Through my Eye

Through My Eye Prologue: Cracks in Reality
Written by MiekusChocohoof.
07/10/12

Hello! My name is Mikeus Chocohoof, and I am the royally appointed defender of the element of Optimism. If you're reading this then I'm guessing you found it in one of the many libraries across Equestria. This is an account of my life, an exact point to be precise, one that lead onto saving our very world itself. I am an immortal brought back after my time as an act of pity, finding nothing but agony within life thereafter. Soon I began to beg for a cause, and I asked the gods above why – why I was forced to live in such pain, never knowing my final rest. And they answered, with her – Celia, the element of Optimism, never sad, always understanding and always wanting to make sure everypony is happy, because at the end of the day, nothing can go wrong for her. But it did for others. If you're still reading then well done, Lady Sparkle would be proud of your enthusiasm of the world of reading. I shall recite this tale from my perspective.

It all started with:

Chapter 1: Just Another Day in Ponyville
My eyes slowly opened, gently at first then rapid blinking ensued. Shaking my head a little, I noticed the sunlight shining through the curtains in front of me, and as I yawned and stretched, I was halted by the feeling of something warm and soft on my chest. Looking down, I gave a warm smile to seeing Celia curled up beneath me. The green Pony with a purple mane was sleeping softly, barely making a sound as she breathed. Moving off without much trouble, I slid the covers back over her and shook my head with a smile, remembering now that we cuddled last night.

Entering the washroom I took a look in the mirror. I was as fresh as a daisy, my lip piercing, two eyebrow studs and ear studs reflected the light coming from the bathroom window. A growl from my stomach called to me, reminding me that it was past breakfast time, possibly around noon in Ponyville, so getting some dinner for us both would be a nice gesture, not that Celia ever needed them, of course. I shook my brown mane about a little to loosen it and gave my tail a wag, before exiting back to the living room, taking my little saddle bag and heading outside.

The afternoon sun was as bright as ever and it warmed my hazel fur as it beamed down upon my back. Thankfully the Pegasus had scheduled a sunny day today, so retrieving dinner would go down without a hitch. Trotting casually through Ponyville, I greeted many a Pony, all happily going about their days. These days had always aided me well; I hadn't had any plans that day and felt free to do what I liked, and getting a cupcake for me and Celia from Sugercube Corner would be the best of plans, I felt. I knew that Twilight would be busy with her studies today; being her assistant was tough but, such is the life of one who serves the Princess directly.

On my way to Sugercube Corner I recalled my past for a moment; meeting Princess Celestia, finding out she was the reason I still existed, and becoming good friends with Luna...how 1000 years has passed so quickly. Losing Luna was a tough blow to all of us, but for me it cut much deeper, and it meant that I'd left in my despair. Celestia begged me not to go due to my painful history alone, but I couldn't bear to walk the castle halls no longer. My history is a long one, and I've never sat down and told anyone but Celia about it. I know I can recall every part of it though; the perks of being a unicorn!

As these thoughts left my head I stepped into Sugarcube Corner, noticing the two little tykes going about their impish business with Pinkie Pie, who was almost always over at the cake shop helping to be a the great baby sitter she was. I also noticed the Cutie mark Crusaders helping her, and I'm pretty sure they had already shouted, "Cutie mark crusader baby sitters!" The thought made me chuckle as I smiled and approached the counter.
"Hello there, Mr Chocohoof,” Mr Cake asked in his usual nervous voice, “what can I get you today?" I tilted my head, smiling back with a cool fashion.
"Two blueberry cupcakes please, Mr Cake, and could you put a cherry on one?" With this he nodded and moved to collect the items. Meanwhile, one of the little Foals tugged at my tail. I looked down to find she was chewing on a little toy brick, and then she leaned up and pointed at my cutie mark, giving a nervous chirp.
"Haha, I'm sorry my little Pony, that's not a real chocolate bar." I said, chuckling lightly. It was always subject to question but my cutie mark was a bar of chocolate with a bite taken out of it – meaning, I was good at being food. But to everyone else, I said it was because I could make good chocolate. Thankfully, no one ever asked about that part in particular; I make terrible chocolate. Then it was Pinkie's turn to say hello, although her perception of personal space was never a great one. She brushed up against me and grinned greeting me in her usual happy way.
"Hellloooo Choccie!" she chimed with her beaming smile, and I returned the smile in a more settled manner.
"Good afternoon Pinkie.” I said as she bounced a little. “How're you?”
"Oh I'm super-duper terrific excited,” she exclaimed, “because I have the Cutie Mark Crusaders helping me and we're taking care of the cake kids and we're going to -" Mr Cake cut her off with a short "Ahem," before he handed me the two cupcakes. I nodded at him with a hint of noticeable relief; Pinkie was a bit too much sometimes.

