Just One Wish

With little to do while waiting for the storm to end I had tried to read up on some basic history. Most of the books seemed to have been edited or simply had missing pages. Some were missing entire chapters as you could see the large gaps in the books where the pages should have been. The only unaltered book was a small leather book with it's pages tied together with strings was written by a pony named Shadow Tail.

The name kind of struck me strange. Shadow Tail... was he named that because he had a gift for telling stories or because he had a black tail? It's a little strange how common pony names seem to relate to our lives... or maybe I'm thinking to much into this. This is what I get being stuck in a room that only had non-fiction books. Of course I kept an eye on the window ready to leave as soon as the weather stopped... I mean it's going to stop at some point right?

I sighed as I opened up the book and started on the first chapter.

******

Equestria was home to three of the major races of ponies. Each side hated each other and stayed in a cold war were each side only barely tolerated each other only because they needed each other to survive.

When “Equestria” was found half of the tribes spilt off in search of this new fertile land… and the “friendship wave” that cleansed the winter. While most did leave to join this new movement those left behind still didn’t trust the others and set off into a new direction… thus creating our lovely mess that can’t even name the lands past what has been conquered by the current nation/army in charge.

The “closest” that we had to name was Sanctum… and even that is heavily up to debate only because the rule of the alicorns managed to make/force the rest of the ponies to get along making the closest thing to peace anypony has really seen.

Though like most of our bitter history it was the war with the figure called The Raven of Nevermore had drastic repercussions removing the old royal lines… and letting us go back to our bickering ways full of doubt and mistrust instead of working together.

The Frost Kingdom now was faced with deadly storms and weather that could no longer be stopped by pegasi. These wild storms considered once a blessing “freeing” the kingdom from pegasi rule as the clouds would water their crops and essentially did the jobs that pegasi used to do. After the war the "blessed skies" now turned into a deadly monster of death turning the once chilly kingdom into a frozen nightmare.

With the former ruler missing the acting ruler Steel Hoof ordered the pegasi to stop the howling winds. The pegasi had tried their best to alter the terrible storms that plagued their lands, but the clouds that barely listened to them before now completely ignored their commands. They were just as helpless as the grounded ponies below as the public started to doubt the pegasi. The flyers were able to take shelter up in the few remaining clouds under their control protecting them from some of the weather. As the harsh winters grew worse the earth ponies and unicorns started to resent them.

The war had affected most ponies in different ways. The earth ponies had lost many useful gifts founded during the war as the "wild magic" ( *aka Taint*) promptly disappeared after the Raven's demise and the Unicorns had lost many ancient spell books during the harsh wars and rule from The Raven and his dark tyrants. They began to believe that the pegasi were the ones causing the storm in order to weaken them into turn them into servants much like how The Raven and Changelings had used their dark magic to turn them into slaves in the past. With starving fillies and the hash cold they looked at the pegasi which they believed were nice and warm above the storm. They never seemed to face starvation as the ones who came down were fit and healthy.

Of course they didn’t know that any sick or undernourished pegasi would die in the storm before they made it to the crystal kingdom and it’s surrounding lands. Nor did they care as it was their own hatred that kept them moving forward. It was their hatred that pointed their misguided fears onto the pegasi as they placed all their problems on the hidden flyers that they claimed were hidden safely in the skies. Then one day they finally snapped and demanded the pegasi to stop the storm, the torture, and to share the hidden horde of food they kept hidden above the clouds.

The pegasi tried to reason and did their best to explain their situation, but the earth bound ponies did not care. They came at the pegasi with sword, arrow, and magic as they drove the pegasi out of their lands in crazed witch hunts. The unicorns managed to find old spells that let them take the battle to the few remaining clouds the pegasi owned as they slaughtered the survivors and kept the remaining food for rest of the earth bound ponies. Then the worst thing of all happened… The storms stopped.

In truth the wild magic from the war was finally calming down, but the ponies of the crystal kingdom only saw it as confirmation that the pegasi were causing the storm. They claimed that with the pegasi slain or forced out of their homeland the storms had also ceased. The earth ponies and unicorns quickly exiled of all pegasi from the kingdom to “ensure” the storms wouldn’t return. Now an intense distrust of pegasi continues to this day. It didn’t help that the weather has now kept it’s chaotic flare, so while it was no longer as the fierce storm that nearly destroyed them… No pegasi can calm the storms above the crystal kingdom’s lands as many of their original jobs or ancient roles have been replaced with the bat ponies and griffons. (so keep your wings tucked under your cloaks if you need to travel here pegasi)

The Frost Empire now looks for powerful ancient magic spells and magical relics as they support some of the strongest earth ponies and unicorns know in the lands. The harsh sturdy  lands have turned the ponies just as equally harsh and sturdy and just as unforgiving as the winter itself. Ponies from this kingdom tend to be stronger and larger than normal with a resistance to cold elements and usually weapons and spells that unleash the frozen wrath of the north itself.

No seriously. They have spells and weapons that can freeze a pony solid and their not afraid to use them!

******

I held my breath after reading that passage as I started to realize just how different this new world was. Sure I’ve heard of the old school play about the three races not being able to get along… but those were old filly tales. Just stories made to teach the lesson of friendship and how everyone should get along or at least that's what I thought.

