//------------------------------// // 06: Past and present. // Story: Tears in the Snow // by Chaos Phantasm //------------------------------// Tears in the Snow By Chaos Phantasm ===================================================================== Chapter 6 Past and present ===================== Princess Celestia sat at Nyx's bedside. Her eyes closed in concentration, mending the filly's magicka channels. Speeding up the healing on the different veins with her magic. Silver Spoon, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash had already gone home. Twilight however stayed behind. It was already late. The clock read one thirty AM, but Twilight wasn't tired, she was worried. Tootzy Roll, Hinata, and Stardust Comet were relocated to another room while the princess worked her magic. All Twilight could think about, was what would happen if Nyx woke up and found she could no longer levitate an object, or cast a small spell. It filled her to the tip of her horn with worry. "Twilight Sparkle." Twilight looked up from the floor and saw Princess Luna standing beside her. "Are you feeling alright?" Twilight looked down and shook her head. "No... Nyx is in pain.... Princess Celestia is helping her..." Luna looked into the room and saw Celestia sitting there beside Nyx. Luna's ears flattened down and she sighed. "She can't do it. Nyx and I have the same aura. I'll mend her." Luna walked into the room. Passing two of the beds before stopping beside her sister. "Celestia, let me take over. Thou need to rest. The day must not wait. Thou must be awake in time for sunrise." The sun princess's horn stopped glowing. Princess Celestia then tiredly nodded and stood up. She slowly headed for the door while Luna took her sisters place. Nurse Redheart walked up to Twilight and nudged her gently. "Ms Sparkle... please you must rest. There's a bed in there beside Nyx's bed. I wouldn't disturb the princess though. I'll get the bed out for you." Twilight nodded. "Okay..." Nurse Redheart and Twilight entered the room, they walked by the beds and the princess to this other bed that Nurse Redheart mentioned. Twilight stopped and looked at Luna concentrating ever so hard to mend Nyx's magic. Twilight looked closely at Luna's horn and could see a faint stream of magic coming from the tip of her horn and flowing into the tip of Nyx's bandaged horn. The lavender unicorn blinked and decided to turn in for the night. Nurse Redheart, pulled the bed out from the wardrobe looking cupboard, and placed on it a warm blanket and a pillow. "There you go Ms. Sparkle. Please do not worry. Nyx will be alright I assure you." Nurse Redheart whispered to Twilight before saying goodnight to her and leaving the room. Twilight pulled the bed sheets over and stepped onto the mattress, she walked over to the center and carefully nestled down, pulling the blanket over her. The concerned unicorn looked up at Nyx one more time before resting her head on the pillow, and falling asleep. Just outside, a snow storm was raging. The wind howled and the hospital grew cold. As did Ponyville, and Canterlot. The snow was also falling much faster. Despite the cold, Luna pressed on with the surgery, unwilling to rest until Nyx was fixed. Whilst Twilight slept, and Luna remained awake. Snowdrop walked around the room, blinded both with sight and hearing. The room was very silent, so silent one could hear the babies crying in the nursery two wards away. It made Snowdrop feel alone again. "Hello? Is... is anypony there?" Snowdrop awaited an answer but when none came, her ears folded down softly onto the top of her head. She sat down on the floor and faced downward sadly. "It's so quiet... I hate it... I hate the silence...." Snowdrop tried clicking with her tongue very loudly, and waited for the sound to bounce off objects. It did, and with that Snowdrop could see what was happening in her mind. She could make out the shapes of the beds, the window, and the legs of Princess Luna. However Snowdrop did not know that and was startled a little. She moved her head to face in the direction of Luna and clicked again, this time the invisible inaudible sound bounced off of Luna's entire body, allowing Snowdrop to see who it was. It brought the biggest smile that has ever appeared on her face in centuries when she realized who it was. But her smile did not last long. It turned into a frown once she remembered that her spirit was bound to Nyx. "This is so unfair..." Snowdrop sighed and clicked more and more, finding her way to Nyx's bed. The ghostly filly flapped her wings and flew up onto the bed, nestling beside Nyx. "Goodnight Nyx..." Snowdrop laid beside Nyx all night whilst Luna continued to work. Nyx was well and truly knocked out by this point, however she looked much more peaceful then she was before. She felt no pain. Twilight and Luna could hardly feel Nyx's aura trembling and pulsing rapidly over the horn. She curled up even more, and for the first time in nine hours, she was smiling. Twilight Sparkle could not sleep, and when she did she would hear