"Ugh," Rainbow Dash groaned. "Do I have to wear this?"
A very boring week had passed, when they finally arrived at the Glacien capital city of Aquila. Well, outside of it, at least. The Glacien King wouldn't allow the Aurora to actually enter it, so Captain Dash resorted to landing just outside of the city gates.
Phantom had brought his team: Rainbow Dash, Stryker, and Archer, down to the ship's armory where he was getting them outfitted in the winter armor they would be using.
"Yes," Phantom replied through a strap in his mouth that he pulled on, tightening the silver suit of armor that he was helping to put on Rainbow. As he grabbed a nearby white hooded cloak, he also helped to put it on Rainbow Dash, while continuing the conversation. "The Glacien King does not want us wondering around his nation out of uniform." Satisfied, he put on his own hooded cloak.
Their armor consisted of silver plates which covered their breasts, around their shoulders, the top three quarters of their barrel, up and around their flank, then going down to protect the top quarter of their hind legs. With inserts for their wings, of course. The armor was slightly insulted for added heat benefits in the frigid Glacien air.
"But that doesn't make any sense. We're supposed to help him and stop some civil war! How can we do that if everypony here knows we're Equestrian?"
"No, it doesn't make sense, but, we have to do what their King says." From a nearby locker, Phantom pulled out more pieces of armor to put on; including metallic shoes, knee pads, and a bag that would strap around the gaskin of their hind legs. "Besides, they're going to know we aren't native anyway. Stryker here is the only one here who could pass for being Glacien, and that's because he is Glacien. Remember? Glacien Natives are only unicorns. No earth-ponies, and no pegasi. They're all unicorns."
"Some ponies could have cross bred though..."
"And in the eyes of their civilization, they are not 'true Glaciens'. Look, as much as we hate it, we have to do what this King tells us to do as if he were Princess Celestia. Alright?"
She sighed. "I guess..." Rainbow waited by the armory entrance for Phantom to finish putting his armor on. "It's just... it doesn't seem fair."
"It's Glacies," Stryker commented from the corridor outside. "Remember this, Rainbow Dash, Glacies is the exact opposite of Equestria. The King is practically a dictator, and rules with an iron hoof, ruling the country with oppression. Half of the land he 'owns' he took with his military. Non-true-blood-Glaciens are referred to as 'Carens' Kar-Ins and are the lowest class in their society. Carens aren't even allowed to set hoof in Aquila!"
Phantom had finished gearing up, and left the armory with Rainbow Dash. The three ponies proceeded down the corridor, picking up Archer along the way, towards the ship's main exit. "Is that why you left?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"I couldn't stand seeing other ponies get kicked around the dirt in forced poverty. Once I got the chance, I left. Unless you're of Royal or noble birth, the system is pretty stacked against you. Even if you're a true Glacien, it's still difficult to get anywhere. But sadly, you're still better than if you were a Caren. Hay, the only reason you guys are even being allowed near the city let alone in it is because you're military, even though we're Equestrian."
"So this King hate's Equestria?"
"Hates? I wouldn't go that far. It's more of a... a... disapproval. He recognizes and respects the Equestrian Royal Guard as a skilled, and capable military force, but he frowns upon Princess Celestia's lack of using them. He's tried to get Celestia to use the Guard as an expeditionary force rather than a security force, and take over nearby regions."
"What!? Why?"
"Pfft, simple." The group of Guards stopped at the ship's exit. Stryker nodded towards the Glacien landscape that was laid out before them. A vast, white emptiness, dotted with small forests and a few hills. Beyond the horizon, lay small farming communities and vast woodlands equivalent in size and danger to the Everfree. "It's called Glacies for a reason. Ice. Ice bucking everywhere. The only reason this nation can survive this far north is because of the unicorns' magic. That's how they grow crops in this weather. Without the magic, they would surely die. And it's not easy to do, either. With the Glacien population increasing, it's becoming more and more difficult to secure resources.
