New Beginningsby Lunafan1kChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 6Chapter 1Run. Faster. Faster still. Fear. Can’t hide. Can’t escape. Running. A dark shadow, stripped of its power, fled to all corners of the world. Fear, a dark power he once wielded as though he were a god, now consumed his very soul as his own power turned upon him and sought his destruction. With no way to fight back against his own darkness, he fled. And so the years passed, locked away in darkness as it surrounded him, dragging him back when he fought to the surface world only to flee blindly once more; but luck was with him this day. He fled deeper into the darkness, hoping against hope he would be able to hide long enough to regain some of his strength. What he found though, was much better. In the deepest reaches of the darkness, he found a light, the brightest he had ever laid eyes upon. He quickly halted his flight, fear of the light gripping him and crippling his form. Yet for all his fear of the light, the sounds of the approaching nightmares terrified him all the more. He turned back to the light, and fled towards it as fast as he could. The nightmares pursuing him were faster though; they surrounded him, pulling him back away from the light as he reached forward with all his strength and desperation. Just as he was about to be dragged back into the darkness he felt something grab his hand. His entire arm burst into flames as he screamed in pain, his limb dissolving and flowing into the light. The nightmares released him, fleeing the all-consuming fire as it spread along his body. His eyes widened; this was not the escape he had hoped for, wanting to return to the familiar darkness in fear rather than burn away in the light. Soon, his thoughts stopped as the light enveloped his head in its raging flames. The light stole the last of his being, and then slammed shut with a crack of thunder. The man of darkness was no more. Jack Frost, a young boy of 14, died over 300 years ago in an effort to save his sister from falling through the ice on top of a lake. In his efforts, he was rewarded with falling through the ice in his sister’s stead and dying a quick death. The Man in the Moon saw his actions, and deemed him worthy of being a spirit of frost. Jack was revived, however, he knew not who he was and none could see him, for they lacked belief in him. For 300 years he wandered, bringing with him a bitter chill of frost and snow, as well as fun and games for children around the globe to enjoy. But no matter what he did, there were none who believed in him. That was until a shadowy figure known as Pitch Black, AKA the Boogy-Man, corrupted the dreams of the children of the world and spread his darkness across the land. The Guardians of the children, Santa, the Sandman, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy fought him to their best abilities, but it was for naught as the nightmares removed the children’s faith in them, rending their powers useless. But Jack managed to renew the belief of several children in the guardians, including Jack himself. The children stood up to the nightmares, changing them to dreams of purity. With that they revived the Sandman, who spread his dreams of the other guardians to all the children of the world, renewing their belief in the Guardians and sapping the power from Pitch. It was at this point that Pitch’s nightmares turned against him and banished him to the deep darkness of the underworld, and Jack was crowned as a fellow guardian. Several years later, Jack was flying around New York, spreading an early frost throughout the city. “And that, is the perfect way to wake up in the morning!” He said excitedly as he finished frosting the last of the windows. “Well now that that’s done, I wonder what North’s up to these days.” He took out a snow globe he had ‘acquired’ from one of the Yeti last time he was up north. “Let’s give you a try, no point in snatching this baby if I never use it is there?” Jacked looked over the globe with a critical eye, “How do you work?” He asked it. He paced back and forth as he thought back to when he saw Santa use it. “Oh that’s right!” He held the globe close to his mouth and spoke clearly, “North Pole,” then threw it at the wall. What should have happened was a giant portal would open, leading straight to the North Pole. Instead the globe struck the wall with a dull crack, and then bounced along the ground back to his feet. “Huh.” Jack muttered, flabbergasted. He picked it up and examined it, there was a crack along the glass that seemed to leak liquid light. “Stupid thing, I said North Pole!” He yelled in frustration as he shook it in anger. He heard a slight chime, more of a jingle, and looked at the globe clutched in his hand. The fake snow in the globe had condensed into a picture of Santa’s work shop. “Oh right, you’re supposed to shake it… That makes sense.” Jack tossed the globe at the wall once more, and a swirling portal opened up. “There we go! North Pole here I come!” He called out in laughter as he took a running jump through the portal. But as it consumed him, the portal seemed to glitch. Static filled its vortex before flashing with blinding light and slamming shut with a crack of thunder. The winds of the north remained unchanged, no portal appeared, and Jack was lost. Pitch slowly came to his senses, but there was nothing to sense. His mind screamed; he was everywhere and nowhere; there was no up, no down; he saw but didn’t see; heard but there was nothing to hear; he saw no light or darkness. He simply was, yet he wasn’t. Thus was the madness of the Void, for he had somehow escaped reality itself. Now he found himself with just his thoughts and memories as time flew past him, or never moved, or didn’t exist at all. After an eternity alone, (or was it an instant? He couldn’t tell) he finally felt something. Was he falling? Flying? He had no idea, but he felt as if he was moving at an incredible rate, as though the void was rejecting him, and was tossing him around at random. Soon he felt more sensations, the feeling of the cold ground supporting him as his head spun. He opened his eyes and saw a bright blue sky with dots of clouds scattered about. With the return of his senses, so did his fear of his own nightmares. He tried to stand and flee once again, but his body was unresponsive to his efforts. With a pained moan, he closed his eyes and awaited the inevitable. Yet the inevitable never came. He reached out with his senses as far as they could go and found no trace of his pursuers. He let out a faint laugh as the reality of his situation kicked in; He had done it. He had somehow managed to escape his eternal torment. With this thought he let himself relax for the first time in years, and drifted off to a deep, dreamless slumber. Jack felt sick; he had taken the portals a few times before but it had never felt like he was being twisted around himself like a pretzel. Soon enough he landed on his back, the wind knocked out of him. He rolled over and curled up in pain, breathing in the sweet scents of summer... “Wait what?” He said groggily. He managed to pull himself up into a sitting position and looked around at the green field he found himself in. “Well this isn’t the North Pole. Probably shouldn’t have used the globe after it cracked like that. Looks like I’m flying myself.” He stood and brushed himself off, looking to the sun to determine which way was north. He saw the sun rising in the east, bathing a tall mountain in its golden light that reflected off an impossible castle jutting from the side of a cliff, with a magnificent waterfall flowing down from it. Jack stared in awe, he had no idea such a place existed! In his excitement he realized that the only beings he knew of that lived in such wonders were his fellow guardians. “Well, maybe I’ll just pay them a visit then, find out where I am and all that.” He turned away from the castle and yelled, “Alright wind, take me to the castle!” He spun back around and jumped into the air in the direction of the castle, but the familiar feeling of the wind lifting him toward the skies, the cool breeze wafting through his hair never came, and instead was