Chapters Once upon a time, there was a magical land called Equestria…
And it was kingdom locked total war.
At the edge of the frozen north, two massive armies clash against one another amidst a wasteland of ice and bloody snow. The first was the army of Equestria made up of countless ponies for the three tribes, wearing the greyed dirtied armour and was adorned by the symbols of their old and new rulers.
The reigns of Princesses Celestia and Luna had risen from the ashes, so to many, it was a tribute to their fallen leader, for this is the last battle before the official exchange of power and they wanted to wear their armour as a way of showing respect and love for their fallen queen Platinum for one last fight.
And a fight they will get as the second army forged in blood and bone, dressed in suits of menacing white and white bone-like armour that encompassed much of their fur-covered bodies. Their helmets were jagged and terrifying, each bearing mark of Fenrir, the god of the war and All-father of the Wolves.
And in the centre of the sea of blood and death, stood in dark steel armour with a red cloak was the High-king Njord Vánagandr of Scynia and leader of the Wolves. Who in the chaos of Discord's madness and the rise of King Sombra, had blinded sided Equestria with a surprise attack in hopes of taking over the north and expand into the south.
With a bloodthirsty howel, his sword raised high above him and began to charge forward. His warriors followed suit, charging forward with angry fury. The Equestria the army stood strong forward with a single purpose, to hold to the line.
But the Scynians? They were different. A strange mixture of savage and civilized, they had no intention of holding back or even standing down. Crashing into enemy spears, hacking at swords and attempting to slaughter all in their path. Even as the enemy hacked their limbs off and impaled them on their spears, the blood-thirsty warriors continued to surge forward, hacking and slashing all who stood in their way.
After all, to a wolf, this was nothing more than a great hunt and to the son of Fenrir, there is no greater honour than dying in battle.
The two forces clashed, the Equestria knights and soldiers hacking and slashing at the warriors of Fenrir who met them back in greater force. Spears and swords met shields, and metal on metal sound off together creating a clamour throughout the battlefield as the ground is soon spotted with the blood of the dead and dying. The air is filled with the screams of the dying as the two forces clash, neither giving ground and both being pushed back. Though it was clear that the side of Fenrir was starting to take the upper hand as they pushed the side of Equestria back.
High-king Njord Erikson grinned with delight looking over the battle.
"This is good! Good! We can crush them! Hahaha!" he laughed. "Show them how weak and impotent they are against the might of Fenrir!"
Laughing madly, before tearing into a group of your soldiers. ripping into one of their bodies and biting into it, crunching on the bone before swallowing. He could hear it in the air, the battle was theirs. They had won, if they kept pushing forward and making powerful sweeping attacks, they'd be able to break through and crush the fighting force that was the sovereigns' army, killing them all before taking their territory.
He could see it now, see victory before him and how it'll be his honour to claim it.
Conquest.
He wanted it, needed it and now with the power of Fenrir at his back, he'd have it.
Victory.
No, the moment had been set.
Unfortunately, the victory wasn't his.
As soon as Equestria's lines begin to break, a pillar of magic light appeared from the sky and hit the Scynians' formation. The light was so bright and was accompanied by a deafening sound, that it seemed like the sun had risen.
But this wasn't a sun.
It was her.
“Sister, with me!” Celestia shouted at her younger counterpart, getting a nod in return as they dived out of the pillar with the Equestrian reinforcements. The two royal sisters flapped their powerful wings and with a pegasi division behind them, they charged into the fray. Wolves looked up in shock as their horns grew brighter as powerful lances of magic struck forth on their first attack run, and with heavy hearts they trailed their spells through the Wolves lines, incinerating all who came into contact.
The break in the enemy lines boosted the morale of the Equestrians as earth ponies split to funnel into these holes, taking advantage of the confusion. The Fenrir sons were pushed back as the unicorn mage acted like Mortar, lobbing fire and ice spells at the enemy from a distance. Their reinforcements joined in with their heavy lances and swords, crushing both the fur and flesh of the wolf army. Eventually, the wolves seeing their hopes of win slipping away turned to flee, howling back to their fellows as they ran.
All but one.
"Traitors! All of you disloyal cowards!" High-king Njord yelled at his army, even attacking any nearby soldiers in hopes of stopping them from fleeing, but even he was drowned out by the retreat. "Fenrir cannot save you now! You cannot escape destiny!"
"It's over Njord, you have lost."Turning aroused his head and saw the two Royal sisters standing behind him. "So will you please surrender now, and we will guarantee your safety?"
The wolf king snarled, gritting his teeth in anger at the sun princess word."LOST? I've NEVER LOST! I'm the king! I am Fenris vessel on this world! And I WILL NEVER LOST!!”
He took a step forward, and with another, he was in front of the two princesses. The royal sister's exchange looks before nodding. One thing then happened very quickly. Njord raised his sword ready to cut them down… And was instantly beheaded.
The head rolled to the ground as Njord's body stepped back, struck by some invisible force. He fell to the floor, his head rolling a short distance from his body. Meanwhile, the surviving Scynians backed away in some confusion, realizing that the battle was indeed lost and made a break for it.
“The battle is win, dear sister.” Princess Luna said as Princess Celestia approached Njord's body, heads bowed in respect as her sister looked on."Sister, what are you doing?"
Celestia raised her head, staring at her sister. "Why, I'm showing my respect for the fallen of course."
