Sisters

After the incident with the Crystal Empire, Celestia returned the Frozen Jewel Empire. As soon as she arrived a group of three alicorns went to meet her. Before they could even speak, she demanded that her sister received medical attention. The officials did not spoke a word against her attitude, understanding that Celestia was blind with worry for her sister, but as soon as Luna was taken away she was summoned to the throne room where she would tell her story of what happen in her mission to the Crystal Empire.

The capital of the Frozen Jewel Empire was basically made of stones. It tends to happen when the whole city is carved inside of a mountain… literally speaking. Due to the harsh weather outside the north alicorns choose to dig inside a huge mountain and build their capitol inside. But do not fool yourself imagining the city as a bunch of dark tunnels like a dungeon.

Try to imagine a mountain, a very large mountain. Now scoop all the rock from the inside and leave just the shell of the mountain. That was the base of the city. From the outside, you could not see what it was. First because the mountain was always surrounded by a blizzard storm that would make impossible to see; Second, that the storm was not natural. It was a special spell that was maintained by a magical artifact. The storm would instantly freeze any living form that was not a dragon. And even dragons would be in danger of suffering from hypothermia if they tried to get inside the magical storm. That is because this special defense device was originally constructed to avoid any dragon to approach the mountain. You know how dragons like mountains and caves and etc… It would be a huge problem for the inhabitants of Frozen Jewel if a full grown dragon tried to make that mountain his home.

To be able to enter the city you had to be a northern alicorn or, be escorted by one. If any living creature approached the storm an alarm warned the guardians, a group of alicorns that watched those that leave or enter, and they would create flaws in the path of whoever was trying to approach, letting him or she pass.

Once you have passed through the magical storm you would have to find the entrance. It was near the top of the mountain: A huge door, covered by rocks and snow, invisible if it was closed. The doors would open and reveal the landing platform that was really big too. Both design to allow a full squad of warriors to organize themselves for a quick takeoff or to give room for many medics to act in injured warriors if they were in dire need.

Many meters below the landing platform, at the base of the mountain was the lower levels of the city. There was the place where they could train combat and experiment magic (that didn’t had chances to blow the whole mountain). Also it was there where a large river of magma was. It provided heat to the city and also part of the light source. It was from there that the inhabitants would pick up rocks to build things. If the rock is in liquid form, it is easy to mold them the way you wanted to… if you failed you just had to throw in the river of magma and start over. They used the rocks to build many disposable things, like targets and the buildings that were in the base of the mountain. You can’t believe how many times they had to rebuild the combat training room!

The thing that really make honor to the name of “Frozen Jewel” was the houses. Remember how I said that the crystal ponies would work to make cities and castles? Well, they also worked to make the houses inside the capitol. Beautiful crystal constructions were carved in the inner walls of the mountain, giving it the aspect of a druse (you know? That ugly stone that if filled with crystals?). The obvious difference was that the houses had a variety of colors and shapes. They had stone supports that would make them stable and plain (that, of course, were enchanted to support all the weight.). The crystals used on the houses acted as ‘mirrors’ to the light that came from the magma below, reflecting it all around an illuminating the whole mountain in an almost white light.

Celestia flew through all that, almost ignoring that beautiful capitol. She was heading to the castle. The castle was made in a mixture of smooth stone, molded from the magma river, and crystals. It was right in the middle of a huge stalagmite and stalactite. It had may different tower, with balconies and windows. The entrance was a large platform with red carpet on it, leading to a pair of doors that were always opened. She trotted through the hallways, knowing exactly where she was going: Right in the heart of the castle, where the council room was located.

That place had a very tall roof made of many different crystals with multiple colors. The walls were made of a very light blue, almost white, crystal and they were very well decorated with tapestries, portraits and globes of magical light encased in some glass globes. At the back of the room, in the end of the red carpet that covered a single path on the floor, one could see three golden thrones, all adorned with more gems. On each throne, an elder alicorn was sit. They had no name nor color to cover their coat or mane.

