Snow crunched underfoot, but I barely felt the cold, perks of this lovely Lucario body, so no complaints here. Scanning our surroundings after walking off the station platform, the sky was completely enveloped in dark clouds, snowfall was gentle at least, but there was an unmistakable aura of fear and despair in the air, saturating the land and the village nearby at the foot of a snowy mountain.

Thick walls of sturdy logs and large gates, reinforced by steel braces could be seen at the end of the road, smoke trailing up from many rooftops covered in a blanket of white. "Guess this is the place." I surmised.

"Be pretty embarrassing if it wasn't." Yui smiled jokingly beside me.

At my side was a grey-coloured bat pony with beautiful, smooth-lilac hair, messy with bangs draped over the left eye, leaving a single, light purple eye visible to the world. Most notable of all was the single, leathery wing folded on her right side. Glistening regardless was armour fashioned from two types of Kirin. A mesh of the standard Kirin's white and blue scales with a transition of dark purple and black fur for a jacket collar. Straps for the flank plates and bracers sat on the table behind the stands. The most notable piece was the helmet fixed with a sub-zero horn.

Lastly, a single, silver ring with an amethyst strip through the middle hung from a necklace around her neck, sparkling in the light.

Just several hours ago, everything was about as normal as things can be. Well, for a human-turned-Lucario that is...

"I believe that settled all necessities," Never before have I been so glad to hear those words. These meetings were such a drag, even if for my own benefit. And I could tell the ruling monarch shared the sentiment. Celestia gave me a warm smile, like a mother would, sliding the documentation over to me. "I'm proud to declare that your requests, not only for funding, but construction, as well as authenticating your title have all been approved."

"Finally..." I sighed, quickly shaking my head, sensory beads rising in panic. "Ah, with no disrespect-"

Celestia giggled, raising a hoof. "Now-now, no need for formalities between us, you've done more for this kingdom than I can ever begin to repay. So let me use a little of my power to help you for a change, Zen."

She really is too nice sometimes, but, who'd complain in my shoes? Taking the quill, I effortlessly signed the documents, and what felt like a heavy burden lightened a little more. Funny, how such a simple task was so stressful. But it was done, Equestria's very own Hunter's Guild was now officially signed and recognized by the monarch herself.

"You did it!" Of course, I was immediately assaulted with two forehooves around my neck, pulling me into a bear hug that was hard not to laugh and embrace equally. Yui pulled back, looking as elated as I was. "See, all that pessimism for nothing."

"Old habits, love, what can I say?" I held my hands up in defeat, turning to Celestia who was enjoying the show. "I still have a lot to do, but with this... it means a lot, thank you so much, Celestia."

"To aid a friend who wishes to aid the world? I'd be more than happy to help." She bowed her head elegantly, that same, radiant soul hiding nothing from me, I'm convinced she's capable of reading auras too.

*Bam!*

Our attention was quickly torn away when one of the doors to the throne room were pushed open sharply, it was one of the Royal Guards, but his armour was lighter than the others, a scout? "Your Highness! M-my apologizes, b-b-but I have an urgent report, I-"

She brushed a wing gently as if to dispel the stallion's fright. "There is no need for apologizes, if its urgent, then formalities can wait. What troubles you?"

"Th-thank you, ma'am," Bowing his head quickly, he pulled with his magic a scroll, sending it our way as I caught it for him, unfurling it. "Ah, i-its you, Master Zen! This is perfect, maybe y-you could help!"

"A monster?" Yui whispered beside me, worry crossing her features.

"Likely..." I answered back, reading its contents as my fur stood on end, and even as I read silently, biting my lip, Celestia's scout spoke, nailing that confirmation home.

"It's one of the border towns nearest the Frozen North, it-it's been hit with severe blizzards, like n-none we've ever seen before!" The scout exclaimed, taking a moment to catch his breath, he must've ran far after receiving this letter.

