Equestria Noir Season 2 Case 8 "Hammer of Thunder"

by Jacoboby1

Rating: teen
Tags: Crossover, Alternate Universe, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Other, Romance, Adventure, Tragedy
Length: 17616

Private travels to the Cloud Kingdom and teams up with the legendary Alicorn warrior Thor to uncover a conspiracy threatening the kingdom and it's king.

Private is called to aid King Thor when a pair of his guards are murdered and a mysterious package seems to be at the center of it all. Thor's brother and popular lord Baldur is being threatened by this conspiracy, can Private solve it before the young prince sees the end of his immortal life? To make matters worse, an old foe of Thor's seems to be pulling the strings from behind the curtains, giving Private his greatest challenge yet.

(Crossover Tag is due to the large amount of Norse Myth present in this Story)

Published 2013-12-06 04:20:08 UTC
Last updated 2013-12-30 17:55:09 UTC

Chapter 1 "The Rumbling"

Equestria Noir 2
Case 8
“Hammer of Thunder”
by Jacoboby1
Chapter 1
“The Rumbling”

Perspective: Thor

I flew as swift as my wings could carry me as darkness held overhead. One could’ve heard the screaming, even from the castle. Whatever is happening here, I’d bet Mjolnir it is not good.

I used my ears to locate the source of the screaming. It was coming from the airship docks! I dived and landed on the clouds in front of the large cargo ships. Each of them held supplies for the Cloud Kingdom. But, now they served as cover for what is going on.

I rounded a corner and hear whimpering coming from a small storehouse. I gripped Mjolnir in my magic, and bucked down the door.

What I saw caused my eyes to grow wide. The room was square, filled with only a few boxes here and there. But that wasn’t the focus, I saw two Cloud Kingdom warriors laying on the ground, they weren’t moving at all. What looked like sword wounds adorned their bodies. Who could have done this to them…?

“My lord…?”

I snapped myself out of it, and looked over as a young blue coated pegasus came out from behind a crate. I recognized this one.

“Frezil?” I asked. “What are you doing here child?”

“I,” She was speaking weakly. “I tried to stop them, I wanted to-” She almost fell over but I caught her in my magic.

“Does Baldur know you are out at this time of night?” I asked, “And what happened to these guards?”

The child’s yellow eyes gazed up at me as she said, “They, tried to take...the one thing...that could…take him...” Her eyes closed, I felt her neck, she was only unconscious.

Poor lass, she probably suffered greatly from what happened.

The question, what exactly happened here…?

I’d better let an old friend know that aid is required for this delicate matter.

And I’ll never know peace again…

_____________________________________________________

Perspective: Private Eye

“You want me to go where exactly?” I asked.

I was standing in the training area after a long session with Voidera. The dracorn stood before as he relayed the news of what was going on. It was getting late at night, and Luna’s moon hanged outside the window. Dawn would be coming in a few hours.

“The Cloud Kingdoms have long been an ally to Equestria,” Voidera said. “Thor requires aid in a delicate matter, I would think this would be the perfect opportunity to have you gain experience as an envoy.”

“You, have a nasty habit of shoving me into things whether I want to or not,” I said, shaking my head.

“I try to provide interesting endeavors.” He said with a smirk.

“So, is Twilight to accompany me?” I asked.

“Not this time,” He said. “With the summit mere days away, we need to have her focus on that. Besides, this matter has to do with murder, right up your alley.”

“Mystery solving I can handle,” I said. “It’s all this royal consort business I’m not used to. I’m to go totally alone?”

“Having more than one Equestrian would cause suspicion,” Voidera explained. “You’ll be fine.”

“I hope so,” I said, “Because, I usually find out the simplest cases have the most complex roots.”

_______________________________________________________

I went back to the elegantly appointed room that we were calling home, while in the castle. The crystal walls glowed gently, making it easier to see. There were a lot of books scattered about the crystal furniture, from where Twilight was researching her new role. And there at the desk was Twilight. Surrounded by books, and asleep atop one.

I smiled at her and walked over, nuzzling her on the head. “Hey sleeping beauty,” I said teasingly.

“Uggh…” She groaned. “So much, to know…”

I slowly lifted her in my magic, removing her princess trappings and setting her crown gently in the drawer, locking it with a key. We learned our lesson from the Sunset Shimmer incident. Always keep the crown somewhere safe where it can’t be stolen without Twilight knowing about it.

Twilight practically plopped on the bed when I put her there. She curled up as I drew the covers over her. She looked up at me, with half awake eyes and said. “Private, you’re going aren’t you?”

I nodded solemnly. “Yeah, I gotta deal with being an envoy to the Cloud Kingdom.”

“I know you’ll do great,” She said, yawning a little.

“You just focus on getting to sleep,” I said. “I’ll miss you though.”

She reached up, and pulled me into a kiss. She gazed into my eyes and said, “I’ll be right here. You waited for me to come back through the mirror, I’ll wait for you to return.”

“Only this time you won’t have to chase after me,” I said, kissing her back before letting her rest on the bed.

I walked over and unlocked the closet to reveal my gear. I knew I was going as an envoy, but, as the filly scouts say, “it always pays to be prepared.”

I slipped Silver Wolf and it’s scabbard onto my back. I stepped into newly made cloud walking horseshoes. I saw Twilight’s scarf she made for me back before I went to the Snowlands. I gave a small smile, and slipped it on around my neck. It would be cold where the Cloud Kingdoms are, I’d need the warmth.

I stepped out into the hallway and gently closed the door behind me. I was about to walk out, when I accidentally bumped into a dark blue chest. I looked up at Luna, she smiled down at me. “Ah, Private Eye, fancy seeing you during our night,” she said.

“Hey Luna,” I said. “I’m uh, heading out on another assignment.”

Luna’s smile turned into a frown as she said, “Another assignment from Voidera?”

“Uh yeah,” I said. “The guy has a habit of throwing me at things whether I like it or not.”

Luna shook her head, and I thought I heard her mutter, “More like Sister than he admits.”

“Luna?” I asked.

“My apologies,” She replied, “my mind was elsewhere. Are you sure you are to go alone?”

“Sadly, I can’t bring anypony along,” I said, with a sigh. “Teacher’s rules.”

Luna’s teal eyes blinked, and then her face turned concerned. “I worry about you sometimes Private. You are always thrown into danger yet you never bat an eye when it comes.”

“You’re starting to sound like Twilight.” I said.

I couldn’t help but notice a slight..twitch...when I mentioned Twilight. She shook her head again and said, “Just, stay safe Private Eye. I could not bear to see you in danger again. I do not want a repeat performance of the mirror.”

Without another word, she turned to leave. Something was going on with her, I just wish I knew what. I think Celestia should talk to her about this.

I’d think more on it, but I had a job to do...thankfully it was supposed to be a long carriage ride.

______________________________________________________

I leaned against the sky carriage side as I flew in the clouds. I tried to catch a few zs before I arrived. Luna’s moon rose above the night sky, and couldn’t help but remind me about her. The fact that a pair of night ponies were pulling didn’t help matters.

Slowly, the carriage flew higher. It passed through cloud after cloud, I started to find it a little hard to breath at this altitude. The pegasi were struggling a little as well to keep up with the wind. We finally passed through the last cloud…

The sight was glorious… Somehow they sculpted clouds to resemble thatched roof houses, with elegant scrollwork decorations at the roof peaks. The streets were made to look like cobblestone, and at the very highest cloud-hill was a fantastic keep. Blocky towers formed the walls, and looked imposing, with a huge gate, opening into a amazingly sculpted courtyard made to look like it had plants, and a central median, of sculpted cloud grass.

Flying around the place were pegasi, some clad in what looked like old fashioned chain mail and leather. Others were simply clad in cloth garments and tattoos on their legs and bodies. It was like this place was in it’s own world.

The only real signs of technology were airships coming and going in what looked like a massive harbor. It was impressive to be sure.

We came to a hover in front of the main gate, an armored cloud kingdom pegasus spoke to us, “What is your business in the Cloud Kingdom?” his accent showcased some northern equestrian.

I spoke up, “I am Private Eye, Royal Consort, I’m here to aid King Thor with a problem that has arisen.”

The stallion slowly nodded and said, “Leave your guards outside. Forgive us, but a murder has occurred in our walls and we will take no chances.”

The night ponies looked at me with their slitted eyes. I returned the look and said, “I’ll be fine, this is their home, their rules.”

They nodded and brought the chariot to rest in front of the gate. I stepped out of it onto the soft clouds, thankful the horseshoes work. I watched as the massive gate opened and a pair of Cloud Kingdom warriors flew out of it.

“Oh most awesome of ponies!” One of them said, shaking my hoof vigorously. “You have come to us in our hour of need! For you see, the most awesome on high Thor needs you to help out!”

The other one chuckled, “Our younger generation was highly influenced by Equestrian culture,” he said smiling.

“For better or worse,” I said, pulling my hoof away. “So, you said there was a murder here?”

“Oh yes, detective dude!” The younger guard said. “Our task is to lead you to the crime scene, and then bring you to our most awesome King Thor and his Queen Sif!”

Thor is married? Less gossip Private, more work.

“Take me to the scene of the crime,” I said.

____________________________________________________

The storehouse where the crime occurred was small, only about the size of your average bedroom. The two guards stood outside the door as I walked in. I saw two other cloud kingdom guards laying on the ground. Both of them were covered in what looked like sword wounds. Without a forensics team there was little I could determine about them.

One of the guards looked to be older, he was laying in the middle of the room and he had a gold coat and a short brown mane hidden under his helmet. He bore a cutie mark of a spear.

“Can either of you tell me who this is?” I asked, pointing at the body.

The younger one spoke, “That would be Spearhead. He is a guard, but he’s assigned to palace duty, what is he doing here?”

“That’s what I’m trying to find out.” I said, and then slipped on hoof coverings. I tilted the stallions head up and saw a large gash on the neck. “Had to be what killed him,” I said, “Most of the blood came from there. But judging by the sword wounds he put up a fight.”

I walked to the other corpse and saw this was a younger stallion. Small, light blue with a short blond mane and covered with tattoos as well. His cutie mark appeared to be a mace of some kind.

The older guard sighed, “Poor Morning Star, he had just finished his training too.”

The younger guard shook his head, “It doesn’t make any sense Snowsword,” I had to guess that was the older stallion’s name. “Neither of them are stationed here, both of them work at the palace.”

“My guess is,” I said. “They weren’t exactly supposed to be here.”

Snowsword nodded slowly and said, “But what could they want?”

“Was there a witness?” I asked.

“Frezil.” The younger stallion said, “She was a palace servant. Cute, but not exactly the brightest.”

“Did she have any enemies?” I asked. “Anypony who would try to kill her, even with two guards with her?”

Snowsword shook his head, “Freezetail and I have known her since she was taking her first steps. She was never one to make enemies.”

“Where is she now?” I asked.

“We had to take her to the palace.” Freezetail explained. “King’s orders dude.”

