Asmund scratched the scar he earned from his oath. To you or I, this would simply be an itch that we would scratch in turn. But centaurs were somewhat superstitious, especially when it came to scars. An itchy scar always meant there was unfinished business somewhere. If it is a battle wound, it meant the one who caused it wanted to finish the job. If it was an injury, it was a warning about further pain from foolish decisions. A scar left from an oath meant that you'd better keep your end of the deal. Asmund scratched the scar he'd earned from his oath.

Again, to you or I, it would simply be an itch. Asmund knew it meant that Tirek had fallen. He didn't know what his friend's fate was, but he was certain it was bad. He felt a wave of powerful magic come from Equestria, turning him from his frail pale form to his original adult form. Slightly muscular, mostly slim body, jet black coat with blue skin. It was exactly how he looked before he and Tirek escaped.

By the time his magic had returned to him, he was already on his way south. His magic was enough to keep him warm as well as light the way, but he had to be careful not to use it too much. Not until he got to his destination. Discord could sense magical disturbances, but light and heat spells were rather small, easily blending in with the rest of the magical residue across Equus. That being said, he was in the middle of a winter wasteland, so any magic detected would be suspect.

His destination was very far south, in a sort of magical dead zone. No magic from outside could get in, and no magic within can get out. Don't get it twisted, this was here on purpose, it wasn't a curse or spell. It was an unintended side effect of something before the age of Equestria. The Fires of Friendship were created by the friendship of ponies and were responsible for dispelling the windigos.

Windigos were actually quite similar to changelings in terms of diet. They fed on things like hate, fear, distrust. They hated happiness, love, excitement. Touching such emotions gave them burning pain, and prolonged exposure leads to their demise. The Fires of Friendship unintentionally created this dead zone to contain the windigos, but if the flame was snuffed, the windigos could again run rampant. The only true magic that could enter and leave the area was black magic, fueled by hate and anger.

Asmund's plan required a little preparation before it could be realized. The relations between all creatures of Equestria's neighboring countries were very tense. It wouldn't take much to start an argument, a fight, hate, a threat, all leading up to the war. Once the neighboring nations were dealt with, it would be time to face the elements of harmony. But that is a story for another time. For now, Griffinstone and the Dragon lands seemed like good candidates to start farming for hatred. For now, Asmund had a lot more walking to do.

"Cadance. Are you ok?" The Alicorn hadn't answered. In the days after Tirek's defeat, all she could think about was Asmund. How long ago was that? Long enough for her mind to return to her husband, and her kingdom. The Crystal Empire was a quiet place compared to her sister nation, Equestria. This isn't to say they didn't have problems, but it was a simple kingdom, filled with simple ponies, from a simpler time. The only true villain they had was their prior regent, King Sombra. Their only other threat was a giant ball of ice. It was simple.

"I just... I keep thinking about him." Cadance looked out at her subjects. They knew trauma well, but they were strong. Strong enough to move past it at least.

"You never did tell me his name." Shining moved closer to the alicorn. He looked out over his kingdom too, wondering what she was looking at, assuming that's what she was doing.

"Discord said his name was Asmund." Cadance sounded like she was going to continue, but she either forgot what she was gonna say or simply chose not to say it.

"You're stressing yourself too much. The empire is in a golden age, our subjects are making great progress to recovery, and..." Shining pulled her closer with a hoof. "We have a bundle of joy on the way." Shining nuzzled Cadance who finally traded her serious contemplative expression for a warm smile.

"I know. Just think, the pitter-patter of little hooves,"

"The laughter of a newborn foal,"

"And all the sleepless nights." Cadance chuckled.

"Whatchu talkin' 'bout mare?" Shining playfully nudges the alicorn. "I don't know how you were as a foal, but I was an angel."

"Not according to your mom's scrapbook.~" Cadance booped the Captain, his nose scrunching in an attempt to stop the strange tingle.

"Yeah yeah, keep talking. Tomorrow I'm gonna make pancake and bacon strip." Shining started walking back to into their palace with Cadance hot on his tail.

"Well then, I hope you find the couch comfortable."

"You evil, evil mare"

"Still nothing." Discord said as he used a jelly-filled donut as a yo-yo, the filling sticking to his finger as the pastry went up and down and up again.

"Promise?" Fluttershy said, raising a brow.

"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."

Fluttershy sighed. "Thank you Discord. Please keep an eye out for him."

"Anything for you, Fluttershy." Discord booped the pegasus before disappearing. The rest of the council of friendship was frustrated. They managed to get Starlight onto their side and were now working to expose her to the magic of friendship. That being said, it was hard to do that when they had something else on their minds. Discord had informed the council about Tirek's associate.

"So who is this guy you're all so concerned about?" Starlight asked. Twilight jumped, having forgotten that she was even there. Luckily Rarity filled in for her.

"Discord said that Tirek had an associate of sorts. A second centaur was helping him towards the conquering of Equestria." She flipped her mane dramatically. "Unfortunately, all he ever learned was his name."

