//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: The Ice Age // Story: The Disarray Trilogy Part 2: The Great And Powerful Trixie // by Ink Blotch //------------------------------// The Disarray Trilogy Part 2 The Great and Powerful Trixie By Walker “Ink Blotch” Holden Chapter 3: The Ice Age Vivid colors streaked past Twilight and friends just as they had before the last time they had journeyed into the strange zone known only as the void. But this time instead of every color one could imagine the void was instead filled with only white, cyan, blue and other more cold colors. It was almost as if the void was reflecting the condition of Equestria. This made one such as Twilight think. Could the void be alive? Could it be directly affected by Equestria? These thoughts and more traversed the unicorn’s thoughts but she pulled herself back to reality. She had to be sure that her friends were safe. A quick glance around proved that all were still accounted for. She could tell that her friends were scared of the void after their last encounter, Fluttershy especially had her eyes shut tightly and she continued to squeeze Rainbow Dash to the point that the blue pegasus might have popped. Beside Twilight Monarch was still grasping her hoof. His eyes were now open and he stared at the lights mouth hanging open. Beside him Silver Lining and Rage both held on to their brother. Silver had his eyes open and seemed less impressed with the void then his brother. Rage had only his left eye open half way and he squinted at the sights of the void rushing past. Twilight was unsure how long the trip would last, the last time they had travelled through the void she had not been very concerned with timekeeping and this time there was more magic and ponies to take into account. Twilight began to build a formula in her mind on void travel time but before she could get very far a light caught her eye. Unlike the other auroras of the void this light was shaped more like a door. This marked the end of their travel, the “door” rapidly grew closer and closer until finally Twilight could not bear to look directly at the source of the light. Then Twilight felt cold. She reopened her eyes and saw that the void was gone and in its absence Canterlot stood only a short distance away. Twilight had brought them just outside Canterlot past the small lake outside the walls to avoid causing a commotion. Now though she wasn't sure that she would have. Canterlot once colored purple and gold from a distance now appeared white. Ice gleamed off of every surface and unlike Ponyville snow was nowhere to be found. Even the grass that the ponies now stood on was completely crystallized and shattered at the slightest touch. The lake waterfall were a marvel to behold as if frozen in time every drop of water was frozen in place. Even near the shore a splash of where somepony had thrown a stone into the water was frozen catching the light and throwing it around. Everypony was speechless whether in horror or awe was to each their own. Everypony had one thought on their mind and Rage spoke that thought out. “Well this sucks.” ***************************************************************************************** It had not taken the ponies long to reach the gate of Canterlot. Along the way they had seen no other ponies and at the gate this remained a fact. The roads were frozen over and were quite slippery if one was not careful. While Twilight tried her best to stay stable while she walked Pinkie hopped along without the slightest trouble. Finally after much difficulty the nine made it to the gates of Canterlot. The drawbridge was lowered but the gates themselves closed and frozen. On the right side of the gate was the guard house encased in ice. Twilight stood before the gates and slowly melted the ice with a spell from her horn slowly sending a beam down and around the gate. Once melted Twilight pulled on the handle with all of her strength. The gate would not budge. “Drat It’s locked”. She said “We will have to find the key first.” Applejack shrugged “Simple ‘nough.” She then proceeded to buck the door of the guard house down.” “Applejack!” Twilight yelled in surprise and shock. “Sorry Twilight but we jus don't have time to unfreeze every door we come across now do we?” Before Twilight could continue Applejack and her friends had already piled in Rarity being the last as she said to Twilight “Don't worry darling, in an emergency it is needed for somepony to be brash even if it means being ugh, uncivilized.” Rarity and Twilight entered the crowded guard house where everypony struggled to find a spot to stand. “OW, that's my tail!” “Oh, excuse me...” “Ah dropped ma hat don't step on it!” “ Who touched my flank!?” “Sorry thought you were Pinkie.” “Ok