//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: FrostBound // by Azrael the alicorn //------------------------------// The stormy weather had stopped for quite some time and now a nice bright sun enlightened the Ifrit island, even though could do little to nothing to melt the ice that covered it. The island had just went through another transformation, turning from a barren isle to a mesmerizing forest made of frost. To the center of it, there was a tall building, which took the place of the dead volcano. And inside of it, in a rather empty room, stood the one responsible for this transformation: Cryo the FrostBound. The ice dragon stood still, sitting on a throne, his eyes closed, as his consciousness was at work training his mind in learning the almost endless abilities at his disposition. That, and reminding his conversation with Gloomy Dusk and the Ice Master. "Tempest King. This is the name of your nemesis” told him the alicorn in disguise. “And he still rules in the northern hemisphere, even though his conquers go far beyond that land. Once taken over the north, he went on in the east and the west. And now he has sight pointed at the south. Usually, in others parallel universes, he would take his time to gather his forces while waiting for the right time to strike. But now that he has noticed your amazing powers, he will send his second in command to capture you, so that he could steal your magic, so to use it to his own gain”. “Both him and his lackeys will soon find out that I’m no prey”. “Of that I’m pretty sure of it. I wish I could stay here to see you wipe off that contemptuous, smug face from her face, but sadly I’m required elsewhere. I’ve got an unfinished business to take care of, before going back to help my team. A good leader is always there for his team”. “What kind of team is it?”. “It’s called the Silver Lotus. Is a group composed by others like you, Cryo. Victims of Fate Weaver, that wants to fight back against a cruel fate that wanted them to be the bad guys. Is quite the heterogeneous group: we got Dire wolves, dragon-pony hybrid, robot and even a Changeling. You would be welcomed to join us, if you ever wish to do so”. “I will consider it”. “Good, now I have to go. Has been nice knowing you, Cryo. Hope we will see each other again soon”. “Twilight sure does hope that too” told him the ice dragon, grinning a little. “She seem to be intrigued by your mystery”. "Ah” Gloomy Dusk blushed, becoming red as a tomato, “That’s good to know” he added, goofily. “Well… see ya!” and with that he vanished, leaving Cryo alone with the Ice Master. “I need to go too, there are other new fragments of Frost outside of this reality. But before I leave you must promise me to not leave your emotions have the better of you” asked the cloaked figure. “Tempest King may be a villain, but not all those under his thrall are cruel as him. Most of the follow him because he has power over them or because he stripped them away of any freedom”. "Trust me, I won’t go on a roaring rampage of revenge” assured him the ice dragon. “I will make sure to point my attention only to those that deserve it. And I will free my people”. “I know you will”. And with that he left too, leaving Cryo alone with his thoughts. After that, he had his conversation with the Mane 6 and their allies, finally having the chance to talk with Celestia, before going back to Ifrit, preparing himself for the incoming invasion. Since then, a few days had passed. Days in which Cryo learned many incredible techniques and magic spells. The fourth day, the second in command finally arrived. He felt her arrival as her airship (Not even closely comparable to the impressive models of the Dragon Watch) appeared on the horizon. Once landed and opened the doors, revealing a small army of simian like creatures, covered in white fur and magical armors. They marched towards the entrance of his palace. Leading them was a rather tall unicorn with a broken horn. Once she and her forces crashed inside his home, she made her way ahead, confronting him. Gloomy wasn’t kidding about her sporting a rather confident and cold face. “How about we start with your complete and total surrender?” she asked. Cryo remained silent for some second, staring at the army of simian like creatures in front of him, studying them. If they were frightened by his size, they sure were good at hiding it. “Tell me, child, what is your name?” asked the ice dragon, not a bit bothered. “If you have to know, my name is Tempest Shadow. I’m here by order of my lord, Tempest King to capture you, so you’ll do better to yield, if you don’t want problem” “So I’m literally facing a shadow?” mused Cryo. “Quite the dramatic name, got to admit. I wander though, it is real?”. For a second, there was an hint of surprise in the face of the unicorn with a broken horn. But it soon faded back into cold hostility. “I’m not here to talk. If you don’t want to give up--“. “I won’t give up. You have nothing capable of threatening me”. “What about THIS!” shouted Tempest Shadow, kicking an orb that was emitting arcane energies around it right to the ice dragon. Cryo catch it with one arm, for then studying it from close. “Interesting magic. Powerful enough to overpower an alicorn” he stated, before turning to the unicorn and her army, taking pleasure in seeing how her cold smug look had disappeared, replaced by shock and fear. “But it doesn’t work against me” added, before crushing the orb with disinterest. “Just like your anti-magic armors won’t protect you from me”. Now it was the turn of her forces to look rather scared. Their fear increased as Cryo got up and advanced towards them. “How… how is that possible?” asked Tempest Shadow, her confidence just as shattered as her orb. “Isn’t that a question I’ve heard often, lately” commented the ice dragon towering the army in front of him, ignoring their weapons. “Nothing you have will work against me. Shame you can’t say the same”. Cryo eyes emitted a powerful light, that froze over Tempest Shadow army right where they stood. The pony had enough time to realize what just happened, before she got grabbed by the ice dragon. “Now, what about this offer: you, being the second in command to the Tempest King, will tell me everything there is to know about him. Keep silent, and I will snatch the answers I seek from your soul, from your frozen corpse”. The End