As the gravel under her hooves shifted, Twilight continued on this lone path for miles. With nothing but the weight of a carriage which was only supported by her back along with magic, she slowly trotted ever forward. Her thoughts buzzing around in such a way that she couldn't focus. Her body looked to be on the brink of collapse, shivering from the chill in the air and permafrost darkening her fur as she limped across the flat barren landscape she found herself somewhat trapped in. Her face, both exerting red and purple hues and looking as if she hadn't slept in months, scrunched at the somewhat endless trail head.
Her hooves fixated on one thing, moving forward. The night was long and the darkness surrounding her was deafening. Snow had frosting her eyelashes as it swirled around her. With nothing but the occasional glimpse of a speckled moon and her horn for light, shining brighter than it ever had the right to, her path was subtly illuminated in turn. Silhouettes dance within her vision, eyes of many shades and shapes gazed upon her tired form with a mix of curiosity or tempted stare. Whose shadows darting away by the sound of her carriage, or slinking into the darkness in wait.
The snow, from what Twilight knew, was more wild and callous than she'd known, untamed and out of control. Occasionally piling up to form frigid blockades, it took near all of her strength and then some to pull the cart to the other side. Nevertheless, her efforts were not in vain as the cart shook but was freed. Soon there after, the snow had lessened an some of the the stars were now free. Twilight had stumbled upon a suitable location to rest. A small clearing, snow was blocked by evergreens, and could fit her carriage within. After sliding the carriage into place, she gathered a few sticks and lit a small fire with the few coals she had stocked up to light a fire. Looking into her reserves didn't reveal much, she knew she wouldn't last long on her current supply.
The carriage, once a bright blue with purple highlights is all but greyed due to the flurry of a thousand fractals of condescend water. Once glittered with stars, now the only thing decorating the old carriage being frostbite. Taking a look inside, it looked as if a storm had violently made it's way within the room and left many things scattered, coals for a fire, the odd hardened morsel of month old bread, or a single solitary pear lay on top of the lone counter. A saddle bag, once thrown violently into a corner in a fit of frustration, now littered the floor with it's contents. Countless notebooks, quills, and empty jars of ink littered the ground.
Twilight made her way though the wagon as if it were her own home, her hungry eyes darting around looking for anything. Finally, resting said eyes on the leftover bread, for she wouldn't dare touch the pear. she thoughtlessly bit into it and looked over a book unusually neatly sat within her bag, the spine stretched thin and the pages worn from obvious over-usage. Twilight hunched over, partly resting on the simple wood stock bed frame she's used for months, the loud creaks from her bed was drowned out by the blizzard bellowing from outside. She rest her head on the hay pillow beneath her and a small tweed cover now encapsulating her form.
Time passed as Twilight was unable to sleep. Dazed, starving, and disillusioned, she picked up what little she had and continued forth. The path, for which was the only sense of direction, began to shift. No longer was it a barren gravel walkway, but a refined chiselled road. Twilight's pace quickened, she found herself gazing up into the night sky with a wave of relief, but in a way, the stars seemingly glared back. A wave of guilt washed over her as she stumbled, her movements slowing and her eyesight hazy, she looked down and focused on moving forward.
The landscape ahead was an ever evolving mess of snow and unkempt trees. In the distance, a lake could be seen, the ice reflecting the light from her horn. So much so in fact that she would go blind if she got close. Nothing could be gained from there other than a glimpse at her own reflection, so she curiously looked into it. The ice and snow on the ground had caused the fur around her hooves to darken to a frightening degree and her horn paled at the tip to the color of the very snow itself. Her body didn't fair much better, the constant torment of the harsh landscape left her fur stained a darker tint then before, ruining her light purple complexion with time.
As the stars rapidly faded into nothingness, the once plains were now that of rolling hills lined with snow covered foliage and the odd flower. Twilight, after noticing that, urged with a somewhat renewed vigor at the possible sign of other pony life. Rounding the hill, she saw what she's been looking for. All she could do was stare, the skyline and the city in her sight melded together in the most brilliant display of color, as though an explosion of light she hadn't seen in quite some time were sucking her in. A nostalgic feeling washed over her, and a restless feeling soon followed.
