[Cyan’s POV]

I slowly opened my eyes, and what I saw up in the sky was odd. It was… Pink. Not only that, but there were clouds in a darker shade that probably shouldn’t be such a color at such a time of day if it’s not in twilight, and there were strange red and white striped colored tree stalks surrounding the clearing. I stood up and scanned around my area. It looked like I was in some sort of… Candy themed forest. Upon closer inspection, the trees turned out to be peppermint candy canes, the ground I was standing on looked to be made of baked, chocolate chip cookie dough that stretched for who knows how long the forest boundary was. There were also rocks that looked to be made of regular hard candies of different kinds, some small patches of lollipops, and a large pond filled with melted chocolate.

… Okay, I think I’m getting cavities just STANDING in such a place like this. Sure, I like my fair share of candy sometimes, but I don’t have THAT much of a sweet tooth. My toothache after that one Nightmare Night taught me about eating in moderation that night. Sheesh, I know Shadina said we’d be in a different place instead of Canterlot Park in our next training session, but I didn’t think she would go THIS far… Speaking of who, where is she?

“Cyan I think you should RUN!” A voice exclaimed before I followed the source, and it was none other than Shadina herself running. She had a different attire than the usual dress I saw her wearing. At the moment, she was wearing a black tank top with matching jeans while her black flowing mane was tied in a ponytail. She quickly zoomed passed me with a black knapsack while I stood there in a state of confusion as I watched her run.

I looked to where she was running from, and I heard growling noises that were getting louder. On closer inspection, there were a pack of wolves running towards me in the same peppermint stalk candies as the trees with glowing green eyes. I remembered creatures called timberwolves that were similar to these, but they were made of lumber and leaves. In this case…

“PEPPERMINTWOLVES!” I exclaimed as I quickly sprinted in Shadina’s direction as fast as I could while the ironically sweet looking behemoths were chasing me. I caught up with my Guardian as I tried to use what breath I had to speak. “SHADINA! What the fuck is going on, and where are we?!” I asked.

“Well I was coming to get you so we could start on your field Shadow Magic training, but I accidentally stepped on one of those peppermintwolves’ tails while I tried to find you, and I ended up being chased,” Shadina explained while we ran. “You can’t really blame me for mistaking it, I mean we’re in a forest made of peppermint trees for crying out loud.”

“And WHY are we even in such a place?!” I asked.

“Oh come on, in a place like this?” She asked. “There are bound to be PLENTY of things for us practice with, and I think right now, running away from those wolves is DEFINITELY one part of such training.”

“Not unless I live through it!” I argued. “And don’t say this is some kind of dream. Everything we’ve DONE up to this point around here is just too freakin’ surreal to be considered as such at this point!”

“Don’t worry! If we keep running, we should be getting to the bridge over hot fudge springs soon enough! We’ll lose them there!” She exclaimed as we kept running.

My legs were starting to give out, and my breathing was getting heavy. I could hear the peppermint wolves were starting to close in on us. We got out of the edge of the candy cane forest before we got to a peppermint bridge held up by durable licorice rope that stretched across the bubbling, steaming hot fudge spring below us. Shadina and I ran across it with all our might before we got to the other side. While the wolves were following us on the same path, I chomped the licorice ropes before the whole bridge fell back from us. The wolves fell along with it before they splashed to the hot fudge at the bottom. They howled and whined in agony as they drowned, and their peppermint bodies were slowly melting into their hot, gooey, chocolaty demise.

Shadina and I fell on our backs while we gasped for air from the chase. “Man, what a way to go,” I said in between breaths.

“Quite so,” Shadina agreed.

“So where do we go now?” I asked

“Well if we kept going in that same direction we ran earlier, we should-” Shadina replied before a voice interrupted her.

“There you are you jerk! Where the fuck have you been?!”

… That voice. It couldn’t be.

I rolled over to my seat, and first saw the pony’s legs in jeans. I scrolled up and saw she was wearing a rolled up flannel shirt, her muscles toned with strength while one was holding an axe over her shoulder. Further up, her chest had a white tank top underneath, but a small portion of her cleavage was shown. When I finally reached the head, my eyes widened that the pony who yelled earlier was one of those who I’ve left behind what seemed like long ago, but missed dearly.