“Then, I guess it’s time I paid his highness a visit.”

Before I walked out, I noticed something on the floor. I picked it up, it was a small leaf...funny, I didn’t notice any trees, let alone ones this small…

I shrugged, pocketed the leaf and left with the guards.

_______________________________________________________

The throne room looked more like a feast hall, than a throne room. It had trestle tables on either side of a huge fire pit. And just how are they able to have a fire pit? But it warmed the room, and added a cheery atmosphere. At the far end was a dias, on which there was a fancy gilded chair, carved into a weave pattern, with dragons as decoration. Above the throne was the banner of the Cloud Kingdom, emblazoned with a thunderbolt, and a hammer.

Before me, sitting on his throne, was Thor himself. Tall, proud, with a large muscular blue coated body, a long dark mane that flowed like a thundercloud about read to burst, and wings more massive than any I have ever seen. I’ve met the king only one time previously, that was at the Alicorn Summit almost a year ago. He’s changed little since then.

At the foot of his throne was a hammer about half as big as me. It was also richly adorned in strange markings with a handle and a grey head. I recognized that hammer, he used it to fight off Onyx’s troops during the summit.

The Alicorn king smiled at me and gave a hearty laugh as I entered. “Once again, I find myself glad that Voidera’s timing is so impeccable.”

I gave a curt bow and said, “Private Eye, at your service.”

“It has been quite some time since the summit,” Thor said. “You seem to have grown since then.”

“Don’t make him too proud Thor, he’s still skinny as you described him.” Another voice said.

Flying down was another alicorn, this one was of a similar shade of blue to Thor, but her mane was long and golden, almost like wheat during a harvest. She was clad in armor and she was as muscular as Thor. She did have qualities that would be described as feminine, but she could probably beat a Minotaur at hoof wrestling.

She looked at me with golden eyes and smirked, “So this is who Voidera sends to us? A skinny lad wearing a funny hat?”

Harsh…

“Forgive my wife,” Thor said with a chuckle. “She can be as blunt as Mjolnir at times.”

“I only speak the truth my love,” She said, smiling. “I am Sif, you’ve already met my husband. You must be Private Eye, the one who fought the mighty Lunard and won.”

“I had help,” I said. I wasn’t going to explain how I nearly died during the fight, that would raise way too many questions. “My friends were there, we all defeated him together.”

“To survive against Lunard is no small feat either,” Sif commented. “We shall see how you hold up in this matter.”

“My guards have brought you to the crime scene already.” Thor said. “Have you determined what happened?”

I shook my head, “I’m afraid without time and a forensics team, there is little I can do at present. But I have determined that the victims were Spearhead and Morning Star,” I said.

Sif’s face turned into a frown, and she added solemnly, “They were good soldiers. They will rest with their ancestors.”

“How strange,” Thor said, putting a hoof to his chin. “To think that Franzil would be with those two.”

“How is it strange?” I asked.

“Well not strange,” Sif explained. “Just, peculier. For those three were closest to Baldur.”

“Who’s Baldur?” I asked.

“He is my brother,” Thor explained, “One of the few Alicorns to have survived the cataclysm with me.”

“Don’t worry yourself with introductions Thor, I believe I’d like to meet the stallion myself.”

Down from another balcony descended an alicorn stallion. Baldur was...well there was no other way to describe it, he was a prince.

He was tall, thinner than Thor with a dark brown coat, a mane that was golden and long, and with green eyes. He was robed in rich velvet and there seemed to be an air of, ‘I’m a nice guy, love me’ about him.

“We did not wish to wake you,” Sif said.

“My friends are harmed and I am to simply sleep on it?” Baldur replied. “I think not dear Sif.”

“I trust you’ve heard rumors of what happened brother?” Thor asked.

“Yes, I have.” Baldur replied, then he turned to me. “So, this is the one who’s put in charge of sorting this out?”

“Private Eye,” I said, “At your service.”

“I’ve heard many tales about you Private Eye,” Baldur said with a smile. “Perhaps, when all this is over, we can think of songs to write of your exploits.”

Somehow, I doubt Private the Bard Songs would reach the top of the charts anytime soon…

“But alas,” Baldur said, shaking his head. “I have lost two good friends this night. I shall mourn them when I return to my chambers.”

“If you require company brother,” Thor added. “You know you are never far from friends willing to help.”

“I understand brother,” Baldur replied. “I only hope that whoever is the killer is brought to justice for the blatant murder of my friends.”

“Did you find anything odd at the crime scene Private Eye?” Thor asked.

I reached into my trench coat, “Well, I did find this odd leaf…”

When I pulled it out, everything happened in a blur. One minute I was holding the leaf, and the next I was flat on my back, with Sif over me, holding a sword to my neck. Her eyes showed fury as she said, “Foolish boy! Do you think to assassinate my brother-in-law?”

“What? No!” I said. “I just found the leaf at the crime scene I swear! What is it? Some kind of poison?”

Thor slowly walked to the leaf, glared at it, and then zapped it with lightning from his horn. The leaf turned to ash before my very eyes. I saw Baldur had moved a good few feet away from where the leaf fell. The expression on his face was one of sheer terror.

Thor slowly looked at me, “This is mistletoe, and let’s just say there’s a reason why being caught with it is a capital offense here in the Cloud Kingdom…”

Chapter 2 "The Smallest Thorn"

Chapter 2

“The Smallest Thorn”

“Let me get this straight,” I said as I still laid on my back with Sif’s sword at my neck. “You’re saying it’s a crime to bring in something ponies kiss under for good luck?”

“It is far more than that, colt,” Sif said, an edge in her voice. “If you’re trying to play dumb then you’ll find I have little tolerance for idiocy.”

You and Grandma would get along swimmingly.

“Calm yourself, Sif,” Thor said, walking over. “There is no way an outsider could have known about it.”

“You’re far too trusting, Thor,” Sif said, getting off me, her eyes glaring at me, silently saying ‘I’m keeping my eye on you, and I can easily make sure you suffer if you step a hoof out of line.’

I gulped and got to my hoofs and dusted myself off. Thor and Sif exchanged glances than Baldur came over, his face looking as white as a sheet. “Is it, safe?” He asked.

“It is destroyed, brother,” Thor said gently. “You have no need to fear it.”

Baldur sighed in relief, “Thank goodness, I feared the worst when I saw it.”

“As did I,” Sif said, giving a glare at me.

“Just what is going on here?” I asked. “Why was Baldur so scared of a leaf?”

Baldur and Thor exchanged glances again. Thor spoke after a while, “Brother, if you are not comfortable…”

Baldur shook his head, causing his blond mane to move with him, “It is well, Brother, he is the detective, he should know the reasons.” he said.

Thor slowly nodded and turned to me. He sighed and finally said, “Voidera is inclined to trust you, I owe my very life to that dragon boy. So, I will tell you why there is fear in Baldur’s eyes. You are aware of the cataclysm that destroyed the Alicorns of ancient past correct?”

“Yeah,” I said. “Let’s just say the last few months have been a crash course on that.”

“Around the time,” Thor said. “Baldur was plagued with nightmares about the devastation of our world. He ultimately foresaw his own death.”

Baldur spoke next, “Mother was terrified of what would become of me. So, she cast a spell on me, a very powerful one at that.”

Suddenly, Sif picked her sword up in her magic, and took a swing at Baldur. The blade came close but moved out of the way of the alicorn at the last second. She spoke up, “No weapon, magic, or object can harm Baldur in any way, were you to try and hurt him, you would find your attack would miss.”

“Seriously?” I said. “How come his mother didn’t use this for the entire Alicorn race? She could’ve saved hundreds if not millions of lives with the spell.”

“There is more to the story,” Thor explained. “The spell drained our mother of her very life force, to the point she could barely breath after it was cast.”

“Oh,” I said, the weight of what Thor was saying coming into perspective.

“My mother couldn’t finish the spell entirely,” Baldur said, a frown came to his face. “A certain magician made sure that there was one object that could hurt me.”

“That being Mistletoe.” I concluded.

“As a result of this development,” Sif said, narrowing her eyes at me. “Anypony found with mistletoe is under high suspicion for being an assassin.”

Explains the welcoming committee.

Baldur looked down, shaking his head, “But why would Spearhead, Morning Star, and Frezil be involved with this?”

“I was told they were friends of yours.” I said.

“The very best,” Baldur said with a smile. “I treasure every friend. They were my most recent confidants. Frezil especially was close to me.”

Way he talks it’s almost as if he sees them as worshipers rather than friends…but that may just be paranoid me talking.

“Their death will weigh heavy on my heart,” Baldur said with a sorrowful look.

Sif looked on her brother in law with sympathy and said, “Do you need time alone, Baldur?”

“I, would appreciate that.” Baldur said, turning around. “I will be in my chambers, I will answer whatever questions I can later.”

I watched the Alicorn leave, there was a great sorrow about him. I can’t imagine what it must be like to lose two close friends in one day. But something just seemed off about this. There’s no way that two ponies he held in so high regard would go looking for his one weakness...unless…

My thoughts were interrupted by a sword being pointed at me again. “I will be with Baldur. If I even so much as hear you breath in the wrong way, I will not hesitate to make sure your love will find your sessions...lacking.”

I gulped as I watched the Alicorn warrior princess leave. Thor smiled, and smacked me with a hoof on the back. He laughed as I fell flat on my face, “Ah, don’t let Sif cause you fear. She is not one to hide what she is thinking.” he said.

I got up, trying to find feeling in my legs again. “I kind of expected your wife to be rough, but that’s a little...extreme.”

“My wife is like that,” He said, smiling blissfully, “Ah, our first meeting was one of wonder. She threw me all the way across the tavern after I tried to talk to her. It was love at first fight.”

I keep having to remind myself this is a warrior society. But I’m no less scared of Sif than I was before that statement was made.

I’m just glad I didn’t have to matchmake them, I think I may have been a casualty.

“Thor,” I said. “Do Frezil, Morning Star, or Spearhead have any family we can inform?”

Thor shook his head and said, “Unfortunately, no, all three of them were orphaned by the Gryphon wars years ago. The Cloud Kingdom was hit a lot harder than Equestria was. Baldur found them one evening and took them into the palace. My brother has a kind heart, and hoped they could help out.”

“So they grew up in the palace?” I asked.

“Yes, they have.” Thor said. “Spearhead is married however, we should inform his wife about what happened.”

She also may be able to tell us his whereabouts…

___________________________________________________________

It was, interesting walking around with Thor. Everywhere we turned there was some Cloud Kingdom resident bowing, waving, or offering some kind of service for their King. Thor would politefully decline any services offered.
It felt weird, I doubt I’d ever get used to this kind of publicity. I always preferred getting the job done and moving on. But, Thor was a King, he had his people to think about as well.

Thor and I came up to a small hut in the center city. Thor knocked on the door and it opened. A small pegasus mare with a long braided brown mane and whitish tan coat opened it. She was wearing simple garments and an apron. She couldn’t have been older than mid twenties.

