As the train stopped in the Crystal Empire, Twilight, Stigandr and the Warborn disembarked to a light snowfall.

"Like Valkenheim in spring." Stigandr said. "Light snow, calm breeze."

"Indeed." Twilight said. As they approached the Palace, Celestia, Shining Armor, and Cadance came out to meet them. As Twilight embraced her mentor and family, Stigandr and his warriors stood at a respectful distance.

"These are some of the warriors that came to free Equestria?" Celestia asked.

"Indeed." Stigandr said. "Jarl Stigandr, of the Viking Warborn clans."

"My honor, Jarl." Celestia said, shaking his hand. "And the others?"

"The Samurai Chosen and the Knight Legions are fighting the Griffons." Stigandr said. "The dragons are now rebelling on our side, thanks to Holden Cross."

Celestia was astounded.

"I am grateful." Celestia replied. "With luck, Equis will soon be free."

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves." the Raider said, coming forward. "We've got work to do."

As they all reentered the Palace, they had no idea their efforts were about to receive unexpected aid...

====
Manehattan
Three Hours earlier
====

A centerpiece of the Iron Pact's rule over Equestria, Manehattan was where the four races of the pact mingled together. However, the city served more purposes than just that.

Many of the supplies needed to run the Iron Pact's empire came from the city's great harbor, and such was heavily guarded by a naval fleet and ground soldiers.

So when foreign ships bearing the gilded red flag of an eastern dragon came into their waters, the Pact's fleet went out to meet them...and were destroyed in a great battle visible from the city itself.

Then, as the ships bearing the dragon flag docked and the Pact's ground forces came to attack, they were beset upon by human men-at-arms wearing armor similar to the Samurai, only more lightweight.

Then four figures appeared on the deck of the Dragon fleet's flagship, and began to admire the battle below.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" said one, wearing a monk's robes and armed with a staff. "They fight with ferocity, but they lack one crucial thing."

"What is that, Mu Tan?" said another, who wore assassin's robes and carried two hook-bladed swords.

"Coordination." Mu Tan replied, as he watched the Iron Pact's forces be turned back. "They have no leadership visible in the field, Maya Li."

"Whether or not, they are still our enemies." Maya Li said. "Is that not our task, uncle Shang?"

"Indeed." said the elderly one of the group, who carried a spear. "General, your thoughts?"

The final one of the group nodded. This was Khan Shu, Prince of the Wu Lin Dynasty, and General of their army, known as the Marching Fire. Years ago, they had learned of the Samurai Chosen through ancient diplomacy, and by extension the Knights and Vikings. The old King of the Wu Lin and Khan's father had wanted to conquer them.

That is, until he died and Shu, now Khan Shu, ascended to the throne. On the night of his coronation, he had dreamt of a white horse with a red mane and a horn and wings, who had spoken to him. She had told him of how she had brought the Knights, Samurai, and Vikings to Equestria to free her home, and how the Marching Fire must aid them.

"How?" Khan Shu had asked. "We know not the path to this land, nor what awaits us."

"I shall guide and protect you until you reach my shores." Faust had replied. "Khan Shu, your future shall be one of wealth and peace, if only you follow my lead."

Then, Khan Shu woke up and saw a star, brighter than all others, gleaming in the night sky. As the morning came, he had rallied the Marching Fire and manned whatever vessels he could. Leaving his father's ministers, elders of his people to rule in his absence, for they were skilled in manners of the state, he followed the star to Equestria by night.

Now, he and his Marching Fire would unite with those who came before them, and crush this Iron Pact like grass underfoot.

"My Khan."

Khan Shu turned to Shang Li, and they turned to the battlefield.

"Now is the time." Shang Li said. "Lead your Marching Fire to victory."

As Khan took his Dao and entered the fray, his three retainers followed suit.

====

Back in the Crystal Empire, Stigandr, the Raider, and the Royals of the Empire were dining on a specially prepared feast. Shining Armor found himself fascinated by the warrior culture of the Vikings, and was discussing it with the Jarl. Cadance spoke with Runa about her time as a Valkyrie, and the Raider let a young Flurry Heart play with his long, braided beard.

Then, a bright light appeared in the room. As the Vikings stood up, Faust appeared before them.

"Faust." Stigandr said. "How's things?"

Faust laughed and smiled at the Jarl.

"Not the greeting I was expecting." the Alicorn of Life replied. "Stigandr, you will march to Manehattan at daybreak."

"Manehattan?" Celestia asked. "That is the Iron Pact's major stronghold. Faust, why must they go there?"

"Because it has fallen." Faust said with pride. "A new faction of humans has come to Equestria at my call. They are known as the Wu Lin, or the Marching Fire. I brought them here as allies."