I couldn’t believe that this… Raven thing managed to fracture their trust to such an extent to cause… that. The old stories had all the groups arguing and going their own separate ways or trying to live separate from the other groups… but they never thought about murdering each other!

“Yet all it took for them to go at each other’s throats was the removal of the alicorn that ruled their land.” Whispered the voice in the back of my mind. “How do you think Equestria would handle itself if Celestia suddenly died?”

I shook the venomous through from my head. This wasn’t Equestria. Equestria managed to hold itself together. Prince Frostmorn came to check in on me as I shut the book and hid it behind me. Just learning he was the king of a nation that committed... that did not make me feel good about meeting him again.

Frostmorn tried to help me out prepare for the outside world with needed supplies and how to defend myself. Two days may not seem like a lot of time, but as soon as the storm ended I planned to get the hoof out the door as soon as possible. I didn’t trust anypony in the castle yet… and from what little I know about them doesn’t make me feel any better.

******

On the day of my leave I was given one of those carts homes you saw show ponies or traveling salesponies move around in from town to town as my two escorts reintroduced themselves to me. The first one I was a little happy to see even if he couldn’t talk back as I finally came up with a more… fitting name for him.

Brigs (Big Red Intelligent Golem System) was a war golem more commonly referred to as a Drake due to their resemblance to dragons. Though what surprised me was that he was the one who was going to be pulling the cart for us. He was happy enough to see me as he gave me a hug before Prince Frostmorn asked him to put me back down. (For a large metal dragon he sure can hug.) I'll admit I was amazed that he was... emotional. Yes I'm talking about a golem, but Brigs is nothing like those silent sentries you read in those old books. He just has that sort of... spark of life. It's hard to explain without seeing him yourself.

Shadow Tail to my surprise and disappointment was creepy interrogator number one only this time he didn’t have any wings on him. I almost mistook him for an earth pony until I looked inside the cart. Inside the room I could see four different sets of wings (one versions pegasi and two versions bat pony and the big griffin wings missing a few feathers) and a couple of weapons. He turned back to me and gave me some sort of glare before he closed a curtain cutting the rest of the room off from my sight.

Frostmorn sighed as it sounded like he was apologizing to me “If you want to find “Equestria”….” Frostmorn slowly spoke the word trying to get it right“… then you will need his help. He is one of the few scholars who know where most of the old sites used to be.”

“He’s a scholar?” I couldn’t help but ask.

Frightening? Yes. Gives the same creepy vibe as Zecora without the peaceful atmosphere? Definitely. Carrying just enough weapons to seem excessively creepy? Walking in the blizzard by myself now sounded safer than traveling with him!

“Just take a deep breath Swift.” I muttered to myself “Don’t let this be another Zecora incident.”

Frostmorn tried to smile as he tried to reassure me by saying “He will make sure nothing happens to you, but he isn’t exactly the most social pony… He isn’t that bad of a pony and he can escort you back to our kingdom if you decide to rethink about your decision about finding this... ponyville.”

Nothing that he said made me feel any better. If anything I felt even more nervous about traveling with him than before! The only thing that was now bugging me was wondering which race Shadow Tail really was. It felt strange calling him a pegasi... because of the whole incident that happened in the past and the current grudge the book listed by the author... who was the pony who I'm now traveling with.

“What kind of pony is Shadow Tail?” I decided to ask.

“One that wants to get this little trip over with!” Shadow Tail shouted from the cart “It’s going to be annoying enough having to answer most of the questions you’re going to be asking throughout the trip!”

Frostmorn shook his head as he replied “May the two sisters watch over your journey with great care.”

I climbed into the back of the cart as I saw Shadow Tail’s tail flicker about from behind the curtain trying to get something on. His tail’s hairs stood out on end as it hadn’t seemed to have been brushed in days. The color was raven black as small feathers seemed to be stuck in it. I moved closer to get a better look as the curtains where quickly drawn open as Shadow Tail had replaced his dark leather armor with a snow white model as the mechanical bat wings now adorned his back.

“Yes?” He asked as the wings moved aside the curtain and picked up one of the saddles with the weapons attached to it “Have you changed your mind.”

How do those things work? I’ve never seen a pegasi move them like… diamond dog paws or something. Of course he could be a bat pony... but do they work like that? I really don't know a lot of bat ponies... but it's strange knowing those wings are fake.

I shook my head trying to ignore the growing questions in the back of my skull  “Just wondering how things turned out this way.”

“You will be asking that question to yourself a lot throughout this trip.” He said with disinterest “Now which weapon do you want to hold onto for now? Daggers tend to be up and close, and the pistol does give some nice freedom of movement while attacking, but I personally prefer the riffles or shotguns if you want to get close, but not in face stabbing range.”

“I’ll just stick with what I have right now.” I replied nervously

Sure I now knew what a gun was after finding about it in one of the books and I've used a knife to defend myself once… but the thought of killing another living being didn’t sit right with me. Heck the only time I've really fought anything was a timber wolf and I mostly ran from it.

I could almost swear that Shadow Tail was rolling his eyes underneath that creepy mask as he started to cover his tail with what looked like a metal version of a Griffon’s tail.

