Deep Freeze [Attn: Ice Storm and Steel]

[Skycoaster]

Six months had passed since Blizzard Blitz has last set hoof in the grand city of Canterlot. Tapping his saddlebag he would let out a sigh. "Well, time to return you," he would say aloud to the magic books. "Hopefully, nopony will have noticed that you where on a vacation from that dusty old shelf to the Frozen North." Chuckling softly to himself, the icy unicorn would wait until nightfall to approach the imposing structure. Looking up at the moon, he would sigh before carefully making his way to a seldom used side entrance Being the son of a teacher from the School of Gifted Unicorns still had it's advantages; Blizzard would swipe a library card and the door would unlock. He would let out a sigh of relief as he entered the closed library. 

 

Taking a few steps, the unicorn would stop. "Somepony must be working late..." he said to himself as he took note of the few still lit desk lights. Keeping to the edge of the shelves and staying in the shadows as much as possible he would eventually make his way to the gate of the 'Advanced' section. Swiping his mother's library card, the gate would slowly swing open and he let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks mom...." he would say under his breath.

[IceStorm]

 

 

Ahh Canterlot. It had been a long while since she had been back here. What had been planned to be a vacation to Las Pegasus to be ready for the grand opening of her casino and to make sure all the other operations started as planned turned into a near permanent residency. She'd sent a letter back to Canterlot informing the pony that she had hired to help run the store in her absence that the store was now hers, at least for her to run and operation. Ice made it clear that she still owned the franchise but that the pony would be the one in charge of it. It still saw a decent amount of profits, though due to the nature of what was still in the establishment she couldn't allow the pony to take up residency in it like she had. It still held some classified information in it in regards to some of their early missions for STAR, and a lot of her old EPIC informative sources.

 

As it was now, she was actually on patrol for the evening, and her armor glinted in the moonlight. The Lunar Guard may not be a thing anymore since they were absorbed into the Twilight Guard, but being the Lunar Commander of STAR gave her plenty of leniency when it came to things like that. All she really had to do at that point was claim that she was working on a classified doctrine, and that would be that. It wasn't technically a lie either. A nightly patrol as such was a good way to gather information from the ponies that would be more likely to talk about things. After all, Canterlot was just as bad as any of the other major cities for drunks, and well lubricated lips spoke more freely.

 

Something caught her attention when she was passing by the Canterlot Library. The first being that there were lights on. More than normal in a place that was supposed to be closed. She also heard the click of something around the side, and another click and a squeak as she heard what sounded like a side door opening. She quietly made her way around the side and saw that the door had been left ajar. She pushed it in and began to make her way into the library. At first it seemed like nothing was amiss. She noted that some of the desk lights were still on, which was probably the extra lighting that she saw from the outside. Apparently there was somepony here doing some after hours studying, or they simply forgot to turn the lights off before whomever it was left.

 

She continued to move a bit further into the library thought. With the door the way it was, there was definitely somepony here, and she was going to find them. A brief scan of the area she spotted a shadow moving around a corner. She knew what was in that direction. She'd been in that part of the library many times, and had... learned a few spells from that section for her... own personal use with Raven. Some things that they might find fun and some things that would be essential if they wanted to start a family. After all, it was Celestia that told her where to find those books. Regardless... somepony sneaking into the advanced section after hours... didn't usually bode well for anyone. Especially somepony that could potentially have enough magic to utilize the different effects that were there. If fact, she herself was the very kind of pony that she would be worried about sneaking into a place like his.

 

She moved a bit quicker now, but still as silently as she could with her armor. She didn't want to call out to the pony and risk creating a scene here in the Library. Some of this stuff would be irreplaceable if that happened and she didn't want that kind of burden. Plus there's no reason to escalate a scene if it could be avoided. Plus most of everything in the Advanced section is protected by enchantments and that section itself is warded from the rest of the library to prevent accidents from getting out into the rest of the library or Canterlot in General. That was the last thing that anypony here needed. Unlike Ponyville, Canterlot wasn't ground based. She honestly wasn't sure how much more of a beating this city could take before they would need to do something about the supports on the mountain. Ice Storm had her own thoughts on that, but that would be a discussion for Twilight later.

 

As it was, she could make out a unicorn, very similar in color to her. Based on his stalkier build she could presume that he was a male. He swiped a card, and the warded gates to the advanced magics section opened. Ice Storm Remained a good bit behind him and would push forward through the gate well after he would. Once they were inside and the gate had be resealed to reactivate the wards, then, and only then, she would confront him.

[Skycoaster]

Blizzard would levitate the books he had 'borrowed' on his last visit to Canterlot from his saddlebags back onto the dusty shelves they had been taken. Sighing, he would look around the section for any new addition that might catch his eye. He would mumble to himself as he read some of the titles aloud. He would smirk as he found a new title that seemed interesting to him. His horn would glow as he added it to his saddle bag. A few more moments of silently browsing would pass before he found another book. This one was covered in a thick layer of dust. As Blizzard levitated it off the shelf, it was clear that he knew how to access the enchanted books.

 

As he placed the book in his bag, he froze in place as he heard a clank behind him. His ear would twitch as his eyes narrowed. All these years of 'After Hours' checkouts, how could he have been so careless.... "15 years of doing this and now I make a mistake?" he said under his breath. Slowly he would turn around to see what appeared to be an armored unicorn mare. "Sassafras," he would say as he looked her over. "I don't take it your the new librarian," he said with a bit of nervous humor. "Now, if you'll excuse me...I'll be out of your hooves." Blizzard would take a few steps forward into the light allowing his new 'acquaintance' to see him. 

