8 Realms of Magic (MLP)

Episode 2: Bearers of the Cosmic Seed, part 1 | Ch 2

The world around Star changed so fast. A mere moment ago she found herself surrounded by the nebula of space and tendrils of roots. And through the layer of Nimbus, Star drowned within a sea of thick clouds.

The clouds hampered her sight, blinding her like a thick mist. Her flailing hooves were hidden by its mass.

"Ratty!" Star called. She hoped to hear her brother's voice to assure his safety. However, the turbulence of her fall muffled her hearing. She could barely even make out her own voice.

She also felt her coat dampen. She could taste pure water from the cloud splash upon her tongue as she screamed louder for Ratty.

But then she finally broke out of the clouds and descended upon a majestic sight.

Around her, Star she could see islands composed of clouds floating amongst the sky. Each inhabited ponds, lakes, waterfalls, and vegetation. Atop the trees grew wispy tops that looked more like a giant cotton candy.

Star knew the realm of Nimbus to be a world of eternal skies—numerous floating islands and constant litters of clouds drifting across its space. The way its nature functioned was far unlike her own in Sollothus, the realm of light.

Star felt dazzled by the wondrous skies, however, she did not have time to ponder upon its allure. She would have no time to explore the mysteries of this realm if she couldn't save herself first. Star searched her surroundings and finally discovered Ratty falling meters away from herself.

"Hey!" Star called to him. "Ratty!" She could see Ratty's lip smoke, but the cutting air muffled any sound he sent her way. Star sifted through her purse and withdrew a lasso. She enchanted

words of runes as its inscriptions lit an auric glow. Star then threw it towards Ratty, wounding tight on his stomach. Star yanked on the lasso hard, pulling Ratty fast within her grasp.

"Got you!" Star declared.

"Look out below!" Ratty shouted and pointed at a lake beneath them.

The two were fast approaching the lake. At this rate, they might not be able to save themselves out of the water if they hit it.

Star quickly erected a barrier around them. It splashed roughly into the river, scaring off small critters—tortoise, rabbits, and frogs—lounging near the lake.

Star hoped for the buoyancy of the river to eventually raise them back to the surface, but instead, her barrier sank and pierced through the bottom. Star and her brother found themselves continuing their descension from the sky.

"Oh, come on!" Star shouted.

A large body of water sprinkled beside them, coming from the gaping hole they left from the island above.

"Hit another island," Ratty suggested. "Maybe next time we'll stick."

Star discovered another island below with a lake to absorb her fall. Star kicked the barrier to adjust it towards the lake.

When it crashed into the lake, Star and Ratty hoped this would be the end of their fall. However, the barrier pierced through the island.

To make matters worse, Star noted a large piece of barrier had chipped off from above. That and Ratty had mysteriously disappeared from her side. Star looked up at the island above and found Ratty gaping down at her from the flushing lake.

"Well, at least he's safe," Star said. She knew her brother to be a good swimmer, confident he would swim up to the surface fast enough before the lake could drain completely.

Star harnessed her horn that elicited a black glow. The dark glow spread across her body, giving her an eerie black aura that slithered like incense smoke.