"That's why the King thinks Glacies is better than ever other nation, too. Because only unicorns are capable of surviving and farming this region; through the use of their magic. The King needs trade with other regions, and the only one who's willing to trade with him is Equestria, but he doesn't want to since he see's Equestria as inferior. He once said that if Equestria grew to the power of Glacies, then and only then he would begin trade."
"Cmon," Phantom started, making his way down to the ramp that led towards the frozen earth below. "Let's end this bloddy war, stop Sky, find that filly, and go home." The others followed him. Archer and Stryker began to shiver the instant the icy wind came into contact with them. Stryker's horn lit up, and a glowing aura surrounded himself, a satisfying look filled his muzzle.
"Are... Are you... warming yourself?" Archer stuttered.
"Eeyup. That's one of the first thing a unicorn growing up in Glacies learns; a self-heating spell."
Archer grumbled something under his breath. Eventually his voice became loud enough to be heard. "...Unicorns... Oh! That reminds me! Hang on a second!" Phantom, who had just set hoof in the Glacien snow, stopped and rolled his eyes. The white stallion returned a few minutes later. "Sorry, forgot to send a letter."
Stryker nudged him playfully as they left the ramp, and began trudging through the handpicked snow. "More letters to your marefriend, Arch?"
The pink blushing was easily visible on the stallion's white coat. "N-N-N-No. What? No!" Stryker glared at the earth-pony. Sighing, Archer confessed, "Yes... Happy?"
"Nope!" Stryker replied cheerfully.
Leading the group of ponies along a snow covered stone path towards the city gates, Phantom craned his neck around to issue a reply of his own. "What's his name?"
"Oh ha ha," Arhcer mocked. "Her name is not of your concern."
"Oh! Oh! Oh! I know her name!" Stryker sang, bouncing up and down, a hoof in the air as if he were answering a question in a class room. "Pick me boss! Pick me! I got this!"
"Uh... Yes! You!" Phantom called. "You in the back, you've got an answer?"
"Aye!" Stryker cleared his throat. "Ahem. What is Twilhmht Mhhmhle?" The unicorn found the name to be mumbled under the hoof that was implanted on his muzzle. Traced the apendage back to see Archer glaring fire into him.
"Twilight!?" Rainbow gasped, raising to the air. "You're dating Twilight!?" The pegasus hovered in the air, gaping at the white earth-pony.
"S-Sorry?" Archer attempted to apologize, but the look on Rainbow's muzzle told him he wasn't getting anywhere. "Oh come on! We're not even dating! We started talking at the train station before we left, now we're sending letters. It's no big deal!"
Rainbow hesitated shortly before falling to the ground in a laughing fit. Archer was unamused. "Ha ha ha! You like Twilight! Haaaah ha ha ha!"
"I'll have you know she as very smart, talented, ad interesting mare."
"Exactly," Stryker said. "That's why we believe you when you say you're not dating!" The unicorn couldn't help himself, and joined in the same fit of laughter as Rainbow Dash.
Phantom, however, was becoming slightly annoyed. More-so now that they were approaching the city gates. "Hey, get serious now," he commanded. "We've got company." Stryker and Rainbow Dash quickly regain their composure, moving back to Phantom's side.
Ahead, just in front of the city gates, was a group of five Glacien guards in a 'V' formation, with the tip facing Phantom. Each were adorned in golden armor, but the one at the tip of their formation stood out more than the others, with a brilliant sapphire crystal on his chest plate. It was clear to Phantom that he was of a significantly higher rank the those around him. Another thing caught his eye. Each wore a golden helmet, not so different from the Equestrian Royal Guard helmets, but one aspect of their's showed an appetite for war. A steel blade rose from the top of their helmet, mounted in front of the horn, it's blade facing ahead. Along with those weapons, they also appeared to have sheathed swords at their sides.
