Worlds Entwined

Applejack calmly stepped through the barrier and into the furious snowstorm. The rushing wind almost knocked her flying but she managed to keep her balance. Applejack grabbed onto Fluttershy's hoof and pulled her through. Fluttershy shut her eyes on the icy world before realizing that she was sheltered by a long cloak. Tentatively Fluttershy opened her eyes and watched the snowflakes fly past her nose.

"See it's fine, just stay under the cloak for now. Hopefully better weather will be greeting us!" cried Applejack, her voice barely noticeable beneath the howling wind.

Fluttershy nodded slightly and pulled the cloak down over her face. Slowly they trekked through the snow, their hooves leaving prints behind. The city disappeared behind a curtain of white, not even the glow of the barrier could be seen. Fluttershy noticed her saddlebag had begun shaking, a tiny shivering head poked its head into the cold.

"It's a little chilly for you, stay inside where it's nice and toasty!" Fluttershy knotted a tiny scarf around the baby wyverns neck and closed the bag back up.

Applejack continued on towards what she hoped was the northeast. The Frozen North was a little easier to navigate without a moving shadow chasing her down the whole way. Applejack looked back at Fluttershy and gave her a simple grin. One thing she didn't want was a panicking Fluttershy. It was surprising that Fluttershy was seemingly alright with trudging through snow and ice. Suppose, if it's for an animal... she'll do it no matter what.

For what felt like hours they trundled across the empty landscape of white, not entirely sure of where they were headed. Applejack swore she saw a mountain but it turned out to be just a darkened crystal. A possible leftover from the Empire. At last the wind began to calm, a few snowflakes falling here and there in the now still air.

"Phew! Ah think that miniature blizzard has finally cleared up!" Applejack peered into the distance and saw a glimpse of green hidden behind the white wall. "And would ya look at that! Some kinda grove over through that glacier."

Fluttershy followed Applejack's outstretched hoof and squinted to see slightly clearer. Sure enough between two giant pieces of glacier was a land of green. "Is that..." Fluttershy lifted the wyvern from her bag and held him up. "Is that your home, buddy?" The wyvern chirped excitedly and sniffed the air. A low growl echoed from the glacier. "I think we've found the migration Applejack."

"He sure seems to think so. Come on, let's check it out!"

Together they stepped through the icy gate and into a small slice of paradise. The large grove was an odd contrast to the barren land of snow surrounding it. Trees as tall as Canterlot's castle towered above, their leaves a dark evergreen. Fluttershy stared up in wonder as birds of brown and silvery-grey fluttered through the branches. "I've never seen those before, I wonder what they could be!"

"Wait, you've never seen them? Then we must be the first ponies in ages to have been here." "Applejack laughed heartily as the baby wyvern jumped from Fluttershy's grasp and soared high up into a nearby tree. "Guess he likes it too."

Fluttershy watched him fly around, nipping at the tiny birds. A small feeling of sadness washed over her. Though she knew every animal had to one day leave her care, it still felt like losing them forever. Fluttershy blinked several times to refrain from tears. As if reading her emotions, the wyvern glided towards her and perched himself on her head. Fluttershy giggled as he tried to chew a large patch of pink hair.

"Awww, who's a good widdle wyvern? Yes, you are!"

"Errr, Ah don't mean to be a bother 'Shy but umm," Applejack gulped, hoof pointing at several shapes flying towards them rather quickly, "Ah think we're about to meet the parents!"

A earsplitting screech rang out from the lead wyvern, its wingspan was large enough to wrap around a pony twice over. A long neck ended in a beak-like snout full of needle-sharp teeth. its neck was covered in feathers that stood rigid in apparent fury.

Fluttershy looked up, her heart jumped to her throat once her eyes finally caught the sight of the adult wyvern's talons. "Eep! They don't l-look v-very h-happy!" Fluttershy covered her face with her hooves, quaking in fear.

Beside her the baby wyvern stared in wonder at his own kind. His golden eyes caught those of the adult, who cried out in song. Together the two creatures sung together. Whistles, squeaks and howling made up the beautiful chorus. The adult retracted its talons and gracefully landed beside the ponies.

Applejack stood in front of Fluttershy, protecting her from the adult wyvern. The great beast walked forward on its wings, close enough to smell the fear on the duo. It reared up, claws raised high. Applejack prepared herself as it... spoke?

"Pony? You. Baby. Care. For. Her?" The wyvern spoke the words harshly, unable to speak a full sentence.

