A Warm Welcome
“WITNESS MY SPLENDOR!”
Velvet’s voice echoed around the stadium from a swirling pillar of wind and snow: only her silhouette was visible until she leaned out to throw a flurry of icicles at a pink doe.
“But you look better ven I can’t see you!”
Vixen dodged them all in a dance, with bursts of wind aiding her despite Velvet’s gale as she ducked, weaved, and jumped between attacks.
As she landed, a mound of icy spikes slid across the ground towards her, but she jumped just in time to avoid it.
Seeing an opening, Velvet lifted herself in the wind and raised her hooves, sending a rain of icicles in a line as she threw them down.
But Vixen twisted in the air, shifting her position again with a whirlwind and catching one of the icicles in it: spinning rapidly and flinging it back.
Velvet formed a barrier of ice to block, sliding from the force of it as the spiraling air dissipated and Vixen took her turn to attack.
Giant snowflakes spun into the air as she advanced in dramatic steps, bursting into white clouds on the ground as Velvet dodged with practiced agility.
Vixen spun on her hind legs to change their trajectory with a gust, hoping to catch Velvet off-guard, but was foiled when she had to dodge a speeding ice ball.
But before Velvet could begin her next attack, a whistle blew.
“Time!” Linen called. “The match is a draw.”
Velvet’s first winter sprite flinched at a stare from her reindeer, but it was quickly dropped.
“Very well, it vould seem that I played with my food for too long.”
“You ver tapped out.” Vixen chided as they walked together. “Admit it, you’ve met your match.”
“I had you on ze run!” Velvet raised her voice. “You barely had ze time to launch any of your... feeble little attacks.” She waved a hoof dismissively for emphasis.
“I’m just smart enough not to vaste energy!” Vixen shouted. “Precision instead of your simpleton brute force!”
The argument kept escalating in volume and detail, as Linen knew it would. She sighed and left to get Velvet’s post-training gingerbread coffee.
As soon as the door was closed, concern replaced haughtiness on Vixen’s face.
“Are you okay?” She followed Velvet into the hot tub. “You did not seem like yourself out zhere.”
“I am fine.” Velvet took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “You simply fought better zhen usual. Your training is paying off.”
“Flattery won’t get you out of zhis.” Vixen moved over to her, looking her in the eyes as she opened them. “Somezhing is bothering you: it vas too easy to dodge your attacks.”
“Zhen I do not wish to talk about it.” Velvet sighed. “Let us just enjoy ze moment.”
“In zhat case,” Vixen leaned in with half-lid eyes, “maybe somezhing else can help?”
They kissed, wrapping their arms around each other in the soothing water - until a knock ruined the moment.
“VHAT?!” Velvet yelled.
Linen cracked the door open with her eyes averted.
“Your father wishes to speak with you.”
Velvet took a quick breath, then stormed out of the water.
“Tell him I vill be there shortly. And have my coffee ready vhen we’re done!”
Stronghoof stood at the best seat in the stands: alone aside his omnipresent sprite, Vetr.
But Vetr found somewhere else to be as Velvet stomped up the stairs.
“You wanted to see me, father?”
“Yes.” He turned to her. “I admire how seriously you are taking your training, and the fury of your ice storm was a wonder to behold! And yet, I cannot ignore that you were…sloppy.”
He let the words hang in the air.
“I only needed a warm-up.” Velvet glanced to the side. “And Vixen’s dodging makes everyone’s aim look bad.”
“Do not try to fool me, daughter. I have seen you both fight too often.” He leaned in. “This is about the cow, isn’t it?”
Velvet’s flinch and glare gave it away before she could stop herself.
“Please,” Stronghoof stroked his floof, “elaborate.”
“I lost to a foolish, crude, baby of a bovine!” Velvet clenched her teeth. “Me, the great Velvet Hoofstrong! Greatest fighter in Reine, master of the Winter Arts, Champion of the Tundra! Foiled and humiliated by a bumpkin with a rope!” She sobbed. “I don’t think cows even have magic!”
Stronghoof brought a hoof down on the stone.
“Enough! This self-pity is unbecoming of you, as is this degradation of such a fine warrior!”
“A fine - she’s a cow.” Velvet’s eye twitched. “And a little one at that.”
“She is full of bravery and strength!” Stronghoof stomped again. “In her eyes I see the spirit of a true warrior, a hero who will never give up! And what’s more, I know her name: Arizona.”
“And why does that matter?” Velvet barely kept herself from rolling her eyes.
“Because she is the daughter of the legendary Texas! One of my old rivals. All the more reason she will be an excellent rival for you.”
“Rival?” Velvet looked up in surprise.
“Yes, a rival.” He said that word like it was something wonderful.
“Why, that reminds me of my greatest rival.” He started to smile.
Velvet made herself comfortable in a chair: she knew she’d be here for a while.
It’s not that I don’t care about my mother, but I was never old enough to know her.
“I boarded the pirate ship alone with Vetr, we fended off the ambush - and then she appeared.”
He sniffled.
“She was beautiful and strong, and I did not have the strength left in me to overcome.”
Tears began running down his eyes as he closed them.
“The day she spared me, I knew we were rivals for life. I had found a worthy opponent!”
He curled a hoof in emotion.
“I am not going to date ze cow, dad.”
Stronghoof bellowed in laughter.
“Rivalry and romance are a delightful mix, but you already have that in Miss Vixen.”
Velvet nearly fell out of the chair.
“Da - wha - you -”
“I know my daughter, Velvet. I see the passion in your eyes when you fight. But this is beside the point!”
He stomped again.
“You should savor your rivalry with Arizona, and let it drive you both to greater and grander heights!”
He pointed a hoof dramatically.
“And that begins with respecting her strength, so that you may respect your own. You did not lose to a baby, you lost to a mighty champion! And that will make your victory over her all the sweeter.”
Velvet finally smiled at that, narrowing her eyes.
“I think I see your point. The cow must throw her soul into training if she hopes to keep up with me!”
“That’s the spirit!” Stronghoof shouted. “There is no room for complacency in a rivalry with a Hoofstrong!”
Stronghoof lowered his pose at a tap on the shoulder and a whisper from Vetr.
“I have urgent business to attend, but I bid you to continue your training. It may be needed sooner than you expect.”
“I will. I won’t let anyone outpace me!”
As Velvet walked down the stairs, Vixen moved to walk alongside her from eavesdropping at its base.
“So, you have a new rival?” She bumped Velvet’s hip with a wink. “Should I be vorried?”
“Blegh!” Velvet gagged, “Shut up and fight!”
Earlier that day a ship approached the harbor carrying a very excited alpaca bouncing around a crowded room.
“What do you want to do first? Sledding? Snowfolk? Hot springs? Ooo, I’ve heard about Reine but now I’m finally here!”
“Let’s calm things down a notch.”
Arizona double checked her bags on the bed.
“We’ve gotta visit the museum first for the clue, remember? They wanna copy it, and we need someone who can read it.”
“Oh, right.” Paprika briefly stopped bouncing. “So museum tour first!”
Arizona chuckled at her excitement.
“Tell ya what, ah’ve already been to Reine, so you can pick what we do. Ah’m sure it’ll take ‘em a bit to figure everything out anyway.”
Paprika pulled her into another sudden, but not unexpected hug.
“Ooo, this is going to be so much fun!” She suddenly pulled away with a gasp. “That reminds me, you need your gift!”
“Gift?”
“I made you a sweater!” Before Arizona could process the words, she’d pulled it out and started to button it onto her. Suspiciously, it was the exact color of Paprika’s fleece.
“Now we match!”
Paprika showed off the red bandana around her neck.
“It’s the least I could do since you gave me this, and I hear it’s cold in Reine!”
“I, ah, thank ya kindly!” Arizona blushed at the cutesy matching outfits. “When did ya make this?”