"Also," Fluttershy chimed. "Apparently Tirek asked him to leave once or twice so they could talk privately."

"And what did they talk about?" Starlight asked.

"He doesn't know. Back then, he really did believe Tirek wanted to be his friend. He let them have their privacy, and even though he is the Lord of Chaos, he can't listen to conversations he isn't there to hear." Twilight explained, followed by a giant gasp from Pinkie.

"Does, that mean that if he takes off his ears and leaves them somewhere, he can listen to whatever's going on after he leaves."

"Uh... I don't know." Twilight said dismissively, " The only thing we know for sure is that his name is Asmund, he helped Tirek with his plan to destroy Equestria, and he has an agenda against Celestia and Luna."

"Speaking of, I heard their relationship with Princess Cadance got a little... Icy..." Starlight's words hung in the air for a moment before Twilight responded.

"I know. I'm really worried about them. I tried asking Cadance, but she just told me to ask Celestia and Luna. I asked them about it, and they just told me not to worry and that it's something between the three of them." Twilight gave an exasperated sigh as she let her head flop down onto the table.

"Aw, don' be so glum Twi, Ah'm sure that sooner or later, they'll smooth it out." Applejack said, getting up from her seat and rubbing the princess withers.

"You're right Applejack, I guess I'm just upset that three ponies I care bout hate each other."

"Hate is a strong word darling," Rarity said. "If it is something between the three, I think it would be best to simply let them work it out. It must be pretty serious if they haven't spoken for half a year or so."

"Helloooo. Second centaur. Plans for defense. Any of this ringing a bell?" Rainbow Dash said, trying to get the conversation back on track.

"Right, thanks Rainbow," Twilight said.

"Mhm"

"So..." Shining said. It was now dinner time in the Crystal Empire, and the happily married monarch and her most magnanimous marital mate were munching meals most mouthwatering. A simple dish from the Crystal Empire past, a sort of vegetable stew.

"So what?" Cadence asked. The two lovers had been enjoying their meal in relative silence, only the occasional maid or butler checking in on them.

"So..."

"So... You gonna say something?" She dabbed herself clean with a napkin.

"So... How are things with your aunts?" Her eyes fell to her stew.

"I can look them in the eyes again, so it's getting better." She started stirring her spoon through her stew. " I-I just can't look at them the same way. You know what I mean?" She used the spoon to point to her husband, flicking some broth onto the table. Nothing the maids couldn't handle.

"Yeah. I still can't believe that they actually did that."

"Honestly, that's the part that stings the most. They didn't tell anyone, not even me." She begins stirring again. "I just... I feel like if I had known, I would've done something. Set him free, helped him recover. Who knows what kind of monster we've created."

"They've created. You weren't there when he was sent to Tartarus, and you didn't even know he existed until the whole Canterlot attack." Shining Armor had stood and walked over to his wife, hugging her in an attempt to comfort her.

"Still, I wished I could've done something."

"I know," Shining gave her a peck on her forehead. "That's because you're a good pony. That's what makes you a good leader." Shining released his wife, using his magic to bring his cushion and bowl over to eat next to each other rather than across from each other.

"Would you've stopped me from helping him?" She asked.

"Before the whole Tirek thing, no. Right now, well... You said he didn't hurt you, right?"

"No, just Celestia and Luna."

"Ok. In that case, I'd trust your judgment and support your actions." Shining shoved some stew in his muzzle.

"But?..." Shining swallowed.

"But I would feel more comfortable with some guards being there too."

"Figured." She said with a sigh.

"Oh no. A stallion wants to protect his mare, what a bad bad pony." He said sarcastically. She couldn't help but chuckle. "Come on, let's get you two to bed," Shining said to Cadance, pulling her up onto her hooved.

"Woah, you are so..." Shining trailed off as the mare glared at him. "Beautiful?" He gave a massive grin and she chuckled.

"Nice save."

"Hey lizard! Read the sign!" The griffin bouncer pointed to a small plaque next to the door.

Absolutely no dragons

"What the heck is this?" Smoke started billowing from the dragon's mouth. "You saying all dragons are the same?"

"The ones who come to this bar are."

"Quit holding up the line!" A voice from farther back in the line called out.

"Come on, Firecracker. This place isn't worth the effort." A second dragon said. The first let off a puff of smoke before flying off, the bouncer grumbling. The scene was being watched by a black and blue centaur through a telescope. He smiled as he retracted his spyglass. It was a small start, but like a seed, it would grow given time. His deal with the windigos required strategy from him, while the windigos provided the muscle. However, they were weak and needed to feed first.

If he was of sound mind, he would've realized how many lives would be lost from his actions, but he wasn't of sound mind. He was angry, his only friend for over fifteen hundred years was a villain, and revenge had been his obsession for just as long. He wanted those two to pay, to suffer. What better torture would there be besides forcing them to watch their little ponies freeze. It was all just so perfect.

Author's Note

Let the record show that I had this evil plan in mind BEFORE the mean 3 started their attack.
Also, we fast-forwarded to just after round 2 with Starlight.