Worlds Entwined

A powerful stench assaulted Applejack's senses, snapping her from unconsciousness. She jumped up, ready to fight whoever woke her up. A cloaked figure stepped forward into the firelight that enveloped the room. A hooked beak and stern gaze remained hidden behind a dark hood. The figure held up two talons devoid of any weapon, save the dulled blades upon his claws.

"Do not be alarmed young mare, I saved you from those fiendish Ice Golems. I could not stand by once the overwhelming cold knocked you out."

"W-who are you? Where's Fluttershy?" Applejack stared at the stranger uneasily.

"I am Klaus Ravenwing, a nomad of the griffon kingdom." Klaus pulled back his hood, revealing a pattern of golden feathers dulled with age. His eyes were a deep emerald, watching with the stern gaze of a raptor. He raised a talon and pointed to the far wall. "Your friend is still unconscious, unfortunately she was struck by the golem's icy grip. But I assure you this 'Fluttershy' shall make a swift recovery."

Applejack ran forward and knelt beside Fluttershy, her foreleg gently grabbed hold of her limp body. "Fluttershy! Fluttershy, can ya hear me? Can ya hear me, sugarcube?"

Fluttershy shifted slightly, her mane falling over her face. One eye fluttered open and looked at Applejack groggily. "A...pple...ja..ck?" Fluttershy managed to mumble before she slipped back into unconsciousness.

"I'ma let you get some more rest, sugarcube, just hang in there ok?" Applejack rubbed Fluttershy's shoulder and wandered back to the fire.

Klaus waited patiently for her to ask him something, not wanting to be rude. "So... do ya think she'll be fine? Ah know what ya said but ah'm a little worried." Applejack constantly turned towards Fluttershy, instinctively checking up on her.

"She was quite lucky actually, once someone has caught the gaze of an Ice Golem it is quite difficult to escape. It is a form of paralysis you see, not unlike like that of a basilisk or cockatrice," Klaus pointed his head toward Fluttershy, "It does however come with one nasty little side effect..."

"That bein'?" asked Applejack, narrowing her eyes ever so slightly.

"The Freeze, a condition that if the stare is not broken, eventually results in transformation. Seeing as she was caught for at least thirty seconds, it will be momentary. A passing phase really-" Klaus was silenced as Fluttershy awoke and let out a bloodcurdling scream.

"AAAAHHHHH! W-w-why am I all i-i-icy?" Fluttershy had both hooves clasped to her face, feeling the cold, smooth surface. "Am I t-turning into a s-s-snowmare?"

"Relax, it will pass!" stated Klaus simply.

"Relax? How can she relax when her bodies a' frozen? At least show some pity to the poor mare!" Applejack sat beside Fluttershy, actively trying to sooth her frightened shivering. "Klaus, get Fluttershy her bag. Ah think she brought a blanket."

Klaus simply stood still, unsure of what he should do. It wasn't everyday he saw anyone, let alone two young ponies.

"Don't just stand there like a dumbstruck fool! Help me out 'ere!" Applejack shouted.

He shook himself from his daze and slid over to Fluttershy's saddlebag, Klaus stared at in with interest. Amazing! A bag that seals itself! Technology sure has come a long way. He felt around within it until his talon caught on wool. "I found it!"

Klaus held the bag for a second, feeling the odd fabric that he couldn't quite place. With a shrug he threw it into the corner and returned to Applejack, bright red blanket flapping along beside him.

Applejack raised her eyebrow slightly and took the blanket. "Umm thanks... I don't know how ya tore a hole in it but ah won't judge, much."

"The fabric of your friends bag, what is it?" Klaus asked curiously.

"Ah don't know probably burlap or something... Why? Ya looking to buy a bag?" Applejack said sarcastically.

"I have never seen such a wonderful invention! Much better then this hide sack I got. It seems meat doesn't do well in a wet sack." Klaus plopped a large sack in front of them. A horrible stench wafted from the bag.

Fluttershy's eyes went wide then rolled back as she fainted. Applejack caught her limp body and lay her back down. "Gosh darn it! Why'd ya have to go an' do that? 'Shy's a bit sensitive to meat, being all animal lover an' all."

"Ponies don't eat meat?" Klaus wondered aloud.

Applejack simply sighed. "Ya know what? Ah think it's time I went ta bed!"

Klaus looked out at the grey clouds. "But it's still early."

"Is that so? Well, goodnight!" Applejack rolled over beside Fluttershy. She began snoring loudly, faking it as best she could. Ah hope we ain't gonna get stuck with this weirdo!

