//------------------------------//
// Chapter 7: Grasping Ice 
// Story: Frozen Equestria 
// by Flashburn37 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 7: Grasping Ice
“That’s an amazing story Flash, you should write about it someday.” Auto suggested.
“I think I will! Now what do we do from here?” 
“Well, tell the Princess about your joining, but apart from that, we just need to watch and gather information on the enemy forces. Unfortunately your actions may have sped up the wheels of war and we need to be prepared to send word at any moment that a strike is coming. I believe the public has taken to calling these ponies, Freezers. Maybe we should as well?” Anti-Freeze answered and offered.
“Agreed, we’ll need posts on their front line in these three locations,” He gestured to the map pointing at their current location and one to the West as well as one to the East. “I suggest we split into three groups two in the ones on either side and the rest of us here in the central base. We will work in shifts between keeping watch, scouting, and resting. For now I want Rogue and Wild to go to the East while James and I head to the west. That way we have wings on the outside and James is the lightest on his hooves amongst all of you. Anti, Shadow, and Flash hold out here, does everyone agree?” Auto strategized all the while marking the map with enemy positions and different routes for possible escape and invasion.
They all approved the plan, and James asked, “What of the Crystal Empire? How do they fair?”
“The shield is strong and Evendra wouldn’t risk attacking them. Their magic is far too powerful.”
“Why not call on them for aid?”
“Their magic is solely defensive and isn’t so powerful as to shield all of Equestria.”
“Where are Twilight and her friends? Aren’t they usually the ones that Celestia throws at everything to end all of Equestria's problems?”
“As of yet, they are missing.”
***
Rarity crawled out of the ruins covered in mud and filth. “I am filthy! How long have we been in there? I’ll have to run to the next town and get help!” And she galloped off toward the town. It was about five days of travel away, luckily they had packed loads of extra food and with Twilight’s rationing her friends should last at least a few more weeks. She would have to hurry though.
***
Celestia was sitting in the throne room when yet another stack of papers were brought in by her secretary. “More tax sheets?”
“Nope, these are the preliminary recruiting and resource gathering reports. Also there is a letter from the Horn and one from Anti-Freeze.”
“I’ll take the letter from Anti-Freeze first, the Horn can wait, they always do.” She levitated the letter over to herself and read it. “We have recovered a recruit by the name of Flashburn and gained the loyalties of Shadowfax once more. Wait! Flashburn? How many criminals is he going to recruit? Check the name Shadowfax will you? No telling who she might be. Is she the Assassin we’ve been chasing?”
“No that was Shadowblade.”
“Wouldn’t put it past him.”
***
“Forward the plans Absol! You know what will happen if we allow them to use the Elements of Harmony!”
“Your will be done my Queen.” Absol exited the chamber that held the scrying pool. It was incredible how, even though they spoke through magical communication, exactly how much power he felt when she spoke. “Squad one! I have a mission for you! One of such importance that I will be accompanying you. We are going to remove the Elements Of HARMONY FROM THE POSSESSION OF THE TYRANT CELESTIA AND THE FALSE NIGHTMARE MOON!” He heard a cheer from around him as all but the ones he had selected celebrated on such a brave strike. Squad one knew it was a suicide mission that only he Absol would escape from, but they had their orders.
***
“This is strange.” Anti said as she looked through her binoculars. “There is a commotion in the central camp. Absol gave a speech.”
“Is he rallying them?” Flash inquired.
“I have no idea, but it seems that one squad is unhappy… I recognize them… that one is Bladeheart. That one is Snowchaser. That is the most loyal squad he has. Why are they so unhappy I wonder?”
“Maybe they were selected for something?”
“Flash… that’s a good guess actually. We should scout it out. By the way how did Auto find you?”
“I was on a boat and when we landed he was waiting for me.”
“I think I recognize your name from somewhere.”
“I’m nopony.” They then trotted toward the enemy encampment.
