Frozen Through the Ages

The walk to the west hall was an uneventful affair—a quiet jaunt from long hall to long hall. It blended together in such a way that the distance and time it took to cross it were incalculable. It was enough to lull me into a trance-like state, where I walked beside Celestia while lost in thought. When Celestia came to a stop, I barely recognized the door before I planted my face against it with authority.

"Glacial Zero?" Celestia asked.

I groggily rubbed my muzzle, eying the door that assaulted me with venom. "Stupid door. You made me look bad."

"Pardon?"

I stepped back and huffed. "Nothing, sorry, lost in thought."

"That said." Prim pushed the door open. "Your guest awaits, Your Highness."

Much like every hall we'd made our way through, the waiting room in question was opulent and spacious. A fireplace that could fit me five times over, windows that reached from floor to ceiling, and a chandelier that would no doubt cost more than the entirety of Bogwood makes in a year. The room's centerpiece was the sprawling display of finery and couches that felt nearly too small for the otherwise ridiculous room. Hal's memories depicted the castle as a bit more functional, though I suppose a thousand years is plenty of time to renovate.

Standing before the unlit fireplace was whom I assumed was my new instructor. Well, with nopony else present, I'd be concerned if the pony who hadn't heard the door open was anypony else.

"Polaris," Celestia greeted. The stallion turned with a start. The stallion in question was an odd sort. The word that came to mind was 'soft' or perhaps 'gentle.' Polaris Glimmer attempted a bow, though it seemed rather stiff. His drapery of a mane danced as if caught in a breeze. The gentle pink locks striped with an almost glowing turquoise band nearly touching the ground even while at his full height. His coat was pink, only a shade or so lighter. He rubbed a hoof against the other, his overly prominent fetlocks dusting the ground as he avoided everypony else's eyes.

"He's so cute," Freya said. She swooned, flopping head over hoof in midair. As dramatic as her response was, her thoughts weren't off the mark. I'd never seen a mare or stallion as overtly unoffensive and unthreatening.

A shock ran down my spine when his dark blue eyes met mine. His eyes held a depth of anxiety and disdain—a threat that contrasted every other facet of his being. In such contrast, I almost thought I was seeing things.

"Princess Celestia. I'm honored you summoned me this day," Polaris mumbled behind a second attempt at a bow. This one was far more refined as if a switch had been set.

"Quite. We, as our missive relayed, have use of your not insubstantial prowess." Celestia motioned to me. "We have discovered a rather interesting magical anomaly in need of observation and instruction."

Polaris nodded, his mane waving in all directions, in an almost parody of Celestia's own ethereal hair. "This is it, the one, the -mancy savant? So young, how interesting." The grin that bloomed across Polaris' face earned a backtrack toward the door so quickly that I wasted no time even turning about. My head found the closed passage with impressive timing.

"Young Glacial Zero has shown an impressive potential. The likes of which are rare indeed. We wish you to teach the colt all you can in the coming months."

"I'd be delighted, Princess." Polaris' eyes were trained on me with scary precision, like one tearing something apart to discover what makes it tick. My skin crawled in protest.

"Princess."

Celestia turned to find me not beside her. A brow rose ever so slightly as she saw me pressed to the secured door as hard as I could manage. "Glacial Zero?"

"Are we sure this is a good idea?" I asked. I knew the answer without recourse and certainly knew that my question was both vague and pedantic. That is the perfect question for an unaware colt to ask. As Celestia eyed me, they made it clear it was not a question expected of me in the least.

"We are certain. Polaris is talented in both the theoretics and the practical application of magic in many forms. Which, while not as adept as many single-class experts in specialized fields. He boasts a far beyond average talent in nearly all fields of magic."

My head fell to full tilt as I tried my best not to look lost entirely.

Celestia huffed and motioned to the sofas in the center of the room. "Please, take a seat. We are confident; Polaris is more than apt to assuage any doubts."

"It's not his skills I'm worried about," I whispered to myself as I passed our oh-so-empathetic ruler.

"Yes, yes, I'm more than happy to answer any questions at all," Polaris said giddily, plopping down on one of the couches. His grin grew wider, and my pace faltered to a near snail-like speed. No, that's not fair. A snail could lap the room faster than I willed myself to the room's center.

