//------------------------------//
// Armor of Heroes Part 14: Into the Freezer(Boots of Courage) 
// Story: Dragonfire 🐲 Enter The Dragon Hero 🐲 
// by Phantom-Dragon 
//------------------------------//

Somewhere in Equestria

Floating in a small rowboat, was Daring Do herself, "Let's see," Daring Do said to herself, examining a map in her hooves. "The shipwreck should be right here!" the pegasus exclaimed, as she finds herself, arriving at the entrance of a huge sea cave.

Reaching into her saddle bags, Daring Do pulls out a small glass tube, containing some fireflies. With a shake, the fireflies were stirred awake, and lit up the tubes, lighting the way for the pegasus, as she navigates her way through the cave, smelling the salty air of sea waters, while ignoring the loud series of chitters and squeaks from the local bats.

Finally, Daring Do arrived at her destination-a giant shipwreck of a huge vessel.

"At last," Daring Do smiled in satisfaction. "All my years of searching, I've finally located the lost ship of Red Eye the pirate!" The treasure hunting pegasus tied her boat to a nearby rock, as she got onto what was left of the great pirate's ship, as she examines the deck, before she walks down below, to see a huge treasure chest, filled with nothing but golds, jewelries, and all sorts of valuable artifacts.

"Wow!" Daring Do smirked. "There must be enough in here to make me richer than Princess Celestia herself!" It wasn't long, before Daring Do sets her sight on a shield that looked as if it had recently been polished, "Though, I'm quite surprised one of my clients only wanted the shield. Oh, well," With that, Daring Do picked the shield up from its resting place, and strapped it to her back, before she went to haul up the treasure chest, out onto the ship's deck. No sooner did she did, when she suddenly finds herself surrounded by several stallion goons.

Then, stepping out before them, was their leader, who appears to be an earth pony stallion, with gambogeish gray coat, a cutie mark that appears to be a gold skull with green and red jewels for eyes, dark arctic bluish gray mane, tail, and eyebrows that hangs over his grayish chartreuse green eyes. For attires, he wore tan open collared shirt, a red bandana with white polka dots.

"Well, Daring Do," the stallion began. "We meet, once again."

"Well, well, Caballeron," Daring Do began, bitterly. "It's been a long time."

"That's Dr. Caballeron to you!" Dr. Caballeron replied. "Now that we're passed the meet and greet, might I suggest you hand over the shield, and the treasures, to me!"

"Not happening!" Daring Do replied. "These treasures belong in a museum! Well, except for this shield, which I'll be-" Daring Do was interrupted, when one of the thugs kicked her to the side.

"Then perhaps I'll be taking two treasures!" Dr. Caballeron sneered. "For the price of one! Or as you pegasus would say, kill two birds with one stone!" With that, Dr. Caballeron and his goons all burst out laughing, as they prepared to escape with their loots. "Adios amiga!"

However, at the last second, Daring Do whips out her whip, which she used to snatch the shield off of Caballeron. Then, with a karate yell, she lunged forward, did a sweep kick, tripping up the goons, before reclaiming the chest.

"Stop her!" With that, the goons all surrounded Daring Do, with the shield on her back, and her whip in her mouth.

"Bring it!" Daring Do snarled.

With that, the goons all jumped after Daring Do, who didn't hesitate to fight back. One of the stallions grabbed Daring Do by the tail and pulled her backward, only to receive two kicks to the face. Daring Do noticed another goon running up to her, with a dagger in his mouth, which she jumped to the side, bumping into a cannon. Daring Do looked, to see the goon running back after her. Then, at the last second, Daring Do did a backflip, jumping behind the cannon, and the stallion fell right into the barrel, and became stuck.

Whipping out a match, Daring Do lit up the cannon, and blasted the goon, into the rest of his comrades, knocking them down like bowling pins.

"Finland!" one of the goons moaned.

Daring Do darted her eyes to see one of the goons, trying to make off with the treasure chest, "Where do you think you're going?" Daring Do asked, throwing her whip, snaring the stallion by his hind leg.

Grabbing at the other end of the whip, the stallion tried to pull Daring Do forward, only for the pegasus to do the same. It soon became a tug of war, for the two ponies, until at last, Daring Do released her hold, causing the goon to tumble out of the ship, and into the waters below.

"Idiots!" Caballeron groaned in frustration. "If you want something done right. You've got to do it, yourself."

The stallion concentrated and assumed his anthro battle form, and unsheathes a rapier from a cane, behind his back. With it, the stallion jumped at Daring Do, slashing his blade at the pegasus, who quickly ducked down in time, as her hat got skewered by the blade.

"Just like old time," Dr. Caballeron smirked. "Eh, mis amiga?"

"Sorry, doc," Daring Do frowned, as she assumes her own anthro form. "I'm not the sentimental type," Noticing a nearby pirate sword, Daring Do picked it up, as she and Cabelleron were engaged in a sword fight.

"I'll run you through!" Caballeron shouted, only for Daring Do to fly behind him, and stabbed him in the butt, catching him by surprise. "Take that!" Caballeron waved his rapier again, parring with Daring Do.

Eventually, one of the goons woke up, and saw a cannon nearby. With that, he loaded a cannon ball into the cannon, and aimed it towards Daring Do.

During the fight, Caballeron saw what his henchman was doing, and his eyes widened in fright, "Hold it you fools!" he shouted. "No! No!"

Too late, the cannon was fired, and Caballeron fell off the ship, and into the waters below. Daring Do escaped on her boat, and quickly flapped her wings, speeding out of the caves, leaving the goons to pound their idiotic comrade.

As Daring Do fully emerged from the cave, she could breathe the smell of fresh air, and became content with herself. Little did she know however, she was secretly being followed.




Meanwhile, back in the Frozen North

Celestia's sun was rising over the horizon, casting the tall mountain's shadows across the snowy plains. Peewee was flying through the sky, searching for his owner, and his friends. The phoenix had been up all night, trying to locate Spike, and the fiery bird is become more anxious with each passing minutes of not locating the Dragon Prince.

Just then, something caught the bird's attention, beckoning him to fly circles, as he came closer to see what it was.




Penguins' Ice Palace

In the penguin's ice dungeons, the Knights and Bloodshot were on the point of suffering cabin fever.

"Hush now~" Button sang gloomily. "Quiet now.....it's time to lay your......sleepy head~" the nerd boy was lying on the ice floor, curling up in a ball, while sucking on his thumb. "I want my mommy. I want my Sweetie Belle."

"Is he always like this?" Bloodshot asked, on the verge of losing his sanity.

"You should see him when he tried to play Five Nights At Freddy's in one night," Rumble muttered.

"THAT'S IT!!" Button Mash screamed. "I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE!! I'M GETTING OUT OF HERE!! NOOOOOWWW!!!" With that, Button Mash takes out his Minecraft Foam Pickaxe, and started banging on the bars rapidly with all his might.

"Button Mash! Knock it off!" Tender Taps said, as he and Rumble tried to get a hold of their nerd friend. "We're never gonna get out like that!"

Button Mash wasn't listening as he continued to bang on the bars with all his might.

"Stop it!" the Knights would yell. "Cut it out! Button stop! Screaming's not helping!"

"ENOUGH!!" Bloodshot screamed at the top of his lung, as he walks over and grabs Button Mash by the top of his hair. "Listen kid! I've been having a really bad day, and getting stuck in here with you boys, is just one more on my list! I may not be able to kill, given to my conditions, but if you don't want to wind up like swiss cheese, then SHUT UP!!"

Button, out of fear, complied as he slumped to the floor.

Pipsqueak went over to the ice bars, "Still, I'm with Button on this one," the athletic boy said. "We've got to find a way out! Spike needs our help!"

"Don't you mean, you need Spike's help?" Bloodshot asked.

"STAY OUT OF THIS!!" the Knights shouted at the meta human.




Yayakistan

In the guest room where Fleur, Pinkie, and Gabby had been staying over the night, the three girls were stirred awake by the rays of lights from Celestia's sun.

"Rise and shine!" Pinkie squealed, as she jumps out of bed, and bounced all over the room.

"Whoo!" Gabby stretched her back, followed by her wings, before the griffon dons up her MMDW costume. "I'm so full of pep, I feel like I can just find Spike and the rest of our missing friends in ten seconds flat!" Gabby and Pinkie both walked down a hall, as they made their way towards the kitchen in the castle. "But first, a bit of breakfast!"

"You took the words right out of my mouth!" Pinkie giggled.

Eventually, the two arrived in the kitchen, which is, as expected by Pinkie Pie, bigger than any ordinary kitchen.

"Alrighty!" Gabby exclaimed. "We just need to stay sharp, stay fit, stay fed," With that, the two girls got into position, as Pinkie got out a stopwatch from her mane, and held it at the ready. "GO!" Gabby yelled, to which Pinkie immediately start the stopwatch.

Pinkie Pie ran to a drawer, and tossed out some utensils, and a plate, all which Gabby was able to catch, with her beak, and her claws. Pinkie then found a box of oats, with which she loaded into her party cannon, and fired them at Gabby, who was able to catch them all, with a nearby bowl. The griffon didn't have time to sit down and eat, as the pink pony shot some toasts from a toaster, to which Gabby was able to counter, with a well aimed shot of two butters. Pinkie then threw two oranges at Gabby, who was able to catch, and squeezed the two fruits, earning a cup of orange juice.

"And time!" Pinkie said, stopping the stopwatch, just when Fleur arrived. "Wow!" Pinkie exclaimed. "A new record!"

"And everything a hero needs for breakfast!" Gabby smiled, before she realized, "Except the milk!" Gabby and Pinkie both face palmed themselves, "I always forget the milk," Gabby muttered.

Pinkie looked up, and noticed Fleur in the doorway, "Hi Fleur!"

"Bonjour, mon ami," Fleur smiled, walking in, and helping herself to some breakfast. "What was that all about?"

"Oh, it's just something I would do, every morning when I get up," Gabby smiled, taking a bite out of her toast. "You know, back when I was living in Fillydelphia, as the Mysterious Mare Do Well."

"It's part of her motto," Pinkie smiled, popping up from Fleur's side. "Stay sharp, stay fit, stay fed!"

