The Crown and The Sword

"Dude, just what exactly did you use to get rid of that thing anyway?" Spike's voice came to Infinity's ears as he placed books on the shelf before him.

"It's an Everfreeze crystal. It's like ice, but  never melts, never breaks, and highly adaptable. But it sucks energy out of me more quickly than anything else I use, besides the Spirit." Infinity explained

"The Spirit, what's that?" Spike asked, turning to see the back of Infinity.

"Hopefully... something you two will never see." Infinity simply replied.

   The two continued on with their work while upstairs, an unconscious Twilight Sparkle was beginning to stir. In her slumber, she dreamt of terrible things, awful things. Things that shouldn't be in her mind. When she finally calmed,her lips parted, her tone a tremble, her volume just below a whisper, She spoke one name.

"Infinity."

   Infinity's ears perked up, hearing her whisper from the impossible volume level that she spoke in. That's when he suddenly stopped putting the books away. Spike noticed this behavior out of the corner of his eye and got curious. Of course, Spike didn't hear a peep, but speculated something was up when Infinity was staring at the stairs.

"You alright over there dude?" Spike turned to look at Infinity.

"I think Twilight said something." Was Infinity's only response to the drake, his ears twitched once more.

   Infinity slowly ascended up the stairs with his own silence. He heard his name in another whisper, his eyes locked straight ahead as he walked across the floor. It took him a few minutes to walk to Twilight's bedside, to which he knelt. She was tossing a turning, she eventually tried to settle on her back where her arm fell from the bed.

"It's okay..." Infinity started, slowly grabbing her hand and speaking in a soft tone, "I'm right here, no need to get all riled up."

   Twilight's grip slowly tightened around Infinity's hand, her facial expression went calm, and her breathing slowed. Infinity smiled a bit, lightly stroking her mane with his free hand. He didn't know anything about calming, but this seemed to be working. That was good enough for him.

   Infinity's body jolted, signaling his awakening. He had his head buried in his arm that didn't have an occupied hand. His head raised slowly as he looked at his other hand to find that Twilight still had a hold of it. Infinity's eyes slowly made their way to Twilight, she was still asleep, but smiling now. He figured he could go get something to eat, for the both of them, just in case Twilight woke up also.

   He got up and began walking away, or until his arm met its length, and stopped. Twilight wouldn't let go of his hand, pulling on his arm wouldn't even get her grip off. Her smile didn't waver. Infinity let out a sigh of defeat a knelt back down at the side of Twilight's bed and looked out the window. Judging by how much light was left, it was somewhere in the evening.

"You know.." He heard a soft voice next to him, "... you're cute when you struggle."

"So you were awake." Infinity looked back towards Twilight, whom was sleepily gazing back at him. "And you're curiosity got you in a sort of trouble."

"I figured as much..." Twilight shifted to sit up in her bed, "What was that thing anyway?"

"Shadow elemental, nasty beings, and very hard to control. My only question in why would you even try reading from my spellbook in the first place?" Infinity eyes the mare in the bed, his voice was still soft, but no doubt stern.

"I didn't mean to actually try and use any of the spells in your book, just thought I could... you know.. see what they were." Twilight looked down, her legs shifting under the blankets uncomfortably.

"You, and the town, were lucky. If I weren't here to stop it, who knows how powerful it might've become, and probably ruin your image. Apparently, if it also succeeded in eliminating me, it might just make Ponyville its own playground, but Everfreeze always works in banishing elementals." Infinity pulled the crystal from his pocket.

   Twilight looked at the crystal, the light in the room slightly distorted as it shone through it. Just by looking at it, she felt cold.

"Is that what you're talking about?" Twilight asked, reaching her hand out to touch the piece of ice.

"The only Everfreeze crystal in existence. Here, I want to show you something with it." Infinity quickly place the crystal in her palm.

"Ooh... that is cold.." Twilight shivered at its touch.

"Listen up. I would appreciate it if you put both of your hands on each side of that Everfreeze." Infinity instructed, Twilight did as he said and untangled her hand from his so it may occupy the other side of the Everfreeze. Infinity soon placed his hands over hers with his eyes closed. "Now, close your eyes and think of one place that makes you fell the happiest."

   Twilight thought for a moment, thinking on his instruction. Where did she feel the happiest when noone was around? Whenever she wasn't with friends, or not in her library? That's when it came to her. Of course that was the place she'd feel the happiest.

"Now, open your eyes." Was all she heard of Infinity.

   When Twilight did open her eyes, she found not only herself, but Infinity also. Infinity was in his natural state, his wolf-like state. Not only that, but they were surrounded by stars, galaxies, even nebulas. Twilight started to grin widely as she looked around, then to Infinity before engulfing him in a bear hug. She didn't know why she did that, all she knew is that she was happy and it was because of him. She didn't want to think, only enjoy.

  Infinity gladly returned the hug he was given, despite they were standing on what seemed like an invisible platform

"So, you find space comforting, hm?" Infinity asked, releasing from her hug.