“Oh, while I was waiting for you to wake up.” Paprika zoomed around checking the fit. “If it’s too tight I can make another real quick.”
“It’s perfect.” Arizona stretched to test it. “Feels warm, too.”
They left for the deck with their saddlebags packed, with Paprika somehow squeezing hers through the doors, and watched the ship pull into port sitting in the open air.
A cold wind blew across the ocean as they approached, reminding Arizona how much she regretted not bringing something to wear last time.
“Thanks again for the sweater.” She smiled up at Paprika. “Forgot how cold it gets here. Hope ya didn’t lose too much fleece.”
“Anything for my friend!” Paprika lit up. “And don’t worry, I made that from my extra fleece bag.”
“Extra fleece?” Arizona asked.
“Yep!” Paprika nodded. “I like to make stuff for my friends. And I can always sell extra to ships when they pass by: alpaca fleece is great for travelers because alpacas are great travelers!”
“Guess that makes sense.” Arizona tilted her head. “Is that how ya got the salt for flour and whatnot?”
“They also buy pots!” Paprika bent her neck down to talk at eye level. “Adobo always said it was too dangerous to make a trip down the mountains just to buy stuff, but some things are worth it.”
“Your cooking sure is.”
“Aww, thank you!”
They sat together until the ship finally arrived and the captain approached to greet them.
“We are ready to disembark. Please, follow me to the museum.’
Paprika somehow kept walking in a straight line as she craned her neck to look at everything, and Arizona couldn’t help but share her enthusiasm.
Travelin’ together sure is more fun than goin’ it alone.
As they walked Paprika pointed to a sign.
“What does that say?”
“Aw, Pap, do we have to practice now?”
Paprika responded with a growl until Arizona sighed and stared at the letters.
“S…H..P. Shop?” She looked up to the alpaca.
“Yes!” Paprika patted her head. “See, you’re getting it!”
Stoically ignoring the conversation behind him, the captain led them through the museum’s doors and to the front desk.
“I need to speak to the director, it is a matter of utmost urgency! I have -” he glanced back, “delivered valuable information regarding the Key.”
“Right away, sir.” The docent nodded and walked off. Shortly after an older reindeer walked through the door.
“The Key, you say?” He leaned in to look at the visitors behind him. “Have you already contacted the Jarl concerning the bounty?”
“I sent my sprite first thing.” The captain nodded as Arizona stepped up.
“Hold on, bounty?”
“On information.” The director explained. “Finding the Key is a top priority for Reine and Foenum as a whole, so Jarl Stronghoof put a bounty on delivering relevant information.”
The captain tried to hide his alarm. “I can split it with you, of course.”
“Nah, keep it.” Arizona waved him away, with a nod and affirming purr from Paprika. “A good deed is its own reward.”
“But first,” the director said, “I’ll need to see what you uncovered.”
“Here!” Paprika fished out the sketchbook and sat it on the desk.
The director handled it with much more care than she had as he slowly turned the pages, eyes widening as he studied it.
“This is an excellent recreation! You have a talent for archaeology: speak with me if you’d be interested in a position.”
“Aw, thanks! But I’m kinda busy.” Paprika drooped an arm around Arizona. “We’ve got to save the word!”
He closed the book with a nod and turned his attention to them.
“Ah, the Champion of the Prairie. Apologies for not addressing you sooner. You put up an impressive fight! Thankfully outside of the museum.” He chuckled.
“Thanks.” Arizona said as she broke eye contact, not sure how to respond to the praise as he turned to Paprika.
“So I take it that you were her guide?”
“She’s more than that,” Arizona grinned, “she’s the Champ’een of the High Plains!”
"Champions working together…" The director spoke under his breath. "Interesting."
He cleared his throat and spoke at a normal volume.
“Honored to meet you then. Now with your permission, our finest archivists will copy your work for our own study so we can return the original. When the translation is done, we promise to share what we learned. Is that a deal?”
“Deal!” Paprika bumped his hoof a little too enthusiastically, leaving him shaking it off.
“So how long’s this gonna take?” Arizona asked.
“Oh the copying should take a several hours, at least.” The director smiled. “I would recommend enjoying the city in the meantime.
“No, I mean, how long’s figurin’ this out gonna take?” Arizona corrected.
The director paused to think, running through estimations in his head.
“Days, if we are very lucky. Maybe weeks, probably months.”
“Months?!” Arizona recoiled. “This can’t wait months!”
“I’m afraid it may have to.” The director asserted. “This is a dead language, and we will need to get every scrap of it we can find from our sister museums if we hope to interpret it. It will have our full attention, but under normal circumstances this can take years.”
Arizona’s eyes widened. “So what are we supposed to do ‘till then?”
“How about a tour?” Paprika suggested.
“Be our guest!” The director smiled again, happy for the change in subject. “I’ll call a docent.”
He rang a service bell, and a familiar face greeted them at the desk. “Oh, it’s you! Please, follow me!”
Paprika seemed fascinated by everything as they made their way through the museum, seeming to appear in front of different exhibits whenever they turned their back.
Arizona pointed out some of her favorites, but the worry of being stuck in their quest weighed on her.
When the docent paused for a break, she took the opportunity to whisper to Paprika in private.
“Ah’m not sayin’ ya shouldn’t be, but how are you so carefree an’ happy? The predators are comin’ back and we’re stuck here waitin’ on a lead.”
“That’s one way of looking at it. You could also say that we’ve got so much extra time to relax now! Let’s just have fun and worry about that when we get to it.”
“That makes sense, I guess.” Arizona idly kicked a hoof on the floor. “Just don’t like sittin’ here while people are countin’ on us.”
“You worry too much, silly.”
Paprika ruffled her head fur, getting a look.
“If you’re always thinking about the hard stuff in life you’ll never appreciate the good things: you can’t wear yourself out like that. So take a rest when you can so you’re ready for the harder stuff when it comes.”
“That…sounds pretty wise, really.” Arizona smiled.
“Adobo put it a little differently.” Paprika shrugged. “It’s worked for me so far.”
The docent came back shortly after.
“Sorry for the wait. Now, these Huacayan Pots…Nevermind, you probably know all about them.”
“Ooo, wherever made these did a good job!” Paprika spun around them. “Used an eeensy bit of the wrong clay here, though.”
She tapped the side of a pot, getting a flinch from the docent as it wobbled.
"Please don’t touch the exhibits."
Paprika gasped at the wall painting artifact, and started copying it until the docent showed her a souvenir scroll.
“This is an exact replica. Just take it, please.”
Their docent seemed increasingly nervous about having the excitable alpaca in the museum, but Arizona insisted on seeing her favorite painting one more time.
As they finally left, they found a massive buck and a burly winter sprite waiting for them, both of whom Arizona immediately recognized.
“Welcome, brave champions!”
He greeted with a booming voice.
“I hear that you have recovered a valuable clue in your search for the Key, no doubt facing perilous predators on the way!”
“Pretty sure we’re the perilous ones.” Paprika struck what might have been a battle pose.
“Hmph!” Stronghoof chuckled. “You said it, my friend.”
He cleared his throat to compose himself.
“In gratitude and respect for fellow warriors, I now invite you to stay at the Hooftstrong Family Lodge! You will not find finer room and board in all of Reine.”
“Uh,” Arizona shared a glance with Paprika. “How much would that cost us?”
“Cost!” Stronghoof laughed, though Vetr seemed less enthusiastic.
“Don’t be ridiculous! It would be my honor to host you free of charge and to reward your efforts. Even a champion’s quest needs salt for some things, am I right?”
“Sure, and we appreciate it,” Arizona tried to think of what to say, “but don’t ya already have a champion? Why help us?”
“The glory of Key Keeper, Supreme Champion of Foenum can indeed be held only by one!”
Stronghoof struck a pose with his hoof up.