"You don't say," Fleur said in acknowledgement.

"Well, c'mon, Fleur," Pinkie smiled, as she popped open an oven, and various foods came flying out, before they were neatly organized on the table. "Breakfast is served!"





The lights from Celestia's sun had found its way into the cave Spike, Sunset, Ember, and their newest companion, Opal, were staying in. Spike groaned, disturbed by the light, and was stirring awake, until he rubbed his cheek against something.

'So soft,' Spike smiled in his thoughts. 'So round. So bounce-wait, what?!' Spike snapped awake to see his head was smothered into Sunset Shimmer's breasts. 'Whoa!' he exclaimed mentally, nearly turning himself into a fish, like some other previous embarrassing moments. Fortuanetly, he quickly got ahold of himself.

The boy carefully tries to wiggle himself free from the girl's chest, only for Sunset to hold him even closer, smothering him even deeper into her firm bosom. Spike's blush intensifies, which only grew even brighter still, when something licked his cheek. Turning to his right, Spike could see that Ember was spooning him, and her head was resting on his shoulder, while nuzzling his cheek affectionately. Furthermore, Spike looked up to see Opal, purring as she was curled up in a ball, while sleeping on top of his head.

'Oh, this feels nice,' Spike smiled, enjoying the feeling, his wings itching to sprout free, along with his whiskers, and a dog tail. Spike didn't get to enjoy it much, when his rational side finally snapped him out of it, 'Come on Spike. Focus! There's no time for this!' With that, Spike held his breath, as he slid out of the girls' holds on him. Then, he carefully got Opal off of his head, before settling the sleeping cat next to the girls' winter gears.

Taking another look, Spike couldn't help but smile, seeing how content the girls are in their sleep. Walking over to Ember, he pulled the dragon's cloak over, before he gave her kiss on the cheek, causing her to blush, and smile in her sleep. Spike then walked over to Sunset, pulling his cape back over her, before he too planted a kiss on her cheek, causing the formerly bad girl to smile with content, followed by a giggle.

"Ooh, Spike-kun~" Sunset sighed in her sleep.

Spike walked out of the cave, fully dressed in his armors, and winter gears, stretching his arms, while basking in his mother's sunlights.

"Morning mom," Spike said to the sun, before he breathed in the air, "Another day, and another adventure awaits," As Spike said that, he heard a loud screech, and looked up, "Peewee!" Spike shouted, as the phoenix flapped his wings, before coming in for a landing, perching on the boy's arm, "Hey buddy! Good to see you again," Spike smiled, petting the bird on the head, as he croons, rubbing his head against the boy's gentle touch in affection. Soon, Peewee squawked, while flapping his wings, tugging Spike away, "Whoa, what's wrong boy?"

In response, Peewee looked deeply into Spike's eyes. With that, the phoenix's eyes glowed in a yellow aura, while Spike's glowed green, as both boys shared a vision. Before long, Spike could see the Knights, along with Bloodshot, taken prisoners by the penguins, and were put behind bars.

Spike could hardly believed what he had seen, "Oh no, guys!" Spike said worryingly for his posse. It was then that Spike noticed, there in one of Peewee's talon, the Fucanglong Box. The box was glowing even more brighter, and upon touching the box, with his hand morphed into a claw, Spike can feel the box burning, regardless of how long it had been in the snow during the blizzard.

Following the box's pull, up a hill, Spike could see that the penguins' ice palace is not to far from him and the remaining girls.

"Thanks Peewee," Spike said as he stroked the phoenix's chest. "Now go," the boy instructed. "Find Fleur and the others. Tell them, where we'll be," With that, Peewee flew off, to inform the others.

'Gotta wake up the girls,' With that, Spike turned, and was on his way back to the cave, when he heard a voice.

"You must be the famous, Spike Draco," the voice said softly. "You're even cuter in pony than what the stories of your heroics said you'd be."

"Who's there?!" Spike demanded, dragon up, fire katanas conjured, and at the ready.

In response, a gust of snows began to swirl around Spike, before they formed together into the alicorn and a younger penguin. In appearance, the penguin is shorter than Charlatan by an inch, wearing a suit of armor, long ruffled feathers on his head that covered half his face, piercing yellow eyes, with some more ruffled feathers, tied back by a small red band.

"Forgive me, Prince Spike," the alicorn smiled. "I didn't mean to startle you," the alicorn then did a curtsey, "I am Queen Gwyneira. Co-ruler of the Frozen North, and leader of the Windigos," the queen said, before she looked up at Spike, "But you can call me, Neira."

"And I am Prince Edgar," the penguin greeted in a deep, raspy voice, while bowing respectfully before his fellow prince. "Son of King Charlatan, and heir to the throne."

Taken by their mannerism and friendly greetings, Spike felt less intimidated by their presence, fire katanas dispersing, before he returns the greeting with a bow, "Nice to meet you, Neira and Prince Edgar," Spike said, while keeping his eyes on the alicorn and penguin.

"Please, don't be afraid of us," Neira reasoned. "Believe me, we're your friends. And we're here to help you."

Spike looked at the two in surprise, "How can you guys do that?" he asked. "I mean, you're taking a big risk, going behind King Charlatan's back to help me, you know that?"

"Believe me, Dragon Prince," Edgar began, catching Spike's attention. "Father wasn't always like this. There actually was a time when he was a benevolent ruler of the penguins," Edgar turned his head, directing Spike's attention to Neira. "He even took Neira in, back when she was just a princess of the Windigoes, after her father died."

"It's true," Neira added. "He's trained me--raised me. In many ways, King Charlatan's kinda like another father to me. Just as Princess Celestia is a mother to you, Spike," Spike couldn't help but smile in agreement, while instantly recalling some fond memories he's had of his adopted mother. The young dragon looked back, seeing Neira and Edgar both frowning, "But as of late, King Charlatan hasn't been himself lately," the alicorn answered.

"How so?" Spike asked.

"I don't know," Neira replied sadly. "Normally, he's very wise and kind to everyone, be they penguins, windigoes, or even yaks. But now, he just seems angry, all the time. I've tried to talk to him about it, but he's so angry, he holds a grudge like it's no one's business."

"And what's worse," Edgar began. "He's planning to use some sort of ancient ice elemental spell to conquer the whole world. And once that's over, he'll set his sight on your world called Earth."

"Then we better hurry and stop him!" Spike suggested. "But first, I gotta save my guys. You wouldn't happen to know where they are, would you?"

"They're being helped in the Ice Dungeon," Edgar answered. "It's beneath the palace. So I suggest the Icy Catacombs that runs beneath. The tunnels in those catacombs are a little dangerous, but they'll get you to your.....knights."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Spike said.

"Neira will take you through those tunnels," Edgar replied. "I have to get back before my father realized I'm gone."

With that, Edgar turned around, did a hop, as he slid away on his belly, leaving Spike alone with Neira.

"Shall we begin?" Neira asked.

"Not yet," Spike replied, "First, let me go and wake up Ember and Sunset. We'll need their help for this," Neira nodded her head in understanding, as Spike left to fetch the girls.




[Anh Minh - Last Drop]

Sunset was giggling in her sleep, while snuggling up to whom she thought was Spike, "Ooh, Spike," Sunset moaned in her sleep. "You're so warm, and so strong! You know how to make a girl feel so good!"

Ember in the meantime, was sighing with content, as she too was snuggling whom she thought was Spike, "You're sure not a runt anymore, Spike," Ember smiled in her sleep. "As Mina would say, you're Red Hot Brimstones."

It wasn't until the two girls started making out, when they realized, they were actually kissing someone. And when their eyes snapped wide open, the first thing they saw, was the both of them, lips locked, to each other, and cheeks burning a blazing shade of red, with Ember on top of Sunset.

*disc scratch*

Before long, the two girls screamed, waking Opal, and scaring some nearby birds to fly away.

"Ember?!" Sunset exclaimed.

"Sunset?!" Ember screamed.

"Girls?" Spike called, as he appeared at the cave's entrance. "Everything o-o-o-o-" no words could describe to the shock expression on his face, when he witnessed the scene, "Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt!" Spike replied, face burning red in embarrassment, as he quickly turns tail.

"Wait, Spike!" Sunset called. "It's not-this isn't-we're not-"

French Narrator: "One Long Awkward Explanation Later."

Things finally got settled, between Spike and the two girls, as they later regrouped with Neira, who lead them through a hidden passage beneath the penguins' ice palace.

"Spike," Ember whispered. "Are you sure we can really trust Neira on this? She is the Windigo's leader and all."

"Again, I'm sure," Spike replied. "I can sense it in her. She's really helping us here. She's good, just like Edgar."

"Spike's right," Sunset added. "Though I'm not able to get much details from her memories, I can still sense some good motives from her. So I guess it couldn't hurt to trust her on this."

As Neira guided the heroes through the passage, they soon came across a huge maze, filled with reflective ice walls.

"Stay close to me, every pony and dragons," Neira instructed. "Not many creatures have ever came out of this maze at the other end, alive."

"How so?" Spike asked.

"And I'd prefer not to find out how," Sunset said, as the heroes were on their way.

At first, it all seemed okay, when suddenly a giant monster, made of ice, resembling a huge scorpion jumped out from behind a wall, ambushing the heroes. The creature lets out a loud, blood curdling shriek, as its stinger lunged forward and would've impaled the heroes, had Neira not stomp her hoof down, projecting an ice wall between herself, and the creature.

The creature angrily roared at Neira, before it started snapping its claws at the alicorn, who flapped her wings, as she took flight, and projected an ice shield, saving herself from the creature's stinger.

"Alright, some excitement!" Spike said, projecting some fire shurikens, as he joins in the fray, with Sunset and Ember.

Ember and Spike both fired their shurikens and arrows at the creature, exploding in its face, while Sunset charged in, pushing it back with several fire spells of her own.

The creature held its claws up, defending itself from the onslaughts the heroes were landing on it. As it did, the creature made a high pitch noise with one of the icicles on its back.

"Oh no," Neira said in worry, before she heard movements behind her, and all around her. With that, Neira looked around, before she flew over, bent an icicle, which opens up another passage in the maze. "Hurry! This way!"

