North Point I found out was known as an arctic pegasus, apparently a breed of pegasus that had evolved due to the climate of the Tundra. Their wings could no longer be used for flight, but rather could increase their natural speed and agility. He was the commander of the Outpost, but an explorer as well. He explained that the Outpost was more of a gateway rather than a means of defence, it served as a place for people to rest before moving into the deeper reaches of the Tundra or heading towards the Crystal Empire.

North Point was very hospitable as he gave a tour of the building. He went over the barracks that housed a small regiment of soldiers that serves as a safeguard more than anything. There was also the common places, armory, kitchen, guest quarters, common room, bath house, ect. However there was a special place of interest that we were shown that gave off a strange presence.

“And here we have the pride of the Outpost,” North Point explained as he led myself, Snowdrop, and Cobalt Chill into the room. “Welcome to the forge.”

In the middle of the fairly plain stone room was a pedestal, on which burned a mystic silver flame without the aid of fuel. It gave off no noticeable heat even though it was the size of a medium bonfire, the normal crackle of flames was replaced with a soft chime-like jingling that gave the room an ethereal feeling.

“Ok beside a magic flame what’s special about this?” I asked, confused about the significance.

“That is what’s special about this room. This flame was created by the great sorcerer Starswirl as a means of protecting ourselves from the creature of the Tundra.” North Point explained.

He walked over to the near wall where a chest full of clumps of ore was situated and chose a random piece before walking over to the pedestal and with no hesitation thrust his hand with the ore into the flame. We watched in amazement as his arm was engulfed by the flame, the ore in his hand quickly began to glow with heat though North didn’t seem bothered by it at all. The now glowing orb in his hand slowly warped on its own and took on the shape of a climbing hook, once the shape was complete North Point withdrew his hand from the flame with the new tool in his grasp.

He turned back to us showing off the hook in his hand, “This is why it is special. This flame shapes ore into the ideal weapon for the being in question. It is never wrong, and has become a kind of right of passage for any who are stationed at the Outpost. Would you like to try guardian?”

This magic had certainly caught my interest, and seeing how I had no physical weapon on my person I saw no harm in trying it out. I repeated what North Point did and sought a piece of ore. As my hand was about to grab a piece from the chest a shock ran through my arm as I felt a slight pull towards a particular chunk of ore. I pulled my hand out and out with it came a piece of ore with a web of silver veins running over the whole surface. I gave a small shrug before walking over to the forge and put my arm into the flame with ore in hand. I felt a small tingle as I watched the ore shift in my very grasp, that’s when things stopped being normal.

With the roar a normal flame would give I was engulfed by the fire as the ore in my hand began to whip and twist wildly as if it was alive. The others watched in awe and horror at the spectacle before them as the flame gave off tongues of blue fire mixed in with the normal silver that came off me. I stood entranced by the metal in front of me as it continued to warp in my palm, the flames surrounding me having no value as they cause me no discomfort.

This feels unusual, though there’s no pain so I don’t believe it’s going to harm me. I thought to myself, but I soon felt something a presence. Who’s there!?

Well this magic is certainly strange, I did not believe you’d be able to hear me yet. The voice spoke directly inside my head. To answer your question, I am the gift that Blake gave bestowed upon you when he passed. My power is what gave you the form you have now.

I was confused by exact what this voice was meaning, but I did understand that it was because of Blake. What do you mean by that I could hear you now?

This magic is serving as a means to bridge the difference in power. You are currently weak in controlling your magical potential, until you become stronger my voice will be no more than a whisper in the wind. When you can hear me on your own I will explain more. The voice faded as it spoke until I could no longer hear it.

During this conversion the flames that surrounded me receded until it only covered my arms up to my elbows. The metal still continued to shift as though it couldn’t decide what it was meant to become. I felt a pull in my left hand and I followed it until I had grabbed the twisting metal with both hands. When I did it wrapped itself around both arms and finally began to take shape. When the flames disappeared two sterling silver scale bracers were fitted perfectly to my arms. I was so absorbed in looking over the details of the bracers I didn’t hear the others talking to me until I felt a hand on my arm.

I looked to find Snowdrop giving me a concerned look at me, I realized that the others were looking at me with weary gazes and turned to talk to them. “Has this not happened before?” I asked curiously.

