Starve

by FaelaArts


Chapter 1

Opening his eyes, he looked to the sky as it crackled with energy. Splitting open, two large creatures emerged, flipping over themselves as they tried to pull out of a tailspin. Dovelike, but hooved, it took him a few moments to remember two mythical beings on which these two combined.

Ignoring them for a moment, he rose off his sleeping bag, and approached a stone bowl resting on top of a pile of embers. Tossing the embers with a stick, he pulled the meat off the top, closing the lid, and ripped out a huge piece. Munching on it, he sat back down, once more returning his attention to the creatures in the sky.

Tossing a log onto the fire, he glanced toward the setting sun as the two hovered mid-air, swirling energy emerging on their horns. There was a moment of strain on their faces, before they smiled in victory. Looking toward the sun, he dropped his meat, mouth flopped open as it began to rise, stopping in the center of the sky.


“Spiiike! Have we sent the letter to Celestia yet?” Glancing to the dragon, the unicorn with purple eyes almost glared at him. Shrinking back slightly, Spike gulped, gripping the scroll in his hand slightly tighter as he shook his head. Breathing in, green flame erupted from his mouth, burning the scroll up. Within moments, it popped back into existence.

Biting her lip, Twilight glanced toward the mechanical frame that remained dormant. Sweat beading down her forehead, she hoped her brother; a unicorn skilled in shield magic, showed up soon. Sighing, her ears flickered downward, and she placed a hoof on the window frame of her Castle, looking out on the town of Ponyville, in shadow due to her Castle’s shadow.

There was a knock, and she glanced down, smiling as she nearly tripped over herself to answer it. Five ponies; two Pegasi, one Unicorn, and two Earth Ponies were standing outside. Looking to each of them, her smile grew, and she let out a breath she hadn’t been aware she’d been holding. Closing the door behind them, they all headed for the throne room, a circle around a table map.

“So, any news?” The blue Pegasus with a rainbow mane spoke first, raising an eyebrow. Shaking her head, Twilight sighed, placing a hoof on top of the white hoof of her second friend; a purple maned white Unicorn. The buttercup Pegasus shared a glance with the orange Earth Pony.

“I’m surprised Pinkie’s being so quiet,” commented Rainbow Dash, glancing to the cotton candy Earth Pony. It was true, they all turned, the normally upbeat friend seemed almost unnerved by something. Sharing a glance, they approached their friend, Twilight’s mouth opening to ask the question on their minds.

“Twily, I’ve got bad news! Celestia’s vanished!” Slamming through the door, Shining Armor skidded to a stop, looking at the seven with almost blind panic. Eyes widening, it took a few moments for them to process the sentence.

“W-What do you mean vanished?” Shaking her brother, Twilight’s voice rose to panic levels for a moment. Stepping back, she tried to compose herself, remembering that panicking wouldn’t help. A supportive hoof on her shoulder, she sent the others a smile, becoming serious once more.

“The portal you described in your letter, it appeared in Canterlot too. Cadance says none appeared in the Crystal Empire, which is a godsend. Celestia was closest, and she got sucked inside. Luna dove in after her, and it crumbled to pieces moments after. You say yours is still standing?” Following Twilight to the window, Shining looked toward the street spotting it down a side street.

“Crumbled? That means...This is our only chance of finding Celestia.” Tapping a hoof on her chin, Twilight began to plan precautions. It would likely be a one-way trip, if Shining was right. With Cadance safe, there was little worry about a leader for Equestria in case something disastrous happened.

“I know I should stay out of trouble, being a Princess of Equestria, but I can’t just sit by while you all go into potential danger.” Glancing to them, Twilight saw the knowing smiles, and returned one of her own. It was decided then, they would try to enter the portal.

“Spike, your letters might be our best bet at contacting the Princess once inside. We’re counting on you.” Nodding once, Twilight was proud to see Spike salute, and turned to her brother.

“I know, I have to stay on this side.” Shining gave Twilight a gentle hug, stepping back and saluting the group of seven. Fluttershy whimpered, and her gaze went toward Pinkie Pie. Once more, she made note of the almost sombre look on her face.

“I’m staying here.” All turned to look at Pinkie Pie, giving an audible gasp. Squeaking, Fluttershy’s eyes widened as she was picked up by Pinkie Pie.

“I’m taking Fluttershy.” Finally, a smile fell on her face, and Pinkie Pie gave a giggle. Frowning, Twilight took a step forward to object, when Rainbow Dash interjected.

“Pinkie Pie, what is up with you? First you act all non-Pinkie, and now you’re saying you’ll stay here? And you’re dragging Fluttershy into it with you?” Hovering in the air, Rainbow Dash folded her arms. Pinkie Pie gave a knowing smile.

“You’ll just have to trust me Dashie, I promise this will aaaall make sense soon.” Looking to the four going, Pinkie Pie seemed serious, so they shared another look. Sighing, they begrudgingly trusted their friend. If the Parasprites were anything to go on, Pinkie Pie had some sort of plan.

“Okay, we trust you. I just hope we don’t regret this.” Glancing to everypony, Twilight bit her lip, all giving her similar glances. Pinkie Pie was a bit of a wildcard, even on a normal day.

“So, we have the-uh-teams sorted, let’s get onto the how.” All gave a sheepish smile, and Twilight looked out the window, biting her lip. Glancing back to them, she pointed to it, a hint of doubt in her voice.

“Maybe it has a switch?” With no other leads, they began to amble down toward it. Arriving at it, they began to examine it. It was a wooden door, in simplest terms. There was a wheel at the top, with some huge eyeball inside it. The bottom half was covered in a strange stone, one Twilight wasn’t sure she’d seen native to Equestria.

“Well, there’s the switch,” she spoke, pointing to a lever on the side. Gulping, they slowly approached. There seemed to be a wobbling effect inside the door, but no pulling. Breathing in, Twilight turned around, and looked to her friends. Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Shining were all standing back, the others right in front of Twilight.

“Alright, let’s pack some things. We don’t know what’s on the other side, but we have to try. Meet back here in an hour. Shining: be ready to cast a shield spell if it activates.” All saluted her, and Twilight smiled. Turning, they all took a single step, and heard the sound of gears. Turning, they knew the portal had activated.

“Shining!” Glancing to her brother, Twilight watched as the shield separated them from the door a second time. It chugged along for a few more seconds, a white swirling inside it, and then powered down once more. Breathing out, Twilight looked to it and bit her lip. Shining slowly lowered the shield.

“Ok, keep the shield spell over it. Everyone, make it 30 minutes.” Looking to everypony, they saluted, galloping off. Shining’s spell enveloped it once more, and Twilight cantered into the Castle, Spike on her back. Packing things quickly, but neatly, she grabbed a few spellbooks. Glancing to Spike, she levitated the blanket he was carrying out of his claw, and placed it in her saddlebags.

“Let’s go,” she spoke, slapping her bags onto her back, and trotting after Spike. A few minutes later; Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity approached, and Twilight breathed in deeply. All stepped close to the shield, and Twilight nodded to her brother, whom opened a hole in the shield. Stepping through, all watched it close behind them.

“Hold on tightly Spike,” she spoke, reaching for the lever. Pulling it, they watched as the door powered up, and they began to be pulled toward it. Gripping hooves together, they closed their eyes, allowing the portal to take them. Watching this, Shining saw the portal crumble into pieces, and become ash. Sighing, he lowered the shield, and looked to the sky.

“Please be safe sis…”