With that, the heroes ceased their fires on the beast, as they followed the alicorn down the new passage.

"What was that thing back there?" Spike asked.

"A Frost Biter!" Neira answered. "And there's more of them down here, so keep running!"

The heroes kept on running, and weaving through every twists and turn in the maze. Along the way, more of the said creatures appeared around ever corners, snapping their claws, and thrusting their stingers at the heroes. One of the Biters thrusted its stinger at Ember, grazing a piece of her armor on her arm. The heroes looked to see ice slowly forming from the impact.

"I'm fine," Ember hissed, noticing the looks of concerns she was receiving from the others, as they fought the monster off.

"Look! The exit," Neira shouted, pointing to the said passage, with the gates closing in on it. "Hurry! The gates will close soon!"

With a last desperate lunge, the heroes were able to jump in, just as the gates had finished closing in on themselves, with the Frost Biters banging and scratching at the doors, angrily.

"That was too close for comfort," Sunset panted.

"Way too close," Spike added, before turning to Neira, "Where to now?"

"Anymore traps we should be aware of?" Ember asked.




Meanwhile

The Knights were all in a huddle, formulating their plan to escape.

"I don't know, Button," Featherweight voiced his disapproval. "The ice floor looks to think for us to simply dig through. Besides, we don't even have a shovel or a pickaxe to do the work, let alone a real one."

"What?!" Button exclaimed. "You dare to offend Sir Mine-A-Lot, here?!" the nerd boy turned to his foam pickaxe, and talked baby, "It's okay, my friend. They don't mean it."

The rest of the boys looked at Button, incredulously, "Hey, guys! Check out the meta man!" Featherweight pointed.

Bloodshot looked as if he was moving his mouth and not making a sound, "What's he doing?" Rumble asked.

It wasn't long, before they noticed bloods pouring out of his mouth. The boys cringed in disgust, before they noticed another thing coming out of the man's mouth.

"What the-" Rumble exclaimed. "What are you-"

"Shhh!" Bloodshot shushed harshly. "I'm going to pick the lock! So be quiet!" With that, the man went to the lock, as he begins his work.

"Whoa!" Button gasped in surprise. "You've had a lock pick inside of you? And it took you this long to regurgitate it?"

Bloodshot groaned in frustration, before he answered, as calmly as he could, "The though of consuming metalwares has never crossed my mind before," the man resumes his focus. "Besides, how do you explain the blood?" The Knights looked at each other, dumbfounded, "Take a closer look," With that, Bloodshot opened his mouth wide open to reveal his tongue, with the tip, all bloodied.

Needless to say, the Knights all looked squeamish, ready to lose their breakfast, "Oh man! You're nasty!" Tender Taps groaned in disgust.

"Gotta do what I must to survive, y'know," Bloodshot replied nonchalantly. "Not like I enjoyed it."

"Well, that's cool," Button said. "Gross, but cool. Though, not to pressure you or anything, but can you please speed it up?! Some of us are getting really tired of sitting on these blocks of ice! And even more, when we have to see you all blood and everything!"

Irked, Bloodshot clenched his fist tightly, which unintentionally resulted in snapping the lock pick.

Bloodshot twitched his eye, "NOW LOOK WHAT YOU MADE ME DO!!" the man yelled at the boy.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Button replied. "Juice up some more blood, and-" Button was interrupted as he was suddenly grabbed by the collar, and was held, face to face to the angry meta man.

"Do I make it look easy TO YOU?!!!" Bloodshot asked, as he angrily shook Button violently, like a doll, while shouting random things, including cursing.

Before things could escalate any further(And before this story could even be rated Gore), Pipsqueak noticed something, "Hey! Wait!" Pipsqueak shouted, catching some attentions. "These are half-pin barreled hinges!"

"So?" Rumble asked.

"So, with the right leverage, and the proper application of strength, the doors will lift free!" Pip explained, before he walked over to Button Mash. "Mind if I have your pickaxe?"

Button reluctantly complied, "What are you going to do with it?" Button watched, as Pipsqueak hooked the pickaxe, below one of the bars, and started pulling it down, "BE CAREFUL WITH MY BABY!!" Button wailed.

"Will you shut up about the stupid pickaxe already?" Bloodshot grumbled in annoyance.

"Stupid?" Button exclaimed, appalled.

"Got it!" Pipsqueak said, as the door came tumbling down.

"Hey! What's going on in there!" a voice shouted.

"Uh oh!" Featherweight moaned. "The guards!"

"I guess I didn't thought this through, long enough," Pip frowned.

"You think?" Rumble asked rhetorically, when the penguin soldiers finally barged in.

"The prisoners are escaping!!" one of the penguins shouted. "Seize them!"

"YIPE!!" Tender Taps screamed in fright.

"C'mon Knights!" Rumble shouted. "We have to fight our way out!"

"But there's so many of them!" Featherweight pointed.

"And they've all got arrows!" Button added. "Freezing Ice Arrows!"

"We're never gonna get out of here," Pipsqueak said, grimly. "Unless...."

The Knights all turned to Bloodshot, "What do you punks want now?"

"Listen," Rumble began. "How about we form a truce, for now? No shooting us! No thrashing us! No killing our buddy, Spike!"

"And definitely no shaking me like a rag doll!" Button added. 

"Yeah! What do you say?" Rumble asked, looking anxious, waiting for an answer.

"Fine," Bloodshot grumbled in agreement. "But on one condition," Blood pointed to Button, "Until we get out of this mess, he can't talk, at all! Not a single peep, from him!"

"Deal!" the Knights, except Button, all shouted without hesitation.

"HEY!" Button exclaimed.

"Starting now!" Bloodshot roared.

Button pouted as he reluctantly complied.

"C'mon, men!" Rumble began. "CHARGE!!"

With that, the Knights, plus Bloodshot, all clashed with the penguins. One of the penguins fired an arrow at Bloodshot, only for the meta human to catch the arrow, mere seconds away before it could hit him. The meta human snapped the arrow into two, before he threw them back at some of the penguins. The two pieces made impact with the penguins, freezing half of their bodies, from the feet up. More of the penguins took over, as they all slide on their bellies, swarming around the man, before they leapt into the air, landing kicks, and pecks, all of which the man skillfully blocked, with a huge tile of ice.

The Knights in the meantime were holding off on their own against the penguins, while still having a few stumbles now and then. Button Mash was trying to fight off the penguins with his Minecraft pickaxe, though the ice floor wasn't so friendly with him, as he slips up occasionally and lands on his bum. Button Mash was tempted to cry out for his mom, had Pipsqueak not stopped the boy in time, before reminding him of Bloodshot.

Rumble was landing some kicks and punches, until his foot gave way, and he too fell on his butt. The boy looked up, to see on of the penguins was preparing to drop its beak down on the boy, had he not roll out of the way, spins around and sweep kicked the penguin. More penguins began to swarm around Rumble, with their spears raised, before bringing down, trying to stop the boy, who kept on rolling and spinning around, avoiding the pointed blades.

"Rumble!" Featherweight called, throwing a shield to the said boy. "Catch!"

Rumble caught the shield, and with it, he was able to save himself from the penguins' blades, before he sat on top of it, and kicked off a wall, launching himself all around the room like a hockey puck, knocking down every penguins in his way, while shouting out some warnings to the other Knights, to which they responded by kicking Rumble away from them, and back into the other penguins.

"Seriously?" Bloodshot asked himself, slightly amused at how effective Rumble's tactic was.

Tender Taps, being the gifted skater he was, skated around the room on the ice floors, tripping some of the penguins up, with a staff that he managed to steal from one of the guards. The other penguins all slid forward, before they managed to flip themselves in the air, landed a flying kick to Tender Tap's chest, knocking him off his feet. The penguins would've gotten Tender Taps, had Button Mash not intervene, pulling the boy out of harm's way.

"Thanks Button," Tender Taps smiled, as Button could only give a thumbs up in response.

As the Knights and Bloodshot kept up the battle, it became apparent that they were going nowhere.

"Where are they all coming from?" Rumble groaned.

"There's too many of them!" Tender Taps replied, as he struggles to keep up his dance steps to dodge the penguins' attacks. "They just keep coming!"

"Any ideas?" Featherweight asked.

'Don't bother asking me,' Button grumbled mentally. 'I'm just being forced to keep my mouth shut.'

"We need a plan!" Pipsqueak said. "And that plan is we need Spike!"

Just then, several arrows came raining down into the room from above. The arrows exploded into mists, blinding the boys and the penguins. Before long, the sound of blows, and magic casts were heard. Once the mists cleared up, there stood Spike, with the girls.

"Hey guys!" Spike greeted his posse. "Didn't think you'd start this party without me, did ya?"

"Yo, Spike!" Rumble cheered, as he and the Knights ran over, and exchanged high-fives and fist bumps with their dragon friend.

Neira and the girls meanwhile took notice of Bloodshot, "THE BOUNTY HUNTER!!" Sunset exclaimed, as she and Ember both advanced on the meta human, who quickly picked up a nearby spear, and used it to keep the girls at bay. In retaliation, Sunset fired an explosive fireball that knocked Bloodshot back, while sustaining a few burns. Ember had her bow and arrows at the ready.

"Wait! Stop!" Rumble called, stopping the sapphire dragoness from firing. "We had a truce! He's not going to hurt us."

'Yet,' Button grumbled in his thoughts.

"Guess you're off the hook," Sunset began. "For now."

"No funny business, you got that? Meta human?" Ember glared venomously.

"Would it help to remind everyone that my powers are cut in half, thanks to these?" Bloodshot grumbled, referring to the ice shackles on his limbs.

"As much as I hate to say it," Neira began. "He's right," Neira's horns then glowed in a cobalt aura, as her magics began to take effect on the shackles. "But just for added measure, you're coming with us! I won't let you hurt my friends, until this is over."

Bloodshot looked at the alicorn, then at the heroes, seeing the bewildered expressions on their faces, "You're friends?" he asked, to which Neira responded by activating the shackles, causing some of the bloods in his veins to freeze up. "I mean, sure, okay. You're friends. I won't hurt any of you!"

