A Symphony of Frost and Flame

Apologies

They all watched as Arthas strode away with his fists clenched. Sombra lied dead, his neck disfigured. The Crystal ponies all had relief in their eyes but it was a solemn victory, nopony cheered. Arthas stomped until he was no longer visible to the crowd gathered in the central plaza.

"This was all just a waste of time." I muttered as I walked away from the newly reclaimed Crystal Empire

Pain lanced through my head and that bone chillingly familiar voice spoke into my head.

"Hello again Arthas."

"I see you have not forgotten me."

"How could I possibly forget your corruption?"

"Call it what you will; It doesn't matter to you anymore,"

Suddenly an agonizing pain raced through my head. I almost fell on all fours, barely maintaining any feeling at all in my limbs; all the while I could feel him taking control of my consciousness.

"No! get out of my head you worthless spirit!"

Ner'zhul chuckled. How can I? I can't resist taking over this world; its inhabitants’ minds are frail and weak. Their resistance would be laughable at best."

I was fighting him as hard as I could: I wouldn't let him corrupt my mind again.

"As for Frostmourne and the Helm...your helm..."

I could only grunt response due to the pain lancing through my head and my fight against his control.

"I can sense they are here."

If Ner'zhul recovered Frostmourne and the Helm of Domination this world would be doomed. I would not let that happen

I was fighting a losing battle against Ner'zhul. His superior strength proved too overwhelming, and I felt my will slowly being consumed by his dark power. I couldn't help but mutter one thing:

"I failed them..."

Suddenly a thunderous explosion boomed in the distance.

*********************************************************

"King Sombra has been defeated... The Heart still needs charged."

The Crystal ponies all looked to me with respect and gratitude for protecting them. Once Sombra was put to rest with dignity we all stood around the palace. I levitated the heart into position and all the citizens bowed, their coats sparkling like crystals

"Today, after one thousand years of isolation, The Crystal Empire will rejoin the world of Equestria as a nation to be admired and respected."

The crystal ponies cheered at their new rulers uplifting words. Their happiness and joy made the heart glow with a radiating light, blasting a blue wave of magic in all directions, clearing all signs of Sombra’s attack, followed by a spectral beam launching itself into the air.

***********************************************************

"You've lost your strength "'Arthas'" the spectral voice mocked as my mind went foggy.

“I won’t… let you…”

Ner’zhul laughed at my pitiful attempts of resistance. Before my will left me, however, an ethereal, blue wall passed through me, causing me no harm.

I felt the voice invading my mind sneer. "Gaahh?! What is this infernal magic!"

The ground shook violently and a massive wave of magic passed over us in the sky. Just like that, Ner'zhul control vanished into thin air, As if he had never existed. I gained control over my body once again and collapsed, panting like an exhausted dog.

"What.. Was that?"

I had never heard or felt magic strong enough to toss aside Ner'zhul as if he was a child's play thing. Was he gone? Is part of him still in me? I knew not.

*

The ponies magic had saved me from Ner'zhuls' power.

"I do believe that... Apologies are in order."

My vision grew blurry and I lost consciousness

*********************************************************

I watched as the magic from the Crystal heart exploded across the sky clearing any remnants of Sombra's attack on the Crystal Empire. I smiled cheerfully until I felt another dark presence on the outskirts of the Crystal Empire. After a moment I felt it vanish.

"What was that?"

"What do you mean?" Shining Armour said

"There's something still out there"

His eyes raised at this, "Is it a threat?"

"I don't know, We should take the girls just to be sure, It could very well be Arthas."

Shining Armour pursed his lips and nodded. "I'll gather the girls, It seems our work is not yet finished"

Shining Armour left to gather the Elements of Harmony, I spread my wings and flew down to the ground to meet him there. Several minutes passed until he arrived with six confused mares.

"Cadence? is something wrong?" Twilight asked.

"When the Crystal heart was charged I sensed another evil presence on the outskirts of the Crystal Empire, I fear it could be Arthas. We need to make sure that the Crystal Empire is safe."

They all nodded in agreement, I charged my horn and scanned the outskirts of the Crystal Empire. I triangulated the source to a general area, At least its a start.

"Follow me"

I trotted at a brisk pace, Crystal ponies gave us happy glances and the occasional word of thanks. I smiled at them lovingly, They were the reason I am fighting so hard to protect the Empire. After a few minutes of trotting we reached our destination,

"Alright everypony, spread out and search for anything suspicious."

*

"Spread out and search for anything suspicious"

"Oh I hope its nothing too scary." I thought

I carefully looked around corners and passed through a dark alleyway. I got out of there quickly and continued looking for anything in the side streets. I could hear my friends searching all around me from a distance. Though I was glad I could be of help I hoped they would find whatever Cadance felt before I did.

I tried asking crystal ponies in the area. They had seen it but hadn’t, for obvious reasons, stayed long enough to find out where it was headed. I turned another alley corner and when I saw a motionless, form in front of me.

"Eeep!"

I hid behind my mane and carefully peeked through to see it still hadn't moved. Slowly I stepped forward and I noticed it was the human from earlier.

"Um… Mr Arthas?" I softly nudged him with my hoof. He gave no response.

