tell you that...well, I love you."

The words finally out, I felt the nerves lift and the battle cease. I then thought about what I just did. From this point forward our relationship would be changed, for better or worse. *That is a chance I am willing to take* I thought, because if I hadn't told her then I would have been haunted forever by a moment passed, even if I had told her later.

Her face had kept the same concerned face for the most of my confession, looking at me even as I had been looking everywhere but her. The last words, however, I had said looking deep into her eyes, but she had looked down after I had finished. Her face was still hidden by her hair so I couldn't tell what she was thinking. I was starting to get discouraged after a few minutes of her not responding, and started feeling awkward as well. Then she faced me, still not looking into my eyes and squeaked something, but I couldn't understand.

"What?"

"I mmm mmmm." She mumbled out.

"I'm sorry I didn't hear that."

She finally looked up at me with a sudden outburst and replied, "I love you too!" And came up and kissed me.

Sparks flew as we kissed, and I was both relieved that she felt the same way, and excited for what this meant for us. I finally had a pony to love, a pony full of kindness and tenderness. I felt us both start hovering as both our wings go into autopilot, but we were too happy to care. We pulled back and I smiled at her and she smiled at me as we touched back down on the roof.

"That was amazing Joe, I've never felt anything like it." Fluttershy beamed.

"I'm just happy you share my feelings, I've been thinking about it for a while now."

"Well to tell you the truth, I felt this way for a while, but you know how I am."

I smiled remembering her talking in her sleep when we had been walking back from the everfree forest, "I had a feeling, that's why I felt confident enough to tell you."

"Really? How did you know?"

I felt my face getting red, even though my fur was black. "Oh well when you were asleep on my back in the Everfree Forest you were talking in your sleep...yeah..."

Fluttershy instantly blushed, "Oh yea I had an interesting dream then."

"About?"

She squeaked.

I chuckled a bit and said, "Alright don't worry. So Fluttershy, will you do me the honor of being my special somepony?"

She looked up quickly, "Of course!"

Finally relieved, "Alright. Now that that's out of the way, what were you doing before I came?"

"Well I just finished feeding the animals their dinner, and decided to take a moment to observe the beautiful sunset. Then I was going to head over to Twilight's to see how you were doing, you know, make sure everything was okay?"

"Yea I know. Sorry I was so late, I got taken in by the police for questioning. It was loads of fun I'll tell you."

She giggled, "I'm sure it was. How do you feel about going into town again? I have to go get carrots for Angel's breakfast tomorrow, I just ran out."

"Works for me." We stood up and flew back down to the ground.

The sun was almost all the way down past the horizon when we made it to Ponyville. Walking side-by-side we walked through town. Some ponies looked our way on our way, but having seen me a few times now, they didn't pay much notice. According to what Fluttershy had told me on the way to town, you could only tell that two ponies were together if they wore matching silver hoofbands. I had seen a few around town, but didn't really pay much attention to them, figuring they were just an accessory. We had been absorbed in a comfortable silence at the moment, but I broke it to ask her.

"So am I supposed to make the hoof bands?"

"Hmm?"

"The hoof bands. Do I buy them or do I make them myself?"

"Oh it's personal preference really. If you want to make them then it's up to you, but there aren't any rules or guidelines. Ponies sell them and ponies make them so..."

"Alright, I think I know what I'm doing then. Now where are we headed again?"

"Carrot Top and Applejack and other ponies set up a farmer's market in the square every other day, that's where I normally stock up on food."

About ten minutes later we were at the market, approaching the carrot stand. Fluttershy chatted with Carrot Top for a few minutes and I smiled a bit, but my mind wandered back to my dream in the hospital. What did it mean was the biggest question. Why was I in a hospital? Why was I hooked up to IV? And the biggest question was: Why was I human again? I had ideas for all these answers, but I was scared to accept it. Could it be possible that this existence that I know, could it all be a projection of my mind? Could I be sitting in a hospital somewhere torturing my parents with my absence? And although I could be wrong and it was just some weird thing, it being a possibility was just as bad.

I had been so lost in thought I hadn't noticed when they must have asked me a question, for both of them were now looking at me, expectantly.

"I'm sorry what?"