"But why?" She asked in her confusion, "Was he, not our enemy a second ago?"
Princess Celestia looking at her sister, smiling a bit as her voice grew softer. "Will yes, he was ruthless bloodthirsty. He is or was a living being, made with the same love as we ponies, and believing in his cause with all his heart. He fought desperately to keep his dignity before he died. Can you blame him?"
Princess Luna gazed silently at her sister. She knew that they had their differences, but she could see in her sister's eyes how much she respected the wolf king for making the effort to show honour even if it were misguided. Sighing, the two princesses' gazed at the silent army before them. They all knew they had won the day, but the smell of death and blood hung thick in the air. They had lost many fine soldiers and the bodies that both sides produced could fill out a small lake.
Still, a victory in the face of such a heavy loss was still a victory.
"So do you think the day will ever come?" Princess Celestia asked, breaking the silence.
"What day, dear sister? "
"The day where ponies and wolves can live in harmony… under the banner of friendship."
A pause followed before an answer came.
"I don't think you should get your hopes up, dear sister."
Author's Note
This is my first story on Fimfiction.
Please post your thoughts and let me know what you think as this new tale begins!
Next Princess Celestia gets an unexpected visitor and calls Twilight and her friends to Canterlot as a new adventure begins.
Canis lupus, more commonly known as Wolf is a large canine of the species and are a race of savage, warlike fighters native to Scynia, a land of wild nature and extremes. One season the land of ice with cold weather and snow-swept, the next the sky is blackened with ash and lava flows dissect the plains.
Thus, the perfect environment for a young Wolf.
They are seen by their enemies (pretty much everyone else) as savage, violent, and crude, but they are the most successful species in the whole of Equis, outnumbering possibly every other intelligent species, with the sole exception being pony-kind. The Wolves are one of the most dangerous races to fight as they are as headstrong as they are fierce, the Wolves excel at close-quarters fighting, their warriors vying keenly for glory on the field of battle. The Wolves live to fight, and death holds no fear for them. The most interesting aspect of a wolf is they're mating-
"Hey, egghead! What are you reading!" A voice called from behind Twilight Sparkle, causing her to jump in surprise, her wings bolting up and knocking the book out of her hoofs.
"Rainbow Dash!" She yelled, turning around in her train set to see said mare hovering over her with a smug grin.
"What? Not my fault that you so jumped now is it?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed with her usual snack before Applejack pulled to the ground by her tail. "Now Rainbow Dash, ya know it's right rude ta interrupt ayy mare's reading."
"Yeah, it wasn't very nice of you, Rainbow," Fluttershy said shyly, trying not to look like she was about to get into trouble.
"I do agree on that darling, that is a very rude thing to do to a lady," Rarity added, looking up from the magazine she was reading as Spike slept on the set beside her, his head resting on her back.
“Oh, come on it was a joke!" Dash replied, rolling her eyes. "Besides, I was just making sure that she doesn't go off the Twilight land."
"Twilight land?" She asked, deadpan.
"You know the place that you always go off to set up the open narration in a chapter." Pink Pie said, literally popping into the chapter and smiling at her friend. "Speaking of setting up the chapter? The guy writing this really couldn't think of a better way to introducing our character personalities?"
If it worked in the show, it can work here.
"Yeah, but we're like 200 words in and you still haven't set up the main conflict for the story."
Twilight and her friends give the pink mare looks of confusion as she seemingly was having an argument with no one before doing what they always do when it came to Pinkie inexplicable shenanigans. And that was to ignore it and just move on back to the actual conversation hand.
"Well, I for one don't understand why you want to read a book about those mutts," Dash said, landing back into her seat.
“Because I think it might be a good thing to learn about the culture and race we're going to meet.” Twilight countered, re-opening the book to the pages that she was on.
“What’s there to learn?” Dash said, crossing her front forelegs. ”That the Wolves are bigger jerks than I thought.”
Twilight just rolled her eyes at her friend’s ignorance. Sure the Wolves didn’t exactly have a…Great reputation in Equestria. But that’s why she was giving this mission by the princesses to build a better relationship with the newly formed nation.
“Princess, you want me and my friends to go to the Scynia? ”Princess Twilight Sparkle asked her fellow monarchs, sounding sceptical at such a request as she stood at the foot of the thrones in Canterlot. “Forget me if I’m not wrong, but I thought that wolves hate outsiders?”
“Yes, Twilight you would be right. The Wolves of Scynia do not trust those out of their race, especially our ponies. Though, I do not blame them for such mentality.” Princess Celestia responded, her motherly tone turning a bit sombre as memories of the part were seeping in.
After the death of High-king Njord Erikson, the empire of Scynia led to a messy transition of power in high-King Svaks Njordson the pleaser, who in fear Equestrian retaliation sighted the treaty of white, which forced them to give us all foreign holdings outside of Scynia and the releasement of the slave population back to their homelands. This act had affectively crippled the empire of Scynia and led to its fall. The last king of the Empire was killed by his own people for signing the treaty, caused an uprising within the empire and leaving it in warring states period for centuries. Something that Celestia did not want nor foresee happening. She wishes that Equestria could’ve helped but after Luna’s rebellion as Nightmare Moon and the de-militarisation, the kingdom was in no place to fight a war, much less a foreign war for a previous enemy and so, left them to their own device.