The three were pure white, wearing no regalia and almost identical to one another. You couldn't even tell which one was female or male if not by their voice (at least not without having your head ripped off your body, if you know what I mean.). This was made on purpose, so when one spoke to the elders he or she would be speaking to the three of them at the same time. Also, it would symbolize that they worked for the empire, serving all the other alicorns by acting as a selfless leader, without personal ambitions or egos. From time to time, the alicorns would elect a candidate to step in if one of the elders passed away. It was not something that would happen often, since their life spawn was very long (and by long I say at least two millennia. The three elders in question had something between 1900 – 2200 year old approximately. Is hard to keep track of your own age when you live so long and after a while you simply stop caring.)

As Celestia walked in, still wearing her armor, the cold eyes of the three elder followed her with a neutral expression. The elder that sat in the middle shifted lightly as he saw the 'gems' that Celestia had on her armor, but aside that they didn't display any other reaction.

“Welcome back young one.” The right elder, a female by her voice, spoke. “We expect your full report of the events of your mission. We all felt a huge magical disturbance and after that we were not able to feel the presence of our neighbor, the Crystal Empire.”

Celestia bowed in respect and then started her report of the events. She told them every single thing. From the corruption of the crystals on the Crystal Empire, to those artificial creatures, the changelings, and about the wingless alicorn, King Sombra. She spoke how they fought and also how she managed to defeat him using the Elements of Harmony. When she resumed her report a heavy silence took control of the throne room for almost a whole minute.

“So, I wasn't mistaken.” The elder in the middle spoke, a male by the tone of his voice. “Those new gems on your armor... they really are the Elements of Harmony.”

“Yes your grace...” Celestia spoke, bowing her head “For some reason they reacted when I was about to lose my battle against King Sombra. I never... never felt so much power coursing through my body. Nor can I explain what exactly I did back there, when I cast the spell against the Crystal Empire.”

“Few have ever felt what is to have the power of the Elements young one, and I guaranty to you that there are even fewer that could comprehend this power.” The middle elder spoke again. “I must confess that We didn't really believed that these powerful artifacts would be found one day.” He sighed slightly. “If We had any choice, the Elements would be sealed away. Their power can be disastrous in the hands of those who meant harm... but now We fear the worst.” His tone changed to one that carried worry.

“What do you mean?” Celestia spoke looking slightly lost by that statement. “I have no intention to keep the Elements for myself. I wanted for you to have them... I mean...” She looked away, looking slightly embarrassed. “I do not deserve to bear such power...”

The three elders chuckled slightly at her statement. (What? I said they had no personal ambitions, not that they didn't had any humor sense or emotions.)

“We are very pleased to see such a humble behavior from someone so young.” The left elder spoke with a soft smile. He was a male too by the sound of his voice. “But you have no choice. The Elements choose you, and you cannot deny their will... And we were not talking about you being the bearer of the Elements... We are talking about war..”

“WAR!?” Celestia said widening her eyes. “But... but your grace!” She stepped forward. Ice claws of fear grasping her chest.

Despite the military culture of the north alicorns they never really engaged in full scale war against any nation or race. Usually they acted more of peace keepers when there was a need for it, and by that I mean that the situation should be really bad. (Like some kind of genocide without reason or, for the more recent example, a crazy south alicorn trying to enslave a whole minor empire.)  The reason why they never engaged in a full scale war is pretty obvious.

They were one of the two most powerful races in the world. Going to war means that they would use that power to destroy, and the results would be disastrous. Worst than the north alicorns going to war was if they were to engage against the south alicorns. It would be like the collision of two huge celestial bodies. No race would be safe from the collateral effect of such destruction.

“It is not our choice young one...” The right elder spoke. “The leaders of the Sun Land Empire must have felt what we felt... and if your words are true, if this King Sombra was acting under the command of his empire, then there will be retaliation. They want the power of the Elements of Harmony and they will probably do anything to have it...” she sighted and her expression turned to sadness. “We have no option but strike first... We cannot risk a long term combat for it would be disastrous to every race in-...”