someponies have have got to get out. Monarch stay with me everypony else ou- Silver! Wrong again.” Once everypony was out and only Twilight and Monarch were left the guard house had much more room to move. The guard house was small and probably was only meant for two or three ponies, the inside of the house also had not been spared the freeze over of the outside. A stool sat in front of a window meant for the guards to speak to whomever was outside. The only other piece of furniture was a counter that only had a coffee maker, a radio and a stack of old magazines. The only other object in the house was the odd ice outcropping in the center. “Finally,” Twilight let out a breathe of relief “now we can find the key. We might have to use dowsing spells but it shouldn't take too lo-” “Found it.” Monarch said pulling an emerald key off a hook on the wall. “Oh, well at least now we can get in.” Twilight turned to leave “I still can't help but wonder where everypony is. You would think that the guards would be patrolling the entire perimeter at a time like this.” Monarch still holding the key tapped the ice mound. Squinting his eyes he used his leg to wipe in a circle and he looked deeply into the ice before nearly tripping over himself jumping back. Monarch’s face was tensed in horror and his breathing had increased drastically. Twilight had slipped over in surprise of Monarch’s jump but she had to know what had startled the colt. Looking into the area that Monarch had wiped clean Twilight squinted to see what he had seen. All Twilight saw was blurred white, but then a glimmer of gold caught her eye. She squinted and could make out more golden yellow and the white seemed less blurred. Finally Twilight saw blue that almost seemed to be looking back at her. Twilight nearly jumped out of her skin. “Th-thats a-a...” “Yeah a guard. Frozen solid.” “But is he” Twilight swallowed hard before she could say the word. “Is he dead?” “Not gonna lie Sparkle, it doesn't look too good for him.” Monarch gritted his teeth, when he looked at Twilight she looked to be on the verge of tears. Quickly he came up with something to try and keep her from crying. “But it’s impossible to say for sure. This cold is unpredictable, I mean Canterlot got frozen over while Ponyville got snowed in. Then Cloudsdale gets snowed over, that shouldnt even be possible since it’s above the clouds.” Twilight sniffled and wiped the tears from her eyes.She didn't look much better but she seemed to be able to go on. “You’re right Monarch, we can't jump to conclusions yet. *sniff* We have to keep going it’s the only way we are going to help anypony.” “That’s the spirit. Come on the others are waiting.” “Should we tell them about...” “Hmm... Probably. Even if we didn't there is a chance that we are going to find more ponies like this.” “What makes you say that?” “Sparkle, I think I have an idea of what is doing all this but the chance that I am right is incredibly slim. The only way for me to confirm it is to speak with Celestia and Discord. Until then I don't want to get anypony’s hopes up.” Twilight wanted to question Monarch more but when he had finished he had trotted outside before giving her a chance. She knew that Monarch meant well but she didn't care, she had to know what he thought so she could at least have some ground to stand on. She was the only one in the group with any family in Canterlot and if anything happened to them... “No... I’m wrong. A lot of my friends has somepony important to them in Canterlot. Rainbow Dash has the wonderbolts, Rarity has that Fancypants fellow and I would not put it past Applejack to have family here. Then Monarch has Discord...” “Twilight!” Rainbow called for her. “Come on slowpoke the gate is open we gotta get going.” “Coming girls be right with you.” Twilight gave one last look to the frozen guard before leaving. “I promise to do everything I can to help you.” ***************************************************************************************** The streets of Canterlot sparkled from the slightest beam of light causing the already stunning city to become gorgeous. The entire city looked as if it was made from diamonds. As a result this ended up being a bit of a distraction to one pony in particular “Oh my, just look at that lamp posts darlings. And that building is simply divine.