//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Through the Ice and Snow // Story: The King of Swing // by The Sonic Mage //------------------------------// If one was asked to describe the most Northern regions of Equestria, a few words immediately come to mind. One of those words is cold. Inhospitably cold. Nopony could think of a rational reason why Faust, the great and wise creator, would make such a place the way she did. True, Faust tended to work in mysterious ways, but this was widely considered to be beyond explanation. The humid, desert outback seemed to make more sense. Between the sub-zero temperatures, seemingly endless white-out waves of snow, and the kind of animals that had somehow evolved to survive in that environment, it was widely considered to be one of, if not the most, unlivable area in all of Equis. The very idea of setting hoof in, or creating a settlement in such an area was considered suicide. And yet, despite all that, three ponies were marching through the sleet and knee high snow piles, in an effort to reach such a settlement. Radiant Hope winced as the howling wind whipped her face, tiny ice crystals cutting at her cheeks. Was definitely harder to get through the weather than when she had initially left. Aside from the biting frost and snow that collected on her fur, there was also another feeling that made her feel even colder, no matter how much she buried herself in her coat. And that feeling was Dread. If Hope was honest with herself, she didn’t want to do this. She really didn’t want to do this. But she had no choice. Sombra had lost himself to madness, to dark magic. He had effectively killed Princess Amore, and was now crushing the Crystal Empire in his totalitarian grip. In the end, she had no choice but to seek the aid of The Royal Sisters. As unlikely as the outcome seemed, Radiant Hope prayed that the three of them could talk him out of this mess, and bring him back from the pit. Celestia and Luna trudged alongside Radiant through the brutal winter world. Even though they were Alicorns, who were taller and more proficient in magic, they still struggled. This far north, the snow could go for days, weeks, sometimes even months or years without letting up even a little. Frost collected on their fur and the tips of their feathers. But they would endure it. They had a job to do, after all. When Radiant Hope came barging into the Throne Room, throwing herself upon the floor and begging for their help, they couldn’t refuse. And they wouldn’t leave it to any average ambassador. This was an issue of the highest level of importance, and therefore, required their direct attention. There were more than a few times that at least one of them had proposed casting a weather clearing spell, or strengthening the warmth charms they had to make their trip easier, but such suggestions had to be refused, unfortunately. If they were correct, they were in the general boarders of the Crystal Empire. And if that were the case, then they couldn’t risk getting detected, especially not in the current weather, as they were trying to sneak into the Empire. Of course, that was assuming that they hadn’t already been found out and that there wasn’t an entire division’s worth of soldiers waiting for them at the edge of the city to capture them… ...or worse. “Radiant,” Celestia called through the howling wind, “Is the Empire much further?” Radiant thought a moment before looking back at the Sun Princess. “Assuming that we haven’t gone off trail, it should only be a little further ahead.” “And if we have strayed from the path?” Luna asked, “Hypothetically speaking.” The Lunar Princess’s question drew worried glances from her fellows. Radiant Hope gulped. “Then we’re probably lost in the snow…” A wave of doubt and fear came over trio. Celestia shook her head, as if to shake off a cloud of worry around her head. “Regardless, we must press forward.” “Agreed,” Luna nodded, “Lead on, Radiant.” Nervously, Radiant nodded and continued marching forwards with the Princesses close behind. As they pressed on, each of them felt a slight tingling sensation in their horns, which grew in noticeability as they continued forward. “Sister,” Luna called, “Do you feel that?” “Yes, sister,” Celestia replied “Radiant, could it mean that we are getting closer to The Empire?” Radiant considered it. “Yes, I think it does.” With new found hope in their mission, the trio followed the strength of the sensation. However, Radiant glanced around her. The way the snow felt, the sensation in her and the Princesses’ horns. It seemed to imply that there was literal magic in the air. And not just any magic, for that matter. It felt like some kind of strange, powerful magic, that was spread out over a wide area. She could only imagine what that meant. Was Sombra casting some large scale spell? ‘No, no, no. I must not think like that. Besides this doesn’t feel like dark magic.’ They continued to press forward for a few more minutes, when the party of three noticed something curious. There was a light. A baby bluish, whitish light. It’s shine was dampened by the storm, but it could still be seen. “What is…What is that?” Celestia squinted against the snow filled wind, as she tried to make out the sight. Judging from its position, it was definitely high above the ground. “I…I think that might be the Crystal Palace!” Radiant answered. “Then The Empire is not much farther,” Luna exclaimed, “Press on!” And so they did. The three ponies put their all into every step they took, one hoof after the other. As they marched, the light they were chasing progressively grew in brightness and intensity. It grew so bright that it almost cut right through the snow. The light then surged, before it started to dim. The trio quickly became worried. They tried to push through the snow faster. That light was their only beacon of hope in the bitter frost. Then there was the sound. A low, distant sound reached their ears. *BOOM* It was concerning. It sounded like a cannon or (Faust forbid) an avalanche. “Now what?” Luna groaned. “Um, Your Majesties?” Radiant said, slowly pointing ahead of them. The Princesses look to where she was pointing. Their pupils shrunk. A dense wave of wind-blown snow was heading right towards them. “Brace for impact!” Luna shouted as she leapt to Radiant Hope. Before the pony knew what was happening, Luna grabbed Hope and pulled her close to her body, wrapping her wings around Hope to shield her from the oncoming snow. Quickly and wordlessly, Celestia did the same, wrapping her larger wings around her sister. The snow wall hit them soon after the protective embrace was formed. The wind made the temperature drop at least ten more degrees. And the snow, which had been hard to see through in the first place, now made it near impossible to see a hoof right in front of one’s face. Chills and frost racked the bodies of the Princesses, as their faces were battered by snow, and their feathers coated with ice. Celestia started to shiver, and she could feel her sister’s body being to succumb to the wrath of the North. And if that happened, then Radiant Hope would soon follow. Celestia squinted at her horn. The trio wouldn’t last long in the storm. Their bodies’ resistance to the elements had been chipped away at over the weeks of travel. The only way they would survive is if she casted a spell, any spell. A strong warmth charm. ‘If it’s the only way we will survive, then so be it.’ Celestia shakily bit her freezing lip and began to gather her magic. ‘I only hope that Sombra doesn’t notice.’ A sparkling yellow aura surrounded her horn, as she made ready to increase the power of their charms. But before she could, something happened. Celestia felt the snow lighten up. And the cold became slightly less brutal. The Sun Princess waved it off as a moment that wouldn’t last. But then it continued to grow less severe. Less snow, higher temperatures, lower winds. The storm wall they had been caught in pushed past them, continuing on. Suddenly there was light all around. Suddenly it was possible to see one’s surroundings. Luna slowly poked her ice covered head out from under Celestia’s wings. She looked around at her now visible surroundings. It was still a bit chilly, and the ground was still layered with snow, but that was far more preferable than what she was experiencing less than a minute ago. “Sister,” Luna looked up at her elder sibling, “Did you do this?” “I...I didn’t…” Celestia was at a loss for words, “Radiant Hope, do you know what could cause this?” Radiant peered out through the feathers of Luna’s wings. “I’m not sure. The Crystal Heart could possibly do this, but Sombra wouldn’t want to keep that around.” Memories of all the Crystal Fairs she spent in the hospital by a young Sombra’s side floated back into her conscious. “Forgive me,” Luna interrupted, “But I feel that it would be best for us to take advantage of these fair conditions while they last.” The sound of angry weather rumbled behind them. The wall of snow and wind that had cascaded over them a minute ago, was now slowly rolling it’s way back to them. Radiant gulped, and Celestia tensed. “Agreed,” The Solar Princess stood up, “Let’s get a move on.” They stood up and began swiftly trotting through