[IceStorm]

~~~Ice Storm~~~

 

 

 

Ice Storm moved into position and the clicking of the gate relatching seemed to alert the intruder of her presence. Good, that saved her the trouble of having to announce herself. He had returned a book from his saddle bag up to the top shelf before pulling out another one. It seemed odd to her. He obviously had access to this part of the library or he wouldn't have the card to get back here. why then, did he have all the secrecy? It didn't make any sense to her unless he had something that he was trying to hide. Was he an agent of some sort? No, the first comment out of his mouth didn't lean that way.

 

When he turned and faced her she wasn't surprised to hear a swear come out as he was now looking directly upon her. "No, I'm not," she said to his obviously rhetorical question of whether or not she was the new librarian. IT was also quite clear that she was not amused. As soon as he said if she would excuse him and took a few steps she lifted her hind leg and with a small flicker of aura from her horn, the gate was frozen solid. She could also now get a full view of whom she was dealing with. If his mane, tail, and cutie mark were anything to go by, he was an ice mage as well. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at how over the top he went with it to actually keep ice in them. Woefully inefficient,  She wasn't sure what his intentions were, but snooping around after dark can't be anything good. "You're not going anywhere until you tell me who you are, and why you're here... and you're sure as Tartartus not going anywhere with that book," she said, her spheres at this point undocking from her amulet and began orbiting her.

[Skycoaster]

The unicorn's eyes would narrow as he slowly took a few steps back as he ran through a few scenarios in his head. "I'm just a nopony..." he would say as he looked her up and down. "A nopony who prefers to travel at night....and one who was authorized to have access to the advanced magics section long ago." Blizzard would try to hide a small smirk as he continued. "I'm sure you remember that library cards where linked to our unique aura so that if one where to be say lost it, it could not be misused." In the back of his mind, he could not help but think this mare had some sort of lie detector spell cast as well. She seemed to be the type to go overboard. He was telling the truth though. His card had been authorized to enter that section due to his mother's position at the School for Gifted Unicorns.

 

"Now then, as for why I'm here....I had to return a few books that where a few....months overdue and didn't want to pay the fine. I figured if they showed up on the shelf on their own they'd chalk it up to a restocking error. Also, I just had to read the unamended version of Volume Four of Starswirl's Spells and Incantations. It seems the retail version keeps getting more and more taken out with each printing." Blizzard would sit down and try to judge her response, hoping that she'd at least put the round things away. Opening the book, he would begin reading it. He’d look up to her. “Well, you did say I wouldn’t be leaving with it....Better get those missing chapters in now....”

[IceStorm]

~~~Ice Storm~~~

 

 

 

Ice raised an eyebrow as he answered who the was. The fact that he chose to remain cryptic told her that very little about him was to be trusted. At the very least though, he was on point with the procedures to be able to gain access to this section of the library. She herself had gone through them so it at least confirmed that he wasn't being completely dishonest. At the very least he was trying to make himself a bit better. The squinted narrowed eyes made it clear she had agitated him, which didn't bother her in the slightest. In fact her own eyes narrowed in response as she mentally prepared herself to apprehend him if he tried to run from her. 

 

When he mentioned the reason for the late night visit, get demeanor shifted with an eye roll that would make twilight blush. "So let me get this straight... You broke into the Canterlot Library.... After hours... Because you didn't want to pay a late fee!?" She asked, perhaps with w but more inflection than she intended in a very obvious 'are you kidding me tone'. At this point she also redocked the spheres at this point. "Even if that's months over due as you say it is that's still only about thirty bits!" she continued. For anypony in Canterlot, at least most that would have access to this part of the library, thirty bits was pocket change for them.

 

Her biggest surprise came when he simply sat down and started looking for the chapters that had been cut. Since he said that she told him he couldn't leave with the book, her just have to read them here. She rolled her eyes once again. At the very least he had decent tastes in aetheric history. She sat back on her hindlegs and began speaking. "Seventeen, forty-eight through seventy-five, one-fourteen, one-thirty-six, and one-sixty-four," she says wondering if he'd catch on. "At least those are all the chapters that I remember that were the cuts for before the most recent one. Mostly because points either hurt themselves or others trying some of the methods that Stawswirl used." She finished.

[Skycoaster]

Blizzard would roll his eyes at her reaction to why he was there after hours. "Is it really breaking in if one has a key?" He would chuckle lightly before returning his attention to the book. A few moments would pass before a deep sigh would escape his muzzle. "I prefer to travel at night." As he paused for a few moments. "To be honest, I do it out of fear. I have spent most of my life studying advanced magics...and my past has a few skeletons that I do not wish to be brought up. You don't have to worry. they're nothing that has to do with the safety or security of Canterlot or anywhere else in Equestria for that matter. Just personal matters." By now the change in his tone was apparent. Any hint of sarcasm from earlier was gone. "I make this trip two to three times a year. I leave an ice sculpture at my mothers house so she knows I'm still alive, then I visit the library to see what, if anything is new in the world of advanced magics....then it's back home."

 

He would smile at her honesty with the missing chapters as he continued to read. "It is quite interesting though that somepony could have been injured during chapter seventeen, though I do suppose it is a gateway spell," he said with a bit of amusement.

[IceStorm]

~~~Ice Storm~~~

 

 

 

The stallion did bring up a point. He had a key so it wasn't breaking an entry, as there was no forced entry. She doubted that even Starswirl himself wouldn't be able to bypass the protective enchantments to break into this section. At least not in one visit. It would though be very much trespassing. "Breaking an entry probably not. Trespassing, definitely," she spoke hearing him chuckle a bit before saying that he traveled mostly at night, and mostly out of fear. That most of the time that he only came to Canterlot to visit the library and his mother. When he said that his pay had a few skeletons that he'd rather not being up, she nodded. "Believe me, I know that feeling more than you might realize. Party of why I am the way I am today. Er... Tonight," she laughed a bit. 

 

"The gateway spell is actually kind of tricky and it's one that is actually quite a bit out of my league, even with my advanced reservoirs of aether. The thing with the gateway, is that it works a lot like teleport, but it takes the teleport spell and the kinda bastardizes the scrying spell and moves the two of them together. It sounds simple enough but it's actually a lot more dangerous than a teleport spell because it uses exponentially more aether. Plus it's a gate. You have to be able to hold it open all the way through, otherwise well... I don't really think I need to elaborate on what would happen..." she commented. When he mentioned the trip home and became intrigued. "Which is where exactly?"

[Skycoaster]

Blizzard nodded. "It is true that most would not think to regulate their aura between two locations which in itself could be a recipe disaster. A two sided spell with no clear destination... I can only imagine how many promising upcoming mages may be floating around the void." He would finish the chapter before turning to the next 'amended' chapter. "Ah, the missing chunk." he would say with a chuckle. "These I actually have studied as they where not removed until the most recent addition. From my understanding, they where subject matter that had to be understood before a student could graduate from an Advanced Magic School, at least up until the year I entered...." His voice would quickly trail off. "Sooo, Chapter One-Thirty-Six," as he quickly paged to it. "Starswirl's own take on regulating energy expelled from a horn in all it's unedited glory..." Blizzard sighed deeply. "Such a same that all these...well they are not even spells but theories have been dumbed-down down over the generations. I often wondered as a colt what Starswirl would have thought..."

 

Looking up to Ice he would frown. "To answer your other question....I live in the Frozen north. A three hour trot from the nearest train station....An hour and a half from the nearest pony outpost...and an hour from the closest Yak settlement. I literally live in a waist land of Ice and Snow."

 

Feeling the conversation was a bit one sided, he would smirk at Ice Storm. "Judging by your armor and your knowledge of the finer points of magic as well, I can judge that you are not just simply another guard. What magic school did you study at?"

[IceStorm]

~~~Ice Storm~~~

 

 

 

"Well, that would be the case for the standard teleport spell. It's dangerous enough as you said. I had to find my own means of dispersing aether from the overflow that I created from it. Leaving behind a snow statue is an easy way of doing that. For the gateway spell though, it's a portal, so you can actually see where it comes out at. The problem is the admit of aether it actually consumes to hold open and ponies not thinking about the consequences should the portal close midtransition," Ice said in response.

