My Little Pony
Friendship Is Magic
Chapter IV
A change in Plans
1,150 Years before “A Canterlot Wedding”
Glaciem stared out of the opened window as if he were in a trance at the lavender morning sky. Despite his past of morning surprises, this one in particular was no different than the others he had in his three hundred and fifty year stay at Canterlot castle. “Mother…Father…” Glaciem said silently, his voice slightly more deepened from years of maturing as he gazed out into the blue sky. Ever since coming to Canterlot those many years ago this was one of his favorite spots in all of Equestria. he loved how a soft breeze of air would come through the open window from the beautiful blue sky above and practically made a melody as it blew through the hills that seemed to go on forever until they are Conquered by the majestic purple mountains of the Equestrian mountain range.
Glaciem smiled a small smile as the breeze hit his face, but it soon disappeared when he remembered why he was talking to the clouds: hoping for an answer that would never come verbally. “ I miss you more than I can begin to explain… but I will try to keep moving on. One day I will avenge your deaths… one way or another…” Although he felt more at home now than when he did three and a half centuries ago, it did little to ease the pain of that day after he first came, they day he was told his parents were dead. He felt a piece of him died that day, not only that; but that piece that was replaced by a burning rage toward the culperit that killed his parents and got away with it; whoever it may be.
Glaciem himself was a sign of changing times; he has grown several feet in height, his mane was now a rainbow of blues and white’s flowing freely as if caught in a small breeze. But as impressed as he was with how friendly Canterlot seemed to become to him. After Three and a half centuries, the Anti-Alicorn sentiment that haunted Glaciem in his opening years of his stay in Canterlot now seemed like a childish practice to the ponies of the city who had,in turn, welcomed him with open hooves. This Change began after he'd shed his shy nature that he had initially shown and actually tried to help Equestria in any way he was able.
But Glaciem was growing weary of the constant sadness that seemed to be everywhere around him.
As The young winter Prince looked at the white gem that shined like the late night stars above, he remembered that day; the day after he had come to live in Canterlot when he received the gem from Celestia. The morning he received the gem was also the day he had to say goodbye to his parents. He remembered walking through the early morning mist that hung over the meadow which he was escorted to buy Princess Celestia and Queen Nova. He noticed, however, that Celestia had a saddle bag with her which confused Glaciem as well as intrigued him. However, any sense of Intrigue was immediately stamped out by the sense of dread he felt as he stumbled through the haze only increased with each step. Eventually they had arrived at their destination; the young prince looked around to see Equestrian Soldiers standing over two vertical holes filled with rocks, Torches surrounding these holes.
It was only then that Glaciem realized that these were not holes, these were graves of his parents. Glaciem tearfully looked up into Nova's eyes; her eyes, like his, were misty. Glaciem knew that Nova and His parents had become close friends because of the long ago battle against Nemesis. She looked down into his eyes, grief running through hers. "I'm sorry little one..." she said her voice wavering. "Your parents did not survive." Those words were enough to put him on his knees as tears flowed like Rivers down his cheeks; It hurt, by Aligard it hurt.
"I know it hurts Glaciem..." Nova's voice suddenly went through the misty morning air soothingly as he felt a wing drape over his back. "But I believe it only proper that you have a chance to say goodbye to them." He looked back into her eyes silently, seeing that she had calmed herself down. Nova noticed through Glaciem's eyes that he was in the worst pain he had ever felt. Glaciem felt the world around him get cold, he felt surrounded, with the world closing in around him slowly. Nova sighed, it hurt her to see this happen to him, to see how much agony this put the young colt in.
It was then Nova motioned for Celestia, Glaciem saw her nod in his direction. Slowly, the pure white filly walked up to the grief stricken colt; her pink mane billowing as the wind moved billowed. her yellow colored magic opening the saddlebag with a barely audible "click." "Glaciem..." Celestia's voice went through the fog. Glaciem turned towards her, his tear stained eyes looking into Celestia's gentle purple eyes. "I know it might not be much, but I would like you to have this iy is a very special jewel for a very special pony..." Her horn comes to life once again; after only a couple of seconds she pulls something large and glowing. The gem itself gave off a bright white glow and engraved into the middle of the gem was a snowflake; "To let you know, no matter what that you will always have friends here!" Celestia cooed, Causing Glaciem to slowly look back up at her; and give her a weak smile.
"Thank you Celestia..." Glaciem said vacantly to his friend before returning his attention to his parents' graves.
Glaciem heard a sudden knocking at his door, bringing an end to his memories as he turned his attention to the doors wondering who could be out at six in the morning. “Come in.” Glaciem says with a yawn. The door creaks open to reveal Princess Celestia in the doorway. She too had grown into an Adult, her once all pink mane now a breezy flowing mixture of Lavender, green, pink, and blue; she had also grown several feet tall in the last three centuries. “Sounds like someone needs their morning coffee,” says Celestia with a touch of humor in her voice.
