To Dream of Equestria

“…This is a dream. This is not happening.” I say to myself as I scout the area.

“That story got me so caught up, that my mind is playing tricks on me. …Well, I might as well enjoy the ride while it lasts.” I took a step, but then backed up. I looked myself over. Still human. That’s what I was afraid of. “Even if this is just a dream…they’ll freak out when they see me. I need to sneak around somehow…” I walk around the back of Fluttershy’s cottage. “Okay…nopony’s here.” I blinked and shook my head. “I mean, nobody. This pony stuff is really getting to me.” I look around the corner. Empty streets, for now, but with windows everywhere, I’d be spotted in an instant. “If I could go see Twilight, maybe she could help…” ‘But chances are she’ll freak out or something. And then where would I be?’ I shook my head. “…I have to try.” I walk behind more houses, just to be safe. After avoiding the streets, I see a fence not too far from me.

I walk forward, and crouch behind the fence. I look through the wood planks, and see a big red barn. ‘Wonderful. I’m at Applejack’s farm. There’s no way I can get by without somepony-’

“Okay, y’all. I’ll see you guys later! And make sure Applebloom doesn’t leave the farm!”

“Eeyup.”

Looking over the fence, I see Applejack and Big Mac. ‘Well, that’s convenient. I can sneak by after she’s gone.’

“Out of all the days, why’d it have to be today?” she asked herself as she passed by me. After she was out of sight, I made my move. Stopping by Rarity’s Boutique, I knew I was getting close. ‘Alright…stay under the windows, then make a beeline for the tree.’ I thought to myself, as I snuck by Rarity. She was saying something to someone, or herself, but I couldn’t make it out. Looking in, I saw she was busy making more dresses. ‘This is too easy…’ I rush towards Twilight’s house, and hide again.

“Yes, Spike I know. We’ll buy some more quills tomorrow, okay?”

Spike, I’m assuming, sighed. “Fine, fine. Let’s just go back in, Twilight.” I heard the door close, and then I made my move. Making sure nopony noticed me, I knocked on her door. “A visitor? I wasn’t expecting anypony today.” She said as I heard her walk over and open the door. “How can I-”

“I need your help, Twilight.”

“Um…please…c-come on in…” I walked in as she closed the door. It was pretty roomy, even for me. “Um…may I ask…what you are?”

I sighed. “I’m a human. And before you ask, I heard…um, Spike say your name while I was hiding. I didn’t want anyone to see me, as they might have freaked out.”

“Wait…a human…” I saw Twilight’s horn glow, as she searched book after book. “Ah-ha, here it is!” She said as she opened it and read a page or two. “I knew I’ve heard of you before.”

“Huh?” I asked, confused.

“You know, humans. It’s basic mythology.”

“…You’ve heard of- …M-Mythology?”

She smiled. “Why, yes. Along with Humans there are Manticores, Cerberus, even-”

“Wait…Manticore?”

“Yes. All these creatures exist, but they’re very rare, and-”

“You mean all my sneaking around was for nothing?”

She frowned. “Um…yes. Kind of. Nopony would have been…‘freaked out’.”

I sighed. “That’s a relief.” I paused, and thought for a minute.

“…Wait. I get it.”

“Huh? Get what?”

“This is all my mind’s doing. No wonder everything has been so convenient.”

She raised an eyebrow. “I don’t understand. What are you saying?”

“What I’m saying, Twilight, is that this is nothing but a stupid dream.”

“What? Why can’t this be real? Everything is possible with magic.”

“Where I come from, magic is nothing but cheap parlor tricks.”

“What, like Trixie?”

I grimaced. “Yes, like her.”

She blinked. “How…do you know Trixie?”

“In my world…Um…How do I explain? There’s this thing…”

“There’s a way for you to learn about us in your world?”

“Yes, there is. Speaking of, how did you learn about us?”

“Well, we don’t know everything, but according to this, your ‘Earth’ is full of things the book refuses to mention. Is it really that bad?”

I frowned. “…Yes. Earth is pretty bad.”

“How so?”

“I’d… rather not talk about it, Twilight. It’s all a matter of opinion, anyway. But…It’s still terrible. I had always hoped for a change. But, this isn’t what I meant. This is just some silly dream. I’ll wake up tomorrow in my bed, like this never happened.”

“A dream, huh? Why don’t we test your theory?”

*THUD*

“OW! What the heck was THAT for?!”

“You acknowledged pain, which means you’re NOT dreaming.”

“That proves nothing! I could be in a coma for all I know!”

