It was Hearths Warming Eve, and in Canterlot’s public theatre building, six mares were getting ready to hit the stage.
“Everypony got their costumes set?”
“Ah don’t see why Ah shouldn’t be Princess Platinum. Ah mean, that dress is just DIVINE, even for a cheap costume for a play!”
“Look, I know how some of you feel, especially you Pinkie-“
“Pinkamena.”
“But Princess Cadance herself specifically requested these respective roles for each of us when she asked us to perform today.”
“Couldn’t she have gotten proper actors tonight instead of...us? I mean, we’re not exactly experienced professionals.”
“Look, she’ll explain everything later, but right now, just think of this as something special for everypony. It is Hearths Warming Eve after all.”
“Alright, alright...”
“Okay everypony, get ready, curtains about to rise. Break a leg!”
Outside, a large crowd of ponies of varying ages sat and watched as the curtain rose, revealing the stage. Spike, Hidden from view, began to speak into a microphone, broadcasting his voice clealy throughout the room as he set the mood for the play...
Many, many years in Equestria’s past, before the Princesses had even been born, the world was in chaos. As the forces of Chaos and Harmony thought for control of the world, the beginnings of pony society were settled far from the conflict. Since the Princesses were not around to unite the three races of ponies, the pegasi, unicorns and earth ponies each formed their own separate societies, but the three sides had grown to despise each other over the years, which was only made worse by the raging snowstorms that plagued the land and only grew worse. Eventually, the leaders of the respective pony races gathered together to discuss what they would do about their predicaments.
Clover the Clever ran into the grand meeting hall where the leaders of the three pony races would gather. She had urgent news to give to her immediate ruler, Princess Platinum. Upon entering the room, she happened upon a familiar sight.
The three leaders of the three pony races sat opposite ends of a three sided table: the white unicorn Princess Platinum, the rainbow maned Pegasus Commander Hurricane clad in black armour with a plumed helmet that left his face framed in shadow and the pink, odd-minded earth pony Chancellor Puddinghead, who unlike the other two was flanked by his right hand mare, Smart Cookie.
“My people are running low on supplies, Commander!” Princess Platinum snapped. “They’re cold, starving and their desperation is reaching a fever pitch! There have been incidents of violence and rioting! Rioting!! I called this meeting so we could find a peaceful make a treaty, we need your and the Chancellor’s help!!”
Commander Hurricane looked his hoof over nonchalantly, offhandedly addressing the princess. “Why should we? You unicorns are, frankly, beneath us, same for the Chancellor’s earth ponies. A little snow and you’re starting to panic? Pathetic.”
“’A little snow’? It has been snowing and freezing for months! You pegasi may have natural resistance to the elements, but even you surely see a need for an alliance!” She turned to the earth ponies to her side. “Don’t you agree, Chancellor?”
“Confused non-sequiter.” Pinkamena, that is, The Chancellor, said boredly.
“We earth ponies don’t have any crops to spare, the winter is cutting into us just as much as you folk.” Sweet Cookie interjected. “This dang winter...it ain’t natural...”
“Surely we can offer you something to help you?” Princess Platinum asked hopefully. “Together we may survive this....”
Smart Cookie glared. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you, Bonehead? You’d like it if we started working under you, giving you our precious crops? We ain’t having it! We worked hard on those crops, and we ain’t gonna give any of it up to no lazy Boneheads who ain’t worked a day in their lives!”
The Princess gasped as if slapped. “Be reasonable! You said yourself you’re having trouble with your crops!”
“Exactly! We ain’t giving what precious little we have to you lazy, snobby needlenoggins! They are OUR crops, not yours, and we ain’t givin’ ya any!”
Commander Hurricane shrugged, shaking his head slowly. “Princess, all you have accomplished is waste the precious time of TWO races. The only reason you called this meeting was to save your own weak hide, and there is simply no need for either of us to intercede.” He gave the unicorn a dark stare. “Or did you forget the war between our three races less than 100 years ago?”
“But this winter will kill us all if we don’t act fast!” Clover the Clever interrupted, earning a glare from the Pegasus and an annoyed look from Smart Cookie.
“Princess, do you allow any common rabble interrupt foreign affairs?” Commander Hurricane scolded.
“Clover is my personal student of magic, I’ll have you know, and I won’t abide any insults toward her.” The Princess puffed up her chest haughtily.
“Either case, it’s just winter.” Smart Cookie said. “A little longer than usual, but it’ll pass eventually, and we’ll be able to take care of ours shortly, WITHOUT you arrogant sorcerers poking your noses into our business.”
“You earth ponies and you unicorns can’t handle a little cold, and you wonder why we superior pegasi look down on you.”
Commander Hurricane chuckled and got up and started to leave, turning to a pony hiding in the shadows of the exit near him. “Come along, Private.”
“Y-Yes Commander...” Private Pansy whimpered, and then whispered behind herself to Clover. “S-sorry....”
“For a full o’ himself Pegasus, I recon he has the right idea.” Smart Cookie got up, dragging Chancellor Puddinghead behind her.
“Wait!” Princess Platinum called out to the retreating ponies. “Don’t you two realise that we’ll better survive this if we cooperate!? This winter is not normal, it will destroy us all if we don’t stand together!” The doors slammed as the visiting ponies left, and Princess Platinum sat back dejectedly, turning to her student. “You had something you wished to speak to me about, Clover?”
The purple unicorn nodded nervously as she stepped over, laying a bunch of papers across the table: weather reports, mostly. “I have been studying the odd weather, trying to discern the nature of this...winter.”
“I assume you found something?”
“Yes I think...no, I KNOW the winter is unnatural, magical in nature. It’s probably why neither the earth ponies nor the pegasi noticed anything strange about it beyond duration: we all know they aren’t masters of magic, so naturally they wouldn’t notice the obvious.”
The Princess’ gaze grew stern. “Do not speak that way, you sound almost like Hurricane...”
“Eep! S-sorry Princess I didn’t mean anything by it...” Clover apologised.
“No it’s not your fault....it’s just....nopony seems to want to even try to get along, even considering the old war....”
Clover pointed to a map. “The winter seems to be concentrated in our lands. I think we’ll need to move out to warmer pastures.”
“You said the winter as magical, surely we could use magic of our own to stop it or at least redirect it? Surely we don’t have to do something as drastic as moving?”
The purple unicorn shook her head. “I’m afraid not princess. Even without the winter, the relations between the three races is a powderkeg. Between the war and border disputes and the like, tensions are rising, and the winter is only making things worse. The earth ponies are thick-headed idiots and the pegasi are arrogant fools, you know what will happen if we all remain here surely?”
The princess sighed. “But....if we move NOW, we will have to deal with the harsh winter regardless.”
“I’m afraid we know no magic strong enough to alter the weather, and even the pegasi with their much touted ‘weather control’ abilities couldn’t possibly be able to effect magic on this scale. No, the only option is if we move somewhere warmer, away from the other races.”
Princess Platinum sat there, looking over the papers her student had left on the table, then towards the purple unicorn herself before finally sighing. “I shall...think about it. I shall call a public address in the morning, and send word to the other leaders should I need to.” She got up and began to leave as Clover the Clever nodded and followed suit.
As the pair left the large room, a figure watched, hidden in shadow: Commander Hurricane. The military pony smirked in thought as he flew out towards the small area where the pegasi took roost.
“S-so the unicorns are leaving?” Private Pansy whimpered softly in her father’s tower, where the Commander lead the pegasi race at all times.
“It appears so. The winter is too much for them, so they have decided to leave to warmer pastures.” He chuckled mirthlessly. “Weaklings.”
“S-so what happens now father?” Pansy asked.
Quick as a flash Commander Hurricane dashed to his daughter and struck her hard with his hoof, making her stumble to the ground. “Never refer to me so familiarly. We must keep things in perfect order and follow strict regulations. You are a Private and I am your Commander, you obey my orders without question and with utter deference! You can only call me Father when you earn the right, though I doubt you ever will.” He growled as he looked at Private Pansy as she got up on her knees. “You’re weak. Pathetic. You do us a disservice by your repeated failures.”
“I-I’m sorry Fa- Commander.”
“Good, now, keep an eye on the Princess, ensure she doesn’t make any sudden moves.”
“Y-yes sir, but what about you?”
He smirked, fumbling with a gem he held in his right hoof: a silver lined purple pendant. “I have plans.”
Princess Platinum had returned to bed early for the evening, overwhelmed by the stubbornness of the other leaders as well as Clover’s plan.
Clover was a clever mare (in fact it was why she was known as such) but she had a tendency to only think of a single solution where others were available as well as fail to think of other variables, such as if the winter was actually localised and not covering the whole of the country, much of which was still unexplored.
She decided to sleep and clear her head...and as she slept...she saw something...something beautiful, magnificent, grand yet gentle, calming....and it gave her an idea...a new spell, one that had never existed before...one that might possibly end the winter.