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes as Rarity continued to coo at every last sparkling inch of Canterlot. “Oh yeah Rarity and take a look at that bedazzling mailbox.” Rainbow said sarcastically. “Where, Where?” Rainbow and a few of the others couldn't help but laugh. “Hmph, go on and laugh but it takes a refined eye to recognize such beauty.” “Yeah Rarity.” Exclaimed Pinkie Pie “Just look at how shiny everything is. Oooh pretty.” Pinkie said while she stared deeply into a frozen over fire hydrant. “Well, perhaps not too refined.” “Are we to the castle yet?” Complained Rage. “It’s a bit too corpsey for me out here.” On que Monarch hit Rage over the head with his hoof. “Nyah! I only said it cause it’s true!” Rage was referring to the many more frozen ponies that they had found upon entering the city. When Monarch had explained the state of the guard from the guard house it had been met with the utmost horror. When they passed the gate they found two more guards in the same condition and past them frozen citizens of Canterlot. It had taken much coaxing to convince Fluttershy to even take another step into the city. But once they had mentioned the animals at Canterlot gardens Fluttershy was convinced to go in order to check on the animals. “We don't actually know if they are... Deceased yet Rage. Now quiet down, we’ll be at the castle at any moment.” Rage continued with his usual muttering under his breath as they made their way through the streets. When he was out of earshot to his brother Monarch asked Twilight “Hey, uh just how farther is it to the castle anyway?” Twilight giggled “Just a few more blocks, we should be able to see it in a moment. But i’ve been thinking...” “Yeah?” “I-it’s nothing, it’s just what if Celestia and Luna are...” She trailed off. “Oh, hadn't thought of that. I just assumed that they would be powerful enough to not get frozen. But now that you mention it I can't help but wonder.” “For Equestria’s sake I hope you are right If they were frozen I don't know what we wo-” Twilight was unable to finish her sentence because at that moment she bumped into Applejack who was standing completely still along with all the other ponies. “Sorry Aj, what's the matter?” All Applejack could do was point ahead of her her eyes wide and mouth hanging open. Twilight and Monarch looked towards where Applejack was pointing and saw the spires of Canterlot castle but beneath the spires the majority of the castle was encased in a cube of ice. “I feel like we should have seen that coming” Said Silver. Twilight was exasperated and fell to her knees. “B-but that isn't possible. The castle is protected by numerous protection spells it shouldnt even be able to have ice on the outside.” Twilight had been expecting to see citizens inside the castle taking shelter from the cold but know if the castle had been frozen over then that meant they had little hope at all. “At least now we know that this was all intentional.” Twilight blinked pulling herself out of her daze and she pulled herself back to her hooves to face Monarch.“Wh-what do you mean?” But the unicorn shrugged and nodded his head towards Rage. Rage still looking at the castle had not seen Twilight ask Monarch and not him so he continued. “Well, I mean just look at the ice. No way that’s pegasus made.” “Oh yeah?” Challenged Rainbow “and just how would you know that?” “Because there is no way that any pegasus could do that. That is just too big.” “But then why do you say that it was intentional?” Asked Twilight. “Because that block of ice is too perfectly made. Somepony must have put a lot of work into that.” Twilight saw the sense in what Rage was saying but this left a question unanswered. “But then who could have-” “H-hey is somepony over there?” Everypony was silent. It seemed too good to be true to hear another pony’s voice in the city. But sure enough from around the corner a brown stallion in guards armor stumbled and slipped on the ice towards them with a look of pure joy plastered on his face. “Oh wow, real ponies. I thought for sure that this was just a wild goose chase but... Hey wait aren't you Twilight Sparkle?” The pony got really close to Twilight’s face making her feel uncomfortable “Um, Yes.” The pony’s smile grew even larger. “Oh thank Celestia, Captain Armor will be ecstatic.” “Wait, Shining armor? My brother?” Twilights eyes were shining now. “Yeah he and his wife Cadence found me and my friend this morning and we have been hiding out in their house ever since.” “But then what are you doing out here now?” Monarch asked with a cocked eyebrow. “Oh, the captain had me and my friend go out and look for survivors. The three of us went out about an hour ago, by my guess they are probably on their way back to the house by now.” Twilight seemed like she was about to burst from joy. “What are we waiting for then? Let’s go meet up with them.” “Hold on Twilight.” “What Monarch?” “Is it really a good idea for us to go with a strange pony that we have never met before?” “But Monarch he’s our only chance to find anypony.” “Or he means to lure us into a trap.” “What other choice do we have?” “Continue on our own.” “And do what wander aimlessly?” “I am just saying