Witchers of Nifelheim

"We can't keep moving forever, so until we are sure of the details of what is happening, we should play it safe and escort her to the most heavily guarded area we can, are there any military bases nearby, off the coast would be better since it would limit our man's approaches?" Rogue says.

"Beusoleil is too far in land, there's no coasts nearby" Harlequin said, thinking.

"Heavily guarded..." Amy repeated: "I'm not sure where the Tesian military bases are but...
Wait, what about the Beusoleil police station? Its close and full of cops. Plus SWAT teams.
Should be the safest place nearby."

"What do you think?" Harlequin asked: "Should we head there?"



"Someone tell me what's happening!" Kathy called in a panicked voice: "Please..." she looks miserable.


As you watch the outside through the windows, you only see alarmed pedestrians nearby. Nothing really stands out of place.

"Kathy, this will be a lot to take in, but I need you to keep calm, if possible."

Twilight took a deep breath.

"About four days ago, you had a nightshift at work with seven other employees. But that night, something strange happened, correct? We haven't heard the details yet, but there is something we do know. Are you ready?"

She looked grimly, hoping she brought the news slow enough to let it sink in.

"All of the people of that particular shift have been murdered by an unknown individual still capable of wielding magic. One by one, with the same method. I hate to say it, but you are the only one of that shift still alive. And we believe this serial killer is after you right now."

She let a pause to let the information sink in.

"I know it must be hard to take in, but I need to ask something both for your own safety and international security. What has transpired on that particular night? What were the unusual circumstances everyone left early? What could you know, that would want that serial killer to stay unknown?"

She leans in a little closer. "What could be the lead to bring back the magic to Tesia, if not the world?"

From the moment you first mentioned the night shift, Kathy became really quiet, hear ears pressing hard against her head.

You're not quite sure how to interpret her expression. She looked like a deer in the headlight. Silent, on guard and alarmed.
Her eyes began darting left and right. She's rapidly thinking.


After the pause had dragged for too long, Kathy briefly looked at you, then looked away:

"...it may never come back" she quietly said.



The pause began dragging on for too long again and she looked at you:

"...he's not gonna stop. The killer" she quietly swallowed:

"He's not gonna stop until I'm dead.
You can't talk him down. You can't change his mind. He chose this path and he will take his own life, if it will help him kill me.


I don't believe he will be hiding his identity. I don't think he cares. There's only him, and his mission. Nothing else matters.
And his mission is to kill me"



Harlequin looked at her: "...Kathy, what happened on that night shift?"


Kathy looked away. It seems she intends not to answer the question. After a few silent moments, she looked back at you:
"...I just want to live... that's all I want.
You'll... still protect me right?" Kathy looks at you. She looks miserable and scared.

"Of course... your the last one and hold very dear information. We need to know whats going on Kathy." Her voice comes out soft and comforting, "We will protect you to our last breath. As long as your in our security your as safe as we can make you. We do however need you to tell us what happened that night, we need to know whats going on and you seem to know."

Kathy looked away again. She collected herself and tightly hugged her knees, hiding her face behind them: "No.......I don't know.
I don't want to talk about it"


"Kathy.." Amy quietly called.

Kathy remained silent, hiding her face in her knees.


Harlequin gave a signal to the driver and the SUV's started to move:
"...should we head to the police station for now? Its not far" she asked, looking at you.

Rain thinks a moment, "To the police station... Kathy for how much you know i get the feeling you dont know how imparitive it is we know whats going on." Her voice is a bit more commanding now as she ditches the kind approach, "Look around at your home as we drive kathy." She looks to her with a glare, "You'll find that your city is as low as it can be. With each death magic dissapears and the most magic filled place currently is equestria. People are going to die... the city is already thrown into anarchy, familys are slaughtering each other over a dream... kathy." She gives a few seconds to let that sink in, "I even succumbed to this today when a group of enchanters tried to solve a problem with magic when there IS NO magic." She looks to her and shakes her head, "needless to say, it didn't end well. I have been here longer then I like already and it terrifys me knowing we have the target of this ruthless killer in our car, and it terrorfys everyone in this vehicle, NO in this entire operation what would happen if you died to this man. We NEED to know whats going on so we can stop it kathy. Thats the full view of the situation we have and your the final piece."

Kathy remained quiet for a while, just sitting and hugging her knees, as the vehicles speeded down the empty roads.

After a while, she quietly said: "....fly low, over the Ducre Mountain. You'll probably see it"


"See what, Kathy?" Harlequin asked.

"..the object that appeared on the mountain, four days ago" Kathy quietly said.