“I can most certainly say Sir Guardian, that no… no it has not.” North Point spoke up, clearly still in a bit of a daze at what had occurred before his very eyes.

After North Point recovered from his daze he took us back to the main hall where he explained that we were welcome to stay the night and head for the Crystal Empire in the morning. We accepted considering leaving at night, but found that wouldn’t have been the wisest idea considering the sub-zero temperatures and creatures that start to appear at twilight.

Once that was decided we headed for the dining hall where dinner was being served for the soldiers. It was a simple vegetable stew, but the soldiers seemed to enjoy it without much complaint. North Point and Cobalt were chatting about their experiences in the Tundra, until I caught the sound of walking coming towards us… something on four legs.

North Point also picked up on the sound and spoke up, “Ah and here comes one of my greatest finds in the travels I’ve done. Here Star, here girl.”

As he said this a wolf walked into the dining hall, it’s fur was an inky black save for a small clear path of white on it’s head. However the feature that caught my attention were the eyes, bright silver that shone like gemstones. There has only been one other wolf in my knowledge that has had eyes like those.

“Willow?” I spoke softly, hardly able to believe my eyes.

The wolf’s ears perked at hearing the name, it’s eyes searched until it locked with mine. When it did, it dropped into a low crouch before leaping directly at me. So stunned was I that I couldn’t move from where I stood, and was quickly tackled to the ground by this wolf.

The others around me gave gasped and startled shouts at the ‘attack’ and North Point was about to call for her to stop, however those words quickly died in his mouth at what he was seeing. Laughter came up from me as while I was pinned to the ground I was assaulted by a wet pink tongue. The wolf was licking me furiously like I was a sugar-lick or something of the like, I embraced her as tears flowed from my eyes in joy as I was reunited with family I had long thought dead.

“What is the meaning of this?” North point asked. I had sat up and Willow had started to nuzzle me when I answered.

“I want to thank you, North Point. You have just given me the greatest gift that I could ever had asked for. You just gave me my family back.” It was clear that this confused the stallion and he asked for an explanation to which I told him. “It is not simple, but what I can say is that this is not my original form. Magic transformed me when I was given the power of the previous human guardian, before this though I was like my sister here, a wolf.”

It was clear that what I told him was something his mind was having trouble grasping, however he did eventually nod. “Ok so from what I understand, that makes you Star’s brother?”

“Her given name is Willow, though I do believe Willow Star would be acceptable, as a way to honor you for protecting her for all these years.”

“I found her when she was just a pup. It’s been five years since I found her in the black forest, starving and on the brink of death. Thankfully I was able to nurse her back to health upon my return, I’d never heard of a wolf that wasn’t a construct of magic until I found her.”

“However you did it, I thank you North Point. My gratitude is beyond what I can express with words.”

After I was reunited with Willow, things finally appeared to calm down. Snowdrop and I retired to guest quarters that were separate from the main quarters, North Point took Willow with him for the night as to spend time with her before she departed with us in the morning, which had been discussed over dinner. Cobalt said he was going to spend time with some of the guards that he knew here before retiring for the night, which left Snowdrop and myself alone which had grown to feel normal over the course of our so far short travels together.

I laid down in bed and closed my eyes, tried from the day’s hectic events. I felt tried enough to fall asleep right then, but I felt someone standing over me at my bedside. I cracked open my eyes to see Snowdrop standing nervously next to my bed.

“Von can I talk to you?”

I swung my legs to the side of the bed so I was facing her and pat the spot next to me. She sat down and continued with her question.

“Did something happen when the flames consumed you in the forge?”

“Why? Did you see something?”

“I’m not sure, it’s like your spirit was cloaked by another. I-I just worry, because it reminded me of someone I knew a long time ago.”

“Can I ask who?”

Snowdrop looked troubled at my question, she looked away but did answer, “Her name was Luna, though you might know her as Nightmare Moon.”

“The Princess Luna? Are you saying you knew her when she became Nightmare Moon?”

“I wished I had noticed it sooner, maybe then I would have been able to help her somehow. She’s probably so lonely on the moon, such a cruel thing to be trapped inside the thing she loved most.”

This puzzled me, according to the memories from Blake, Luna was no longer banished. How long could she have been frozen in that ice? “Snowdrop, do you know how long you were trapped in that spire of ice I found you in?”