that ear splitting crack that came from Nyx's horn two days earlier. Twilight looked up at Nyx's bed again and all she could see was the faint glow of Luna's magical aura as it resonated from the magical stream that was connected to the tip of her horn and flowing into Nyx's. Twilight yawned and went back to sleep, burying her concerns and worries so that it didn't keep her up all night. The following day came, only it was grey and white. There were grey clouds in the sky and brisk snow falling. Twilight sat up in her bed and yawned, she stretched and looked out the window. Then she heard the sound of somepony biting into an apple and chewing it. The lavender unicorn turned around and saw Nyx looking at her, eating an apple. The filly's bandages had come off showing a mended black horn, no visible scaring, nor any sign of bending or splitting. Nyx was even levitating the apple. "Morning Mommy." Nyx smiled. Twilight stared at Nyx for a moment then smiled warmly and jumped onto the bed, hugging the black filly. Nyx giggled as her cheek was barraged with kisses from Twilight who was soon being pushed gently away by the playful black alicorn filly. Twilight giggled with Nyx and before long they were both cuddling like any mother and child would. Luna was watching from the door way, Tootzy Roll, Stardust Comet, and Hinata watched alongside the princess, each with a smile of their own much to Nyx's embarrassment. Snowdrop was listening with a big smile across her face, she was sitting on the end of Hinata's bed, having changed beds during the night. The glacial blue blind filly stretched unnecessarily and got comfortable again, also unnecessarily. Snowdrop then moved her head as if to look upward, then moved it left then right. She then closed her eyes and faded away without a word. Nyx could no longer sense Snowdrop anywhere in the room, or building but could feel she was still bound to her. Snowdrop leaving saddened Nyx. However, despite how upset she felt, she knew even Snowdrop had to rest. Unique looking snowflakes began to fall outside, and the snowdrops sang as the winter wind brushed against their petals. Nopony inside could hear their lonely but beautiful songs. Nopony but Luna and Nyx could hear it. Their hearing was greater then the regular ponies. Princess Luna stood up and walked toward the bed. Nyx looked up at Luna, as did Twilight as the night princess cleared her throat. "We must go now Nyx and Twilight Sparkle. It is time for us to rest. My sister will be by later to check the condition of thou horn, though we suspect a nurse will see to that beforehand. Fare thee well Nyx and Twilight Sparkle. We hope to see thee again soon." Twilight bowed her head while Nyx only looked at Luna with big teary eyes, pouting sadly with her lip quivering. Luna saw this and made the exact same face to Nyx. Taking this as a challenge Nyx made an even more intense version of the face with Luna following with the exact same thing until both of them burst out with laughter. "Hahahaha! Behave for your mother Nyx, and for the Nurses. We will see you when we have time to spare." "Heehee I will big sister. Bye bye!" Nyx waved to Luna, who waved back just as she exited the room, making her way back to her chariot and leaving Ponyville returning to Canterlot to sleep. Twilight and Nyx looked at each other with Twilight nuzzling Nyx soon after. The motherly unicorn then looked at Nyx's horn and could see absolutely no sign of damage, no scar. It looked as if it had never taken any damage at all. "Does it still hurt?" Nyx looked up at her horn which rested atop her forehead. "A little... But not as much as it did yesterday." Twilight smiled but not in a happy way her smile was more on the grounds of a sad that it hurts but happy that you're okay. "Well... I suppose that's good." "Good? That's great! Nyx's horn is healing!" Tootzy Roll exclaimed. "I wish my wings would heal that fast!" Cried out Stardust Comet. "Odd, her horn shouldn't have healed so quickly if it had only broken three days ago." Hinata spoke. Nyx and Twilight were looking at Hinata by this point. "W-well... I... I do heal faster then normal ponies...." "An accelerated healing factor you probably inherited from Nightmare Moon. Soul carriers are known to heal faster, and are gifted with other abilities." Nyx and Twilight looked at each other confused then back at Hinata. "Soul carriers??" Twilight raised an eyebrow in confusion. Hinata looked shocked and surprised. "You don't know?" "Would you care to tell us Hinata? I have read just about every book in the library and I have never heard of 'soul carriers' before." The Japanese earth pony filly smiled and nodded. "A-alright... A soul carrier is a-" "Mornin Everypony!!" shouted Applejack just as she, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Rarity, Spike, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy walked into the room, rudely cutting off Hinata's speech. Nurse Redheart followed behind them, shushing Applejack for being too loud. "Not so much noise please Ms. Apple. The baby's