replaced with a dull aching sensation as he fell on his face. “Oh… ow…” He mumbled as he clutched his face. “What the heck was that all about?” he asked as he recovered to his feet. “Why can’t I fly…?” He wandered around as he thought of the various reasons for this turn of events, casually freezing the blades of grass with his staff. “The only time a guardian can lose their powers is when nobody believes in them, but that can’t be right. Maybe the portal messed me up somehow? Yeah… that must be it.” Jack looked back up to the castle, “Well, maybe whoever lives there would be able to help me out.” As Jack prepared to set out, he heard a low moan off to his right. He went over to investigate, and he saw someone he thought he would never see again: Pitch Black. Jack took up a defensive stance, holding his staff in front of him in preparation for an attack. Pitch responded with a snore. Jack hesitated, and looked closer. Pitch was obviously in a deep sleep, blissfully unaware of Jack standing not three feet from him, and unconsciously rubbing his face in the dirt. Jack was spared further confusion as the memory of Pitch making the children lose their beliefs in the Guardians filled him with anger. He strode forward and jabbed Pitch in the side with his staff, chilling him to the core in a flash. Pitch let out a yelp and jumped to his feet as he clutched his cold side in fear and confusion. His eyes fell upon Jack who was once more in a battle stance. “Jack? Jack Frost? What are you doing here?” Pitch asked in confusion. He had fled that world, hadn’t he? “You know why I’m here, you took over the children again haven’t you?! That’s why I can’t use my powers!” Jack yelled. “Took over…?” Pitch looked around in confusion. “I haven’t done anything! Wait, you can’t use your powers?” Pitch tried to call upon the little power he had before he fell into the light, yet there was none. “It’s gone…” He said in pure shock. “Don’t lie to me! You did something, I know it!” Jack yelled, switching the hold on his staff threateningly. “I’m not lying!” Pitch said defensively. “Ever since I was defeated by you my time was spent trying to escape those blasted nightmares! I barely had time to run let alone try to regain any semblance of power I once had. Whatever the cause for our loss of power, it is not my doing.” Jack thought for a moment, considering Pitch’s words. He also thought back to anything concerning Pitch over the years; he wouldn’t have had enough time to reform that large of an army to take over the world again, let alone have the power to stand up to all the Guardians again. “Okay,” He said as he lowered the staff to his side, “so, what do you think is the cause for this then?” Pitch lowered his hands as he took a more casual stance, “I remember fleeing into a deeper darkness, where I found a painful light…” He scratched the side of his head as he tried to remember more than the pain of the event. “I don’t know exactly, but the light burned so much, all I remember is unimaginable pain, then an emptiness so profound I thought I would go mad. Then I woke up here, unable to sense the nightmares.” “Okay, but that still doesn’t answer my question.” Jack said as he leaned against his staff. “But it does, Jack. I can sense all of the darkness in the world, even at my weakest. Here, I cannot sense anything but purity. Yes there are a few patches of darkness, but nothing of the sort that was after me. This, along with our loss of power, makes me believe we are on a different planet, or even a separate plane of reality. But that just leaves one question: How did you get here, Jack?” Jack frowned a bit at that news, if he was truly on a different planet or reality then the odds of getting back home was slim to none, and he was powerless to do anything about it. He sighed, “I was trying to get to the North Pole, but messed up a snow globe and cracked it to where some light was leaking out of it. I got it working after a bit and jumped into the portal. It was painful, like someone was twisting my insides into a knot, then I landed not far from here, and found you.” “Well, that is unfortunate.” Pitch said sincerely. “So, two old enemies stranded on an alien world without their powers... What do you think we should do?” Jack asked as he began to pace in a circle, twirling his staff about him in arcs of frost. “Well, the first option is we fight it out to the death, and seeing as you can still chill things means I’m at a serious disadvantage, and I don’t want to die thank you. The other is we could form a truce and gather more information about this place.” Pitch said as he strummed his long fingers together. “True, but if we form a truce what’s to keep you from exacting revenge upon me when my guard is down?” “Nothing really, except my word. Now really Jack, I might have been evil but I still had a code of honor. I warned the guardians in advance before I attacked and did so in the open. I’m not some underhanded assassin. Besides, there’s no fun in that. I would want to fight you with both of us at full power, and from what it looks like neither of us will be getting any power any time soon.” Jack paused in his pacing to stare at Pitch for a moment, before he chuckled a bit, “You know, you got a point there. So,” He extended his hand to Pitch, “a truce then, until we get our powers back or get out of here then?” Pitch chuckled as well, not an evil chuckle, but one of agreement. “Oh, I think I can agree to that.” He said as he grasped Jacks hand, and they shook on it. “Now then, what now?” He asked as he returned his hand to his side. “There’s a massive castle on that mountain in the distance, I don’t know about you, but it just screams Guardian, don’t you think?” Jack said as he pointed off into the distance. Pitch looked over it as well, “Yes it does seem to have that mystical quality to it, but I’m not feeling the vibe of a Guardian. In fact there is a higher concentration of darkness there, as well as more purity. Whatever lives there is certainly powerful though.” He concluded. “Well standing around here isn’t getting us anywhere, let’s go say hello.” Jack stated as he strode off in the direction of the mountain. “Yes, let’s.” Pitch said, following after at a comfortable pace. Together they traveled the land, on a shared journey towards the unknown and new beginnings. Chapter 2Jack Frost and Pitch Black approached the base of the mountain. It had taken nearly the rest of the day to make it that far, but being incorporeal spirits that meant nothing to them as they never tired. “So…” Jack started. He was bored out of his mind, (the green fields had gotten old after a few hours) yet he was not quite sure if he was ready to speak to his traveling company, no matter how bored he was. Pitch sighed, feeling the same way. “What?” Jack shrugged and decided to throw caution to the wind, “So how did… you know, you, come about? All I know is that you were causing trouble before the Man in the Moon chose the Guardians to overthrow you.” Jack said with a bit of hesitation. “Really? That’s all those simpletons know of me? Come now Jack, surly you must be joking.” Jack merely shrugged. “I was born from the darkness caused by the light.” Jack looked at Pitch like he had grown a third head. “Let me explain it to you this way then, when you turn on a light in a room, what lurks behind and underneath everything?” “Um, shadows?” Jack guessed. “Exactly! Do you know why?” Pitch asked with a grin, “Because that is the true balance of the universe. When there is light, there must be shadows, and from those shadows I was born. I am darkness; I bring darkness into the world. Without me, life would be dull and without meaning!” “How would a world full of light and joy be dull and boring? I think it would be the paradise that everyone strives for.” Jack said. Pitch looked around in thought for a moment, “Because there would be no meaning to everything. You would have no desires because you would have no need of them, nothing to strive for, content with the world for eternity. Darkness brings meaning of sacrifice; nothing is easy and the more you fight against the darkness the more glorious the rewards. Like a man with no legs