Back at the house, Celia had already awoken and looked delighted to see me, as always, bouncing over she cuddled into my side. Thinking this was the perfect time, I presented her the cupcake, she smiled at me sweetly but then her face dropped a little.
"What's the matter Celia?" I asked, very confused to see her face drop for even a second. I swear, she naturally smiles!
"Where's the cherry?" she asked, her ears dropping a little.
"Oh,” I said, “I got one but, it seems Mr Cake forgot it." I looked confused as to where the cherry was. Mr Cake was flawless, and Celia was never unhappy, especially at something so trivial. I brushed it off and sat with her as she started to snack on the cupcake.
"So, tell me about you and Woona, Mikeus." she said suddenly as I gave a soft smile, feeling her warm nature form back.
"You never do get tired of that story, do you Celia?"
"Nuh uh!"
"Well, I met Luna after I woke up in her care, I had just came face to face with an Ursa Major, and.. well, what happened was a blur so, it's not important. She took care of me like I was her own little brother, we grew up together but." I paused for a second suddenly finding it difficult to recall the memory... Odd. "I never did see much of Celestia, at all for that matter, maybe she wasn't around much."
"Well, what happened to Woona?" she hummed like she didn't know.
"That's a dark path Celia.” I replied, feeling a slight pain above my right eye, probably just my piercings. “She slowly became more jealous of Celestia, and I tried to warn her as I was the only one to spend nights with her. But she became too bitter – something...had a hold of her. It was like she was a completely different Pony."
"Oh...well, she's happy now though!" she smiled and cuddled into me as she finished her cupcake. "What was coming to Ponyville like for the first time?" She grinned. Again, it felt a bit strange that she was asking this like she didn't know. But shaking it off as just a silly notion I proceeded to tell her about how Celestia had by royal decree ordered me to be her personal guardian, a command I had happily accepted as Celia had brought me so much joy. The day went on and I found myself once again cuddling up with my little Pony.

Chapter 2: Differences
This morning felt different, a lot colder perhaps. Once again I woke before Celia and let the cover move over her, but this time within the washroom I noticed a distinct difference about me. I was missing the two studs I had upon my right eyebrow. I remember feeling a slight pain there last night, but never remember them being removed at all. It was strange, but something I could ignore. I left the small house we shared once more, knowing that Celia would happily awaken on her own accord. Today I was to help Twilight with more experiments, something I took great joy in doing; she was such a smart and interesting Pony, always knowing what to say to any queries or questions. We spoke a lot about Celestia and life at Canterlot, but I've never gone into my past with her, I didn't want to burden her.

Trotting through the early morning streets of Ponyville, a blue Earth Pony caught my eye. I had never seen this Stallion before, but for certain I knew what was coming as Pinkie Pie was heading right for him, and I smiled to myself as she got closer. But the smile soon left my face, for she trotted right past him – how could that be? She always greeted newcomers with a crazy party that she had – this wasn't Pinkie at all! I gallopped a little to catch up with her.
"Good morning, Pinkie." I said as she smiled at me.
"Morning Mikeus!" she replied. My ears pricked up – she always called me Choccie, but this time she'd called me by my first name.
"I guess you've already met the new guy, hmm?" I said, feeling a bit silly and paranoid.
"Hmmmm? Whatcha meeean?" she asked as she kept trotting.
"Well, that Pony has never been here before and you didn't throw your greeting party for him. I remember when we first met – you told me you always did them." My memory of the party she'd thrown me when I'd first arrived, which still remained sharp in my mind, arose at this.
"Ohhhhh well, I guess I just forgot it!" she hummed.
"But Pinkie –" She bounced away. She never forgot that party kit, the powers that be were messing with me and it was getting a little on my nerves, so I hurried to Twilight's to greet her.