in the nursery are sleeping and sound travels in the Hospital." "Whoops, sorry ma'am" Applejack smiled sheepishly Twilight looked at the nurse along with everypony else. She then looked at Applejack. "Is that why Pinkie Pie isn't visiting this time? She's too loud?" "Unfortunately" Applejack said. Nyx chuckled softly. "Poor Aunt Pinkie Pie." "At least she won't be scarin ya right Nyx?" Apple Bloom asked. "She doesn't scare me so much anymore Apple Bloom." Nyx giggled. Fluttershy looked at Nyx's horn and smiled. "Princess Celestia did a really good job at mending it didn't she?" Nyx nodded. "She did didn't she?" She smiled. "Why there isn't so much as a scratch on it. That's what I call good mending." Said Rarity. Rainbow Dash looked at Tootzy Roll, Stardust Comet, and Hinata, then got a little nosy. "Hey I can see why the two behind us are in hospital for but what are you in for Hinata?" "Oh.. I had my appendix removed." Hinata smiled. Rainbow Dash smiled sheepishly. "Oh... I see..." Rainbow Dash turned her head slowly back to Nyx and the other visitors and saw they were giving her questioning looks. "What? Okay okay I know it was rude of me to ask but I was curious." "I don't mind really. I was actually hoping somepony would ask." Hinata smiled. "See?" The c.m.c, the other 4 mane six, and Nyx all sighed. They all then looked at the doorway to see Nurse Redheart entering the room again after apparently leaving to collect her stethoscope.She used her hooves to put the earpieces in her ears then looked at Nyx. "Alright Nyx. Let's see if your horn is as well as the princess said it should be shall we?" Nyx nodded and lowered her head to the nurse as she approached. Nurse Redheart carefully looked at the horn, making sure that it wasn't scarred or still possibly cracked which it of course wasn't. She then put the pendent shaped drum of the Stethoscope against the cranial protrusion and listened to the flow of the magical fluids that moved around the horn with every heartbeat. Nurse Redheart took the stethoscope off after a few seconds and looked at Twilight who looked back at the nurse with questions. "Well how is it?" The nurse smiled. "It's healed. But Nyx will have to go home tomorrow. I'd still like to see if the horn has healed up satisfactorily if that's alright with you of course Ms. Sparkle." Twilight nodded. "It's okay. I don't mind if Nyx doesn't." Twilight and the nurse looked at Nyx, the filly was looking at both of them silently then spoke. "I don't mind. If Nurse Redheart wants to see if my horn is really okay then I'll stay one more night." "Well... okay then. But you still have to behave." "I know." Nyx sighed. Scootaloo flapped her wings and hovered up to the bed and plopped down beside Nyx. "So what are we going to do when you get out?" Sweetie Belle climbed up onto the bed. "Build another snowmare?" Apple Bloom hopped up next. "Decorate the clubhouse?" Nyx looked at her friends, unsure of what to say. The black filly looked between Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle at the window and saw Snowdrop sitting outside with her head facing toward the sky. Her mane was longer then before, she looked more like an adult pegasus then the filly Nyx had always seen her as, but when she blinked Snowdrop was a filly again. Snowdrop turned her head in Nyx's direction and shed what looked like a tear before vanishing once more. "Your friends... they remind me of my own... My friends of long ago..." Nyx froze for a moment, her eyes, her face, expressionless but after a few seconds had passed the filly of black lowered her head in sadness. Closing her eyes and frowning. The cutie mark crusaders looked worried at Nyx, as did everypony else. "Nyx..?" Said Apple Bloom. "Nyx darling are you alright?" Rarity spoke. Nyx looked at her friends and smiled. "Yes... I'm alright." "So Nyx what're we gonna do??" Apple Bloom asked again. Nyx smiled. "Lets decorate the club house!" "I knew she was gonna say that!! Told ya Sweetie Belle." Scootaloo said smugly. "You don't have to be smug about it." Scootaloo Put her front left leg over Sweetie Belle, hugging her. "Ya know I'd never be smug if I was being mean ya know?" Sweetie Belle chuckled. "I know." Nyx smiled at her friends, she chuckled lightly and continued to watch them for a moment, then looked to her left at the floor near Tootzy Rolls bed, right at Snowdrop who was smiling and giggling, listening to Nyx's friends making jokes. Seeing Snowdrop this way made Nyx happy. ~~~ Hours passed, the time was now 11:37 AM. Nyx was outside in her snow cloths testing her horn to see if it still had it's old strength. So far it was still the same way it was before the accident. Twilight was watching Nyx from a distance, everypony else had gone home. "My friends were just like yours. Playful, nice... we cared about one another and looked out for each other... Well... they looked out for me." "My friends and I call ourselves the Cutie Mark Crusaders. But Apple Bloom has been talking about renaming us The Crusaders once they get their cutie