“I’m pleased to see you’ve set aside time to finally get in touch with us, Lord Thest.” Celestia said with a forced smile. “We’ve been eager to settle the matter of the gryphon attack on our citizens for some time now.”

Lord Thest sat upon the throne and averted the gaze of the solar princess. He held a goblet of wine in one claw and traced a talon around it’s circumference. “Yes, well... I am very busy you see.”

“Busy letting your followers attack our citizens and abduct them?”

Princess Luna’s image shimmered into existence next to Celestia. Now both alicorns stood in front of mirror. From Thest’s end, he could see into the halls of Canterlot where Celestia stood. Luna’s image appearing next to her must have meant she was away, and communicating from somewhere else.

“Luna the Moon Princess, I presume?” Thest said with a low chuckle, “I almost didn’t see you there, still hidden away in your sister’s shadow.”

If Luna was angry, she didn’t reveal it. She merely tossed her mane to one side covering an eye and looked up at her sister, “Such a scrawny thing, I see the gryphons haven’t evolved much in my one thousand year absence.”

For the first time, Thest’s expression changed to one of anger, then vanished as soon as it appeared.

Normally Aldus would have allowed himself a chuckle, but he was too busy ingraining every detail about Thest into his mind. He watched from behind Luna as she conducted the talk with Celestia. This gryphon was dangerous, and the way he carried himself in front of the alicorns revealed a calm, stoic personality. Aldus also didn’t miss the look in his eyes. It was the same dull glaze he often saw in Thule and Rigel. Eyes of an individual that has taken many lives.

“Now now you two,” Celestia chided, “We’re here for a reason. Lord Thest, do you have any idea why gryphons carrying concealable weapons, as well as a member of your religious sect, would attack our citizens in broad daylight?”

“Some time ago there was a failed insurrection, unfortunately they were able to kill the former king, Ziraal.” Thest said.

From behind the wall to the meeting room, Frost listened intently as the princesses talked with Thest. They were talking about Iris’ father. He needed to remember all of this so he could tell her later. Without warning, Frost felt a hoof on his shoulder. Aldus silently appeared behind him and dragged him into the room. He sat on his haunches and Frost did the same.

Aldus looked down and whispered, “Stay silent and listen.”

“We believe the gryphons behind the attack were from another small kingdom that seeks to gain power. Amid the chaos, we believe that Ziraal’s daughter fled the capital. Unfortunately, our enemies know this as well. Several of them infiltrated our kingdom wearing our markings and attire. As for the religious sects, the priesthood exists in several forms across all the kingdoms. It’s not surprising some of them have been lead astray by whatever politics drove this despicable act. We believe they wish to capture the late king’s daughter to gain leverage against our kingdom. We’re currently preparing for a counterattack.”

Luna whispered to her sister, “This is unbelievable.”

“Princess Celestia,” Thest began with a small bow of his head, “If Iris was the gryphon they were attempting to abduct, do you know of her current location? Things are safe enough now for her to return. It would boost the spirits of the kingdom’s gryphons to know their princess is still alive.”

“The gryphon escaped before our guards arrived at the scene, her current whereabouts are unknown.”

“I see, that is unfortunate...” Thest said with a heavy sigh. “Regardless, if you happen to locate her, I trust you will inform me.”

Luna snorted, “Don’t hold your breath.”

Frost smiled, he was glad to see Luna act in such a way concerning Iris. He looked up to see Aldus unphased. He could practically see the murder in his eyes.

“Mind yourself, Thest.” Luna continued. “We’ve seen your scouts probing our borders. You may sit the throne now, but I don’t think it’s meant to last. It’d be a shame for you to lose it by doing something foolish.”

“Thest,” Celestia said with a calm smile, “I’m sure you have the situation under control, and it’s a shame about Ziraal’s passing. He was a great king, and a peaceful king. You would do well to follow in his footsteps.”

“My dear princesses,” Thest said with a hearty laugh, “Any gryphon would be a fool to move against a pony nation with two alicorns. I seek no conflict, I assure you whatever you’ve seen has only been exercises. I’m glad we had this conversation. Goodbye Celestia and Luna.”

Thest stepped off the throne and smiled, the images in the mirror disappeared into nothingness, leaving him alone once again. “A nation with two alicorns would be too much. But a nation with one...”