 

As she continue, he noticed that most of the cuts were mostly theories that had been dummed down over the years. "Probably because the school didn't want points trying to test unproven theories and causing major damage to themselves or others. After all, it's the fact that they are still unproven is what makes them theories. Otherwise they would be included in the chapters that covers the laws of magic," she started. "Though that could always be that except for a select few, most wouldn't have the aetheric power to try and would likely kill themselves in the process. I'm sure there's not a unicorn in existence that doesn't know what Aetheric Fatigue is," she finished as the stallion asked about her, noting that she wasn't a normal guard.

 

"You would be correct. However, as you've been so inclined to not give me your name, I'm afraid that my own name, rank, and branch of service is classified. I can stay that before the Lunar Guard was absorbed into the Twilight Guard, I was one of Princess Luna's personal guards. That about the most that I'm allowed to disclose right now. Equestrian Security and all," she started. "As far as where I studied, I studied right here in Canterlot at the school of gifted unicorns and graduated with a full masters in the creation and manipulation of ice. Before I turned military, I was a simple shop owner. I sold ice cream and snow cones. Can thank a massive invasion that cost the lives of hundreds for why I am the way I am now. As it stands, I stand at the ready to defend Equestria from all threats that threatens her. Even the ones that threaten her from the inside. I've already started dismantling the corruption in the nobles circle." she commented before making a small ice cube and popping it in her mouth for a drink. 

[Skycoaster]

Blizzard nodded in agreement with most of what Ice said. “That is true, though I guess I just come from a slightly earlier age, where there was a higher risk to reward ratio,” he would say with a slight chuckle.

 

The unicorn would nod. He had heard of both Twilight and Luna but hand chosen not to stay up to date on pony politics. When Ice Storm mentioned her schooling, Blizzard’s eyes would roll  as he let out a heavy sigh. His face showing frustration and almost a bit of anger which he quickly suppressed. “Well, that's and new degree...” As he carefully close closed the book, hiding his frustration before levitate it back onto the shelf. “I wonder how many years after I graduated did they decide to add that major?” He said with a bit of venom in his voice. His breathing grew heavier as he though back to his foalhood at the School for Gifted Unicorns. He had worked his flank off to graduate top in his class, even with the second rate classes he was given. All that time spent in the Library. All that time practicing spells while his mother busy with lessons....while he could have been off enjoying his youth...all for what? To graduate top of his class, be given a General Magics Degree and be sent on his merry way with a good luck. Blizzard tried to force a smile. "I suppose then that we are both graduates and top achievers of Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns..." A look of sudden regret filled his face as he remembered the  portraits in ‘Valedictorian Hall’...if his still hung in a place of honor.

 

Standing up, Blizzard look the mare square in the eye, “Well, tonight has been... eventful, and I have a lot of transcribing to do. So then,” as his eyes narrowed once more. “Am I being detained?”

 

 

[SteelEagle]

                                                                                                           


If there was one benefit to being Princess that Twilight was scarcely happier about, it was that she was able to create the sort of magical informational exchange that would have been little more than fantasy a decade previous. There had always been some work to be found in the Canterlot Archives ad library regarding magic from outside of Equestria but they were rarely of note. Often times they were interesting but were rather basic, or were the equivalent of fringe works tat authorities abroad didn't really care whether or not Equestrian researchers spent their time on. She wasn't much of a fan of the concept that there was knowledge that Equestria, and its Princess, couldn't get a handle on. 

 

So she had opened the Equestrian Knowledge Exchange, sharing magical theories and knowledge among Equestria and her allies. The return had been wonderful. Unyasan alchemic works that were so far more intricate and powerful than what had existed in Equestrian research circles before. Neighponese Magitech was one of the most interesting topics of study in the world and finally you could learn something without having to travel there to learn about it. Long Guo mysticism, the mysteries of Polyneighsia, a thousand other topics poorly covered over time but now opened up for wider study in Equeestria. It was a great time to be a scholar and a greater time to be a Scholar-Princess, since she often got sent personal copies of some of the rarest or more important works on the subjects from friends she had made among the leaders of many nations.

 

The only flaw is that she could certainly use a little more time than she was normally afforded. Luckily, there were fewer desires on her time at the witching hour so she found herself on many a night at the library for the School for Gifted Unicorns. She could rely on some peace and quiet-You're not going anywhere until you tell me who you are - that would allow her the time she needed to- ...literally live in a waist land of Ice and Snow- fully delight in the great works of magical art- As it stands, I stand at the ready to defend Equestria from all threats that threatens her -. 
She sighed. The library was supposed to be closed. Her horn lit up and an invisible wave of aetheric detection. It came back within a moment or two- she could easily see that her friend Ice Storm was one of them likely as a guard. And she had...blocked off the entrance? No sign of combat magic in use and not fighting the other aetheric signature. That was good. She'd hate to ruin the reading materials of the students of this school. Still, something was weird. Ice Storm wouldn't just ice up a entryway for no reason and the other aetheric signature was definitely powerful and unknown to her.

 

She closed the book she was reading and her horn lit again. This time, she rewrote the rules of reality, deciding that it was better if Ice Storm and this other fellow were close to her rather than so very far away. They would find themselves seamlessly teleported to a deep, cordoned off area of the library. The Princess would be seated at a long table with a pile of books and some tea, a single gem in the skylight amplifying the moonlight to allow for reading. "It may not be library hours but I think it would be wise to make considerably less noise than you are now. Pleasure seeing you Ice- and who might you be?" She asked, her voice firmly entrenched in curiosity rather than any real anger.