Applejack awoke to a rather peculiar sight, Klaus sat on his haunches with wings extended out as if meditating. Blissfully unaware of the waking mare, he began humming softly.

Applejack raised an eyebrow. "Errr, what exactly ARE ya doin' there?"

"What? Who? Visitors?" Klaus seemed confused for a minute before he opened his eyes, grinning awkwardly. "Ah right, I completely forgot you two were even here. Speaking of which, do you like jerky?"

"Ah ain't eating any kind o' meat! Do I look like a griffon?" Applejack said rudely, still too groggy for anyponies weirdness.

Klaus pushed a small plate towards Applejack, small round pellets piled upon it. "Nuts, ponies eat nuts right?"

Applejack looked at the plate of nuts with a grimace. "Not particularly, but at least it isn't dried meat..."

Fluttershy yawned loudly and rolled onto her back. "Yaaawwwn! Oh my, did I sleep in, Angel?" She shook her head slightly. "Oh right, I'm not in Ponyville... D-do I smell meat?" Fluttershy's faced turned pale green as she gagged on the smell.

"Hehe, Ah know how ya feel sugarcube." Applejack chuckled, "Here, I know it isn't much but-"

"Oh, it's quite alright. I'm not really that hungry anyway."

"Suit yourself." She said, noisily crunching on nuts. Applejack's face fell as she slowly savored the flavor. "On second thought... I'll errr, be right back." The sounds of dry retching echoed through the cave.

After cleaning her mouth with a clump of snow, Applejack sat down next to Fluttershy and nudged her lightly. "Flutters, ah know this might seem a bit mean but ah... Ah think it would be best to leave bird-boy to his own devices. Doesn't really seem to be... all there." Applejack nodded her head towards Klaus, who was spread-eagled with his talons pointing up. Strange snuffling grunts were the only sounds he made.

"I-i don't know. Are you sure? I wouldn't want to upset him or anything." Fluttershy gave Klaus a thoughtful glance. "Maybe we could leave a note or something?"

"Alright Flutters, if it means that much." Applejack pulled a piece of paper from her saddlebag and hastily sprawled a message.

Dear Klaus,

Thanks for pulling us from the snow, and for helping Fluttershy. When you read this we will be gone, hopefully already in the Crystal Empire.

Cya round, AJ & Fluttershy.

"Happy now?"

Fluttershy nodded happily, "Much."

Applejack lead the way out of the cave, back out into the frosty air. She licked her hoof and raised it into the sky. "The winds goin' north so we probably wanna go south. Somewhere that 'a way!"

They wandered a short while, stopping every so often to gain their bearings. A few more minutes passed with no discernible signs of life nor landmark. Fluttershy thought she spotted a familiar rock jutting from the snow but shook her head. AJ knows where she's going I'm sure. Probably just a pang of guilt...

Applejack mumbled to herself, trying to work out exactly how long it should have taken them. By now they should've seen the spires of crystal and the large glowing dome. Applejack stopped suddenly, Fluttershy running directly into her flank. "Ow!"

"Sorry, sugarcube. But ah can't for the life of me work out why we ain't there yet!" Applejack let out a frustrated growl and stomped the snow.

Fluttershy thought for a second and glanced back. She let out a slight giggle, refusing to meet Applejack's eyes. "Umm Applejack?"

"But if... the wind... Gah! All this stupid snow!" Applejack sighed.

"Excuse me, Applejack? I think I know the problem." Fluttershy couldn't help but snicker.

"...Yes Fluttershy?" said Applejack through gritted teeth.

"Well umm... we've been wandering in circles all this time."

"What? Don't be silly! I definitely ain't that silly!" Applejack said defensively, her eyes narrowed slightly.

Fluttershy snuffed her hoof in the snow and gently turned Applejack around, pointing behind her. "Perhaps we need to ask for directions?"

"Ah have no idea what you mean, these hoof-prints only lead straight!" Applejack wandered a few steps and face-hoofed. "Around the cavern we just left..."

Fluttershy giggled, patting Applejack on the shoulders. "It could happen to anypony really. I mean Dashie can't even remember where Cloudsdale is half the time. And she was born there!"

"Thanks 'Shy! After all it can't get any worse right?" Applejack said with a smirk.

From behind them came the clatter of metal, followed by several pained squawks. Klaus collapsed in the snow, his voice muffled through the white. His beak poked out, followed by a single eye. "Hey umm girls... you kinda forgot to invite me!"

"Goshdarn it! Weren't you asleep? And did you not read the letter?" Applejack gave him an annoyed look. Ah should not have said those words...

