King of the North

Chapters

Chapter 1: Southlands
Chapter 2: Art of Diplomacy
Chapter 3: Old conflicts
Chapter 4: Noble blood
Chapter 5: Bad Blood
Chapter 6: Wars and the war

Chapter 1: Southlands

Chapter 1: Prologue

The ice covered castle crumbed and creaked as the winds of the massive storm renewed in strength. The blood leading into the heavy stone building froze instantly upon the ground. The honor guards lasted mere seconds against the single figure that stepped through the shattered door he had just pulverized with the latest honor guard's dead body. The last of the honor guard stood with his spear leveled at the new threat. He lunged at his foe as was his duty, but a hand with three fingers extended firmly slipped past the spear as a powerful arm waited for the shaft of the weapon to enter within range before it closed around the weapon at an awkward angle crushing the wood and snapping the spear like a twig. The three clawed fingertips punched through the fur, skin, and muscle, forcefully tearing out the fourth cervical vertebra from the wolf's neck. The last of the Honor guard fell to the ground limp as a wet rag, dead as the others. The invader looked up at the twelve foot tall hulking mass of fur claws fangs and muscles waiting calmly with predator eyes cast down from the lofty throne.

"You certainly have come at an opportune time for your goals no doubt, but never the less you came only to die..." The massive wolf rose from his throne carved from bones and decorated with the hides of those who had defied him as the seven foot tall invader looked up at him with no discernible fear, only regret and sorrow.

The wolf looked up at the massive overlord of the north. "Fennir.... you have sinned. You have thrown this world out of balance. You could not rule in our world and you have done nothing but fail to rule this world...Now the Susi will be stuck here fixing YOUR mess... the damage you have done with your great hunt is irreversible... all for your petty desire to rule..."

Fennir bellowed in a deep throated roar as he leaped off of his throne cracking the stone beneath his paws as he stood tall. Bringing his club to bare. Carved from the bones of the elder Elementals he hefted the hundred pound weapon with a single hand. Growling and grunting in anger he looked at the much smaller foe before finally speaking. "What right have you to challenge me? I am power itself... the physical manifestation of power, it is my blood right to rule... I a-"

Fennir's voice was cut off as his mouth filled with blood and he lurched back from the impact. He could feel the clawed fingers wrapping around his heart from the open hand that had just plunged into his chest. "Your birthright is death. Power is not the sole requirement for leadership. All your mindless actions have done is cost this land of its true rulers and damned the lives of every soul within... The Kaar are loose, the Elementals cannot control the weather leaving the entire nation to a frozen doom, the Caribou were driven out , and I am never to return to my home. It was decided that your actions will be my responsibility to repair, even though the infinite damage you caused cannot be repaired. It still falls to me to do the impossible and to undo what you have done at least until balance has been restored."

Blood oozed steadily in a stream out of Fennir's chest and mouth as his massive hands tried to pry the smaller wolf away from his heart. "You... can't....w...what... who are you?"

"Not who, but what.... I am now Susien Kuningas.... I am the king of wolves....ruler of the North, and you... are a mistake of the past..." His grip over Fennir's heart tightened and with one swift motion he tore out the giant wolf's heart letting the once powerful mass of muscle and fur fall to the ground. Staring at the heart in the palm of his hand the now lone wolf breathed deeply looking in sorrow at the body before him just past the organ in his hand. "Fennir... Fennir the tyrant, Fennir the heretic, Fennir the world eater.... you are no more... and this world is lesser for your mere existence..."

The King of wolves looked up at the crumbling castle as he held Fennir's heart high. Opening his mouth he closed his eyes and dropped the heart within his gaping maw and swallowed it whole.

"This land bleeds, I have much to do..." His eyes glared out the door he had just came in through before turning about and heading to the dungeons.

3000 years later

"And so this wolf king guy just fixed everything?" The cyan blue pegasus gave a skeptical look at Twilight.

"Of course not, according to this book he did his best to undo the damage done by Fennir's great hunt." She smiled eagerly plunging back into the ancient book that Cadence had just sent her the day before.

"So the great hunt was when Fennir killed all the Elementals who controlled all the weather?...why couldn't they just get a few pegasi to do it for them?" Rainbow smirked imagining the fun of leading a weather team plowing through an uncontrolled storm to save the kingdom of the north and getting some illustrious metal for the heroic deed. Her fantasy was interrupted by Twilight's voice, which at this point she was very used to.

"No, there were no pegasi within a thousand miles. And at the time the only pegasi there were in existence, was the pegasi tribe and they were not really on speaking terms with anypony. Plus controlling the weather was not the ONLY thing that the Elementals did. They kept the peace, those Kaar things I mentioned are vegetarian dragons. They eat the iron trees to keep the iron forest from invading and overrunning the rest of the north. The Kaar, despite being vegetarians are non sentient, very violently territorial, and breed like rabbits... they sound terrible."

"Soooo.... these Elementals kept them from fighting and over breeding and stuff?" Rainbow Dash then proceeded to imagine a fight against an army of dragons. This process was not too uncommon for her. Twilight was her friend but sometimes she was boring as all Tartarus. It did them both good to half listen and enjoy what could be enjoyed, even if Twilight caught Rainbow lost in her own imagination from time to time.

"Yes. The Elementals kept EVERYTHING in order, from the weather to public relations to even the crops. In fact there are hints in this book that suggest that they even had some part in moving the sun and moon or perhaps even more back in the ancient times. But the point here is that when the Tyrant Fennir came in he was jealous of the position of power and enslaved the Susi clans to hunt down the Elementals then he forced the Susi to eat the dead Elementals so that they would gain their power and hence make stronger soldiers before he moved to take over other nations." Twilight squee'd with glee as she flipped a few more pages and showed Rainbow Dash the picture of a wolf holding chains that lead to the necks of other wolves then another picture of a smaller but still pretty big wolf standing atop those same chains now broken and each group of wolves that were once chained now had some sort of glow about them, not to mention very happy faces. "I mean he was not exactly a good guy what with some of the stuff he did AFTER that... but he still freed the Susi from enslavement and did all he could to undo what that evil Fennir did."

"So king wolf guy saves the day and then what?..."

"Susien Kuningas was his name... or.. um.. title I think... and yeah he saved the Kingdom of the North, or as the book says 'The Kingdom of the Great North'. Then he took all the tribes who ate the Elementals and taught them how to use the magic they gained from eating the immortal Elementals. This turned them all into druids, shamans, and oracles. They created a whole new types of magic which they used and even still to this day use to control the weather, keep the peace, and foresee future incidents. There was even one in here about them foreseeing an age of darkness and they had to try and warn someone named... um... Aurinko Pylly... I have no idea who or what that is... but basically it didn't work whoever he was, Aurinko Pylly misunderstood or just didn't trust the wolves and there was some sort of war that lead into an age of darkness. But all in all this is just fascinating. I had no idea that such an amazing culture and history was beyond the frozen north.... hay, its hundreds and hundreds of miles beyond even Yakyakistan , beyond the great northern sea even! Its just amazing..."

"Um... Twilight?... exactly why did all this come up? you just starting going on and on and on about how amazing it all was... where did you get the book and why exactly did all this come about?" Rainbow hovered in her spot with the odd silence with only the sound of Rainbow's softly flapping wings to note as Twilight stopped in thought.

"Oh.. yeah... um...I totally forgot about that... Cadence and Shining just got a message from Kingdom of the Wolves asking for an alliance and trade. Cadence quickly went into the depths of the libraries in the Crystal Empire and found this book. She found two copies actually and figured that if their nation can be friends with the Crystal Empire then why not let the Princess of Friendship try and make new friends for all of Equestria?"

"Whoa?... so we could see one of these legendary wolf things someday soon? will it be this... um.. susun kunugs?"

"Susien Kuningas!... and no.. most likely not, he was just a Susi, its what they call their race, he was a bipedal wolf... a VERY powerful wolf but not many beings live that long, not even Princess Celestia is that old. Its probably his great great great great great great great great.... um.. you get it. One of his descendants, but still expect them to be very proud of their warrior heritage. Even before Fennir came along all they did was wage war among their own clans. Fennir just made them wage war against the Elementals, and Susien Kuningas makes them fight the Kaar so they can both regulate their population and... um...." She paused to look closer at the book eyes going wide. "Um... feed his people with the flesh of the Kaar....they eat dragons?"