"Me? No, it wasn't me who hatched hi-her." Applejack put a foreleg around Fluttershy and pulled her to her hooves. "This is the one, her name is Fluttershy."

Fluttershy pulled her hair away and looked up at the wyvern with wide eyes. "Umm, I-i'm the one who raised her. I wasn't even aware he was a she."

"I. Mother. You also. Mother. South Mother. Female. Feathers yellow. Eyes blue." The wyvern mother extended her neck, she sniffed Fluttershy several times before finally bowing down. "Accept gift. Take quill. Come with. Migration."

Fluttershy gently plucked a single feather and tied it into her hair. She smiled politely, humbled by what appeared to be a great honor. The other wyverns chattered away, staring at Fluttershy in awe.

"I'd love to see the migration! Would it be alright to bring my friend?" Fluttershy pointed to Applejack, who was busy staring at the wyvern's toothy grin.

"She comes. With mother."

Fluttershy and Applejack followed the wyvern flock across the forest, galloping every so often to catch up to their powerful wings. Fluttershy smelt the air. The pleasant scents of nature made her feel right at home.

"Ah, isn't it lovely, Applejack? The green trees towering above, the wild flowers blooming prettily." Fluttershy spun around, forelegs raised. She suddenly broke into a simple song,  "Wonderful trees and the beauty of nature. Birds a' flying and the wyverns are a' singing!"

Applejack watched Fluttershy's display with a bemused smile. "Ah told ya the weather would treat us nice, sugarcube. It's also nice to see you so happy!"

"How can I not? I've never seen a wyvern migration before." Fluttershy continued on, humming quietly.

After several more feet they could make out the dull roar of water. A large chasm yawned open further down the nature-worn path. Attached to both sides was a bridge, currently being held up by thin, taut ropes.

"Can't forests ever not have rickety old bridges? Why not a nice stone bridge held up by pillars or something?" said Applejack jokingly.

"No need. Bridge. Carry you. We will." Said a large male wyvern, flexing his talons in preparation.

"Ah don't exactly like flying- Woah!" Applejack felt her stomach drop as she was yanked into the sky, "Ya could have warned me!"

A second wyvern plucked up Fluttershy gently, the ground moving further and further away. Both wyverns glided across the chasm's thermals. The river rushed by far below them. Finally they landed back on solid ground, eager to continue on.

The path faded into obscurity as they saw the carpet of leaves underhoof. A sea of brown and orange leading into what appeared to be a single, empty clearing. As Fluttershy trotted closer a strange shadow caught her eye. In the distance towered a single stone, it stood so tall it could easily pass as an odd-looking mountain. "What is that?" Fluttershy mumbled to herself.

The mother wyvern heard her quiet voice and replied, "That is. Stone of Seeking. We use. As home. Many wyvern live. Come see. Great feast."

"Sounds like some kinda magic do-hickey. Maybe it's like a big magnet?" Applejack wondered.

"Maybe, Twilight would probably know..."

Stepping into the clearing, the noise of hundreds of wyvern singing and chattering assaulted them. Wyvern of every size and color flew around the stone, from gigantic and black, to tiny and hot pink. Every known type of wyvern one could find in books of yore. Fluttershy was simply in awe, she never imagined how many types of wyvern there could be. All together for a single migration.

"I. Have name. It is. Shrike. You are welcome. Great Father will, return soon. Yes! Have fruit. Eat much!" Shrike flew up with her daughter, greeting a larger wyvern who screeched happily. Together the three embraced each other with their wings.

"Awww, isn't that just adorable Applejack?" Fluttershy had both hooves clasped to her cheeks, gushing over the charming family reunion.

"Hehe, You're so cute when you do that sugarcube. All happy smiles!" Applejack grinned, " Now, about that food!"

A booming call echoed through the forest, silencing every wyvern instantly. The silence was almost spooky as they froze in place, eyes scanning the sky. The duo gasped simultaneously as a large black shape erupted from a cloud. This was a wyvern unlike every other one here. From wingtip to wingtip he would easily be able to hug an Ursa Minor. Quills like black daggers adorned his mane. What shocked them most were the glowing silver eyes that glanced upon them,

"Skreee-yah! Outsiders! Leave this place. NOW!" A great voice roared in outrage. "As Great Father, I must protect my subjects."

