//------------------------------// // Diplomacy Failed // Story: MLPU: Twilight Sparkle: Princess of Thunder // by TheInvincibleIronBrony //------------------------------// The first line of Windigos went down rather easily. Raindrops and Blossomforth whipped out their swords and cut down the the nearest enemies to them. Shining Armor’s horn lit up and he unleashed a wave of energy pushing back several Windigos and tripping up even more. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Twilight getting surrounded. “Spike!” he shouted to the dragon. Spike drew in a deep breath. “Twilight, duck!” Shining yelled to his sister. Twilight turned and dropped to the ground when she saw Spike. The dragon let out his breath, spewing fire everywhere, causing several Windigos to melt. Twilight pushed past the burning and screaming giants as she made her way back to the group. “Sorry,” she said to Shining as she caught up to them, catching the glare he was giving her. “Spike clear the door!” she shouted, swiping Mjolnir into a few Windigos as they advanced on the group, their bodies shattering upon contact with the weapon. Spike nodded and took another deep breath before flames billowed out of his mouth scorching every Windigo in the doorway and several in the hallway outside. The group pushed their way out of the room and the Windigos down the hall started rushing Spike. "Blossomforth, Raindrops, cover Spike!” Twilight yelled, the pegasi nodded as they complied. The jumped to Spike’s sides and started hacking and slashing at any enemy that got too close, only drawing back when Spike had regained his breath. As soon as they were out of the throne room Twilight lifted her hammer above her head. “Get back!” she shouted to her comrades, bringing the hammer down on the floor. The floor started falling away under the Windigos as they approached and the ceiling and walls around them began to collapse. Twilight and Shining Armor spread their wings and jumped into the air as the floor fell from beneath them. Blossomforth and Raindrops grabbed Spike before they took off. The group flew through the floor as the hallway fell apart, dodging falling rocks and ice. Twilight took a glance backwards and saw the Windigos jumping into the air and giving chase. Twilight twisted to avoid a chunk of stone and swung Mjolnir at it. The stone shattered and the debris collided with their pursuers, knocking several of them out of the air. “We have trouble!” she shouted to the rest of the group. Shining glanced back for a second as they came to the end of the hallway. Shining’s horn lit up and a shimmering barrier grew from the walls, blocking the Windigos path. “We need to get out of here,” he said to the group. “I think we’re all in agreement,” Raindrops said as she turned to Twilight. “Which way do we go?” “That way,” Twilight answered, watching the Windigos as they attempted to break the barrier. “Spike lead the way. You two,” she said to the pegasi,” cover our sides. Me and Shining will cover the rear,” she ordered. The group quickly got into formation and started moving through the castle. “I won’t be able to hold the barrier for long,” Shining informed. “Just hold it as long as you can,” Twilight told him. Raindrops looked at the walls as they ran. “Can’t you just tear down the walls?” she asked Twilight. Twilight shook her head. “Only if you wish to be buried along with the Windigos,” she stated. “I can’t hold the barrier any longer. We need to pick up the pace,” Shining said as the light faded from his horn. The sound of angry Windigos came from further down the hall. “We need to get outside,” Twilight said as they started moving again. After running through a mostly empty palace with the Windigos close behind the group came to the entryway and stopped. The exit was blocked by dozens of Windigos. Twilight turned back towards the hallway to see that the remaining Windigos had arrived behind them. They were trapped. Twilight looked at the ceiling above them. “Shining can you open the ceiling?” she asked as their enemies slowly advanced. Shining glanced at the ceiling. “Perhaps, but I’ll need a bit of time,” he replied. Twilight looked at the rest of the group. “You’ll have it. Everyone cover my brother,” she said aloud as the Windigos moved into attack. Twilight swung Mjolnir at the first in line sending him flying backwards into the rest of the enemy ranks, showering nearby Windigos in shards of ice. Blossomforth and Raindrops moved around each other in a fluid motion. When one turned their back the other was there to take down any Windigos that had moved in to attack. Shining’s horn began to glow as he charged energy into it. A Windigo ran into to attack him from