"Whoa... hard core Twilight... I'm not sure whether to be happy sad or frightened... Do you really think ponies can be friends with... um... meat eaters?"

"You made friends with Gilda and then even now Pony/Griffin relations are just fine... they eat meat from time to time... it should be no different.... I think." She poked her nose back into the book trying to find more. "I am excited none the less, this is amazing and I cant wait to see what kind of friends these Susi tribes of the North will be..."

The landing craft rocked in the rough frozen seas as the wolves sat in grave silence checking and rechecking their weapons. Axes, spears, swords, and finally the standard issue single shot trap door infantry rifle. Each soldier carefully guarded the leather pouch at their waist filled with two dozen rounds. Every last wolf within the landing craft had already loaded the first round into the weapon and waited patiently for the Druid in command to address them. The veterans sat up front and the newer recruits tried their best to sit in the far back. shivering and whimpering at the sounds of the battle on the shores of lake Seppa just outside the iron forest.

"Sons of the cursed blood... wake up and ready up...you young pups who are new... stick close to the veterans... remember to shoot for the eyes and stay out of the way of the Shamans and Druids...if you are injured stay put... When the beasties think you are dead they will move on..." The Druid overseer looked over the grim faces of the Susi about to engage in the battle. The vessel bumped against the shore cracking the ice and triggering the Druid's reaction. "and.... GO!"

The front of the landing craft gave way and out poured the veterans followed hesitantly by the new troops who instantly grew cold in shock at the sight of the Susi who took their place within the landing craft. Scarred brutalized injured even souless looking empty eyes staring back at them. The only two uninjured Veterans pulled the ramp back up and the Druid on board flared his magic forcing the waters to surge and pull the vessel back out to the waters to return to the capital. The Citadel could still be seen in the far distance as if taunting those who wished to escape the frozen battlefield.

One such young pup stared back at the Citadel whimpering before he looked back just in time to see the pale sickly white skin stretched over a powerful skull and powerful thick muscles, six beady eyes leveling on him. A cold panic shot up inside of him as the fumbled with his rifle trying to bring it to bear at the massive Kaar that stood up ten meters out of the snow it had tunneled in from. Its mouth opened releasing its signature guttural roar and massive claws rose to crush down on the lone youth. However, fate favored the pup as bolts of fire and lightning struck the side of the Kaar's head and a Shaman leapt up its body. Plunging her axes into the dragon's head she flooded the Kaar's body with torrents of lightning. The massive beast fell, stunned long enough for the Shaman step in and to slash open its throat allowing it to bleed to death, she stepped down glaring at the wolf pup.

"You are one of the cursed blood yes?... what are you doing away from your company?"

"Y...Yes ma'am...I... I just I just...g.." She swatted him upside the head interrupting his fearful stammering.

"Centurion!... find this pup's company and tell them not to expect him back..." A heavier wolf he did not notice nodded and took off as the young wolf shivered staring up at the Shaman.

"W...wait! I... I.. Ill do better!" He noticeably cowered and rose his hands shielding his face.

She swatted him again. "Shut up... my personal aid got stepped on last Tuesday. You are obviously not one for fighting so shut up... you are coming with me as my new aid..."

"But... I'm of cursed blood? do you really want me?"

Again she swatted him over the head. "Don't question me... out here in the iron forest no one cares if you are descended from the Tyrant... I have to write a report for the King's Shaman and YOU are going to deliver it, then return...now come on little pup... we have a report to write... let the butchers and your brothers take care of the Kaar..." She started in one directly only to pause and look back at the young wolf. "pup!...what is your name?"

He stopped and looked back very grateful that he managed to be pulled from battle but still very frightened at the possibility of his heritage coming back to bite him in the furry tush. It was very common for the descendants of Fennir's two hundred sons to be treated ill, even when the old king had ordered them to be treated the same as everyone else so long as they hunted the Kaar with the military when they became of age.

"I am Jalm...Jalm of house kynnen"

"Hrmm... ok then pup..." She grinned taking note of his name despite her intention to never use it until he stopped cowering at everything that moved.

Her stride slowed as she looked up. "I wonder if the Shaman is right... do the Equines actually want a treaty after all this time?" She stared up at the Citadel from the great distance with a smirk before walking off to file her report Jalm reluctantly and fearfully in tow.

Chapter 2: Art of Diplomacy

Chapter 2: Come and Meet the Wolves

Jalm nearly puked as he stumbled forward. His mind was jumbled and his stomach churned, not only was it his first time being teleported but his new Shaman master was still young and inexperienced in teleporting or portal magic. Proof of this was in how badly his fur was singed and his current status. "...well… this is the Citadel I think... "

His first steps were slow; his balance was just coming back. Though, even when he had recovered his every step was unsure. This was the Citadel of the North. The King's home, just about every single living breathing being in this building had the authority to put him to death for so much as looking at them wrong. Combined the authority of everyone else with his cursed lineage and his chances of leaving the Citadel alive plummeted, he almost preferred going toe to toe with the Kaar back with his brothers.

The trip down the long halls and winding staircases went rather slowly, even slower when his mind burned in agony and pain of the possibilities. He was so busy panicking that he did not notice he was being followed. "Oh goodness.... Why did the Shaman send me out here? Couldn't she have sent me literally ANYWHERE else?"

"Dunno... could she have?"

"Of course she could have... she’s just really mean ...maybe she’s just testing me or something..." He continued walking for a moment before his mind started to wonder where the other voice just came from. When it clicked, he whipped about in fear only to see an empty hallway. Gasping and clutching at his now racing heart his eyes whipped back and forth. He knew he heard an answer to his question. It was a female voice, it even sounded a little too young to be in the Citadel. Turning back, hoping to just get going and deliver the message he came face to face with a very young Susi. A wolf pup about half his age but he could plainly feel a very commanding presence. She was exceedingly powerful in magic.

"Hullo!...what chu doing?...." She smiled warmly nosing up close to him. "You look funny... and you sweat too much..." She poked his nose and giggled as she stepped back one single step only to end two steps behind him.

Panic set in again, with magic this powerful and her age, she was very likely someone's daughter, someone VERY powerful and VERY important. He was about to speak, humbly ask for assistance. However, he did not get the chance in time as when she playfully hopped about she suddenly uprooted and hung gently swaying back and forth from one leg as a very large Susi had snagged her.

"Got you Rose...now...you are going back to your father...." The Susi present with the young pup was a dull gray, the same color as most of the older wolves but he seemed to be only just into his forties. Other than that and his taller than normal height, he looked completely unremarkable.

"But I don't wanna! He just wants me to train to replace Mama...I'm powerful enough... lemme go... or at least best out of three."

"Nope! Its back you go! Come on now...hrmm oh... you... you don't look like you belong here... what are you up to?"

Jalm stuttered and sputtered in fear quickly holding up the report. "Ah! I have… a ... um.. a thingy... the ... the field report thingy... for the Royal Shaman..."

"The King's Shaman you say?... If I remember correctly, he’s in the hall of memories... it’s down two floors at the center of the Citadel... hard to miss..."

"Th...thank you... It's kinda intimidating in here for the first time... it’s good to see another servant...I'm just kinda freaking out..." The two wolves gave Jalm an odd look before he stopped closing his mouth firmly in worry. "Oh... I.. I'm sorry... are you not a servant?....I just noticed you were chasing after her, I thought it was your job" Again he started to panic.

"Oh don't worry about it scruffy. We are all servants are we not?... We all live to serve the Great North..." He smiled warmly which gave a great amount of comfort to the poor Jalm. "Come to think about it I think the Skull is down there too... I need to get this pup back to him. We can go together if you like?"

"The skull?... as in the ONE EYED SKULL?.... She is the daughter of the King's most trusted General?... Goodness...I... I..."

He swatted him over the head, as did the young pup even from her place upside down hanging from a leg. "Calm down... unless you do something wrong you literally have nothing to worry about."

"He’s just silly... and he smells like sweat...."

"Come on now Rose... be nice... now show us all that amazing talent... teleport us all would you?" He chuckled swaying her back and forth still holding her by the leg. She let out a soft 'harumph!' but nodded and with a snap of her fingers the surrounding air shimmered, tasting of ozone, Jalm looked about and they were within the hall of memories minus the urge to puke. The room was dark, other than the soft burning incense and the goal in the iron pots on their pedestals. The room itself was covered from top to bottom with the Susi's entire known history carved into the wooden floors, walls, and ceiling through advanced artistic depictions.