Neira ceased her assault, "So, what now?" Featherweight asked.

"The Boots of Courage," Ember replied, holding out the Fucanglong Box. "And from the looks of things, they're close."

"I know the boots you speak of," Neira answered. "Follow me."




Outside of the palace

Fleur, Peewee, Pinkie Pie, Gabby, and the yaks, were all crouched behind some piles of snow.

"So, that's where it is," Fleur noted, looking over the ice palace's design. "I must say, those penguins really have a taste for decor."

"Yaks agree to disagree," Prince Rutherford noted. "YAKS CHARGE!!!" the Yak Prince bellowed, along with the rest of the yaks.

"WAIT!" Pinkie shouted. "We can't just charge in there!"

"Yaks can!" Rutherford replied. "Palace have no guards."

"So it would seem," MMDW said, as she acted together a snowball, and threw it towards the entrance.

The snowball landed in a soft puff of snow, which was enough to summon several penguin guards, all firing their ice arrows at the source of the sound.

"Penguins!" Rutherford growled. Before he and the yaks went to counting, "Only seven penguins! Yaks smash seven penguins easy!"

"Non!" Fleur replied. "Seven because the Mysterious Mare Do Well here tossed a snowball. If we attack the palace, we'll be overwhelmed by vast numbers of those things."

"Fine," Rutherford replied. "Then how do yaks and ponies get into palace?"

"Well....." Pinkie began. "I have an idea."

"Do we dare ask?" Fleur asked rhetorically, while Gabby looked eager to hear the plan.




Inside the Palace

Spike, the Knights, the girls, and Bloodshot, were once again sneaking through the palace, hiding from the guards, on their way to their next goal: the Boots of Courage.

"This way," Ember said, feeling the Fucanglong Box's pull, guiding the heroes down a hall, before they reached what appears to be an empty room.

"There's nothing here," Rumble said, as the heroes looked around.

"Are you sure this is the place?" Spike asked, turning to Neira.

"I'm sure of it!" Neira answered. "They must be around here, somewhere!"

Ember looked at the box, seeing it was still glowing, "She's telling the truth," Ember replied.

"Looking for these?" a voice asked, revealing to be King Charlatan, holding the said boots in wings. "Such determination of coming all the way out here, in the Frozen North, for a pair of shoes," Charlatan lets out a literal bone chilling cackle, "No matter. It pleases me to no end that you will all perish! So swears King Charlatan!" With that, Charlatan turned to a nearby lever, and pulled on it.

With that, the floor gave way, and the heroes, and Bloodshot, were all falling down a long tunnel, before they came out the other end, and found themselves in what appeared to be a huge hockey ring, surrounded by bars made of ice. The heroes looked, seeing there were opened windows, allowing some of Celestia's light in, to light up the room, and penguins sitting around the arena, clapping their wings together as King Charlatan appeared on a stand, along with a chained Prince Edgar, with the Windigoes at the young prince's side.

"Witness, my subjects!" King Charlatan bellowed. "For our enemies shall now meet their doom, at the jaws of the Akhlut!"

The penguins all let out some cheers, while throwing some fishes at the heroes, through the bars.

"Psst," Featherweight whispered to Bloodshot. "What's an Akhlut?"

"I think we're gonna find out!" Pipsqueak whimpered, pointing to some penguins guards, outside of the ring, turning a wheel, lifting a caged door up.

"No father!" Edgar shouted. "Stop! Don't do this!"

"SILENCE!!" Charlatan shouted to his son.

The heroes watched, as the door was fully lifted, followed by a loud bloodcurdling roar. Before long, something came out of the cave, in the form of a tall black fin, cutting through the ice floors, as it circles around the heroes. As the creature did that, the floor suddenly became unstable, and they nearly fell down. It didn't take long for them to realize, they were floating on water. Soon, the fin disappeared beneath the icy surface, and without warning, a huge orca came flying out, and landed on one of the ice tiles, engulfed in a mist of snow, before its appearance changed into a huge black wolf, with white underside, and streaks of white from its piercing red eyes, while still retaining its tall dorsal fin and fluke tail.

"Yikes!" Featherweight whimpered. "If I'm not mistaken, that's an Akhlut..."

"What gave it away?" Bloodshot asked rhetorically.

The Akhlut snarled viciously, showing its fangs, and licking its drooling chops, "And it thinks we're lunch!" Pipsqueak screamed.

"Not unless I have anything to say about it!" Spike said, as he gets into a fighting stance, shapeshifting into his dragon form as he did so.

"Oh yeah!" Button cheered. "It's on like Donkey Kong!!!"

Bloodshot turned to the nerd boy, annoyed, "What did I say about you talking?"

"You didn't say anything about me cheering for my pal," Button replied, with a smug grin, much to Bloodshot's annoyance.

-Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze OST - Bushmaster [World 5 Boss]-

The Akhlut came charging at Spike, and tackled him to the ground, only for Spike to thrust his legs into the wolf-like creature's underside and forced it off. Spike rolled onto his arms and legs, as he lets out a burst of green fire at the Akhlut, who quickly jumped to the side, leaping from ice tiles to ice tiles, before it rammed its head into Spike's side, knocking the purple dragon into the water. The Akhlut soon followed, as it leapt after the dragon, taking on the form of an orca as it did so. With a flap of its powerful fluke tail, the Akhlut propelled itself after Spike, who didn't hesitate to twist and turns his whole body, making a speedy swim away from the literal killer whale.

Unfortunately, the Akhlut was able to catch up, and it kept on swimming, snapping its jaws, trying in vain to catch Spike, who kept on swimming and twisting his whole body, avoiding the creature's huge snapping maws. The Akhlut let out a piercing wail that briefly stunned Spike, allowing it to clamp its jaws on the dragon's abdomen.

"AAAAAAAAHHH!!" Spike screamed in pain, as he flailed his claws, punching, and scratching the demonic whale's face, forcing it to release its grip on him.

Once freed, Spike quickly kicked his legs, making a beeline for the surface. Both he and the beast burst out of the water and back onto the ice surface, where they resumed their fight. The Akhlut, in wolf form, pounced after Spike, who quickly turned into a dog, rolling beneath the wolf creature and snapped his jaws on its tail. With a yowl of pain, the great dog ran circles as it tries to grab ahold of the little dog, who sprouted dragon wings and took flight, before scaling around the bars. Determined to catch his prey, the Akhlut dived into the water, before it flew out of the water at a tremendous height, in orca form, and rammed its huge head at the bars, causing them to shake slightly, almost forcing Spike off.

The Akhlut was about to fly again, when Ember shot another of her arrows at the beast, exploding upon impact, knocking it off course, and back onto one of the ice floats. The beast reverted to wolf form, snarling and glaring at the dragoness angrily.

"Ooh!" Button groaned. "Now it's really mad!"

With another bloodcurdling scream, the Akhlut dived beneath the ice floats, dodging arrows fired at it, before it burst out of the water, almost snapping up Ember from under, had Neira not formed a long ice bar in time and wedged in between the whale's teeth, allowing the dragoness to fly away in time. The huge whale dropped back down into the water, but not before it landed on the ice float that the Knights, Sunset, and Bloodshot were standing on.

"AAAAAAH!!!!" Button screamed, ready for the cold water he was going to impact with, only for Neira to use her power over ice to form a large boat, made of ice, for the Knights and Bloodshot to land in, though Button was still screaming, as he was holding Bloodshot close.

"SHUT UP ALREADY!!" Bloodshot growled in irritation, dropping Button on deck.

Button was about to say something, when the Akhlut came out of the water, trying to climb in as a wolf, "AAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!" Button screamed, before out of impulse, he got out his minecraft pickaxe and repeatedly whacked the beast on the head. "BACK!! BACK!! Return to the icy watery depth from whence ye came!" Growing irritated, the Akhlut chomped its jaws on Button's pickaxe, "AAAAAH!!! PIP!!" Button screamed, as he jumps into Pipsqueak's arms. "Save me, Pip! Please! Don't let him get me, Pip! Don't let him get me!"

The Akhlut was about to lunge after the Knights, only for Bloodshot to grab it by the tail, as he spins it around and tossed it away, breaking through the bars, nearly crushing on some of the penguins.

"Whoa," Featherweight breathed, as he and the Knights looked at the meta human, astonished. "You saved our lives!"

"Only so your nerd friend would shut up," Bloodshot grumbled, as both he and Button shot death glares to each other.

The Akhlut got up, angrier than ever, let out another bloodcurdling scream. The beast was about to charge back into the fray again, before it noticed Spike, in dog form, making his way towards King Charlatan and the Windigoes. With that, the creature kicked off the ground, flying at a tremendous height towards Spike.

"SPIKE! LOOK OUT!!" Neira shouted.

Spike heard and smelled the Akhlut coming, and quickly rolled to the side, before he kicked off the ground and clamped his jaws around the wolfish beast's neck. The two dogs soon rolled around, trying to get on top of one another, until finally, the Akhlut had Spike pinned down, ready to deliver a death blow, only to be interrupted by the sound of ice being chipped away. The heroes, Bloodshot, and penguins looked to see a crack forming in a wall.

The wall broken down, to reveal Pinkie Pie standing, "Hi everybody!" Pinkie chirped. "Did I miss the butt whoop?"

"Nope, you're just in time for it," Spike and friends replied.

On cue, the whole wall came crashing down, to reveal a whole army of yaks, plus Fleur, Gabby, and Peewee perching on Fleur's shoulder.

"YAKS!! CHARGE!!" Prince Rutherford shouted.

With that, the yaks, plus Pinkie Pie, Fleur, and Gabby, all charged in, storming the fortress.

"STOP THEM!!!!" King Charlatan ordered, as a whole flock of penguin guards flooded into the room.

"Looks like the cavalry is here!" Rumble exclaimed.

With a screech, Peewee took flight, before dive bombing and knocked the Akhlut off of Spike.

The Akhlut was about to charge after Spike again, only for Bloodshot, Sunset, and the Knights to climb their way out of the ring, as they held the beast off at bay.

Spike was about to jump in to help, "Spike, no!" Sunset called. "We'll take care of this thing! You, Ember, and Neira take King Charlatan!"