"Oh dear, somepony is a bit scared. Oh, the big bad mage is gonna devour you whole," Freya snickered.

I managed to ignore her and instead planted myself on the furthest seat from Polaris. Not that he seemed to notice, instead leaning forward, his eyes glistening with untold horrors. Celestia did not take a seat, only standing behind my own, idly watching as I tried to flee for my life.

"Why so tense, young Glacial?" Celestia said from her spot, peering over my seat's headrest. "What ails you?"

How does one explain the irrational fear of something so metaphysical? For my own sake, I couldn't explain why Polaris' stare fired off every warning in my head that my body had access to. It was ridiculous even to me. I stared down yesterday's Highland disaster with less dread than I had every time my eyes met Polaris Glimmer's. Yet, there was something else behind the vexation and subliminal fear. A nagging tug at Hal's memories. Like there was something I was forgetting. An epiphany that should come with this very meeting.

"I don't know." For now, that's all I can say for sure.

"So, I suppose we should start with introductions, yes?" Polaris cleared his throat. "Greetings, young colt. My name is Polaris Glimmer, and I'm delighted to meet you."

I let out a deep, full-body sigh and nodded in recognition. "It is nice to meet you too, Mr. Polaris. As of the Princess ' decree this morning, I'm Glacial Zero, your new student. It was very thoughtful of her, wouldn't you agree?" My sight trailed up over Polaris, my neck bending back as I looked at Celestia. Who in turn was looking down at me.

"Uh-oh, watch out, Glacie, get too feisty, and you might end up burned," Freya warned. She'd taken to floating atop the chandelier overhead. Nice and out of reach of my vengeance, the wiley little monster.

"We only sought to aid those who needed such tutelage, I assure you." Celestia leered at me. I happily leered back. Freya had a point, but after all the crazy heat she'd been searing me under. A little petty jab was the least she deserved.

"Well, if what Her Highness's letter said is true. You and I will have so much to do. So many tests, so many opportunities to evolve." Though Polaris smiled, eyes sparkling in anticipation. I was swept by a chill, one that left even my frozen limbs shaking. That nagging tickling in the back of my head was now a deep, searing demand for attention.

"Glacie, are you feeling alright?" Freya asked.

I offered a curt shake of the head. "I just can't put my hoof on it," I whispered, hoof scratching at my cheek idly.

"We'll need to start bright and early if we're to get all the tedious tests out of the way. Then, we can start the real learning. Right, Glacial Zero?"

It was odd, even as my mind had drifted from the conversation. Polaris hadn't so much as skipped a beat. Lost in his own little world, he continued talking on. Any questions he asked were dismissed with his next breath.

"Polaris," Celestia said. Her voice was like forged iron. The second the words left her lips, Polaris became as silent and attentive as a statue. "Please collect yourself. You've left young Glacial behind. You will have plenty of time to discuss your planned lessons upon daybreak. For now, please keep your thoughts concise. Glacial Zero is still recovering from his ordeals. Agreed."

There was no room for argument or dismissal. The heat had blistered back into reality. The oppressive wave sent me into a dry, coughing fit. While Polaris' gaze only glistened further. He stared at Celestia like the devout before their god. I doubted he was the first to look at Celestia with such devotion, but to see it firsthoof. Was surreal. Perhaps it was simply the conversations I've had with the Princess in the annex building or the carriage, possibly Hal's own memories, but for the life of me, I could not fathom Polaris or his intent.

"Of course, Your Highness, my apologies."

"All the same, thank you for taking my studies so seriously, Mr. Polaris. I know this must have been a bit sudden and a bit inconvenient. So, I'm sorry if I'm a bother."

And just like that, the trance subsided, Polaris' eyes fixed once more on me, and the spark, the eerie light behind his every glance toward Celestia, vanished into the dark once more. I meant what I said. I'm sure Polaris had other things to do. But if it kept him focused on me, I'd play the humble student.

"Not at all. This is a wonderful experience to be hoofed upon me. I promise to do my best to meet your and Her Highness' expectations."

"He's a strange one, isn't he?" Freya asked.

I nodded. "Of that, I'm sure."

"Introductions aside, Prim Prose."

