#Cold Take with Frost

[potatosteinsillustrations]

Frost never misses, B R A V O! !!!

[deebrisbyfish]

So, NEXT week's strip will still be a direct continuation to the strip about my being sick and overdoing it on the NyQuil. However, when I had this idea yesterday morning while leaving for work and feeling VERY much as if this had happened, I had to draw it and put it up. I mean, it has been crazy cold the last few days! lol

[starleska]

guys, i just realised something. Jack Frost takes off his jacket when he's outside in the snow. and he puts it back on when he's inside. because he's. he's cold!!! ❄️❄️❄️

[tiger-in-the-flightdeck]

Leonard 'Cold As Ice' Snart: Huh. It's been almost twenty minutes since I explained to a murderer just how much Flash and I like each other. I better do something about that.

[enquire]

Legacy and Tragedy (background story 1?)

I think it's time to talk about what the deal is with Saber and his dad.

This little backstory is going to be a smidge more dark for the my little horse show alright.

It's fineee, ok, ponies die in MLP.

To be honest it's not that bad. I mean it could be worse like uh... certain things that happen in the original dra canon.. ehem anyway this may be a little out of left field but bear with me here. I felt Saber needed a backstory of somewhat equal weight for it to still feel like it's him, and fit in the way I want it to...

ANYWAY I am rambling about my dra pony au again so buckle in.

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Ever since he could remember, Saber Frost knew who he was supposed to be. Being raised by his father Cold Steel, his life was surrounded by the Equestrian Guard since he was just a foal. He watched his father rise through the ranks, until he held the title of Captain of the Equestrian Guard.

They were different from Day and Night Guard; ever servants of the royal family. Instead of performing meaningless ceremonial duties, and being easily swept aside by almost any threat, the Equestrian Guard actually protect and serve everypony.

That's what Saber had always been told, and believed. He strove to follow in his father's hoofsteps and become the kind of pony who saved lives, and kept everyone safe. The kind of pony who ensured justice was done.

Cold Steel taught him everything he knew. How to defend himself. How to track down missing ponies. The proper way to care for your gear, and the best methods of investigating crime scenes. How to subdue criminals. How to prioritize during an emergency. How to make necessary sacrifices.

Everything Saber understood about the world, he saw through the same lens. And so, he, and his best friend, a unicorn named Keen Blaze, vowed to become heroes together.

Saber and Keen rose quickly through the ranks. Though Keen was always a few steps ahead, Saber was proud of his accomplishments. Even if his father was disappointed when Keen gained the rank of Lieutenant instead, Saber wasn't competitive. Maybe, part of him preferred to stay in Keen's shadow, where the pressure was less. Supporting his friend, and protecting each other.

But safety never truly lasts. This is a lesson Saber thought he had already learned. It had been drilled into him ever since he was a foal. The reality was, he had never truly known it. Until the day changelings descended down upon Canterlot, taking the castle and incapacitating the Royal Guard.

Spies had already infiltrated the Equestrian Guard, claiming their headquarters and taking several of their own as captives, including Keen Blaze. When the Captain of the Equestrian Guard realized what had happened, it was far too late to recover lost ground.

Changelings swarmed the city, attacking civilian and soldier alike. The princesses were nowhere to be seen. It seemed as though the few brigades of the Equestrian Guard still standing were the only thing left between Canterlot and annihilation. And if Canterlot fell, the rest of Equestria could, too.

So, he came up with a plan to destroy their own headquarters. Doing so would take out the great number of changelings using it as a base of operations and remove access to the catacombs below, stopping the invading army from escaping underground.

Two birds, one stone.

But when he gave the order, Captain Steel was met with resistance for perhaps the first time. Many of the ponies under his leadership had qualms about the hostages still trapped inside, most of whom were sworn members of the Guard, just like them. Companions, and friends.

Cold Steel pointed out that they could very well be changelings, disguised in order to prevent retaliation. And that if not, their comrades' sacrifice would protect the safety of Canterlot and ensure the changeling menace was driven back before the worst came to pass.

But hesitation was natural, wasn't it? Nopony spoke. Until Saber, seeing his father without support, came forward and stood by his words.

After that, more ponies fell in beside him. A tide shifting in favor of the Captain and his plan.

Saber was among the unicorns whose magic took the building down. When it was done, at first, the guard was triumphant. Black, broken carapaces and shattered bug wings signaled their success. The bugs still left alive fled to the other side of the city, leaving the district quiet at last.

But not al the bodies left in the rubble belonged to changelings. The captured ponies had not been fake. Saber was the first to spot burned, brown fur. He forced the wreckage aside, but it was too late. Keen was already dead.

The cheers faded as more and more comrades were found broken and lifeless in the remains. And before the guard could recover enough to take back the rest of Canterlot, a wave of magic exploded from the palace, expelling the invading changelings and rendering the sacrifices made completely, utterly, pointless.

Saber kept staring, half expecting the body of his friend to be wreathed in green flame. For the corpse of a changeling to be revealed instead. But when the bugs were purged from Canterlot, Keen's body remained there, untouched.

Even as several years passed, part of Saber was left behind in that moment. Nightmares and shadows, ever present, almost cemented in his mind by the familiar parapets and streets of Canterlot. And echoing in his father's cold voice and stony expression.

Perhaps that is why Saber chose to leave Canterlot, going over his father's head by giving in to his friends' advice to request reassignment. To a small town Thrift, and two friends he had yet to meet, called home.