“Yes, the past does weigh heavily on us, dear sister.” Princess Luna added, standing beside her. “Which is why Princess Twilight mission is so important. We need to mend relations between the Scynians and Equestria.”
“But why now? After all the years why are we only doing this now?” Twilight asked, hoping that the princesses could shed some light on this matter. The other princesses looked at each other for a moment before Celestia’s horn lit up with magic as a crystal table formed in front of them. Looking over at it, Twilight could see that it was a map of Equis, specifically a map of the northern front of Equestria and the Scynia.
“Because there has been an interesting development in the region recently,” Celestia explained as Scynia lit up in blue on the map. “As you know after the Warring States period, the kingdom of Scynia was reformed by high-king Enhet, who closed the borders and started a period of isolation for more than 300 years.”
As she said that the map suddenly changed with Scynia now red and much bigger than before. “But after a sudden and violent revolution the old king was dethroned and a new one was instated under the newly formed The United Wolvin Federation of Scynia or Wolves Federation.”
“Well, what he likes?” Twilight asks looked at her former mentor. “ I mean the way you’re talking about the situation, you sound like you know him.”
“Yes, Sköll Hróðvitnisson, the new High-King of the Wolvin Federation is known to me, mainly because he has a particular interest in ancient Equestrian history and culture, and his want of overtures towards us for the first time in our species history,” Celestia explained, suddenly the map changed to show a large looking city rivalling the size of Canterlot. “His Head ambassador has sent a letter that asked something that not be done before in the history of are races.”
Princess Twilight tilted her head still not getting the point as Princess Luna levitated a small open latter with a red seal of two wolves facing the sun and moon.
“It’s best if you read it for yourself,” the night princess added as Twilight did what she said, her eyes widened as she opened it and read it out loud.
"To the eternal and forever beautiful princesses of Equestria, greetings from Ambassador Hermóðr of Scynia.
While it seems very presumptuous that I am talking with you. I and my king realised that you and others within Equestria know so little of what has changed that our Beautiful country has gone through. I have talked with the Scynia legislation and has agreed to have you and your sister as special guests at the Victory Day celebration parade, in hopes that you and the High-king can work out a trade deal that will benefit both parties. Should you be willing to accept, you and any plus one will be giving all expenses the VIP treatment as you tour our wonderful capital.
You will also have free access to the libraries, museums, and art galleries and get a first look at the latest goods that will be hitting the shelves long before anyone else does. Don’t worry about transit, as the railway will have already been completed a month before we send a private train to pick you up should you respond in the affirmative. I hope that this could be a precursor for you to come and formally meet the High-king in our homeland, he has been most interested in meeting you and the other princess as he will love listening to more stories of Alicorns and other mythical beasts. He deeply enjoyed such things.
Signed, Ambassador Hermóðr of Scynia.
P.S, The young Princess Maria Vallhund Hróðvitnisson has fallen in love with the exploits of your youngest and newest princess of Equestria and her friend and dearly wants to hear the stories of your exploits. And I promise that they will be in attendance. So, would you do it for the pub and at least let them come.
Beneath the body of the letter was a picture of the pup princess, wearing one of the most elaborate and expensive pink gowns Twilight had ever see on a child, with trimmed in two lines of pearls down the front and along the neckline and wings on the skirt, a pearl-hemmed and studded lilac petaled skirt with a row of great lace drops and trumpets each arranged like a four-leaf clover or cross on a nimbus, and a yellowish petticoat with a lilac band; a swirly tiara inset with pink sapphires. She couldn’t be more than 12 years old with a cute grin on her muzzle and bright eyes. Twilight smiled at the image before looking up at the princess with a new question in mind. “Wait, princess, this letter is addressed to you and Princess Luna, so why is it just me and my friends then?”
“Excellent question, Twilight.” Celestia smiled, impressed once again by her faithful student. “On any other occasion we would happily go to the Asgard, but due to the magic drain caused by Cozy Glow, we need to stay here to strengthen the magic hold on our world.”
“Which why you're asking me and my friends to go instead, right?” Twilight guess, to which Celestia nods. ”Correct, as Princess of friendship and element of magic, it is your job to act as a diplomatic bridge between the two lands.”
Twilight smiled at that and nod. It was a job that she was more than happy to take on. “Will we have our own guards?”
“The royal guards will accompany you on the train to the Capital then his own guards will take over and watch over you.”
“I still do not like such an agreement,” Luna muttered to herself. The lunar Monarch has never like the Wolves and had always thought very little about them even after a thousand years.
“Yes, I understand your feelings, dear sister.” The Solar Monarch addressed her sibling, but her eyes wondering off to stain glass windows. “But I Believe that there is no reason for us to worry. Twilight and her friends have proven time and time again they can come out any impossible scenario.”
Luna didn’t have a come back as she herself was one of the impossible scenarios they overcame. “Yes, I just hope that they will be safe.”
“I understand, Princesses. I will take care of my friends." Twilight state, less as a promise to keep them safe and more like a promise to keep them out of trouble.
"Very well then, the train will be ready soon and you will all be met at the station by carriages and escorted to the capital.” Celestia said, as in a small flash of magic seven tickets are merged. “You and your friends will be there for a longer amount of time. Everything will be tended to while you are gone. Spike will, of course, go with you and your friend’s homes and businesses will be taken care of as well.”
Twilight swallowed and looked to the Sun Princess. “We will do our best.” She declared, hoping her voice sounded more confident than she felt.
