The Game We Immortals Play

A/N: I'm fine with thumbs down, but it would be nice to know what the cause of the poor rating is. Anyway, thanks to those that have rated, those that have commented and those that are Tracking.

Chapter 2:
Waking Twilight

Warnings: Potentially upsetting descriptions of injuries and physical trauma.

Twilight awoke with "jhst fyfe mor minits." she mumbled, her request was denied as a thunderous crack caused her to jump to all four. The hairs of her coat were standing on end, her mane and tail whipped back and forth as the wind began to build forcing her to brace herself lest she get blown over. Great peals of lightning brighter than Twilight had ever seen streaked across the clouded sky, their booming thunder reverberating through her body What's going on? Where am I? Twilight's mind was racing trying to recall anything that might help explain what was happening Maybe this is a dream? she shook her head whether or not it's a dream I need to find a way home looking around she began to take note of her surroundings; the land stretched out in all directions for as far as she could see, in some places great gouts of brilliant white flame roared from the earth and lightning arched across the sky. As Twilight turned around her eyes went wide, in the distance a gargantuan tower of gleaming gold and silver reached into the sky. Even through the clouds she could see the top of the tower, a radiant ethereal flame engulfing a massive golden key shown through the clouds. Deep down a part of Twilight was drawn to the tower what is this feeling? It seems familiar somehow... she couldn't explain it but she knew she had to get to the tower. If I teleport I won't have to worry about the fires or lightning she focused on the base of the tower her horn glowing magenta as she unleashed her spell vanishing in a flash of light, a moment latter appearing at the base of the tower.

Twilight screamed her world erupting in pain as her body slammed into the ground near the base of the tower. The lightning had struck several feet from where she had appeared, unfortunately the current had traveled across the ground and through her before continuing on. Twilight lay for a while barely moving, whimpering every so often as she tried to regain her senses, she would have remained there even longer but now that she was so close to the tower the stronger it called to her everything hurts her ears were ringing and the world sounded muted. She tried to stand but found it required too much effort to maintain her balance Not good, I have to get inside away from the lightning she started crawling up the stairs, it was slow going and her nerves felt like they were on fire but she made it to the top. Before her was a giant ornate gold door, Twilight tried to call on her magic to open it but the pain kept her from focusing her power. In desperation she lifted herself up and pushed against the door with what strength she could oh Celestia it hurts she whimpered again in frustration more than pain. For a moment nothing happened but then the door opened, just enough for her to get through. As Twilight stumbled in she didn't notice as the door closed behind her, what she now made her stare in awe.

Before her great cams, spindles, chains and gears of gold, silver and glass worked at some cosmic machinations the sound of their movements creating a symphony of otherworldly music. She wasn't sure how long she laid there watching and listening as the mechanisms continued in their unknown function. Once again she felt a part her being drawn "Up, ascend" the voice had only been a whisper but Twilight had heard it clearly even with the musical sounds of the machinery. She was surprised to say the least.

"Who's there? Please can you help me? I want to go home." The whispers returned

"Top, summit, peak." Twilight looked around but still couldn't see anypony.

"Where are you?" only the sound of the unknown machine filled the tower. She made her off to her right where a staircase wound its way up along the walls of the tower and began to half climb half crawl her way up the stairs, her body still ached from before but she managed to push on.

Twilight wasn't sure how long she had been climbing but at last the top of the stairs was in sight. The closer she got to the top the stronger the pulling sensation had become, now that neared the top it had gotten to the point that she pushed aside her pain and start to walk the rest of the way.

Upon reaching the top of the stairs Twilight found herself atop the tower. Before her a raised section of the tower was surrounded in ethereal flames with the Golden Key floating above the light radiating from it brighter than anything she'd ever seen, brighter even than Celestia's sun. Twilight stared once again in awe how can looking at this not be blinding me? a part of her mind wondered not that I'm complaining. another part hastily added. The part of her that had drawn her here was once again calling to her, this time toward the raised section of tower. Twilight frowned even from here the heat from the flames is only just bearable she made her way around the top of the tower looking for some kind of path or break in the flames, there was none. Maybe I can teleport past the flames she tried drawing on her magic only to find it felt distant what little she could gather was nowhere near enough to power her spell. This left her with only option; if she was to reach the center she'd have to pass through the flames. Twilight pranced in place with apprehension this is crazy. I'm standing on top of a colossal tower in some unknown land and some part of me is telling me the only way home is to walk through some kind of enchanted fire! her mind was going back and forth trying to come up with some kind of logical course of action. She found herself thinking about her friends back home, Spike, Ponyvile, her parents, Princes Celestia. Twilight made up her mind, she took a few steps back before running head on toward the flame. Before she even reached the flames the intense heat began to wear on her, no sooner had she started to sweat than it turned to steam. As she reached the flames the hairs all over body started catching on fire, she faltered for a moment, the pain overwhelming her and she let out a choked scream. For a moment she feared she had made a mistake and now she would never see any of them again.

NO! she pushed forward I. WILL. Get back to them. her hoofs were bare the hair burned away and the skin blistering as she made it out of the flames to the raised section of the tower. Large parts of her mane and tail had been burned away along with parts of her coat, but she was no longer on fire and the heat seemed to have vanished for which she felt somewhat grateful.

Before her the raised section stretched in both direction featureless but for what looked to be a couple of names. On instinct she reached out with her magic and began carving her name into the wall. As she finished she got a strange feeling, she couldn't place it but it felt...right. Her world filled with a radiant light as her mind went blank.

END Chapter 2

Story Notes:
None this chapter, as a lot of things will be explained in the next chapter.