Not our world anymore (IC)

[GalacticWar_Xavier]

Twilight nodded, "I'm sure." she said, then trotted to the door, "C'mon Spike, they'll need their space." Spike nodded quietly and followed Twilight out of the room. The two were quiet as they went toward the lobby-area, Twilight had decided to try to push their upcoming journey into the Far Dream out of her mind for the moment and enjoy the moment. She knew that constantly considering what could go wrong and what consequences would be would drive her crazy. They arrived in the lobby to find Airimus and Amalthea just walking in the door, "Hi!" Twilight called, Airimus looked and smiled, "Twilight!" He ran over, picked the lavender unicorn up, and hugged her. Twilight blinked a few times, raising one of her eyebrows, but she liked a good hug once in a while and smiled, "Uh... Hi, Airimus." she said, her tone having a small, polite, 'please put me down' tinge to it, "Oh uh." Airimus put Twilight down and scratched behind his neck, "Well. The first good sign was that the entire castle wasn't on fire. So I guess that because you're still here, that everything went smoothly?" Twilight nodded, "You wouldn't believe who's here... Princess Luna."

Luna looked at Winter Bell, "I would actually say that it's better that Twilight's not be here for this particular bit of information... You see, we'll have to use the Lullaby at the very same time, so that you are able to carry Twilight Sparkle's soul into the Far Dream with your own as you go into it yourself. I honestly can't say how difficult holding onto Twilight's soul will be through the transition. This is because there is a moment in the Eternity's Lullaby where a pony's soul will not be in the Far Dream, nor in their body, but instead within the grasp of your magic. This moment lasts for a few seconds and your souls are bonded together before sending it off to the Far Dream. Once you are through, complete the Lullaby as normal and Twilight should appear next to you. Do you understand that?"

[Blue Fox]

Winter gulped as Luna explained the process. If she heard the Princess correctly that meant that she was responsible for Twilights soul. This was a huge responsibility. If Winter messed up then not only would she fail to get into the Far Dream but she would loose Twilight in the process essentially killing her. Luna looked at her sympathetically, she knew this was going to be hard for Winter to swallow. Winter nodded, "I understand Princess" she replied. Luna nodded before continuing. "When you sing the lyrics you will need to focus your magic into your words to enhance the power of the spell. Both me and Twilight will be doing most of that so you wont have to ficus to hard." Luna straightened herself and motioned for Winter to do the same. They were about to do a rehearsal of the 'Eternities Lullaby'. Of course they would do this without magic so no effect would take place. The pony inside Winters head was bouncing up and down again. Even if this was very dangerous she was about to do a duet with the Princess of the night.


-Deep in the ocean, dead and cast away,
where innocence is burned... in flames.
A million mile from home, I'm walking ahead.
I'm frozen to the bones, I am.

The sound of iron shots is stuck in my head.
The thunder of the drums dictates
the rhythm of the falls, the number of deaths,
the rising of the horns... ahead.

This steady burst of snow is burning my hands.
I'm frozen to the bones, I am.
A million mile from home, I'm walking away.
I can't remind your eyes, your face.-

At first Luna sang the lyrics but it was the second time that they both sang together. The Princess had a beautiful singing voice and when it combined with Winter's it made a beautiful sound despite the haunting words. It was cryptic but it described the walk into the after life. They repeated the song over and over until they had got it perfect multiple times. Eventually they had the spell perfectly and Luna was satisfied that Winter could complete the spell and hold Twilights soul. Not that this made her feel any better about it. While they waited Winter decided to ask the princess about Resonant Magic. She had to know. "Princess.." said winter hesitantly. "Yes my little pony" replied Luna as she looked down on Winter. "My magic...it scares me." she explained the whole situation at Dream Castle and the events of her magic exploding in power. She also explained that only other person she had heard of to wield such power was Luna, and so asked her how she can control it and what those creatures were.

[GalacticWar_Xavier]

Princess Luna frowned, the things Winter spoke of were troubling in more ways than simply worrying about the control over her magic, "It is possible that a group of elves known as the Annoire have a hoof, or rather a hand, in this. They were deviants by their people's standards, while most of their kind used their magic to help others, the Annoire sought some sort of higher power and purpose. Much of their work centered around the use of Resonant Magic to attain true immortality, like myself or Celestia. They were ruthless, using ponies, humans, anything they found roaming the wastelands in their hideous experiments involving souls and life force. Their leader was named Azuras, she wasn't as extreme as the others, but allowed many to get away with some heinous atrocities. High Azuras was named after her by the Emperor, who I believe came to idolize the Annoire in his early reign... I believe that the being you faced in Dream Castle was Azuras, as she had put a spell on herself to wait until a day when one who had the same voice potential would arrive in the world, and entombed herself in the castle as you described." She looked down, "Azuras may be clinging to your soul, or perhaps is enchanting it to serve some sort of end, but that is an unlikely possibility. More likely, while resting, she found a way to get her soul to be able to wander the world without being bound to her body. It does sound like she used you to test your voice power against her own form, however."