the new, tolerable conditions. They didn’t need to run, but they couldn’t afford to walk either. The group’s pace was swift, but not a full gallop. As the storm continued to rumble and chase them, Radiant saw something come into view. “Look!” She called, pointing ahead. Her hoof was directed at a glimmering collection of structures that shone in the distant daylight. “Is that The Crystal Empire?” Luna asked. “Undoubtedly,” Celestia confirmed. “Then let us make haste, and get to it as fast as possible.” Luna said. The trio picked up their pace. The sense of powerful magic surrounded them as they got even closer. “Come on, we’re almost there!” Radiant said , breaking into a run. “Slow down, Radiant!” Celestia called. Another rumble from the storm came from behind them. The Royal sisters chanced a look. The storm wall had gained speed and would soon be bearing down on them at their current pace. Luna shuddered. “Radiant, disregard that!” She shouted, “Sister, catch up with her!” “Agreed,” Celestia said before going into a full gallop alongside her younger sister. Their longer legs allowed them to cover more ground and catch up to Radiant Hope rather quickly. Stray hail and ice crystals flew from the strong winds of the storm towards them. The storm continued to gain speed, chasing the three, hoping to engulf them in its unforgiving frost. As the Princesses continued to run, it was Radiant who found herself playing catch-up. “Your Highnesses-Ah!” Radiant misstepped and tripped over herself, tumbling and kicking up a cloud of snow. “Radiant!” Celestia called. She started to reach out with her magic, but Luna was quicker on the draw. The younger Alicorn grabbed Radiant with her magic, flinging her through the air. Radiant landed on Luna’s back slightly dazed. “Hold on!” Luna said as she and her sister resumed running for their lives. Radiant wordlessly rapped her front hooves around Luna’s neck trying not to fall off as they galloped towards the Empire, and away from the storm. Radiant looked over Luna’s shoulder. “We’re almost there,” she said, “Just a little farther!” The storm was practically nipping at their tails, and their back hooves world soon follow if they did not hurry. They were so close they could practically see the engravings in the Crystal ground of the streets ahead. Just a few more feet... “Sister,” Celestia called, “Jump!” The two Alicorns leapt forward towards the city’s border. Time seemed to slow down and all sound as they descended towards their target. The snow and hail seemed to move at a snail’s pace, twinkling a bit in the light. The wind sounded only like a gentle breeze as opposed to a howling rath. If one could ignore the look of wide-eyed fear on Radiant’s face, it was almost beautiful. Time resumed passing normally as they crossed over into the city, just as the storm would have swallowed whole again. The trio hit the ground and tumbled across the street, ending in a groaning pile of wings, hooves and horns. Luna picked her head up from laying on Celestia’s barrel. “Ugh...Did we make it,” She asked, “Or are we dead?” “In my opinion-” Celestia began, before her sister cut her off. “Never mind sister,” Luna slowly rose to her hooves, stretching out her spine and wings, ice flaking off of her as she moved, “My bones ail me far too much for this to be the afterlife.” “Good to hear, Luna,”  Celestia carefully rolled off her back and onto her stomach. She gave her wings a light flutter to shake the snow and ice from her feathers. “Wait, where is Radiant Hope?” A little groan to the right of the sisters answered that question rather quickly. “Ugh,” Radiant’s vision was a bit blurred, “Celestia, is that you? Is this the afterlife?” Radiant’s vision cleared up just in time to hear Celestia say, “No Radiant. We are all alive and well, yourself included.” “Oh, thank goodness,” Hope massaged the base of her horn. Celestia offered her hoof and help Radiant to her own. “Thank you, Princess.”Celestia simply nodded. Her sister leaned over and whispered, “You could have said that we were in the afterlife.” Luna snorted, holding in a laugh. Celestia gasped at her sister’s suggestion, “Luna!” “What?” Luna said, “I felt that the situation could have used some levity.” Celestia bit her bottom lip as she looked over at Radiant Hope. She turned back to her sister. “Perhaps save the comedic coping for later, sister?” Celestia said in a hushed tone. Luna sighed, “Very well…” The three ponies took a moment to look around. They had done it. By some miracle, they had made it. They had made it to The Crystal Empire. Luna turned to her compatriots, “So, what’s the plan?”