"Marching Fire, huh?" Stigandr said. "Alright, one question. When do we meet them?"

"Soon, Jarl Stigandr." Faust said. "Know they will be apprenhensive of you at first, but earn their respect at they shall be forever your allies. They are unparalleled in their own arts of war, and you must treat them with respect and honor."

"We'll be fine, Faust." the Raider said. "We're Vikings, diplomacy is something we excel at."

Faust chuckled at the Raider's comment.

"Of course." she said. "Celestia, before I go, I must tell you one last thing."

"What is it?" Celestia asked.

"Princess Luna will soon return." Faust said. "Farewell."

As the light and Faust's form faded, Helvar chuckled.

"Hey, Jarl?" he asked. "Can we finish eating before we go?"

"Well, what do you think?" Stigandr laughed as the feasting resumed. "Of course, you idiot, who do you think we are? We're Vikings!"

As the table laughed, Stigandr leaned back in his chair..

"Marching Fire, huh?" he smirked. "I wonder how Cross and Ayu will take this."

====

As daybreak came, the Vikings prepared for the journey to Manehattan. Using Celestia, Cadance, and Twilight's alicorn magic, they would be teleported a few miles north of the city, near the Marching Fire's camp.

"Get back to Ponyville safe, you hear me?" Stigandr told Twilight.

"Of course." Twilight said as the Vikings assembled. "You set?"

"Ready!" the Raider said. As the three alicorns cast the teleportation spell, the Vikings vanished in a flash of multicolored light.

====

At the same time, the Marching Fire began to rise from their rest. After defeating the Iron Pact forces and setting up a base camp north of the city, Khan Shu had begun preparations for a long march to Ponyville.

Except the Khan did not expect to be woken up by a soldier reporting that there were strange men at the gate.

"I will deal with this." the Khan had said while he prepared his armor. "Do not attack them, but be ready."

Now, the Khan and his three Generals approached the strange men. They wore fur, leather, and mail, and the Khan was surprised to see one of them wore little armor at all!

"May your leader come forward!" Maya Lin had proclaimed. A large man, wearing a bear's head and carrying a round shield and sword, approached.

"As you wish." he said. "I am Jarl Stigandr of the Viking Warborn Clans. I suppose you are the Marching Fire we've heard so much about?"

"Indeed." Khan Shu said. "I am Shu, Khan of the Wu Lin Dynasty, High General of the Marching Fire. My honor, Jarl Stigandr."

The two leaders shook hands, and bowed to each other.

"So, where do we start?" Stigandr asked. "Something to eat, maybe?"

"If that is what you desire." Khan Shu had said. "We have ample supplies with us. However, our traditional meals may not be to your liking or tastes."

"I suppose you'll need to show us, then." Stigandr replied. "if you'd be so kind."

Khan Shu laughed and offered his hand again.

"Of couse, Jarl Stigandr." he replied as they shook hands once again and the two sides began to mingle. "Shall we dine?"

"Better now than never." Stigandr laughed as the Warborn entered the Marching Fire's camp and then the Khan's large tent. As they sat down, men-at-arms served them, and the two leaders ate like close friends.

"Not too shabby." Stigandr said. "A bit spicy, but fine nonetheless."

"I am pleased to hear it." Khan Shu replied. "We take pride in our preparation of meals."

"It shows." Stigandr said. "Can I ask something?"

"Be my guest."

"I'd like to see how you fight." Stigandr said. "Let's have two of our best spar for a bit."

"Fine." Khan Shu replied as they exited, only to see such a duel was in already progress. The Raider, long axe in hand, was sparring with Maya Lin's hookswords to the delight and intrigue of both sides.

"How does one man wield such a weapon?" the Khan asked Stigandr.

"A Raider's long axe is more than a weapon. It is a companion and faithful instrument." Stigandr said. "Raiders like him spend their entire lives mastering the Long Axe. Though I personally prefer a shield and sword, Raiders care for their axes like their children."

"Intriguing." the Khan said. "Why do they not wear armor?"

"The moment of a Viking's death is chosen by the Gods." Runa said, coming forward. "So we run to embrace it when it comes, and thus we have no need for armor...or fear."

The Khan laughed.

"Brave and well-spoken." the Wu Lin ruler said. "I suppose now is the time we journey to meet your allies, the Chosen and Legion."

"I suppose so." Stigandr said. "Hope you're up for a hike."

As the two sides settled down and began to prepare for the march, Stigandr and the Khan left a small contingent of soldiers to guard the city. Soon, they were on the way to Ponyville, with the sun beginning to set in the sky.

Author's Notes:

Update!