Incarnate: Book Two of the Nexus

Sky's reverie was broken by an approaching Deer. It was Rosepetal. She brought with her a look of some consternation. She reached Sky and sat down by him.

She carried a cloth sack in her mouth, which she dropped within reach of Sky. This contained fresh berries, carrots, and hay.

Before Sky could speak Rose cut in, "My father has seen a vision of a winter storm destroying the village. He has implored me to visit the dragons, and see if they can help us."

A wave of memory crashed into Sky. He perked one ear up, and said softly, "Are those his exact words, Rose?"

Rosepetal shuffled and scraped a front hoof before replying, "No, he wants me to see what they have. My father would never stoop to asking another for help."

Sky leaned in as much as he could while being attached to a short leash. With a wistful and soft look in his eyes, he begged Rosepetal, "Please, just stay here. Dragons are dangerous, right? And you, you're sweet and innocent."

Rosepetal shook her head no, "I'm sorry Sky, but it's too important. My father never built the storm wall like he said he would, Mirage must be fortified against the coming storm."

Sky nodded his understanding, and thanked her for the food. Rosepetal turned to leave.

"Wait," said Sky in a harsh whisper. Rosepetal turned back to look at him, and Sky asked her, "Look, I know you don't trust me but, could I go with you? I can fly, so I can scout things out."

"I will have to ask my father. Trust me, I would love for you not to be treated like this," answered Rose.

"I have no idea where that shadow thing came from or what it even is, I swear," said Sky truthfully.

"Good then," exclaimed Rosepetal, "for a Blight is friend of no deer."

"It's called a Blight?"

Rose nodded, "A foul, corrupted being of Tartarus. Just as close to the magic as us, but a darker kind of magic."

Sky let this sink in while he ate a carrot. A creature--no, a monster--of dark magic. No surprise Luna was able to befriend it, then, what with her unthinkable years of mastery over the magic of night and shadow.

Something else tugged at Sky's mind, and he asked, "You deer believe in Tartarus as well? In Equestria, we know such a place exists, and we found a way in and out of it."

"Yes, but I know not if anydeer may enter, save by dying in a dishonorable way."

Sky scoffed, "Oh, we don't believe bad ponies are sent there anymore. The princesses personally visited and proved that wrong. It's just a twisted, dangerous world, and a fine prison for the most dangerous creatures."

The shadow being could be seen creeping towards them now, visible as an inky smear against the sunset sky. Rosepetal growled and backed away slowly. She gulped, and found the courage to say, "A ghost corrupted by dark magic, that is a Blight."

Sky dropped the carrot he was chewing on, and simply stared at her.

"No," he said, "No, no, I don't need this. After all the hell I've been through I don't need to know that ghosts are real on top of that. Thanks."

Now Rose sat. She tilted her head, and asked Sky, "How do you mean?"

Sky bit his lip, looking away from her. He spoke softly, "If I tell you, keep it to yourself, okay? Don't tell any... uh, anydeer."

Rose nodded. Sky breathed in deep. He had several juicy blackberries before speaking, "I think Equestria is a completely different world, like Tartarus is. I didn't actually get blown off course in a storm. I came here through the Dreamspace."

"The... place of dreams?" asked a confused Rose.

"Yes, the, uh, land where dreams happen. There's a powerful deer there, you should know. Has the power to observe all sorts of things in the future, and lots of power over dreams... he gave some of his power to the rulers of my land."

Rose seemed hurt by these words. Sky asked what the matter was, to which Rose replied, "You say you have seen the great Oracle, but why would he give his great power to any creature beside the Deer?"

Sky struggled with finding an answer. He couldn't exactly tell her she lived in a storybook world and they were all going to die.

After a few deep breaths, Sky managed to say, "Rose the, well, Oracle as you called him is able to see what might happen. He... knows your world is on its proper course, and he knows that our world is falling apart."

"What's wrong with your world?" Rose inquired as she lie down in the cold and gravelly dirt.

"The magic is failing, and we don't know why."

Rose seemed to understand how bad this was. She nodded grimly.

Sky continued, "Me, and my friends, found crystals that might have something to do with bringing the magic back... we might have to fight a dangerous old enemy. That is if, if I can ever find Cobalt again... why did she leave, Rose? What did I do?"