The first thing Jalm noticed was the very deep voice of an 8 foot tall Susi speaking to a tall and menacing dark furred wolf adorned with a mass of bones and ceremonial jewelry his mind churned taking in that he if anyone could only be the Royal Shaman. The massive Susi turned to inspect those who had just teleported only for Jalm to see the skull mask at his waist and the eyepatch over his left eye. This was the One Eye'd Skull and the Royal shaman.

"There you are Rose... you can't keep running off..." The Skull glared down at the little pup whose ears lowered in sadness avoiding eye contact with her father.

The other Wolf let out a chuckle as he set Rose on the ground feet first where she sniffled and began to complain about how boring whatever it was he was trying to get her to do was. Jalm quickly approached swallowing his fear he kneeled and held out the report. The Shaman hardly noticed him as he peered into a crystal in a half trance. Jalm was simply getting more and more uneasy. Was the Shaman ignoring him on purpose? Was he not bowing hard enough or was the Shaman literally just too busy to notice. The tension built and built before suddenly it vanished. There was an unrelenting calm that washed over him; it took him a moment to realize it was magic. Someone was casting a spell on him.

"Beloved... be nice... you can plainly see the poor pup is practically choking on his own fear..."

The Shaman's eyes snapped into a focused stare, which drifted away from the crystal, over Jalm, and up at what had to be the most beautiful wolf that Jalm had ever seen. Pure white fur with soft blue eyes like precious gemstones. She looked like a legend or Goddess of beauty. But what she had said instantly sparked up a strain in his throat. She called the Shaman 'beloved'.

"He was doing it to himself... you don't have to ruin all the fun" The Shaman chuckled swiping the scroll from Jalm's hands and reading it quickly. "Oh goodness... the Kaar REALLLLY went at it this year... we have a 27% larger force than we thought.... Oh hell that means we are actually going to have to try aren't we?" The beautiful wolf chuckled softly gesturing to him. Though the motion was not clear visually, it was complimented by a mother like voice that spoke into his mind for him to stand. As such, he obeyed.

"Well crap... looks like one of us is going to have to stay behind..." The Susi from before stepped up between the two. Rose on his shoulders and the One Eye'd Skull just behind him. "And THAT is going to be you Skull… you and little Rosie here..." He tickled her and she giggled happily, as the Massive hulking general bowed.

"As you wish Susien Kuningas...."

No amount of magic in the world could keep Jalm's heart from borderline exploding. This Susi was the king? The very same wolf he had just mistaken for and called a servant. His mind nearly went blank in fear and panic. He was almost certain he hit the ground before his eyes opened again vaguely seeing the pure white fur of the beautiful wolf again. The Shaman and the King were both just a little ways away laughing. He could only just barely hear them.

"Make sure he gets back to the front... His master may need him, just wait for him to actually recover...Skull, you take some of our forces to reinforce the cursed blood in the iron forest. Oh, and make sure this little one gets her studies on. Shaman, Oracle! We are heading to the Crystal Empire. The Princess there has agreed to open trade and has promised to set up council with an Equestrian Princess directly. We have a lot to do... let’s get to it..."

"Yes Susien..." The Shaman muttered loyally.

"Yes Father..." The beautiful Susi kindly spoke.

The voices blurred and Jalm could only feel the beautiful white furred wolf lay him down and stand beside the king and the Shaman. The last thing he saw after the trio vanished with a snap of the Shaman's fingers was Rose pop up in front of him with a happy grin and poke his nose playfully.

"Aww darn... he passed out."

The large doors to the throne room opened abruptly causing the already high strung guards to snap to attention. When the wolf had first shown up he scared the cutie marks off everrpony that saw him. He was massive and simply radiated the feeling of authority, rather surprising for how simple he looked.

First out the door was Cadence with a happy smile on her face, then came the wolf king side by side with Shining Armor talking in a soft tone. Shining Armor's face betrayed slight suspicion, it was his job to ensure the safety of the Crystal Empire after all. Though despite his every attempt to discover some hidden plot the wolf king seemed to catch him in it but not show that he was offended, to a point that Shining almost felt like he was being downright disrespectful. His every word was unraveled by this wolf and he found himself following instead of leading through most of of the conversation despite his efforts.

"And that is why its dangerous to promote sheerly out of skill or power alone. The key factor must be loyalty. Loyalty, power, skill, and knowledge. These things will usually lead to great commanders Just be very careful. A being can have all of these and still not have what it takes. As it is said in the north, there is an exception to EVERY rule."

Shining chuckled looking up at the massive bipedal being. "What about that rule?"

"Oh the rule about there being an exception to every rule?... think about it, what is the ONLY exception there could be? that there is no exception." Both laughed mildly not looking at the guards who stole a suspicious glance at the wolf only snapping to a panicked upright position when a clawed fingertip ran up his back and a voice whispered in his ear.

"is it not disrespectful to cast such suspicion on your guests?"

The guards snapped to whipping about but they saw nothing. Not a single soul was present.

"Oh be nice I'm sure they are just doing their job... different customs and such." They whipped back at the female voice that had again showed up behind them but again saw nothing. The voices did not return but in their wake two guards simply started to have a panic attack.

"It has been a very long time since we have seen the Crystal empire... you two keep it very organized....Very happy, we are very glad to see such joy among a people...I do hope a good cultural exchange will benefit both peoples involved...We have a substantial stockpile of good iron and the finest lumber you will ever lay your eyes upon..." The wolf king seemed to have a simple overjoyed look on his face. It was oddly entrancing. It was like he was always genuinely happy. The proposed trade was heavily in favor of the Crystal empire though Cadence had a feeling that had he wanted to this wolf king could have convinced anypony to start up a trade heavily in his own favor. It ate away at her a little. She knew that not all nations had the same forward trusting happiness that most ponies had. But it felt like there was some sort of hidden agenda, as if they were being lead into a position. The north did not appear to actually NEED anything from the Crystal empire, yet here they were practically giving away a fortune of lumber and iron for various crystals and being lent crystal carvers so that they could learn the art. It seemed more to her that he was simply trying to make sure they were trading and developing a relationship as allies. There was a dozen things that ran through her mind but it was interrupted as another wolf simply popped up as if she was always there.

"If you do not mind Princess Cadence... how do you get your hair to stay like that?... I have been trying for ages to get something similar." Though it scared her a bit she shook it off and smiled at the wolf who just popped up out of nowhere. After all she was a bit proud of the current hair style, she had just gotten it done a little ways back. Trying out the old Crystal Empire styles.

"Oh... the spas here are wonderful, and many will do your hair for you any way you like it."

The wolf's eyes lit up happily before she turned to the king. "Father may I?..."

The King stood in thought for a bit and nodded. " I do desire to see to this Equestrian Princess you spoke of earlier. You can catch up with us later Oracle...." He dismissed her with a smile and a gesture of his left hand. Instantly The Shaman appeared from within the King's shadow kneeling calmly awaiting orders just as the King panned over to Shining. "I believe you said it was your sister yes?... the Princess... you can travel with us... we get around pretty fast..."

Shining Armor looked about a little concerned, Cadence gave him an approving nod as she trotted off with the Princess of the North to a spa. "I guess, yeah. I haven't seen Twili in a while..."

The king gave a warm smile as he nodded to the Shaman who stood and pulled a small scroll out and placed it upon the floor. Unraveled the scroll revealed itself to be a very detailed map. "Well then Prince Armor, where exactly is this princess? please be as precise as possible." The Shaman gestured to Shining letting him peer over the map. Doing his best to point with his hoof at the exact location of ponyville the Shaman appeared to understand rather well and quickly pressed a claw against the exact spot. His focus blurred for a moment and the shaman shuttered as blood seeped from his claws onto the map into a quick circle before the map caught fire and he leaned over breathing in the smoke deeply.

The king stood and gave a nod to the Shaman who nodded back and looked over at Shining. "Alright here we go."

"Wait now?.. its almost ni-" He was cut off with the magic released from the Shaman's power at the sound of his finger's snapping. The trio vanished into nothing from the long distance teleportation ritual. Shining was about to explain that it was already late into the evening and as such Twilight was probably about to go to sleep. Though the thought wondered through Shining's mind if these wolves understood the idea of giving somepony time to prepare. Afterall, within an hour of Cadence sending the approval for council to the north by her magic they had simply poofed into existence right there in the throne room. He only hoped that Twilight was not doing anything important at the moment.

