Ch 1: Dreaming Up Nightmares
“What exactly are dreams? What are nightmares?” Asked the stallion with the graying mane.
He stood at the front of a small, crowded room. So crowded, in fact, he had to make sure he didn't spit on the face of the poor pony sitting ahead of him.
"Well?" he asked again. "You all did your assignment, correct?"
A hoof was raised in the back, "Please, go ahead," he urged.
"W-well, Doctor..." started the blue mare, Raindrop was her name. “When we sleep, our m-minds take us through a-all kinds of d-different worlds; which can be made up of r-real memories or even our imagination," She blushed as she finished, some stallions to her right snickered silently.
He chuckled and nodded, "Yes, that's one way of describing how we experience dreams, but that doesn't answer my question as to what they are."
She blushed more.
He continued. "Well, it's no surprise that all ponies have some form of magic; earth ponies like me have surprising strength, pegasi have magic that allow them to fly and control the weather, and Unicorns just have their plain old magic," ponies throughout the room laughed at the last statement, except for some all-too sensitive unicorns.
"This embedded magic is what makes our dreams so special, so vivid and awe inspiring. And, also, what makes nightmares so tremendously terrifying. "
The buzz of conversion in the room stopped completely. Not one pony tried to hide their understanding of nightmares, for each of them had at least once been trapped in a night terror. This is good, thought the Doctor, They're hooked.
"Although nightmares are rare," he continued. "They are a powerful force that can cause severe damage to ponies. Now, still assuming that you all did your assignment, who will be so kind as to list off some things Nightmares can cause?"
Again, Raindrop's hoof rose in the air.
"Nice to know only one pony in this room can read. The floor is yours, Miss Raindrop."
She cleared her throat, "The s-severity of nightmares can v-vary. Some can cause mild h-headaches, that could e-escalate to full bod-dy muscle spasms, the worst reported cases have the v-v-victim......" She stopped slowly.
"Losing their sanity?" The Doctor finished.
Raindrop nodded, "And worse."
A bell rang out, ending the day’s session.
"Don't forget to read your excerpt from Of Mind and Magic; I wouldn't want Miss Raindrop to be the only one I have a conversation with next week!" He reminded the ponies as they gathered their belongings and left the cramped room.
Not long after the last few students exited the door did he hear hoofsteps behind him. "Wow, it's been a while, Remmi," someone said.
He spoke as he turned around, slight annoyance in his voice. "You can call me Doctor Rem, thank to very mu-" He stopped suddenly. It was a unicorn, her light green fur looked familiar.
She giggled. "Forgot your childhood friend already, Doctor Rem?"
The realization hit him hard. "E-easel? Easel Sketch?!" He exclaimed.
"The one and only," She threw out her hooves and bowed, laughing. "Glad the great Doctor Remmi Cycle still remembers us little ponies."
Remmi chuckled. "Last I checked, you were the famous author and illustrator while I was just a professor at this small university."
Easel nodded. "True, but you are renowned as the go-to pony for dreams and nightmares. A bit more respectable than a struggling artists and author of children stories."
"Such crowning achievements we hold," Remmi responded with light sarcasm. He was glad she laughed, it really had been a while since they met.
He walked to the door, locking it as Easel followed through it. Why it was policy to worry about such a bland and tiny space never made sense to him.
"So what exactly brings you to Manehattan?" Remmi asked her.
Easel sighed. “Unfortunately, not a book signing."
I don't like that tone of voice, thought Remmi.
She noticed his concern. "Yeah, this isn't a good thing," She assured him.
"Well, what's wrong?" Remmi asked. He had helped her in tough situations before, but he himself was tight on money. He sincerely hoped she wasn't in any financial issues again.
"Nothing like before," Easel answered, almost as if she read his mind.
They had reached the front of the university. It was nothing grand; just a grassy courtyard with a few benches and even less trees. A cobblestone path led to the gate. The shadow of the building reaching over it like an ominous blanket. Which itself was towered by the city's vast skyscrapers.
"It's....home," Easel continued. "It's happening again."
A chilling sensation stabbed at him. It wasn't possible. It couldn't be. The pain, the memories, the loss; it all flashed before him.
"Why are you here?" He asked again, this time in a much more serious tone.
She avoided his gaze. "The village... everypony thinks you can help.”
"No," Remmi said almost instantly. "Nopony could do a thing last time. I certainly couldn't now. Sorry, Easel, it was nice seeing you, but... please leave."
Now she was glaring at him. "Last time we didn't have what you know now. You can help. And you know it."