With a nod, Spike complied, as he dragons up, and went to aid the said girls in their confrontation to the penguin king.

"Stay back!" Charlatan ordered, blasting beams of ice from his eyes.

"Not a chance, King!" Spike replied, avoiding the blast, as he conjured a fire shuriken and hurled it at the mad king.

Thinking fast, Charlatan stomped his foot on the ground, conjuring an ice wall, shielding himself from the dragon's attack.
In retaliation, Charlatan breathed a col mist in his wings, forming a long trident made of ice. With his majestic weapon in wings, Charlatan gave it a spin, blocking and counterattacking every attacks made on him, by the heroes. Even with his fire projected weapons in claws, Spike wasn't having much luck landing a blow on the king, who was able to jump in the air, as the dragon did a sweep kick, before the king himself did a flying sidekick, which Spike managed to avoid as he tilted his head back, before he did a backflip, giving him some distance from the penguin king, as Ember took over.

Meanwhile, Neira went to work on freeing Edgar from his restraints, only to be blocked by the Windigoes, "What's the meaning of this?" Neira asked in outrage. "Release him at once!" The Windigoes however, refused to budge, "Did you hear what I said? Release Edgar at once!"

"We're done taking orders from you, halfbreed!" the lead Windigo replied. "We've got a new master now. One much worthy to be our king!"

"Blizzard!" Gwyneira exclaimed angrily. "You dared to betray me?!"

"I'm not the traitor!" the windigo neighed angrily. "You are! You're no Windigo Queen! You're a traitor to your kind, just like your father before he died."

"He had grown so fond of you and your mother," another added. "It was right then and there that we knew he had grown soft, which is the moment he let a certain feeling, that is poison to all Windigoes, into his heart....love. Love was what made him weak, and a weak ruler isn't fit to rule, so we got rid of him!"

"YOU KILLED MY FATHER?!!" Neira screamed in outrage.

"Once he was out of the way, our next target was you!" Blizzard explained. "But for many moons, we haven't been able to find you, until we could sense your anguish and loneliness, after you were banished by the ungrateful ponies you've once protected from the Cerulean Hunters," Neira's eyes were widened with shock, as Blizzard continued, "What a pity, really. I had hoped we would find you, and kill you before your mother's eyes, just to savor the look of horror on that mortal's face. Nevertheless, your banishment was what killed her."

"No...." Neira fell to her knees, as she cried little pearls form her eyes. "Mom...."

"Yes," Blizzard sneered. "Heartbreaking, isn't it? Another example of a fallibility from a halfbreed, such as yourself. We Windigoes are elementals of the ice and storm! We feed off hatred, and we are literally cold hearted, contrary to the warm hearted ponies on your mother's side! So soft, and vulnerable," Blizzard scowled, as he continues. "We would've killed you years ago, had it not been for King Charlatan!"

"The old penguin sorcerer of ice!" another Windigo began. "He was our closest ally! His hatred for the ponies, yaks, and dragons was unlike we've ever felt before! We considered making him our new leader, until he found you! The king was taken by surprised at the powers you were given by your father! And despite that fact you were the daughter of a mortal pony, he still took you in, saying you would be of some potential use in his plan for complete domination across Equestria, and beyond! But apparently, his hatred started to melt away, from the love you and Prince Edgar had infected him!"

"Love isn't poison, y'know!" Edgar barked. "It's not our fault that you guys are too cold hearted to know what love is like!"

"And we intend on keeping it that way!" Blizzard snarled. "Before his hatred disappeared completely, we were quick enough to freeze it in time, and destroyed any hint of love that was left! Now all that's left is to get rid of you!"

With that, Blizzard lunged after Neira, landing a punch to her cheek, as the others soon followed, landing several blows all around her, while the alicorn blasted several magic beams at her attackers.

"You won't get away with this!" Neira snarled, as she conjured up some pony guards, made of ice, to defend her.

"Remember, young queen," Blizzard replied. "Charlatan has taught you everything you knew. But not everything we know!" To make his point, the Windigoes all let out a strong gust of winds that broke Neira's armies of ice warriors to pieces.

Neira then morphed into her anthro form, clad in plates of armors made of ice, on her head, chest, arms, and legs, while holding a huge ice shield in her left hand, while holding an double blade weapon in the other hand. Neira took flight, as she spins her bladed weapon, slicing at the Windigoes, hurting them slightly, while using her shield to block their attacks.

One of the Windigoes conjured some sharp pointed icicles, before he pointed his hoof in Neira's direction, directing the icicles to rain down on the alicorn, who hid herself behind her shield. Another Windigo lunged in for the attack from the other side, only for Neira to parry him with her weapon.

During the fight between Neira and the Windigoes, Spike took notice.

Neira struggled to defend herself, when Blizzard flew in, breathing a strong gust of ice, knocking Neira out of the sky.

"Foolish queen," Blizzard sneered. "We've lived ten thousands of years! We are as old as the sun and the moon! We are the masters of the ice and wind! We are the creators of the Frozen North! We are the Frozen North! Everything that is cold, was all rightfully ours!" Blizzard ranted, as he continues to deliver blows on Neira, shattering her armor, while blocking some of her attacks. "To hate us is to give us breath! To fight us is to give us strength! Prepare to join your late parents!" With that, Blizzard let out a strong blast of magic, that Neira tried to block with her shield, but was met with failure, as she was knocked off her feet, and reverted back to her true form, weakened, "You're finished!" Blizzard said, preparing to deliver the final blow.

"Not so fast, Windbag!" Spike shouted, as he got in between, shielding Neira from the blow. "You're gonna have to go through me first!"

"With pleasure," Blizzard sneered.

With a loud war cry, Blizzard flew at Spike, firing an icicle at the last minute, only for Spike to catch the projectile, spinning in a tornado as he hurled it back at the spirit, striking him in the face. Disoriented, Blizzard shook his head, before he was met with a flying kick to the head. Angered, Blizzard flew after Spike, shooting a blast of ice magic, which Spike sliced through with a fire katana in claw, before the dragon fired an explosive green fireball at the Windigo. The others surrounded Spike, trying to overwhelm him, but Spike concentrated in his magic, changing himself into a dog, slipping through their cold hard grips, before changes back into a dragon, and exhaled another burst of fire.

"FREEZE HIM!!" Blizzard ordered, trying to catch the dragon.

Neira watched in awe, at Spike's bravery, as he fought hard against Blizzard, and the Windigoes, "He's defending me," she gasped.

"That's Spike, for you!" Pinkie beamed, jumpscaring the injured alicorn, resulting Neira to quickly pat her chest repeatedly. "You must be Neira! I'm Pinkie Pie! Pleased to meet you!"

"Uh...charmed," Neira replied hesitantly, before she was helped up by Fleur and Gabby.

"C'mon, on your feet now, darling," Fleur insisted. "There we go. Let's get you out of here."

"Wait!" Neira began. "Get Edgar!" the wounded alicorn insisted, pointing to the penguin prince held captive.




Meanwhile with the Knights, Bloodshot, and Sunset

"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!" Button screamed, with the Akhlut chasing after him, Rumble, Featherweight, and Tender Taps, while Pip was riding on its back. "I thought you said you were gonna hold him!" Button said to Pipsqueak.

"I am holding him!" Pipsqueak replied, holding onto the beast's dorsal fin.

The wolf-like beast continues to chase the four boys, out in the courtyard, through a clashing group of the penguins and yaks, "Look! I'm not a fan of Sea World either, so don't eat me!" The Akhlut continued snapping its jaws at Button. "Can't I help it if I'm a Gryffindor?!"

"What makes you think he cares if you're a Gryffindor?" Rumble asked. "You're not even a wizard!"

"Killer whales hate Gryffindors, because of Dumbledore once!" Button replied. "That, and I took a Hogwarts House Test online once."

"Stop being a nerd and just keep beating your feet!" Tender Taps replied, as the heroes kept running for dear life, away from the Akhlut.

It wasn't long, before some yaks got in between the Knights and the Akhlut.

"Yaks, charge!!" one of the yaks bellowed, as they all rammed their heads together, with the Akhlut and Pipsqueak caught in between. Pipsqueak was able to jump off in time, as he landed on one of the yaks, while the Akhlut leapt over the yaks, and disappeared among the battle.

Suddenly, something shiny caught Pip's attention. Turning in the direction, Pip noticed a bit of the Helmet of Wisdom, poking out of a chest.

"The pieces!" Pipsqueak exclaimed, as he got off the yak and went running through the battle, avoiding some fallen yaks, and more ice arrows flying, until he finally reached the chest, opening it to see the Helmet of Wisdom, and the Sword of Honor. "Hey guys!" Pipsqueak called. "Look! I've found the pieces!"

"Alright!" Rumble called. "C'mon men! Let's go!" With that, the Knights followed the athletic boy's lead, as they rendezvous with Pipsqueak, only to be stopped by the Akhlut, who let out another bloodcurdling roar, as it barred their way.

"AAAAAAHHH!!" Button screamed, as he jumps into Tender Tap's arms.

The Akhlut kicked off, about to pounce on the Knights, when an explosive fireball came from the side, and struck the beast, exploding upon impact. The beast was sent rolling on its sides, before it got up, only to be held down by Bloodshot, the meta human clamping its jaws shut.

"Don't just stand there!" Bloodshot growled. "Get going, before your nerd friend starts screaming again!"

The Knights, even Button, hesitantly saluted to Bloodshot, before they followed Sunset Shimmer, back into the fight.




Back with Spike

Blizzard was roaring angrily as he chases after Spike, who was skating around the ice palace with ease, before the boy transformed into a dog, as he jumped on some pillars, then to the next, before he launched back at the angry winter spirit, shapeshifting into a dragon at the last second, and landed a flying kick to his face. Shaking the blow off, Blizzard and his comrades angrily resume their chase after the dragon.

"FREEZE AT ONCE!!" Blizzard snarled, blasting a beam of ice.

"You'll have to catch me first!" Spike replied, before he lets out a mocking laugh. "Come on, step it up!" Spike skated around the palace, magically changing between a dog, a dragon, and as a human, while aiding his friends, and their yak allies, in their fights against the penguins, and their ice warriors.