She woke with a start and got dressed before she began packing, grabbing six large uncut round stones. They were plain and rather boring to look at right now, but something told her they were the perfect catalyst for her new spell. She carefully put the stones in a large carrying bag and silently moved through her castle, careful not to alert or disturb anyone: she wanted this done in secrecy.
As she started to head for the castle entrance, she spotted something following her, flying high enough for her not to have noticed at first, but the moonlight pouring through a window allowed her to see its shadow.
“Who’s there and why are you spying on me?” She asked, with no anger or fear, just curiosity and concern. “Please, come out here and talk to me.”
The figure hesitated then slowly flew down in front of the Princess so she could get a good look.
“Oh you’re that Pegasus that’s always at the Commander’s side.” The Princess looked her over, exclaiming. “Oh you poor dear, you’re hurt!”
Private Pansy inched away as the Princess lifted a hoof, bringing her own hoof up to her face to hide the scratch on her cheek. “I-Its quite fine...I-I’m a s-strong Pegasus like F-The Commander needs me to be...a-a little bruise i-is nothing...”
“Don’t say that, just hold still while I apply some salve.” The Princess interjected, the pegasus too timid to even try and stop her as she applied a cold salve to the wound, making her wince. The princess then applied a bandage to the wound and smile.
“There, it has been disinfected and should heal up quite quickly. Now, what is your name, miss, and why were you hiding?” Princess Platinum smiled encouragingly.
“I-I’m P-Private Pansy, a-and I’m the Commander’s right hand mare...I-I’m actually next in line for the rank of Commander should anything happen to him...well, I was supposed to be...” She shook her head. “B-but that’s personal matters, I’m not allowed to tell anypony that, especially not non-pegasi. The Commander ordered me to come here and make sure you didn’t do anything.”
The Princess smield wide. “Oh this is most excellent! Miss Pansy, I was just about to go and do something dreadfully important, in fact, the very fate of all three pony races hinge on what we do tonight!”
“R-really...? W-wait, we?”
“Of course! A big strong pegasus like you would be tons of help in my mission, and I am willing to repay you.”
“B-but w-we’re not allies....” Private Pansy said.
“I know the Commander doesn’t wish to exchange a hoof of friendship, but he’s wrong! This winter isn’t natural, its magical and it could destroy us all if something isn’t done!”
“A-are you sure? I-Is it really that bad?”
“I have a feeling its much worse than we both realise, Miss Pansy.” Platinum laid a hoof over Pansy’, her eyes pleading. “Please, if not for myself or my people, think of your own. Surely even this winter is too much for them?”
Pansy lowered her eyes in thought. She remembered several soldiers acting angrier than normal, starting fights for no reason, and several almost lost their wings to frostbite during scouting patrols. “I-I think...I think I should come...i-if only because I must watch you...”
The Princess smiled. “Thank you, Pansy.” She quickly donned a warm travelling cloak. “Now come, we have no time to lose.”
The unicorn raced out through the door and out of the castle, the timid pegasus following behind.
Sweet Cookie walked out to inspect the crops, gasping as she saw something horrifying.
Normally, due to the harsh winter, the crops were protected under a large stone dome, a magical stone called a Sunstone acting a surrogate sun until the winter ended. However, the stone had been torn asunder and the crops had been exposed to the elements, now dead and useless.
In a panic, she ran through the area, trying to find anything salvageable. All she found was a small purple gem. It was a pendant, unmistakably unicorn jewellery.
She gritted her teeth angrily, clenching the pendant tightly in her hoof as she ran to the Chancellor’s house.
However, he was nowhere to be found.
“Where has that dunderhead gotten to now!? We got a crisis on our hands! Chancellor! Chancellor! Ya gotta get over here! Those unicorns declared war!”
Author's Note
I was GOING to upload this on Christmas but....I got lazy. >.< Oh well, better late than never,I always say!
I REALLY wanted to keep going here until I got to a certain song I plan to use, however I feel like this chapter is long enough (considering this will likely be much shorter than the other instalments of this verse so far) and well, tiredness. Anyway hope you all enjoyed it, and I’ll write more soon!
Commander Hurricane flew over a dark, snow covered forest, grinning to himself as he held aloft Chancellor Puddinghead, the earth pony tied in thick rope.
“Any last words, you disgusting mudraker?”
“un-insightful comedic reference.” Puddinghead said monotonously.
The Pegasus shrugged and threw the Chancellor down to his doom, where either the fall would kill him...or, otherwise, the cold and the many monsters inhabitant the forest would. He sneered triumphantly before flying away back towards his kingdom in the clouds.
Clover the Clever trotted into Platinum’s bedroom to speak to her...only to find the room empty.
“Your majesty...?” The unicorn asked aloud, looking around to see where her Princess was. Finding no sign of the royal unicorn she trotted quickly down the halls, trying to use her magic to trace any possible clues. She sweated as she searched, biting her lip nervously. There was no way she couldn’t find the Princess, not in the halls of her very place where she’s safe and warm and under the protection of hundreds of powerful unicorn mages, Clover herself among them.
As her search took her to the main hall of the palace, she found...something. She trotted over to it, spotting a strand of the Princess’ hair...along with a half-eaten apple, some straw and...a feather.
Her brilliant mind connected the dots to the only possible conclusion she could believe as several of the royal guard trotted to her.
“Dame Clover,” one of the Guard asked, “what’s wrong? You’ve been shouting and running around all the palace like some...mud pony.”
At that phrase Clover gritted her teeth, eyes filled with hatred and fury. “Gather everyone! We need a public meeting!”
“Everyone....?”
“EVERYONE!” Clover shouted, tears falling from her eyes. “Those filthy Earth Ponies have CAPTURED Princess Platinum! We can’t take this sitting down! Get everyone together so we can save her from the Earth Ponies and their treasonous cohorts the pegasi!”
Out in the freezing cold, Princess Platinum shivered her royal cape and crown ill-suited to keeping her warm in such a terrible winter, not even her specially chosen winter clothes seemed to have much effect, while Private Pansy hovering lightly beside her looking over at her in concern.
“M-maybe w-we should turn back...” Pansy said timidly.
“No, we mustn’t.” Platinum said resolutely between her teeth chattering. “It’s imperative we get there as soon as possible.”
“Where a-a-are we going...?” In all the commotion Pansy hadn’t bothered to think to ask where Platinum was leading the pair before now. “A-and why do we need these stones?” Pansy looked behind herself at the six stones held in a small sack she had helpfully decided to carry in the frail princess’ stead.
“We are heading to the tallest mountain of this area, the Grand Spire.” She pointed her hoof towards an absolutely massive mountain that dominated the horizon, looming over them. “There, we must take the six stones for...” She frowned, shaking her head as she winced. “Something...I wish I could remember my visions more clearly...”
“V-visions?”
“Yes, it’s my special talent. Rather than just standard unicorn magic, I get...visions. Sometimes when I sleep, sometimes when I’m wide awake. I don’t remember the details, only strong feelings...no, more like commands, along with images and vague ideas. These stones were recovered due to my visions, in fact, and it seems it was so I could carry them to the Grand Spire....all else I know is that it will somehow stop this winter and help all ponies...no, all that live in this world.”
Pansy nodded in acceptance at the Princess’ words, for some reason believing her wholeheartedly. She just seemed so sure, so determined to do what she could, Pansy couldn’t help but admire her and want to help...even as guilt at away at her heart. Her eyes gazed up at the mountain as she tried to distract herself with small talk. “We, um, have a different name for the mountain.”
“Oh?” Platinum turned to the Pegasus, smiling in interest. “Do tell, I didn’t even realise that was a possibility. How silly, of course your people wouldn’t call it the same thing, how would you even know? It’s not like our people communicate all that amicably, or that often, after all.”
Pansy looked down. “W-we call the mountain Wind Splitter, as all winds paths are broken by it...” She shivered as she gazed up at it. “S-s-seeing it now...i-it feels...unnatural...th-the wind...it’s almost like its coming FROM the mountain...b-but that’s not how wind works...”
Platinum tossed her royal cape to the Pegasus who yelped fearfully. “It may not be much, but it might help warm you a tad.”
Pansy stared at her wide-eyed. “I-I can’t just take this...I-I’m not e-even cold...I-I’m a s-s-strong p-p-pegasus, a-after all..”
“Oh please, you sound like you’re shivering more than me!” Platinum smiled reassuringly. “Besides, it’s the least I can do to thank you for coming along. You could’ve easily turned me down.”
Pansy looked away, blushing softly. “N-Not really...I...I can’t really say no to anypony...”
As the pair conversed they hear a loud howl coming from deep in a forest at the mountain’s base. Pansy’s eyes widened in terror.
“What was that....?” Platinum wondered aloud.
“Dire wolves.” Pansy answered, shivering in fear. “Th-they live in that terrible forest, they are so dangerous even my father is careful...Th-they only make that noise when they...find something to...to eat.”