[IceStorm]

~~~Ice Storm~~~

 

 

Ice Storm listened as the unicorn mentioned the previous age of magic where there was a higher risk to reward ratio than what there was now. She wouldn't go that far to say that the risks weren't there anymore, as she'd experienced them first hoof. However, most ponies do everything they can to avoid taking risks period. It was one of the biggest flaws of modern Equestrian Society. Everypony was complacent and that's how everything got to how it was. Instead of challenging the wrong doings of others they simply came to accept it as the new norm. Ponies like her were usually snuffed out quietly in the night because they poked around too much. She herself though, had put herself in a hoofhold where they couldn't really do much without raising a lot of red flags and her own disappearance at this point, because of the power that she has and what she has in hiding. Then a thought came to her mind about the Gateway spell and then thought of the ship that was still in the Ravine. "That's it..." she said to herself under her breath. She made a mental note to come back here during the normal hours of the library and grab that book to read more on the spell and find out what she could about it before attempting such a thing. She would likely need multiple ponies for it to work with the size that she needs and for how long it is going to be open, but in theory... she could make it work... and if she could enchant a gate with it.... and connect it to an aether core... it could be auto activating when they needed it to be! It was brilliant!!

 

She could definitely tell that the mood of the unicorn that was in the room had goon south when she mentioned her degree and said that it was new and wondered how many years after he graduated they decided to add a degree like that. Technically her degree was a masters for Elemental magics with a specialization in ice, but saying that she had a masters degree in ice magic just sounded better. It was the same thing with less words. She noticed that he stood up after that and was still quite upset asking if he was being detained and that he still had a lot of transcribing to do. Her horn had just lit up to cancel the ice wall that was blocking the entrance to the advanced section, but before she could tell him that he was free to leave she suddenly poofed. Considering that she was teleported and she hadn't been aware enough to use her dispersion technique, she was quite woozy for a few minutes as she tried to regain her bearings.

 

The voice that she heard was unmistakeable. It was that of Twilight's and she told them that even though the library was after hours it would be wise of them to make considerably less noise. Ice finally was able to shake her head and regain the ability to see straight and realized that the other unicorn had been teleported with her to where Twilight was. The room itself was dark, except for the moon and a gem that amplified the moonlight where Twilight was sitting, likely to enhance her ability to read whatever book she had at the moment. She instantly recognized Ice herself and also inquired about the other stallion. "Was a question that I also didn't get an answer to. I caught this one sneaking in through the back door after hours so that he wouldn't have to pay the late fee for the book that he rented several months ago. He would not however provide any identification as to who he was other than the fact that he's from the Frozen North," Ice Storm debriefed giving Princess Twilight all the information that she had up to this point and awaited further responses. After all, she never did make any sort of promise that she wouldn't be turning such actions into the higher authorities, which in her case, was either Twilight or another guard captain.

[Skycoaster]

Blizzard gave the mare an nod and began to take a few steps forward before he found himself transported elsewhere in the library. Blinking a few times, his eyes would finally acclimate to the light in the room. Looking around, he noticed that the icy mare had also been transported to the room as well. Judging by her teleportation sickness, he could discern that it wasn't her who cast the spell. Looking around the room, he would notice a mare sitting at the end of a long table. He could make out the outline of...of an alicorn? Looking up the ceiling he would exhale. "Princess," he would say with a somewhat nonchalant bow. "If I may," as he pointed to a nearby seat before sitting down and taking note of how close the two where.

 

His mind raced, though he hid it well, as he began to contemplate different scenarios. He didn't want to get on the bad side of an alicron. Sighing deeply, he would answer the question. "Blizzard. Blizzard Blitz is my name," as he would lean back in the chair. "And I was here to return a few borrowed book and possibly check out a few more. It's such a shame that the advanced section gets so little use anymore. Starswirl's Spells and Incantations Volume Four had quite a layer of dust on it." Leaning forward a bit, he would try to make out the spines on the books that the princess had with her. "Is that a book on Kirin energies?" He was generally intrigued as he also hoped to change the subject. The last thing he needed was somepony remembering who he was the son of...

[SteelEagle]

                                                                                              

Twilight could always count on Ice Storm. She was a powerful unicorn in her own right, not even taking into account her unique gear. She was very well trained and deeply loyal to Equestria, willing to go to the full measure of duty in its honor. Sometimes she could take things a little far. Her sense of duty and right and wrong were both so well reinforced with experience that there was an issue of dialing her response to be appropriate to the level of threat she was dealing with. In this case, sneaking into and out of the library was not in and of itself worthy of using magic to seal the exit. Nor was her stance, suggesting a tilt up in her possible aggression, truly warranted. Still, her instincts were always quite good so Twilight wasn't about to suggest a failure of response just yet. There was mystery yet to be fully unraveled.

 

And that would come in the form of Blizzard Blitz, a stallion who seemed relatively nonplussed to have been teleported into focus by a Princess. She wasn't sure what to make of him just yet. He was certainly powerful. She could sense that. She could also sense that there was an innate coldness to his body, as if he had adapted to an environment. An arctic one. It would certainly trail with the rest of his look. And being an ice mage- it didn't take a genius to put that together- would aid in that without a doubt. A few enchantments, a few spells, a few incantations and potions- many solutions to living...alone, she'd guess, up in the north. He wasn't a Crystal Pony. The Empire had started a register of powerful magic users, especially those with talents that could help the weather of the Empire. His name wasn't on that list. 

 

"Oh, this?" She responded, tapping her book gently. "It is. Though it is a new one- far superior to anything we have had before. After I read it I plan on unveiling it as part of our Foreign Biology section," she said as she beckoned him over, her horn lighting up as she turned the page. She couldn't help but nerd out!

*********
 

There was a tap on Ice Storm's left shoulder, except the hoof never left. It was paralyzing for a moment, and then Ice Storm would feel a small pull. She was separated- an aetheral projection of her from her physical body, both of them completely invisible to the naked eye. The moment passed as nothing more than a chill to Ice Storm physically, though she was aware of what happened and who was doing it. Standing next to her was an aetheric projection of Princess Sparkle.

 

"Ice Storm, I've used an Aetheric Doubling on us. You and I both understand that something is up with him. He is clearly from the Frozen North, yet is not from any registry that the Empire has. This means he is either a rogue or he is an Equestrian, but there is no reason for a pony to live in the Badlands of the Frozen North and travel to Canterlot seeking out powerful magic books unless something strange is ahoof," she said as he looked at him with concern. "We will exist for another ten minutes. Anything we discover will be transferred to our material forms when we cease. I don't think he is here for no reason, or something as simple as a single book," she turned to face her aetheric guard. Invisible to the naked eye and also with aetheric muting to hide themselves, they were as safe as they could hope to be. 

 

"We will check the Records Office of the School for Gifted Unicorns. It is our best lead."

*********
 

"...which of course means when their aetheriumlum is activated in a state of anger, rapidly producing Ignisium Hormona, the aetheriumlum imbuscus undergoes a process called tempestas ruina. It can't sustain itself- the Ignisium Hormona and its resultant chemical reaction causes severe structural and chemical imbalances, and the aetheriumlum probasca actively starts rearranging the chemical formulation of Ignisium Hormona to instead produce Frigus Hormona. The famous Stream of Silence interacts with the aetheriumlum probasca in such a way that it is in a state of constant production of Frigus Hormona. They don't know why yet! A research expedition is being launched to study how the aetheral fault line- or really, the lack of one nearby- could be involved. It should be really exciting!"

[IceStorm]