"Knowing alone won't help anyone! Just because somepony understands unicorn magic, doesn't mean they can use it, right?" He questioned her.
Easel was silent. "Now, goodbye," Remmi said, turning towards the gate, away from the past, the suffering, the -
"Shewould want you to at least try."
Remmi froze in his tracks. A hot fire began to burn in him. Was it rage at Easel bringing her into this? Or was it sadness, was it the tears building up in his eyes because he knew Easel was right?
"How bad is it?" Remmi asked, defeated, his back still turned to her.
Easel became less tense. "When I left, almost half of the children and maybe two or three adults were affected."
"And how long ago was this?” responded Remmi.
Easel sighed deeply. "Two weeks. Finding you was actually difficult, believe it or not..."
He chuckled. "Manehattan is a popular place. You must have not tried toohard. "
She flinched at his words. A part of him wanted to apologize, knowing she must have panicked, but another held back, wanting to punish Easel for bringing her into this.
"When will you be returning?” Remmi spoke after a minute.
"I leave on the last train today. Here," Remmi turned around, Easel gave him a train ticket. “It’s for tomorrow, noon."
Remmi shook his head, laughing slightly. "How'd you know I'd agree?"
"I didn't," Easel admitted, “But I'm glad you did.”
"Not a lot of time to get ready," he said reluctantly.
"Then you should start right away. I should try and get some rest before the train ride; wouldn't want to be asleep when I get there," Only now did Remmi see the bags under her eyes. He knew she'd been avoiding sleep as much as possible. He would do the same.
"It was pleasant to see you, Easel," Remmi told her.
"Kinda. Maybe next time I pop back into your life it can be under better circumstances," Easel smiled and winked, then left for the gate.
"Bye..." Remmi mumbled as she strode away.
With everything that Easel had left on his mind, Remmi knew he was going to have a hard time with his class. There was the issue of how long he'd be away. If he could even set up something to keep his students busy and on track with the curriculum. Oh Celestia, the curriculum. All the complaints he'd get if he didn't-
“Oof!” Remmi landed with a thud, dazed.
"O-oh! D-doctor! I am so sorry! I didn't s-see you!" Remmi's head cleared up enough to see that it was Raindrop who had collided with him.
"No, no, it's fine Raindrop. I wasn't exactly aware of my surroundings either," Remmi tried to console her as they got off the floor.
"P-please don't take this the wrong way Doctor, b-but now that I've, literally, bumped i-into you... I'd like to talk t-to you about our assignment," she stuttered.
"I'm sorry, but right now isn't a good time, something serious just came up and I have to prepare some things before I leave town," Remmi stopped her.
“O-okay...” was all she could say.
Remmi took a breath. "Actually, I could use your help," Raindrop's eyes sparkled at his words. "Come to my office with me."
Raindrop nodded and followed his pace. They entered the old building and moved through the familiar, but austere hallways. They both stopped in front of a door that had a plaque with the engraving "Dr. Rem Cycle" hung next to it.
As Remmi opened the door, Raindrop spoke. “S-so what exactly do you want m-my help for?”
"Oh, just some things pertaining to class," They stepped into the office. "I figure if anypony can help me keep the class on task while I'm away, it's the one pony who actually does her work," he chuckled.
Raindrop laughed too. "Well, I'm g-glad I can help.”
"Thank you in advance," Remmi said. "This is something I wish I'd have had a few days to prepare for, not a few hours."
Raindrop shrugged. "It's no t-trouble, you and y-your class are the only r-reason I came to Manehattan in the first place."
That wasn't the first time he'd heard that. The interest in the minds of ponies, both conscious and unconscious, had grown since his early days in the field. The growth could have something to do with him, being the first to actively study Nightmares as a disease; one that had to have a cure.
"Well thank you for your intrigue regarding my classes. But, more importantly, thank you for actively participating and paying attention," he responded.
Raindrop nodded, and they began.
They went over their current class progress, seeing what they got through and what still had to be done; what had to be discussed in class, or could be skipped and done individually. Remmi had a few friends and colleagues that he could ask for help. He'd hoped to only be away for a week at maximum, but he still prepared for two months’ worth of classes without his presence.
A short while later, they had enough of a solid plan to keep things in check.
"Well, I'm glad that's settled," sighed Remmi. "Now I just have to get home to get my things ready."
"Doctor, w-where are you l-leaving to? I-if you don't mind me a-asking," Raindrop muttered.
Remmi sighed. "My hometown, Neighbelheim," he hoped Raindrop didn't notice him shiver.
