Secret of the Frost Kingdom

Chapters

Intro-Chapter 1: 21 Years Ago
Chapter 2: Responsibilities
Chapter 3: Snowfall & Invitations
Chapter 4: A Fight in the Crystal Tunnel
Chapter 5: The Bloodline Shield
Act II: Chapter 6: Mail for Princess Twilight Sparkle
Chapter 7: Code BT2

Intro-Chapter 1: 21 Years Ago

ACT 1: The Officer and The Smuggler

The room was full of smoke, sucking the precious air from Overseer's lungs as he coughed from the deadly fog. He struggled to haul the unconscious pregnant Mare on his armored back, the heavy chain-mail and silver armor cut into his hide, numbing his back.

He galloped through the burning building, avoiding the massive inferno that licked the sides of the walls and ceilings, making the foundation collapse and rain burning wood from above. His vision became clouded, making it even harder to tell what was in front of him in the confusion of fire and smoke. His tall, strong legs were feeling sluggish but the adrenaline that pumped through him nullified most of the pain.

He glanced back to the Mare wrapped in Fire-Warden, his enchanted-fire proof cape, and hoped that he would make it outside in time for her sake, and kept navigating his way by memory through the collapsing building.

His ears pricked up as he finally found the wooden double doors he was looking for and he charged full speed until his vision became red, lowering his head with a sturdy helmet resting on top of his head, and collided with the door, and crashed through it, falling forward onto cold stone, his helmet knocked off his head in the process. He took the moment to take a breather as he enjoyed the sweet embrace of cold air, taking note of his silver helmet with a sizable dent caving inward, not one of my brightest ideas...

He glanced backwards to make sure the Mare was still cocooned inside the cape that he had secured to himself with some rope to carry her. She was still breathing, but her chest barley rose as she inhaled fresh air, I think I made it in time.. hopefully she will be fine...

He rubbed his head until he noticed the taste of ash was gone from his mouth and he looked up to find what he was looking for: the evacuation site. He took in a deep breath of fresh air and stood up even though his legs were shaking, and looked back to the smoke and fire pouring out of the building. He noticed that there was no pony else but the Pregnant Mare he rescued and himself. He untied the rope securing the Mare to himself, gently taking the cape in his mouth and threw it on the ground, and carefully lowered the Mare onto the warm cape over the cold stone.

He galloped to one side of the balcony and then the other, looking for any pony else. I couldn't have missed it, did I? he thought to himself, unsure if the Guard Airships have already rescued and left for the Icicle city.

"Any pony out their?!" he called out and waited, his ears pricked up, waiting for a response from any direction. The fire crackled and wood sizzled. A piece of the building behind him collapsed, the door frame fell apart and sparks took to the air.

He then heard a crunch and creak from above, and he looked up, straining his eyes to see if it was just fire, or if it was a pony. He heard it again, a crunch and creak, becoming more audible. The noise accelerated in pace, almost sounding so close to him until it suddenly ceased.

Overseer's heart pounded against his chest, waiting for something to come out of the smoke and flames. He braced himself, ready for friend or foe to emerge, when a blur of white fell upon him, a rising yell originating from the white Unicorn as he landed on Overseer, but he flipped the pony over him and jumped to his hooves to face his unknown opponent.

He faced a white Unicorn that scrambled to his hooves and was had an angry scowl on his face, his bright cyan eyes lowered and a messy mint mane with ash and a few ends singed. The two kept their stances open until a confused expression crossed and he asked the ash covered unicorn, "Mountain Snow?"

The white unicorns face softened, and responded, "Overseer?"

The two studied each others face and Overseer broke into a laugh, "Mountain Snow! It is you! You sorry colt!"

Mountain Snow grinned and embraced the taller Dark Green Earth Stallion, then separating to get a look at each other, "By Celestia I thought you were dead! Left in that mess of a burning Library!"

Overseer chuckled, but his expression returned to his somber stare, "Yeah, but there's no time for a soft get together; where is every pony? Isn't this the evacuation site?"

The white unicorn nodded, looking back to the burning building behind them, "Yes, but my guess is that they're holding back in the cover of the clouds, and besides: this is last evacuation site, most of the Airships have already rescued most of the ponies,"

He looked down to the Pregnant mare, and looked back to Overseer, "I'm assuming you went back to find more, didn't you old Guards-pony?"

He nodded, "Found her in the Medical Wing, but I got separated from the Platoon by the spreading fire, and had to find my way to the closest Evacuation site, which would be this one,"

The White Unicorn paced around and nodded, "Alright, well we can't stay here any longer; I'll signal them now," His horn became surrounded in a mint aura and he charged the spell further, until releasing the spell, firing the magic flare into the air, streaking across the sky and exploded bright florescent green in the air. The two of them watched the bright flare hover in the air, a green shadow fell upon their faces, waiting for something to happen.

The amulet across Overseer's neck burned against him and he spun around to find a Unicorn in a black cloak standing on top of the burning building, the smoke and flames wrapping around him as the Unicorn manipulated the blaze with his eyes burning green smoke, and fired a jet of fire down at the Unicorn, which Overseer yelled, "Incoming!"

Mountain Snow whipped around as Overseer jumped in front of the descending flames, his heliotrope on his amulet burned white-hot and warded the jet of fire away from all three of them, exploding against the building, sending charred pieces of wood flying in every direction, destabilizing the roof and caused a portion to sink inwards into the building, leaving the Cloaked pony no choice but to jump down in front of Overseer, his red and green menacing eyes visible.

Mountain Snow focused on a combat spell, his horn sparking mint green, and he casted a flurry of icicles at the Cloaked figure. The Cloaked Unicorn retaliated with magic aura of his own, yet was that of green smoke, producing a shield of moving fire that he manipulated from the intense blaze behind him, and like a whip, cracked the fire at the icicles, making them melt from the extreme heat.

The flaming shield was short-lived as Overseer charged forward through fiery shield unharmed, colliding with the Cloaked Pony and tackled him into the building, crashing through what was left of a charred double door and into the burning study.

The Cloaked figure attempted to get the large stallion of him but Overseer threw two heavy punches, the Unicorn's head jerked to one side to the other, leaving him drooling on the burning floor. Overseer, satisfied of how weak the foe is, got up and turned back to the door, and heard the sounds of chugging steam engines and the rapid whipping of the air by propellers.

The Airship has arrived. He heard a distant shout from Mountain Snow over the defining sounds of fire and smoke, "Overseer! the Airship is here!"

Overseer started galloping forward until the floor started to shift, and he stopped to keep his balance, and looked back to see the floor dipping back, the support beams in the floor beneath him have gave way, crippled by the flames that ate away the dense wood. Overseer's eyes widened in shock and started to gallop as fast as he could up the continuing incline, the wooden floor creaking underneath him, until he lost traction and started to slide backwards, and the sound of snapping wood beneath him started to make space between him and the door frame, and he had no choice but to jump.

He leaped forward with a yell and grabbed the hot wooden door frame, he winced and shouted in pain as his hooves started to slip from the ledge, and he looked down to see the floor has collapsed several feet down, the wooden floor and furniture obliterating the floor below, and he tried lifting himself up but his front legs felt like jelly; most of his armor weighed him down.

He lost grip on one hoof and sweat ran down his face as he felt his other hoof slipping and he shouted, "Mountain Snow!" he lost his grip and began to fall until a white hoof grabbed a hold of him just in time out of the burning wreckage, "Gotcha!" the White Unicorn hauled him over the edge and over to the balcony.

The wind whipped past them as the Airship sat waiting, two Medical Pegasi loading the Pregnant Mare onto the Lighter-than-air ship. Overseer gasped as he struggled to get to the ship, Mountain Snow supporting his large friend. Several Pegasi came running forward and helped the large stallion and rushed him onto the Airship.

One of the Medical Pegasi shouted to the Pilot, "Alright! They're loaded on! Lets get out of here!" Overseer collapsed onto a stretcher as he realized his vision blurred red, and the taste of iron in his mouth made him realize he was biting his tongue hard; bleeding profusely.

He looked over to Mountain Snow and winked at him, barely getting his words out, "Told ya there was a reason to go back.." he kept a satisfied smile as he slowly drifted out of consciousness. The Ships steam engines whined and the ship rose off the ground and made it's heading into a cloud bank, disappearing from sight with several Pegasi escorts leaving smoke trails behind them.

The cold wind swept past him, making his cloak dance in the chilled breeze and made his storm grey body shiver. He pulled his hood closer to him as he stared down to the headstone, and he took out a rolled up cape, the Fire-warden, and slowly set it down in front of the headstone that had several words inscribed into the onyx headstone:

Sergeant Overseer

An honorary guard of the Frostinian Guard, Saving 4 lives in the Informers Purge, May his name live in honor of those he saved.

An old memory played again in his head: sitting on his grandfather's back porch, his Grandfather drinking as he told his story of saving lives in the Burning of The College, which was 21 years ago, a day or two before he himself was born. His Grandfather was 53 years old when he saved those ponies, including the pregnant mare from the burning college, and his Grandfather told him that story when he was in his middle 70's and then soon died when he was about 80.

