Currently undergoing revision and expansion. New version coming soon.

The air was cold as the snow fell freely all around. It was late winter in the Crystal Mountains and a blizzard was in full swing. Every surface was white and thoroughly covered in a beautifully reflective blanket of wonder. If one paid close attention they would hear a joyous melody on the wind created by the sheer majesty of the peaks around them.

All of this and more went by unnoticed however by the young pony who was running for his very life. He ducked and weaved through a jumble of great boulders the size of cottages as he attempted to escape his foes. From somewhere lost in the swirling snow behind him, a terrible racket of sounds indicating the following of his pursuers as they rampaged after him could be heard. They were gaining.

Just before him lay his salvation. An ice slide that he had scouted the previous evening. It flowed right under a massive pair of boulders and then dropped right down the side of the mountain to a sheltered place that had been a camp for the group.

A giant pair of hairy feet slammed into the ground just ahead of his face. On instinct the pony threw himself to the right mid gallop, tucked into a roll and came up without missing a beat. He then ducked under an outstretched arm the claws of which nearly cleaving his head off at the shoulders.

The pony went into a flying leap toward a second would-be attacker only to teleport through the creature’s chest a moment before impact. He landed and continued at a full out gallop merely to skid on the ice flow and slide down under the boulders and out of sight.

In an act of surprising agility for such a large beast the first creature leapt into the air and soared to the top of the rock only to leap down the other side followed closely by the second.

As the pony slid along in relative safety under the rock he gingerly checked the contents of a small saddle bag strapped securely under his cloak. The bottle was there. Safe and undamaged. With a smile he buckled the saddle bag and prepared himself. Thanks to his horn he knew full well the yetis would be there waiting for him. So naturally a distraction was in order.

Crouching patiently to await their prey the yetis were completely dumbfounded as one can imagine when not one pony, but two dozen ponies came sliding out from under the rock and then proceeded to run in every direction imaginable. Some ran straight ahead as if to continue on their way while others simply charged back the way they came. One more comically sprinted straight up the rock face and right over the lead yeti’s head.

The second beast brought its fist down atop the pony as it tried to run under him only to have the equine poof away in a cloud of magical dust. Completely puzzled the two of them began to smash as many of the pony doubles as possible. With no success at finding the real reason for the chase in the first place. Then one of them caught a whiff of their prey. The chase was on once again.
At the sound of a monstrous roar from behind and above, the young stallion increased his speed via a burst of magic. The magical energy surged into his muscles granting speeds normally unavailable to him.

In a massive explosion of shattered ice and snow one of the yetis crashed down right where he had been not a moment before. Angrily the beast lunged forward and tackled the pony into a roll just as the ice slide dropped off a nearly vertical slope. They tumbled through the air together in a flurry of motion.

The pony grabbed the beast’s arm in his magical grip as it tried to claw open its prey. Undeterred the yeti moved to bite down on the hapless pony’s face as they sailed downwards only to receive a hoof to the eye for the trouble.

Howling with rage it brought its other paw to bear and swiped at the diminutive little creature it fought, managing to leave several deep scratches as the pony rolled away from what would otherwise have been a deadly blow.

Grimacing with pain the stallion stole a glance at the fresh wounds on his side as they wept crimson. He looked back at the yeti and smiled as he suddenly used his magic to spin the pair around so the yeti was now between him and the rapidly approaching ground.

This time the yeti’s howl was that of pain as they smashed into the ice at the base of the drop-off. The equine was thrown aside like a ragdoll as the giant beast tumbled away and slammed into a snow drift. It lay there, unmoving. He had left quite the trail himself, a ribbon of crimson through the snow traced his path to where he currently lay.

With a slight grimace he once more checked on the glass bottle he carried. The delicate container was remarkably intact and still full. He lowered his cloak back down and tightened the strap around his withers to ensure its security.

“Took you long enough,” came a voice from his right near an outcropping of rock as another pony materialized out of the snow and approached him.

“I was unavoidably detained,” the stallion said moving toward his fellow member. “Good morning Silver. Did you get yours?” He asked, still fiddling with his cloak.

“Of course I did Star Swirl,” the rather shiny silver pony said somewhat proudly. “What do you think I am? Some sort of slacker?”

“Come now Silver Spark, I would never say that. To your face,” he laughed as he finally managed to get the tattered cloak to sit comfortably. “I have at least four more followers,” Star Swirl said looking over his shoulder. “You?”

