Groundskeeper and Archmage arrived on the scene of a frozen lake. Everywhere they looked, there was ice.
Archmage couldn't tell the kind of magic that it originated from, but it was clearly magical, and not the good kind.
Here and there, people were encased in ice, looking at each other with angry expressions, some with their mouths open, clearly meaning to say something. Probably not something nice.
Suddenly a voice called out from 'somewhere'. "Ah! Heroes! Welcome to my gallery. Come in! Come in! I'm in a good mood."
Archmage started lacing mana together for a multi-layered warmth spell. juuuuust in case.
"Yes, these are my finest works! Ever since my first plan was put down, i've been collecting specimens such as these. And i've never felt more powerful!"
The mysterious figure cackled wildly, clearly enjoying this.
Groundskeeper was rightly unsettled. "This is simply monstrous."
The voice laughed again. "Are you starting to get the idea? Yes, these people are frozen in the perfect moment of anger! Ever since you nearly killed me, i've been able to feed on the Conflict of others!"
"Who are you?" Groundskeeper queried. "WHERE are you?"
"Still haven't figured it out? Well, i'll tell you in good time. Come along, don't be shy."
A line of frost trailed along in front of them.
"Well." Groundskeeper said, rasing an eyebrow, "This's obviously a trap."
"You're probably right." Archmage affirmed, "Whoever this is, we're clearly in their Territory. As such, we'll be facing them at the height of their power."
"Well, don't let that cool you off." the voice said, two more lines of frost appearing beside the first, as if beckoning more insistently.
Suddenly, another voice rang out from behind the two. "Wow. And here i thought that the atmosphere in the city was cold enough already." Groundskeeper and Archmage spun around and spotted five new faces. More heroes, by the look of them. "Is this a private viewing, or can anypony take the guided tour?" the owner of the voice added. She was a tall, athletic looking pegasus mare, with a blue-green coat(1).
"Who might you be?" Archmage queried.
"I'm Lightning Dust. And my... compatriots here are Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter Breeze." Lightning Dust said, pointing at each of them in turn. "We know about the two of you already, hence why we're here."
"More heroes? The more the merrier, I say."
Seven heroes proceeded to the eye of the storm, together. Archmage extended her warmth spell, to include the others. She had the feeling that they'd need it.
Shortly thereafter, they came to the... throne room, one might say. Before them was indeed a throne and a bunch of statues that looked like equine ghosts.
Or, at least... they LOOKED like statues...
Before them, a similar figure materialized, sitting in a relaxed position.
"Ah, welcome to my parlor. As you can see, I've taken the liberty of creating a few more of my brethren."
"Well, that begs the question." Archmage began, "Who -and WHAT- are you?"
"You knew me once as Chokov. But now? Call me... Frozen Heart. A fitting enough title, as far as I'm concerned."
"And just what is it that you're planning?" Groundskeeper asked, her fists clenching and unclenching. She was clearly ready to get down to business.
"A touch simpler than my old one. I plan to freeze the world itself." Frozen Heart said.
"Freeze the world? Why?" Lightning Dust asked.
"Two reasons, i imagine." Winter Breeze put in, showing her insight on the matter. "One: Power. He clearly becomes more powerful with the more people that get frozen. Two: Because he can. To cause worldwide anarchy; utter chaos." she concluded.
"Yes, she has the right of it. As the world freezes, tension will run high, countries will look for someone to blame. And when they can't find someone to pay the price?" the villain disappeared briefly, to prove his command over his visibility, "They'll MAKE someone pay, instead! And then? My brethren and I shall have sustenance for long enough to leave this planet a frozen wasteland!" he cackled madly.
"You infused them with Energy X that belongs to you. That never ends well." Archmage said disapprovingly.
"It took a few casualties to get it right -or was it a few dozen?-, but i figured it out."
Groundskeeper was fuming with rage. She wanted nothing more than to walk over there and cave in the villain's skull. To pound him until he barely looked like anything recognizable.
But... Two things stopped her. The first being that she knew her power was limited, what with being on a frozen lake. Secondly, she knew that such was not the way of a hero. So she restrained herself, if only just barely.
"Still, you are likely going to stand in my way, so I believe we've reached the point of the conversation where i say... KILL THEM." Frozen Heart ordered his statuesque minions as their eyes glowed red.
Groundskeeper hit one fist with the other. Now THAT she could work with. "Bring it on, then!" she said, challenging the oncoming figures. "Friendship Force: Prepare for battle!" she called out, her six friends lining up beside her.
"Friendship Force?" Lightning Dust asked.
"It's in the works." Groundskeeper replied.