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// The Mountain Pass 
// Story: Tear the Sky Asunder 
// by Ice Star 
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Tyrant and tyrant have reached a part of their journey's end
and have arrived at the mountains that mark the border of land not even Harmony can mend

Each steep and jagged peak forms a wall that few will pass, if any at all
The stone divider is held by the ponies within to be as impassable as it is tall

Days, weeks, and even months could be spent trying to make the climb
But Scorpan has an idea that could save the brothers' time

With a wave of his paw and a few invisible strings of magic pulled a door — like a mirror reflecting another place — appeared out of thin air
Through it, they can see a method of travel more efficient than most paths that might leave these two travelers much worse for wear

In the surface of elsewhere a squat and foreboding, utterly dismal stone castle can be seen 
and crowded around it, through rain and snow, rank buildings with filthy thatched roofs make up manors and shops inhabited by unicorns who are far from clean

Both routes could lead to the same destination: path one through Scorpan's gate, or the second rife with danger, in this tomb of snow it would not be unusual to find a frozen hunks of pony-flesh and bone
leftover from some desperate mortal soul who died with thick white sheets pulled across the starving, ignorant husks of their frost-bitten forms — utterly alone

As if there was any choice at all
Tirek points to the northern mirage gate
his fiendish hand to decide ponykind's fate
a fantastical door, a simple choice
in a country that knows no destination
the single finger points to the roof of a unicorn hall

A decision is made, a path is set
all in the name of Tirek's bet
everything is framed in a gate of shimmering color, which like a heart does pulse
and in it is the capital of a lying land where every known truth is false

This gate — almost peaceful — is unadorned
and unknowingly deceptive as any lie
Yet, here is your fitting inscription:
ABANDON ALL HOPE YE WHO ENTER HERE
Ponies, you have been warned
now comes the tyrant who wishes to reap your souls and magic so you might die