Frozen Odyssey

Chapter III

Living Arrangements

Endzone yawned as he stood up and stretched his wings. As he opened the door an ice covered fist slammed into his face sending him back into a table. “What the hell?” He said as he sat up to see a very angry ice mage.

“You. Are. Dead!” He said as he stormed into the hall and grabbed him by the collar. “You set us up! You almost got us killed.”

“Get off me!” The man said as the other two flyers grabbed Cerulean and pulled him off the grey winged man.

“You almost got me, and everyone here killed because of your stupid prank!” Twilight saw the confrontation and quickly stepped in to calm the situation.

“What’s going on here?” She asked.

“Nothing. This pest-” A chunk of ice formed on his lips.

“Open your mouth again and I’ll freeze your tongue off.” Cerulean warned. He then turned to Twilight. “Feather brain here, told Sunset and I that we had to pass a test to get into the guild.” He said as Sunset and the other two women walked up behind him. All the men in the room gawked at Amber and she was loving it. “So we went up to the spot and went into the cave. Turns out a goddamn dragon was taking a catnap!”

“A dragon?” Twilight asked. “Like a full grown, gigantic, treasure harding dragon?”

“Claws, teeth and fire breath included.” Amber said.

“Thankfully, we manage to stop it before it decided to host a barbecue in this town.” Cerulean said. People started looking at the group in surprise.

“So you....scared it off?”

“Nope, it’s dead.” Nix said with a shrug. The groups of people looked at one another in surprise.

“You killed a dragon?” Twilight said in disbelief. The four nodded. “How?”

“Shot it in the throat, then the brain.” Cerulean said as Blueblood stood up.

“Oh please, I highly doubt a commoner like you could beat a creature like that.” Cerulean reached into his bag and slammed the stone on the table.

“Wanna know what that is asshole? Dragon heart stone and don’t think you’re off the hook either pretty boy. Cause I know that bird boy here doesn’t have the mental capacity to cook up a little scheme like that.” Cerulean crake his knuckled. “So throw up your dukes.” Twilight bit her lip and got between the two.

“Look you can’t do that. The guild master is upstairs visiting her sister and it would be unwise to disturb her.”

“Thought you said she was out on business?” Sunset asked.

“She came back today unexpectedly.” Twilight sighed.

“Okay then, I’ll go talk to her about this.” Cerulean said going towards the stairs with Twilight running behind him.

“No, you can’t! The guild master can be...scary sometimes.” She gulped as they arrived at the office door. He gave a hard knock.

“Twilight, I just killed a dragon. I’ve killed a bear with nothing but, an icicle and my fist and I’ve fought off a pack of wolves with a torch and a hatchet.” The door behind him opened. “So unless this chick is a combination of those things, then I’ll be fine.” The man turned and froze.

Standing in the doorway was a woman with paper white skin, deep blue eyes, and hair that looked like the night sky. She was wearing a light blue collared shirt and black pants. On her head was a small black and dark blue crown. In the room with her was a woman with white angel like wings that matched her flowing white sun dress and had flowing celestial hair. “Oh.” All his bravado just went out the window as he felt the woman staring him down.

“So, how can I help you?” She asked with a smile a cat would have.

“N-nothing your majesty. I see you have company so I don’t want to disturb-”

“Oh nonsense. Anything I can do to help a member of my guild.”

“Y-your guild?” The Princess of the night nodded. “Oh...I see. Um, I can come back later and-”

“You look familiar.” Celestia said looking at him.

“I-I don’t think we have.” Celestia squinted and looked him over.

“Are you Sapphire’s son?”

“How do you know my mom?”

“Sapphire is a very old friend of mine.” Celestia said.

“She is!?” Cerulean turned his head to see Twilight and the other three women glaring at him.

“Oh now you three show up? Thanks for the support guys.” Sunset gulped when she saw Celestia and quickly made herself scarce.

“Back up, how does your mom know Celestia?” Nix asked.

“I remember my mom saying that she met her on a few occasions.” Cerulean shrugged. "She isn’t a chatterbox.”

