Chapters The Return of the Ice Queen
The ponies were chatting and laughing in the castle. The Grand Galloping Gala was always a splendid time now, full of fun and chaos, thanks to Cheese Sandwich, Pinkie Pie, and Discord. Celestia smiled as she looked at her ponies enjoying themselves, when Twilight Sparkle came up and said "Hello Princess Celestia. How are you?"
Celestia smiled and responded "Hello Twilight, I'm doing well. Do you know where my sister is?"
Twilight said "I think she is getting ready, after all this is her first time at the Gala instead of on duty. "
Celestia nodded before greeting ponies coming up the stairs, eager to say hello with the Princess of the Sun. Meanwhile, Rarity kept saying to Blue blood, who was following her around.
"Blue Blood, please stop following me!"
Blue blood said "But I love you now, Rarity!"
Just then his fur turned blue. Blue Blood screeched and ran away. Rarity smiled gratefully and said "Thank you Discord. I don't know why now he has set his sights on me."
Discord chuckled and said Anything for a friend."
Fluttershy came up and asked "Discord, can we please dance now?"
They had been dating for a few months now and although her friends were not sure about the relationship, they still supported it. Discord nodded and took them to the dance floor. Applejack looked up surprise from her food cart to see Rainbow Dash walking over to her.
She asked "Why ain't ya dancing with that Sourin, sugarcube?"
Rainbow said, slightly sad "Well, Sourin is dating Spitfire so, yeah. But its cool. We both agreed to break up."
Applejack asked "But when were ya going to tell us, after cidar season?"
Rainbow said "Nah, tomorrow."
Applejack said "Well, ah sure am sorry, sugar."
Rainbow said "Don't be, it was for the best."
Celestia was concerned as to why it was taking Luna so long to get ready, so she excused herself from the seemingly endless line of ponies. She went to Luna's room and knocked on the door, asking "Luna, are you OK?"
A muffled groan was heard and Celestia charged in, only to see her sister now an ice statue. She muttered "Snowfrost," before a chuckle was heard as a mare said "That's my name, alright. Time for you to cool down."
Celestia felt herself going cold, turning into an ice statue, before blacking out.
Cadence noticed a shadow behind her that was not Shining Armor's. They had left the Gala temporary to quiet down Flurryheart. Cadence whirled around and saw Queen Chrysalis. Chrysalis smiled and said "It had been a long time, hasn't it?"
Cadence asked with fear "Where are Shining Armor and Flurryheart?"
Chrysalis smiled before stepping put of the way, revealing ice statues of the two, and a white alicorn that was not Princess Celestia.
Snowfrost said "Its your turn, Love Princess."
Cadence's muffled scream was last thing she did before she was turned into ice.
Snowfrost said "And now for the encore to this 'tragic' event!"
Snowfrost laughed before heading for the door, all statues behind her caught in her aura, windigoe guards snickering before her.
The Return of the Ice Queen
Twilight started getting worried. What was taking Celestia so long. She called the Mane Six together and said
"Something is not right girls." Rainbow Dash spoke up.
"Now that you mention it, it does seem a little to cold." An icy, raspy voice said,
"Well well. Is THIS my competition? So dull." Twilight turned around and gasped. Some of the Canterlot population screamed. A white alicorn had appeared where Celestia was standing greeting the guests earlier. Fluttershy hid behind Discord, for this alicorn was more terrifying then Nightmare Moon was. Her mane and tail were of a deep blue with an unforgiving storm of swirls and snowflakes. Her wings, which were outstretched, were like Nightmare Moon's yet were more icycle like. Her cutiemark was a pale purple snowflake trapped in light blue icycles. Her jewelry was a light purple ice crown, neckless, and shoes with three spikes on the top. She had a light blue swirl on her right forleg that Twilight thought looked liked the swirl all windigoes had. But her eyes, those eyes were the most terrifying aspect of her. A swirl was above it, but the eye itself was a light blue soulless eye that was more terrifying on her than on windigoes. Twilight asked,
'Who are you?" Before the mare had a chance to speak Rainbow Dash yelled,
"And what have you done with the princesses!?" The mare laughed.
"Let me answer the first question. My name is Empress Snowfrost, ruler of the Frozen North and guardian of the windigoes. Yes... I see your faces of disbelief." Applejack said.