She bowed when Thor came into her vision, “Milord, to what do I owe the pleasure?”

Thor’s face turned somber, I could tell he found some difficulty in saying this, “Kestrel, there is something you need to know.”

“What is it milord?” She asked, looking up at Thor with brown eyes.

Thor sighed and said, “Last night, we discovered your husband had been slain by a foul villain. I am terribly sorry.”
It took Kestrel a minute to process what Thor just said. Finally, she broke into sobs at the news. She covered her face with her hoofs. I walked up to her and said, “Miss, I need to ask you a few questions that can help us find who did this.”

She let out a few soft sobs and said, “I-I will tell you what I can, please come in…”

“Take your time,” I said gently. “We’re here to help.”

“Who are you?” She asked, looking at me.

I smiled, took off my fedora and bowed, “Detective Private Eye, I solve crimes in the blink of an eye.”

She, smiled at that, and let out a small laugh.

Thor on the other hand was laughing louder than Pinkie Pie when she first heard it.

Okay, I know it was bad, but I was just trying to add some levity.

I really need a new slogan…

_________________________________________________________

“Spearhead was a good husband.” Kestrel said as she sat on in her chair.

The home was simple, plastered walls, with wood trim, and reeds strewn on the dirt floor. The tables were wood, with some decorative carving. The fireplace was huge, with hooks for cauldrons, and generally it was very homey.

Kestrel tried to offer up mead or any sort of refreshment, probably to keep her mind off the fact she’s now a widow. I declined, hoping to make this brief.

Thor sat next to me, his massive form barely fitting inside the house. Luckily he seemed experienced in fitting into small houses. Even still, I don’t think anypony should startle him otherwise the home may get an unwanted skylight.

Kestrel held a small cup of what I had to imagine must be tea or some form of beverage. Whatever it was, she sure drank it liberally.

“Spearhead and I were going to work towards our first foal.” She said, trying to sound strong. “Him and Morning Star were out celebrating last night, at least that’s what he told me.”

“Do they have any enemies?” I asked.

She shook her head and replied, “Not that I know of, although being so close to Baldur can inspire some jealousy.”

“Baldur did help bring them to a good home.” Thor said.

“Okay,” I said. “Has he been acting oddly at all? Nervous? Maybe scared?”

Kestrel put a hoof on her chin, and finally said, “Recently, he was acting a little strange. He’d come home and go right to bed, not a word to me. I thought it was just bad work days but, he seemed genuinely worried about something.”

“Did he ever say?” I asked.

“No,” Kestrel said, “Whenever I asked he would change the subject. Spearhead was a good stallion, if he was keeping a secret it must have been something important.”

“When was the last time you saw him?” I asked.

“Last night,” Kestrel said, her hooves shaking a little. “I saw him leave with Morning Star. Those two are the best of friends so I didn’t think anything of it. I had no idea they would both be dead in the morning…”

“We will find the monster who did this,” Thor said. “That I promise you.”

“Thank you milord,” Kestrel said with a short bow, “I am in your debt for helping me with this. You as well detective, please, find who did this.”

“I will,” I said. “Whoever killed Spearhead will not stay free for long. Do you mind if I look in his room? Maybe I can find something.”

She nodded and pointed to the doorway, “There, we only have the one bedroom.”

I got up and made my way through the door.

The plaster walls continued in here, with the bed in the center, and a carved wooden desk to the side, with a sturdy, comfortable chair. There was a washbasin over to the side, but other than that it was pretty spare. Precious possessions seemed to be placed in high, out-of-the-way places.

I walked to the desk and saw it was covered with stuff I remember seeing on Shining Armor’s desk. Orders, folders, the occasional letter from the misses, all of them were cluttering the desk. But nothing on it seemed to be out of the ordinary for a guard.

I then looked down at the wastebasket, and saw that a piece of paper had been ripped up. I levitated the pieces out of it and looked at them. The message was jumbled thanks to the way it was ripped apart. But, I could tell it was all one letter judging by the parchment used.

It was still ripped up though...could I try fixing it?

I’ve never used it on paper before, can’t be that much harder than a rock can it?

I focused my magic on the pieces and my horn sparked, a light covered the letter and suddenly it was restored before my very eyes.

Ah, Alchemy, what would I do without you?

I read the letter to myself,

Dear Spearhead,

Funeral is tonight. Flowers are to be brought. Meet at Dock.

Morning Star

Funeral is tonight? Well, the flowers bit obviously means the mistletoe. The location also matches up, what with the bodies being found at the airship docks.

But, what did it mean by funeral? Just how much of this was planned ahead?

“Find anything Private Eye?” Thor called.

I pocketed the note and said, “Found some things, I’ll be right there.”

I walked over and just as I was about to enter the living room, the door swung open again. Two Cloud Kingdom guards were standing there, they bowed before Thor, “Milord,” One said, “The lass is awake.”

The other spoke up, “Yeah! But she’s like, totally wack yo!”

“Explain,” Thor said urgently.

“She is acting hysterically,” The first said. “She’s demanding to see Lord Baldur, when we told her he was well the hysteria began.”

“Where is she?” Thor asked.

“We brought her to her room at the castle,” The other said. “But she’s like, trashing the place right now. Kept going on about how she failed Lord Baldur somehow.”

“We’d better see what is going on.” Thor said. “I will find out what happened that night.”

_________________________________________________________

“You really care about Baldur don’t you?” I asked Thor as we made our way towards the castle.

Thor sighed, “Baldur is my only sibling to have survived the cataclysm. My last promise to my mother was to take care of him.”

“Same thing with my mother too,” I said, looking down. “She gave her life so that Tailspin could live.”

Thor smiled warmly and said, “Were she here, she would have been given a fine service. It is always an honorable thing among us in the clouds, to perish for one’s friends and family, even those unborn.”

“So you, Baldur and Sif have lived up here since the Cataclysm?” I asked.

Thor’s smile slowly faded as he said, “For a time, there was one other. But, he is not with us anymore. Soon, my children would meet with the children of Askus and Emblem, those you see around you are descendents from that union.”

“Wait, so you’re saying everypony here,” I said, looking around. “Can trace their ancestry directly to you?”

“Yes, last week I celebrated the birth of my great great great great, a good many greats, grandson.” He said with a chuckle, probably glad for the levity.

Immortality does make things strange in terms of genealogy I guess. What was definitely clear though, was that Thor would do anything to make sure Baldur was safe.

But this whole thing, it reeks the worst kind of scent…

The scent of a set up…

___________________________________________________________

Thor and I arrived back at the castle and were led by guards to the servant’s rooms. Obviously they were not as extravagant as the royal rooms. But, they were simple and the place seemed comfortable to rest in after a long days work.

Or it would be if another pair of guards weren’t struggling trying to keep a pegasus in her room. The mare looked to be in her early twenties, coated in blue with long blond curls and yellow eyes that matched her urgency to leave. She struggled with the pair of guards and was screaming, “Please! I have to see Lord Baldur! I have to ask him why!”

“Frezil!” Thor yelled, coming over. Suddenly everypony in the room fell silent when they saw the massive Alicorn king.

“Milord…”Frezil said, then all three of them bowed before Thor.

“Rise and be rid of this hysteria,” Thor ordered.

I walked over and looked at the mare, “You are Frezil correct?”

“Yes,” She said, now calm. “I am, and who are you?”

“Private Eye,” I said. “I’m investigating what happened.”

Frezil looked down right then, I could tell she knew quite a bit about what happened.

“Frezil, why were you there last night?” Thor asked. “Answer me truthfully.”

She sighed and said, “I was, meeting Morning Star and Spearhead last night.”

“You were there for more than just a meeting with old pals though.” I said.

“How did yo-” Frezil began.

“I saw the Mistletoe,” I said firmly.

The guards looked at one another, shock evident on their faces.

Frezil sighed again, the guilt showing on her face. “Yes, Morning Star and I, we were smuggling in Mistletoe.”

Thor’s face grew in shock, “Frezil! You know the penalties for such a crime!”

“I knew the risk,” Frezil said, truthfully. “But, I couldn’t disobey…”

“Disobey who?” I asked.

Frezil looked fearful for a minute, before she finally said, “Lord Baldur…”

“What did my brother ask you to do?” Thor asked. “Why would he want you to go there?”

“Because…” Frezil began. “He is the one who asked me to get the Mistletoe...he wanted me to help him die…”

Chapter 3 "Ragnarok"

Chapter 3

“Ragnarok”

The whole room was filled with a stunned silence at this revelation. Baldur orchestrated the mistletoe smuggling, because he wanted to die…?

Thor looked on Frezil, the proud alicorn’s voice was shaking for the first time since I’ve known him. “You mean to say, Baldur wanted to die?”

Frezil looked down and said, “About a week ago, I came into his room to give him ice berries, like every night. Then, I came inside to find him crying.”

“Crying?” I asked. This totally contrasted with the feeling I got off Baldur. He seemed so happy and full of life. Why would he consider suicide?

“I asked him what was wrong,” Frezil explained, then looked at Thor. “You remember that mare who died of sickness? The one that Baldur was visiting?”

“Yes,” Thor answered. “He was always fond of the subjects. The mare was a friend of his, she died of cancer about a month ago.”

Frezil closed her eyes, “Lord Baldur went to visit her grave today, he saw how many graves there were, and it terrified him how many of the names he could put a face too.”

“It was all too much for him?” I asked.

Frezil looked at me and said, “How would you feel if you saw all those friends get buried and suddenly you realize the sheer amount?”

“You are defending his actions!?” Thor yelled.

Frezil shrank at the sight of the angry alicorn. “Lord Thor, you don’t understand I…”

“You sought to aid in this insane endeavor!” Thor yelled louder, I noticed his eyes were glowing white, like every alicorn I’ve seen when their fury reaches a certain point. “No son of Odin would ever consider the coward’s way out! If this is a trick I hope you find it humorous! Because both of your friends blood is on yo-”

“Thor that’s enough.” I said, getting between them, my silver eyes not giving an inch.

“Stand aside, Private!” Thor ordered, I noticed his magic was wrapping around the hammer at his side. “I don’t wish to use Mjolnir, but if you stand in my way-”

“You and Voidera are friends aren’t you?” I asked.

That stopped him.

“I don’t know exactly what you owe him, but I can tell it’s a big debt that has yet to be repaid,” I said, standing my ground despite my legs feeling like jelly before the massive alicorn. “If nothing else, then listen to your friend’s student. There is more to this than what is apparent. You need to calm down, no king should let his temper cloud his judgement.”

Suddenly, I watched the hammer, which was being held up by Thor’s magic, fall to the ground like a ton of bricks, making a loud clang! on the floor. Thor looked down at the hammer, and sighed, his eyes returning to normal.

He looked down at me, and then at the hammer. His magic lifted the hammer up and he put it on his back. “I, need some time, I will let you continue the investigation, Private Eye.” He said, and then walked out.