A tear surfaced from his emerald eye as the warm memories cycled through his mind, and trying to remember all the advice he shared with him as he became a young stallion. The tear reached his chin, and he whispered to the grave, "Thank you.." the tear fell towards the ground and soaked into the ground. He wiped away another tear in his other eye, brushing aside his dark maroon mane. He let out a sigh, the hot breath quickly freezing into mist in the freezing air. Mountain snow started to trickle down from above.

Better get inside before the Weather Pegasi start the blizzard.. He thought to himself. He started towards the cemetery's gate until he looked back to his Grandfather's grave one last time, smiling warmly as he whispered, "Goodbye Grandpa.." he trotted out of the cemetery, letting the cast iron gate creak to a close behind him, and continued to the Icicle City that sat shining over the frozen lake.

The wind stared to pick up when he trotted through the south gates, the Sergeant saluted him as he stopped him at the gate, "Captain Overwatch?"

"Lieutenant?" Overwatch returned the military gesture, until they both dropped their salutes at the same time.

"Sir, Major Avalanche requests your presence at Headquarters immediately,"

Overwatch's ears pricked up, what does that old stallion want this time? "The Major? What does he want? Didn't I tell him I'm on leave today?"

The Lieutenant shook his head, "He says it's important sir, something to do with Princess Cadance of the Crystal Empire,"

Overwatch grimaced, "Oh that's right! But why would he schedule the security detail meeting today?"

"Maybe that's why you should go see him sir," the Lieutenant nodded in the direction of Headquarters.

Overwatch took his advice, "You're right, thanks Lieutenant,"

"Anytime sir," the gate guard let Overwatch pass through the platinum gates into the southern end of the East District.

The scheduled blizzard this afternoon kept away the regular shoppers that usually browse about the market, but few ponies were out and about: all the stands that usually carried the shouts of bartering and deals stood quiet and closed. Several guards hurried about, going from pony to pony telling them to get inside, "Sir, the blizzard is about to commence in 8 minutes, I would advise.."

Overwatch cut him off, "It's alright Sergeant, I'll make it to HQ,"

The Sergeant nodded, and hurried along with the Corporal with him. The wind started to pick up even more, making it difficult to keep walking with the head wind pushing back at him. His mane danced in the wind as he walked through Central Station, most of the trains were already parked up in the Train Yard in the Northern part of the city, but a single train sat steaming at the platform: it was in the process of unloading, a few ponies disembarked and hurried along to take shelter in the station.

Overwatch made his way through the disembarking Ponies, but accidentally bumped into a hooded pony, knocking several gems out of her pack "Sorry, didn't see you there,"

"Oh it's fine," He reached down to scoop up the gems and came back up with the gems in his hooves, and met the vivid Crimson eyes of a Midnight Blue Mare, eyes that made him stop dead.

She brushed her Byzantium mane aside as she took the gems from his hooves, "Thank you.." she stuffed the gems back into her pack, and she walked away into the rising smoke from the train.

He looked down to the ground, thinking of the whole appearance of the mare. He noticed one of the gems still on the ground and he picked it up, about to call out to her, but found the platform empty around him.

Overwatch looked around the station searching for the hooded pony, but she was nowhere to be seen. Strange... I felt.. like I knew that mare from somewhere.. he tried running through his blurry memories, but nothing lucid enough could make him come up with a name. He toyed with onyx crystal in his hooves and pondered on why she would have so many gems. The moment ran through him again and again, until a cold gale blew past him, reminding him there is a blizzard coming.

He left the station in haste, trotting through the more luxurious Western District of the Icicle city, passing by the Grand Fountain at West Square that usually would have numerous upper-class ponies making a commute around to visit expensive shops and wealthy Cafes: but little more than guards patrolled the quickly freezing streets, snow falling at a constant rate in blankets.

Overwatch was at full gallop as he ran towards the Guards Post, located in the Northern Part of the Western District.

He rushed through the gates, the snow falling at a blinding rate and wind throwing snow at him like cold bits of glass, cutting into his thick winter cloak. He was about to run into Headquarters when the front door flung open, and Overwatch taken by surprised couldn't stop in time and slid in the slush and warned the pony in the door, "Gangway!"

The Private turned around and yelped as he leaped out-of-the-way as Overwatch came crashing inside, slamming into several filling cabinets and knocking over papers all over the room. Overwatch groaned in pain, releasing a low, annoyed sigh.

"Quite a way to make an entrance while tardy, Captain," A voice above him talked down to him, while Overwatch opened his eyes and the world was up-side-down as he stared at brown hooves and rolled his eyes up to a brown Unicorn with large brimmed Eyeglasses over tired brown eyes with a black eyebrow up under a well maintained black mane, and had a clipboard that hung against his neck with a lace attached to two ends, and wore a officer issue sage uniform.

"Well maybe if we took care of the icing problem in front of the door, ponies wouldn't be sliding in or out of the door, Who-whoa!" He fell forward, landing flat, deepening his scowl.

He got back onto all fours and dusted himself off to face his Logistics Lieutenant, "So in other words: I would appreciate it if you would fix problems around the Post,"

"Oh like what you're supposed to do while I work my flank off here in HQ?" The Lieutenant scowled at him,

"Oh very crude Surplus, I'm the one that works in the field, and I'm in charge over you so I don't catch you slacking off," Overwatch furrowed his eyebrows, knowing the Lieutenant will become lax on his crucial duties of processing all the logistical related issues.

Surplus snorted, "Whatever, at least show some responsibility and make it on time to the Officer's meeting," He adjusted his glasses and trotted off.

What am I going to do with him? he made his way through the chaotic office, avoiding Messengers in snow gear running out to send messages, Ponies writing reports at wood desks, and waving to several of the hard at work ponies. He started up the stairs and trotted past the quiet offices of supporting company officers, and walked past his own office, with a large printed letters on the glass window:

Executive Officer of Brigade

Captain Overwatch

He let out a tired sigh, sometimes wishing that being in second in command wasn't so demanding. He passed the Major's office, and proceeded to the glass meeting room, with several officers sitting at a large table in front of a chalk board. He stopped at the door, bracing himself for a very embarrassing entrance, Here goes nothing..

He opened the door and as he dreaded, all eyes focused on him. Adding to that: the Corporal at the door announced his presence, "Executive Officer on deck!"

Every pony except the Commanding Officer, Major Avalanche, stood at attention as he trotted in. Out of all of the angry, displeased eyes that could of bore a hole in him, the Commanding Officer had the fiercest glare falling upon him. Yep, defiantly getting my flank chewed out this time, Every pony took their seats' as Overwatch sat down, wiping the sweat off his forehead.

The Major addressed him, "Captain Overwatch, I'm glad you could join us on this very important meeting tonight,"

Overwatch was about to argue with him about having leave, but he swallowed his pride and responded, "I hope you can excuse my tardiness, Sir."

"Uh-huh, now that every pony that is of high importance that must hear in on this meeting, we can continue with Captain Hail Storm?"

A Cobalt Pegasus stood up and made his way to the front of the room and quickly whispered into Overwatch's ear, "Oh boy, you really ticked the CO of this time,"

"I know.." he grumbled back to him as he proceeded to the chalk board, Overwatch half-grinned at his friend until it was shot down by a burning glare from the Major.

Hail Storm cleared his throat to get the room's full attention, "As you may or may not know, Princess Snowfall has announced that she is having her Cousin, Princess Cadance of the Crystal Empire, invited to the Icicle City along with the Heroines of the Elements of Harmony, so this means the Guard has to be on the tips of its hooves if we have to make sure that 3 Princesses and 5 VIPs stay safe regarding to the recent issues and security breaches in the City, so I'm going to pass this over to Lieutenant Glacier Wall, Company Leader of the City Guard."

A White Earth Stallion stood up and nodded to Hail Storm, who took a seat next to Overwatch, "Thank you Captain, as many of you know we've had some security breaches regarding Illegal exchanges in the city, primarily of those of Precious Stones that can be enchanted in whatever way, these exchanges have drastically increased over the last 3 weeks, and our Sniffer Platoon is having a hard time keeping tack of all the Gems, so we need to step up on this issue, so something like last months Chaos Pulse won't happen again."

Overwatch shivered as he remembered that awful day: a single Crimson Gem in the middle of East Square detonated and caused mass Hysteria, leading to a Riot-level hoof fight between every pony caught in the blast, taking several hours for Guards to round-up those involved and subdue them so they could get Magic Healers to undo the incantation.

"Right thank you Lieutenant Glacier, now I think that about covers everything, except one thing: The Princess needs one of the Officers to Host for her Cousin and Company, so... any pony would like to volunteer?" The Major raised his eyebrows as he looked around to the room, and as Overwatch expected, his eyes rested on him, and unfortunately for him, so did the rest of the room.

You got to be kidding me.. He looked back to all the eyes on him, and then back to the Major, raising a hoof, "I guess I'll Volunteer.."

Chapter 2: Responsibilities

Overwatch stood at attention in front of Commanding Officer Avalanche, who paced back and forth at his window, a furious blur of snow pelted the window. Overwatch felt a little guilty of being arrogant, and decided that he deserved the lecture the Major was about to give him.

The Major stopped and beamed at him, "What am I going to do with you Overwatch? As Executive Officer of the whole Brigade, I expect you to have some sense of the responsibility of being second in command!"