"I guess... now that I think about it... yeah." Twilight was still grinning as she looked around the star-filled space around them. She turned her gaze back towards Infinity. "Thank you."

"For what?" Infinity asked, still looking around the space.

"For protecting me to start with, and, showing me this amazing place." Twilight smiled, her gaze still locked on Infinity.

"Yeah, well, you're welcome about the shadow elemental. As for this, it was always in your mind, just waiting to be visited again." Infinity looked back at her with a smile of his own.

"I probably wouldn't even have known it was here without you." Twilight said with a smug smile now, getting a bit closer.

"Well... it wouldn't be anything special. Just me doin my thing." Infinity retorted back with some confidence.

"Really, and just what exactly is this 'thing' you do?" Twilight asked with a small grin.

"Protecting existing dimensions, suppressing threats to dimensions, and exploring new parts of the multiverse. Nothing big nor important." Infinity acted as if his role wasn't important, but Twilight sure as hell saw how important it was.

"Must be stressful, hm?" Twilight gears were turning, that much she knew.

"Yeah, I never knew until a few days ago how lonesome it was too." Infinity sighed at his remark. It truly was lonesome

"How did you figure that out?" Twilight was truly interested now, scooching just a bit closer.

"Meeting you." Infinity replied in a low tone.

   Twilight could feel her cheeks light up a bit. She didn't know if it was because he was the first stallion, or in his case, creature, she could talk to without having them feel dumb around her or because he understood perfectly what it's like to be alone for long periods of time. Something she almost knew, but to him, seemed like a long-time friend. It was at the moment, she put a hand on his cheek and made him look at her, right into her royal purple eyes and she leaned in. He could feel her breath brush against his lips, she was so close to connecting her lips to his and....

   Both awoke suddenly, Infinity smashed his back against the floor as the Everfreeze crystal landed perfectly on his chest. Twilight was a bit curious, and disappointed. She was so close, but also noticed his hands had a faint tint of smoke trailing off of them. Strange. Twilight also noticed how dark it had gotten out too, Luna's night sky spilling across the land.

"I guess this means it's time to go to bed, I suppose." She mumbled to herself, a snort coming from the pegasus on the floor.

Twilight smiled a bit looking down at Infinity, staring for a few seconds before laying back down and gazing out of her window for the rest of the night, or most.

   Celestia's sun was rising from the horizon and bleeding rays into the room. Twilight was facing away from her window, so the rays of light had little to no effect at bothering her, as for the shuffling below, that was a different story. Infinity had woken up sometime on the early morning and was walking around the upstairs with a towel around his waist and mumbling aimlessly to himself. That stallion was waiting for his shorts and shirt to dry while trying to sort through a list of everything he needed for today. He had plans to speak with someone today. So Infinity had laid out some square tokens that size of his palm, the Everfreeze, a piece of paper, and a pocket watch.

"Hmm." Infinity said aloud, staring at his pile of 'junk'.

   Just then, Twilight started to stir in her bed, opening her eyes and looked at Infinity sleepily. Sighing to herself before sitting up and rubbing the sleep from her eyes, then stretched her arms out above her head yawning.

"Morning Twilight." She heard Infinity's voice say, causing her to look at him.

"But... you're not looking at me." Twilight pointed out.

"Didn't have to, heard ya sigh, so I figured you were awake." Infinity responded back, his eyes leaving to look at Twilight.

"Well... morning to you too. Where are your clothes?" Twilight asked, just now noticing the towel wrapped around Infinity's waist.

"They're drying, I have some plans today anyway." Infinity replied, briefly walking out of the room and back in. "Nope, still not dry yet."

"And what sort of plans might you have today?" Twilight asked with a smile.

"Oh... nothing too special or big." Infinity was waving his hand around like it didn't matter. "Just going to talk to someone, then maybe go see about that busboy position at the cafe."

"Sounds...rather calm."

"Yeah.. but if I need some new clothing, I'm gonna need some money, so, why not apply as a busboy?" Infinity shrugged, not having a real reason to.

"True...."

"Tell you what," Infinity broke his speech to go into the next room, only to have his voice carry over, "I'll even split the groceries with ya."

"Oh, you don't need to do that." Twilight spoke out, a bit taken back by his offer.

"Oh but I insist!" Infinity poked his head through, his shirt seen at the base of his neck with a broad smile. "And you wanna meet this someone, you might wanna get ready."

"What makes you think I'd want to come?" Twilight tried to act snobby, sticking her snout in the air.

"Because you like me." Infinity said with a wink before disappearing on the other side of the door frame.

   Twilight let out a small huff of fake frustration before walking over to her dresser. To Infinity, they were making good timing as they got out forty-five minutes later. Thirty to wait on Twilight and fifteen for their breakfast of oatmeal that tasted like cinnamon rolls and maple syrup. Twilight is still trying to figure out just how Infinity managed to not make a huge mess in his rush.

   The lavender unicorn eventually stopped in her tracks when Infinity started approaching the Everfree forest. Sure, she could make it to Zecora's place alone, but the Everfree was still eerie alone.

