It has been an hour since Twilight left the Library, first on her list was pinkie Pie but to her horror she found Sugar Cube Corner frozen in ice, and when she looked inside she saw Pinkie Pie, Mr. and Mrs. Cake, and their twin foals frozen and without color. she then went on to Courasel Boutique to find Rarity. but like Sugar Cube Corner, the Boutique was also encased in ice, and Rarity forever frozen in time making a gown for the next Galloping Gala. her colors were also gone from her body. Twilight made her way to Fluttershy's Cottage only to see her shy pegasus friend endure the same fate, but with a twist as Discord was also in the same shape. Twilight didn't know which was horrifying, seeing her friend in such a shape or the fact that Discord, the spirit god of chaos was also affected, though the look of horror on his face made her realize he knew what was happening and in mid teleportation froze. it's not a state she'd like to see herself in if she tried to teleport while on the now vampiric grounds of Ponyville.

Making her way to Sweet Apple Farms, Twilight kept her eyes in the sky for Rainbow Dash, hoping the same effects on the clouds. perhaps like with the houses in town, the sky was safe as well. the clouds didn't look to be affected by the loss of color and the ice couldn't stick to the clouds.

As she turned the next curve in the road she saw a pony on the ground, it looked like they were waiting for her. upon getting closer Twilight recognized the pony as a Pegasus. she could never forget her build and rainbow mane.

"Rainbow Dash! am I glad to see----" Twilight's words died as the cloud above cleared showing Rainbow Dash frozen like the others, her rainbow mane like the rest of her slowly loosing it's colors. "No.... Oh Rainbow.... not you too! Please, let there be a way for AJ to be alright!"

Immediately Twilight bolted for the farm, the spell she put on her boots where only effective if she walked, and the ice began to grab at her trying to hold her still for it to take it's life eating affects on her as well.

But Twilight refused to be stopped, time was of the essence, Applejack always began work early in the morning. but hopefully with the cold and ice she'd stayed inside to start a fire, of course! Applejack was a farm pony, but most of all, a pony who knew what to do when the cold weather hits. first priority would be to keep the house warm, after all Applejack's water came from an underground well, theres no way they'd let the water pipes freeze!

While these thoughts ran through her head Twilight nearly skidded to a stop. she saw Applejack's house and saw the house aglow with candles and chimney puffing smoke, pure signs of a fireplace in use. Twilight gave a cheer, if Applejack was unaffected, then maybe they could use some spell to return the others to normal. granted Applejack wasn't a pony of Magic, but having her there to help in any way was better then nopony at all.

Twilight slowed to a canter, going up to the door and knocked on it. at first there was no answer, but the sound of hooves inside told her somepony was still alive. she knocked again and again. eventually started to call out Applejack's name. but still no answer.

"Hello! Come on guy's it's me Twilight, please open up!"

Then twilight heard a window open as she looked up she saw three very scared fillies, Applebloom looked to have been crying. that alone told Twilight all she needed to know. she reached above the door to a potted plant and retrieved an extra key, Applejack had showed it to her in case of emergency. this counted as one. as she opened the door, Twilight saw the sight of Applejack in mid gallop to the stairs her eyes looking fearfully at the ground. and like all the others encased in Ice as her rear hoof didn't clear it in time. the Ice however refused to move towards the stairs as though the staircase offended it. at the top twilight saw Granny Smith and big Macintosh.

"Please tell me your actually---"

"Oh we're alright youngin...." Granny said back as she looked over to her grand daughter. "Just wish i could say the same for Applejack."

"Are the girls alright?" Twilight asked as she went up the stairs, she realized why the ice didn't come up the stairs. the upstairs had a secondary fireplace. they couldn't get the first one going strong enough in time.

"They're fine. Applebloom's upset. but they'll survive. they don't lookit, but them's some tough fillies." Granny said as she glanced back at the Cutie Mark Crusaders in Applebloom's bedroom. "what 'bout the rest of yer friends?"

Twilight's ears wilted and she shook her head. this was all that Granny Smith needed to know as she hugged her.

"Hey Now, We ain't beat yet." Granny said holding up Twilight's Chin. "Ya'lls Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia's Student, and hero in these parts!"

"Yeah because My friend's were with me each step of the way. this.... this isn't right." Twilight said motioning out the window to the whole of now dead grey ponyville. "what could do this? it got everypony. my friends, the princesses, my family..."

"What about Nyx?" Granny asked. "Fer all we know she did this!"

Twilight sighed, she was used to Granny's feelings towards Nyx for a while. but now she was at her wits end. she promptly ignore the elderly mare and looked north east, towards where Hollow Shades would be.

"Nyx had nothing to do with this.... in fact." Twilight swallowed not wanting to say what she was about to, but ultimately she knew it was the only way. "in fact, Nyx and I are going to Hollow Shades, I believe the cause and maybe the solution is there."

"Hollow Shades? Now what in Celestia's Great Mane would be there to fix this mess?" Granny asked, her brow arching.

Twilight sighed, already taking mental lists of what she would need for the trip. "there's a story a long time ago of an evil Queen, and a Champion who defeated her. if I'm correct, the Mountain north of Hollow Shades sits a tomb called Saddle Tor. the tomb will have the Crusader of Harmony's Armor and weapons there." Twilight explained as she gave Granny Smith, Big Macintosh, and the three Cutie Mark Crusader's each enchanted boots to allow them to walk freely over the ice.

