Finding the Portal
Hardly anyone could eat the meal put before them in the dining hall. Boysenberry Pie sniffed in disgust as her hard work went to waste, but she understood. The Counsel would meet right afterward, and most of them had stayed in the Observatory until dinner was announced. She sighs and gets her crew of fakies to start cleaning around the whispering Counsel members.
After the remnants of the meal are cleaned up, Majesty stands up to address the crowd, smiling. "It would seem that the location of the Portal can be found, and even if it is in disrepair.We have the original blueprints to fix it. But, now I have a request to spread throughout our Land: We must have a crew to go to and find out what shape it is in. I will need a construction crew in this group, along with the Scientists, and a few Guardians. I want nothing to go wrong with this mission." Her gaze traveled over her fellow Ponies. "I will take volunteers only, and you must be ready by early tomorrow morning. I will meet with the volunteers at 7am." She steps away from her spot at the table, her cloak swirling around her feet. "Good evening." She nods and winks back to her rooms to rest and think.
MoonGlow looks around. *Seven AM? What is she thinking?* She scowls and paces. "Perhaps it is best if I do go, that way.if anything happens, it can't be said that I had it planned. Of course.I will! But that is beside the point." She smiles to herself and decides to take a nap. **************************************************************************** *******
Majesty arrived early as promised to twenty volunteers. Most were part of Ponyland's best building crews lead by 4-speed. Storm, the leader of the Guardians, had 5 of her best Ponies with her, and the scientists Windwhistler and Haven brought Northstar with them. Northstar had made the map of Ponyland, and would be the navigator on this mission. Lastly there was MoonGlow, who made the twentieth of the group. Majesty raised a brow at the last volunteer, but made no comment.
"Thank you, friends for your help. The sooner we are done, the sooner we can meet these 'new' Ponies." Majesty started. "And we can always use new friends! Boysenberry Pie was nice enough to cook for you, and has supplied the provisions for this trip. I wish you luck!" The Ponies wave to her as they start off, Northstar calling directions as she flies above the group. **************************************************************************** *******
A few hours after leaving out, they come to a dismal looking forest. They stopped before it and decided to eat and rest. The Pegasi could go over it, but the Earth ponies would be stuck on the ground. Storm decides they should stay together on the ground.
"As a Unicorn, I say that we shouldn't have to trudge along at a sluggish Earth Ponies pace! We can wink to the other side of the forest, the Pegasi can fly, and we can meet the Earth's on the other side.
Storm shakes her head. "No. That is not an optimal way to protect ALL in our group. If we leave the Earth Ponies to fend for themselves with only a couple of Guardians, then the rest of you will be without protection. I don't know what's in that forest and I'm not risking anyone being hurt." She looks at MoonGlow through her horned helmet, and smiles imperceptibly, "Of course if you want to go alone."
MoonGlow glares at Storm. "I am your superior! You should definitely watch over me! These others don't matter." She sneers, putting her nose in the air.
"Better watch out, you might drown if it comes a rain!" Mason, a brick red big brother calls. The other Ponies laugh, but 4-Speed makes them stop.
"This isn't the time nor place." 4-Speed states. He looks over at MoonGlow. "Storm is correct. We can't afford to risk anyone, especially you."
"Very diplomatic, 4-Speed." Storm nods, and turns to look into the forest waiting for word from a scout. *She should be out by now.* Her stomach clenches in worry, but she doesn't show any emotion as she watches the forest for signs of movement. When she does see movement, she notes the speedy exit of her scout.
The scout, Star Hopper, skid to a stop in front of Storm, her light armor damaged in several places along her neck and back. "They are coming!" She looks over her shoulder and the others look with her, as a noise from the forest starts to get louder, as if it is getting closer.
Storm starts to shout orders. "Those that cannot fight, to the middle of the formation!" She rears and wheels to face the oncoming attackers. "Formation B!" The soldiers and the males of the group, along with several females formed a ring around those without armor, their rumps to the center of the circle.
Warlock steps from the dark, and into the light of the sun. His dark green body, and multi-hued mane (similar to Masquerade's) seem to brighten. He smiles, and his yellow twinkle eyes glow with an inner light. "Well, it seems that you are easily spooked, Guardians of Ponyland. Luckily, it was only I, and not some horrible creature!"
Storm glares angrily at the Pegasus. "Fool! Why are YOU here?"
"I missed the Party this morning. I prefer to sleep in." He shrugs. "Plus, it is well known I do not care for Majesty."
4-Speed grinned. He knew why, but that was another story in itself!
