To Dream of Equestria

--

Date: March 30, 2022

Time: 9:00 PM

Location:  Twilight’s Library

--

Travis finished the book, and put it down. Looking outside, he could still see light, but it was getting dark.

“Hey, Twilight, I need a favor.”

Twilight smiled.

“Sure. What do you need?”

“I know Crystal said to go alone, but I need someone to show me the way to the clearing. I don’t know how to get there.”

She smiled. “Of course. Anything for a friend.”

“…Friend? We’re friends already?”

“Why not? Now come on, it’s getting dark!”

“Okay. Thanks, Twilight.”

“No problem.”

--

Date: March 30, 2022

Time: 9:10 PM

Location: Everfree Forest

--

Twilight’s horn was bright as we entered the Everfree Forest.

“Here it is…The clearing is just ahead, but it’ll be hard to see.” Twilight said, sounding a bit worried.

“…I’ll be fine. But…”

She sighed, and frowned. “I know, alone… I’ll see you later, then…” she said, and walked away. As I walked into the forest, something appeared on the ground. A bunch of lights, leading me somewhere. “That must be Crystal’s work…” I said to myself, but followed anyway. It was a short walk, and I found myself in the clearing. Looking around, I couldn’t see a thing. “Here, let me light that for you.”

Crystal. No doubt that was her voice. “Hello, Crystal.”

“Good evening, Travis. I appreciate you arriving early. How have you been?”

“…Fine, thank you. Now can we skip this and get to the part where you tell me what you want with me?”

She sighed. “You’re just no fun anymore, my dear old Travis. Lighten up a little. All I want…is for you to go back home.”

“And there’s the problem. Why?”

“I already told you why, and I’m offering you a free trip. No strings, you’ll be back home, and this will be nothing but a bad dream.”

“Bad? I love it here! It’s Equestria, Crystal!”

“And that’s the problem. You’re a human. Even the most exotic animals in Equestria are just that: animals. You’ll never belong, Travis.”

“…You’re not my girlfriend.”

“Ex-CUSE me? Of course I-“

“I had my suspicions from our first meeting. There was only ever one person to spy on me in my apartment, ‘Crystal’, and it wasn’t you. It was our neighbor, who had a crush on me. Guess what her name is.”

“Y-yeah, f-funny how we had the-“

“Caroline…Her name is Caroline. Not Krystal. You screwed up.”

“But Crystal was the next door neighbor. Caroline was next door to HER.”

“…Gotcha, faker.”

“W-what?”

“If you were my girlfriend, you would know that we had two neighbors, not one. We lived somewhat close together. But not so far way that we thought we only had one neighbor.”

‘Crystal’ reeled back. “You…I…” She lowered her head. “Fine you win. …Jerk.”

She raised her head. “My name…is Caroline. And I want you back with your girlfriend.”

--

Date: March 30, 2022

Time: 9:20 PM

Location:  Twilight’s Library

--

I walked back into-

“Wait.”

--

Date: May 29, 2022

Time: 7:20 AM

Location: Twilight’s Library

--

“What’s wrong?” Twilight asked.

“I thought you were telling me how this happened to me.”

“I am, but there are some parts that need to be from our perspectives. …Which means I’m going to have to get my friends in here, so they can tell their sides when needed. Hang on.”

I sighed. “Well, at least I know now.” I decided to look in the mirror again while she was away. I’ll admit, I didn’t look bad. Dark brown, spiky mane, light brown coat, and a smooth, medium-length tail the same color as my mane. It was pretty generic, but I thought if fit me. I also noticed my wings this time, which were folded. I guess I must have wanted to be a Pegasus for some reason. Then something else caught my eye. I was a blank flank. I didn’t bother me much, but I was so used to older ponies having one. Suddenly, the door opened again, and the six walked in.

“You remember these ponies right?”

I looked at her friends, one by one. “Yes, at least from what you said. Amnesia, remember?”

“Yes, sorry.” Twilight said, closing the door with magic. “They said they didn’t mind, so when the time arrives, you’ll be hearing from whoever needs to tell the story. And in case you’re wondering, everyone got a few days off just to be able to help you.”

I smiled. “Thanks. That means a lot.”

“Now where was I…? Ah yes, I was walking into my library that night…”

--

Date: March 30, 2022

Time: 9:20 PM

Location:  Twilight’s Library

--

I walked back into my library, and sat down at my desk. “Are you sure he’ll be okay, Twi?” Spike asked, sounding worried. I nodded.