racing against seasoned runners on flimsy prosthetics. He may not win, but the fact he fought his own disability to finish a race is truly inspiring.” “So then why did you want to shroud the world in darkness then?” Jack asked. “Have you heard of the Greats?” Pitch asked suddenly, to which Jack shook his head, “The Greats are beings of balance; neither of darkness nor of light. But they do what must be done to maintain order. The Man in the Moon is one such being.” Pitch paused, and picked a yellow flower from the grass nearby. He held it up for Jack to see. “Over the last few centuries, he went against his own purpose to instill more and more light upon the world to the point it was vastly overbalanced. He made you, the groundhog, the leprechaun, and all sorts of beings for the good of the world. The darkness was being pushed back so I made a plan to not only restore the balance, but hopefully tip the scale in my direction.” Pitch crushed the flower in his palm, reducing it to a juicy mush. “For the most part it worked; the nightmares are still out and about wreaking havoc around the world, while the guardians do their best to fight them to a standstill. Although I never thought I would be banished to the darkness I came from. Slight oversight on my part.” “That… doesn’t really put me at ease…” Jack said, moving slightly farther away from Pitch as they walked closer to the mountain. “What’s keeping you from trying to do the same to this world once you get your power back?” “Remarkably enough, the balance of this world is actually nearly perfect as far as I can tell, which is actually rather disturbing.” Pitch said. He slowed to a stop and closed his eyes as he cast his mind outward. Jack stopped to look back at him, “Disturbing? How, exactly?” “Imagine it Jack, a dark power so pure and strong it could single handedly destroy the planet. Now imagine another of equal strength restoring the world in an instant. Their power would cancel themselves so completely there would be nothing left. “Now imagine those beings separated into parts, the darkness into fewer, more powerful monsters and the light into many, less powerful people. Alone the monsters would destroy the people, but if the people rally together the monster is vanquished: strength in numbers, people would say, but it is the inner light and darkness that truly tip the balance in favor of one side or another.” “Wow,” Jack said, “since when did you become a philosopher?” “Millennia to my thoughts, Jack.” Pitch stated in monotone as he opened his eyes to stare at Jack. “Oh, right.” Jack turned back around to examine the mountain’s sheer cliff. “Anyway, how do we get up there?” “There must be a path nearby…” Pitch trailed off as he looked around the area. Off in the distance to their right was what looked like a horse pulling a carriage along a path of some sort. “I think we’ll find our answer just over there.” Pitch Turned back to Jack and jerked his head towards the small caravan before striding closer to it. Jack quickened his stride to keep up, but as they neared something seemed… off. Neither could put their fingers on it at first, but soon they were close enough to pick out the major details. The one pulling the cart was horse-like, but much smaller, more pony sized. But unlike any pony they know of, this one was brightly colored, with a head much too large for its body and its eyes almost swallowing its entire head. “Well, I guess you were right about that different world theory after all…” Jack commented as they strode alongside the strange creature. “And it looks like we're invisible to it too.” He said, snapping his fingers in front of its face. Pitch wasn’t paying attention to Jack. Instead, he was looking in the carriage. There he found two more of the odd ponies, one that appeared as an adult, and a sleeping little one that he would guess to be a child, a foal. He was speechless for a moment, purely dumbfounded. “Jack? I think we might have a problem.” He called out. Jack wasted no time in joining Pitch in the carriage, “What’s up?” he asked as he looked around in worry. “Tell me, Jack, what are we not seeing on this little caravan?” Pitch said, staring intently at the two ponies. Jack looked around, thinking back to his earlier days when this form of travel was common. “Well, let’s see, they got the pack animals, food, blankets… I’m not seeing any meat though, or hunting equipment. Looks like just grass and stuff, so what about the people on this trip, what would they be eating?” “Exactly, there is no indication of there being any people on this trip at all, just these animals, it makes no sense!” Pitch exclaimed. He clutched his head and began to pace back and forth trying to figure out what exactly was going on. “Well, this is another planet, right?” Jack asked. Pitch paused to consider his earlier thoughts. “No… no I don’t think this is simply another planet. The culture looks far too similar to our own world to suggest that. I think this is truly another plane of existence, one that is perhaps a mirror of our own world.” “Ok, well, maybe the ponies are the dominant race instead of the people?” Jack asked. Pitch turned and gave him a look that could melt steel. “Don’t be absurd, there is no way a race of plant eaters could become the top of the food chain, let alone master the skills required to build something like this properly!” He denied. “Well, I think I know of a way to find out.” Jack suggested. Pitch glared at him, “Well if you have such a cunning idea then go ahead, find out if they are the dominate race.” Jack looked over the horses once more, “Well? I’m waiting.” Jack shot him a glare back to silence him, before moving to gently tap his staff against the side of the little one. The effect was instantaneous; the foal began to shiver as the chill ran over him. One of the larger ponies noticed, and then greatly alarmed both Jack and Pitch as it spoke! “Oh, look at the poor dear; shivering from cold on such a nice day, I think he is worse off now from when we started this journey.” It stood and rummaged around in one of the boxes of supplies, returning a moment latter with a heavy blanket. “Golden Wheat, have we reached Canterlot yet?” The mare called out. The stallion pulling the carriage looked back at them, “Not quite yet, Maybelle, we’re about to start up the mountain path.” “Good, the sooner we get there, the sooner the Princess can help little Apple Seed here.” The mare, Maybelle, said as she snuggled up to the little foal to help warm him. The carriage quickly fell back into silence, the only sounds coming from Golden Wheat’s hooves clopping on the road and the rattle of the carriage. The two spirits could only look on in stunned silence. Jack was the first to break it, “So, talking ponies…” Pitch remained silent as he slumped to the floor of the carriage. “Well if the direction is any clue, then I bet the castle is called Canterlot, and these three are headed there, to see a princess. A princess pony.” Jack slumped down in defeat as well, “Seriously? A pony princess. What the hell is going on?” “Honestly, I don’t know Jack.” Pitch replied as he threw his head back against the wall, producing a thud that the ponies didn’t hear. “I doubt a pony princess would be able to help us, but I don’t have any other suggestions other than ‘Go see the princess’ to try.” Jack said. So they waited out the rest of the trip in an uneasy silence, the foal shivering and moaning at random and the supposed mother trying to comfort it being the only distraction. Chapter 3“Halt!” Pitch and Jack jerked as the carriage came to a sudden stop. “Excuse me Sir,” Golden Wheat started, “but we’ve got an appointment to see the princess this evening before sunset, it’s urgent.” Jack shared a look with Pitch before they both made their way to the front of the carriage to have a better look. The found themselves before a massive golden gate, beyond which lay a cobblestone path lined with hedges cut into the likeness of ponies in various poses. The path led up to a set of massive wooden doors set into the most brilliant marble walls they had ever laid eyes upon. Following the wall up, they spotted numerous towers reaching far up into