"How can you fight so well against us?!" Blizzard hissed impatiently.

"Well, like you said," Spike began. "You're spirits who feed off of hatred. The more hate, the stronger you are. But if I stay positive, and think of only my friends, and family, then all you can feel from me, is love! No hatred, no powers for you! Friendship is magic!" Spike smirked proudly of himself, before the Windigoes and penguins surround him, as Blizzard advanced upon him.

"Still won't save you!" Blizzard snarled.

"Maybe not, but I will!" a voice called, revealing it to be Neira who shot a blast of ice, forcing Blizzard away. The alicorn ran over to the Dragon Prince, "I'm sorry, Dragon Prince. I never meant for this to happen!"

"Don't be so hard on yourself, Neira," Spike replied.

"But I should've keep those traitors in line," Neira scowled as she and Spike looked to see Blizzard getting up. "Now I'm going avenge my father with literal cold stone justice!"

"Don't suppose you've got room for one more?" Ember asked, as she joined the two.

With that, the vengeful alicorn flapped her wings, as she took flight, firing powerful blasts of magic at the traitors, with the two dragons at her side.

Meanwhile, Prince Edgar was trying to talk some sense in his father.

"Father!" Edgar pleaded. "I feel the good in you! Fight the evil that controls you, and stop this madness!"

King Charlatan, however, blasted beams of ice at the young prince, who blocked it with a nearby shield, "Edgar, you disappoint me!" Charlatan growled, as he held up his trident and jabbed it at the young penguin, forcing him away.

"No more than you have disappointed me!" Edgar groaned.

"It's my duty!" Charlatan growled, as he continues his attacks. "Our destiny! The world will know the full strength of ice, as we penguins conquer everything like a raging blizzard!"

"But why father? Why the world? Why couldn't we just be happy with what we already have? Up here? In the North? Why do you want to wage war with all the little ponies, and magical creatures?"

"Why not?"

"Because I know that isn't you!" Edgar's words struck Charlatan like arrows, as the king suddenly ceased his attacks. "Father, this isn't you! You've always wanted to show the world our greatness. And you wanted to show the beauty of ice, but you couldn't, because of them!" Edgar stated, pointing to the Windigoes. "The ponies were terrified of snow and ice, because of the Windigoes. But that never stopped you from trying to show the ponies that there is good with ice. That's why you took Neira in to live with us, because you had hoped that she would show how beautiful ice can be, just as you were once inspired by a blind filly who saw the good in winter once."

At that point, King Charlatan began to look trouble, as he lowered his trident, "What's got into me?" the penguin king asked.

"Search your feelings, father!" Edgar replied. "I can feel the conflict within you. Let go of your hate!" Edgar held his wing out, offering for his father to join. "It's time to start anew, as father and son."

King Charlatan looked at Edgar's wing, as something warm was lit inside of him, along with his eyes that suddenly began to lose their cold aura.

Just then, the Knights and Sunset arrived at the scene, when suddenly, Sunset Shimmer yelped in pain, "AAAAAAAAH!" The heroes, the yaks, Windigoes, and penguins ceased their fights, as they turned to see Sunset Shimmer, on her knees, while clutching her right wrist, the Shadowbolts' mark burning her skin.

"Sunset?!" Spike said, as he ran to the girl's side. "What's wrong?"

"It's Sunburn!" Sunset hissed. "She's here!"

"WHAT?!" the friends exclaimed.

Speaking of whom, a ball of fire broke through the roof, melting part of the ice palace on the way. The fireball landed in the middle of what's left of the ring, before the flames dispersed to reveal the said demon girl.

"Konnichiwa, Sunset Shimmer," Sunburn smirked. "We meet again."

"Sunburn!" Sunset hissed. "How did you find us?"

"Have you forgotten?" Sunburn began. "I am you! I can feel everything you feel! Especially the sickening feeling of love you had for the Dragon Prince," Sunburn said the last part with disgust. "The tender moment you had that drew me here!"

"Wait, Sunset did what?!" Pinkie exclaimed, as she, Fleur, and Gabby looked at the fiery girl, who blushed a shade of red.

"Okay, alright then," Spike began. "You've found us. So what are you going to do now?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Sunburn began. "I'm here for the Boots of Courage I noticed, together with the rest of the Armor Pieces you've collected already," Sunburn smirked, as she continues, "With all of yours, plus the one we already have. That'll bring us a total of four pieces, which will leave merely two more left for the taking!" Sunburn grinned even more menacingly as she continued, "And while I'm at it. I'll have the pleasure of taking you, Dragon Prince! Princess Nightmare Moon's been very anxious to see you again!"

"WHAT?!" Spike exclaimed. "Nightmare Moon is.....alive?!" The rest of the friends all gasped in a mix of shock and horror at the revelation.

"Indeed she is!" Sunburn laughed. "And trust me, she's dying to meet you again. Prepare to meet your maker!"

With that, Sunburn flapped her wings, as she charged after Spike, nails sharpened, and fireballs in hands.

-Killer Instinct 2013 OST - Shatterhail-

Snapping out of his shock, Spike quickly conjured his fire katanas, as he blocked Sunburn's attacks, being forced back a few miles away. Summoning all his strength, Spike forced Sunburn away, together with a kick to her face. The demon girl fixed her jaw a bit, before she resumes her assault, slashing her claws furiously. Spike dodged the claws side to side, while blocking a few, while receiving a few scratches now and then.

"Hurts, doesn't it?" Sunburn asked rhetorically.

"Not as much as this will hurt you!" Spike said, as he took flight, throws a fire shuriken, which Sunburn blocked with a fireball, resulting in an explosion.

Spike then appeared from the smokes, "Missed me? Hot stuff?" He flirted, before he thrusted his legs out in a flying kick, which Sunburn was able to avoid, as she flipped away to safety.

"I liked ya better when you're Midnight Dragon!" Sunburn said.

"I'll bet you say that to all dragons," Spike replied.

Spike flapped his wings, taking flight again, spewing green fireballs at Sunburn, who blocked them with her wings, and her claws. Looking up, Sunburn noticed some icicles hanging over Spike. Getting an idea, the demon girl blasted some fireballs at the icicles, causing them to fall on Spike, who was able to avoid them, before he suddenly finds himself in a makeshift cage. Next thing he knew, some snows fell on him, while giving him the appearance of a rhinoceros. Sunburn couldn't help but laugh in amusement at Spike, before he broke free. Sunburn took the chance to retaliate. The demonic girl slashed her claws at Spike, coupled with a few fireballs, both which Spike blocked with his fire katanas. Sunburn then sprawled her body on the floor, thrusting her legs out, which Spike was able to jump out of the way, before he balanced himself on his tail. Sunburn then kicks off with her hands, into a flying kicking, only for Spike to catch her legs in time, before he started to spin her with his legs, and kicked her away into some blocks of ice.

"Ooh, baby!" Spike whooped. "It's good to be me!......I've been hanging with Rainbow Dash waaaaaay too much," he muttered at the last part.

Further infuriated, Sunburn made another lunged after Spike, only for Sunset to interfere, projecting a magic shield as she did so.

"Sunburn!" Sunset began. "Your fight is with me!"

"Get out of the way, Sunset!" Sunburn snarled.

"You don't have a choice!" Sunset replied. "You want Spike? You'll have to go through me first!"

"You're in my way," With that, Sunburn projected some light spears in her hands, which she hurled at Sunset, breaking through the fiery unicorn's shield, and grazing her shoulder in the process.

"Sunset!" Spike shouted, starting to run over to the girl's side.

"No, Spike!" Sunset replied. "I'll be fine!" With that, Sunset dodged another light spear, turning in a streams of red smokes, as she flew away.

"Not for long!" Sunburn snarled, as she chases after the smoke.

As the battle between Sunset and Sunburn continues to play through, the Windigoes couldn't help but feel a strong sense of hatred, from Sunburn.

"Amazing," Blizzard mused. "In all my years of feasting hatred, never had I ever had the pleasure of coming across such hatred. It's enough to keep us going for thousands of years to come!" With an evil grin, Blizzard turns to the rest of his brethren, "Come brothers! This is our moment! We'll feast on this girl, and use her powers for our coup d'etat!"

With that, the Windigoes all lunged in, surrounding Sunburn, as they begin their feasting, drawing angers from Sunset's demonic counterpart, through their mouths.

"Yes!" Blizzard began. "The power! The absolute power! ALL OURS FOR THE TAKING!" the Windigoes all hollered in agreement, as they continued their feasting on the girl, icicles forming on her in the process.

"Did you really take me for some kind of meal?" Sunburn asked, as she turns to the Windigoes, catching them by surprise. "If you did, then you are quite mistaken!" Sunburn replied, as the ice forming on her body suddenly turned blood red.

-Dragonfable - The Ultimate Orb OST by Ghost and Artix Entertainment-

Before long, the Windigoes themselves began to feel themselves being pulled towards the girl.

"NOOOOOOOOO!!!" Blizzard cried, as he and his comrades were sucked into Sunburn. "We are Windigoes! We are Windigoes! WE ARE-" Blizzard was forever silenced, once he was completely sucked.

With that, Sunburn was engulfed inside an icy red crystal. Before long, cracks began to form in the demon's cocoon, before she revealed her newfound transformation.

In appearance, Sunburn looked to be a demonic alicorn with the same build of Celestia, only a bit taller. Her body was coated in jet black fur, one of her wings was covered in red icicles, while the other one was coated in blue fiery plumage.  Too further the ferocity of her appearance, Sunburn's eyes were turned jet black, with penetrating fiery pupils, slit iris, emitting red smoky trails, blue flaming mane and tail, and her hooves, head, chest, and flanks were coated in armor plates, made of red jaded ice crystals, with spike protruding.

"So, this is what it feels to have such hatred," Sunburn sneered, in a dark ominous tone, coupled with the sound of hissing.

"And I thought she was scary before," Button whimpered.

"For once, I agree with you, Button," Rumble agreed, as the Knights soon followed in agreement.

Turning her attention back at the heroes, Sunburn grinned deviously, "Now this is going to be fun."