She looked confused, but answered all the same, “I don’t know. Time seemed more to just blend together. How long could it have been?”

“Over one thousand years.” A voice spoke from the doorway.

We turned to see that Cobalt Chill stand there, as he walked in he continued, “Princess Luna’s banishment ended around thirty years ago. If you were there at the time she was banished, then you’ve been asleep for over one thousand years. Your highness, I apologize I neglected to tell you such an important thing. I should have realized you wouldn’t know about such topics.”

Snowdrop wasn’t even listening at this point, after the words ‘one-thousand years’ she started mumbling to herself. I put my arm around her in an attempt to comfort her before asking Cobalt, “Was there something you needed?”

“I wanted to tell you that I was leaving for Crown Town at first light, I’m sorry if I caused stress on Lady Lumi, I’ll let you take care of her.” He turned for the door before looking back over his shoulder, “Be safe guardian, and please protect her. I hope to hear from you again one day.” With that he left, which left me to comfort the distraught mare in my arms.

I was not sure how to comfort her so I did the first thing I thought of. She let me place her in the bed and I laid down next to her and kept her in my arms. It didn’t take long until I heard Snowdrop’s breathing settle, and not long after Snowdrop fell asleep, I too felt sleep begin to pull at me as well. I felt confident that she’d be alright come morning, she was likely just shocked at the information. What really concerned me was the thing inside me from Blake’s magic, I’d need to grow stronger before I’d get anymore answers according to the voice. With that I let sleep take me.

Snowdrop, Willow, and I made our way into the Rift, as it was commonly known, the singularly known crack in the Wall that allows for travel in and out of the Tundra. Willow was happily walking at my side, occasionally nuzzling my side as we went.

Snowdrop was quietly following close behind, she had felt better when morning came. Knowing that Luna was no longer banished had caused her spirits to rise considerably, until she started to think on it more and doubts started to plague her mind. Would she remember her, what happened when Luna returned, and what had changed in the time she was asleep? These questions dampened her mood and she just asked for me to leave her to her thoughts.

The journey through the rift was going to take half a day, after that we’d need to make it as close to the Crystal Empire as possible. The hope was to make it to the weather barrier that surrounded the empire before a blizzard could move in.

As we continued walking I examined the bracers that I had received from the forge at the Outpost. They didn’t seem unusual, but I had this feeling that there was more to them than at first glance. I started to get frustrated after not finding anything and slammed my fist into the wall, but when I did I felt no pain. Looking over, my bracer had transformed into a full gauntlet with a trickle of silver flames leaving it until they vanish completely. Looking it over now I noticed they were more like armored claws than gauntlets.

I was so absorbed that I didn’t notice Snowdrop come closer until she put her hand in mine, running her other over my new weapon.

“So this is what the forge gave you. I think it suits you.” She spoke in a quiet voice.

“Are you feeling ok?” I asked.

“I’m doing better I think. Thank you for asking.”

She leaned into me and gave my hand a squeeze, Willow seemed to notice and gave a small growl. I looked over at her and growled back, she flattened her ears and seemed to whine to herself as she started on in front of us. We walked on, Snowdrop stayed close to me as I kept an arm around her. My gauntlets had transformed back into their bracer form after I had calmed down, Snowdrop said it probably was part of the magic, that it could sense when it was needed.

After a few more hours we finally saw the end of the rift and when we reached the end we looked out on a plain of white. The weather above was did not look favorable, but we didn’t have much choice about stopping here. So we continued on, Willow was still out in front of us however she made sure to stay close enough to not lose us in case a storm surprised us.

It wasn’t long before snow started to fall and travel started to become more challenging, after more than a hour of trekking across these snowfields my legs burned and Snowdrop looked to not be fairing much better. Willow had fallen back to walking by my side and looked just as tired as us. The snow had started falling harder and faster, it was just a step away from being a full-blown blizzard.

Thankfully after just a few more minutes and we were able to see the weather barrier, Willow seemed to recognize it and barked happily as she bounded across the snow to get out of this storm. We followed as close behind as we could, until we heard a roar break through the howling wind.