the clouds, supporting banners and ribbons of every color. “Woah…” Jack said in awe. Pitch said nothing, taking in the regal castle with a hint of worry, something about it make his senses feel numb. “Standard procedure,” The guard replied, “we need to check the carriage for any unauthorized ponies, griffons, excreta. I’m sure you understand?” Two more guards, clad in heavy looking golden armor approached the carriage from either side and peeked in. “No, of course not.” Golden Wheat said. “I have my paper work here as well.” He reached back into the carriage with his fore-hoof and pulled out a sheet of paper rolled up and bound with a golden thread. “These ponies are pretty flexible aren’t they?” Jack commented. “I’m more concerned with how they grab things with solid hooves,” Pitch commented as he held his head tightly, “This place is giving me a migraine Jack, and it’s not just the bright colors or the impossibility of these creatures. There is something here, Jack. I can feel it, like it’s trying to crush me.” Jack looked around thoughtfully, “I don’t feel any different.” “That’s probably because you’re not tuned into the energies of the world quite like I am.” Pitch said as he climbed back into the carriage. “Everything looks to be in order; you may proceed beyond the gate. There is a place to park the carriage along the eastern wall before you enter the castle proper.” The guard suddenly spoke up. Jack quickly hopped back into the carriage as Golden Wheat nodded to the guard and started on his way. “So, what did you mean, ‘tuned into the energy?’” Jack asked. “Exactly what it sounds like, Jack, how else would I know who was having a nightmare and who wasn’t? Now please refrain from speaking, this migraine is splitting my head…” Jack said nothing, a hint of worry crossing his features as he watched Pitch cradle his head. He instead focused his attentions on the quickly approaching castle. As the guard said, they were heading toward a side courtyard about half filled with various carriages of all sorts, sizes, and colors. Golden Wheat maneuvered the chariot into an open spot with practiced ease before unhitching himself, using his mouth with amazing dexterity. Together Golden and Maybelle gathered their still sleeping foal and doubled back toward the front of the castle. Jack made to follow along, but hesitated. He looked back toward Pitch. “You coming or what?” He asked. “Just let me…” Pitch trailed off. After a moment he let out a long sigh, “Ah, much better.” He said, shaking his head vigorously as though to clear his mind. “So what was all that about? I thought you were in too much pain from being an over sensitive softie.” Jack teased. “Say that again and I will tear you to pieces.” Pitch glared, causing Jack to snap his mouth shut. “And for your information, I was closing myself off. I won’t be able to sense anything like this but that’s for the best right now.” “Well whatever, let’s go before we miss our escort.” Jack said before hurrying to catch up to the three ponies rounding the far corner. He glanced behind him to see Pitch easily matching his pace. He smirked, and then poured on some speed, edging Pitch to chase after him. His ruse worked for a moment, and Pitch sped up to match the new pace, but they were forced to skid to a halt before the massive doors. “What’s going on? Why aren’t they open?” Jack asked in confusion. “While you were more concerned about your little race, our charge took a smaller door not far back.” Pitch chastised as he spun around and strode off to where he saw the ponies go. Jack quickly followed to the door, going through it led simply to the other side of the huge doors. “So what’s the point of the big doors if nobody uses them?” “Do use your head Jack; it’s obviously for big ceremonies.” Pitch responded offhandedly. They continued deeper into the castle and marveled at its wonder. Great tapestries portraying the sun and the moon covered the walls, ponies in very fancy dress hurried from one place to the next while others in the same golden armor stood at attention in strategic points in the great hall, unmoving yet observing all. They found the three ponies they’d been following heading up the red carpet toward another set of doors; these however, were wide open and welcoming. Jack tried to squint and see deeper into the chamber beyond, but wasn’t able to make out much. He decided to simply wait and follow behind the same ponies They followed the family into the throne room, which was just as glamorous if not more so, mainly due to the larger pony sitting comfortably atop a throne of gold. Next to it was another throne made of dark obsidian, currently vacant. Behind each hung a massive banner representing the sun and the moon respectively, and between the banners was an enormous stained glass window showing two winged unicorns looking out over playful ponies, representing the peace they have brought unto the land. Jack and Pitch stared in awe of the majesty of the white pony on the throne, how she had wings, a horn, and a mane that seemed to flow on energy only she could feel. She looked back at them, almost as if they were standing there plain as day, yet her face remained a calm neutral and betrayed nothing if she saw them at all. The two spirits and the Princess shifted their attention to the small family that had just risen from a bow. “Your Majesty,” Golden Wheat began after a guard announced them to the Princess, “We have come from the far south seeking aid, our foal has grown ill with an unknown sickness and we fear it isn’t long before it takes him away from us. Please, can you do something to help him, or even just ease his pain until…” he trailed off, daring not to think so negatively in the Princess’s presence. The Princess rose from her throne with a sense of calm yet determined urgency. She placed a hoof up to the foal’s forehead as he shivered. Her eyes flickered over to where Jack and Pitch stood watching, a frown creasing her features as she did so. “I can help ease his chills, but for the sickness I’m afraid I have never seen anything like it.” She held up a hoof to silence any comments, her horn glowing with a warm golden light that reached out to envelope the foal. Apple Seed ceased his shivering and a small smile formed on his muzzle. “However, this doesn’t mean I don’t know somepony who may be able to help. That is to say, some zebra.” She finished with a smile. “She lives in Ponyville, a small town on the edge of the Everfree Forest. Inside that forest lives a zebra shaman well versed in alchemy. She will undoubtedly be able to cure little Apple Seed here. I will send you there on the first train, it departs in twenty minutes. Once you arrive, look for a purple alicorn with a starburst cutie-mark. Her name is Twilight Sparkle, my personal student. She and her friends will see you through the forest safely.” “Oh… Oh my, Princess, I-I can’t thank you enough!” Maybelle managed to speak as she bowed deeply. “Think nothing of it, my little ponies. Now you best be off, the train is leaving soon.” The Princess said. As the family left, the Princess turned to one of the guards, “Go, wake my sister and leave us, seal the room behind you.” “Yes, Ma’am!” He sounded out, motioning to the other guards to seal the room as one ran out the door to awaken the lunar princess. Within moments the commotion died down, leaving the Princess alone with the two spirits. She stared straight ahead, as though pointedly not looking at them. “I swear she sees us…” Jack mumbled in Pitch’s direction, who nodded hesitantly in agreement. They waited like that for several long minutes until they were disturbed by a flash of light and a crack in the air. Now standing before the Princess was a younger, darker version of her. “This had better be important, dear sister. The realm of dreams has been… strange as of late, keeping me busier than usual.” The smaller blue one said irritably. “I’m sure we’ll figure out why that is,” The white princess turned to face both Jack and Pitch, and glared with the fury of a thousand suns, “Just as we’ll find out why our realm is being invaded by more pesky spirits!” Chapter 4Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.Chapter 5Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.Chapter 6Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.