I didn’t want to learn how to use a gun. I didn’t want to think about how far the ponies in this crazy land had dedicated their lives to killing each other. We had bows and the royal Canterlot army to protect us. The crazy ponies here had invented new and even deadlier ways to kill each than I would have ever thought possible. Faster I get home the better!

“Suit yourself.” He muttered as he the mechanical bat wings moved to strap the saddle on his back.

How those wings seemed to work so… naturally on him was beyond me. Thankfully the cart started to move as I looked outside to get my mind to stop thinking about my new traveling companion and onto my adventure back home.

I closed my eyes as I thought about where I would find maps. I mean if Equstria was thought to be a myth… than story books, old maps, and stories would help me get back home. I also wanted to look up any information about this Raven character just so I would have an idea on what to say to Princess Celestia or the other ponies after I made it back home… And Mom… Dad… Just wait a little bit longer. I’ll be home soon.

******

The Frost kingdom looked as if the evil never left. Some of the stories from the book in the room talked about it being a shining jewel across the country side as snow gently drifted down from the skies filling the lands with peace and serenity.

Snow didn’t drift onto the ground as it fell like frozen shards of glass. The wind didn’t so much brush against the window, but howl like a chimera as it shook the cart. The open warmth and beauty of the land was now closed shut with a harsh darkness of paranoia and hatred as they very land seemed to be insulted by my very presence.

Shadow Tail whistled as he looked over the journal on his leg. Lyra Heartstrings was the only pony I knew who sat differently. He must have taken the same lessons she did. I don't care if she claims that's how that's how your supposed to sit on a bench. It's still strange! Shadow Tail rubbed his chin while his wings moved about grabbing what ever he was looking for.

“Looks like we have having good weather today.” He said without looking at the blizzard outside.

I blinked as I couldn’t help but ask “Are you begin sarcastic or are you actually being serious?”

Shadow Tail chuckled as he replied “Well I might as well get your impression on what the lands looks like to an outsider from Equestia since the last one that visited was…a very long time ago.“ He motioned at the ragging storm outside “This weather right now is considered tame. More like a summer rain shower or a light storm. Heck most of the Frost Empire’s soldiers are properly training outside today.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” I shouted just to hear myself over the storm “Nobody could see where they were going!”

“Isn’t that kind of the point?” Shadow Tail retorted as he started to write “When some enemy force invades they do one of two things… Option A is to try to alter the weather if you’re a Lunar Republic member which leaves a small clear opening for anyone to spot your forces.”

The ground shook a little as Brigs smashed aside a fallen bolder bigger than the cart.

“Or option B and try to wait for the storm to pass over.” Shadow Tail continued apparently not bothered by what was going on outside “During that time anyone not used to the weather is helpless. Just huddled together near campfires trying to stay warm.”

Shadw pulled out a quill made a gesture of pretending to slide it across his neck for just a moment before his other metal wing brought over the ink bottle. He didn't need to explain as I understood the message. I could just picture some poor pony trying to keep warm as a Frost Empire pony snuck around in the snow with a dagger ready slit the pony’s throat.

“Most have a hard time fighting in the weather as they can’t see their friends or allies. Leaving them easy pickings for hidden assassins.” Shadow Tail slowly spoke as he dipped the quill into the ink bottle “Others try to clear the storm so they can fight, but it never lasts for long.”

The wind started to die down as Shadow Tail put away the quill and ink bottle as he quickly strapped his riffle on his side. Without warning the winds suddenly picked up again as the winds screamed. Somepony screamed as an avalanche crashed through the mountain side. A griffin crashed into the side of the cart wearing dark brown armor.

He opened his eyes as his wings were coated in ice as Shadow Tail pointed the riffle straight at his head. I could swear I could see him grinning underneath his mask as he pulled the trigger on the device that kept it attacked to his body. I shut my eyes as I hear the gun fire right next to me as something warm splashed against my fur.

Shadow Tail chuckled as if he heard a good joke practically grinning “Dam amateurs. Nothing stops the Raven’s powers for long.” He kicked aside the Griffin body and fired into the sky as another figure dropped to the ground below. “I have to kill some idiots so please stay in the cart as I’m sure the Drake can protect you from these dolts.”

He jumped out of the cart and flew into the sky. Not bothering to ask how he could fly I just focused on the task of shutting the back of the cart and grabbing a few pieces of wood to seal the hole in the cart. Already snow was starting to pile up as I was freezing my tail off. It was times like these I wish I was a unicorn. They properly didn’t have to try to bother holding planks of woods with their hoof and hammer in the nails themselves as snow kept pelting their face.

I shoved each plank of wood against the hole as the ice bit into my skin. The smell of blood was still fresh as I tried to focus on the nail and wood. I didn’t want to think about the gun shots. I didn’t want to think about the death that was going on outside. I had no idea why ponies… or griffins were attacking us. I mean what did we ever do to them?

Surely they had a reason besides… us being there. Attacking us like highway bandits in those old stories. I tried to hammer in the next plank only for the cart to shake again as a pony smashed into the cart. I stared at the brown pegasi in dark gray armor who smiled at me. Two long sets of chains rested on his back as he pulled one of them out. The cart shook for just a moment as a massive steel hand smashed down on the pony leaving a sickening sound as blood puddle of flesh and bones rested where the pony used to be.

