Author's Note

This chapter is set a few days after the Hearth’s Warming Club episode.

Chapter 9: Nightmare Trouble

It was the night of Hearth’s Warming Eve and Eric was asleep in his bed.

Dream World

Eric was walking in the caves where he often went gem hunting with Rarity and Spike. He pointed his wand, hoping to be ready for whatever came his way. Just then, he saw what looked to be a shadow of Glacio approaching him.

“I have seen your heart, and it is mine. I have seen your dreams, Eric Sparkle and I have seen your fears,” Shadow Glacio said.

Eric backed away, whimpering as the shadow came closer to him. It was then that his parents and the other Mane 5 appeared in bat-like forms as they unfolded their wings, they made a terrifying shrieking noise and chased him. He ran as fast as he could, screaming, but Twilight soon transformed into Midnight Sparkle and they all surrounded him.

“Get away from me!” Eric screamed in fright.

Eric quickly woke up hyperventilating, screaming, and tearing up, then looked around and saw that he was still in his bed, “MOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!” he screamed.

It wasn’t long before Twilight entered his room and came to his bedside.

“Eric, are you alright?” Twilight asked.

“I’m not,” Eric said, sniffling.

“What’s the matter, sweetheart?” Twilight asked.

“I had a nightmare, the same one I’ve been having twice a week for the past five months since my eighth birthday,” Eric replied.

“What happened?” Storm asked his wife as he entered the room.

“Eric had that nightmare again,” Twilight replied.

“Let me guess, the one where Glacio appeared in shadow form and with both of us and our friends as vampire bat ponies and you turning into Midnight Sparkle?” Storm said.

“I’m afraid so. We need to see Princess Luna about this in the morning,” Twilight replied.

“Is it okay if I sleep with you?” Eric asked.

“Of course. You need some extra comfort right now,” Twilight said.

Twilight and Storm walked him into their room. The three of them got into the bed and fell asleep, with Eric in his mom’s hooves.

By morning, Eric had eaten breakfast and opened all his presents, yet he was still not feeling so good. Midnight, who was a year old, showed some signs of concern for his big brother.

“E-E-Ewic,” he tried to say.

“I’m still a little shaken up from last night, little bro,” Eric replied, “Wait. Did you just say my name?”

“E-Ewic,” Midnight said once more.

“Mom! Dad! Midnight said his first word!” Eric told his parents.

“He did?!” Twilight asked.

“Go on, Midnight. We’re listening,” Storm said.

“D-Dadda,” Midnight spoke up.

“Way to go, son,” Storm replied.

“M-M-Momma,” Midnight said.

“Very good, Midnight. We’re proud of you,” Twilight replied, giving him a kiss on the face.

Eric covered his eyes with his hands “Where’s Midnight?” he asked.

After a few seconds, Eric uncovered his eyes and said, “There he is!”

Midnight giggled as Eric kept playing with him. He then chased Midnight around a few times. Twilight and Storm had smiles on their faces upon seeing the two brothers bonding.

Soon enough, Twilight, Storm, and Eric went to Canterlot in order to see Princess Luna. Just then, both the princesses and Lord Emerald came before them.

“Eric’s been having the same nightmare twice a week over the past five months and we need your help,” Twilight said.

“We’re sorry to hear that,” Princess Celestia replied.

“I suspect Glacio is tormenting Eric in his dreams, since I couldn’t access them. Only he could use such powerful magic in order to keep me from helping Eric in his sleep,” Princess Luna added.

“I should have known Glacio would do something like this,” Storm said.

“If we are to access Eric’s dreams, we’re gonna need some help from Discord as he’s the only one who can bypass Glacio’s magic,” Princess Celestia replied.

It was then that Discord teleported into the throne room, “Somepony call for me?” he asked.

“Yes, Discord. We suspect Glacio has been tormenting Eric in his sleep with nightmares and he somehow managed to block me from entering his dreams, that’s why we need your help,” Princess Luna explained.

“Only you can unblock Luna’s access to Eric’s dreams. If we don’t do this, Glacio’s nightmare magic could have disastrous consequences on Eric’s psyche,” Emerald added.

“Consider it done,” Discord said.

“Thank you, Discord,” Princess Celestia replied.

“Eric, Luna and Discord are going to enter your thoughts, but in order to do so, they’ll have to put you into a sleep-like state, are you willing to go through with this?” Twilight asked.

“If it means getting Glacio out of my head, I’m ready,” Eric replied.

It wasn’t long before Eric was brought into one of the castle’s guest rooms. Luna cast her spell, putting Eric into a sleep-like state. Discord sensed Glacio was using his nightmare magic and was able to bypass the barrier Glacio cast and allow Luna access to Eric’s dreams.

It was then that Shadow Glacio and the Mane 7 bat-ponies appeared.

“Luna, how did you get past my barrier?” Shadow Glacio asked.

“I didn’t, brother. He did,” Luna replied, pointing to Discord.

“We’re here to drive you out of Eric’s dreams!” Discord added.

“Let’s agree to disagree,” Shadow Glacio said, then turned to the Mane 7 bat-ponies, “Stop them!”

“Discord, you handle Shadow Glacio. I’ll take care of these goons,” Luna said.

Discord conjured up a wand, then a duel broke out between him and Shadow Glacio. Meanwhile, Luna was brawling with the Mane 7 bat-ponies. It wasn’t long before she was able to make them disappear, she then joined Discord in dueling with Shadow Glacio.

Soon enough, Shadow Glacio just couldn’t hold out, “Get out of Eric’s head, Glacio!” Luna said, as she and Discord were able to overpower it and make it disappear.

“And stay out! Hasta la vista, baby!” Discord added.

Luna and Discord then returned to the outside world. He then cast a protective spell on Eric so that Glacio could not torment him in his dreams again. It wasn’t long before Eric woke up, “Thanks, Princess Luna. You too, Discord,” he said.

“Happy to help,” Discord replied as he teleported out of the room.

“Just before you woke up, Discord cast a protective spell on you so that Glacio won’t bother you in your sleep again,” Luna said.

“I’m glad this problem is over,” Eric replied.

“Celestia and I are hosting a Hearth’s Warming party in one hour, all are welcome,” Luna said.

“I could sure use some good holiday fun,” Eric replied.

Eric and Luna left the room to make preparations for the holiday party.