".....the mountain.." Harlequin repeated and looked in its direction. Even from this distance, you could see a thunderstorm, brewing over the mountain peak. Now and again, a dim flash of blue light would appear in its clouds, but no thunder was heard.




The SUV's pulled to a stop, next to a five floored police station. An impressive building, complete with its own garage and a helicopter landing pad on the roof.

Around the same time, your earpiece went active:


"...Attention, this is the senior police officer, tasked with tailing the serial killer.

The killer has entered an abandoned house on the outskirts of the city and stopped moving.
We have covertly surrounded the building. I don't believe the killer is aware of our presence yet.

Do you want us to begin an assault on our own, or wait for you to arrive? Over"




"...so... this is our situation..." Harlequin said to herself, thinking. She then looked at everyone:


"..alright. It looks like we have three options.


- Stay here, at the police station and guard Kathy.

- Head for the Ducre mountain and find this... object.

- Or head to the abandoned house and go after the killer, head on.



"These three locations are pretty far from one another. If we go to one of them, and something happens, we might have trouble doubling back in time.
Which means, once we head to one location, we'll have to stick to it.

Where ever we decide to go, the local police will handle the other two options.

As for us, however, I don't think splitting up will be a good idea. We don't have enough info on our enemy or his capabilities.
Splitting up, will potentially spread us thin" she said, thinking:



"I'll follow your lead. We just need to decide where to go,

Explore the Ducre Mountain, Protect Kathy at the police station, or confront the killer head on.
Whatever we choose, the local police will handle the other two options"

"One way or the other we are going to the mountain to investigate, I say we deal with this, the best way to do so is to stay here. The killer hasn't attacked police, hasn't killed other innocents, only his targets." She looks to the group, "Its somewhat clear that mass death isn't an option he wants to stride for, I dont think he will attack the police if we stay here. I think he will evade them and end up at our doorstep where we can confront him with Kathy in our custody."

"I agree, we should wait here whilst the police engage the target. Either they arrest him, or he escapes and comes after Kathy, but both scenarios lead to him showing up here at the police station. Once he's safely dealt with and Kathy's in no more danger, we can investigate the Ducre Mountains Anomaly" Rogue summarises "Kathy, how does this object relate to the recent spate of murders? Does the killer draw their power from it? How did you find out about it? Please Kathy, these're important questions which we need answering if we're to deal with it."

Sand sits silent. Looking at the photo of her family with an almost absent-minded stare. Her hands appear to be trembling ever so slightly. All but unnoticeable except to those with very keen eyes. Eyes not moving from the picture she speaks her mind

"I don't want to be anywhere near that psychopath. He's fucking terrifying!" she clenches her fists, the edges of the photo crunching slightly. "The mountain has answers. I think we should go there and let the police and SWAT protect Kathy"

"We don't know his capabilities, the police might not be able to handle him, and if that's the case then at least some of us need to be here for if the worst comes to the worst" Rogue replies to Sand "If you feel that strongly about this, then we could probably spare you staying here, so you can go take some men and investigate the DMA while we hold down the fort. Just don't take any big risks, as it could be some time before we could show up as backup if you need it."

"However, the idea that the police can't handle them on their own is also a reason not to stay here."
The purple pony said slowly. "It's not like we're geared to handle such a guy in our current state, with a few of us being vastly nerfed. Staying here to protect her is asking for him to come, giving him plenty time to prepare on how to eliminate us without hurting his main target, leaving her able to die to the sword."

She ponders. "While the mountain holds answers, we don't know how much time will pass before that clue is gone. On the other hand, if the arrest or elimination doesn't work, he will fight in self-defense, so the first strike is the most important."

She lets out a sigh. "I can't fight in my current state, but aid to the strike team sounds like the best option to me. Once he stops feeling safe, there's no telling how he will act before it's too late."

She takes a deep breath, "Ok... new idea... I dont trust the police but who i do trust are my own troops." She whistles, "ATTENTION!" She calls before she looks to the group, "We dont need to trust the police when we can entrust military trained, medium to lightly armoured infantry." She looks to everyone, "In this case we can investigate the mountain... but again we ourselfs will not be here should something happen, we wont be able to stop something from happening and we are entrusting our men to have the same strength and resolve we do."

Kathy remained silent, staring somewhere into space. She reminded you more and more, of a deer caught in a headlight:

"...I... I can't answer your questions. I'm sorry." she looked away: "...I can't talk about it, while the killer is still alive.
Once... once I'm safe... I'll tell you everything. I promise" she looked at you with a saddened expression.