Moonglow groans. Her plans! He would foil them.Damn Warlock! She moved the others out of her way. *But of course, he could also foil THEIR plans. He is not a very stable pony to have around, but he is powerful!* She smiles. "Welcome, then, Warlock! Now that you have given us our excitement for the day, dare I say we move on? We might never get there at this rate!"
Storm's jaw drops in surprise at Moonglow's sane statement.
"I must concur! We have lost precious minutes here with this delay." WIndwhistler says.
The ponies start moving, Storm and Northstar leading. The forest was dark and dank as most dark forests are, but nothing happened to them while there. There had been a few uncomfortable moments when they felt they were being watched, and perhaps they were.
At the end of the forest a collective sigh of relief was heard. It was now nightfall, and Warlock started a fire with his magic. They would have to rest for the night. **************************************************************************** ***************************
A wonderful breakfast was had by all, thanks to Boysenberry Pie. And, thanks to some of Warlock's magic, they made better time and were over halfway there only two hours after they left. Storm had to concede that perhaps, just perhaps! Warlock was an asset to the group. They would still have been a lot farther away from their destination under their own power. She surveys the group. They would be there in no time. 4-Speed was talking animatedly with Haven. The Guardians were doing their duty, which was watching for trouble, and the construction crew, well, they were betting on something. Storm wasn't sure what. She smiled and scanned her area, ahead of the group, one ear tuned toward Northstar.
"Okay, almost there! Thanks to Warlock!" Northstar calls. "This is so exciting! Isn't it?" She looks over at Windwhistler.
The pale blue Pegasus nods, but doesn't look up from the copy of the new Book. "Incredible!" She flaps her wings excitedly, somehow managing to watch her step and read the book. "Our foremothers had vast knowledge of other worlds. I wonder if they knew of other dimensions? Fascinating!"
Midday the ponies stopped once more. Warlock flew above the ponies and zipped ahead. He was nothing but a speck on the horizon when Moonglow looked up. She looked around at her traveling companions, then decided to wink. Warlock may be the first Pegasus to look upon the Portal, but she would be the first Unicorn! She smiled smugly, and estimated the distance to where Warlock was. Then she was gone with only the echo of an "I wish" floating in the air.
It was not long before Warlock was back, subdued. Storm trotted over to him, questioning him with a glance. "Swamp." Was his reply.
"But there IS no swamp in Ponyland!" Northstar had overheard. "I would know of it."
"There sure the hell is now, sweetheart." He smiled. "The accuracy of your maps, and your good reputation is in jeopardy."
"Hmmph! Hardly." She looked over at Storm, who shrugged.
"I cannot say whether or not there is a swamp, Northstar, but I'm sure there is some explanation to it. Your reputation as a cartographer will not be smudged." Storm tossed her head and dared Warlock to disclaim that.
Warlock just smiled broader. "I hope you have wading boots, Ladies and Gentlemen. It's going to be sticky. Almost like Smooze. You do recall that incident I hope?"
Unfortunately, most remembered! The one flutter in the group shook his head. That would not be fun to be around!
**************************************************************************** *****************************
Moonglow gasped in outrage as she struggled in the muck that covered her white coat. She howled in frustration as she started to sink, her eyes frantically looking for a spot to wink to. It took three tries before she found a piece of land that was not a deception of solid ground.
"I see you have finally come."
Moonglow's bright green eyes betrayed her horror at what creature was before her! "What are you?" She tossed her head, slinging mud and weeds.
"I am one that longs to gaze upon my homeland once more, to have happiness and beauty once more in my life. I am the protector of the Portal. You are pretty slow, your kind. It is hard to believe that we are kindred."
Outraged, Moonglow sputters. "YOU and I.KINDRED?! I think not! Beast.Hybrid!" She spits the curses out, trying to understand something her brain is denying.
A gentle smile plays over the pony's features. "Ahhh, I see. I, too, am a Pony. From another Gate, but a Pony, none-the-less. Forgive me, my name is Princess Crystal. I have foreseen your coming, white one. But, I also see that you are a Dark Card." Crystal sighs. "Every deck has one, I'm afraid." She cocks her head to the side. "Your friends are coming." She turns and walks with practiced ease, each hoof seeming to know the right spot to step.
Moonglow sneers and turns to face her 'friends'. "This whole Portal thing, it's a bad idea! This.creature."
"Pony" Crystal interjects.
"Is from that monstrosity. Look at her. Small and scrawny. And her face! It's not normal I tell you!"
Storm stops the group, and the silence is broken by Warlock's laughter. "A pleasure, Miss, to meet you. It seems you have met the least, shall we say, tolerant Pony in our group."
"A great pleasure it was." She laughs. "But you have come to the Portal for a reason. And I am one of many beyond the Gate. Welcome.I am Princess Crystal."