“I know you will. We have utter faith in all of you.”
Twilight was brought out of her thoughts by the sounds of the train stopping outside the station. The carriage doors opened as her friends grab their luggage as they were led by the guard out to the station. The station was huge, even larger than the one where they used to live. There were several platforms connected together with long walkways leading from platform to platform. With great statues of wolves standing tall along the walls, the place looked very imposing.
In the centre of the station was a group of wolves clothed in light black armour over a field-grey uniform with a face-covering helmet. While most of the elements only saw these uniforms as odd and strange compared to Guard back home, Rarity was the only one to notice how brilliant they were. The uniform was made from cashmere wool, rarer than normal sheep wool but it is finer, stronger, lighter, softer and approximately three times more insulating than its counterpart. The armour resembles that of the carapace of the pre-reformed Changelings, It was made up of 18 individual, overlapping plates which will be making incredibly thin compared to the Royal guards, gave the wearer a better sense of mobility at the cost of better protection. The troops quickly fanned out and surrounded the ponies, their eyes glowed light gold from behind the visors faceplate of their helms which resemble that of the Viking raiders of the past with its long horns connected to a round base.
The wolves stopped and stood at attention as a small wolf approached them, around the same size as Twilight but still a foot shorter than the other, wearing the same armour as the rest, although he did not wear the helmet instead showing off his charcoal black coat, green eyes with a pair of scars running down from the lower part of his eyes like that of teardrops. He wore no weapon however, the ponies could tell the black wolf carried an intimidating sense of power and authority despite his size.
It was very clear to the group that he was their leader.
“Princess Twilight Sparkle, I am Prince Hati Hróðvitnisson, chief of the vargr Squadron, The second-supreme commander of the military, and the trusting advisor and younger brother of Hight-King Sköll of The United Wolvin Federation of Scynia." He bowed low and spoke slowly. “I welcome you to our station, we were waiting for you and your friends to arrive before accompanying you to the capital."
Twilight felt herself chapping under the titles, he was a very important individual and she was a bit at a loss on her to move forward without doing something that might be considered rude. Spike sensing his adopted sister's worries, stepped forward for her and turned to face sideways.
“I am Spike, Number one assistant and hero of the Crystal Empire. May I present Princess Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship and fellow Elements of Friendship, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie.”
Whether or not Hati was offended by Spike’s actions, they shall never know as his expression stay cold and neutral before turning head to face the guards.
"We shall take over your protection from here on out, you are free to go.” He said and waved his paw dismissively as the wolves moved in and the guards gave way to them, moving back on the train before taking off and leaving them behind.
“This way.” Hati said, spun and started walking away as the mares following behind. ”Gather their things. Take them to the correct rooms or the Master will hear of it.”
Twilight looked back to see that true to his words, the Wolf soldiers were picked up their baggage (mostly Rarity.) and carried it as carefully as they could, quickly followed by the rest of the ponies. Hati led them through a twisty road that led through the station, past guard posts and wolf statues. Finally, they reached a large metal gate that opened to a large elevator.
"This is our expression to the surface, it is also the way most of our members travel to and from the station, if you would like to join us, please do so,” Hati said as the elevator doors opened and he led them in.
“So, uh Prince Hati will we be able to meet your King?” Twilight asked as the elevator started moving down. The black wolf looked over to her and only looked in her eyes, his eyes gave nothing away.
"My brother is out hunting at the moment, so we will have to wait until I return before we can meet him.” He said calmly, though his tone implied a sense of irritation. Twilight didn't know what to say, so she remained silent while they continued their descent. “In the meantime, you must be hungry from your journey. If you would like, a bath and food will be arranged as soon as we arrive at the palace. Of course, after your guard will show you to your quarters.”
“Guard?” Applejack said being the first to stepped up and addressed the Prince. “Why do we nee guards?”
“For your protection, of course Miss Applejack. Many wolves that live here in Asgard grow up with ‘rather wrong ideas about your kind’. So, in order to protect you properly, you and the other will have a minimum of three-guard with you at all times. They are there to protect you and see to it that your needs are met.” He said coldly before turning to Twilight. “The princess will of course have seventeen guards as is fitting to your station.”
Twilight blinked a couple of times, Sure she perform dignitary but even she thought that was a little excessive. “I’m sure that we are safe here, I don’t think there is a need...”
“It has been decreed by my brother and his will is law,” Hali said to her. His voice was sharp to stop any further argument.
“Y'all really think somepony will attack us here?” Applejack asked him, but Hati just shook his head. “No, no such thing will happen. Just remember this place is under the watchful eye of my brother. The guard is to ensure that you do not stray where you are not permitted and that you stay out of the way of others doing their jobs.”
The mares all started at the blunt response.
"Well, ah appreciate the honesty.” Applejack said as the elevator stopped and the doors opened to a long hallway. They walked along with it for a few minutes, until they reached another door on the left side of the hall. It was open revealing the outside world.
True to its name, Asgard was beautiful. It was a sight to behold. The cityscape was made up of massive stone buildings, each towering above the others, like Manehattan back in Equestria only larger. Everything was made of the same grey stone and gave an odd vibe of both futurism, alongside a sense of ancientness yet at the same time. And above said city on top of a hill, was a palace that would put even the most extravagant castles in the Equestria to shame. With multiple spires, long towers, turrets and fancy architecture, it was like a mix of several different architectures from several different centuries, all forged together into one magnificent work.