At the large tree house I gently knocked on the door, Twilight opened it slowly and smiled seeing me.
"Ahh Mikeus! Hello!" she said in her cheerful and intelligent voice.
"Hey Twilight,” I said as if it was hot gossip... honestly I felt like a bit of a jerk. “I saw the weirdest thing this morning y'know? Pinkie pie actually didn't greet a newcomer to Ponyville!"
"Pinkie?” she said happily as she invited me in. “Wow, that's not like her! But, ah well, nothing to worry about!" Moving forward with a gentle trot, I nodded, trying to see the funny side of it. The day went on as it always would, helping Twilight with her amazing assortment of ideas and experiments, and she never ceased to amaze me on how many things were possible in this world. Halfway through sitting and discussing the certain volumes of what liquid would go best with the concoction we had been creating, I decided to bring up my eyebrow piercings. She gave a cute little head tilt with a huff.
"I have to say that doesn't make any sense whatsoever!" The purple Pony looked dumbfounded. "Those piercings were put in by Metal Heart. The only way they could ever come out would be by a brutal amount of force...or removed by yourself." This made her think for a few seconds, then she shrugged. "But I guess it just happens!" I felt a little unsatisfied with the answer; putting a hoof to my chin I shook my head slowly.
"But you said it isn't possible, which means someone must have taken them!" I said, hoping to rekindle the convesation, but it was all for naught as Twilight simply shook her head.
"Like I said, I guess it just happens." This day was getting a little too confusing for my taste, but we were done by noon and I said my goodbyes ready to head home. On my way back I watched the sky's idly, enjoying the noon sun. Not many clouds in the sky at this time of year, I thought to myself with a little smile, catching one of the clouds with a certain Rainbow Pony lying atop it. She looked down and noticed me giving a little wave.
"Afternoon, Rainbow Dash!" I said in a happy tone, trying to find some way to distract me from the day's events.
"Yo! Howzit going Mikey?" she said, causing me to give a slight grin.
"Mikeus, you know that Dashi" She gave a shrug and continued to speak.
"Ahh, come on! You know I know the difference bro! So whatcha up to? Heading home?" This was something I was used to, but she had always loved my piercings, although I guess she was just too energetic to notice they were missing.
"Yeah, just heading home now.” I replied. “You seem energetic today – fancy a race back? Winner gets a blueberry cupcake!" I added teasingly with a grin, though she shook her head.
"Sorry, no can do buddy. But perhaps another time?" And then the rainbow Pony flew away, just like that, leaving me bewildered. First it was Celia, then Pinkie, and Twilight and now Rainbow Dash. She never turned down a race, even when she's tired she never turns them down. Was I missing something? This was beginning to feel like the time Pinkie thought everyone hated her parties.

Shaking away the feelings yet again I continued down the pathway. I wanted to get home before something else happened, but barely had I even thought about it, there it was, right before me, a small injured bird lay on the ground. Its wing seemed to have been clipped by something and it couldn't fly.
"Oh, you poor thing," I said gently as I approached it. Hearing trotting from behind me, I turned, hoping to seek aid from whoever was approaching, and as luck would have it, Fluttershy approached me. I grinned; this was perfect. This bird would be perfectly safe with her.
"Hello there, Fluttershy!" I said with a gentle smile. She looked back at me and returned it.
"Oh hello there Mikeus, how're you?" She shone in the early afternoon sun, looking as kind and gentle as ever, giving me a sense of relief.
"I'm fine thank you, but I've found this little bird, he seems to be injured. What do you think?" I said with a concerned tone in my voice. But Fluttershy didn't seem too moved by what I said. While she approached I felt a distinct lack of shared concern as she looked down at him, before she turned to me with a hum.
"Oh, she's fine!" she said, and with that trotted away. My jaw literallly dropped. I could take Pinkie, Rainbow dash, Twilight and even Celia! But this was absolutely one hundred percent not a snow balls chance in a volcano! Wrong! I looked back to the little bird and sighed picking him up gently and putting him on my back.
"You didn't even get the gender right." I grunted feeling disappointed as I proceeded home. Who were these Ponies, and what did they do with my friends? Were there imposters in place of them, or had something more gone badly wrong in Ponyville?

Chapter 3: Dream Eaters
Entering the house with a bit of a slump, I noticed Celia wasn't home. She was probably over at Lyra's or playing with Pinkie, if I knew her by now. I knew she was safe though; my magic could sense it. Walking over to the desk, I placed the little bird on there and opened one of the drawers, the one where I kept my shared locket. Both me and Celia had one, and it contained a picture of me and her, though we acted like we were an item. I felt my relationship was much more then just love. I wanted to protect her, keep her safe; it was my purpose, and if she was ever to be harmed, then there wouldn't be a safe place on Earth for the perpetrator. She often refered to me as "Dad", but the title made me shudder sometimes and I was often subject to being teased. She was the same age as me, and she saw me as her body guard.
"Well little guy, you can stay here for however long you need." I spoke to the little bird. He gave me a bit of a thankful look and turned onto his side. "I'm sure Celia will just love you!"