[Blue Fox]

Winter listened to Luna and as expected it wasn't anything good. At least she knew what it was that attacked them. But it didn't help her in the fact that she couldn't quite control her magic. She remembered the feeling of when she had expressed her magic. All that anger, pain and will to cast down the creature came to full force in the name of friendship.....friendship..... FRIENDSHIP !!. "Thats it !" she sang as she almost had to control herself from leaping into the air. Luna nearly leaped into the air herself at Winters sudden outburst. "Trust me. When you realise it, you will know". Her reflection in the fountain. It told her that the secret was friendship and that she would know it when it happens. That's because she did know it. She had forced her full will into her magic in the name of protecting her friends. Its friendship that fuels her power not control. And why she had only just realised her magic now, because Twilight is her first friend and in making that friend had awakened her inner strength. As long as she had friends she did have control for it was acting through her desire and will to protect them. Winter was smiling. "I don't understand" said Luna with a worried expression, looking at Winter like she had lost her mind. "I think I just realised how to control my magic" she said with a wide ear to ear grin. "But... there is still allot I need to learn about it" she said as she looked to Luna her smile fading slightly. "Luna... I don't suppose you could teach me about Resonant Magic ?" she asked in hopes that Luna could help her know her magic better. "I'm afraid not. I mean I would love to, but we simply do not have time. However if we manage to get you home then I may be able to help you after all. If we do manage to get both you and Twilight home to your own time then I would very much like you to visit me. Take Twilight with you otherwise you wont be able to get passed the guards. But come find me and speak with me about it...of course the past me wont know about any of this here, but I know I will listen if you tell me something only I could know" said Luna as she bent down and whispered something in Winter's ear.

[GalacticWar_Xavier]

"Princes- What!? Wai-... What!!?" Airimus exclaimed, Twilight nodded, "Princess Luna! She was one of the regal goddesses who ruled Equestria." Airimus went over to a bench and sat down, bewildered, "That's.... Wow." he said, still speechless. He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to properly understand just what Twilight had said, that an ancient, divine being was now within walking distance. "How did-... I mean the Emperor..." Twilight couldn't help but feel funny as she watched Airimus stumble around mentally in complete awe, "Well... The Emperor and Luna aren't exactly friends, if you catch my drift. But they seem to understand that having a battle at any point would cause far too much unnecessary damage. I managed to convince him to summon her back to the world and now she's here, in Spike's room, teaching Winter how to use this spell we'll use to contact Princess Celestia." Airimus looked sternly at Twilight, "Now, I already don't like where this is going. I've never heard of any magic which interacts with the afterlife or beyond mortality." Twilight nodded, "It's Resonant Magic, pretty dangerous, too. But I know that we won't do it until we're absolutely sure we've planned for every possibility." Airimus nodded, though still unsure. A moment later, Rex walked in through the main doors, "Hey, everyone!" he said cheerfully.

"Rex, you wouldn't believe this!" Airimus said, "A goddess is here in the castle!" Twilight cringed a bit, though she understood his enthusiasm, she felt like he shouldn't be announcing it like a news crier, "Woah... Really!?" Airimus nodded, "Twilight! Tell me we can meet her." Airimus asked, looking very excited. Twilight looked unsure, "Well, I think she's teaching Winter right now... But once their done, she might be willing to see you all."

[Blue Fox]

Winter and Luna relaxed a little now that the lesson in the 'Eternities Lullaby' was done. "Spike, Winter has finished learning the spell, you and Twilight may return to us when you're ready" she said through her telepathy. As they waited both Princess Luna and Winter shared some conversation. They spoke about what had happened from when she woke up, up until now. It was a bit long but the Princess seemed to be interested. Luna told Winter of some of the studies she had done back in their time and now. She also confessed how lonely it was to be on the moon again and how nice it was to be talking to real Equestrians again. Winter felt for the Princess. She could only imagine how hard it must have been to exile yourself from a land you not only ruled....but loved.

Amalthea had her back against the wall. She too was in awe of the Princess actually being here in the castle. She was playing with her hair silently in thought about what she would possibly say to such a powerful being. It was then that Spike, who had been silent for a long while finally spoke up after hearing the Princess confirm that the lesson was over. "Um...Twilight, Luna and Winter are finished, she said you can return to them whenever you feel you're ready" he said before adding. "Even though i really don't want you too" he muttered.

[GalacticWar_Xavier]

Twilight nodded and took a deep breath, "Well... That was quicker than I thought it would have taken..." Spike put a large claw on Twilight's back, "If you're not feeling comfortable with it, yet, then I definitely don't want you to go." Airimus, Amalthea and Rex all looked confused, "I am ready, though, Spike. If we put it off, then we might run the risk of more problems arising. I know you wouldn't want that. I don't want that. No one wants that." Spike nodded sadly and fidgeted with his claws, he really did feel like he was a tiny little baby dragon again while he was around Twilight. Twilight looked at everyone and said, "Well... Everyone, I'll see you all later." She began trotting away toward Spike's room again, Spike stood there and watched her go, he intended to be there, but he couldn't move for the moment. Airimus shuffled, "Someone tell me why that sounded more like a farewell..." Spike looked down at everyone, "If this spell of theirs doesn't work... Twilight will die... She'll worse than die." Airimus raised a concerned eyebrow, "Is she sick!?" Spike shook his head, "They're using a spell to send Winter and Twilight into the Far Dream... The Afterlife. And if anything goes wrong, their souls will vanish from-... from existence." Airimus was aghast, "I must go." Spike then said quickly, and went toward his room as well.

