//------------------------------// // Chapter 15: Chasing a Dream // Story: Frozen Equestria // by Flashburn37 //------------------------------// Chapter 15: Chasing A Dream "So I says to her, there is no way that anypony would evah attack Equestria afta those Changeawhateva's attack failed. Nopony gonna do nothin'! There's no war in the North or anytin' like that." A very, very annoying voice could be heard just a few feet from where Snowchaser exited the manhole. "An you know what she says ta me? You know what she says ta me?" "That would be why you're the one telling the story right?" A very, very annoyed voice replied. "No need to get snippy! I come here for the converstin' not just cause I like your oats so much. I could go ova down the road, but nah I come here so yah gonna listen! She says ta me, But The PWINCESS says that's why the taxes went up! I'm all nah, nah they rose dem jusa keep us poorer Cantorlotions outta the big leagues. That's what their there fo'! She got so mad that she..." The voice droned on and on as Snow slipped past the shop toward an Inn. It was a dark Inn despite the candles scattered about the tap room. Snowchaser hadn't had a cooked meal for weeks, only cold rations. He checked his pack, the few bits he lifted off that pony Fluttershy's house and that one weird cave in the Everfree Forest would be more than enough to feed him for a week or two, if he was smart with it that is. But he also needed a place to stay for the night, if he slept outside and a guard threw him in the jail, they'd find the Element... even if just some random thief found it he'd be doomed for sure. With all the money he had he'd only last a few days, no matter how smart he was. He sat at the bar next to a pony in a dark blue cloak. The barkeep trotted over to him after he finished discussing the weather with one of the other six ponies in the room. "Rather busy for this late isn't it?" Snow asked. "Not anymore than usual I suppose, we often have late arrivals from all over Equestria... So what can I get you? A Room? A drink?" The pony offered. "I'd like to get something to eat actually, long day on the road. A room too. How much would that be?" "Well that depends some ponies out here only want the finest fair, they're only interested in cakes and the like. But, if you don't mind the cheap stuff, I could fill your belly for only six bits. The room would be twelve..." Snow felt a weird tingling from his pack, he looked back... no pony was picking his pocket... "Actually, I've been rather busy so I'll make rent fine. You seem a tired and poor traveler, how about six bits? Half off." Is he serious? Twelve bits is a steal as is! "Yes of course!" He stuttered, surprised by how nice he was being. The barkeep walked into the kitchen behind the bar and came back with a plate of food and a mug of cider. "Normally this is the expensive stuff, but it's gonna go bad soon, so this ones on the house." "Thank you!" He drank up. "So, what are your views on the war?" Snow asked. "Oh, well... that. Nasty business war is. I'm just an innkeeper but there was a time I wanted to be a solider... Foolish stuff that. Before the Princesses showed up, legend says war was common. They taught us we can all get along under a steady hoof. But the wind speaks of another rising, and I'm afraid. I like what we have going, taxes are usually low, peace is kept, and at worst outside threats take over for a few hours. But those were always either individuals or different creatures... When a pony faces a changeling... it's simple I guess. They may look like somepony you love but, they are just love sucking bugs... When a pony faces a pony... it's complicated. It's nice to just imagine we can reason with them and all just be happy in our own little ways or if they won't listen blast them with the elements and when they realize what they've done they'll beg for forgiveness. But it can't be that simple. When Nightmare Moon came back from exile, she was nothing but hate... When she got hit that wasn't removed. She just saw what we saw. We saw what she had become and she agreed that it was wrong, that maybe night was just meant for sleep for many and play for few. But no matter how much she hated that fact, she realized that it wasn't Celestia's fault. She realized how much pain the Princess went through to banish her and she understood. But what if this new power doesn't? Or won't? What if when we make it understand why things must be what they are... will they even care? Will any of them care? Because if it can raise an army based off a belief... It may prove too strong for us to disprove. What then? We fight to preserve our way of life? But if we just defend ourselves, won't they just recoup and try again? How many times do they strike us before we strike back? War is so foolish... It's just many ponies trying to force the world to think the way they do. It is caused when ponies can't accept that there are others out there that disagree with what they do. And there are! I've disagreed many times with what Celestia has done. But I know that she knows more than I do, and I respect that. I've lived on this earth for over four-hundred moons and yet I still know that she has lived far longer. I respect her decisions and don't question them immediately. I lost my job in the mines when we tried once again to plunder the Cantorlot Caves. Because she banned it! I was so mad at her for the longest time but as I grew older I saw what she saw. I sat atop this very roof and looked down at