The steel of his voice could be heard several rooms across, but Overwatch didn't falter, staying stiff as a statue, eyes forward in a deadpan scowl, and Avalanche continued, "Almost 5,000 Guards look up to you Overwatch, 5,000! That's roughly 5 battalions, 10 companies, and over 30 platoons! They look up at you because of the service as Field Commander, and your Family Legacy, From Overseer to your Father, The Colonel, and with all that respect, you present yourself as a cocky slacker in front of 15 officers!"

The words cut deep into Overwatch as he kept himself rigid, and the Major continued, taking a seat in his chair and rubbed his head, letting out a sigh, "But as angry as I can get Overwatch, I know that you took this responsibly for several reasons, sure. But when your Father, the Colonel, took part of your promotion to Brigade Executive Officer, he told me in private that you are born natural leader, even if you are under some pony, you still lead regardless the situation."

Overwatch lowered his ears, surprised his father said this to Avalanche. Avalanche trotted around his desk and put a hoof on Overwatch's shoulder, "Now, I hope you can live up to what he told me, because you have the experience to lead any pony in the field, unlike me, just a pen-pusher who sends out orders, not personally leading those under me, so that is your job Overwatch, so I expect you to do it."

He took his electric amethyst eyes off Overwatch and trotted back to his desk and sat down in his chair, and waved off Overwatch, "Dismissed.."

Overwatch relaxed and turned around to push the door open, but as he was halfway out of the door he looked back to the Major, "Sir if I may.."

The Major looked up from his paperwork, and Overwatch asked, "Why did you become Commanding Officer of the Brigade?"

He half grinned, "Because some pony has to organize the mess we call the guard, and then make sure those in charge, like you, do what they have to do,"

Overwatch half laughed, "Thanks Avalanche,"

Avalanche nodded "Anytime, Oh and make sure to report to the Princess regarding your hosting job,"

"Right away sir," Overwatch closed the door and took a sigh of relief, well that went better than expected. He trotted to his right and opened the door to his office and closed the door shut. He plopped down into his chair and swiveled around to face the window, letting his eyes feast on the passing blizzard. He thought of what the Major told him, and the guilt seeped in as he slouched back into his chair further, until he felt a hard object press against his back.

He forgot his pack was still on and he set the pack on the floor until he remembered the Onyx Gem from the Train Station. He rummaged around his pack and pulled out the Onyx crystal, examining it. He thought back to the Mare again. Where have I seen those eyes? he stared off into the blizzard, watching the snow sweep by as he focused on the appearance of the Mare, and ran through all the possible leads.

Then a thought re-appeared in his mind. It couldn't have been... he felt he was getting closer to the answer until the door flung open behind him, throwing him completely off his train of thought.

"So Overwatch how'd it go? You didn't get PT in the Mountains again did you?" Captain Hail Storm trotted in,

Overwatch let out a sigh of annoyance, rolling his eyes upward and swivelied around to face the Air Guard Captain, "Blast it Hail Storm! do you ever mind to knock first?"

Hail Storm shrugged, "Why would I? You're my best friend Overwatch, come on," Hail Storm examined the books on Overwatch's shelf, the same old boring books that Overwatch read in the past.

Overwatch rolled his eyes, "Oh I don't know, maybe to let me know before you barge in while I was deep in thought?" He raised an angry eyebrow at his Pegasus friend.

"Always thinking aren't you Overwatch? Another one of your weird habits, but still I think your weird ability to read some pony like a book by just looking at their eyes is my favorite one," He mocked Overwatch openly, staring at Overwatch as if he himself could read Overwatch's unamused emerald eyes.

"Ha-ha-ha... Very crude Hail Storm," Overwatch scoffed at the Pegasus, "But to answer your initial question: I did get my flank chewed out, but still Avalanche and his odd wisdom came across me, so now I feel guilty but determined to change my ways,"

Hail Storm snorted, "Heh, Typical Avalanche, knows how to get to any pony ya know?" Overwatch nodded, "What were you thinking about anyways?"

Overwatch showed him the crystal, "Bumped into a Mare by accident, she dropped this, but the part that shook me is how I recognized her,"

Hail Storm examined the crystal, marveling at it's almost bleak dark violet color despite the lustrous surface "Humph, never knew you had a love life Overwatch..."

Overwatch's cheeks flushed a dab of pink, "No it's not like that... It's..." Hail Storm tossed him the crystal, Overwatch unready to catch it, but grabbed it with telekinesis while Hail Storm laughed, "OK Overwatch, but this is different, even for you! But this is news to me! Anyways, gotta address the Air Platoon, catch you later Love Bird,"

"Hail Storm I just said...! Gah! Bloody idiot..." He grumbled as the Pegasus trotted out the door, closing it with his back hoof. Overwatch, frustrated with his friends schemes, let out a sigh and leaned back in his chair as he returned his focus on the crystal, letting his mind return to his past thoughts about the mysterious mare he crossed paths with, What could a pony be doing with so many gems?

A lone hooded mare galloped through blinding blizzard, her hot breaths freezing almost instantly in the freezing air. She slid to a stop as she heard shouts and spotlights scanning the frozen streets. She hugged against a wall, her rapid breaths slowed down as she focused on a spell, her eyes seeping red smoke and her horn shrouded by the same red fog as she became completely transparent, waiting for the guards to pass.

The hoof steps crunching against the snow became louder and the lights brighter, until an armored Unicorn wearing a sage wool coat came around the corner, and the cloaked mare held her breath.

The blinding light shone through her as she squinted until the Guard shrugged and continued with his squad. She exhaled, and peeked around the corner to see if she could make a break for it, she waited until the squad disappeared into the sheets of falling snow before she dropped her spell and kicked up snow as she galloped on into the blizzard.

She rounded the corner of the street and slowed down a little, checking behind her to make sure no pony was onto her and she approached a shady Tavern, with a unique name: The Ice-cube.

She opened the rotted wood and rusted iron door, letting snow rush inside the warm, dark Tavern. Closing the door with her magic. She shook the remaining snow that still clung to her damp black cloak, and took in a breath of the stale, humid air of the grimy Tavern.

The nocturnally active Tavern bustled with chatter, Ponies drinking heavy cider, laughing manically at crude jokes, some falling out of their chairs and in the way of the somber Midnight Mare. She glanced down at the drunk pony and rolled her eyes and stepped over him as he was now half-asleep. The chaotic noises was overshadowed by the sound of acoustic Music, dominated by a lone bard, strumming a slow but powerful rhythm with a lyre.

She wandered to the back of the Tavern, climbing up several steps to the upstairs floor, and made her way to a lone Stallion sitting at in a corner of the balcony, looking down to the Bard, until he turned his attention to the sudden jingle of gems clinking against together as a pack landed onto the table in front of him, and his single red eye focused on the cloaked mare as she sat down opposite of him.

"Well well well... Night Shade.. a pleasure as always..." The Dark Grey Stallion eyed her as she threw back her hood, letting her Byzantium mane cover a half of her face, and returned a despising glare,

"Please Umbra... don't start," She opened the pack with her magic an emptied its lustrous contents onto the table, making a greedy smile stretch across the Stallions face.

"Ah I see that our charming Smuggler got these beauties inside the city with little trouble, yes?"

She scoffed at him, looking away from him with a scowl drawn over her face, "Hardly, the cover of a Blizzard makes any crime easy, now are you going to pay me or are you just going to flirt with me more?"

He let out a humored laugh, "Just until I count out the gems, just to make sure..." She crossed her front arms, glaring impatiently as the Large Stallion counted the glossy rocks. She watched as he hesitated, furrowing his yellow eyebrows and counted again. Worry came across her as he re-counted twice now, and he looked up with a cold anger in his fiery red eyes.

"Where is it?" He coldly asked,

"Where is what?" She quickly scanned over the Gems, greatly worried if something went wrong in the exchange.

"The Piedra Anochecer, or Dusk Stone in Spanish, where is it? It is the most valuable gem that you should have brought us!" He had his hooves on the table as he awaited an answer.

Night Shade jogged her memory when she remembered the Stallion she bumped into at the Train Station, and she grimaced, "Agh! I collided with a Stallion at the Train Station, and I spilled my shipment and had to pick it all up. I must've dropped it at the Train Station, or... Maybe he has it..." She remembered that he hastily searched for her with something in his hoof as she turned herself invisible for her own sake.

Umbra's anger amplified, "You mean some pony took it? What do you mean? What did he look like?" He demanded,

"Well he looked like a Guard, tall, Storm Grey, Maroon Mane, Emerald Eyes..." She lost focus for a moment thinking of the Stallion, short lived when Umbra shouted in outrage, "You have to be kidding me! The Pony you just described is a Guard, a Captain to be more specific!"

"Then I'll get it back from him," She followed the pacing Stallion as he blew steam out of his nostrils.

He pointed a hoof at her, "You better! That Dusk Stone is invaluable to us!"

She threw her hooves up in the air in anger, "What for? I gave you almost 40 gems and you Necromancers' care about is just 1 rock?!" She snapped back,

"Watch your tongue Smuggler! Or we'll just have some pony else take your place if something suddenly happened to you.." He gave her a menacing glare,

"You Necromancer's wouldn't be able to find me, I'll be long gone from the Frost Kingdom by then!" She spat back at him,

He whipped back around to her, his red eyes seeping green and purple smoke as he stared her down, "Consider this a warning Night Shade, get the Dusk Stone to us or no pony will be hearing from you again!" He swept the gems onto the floor and smashed them under his hooves and threw up his hood and trotted away.