Platinum’s eyes widened. “Or somepony. Come, miss, we must go help!” The unicorn dashed into the forest without much warning.
Pansy gasped and followed after her, shaking her head. “No, no, no! This forest is FAR too dangerous and unnatural! It’s resistant to our pegasi magic a-and the creatures are so dangerous!”
“All the more reason why we can’t take the chance that someone might be in danger!” Platinum argued, looking up at Pansy reassuringly. “As long as we watch each other’s backs we should be fine.”
“Y-you trust me...?”
“I trust you with my life.” The Princess smiled widely, eyes sparkling at the Pegasus, making her blush.
As the pair moved through the forest the first thing that caught their eye was Chancellor Puddinghead, the leader of the Earth Ponies, sitting in the middle of a snow filled clearing. The second thing that caught their sight was the monsters surrounding him: four massive, white furred wolves with large, crystalline spikes jutting out from random parts of their bodies, as well as forming their massive claws and razor sharp teeth, each creature sporting six legs as they circled around the pony entrapped by them.
Pansy gasped. “D-Direwolves! Th-they’re among the DEADLIEST monsters in this forest!”
Platinum frowned grimly. “Meaning they won’t just let the Chancellor go, will they?”
Pansy shook her head. “I-I’m afraid not...”
“We can’t let that happen. Whatever happens to me, I won’t sit idly by and watch a pony die!” The Princess charged forward, her horn glowing as she fired a blast at one of the massive monsters. As the blast connected the Direwolf yelped in discomfort and turned to the intruding ponies with an aggressive growl, the other three monsters turning to join it.
Platinum inched back, wincing in fear before sighing and steadying her resolve, her horn glowing bright as she got ready for a fight. “Very well, you brutes! You wish to face the ruler of all unicorns in combat, then it shall be so! I will not make it easy for any of you!”
Pansy stared, taken aback at the bravery of a pony whose kind her father regarded as ‘weak’ and ‘cowardly’...and seeing none of that on display, far more than the Pegasus soldier was displaying herself. Pansy felt...something at the sight, awe perhaps...pride even. All she knew was that whatever those feelings were, they awoke something slumbering within her which reached a boiling point as, upon the princess firing another blast, a Direwolf leapt over the attack, snarling as it brought down four of his fearsome claws towards the unicorn.
“NO!” Pansy shouted as she flew, fast as lightning, curving around Platinum as she punched the direwolf hard into the side, knocking it aside and onto a tree before it collapsed to the ground. Panting and growling, the creature got up as the other three wolves charged.
“Ridiculous, disconnected statement of dubious humour unrelated to the current situation.” Puddingheead dryly stated as he reached under his hat and gripped a seed, his hoof glowing briefly before he tossed it at one of the Direwolves, making it yelp as vines wrapped around its legs and a pumpkin grew to full maturity to slam onto its head, making it howl and squirm blindly as the gourd covered its head.
Platinum dodged the swipe of one of the two remaining direwolves, but a second one manage to knock her crown off her head and slice a portion of her laboriously styled mane, only for Pansy to fly over and grab it from behind in a suplex as she slammed it to the ground. “Don’t you dare TOUCH HER!” Pansy shouted at the beast while Platinum fired several blasts at the remaining beast, pushing it back....however aside from the one still struggling with the plants covering it the other three got back and circled around the two intruding ponies warily, snarling in anger and rage from the battle.
Pansy panted, losing her earlier surge of courage as she whimpered. “Th-they’re too strong, they’re barely winded....W-we could run...?”
“The chancellor’s leg is broken, he wouldn’t be able to catch up with us.” She gave Pansy a disaproving gaze. “Honestly how could you even think of abandoning him?”
“I-I know I-I’m sorry I just...” Pansy looked down. “I-I get scared...I-I’m supposed to be a strong, brave Pegasus b-but I can’t do anything right...”
Platinum smiled reassuringly. “Oh hush, you were plenty brave just now, and anyone would be scared.” She focused back on the creatures, horn glowing. “I can still fight, and I’m sure you can too. We’ll wear these creatures out, surely.”
“O-or die trying.” Pansy added pessimistically, gulping.
The direwolves snarled, the fourth finally managing to tear the restricting plants off of it as it turned to deal with Puddinghead as the other three charged suddenly...only for all four to freeze in place mid charge.
“W-what...?” Pansy blinked, shocked. “W-why did they stop?”
Platinum’s horn glowed idly as she stepped close to one of the creatures, tilting her head. “I-it’s...they’re ALL encased in ice!”
“S-such big scary hairy beasts, f-frozen? J-just like that...!?” Pansy glided to the Princess’ side. “B-but there’s no way...s-surely...”
“Like my protégé warned me, this winter is...unnatural.” Platinum tapped a hoof against the ice encasing a direwolf, not even making a dent in the structure. “I’d hazard a guess that THIS is just how ‘unnatural’ it is.”
“Y-you mean...w-we could end up like these monsters....?”
“Possibly, but you’d think it would’ve happened by now.” Platinum frowned in thought but shook her head. “We best hurry, regardless, this is just proof we need to deal with this NOW rather than later.” She turned to Puddinghead, trotting over to him. “I may not know the best first aid, but I could use my magic to tend to your wounds.”
Pansy flew past her, landing beside the Chancellor and reaching into a small pack at her side. “Don’t worry, Princess, I can handle this. I’ve got medic training for the battle field a-and well w-we did just have something close to a battle....” She tended to the Chancellor’s leg, looking at him. “H-how did you get here, s-sir? Y-you’re awfully far from home...”
Puddinghead muttered under her, uh, his breath and then began to speak monotonously, as if from off a script. “I was having a good time making a nice mug of cocoa when that ugh seriously? ‘grumpypants’ Hurricane came to my home, grabbed me and took me out here before dropping me from the sky to land here and break my leg. Here’s my token of thanks for your help, by the way.” With that, Puddinghead tossed the pair large chocolate balls from under his hat.
“Um, thanks.” Platinum grimaced, thinking about where the treat had been and how long it had been there, while Pansy took a large bite out of her own chocolate without any fuss, the Princess shaking her head as she spoke again. “Anyway, you’re saying the Commander left you here to...to die in this cold?”
Pansy frowned, looking downcast. “F-father...”
Platinum trotted over to the Pegasus mare, draping a hoof over her shoulder. “This..this can’t be pleasant for you to hear. I mean, the implications alone...I know it was no secret he hated non-pegasi but this...?”
Pansy nodded, trying to hide the shame in her voice. “W-we will deal with that l-later, after w-we stop the winter...”
“You’re right...” She gave the chancellor a worried glance before pulling him over her back. “Sorry Chancellor you’ll be coming with us, the risk is too high right now to bring you back home and leaving you here is out of the question.”
“stupid statement about hurricane that understates his murderous racism.” Puddinghead responded foolishly.
“It’s not far now, at any rate, we should be able to find a path up the mountain from here.” Platinum said as she carried the Chancellor while walking, Pansy moving close to help her as the trio continued their journey, a blizzard starting to billow out from the top of the mountain.
In the Pegasus city on the clouds above, pegasi in armour growled at each other angrily as they stood in a mess hall eating dinner.
“Could you eat more quietly!?” One Pegasus shouted. “I can’t even think above your slurping!”
“OH you wanna go!? I’ll Knock your teeth in!”
“Settle down!” One Pegasus called out. “Pansy wouldn’t be happy if she saw us fightin’ among ourselves!”
“Hmmm come to think of it, where IS Pansy?” another wondered aloud. “She’d normally be here by now. You don’t suppose the Commander sent her on a mission?”
“Nah! The Commander would NEVER trust Pansy with a mission, no matter how much we like her!”
“Of course not! She’s a coward who makes the rest of us look bad!”
A soldier slammed his hooves on a table rising up. “What!? Did you just insult the most beloved and adorable mare in the Battlements!? We won’t stand for that won’t we lads!?”
“Yeah!” Several stood up from their chairs.
“Oh you wanna fight!? We’ll give you a fight, you stinkin’ bleedin’ hearts!” Several pegasi rose up in opposition.
The doors of the mess hall slammed open, Commander Hurricane trotting in as he glared at his unruly troops. “What is the meaning of this!? Enough squabbling, show some decorum! You’re pegasi, for goodness sake, not those filthy ponies below who walk in the mud!”
The assembled pegasi flinch and salute the Commander, their earlier argument and growing tension forgotten. “Sir!”
“Oh what would my daughter say if she saw you going at each other’s throat and starting needless fights...” Commander Hurricane said, shaking his head dismally as she hung it low.
“Where is the Private, anyway, Sir?” One Pegasus dared to ask.
The Commander’s head bolted up as he looked among the throng.”You mean...you mean you don’t know. Oh how terrible...” He shook his head, voice low and tinged with sadness. “Pansy...You know how she is, how she’s stood by all of you and tried to make everything easier on you all?”
Several of the troops nodded.