The threat of tears were in Sky's eyes. Rosepetal quickly intervened, asking, "Can you show me what your crystal can do?"

"I don't know, maybe," Sky placed a hoof on his chest, where the small gray crystal necklace rippled with fog. It glowed brightly, and an apple was lifted a few inches from the ground.

The apple shook, and fell back to rest. Sky shook his head, one tear glistening on his nose as he said, "I can't focus right now. Not after losing her, not like this."

Rosepetal moved over to sit by him. She leaned in, and placed her chin on the back of his neck. She said quietly, "While I can't share the strong feelings you have for another, I can see it troubles you greatly. I shall talk to my father about letting you go with us."

Sky thanked her weakly, and asked out of curiosity, "You mean to say you don't know what love is? A deep love, for some deer or... other creature?"

Rose observed, "The word you are using here means friendship or a preference for something, but I think it means something else for you. Like a very special friendship."

Sky nodded, "Well, yes I suppose. If two ponies really care about each other, they may live together and raise a family."

"Family," said the deer slowly, "Whatever that word means, we don't have such a concept."

"But you clearly have a father," Sky objected.

"Certainly, and a mother, as does every doe. To ensure the village may prosper, nothing more."

Sky thanked her again for the food as she departed. Night fell, and Sky rolled over onto his back to stare at the swirling constellations above. To his shock, three moons were visible. One was a milky white half moon, same color as his own moon.

Another half-moon shone amber, the color of pale beer. One moon was full, shining brilliantly... in a rich, deep blue. The color of Cobalt.

Sky cried now, trying to fight against it but breaking into fits until the exhaustion of the day caught up to him and brought sleep in this strange and cold world.

As he closed his eyes in slumber, he repeated the name of his love once more, "Cobalt... why."

On this very night, the singular white moon of Equestria shone brightly upon the forest of Everfree. Snow bedecked the branches, drifts of white obscured the land below, and the landscape became a blur of dark green pine and soft white snow to the two creatures who flew through the forest at great speed.

While the snowfall was soft, at their flight speed it appeared to be a blizzard. Trees were avoided nimbly, though the occasional pine bough was brushed against sending a miniature avalanche cascading to the forest floor below.

The two winged ponies began their descent, a gradual, graceful and controlled thing that brought them to a quiet landing at the door of a snow-covered cabin.

Each pony had both the wings of a pegasus and the horn of a unicorn. Both seemed confident and calm despite the confines of this feared and lonely region, where the howls of monsters resonated in the cold night air.

Twilight Sparkle, the purple-furred one, shook the snow from her body and wings and knocked at the cabin door. Princess Celestia's horn glowed a faint yellow, and the snow on her back and wings slid off to the ground.

This regal alicorn of white fur with a shimmering blue mane of astral energy greeted the occupant of the cabin as she creaked open the door.

A zebra stood within the cabin, where a blazing fire radiated welcoming warmth into the bitter cold of winter. She observed the two travelers, and offered a deep bow.

This zebra now rhymed, "Adventurous of thou to travel so late. Step inside, let your worries abate."

Twilight nudged right past her and immediately sat at the dining table, twisting back to withdraw a series of documents and curios from her saddlebags.

Celestia said that Zecora need not bow to her. When the zebra rose, Celestia gave her a hug which was returned with some amount of surprise.

Both zebra hermit and majestic alicorn immortal strode into the humble forest cabin. They joined Twilight at the table.

As Celestia had her seat a somber look crossed her visage. She turned to Twilight, and asked,

"Do you feel entirely at peace, my dear? This spell will require great focus."

Twilight grimaced, but nodded. She spoke, "I still can't stop blaming myself... for everything, but I also have an impetus to make it right. I don't feel the least bit sad, and my magic should be strong."

"That is well. Let us travel to the troublesome old pool then. Zecora, are the other ingredients ready?"

The zebra shook her head no, "We shall need a lichen-mold which only grows in the cold, then shall the tale of the cure be told."

"Let us hope so," replied Princess Celestia, "For it rests upon the accuracy of the old scrolls. I place my trust in thou as an alchemist."

The three gathered up foodstuff, medical supplies, and warm clothing before setting out into the winter darkness.

"Hey, wake up. It's morning, Sky," came a voice.

Sky eased his eyes open, yawned, and stiffly got up from lying on his side in a bed of old, damp straw. Rosepetal the deer stood by him. Sky asked her,

"How long have you been there?"