"Now hold on right there Missy. Those windigoes were destroyed on Hearth's Warming Eve." Snowfrost scoffed.
"That is what your precious princesses would have you believe, but it is a lie! But no time for a history lesson. You want to see your princesses!? I will show you!" Snowfrost yelled.
"Fleetwind, Icestar, Snowfall! Show them!" Three windigoes, one a female, flew in and swirled around on the floor. When they moved away all the ponies gasped. The princesses, Flurryheart, and Shining Armor were all trapped in ice. Twilight cried
"Release my niece! She is no danger to you!" Snowfrost put a hoof on her chest and said in a mocking voice,
"I actually feel almost tempted to do that. But one knows that a child has strong love for her parents. No." Discord chuckled and said
"But my dear pony popsicle, you forgot me!" He tried to snap his fingers, but to his horror he has no magic. Snowfrost said,
"Oh, I'm sorry sir. Did I forget to mention that your Fluttershy isn't here?" 'Fluttershy' bursted into green flames and in her place stood Queen Chrysalis. She lit up her horn and the real Fluttershy appeared, tired and a mess. Queen Chrysalis threw Fluttershy into Discord's arms and said,
"Your love for that pathetic pegasus was absolutely delicious. So was your power." Twilight asked
"What do you want?" Snowfrost smiled and said,
"Simple, really. I want one of the elements of harmony! And no, not you Twilight. Your friends can easily bring you out of my grasp. I need someone else." She teleported to the statue of Celestia and said
"One week before these ponies start to melt. One week. If you in anyway try a spell to bring them back, they will turn into water before you very eyes. I will leave Fleetwind here so that he can take one of you back to my kingdom when you have made a decision." She teleported away along with Chrysalis, Snowfall, and Icestar. Fleetwind glided to the floor and the customary tail that windigoes have when flying turned into back legs and a tail. He was still very tall and huge yet seemed more pony now. The mane six, along with the real Fluttershy, tried to think of a plan.
The Return of the Ice Queen
The mane six stared at the statues. Twilight tried to touch Shining Armor, but Fleetwind stopped her. He said
"I'm sorry Princess, but if you touch them they will begin to melt. Take my word." Rainbow growled at him and tried to punch him, but she screamed in pained when she touched his helmet. She cried
"It burns! Oh sweet Celestia, that's cold!" Twilight put a healing spell on her hoof and turned to Discord. She asked
"How much magic did you loose?" Discord answered
"Only some. Enough so that I can't release Tia, Lulu, and the rest." Twilight nodded, then turned to Fluttershy.
"How did you get caught by Chrysalis, and for how long," she asked. Fluttershy said
"I went to the mares room to make sure I didn't have anything on my face and she grabbed me. It was scary." Discord growled. Twilight said
"We have a week before the deadline. Let's make the most of it."
Rainbow Dash walked up to Fleetwind the next day. She asked
"How long as this Snowfrost been Princess?" Fleetwind sneered and said
"She isn't a pitiful princess, she is an Empress. To answer your question, for as long as The Fire Massacre that killed many of our windigoes." Rainbow looked at him in surprise.
"What was this Fire Massacre," she asked. Fleetwind had shut down, unfortunately. She told this to Twilight, who was in the library, and Twilight said
"I don't remember the books telling about a Fire Massacre. That must be a windigoe thing." Rainbow sarcastically said
"Gee, you think?" Twilight was already pulling out books from shelves. Rainbow rolled her eyes and trotted off, worry nawing her heart. If they didn't figure out something, Equestria would become a frozen wasteland. She then realized that they could just use their Rainbow Powers to free the princesses. She was about to go tell Twilight this when she stopped. What if it didn't work? They didn't know the spell they would have to combat. She started to doubt it could work and resume her trot back to her room. She bumped into Fluttershy. She asked
"Hey Fluttershy, what do you think? Do you think one of us should accept Snowfrost's demand?"
Fluttershy said
"Um, well, not particularly. If we can't find a solution then, well, yes. Better one of us then the princesses, right?" Rainbow nodded.
"Yeah."
The final night before the last day came and Rainbow went to Fleetwind. He was awake.