we need to think this through before following him.” “Why are you being so suspicious of the first pony we find who wants to help us?” The pony cleared his throat getting their attention. “Oh no he is perfectly in the right to have suspicion. My name is Hilt, I’m a private on the palace guard. I can't really prove it though, but I promise you you can trust me.” Twilight felt that she could trust Hilt fully. So, tired of Monarch’s stubbornness Twilight decided that it was time for her to take charge. “Alright Hilt please lead the way.” “Great, we’re going to the sculpture garden.” Hilt happily turned and trotted his way to the side of the frozen castle. Twilight followed but knew that Monarch wouldn't be happy about this. But she didn't care. “He is always such a big baby about these kind of things.” She thought angrily “Right now I bet he's sulking at the back of the group.” Twilight glared over her shoulder but saw that Monarch was still following right behind her and didn't look the least bit angered. Twilight was confused but didn't care. She was going to see her brother, a part of her family that she knew wasn't frozen into a ponysicle. This thought erased her anger and peace filled her mind once more. ***************************************************************************************** “So then Blade and I thought we would hide out in some abandoned jewel mines underneath the castle until the captain was done giving out last minute winter wrap up duties. We decided to bring a few sub sandwiches and some cards and just hang out for the night. But when we tried to leave the next morning the trap door that lead to the guards washroom was locked tight. We panicked for a while but then we found another trap door that opened to the statue garden. Apparently one of the statues that had been blocking it off but when Discord attacked about a year back it must have been destroyed and so the way was open.” Hilt had been helping to pass the time by telling the story of how he and his friend Blade had escaped from the overnight freeze over from the night before. Apparently Chrysalis the queen of the Changelings had not been the only one to know about the ancient mines. Hilt and Blade had discovered the caverns on their first year and had since used it as a hangout for themselves. “After awhile we found the captain and Princess Miamora Cadenza and we made a makeshift shelter. The captain then had me and Blade go out and look for survivors while he and Princess Cadenza stayed behind to improve our shelter.” “Uggh” Groaned Rage from the middle of the group. “Enough with the exposition. I realize this sounds really cliche but, are we there yet?” Hilt looked around at his surroundings and bit down on his lip. “Uhm, well by the looks of these building’s distance from the castle I would say that the garden is is around... There.” Hilt pointed to a nearby frozen archway. “Finally.” The troop of ponies made their way past the archway but Hilt signaled them to stop the with an outstretched leg. “What’s up?” Rainbow asked. Shifting his eyes Hilt quietly answered “I think we’re being watch-” “Surprise!” At that moment another brown colt in guards armor leapt from atop the archway and landed on Hilt. The colt laughed hysterically while Hilt squirmed and called uncle trying to escape. All the others could do was stare in astonishment. “C’mon Blade let me go.” “Nuh uh. Not until you say you're a little filly.” “C’mon just get off.” “Who’s a little filly?” “I am ok? I am.” “Yes you are.” The colt finally let off of Hilt allowing him to breathe. Hilt caught his breath while the other guard snickered at him. “Well Hilt i'm surprised you actually found somepony in this wasteland.” “Yeah, but shouldnt you be out looking for survivors as well?” “I was but then I got bored so I decided to hideout here until you came back. Well worth the wait in my opinion.” Rainbow whispered to her friends “Who is this guy?” “I don't know.” Replied Silver “But I like him” “Anyway” Blade said changing the subject. “I have to say I am impressed Hilt I never thought that you would be able to find anypony much less a group of beautiful mares.” Blade looked at each of them almost sizing them up. This made Twilight feel a mix of embarrassment and disgust, she could only guess what the others were feeling. Hilt sensing this displeasure rolled his eyes at Blade. “Yes I found them a few blocks away. This is Twilight you know the captains sister?” This almost instantly got Blade to stop. “Oh, uh, Then I guess that these are the elements of harmony then.” “Yes they are.” “Ah, yeah I got it. But then who are those?” Blade asked desperately hoping to change the subject. “They are, they are, uh I actually don't know.” “Oh how how rude of me.” Monarch exclaimed. “My