Chapter 33: Gloomy Breakfast

Hope: Day 6
Nightfall: Day 20

Hope’s POV

What a night. Fluttershy, she- she had dumped me. I can’t say I blame her though. I would had probably done the same if she had kissed another stallion before my eyes. But no matter how much I try to forget what happened, I just couldn’t. I- I just loved her so much.

I awoke, only to be greeted with Celestia’s powerful and harsh solar rays in my eyes. Having forgetting that Twilight keeps the curtains open at all times. I felt an immense pain in my head.

The very thought of remembering what had transpired last night was making me ill. Like I had lost everything I have ever cared about. She was once just a cartoon character I like. But now, she’s real and I’ve just lost her.

I could only silently sob to myself and pull the cover over my head, trying to forget that I was even here. But by doing so, Rainbow complained, “Hey! We are ‘sharing’ a bed, remember?”

I had totally forgotten that we are sleeping in the same bed to be honest.

Trixie wasn’t carried away with sleeping in bed with another mare. But how could she even refuse after what Twilight had done for her, so she couldn’t say no.

Coming back to my senses, I suddenly felt the bed blanket being tugged off me. When I looked, I confirmed that Rainbow had indeed took the blanket and completely covered herself in it.

Silently sighing to myself, I decided to get up. As I did, I immediately almost lost my balance due to being half asleep still. But I quickly regained balance before I would fall over.

Before I left the room, I noticed however that the sheets of Trixie’s and Twilight’s bed were frantically shaking. I almost thought for a moment that they were making out. But the way they were shaking were a little odd, like if they were frozen or something.

I wasn’t in a mood to repeat what had happened last night in the reverse role. So I just rolled my eyes and asked as I headed to the door, “Mind if I make myself some breakfast, Twilight?”

Just as I opened the door ready, waiting for her to reply, Twilight nervously asked, “H-Ho-Hope, *shiver* a-are you up?”

Wondering why she sounded worried, I turned around and answered, “Yea, why?”

Then, as I got a good look at the two female unicorns, who are sharing a bed with each other. I saw that they were both completely covered in sweat and their manes were just a total mess.

Something was wrong. From the looks of their manes and faces, and the way they were still shaking, it looked as if they had both watched a horror film together.

Even though I didn’t care at the moment, well somewhat, I asked while wondering, “Are you two okay? You both don’t look like um- like you both been making out.”

Although they both looked as if they had a total fright, they started to blush furiously and attempted to put their serious faces on. Trixie managed to angrily protest while stuttering, “W-wha- WHAT!? T-Trixie is not a les-pony!”

Spike, who had just got woken up while still being half asleep himself, spoke out, “Wha- what’s going on?”

Twilight, attempting to get her act together and explained, “W-we both had nightmares.”

Rainbow Dash, who were partly eavesdropping, moaned tiredly as she covered her head with the pillow, “Mind if you guys keep it down with the nightmare stuff. I’m trying to sleep.”

Remembering what had happened last night with that bitch, Chrysalis, in my dream. I sighed and turned to face the door, “Don’t remind me about dreams. I got the shit beaten out of me last night in one. Anyway, mind if I make some breakfast, Twi?”

She answered happily, while she and the others were getting out of their beds, “Sure.”

As I headed down stairs, the two unicorns took the moment to tidy their manes while the others followed me.

-

Minutes later, we had all came down and made breakfast together. I was mostly making my own, which was egg and toast. Nothing special, just something to help me get through the day. Spike had offered to help me but I said I was fine, even though I didn’t feel like it.

As soon as me, Rainbow, Trixie, Twilight and Spike had our breakfast prepared. We made our way into the main library room.

When we sat down on the floor, I realised that something was missing. So I asked out loud, “Where’s that bug?”

Twilight protested at my words and explained, “Don’t be so rude, Hope. He’s actually sleeping right above us on the ceiling.”

I silently asked, disbelievingly, “… What?”

Twilight then gazed above us. As she did, we all did the same and found Cocoon sleeping in a green shell made of goo-like substance.

Trixie backed into a corner of the room and spoke out in disgust while still holding her plate with magic, “Ewww, what is that thing he is in?”

Knowing that my breakfast was getting cold, I decided to dig in while others also did the same. Though, me and the others weren’t as put off as Trixie were.

