Worlds Entwined

Flurries of chilling snow drifted around two prone, equine shapes. The wind howled its vicious music, covering the land in a cloud of grey. A tiny whimper escaped the butter yellow pegasus, "A-a-applejack! D-don't let it g-g-get m-me!"

Applejack hugged her friend tight, "Don't fret sugarcube, I ain't gonna leave ya!" Both their hooves clasped the other, holding as much heat between them as they could. "Fluttershy? I need ya to help me scoop out a shelter... this cold air is deadly!"

Fluttershy nodded her shaking head and dug into the snow. With her teeth chattering, Fluttershy tried her best to help Applejack. But her slight frame quickly showed signs of weakening. An orange foreleg wrapped around her shoulders,

"Just a little bit more, sugarcube... a little bit more..."

A few hours earlier...

Fluttershy flew as fast as she could muster, her wings whirring through the grey skies. In her arms was a tiny egg, covered in cracks and cracking faster then Fluttershy could imagine. "Wait, not yet, not yet!" She said with panicked breath.

Everypony looked up as a shadow sped past them, each of them doing a double take as they spied a familiar figure.

"Woah! I didn't know Fluttershy could fly like that!" cried a small orange filly.

"Looks like even a scaredy-mare like Fluttershy can fly better then you, Scoots!"

"Hey! My wings are just... growing! I don't see YOU flying, Applebloom!" Fluttershy ignored the two fillies now engaged in a brawl and continued on. A chirping sound escaped the egg, whatever was hatching was obviously hungry.

"Hey Fluttershy!"

"R-raindow Dash? Sorry, I don't have time to talk right now!" Fluttershy replied.

"Oh ok, need any help?" asked Rainbow Dash, trying with some effort to catch up to Fluttershy.

"Oh no, I'm sure I'll be o-" The baby blue egg shattered into pieces. A tiny, feathery lizard broke out and fell towards the ground. Fluttershy looked down and let out a scream. Rainbow Dash rocketed downwards without even thinking, her front hooves closing around the baby lizard.

"I got him! I got him!" Rainbow Dash soared back up to where Fluttershy was. The lizard simply blinked, unaware of his near-death experience.

Fluttershy breathed a sigh of relief and hugged Rainbow Dash. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

Rainbow Dash gave a sheepish smile and shrugged, "It was nothing really... What kind of critter is that anyway?"

Fluttershy gently stroked the lizard. "Oh, this little guy is a baby wyvern! I was on my way to find his mommy, but he decided to hatch early."

"Cool, well I'd stick around but Wonderbolt practice is super important. Spitfire isn't known for her patience." Rainbow Dash waved goodbye and gently patted the wyvern. With a loud whoosh she took off towards the sun, a long funnel of wind following in Dash's wake.

Fluttershy placed the baby wyvern in her saddlebag and headed out towards the center of town. Alright so, his mother is probably at her nesting ground... so I might have to travel all the way north! Oh, I hope it isn't too cold. A loud commotion down below snapped her from her thoughts.

"Ah ain't wearing any silly fur clothes, Rare'! We farmer ponies can handle a lil' cold!" shouted the stubborn farmer mare, Applejack.

"Yes, yes... but it's a fashion statement! I don't want my friends stuck with those dreadful farmer duds. Besides, it goes with your eyes!" replied Rarity, trying her best to wrap a scarf around her friends neck.

Fluttershy fluttered to the ground and tried to get between them, "Girls-"

"Get away from me!"

Applejack ran around like a mad pony, trying her best to avoid Rarity's attempt to throw clothes over her.

"Your hair could do with some extensions too!" Rarity glared and charged forward, missing the farmer by mere inches.

"Girls..." Fluttershy tried to yell over them but was interrupted once again.

"Ah won't warn ya again, Rare'!"

"But darling, you simply must wear something of mine!"

Fluttershy took in a deep breath and shouted as loud as she could, "GIRLS!"

Rarity and Applejack skidded to a stop. They both crashed into one another in a tangled mess of limbs. "This is your fault..." said Rarity with a huff.

"Excuse me? You were the one chasing me! Ah ain't the one tryin' ta shove clothes on their friends!" Applejack gave Rarity a scolding look.

"Umm girls? Please stop fighting... I need to ask something." Fluttershy said quietly.

"Oh, I'm so sorry darling, I tend to be a bit-"

"Pompous?"

Rarity cleared her throat and continued, "As I was saying, I get a little bit shall we say-"

"Pretentious?"

"Applejack!"

Applejack looked at Fluttershy with wide eyes. "I didn't... Alright fine, I can't lie well anyway. What is it ya wanted sugarcube?"

"Yes Fluttershy, what is it you needed?"

