Demon of the Frozen North

Demon of the Frozen North
Chapter One

Public Library, Crystal Empire

Princess Cadance walked down the aisle, her hoofsteps echoing dimly through the cavernous space. As she pursued the shelves lined with countless times on countless topics, her mind turned back to the events of that morning. She had woken much later than she normally did, around ten thirty. Of course, she had immediately panicked, rushing through her morning routine. Approximately ten minutes later, she had been ready. And admittedly, while a princess was never really late, she always tried to be ready and on the throne by eight o’ clock sharp, to begin the morning ritual of solving local grievances.

However, as she approached the throne room, she could tell that it had already commenced. Indeed, her beloved Shining Armor had taken the throne and handled all of the complaints thrown at him. As Cadance had come within visual range, he had just been finishing up with the last denizen of the Empire, a small framed male with a coat the color of wheat and a light blue mane and tail. He had thanked the prince for his time and left just as Cadance had come into view. Shining had spared her a quick glance accompanied by a smile, and dismissed the pony. He had told her that since it was her birthday, he'd taken over her royal duties for the day. He'd even had the chef prepare her favorite breakfast, waffles with strawberry syrup, powdered sugar, actual strawberries and whipped cream on top.

She'd kissed him before leaving to eat. While waiting for the chef to bring out the dish, she had had the idea to look for a nice book to read on her day off. And here's she was. She was currently looking under the Non-Fiction section, looking for something interesting. She already had a small pile of books floating beside her, encased in her soft blue magical aura. As she walked past a shelf she had just scanned, she bumped the shelf with her hip causing a single book to fall from the shelf. Mentally chiding herself for her carelessness, she levitated the book back up to the shelf it had fallen from, when the book behind it caught her eye. It was a small, leather bound book, maybe as thick as her forehoof. It would have escaped her notice completely, had the cover not been glowing a soft crimson. Intrigued by the strange tome, Cadance levitated it towards her.

The leather was pitch black with a single word etched in a jagged font on its cover: Demons. It was the title that emitted the soft red glow. But that was the only thing on the cover. No author, no publishing information, nothing. Completely enthralled by the book, Cadance flipped it open to the first page and was greeted with three lines of text, written in the same font as the title, although these characters didn't glow. However, reading it proved to be impossible, as the text was written in a language the princess didn't recognize. It was angular and sharp, and seemed to emit a sense of foreboding. Cadance flipped through the pages, and sure enough, the rest of the book was written in the same language as the first page. She wondered why somepony would bother to write the title in English, but the rest of the book in...whatever language that was.

Perhaps the librarian would know something about it, or could provide her with a means to translate it. But in the other hoof, the book was magical. That was obvious. Books don't glow unless there is magic involved in it somewhere. She closed the book and added it to her growing collection. She appraised the stack critically. She had three books, not counting the new one. At the top was A History of Empires by Musty Scrolls, Draconology by Wildblood and The Importance of Where by Valkyrie. Since the library only allowed three books to be checked out by a single pony at a time, Cadance elected to return A History of Empires to the shelf in favor of Demons. She wasn’t quite sure why, but she felt as if she needed to check out this book. As Aunt Celestia had once said, a princess must follow her instincts. She walked back down the aisle and three rows to her right, locating the spot for the book easily enough. She trotted down the aisle and started to make her way back to the front desk for check out. As she rounded a corner, she saw a cloaked figure a few aisles down, muttering to themselves. Curious, Cadance walked over to them. Once in hearing range, Cadance realized it was the same aisle she had found Demons in. And still, the stranger continued to talk to himself(It was definitely a male’s voice).

“Damn it, where is it? Librarian said it'd be over here…”the stranger muttered,
completely oblivious to Cadance’s presence. She regarded him for a moment before clearing her throat. The stranger whirled around faster than she could blink, and she caught sight of one of his eyes, deep within the confines of his hood. It was red, though the exact shade was hard to determine, owing to the fact that the hood cast a solid shadow over his entire face.

“Excuse me, but do you need any help?” She asked. The stranger seemed to relax a little
bit.

“Perhaps you could help me. I have come here in search of a certain book. It's the only copy ever made, and would be of tremendous help in my research. It is called Demons. Have you by chance seen it? The librarian told me it would be somewhere in this aisle…” His voice trailed off as his eyes found the book in her levitating stack. Anticipating his next question, Cadance floated the book over to him.

“Well, I was going to check it out for myself, but you seem to need it more than I do. Why don't you take it instead?” She said. The stranger regarded her silently.

“Truly?” He asked. “You would simply...give it to me?” He seemed confused and a little wary, as if he expected a battle to the death. Cadance smiled at him.