I tried not to throw up. A pony was just killed in front of me. One moment he was going to do something bad to me. The next moment he was a pile of pulp. I tried to keep myself standing as me knees felt weak. I fell out of the cart at the next bump as the snow froze against my fur. My hooves felt slightly warm as I backed away from the dead body I fell in.

Two diamond dogs popped out of the ground and attacked Brigs. He tried to fight them off as a griffin landed in front of me smiling as he held a pair of chains similar to the pony before her.

“Let’s see how much your worth little pony.” The griffin smiled as she grabbed my throat

The ground shook again as she turned his head and screamed in terror. The cart had moved away from us as the snow began to cascade down the mountain. A bolder smashed into the griffin as the snow pushed us aside. I fell down the mountain side as the snow kept spinning me making it impossible to tell which way was up.

It continued as the freezing cold made me feel sleepy. There was a rule with the cold… I tried to remember what it was… Red snow bad… yellow snow bad… lots of snow… meant…

My eyes started to close as I couldn’t remember.

The snow kept spinning me round and round as I drifted asleep.

******

I snapped right up taking a deep breath. Sweat dripped down my face as I looked around. I was back in Ponyville. My legs were covered in bandages as a small medical chart rested beside me.

I sighed in relief. It was all a crazy dream. I must have banged myself up near the Everfree forest and had to be dragged back into Ponyville. I’ll admit a part of my pride was hurt, but I was home again. The door opened up revealing nurse Redheart as she tried to calm down my parents.

“She just needs some rest.” She replied firmly “Her condition is stable which is a lucky thing for a mare who passed out in the Everfree forest.”

I smiled nervously “Hi mom. Hi dad. Sorry for the trouble.”

They smiled as soon more ponies came into the room. Applejack came in with a cart full of apples. No idea how she got them inside the building. Rainbow Dash was bragging about how she had to rescue me as I blushed. Pinkie Pie hopped around the room… and on the celling somehow.

She fell down from the celling laughing “Your in a bit of a bind Ms Lotus.”

I shook my head “I’m just stuck in bed for a while…” I chuckled nervously “And please call me Swift… I keep thinking everypony is revering to the pony that works at the spa when they say Lotus.”

Pinkie Pie giggled “Well sorry! Though you might want to try licking your way out of this cage!” She jumped up and down “Do you think it tastes like candy? I mean it’s all sweet and sticky!”

Nurse Redheart sighed “Come on Pinkie Pie. We need to let her rest.”

Pinkie Pie moaned as she was dragged out of the room “But it’s so boring! Besides resting is the last thing she needs to be doing right now!”

Nurse Redheart dragged Pinkie Pie out the door as more ponies came in. It seemed like the entire town came to visit me because I was sick. The bed was soft as I could feel myself sinking into it. All my fears began to disappear as I just woke up from a nightmare.

Applejack shouted “Now that was a darn reckless thing ya did! Traveling in the Everfree Forest all on your lonesome. What would have happened if a pack of Timber Wolves jumped ya?”

Rainbow Dash right in-between me and Applejack “Why then I would have simply clobbered them all before they did anything!”

Black feathers danced in the background of the crowd of ponies. I tried to focus on the argument between Applejack and Rainbow Dash. I messed up. Rushed in over my head and now I just had to recover. So what if I didn’t get my big adventure just as long as I’m home.

A purple pony walked in the front of the group “What are you doing here?”

“I’m injured.” I quickly replied.

I tired to look at her yet the ponies kept moving around her. Each one talking, moving, bringing items, or checking up on my. I couldn’t help but shiver as the black feathers appeared again in the crowd.

The purple pony scoffed “You know you’re not supposed to be here. You left town and now you’re gone. For Good!”

I shook my head “I’m right here! This is Ponyville… and who are you?”

The purple pony smiled “Why I’m…”

I flinched as static screeched in my ears “Say again?”

The purple pony’s mouth opened as another wave of static tore into my ears. The black wings were moving closer to me as I shut my eyes. I was in Ponyville. I made a stupid mistake and now I’m having to rest. I was home!

The purple pony put a hoof on my chest as I looked up. The purple coat fell apart revealing dark raven feathers. The eyes dissolved into two red glowing lights as her smile soon became plastered across her face like a filly drew it with a crayon. Two black wings stretched out of her back as the eyes focused on my.

Then in a voice that was more of an echo it replied “I’m bored now. Wake up little pony and show me some fun!”

The hoof shoved me deeper into the bed. Now the bed was turning sickly green as it wrapped around my body. It was like taffy as the more I struggled the deeper I sank in. Now all the ponies were laughing at me.

“What a sap!” Rainbow Dash laughed out loud holding her sides “She a hero? Everypony knows it’s always a unicorn or a pesagi! Go back to watering your plants!”

Applejack was laughing as she wiped the tears from her eyes “Didn’t ya hear? Apparently she wanted to give her hoof at racing! That’s why she started that foolish flower delivery service in the first place!”

Rainbow Dash rolled in the air laughing at me “A fast earth pony? Might as well make a talking timber wolf! Heck why do we need her?”