***
“Why did I have to pull watch again?” A voice complained from up on the hill that separated Flash and Anti from the encampment.
“Bad luck mate, that’s all, bad luck.” Another said.
“Anyways can you believe that Absol’s actually gonna do it?”
“Not really I mean how’s it possible? The El-“
“Silence! What if somepony overhears you! You know we aren’t supposed to talk about it!”
“Why not?”
A voice sounded from behind them and their position was struck with a beam of light, ”This is why.”
“Captain Snowchaser!”
“Seize them!” He yelled as the very ground around Flash and Anti froze. Flash threw out a bolt of fire but missed. He began to charge yet another but he was so cold. He looked down and saw frost climb up his legs to form frost.
***
“Where are they!?” Auto yelled franticly. “They left hours ago and should have been back by now! Ugh, Rogue do a fly over. It shouldn’t be hard to spot Flash’s ridicules cloak out there!”
“He left it here actually, something about trying to be stealthy. I’ll go don’t worry.” Rogue explained as she left.
“Where could they be?”
Auto waited for hours upon hours as Rogue scoured the night sky. She finally flew a bit closer to the Enemy camp and saw a Flash of light. “What could that be?” She flew closer to investigate and saw Flash and Anti being dragged away as ice cubes. “Oh no!” She flew with all the speed she could muster back toward the base. As she landed Auto and James rushed out bombarding her with questions.
“Where are they?”
“What took you so long?”
“Did you find them?”
“Shut UP!” She yelled. “They have been captured by the Freezers! We have to hurry!”
***
Absol had been putting his travel armor on when the guards rushed yelling  for his leadership. He knew he had to leave soon, but he also knew that they feared him enough to not waste his time. He was shocked when he saw two Equestrians frozen before him. “Who is responsible for this apprehension?”
“It was I, Snowchaser, High General.” He elegantly put as he bowed gallantly.
“Excellent Major, you have provided us with the distraction we needed to slip past the Enemies lines unnoticed. They will certainly need to rescue these ponies and while they do we shall slip through undetected.”
“Sir, excuse me but I’m a Captain.”
“You were, congratulations now we ride out. Gather the Squad.”
***
Deep in the jungles beyond the Everfree Forest a glen is covered in dresses made of leaves and atop this heap of foliage sat a weeping unicorn with a speck of mud upon her hoof. A brush levitated over but only spread the muck further upon her hoof. “Curse this GAK! It won’t come off!” Rarity sobbed as she slowly rose and walked down the hill of leave dresses. She looked back at the entrance of the dungeon she had escaped but a day ago. “How come it took us twenty minutes to get in there and trapped, but it took me a week to escape!?” It was a good thing Pinkie had brought her spontaneous cupcake generator. That would keep them fed indefinitely and with Twilight’s create water spells they’d be fine for a long time but she had to hurry back to the town.
***
“CHARGE!” Auto yelled as they stormed the camp. The cubes of ice had been locked away near the edge of the camp. It seemed strange to him that Absol would make such a simple mistake. Shadow slashed her way straight into the tent while Auto rushed to the entrance. Rogue flew above and kept the enemies at bay with her bow. James kept the escape route clear. At first there was not much resistance but slowly it grew as reinforcments arrived.
James was beginning to have difficulty holding the escape route as he began to be out numbered two to one. "Confound this! Auto hurry up! We have to leave!" He yelled as he dodged a swipe to his head and countered forcing his opponent to retreat with an injury. "Ha!"  He grinned until he spun about and saw three ponies flanking him. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me. Auto! Hurry up!" He retreated so as to have them all in front of him. He parried and reposted, countered and slashed but all his skill could not allow him to gain advantage over these four trained soldiers and he was beginning to tire. "Auto... help... I... can't..."
"One step ahead!" yelled Shadowfax as she leapt into the battle dispatching two of the four quickly and with James's help drove back the other two.
"What took you so long!?"