Her speech was cut when a alicorn warrior burst galloping in the throne room.

“Your grace!” he spoke in a urgent tone. “There is something wrong with the sky!”

“Be more specific!” The three spoke at the same time.

“There clouds that we use to conjure the blizzard around the mountain. They are starting to dissipate...” He explained.

“And the cause of that?” The female elder spoke.

“The Sun, your grace.” He said in a worried tone. “The sun is right above us and it’s not moving at all. It's been there for hours and the heat is starting to affect the clouds... The damage is not very extent, but if it persist our defense systems would be severely weak”

“So... it has begun...” The middle one said in a sight of sadness. “The Sun Land Empire has started their attack... But to do such a thing as to interfere with the natural movement of the sun... to go that far to lower our defenses...” he stepped forward an the other two did the same.

“WARN ALL THE OFFICIALS AND CITAZEINS OF FROZEN JEWEL. WE ARE GOING TO WAR!” Their voice boomed in the throne room. Celestia's heart dropped. She knew that that was the start of the end of the world that she knew.

X-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

The days that followed that, a group of well talented alicorns started to work to counter that attack. They were fighting against the magic grasp on the sun, to push it and make it return for the natural movement. It was not easy though. The north alicorns were specialist in combat and using the sun as a weapon was something unthinkable, even for them. Despite being warriors they had a deeply respect for the natural forces. Of course they used a magical blizzard as a defense system, but that only affected the surrounding areas. Each day that passed it was getting harder and harder to maintain the magic blizzard around the mountain. They had to double the number f alicorns that powered the artifact, so the blizzard would be able to resist the heat of the sun.

Around the world, the effect of that attack was starting to be felt. Rivers and lakes were starting to dry... the other races were starting to face a crisis never seen before. Around the range of the blizzard the ice was melting and that was starting to raise the level of the oceans in an terrible speed... On the opposite side, the three minor races were facing a night that was lasting 'days'. The temperature dropped dangerously and the plants started to die without the sun light. They begged for the Sun Land Empire to do something about it and, in response, the empire started to make a propaganda that they were trying to fight the responsible for that and blamed the north alicorns for it.

After a week like that, the north empire finally managed to move the sun. They pushed it forward in a slow motion against the horizon and then had to pull it so the sun wouldn't rise again too fast. The days started to last 48 hours thanks to that. It was a terrible struggle, but the initial strike from the Sun Land Empire was being repelled. It helped a little the situation around the world too. The other races quickly started to adapt themselves to the new day and night cycle but the battle was always raging in an invisible level. The north alicorns pushing the sun away while the south ones pulling it forward. Like a tug war that never seems to end.

Luna recovered fully during these weeks, and son she was put in the same squad as her sister again. Celestia got a promotion. Now she was leader of an squad... helping her was the second in command. An old alicorn with many centuries of experience in leadership. He was there to help Celestia make her decisions and, despite his title as second in command, the white female usually followed his instructions.

His name was Frenhir. His coat was of a light blue and his mane and tail was white. He did not have an eye, a wound that he received when he had to fight against a full grown dragon that was threatening one of the advanced posts on the borders of the empire. The main population of north alicorn lived on the capitol, but many still lived in less harsh weather conditions for many different reasons. Mostly it was because they prefer to live in open air rather than inside of a mountain.

Yes, the north alicorns were not very tolerant with other races, but that did not mean that they would push them away or mistreat them (as said before, they acted as peace keepers). The reason for this 'intolerance' was that the majority didn't have much patience to deal with the petty ‘daily’ problems of these short lived creatures. Those that choose to live outside the capitol usually had a good interaction with whatever race appeared, the same way that an earth pony would take care of a rabbit.