the city below. It was gorgeous until I saw it. A section is sinking. Right where we were mining! Soon after she had to send in engineers to fix it... It cost her more than all the gems we mined out will ever pay for. She paid for it all out of pocket too. Not one bit of the tax payer's money was used! She took her own Royal gems that she had collected over the years as she rose the sun, and paid for it. She paid my tab. War? War are those who were like me. Foolish, young, and stupid. How many ponies will die because they won't take the years to understand just how foolish this is? Too many. You've listened to an old innkeeper long enough, what's your opinion... sorry for rambling..." "I wanted to fight to, but... I had a group of ponies with me one day. We were set out to retrieve these items, kind of a... treasure hunt... Anyways I do my part, I follow orders but the leader of the whole thing doesn't like me much and when I get stuck he left me behind. I've just been thinking of the best way to get back at him since, but now... I want it for different reasons... I guess wanting the right things, for the wrong reasons... is still a wrong thing." Snow thought aloud. "I'll buy him another round..." The pony in the blue cloak coughed. Snow turned to him in surprise, "Thank you." Snow's heart almost stopped. He realized... That was the first time I actually meant it... *** "Th-th-the Elements... are missing?" Fluttershy panicked. "What are we going to do!? This is terrible!" She sobbed. "We are going to bring you six to Princess Celestia and all will be well." Auto assured. "Auto, once we get to Cantorlot, we will need to make a bit of a detour, I need to stop by my parents home. I need to pick something up." Twilight whispered. "I know you understand just how important getting to Celestia is. Why do you need to make a delay such as that?" Auto inquired. "Well, I just have too. I'd rather not say." Twilight explained. "But I assure you it is of the utmost importance." "Fine, but we must hurry then! Cantorlot is a long ways away and not everypony can fly." Auto explained. "Why can't we just take the Friendship Express in Pony Ville?" Rarity asked, "I've walked quite far already." "Oh, well I guess none of you would know... After somepony thought it would be funny to put a fake cow made of straw and whipped cream on the tracks they've been under repair." Anti sighed. "How'd that do so much damage to the train!?" Applejack asked in shock. "Ah, well you see what they didn't realize is that trains can't really slow down so of course the train smacked right into it and got hay and whipped cream in all of its delicate instruments and now the train won't run. On top of that the section of track after the hit before the train could stop got destroyed when the metal struts used for legs got caught in the front of the train and got dragged through the wooden supports in the middle of the track." James explained in a very tired of the world voice. "Someponies..." "Well girls it seems like we are gonna have to hoof it to Cantorlot! Let's go!" Rainbowdash yelled. "Slow down! If we do not take time to gather supplies, your smile will turn into a frown! Unless you want to eat the grass by the side of the road... but Nopony wants to bear that load!" Zecora warned her. *** "We have finished my Lady, the armies need your command to march." Absol bowed before her. "Good, they have my blessings. First strike will be swift and sure, decisive and quick. They need to not know we have begun until after we are deep within their lines. You know what to do so do it. I will continue to gather from the well and when the Princesses come to do battle they shall meet their doom. Now go..." She watched him leave and right as the door closed behind him muttered. "Absol... I'm so sorry for what I've done to you..." She stared into the well, allowing it's power and corruption to seep deep within her. *** Snowchaser was running... from what he did not know, all he knew is that if he stopped he'd be doomed. Over creek and brook, across field and plain he sprinted. He tripped upon a stone but could not get up. He looked at his hoof. It was caught in the stone... But it wasn't a stone... It was a necklace... He looked up and saw what he fled The Princesses stood behind a wall of soldiers that quickly surrounded him. "I came to you in good faith!" He yelled. "You came as a spy! You brought a single element in order to get closer to us so you could report our plans to Evendra!" They yelled together. The wall of swords and spears came closer and closer... "No... You have to listen! No! NOOOO!" *** Snow woke up in a cold sweat. He spun about looking across the room in a panic... He was still in the Inn. It was still late. He laid back down and tried to fall back asleep. He laid there for hours pondering what he was about to do. What if his worst fear was realized? Would they really accept him? The questions were once again left unanswered as he fell back into a dream. He was in a dark field... the one from his last dream but there were no swords. No spears. Only the light of the moon and the babbling of a brook. He took this time to ponder aloud his queries... "I was their enemy... Why would they trust that I just up and had a change of heart? Why would they? They at best would think that I am only trying to save my own skin. They'd never let me help. But that doesn't matter. I have an element and it must be returned whether or not I'm allowed to stay. Even if I'm locked in a dungeon