“Well, she was increasingly worried about a potential war and how many would be hurt and so...” Hurricane sighed sadly. “She went off to speak with the representatives of the unicorns and the earth ponies...only for the cowardly, wretched snakes to betray her!” He stood up, slamming his hooves. “I tried to get to her and bring her home, but I was too late! By the time I was there, they had already MURDERED her in cold blood!” He dropped a blood covered knife onto the floor to the gasps of his troops. “This was what was used to do it! I know not which of the MONSTERS did the deed, but doses it matter!? They are both complicit in the death of a Pegasus who only wanted peace! And THIS is how they repay us!? Should we just FORGIVE them for what they’ve done!?”
All the pegasi, eyes filled with fury at the unjust death of their most dear and beloved comrade, stood to attention. “Sir!”
The Commander tried to hide a smirk before he continued, seeing a small few still uncertain.
“What can you expect, from filthy little heathens?
Those two disgusting races are like a curse
The unicorns are cowards
The earth ponies are dolts
they’re vermin as I said and WORSE!”
The other pegasi started joining in, losing themselves to their righteous anger and fury, joined in focusing on a real enemy aside from each other.
“They’re savages!
Savages!
Barely even Ponies!
Savages!
Savages!”
“Raze them from our shores!” Commander Hurricane declared, pointed a hoof dramatically. “They’re not like you or me, which means we do not them!”
“We must sound the drums of war!
They’re Savages! Savages!
Filthy wretched devils!
Now we sound the drums of war!”
Commander Hurricane turned from them as he lead his troops onward to prepare for battle, a satisfied grin appearing on his lips at how easily his plan was progressing.
Before a crowd of armoured unicorns and mages, Clover the Clever stood, face grim yet determined. “The earth ponies have gone too far this time! Sure, let them stay in their hovels and refuse to aid us, but now they had kidnapped the Princess for Sun knows WHAT reason!”
“But why did they do this?” a mage asked aloud. “What do they gain from this?”
“What’s to understand in the mind of one of those DISGUSTING dirt diggers!?” Clover retorted before continuing.
“It is as we feared
Those earth ponies are villains
The only thing they feel at all is greed
Beaneath those hornless hides
There’s emptiness inside!”
“I wonder if they even THINK?” a couple of unicorns added.
“They’re savages!” Clover continued as the other unicorns joined in.
“Savages!
Barely even ponies!
Savages!
Savages!
Selfish to the core!
They’re different from us
Which means they can’t be trusted!”
“We must sound the drums of war!” the unicorns cried out.
“they’re Savages!
Savages!
Barely even ponies!
Now we sound the drums of war!”
In the earth pony settlement, every able bodied mare and stallion was gathered together with what tools they can carry as Smart Cookie trotted before them.
“Those dang unicorns have gone too far!” Smart Cookie cried out angrily. “They obviously weren’t happy about us refusing to share what little we had with them, and so decided to let us all starve in the cold! Well I say we ain’t takin’ this lyin’ down! I say we pay them back a thousand fold for trying to kill us slowly like COWARDS!”
“Shouldn’t we wait for the chancellor’s word on this?” a mare asked.
Smart Cookie spat at the ground in anger. “Who knows where that loony dunderhead is!? He’d probably just try an’ give all our food away anyway, or, or make some DEAL with the unicorns that will only hurts us! NO! We’re not gonna play nice anymore like he wanted! We’re gonna do what we should’ve done YEARS ago! After all....
We knew it all along
Peace was an illusion
HERE’s what you get
When races are DIVERSE
They’ve taken our crops!
They’ve taken our lands!
Who knows what they’ll take
If we do not stop them first!?
They’re savages!”
“Savages!” The earth ponies joined in. “Barely even ponies!”
“Savages!
Savages!
Monsters every one
They’re different from us
Which means they must be evil!
We must sound the drums of war!
They’re savages!
Savages!
“we will stand with you
As we sound the drums of war!”
The winter grew stronger on the land as the voices of anger and hatred filled the air, mixing together so a casual listener couldn’t tell one from the other.
“Savages! Savages!”
“Let’s go kill a few, men!”
“Savages! Savages!”
“This is the only way now!”
“Savages! Savages!”
“Now we sound the drums of war!”
The winds howled ever stronger, harsher...and, if one were to listen, cold laughter.
Author's Note
So, guess who decided to finally continue this story?
I’m a bit worried it’s a bit too short a chapter for such a long wait, but...eh. The next chapter will probably make up for it.
I WOULD have used the full song of Savages, but couldn’t really think of a way of fully integrating it here without you know causing some pacing problems. So...it’s gonna be split off, just like in the movie. And yes I added a third portion for the earth ponies, because that’s just the way it goes sometimes. The original version is detailing the hatred of two sides, while here I have to show a three sided conflict.
Also, I hope you like my additions and changes here, including new monsters, the Direwolves (MLP needs more monsters, in my opinion). Originally the forest was gonna be an ancient Everfree but I realised that no the Everfree (and Ponyville) is in a different location than here.So...yeah.
I hope you all enjoyed and please comment.
Three armies of three very different races of pony marched out into the cold winter, the only thought on their minds to avenge themselves on an enemy. Clover the clever marched her out from the palace, taking lead as Princess Platinum’s student. Smart Cookie likewise lead her ragtag group of earth ponies out into the frozen wastes, heading towards the palace.
Commander Hurricane stood on a large cloud overlooking the field, smirking to himself as he oversaw the battle that was sure to occur at any moment. Turning to the pegasi assembled behind him, he spread his wings and began to speak.
“My brothers and sisters of the skies! The enemy lies before us, squabbling amongst themselves like the weaklings they are! While they fight we shall swoop in and annihilate them all! We do this for my daughter! We do this for the good of ALL pegasi!”
“Wait...” one Pegasus said lamely from the back. “But...isn’t this the opposite of Miss Pansy’s wishes...?”
Hurricane blinked in annoyance before recovering. “of course! My daughter wanted to BEFRIEND the other ponies, and look where that got her! Dead at the hands of these foul monsters! It may pain her, but this is the only way forward! The only way any of us is getting out of this alive is with the deaths of our enemies! We are mighty and proud pegasi! None shall stand in the way of our vengeance!” as the pegasi called out in affirmation, falling back into the blidn rage being directed by their leader, the Commander’s wing twitched as some wind grazed along it. “Now, head off to battle! I must split off from you and ensure there’s no cowardly surprises left in the wings out of sight! Do not wait for me, my brothers and sisters! Go!”
As the other pegasi flew over towards the battlefield, Commander Hurricane flapped his wings and pulled six long, sharp spears towards him using his mastery over the wind. His lip curled into a cold sneer as he flew towards the mountain overlooking everything, following the wind through his special talent. He could see through the wind as if it was an extension of himself, and it showed him exactly what he needed to see: his loyal, useless Private walking alongside the leaders of the enemy ponies. A thrill ran through his heart as he looked forward to personally dealing with his most hated foes once and for all, and right near where the crux of his plan would be held, too.
The winds were truly favouring him today. As if there was no doubt.
Princess Platinum shivered in the cold as she and her two companions walked with her up the smooth pathway that lead upwards towards the summit of the great, frightening mountain. Her legs shook, unused to the long travelling in the harsh elements, and so soon after a battle at that.
“I can help you, princess.” Chancellor Puddinhead offered dully, trotting to the unicorn’s side. “You are not alone here.”
The royal smiled. “It’s quite fine, I can keep up. Don’t worry about me.” As she said this her legs buckled and she tripped, only to be caught onto the back of Private Pansy who had flown under her quickly before hovering a few inches over the snow covered ground.
“Walking in this heavy, cold blizzard is no laughing matter princess.” Pansy said, gazing at the pony over her shoulder with concern. “I-I mean y-you’re a-a unicorn after all a-and y-you’re not b-built for this...a-a-and I h-hope I’m not being offensive s-saying that...”
“It’s quite alright, I should’ve prepared myself better, I underestimated how difficult this would be on me...” She smiled at the Pegasus warmly. “I do envy you pegasi with your strong bodies, and being able to fly on top of it all! And being strong enough to fly while carrying me, why I am positively taken aback! Miss Pansy, you’re just incredible!”
Pansy blushed deeply, looking away. “N-not at all...I-I’m not that strong...I-I j-just do what everypony tells me...I-I don’t have the confidence y-you have princess...y-you’re so smart and strong willed, i-i’ve seen it every time you hold meetings with my Fa...with the Commander...y-you’re the one I’m envious of...i-i wish I had the same strength y-you had...”
Platinum blinked, her own face blushing from the praise before giving a reassuring smile. “oh Pansy, you’re wonderful, truly...there’s no need to sell yourself short.”
Pansy froze in place as she turned to look at the Princess, averting her eyes nervously. “N-no princess don’t..I...I’m just a c-coward...I-I just do what my Commander tells me to...I-I’m only here because I-I was ordered to v-visit you...
