Verve

The following few ‘days’ came by in a breeze, the group taking their time to fully recover and provision for the road. Arin’s pack, coming apart at the seams - was destroyed during their capture. Instead a more suitable, lightweight, but expansive Feywild’s Leather satchel took not only its place, but his once familiar home crafted side bag, too. The White Tails had spent years researching the most efficient use of enchanting magics to develop travel aid of this caliber, and with it, came many perks.

The inside of the pack was almost as big as a tiny closet. In fact, if it were entirely empty - he might struggle to fit inside himself, without the bag taking more than a moderate amount of space in reality. It was lined with pockets and straps, space enough to fit not only days of rations and camping supplies - but a fully fledged tent for two, of Silversun make. He even found a spot for the now broken Alicorn Amulet, which could one day sell for a pretty coin or three.

Sonata was returned to his possession, though the regal bow had seen some improvements. For one, it was reinforced with Fey Glass - a strange material that was springy like wood, but durable like steel. It was light weight, and replaced the blue trim with green. While he wasn’t sure about the color swap - it fit well with the new gifts of Fey Glass bracers and Tree Cloth leggings; meant to emphasize quiet survival, but able to overturn arrows and blades with relative ease. It gave him much needed protection without weighing more than the mithril he formerly adorned, anyway. Another neat perk to their craftsmanship was the emerald locked in the bow’s handle; a magical foci. While he could cast magic with arrows, this assisted greatly in this endeavor - and would allow even a novice to either create magical bolts to let loose, or swirl magic into physical arrows rapidly.

Celestia was granted her own set of travel-ready armor, befitting of her stature. A light half-plate cuirass hugged her chest, made of Planar Gold. Keenly fitted to deflect magical attacks, it was well suited for an Alicorn able to fly. Which, after their time here - she could do now, though still not as freely as Vee did. Her wings would take much, much longer to fully return to their old regality, but good food and company did wonders.

On top of this, Celestia was given a Wildwood Staff, an amber resting in the crown of the root-grown stave. It also bore a crescent blade, giving it more of a bardiche appearance. It would allow her, a Solar Magic pony - to channel a variety of magic, albeit nowhere near the intensity she could while fully within her element.

Pumpkin didn’t seem much like a fighter. Actually, she seemed better adept at cowering. Regardless, King Aster ordered a set of Feywild Leather to keep her safe. They made an effort to match her orange hat, at least. And she was simply happy to see more deer handiwork that now fit tightly around her.

Tempest was probably the easiest to outfit. All she demanded was armor. No special weapons, no unique trinkets - just protection for her body. She was confident her training would handle the rest. So, they granted her a heavy set of plated Winter Irons, a unique metal found only in the Fey. It was dark colored, sure - but it offered outstanding protection from just about everything. The only downside was that it was heavy, and a bit noisy. Though malleable in certain ways, allowing her total freedom of movement.

Vee… that was difficult. The pegasus also wasn’t a fighter, but in a different sense. She was unpredictable. Entirely unpredictable. So much so, that the Circlet’s Quartermaster had trouble finding something to fit her.

“So. How do I keep you alive?” the doe said, slowly walking around the Purple pegasus.

“Oho! Bold of you to assume I’m alive. Who knows! I could very well be sleeping right now, and this could all be a dream.” Vee preened a wing, acutely unaware of the measuring tape floating around her torso.

“Hm. How quick are you on those wings?” the yellow eyed doe asked, writing down notes in a clipboard before her. The soft glow of magic surrounded her tools, her imagination at work.

“Well, Invade-my-personal-space-fry, I’m faster than an arrow! If said arrow was thrown by a toddler foal.”

“Hooves, then?”

“If I don’t have to tie my shoes? Fast! Unfortunately, I don’t have shoes - so I never have to not tie them! D’ohoho.”

The doe blinked at her nonsense, wiggling her nose in contemplation. A flick of her brown ear, a bleat of frustration - and she clopped away on cloven hooves to a nearby weapons rack. Shuffling through the assorted weaponry, she eventually pulled out a green tipped lance - tossing the elegantly carved haft into Vee’s hooves.

“Swing that for me,” she stated, hovering the clipboard beneath her chin to judge.

“Hmhmhm. This reminds me much too much of my band days, as a baton twirler! Ohohoho, I hated the Flight School. Bad for the feathers, all that flapping for no reason!”