I turned to see a large figure following behind us, it was lumbering towards us at an unnatural speed. I shoved Snowdrop towards the barrier before turning to face my opponent. As it came closer I was able to identify it as a yeti, huge ape-like beast that were known for being quite unintelligent but ferocious.

I looked down at my hands hoping that my bracers would have shifted, however they remained in the same form. When I looked back up the yeti was nearly upon me, I dived out of the way and quickly got to my feet to see the yeti hadn’t stopped, it was running towards Snowdrop.

I yelled out to her but my voice was taken by the wind, I watched as the beast caught up to her. She looked back just in time to see the yeti swing its arm at her and swat her across the field. She collapsed in the snow and remained unmoving. Seeing that I felt rage well up inside me, much like when the ghouls attacked us back in the Onyx Hills.

With what I though was a simple push off my feet, I rocketed forward towards the beast. I rushed at the yeti yelling with all my anger. It turned and tried to swipe at me but I felt my arm whip up in reflex and felt blood rush down my arm, but it wasn’t mine. The yeti pause for a moment as it looked at the bloody stump where its hand used to be. I looked down at my wrists to see what had caused the damage, only to find out that two foot-long stiletto daggers had extended from my gauntlets.

The yeti recovered from its shock and roared out in pain as it swiped its other arm at me in fury. I dodged to the side before thrusting my blades into the beast’s side causing another roar of pain. I wasn’t able to move fast enough to dodge again and was sent flying quite a ways, I twisted my body and managed to land on my feet just in time to see the yeti rushing at me again. This time I followed my instincts and then lept at the beast’s head, it tried to swat me out of the air but with a twist of my torso I moved over where he sung at and narrowly avoided the attack. I actually gained enough height that I was able to look into its soulless black eyes just before I thrust my blades into its skull. It fell backwards and the impact left a sizeable crater in the snow, I watched as it twitched when I pulled my blades out before cleaning them on the snow.

With a small accidental twist of my wrist the blades retreated back inside the bracers with a mechanical click, after staring at them for another second I remember Snowdrop and rushed over to her. Willow was already next to her trying to wake her up and she moved back when I approached and allowed me to check Snowdrop for any injuries. There was a small amount of blood coming from her mouth and her left arm was certainly broken. I picked her up as gently as I could manage and moved quickly towards the barrier.

When we finally passed through we were immediately surrounded by ponies in platinum armor pointing spears at us. I saw movement at the back of the group just before a unicorn with purple and gold armor pushed through demanding an explanation from the guards. When he saw us he told his soldiers to stand down and with practiced precision the spears were raised as one to rest at the guards’ side.

The stallion had a white coat and two-toned blue mane, which looked to have greyed some from age. His eyes matched the lighter blue in his mane, and his cutie mark was a dark blue shield with a indigo star and three light blue ones above the shield. His most defining trait however was the scar that ran from the tip of his horn in a crescent and crossed his right eye. He was obviously the leader of this guards, and I felt the sensation of looking at someone I knew, no doubt because of Blake’s memories.

This much was confirmed when the stallion addressed me, “Blake, thank Faust you made it back alive. Who’s this?” He asked looking at the mare in my arms.

“Now is not the time, I’m not Blake, this mare is injured, and I just finished dealing with a yeti.” I spoke quickly and forcefully.

The stallion looked at me with confusion and shock, but shook it off quickly as he knew that the injured came first. He called for a medic, which two ponies responded to quickly, I reluctantly placed Snowdrop on the stretcher they brought and was about to follow them when I was stopped by the unicorn.

“I need answers, your friend will be just fine, but you’re coming with me.” His tone told me that arguing would do me little good so I followed him with Willow by my side.

He lead us back to a campsite that had been set up close by. Once within, he walked us to the central tent of the camp. We entered it and once the flap had closed the unicorn’s horn glowed from a half second and the tent flashed indigo, a soundproofing spell. Once that was done he walked over to a table in the middle of the tent and sat down while gesturing to the seat across from him.

As I took a seat he levitated a damp towel over to my right and said, “I believe you’d appreciate this.”

I looked down at myself and remembered I was covered in yeti blood. I peeled off my blood soaked shirt and tossed it to the side before taking the towel and scrubbing off the blood that I could. Halfway through this stallion offered another towel to me with I took to finish the job.

“You weren’t lying about being a guardian I see.” He finally spoke up as I tossed the towel over with the other and my shirt.