“Anyway, did you tell her about the dragon yet?” Amber asked. Both Princesses looked at the man.

“Dragon?” Luna said crossing her arms under her chest.

“Yeah we got set up by the blonde prick down there, pardon my language.” Amber gulped. The sisters looked at one another and nodded.

“Blueblood.” They both answered. Luna sighed and ushered the group inside. “Let’s talk.” Cerulean sighed as he, Amber and Nix entered the office. The next hour was spent describing the events of the dragon. Luna and Celestia sat back as they processed the words. “Well, that is quite a story.” Celestia stated. “You mentioned a girl named Sunset Shimmer?” The three gave a nod at the words. “Where is she?”

“I don’t know.” Cerulean shrugged. “You know each other?” Celestia bit her lip.

“We...have a history with one another.” The Princess sighed.

“May we ask something?” Luna asked.

“Shoot.” Amber asked.

“Why did you come here in the first place?” Cerulean looked at the girls and shrugged.

“Well, I wanted to join the guild.” Cerulean said. “So did Sunset.”

“I was just passing through.” Amber said.

“Same.” Nix stated. Luna raised an eyebrow at the girls.

“I’m kinda interested to join now though.” The fox girl said. “Never been part of one before.” Luna bit her lip and looked at the three.

“I see. Well, come back tomorrow and we can discuss that.”

“Good idea, I’m bushed.” Cerulean yawned.

“I’m starving.” The fox girl said as she got up. The two heard a growl come from Nix's stomach. She frowned and blushed. “We’ll get her a kids meal.” The alchemist hissed as she got up. The other two stood up and followed the girl down.

“So Nix, what are you going to do now?” Cerulean asked a he closed the door.

“Head out. Get more money.”

“Well, why not stick around here?” The girl looked at the ice mage. “The job board has some interesting stuff and you can earn a lot of money in time. Besides we kicked some major ass.”

“I’m only sticking around until I have my cut of the stone.” She said as they reached the stairs. As they walked down the steps the hall roared with applause. “What is all this?” Suddenly, a familiar pink haired girl popped up in front of them.

“Hey!” She smiled.

“Pinkie?” Cerulean asked.

“What is all this?” Amber asked.

“Duh, it’s your guys’ welcome to Ponyville party!” She chimed. “Also you guys killed a dragon!”

“How’d you hear about that?” Amber asked.

“Oh Dashie told me. She saw the whole thing.”

“Dashie?” As the words left the man’s lips a flyer with cyan wings and flowing rainbow hair flew in front of him.

“Pinkie, I hate that nick name.” The girl sighed as she crossed her arms.

“Who’re you?” Amber asked. The flyer smirked.

“Rainbow Dash, fastest flyer in all of Equestria.” She said in a cocky tone.

“So how did you see what happened?” Nix asked.

“Well, I was taking a nap on a cloud then I woke up cause I heard an explosion and that sucked because it was a really good nap.” She complained.

“How good?”

“I was napping so hard I was dreaming about having a nap.”

“Nap-ception?” Amber asked. The cyan flyer gave a nod. “Those are the best.”

“Get to the point.” Nix groaned.

“Fine.” Dash said in a bland tone. “So I heard an explosion, so I followed the sound and I see you guys fighting a dragon.”

“And you didn’t help because?” The alchemist said in a dry tone.

“I was gonna, but then ice man here shot it in the throat and it burst into flames.” She stated. The three shrugged and quickly found their way to the food table. The three filled their plates and started to chow down.

“Oh food, you are the only one that understands me.” The fox girl said with a smile. Blueblood grunted and left the building with a huff as soon as the party started, while Cerulean was introduced to the rest of Twilight’s friends. Fluttershy, the timid yellow winged animal caretaker who wouldn’t stop admiring Amber’s ears and tail. Then there was Rarity, she did some jobs when business for her clothing shop was a bit down.