“Hmm.” She tapped her chin with her hoof. “Let me check some books.” As she scanned her huge library, I got a headache. I thought nothing of it, and rubbed my forehead, but it only got worse. The pain increased, and my ears were ringing. “Aaaugh…My head…” I lowered my head, and closed my eyes.

I heard her run over to me.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

“I-I don’t…” Before I could finish, the pain and ringing stopped. When I opened my eyes, I was in a dark room.

“Hello?”

“Ah, it worked. Hello, Travis.”

“Who are you, and how do you know my name?” I asked, scanning the area. Suddenly, a white pony with beautiful wings and a horn appeared in front of me.

“I am Crystal Rose. I am here because of an almost fatal mistake.”

“I don’t follow.”

“You were sent here by accident, Travis. It’s not your fault, however. You thought it was fake.”

“…The fan fiction?”

“Precisely. As you can clearly tell, you’re still human. Come with me, and I can send you back to where you belong.”

“You’re telling me…that all of this is real?”

“…Yes. I know it’s hard to believe, but this is no dream, Travis.”

“You still haven’t told me how you know my name, Crystal.” I say, in a very annoyed tone.

“I was once like you, Travis. I lived next door to you for a while. But then I ‘moved out’.”

“Wait… You’re Crystal, like, my neighbor, Crystal?”

“Now you’re getting it. We were quite the couple back in the day.”

“…Now I KNOW this is a dream. My old girlfriend, here and turned into a pony?”

“But I’m trying to send you back. If this really were your dream, I’d be trying to convince you to stay and become a pony yourself.”

“And how exactly, would you know that? I never told you.”

She giggled. “I always kind of snuck in back when I was human. You said you wished you could go to Equestria a lot of times.”

“…Then why make me go back? Don’t you want me to be happy? You were my girlfriend, Crystal.”

“I would, but you’re still human. There aren’t any humans in Equestria, darling.”

“Then I’ll-“

“I know what you’re about to say. But it will only make you think it’s a dream even more than you do now.”

“This could also be a dream, you know.”

“A dream within a dream, Travis? This isn’t Inception. This is real.”

“And why should I believe you? For all I know, you could be lying to me. You could have found out about me some other way.”

“…Fine. Let us meet then. Tonight in the Everfree Forest clearing at 9:30. Come alone.”

“…Whatever you say.”

I blacked out again, and when I woke up, I heard Twilight.

“Are you okay? Where did you go?”

I shook my head, as I looked around. “I don’t know. Someone was talking to me. They want to meet me in person tonight…alone.”

“Well, will you?”

I folded my arms. “I don’t have much of a choice, Twi. They might have the answers I’m looking for.”

Twilight walked in front of me. “As long as you’re not busy right now, why don’t I introduce you to my friends?”

I smile a bit. “Sounds good to me.” ‘For a dream, it’s taking me a long time to wake up…Maybe I am in a coma.’

First she lead me to Rarity’s Boutique.

She knocked on the door, and Rarity answered.

“Why, hello, Twilight, and…” She looked at me, confused. “Who is this?”

“This is…Um…” Twilight looked at me.

I smack my forehead. “I’m so sorry I forgot to introduce myself first. My name is Travis.”

“Well met, Travis.” Twilight said.

“I see. Nice to meet you Travis. Are you here for a suit or something?” She asked with a grin.

“Um, no, I’m not. I’m just here to meet all of Twilight’s friends.”

She frowned. “Well, do come on by should you ever need a wardrobe!”

‘Trust me, I will.’ I thought.

“Next up, Sugarcube Corner.” She said as we walked up to a restaurant.

“A restaurant?” ‘Oh no. this must be-’

Suddenly, Pinkie Pie jumped in front of me.

“Hay! Who is this? What is he? Is he some sort of monster? *gasp* I hope he isn’t mean. I have to throw him a welcoming party! I have to invite all my friends. Are you free Twilight? This afternoon is gonna-”

“Would you just be quiet already?!” I yell to Pinkie Pie.

“Er, right…This is Pinkie Pie. She’s very…energetic.”

“Energetic? It’s like she drank five cups of coffee before breakfast!”

“I’m so sorry if I annoyed you…er…”

“Travis. Sorry for yelling.”

“It’s alright Travis. But this party is gonna be HUGE! I mean-”

“She’ll be like this for hours. Let’s go meet Applejack.” Twilight whispered.

“…Okay.”

We backed up out of Sugarcube Corner, and ran away.

“Okay, up next: Sweet Apple Acres.”

“This is where Applejack lives, huh?”

Twilight smiled and nodded.

Before we could walk towards the barn, Applejack walked up to us.

‘Right. I almost forgot she was away.’

“My name is Travis. Twilight is having me meet all her friends.”

