“Wh… what. But Axel was… asleep…” Alex mumbled shakily.

“Yes… he was…” R’yotta nodded slowly as he stared at Axel.

“Power nap, keeps you active.” Axel laughed, spreading a dozen pieces of bread out on the counter. Sam appeared beside Twilight, his hands full of books. He set it down and waved at everyone. “Oh hey Sam, could you pick up some pizza or something?”

“You know, just because he can’t say no, doesn’t mean he’s everyone’s slave.” Twilight sighed. A few moments later she straightened up. “Oh yeah, could you pick up my journal from the library?”

Sam smiled and nodded, disappearing once more.

Alex glanced at Twilight for a moment before he looked back at Axel, “Um… am I the only one who finds this… a little more than just strange?” He asked.

“Maybe it’s a good thing. Means the spell is only temporary. The others will probably wake up soon.” Twilight assured.

“Yeah… you’re right.” Alex nodded.

“Still, we should watch the others to make sure nothing happens to them.” R’yotta said.

“I’ll keep searching to see if there’s a way to wake them up faster.” Twilight nodded, taking the books with her magic out to the living room. Alex’s eyes narrowed at the many sandwiches stacking on the table.

“Are you planning on eating everything in the house?” He questioned, looking at Axel.

“Possibly.” Axel shrugged. “Is that a challenge?”

“Not unless you intend on replacing all of the food you eat.” Alex stated. Axel shrugged and started munching on the first of many.

“You sure you’re feeling alright?” Alex questioned.

“Yeah, just hungry. Why does everyone keep asking me that?” Axel chewed.

“I’ve only asked it once…” Alex responded in a more curious manner.

“Oh, yeah right. Sorry.” Axel nodded.

“No, go on… who else has asked?” Alex questioned.

“No, you’re right. You’re the only one that asked, I don’t know why I said that.” Axel stated, a slight hesitation in his voice.

“Axel.” Alex stated. “Don’t lie. Especially not now.”

“I’m not lying. What the fuck is your problem?” Axel questioned in an equally loud tone. His language caught Alex off guard. Alex stepped back from Axel and stared wide-eyed at him. Axel slowly returned to eating, his eyes never leaving Alex.

“Wh… what’s… gotten into you…” Alex mumbled.

“You’re the one giving me a hard time, so let me eat.” Axel retorted, already moving on to the second sandwich.

“You’re the one who decided to start just eating my brother’s food without so much as a word to anyone else UNTIL we found you.” Alex said in return.

“Thanks.” Axel said in an uncharacteristically sarcastic tone.

“Something’s… really wrong with you…” Alex mumbled.

“I will leave you to figure that out.” Axel mused, standing up and taking his sandwiches with him and out to the living room. Alex just wanted to just stay there and avoid Axel. But he felt the need to make sure he didn’t do anything to anyone, so he slowly followed him into the living room. Axel sat down next to Twilight, glancing down at the book she was reading. “Wassat?”

“A book I’m reading to figure out how to wake your friends up.” Twilight added. Axel seemed confused by the statement. He looked down at the unconscious ponies and a light bulb seemed to go off in his head.

“Oh! Yeah, right.” Axel nodded. Alex started growing more suspicious. Axel’s demeanor wasn’t that of forgetfulness, it was that of a pony who had no knowledge of the situation at hand what-so-ever. And he certainly didn’t care…

“I really… really don’t like this…” Alex mumbled to himself. His eyes now never leaving Axel.

“What don’t you like?” R’yotta asked, causing Alex to jump slightly.

“Axel… something seems really wrong with him.” Alex muttered.

“He’s just a little dazed… I’m sure snapping out of that powerful a spell would do that to someone.” R’yotta said.

Alex remained silent and continued to watch Axel carefully.

“You’re bent on proving you’re right.” R’yotta sighed.

“I already know I’m right.” Alex said.

R’yotta sighed and walked into the living room to join the others. “Just come in here and sit.” He said.

“I’m fine here.” Alex stated.

“So, what are we doing for dinner?” Axel asked, his mouth still stuffed full.

“You have half the food in the house there already.” R’yotta said bluntly. “Why could you need anymore RIGHT now?”

“Only half??” Axel stared wide eyed at R’yotta. “I just thought you were poor!”

“And why would you assume we’re poor?” R’yotta questioned.

“You’re uh… well.” Axel started, pointing to the skinniest pony in the room (Alex).

“I went through a lot of stuff.” Alex stated. “Starvation was one of them. But it wasn’t because I was poor.”

“Okay, okay… touchey much? Go eat a sandwich.” Axel suggested. He pulled the sandwiches he made closer to himself. “Not mine though… they’re… they’re mine.”

“I’m not hungry.” Alex said.

“If this is how they’re all going to be when they wake up… let’s hope we have enough food.” R’yotta said in a joking tone.

“My brother doesn’t eat much.” Axel corrected.