behind and grabbed his arm. Before Shining could do anything his fur began to turn blue and cold. His eyes widened as the Windigo was met by a set of claws as Spike slammed the attacker into the ground and blew fire onto another advancing group. Shining watched as the blue faded. What in mothers name was that? Shining thought as his coat returned to white. His lapse in attention caused the spell to lose some power, which Spike noticed one he was finished with the Windigo. “Finish your spell,” Spike shouted, tearing the stallion’s attention back to the problem at hand. Twilight slammed her hammer into the back of one Windigo and turned to be faced with two more charging at her. She jumped over one, dropping Mjolnir and pinning him to the ground, and delivering a powerful kick to the second. The Windigos continued to pour into the room and the warriors holding them off began to slow down as the onslaught kept up. “We need a way out soon!” Raindrops shouted to Shining. “Almost there. Just keep it up,” he responded as the glow on his horn became brighter. “Keep fighting!” Twilight shouted as she threw Mjolnir, catching it when it came back. She started swinging in a rhythmic pattern sending one Windigo after another flying backwards. “I’m ready! Get close!” Shining shouted as his horn shone a bright white. Twilight and the others got close to him just as a beam of magic shot from his horn, destroying the roof, but knocking the debris away from the group in the middle of the room. Stone roofing fell, crushing several Windigos as it did. Once the dust settled Twilight could see Windigos scattered around them. Most were dead, but several were beginning to stir. She turned to her companions and noted that none of them seemed to be injured. “Let’s go,” she told them as she spread her wings. Almost immediately a dart made of ice pierced her left wing. “Gahh!” she shouted in pain. She turned to see Frostmourne approaching, his right hand covered in icy spikes. “I invited you into my home and you destroy it. Typical Equinsgardian,” he sneered, shooting Twilight’s other wing with a dart. “Twilight!” Spike shouted taking a step forward. Shining Armor extended a wing blocking his path. Spike glared at Shining, but then noticed dozens of Windigos climbing over the rubble. Twilight assessed the situation and turned to the others. “Go,” she told them. Spike looked like he was about to protest. “Fine, but make sure you’re close behind us,” Shining said receiving a nod from his sister. “Take Spike we’re leaving,” he said to the pegasi, who looked reluctant to leave Twilight behind. “And why would I just let them fly out of here?” Frostmourne asked, a dangerous edge to his voice. “Because I struck first,” Twilight said. “I insulted you and brought them here.” Frostmourne smiled at this. “Fine let them go,” he said. Shining nodded to the pegasi and they each grabbed one of Spike’s hands in their own and jumped into the air. The stallion shared a look with his sister. “Go,” Twilight said as she raised her hammer again. Shining nodded and took off after the others. Twilight turned back to Frostmourne. “Shall we finish this?” she asked. Frostmourne continued smiling. “Yes we shall,” he said as he slammed a foot on the ground. The floor seemed to shake as something roared beneath them. After a moment the floor cracked open and a monstrous ice dragon pulled itself out of a pit beneath the floor. It turned to Twilight and growled at her. “Leave her to me,” Frostmourne spoke. “Her comrades are fleeing as we speak. Go after them,” Frostmourne ordered. The beast immediately took off into the air. “NO! You said you’d let them go!” Twilight shouted at the frozen king. “I lied,” Frostmourne said. Twilight glared at him as the Windigos began to surround her. //////////////////////////////////////// Shining Armor lead his companions through the frosty winds of Jotunheim when a piercing shriek reached his ears. he glanced behind them and saw the ice dragon approaching quickly. “We have trouble!” Shining shouted to the others. They all glanced at their pursuer. “What is that?!” Raindrops shouted. “Looks like one of Spike’s relatives,” Blossomforth commented, looking to the dragon. “It breaths frost. I breath fire. Where do you see a relation?” the purple dragon asked, offended. “Then breath fire at that,” Shining said eyeing the monster. Spike complied and let loose a streaming blaze from his lips. The ice dragon ducked beneath the fire and breathed a frosty wind at it’s quarry. The winged ponies could feel the ice building up between their feathers. “We need to land before we crash!” Raindrops shouted as she and Blossomforth turned towards the ground to land, Shining close