“And what does that mean exactly?”

He pointed to my crest and continued, “That mark can only be given by a guardian. It’s not a magic that be cloned or taken, it must be bestowed.”

“You seem to know a lot about this? Who are you? I feel like I know you.” I asked.

“My apologies, my name is Shining Armor, Prince of the Crystal Empire. As for knowledge on the guardian, I know the standards ins and outs. Though my question for you is if you aren’t Blake, then who are you?”

“My name is Von Steelsoul, I had no pack name so Blake asked for me to use his.”

“Ok, and how was another human so far north? To my knowledge Blake was travelling to the furthest reaches of the Tundra. There is said to be no life beyond the constructs of raw magic that exist in that region.”

“Because I was not originally a human. I know it would be impossible to tell but this is my sister Willow.” I say petting Willows head, to which she gives a pleased hum.

Shining looked even more confused so I continued, “When I met Blake he was dying in a crater that he had created just outside of where I used to live. With the last of his life he bestowed both his power and knowledge upon me. As a result his magic changed me into the form I possess now.” I explained.

Shining closed his eyes for a moment, considering all he had just heard. When he opened them they were firm and full of conviction. “Considering the evidence, I can say you are probably telling me the truth. With that being the case, I can guess that you are trying to get back to Equestria to get some answers, am I wrong?”

“That was the current goal yes. After I talked to the princesses, I was hoping to better understand what is going on and what I was asked to do. Beyond that, there isn’t much of a clear path for me to take.”

Shining Armor nodded, “Well you are welcome to join us on our journey back to the empire. The doctors we have should be able to finish treating your friend there if it isn’t managed on the way. From there you can travel by train to Canterlot, the capital of Equestria, in just under three days. Barring any mishaps, we should be able to get you to Canterlot in about a week’s time.”

“One week, that’s shorter than I expected. Though I am glad I’ll be able to get answers soon. Is there anything else you need Prince Shining?”

“Please, just Shining. I married into royalty, and my wife isn’t much for formality either, as I’m sure you’ll notice when you meet her in the empire. As for anything else, no, and you’ll find your friend in the medical tent, it’s hard to miss, it’s the one with the large red cross on top. Oh and take this shirt, I’ll get this one cleaned and returned to you by the morning.” He said levitating a clean white shirt over to me.

I took the shirt and nodded before getting up and walking out of the tent, Willow on my heels. We walked over to the medical tent where we found Snowdrop quietly resting on a cot in the middle with a splint on her left arm and a bandage round her head. Her diadem was on the table next to her.

Curiosity got the better of me and I picked up the jewelry. When I did the world around me when black. Willow was gone along with everything else, it was a void, however it did not feel empty. My suspicion was soon confirmed when a gargantuan ethereal horse appeared before me and spoke in a booming voice that at the same time came as a whisper.

“Well this is a surprise. She actually managed to snag a half decent vessel. Aren’t you quite the oddity. A hairless ape that used to be a wolf, with the added spice of having two things jammed up inside you. She must be having a fit at having to share you, though because of that I don’t think I’d have much luck taking you. The little filly will have to do for now. Oh and tell her that brother says hello, not that she’ll care.”

With that the specter faded and the world around me came back into being. After check my surroundings I quickly placed the diadem down and shuttered. That was a very unpleasant experience that I had no intention of repeating anytime soon. I shook my head to clear it before focusing back on the mare I sat beside.

Snowdrop looked peaceful, on a whim I took her free hand before laying my head down on the edge of her cot and closed my eyes. The warmth of her hand was pleasant, and as I felt Willow curl into my side before laying down beside me, sleep took us and the three of us slept calmly after the day’s hectic events.

Author's Note

You know... I really need to get a routine. This chapter every 3+ months crap is annoying me, I can only imagine what it's like for you guys to have to wait on me.

That being said, thank you all so much that read, comment, and like my story it really is the motivation that makes me continue.

Special thanks out to my friend Ponytiff Sulyvahn. Who acted as my proofreader and editor for this chapter, it was such a big help. Also speaking of special events, wow I'm almost at 50 followers. Guys I don't have words to describe how happy that makes me feel.

That's all I have for you guys,
Stay awesome everyone. Lyruil out.