Now that the group of Equestrians were closer to the gate, they could see more of the details to it. It appeared to be the only entrance to the city within their eye sight along a fifty foot high solid stone wall that wrapped around the entirety of the city. The gate itself was composed of two black steel doors, that extended from the ground, to the top of an archway. On either side of the road, were stations for gate keepers to keep watch for anypony approaching. Phantom to special note to the archers that patrolled along the top of the walls, bows in hoof.
Phantom stopped shy of the group of Glacien Guards.
"You're the Equestrians, then, eh?" asked the guard with the sapphire in a mildly-thick accent.
"Staff Sergeant Phantom Knight," the pegasus introduced himself, a hoof held out to the Glacien who was addressing him. "Equestrian Royal Guard."
The pale coated unicorn merely stared disparagingly at the hoof. He seemed to carelessly inspect Phantom, his armor, and his counterparts. "Quite... I'm Captain Cypher, Glacien Security/Expeditionary Force." The Captain's eyes locked on to Stryker. "Ah, I see you've returned, defector. And you've brought Caren with you, no less..."
Stryker shoved past Phantom, and got close enough to Cypher that his horn was touching the other's blade. "The only Caren here is you, Cypher... Tell me, how many innocent ponies muzzles have you shoved into the dirt lately?" Rainbow could have sworn she saw bolts of electricity zapping between the two ponies foreheads.
Captain Cypher took several steps back, and regained his composure. "Right, anyway... I'll take you to King Centauri." The stallion turned tail, and headed towards the city. The large steel gates that kept everypony out slowly, and quietly, opened. Rainbow Dash was caught off guard by the soundless motion. Their hoofsteps crunching in the snow were louder than the turning hinges. The remaning guards that had accompanied Captain Cypher fell into positions behind the Equestrians, making Phantom very uncomfortable that he was now surrounded.
Once the group passed through the giant gates, they could see the entirety of the city. Phantom, Rainbow Dash, and Archer hadn't expected to see much, but they still couldn't help but be caught off guard by the overal appearance of the Glacien capital.
The roads were constructed of lightly clustered cobblestone, and the spaces between them were packed with trotted over snow. Buildings lined both sides of the streets, each were also made of cobblestone. Averaging one to two stories each, atop every one was a black shingled roof, but most were almost completely covered in snow. There was the occasion three or four story building for those with living spaces above shops. Along the sides of the streets, was the occasion set of tables and chairs, with awnings over each to protect from snowfall. Looked down what appeared to be the mane, and largest street in the city, the team of Equestrians could see on the horizon an giant stone castle that rivaled the one in Canterlot in sheer size. Though, admittedly this one looked considerably order, in disrepair, dark, gloomy, and overal a place a pony wouldn't immediately go rushing towards in excitement. Well, except for Pinkie Pie, she probably would. Trash and random debris milled about in the frost-bitten wind.
Just as disparaging as the architecture of the city, was the condition of the ponies that lived within it's walls. All unicorns, every single one of them had dull colored coats, and lifeless manes. Even their eyes were glossy. Phantom noticed something particular, though. Not very many of them even had cutie marks. This led him to one conclusion. There was a general lack of motivation and ambition amongst their society. Nopony wanted to really do anything. They even displayed this in their movements, which were either sluggish or robotic. None were smiling.
"Huh," Stryker began, examining the condition that was once his home. "Looks like official's got their stuff together, haven't seen this place looking this good in a long time..."
"Good?" Archer questioned, "Good? You can see the same thing I see, right? This place is a mess!"
"It's been worse. Trust me."
The group of guardsponies passed by several unicorn mares sitting at a group of tables on a nearby street corner. The Glaciens wearily eyed the Equestrians as they passed by, whispering conspiratorially amongst themselves. Seeing their, what was probably formal attire, Rainbow Dash concluded that these were members of the Glacien elite, and there for snobby, rich ponies she tended to despise. She could have sword that she saw them whisper the word 'Caren' several times. What does that mean... she wondered to herself. Remembering that she had a Glacien on her side, she proceeded to move to his side.