The two giggled and Carrot Top repeated, "I had asked how you got your cutie mark. It's just something that I like to ask everypony around here and I've never seen one like yours before, although pretty much everypony's mark is unique."

"Hmm, well up until recently I had a condition called the Torment, which made even the slightest physical contact lead to me being filled with rage-fueled power. The antidote for this condition was a flower only found in the Inner Sanctum or the Everfree Forest. Since I didn't know my way around I convinced Fluttershy to lead me. I found the splendor of the Inner Sanctum moving and proclaimed my devotion to it. This earned me my cutie mark and the guardian of the Forest itself." I looked to Fluttershy and smiled. She smiled back and scooted closer, our wings brushing against each other.

Carrot Top seemed to be putting two and two together between Fluttershy and I, but didn't say anything.

It was quiet for a moment so I broke the silence, "So how long have you been running the farm?"

She was still quiet, looking from Fluttershy, to me, then back to her, then back to me. Nopony knew about us yet, but we weren't planning on keeping it a secret so when she finally asked, "Are you two...?", Fluttershy giggled and responded.

"Yes Carrot, he just asked me before we came here."

Her ears perked up and her eyes got wide as a big grin appeared on her face, "That's great Fluttershy! I'm so glad you found your special somepony."

Then a rumbling sound started coming from behind us. Fluttershy and I turned around to see Pinkie Pie leap from Applejacks apple cart from across the market. She did a mid-air flip and landed next to us with a huge, almost creepy, grin on her face. Seeing as our history I instantly shied away from the pink pony, but Fluttershy just laughed.

"Fluttershy, is it true? Do you have a special somepony?" Pinkie yelled. Pinkie's voice must have carried because I saw many other ponies start looking over at us. I started to blush, embarrassed, but was smiling at the same time. Fluttershy, on the other hand, was hiding her face, but her blush shone through her hair too. Pinkie looked happily from her to me then back to her, seemingly oblivious to how uncomfortable the situation had just become. I looked over to her, and she looked up to me. I smiled and nodded to her, our personal connection noticeably giving her confidence as we looked into each other's eyes. She came out from behind her hair and actually smiled, then looked back to Pinkie Pie, who had a somewhat quizzical look on her face. What we hadn't noticed is how many ponies were looking our way, including Applejack from her cart and Rarity who had been talking to her.

Fluttershy spoke quietly, but confidently, "Yes Pinkie, he's my special somepony now. He asked right before we came here."

Pinkie Pie's characteristic smile quickly replaced the quizzical look and her excitement was palpable to all nearby. She nearly broke the sound barrier when she leapt into the air yelling "This is fantastic!" She landed in front of us again before saying, "You know what this means right?"

I guessed, hoping it wasn't what I thought it was, "Party?"

"Yup! Off I go!" And with that she hopped into her party cannon like the first time and shot herself over the houses of Ponyville to wherever she was headed. I cringed hearing the sound of the cannon, still a little traumatized by what happened the first time. Fluttershy just giggled and gave Carrot Top the bits for the carrots and we started on our way back to her cottage. We didn't get far before we were stopped once again, but this time by Applejack and Rarity. Of course they wanted to know the details and such, since Fluttershy was one of their best friends after all.

Rarity was first to speak, "Fluttershy this is wonderful! I'm so glad you found somepony to be your coltfriend. We obviously know how you met, but how long have you two been together?"

Fluttershy said back, "Well he just asked me about 45 minutes ago, before we came here to the market to get supplies." She was giggling with joy. She was pressed up against my side, sending the vibrations from giggles through me as well, and I smiled too.

Applejack eyed me suspiciously, "Now did y'all get that cure?"

I snapped out of my moment of pleasure and took on a serious face, "Yes Applejack, I did. I am now Torment free. Twilight made me the cure this morning and it was, well, it was an experience I will not soon forget." I finished the last statement with a hint of a smile."

She smiled, relieved. "Well that's good ta hear. You and Shy make one heck of a couple."

Rarity also , "Oh yes I do agree Applejack they are simply adorable! But I believe we must be off."

An idea popped into my head, "Oh wait Rarity, mind if I ask a favor right quick," I motioned with my head to the side to indicate I didn't want Fluttershy to hear.