marks. I already have my cutie mark." "Really? What is it?" Nyx looked at her flank, checking to see what it was before she says anything to avoid mistaking it. "It's a shield, dark midnight blue in colour with a silver outline, and a black crescent moon in on it." "What does it mean? What is your special talent?" "It's embarrassing... I'm proud of it, but embarrassed to tell anypony about it. Mother, Princess Celestia, Aunt Cadance and Luna all tell me my special talent could be protecting other ponies. And as much as I don't like to... I agree. I cannot... no matter how much I may try, I cannot allow anypony to get hurt or stay sad. Which is why I want to help you somehow. I Pinkie Pie promise I'll help you somehow." Snowdrop suddenly burst into laughter, it was loud, not obnoxious but loud. Nyx watched her, confused at why she was laughing like that. Snowdrop eventually stopped and faced Nyx. "Pinkie Pie promise? I've never heard of those before. I'm sorry for laughing..." Nyx's look of confusion went away as she laughed a little followed by a smile. "It's okay. It's just like a normal promise if you think about it, but it's more 'Pinkie' strict I guess." "How much Equestria has changed since my time, heehee." Whispered and giggled Snowdrop. "But anyway Snowdrop, what about your cutie mark?" "H-Huh? My cutie mark? W-well... I don't know what to tell you... I can't see it. Even if I was facing my flank no sound I make ever paints the mental image of my cutie mark. I know what it is though. A flower with a snowflake at the top of its stalk." Curious Nyx looked at Snowdrops partially transparent flank and could clearly see Snowdrops cutie mark which lacked transparency. Twilight could not see the filly and was busy reading a romance novel based around Romeo Lovestruck and Juliet Heartsong. Nyx examined the cutie mark and realized how closely it resembled the snowdrops that grow around certain parts of Equestria in winter. "It looks just like a snowdrop." Snowdrop looked confused. "A... snow...drop? You mean me?" Nyx shook her head. "No no I mean a unique flower that was discovered in the Frozen North and Crystal Mountains by Princess Celestia. It was first planted in Cloudesdale and then in the Canterlot gardens. It's now very widespread around Ponyville and Canterlot. They make a beautiful chime when the wind blow through it's dew covered petals. Its petals are colored icy blue. The sound it makes is more beautiful then aunt Fluttershy's singing. Which isn't bad I mean it's amazing but the snowdrops chime is just so beautiful." "So that's why I hear wind chimes when we are playing together." Nyx nodded. "I guess so." The black filly smiled and nuzzled Snowdrop. Bringing a large smile to the white filly's face. "Nyx sweetie, time to go inside back to your ward room. It's almost lunch time!" Twilight called. "Okay Mommy I'm coming." Nyx looked at Snowdrop. "We'll talk later." Snowdrop nodded, then heard Nyx running in the direction of Twilights voice. "I suppose I'll wait inside then." Snowdrop followed the sounds of Nyx's hoofsteps so she could find her way to the black filly's hospital room. Twilight was looking around each corner first, sighing in relief every once in a while which embarrassed Nyx. "Mommy? Remember the paparazzi stopped bothering us a year ago?" Twilight looked at Nyx and blinked a few times then smiled sheepishly. "Oh... yeah I remember. J-Just force of habit I guess. Hahaha!" Nyx rolled her eyes and giggled. As the two of them rounded another corner and entered the children's ward, Nyx and Twilight could hear Spike arguing with Tootzy Roll over a 19 year old joyboy game. "I captured all 151 Ponymon I'd like to see you top that!" "I've caught all 719 Ponymon." Tootzy smirked. Spike looked confused. "But.. there's only 151 ponymon in the original three. How could you have captured that many?" Tootzy laughed in amusement. "Dude I have the newest game on the Horizon-7Ds, called Ponymon A version and Z version which have like all Ponymon from Gen 1, 2, 3, 4, and so on." Tootzy looked victoriously at Spike her smirk wider then before. Spikes eye twitched. "Beat that Spyro." Tootzy Snickered. Twilight and Nyx entered the room. Twilight looked at Spike and noticed his sad and defeated expression. "Uh.. is everything okay Spike?" Spike pointed to himself. "Twilight could I get a Horizon-7Ds?" "Bits don't grow on trees Spike. But you never know what you might be getting for Hearths Warming." She winked. "So you did get me one?" Spike's eyes sparkled in excitement. "I'm not saying, you can't make me say it." Nyx climbed up onto her bed while Twilight and Spike talked. Nyx looked at her tray and saw that her food was already there. Owlowiscious came down from out of nowhere and opened up Nyx's custard bowl which was of course filled with custard but had fruits in it as well. The intelligent owl then lifted the lid to Nyx's sandwiches, apple fritters, and apple slices, poured some apple juice for the alicorn filly, then roosted on the bedside table and hooted. Nyx smiled and thanked