“Don’t worry, Spike. He doesn’t know it, but I put a spell on him. Should he get into any kind of danger, he’ll be teleported back here, safe and sound.”

“If you say so.” Spike said, still sounding worried. I sighed. Spike went upstairs to sleep, and I went about my studying. Nothing happened after that until Travis appeared slightly in midair, landing with a soft thud. I checked the clock, and it had only been ten minutes since I arrived. “Oh my. It seems that spell was worth it.”

“Ow…What spell?”

“I placed a spell on you to teleport you back here if you were to ever be in danger.”

“…I see. She did try to attack me, so I guess that sent me back.”

“Why would she attack you? What does she want with you?”

“She wants to send me back. Back to Earth. …I’ll tell you what happened after you left.”

--

Date: March 30, 2022

Time: 9:20 PM

Location: Everfree Forest

--

“But…why? If it’s real, which it’s not, then it’s a dream come true. If it’s a dream, which it is, then I just have to wait to wake up. Lucid dreams can last a long time.”

“Travis…you naïve little foal. No matter if it’s a dream or reality, you don’t belong. You need to go home.”

“And I will, of my own accord. I don’t need you pushing me away from this!”

“Travis…please. You’re being irrational. Just come with me. Your girlfriend misses you, I’m sure of it.”

“You’re still acting like this is real? Well, if it is, why even leave? Crystal had the hots for some other guy anyway. This, here, is all I-“

“YOU INSOLENT LITTLE FOAL! I SHOULD BUCK YOU IN THE FLANK!”

“…Flank? You mean…My-“

“SILENCE! YOU’RE NOT STAYING HERE, LITTLE PONY! EVER!”

“…Excuse me, but-“

“NOT ANOTHER WORD! YOU AND ALL THOSE OTHER PONIES-“

“I’m not a pony, Crystal.”

“YES YOU…..Oops.”

“You can’t be serious. I’m not-“

“Yes. You are. I just… Halted it. Temporarily. That’s why you’re still ‘human’.”

“W….WHAT?! You…You halted my transformation?!”

“Only what I could. My spell makes you appear as human to everyone. Including yourself. You can still even pick up things like a human. The guise is really quite convincing, wouldn’t you say?”

“…Why?”

She sighed. “Because…I’m not your neighbor. I know you lied, but… I know that no one ever peeked into your room.”

“Then…How do you know me, and my love for My Little Pony?”

“…You’re saying…you forgot me? I was almost certain you would recognize me, Travis.”

“I can’t say I do. Your voice is…familiar, but I can’t put my finger on it…”

“…Before I tell you, I must ask again. Do you think this is still a dream?”

“There is no doubt in my mind, Crystal.”

“Going by my pony name, huh? It doesn’t matter. I’ll prove to you somehow that this is real. …I won’t tell you my name. Yet.”

“Yet, why not?”

“Until you believe without a doubt this this is real, I will never reveal myself.”

“…Do you still want to send me back? You seem to want me to believe this is real, mostly.”

“…Once you believe that this is real, I’ll tell you everything.”

“…I hate you.”

“What?!”

“You forced my transformation to a halt, somehow. I’m supposed to be a pony, but I appear human…You want me to not belong. Give me an excuse to leave. But I won’t. Maybe when I wake up, but not now, or ever until this dream is over.”

“…You sicken me,” Crystal said as she lifted a hoof. “I’ll have your head!” She said, her hoof raised above her head. I was sweating. She was planning to hit me! I wanted to move, but I was in shock, and my body wasn’t responding. “Now, Travis. I will MAKE you believe that this is real!” She yelled, and thrust her hoof forward. The next thing I knew…I was in Twilight’s Library, and landed softly on the floor with a dull thud.

--

Date: March 30, 2022

Time: 9:35 PM

Location:  Twilight’s Library

--

“That must have been quite the encounter. So you say you met her before?”

“Yes, her voice was vaguely familiar. I know I met her before, but I can’t place where.”

“And…you still think this is a lucid dream?”

“…I apologize, Twilight. I just…can’t believe this.” I said as I looked away.

Twilight put a hoof to my chin, and I looked at her. “Look, Travis. I don’t know why you’re so sure…but I won’t hold it against you. We’re friends, right? And friends help each other no matter what!” I smiled. “Thank you, Twi.” Twilight then looked at me. She seemed confused. “Twi? Only my friends call me that.”