Like a ghost from beyond the veil of time and space. Said Prim Prose was beside her Princess faster than I could look back to said Princess. I was, in fact, enough to have me hop, if only in my seat. Even Polaris' stare seemed to shift between the place Prim was not seconds ago and the door, which was still firmly closed.

"Yes."

Celestia turned about horn aglow. With a single step, the door was wide. "Please show Young Glacial to his rooms. He will need what time he can to recover his strength. He has much to come in the following months."

Prim Prose bowed, and with that, Princess Celestia was gone. In a single fluid motion, Prim rose back to her full height. She idled a single glance back in my direction. I shrank back and offered a timid smile.

"Come, your rooms are not far." Prim started off only to pause in the doorway. “And Polaris Glimmer.”

Polaris snapped to attention. "Yes, Ms. Prose?"

"You shall meet Glacial Zero here, one hour after sunrise. From there, you will be left to your teachings until sunset."

Polaris offered an eager nod. One Prim did not see as she continued forward once more. I was barely off the sofa before she'd turned into the hall.

"Good evening," I said before following my guide and leaving the bewildering mage behind. No sooner had I placed the doorframe between myself and Polaris than the sudden chill I'd experienced earlier vanished outright.

"Such a strange one," Freya hummed. She danced about the hall as Prim Prose briskly trotted in front of me. Her pace was enough to leave my haggard body pleading for rest.

"Very," I managed between huffs.

"Hurry along, Colt. Neither of us has time to waste."

"She's a bit of a strange one herself," Freya said, encircling Celestia's aid in a loose circuit. "A ghost in the castle, an eye for the sun."

"Scarier than any ghost," I mumbled. If Freya or Faust above, Prim heard me, neither made any inclination. Which, for the time being, was probably for the best.

The following walk to my appointed chambers was less of a walk and more a quickened trot as my shorter, sore legs fought to keep pace with Prim Prose's nigh supernatural stride. Freya seemed to enjoy my struggle as we rounded another identical corner into another identical hall. I could not imagine the efforts of a potential thief making any more sense of this place than I was at this point.

By the time Prim came to a stop, I was a panting, frothing mess. I had to appreciate the fact I always looked damp; one of the perks of bog living was to not look like a bedraggled corpse. I only looked like a slightly sodden corpse. It also struck me that though I was far and away from any swamp, my mane continued to be a wet mess. I'd pay top bit for some wise old academic to explain that to me.

"Here we are. The rooms Princess Celestia, in her infinite wisdom, has granted you for your stay. I suggest you not make a sty of them, little colt," Prim said. She turned to look at me, eyes sharp, narrow, and clawing. I smiled up at her and nodded along.

"I wouldn't dream of it, Ms. Prose. My father would tan me alive if I went and ruined somepony else's home."

This earned a half sniff and an agreeable huff. "As well he should. Now, onto your immediate future."

My ears perked, my tail wagging slowly, and every hair on my end stood on end. If I had to walk one more marathon today, I was going to end somebody. I had enough on my mind as it was.

"Her Highness has afforded you the rest of the day to rest. You've been through quite the ordeal the last two days. We can't have you collapsing in the midst of the castle, can we."

My tail ceased its slow arc, and the whole of my body sagged just slightly. Freya offered a snicker from behind me. I paid her no mind. My posture must have been noted by Prim, as her eyes traced me with precision, beyond my or Hal's recollection of ever having seen before.

"Of course," I agreed.

"Upon the morrow, you will be joining Her Majesty for breakfast, where she will explain what she expects from you while you are under her care."

At least there was a plan. I was getting sick of always being in a reactive position. Forethought always seemed much more challenging when you had to do it all alone. 'Freya didn't count.'

"I understand."

"We shall have a maid wake you. Once you've concluded your breakfast, you shall be shown to the study; Mr. Glimmer has been granted your daily lessons." I nodded. Prim gave another half sniff and nodded in return. "Very well. Then, I wish you a peaceful evening."

I was given no time to respond as Prim Prose turned and walked away at a pace that would have left me in the dust, injured or not. My entire frame slumped as I fell to my haunches, mumbling reflective curses all the while. Some of which only a particularly savvy sailor could conjure up. Bless Sire for all his dock-granted wisdom.