~~~Ice Storm~~~

 

 

Upon hearing the name, Ice Storm tried to recall any information that she might have known about it. Unfortunately, that wasn't much for her. In fact, she hadn't remembered hearing anything about that name at all until now. The fact that he was in the Frozen North was an indication that he didn't want to be found. Whether it was because he just didn't like the company of others, or because he was plotting something more, was yet to be determined. As it was, she wasn't really sure what to think about what was going on. All she really knew was there was a powerful unicorn that she caught wandering around a restricted section of the library after hours. As it was, Twilight seemed keen on entertaining his conversation. Or so she thought until she felt a tap at her shoulder and felt herself get pulled away from her body.

 

Once again when this happens, not expecting it she felt a tad bit woozy. She had more than enough Aether for the Aetheric Doubling, but just like with teleporting she'd have to center herself first with a conduit. Not to mention it was a spell that was beyond her anyway. She knew of the spell that Twilight had cast, and she probably had to power to cast it herself if she were able to convert some of the displacement to ice like she had teleport. But she already had her primary method of stealth hidden in her amulet. After all, it was a lot easier and gave her more plausible deniability if the only creature around was a dragon with no ponies in sight. Thinking to herself she probably should have switched to that persona, but then that would have opened up more issues than not. She wouldn't have been able to follow Blizzard into the advanced section if the gate had closed behind him. While she still would have had her pass, it would have defeated the point of the disguise itself. What's the point of becoming Frostbite if you're going to leave a trail that leads right back to herself? That would be a sloppy rookie mistake to make. The number one rule of subterfuge was to make sure all trails were cold.

 

***

 

Speaking of cold, it took a lot for Ice Storm to feel so much as a shiver of cold. Her affinity for ice magic to the point to where she, like Blizzard, could stay in the frozen north and be perfectly fine. In fact she'd likely starve to death from lack of food before the cold would affect her at all. As it was though, she felt that cold shiver go down her spine as the magic infused with her and she heard Twilight start talking to her. Apparently she also had some concerns about Blizzard and also felt that there was more to his story than what he was letting on. "I agree. Honestly I didn't think anypony other than myself could survive in the badlands of the Frozen North. That was the primary reason I didn't put a STAR base there," she said to Twilight. "That was also why I blocked off the exit of the advanced section because he made it clear that he was just going to try to walk past me otherwise, and I wasn't going to let him leave with any of the books that were here. Obviously he's powerful because he had access to the advanced section to begin with. That in of itself is cause for alarm and warrants anyone dealing with him to be on high alert for anything," she added as Twilight suggested checking the Records office, nodding in reply as she followed her.

 

***

 

The look on Ice's face as Twilight began to indulge the conversation with some of the more scientific terminology for all of the different magics and chemicals that went into the kirin reactions and how they turned into the Nirik. Ice simply rolled her eyes and leaned back a bit and just listened. It was clear that they would end up being here for a while. At the very least, learning about Kirin magic was something on her list of things she needed to do anyways. After all, you can't defend Equestria properly if you don't understand how everything works.

[Skycoaster]

Blizzard grinned at the princess. His intrigue was genuinely peaked as he quickly trotted over to Twilight. The air around his body was much cooler then the rest of the room and the ice in his coat and mane would give off an occasional shimmer as he approached.  "That is very interesting. I've often wondered if perhaps a pony's own aetheric could in theory, be similar to a Kirin's energy. If a spell was cast in such anger, such  rage, such emotion, that it would change the pony's own aetheric signature and perhaps even alter their physical appearance as well." He would chuckle. "Though for that theory to be even more then just a wild tangent, the spell caster would have to have immense magical reserve-like an alicorn."

 

The stallion would sit back down though in a chair much closer to Twilight and...Ice Storm is what what he believed the princess called her. He still had a nagging feeling in the back of his mind that this mare did not like him. He felt he could trust the young Alicron though. He would lean back in the chair with a slight smirk. "You all must think I'm mad, but as I assured your guard princess, I do not mean harm to the safety or security of Equestria. Now then, If I may ask," he would say with a pause. His horn would faintly glow as a small piece of ice would appear on the table. Within moments it would grow into an icy mug. "That tea smells wonderful. I don't suppose you would be willing to share a cup?" His facial expression would quickly change to one of embarrassment. Did he really just ask a princess to give him some of her tea? "Sorry I was so blunt. It's just that I've been use to years of drinking REA surplus tea and yak coffee..." He would rest his head on his hoof and shake his head. "Well, I suppose we may have created a midnight book club," as he laughed nervously, glancing up from his embarrassment at the ice mare across the table. Something felt off to the stallion. Was it his nerves. stomach, or perhaps something else....

 

 

 

 

[SteelEagle]

                                                                                           


"Agreed," Twilight said as she led Ice Storm. As aetheric doubles, the bounds of the physical dimension were not capable of holding them and she trotted through walls and rooms towards the record office. In little time they found themselves there. Once in, Twilight's form took a more corporeal form. Twilight's horn lit up and a series of books appeared before her. "These are the enrollees of Celestia's school. We will find him and then we will cross-reference those years with any expeditions or journeys to the far north. We should be able to understand who he is, what he has done, and what his agenda might be."

***************************
 

One of the pertinent questions that could be asked was how the emotions of a unicorn could be compared to the development of the kirin. Not a bad question at all, considering the circumstances and Equestrian experience with dark magic! He was educated on the subject. Not a shock considering his schooling and demeanor, but always pleasant to know.
"In a sense, yes. Dark Magic such as the type used by Sombra- it is known as the Umbrum Aetheric. It can only be accessed by magic users who are casting certain types of magic when triggered by certain emotions and desires. Of course, the way a pony interacts with the aether is substantially different from the way a Kirin does. Namely, the Kirin's magical transformation and abilities exist in a very isolated form. The aetheriumlum is a unique organ that manages and controls their magical output and means of expression. A pony does not have this organ," she took a sip of her tea.

