A Game of Chess

Everything had gone as smoothly as one could hope for. Cora and Illia had explained the situation as best as they could, and the sleipnirs seemed to welcome the freedom from Hecatoncheir and the revival of their previous queen with joy and gratitude. The group had been hailed as heroes in spite of their protests that Dusk was the one who'd stopped the beast, and Lynar had taken up the position of watch once more so that the sleipnirs could be sure that Wendigo wouldn't attack them once more.

Checkmate lay, now, in his bed, his eyes affixed to the uneven roof of their cavernous chamber. Beside him, the other ponies snored, content in their rest, with sole exceptions being Dusk - who had left earlier after awakening -, and Valice, who asked for a different chamber due to the looks that were passed to her by the others. Even Khaza had stopped speaking, the Glacius losing its light as the spirit who inhabited it fell into slumber, along with the others, leaving Checkmate as the sole creature who was awake in that room.

And yet, in spite of how tired he truly was, Checkmate could not fall asleep. His mind was too crowded with thoughts, with all that they'd learned that day, to possibly lose consciousness. Valice's reveal as a changeling, Dusk's reveal as a former alicorn, and everything that pertained to Asgard and Hecatoncheir seemed to be forcing him awake, and his mind was racing with all of that knowledge, and questions, as well.

Who was Dusk, really? How did he know to go into the desert? What did he mean by claiming he was a "former" alicorn? Did those truly exist? Was it possible to strip away what made a certain race of pony that certain race? Could a pegasus have their ability to fly cut away, a unicorn their magic, or an earth pony their strength and stamina?

The more Checkmate thought about that, the more his heart began to race. If one could take those abilities away from a pony... could they be given them, as well? He already knew that Twilight had gained the abilities of an alicorn via her mentor, Celestia, but such power could be used to cause as much evil as it could good. It was possible that, if it fell into the wrong hooves, destruction could echo throughout the world. And who was to say that it was strictly limited to the pony races? What if it included windigoes, sleipnirs, changelings, griffons, and all sorts of other magical beings?

What if Wendigo got his hooves on it?

That last question terrified Checkmate more than anything. The thought that his greatest foe - who also seemed to stand as Dusk's own nemesis - could gain such power was the most horrific thing that Checkmate could think of, even pushing the bastard's carnivorous tendencies - which wouldn't have mattered if it was simply a squirrel or other non-sentient creature, as that was completely normal for many windigoes - to the back of his mind.

However, he made sure to console himself on the matter. He didn't know for certain what kind of magic had taken away Dusk's status as an alicorn, or if magic was even involved at all, and couldn't simply assume that the spell could do anything to anypony. Such magic would have certainly been forbidden, or be so difficult to cast that only Chronos himself, or possibly even Hatred, would have been able to do so.

But still, the idea that a monster such as Wendigo could gain the power to take away the powers of a creature such as Celestia was truly chilling. If he had that power, the beast would be able to do whatever he wanted to Equestria, even if the princesses already feared his power, and even if Discord was frightened by his evilness. And then, another thought entered Checkmate's mind, one that seemed to terrify him more than even what he'd just thought.

Wendigo wouldn't need any kind of magic if the Zephyr was completed. If that abomination was built fully, the entire world would be set to crumble beneath his hooves, due to the sheer amount of souls that went into its construction, and the absolute terror that the monstrosity invoked just from being looked at.

Checkmate shuddered, then, and felt sweat on his brow. The sheer amount of variables that could go wrong was horrifically high, and, no matter what, they had to keep the bastard from completing the Zephyr. No matter how terrifying the prospect of magic that could alter a pony's very existence was, the thought that Wendigo would not even need that in order to achieve his goals was even more so.

On the other hoof, however, something else disturbed him about this idea. Had Wendigo requested Chronos give him immunity to all kinds of magic specifically for that one spell, so that his plans couldn't be derailed, or was there something else that worried him, magically? It could simply be that he wanted to not have to worry about Chronos's intervention, but, in that case, why did he have to kill both him and Hatred? If he was entirely immune to magic of all types - be it something as simple as telekinesis or pyrokinesis - why would he need to kill either of them, if that was their specialty?