Harlequin sighed, thinking:
"...about the killer, its true he only killed his targets so far, and avoided harming anyone else, but we don't have enough info on him or his motivations.

If cornered, he may grow increasingly desperate. There's no telling how he will react. We shouldn't assume that he won't harm us or the police, if we get in the way. We have to be very careful"




Harlequin looked at everyone:
"Alright, lets summarize the plan of action.


Twilight, take Tom and two Nyx Fireteams. Head to the abandoned house and assist the police. Attempt an arrest of the Beusoleil serial killer.
If that is not possible, if there is a direct threat to your life, or the lives of any civilians or allied forces, do what you have to.

Attempt to neutralize the target without killing him, by attacking the lower half of his body. If that is not possible, do whatever you have to, to prevent loss of innocent lives"





Harlequin looked at Rogue:
"Rogue, I will stay here with you, at the police station, together with another Nyx fireteam. Our job will be to safeguard Kathy.
We will begin by thoroughly studying the police station blueprints and formulating a fortification plan.

We will remain at the police station and continue safeguarding Kathy, until the Beusoleil killer is stopped"





She looked at Rain and Sand:
"Rain, Sand, take Amy and the last Nyx fireteam, and go towards the mountain"

"What? But I want to stay here!" Amy called out in protest: "I want to protect her!"

"Amy" Harlequin looked at her: "You're a data analyst. You've never undergone combat training. Staying here will be dangerous. I don't want you anywhere near this place, if the killer shows up. I don't want to loose you in combat"


Harlequin looked at Amy, Rain and Sand:

"Make a light recon of the Ducre Mountain, nothing more. At the first sign of trouble, report your findings and pull back immediately.
We don't know what you'll be walking into. We don't know how dangerous it will be.

If you find this 'Object' or any hostiles near it, don't engage. Only gather intelligence and pull back. If a firefight breaks out, you will be isolated from any friendly forces in the area.
We may not be able to reach you in time, so avoid combat at all costs"





She looked at everyone: "That should be it.

Do we concur with the plan?"

Rain nods, "Sand, amy, lets leave immediately! Lets get pictures of this object and get back here so we can do our best to recognize it." She stretches her wings out, the appendages stretching out in four directions they shake slightly, some loose feathers falling from her wings.

Twilight gave a quick nod. She's steeling herself slowly.

"That sounds fair enough. I'll try not to be a burden to them and keep them alive as best as possible. Let me prepare for battle then."

She steps out, looking for her partner in crime to relay the information to and a group that would be useful.

Sand takes a moment to do her own stretching. It looks like she has far more flexibility than would have been initially thought. After she finishes she takes one last look at the picture of her family then slides it back into her pocket.

"Form up!" Harlequin called. Sixteen batponies in armored vests, stood in a line. They checked their gear with practiced efficiency and split into groups of four.

Four of them stood next to Sand, Rain and Amy.

Four more stood beside Rogue and Harlequin.

The last eight joined Twilight and Tomas.



"Everyone! We are about to embark on a mission, that may change the course of this world" Harlequin called:
"If we can't figure out the cause of the recent phenomenons here, then they will appear next on Equestria's doorstep. Currently the only safe haven on earth, it will be struck with mental breakdowns and violence and loss of all magic.

Our families, our children, perhaps the fate of mankind, rests in our hands, today.

We must gather as much information as possible, find the root of this problem and eliminate it.
Study the object on the Ducre Mountain. Stop the serial killer of Beusoleil. For all we know, eliminating Kathy, is all he needs to complete the downfall of Tesia, after which, Equestria will be next.

We must not let that happen!

Work together! Work as a team and prevail!" Harlequin looked at you with fire in her eyes:



"...the hopes and dreams of this world shall go with you.
COMMENCE OPERATION!"




She barked and the batponies dispersed, moving to their starting positions. Some staying at the station, others spreading their wings, ready to take flight. The last one's heading toward the SUV's outside.


As you begin to move, you hear a ringtone coming from Twilight's phone.


It was a voice message, from a missed called, that never connected, due to poor reception.
The senders name read:

'Kaylee Brown'












".....Twi.... this is Kaylee...

I'm sorry I suddenly vanished last month. Sorry I couldn't contact you sooner.

The truth is, I was sent on a mission. Due to its sensitive nature, I had to go dark. I wasn't allowed to contact anyone, for the past month. Not even my parents. They don't even know where I am. I'm not allowed to say.
Our superiors didn't allow us to call anyone. It was that serious.

They didn't even ask me if I wanted to do this mission, they just ordered me to. Not that I would've protested. I understand how important this is.
I guess, that's just the chain of command.