Bloodthirsty Brute... she scowled, looking down to the shattered remains of the valuable gems. I have to find the Captain.. But how will I get through to him? She pondered for a while, thinking of a way to snatch the gem back from him.

Chapter 3: Snowfall & Invitations

Last time Overwatch checked the clock in west square from the town hall: it was close to 21:00 hours, an hour from the city wide curfew, so he picked up the pace through the blinding snow as he started to a full gallop to through the now snow blanketed West District, his hooves sinking about an inch or two into the snow, glad that he wore his snow combat boots tightly over his warm hooves. He sucked in the brisk air and huffed out a frozen breath through the scarf wrapped around his neck, as well as over his face, and slightly fogged up his snow goggles. Gotta love Mountain gear...

He skidded to a stop at the gates to the courtyard in front of the palace, both maintained by two palace guards, both wearing ceremonial white-gold armor, that was insulated with fur that layered over a marine wool overcoat and standing rigid regardless of the falling flurry of snow.

"Halt! Who goes there?" The guard to the left quickly questioned the suspicious looking pony.

Overwatch lifted his goggles up and pulled down his scarf from his snout, allowing the guards to identify him. They moved in perfect unity, opening the gate at the same time and pulled the cold silver gates back and waited for the Executive Officer to pass inside, keeping their somber expressions.

Overwatch nodded to the guards, and trotted inside the courtyard, the silver gate crashing closed behind him. The courtyard reflected the brilliant white sheets of snow covering the usually well cut grass and numerous native plants, flowers and gave the trees a bright white coat over the green covered limbs. He rounded the frozen fountain and approached the massive gold doors to the entrance to the towering palace.

Two more guards wearing the same Palace Uniform stood on opposite sides of the doors opened the way for Overwatch, leading him into the a brilliant hall of Never-melt-Ice, a lustrous pale blue mineral that gets its name from the cold feeling when touched. Palace Guards lined the walls, about 5 meters apart from the other, all stiff and somber as statues. The lone click-clack of Overwatch's hooves on the cold floor echoed through the whole hall as he approached the silver doors to the throne room.

The guards uniforms differed: Blue-Steel Armor and White wool Overcoats standing on either side of the Silver doors, slowly opening the majestic double silver doors, adjourned with a massive sapphire snowflake split between the two doors and inward was the throne room. A long silver carpet stretched to a short flight of steps to the platinum throne, on it a White Alicorn with a flowing sapphire blue and pale blue mane covered her left violet eye: Princess Snowfall.

Both the Princess and the Adviser next to her drew their attention to the approaching Stallion, her face drawing into a grin, "Well well well... Captain Overwatch, so you are the unlucky soul that was picked for hosting?" The Princess drew a humored smile as the Stallion took a low bow.

"Evidently, it seems I've been on Avalanche's bad side and this is my punishment: being your personal adviser for this hosting thing," He humbly chuckled,

"Oh come now, it can't be that bad working with your old best friend right?" She walked up to him, trying to cheer him up.

He grinned, "Well it's better than dealing with all the duty of the Guard, since at this point I assume that I'm on leave while I work this Hosting job,"

She playfully elbowed his side, "See? Perks of working with me! Now, for the serious part of your job: All you have to do is go to Princess Cadance and give her these invitations my Adviser has worked up, from their my cousin will be able to point you to her friends she has in mind to invite as well, OK?"

Overwatch hesitated, taking in all the information, "OK, so Princess Cadance is in the Crystal Empire right?"

Snowfall nodded, "Mhmm, all you have to do is to take the train their, It'll be quick since it's just on the other side of the Crystal Mountains!"

Overwatch saluted, "Don't you worry Snowfall, you can count on me!"

Snowfall laughed, "Always the guard I know, good luck!" She shouted back to him as he galloped out of the Throne room, eager to start packing and leaving as soon as possible on the train.

Overwatch was fast asleep on his bed, snoring loudly as the morning sun creeped in through cracked shutters, the soft light resting upon his face, slowly warming his face and making him adjust to get comfortable, resulting him to roll off the bed with a surprised yelp and a loud thud on the floor, and a muffled "Ow.." originated form a face-down Overwatch. He lifted his head while rubbing his forehead, noticing his room was a cluttered mess of papers, a few coats on the floor, and worst of all, it was 8 o' clock in the morning.

His eyes widened in shock, "Oh no no no, the train leaves at quarter after!" he sprang into action, rummaging through his pack, grabbing the invitations, rapidly cleaning up his room with magic, and stopped to feed his turtle, who clawed the glass begging for food.

He threw on his favorite Forest Green cloak and wrapped his sage colored scarf around his neck, and grabbed his pack and securing it over his back. He took a quick bite of an apple, taking several bites until just a core remained. He galloped towards the door, only to skid to a stop as something came to mind: His Grandfather's Amulet. He glanced at the clock: 5 minutes after 8. He scrambled into his room, and looked around for the Amulet until he found the solid diamond key with a heliotrope gem in the middle of the key lying on top of the night stand, putting it over his neck and enjoyed the feeling of the warm amulet against him. He always felt safe wearing it, reminding him of his now passed away Grandfather.

8:08, he galloped out of his apartment, almost forgetting to lock the door, then make a mad dash down the stairs, and leaping from the final flight onto the icy ground, sliding a few meters until he continued a full gallop in the brisk morning. He warned ponies as he galloped past him, the few leisurely ponies taking an early walk or heading to the market to open their stands.

He finally rounded the corner and skidded to a stop in front of the awaiting train in the Station, and the Conductor asked, "Ticket Please?"

Overwatch panted as he pulled out his ticket from his pack, holding it in his mouth, and the Conductor took the slip of yellow paper from his mouth with his magic, taking out a Hole-puncher and punched out a hole with a quick click and hooved it back over to the panting stallion, "Thank you sir, made it just in time too!" The Conductor smiled as he showed him his gold pocket watch, and Overwatch nodded as he trotted inside the train car.

Unaware to Overwatch and the Conductor was an invisible Mare watching several meters away, Hopefully he has the gem... she silently trotted past several ponies, her hoof-steps muffled by the Invisibility spell, and sneaked past the Conductor and into the Train Car.

She made sure no pony was around and dropped the Invisibility spell, taking a rasp breath from maintaining the spell for so long. She followed the Stallion as he took a seat 3 rows up, and she took the closest seat and kept an eye on him. She glanced around, darn... too many ponies around for me to cast any magic... better wait and follow him when he gets off the train... then I can make my move...

The train whistled twice, and rang it's bell as the large steel wheels started to chug forward, puffs of smoke coughing out of the smokestack of the massive steam engine, and made its way out of the city, passing under the city's south walls, and gained speed as it chugged around the slight bend of the bridge over the frozen lake.

"Do you think she noticed us?"

"No... but Umbra was obviously right, she would make a break for it alright..."

"Are you sure? I thought she was following a Captain of some sort to get the Gem...?"

"Of course not, the Captain Umbra spoke of is back in the City, she is trying to escape us..."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, the Captain that took the Gem is the one called Hail Storm, we'll deal with him after we rid of Night Shade,"

"Very well..."

Chapter 4: A Fight in the Crystal Tunnel

The winding turns kept Overwatch awake and alert as he gazed out the window, watching the mountains go by. Sleepless tugged at his consciousness, and was visible in his fluttering eyelids, his thoughts becoming blurry and clearing up as he shook himself to stay awake.

Night Shade watched her target like a Griffon soaring above its prey. He's defiantly drowsy, when the train enters the tunnel I probably can knock him out and get him into the caboose behind this car... She made note of the other ponies in the car, about 3 others all in the same sleep-deprived state as the Captain.

She didn't notice the duo that sat 2 seats behind her, sitting low in their seats to stay undetected."We're approaching the tunnel Shadow Rouge, should we strike then?"

The hooded mare brushed her turquoise mane aside to eye the maroon stallion next to her, pulling his hood over his black and gray mane.

"Might as well, I'll knock her out while you cast a sleeping spell on the bystanders.."

His red-eye met her's, noticing the eagerness in the blood-red eye. He hesitated, holding the gaze until Air whisper furrowed her brow, "What?"

He shook himself out of it, looking away from her, trying to refocus on the imminent plan.

Overwatch started to doze off, his elbow against the window seal and hoof holding up his cheek. Night Shade readied herself as the tunnel was approaching, her breathing slowing down as she ran the Paralyzation spell through her mind, her eyes seeping yellow smoke.

Air whisper's ears pricked up as she noticed Night Shade's eyes beginning to smoke, "What is she doing?"

Rouge Shadow noticed it as well, "I don't know, but she's up to something..."

"Do you think she knows we're here?"

"She can't know we're here, we got aboard under a shadow spell... Get ready for anything..."

The air stood still, only the sound of the train's wheels clicking against the rails. The sudden whoosh and lighting dimmed in the car signaled the entrance to the tunnel. Night Shade made her move turning invisible as Shadow Rouge sprang to his hooves, moving quickly to her general area.