Applejack shrugged “I don’t know considering we already have three other ponies selling flowers. Heck she should have kicked the bucket a long time ago!”

I clawed at the green goo trying to escape. Why didn’t they help me? Why were they doing this!

The black winged pony chuckled “And remember… watch out for the changelings!”

The green stick goo surrounded my body as I rose my head up trying to gasp for air only for the purple hoof to shove me under.

******

My eyes snapped open wide as I tried to get out of the sticky green goo that threatened to smother me to dead! I slowly pushed my way out of the green goop as my mane was soaked in some sort of liquid. I shivered in the cold as I looked around. Two bug ponies were on the ground dead with large gashes through their body.

The green cage that the bug ponies had trapped me in showed damage as whatever killed them had properly helped set me free. The only thing I knew was that I was knocked out for a while and the tracks leading to the cave were fresh as the snow hadn’t finished covering up the trail.

The first thing that came to me was regret. I was back in this twisted nightmare instead of in Ponyville where I belonged. The second thing that came was annoyance at myself. Why couldn’t I just have stayed in the cart or better yet not fall out of it? Now I was stuck in a cave full of evil bug ponies!

“Just take a deep breath Swift.” I said to myself trying to calm myself down “Just find a map and whatever supplies were left behind. Then think of up a plan.”

I held my breath as I moved over to the first dead bug pony. It wore that weird armor they favored, but this one wasn’t like the big heavy suits on the battlefield. Instead it was a lot thinner and more like some sort of scout uniform. It also didn’t fit me, but the two daggers they had were filled with some sort of green liquid.

I gulped as I lifted the dagger and placed it into one of the satchels they left on me. It was important that I had something to defend myself. A hissing sound came from behind me as I ran behind one of the carts. Two of bug ponies walked into the room from a tunnel as they carried a cart with them. Dead bodies filled the cart of other ponies and bug ponies as they lifted the two bodies into the cart.

The first one shook it’s head as it spoke in that hissing tone apparently annoyed at having to clean up the mess. The second one shimmered for a moment before it appeared as a crystal pony in heavy red armor. It stood back shivering as he flailed his arms about as the first bug pony laughed.

The one in the armor shouted “Quick! Follow us to safety! A Raven cultist army has been spotted just a few miles away from this town!”

The second one changed into a little earth filly and wined “But what about the evil changelings?”

The armored one chuckled “Don’t worry. Mister Frostmorn and the flower pony managed to drive them away. You can trust the Frost Kingdom to protect you.”

They both fell to the ground laughing out loud as I looked down the tunnel behind them. Now I knew why they were called changelings as I suddenly gained a new found fear of them. It wasn’t enough that they were capturing ponies, but they were either impersonation or simply replacing the ponies they captured.

My only guess was that once the ponies were lead into the cave the changelings sprung their trap. The ponies fought back and my cage must have been damaged before the fighting ended. Now it was up to me to escape and tell somepony about this!

Both of them went silent as they changed back into their original creepy black bug forms and searched the area. The two spilt up as the first one searched the entrance of the cave properly to check for any hoof prints as the second one started to search the carts. I pulled out one of the daggers and tried to steady my hooves as I moved it into my mouth. My teeth fell into the handle grip easily as I could feel some sort of button.

With one little tug a small squirt of the green liquid hit the floor as I could smell the faint aroma of what I hoped to be a sleeping agent. That or it could be acid. It’s a green liquid and I’m not an exact expert on what this green liquid could be. It might even be poison.

The changeling’s shadow grew closer as I really hoped it was a sleeping agent instead of deadly poison or acid. If not then I was about to kill somepony by accident… a creepy black bug pony that wanted to throw me in a cage. The hissing grew louder silencing and doubts along with my own heart beat as I waited for the evil changeling. Then out of the side of the cart came a small filly without even a cutie mark. She was an earth pony like me as she was trying her best not to cry as she had a runny nose. I lowered my guard as she turned to me with large puppy dog eyes only to freeze in fear as she saw something behind me as she had her hoof pointed out.

I turned around ready to defend her only to see a nothing as a flash of light went off behind me. Pain shot down my neck as something sharp bit into it for a moment as a pair of hooves cover my mouth. I bucked as hard as I could sending the changeling back as my vision started to haze. A dagger fell to the ground beside me similar to the one in my mouth except it left a large pool of the liquid on the ground instead of in my veins.

The changeling hissed as I ran towards him and tackled him. The dagger in my mouth went straight into his thigh as I clenched my jaw with all my might as all of the foul liquid went straight into his body. I just really hoped that they had a similar biology or I would be in trouble. His eyes flickered in rage as his horn glowed and shot me across the room as my body was smashed through a cart.

New fact about changelings. They can cast magical bolts that really, really sting!

I slowly pulled myself up and pulled out another dagger as the second one stood his ground. He was all that stood between me and the howling wind outside as I was the only thing standing in-between him and warning his allies in the tunnels. I glanced at the one I struck with the knife only to see he was knocked out, but not from what I would associate with sleep but a magical burnout.

I gritted my teeth as I stared at the other one as I tried to prepare myself for another painful magical blast. The ground rumbled as the changeling paused and looked at me strangely. Another rumble of the earth cause snow to fall outside as it tried to look outside the cave without losing sight of me.