While I tended to the birds wing and got it some food, I started to recall a memory of when me and Celia first met. She was alone in the Everfree forest and was happily skipping around, sniffing flowers and singing. I had never met anyone like her, that day I'd fought off a Manticore just to save her, knowing it would have surely ended badly for the little mare. Sustaining injuries from the fight, I was told she'd take me to Canterlot castle to seek aid from the Princess. At that time I didn't know who or what she was, but it was the first time in many years that I saw Celestia again, which hadn't changed at all, and neither had Luna. We spent many days catching up while Celestia made plans for me to live in Ponyville, and she soon mentioned her student Twilight Sparkle, and said that I was to assist her in her studies on friendship, though Twilight had more on her mind for a Pony assistant. When the day came that I learnt who Celia was, I lived from that day forward to protect her.

"Y'know, it's been two weeks since the royal wedding,” I said to the little birdy who allowed me to bandage his wing. “I didn't know much of Twilight's brother: Shining Armor or Cadence for that matter, but the wedding had been nice, despite the little interruption from a certain changeling army. It was quite a battle, but the power of love prevailed." It felt a bit soppy, but we had won, so life could go on as normal. "I try to remember this stuff to help me smile, considering today has been a bit of a rough one – not that yours hasn't, little fella." He stood on his two feet, moving his injured wing a little. "Maybe that cupcake will cheer me up, whatcha think? Wanna share it?" I said to him as he whistled a little. Entering the kitchen, a crumb riddled plate with a note on caught my eye, and it read:

That Cupcake was delicious Mikeus, thanks!
But please try and remember the cherry next time!
~Celia
Giving a low grumble and face hoofing I mumbled, "That cupcake was from yesterday, Celia." At this point I wasn't about to say, "That's not like her!" and let my mind go into overdrive, maybe a nap would help.

My sleep was interrupted by a little whisper.
"Sleep now."
I woke up and looked around, blinking rapidly once more before shaking my head.
"Celia?" I called out. By the time I'd woken, it was dark outside. "Celia?" I called once more, but with no answer. The small green mare was nowhere around. Forget oddness – this was bad. My magic could not sense her! Rolling off the couch and standing up, I made for the door, seeing that Ponyville was still lively even at this time of night. I tried not to panic, despite horrible situations and scenarios rushing through my head, but nevertheless, I galloped towards town. Seeing Twilight trotting through town, I approached her and with a panic ridden voice, choked out my words.
"Ce- Celia.. Mi.." I was out of breath, not due to running, but due to fear, but upon Twilight's face was a look of horror.
"Mikeus...your horn!" she exclaimed. I tilted my head in confusion and frustration.
"My horn? Twilight, Celia is missing, and I need to find her!"
"Missing? Mikeus, your horn is missing!" she said, pointing at my forehead. A sudden rush of pain flowed through my entire body starting right from my head. I tried to rub my horn but my hoof touched nothing.
"Ah...buh." I stuttered. My horn was gone, broken...but, how?
"Mikeus, maybe you should get some sleep." Twilight said softly.
"Sle...what?" I shouted in complete confusion. "I can't sleep, Twilight. Celia is missing, my horn is gone, and today has been one hell of a trip. I need to find her, so if you're not going to hel-" she cut me off and put a hoof on my shoulder.
"Mikeus, we'll find Celia, don't worry about it." As if on cue, her friends walked from behind her, not one of them looking shocked from my loss of horn. "Yes, sleep Mikeus. We'll take care of this." she said with a gentle smile. I stumbled backwards a little and coughed. My chest felt heavy, like I'd just taken a hit from a stampeding bull.
"N- No!” I growled, rushing over explanations in my mind while feeling a rush of pain to my left eye. “I don't know what's going on here girls, but you're not the mares I met when I first arrived here! In fact, ever since the royal wedding I've noticed things being different. At first I could ignore it, but no, not now."
"Mikeus, you've had a hard day darling." said Rarity. "Let us take you home, keep sleeping." I growled angrily.
"Why are you so obsessed with me sleeping? Enough, I'll find Celia! With or without your help!" turning around something in the sky caught my eye, a huge black rip as if it was paper "What the hay is that." I uttered in shock.
"Nothing Mikeus, you're delusional." Twilight said soothingly, causing me to shoot her a glare, my left eye burning as sight faded from it. What was happening to me?
"Sugercube, let us find Celia.” AppleJack said gently. “We'll get Zecora to mix up a potion to help you sleep!" But I was having none of it. My body felt like it had just been through a brutal battle. Memories of my time in the war shot through my head before I shook it violently, then it hit me. My face was blank as the realization rushed through my mind and I knew it for certain as fear grew on each of the Ponies faces. The streets were bare now, just me, and them.