behind. The group landed and started running as fast as they could, hoping to make it back to the Bifrost site before the ice dragon caught up to them. Shining glanced above them and saw the beast land not far from them and started moving in their direction quickly. “Run!” Shining shouted as he made a dash for their destination. Spike blew fire at the ground in front of the beast, causing it to stop and breath it’s own breath to counter. “Spike we need to leave,” Blossomforth told the dragon, trying to push him away. Spike nodded and cut off the fire from his mouth, following the rest of his group away from the monster. As soon as the heat was gone the ice dragon continued its pursuit. ///////////////////////////////////////////// Twilight swung her hammer relentlessly as Windigos continued to attack her. Frostmourne watched the spectacle with amusement. “You stand against an army with no fear. I wonder how you would fare against myself,” he said as he slammed a foot on the ground, his forces stopping in their attack. The king stepped forward and Twilight readied herself. Frostmourne whipped his arm forward and several shards of ice shot out at Twilight. The mare jumped out of the way and rolled towards her opponent swinging her hammer when she got close. Frostmourne jumped back, the ice on his arm reforming into a sword and making a counter attack. Twilight ducked and swung Mjolnir at the king several times. Frostmourne ducked and weaved at every strike, occasionally making an attack of his own and putting Twilight on the defensive. Twilight kept up her attacks until she spotted an opening and swung at Frostmourne’s legs and sparking a blinding light from her horn. Unable to defend himself Twilight’s hammer knocked his feet off the ground. Twilight swung again and knocked the king onto his back. Twilight stepped on his chest and kept him from getting up. “Kill her!” he shouted, his warriors jumping back into the fray. Twilight raised Mjolnir over her head, a bolt of lightning connecting it to the sky just as she brought it back to what was left of the floor. The ground itself fell away under her, opening up into the pit beneath her, taking dozens of Windigos with her. Twilight attempted to flap her wings, but found they were still injured from before. What now? Twilight thought as she caught sight of Mjolnir connected to her wrist by a leather strap. Her eyes widened in realization. Twilight started swinging the hammer in a circle before throwing it towards the sky and grabbing the strap before it got too far. The weight of the hammer carried her up and out of the pit. After slowing down the hammer curved and pulled her just outside the castle. Twilight landed outside the destroyed doors and looked back to see Frostmourne pulling himself from the pit. Just as she was about to renew her attack a distant roar caught her attention. She glared at the king before turning away and swinging Mjolnir again, using the weight to fly through the air and her wings to direct her flight. /////////////////////////////////////// Shining glanced over his shoulder to see how close the monster was only to realize it wasn’t anywhere in sight. “Where is it?” he shouted to the group. They all stopped and looked around. A loud thud alerted them to the ice dragon landing in their path. “Now what?” Blossomforth asked, nervously. Before any of them could answer the sound of rushing air met them and something landed on the dragons neck decapitating it. The dust settled after a few seconds revealing Twilight standing over the dragon’s corpse. Her companions and brother smiled as she turned towards them, but their happiness faded as they saw a look of fear in her eyes. Shining Armor turned around and his eyes widened as he saw the army of Windigos approaching them. “I had you all followed from the moment you got here,” Frostmourne spoke as he moved to the front of his forces. “You came here to find answers, but you leave with a declaration of war. I wonder how long it will take Celestia to respond to the deaths of her children,” he said as he took a step forward. Before he got much closer a blast of energy came down from the heavens. The light blinded all present, Twilight and her comrades shielded their eyes. Before too long the light faded and all present laid eyes on a terrifying sight. Celestia, All-Mother of Equinsgard, was pissed. Twilight smiled at her mother’s arrival, but her glare put this to a quick end. She glanced at her children before looking at Frostmourne. “I apologize for my children’s intrusion of your lands,” she said, bowing to the king. Frostmourne glared at her. “It’s too late for apologies All-Mother. The filly came here for war and she’ll get