Owlowiscious before digging into her lunch. Twilight and Spike looked at the alicorn and the Owl. Twilight was happy but Spike felt a little silly for not doing what Owlowiscious did for Nyx. Twilight walked over to Nyx's bedside and looked at what she had for lunch. "Ooo look at the yummy's you've got." Nyx giggled. "See I got custard with fruit. Apple juice. Apple slices. Strawberry jam sandwiches. and an apple fritter." "Sounds like you've got a good lunch." Nyx nodded. "Well don't let me keep you from your meal. I'm going to grab something to eat at the kitchen just down the hall. I'll be right back." Twilight exited the room with Spike following not too far behind. Nyx watched them before turning back to her lunch. She levitated her sandwich in front of her and just when she was about to take a bite she suddenly noticed that Hinata was gone. "Where did Hinata go?" "She went home." Said Stardust Comet. "She asked me to tell you that she'll see you at school." "Oh.. okay then.." Nyx started to eat her lunch again, biting into her sandwich and chewing before swallowing. Sipping her apple juice slowly before returning to the food. A white orb of light floated into the room suddenly. It twirled around Nyx before resting on the end of Hinata's empty hospital bed and in a flash the orb turned into Snowdrop. "Hello." Nyx smiled and waved at Snowdrop confusing Owlowiscious, Tootzy Roll, and Stardust Comet, all of whom were present in the room. "Hoot hoot?" Owlowiscious tilted his head before turning his head around looking like a pretzel. "Oh it's nothing Owlowiscious." Snowdrop's ears twitched at the sound of Owlowiscious's hoots but then her ears twitched again and turned in the direction of jingling bells. They were coming just down the hall and got closer, and closer. Nyx having just finished her lunch by now could also hear the jingling of the bells. The filly's looked at the door, or in Snowdrops case, faced the door to see and hear Discord entering the room carrying a large sack. He was wearing a Santa Hooves costume, complete with glasses. And walking beside him was Screwball dressed in an elf costume. "Ho ho ho hello everypony." Nyx was taken back in surprise. She grabbed a napkin and took off her glasses and cleaned the lenses before putting them back on to look at Discord again. Nyx's eyes were wider then her mouth. Stardust and Tootzy were happy to see Santa Hooves ignoring the obvious fact that it was Discord in a costume. Nyx however was completely stunned. "Oh my my my. Look at all of you poor little filly's cooped up in this room with your illnesses and broken bones. It must be so heartbreaking. Good news for you though I have a remedy I know will cheer each and everyone of you up." Discord put down the large sack and opened it. "Screwball would you be a dear and bring the gifts to the children for mommy?" Asked Discord. Screwball saluted. "Yes madam." The filly walked in a topsy turvey way over to the sack, where Discord had pulled out a box and placed on chaotic filly's back. Screwball zig zagged over to Tootzy Roll and nudged the box up onto the bed. "Present delivered captain." Screwball saluted again then returned to her fathers side. "Well go on now Tootzy Roll open it up." Said Discord. Tootzy looked at the present. "A-are you sure?" Tootzy looked back up at Discord and saw that the Draconequus now had bright pink eyes, long eye lashes and lipstick. Discord giggled femininely and even spoke in a girly version of his voice. "Oh darling I'm positively certain." Tootzy looked wide eyed at Discord in what could be considered 'blank horror' before shaking her head and looking at the present. The filly pulled off the ribbon and opened the box, and inside to her ecstatic delight was the limited edition The Kingdoms Scrolls collectors edition. "I'm dreaming aren't I?!! Aren't I??!! All five games... collectors edition with the Scroll statuette... This is like... wow!" Tootzy was in tears. She was just so full of happiness. She then grinned and laughed. "Button Mash will be so jealous!" As everypony was watching Tootzy being ecstatic. Twilight and Spike had just come back from the hospital cafe when they saw Fluttershy looking into the room and heard Tootzy panting and laughing like a crazed fan. "Hey Fluttershy. What's... going on?" Twilight had raised an eyebrow when she saw Discord in the costume. Spike was stunned and surprised just as much as Nyx was. "I'm gong to hang around in the lobby." The purple dragon then turned and walked back down the hall. Twilight tried to find out what was going on. "So Fluttershy, care to share what's going on?" "Isn't it sweet of Discord to be handing out presents and sweets to all the children who have to stay in hospital for hearths warming?" "How'd you get him to do it. There's no way Discord would just agree to handing out presents and spreading happiness." "I-I did ask him once but he said no... Then Screwball asked him and he couldn't say no." Fluttershy smiled. Back in the room Stardust Comet was looking at her new skateboard, and Tootzy