Silver Spark cracked his neck. “I would have to say at least one,” he mumbled quietly with an innocent look in his eye.

“Silver?”

“Two or, three.”

“Silver!?”

“Five or six at the most.”

“Silver!”

“Alright, alright, so it’s an even dozen. It is not as if this is the first time that this has happened, so why are you always surprised?” Silver Spark questioned defensively as he ran a hoof over the bulge along his side that denoted the long blade he carried.

Star Swirl grimaced as he thought about the idea of fighting off that many yetis. The thoughts were not at all pleasant to say the least.

“I mean last time there was those evil camel guys in Saddle Arabia. At least ten of them. And then it was those weird lizard things before that, and…”

“Oh for the love of the king, just pull your blade already,” Star Swirl said peering into the swirling snow. “We have visitors,” he said as he lit his horn and worked a buckle under his coverings. The blinding snow did not relent as visibility improved by only a few feet thanks to the magical light.

The ponies faced away from each other as they watched no less than two dozen yetis amble slowly into view. Each of the hulking beasts seeming larger than the last, and all looking exceptionally hungry, for pony.

“Though I suppose I could be wrong about it being an even dozen,” Silver Spark said as he watched the yetis start to circle them. “More like a baker’s dozen, plus a few that fell in the box when the baker was not looking.”

“Silver,” Star Swirl grumbled as he ran through multiple plans in his head, none of them having particularly promising outcomes.

“And then a rat climbed in the box and died for some reason,” continued the stallion still caressing the length of the hidden weapon. Not once even glancing at the yeti now moving closer for the kill.

Chancing a sidelong glance, Star Swirl frowned at one of the only ponies to ever earn the rank of ‘friend’ in his life. “I really hate you sometimes.”

Finally showing that he was about to take the situation seriously Silver Spark undid the small clasp across his chest “Then my work here is done,” he said grinning madly as his cloak slipped to the ground, revealing the telekinesis blade he carried.

“When these beasts are finished ripping us limb from limb I am going to kill you. Slowly,” the other pony grunted as his cloak fell away in a similar manner, revealing his own weapon. They were left with very few options as they would have several disadvantages in this fight. Firstly, this far into the Crystal Mountains ones magical abilities were hampered severely, effectively reducing their magical power by an approximate half. Secondly, the yetis of this particular region are naturally resistant to magical attacks.

Silver Spark looked towards the beast nearest him. “Well I certainly hope that you are quick about it,” he replied with a laugh as his horn lit and undid the strap holding the weapon against his body, clearly thinking the same way. In a flash both ponies drew their blades as a yeti lunged at each of them in unison. True their powers may have been severely weakened, the yeti however, made one serious tactical mistake. In a gleaming flash of sunlight the telekinetically levitated blades lunged forward, effortlessly bisecting the lunging yetis.

Turning his blade on edge and drawing it back towards himself Star Swirl effectively halved the already dead yeti as it fell to the snow. He scowled at his fellow’s typical disregard for their situation. “What’s your hurry Silver?” He asked as another pair of the furry monsters rushed forward from the side, each meeting with a similar fate. “You have a date I should know about?” The pony finished with a chuckle, ducking under a massive clawed paw that managed to get in close.

“Well as a matter of fact,” Silver Spark grinned as his blade flashed forward again, followed by a spray of viscous crimson and a howl of pained rage. He released his grip on his weapon as he tossed it skyward and produced a massive wave of telekinetic force, tossing away a group of the beasts as they attacked. “Believe it or not, Star Shine finally agreed to go to the ball with me!” He sighed dreamily, not missing a beat as he caught his falling blade inches above the snow, before angling it into the belly of the yeti that was nearly upon him.

Star Swirl rolled his eyes as he listened to the beast behind him scream away its dying breath. “She is merely taking pity on a lost soul,” he said dislodging another new corpse from his blade, hurling it away to intercept another would be attacker as it leapt through the air. As the creatures crashed to the ground he hurled his blade into the face of his next target. “I hope you don’t think it will lead to anything,” he scoffed, catching the weapon on its return.
“Of course I realize there’s pity involved. By Tartarus, she is way out of my league,” he said wistfully while a yeti chewed on the blade now lodged in its throat. “Though, who am I to complain?” He questioned aloud, twisting the blade and forcing it through his attacker, silencing it instantly. “Oh that flank!” He shouted to the sky.