Klaus pulled himself out of the snow. Several snowflakes fell out of his bronze armor as he shook himself. "Well you see... I thought it was for the fire so... I may have burnt it." Klaus winced at Applejack's furious expression. "Also I'm a light sleeper."

"Ah could hit ya right now, but I'm a nice pony." said Applejack with a fake smile.

"By the way, when you go walking it's usually a good idea to go forward. Circles... don't really get you to where you want." said Klaus with actual sincerity.

"Ah must... not... hit... others." Applejack clenched her hooves together.

"Also, would you like some jerky?" Klaus offered.

"Oh for the love 'o pete!" Applejack threw her forelegs up and sat down.

"Hooray! More for me then!" Klaus thoughtfully chewed a piece of red jerky.

"Please tell me you have a map? Ah don't want another reason to pluck out a feather or two..." Applejack gave him one of those looks, the ones that could stop somepony in their tracks. Klaus however seemed unfazed.

"Why would I need a map? I've got one of these don't I?" Klaus accidentally poked himself in the temple. "Ow!"

"Great! We are so doomed..." Applejack muttered.

"Oooh I know the way!" Klaus pointed to the west. "That wa- No, wait!" He pointed to the east.  "The other way!" Klaus wandered to the east a few minutes and stopped. "Sorry! Actually it's back this way, yes indeed!" He said, turning back the way he came.

Applejack glanced over at Fluttershy who smiled sheepishly. Fluttershy simply shrugged, mouthing the words, 'Relax, I'm sure he knows the way!'

'I'm blaming you if we end up ten feet under snow.' Applejack mouthed back.

Klaus flew through the air, pointing out the path far below them. Through the snow they slogged, trying to keep Klaus within view. Applejack started to get impatient as the countryside around them failed to change.

"Klaus!" Applejack shouted, "When will we actually see the city? Ah swear this is taking way longer then the other day."

"In a few minutes, trust me!" Klaus called back.

Without warning Klaus ran smack-bang into an invisible wall. With a pained sigh he slid down an airborne slope. Finally he slid to the bottom in a mass of feathers and fur. Stars swam before his eyes as he pulled himself up. "Ah here we are, Shardtooth City! I forgot they had a magic wall..." Klaus said, dusting the snow from his wings.

"...Shardtooth City? We're supposed to be goin' to the Crystal Empire!" Applejack cried out, kicking a large pile of snow.

"Crystal Empire? I think you bumped your head Miss Applejack... that city hasn't existed in a millennia. I believe the stories tell of a great shadow and the disappearance of a great empire." Klaus pulled out a large leather-bound book. "Here it is, Ballad of Crystal."

"Ah don't care what the book says!" Applejack stood up and began pacing, "I swear you've been livin' under a rock! Oh wait, you ha-"

Fluttershy ignored Applejack and cupped her ear, sure enough she could hear a low hum that made her teeth chatter.  Fluttershy reached out and touched the invisible wall. She gasped as her hoof slipped through it, like when putting on a sleeve. A rough arm grabbed her and yanked her through. "Applej-"  Her cry was silenced by a thick, hairy hoof. Fluttershy wiggled and squirmed, turning to face her pony-napper.

Applejack finally finished her rant and looked around. "Klaus! Where'd Flutters go?"

Klaus opened his eyes, looking around fervently for the yellow pegasus he recently saw. "Perhaps she found her way back?"

Applejack rolled her eyes, "In less then five minutes? She isn't a unicorn by tha' way."

"This rock holds many answers! Tell me your hardened secrets my stony-faced friend!" Klaus kneeled down before it, one eye staring wide-eyed at a large shiny rock.

"Ah hate to break it to ya, Klaus, but umm, that's a rock..." Applejack said, clearly amused by Klaus's odd behavior.

"No, no! Clearly it is a gate into the city!" said Klaus, pointing up at the invisible wall.

"...Or quite clearly a rock." Applejack mumbled.

A loud click, followed by the noisy whirring of gears greeted the shocked earth pony. Applejack stared in awe as a large section of mirrored magic folded open. "Lucky guess!" Applejack shouted, one eye glaring at Klaus.

A large village stood within it, empty of any life. A pale yellow hoof vanished into a basement door as Applejack watched helpless. "Applejack!" cried Fluttershy, quickly muffled by the earth.

"We gotta do somethin'! Come on feather-butt, we got a pegasus to save... again." Applejack ran into the tunnel, not wasting a single second.