Princess Celestia turned to Luna and shook her head. “There was no need for such aggression, Luna. He would hav-”

“He would have lied to us regardless, dearest sister. You are the elder, you surely know this.” Luna interrupted, standing tall. “Tia, he’s nothing more than a thug. It’s important to show him we mean what we say. I sense danger from that scrawny pile of feathers. In fact, I have half a mind to send Thule to pay him a visit.”

“Luna, no.” Celestia said, standing even taller in the mirror. “That is not the answer, for now, we’ll simply keep an eye on him and see if any of his claims check out. In the meantime, keep a close eye on Iris.”

“I assure you the little gryphon is safe and sound with us, Tia.” Luna said.

“Very good, we’ll discuss this more when you return to Equestria. Goodbye for now, Luna. I love you.” Celestia said with a smile.

“I love you too, Tia. Farewell.” Luna replied, then stepped away from the mirror.

Luna let out a deep sigh and rubbed her neck. She removed her tiara and let her mane fall to one side, then turned around and trotted to the door.

“Princess, your orders?” Aldus asked.

“Nothing for now,” Luna replied. “Tomorrow before you leave for the archives we can have a brief meeting.” She stopped at the door and gave Frost a sidelong glance. “You just saw the gryphon who likely murdered Iris’ father. How does that make you feel?”

Frost paused, “It makes me angry.”

“Good,” Luna said. “Keep this to yourself for now, we’ll tell Iris what we know when we have more information. Now off to bed, Frost. Have some pleasant dreams.”

“Goodnight Princess,” Frost said with a bow.

After she departed, Aldus trotted over to the mirror and stood there. He rubbed his chin in thought, then turned to leave. “Come with me, Frost.”

Frost followed Aldus to his room and shut the door behind him at his master’s command. Aldus pulled the curtains and locked the doors while conjuring his magic.

“What is it?” Frost asked.

“Eventually Iris will need to return to her home, she cannot stay with us forever.” Aldus said. “This Lord Thest can only be dealt with one way. I’ve seen his type before too many times. Luna knows it, too. As well as Celestia.”

“Iris will need to face him,” Frost said while lowering his head.

“That is likely her path,” Aldus said. “You two have become close. You saw the enemy tonight, when the time comes, will you help her?”

“Of course,” Frost said. “Iris is one of the few good friends I’ve ever had, aside from Ruby, Pyrite, and the others. She rescued me from a jam in the first five minutes of meeting her. I’ll go with her wherever her journey leads. Besides, aside from our odd little family, I don’t have anypony else.”

Frost’s gaze fell to the floor when he realized just how little he had in his life. But the embrace he felt soon banished the sadness from his mind. Aldus knelt down and held Frost tight. “I never had many ponies growing up, either. But that doesn’t matter. It’s the ones that we do have that count. You know that, and I couldn’t ask for a better apprentice.”

Frost pressed his head into Aldus’ shoulder and returned the embrace, “Thanks, Aldus.”

“I think the time has come to teach you some advanced spells, Frost.” Aldus said, letting him go and moving to stand near the window. “This will be our little secret until you have it mastered. Understand?”

“I do,” Frost replied. “What is it?”

Aldus channeled magic into his horn and floated into the air. Frost observed the spell in awe. After it was done, he smiled. It was exactly what he needed in order to help Iris.

----------------------

Pyrite wandered through a dark and dreary forest. He wondered where he was, since he’d never seen a place like this before. He walked through a spider web and had to stop to spit the spindles from his mouth. After he was clear of it, he heard a sound that permeated the night sky. It was singing. The melodious voice made him turn in a different direction. After wandering a bit further, he could see a small light.

Pyrite carefully approached the light and saw some tents set up around a fire. There were three logs arrayed around it, and some animal cooking on a spit. Pyrite crept closer and hid himself in some bushes, as he moved, he realized there was somepony sitting on one of the logs across from the fire. It was a mare, she was busy sharpening a large knife. As she continued to hum her song, she looked up and revealed herself. Pyrite felt a smile creep onto his face and decided to step out of the bushes.

The mare saw him and smiled, her fangs glistening in the moonlight, “Couldn’t resist my song, could you, Pyrite?”