I watched Thor leave, looking at him...I couldn’t help but feel a kindred spirit.

I can’t count how many times I acted like that when Tailspin was in jeopardy. Honestly I don’t know what I’d do if I heard something like that about him.

I turned to Frezil, she looked totally shocked. “Here I thought only Lady Sif could convince Thor to stand down.” She said.

“Trust me,” I said, offering a hoof to help her up. “I’ve faced worse. Now, could you point me to Baldur’s room?”

_________________________________________________________

Frezil pointed me in the right direction to get to Baldur’s room. Man, this castle is so confusing I was lucky I didn’t get totally lost. I knocked on the door when I got to it.

“Come in,” I heard Baldur say.

The room was large, yet homey. A large bed, covered with a green quilt, lovingly stitched. All around the room were shelves, covered in mementos of past friends. There were a lot of little tchotchkes, all apparently with some meaning to Baldur. The floor was a golden wood, and waxed until it shown, the furniture was all hoof or wing carved in the popular Cloud Kingdom motifs of twining patterns, and basket-weave, with some draconic heads. Hand-made rag-rugs, done in intricate patterns, were on the floor, keeping it from being too cold.

The Alicorn himself was sitting in front of two pictures, I recognized Spearhead and Morning Star. He looked back on me and smiled somberly, “Oh, detective, how goes the investigation?” he asked.

“Baldur,” I said, walking over, “Frezil told me that, you asked her to get the mistletoe.”

Baldur’s eyes blinked and he turned to me. “Why would she say such a thing?” He asked. “She knows what it will do to me! One prick would be the death of me!”

I blinked, something was definitely wrong here. I decided to approach things indirectly, “Baldur, Frezil got the mistletoe for you, because she believed you were saddened by the loss of so many friends.”

Baldur’s face turned fully somber, he nodded slowly. “Tis true, there are times in my immortal life I feel the strain of losing so many good friends.” he said.

“Have you talked to Thor about it?” I asked.

Baldur shook his head, “I didn’t want to worry him. Thor is the only family I have left, plus he has a kingdom to run, I didn’t want my troubles causing him grief,” He said, looking down.

“By not telling him, you only caused trouble later,” I said.

Baldur sighed and nodded, “It is, hard to talk to Thor. Back before the cataclysm I was simply the little brother he was forced to look after when father couldn’t. I was never a warrior like my father, I was unlike Thor in every way,” He said, his eyes reminiscing. “Yet, it took a cataclysm to allow us to come together like this.”

“Maybe you should try and talk with Thor more often,” I suggested. “He’s an Alicorn too, he’s probably lost just as many friends as you have.”

Baldur nodded and said, “You are right. It was terribly selfish of me to wallow in self pity, when my brother is holding up so well.”

“It’s a mask isn’t it?” I asked. “The whole, being so full of life thing.”

Baldur nodded again. “It is, in truth even I suffer episodes of grief and depression about losing so many I treasure. But, I would never ask Frezil to aid me in suicide.”

“Which leaves me with another question.” I said, “Where were you last night? When the murder happened?”

Baldur understood my meaning judging by the look on his face, he said, “I was here, asleep. My guards can vouch that I never left my room all night.”

“That’s all I needed to hear.” I said. “I’ll figure out who did this, and then we’ll put this whole matter to rest.”

“I, should go find my brother.” Baldur said, walking towards the door. “I imagine he didn’t take the news well.”

“Yeah, I was almost squashed by that hammer of his.” I said.

Baldur smiled, “Mjolnir, that is it’s name.”

“Memouw?” I said, trying to pronounce the strange weapon.

“Me-yol-nir.” Baldur enunciated. “It is Thor’s weapon, forged from the remains of a dying star. Only those who are worthy may wield it. Brother has wielded it for as long as I can remember.”

“Speaking of which, you should go talk to him.” I said, “I’ll find Frezil and get some questions answered.”

“Are you sure you can find your way back?” Baldur asked.

“Don’t worry, I got this.”

________________________________________________________

Ten minutes later…

WHERE THE HELL AM I!!?!?

I got myself completely turned around in this place! Next thing I know I’m walking down a set of stairs! Who the hell designed this place! I’m gonna find that architect and give him a piece of my…

..mind…

I saw I was standing in a large open chamber. All along the walls were paintings and murals. All of them depicted Alicorns battling against some really freaky looking monsters. Wait…

There was a detail about these monsters that stood out, despite being of various shapes and sizes, they all had the same green eyes Sombra had...that...I had..

I shook the thought off and saw another mural. It depicted an Alicorn wielding Mjolnir as it fought against what looked like a massive wolf. I then saw another alicorn on the ground in the mural, judging by the detail of his robes he had to have been royalty, he was also missing an eye jewel.

I then looked behind the wolf, I saw...Discord?!

Discord was there, there was no mistaking the bizarre body. He was pointing the wolf towards the warrior. I noticed...there was another Alicorn behind Discord, this one shrouded in a dark cloak.

“You are too curious for your own good,” I heard an all too familiar female voice say.

I turned around to find that Sif was standing before me, she was looking as cross as ever. “Sif, sorry I got lost.” I said, trying to salvage the situation.

Sif retained her cross face and said, “Why Voidera sent you to us, I will never understand. Then again, I hardly trusted that dragonspawn in the first place.”

I don’t think you trust anypony, Sif, but that’s just my opinion.

“Care to explain what I’m seeing?” I asked, pointing behind me.

Sif looked up at the mural, and for the first time since I’ve known her, a different face showed. Not one of anger or mistrust, but of pain. She walked to the mural and put a hoof on one of the carvings of an alicorn warrior. “This, was Ragnarok, one of the last battles the Alicorn Army ever fought.”

“Ragnarok?” I asked.

“It means doom in our language,” Sif said. “Fifteen hundred years ago, we Alicorns were at war with the forces of Discord. This was our final assault on his fortress, which we found thanks to Voidera and Celestia, as well as Thor.”

There was a war against Discord? No wonder he’s kept on a short leash nowadays.

“My father in law, Odin, was a vassal in service to King Lunard,” Sif explained. “He answered the call to fight, but we were betrayed by one of our own. An Alicorn named Olympus was poisoned by Discord’s promises to restore his broken body. He sold us out by teaching Discord how to summon creatures of the void, the wolf you see before you, is Fenrir, a being from the dark recesses of the nether.”

“It... killed Odin?” I guessed.

“Yes, it did,” Sif said sadly. “It was a long battle, I thought that victory would come to my King, but, another betrayed us as well.”

“Who wa-”

“We do not speak his name here,” Sif said bitterly. “He is a filthy traitor to our people and should be treated as such. After Odin fell due to that bastard’s treachery, Thor took up Mjolnir and slew Fenrir before our very eyes. It was through that we managed to achieve victory.”

“But why mistrust me?” I asked.

“Simple,” She said, slowly turning to me. “I know your heritage, child of Prometheus.”

“How did yo-”

“Celestia informed my husband of it,” Sif explained. “And my husband keeps nothing from me.”

Out of true love or fear of bodily harm…?

“So, you don’t trust me, because of the sins of my ancestor, when it’s obvious that I’m not, and never will be, him?” I asked.

Sif simply narrowed her eyes. “Trust is earned never given. If you want to prove that you are worthy of my trust, then act. Don’t ask for Voidera to vouch for you, your own merits are what will earn you a place in this world. Those that don’t understand that, won’t remain in this world long.”

With that, the alicorn queen walked away. But she stopped first and said, “If you want to know where I was during the murder, I was in my room, awaiting my husband to return,” she continued on after giving her alibi.

I get where she’s coming from, but that doesn’t make it any less, frustrating. Geez, I think I opened a can of worms. Just what is going on here? Baldur wanted to commit suicide, then he didn’t? Sif doesn’t trust me because of some guy named Olympus who lived over a thousand years ago? Geez, I bet Voidera is laughing his tail off back home. One of these days I’m going to sock that smug little grin off him…

I punched the mural out of frustration, and felt where I hit push in. A small compartment opened and I gazed inside. There was a small box hidden in said compartment. My curiosity got the better of me and I pulled it out, and wiped the dust off.

The markings were written in ancient runes I didn’t recognize. I’m pretty sure Twilight could’ve translated if she were here. But, I guess I just had to open it and find out for myself what it is.

I opened it and saw...a picture.

It looked like one of the most realistically done paintings I’ve ever seen. It depicted three young alicorns, all male by the looks of them. They couldn’t have been older than Tailspin at the time.

One of them was Thor, though with a much shorter haircut. Baldur looked like a brown variation of Tailspin, just charmingly adorable.

But...the last one, I haven’t seen before…

By contrast to Thor he was rather skinny, with green coat and a long black mane. His eyes were green and there was an air of intelligence behind them. The three of them seemed close…

Just who is this guy...and why did he seem so...lost?

______________________________________________________

Perspective:???

So, this is what that Dragonspawn sends…

This will be most interesting indeed…

Let’s see how this plays out…

Brother...

Chapter 4 "The Trickster"

Chapter 4
“The Trickster”

Perspective: Thor

CRASH!

Went another vase to the wall. I cannot believe Baldur had such thoughts and never told me! Is the word “brother” just something you throw around nowadays? My room is definitely a warrior’s room. Armor stands displaying fine Cloud Kingdom works of smithing, and the walls displaying weapons, and trophies from various confrontations. One would not think that Sif would like feminine things, but the vases were her idea.

I walked around my room and sighed as I looked at the mirror at myself. This, just shouldn’t be happening. Where did I go wrong Father? Mother?

I tried to raise Baldur as best I could but, in the end he comes up with the idea to kill himself without telling me. I guess he was always right, I was a far better warrior than a brother.

“Brother?”

I turned to see Baldur standing in the doorway, he tried to keep his good cheer as he said, “I know you never liked frivolity, but you shouldn’t take your anger out on any vase nearby.”

“Baldur,” I said, looking away. “I’m, glad to see you well.”

Baldur’s smile turned into a frown, “Thor, we’ve known each other for more than one and a half centuries, I can tell when something’s on your mind.”

My own face frowned and I sighed, “I trust Private has told you about what Frezil said.”

“He did,” Baldur answered, and shook his head. “I cannot believe Frezil would do such a thing.”

“When were you going to tell me that you felt such sorrow?” I inquired.

“Brother?”

“You didn’t tell me about the fact you were depressed over losing your friends?” I demanded, trying to keep my voice from growing too strong. “You should have told me, you can confide in Frezil about how you feel but not your own brother?”

“Thor you aren’t listening!” Baldur yelled. “I wasn’t the one who asked for that Mistletoe!”

“But yet you still kept the fact you were in pain!” I yelled. “If you had simply talked to me about it th-”

“Thor shut up for two minutes!” Baldur yelled.

I, did as he asked.

“I’m not a child anymore!” He declared. “Gone are the days when we were foals back in Asgard City. The reason I didn’t tell you was because I wanted to face this on my own. I wanted to get over it myself without worrying you.”