"A little bit. You're cute when you sleep, you know that?"

Sky blushed deeply. He cleared his throat, and asked, "So, what's the news? Can I go with everypony? I mean everydeer?"

This prompted a quizzical tilt of Rose's head. She asked, "How did you know for certain that father was sending us out to gather supplies for the village? I didn't say that yet."

Sky quickly intervened, "Uh, the shadow thing keeps telling me stuff."

"The Blight?"

"Yeah, that. So, is it okay if I fly out ahead?"

Rosepetal nodded with an excited smile. She said, "Father says you have to be kept on a rope until we reach the mountains, but then you can fly."

"Ahh, okay," said Sky as he stretched fore and aft, "Could you please untie my wings though, or they will be too sore to think of flying on."

Rosepetal stepped over and used her mouth to undo the knots. The ropes fell away, and Sky gratefully extended his broad wings full of golden feathers which now stuck out in all directions.

He twisted back to preen his feathers back down. Rosepetal sat, observing him quietly, taking in the awe-inspiring wingspan of this creature.

When Sky was done, he cricked his neck and then spoke, "Well, if I can't fly I guess I'll walk with you down South til we can cross the river... uh, I saw where it was shallow while I was wandering in the forest," he quickly said.

"Yes, we are going to hike South a ways to the hidden crossing..." said the bemused deer, "but why are you acting so strange?"

"It's... my friend, I miss her badly," said Sky, which was not entirely a lie.

More lines of the old fable were fresh in his memory now, fresh as the cold morning air of this little village:

'On the other side of this river were mountains. Big mountains, higher than a pegasus pony could fly. Up here on these lofty cliffs lived a group of Dragons. Unlike the Deer, these Dragons were very proud and wealthy.

The Dragons had artisans, which means crafters. They would forge metal in hot fires, carve wood with sharp tools, weave tapestries with sharp talons.

The Deer did not know how to do these things, and they lived very simply in a village of tents. They would gather leaves and berries from the forest to eat, draw water from the Great Line to drink, and frolic and play in the fields.'

Skyblazer walked with Rosepetal to the middle of the village. Many sturdy stags and nimble does were gathered here, some wearing primitive wooden armor. All had saddlebags and lengths of rope for tying on more cargo.

The village leader still seemed very wary of Sky, but the shadow creature was nowhere to be seen and all seemed at peace. Despite the fact that the leader was planning a great disservice to the dragons...

'He gathered together the strongest Deer of the village, and armed them with magic potions and spells written on scrolls. He told his daughter to lead the way to the Dragon's caves, and together they hiked to the forest and crossed the river...

The Deer stole tools, planks, building stones and blankets from the Dragons, and walked out of the caves. The weight of all they had taken burdened them. It was Winter now, and the cliffs were very slippery with snow and ice.'

Skyblazer observed the crowd of deer with a grave expression, sitting with his wings tucked up against his body to ward off the cold wind.

Rosepetal walked over and sat next to him, leaning right up against his side. He felt conflicted between rather enjoying the warm press of her lithe body against his and how her father, the village leader, would react to it.

Badly, it turned out. On seeing them, the village leader offered a string of profanity which seemed to discolor the very air. Rosepetal stuttered a weak apology and took a few steps away from Sky.

A burly stag with a huge set of antlers and some scars on its body from fights took up the rope Sky was attached to, and led him out of town like a pet dog. Sky's demeanor took a turn from whimsical happiness to humiliated anger.

His attitude took another turn as he looked back over his shoulder at Rosepetal. While her father may be greedy and narcissistic, she had inherited none of that. She was as sweet and innocent as any wild deer of his own world was, and about as carefree.

Sky's stomach seemed to drop. Most of the deer here were very envious creatures without much respect for other's property, but not Rose.

The telepathic words of the shadow came to fore. Do not intervene at all costs, it had said... but what could be the harm in saving just one deer? The one who most of all didn't deserve to die.

This story could still progress as though Sky were in some grand and immersive play. He could watch it unfold while perfectly knowing the future. And he could save Rosepetal, and bring her to his own world where she could live in peace.

That was... assuming he could find a way back. Of course that wasn't a question. If he had to search this world til the end of his days he would, anything to find his way back to Cobalt again.