She spread her forehooves and wings in invitation. Pyrite didn’t let the opportunity go to waste and ran into her embrace. “Saros! It’s you! You helped me when Thule was taking away the blood!”

Saros nearly had the wind knocked out of her when the little bundle of energy crashed into her chest. She laughed along with Pyrite as she hugged him tight, “I would never have let you face that alone. Besides, I’m partially to blame anyway.”

Pyrite looked up into Saros’ red eyes and vehemently shook his head. “That’s not true, Saros. You didn’t have anything to do with this.”

Saros lowered her head and flexed her wings. She brought them forward so they were shielded from the night wind. “It was my blood that caused you the pain, I bear the responsibility.”

Pyrite sat back on her forehoof that was supporting him and pushed his head into her chest, “No it wasn’t your fault! Please stop saying that.” He nuzzled into her chest and tried to spread his forehooves around her as far as they would go. “You can’t control what other ponies do, it was Eve’s fault, and now she’s in trouble.”

“So, Thule is going to do something about it?” Saros asked.

“Yeah, we’re on an airship now going to his colony. He said we’ll stay one, maybe two days then fly back to the Silver Isles.” Pyrite replied.

“Then we have time to practice,” Saros said with a playful grin.

She let Pyrite down and unzipped a sack near her log. She motioned Pyrite over and showed him what was inside.

“My mace!” Pyrite shouted with joy. He picked it up and swung it around, “It’s perfect!”

“Yes,” Saros said with a happy smile, “The smith did an excellent job. So, Pyrite, what do you say? Ready to start learning how to fight?”

Pyrite shouldered his weapon and turned to face Saros, “You bet I’m ready! Wait, will I be able to do what I learn here when I’m awake?”

Saros nodded, “Time flows differently when you’re in an active dream like this. You’ll have to practice, but the knowledge should remain with you. Now, come at me.”

Pyrite leveled himself and spread his legs. Saros was a great deal larger than him, but she practically tiny compared to Thule. He was sure he could manage.

Pyrite charged Saros and swung his mace in a large arc toward Saros’ legs, but she simply performed a backstep and avoided it. He turned around and swung a second time, but Saros avoided it again. For a third attempt Pyrite slowly advanced on her and swung the mace to strike her in the chest. This time she stepped to the side and watched as Pyrite fell to the ground.

“Ugh, how am I supposed to hit you if you keep moving?” Pyrite asked.

“Do you expect your opponents to just stand there and take the hit? Most of them won’t.” Saros explained. “And for those that do, if they’re able to take a direct hit from a weapon like that, you’ve got a lot to worry about.”

“I’m worried right now, how am I supposed to hit you if you keep moving so fast?” Pyrite asked with a frown.

Saros shook her head, “Maybe we’re going too fast. You seem like you’ve learned at least a little bit about combat. You know how to hold the weapon properly. Your stance is centered, which it should be while using a blunt. Let’s work on your attitude.”

“Attitude?” Pyrite asked, “What’s wrong with my attitude?”

“You have to have your mind in the right place. You’re too passive. I want you to get angry. Give me a growl or a scream. Scare me!” Saros said as she flapped her wings and stepped toward Pyrite.

Pyrite wasn’t exactly an angry pony. In fact there were few times he’d ever been so angry to growl or scream. Nevertheless, he tried anyway. Pyrite screamed and slammed his hooves into the ground while glaring at Saros. His anger left him when he saw Saros smiling. The same way Ruby would smile when she thought he doing something too difficult.

Saros shook her head and rubbed her eyes, “Pitiful...” She waved her forehooves and opened her wings, “I’m talking about a big scream. A warcry!”

She threw her head back and wrapped her wings around herself such that she was completely hidden. Then unwrapped them and let loose a scream so terrifying it made Pyrite feel like his heart stopped. Saros’ face was contorted in such a way that she looked like a feral beast. Her rigid cheekbones accentuating her fangs, which seemed even scarier now. Her eyes pierced through Pyrite’s very soul.  

Saros saw Pyrite’s reaction and regretted cutting loose like that. The colt’s lower lip began to quiver and he fell to the ground a shivering wreck. Such was the result of her gaze.