*Pictures and description of Custom characters available upon request. To be continued..*
Hardly anyone could eat the meal put before them in the dining hall. Boysenberry Pie sniffed in disgust as her hard work went to waste, but she understood. The Counsel would meet right afterward, and most of them had stayed in the Observatory until dinner was announced. She sighs and gets her crew of fakies to start cleaning around the whispering Counsel members.
After the remnants of the meal are cleaned up, Majesty stands up to address the crowd, smiling. "It would seem that the location of the Portal can be found, and even if it is in disrepair.We have the original blueprints to fix it. But, now I have a request to spread throughout our Land: We must have a crew to go to and find out what shape it is in. I will need a construction crew in this group, along with the Scientists, and a few Guardians. I want nothing to go wrong with this mission." Her gaze traveled over her fellow Ponies. "I will take volunteers only, and you must be ready by early tomorrow morning. I will meet with the volunteers at 7am." She steps away from her spot at the table, her cloak swirling around her feet. "Good evening." She nods and winks back to her rooms to rest and think.
MoonGlow looks around. *Seven AM? What is she thinking?* She scowls and paces. "Perhaps it is best if I do go, that way.if anything happens, it can't be said that I had it planned. Of course.I will! But that is beside the point." She smiles to herself and decides to take a nap. **************************************************************************** *******
Majesty arrived early as promised to twenty volunteers. Most were part of Ponyland's best building crews lead by 4-speed. Storm, the leader of the Guardians, had 5 of her best Ponies with her, and the scientists Windwhistler and Haven brought Northstar with them. Northstar had made the map of Ponyland, and would be the navigator on this mission. Lastly there was MoonGlow, who made the twentieth of the group. Majesty raised a brow at the last volunteer, but made no comment.
"Thank you, friends for your help. The sooner we are done, the sooner we can meet these 'new' Ponies." Majesty started. "And we can always use new friends! Boysenberry Pie was nice enough to cook for you, and has supplied the provisions for this trip. I wish you luck!" The Ponies wave to her as they start off, Northstar calling directions as she flies above the group. **************************************************************************** *******
A few hours after leaving out, they come to a dismal looking forest. They stopped before it and decided to eat and rest. The Pegasi could go over it, but the Earth ponies would be stuck on the ground. Storm decides they should stay together on the ground.
"As a Unicorn, I say that we shouldn't have to trudge along at a sluggish Earth Ponies pace! We can wink to the other side of the forest, the Pegasi can fly, and we can meet the Earth's on the other side.
Storm shakes her head. "No. That is not an optimal way to protect ALL in our group. If we leave the Earth Ponies to fend for themselves with only a couple of Guardians, then the rest of you will be without protection. I don't know what's in that forest and I'm not risking anyone being hurt." She looks at MoonGlow through her horned helmet, and smiles imperceptibly, "Of course if you want to go alone."
MoonGlow glares at Storm. "I am your superior! You should definitely watch over me! These others don't matter." She sneers, putting her nose in the air.
"Better watch out, you might drown if it comes a rain!" Mason, a brick red big brother calls. The other Ponies laugh, but 4-Speed makes them stop.
"This isn't the time nor place." 4-Speed states. He looks over at MoonGlow. "Storm is correct. We can't afford to risk anyone, especially you."
"Very diplomatic, 4-Speed." Storm nods, and turns to look into the forest waiting for word from a scout. *She should be out by now.* Her stomach clenches in worry, but she doesn't show any emotion as she watches the forest for signs of movement. When she does see movement, she notes the speedy exit of her scout.
The scout, Star Hopper, skid to a stop in front of Storm, her light armor damaged in several places along her neck and back. "They are coming!" She looks over her shoulder and the others look with her, as a noise from the forest starts to get louder, as if it is getting closer.
Storm starts to shout orders. "Those that cannot fight, to the middle of the formation!" She rears and wheels to face the oncoming attackers. "Formation B!" The soldiers and the males of the group, along with several females formed a ring around those without armor, their rumps to the center of the circle.
Warlock steps from the dark, and into the light of the sun. His dark green body, and multi-hued mane (similar to Masquerade's) seem to brighten. He smiles, and his yellow twinkle eyes glow with an inner light. "Well, it seems that you are easily spooked, Guardians of Ponyland. Luckily, it was only I, and not some horrible creature!"
Storm glares angrily at the Pegasus. "Fool! Why are YOU here?"
"I missed the Party this morning. I prefer to sleep in." He shrugs. "Plus, it is well known I do not care for Majesty."
4-Speed grinned. He knew why, but that was another story in itself!
Moonglow groans. Her plans! He would foil them.Damn Warlock! She moved the others out of her way. *But of course, he could also foil THEIR plans. He is not a very stable pony to have around, but he is powerful!* She smiles. "Welcome, then, Warlock! Now that you have given us our excitement for the day, dare I say we move on? We might never get there at this rate!"