Night Shade whipped around to the sound of hoof steps behind her, her eyes widening in shock to the presence of Shadow Rouge and Air whisper in the back, and she casted a shield to protect herself from an attack from Shadow Rouge's Incapitation Spell, the quick spell absorbed into her shield leaving her unharmed.

Overwatch stirred to the burning sensation on his chest, and looked down to his amulet to find the heliotrope gem glowing white-hot. "Whoa.. hot! Hot! Hot!" He stumbled out of his seat as he tried to remove the burning amulet when he fell out of his chair and into Night Shade behind him, knocking her off-balance with a yelp form the mare and out of focus as a bolt of magic barely missed her.

"What in Equestria?" She looked down to the Captain, her eyes shrinking to discover that he was awake. Another bolt of energy emitted from the maroon Stallion, but rebounded away from Overwatch, leaving a black mark in the wall. He noticed the attacker; a maroon unicorn about the same size as Overwatch with a horn shrouded in black smoke and eyes burning black fire and smoke. Overwatch jumped to his hooves, shoving the Mare off behind one of the seats, "Stay down!"

Overwatch's horn glowed green as he casted a concussion spell, making a bright flash of light followed by a powerful discharge originated from the tip of his horn, making the maroon stallion fall back stunned by the flash, "Augh! What the heck?"

Overwatch charged at him with a rising yell, right when the Maroon Stallion lifted his head to see a blurry green flash impact him, throwing both of them through the car door and towards the caboose door.

The door was blown off its hinges from the force of the maroon stallion being tackled by a blur of his storm grey attacker, losing grip of each other and splitting apart at opposite ends of the caboose.

Overwatch laying flat on the floor, and shook his head to focus on his maroon opponent, also getting to his hooves and assuming an open stance. The two breathed heavily, both of them inspecting their respective opponent, trying to sum up their weakness and advantages.

"Ever taken hoof to hoof training?" Overwatch taunted the maroon stallion,

"No.. but I don't think that will help you," the maroon stallion drew his face into a snarl.

"I beg to differ," he swayed back and forth, ready to counter anything thrown at him.

The maroon stallions horn glowed and he disappeared in a flash of sparks, but as Overwatch anticipated he leaned forward on his front legs and bucked the reappearing stallion in his chest, stunning him long enough for Overwatch to follow up with an elbow jab, plowing how opponent into the side of the car.

Another teleportation spell made his opponent flash behind him, trying for a overhead double hooved slam, but Overwatch side stepped and as he threw down his front hooves, Overwatch took advantage of his downward momentum and tripped him off balance to fall forward. He followed up with a precise jab below the downed stallion's rib cage, knocking the wind right out of him.

The maroon stallion rolled off to the left quickly getting to his hooves, and winced to the pain under his ribs.

His anger rose in spite of his opponent, his eyes burning gray smoke and casted a quick volley of force bolts. Overwatch's amulet burned against him as the bolts veered off their target, blasting holes into wooden floor of the the caboose.

The Maroon Stallion couldn't believe his eyes, and they flushed red with anger, and he scrapped the floor with his hoof, lowering his horn to point at his target and he charged forward and with a brisk pace spell accelerated faster.

Overwatch had seconds to react and noticed the floor board beneath him was sticking up from the hole, and with all his strength, stomped on it, flinging the board up and threw the charging stallion off balance and he crashed forward and Overwatch threw and uppercut underneath the stallion's jaw right before he collided with him, jerking his head upwards. The two rolled over another, both throwing punches to another in the confusion.

Air Whisper groaned as she got off the floor or the car, her ears still ringing as she stumbled to balance herself, still feeling the after effects of the spell the Storm Grey Unicorn casted. Her eyes shrank as she realized that Shadow Rouge was missing, and her eyes searched the car for her partner, when she heard the sounds of struggle from the next car over.

She appeared in the door of the Caboose, finding Shadow Rouge wrestling with the Storm Grey Stallion, both of them bruised and cuts bleeding from their face or nose. She decided to help her partner is distress, focusing on a paralazation spell to subdue the attacking stallion, but had a hard time aiming for the Storm Grey stallion as the two constantly shifted.

"Shadow Rouge! hold him still! I might hit you!" she called out to him, squinting her smoke seeping eyes.

"What does it look like I'm doing!?" He glanced over to her, leaving him open for Overwatch to knock his balance off and side step him while grasping his left hoof and twisting him into a forward somersault, slamming him into the floor of the car.

Air Whisper took the precise moment and released her spell, but like Shadow Rouge's previous attempt, the spell veered off its path as Overwatch's amulet glowed white hot against his chest. She noticed how the Amulet reacted when she casted a spell, and called down to her partner, "Quick! grab his amulet!"

The Maroon Stallion hesitated, and eyed Overwatch's amulet, as did Overwatch realizing its importance. Overwatch shifted to a defensive stance, bending his knees to lower his height and readied himself to prevent any attempts to let his opponent take his Safeguard.

Then out of the corner of his eye, the Mare teleported next to him, and tried to rip his amulet off him. Overwatch retaliated, only to be stopped by the Maroon Stallion the grabbed him from behind, allowing the Mare to grab his amulet and ripped it off his neck. Overwatch, with his back being held back by the Stallion, using his rear hooves stepped on the Mare to gain enough momentum to flip himself behind the Maroon Stallion, and wrapped his front arm around the Maroon Stallion's neck and threw himself backwards.

The Maroon Stallion struggled as Overwatch kept him in a choke hold, until a sudden zap rippled through him, making every muscle in his body stiffed up, losing all feeling in his entire body. He fell to the side, releasing the Maroon Stallion from the choke hold, and fell to the hooves of the Light Gray Mare, her eyes falling upon him and then darting to her partner, "Maybe you want to give him a taste of his own medicine Shadow Rouge?"

Shadow Rouge took rasp breaths, rubbing his neck and broke into an evil smile, "With pleasure..."

The Maroon Stallion picked him up with magic and threw him out of the caboose, landing between the Caboose and Sleeper car outside. He tried to get up but couldn't feel his body respond to his dire plea to move. The shadow of the Maroon Stallion fell upon him, and his head was lifted up and felt a arm squeeze around his neck, the air slowly escaping his lungs.

"Maybe next time, you will learn not to get involved..." The Maroon stallion taunted him, tightening his grasp around his neck, making his vision blur as the precious air was suffocated out of him. His vision blurred more and more as the minute passed by, his hearing becoming muffled and spots appearing in his vision.

He was about to lose consciousness when a bolt of magic struck the Stallion, and his maroon arm lifted from around Overwatch's neck, the rasp breath sucking in as much air as possible. He was lifted by the Midnight Blue Mare, her eyes somber as she casted a smoke screen to distract the Maroon Stallion and Light Grey Mare as she uncoupled the Caboose from the Sleeper car, and dragged Overwatch inside the sleeper car as she used a telekinesis spell to slow down the Caboose, making the Train pull ahead as the Caboose slowed several meters behind, until it disappeared into the dim light of the tunnel.

The last thing Overwatch could remember before he passed out was the Midnight Blue Mare looking down to him with her piercing Crimson eyes, dragging him into the car as he let the world fall to darkness as his eyes fluttered closed; unconscious.

Chapter 5: The Bloodline Shield

It was awkward watching the Unconscious Captain in the back of the car. She moved the rest of the sleeping ponies to the next car forward, the conductor a little confused, but a spell or two made him think likewise.

She sat opposite of the bruised Captain, she already tended to any cuts on his face with bandages with a medical kit she found in the car, stuffing two tissues in his nostrils to stop the blood from draining out. Overall, he was bruised on his face, several cuts that have blood stained bandages over them, some discoloration around his neck, and tissues in his nostrils.

The door behind her opened again and a conductor poked his head in, "Is he going to be OK Doctor?"

She let out an annoyed sigh, and rolled her eyes to the Conductor, "If you keep asking, I won't be able to concentrate on helping him! Now if you please excuse me I have to monitor his health, and to do that I need total privacy!"

The Conductor apologized, "Right, sorry Doctor,"

The door closed and they were alone again. I really should've knocked him out, she thought of other options, but decided it won't matter: the Conductor should leave them alone.

She looked back to the Captain, still out cold. She looked over the details of the Stallion, her eyes inspected his bruises and cuts, concluding that none of his bandages had to be replaced. She stared at him a while longer, trying to remember what she was going to do, but her focus seemed drawn to him.

She shook her head, turning away from the unconscious stallion and searched the car for his pack, finding the pack underneath his original seat, and she rummaged through it. She picked up each individual item with a yellow magic aura, Invitations, some other papers, a snack of oats, Ug... Where is it?

"I hope you are not going to eat those oats, I packed them for a reason." She was startled when he suddenly spoke, and turned back to see the Captain sitting upright against window, his left eye half closed, and had a weak, but determined smile on his face.

An awkward silence hung in the air as the two stared at each other, until Night Shade finally broke the silence, "You really got beat up,"

He attempted to shrug, but he only winced trying to, "Could have been worse, I could have suffocated completely, if you didn't come along."

She couldn't help being flattered by the Captain's remark, shying away from him until he asked, "By the way, name's Overwatch, what's yours?

Her mind went blank, thinking of what her name is until something close to a murmur came out, "Night... Shade..."