Klaus looked around for a bit and picked up a long, pointy stick. He sighed, wishing he still had his family pole-arm. "Suppose it will do... Now to rescue another damsel in distress!" He jumped in after Applejack, narrowly avoiding the low ceiling.

The two of them silently crept through the narrow tunnel, torches lined the wall at every turn. Before long they could hear muffled hoof-beats, obviously whoever they were after had slowed down. "Miss Applejack?" whispered Klaus, "Let me handle whoever pony-napped Fluttershy."

"She's mah friend. I'm sure I can handle myself." Applejack hissed back.

"Probably, but I am the one with a pointed stick." said Klaus.

"And with a thick skull... Give me that!" Applejack yanked the stick from his talons and held it out.

"I looked better with it..."

In the distance was a hunched pony-like figure. Coarse, tan and silver fur crisscrossed his otherwise featureless body. A spiny trail of bristles ran along his back like a wild boar. Fluttershy was being shoved into a large bone-colored sack, her body twisted away as her face was once again pushed in. "Let... me... go!"

"Pony, get in sack! Boss will want to see!" The hunched creature growled, hooves firmly clasped around Fluttershy's ankles.

Applejack cried out and jumped forward, swinging the stick around. She jabbed his back where it stuck fast. With a grunt of pain he yanked it out, staring at the stick. "Duh..."

"Oi, big fella!" Applejack taunted.

"Grrr! You little pony be mincemeat now!" The large pony turned to face Applejack. His fur coat was sticking up in anger, giving him a wild, feral look. Two long razor-sharp fangs protruded from his mouth.

"You're one ugly buck-" Applejack's insult was cutoff as the feral pony rammed her side. "Oof!"

Klaus jumped forward through the tunnel and raked his talons across the ponies face. "Arggh! Birdy-man is sneaky!"

Applejack watched as Klaus pinned the muscular pony down. "Watch out, Klaus!" Applejack said as she bucked the pony-napper in the face. The passed out body weighed a ton as it collapsed onto them, a trickle of spit dribbled onto Applejack's chin. With a look of disgust she wiped it off and flicked it onto the floor. "Eurgh, disgusting!"

Fluttershy hugged Applejack firmly, thanking her over and over. "Oh my, you two saved me! You're my hero, Klaus!" Fluttershy said, grabbing hold of the blushing griffon's neck.

"I gave her the pointed stick!" Klaus picked up the stick and snapped it.

"Why?" Applejack gave him a questioning look.

"What? Free firewood!" Klaus grinned, a large piece of wood caught fire as he accidentally held it to the torch. "Oh dear, fire is hot, FIRE IS HOT!"

Klaus ran in circles before deciding to sit on the burning wood. "See? All goo- OW! My butt is on fire, it's on FIRE!"

"Klaus!" Applejack called out to him. "Klaus! Put out the fire!"

Klaus continued screaming, running around holding his burning butt. Fluttershy pushed him over onto the snow-covered floor where his butt was quickly put out. Klaus collapsed back and sighed. "Phew! All that made me hungry for more jerky!"

Applejack and Fluttershy exchanged quizzical looks. Even Pinkie was relatively sane compared to this. Fluttershy laughed a little. "So how do we get back?"

"That way- Where'd the lights go?" Applejack stared at the black tunnel behind them, perplexed as to where all the torches went.

A loud grinding sound echoed through the tunnel. The clank of a bolt sliding into place was final in it's sound. "Did we just get locked in?"

"Ooh, a party!" Klaus stood up and began dancing.

"Sit down!" Applejack pointed at the floor as Klaus obeyed. "We're obviously not welcome here, so let's quietly follow the lit torches and find a back exit."

"I-i'm scared AJ!" Fluttershy whimpered, grabbing hold of her friends hoof. "L-let's just g-go home!"

"It's alright, sugarcube. If all else fails Klaus can be bait!" Applejack said jokingly, garnering a tiny hint of a smile from Fluttershy.

"Bait? Are we going fishing?" Klaus asked, oblivious to the insult.

Applejack used the torches as a kind of guide, preferring to favor the right side. If all else fails, go right. Thanks for that advice Granny, it's sure useful right about now. Applejack thought, naturally leading them right. The tunnel split of almost regularly, heading off in every single direction. Even several leading straight up. This city was beyond the size of any underground mine Applejack had even heard of. Come to think of it she'd never heard of another pony species before either.

"What d'ya suppose that creature was 'Shy? Surely you'd know!" Applejack wondered.