Cerulean was also introduced to Caramel, Pierce, and Comet. Three other guild members that shared his disgust of Blueblood. The banquet continued late into the night. Princess Luna offered to house the four in the guild for the night. Nix refused saying she already had sleeping arrangements and Sunset was nowhere to be found.

The ice mage and fox girl gladly took her hospitality and headed up. Cerulean set his bag down and fell asleep in the comfortable bed. Meanwhile Luna sat in her office still talking with her sister.

“So you know this Cerulean?” She asked.

“I’ve heard stories from his mother.” The goddess smiled.

“I’m surprised he managed to kill a dragon. Even one that is blind is quite formidable.” Luna stated as she sipped her tea.

“He certainly takes after his mother.” Celestia rested her head on her hand and sighed. “Although it seems he’s unaware of his mother’s heritage.”

“Her heritage?”

“Draco Venator.” The words went through the Princess’s mind and her eyes shrank.

“I thought they all died in the war?”

“There are always survivors Luna. While they are few, they are strong.” Celestia sighed. “His mother is know as the White Winged Wraith.”

“She sounds formidable.”

“She’s really scary.” Celestia said with a shiver. “That boy managed to live with her so he must be strong.” She shook her head.

“How strong would you say she is?”

“Ask Captain Armor the next time you see him.” Celestia said standing up. “Well, it’s been fun catching up Lulu, but I must return to Canterlot.” Luna smiled as Celestia vanished in a flash of light.

~~~

Cerulean woke up the next morning as the sun shined on his face. The man stood up and stretched as he yawned. The man stood up and went to the restroom. He splashed some water in his face and sighed. He quickly got dressed and packed his things up before heading towards Luna’s office. He saw a familiar fox girl sitting outside swishing her tail. “Morning.” He said.

“Meh.” She grumbled.

“Looks like someone isn’t a morning person.” He said sitting down next to her.

“The shrimp is in there right now.” She yawned as Sunset hesitantly walked up.

“Hey Sunset. You missed a hell of a party last night.”

“I’m not much for parties.” She said sitting down across from them. The door opened to show the alchemist.

“I’m in.” She smirked. “You’re up next mutt.” She said looking at Amber.

“I’m a fox not a dog!” She hissed before entering the room. The alchemist then took her seat.

“The Princess wanted me to wait out here for some reason.” She said crossing her arms. “Any luck on breaking the stone?”

“I’m gonna bring it to Pierce after I’m done here. His dad is a jeweler and owns a shop in town.” Amber then came out with a triumphant look on her face. “She let you in?” Nix groaned.

“Duh, hey hot stuff you’re up.” Sunset and Cerulean both stood up. Amber chuckled. “I meant Sunset but,” Amber gave cerulean a once over. “eh I’ve seen better.” She commented as Sunset walked into the room.

“Ya know, I know an excellent recipe for fox stew.” Amber crossed her arms and brushed her tail in his face.

“I’d like to try it.” Nix chuckled as Amber sat across from them.

“So where’d you sleep last night?” Cerulean asked looking at the alchemist.

“I stashed most of my stuff in a cave nearby.” She said in a flat tone.

“Seriously? A cave?” Amber sad with a raised eyebrow. Sunset then came out and let out a sigh of relief.

“Cerulean, you’re up.” The ice mage got to his feet and walked inside to see the Princess of the night sitting behind her desk.

“Good morning Cerulean.” She said in a chipper, yet still business oriented tone. “Have a good rest?”

“Yeah, taking down legendary creatures is hard work.” He said taking a seat in front of her.

“So, you wish to join my guild?” The man gave a nod. “Please enlighten me why. From what I hear you grew up in the north.”

“Correct. I spent my childhood in the wilds. When I was seven, I moved to Zircon with what was left of my family.” Luna gave a gulp.

“Yes, we heard about that incident. We are most sorry.”

“It’s in the past, only thing you can do is move forwards.” He said in a flat tone. Luna gave a nod at the words. “As to why I want to join your guild,” He took a moment to think. “I figured I could do some good and if I make some coin on the side, then it’s a win-win. I’ve spent my whole life in the North and I waned to see what the world has to offer.” Luna leaned back in her seat and nodded. “Mind if I ask a question?”