Fluttershy quivered in fear at the loud, intimidating voice. On the verge of tears she covered her face beneath her hooves. Applejack grabbed her gently and gave her a friendly hug. "Let me handle the big 'un!"

Applejack put on a stern expression and stomped forward. "Listen up y'all! We were invited here by one 'o yours. If ya want us to leave, just ask. Instead of terrifying poor Fluttershy here!" Applejack gestured to Fluttershy. "Seriously, is that ah face of an enemy?"

The Great Father landed on the ground with a heavy thud and crawled forward. Face inches away from Applejack's. "Prove it, pony!"

"Great Father!" Shrike stared down her fearsome leader. "They are friends. The yellow one. Second Mother. To my daughter."

"Impossible, pony raising a wyvern egg? Unheard of." The Great Father snorted at the shaking pegasus before him. "I highly doubt it."

Fluttershy stood up suddenly, eyes full of passion. "Listen up mister! I raise plenty of animals at my cottage, and a wyvern whelp is no exception." Fluttershy whistled to the baby who responded in kind.

The Great Father's eyes widened in shock. "An outsider... a mother?" He pondered for several seconds before reaching a decision. "This is unorthodox, but I will allow it."

Murmurs passed from wyvern to wyvern, an outsider welcomed into the Migration was unheard of. "Welcome, please take my apology and feast among us. The others are not used to the Equestrian tongue, so have patience."

"Thank you!" Fluttershy nudged Applejack softy who muttered a simple thanks.

Applejack watched as a large pile of fruit and nuts was heaped into a large hole. Her mouth watered at the fresh smell of apples, berries and every other fruit she could think of. A second hole was filled to the brim with raw meat, both ponies tried not to gag on the putrid smell. "Urggh! How do you ever stomach that stench Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy laughed through a pinched nose. "My animals are strictly veggie. Wouldn't want any... nasty accidents."

"Ah suppose that makes sense." Applejack shoved her hoof into the pile and pulled out a bright red fruit. "Apples, can't get enough!" She chewed for awhile, savoring the taste. Applejack pulled it from her mouth, staring at it as if it was mutated. "Definitely not an apple..."

Fluttershy scooped up several wild berries and popped a bright green gooseberry into her mouth. "Mmm yummy!"

The feast continued throughout the afternoon. Several wyverns politely offered them some meat that was quickly turned down. Everybody collapsed onto the ground at last, stomachs full to bursting.

The setting sun pushed through the grey clouds and lit up the stone. Strange runes appeared across its surface where the light shone. Fluttershy and Applejack were mesmerized by a sudden gold light seemingly bursting from within the stone.

"What in tarnation?"

"Oh, my!"

The Great Father rose up into the air, wings outstretched across the open field. "Scree-anh'thu-so!" He spoke a strange incantation that was repeated by the other wyvern, a long chant began. Every wyvern swayed from side to side, wingtips touching in a sort of hug. The golden light embraced every last wyvern and pony within reach. Fluttershy pointed with mouth open at Applejack's now golden cutie-mark.

"Wah! Ah'm glowing?" Applejack noticed the three golden butterflies on Fluttershy's flank. "You're glowing too!"

Fluttershy felt a tingling warmth within her heart as the sun's light faded from view. She looked upwards and caught her breath. Every wyvern was now covered in neon patterns that glowed through their skin. The baby that Fluttershy had raised was glowing violet, happily playing with the other whelps. The adult wyverns began to pair off together, dancing majestically around each other. The bright colors bursting forth from them, weaved around like fireflies in the fading light.

The Great Father looked down at the ponies with a silvery gaze. "You have been witness to our Migration ritual. This stone has magical properties that react to our bodies. It is our gift from the Sun Mistress. It allows us to see in the dark months of winter, and to swallow sun-fire to keep us warm."

Fluttershy couldn't resist staring at this ethereal beauty. "It's amazing! I thought nopony but unicorns could use magic."

"We do not use it with concentration, but naturally like your cloud-walking or your friends physical strength." The Great Father handed Fluttershy a small topaz. "None but you and your friend can know our secret, this will show everything you wish to know. Tomorrow we will be gone, this valley will be snow and a cavern will arc overhead."

"I-is this a dream?" questioned Fluttershy.

"Perhaps to a pony it will feel like one... Goodbye Fluttershy! You raised my grandchild well..."