There were many advanced posts spread across those frozen lands... and by 'advanced post' I mean villages... Mostly had a subtle spell cast around them to keep the worst of the weather away. Due to those villages being so close to the borders of the frozen north, most part of the year the weather was calm enough to allow some merchants from the south empire, griffons and ponies, to come by to trade things that were not so easily gathered in the frozen grounds of the north, like seeds and wool. The alicorns used enchanted crystals to pay for them.

Some times, the north alicorns would find precious gems and use it to trade. They would store the gems in one of the villages and then send messages to the merchants, telling them to come by. But a lot of gems gathered in a single place can be a big temptation for dragons and that was when a full grown size attacked one of these small villages. Frenhir fought against it and manage to repel the dragon after a fierce combat. The light blue alicorn wanted to avoid the use of his full power, trying not to kill the attacker, maybe even reason with it... and this was the reason that the dragon manage to injure him in that horrible way.

After almost a month after the sun incident, Celestia, Fenhir, Luna and more four other alicorns with gray coat and white mane where heading towards the farthest village. It was one of the biggest villages that the north empire had due to the high movement of merchants that came from the south. They were flying for almost forty eight hours (two days as we know today, one day as it was at the time) and that would be the last stop to rest before they head towards the Sun Land Empire to start diplomatic negotiations. The elders from Frozen Jewel were a bit hesitant but after Celestia insisted (a lot) they complied and arranged a squad that she would lead. But this was the last chance for peace. If by any chance the diplomatic mission failed the north empire would go at full force against the Sun Land Empire.

“There!” Fenhir spoke pointing with a hoof. “Can you see it Celestia?”

They were flying in an alpha formation. Fenhir leading the way, Celestia at his right side and Luna to his left. The other four warriors were right behind them, forming the point of an arrow. On the horizon they could see the village. But it was more like a city due to the size of it. It had the size to house at least five hundred individuals.

Buildings made of stone and some made of wood. A few pine trees... As they got close Celestia could see that the roads where covered with stone, to make it easy for carriages to pass. The streets were full of ponies of all three races; some griffons and one or two young dragons (civilized enough to not going in a rampage over trivial things). The alicorns that lived there had all the same coat and mane patterns. Light brown coat and black manes and tail. They walked in groups of three, acting like some kind of police and the proportion was like five ponies to each griffon and fifteen ponies for each alicorn.

The small group landed at the entrance of the city and started to walk in.

“Wow... I've never thought that these advanced posts would be so... so... 'civilian'” Luna spoke looking around.

“I share the same surprise as you dear sister...” Celestia spoke as she walked through the main road, full of carriages and merchants. “This is more like a merchant city than an advanced post!”

“But that's what it is.” Fenhir chuckled at the reactions of both young alicorns. “All the 'advanced posts' are in fact villages full of civilians. Most of these alicorns, of course, went through the training we make on the capitol, but after they left, they choose to live in a more 'civilian' way of life.” He explained. “The majority have forgotten how to fight, except for a few officials. Even those that walk around pretending to be some kind of ‘guard’...” he pointed at a group of three brown alicorns. “They are almost harmless compared to you.”

“But isn't it dangerous?” Celestia said with a frown. “I mean, what if they got attacked?”

“That's why we have some real officers placed here and the other 'advanced posts' too.” Fenhir spoke. Both were too absorbed on the conversation to notice their surroundings.

“uhh,,, guys?” Lune said with a hint of worry on her voice. “There is something... weird happening here..”

Fenhir and Celestia stopped the walk and started to look around. Every single living being stopped what they were doing and were staring at the small squad in complete silence.

“Get ready you all...” Fenhir hissed to the group. A small flash of light warped around them as they conjured their combat armor. Celestia's golden armor was adorned with the Elements of Harmony. Luna had changed her armor. The plain silver was now adorned with black and deep blue drawings. Fenhir's armor was more simple. Plain metal, design to be strictly functional. The other four warriors had deep blue armor, with just a few drawings to decorate it. Their armor covered almost their entire body and the helmet had a sharp blade attached to it, following the length of their horns.

