The Shadow King

It's cold. Very cold.

My name is Granite Slate. I'm a crystal pony on the run. The only home I've ever known has disappeared from view. The glittering spires of the Crystal Palace grow dim; covered by thick haze of snow and ice. The frozen tundra that separates my home from the rest of the world is treacherous. Even in better times, the tundra can still be dangers; what with the Arctic predators and all.  During winter, the northern winds fly across the frozen earth and creates storms that are so terrible, no living creature can survive for any extended period of time.

And I chose the worst time of the year to leave the Crystal Empire.

The northern winds howled across the tundra; blowing wet and stingily cold flakes of snow onto my face. A few worn out blankets, wrapped around my body, are the only things that's protecting me and my "precious cargo" from freezing to death. Although, I hate to admit it, but these hole-ridden rags are doing nothing but absorbing the snowflakes that fall on us. It won't be long before our "winter clothing" becomes striated and we'll both suffer from hypothermia.   So, not only are we cold and miserable. But we are cold, miserable, and wet! This is bad; considering since my traveling companion happens to be the only family I have left.

And he was sick!

Just then,I heard a young voice call out to me.

"Papa?"

"What is it, son?" I replied.

His little white head slowly stirs out the mounds of old blankets wrapped around him.

"How much farther do we have to go?"  He says with a shiver. I turn to the little colt, who has been riding on my back throughout the whole trip. His illness keeps him from walking on his own and it seems to be getting worse, with each passing minute. I knew this journey will be too much for him; But, I had no choice.  Feeling the chill myself, I could only muster enough strength to give him a faint smile.

"Don't worry." I said, trying to be cheerful. "Just a few more miles and we'll be in Equestria before you know it." A white lie. One little lie to make him feel better. But, it doesn't make me feel better. I've never been the dishonest type and I've tried my best to tell the truth as it is. But, have you ever looked at the pony that you love most and tell them its going to be okay; even though its not?

I turned away; no longer able to look at my son's weary blue eyes without weeping.

I can't remember how long its been since my son, Gypsum, and I left our home, our friends; our old lives. It seemed like hours or, maybe even, days since we gathered what little we had left and made our journey across the frozen wasteland. Towards freedom. But, every time I think about the friends that we've left behind, I couldn't help but to feel sorry for them. Not only did my heart ache for them; but for the rest of the crystal ponies who are trapped in that forbidding place. All of them, suffering, under the hooves of that monster!

I have to keep going!

Just a few more miles, I thought to myself. Just a few more and we'll free. I felt my hooves sink through the deep layers of snow, which turned a simple walk into an excruciating ordeal. I can feel the cold air passing through me; drying my throat and squeezing my lungs. Every breath I take becomes more painful with each passing second. With snow up to my chest, each step is like wadding through a quagmire. I'm growing tired. I don't if....I quickly shake my head!

I don't care what it takes! All I want is for my son to be free!

I clenched my teeth to keep them from chattering.

Free of Him!

"Papa?" A familiar voice brought me back to reality.

"Yeah, Gyp?"

"I wish Mama was here with us."

"Mama." That word struck me to the very core. I couldn't remember the last time I heard that word been spoken. But, when I did hear it, painful memories quickly surfaced. Memories of Gypsum's mother; the love of my life. The mare whose life was taken from us by the very same stallion who calls himself: "Our beloved king!"

I reached for the locket that had once belonged to her. That wonderful silver locket, with a braided chain, that bears an old picture of our family. It seemed so long ago when our family portrait was taken. I see a strapping young, grey stallion with a shimmering coat, who looked an awful like me. But, it can't be. He looks so much happier than I am. And he's holding a newborn foal in his hooves; a fine and heathly colt with a bright cream coat and little turfs of a black main (courtesy of yours truly). Then, my eyes turn to a beautiful emerald-green mare, whose was standing by the happy stallion. Her teal blue eyes told the story of a kind and gentle soul, who felt like she's was the happiest pony in the world. And she's smiling. That beautiful, wonderful smile that l fell in love with. A smile that I will never again.

I hold the locket close to my chest, as the name of my beloved rang, clear as crystal through my heart.

Jade...Jade

"Me too, Gyp..." I breathed a heavy sigh. The warm air escaping from my mouth, before it turned into a cloud of cold vapor. "Me too."