A look of fear flashed in her eyes. "N-n-n-neighbelheim? Y-y-you're from...there?"
Her shock both worried and puzzled Remmi. What did this mare know of Neighbelheim? She couldn't possibly know of its past. Of what occurred there so many years ago, unless......
“What do you know about Neighbelheim?” Remmi asked, his eyes firmly locked onto hers.
Raindrop was shaking now, her breathing was quick and shallow as she spoke. "I was b-b-born there... "
Remmi understood now. It explained why she was so deeply intrigued with all of his lessons. Her determination and her drive; it was the same as his. Now he even saw her stuttering for what it was; a side effect of a torturous nightmare.
"Raindrop...” Remmi started.
"S-s-sorry, D-d-doctor, I h-h-have to go!" Raindrop blurted out, her wings springing to life as she rushed out of the door. Remmi didn't even try to follow her; no matter how hard he'd try, there was no way he'd catch up to a flustered pegasus.
“Dammit," Remmi sighed, sitting back in his chair. "I'm sorry," he said, almost aimlessly.
Running, running; all I can do is run!
Why?! Why aren't I getting away?! My legs are just moving in place!
The dark! It's surrounding me! I have to get away; it's starting to wrap around my neck. No, please no!
Mommy! Daddy! I shout, but I gain no response; only the low hum of the cold around me returns to my ears.
Lightheaded.
I'm looking at my small, helpless body from far now. Stopped, motionless.
I can feel the icy, burning, pressure on my body, my head, my throat.
Please help, somepony! I shout, but the sound is only in my mind.
Then a flash, a high pitch shriek, breaks the world around me. The darkness fracturing and moving away from the small, helpless creature.
I'm back in my body. I'm surrounded by a glaring light. A figure slowly blurs into my sight.
Mo.....mommy?
Instantly, the shards of darkness come down. Tearing the shape into a blur.
No! I shout pointlessly. No, no, no, no!
****
“No!” Remmi jolts awake, shaking and sweating, the world around him in a fuzz.
A high pitch sound fills his ears and, and he looks around panicked.
"Mister?" a tiny voice asks. "Are you okay?"
Remmi looks down to find a young colt, a worried expression plastered on his orange face.
"Did you lose your mommy?" the little colt asked. The question stabbed Remmi in more ways than the young colt could understand.
"Uh..." Remmi let out, his surroundings now clear to him; he was on a train. “I-it's nothing. Just a bad dream. "
"Oh, I don't like those kind of dreams," the colt frowned and shook his head. "But I hate Nightmares more..."
Before Remmi could respond, a mare’s voice rang out. "Oh, there you are!"
She came over, standing next to the little one, solidifying her as his mother. "Sorry if he troubled you, sir."
"No, it's fine, really,” Remmi said back. Hoping she didn't connect his own distress with her son by mistake.
As the pair moved back to their seats, Remmi noticed that the train had stopped. He tried to remember what had happened.
There was his class, then his surprise encounter with Easel. After that? Oh, yes, Raindrop bursting out of his office. Next was him going home, hurriedly preparing a briefcase and a bag, failing to get any rest at night, then heading to the train station; obviously he fell asleep sometime after boarding the train.
Now calmed, Remmi forgot most of his dream. Except for two details; he had been a colt, and it had been about her; his mother.
He looked out the window and noticed that they were stopping at a station. He didn't know the town, but a clock hung on a post showed that he had been asleep for 5 hours out of the 6 hours it took to get to Neighbelheim; enough for a few more stops.
With all that time, Remmi figured he might as well keep himself awake.
He headed to the restrooms, and once there, he splashed some water on his face, and looked at himself in the mirror.
He was tired, that much was obvious; if the bags under his eyes didn't give it away, the pink glare in his eyes surly did. He even noticed some stubble on his yellow fur as he dried off; he'd have to remember to shave later.
Which reminded him, where was he going to stay? Easel's visit hadn't given him much time to set up anything at all. Remmi tried to think of what he'd do once he'd arrive at Neighbelheim.
He basically had three options right away: one, head to an inn....for which he brought no bits, perfect. Second, he could stay with Easel herself; she should give him that much, considering she gave him no time for anything else.
Lastly, his father. He wasn't too sure on that option; him coming home all of a sudden, after so many years without so much as a letter might not bode well for him.
Returning to his seat, Remmi sighed. He jumped as the horn blared out again and the train started moving.
He moved in his seat, trying to find some comfort, as he looked out the window.
Everything seemed so familiar, even though it had been so long ago that he had left using this exact route.