Report;
-Urgent Aid Requested
-Storm's ferocity increasing
-Weather Ponies unable to effect cloud layer- too thick, chaotic
-Reports of disturbances in wildlife
Notice: Immediately report to Princess Celestia

"A blizzard's ravaging a town to the north, no one there can dispel it, whatever it is, the weather's growing worse by the day," I expressed through telepathy to those present to spare time. It was worrisome, and I didn't need to look down at Yui to know the kind of face she was making, I wore the same. "Well then, Celestia, I think I have my first role as Guildmaster."

Despite the grim news, she did crack a small, hopeful smile. "I suppose you do; thank you for your report, I will be sending Zen and Yui to personally investigate the matter."

The scout's eyes lit up, almost teary. "Th-thank you, Princess, and you two also! Please... help them." From the pain digging into his aura, these people must be family, his home maybe. Then his hysterics made sense, all the more reason for us to go.

"Don't worry," Approaching the young stallion, Yui placed a wing on their shoulder, offering a confident but kind smile. "Your home will be safe, we give you our word, for now, you've done a good job to bring this to us, so rest."

Tears caught in his eyes, forcing him to hide them behind his leg, drying them. "..." But he nodded, grateful.

"-Zen?" Snapping back to reality, I glanced down at Yui lightly tapping my leg, giving me a small, curious smile. "Lost in thought again?"

"A little... just..." Looking toward the gate, being here, surrounded by snowfall, brought back memories from a long time ago. "...feels nostalgic."

"You've been to a town like this before?" She questioned as we approached the gate, but I shook my head.

"Not necessarily, the atmosphere reminds me heavily of a place called Seliana, is all." At the foot of the gate, we heard someone on the other side, followed by the groans of heavy logs shifted against the ground. Soon enough, the gate split in two, parting to allow us entry. "Huh, perks of arrival, automatic doors."

I heard her snort. "If you say so."

"It totally exists, this has magic, who doesn't want automatic doors?" I argued. I mean, villages like this would definitely benefit if given the chance, better than manually operated ones.

"Ah, you must be those Canterlot sent, my greatest thanks for the aid," Bowing their head the moment they saw us, we came to greet a young earth pony. The stallion had white fur and an ice-blue mane that was cut short, say for the unruly tail, and matching, deep-blue eyes.

He came dressed in attire befitting those of a colder climate, thick wool and cotton, giving the coat and boots worn a gradient of whites with hints of blue for accents. Topped with a cap that reminded me of trooper hat. From the looks of things, those I could see within the village wore similar attire for the weather, likely now more than ever given the storm above.

"Don't thank us yet, we still have plenty to do," Yui brushed her wing to the side. "Please, tell us everything that's happened since the storm appeared."

"Ah, of course, come with me, I'll show you... something important that I feel will point you in the right direction," Immediately, his expression turned a little grim, his emotions bore sorrow and fright, he was mourning. I kept it to myself, opting to let Yui do the talking whilst I scoped out the emotions in the air. Plus, less questions to answer about my appearance and abilities; hey, you get asked the same things nearly a hundred times, and tell me it doesn't start to tire you?

"Before I forget, I'm the chief of Snowfall, Ice Skate, or just Skate." He greeted, offering a hoof to Yui who accepted it with a modest smile, I knew that look, she's in business mode.

"Yui Amadeus, pleasure," She then gestured to me as I gave a polite bow of my head. "And this is Zen, my husband." It was hard not to grin whenever she announced it like that, I could tell she was awfully proud to admit as much herself whenever she could.

Skate gave us both an intrigued expression whilst escorting us, his eyes larger with wonder. "Yes, I recall your name, Zen, another from Canterlot spoke of you, perhaps you'll meet them in the field, they are the ones that sent the request for us."

That prompted Yui and eye to clock eyes, someone we knew was already here? Celestia and that scout never mentioned who, nor was the report signed, in fact, it looked to have been written down in a hurry. That all but confirmed the situation was far more dire than the letter let on, we had work to do, and fast.

Pine trees dominated empty spaces between houses or off the roads, dusted in layers of snow. The streets were wide enough for a cart to travel by, paved with a mix of stones and timber, though unicorns were covering them with salt to lessen the ice.