“But that must be earned by deeds, not favoritism. And while the Key remains hidden, that contest is premature, is it not? So let me do what I can to aid your quest. Oh, what I would do to take your place!”
“Just don’t wanna be a burden. You sure ya don’t mind?
“I said it would be my honor.” Stronghoof grinned. “And our lodge hosted the entire Foenum Council of Elders: it will be no trouble at all. Now come! You must be weary from your travels.”
With Paprika’s smile and Stronghoof’s insistence, and thoughts of absurd inn prices, Arizona gave it up and followed him to the outskirts of the city.
The Hoofstrong Family Lodge was a massive structure, with double doors that could comfortably fit an elephant under a wall sconce lit, ruby stained glass window: all flanked by two enormous wood sculpture antlers that towered above the roof.
“We get to say here?!” Paprika bounced more enthusiastically than Arizona had ever seen. “This is amazing!”
“Please,” Stronghoof smiled, “enjoy yourselves until the translations are done and it is time to face the wilds again. Now, let the sprites handle the packing as we share a meal: you must be hungry!”
With that Vetr clapped twice, and a swarm of winter sprites poured out of the house.
The fastest three of them zoomed over to Arizona’s saddlebags and carried them off while the rest hovered around Paprika’s mountain of supplies, murmuring something Arizona couldn’t understand.
“Uh, multiple trips?”
“How’s she even carrying this!”
“She’s not even a reindeer!”
“Stop talking and start lifting.” Vetr gave what sounded like instructions. “Team lift if you must.”
He grabbed the top bag by himself as the rest struggled with five to one: but soon the guests were relieved of their burdens and following Stronghoof into the hall.
Stronghoof had ordered a feast, and neither Arizona nor Paprika had seen anything like it in quantity or variety of food.
“Please, sit.” Stronghoof lowered himself onto a table cushion. “And regale me with your tales of valor!”
Winter sprites moved constantly around them as they ate, serving them anything they desired.
Paprika looked like she could hardly contain her excitement as she tried everything, somehow speaking the sprite’s language to ask questions on different dishes between eating noisily.
Meanwhile Arizona felt content in a way she’d rarely experienced, and quickly got along with the Jarl as he urged her to continue her story.
“An’ then after spittin’ a rain of poison at me, that slitherin’ scoundrel swung his tail all across the divide! While ah was landin’ from jumpin’ it he lunged, like he was tryin’ ta swallow me whole. ‘Course he only ate dust when I dashed on outta there an’ gave him a good kick to remember me by, and while he was dizzy ah finished him off with a big stomp!”
“Excellent!” Stronghoof pounded the table. “A battle worthy of this hall!”
Arizona failed to notice Paprika’s concern as he continued.
“But tell me, how is your old bull? Still slinging those bells?”
“He’s still the best -” Arizona paused with a glance backwards, “er, maybe second best fighter in the prairie! Ah’ve beat him in trainin’, but it weren’t formal or nothin’. And ah think his back was actin’ up.”
“Your humility is admirable.” Stronghoof sighed. “Alas, age catches up to us all eventually. But it warms my heart to hear that he still fights on: I shall have to arrange for a rematch.”
“Ah've heard his stories about throwin’ down with a big strong reindeer; guessin’ that was you.”
“Indeed. He stopped in Reine frequently in his adventuring days, and I would not let him leave without another match! Those were good times.”
As conversation paused for another round of chewing, the main doors opened.
“What’s for lunch? It smells good, and I'm - YOU!”
Velvet rushed over to the table as Arizona swallowed and Stronghoof cleared his throat to speak.
“This is my daughter, Velvet.” He motioned to Arizona. “I believe you two have already met.”
“I'm Paprika, nice to meet you!”
Velvet barely glanced at her before turning her glare to Stronghoof.
“Why are zey here?”
“Manners.” Stronghoof stared. “They, like you, have a great journey ahead of them for the good of Foenum: it is the least I could do to host them. And they brought back a valuable clue on the key's location.”
“Vhat?!” Velvet looked between them.
“Uh,” Arizona started, not sure how to gauge the situation, “you were right about the High Plains. We found a big monument with the Prophet's story written all over it. So, uh, thanks.”
Velvet's mouth hung open before she took a breath to regain her composure and took a seat.
“Very well, I vould expect nothing less from my rival.”
“Rival?” Paprika asked around a mouthful of food.
“Yes!” Velvet looked to Arizona. “Arizona of ze Prairie, I challenge you to a rematch! I vill not be outdone!”
“Uh,” Arizona looked around at the food, “can it wait a bit?”
“Fine!” Velvet took a serving of moss salad from an ice sprite server.
“We vill battle at ze stadium tomorrow zen, so that all may witness my victory!”
She pointed a hoof at the cow.
“But I expect you to train for a worthy fight.”
Arizona was about to make a retort when Stronghoof spoke.
“Excellent idea!” Everyone turned to him.
“With three Champions in Reine, there could not be a finer time for a tournament! I will make arrangements immediately!”
“I will inform them, then.” Vetr said. “What should I say?”
“Grand prize, 10,000 salt!” Stronghoof declared: his guests stared in disbelief. “Second place 5,000, third 2,500, and a catered meal for all brave enough to attend!”
“Very well.” Vetr nodded and left.
“Ten thousand salt?!” Arizona exclaimed in disbelief.
“That's a looot of plushies.” Paprika seemed lost in thought.
Even Velvet seemed concerned. “I vill vin, of course, but isn't zat excessive?”
“Bah,” Stronghoof scoffed, “what's the point of wealth if you can't enjoy it? This tournament will inspire valor in the hearts of Reine!”
Ah think i see where she got the drama from. Arizona thought.
“But vat if ze cow…” Velvet stopped herself and pointed to Arizona again. “Nevermind! I vill see you in ze grand finals! Do not disappoint me.”
Arizona leaned in as they stared at each other from across the table.
“Ah'll be happy ta bring ya down to earth again, miss high an’ mighty.”
They both missed Stronghoof's smile at their antics before he interrupted.
“Well, it would seem we all have some training to do! But please, accept some salt from me to enjoy the city before you go.”
A winter sprite nodded and left to fetch some salt bags.
“You are welcome to use our practice yard, and to stay here for as long as you find yourself in Reine.”
He stood up from the table.
“I will begin my training now: be ready for me.”
Once he'd left, the guests turned to Velvet.
“Don't vait on me, I'm hungry.” She waved a hoof.
Arizona took a few last bites before standing up.
“Well, thank ya for sharin’ your home with us.”
“Um,” Velvet blinked, clearly surprised by the gesture.
“You are velcome. My rival must be at her absolute best before her inevitable defeat!”
“Yeah, whatever.” Arizona rolled her eyes. “Meet ya outside, Pap.”
The reindeer and the alpaca ate in silence for awhile.
“And vhat are you supposed to be?”
“Her friend.” Paprika stretched her neck across the table as Velvet leaned away. “You should be nicer to her.”
“Is zhat a threat?” Velvet forced her face forward.
“Nope!” Paprika got up. “Just advice. See you in the tournament~!”
She added in a sing-songy voice as she strutted away, humming as she walked.
For some reason Velvet couldn't explain, she felt nervous.
With a concrete goal to focus on again, Arizona was eager to train for the tournament.
But her friend was currently set on making snowfolk, so she found herself looking for matching sticks to add horns.
It was the first time either of them had tried it, but Paprika substituted enthusiasm for experience.
“Done!” She stood in front of it for the final presentation.
“Okay, done.” Arizona presented her blocky cow once the horns were in.
“Like how ya did the neck.”
“Ah, yours looks just like you!”
Arizona wasn't sure whether to feel complimented or offended, but that thought was cut off by another voice.
“Not bad!”
They turned to see a young, brown buck and a freckled doe with darker fur approaching.