"Well, this is it," Hati said as he turned to face them, the elevator doors closed behind them. “The palace of the gods, Valhalla. The place where kings and their kingdoms are made."
"It's..." Twilight couldn't find the words to describe it other than beautiful.
“Big?”
“Beautiful?”
“Compensating?”
“Immensely?”
“Intimidating?”
“Hard on the eyes?”
“Not what I had in mind when I thought of this place,” Twilight admitted while looking around at the architecture. From her textbooks Twilight learned that the wolves were never the most artistic of creatures, making towns and villages out of the basis of materials. Even after the invasions into Equestria, this did not change as they mostly moved into already made settlement and made them their own. But what she saw here…it was like the wolves were challenged to make this place, and won.
“This place is sacred place for people," Hati said, following her gaze. "But yes, I suppose it is a bit imposing.”
“You can say that again,” Fluttershy said softly, head down and not wanting to offend the wolf.
"Indeed," Hati said, looking up at it. “Its creation supposedly dates right back to the times of the first high-king. Since then, it has gone through a few changes, none of which I liked, but it's always been the heart of our people."
"I can see that,” Twilight added. “ It's very... efficient looking."
"Thank you, princess. It was the work of several generations of builders. So, do you have any questions? Anything you're worried about?" The black wolf asked, turning his head to look directly at her.
"Well...," Twilight said, almost stumbling over her words. “It’s just.. How do we get there?”
After all the Castle was about the same distance from Ponyville was to Canterlot, way to far on hoof and she didn’t see any train tracks or any kind of way of getting there quickly.
"Ohh," Hati said as if he had just understood her question. “Right, it’s seams my brother wanted you to keep it a surprise uh?”
Before any of the ponies could ask what he was talking about, a large carriage pole up to them. “We’ll be travelling in this.”
The carriage was bigger than anything they had ever ridden in before and was made of purely metal, which gave it a very smooth Surface. But what mad the ponies gasp in surprise was the fact that the carriage had no one pulling it.
"This," Hati said as he motioned to the driver's seat, "is automobile. No one driving, the engine inside does all the work."
"That's... amazing!" Twilight said, eyes widened in awe of what she was seen. She had see this invention before back in the human world and while even if she wasn’t quite sure what all the technical terms were she had tried to build it here in their world with mixed results. So, to see a working model in the flesh created by those who didn’t have the hindsight was astounding her scientific brain. “Oh Celestia, I can’t believe this! How did you get the engine working! What fuel do you use? How fast can it go!”
Hati just stared at the girl with a blank stare before shaking his head and chuckling. “You can ask the ambassador that question.”
As he said that the automated door opened and a grey wolf in a black suit and tie stepped out. He looked at them and bowed his head. "Hello, guests. I am Hermóðr Hermod, the ambassador of the Wolves Federation.”
Twilight immediately recognised the name of the wolf who sent the latter. As he straightened up, she saw on his left foreleg he had a fancy ring with an interesting pattern made of gold and precious stones. “I apologise for not meeting you at the station, but the Prince had ordered me to the stay in the car.”
“Why is that?” Applejack asked, clearly unimpressed by the formal wolf. Said wolf gave a short chuckle.
“Well, the Prince merely wished to make an impression. Though I have to admit, he chose the most effective way." He motioned towards the palace in the distance. “Now then shall we be off then we have so much to do and so little time before the celebration.”
“Celebration?!” The ponies said, while Pink Pie yelled out in happy.
"Yes, celebration tomorrow night. The High-King wanted your first impression of the city to be a big one, so he has ordered a party in your honour."
"For us?" Fluttershy asked shyly, while all the others were surprised they were getting one.
"Of course for you, it's a pretty big event." The ambassador wolf said before turning back to the automobile. “Now then, we must be on our way. "
The ambassador wolf opened the door once more and waited for them to enter. "After you.”
The ponies and dragon complain with his wish, entering the car along with the wolves.
Well, most of them.
“It would appear that we don’t not have enough space.” Hermóðr stated as the main 6 and dragon deadpanned, watching the poor unfortunately wolves trying to get Rarity’s luggage on with no avail.
“You two,” Hati ordered, pointing to two other wolves, "Wait here, while we call a truck.”
The Wolves in question sign, happen that they don’t have to carrier them.
“Now then, driver. Let go, I want to give the princess and her entourage a Tour around Asgard.” Hermóðr said as the car engine started up and they were on their way.
None of them, you’re realising that they’re diplomatic mission was about to go sideways.
The trip to the palace was uneventful, but for Twilight being in a car and seen the Capital of The United Wolvin Federation of Scynia was quite an event for her. And was a major learning experience for her as she Wovin culture at this finest.
"And here is the great Temple, made by Heilagr the pious and glorious with his sons and grandsons." Hermóðr Hermod, the ambassador of the Wolves Federation said, pointing at the massive building in front of them.
"It's huge." Twilight said while staring at the temple.
"Yes, it is." He said with a bit of pride in his voice."It has remain as a reminder of the glorious Wolf Empire that existed before the great breaking."
This place truly is a technical marvel. The whole city feels like that, everything is so clean and orderly, with no trash strewn around or any graffiti. The buildings are obviously well cared for and well designed. The streets are properly paved, and there are no disfiguring potholes or unsightly drainholes.It truly is a beautiful city. Even though they stayed only a few hours, it was enough to get a good impression from the girls about this new place and the people there.
