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Snow and ice as white as the light that reflects off of it, that’s all I can see as I hike my way through these mountains. I've been here for the last three weeks, in this blizzard, trying to find civilization, and I found something better, hoof tracks, horse hooves, it seemed to be either two horses or four antros, which is what Forest called Cadence and Luna. Anyways, with my new path set, I simply followed the footprints… or are they hoof-prints now because they’re ponies, I don't know, but it'd be nice to know which it is, my family armor doing somewhat of a good job at keeping the cold out, but it's still there, living in caves can numb you, especially if it's a blizzard every day outside, I actually ran out of my bundle of flame-wood yesterday, meaning if I don't make it to any civilization by the end of today, i'm good as dead.

“--okay sir?” I hear being asked, snapping me out of my thoughts about dying in the tundra that surrounds me, looking forwards, i see a mare standing in front of me.

“What did you ask?” I reply, i didn't really hear her at first.

“I asked if you were okay, you look like you're about to collapse.” she says getting me to chuckle.

“I feel ready to collapse ma'am, but i can't, not until I find a warm place to rest… would you happen to know where I can find some sort of civilization?” I answer her swaying a bit before steadying myself.

“I do, come, i'll take you to the village.” she says taking my hand and leading me slightly off the path, I let her drag me.

About a half hour later, we arrive to a cluster of thirty homes I can see about twelve unicorns, ten pegasi and the rest were earth ponies, i notice that the mare dragging me was an earth pony too.

“Welcome to the village sir, it isn't much, but it's home.” she says passing through a slightly visible barrier, I pass through without incident.

“It feels warmer here, why is that?” I ask as I start noticing that there’s very little snow or ice anywhere near the homes, unless it's outside the barrier.

“That would be the fire barrier, it keeps most of the cold out, like the snow and ice, though the wind does get through every now and again.” she explains, before pausing and turning around. “I'm so sorry, i never introduced myself, i'm Midnight, Midnight Daydream, i do patrols outside the barrier every couple days.” she holds out her hand for me to shake, I actually get a good look at her now.

Midnight was a unicorn, if the horn on her head was any indication, she had a deep blue coat with a yellow mane and tail, both had a black streak going through them, she also had bright green eyes that popped out against her dark coat. She was definitely fit, and I mean that in a good way, she was definitely the physical type.

“Alexander… but most people just call me Alex for short.” I say grabbing her hand to shake, she smiles.

“Well it's nice to officially meet you Alex, i hope that you can find sanctuary in our little town.” she replies shaking my hand before turning to leave. “You might want to see the mare in charge, all new visitors do, she’ll be in the center of town, trust me you can't miss her.” she called out before disappearing into the crowd, leaving me to get my head together.

“Okay… so i'm in a new town, which I don't know the name of, i know one resident, and from what she told me, she's like the guards I've seen around towns, then there's this ‘head mare’ that she told me to go see, who’s in the center of town, and i apparently I can't miss her…” I start to think as I walk to where I believe the center of town is. “Ok, i have a quest… kinda, it's more of a menial task than a quest, plus I don't have much gold, i think I've only got seventeen pieces, but that doesn't count into the gems I still have on me… i could probably sell those, but Fia would kill me if I sold all of them.” I think about my new predicament and walk at the same time, I finally make it to the center of town, and I notice who i suppose the ‘head mare’ is immediately, as she's the only one wearing something formal in the square. “Well Midnight wasn't wrong, I literally can't miss her.” I think as i walk up to her quickly.

“Greetings, you seem to be new to our little village.” she says shaking my hand right as i get to her.

“That i am, am i to be correct that your the head mare?” I ask as we finish our shake, she nods.

“Yes, i'm Nova Wingburst, it's nice to meet you…” she says before raising an eyebrow at me, asking for my name.

“Alex.” I reply quickly while smiling a bit.

“Well it's nice to meet you, Alex, and welcome, correct me if i'm wrong, but I suspect that you'd need a place to stay and a job here in the village… so i'll see who has a room available and then you can choose your job.” she says listing off the things needed.

“Yes, but I think that a guard or blacksmith position will be the best jobs for me, and I see the signs of a forge, but I suspect that they aren't looking for any help, so i can be a guard for the village in return for a home, some food and extra clothes.” I reply thinking over everything, noticing the smoke from a filtered chimney, mostly used with forges.

“Quite the observation Alex, and yes, the blacksmith, Black Steel, isn't looking for any helpers, there is an opening in the guards that I've been meaning to fill up for a while.” she replies before turning around. “Well, if you'd follow me Alex, I'll fill out my half of the paperwork for you to become a guard.” she says walking towards one of the buildings, most likely the town hall.

Doing all that paperwork was exhausting for my mind and body, so i decided to go towards one of the houses, the one where I'll be staying, I have two roommates and their house was the only one that had an extra bed for someone to use. I found the house easily enough, it was the fifth one down on the left side of the street, right side of the village, I knocked quickly three times before stepping back, just in case, when the door opened, I was met with a familiar face.

“Alex! It's good to see you, what brings you to my humble abode?” Midnight asked as she leaned against the door frame in front of me.

“Midnight? Well i guess that makes sense, anyways, i was told by Nova that this was where i'd be crashing.” I replied, thinking about the chances.

“Really? Then get your armored flank in here and warm up some more, we don't want you to freeze outside now do we?” she said moving out of the way so I could enter the house.

It had quite the warm and cozy atmosphere, with a small couch, most likely able to hold two people and a small but comfy looking chair just to the right of that, there was a low set table near both of them, there was a small fireplace on the opposite wall of the couch, I saw an archway which likely led into the kitchen, there was also a set of stairs near where I was standing, going up to the second floor. I heard a small amount of noise coming from up there, so I could only guess that it was my other roommate.

“It's cozy.” I simply said looking back at Midnight as she closed the door.

“Yeah, it's nice and cozy, anyways, your room will be on this floor, as both the upstairs bedrooms are taken.” she replied escorting me next to the stairs and into a small hallway with another archway into the kitchen. “Anyways, this is your room, sorry that it isn't decorated or anything, the two of us haven't really had a third roommate before.” she said opening the door on the left to a plain room, there was a bed, a nightstand, a closet and a small desk.

“This is fine Midnight, perfect in fact, doesn't have any unnecessary items.” I say before walking in and taking my helmet off, my hair now dropping to my shoulders in its usual ponytail.

“Oh, okay, well, i'll just leave you to get acquainted with the place, lunch is in half an hour.” she replies before shutting the door after I nod in reply.

“Not that bad actually, plus, now i can undo my armor, I no doubt stink with no bath for three weeks.” I think as I begin to unclasp my armor, starting with my arms, then my torso and finishing with my legs and feet. “This is going to be one heck of a ride, even if i'm not doing any dangerous quests that lead to the potential end of the world.” I think before locking the door and heading to bed, my mind and body too exhausted to continue until I've had a very good rest, so for the first time in three weeks of waking up, i slept peacefully in a very soft and warm bed, which is way better than a cold and stone floor cave any day, something I'd never thought I'd miss.

Author's Note

Next chapter and a new character enters the scene, will Alex be able to survive the Frozen Tundra, or will he be driven to insanity because of his new roommates, only time will tell... or his next chapter. Thanks for the support guys, and don't worry, everything is going smoothly for the next three chapters.

So until next time, Stay terrifying my lovely little night terrors!