'do these guys ever sleep?' she thought. She cleared her voice and said
"Hey, Fleet, got a minute?" Fleetwind looked at her almost expectingly. She tried speaking, but her voice kept cracking. He gave an inpatient snort and that made Rainbow angry. She said
"I accept Snowfrost's demand. What do I do?" Fleetwind gave a nasty grin and said
"You do know that you'll never see your friends again, right?" Rainbow swallowed the invisible lump in her throut. She said
"Yeah, I do. Let's just get this over with." She heard
"No Dashie!" She turned around and saw Pinkie, her mane and tail flat. She raced over and hugged her, saying
"Don't worry. It'll be ok. Tell Flutters I need her to take care of Tank. You'll explain everything to Scoots, won't ya?" She felt Pinkie nod and they parted. Fleetwind said
"Finally, the sappiness is over. Let's go." He turned into his natural flight form and whirled around the statues and Rainbow Dash. Celestia shook her wings and cried
"Where is she!? Where's Snowfrost!?" She saw Pinkie crying and Luna asked
"What happened?" The rest of the mane six ran and Twilight yelled
"Shining, you're back!" They embraced, then noticed that some pony was missing. Twilight's pupils shanked.
"Oh no," she whispered.
Rainbow Dash blinked her eyes when she realized she was in an impressive throne room. The fur on her neck stood up when she heard a chilling voice.
"Welcome, Loyalty," said Empress Snowfrost.
The Return of the Ice Queen
Rainbow Dash looked up from her book when there was knocking on her door.
She asked,
"Yes?"
Crystal-light's cheery voice said,
"Time for dinner. You don't have to dress up."
Rainbow Dash muttered,
"Thank Faust." She brushed her mane quickly and followed Crystal-light to the dining room. It was quite beautiful. Chairs were made of clouds, a silver table laden with all kinds of food on copper plated. Snowfrost sat at the head of the table, windigoe nobels sitting on the sides. There was an empty place on Snowfrost's right, so Rainbow Dash guess that was her place. When Snowfrost saw her she nodded to the seat. Rainbow sat down.
Snowfrost said,
"That will be all Crystal-light. Thank you."
Crystal-light smiled and said,
"Anytime Snowfrost!" Rainbow did a double take at the relaxed relationship every windigoe had with Snowfrost. It appeard they only called her Empress in front of others for show. She stared at the food the nobels had. It was the ugliest little monsters Rainbow had ever seen. It was covered in green fur, blue tentacles for feet, short, fat, and it's yellow and red striped eye glared hatefully at everything. Rainbow noticed the nobels would then flash their eyes, a blue gas rose into their mouthes, and the monsters would freeze solid. Then the nobels would eat normal food. Rainbow ate quietly some rosted hay infused with a suite coated beetroot. It was really good, actually.
Snowfrost asked,
"So Rainbow, how are you getting along?" Rainbow blinked. Snowfrost had remembered her name?
She said
"Uh... not too bad. Besides being taken away from my friends, it's cool."
Snowfrost smirked and said,
"Don't worry TOO much. You will see them again. As statues!" All the nobels bursted out laughing like it was the funniest joke they even heard. Rainbow, however, felt tears come into her eyes.
She yelled,
"You monster!"
Snowfrost put a hoof to her chest and said in a mocking voice,
"Oh, my heart. If it had any kindness left, it would be breaking!"
Rainbow snapped,
"I sure am glad your mom can't see what freak she raised!" As soon as Rainbow said the words the room seemed to sit still.
She saw Snowfrost's eyes start to water before she narrowed them and said in a slightly chocked voice,
"I see. Fleetwind, get Crystal-light to take Rainbow to wherever she wants to go. The party is over." She stood up and after all the nobels bowed, she bowed to them and left.
Rainbow jumped when Crystal-light's voice said quietly,
"Would you like to look around the kingdom? It's quite fun and there is plenty of entertainment after the dinner hour."
Rainbow nodded and said,
"Sure but, what happend?"
Crystal-light said,
"It is forbidden for outsiders to ask such questions. Come along." Crystal-light turned back to her usual, cheerful self, but Rainbow Dash kept on wondering why did Snowfrost freeze up at that.
She didn't even realized she had said a pun.