Well, most of them.
"Yeah, that's great and but when are we going to get meet with the king doggie?" Rainbow Dash said, sound as bored as ever and not noticing the glared she go from her friends or the cold dead eyed one's she got from the wolves.
"RAINBOW!" Twilight yelled, then turned back to the ambassador. "Apologies, Mr. Hermod. My friend is a bit of a jokester and tends to be a bit tone deaf at time."
"Really I thought that was my job?" Pink Pie asked, extending her seat backwards and looking at the princess from an Upside-down angle.
"Don't mind her, she's just bored." Applejack piping in before turning her head back to the game of cards that she, Fluttershy, Spike, and Rarity were playing. "You got three?"
"Why do I even play with you and your stupid luck."
"It's quite alright princess, no need to apologize to me." He said, he voice as chipper and upbeat as ever. "Besides, I was wondering that myself? Prince Hati Hróðvitnisson when did The High-King say he'll be back?"
There was a long pause as Hati Hróðvitnisson did not answer his right away, while the other's stared at him waiting. “Like I told the princes "My brother is out hunting at the moment,” I do not know where my brother is or when he will return.”
The ponies couldn’t help but heard a hint of annoyance in his voice.
“I see…" The ambassador said before turning to the group. “Oh, look we’re here!”
The group slowly got out of the car, staring at the palace in front of them. It was indeed as impressive as it sounds. Valhalla was indeed a fitting name for the place. The palace was built on top of a massive ice field, with two large bodies of water as a back drop. A massive statue of a wolf, covered in frost and snow stood at the front of the palace, looking off towards the setting sun. The palace was a mixture of metal, stone, and wood, with the metal being appearing to be black steel and the wood being a dark red colour. With massive towers and spires, and gargoyles near the tops. The whole place gave an air of greatness and power.
“Well, this is it. Beautiful, isn't it?” Hermod asked the group, who were still in a silent awe of the place.
"It's like something out of a fairy tale." Rarity exclaimed.
“It very big.” Fluttershy whispered.
“Yeah it’s so big that the writer needed to describe it twice.” Pinkie said simple before turning to Address the group. “Hey, Twilight are you ready to meet the king?”
"What? Pinkie the king is-"She was interrupted by the sound of a trumpet in the distance. The group turned and looked out over the city below.
"What's going on?" Applejack asked as they watched a massive crowd forming.
"My brother has returned,"Hati Hróðvitnisson said sounded really annoyed. "And he throwing a triumph."
The sound of music began to pick up as the massive parade began to sing.
"♫ Make way for High-King Sköll! Say hey, it's High-King Sköll!♫ ”
The massive procession marched through the city with thousands of cheering citizens, with groups of soldiers marching in rose flanking each side of the carriage full of gold and precious gems pulled by a group of deers.
"Who's he?" Twilight asked, pointing to a lone wolf in front, dressed in a shimmering silver robe, holding a staff topped with a wolf's head.
"That," Hati said pointing to the wolf, "is Gothi Heilagrsson, he is my brother..uh…hyper wolf.” The Prince said irritably as Gothi Heilagrson raise his staff and moved into the crowds.
“♫ Hey! Clear the way in the old Bazaar! Hey you, let us through it's your brightest star. Oh, come and be the first on your block to meet his eye!♫ ”
The massive procession continued on, with groups of cheering citizens waving their homes as they passed.
“♫ Make way, here he comes! Ring bells, bang the drums! You all know his name!♫ ”
As he sang, the roar of a dragon could be heard as one descended from the sky. The ponies looked in shock and awe as the dragon, large and black as the darkest night, landed on the main street as it reveal his rider. A majestic wolf, standing at least twice the size of any other wolf in the land, with glowing ice-blue eyes that could freeze fire, and a coat of shimmering, pure white fur, which was covered by a set of golden armour.
“♫ High-King Sköll Hróðvitnisson, fabulous he, Sköll of Scynia! Show some respect, genuflect, down own on one knee!♫ ”
The crowd began to do as he said, with some even bowing their heads as Sköll dismounted, his golden armour clanking.
"♫ Now, try your best to stay calm." The catchy song began to affect the pony as they watched the king and the mage. "Brush up your Friday salaam and come and meet his spectacular coterie!♫ "
Several large ice blocks were thrown at him which he easily lifted which impressed Applejack and Rainbow Dash.
“♫ High-King Sköll, mighty is he, oh son of Fenris! Strong as ten regular wolves, definitely!♫ "
The crowd goes wild with cheers as the mages then blow on his staff as a beam of fire began to shoot out of it. Twilight felt her analytical mind light up as she watched it changing shape before her eye into a crude puppet show.
"♫ He's faced the galloping hordes, a hundred bad guys with swords, who sent those goons to their lords? Why our lord, Sköll!♫ "
The puppets begin to clash together as the fire mage moved across the other chariot.
“♫ He's got 75 pure golden camels!♫ "
"That's a lot." Pinkie said, bouncing as she watched them being pulled by some real camels. "Really, give yourself a knee slapper there on the Visual pun ace?"
Oh shut up.
"♫ Purple peacocks, he's got 53!♫ "
"Oh, they're just simply divine." Rarity said as she enjoy the view of the Purple peacocks, all of which were in their own float.