‘Uh-oh.’ I thought. I had feared I had to explain how I heard that name, until she hugged me. “That confirms it! We’re best friends!” I smiled as wide as I could, and hugged her back. “Thank you…That means a lot to me.” In that moment…I didn’t want it to end, but my mind was convinced that it had to…eventually. And that moment didn’t seem too far from now. I let go of the hug, and stood up. ‘I’ll go to bed tonight, and tomorrow….I’ll be at home. Like I always am.’ I thought. I am…pessimistic, to say the least. “Twilight…”

“Yes, Travis?”

“…In case this really is a dream…I had fun. I’ll miss you…”

Twilight sighed. “…I… I hate to hear you talk like that. I’ll see you tomorrow. You can sleep in the guest bed I laid out for you.”

“Thanks, again Twilight. Have a good night’s rest.”

She smiled. “You too.”

I lied down in the guest bed. It was a little uncomfortable, but I didn’t mind it. It was only temporary, after all. I went on my side, let my head down on the pillow, and slowly drifted off to sleep. I was certain that when I opened them, I would be back in my room, as if none of this had ever happened.

*****

I opened my eyes, and looked around. I couldn’t believe it. I was back home. I was right all along…but did I want to be? Equestria was the one place I wanted to go. Why leave? Maybe I just can’t stand when I know something is fake. It certainly felt real. I stood up and stretched. As I looked around, everything was back in its place. ‘Back to normal.’ I thought to myself. I sat down in my chair, and I reached for my mouse. But then, I stopped. Something felt off about all of this. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but something was definitely wrong.

I got up, and looked. Nothing was off. Everything was in the same place as it was when I left. So why did it feel so…fake? I opened my apartment door. Same hallway, same doors. Everything was….Perfect. That’s what’s bugging me! Nothing is this pristine! Something was very wrong about this place, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Why was is so perfect, so untouched? I read somewhere lucid dreams last about as long as you dream, and that was a whole day. So why then, did no one try to wake me up, in any way? Was this…a dream? I was dreaming my entire apartment. Why? Was that Equestria thing…real,  just like Crystal said? I couldn’t believe it. I was dreaming that I was back in my apartment. As I realized this, everything started going black. I surrounded the room, blinding me, and then, before I could try to escape, it swallowed me whole.

*****

--

Date: March 31, 2022

Time: 12:30 AM

Location:  Twilight’s Library

--

I awoke in a cold sweat, and gasped. I looked around. Back in Twilight’s library as expected. ‘This…this couldn’t be real. I have to be imagining this entire thing. Why am I here? Crystal…Alice, said that it was the story. That this is all too real. But, I can’t believe her. Not after she tried to attack me. I had to find the answer, even if I had to do it alone. Even if it meant abandoning my friends.’

I stopped for a moment, and looked up. ‘ …Friends? My friends. These ponies that I had met in person yesterday…are my friends? I mean, I had watch every episode, and I kind of already knew them, but to become friends in one day? I’m not even sure how to explain that thing about Rainbow…But that’s not important right now.’

I sit up, and look around. ‘I guess Twilight is sleeping upstairs.’ I thought, and decided not to move, as I might wake her. I yawned, and lied back down. Maybe I could get some sleep this time.

--

Date: May 29, 2022

Time:  9:30 AM

Location: Twilight’s Library

--

“…I think that’s enough for now. Besides, we have to prepare for something.” Twilight said with a smile.

“Prepare? For what?” I asked.

“It’s a surprise!” Twilight said.

“It’s going to be awesome!” Rainbow said with a smile.

“I’m so excited! Are you excited? ‘Cause I’m excited! Not as excited-“ Pinkie rambled on.

“It will be most delightful.” Rarity said. I could almost see the sparkles in her eyes.

“It, um….will be quite nice, I hope.” Fluttershy said, looking worried. Based on what Twilight said, this is quite usual for her.

“Yee-haw! It’s gonna be the best, ya hear? Just you wait ‘till tomorrow, pardner!”

I couldn’t have looked more confused. What was going on? Did I forget something else?

Twilight giggled. “Don’t worry about it. We’ll be bus all day, actually, which is the real reason we have the day off. We have to get everything ready. Just stay here, and enjoy yourself, okay?”

“Twilight…before you leave…” I said, with a worried look.

“Y-yes? What is it?” Twilight looked somewhat confused.

“You mentioned something in your story, twice now, that I want to ask about.”

Twilight jumped. She was sweating bullets, and her eyes shifted. She knew, but still asked, “W-what is that?”

“I believe you know, but I will ask anyway.” I sighed, and looked her in the eye. “How do you know I have a crush on Rainbow Dash, and what I was thinking?”