Past Times

"Are you sure you want to do this? Maybe if the two of us go .." - Cadance said with concern to her husband, engraving the face of her love in her memory, under the snow equipment and work backpacks, at his side, the crystal heart, contained in a container designed to withstand even a hit from a hydra without taking any damage.

"We know where to go, and what to do, but without the crystal heart protecting the empire only you can keep the storm at bay, besides I doubt that Sunburst and Starlight can with Flurry for many days" - Shining said, although he could not avoid feeling nervous

After many years of research and with much help from the yaks, they had finally managed to find the source of the endless storms from the north, a cursed place that was once the home of ponies.

The plan was simple, use the heart at a specific point in the mountains, the explosion would collapse the storm, cleaning the windigos of the place and ending the storms.

The problem was getting to that place, no pegasus could get there, and the area was so chaotic that teleportation was even more dangerous, the only thing left was a five-day excursion through the mountains.

And that could be dangerous, only a few could go, and Shining was the unicorn with the most magic in the empire, with a charged heart and using his shield to protect the small team during the trip, it was the best and only option for success.

"But still .." - Cadance said as she closed her eyes tightly while hugging Shining tightly.

Turning it down, they embraced for a moment, Shining separated as he gave his beloved wife a kiss.

"Don't worry, Your Highness, Starlight and I will take care of Flurry while the princess worries about keeping the shield, she will help us as a practice for the future" - Sunburst said, as she grabbed Flurry between his hoove and hugged Starlight with the other.

"Thanks, Sunburst, and you too Starlight" - Shining said as he gave Flurry a kiss on her forehead.

Leaving the city, Shining and his team of 4 ponies headed for the mountains, hoping for the best.

"Captain !! We can't take the pressure anymore! We have to ..!" - was the last thing Shining could hear from his last partner and friend before a windigo opened the shield and ripped the soldier's throat, separating the head from the body.

They were so close, Cadance couldn't take any longer, the storm had grown more and more powerful every day, as if he knew their intentions.

Shining barely managed to cling to the crystal heart, his hooves were numb and injured, only a few more meters to go to reach the infernal altar.

A few more meters ..

A little more..

With one last effort, even as his flesh hung on his back by the claws of the windigos, Shining managed to crawl onto the last step.

Closing his eyes and with tears running down his cheeks, Shining saw his family, so everything that happened in the last few days had been worth it, and he was sure that his companions were too.

And for an instant, everything was light, enveloping him in gentle warmth.

Shining barely managed to hear a soft voice, as he lost consciousness moments after.

"It's not your time yet, my champion" - said a soft voice.