“Of course.” Luna said intrigued by his words. It wasn’t everyday someone had the courage to talk to her.

“Why is a Princess of Equestria running a guild hall? Shouldn’t you be in Canterlot ruling over the courts and important stuff like that?” Luna folded her hands and sighed.

“You have no doubt heard the legend of Nightmare Moon?”

“You mean the old wive’s tale? Of course.”

“It is far from a tale, it’s the truth.” She sighed. “One-thousand years ago I grew jealous of how our subjects worshiped our sister and treated me as if I wasn’t there.”

“Being compared to your older sibling? I can relate.” He said with a sigh. “So what exactly happened?”

“Our anger and jealousy grew until it consumed us and we became Nightmare Moon. We tried to usurp the throne from our sister. We lost and were sent to the moon for a millennium.” Her tone grew somber.

“Well, you look really good for being over one-thousand years old.” Cerulean said rubbing the back of his head. Luna gave a small smile at the words and chuckled.

“Two years ago, I broke free from the prison and came to cover Equestria in eternal darkness. Thankfully, Twilight Sparkle and her friends wielded the Elements of Harmony and freed us from Nightmare Moon’s influence.” She stated. “After that, we had difficulties adapting to the modern age.”

“Well, you have been out of the loop for a while.” The ice mage stated.

“Quite. So, in order to help us get accustomed to the citizens, so we started a guild.”

“Makes sense.” He said sitting back in his chair. “What about all the important Canterlot business?”

“Our sister can send us any paperwork we need to sign through magic.” She said. “Let’s get back on track. We think our guild will benefit from having a mage as skilled as you on our side.” She said reaching out her hand. Cerulean smiled and shook it. “Can you call the other three in here? I have something to say to all of you.” The man nodded and called the three inside.

“What’s up?” Amber asked as the group stood in a line.

“You all have shown considerable talent and your convictions suit you.” Luna stated. “Before your group can begin taking missions-”

“Wait, group?” Nix said.

“For the first month you're in the guild, we require that new members work in three or four person cells. Just until they get used to things around here. You can pair up with anyone you wish. Only after your probation is up can you take up missions on your own.”

“Okay and how do we prove ourselves?” Amber asked.

“The more jobs you and your group do, the quicker the process will be.” Luna then reached down and pulled out what looked like an ink stamp. “You’ll be given a guild seal that will identify you as a member of the guild.”

“Won’t that wash off?” Amber said as Luna giggled.

“No, it’s magical ink. Think of it like a tattoo and the the only way it’ll come off is with a spell. Now, who’s first?”

“Is it gonna hurt?” Sunset asked.

“A little less than a cattle prod.” The four gulped. “We are only pushing your arms.”

“I think you mean pulling our legs.” Nix said. Cerulean stepped forwards and he rolled up his sleeve to his right shoulder. Luna pressed the stamp against his skin and it glowed.

“Oh god it hurts!” The man yelled as he clutched his arm making the three women jump. He looked back at the trio with a smirk. “Sorry, couldn’t resist.” Nix then slapped him upside the head.

“Jerk!” Nix hissed. He removed his arms to show a dark blue symbol. The three girls got their symbols, each in a different place and different color. Sunset’s was orange and got hers on the top of her left hand. Nix’s was dark purple and hers was on her left upper arm. Amber was last, her’s was a dark red and got it on her stomach near her belly button.

“So do we get our own rooms?” Nix asked.

“The rooms in the guild are available for renting out, but they are quite pricy.” Luna stated.

“Great.” Cerulean groaned. He didn’t have enough money for another night’s stay. “Well, I’m off to the jeweler’s.” He said standing up.

“Time to get paid.” Nix said as the others stood up and followed the man out into the streets. The small town had several stalls set up and people were selling food and their wares. The group came upon a building that had jewels being shown in the window. The group walked in to see a silver haired man with a dark blue shirt on.

