//------------------------------//
// The Edge 
// Story: Heat Death 
// by ScottTrek 
//------------------------------//

	The Nightmare Zone lay before Twilight and Forge. To the naked eye there was only the slightest of changes to the blank vacuum, maybe just the slightest tint and the vague impression of depth, like a shadow lying across black card. Twilight moved her head slightly and out of the corner of her eye vague lines and shades flickered, almost forming perceivable shapes and colours, but disappearing if you tried to focus on them. 

They'd been dodging smaller Zones for about four hours and according to Forges flight recorder the Valkyrie was situated inside one of the largest fields. Twilight glanced round at Forge and wondered what he could see through his mechanical senses. Maybe it was better not knowing...

“So where in this mess did you see the Valkerie?” Twilight asked as they inched closer to the border.

“Plotting projected course now.” Forge replied quietly. If Twilight hadn’t known better she might have said that Forge sounded...afraid? 

Definitely not better knowing what he could see.


Be careful Twilight.
Yeah that place is not fun. I don’t think even I could throw a party there.


To be fair to Forge, Twilight was apprehensive about entering the region as well. As far as she had knew no-one had ever worked out exactly what the Nightmare Zones were or where they came from, even ‘god’ level beings such as herself had avoided them unless absolutely necessary.

There had been many theories over the eons; some more plausible than others. Most races upon discovering their first Nightmare Zone went for the theory that they were simply weak points in the fabric of the universe; area’s where the seams that connected the membranes of existence had come loose. That theory worked...well in theory, but it did little to explain why the manifestations of this were so....well...they were called Nightmare Zones for a reason.  

Twilight and Forge had both had a long time to study the ins and outs of reality in their lifetimes and had both agreed that the above theory, though popular, probably wasn't correct or, at least it wasn't the whole story.  

There’s always that theory.
No.
It’s no more crazy then all tha’ other theories you’ve heard Twi.
Maybe, but what it implies... it doesn't bear thinking about.

“Calculations completed.” Forge said, “Is Twilight unit prepared?”

“Huh,” Twilight murmured, “Quite a distance in. Sod’s law I guess, couldn't be on the edge, could it?”

“I would be more concerned if it appeared easy.” Forge replied. 

The two set forward, almost immediately Twilight noticed what appeared to be wisps of blood red vapour begin to appear, becoming visible in the very corners of her eyes. Twilight blinked a few times tried to ignore them, forging on into the Nightmare Zone. The two looked at each other, then moved closer together as a low, sonorous rumble sounded from somewhere within; almost like the Zone was welcoming them in.