The Journey Begins

---The Crystal Mirror---

--A Journey Begins--
-A Broken Gate-

“Thanks Spike!” said Twilight, as he handed her the note that he had just vomited out. The note had been sent by Princess Celestia, it had read:

Dear Twilight,
It has come to my attention that the Crystal Gate has grown weaker. I need you and your friends to investigate the gate to make sure it does not open. This is a very important matter and I wish that you see to it immediately.

Sincerely,

Princess Celestia
I was confused. I've had never heard of this“Crystal Gate” before. After all, I had read all the books in my library. “Take a letter spike” I said. Spike then grabbed his quill and paper and started writing. “Dearest Princess” I began. “I’ve never heard of such Gate and I don’t know where to start looking for it. Please tell me where I can find said Gate and I will gladly go investigate. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.” As Spike finished up his letter he put down his quill, opened the window, and sent the letter to the Princess. A cool fall breeze entered the room. It was only a matter of seconds before Spike vomited out a replying letter. It had contained a map of Equestria, only, something was different. There had never been a second railway connecting with Canterlot’s. It didn’t even lead to a town or anything. It had just led to a forest. This confused me, but pushing that thought aside I gathered up my friends and had set off on my adventure.

-The Train Ride-

As the train began, my friends and I were excitedly talking about the upcoming adventure to this unknown forest. Well, all but Fluttershy. At the sound of an unknown creepy forest she just simply cowered and hid in fear of what awaits her. “Don’t be afraid!” Pinkie Pie had said calmingly. “What’s the worst that can happen? You know, besides us all getting lost and trapped in the awful forest, forcing us to fight to live and eventually turning on each other and finally eating one another to survive!” Fluttershy let out a small squeak, froze in place, and started shivering uncontrollably. After a few hours the sun had started to set. Soon Princess Luna would raise the moon symbolizing the night and the time for sleep.
“What do y’all want to do now?” asked Applejack.

“Well I have to go put my face mask on before I go to sleep. I can’t let my pretty face have wrinkles now can I?” said Rarity snob like.

“I propose we should fix Fluttershy before she explodes!” laughed Rainbow. “She has been shivering in that same position for hours now!” Everypony laughed except for Fluttershy, she was still shivering, not wanting to move an inch. After about ten minutes of trial and error, Twilight decided to calm her down. Fluttershy honestly did look like she was about to erupt. Only after the sun set did Fluttershy move. Turns out she is more afraid of the dark than anything. As soon as our train cart turned pitch black she darted under her bedcovers. We all shared a giggle, even Fluttershy pitched in after realizing how silly she had been. Unfortunately, she was right to be scared, we all should have been. Nopony has ever heard of this place, who knows what could lie ahead. Only time will tell. We all snuggled into bed, our destination only ten hours away. Tomorrow we can find this Gate and get this over with.

“Morning already!” Rainbow sighed as she flew out of bed. She accidentally knocked her head up against the ceiling causing her to crash on Fluttershy. The two just stared deeply into each other’s eyes, not knowing what to say. The both knew how they felt about one another. Rainbow felt as if she was in a trance when she looked at Fluttershy’s beautiful cyan eyes. Rainbow blushed, her face was burning up. They had only stayed there for a few seconds but it felt like an eternity. “S-s-sorry Fluttershy” Rainbow squeaked.

“Oh it’s quite alright” Replied Fluttershy ever-so-sweetly. Rainbow Dash thought about it over and over. “I can’t be in love with Fluttershy… We've been friends forever! What would everypony else think, what would, Fluttershy think! Oh this can’t be happening…But, I do love her. I can’t lie to myself I know I've always had feelings for her. I wonder if she thinks the same about me. I can never ask her, thought Rainbow. The train started to stop. The sun had just started to rise but the forest was still horrifically still dark. When the train had come to a complete stop, the mane six got ready for their upcoming journey.

There was a strong, cold, wind outside the train. Rarity shivered and took a pink scarf out of her backpack. “Oh please tell me I brought the matching tiara” Rarity panicked.