Anyway... I just wanted to call, to say that I received your voice message. Sadly, this is the one time, I am unable to help. I'm not allowed to abandon my mission. I have to see it through to the end.


I know you are together with everyone. Our old friends. Working hard together. I wish I could be with you guys, right now.

Say hi to everyone from me, and that I miss them very much" Kaylee nervously swallowed. It sounded like she was holding back tears:





"Where ever you are, I know you guys are doing your best, to change the fate of this world.
So I'm gonna do my best as well.

I'm about to embark on a mission and... I don't know when I'll be back. I don't know how it will play out.
I might die.

But that's okay.
Because, if we both succeed in our missions, it will all be worth it... right?


I just..." you heard a suppressed sob:


"I just wanted to hear your voices again... I wanted to hear my parents voices... my sisters...
But the reception here is so shit... none of my calls ever connected...


All I could do, was leave this sad voice message.

I don't know when you'll receive it.. if you'll receive it at all.
Just know that... I'll be fighting hard for you guys...

And I know you'll be fighting hard for me, for everyone in this world.


Take care.
And no regrets, okay? No matter what happens" Kaylee audibly smiled, through a quiet sob:


"...goodbye"



The voice message ended.

Kaylee Brown wrote:

//Soundtrack

"Form up!" Harlequin called. Sixteen batponies in armored vests, stood in a line. They checked their gear with practiced efficiency and split into groups of four.

Four of them stood next to Sand, Rain and Amy.

Four more stood beside Rogue and Harlequin.

The last eight joined Twilight and Tomas.



"Everyone! We are about to embark on a mission, that may change the course of this world" Harlequin called:
"If we can't figure out the cause of the recent phenomenons here, then they will appear next on Equestria's doorstep. Currently the only safe haven on earth, it will be struck with mental breakdowns and violence and loss of all magic.

Our families, our children, perhaps the fate of mankind, rests in our hands, today.

We must gather as much information as possible, find the root of this problem and eliminate it.
Study the object on the Ducre Mountain. Stop the serial killer of Beusoleil. For all we know, eliminating Kathy, is all he needs to complete the downfall of Tesia, after which, Equestria will be next.

We must not let that happen!

Work together! Work as a team and prevail!" Harlequin looked at you with fire in her eyes:



"...the hopes and dreams of this world shall go with you.
COMMENCE OPERATION!"




She barked and the batponies dispersed, moving to their starting positions. Some staying at the station, others spreading their wings, ready to take flight. The last one's heading toward the SUV's outside.

"Okay then, where can we find plans for this building, and for surrounding buildings too'd be helpful?" Rogue nods.

(Police Station)



"In the command room, I already had it arranged" Harlequin nodded: "This way"

She and four other batponies ran up the stairs, emerging on the third floor, in the middle of a maze of office cubicles.
Kathy was trailing close behind, keeping her ears down and shadowing Harlequin everywhere.


Some sort of a makeshift command post, was set up in the middle of this floor. A dozen high ranking police officers, stood around a long table. Fully geared up and in armored vests, they patiently waited, sometimes looking down at the blueprints and chewing a tooth pick.



"Alright, here's what we have" Harlequin approached and leaned over the table:
"The police station is made out of 5 floors.


The 1st floor houses the main entrance, the reception desks, some offices, jail cells, the armory and a garage, with 2 armored vans.

The 2nd and 3rd floor are comprised of office cubicles. The detective work happens here.

The 4th floor is a forensics laboratory, all the crime research is done there.

The 5th floor is the tech division, computers and data analysts rule this floor.

Finally, the roof is mostly featureless, save for the helicopter landing pad, it is currently unoccupied.



The buildings adjacent to the police station, are comprised of various private businesses. Restaurants, hotels, and so on.
There is a large main road, just in front of the police station.

A building to our left and right, roughly the same height as the police station building. We are separated from them by a street, 5 meters in length, on each side of our building.

There is also a building behind the police station, located on the same distance, but shorter than ours.



That about sums it up"


Harlequin looked up:





"There are currently 53 police officers on active duty, inside the police station. Plus me and four of my Nyx troopers.

We need to figure out how to disperse the men, and how to effectively guard the police station.
We also need to figure out where to place Kathy, for maximum protection"

"ALRIGHT BOYS ON ME!" Rain steps outside and with a flap of her wings she moves into the sky she begins moving for the mountain twards the stormclouds. Her eyes scan the mountains edge as they fly closer.