Chapter 1Run. Faster. Faster still. Fear. Can’t hide. Can’t escape. Running. A dark shadow, stripped of its power, fled to all corners of the world. Fear, a dark power he once wielded as though he were a god, now consumed his very soul as his own power turned upon him and sought his destruction. With no way to fight back against his own darkness, he fled. And so the years passed, locked away in darkness as it surrounded him, dragging him back when he fought to the surface world only to flee blindly once more; but luck was with him this day. He fled deeper into the darkness, hoping against hope he would be able to hide long enough to regain some of his strength. What he found though, was much better. In the deepest reaches of the darkness, he found a light, the brightest he had ever laid eyes upon. He quickly halted his flight, fear of the light gripping him and crippling his form. Yet for all his fear of the light, the sounds of the approaching nightmares terrified him all the more. He turned back to the light, and fled towards it as fast as he could. The nightmares pursuing him were faster though; they surrounded him, pulling him back away from the light as he reached forward with all his strength and desperation. Just as he was about to be dragged back into the darkness he felt something grab his hand. His entire arm burst into flames as he screamed in pain, his limb dissolving and flowing into the light. The nightmares released him, fleeing the all-consuming fire as it spread along his body. His eyes widened; this was not the escape he had hoped for, wanting to return to the familiar darkness in fear rather than burn away in the light. Soon, his thoughts stopped as the light enveloped his head in its raging flames. The light stole the last of his being, and then slammed shut with a crack of thunder. The man of darkness was no more. Jack Frost, a young boy of 14, died over 300 years ago in an effort to save his sister from falling through the ice on top of a lake. In his efforts, he was rewarded with falling through the ice in his sister’s stead and dying a quick death. The Man in the Moon saw his actions, and deemed him worthy of being a spirit of frost. Jack was revived, however, he knew not who he was and none could see him, for they lacked belief in him. For 300 years he wandered, bringing with him a bitter chill of frost and snow, as well as fun and games for children around the globe to enjoy. But no matter what he did, there were none who believed in him. That was until a shadowy figure known as Pitch Black, AKA the Boogy-Man, corrupted the dreams of the children of the world and spread his darkness across the land. The Guardians of the children, Santa, the Sandman, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy fought him to their best abilities, but it was for naught as the nightmares removed the children’s faith in them, rending their powers useless. But Jack managed to renew the belief of several children in the guardians, including Jack himself. The children stood up to the nightmares, changing them to dreams of purity. With that they revived the Sandman, who spread his dreams of the other guardians to all the children of the world, renewing their belief in the Guardians and sapping the power from Pitch. It was at this point that Pitch’s nightmares turned against him and banished him to the deep darkness of the underworld, and Jack was crowned as a fellow guardian. Several years later, Jack was flying around New York, spreading an early frost throughout the city. “And that, is the perfect way to wake up in the morning!” He said excitedly as he finished frosting the last of the windows. “Well now that that’s done, I wonder what North’s up to these days.” He took out a snow globe he had ‘acquired’ from one of the Yeti last time he was up north. “Let’s give you a try, no point in snatching this baby if I never use it is there?” Jacked looked over the globe with a critical eye, “How do you work?” He asked it. He paced back and forth as he thought back to when he saw Santa use it. “Oh that’s right!” He held the globe close to his mouth and spoke clearly, “North Pole,” then threw it at the wall. What should have happened was a giant portal would open, leading straight to the North Pole. Instead the globe struck the wall with a dull crack, and then bounced along the ground back to his feet. “Huh.” Jack muttered, flabbergasted. He picked it up and examined it, there was a crack along the glass that seemed to leak liquid light. “Stupid thing, I said North Pole!” He yelled in frustration as he shook it in anger. He heard a slight chime, more of a jingle, and looked at the globe clutched in his hand. The fake snow in the globe had condensed into a picture of Santa’s work shop. “Oh right, you’re supposed to shake it… That makes sense.” Jack tossed the globe at the wall once more, and a swirling portal opened up. “There we go! North Pole here I come!” He called out in laughter as he took a running jump through the portal. But as it consumed him, the portal seemed to glitch. Static filled its vortex before flashing with blinding light and slamming shut with a crack of thunder. The winds of the north remained unchanged, no portal appeared, and Jack was lost. Pitch slowly came to his senses, but there was nothing to sense. His mind screamed; he was everywhere and nowhere; there was no up, no down; he saw but didn’t see; heard but there was nothing to hear; he saw no light or darkness. He simply was, yet he wasn’t. Thus was the madness of the Void, for he had somehow escaped reality itself. Now he found himself with just his thoughts and memories as time flew past him, or never moved, or didn’t exist at all. After an eternity alone, (or was it an instant? He couldn’t tell) he finally felt something. Was he falling? Flying? He had no idea, but he felt as if he was moving at an incredible rate, as though the void was rejecting him, and was tossing him around at random. Soon he felt more sensations, the feeling of the cold ground supporting him as his head spun. He opened his eyes and saw a bright blue sky with dots of clouds scattered about. With the return of his senses, so did his fear of his own nightmares. He tried to stand and flee once again, but his body was unresponsive to his efforts. With a pained moan, he closed his eyes and awaited the inevitable. Yet the inevitable never came. He reached out with his senses as far as they could go and found no trace of his pursuers. He let out a faint laugh as the reality of his situation kicked in; He had done it. He had somehow managed to escape his eternal torment. With this thought he let himself relax for the first time in years, and drifted off to a deep, dreamless slumber. Jack felt sick; he had taken the portals a few times before but it had never felt like he was being twisted around himself like a pretzel. Soon enough he landed on his back, the wind knocked out of him. He rolled over and curled up in pain, breathing in the sweet scents of summer... “Wait what?” He said groggily. He managed to pull himself up into a sitting position and looked around at the green field he found himself in. “Well this isn’t the North Pole. Probably shouldn’t have used the globe after it cracked like that. Looks like I’m flying myself.” He stood and brushed himself off, looking to the sun to determine which way was north. He saw the sun rising in the east, bathing a tall mountain in its golden light that reflected off an impossible castle jutting from the side of a cliff, with a magnificent waterfall flowing down from it. Jack stared in awe, he had no idea such a place existed! In his excitement he realized that the only beings he knew of that lived in such wonders were his fellow guardians. “Well, maybe I’ll just pay them a visit then, find out where I am and all that.” He turned away from the castle and yelled, “Alright wind, take me to the castle!” He spun back around and jumped into the air in the direction of the castle, but the familiar feeling of the wind lifting him toward the skies, the cool breeze