"Well I do but... it's not possible." Fluttershy replied, shaking her head in disbelief. "The only thing he or they could be is... S-s-sabertooth P-ponies!" Fluttershy's teeth chattered in fear as she visualized the long fangs biting Applejack.

"Shh! Relax, 'Shy! I'm sure Klaus is the scariest thing down here!" Applejack teased. "Sabertooth ponies huh? Well after what we've faced, it isn't too weird."

"B-but those l-large teeth!" Fluttershy shivered. "I'm fine, we're fine, nothing will get me..." She whispered to herself, slowly calming her nerves.

The tunnel finally reached an end, a breeze drifted against their faces from a large empty cavern. Applejack helped the others climb down, following in their wake. The ice underhoof was slick, Klaus ran in place as he tried running across. He smiled sheepishly and flew up, gliding around the empty cave calmly. A long shaft was chiseled through the roof, leading to the surface.

"Well, we ain't climbing through there. Maybe over there, I smell cooking." Applejack smiled at the thought of a nice apple pie, her thoughts broken by warning signs in her head. Fluttershy was to frightened to even move, let alone smell. Klaus on the other hand flew towards the scent, and towards the sizzling of meat.

Applejack looked up and groaned, "Klaus! Don't go in-" A clatter of pots and pans were followed by sounds of loud squawking and angry shouts.

"Where's my jerky!" cried Klaus.

"What jerky? Let me go!" A guttural female replied.

"Oh, now you're lying, ok..." The sounds of slapping echoed from the room.

"Stop it! Those hurt!" The female voice pleaded.

"They do? Then reveal the jerky!" Klaus shouted loudly, crying out as he was grabbed from behind. "Squawk! Let me go, my friends will beat you up!"

"Friends?! Capture them! Master will be pleased with fresh meat!" A deeper masculine voice commanded.

Applejack grabbed Fluttershy and fled back up the tunnel, eventually meeting a dead end. The sounds of manic laughter and rage followed them all the way to the end. Applejack turned to face her captors, hungrily licking their fangs. They stopped before them as a big, fat, Sabertooth Pony plodded forward, wearing a blood-stained apron. "So scrumptious, So delicious! Perfect for my stew! Da Butcher I am, the dinner ya gonna be!"

Fluttershy winced as large, black-iron chains were clamped around her hooves. "Does it have to be so tight? C-couldn't you loosen it a little? P-please?"

"No, tighter chain is better for tender flesh! My stew must be perfect!" The Butcher gnawed at her foreleg. "I might need some salt for this one... Put them in da 'special pantry'! NOW!"

Two burly Sabertooth's grinned and hoisted Applejack and Fluttershy onto their backs. "We gonna eat good tonight eh brother?"

"Ya, da furry chicken will be a treat. I forgotten what raw chick tastes like!" Applejack tried to wriggle free but was thwarted by the large pony who jolted her with a muscular shoulder.

Fluttershy was silent as a mouse, her body quivering as she was lugged around. After awhile they simply gave up, watching as the tunnel shifted past. The tunnels looped around the cavern, past the Butcher's shop and down, down, deep beneath the earth. A foul stench grew around them as they descended. It was a gut-churning smell of rotten meat, bad breath and rotten eggs. Applejack tried to hold her breath to avoid the stink but still it stung her nostrils.

A tiny room greeted them at the very end. Chains crisscrossed the back wall, covered in rust. A shelf rested beneath them, jars filled with pickled ears and blood-red sauce adorned it's surface. In the corner sat Klaus, face buried beneath his wings. He looked up towards the iron door as it swung open.

"Get in 'dere ya stinkin' meatsacks!" The larger Sabertooth said, scarred face turned up in a hideous snarl. A face even a mother couldn't love.

Applejack and Fluttershy were shoved through the door with pitchforks. Fluttershy squealed in pain as her flank was jabbed ever so slightly. Their jailers simply laughed, the key was swallowed whole.

"We ain't that dum'! Har, har!"

Applejack stood up and dusted herself up. "Whelp, looks like we may be in a bit o' a bind!"

Klaus looked up as if to say, well duh! He slouched back in embarrassment, sighing. "I'm not much of a hero, huh? My jerky always seems to get me in nasty business... I wonder if we'll taste nice?"

Applejack gave a defeated groan. "Look it's not your fault... ok, most of it is... but that's not the point! We can make it out together, all organs included!"

"But first, got any jerky?" Klaus asked.

"Jerky, strangely enough. Does not grow on trees." Applejack replied, rolling her eyes.

"....You sure?"

Fluttershy walked over to the other side of the cell and placed her hooves over her ears. "Here we go again..." She muttered.