“I assume that’s why bumped into you at the palace, because your father wanted you to spy on me.” Platinum sighed and gazed deep into the pegasus’ eyes. “Be that as it may, no one made you come with me, and you certainly no coward when you faced those brutish monsters with us. You sell yourself far too short, Pansy. You don’t mind if I just call you Pansy, right? It’s a beautiful name after all...”
Pansy’s cheeks flushed deeper as she stammered for several minutes, gazing at the Princess wide eyed. “I-I...I...that is...I...o...okay...th-that is..i-if you’re okay with b-b-being so informal w-with an enemy...”
“Whyever would we be enemies dear?” The royal giggled. “we’re both ponies, regardless of whether I have a horn or you have wings or if we both lacked them like the Chancellor here! We’re here to save everyone, regardless of anything else!”
“Forced pun about Hurricane that is meant to be obliviously humorous.” Puddinghead said before dodging a large spear flung past his head, his hat flying in the air for a few seconds before landing perfectly on top of his head as the spear impacted the snow behind him.
Pansy and Platinum gasped as they looked up at the sight of the armoured commander floating a few feet before them, the spear he had thrown being pulled back to float among the many others surrounding him threateningly.
“Good work so far, Private.” The Commander grinned. “We have our enemies right where we want them. And while I am not pleased to find you here without my ordering, rather than taking the Princess to me as ordered, you have followed your orders extremely well regardless.”
Pansy cowered, lowering her head as she bit her lip, while Platinum merely looked puzzled.
“And what exactly did you order her to do?”
“Oh nothing too taxing, she IS an incompetent after all.” Hurricane shrugged. “I merely ordered her to follow close and make sure you didn’t do any rash movements and to take you to me so I could see you in private...and to leave a little bit of hay from the earth pony township somewhere easy to spot.”
Platinum raised a brow. “Whyever would you make such an order like that?”
Hurricane grinned wickedly. “Why, unbeknownst to you, while you were gone, your most LOYAL student searched for you in the palace with nary a hint of your presence...and what should she find but some hay from the earth pony farm in the middle of the courtyard. It doesn’t take much to convince you supposedly ‘intelligent’ unicorns that the beloved Princess Platinum has been kidnapped by those rougish, brutish earth pony barbarians.” He chuckled as he spoke in a mocking tone. “So naturally, the unicorns are willing to wage war to ‘rescue’ their Princess from their most ancient adversaries!”
Platinum’s eyes widened and Pansy covered her mouth with her hoof as she paled. “N-no...th-that’s...” The Pegasus whimpered. “Th-that’s why...?”
“Yes, that’s why I gave you the hay and told you to drop you moment you saw Platinum.” Hurricane chuckled. “Such a good soldier.”
“B-But surely once the earth ponies explain that they never saw me since the meeting...” Platinum began.
“Oh, assuming the unicorns would even listen, there’s no way the Earth Ponies are willing to discuss things civilly.” Commander Hurricane continued. “ Which they won’t, not after their food stores were completely destroyed by their unicorn nemeses.”
“W-we would never do such a thing!” Princess Platinum cried out in disbelief.
Hurricane frowned, glaring balefully. “Indeed. You cowards wouldn’t even dare even after all these years when it’d be the most simplest method of dealing with the dolts. No, I had to step in and fan the flames of war between the earth ponies and the unicorns. Even now, the two races march to war with each other.”
“F-father no!” Pansy cried out desperately. “W-we have to stop-”
The mare yelped mid sentenced as her father casually slashed the sharpened tip of a spear along her cheek, leaving a lengthy scratch and knocking her helmet off her head.
“You. WILL. Address me. As COMMANDER, soldier.” Hurricane stated coldly. “This is the only way to keep things in order. We don’t NEED those other races muddying things up with their cowardice, foolishness and FILTH. Just do as you’re told and help me KILL these two so the enemy forces cannot marshall themselves, I cannot leave anything to chance with them still alive.”
Pansy looked at Platinum fearfully as Platinum merely smiled and gave Hurricane a stern look.
“We don’t have time for this foolishness, Hurricane.” The Princess calmly stated. “We are here because we need to end this blizzard. This is not mere winter, it’s some sort of magical THING that will kill us all if we don’t work together hoof in hoof. We still have time to stop this. I implore you to undo what you’ve claimed to have done and help us save ALL our peoples before it’s too late!”
Hurricane tilted his head, eyes wide in confusion before his gaze hardened once more. “You think me a fool? Of COURSE I’ve noticed that this is no ordinary winter. We Pegasi CONTROL the weather, WE’RE the ones who dictate when it snows and when blizzards form! This winter was NOT created by us, but will suit my purposes just fine! War is not all there is to my plan! While everyone is distracted with their squabbling, I will take command of this strange magic and I will use it to destroy ALL undesirables! The weak, cowardly unicorns! The foolish, filthy Earth Ponies! ANY Pegasus who fails to meet the standards of our great, noble heritage! ALL shall be purged through this consuming cold, leaving behind only those worthy of remaining! And It is by MY hooves, by MY will that it shall be so!”
“That’s madness!” Platinum exclaimed.
“No! That’s cleaning house!” Hurricane argued. “MADNESS is having three different types of pony when only ONE is needed! Now, Private, stand at my side and do as I order you and DESTROY the enemy!”
Pansy looked at Platinum and Puddinghead...and found not one once of betrayal or anger in them. Neither pony hated her or blamed her, to her utter astonishment. They understood perfectly that she was on their side, or more likely they merely wanted to believe in her.
But that thought alone was enough to reassure her and, even slightly, strengthen her resolve.
“No, Commander.” Pansy uttered as she gently pushed Platinum off her back and stepped forward. “I will not help you murder innocent ponies. I-I won’t follow your orders, not this time!”
“So you are a disappointment to the last.” Hurricane growled, but shortly thereafter gave a shrug. “No matter. The pegasi are still acting on my behalf and joining the battle, or did you think I just forgot about my own army? Even know you are a martyr to them, a symbol of our need to destroy the enemy at all costs. It’s just now I’ll have to ensure your martyrdom MYSELF.”
Platinum stared up at the stallion. “Y-you’re not saying...she’s your own DAUGHTER, for the sun’s sake!”
“I am her COMMANDER, and any soldier who fails to follow their Commander’s orders are traitors and shall be dealt with as such.”Hurricane tilted his head towards Platinum, sending three spears twirling towards the unicorn, Platinum blasting one of the weapons away with her magic, only for Pansy to bodily charge over and slap the spears aside with her armoured hooves.
“Ch-chancellor!” Pansy called out to the earth pony, keeping her eyes on her father nervously. “H-Help the Princess u-up the mountain! Sh-she needs to stop this winter, a-and the Commander c-can’t distract her f-from that!”
“Pansy wait, what are you-” Platinum yelped as Puddinghead ran past her and dragged her along with him as she continued to run along the mountain path.
Commander Hurricane glared and sent several spears towards the pair, only for Pansy to dive in and knock a few away, but managed to earn a few bruises and cuts from the ones that managed to strike legs and sides.
“Why do you side with your inferiors?” Hurricane snarled hatefully.
“I...I always admired the Princess...sh-she was always so kind and confidant a-and beautiful...” Pansy blushed, shaking her head as she gazed at the pony she once called Father. “But that’s not why. Th-they’re good ponies, I-I’ve always thought so....none of them deserve to die!”
Hurricane didn’t even bother with a response as he charged forward and decked the mare hard in the chest, knocking the wind out of her lungs and her body into the hard, rocky, snow covered trail beneath her. Hurricane flapped a wing and slashed a spear at the other Pegasus, Pansy barely managing to dodge as another spear flew just below her wing. She ducked and weaved past several more projectiles as she flew to the stallion and punched him hard in his face, catching him by surprised and shattering a portion of his helmet from the force of the attack.
Hurricane grunted, spitting out a tooth as she snarled at the mare before him before summoning a gust of wind to push her back, moving rapidly before her as he created a large black cloud in the air. Once it was as large as a bus, he kicked at the cloud with his back hooves, launching a bolt of lightning towards Pansy. Pansy yelped as she flew to the side to dodge the attack...only to cry out in pain as one of her father’s spears launched itself and stabbed into wing and pinning her to the mountain’s side. She squirmed and screamed in pain as she tried to pull the weapon out as her father moved closer, several spears hanging threateningly in the air.
“Pathetic. A real soldier would fight through the pain. Look at you, even in defiance you’re WEAK. It is the same as it ever was. You will NEVER defeat me in combat, be it a sparring match or a real life or death struggle. You will NEVER be a true Pegasus.”
Pansy gritted her teeth, gazing up at Hurricane with tears in her eyes. “I...I always respected you...I-I always did what you asked of me...but if being a real Pegasus means being a cold-hearted monster...I-I will GLADLY renounce any claim to that title!” she let go of the spear pinning her...flapping her other wing to send a gust of wind to her father...forming a tornado that forced his weapons to spin around him.