Twilight was looking through books on windigoes and found practically nothing to help her. Just that their kingdom was in the Frozen North where the winds are too strong even for alicorns, and that they were thought to be lost forever after Hearth's Warming Eve. She put the book away and was about to leave when she heard a small thump. She rounded the corner and saw on the floor another book. Very old, too. She picked it up and read the cover.
'The Fire Massacre, and Before.' by Starswirl the Bearded
Twilight cocked her head and muttered,
"Interesting." She sat down in a chair and began to read.
The Return of the Ice Queen
Twilight turned on the lamp by the chair she sat in as she opened the book with her magic. She was quite eager to read on Star Swirl's viewpoint on windigoes. She read the first paragraph, her excitement turning to confusion. It read
While I was in the northern part of this new land I noticed a village. I went in, and what a welcoming sight. The ponies were not against one another, they worked and had a thriving community together despite their differences. In addition to unicorns, earth ponies, and pegasi, there were also griffons, one or two minotaurs. This community welcomed me with opened arms, quite friendly. One particular mare stuck out. She had a light lavender coat, teal mane and tail that hung loosely, and sparkling green eyes. She was a unicorn and her cutiemark was a crystal columbine. She introduced herself as Crystal Blossom and offer me a room to stay in her inn she ran.
I soon learned more about this interesting village. They called it Peaceful River. Apparently there was a frozen river on the north side of the village that, when melted, would bubble softly even if there was a frightening flood. Not just that, but they had visitors from the Frozen North, called windigoes. When I first saw them I almost died of fright. They were transparent creatures with glowing blue eyes and swirls. It was practically impossible to distinguish who was who. They reminded me of the changeling creatures I had met, all alike. Except for the royal family. At the time there was a single King named FrostFire. He often came to Peaceful River, mostly to talk to Crystal Blossom. They were quite close friends.
One day I asked him if I may see Frozen North for myself. He gave a hearty laugh and said of course I could come. He himself swirled around me, flew towards the north, and the next thing I knew we were in his kingdom. FrostFire gave me a tour and I learned quite a lot about windigoes. They ate hate and fear, yet were some of the kindest creatures I knew. They usually ate hate from a creature called a Loki, not from ponies. However, there was a rogue group who thought that ponies were only useful for providing hate and caused the king a headache. I learned that he didn't want to lose any treaties that could be made. The kingdom was the most jolliest place ever. Windigoes were quite good with performing plays, hosting circuses, or just making somepony else feel special. Something I noticed which seemed impossible is that practically no windigoe was desperately poor. I asked FrostFire and he said that windigoes were thriving so well that all could afford what they needed and some wantings. I noticed too that he and Crystal Blossom were getting very close to one another. Apparently, the king needed an heir, but kings here were only aloud to marry someone they loved, not the powerful. And it needed to be a daughter. Kings ruled for a hundred years, then Queens did, and so forth.
Twilight put a hoof to her chin. This was very interesting. It seemed that the windigoes were not heartless monsters, only that particular group that went rogue. She fliped to chapter two, and her heart seemed to stop. It read
CHAPTER TWO: BIRTH OF SNOWFROST
I was happy to hear about FrostFire and Crystal Blossom getting together. She had a more shy attitude and would rather be working on growing flowers that were made of crystals. FrostFire would rather have a good joke than a good dinner and often went to bars. I went with him. He was not an achloholic in the least. Anyway, it was an odd paring to be sure but it was so full of true love no one could help but approve it. Well, eleven months later I was pleased to be invited to the party in honor of the birth of a princess. I looked at her and she was absolutely adorable. A soft white coat with the customary blue swirl all windigoes had on their forleg and above her closed eyes. She had her mother's mane and tail. She was a pegasus with spiky wings that almost looked like alicorn wings but not quite. She then sneezed and opened her eyes, soft blue orbs that perfectly resembled her father. FrostFire asked me the honor of naming her, as he and Crystal Blossom appointed me as the filly's Faust-father. I named her Snowfrost because of her snow colored scheme. She liked me as the first word she said was Staw Swil. Whenever I came over to visit she-
"Twilight Sparkle! We have been looking all over for you!" Came Celestia's booming voice. Twilight yelled and dropped the book.
She stammered,
"Princess Celestia! I'm sorry but I think I found something that could help us." Celestia turned her attention to the book.