My face softened at that and I said, “Baldur, I…”

“In truth, there is more sorrow I feel than ever. None of my friends survived the cataclysm.” Baldur said, his voice laced with pain. “You had Sif, to spend all those centuries with. I had nopony, just you. I wanted you to be happy Thor. A relationship goes both ways, I couldn’t have me hold you back anymore.”

“Baldur, I.” There were no words I could say that would make it all better. Here was Baldur, who I was convinced was happy all his life, and now he tells me just how much pain I’ve put him in. I had no idea that he felt so alone…

Baldur simply smiled, “Say no more brother. I’m glad both of our feelings have come out.”

“You are sure you will be alright?” I asked, concerned.

“I will be fine,” Baldur said. “I’ll visit Frezil and we’ll sort this mess out.”

“Just know you aren’t alone brother,” I said, putting a hoof on his shoulder. “We both lost so many after the destruction. I would hate for us to lose each other.”

Baldur put his hoof on my shoulder and said, “Like Father always said, there is no greater honor than looking after another you love.”

“Aye,” I affirmed.

Baldur then turned to walk out the door, I was left smiling, but no less pained at this. He has grown up so much, become a stallion, and I didn’t even realize it…

Maybe this is why Voidera sent that detective...the dragon boy was always a bit of a knave.

____________________________________________________________

Perspective: Private Eye

Where in the hoary horseradished HAY am I now?! Okay, well yeah, it’s a hallway, obviously. Flagstone floor, stone and mortar walls, typical old-style castle. Why didn’t I get a map? Seriously? I thought Canterlot Castle was bad, but at least if you follow the statues, and stained glass windows, you can usually find your way. What is with the featureless hallways?

I sighed as I made what had to have been the twentieth trek past the portrait of a one eyed alicorn. Man, if Twilight ever gets a castle I swear I’m going to make her install signs for ponies like me who keep getting lost!

I walked past a wooden door when I heard a crash. I looked over and tried to pull it open. The door was locked, I reached into my trench coat to pull out my old lockpicking tools and the door opened. Out of it fell a very familiar looking mare…

Frezil…

Mare looked like she’d been in there for days, without food, or water. Her blonde mane was a mess, her blue coat was matted in places. She really needed help, and I was so lost, I had no clue how to get her to any kind of doctor.

I pushed her a little, “Hey, you awake?” I asked.

Slowly her yellow eyes opened and she looked up at me, “Who, are you?”

“Private Eye,” I said, deducing what was going on. “Are you Frezil?”

“Yes,” She said, shaking her head and trying to get up. “But how do yo-”

“No time to explain,” I said firmly. “If you’re here, then Baldur is in major trouble…”

________________________________________________________

Perspective: Thor

I stood outside the room as Baldur spoke with Frezil. The poor lass was crying her eyes out before him.

“Forgive me, Milord, I had no idea somepony was impersonating you,” Frezil said, her face in her hooves.

“Do not fret Frezil,” Baldur said, wrapping a wing around her. “We’ll mourn the loss of our friends together.”

“I just was only doing what you asked, had I known…” Frezil said, pressing herself into Baldur.

“Hush now,” He said gently, trying to comfort her, despite his own pain.

“Had I known…” Frezil continued.

I turned to the guards and said, “Inform the other guards that funerals are to be held on the morrow.”

They nodded and turned to walk away. I looked on the pair and smiled. Maybe, something more will come of this. It is not unfounded for mortals and alicorns to find love. Short lived love, but something to behold nonetheless…

Suddenly, I saw Frezil...grin…

“Had I known this would be so easy I wouldn’t have wasted time following that mongrel…”

“What?” Baldur said in shock “What are yo-GAH!!”

I watched in horror as something stabbed into my brother’s side. No...it was…

A thorn of mistletoe….

“Frezil...why…?” Baldur said as he fell to the ground, his side bleeding from the wound.

I roared at Frezil, “What is the meaning of this! What have you done?”

“Oh? Care to join him milord…?” She said, her horn glowing.

Suddenly a blast of magic hit her in the chest, sending her flying into the wall. I turned to see Private standing there, glaring at Frezil. “Who are you, really?”

________________________________________________________

Perspective: Private Eye

“What is going on here?” Thor demanded.

“The Frezil you see before you is an imposter,” I said firmly. “Truth is none of it made sense. Why would Baldur want to commit suicide? Truth is he didn’t, it was just a mask to hide the fact that Frezil was smuggling in mistletoe. This imposter swapped with Frezil somewhere within the last few days, captured the real Frezil and put her in a closet. Then, she overheard Baldur’s laments about his friends dying. Then it was a simple matter of convincing Spearhead and Morning Star to follow along.”

“You, used my friends…” Baldur said, keeping a hoof on his bleeding wound. I guess it’s true that Mistletoe is the bane of Baldur…

“Of course I did,” Frezil said, looking down on Baldur. “I needed to get your blood one way or another. Convincing your foolish mortal pets was unbelievably simple. To think that you place value on such fools.”

“So tell me now,” I said firmly. “Are you a changeling?”

Frezil laughed...a very masculine laugh… “Oh, I’m no insect...I’m something far more…”

Thor’s eyes went wide and he said, “No, it cannot be…”

“Oh but it is,” Frezil said with a grin as a magic aura came over her. “Brother…”

She slowly transformed, growing taller, her eyes changing into the green ones of a Dark Magic user, her blue coat turned a sickly green, and she was no longer mare but an alicorn stallion. A horn spouted from his head, and blond curls turned into a black greasy locks.

He smirked as he looked upon Thor, “What’s wrong, brother? No hug? No ‘so glad to see you’ cliched speech?”

Thor’s expression turned from shock, to one of white rage. “LOKI!”

“About what I was expecting to be honest,” He said, keeping his smirk.

“Who the hell are you?” I said, my magic wrapping around Silver Wolf’s handle on my back.

“Oh? Thor didn’t mention me?” Loki said with a laugh, “Once again, to be expected. Dear brother and I never did get along.”

“Loki…” Baldur said, looking up at the green alicorn. “But, I thought…”

“That I perished? Did you really think Thor could defeat me? Oh the lies you tell the ones you love.” Loki replied.

“Why did you do this?” Thor yelled. “Do you realize you’re hurting you're own brother!”

“You both were never my brother’s to begin with.” Loki said with absolute loathing.

“I don’t know what’s going on here.” I said firmly. “But no way in hell am I going to let you get away with what you just did!” I then charged towards Loki, Silver Wolf drawn.

I took a swing at Loki, only for him to dodge my attack and blast me in the stomach with a burst of dark magic. I flew into the wall, grunted from the pain, and slid down. Loki’s face was one of surprise. “That should’ve killed you…”

I got to my hooves again and glared at Loki. “You apparently didn’t get the memo, I’m very hard to kill…”

“No matter, I have no time to play with the mortal dog.” Loki said, his horn glowing and a portal appearing behind him. “I, have a date with Nidhogg.”

“Loki no you can’t!” Thor yelled. “If you unleash Nidhogg, all will be destroyed!”

“Funny, you say that as if it were a bad thing,” Loki said, stepping back through the portal.

Thor lifted Mjolnir and threw it at Loki. But the portal closed before the hammer could hit Loki.

Thor cursed under his breath and watched as a pair of guards came up. “Lord Thor, what’s happened?”

Thor turned to his guards and ordered “An imposter has taken Frezil’s form! Get the healers for Baldur and search every square inch of this kingdom for her!”

The guards didn’t question him and both ran off.

Baldur got to his hooves and leaned against the wall, I ran over and saw that the wound was still bleeding. I levitated over sheets from the small bed and tried to press the wound. “Loki may have hit a small vessel, thank Celestia he didn’t hit an artery.”

“Loki is...alive,” Baldur said weakly.

“Not for long,” Thor said darkly, he lifted Mjolnir and said, “The goal was never to kill Baldur, only to take his blood.”

“How do you know that?” I asked. “Could be Loki just missed Baldur’s heart.”

“You don’t understand,” Thor said firmly. “If Loki has even a trickle of Baldur’s blood...we are all doomed.”

“You mentioned Nidhogg before,” I said, “What is that?”

Thor’s blue eyes turned fearful for a minute, and then no less determined. “It is death itself for alicorns.”

Thor helped me get Baldur to a bed as some healers came by to help him. We both walked in the hallway as Thor ordered more guards “I want the palace defended should the worst happen!”

“We will gather the army right away milord!” The guards said, giving a salute and then flying off.

I turned to see Sif walking towards us, she looked about as cheerful as usual. “What in the name of Odin is going on here?”

“Sif,” Thor said, looking to his mate, “Loki, has returned.”

“LOKI!” Sif said, drawing her sword. “Where is that bastard I’ll kill him myself!”

“He has Baldur’s blood,” Thor said firmly. “So there is only one place he will go.”

Sif’s face turned from serious to scared in the space of an eye blink. “No, you cannot be serious.”

“I would not jest about this, Sif,” Thor replied. “Loki plans to summon Nidhogg, probably as revenge against me.”

“He is mad!” Sif shouted. “There is a reason why we used Baldur’s blood to seal the thing in the first place!” She then glared at me. “You’d better not to have had anything to do with this.”

“I don’t even know what a Nidhogg is!” I shouted. “If I had known what this Loki guy was planning I would have stopped him by now!”

“ENOUGH!” Thor shouted. “Arguing will get us nowhere! I will go to the gates, and stop Loki from opening them.”

Sif shook her head and said, “No, it is too dangerous, I will go.”

“Nidhogg doesn’t care which alicorn it devours,” Thor said gravely. “I’d rather I face Loki. It is, how it should be.”

Sif, honestly looked like she was about to cry for the first time since I’ve known her. “I... could not lose you…”

“You won’t, my love,” Thor said tenderly, giving her a nuzzle and kiss. “I will return, and you will not be alone Sif. I could never let you suffer like that.”

Sif returned the kiss for a moment, then simply looked at him, words passing through her eyes and then finally saying, “Return...that is all I want…”

Thor let her go gently, and I walked up to him. “I’m going too.”

“You must be as mad as Loki if you think I’m leaving my mate alone with you!” Sif said, her earlier vulnerable nature gone.

“Loki’s magic didn’t kill him,” Thor pointed out. “This lad has more tricks to him than we let on. I may need him.”

“You know exactly what I will say against this!” Sif yelled. “He is a descendent of Olympus! There is a reason why his line is tainted by Dark Magic as well as protected from it’s effects!”

“Look!” I yelled, glaring at Sif. “Somepony has got to stay here and make sure that whatever Nidhogg is doesn’t come to hurt the Cloud Kingdom! I’ve done nothing but try to fix this ever since I’ve arrived! So, do you really want to trust me with the whole of your army? Or with your mate? Because trust needs to be given before it can be earned Sif.”

Sif simply glared at me and said, “Know where I stand and why.”

