~ The Birth of a Foal ~
The known world to ponies is vast for those who live in Equestria – but it is the unknown world that sparks so much curiosity… There is a land beyond the waters of Equestria – where ponies have difficulties living together in harmony – there are kingdoms owned by a single race – unicorns hardly even existing on this large mass of land. Dragons, Pegasi, Earth Ponies, and even Zebras and deer/moose, and camels; all living on one massive piece of land, an ocean between this land and Equestria – the land was known as “The Unknown” for each race owned their own piece of land – the Dragons lived on a section of land that was magical, desert and forests, mountain ranges and lakes; an area known as “The Fringe”. A beautiful land, full of wonders and nothing less of flourishing with life was known as “Cervidas” were the deer and moose creatures reside. Desert land named “Camelu” is home of the camels. As for the Zebras, they live in a savanna like plains known as “Zavros”. Now the Pegasi, they live in the artic lands, of Silverline – and the cloud kingdom of Aura. The Earth Ponies live throughout these lands, most keeping away from the dragon’s territory though. It is here, were our story begins, in The Unknown world that lies beyond the Seas of Equestria….
~ * ~
The time has come for the birth of another royal pegasi.
Dim Winter was pacing the castle hall outside of his special pony’s room, waiting for the doctor’s approval to come in. Two of Silverline’s royal guards watched the stallion clack his hooves against the old ice castles stone. They exchanged one another looks before the doors to the room burst open, leaving the doctor standing there wide eyed.
“It has happened! Summon Moon Dust!! Dim Winter quickly, you must see this!” The doctor explained before quickly turning back into the room, a trotting Dim Winter following him.
Coming to a halt near his mare’s bedside, Dim Winter looked down at her. She gave him a soft smile before opening her folded wing, revealing a new born filly that was white as snow.
“She is beautiful…” Dim Winter spoke as he nuzzled his special some pony.
“Indeed she is sir, but look at her flank! This has never happened before!” The doctor spoke as he walked over to the other side of the bed where Eastern Mist was laying.
Turning his head toward the little filly, Dim Winter took a closer look, her flank! …It wasn’t blank. “H-how is this possible!” His attention snapped back to the doctor, waiting for an exclamation. Would this mean his daughter would be some retarded filly? What was going to happen to her when Moon Dust found out… Moon Dust, oh great dragons… Looking back at his filly he frowned some. Great Dragons protect her.
“I don’t know how this has happened sir; this phenomenon is a first, for any pony’s eyes.” The doctor stated before hearing a hoof knock at the open door, turning all the ponies heads in the direction of the noise.
“Sir! Moon Dust has been summoned, his arrival is imminent.” A guard spoke before he was given’ a nod from Dim Winter for dismissal. The doctor then left the room, leaving the royal family with their newest arrival – The only pony to be born with a cutie mark upon her flank.
~ * ~
The snow was falling heavily as Dim Winter stood at the castles grounds, waiting for Moon Dust’s arrival. The castle itself was made entirely of ice, and even though they lived in the artic – the ice caught and captured sunlight, allowing crops and other vital plants to grow and continue to allow life on the snowy desert of death.
There was a change in wind, and the snow seemed to freeze in midair, falling slowly and softly to the ground – Moon Dust had arrived. Dim Winter looked up at the sky as a large white dragon circled above the grounds of the castle, he was making sure it was safe to land. Suddenly, its wings folded to its sides as it dived down toward the ground – opening its wings at the last second to allow a parachute effect, giving it a soft and safe landing – causing the ground to rumble just a bit.
Dim Winter took a knee as he bowed to their guardian – and any surrounding ponies did the same. “Welcome Great Dragon, we humbly accept your return.” He spoke, as the dragon known as Moon Dust nodded softly in acknowledgment to the ponies, allowing them to rise to their hooves once more. Dim Winter stood and looked at the dragon.
There was no fear in his eyes, as Moon Dust gazed back at him, the dragon was massive, but after all – it was Moon Dust who built this castle with his very breath.
“So, Winter the Dim..” the voice was rough and rigid, but had a noble slur to it. “Why is it that you have called me at these hours of life?” The way Moon Dust spoke told his age, he spoke in ancient tongue; tongue from when dragon’s once ruled the lands, and all its creatures.