Signs of settlement had become ridiculously scarce. Now the approaching, rough, mountainside dominated the terrain, nature its partner in crime, magnificent trees and other flora covered the land in an almost artistic manner.
It was beautiful, that was obvious. Many ponies liked to come around this area for picnics, hikes, camping. Although, the popular Neighagra Falls being on the other side of the mountain range didn't exactly diminish tourist traffic. Remmi thought that a blur they passed had been a small set of tents, but it was too distant to really see if it was.
Memories came to Remmi, blurred and distant, but quick. A campfire. Roasting marshmallows. Laughter. His mother.
He stopped, shaking his head.
Damnit Remmi, calm down, he thought to himself. Just stop. Don't think about her.
But you can't forget. The thought popped up.
I don't want to remember. Remmi answered.
Remmi had enough, he wasn't going to toy with his own mind, especially not with the impending issues he'd have to deal with at Neighbelheim.
He tried to numb his mind. Focusing and pinpointing the green blurs that were trees outside the window.
Remmi didn't even notice the remaining stations go by, or Neighbelheim's station for that matter.
Not until the conductor shouted out. "Next stop! Neighbelheim! "
Once the train halted, Remmi started for the door, lifting his bags onto his back. Exiting, Remmi noticed that the station seemed fairly run down; which made sense, considering it was almost brand new when he left.
Looking around, he noticed almost nothing. Everything was just as it was when he left it.
The town was structured in a semi-circle from the train tracks. The first layer consisted mostly of shops and local businesses, which weren't too vast in this small town. The next, and biggest, was the residential areas, where every pony in Neighbelheim lived. The last area contained buildings like the library, a small hospital, the school for the colts and fillies, local parks, and in the center: town hall. Town hall was the hardest to miss, considering there was nothing blocking the view of the towering building, and that a clear path connected the station to it.
Remmi remembered everything as it was. Sure, a few of the buildings had either been replaced, repainted, or repaired; but everything was still the same.
Too much so. Faded memories still hung around everywhere. Weekend afternoons spent in the pastry shop, mother speaking to her old friend over some tea and treats. Being walked to school, jokes said about his morning grumpiness. Grocery shopping. Buying clothes for the winter months.
This time, Remmi didn't try to quell the thoughts. He let the sadness into his heart. He allowed the memories to flood his mind. Only when the memory of her death started to emerge did he force himself to stop.
"Yeah," somepony spoke. "Home, sweet home, right?" Easel stood there, looking at him with a heaviness in her eyes.
Remmi sighed and cleared his throat. "Yes, but it seems too normal, considering...." He trailed off.
Easel shook her head. "No. It really has been a while for you. I'm sorry, but this place is dead. "
Remmi had a puzzled look, glancing back at the town. They were small details, but they were there; grass growing too long, shop windows too dusty, signs and simple advertising dated weeks before.
"There are only a handful of shops still open, and even less places still active," Easel told him, "The mayor's office, for example. The train station too, and even the school is still running, assuming the remaining families haven't left."
"What about the hospital?" Remmi asked, remembering the small clinic his mother took him to when he sprained his tail.
Easel sighed. "Yeah, it's still running, but the doctors can't do anything to help anypony," she let out a pained laugh. "At this point it's just being used to keep most of the town's kids; all of them stuck in their Nightmares."
Remmi took a deep breath as he shook his head. "It's almost like last time," he said.
"Worse," Easel chimed back. "Last time it took about 4 months to get this bad. It's only been a few weeks. "
"Well, I'm here now. What was it that you wanted me here for?" Remmi asked her. He wanted to leave here as soon as possible, but he also wanted to help, whether he admitted it to himself or not.
Easel let out a slight sigh, some tension leaving her figure. "First, I'd like to offer you a spot at my house, since I'm sure that you haven't already gone to your dad."
Remmi smiled, I thought so, he said to himself.
"Thank you," he responded.
"Second thing," Easel continued,” Is that I'd like you to meet someone. A doctor. I believe you know him."
This surprised Remmi. He hadn't told any colleagues about Neighbelheim, had he? He wondered who it could be, who could possibly be interested in an outbreak of such manner.
He stopped himself. Of course they would all be interested in this. It was a chance to study a rare phenomenon that had never been recorded. Regardless of it being burned into the minds of the ponies who lived here and suffered through it.
This was something that bothered Remmi. Never once in his career with the pony mind and its dangerous dreams had he seen any evidence or heard anything that mentioned the incident at Neighbelheim. For a while, Remmi tried to reason with himself that it was only mass hysteria. That didn't last too long. All he had to do was remember all of the ponies who had gone to live difficult and painful lives as a result of what had happened.