“Hey Pierce.” Cerulean said. “We came here to see about this rock.” He said pulling the gem out of his bag. Pierce nodded and picked the rock up and put it on the scale.

“It’s dense, but light.” He said as he put on a pair of glasses and started examining it.

“So how much is it worth?” Nix asked.

“A lot. I’d say over 25,000 bits.” Amber whistled at the words.

“Can you cut it?” Pierce smiled and brought out a magical stone cutter. He activated it and the device snapped.

“Okay, that shouldn’t have happened.” Pierce said in surprise. He took out another tool and it was met with the same result. “So that’s how it’s gonna go down?” Pierce frowned. “Occam’s razor: Sometimes the simplest answers are the best.” He said pulling out a hammer and chisel.

The jeweler place the chisel on the stone and brought the hammer down, hard. The chisel and hammer broke in the man’s hands. “This thing is pissing me off.” He grumbled.

“It did come from a dragon.” Sunset said. Pierce sighed and handed the rock back to Cerulean.

“I’ll have to look into this some more. I’ll send you a message when I figure something out.” The man nodded.

“Hey, what can you tell me about this?” Cerulean pulled out the blue rock he took from the dragon’s ashes.

“What the hell is that?” Nix asked.

“Something else I found in the dragon’s ashes.” Cerulean said in a meek tone.

“You been holding out on me punk?” Nix hissed.

“Hey I killed the thing and I didn’t know what it was. It looked like some sort of stone and I wanted to see how much it’s worth.” Pierce took the stone and weighed it.

“Odd. It doesn’t feel like a gem or any rock.” The man said as he tapped it. “Harder than that jewel.”

“So is it worth anything?” Amber asked.

“Nah, it’s junk. I think it might just be crystalized refuse.”

“Junk or not, I’m keeping it.” Cerulean said grabbing the stone. The object glowed slightly at his touch and the man felt a pain in his right hand. He quickly dropped the stone and it landed with a crash.

“Okay, that’s weird.” Amber said as he put it in his bag. The door then opened to show Rainbow Dash.

“Hey Frosty, the boss wants to have a word with you.” She said.

“Why can’t I ever have a normal day?” Cerulean groaned. “Thanks anyway Pierce. When you find out you know where to find me.” He said as he left the building and made his way back to the guild. The man climbed the steps and walked into the woman’s office. There was a crystal ball on the stand. Luna was standing behind her desk and smiled.

“Ah Cerulean.”

“What’s up?” Luna then gestured to the crystal ball. “Thinking of buying some tarot cards to go with that set up?” Luna frowned and the crystal ball ignited with swirling blue magic.

“Cerulean?” The ball spoke in a familiar voice. It sounded jaded, yet had a certain warmth to it.

“Mom?” He said in surprise. “This is unexpected.”

“I received a call from Celestia saying that you killed a dragon.”

“Well, me and three others. Why?” The ball fell silent for a moment.

“Did you feel strange?” Cerulean took a moment to ponder her words.

“Now that you mention it, before the dragon got woken up I felt a pain in my right hand and again when I was getting a stone looked at.” The man looked down at his hand and flexed it. “Gone now.”

“Stone?”

“Something that came out of the dragon.” He said pulling out the blue stone.

“Is it oval shaped and an odd color?”

“Yeah, it’s bright blue.” He said looking at the stone. “I took it to see if it was worth anything. The jeweler couldn’t identify it and none of his tools could scratch it.” The pain was back in his hand as he looked at the rock. “Okay, the pain is back.”

“It’s not a rock Cerulean. It appears that you have inherited my burden.” The man looked at the ball in confusion. “I thought only Alabaster had it. I never suspected that both of you would bear this.” The man’s eyes shrank at the words. “You’re a Draco Venator Cerulean.”

“The overgrown lizard kept calling me that. What’s it mean?”

“It’s the ancient language of the dragons. It translates to Dragon Hunter.” The ball sighed. “There is much you don’t know and I lack the time to say.”

“Wait, what is this thing? If it’s not a rock then what the hell is it?”

