//------------------------------// // Arctic // Story: Kirby's Nightmare in Equestria // by munomana //------------------------------// Kirby's Nightmare in Equestria Arctic The ground around the train was a pure blanket of white. Tiny crystals fluttered through the air past the speeding locomotive. The windows were icy cold, and the train was nearly an iceberg in temperature, yet the commuters felt nothing of it... all but one. Kirby was shivering, covered in a blanket, as he watched the white specks fly past his bedside window. He had been admiring the beautiful scenery, and a little cold wouldn't stop him. He was just glad that he wasn't simultaneously eating the spiciest food in the planet like back in dreamland. Oh how much he missed it. He wasn't completely told what the reason for going to this place was, but he was glad to be going with new friends. The mares in the room were huddled around a notebook on the floor, discussing what was to happen and where they were going. Kirby managed to hear his name several times through-out the conversation, but he passed that aside. Spike had gone to the doughnut shop, once again, to snack. He had been told about what happened in Appleloosa while he was asleep. Instead of confusion or worry, he was just amused at the thought of Twilight being eaten. As he thought on about what happened in the Apple town, it confused him more and more. Why did Twilight have his Warpstar? Why were the people scared when he ate those apples? Why did Twilight make him plasma? He would have to figure that out later, but what really mattered, was when they were finally going to make it there. He kept on hearing about Crystal ponies, Crystal Empire, and weird dark magic unicorns. He had never heard of them, but they sounded altogether cool to him. Kirby hopped out of his bed, blanket worn around him like Meta Knight's cape. He walked over to the ponies on the floor before sitting down. Twilight noticed him before turning towards him. "Oh, hey Kirby. If you're wondering, we should be at the next train station in a matter of ten minutes!" Kirby then put on a huge grin before standing up and running. "Wait, Kirby! I need to ask you some que-!" *SLAM* Kirby ran down the halls of the train as he hurried towards Doughnut Joe's shop car. He wanted to hang out with Spike, who seemed to share more interests with him than any other pony he had met here, but that didn't mean they weren't his friends. He quickly reached the car before jumping into a seat across from Spike, since he was sitting at a table for two. Spike looked up before getting a noticeable grin on his face. Kirby had been weirdly fun to be around in Spike's opinion. "Hey Kirby!" "Poyo!" "Oh yeah, you can't talk. You want a doughnut? We're gonna arrive in about-" "Arriving at Arctic Station in five minutes." "-five minutes..." Kirby vigorously nodded in response. He hadn't necessarily eaten a good, healthy, complete meal, but those were the best doughnuts he had ever eaten. Spike stood up before walking over to the counter. He handed the bits over before picking out a doughnut and giving it to Kirby. He then sat down in his seat. "Hey, just a question, but would you get a power if you swallowed me?" Kirby stopped for a second before thinking. He didn't really know what Spike did. He could attribute to nothing in particular for all he knew. Kirby then did a shrug-like gesture, much to Spike's disappointment. Kirby then hopped down from his seat before floating to the nearest window. For the most part, it was snow, but in the distance, he could see a large bubble-like dome in the distance with a tiny station up ahead. Closer was a sign that read, 'Arctic Station, where ponies come to look at large quantities of snow." Kirby turned around before running back through the double doors he came in, ignoring Spike's voice. He quickly sprinted to the car where he had first entered the train. He then waited. And he waited. And waited. A minute later, Twilight, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack trotted through the doors into the same car Kirby was in before stopping at the sight of Kirby sitting right in front of the door, the employees staring at him in confusion. Before any of the mares could speak up, the train began to slow down. Kirby began to roll on the floor before stopping at the wall. As the train came to a stop, Fluttershy flew over to him in worry, to find out that Kirby had been asleep the whole time. She quickly picked up Kirby before he awoke from his sleep and jumped down. The doors to the car slowly opened as it revealed the numbing cold outside. Kirby then noticed a giant pile of suitcases on Spike's back, who had walked from the shop to help Rarity carry them. They all stepped outside of the train and onto the station platform. Kirby was shivering like crazy from the cold. Suddenly, a scarf flew around his body before being tied. It strangely warmed him as if it was springtime. "I told you these scarves would come in handy!" The other ponies seemed to slightly annoyed by the comment, but they quickly threw it aside as they trotted down the steps. Out of the blistering snow storm came a figure. As it came closer, it was revealed as a pony. It was wearing an unusual piece of clothing which seemed to have served the use of keeping warm, and snow out of the eyes, but it didn't seem to be of much use, seeing as how the other ponies were wearing nothing. As the pony came into complete view, Twilight jumped up in happy surprise. "Shining Armour!" "Twiley!" The two embraced as they finally met. They seemed to be acquaintances of some sort. "Hey, we need to get back to the... who's that?" Shining Armour stopped as he came into view with the pink warrior known as Kirby. Twilight was about to speak up before Shining cut her off. "You can explain later. We need to get back to the Crystal Empire with Cadance right now." The mares nodded before they were interrupted by a sound from behind. They each looked backwards to be met with the view of a giant black cloud with a face. Before anything could happen, Shining Armour broke out into a run. "RUUUN!" The Mane 6, Spike, and Kirby all turned and began to run. Spike dropped the suitcases, where they all burst open. The group all ran, as the cloud began to gain on them. In the distance, the slightly translucent barrier dome came into view. Inside was unlike the outside. The grass was green and the town was vibrant in colour. Suddenly, Shining Armour stopped outside of the barrier and turned around, facing the darkness. Kirby, who was the last in the group running, stopped and turned around as well, as the rest of the group sprinted through the bubble. Kirby took no haste as he began to inhale air at his best strength. The surrounding snow began filing into his mouth. The air was sifting towards Kirby, along with the dark cloud. The cloud began to bulge at the side, getting pulled in towards Kirby. Before the cloud could get any closer towards Kirby, a large amount of scarves flew through the storm and into Kirby's mouth. This startled Kirby as he closed his mouth and swallowed. A flash emanated through the storm as Kirby's physical appearance changed drastically. His body became non-existent, save for the yarn outline his body gained. His facial features floated in the middle of the the air where they used to be on his body. He turned entirely flat, yet somehow stayed on his feet and didn't fall over. Kirby was aghast at the sudden change and quickly ran into the barrier, seeing as how he couldn't swallow the cloud in this state. Shining Armour, on the other hand, was too surprised by Kirby's actions to take note of the battle commencing as the darkness swallowed his body. Twilight and the other ponies were relieved to be away from Sombra, yet at the same time, worried about Shining. They were each answered as the white stallion trotted through the force-field, head low. His horn was covered with tiny black crystals all over. He attempted magic, but the crystals prevented anything from happening. Twilight was saddened by this, but knew not to lose hope so easily. Shining Armour then raised his head before turning it towards Kirby, who was still in his yarn form. "Twilight, one question." "Yes?" "Who is Kirby!?"