name is Monarch and these are my brothers Rage and SIlver Lining.” Blade cocked an eyebrow. “Why do those names sound familiar. “Oh we’re just good friends of Twilight so you probably heard about us from Shining Armor or Celestia.” Hilt and Blade seemed satisfied but now Twilight couldn't help but think of what if the brothers were on some sort of blacklist in Canterlot. But this overall wouldn't matter at the moment. “Ok then Hilt, lets stop wasting time and go show the captain who we found.” “Yeah. Hey wait, what do you mean by we?” ***************************************************************************************** Shining Armor was not feeling well. Not to say he was sick but he definitely didn't feel good. In one night the entire city of Canterlot had been frozen completely over. Every citizen and almost every guard was frozen in ice, even the castle was inaccessible. He did have one thing working for him however. Cadence the love of his life was still around with him. He would have fallen apart if she hadn't been with him on this day. They had built an igloo together with their magic and soon after found Hilt and blade who while lazy and almost delinquent like would be a great help and gave him some hope for other survivors. One thing that bothered Shining Armor though was that Hilt and Blade had a reason to be safe since they had been literally underground but he and Cadenced had been in their house and most of it had been frozen except a small portion of their bedroom. It was useless to think this over and instead Shining returned to his task of packing snow into their igloo to make it warmer on the inside. Cadence meanwhile was putting the finishing touches on a beacon that she had made from a crystal from the mines Hilt and Blade had been hiding in. The beacon sat atop one of the status and when the light hit it a beam of light would shoot towards the sky signaling any survivors. Still with their plans going smoothly Shining couldn't help but want something really good to happen to them soon. Sometimes the universe gives you a freebie. “Captain Armor sir? We’re back and we found some ponies.” Shining’s spirits were lifted by this news but nothing could have prepared him for what he saw when he turned around. “Twi-Twilee?” There was no mistaking it Twilight and her friends were all right there before his very eyes. Nothing could have made him happier at that moment. Shining rushed to his sister who was also doing the same and they met in embrace. “I was so worried about you when we got to the city.” “I didn't think I would have anyway to communicate with you. I wasnt even sure I would be able to leave the city. Oh hold” Shining quickly sprinted past the igloo and out of sight. A moment later he could be heard shouting “Cadence, quick come see who Hilt and Blade found!” “Hold on i'm coming just give me a second and- there.” Past the igloo a beam of purple light shot up to the sky illuminating the spot. “Ok, now who did they find?” “you are never going to believe it but it’s Twilee and her friends.” Excited chatter could be heard between the couple on their trek to the igloo but the noise that everypony was hearing the most at the moment wa Rage’s laughter. “What's got yer saddle in a twist?” Applejack asked. Rage pulled himself together “Twilee? Ha, I am never letting you live that one down Twilee.” Twilight didn't care about Rage’s attitude and instead allowed herself to be happy to not only see her brother again but also Cadence alongside him. Explanations were exchanged and stories told between the two siblings, for the time they took shelter in the igloo. After both sides explained their situations and how they had come to them a question came up from Shining Armor. “So Twilight who are your new friends?” Twilight having been so absorbed into reuniting with her brother that she had nearly forgotten that she would have to introduce the brothers to her brother. Luckily Monarch had not and had prepared for this. The way he saw it was that either Celestia had told her captain all about the brothers and he would either form his own opinion of them or follow Celestia blindly, more likely the latte in Monarch’s mind, or Celestia will have kept him in the dark of the situation. Monarch decided that perhaps the best way to deal with Shining Armor would be to be honest but attempt to talk circles around him. Before Twilight could respond Monarch was already at it. “Ah yes, well my name is Monarch Wisdom Disarray and these are my brothers Silver Lining Disarray and Rage Disarray. You might remember us we sent the tupperware set to the wedding. Anyway we haven't met but we have known your sister and her friends for about a year. I guess you could say that we do have some political tie ins but