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here's an alternate untinted version for color reasons

It was fun getting to write down some of the deeper lore for this silly little au... I will likely do more of this sort of thing in the future. Hope anyone who read all that enjoyed it. I might actually write some stories too, who knows.

p.s. If you're curious, Steel left the kirin village (or some other kirin location) a long time ago. Probably because he had a difference of opinion with them, or didn't have any interest in being 'silenced.'

Saber was born in Canterlot, so he doesn't remember the village or have a connection to his heritage. His mother (an unnamed unicorn) isn't around anymore, and Steel raised Saber by himself.

p.p.s. I uh kinda forgot to mention this but I am working from the idea that there are three factions going on, two of which are Celestia and Luna's respective royal guards, and the other which takes on the role local authorities, militia, etc would fill. Kinda how the Wonderbolts are essentially an air force. The Equestrian Guard might have its headquarters in Canterlot, but it's based throughout Equestria. The Day/Night Guards (who let's face it, are indeed often kind of useless and largely ceremonial) are not Equestria's army, internal security force, or anything; that's where the Equestrian Guard comes in.

[safyresky]

I mean, she probably most definitely already KNOWS the fuck word but hey, go off Spring

Yesterday was make a terrible comic day! Gave me IDEAS. Which I then threw at YOU GUYS. Now, THE VOTES ARE IN and HERE YOU GO! The Crystal Springs rendition of the famous is joke comic!

Better late than never, eh? 🤭🤭🤭

This is taking place during Shadows, hence Jacqueline's fit—it's her "blend-into-a-uni-campus-circa-late-2000s-early-2010s" fit lmao.

The jacket is one of those short crop faux leather jackets; she wears it unzipped always (zipper may be broken), and under it she has a light blue lulu lemon sweater, complete with sleeves that are also fingerless gloves

Dani, are you basing it on a fit you have again?

YES.

Well. HAD. (tho I still have the sweater).

BUT YES.

YES, I AM.

This woman has had a SIGNIFICANT impact on my fashion choices for about 18 years.

NEXT QUESTION.

Since it is taking place during Shadows, the newspaper and tabloid Jacqueline and Blossom are reading have headlines relating to Shadows. Well, the newspaper. the tabloid is just a regular day in the public eye for Blossom

Newspaper says: CS Times. LEGENDNAPPED. LEGATES IN CHARGE.

Tabloid says: NEW EB EXPLODES

She either exploded something, had a bit of a rage induced fight, or literally exploded. Idk how. But obviously she's fine now lmao.

Idk what Blossom wears? In my head she is WAY smaller and has just a double belt thing for her batons and an easter lily. I think maybe if she DOES wear clothes, she's an overalls kinda gal. Bun. I'll think on that lmao.

Panel 6 is my favourite

drawing this comic so shittily and then colouring it was like. A DELIGHT lmao.

I inked in a sharpie which was a BAD IDEA. With the brush tip markers, it bled

BUT HEY! LOOK AT THE COLOURS! WHEEEEE

[the-stars-are-warring]

Also I will never forgive JFO for sending Cal into Illum with a ragged ass poncho and one goddamn glove. Why are we so committed to giving the guy every cold related ailment as fast as possible.

[supernowa-art]

FIRST FROST LET'S FUCKING GOOOOO!!!!

[images4life]

[anti-gravity-insanity]

The kind and residual warmth of the previous passenger soaked into the cold, blue plastic seat is the only thing keeping me alive on this long, frigidly air-conditioned Trimet ride

[gardenstateofmind]

i don't own gloves so i had to just raw dog it earlier when i was excavating my car, but thankfully i didn't get frostbite <3

[daydreamerdrew]

Iron Man (1968) #104

[random-movie-ideas]

Green Lantern Villain Movie Ideas, Part XXIII: Icicle

Joar Mahkent AKA Icicle (and Cameron Mahkent/Icicle Jr.) are major recurring villains that are way more important than I realized, originating as a villain that Alan Scott's Green Lantern initially faced, before becoming standard members of the Injustice Society of America, such prominent members in fact, that they seem to have become the go to villain for every appearance of the Justice Society in most of their adaptations. So . . . fourth most important DC ice baddie?

Origin Movie: He's also an option for an Alan Scott movie, after Solomon Grundy. I figure I'd go with Joar, probably recreate his initial story with the whole murder mystery aspect.

Sequel Movie: I'm kind of regretting my decision to have only one installment for each animated Justice Society characters, because Icicle and Solomon are both such iconic villains. Maybe two movies, with Solomon in one and Icicle in the other.

Finale Movie: Considering how many adaptations have featured the man, it's not unreasonable for him to be the main villain for a Justice Society movie.

Supporting Villain: If nothing else, he is for certain a go-to member of the Injustice Society.

Here are my rankings of them:

Supporting Villain: Honestly, they're all kinda tied, but if nothing else, I'd want him represented here.

Sequel Movie: I'm really tempted by two Alan Scott movies now. If nothing else, I plan to make him the villain of someone's movie.

Origin Movie: Same reasoning as the sequel.

Finale Movie: I'd probably have him part of the ISA, over being the main and only.

What do you think? Who should I cover next?

[aroacedavestrider]

@april132009

Me, in the summer heat, taking 2 points of fire damage every second: aeugh aeugh aeugh ough eough ough eaugh

[buglvr24]

i always forget how much of a hell getting up in the morning during the cold months is until im trying to get dressed taking frost damage like ough augh ugha oagh uagh

[standbyforexciter]

Hot take: Cold Lake by Celtic Frost isn't a bad album and you all need to stop acting like it is