Saros made certain to soften her features to console the child. She hooked her wings together and trotted over to the collapsed colt. “Pyrite I’m sorry. I overdid it with that scream. I shouldn’t expect you to-”

Saros felt something impact her jaw and sent her staggering to the side. It was an odd sensation. Pain. She felt the taste of blood in her mouth. It had been so long since she tasted that, it was sour. Pyrite had waited until she got close enough then hit her right in the lower jaw with his mace. The child wasn’t that strong, even with his new muscles. Still, she was not expecting it at all, and she caught the full force of the blow. If he had hit any harder she might have lost some teeth.

She ignored the pain for a moment and stared off into the wilderness in thought. He got her with a dirty hit. That might have made another pony angry, but not Saros. She was trained in arts that weren’t exactly honorable. But that wasn’t what baffled her. For such a child with such a meek disposition, he should have been paralyzed with fear until she brought him out of it. Her gaze did have an effect, she knew he wasn’t faking it. However, somehow in the moments between him falling and her walking up to him, he banished the fear and regained control.

Pyrite waited for a reaction from Saros and became worried when she didn’t show one right away. He finally got her, but now it looked like she was mad.

Saros turned around and smiled at Pyrite. She wobbled around, exaggerating her dizziness and groaned. “Oh, Pyrite... by the night sky, you got me!” She stood on her hind legs and wobbled some more, then collapsed on her back. “The warrior assassin is no more, cut down by the brave hero! Finish me off...”

Pyrite picked up a small stick and pounced on Saros’ chest. He raised it high in the air and yelled the phrase the hero from the books shouted right before he struck down the evil wizard. “For great justice!”

Saros jerked when the stick struck her in the chest, then let out some over the top gags and coughs before lolling her head to the side with her tongue hanging out.

Pyrite giggled and went to climb off when he was stopped by her forehoof. Saros’ opened one eye and grinned at him. “That was smart Pyrite, I wasn’t expecting that at all.”

Pyrite fell to his haunches, “So you’re not mad?”

“Mad?!” Saros exclaimed, “You got me. It was a dirty trick, but you saw you weren’t going to succeed otherwise. I won’t be the pony to fault you for that.”

“Okay, good.” Pyrite said with a sigh, “You were pretty scary, I don’t think I’d like to see you angry.”

Saros adjusted herself and looked up at Pyrite sitting on her. “About that... how did you escape the fear?”

Pyrite giggled and shook a hoof at Saros, “That’s a secret.”

Saros raised an eyebrow and chuckled. Pyrite felt something grab him at the back of his neck as he was lifted into the air. The claws on Saros’ wings held him such that he was helpless. He squirmed to try and get free but he couldn’t reach them. Saros simply watched and playfully prodded his stomach, waiting for an answer.

“Okay okay, I’ll tell!” he said while swatting away Saros’ hoof. “It’s a trick my big sister Iris taught me. She’s a gryphon.”

Saros raised an eyebrow, “Really?” She thought about questioning that, but decided to not pursue it further. The smile on Pyrite’s face was answer enough. “Go on.”

“Well, she told me to center my thoughts on something happy and control my breathing. It’s something a priest taught her. She told me that it would help if I ever had a nightmare.”

“Interesting.” Saros said, “Can you do it again?”

“Uh, I think so.” Pyrite replied.

“Good.” Saros said while lowering Pyrite toward her. He was assaulted by her murderous crimson orbs. Fear took hold of him almost instantly and he began to shake. But then, he pictured himself in a void of complete blackness. He remembered Selene’s words, the darkness could never hurt him. He imagined Andromeda being with him, and he imagined Iris. His breathing became regular, and his heart rate slowed.

Pyrite opened his eyes and stared back at Saros with confidence. “I’m not afraid.”

Saros shook her head and lowered Pyrite down to her chest. She wrapped him up in a warm embrace and chuckled, “Oh Pyrite, you have the heart of a warrior. I can work with that.”

Saros rolled over and flew with Pyrite to a nearby pond. She handed him a pale and instructed him to gather together some clay. Once Pyrite started, Saros did the same. After both of them were done she scooped him up and they flew back to the camp site.

“What are we doing, Saros?” Pyrite asked.

“We’re going to start with basics, Pyrite.” Saros said, “Practice makes perfect, so that’s exactly what you’re going to do.”

“No, I mean what are we doing with this clay?”

