//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 
// Story: Mindcracked 2: New Chunks 
// by mathwiz617 
//------------------------------//

	Two regal alicorns stood side by side, facing an ominously glowing gateway to another dimension. The newest to their ranks had braved the dangers, traversed the portal, and come back with tales that were so incredibly outlandish that the two elders had no choice but to believe. Then, the younger had suggested the others follow in her hoof prints. The pair turned to look at one another, hoisting their packs.

"Luna, are you prepared for what lies beyond?" the larger one asked. "From what Twilight told us, it is a world of unimaginable beauty, filled with unspeakable danger."

"You know I am ready, Celestia,"  Luna replied. "I've been waiting for an adventure like this ever since we defeated Discord a thousand and some years ago. Speaking of whom, are you sure it's a good idea to leave him in charge of the sun and moon while we are away?"

"Twilight will keep him in line." Celestia sighed. "Very well. We should delay no longer. I'll see you on the other side, sister."

With that, the two walked into the portal, vanishing.





After floating weightlessly for what felt like a minute or two, the royals felt a pull, a definite destination in the endless void between worlds. It wasn't long before they appeared on solid ground.

Looking around, it seemed that “solid ground” was a rare commodity in this world. There was a small platform, and then… nothing. As Celestia peered over the edge, she got an immediate feeling of vertigo, as their safe haven was no more than two meters thick, after which was a never-ending drop into darkness. The sky above them was blue, and the ground they stood on solid, but both alicorns could tell this was not the world that Twilight had visited.

Standing still, eyes closed, Celestia reached out to feel the magical side of the world around her. At least, she tried. The magic in this world was strained, nearly non-existent. Levitating the crown on her head took effort, and she ceased trying after a second, afraid to drain the little power available.

Suddenly, Luna called out from behind her. “Sister, what is this?” she asked.

Turning around, Celestia nearly hit her hoof on a cube protruding from the platform. It was slightly smaller than the other cubes the platform was made of, and seemed to be made of some type of wood. It was old; the wood was warped, and there was rust on the back, but it looked like it was once used to hold things. Behind the cube was a shimmering wall of light, similar to, yet distinctly different from, the portal they had traversed.

“This block resembles a chest,” Celestia said, pushing at the top. Her suspicions were confirmed when it started to creak open, the hinges making enough noise to deafen a normal pony. Wincing, she snapped the top off, silencing the block for good, as well as revealing what laid inside: a pile of golden rings, a stack of books, a small plant, and a yellowed piece of paper with some writing on it.

Levitating the paper, Luna read, “This land was once great. It was one of prosperity, filled with life. Now, there is nearly nothing. A block of dirt here, some hardened clay there. This is, as far as I know, the last sapling left in this world. Other worlds have suffered the same fate, too. Most of the gods that preside over these worlds are capricious, and periodically malevolent, beings. They toy with us, giving us the power and knowledge to rebuild the world, only to cast down our progress from time to time.”

Luna started choking up; Celestia guessed it was because of memories of Discord’s reign. Taking the paper from her sister, the solar princess continued. “Finally, hope has appeared. The Jaded One has taken pity on us Crafters, and has made a new world for us. Her power is limited, however. This portal will take us there, but it will not allow us to return. In addition, what she leaves us with is little more than what we have now - a platform, floating above the void. I only pray that there will be enough room for all of us.”

Celestia felt Luna looking over her shoulder at this point. “If anyone finds this note, follow us. We can use all the help we can get.” Looking over the rest of the paper, Celestia quickly noticed that there was no signature. In its place was a symbol, one that Twilight had mentioned. This letter had been written by Guude, the de-facto leader of Mindcrack.

“So, do we follow them?” Luna asked.

Celestia nodded. “They said they need help. Besides, the way home is missing; we’re going to have to go through the End. However, we do not know how to get there. They do.” Celestia took the rings from the chest, while Luna took the books. Celestia also took the sapling. Placing them in their bags, the two alicorns stepped into the portal.





“Day three,” a Crafter spoke to nobody in particular. “It’s been three days, and we’re still eating raisins that inexplicably came from dried apples. Nebris has a cobble generator up and running, and Pak has a pair of wheat seeds growing. Hopefully, we’ll be eating bread soon.”

“We’ll be eating toast, Guude! Toast is better!” shouted Pakratt, standing over his “farm”. Pakratt knew more about this world than most of the Crafters there, but his knowledge wasn’t making those seeds grow any faster.

Guude rolled his eyes before continuing. “Right then, toast. Anyway, where was I?  Baj is making a mob farm, and Mhykol is standing by the portal, hoping someone will come through. Part of me wishes that Baj screws up the mob farm. Not sure why. I guess it’d be funny.” He glanced at the center of their platform. “No sign of the others yet, and that fake Guude is still creeping me out. ‘Feed me,’ he says. Feed him, when we barely have enough food for ourselves? Heh, that’s not happening for a while. Anyway, I’d better get back to the grind. Guude out.”

As he stood up, one of the others placed their hand on his shoulder. “The portal’s reacting,” Mhykol said.