She read the covered and said
"I remember that book. May I read it with you? I don't remember all the parts. Perhaps something in there could help us." Twilight nodded and they returned to reading.
The Return of the Ice Queen
Rainbow Dash tossed and turned in her bed, sleep being impossible. She and Crystal-light had gone to a play called The Pony of the Opera. It was strange to see something that resembled Equestria, yet was performed by windigoes. Rainbow heard a muffled yelp from somewhere in the castle and, fearing somepony was in trouble, made up her mind to go and see what it was. She got out the bed, softly opened the door, closing it behind her, before walking to where she heard the sound. Her hooves hesitantly moved, trying not to alert a guard. She heard another yelp and realized it was coming from the throne room.
She peered in and almost frozed in horror. Snowfrost was in front of ten foals, Fleetwind by her side. She picked up one, a filly with green eyes and a golden mane and tail. Her coat was the color of amber, devoided of any cutiemark.
Snowfrost spoke in a gentle tone,
"What is your name, little one, and where are you parents?"
The filly gulped in some air before saying,
"M-my name is Amber Heart and I d-dont have any parents. I-I live on the streets."
Snowfrost said,
"Not anymore. You have a new family, here, waiting for you. Do you accept?"
Amber Heart looked at her, the whispered,
"T-truly?" Snowfrost nodded.
Amber Heart said
"A-alright." Snowfrost lit up her horn and magic consumed the filly. She yelped, the same yelps Rainbow had been hearing. Snowfrost gritted her teeth, a blinding flash commenced, all was quiet. Rainbow uncovered her eyes and gasped. Amber Heart was now a filly windigoe. Green eyes and golden mane was all that remained, until Amber's tail morphed into back legs and a golden tail.
Snowfrost said,
"Your name is Amber Wind now. Icestar, take her to her parents please." Icestar, whom Rainbow had not seen earlier, stepped out from the shadows and took Amber's hoof, guiding her away. The rest of the foals still looked on with a little fear, but also courage. Rainbow zoomed in and put herself protectively in front of them.
She yelled and Snowfrost,
"Kidnapping foals!? Are you kidding me?"
Snowfrost frowned and said
"Well, excuse me if I am giving these foals a new and better life. They were orphans, living on the street. I am giving them parents and a home!"
Rainbow snarled and responded,
"Buck you. You and your 'self righteous' excuses won't work with the Princesses!"
Snowfrost gritted her teeth and said in a chilling voice,
"Move aside Rainbow Dash. Don't anger me."
Rainbow scoffed and shot back,
"Oh, and is this the 'kind society' Crystal-light told me about? It's pretty dumb if you do this."
"IF IT WEREN'T FOR YOUR BLASTED HEARTH'S WARMING EVE I WOULDN'T HAVE TO DO THIS!"
Silence. That was the one word to describe what Rainbow realized had happened.
She glared at Snowfrost and said,
"Let me get out of your mane and go home."
"Gladly," Snowfrost snapped, "If you can find it." With a determined look Rainbow flew outside, heading south. Fleetwind, not wanting the foals to get caught in the crossfire, took them to a different room, along with other windigoes, to finish converting them. Snowfrost took a deep breath before looking outside. She and the windigoes could fly in the harsh winds, but what chance did Rainbow have if the Princesses couldn't do it?
She groaned and banged her head with her hoof before muttering,
"Stupid, stupid mare."
She flew out of the throne room, following Rainbow's direction.
The Return of the Ice Queen
When Hearth's Warming Eve happened, everypony thought that the windigos were dead.
They were so wrong.
Granted, there was no way for them to know that the Winter Kingdom had been taken under the wing of the alicorn who carefully made sure the windigos would thrive in time for her revenge. Why she was Empress when she had pony blood in her was a secret only the oldest windigos knew. She hated the ponies. They were evil, she reckoned, and heartless.
So when she heard of the new princess, Twilight, she thought she would have to deal with yet another vile princess— it was too much. She planned her revenge carefully, making sure not one mistake could jeopardize it. She had a few minor set backs such as Nightmare Moon, which prolonged the attack. She did not mind, for it gave her more time to prepare. She called the help of Queen Chrysalis. Then, she was ready.