Chapter 3: Old conflicts

Chapter 3: New magic, old trouble

The hulking form slashed low with a wide swing and the prey barely whipped out of reach. His keen eye could not be deceived despite his target being so fast and so very skilled. He had not spent all those years on the hunt and on the warpath for nothing, even if this cat and mouse game was annoying he was patient enough to see it to the end. His claws twitched as his only eye moved from place to place before he whipped about and snatched the pup up by the scruff.

"WHAAAAA!... no! I dont wanna!!"

"I don't care... you are going back to study... Susien himself requested it... and you know how much Oracle will be grumpy if you don't listen to her dad?"

The little pup named Rose grumbled as her father carried her back with him. This temple that served as their home was the home of all the Druids. Here in the sanguinus tree within the capital. The life energies and magic flowing off the ancient tree was a perfect place for any young Druid to practice their art. A Druid could only hide within the energies of another living being, just as the Oracles could only hide in the light, and the Shamans could only hide in the shadows. This was why the pup always managed to escape. With the entire area full of rich powerful magic and life of the Sanguinus tree she could stay away from prying eyes for as long as she so desired.

Though, she was only using the power there for trouble, it existed in its current form on purpose. Each temple was constructed with powerful magical materials that let each group's magic flow freely. Only, here in the Sanguinus tree, the One eye'd skull ALWAYS had to hunt down his daughter to make her get back to her studies. Carrying her back into the main room of the temple he grumbled a little and sat down giving his daughter a toss into the pillows at the base of the shrine. Had she not been in a foul mood about the studying and work she would have giggled herself silly at the tussle.

From the Shrine a pair of pure focused blue tinged white eyes opened calmly set with a soft black pupil like the gem in the center of a master crafted ring. The eyes glanced down accompanied with a smile. "Rose.... precious little Rose... why do you always give your father so much trouble?.." The soft voice was calm and kind. The sort of voice one would expect to hear in a library. Her hand calmly touched Rose's ears caressing her in a calm pet.

"But, Mooooooom! I dont wanna replace you... You are the head Druid... you are more powerful than Shaman himself... and you don't even specialize in combat magic like him...You can't just stop being Druid..."

The Susi smiled and gave Rose's nose a quick tap. "I can.... and I will. I may be the most powerful being gifted with magic in the north that we know of... but I am led... I do not lead...Now... come here... " She gracefully and slowly almost as if she was a spiritual entity pointed with a finger at the open book carefully set at the ground. "Study...."

Rose grumbled and sat down peering over the book as her mother looked back up to her father. An extended hand commanded magic with a calmness and guided the skull mask from his belt to rest over Rose's head. She smiled and slid it over her face reading through the single eye hole as her mother Druid, took the One eye'd skull's hand and stepped back. Teleporting them a short distance and throwing a dampening field up so their daughter could not listen in. "He is here... Susien called and they are answering... it is best you talk to him before Legenda comes..."

The big Susi's eyes lit up first with eagerness then in concern. "It is good to hear my brother is returning... but Why did the cursed blood have to get here first?..."

A low growl came from her throat and the Skull flinched. "He was chosen by Susien. It is not your judgement that determines his worth.... we will respect the wisdom of our king... no matter the actions of the guardian..." The Druid gave a slow wave and the magical field around her husband contracted as it teleported him to the barracks . She gave a sigh and her eyes closed taking her mind back into the ethereal realm.

The magic cleared still leaving the tingling feeling in his scarred fingertips. However, the first thing he noticed with his single eye was the heavy scar across the other Susi's back. He knew that scar well. The four long painful marks of the flaming claws that had carved the younger general's flesh from shoulder to hip. The scar almost covered by a shield and sword, both made from iron bark and enchanted to the point that they were both more durable than even the most powerful of northern steel. "Hello Dagfinn.... I did not expect for you to answer the call..." He grumbled the words refusing to use the general's chosen name.

The other Susi turned calmly and two eyes met one. A calm and happy voice sounded out. "I will always answer the call... The king of wolves is the king of wolves after all... None of the Susi can refuse this call... it would be a sin against our blood..." Despite the tension in the room the younger wolf smiled happily and wore a calm and relaxed stance.

Skull hated his voice, it was the same voice no matter what, he was unshakable, it was the same even when he lay bleeding at the king's feet looking up with the same calm smile, barley able to hold the blade that he had just yanked from another Susi's chest. Though the younger Susi had morals and honorable intent that would make any real warrior look on in pride. The scar across his fellow General's back always served to anger the One eye'd skull, and anger Legenda even more. For once he was thankful that his brother was not here at the moment. "You are correct Dagfinn... we ALL follow the call, even my brother... and I know we are sworn to treat you with the respect and honor demanded by the title granted to you by our king, but you also know why he took up the outpost three hundred miles from your home. Let us be done quickly... I will hold my oath... but you know as well as I, it is unwise to test the temperament of Legenda..."

The 'guardian' Stood tall. "I will not dishonor the trust Susien Kuningas has placed in me...I will take up the rest of house Lempo and we will meet you in the iron forest..." The tall Wolf gave a solid bow and smiled. His eyes waved slightly before he chuckled. "Your little one escaped again... I smell her magic nearby, it is very fresh too..."

The One Eye'd Skull let out a muffled curse as he dismissed the Guardian with a wave of his hand and followed his nose to try and locate his daughter.

"My mother?.....um....th...that is kinda..."

Cadence instantly shot a hoof up apologetically. "I am so sorry, I was just curious I did not mean to drag any bad memories up..."

"Oh, oh! its not like that... She is just not spoken of... for.. um... other reasons...Namely because I have not met her. She was... well... very different..." Cadence looked at the pure white wolf in wonder. There was still so much she could learn. She had already learned so much just by spending time with the young female. "Suffice to say, my mother chose to give me... this... um... form... but yes, I can feel the next question, and yes... my father by blood and heritage really is the king of the North. We have many traditions that could be misleading but indeed I am of direct blood to my father. My mother is just... um... a special case."

"I see... facinating... now, this one might be a ... sensitive case as well but I feel kinda awkward not knowing...so, why does your father call you 'Oracle'?... Oracle sounds like a title..."

The Susi smile calmly, looking over at the Crystal ponies who carefully tended to her long soft silky hair. "It is a title... by tradition ALL members of the magical castes of the north have two names, their given name and their chosen name. This tradition is also shared by those closest to my father, his generals especially. Though the traditional spots of Shaman, Druid, and Oracle are known mostly by their title. Which in this case is also my chosen name. Only my father and a select few know my real name. It was once believed that if you knew a magic user's name you could use the power of his or her name to enslave him or her to your will. However, my father dispelled that myth quickly. He has some other reason for the tradition, and though its a little odd, I quite enjoy the title."

"I see, I can't imagine what it would be like to not ever meet my own mother. Do you know anything about her?" She looked on with honest concern.

"I ... well I know a lot about her, but it would not make sense even if I were to explain it. Her name, well in this language means 'Melody'. The stories say that my father fought and killed an exceedingly powerful monster along, he did not wish to allow his people to be harmed, but he was mortally wounded in the battle. Melody came to him seeing his love for his people and how greatly he desired to protect them, that he would sacrifice his own life just to keep them safe. The story goes that she fell in love with him through his selfless dedication and stepped in to heal his wounds. When he recovered she hid from him, but he easily saw her despite her best efforts. He welcomed her and thanked her for her efforts. When he offered she refused to return with him but he was determined to repay the debt of his life to her. The stories get a little unclear seeing they were only put together by second, third, even fourth hand accounts afterwards. Some say that he gave her a child to thank her, some say that he married her, and others say he stuck around more or less because he found her so beautiful. Regardless two years after he returned the infinite storm above the capital halted for ten hours and an infant pup was deposited within the throne room. That of course being me."

Cadence's eyes lit up at the story. She was a sucker for a good love story, despite it being a little hard to follow she quite enjoyed it. "Well, I must say, that is more than I can say for myself and my origins..."

Oracle chuckled and waved a hand dismissively. "Nonsense, you are an Alicorn. There are still Susi who think all Alicorn princesses are Goddesses."

"Really?..." Cadence's eyes widened as her voice sounded out in a fair amount of surprise.

"Oh yes, Especially those two sisters, Luna and Celestia. I never bought into it but we have a festival in the winter to honor the moon, and one in the summer to honor the sun. If they learn you exist surely they will make another in the spring to honor the love we all have for one another." She smiled warmly and Cadence happily smiled back. She was a little put off being made out to be a God of some sort in another country but it was not like she could do much about it.

