I jumped…

But not into the gap. Something was holding back. I knew what this something was. Hesitation, the same one that prevented me from doing several tricky jumps in gym I was obviously going to fail at. Why had I this feeling in this nightmare? Why did I hesitate? This never happened in any dream. I just jumped without any second thought.

But now… I again looked to the bottomless gap. Was I really going to die from the hit on the ground, or from starvation? The woman in the black robe (which somehow seemed familiar to me… Had I seen this cloak before?) still did absolutely nothing, just staring at me. I thought back about what she told me.

I was the supposed hero. I would save several worlds before I would return home. Who's to say this dream is a nightmare and not a pleasant dream? I've often hoped for a dream where I would be a hero instead of a victim. If anything went wrong, I would just turn back to reality.

That, and I realized I was in a dream. The lucid dream. That suicide attempt was of my own choice. Maybe… I'm wrong about lucid dreams. Maybe you can control them, even if the dream tries to keep up to its original tale. So I could be a real hero… or at least in this dream.

You know what? I'll do it. I'll do this quest. The dream will end soon anyway. Why not enjoy it in the meantime?

"Forget what I said about the suicide. I'll do it." I expected this dream to obey this command and just go on with what it wanted to do originally. It did.

"A chance of mind? Very well." The woman didn't seem to enjoy the fact I chose not to suicide. Her voice sounded… emotionless. Who was this woman? Something seemed… off about her. I have no idea why. If this quest would be a story, then I would likely find out later on. If the dream lasted that long, that is. Ha ha.

"When you're ready to leave, and just a suggestion: that should be soon, as we have no food or water here, you just enter the gates." No food or water? What kind of hub is this? Okay, I shouldn't complain after what that woman has done for me, but still…

I tried looking at her, but she suddenly was gone. Just… gone. No poof or what else. I could better start looking around…

I walked up to the first silhouette I presumed to be a portal. When I came closer, I quickly realized something. That silhouette was a POKÉ BALL. As in, from Pokémon. I mean… really? Now I know what that woman meant with 'familiar'. These worlds are known to me somehow. Honestly, this sounded like my newest fanfiction, FanReality, which would be about… about… err… about…

… I've forgotten. I've got amnesia ABOUT A FANFICTION? A fanfiction I remembered for more than ONE YEAR without writing anything down? What is this madness? No, not Sparta. But… just how? I still remembered my other fanfictions or my life. Just… not FanReality. It struck me as odd. I'm in a situation that seems like FanReality. I can no longer remember anything about FanReality.

… Of course. This dream is not simply similar to FanReality, IT IS FANREALITY. I'm in my own story! … I know that wasn't the plot of it. That was for sure. FanReality was not a story about me getting stuck in a story I was about to write. It was… about something different. The title 'FanReality' was a pun on something… But what again?

However, there was some differences. I knew that there would be much more worlds than just five. The dream didn't follow the exact story line… But it still followed it. It would certainly help if I still knew what I was planning to write about. I could know exactly who to trust and who not to.

But I remembered my other fanfictions. And they always had several common themes. The watch, for example. Every character whose creation was inspired on me, had the digital watch. Boys had blue ones, girls had the red versions. Not that many girls appeared yet so far…

Then of course would be the sudden plot twist at the end. I had to be careful. Many clues would appear as to how the quest would end, but they would be just vague enough not to be seen immediately. I'll likely discover more about this curse I've been inflicted with as I travel through all the worlds.

Also, girlfriends. In some way or another, there would be something about the girlfriend. Whether she would be the first cursed or a backstabber, I don't know yet. But if this quest had a girlfriend awaiting for me, I would need to be careful… Then again, I wouldn't get any girlfriend. Too shy and unworthy I am. However, this is a dream… who knows what will happen?

There's also the fact I hardly use characters who can use special powers. Only Rich (from Super Mario Galaxy 3) and his future girlfriend have them. The rest not. ... So why did I get this watch? It seemed to contrast with my stories… This was likely one of those previously mentioned hidden clues. But what did it mean again?

Well, I'm in no position to find out what will happen exactly unless I go on. This dream would soon end, so I better get ahead and explore. First off, the other gates beside the Poké ball (which would obviously lead to a Pokémon world).

The second one… I didn't know what to think of it. It was a passenger car from a train, and a rather old one that is. What world had something with old trains? Rollercoaster tycoon? … Those train cars weren't too old… It must be a different one.

The next one was just a random door, similar to the huge door I had seen earlier than this one. It had many symbols and decorations. I spotted a lot of clouds though. This world might be better to save for later… if the dream lasted long enough, of course.

The next one was an obvious one. A green pipe, just like the warp pipes in Super Mario bros. But something… was off. I looked at it, and seemed to be a very dangerous pipe. Just… for some reason I cannot comprehend for now. Something in that pipe would be dangerous. I'd better save it for later when I have more experience. … More experience… as if I'm in a RPG…

The final one… well, honestly, I didn't know what to think of it. It was a large computer with a big button. I would need to hit that button to enter that world, that was obvious. But to what world? It seemed to be oh so familiar, but oh so far away. Maybe it was to a world I was extremely close to, but had never fully thought out? … Never fully thought out… funny way to put it. It seemed to be a clue as to what world, but again, I can't seem to remember what world. I'm so glad that this is a dream. I would go crazy and suicidal if I ever found out I had amnesia. My memories and my knowledge are my biggest values. Without them, I was… nothing. Worthless.