Auto was bashing away at the ice block that held Flash and Anti until finally he broke through enough to have Flash regain consciousness. "Auto? What's going on? Oh I remember ! Back up... now!" Flash began charging his magic and quickly melted all the ice. Anti didn't wake up. "Help me pick her up. We have to get out." The rushed out holding Anti and ran right past James and Shadow. "Time to go!" Wildpaw landed with a rope and secured Anti to her then flew off toward their camp. Flash had never galloped as hard in his life and yet still the Freezers were closeing in on them. "Auto, fly! I have a plan!" Auto took off into the night and looked back to his friend as Flash spun about and set fire to the fields behind them. 
Auto looked behind at the fires as they raged separating them from the pursuit behind them.  They casted a myriad of strange shadows across the field. Flash was always confident in his ability to make fires without hurting himself but Auto felt the wind shift unexpectedly and he knew soon the blaze would spread towards Flash. Auto scoured the burning fields for any clue that would lead him to Flash. Auto saw Flash atop a hill surrounded by fire as a unicorn, a master of the winds, used their talents to entrap Flash within his own. Auto knew he had one shot at this, but it was a shot he needed to take. He flew as high as he could within the few moments he had to prepare.  Like an eagle, or osprey, he dove. He shot like an arrow toward the ground pulling up mere inches from the fire. With his added momentum he managed to cut through the firestorm surrounding Flash.
The contact hurt. Whether it hurt Flash or Auto more only Discord could know but it did hurt. Flash hadn't the slightest forewarning he just knew that he was slowly losing control of his fire and was then hit by a train. He then felt very light. When he looked up he saw he was was hooked in Auto arms. Auto flew them to safety and dropped Flash on the ground.
"You can walk the rest of the way; we don't want them to see us in the air do we?"
"Ah, I guess you're right." Flash began to trot toward the camp home and slowly his left front hoof was getting colder and colder. This perplexed him. Also his hoof felt sticky and gross. When he looked down he stopped immediately. "No. No. Nonononononononono... NO! We have to go back!" He told Auto as he spun about.
"What? Why?" Auto questioned as he drew his mace.
"My boot! Where is it? Where is my boot!?"
"PBHT! Your BOOT! Is that all?" Auto laughed.
"I need my boot." Flash glared, "I love my boots, if I am missing my boot we are going to have serious trouble. I NEED that boot!"
"We can just get another!"
"We can't my mother made it!"
"We can't go back, not for a boot. There are Freezers and a FIRESTORM back there. It's probably burned away by now any way."
"What do I own for an extended period of time that isn't fire-proof? If you don't go back I will." He said as he turned around.
"No! I just saved you!" When Flash continued back Auto said," At least wait for daylight! We will return home then re-supply and come back, ok?"
"Fine..." Flash grumpily conceded as he slunk back toward Auto.
***
Flash, Auto, Rogue, and James returned to the base. Wildpaw and Rogue were nowhere to be seen as Shadow greeted them in the front room.
"I have some bad news. Anti isn't wakening up. Rogue and Wildpaw are in with her now, she has a fever and they're doing what they can. They say that she has a chance, but... I'm not so sure. I've seen injuries caused by frost burns before and they are not easy to predict." Shadow explained with a surreal seriousness.
"Isn't there anything we can do?" Auto pleaded.
"Not that I know of." Shadow sighed as she shook her head.
"What about me? Maybe what you need to counter some frost burn is some Flashburn!" Flash suggested with concern. "I could at least keep her warm..."
"Go and ask Rogue." Shadow conceded as Flash ran into the adjoining room. "Maybe you should rest, you look exhausted Auto."
"You're right, but I have work to do. James, we cannot afford to drop our guard especially now. Me and you need to do a patrol just in case they managed to chase us this far."