Meanwhile, Twilight answered, “He explained other day, after Nightfall had left, that they use these shells for sleeping and holding their-… victims, captive. This allows changelings to drain the love out of them, which is also their main method of food. There is also something else. But it isn’t best to mention while we are eating.”

Trixie sighed audibly and admitted, “Trixie finds it disgusting.”

Rainbow attempted to backup the bug, “Trixie, everypony needs their own kind of bed you know. It’s not like he’s doing any harm in that thing.”

In response, Trixie looked away due to not being able to admit defeat.

We continued eating for several minutes while everypony were also having random conversations about Luna and my best friend’s wedding coming up. I was happy for him, but I wasn’t really paying any attention to the mares. The voices in the background were partly fade, because I just couldn’t stop thinking about my Flutter-love.

I had finished my meal over a minute ago, not long until I was snapped out of my thoughts when Twilight called, “Hope.”

I looked towards her and asked, while I put the plate down, “What is it?”

She answered, “You mind telling us about this nightmare you had. I mean me, you and Trixie had all had nightmares in the same night. Something doesn’t feel right about this.”

I really didn’t feel like talking. But to get it out of the way, I give her the short version, “*sigh*, I had a glimpse of the past of me being an idiot and then-” I turned my focus to Cocoon, who is still asleep in his shell, and I resumed, “That thing’s queen decided to beat the living shit out of me.”

Twilight protested, “Hope, watch your language! I’ll not have such words said here.”

I looked away with my arms crossed and replied, “Does it look like I care? Anyway, what’s your point?”

She wasn’t happy with my response once again, but she explained regardless, “Well, I’m thinking that we are not the only ones who had bad dreams last night.”

Soon as the realisation came to me, it felt as if I been hit by a tidal wave at full force. My jaw slowly opened as I stared at Twilight in fear. The more and more I went into such thought about Fluttershy having such a dream, the more I started to panic about her waking up in terror.

Everypony in the room had noticed my reaction and were sat staring at me in silence.

After a moment, Rainbow decided to break the silence, “Hey Hope, are you okay?”

I stutter, “F-… F-Fluttershy!”

Instantly, I got up and ran straight for the front door. While doing so, Rainbow shouted for me, “Hey, wait up!”

But I ignored her, opened the door and ran in the direction of Fluttershy’s home. Hoping that she hadn’t had the same outcome as some of us had.

Rainbow Dash’s POV

Outside the Library, I quickly took pursuit of Hope. While doing so, I soon figured that there was no way in Equestria I was going to match his speed on ground. So I decided that it was time to spread my wings and take flight, to see who is the real fastest between us.

In the air, I felt my wings un-stiffing since I hadn’t used them for the last two days. Hope, who was way ahead of me, was running on all fours with lightning speed. Not to mention he was leaving a momentary trail of purple lightning behind him. Still, I was worried about Fluttershy too. But a race isn’t going to slow us down one bit now, is it?

Managing to catch up by flying at side of him, I asked, “Yo Hope, fancy a race while we’re at it?”

Growling angrily while panting, he answered, “Rghhh, I’ve no time for this, Dash!”

I was a bit taken back on his sharp words, but he was right. Either way, it’s not going to slow us down while racing to Fluttershy’s house.

Hoping for him to change his mind, I stated, “Well, suit ya self. See ya at her house.”

Straight away, I took off in front of him at a greater speed. It felt so good to feel the wind on my face again.

Glancing behind myself, while knowing there is nothing ahead for me to bump into, I found that he has indeed speeded up. If he wasn’t careful, he could probably set a fire off with all those sparks.

Looking back ahead, I confidently grinned and dashed at full speed. I say one thing, “This isn’t going to be a race were I lose to a hairy wolf.”

It wasn’t long when we came and entered the forest on the main road.

Every tree we went past, the more intense this race got. We were going so fast that the force of the wind caused half of the branches to pull in our direction and bounce back to their original places. The other half though got snapped off their trees.

Unfortunately for him, a lot more annoying trees in the way. To keep the race fair and show my skills, I stayed below in the trees also. Even though I really wanted to dash to the finish line and beat him.

I don’t understand though. If this was Applejack, I would had totally took the advantage and beat her by now. Why I’m I keeping it fair for Hope?

Almost losing concentration of the race. I started to worry since the branches themselves, even though I go rings around them easy, were starting to get in my way and allowing Hope to catch up.

This is going to be close race.