King of the North

"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?..."