"The North sounds very nice..."

"It is... well.. culturally, but we have a very fair share of problems, and every now and again something terrible and powerful comes along to kill everyone." She sighed and Cadence chuckled a little

"Yeah, I kinda know what that is like"

Lean and scared, twin blades at his hips and a bow at his back Legenda, the One eye'd skull's brother, general of the far north and hero of the Halla garden stepped into the city. His eyes were cold and distant. Though he was a hero in this nation, none praised his arrival. All knew the pain he suffered and all he sacrificed to take his father's place. The greatness of this Susi was simply that he had survived that which no other wolf could have. Behind him strode his warriors of Kaaos. Not known for their patience or politeness the arrival of such Susi meant only that the threat in the iron forest was far greater than they had lead on, or that the king simply had something planned.

"Brother!" The much larger Susi strode up. His mask fitted into place per tradition when the armies met. The two generals clasped hands firmly testing each other's might with a firm muscle bound tug. As per usual Legenda lifted firmly but only because he was lighter.

"Good to see you brother... where is he?...I brought my Kaaos...Did he really order me down here just to hunt a few annoying Kaas?" The thinner wolf grumpily sat as his soldiers stood firmly behind him. All knew that these were his special soldiers. Susi who broke on the battlefield and could not be returned to normal life when their time in the military was over found their place in his ranks due to their mind being reverted to nothing but the savage instinct of war. Berserkers and barbarians. And so to speak Legenda was the only who understood the broken mind and had the power enough to tame them.

"We have our orders, it is all I know of his plans... though he is down south with the Equines on one of his quests... not quite sure what he is playing at, but if you can spare the time I have some good mead. Shall we retreat to th...." His eye twitched and his teeth grit, Druid stood in the distance. The look was obvious. Rose had done something very foolish. "... Come brother I have some fathering to do... and I will need the mead after I am done..."

He made his way forward but Druid met him halfway. "Shes gone, and not hiding playfully, but gone. She was in her room supposedly studying. Every druid in the temple felt it. There was a pulse of power, the Sanguinus tree dipped very noticeably in power. I found her travel bags gone, the barrel of Kaar preserves empty... She teleported somewhere. And I do not need the others to tell me where, The amount of power drawn was enough to send her across the sea. She is trying to find Oracle." Druid's teeth made an audible grinding noise as she stressed and throbbed with anger. Rose was not a bad child but she often would make foolish mistakes with good intent. This was one more thing. to add to the pile. Their daughter just ran off to Equestria.

"The other Generals will be here soon, just be patient..." The Cursed blood lined up firmly looking at their hero, Guardian lord of house Lempo. Their rifles slung and ready, He chose to disperse his personal soldiers among the inexperienced to improve their survival chances. An Oracle stood firmly by his side listening to the magic on the wind to relay the progress of the other two generals.

"Guardian!... the Skull is moving up, he is as angry as Legenda who is moving into the heart of the forest with his Chaaos....The Skull has ordered his Oracle not to relay some things to us, but he assures me that the Skull is not being malicious. He is just very angry at the moment." The female Susi bowed low as she gave the report.

The guardian nodded and gestured for her to fall back in line. "Susien Kuningas has given us orders, and the army of the north is on the move. Let us show the redeemed pride and righteous heart of the Cursed blood!"

The soldiers looked up to their hero and shouted loudly. "THE TYRANT'S BLOOD BINDS US NO LONGER!!!"

"The king has freed us"

"ALL HAIL THE WOLF KING!"

"We march forward!"

"NO DEATH NOR THE COLD OF DEATH WILL TAKE US FROM OUR PATH!"

"We fight on!"

"FOR SUSIEN KUNINGAS, BRAVERY AND HONOR, FOR THE NORTH!"

The Guardian Lord drew his weapon and stood among the ranks of his own soldiers and the young pups barely old enough to stand in the ranks as the gates to their fort opened wide. A storm of thunder sounded as a mix of Shaman's lobbing spells, long rifles firing and the Guardian charging with the melee troops into the heart of the forest against the dozens of Kaar that raged against the protected castle which sprouted from the shores of Lake Seppa.

Even though he was still scared witless, one young Susi stood beside his Shaman master as he stared down the barrel of his long rifle, a bullet between each knuckle as he was taught by the veterans. Jalm was scared spitless but seeing the legend of the Guardian Lord of House Lempo at the side of him and his brothers joining the fray directly flooded his worried heart with hope. He hoped that at the very least, the other legends he met today would be doing as well as he was at the moment.

Chapter 4: Noble blood

"Well that explains it..." The One eye'd skull stared, the scene was one of legend and nightmares.

A massive tail smashed the chest of one of the Chaaos warriors. His ribs snapped like twigs and upon impact with the iron tree behind him his arm wrenched out of its socket. With a fine mist of blood mixed into his roar he stood up hefting his axe with one hand and charging back at the alpha Kaar."hakkaa päälle pohjan pojat!!!!"

Five of the alpha class Kaar guarded a single cave. This was completely unheard of before. The Kaar came together in groups of up to ten but generally stayed far away from the adult males. Once the male attained full growth and bull status it would fight for territory until it became alpha of that territory and mate with all the females. Two alphas would fight to the death the moment they could smell one another. But here they had something else keeping not two but five of them from attacking. The only thing that made sense was outside interference. Which of course explained the extremely powerful magical power felt from within the cave they guarded.

The massive dragon firmly swatted the Chaaos warrior who charged mindlessly at the massive dragon smashing him unconscious or perhaps even worse against the rocks further back, just as quickly however, a spear sized arrow plunged into one of its eyes and up hopped Legenda. Landing with his claws digging into the pale flesh, much like his Chaaos berserkers he too indulged in the mindless bloodrage. With his mind gone and he knew only the smell of blood and the desire to feel it under his claws. The Kaar roared at him viciously and he roared back rapidly whipping his arms about in a blur as he ripped the dragon's remaining five eyes out. Drawing one of his blades he hacked into the thick skull repeatedly. The beast tried to throw him off but he would not have it. The feral general would have his fair share of blood, no living thing could take it from him.

Watching from a distance as his axe weaved to and fro cleaving pale flesh back and forth the One eye'd skull listened to the battle continue. He let out a groan as he heard the roars of the cursed blood and house Lempo. He knew full well that the king wanted them to do this together but it was clear that house Lempo and Legenda did not get along for a very good reason.

As if the Gods heard his thoughts and decided to make matters worse he heard the mighty beast die and the next alpha lose its tail as it swatted his brother through the trees and quickly into the ground before the oncoming banners of house Lempo. Cursing loudly he directed his men to press the front lines and he quickly leaped back, chasing after Legenda, but it was far too late.

Bathed in blood that matted his fur a soaked hand of Legenda grasped his second blade and his pupils dilated. His wrathful mind set only upon dismembering whatever he came across was just given a gift.

Dagfinn snapped his fingers and his men quickly hauled any of the youths and all others out of the way. "Calm down... I am your ally... your enemy are the Kaar... REMEMBER YOUR OATH!" He stood bearing sword and shield firmly in ready stance as the feral general circled him. He was far beyond talk but the Guardian Lord had to try, they were comrades and sworn by blood and honor to fight for the same cause and to defend the North against all enemies. Though all that was left of Legenda's mind at the moment was that same image of that night that Dagfinn became the Guardian Lord of house Lempo , the small cursed blood smiling up at the king as he lay in the puddle of blood barely able to move from the deep cauterized claw marks in his back. The blood he lay in was not his own, rather the blood of one he knew all too well.

Legenda leaped forward savagely but was tackled by Skull and just as quickly Skull was thrown off with a long slice into the thick bone mask adding a long vertical scar to the traditional armor piece. Toppling and rolling back to his feet his open and ready claws only just barely missed his brother's tail and leg trying desperately to stop him from attacking Dagfinn. He could see the duel swords clash against the kite shield. Sparks flew and dragon blood trailed from his weapons as his brother clashed with the Guardian Lord.

Oh please Gods above, do not let me lose another member of my family to this Susi.

Rarity yawned loudly and Applejack chuckled. "Pinkie really pulled a fast one on us... but hey, I'm glad we could go to the party...I cant imagine how much more fun it would have been had everypony else been able to come... but heck, everypony has got their business to attend to..."