That was when we saw it. There was a white figure that seemed to stand out of the snow somehow. The creature’s hands, feet, and even its face was blue like a frozen pond. Small puffs of air escaped the creature’s mouth as two large tusks jutted out of its jaws.  Ice formed around the creatures hands and feet as it stared at us. The beast suddenly howled in the wind as the earth started to shake again as snow came crashing down outside of the cave. Despite the fallen snow crashing down the cave entrance was still left open as the monster stared at us.

Then to my surprise the changeling had a look of fear on his face as he turned to face the creature leaving himself exposed to me. Then again from judging how his knees were shaking the creature was properly a lot more dangerous than I could ever hope to be. The white monster then stared at us as only one thought could be read from his mind. It was hunger and it didn’t care what we were. To it we were just it’s next meal.

Why can’t life just cut me a break?

******

In the next few hectic moments I had only learned one thing about this monster. If the Everfree forest experienced winter than this brute would fit in easily. Already it used strange absurd abilities like generating ice around it’s immediate area along with their crazy rules that no one understood.

The… white monkey bear?  Frost bitten ape?

“What is that thing?” I shouted as a shard of ice nearly impaled me

“Ice” The beast roared as the changeling tried shouting “Soar!”

“Icesor.” I said to myself. I properly misheard it, but at least I have a name for it now. “What’s it doing here!”

The changeling shifted into a pesagi and flew up shouting “It’s hungry.”

Icesor wanted to eat us when there was a cart full of dead ponies and changelings just sitting nearby unguarded. I just learned the monster had some sort of intelligence as it could have easily taken the cart and left considering all we could do was doge its attacks. Apparently it liked its meat fresh.

Icesor jumped into the air and tried to grab the changeling. Ice formed around the celling leaving a large icicle for it to grab to help keep him in the air. The changeling went back to the ground as I ran over to one of the carts and searched for a better weapon. The floor seemed to shake as I saw Icesor land on the ground growling as he hadn’t been able to catch one of us yet.

“Flint, coal? This isn’t what I need!” I shouted to myself as Icesor turned to face me. “Glitter frit.”

I grabbed some of the flint with my hoof and stuck it with my knife repeatedly as the ground began to freeze.  I’ll have to say this. Whatever else the ponies kept in that cart was really flammable as the cart quickly turned into a raging ball of fire. Icesor screeched as he landed on the cart as the flames covered his fur. Whatever fancy ice magic rules he had apparently didn’t apply to fire as he howled and stared at me in rage.

I quickly bucked the cart before I ran as it flew down the tunnel as Icesor tried to escape only for the cart to start breaking apart trapping his foot. Thank Celesita for small favors. I turned to face the changeling only to see it had picked up his fallen ally.

He glared at me and said “The hive will not forget this.”

The changeling flew out of the cave as a large buzzing sound came. Dozens of changelings poured out of the tunnel as I ran for cover. Each one of the bug like ponies flew past me as they left the cave. I could still hear Icesor howling in pain. My first thoughts were thinking that it was actually thanking me for getting rid of the monster until they came to a grim thought.

The town the changelings had tricked and captured. The green glow in the tunnel similar to the cell/cocoon I was stuck in. The monster was in the cave with an entire town’s trapped citizens and very angry for being set on fire. I had denied the changelings a meal and granted the monster one instead.

The exit was now unguarded as the storm didn’t seem that bad in comparison to fighting that beast again. There were even a couple of carts that would make traveling in the weather ease for me. I shook the thought out of my head as I opened my bags. It was my fault that the monster was now with them and now it’s my job to save them. All I had to do was figure out a way to deal with the monster and right now I knew fire hurt it. I needed a plan.

Besides it should be easer facing one monster than a swarm of changelings right? Please let me be right.

******

I looked at the Icesor resting in the middle of the cave. Most of his fur had been burnt off leaving his skin pitch black underneath. He was currently blowing on his skin as a cold breeze fell across the room. Thankfully none of the cage/cocoon things had been broken… well that the residents haven’t been turned into snacks for the monster.

Good news is that it was injured as a really big bug pony was dead in front of him. Like freakishly big as Icesar had a couple of claw marks running down his body. Hopefully that would make my task easier. No idea why the giant bug pony didn’t run. Or did he stay to hold off the monster while the others fled?

I shook my head as I didn’t know and as I tried to focus on the current problem. Giant evil monster holding a bunch of ponies hostage. All that was standing between them and a monster’s stomach was me and the items I had!

I looked down at my small collection of items. I really wish one of the heroes from my books was here right now. Daring doo fought tons of monsters… and had much better skills than I did. Star Beard…. Had unicorn magic. Steel hoof… I’m not even sure I could lift his armor, much less wield a hammer that big. I face hoofed myself as I looked to my last inspiration… comics.

To be more specific loony ponies. Always crazy plans and ridiculous luck, but they always worked out in the end. Right now I needed that luck as I was about to do something stupid. Something very stupid.

“Bag over hoof to handle Poison Joke?” I repeated to myself as I lifted the flower out. “Check. Torch for fire?” the wood slowly crackled against the wall “Check! Knife for when things fall apart?” The dagger rested in the saddle with its handle near my mouth “Check.”