Applejack smiled. “Name’s Applejack, pardner. I live and work here at Sweet Apple Acres. We have the best apple cider in all of Equestria!”

“C…cider?” ‘I hope that isn’t a word for something else.’

“Here, why don’t you try some?” she asked, handing…hoofing me a cup.

“Th-thanks.” I say, as I take a sip. “Wait…” I drink some more. “This is just juice!”

“Well, duh. What did you think it was, pardner?”

“Um…nothing. Thanks for the drink. This is the best apple cider I’ve ever had. Nothing on Earth was ever this good.” I say and drink the whole cup.

“…Earth? What in the hay are you talkin’ about, sugar cube?”

“…It’s the place I came from, Applejack. It’s…very far away.”

“Sorry, Applejack, but Travis and I still need to meet the other two.”

“I understand. Y’all come back now, y’hear?”

“Of course!” I say with a smile.

“Let’s see, next to last is Fluttershy. She lives in a cottage near Everfree forest.”

“…So that’s where I was.”

“Huh?”

“When I arrived here, I was in the Everfree forest.”

“Oh, well, you better be careful. If you don’t know where you’re going, you could get lost.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, thanks.”

We walked up to Fluttershy’s Cottage, and Twilight knocked on the door.

“Oh, um, just a second, please.” Fluttershy said.

She opened the door, but then jumped back, ‘yelling.’

“Wh-what is that?”

“Don’t worry, Fluttershy, he’s not here to hurt you. He’s a friend. Right Travis?”

“Of course I am. I don’t want to hurt you, Fluttershy.”

She yelped. “He knows my name!”

“I just said it, Fluttershy. Of course he knows it.”

I rolled my eyes.

Fluttershy reluctantly walked up. I smiled at her.

“Um…it’s nice to meet you…Travis.”

“You too, Fluttershy.”

She smiled. “You’re very nice, Travis. You sound like you wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

“Thanks…That means a lot.” I say, smiling. ‘Note to self: Do not get angry around her.’

“Well,” Twilight said turning around, “There’s only one pony left.”

“Who would that be?” I asked, hiding my knowledge. It was obviously Rainbow Dash.

“Rainbow Dash. She is without a doubt the best flier in Ponyville.”

“I see. Well, let’s go see her then.”

“It might not be so simple. She’s usually literally has her head in the clouds.”

“We’ll find a way.”

Twilight and I looked up around the sky for a good ten minutes, yet we saw nothing.

“Rainbow! Rainbow Dash where are you?!” Twilight yelled. But no answer. I sighed.

“Let’s just go. She obviously has better things to do than meet-”

*CRASH*

I jumped forward, and looked back.

I saw Rainbow Dash on a black cloud, which she no doubt just set off.

“You guys should see the looks on your faces. You were so scared.”

“That’s enough, Rainbow.” Twilight said, seeming calm. She pointed to me. “This is Travis, he’s new here, and I’m having him meet all my friends.”

Rainbow flew over to me, and looked me over. “You look pretty cool, Travis. But it could be twenty percent cooler.”

“Rarity said if I needed one, she could make a suit for me.”

“Oh you don’t need it. But it would be cool if you had it.”

I smiled. “I have to go now…I’ll see you later, Rainbow Dash.”

“If you ever need a ‘dash’ of awesome, just look to the skies!” she said as she flew off.

Twilight smiled and looked at me. “Well, that’s all my friends. What do you think?”

I smiled. “Your friends are great. But Pinkie Pie gave me a headache.”

Twilight giggled. “Who did you like best?”

“Rainbow Dash. She’s so cool…”

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Are you okay? Your face is turning red.”

“What? No, I’m fine. It’s just…a sunburn. A light one. It’ll go away.”

‘I can’t possibly tell anyone I have a crush on Rainbow Dash. It’s just weird…’

“If you say so. If you want you can stay at my house until you have to go back to the Everfree forest to meet whoever contacted you.”

“Sounds good, Twilight. I’d like that. I love reading books anyway.”

“Great!” she said with a smile.

As we were walking back, my ears started ringing again, and I winced.

“Enjoy your time here while it lasts, Travis. I assure you it won’t be long.”

My ears stopped ringing once the voice stopped.

Twilight frowned. “What was that?”

“That was whoever wants to meet me tonight. She said my time here wouldn’t be long.”

“…Well, what does she know? Talk some sense into her tonight, she’ll see. You can be here as long as you like.”

“Thanks, Twilight.” I say with a smile. We walked inside her house, and I grabbed a book. “This one seems interesting…” I look at the cover. “Daring-Do and the Quest for the Sapphire Stone. Oh, this is gonna be good.” I sit down, and start reading.