Saros smiled and produced a small gemstone from a pouch on her belt. She dumped the clay near the fire and rested a hoof over it. After a few seconds she raised her hoof into the air. As she did, the clay began to take shape from the ground. It slowly formed a familiar figure to Pyrite. It was one of the gargoyles that they had fought in Seabreeze’s castle. But this was absolutely tiny by comparison. In fact it was Pyrite’s size.

The gargoyle stood there motionless until Saros placed the gem into a socket in it’s chest. The gem began to glow and the gargoyle came to life almost instantly. It growled and stared at Saros and Pyrite.

“Say hello to your training partner, Pyrite.” Saros said with a smirk.

“I’m supposed to fight him?” Pyrite asked.

“For now, you’ll just be training. Fighting will come later.” Saros picked up a shield and gave to the gargoyle, she pointed a hoof to a spot near the fire where the gargoyle took up position. “Alright Pyrite, have at him.”

Pyrite nodded and grabbed his mace. He took a swing at the gargoyle and stuck it’s shield. It grunted then shoved Pyrite away. “How was that?” he asked.

“Good,” Saros said, “Again.”

As she watched Pyrite train, she wondered if Rixis had made the right decision. She looked at the sky and yawned. Time will tell.

--------------------

Frost stretched and trotted into the cottage. All the practicing he was doing for the new spell was making him tired, though he was making significant progress. After his dinner he was feeling the need to rest, but then remembered something.

Aldus hadn’t been able to take them shopping for the wedding, or take his trip to the archives. He’d been inundated with paperwork sent to Luna from Canterlot. He had already talked it over with Frost, and hoped he would be done tonight. Wishing not to be disturbed, he released Frost from his lessons.

Frost stopped at Ciaran’s room and noticed the door was open just a little bit, allowing a small bit of light to creep into the hall. He slowly opened it and stepped inside. Ciaran was sitting in front of a mirror running a brush through her violet mane.

“Evening, Ciaran.” Frost said while trotting up and sitting beside her.

Ciaran looked down and smiled, “Hello, Frost. Anything you need?”

“I was wondering if we could continue with the hypnosis practice.” Frost asked. “I um, I was away when we were going to try it last.”

Ciaran nodded and put down her brush. “Alright, Frost. Since you got a taste of my most powerful magic last time, how about we ease into for tonight?”

“I only got a taste?” Frost asked. “I thought you said that was your most powerful magic?”

“And you believed me?” Ciaran asked with a chuckle while bending over and messing with Frost’s mane. “It was my most powerful magic, but I have other tricks and spells, as I’m sure Aldus does. Wise teachers always keep some things to themselves.”

Frost considered that, then nodded. “So what are we doing?”

Ciaran plucked Frost off the floor and sat him on the counter in front of her. As she sat on her haunches, they were just about eye level.

“Silth put you under her power when you were with her, how much did she use?”

Frost shook his head, “I don’t know, I think she only did it a few times.”

“Describe it,” Ciaran said motioning with her hoof.

“Well, the one time she did it she said she’d teach me about it.” Frost said.

Ciaran rolled her eyes, “Did she now?”

“Yes,” Frost answered, “She was just playing around, only using one eye to try and let me resist it.”

Ciaran put a hoof to her chin and smiled, “Well, my sister isn’t a complete idiot. We’ll start with that. Ready?”

Frost nodded and took a deep breath. Ciaran grinned and closed her left eye, while her right burst open with bright violet spirals. Frost looked into her eye and felt himself getting tired, he heard that voice in his head. Part of his own subconscious telling him to just let go. He shook and closed his eyes, trying to banish the suggestions away. After about a minute, he succeeded.

Ciaran clapped her hooves together and giggled, “Very good, Frost. How about with more power?”

Frost now stared into both of Ciaran’s glowing purple orbs. They both spun in such a comforting pattern that Frost couldn’t look away. He tried to close his eyes and ignore it, but closing his eyes only made him tired.

I’ll  just shut my eyes a bit and be fine in a minute...

Frost nodded off and fell forward off the counter right into Ciaran’s outstretched forehooves.

Ciaran cradled him and gently roused him from his peaceful slumber. “Wake up sleepyhead, you failed that time.”

Frost woke up and saw Ciaran staring down at him, “What happened?”

“You fell under my power, and almost cracked your head on the floor.” she said with a laugh.