In the last possible second Star Swirl swung his weapon around his body and brought it up under the chin of another yeti as it landed next to him, severing its head from the shoulders. He glanced up the hill to his left and smiled at Silver’s approaching doom. “I really think you should not have said that,” he muttered under a smile.

In a blinding flash of light and a loud crackle of static energy a large domed shield appeared over the two stallions. It sat there a moment, glowing and crackling somewhat ominously. The yetis, though momentarily confused quickly recovered and charged the barrier separating them from their prey.

At the same moment a thunderclap resonated away from the barrier as it expanded to a hundred times its size faster than the eye could track, tossing the beasts skywards and away at near impossible speeds sucking the very air away with them.

As the shield popped with a deceptively quiet snap the cloud of disturbed snow settled back to the ground to reveal two very disoriented stallions, both muttering angrily at each other. They paused however, at the approach of their savior as she drew closer.

Resolving from the swirling snow, with a very annoyed look on her face, was a unicorn mare. She bore an apprentice cloak as they did, though hers was adorned with a mark of attachment as she had been chosen by a specific master of the order. Under said cloak was a gorgeous golden yellow coat that grew brighter as it reached her hoofs. Her mane was a vivid orange giving her the look of a sunrise. Completing her beauty were a pair of deep pink eyes that had a sense of absolute intelligence behind them. If looks could kill, both stallions would have dropped from her mere presence.

“Oh… Hey there, Star Shine,” Silver Spark spluttered rolling over from his upside-down position. He shook away the snow from his body as he stood. “We, we were just about to finish up and join y...” He froze as she swished her tail in annoyance, splaying her ears.

“A royal life is at stake and I find you idiots, frolicking about with the local fauna,” she stated in that deadpan way she always used when purposefully making ponies uncomfortable. She was very good at it. “Now hurry along, both of you. The time is nearly here and I want to be ready when the portal opens,” Star Shine said with a scowl. She looked over Star Swirl quickly and nodded, then turned to scrutinize Silver Spark. “I hope that I am safe in assuming you retrieved your ingredient Silver Spark,” the mare said, more as a statement than anything.

“Why do ponies keep asking me that?” Silver grumbled. “Of course I have it,” he said rummaging around inside a bag. “One Crystal Mountain amethyst from the Blue Summit, as promised,” the item was displayed for her inspection. “Now why aren’t you asking Swirly over there for his? For all we know he just stopped at some mud puddle for his item.”

“Because I know Star Swirl would not have come back without his, you on the other hoof,” she said gracefully while turning away from them. “You have yet to earn my respect,” Star Shine giggled quietly to herself as she swished her tail into Silver’s face before charging back the way she had come.

“Wow…” Star Swirl gulped as he watched her leave.

“Tell me about it…” Silver Spark drooled, his head swaying in time with the mares’ movements as she half trotted half hopped up the snowy hill.

After collecting their weapons and again checking the cargo they carried, both stallions moved to follow the third member of their group. They made for the shelter of a large outcropping of rock that served as an anchor point for a portal that was the only way to get back in time, and it would be opening any minute.

The three ponies gathered together near a scorched spot on the rocks just as a spark of electricity arced over the ground. A moment later a mass of blue energy emerged from thin air and gyrated until it became a swirling vortex. Nodding at one another the trio jumped into the portal, and vanished from the bitter chill of the mountain. To reappear a heartbeat later in the bedchambers of the royal family.

“Quickly now,” came the tired voice of master Luminescent Star from where he stood before them, sustaining the portal with his magic. “We have not a single moment to waste,” he said beckoning them through with a hoof.

“Master Luminescent,” they chorused as they stepped from the portal. Taking in their surroundings with curiosity, none of the three had ever been in the room before. “It is very good to see you again, master,” Star Shine added quickly as she strode forward to greet the age worn stallion as he closed the portal.

Luminescent bowed slightly, the bell atop his blue hat jingling softly as it lulled forward. “And your safe return does my heart good, you did well, all of you,” he said softly turning away to head for a large bed near a fireplace along the opposite wall.

The four ponies crossed the deceptively large room, dwarfed by furnishings clearly meant for significantly larger beings. Nearing the side of the bed Luminescent Star came to a stop and bowed low to the floor, the others doing the same. “My King Terra. My Queen Aeterna. The apprentices have returned.”