"Hey, Stryker," she spoke in a mildly soft tone. "What the hay does 'Caren' mean, anyway?"
"Lacking." he said matter-of-factly.
"Seriously? That's it? Lacking?"
"Eeyup. It's one of the higher tier insults around here. Basically saying that somepony lacks the necessary qualities to be a true Glacien. Believe it or not, if you tick off the wrong guard, you can be charged for being 'Caren', it's actually a crime. The only reason not everypony get's charged with it, most of the time, is because they need those they call Caren in the lower class to sustain the nobility and royalty."
"That's terrible!"
"Terrible? That's the bright side of Glacies. Aquila is the 'highest quality city' in Glacies. The outlying towns and farming communities in the country side are easily a thousand times worse. They're supposed to be run by democratically elected local government body, but instead the local guard chiefs usually extort and control the town's ponies. I left to escape."
Rainbow Dash slowly left the unicorn's side, returning to her previous position. She was satisfied for having an explanation, but slightly saddened by the extend of it. Yes, her question had been answered, but she could have done without such an in-depth explanation. How could this King do something like that to his own people!? The more she thought about it, the more she resented the Glaciens.
Most of the ponies travel had gone by relatively fast. In seemingly no time, they were upon the castle steps. The cobble stone steps lead up to to a pair of grand wooden doors. Captain Cypher scaled them without a thought, and opened up a door for the Equestrians, leading them inside. The last Glacien guard through shut it again in an attempt to keep the gold out. They immediately found themselves in a grand, elegant throne room. Red banners hung from the high ceilings, depicted on them was a single, blue, crystal. From where they were standing, they could either: go left down, down a smal hallway which led to a pair of smaller double doors; or go right, towards a similar looking area; or they could go forward, following a scarlet red carpet, up to a pair of grand thrones. The biggest of the two thrones, the one presumable for the king, had a bigger blue Chrystal atop it than the throne next to it.
Captain Cypher led the Equestrians towards said thrones. As they neared, they could see the two unicorns that occupied them. The very large stallion who sat in the largest of the two thrones, had a white coat and dull a navy blue mane and tail. A mare, who roughly the size of Princess Luna, had a grayer coat than the stallion, and had a glossy pink mane and tail. Their cuite marks weren't visible under their elegant royal clothing, assuming they even had cutie marks.
Rainbow Dash examined the walls as they proceeded on. Giant arching windows, evenly spaced from each other, were the only source of light for the entire room. Every other window was covered in stained glass, most depicted what looked like great ponies in their society, the founding of their nations, the original settlers coming to the region, etceteras. One in particular caught her eye. It showed roughly eight unicorns at the bottom, using their magic to fire at a blue crystal, which then fired at a red circle. Inside of that circle, was what appeared to be a dragon, made of light blue colors, and eyes of deep sapphire. On either side of the red circle, and above, it, were runes that Dash didn't recognize.
Stryker had apparently seen her transfixed gaze, and stepped in to explain. "The Battle of Palmyra," he called it. "Shows the Glaciens rising up against Boreas, an ice dragon who used the Glaciens as his slaves for his own personal benefits. They blame him for Glacies being frozen and lifeless as it is, so they rebelled in the hopes that it would restore Glacies to a state similar to that of Equestria. So, they sought out the help of three dragons who possed the powers over Psyche, Wind, and Lightning to defeat him. The dragons gave the Glaciens a blue crystal, that they focused their magic through to defeat Boreas. He was turned to stone, and hidden away in his castle in Palmyra.
"It is told that on the two thousandth anniversary of his imprisonment, if the blue crystal that turned him to stone is placed within it's receptor in the stone that incases Boreas, then the granite will crack, and Boreas will fly once more, and turn the world to ice."
"So, that's why we keep seeing stuff with blue crystals on them?"
"Eeyup. Supposedly, the blue crystal that was used to imprison Boreas is now the centerpiece of the King's crown. But, it's all a myth. Nopony has been able to find any magic within the crystal, and Palmyra has never been found. In fact, the only time anypony has ever mentioned Palmyra, or Boreas, is in the legend itself. They appear nowhere else."