“Well, yes. You said you needed it for your research, right?” She asked him. The stranger nodded. “Well, then, you obviously need it more than me. But before I do give it to you, I have to ask: what kind of research are you doing?” The stranger’s chest swelled with what was unmistakably pride.

“I am researching Demonology.” He said. Cadance raised her eyebrows.

“Seriously? You study demons? Isn't that, you know, dangerous?” She asked. The stranger chuckled.

“It is only dangerous if you do not know what you are doing. I have spent the last fourteen years training my body, mind and soul. I have dedicated most of my adult life to better understanding of these creatures. What do they eat? How is their society structured? Where do they get their power? Sadly, I haven't found many answers. However, this book, Demons, is alleged to contain the answers I seek.” He said. Cadance nodded.

“So, what answers do you have, then? Also, how does one study demons? Don't they exist in a different realm?” She asked him. When he spoke, she could hear the smile in his voice.

“Yes, but that is why demonologists use a technique called “Sol’teka”, or Dream Vision. As the name implicates, one can only use it while asleep, and it does impose a serious threat to their well-being. That is why a demonologist spends so long training themselves to use it.” He said. Cadance nodded.

“That’s quite impressive. But I still have one more question.” She said.

“Yes, princess?” The stranger’s voice was polite, but sounded guarded.

“Yes, this book, Demons, can you tell me what language it’s written in? I’m afraid I don’t recognize it.” She said. The stranger seemed to relax a little.

“Well, let us see…” He reached forward and gripped the book delicately with his teeth. He turned and trotted off quickly, with Cadance following close behind. She was surprised at how quickly he found a table. He set the book down and opened it to the first page. Upon seeing the script, he breathed in sharply. He started muttering the words to himself, and as Cadance listened, his voice became slightly agitated. He turned around and faced the princess.

“Princess Mi Amora Cadenza, you have found something most rare indeed. While there are several copies of the book in different languages, you seem to have located the original copy, the one written in Demonick.” He said gravely. Cadance tried unsuccessfully to not look confused. “Demonick is the language used by demons, as I’m sure you were able to figure out yourself. However, Demonick is magical by its very nature, and exceedingly dangerous, even to read. And besides that, it is often difficult to translate, as the different types of demons use different variations of Demonick. Give me a moment, and I will do my best to translate some of it for you, if only to demonstrate its power.” He said in a very calm voice. As he spoke, Cadance grew more and more horrified. How could something so evil possibly be admitted into a public library? As if he could read her thoughts, the stranger spoke. “I would stake my life that the librarian does not know how dangerous this book is. I will take it, before somepony hurts themselves, or others. After all, we would not want another-” He stopped abruptly, as if catching himself saying more than he had intended. Just as Cadance was about to ask what he’d been about to say, more curious than anything, he made a quick, shape shushing sound. Immediately, they both stilled as they listened. They waited. And waited. Just as Cadance was about to abandon this and ask the question she had been about to ask, she heard it. The sound was faint, as if far away, but there was no denying it. It was the sound of hooves pounding on pavement. The royal guards were marching.

As she stood there listening and wondering what they were doing, the stranger spoke in a low tone, probably more to himself than her. she couldn’t understand anything he said though, as he spoke in a foreign language. He turned to face her. “Princess, I’m afraid this is where I take my leave. Farewell, and may the light of wisdom guide your path.” With that final statement, the stranger turned to leave.
“Wait a minute. Why are you leaving? Are you afraid of the guards?” Cadance asked suspiciously. The stranger simply continued on his way, as if he hadn't heard the princess. She took a step towards him, and just as she was about to call out to him,the librarian trotted around the corner. Spotting Cadance, she hurried towards her. Once within hearing range, she slowed down.

“Princess Cadance! There you are! There’s an enemy of Equestria somewhere in the Empire!” She said semi-hysterically. Cadance put a comforting hoof on her shoulder.

“Whoa, calm down there. Take a deep breath.” She said soothingly. The librarian did as requested and focused her gaze on Cadance.

“The individual is male and wearing a cloak with a hood obscuring his features. His race is unknown at this time, but he was seen skirmishing with a small platoon of guards. He fled this way after defeating them. There were no casualties, but one of the guards, Flash Sentry has a few broken ribs and has been hospitalized. The perpetrator fled in this direction.” The librarian said in a rush. Cadance's eyes widened. She whirled around, horn glowing with her soft blue aura, eyes searching for the stranger from earlier. She found him straight ahead, on the ground floor. He was standing very still in front of the large glass doors leading to the outside. A small army was marching by, their hooves making a sound akin to thunder and shaking the ground. At the front leading point was Shining Armor, resplendent in his deep purple armor. As usual, Cadence's heart fluttered at the sight of him, but she put the feeling aside. One of the guards happened to look in through the door, and his eyes went wide. He faced forward again and shouted something unintelligible. The platoon ground to a halt just outside the doors, and ten of them, including Shining, gathered at the front. After a brief moment of conference, the ten marched towards the library. Inside, the stranger shook himself and backed away slowly.