Twilight cantered into the room and looked to Winter and Luna. She stayed quiet, thinking about how she would hold their souls to reality, and about how fragile her own tie would be. One slip and... She wouldn't be able to remember any pain if there were to be any. She looked to the floor and then back at her friend and the Night Princess, "Are you two sure you two want to do this now?" Twilight asked, finally giving voice to her fear and deep instinctual want to avoid this entire process and continue living without the risk. She had to truly will her confidence through it, "If you are, I'm ready."

[Blue Fox]

Luna frowned. "No Twilight are YOU sure you want to do this. This is not a decision i can make for you" she said as her expression went to one more sympathetic. Winter sighed. She too was filled with fear but she knew this was the only way and to turn back no after all the work they did just seemed pointless. "I'm sure" said Winter quietly. She couldn't manage to force any more volume into her voice as she was obviously scared about what was going to happen, and rightfully so. "Then take your positions. Remember your physical selves will be sleeping so make sure your comfortable before we begin". Winter levitated the cushions from Spikes chair and put them on the floor around them so that they could rest on them while they were in the Far Dream. Spike looked worried as he watched the mares prepare themselves. He wished he could go with them and make sure they were ok but he knew such magic wouldn't extend to Dragons. Some magic was just not meant for him. He fidgeted with his claws again as he watched. When everyone was ready. Winter and Luna began the song. The most beautiful sound filled the room as both mares experienced a bright white light that began to engulf them. Winter could start to feel Twilights soul and she began binding them together through the practise that Luna had taught her. When she had a secure anchor on Twilight souls she pushed on though the wall of light, deeper and deeper until Luna's voice faded away into nothingness. For a second Winter was scared something was going wrong but as the white began to clear she finished the final verse of the song which would bring Twilight to her side once more.

[GalacticWar_Xavier]

Twilight rested herself against the cushion, her mind racing through everything she had experienced. She thought about her parents, Princess Celestia, her Ponyville friends, and then finally Winter. She promised herself that she would make peace with everything in her life. Twilight took a final deep breath before nodding for the two to begin. She listened to every note they sang with all of her attention, taking in the haunting melody and wondrous sounds of their voices. The Eternity's Lullaby filled her ears and she felt like weights were being lifted off of her. She felt drowsiness overcome her and she was just about to fall asleep when suddenly, everything seemed sharper and clearer than it likely ever had in her entire life, though her eyes were still closed. Twilight opened her eyes and squinted in unexpected shining light. Though she knew her hooves weren't moving she knew that she was moving, and she felt Winter guiding her on. Twilight had figured out what she had needed to do ahead of time and was ready. The light grew more intense and Twilight closed her eyes, readying herself. She felt her hooves touch solid ground. Immediately she invoked the spell and all the numbness of being separated from one's body went away. Twilight opened her eyes.

Winter was next to her, just finishing the final note of the Lullaby. Twilight smiled warmly to her, "Winter! You did it!" she said excitedly. She looked at where they were. It was sight unlike Twilight had ever even imagined before. It was a vast grassy plain with flowers and a few trees here and there, but at the edges of it, it suddenly dropped off, and floating in the sky and stretching into the horizon were gargantuan flying continents. That was the only word Twilight could come up with to describe it, continents. A lot of the sky was still visible, and almost cloudless. Though it was blue like it was midday, stars were visible and formed a backdrop around the Sun. On the ground, floating in the air and even built into the sides of the floating land masses were buildings of a make Twilight had never before seen. Across the field, ponies pranced and played, Pegasi soared by, doing whatever daring tricks they desired, knowing no harm could possibly come to them in this paradise. The bridging spell wasn't difficult at all, but Twilight wondered how long it'd take them to find Princess Celestia in all this.

[Blue Fox]

When Winter reached the other side and saw Twilight reappear next to her it took her full force of will not to leap at her with a hug. She had been so worried about her soul and this trip that the thoughts of loosing her and being doomed with the guilt were almost enough for her to call it off. But then she knew Twilight wouldn't want that and would only blame herself if Winter had done otherwise. "Thank Celestia ! I was so terrified" she admitted to Twilight before looking back at the surroundings. This place was certainly a paradise. And it gave Winter relief to know that this was where she would go when time eventually caught up with her and the reaper pony welcomed her to the far beyond. She had to wonder though. In these days not every pony was born with pure good inside them and if they were it was buried deep. So she wondered what happened to the ponies that were evil and twisted by the darker magic's. She looked around at all the Ponies playing and speaking as if they hadn't a care in the world. In a way it reminded her allot of home and she suddenly became very home sick. She looked to Twilight and gave her a pleasant smile. "Well this place looks big...so i guess we better get started" she said as she took the first few steps into the Far Dream. Everything felt so real and perfect. Winter had to wonder where a goddess of the sun would be in a place like this.