“Please Rarity, we have bigger problems then matching outfits” said Applejack. “Who knows what y’all might find in that there forest, but I bet it won’t care about your sense of fashion. Rarity sighed and gave up looking for her tiara. Twilight was instantly assigned leader and started to walk towards the unknown forest. They were scared. They knew not of the dangers that lay ahead, but they knew nothing good could come out of this forest. Fluttershy started to shiver again. Twilight stopped before the forest. Not because of fear, but because the sign in front of it. It was a broken moldy wooden sign with a note saying…

-The Neverfree Forest-

As we entered the forest, the wind had disappeared. No breeze, no trees rustling, just utter silence. It was unnatural and creepy. The grass was all muddy and sticky. The trees were immense and had strange carvings on them. It was an amazement that Fluttershy hadn't turned around and ran. The only problem was, we have been walking for a minute and the exit had sealed itself up. As crazy as it sounds, I thought the forest had swallowed us up. I was beginning to wonder if we would ever see Equestria again. I quickly shoved the thought away, only, I couldn't. I couldn't stop thinking about the future. How was I supposed to find the cave? I don’t know what it looks like. And when I do, how do I seal the gate? I don’t have the elements. Oh shoot, that’s what I forgot, the Elements of Harmony! How could I be so foolish? I just hope to Celestia I won’t need them. Twilight sighed and continued walking, then started transitioning into a slow trot. It had only been a few minutes since we had entered the forest but we’re already lost. Well as if we knew where we were going anyways.

Fluttershy was the first to break the silence that surrounded us. “I-I-I think we should t-turn back…” Her voice was so soft and quiet; as if she was afraid she might be heard.

“We can’t turn back dear” Rarity said soothingly. “If we don’t seal this Gate who knows what might happen”. Rarity was right. If we couldn't seal this Gate who knows how many lives are in danger! Heck, we don’t even know what this Gate has sealed away. I only hope we don’t have to find out. But a gut feeling says we will.

The muddy grass had grown thicker. The trees had started to bristle. A strange aura had filled the forest. Something or someone didn't want us here. Everypony had felt it. As they kept walking forward and forward, the aura became stronger. The air had suddenly dropped and was now freezing cold. It was getting harder and harder for us to press forward. “I think this is a sign y’all.” said Applejack struggling to hold her ground. The strange aura had a huge gravitational pull, drawing us towards it. Sure enough, Applejack was right. Not too far away a cave could be seen. It was very flashy and the only thing producing light in this Celestia forsaken forest. The cave was covered in crystals. “Oh my Celestia!” Rarity exploded. When she had seen the cave she fell in love. It was scary. “Whoa there nelly!” called Applejack as she chomped down on Rarity’s tail. Rarity was propelled backwards crashing into Applejack. She whined and cried until we had reassured her that we were going to the cave anyways.

As we neared the cave, the aura had abruptly vanished. The only thing that lingered in the air was a growing sense of eeriness. Something was watching us. As we reached the entrance of the cave I swear when I saw everypony’s jaw drop. This cave was immense. No, no this cave is like a leviathan. I don’t think there is any word in any dictionary that could describe the awesomeness of this cave. It was the only thing that actually had light too! On top of that everything was made out of crystals. I’m quite confident that Rarity was drooling the whole time. This cave was endless. I mean it felt bigger than the forest. Then we saw it. The most beautiful thing you could have ever seen in your life, The Gate. It was a massive white crystal with black engravings. A purple mist swayed around the crystal, which I’m guessing was what trying to open the Gate. I took a few steps closer, and closer, and closer until I was right in front of the purple mist. When I went to touch it, as if struck by lightning, I was zapped with electricity and was launched backwards. The mist had angered and had turned more violent. More mist filled the cave and growls echoed off the walls. I watched as Fluttershy fainted and Rainbow swooped in to pick her up. Rarity was shivering uncontrollably then grabbed Applejack and held her close for safety. Pinkie was curled up into a ball on the floor and, well, I didn't was to hold on to her so I left her there.

When the mist started to swarm around the crystal I decided to try and fight back. Only problem was could I do it without the elements. I had to do something. I stood my ground, pointed my horn at the mist, and used all the magic I knew. In hindsight that probably wasn't the best idea considering I grew a mustache, summoned a door in between the mist and I, formed a zipper on my mouth and closed it, teleported in the ceiling and created a storm cloud that hit me with thunder. With a bit of effort I got myself out of the ceiling. Sweet Celestia that was pathetic. The mist then saw its opportunity and attacked the crystal with full force. A small cracking noise was heard. Then the crystal made a loud tearing noise and a purple vortex-like-thing appeared. That was it. The Gate had been opened. Celestia is going to send me back to magic kindergarten. I just hope nothing bad comes from this Gate. But with my luck, Equestria might as well be doomed.

My life is officially over.