“W-what!?” Hurrican gasped in surprise, flapping his wings to control the wind...only for his daughter to match him with just her one wing, the tornado spinning faster as his spears were one by one launched into the forest below. “HOW ARE YOU DOING THIS!? I AM THE MASTER OF WIND! I AM THE PINNACLE OF PEGASI SUPREMACY! HOW IS A WEAKLING LIKE YOU OVERPOWERING ME!?”
“i...I don’t really know...” Pansy admitted. “I...I just know I HAVE to stop you...t-to protect the mare I love!”
“WHAT ARE YOU BLATEHRING ABOUT!?” Commander Hurricane shouted angrily, only to fall to the ground as the tornado’s winds took all the warmth from him, leaving him shivering and cold as frost formed on his body, his wings too stiff and almost-frozen to hold him in the air anymore. “N-no! This can’t be! G-grounded...at the hooves of an embarrassment! An ingrate! A-a false Pegasus!”
With a loud sscream Pansy lurched forward, unable to pull the unwielding spear from the rock behind her she did the only thing she could think...and allowed the weapon to tear her wing off and letting her fall to the ground. She panted and blinked the tears from her eyes as she got up to her hooves and gazed at her father. “We’re not invincible, F-father...W-we ALL have our limits. W-with no one to rely on, those limits hit us sooner or later...I...I’m sorry, Father.”
“Y-Y-You will call me Commander...” Hurricane snapped, shivering as he crawled towards her. “I...I am...I am Commander Hurricane the Indomitable..I...I shall not falter...not here...not now...! I will...have what I desire!” His eyes flared with hatred towards his daughter...as ice soon enveloped him.
Pansy gazed down at the form of her father in pity, then shook her head as she turned to head up the path to catch up with Platinum and Puddinghead.
Commander Hurricane’s frozen body was left behind where it stood....as cracked started forming in the ice around him, his body shaking as the ice collapsed off of him.
Three armies marched towards a single point. Pegasi, Unicorns and Earth Ponies, each united only by a song of hatred that sang true in their hearts.
“This’ll be the day...Let’s go men!” Clover the Clever sang as she lead the unicorns.
“Noone will be mourning...” The pegasi soldiers intoned darkly.
“Now we leave them dying in the dust...” Smart Cookie growled lowly.
“Now we make them pay!” soon the three forces began to sing in unison.
“At least not without a warning.”
“We will leave them blood and bone and rust!”
“It’s them!” Smart Cookie shouted.
“Or us!” Clover
“They just a bunch of filthy, stinking...”
The three armies froze as they converged, spotting each other...and each pony snarling in hatred at the sight of their enemies, all individuality lost in the cacophony of hate.
“Savages!”
“Savages!”
“EVIL!”
“DEVIL!”
“KILL THEM!”
The three armies charged forward, weapons and magic at the ready for battle, Clover the Clever and Smart Cookie leading their respective sides as the pegasi flew in to attack both.
“Savages!”
“Savages!”
“What are we waiting for!?”
“Destroy their evil race!” Twilight sang out, snarling as she charged her horn while glaring at Smart Cookie.
“Until there’s not a trace left!” Smart Cookie ordered,raising a rake to attack Clover.
“Now we sound the drums of war!” A called Pegasus warrior dived down towards the pair of leaders.
“Savages! Savages!”
“Now we sound the drums of war!”
“This is what becomes!
of trying to be chums!
Of course the answer is
The drums of--”
As the battle reached fever pitch and Smart Cookie, Clover and a random, nameless Pegasus came close to dealing each other a potentially harmful if not fatal blow....every single pony froze solid, encased in solid ice, their expressions locked in fury as their hearts full of hatred were imprisoned.
And in so doing, snow and ice began to cover the land and spread outwards.
Platinum struggled against Puddinghead. “Let me go! I can walk by myself just fine now!”
“Humurous reference to something a handful of ponies even care about.” Puddinghead replied as hoofsteads sounded from behind them. The poor looked back to see Pansy rejoin them for the long climb upwards.
Platinum gasped as she looked at the other mare, leaping off of Pudddinghead to look Pansy over. “Y-your wing! You’re hurt!” Her horn glowed as she used magic to tear a portion of her regal royal cape off to wrap around the remains of Pansy’s wing. “That brute...what happened to the Commander? What did you do to your father...?”
“He...The Commander was frozen, just like those monsters earlier.” Pansy sighed. “I...I’m sorry...I didn’t realise what he was using me for...s-so many ponies are going to get hurt because of me...”
“Hush, it’s alright Pansy, we’ll fix everything, I’m sure our ponies will listen...” Platinum smiled reassuringly as she trotted with Pansy back to stand alongside Puddinghead. “But first, we need to stop this winter. No use stopping a war if everyone’s just going to be frozen solid in a few minutes anyway...”
Pansy nodded, but still looked guilty and ashamed, the trio soon coming upon a large cave at the end of the path.
“This...this is it.” Platinum said, wide-eyed. “Our destination.”
“W-what’s inside?” Pansy asked.
“I have no idea. This is the first time anypony has ventured up here...I didn’t even know what we were walking TO.” Platinum replied, looking downward, blinking as Pansy’s uninjured wing draped over her body.
“I trust you, a-and I’m sure Puddinghead does to.”
At that Puddinghead tossed the unicorn a chocolate truffle, making Platinum giggle and smile as she walked with her newfound friends into the dark cave.
As the trio entered the cave, the first thing to catch their attention was a figure in the centre of the small cavern, kneeling over something with arms cradled around the object. Closer inspection revealed he was standing protectively over a small, softly glowing crystal shaped vaguely like a tiny tree. The figure woul’ve been almost nine to ten feet tall in height were he not positioning himself low; as it stood his face was above a few inches above the ponies’ own.
Pansy yelped and stood protectively in front of Platinum and Puddinghead. “O-oh no! A-another monster!”
“Wait.” Platinum said gently as she stepped forward. “I think...we trust this creature. I don’t know why but looking at him makes me feel...safe. He seems...familiar somehow.”
The figure gazed at the trio, his form dark and shadow-like with only bright white light forming large, round eyes, the top of his head shaped vaguely like a crown. “You’ve followed the visions I’ve sent you well it seems.”
The unicorn blinked. “YOU...sent me the visions? Truly...?”
“Wh-who...or...WHAT are you...?” Pansy asked nervously.
The figure chuckled tiredly, his voice deep and old sounding. “Just an Old King, nothing more, nothing less. I have been watching you for a long, long time. It...saddened me deeply to see your peoples devolve into squabbling and hatred but you three...you three represent my fondest hope, that you can rise above and stand together.” He shivered from the cold.
Platinum gasped softly. “you’re cold! I’ll give you something to warm up...”
“Do not trouble yourself, Princess Platinum. You have far more to worry about than an old man feeling cold.” The Old King said. “You have brought the stones, I trust?”
Platinum nodded and removed the bag at her side, gently placing the six large, round stones before the Old King. “So...why these stones in particular?”
“These stones are, unlike the gems that have become commonplace in the earth, filled with a weak magic. MY magic.” The Old King gazed into the Princess’ eyes, his expression unreadable. “I could feel them, but I could not reach them, not until the unicorns found them. By bringing them here, I can complete them, fill them with a power this world, and ALL who live in it, shall need in order to face the threat that looms ahead.”
“W-what is that...crystal you’re protecting...?” Pansy asked.
The Old King glanced at the crystal tree he was protecting. “Such a small thing is it not? But once the right bonds are cultivated, it shall grow and allow me to extend beyond this small, cramped mountain. This Crystal Tree is a part of me, and I part of it; through it, harmony shall spread throughout these lands and keep everyone safe.” He sighed sadly, his gaze growing more despondent. “I hope, at least...”
“So, with these stones and your tree, we shall end this winter...?”
“This is MORE than mere winter.” The Old King said gravely. “What do you think I am protecting the tree FROM? This winter is but a SYMPTOM of something far greater, far more terrible than what you could imagine, and the more your peoples fight amongst themselves the STRONGER it shall become. Only through a bond of harmony, bonds strengthened by honesty, loyalty, kindness, generosity and laughter in the face of despair can it be stopped!”
“W-what do we need to do...?” Pansy asked, she and Puddinghead standing at Platinum’s sides.
Before the Old King could speak further, his eyes widened in horror as he saw something beyond what the three ponies could. He looked at the three in panic. “It’s too late! Run, my little ponies, run so you won’t get swallowed up...!”
With a thunderous roar, the stone around them shattered as the Princess formed a magical shield around everyone, pony and King alike, to block the stone tumbling around them. After a while the stone around them had falling down the mountain side, and the top of the mountain had been completely destroyed, leaving a completely flat surface on the mountaintop.
“W-what happened!?” Pansy cried out fearfully.
“They are trying to get to me!” The Old King shouted. “Run my ponies! There is still hope as long as you three remain, forget about me!”
Pansy stared up at the being before her and shook her head. “W...we won’t leave you here! W-we can’t just leave someone here to die in the cold! No matter how strange they may seem!”
