//------------------------------// // Fish & Bait // Story: The Scourge of Winter - Fallen Empires // by Fateful Pony //------------------------------// “Twilight!!” Derpibra burst through the door to her library. “Did you hear!?” “Ahh! How many times do I have to tell you not to burst in like that? You scared me!” She readjusted her reading glasses. “What’s gotten you so pent up? Hey, are you alright?” He had tears in his eyes. “L-look for yourself…” He tossed over a newspaper to her. “Hm? Let’s see… Princesses of Equestria Assassinated! Celestia, Luna, and Cadence have all been killed. The motivations for such drastic actions are unknown as of late, but many speculate this has happened in cold blood. Eye-witness accounts say the assassin wore white and red hooded robes. Witnesses report that the murderer’s name is El Partador de la Muerte, or ‘The Bringer of Death’ in spanish. However, investigators state it is some form of alias to hide their true identity. However, a blue stallion has been witnessed sitting upon the throne of the late princesses. He is believed to be the assassin, but the name does not match the suspect. His name is Ice Breaker, and oddly he declares himself the new High King of Equestria.” “That… no way… he…” “Yes Twilight, he did. He killed my role model… all three of them! And I bet you he’s coming for you too!” “Why would he do this!?” Twilight began to sob, the crystal tears of sorrow now running down her cheeks. “Why!?” “I don’t know. But he will PAY!” He exploded in a torrent of magic, his muscle mass increased to his absolute maximum, his hair spikier than ever. “Just like when I fought Magnus, only this time, I won’t run!” He dashed from a nearby window in anger. “ICE BREAKER!!” He shouted as he flew faster than the speed of sound, and for once, he he was now ready to fight for blood. “Derpi, wait! I have to follow him. Everypony!” She called to her friends. “We’re going to Canterlot! Hurry up! I’ll explain on the way!” Please don’t do anything crazy Derpibra. We lost too many ponies already. If he killed them all in a single day, he’s not to be taken likely at that point. --- Ice Breaker sat upon the throne with a devilish grin. “Does the throne meet your preferences, m’lord?” Frostus inquired. “Yes, quite. I-gah!” “Something the matter m’lord?” “Do you not feel that? This power… unusual. That type of energy doesn’t spike around here like that, does it… however, it is approaching, and fast, with many smaller ones as well.” “Are they a threat?” “Not to me, but to my loyal subjects.” He chuckled grimly. Moments later, the amazingly sized castle doors burst down and shattered in hundreds of chips, revealing a blonde haired Bulk Biceps lookalike. “Derpibra. What an entrance you made.” “Don’t act smug with me. You know why I’m here.” “And I’m not surprised.” He jumped down from the throne and landed on the carpet. He stood, giving the blonde zebra an unamused look. “Look at you, ready to fight for a legacy long since ended.” “The legacy wasn’t meant to end! You killed them, in cold blood!” “Idiot. You should’ve known some time ago that I had enough motivation to commit such a grievous crime. But see it my way, if they couldn’t protect themselves, then they have no business running a country. Mares never deserved a place in royalty to begin with.” “You sexist jerk! Why won’t you give mares a chance!?” “Why won’t I give them a CHANCE you ask!?” His voice screamed royalty. “All of you little ponies are the same! Especially your mares! All they ever did was reject me, and leave me out in the Winter! To freeze, to die! With no one’s hoof at my side! They all treat me the same! My so called ‘friends’, strangers who I wanted to get to know, even my own mother! Always rejecting me, every one of them! Well no more! Now, I’m in charge of what happens with them! And I shall reject their freedoms, starting with you! You won’t live to see your mare another day!!” That last statement made Derpibra frown, and made him charge at the King relentlessly. Twilight and her friends galloped into the castle just as the first blows were made. “We’re here!” “Get back! This fight- oof!” Derpibra was blown back through the doors, and Ice Breaker pursued him quickly. He followed up with a swift ten hit combo before knocking him back into the structure. Derpibra smashed into a wall and coughed up blood. Right before his opponent could attack again, he parried his punch then grabbed him, proceeding to smash him into the floor. Cracks formed in the floor as Derpibra continuously punched Ice Breaker in the floor. The King had enough of his actions, and kicked him into the ceiling. As Derpibra was stuck into the surface above, Ice Breaker erected a huge spike of ice, and ran Derpibra through his chest with it. Blood dripped onto his face and muzzle, and he smiled at it. Everyone gasped and started to cry as their late hero fell to the floor below, gagging and coughing as he reverted to his original form. “...Why… Ice Breaker… I was… the only one… to treat you as… a friend…” “And why should I care? I have no use for friends! They’re nothing but a fallacy! MY quest is only for power and glory. I achieved my kingdom!” “No… you didn’t… the princesses did… not you…” “What? Simply by being born into a caste of royalty!? I fought for my throne, my royalty! They never did! Just like mares with anything! All they do is sit around and earn false rewards and recognition, when stallions are the ones doing everything! We are the hunter-gatherers! The heads of the home, the bread winners! Ever since the history of ponies began, this principle was and still is true! We hunted, we went to war, we died, we sacrificed, while mares sat comfortably in their caves only to complain about how cold it is! By your logic, I no more deserve the throne than your late princesses, but that is not my logic to share. Honor means little to me, only power and influence. And no princess will properly assert that power!” “T-Twilight… r-run…” Twilight broke for the door, but she was instantly brought back by a Possession spell. “P-put me down Ice Breaker!” “Of course, but not in the way you think.” “Let her go…” Fluttershy cried. “Shut up, insolent fool! Witness the death of your beloved friend!” He formed another spike in his hoof. “Stop! Don’t…. Don’t kill me! There’s so much left that I want to do…!” “Too bad you won’t live to do so!” He shoved the ice cold spike through her chest, causing immense pain and the rapid cooling of her blood. He tossed her aside next to Derpibra. “A-Applejack…” Derpibra weakly called. “Sugarcube? You’re still…” “Not for long… I… just wanted to tell you… I love you… I wanted to have kids one day…. Settle down… and… and…” He gasped as he held back his cries. “And to fulfill my… promise to dad… to be a better father than he was… but… now I can’t… I told him I’ll stay out of trouble… I… should’ve just… stayed in college…” “I’m so sorry…” “Don’t be… It isn’t… your fault… just.... Stay alive… I can tell… you’re going… to have… a new destiny…” His breathing slowed. “Before I die…. Let… me tell…. You…. something….” “Anything.” “Save… F-Flurry…. Heart……..” His breathing ceased. “N-no… Sugarcube… Derpi…. Stay with me!!” “Nothing like a theatrical display of useless emotions right?” Ice Breaker said. “About time he stopped speaking. “You monster… You’ll pay… one day…” Applejack barely managed to say. “Perhaps, but not today.” He used magic to sweep them and his two kills outside of his castle. “Well done m’lord.” Frostus said happily. “Appreciated. If trash like that keeps coming to my door… hmph, no matter. My work is done, and now I can peacefully enjoy my reign.” “Indeed. Shall I get the mares to entertain you?” “It’s all they’re good for besides being wenches. Bring them.” “Of course.” I was the only one that treated you like a friend… You didn’t earn the throne… Ice Breaker dropped the thoughts. “Poor cur’s voices. His cried were enriching.” He chuckled. Now, with Equestria in my hooves, anything is possible. I, the Scourge of Winter, rule a fair land! If these mares want to act independent, then maybe I can force them to depend on stallions in due time… ah, so many options. Where to start…