Big Macintosh looked at the enchanted pink boots with baloons on them. clearly they were intended for Twilight's friends. but now they needed them more then they did now. "Well if yer goin we should give ya some supplies, right granny?"

Granny nodded putting the boots intended for Rainbow Dash on and made her way down stairs. "Darn Tootin! we even got some pies and other food we can supply ya, should last ya a while."

Big Mac and Granny got to work in the kitchen packing up food in containers and baggies within reason. Twilight however came into Applebloom's room.

Applebloom looked up at Twilight. "Yer gonna stop this ain'tcha twilight?"

Twilight smirked, her determination growing more by the minute as she looked at the three fillies. "You bet! don't worry I'm going to bring our friends back! the Whole town, Even!"

The three fillies smiled, twilight wasn't sure if she could do it all by her self, but she knew she had to try. her friends may not be able to help. but it's their friendship that made her stronger, and right now they needed her.

"Alright youngin, here's all we could afford to give ya, now it ain't much I know but----"

Twilight put a hoof on Granny's shoulder. "I'll make it last, don't worry. and thank you."

Granny smiled then growled. "Now, GO MAKE THE SORRY SON OF A HYDRA WISH THEY WERE NEVER BORN!"

Everypony gave out a cheer as twilight set off. she had a new mission, she couldn't wait to know if Celestia and Luna were alright or if they too suffered the same fate. she knew what they'd want her to do anyways. find the root of this problem and put an end to it. and the only lead was the information in an ancient story book, and the only reason she made the connection was because like in the book the queen fed on the life force of equestria, and in doing so, everything lost it's color and became petrified in ice. just like ponyville and just like canterlot is now. The only reason going to Hollow Shades made since is how weird last night was. the fact the book insisted to be kept on the map. was some spirit at work? was the book enchanted? Was Luna perhaps manipulating her dreams to send a message? though Luna was more direct in these situations, unless something happened that she couldn't? perhaps Canterlot was the first to freeze over?

Upon returning to the Library she saw Nyx and Spike eating Pancakes. she has already noticed hers being eaten by a little black Alicorn with a Mischievous smile on her muzzle (with syrup!).

"Hey twilight....where is everypony---- Oh...." Spike realized the moment she saw Twilight's face. "R-Rarity too?"

"I'm afraid so, I'm sorry spike."

"NNNOOOOOOO!!!!!" Spike Yelled causing Nyx to hold her ears closed and wince. "Don't worry my fair Rarity! I will once again save you!" he said taking out a spatula and pot as a sword and helmet. "Alright, Let me at the hooligans who did this!"

Nyx blinked, shaking her head trying to get the ringing out of her ear. Twilight trotted up and started taking supplies, a Map, Water, more food, and Lockpicks. she never knew why but upon reading many adventure books, having Lockpicks on hoof was always a necessity when exploring. often because tombs, ruins, and other places often had locked rooms they had to get to.

"Actually spike, I'm going to need you here in Ponyville." Twilight said as she charged up her magic and shot a spell at the library ceiling, outside the ice around the Golden Oaks Library began to receded like the tree itself was a sin. the ice melted a few blocks but stopped short of sugar cube corner.

Spike gave out a whistle and looked back at twilight. "but why? don't you want me with you to Hollow Shades? I mean I know you want me to watch Nyx, but it don't feel right letting you go without a Companion? I mean haven't you ever played an RPG? Loners always get killed on Level One!"

Twilight sighed and looked at Nyx her horn glowed as she gave the filly Alicorn her own coat, scarf, and enchanted boots. "Actually, I need Nyx to go with me. because I want you to bring as many ponies who aren't frozen inside the library."

"But, You said it was too dangerous?" Nyx said a bit confused but at the same time putting on the winter-wear.

"It Is, but I'm gonna need help, and alot of the ponies in town I don't think I can trust if I left her here with you." Twilight said as she packed up Nyx's Saddlebags with food and water bottles. "and.... well you said you've been training?"

Nyx nodded with a smile. "Uncle Shining Armor said I need to train my skills, he saw my cutie mark and said if I was going protect ponies I should learn to defend myself and others. he says I'm really good with a sword and shield. heh the guards laughed when I poked him in the flank during one of our training matches."

At that Twilight giggled. "Well serves him right for going behind my back. but I hope he's right about that."

"Well I wish you two luck." Spike said as he started heading out. "don't worry I'll make sure everypony is safe, we have plenty of books. and we went shopping not long ago so we should have plenty of food then the stuff you took."

Twilight smiled. "Thank you spike. well come on Nyx. it's time we got going. the sooner we start the more distance we'll make."

Nyx nodded and followed close behind. "Think the trains still work though? I looked at the map. Hollow Shades is a long ways, how are we going to get there in one day?"

As they continued talking, the two ponies have made it to the entrance of ponyville, deciding to follow the train tracks as a short rout. plus it'll let them bypass the Everfree Forest.

"I'm afraid this journey will take longer then a day, Nyx. I had to pack our camping equipment, several lanterns, oil. and a lot of food. honestly I don't know if it'll last." already the worry in twilight began to grow in her voice.

Nyx continued walking before snorting and smiling. "Then let the trails lead where they may! we shall follow, our journey to Hollow Shades will be a grand Adventure, OH! and after, we can tell Grandma and she can write it into a story! maybe add some romance bits in it too. she did say you need to meet a nice stallion. maybe she'll write you one?"

Twilight blushed and chuckled. "uuuhhh. M-Maybe."

Nyx giggled, followed by Twilight as the two continued on their way, the Journey to Hollow Shades!