Vee, swirling a faint purple aura around the staff - spun it expertly in the air above her. She did so while sipping away at a cup of coffee, balancing the wooden pole on the tip of her hoof. Impressed, the doe watched with amusement.

“I said swing. But… perhaps you’ve found your match. The lance it is then. Now, armor… That’s the tough part. What are you weakest against?”

“Hmhm… mornings, typically. Bad for the feathers, but strangely good for the coffee. No, best for the coffee. Wills away the wisps of night, d’ohoho!” She sipped tiredly at her mug, gazing right through the deer before her.

Perturbed silence followed. The doe thought carefully for a minute, before sketching up some designs - trotting away to her workshop to fashion something fitting for Vee. Within hours of her return, she found Vee still standing there - staring blankly at a wall. Unnerving as it was, she deposited a parcel before her - gleaming golden yellow magic settling it on the floor.

“I think Starhide should work well for you, your Excellence.”

“Oh? I changed my mind; Deer-fries are alright. If there’s one way to my heart, it’s coffee. Or buttering up my wings with compliments and free stuff.”

She stared at the thin leather gear assorted before her, frowning. “Does it come in ‘already on my body’ flavor or do I have to put it on myself?”

The doe frowned, “Do you require assistance, or?...”

“Oh no, I don’t. I’ve just never put on clothes before! Except for my hat. And maybe a robe once or twice. Hmhm.” She idled at the bundle, levitating her magic pokey stick in the air - and roughly stuffed what looked like an ornately decorated leather and chain shirt over her muzzle, the purple colors quite befitting.

“Aha! Yes, wonderful. I feel invincible already,” she said, the jerkin mostly covering her face. She put it on through the wrong hole. “If this were a bag, it would be a very ugly bag; too many holes. D’ohoho~”

Eventually, the petite deer worked up the courage to approach - using her magic to tug Vee’s new armor across her chest properly. After popping it off and realigning it, of course. Immediately, a new coffee stain formed on the front.

“Perfect! It’ll smell just like me in no time. Maybe now I can intimidate the guards to let me preen in my perfectly legal public bird bath in peace.”

“You are a strange pony. Are many of your kind like you?” the doe finally asked, as Vee stuffed the lance into her hat.

“No no, not at all! The world can only handle one Vee at a time. Perhaps in another plane of existence. But not the Prime! Though a pink one is awfully close. Shame she was doodled before I was! Hmhm.”

By now, their days of plenty were coming to an end. In the great dining hall of Silversun, our party rested for the final time at breakfast - each carrying a new pack, donning fresh armor and eager to move. While they had been here several days, only an hour had passed in the Prime. Aster’s dining hall was a wonderful spectacle to behold, like many things in the White Tail’s world. Food was abundant, and live entertainment was found in plenty.

A quiet violinist and pianist played for the King and gathered Court; dozens of talkative deer asking questions, drinking wine, and speaking in their strange accents. Food was fresh and plentiful, and the mood light and airy. Wine was served, from freshly opened bottles and sweet to the taste.

The group was settled closest to Aster’s side. As Royal Guests, they had the honor and right to it. On his right, Celestia, Arin, and Tempest. His left, Pumpkin and Vee. The little mare exceedingly nervous to be seated next to such a large deer.

Regardless, after days of sitting on her words and finding herself unable to speak, their time grew short - and she finally summoned her courage to act.

“K-King Aster?” she stuttered, the massive gold flecked buck lending an ear to the tiny mare.

“Yes, my Guest?” he said softly, the little mare curling up just a bit.

“I-I’d like to open a shop here, one day. I-If that’s okay with um… y-you?” She clopped her hooves together, anxiety seeping into her voice. The towering King examined her closely in his ageless eyes, humming.

“It may be decades until I, or my Kin, see you again. I am afraid I can not guarantee nor promise space for you to sell wares, as the world around us may change. What do you intend on flaunting, if I may inquire?”

With the fear of never returning to these beautiful lands, anxiety began to strangle her words. “W-Well u-um… I-I’m a b-baker, a-and potion m-maker.”

“Mm. There are many with talents such as those who roam my Realm.” He frowned, before Arin gave a cough.

“If I may… interject, your Highness. But she is the best baker I know of. I worked with her before, and none can match her, save perhaps a Grandmaster in the trade.” Arin smiled, confident with his words. The now blushing mare ducked her head under her hat.