wafting through his hair never came, and instead was replaced with a dull aching sensation as he fell on his face. “Oh… ow…” He mumbled as he clutched his face. “What the heck was that all about?” he asked as he recovered to his feet. “Why can’t I fly…?” He wandered around as he thought of the various reasons for this turn of events, casually freezing the blades of grass with his staff. “The only time a guardian can lose their powers is when nobody believes in them, but that can’t be right. Maybe the portal messed me up somehow? Yeah… that must be it.” Jack looked back up to the castle, “Well, maybe whoever lives there would be able to help me out.” As Jack prepared to set out, he heard a low moan off to his right. He went over to investigate, and he saw someone he thought he would never see again: Pitch Black. Jack took up a defensive stance, holding his staff in front of him in preparation for an attack. Pitch responded with a snore. Jack hesitated, and looked closer. Pitch was obviously in a deep sleep, blissfully unaware of Jack standing not three feet from him, and unconsciously rubbing his face in the dirt. Jack was spared further confusion as the memory of Pitch making the children lose their beliefs in the Guardians filled him with anger. He strode forward and jabbed Pitch in the side with his staff, chilling him to the core in a flash. Pitch let out a yelp and jumped to his feet as he clutched his cold side in fear and confusion. His eyes fell upon Jack who was once more in a battle stance. “Jack? Jack Frost? What are you doing here?” Pitch asked in confusion. He had fled that world, hadn’t he? “You know why I’m here, you took over the children again haven’t you?! That’s why I can’t use my powers!” Jack yelled. “Took over…?” Pitch looked around in confusion. “I haven’t done anything! Wait, you can’t use your powers?” Pitch tried to call upon the little power he had before he fell into the light, yet there was none. “It’s gone…” He said in pure shock. “Don’t lie to me! You did something, I know it!” Jack yelled, switching the hold on his staff threateningly. “I’m not lying!” Pitch said defensively. “Ever since I was defeated by you my time was spent trying to escape those blasted nightmares! I barely had time to run let alone try to regain any semblance of power I once had. Whatever the cause for our loss of power, it is not my doing.” Jack thought for a moment, considering Pitch’s words. He also thought back to anything concerning Pitch over the years; he wouldn’t have had enough time to reform that large of an army to take over the world again, let alone have the power to stand up to all the Guardians again. “Okay,” He said as he lowered the staff to his side, “so, what do you think is the cause for this then?” Pitch lowered his hands as he took a more casual stance, “I remember fleeing into a deeper darkness, where I found a painful light…” He scratched the side of his head as he tried to remember more than the pain of the event. “I don’t know exactly, but the light burned so much, all I remember is unimaginable pain, then an emptiness so profound I thought I would go mad. Then I woke up here, unable to sense the nightmares.” “Okay, but that still doesn’t answer my question.” Jack said as he leaned against his staff. “But it does, Jack. I can sense all of the darkness in the world, even at my weakest. Here, I cannot sense anything but purity. Yes there are a few patches of darkness, but nothing of the sort that was after me. This, along with our loss of power, makes me believe we are on a different planet, or even a separate plane of reality. But that just leaves one question: How did you get here, Jack?” Jack frowned a bit at that news, if he was truly on a different planet or reality then the odds of getting back home was slim to none, and he was powerless to do anything about it. He sighed, “I was trying to get to the North Pole, but messed up a snow globe and cracked it to where some light was leaking out of it. I got it working after a bit and jumped into the portal. It was painful, like someone was twisting my insides into a knot, then I landed not far from here, and found you.” “Well, that is unfortunate.” Pitch said sincerely. “So, two old enemies stranded on an alien world without their powers... What do you think we should do?” Jack asked as he began to pace in a circle, twirling his staff about him in arcs of frost. “Well, the first option is we fight it out to the death, and seeing as you can still chill things means I’m at a serious disadvantage, and I don’t want to die thank you. The other is we could form a truce and gather more information about this place.” Pitch said as he strummed his long fingers together. “True, but if we form a truce what’s to keep you from exacting revenge upon me when my guard is down?” “Nothing really, except my word. Now really Jack, I might have been evil but I still had a code of honor. I warned the guardians in advance before I attacked and did so in the open. I’m not some underhanded assassin. Besides, there’s no fun in that. I would want to fight you with both of us at full power, and from what it looks like neither of us will be getting any power any time soon.” Jack paused in his pacing to stare at Pitch for a moment, before he chuckled a bit, “You know, you got a point there. So,” He extended his hand to Pitch, “a truce then, until we get our powers back or get out of here then?” Pitch chuckled as well, not an evil chuckle, but one of agreement. “Oh, I think I can agree to that.” He said as he grasped Jacks hand, and they shook on it. “Now then, what now?” He asked as he returned his hand to his side. “There’s a massive castle on that mountain in the distance, I don’t know about you, but it just screams Guardian, don’t you think?” Jack said as he pointed off into the distance. Pitch looked over it as well, “Yes it does seem to have that mystical quality to it, but I’m not feeling the vibe of a Guardian. In fact there is a higher concentration of darkness there, as well as more purity. Whatever lives there is certainly powerful though.” He concluded. “Well standing around here isn’t getting us anywhere, let’s go say hello.” Jack stated as he strode off in the direction of the mountain. “Yes, let’s.” Pitch said, following after at a comfortable pace. Together they traveled the land, on a shared journey towards the unknown and new beginnings.
Chapter 2Jack Frost and Pitch Black approached the base of the mountain. It had taken nearly the rest of the day to make it that far, but being incorporeal spirits that meant nothing to them as they never tired. “So…” Jack started. He was bored out of his mind, (the green fields had gotten old after a few hours) yet he was not quite sure if he was ready to speak to his traveling company, no matter how bored he was. Pitch sighed, feeling the same way. “What?” Jack shrugged and decided to throw caution to the wind, “So how did… you know, you, come about? All I know is that you were causing trouble before the Man in the Moon chose the Guardians to overthrow you.” Jack said with a bit of hesitation. “Really? That’s all those simpletons know of me? Come now Jack, surly you must be joking.” Jack merely shrugged. “I was born from the darkness caused by the light.” Jack looked at Pitch like he had grown a third head. “Let me explain it to you this way then, when you turn on a light in a room, what lurks behind and underneath everything?” “Um, shadows?” Jack guessed. “Exactly! Do you know why?” Pitch asked with a grin, “Because that is the true balance of the universe. When there is light, there must be shadows, and from those shadows I was born. I am darkness; I bring darkness into the world. Without me, life would be dull and without meaning!” “How would a world full of light and joy be dull and boring? I think it would be the paradise that everyone strives for.” Jack said. Pitch looked around in thought for a moment, “Because there would be no meaning to everything. You would have no desires because you would have no need of them, nothing to strive for, content with the world for eternity. Darkness brings meaning of sacrifice; nothing is easy and the more you fight against the darkness the