With that, she turned away, flying to get ready for whatever was coming.

Suddenly I felt Thor’s magic wrap around me and I plopped onto the mighty Alicorn’s back. He then opened a window with his magic and said, “Hang on mortal, it will be a long ride…” He then spread his massive wings and we both flew out of the palace.

I hated to imagine what I was facing…

But one thing’s for sure…

Whatever Loki is planning...I’m going to stop it..

Because no pony who would wish to slay his own brother is good in my book….

Not by a long shot...

Chapter 5 "Nidhogg"

Chapter 5

“Nidhogg”

Perspective: Private Eye

Holy hay, this is fast! I clung to Thor for dear life, as we flew at insane speeds that caused the landscape to become an indistinct blur. What in the hay was I thinking?! The only hope I had to survive was to hang on tight, and hope Thor doesn’t make any sudden stops, because I would go splat, if I went flying off his back.

“How much farther?!” I yelled over the howling wind.

“Not too far!” Thor yelled back. “It’s just over this way!”

“Where are we going exactly?” I asked.

“Somewhere I never hoped to go for the rest of my life.” Thor said, his voice laced with dread.

The clouds parted again and I looked down at our destination. A mountain was before us, so high it floated above a layer of clouds and snow topped it’s peak. A small cliff hanged on the side of it, and a large mountain cave sat on that cliff. Thor brought us in for a landing.

I climbed off his back, my legs feeling like jelly from the ride and the sheer height we were at. I dared not look down for fear of throwing up.

Thor looked at the mountain cave, his blue eyes looking determined. “Let us go.” He said as he walked in, Mjolnir in his magic.

“Wait!” I said, running after him after recovering from vertigo. “Just what is Nidhogg?”

“We don’t have time for explanations.” Thor said urgently. “If Loki has Baldur’s blood, then he is probably already here.”

“No way am I going in without an explanation,” I said firmly.

Thor stopped in his tracks and slowly sighed. “I’m starting to see why Voidera chose you. Very well, I will tell what I can.”

“Now, what exactly are we dealing with here?” I asked. “Don’t try to sugarcoat it or give half truths, just give it to me straight.”

Thor nodded, though he looked reluctant to speak. Finally he said, “Nidhogg, is nothing short of a monster.”

“Loki is trying to summon a monster?” I said, my silver eyes blinking.

“Yes,” Thor said, “Nidhogg is a serpent whose body could wrap around the whole of Canterlot from head to tail. Long ago, it once plagued the Alicorn kingdoms with it’s ferocity. The monster’s scales could not be pierced by any weapon of this world. But what was worse, was that it’s fangs are deadly to any Alicorn. A single drop of it’s venom onto the coat of an Alicorn would have the victim die a slow and painful death.”

“Is there a cure?” I asked.

“None that were ever found.” Thor said, his head shaking.

“So, this monster attacked Alicorns left and right, why don’t we see it around now?”

“Because, my father managed to seal it away the first time. He tricked the serpent into being locked away inside this very mountain. But, he knew it was only a matter of time before the magic failed and Nidhogg would be free to destroy again.” He said.

“So let me guess, Mjolnir was made so that you’d stand a fighting chance?” I asked.

“Yes,” Thor said, looking at his hammer. “With the help of Celestia’s father Lunard, and an alchemist, Mjolnir was forged. My father eventually grew too old to use the weapon on his own.”

“Alicorns age?” I asked, surprised.

“In our day they did.” Thor said, “Albeit we lived far longer lives than mortals. We are immortal nowadays because of certain,” He paused, looking away. “Decisions on one alicorn’s part.”

That seemed like a whole nother can of worms that I didn’t want to get into. But I filed it away in my brain for later.

“So your father essentially trained you to destroy Nidhogg?” I asked.

“Yes,” Thor said, but a strange look entered his eyes.

“How come it’s still here then?” I asked.

That seemed to be the wrong question, because Thor simply turned around and said. “There were, complications. All we could do was put an enchantment on Nidhogg’s cage to keep him from ever leaving. We used Baldur’s blood as the key, because Baldur could not be harmed we thought it foolproof. But, Loki proved that otherwise.”

“What’s Loki’s beef with you anyway?” I asked.

“That, is a very long and complicated story.” Thor said, entering the mountain cave. “Come, we’ve wasted enough time already.”

Without another word, we both entered the mountain cave and found a set of stairs. We began our trek down into the mountain. But for some reason, I couldn’t help but notice Thor was...shaking…

___________________________________________________________________

The hall looked like it had been carved into the mountain, torches lighting the way, but only adding sharp relief to the shadows that dwelled in this long dank staircase. Dark gray stone, decorated with the barest trace of lichen and moss stretched down, below us. It was claustrophobic, even for me, and I was considerably smaller than your average Alicorn. It seemed to go down forever, and at the bottom was a creature that alicorns feared. A creature that the biggest, and toughest alicorn I knew, seemed to fear with all his heart.

The whole way I kept noticing that Thor was looking scared out of his mind. As we walked further he kept looking this way and that. I kept my magic on Silver Wolf just in case the worst happened.

Because if Thor had trouble defeating this beast, then I don’t know much of a chance I had.

“We are here,” Thor said as we came to the bottom of the stairs. The room soared over our heads, now. Runic carvings covered the walls, and depicted the great battle to seal the great serpent into this chamber. In front of us was a massive stone door, more runes, still sealed.

The door itself was still closed, and at the bottom surrounded by an ouroboros symbol was a glass vial with a hole on top of it. It was empty by the looks of it.

“Strange,” Thor said. “Why hasn’t Loki filled the vial yet?”

“That’s how it opens?” I asked.

“The vial is enhanced, if Baldur’s blood falls into it, the door opens.” Thor explained, staring at it. “But why not open it immediately?”

“Maybe because I was waiting for all the actors to be in their places?”

Both of us turned around just in time for Loki to hit me with a blast of magic, sending me flying into the cavern wall. I grunted from the pain and watched as Loki stepped out of the shadows, a spear floating in his magic.

“Loki…” Thor said, narrowing his eyes.

“So you followed me dear brother,” Loki said with a smirk, “Or maybe I followed you. I figured you would be foolish enough to head straight here, so I just followed you to this prison.”

“You knew I would come here!” Thor yelled, brandishing Mjolnir.

“Of course I did you fool, you have as much brains as Odin…” Loki insulted.

I shook my head and got back to my hooves as Loki turned to me. “An interesting mortal you have here brother, dark magic doesn’t seem to hurt him as much as normal mortals.”

“Your fight is with me Loki! Leave everypony else out!” Thor yelled, charging at Loki.

Loki had only a split second to dodge as Thor swung the hammer down. The floor practically exploded with a loud CRACK! and as the dust settled I witnessed the two Alicorns engaging with one another.

Thor swung Mjolnir around Loki blocked it with his spear. Loki then swung his spear around, Thor ducked to avoid the blast of magic that came from the tip of the spear. I leapt out of the way to avoid the blast. That thing can shoot magic too!?

Their weapons clashed again and Loki spoke, “What’s the matter Thor? Mad that I can actually fight back this time?”

“I will say this only once Loki,” Thor said, pushing Mjolnir to try and get at Loki. “Surrender and stop this before I have to destroy you!”

“Really now? Like I haven’t heard that one the last twenty times…” Loki said in a low, threatening voice. I drew Silver Wolf out of it’s sheath and got up quietly.

“Loki why are you doing this? You know exactly what unleashing Nidhogg will do!” Thor said pleadingly.

“You would never understand, this world is a mistake. You and I both know that the cataclysm should never have happened! If it wasn’t for that fool Voidera and Lunard we would still have our home and lands! But now you play pretend king with these, rodents!” Loki shouted. “How dare you call yourself an alicorn!”

“I may be an alicorn,” Thor said dangerously. “But I am a king first.”

“You were never worthy to be king. You couldn’t even defeat Niddhogg the first time because you were a coward!” Loki yelled.

“Call me a coward? You hide behind trickery and deceit! Only cowards do so!” Thor growled.

“So having a brain is cowardly? Huh, I guess I was wrong all along.” Loki mocked.

“Now use that brain to know when to shut up!” I yelled, and stabbed Loki in the back with Silver Wolf.

The alicorn let out a yell of pain as the blade went into him. I knew alicorns could heal quickly but this would buy Thor a little time. Thor took the opportunity and slammed Mjolnir into Loki’s face, sending him flying into a nearby wall with a loud crash.

Thor looked at me and said, “You stabbed him in the back.”

“You’re a warrior Thor,” I said with a smile. “I’m a smart guy who’s on the side of good.”

“I guess that wor-” Thor was cut off when we both looked at Loki, or where Loki was. Loki was there one minute, but he fizzled out of existence and vanished, Silver Wolf falling to the floor as he did.

“A construct!” Thor shouted.

“Nice try, but you can’t out trick a master, worm.”

Both of us looked on as Loki stood by the door, he smirked as he held a vial of blood. “I needed a distraction while I finished figuring out the spells required to break this thing. You put quite a few safeguards, using Baldur’s blood was clever, but I’m far more clever than you ever were dear Thor.”

“Loki, don’t do this!” Thor pleaded. “Think of what you are doing! What do you stand to gain?”

“Whoever said I stood to gain anything…?” Loki said cryptically. Then, before either of us could stop him, he poured the vial of blood into the vial at the door, his horn glowing.

The door rumbled open, with the grating sound of stone on stone, revealing a dark chamber within. Then I saw them. Great green and violet lined eyes in the darkness. There was a hiss, like sliding sand, and very slowly a huge oily black shape seemed to ooze out of the darkness. A large blunt head, with the occasional flicker of a black forked tongue soon took shape in the ruddy light of the torches. Slowly that huge tube of muscle lifted the head up to the ceiling, and the great serpent gazed at all of us impassively.

Thor stared up at it, absolutely frozen at the sight of the snake. “Nidhogg…” He said, his voice quavering for the first time since I’ve known him.

Loki just smirked, “I believe you two have some catching up to do. Niddhogg.” He said, looking up at the snake.
The snake turned, it could understand speech?!

“I do believe you’ll recognize him, as the one who sealed you in that horrible chamber for all these years,” Loki said, pointing to Thor.

Nidhogg turned to Thor, it’s slitted eyes becoming even more slitted as it let out a loud hiss, and opened it’s mouth to reveal a pair of huge, pony sized fangs. Geez! One of those could easily turn me into a shishkabob!

Thor stood there as the snake circled him, looking to make it’s move. No way was I going to let him die!

I used my magic to levitate back Silver Wolf and dodged just in time for Loki to take a swing at me. I blocked his spear with my sword and glared up at him, “So, revenge is really what this is all about huh?”

“I guess you could say that, you foulspawn,” Loki mocked, “Your kind are a disgrace to the legacy of alicorns.”

“Yeah, well this disgrace is about ready to kick your ass!” I fired a bolt of magic at him that hit the alicorn in the jaw. I then sparked my horn and a pillar of rock came out of the ground and slammed into the alicorn’s chest. Loki staggered a little, and glared at me.