“She’s right!” Platinumed agreed with a stern nod. “We will stand here with you, Mister Old King, and face whatever is doing this head on!”
As wind howled around the group, the magical shield around them dissipated like mist and was swallowed by the cold storm swirling above them. Mixed in the wind, faint but oddly completely clear and audible, was cold, cruel laughter. The group looked above them and saw, trotting in circles in the eye of the storm, were three spirits that resembled ponies but were...off. They looked more angular, stronger...and more frightening.
“W-what are these things!?” Puddinghead exclaimed, for even he could not ignore the frightful sight.
‘You’
‘May call us’
‘Windigoes’
The ponies blinked and gazed up upon hearing the soft, whispering voices, as if spoken by the howling, strong winds blowing around them. Platinum gazed up at the three pony-esque creatures above, eyes wide.
“Was...was that you three who spoke just now....?”
The Old King glared up at the creatures. “Call yourselves whatever you want! You are just mere fragments! Just the cold breath that monster used to fan the flames of hatred in hearts of others!”
‘indeed’
‘We are’
‘fragments’
‘But once’
‘we have our’
‘fill of hatred’
‘We
‘Shall become’
‘whole’
The winds bellowed stronger around them, spreading frost, snow and ice around the flat mountaintop. The Old King groaned wearily as his form faded away, vanishing like mist.
“Mister Old King!” Platinum cried out.
Pansy gazed between her two friends. “He...he was protecting the tree...i-if he’s not around...then...” She glanced up at the Windigoes above. “W-we can’t worry about anything else...he said the tree was important a-and I trust him...w-w-we can’t let him have died in vain...”
With a shared nod to each other, the trio trudged through the snow and ice growing around them carefully as they took positions around the tiny crystal tree, its glow growing weaker in the face of the cold. The three ponies carefully propped themselves around the tree, using their bodies to protect the tree.
“Are you three so weak you can’t even stand in the cold!?” A familiar voice called out.
Pansy, Puddinghead and Platinum gazed up in disbelief as Commander Hurricane flew above them, holding a spear in his hoof as he hovered above, oblivious to the Windigoes circling above. The Pegasus shook off stray ice off of his shoulders and helmet.
“C-Commander Hurricane!” Platinum called out. “Y-you must join with us! T-together we might be able to stop the Windigoes!”
“What are you blathering about...?” The Commander scoffed and sneered, looking around himself at the blizzard billowing around him in admiration. “This weather magic is simply breathtaking! Now that it’s at its peak, I can use it to destroy you three pathetic excuses for poies along with the rest of the filth in one grand stroke!” The Commander grinned madly as he held out his hooves wide, flapping his wings. “Now it ends! Ponykind shall be purified and order shall be brought to these lands at long last!”
He flapped his wings as he marshalled his Pegasus magic to control the weather around him, eyes filled with mad glee, oblivious to the three windigoes charging towards him from behind him.
And then....
On the stage, Rainbow Dash dived behind some scenery to signify the Commander falling ‘offscreen’.
But in reality....
The Commander’s eyes widened in disbelief, shock and horror as a windigoe flew through his body...and rendered it to pure, frozen ice. Not like the shells encasing the other victims, no. Hs flesh, bone, everything had been rendered to ice, his face literally frozen in its shocked expression....and soon that was destroyed as, upon the other two windigoes charging through him, his body shattered, whatever that wasn’t blown away by the wind fell down the mountain side, only the pegasus’ armour remaining largely intact as they fell to land in the snow a short distance from the three ponies huddled together.
Platinum stared in horror, paling, while Puddinghead looked away and shut his eyes tightly...and Pansy looked on, her expression inscrutable. Her relationship with and feelings towards her father were complicated, to say the least, and even she wasn’t sure how she felt on seeing him meet such a gruesome, violent end.
‘Insolent’
‘Trying to’
‘Command us’
‘Such weak
‘Empty hatred’
‘Barely a meal’
Platinum gazed up at the monsters, eyes flaring with anger. “He was a PERSON, a living being! What is WRONG with you to talk about him like he didn’t even MATTER!? Who are YOU to decide the worth of a life!? Y-you are MONSTERS, TRUE monsters, not like the things we find in the wild! At least they fight to eat or to protect themselves when they feel threatened! W-why are you DOING this!? What do you GAIN!?”
The Windigoes glared down at the unicorn impassively.
‘Gain?’
‘Simple’
‘Amusement’
Platinum shook with rage and horror at hearing these words...then gasped as she felt the ice starting to form around her. Quick as a flash, Pansy placed a hoof over the unicorn’s own.
“Don’t fear, Princess.” Pansy said reassuringly, gazing deep into the unicorn’s eyes. “I will stand here with you to the last of my breath. I won’t abandon you, especially not now.”
“P-Pansy...” Platinum breathed softly, eyes widening.
“Hilariously derailing one liner.” Puddinhead said as he laid a hoof on Platinum and Pansy’s backs.
Platinum giggled at that and gave both ponies a smile, the three moving closer to protect the crystal tree beneath them. “thank you...both of you...I’m so glad I’m not alone...and...I truly, truly am glad to have met you and made this journey with you both...”
“Me too.” Pansy remarked, giving a warm smile.
“Cumquats.” Puddinghead remarked with a dry sigh.
‘give in’
‘feed us’
‘your hatred’
But even as the Windigoes spoke, the three friends gazed at each other and felt no hatred, no sadness, no fear. All they felt was their friendship. Pansy felt the loyalty she had towards those she cared for, and even those she didn’t, and the desire to honestly express herself at long last once this was all over. Puddinghead felt the laughter in his heart to make ponies forget their troubles and despair and the generosity to share that joy. And Platinum Felt the kindness she felt to ALL ponies, regardless of whether they were unicorn, earth pony or Pegasus. Yes, she even felt a small kindness towards ponies like Hurricane. And on seeing her newfound friends, she felt something else...something...magical welling up in her heart.
The six stones lying in the snow glowed...and shattered, reforming themselves into immaculate, beautiful crystal accessories that flew above the trio and catching their eyes, the magic of harmony flowing from the free, into the artifacts...and into the crystal tree, which began to grow to a massive, grand height, a wave of warming magic spreading from it and throughout the surrounding lands.
‘What’
‘what is happening’
‘no no no’
The Windigoes stared in fear and disbelief as the winter they spread and feed through was literally melting away in the heat of harmony...and soon they themselves were enveloped as well, their pained screams echoing and vanishing into the winds as their bodies burned away to nothing. And once the three monsters were gone completely, the clouds parted revealing a bright, shining sun.
The three friends stared in awe and amazement as what had seemed hopeless had been done away with, replaced with a hopeful new future. The crystal tree of Harmony stood proud and majestic over them and glowed softly. The six artifacts that hung in the air drifted down, two of each attaching themselves to Pansy, Platinum and Puddinghead in turn.
The trio looked to each other, smiling widely as they turned their gaze to the Tree of Harmony.
“I...I’m not quite sure what happened, o-or if you can even hear us, but...thank you.” Platinum gave a demure bow.
“No, this victory was your own.” The voice of the Old King, along with many other, far more quiet, voices, spoke out. “It was your harmonious bond of friends that gave a connection between you, the stones, and the Tree of Harmony before you. That gave way to strengthen the magic of harmony and defeat the windigoes. Their power could not stand between a magic derived from the harmonious unity and balance of others. Those stones are now the artifacts bonded to you, they are yours to use whenever something like the Windigoes ever appear to harm your people.”
Platinum placed her hoof against the sparkling tiara on her head in awe as she gazed at the Tree. “you said they are a power of unity...but can we really be united when our peoples are at war now, when we are so blinded by hate?”
“Without the Windigoes fanning the flames, you’ll find most of your people are far more willing to listen, especially to their leaders.” The Tree of Harmony sighed. “Some will not listen, however, but you must deal with it yourself, you are the leaders of your kind, you must teach them to forget the hatred of the past and embrace the harmony of unity. Lest you all face destruction again. I will help you, but only indirectly. My time as a ruler is long past...it is up to the living to take care of their world....I will only keep watch. Take care of yourselves, my little ponies, it’s up to you from here on.”
Pansy saluted. “W-w-we thank you, Old King!”
The Old King chuckled. “And I thank you, my little ponies. Just just relax, its time for this entire debacle to be settled...”
On the battlefield, pegasi, unicorns and earth ponies looked around in confusion, most barely remembering why they were even here to begin with.
“You varmint!” Smart Cookie Shouted as she marched over to Clover the Clever as the unicorn got back on her hooves. “Ah dunno what ya did, but that ain’t changin’ nothin’! Ya’ll destroyed our food and Ah ain’t backin’ down without a fight, Ah don’t care even if ya apologise!”
“Y-you filthy mudponies kidnapped our princess!” Clover cried out. “You will return her at once or face the consequences!”
“Clover, that is enough!”