more glorious the rewards. Like a man with no legs racing against seasoned runners on flimsy prosthetics. He may not win, but the fact he fought his own disability to finish a race is truly inspiring.” “So then why did you want to shroud the world in darkness then?” Jack asked. “Have you heard of the Greats?” Pitch asked suddenly, to which Jack shook his head, “The Greats are beings of balance; neither of darkness nor of light. But they do what must be done to maintain order. The Man in the Moon is one such being.” Pitch paused, and picked a yellow flower from the grass nearby. He held it up for Jack to see. “Over the last few centuries, he went against his own purpose to instill more and more light upon the world to the point it was vastly overbalanced. He made you, the groundhog, the leprechaun, and all sorts of beings for the good of the world. The darkness was being pushed back so I made a plan to not only restore the balance, but hopefully tip the scale in my direction.” Pitch crushed the flower in his palm, reducing it to a juicy mush. “For the most part it worked; the nightmares are still out and about wreaking havoc around the world, while the guardians do their best to fight them to a standstill. Although I never thought I would be banished to the darkness I came from. Slight oversight on my part.” “That… doesn’t really put me at ease…” Jack said, moving slightly farther away from Pitch as they walked closer to the mountain. “What’s keeping you from trying to do the same to this world once you get your power back?” “Remarkably enough, the balance of this world is actually nearly perfect as far as I can tell, which is actually rather disturbing.” Pitch said. He slowed to a stop and closed his eyes as he cast his mind outward. Jack stopped to look back at him, “Disturbing? How, exactly?” “Imagine it Jack, a dark power so pure and strong it could single handedly destroy the planet. Now imagine another of equal strength restoring the world in an instant. Their power would cancel themselves so completely there would be nothing left. “Now imagine those beings separated into parts, the darkness into fewer, more powerful monsters and the light into many, less powerful people. Alone the monsters would destroy the people, but if the people rally together the monster is vanquished: strength in numbers, people would say, but it is the inner light and darkness that truly tip the balance in favor of one side or another.” “Wow,” Jack said, “since when did you become a philosopher?” “Millennia to my thoughts, Jack.” Pitch stated in monotone as he opened his eyes to stare at Jack. “Oh, right.” Jack turned back around to examine the mountain’s sheer cliff. “Anyway, how do we get up there?” “There must be a path nearby…” Pitch trailed off as he looked around the area. Off in the distance to their right was what looked like a horse pulling a carriage along a path of some sort. “I think we’ll find our answer just over there.” Pitch Turned back to Jack and jerked his head towards the small caravan before striding closer to it. Jack quickened his stride to keep up, but as they neared something seemed… off. Neither could put their fingers on it at first, but soon they were close enough to pick out the major details. The one pulling the cart was horse-like, but much smaller, more pony sized. But unlike any pony they know of, this one was brightly colored, with a head much too large for its body and its eyes almost swallowing its entire head. “Well, I guess you were right about that different world theory after all…” Jack commented as they strode alongside the strange creature. “And it looks like we're invisible to it too.” He said, snapping his fingers in front of its face. Pitch wasn’t paying attention to Jack. Instead, he was looking in the carriage. There he found two more of the odd ponies, one that appeared as an adult, and a sleeping little one that he would guess to be a child, a foal. He was speechless for a moment, purely dumbfounded. “Jack? I think we might have a problem.” He called out. Jack wasted no time in joining Pitch in the carriage, “What’s up?” he asked as he looked around in worry. “Tell me, Jack, what are we not seeing on this little caravan?” Pitch said, staring intently at the two ponies. Jack looked around, thinking back to his earlier days when this form of travel was common. “Well, let’s see, they got the pack animals, food, blankets… I’m not seeing any meat though, or hunting equipment. Looks like just grass and stuff, so what about the people on this trip, what would they be eating?” “Exactly, there is no indication of there being any people on this trip at all, just these animals, it makes no sense!” Pitch exclaimed. He clutched his head and began to pace back and forth trying to figure out what exactly was going on. “Well, this is another planet, right?” Jack asked. Pitch paused to consider his earlier thoughts. “No… no I don’t think this is simply another planet. The culture looks far too similar to our own world to suggest that. I think this is truly another plane of existence, one that is perhaps a mirror of our own world.” “Ok, well, maybe the ponies are the dominant race instead of the people?” Jack asked. Pitch turned and gave him a look that could melt steel. “Don’t be absurd, there is no way a race of plant eaters could become the top of the food chain, let alone master the skills required to build something like this properly!” He denied. “Well, I think I know of a way to find out.” Jack suggested. Pitch glared at him, “Well if you have such a cunning idea then go ahead, find out if they are the dominate race.” Jack looked over the horses once more, “Well? I’m waiting.” Jack shot him a glare back to silence him, before moving to gently tap his staff against the side of the little one. The effect was instantaneous; the foal began to shiver as the chill ran over him. One of the larger ponies noticed, and then greatly alarmed both Jack and Pitch as it spoke! “Oh, look at the poor dear; shivering from cold on such a nice day, I think he is worse off now from when we started this journey.” It stood and rummaged around in one of the boxes of supplies, returning a moment latter with a heavy blanket. “Golden Wheat, have we reached Canterlot yet?” The mare called out. The stallion pulling the carriage looked back at them, “Not quite yet, Maybelle, we’re about to start up the mountain path.” “Good, the sooner we get there, the sooner the Princess can help little Apple Seed here.” The mare, Maybelle, said as she snuggled up to the little foal to help warm him. The carriage quickly fell back into silence, the only sounds coming from Golden Wheat’s hooves clopping on the road and the rattle of the carriage. The two spirits could only look on in stunned silence. Jack was the first to break it, “So, talking ponies…” Pitch remained silent as he slumped to the floor of the carriage. “Well if the direction is any clue, then I bet the castle is called Canterlot, and these three are headed there, to see a princess. A princess pony.” Jack slumped down in defeat as well, “Seriously? A pony princess. What the hell is going on?” “Honestly, I don’t know Jack.” Pitch replied as he threw his head back against the wall, producing a thud that the ponies didn’t hear. “I doubt a pony princess would be able to help us, but I don’t have any other suggestions other than ‘Go see the princess’ to try.” Jack said. So they waited out the rest of the trip in an uneasy silence, the foal shivering and moaning at random and the supposed mother trying to comfort it being the only distraction.