“… Roxxie…” I said before tears started to well up. I sprung up and almost tackled her with hugs as I cried on her shoulder. “Roxxie I’m so glad to see you! It’s been so long since we last met, I’m sorry I even left you and Teala the way I did and!”

“Whoooah, back up buddy,” Roxxie interrupted before she pulled away from the embrace. “First of all, you’ve only left an hour ago after I’ve sent you to the Rock Candy Caverns to gather materials.”

“Wait, an hour ago?” I asked while raising an eyebrow. “Roxxie, I ran away from Canterlot a few DAYS ago, and haven’t seen you or Teala since.”

“… What the heck’s a Canterlot?” Roxxie asked in confusion while scratching the back of her head.

“Please don’t mind Cyan Ms. Roxxie,” Shadina said as she walked to us. “He’s a little dehydrated and out of breath after we ran away from some peppermint wolves earlier. We’ll need to repair the bridge by the way, but I got the rock candy you wanted,” she took out the knapsack over her shoulders, and opened the top flap to reveal a bunch of different colored rock candy chunks inside.

“Nice work, but we don’t have time to lollygag right now,” Roxxie said. “There’s trouble back in Sweetsville, and we need your help. We’ll stop by my place first to get you two some water, and then we’ll go see the mayor who’ll explain the problem in further detail… Oh and, thanks for the hug earlier,” she cleared her throat while she blushed a little. “Anyway, let’s get going,” she finished before she led the way out of the forest, while Shadina and I followed a distance behind with me more confused since I got here.

“Shadina, what’s going on here?” I whispered enough so Roxxie wouldn’t hear.

“I’ll try to keep it short and sweet,” Shadina replied in the same volume. “One, that’s not the same Roxxie you know since you left Canterlot. Same goes for Teala, and the other ponies you’ll come across. They also don’t see you as the Cyan from your own world either. Two, in this section of the Dreamscape, Canterlot doesn’t exist, and neither does the entirety of Equestria. We’re actually in the country of Foodtopia where different cities, towns, and landscapes are all based on delicacies that luckily not all are junk food and sweets like we’re in right now.”

“… Oh, so we’re basically in an alternate universe sort of dream huh?” I asked. “And yet ponies still thrive in such a place, and able to fly, use magic, raise crops, and all of that?”

“Exactly, only in this world they’re more accepting to different kinds of magic like the one you wield,” Shadina confirmed.

“What about you? Do they see you as another familiar in this world? I mean Roxxie has never met you back in the real world, and yet this one here seems to know you like you were her best bud,” I pointed out.

“They do see me as part of this world,” Shadina answered. “In fact in this world, you and I are siblings.”

… That is just awkward considering what you offered to do with me earlier.

“Oh don’t worry,” she said while replying to my thoughts. “This universe is actually a LOT more flexible with different kinds of relationships than you might think. Incestuous relationships is not a rare occurrence, so if you and I were to do it one day in here, they see it as a normal thing.”

“So… Does that mean RB and Orange’s relationship is acceptable in this world too?” I asked.

“Oh yes, definitely. In fact, they run a successful ice cream and soda shop back in Sweetsville,” she answered.

… You know, I can see them doing something like that in the REAL world too, but it’s nice to hear that at least ONE universe is acceptable with such a relationship.

“So if those two are running such a store, what does everyone else do?” I asked. “I mean it’s obvious that Roxxie’s some kind of lumberpony, or, candycanepony in this case, what about Teala and Lumina? What about me?”

“You’ll see what they are soon enough,” she responded. “But in this world, you and I work together doing various odd jobs to make a living.”

“… So I’m an errand colt… Greeaaaaat,” I drawled sarcastically.

“Oh don’t take it so offensively Cyan,” Shadina interjected. “In fact, we’re very well liked with all that we’ve done for everyone, and you’ll see how much when we get to town.”

“You know I’m starting to worry you two whispering so much back there,” Roxxie interrupted while glancing back as we walked. “Is there something I should know about?”