"Oh indeed darling... Twilight with her studies and preparation, Fluttershy with her animals an-"

A loud crackling burst interrupted her and three figures landed in front of her. Rather, two figures landed as a hefty muscle bound arm shot out and grasped Shining Armor's tail snatching him out of the air to prevent him from face planting into the ground. "Are you well prince?"

The massive wolf gently swung Shining into position and let him go so he landed on all four hooves. "Um..y..yes... I'm... I was just not ready for that at all." He cleared his throat and gave a short hoof wave to Rarity and applejack. "hello, don't mind us, I'm just taking the king here to see Twily..." He cleared his throat still trying to shake off the shock.

The three made their way along slower than the two Susi would have liked but their guide was still shaky on his hooves. The two mares on the other hand could not stop staring. Completely unable to decide exactly what they should do or say. They simply sat and stared at the small group move up towards the castle.

A furry set of knuckles rapped on the door calmly. It was late but not too late. At least according to Susi standards. The door opened and a small purple dragon stared at an odd sight for him. Legs, legs right where a normal pony's face would be his eyes traced up and he went pale seeing what he could only think was some sort of monster Diamond dog. But just as quickly Shining Armor poked in. "I am sorry Spike, we did not plan on coming this late, but is Twilight home?... This is the King of the north and his Shaman..."

Just as quickly Twilight came to the door wide eyed and with a bright excited smile. "OH!!.. I did not expect to see you, your majesty. Honestly I would have cleaned up a little more."

"It is fine Princess...I do not enjoy special treatment... I only desire to be treated just as any being who you would come to know." He smile warmly and she smiled back.

"Oh.. I ...I can do that... please call me Twilight then. I'm not much one for titles and such..."

"And neither am I Twilight... though for me just call me Susien..."

"Susien?" She stopped and thought back on the load of books she had just nearly read herself to sleep with. "That just means wolf right?"

"No.. it means Wolves....it is just a part of my title...its easy for those I choose to approach with a lighter tone..."

"OH! like Susien Kuningas, the name of your ancestor!... the one who fought and killed the Tyrant Fennir."

The Shaman gave an odd look and glanced back and forth between Twilight and the king of the north. "...Yes... something like that...." The king chuckled and stepped inside with her. His Shaman gave a quick nod and stepped into the King's shadow instantly vanishing. Twilight barely noticed it but did not question the act. She had read what the magics of the north did and their roles in their society. Quickly picking out the Shaman as a shaman and not one of the other two categories she knew that his magic was mostly combat related and he was likely the King's guard. His position would be to leap out and save the king if there was any form of trouble. So naturally he would be hiding like that.

Shining yawned and just laid down on one of the couches. He was more than just tired. Content in letting his sister take it from there he would get some rest and resume his duties in the morning.

"So then, I do hope that I can meet with the other leaders of this nation without any troubles. I did kind of drop in without much warning, I have succeeded in securing trade and comradery between the north and the Crystal empire. I am eager to meet with the leaders of this nation, but to my understanding you are one of these rare leaders. Equestria must be quite blessed to have so many powerful monarchs."

"Oh its not that big of a deal... Mostly I just smile and wave." She choked a little feeling his gaze on her and the way she had just painted herself to him. Clearing her throat she started again. "I more or less am still in learning but I have saved Equestria with my friends a few times. We keep busy and do as best as we can."

"Oh yes, I noticed. We have been eager to set foot here for a while. We almost moved to assist when that terrible bit with Tirek was going on, but the Oracles foretold that Harmony had a different plan. We would stay our hand and Equestria would save itself. This nation has grown so powerful... I am quite pleased and I do hope we can be a powerful ally in both trade and cultural exchange." He smile gesturing with his hand to Twilight.

"I hopes so too, its still quite late but I can talk, and you have a few hours before its day again, we can chat and Spike can show you to a room so you can sleep before we go to meet Celestia in the morning."

"Indeed that is a wonderful plan, do you have a balcony? it has been long since I have seen the moon and desire to see it again. It makes a wonderful setting for conversation with friends." Twilight happily nodded and the moved along.

Pinkie happily wiped down the tables and put the cupcakes back into the fridge. It had been hours since the party ended and honestly she felt quite tired. But never the less a bright smile was over her face. She had heard something about strangers in ponyville and was still deciding whether these cupcakes would be ok for their welcome to Ponyville party. She hummed in thought before deciding she could easily bake more. Better have fresh cupcakes than some left over from another party. It would just be rude otherwise.

Reaching up and rubbing her eyes she stifled a powerful yawn but suddenly froze. Her tail twitched and wiggled, her neck itched and her knees gave a soft ache. Somepony was watching her. Turning gracefully about she breathed in deep feeling the air about her. No further itches, twitches or anything resounded within her. Whatever it was, she was in no danger. The presence she could feel even gave off a playful aura. "Nopony can hide from Pinkie Pie!!"

Pinkie leaped right where her feeling was the strongest and oddly made contact with something she clearly didn't see. It was like the air within the space she just collided with held something she simply could not see. But this quickly wore off as she bowled it over and found herself sitting over a young furry wolf who looked up at her with wide almost fearful eyes.

"I... I wasn't planning anything... I was just trying to find my friend... have... have you see a really pretty wolf with white fur around here?"

Pinkie stared, still not quite sure what was going on, but she let her feelings guide her. "Well... um.. no I haven't but.. if you came to find a friend then you came to the right place... WELCOME TO PONYVILLE!!!!" Whipping about Pinkie dropped some balloons and a cupcake into her waiting claws.

"Um.. um.... ok...." She nearly squeaked out the words "... What is this?" She held out the cupcake, the balloons did not interest her so much. But the cupcake was all sorts of bright and very solid colors. She had seen balloons before but this thing was completely alien to her.

"Its a cupcake silly... wait... WAIT.... you have not had cupcakes before?" Pinkie seemed mortified but quickly recovered. "Its.. its a cupcake.. its food, the best kind of food. Eat it. You wont regret it ever!!! You can trust me, I am Pinkie Pie, and Pinkie Pie does not lie!"

The young pup nodded slowly, despite the normal reaction to Pinkie's forwardness being trying to get some distance from her until the initial shock wears off the pup seemed ok with it, even happy to see such a positive attitude. "Good, I am Rose.... and I don't lie either, Susi are not supposed to lie. It is a sin against the King's will and dishonorable..." She smiled puffing her chest out proudly reciting that part of the Susi's warriors customs.

"Coool! you have to show me all the cool stuff for the Susi... I have given you the treat of my peoples take it... love it... eat it!! and then we can try your stuff!!"

Rose smiled happily but eyeballed the small frosted cupcake. Leaning in she sniffed at it rather surprised and encouraged at the scent she leaned forward and nibbled off the side.

Just outside Derpy had just woke up for her mail route at the first light of the day, happily stretching her wings and smiling. Breathing in the fresh air she took to the skies but stumbled and plopped face first into the ground at the borderline scream she heard coming from sugar cube corner.

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE!!!!!"

Cadence calmly nuzzled into her pillow. She was at peace, a wonderful day with a new friend. Oracle took the room just down one floor, she was so refreshed and very happy. The closest thing they had in the north to a spa was their saunas which had no one to as she said with glee "pamper" them. She was so happy at the end of the day, Cadence almost had trouble convincing her that at some point ponies needed to sleep. The future looked promising for the north and the Crystal empire.

With a belly full of delicacies and a royal bed Cadence was on the very fringes of sleep but was not disturbed by the soft hoof falls as something entered her room and approached her bedside.

In a soft near ethereal voice it sounded. "Thank you.... you are a good friend for her....but I must be swift, the time is short and despite how well he means, my mate is not suited for making peace, even in his wisdom... He is a warrior and not a proper king." Cadence stirred slightly as eerie magic bathed the room. A kind gentle hoof stroked her hair. Cadence opened her eyes but could not tell what was before her, she only vaguely understood that she was perceiving a pony beside her. She felt no alarm or concern, nothing but comfort, like the warm embrace of a mother as an aura that flooded the room.

"There is trouble ahead, old wounds that never healed. I need you to keep my daughter safe and trust that if peace is sought after, it will be found. Where there is mistrust and anger, you must place love, where hate burns, you must show kindness and understanding. Fires of hate are not without foundation, but they can ignite without intentional malice..... do as you know you must... and keep my Rikka safe..."

A firm wind blew and Cadence woke fully still feeling the slowly fading aura of comfort. She looked about but saw nothing. She felt warm and loved, but on the edge of trouble. The eve of an oncoming storm. She looked down as if she was trying to see through the stone floor and look at her new friend in wonder. ".... Rikka?..."