"Infinity!" Twilight hissed in a hushed tone. "You can't go in there! It's dangerous to!"

"Ha!" Infinity scoffed, turning to look at the mare. "You haven't seen dangerous until you come face-to-face with death itself on its off days!"

"How can you even say that? Does that even make any sense?" Twilight was now confused, but still trying to keep a somewhat distance from the Everfree while trying to follow Infinity.

"It does when you're really goods friends with 'im. I'm still surprised I beat the skelly in a staring contest." Infinity went into the Everfree, Twilight stayed out on the edge.

A roar was heard in the background followed by a whimper.

"Eep!"

   Then rustling was heard by her ears, and it was moving closer. Closer and closer the rustling moved. Then Infinity popped his put from behind a tree and Twilight squeaked, shutting her eyes and blasted a beam of concentrated magic from her horn. When she opened her eyes, Infinity now stood in front of her with an unamused look and a fluff of fur on fire on his head.

"Are you coming, or not?" He asked, his tone didn't sound pleasant nor unpleasant.

Twilight quietly nodded, getting a smile from Infinity. "Thatta girl."

   The unicorn quietly stayed close to Infinity's back, unfamiliar territory not only he was traveling into, but she also hadn't seen this part of the Everfree either. Just where was he going and how did he even know where to look for this person? Twilight couldn't hold it in for any longer and opened her mouth.

"Just what are we looking for?" She asked, a bit eager to get out of the forest.

"A giant tree." Infinity replied.

"He lives in a tree, should be easy I guess." Twilight sighed.

"Not quite..." Infinity said with a smile before coming to a clearing.

   Twilight's eyes widened as she looked over his shoulder. Grass swayed in the slight breeze that seemed to not even exist, the ruffling of the leaves on a gigantic tree. By the looks of it, was bigger than her tree home also, it seemed magnificent, but also a bit mysterious. Why is it that this tree nopony has ever noticed, but also  why Infinity also was the only one that knew about it.

"All right big guy! Time to wake up!" Infinity said aloud, reaching into his pocket and picking out a square token and tossing it onto the bark of the tree.

   The coin activated in a sort of yellow-green glow for a few seconds before the ground started to rumble beneath their hooves. Twilight clung to Infinity's arm as if her life depended on it, which in this case, might actually depend on him. The ground beneath the tree started to rise, revealing a mound of dirt. The rumbling didn't stop there either. A hand followed by an arm made of wood rose and placed itself on the grass. Then another arm. The rather loud and deep yawn bellowed from a head that rose from a body of highly compact dirt held in place by four of the trees roots. The glowing blue eyes seem to be staring at its visitors. Mainly, the lighter blue 'pupils' were fixed on Infinity.

"Infinity... it has been a long while since a Crosser has summoned me." The voice the bellowed from its mouth seemed calm, deep, but recognizing to the pegasus he was looking at. "I see you followed the energy I was giving off..."

"It's only been like, what, 12 years since I last saw you? You're not getting sentimental are you, Rootsworth?" Infinity smiled, taking a step closer to only be held back by Twilight.

"I see you still use your pet name for me... and that you brought a friend." The tree known as 'Rootsworth' to Infinity shifted his gaze towards Twilight. "Appears to be unicorn... female... and has a strong feeling for you."

Twilight started to blush the brightest red that could match Infinity's eyes.

"Infinity!" Twilight hissed in another hushed tone. "What in tartarus is that... that thing?!"

"A tree, duh." Infinity looked back towards the mare. "I call hims Rootsworth for the mere fact that he exists anywhere and everywhere in the dimensions. He can see all that was, is, and will be. Sort of like a god... only better and with more bark."

"But... that's impossible! Trees don't talk!" Twilight tried to argue back.

"I'm sorry, have we met? I'm a Dimension Crosser! Almost anything is possible when I'm around!" Infinity said with an unbelievable amount of sarcasm.

"I see your sense of humor hasn't gone anywhere." Roothsworth chuckled.

"Yes.. well... I need you to tell me something, Rootsworth, and just not anything." Infinity's tone changed to a grim one, he wasn't about to joke about this matter.

"What can I help you with... old friend?" Rootsworth asked, intrigued, but not bothered by Infinity's grim tone.

Yesterday, my friend here accidentally managed to summon a shadow elemental from my spellbook. What had me confused is that its eyes were supposed to a deep purple like hers..." Infinity put a palm out, showing Twilight's face, ".. but they were yellow. Only you would know the reason behind that, what caused it."

Rootsworth sighed. "Fear. Fear is coming to this realm. But it isn't approaching now, in a few years, fear will come after you, seeking you out."

"Seeking me out for what exactly?" Infinity asked, determined to find out what.

"To make this realm... your final resting place." Rootsworth spoke just as grim as Infinity did.

Infinity's eyes widened, and rushed past Twilight towards the forest, only to hear the mare following him and the tree's last words.

"You mustn't be captured."