"Wake up please," I said as I nudged him once more.

He shifted in his unconscious state, causing me to jump back in surprise.

After a few tense seconds I slowly advanced on the biped lying a few feet before me.

"Maybe he is hurt?"

Carefully I extended my hoof to feel his neck, After a few seconds I gasped.

"What?! But-"

I nudged him hard enough to roll him over and checked his pulse again.

"Oh he is hurt! Really bad!"

Before I could gallop off to tell my friends his eyes shot open and grabbed my hoof.

*

"AHHHHH HELP!"

"Hang on Fluttershy!"

I heard her friends close in on the alley I had passed out in, I let her go and she cowered away from me hiding behind her mane. I stood up slowly and whispered to her soothingly,

"Hey its alright, You just startled me is all."

"Oh.. Uhm.. Sorry?"

A rainbow blur smashed into my side, knocking the air out of me. I fell to the ground and saw the cyan pony was rearing up to stomp on my face.

"Nopony hurts Fluttershy!"

Before she could hit me I grabbed her hooves and threw her off of me. I got up quickly to face her only to fall flat on my face when something else smashed into my back.

"Good job Applejack!"

Applejack and the cyan pony grabbed onto my arms tightly and lifted me up, I saw the other ponies staring at me suspiciously. Twilight stepped forward,

"What were you doing to Fluttershy?"

"Nothing of ill content I assure you."

Cadence was glaring at me  while Shining Armour shared the expression of her sister.

"Look, I wish to give you all a sincere apology for what I did back in the plaza, I was not myself."

Cadence looked like she didn't believe me while the rest looked to Fluttershy

"Did he do anything to you Fluttershy?" Twilight asked.

"No, I found him in this alleyway asleep and I startled him when I tried to wake him up, He was apologizing for scaring me when you smashed into him Rainbow."

Rainbow's grip loosened at this, As did Applejacks

"It's the truth." I added

Twilight looked at me inquisitively. She frowned lightly then turned to face her brother and the Princess. She glanced at me more once more before starting to walk towards the pair. The three moved a small distance away from the rest of us, no doubt to discuss the matter at hand.

As the trio conversed I noticed the pink pony with a puffy mane eyeing me with a blank expression. Whether she was fearful or distrusting I could not tell. She was the only one looking relatively calm throughout this whole situation. In truth, I didn’t know if this could be a small comfort or a reason to worry further.

Suddenly the pink mare moved to Applejacks side. She whispered something to her and I felt the grip on my arm loosening. I used my free arm for support and looked up at the orange mare standing in front of me. Her glare had softened, but there was still no sign of trust for me to be found in her eyes.

She leaned in closer; making sure her emerald eyes met mine.

“Were you planning to hurt Fluttershy?” she asked calmly, her expression more stern than before.

I blinked at the question. Was she testing me? I glanced at the meek, yellow pony hiding behind her mane. After a small pause I met the orange pony’s gaze once more. I inhaled deeply before speaking.

“I swear my intentions were never to harm anyone. I lost control at the plaza, and for that I am sorry.”

The pony eyed me suspiciously before moving out of the way, just in time for the Princess, Shining Armor and Twilight to arrive. Their looks of suspicion had softened, though the Princess’ glare was still evident. She moved closer and looked me over.

“What is your name?” she asked sternly while motioning for Rainbow to let go of my arm. I rose to one knee carefully. I now stood slightly above eye height with Cadence

“Arthas Menethil,” I said; not including “prince” or “king”.

Would my former titles or origin even matter now? It did not to me; why would it to them?

“Arthas Menethil. You stand accused for the murder of a pony, an evil one, yes; but a pony no less. Furthermore, you have caused panic amongst the citizens of the Crystal Empire.”

I lowered my head, unsure if punishment would be taken to account for my deeds. Her glare softened however, being replaced by a stony expression.

“But your actions, while drastic, did without a doubt help us save the Crystal Empire and vanquish Sombra.”

I looked at her with an eyebrow raised slightly.

“For that… you have my and the Empire’s gratitude.”

She nodded at me, though I suspected the gesture was somewhat reluctant.

I hesitated, looking at the Princess, Twilight and Shining Armor. I slowly rose to my feet, towering above them all. Fluttershy and the white unicorn took a small step back, and Rainbow and Applejack dropped into a low stance. The pink pony and the trio before me however, remained in their place.

Carefully selecting my words, I spoke,

“May I inquire what will happen to me now?”

The Princess turned to Twilight.

“Like Princess Cadance said, you have stirred panic amongst the citizens. You being here in the Crystal Empire would only make everypony uneasy. Therefore…”

She stopped. She looked at Princess Cadance who in turn looked at her expectedly. Twilight sighed.

“…We have ultimately decided to take you with us to Canterlot for an audience with Princess Celestia.”

"I'm assuming she is the leader of your country?"

Twilight nodded.

The pink one stepped in front of me for a moment before a grin shot across her face. I saw Fluttershy whisper something in Twilight's ear but It was drowned out by the excited pink mare.

"So?! Do you like parties!?"

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Meanwhile, Miles away a weakened spirit flew towards the Everfree Forrest where he felt spikes of dark magic erupting from the center.