//------------------------------// // Into Fire // Story: Bonds of Harmony // by FoxTheFirebird //------------------------------// The only answer Twilight could offer to the ponies outside her home was a weak, "I'm not sure." She sighed shakily before holding a hoof to her mouth, as if to keep herself from vomiting. Spike himself looked no better than his friend. "Yeah... but... but we'll find out what happened, Twilight. She's GOTTA come back. I mean... she's the Princess of the Night. She can't skip out on her duties..." Any further attempts to comfort his friend was left off in a long and silent trail. "Duties... that's right." Twilight fought her feelings and sternly stood up straight. "We've got to write to Celestia to tell her what happened." She turned to instruct her number one assistant. "Spike, continue writing that letter." "There's no need for that." Both unicorn and dragon froze. They knew that voice. One that was usually full of golden warmth was iced over with stern authority. Twilight slowly turned around. There, standing in the doorway, in front of the other tense ponies was the Princess of the Sun herself. Princess Celestia. "You can tell me right here and now." Twilight gulped. What could she say to her mentor without upsetting her any further?! She looked to Spike for guidance. But at a loss, he motioned with a claw to tell the white alicorn before them the truth. It was all they had to offer. She accepted the inevitable. Heaving a sigh, Twilight began. "Well, it all started when I was taking a break from studying..." Something bothersome was itching her nose. It grew so annoying that she scrunched it up to make it go away. Finally, Luna couldn't take it anymore and she rubbed it away with a hoof. The itch was gone, but it was nothing compared to the brisk chill brushing against her fur and wings. Shivering at the sudden drop in temperature, she struggled to open her eyes. When she did, the first thing she noticed made her eyes widen. Snow. Lots and lots of snow. All of which was covering over the earth and in the distant mountains. Shifting her fallen position on the ground, the princess gradually raised herself and shook her fur free of any loose debris and snow. Once that was done, she looked around to take in her surroundings. So she was in the Frozen North. She didn't know whether she was near the Crystal Empire's borders. But one thing was for certain: The portal's power was stronger than she predicted. She didn't know how, but it worked and it brought her to the icy side of Equestria! The bewilderment in her gasp could barely be contained. Somehow it managed to overwhelm and send her to the far reaches of the country where it was cold and isolated. The pony looked up into the sky with a curious brow. Perhaps all she had to do was fly up into the sky and see which direction was which. From there, she could figure out what route to take and return back to Ponyville and-wait a minute. Luna frowned. It was nighttime when she was in Canterlot and Ponyville. But here in the mountains, it was a clear day! She unfolded her wings to prepare for takeoff into flight. One powerful push and she was up in the air, flying towards the sky and leaving the snowy earth behind. Once she reached a good spot for her to see everything, she hovered there underneath the warmth of the sun. But even the sun was not comforting to Luna. It also felt out of place. The great celestial body she was floating underneath was more...primal and explosive, in comparison to the soothing and gracious power of Celestia's sun back in Equestria. But the Frozen North was a part of the country, and even her sister's power reigned over these frozen terrains. So how was that possible? There was no way Celestia would have let the power of the sun feel this wild and overbearing. Besides, her sister could not have woken up at this hour, considering it was Luna's turn to rule over the land. Hour. Time... "He sent the time recorder to measure how long it could take for one pony to travel from one location to another….and…" That was when it hit Luna. "…And the time recorder never came back." She gasped at this realization. To no one in particular, she quietly pondered, "I have succeeded in traveling through time? But to where?...to when?" Worry threatened to grip her. She didn't have any specific knowledge on time travel. So what could she do?! She looked around the snowy landscape once more. And the more she took in her surroundings, the more she began to think about the many possibilities of where and when the portal threw her, each one seeming more outrageous than the last. And all of them throwing her into deep despair. "Why did I create that portal? Why did I shrug off my duties to visit Twilight? Why?" She shoved her face into her hooves as she tried to think of an answer, a reasonable one. But each attempt to come up with one all turned out the same way, the real motive why she created that portal. Because loneliness distracted her and she wanted to distract it back. But