"♫ When it comes to exotic-type animals! And I'm telling you, it's a world-class menagerie!♫ "
Fluttershy couldn't believe the unique animals on display as each word made her more excited to see more.
Suddenly, a crowd of female wolves began to surround the parade. They all sang in unison, swooning over the king as the music beginning to increase in speed.
"♫ King Sköll! Handsome is he, the one and only! That physique! How can I speak Sköll Hróðvitnisson, we're weak in the knee!♫ "
"♫ Well, get on out in that square! Adjust your veil and prepare. To gawk and grovel and stare at the great King Sköll!♫ "
As he passed them by, Sköll grab onto one of the chariots many bouquets, kissed the top of a white rose thrown them out to the crowd of fem wolves. Rarity felt herself entranced by this. She had expected the wolf king to be some sort of a barbarian, who would kidnap a princess and carry her off to his mountain lair. But this was more than she had imagined. Instead, he looked and acted more like Prince Charming than a barbarian, even more than the actual Prince they go home.
How many didn’t notice one of the wolves guards, a light blueish grey wolf, an evident female if her body type was to be believe, gave the king a look of annoyance at his actions.
"♫ He's got ninety-five dragon!♫ ”
"Like real dragons!" Spike said, perking up at the idea that more dragons choose to live in other societies than their own like him.
"♫ And to view them he charges no fee!♫ ”
Suddenly, a large amount of gold began to rain down into the crowd as wolves toss them from the cart.
“♫ He's generous, so generous!♫ "
The crowd sang out in unison as they scrambled to collect as much as possible.
“♫ He's got slaves, he's got, servants and flunkies! Proud to work for him! They bow to his whim, love serving him! They're just lousy with loyalty to our lord, Sköll!♫ ”
Soon he and the rest of the parade reached the gate where the main 6 were, the dragon breaking down the gate as the high-king, now riding him again, charges through.
"♫ High-king Sköll! Amorous he! Sköll, lord of all he seeks!♫ " Gothi Heilagr sang, sliding down one of the floats towards the 6 and dragon, stopped in front of the princess. "Heard you were a sight lovely to see."
Twilight couldn't help but blush at the surprise compliment as the wolf turn around.
“♫ And that, good people, is why you got dolled up and dropped by, to see his-♫ "
"♫ -Sixty legions! Berserker galore! With his bears and white lions, an brass bands and more! With his forty fakirs, his cooks, his bakers! And Servants that song on key!♫ "
Landing back down the dragon made a humongous roar, white fire fired out into the sky as High-king Sköll jumping off its back as the song reached its climax.
“♫ Make way for High-king Sköll!♫ "
The music stopped as High-king landed in front of them, his gold cape spreading out as it bellowed on the visible wind (kind of like the princesses).
“[Welcome princess, I hope are meet is worth the wait.” Twilight sparkle's face grew red as she was unsure of how to respond to this. This was him, the great king of the frozen north, the king of the wolf. She had to be careful, calm, composed and WHY IS PINKIE PIE HOPPING TOWARDS HIM!
“Hi! I’m Pinkie Pie, and you must be the king wolf huh? Well, I mean you’re all Royal and stuff and you have a guy singing you a song about you and stuff! If is it true that your frying us a party because if so I’m a great at party, and even a better party planner if I’m not tutoring my own horn and stuff! Byunrelatedit’ssogoodtofinallygetsomeactualinesinasit’slikethewriterdoesn’tknowwhattodowithme andisregrettingputtingusinthestoryand-“
Pinkie weird cavalcade of quick confusing questions/rant were cut off when one of the guards, which Twilight instantly recognised as the fem wolf that glare daggers at the king before, pointing a spear at the pink earth pony.
“I’d advise you to hold your tongue when speaking with one of higher standing then your worm!” She said in a very aggressive and dangerous tone. “Less you you lose it!”
“Hey, don’t talk to my friend like that!” Rainbow said, flying in between the two and giving the wolf a Antagonistically look.
“Firstly my name is Hjordis not Bud, and secondly I think that I’m the captain of Sir majesties guard!” Hjordis said, taking a defensive and aggressive stance as if they were about to fight get out and they probably would have if it wasn’t for Outside intervention.
“That’s enough Hjordis,”Sköll order simply, and the guard backed down, not before whispering a comment to Dash. ”You should be glad that High-King Sköll is merciful or you would be dead by now."
"Oh yeah!” Dash said, ready to throw hooves when Applejack grabbed her by the tail and yanked her back into the group as Twilight began doing some damage control.
“I’m so very sorry about my friend, your majesty. She very loyal and confrontational and sometimes those two things cross and very on dangerous where is there don’t really bold well-“
“Haha, it’s fine, fine, my dear head guard is like that herself.” He said, gesturing over to the head guard who was sulking a bit at the mention. “You are in the presence of royalty here! There will be no threat of death or violence. We are civilized. Oh then I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced.”
Twilight blushed a bit, luckily, she remembered who she was supposed to be and stepped forward group to greet the king with a bow.
“Twilight Sparkle, princess of friendship.” She said nervously, still not quite sure of how to act. The high-king smile's lit up his face as he took her hoof and into his paws.
“Sköll Hróðvitnisson, first son of High-King Hróðvitnis Ninson, High-King of the United Wolvin Federation of Scynia, Lord of the Northlands, Defender of The Vast Anarctic Steppes, conqueror of dragons, lord of the nine realms of Scynia and the highest point in all of the north.” He said, his voice deep and booming.