And I knew what they were.

Chapter 4: Time to awaken
"Step back, all of you!” I roared at them. “I thought I was paranoid, I honestly thought I was just having a rough day. But you messed up – I'm not that stupid. Your failure to be yourselves showed you were acting! Your obsession just now with my sleep, and that rip in the sky!" I slam my right hoof down, the pain rushing through my body causing me to yell out loud. "You're not Ponies! You're Dream Eaters!" They stepped back, gazing right through me. "And that right there, is a crack in reality!" But then fear rushed through me. I had been comatose somehow, and I knew that Dream Eaters could only be found in the presence of evil – that's why it's never wise to sleep in an evil place, but if this was true, then I had been slowly fading back to reality, because I failed to shrug off the problems that the mares were making they had lost there grip on me. And now I was starting to wake up, but there was one more thing that had to be done to stop a Dream Eater – and that was for one to let them know that they're aware that this reality is a dream.
"Mikeus please, you're scaring us!" Fluttershy squeaked and hid her snout.
"Come on bro, just head back up home, I don't even know what you're talking about!" jeered Rainbow Dash.
"Not a chance Demons.” I shouted victoriously, even through my body was wrought with pain. “Show your real selves, for I know what this is. It's well and truly a dream! I'll give you that! You tried your hardest but there was one big mistake that you made, and that was letting your confidence go to your head!"
"I think you're doing just that." said Twilight in a bit of a peeved tone, quite venomously, but my confidence did not waver.
"I'm ready to awaken." I growled at them. For a few moments there was nothing but confusion and anger. But then it happened – Twilight leaned forward and growled angrily, and in a demonic tone she spoke:
"Well done Stallion, you obviously know of us.” she said. “But your mind was delicious while it lasted, I fear my peers may have lacked in encouragement feeling full from your Immortal memories, ah yes indeed the mind of an immortal is once in a life time." Its body began to deform, and all of them started to do so now, their eyes turning a pale white and their mouths opening to reveal a dark void with row after row of sharp teeth. "But we shall have more.” it hissed. “I shall reset your memory and we will continue to feed!" This was not something I was ready for; I only read that telling them you knew this was a dream would banish them, but I was wrong and now, I was almost definitely screwed.
"No," I say with dismay. "Not a chance! Where ever I am, it's filled with evil. Celia is in trouble, and you will not stop me from saving her, horn or not you will not stop me from waking up. This is my dream and I wish to awaken!" At this point I was starting to cough up blood, my heart filling with fear. This told me that I was seriously injured – this was not good. Standing my ground, the six Ponies raised up before me, their deformed demonic faces tilting back, and a gust of wind started sucking me forward towards there mouths. But it couldn't end like this – I wouldn't let it. "This is my dream, and I shall awaken!" I yelled again as a small tear in the sky opened behind them. it was working!

You shall not keep me within this dream for I have duties
within my own reality! You have fed for long enough
On me demons so this ends here!

This is my dream!
And I shall Awaken!!

The crack burst open and an even more powerful gust of wind pulled at me, but more so at the Dream Eaters. In shock, they roared out and grasped at the air tumbling back into the dark void, and the world around me started to slowly dissolve. Soon, I found myself waking up from my coma. I felt a warm nudge by my side, and my heart gave a leap. It was Celia!!
"Ce...Celia, is that actually you?" I stutter, feeling agony rush through me. My left eye was now completely closed.
"Mikeus, I don't have much time, you and I are connected, and you have done so well to take heed of the cracks in reality. I knew I could count on you. Now wake up! Equestria needs you!" I knew for sure this was the real Celia, everything about her was right. Smiling gently to her I nodded, but her face was stern and determined.
"Celia, I don't know what's going on anymore."
"We lost, Mikeus. They were smarter then any of us thought. They covered their ruse with another one. You're asleep now In Canterlot Castle, seriously injured but able to move. I know this will be hard for you to take, but do not come for me."
"Lost what? What happened?" I cry out, panicking as she starts to fade away.
"I love you, Mikeus." she breathed, her voice weakening with each word.
"Celia! No! Come back! CELIA!" I yell out, tears forming within my eyes. But soon, I start to feel too dizzy to stay awake, and slowly I fell on my side. The last thing I saw was the little bird I saved. Its wing was fixed and it was standing before me with a worried expression. And then, darkness.