Checkmate rolled over onto his side, and let out a sigh. Questions such as that wouldn't help him stop Wendigo, even if they would greatly assist the formulation of a strategy. Being as tired as he was certainly wouldn't make it any easier either, and he knew that all too well.

Instead, he let out a yawn, and, as his mind began to empty of these questions, Checkmate felt himself losing consciousness, and fell into an uneasy sleep.

Valice grimaced, her hooves deep in the sand of the desert. Sleeping was impossible for her with Twilight giving her such threatening looks, and the others with looks filled with terror and rage. As such, she'd chosen a different chamber to rest in, but found even that to be impossible.

Everything terrified her, now, but she wasn't one to show it. What would Chrysalis say if she knew just who she'd spoken with? Would she be accepting, her queen and friend reveling in the fact that Wendigo had been felled - or would be, rather -, or would she be angered, enraged, and would Valice be ostracized for joining the group that now despised her?

The changeling shook her head, her body having retaken the form that the others had grown comfortable with. The pegasus's form - so swift, so nimble, with a body that was completely aerodynamic - compared to her own - filled with holes, awkward, and slow in the air - was perfect, wonderful, and disgusted her to no end. Valice loved being a changeling, and loved the feeling that a pony's happiness gave her, but she despised the pathetic creatures, as well.

What made her hate them the most, however, was the horrible way that they'd treated her kind. They'd been devised by Love herself to create feelings of joy, and then to reap their benefits, but ponies only looked upon them with scorn, just as they did to windigoes. In that way, she'd found a strange jealousy towards the creatures, as they, at least, had the excuse of being led by a foul and heartless king who was trying to take the world for himself, and many of them didn't want to go along with his wishes.

But Chrysalis, however, was different in that regard. She only wanted what was best for her kind, even if that meant invading Equestria so that they could harvest love from the ponies, no matter the cost. Many times, Valice had tried to convince her that there were other options available - that they could speak to Celestia, or take on the forms of ponies and live peacefully -, but Chrysalis knew better than that.

"They'll never accept us, just because, to them, we're monsters. This is the only way that we can survive as a species, and the only way that our kind can live on. Besides, have you heard of what Celestia does to those she fears and despises? Her sister was banished to the moon over jealousy, and her brother... Well, nopony knows exactly what's happened to him."

Valice knew all of this to be true. She knew that Celestia had banished her sister, and that her brother had run off into death against Wendigo, but what disturbed her the most was exactly how true that statement was. Did she hate Celestia? No, she didn't, because she understood that the monarch only wanted to protect her ponies, and that was something that she, Chrysalis, and the rest of the changelings admitted that they respected about her.

But Chrysalis had taken up that position as well, and that had only led them into despair and suffering. If the ponies didn't fear them before, they certainly did, now, and changelings were deemed as one of the most monstrous races in Equestria's history.

And, unlike windigoes, everything that happened was true. They did attack Canterlot, brainwash the groom, kidnap the bride, and set a plan in motion that would make Chrysalis the queen of Equestria, with Valice watching in silent awe. However, nothing had gone as planned, and they'd been bested by that which they'd desired the most.

Valice let out a bitter laugh at that. How ironic it was that they'd longed to gain love, yet the love they'd gained had destroyed everything they wanted. Now their kind was stranded by the Mercury Spring, slowly dying from starvation, and being unable to find the love they desired in the world that was filled with hatred and fear.

And who gained the most from that world?

Wendigo.

He was the one to whom everything was being given, and the one who sewed the seeds of hatred in the hearts of ponies. If he were to die, then Darkfrost would be liberated, and the changelings could try things anew. If she helped to save the world, then maybe it would convince the ponies that changelings weren't completely evil, and that they could do the right thing when necessary.

And so, this new plan being formulated, Valice found the smallest smile forming on her muzzle. No matter what happened, she was going to see this thing through to the end, and she was going to stop Wendigo along with Checkmate and the others. Even if they tried to send her away, even if they distrusted her, Valice wasn't going to let them go through with this alone.

Because, in the end, she would do whatever to took to make her kind great once more.

Dusk, Illia, Cora, and Lynar stood in the chamber that had once belonged to Asgard.