Roll was looking at her new games. Discord smiled at the two filly's then looked at Nyx. "Ah Nyx. I see that horn of yours has healed." Nyx nodded shyly. "I might be going back home tomorrow." "Is that so? Well that's great to hear. Now what do I have for you?" Discord opened the bag and reached in. "Where is it? I know I put it somewhere.." Discord pulled his arm out then put his head into the bag. He Put his left arm in and grabbed hold of a book. "Ah there it is!" Discord came out of the sack and was holding a book in his hand. Nyx looked at the book and could see it was unwrapped, but it had a plastic covering wrapped on it. Discord placed the book down on the end of the bed for Nyx and smiled. "For you child." Nyx took the book from Discord politely. She levitated the book in front of her and read the title aloud. "The reign of Discord and the rebellion of the Sun and Moon." Nyx looked at Discord. "Yes as the title implies it's a history book about my time as ruler of Equestria before the princesses turned me into a rock. Fluttershy told me how much you like history so I thought this book would be nice for you." Nyx smiled brightly. "Thank you Discord." Discord stretched and picked up the sack which had just gotten smaller. "My pleasure Nyx. Now children I'm afraid I must move onto the next play pen of gloom and sickness, all that good stuff. Come along Screwball and happy hearths warming everypony." Screwball waved to Nyx. "See you later Nyx." Screwball jumped up on Discords shoulder just as the Draconequus turned left at the door, heading to the next room. "I better follow him so he doesn't cause any mischief. Bye Twilight." Fluttershy smiled and followed after Discord. Just as Fluttershy had left, Spike came back and was licking a candy cane. "So what'd I miss?" Twilight turned her head to look at Spike. She blinked a few times before looking back into the room and entered it. Spike scratched his head and shrugged. He entering the room with Twilight after. ~~~ The time was now nine thirty eight PM. Tootzy Roll was playing her video game on her joyboy, and Stardust Comet was sleeping soundly in her hospital bed. Nyx was also asleep. The snow fall had made things hard to see outside. The wind was blowing and could be heard by anypony still awake. Snowdrop was there, sitting beside Nyx while she slept peacefully. Snowdrop had her head down, and her eyes closed. 1,XXX years ago in the pegasus kingdom of Cloudesdale, the Pegasai were going about their daily lives in it's streets, the Rainbow Falls were roaring as they cascaded over the clouds and down to earth. It was the last month of winter, not to far away from that fateful spring sunrise where the gift that changed Equestria was given. In a small house that floated on a cloud in the housing district, there was a filly and a mare; Snowdrop and her mother, Primrose. Primrose was helping her daughter put on her cloak, she looked out the living room window and saw there was a blizzard coming just as she had been told earlier that morning. Her ears dropped down on her head and she looked at her daughter with concern. "Are you sure you want to walk to school on your own? It's getting more and more dangerous as the last blizzard of winter draws near..." "I-I'll be alright." "I just worry about you. I don't want you to get hurt sweetie you know?" "I... I know mother... I... I'll be alright... It's not like I haven't walked to school in the snow before..." Primrose sighed. "Well.. a-alright then... but if you are having difficulty just come right back and we will walk together okay?" Snowdrop nodded. "O-Okay mother..." She then slowly started to feel what was ahead of her before walking forward toward the door. Primrose walked with the blind filly until she was out the door and from there she watched as her daughter slowly made her way to school. "Please be careful sweetie..." She said softly. Snowdrops walk to school didn't take long. She could hear other children running behind her, throwing snowballs at each other as they passed . Snowdrops ears dropped onto her head. She felt left out and it saddened her. The glacial blue filly neared the door to enter the classroom but ended up bumping into Cumulo Nimbus "Ow! Careful Snowdrop!" Cumulo yelled. The pink pegasus shook her head and mumbled as she made her way inside. Snowdrop stood still for a moment before she walked over to her table, being careful not to bump into anything or anypony else as she tread. She took off her cloak and placed it on the coat rack then went over to her table and sat down. Moments later the teacher, Ms. Windith arrived. She took off her scarf and placed it on a coat rack beside her desk then apologized to the class for being late before starting the lesson. Everypony but Snowdrop were writing in their books and taking notes. Only Snowdrop was forced to listen and memorize. By the end of the school day, before the bell rang. Ms. Windith reminded all the students of the spring sunrise which was in two weeks time. "Alright everypony remember, the spring sunrise is