“Especially since I doubt you get much snow where you're from.” He added.
“Howdy.” Arizona walked up to them with Paprika. “Yeah, ah I think we're both pretty new to this. Ah've only been in Reine once, an’ not for long.”
“First time! What's your names? I'm Paprika! And this is Arizona!”
She grinned, pulling the cow towards her.
“Oh, we've heard of you.” He said. “I'm Dasher.”
“Dancer.” The doe followed. “And before you ask, yes, we're twins.”
“Wait…” Arizona paused to think. “Yer in the Elite 7, right?”
“Basically grew up in it.” Dasher nodded. “We heard you were staying here, and were wondering if you'd like someone to show you around.”
“He wants you to train him.” Dancer smirked, getting a look from her brother.
“Train?” Arizona tilted her head.
“Well,” he looked away, “it's not everyday someone beats Velvet in a fight. Just wanted to…well, I'm a fan.”
Paprika and Dancer shared a glance that Arizona missed.
“Sure, ah’d be happy to! Are y'all joinin’ the tournament too?”
“Uh, yeah!” he said. “Gotta train. But, we can give a tour if you'd like first! That is, if you'd like to hang out.”
“Best start with that.” Dancer nodded. “Else you'll have too many bruises for it.”
He stared at her again as Paprika laughed.
“How about ice skating first?” She suggested. “I can show you how.”
Dancer started skating before they reached the lake, forming a layer of ice in
front of her hooves ending on a ramp: she flew off it and landed in a confident spin.
“Whooa-!” Paprika gasped. “Let me try!”
Paprika's first attempt lead to her sliding face first on the ice, but she was up again just as quickly.
“Here,” Dancer chuckled and moved to steady her, “Let's cover basics first.”
Arizona was more cautious, but nearly fell several times before Dasher steadied her and helped her off the ice.
“Your hooves may be a bit broad for this, but I've got an idea. Can you raise a leg?”
“Uh, sure.” Arizona said, not sure where he meant.
Dasher touched the hoof as his horns glowed, and a blade of ice grew over the rim.
“Is that too cold?” He sounded uncertain.
“Nah, feels like steppin’ in snow.”
Arizona held the hoof up to examine it.
“But how's this gonna help skating?”
“Skating works by cutting the ice a bit as you slide on it. It's easier with narrower hooves.”
He explained.
“Let me do the other hooves and I'll show you.”
Arizona struggled to walk to the ice as he half-carried her, but once she was on it and steadied she felt an immediate difference in traction.
“Okay, let's take it slow first.” He said. “You can lean on me.”
She wobbled on the ice as she adjusted to the skates, frequently needing his help to avoid falling, but soon she was sliding forward on her own: she was going slow, but she was skating.
“You're right, this is better!”
“Glad you like it!”
Dasher was content to slowly slide around with Arizona, steadying her and periodically resharpening her ice skates.
Meanwhile Paprika zoomed around the ice trying to keep up with Dancer, seemingly unphased by her frequent falls.
“Love the enthusiasm,” Dancer helped her up again, “but you should be more careful.”
“I'm fine, but I appreciate the concern! Now can you show me how to do a spin?”
“Fine, but take it slow at first, okay?” She skated off. “Now, it's all in the center of mass.”
As she demonstrated a basic spin, a pink deer slid up to Arizona and Dasher.
“Having fun vith our guests?”
“Oh, hey!” Dasher turned. “We were, uh, showing them around.”
“He's been nice.”
Arizona spoke up, noticing an odd smile from Vixen.
“Ah'm Arizona, what's your name?”
“Vixen.”
She she offered a hoofshake before tapping the blade instead as she noticed it.
“Nice vork, Dash.” She looked back to Arizona. “I've heard a lot about you. Had to see ze mighty cattlegirl for myself.”
“Really?” Arizona asked. “Ah've only been here once.”
“Vell you made quite ze splash.” Vixen shrugged. “Missed your big fight: looking forward to a good show tomorrow.”
“Ah'll do my best!”
“I hear you're staying vith Velvet. Zhat must be interesting.”
“Well...she's pretty rude to be honest.”
“She's a sore loser.” Vixen rolled her eyes. “Why, she's been obsessed vith me since I beat her once.”
Dasher opened his mouth to comment, but shut it as Vixen glanced at him.
“Ah can understand that, I guess. Feelin’ competive an’ doin’ some trash talk. But her dad's great, so ah reckon she can't be all bad.”
“Nice to hear you’re getting along.” Vixen glanced between them. “Vell I'll let you get back to it. I need to get some practice in.”
“Nice to meet ya, Vixen!” Arizona gave another improvised hoofbump.
“You as vell. Enjoy your time with Dashy!”
She waved and skated away.
“Dashy?” Arizona turned to him.
“It's, uh,” he looked away for a moment, “an Elite 7 thing! We give each other nicknames.”
“Ah like it.”
Luckily, Arizona decided to check her hooves instead of watching his reaction.
“Kinda cute. You can call me Ari if ya want.”
“Um, thanks, Ari.” He moved to her side to help her skate and hide his face.
As they continued skating, Vixen snuck around to the field where she knew Velvet practiced privately.
She heard icicles bursting on stone before she saw her weaving around an imagined opponent.
“Care for a sparring partner?”
“You fight nothing like her.” Velvet briefly glanced at her as another icicle shattered.
“Are you sure she's the one you should worry about?”
“If she does make it to me, I need to be ready. I've beaten everyone else, after all.”
“Vhat about the alpaca?”
“How hard could she be?” The air cracked with the impact of hailstones.
“Sounds a lot like what you said last time.”
“Well I also doubt she has winter magic.” Velvet turned to her. “Look, I appreciate ze company, but I need to focus. So if you have anything else to say, say it now.”
“Fine. I think you should be more welcoming to your guests.”
“What do you mean by that? We are rivals, but that doesn't mean we need to like each other.”
“First off, they seem nice to me. But more Importantly, why do you zhink your father hosted this tournament?”
Velvet rolled her eyes.
“Because he likes fighting, he likes showing off, and he wanted to give me a rematch.”
“Obviously, but I think there’s more to it than that. He hosted the Council of Elders in his home because he wanted to unite the ungulates. I think this is more of the same.”
“They are not officials, though.” Velvet raised a hoof. “Why would they matter?”
“Think about it: two foreign champions visiting Reine invited to stay at his lodge, and to participate in a friendly competition where they are likely to win salt. It sends a message that Reine is happy to work with other peoples. And that makes them more likely to share information with us, so you can find the key sooner.”
Velvet narrowed her eyes.
“So you're saying I need to be friends with them to save ze vorld?”
“No,” Vixen put a hoof on her shoulder. “I'm saying it'd help for you to be friendly. But you might give them a chance: you tend to push people away.”
“Bah! Zhat’s getting too sappy.” Velvet took a deep breath. “But you may have a point on ze tournament. I can…give zhem a chance.”
“Zhat is all I ask.”
“Zhen go!” Velvet pointed dramatically. “Before I use you as target practice.”
“You couldn't hit m-” Vixen was interrupted by her kiss.
“...Very well, you vin this round.”
“Dasher! There you are, and I see you’ve made a friend.”
A large reindeer with a faded blue coat approached, finding Dasher and Arizona sitting by the lake.
“Ah, Blitzen!” Dasher stood at attention. “Wasn’t expecting you here.”
“Calm down; we’re not on a mission.”
Arizona stepped forward as Dasher tried to relax.
“Blitzen as in the Elite Seven?”
“Indeed! It’s good to hear that our tales have traveled.”
“Actually, I heard it from some fan standin’ around the HQ. She near talked my ear off.”
“Oh. Her.” Blitzen spoke for both bucks as they grimaced. “We have to fog up the windows sometimes.”
“Guess not all fame is good. But what was that about missions? Ah, mean aside that secret one?”