He rested the back of his head on the window behind him, closing his left swollen eye, "Well I appreciate it, for well... saving my life," he hesitated, and slowly sat upright again, "Why did you save me?"

She hesitated, clearly caught by Overwatch, lowering his eyebrows to a stern expression. He waited for an answer, "There is something you want from me: I can see the eagerness in your.. eyes."

She blinked in response, turning away from his Emerald gaze, she glanced down to his pack, and back to him "Just thought I would help a pony in need,"

He gazed at her, unsure of her response, "Really? Something tells me you would rather stick to the shadows, it's not every so often a Mare carries a lot of gems, and then disappears into thin air,"

She felt the pressure from his eyes, slowly summing her up, already knowing what she has done. She hid her fear, trying to keep herself calm under the Stallion's steel gaze, "Maybe you're being too nosy," she tried to be coy, charming him out of his suspicious attitude.

He kept a calm grin, knowing her attempt to make him falter, "I have a right to be nosy you know," He countered her charming looks with his own calm gaze, unsettling her, hints of nervousness came forward to his heavy gaze.

She shifted, an obvious signal that she is anxious about something, and returned a counter-argument, "What possible position could you have that can give you the right to be a nosy pony? To me, your wandering eyes tell me you just like to look.."

The response threw him off, his eyes darted away from her, feeling the heat of embarrassment warm his head and cheeks, but kept a calm head and decided that she crossed the line know, time to be blunt with his suspicions, "I have you know that I'm a looker not in the sense of personal image, but of that of Authority: I'm a Captain of the Frost Guard of the Icicle city, which is part of the Equestrian Guard Council, which in sense gives me full authority to be nosy" His eyebrows drew low to add to his seriousness.

"So as a EGC member, I ask you to tell me: why were ponies after you? What were you doing with so many gems?"

Her eyes flashed to the door, Overwatch's eyes following her glance. Overwatch was doubtful she would make it, he tested his body to make sure it was ready to pursue. As quick as a Griffon, she was at the car door, but in a flash of spark, Overwatch tackled her backwards, pinning all fours with his weight. She resisted, struggling and trying to squirm out of his grasp, but he held her down firmly.

She finally stopped, and waited for the Stallion to do something. "Now that I have your full undivided attention, why we're those ponies after you?"

She might as well tell him, she had nothing else to lose, "Fine, but I would be more comfortable if you please get off of me,"

The feeling of vulnerability made her cheeks involuntary flush red, Overwatch held her down a moment longer, unsure or he can trust her, until she understood why she was blushing.

He sheepishly agreed, realizing how awkward it was holding her down, and moved off of her. She slowly got up, thankful of her personal space, but shaken of how close he was, and a blurry memory ran through her as she sat upright and began."They are Necromancers, they hired me a while back to gather gems for who knows what."

She paused, his attention on her made him seem like a statue looming over her, "But one thing they always found important was a single onyx gem, called a Dusk Stone, was the only thing they really cared about, even if I lose every other gem, they still want the dusk stone,"

She paused again, assuming he is waiting for her to answer his initial question, "The reason those two Necromancers we're after me is that my employer, Umbra, wants me erased.. even though..." She hesitated, "Even though I promised to get it back from you.. assuming you have it,"

He shook his head, "Umbra... So he is the one..." He muttered to himself, glancing away from her, until he openly spoke, "Umbra is a wanted Criminal in the Frost Kingdom, and helping him acquire Class 1 Dark Volatile Gems: you are as much of a criminal as he is,"

She held her breath, the dread of prison seeping towards her. "But.. since you saved my life, I will spare you the the charges, and can probably get you some protection.."

He glanced away from her, debating on what to do next, he reached up to his neck to feel at ease with his grandfather's amulet, but instead of a pressing a warm metal he felt his neck, bare without the silver chain around his neck. Night Shade noticed the gesture, and asked, "Are you OK?"

She saw the sudden panic in his widening eyes, My amulet.. my grandfather's amulet.. where? He looked through his pack, but he knew he would never take it off.

He turned to Night Shade, his fury present in his intense scowl, and he was about to shout at her in outrage of is she took his amulet, considering she was a criminal. But he hesitated, his anger flat-lining as she looked back to him in worry.

"What's the matter?" She eyed his neck, wondering what the angry look was for.

"My Grandfather's Amulet..." He lowered his ears, feeling vulnerable without its hot heliotrope touching him.

She looked around, "What does it look like?"

He let out a disappointed sigh, "A solid diamond key, with a heliotrope gem in the middle of the key, all connected by a silver chain."

She felt like she needed to do something, anything to comfort him in his sulking state. Then something appeared in her head, the image of the amulet, around a much smaller version of Overwatch. She gasped.

"You mean.. the Bloodline Shield?" Her eyes were wide in shock, wondering if it really is who she think it is.

His ears pricked up, he was surprised that she knew it's true name, "How did you..?"

The car door opened behind them making the two lose their concentration, the conductor standing in the doorway confused, "Um... I'm not disturbing anything am I?"

Overwatch glanced back to Night Shade, and returned his attention on the Conductor, only to find him hit by a sleeping spell, making his eyes seal shut as he dropped to the floor, fast asleep.

Overwatch glared back to Night Shade, she returning a coy smile, "What? He got annoying!"

Act II: Chapter 6: Mail for Princess Twilight Sparkle

Act II: Shadows & Heroines

Twilight Sparkle grumbled as Rainbow Dash laughed at her as she hung upside down from the tree, her slate and pink highlight mane hanging down to gravity, a scientific law that Twilight despised the whole time she practiced using her wings with Rainbow Dash, the cyan Pegasus with exceptional flying skills leaving a rainbow trail like the color of her mane.

Then there was Fluttershy, "Oh my, are you OK Twilight?" The pale yellow Pegasus softly spoke, cautiously hovering in front of the unamused Alicorn, crossing her hooves as she swayed hanging upside down from the tree.

"You didn't break anything this time did you?" Fluttershy glanced back to the still hysterical Cyan Pegasus, hoping that she could get it together and actually help Twilight, instead of laughing at her everytime she crashes.

"No, I'm fine Fluttershy, considering I'm flying very slow," she grumbled, still watching Rainbow Dash still mocking her, "You were flying as slow as you could go and you still crashed!"

She hovered next to Fluttershy, who returned a disapproving glare, and Rainbow Dash's smile faded, "But it's a start, don't worry Twilight, flying takes some time and experience, and especially in your case, I would bet it would be sorta' weird to have wings when you're already all grown up,"

"And being born a unicorn, this doesn't come to you as instinct, something a filly or colt Pegasus would find easy to them," Fluttershy added.

Twilight opened her mouth to speak, but instead of a response a yelp came out as a branch that caught her hind hoof snapped and she succumbed to gravity yet again, impacting to the sweet but painful ground below.

She grumbled and got to her hooves until she heard a familiar voice in earshot, "Oh boy, my tail is a shakin'!"

And as if on cue, the branch that held her upside down broke loose from the tree, landing flat on Twilight's head, knocking her over on the ground. Rainbow Dash couldn't help but laugh at Twilight's misfortune.

Something made Twilight snap and fiery orange aura surrounded her horn, her coat turning pale white-yellow and her eyes orange, her mane and tail lighting ablaze as she let out a roar of rage that could be heard for miles, "I HATE GRAVITY!" snapping the branch in two with a single tremendous stomp.

Fluttershy hid behind Rainbow Dash, hovering above with a startled look across her face. Twilight became light headed as she unknowingly returned to normal. Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity cautiously approached, just a shook up as every pony else.

"Was that you Twilight? That was loud enough to sound like you were right next to me!" Applejack approached Twilight with a surprised look on her face.

"That... Was... Awesome! She like caught on fire and stuff!" Rainbow Dash landed next to Twilight.

"But it was very loud..." Fluttershy murmured as she appeared frightened behind Rainbow Dash.

Pinkie Pie popped out behind Fluttershy, "Ooh! That reminds of the time I made my first party for you Twilight! Remember? When you drank hot sauce thinking it was punch? Or that other time you didn't believe in my pinkie sense?"

"Yes Pinky, I remember..." Twilight grumbled, her ears lying flat against her head as she trotted to Fluttershy's cottage not so far away. Her friends exchanged worried looks as they followed their gloomy friend.

"Oh Twilight, what's the matter? You seemed very eager to practice flying with Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy earlier today," Rarity followed her down friend with concern, as did every pony else.

True, Twilight was eager to test her new wings with Rainbow Dash who was all for it, Fluttershy also to teach her some basics. She ultimately failed though, always wanting to resort to a Basic Flying Book she brought with her, but Rainbow Dash disapproved of the book, usually calling her an egghead, but to Twilight's surprise: Fluttershy supported Rainbow Dash, saying that flying should be learned visually and by instinct.

Twilight entered Fluttershy's cottage, sitting down on a chair to think. Discord was dusting the ceiling with a broom, and noticed the 6 walking inside, "Oh hello girls, oh and don't mind me; I'm just dusting the ceiling."

He continued to sweep while walking upside down on the ceiling. Her friends joined Twilight inside, Rainbow Dash and Applejack taking the couch, Rarity on a cushion in front of a coffee table, while Fluttershy announced that she would make her tea, while Pinkie Pie would make some muffins.