-Killer Instinct 2013 OST - Shatterhail-

With a blazing red glow of her horn, Sunburn conjured several red icicles as she fired them at the heroes, yaks, and penguins.

"What's going on here?" Bloodshot called, arriving through the door. "What's happening?"

"Well, well, well, Bloodshot," Sunburn smirked. "Having trouble catching your prey?" Bloodshot scowled in response, "What a pity really....You had an excellent resume as a bounty hunter for hire."

"I'll have you know, I had the Dragon Prince right where I wanted him," Bloodshot replied. "If it hadn't been for some interruptions."

"Well then, what are you waiting for?" Sunburn asked. "Here's your chance! Catch him!" However, after some times have passed, nothing happened, "Bloodshot?! Didn't you hear what I said? I said catch him! NOW!!!!!"

"I heard you!" Bloodshot shouted. "I'm not deaf, you know. And I do not. Take. Orders!" He said the last part, with emphasis.

"You dared to disobey me?" Sunburn snarled, ready to blow her top.

"Well, I'm only a mercenary for hire," Bloodshot replied. "Meaning I'm nobody's butler!"

"You insolent, meta human fool!" Sunburn growled, her mane and tail blazing intensively. "YOU DARED TO OPPOSE ME?! Such feat. is considered an act of treason to Nightmare Moon herself! DO AS YOU ARE ORDERED, OR FACE THE CONSEQUENCES!!"

"Big talk, hothead," Bloodshot replied, crossing his arms together.

That did it, as Sunburn was finally at her limits, "Then consider yourself, FIRED!!!" Sunburn roared, breathing a burst of blue fire at Bloodshot, who quickly jumped out of the way, and started running away, "You worthless, coward!" Sunburn snarled.

Bloodshot stopped in his track, as he eyed the demonic alicorn, shooting daggers, "DON'T CALL ME COWARD!!" Bloodshot shouted angrily.

"Then prove it!" Sunburn replied.

Bloodshot looked around and saw a littered bow and arrow. Making a quick lunge for it, Bloodshot rolled to the side, before he stood up, and fired an ice arrow in Sunburn's way, who quickly caught it in a blue aura that was warm to the touch, causing it to melt.

"Is that the best you can do?" Sunburn asked.

With a frustrated growl, Bloodshot picked up some more arrows, as he fired them all at Sunburn, along with some other structures around. Bloodshot had shot a chandelier from its ceiling, and the ornament fell down on Sunburn, who quickly disappeared in a flash of fire, before reappearing behind Bloodshot, and bucked him across the room. In another flash of fire, Sunburn reappeared where Bloodshot was going to land, and bucked him again. Sunburn then fired several fireballs in his way, before she reappeared before Bloodshot, and bucked him, repeatedly into the fireballs, before she tackled him, driving him into the snows outside of the palace, and into the mountainsides. Bloodshot finally snapped back to reality, as he kicks Sunburn off, and with the bloods running out from one of the cuts he received, he formed a knife, as he made a lunge towards Sunburn, who caught him, telekinetically, before she hurled him away. With a wave of her ice wings, Sunburn fired several red icicles at Bloodshot, who quickly used his knife to cut the icicles away, while using a stray shield he found to protect himself from the other icicles that were protruding from the ground.

The yaks and penguins quickly cleared way, avoiding the icicles. Bloodshot was fighting off the icicles, until one of them stabbed him in the arm, before more started to pin him to the wall.

"You're finished!" Sunburn snarled, driving a spear of light into the man.

Bloodshot let out a scream of agony, as he fell to the ground, still.

"Whoa!" Spike said in awe. "We've had a lot of trouble driving Bloodshot off."

"And Windigo powered Sunburn just took him out in 4.5 seconds," Featherweight stated in equal shock.

"Good," Ember said. "That makes it one less enemy to worry about, after this is over."

"Wow, how optimistic you are," Spike replied sarcastically.

Sunburn was laughing in triumphant, "Impressive, aren't I?" she asked. "If I can stand up to a puny meta human like Bloodshot with only the power of the Windigoes, then imagine what my powers will be, when I have the Dragonfire as well."

"Fat chance!" Spike said, as he took a fighting stance. "It's never gonna happen!"

"That's right!" Pinkie said, as she got in front of Spike. "You want Spike? You'll have to go through me first!"

"No!" Sunset said, as she got in front of Pinkie Pie. "This is my fight. Sunburn's born from my powers. Meaning I'm the one who should stop her!"

Pinkie frowned as she looked at Sunset sadly, "But she was born from your powers, because we drove you away! I drove you away! She's my fault, so I'm the one who should stop her!"

"You don't stand a chance!" Sunset argued. "She's my dark half. She has knowledge over the dark arts. She has all my spells. And no pony knows them, but me!"

"But-" Pinkie was interrupted when Sunburn laughed maniacally.

"Go on, Sunset," Sunburn began. "Let her try and fight me. It'll be sweet revenge on a dish best served cold! She had it coming, years ago!"

Pinkie frowned, "Not a chance!" Sunset shouted, catching both Sunburn and Pinkie by surprise. "You're mine!"

"Why do you bother defending her?" Sunburn asked. "She and all those mares who you've called friends didn't believed you, when you denied being a 'secret stealer!' Why prolong the agony? Why don't you just get rid of her, and save yourself the pain of the past?!"

"That's the thing," Sunset replied. "It's all in the past. The past is not today! What matters is how we want to move forward."

The rest of the heroes smiled at Sunset's words of wisdom, while Ember, Neira, and King Charlatan were taken by surprise, as they began to ponder on what Sunset said.

"YOU'RE A FOOL!!" Sunburn growled, firing a ball of fire at Sunset, who quickly shielded herself.

-A New Era Begins by MagpiePony-

"Do you really want to go through this?" Sunset asked.

"Enough talk!" Sunburn replied, flaring her wings out. "Time for you to see the full wrath of HATE!!"

With that, Sunburn flew at a burst of speed, as she tackled Sunset, out of the palace and into the Frozen North. Sunset fired several balls of fires at Sunburn, who managed to block them all with an ice shield she had conjured. Sunburn then retaliated with an ice spear she thrusted towards Sunset, who rolled out of the way, before she became a red smoke, and surrounded Sunburn. The mad alicorn, however, knew what Sunset was planning to do, as she burst into flame, dispersing the smokes, as they regrouped into Sunset. Sunburn flapped her wings, as her horn formed into a long ice katana-like blade. The alicorn flew towards Sunset, who quickly formed a fire katana with her horn, and clashed with her demonic counterpart's magic blade. 

"You might know everything I'm going to do! But that's not going to help you, since I know everything you're going to do!" Sunset ranted. "Strange isn't it?" With a frustrated growl, the two ponies took flight, as they continued their fight, before Sunburn kicked Sunset away.

"Even with our mastery of mind reading and mind block," Sunburn began. "You still won't stand a chance against my powers of hate, fire, and ice!"

With that, Sunburn lunged in for the kill, only for Spike and Neira to intervene, both holding the alicorn at bay with their magic projected weapons.

"Then it's a good thing she's got friends, looking out for her!" Spike smirked, as he and Neira both threw their combined assaults on Sunburn, driving the alicorn back.

-Killer Instinct 2013 OST - Shatterhail-

Sunset couldn't help but smile in admiration at Spike, as she was helped up.

"He's quite something, isn't he?" Sunset smiled.

"Indeed," Neira replied. 'Is this how it feels to have your heart melt, or something?' she thought with a blush.

The two girls snapped out of their love trance, as they rejoined with Spike, in their fight against Sunburn.

Neira projected a bow and an arrow, as she morphs into her anthro form, and fired several ice arrows at Sunburn, who melted them with a fire wall she conjured from her mane and tail, creating a bit of mists, providing Spike some covers as he suddenly flew into Sunburn's face, slashing his fire katana's at her face. Hissing in pain, Sunburn retaliated as she fired more ice blades from her wing, horn, and hooves, coupled with streams of fires from her other wing, mouth, mane, and tail.

'Don't fail me now,' Spike said, concentrating in his thoughts, before his eyes glowed blazing green. "Boosted dragon!!" Spike roared, as he lets a stream of green fire that clashed together with Sunburn's, and holding her icicles at bay.

"What trick is this?" Sunburn asked, bewildered.

"What the," Neira began, equally bewildered. "Is that the legendary Passion Boost?"

"You mean the magic technique developed by Starswirls himself?" Sunset asked. "The one and only. Doubles a magic caster's power levels with each ten seconds, or so, depending on how strong their passion is."

"Fascinating," Neira smiled, further admired by Spike's prowess.

Spike's fire breath finally broke through, as it struck Sunburn. Further enraged, Sunburn prepared to fire some more magical offense, only to be struck by ice arrows from Neira, along with several light spears form Sunset Shimmer. Sunburn thrusted her wings out, shielding herself from the attacks on both sides, from both Neira and Sunset. Just then, Spike pounced from above, catching Sunburn by surprised, as he forced her to the ground. Sunburn twisted herself free, punching Spike in the face, before she got on top of him, and proceeded to choke the life out of him.

"Get OFF!!" Neira screamed, converting her bow into a scythe, slashing it at Sunburn, forcing the alicorn off.

As the four continued on with their fight, little did they know, sparks of flames from their fight were scattered all over the Frozen North. The ice and snows on the mountains around them were beginning to melt.

"The Frozen North!" Charlatan began worryingly. "It's melting!"

"So what?" Ember asked. "They're just puddles of waters now. What's the worst thing that could happen?"

"Much worse than you could possibly imagine, ex-Dragon Lord," Edgar replied. "If they keep fighting like this, they'll melt the whole Frozen North, and it'll raise the water level to a tremendous level! It's going to flood the whole world! The start of many great floods, and very end of all magical creatures, as we know it!"

"He's right, you know," Button replied. "I saw this in a comic once."

Ignoring the last statement by Button Mash, the heroes looked back, worried for their friends. Fleur, most of all, "Oh no," she whispered. "Spike! Stop fighting!"

"What?!" Spike replied, having heard Fleur. "Why?"

"If you guys keep fighting, you're gonna melt the whole place!" Ember replied, just as the palace started to came down on them. "You're gonna flood the whole world!"