“Seriously Fenhir?” Luna said looknig at his plain metal armor. “Not even a jewel or a drawing? Don't you feel ashamed of wearing that?”

“Not now Luna.” Fenhir growled at her... he was starting to get tired to receive the same comments every time he displayed his protection. Military or not, the north alicorns liked pretty thing and it was really weird to see somepony in Fenhir’s position to have such a plain armor.

“Quiet you two!” Celestia hissed. “We need to get out of here...” She said and slowly started to walk backwards to the exit of the city but the path got blocked by six brown alicorns.

“You will not leave here alive Celestia...” One of the brown alicorn spoke. “Our orders are to kill you and any other living being with you.”

“Have you lost your mind!?” Celestia shouted. “I'm your own kin! I demand to know your reasons!”

“Same kin?” The brown alicorn chuckled. “Hardly...”

A green flame engulfed his body for a second and Celestia gasped when she saw one of the artificial creatures that King Sombra spoke of... Changelin. Teal eyes, insect wings. Hooves full of holes and a pair of pointy fangs. His body all covered by some kind of black exoskeleton. His height was the same as one of the lesser races. One after the other, every pony, alicorn, griffon and dragon started to change into changelings. Many more started to come by and land on nearby roofs and on the street, surrounding the group... and entire army of those black creatures.

“Changelings!” Celestia hissed and conjured her protective barrier that surrounded her body like a bubble. Fenhir, Luna and the other four did the same thing.

“I guess that we are in deeper trouble...” Fenhir said as he saw three real alicorns with dragonfly's wings approaching and landing into a nearby hoof that was plain enough for them to land side by side. They were soldiers from the Sun Land Empire.

“Surrender and we promise to end your lives quickly.” Said one of the Sun Land soldiers.

“Sure...” Celestia said rolling her eyes. “as if we would go down without a good fight!” She snorted and stomped her hoof on the floor. “You should surrender and let us pass! We are in diplomatic mission to avoid more violence!”

The soldier simply snorted. “End their lives!” He commanded and all the changelings took off to the sky. They formed a swarm and started to fly around the group of north alicorns.

The squad of north alicorns closed into a circle formation, each giving their backs to another and started to casts a chain of offensive spells against the black swarm that was trying to reach them. Like a black cloud, the changelings moved in perfect synchronism, rounding the group, looking for a breach... but the squad gave them none. Spell after spell hit the swarm, making dead changelings fall to the ground. Celestia gave a smirk... to her it was too easy... But she was forgetting something vital.

As to remind her of the real danger, one of the four soldiers gave out a scream of pain and fell limp. His protective barrier got perforated by a single offensive spell cast by the group of south alicorns. Celestia looked at them and saw that the three had their horns close to each other, focusing their energy to cast a spell destructive enough to break the barrier protecting Celestia and the others.

“Cover me!” she shouted to her sister.

Luna started to cast a numerous of spells with a large area of effect to repel the swarm of changelings from Celestia's path. The white mare took the chance and charged head in onto the south alicorns. They fired the spell but Celestia quickly dodged to the side. The beam of energy hit only her protective barrier, shattering it. Before the three south warriors could react Celestia was already in melee range. The closest one, on her right, received a blast of energy right in the face, sending him flying from the roof and into a free fall to the ground.

The one on her left advanced trying to hit Celestia with his horn... Instead, his chin meet with a full force buck from the mare, strong enough to brake his jaw. The leader cast a beam of energy against Celestia's head. Her reflexes allowed her to dodge the beam by a hair line and she counter attacked with her horn. The last warrior screamed in pain when the blade that was attached to her horn opened a gash on his face, hitting his eyes. He stumbled backwards and fell to his sides, shaking due to the strong pain he was feeling.

Back in the street, Fenhir, Luna and the three gray warriors left where finishing off the changelings. Without their leader, the insect like creatures started to get confused and turned into easy targets to be shot down.