Kaylee Brown wrote:(Police Station)



"In the command room, I already had it arranged" Harlequin nodded: "This way"

She and four other batponies ran up the stairs, emerging on the third floor, in the middle of a maze of office cubicles.
Kathy was trailing close behind, keeping her ears down and shadowing Harlequin everywhere.


Some sort of a makeshift command post, was set up in the middle of this floor. A dozen high ranking police officers, stood around a long table. Fully geared up and in armored vests, they patiently waited, sometimes looking down at the blueprints and chewing a tooth pick.



"Alright, here's what we have" Harlequin approached and leaned over the table:
"The police station is made out of 5 floors.


The 1st floor houses the main entrance, the reception desks, some offices, jail cells, the armory and a garage, with 2 armored vans.

The 2nd and 3rd floor are comprised of office cubicles. The detective work happens here.

The 4th floor is a forensics laboratory, all the crime research is done there.

The 5th floor is the tech division, computers and data analysts rule this floor.

Finally, the roof is mostly featureless, save for the helicopter landing pad, it is currently unoccupied.



The buildings adjacent to the police station, are comprised of various private businesses. Restaurants, hotels, and so on.
There is a large main road, just in front of the police station.

A building to our left and right, roughly the same height as the police station building. We are separated from them by a street, 5 meters in length, on each side of our building.

There is also a building behind the police station, located on the same distance, but shorter than ours.



That about sums it up"


Harlequin looked up:





"There are currently 53 police officers on active duty, inside the police station. Plus me and four of my Nyx troopers.

We need to figure out how to disperse the men, and how to effectively guard the police station.
We also need to figure out where to place Kathy, for maximum protection"

"Well I don't believe our killer can fly, so the roof shouldn't be too much of a vulnerable spot unless he nicks a helicopter, but if he does that we should get some decent warning beforehand so we can shuffle people about if needs be. Nonetheless, we should've some officers stationed up there to keep an eye on the other buildings, armed with long range rifles, in constant radio contact at all times." Rogue says "The majority of officers should be on the ground and first floors, equipped with riot control gear if available, and Kathy should be on the first floor. All windows and doors should be barricaded with anything available, like cabinets and tables."

(Police Station)


"Got it" the officers nodded and began to disperse.

Harlequin checked her earpiece radio, to make sure it was functioning and looked around:

"...this should do it. We vastly outnumber the killer. I don't see him getting in here easily or accomplishing his objective.
All we have to do now, is stay vigilant"


"Right" Kathy nervously nodded.


Harlequin looked at her for a moment, then quietly asked: "...Kathy are you okay? You look really pale"

"What?" Kathy asked, the question seemed to have caught her by surprise: "No, no, haha, I'm fine. Please don't worry about me" she sheepishly smiled.

Now that Harlequin mentioned it, you began to notice it as well.


"...I'm gonna go grab a first aid kit" Harlequin said after a moment, peeling off and walking towards the hall.

"No, please, you don't have to! Haha.." Kathy attempted to wave it away.


Harlequin's expression remained unchanged. As she walked passed you, she briefly whispered into your ear:
"...Rogue, she's pale as a corpse. Keep and eye on her, while I get a med-kit. I want to measure her vital signs.."


"G-guys.. you don't have to fuss over me.." Kathy said sheepishly. She really does look white as a sheet. In contrast, she seemed fine a few minutes ago."

(Ducre Mountain)


The flight to the edge of the city took roughly 20 minutes at maximum speed. Four Nyx soldiers in body armor flew next to you in diamond formation.
Amy was shadowing Rain, slightly lagging behind. It seems she was unused to prolonged flights at this speed. She appears to be somewhat fatigued.


As you approach the mountain, you began to notice its vast size. It must be stretching on for at least 40 kilometers in length. Its peak so high, it was obscured by the clouds.

The heavy storm clouds hanging over the mountain looked ominous. Here and there, you'd see a flash of blue light, somewhere inside the clouds. But you never heard any thunder.
At this distance, you should've been able to hear it. But there was nothing but silence.



Reaching the base of the mountain and beginning to fly up its surface, the rocky scenery slowly changed into snow.
A few stray snowflakes were falling down from the sky, as you pressed forward, sparkling in the rays of the morning sun.


It was quiet here. Only the wind ringing in your ears broke the silence.


After several minutes of flight, you began to notice something in the heavy clouds up above.

There was an eye in the storm, all the clouds were swirling around it. Its position remained fixed, above an area on the ground, some 5 kilometers away.
You can't quite see what's out there yet. The view was blocked by a massive snowy boulder.


It seems you need to fly higher to get a good look at that area.


So far, you only saw an empty mountainside and snow.