Chapter 3“Halt!” Pitch and Jack jerked as the carriage came to a sudden stop. “Excuse me Sir,” Golden Wheat started, “but we’ve got an appointment to see the princess this evening before sunset, it’s urgent.” Jack shared a look with Pitch before they both made their way to the front of the carriage to have a better look. The found themselves before a massive golden gate, beyond which lay a cobblestone path lined with hedges cut into the likeness of ponies in various poses. The path led up to a set of massive wooden doors set into the most brilliant marble walls they had ever laid eyes upon. Following the wall up, they spotted numerous towers reaching far up into the clouds, supporting banners and ribbons of every color. “Woah…” Jack said in awe. Pitch said nothing, taking in the regal castle with a hint of worry, something about it make his senses feel numb. “Standard procedure,” The guard replied, “we need to check the carriage for any unauthorized ponies, griffons, excreta. I’m sure you understand?” Two more guards, clad in heavy looking golden armor approached the carriage from either side and peeked in. “No, of course not.” Golden Wheat said. “I have my paper work here as well.” He reached back into the carriage with his fore-hoof and pulled out a sheet of paper rolled up and bound with a golden thread. “These ponies are pretty flexible aren’t they?” Jack commented. “I’m more concerned with how they grab things with solid hooves,” Pitch commented as he held his head tightly, “This place is giving me a migraine Jack, and it’s not just the bright colors or the impossibility of these creatures. There is something here, Jack. I can feel it, like it’s trying to crush me.” Jack looked around thoughtfully, “I don’t feel any different.” “That’s probably because you’re not tuned into the energies of the world quite like I am.” Pitch said as he climbed back into the carriage. “Everything looks to be in order; you may proceed beyond the gate. There is a place to park the carriage along the eastern wall before you enter the castle proper.” The guard suddenly spoke up. Jack quickly hopped back into the carriage as Golden Wheat nodded to the guard and started on his way. “So, what did you mean, ‘tuned into the energy?’” Jack asked. “Exactly what it sounds like, Jack, how else would I know who was having a nightmare and who wasn’t? Now please refrain from speaking, this migraine is splitting my head…” Jack said nothing, a hint of worry crossing his features as he watched Pitch cradle his head. He instead focused his attentions on the quickly approaching castle. As the guard said, they were heading toward a side courtyard about half filled with various carriages of all sorts, sizes, and colors. Golden Wheat maneuvered the chariot into an open spot with practiced ease before unhitching himself, using his mouth with amazing dexterity. Together Golden and Maybelle gathered their still sleeping foal and doubled back toward the front of the castle. Jack made to follow along, but hesitated. He looked back toward Pitch. “You coming or what?” He asked. “Just let me…” Pitch trailed off. After a moment he let out a long sigh, “Ah, much better.” He said, shaking his head vigorously as though to clear his mind. “So what was all that about? I thought you were in too much pain from being an over sensitive softie.” Jack teased. “Say that again and I will tear you to pieces.” Pitch glared, causing Jack to snap his mouth shut. “And for your information, I was closing myself off. I won’t be able to sense anything like this but that’s for the best right now.” “Well whatever, let’s go before we miss our escort.” Jack said before hurrying to catch up to the three ponies rounding the far corner. He glanced behind him to see Pitch easily matching his pace. He smirked, and then poured on some speed, edging Pitch to chase after him. His ruse worked for a moment, and Pitch sped up to match the new pace, but they were forced to skid to a halt before the massive doors. “What’s going on? Why aren’t they open?” Jack asked in confusion. “While you were more concerned about your little race, our charge took a smaller door not far back.” Pitch chastised as he spun around and strode off to where he saw the ponies go. Jack quickly followed to the door, going through it led simply to the other side of the huge doors. “So what’s the point of the big doors if nobody uses them?” “Do use your head Jack; it’s obviously for big ceremonies.” Pitch responded offhandedly. They continued deeper into the castle and marveled at its wonder. Great tapestries portraying the sun and the moon covered the walls, ponies in very fancy dress hurried from one place to the next while others in the same golden armor stood at attention in strategic points in the great hall, unmoving yet observing all. They found the three ponies they’d been following heading up the red carpet toward another set of doors; these however, were wide open and welcoming. Jack tried to squint and see deeper into the chamber beyond, but wasn’t able to make out much. He decided to simply wait and follow behind the same ponies They followed the family into the throne room, which was just as glamorous if not more so, mainly due to the larger pony sitting comfortably atop a throne of gold. Next to it was another throne made of dark obsidian, currently vacant. Behind each hung a massive banner representing the sun and the moon respectively, and between the banners was an enormous stained glass window showing two winged unicorns looking out over playful ponies, representing the peace they have brought unto the land. Jack and Pitch stared in awe of the majesty of the white pony on the throne, how she had wings, a horn, and a mane that seemed to flow on energy only she could feel. She looked back at them, almost as if they were standing there plain as day, yet her face remained a calm neutral and betrayed nothing if she saw them at all. The two spirits and the Princess shifted their attention to the small family that had just risen from a bow. “Your Majesty,” Golden Wheat began after a guard announced them to the Princess, “We have come from the far south seeking aid, our foal has grown ill with an unknown sickness and we fear it isn’t long before it takes him away from us. Please, can you do something to help him, or even just ease his pain until…” he trailed off, daring not to think so negatively in the Princess’s presence. The Princess rose from her throne with a sense of calm yet determined urgency. She placed a hoof up to the foal’s forehead as he shivered. Her eyes flickered over to where Jack and Pitch stood watching, a frown creasing her features as she did so. “I can help ease his chills, but for the sickness I’m afraid I have never seen anything like it.” She held up a hoof to silence any comments, her horn glowing with a warm golden light that reached out to envelope the foal. Apple Seed ceased his shivering and a small smile formed on his muzzle. “However, this doesn’t mean I don’t know somepony who may be able to help. That is to say, some zebra.” She finished with a smile. “She lives in Ponyville, a small town on the edge of the Everfree Forest. Inside that forest lives a zebra shaman well versed in alchemy. She will undoubtedly be able to cure little Apple Seed here. I will send you there on the first train, it departs in twenty minutes. Once you arrive, look for a purple alicorn with a starburst cutie-mark. Her name is Twilight Sparkle, my personal student. She and her friends will see you through the forest safely.” “Oh… Oh my, Princess, I-I can’t thank you enough!” Maybelle managed to speak as she bowed deeply. “Think nothing of it, my little ponies. Now you best be off, the train is leaving soon.” The Princess said. As the family left, the Princess turned to one of the guards, “Go, wake my sister and leave us, seal the room behind you.” “Yes, Ma’am!” He sounded out, motioning to the other guards to seal the room as one ran out the door to awaken the lunar princess. Within moments the commotion died down, leaving the Princess alone with the two spirits. She stared straight ahead, as though pointedly not looking at them. “I swear she sees us…” Jack mumbled in Pitch’s direction, who nodded hesitantly in agreement. They waited like that for several long minutes until they were disturbed by a flash of light and a crack in the air. Now standing before the Princess was a younger, darker version of her. “This had better be important, dear sister. The realm of dreams has been… strange as of late, keeping me busier than usual.” The smaller blue one said irritably. “I’m sure we’ll figure out why that is,” The white princess turned to face both Jack and Pitch, and glared with the fury of a thousand suns, “Just as we’ll find out why our realm is being invaded by more pesky spirits!”