Shining took point again, and opened the doors gently. The ten of them filed in, surrounding the stranger. Cadance moved forward to the balcony as Shining began to speak.

“You, there. Hold. I am…” he began.

“You're Shining Armor, right? Captain of the royal guard? I know who you are.” The stranger cut him off.

“Remove your cloak and come with us. You’re under arrest.” He said imperiously. The stranger said nothing. The two of them continued to stare at each other. Finally, Shining broke the silence. “I won’t ask again. Remove your cloak and come with us. Now.” He said slowly and distinctly. The stranger made a small sound. And again. With a start, Cadance realized he was laughing. Indeed, the laughter continued to increase in volume until the stranger's voice echoed all around them. Cadance thought it sounded rather mad. Shining raised an eyebrow.

“Something funny?” he asked. The stranger’s laughter abruptly ended, though when he spoke, Cadance could practically hear the smile in his voice.

“Well, yes. I find it hysterical that you think you can arrest me. For one thing, I’m not a citizen of Equestria. You have no authority over me. And secondly, you have no reason to arrest me.” This second bit seemed to surprise Shining Armor.

“What are you talking about? You assaulted an entire platoon of guards!” The stranger made a strange noise, akin to a snake hissing.

“You are incorrect, ser knight. I assaulted no one. The guards attacked me unprovoked. I fought only in self defense.” Shining narrowed his eyes.

“I find that very hard to believe. I know every soldier under my command, and I personally trained quite a few of them. None of them would attack unless provoked. And what about Flash Sentry, huh? He has six broken ribs and a punctured lung! Even if this was self defense, was that really necessary?” The stranger shifted uncomfortably. Shining looked at where his face was concealed. “So, tell me, why would such stallions attack unprovoked? What do you have to say in your defense?” He asked calmly. Cadance had to admire that. She knew for a fact that he was close to more than a few of his recruits. The stranger muttered something incomprehensible. “What was that?” Shining asked. The stranger drew a breath.

“Most likely because I am what your kind calls a ‘changeling’.” He said calmly. Silence ensued. For the better part of a minute, no one said anything. Then, like a bursting dam, every soldier behind Shining started talking at once.

“He’s a what?”

“Should we kill it?”

“What’s it doing here?”

“How did it get here?”

“How did it beat the others?”

“What-”

“ENOUGH!” Shining roared over the din. The soldiers immediately quited. Shining returned his attention to the changeling. “Remove your cloak.” He commanded curtly. The changeling hesitated, then unclasped the brooch securing it around his throat, and threw back the hood, the garment pooling on the floor around its hoof. His black carapace shone in the reflected light as if wet. His horn was almost a perfect cone, except for the oval shaped hole in the middle of it. He had a row of spines that ran down the back of his head and neck in ever decreasing length, all of them interconnected with webbing. His insect like wings were folded neatly on his sides. He had twin ivory fangs that curved past his lower jaw several inches. It was hard to tell from her vantage point, but it appeared that his fangs were serrated on the inside. However, there were two striking differences between this one and the ones Chrysalis had commanded. One, his wings and webbing were maroon instead of blue, and the section of his abdomen was blood red. Two, he had a massive sword strapped across his back. In fact, upon closer examination, Cadance deduced that he was thinner than the cloak had portrayed him, and shorter too. That explained how he had hidden the sword. That sword… Cadance had never seen anything like it. It was sheathed in an ornate scabbard, emblazoned with a twisting flame design surrounded by a massive red dragon that created a circle with its body. The guard curved slightly, both ends splitting into two different sections and all four coming to a point. The blade was straight and had a triangular tip. And unless Cadance was becoming delusional, there was a single line of Demonick written across the guard. The hilt was made out of black leather and had a teardrop shaped ruby implanted in the pommel. Everyone stared at him with a mixture of wonder, fear, and anger. Except for Shining. After a momentary look of shock, he’d regained his composure, and stared stony faced at the changeling.