"Alright, Glacie, you need some rest. Up we go." I was whisked back to my hooves by a semi-translucent leg. The now corporeal Freya tutting all the while.

"Agreed."

"Good, let's see what the Princess' accommodations look like," Freya made to phase through the door, only for my hoof to latch onto hers.

"I'll rest just as soon as you and I have a chat about Tally." Freya froze in place, eyes blinking like a grounded fish. "You didn't think I'd forget, did you? The fact Tally could hear you is kind of a game changer, you know."

As far as I could tell. Freya's reaction was less reluctance and more; she'd utterly forgotten it had happened at all. If an ice spirit could blush, which would defy her biology, then Freya would have been beet red. I released Freya's hoof and motioned to the door.

"After you."

Freya said nothing, instead sliding through the closed door with the grace of a pigeon planting its humble little face against a sheet of glass. As soon as she'd made it through, I pulled the door wide and joined her in my new home away from home.

The guest chambers were both surprising and underwhelming in equal but opposing ways. The room was larger than the main room of my home back in Bogwood. It was tastefully decored, with simple thematic elements, one can only get when in the House of the Sun. Whites and yellows as far as the eye could see. Carpets covered the floor, a luxury not seen in Bogwood at all. Any attempt at such would be ruined in no time but the muck of the swamps. A large plush bed, several spotless chairs in the corner with a table between. Windows that stretched just shy of floor to ceiling.

A second door led to an indoor restroom. It was strange when one reflected on plumbing in Equestria when one had insight into the future. For instance, you could count the number of indoor latrines in Bogwood on one set of hooves. Bathrooms, even when such a room bath or no, relied on magic and enchantment to be convenient. One needs both room for a sewage canal and aptitude or bit to spend on plumbing crystals to allow for the disposal cycle of your waste. I'd personally never used one. However, Hals' recollections made them seem rather enticing.

"What do you think?" I asked, turning to Freya, who had taken to lapping the ceiling, bartering down onto all she surveyed.

"What could any one pony need so much room for?" Freya asked. Her question was barely audible and most assuredly not directed at me at all. She had a point; it was such a grand waste of opulence. Impractical is the word that came to mind.

"Not a clue," I said. I took a long inhale and plodded course for the nearest chair. Of which was large enough to fit three of me comfortably. The second my rear made contact, I suck several inches into the plush upholstery. "So, while I'm still conscious. You have some explaining to do, 'Ms. Nopony Can See Me'."

"No need to be mean, Glacie. I was planning to tell you, eventually." Freya made her way into my chair, landing on the seat with a puff of released air. She flung out a hoof and jabbed me in the side. "It is really nice, being able to actually sit with you, you know? Don't get me wrong, the ethereal form can be fun, but there is something about direct contact that is just so satisfying."

I rolled my eyes and jabbed her back. "You're stalling."

Freya crossed her hooves and turned her nose to the sky. "I am not."

"Freya."

"Oh, fine," Freya relented, sagging in her spot in the seat. "Even after we talked, neither of us understood it any better than you. Tally was not even that surprised, not even when I told her I was a Wendigo. I'm more curious than anything about that one. A million questions, I barely got to say anything at all."

I nodded along. "That does sound like Tally. That filly needs to know just about everything. But seriously, neither of you had any idea at all?" The idea that Tally could just will her ability to see or hear Freya was beyond acceptance. Things were never that simple. I idly rubbed my chin, and my back hooves kicked out in no particular pattern. Tally or Freya had done something, something that changed Tally's perception, though, as I thought about it.

"She mentioned dreams before. Remember when I confessed to Hal? She thought my visions and her dreams had something in common. Could that have something to do with it?"

Freya leaned back in the plush chair, her hooves stretched high as she made herself comfortable. "If we were talking about your visions and dreams, then maybe. But how would that have anything to do with me?"

"Tally didn't have any ideas at all? That is very unlike her."

Freya waved me away. "It was less she had no ideas and more she had too many. If you ask me, she might just have an affinity for seeing things one should not. Honestly, she'd hardly be the first pony or any creature that could see spirits and such."