“An alchemist? So that foul half dragon taught you some tricks.” Loki spat.

“Yeah, well I taught myself a few things too!” I yelled, sparking my horn and slamming my hoof into the rock, sending a storm of smaller rocks flying towards him. The rocks hit him pretty hard, not so much to cause damage, but enough to keep him at bay while I checked up on Thor.

Thor stood as the snake slowly rose before him, baring it’s fangs I saw a drop of venom come up from it.

I didn’t have a lot of time. I ran to Snake and yelled, “DIE!” I swung Silver Wolf down on it and…

TING!

The blade snapped clean in half on contact with the scales. Thor was right, I didn’t have any weapon to use against this monster!

The sound snapped Thor out of his stupor long enough for Nidhogg’s head to come down towards him. Thor took Mjolnir like a baseball bat and slammed it into the face of the snake. Nidhogg went flying into a nearby cave wall and crashed into it.

Thor turned to me, “You knew your weapon couldn’t have hurt Nidhogg! You were foolish to try!”,

“I wasn’t about to let a friend die.” I said firmly. “Just remember that your people are counting on you! You can’t give up now!”
Thor looked to Mjolnir, then at the snake that was slowly recovering. He got a new glint in his eye, “Come to me fiend!” He yelled, and spread his wings. “Come and face me where the skies are clear!” he then flew out towards the entrance.

Nidhogg hissed and slithered out to follow the alicorn. I got to my hooves and leapt onto Nidhogg’s massive black scaly body. I hung on for dear life as it unknowingly carried me up the staircase towards the outside.

We soon came out into the open sky, Nidhogg was on the cliff, glaring at the flying Thor. Thor looked down on the snake as I jumped off onto the cliff. “Now you will know why before the cataclysm I was known as the god of thunder!” Thor shouted as he spun Mjolnir in the air.

Dark clouds began to form above the Alicorn, sparks of lightning began to shoot out as the pressure in the air grew stronger. Then, Thor brought Mjolnir down, and twin bolts of lightning shot forth at the snake. Nidhogg let out a loud screech of pain as the lightning hit it.

“That’s great Thor!” I yelled. “Don’t let up!”

“Forget about me?” I heard a voice say right before I got shot in the back by a magic bolt. I turned and saw Loki flying out. “This has been fun and all, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to cut this party short…” His horn glowed with dark magic.

I watched as before my very eyes, a portal opened below Nidhogg, and the snake fell through it. Before I could make a move, the snake was gone. I glared at Loki, “Where did you take it!?” I demanded.

“Oh, to a place where I know it would pain Thor to see destroyed,” Loki said with a smirk.

“YOU BASTARD!” I swung the blade and it passed through him. Another hologram?!

“I’ll see you later, once the show is over,” Loki said, and then laughed as he vanished before my eyes.

“Thor!” I yelled.

“I know! He must have sent Nidhogg to the Cloud Kingdom!” Thor said as he came to a landing beside me. “Climb on, we must stop Nidhogg before it is too late!”

I climbed on and Thor’s wings spread. In the next second we were flying towards where we came. I only pray that we get there in time.

___________________________________________________________

Thankfully it hadn’t had much chance to get beyond the outskirts. The huge snake left a swathe of destruction in its wake; houses, carts, and anything else unfortunate to be under the huge reptile’s coils reduced to splinters or smashed into an unrecognisable smear. The pegasi flew at the huge serpent, harrying it with their weapons, they breaking when they tried to seriously attack the monster. Nidhogg hissed like an overheated steam engine at the Cloud Kingdom’s defenders, snapping at them, but thankfully the pegasi were agile enough to evade the creature’s attacks.

Thor and I came through to see the chaotic scene. Thor shook his head as he looked at them. “Their weapons will do no good, neither will your weapon as you saw.” he said.

“So what do we do?” I ask.

“I’ll drop you off and you get the soldiers away from that monster!” Thor said, coming in for a landing. “I’ll handle it!”

He plopped me down onto the cloud and flew towards the Serpent. I watched as the other soldiers retreated as Thor came in like a rocket and slammed Mjolnir into it’s face. Nidhogg then turned and tried to bite Thor, but missed.

“What is my mate doing up there?”

I turned and saw Sif coming for a landing. She looked up at Nidhogg and Thor’s duel and said, “No way I am letting him fight alone!”

“Sif wait!” I said before she could take off, “Nidhogg’s venom-”

“You think me stupid enough not to know that this beast’s venom can kill me?” Sif spat at me.

“Yeah! Then let me do it!” I said firmly. “It’s venom can’t kill me! I’m not an alicorn!”

“That’s quite a bit of faith in an assumption.” Sif said, narrowing her eyes.

“Yeah, well let me give you a new target.” I said, pointing as Loki came flying out of the clouds into view. “Him.”

Sif drew her blade and said, “Know this, if my mate dies I’ll kill you myself.”

Without another word, she flew up and went to clash with Loki in the sky.

I looked as Thor tried to fire another lightning bolt at the snake. Nidhogg dodged it this time and tried to snap at Thor with his fangs, man those things were huge!

I had to think of something to help Thor...I needed material. But I’m on a cloud, I haven’t learned how to use alchemy on clouds, if it’s even possible. Wait…

Nidhogg may have really strong scales on the outside...but what about on the inside…

I smiled as I reached into my pocket. I then flagged down a guard that flew by “Hey!”

He stopped and said, “What is it? Can’t you see we are trying to evacuate?”

“I know,” I said. “but I have a plan! I want all of you to go back and attack Nidhogg again!”

“Are you insane? None of our weapons can hurt that thing!” The guard shouted.

“I know, I don’t want you to hurt it, I need you to hold it still!”

___________________________________________________

Perspective: Sif

I flew at blinding speeds towards that filthy traitor. He turned and blocked my blade with his spear and grinned at me. “Sif, I must say you have become quite lovely.”

“Save it you traitor!” I spat at him. “I did not forget how you tried to hurt Baldur! Now you unleash Nidhogg upon everything my mate and I worked so hard to create!”

“You could have had any stallion in the world Sif.” He said, looking at me. “Instead you had to fall into Odin’s little scheme for power.”

“Thor may have been chosen for me,” I said, glaring at him. “But my love for him is stronger than any trick you could create!”

“Aw, still sore about me using you to get what I wanted?” That filthy bastard said. “When I offered you a way out, you were the one who betrayed me. I could have given you everything Sif.”

“So is this all an attempt to get at me? To get at everypony you were supposed to love and cherish?” I yelled back. “The old world is gone Loki! Odin may have lied about where you came from but you were loved no less! Now you spit on all of that yet again! First you betrayed us all at Ragnarok! Now you plan to destroy our new home! Just what do you hope to gain Loki?”

He smirked, “It’s not about me dear Sif…I will however love to see my dear brother die slowly from Nidhogg’s fangs.”

“DIE FIEND!” I yelled, slashing at him left and right. I cannot believe this! This fool is the one who planned to kill Baldur! Who wants to destroy our home! Who is foolish enough to bring up the fact that his poisoned words tried to sway me from Thor.

NEVER AGAIN! I WILL SEE THIS FOOL BLEED!

I slashed again at him, he tried to thrust his spear at me but I flew out of the way. That’s when I saw...all of our soldiers were flying towards Nidhogg...who ordered them to do so?

One of them was holding...Olympus’ descendent...Private Eye

What is that fool thinking?

__________________________________________________________

Perspective: Private

“Okay!” I shouted at everypony “Keep that thing still as long as you can!”

The pegasi all flew around Nidhogg, some throwing ropes around it, others using sailing lines to pin it down in the clouds and against buildings. Some even tried to use their bodies to hold the thing still.

Thor hovered in the air next to me, “What do you plan?”

“I plan to get that thing to stay still, then I’ll fly in and make sure it’s mouth stays open.” I said.

“How?” Thor asked. “You know that no weapon on Equus can hurt it!”

“Yeah, but you aren’t the only one with weapons from the stars.” I said, smiling. “Trust me!”

Thor slowly nodded, “Alright, what do you require of me?”

“Throw me at it!” I said.

“Are you mad?” He asked.

“JUST DO IT!” I yelled.

“Very well,” Thor said, taking me from the other guard. He then picked me up as if I was made of styrofoam and lifted me above him. “I hope your plan works.”

“So do I,” I said, bracing myself, and removing the silver cloudwalking horseshoes on my hooves.

Thor then grunted and threw me with all his might towards Nidhogg. I held the horseshoes in front of me and Nidhogg opened it’s gaping maw towards me, fangs and forked tongue laid bare.

“Come and get me, snakey,” I said, smiling as my horn sparked. The horseshoes all formed one large silver rod that I held in my hooves. As I came into the mouth I held it vertically.

Nidhogg's mouth came down on the rod, the rod was made of strong silver so it didn’t even come close to closing. I then spun around on the rod and pulled myself temporarily out of the mouth, hanging in mid air. “Thor! Zap it now!” I yelled.

“Very well!” Thor said, raising Mjolnir. I thought I heard him say to himself as dark clouds started to gather around the weapon. “For you, Father…”

He then brought down Mjolnir and lighting shot forth from the clouds, onto the silver rod. The lighting was attracted to the metal and without the scales protecting him, the lighting had nothing stopping it from spreading to Nidhogg.

The beast let out a loud screech of pain as it got zapped. That should stun it long enough!

In mid air, I pulled out the medallion and yelled “HENSHIN!!”

I could feel the power flow through me, my muscles getting bigger, armor coming to cover my body, and suddenly I could see much clearer. The violet armor formed on me, covering me as I dived towards Nidhogg. I then felt what I needed form right at my sides.

Nocturne’s meteorite blades.

I drew them both as Nidhogg’s mouth hung open from it being stunned. I sure hope this works…

As I came down, I said in a voice that was amazingly deep, “Requista in Pache…”

I came down on Nidhogg’s lower jaw, and slashed a fang off. I carried it in my forelegs and climbed up on Nidhogg’s flat head. I looked to where Sif was fighting Loki. “Sif Catch!” I said as I threw the fang like a javelin towards her.

Sif looked, caught the fang in her magic, and turned and said “DIE LOKI!” and stabbed the Alicorn in the chest with the fang.

Loki stood still, and fell limp as the venom that was still inside the fang seeped into him. He smirked slowly and I thought I heard him say, “Well played...but this isn’t...over…” With that, his wings fell limp and he plummeted towards the ground far below the Cloud Kingdom.

I raised both blades in my magic, and my magic flowed into them, causing them to glow. “Time to put down this foul beast!” I roared, and slashed them both along the beast’s upper belly where the head was. Nidhogg didn’t even have a chance as the head came off.

I leaped off as Nidhogg’s body, no longer supported by the magic that it had while being alive, collapse onto the cloud, and seep through it, into the mountains below the cloud kingdom. It joined Loki that minute…

Nidhogg...was defeated...Loki’s plot was foiled...and I...really need a nap…

My eyes closed as I felt somepony catch me before I fell too…

It was over...