I gulped as I slowly crouched around to Icesor’s back. My entire plan was hoping that the flower would act fast enough to prevent anything bad from happening to me. Just a few steps and I would be right next to him. Best thing about this plan was that I could easily change it on the fly. Then again it wasn’t that much of a plan to begin with… think happy thoughts Swift. Happy thoughts.

Icesor’s eyes seemed a lot more red than last time as I can now spot what remained of the cart after what must have been a brutal assault on it. I held my breath as I lifted it up the poison joke and place it near his back.

“Please let it work!” I chanted in my head as it was about to touch.

Icesor’s body quickly twisted around as his teeth snapped right into my leg. I screamed in pain as the teeth were buried into my leg as the posion joke fell into his mouth. I quickly grabbed the knife and plunged it into his right eye as eye goo splashed everywhere. The knife in his eye forced him to let go of my leg as he tried to pry it out.

Without wasting any time I grabbed the torch and started hitting him with it as the flames crackled against his flesh. Icesor simply backhanded me as the force sent me into one of the cell/cocoons which was surprisingly soft… and sticky. I quickly struggled to get as I felt something brake behind me as Icesor turned to look at me with his remaining eye. His very angry eye that would kill me if looks could kill.

He grabbed me and tore me out of the goo as his grip broke a rib. He growled and then put both hands around my body and started squeezing me to death. I couldn’t move as he opened his jaw wide enough to tear me in two. I shut my eyes expecting the worst only to hear it hack as my fur was suddenly covered in… dear Celestia I really hope this gunk is spit.

Icesor’s grip stopped as I fell to the ground as I watched him hacking as if he was about to throw up a lung. His mouth went over my head as I shut my eyes as another splash of hopefully spit covered my body… If I live I will need a bath. A really long and strong bath as something hit my face that wasn’t spit.

A piece of paper stuck my face as I pulled it’s slimy texture off me and saw Icesor no longer as the giant blueish burnt monster that wanted to kill me but instead a small tiny imp made out of ice smaller than a rabbit. He glared as me as he tried to bite me… only to get trapped in the mess covering my body and soon plastered to the floor by it.

I couldn’t help but smile as I looked down at him and said “Not so tough now?”

Icesor hissed at me for a moment before his eyes widened as a pitchfork was plunged straight into his body. I turned around to see a crystal earth pony breathing franticly as another crystal pony with a shovel struck the small imp’s body repeatedly into paste. I stared at them in surprise and tried to smile before I passed out.

Hopefully nothing bad would happen this time.

******

What was this feeling? My body felt weightless, but I was standing. The sky was darkened black yet the sun was out?

“How does it feel to see the fallen sky.” Sang a voice “To touch the end of an age. To sow madness into the very land. To reach out to the stars and pluck out the night sky. To know that the doom you have buried has finally spring forth?”

A laugh rung out as a pony fell through me… A pony fell though me! I started to panic as I touched myself feeling my body was in one piece, but seeing a dead pony lying on the ground in my hoof!

“You call me a monster and that I don’t agree with for you see. For monsters only hunt and kill for food, but you lot oh… you fools…” Came the twisted cheerful voice “You struck the fire. You fueled the furnaces and struck the coals until they burned!” The pony coughed as I realized he was still alive! “So is it my fault? That you got burned or your own stupidity that everything burned!”

A scythe hit the pony’s body as I recoiled in horror. Robes covered the killer’s face as he laughed as everything went dark.

******

“You gave her Past Drought!” shouted a voice.

My body felt like a sack of lead now. Noise erupted around me as the floor began to shake.

The second voice panicked “She was falling apart. We needed to fix the wounds and it was the only thing we had on hand!”

An earth pony stood over me as he shinned. He didn’t have a coat like a normal pony. Instead it seemed more like he was a pony made out of a shining crystal as the teal light danced about. He had a small grin on his face as he looked over me as my body felt like it was dying. He simply put one hoof over my mouth trying to keep me quite.

He shook his head as he whispered “Can’t have you wake up yet.”

******

I opened my eyes again and saw Ponyville. My first reaction was to run around shouting for my mom and dad until a cart passed through my body. I shivered in fear at the unearthly feeling. None of the ponies seemed to be bothered… but none of them were paying any attention to me.

I raced back home desperately seeking mom and dad. They had to see me. They had to know what was going on. Instead the shop was closed as Applejack stood outside the door looking at my mom and dad. She held the package that the zebra was supposed to have gotten.

“Look I know it seems bad, but ya’ll shouldn’t give up hope yet.” Applejack softly replied “I mean the package wasn’t even in the Everfree Forest.”

Mom didn’t look up as tears filled her eyes. Dad softly muttered to himself not really saying anything, but I could tell that he felt responsible for the accident. That it was his fault that I disappeared… or died.

I shook my head screaming “I’m right here!” None of them paid any attention as I ran up to them “I’m still alive! See! I’m right here!”

I cried out loud as I tried to touch mom. As I tried to comfort my own father. They hadn’t done anything wrong. Dad’s crazy powder actually helped save my life. I wasn’t dead… just… missing. My hooves clawed at the dirt. If I was dead then wouldn’t I be able to fly though the dirt or something? That’s what ghosts did right? So as long as the ground was solid I was alive?