The scene, for what felt like hours in her delusions ceased, she pushed onward till her hooves could no longer move without the use of magic. After placing her carriage near the large wooden gate surrounded by 5 meter tall walls, with no pony around to dictate where the cart stayed, she slowly unhooked herself and immediately collapsed from her own weight. Her body, once strained to the point where it had only survived on adrenaline and magic, was now at its limit. Before finding herself dead in the snow, Twilight laid herself in the cart and almost instantly lost herself in darkness...
Twilight, awoken by the near blinding light of her own horn, picked herself off the floor. Her only protection from the cold being a neatly designed white and purple scarf, is still haphazardly wrapped around her neck. After recovering the once discarded linen saddlebag, though unlike her, she stuffed the contents in haphazardly and stepped out into the bleak winter air.
The large stone door, just as menacing as the one guarding the princesses throne room, felt larger up close. Twilight took a somewhat deep breath since her throat was excruciatingly sore. All she could muster was, "I, Twiligh- Spar-le, c--- from Canterlo-. Please le- me in."
The door itself unwavering, but to her left a small panel opened and the steely eyes of a stallion caught her attention. "Identification, unicorn…" the gruff voice of the guard almost made her ears ring. She opened her newly stuffed bag and grabbed the only neatly wrapped scroll from within. His eyes widened, the piece of parchment was adorned by a royal crest. He shut the opening while she stuffed the scroll back into her bag. With a few loud creaks from the door, it split open, a gust of warm air shot out almost stunning Twilight.
The scene was almost out of an art piece, unlike the permafrost of the outside world, within the walls were teeming with life. A sight Twilight hadn't seen in quite awhile. Luscious green fields overflowing with fruits and vegetables of every kind. Metal buildings line a stone-brick road extending out for at least a mile cutting through the greenery. The sky itself was constantly lit up in multiple colors, rainbows almost lined the skies and dissipated further out where she was. The broad skyline was riddled with pegasi, in fact, everypony was a pegasus.
After one step inside, the doors rapidly closed behind her, she took in the scene with an almost wonder-filled glare. A bright blue and silver Pegasus approached her, "Miss Twilight, right this way, that crest is rather alarming. We'll need to ask you a few questions." "Firs-, water...."
After she was led to a small fountain to wet her scarred throat, one onslaught-ed continuously by the winter air and her long constant breaths. The light blue stallion with silver hair and tail led her over to a large station on her left of the door behind her. Eyes were staring her in the back and in response she lowered her ears lowering at the sign of mares, stallions, colts, and fillies staring at her, confused by the sight of her. "Miss, as you can see your presence
Reaching the now appropriately sized door to a small metal building, Twilight noticed the clutter and disorganization, not unlike the guards from her home town. Two to three younger colts in faded golden armor, worn from countless use and to some what consider an heirloom, saunter towards her before backing away in what seemed like horror.
As they walked, Twilight's head ached, her movement stunted, and she fell to the ground in pain. The feeling of an intense burning welled up within her.
"M-miss?" The stallion uttered in confusion. Suddenly, a dark purple beam shot out of Twilight's illuminated horn, bouncing off a barrier that surrounded the top of the city, the beam almost melding with the barrier itself. A few minutes later scores of guards surrounded Twilight, still in pain she held her head in her hooves. Now in a stand still, the guards didn't give an inch while Twilight was writhing in pain on the cold stone tile walkway.
A rather regal Pegasus in somewhat refined cloths stepped forth. He bent down in such a way to examine the purple unicorn's horn, pulling a large crystal from a side pocket and pressing it to the tip of her horn. The crystal immediately shattered, but Twilight now sent into a restful daze. "Colts! This mare needs our help, send her to the castle infirmary!" As Twilight passed out…