we don't really like getting fully involved with Celestia. Anyways there isn't much you need to know about us besides that we want to help and I actually believe that I may have figured-” “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down buddy. I got most of that. It’s alright a friend of Twilight’s is a friend of mine.” This gave Monarch more to work with, now he knew what Shining knew or more appropriately didn't know. “Sorry, but anyway after quite a bit of thinking and experimenting I believe that I have figured out what has caused this freeze over of Equestria.” Silence, Monarch just sitting there with his usual smug grin. Twilight couldn't believe him. “And?” “Now just hear me out on this.” Monarch paused for a moment and then said “Windigos.” More silence followed by a face hoof by Twilight. “Monarch... No, just no. That’s what you have thought has caused this the whole time? That makes no sense. The windigoes are from a hearth’s warming eve story not even that but a myth. What possible reasoning could have lead you to believe that?” “I'm glad you asked that my dearest Ms. Sparkle.” “Here we go.” Rage muttered laying down to sleep. “You see the first time I suspected the windigoes was when in Ponyville whenever the crowd began to argue the snow would fall more rapidly. This matched the windigoe’s ability in the story to freeze ponies with negative feelings to each other. After that when we arrived at Canterlot you may remember our frozen friend in the guardhouse, he matched the description of a victim to the windigos to a T. As for the city itself it would seem that the ones responsible flash froze it and especially put work into the one place they would know that the greatest threat to them would be residing; Canterlot castle. With the princesses out of the way they would believe that they were safe from enemies. Also when we first met Hilt I conducted an experiment where I angered Twilight, sorry about that by the way, and the results were that when Twilight got mad it got colder meaning that the windigo magic was lingering.So what do you think now?” Twilight sighed “It still doesn't make sense, Windigoes don't exist and if they did don't you think they would have tried to take over Equestria a little sooner?” Monarch shook his head in that way of speaking to a child. “Twilight I thought you would have learned by now to think out of the box. Maybe something was stopping them from attacking or maybe they were waiting for the right time to strike like a moment of weakness for Equestria.” “But” Said Shining Armor “Equestria is not weak right now in fact it might be at one of its highest points.” “Easy soldier boy, I didn't say it was. I really think that we need more information anyway and I know just where to get it. Tell me soldier boy, is Canterlot tower at all accessible?” “Uh, yeah it’s not frozen somepony could probably get in, Why?” Monarch was now smiling ear to ear. “Because now we have not only a witness that probably has previous experience with windigoes but also the elements of harmony.” Ironically it had been when Monarch had said too little and slowly rather than too much and fast that Shining got confused. “A witness? Who?” “Why don't you come with me and find out?” “Fine then.” “Ok then that makes you, me Silver and Rage anypony else want to come?” Pinkie happy to have a chance to move joyfully hopped up. “Ooh! Me,me,me.” “Well I suppose I had better come as well.” Said Twilight. “If only to make sure you three don't forget the elements. Even though I doubt that there are any windigoes I feel as if we will need them.” Monarch nodded in agreement. “Right then let’s go” ***************************************************************************************** “Would you mind telling me who we are meeting yet?” Shining Armor asked crossley. Monarch just laughed. “But the surprise is the best part.” The group was now in Canterlot tower and had made their way past the foyer. Now they were heading up the stairs towards the second floor where the elements were kept. The inside of the tower was just as frosted as the outside causing the colored shards of light from the windows to reflect upon the icy ground. Twilight was beginning to sense her brother’s nerves coming short. “It’s ok he’s always like this you get used to it.” “Yeah and are they always like that?” Shining was referring to the grumbling of Rage, a colorful slew of curses and complaints coming from under his breath, and Silver who was fawning over Pinkie from the air both whispering Celestia knew what to each other. “Would you be surprised if I said yes?” “I would Twilight.” “Uh,ok that was really a rhetorical question.” Shining was looking around himself. “That wasn't me.” “No, it was me.” If Discord could have made a