The buildings themselves reminded me of a rustic, medieval village from a fantasy novel, built to withstand the winter. Their wooden beams dark against whitewashed plaster walls. Roofs sag under the weight of heavy snow, with thick icicles hanging from overhanging eaves. Small chimneys puff steady streams of smoke. Some buildings, particularly larger buildings, had steeply pitched roofs.

Chief Skate recounted what happened. "It all started nearly a week ago..." Peering into his soul, I could feel those memories take on faint forms within the flames.

"At the time, everypony assumed it was a mere freak event, as weather in Equestria has changed in the last two years, so our people thought nothing of it, but my mentor, the former chief... he wasn't as convinced..."

The flames formed into shapes of ponies going about their lives, even as snow drifted down almost endlessly from above, just as it was in the present day, calm, quiet. But a figure, the chief, stood out from the rest, watching the skies.

"But soon, the storm grew ferocious, our pegasai attempted to dispel the weather, but the clouds were colder, their winds cut like blades, they said. So the chief and those most skilled with braving the mountains, travelled up to discover the cause of this blizzard... but they... then many heard the yells of combat..."

Embers flickers and scattered into visages of panicked ponies, the snow was harsher, battering their homes, a darkness in Skate's soul beginning to overtake the brighter shades.

"I did not see the conflict, only its aftermath... none survived the journey up the mountain pass, those that made it back, succumbed to hypothermia, my mentor among their numbers... b-but, with the last of his strength, he told me... 'winter's wrath has become a monster'..."

The only image that I could perceive in his aura, was that of a great shadow with eyes, formless, a blur of darkness. Pulling back from his soul, Yui looked to Chief Skate with a solemn expression, bringing her wing to rest on his back, seeing the young man trying to remain strong, drying his eyes in protest.

"I'm so sorry we couldn't be here sooner," She answered quietly, and I felt just as bad for not knowing too, if we had been here when this all started... ah, then again, how could anyone know what this storm meant?

He gave a shaky laugh to dispense with his sorrow. "Heh, thing is, he never looked afraid at the end, he only regretted not throwing the lot back down the mountain sooner; he was quite blunt, even in the face of death." Skate seemed to look fondly on the memory.

"Your chief fought to the end, and you sought aid, so we won't let his hopes be in vain, I promise." Transmitting my words, I saw Skate turned sharply in surprise at me, but it soon melted down into a kindness.

"I thank you, Zen," He cleared his throat, marching with more gusto up the path, leading us toward a valley pass at the back of Snowfall. "Come on, we're not far now; this passage is what connects Snowfall to its supply cache, the mountain forms a secure overhang that's shielded our town's resources from avalanches and blizzards for years."

"Definitely Seliana." I muttered, passing under sturdy support beams and roofs, torches kept some of the cold at bay whilst providing light in the darker corners of the pass.

"Is that why you use telepathy? All I heard you say is 'Lucario'." Skate questioned, my expression falling a little whilst my lovely partner giggled, patting my hip.

"I'm the only one who can understand it, unfortunately." Though she certainly liked being the only one to be unburdened by the limitation. Focusing again, she eyed the open space ahead, now stepping onto a wooden floor. "So, what makes the supply cache so important?"

"You'll see, it's why I believe my mentor when he gave me his warning," Skate's face grew worrisome as we stepped out onto the highest level of the cache.

It had a U-shaped level hugging the mountain, its natural walls formed on either side into the shape of a horseshoe, the earthly ceiling curling overhead, keeping snow away from the buildings. The platform lowered down in sloped gangplanks on both sides, reaching other levels and doorways that fed into the mountain, containing all the village's supplies.

Most impressive were two large towers with massive, waterwheel-like contraptions, and two steel strips across the snow-covered ground. Was it a massive gate beneath the snow? Then again, once I studied what laid beyond the gate, I soon realized why they'd need it, my heart almost going cold as I and Yui gasped.

Large chunks of ice covered the ground, as if flicked up from the ground up, frozen in an instant, some... were black. "What happened here...?" I projected, walking down the right-hand gangplank to reach one of the large clusters of rime, just being near it felt chilling to the bone, my paw coming to brush against its surface... it felt empty, pressing against my skin.

