I had been frozen for so long.

I couldn’t feel anything. Not physically, at least.

I could still feel emotion, sure. Though I never really felt much besides RAGE. That wasn’t unusual. Sometimes it sucked, but you get used to it. Or at least, I did.

I don’t know how long I had been frozen for. A thousand years? Two thousand? More? I didn’t really care anymore.

I’d been totally alone this entire time. Just me and my RAGE. I hated different things from time to time. My own stupidity for trusting that creepy vendor. The blank, bare walls of the room I was kept in. The dim lighting. The blue tint that everything had due to the crystal I was encased in. But most of all I hated the Crystal Empress, the one who’d trapped me. She saw me, the strange being that I was, and that I made her subjects afraid. Saw me burning buildings, hurting people. She instantly saw me as a threat. I didn’t even get a trial. She just froze me on the spot, and then threw me down here. Probably didn’t even give me a second thought.

I hate that insipid cow more than anything else. More than my circumstances, more than that merchant, more than my own stupidity. One day, I will get out. I will get to the surface. I will find the Crystal Empress. And I will BURN HER until all that remains is ASH.

*******

A small shadow crept out across the deserted halls. It flew though it old chambers searching for its target. It finally came to a locked room as a smile formed in its darkness. Magic covered the door breaking, its several locks slowly until the door opened with a dreadful creak. Inside was his prize. Something his predecessor had locked away and forgotten. Something he could use to keep the pink Alicorn from finding that cursed heart. “Besides, even if he is as uncontrollable as those tales say, I’ll just manipulate him and destroy him when he no longer of use,” the shadow thought.

With a glow the crystal cracked as it burned away in the darkness. The figure within the crystal started to glow. It’s eyes seemed to be burning, like small embers in the crystal. The shadow started to laugh as the crystals broke apart, revealing his prize. “Avatar of Rage,” the shadow spoke in a low, menacing voice, “rise.”

The figure was quick to rise on its two legs, and attacked the shadow, which dodged instinctively. The fires however burned it still grazing its side. “Who are you?” the burning figure asked in a voice that was like fire--coarse, raspy, somewhat high but not excessively so, and filled with hatred.

“That doesn’t concern you,” said the shadow. “However, I have a proposition for you, if you would hear it.”

The burning figure considered the shadow, before saying, “Speak, before I change my mind and reduce you to cinders.”

“I know of your hatred for the crystal ponies,” said the shadow to the burning figure. “I will allow you a chance to unleash it on them. Do whatever you wish to them. Kill them, maim them, burn them. Anything. Just keep their attention away from me.”

The burning figure was suspicious of the shadow. It didn’t seem particularly trustworthy, but the offer was almost too good to refuse. Still, though…“What’s in it for me?” the burning figure asked. “What incentive do I have to trust you?”

The shadow chuckled ominously. “I give you a chance at revenge and you ask for more still? You drive a hard bargain.” The shadow thought for a moment before saying, “What more could you want?”

“A means of returning to my home would be nice,” said the burning figure. “Failing that, protection. Weapons. A little place to call my own, preferably away from the locals.”

The shadow wasn’t going to give any of that. However he didn’t need this burning wraith to know that. “Very well,” the Shadow said, “you will have what you want.” The shadow said moving to the hallway. A smile was on his face.

*******

The blizzard had finally subsided for the group as they came to the Crystal Empire. “Finally, the Crystal Empire! And we seemed to have gotten here before Sombra,” a white unicorn stallion said, putting away his winter weather outfit in a pocket dimension.

“Yes but it’s strange, he should be here by now,” a pink Alicorn said.

Suddenly, a great fire shot from the top of the Crystal Palace. The crystal ponies immediately panicked, for everyone knew the tales of the Avatar of Rage, or Spirit of Vengeance as it was sometimes known. It was a story told to young foals to scare them into behaving good. “Eat your vegetables, or the Avatar of Rage will get you.” “Stop throwing a fit, or the Spirit of Vengeance will take you away.” “You’d better watch out! I heard the Avatar of Rage is in a bad mood! If you’re not careful he’ll burn you to a crisp!” Never did they imagine him to be real.

“PATHETIC CREATURES!” it shouted in a demonic voice. “YOU WILL FEEL MY WRATH!” It leapt from the tower and landed in the square, the ground cracking beneath its heels.

Although they were far away, the group could still see the Avatar of Rage in all his hellish glory. His garb was somewhat reminiscent of neighponese Ninja, yet it was also different. His black hood and metallic-yellow mask hid his face well, leaving his burning eyes as his only discernable facial feature. His chest plate, greaves, and elbow-length fingerless gloves, were all somewhat insectile in design. There were large spikes on his gloves. There was an amber gem in the middle of his chest plate. Two swords were across his back, the claw-like protrusions at the bottom of the hilt sticking over his shoulders and making him look even more intimidating.

He slowly rose to his feet, then looked to the group. The fire in his eyes intensified. “CRYSTAL EMPRESS!” he shouted as he pointed at the pink Alicorn. “YOU WILL BURN! YOU WILL KNOW THE RAGE OF SCORPION!”

Author's Note

This is the beginning of a displaced fic co-written with NewUnitedEmpire! Sorry if there are any errors!
Not sure if Scorpion will eventually be available for crossovers or not.
As usual, can't guarantee regular updates, but we will try!
And in case you can't tell, it's Scorpion from Injustice: Gods Among Us.