Celestia approached the hurt south alicorn and her horn started to glow, ready to defend herself.

“Where are the inhabitants of the city? What have you done to them?” Her voice full of anger.

“T-They are in... in the town hall..” He spoke with his voice shaking. The town hall was the main building in the center of the village. The largest one. “But you are... you are too late. There will be no chance... for diplomatic... You killed Prince Sombra... and stole the Elements of Harmony...” He said still with his shaky voice.

Fenhir landed right next to Celestia. “Prince Sombra? Wasn't that wingless alicorn you defeated in the Crystal Empire?” He asked.

“Yes... but he told me that he was King Sombra, and not a Prince...” She said.

“Our prince... he turned into king after... after conquering the crystal Empire...” The south alicorn spoke. “And you killed him!” his voice filled with pain and accusation.

“He attacked me first.” Celestia said in a cold voice. “I just defended myself... just like I'm doing now.” With that, her horn glowed and she cast a healing spell on the alicorn's eyes. She did not healed his eyes, since the damage was too much and she was not a healer. Instead, she healed the flesh around it to stop the bleeding and end the pain. But she blinded him for life by doing that. “Take him in custody, back to the capitol. Take him to the interrogatory.” Celestia commanded and two of the gray warriors cast an energy aura around the fallen alicorn, taking him away.

“Celestia...” Luna spoke landing next to her.

“How is our wounded companion?” Celestia asked.

“Dead...” Luna answered with a sight. “That spell tore his armor and got his heart.”

“That is... sad...” Celestia said, holding her emotions. That was the first time she commanded a squad... and she already had dead soldier.

Fenhir approached them. “What is to be done with the other two south alicorns?”  He asked.

“Arrest them too... Let's take them all to the capitol” Celestia commanded. “Luna, come with me... the citizens of the village are in the town hall...”

The two sisters flew across the empty city and landed right in front of a tower with a big clock on the top. The tower was made of stones and had big windows that were covered with heavy curtains. In front of the entrance there was a small rectangular stage covered with red carpet... a short set of stairs on the sides of it. The entrance was a a double wood door adorned of carvings and drawings of plants. The sister stepped on the stage and walked to the entrance... Celestia pushed the door that was unlocked and immediately regretted it.

A foul stench assaulted her nostrils and she almost threw up. Her eyes widened in horror.

“What's the matter 'Tia?” Luna spoke stepping forward to see the insides of the tower.

“Luna no!” Celestia tried to stop her sister but it was too late.

In the center of the dark room, illuminated by the light coming from the door, Luna saw the corpses of every single citizen... half rotten and all piled on each other like they were nothing but trash. Alicorns, ponies, griffons... none was spared.

Celestia quickly slammed the door shut and dragged her sister away... Luna was shaking slightly and her eyes were full of tears... Fenhir landed next to the sisters and his expression turned into sadness. Right behind him the two gray guards were holding the three prisoners. The three south alicorns were now awake. One blind, the second had a broken jaw and the third, the one that fell from the roof, had his fragile wing broken. The third gray warrior was carrying their fallen companion.

“I believe...” Fenhir started. “...you found the inhabitants...”

“Yes...” Celestia said walking away from her sister and Fenhir. “Yes I found what those bastards did!” Her voice dripping with rage and her horn glowing.

The two gray warriors knew better than to stay in the path of an enraged commander and stepped aside. Celestia shoot two thin beams of white energy against the south alicorns. The beams when through the throat of the one with the broken wing and the one with a broken jaw. Blood started to spill from the holes she made and the two victims started to gasp for air... drowning on their own blood. Celestia simply watched as the life slipped away from her enemies.

“Let’s go!” She commanded. “We have to war the capitol of this. We'll take this son of a bug for interrogatory.”

With that, they opened their wings and started to fly back to the capitol. Celestia heart was full or rage and sorrow. She was a warrior, but there was a difference between kill an enemy in combat and slaughter a bunch of civilian... And she intended to show to the south alicorns the difference.