“Oh? Hm. Your history had intrigued me, Sir Arin - a former King, and now nothing more than a Knight cast aside by their Lady. If you hold truth to your words, then I may see light to them. Unfortunately, I am not so easy to persuade without evidence.”

At that, a thought popped into the Seraph’s head. Quickly, he dug around in his new pouch. He stumbled through the process of withdrawing an ornamental glass pumpkin, with a familiar coin slot in the top. Pumpkin gasped, as Arin poured a dozen still fresh cookies onto a clean plate. It’s magic, he doesn’t have to explain it. Sliding it forward, he offered the King a taste.

A luminous glow of gold surrounded one of the discs, levitating it before his eyes. He cracked the crumb, sniffing it - ageless eyes curious on the construction. With that, he took a small nibble.

Then a bite. He finished the cookie, now smiling as he held aloft another. “Very well then, Miss Pumpkin Spice. I will grant your request. Under one condition.”

She darted up from under her hat, eyes wide. “Y-Yes?”

“You will sell me the first batch you produce here, in Silversun. Perhaps one day, with hope and delegation - research may prevail, and a solution may be found to our plane-restricted plight. Some trade may begin between us and our former rivals, if Princess Celestia is willing?” He polished off the second cookie in moments, his emerald eyes swiveling to the present Alicorn. She smiled brightly, giving a nod.

“That would be wonderful, King Aster. Our history may be bittersweet, but the future still holds bright. One day, perhaps soon - you could meet my now former student, Princess Twilight. She is a fine heir to Equestria’s throne, and would be more than willing to seek an arrangement.”

Aster smiled, a warm laugh filling his throat. “A pleasant dream, that may be - but a distant one for us. For now, the aegis of time spins slowly - a day here is merely minutes in your realm. But fate may find it unwilling, and slow our world to a crawl, while yours turns ever onward. Only the decision of magic untamed will prove if a future comes between us or not. I may very well pass before that time may come, as old as I may be.”

His eyes settled back on Pumpkin, examining the strapping young mare with kindness in his heart. “I will need an ambassador, after all - if this time ever comes. If a simple treat from you could inspire my decision to let you stay, then words from your mouth - however unwieldy they are in your hooves - may prove valuable in my court. For that, you will need this.”

From his regalia across his torso, set many gems. A small detail to the infinite beauty of the Feywilds, when captured in this light - but a detail, none-the-less. Antlers shining brightly, he plucked a near miniscule emerald from the centerpiece; dangling by a gold cord, it would make a fine earring. Gently, it slid forward in his magic - clipping into her ear.

“I name thee Pumpkin Spice, Ambassador to the Autumn Court. May the leaves line your path ever onwards.” He bowed to the stunned mare, Vee waving a hoof quietly in front of her face.

“Small-fry? Are you alright?” she asked.

Flump. Pumpkin hit the ground, unconscious. A warm laugh from the ageless cervine filled the air, as Vee’s wing propped the now calmly resting Pumpkin up to not draw the attention of any gathered deer.

“D’ohoho, an excitable fry at times, but a good fry she is! Lots of feathers in her brain, lots of scribbles in her books.” The Purple made an effort not to both preen and sip coffee at the same time; bad for the coffee, after all.

“Now, for the rest of you. As I said before, until the ages pass and your names go unwritten, you shall be welcome here. Though if you drink half as much coffee as our Pegasus friend, I will have to charge.” He grinned, Celestia’s own smile widening.

“And you will be welcome in my home, as well, any time. At least… after some remodeling. Canterlot could definitely use an aesthetic update, after stepping hoof in yours.”

The road out of Silversun was much more refined now that they were on the cobble proper; trails and farmsteads unseen before their tenure springing to existence, all buildings keeping to the thematic approach of the beautiful red pillar and white walls of the Cervine’s home. From this perspective, wildlife didn’t just bloom - it flourished. Creeks and rivers ran clear, the roads were alight with beauty and species of bird undocumented. Even a rare Phoenix made an appearance, much to Celestia’s delight. Guided by six chatty deerfolk soldiers, their path led west - slow cold seeping into the once fair breeze of the Autumn Court.