“Great Dragon, the birth of another royal pegasi is present.” Dim Winter told the large dragon, turning and walking toward the castle’s doors to the main hall. Since Moon Dust made this castle, all its doors, halls, and rooms were large enough to house a dragon of his size.
Moon Dust followed the pony into the castle and down the halls to the royal chambers, where Eastern Mist and the new born filly lay in waiting. “Has there been, great joy indeed must be spread – Winter the Dim, has this foal been titled yet?”
Dim Winter stopped right outside of the royal chamber doors, which were still guarded by two of Silverline’s Guards. He turned and addressed Moon Dust directly. “This foal is different, Great Dragon, it… Was born marked…” He said as he motioned to the guards to open the doors.
Moon Dust stepped into the room and swept around to the side of the bed, looking down at the Mare and her foal. Dim Winter trotted up next to his special pony and nuzzled softly into her neck and mane – their colors clashed softly. Dim Winter’s white pelt bouncing off of Eastern Mist’s spotted grey coat, while her purple mane and tail differ from his black ones.
“Intriguing…” The dragon spoke, as he looked down at the little filly. Her coat was as white as snow, and her mane and tail were blue with grey streaks of hair. The little foal’s hooves were blue as well – and she was a fluffy little thing, like most of the foal’s born across the lands. Upon her flank though, was the only difference that would single her out among the other’s a cutie mark, that looked like a snowflake… “Title her we must… She is destined for a great future.” The dragon spoke, as he flicked his tongue over the filly. Her form was covered with a soft purple aura, as she opened her sweet and loving purple eyes for the first time. “Snow the Dizzy, welcome to the world of the living…” Moon Dust spoke before turning, and taking his leave of the room.
“Dizzy Snow..?” Eastern Mist spoke as she looked down at her filly. She wasn’t happy that she didn’t get to name her own child – but what was there that she could do? “I... I like it..” She lied as she smiled softly up at her special some pony that smiled and nuzzled her once again.
“As do I.” Dim Winter replied, before leaving the room, allowing the two of them to rest as he made his way to the castle grounds to see Moon Dust off.
The little foal had a future ahead of her indeed – a great future as the dragon spoke – whether this feature is good or bad will decide on how the foal was raised.
~ Chapter One ~
The sound of hooves smacking against stone rang out as a flash of white and blue streaked across the ancient dungeon – being chased by a streak of yellow and violet. The dungeon was old and few knew it even existed, even though it sat under Silverline Castle. Cobwebs and dust littered the walls and the crevasse in the stones, with ice running down the walls here and there as well.
“Defend yourself Lady Snow!” The voice was strong, and echoed throughout the dungeon. Suddenly the white blur turned and its form was visible.
“Very well Master” Dizzy Snow said, as she faced her teacher. She was now a young adult; her coat was still fluffy and covered her blue hooves softly. Her mane and tail remained blue throughout the years with grey streaks in them; even though her mane was worn short and her tail long. The pegasi’s cutie mark had changed though; it was now a swirling wind with snowflakes blowing about it.
“Excellent form, Lady Snow.” The palomino pegasi spoke as he can to a halt near his student, whose wings were spread out at her side, fluttering them in warning. Dizzy Snow pawed at the ground as she lowered her head a bit, before rearing up and charging at him, her wings flapping softly at her sides to give her extra speed, and a boost of power.
The male pegasi grinned and reared up, opening his wings with a flurry and swiftly lifting into the air rather quickly, dodging the others attempt at an attack. “HA!” Dizzy snow shouted as she kicked back, nicking the male on his back end, making him spin out of control and crash into a stone pillar. Smiling, Dizzy Snow walked over to him and offered him a leg up.
“Very nice, Lady Snow” He always addressed her the same, he was an elder pony, but knew much – which was why Dizzy Snow’s father had offered him the job of teacher Dizzy Snow everything he knew. Standing the male pegasi smiled and nodded. “That is enough training for today, this old pony can’t take much more of this rough housing…” He cackled a chuckle and bowed to the lady before starting to trot away, toward the spiral staircase leading to the castles basement chambers.
“Until next Master Snow” Dizzy Snow called after him as she then turned and went the opposite direction – Her training might be done for the day with Vanilla Snow, but that didn’t mean her day had to end; there were many walls of this dungeon she had yet to explore, that anyone had yet to explore…
~ * ~
Dim Winter waited by the entrance to the dungeon – it was urgent that he spoke to Vanilla Snow without his daughters attendance. The palomino pegasi trotted up the steps to see the royal stallion waiting for him. “What is it, Lord Winter?” the elder spoke as he stopped and bowed in Dim Winter’s presence.
