Into the unknown (Patreon)

 Applebloom flew alongside Princess Luna as they traversed the Dream Realm in my Equestria dreamscape. The little filly soon learned that the young colt she’d be attempting to help was called Stone Mane and he was from Baltimare.

   
  Luna was able to create an image of the little colt to aid Applebloom in her search.  Stone Mane was an earth pony, roughly the same age as Applebloom. He was blank flank too having no cutie mark of his own. As his name implied Stone Mane had a medium granite grey mane and tail, his body was a nutmeg brown with bright purple eyes.  With any luck Applebloom would be able to quickly identify him once she’d entered his dream fabric

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  Stone Mane was still living with his uncle in Baltimare although distance was of little concern in the Dream Realm. Luna had commented to Little Bloom that with practice one could almost instantaneously travel any point in Equestria. It was even possible projected oneself to distant worlds beyond the planet they lived on but only with great concentration and risk.  In fact Luna was deliberately taking her time ferrying Applebloom to destination so she could spend some time coaching her pupil.  

 
  “Now Applebloom.” Luna continued her lecture. “The most important thing to remember is the need to remain as detached as possible to the emotions that Stone Mane may be experiencing. If you involve yourself too much in his dream you may forget it is just a dream. He may be jumping around his own dream fabric a lot so settings, time and location may change very suddenly. This can be very disorienting to someone visiting the dream fabric.  You’ll still have the ability to manipulate and create objects and settings in his dream fabric, however you’ll probably have to work much harder at it and objects you create there may not be as permanent as they would be in your own dream fabric. Do you have any questions?” 

  Applebloom’s mind was racing along at million miles an hour as she attempted parse all the information her instructor was giving her. As she reviewed all her lessons up to this point a series of questions formed in her mind.

 
  “Princess, when you’ve all entered his dream fabric does he seem ta be having the same nightmare over and over again?”

 
  “Yes.” Said the Defenders of Dreams. “The majority of his nightmares are occurring in his dream version of Baltimare. He is usually alone and the city appears to be abandoned, that at least should make it easier for you to spot him. The main theme of his nightmares is being chased by a giant dragon that always seems to know where he is. The nightmares usually end with catching and devouring him.” 

  “Um, Luna will I be able ta intervene and directly confront the dragon myself?” 

  Luna changed their course slightly then replied. “Yes, but only to a limited degree. It will be to your advantage if you can get Stone Mane to take a proactive stance in his nightmare so he realizes that he has some control over events there. Of course you need to be careful or else he’ll wake up on you.” 

  A thought dawned in Applebloom’s mind. “Uh, what happens if wakes up while I’m still in his dream fabric? I’m a not going ta get stuck in his head am I?”

 
  The Co-Ruler of Equestria chuckled. “Oh ho! No Little Bloom that is not a danger! If you need to you can exit from his dream fabric at anytime, so long as you remember it just a dream. That is why it is important to remain as emotionally detached as possible while in his dream fabric, and remember anything you observe in there you’ll bring back as your own memories so please be careful! If you get in there and it too much handle please exit immediately! Don’t try to be a hero. If it were not due to the unique situation surrounding his nightmares I would never ask you to go in there in the first place. I will not judge you poorly for wisely withdrawing from an untenable situation.”

   
  Applebloom chewed on this information. “And what if we arrive at his dream fabric and he’s not yet asleep or he’s woken up and gone ta use the potty? Can I enter his dream fabric without him being there or do I have ta wait for him ta go back ta sleep?” Applebloom was starting feel like some burglar trying sneak into somepony’s head when they weren’t looking. 

  
  Luna shook her head. “No, if Stone Mane has not yet fallen to sleep or has awaken then we’ll wait for awhile and see if he does enter his dream fabric. If we are not successful tonight then perhaps we’ll try tomorrow night.” 

  Luna came to a halt above particular dream fabric amongst a star-like field of other glowing dream fabrics. Applebloom looked down at it, it was pulsating in a random almost spastic fashion. The princess studied the fabric for a minute or so. 

  
  “It appears he’s entered into REM sleep and is in the most earliest stages of a new nightmare. This would be an optimal time for you enter before the scenario evolves too much.” 

  Applebloom stared at the young colt’s dream fabric. “Luna what should I do when I finally find Stone Mane? Should I introduce myself? Just stand back and watch what’s happening ta him? Should I defend him? I’d a really like some ideas.”

   
   “Contacting Stone Mane would not be a bad idea Little Bloom, but I would avoid letting him know you are not a product of his subconscious until he’s comfortable with you. And I would most certainly advise you against letting him know immediately that you are working at my behest. Remember he still is under the allusion that I am Nightmare Moon.”

 
  “As far as coming to his aid, if you believe if can be done without endangering yourself then yes do it. However first and foremost take care of yourself while you are in his dream fabric. You cannot help him or I if you need to be rescued yourself.”

 
  “Now Little Bloom I want you to don armor your before you dive into his fabric, and remember that it is not just armor here in the dream realm but it also represents the strength, faith, and love that I and your friends and family have in you. Remember that when you wear it in the face of adversity and it will help you find the answer to your challenges.  

 
   The little filly closed her eyes visualize herself clad in her gleaming plate armor, when she opened her eyes she looked down and smiled. She was now wearing the armor Luna had designed and given to her. 

  Luna stepped forward and nuzzled the buttercream yellow filly. “Unless you have anymore questions you should probably be going, but remember to be careful in there. If I have not heard from you in an hour in of my time I will come looking for you, but remember time in dream fabrics can appear to progress at radically different rates. What seem like hours for you in there may only be a matter of minutes for me outside Stone Mane’s dream fabric.” 

  Luna stepped back and smiled at Applebloom. The little filly nodded her head and returned the princess’s smile. 

  
  “Okay then, see ya later princess!” 

  And with that Applebloom dove toward Stone Mane’s dream fabric. 

 To be continued.