Storm's jaw drops in surprise at Moonglow's sane statement.
"I must concur! We have lost precious minutes here with this delay." WIndwhistler says.
The ponies start moving, Storm and Northstar leading. The forest was dark and dank as most dark forests are, but nothing happened to them while there. There had been a few uncomfortable moments when they felt they were being watched, and perhaps they were.
At the end of the forest a collective sigh of relief was heard. It was now nightfall, and Warlock started a fire with his magic. They would have to rest for the night. **************************************************************************** ***************************
A wonderful breakfast was had by all, thanks to Boysenberry Pie. And, thanks to some of Warlock's magic, they made better time and were over halfway there only two hours after they left. Storm had to concede that perhaps, just perhaps! Warlock was an asset to the group. They would still have been a lot farther away from their destination under their own power. She surveys the group. They would be there in no time. 4-Speed was talking animatedly with Haven. The Guardians were doing their duty, which was watching for trouble, and the construction crew, well, they were betting on something. Storm wasn't sure what. She smiled and scanned her area, ahead of the group, one ear tuned toward Northstar.
"Okay, almost there! Thanks to Warlock!" Northstar calls. "This is so exciting! Isn't it?" She looks over at Windwhistler.
The pale blue Pegasus nods, but doesn't look up from the copy of the new Book. "Incredible!" She flaps her wings excitedly, somehow managing to watch her step and read the book. "Our foremothers had vast knowledge of other worlds. I wonder if they knew of other dimensions? Fascinating!"
Midday the ponies stopped once more. Warlock flew above the ponies and zipped ahead. He was nothing but a speck on the horizon when Moonglow looked up. She looked around at her traveling companions, then decided to wink. Warlock may be the first Pegasus to look upon the Portal, but she would be the first Unicorn! She smiled smugly, and estimated the distance to where Warlock was. Then she was gone with only the echo of an "I wish" floating in the air.
It was not long before Warlock was back, subdued. Storm trotted over to him, questioning him with a glance. "Swamp." Was his reply.
"But there IS no swamp in Ponyland!" Northstar had overheard. "I would know of it."
"There sure the hell is now, sweetheart." He smiled. "The accuracy of your maps, and your good reputation is in jeopardy."
"Hmmph! Hardly." She looked over at Storm, who shrugged.
"I cannot say whether or not there is a swamp, Northstar, but I'm sure there is some explanation to it. Your reputation as a cartographer will not be smudged." Storm tossed her head and dared Warlock to disclaim that.
Warlock just smiled broader. "I hope you have wading boots, Ladies and Gentlemen. It's going to be sticky. Almost like Smooze. You do recall that incident I hope?"
Unfortunately, most remembered! The one flutter in the group shook his head. That would not be fun to be around!
**************************************************************************** *****************************
Moonglow gasped in outrage as she struggled in the muck that covered her white coat. She howled in frustration as she started to sink, her eyes frantically looking for a spot to wink to. It took three tries before she found a piece of land that was not a deception of solid ground.
"I see you have finally come."
Moonglow's bright green eyes betrayed her horror at what creature was before her! "What are you?" She tossed her head, slinging mud and weeds.
"I am one that longs to gaze upon my homeland once more, to have happiness and beauty once more in my life. I am the protector of the Portal. You are pretty slow, your kind. It is hard to believe that we are kindred."
Outraged, Moonglow sputters. "YOU and I.KINDRED?! I think not! Beast.Hybrid!" She spits the curses out, trying to understand something her brain is denying.
A gentle smile plays over the pony's features. "Ahhh, I see. I, too, am a Pony. From another Gate, but a Pony, none-the-less. Forgive me, my name is Princess Crystal. I have foreseen your coming, white one. But, I also see that you are a Dark Card." Crystal sighs. "Every deck has one, I'm afraid." She cocks her head to the side. "Your friends are coming." She turns and walks with practiced ease, each hoof seeming to know the right spot to step.
Moonglow sneers and turns to face her 'friends'. "This whole Portal thing, it's a bad idea! This.creature."
"Pony" Crystal interjects.
"Is from that monstrosity. Look at her. Small and scrawny. And her face! It's not normal I tell you!"
Storm stops the group, and the silence is broken by Warlock's laughter. "A pleasure, Miss, to meet you. It seems you have met the least, shall we say, tolerant Pony in our group."
"A great pleasure it was." She laughs. "But you have come to the Portal for a reason. And I am one of many beyond the Gate. Welcome.I am Princess Crystal."
*Pictures and description of Custom characters available upon request. To be continued..*