"Fine," Remmi agreed. "But as soon as I do, I might as well start helping ponies. Or, at the very least, try to. "
Easel nodded. "Yeah, sure," Then took a deep breath, mumbling. "And third, I'd like to apologize."
"What? Apologize? What for?" Remmi looked at her warily.
Easel laughed nervously. "I'll explain why once you deal with number two."
Remmi tried to calm his temper, thinking to himself, Wonderful. So this Doctor must be either a total quack or some buffoon who thinks he knows more than I do. He let out a chuckle, But really, what's the difference?
Easel didn't seem to notice Remmi's amusement. "Here, let me help with those."
A glowing mist of cobalt blue surrounded Remmi's bags. As Easel's horn glowed alike, Remmi looked into her eyes as she spoke, her own shade of cobalt blue illuminated by her magic.
"Least I can do," she said.
Neither of them said much more as they followed a well-worn path that was altogether familiar and entirely alien through the semi-deserted town.
Remmi was slightly amused to find that Easel was staying in the very same house she grew up in. The same one their mothers spent hours talking in, while the two of them ran amuck, almost two lifetimes ago.
Easel saw the glimmer of a joke in Remmi's eyes, saying, "Yes. It's the exact same house."
"But, why?" Remmi had to ask.
Easel looked at the structure, the wood weathered by wind, water, snow, and sunlight. The beige paint chipping ever so slightly all over. The two story building wasn't a work of architectural art, but it was comfortable and wasn't necessarily an eyesore.
A smile creeped onto Easel's lips. "Long story short; it was for sale when I came here a few years back. The previous owner, the same pony who bought it when my family and I moved out, kept it in pretty nice condition. It feels like home."
"By all means, it is," responded Remmi. "I'm glad to know that your career in art gives you enough income for a house,"
Luckily, she got the joke. "Hmm, yeah, and I'm sure your cramped apartment is much better."
Remmi laughed at her rebuttal, shrugging slightly. "Manehattan is a cramped city, my apartment is a luxury if anything, but please, for my sake, let’s leave that ludicrously tiny space out of any further conversations."
They both just laughed. That familiar laugh that happens with close friends. The light sense of air rushing to your chest while your throat roughly clenches. Eyes burning with tears. It was a few minutes before either of them realized they were still just standing outside the house.
"We should, uh... go inside," Easel spoke, trying to regain her breath.
Remmi nodded, stepping through the door.
To his surprise, the living room was a mess. There were blank and half-finished canvases scattered all over, some easels were folded up in a corner or laid flat on the floor. Numerous tubes and cans of paint were thrown about, used paintbrushes accompanied them.
"It's not this bad throughout the rest of the house," Easel reassured Remmi. "Just a little bit of controlled chaos."
"Right," Remmi said back. "It's not that you never liked to clean after your 'creative outlets' in the first place."
Easel giggled and shrugged, continuing to walk through the living room, into a hallway with the kitchen on the left and stairs leading up to two bedrooms and what Remmi knew to be the only bathroom in the house.
"I've cleaned the guest room and changed the sheets already," Easel informed Remmi as they stopped at a door to their right.
"I take it to mean that you've cleaned it as best as you could and that I shouldn't be surprised if I find dust somewhere?" Remmi asked.
Easel nodded and answered, "Bingo," She opened the door with her magic and levitated his bags unto the almost barren room. There was just the sole bed, a bedside drawer with a lonely lamp, and a dresser with a surprisingly clean mirror gleaming the pair's reflections back at them.
"We've come a long way, haven't we Remmi?" Easel said.
Remmi looked at their glass doppelgangers. At his rough and saddened demeanor, standing next to Easel's slightly shorter, but all the more weary stature, some strands of her blue mane sticking out at odd angles.
Before he could give her an answer, she spoke again. "I remember, on my seventh birthday, we were in here, trying to get ready for my party."
He knew the story. He remembered being brought along by his mother, who was helping Easel's mother prepare for the party. They had left the two of them to their own chaos.
Easel shook her head as laughter came from her lips. "You looked good in my mother’s heels and jewelry.”
Remmi shook his own head now. "Well your dads suit and tie made you look quite handsome yourself, if you remember correctly.”
"Okay, okay," she shrugged. “I'm leaving now. I'll be back in about an hour so we can head to dinner with our Doctor friend."
"Your Doctor friend," Remmi corrected her.
He didn't see Easel roll her eyes as she closed the door behind her.
