He could hear voices that sounded very distant and muttered, and he felt something nice and warm around him. Though he couldn't piece together who the voices are and what was around him as his mind was still far too groggy, slowly his mind started to catch up with everything. When he opened his eyes, at first he only saw silhouettes that looked oddly familiar, and that's when he heard someone speak again.

"Hey, he just opened his eyes!" The voice called, and he heard something walking across what sounded like wood.

"Ah, so you are finally awake." Another voice said, and by the time that voice spoke things were starting to come into focus.

"Oh, my head." He said laying up in what he now knew was his bed at his home. "Man, what exactly happened to me?"

"I am afraid that is my fault, that is a rare side effect of the spell I cast on you. For that, I am truly sorry." He turned his head to look at Luna who had a look of guilt.

"Right, my ankle." He said as the memory of what happened came back. "It's fine, not like you knew it would give me this dang headache."

"That's what I told her, that and magic could have a slightly different effect on you," Twilight said walking into the room. "The spell she cast was one that was casted onto you during your first wok up at the hospital here. They had said that it made you sleep a little longer than normal, and have the headache."

"And I am still sorry for not knowing that." Luna apologized again.

"Again, it's fine. You were only trying to help after I tripped." He said reaching a hand out to pat her on the head and smiled at her despite the headache.

"Speaking of which, what were ya doing in the EverFree Forest near that cliff again?" Applejack asked giving him a slight glare, making him swallow in nervousness.

"I-I don't know." He answered receiving another, though a little bit harsher glare from everyone in the room, and he looked down in pain. "I-I guess to think..."

"To think about what? If you don't mind me asking?" Fluttershy asked, and he let out a sigh and looked up from his lap.

"You all know Lyra right?" They all gave a nod.

"Of course, she and you are pretty close and she was one of the ones who took you to the hospital," Twilight spoke, and as she said that Applejack gave him a look of understanding like she just picked up on what happened earlier.

"Yeah, that's her." He said again looking down. "She and her marefriend Bon Bon were the ones who took me to the hospital after seeing what I did. After I left here earlier that's where I went, to talk to at least Lyra..."

"Look, are you going to tell us what happened or what?" Rainbow asked, making him flinch a little.

"Rainbow, if he doesn't want to tell us then he doesn't have to." Rarity snapped at the blue Pegasus.

"No, I-I think it would be better if I did tell you all what happened." He said taking a deep breath. "As you all know, my worst fear is being seen as some sort of monster by my friends..."

"You got that right," Rainbow muttered under her breath.

"When I went to talk to them, I ran into Bon Bon at the door. Sh-she told me how she and Lyra now were scared of me and...and..." He couldn't finish, but what he already said had given them the pieces that they needed.

"Brandon, we are so sorry. We know that you two were close, after all, she was probably the one who knew you better than anyone of us." Twilight said looking around the room. "It must be painful to lose a friend that close, but just know that we will be here for you no matter what."

"Yeah, as long as you got us around you won't be lonely," Rainbow said dropping onto the floor since she had been hovering for a good part of the conversation.

"A-and I appreciate that, but do you mind if I have some time to myself?" He asked not looking at them.

"Of course, come on girls let's head home," Twilight said, and a few seconds later the only one in the room with him was Luna.

"I will be in one of your spare rooms, and please don't be afraid to call me if you need anything." She said, and he gave a nod and after that, he was the only one in his room.

He sat there for what felt like hours thinking about what happened after he was released, from his run-in with Derpy to making up with his friends, to the painful memory of knowing he had lost his closest friend. Though he still felt like he should cry, he couldn't bring himself to knowing that Luna might come to see what's wrong. So he sat there not only thinking, but trying his best to not break down for the third time when he felt something climb on his bed.

"Oh, there you are Daisy. At least I know you will still be here for me." He smiled as the little rat climb up on his shoulder, and he gave her a little scratch on her back.

---

A week later he was laying in his bed yet again as the morning sun started to rise. He never really was a morning person, but ever since what happened, he seems to despise morning a little more. That added with the fact of apparently what holiday it was didn't put him in any better mood.

"Brandon, are you still moping around in there?" He heard Luna ask through his door.

"Go away, I'm still trying to sleep!" He called back.

"It's already nine in the morning, I think it's time for you to get up already." She said opening the door and coming in with a smile on her face. "And besides, today is Heart's and Hooves day."

"I know, it's just like Valentine's day back where I come from. It's the day that you're supposed to spend with the one you love." He said, showing no signs of moving.

"Yes, but you can also spend the day with friends if you chose." She said using her magic to lift him and his crutches away from the bed.