The Great Fathers voice faded away as both ponies fell asleep. Around them the world shifted and morphed, the valley becoming nothing but a memory, leaving behind a cavern of ice. The howling wind once more sung its wordless song. The topaz clutched within Fluttershy's hoof shone brightly before it to, faded. Fluttershy dreamed of golden butterflies and empty fields of snow. A figure from the edge of the cave flew off into the storm, shocked by the sudden appearance of strangers.

Applejack awoke in the chill morning air, the valley was no longer surrounding them. Instead a massive cavern within the glacier protected them from the howling winds that had returned overnight. For a few seconds she wondered if it had even happened but noticed the feather still hanging from Fluttershy's mane.

Amazing, the magic of the stone must create some kinda paradise around it. Ah wonder what Twilight would think of all this? Applejack wondered to herself.

Fluttershy shifted in her sleep, her eyes fluttered open onto Applejack's face. Fluttershy jumped up in fright but quickly relaxed once she realized it was a dream.

"Oh phew, it was just a nightmare, I thought you were some creepy stranger hidden in shadow!" Fluttershy said with a nervous laugh.

"Nah! Just me, Applejack." Applejack grinned "And before you ask, the wyvern migration was definitely not a dream."

"Oh thank Celestia, I don't think I'd ever want to forget that. Nature is simply beautiful sometimes!" Fluttershy squeezed the gemstone in her hoof, the golden light shining slightly.

"Well I suppose we should head back home now, I bet Big Mac's probably waiting for me." Applejack helped Fluttershy to her hooves.

Fluttershy thought of Angel and groaned, "And Angel is probably gonna be mad at me..."

"Mind if I take the map?" Applejack asked

"Sure, I'm not that great with direction anyway." Fluttershy unfurled the map and handed it over.

Applejack looked at it for awhile, trying to determine exactly where the migration had been. Unfortunately she couldn't make heads or tails of the map and simply shrugged. "Ah'm sure we'll find our way back. I've got a knack for this sorta thing."

Applejack lead the way out of the cave, the snow was so high that her head barely reached over it. She began to dig a path through the snow. Fluttershy trailed behind, trying to see out over the wall of white. The morning whittled away slowly, the sky was so dark you could almost mistake it for night.

"I honestly can't see anything, between the light and all this snow everything looks the same!" Applejack punched the snow in irritation.

"M-maybe we're lost?" Fluttershy said with a worried expression.

"Its only been an hour or so, give it a bit longer before we start getting worried."

"I-i'll try!" Fluttershy smiled faintly, already feeling nervous.

Applejack finally broke through the snow bank, collapsing onto the hoof height snow. She kissed the cold ground and stood up. In the distance she could see the familiar crystal from yesterday. Applejack felt her spirits lift, now aware of where they were headed. Ah, finally! We should be back in no time!

Together they trotted past the crystal and headed southwest, back towards the Crystal Empire. Happily Applejack began humming, she knew her skills at direction would pay off. Of course for a long time they still had not got any closer. Then everything promptly decided to go wrong...

A blizzard rapidly picked up around them, way worse then yesterday. The wind threw icicles and snow around like a miniature tornado. Desperately Applejack began to gallop through the snow, pulling Fluttershy along behind her. Miles and miles they ran, trying to get ahead of the storm. The light from earlier was now non-existent, the world was nothing but black and white. A surge of wind blew up from behind them, launching them through the sky and into a pile of hard snow.

"Ow! This can't be happening! I don't think we can make it back in this... We'll just get more lost!" Applejack dragged Fluttershy out of a pony-shaped depression.

Fluttershy was frozen solid in fear, her eyes were so wide it's any wonder they weren't popping out. Applejack figured it was just the blizzard until she looked into the distance. Several ghostlike forms circled around them, at first Applejack thought they were windigoes like in the stories. But on close inspection they were pony-like creatures of solid ice. They stood still and silent as statues, watching, waiting.

Fluttershy's voice was nothing but a tiny whimper. "A-a-applejack! D-don't let it g-g-get m-me!"

Applejack hugged her close and whispered, "Don't fret sugarcube, I ain't gonna leave ya!" Applejack grabbed her hoof and let the topaz warm them ever so slightly. "Fluttershy? I need ya to help me scoop out a shelter... this cold air is deadly! Those creatures won't get you, I promise."

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..." Applejack grabbed both her hooves in hers and together they dug a shelter. Together they hunkered down, pressing against each in an effort to keep in the heat.

"Nothing will happen, you can count on that!" Applejack turned and shouted into the wind, "Ya hear me? Ah won't let ya take her!"

And then, everything went black.