Epilogue

Epilogue

You made the pact...didn’t you Olympus…?

I had no choice Lunard...I couldn’t...live in this broken body anymore…

So it offered you a means to get out…

I’m sorry...you and Solara were the family I ever had...all I’ve ever wanted...was to be as you both are…

You know exactly what this pact will bring on you and your family!

Yes….Power….

Olympus? Your eyes….

A side effect of this power he has bestowed upon me….

You will taint your entire line! You will never be free from the pact you have made! Neither will your children

Lunard...he can free us...he can allow us all to be reborn...and live forever…

Olympus you have no idea what you are doing!

I knew you wouldn’t understand...because you never had a body such as mine...weak and broken from years of servitude to you...how does it feel Lunard? To finally have the tables turned…?

ZAP!!

Olympus what are you doing?!

What I should have done years ago! Allowing the true power behind the throne to come forth! For nearly a century I have lived in your shadow! I have bowed to a flawed system that rewards those who are only perfect! I will show them just how flawed you alicorns really are...I will make you bleed Lunard...and you will no longer be a god…

OLYMPUS!!!

ZAP! CLANG! SLASH! ZAP!!

It’s over Lunard...DIE!!!

LUNARD!!!!

ZAP!!!

Solara…?

My love...I’m...sorry…

SOLARA!! What have you done?!

I...I didn’t….I didn’t mean to hurt her...she got in the way….

She...YOU ARE DEAD TO ME OLYMPUS!!!

______________________________________________________

Perspective: Private Eye

I woke up in a soft bed. I blinked open my eyes to see Baldur standing at my bedside.

“You are awake, thank goodness,” The alicorn said.

“Baldur?” I said looking around. The walls were tiled in white, and other beds were around me, and the whole place just seemed clean, and very… sterile, compared to the rest of the Cloud Kingdom. I guess modern medicine made its way here, too, despite all the old ways, and old style buildings. Thor would want his people to be happy and healthy, so it does make sense. Privacy screens were around some of the beds, and far away I could hear light snoring. I guess this is where some of the army got taken, after the battle with the giant snake.

“You were amazing, Private Eye,” Baldur said with a smile. “The way you and brother took on Nidhogg was something truly to behold!”

“Yeah, well my headache is something to behold too,” I said, rubbing my head. “I must have used up a lot of power really quickly.”

“Either way, Nidhogg is defeated and the damage is repairable,” Baldur replied. “I wanted to thank you for saving us.” His eyes looked down for a moment. “And apologize for the trouble I had caused everypony.”

“You couldn’t have known Loki’s plan,” I reassured him. “None of us did.”

“Tis true,” Baldur said with a nod. “I will inform Brother that you are awake.” With that, he turned and walked out of the door.

I laid back on the bed and wondered. Just what was that dream I had? I keep getting flashbacks like this more and more often. Did Hope trigger them somehow?

So many questions ringed in my brain that I found myself falling asleep from the effort.

_______________________________________________________

About an hour later I was discharged from the infirmary after the healers determined that all I needed was rest. I sent a letter to Twilight, informing her that I would be returning soon and hoped she was okay. I was then summoned by a royal guard into the throne room.

Upon entry I saw several of the cloud kingdom pegasi inside, most of them wore celebration clothing and cheered as I entered. I felt like a big hero and tried not to let it all go to my head. Thank Celestia Rainbow wasn’t here, she’d probably do a sonic rainboom out of sheer excitement at the attention.

Thor, Sif, and Baldur all walked towards me. Thor slapped me on the back, causing me to fall flat on my face from the sheer force. He laughed, “I have never seen such valor in a good long time! If Voidera didn’t grab you first I would have made you a warrior myself!”

I got back onto my hooves as the crowd calmed down. Sif looked at me, her eyes a little conflicted as she said. “You saved my mate, and you managed to help defeat Nidhogg with quick thinking and a warrior’s spirit.”

Wait, Sif just complimented me? Is Pinkie Pie suddenly going to stop eating cake next?

Thor spoke next, “For your help today, we have decided to aid you in your future endeavors. The forgers of the Cloud Kingdom have made weapons for you.”

“Thor, you didn’t have to go through the trouble,” I said humbly.

“Okay, then you can die the next time you face danger without my mate’s help,” Sif said bluntly.

There’s the Sif I know.

“Bring them forth,” Thor shouted. At his call, four pegasi mares came holding pillows with weapons on them.

On the first one I recognized Silver Wolf, I took the blade in my hooves and smiled. “You fixed it?”

“Reforged with Mithril,” Thor said. “More powerful than ever. Voidera may say he is a good blade maker, but he has yet to challenge my smiths here.”

Mithril, that’s the stuff that Silver Wolf is made out of. Whatever it is, I’d certainly appreciate it in the coming days. I slipped the blade onto my back and watched as another pegasi mare came forth with...it couldn’t be…

Blackbird?

“Celestia told us about how you lost this weapon,” Thor said, looking on it as well. “We may not be experts in firearms, but I used some old connections to remake this weapon better than ever.”

I took Blackbird, the .44 revolver looked almost exactly like I remembered her, only, there were what looked like runes along her barrel and cylinder. I took the gun in my magic, it felt like I was taking the hoof of an old friend.

“We have granted her a magically made cylinder,” Thor explained. “It will allow any bullet fired from it to move at such a speed and hit with such a force that any armor or magical barrier will find trouble stopping it.”

“Thor, thank you,” I said with a genuine smile as I put the revolver back into the gun holster inside my trench coat. It was good to have her back...but she’s been reborn...she needed a new name.

Maybe Blackhawk?

The third mare brought forth what looked like White Tiger. Only it was a much smaller variation, looked like a concealed weapon. Thor explained, “This is a remake of your original White Tiger. Smaller, lighter and with the ability to fire tranquilizer that can stun anypony.”

I took White Tiger and put it in my other gun holster. It felt like the whole family was getting back together.

The last mare held up what had to be the most bizarre weapon I’ve ever seen. It looked like a flintlock pistol with a two pronged fork on the end instead of a barrel. It had golden engraving on it and runs all along the stock.

“What is that?” I asked, staring at it.

“This once belonged to an airship pirate many years ago,” Thor explained. “It is an unusual weapon that can absorb and fire electricity. With the right charge, it can be a good stun weapon at close range.”

I heard that something like this called a Taser was in development for the police, but this was just about as close as I was going to get. Plus, it would certainly help during magic fights.

Golden Eagle, that will be his name.

I put the weapon inside the trench coat and Thor looked upon me. “You are welcome in the Cloud Kingdom anytime. If you have need of our warriors, you need only ask.”

“Thanks, Thor. I’m just glad we managed to handle Loki and Nidhogg before anypony else got hurt,” I said with a smile.

“I had a gift I made myself,” Baldur said. “But I couldn’t finish it in time, I’ll send it to the empire later.”

“You don’t have to Baldur,” I said humbly.

“Oh trust me, for the royal summit you may appreciate it,” Baldur said with a smile.

“Generous and brave stallions live the best,” Thor said in turn.

“I should return to the Crystal Empire then,” I said, turning around.

“Good luck on your endeavors, Private Eye, may the wind always be at your back.” Thor said, right before I left.

But as I left...I couldn’t but get a bad feeling...something was wrong…

_____________________________________________________________

Perspective: Spera

Ah, the mountains. They’re beautiful, with wonderful scenery, and a beautiful unicorn beside me. We’re not in Avalanche Valley, but below the alicorn-run Cloud Kingdom. I have a little villa here, and come here to unwind, and relax, and even think about my next step.

Beside me, wearing a scarf and probably freezing from the cold was Sunset. It wasn’t easy smuggling her to this place, as she is still wanted by the Princesses for petty theft of the crown, but I wasn’t about to let her get captured. Of course the tabloids would have their field day when they find out I’m with a mare.

Perfect cover, as her mystery would attract readers enough not to ask too many questions.

“Why couldn’t one of your plans have taken us to Trahiti or something?” Sunset asked, looking over at me.

“Believe me, there is nothing I would like better than to plot and swim in the ocean at the same time,” I said, trying to lighten the mood.

“You still haven’t explained why we had to come up here,” She said, looking forward. “There’s nothing around here but snow, ice, and the occasional really big rock, like that big black one over there.” She said, pointing to the object.

“Sunset, that is no rock,” I said, gazing upon it. “That, is our target.”

It was huge. Black and scaly, the stump still glistening wetly with the cut muscle, and the spine was stark white in the redness. The lifeless green eyes looked dully out at the landscape.

“You mean to tell me you dragged me out here to look at a giant snake head?” Sunset said, shivering, but not from the cold. “I hate snakes.”

“This is no ordinary serpent.” I said.

“That I could see genius.” Sunset said with a roll of her eyes...rather lovely in my opinion.

Focus Spera!

“This is Nidhogg, a serpent that even alicorns feared for it’s fearsome fangs and power.” I said, walking over to the head.

“Yeah, but where is the rest of it?” Sunset inquired, walking closer.

“Probably somewhere around here, if my calculations were right.” I answered her. “But we do not need the body, what we need are it’s fangs.”

“Fangs?” Sunset said, raising her eyebrow. “Wait, you said that alicorns were scared of those fangs. Does that mean they are poisonous to them or something?”

“You have a keen mind,” I complimented.

“You don’t get to be Celestia’s Student just by looking hot,” She said with a smirk. Then her eyes turned back to the serpent, “But, how did you know it would be here?”

“I’m not the only one trying to change Equestria,” I said with a smile. “Now, help me in getting it’s mouth open.”

“This is going to be so gross,” Sunset said disapprovingly, before her horn glowed.

Slowly, the beast’s massive jaws open and the fangs were laid bare. I concentrated my own magic, and managed to pull one of the fangs out. Blood seeped from the wound and the fang came out with great effort. But, I had my prize.

The fang was about as big as me, but that would change quickly. Sunset closed the snake’s jaw and glared at me. “I’d better get something good out of this.”

“How about a trip to Avalanche valley?” I said, looking back at her as I laid the fang down on the snow. “A simple disguise spell would get us in.”

Sunset smirked and said, “Hoping to get to first base are we?”

“You can’t blame a stallion for trying to impress a mare.” I said, trying not to get flustered.

“Alright, all is forgiven.” Sunset said, walking up to me and putting a hoof on my shoulder. “But only, after you show me that trick you can do.”

“You’re about to see it right here,” I said, concentrating on the fang. I reached into my pockets and put some metal for the hilt, along with leather and wood for the handle. I then concentrated, and my horn sparked as the weapon reforged itself.

The material formed itself into a blade, a sabre with a black handle and hilt. The sabre was long, curved with the fang and the metal was also used to reinforce it. But, the poison inside would remain intact for years…

Fangire has been forged...and soon...it will cause true change in Equestria...forever