"Luna..." He was interrupted when she spoke up.

"Star Light." She corrected as that was the name she gave her disguise.

She still had the same coat coloring as before, but she was a bit shorter now. Her mane and tail were now black, and she changed her cutie mark to one of a telescope that was supposed to represent her passion for star gazing. Though she also changed her voice as well.

"Star, did you forget that all of my friends are busy? Rainbow had a big date planned for her and Fluttershy, Rarity has a date with Dr. Hayseed, Applejack has work on her farm to do, Pinkie was hired to throw the school a Heart's and Hooves day party, and Twilight is to busy getting a schedule ready for Winter Wrap up." He said.

"No, I did not forget any of that. But you are forgetting about somepony." She said with a slight smile.

"Who, Derpy? She's to busy delivering mail, that and she barely said two words to me since she was here a week ago." He said putting a free hand on his chin in thought. "But, I can't say I can think of anyone else."

"So are you saying we are not friends?" She asked sounding a little offended, and he walked over to her.

"Of course I do Lu...I mean Star, but we seem to be hanging around each other a lot more ever since you moved in." He said giving her a small smile.

"Yes, but we only hang out here." She said with a slight pout.

"Fine, how about this. Since I barely left the house since last week, why don't I treat us to a nice friendly dinner?" He suggested.

"That sounds...wait, why do you have to pay?" She asked.

"Because you've been taking care of me for the past week and I know I haven't been the easiest person to get along with during that time. Just consider it a thank you for what you've done so far." He said giving her another smile.

"I knew you were still in there, and I am grateful that your mood seemed to changed from being depressed to something a little more happier." She said returning his smile.

"I think that's because I still have good friends." He said as he walked past her.

"And where are you going?" She asked.

"To take a shower. After all, you don't want to get something to eat with somepony who smells the way I do, do you?" He asked turning his head towards her.

"No, I guess not. Then go take your shower, I'll do a little bit of cleaning." She replied looking at his messy bed, but before he could respond there was a knock on the door.

"I'll get it." He said and started towards the front door, and when he got to it and opened it he was a little surprised. "Oh, hey Derpy. I thought you had to work today?"

"I-I did, but I managed to switch shifts with Dust Shelves so I'm free today." She said giving him a pleasant, but also a somewhat nervous smile.

"So, um, what brings you by? The only time I've seen you is when I went to the library the other day." He said.

"Yeah, I'm really sorry about that. It's just I've been really busy with my mail route, and I was also thinking about what you said about you owing me a favor for giving you that um, pep talk..." She started to ramble.

"Derpy, please I understand that you're busy. So, have you thought of anything? Because I need another excuse to get out a little more since I um, got fired." He said scratching the back of his head blushing a little.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that." She said in a genuine tone. "But, um, actually I wanted to ask you this before your friends arrived."

"Yeah, I remember you started to say something." He said giving her a comforting smile, after noticing that she seemed to be really nervous.

"Well, um, I-I was wondering if you would um, like to have d-dinner with me?" She asked blushing heavily. "But, only as friends, that's all I mean."

"Um, uh, that sounds nice. Then maybe you would like to join me and Star then?" He asked.

"Star?" She asked.

"Oh, yeah she's the one that's been taking care of me while my ankle heals, and while I've been down in the dumps lately." He answered.

"Well, I don't want to be a third wheel or anything..." She started, making him give a slight chuckle.

"We are only friends, she pretty much forced me out of my bed today so we could do something since I thought all my other friends were busy. The dinner is only a friendly dinner, you know for friends? So any of my friends are welcome to join if they want." He said.

"Oh, so you two aren't going out or anything?" She asked.

"No, we aren't going out. But why do you ask?" He asked.

"Um, no reason. So I'll see you later for dinner, along with that Star?" She asked.

"Yeah, how about we meet in the town center, say around five?" He asked.

"That sounds great, and can't wait to meet your new friend. See you later!" She called while rushing away.

"She was acting a little weird just then, wonder what that's all about?" He muttered under his breath.

"So who was it?" Luna asked coming out of his room carrying a small, but a familiar rectangular box in her magic grasp.

"Well, Derpy and we have another pony for our dinner tonight. Is that alright, and where did you find that box?" He asked.

"I have no problem with another one of your friends joining us for dinner, and as for this box I found it hidden under your bed." She answered.

"Luna, why were you snooping through my stuff?" He asked a little nervously eyeing the box.

"I was only making sure that the underneath of your bed didn't need to be cleaned when I came across this, what's inside?" She asked putting it on the coffee table.

"A birthday present, now I'm going to take it back and hide it somewhere else." He said making a grab at the box on the table before it was snatched away.