for a few years... Or forever." He thought of the barkeep, "Cantorlot will be the main target... he'd most likely be killed or hurt... At minimum everything he owns would be destroyed. I can't stand for that. Nopony has ever, ever been that kind to me before." "It would seem you've made your decision." A voice sounded from above. "But do you really believe that after hearing that honesty and conviction that any would doubt you?" "Who are you!? Where are you!?" "Nopony lies intentionally while dreaming alone. Go to the them and you will be well received." "Who are you!?" "Come now you must know that anypony who genuinely needs help in Equestria and wants it can subconsciously call out to me in their dreams. As Princess of the Night it is my duty to visit those dreams and offer my wisdom." "Luna?" She appeared before him. "Yes, but remember dreams are short, we haven't much time. The final decision is yours. I do not know why you must do what you must do, or what it is, but I know you will never rest easy until you face your fear. Snowchaser is an interesting name, I don't think we've met... If you ever make it up to the castle just tell a guard "Nocte elegit me" and you will be granted swift access to me. The dream is breaking apart... I bid thee ado." She left and Snow woke up. *** This is it. Snowchaser thought to himself. This moment would change his future forever. He approached the gate into the castle itself. It was truly beautiful. Two guards stood by the gate. Before they could speak Snow said, "Nocte elegit me." They nodded and the door opened. One went in and went towards the throne room. A few minutes later the guard returned. "She will see you within the hour, until then please wait in the throne room." "Thank you." Snow answered as he was led in. No turning back now. The throne room was grand and decorated with tapestries and some glass memorials. He waited not even twenty minutes when a door was thrust open by a pony carrying some strange metallic apparatus. Covered with wires and buttons. They teetered from one side to the other before Snow galloped up and caught on side. "Oh thank you, thank you... Oh! You're new! I'm Swift Code, who are you?" They carried the device over to a cart Snow had failed to notice by the wall and put it carefully there. "I'm Snowchaser, I'm here to see the Princess... Why are you here? You don't seem like a solider..." A visual reaction to Snow's name shuddered through this pony's face, "H-how v-very astute of you. I-I'm Nopony really... I just keep things clean..." Swift Code slowly backed away until he bumped into Princess Luna. He spun about and whispered something to her hastily. Pony Feathers! How'd this pony know him? Snowchaser cursed in his head. "Princess Luna? Nocte elegit me." Snow said with conviction. "Snowchaser, why'd you come here? When I walked your dreams I thought you only a citizen of Equestria who'd stolen something from a store or something silly like that and you wanted to return it but were afraid. But, according to Swift here... You're a high ranking member of the Freezer military. Why did you come here?" She approached threateningly. "The truth is... I don't know why... At first my motivation was clear but now... I was a part of the team that stole the Elements. I followed my orders but was abandoned because I threatened Absol's leadership... When I resolved to come here it was to get revenge on him for that. Now I'm not so sure, I met a bartender in the city and asked him his opinion on the war. He gave a meal a drink and a room for less than the meal had cost. He told me how foolish this war is. He made me see what I had been a part of and what I'd been apart from. I used to hate you, not because I disagreed with what you did. But because my parents hated you. And theirs before them. I guess I came for forgiveness and, to return that of which does not belong to me." He opened his saddle bag and left the Element of Kindness at the feet of the Princess. "Now that I have done that, I offer you my services and if you can't trust me then lock me up. I am now at peace." "Pick that up," Luna commanded, "We have work to do. I have a squad I feel could use you, but until they arrive, I have paperwork that I need a hoof in filling out." Snow scrambled to obey; glad he wasn't clapped in irons. *** "Okay so, let's go over this again. I need to focus more on the aura than the object?" Flash asked, dumbfounded. "Of course, focusing on the object can cause damage to it, or in your case ignition. This is magic kindergarten stuff!" Twilight groaned, flabbergasted that such a talented unicorn could not know this. "Hey, when I'm from we didn't even know you could focus on the aura!" He rebutted. "Well where are you from then... wait, did you just say "WHEN" you're from?" She asked shocked. "Well, yeah." Flash "When were you born then? You don't look any older than I do." "Thank you! I do look good for my age." "Which is?" "Well, I'm not sure, you see Discord was defeated almost immediately after the event but then Luna was banished sometime after that. If I knew how far apart those two events were I'd tell you outright but by my assumption, over one-thousand-one-hundred years from my first birthday." Flash smiled. "No really, how old are you?" Twilight scoffed. "I just told you." He assured her. "But that's impossible!" Auto interjected, "That's what I thought, but Discord backed up his story." "How'd it happen?" She asked. "Chaos magic, Twi, stinkin' Discord's chaos magic." Flash grumbled.