Rosepetal walked beside Sky all the way South along the river. Mirage faded into the distance behind them in both the literal and arcane sense. The river was bitter cold, but flowed too rapidly for ice to form.

Soon, the cervine cavalry reached the forest and the shallow ford therein. They crossed, breaking through thin panes of ice and splashing through ankle-deep frigid water.

Skyblazer was untied at the wood's edge and permitted to fly. He unfurled his great wings and stretched them back. He galloped until the calm wind was enough to give lift to his broad span and light body.

Up and up and high above this fairytale world rose Sky. A sea of white spread in all directions; aside from the forest, the river, and the mountains, not another feature could be seen anywhere upon the rolling plains of white.

Perhaps there were no other features. Sky shook his head no at the thought. Certainly other places could exist, just ones that weren't used in this story. There, far to the East where the mountain ridges snaked down to ground level, was a collection of flickering lights and puffs of smoke.

There, another village. Maybe a safe refuge to bring Rosepetal, so that they may evade the wrath of her father and wait out the coming storm.

Night fell as the army of deer crossed the foothills and reached the rugged cliffs of the mountain. Skyblazer hovered above like an all-seeing narrator. He watched the deer below form a single-file line and slowly climb a serpentine trail to the summit.

Slowly, the deer gained purchase on the slippery rocks and gravel of the makeshift trail which only hooved creatures could consider using. At points, they had to hop small gaps or wade through chest-deep snow.

They reached the cavern home of the dragons in the dead of night. Holes led into the mountain, a sprawling cave system carved by glaciers and the expansion of frozen water. A cave system extended by powerful creatures of magic and muscle: Dragons.

The occupants of the cave slumbered soundly in a torchlit underground room. A clear lake glistened here, reminding Sky of the cavern from whence he had entered the Dreamspace. Only, this cavern room was so much more massive. It was also rather nicely furnished. These dragons really were expert artisans; Sky appraised the tapestries and finely carved wooden furniture.

Rosepetal walked up beside him now, leaning right up against him like an affectionate dog. She whispered, "Hmm, they seem to be sleeping. We may rest here and speak with them come morning."

This never happened. The other deer, several dozen in total, walked past them with purpose. They twisted back and nuzzled into saddlebags, withdrawing scrolls and glass potion bottles.

A series of flashes blazed in the cavern, and the massive room was divided neatly in half by a magic barrier. Sky approached and knocked on it with a hoof. It looked like stone and it was as solid and rough as a stone wall.

Sky knew that dragons were heavy sleepers, especially in the cold. Their inner fire kept them warmer than most reptiles, but they still needed time here by their roaring fires. This magic spell had been bright but soundless.

With a sigh, Sky turned around and sat down. Now, they steal all of the dragons' stuff.

The deer did so, apart from Rosepetal, who sat by Sky nervously. After rolling his eyes, Sky wrapped a right wing around her to ease her shivers. Rose leaned against him.

It took some time, but the deer managed to take all manner of supplies and resources and tie them securely on their backs. They walked out of the room and down a passage to the entrance.

A blizzard raged in the darkness, cold wind ripping into the cave from the aperture. Many of the deer seemed uncertain, offering nervous looks at the massive, scarred stag who led them.

The stag announced, "We proceed! The barrier won't hold them back for long when they wake, we must make the bottom before sunrise!"

With hesitation, each deer stepped out into the night and followed their leader. It was pitch black save for occasional moonlight through gaps of cloud. The wind howled and whined as it rushed through mountain crevices.

Rosepetal began to follow in back after all of her objections were ignored.

"STOP!" Sky screamed with all the breath in his lungs. He lunged towards her with his next breath, and held her close with his wings with the third.

The sound of rocks falling, and then the sound of hooves scrabbling on ice and failing to find any grip. A thud somewhere out in the dark, further sounds of scratching on ice.

Scared, heavy breathing from a deer all but invisible in the dark. A quiet voice saying, "It's okay sir, I got you. Close one, that."

Rosepetal stared wide-eyed in unseeing horror at the next sound: Several cracks of ice and a rush of snow which became progressively louder.

"Run!"

"Where is it, I can't see anything? Shit!"

"Sounds like it's right on top of..."

The avalanche slammed into the deer who had left the cavern. Fading screams pierced the night. A series of sickening thuds were followed by a sound Sky could only describe as a locomotive rampaging down the mountainside.