in two weeks. Remember if you haven't found a partner yet you must find one before the appointed time. You may join up with other groups, you'll get credit." Ms. Windith looked at Snowdrop, sitting silently in her seat. The blind filly looked sad, she was tapping her hooves together gently, making barely any noise. "Snowdrop." The filly was startled, she blinked and moved her head in the direction of the teachers voice. "Have you found a partner yet?" "Uh...a partner?" "Yes. Have you found somepony you'd like to be partnered with? Or has somepony offered?" "Uh.... um..." Many of the students started to talk. "I haven't seen her ask anypony" Whispered one colt. "Um..." "I haven't seen anypony ask her either." Whispered another. "Um... N..no... not yet Ms. Windith..." She shook her head slowly. "I.. I've just been waiting... for the right pony to partner with that's all..." "Are you sure? I can always place you with a group if you'd like." "U-uh..n..no... t-that's alright... I'm sure I'll have a partner before the spring sunrise.." "Well... alright I suppose. But you must have a partner and something to present before the spring sunrise two weeks from now." "I... I know..." The bell rang and with that all the students started to leave, many of them saying bye to the teacher as they went home for the day. "Are you quite sure you don't want to be placed in a group Snowdrop?" "Y-yes.. I... I.. I'm sure." Snowdrop got up on her hind legs and pulled her coat off, putting it on herself without help. "I-I'm sure somepony will ask me.... I think...." Snowdrop opened the door and was hit with a powerful gust of wind which sent her back toward Ms. Windith who caught the young filly before she got hurt. "Whoa, I got you." She helped Snowdrop to her hooves. "Th-thank you Ms Windith..." Ms. Windith smiled at Snowdrop then looked outside at the blizzard. She put on her scarf and sighed, looking back at Snowdrop again. "How about I walk you home? That way if you get blown away I can catch you." Snowdrop hesitated to give her an answer. "U-Um... s-sure..." The teacher smiled and headed for the door. "Come along Snowdrop." "Oh.. c-coming.." The filly walked behind Ms. Windith and stood beside her when she closed the classroom door and locked it therefore locking up the school. "Do you know the way back to your house?" Snowdrop nodded and started to walk forward with Ms. Windith following behind. Snowdrop knew precisely where she was going which surprised the teacher greatly, it was as if she could see. Another gust of wind and snow blew, pushing both of them backwards, Snowdrop put up good resistance to the wind but still slid back a little, right into Ms. Windiths front legs. "Ow.." Snowdrop rubbed the back of her head having hit it on her teachers hoof. "Are you okay??" "Y-yeah.. I just hit my head that's all..." Ms. Windith helped Snowdrop up and brushed the snow off of her. "W-we're not too far away.. it's just 12 more steps from here." "Lead on Snowdrop." Snowdrop nodded and continued to walk forward, passing a post box and many other Pegasai who were making their way home or getting out of the storm. "Snowdrop? Hey Snowdrop!" A stallion weather pony with a gold coat and a blond mane and tail landed in front of Snowdrop and Ms. Windith. This weather pony didn't live far from Snowdrops house and was a very close friend of Primrose. The wind started picking up and everypony's vision started to become impaired by all the snow that was blowing around it also made it very hard to hear one another. "You shouldn't be out here. The snow is going to mess up your sense of direction!" "I'm taking her home sir!" The weather pony looked at Ms. Windith. "That's nice of you Ms but the blizzards getting worse and Snowdrop doesn't know where she's going!" "How can you tell?!" "Look at her, she's confused and all this snow makes it harder for her to find her way. The moment she stops walking she loses her sense of direction, she's lost and the wind makes it hard for her to hear, right now all she could probably hear is the wind! With the wind in her ears she can't hear anypony giving her directions or see where she's going so to speak! " Ms. Windith looked at Snowdrop stunned. "Listen, I can take her and you home but if we stay out here any longer we'll freeze, what say thee?!!" Ms. Windith picked up the shivering filly and looked at stallion Pegasus. "Lead on!" The gold pegasus stallion nodded and got beside the teacher. He put his wing on her back, both to keep Snowdrop warm and to lead her on without having to be ahead of her where the snow could easily separate them. Meanwhile at Snowdrops house. Primrose was standing outside looking down the path. It had already gotten darker with the storm the way it was and there was no sign of it letting up. Primrose was wearing a long scarf that covered her neck and wrapped around her body keeping her warm. "Where could she be..." Primrose paced and tried to keep calm but the thought of Snowdrop being lost in the blizzard was too powerful for her to ignore. "I can't stay here