“The next time you’re alone, run your magic through it and don’t tell anyone about what we talked about. You can never know who might be listening.”

“But-” The crystal ball cut out and the man sighed. “Cryptic as always.” He said looking at the Princess. He grabbed the rock and put it back inside his bag.

“If you wish I can request a book from the Canterlot archives that can help.” Luna said.

“Whatever can help. Thanks.” He said as he made his way out of the guild and back into the town. The man made his way towards Sugar Cube Corner and saw Sunset moping with Amber. “Why so glum ladies?” He asked sitting down.

“Money.” Amber groaned. “We’re broke.”

“Not broke. Neither of us have enough money for a motel room or anything like that.” Sunset sighed. The purple haired alchemist then sat down.

“This place is too expensive.” She groaned as she sat down. “Even when I sold those swords.”

“Here, here.” Amber said. “Wait, how’d you hock weapons?”

“I transmuted them back into ingots.” She sighed. “Only got fifty bits each.” She grumbled.

“Well, you could always camp out?”

“We weren’t all raised out in the woods.” Nix said as she looked at Amber and Cerulean.

“Well, why don’t you guys just pull your money together?” The blue haired man groaned.

“Be this shrimp’s roommate? No way.” Amber grumbled.

“Not permanently. Just until you each scrape together enough money for you guys to live on your own.” Sunset said catching onto the man’s idea.

“I think we’d end up killing each other by day’s end.” Amber said.

“So then I’ll make sure you don’t.”

“What?” Nix said.

“Hey, I need to find a place to stay. Don’t wan people to think I’m homeless or something. Besides, more people paying rent means the more you can keep and put aside.” Nix gritted her teeth and couldn’t fight that logic.

“Fine.” She said crossing her arms.

“I may need to get in on that, if you guys don’t mind.” Sunset said.

“More the merrier!” Amber smiled. “Let’s get shopping!”

“I have a terrible foreboding about this.” Nix grumbled as she stood up and followed the group around town. The main problem about shopping together is that everyone has a different idea about what they think is acceptable living arrangements. Amber wanted a place in the middle of town that was next to a musician’s house. The walls were vibrating from the sound output of the DJ neighbor.

She was outvoted three to one.

The group spent the rest of the day looking at possible choices, but they were either too expensive or had something one of them didn’t like. The four approached the final house on the list. It was a simple two story house with a basement, fire place, three bedrooms, a kitchen and living room. In one of the bedrooms was a smaller bathroom. It wasn’t too far from the guild or the center of town, just on the fringes of the small town. “How about this place?” Cerulean said.

“It’s spacious.” Sunset said looking around.

“There’s only three bedrooms.” Amber said. Cerulean turned his head to see Nix coming up form the basement.

“If we pick this place, dibs on the basement.” The alchemist said.

“Why the basement?” Cerulean asked in surprise.

“It’s cool in the Summer and warm in the Winter. Plus it’s bigger and out of the way. Just my style.”

“Well, that takes care of the living arrangements.” Sunset said.

“Wait, who get’s the room with the private bathroom?” Amber asked.

“I think I should.” Cerulean said.

“Why?” Amber narrowed her eyes on the man.

“Would you rather me walk in on one of you while you’re in the shower?”

“No.” Sunset said in a dry tone.

“I’ll kill you.” Nix hissed.

“Now there’s an enticing thought.” Amber smirked. Cerulean rolled his eyes at the words.

“Look, there’s only one way we do this fairly.” Sunset said.

"You don't mean...that!" Amber said as she saw the seriousness in the fimre mage's eyes.

"Yes, the straws!" The group gasped. Everyone knew that many decisions of life and death had been decided by the ancient tools. Sunset walked outside and brought back in three sticks. She broke one a third of the way down and held them together so the tops matched their height. Shortest one gets the room and no do overs. Agreed?”

“No problem.” Cerulean said taking a stick. Amber chose next and then the three compared. The ice mage was victorious.

“Ugh, no fair!” Amber groaned.

“Yes, it was. Now quit griping.” Cerulean said as he walked into the room.