In time, this icy nightmare subsided. Sky and Rose hugged each other close; tears were frozen on Rose's muzzle. Sky found enough focus to cast a quavering beam of light; the trail was completely gone and all the deer who were on it. Rocks and snow had been carved from the mountainside in a vicious channel.

Rosepetal stepped forward. "No," she said simply.

Another nightmare sound resonated through this frozen hell: Several deep growls from the cavern behind them. Slowly, Rose and Sky turned.

The dragons had awoken, and they seemed angry. They rushed Sky and Rose. Skyblazer stepped in front of her, wings spread wide, amulet blazing and crackling with magic, an arcane shield up, a half-dozen intense spells wracking his body with exhaustion...

The first dragon lunged forward, swiping with a claw as he went. The second, beside him, was breathing flames.

Fire deflected off of a shield, the heat singing Sky's fur. A clawed limb rippling with muscle met an equally strong telekinetic force of sheer determination, and paused mid-swing. It was smashed back into the rock wall of the cave. The dark green dragon to whom the clawed paw belonged hopped back with a yelp, holding up the paw limply.

A third dragon took its place, and roared savagely. Sky and Rose were pelted by fetid breath and saliva from a maw of jagged teeth.

Sweat steamed from Sky's back in the freezing cold. He panted and cussed, and screamed from pain and exertion as a small cloud began to form from the moisture in the cavern. Another scream, a guttural sound of feral fury, and a lightning bolt dropped the third dragon in spasms of electricity. The shattered air boomed in the cave, knocking stalactites off the ceiling.

More dragons advanced on them, great big ones of blue and black and red. Scales scraped against the icy walls with a hiss. Sky tried to summon more magic to his command; it fizzled out again and again. His legs shook; he nearly collapsed.

Rose and Sky backed up until they were pressed flat back against the wall of debris and snow from the avalanche. The dragons slowly stepped forward, sparks and smoke and flame emitting from their bloodthirsty maws.

A massive red dragon bowed down and seemed ready to grab the deer with his rows of sharp teeth. Sky couldn't do anything further. Exhaustion cramped his muscles, adrenaline shivered his wings.

Rosepetal was nudging him, hard, with a hoof. Sky looked around.

All around them the dark night was full of color. Sky looked ahead at the dragons. The lead one began to change color as well, becoming blurry. It stopped in its tracks, just like all the other dragons. It became translucent, torchlight from the cave shining right through its body.

The red dragon faded away like a ghost. The others began to follow suit, not speaking, not making a sound, not moving, just fading away into nothing.

Now the swirl of blurry, muted colors began to smudge the snow and rocks and trees, heading for Rosepetal.

Sky grabbed her around the chest with his front legs and lept from the cliff. In his exhaustion, he could barely keep a grip on her. It took all he had to stay in flight, but the icy air helped.

"I'm sorry about this," he said to her, before crossing his rear legs under her soft abdomen to hold her securely with all four legs. Now he could fly fast as hell to get away from here. But where?

The air itself seemed to become blurry and fade away, but thankfully it didn't seem able to affect Rosepetal in flight. Holes bubbled in the air around them like bubbling soup. Through them could be seen another world.

Dreamspace? There was no alternative. The entire top half of the mountain had blurred with colors and was beginning to fade away. He dove through a hole, a portal, on strained wings, out of the darkness and into blinding daylight.

Of all the places they could have ended up, whether dead or alive, this was not one Sky expected.

Ahead loomed the summit of a volcano crater. It wasn't far. Sky was about ready to drop from the air; he glided as best he could on the gentle wind currents, bolstering his flight with soft-fall magic which fizzled and smoked like the lava visible far below.

A hard crash-landing on the edge of the crater. Both creatures were badly shaken and bruised. They shakily got back up, both looking into the sky. The bubbling continued here, offering brief glimpses of forest and beach and pastureland.

Skyblazer looked down into the volcano. Sure enough, the massive tangle of midnight black thorns could be seen. Somehow, the thorns grew out of the lava. Only in Dreamspace.

Plenty of sanguine red crystals could be seen. They glowed faintly. Rosepetal stared at the scene with wonder and confusion in her watery brown eyes, her ears flicking.