Chapter 5: Bad Blood

"You're still up?!" Twilight struggled to keep her balance. She had gotten so little sleep, just endlessly talking to the king. She had practically fallen asleep mid sentence and woke up in her bed. After returning to the balcony she found that it was mid day and that the king was calmly sitting and reading one of the books from her library. It did not appear he had moved an inch since she passed out. As well he looked just the same, his eyes were fresh and calm as they were when she first saw him.

"Well yes... the storms in the north are very VERY powerful, they blot out the sun and moon most of the time, the majority of the north is accustom to 30 hour day cycles. However, I being the king have an important role to play, so I can last far longer...." He chuckled hoping she could pick up on the half truths. He wanted to see if this young alicorn was fit for her role. He could tell she was very smart but sometimes she missed things, he had to be a little more blunt when dealing with ponies as their culture was far less used to those who were not upfront and honest about their intentions.

"Well no time like the present my little purple friend... if you have nothing else important to do I would be happy to go to Canterlot and set up this alliance and open up trade for our peoples." He stood and gently put the book down. Twilight seemed oddly entranced at how fluid his movements were, the joints to his fingers moved so gracefully as he closed the book. Book sorting and handling was always a bit rougher without magic but the more she paid attention the more she seemed to notice that this wolf was oddly majestic in even his most simple of movements.

"Ah... yes... we can go to Canterlot at any time, the train is just down the street. It will get us there pretty fast."

The king smiled happily as Shaman came out of his shadow chewing on Kaar preserves. The sudden appearance gave Twilight a small jump but she shrugged it off and offered a smile before coming about to go and wake spike to tell him what that day's plans were.

".....I hope you have not changed too much.... Aurinko Pylly...." His gaze settled on the Canterlot castle in the distance.

"And... and then my daddy punched him right in the snout! But he threw lighting right back. But then..." The little wolf beamed and nearly squealed in glee as Pinkie pie sat listening to her story with almost equal excitement watching the illusion magic display animation to her story telling "... then Oracle stepped in and with just a wave of her hand the lightning arced away from my daddy and struck the ground!.. The evil Shaman had lost his one and only chance of hurting my daddy or the king."

"What happened to him?" Pinkie leaned in with bright happy eager eyes.

"He stood trial for treason and was forced to take the Sanguine Oath! He entered the Iron forest alone and fought against the Kaar until he died...." Rose puffed out her chest beaming with pride. Back at home, story telling was the honor of the elders, but at the moment she was the oldest and most revered Susi present so the honor fell to her. It was a default technicality which made her outright giddy.

"OH!... ok... the North sounds awesome and scary at the same time..." Pinkie stepped back to take some cupcakes out of the oven as she maintained eye contact. "Oh oh oh oh oh! can you tell me any big stories about you or your family? I know the last few had your daddy in it but.... never was it actually about your family..."

Rose's smile faded slightly but she looked into Pinkie's eyes. "....W...well... there is one story... but My daddy doesn't like it being told. The king said it was a story all could learn from... but he says a lot of really strange stuff no one understands....I guess... but its... its not a very happy story...."

Pinkie's ears lowered a tad but she did not falter. She could feel the story was important. She just could not shake the feeling that the room filled with. Pinkie knew the feeling well, but it was almost like Rose did not. It was shame.

Her hands lit up and like with the previous stories she told her magic flared to show images of the snowy north and a single Susi appeared. Tall and powerful he held a heavy lance in one hand and a heavy mace in the other. "The failed General... My grand father, Inquisitor. He took the name Inquisitor because as the king taught him, you must question everything you can perceive, otherwise you will only see what others desire you to see... It was a lesson that brought him to a strange conclusion. He took all his soldiers and a large portion of the cursed blood, traveled to the far west, past the iron forest and built a citadel there...." Her hands flared up and the image pushed into the space around them showing a young wolf with two swords standing before Rose's grandfather.

"Father!... this is madness... you cannot be serious..." His hands twitched, it was clear he was torn in two. His loyalty to the throne and his loyalty to his father.

"He lead me to this himself, question EVERYTHING..... like why something like him would even exist?... The answer is simple. A test, My child... he took control of the North three thousand years ago to forge us into our own rulers. His mere existence is a test that will forever stand as a challenge. In order for the North to become more... we must overthrow the King.... it is the only way my child...."

The smaller Susi shivered and looked up at his father. "NO!... its not right, he lead us for thousands of years, he feed us from slavery..."

"Did he really?... I have looked over and over again, we were never freed, we simply swapped masters. The king is a warrior, more than just a warrior... but he is not a true king. He is simply a physical manifestation of who we are.... or at least a part of it...." His eyes stared down at his youngest son but the young wolf's actions only brought anger to the father's eyes.

"NO!!!" The twin blades drew but instantly the heavy mace splashed down and knocked them from his grip. He grit and bared his teeth up at his father. "YOU CANNOT DO THIS.... Please father....please..."

Another voice boomed into the long hall along with the sound of the doors shattering. The hulking form and skull mask, symbol of the One eye'ed skull stepped into the great hall. "FATHER!....." The mask came off and two eyes stared up at the old general. Though the image of the skull had two eyes, and was very young. His armor shined and was free of scratches.

The response in the father's voice was rage. ".... TRAITORS!.... Who has betrayed me and my command?.... who told you of this?"

The skull shook his head and raised his ax. "It matters not father, I was given the knowledge and as such so has the king. He is coming, He is coming with his armies. I am here before him, please father... I beg of you... stop this madness... stop it all...."

Inquisitor looked down at his oldest son, then back at his youngest son. "....I will not... you have both shamed me...."

As if in slow motion The Skull raised his ax and leaped forward just as the younger son took an arrow from his quiver and lunged. Inquisitor shed a single tear as his mace lashed back and sent the younger son through the wall, and with a sudden burst, the lance caught fire and was thrown with great force impacting and almost deflecting from the Skull's head burning and penetrating his eye.

All present stared in horror. The soldiers under Inquisitor's command, and the cursed blood taken with their main forces all stood uncertain. Their loyalty was sworn to both their general and the throne. It was more than planned treachery now, The Inquisitor had just committed treason and drew the blood of his own sons.

"Susien Kuningas is a lie.... He is not one of us... He never was. I have dedicated my life to understanding the ways of this world... and I have seen the truth.... a truth that cast's the shadow of death upon us all. You will listen to my commands and obey... or you will perish beneath my mace...." He raised his weapon high as the Skull rose in pain from below. Looking up at his father. He opened his mouth but another voice echoed through the halls.

"NO!.... You speak Heresy....Your foolishness will cost the north the lives of thousands...."

He whipped about and stared at what appeared to be a single cursed blood who stepped out of the formation. The others stared on in horror, but this young Susi who was barely even of age to stand in the ranks of the army stared up at the Inquisitor.

"You... You a member of the cursed blood would stand against me? And for the sake of the one who enslaved your bloodline for three thousand years?.... your blind faith and loyalty impresses no one boy..." He marched forward with his mace extended.

"Yes, I have faith in the king, I deny you and your claims... but it is not by blind loyalty... In all your pondering and thought... you forgot the cost of your actions. You forgot to inquire what it would cost... and whether it would be worth it... you forgot to inquire of your own motives...."

Inquisitor was now feet from him. "You are mislead.... but your bravery and concern is noted..." His cold eyes stared down into the hot blooded eyes of the youth. "I am impressed... but before you die.... tell me your name, that you would be remembered... No cursed blood have I ever seen before me unbroken and without fear.... despite your betrayal. You honor your kind with your bravery...."

The youth looked up and smiled a warm inviting calm and almost blissful smile. "I am Dagfinn of the house Lempo... We... the cursed blood know in our hearts... Susien Kuningas has done his deeds for the north. We and we alone it seems are the ones who not blind in our loyalty...He has been and always will be the Guardian of our kind, of all of the north. He is the shining example of who we should all be... I strive with every fiber of my being to be like him... but I feel, you are lost in your pondering in inquiring... It has blinded you....."

"Brave words little one... the Cursed blood will be lesser when you die..." Inquisitor's mace rose but the calm smile across his lips did not fade.

"I have nothing to fear, and your inquiring mind has blinded you to more than just who and what Susien Kuningas is...."