Frost allowed Ciaran to place him back on the counter and shook his head, trying to disperse the after effects. “Maybe use a different method to wake me if I fail again.”

Ciaran nodded, “Alright, Frost.”

Frost stared once again into Ciaran’s violet eyes and could not resist her powers, though it took longer for him to fall asleep this time. Seemingly just as he succumbed to the powers, he was jolted awake by something incredibly cold. He opened his eyes and shivered as he felt the water all over him. Ciaran stifled her laughter while holding a small vase, presumably what she used to douse him with the water.

“What was that?!? Frost shrieked.

Ciaran grinned and tilted her head to the side, “Shh, don’t be too loud. You know for a colt with the name of Frost, you still get cold pretty easily.”

Frost shivered and muttered under his breath, then dried himself off. “Alright, do it again.”

Ciaran rested her head on a hoof while shaking it ever so slightly in mock disapproval. Frost gazed into her magic for much longer before falling under it’s spell. Once again he was jolted awake by a splash of cold water. This time Ciaran couldn’t stifle her laughter. She threw back her head and waved her hoof, “You’re doing good, Frost.” she said between laughs while catching her breath, “Don’t let me discourage you.”

Frost smirked and used his magic to silently fill another vase with water. When Ciaran finally returned her attention to him, he gave her a taste of her own medicine. Ciaran blinked a few times as the water soaked her mane and dripped down her carapace. Frost laughed and mimicked her reaction.

Ciaran raised an eyebrow and inched closer to Frost, making him cease his laughter. Her eyes shot open as wide as they could while two violet rings exploded from her irises and rippled out to the circumference. The effect was instantaneous, Frost’s eyes immediately followed and turned into bright violet orbs. The ping in his mind happened so fast he had no idea what happened. He now stared open mouthed at Ciaran, who was only a few paces away.

The changeling princess let out a sigh and looked around Frost to her image in the mirror. Her mane was tangled and dripping all over the floor. “It took me forever to brush this.” Ciaran watched Frost’s expression and chuckled, “You’re lucky you’ve really started to grow on me.”

Ciaran picked him up and hovered over to her bed. She sat him down and propped up a pillow behind his head. He’d be encountering her magic taken form once again. What had he called it? ‘Melody?’ He was doing a good enough job resisting her less powerful hypnosis, maybe he’d fare better with her? Ciaran brushed some of his mane out of his eyes and whispered into his ear. “Good luck, Frosty. You’re gonna need it.”

----------------

Frost opened his eyes and found himself on a beach. It was similar to the one on Pythia, if not exactly the same. He could see the cottage far off in the distance, and the edge of the island to the other side. Toward the horizon the main isles could seen, it was quite the view.

As the waves gently lapped at the shore, Frost saw a pink pony rise from the water and shake her vibrant mane from side to side. She ran a hoof through it and spotted Frost on the beach. His heart fluttered when she noticed him.

Frost sat down as she trotted out of the water and skipped over to him.

“Frosty! It’s so good to see you again! Oh we’re going to have so much fun together!”

Frost smiled as the pink mare sat down next to him and gave him a gentle kiss. “You’re Melody,” he said with a lovesick smile.

“You remembered!” she squeaked, “Oh you’re so sweet! What do you want to do today, Frost? I live to please you.”

Frost thought for a moment, then something crept into his mind. Something wasn’t quite right. There was something about this mare that was bothering him. It was what she said, no mare he knew existed to serve him. That was crazy.

He felt her rubbing a hoof against his chest and looked up into her beautiful violet eyes. She leaned in to kiss him again, it was bliss. But he had to ask her some questions.

Frost pushed her back and smiled. Melody resisted at first, but then sat back and ran a hoof through her mane. “Something wrong, Frosty?”

“Melody, why are you doing this?” Frost asked.

Melody looked hurt, she put a hoof to her chest for dramatic effect, “Why? Because I love you, Frosty! Isn’t it obvious? Isn’t that enough?”

“No, it isn’t enough...” Frost trailed off. Part of him was screaming inside, shouting that he was an idiot to question this gorgeous mare. That he was lucky she even noticed him, let alone spoke to him.

And that’s just it Frost thought.

Melody slid closer to him and pulled his head into her chest, “What’s the matter Frosty? Tell me and I can make it all better, I promise.”

