"Terminus!" The voice of the train conductor cried as we stopped at the entrance of the Crystal Empire. I stepped out of the vehicle and shivered as the cold immediately attacked me.
The empire was warmer than the frozen waste outside of the city due to the always present magic around it. But there was still a big difference in heat compared to Ponyville since we were still in summer.
I put the enchanted scarf aunt Rarity gave me and let out a relieved sigh as the spell heat up my body.
I looked ahead of me and sighed as I saw the endless frozen wasteland. This will be a long trip.
- - - - -
A few hours earlier
"You want to what?!" Luna asked with a disbelieving look.
"I need to find Snowdrop so she can teach me more about my powers. But I need some magic of her so I can detect her on my device." I respond back.
"We didn't found Snowdrop after three centuries what make you think you will be more successful?" The lunar princess ask with a frown.
"Most of the research parties didn't dare go in the center of Dream Valley because of the rumors that there still Windigoes in there. But I can take care of myself against them." I state confidently.
Luna sighed in defeat. "Fine I will give you some of Snowdrop's magic. But be careful, even I I'm afraid of what your mother would do if she learn I helped you going head first into troubles."
"Thank you aunt Luna." I said with a grateful smile.
Luna frowned in response. "You may consider Princess Twilight like your aunt, but it is not because she is part of the royal family that you can call me your aunt."
"Whatever you say Princess Lulu." I replied with a cheeky smile.
"On second through you can call me your aunt." The Princess of the night said with an annoyed frown and I giggled. Messing with Luna is so easy.
- - - - -
I've been walking for hours and I was freezing. I knew the enchantment was still there to keep me warm but it felt like it had worn off a good while ago.
I came in sight of a small habitation made of wood, about as small as Zecora's hut. My four legs were killing me so I decided to knock at the door in hope that somepony would answer. I heard no sound from the other side so I decided to try again. "Hello? I came from a long way and I need to warm up, please open the door!" Still no response.
I was about to give up and be on my way. But then I heard a click on the other side of the door. The door opened up to revealed a brown Earth Pony stallion. He had a long black beard and bags under his eyes that made him seem old.
"A filly? I really hope you're not another looter I would feel bad to have to hurt a girl." I shook my head with a confused look.
"I just want to warm up a little and I'll be out of your mane." The stallion step aside and I immediatly step inside.
The inside was fairly simple. There was a small table with two chairs, a paint stood above a small fireplace it was a paint of a healtier and happier version of the stallion accompanied by a simple yet charming-looking Unicorn mare, from the fireplace I could smell something that made my nose scrunch in disgust. Wait was that squirrel meat that was cooking?!
I had seen Sonata cook meat before. But to actually see a pony do it was a very disturbing sight. The stallion seem to have caught my gaze.
"You're one of those that refuse to eat meat, eh? Dream Valley is a harsh environment, not all of us have the bits to pay the expensive fruits and vegetables exported from Equestria. Meat isn't the healtiest thing to eat for a herbivore species, but it better than dying of starvation."
I kept silent, I'm not sure if I would have what it take to eat meat if my life depend on it. I passed a big part of my foalhood with animals thanks to my mother I understood almost all there is to know about their way of life. I even know one that could talk and act like a pony! That is if a pony could be as obsessed with fishes as Soft Paw.
"Name's Morning Dew by the way, what yours?" He ask with a polite smile.
"I'm Winter Song" He rose a eyebrow at that.
"With your colors I would have more expect a name like Summer Song instead." I shrugged.
"I'm a water elementalist and I'm especially good at making ice so I think it fit."
"A elementalist? A rare sight to behold around here. I would suggest to not throw that information around. Some ponies are still intolerent of the other tribes even less about elementalistes." He paused. "By the way I have never seen you before where do you come from young filly?"
"I come from Ponyville" At his blank stare I elaborated. "It's a small town close to Canterlot."
Comprehension dawn on him. "Ah, so you're from Equestria. That explain a lot. You're way too trusting of strangers to be from Dream Valley. What does a little filly like you do all the way here?"
"I'm searching Snowdrop I heard she could..." I trail off when I saw the grim expression forming on Morning's face.
"Little filly you should return to Equestria right now. The road you have chose is way too dangerous. Nopony can save Snowdrop, it's suicidal just to think about it."
"Why? What happened to her?" I ask with a worried frown.
"It's better you don't know, now go back to-" He was interupted by furious knocks at the door. Morning Dew peak at the window and turn to me with an aggravated frown. "The looters are here, quick hide in the closet!" Before I could protest the stallion pushed me inside and closed the door. I could barely see my hoof in front of my eyes once the door was closed.
On the other side of the door I could make out voices. "I have nothing to give you, your 'taxes' doesn't come for another three days." I heard Morning complained.
"We're not here for that grandpa. King Cold Heart sense the arrival of a somewhat powerful magical being full of love and compassion we suspect an Equestrian Unicorn or something similar passed our borders. The King isn't happy about it. Now the last location this being went was around here. So tell us old man did your wife finally decided to come back or did you invited a stranger? Either ways Cold Heart want to see this pony. Don't make use force."
"There nopony beside me here." Morning replied coldly.
"So be it," The other stallion replied. Immediatly after I heard a loud crash.
"Morning! No!" I pushed the door opened. The stallion that had so generously offer me a place to warm up laid on top of a brocken table. At first my eyes widden in horror when I through he was dead. But I was reassured when I saw him breathing, he was only unconscious.
"What do we have here?" A unpleasant voice said from behind me. I turned my attention to the voice and saw a grinning stallion wearing a brown robe acompanied by another stallion and a mare. "It's seem you are the disturbance our King felt, catch her Light Hoof, Cold Heart will be pleased."
The ponies caught me without much effort. Normally I would have wipe the floor with these three arrogant fools. But I wanted to personally meet this King, and kick him in the face.
Was I in way over my head for trusting my abilities to defeat whatever was ahead? Only time would tell.