"Well I umm was on my way to the Frozen North for the wyvern migration and I- I'm a little scared of the ice. So I'd like it if you girls could come with me. I-if that's ok with you..." Fluttershy mumbled the last sentence and nervously dug grooves in the cold dirt.

"Ah course I'll go sugarcube! Anythin' for a friend!" Applejack yanked her stetson from Rarity's grasp and placed it back onto her head.

Rarity sighed and gave her friends a thin smile. "I'd love to Fluttershy, but I have a massive order due tomorrow evening! I simply cannot delay. You know how these fancy ponies are, they aren't good at patience..."

"That's perfectly fine, Rare' Ah'm sure me and Fluttershy can handle a bit o' snow!" said Applejack smugly.

"Fluttershy and I! Really Applejack? A business mare should know proper grammar. Enjoy your migration ladies!" Rarity turned her back and headed back to her store. Applejack stuck her tongue out at Rarity's back. Applejack Innocently began whistling when she turned back suddenly.

"And here, take one of my scarves, it gets awfully cold up there!" Rarity threw both of them a thick woolen scarf, much to Applejack's apparent distaste.

Fluttershy smiled sweetly, "Thank you Rarity, it's very... pink!"

"Cya, Rare'!"

The baby wyvern peeked out from the saddlebag and squeaked, his stomach growling in agreement. Without a word Fluttershy lifted him into her arms and pulled out a rotten banana. Hungrily the babies jaws snapped up the fruit, several trails of pulped banana dribbled down his chin. "Oops!" Fluttershy wiped the mush up with her hoof.

"Ah thought wyverns were carnivores?" asked Applejack.

"Oh no, they are omnivores. Especially for rotten fruit..." Fluttershy placed him back down, pulled out a large map and pointed a hoof at the large empty area to the north. "One of Twilight's books hinted that the last wyvern migration was here, somewhere east of the Crystal Empire."

"Ah haven't been that way since Twi went to that freaky-deaky, human, dimens-a-whatsit!" Applejack peered at the map and shrugged. "Any other clues?"

"None."

"Alright, let's grab us a train ride!"

Luckily for the would be adventurers, the train conductor had forgotten his afternoon shift. He sat in the caboose calmly reading the Hoofington Print and taking large bites of his sandwich. He looked up and noticed the two mares trotting down the rather empty station. With a grumble he folded his newspaper and pulled his cap down. He waved a brown, coal-dusted hoof and called out,

"I take it you two mares are looking for a ride?"

"Last time ah checked this IS a train station..." Applejack replied, rolling her eyes slightly.

"Hoowee! It's already 4 pm? My boss is gonna kill me! Hurry up and get in! I'm super late as it is!" With a sudden surge of panic the conductor began to fervently work the engine. The train whistle called out its last minute warning as the train rumbled into life.

Applejack and Fluttershy quickly boarded the train, narrowly avoiding an elderly rider. "Oh I'm s-so sorry m-ma'am! It's just super important we get this train-"

The apricot mare smiled and handed Fluttershy a candy. "Don't worry your pretty little head kiddo, I was young once too you know!"

Fluttershy giggled and accepted the candy. "Th-thanks!"

Applejack sat down on one of the seats and placed her bag beside her. "Ah'm gonna catch a few hours of sleep sugarcube, wake me up when we get there." She pulled her stetson over her face and relaxed against the window. Fluttershy sat beside her, her eyes drifting to the country scenery zooming past as the train reached its top speed.

The hills and mountains of Equestria glowed orange in the sunset that peered through dark clouds. The sun was like a flower in bloom, the light its petals. Without even noticing Fluttershy began to drift into a pleasant dream, her eyes fluttered shut on the world.

Fluttershy awoke several hours later, the beautiful sunset replaced by twinkling stars and indigo sky. The train whistled loudly, it seemed they weren't far from the Crystal Empire. Fluttershy turned to wake Applejack and was surprised to see an empty seat. She looked around for Applejack but couldn't see her in the carriage. "Where is she? I can't believe I slept so long!" A large yawn followed Fluttershy's words.

Slowly she stood up and wandered over to the carriage door. Fluttershy wiped away the frost residue but couldn't see through the blurred glass. A faint outline of brown wandered around the next carriage, completely oblivious to the pony staring at them. Fluttershy wrapped her pink scarf around her neck and stepped through the cold. The icy air felt almost painful against her wings. "Brrrr...."

The door opened on to a rather surprised Applejack. "Fluttershy? Ah'm sorry, guess ah kinda forgot about ya!"

"Oh umm don't worry, it's fine..." Fluttershy blushed slightly. "Are we almost there?"