“I wasn’t talking about him… I was talking about them,” R’yotta motioned to the four ponies on the floor. After a moment he asked, “Where is Van by the way?”

Axel seemed confused by the question once again, his eyes glazing over slightly as if thinking about something. The next moment, his eyes snapped to R’yotta. “Oh, I dunno.” He shrugged.

“That’s… very very concerning.” R’yotta said, looking to Twilight.

“I think I’d better visit the library myself. You guys gonna be fine for awhile?” Twilight asked, glancing up from her book.

“Yeah…” R’yotta nodded slowly, “And… you weren’t paying attention at all were you?”

Of course, Twilight was already gone.

“Of course…” R’yotta sighed. He looked back up to Axel, seeming slightly nervous about him now. Axel had his shirt pulled up and was looking up his muscles with a growing interest, touching and feeling them amorously. R’yotta glanced to Alex.

“I told you.” Alex said, his eyes still locked on Axel. Axel was busy looking at other appendages, having moved south from his abs.

“That’s enough.” R’yotta said, glancing back at Axel. Axel’s eyes turned up to R’yotta, his hand opening and letting his pants snap back to his waist.

“Can’t a pony admire herself every once in awhile?” Axel questioned.

“W… wait what?” R’yotta said, after taking a moment to understand what Axel had said.

Axel paused for a moment. “Oh, I messed that up didn’t I?” He asked.

“What the hell?” R’yotta stated as he stood up, now staring down at Axel.

“Genders are still a little strange to me, no matter how many times I do this…” Axel sighed.

“What the fuck are you?” R’yotta questioned, getting down lower and into a more combat ready stance.

“Now, lets’ not get hasty. This is still your friend’s body, you wouldn’t want to harm it would you?” Axel assured, holding his hands up defensively.

“What did you do to him?” R’yotta questioned.

“Who?” Axel asked.

“Axel.” R’yotta stated.

“I’m right here.” Axel grinned.

“Bull.” R’yotta stated, narrowing his eyes.

“I have no idea where he is or why he was there in the first place. I just hitched a ride.” Axel groaned, leaning back into the couch with an almost annoyed sigh.

“And why should we believe you?” Alex questioned.

“Oh don’t even start with that. I have no reason to lie and I’m not in the mood to go through an entire police questioning session.” Axel said.

“Wait… what do you mean ‘why he was there’? Where’s Axel? Where did you come from?” R’yotta asked.

“What did I just say?” Axel stated.

“You should know where you were before you ‘hitched a ride’.” Alex stated.

“As far as I could tell, my unfortunate home sweet home.” Axel said.

“I’m going to guess you have no idea how else to get out then.” Alex sighed. He glanced down at Scootaloo as a wave of sadness overcame him.

“Oh, they’re dead.” Axel assured calmly.

“W… what…” Alex mumbled.

“Yes, yes. Some sort of strange maze that they’re trapped in. If you’re on the outside, however, you see what’s at the end.” Axel mused.

“A- and what’s at the end?” Alex asked reluctantly.

“My brother of course.” He continued.

“What is your brother?” R’yotta asked.

“I believe that is the term. Lover, brother, same thing right?” Axel asked.

“No… They aren’t the same term.” Alex said.

“Well, we are connected, born of the same creature, and have also enacted in what you call ‘sexual intercourse’. A magnificent experience I might add.” Axel continued.

“Just answer the question!” Alex almost shouted.

“What was the question again?” He inquired, cocking his head.

“What is your brother?” Alex stated.

“It’s strange how little you can know about your own existence when you’re born in a realm of perpetual darkness.” Axel joked.

“What are you talking about?” R’yotta questioned.

“What my brother is, and looks like, are two different things. So specify.” Axel stated a little more annoyingly.

“First, what is he.” Alex stated.

“My brother.” Axel answered.

Alex grumbled quietly, “Fine than. What does he look like?”

“He looks like my brother.” Axel said.

“You’re worthless.” Alex grumbled.

“You’re ignorant.” Axel retorted.

“Than relieve us of our ignorance by not giving the most obvious answers.” R’yotta stated. Axel stood up and started to approach R’yotta and Alex.

Both of them stepped back from Axel, keeping their distance from him. Axel’s stride increased, this time focused toward Alex.

“Stay away from me.” Alex stated as he kept backing away from Axel.

R’yotta stepped in between the two of them, trying to block Axel from getting any closer to Alex. Axel stopped uncomfortably close to R’yotta, staring down at him. R’yotta stared right back, though he was slightly unnerved. Axel grabbed both of R’yotta’s arms tightly. “Let me answer your question.” He smirked. R’yotta’s eyes rolled back as several sensations and feelings flooded through him, all alien to him. His entire body started to visibly shake.

“Let go of him!” Alex shouted. Axel continued to hold him for another ten seconds before letting him go, R’yotta slumping down to the ground immediately.