It honestly felt like they were leaving the last homely house, on this edge of Equestria. As the trail narrowed and grew into dense vegetation again, the conversation between the guiding deer died down. The crunch of snow grew underfoot, fireflies buzzing quietly in the cold. Now, they were walking through untended brush. When Arin looked back to the warmth of the Feywilds, he found nothing but bitter chill behind. The entire world they stepped in, now gone. And the guards as well, vanished - leaving the group alone.

It washed the party in a sense of loneliness, the fireflies of the Fey fading. Like stepping out of a dream, into the cold, dark reality.

“I almost want to go back,” Arin said, Celestia’s wing hugging tight to his side.

“There may yet be a day where you’ll find comfort there. But that’s not today, my friend.” She winked, before they began their ever steady journey West.

Breaking across the train tracks once more, their trek journeyed ever onwards. Somewhat fitted against the cold winter ahead, and the danger that will lurk in the Corpse Vale, their pace was doubled over their previous attempt. The very name of ‘Corpse Vale’ was concerning, especially to Arin. Undead weren’t entirely unheard of in the Far Reaches; but they were often the work of vile Necromancers that practiced the dark arts.

By now, the track split off - a roughshod path breaking west and pushing onwards, their first goal looming before them.

“This is the farthest I’ve ever been from Canterlot - at least, in this direction.” Celestia said, her eyes taking in the thinning forests. The tree line shrank - thinning out into rolling plains once they abandoned the now southern facing tracks.

Yet still, there was a path to follow. It looked abandoned more than anything, with weeds cracking the rocky gravel of the broken road, ice slicks common and near treacherous for the unprepared. A broken bone from a simple fall wasn’t a joke.

“I can see the edge of the Lunar Plane’s magic just ahead - let’s hurry. Once we pass it, I can finally raise the sun. It should at the very least slow Nightmare Moon’s magic. And it could buy us valuable time.” Celestia trotted ahead of the group, her pace increasing to match her mood. Excited to bask in solar magic again, and to be free of the cold - everypony, Seraph included, picked their step up into a trot. Or jog, if one only had two legs.

This speed kept up for at least an hour straight, and soon led to the uncomfortable feeling of sweat under armor. While the gear was sturdy, it wasn’t particularly built for Lunar weather - thus leading to chilly spots all around, letting the cold seep into the moisture and rattle bones below the skin. Tempest was the first to curse her choice in wear; armor did not help in the cold, as Winters Iron spread icy chill evenly across the surface.

But crossing that thin, silvery line on the floor sent them stumbling back into the late summer world. Arin and company breathing deep warm breaths, simply happy to be out of the chilly snow.

But crossing the barrier wasn’t enough - an ambling pace had to be kept to stay beyond its reach. As much as Celestia and Arin both wanted to throw themselves into the tall grass like animals, and roll around in the summer heat - a mission had to be accomplished.

Celestia, as weak as she was - was still connected to the sun. Empowered by the mere absence of the chilly Lunar air, she took her hoof to her chest in a soothing breath. Staff piercing the ground, she closed her eyes - raising her mostly mended wings, and took off with the faint glow of her horn.

The celestial body beyond the clouds broke the skyline, as dawn - then soon midday, crested the horizon. The glorious spectacle of the sunrise stirred away the dark shadows that clung so tightly to the woods beyond and around the old road, birds singing and crickets silencing in its majesty.

She held her magic high - contrasting against the foreboding darkness of the Lunar Plane. But even with the sunrise, it did little to beat back the imposing dark, only slow its growth. Celestia, her faint magic leaving her - tumbled from the air. The Seraph darting high to catch her before the fall grew deadly.

Her body limp, and the warmth of the sun flooding them, he gently brought his new love to the grassy floor. The Princess soon stirred at his touch, eyes cracking open to take in his own.

“Good morning, Sunshine.” He chuckled, forcing a smile onto her adorable muzzle.

“Mm.. morning indeed. But I think ‘Sunshine’ is my line.” She ran a hoof along his cheek, as all eyes rose to the sky.

Sun and moon both clung to the clouds in their imposing beauty, almost like a challenge to each other. War had begun; the inhabitants of the Material World casting the glove at the denizens of the Lunar Plane. It was a war not likely to end well, as the moon loomed ever closer on the horizon - its Sister losing ground to the tide of its darkness.

But it was a war worth fighting for, as Arin tucked Celestia’s nearly recovered body to his chest. A battle for the sky, hearth, and home.