***
Absol pushed his squadron of soldiers through the woods at an incredible pace until they were miles away from Captain Auto Tomaton's camp. "Slow yourselves. We are now in enemy territory; stealth will be more important than speed. Snow, send out scouts to map the regions in front of us. We must get to Ponyville undetected or all will be for naught. We must have the Elements before a fortnight has passed. I need not remind you the cost of failure."
"Yes Sir. You three go map out the surrounding area. Remember to be seen is to feel my wrath and then the wrath of Absol."
"Yes Sir!"
They continued to march toward Ponyville as the sun sank and night aided in their passage.
***
Auto and James returned from their fifth patrol that night, James understood the need for caution, but it seemed that Auto was taking out his worry about Anti-Freeze on endless marching! James hooves were aching. "I wonder how Anti is doing. We should check!" Any excuse to sit down.
"You're right. We should not rush in all at once though, I'll go in first and then you after, okay?"
"Good plan." James sighed as he sat on a pillow.
Auto walked into the improvised sick bay and saw Flash sitting with his horn glowing and his face a mask of pure concentration and strained effort.  Rogue, who had been napping off to the side, lifted her head and asked, "Oh, are you here to see her?"
"Yes."
"She is sleeping right now. Though she did regain consciousness about an hour ago. Flash has been balancing her body temperature so she doesn't run the risk of overheating or getting too cold. It seems to take up an incredible amount of energy."
"When do you think she'll get better?"
"Depends, I think she'll be up and about in about a week but unable to do much of anything for at least a month. Even then she'd be just well enough to travel. When it comes to returning to active duty... who can say? Maybe never, maybe a week afterwards. Now if I were you, I'd check on Shadowfax she isn't taking Anti's illness very well at all."
"I think I know why too. I'll go see her now. Tell me when Anti wakes up again."
"I will."
***
It had happened again, just like her brother. She had gotten involved and a pony had gotten hurt. If only she had drawn the patrol instead. Maybe, just maybe they'd all be okay right now. Why did this have to happen to whoever she joined? Was it ever possible for there not to be casualties? At least not so close to her. If she had even just talked to Anti or Flash before they went out they may have been more cautious. If only... She was snapped from her reverie by the sound of Auto speaking behind her.
"It wasn't your fault you know. Decisions were made and all the ponies involved did as they saw fit."
"I never said it was my fault." She retorted.
"I never said I was talking about Anti, did I? That was her, Flash's and my faults, nopony else's. I was talking about your brother. You may think he died because of you but he died for you. It was his choice to go in and you can never convince me that it was your mistake or that he didn't know what he was doing."
"I know."
"It wasn't your fault." He said in his monotone voice.
"I know." Shadow was beginning to get a little frustrated.
"It wasn't your fault."
"I know!" She yelled. She didn't know why she yelled.
"It wasn't your fault."
"I..."
"It wasn't your fault."
She was crying now. She didn't know why.  "I, I, I know..."
"He never held you responsible. Now you need to forgive yourself. It wasn't your fault, it was never your fault. Let it go. The pain of his loss won't go away but, you'll make room in your heart and mind for it. Tell me honestly would he want you to feel as you do now?"
"No, no he wouldn't. He would want his strong brave sister to stay strong."
"She never stopped." Auto said as he wrapped a cloak around her and lead her into the room with Anti.
***
Flash was beginning to feel a tad light headed. Unfortunately the only way to counteract her fever was to accept the majority of it upon himself. It was stupid and dangerous but it was his fault. He shuddered a moment imagining what would happen if in his fevered, tired, wandering mind if he lost focus for a moment and the magic took over again. Like it did all those years ago.
***
Absol had succeeded in his mission. They were well beyond the influence of Captain Auto Tomaton and while they still had many days of travel before them he would soon posses the single most powerful set of magical items known in all of Equestria! Evandra would be pleased.
***
Rarity finally stumbled into the small town where they had last stayed before venturing into the jungle. She was covered in sap, dirt, and filth but she had made it and now help was on the way for her friends. It was then she learned of Evandra.