“So, where do you think Ashe and Tryndamere ended up?” asked Lucian, walking by Braum’s side as Snowshoe lead them to the Crystal Empire. “I don’t feel safe knowing a guy like him could be running around this place.
Braum shrugged. “You worry too much, we will find them. After all, who better to keep Tryndamere in line than the true queen of the Freijlord?”
“I suppose you’re right…”
“Sorry for barging in but, who’s Tryndamere and Ashe?” Snowshoe stopped and turned to them. “There are more of you?”
Both humans exchanged glances, silently discussing wether or not to tell the pony. Such a topic was rather controversial in the Freijlord alone considering Tryndamere’s history as well as the fact he’s married to Ashe. A violent warrior and a peacekeeper, truly an unusual pair. But that was nothing compared to now, knowing that some of the deadliest champions will probably be alone in a world they do not yet understand. Braum nodded to his partner. “It is best we should tell him.”
“Aight.” the purifier replied, turning to Snowshoe. “Yeah, there’s more of us. I won’t sugarcoat it, but there are some dangerous individuals who came with us and if they run amok, there won’t be anything left but a barren wasteland of black ice.”
Snowshoe gulped, turning around to continue leading them without another word.
“Do not worry! We are here to help!” Braum chuckled. “Once we find our allies and-… You know, I never asked… what world is this?”
“Uh, Equestria,” replied the delivery pony.
Lucian arched an eyebrow. “Equestria? So I’m guessin’ it’s mostly talkin’ horses?”
“Ponies,” corrected Snowshoe.
“…Yeah…”
Snowshoe tapped his chin. “Well, not just ponies really. We have pegasi, unicorns, gryphons, dragons. Much more to name really, we would be talking all day if we were to talk about each one.”
“Braum, I want you to punch my face as hard as you can. This has to be a bad dream.” Lucian whispered, pointing to his cheek.
“I shall do no such thing, friend!”
“Fine…”
“I’m unsure of what you mean, dear sister.” Celestia, sovereign of the Sun sat upon her throne, her younger sister, Luna, sitting on her own throne nearby. “Are you sure it was that big of a disturbance?”
“We can only know for sure until Twilight confirms our suspicions,” replied Luna, resting her chin on her armrest with a loud audible yawn.
“Sleepy? Please, get some rest, you’ve been up all day…”
Stretching, the Princess of the Moon stood. “I’m fine, just need some coffee.”
Shaking her head, the elder sister firmly said, “I shall have no such thing, you need your rest!”
“I deserve to know about this magical disturbance as much as you do. Please, dear sister?”
Taking a moment to contemplate, Celestia gave in with a sigh. “Very well, but only if you promise to not fall asleep during the meeting.”
“Sorry I’m late!” called out Twilight. “But this magic I’ve been researching to do with the disturbance…it’s…ancient.” She squinted at the book, adjusting her reading glasses. “Whatever magic this is, it’s nothing like I’ve ever seen. If anything it’s reminiscent of the Windigo but more powerful.”
The sisters shuddered at the memory of those foul spirits, their piercing blue eyes which stared an icy lance into the very soul of those unfortunate enough to be in their sights. If it weren’t for Clover the Clever, Private Pansy and Smart Cookie, Equestria would have been bathed in an eternal winter of misery and hatred.
“You’re saying we may have a threat bigger than Discord was before he reformed?” asked Luna.
“In a matter of speaking, yes. One source alarmingly close to Ponyville, in the Everfree. I would go and investigate with my friends, but it would be too risky…”
“Then we shall give you our best patrol to help you scout the area,” replied Celestia with a calming smile. “Whatever it is, we won’t allow it to do harm.”
“Thank you so much!” Twilight sighed, relief coursing through her.
“More! More! MORE!” A loud battle cry shook the forest, followed by Timberwolf splinters flying in every direction. “Come on! That all you have?!”
“Take it easy, you know how you get when you’re in the moment.” Ashe, the true queen of the Freijlord sat on a nearby branch, idly shooting ice arrows at any timberwolf that came close. Each shot froze them in place before they were shattered by her husband, Tryndamere.
Spitting on a pile of splinters, he turned to reply. “It’s been a while, you haven’t let me go on rampages since we were considered the best picks for summoners.”
“True,” giggled Ashe. “It is nice to see you in your element.”
“I thought you liked peace?” Tryndamere joked.
“Well these creatures don’t seem to be passive at all, and from their constant appearances they seem dangerously abundant, I doubt killing them would harm the ecosystem.”
Tryndamere stopped swinging for a second at the retreating packs. “Do you hear something?”
Mid draw, Ashe paused for a moment to listen. Narrowing her eyes, the archer turned her bow in the direction of the noise. “Show me a path!” The tip of her arrow shifted into the shape of a bird, spreading its wings wide as she let the bird loose. To both Tryndamere and Ashe, multiple horse-shaped figures clad in armour filled the area of where the arrow burst into revealing feathers.
“Crap, we’ve been spotted!” One of them called out.
“More victims?” enquired the barbarian, receiving a shake of Ashe’s head in response.
“Don’t be afraid!” she called out. “We mean you no harm!”
Multiple ponies left from the brushing, spears aimed at both humans. “Don’t make any sudden moves- uh… do you have any names?” asked what appeared to be the captain, judging from a golden sun on his chest piece.
Tryndamere approached slowly, the soldiers shaking in fear at the stature of this brute holding a sword as long as his body being dragged along the ground. Various soldiers dropped their spears and hid behind their captain, who stood there with a stoic expression hiding his fear. Ashe made no effort to stop her husband from approaching, merely dropping down from the branch acrobatically to see what he does next. If he even raises his sword, an arrow would be freezing his sword arm to the ground. Glaring down at the captain who was sweating bullets by this point, Tryndamere grumbled, “Is this some kind of joke?”
“Pardon?” The captain stood there confused.
“You heard me, tiny talking horses coloured like paint?”
“Rude!” gasped Ashe, shoving him out the way. “Sorry about my husband, he’s a little short fused.”
“Hey!”
“Anyway, he’s Tryndamere, I’m Ashe. Nice to meet you.” She knelt down and held out her hand to greet the captain with a warm smile. The captain hesitantly placed his hoof on her hand and she shook it with confidence. “I suppose we owe you an explanation of our presence if we are in some sort of tribal territory?”
“Tribal? No ma’am, we just received an alert to bring two magical sources back with us to the princess. Speaking of which, I need to alert my squads and the elements that we have found the magical sources, you two. You don’t mind right?”
Exchanging a glance with the barbarian, who simply shrugged, Ashe stood to her full height. “Please do what you must. Do you have a name?”
Taking a few steps back, the pony aimed his horn at the clearing above. “Captain Fire Cracker,” he replied, getting a chuckle from Tryndamere who earned a smack on the back of his head from Ashe. A brilliant red light burst from his horn into the sky, exploding midair like a flare.
It is only a matter of time before it all becomes our personal domain, our only companion the self proclaimed troll king. How we tolerated his insubordinate behaviour this long is a mystery, he does offer strength and unwavering loyalty to compensate for his obvious flaws. With his life being the price of betrayal if he dares defy me or the will of the Watchers.
The gift of the Watchers will assist me well, so that I may create a monument out of this world as my gift to them. Time is on our side, it has always been. Preparations are in order, we will bide our time until we are ready to strike. Soon, this world will be forever frozen in ice…