… Now is not a good time to get depressed about my existence. Out of all worlds, it seemed to me I could best start with Pokémon. I mean, who didn't want to be a Pokémon trainer? It would be awesome, even if it was a dream. Sure, it was wrong to take an animal out of its habitat, but they didn't seem to mind there. And this was a dream. I shouldn't go about morals. Beside, the Pokémon world would be the best start, as I would have partners to fight with… Partners… Friends… How long has it been since I had them?

I shouldn't go too happy though. I have to be realistic. How am I going to care for a Pokémon? Why would it want to travel with me? … No no, I'd better just go in now and figure that stuff out later. I would be too busy with self-pity if I continued with this.

Still, the world would be the best to start. It would be the least dangerous one, as humans don't seem to die in the games. They do, but you never see them (except for three ghosts, I believe…). I could easily get used to this travelling before I walked into different worlds. Very likely the dream ends before the first world is finished, but still.

So I set a few steps in the Poké ball. The area quickly changed from the dark 'hub' I was previously in, to the very dark … Well, it was just dark. And dusty, something I discovered as I sneezed sand away from my nose. Sand? Where was I?

I stood up (I apparently fell down), which went rather troublesome with all that sand that had no friction it seemed. It was very dark, but I still could see a few meters ahead. There was a ceiling and wands. Sands and inside building… What could it mean? Especially if considered the fact this is a Pokémon world. … Who's to say I'm still human and not a Pokémon myself? I mean, I could be in Mystery Dungeon…

A quick look down disproved the Pokémon theory, but instead gave me other troubles. This form… wasn't me. It was, but it wasn't. I still had my clothes on, still was a boy (most important part) and had my own form. The difference was that it was not realistic.

I was drawn in an anime style like the Pokémon TV series. My jeans didn't had that much shadow, and were mostly in a monotone color. My sweater was unusually smooth, though not completely. The new digital watch (what did I do again to my previous one? … Oh wait, it's in my pocket) seemed to be drawn more simple. That reminds me. Shouldn't I have some weapon or ability now? I obviously didn't have a weapon, so an ability then?

… Concentrate… … How do I concentrate on unleashing something? Unless I would need lessons on how to use them (and I am quite sure the woman would have taught me), I hadn't any power. Didn't the watch register where I was and therefore not allow me a power? I should get outside soon…

The air was dense, full with sand. I took a breath and my tongue felt like the Sahara immediately after I did that. I coughed it out, only receiving even more sand. I put my hand before my mouth, which helped slightly with breathing. My glasses were getting dusty, I could hardly see through them…

I took them off, and brushed the sand off with my sleeve. It seemed to be going rather well, despite the fact the sand was now blowing in my face. (I seriously question how the sand could get into my face in the first place. There was no wind…). I was about to put my glasses back on, when I noticed the 'animization' of me also had its influences on my glasses. It had now a stripe of light on it, I couldn't put it differently. But more importantly, it mirrored my face (my glasses never do that!). I saw that it was covered with sand, causing me to immediately wipe it off. I was unsuccessful. I had… well, I think my eyes are slightly bigger now… It made my face look… err… cute. I always considered my face to be more cute than handsome, especially if I had my glasses off. I had something childish in my face. I don't know why, but it looked a bit younger. But also slightly swollen. If this dream was to be real (very funny, myself), I think I wouldn't need to worry about going on a diet. The quest would do a good job on that.

The final thing I discovered in my glasses, was from where the sand was coming. It was coming from the ceiling. It was flowing through gaps in the bricks. I could hardly spot them due the darkness, but a mysterious light source lit it up just enough for me to see them.

I guess that meant I was pretty deep… That's not good. I would need food or water sooner or later, and with this dry and warm air, I think I would need the water quite quickly. So I quickly put my glasses on and continued onwards.

… If it wasn't for the fact I heard something. A growling… If that is what you could call it… I petrified on my spot, only my head slowly moving around to seek the source. Nothing. I still didn't dare to set another step, too afraid of the consequences.

What was that? Oh crap, this is a nightmare after all… Err… end nightmare? Sudden opening to exit? I tried to control my dream, but it didn't work. In fact, I was pretty sure I saw a shadow before me.

I hesitatingly set another step. My chances of survival were low if this is the monster that would kill or eat me. Is it Twiek? I haven't had a nightmare about it since ten years… No, it's not. I would hear bouncing first if it was Twiek. The area was very silent instead.

With the exception of another growl. Now I am sure I saw a shadow right in front me. It looked like a hand… a hand that could potentially kill me… Oh crap, crap…

Another step forward. This is supposed to be Pokémon. This was much scarier than Pokémon. Not as scary as a few creepy pastas if you happen to read this instead of experiencing, but definitely more scary if you just stand in front of the fear.

Two shadowy hands this time. And they didn't disappear. In fact, they moved towards me…

SHIT.

I quickly turned around, though I would have no idea where I should go. Four shadowy hands with arms.

Just shit, shit! The six arms all moved towards me! What were they? What was their source? I suddenly heard myself shouting, and quite loudly. The grabbed me! No, only four hands had. Two grabbed my legs and dragged me on the ground. I couldn't try to free myself: the other two hands had imprisoned my arms. I was done for. I desperately tried to bite the sand, to grab it with my hands, but the sand offered no grip.

I was lifted in the air legs above, head below. As if I was the meal for a giant. I saw my capturer. It was a freaky coffin, with a grimly head near it. It had a crazy smile, a demented smile in fact. I screamed out again as the coffin (which somehow seemed familiar) looked at me crazy eyes and opened its mouth. It was going to eat me!

… At least the nightmare would be over…

Farewell, cruel dream…