"What are our options, then?" the mercenary mused. "I'm afraid we'll have to take you with us, Illia, although I'm not sure exactly what the sleipnirs will have to say to losing their leader once more..."

"Indeed," Illia replied, and she sighed. "That is looking to be our only option. Wendigo is unlikely to fall, even with your power, if Checkmate challenges him with only the Glacius's might. Khaza may be powerful, but she is only able to do so much against a beast as monstrous as he..."

Cora let out a sigh, too, and shook her head. "Then what do we do?" she asked. "It's not likely that the sleipnirs are going to want you to leave so soon, and I doubt that we'll be seeing you for awhile, if at all."

Lynar grimaced, and began to pace. "Well," he mused, "we could always appoint a new leader, but it's possible that they won't be very accepting towards him or her due to what Asgard brought upon us..."

"Indeed," Illia repeated, "that is why I asked the two of you to join us."

Cora and Lynar glanced over at her in surprise. "What do you mean?" the latter asked.

Illia smiled, slightly. "As of tonight, I have decided to appoint a new leader so that the sleipnirs may have a trustworthy creature be in charge of their operations. Cora, I have made my decision, and you are the one who is most capable for this position."

The captain's eyes widened in surprise. "M-me?!" she gasped. "But wait... why me?"

Dusk looked her over. "I think I understand," he said. "You were the one who was able to best cope with the situation once Asgard revealed his true intentions. You fought, regardless that he was your leader, because you wanted to protect those around you, right?"

"W-well, yes, but..." Cora looked very flustered, and didn't meet Dusk's eyes.

"That's exactly it, actually," admitted Illia. "Had it been another sleipnir, I doubt that they would have the same conviction that you showed, and that they would not have attempted to fight against Hecatoncheir."

"Then, may I ask," said Lynar, "why is it that you asked me to come here?"

Illia's eyes seemed to twinkle. "I needed a pony to act as a witness for this moment," she replied. "I needed a sleipnir who would be able to say, completely in earnest, that there was no foul play involved in this selection, and that Cora was chosen specifically for her abilities."

"Good," replied the gatekeeper, and he grinned. "For a second there, I was worried that you were going to give me some other responsibility. Although I guess that watching the gate in case we're attacked by Wendigo is already quite important."

Dusk allowed himself a small smirk. "Only somewhat," he mused.

Illia rolled her eyes, a surprisingly childish maneuver for one who was long since considered elegant. "Indeed," she said. "You already have much that you must do, and I don't desire to cause any more stress or anxiety among those as childish as yourself."

Lynar winced at this, but quickly replaced his grin. "You say that almost as if it's a bad thing."

"But to think," Cora said, in awe. "To think that I'm now in charge of Solace... Are you sure that you think I have what it takes?"

"Of course," replied Illia. "You're one of the most capable creatures who I've ever met, Cora."

"I second that," Lynar said. "After all, you didn't become the captain of Asgard's guard just by sitting around all day, so what makes you think that you can't run this place? You pretty much did before."

"Exactly," Dusk mused. "Considering how much detail you pay attention to, I'm positive that Solace will be far better under your rule than it was under Asgard's, especially considering that, with Hecatoncheir now dead, you no longer have to fear his cruelty."

"Ha! Well, since you all so much confidence in me," Cora started, "I guess I can give it a shot."

"That's the spirit!" said Lynar, and he grinned. "Now, how about a celebratory game of poker?"

Cora, Dusk, and Illia all grimaced. "Lynar," started the mercenary, "I've learned an important lesson in my lifetime: never bet with you, or else I'm going to lose everything. Illia, Cora, have fun. I'm going back to my room to rest up for tomorrow. I'll see the three of you then, before my group and I head out to stop Wendigo and what he's doing."

As the three protested his exit, Dusk waved them off, walking down the passageway and out of their line of hearing, before he chuckled to himself.

He walked down the hallway towards the chamber, then, muttering to himself as he did so. "Wendigo," he said, his hoof clutching the hilt of Constellation and his voice quivering in quiet rage, "let's see, shall we? Let's see, this time, after so long, just who the worthless one really is..."