“No no! It’s fine!” I exclaimed while waving my hands out front. “Shadina’s just filling me in on what happened before we got chased by those peppermint wolves. I uh, passed out and my memory went hazy. But uh, you’re looking great though Roxxie! All that candy cane hacking must have done real well with your figure,” I complimented while trying to change the subject. I wasn’t so worried about speaking to Roxxie like so at that point because one, it was partly true since the real one has that same figure from all that fight training; and two, this is the dream Roxxie, or alternate universe Roxxie, I don’t know, but I know this won’t have any effect on the real life one I know back in Canterlot.

Roxxie’s face tinted red before she looked forward and away from me. “Sh-shut up. It’s not all that great,” she argued.

“Oh hush, you’re not giving yourself enough credit here,” I replied. “I know a good looking mare when I see one, and you take the cake.”

“Y-you really think so?” She asked while she slowed down, and her body looked like she was shivering.

“I’m TOTALLY being honest here Roxxie,” I confirmed while placing a hand on her shivering shoulder after I walked up to her side. “You’re great not just on the outside, but the inside as well, and other colts would have to be blind if they didn’t see that about you,” I finished with a smile.

Roxxie looked like her head was about to explode from how read she looked while she gripped her axe tightly as she looked back at me. After a few moments, she looked ahead of her hoping to find something to say. “O-oh look! There’s Sweetsville! Let’s get to my place for some drinks huh? Okay, let’s go!” She said quickly before she zoomed to the small town in the distance.

“You know I’ve been wanting to say that to Roxxie for a while since I left Canterlot,” I said as I watched Roxxie ran, knowing Shadina was standing beside me. “Sometimes I think that despite how tough she looked during the day, a part of her is worried for how other ponies see her. I just want to let her know how I did.”

“Would you be willing to say that to the real Roxxie if you ever see her again?” Shadina asked.

“Now that I’ve said it the first time here? Yeah, I definitely would. Maybe I’ll tell Teala something too so I know what to say if I saw her again as well,” I planned.

“I’m sure the both of them would love to hear that,” she replied with a joyful expression in her eyes. “Come on, let’s get to Roxxie’s place for drinks. I’m sure she’s worried about what we’re doing up here.”

“Sure thing,” I said before the two of us ran towards town in the same path Roxxie took.

We took a breather to grab some water at Roxxie’s place. Something to mention about the houses in town. Like the name implied, everything in this town had candy and sweets at every corner, even the houses are like the gingerbread ones made for Hearth’s Warming, or that one story of Haysel and Neightel. Roxxie looked to be squirming in place while we sat, and it turned out Roxxie’s mom in this universe still had the same job of being a tailor like the real world. Only her style of clothing is different compared to the real one, and apparently the textiles were made of cotton candy wool from the sheep that grew such material.

After we quenched our thirst and dropped off the rock candy gems, Roxxie led us to where the mayor’s office. As we walked, the locals were saying hello and giving me and Shadina thanks for helping them with whatever chores I did for them that I had no idea I could do. Some of the girls looked like they were flirting as they offered me to come by sometime and ‘try the sweets they cooked in their ovens.’ I guess whatever I did for them was either that impressive, or I was some kind of eye candy while I did their work. I didn’t exactly say no, but I also tried not to let it creep up in my mind as I just walked along. We even said hello to this universe’s Orange and RB, with the latter telling me they have my favorite orange cream soda in stock if I ever wanted to stop by. As much as I’d love to try some of that, I guess that would have to wait another time if I ever come back here.

We got to town hall a couple minutes later, its architecture looking structurally sound despite it being made of gingerbread. When we got inside, we checked in at the front desk before we got to what looked like the mayor’s main office. A ginger bread chair’s back was facing toward us while it was sitting behind a peppermint, perhaps well-polished desk.

“Yo! I brought them over like you asked!” Roxxie exclaimed. The chair spun around, and my eyes widened at the sight.

My second close friend Teala was wearing a very professional like suit. A blue coat, white undershirt, and an icy blue tie that matched the color of her eyes while hiding behind a pair of small, black, oblong shaped glasses. “Cyan, Shadina, good to see you’ve returned home safely,” she greeted with a warming smile.