Silence ensued as Twilight continued to ponder, as well to relax from all the flying.

Rarity exchanged worried looks with Applejack and Rainbow Dash, and the three silently agreed with their eyes and Applejack got up and walked over to Twilight who rested her head on the chairs arm, stretching the rest of herself out on the opposite arm.

"What's the matter Sugar cube?" Applejack sat down and waited for a response, as did Rainbow and Rarity.

Twilight sighed, "It's just that... Princess Celestia hasn't given me my 2nd biannual test, and I want to prove to her that I can be a proper Alicorn and fly normally, so it feels like these wings are not foreign to me..."

She lowered her ears, anxious that she won't fail Princess Celestia. The whining of a teapot and a ding of an oven could be head from the kitchen.

"Discord? Can you come here please?" Fluttershy's voice called into the living room.

"Coming Fluttershy," he snapped his talons together and the broom disappeared into thin air, and he walked from the ceiling, to the wall, down to the floor, and walked into the kitchen.

"Oh come now Twi, you weren't ready for the test Celestia gave you last time,"

"Even though you blew the library off the ground.." Rainbow Dash interjected, Rarity giving her a disapproving glare. Discord walked in, holding a tray with a teapot, steaming banana muffins, and 7 cups, handing them out to every pony. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie joined them, as Discord walked back to the kitchen with an empty tray.

Twilight took a nibble of her muffin, "I don't know Applejack, it just seems so much for me; to suddenly become a figure of Equestria."

Discord walked back in, "Ha! You might not know it Twilight but being an element of harmony bearer makes not just you, but every pony in here just as important as the guard," he hovered by with the teapot, refilling cups with more tea.

"He's got a point Twilight, we've become important ever since we were chosen as the next element of harmony bearers, so it shouldn't be that daunting," Rarity levitated her tea cup with a blue aura, and took a sip of Fluttershy's bitter-sweet tea.

Twilight shook her head, "You don't get it, I'm in the public eye now, A Princess.."

Fluttershy nodded, "She's right, we go unnoticed only when we are not wearing our elements, unlike a Princess that has social rank,"

"So, we're like heroes with secret identities?" Pinkie Pie added in.

"More like guards escorting a Princess," Discord chimed, heading back to the kitchen to make more tea.

A silence held the moment. Every pony had different thoughts about how they ranked in the public eye, even if they're heroines.

A rapping on the door broke the silence, "I'll get it.." Fluttershy glided to the door, and opened the door, revealing a pale blue-gray Pegasus wearing a blue mail cap snugly over her yellow mane and a mail satchel on her back, holding a letter in her mouth with a cheery smile with Amber crossed eyes.

"Mail for Princess Sparkle Twilight!" She chimed, until she looked at the name again, "Oops! I mean Princess Twilight Sparkle! My bad!" She corrected herself.

Twilight appeared at the door, "That would be me." She took the letter from the Mail-mare, while she grabbed a clipboard from her satchel and a pen and clicked it open, "OK, sign here please."

"Wait what for?" Twilight looked up as she looked over the letters sending information.

"Oh wait that's for packages, sorry!" She put the clipboard and pen away. She turned around to take off when the scent of freshly baked chocolate banana muffins filled her nostrils like a mystical perfume. She turned around and looked over Fluttershy's shoulder, spotting Pinkie Pie, her favorite baker that made wonderful Muffins, balancing a tray of muffins on her head.

The smell alone made her mouth water, but the delicious appearance enticed her to have one. She was about to move past Fluttershy when she remembered a rule as a Mail-mare: always ask before entering a residence.

Her cross eyes turned to Fluttershy, "Um.. are those muffins in there?"

Fluttershy looked back to Pinkie Pie and nodded, "Why yes, Pinkie Pie just baked them, would you like to have one? You must be exhausted from flying mail all day!"

Derpy was already inside, taking Fluttershy's nod as a yes. She took a muffin off the tray, licking her lips at the wondrous chocolate banana muffin in front of her.

Pinkie Pie noticed Derpy and the muffin she cradled, "Oh Hi Derpy! You can have one if you like..." Pinkie was surprised as Derpy devoured every single muffin off the tray except the one she held, placing it back on the tray.

"Mhmm! Thanks Pinky!" She trotted happily out as Pinkie was still in disbelief of all the muffins she ate. With a quick farewell to Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, she took off to the sky.

Twilight sat down in the same chair with the letter floating above her; every pony including Discord waited eagerly of from whom the letter was from and for what reason.

"It's a letter from Princess Celestia!" Twilight hastily opened the letter, while Rainbow Dash muttered to Applejack, "Who would ever guessed?" Applejack gave the Cyan Pegasus a disapproving glare, making Rainbow Dash drop her teasing grin.

Twilight's eyes hastily ran over the letters contents, making every pony lean forward in anticipation to know what it's about.

"Well? What is it about?" Rarity couldn't hold her patience much longer, until Twilight's eyes widened in shock, "A test? A t-t-test?! A Test!?"

"Here we go..." Rainbow Dash groaned as Twilight dropped the letter and quickly crumbled to her anxiety, pacing around rapidly, hard in thought until she abruptly stopped, muttering something to herself.

"I have to get home! I need Spike's help!" she opened the door of the Cottage swiftly and to every ponies surprise, took flight without much effort, quickly flapping farther and farther away.

"Whoa! Wait up Twilight!" Rainbow Dash darted out of the Cottage, to her surprise falling behind the fast moving Alicorn. Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie exchanged confused looks.

Chapter 7: Code BT2

Spike enjoyed the Library to himself, how great of an idea it was to stack books early this morning by making a deal with Owlicious to help him, while promising Owlicious that he wouldn't do anything mischievous under the owl's watchful eye, and to seal the deal: he gave Owlicious one of his prized gems to keep for the day, and if Spike breaks his promise, the owl can keep the gem, but if he stays true to his promise he will get it back at the end of the day.

Spike lounged in a lawn chair, wearing a pair of sunglasses and a reflecting mirror pointed at him to soak up some of the day's sweet sun. Not a cloud could be seen in the sky, and a slight breeze brushed past Spike, making the Tree Library's branches dance and shift in the pleasant wind.

Spike let out a sigh of laziness, "Today was well planned, no book stacking, no writing the Princess letters, nothing, just a day of doing absolutely nothing..."

The sun was suddenly hidden behind something, getting Spike's attention of the sudden absence of the warm embrace of the sun, sitting up to try to see what was blocking out the sun since there was no clouds in the sky. A shadow fell upon him, and a blast of air shook the branches around the deck, and Spike took off his sunglasses to find Twilight Sparkle back early from her lessons.

"Spike! Quick! Code BT2!" Twilight frantically ran to the door, swinging it wide open as she dashed inside. Spike stood there in disbelief, surprised that she was flying proficiently, and that she was here because of a code BT2, or Biannual Test 2, meaning she was going to bring everything with her to pass whatever test Celestia would give her, usually requiring nothing of what she brings.

Spike rolled his eyes, and sulked inside the Library, Twilight dashing from one cabinets to the other, stuffing her pack full of books, quills, papers, and a bunch of other unnecessary items.

"Spike! What are you doing just standing there? It is important.."

"That you pass Princess Celestia's test, I know Twilight," Spike cut her off, remembering the last time she had a test Twilight was in the same frenzied, anxious state.

"Then help me pack books and other things I need!" She threw a book titled "Incantations for Dumb Ponies" into her pack, quickly running to the next shelf to find another book on the History of Canterlot.

Spike closed the door to the deck behind him, opening his mouth to speak when a yell came from the other side of the door, and a Cyan Pegasus crashed through the door, knocking it clean of its hinges as it imbedded itself into the wall with a dazed Rainbow Dash lying on top.

A low groan originated from the Pegasus, signalling the presence to Twilight, she didn't even flinch when the door jutted out from the wall next to her, "Good Rainbow Dash you're here, more ponies to help me prepare," Twilight ran over the title of the rune casting book, finding it unnecessary and put it back into the shelf.

A rapping on the door made Twilight snap to Spike, "Spike get the door please," She grabbed another book, quickly putting it back in the shelf.

Spike waddled down to the door, and opened the door wide open, revealing Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy with worried looks across there faces. Spike kept a glazed face, ushering them inside, until her walked over to Rarity and whispered, "How long did it take for her to overreact this time?"

"About the same as last time," Rarity still worried that Twilight might go over the edge if some pony doesn't calm her down.

The five of them stood at the entrance of the door as Twilight galloped past them, stopping, and backing up to meet their worried faces, "What?" She realized how hard she was working herself as she rapidly took in and let out brief breaths.

"Twilight, the last time you were given a test by Princess Celestia, you didn't need half the stuff you brought with you to pass your test, we just think that you should just calm down," Rarity glanced back to her friends for support, all of them, including Spike, nodded in agreement.

Rainbow Dash grunted as she got off the door, landing on the ground and dusted herself off, "Yeah, besides I'm not packing all of your stuff Twilight, that's Spike's job!"

"Hey! You don't even know what hard work is!" Spike snapped back to the Cyan Pegasus.

"Lounging in a lawn chair with shades and a sun mirror? That's hard work?" Rainbow Dash trotted next to her friends.

Spike sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, "Well... I planned before hand and woke up early to finish my work! That's hard work and planning!"