 

"Instead, our auras interact with external aetheric ley lines and pull from them when we use magic through the species' various means. In the case of the Umbrum Aetheric in opposition to the aetheriumlum, the Aetheric is a malignant counter to the intended use of the ley line, which results not only in power being pulled from the ley line, but the aetheric principles altering the auric nature of the pony who did so. This becomes a self-perpetuating cycle, and it is trying to use the Umbrum Aetheric is outlawed for general use. The aetheriumlum regulates this on a hormonal level. Of course, the aetheriumlum can only promote so much from a magical angle while the ability to pull from ley lines is, theoretically, limitless..." she said, trailing off before he spoke.

 

He was emphatic that he was not a threat. She was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Not necessarily because she bought his non-threatening nature, but because it was easier to understand and empathize this way. Even a potential threat deserved compassion, and even a danger deserved fairness. And even if the worst possibilities were true, the light within would be easier to find if the darkness was edged out in ways big and small. 
"Oh, that's fine. I have a lot more where that came from!" She said with a smile. As she spoke, a small tear in reality appeared and out of it a cup held in purple came down to the table, a stream of tea from the same source until it ws filled and pushed next to him. "Ice Storm, want some?" She asked as she settled herself in. He was a strange fellow but that didn't stop her from wanting to befriend him. The more the merrier, she believed. "So, REA surplus tea and yak coffee, you say? Sounds adventurous. A lot of fun up north, I take it?"

[IceStorm]

~~~Ice Storm~~~

 

Ice was slightly taken back at first when she watched Twilight walk through the wall, forgetting for the moment that they themselves were currently incorporeal. The natural laws of physics binding the world together currently did not apply to them for what was now the next nine and a half minutes. She followed Twilight as they walked moving through room to room as they managed to come across the records room. At this point Twilight levitated over some books. She noted that these were the school's enrollees. that from these records they shoudl at least be able to determine who he is and what he could be up to. Ice Storm nodded and she started to look through some of the records, looking for any mention of the name that he had given them. As it was though, they were looking for information on one individual in a school that sees thousands of entries a year.

 

"Sounds like a good place to start. Do you have any idea when he might have attended the school? If my memory serves me correctly, the student body was organized chronologically before it's organized alphabetically. Finding out what year he registered for the school would be paramount into pointing us in the right direction. Though I suspect that there might be more than just him that we have to worry about too. As I've said before, I've done several scouts of the Frozen North trying to get a better understand of what's there because I'm one of the only ponies that can survive it. I have never seen him before so he either knew went I was planning my expeditions, or we just happened to miss each other, and I don't believe in coincidences, at least not ones like that," Ice commented looking through the catalogs that they had. She only stuck to the B's because both Blizzard and Blitz started with "Bli" so for record keeping regardless of name they should be in just about the same spot for both.

 

***

 

"Emotions and magic do however, have the potential to tie into one another in ways that make the magic itself unpredictable and often times uncontrollable. I'm sure you remember the Tantabus incident from Princess Luna. A device that she made to punish herself for what happened in the past, or going back to that very night when the darkness originally consumed her. It was that raw emotion combined with power of the darkness that allowed her hatred to manifest and consume her. The Tantabus itself was a recreation of that guilt and it nearly broke out because it was a magical creation that fed on the prospect of guilt. The most dangerous part about different emotions though, is the psychological effects of them. Most of the time, the sense of morality is what keeps magic in check. When that morality fades to a blind rage, the self inhibiting restrictors come off... and then from there what happens is up for grabs. The last time I broke down my own restraints was when the spire was falling around me. That in of itself doesn't come without drawbacks, as I couldn't cast any magic at all for a few weeks after the event.

 

I don't know anything about the Umbrum Aetheric myself, or how a magic like that, that is already based around emotions would be fueled by negative emotions, but I imagine it would be pretty close to the hatred that is felt by sombra... which I don't find miss placed in the slightest... had the roles been reversed and I found out that a princess not only knew about his pain and hurting, but openly did everything she could to make it worse I would have done the same thing that he did. Maybe not enslaved the Crystal Empire itself, but I can easily see myself eliminating her. Someone that openly and blatantly allows suffering like that is unfit to rule. That does however lead me into my last thougt on the matter. Never forget that the most dangerous spellcaster in the world is one that's cornered with nothing else to lose. You need not look no further than Tempest or Sombra for living proof of that. I don't think I needed to remind anyone that if it weren't for the Storm King betraying her we would not be standing here now having this discussion," she said plainly as Twilight offered her some tea, to which she nodded. "Sure I'll take a cup."

[Skycoaster]

Blizzard would nod to what each of them said. "Ah yes...Umbrum Aetheric," he would say with a heavy sigh. "Dark Magic. I am quite familiar with that form of magic in both theory and practice though I always believed it to be verbolten." The unicorn would say with a chuckle as he accepted the cup of tea. Nodding to the princess in appreciation, he would drop two ice cubes into it. "Have to be careful. If it's too hot, I might melt," he would smile. "Now then," as he took a sip, "It's interesting what one can discover with just a bit of information from a book here and a book there. So many interesting theories that where similar but may have been missing a piece or two." Taking another sip he would chuckle once more. "The real interesting information though can be found written in the margins of the instructor copies of the books..." Blizzards closed his eyes and sighed, hoping that they didn't pick up on his slip of tongue. There where only a few ways that somepony would have access to one of those copies...

 

The icy stallion would look over to Ice Storm, listing intently to the story of Princess Luna and the Tantabus. His time spend in the Frozen North meant that he only had heard bits and pieces of the more recent events. "That is very intriguing. Very intriguing in deed." He would lean back in the chair and take another drink of tea. "I am afraid that I am out of the loop with recent events, but the news of Moon Princess's return is kinda what started my interest in this theory. The Mare in the Moon was always my favorite ponytale as a foal. It may sound strange, though it felt like I was rooting for an underdog, if that makes sense? As for the other pony you mentioned, I don’t believe I’ve heard of them. News travels slow in the wasteland.”

 

Blizzard would finish off the cup of tea and smile to the Princess's question. "Oh yes. It's always a fun day in the Frozen North." he said with a bit of sarcasm. "Plenty of time to read and work on new spells. You'd be surprised what you can accomplish when your the only creature within an hour trot. The only real challenge is fining ways to make yak cuisine and K-rations more eatable. Other then that, it can be fairly uneventful.”

[SteelEagle]

Ice Storm chimed in. An educated mare herself, it was always pleasant to be involved with her when the subject of magic and its many varying attitudes and means came up. More than most, she understood. "Yes, but the tantabus is a different matter. It was an emotional construct given, frankly, too much awareness and ability to adapt. It has the same aetheric signature as a powerful golem, enhanced beyond reason by its connection in the dream world and Luna's investment of power into it. Luna's emotional state was connected to the Tantabus but the parameters of its creation and operation didn't necessitate Luna's emotional state remain negative to power it, since it was given enough agency to do it itself. It required a positive mental state of Luna's and her own positive aether pull to defeat, but the tantabus itself operates differently from a pony's own emotional state," she said as she popped open a book on magical constructs- a wide variety existed, not the least of which was golems. Indeed, she had been studying them closely as of late. Much different from the tantabus but they did have one element in common that intrigued her.

                                                                                                

No matter, the discussion continued!
"The main difference between your magic and its change based on emotional state and the Umbrum Aetheric is the basic facts of the magic in question," she said as she took a sip. "Take a stun bolt of magic from your horn. Your emotional state- extreme anger, protectiveness, you get the picture- may allow that bolt to become stronger as you pull more from the aether, essentially an emotional adrenaline surge allowing you to go past your basic limits the same way physical adrenaline pushes you past your physical ones. But that stun bolt can't or won't become deadly no matter how strong it becomes. Casting a spell from the Umbrum Aetheric is different. Not only does it require you to be in that negative space and cast that specific spells while within in that state. That is the largest difference between the Umbrum Aetheric- Dark Magic- and the rises and falls of magical strength and limitations based on emotion. That stun bolt will never kill. A stun bolt in the Umbrum Aetheric does not exist- it can only kill."

 

It was then that Ice Storm decided to rationalize Sombra'a actions. On a personal level it was just and good to understand what drove creatures to make the decisions they did. However, Ice was going a step further, and sympathizing a bit too much. It could be an issue. Rationalization was always the  the first step on the road to tyranny and other forms of moral foolishness. But, here and now, she wouldn't get into a debate on flawed philosophy while she was mostly worried about this new fella. He was the real
"That depends. A spellcaster with everything to lose can be just as dangerous. Extremes drive extremity and power," she said before turning the attention back to him. "How long have you lived up north, again? I'm sure you have some interesting stories to tell."

 

Twilight started to through the records rapidly aided by her magic. Soon- very soon, she arrived at what they needed. "Ahhh, here we go," she said as she opened up the page with his student history. It had some pictures, academic records, disciplinary records, class history "Oooh, okay. Yes, as expected. He was a top student- a little before my time. Even caused a snowstorm once. Powerful magic..His mother was a professor? Oh..." she thought for a second "Oh! I remember her from the logs," she read further. "This all makes sense. Come Ice, read what happened to him."

[IceStorm]