“Aside the one we won’t talk about,” Blitzen glanced at Dasher, “we are Reine’s elite! We go where we are needed to keep people safe, and it’s needed now more than ever.”
Paprika skated over to join the conversation. “But don’t you have walls? I didn’t think Reindeer traveled much.”
“We’re not nomadic, if that’s what you mean. But Reine City depends on trade from outside the walls, and someone needs to deal with predator sightings.”
“Wish ah could stop ‘em for y’all right now, but that inscription’s our only lead.”
“There’s no shame in a well earned rest," Blitzen smiled down on her, "but if this does take longer it’d be an honor to have you join us in a mission.”
“If it means keepin’ people safe, count me in!”
“Me too!” Paprika seconded Arizona.
“Then I’ll be sure to let you know if something comes up! But in the meantime, how about some sparring to get ready?”
Arizona stretched and took off her coat, handing it to Paprika.
“Ah could use the practice."
“Splendid!” Blitzen grinned.
“Ooh, can I go next?”
He glanced at the bouncing Alpaca.
“I'll take that challenge, right after this cow surrenders.”
“Yer about to eat those words!”
“Then we start at the sound of the whistle. Thundra! Count us down from three.”
The two stared each other down until the whistle blew, and they both rushed in.
Ice coated and extended Blitzen's long antlers as they scored a swipe on Arizona, knocking her off balance and leaving her open to a spinning kick.
“Too easy!”
The cow flew back through the air and quickly righted herself.
“Not a scratch!”
Blitzen narrowed his eyes and charged again with his iced horns as Arizona reared up for a stomp.
The shockwave shook the ground, nearly tripping Blitzen from a range where he thought himself safe.
Crack!
He'd barely readied himself before she was upon him, locking horns to deny his reach.
He shoved forward, expecting strength to be a strong suit, but to his shock he was pushed back: struggling to control his neck as she tried to flip him over.
But out of the corner of his eye he saw the lake riddled with cracks, and made a plan.
Putting all his strength into steadying his head, he breathed ice on the ground in front of him and let himself be pushed back.
Seizing the advantage, Arizona surged forward and slipped.
With the pressure suddenly gone, he lowered his horns before flinging them up as high as possible as he stood: bringing Arizona's horns with them and flinging her into the air over the pond.
CRACK!
She crashed through the ice into the frigid water below as Blitzen and the spectators rushed forward.
He lowered his horns to freeze the hole around her as she tried to get up.
“Okay, ah see your point. You win this round.”
“Victory!” He cheered before catching himself at the looks from the others. “I mean, here, grab on.”
With some help from her and the others, he stomped the ice loose again. He then lowered his antlers to the hole and steadily pulled the cow out as she bit and held onto them.
“T-that's only round one.” She shivered as she took a stance. “Nice trick, but it won't work twice.”
“No!” Paprika shocked everyone by picking her up in a hug. “You were in there too long, you need to warm up!”
“Ah'm fine, ah just -” Arizona's eyes widened as she felt the grip tighten.
“Okay, okay! Ah'll warm up a bit.”
“She's right,” Dasher said. “Cold water is dangerous, and you don't want to risk getting sick before the tournament.”
“I'll take you back to the lodge.” Paprika started to walk on two legs somehow as her friend pushed away.
“Ah can walk there on mah own!” Paprika let her go, but still loomed over her with concern.
“Look, ah'll go straight to the lodge and warm up a bit, you don't have ta worry. I'll meet y’all afterwards: don’t have to cut things short for me.”
“Fine, then sit by the fire till you're dry, then put this on, then sit there till you're warm. And. Toasty! Okay?”
“Uh, sure, yeah.” Arizona glanced back to Blitzen and tried to save face. “Ah'm not gettin’ sick, so ya best be ready for the rematch!”
“I look forward to it,” he said a little too smugly.
Paprika watched her friend jog away until she was a blur in the distance, then turned to Blitzen.
“So, ready for our match?”
Arizona jogged as fast as her cold legs could take her.
With the rush of competition gone and a wind picking up she felt chilled to the bone
As she approached the doors, she saw several sprites chiseling an Arizona-shaped ice sculpture as Velvet directed them: stopping as one of the sprites pointed her out.
“Goodness, vhy are you so wet? Nevermind: get inside and we'll talk by ze fire.”
Arizona followed Velvet to the fireplace and rested as close as she could get to it.
“Linen! Fetch tea for our guest.”
A sprite nodded and zoomed off as others toweled her off and Velvet sat down next to her. She let the cow warm up in silence for a while before curiosity took hold.
“So vhat happened? An accident on ze lake?”
“Aachoo! Pardon.”
Arizona sniffled.
“Not really, just ended up sparin’ with Blitzen. Got me in the water with a trick: ah could've taken him next round, but Pap -”
“You lost to Blitzen?!”
Velvet stood up.
“Uh…yeah?”
Arizona sat up and leaned away as she glared at her from inches away.
“Stupid cow! You are my rival, you lose to me and only me, and especially not to Blitzen. Is zhat understood?!”
“It was just a sparin’ match.”
Arizona stood up and pushed her away
“Why do you care so much anyway?”
Velvet's horns glowed, chilling the room subconsciously.
“Because you are my rival! You losing makes me look bad.”
“Everyone loses sometimes. Like my Pa always says -”
“I don't care what he says!” Velvet clacked her hoof on the floor. “Hoofstrongs don't lose!"
“Clearly you do.”
Velvet gasped and stomped out of the room, keeping her back turned to hide her face.
“Vell I'm not losing to you again vith zhat attitude. See you in ze tournament!”
Arizona watched her leave until the door slammed, but jerked as she was pulled into a hug from behind.
“Don’t listen to her, you did great!”
“Pap? When’d you get here?”
“In time to hear what happened. That was mean.”
Arizona wondered how long she’d be here until Paprika released the hug, but didn’t mind the heat or the concern.
“Ah’ll be fine. Ya didn’t have to come check on me.”
“Oh, the others left.” Paprika stretched her neck around to talk face to upside down face. “Something about elite seven business, and Blitzen had to dry off.”
“Dry off? Did ya win the fight?”
“Yep!” Paprika nodded. “I kissed him!”
“You…What?”
“Oh, we danced around a bit, then I got him in front of the hole, then I kissed him! Then he stumbled back and tripped.”
Paprika giggled. “Everyone laughed, it was fun!”
“That’s one way to do it, I guess.” Arizona blinked.
Paprika didn’t seem interested in letting go yet, so Arizona decided to relax and make the best of it.
“Thanks Pap, you’re a good friend.”
“Thank you! You’re my best friend!”
As the heat started to feel uncomfortable, Arizona tried to change the subject.
“So, did they say what the elite seven stuff was about?”
“Oh, no biggie. Just some weird noises in a basement, said they didn't need Blitzen for that.”
Arizona jerked out of the hug.
“Basement?! We’ve gotta help ‘em!”
Arizona took off running with a confused Paprika right on her heels.
“Help with what?”
“Predators!”
Shortly after a confused Winter Sprite peeked out holding a cup of tea.
Velvet slammed the door behind her and stirred up a wind as she approached the training grounds, eager to make a new cattle shaped sculpture to practice on.
“Hooftstrongs don't lose, eh?”
The wind died out as she turned to face her father.
“Yes, I couldn't help but overhear.”
“You told me that.” She stared back at him.
“No, I told you that Hoofstrongs don't lose easily. We don't give up. I’d hoped that our earlier talk would have made that clear.”
“Well she didn't seem to take it seriously.”
“You confuse accepting loss gracefully with a lack of conviction.” He walked past her. “Come, sit and talk with me.”
Velvet grumbled and followed him under a tree. With the grounds silent around them, he began.
“I've already told you about my rival Texas, but I think you would benefit from hearing the full story.”