“Then come forward all of you, so that we may begin,” came a firm, yet kind fatherly voice that was strained from a continuous effort. Seeing as the bed was too high to easily jump upon from the floor, the gathered ponies teleported up to the edge before slowly making their way forward.

Star Swirl held back a gasp as he fought the urge to bow again at what lay before him. He had only ever lay eye on his king and Queen a rare few times before, and never had he witnessed anything like this in his life.

Laying in a semicircle was a pair of Alicorns. A gleaming white mare of such majesty she nearly hurt to look upon, opposite her was her husband, a massive stallion as dark as midnight possessing a feeling of infinite depth and power. Each of them radiating sheer energy, and magic beyond anything the unicorn could describe. Both lay quiet, eyes closed in deep concentration. Power flowed from them into the tiny thing laying atop a small cushion between them, a tiny, dark, unmoving body. A foal.

Getting a better look as he moved forward, Star Swirl could finally see. It was their foal, he realized, having never even been told of the pregnancy. Scrutinizing what he now saw to be a filly Star Swirl noted the barely discernible wings tucked firmly to her side, and the little stub of a horn poking through a dull blue mane that lay flat across her face. What he came to realize however, was the worrying lack of breathing. As far as the stallion could see, the little Alicorn was lifeless.

“What’s the matter with her?” Asked Silver Spark rather bluntly, protocol seemingly forgotten as they approached the foal. He twitched slightly as Star Shine elbowed his ribs. The three of them winced however at the sound of a cackle from a somewhat demented feminine voice behind them.

In a hushed whisper the ancient master Stardust Jade passed between them. “She was dark born, like her father before her,” she said moving to sit next the child in question. Lighting her horn the mares’ magic momentarily joined that of the parents. “For once the timing of you three is perfect, her soul is near enough to be bound,” the alchemist motioned them forward. “Silver Spark, the amethyst, if you please.” The silvery pony complied and laid the stone in her outstretched hoof.

The mares horn glowed again as she began a low chant that passed unheard by the ears of the apprentices, slowly causing a green glow to enter into the rock. She placed it atop the foals’ chest and began manipulating the Alicorn magic to flow around the stone before entering her body. “Star Swirl, the spring water,” she said not looking up. “Pour it over the stone until the glow has ceased.”

Star Swirl did as instructed, opening the small Crystal bottle and pouring the liquid over the stone, watching in awe as the filly’s colors began to brighten. Her hair lifted and seemed to liven to a more lustrous shade, and her body shuddered violently as if gasping for air that would not come.

In a quick motion of her hoof the mage ushered Star Shine around to the foals’ face as she continued to thrash sickeningly. “Place your item near her mouth, so that she may breathe in the wind of the north, as past through the Dragons Rest,” Stardust said calmly, still locked in concentration.

Star Shine complied and pulled the lid off the small jar she had been given for the task. A burst of chilled mountain air flowed out into the child’s face, still whistling with the winds of the peaks from whence it came. The small draft of air whirled about the face of the tiny filly for a moment before being drawn into her nose and mouth. In a simultaneous action the amethyst was absorbed into the skin of the foal, disappearing from view.

In the same moment Star Swirl became aware of another power level in the room. It was weak, but quickly expanding to overshadow his own in a matter of moments. It belonged to the tiny filly already crying out for her mother, which was possibly the most beautiful sound he had ever heard. They all backed away as the two parents came together to caress the newborn, calming her cries and checking her over.

“She will stay with us now, her soul no longer wanders. However,” Stardust turned to address the king. “She will still become as you, Terra. A dream walker of the night,” She said turning to leave them. “I leave it to you to instruct her as such.” As the group of unicorns moved to leave the room Star Swirl sensed another power signature moving towards them, this one however, was very much familiar to him.

Before they could reach the door to which they sought to exit, it opened to reveal another tiny filly, perhaps five years of age with a soft white coat and a lovely pink mane. She stood covered in a flowing nightgown, rubbing sleep from her eyes as she wandered into the room. “Mama,” she cooed, shyly watching the passing unicorns as they left. “What is happening? I heard crying.”

Aeterna smiled softly at her elder daughter. She pulled herself up into a more comfortable position on the bed and motioned her forward. “Come forth Celestia my dear. Come and meet your new sister. Come and meet, Luna.”