“Well, forgive me if I’m not a morning stallion, Celestia; some of us don’t have the energy you do,” Glaciem retorts with an arched eyebrow and an amused smile. This is how the two of them talked to each other since he could remember; It was almost a bizarre way of showing each other that they care. Neither he nor Celestia didn’t mind their sarcastic conversations. They were actually amused them in some strange way, like an innocent child’s teasing. It may have sounded mean or combative,but in reality, it was no more than a genuine innocent wisecrack.
“I just came in to see how you were doing, Glaciem” Celestia's voice was now devoid of the usual playful tone.
“Somehow I'm making do...” Indeed Glaciem was finally beginning to smile again. Through his Three Hundred and Fifty year stay in Canterlot, Glaciem more and more found himself of a good time with ponies he actually had come to care about. He had eventually become a pony that other ponies began to respect. However, it did take a year or two for Glaciem to finally start coming out of his self made shell. A lot had happened in his new home, most recently Discord's betrayal.
“Hey Celestia, I just wanted to say congratulations on your coronation next week. I know you have been preparing for it; but I know you did not want it like this.”
“Thank you Glaciem...I do have to admit that Discord's actions have not only left a void in my heart, but a void in everyponies hearts, it is why they asked me to be their princess...I must do it Glaciem, not for myself, but for every-pony else...I just wish I could have saved my parents, this coronation would have been that much better.” Celestia explained downhearted.
Celestia, once so vibrant and full of a childlike energy that seemed boundless, was now more calm and collected like a ruler should be. However, like Glaciem before her, she was plagued by sadness. It had been a hard two and a half months since Discord betrayed and murdered the royal parents and took over, leaving Equestria in a state of Chaos, Anarchy, and Poverty But it seemed like finally she was coming to peace with the past and moving on. She had her subjects health and well-being to deal with, as well as a never ending surge of jealousy that Luna has begun to feel towards her.
She continued “But I think I can make it through if you will do me one favor...”
Glaciem was willing to do anything for his best friend, so naturally he accepted and asked what it could be.
“Come with me Glaciem. Rule by my and Luna's side...You have so much to offer Equestria...” Celestia trailed off as she struggled to find a way to say her next sentence without sounding foolish.
The Prince of winter gave the offer only a slight smile and only a few moments of thought before bringing himself back under his own relentless guilt. Because of him, Celestia had lost Discord, her lover, to chaotic insanity which he used to put all of Equestria into unrest and unhappiness, Equestria itself nearly imploded because of him. But here she was offering him a throne to help rule this land, the land his jealousy nearly destroyed.
“Celestia…” Glaciem began, his voice swaying like the trees outside. “I just wanted to apologize how I acted around your and Discord’s relationship. It was rather unfair how I acted towards your happiness. Because of my inability to control my own emotions innocent ponies suffered. I do not think I am worthy of a place by your and Luna’s side in the thrones. I feel I can only offer you my unwavering support in whoever you choose to be your Prince. I just hope the lucky stallion knows how to treat a mare like you like the Princess you are...”
Glaciem watched astonished as a warm smile spread across Celestia’s face. She could not deny that Glaciem’s anger toward Discord was a determining factor in his turn, but something told her it was more than Glaciem’s jealousy that was the ultimate factor. She knew eventually he would try to make things right with him and Discord. Glaciem’s apology was too late to make a difference to Discord, but anypony who had jealousy fueling their every thought and action would not have attempted to make things right, and to Celestia that made a difference.
Discord’s betrayal was as swift as it was surprising; stating that he was innocently enough going to go for a walk around Canterlot gardens under the guise of giving Glaciem some room to vent his jealousy of his relationship with Celestia. But as soon as he was out of their sight Discord went into the Everfree forest to discuss something with some-pony that took advantage of his recent feeling of rage toward losing who he considered a best friend. If there was any sort of sanity left in his mind whoever or whatever Discord went to see completely warped Discord’s personality into one of a cruel and merciless leader that kept Glaciem as a bargaining chip to the ponies that would have otherwise rebelled. Glaciem, who had come to realize he made a mistake being so jealous, would have taken Discord on right there and then if Celestia had not asked him to not do anything he may regret while they searched for the elements of harmony along with Discord holding pony’s hostage against him.
“But Glaciem…” Celestia began teasingly “you already know how to treat me.” she then cooed to him. It took Glaciem a moment to realise it was him that Celestia was referring to It was only then he felt her wing wrap around his slowly.
“I ask you this not only as a best friend...But as some-pony who wants to be your special somepony...”
The young winter prince went a bit red along with being astounded at what he just heard. Did Princess Celestia, the Princess of the sun and one of the heiresses’ to the throne of Equestria just ask him to be her special some-pony and offer him a chance to rule by her and Luna's side?
Once again the mysterious feeling returned into his life as it did whenever him and Celestia where together but this time at a strength that made all the previous experiences seem so insignificant now.