“Fine. What about him?”
“We had our first battle when I was still a young buck. I already had a reputation as a practiced warrior, and after defeating my latest challenger I called to the crowd for another. To my surprise, a burly young bull strode out! His strength was incredible.”
“So you found a worthy rival, I get it.”
“Wrong!” Stronghoof stamped the snow. “I won that battle fairly easily. He was not ready for Winter Magic.”
“Then why do you call him a good rival?”
“Let me finish. Despite his defeat, he laughed it off and insisted on a rematch the next day, which he lost again. And the next, and next. Got close the second time really, but I won every bout. Then with his ship’s departure imminent, he promised that he'd come back stronger. When he returned he had a yoke tied to heavy bells: he told me that it was inspired by my ice weapons. I didn't think much of it until one caught me in the face, with a pile driver following to give him his first win. It was as glorious as it was painful!”
“Are you saying I need to adjust tactics?”
“Perhaps. But more importantly, you need to grow from defeat and have a healthier relationship with it. We fought many times after that, and neither of us could afford to be proud and complacent: that way of thinking will ensure that you are surpassed.”
“But I’m not complacent!” Velvet stared back. “You know I practice every day!”
“Indeed, but that is not enough. A little humility will give you the strength to grow from losses instead of being crushed by them, and you should not look down on it in others. ”
“...I see your point.” Velvet looked down at the snow and took a breath. “She was confident in defeat, while I've obsessed over it. ”
She stood up.
“I need to talk to her.”
“Indeed.”
Arizona rushed down the stairs in time to see Dasher and Dancer inspecting a familiar ghostly flame in the doorways.
“Get out of there! It’s -” She skidded to a halt as flames erupted in front of her with Paprika almost bumping her into it.
The twins spun in her direction, eyes widening as they realized they were cut off, but three wolves blipping into existence from the shadows drew their attention.
“Predators here?!” Dancer exclaimed as her brother reacted faster, flinging a wolf at the wall with a wind-boosted antler rush, where its shadowy body deformed from the impact.
“Less talking, more fighting!”
He jumped between her and another wolf as blades of ice flashed onto her hooves.
The wolf nearest her pounced, but she dodged with a pirouette on the suddenly frozen floor: slashing into it twice as it snarled in pain.
Paprika tried to shove past, but Arizona held out a hoof to stop her.
“Don’t! Ya can’t push past it, ah tried. Just take ‘em down and this’ll fall!”
The third wolf lunged to bite Dasher’s leg, but he countered with a step back to dodge and a strike to the head.
“Look out!” Arizona cried out as the previously wallstuck wolf leapt towards him from the side and he jumped back too late: but a spinning blade of ice caught it and knocked it off course, tumbling in a heap.
“Thanks, sis!”
“Don’t mention it!” Dancer quickly reformed her ice skate as she finished her spinning dodge, barely outmaneuvering the wolf on her by pushing off the wall and sliding under a pounce.
With one wolf still getting up and another out of position, Dasher took a risk and rocketed himself into the one attacking his sister.
Slam!
His glowing horns pinned it to the wall before he twisted and sent it sliding on the ice towards the fiery doorway, with a rush of wind accelerating it.
Arizona took a step back as it vanished into mist on impact, with Paprika cheering.
Dancer threw two ice blades to slow the now charging wolves: one stopped and braced the impact while the other dodged with a sidestep before lunging towards her.
Caught off-guard, she did her best to hold it at bay as it tackled her to the ground: teeth gnashing as its claws scored glancing cuts through her floof.
But just as quickly it was sent flying by a buck from Dasher, tumbling across the room.
The other wolf closed the gap before Dasher could turn around, looking to strike his sister while she was down, but she rolled out of the way leaving slick ice behind.
It immediately lost its footing and was sent flying by Dasher’s horns: sailing over Dancer before slamming into its companion as both dispersed into clouds.
The twins sprung into a back to back position, breathing heavily and looking for other threats: they flinched as the flames receded and the champions rushed towards them.
“Golly, are you okay?!”
“I’m fine.” Dasher panted. “You?”
“Nothing serious.” Dancer felt her neck floof with a wince. “Got a scratch in, but I’m not bleeding.”
“That was amazing!” Paprika pulled the surprised doe into a hug. “Scary, but amazing! You really are elites!”
“Thanks! Glad you could see us in action.” Dasher smiled back, turning to Arizona as Dancer rolled her eyes behind him.
“How’d you know about the flame things, though?
“Uh,” Arizona looked away. “Ah kind of cleared this place last time I was here. Forgot to tell anyone…”
Dancer gaped in disbelief as Dasher tried harder to hide his shock.
“Well, you weren’t here long, and people weren’t exactly welcoming…”
“Sorry.” Arizona’s ears fell, and he mentally scrambled for a change of topic.
“Wait, you cleared all this alone? Weren’t you outnumbered?”
“Well, yeah. Got dicey, but ah’m Champ’een for a reason.”
Arizona’s confidence returned as she explained her previous visit, leading up to the strange stone portal.
“Ah reckon that thing opened again and they’re comin’ through. We’ve gotta stop ‘em!”
“Let’s get the others.” Dancer’s eyes darted between the doors. “No need to take chances.”
“But she did it all on her own!” Dasher protested. “With two champions with us, what could go wrong?”
Dancer leaned in to whisper into his ear.
“I’m not risking my life so you can show off to your crush.”
“But the others are tired from training!” He protested in a whisper back. “Besides, they already look at us like the weak links. Let’s handle this now and prove them wrong.”
Dancer groaned in her normal volume.
“Fine. If you two are up for it, we can handle this together.”
“Sounds fun!” Paprika hopped in excitement. “And don’t worry, I don’t let my friends get hurt!”
Her neck turned to Arizona.
“You were here first, so lead the way!”
“Okay, portal’s that way.”
So they followed her single file to get through the door: Arizona in the lead with Dasher behind her. Paprika opted to watch their backs as the last in line.
“This place gives me the creeps.” Dancer’s nose scrunched up. “And it stinks. Must be near the sewer.”
“What's a sewer?”
Arizona called back, but before Dancer could answer flames sprung up in front of her, cutting her off from her brother as two wolves and a snake emerged from the shadows.
Dasher caught them and Arizona off guard as he rushed in with his horns down launching the middle wolf to the fiery doorframe before spinning to kick him into it for a quick dispersal.
Arizona rammed the other wolf, sending it tumbling into the wall and yelling “Look out!” immediately after.
Jumping back with a gust of wind before his head had turned, he barely avoided a lunging bite.
Arizona recognized the snake dipping its head to spit a mouthfull of poison and threw her lasso out, yanking its head to the side: the spray grazed Dasher, but most of it splattered harmlessly on the wall.
Wincing but powering through it, Dasher circled the last wolf as Arizona pummeled the snake with strikes and stomps.
When Dasher finished it with a dodge into his own combo, he turned to see Arizona turning from a dispersing cloud.
“Are you okay?" Arizona trotted up to him. "That stuff stings.”
Dasher brushed what he could off his floof.
“Great! Always wanted to fight alongside a champion.”
Arizona insisted on checking him as he tried to hold still.
“Well you've got some talent, but that was real dangerous.”
Dancer rushed over to interrupt.
“If you get hurt here I'm going to freeze you in the lodge!”
“Sorry.” Dasher lowered his head. “Thought I should take the opening.”
“Then we can both rush in.” Arizona put a hoof on his shoulder. “Just let me lead next time.”
“Okay.” He nodded, struggling to make eye contact.
“Ooh, how about us next!” Paprika leaned too close to Dancer. “I want to see more skating!”
“This isn't a game.”
“Why not? It's fun!”
Dancer blinked. “Have you even been in a fight like that before?”
“Trust me, she has.” Arizona clacked a hoof for emphasis. “Got me out of a rough patch.”