Skyblazer sat, and then lie down on his belly. The cold volcanic soil cooled him as he panted heavily, chin on the ground from exhaustion. In time he caught his breath, and without thinking too much about it twisted back for his canteen and had a drink of water.

He choked and coughed, caught his breath, and looked back again. All his things were back: His armor, weapons, saddlebags, the artifact bracelet.

All of the things that didn't matter in the least without Cobalt by his side.

Sky gave an appreciative stare down into the crater. This was, indeed, the place where they had encountered the dark wizard Sombra. Where Celestia had soundly put him in his place.

But Skyblazer remembered Luna saying their battle had collapsed the entire volcano. He shook his head, realizing that this was, of course, the dream world. It didn't have to stay broken.

He sat up suddenly. Something was going on at the base of the thorns, a color shift. The rich black began to crack and flake. A light brown wither began to slowly creep up the thorns, gaining in speed.

Sky could visibly watch wither grow on the thorns. He stood up now, still sweating but breathing more easily. Words rang loudly in his mind:

You will watch the source of all dark magic wither before you...

Rosepetal was by his side now, leaning on him again. She had a scrape on one back leg but seemed otherwise fine. She stared into the abyss below in fascination. Skyblazer looked down in agape horror.

And you will be powerless to stop it.

A shadow appeared despite nothing to cast shade. It turned into an arrow, pointing away from the mountain and towards the South. Sky looked.

An especially large bubble could be seen, shrinking fast. Through it could be seen...no. Could it be? A towering butte, with a glistening waterfall cascading from it.

Sky crouched and said, "Get on my back, watch the wings. Again sorry about before."

Rosepetal blushed and replied, "It's fine, really, I'm just glad we're safe. But all the other deer, Mirage will struggle without them..."

"They... it will be fine, Rose," Sky answered unconvincingly, "I'm sure Mirage is tough enough to withstand the snow storm."

He knew it was not alright. As the chaos settled and a state of composure returned, it brought more memories with it:

'The elder Dragon was very mad about the theft, and he flew towards Mirage to destroy the village. He found the Great Line and landed on the shore, walking for a time until he found the hidden village of the Deer.

When he entered, he found that it had already been destroyed by a strong winter storm, and most of the Deer who lived there had frozen to death or been crushed beneath the weight of ruined wooden shacks.'

"How did we get here?" asked Rose suddenly.

Sky was taken aback. He replied, "Uh, through the portal?"

"The... hole in the sky? What does that mean, you mean like that thing over there?"

She gestured towards the Southern portal Sky was staring at.

"Yes, exactly but... uh, what do you remember, Rose?"

"Well, my father betrayed me. The deer stole from the dragons, and with the weight they fell down the mountains. Then, everything just went black. Did I faint after seeing them fall?"

"Y-yes, that's exactly what happened. But, you're safe now, this is the world of Dreams."

Rose looked at the ground, and scuffed it with a hoof. She quietly said, "I'd like to see my father, I'm not afraid of him."

"Do you remember escaping from the mean dragons?"

"Sort of, but it's all fuzzy and strange. I just remember being so scared."

"I'm sorry Rose, but I don't know if we can get back from here. The only way out I see is back into my world of Equestria."

Rose frowned, "It is no fault of yours, friend Sky. Truly if we are in the dream world, then the Oracle must have brought us here for a reason."

"Huh, maybe so..." said Sky in wonder, "For now, it's not safe to stay here. There is no one here, and this place is strange. Come to my world, you'll be safe there."

Sky remembered the Blight, which was still a shadowy arrow on the ground. He thought towards it,

Thanks for your help. Are you coming?

I do not belong in the real world. Better I stay here than have one more fell creature escape back into Equestria. Enough damage has been done.

Sky stopped and stared. He realized, and shuddered.

There was no helping it now. They had to get to civilization again, and he had to find Cobalt and find out why she left. Rose climbed on his back, her hooves sharp against him.

He flew off towards the fast-closing portal. They cleared it with minutes to spare, finding themselves high above Equestria and not far from Ponyville.

Now what? wondered Sky as he spiraled down for a landing. Sweet Apple acres zoomed in below. Rolling hills of dormant trees graced the landscape. They landed, gently this time, and Rose walked a ways off to a hilltop.

Together, leaning on each other in the cold, they looked at the cozy town of Ponyville down below, framed by sunset.