The ponies blinked and looked over at the trio of ponies walking towards the throng. Princess Platinum stood at the side of Private Pansy, who gave her pegasi troops a salute which was returned unquestioningly.
“Get away from her you filthy featherbrain!” Clover shouted at Pansy upon seeing her. “you and these mudponies have a lot to answer for!”
“No they do not, Clover! They had nothing to do with me, that was all on me, I had left in secret to solve the winter problem for us all since nopony could stop arguing!” Platinum gazed at her student in disapproval. “I am SO disappointed in you! Starting a senseless war where many, including you, could’ve gotten hurt, or worse!”
“But princess..!” Clover began.
“No buts, Clover!” The Princess gestured at her side. “Pansy here is a wonderful mare who I expect you to get along with! After all, they are our allies now!”
“What!?” Clover, along with several other unicorns and even pegasi, exclaimed in shock.
“Not just the pegasis, the earth ponies too.” Pansy added. “Look where hatred got you all. The three of us worked together to stop the winter and save everyone, but you wasted manpower and resources trying to...what, destroy each other? We only survived by working together, and ALL ponies need to stand together. As equals.”
“Equals!?” Smart Cookie exclaimed. “How can we ever stand as equals!? We’re too different!”
Puddinghead stepped forward. “We can all farm, make food, and help each other. Hoarding food only for ourselves is the epitome of greed and foolishness. With the pegasi as allies we could help use the weather make our crops grow faster, and the unicorns can help us harvest quicker and in greater numbers. Tell me, what would you have done AFTER you got a lot ponies killed fighting? Would you have regrown our crops with little manpower?”
“I-I...look that ain’t the point! Those unicorns destroyed our crops!”
“They did not.”PUddinghead said. “It was Commander Hurricane. He tried to get all ponies to fight each other so he could kill off everyone he didn’t like. I should know because he tried to kill me personally. He has already face his punishment for his crimes and thus there’s no one left to be punished or blamed. Rather than sit here stewing in anger, why not give my friends a chance to prove themselves? If we pool our resources together, we could help each other recover. Or do you WANT to wait to restoreour food supplies personally?”
“I..ya see...” Smart Cookie tried to argue, but slumped her head in defeat. “yes sir...”
“That was surprisingly eloquent.” Platinum said with a giggle.
“Humorous retort.” Puddinghead replied, tossing some truffles to a few earth ponies, unicorns and pegasi, the later few blinking in puzzlement and shrugging.
Pansy trotted over to Platinum. “It...may take a while for everypony to get over everything...”
Platinum nodded. “They’ll listen to us, once everything’s sorted...At least, we can but hope.”
“We worked together, so I don’t see why everyone else can’t...” Pansy blushed as she looked away. “I...there’s...there’s something I kinda want to tell you...”
“Yes?” the unicorn tilted her head.
“I...oh gosh this is so embarrassing...”
“Just tell me, Pansy. We’re friends after all.”
“Right. Friends. Um, the thing is...um...I kinda wanna date you and had a crush on you for a long time!” She eeped as she realised she blurted it out loudly in front of everyone, many ponies staring at her.
Platinum merely giggled and took the pegasus’ hoof in her own. “Well, we can certainly give it a try. And if things work out...well...it would definitely help show our people can co-exist, would it not?”
Pansy nodded, eyes wide in disbelief at how smoothly that went.
“The efforts to get the two races were slow, but grew steady. The three races eventually came to decide to leave their old lands in favour of new locales, in case the Windigoes had a lasting effect on the land that could prove dangerous. Smart Cookie, as time passed, decided to go off on her own with a selection of her own earth ponies. Some say Smart Cookie grew guilty over her actions, some say she doubled down and wanted to further distance herself from the Pegasi and Unicorns, none really know the full story. All we know for certain is she and those who decided to go with her left far, far to the north. Puddinghead to continued to lead the other earth ponies fairly well as they followed after the pegasi and unicorns, the three races spreading all throughout what would in time become Equestria. Pansy and Platinum eventually fell deeply in love with each other and got married, marking many firsts in Equestrian history as they ruled over their ponies together for many, many years. As for Clover the Clever...nopony knows, she just faded from history with no one knowing what became of her. She just kinda...vanished.”
Spike bowed beforethe audience as he finished his narration, the other actors in the play stepping forward in their costumes.
Rainbow smiled as she began speaking. “Nopony’s sure HOW much the story is true and how much is fiction. It’s clear to me, though, that the Tree of harmony of that created what would be known as the Element of Harmony is a metaphor how strength comes from harmony, unity and balance. Ponies like Hurricane, “she said the name with visible disdain, “come and go, but they are either forgotten or remembered as the monsters they are. The rhetoric of hatred and discrimination only WEAKENS us. Its only through understanding and accepting each other’s differences and working together can we stand against anything that threatens us. And that’s the meaning of Hearth’s Warming: Standing together, no matter what makes us the same or different, and enjoying being together through even the toughest of times. For its only together that we can stand at all.”
At that, the audience applauded.
After the show, as Rainbow Dash and her friends started taking off their costumes, Princess Cadance trotted over.
“I’m afraid Princess Celestia had couldn’t come by personally to thank you.” The headmistress of Canterlot’s magic school said apologetically. “But, I came here to give you all something as thanks for meeting her request.”
“Oh yeah?” Rainbow smiled. “What is it?”
Cadance grinned, horn glowing as she gave Rainbow Dash six golden tickets. “Here, as thanks, tickets to the upcoming Grand Galloping Gala, courtesy of her majesty Princess Celestia.”
Rainbow frowned in disappointment. “Oh...yeah that’s coming up huh...uh, thanks Priness Cadance.”
The pink Princess smiled widely. “No problem.” As she turned to leave, Rainbow’s friends excitedly trotted over, well aside from Pinkamena who merely sighed and started to quietly head off home by herself, caring little about the tickets at the moment.
“The Grand Galloping Gala!” Rarity cooed. “That’s TOTALLY where all the biggest names in ponydom go, including the Wonderbolts! I’d TOTALLY be able to meet them if I went!”
“My Mom and Dad met at the Gala!” Twilight said. “I’d love to see what it was like myself!”
“ANypony who’s anypony dresses to nines from what Ah hear!” Applejack said. “It’ll be a FABULOUS way to get my name out there in the fashion circles!”
“It’s the biggest party in Equestria and I LOVE parties!” Fluttershy added.
Rainbow frowned and tucked the tickets away under her wings. “Okay, girls, I’d like to talk about this later but really I’m pretty tried from having to do the play today. Besides its Hearth’s Warming Eve, we can wory about these tickets later!”
As the other mares nodded and agreed (some begrudgingly), Rainbow trotted to Cadance, stopping her before she left.
“I was wondering though...why get us to participate in the play? I mean, surely there are ACTUAL ACTORS that could’ve done a better job than us, right?”
Cadance giggled. “Oh there IS a reason...you actually all look like the respective ponies you portrayed.”
Rainbow blinked. “Wait, what?”
Celestia petted her sleeping sister’s mane gently, gazing up at a portrait hanging high on the wall opposite them.
The portrait showed two mares, one a white unicorn with a stylishly curled purple mane, and the other a pink haired, timid looking yellow Pegasus. The pair stood together, the unicorn in a white gown and the Pegasus in shining, though simple armour, both mares smiling happily. At their hooves were two young fillies, one grinning up at the viewer and the other hiding nervously behind the older yellow Pegasus.
“Mother...Father...” Celestia said wistfully, smiling.”I still can’t believe those ponies looked so much like you...and Uncle Puddinghead...and even Miss Clover and Miss Sweet Cookie...I wonder what you would’ve thought of their performance?” She giggled to herself as she looked down at her elder sister lovingly.
“Happy Hearthswarming, Luna.”
At the top of a snowy mountain, a pony in a dark cloak trotted, stepping over the discarded armour a millennia dead madpony. She gazed up into the sky.
“Show yourselves.” Sunset Shimmer order.
Three Windigoes appear, the three once powerful creatures now mere whisps, weak and barely able to freeze a bee let alone a pony.
Sunset’s Shadow rose from behind her, forming into a vague shape. “Join with us, for you shall become whole. Return to your proper vessel and regain your lost form!”
The Windigoes looked from her and then towards the shadow, diving into it and vanishing into the dark depths of the shadow’s form. Its form wavered and grew thinner, a wicked cackle whispering out from it as Sunset smirked.
“Oh yes. You shall become whole, and give me the strength I need.” The unicorn said.
Author's Note
*Collapses on her desk*
It is finally done! After literal years of leaving it unfinished,I have finally finished the Hearthswarming story.
For those not in the know, this story was started a long time ago, and is set early on in the canon of RiMverse’s first season.
Some things may have changed slightly over time, but my overall plans and dieas for this story have remained largely unchanged. Also, we may not be entirely done with Clover, Smart Cookie and of course the Old King.
I hope you all enjoyed it, and please comment!