“We must speak, in private, to my studies – now.” Dim Winter said, as he turned and began to walk to the stairs leading to the main floor, Vanilla Snow following behind him silently. They passed the servant Earth ponies, which were hard at work, as well as the stronger and fearless Silverline Guards. Making it to the second level of the castle, they soon found themselves in Dim Winter’s personal studies. The white stallion made his way to his chair as he sat down behind his desk, gesturing to Vanilla Snow to sit in the chair before him. “Sit, we have much to talk about.”
“Yes my Lord” Vanilla spoke as he sat down and looked at the white stallion, whose coat was only flawed by the black snip on his nose and the cutie mark of the most unusual on his flank: a baron tree growing on a hill of snow, caught in an orb and surrounded by blue and purple smears of color.
“My daughter is a free-spirited soul, she always has been – but she is going to be tied down, she must stick to her royal duties, and continue the line or royalty here at Silverline…” Dim Winter looked at the one he choose to train his filly all those years ago. The elder pony was old, but stronger than an ox. His coat might be the shade that most would expect on a mare, but he wore his violet mane and tail in the fashion of the old warriors, a bun for his tail, and his mane pulled back in a small choppy ponytail.
“What is the problem then… She will take the throne after you’re leaving to the other realm.” Vanilla Snow spoke, known that eventually every living thing must die.
“Yes, but there is a problem – the law here in Silverline states a male must rule at all times; and I have no sons; which means my daughter must be bound in marriage when she is the right of age… It is Moon Dust’s wishes that we make the bond between Aura and Silverline stronger… There Lord just had a son as well – Dragon Tongue, we are meeting them later this evening, so I need you to fly with me to be in their presence and propose an engagement.”
“You will force your daughter to marry someone she might never love? Does Eastern Mist know of this, my Lord?” Vanilla Snow asked, now getting on his hooves, this whole idea was wrong.
“She does, in fact she and I were brought in marriage the same way – it was arranged by our parents to bring out clans, our herds closer together; that was many years ago…” Dim winter said as he too stood and looked out the icy window, lost in a memory long since passed.
“But my Lord, if Lady Snow ever finds out about this-” He was cut off.
“She won’t. We are not to tell her of this until the day of marriage, by then she will have no choice but to marry Dragon Tongue and fulfill her royal duties.” Dim Winter spoke, sadness clear in his tone, but he too had no choice; this was the terms of which Moon Dust demanded to be followed to allow the ponies stay in his home, and on his land.
“Yes, my Lord…” Vanilla Snow spoke as he bowed to his Lord.
“Come, let us fly to Aura, there is much we must speak to them about, Eastern Mist is already there waiting for us and bringing good name to our family.” Dim Winter walked out of the room and was followed by Vanilla Snow. On their way down to the castle grounds, six of Silverline’s finest guards followed them and joined them in flight to Aura.
~ * ~
Dizzy Snow was climbing up some fallen stones. She had found an unexplored area. She’d fly to it if she could, but it was too tight of a fit, so now she had to wiggle through them on hoof. She was like her father – her coat white as now but it was broken by a snip of blue on her nose and her cutie mark. Her lilac eyes had a soft glow to them as the dim light of the torches lit around the dungeon bounced off them. She grunted as she finally pulled herself up and over the largest of the fallen stones, causing her to let out a soft gasp as she tumbled down to the other side of the wall of rubble.
Sitting up, her head rolling softly on her shoulders, she shook and looked around. It was dark, she could hardly see anything, the lit just barely shined over pile of rubble to show the ground right before her hooves, but nothing else. Standing, she sighed, now she wished she would have tossed a torch over the wall first… Looking back over her shoulder, her ears flattened on her head. Dizzy Snow really didn’t want to climb back up and over that again.
There was a cooing sound, when suddenly a torch flew over the wall of rubble, in the hold of a snowy owl. The owl held the torch in its talons as it cooed softly again, flying over to Dizzy Snow. “Krispmas!” Dizzy Snow said with excitement, bouncing softly with joy as she smiled. “Thank goodness you’re here, my dear friend.” The owl cooed once more, smiling softly; who knew owls could grin.