I laughed as pain filled my body as I jumped into the air. No flight? Not dead. I’m still earth bound. I’m still alive.

“I’m…” I cried out loud “I want to go home.”

I head hoof steps behind me as I turned around. A pony in scorched blue armor stared at me. Darkness leaked from every crack as the neon blue eyes stared at me from inside the helmet that covered his face. I back peddled away. I wasn’t dead as the specter of death moved closer.

“I’m not dead!” I screamed “Go away reaper pony! Go away!”

The reaper pony hissed “Equestria.”

******

Pain. Wonderful horrible bitter pain that reminded you that you are alive and still breathing wracked my body as my lungs hurt as my body refused to move. Half a dozen blankets were dumped on my body as I couldn’t help but wonder if they were for my health or if somepony just dumped them without looking.

I pushed against the heavy load as my body didn’t fall through them letting me know I was awake instead of stuck in some sort of pseudo dream state again. Snow started to drift in as the pillar of blankets didn’t allow me to see much.

The wood underneath my body felt cold as fresh air slipped through the crack. The room reminded me of the cabin Shadow Tail had expect it was lacking the hostile feeling and loads of weapons surrounding it. The door opened up as somepony sat down as the cold air rushed in.

I groaned “Please shut the door and tell me what I missed.”

“Oh so the little one is awake now.” Said a rich and charming voice.

I shot up shouting “I’m not little!” only for the blankets to weigh me down.

The charming voice simply chuckled as he replied “Maybe you could lose a blanket or two.”

I felt the weight lighten as I buried my head in one of the blankets. I felt like a little filly. The voice simply hummed a few bars as I felt embarrassed. His voice sounded like it belonged to one of those Canterlot elites and unlike the last royal member I ran into he was treating me with respect as I wasn’t locked up or thrown in chains.

After gaining my composer I looked up and stared at him in a mixture of awe and confusion. Instead of seeing a pony I was face to face with a large brown Diamond Dog with a monocle on his right eye and a top hat.

The charming Canterlot voice came from the Diamond Dog saying “Ah… wasn’t expecting a Diamond Dog?”

“No.. I mean…” I smacked my hoof against my face trying not to stutter and failing not to look like an idiot “It’s just the only Diamond Dogs I had seen… Just spoke a lot harsher and more interested in jewels.”

The Diamond Dog chuckled “Broken speech. Lots of shouting. I know the type.”

I blushed in embarrassment “Uh… my name is Swift Lotus. What’s yours?”

The Diamond Dog smiled as he said “Mr Topaz. Though some call me gramps.”

The door swung open widely as two fillies ran in shouting “Is flower pony awake! Is she alright?”

Mr. Topaz turned around and calmly said “She’s just needs her rest. How’s everyone else fairing?”

One of the fillies jumping up and down shouted “Their trying to make sure everything is in one piece. Some of the older ones are worried about the weather though. I heard flower pony took down a Hydra!”

“Well she took down the ice monster!” the second one shouted “And she scared away the changelings!”

Mr. Topaz simply nodded “Now why don’t we let out little hero rest for a moment. She properly needs it before she tries to get rid of the next big bad monster.”

Both of the fillies raced out shouting about talks of adventure. It felt… surreal. I heard them talking about me, but at the same time it didn’t feel like they were referring to me. I didn’t defeat a Hydra… I just threw sneezing powder at it while somepony else did it and for the changelings. It was the monster ice monster was what frightened them away. I just got lucky with a small patch of poison joke. Dad would kill me if he knew I kept some for the Everfree forest… I felt tears growing in my eyes just thinking about him as I rubbed them away.

Mr. Topaz chuckled as he sat back in the wooden chair watching over me. Beside him rested a large blade as tall as the Diamond Dog himself standing up. The armor he wore was more of a heavy leather vest as with pieces of metal in it. A few gems stuck out of his pockets as he tried to push them back down.

Topaz looked back at me “So what’s your story and don’t say you don’t have one. I’m traveling with ponies and you just managed to free an entire village from a changeling hive just after stopping the demon of the north with a flower of all things.”

That made my checks flush as it sounded a lot like a story I would have like to have read… if I didn’t already know what happened.

“Got lost and ended up trying to find a safe place to rest. Then something broke my cage waking me up leading to a series of accidents and lucky moments.” I sheepishly replied “It really wasn’t anything. I’m just trying to get to ponyville.”

“Ponyville?” Mr. Topaz repeated to himself “I can’t say I really heard of that place.”

I heart sunk as it just reminded me just how far I was away from home. I motioned for him to close the door shut as he did. I was left with two choices… lie or tell him the truth. I had only meet this pon… diamond dog and I was tired.

I took a deep breath “It’s a long story… if I tell you can you promise not to tell anypon… I mean anyone.” I could feel my mouth struggling with the last word. It didn’t feel natural.

Mr Topaz smiled “Sometimes all we need is an open ear and a moment to relieve ourselves. I’m all ears.”

Yes it was stupid. Yes it was a bad idea… but after seeing my parents morn for me? I had to say something not to anypony else, but to myself. I was alive and I was going to find a way back home!

I sighed “Well it all started when I was about to deliver a package.”