"What kind of birthday present would cause you such embarrassment that you would have to hide it away?" She asked, her curiosity becoming more apparent.

"Luna, please give it back to me." He said trying one more time to try to grab it out of her magical grasp. "You know for a Princess, you don't seem to have respect for other's property."

"Well, forgive me but I do dream walk so invading one's personal life is part of my job." She said with an evil little grin. "Now, let's see what could be in here that you don't want me to see."

"Luna, please don't, I'm begging you! I'll do just about anything if you don't see what's inside!" He begged in a panicked tone, that accursed book for some reason always made him extremely embarrassed.

"Oh, anything huh?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Um, I did say just about." He replied nervously.

"Then I want to see what's inside this box." She smirked and opened the box peeking inside. "Oh my, so you are interested in mares after all if you have a copy of this."

"Uh, yeah um, most people where I come from are mostly into the opposite sex." He answered dying a little inside as he knew the torture that would come of this. "But why did you think I wasn't into girls?"

"Well, it's not easy to read you at times so I didn't know what your preference was." She replied looking at him with an evil smirk. "So, who gave you this then? I doubt you had the courage, by the way, you're acting, to buy it on your own."

"I-it was Pinkie, but that's beside the point right now. What I'm more concerned about is how you're going to torture me about this." He said.

"Why, I take offense in that! Why would you assume that I would use this against you, especially since it doesn't look like you read it? That and you have to know I was only kidding about not knowing your preference." She said giving a chuckle at his confused expression. "As I said, I dream walk and that also means I've been in your dreams as well. Though more so the past week, because you seem to be having far more nightmare's than normal."

"Oh, so you've been in my dreams? Wait, you've been in my dreams?!" The realization hit him.

"Of course, as I just said it is actually one of my duties as Princess of the Night." She explained. "And like I said, you have been having far more nightmare's then normal for you. That's why I wanted to get you out and about today, I was hoping that it will make it to where you won't have anymore."

"And I appreciate that, but what you need to understand is that humans are used to having nightmares. Though I'm not a psychologist I believe that having a nightmare every now and again is supposed to be healthy. That and I am grown, so I do know how to deal with nightmares, but you have to promise not to say a word about what goes on in my head when I'm asleep okay?" He asked.

"Please, I may go into dreams but I never reveal what they are about. And I agree that a nightmare every once in a while is healthy for the mind, but as many nightmares that you have makes me concerned." She said and as he looked in her eyes he could see her concern.

"Listen, I may not remember my own life but I do remember a lot about my world. It's perfectly normal for a human who had a bit of a rough time in their life to have many nightmares, but it's up to that person what to do with it. Not that I don't appreciate you jumping in and changing them, but I think it would be better if I did have some nightmares." He said kneeling down a little to reach eye level with her current form. "I really do appreciate you helping me through all of this, but my dreams I feel like I should deal with them and not you. Now, I know it's your job but you've already helped me enough. Let me handle any of my nightmares myself no matter how bad okay?"

"B-but, it wouldn't feel right to just sit back and watch you toss and turn like that." She replied.

"As creepy as that sounds knowing that you watch me sleep, I think I can handle it." He said giving her a small smile.

"I-I guess you are right, that does sound a little creepy, and alright if you think you can handle it. But if the nightmares get to become too much for you, then just say something okay?" She asked.

"Fair enough, and thank you for all you've done so far." He said pulling her in for a hug which caught her off by surprise.

"Y-you're welcome." She said returning his hug, and she was the one who broke the hug and looked at him. "Now, how about you go take that shower and get ready. We wouldn't want to keep that other mare waiting if we are to meet at five now would we?" She asked.

"You do know it's only like ten now right?" He asked giving a slight chuckle.

"Yes, but it'll take a few hours for me to get ready." She answered. "And I would need a lot of that time in the main bathroom."

"Alright, I get what you're saying. So better hurry up then." He said standing back up wincing a little because of slight pain.

"Are you okay?" She asked.

"Yeah, just stayed in that position a little too long. I'll be out in about ten minutes." He said heading towards the bathroom, and once he was gone she let out a sigh of relief.

"He actually hugged me! He actually hugged me!" She said in excitement, but after she calmed down she took on a look of concern and seriousness. "But despite going into a slight depression, he still seems to try to be as good-hearted as he can be. I wish he would let me help with his nightmares, it's a wonder he is as good of a person as he is with the kind of nightmares he does have though, and no pony deserves to suffer through that."

Author's Notes:

Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. What could possibly go wrong? Oh, and remember to smile, smile, smile!