it,” he said, quietly. “Please, King Frostmourne. We can end this now before any more blood is shed. Before war tears the realms apart again as it did so many centuries ago,” Celestia pleaded. “No. I’ve been seeking a reason to continue our battle for so long and now I have it. The next time you see me will be in combat,” Frostmourne stated, as ice began to form on his arm. “Then so be it,” Celestia said sadly as Frostmourne swung an icy blade at her. A light erupted from Celestia’s horn and threw the king away from her. Then the beam shot out of the heavens again and sucked up the Equinsgardians before the Windigos could do anything about it. Frostmourne watched as the light faded. “Prepare for war!” he shouted, getting a rousing cheer from his army. /////////////////////////////////////// Twilight landed in the Bifrost rather jarringly, her friends and mother not far behind. Owlowiscious bowed his head in shame as Celestia turned to him. “Take them to the healing room and have them checked for frostbite” she ordered angrily, gesturing at Spike, Blossomforth and Raindrops. Instead of arguing the owl nodded and lead the other warriors out. Spike looked back at Twilight as he was ushered out of the Bifrost. Twilight made to follow, but Celestia held up a hoof to her. Twilight stopped and looked at her mother. Celestia’s face was a mask of mixed emotions, the most prominent being anger. “I told you not to do anything,” Celestia spoke, the anger in her voice barely contained. “How could I when my home was in danger?” Twilight asked. “And this is your solution? Start a war?” Celestia asked. “I only meant to find answers,” Twilight responded. “Well now you have exposed the realms to the horrors of war. Endangered the lives of your loyal comrades,” Celestia said, her voice rising in volume. Twilight was shocked and angry. “They gave their loyalty to me, and I used it to do what you refused to. Protect our home,” Twilight said angrily. “You would have me sit and wait for a siege before you got up to lift a finger against them,” she accused seething. Celestia’s eyes widened. “You see Spike, Blossomforth and Raindrops as tools to do your bidding?” she asked. Twilight met her mother’s stare. “That is why they follow me. To do my bidding,” she spoke with confidence “Mother-” Shining Armor began, but was silenced by a glare from his mother. Celestia turned back to Twilight. “You are not worthy of their loyalty,” she said as she ripped the cape from Twilight’s shoulders, surprising her daughter. “You are not worthy of the family you have put in danger!” she shouted, as the armor began to fall off of Twilight in tiny pieces. Twilight stared in horror as her mother spoke, but Celestia ignored her. “You are unworthy to protect these realms!” the All-Mother bellowed. She raised a hand. “I take from you your power,” she said, Mjolnir flying to her and yanking Twilight along the floor. Celestia slammed Gungnir on the ground, activating the Bifrost. “And I cast you out!” she shouted hitting Twilight with a bolt from her spear, sending the smaller mare into the portal. The light from Gungnir blinded Twilight, as a piercing pain engulfed her head and back. Her last sight was her mother standing there looking angry, but at the same time sad. And then her vision was filled with the light of the Bifrost’s energy. ///////////////////////////////////////////// Celestia stood in the center of the Bifrost, her strength almost failing her. Shining Armor stood to the side of the chamber unable to process what had just happened. “Mother, I know Twilight was being disobedient, but considering the Windigos have just declared war on us, this may not have been the best choice,” Shining pleaded to his mother. Celestia lifted Mijolnir. “Your sister may return once she has learned the the value of her friends loyalty and the price of her own arrogance,” Celestia said as she brought the hammer to her lips. “Whosoever holds this hammer, should they be worthy, hold the power of Twilight,” she said softly. A symbol Shining had never seen before lit up on the side of the hammer. Celestia then reactivated the Bifrost with a slam of Gungnir and threw Mjolnir into the portal. “Twilight must prove herself worthy to regain her place here,” Celestia said. Shining noticed that she looked tired as she walked away. He gave one last glance at the spot his sister stood just moments before. He knew he should be sad that she was gone, but some part of him understood that if she didn’t come back, he would be next in line for the throne. This chain of thought reminded him of when the Windigo had touched him. “I have some reading to do,” he said to himself as he followed his mother out of the Bifrost.