… Teala Crystalwaters is the mayor of this town, and holy shit does she look hot in glasses. Fuck, the whole get up is strangely attractive for her... Why is that? Somehow even though I know running her family business isn't something she want to do for a living, I can see her being in this position for a career or something similar… Hell, if there’s any job where she wears that, I’d be totally down with that.

I stood there in an ogling trance before Shadina nudged me out of it. “O-oh yes! Good to see you too mayor, and may just I say you look AMAZING today,” I complimented.

She giggled in reaction before she spoke. “Thank you Cyan, and please, call me Teala. Now that you’re finally here, let’s not dilly dally any further shall we? I’ve called you and Shadina over because we need your help.”

“Hey, even if you weren’t the mayor, I’m always happy to lend a hand,” I replied with a smile. “What is it that needs to be done?”

“Unfortunately while you were gone, the princess of our land has been foalnapped by a very well trained servant of the Jewel King,” Teala explained which made my eyes widened.

“Princess Celestia has been foalnapped?!” I asked in surprise.

Teala and Roxxie raised an eyebrow in confusion before they glanced each other for a moment and turned back at me. “Uh, I think you mean QUEEN Celestia Cyan, and no, she’s not the one who was foalnapped,” Teala corrected.

… QUEEN Celestia? She’s a queen in this world? If that’s the case, who’s the princess they’re referring to?

“I’ve received word from staff at the Candy Castle that notified me of our princess’s foalnapping,” Teala continued. “She has been taken to the Jewel Palace that’s further down south from here, and her knights are busy keeping the safety of her citizens in Candylot. You and Shadina are our small town’s finest wizards, and we need you two to go to the Jewel Palace to get our princess back.”

Okay, so basing on what Shadina has told me about this world so far and what Teala has told me, I’m gonna guess that each piece of land that holds a specific food group is watched over by their own ruler, and ‘Queen’ Celestia is the main monarch of Foodtopia. Yet for some reason there’s a land full of jewels… Ugh, this world is making less sense the more I think about it.

“I’d like to come help you two beat the crap out of that Jewel King,” Roxxie said which interrupted my train of thought. “But I need to stay behind so the rest of us strong townsponies can keep Sweetsville safe from any oncoming danger like those peppermint wolves. Guess they’re looking for some good eatin’ at this time of year.”

“The Jewel King is a strong wizard, and I think only another wizard, one that’s stronger than him is the only one who can stand a chance against such a crook,” Teala added in. “The princess herself has heard word of your exploits, and she requested that if something happens to her, we turn to you two for help. Are you up to the task Cyan and Shadina?”

I turned to Shadina who did the same to me, and she nodded in confirmation of the promise she made me a while back. I looked back to Teala and Roxxie before I gave my answer. “For the glory and safety of the Candy Kingdom, we will accept this task and retrieve our princess.”

My dream version of friends smiled at my acceptance before Teala spoke. “Very well. Gather whatever supplies you need, and be on your way ASAP. Everyone in this town including Roxxie and I wish you the best of luck in your journey.”

“Thank you Teala,” I responded before I turned to Shadina. “Shall we go then?”

“Let’s,” she responded before we ran out of the office.

We went to what presumed to be our house in Sweetsville to get our supplies. I was curious to why I haven’t seen Mom or Dad here yet, but… I really didn’t want to see them right now. How Shadina even created such a place in my Dreamscape must have took my feelings for them in consideration, and I thank her for that. While Shadina explained more of this world’s nature, there were a few shields of different weights and sizes she wanted me to get a hold and feel to so I could gain experience into my Shadow Magic for defense. Same goes for the different metals, blocks of iron, copper, and steel in particular, so I know how much I need to concentrate on getting the hardness and mass of each sample into my attacks. After we packed what we needed in our knapsacks, and I used my Shadow Magic to change my clothes into more appropriate attire for this adventure, we ran out of our home, and out of Sweetsville. We were on our way to the Jewel Palace to get the Candy Princess back from the Jewel King while I take this opportunity to practice my new Shadow Magic moves. I just hope what I could do so far will be enough.

Next Chapter: Chapter 26: Cyan Dusknight, and the Land of Foodtopia; Part 2 Estimated time remaining: 39 Minutes