The mace reached its peak in at the tip of Inquisitor's reach before it began to sweep down bursting into an inferno of blood red flames as it arced through the air. Though before it reached the young Susi he stepped further into Inquisitor's reach and gave a soft twirl. The mace shattered the stone floor beneath their feet and with a swift motion the young Susi Dagfinn plunged a dagger into Inquisitor's wrist. What happened next was nearly too fast to be seen. Claws lit up with magical fire and slashed back and forth as the dagger in the hands of the young Dagfinn danced about. The sound of a cold steel blade punching through ribs echoed in the room in front of The Skull. Just as the younger son struggled up from the rubble the eyes of both sons stared at the mortally wounded Dagfinn tearing the dagger out of the heart of their father. The site mortified them both. Sickness and rage built up inside but was forced cold when a heavy hand landed on the Skull's shoulder.

"Stand down... It could not have been avoided..." Susien Kuningas stepped forward, past the Skull and right up to the young Dagfinn. "Pup... I heard your words... I have noticed your deeds... you stood against what you new was wrong knowing full well what it would cost you... I have recognized your deeds.... but, even I am confused why you would act. Surely you had faith that I would come and repair this."

Dagfinn looked up from the puddle of blood, deep cauterized wounds in his back from fiery claws. "I do not need blind faith, What we the cursed blood owe to you is without measure. Your mercy to us when we deserved none cannot be repaid, but just like peace. The impossible should always be strived for. I moved because the truth was being subverted. Inquisitor saw many things others did not, but his mind was tainted with doubt. I am filled with certainty. I too question everything, but I take the answers and I instill them into who I am... I refuse to allow your grace upon my kind to be answered with treachery fueled by half truths. I may die today... but I die knowing I did what was right. And I know this without any need for blind obedience." He smiled up at the king who kneeled down looking into the young one's eyes.

"I am honestly surprised... and quite delighted. You are more than just honorable. You I feel represent what the North is... you are certainly one of it's guardians... and if you survive....then I will ensure that you are rewarded..."

His hand gently moved to the back of Dagfinn's head and he tilted him back opening his mouth. Taking the dagger from his hand he drew the blade across his own wrist and bled into the cursed blood's maw. "Drink... and we will see how well you represent the north....."

The magic fizzed and faded and Rose's eyes were cast downwards. "As the King says, even when striving to do what is right, you can do what is wrong. My grandfather did both. He earned death, but is still remembered for his service and bravery. Even as he moved to betray his king, he still wanted only what was best for the north... The fault was simply in his reasoning. Susien Kuningas says that in order to have a good soul, you must see ALL things, not just what you believe concerns you. Ignore the illusion of sides and you will see the truth..."

Pinkie's eyes were wide but her smile not wholly there. She understood it all and it amazed her but she felt strongly the pain of the two sons and of the king. "Well that was amazing!!... though..." She slathered on more frosting atop the cupcakes before throwing one to Rose who eagerly gobbled it down. "Its kinda a sad story."

"Yeah... it kinda is...."

"Another?"

".... sure!" The smell of cupcakes and magic filled Sugar cube corner as the two continued their day.

"Shaman... stand by until you are needed..." The Shaman nodded and vanished into the shadows without a word. This still was unnerving for Twilight the way he seemed so at ease with all his dark powers.

Twilight could easily tell his power was not malicious but it was far darker than the magic she was used to. "Ahem... well... this has been like very VERY short notice, I do hope that Celestia is not busy..."

Her soft hoof falls were accompanied by the long stride of the king just a few feet behind her. The guards gave him a menacing glare of mistrust. He offered back a warm smile, not blaming mistrust of such creatures to a wolf. Never the less he did not break his stride and they did not stop glaring at him with suspicion. They slowed at the door to the main hall and he breathed deeply. "Well... here goes...."

Twilight only looked at him for a moment before the door opened and they entered. There were a few ponies there going over things off a list but both Luna and Celestia were there. "Ah! Princess Luna, Princess Celestia! Cadence sent us emissaries from the far north. The king of the North himself decided to come."

Luna looked up and nearly froze. Her eyes wide and her pupils small. She looked like she had seen a ghost. Celestia looked up and smiled at Twilight. "Well then come right in we have plenty of time left in the day lets ....." Her eyes grew wide and she stared at him.

"Hello Aurinko Pylly... good to see you are doing well... goodness, last time I saw you, you were still just this tall..." He waved his hand at about his waist level. Though the air turned hot and tinged with magical power.

The banner behind Celestia caught fire and her lips turned to a snarl. "YOU!!!" Twilight flinched and quickly broke into a sweat. She was very surprised to hear the king speak to Celestia in such a familiar manner, but her response felt like it burned a hole in her soul. "HOW ARE YOU STILL ALIVE?"

"Ponies make terrible soldiers... that could have a thing or two to do with it..." He stepped forward without an ounce of malice.

However, Celestia's power lit up like the heart of the sun and she leveled her horn at him. Loosing a blast of magical power that could level half of canterlot. The King shot forward with an open hand. Palming the powerful beam of magic he still closed the gap quickly grasping her horn with a grip of iron. Wrenching her head to the side his open left palm smashed her in the throat and his leg swept her hooves out from under her.

"After all I did for your nation, you have a funny way of showing your appreciation..." He quickly leaped out of the way as Luna dove in as if to impale him on her horn. Glancing once at his singed palm he sighed.

Celestia struggled to her hooves and coughed in a pained raspy voice. "You killed hundreds of my ponies...and for WHAT?... to give us a message?" The guards began to pour into the room and a few near forcefully pulled Twilight to the side getting her out of the way.

"We never intended for hostilities... but your kind are as stubborn and as prideful as they come... we saved your lives...and by default we saved the lives of every non pony race on your continent." His hands tensed and formed into menacing open fists to claw and smash equally.

"You declared war on us... we could barely even stand and you marched your army into our back yard bringing death with you." She hefted a polearm presented to her by one of her guards. "I was a filly then.... but you will find that I am a far more capable mare now...." She rushed in with her weapon firmly gripped within her golden magic. The moment she came within range there was the clash and ring of cold steel. The air turned deathly cold and the head of Celestia's halberd twirled about and sank into the stone wall on the far side of the great hall.

He held her firmly by the throat pulling her up to his level as he held a large ax up to her face. The weapon seethed with elemental magic more powerful than Twilight had ever felt. Ice magic. His eyes opened firmly and the whites clouded up with a pitch black as he glared into the eyes of a struggling and gasping Celestia. "Your foolish kind refused to listen to the prophecies of wolves out of petty hate... you refused to form armies against the coming darkness... we had no choice but to force you to move as we had requested... but then you went too far in retaliation...."

Gasping as she struggled her wings flapped and finally a hoof came to his knee relieving a fair amount of pressure applied to her throat. "We had no choice... you monsters were relentless..."

"You deceived Roudan, the last of her kind into attacking us..."

"And your assaults stopped!... you obviously could not win against an old God..."

"Are you blind you petty fool..." He pressed the ax against her face and Celestia went noticeably pale. "Our goal was to force you to create an army... we succeeded. But then you sent the last of the elementals to kill me, She much like you refused to listen to reason... I was forced to kill her..."

"Roudan?...you killed her?... " Her face twisted into horror and anger as she came to realize the weapon he was holding was made from the old God's bones.

"We came in peace, now, just like we did back then. And again, you have to step in and piss all over honorable intent...again all I wanted was to bring happiness and security to your world and my own... but you are dead set on the destruction of your people through your ignorance..." He glared at her as she returned his gaze, her eyes filled with hate and anger. "But, tell you what... I am more than fair, some even say merciful...Ill give you one last chance, see if you learn the lesson and can set aside your hate...."

His eyes drifted back to Twilight who stared on in horror. His eyes betrayed pain and sorrow but he resolved himself and threw the remains of Rouden. "Shaman! Jätän sen sinulle kunnes asiat on ratkaistu..." The bladed weapon was caught in the hand of the Shaman who nodded and turned to Twilight. The guards raised their weapons as he rushed forward. With an icy blast he was gone and Twilight toppled falling unconscious to the floor.

The king frowned and breathed deeply before releasing Celestia. "I will have to teach you the lesson the hard way then... you ponies are so damned stubborn..." To all their surprise he relaxed his stance and sat firmly on the ground in front of a confused, worried, and still quite angry Celestia. "I surrender.... go ahead Aurinko Pylly.... take me to your darkest dungeons... We will see what breaks first... your hate, or your nation..."

Chapter 6: Wars and the war

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