~~~Ice Storm~~~

 

 

As the conversation continued on the aetheric properties of spells emotions and corners, Ice Storm nodded. It was true about what twilight said about power and emotions to a point, but to say that a stunbolt can't kill was a tad bit off, or at least it was to Ice. Sure the bolt itself would not kill a pony, but the complications from said stun bolt might. After all, the stunned effect creates total paralysis, not stasis. That means the required bodily functions for the body to survive would be temporarily paused. If a pony were actually stunned for any decent length of time that would very much have a realistic chance of killing said pony. The very nature of magic itself was dangerous to most. She figured that at this point magic had come so easily to Twilight that she'd forgotten some of the basic lessons that were taught in this very school, the main one being, treat all magic as if it were a volatile substance, because it was.

 

Still, she herself didn't really have much else to add on the topic. The inner workings of how magic works wasn't her forte. She only knew and learned as much as she did about it because of how her own spheres worked, and how to properly utilize their potential. It did her no good to have S-plus tier of magic without the knowledge and understanding of how to control it. As it was though, she heard him talk about there not really much being in the Frozen North. She nodded to that. She herself had found something of worth up there, but she wasn't going to divulge that information to him. Though she figured that Twilight might need to know about it at this point. "Having lead a few expeditions up into the Frozen North a few times so that we can better understand what's there both terrainwise and on the wildlife spectrum I can confirm that the Frozen North is very much barren. There's a few peaks that you can find to seek refuge from the weather, but unless your a pony that has affinitized with the element of ice, or have taken a multitude of precautions, they would not survive very long," Ice Storm said herself.

 

***

 

Ice Storm herself started looking over the pages that Twilight was showing her over what happened when Blitz graduated from the school and listed the career options for him with the specialty in ice due to Cloudsdale handling all weather. Something to this day she still believed should be absolved. One because a city in the clouds over the center of the continent has no way of knowing exactly what kind of weather a city like say Baltimare, Manehatten or Seaddle would need on the coast or on the opposite sides of the continent. Secondly, the entirety of the Equestrian Weather core being in one city would over burden said city. She knew that it had all of the major factories and stuff for the weather, but she always felt that the ponies in their own region should be responsible for it's maintenance. That was another discussion for later though.

 

"Hmm, yes... I can somewhat see where the problems started to arise. Myself being an Ice Specialization I can say with absolute certainty that Skating Rink Director and Ice Cream stall are not the only two career fields an Ice mage can go down. I think I'm living proof of both the protective power and destructive power that Ice can harbor. Still, I can also relate to being an outcast in a city like this though, considering I came here as a runaway from Fillydelphia after nobility destroyed my family, and there's a lot of nobility here in Canterlot, and at the time when I was a filly, they weren't very keen on helping anyone that wasn't from Canterlot. I was actually homeless for a good bit here. Still... everything is what you make of it, and what ever path you take is the path that's chosen by you not for you. Still... this explains what happened to him.. but it doesn't explain why he's here now or what he might be up to... Could he be seeking vengeance against the college?" she asked.

[Skycoaster]

The Snowy unicorn would nod, listing to Twilight's explanation. "I see," he said raising an eyebrow, though showing disappointment in his voice. "I guess my theory was a tad off, though I was only a young colt when I made it originally." He chuckled a bit before he continued. "Who would have though so much information would come available so recently. The Mare in the Moon was still in the Moon...and nopony had seen a Kirin in a generation." Giving a sly smile, he would continue. "And you need not worry. I'd never use Umbrum magic in malice. The few times I had used it where only to test my limits...In a very isolated environment." Blizzard exhaled deeply and closed his eyes for a moment. Did he really just admit to using Dark Magic to a Princess of Equestria? Oh well, it was snow under the bridge. What was that old saying? It was better to seek forgiveness then ask for permission?