“Right then…” Dizzy Snow quickly turned on her hooves and began to walk in the direction of mystery and darkness, with her pet owl flying over her head, guiding her with a lighted torch. This side of the dungeon seemed to be older than the rest, most of the stones had cracks in them, and the stone floor itself had ice caking it, making it rather difficult for Dizzy Snow to walk across it swiftly.
Her ears pinned to the back of her head, Dizzy Snow carefully walked across the icy floor, Krispmas silently flapping his wings above her. “Doesn’t seem to be much down here…” Her breath froze in the air, while her voice echoed softly. This caused Dizzy Snow to stop in her tracks and look around, the echo had to be going somewhere, right? “Krispmas, fly ahead will you, see if you had find another hallway or staircase, ok?”
The owl let out a coo, looking down at Dizzy, who smiled softly. “Don’t worry, I’ll stay right here, I won’t move a muscle.” She said. This must have reassured the owl, for it flew off into the darkness, soon to be engulfed by it, leaving Dizzy Snow standing there silently, only able to see her breath that kept freezing at the touch of icy dungeons air in front of her.
It was a few minutes before a speck of light was seen as Krispmas came flying back toward Dizzy. “Did you find anything?” She asked as the owl neared closer to her. He cooed and turned, starting to fly back the way he came. Dizzy Snow grinned and began to follow him, careful not to trip up on the ice beneath her hooves.
Krispmas lead Dizzy Snow to a spiral staircase that was rather small and tight. Swallowing the dryness in her throat, Dizzy took a step forward, only to have the stair she stepped on crumbled a bit form under her. “Well… Taking the stairs seems rather reckless…” She murmured, as the owl nodded in agreement. “Good thing I’ve got these!” She exclaimed as she opened her beautiful snow white wings. She lifted off the ground gracefully and began to fly around and around the spiral stair case. It seemed to go on forever, until finally they came upon a door that was falling off its hinges.
Looking up at Krispmas, who cooed softly, seemed like he was scared. “Come now, no way anything is behind that door that is alive…” Dizzy said as she pushed the door softly with her hoof, it fell off its hinges with a thud, dust rising around it. Dizzy Snow coughed and flapped her wings to clear the air. She took a step into the room and looked around, noticing a torch mounted to the wall. As if Krispmas had read her mind, he flew to it and lit it with the one he held in his talons.
The entire room seemed to come to life, as the lighting of one torch resulted in a magical effect, lighting all the rest. “Curious…” Dizzy said as she looked around. The room seemed to be an abandoned alter or consulting room of some sort. It had broken down chair, and a fading and torn carpet leading from it to the doorway. The walls were lined with tapestries that were no longer readable, just fading cloth, slowly degrading away – along with the torches mounted between each tapestry.
Walking up to the broken down chair, Dizzy sighed and looked around. “With a little bit of cleaning, this could be my new room.” She said jokingly as Krispmas came and landed on the chairs remains. They both stiffened up when they heard voices.
“Hey… That sounds like my father and Master Snow…” Dizzy Snow said as her ears twitched as she walked toward the source of the voice. Moving one of the tapestries away she saw small hole, with light shining on the other side of it. Looking at it, she looked back at Krispmas, who as still looking around the room, needing not to turn his body, just his head.
Pulling her attention back to the hole in the wall, Dizzy lowered her head so she could peer into the small hole, her ear pressing softly against the cold stone wall – allowing her to listen to what was being said.
Her eye adjusting to the sudden light, Dizzy Snow found herself looking down at her father and Vanilla Snow in her Father’s studies. They were talking about something… But what, all she could hear were muffled voices. Pulling away from the hole, she bent down and placed her ear up to it – the voices now clear, as her eyes widened to what she heard.
“But my Lord, if Lady Snow ever finds out about this-” it was Master Snow who spoke first.
“She won’t. We are not to tell her of this until the day of marriage, by then she will have no choice but to marry Dragon Tongue and fulfill her royal duties.” Her father replied.
“Yes, my Lord” Master Snow was always respectful when addressing anyone.
“Come, let us fly to Aura, there is much we must speak to them about, Eastern Mist is already there waiting for us and bringing good name to our family.” Her father spoke last, and that was all that was said.
Next she heard the sound of the door opening and closing to the study, then nothing but the sound of the torches flickering on the walls. Dizzy Snow stepped back and looked at Krispmas, confusion and soft tears in her eyes. “M-marriage…?”