I've got to find her. I'm coming Snowdrop!!" Just as she was about to take flight she caught a glimpse of two other pegasus coming up the path. She could see it was Ms. Windith, and the weather pony that lived not far from there. And on Windiths back was the curled up shaped of Snowdrop. "Oh my baby... come inside both of you!" Both of the pegasi wasted no time, Primrose held the door open for them, letting them walk inside and out of the cold. She followed soon after, closing the door so the fire that was lit did not go out. Windith got beside Primrose and gently and carefully slid Snowdrop onto her back, the mother used her wings to ensure the ice colored filly did not fall from her back. She asked Ms. Windith and the gold pegasus to have a seat. They sat down while Primrose went into the living room and gently placed Snowdrop by the fire, not too close where she could get burnt and not too far away where she could get cold the caring mare even put a warm blanket over the blind little filly so that she could be warm. She kissed Snowdrops forehead and returned to the kitchen where the guests were. She poured them some hot chocolate and placed it in front of them gently in individual cups. Primrose sat down as well and took a deep breath. "Thank you both for bringing Snowdrop home. I was just about to go out and search for her when you came." "It was the least we could do Primrose." said the gold coated pegasus. "My duty as a teacher forbid me to let Snowdrop go home without somepony to accompany her. I'm aware she can find her own way home but in a blizzard like that it wouldn't have been right to just leave her." "I got the other students home before I found you and Snowdrop madam, they're safe." "Thank you Mr..?" "Ace. My names Ace." He said. "Ace. Thank you Ace for helping me bring Snowdrop home. "You're welcome." Primrose smiled at them both. "You don't look like a weather pony your cutie mark is a soccer ball." "I'm talented when it comes to soccer. Won tonnes of games when I was still in school, but now I'm a weather pony." "You should join up with Cloudesdales soccer team." Said Primrose. "I'd like to but Melody wouldn't let me, she doesn't want me to get hurt." "That's a shame. It would've been nice to see you play though." Ace nodded. "Well I better get you home Ms. Windith." "Yes. Thank you for the hot chocolate Ms. Primrose." "You're welcome, thank you again for bringing my daughter home." "I was only doing what I felt was right." Primrose just smiled. "I'll see you later Windith." "Like wise Primrose." She smiled and walked out the door which Primrose had opened for her and Ace. It was still snow storming outside, Ace told Windith to stay close while he took her home. Primrose watched as both of them trudged through the snow to the path and eventually disappear into the white. The light green pegasus let out a sigh and went back inside, shutting and locking the door behind her. She gathered up the cups and rinsed them out in the sink, putting them on a drying rack afterwards. She turned around and saw Snowdrop yawning tiredly in the kitchen doorway. "Good evening Snowdrop." "G-good evening.. mother.." Primrose walked over to Snowdrop and helped her get into her seat. "I made you some dinner earlier. I'll re-heat it for you." Primrose grabbed a bowl of cold soup and poured it into a pot which was suspended over a fire by a tripod. Primrose looked over her shoulder at Snowdrop and saw her just sitting silently with a frown. Seeing her looking so miserable made Primrose frown. She poured the hot soup into a clean bowl that was laying nearby and placed it in front of Snowdrop. "There you go sweetie, eat up." Snowdrop heard the bowl being placed on the table, she leaned forward and sniffed what was ahead of her. She smelt vegetable soup. Snowdrops frown turned into a smile, she felt around the table with her hooves seeking a spoon, finding one on her left. She picked it up and started to eat her soup using said spoon. "Is it nice and warm?" Snowdrop swallowed and nodded. Primrose smiled. "That's good. Now finish your soup dear then I'll take you to bed." "But... I.. I just got home..." "You slept half an hour sweetie, it's already past your bedtime." "I..Is it? Oh....." "Are you feeling okay? You look like you got something on your mind." "I.. I have to find a partner for... for the spring sunrise project Ms. Windith gave us yesterday. We are supposed to make a seasonal gift for the princesses... I don't have a partner yet... I don't have anything to make yet either.... " Primrose frowned again. "I can talk to Ms. Windith if you'd like." "No! ... no I... I'll find a partner... you'll see. I'm bound to partner up with somepony before the spring sunrise." "Well if you're sure sweetie. Now eat up it's bedtime as soon as you finish." "Okay mother." Snowdrop said smiling warmly but once her mother had left the room she started to frown again and sighed. "... But who would want to pair up with a useless fool like me...?" =====================================================================