Rarity saw my motion and spoke to applejack, giving her a wink as well, "Oh Applejack didn't you want to talk to Fluttershy about keeping the rabbits out of your new corn fields?"

"Oh, um, yea! So Shy..." She took her with a hoof and led her a few paces away to talk to her.

Rarity then looked to me with questions practically written on her face, "So what is this about then?"

I cut to the chase to save time, "Fluttershy told me about the hoofbands to affirm ponies' relationship. I plan to cast them using magic in silver, but I need gems that match her eyes. Do you think you can get me two gems of that color?"

She looked at me, then at Fluttershy who was several yards away, "Yes I'm sure I could get you gems of that color, but would you rather I made them for you? I've made a few sets in my time, I could make them for you."

"Rarity, that's very nice of you to offer but I would like to do this myself, all I need are the gems."

"Hmm, okay then, but don't be afraid to ask darling."

"I'll keep you in mind. When can I pick up the gems then?"

"I think I might have some in my bag here," She flips open her satchel with her magic and shuffles some things around. Eventually she levitates two gems out and in front of me for me to take. I did just that, hiding them at the base of my right wing. We then went back to the other two, no suspicion evident from Fluttershy. We exchanged parting phrases for the second time, then we were off to the cottage once more. I decided to plan out the bands. Going off of very, VERY limited knowledge on the subject, I designed them in my mind, choosing what flourishes should go where. Unfortunately I had NO idea how I was going to create them, but I figured a trip to the library should help. I was deep in thought when Fluttershy spoke up.

"Joe, is something on your mind?"

This caught me slightly off-guard, "What makes you say that?"

"Well, yesterday when you stayed the night and I saw you, you had this pained expression on your face. I had dismissed it as plain sadness after you told me about what happened, but then today when Carrot asked you about your cutie mark and you didn't respond, I saw the same face again before you answered her question. Now I know that face doesn't just come from anything, so tell me. What is going on?"

I looked at her, seeing the love in her eyes, her concern. It broke my heart, and my resolve, in seconds. I sighed, "Alright Fluttershy, I had a dream last night and it was strange, to say the least."

"You know you can trust me. What about your dream makes you so uncomfortable that you won't share it, even though it's obviously causing you trouble."

We were just outside her cottage and the sun had safely set at this point, leaving us in relative darkness. "Let's go inside then I'll tell you, if you'll have me that is."

"Of course."

So we went inside and took care of the animals, feeding them and putting them to bed, then she led me to her bedroom where we sat, her looking at me expectantly. I started haltingly at first, then it flowed faster, the confusion, the fear I felt and how I didn't know what it all meant. Her eyes went wide when I told her about being human, and stayed that way until I finished. I had been looking out the window to recall my dream, but looked to her when I finished. Her eyes were waiting for me, watering up threatening tears. It wasn't particularly scary though, so I wondered what prompted the tears.

"Joe, I have to tell you something too."

That was convenient, "What happened Fluttershy?"

"Nothing happened, just a dream like you, a dream with you. Oh it was awful."

I moved closer and hugged her, "I'm here."

She held me tight as she told me her dream.

"I was trotting through Ponyville, doing my usual weekly shopping. I had just bought some clovers and started walking away when you walked by. I felt elated and went to you and called your name, but you kept going. I tried repeatedly to get your attention but you wouldn't stop. Then you started fading, slowly disappearing from back to front until you disappeared completely. I panicked, asking other ponies where you were. They just looked at me puzzled, then told me there was nopony named Mirror Shadow. The last thing I heard before waking up was a deep voice saying 'you're next...'"

She had started crying again mid story. I hesitated for less than a second before bringing her in for a huge hug. She was surprised, but soon hugged back and let herself cry on my shoulder. Nothing could move my heart more than seeing this gentle, caring pony crying like this. I gently rubbed her back, trying to calm her down. Her sobs eventually subsided and she relaxed in my arms

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Hey all, sorry for the delay in this chapter. I use delay even though I am aware that it has been several weeks since my last chapter. It has been quite the process though, getting through writer's block and finally starting to move towards endgame. Yes that is correct, "Into Your Dreams" will soon be coming to an end, albeit there may or may not be a sequel. In any case, thank you for the fantastic support and of course,

Felix Lectio

Skiskinator