 

Looking to Twilight he would put a hoof to his chin. "It has been quite a few moons. It was after a graduated from this fine establishment. I took a job as a guide up into that barren place." He would stroke his goatee as be began to remissness. "My last memory of this school actually was graduation day...The first in ages that Celestia herself had missed-something about trouble with her protege...Sunrise Shine or something like that...my memory kinda blocked that out."

 

Blizzard looked to Ice as he nodded. "The further you go north, the more dangerous it becomes. The expedition I was part of to locate the Crystal Empire, or any trace of it had failed because of this." Smiling to Ice Storm he would continue. "I've always had a lower body temperature then most..Something that you and I share I believe, so I was able to tolerate the cold much more then most, though even prolonged exposure for a mage of ice can have...lets call them consequences. Something needed to be done, and through a spell of my own creation, I was able to adapt myself even more. Let's just say I never will need air conditioning in the summer ever again." He would laugh. "I'm sure you don't want to hear about this failed excursion though. I'm sure both of you have more pressing issues to attend."

 

"As for my other shenanigans, other then the monthly supply trip to visit a yak I've become friends with over the years, and the rare book run...with is why I'm here currently..." He would turn to Ice Storm and give her a glare. "I've kept to myself mostly. I've dedicated my life to the study of snow and ice magic...in particular weather manipulation. It kinda runs in the family..." he laughed. "Though not in the same, appreciated way..." He quickly frowned, but tried to hide it. His mother's talent was cleaning up winter where as his...to make it. He really did not want to go down that rabbit hole. As long as the princess didn't ask any more personal questions...he'd rather not go into family history.

[SteelEagle]

                                                                                                  

It was an interesting exchange between these two. For Twilight's part she was trying to stay out of too much directness with the stallion, allowing the more aggressive Ice Storm to shape the way it flowed with Twilight acting as the softening bend of the river as a contrast. So many things he said set off alarms in her head. Not necessarily ones of threat or direct hostility, but alarm nonetheless. The spells cast and totality at times of his endeavor were impressive from a scholarly position but uniquely unsuited to even the attempt of a normal life. He had shunned such things, but that didn't mean it was the right decision. She took a sip of water as she considered his statements carefully, wondering-

*********

 

Twilight started to feel a tug on her aether. The spell was wearing off. "We will have to conduct a more thorough investigation. The Frozen North may be beyond our control, but the weather patterns and cold fronts of the area are still noted by the meterological academies in Cloudsdale. The presence of an active user of powerful ice magic will have a noticeable effect on the climate around him, especially if he has felt free to test his limits. We'll let him go for now- observe him the best we can, so we can ascertain his true power and agenda," she said as she closed her eyes. She started feeling less and less whole, then smiled. "Now this spell has its-"

 

In a moment she vanished as the aether pulled the duo back into their respect bodies in an aetheric snap.

*********
 

-Twilight had just put her cup down when her aether form returned to her. Briefly her mind was overwhelmed with information that had been gleaned from their journey as assuredly as if she had physically done so. It took a few moments for it to be categorized, and a few more for her to come to grips with it and the implications. She maintained her vaneer throughout, though she was quiet. There was a new and more terrible conundrum before them. He was clearly very powerful, and it almost as clear that he was up to something. Whether he was a direct threat to Equestria or not was unknown however, and it was that unknown that made the decision-making difficult.

 

It would easy to simple detain him if he presented himself as a clear threat. However, since he did not, it was morally wrong to hold him against his will. The true agenda he had would need to be better understood, but they couldn't do that here. He would need his freedom, and they would need to observe him. Maybe he was more an ally than enemy. Maybe he was a lost soul whose path could be corrected. Or maybe he would truly reveal himself as an enemy and thy would need to confront him. No matter what the case turned out to be, the answer for now was clear.

 

A stamp wet with liquid popped next to her, splattering her slightly with its ink. She took the book he had wanted to check out in her magic and pulled it over. She opened it, saw the little check out chad, and stamped it before the stamp itself popped back out. "See? Now you're using this library's resources properly," she said with a laugh. "I understand that you may not want to come here during the day, and that's okay. You are certainly a very unique pony and this library is open to you. But, when you do make your trips, please do not try to sneak in or otherwise cause alarm. Contact Ice Storm, or even myself. A journey in the world of magical knowledge is always more beneficial together than alone," she said with a smile as the book was pushed back to him. "Friends can make any path easier to travel."

[IceStorm]

~~~Ice Storm~~~

 

 

Ice Storm nodded to Princess Twilight as she commented about the weather patterns in the Frozen North. That while they couldn't control the weather there, that many meteorologist have mapped out the weather patterns in the area and monitored cold fronts and other sorts of movement in the north. An Ice mage could easily have a noticeable impact on the climate around him. "Indeed. I know first hoof that we can. I've personally done so on my expeditions. Of course that makes one of my operative missions even more important now. We will have to discuss that when we have more time though. There is something in the Frozen North of note and I've been trying to get it sealed before it can become a problem. Thankfully it's in the most extreme northern part of the north, and not easily accessible. As far as what it is... like I said, I'll tell you in the privacy of your throne," she spoke.

 

***

 

Twilight was then about to say something about the spell before she was cut off, and she presumed that it was ending. That was in fact what was happening and it took Ice Storm everything she had to not shake her head to regain her bearings. That would make it look suspicious and she wasn't sure if she could come up with a... that's it! "Yaachoo!" using that opportunity she was able to shake the remnants of the spell off and regain her focus on the conversation at hoof. "Bleh, sorry," she spoke. Of course, there really wasn't a whole lot that she could at do things like this. At least not without divulging more information to this unicorn than she would like to. He doesn't need to know just how far north she had been.

 

When she heard Blizzard comment about not needing AC in summer again she shook her head. "Actually you'd be very, very surprised. Being an Ice mage myself and one that is almost one with the element of ice entirely. I can be the first to tell you that summers are even more brutal the stronger you get. Because your average body temperature has dropped so low, it's made you even more susceptible to flame and heat. I personally must seek the shelter of my casino or other establishments during the hot summer months or utilize my magic to keep the air around me specifically cool in the Las Pegasus or Ponyville summers. Canterlot here isn't too bad, but it's also on top of a mountain so... it kinda gets a pass on summer," Ice Storm told him as Twilight mentioned something about him now using the resources of this library correctly. She wasn't entirely sure what she meant by that herself but it was possible she missed part of the other conversation.