Upon hearing the last part, Spike, Neira, and Sunset both ceased their fight, looking to see more waters running from their fight.

"I've got fix this!" Neira said, as she began to restore the waters back into ice.

However, the ice alicorn was interrupted, when Sunburn grabbed her by the tail, "We're not done yet!" Sunburn growled, as she pulled Neira back into the fight.

"We've got to stop fighting!" Spike said.

"Try telling her that!" Sunset said, pointing to how intent Sunburn was to keep fighting.

"We have to do something!" Gabby said worryingly. "We can't let our whole world be flooded!"

"But what can we do?" Button asked. "We've got an angry alicorn, powered up with hatred, fire, and ice. Spike is up there, fighting her to a stand, with Sunset, and Neira. And not even they can put her down!"

"And even if they can, it'll be too late!" Featherweight added.

Pipsqueak and Pinkie Pie looked around, before they found something, "Are you pondering what I'm pondering, Pinkie?" Pipsqueak asked.

"Sure Pip!" Pinkie chirped. "But how are we going to get jet skis for every pony in ten seconds flat?" Pipsqueak had a dead pan look on his face, as he stared Pinkie, unamused.

Back with the fight, Sunburn had Neira pinned down, "Time for you to join your late parents, your majesty!" Sunburn snarled, preparing to breath fire on the alicorn, when suddenly, a loud screech was heard, and she was scratched from behind, the neck.

Sunburn looked back to see Peewee, flapping away, before he came back in another dive towards her, pecking and clawing at her face.

"Get off of me!" Sunburn snarled, as she swatted the phoenix away.

CHOMP

"OW!" Sunburn looked at her flank, to see Spike, as a dog, clamping his jaws on her. With that, Sunburn started chasing Spike, trying to grab ahold of him, as he still kept his jaws clamped on her. Finally, Sunburn blasted some icicles on Spike, who quickly released his grip, dropping out of harms way, resulting in Sunburn accidentally hitting herself.

The mad alicorn screamed at the agony of getting hit with her own attack, as well as the humiliation of being tricked by the Dragon Prince, "Blech!" Spike spat. "I gotta think of a better tactic than bum biting. WHOA!!" Spike yelped, as a he dodged a light spear that was thrown at him, from behind.

The little dog quickly rolled to the side, as he changes back into his dragon form, conjuring a fire katana, blocking another of Sunburn's attack, "Boosted dragon!" Spike shouted as he fired another explosive fireball at Sunburn, knocking her off her hooves.

Just as Sunburn was about to fire another attack, a gunshot was heard, and bullet went straight through Sunburn's horn. Furthermore, ice began to form from the impact, before they covered her horn completely in ice. The demonic alicorn's magics were crippled, as her horn exploded, followed by the rest of her alicorn form. When the dust cleared up, there laid the still demonic alicorn, only with her horn blown off.

-A New Era Begins by MagpiePony-

Spike, Sunset, and Neira turned to see Bloodshot, struggling on his feet, while holding the gun that had fired the bullet, with Charlatan at his side.

"King Charlatan?" Neira exclaimed, having noticed the restraints off of Bloodshot. "You freed him?! How? Why?"

"To save you of course, my faithful student," Charlatan replied. "You, Edgar, and the Frozen North that is."

"But why him?" Spike asked.

"Do you have any better ideas?" Bloodshot asked. "Besides, we can kill each other after this whole thing blows over."

"Speaking of which," Sunset turned to see Sunburn getting up.

"You'll be sorry for that, Bloodshot!" Sunburn tried to breath fire, but only managed a few sparks. "What is the meaning of this?" Sunburn asked in outrage.

"What's the matter, demon alicorn?" Bloodshot asked. "Can't do magic without your horn?"

Sunburn snarled in frustration, "Enough is enough, Sunburn!" Sunset Shimmer said. "It's over. You're finished."

"No, it's not!" Sunburn roared. "Not until those girls pay for their past mistakes!!"

"That's the thing," Sunset said calmly. "You were born from my anger. But I've forgiven these girls already. Meaning the anger I've held against them is long gone. Thus, you do no exist! And you will not hurt them, or the love of my life," At the last part, Sunset shot Spike a loving glance, to which the boy couldn't help but blush, while the girls could only look at the fiery girl, irked.

"FOOOL!!" Sunburn screamed. "I am real! Now feel the cold reality of my cold hard nails!!" With that, the demonic alicorn's hooves extended as she charged, screaming, towards Sunset Shimmer, who stood her ground. Sunburn and Sunset kept this up, until the former clashed with the latter. Sunburn's physical body was destroyed, and the demonic alicorn was left, trapped in the form of a spirit, screaming angrily, as she could do nothing, while Sunset Shimmer proceeded to seal her away. Once the task was done, Sunset fell to the floor, panting.

"Sunset?" Spike and friends exclaimed, as they ran up to the girl's side. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Sunset replied. "I'm alright. I just needed some rests."

"Here," Spike took his cape off, wrapping it around the unicorn. "Hope its comfy enough for you."

Sunset smiled, as she gratefully accepted the cape, "Thanks Spike," Just then, she felt something stirring within the cape, "Oh, what the?"

Opal soon poked her head out, looking around, before she noticed Sunset next to her. The cat just purred as she rubs her head next to Sunset.

"Hey," Edgar called. "As much as I'd like to see this heartwarming scene unfold. What are we going to do with the Frozen North, now? So many ice have melted."

"Yaks can't make profits, without ice," Prince Rutherford answered.

"Not unless I can help it," Neira said, taking a step forward.

-Vuelie (feat. Cantus) - Frozen (OST)-

The heroes all took a step back, watching as the alicorn begins her magic. Everyone looked, seeing the waters have stopped flowing, and were suddenly becoming solid, and fine powders of snow. The snows all spun around in a dazzling display, as they returned to the mountains, and trees around them. Together, with the land around them, the penguins' ice palace was also restored to normal, looking almost as if the battle never happened. After what felt like hours for Neira, everything was completed.




Later

"Dragon Prince," King Charlatan began. "And friends. I can't tell you how grateful I am, for saving me, and our home, from the evil power of the Windigoes," Charlatan then turns to Prince Edgar, Neira, and Prince Rutherford. "I also wanted to apologize to the three of you, mostly. I'm sorry I haven't been myself, lately. I should've known better than to accept those scoundrels, so quickly."

"That makes two of us, your highness," Neira replied. "I guess I'm just not ready to truly be an ice queen, yet."

"Are you kidding me?" Edgar voiced. "The way you fought off those traitors, you've actually got the spirit of a queen!"

"Indeed," Charlatan began. "Neira, believe me. Like your father before you, you'll make an excellent leader of the Frozen North."

"Really?" Neira asked hopefully.

"YAKS AGREE!!" Prince Rutherford bellowed, as he and the yaks all stomped in celebration.

"Take it easy!" Spike said, trying to calm the yaks down. "We just finished rebuilding this place!"

"Thank you everyone," Neira smiled. "But I couldn't have done it all, with all of you," Neira said, turning to the heroes, before she eyed Spike. "But most all, you Prince Spike."

Spike smiled modestly, as he twirled one of his whiskers, "All in a day's work," Spike suddenly noticed that Neira was walking closer, with bedroom eyes. "Um, Neira? You okay?" Spike asked, slightly taken by surprise.

"Thank you," Neira said lovingly, as she claimed Spike's lip.

Spike quickly shape-shifted out of control, changing into a fish, a dog, a human, and lastly, back into a dragon, wings sprouting, whiskers standing on end, and everything, with the addition of icicles forming all over his body.

Once they parted, Neira giggled like a schoolgirl, while the rest of the girls in the crowd, scowled in envy, while the boys had looks of amusements on their face.

"Wow, Spike," Pipsqueak began. "That's certainly a cold reception for you."

"Don't worry, Spike!" Sunset said. "I'll warm you up!" With that, the girl kissed Spike on the lips.

"One side there sister!" Ember said, as she shoved Sunset to the side, and claimed Spike's lips.

"Hey! We want turn!" Pinkie exclaimed, as she, Gabby, and Fleur both pounced.

"Well," Button began. "Ain't that a sight to be cold."




Later

"Before you go," Edgar began, presenting the heroes the Boots of Courage. "We'd like for you to have these."

"Merci," Fleur thanked, as she levitated the boots from Edgar's wings. 'Now it's just a piece one more to finding my parents.'

"Now that leaves us with three more to find," Spike said. "We're halfway there!"

"But you'll still help me recover the Bloodstone Scepter? Right?" Ember asked worryingly.

"Don't worry, Ember," Spike replied. "We won't forget. I promise."

"Then let's go!" Pinkie chirped, as she began to hop away.

The heroes were soon on their way, when the Button spoke up, "Hey! Has anyone seen that Bloodshot character?"

Upon mention that, the heroes looked around, before they spotted Bloodshot, who was taking his leave.

"Where do you think you're going?" Sunset asked.

"What's it look like?" Bloodshot asked rhetorically. "I'm leaving this place," the man then eyed directly at the Dragon Prince. "Oh, and listen up, Dragon Prince. Just because we've helped each other today, doesn't make us friends. I'm giving you a break, just for today. But next time, you won't be so fortunate."

"Then I'll be ready for you next time," Spike replied, as the meta human took his leave.





Meanwhile, watching from the distance, were eyes of a hungry beast, now determined than ever to hunt his prey, as no preys have ever escaped him, in one piece.








Elsewhere

"Pleasure doing business with you, Miss Yearling," the museum curator said, as he paid the said mare her bits.

"A pleasure to preserve another piece of history," the mare replied, before she took her leave, out of the museum and into the busy streets of the town she's in.

"Miss Yearling," a voice called out, as a unicorn stallion stepped out of the shadows, with his hat partially covering his face. "I take it you have what I requested? The shield?"

"Yes sir," the mare replied, revealing the said shield beneath her robe. "I've had to buck a few teeth out, but I got it."

"Excellent," the stallion replied, as he took the shield, looking it over. "The Shield of Purity. Once belonged to the famous Flash Magnus, before it left him. And currently, one more piece from the rest."

"So, where to?"