“Well. This changes a few things.” He said neutrally. The changeling chuckled.
“Of course it does. I am fully aware of how much hatred and prejudice exists among the races of Equestria towards us. Is it that surprising then, that your soldiers saw my face and attacked?” As he spoke, the changeling’s voice slowly changed until it sounded like two very similar voices talking slightly out of sync. Shining nodded.
“No, I suppose it isn’t. But even so, I have to take you in for questioning. I know it’s probably inconvenient in the extreme, but there are laws that must be followed. And don’t even try that ‘I’m not your subject’ excuse. All visitors to Equestria are required to follow our laws, and we, the rulers, reserve the right to deport any we deem harmful to Equestrian society. So, if you’ll follow me…” Shining turned to leave. The changeling shook his head and spoke the one inconceivable thing that threw Shining off balance:

“No.” It was spoken calmly, as if this were perfectly fine. Shining slowly turned towards the changeling.

“What?” He said dangerously.

“I said no. I understand that you must take me in for questioning, but I’m afraid I don’t
have time to cooperate.” Shining stared at him incredulously.

“What do you mean, you don’t have time?” He asked, obviously astounded. The
changeling regarded him coolly.

“Why, I mean just that. I have more important things to do than waste time being questioned about something as trivial as this.” He said with a hint of want Cadance thought to be irritation, although it was admittedly difficult to judge emotion on such an unfamiliar accent.

“Trivial or not, the law clearly states-” Shining started.

“Bah! I don’t have time for this!” The changeling interrupted. He strode confidently towards the door. When Shining’s horn started to glow, the changeling suddenly burst into a mad gallop for the door, seemingly oblivious to the hundred or so guards standing right outside. One of the guards outside, a white unicorn sent by Aunt Celestia, lowered his halberd towards the doors, and his fellow guards followed his lead, forming a spiked barricade almost a half mile wide. The changeling’s horn glowed crimson for a brief moment, and the double glass doors flew off their hinges and shattered on the guards halberds. To their credit, the guards didn’t so much as flinch, even when shards of glass carved thin rivers of crimson across their faces. Cadance was sure the changeling would stop and surrender, but to everyone’s surprise, he put on an extra burst of speed. As he drew near the deadly barricade, he did something unexpected and unprecedented. He jumped from the ground, landed lightly atop one of the guard’s halberds, and made a final, soaring leap over the heads of the entire squad of guards, did a single forward flip, and alighted on the ground nearly ten yards away. He looked over his shoulders and smiled tightly, his entire body clearly tense.

“I can’t waste time. I must hurry!” he shouted at the guards, before taking off down the nearest street at a mad gallop once again. Worried, Cadance flew down and alighted next to her husband.

“Shining.” He didn’t seem surprised when Cadance said his name quietly. “You’re not going to give chase, are you?” she asked softly, so as not to alert the other guards. Shining smiled lovingly at her.

“Of course I am. It’s my job and duty. Don’t worry, I’ll make it back to you in one piece. I promise.” With that final statement, he gave her a quick kiss, and turned to his squadron. “Alright, listen up! I want this changeling found and brought back to me alive. And if I get any word that you did not treat him as you would anyone else, I’ll have the offenders lashed! Now, comb out and find him!” At his command, the entire platoon split apart, heading down the various paths that interwoven around the Empire. Shining took four of his best guards and headed towards the Crystal Heart, no doubt to make sure nothing befell it. Cadance considered the situation. There was a changeling loose in the Empire, and there were approximately one hundred Royal guards and their captain combing the Empire.

However, the changeling had shown himself to be extremely dexterous and intelligent. And if rumors were to believed, it had the skill and strength to take out an entire squadron of guards by himself. with these facts in mind, Cadance decided that she would be of the most use helping the guards search for him. If he caught her by surprise, she believed her alicorn magic would be enough to overcome him in the end. She spread her wings and took flight into the cool evening air. She circled a few times, gaining altitude. She glided along the streets from above, scanning for any sign of the changeling. Seeing nothing, she narrowed her searching gaze to one section at a time. First the market district. There was a group of four guards searching the market place, much to the shopkeeper’s displeasure. However, Cadance could not spot anything that looked like a changeling. She turned her gaze to the residential district. There were two groups of three guards each searching there, although they were unable to see each other from where they were.

Again, no sign of the changeling. She shifted her focus to the castle, and with a jolt of surprise, saw a small black dot slowly crawling down the side, towards the alcove where the Crystal Heart rested. Cadance’s horn grew warm as her light blue aura enveloped it in preparation for a spell. It was a rather simple one, designed to amplify one's voice for all intents and purposes. However, before she could even begin to cast it, the black spot glowed crimson, and a ball of energy hurtled towards her, almost too fast to register. Before she could react, the energy smote her heavily in the breast, propelling her backwards several yards. To her dismay, Cadance found herself unable to use her wings. She screamed as she started to plummet towards the bone breaking ground. She dimly heard someone shouting her name, but the wind howling through her ears made it hard to tell who or where it was coming from. The last thing that ran through her mind was her beloved husband's smiling face. Then she collided with a building, and she knew oblivion.