“Fine, then. That didn't look too hard.” Dancer took a breath and followed Paprika to the front.
“Yippee!”
Paprika lept into a cartwheel before the fire could form behind them: a cougar only had time to look up and flinch before she came down in a body slam, grappling it on the floor.
Taking her lead, Dancer skated towards the remaining predators, a wolf and another cat, but surprised them by forming a ramp: curling into a ball to avoid their swipes before throwing her skate blades off again.
Both predators yelped as the ice shattered on them: Paprika popped out of a tumble to throw her cat into the other before it could recover, dispersing both of them.
The remaining wolf glanced between them before growing and pouncing at Dancer, but it didn’t go far before being slammed out of Foenum by pivoting double kick from Paprika.
Dancer caught her breath as she accepted a hoof bump from Paprika.
“You’re pretty fast on your feet.”
“Aw, thanks!” Paprika pulled Dancer into an unexpected hug.
“Some are tougher than others.” Arizona entered behind Dasher. “There was a big nasty one at the portal last time: but no door blocks that I remember.”
“Good to know in advance.” Dancer tried in vain to pull out of Paprika’s grip. “So, we should keep going before there’s any more surprises, right?”
“Right!” Paprika let go and started humming on her way to the door.
“Ah guess me an’ Pap are next? Spread the restin’ around?”
“Sure!”
Arizona wondered how she could be so cheery in such a creepy place, before remembering where she’d met her.
Guess not much gets to her.
They braced themselves for another fight, but the group walked out to see the sewer in front of them without incident.
“Blech!” Dancer waved a hoof. “No wonder they don’t hang out here.”
“What’s that?!” Dasher tensed up as he spotted odd blots of darkness hovering in the air.
“Oh, that’s nothin’.” Arizona walked over to it. “Watch!”
She walked up to one and stomped, and the shadows faded into the air like a cloud while some splashed into nothing on the ground: leaving only a green light that flew into her.
“What was that?” Dasher rushed over. “Are you okay?”
“Never better! Those things heal you.” Arizona pointed. “Y’all should try it!”
Dasher and Dancer shared a glance before walking up to the two remaining ones. Dasher tried to stomp, but the darkness only wavered as Dancer cut it apart with a swipe.
“Guess that works too. Ah can help ya practice stompin’ later, though.”
Dasher’s ears tilted back.
“Thanks, I’d appreciate it.”
He shot Dancer a glare as he heard her chuckle before slicing through it with his horns: letting out a satisfied sigh as the green light flew into him.
“You’re right, that does feel better. How’d you figure that out?”
“Stompin’ just solves everything!”
Dancer stopped her laugh long enough to say, “Well, that’s one way to do research.”
They returned to their formation for the next room and thought it was empty until the shadows appeared late with the whole group there: the wolf and two cougars who appeared were outnumbered and immediately overwhelmed as Dasher and Arizona charged and Paprika cut off the wolf fleeing Dancer.
Arizona and Paprika took the lead again as the next door fired behind them and a cat and two wolves phased into existence.
“Like last time!”
Arizona reared up for a two hoof stomp as Paprika hopped to avoid the shockwave, knocking two of the predators to the ground alongside the deer behind her, inadvertently.
The cat had jumped away to avoid it, but as it pounced it was caught by an apple Paprika flung and fell sprawling next to them.
As the wolves scrambled up Arizona lassoed one in, letting go as it stumbled into Paprika’s and vanished in a hug.
The other charged Paprika in a late attempt to cover them: she pretended to flee before flattening it with her back with a trust fall and a “Wee hee!”
Meanwhile the cat pounced at Arizona again with a wild growl, but she deflected its paws with a horn: following with a jab and finishing with a kick from her back hoof.
“That was amazing!” Dasher cheered.
“Did you just…take one down with a hug?!” Dancer sounded equal parts impressed and scared.
“Yep! Wanna see it?”
Dancer took three steps back as Paprika turned to her.
“Ah think she'd like to see it, not feel it.”
Arizona stepped between them.
“Oh. Okay! Gentle hugs.”
Paprika walked off to eat the apple she’d thrown as Dancer breathed a sigh of relief.
Arizona tapped a hoof twice to get everyone's attention.
“There's no more fiery doors past this point, unless somethin’ changed, but the next room’s the portal thing. When ah walked up to it about nine predators popped out, includin’ a big, strong, slowish one. This might get dangerous, in case ya wanna turn back.”
“Let's get the others then.” Dancer stared at her brother. “Nine on nine, no shame in that.”
“But we're so close to just finishing this," Dasher protested, "and there may not even be that many! Would you rather go there and ask for help, or tell them about our adventure with the champions?”
“I'd rather fight with them here, as part of a team.”
“We are a team!” Paprika said. “But you can leave this to the champions if you want.”
“Either way, I'm not leavin’ till this is handled, an’ we shouldn't stick around too long.”
“Then I'm in!” Dasher stepped forward.
Dancer groaned and joined him.
“Fine, but only because I can't talk you out of it.”
“It's settled then! Glad to have ya.”
Arizona led them over another bridge, past the sewer and to a balcony overlooking a large open area. The grim, predator-carved statue drew all of their eyes.
“That's where ah fought last time, reckon it's the best place to stand: room to move around and they'll want to come to us. Probably pop up all around when it opens. That door leads down.”
“Why not bottleneck them at the bridge, keep them from surrounding us?”
Dancer tilted her head back in its direction, but Arizona shook her head.
“Someone has to knock, and they might get cut off.”
Dasher stepped up in front of them.
“I'm fast, let me do it.”
“Not riskin’ it.” Arizona pushed him back. “Let's just stick together and - huh?!”
An ominous sound jerked their attention to the statue as it opened.
“I knocked!” Paprika somehow appeared behind them.
“Back to the bridge!” Dancer turned, but stepped back as two wolves appeared behind them.
Paprika did not hesitate, rolling into one with her hooves striking it before it could react and knocking the other down with a hip bump.
As she finished the wolf in front of her with a hug, a lasso flung the one behind her through the air with a yelp: it barely missed the sewer as it vanished on impact.
With the wolves gone they turned to see a pack of predators pursuing them with a bear trailing the pack, towering over it.
“Cover me!” Dancer took a deep breath, bent down, and breathed a white mist onto the bridge.
Ice covered it as the predators charged, slowed by Dasher summoning wind against them.
“Done!” Dasher and Dancer jumped back behind the champions, horns dimming with their magic spent, as two cats lead the charge: catching themselves as they slid out of control.
“Jump!” Arizona reared up.
The stomp sent the sliding cats flying through the air: one was intercepted by another apple from Paprika, changing its trajectory to fall flailing to the sewer below.
The other sailed clean over the ungulates and crashed: Dasher and Dancer stomped it out without magic before it could recover.
The pack skidded to a halt and braced themselves as Arizona stomped again with Dasher hopping by her side: they stayed grounded, but a wolf yelped as a potato thrown from Paprika smacked its muzzle.
Dancer formed a ball of ice and tossed it to her.
“Try this next!”
The predators started to retreat under the sudden hail of projectiles, but a snake countered with artillery of its own.
“Watch out!”
Dasher tried to deflect the poison too late with his wind, and watched as Dancer and Paprika jumped away from their loading position as a glob of it splashed on the floor.
When he looked back he saw the bear throwing the last cougar, flying over the ice straight towards his sister.
Summoning all the magic he had left, he dashed in front of her before anyone else could react.
He meant to knock the cougar out of the way, but instead they went tumbling, barely missing Dancer as he the cougar slashed and he did his best to keep its teeth at bay.
“Dash!”
Dancer turned her back on the pack and ran to him, but Paprika was faster: already pulling the cougar away.
Its hooked claws refused to let go until it recoiled from a slash from Dancer’s skates, vanishing in Paprika’s arms.