“My brother and I do not ‘see’ like you ponies do. We are what you call ‘troglobites’. We do not see with eyes, but by touch, sound, and certain senses your bodies lack. Now tell me R’yotta, what does my brother look like?” Axel finished.

“I… I d… can’t… no words…” R’yotta mumbled quietly. “No… no way… t-to… explain…”

“Now, do you want to know what he looks like?” Axel grinned, holding out his arms for Alex.

Alex stepped back from Axel, and violently shook his head. Axel simply started to laugh before he sat down. “I wonder which one he will get to first.” Axel said.

“We’re… we’re going to get them out.” Alex said shakily.

“I hope he picks the orange one, she’s cute. We could have some fun together…” Axel closed his eyes and started to daydream about ‘Scootaloo’.

“You won’t touch her.” Alex growled.

“Of course I won’t, I’ll be touching my brother. ‘Her’ will be dead.” Axel corrected again. “You’re very slow, aren’t you?”

“I’m not going to let that happen either way.” Alex stated. “We’re going to get all of them back, and I’m going to make sure you don’t survive.”

Axel seemed slightly hurt by the statement. “Well, how rude!” He scowled.

“That’s rude? Ha… coming from the one taking over my friend.” Alex rolled his eyes.

“I didn’t take your friend over. You don’t understand how the dream world works at all.” Axel sighed again.

Alex stared silently at Axel. “Think of your material self, and your mind as one object, but they can be detached. When you sleep, your mind drifts away from your body like a boat tied at the harbor.” Axel started.

“And?” Alex asked.

“And someone, I assume the one who put him there in the first place, cut the rope.” Axel continued.

“And you’re saying there’s no way to repair the rope?” Alex asked.

“It’s a rope, it can be tied again if you can find the pieces. This rope isn’t just cut, with one half attached to a boat that’s sinking to the bottom of the ocean. I just happen to grab onto the part that was attached to the port.” Axel chuckled.

“We need to find the ends and tie them back together.” Alex stated.

“Well, you have fun with that.” Axel said, hopping to his feet and heading to the door.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Alex questioned.

“Out? I have a life now.” Axel answered dismissively.

Alex stared at Axel, knowing there was no way he was going to stop the bigger pony from leaving. He simply muttered under his breath as he watched Axel walk away. “Seeya ponies never, have a good life.” Axel waved as he walked out the door.

“I doubt you’ll ever get too far.” Alex muttered.

R’yotta on the other hand managed to stand and he ran up to Axel, “You… aren’t going anywhere.” He stated before he punched Axel in the jaw. Axel groaned in shock, staring wide eyed up at R’yotta. R’yotta grabbed Axel and threw him back into the house, as he lay on the floor R’yotta pinned him tightly against it. “I have a feeling I might have to tie you up and get someone more magically powerful than you in here to achieve that.” He stated. “Now you wouldn’t enjoy complete restrained freedom would you?”

“Well you’re just a bundle of joy aren’t you?” Axel twitched, not putting up any fight.

“I’m just making sure we have a chance to get all of our friends back.” R’yotta said. “Alex, go get Twilight.” He ordered. Alex nodded and was instantly out the door to go get the alicorn.

“Well, while we’re down here. How has your day been?” Axel chuckled.

“Fine until two people decided to completely ruin it.” R’yotta grunted.

“And who would that be?” Axel inquired in a more curious manner.

“You and the person who did this to my friends.” R’yotta said bluntly.

“Well that’s not an efficient answer.” Axel stated.

“Why would you even care?” R’yotta questioned.

“Well you’re probably just going to lock me up and then kill me, so I might as well make the best of a bad situation.” Axel said in a calm tone, as if already accepting the possibility.

“We’re not going to kill you. We just want our damn friends back.” R’yotta said.

“And how do you suppose you do that when I am still here?” Axel mused. “And I do recall you saying you were going to, specifically you.”

“Things change when you put them into a different perspective.” R’yotta said, “And I’m damn sure there’s going to be a way to force you out and bring everyone back.”

“Perhaps, but I do not wish to return to my home. While it is just that, ‘home’, I do find your plane to be far more interesting.” Axel said.

“You don’t have much choice in the matter.” R’yotta said. Axel silently stared at R’yotta, his expression seeming to slowly shrink to depression. “You don’t understand why we’re going to send you back do you?”

“Does it matter?” Axel questioned.

“Maybe not to you. You’re dead set on just ‘living a new life’ without even caring that there’s others involved in everyone’s life. You can’t just step in and leave. It doesn’t work that way here, at least not in this group.” R’yotta sighed, “As you’ve explained, our planes are very different. I will never understand your’s and you’ll likewise never understand ours. That’s just how it is.”

“Your plane is very simplistic, very… fun. I understand it, where as your narrow mindedness sees me as an intruder, when something very clearly has been staring you in the face, about me, the place I come from, and my ‘species’.”

“And what is that?”

Axel moved his head closer to R’yotta, his mouth moving to say three simple words that made him feel slightly queasy. “We’re already here.”