The Alicorn raised her head at the cough from a guard who had just entered. She smiled and said; "Hello, Fleet Wind. Any news?"
The windigo guard blinked his pure green eyes and said; "Yes, my queen. Spies have said that Queen Chrysalis is ready to attack."
Snowfrost said; "I see. Why now?"
Fleet Wind responded; "The ponies are off guard, and it will be a gala. In a week. At Canterlot."
Snowfrost said in a mocking tone; "And my invitation has been misplaced. Well, this IS surprising."
Fleet Wind asked; "Your Highness, what should we tell Queen Chrysalis?"
Snowfrost grinned slightly and said; "Tell her that we are ready."
Fleet Wind bowed and left the room. Snowfrost leaned back into the throne. Strange that her quest for revenge was finally coming true. She pondered what she would do when she captured Equestria. Probably do what she always did before, conquer more lands and ensure her windigos safety.
She called; "Cold Lace!"
Cold Lace, a pretty female windigoe with pink eyes, rushed in and bowed before saying; "Yes, your Majesty?"
Snowfrost said; "I will be attending a gala in a week. Can you make me a gown within a time span of a week?"
Cold Lace smiled and said; "Of course. I love challenges. Anything specific in mind?"
Snowfrost thought quietly for a little bit before replying; "Something worthy for a pony Princess to wear. I have work to do."
Cold Lace smiled and said; "Very good, your Majesty." She left and Snowfrost grinned. An Equestria with eternal winter, but never Hearth's Narming Eve again?
It would be beautiful.
It would be great.
It would be perfect.
Snowfrost cackled, hardly waiting to see Celestia's face frozen with fear.
Snowfrost snickered at her pun as she prepared for the Grand Galloping Gala.
The Return of the Ice Queen
Rainbow Dash glared at Snowfrost who had a sadistic grin on her face. She spat at her and said,
"Buck you." Immediately she got smacked in the cheek by the coldest hoof ever. Fleetwind hissed at her,
"Be respectful of the Empress, pony." She heard Snowfrost say
"Fleetwind, she's a 'guest'. Show at least SOME restraint. Crystal-light, you may show Loyalty to her room." Rainbow said,
"My name is Rainbow Dash." It fell on deaf ears as Snowfrost headed for a different room, talking with Fleetwind. A sweet looking windigoe mare with a purple mane and tail and bright teal eyes. She said in an airy, joyful voice
"Come this way please. I think you'll like the room, it was once occupied by Sir Frostwind!" Rainbow Dash didn't say anything while Crystal-light led the way through a maze of corridors, prattling about famous windigoes Rainbow had never even heard of. Finally they came to a room that Crystal-light opened. Just then Rainbow realized she hadn't gotten the least cold here other than when she was smacked
She interrupted Crystal-light by saying,
"Woah hey, how come I'm not cold?" Crystal-light said
"Because Fleetwind put a spell on you while bringing you here." She opened the door and Rainbow Dash looked on in bewilderment. A bed was made of clouds with a purple cloud blanket, there was a closet that showed some outfits that Rainbow found herself actually liking. A bookshelf with books on Daring Do and the Wonderbolts, plus one HUGE book on Windigoe History. She said,
"Cool. How did whoever made the room know what I liked?" Crystal-light said
"Oh, just the last guest here known as the Lady Cloud-Frost liked to many pony books and history. If you need me, just ring the bell over there on the table. Now, dinner is at six and if you want to know about some entertainment afterwards. See you soon!" Crystal-light left and Rainbow felt her eyes starting to water. She mentally scolded herself and forced herself to grab a Daring Do book off the shelf and start reading, feeling an intense hatred for Snowfrost.
Fluttershy was comforting a distressed Scootaloo who was brought to Canterlot to learn what had happened to Rainbow Dash. She was sobbing as Fluttershy rubbed her back, whispering comforting words. Scootaloo asked in a choked sob
"Who... who took her?" Fluttershy said
"An alicorn named Snowfrost." Scootaloo cried
"I hate her! I hope she rots in Tartarus!" Fluttershy was shocked at the crude language coming from the filly but kept rubbing Scootaloo's back. She said
"Don't worry, we'll get her back. The princesses are working on it." Scootaloo sniffed and asked
"Promise?"
"Promise."