“Face it Nyx, you’re lost, no point in denying it any longer”, Nyx muttered while walking aimlessly in the forest. Her hooves made a creaking sound as she trotted through the snow, searching for a path that could lead back to Ponyville. It had been some time since the filly had taken the wrong road back at the edge of the Everfree Forest. Blinded by the raging blizzard, she hadn't realized that she was walking in the forest that housed some of the darkest creatures living in Equestria. It was only when the road had ended and she stumble over a rock, bumped into a tree and felt off a low ledge, the idea struck her that she maybe wasn't in Ponyville anymore. It at least explained why she still wasn't home and why she didn't recognize the route she was taking. The storm calmed down while she laid there, still too dizzy from the fall to stand up. After a couple of minutes of much needed rest, she decided it was better to start walking again before the cold would get her. She checked herself to make sure she hadn't broken anything. Only having some small cuts, she stood up and looked around.

I hope that storm woke up Spike, because it seems that I’m not going to find my way back on my own. I will just have to be strong and wait for rescue. But I can’t stay here or I will surely be a popsicle when they find me.

Distracted by her own thoughts, she didn't hear the rustling in a nearby bush.

What did that book from Deer Thrills say about seeking a shelter? Something about following water?

Nyx perked her ears to see if she could hear water flowing, not realizing it had already been winter for two months. What she heard however wasn't the sound of a river, instead she heard a crack in the surrounding scrub. Frozen on the spot she waited for another sound. Memories of the attack of the Everfree creatures filled hear mind as she stood there, waiting for her possible doom that lurked in the shadows of the mighty Everfree trees. When she didn't hear anything, she relaxed a bit. She was about to release a sigh of relief when suddenly…

*CRACK*

“Nope, nope, nope, NOPE!” screamed Nyx as she ran away in the opposite direction of the sound, so fast that even Rainbow Dash would have given a nod of approval. Too frightened to look back, she didn't see the white ball of pure adorableness bouncing out of a pile of leaves, sniffing at the place where the black alicorn had stood seconds ago.

Nyx ran like she hadn't run before, as if she was chased by the solar godness herself. The cuts in her coat stung due the cold air and her legs were becoming sore. After having run for a couple of minutes, not wanting to run anymore, Nyx dared to look back. Relieved by the lack of any followers, she didn't notice the stone that poked slightly out of the ground. When she turned her head again to look ahead, it was already too late. While flying through the air in the direction of a pile of snow, only one thought crossed her mind:

Oh buck me.

In the Golden Oak Library, a small purple dragon was sleeping peaceful in his cozy basket, unaware of the raging storm outside. Like the many other dreams, the one he had now was filled with the two things he loved the most.

“But of course Rarity. I would love to marry you and rule alongside you over Emerald City. No, Twilight won’t be sad, she has that winged dark monkey to accompany her now”, Spike mumbled in his sleep.

“Finally we’re alone. Now, where were we?” Spike and Rarity looked each other in the eyes. It was the moment Spike had waited for since the day he met her. He bent forward and closed his eyes as he approached the lips of the white unicorn. Finally he was about to touch the gorgeous lips of the love of his life with his. Yes, yes, y-…

*Ksshhhh*

“Not the moustache!”

For the third time that day, Nyx’s vision was filled with soft cold snow. The filly groaned as a new wave of shivers went through her body. She shook the snow off of her and scanned the area. As soon as she turned her head she was greeted with a sight she had hoped she would never see again. Right in front of her was a massive clearing, but it was not the clearing that worried her. In the center stood a large building, heavily damaged by the ravages of time and the events that took place a thousand years ago. Nyx remembered these ruins all too well because she shared some of her darkest memories with them. There, in the middle of the clearing stood what was once the home of the princesses of Equestria, the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters.

“Come on Nyx, don’t be a chicken now. There is nothing to be afraid of. It’s nothing more than an old castle.”

After gathering enough courage, Nyx cautiously trotted towards the castle. Once at the large gates she hesitated a second before poking her head inside. When she was sure nothing creepy was present in the entry hall, she slowly stepped inside the castle. Curiosity soon took over as she saw the many doors and hallways.

“Without those awful memories, this place looks actually kind of cool. I bet this castle is full of hidden secrets and treasures, waiting to be uncovered. It looks like I will be stuck here for some time, so why not try to have some fun when I’m here anyways?” And with that, Nyx walked into a random corridor, looking for an adventure. And an adventure was what she would have.

Somewhere deep in the heart of the castle, a single creature laid on the cold floor, it’s sobbing echoing in the nearby corridors. This creature was a female changeling, and her name was Chrysalis.