"I've never seen black ice form like this..." Yui whispered, looking to Skate who shared a similar, unsettled look on his muzzle. "Skate, what exactly happened here?"

Sadly, he shook his head. "All we heard was the shouting, then... this awful wave of cold, the kind that cuts through your fur and straight into your bones, if not for the unicorns having thermal magic in place to aid in combatting the blizzard, it likely would've felt as though we had been frozen in place."

"Zen?" I heard her call to me, my claws scraping down the ice that chilled me to my bones. I've never seen ice like this, not even from a monster I knew of... if it was a monster that did this, what could produce black ice in such large amounts? Folding my arms, I pinched my chin, trying to wrack my brain for an answer that never came.

"Sorry, I don't know of a monster that does this... and that worries me more." If it was a new, unknown monster, this village might not have seen the last of it. "It purposefully came here and ignored the village..."

It didn't take Yui long to catch on, her ears shot up with shock. "It was targeting the cache!"

"Could a monster be that intelligent?" Skate questioned, more so out of denial of an awful truth. I don't blame him.

"Not most monsters, but some, definitely," It was unsettling to think about, it gave me all the worst feelings, but, I came here to help them, and I'd be damned if I fail this first task as Guildmaster. Wouldn't be much of a good example, would it? "We'll continue to investigate, right now, things are calm, so let's use this time wisely."

Now, my gaze fell upon the mountain pass, leading toward where the storm circulated, I can see why the chief before headed there first, eye the storm was just begging to be investigated.

"You go on ahead, Zen," Turning around, I was met with that bright purple eye and gentle smile under a false mane of white and dark blue hair, the wind tugging at the decorative accents of Yui's Kirin armour. She brushed her wing to one side, giving me a fake look of annoyance. "I don't want to hear any excuses, you know fine rightly I'm not combat-orientated like you. So I'll stay here and help the village prepare for whatever's up there, on the off-chance is comes back for round two."

"Are you sure? You've been acting weird for a while now, well, weirder," That earned a light jab to the gut.

"Jerk, I have my reasons, but you know yourself, if we want to help these people, we're better off splitting up for the time being, just..." She softened her face, her hoof coming to tap against my abdomen. "Be careful, dork."

"Now that just felt unwarranted," But before she could hit me again, I caught her hoof tightly, both paws clasped around it with a fanged grin. "You have my word, we'll divide and conquer, like always."

"Ditto." She winked, kissing the top of my right paw before I let go, eyeing Skate who stood up straighter.

"Yui will do everything in her power to help your people, have faith in her, and you'll see your way out of this storm in no time." She certainly did so for me plenty of times.

"Ye-yes, I trust you both," He placed a hoof to his heart. "And you have my word, no harm will come to her either, though, I doubt she needs such protection, I imagine."

"Stubborn women aren't ones to underestimate," I smirked, the two of us chuckling whilst Yui raised a sharp brow.

"I'll take the compliment, even if it felt like an insult," She huffed, shoving me forward. "Alright, you cute, weird-weird Pokemon, get moving!"

"Yes ma'am." Saluting her, I turned and dug my feet into the snow, feeling heat rush through my muscles in an instant. "Quick Attack!"

With a burst of snow and ice behind me, I leapt across the cache's open flatland, landing on the mountain pass, immedately picking up speed to charge headfirst toward the storm raging above. Even from here, I could feel it in the wind brushing against my coat. It was winding up...

<>To Be Continued...<>

Author's Note

Surprise-surprise, while I'm only back for something important to do with W from Renegade, I got a little bit of inspiration for a final addition to the Indomitable universe. Another Christmas gift for all monster hunters.

Zen's on the cusp of starting up a Hunter's Guild, but it seems nature itself wants to postpone such an occasion, but what will he and Yui find? I hope you enjoyed, I appreciate the support as always; see ya in the next chapter, Hunters!

Chp. 2 - The Iceborne Wyvern

Zen embarks up the mountain alone to uncover the source of the endless blizzard, with some unexpected surprises...