This is the start of a halloween crossover special! Make sure to head over here if you want to read more!

https://www.fimfiction.net/story/544884/crossing-swords

I let my mind wander over the many tasks I had yet to do, and plans I had yet to put into motion. Despite the sheer enormity of it all, I did not, in fact, do anything productive at all at the moment. Instead, I reclined on the top of a tree in the form of a freshly deceased bird that had been struck down by some unknown malady.

Winter was fast approaching, though thankfully the first snow thereof had melted almost as quickly as it had arrived. It was merely a reminder of what was to come, though I hoped it wouldn't arrive until at least after Halloween. My favorite holiday wasn't far off, and though the ponies didn't know anything about it until I introduced it, they were excited.

The general acceptance of my little forced festival had been slow but by now I could tell that they were excited. Ponies hung tiny bats made from dark leaves cut into winged shapes. Ghosts were made by doing something similar with the bark of a white oak tree that had turned the color of snow the moment the first of the stuff hit the ground.

It was fascinating to see how the various species adapted and readied themselves for the coming season. Some dropped their leaves rather predictably, but others changed color, shed their branches, and changed shape. The list of new and novel ways they dealt with winter was long, and a part of me wanted to catalog it all.

Though that urge was powerful, I decided to hold back on that for the moment, though I didn't shelve it completely. A compendium of my observations on the various plants and fungal species that filled my domain was definitely coming. To that end I required paper, preservation runes, and writing utensils, all things I wanted to make for other reasons as well.

Just to get that far required so much time and effort though. I needed to learn how to cut and shape a feather to use it in an ink well, which I also had to make myself. Thankfully I didn't need to come up with an ink alternative quite yet as there was tons of the stuff lying around the castle for some reason. Now with supplies in my possession, I wanted to get to work, to put pen to paper, but that could wait for a while at least.

For now, I simply extended my feathered wings and allowed my other senses to fall away. Replaced by the animal instincts within my winged form, I felt the call of the breeze and sky clearly. Yet again I resisted that urge, though now it was not out of some desire to be lazy but rather I heard a clopping coming from the base of the tree I was on.

Looking down, I saw what looked like a pony, though my senses were telling me that there was something else down there. With a soul that blazed hotter than the sun, and a presence that immediately made me feel nauseated yet eager it was definitely not a normal creature. Despite its overwhelming power and weirdly chaotic nature, it was content to sit and await my response.

Curiosity piqued, I took wing and glided down to the lowest branch. There I observed what looked to be a slightly effeminate stallion with slim hips, a red and gold mohawk, and a cutie mark depicting a jester’s stick. Though interesting, I felt my gaze drawn to his eyes, and the odd glint of twisted glee held within those emerald orbs.

“Can I help you?” I squealed.

“Yes, you can indeed my winged friend,” he replied. “My name is Jest, and I was hoping to approach you with an offer I think you will find most intriguing.”

I recalled my other forms, alerted Rainy, and was about to gather my allies in case this strange pony turned out to be hostile. However, before I could begin rattling off the commands, and requests, the strange stallion held up a hoof.

“There will be no need for all that. I come in peace,” he declared.

Just like that, my mind emptied of suspicion, and I looked at this weird creature in a new light.

“What exactly do you want with me?” I asked, utilizing the bird’s mostly intact voice box in order to speak.

“I have a bit of a problem. You see there is a place I can't go where a bunch of rather dastardly people have held up in order to do a spell that will have dire consequences for you, and everyone for that matter,” Jest explained. “Real end of the world type stuff. You know how it is.”

“I don't, but I think I get what you’re saying,” I murmured. “I think.”

“Great, sorry gotta be vague here, but I’ll definitely probably answer all your questions soon. I may also, if I feel like it, not be as vague and noncommittal as I am being now,” Jest continued.

“You’re not very good at instilling confidence,” I remarked.

“Eh, I don't usually have to. My purpose is to facilitate the narrative and act as comedic relief. Neither of which is particularly good at delivering exposition in an expedient manner,” he continued.

“You're a really weird dude,” I pointed out.

“Thank you!” Jest proclaimed. “But now onto business. Do you agree to come with me and help me with my little issue?”

“I don't have much of a choice, do I?” I inquired.

“I mean, you still have at least the illusion of choice but we all know you are too curious not to,” Jest pointed out.

I hated that he was right, and I hated how much of my thoughts were garbled by his presence seemingly throwing my brain for a loop.

“Sorry mate, I’m not doing that consciously, it's just a thing,” Jest declared, shrugging to himself.

“Alright, I guess I’ll help you,” I muttered somewhat bitterly.

“Great, just shake my hoof and we’ll be off,” Jest offered.

Despite all my misgivings, I extended a wing and gave it a little shake.

I then felt my mind fall back to my main body, before falling in a more literal sense. Plunging into a dark portal that had opened beneath me, I felt myself plummeting toward some unseen destination. In this lightless space of nothing, I felt a strange sense of deja vu overcome me as if I had done this again.

Then gravity returned, and I landed somewhere in a completely new dimension.

(Want to find out how this ends? Head over here!