Rainbow Dash snorted, "Really? I woke up at the crack of dawn to clear out the clouds this morning, then went back to bed thirty minutes after I cleared the sky!"

Spike stuttered, until drooping his head, "Fine... you win..."

All eyes were on her as she enjoyed her victory over Spike's argument, most of them disapproving glares, "What?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

"We're kinds givin' Twilight a pep talk here and you're bein' rude," Applejack snapped, while Rainbow Dash lowered her ears in embarrassment, giving a awkward chuckle, "Oh right.. sorry,"

"I don't know, I mean I appreciate it and everything, it's just.. I don't want to disappoint Princess Celestia,"

Applejack put a hoof around her, "you'll do fine Twi, you always do fine, you just overreact too much, makin it look harder than it really is.."

Twilight's ears dropped down flat against her head, always grateful for Applejack's reassurance in total honesty.

"I agree with Applejack, you always pass your tests Twilight," Fluttershy added,

"Yeah, and if you don't know how to do something, like flying, you will learn in good time right? It's like when you get one of your books and learn," Rainbow Dash pointed at all of Twilight's books on the winding shelves.

"And even if you're a princess Twilight, you're still our bestest friend ever!" Pinkie Pie chimed,

"With or without wings Twilight, you're still the friend we know and love," Rarity added, making Twilight tear up from all her friends supporting her.

"And besides, we know you'll make Princess Celestia proud!" Spike and the others gathered around her, all with warm smiles.

Twilight wiped a tear from her eye, "Thank you, all of you, you're all the best friends a pony could have.." she cooed, as her friends including Spike came into a group hug, all embracing the friend they all care about.

Canterlot was as bright and sunny as Ponyville, not a cloud hung above the luxurious city, ponies below commuted to one expensive store to the other, and few guards patrolled the streets, something unheard of in the Frost Kingdom. Umbra disliked the blistering heat in his warm cloak, he should have brought a lighter cloak when he came down south.

He kept his black hood pulled over his head, a precaution to keep his identity veiled from wandering eyes. He noticed two guards trotting towards him; he kept a calm head. Like any other bystander, they didn't even take a moment to take a glance.

A evil grin drew across his face, the guards wouldn't look twice even if I walked the grounds with a hoof knife..

He trotted under a archway of a large wall, entering a residential district with high class ponies commuting in their expensive clothes and jewelry.

He stopped in the middle of the square, eying the fountain in front of him and taking out a onyx gem from a pocket in his cloak, toying with it between his two hooves, his smile widening as the gem pulsed green: a dark enchantment that makes it react violently when it comes in contact in a body of water.

He was about to toss the gem into the fountain in front of him, but in the corner of his eye, he noticed a group of familiar mares trotting in the direction of the Royal Palace; the heroines of the Crystal Empire, along with a purple baby dragon riding on the back of the lavender Alicorn.

The element of harmony bearers... His throat became scratchy as a distant memory jolted through him: , the Crystal Heart, The Crystal Princess, the Unicorn of Magic, Victory in reach, the Baby dragon, and Death.

He recoiled from the shock of memories rushing through him, breaking into a sweat and winced in pain, his body feeling possessed, "You feel my pain, yes? That's what they did to me, don't make the same mistake.." and like a rag-doll puppet he collapsed to the ground, limp and his head hammering like an anvil.

He took a rasp breath, his legs shaking as he got to his hooves, several bystanders stood idle watching him. He stuffed the gem back in his pouch under his cloak. He returned burning glares to those who stared at him, quickly dispersing from his fierce gaze.

He glanced back to the Element of Harmony Bearers, they were almost to the palace, he wasn't noticed by them. He looked back to the fountain, deciding the volatile gem would serve its purpose another day.

He looked northward, his red snake like eyes focused on something, as if he was listening to the wind, "I won't fail you.." he whispered to himself, and with a quick teleportation spell, he vanished into thin air.

Princess Celestia remembered how nervous Twilight was the last time she was informed of a test, bringing a unnecessary amount of books, tomes, and other things that weren't required. She waited patiently, knowing she would arrive about now.

The gold doors swung open, and Celestia's calm gaze lifted to the doors, eager to greet her faithful student. But instead of a lavender Alicorn, a white-gray Pegasus wearing a wool lined leather jacket that covered the Pegasus entire body, a pair of flight goggles and a scarf over his face, and carried a mail satchel over his back signaled to Celestia that this was no ordinary messenger: he was from the North, farther than the Crystal Empire.

The messenger stepped forward and moved his flight goggles onto his head, and pulling his scarf down, taking a low bow to the princess, "Your Majesty, message from the Frost Princess Snowfall."

Celestia's ears pricked up to the familiar name: a younger cousin of Cadance that ruled the Frost Kingdom, a frontier kingdom that had rising problems of ponies practicing dark magic, a concern left in the dark by the council, most agreeing that the largest guard legion in all of Equestria, the Frost Guard -also locally known as the Cold Legion- could handle the problem with over 5,000 guards to protect the massive kingdom, stretching all across the North side of the crystal mountains.

"Go ahead," Celestia spoke swiftly, her expression turning somber and commanding.

"A-hem, Regal Sisters, I have been informed by Major Avalanche of the Frostinian Guard that it has come to my attention that a recent occurrence of events have left a caboose decoupled from a train, and upon locating it we found evidence of a struggle: several blast marks from magic and dark magic have left us to speculate that this has been linked to Necromancer sightings in the Crystal Empire. In other words, 1-4 Necromancers have come down south from the Frost Kingdom, and these dark magic users can have drastic repercussions in any major city or town, so I advise to keep a eye out for any activity relating to dark magic and report it to the Frost Guard, we have a special air platoon that can handle it. With best regards and precautions, Princess Snowfall. in any major city or town, so I advise to keep a eye out for any activity relating to dark magic and report it to the Frost Guard, we have a special air platoon that can handle it. With best regards and precautions, Princess Snowfall."

Celestia let out a sigh, "Thank you, please tell your Commanding Officer, Major Avalanche is it? Tell him that I will allow this Air Platoon to search for these Necromancers, dismissed." Celestia waved a hoof, and the messenger bowed, "As you wish your Majesty,"

He turned around and walked back to the golden doors, opening up to reveal a Lavender Alicorn, and a nearby guard announced her presence, "Princess Twilight Sparkle!"

The Messenger took a low bow, but Twilight held up a hoof, "Oh that's not necessary,"

The Messenger shook his head, "It is a custom for Forstinian Guards to respect the presence of any Princess with a bow, but if you would excuse me Princess I'm in a hurry to deliver a message,"

"Oh of course, as you were," She moved aside and the guard nodded and was off to deliver his message. A Frostinian Guard? This far south? Twilight glanced back to the messenger, then back to Celestia, a smile on her face as she welcomed Twilight, "Ah my faithful student! I'm glad you could make it!"

Twilight stepped forward, eager to pass the test Celestia had in store for her, "How have your studies on Friendship been coming?"

"Well as a matter of fact I've had a friendship occurrence not so long ago,"

"Really? Tell me about it."

"Well, when I was given the letter, I kinda freaked out, I mean it was all of a sudden, and it was odd that it was sent by mail," Twilight rubbed the back of her head, princess Celestia interjected, "I sent it by mail because I couldn't get it through to Spike, but please continue,"

"Oh, well I immediately flew home so I could prepare myself for the test, packing everything I could."

"So you have learned how to use your wings?" Celestia seemed eager,

Twilight shook her head, "Well.. sort of, but that's another story, anyways back to what I was saying: so around this time my friends arrived and told me to calm down. I didn't really want to stop preparing but sure enough they reassured me, telling me that I have the confidence, the knowledge, and the will to pass what test you have for me."

Celestia smiled, "So what did you learn?"

"That friends can reassure you when your really stressed out," Twilight nodded, it's the answer she was looking for.

Celestia chuckled, "I'm glad you learned that friends can help you in any time of distress, but now it is time for you to take your test,"

Twilight's stomach felt like it did a back-flip, but she took a deep breath to stay calm, "Alright, I'm ready, what is the test?"

Celestia stood up, spreading her large white wings out wide, "Now that you are an Alicorn, I want you to grow familiar with your new wings; I don't want you to be uncomfortable with a concept so foreign to you, but I know who can help you with this problem,"

Twilight's ears pricked up, curious to know, "Who else could help me other than my friends?"

Celestia smiled, "Your Sister-in-Law, Cadance"

Twilight seem confused, "Wait why Cadance? Wasn't she already a Pegasus anyways?"

Celestia shook her head, "Unlike my sister and myself, Cadance was turned into a Alicorn like yourself, so she can help you get accustomed to being an Alicorn. Now that I think of it, you can probably teach her a few things about using magic that only Unicorns know,"

Twilight rubbed her chin in thought, "So you want me to go to the Crystal Empire and talk to Cadance about this? That's all I have to?"

Celestia nodded, "I don't want to give you a harder test if you aren't familiar with your new appearance,"

Twilight realized she hasn't thought about that and agreed, "OK, ill go to the crystal empire right away, and once I feel confident of my wings, I'll be ready for anything,"

Celestia chuckled, "Always enthusiastic, go with care my faithful student,"

Twilight trotted out of the throne room, eager to see her Sister-in-Law in the Crystal Empire.