"Well, we used to think that Nightmare Moon was a myth."
"That's what worries me. There's always truth behind myth. I'm not saying Boreas is real or anything, I'm just saying something happened that started the story. Personally, I think it's just a tale to keep ponies out of the forest, and gives them something to blame for this cursed weather. Hay, they force you to learn it in the schools."
Rainbow Dash was about to respond, but Captain Cypher spoke before she could. "King Alpha and Queen Omega Centauri," he bowed. Reluctantly, Phantom bowed too, along with the rest of his team. "These are the Equestrians you said would arrive today."
Everypony returned to a normal stance, all eyes focus on the King. Dash noticed that embedded on the front of his golden crown, was a brilliant blue crystal. For a brief moment, she could have sworn the temperature dropped the more she stared into it, that she could hear a quiet, deep laugh in the winds outside, and see a pair of small, glowing sapphire eyes within the crystal itself. Rainbow shook her head to snap out of it, and payed attention to what the King was about to say.
For a few more seconds, the King sat lazily, casting judgment on the Equestrians before speaking. "Which of you is the leader of the expedition?" He asked in a loud, boisterous voice, fitting for his size.
Phantom stepped forward, and stopped at Captain Cypher's side. "I am, your highness. Staff Sergeant Phantom Knight, Equestrian Royal Guard. We're here to—"
"I know what you're here for, Caren." Phantom recoiled slightly, having not expected to be blatantly insulted, at least with what the Glaciens considered an insult, so quickly; and by their king. This told him that their King truly didn't respect Equestrians, and probably nopony for that matter. This'll be fun, Phantom thought to himself. "Your princess and I have been communicating for the past week. You're here to help me end this civil war, are you not?"
Phantom decided that being nice, polite, and civil wouldn't get him anywhere with this king. So, he opted for the best solution. Be the exact opposite. "You tell me. After all, you've been writing to Caren for the past week."
The King seemed to be taken aback by Phantom's sudden change of tone, and use of a Glacien insult. "Attitude, eh? I like it. Yes, you are here to help me stop this civil war. I'm told that you're the best amongst the Equestrian Royal Guard, and frankly, I'm happy that you've shifted gears and are operating in other nations now.
"These rebels, Nightingales they call themselves, are accusing the local town governments of corruption and extortion, and are gathering support from the farmers and other Caren to fight against them. They've been using the forests to attack government buildings, outposts, and supply convoys. If you're as good as Celestia says you are, then we should be able to resolve this situation by the end of the week. That's out goal, at least. We believe they're going to try something on Aquila, but are unsure of what. I've sent—"
The throne room doors burst open, and a Glacien Guard rushed in. It looked as if he had been running for miles. His thoughts were probably on learning a teleportation spell for the future. "King Centauri!" he yelled from his advancing position. "King Centauri!"
"What is it, Guard? Have you news from the north-east?"
"No, your highness! It's—"
"Then why interrupt me in the middle of a audience!?"
"Sir! It's you're son! Prince Castor! He's missing."
King Centauri rose from his throne with surprising speed. "What do you mean, 'missing'!?" The King was making his way down the steps, and onto the scarlet carpet.
"We were patrolling the north-east forest, in search of... you know... like you said. We were ambushed by Nightingales. Only me and a few others survived, and we can't find the Prince anywhere!"
The King stomped a hoof to the ground, creating a dull 'thud'. "Faust!" He turned his attention, and rage, to Phantom and the Equestrians. "This will be a good opportunity for you to prove your worth, Equestrian. If you rescue my son, I will be willing to allow you to help further in our cause. Captain Cypher." The pony he was now addressing snapped to attention. "Take the Equestrians and head to the north-east forest. Find my son, and bring him back. I want every Nightingale you encounter dead. Understand?"
"Yes, your highness," he saluted, then turned towards Phantom. "Follow me."