Dancer knelt by her brother, panicking at his groan as he forced himself up.
“Focus on them, I’m - OW - I’m fine!”
With the others out of position, Arizona was alone in holding the bridge.
The last wolf had crept up when she’d turned to look at the cougar, and it took the opportunity to pounce.
Arizona answered with a straight-on headbuck, sending it tumbling, but saw an incoming shockwave too late: the bear had chosen to attack her through its own ally.
The force of it finished the wolf off and knocked her off her feet as the bear charged in behind it: scooping her into a crushing grab.
Arizona struggled to escape, but the grip loosened on its own as icicles slammed into the bear's head and shoulder: the second narrowly missing Arizona.
“Put zhat down!”
“Velvet?!”
Arizona pushed against the arms as they started to tighten again, but a headbut from Paprika to the chin forced the bear to drop her.
The snake lunged for Paprika, but its head was knocked to the floor by a speedball of ice as another icicles drove the bear back.
Seizing the opening, Arizona dug her hooves into the brick and rocketed herself at the bear.
“Y’all in for a Tramplin’!”
Her horn slammed into its chest as she swiped, sending it flying over her head towards the others.
It would have landed on Velvet, but she dodged with a graceful backflip followed by an enormous shard of ice slamming it to the ground.
“Spike!”
Dancer’s horns glowed as ice crept over the bear’s paws, trying to freeze it to the ground.
“Zhat’s cute, let me show you how it’s done!”
Velvet hopped towards the bear and froze it in place with a fan of icicles embedding into the ground and expanding around it, before the ice rose to a solid block as her horns shone.
She smiled at her work before flinching as it shattered from a wind backed buck from Dasher, with the bear nowhere to be seen.
“Sorry, that was personal.”
“Fair enough, I suppose.”
On the bridge the snake had started to flee as soon as it saw the bear get flung through the air: but it didn’t get far before Paprika grabbed its tail and spun it around in a blur.
“Ari, catch!”
It flew head first with a panicked hiss, and disappeared as Arizona met its head with her own.
Shaking the impact off, she spun around looking for more enemies before turning to Velvet, speaking through heavy breathing.
“Thanks for the help, but we had that under control.”
“Clearly.” Velvet rolled her eyes. “You’re lucky I only took one wrong turn.”
Arizona dropped her response as an “Ouch!” caught her attention.
“Dash! Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” He walked with a slight limp. “Just need to get back to the sprites. But we should handle that first.”
He pointed to the statue.
Arizona frowned and lead them to it.
“Ah tried stompin’ it, but it seems hard to destroy. How d’ya reckon we stop it?”
“I don’t know, but we can at least slow it.” Velvet looked to Dancer. “What do you say we freeze it shut?”
“Worth a shot.” Dancer nodded.
The two deer knelt by the statue as a ice encompassed it, leaving Paprika to frantically bandage Dasher.
“You need rest and ointment, now! I’ll take you back.”
He flailed in her grip as she picked him up.
“I’m fine! Put me down!”
Paprika didn’t let go until they’d made it outside and Dancer caught up to touch a hoof to her shoulder.
“I’ll take it from here. We’re twins, we look out for each other.”
Her eyes widened as Paprika pulled her into the hug as well.
“Aw, that’s so sweet! Just promise you’ll get well soon!”
“Promise.” They both answered with a look to each other.
“Y’all did good out there! Proud to fight by your side.”
“Thanks! I mean, um…..”
“Well, see you tomorrow!” Dancer waved. “Can’t promise I’ll be in the tournament after all that, though.”
“Awww!” Paprika frowned.
“Okay, maybe. See you later!”
Dancer pulled her dazed brother away, letting him lean on her as they walked off to their headquarters.
“Tell Vixen she smells for me!” Velvet waved them goodbye before turning to the others. “I see you’ve made new friends.”
“Why are ya here, anyway? Comin’ to show off?”
“Saving ze day vas a nice bonus, but I came to apologize.”
“Wha?”
“I mean to say I’m sorry.”
Arizona blinked as Velvet tensed up.
“I vas out of line insulting you and your father like zhat. I…I’m just sorry. Can you forgive me?”
Arizona stared back, but her face softened at Velvet’s regret.
“Sure. No point holdin’ onto a grudge. But what was that about?”
Velvet took a moment to gather her thoughts.
“Before you came, I was clearly ze best fighter in Reine: and I trained to keep it zat way. I thought I vas invincible, but then you showed up and I lost to a kid who didn't even have magic!”
She paused to catch herself.
“No offense.”
“None taken. Ah’m Champ’een of the Prairie for a reason though.”
“Yes. I underestimated you - which won't happen again - and I suppose my ego got bruised.”
“That's not all that got bruised.”
Velvet caught herself from retorting as she spotted a smile and heard Paprika snicker.
“Hmph! Fair enough.”
“You battled a pack of predators from a dark shrine below Reine, and did not send for me?!”
“Ah knew I could handle it alone, and ah didn’t want to risk any of ‘em gettin’ out.”
“Yes, but I could have -” Stronghoof cut himself off with a cough. “I mean, mighty as you are, it was an unnecessary risk. But please, tell me more about this large scraggly predator!”
He insisted on hearing every detail of their battle, clearly wishing he could have been there.
“You have done Reine a great service! Do not worry about this gate opening again: I will post guards until we find a way to shut it down for good.”
“Zhere may only be one vay to do zhat. Any update on ze translation?”
“No, but I have asked them to investigate this dark shrine. It seems to act as a portal of sorts to the Hold: perhaps it will have some answers? Regardless, any information on it would be welcome. It is disturbing to find such a thing under our city.”
“Ah saw one like it in the big Highlands Temple, things give me the creeps. Who'd have built that anyway, predators?”
Paprika swallowed another mouthful and spoke up.
“That’s silly! The temple talks about the Prophet and all that stuff, so there wouldn't be predators.”
“So…ungulates built ‘em?” Arizona briefly looked her age as a scared calf.
“Somehow zhat is more disturbing.”
“Indeed,” Stronghoof nodded, “but it might mean that there's a trace in the historical record. For now though we should celebrate your victory, and look forward to the tournament ahead!”
“Thanks again for takin’ us in, really appreciate it.”
“And thanks for the food!” Arizona and Paprika spoke in turn, getting a smile from Stronghoof.
“The pleasure is mine, and you have already repaid us handsomely.”
“It wasn't all us, Dasher and Dancer helped!” Paprika added.
“Ze did well for fawns.”
“Well for anyone, ah’d say.”
“I will ensure that they receive credit, they've done the Elite 7 proud.”
Arizona grabbed another bite of sprouts before swallowing and asking.
“What's with the Elite 7 anyway? If it's deer with a lot of magic, shouldn't you be on it?”
“You'd zhink.”
Velvet scowled, but before Arizona could think of something else to say Paprika spoke.
“But they need you for the biggest job, right? You're the champion!”
“Very true.” Stronghoof looked to his daughter. “I was also needed for other tasks.”
“I've heard zhis all before, but zhank you.”
She got up from the table after a last bite.
“Now if you'll excuse me, I must make some last preparations for tomorrow.”
Arizona waited until she'd closed the door to ask her father.
“Sensitive topic?”
“You could say that. No one really knows why the sprites choose anyone, but there's a prestige to it.”
“Their headquarters looks cool!” Paprika stretched her neck up to his eye level. “I wish I could be in a club like that!”
“Yer in a champion club with me, at least.”
“And Velvet!” Paprika smiled. “She seems nice when you get past the froofiness.”
“Fair point.” Stronghoof chuckled. “I admit she can be difficult at times. It's good you see you getting along.”
“If she's ready to let bygones be bygones, ah’m fine with that. Not gonna let her show me up if she's goin’ around callin’ me a rival, though.”
“I would expect nothing less!”