Frost sighed and wrapped his hooves around her, she was so warm and soft. Her steady heartbeat threatened to lull him to slumber, but Frost snapped out of his stupor yet again. He shook his head and pushed her away.

Melody rubbed her shoulder with a hoof. Her ears fell flat and she lowered her head to the sand. “I’m not good enough, am I? I’m not enough to make you happy. You don’t love me.”

Frost’s mind raced with reasons and things to say to console Melody. He rushed to her side and cupped her face in his hooves. Before he knew what was happening, their tongues were dancing together and he was on top of her. When her eyes flashed violet, Frost knew something was definitely wrong. He seemed to remember something similar happening during their last encounter.

He got up and rubbed his eyes, “Let’s just stop for a minute.”

Melody let out a tired sigh and got up as well, “Alright, Frosty. You think we’re going to fast?”

“I don’t know what to think, it’s so hard to think right now, that’s part of the problem.”

“Thinking is overrated,” Melody said with a giggle. “Why think when I can just make you feel good?”

Frost crossed his hooves and sat on his haunches, “I have some questions that I’d like you to answer.”

Melody rolled her eyes and laid down on the sand, making sure to display her curves in full view to Frost. “If it’ll ease your mind so we can go back to kissing, fine.”

“Where am I?” Frost asked.

Melody looked around and yawned, “A dream, I’d assume. Your dream.”

“Why am I dreaming this?”

“I don’t know. You’re a colt at the age where you might be dreaming of a mare such a myself?” Melody said with a sly smile and wink, then flashed her glowing eyes again.

Frost rubbed his head and continued, “Why are you here?”

“To make you happy, I keep telling you this, if you’d just let me-”

“Why me?” Frost asked, pressing the question.

“Because I love you, I-”

“What are you?”

“I’m your friend, Frosty. I just want-”

“None of this makes sense, I've never even met you before last time.”

“I’m your friend, I love you, I’m beautiful, and I'm all you need.” Melody said as she got up and began walking toward Frost.

Frost smiled as Melody crept toward him. Solid purple rings fixed themselves around his eyes, making him feel perfectly at ease. Even so, part of him resisted, and that was the part that Melody wished to squash.

However, as Melody approached him, something was off. The air became cooler the closer she got, to the point that it was almost frigid. She shivered and looked around, trying to find out what was happening. She looked at Frost, who was mostly under her control. His compulsion was at the level that he had trouble doing anything without first being instructed by her. His eyes radiated a faint violet glow, and he smiled at her.

Whatever was happening he wasn't responsible. The climate and atmosphere weren’t changing. It was still a picturesque beach in the tropics. Melody returned her attention to Frost then stopped. Something was standing behind him, something that she failed to notice before. The air rippled and shimmered, like the dream itself was being broken open from another space. The fabric was wrinkling and turning in on itself.

It was difficult to make out, surrounded by an ethereal fog. That combined with the rippling made it almost seem like a ghost. Then as Frost slowly began to move, the intruder moved as well. Melody finally got a good enough look at it. It was equine in shape, very tall and lanky, with almost no meat or muscle to be found. It was focussed on Frost, and reached out a hoof to stop him from collapsing under Melody’s powers. That was when it first took notice of her.

Vibrant blue eyes like crystals fixed themselves on Melody. For the first time in years, Melody felt genuine fear. Whatever this thing was it held power equal to or greater than her own, and she had a feeling her powers of compulsion would have little effect on it. Realizing the danger that Frost could be in, she quickly opened her forehooves and pulled Frost away. He fell neatly into her embrace as she watched the creature react. It was slow, very slow, but it began moving toward them. With each step the air grew more frigid.

Melody conjured her wispy wings and took off in a flash, flying as fast as she could. She looked behind to see the creature trotting after her. It appeared as though it wasn't able to catch them, and was struggling to even keep up. Melody flew into an abandoned village and cloned herself and Frost, sending it off in another direction as a distraction.

As the clone left, she felt the air chill as the creature trotted through the village and in the direction following her clone. Melody found herself clutching Frost tightly, allowing his warmth to flow into her. It wasn't working very well.

Frost overcame some of her compulsion enough to regain awareness and observe where he was. He looked up at Melody from her lap and nuzzled her, “Melody, why are you shivering?”