"Well the nice conductor fella' mentioned we were coming up on the edge of Equestria. Think it's only a few more miles." Applejack shivered from the chill and chuckled. "Why are we chatting out 'ere in the cold? Come on, we don't want colds before we even get there!"

Before too long the giant purple crystals of the Crystal Empires outskirts loomed in the distance. The sleet that coated the train suddenly stopped as they passed through the magic barrier. The moon glistened in the sky, its silvery rays covering the land. Fluttershy watched as the city came alive with lights, her voice catching at its sheer beauty. "Wow, and I thought Canterlot looked gorgeous at night!" A tiny reptilian head poked out of her saddlebag and whistled in what one could consider agreement. "Oh, good evening to you as well!"

The train called out as it drifted to a stop. The steam whooshed out around the station, the engine rumbling to a complete stop. "End of the line, Crystal Empire! Please remember all luggage and have a good night!"

"Alrighty then, let's go!" Applejack held the door open for Fluttershy, who tripped slightly onto the platform and gave an embarrassed smile.

"Sorry!"

"It's fine, let's get something to eat! Ah'm simply starving!" Applejack glanced at the baby wyvern who was busily licking his lips. "Seems the lil' guy is too!"

Fluttershy followed Applejack through the busy streets, lagging behind as she marveled at the illuminated crystals. A large hotel stood beneath the palace's shadow, the smell of warm food drifted towards the duo.

"Mmmhhmm, that's some prime farmer food if ah've ever smelt it!"

Fluttershy and Applejack enjoyed the hospitality of the crystal ponies and went up to their rooms with filled bellies. Fluttershy eagerly dreamed about the migration, the little wyvern nestled between her hooves. Applejack was still beat from her early morning duties and simply collapsed, snoring loudly.

The early morning sun streamed through the open window, blinding Fluttershy. She blinked once, twice, three times until she could finally make out a pony figure. "Applejack?"

A silver mare jumped up and turned around with a fluster. "Oh dear! I'm so sorry I awoke you ma'am! You were so quiet I didn't even notice you!"

"I-it's fine, I need to feed this wyvern and stuff anyway..." Fluttershy hid behind her curtain of hair, patiently waiting for the maid to leave.

The baby stretched his tiny wings and yawned. He nuzzled against Fluttershy's outstretched hoof, mewling in hunger. Fluttershy pulled out a large apple from her bag, without even waiting the wyvern grabbed it and greedily consumed it.

"Hey! Leave some more for later, mister!" Fluttershy tried to pull the apple from his teeth but was met with a cute growl. She shrugged her shoulders and released it, much to his liking.

Fluttershy plopped him back in the bag and wandered over to Applejack's room. Tentatively she tapped on the closed door, a snort was the only reply she received. Sighing, Fluttershy opened the door and stepped through. A large bed sat almost completely bare, the covers lying half on Applejack's leg and the rest bundled on the floor. Applejack had one hoof awkwardly placed above her head, the other dangling off the bed.

Fluttershy shook Applejack gently, the orange mare sprung awake suddenly. Her leg flew out and bucked Fluttershy in the face. "Wh-wha? Ah'm sorry ah slept in Big Ma- Oh righ' I'm not at the farm." Applejack stood up and looked around. She winced once she saw Fluttershy lying on the ground, her eyes spinning in place.

"Oh my, sorry 'bout that, 'Shy! Here let me help you up!"

Fluttershy took her hoof and stood up, shaking her head slightly. "Don't worry, I'm perfectly- woah! -fine."

Breakfast was relatively devoid of anything exciting, safe for a grumpy wyvern chewing the decor. With tummies all ready for a big day they stepped out into the morning sun. Fluttershy unfurled the map and studied it for several minutes. "Umm ok, so I think we need to go here!" She said, pointing to the northeast, "Then take a left at this cave and it should be right around there!" Fluttershy circled the edge of the map with her hoof.

"Well it sure is a beautiful day to take a long walk..."

Applejack quickly ate her own words once they reached the northeast side of the city, the weather beyond the magic dome was horrible. It was like a miniature blizzard, ice drifted through the air and wind blew every which way. A dull howl echoed through the dome, a small taste of what awaited.

Fluttershy looked out and sighed. "Maybe we should wait for the weather to settle before we go..."

Applejack scoffed and puffed out her chest. "It's only a bit of snow Fluttershy. It's probably nice and pleasant where we're goin'!"

"I-i don't know, it looks-"

"Relax, we'll stick together, make our way through and watch the little guy fly with his buddies!" Applejack wrapped a hoof around Fluttershy and grinned, "Everything will be a-ok!"

Nervously Fluttershy watched the ice freeze against the barrier and whimpered. "Oh dear..."