less dramatic entrance he certainly hadn't tried. When they had reached the top of the stairs Discord had been waiting in the first window closest to Shining Armor. Shining Armor then caught off guard by the talking window lost his footing on the last step and fell down a few steps of the staircase. “That picture just talked.” Was all he could manage. Discord rolled is two-dimensional eyes. “Oh how original, and i’m a window not a picture. On another note it is oh so lovely to see you all again. How have things been?” Monarch shrugged “Not so bad ups and downs, the world seems to be freezing over at the moment but besides that it’s ok.” Discord and Monarch continued their idle conversation while Shining Armor picked himself up and continued to stare. “Twilight? What is going on?” “Well to make a very long story short, Basically Monarch and his brothers are the sons of DIscord who at the moment is imprisoned in the windows of Canterlot tower. After a couple of near death experiences the brothers now live in ponyville. Silver works on the weather team and is dating Pinkie Pie, Rage is on the police force and is dating a town troubadour and Monarch doesn't actually work he just stays at home playing around with science kits. Does any of that make any sense?” Shining Armor slowly nodded his head. “Good, cause we’re kind of just going headfirst right now. Monarch?” “Hm? Oh yeah. So Dad, we were wondering if you knew exactly what attacked Canterlot and the rest of Equestria?” “Oh yes of course it would have been pretty hard to miss.” “So?” “So what?” “What was it?” “Oh nothing too threatening just some windigoes from a few thousand years back.” “Aha! I told you guys I was right.” Monarch proudly exclaimed with a proud smug grin. “Monarch.” Discord said sternly. “Calm yourself, nopony likes a sore winner.” Monarch’s grin faded quickly. “But dad-” “No buts you must watch yourself or be shunned for your boastfulness of your superior abilities.” “Yes, father.” “There’s a good boy.” Twilight now was just as dumbfounded as her brother, not only had Discord talked down to Monarch but had also been able to hurt his pride. “Anyways” Continued Discord. “I assume that you want to know all about the windigoes don't you?” “Yes.” Said Twilight. “As quickly as possible please.” “Very well here is the cliff’s notes version: A few thousand years ago during an age where Equestria was on the verge of civil war a herd of windigoes, supposedly the ones of the hearth’s warming eve’s story, were making their way to Equestria. King Concentus of course had me take action and by using some powerful interdimensional magic I sealed the beasts into a jar. Don't ask me how I don't even remember. So basically it means somepony has been monkeying in my laboratory and has released the windigoes once more. What you need to do is take the elements and do your friendship rainbow beam thingy. Questions?” Shining Armor raised his hoof. “Any that aren't about my being in a window? Shining’s hoof went down. But Twilight had one “Well, why didn't the windigoes freeze Canterlot tower if the elements can stop them so easily?” “Simple, the elements weren't around at the time the windigoes first attacked so there would be no way for them to know about said elements.” “Uhm,” Shining grunted “I have one” “Shoot” “Well me and my wife were at our own house but we weren't affected by the windigoes at all. How come?” Discord scratched his goat beard. “Hmm, your the captain of the guards right? Shining Armor?” “Yes.” “And you married Princess Miamora correct?” “Yes.” “And her magical profession is ‘love’? “Yes. I think I see where this is going. Her magic shielded us from the windigoes ability to freeze ponies with anger and hatred right?” “Give the stallion a cigar!” Twilight now understood the situation and it seemed pretty straight forward. “So, when should we leave?” DIscord replied “Probably in the morning would be best. Get a good night’s sleep but also I need you to find one thing for me.” “What?” “A mirror or a locket preferably for me to ride in.” “Why?” “The trail you trek is a long one and you shall need a guide. I am the only one present with the knowledge of the location of my laboratory so you shall need me. That aside get going, it is nearly nightfall and you all need to be properly rested.” Silver and Rage who had been standing there the whole time looked disappointed at these words. Discord picked up on this and said to them “Do not fret my sons we shall have much time ahead to talk for now save your strength.” Both nodded. All ponies satisfied with their find made their way to leave. Before they got half way down the stairs though Discord called out one last time. “Oh yes Twilight. I am also looking forward to us having some quality talk time.”