it evaded her efforts and it came back to haunt her again. The emotion she once felt about her discovery evaporated. The duo made their way to Zenway 9 in Star Cruiser 42. The ride was quiet during the hours, with only a word or two shared between the men. No doubt due to one of them determined to complete this mission. Buzz was aware that his friend wasn't doing too well. "So... uh... I know it was quite a while since you and I partnered up for a mission like this." Ty absent-mindedly nodded as he stared into the dark abyss outside the ship window. "Yeah." "...Hopefully there'll be some action for us on Zenway 9, with the Hornets and all. And Zurg will no doubt be up to something!" Ty couldn't help but smirk a little at Buzz's determination. "I can imagine. That's usually his gimmick. But I'm sure there's nothing too suspicious going on that rock. It's so cold nobody would want to even live there." "Yeah, but... I have a feeling that this plan is a doozy. It just feels like he's up to something so... so... INGENIOUS." "Buzz, you say that to EVERY plan he comes up with." "I do?" Ty sighed out a long patience. "Yes, Buzz. You do. Not that I'm blaming ya, but we haven't arrived to our destination yet. Don't you think you're better off waiting until we can start patrolling?" "I can't help it. Whenever there are Hornets, I get that 'Zurg's-up-to-something' feeling. Besides, Nebula DID say to keep an eye out for the Hornets. And wherever they are, Zurg's bound to be right there with them." "..." Ty looked out the window for a minute. "Yeah. About Commander Nebula... Buzz, I'm curious to know...what was it he told you before we took off?" "What Nebula sa-Uh... it was just a... a... an update on how the Rookies were doing on their assignment." Buzz's plastered grin failed to fool Ty. "Uh-huh. Now why don't you tell me the real reason why Nebula wanted to talk to you? I know there was a reason why he asked to talk to you after I got on board. So what is it?" The peaked brow Ty gave Buzz was enough for the Ranger to give in and speak the truth. "Alright, alright... Nebula wanted to tell me...er..." Buzz uncomfortably rubbed his neck with a free hand. Ty prodded, "Yes?" "...He told me to keep an eye on you." Ty stared at Buzz for some time. Blankness was all he gave him. But underneath that blankness was a hurricane of emotions. Disappointment. Sadness. Anger. Defeat. Defeat won out in the emotional spectrum. And it came out as another sigh. "I figured. Why did he tell you to look out for me?" Buzz averted his eyes back to the stars. " It's just... Ty... Have you been getting enough sleep?" The sincere concern in Buzz's tone failed to ignite any sarcastic wit. But it didn't succeed in softening Ty either. What could he say to one of his best friends? The truth, yes, but how much of it would he allow himself to tell? Could he trust Buzz to fully understand what he was going through? He had to at least try. "Well... to be honest, not as much as I'd like to. Every night's been a hassle. I think ever since the trial, things haven't been the same." Buzz didn't need to know what trial Ty was talking about. "How did the military tribunal make you sleep poorly?" Ty rubbed a hand through his pompadour. "Well... I... Buzz, I'm...Every night I seem to..." Any further attempt to try and express himself fizzled out under his own struggle. "I'm sorry, Buzz. I CAN'T tell you." "You can't? Why?... Was it something I did?" Ty was quick to assure his concerned friend, "No. It's nothing like that. It's just... well, I... I don't know. I guess... Well... I guess I'm not ready to talk about it yet. I thought I was. But now I don't know. It just might be that the trial is still so fresh in my mind that I haven't really let it sink in, and after everything that happened... "I just need time. I can barely make sense of it myself, especially after...after the events back on Canis Lunis." Ty closed his eyes to make the pain of his old scars go away. So close to telling Buzz and yet for some reason, he JUST couldn't. He prayed that Buzz wouldn't pressure him into trying again. It was too much already. But... "Then... You don't have to, Ranger. As much as I want to know what's buggin' you, I won't force to discuss it. I'll respect your decision." Ty opened his eyes to look at his friend in surprise. "You will?" "I will, Ty. You have my word. When you're ready, you can tell me then." He offered an understanding smile. For a moment, Ty didn't know how to react. Buzz wasn't always one to easily pick up on social cues, and that was sometimes irritating for everyone going through a tough time. But then there were times where the Pride of Star Command proved himself to be a loyal friend when he needed to be. And this was one of those times. Buzz's smile broke through and it inspired Ty to crack a tiny one of his own. "Thanks, Buzz." "No problem." Suddenly, a series of beeps sounded off in the cockpit. Both Rangers quickly broke the tender moment and turned to their controls, both on the