"Wow, that's a lot of titles." Pinkie pie said, speaking for everyone as they took in the information. The wolf King agreed with this blunt statement. “Trust me those are just the one I like, I got like ten more. So let’s skip the formalities, you can just call me Sköll, Princess Twilight?"
"Good because you can just call me, Twilight." She said awkwardly before the king said. She always hate long titles and formalities, mostly because of her own so it was great to have a rule who feel the same.
“If you insisted,” he said before noticing the rest of the group. “I hope my worrywart of a brother was keeping you all entertained well I was gone?”
“Well I wasn’t have if you would have told me that you were going.” Hati said, his tone serious and somewhat bossy as he glared at wolf almost thrice his height.
“Oh, but it was getting quite dull in the capital and I needed to take care of something. You know how these affairs can get very hectic." The high-king said with a laugh, flashing his fangs. "Besides, I wanted to make a good first impression.”
This made most of the group chuckle at the way he said it, however Hati still looked unimpressed. “And how much did you spend on your “first impression”?”
“Well, I am generous.” He said, snapping his claws as his guards handed out some bouquets to each pony.
"Generous? More like lavishing." Hati spoke like a parent telling off their child. “I sure hope you know what you are doing, brother."
The king smiled at his brother's words. "Don't worry. I always know what I am doing.”
His attention returned to the group. “Forgive my brother he is quite a stick in the mud.”
“And your just lazy and apathetic!” The smaller wolf countered as the two were matched up against each other, however, the king paid no mind to the quarrel, he had a very important matter to discuss. "Please come with me. I haven’t even given your tour around my place yet and I wish to rectify that mistake right away.”
The group followed the king into the palace. It was just as grand as it seemed from the inside as it was outside. The hall was large with high ceilings and decorated with golden images of moons, stars and other constellations. The floor was made of large marble tiles and arranged in a circular formation. Large marble stairways led up to various levels of the palace and walls lined with golden plaques that showed the symbols of the wolf god Fenris.
“ I hope you don’t mind, I’ve been planning on remodelling the place.” The King said casually as the pony looked in wonder and awe at all the decorations. "But of course, for you, it's all-new. I'll show you to your rooms later and we will dine in a few hours. For now, let's-“
The Monarch didn’t get a chance to finish as a figure jumped for the Landing and onto the back of the wolf-king. The ponies at first thought he was being attacked and were about to jump into action, only to find that his “attack” was but a pup, more specifically one that Twilight instantly recognised as the same one from the letter.
This was Princess Maria Vallhund Hróðvitnisson, Sköll Hróðvitnisson only daughter.
“Daddy! Your home!" she said with an unfeigned squeal as she jumped down from the wolf-king onto the marble floor before pulling him into a great big hug.
"Yes my little snow angel, how have you been?" He asked, returning the hug, causing the main 6 to lighten their image of him significantly. After all, Throughout their entire trip hear their perception of him as the great tyrant like King Sombra or Queen chrysalis was slowly corroded away, leaving the image of the kind, courageous king and loving father that they see before them.
“I’m being good, uncle Hati been teaching me about the ways of the stars and the moon." She said before he said.
"I see, well that's great. Because of your behaviour, I have some important guests that I know you would love to meet." The King said as Maria looked pasted him to the group, her eyes falling on them for the first time as they then widened at the sight of them.
"OH MY GOSH, it's the elements of harmony!" She squealed as she ran towards them, knocking the King and his guards over in the process. She reached the group and jumped up to hug each of them individually.
"I had heard great things about you all! I always wanted to meet you guys! You know Her told me you were coming, but I didn't think you'd actually show up!" She said looking from face to face. "I Have so many questions to ask!"
"Yes, yes, yes, but you must show restraint my little snowflake." The king said as he tried to remove the little rambunctious pup from the ponies.
"But daddy, I'm so EXCITED!!" She said, clinging to the unicorn's leg refusing to let him hold on to her.
“I know, I know, I know. But our guests are tired after such a long journey and they need their rest.” He said before picking the young pub off Rarity’s foreleg. The wolf princess give her father a sad look before the wolf king nuzzled up to her.
“But perhaps you can give them a tour of our home before they have to go to their room.” He suggested as his daughter’s eyes of eyes widen with joy.
“Really!?” She asked and after the king give a nod of clarity before bursting into a joyful dance, jumped and circled around him with childish enthusiasm before her eyes finally settled on the group again. “Come you all have to see our Gardens and our castle library, and the star veranda, and our rainbow horn! Come on, now come on!"
The ponies had no doubt been stunned by such an immediate enthusiastic greeting from the king's daughter and followed her closely as Maria gave them a tour around the castle. No one, not even the princess of friendship, noticed the king, his brother and ambassador staying back, the former having an ominous look on his face as he watched the scene unfold.
“Everything has gone perfectly, hey brother." Sköll said in a deep voice. "the plan has worked."
"The plan was to get the rulers of Equestria, not their lapdogs,” Hati said in return, his usual cold, harsh voice betraying his true emotion.
“Yes, yes, but why worry about changes when they can so easily work to our advantage.” The King said, shrugging. "Why send an army to fight a war when you can make them your allies. We just need to keep them weak until we're ready to strike."
“And then, at last, we wolves will have are Vengeance.”