"Maybe, but why now? What changed? Do such things change over time? Are there levels of seeing spirits?" Tally was many things, but spontaneous was not one. Either she'd seen Freya from the beginning and had been pretending she couldn't, or it was a recent change. On one hoof, having someone else who could see and speak with Freya was nice. On The other hoof, there were so many missing facts. Once, I'd have to wait till I was done in Canterlot to pursue.

"I don't know. I've never needed to ask. But, if I had to take a guess. I don't think she's been lying from the outset. She was very much interested in me and you and why I am following you around. Which, by the way, I was vague. She'll likely bother you for specifics in the future. So have fun with that."

"Witch." I definitely need to chat with her as soon as I get back. "Did you two talk about anything productive at all?" I flung my hooves high. My mind was beginning to fray at the seams, too much all at once. This was Freya's fault, somehow.

"We agreed you're hopeless. Oh, and Tally wanted to tell the others about me. I wasn't totally opposed to the idea. It isn't like you're not telling your fillyfriends everything else."

"She what? You what?" There went the fray, straight into a tear. My brain was leaking. I felt sick, my head spinning. Too much, too much all at once.

"I think it'd be good for your mental wellbeing. You've been sitting on the edge a bit too often lately." Freya scooted closer and wrapped a hoof over my shoulders. "It's scary. I can't protect you from what you never say, you know?"

My anger shattered. My head pounded as I pulled myself closer to Freya. It was surprising how warm a crazy wendigo could be. So there we stayed. The silence was palpable but unthreatening, politely waiting as Freya and I sat in our plush chair in a plush room in a castle atop a mountain. The silence was in no rush, and neither were we.

A yawn broke up the moment. My whole body shook in a valiant effort to remind me that I was still a walking, talking bruise. I snorted, and Freya shook. I wrapped a hoof over my muzzle. The damn broke as both of us burst into a fit of laughter. My entire body struggled as I gasped for air. The more I laughed, the more it hurt. The more it hurt, the harder I laughed. The howling Wendigo beside me did not help.

"Somepony is sleepy," Freya said between giggles. "Silly, colt."

"Maybe a little," I agreed.

"Well, then you're lucky you have a big fancy bed right over there," Freya said, pointing to the plush bed in question.

"Or unlucky, if you recall, I was abducted here to begin with. Not that Celestia didn't have reasons, but it is just another chain to reel me into the dark."

The humor died, and I found myself being pulled even tighter against Freya. "You aren't alone, Glacie. You have me, and the Night House, and your friends. We'll pull you back up. I promise. You aren't alone."

"I should tell them."

"The girls?" Freya cooed.

"Everyone. Father, the girls, Foresight. I'm tired, Freya. I'm tired of pretending everything is normal. It's only been a few weeks, so look at everything. For Faust's sake, I thought you were imaginary until this morning."

"Silly Glacial, I'm as real as you need me to be. And for the record. I think you should tell them, too." Freya leaned in, cupping a hoof over her mouth. "I think Azure already knows, or at least has a hunch. All your friends are kind of weird."

I cracked a smile and pushed Freya away. "So are you."

Freya nodded. "I did say 'ALL' of your friends for a reason."

"At this point, the only pony I don't want to tell is our humble host. She's riding the edge of sanity, too, you know. Her eyes, sometimes, hurt even to look into. It's like staring into the sun. She needs help."

Freya puffed out her chest and patted my shoulder hard. "Then help her. Nopony else has all these weird insights you have. Be the change you want to see."

I messaged a hoof against my forehead. "Is that even safe? Telling her 'Prophecies' is one thing. Healing a broken heart is a whole other battle. One I do not in any way feel qualified to fight. I'm just some weird colt, as far as Celestia is concerned."

"So, if not you, then who? Who helped her in those visions of yours, hmm? What does Hal have to say?" Freya said. She leaned in, a toothy grin ebbing me on.

"Not a clue. Hal's knowledge is mostly forward in time, not backward or the present for us, I guess." I'm mostly on my own for the foreseeable future."

"Boo."

"How do you think the others will react?" I asked.

"To what?"

I nudged Freya. "To you. If we tell them, well, it is one thing to know about something you'll never see. It is wholly different to befriend a Wendigo. You know, the supposed antithesis to everything ponies know and believe in."