alarm. "Buzz, we're picking up a transmission. Coming RIGHT on time from Zenway 9. It's Hornets, alright, but I can't get a clear reading what's going on. Something keeps on trying to break it up." "Or maybe it's not trying to break it up, it IS breaking it up!" "...And you know this how?" "Take a look for yourself!" Following Buzz's direct order, Ty cast a glance to the planet, and it was then he understood why. A massive blur of silvery white and grey swirled down below on the planet. It blanketed over their destination to the point where it threatened to fog up their windows. "Take evasive action!" Without needing further instruction, Ty helped pilot Star Cruiser 42 away from the wrath of the blizzard and onto another spot where it was safer and free from Mother Nature's power. As they flew and descended further onto the planet for a more desirable location to land, Ty spotted something rapidly falling out of the sky. It was too small to make out, but the man caught it in his line of vision to see that it was a dark shape coming in fast for a landing. What was that? Was it Zurg? Whatever it was, he would have to worry about it later. Right now... "Prepare to land, Ranger. We'd better get this mission done and over with before the blizzard decides to come our way." "Right." When they eventually found a location where they could park their ship in a field of white snow, the men wasted no time in landing 42 and proceeding with this mission before the blizzard they passed over worsened. She wallowed in her anguish as she tried to fathom all of what happened. And over next course of action. But what could she do? There was nopony here that she recognized who could aid her, no books or anything of the sort to give her magical assistance, nothing! There was nothing but ice, snow and bleakness. It was hopeless. She glimpsed at the shiny mountains, all thoughts scattered as she remained in the air. Oh how she wished she knew what to do about this unexpected outcome. This was just... She sighed and closed her eyes to regain some form of sanity. Removing her hooves from her face, she performed a breathing technique. She took a deep breath in, and released it, with her hoof following her movement of breath. There was no way she could panic now. Not when she still needed to figure out exactly WHEN she landed, and if she could find somepony who could help her get back home... some pony... wait a minute. "Star Swirl! Of course!" Why didn't she think of it before? The one unicorn who trained her and Celestia into becoming the rulers of Equestria! He was a spring of information and wisdom. If there was anypony who would know the answers, it'd be him. ...Assuming she didn't land in the future where he wasn't around. She shook her head. There was no reason to be down just yet. Not when she actually had a goal in mind. "I might not know if he will be there, but if the Crystal Empire is nearby, maybe I can ask Princess Amore if she knows where he is. That is... IF I didn't arrive at the time when Sombra placed the curse on it." A quick frown passed by her face. Time travel was confusing. But even if she couldn't find the Crystal Empire, she did have to keep moving. It was getting cold and she wanted to get home as quickly as possible. With this notion in mind... Luna glanced at her surroundings once more to calculate which direction she needed to fly into. Aside from the mountains, there was nothing here that could give her any suggestions in direction. Well... almost nothing. A brisk wind kicked in and scorched her fur. She gritted her teeth as the wind passed by her, building up in power. The wind was picking up too fast for her liking. And that was when she decided that she should move AWAY from the wind. "There must be a blizzard coming in. I should fly now before it comes this way." With that, she put on a burst of speed and fled away from the blizzard. She soared over the mountain range as she searched all over for any sign of hope, any sign of life that was the Crystal Empire. So far, nothing. But nonetheless, the princess continued to look around as her wings carried her over the landscape. In her quiet goal, she mused over how she would approach Star Swirl, if she could find him. Would it be easy to convince him, with all of his experience in magic and time travel? Or would it be difficult, as his research with time indicated? Would there be a way back? What kind of world did she land in? She felt positive she could handle this new time regardless of what it threw at her, but she had to be on her guard at all times. For the unexpected was always ready to strike. Unbeknownst to Luna, hiding far and deep in the snow, a small bug was watching... A gasp was released as it witnessed Luna gliding without breaking a sweat in her flight. Yet... She was heading right into the lion's den. "My evil emperor should know about this. I gotta tell him!" The little raspy grub popped out of his spot and scrambled away to tell his leader an intruder was invading his construction area.