“Are you sure you want me? I don't think any-pony will really agree to that, I'm not a naturally born Equestrian...I cannot rule.”
“Glaciem, I have known you since we were small. you are one of my best friends; trust me, you will do fine. You do not need to be born in Equestria to help rule it. Don't you remember? my father was training you to rule Equestria when the time came...”
Glaciem mentally conjured up all the memories of the time King Galaxus had spent with him finishing the training his father never had the chance to help him complete: Meditation, Defensive and combat techniques training, learning to control his temper, and wisdom to rule justly. In the beginning, Glaciem was to upset with his parent’s demise, but meditation that offered him mental peace for to press on. finish his training around One hundred and fifty years ago. Since then he has done tasks here and there that gradually helped raise his popularity with Equestria.
Glaciem turned his head around to face Celestia, managing to put on a neutral look on his face even though he wanted to smile. “Even though I think that will object, and I don't think I can rule a land that is not rightfully in my name, I will do my best for them…and for you.”
Celestia gave an amused smile, as if she had known he was going to say something like that. “Glaciem, you put your life on the line to save the land from Discord; you saved many ponies lives, and have gained the respect of ponies both far…” She leaned towards him, drawing close to whisper in his ear. “And near…” She began backing away, But then caught Glaciem completely off guard by connecting her lips to his. Time seemed to stop, and each beat of his heart became an eternity of powerful conflicting forces surging through him. It was like being hot and cold, or maybe strong and weak all simultaneously at the same time.
As soon as his mind processed the surprise of her kiss, he pulled away on instinct. He then turned toward the morning sun to hide his red face. Wearing a smile, Celestia did the same, her horn glowing to help the sun rise above the clouds. The two of them held each other close.
Out of the corner of his eye, Glaciem spotted an orange glow on his normally white bedroom walls. The two alicorn’s turn around seeing a pillar of fire erupting through the floor. Surprised but on guard they look as what appeared to be red eyes stared back at them. Joining the red eyes was a lion paw and eagle claw that had emerged from the thinning flame pillar until nothing was left but a female all-black draconequus with fire for a mane glaring back at them.
“At last… I have come for you…” she remarks.
“Who are you?” asked Celestia, having halted the sun rise to prepare to defend herself. No attack came; the intruder only wore a smug smile on the intruders face.
“Answer me or I will call security!” Celestia demanded.
The female draconequus just lifted up her eagle claw, a yellow aura enveloping it and the door knob. Closing her claw and the door to slam and lock.
“We will not ask again, who are you? Where did you come from?” Glaciem growled towards the draconequus.
The draconequus only lifts up her lion paw as the same yellow aura wraps itself around the lion paw and shoots toward the two Alicorns, who activate their horns and respond with both a yellow and blue aura that hits and destroys the draconequus’ energy bolt sending the draconequus into a wall on the other side of the room.
“These two are strong, alone I cannot hope to defeat them. wait, maybe there is something I can do…”Rixa thought to herself; suddenly she felt a cold sensation envelop her left arm. Rixa looked to find her arm has turned numb and blue and took a moment to realize it had been frozen.
“Well played, but I can play just as well…” Rixa declared lifting up her eagle claw arm and firing a black sphere that split in two pieces in mid flight; they impacted the alicorn’s horns disabling them both. Rixa fires her horn once again at Celestia, knocking her off her hooves and sends her through a pillar knocking her out cold.
“Celestia!” Glaciem cried out as the draconequus lifted up a bookcase in a yellow glow and hovered it over her.
“And she’ll be crushed if you don’t come with me!”
Glaciem struggled to even think of a reply, he wanted this intruder destroyed for what she had done to Celestia. But if he did move against her, would she really drop the bookcase on her? Would she really take Celestia; the mare that took him in, cared for him, and loved him all this time, away from him? He couldn’t do it… he couldn’t rise against the intruder, not with his magic disabled, and not when Celestia’s life would be snuffed out because of his rage. He wouldn’t lose another important figure in his life… even if he had to surrender himself…he couldn't lose anypony else.
“Alright…”
He hated complying, but he hated the thought of losing Tia even more.
Rixa had Glaciem just where she wanted him, her masters in Tartarus would be pleased. “it’s time, masters…for I bring you proof that I am worthy of being the next spirit of war” She thought to herself as she magically picked up the piece of the fallen pillar and sent it flying at Glaciem.
It was only to late that Glaciem spotted the arrant piece of marble hurtle at him, with a low cracking noise, the world around Glaciem went black.
“That’s it, then…a fine apprentice you will make Glaciem. I think it is more impressive to turn one against the very ones they sought to protect.” Rixa says before picking up the Prince. She raised her eagle claw and clenches her fist, summoning a second portal of fire.
“I could just kill you, Glaciem…but this new apprentice idea sounds twice as fun…with your power by my side there is nothing we can't overpower.” Rixa snickered as she and Glaciem disappeared into the pillar of flame.