Freya slumped back in the seat. "That, I'm sure it'll be fine. That was so long ago and completely Surt'r's fault. Once we deal with him, we can all start over." Freya said. She'd fallen back into a thoughtful frown. Their eyes glassed over as she lost herself in whatever Surt'r's name brought bubbling up to the surface—memories of a time long ago. One's I had no right to ask.

"I'm still not sure how you think we're gonna beat the entire Wendigo race and best their crazy king. It feels more like a Celestia-tiered problem."

"Well, firstly, with no Wendigo magic, there is no getting anywhere near Surt'r at all. The Frozen Throne would have Celestia frozen solid before she could do much." Freya waved the thought off. A buzzing reminder from Hal had me picture a particular other throne that left ponies defenseless. Though I doubt Surt'r's is in the badlands.

"Then why not give her yours before you gave it to me?" There were so many questions. I could feel my eyes struggling to stay open. If nothing else, the furniture in the castle was almost unnaturally comfortable.

"You ask too many questions, Glacie. Besides, you need to get some sleep. Come on," Freya hefted me up and oh so helpfully floated me over my bed, dropping me face-first into some very, very comfortable pillows.

Freya was deflecting. I did not care for that at all. However, as my eyes drifted closed, I came to the conclusion that I'd have to ask her tomorrow. That sounded nice, and tomorrow it was. My eyes closed, and darkness took me away into the land of dreams.

--

The cityscape was doused in a thick morning mist. Snow drifted in the winter wind. No, not winter; it was mid-June. Yet the snow came all the same. White and gray contrasting the dawn's oranges. It'd have been beautiful if this had been any other day, any other time. Ice clung to my body, keeping me standing. My clothes did little to shield my slowly freezing limbs' from stinging, bitter bite. I gasped for air. The biting chill in the air left me choking on my numbed tongue. I'd choke on it at this rate.

Like my legs, my arms were frozen, held out in an almost mockery of a cross. My hooves tingled, no, hands, right? My head hurt, my made limply tussling around as I shook the fog from my mind. Mane? Another piercing jab in the back of my head.

"Pay attention, Little Chill."

I would have jumped if I could move at all. Instead, all I managed was a grunt. I tried to turn to look at my captor, who even now stood out of sight. Their voice was ambiguous; it gave nothing away. It was closer to a hiss than anything, almost as biting as the sting in my legs. Hooves, legs? My head was a war drum, pounding away to its own beat.

"You're hiding behind other creatures' faces in worlds unknown to us. But it will not save you, Little Chill. In time, you will be found."

Something touched my shoulder. My heart skipped a beat. My vision blurred, and my mind was left to static and an even more frantic drumming. I writhed, trying as hard as I could to pull away. Every strained movement left only one thought in my head: 'Flee.'

"And when we do, you will suffer, as will that little wretch who hides behind you."

"Thaw."

"Who gave you permission to speak."

I paid the voice no mind. My hooves shook in their icy prisons. My fingertips were on fire. "Thaw. Thaw Thaw."

"Petulant, cur."

The voice screamed in my ear. I barely heard it. The ice that held me started to crack. Slowly, at first, lines trailed down my arms from my wrists. The muscles in my hooves tensed. My breath caught in the air, melding with the mist already adrift over the city.

"Thaw!" The ice cracked, and I was free. I barely noticed as I fell to the ground, barely hearing my wings flapping widely. I had little time to explore my victory, and a shadow loomed over me. I gaved into a patch of ice beneath me. My bright teal eyes looked back, and behind me was a mass with eyes that sent every instinct I had on edge. 'Flee', they screamed.

"Running will only make what comes all the more painful. So take wing, run, hide, but in the end, you will be consumed by the cold, Little Chill, and I will enjoy watching you die," The voice spoke as if whispering in my ear, every word crystal clear. It set my body on fire, searing pain from the tips of my toes to the tips of my fingers, across my muzzle, and down to my primaries. I felt bile claw at my throat.

I relinquished control. I was over the edge of the skyscraper before I knew what was happening before I could make sense of the creature behind me before I could understand Surt'r. My wings peeled up, pulling me into a slow decline. I had no destination, nowhere to be, nowhere to go. So, I flew and flew and disappeared into the snow and the mist. In a city that could not see the sunrise, dogs barked in the distance.