Chronicles Of Harmony - Winter

by Frostwyrm

Chapter 1 - Fledgling

I don’t remember much of my past. Sometimes I’d like to forget the parts I can remember, but I can’t change that fact. The past is who I am, and no-pony can tell me otherwise. I grew up not knowing anything about who I was or even where I came from. It just made me even more determined to prove I was different. My past was as unique and mysterious as I was…

*KNOCK*

“...mmmm?”

I slowly awoke from my sleep on my couch, the book I’d been reading still resting on the table next to me.

“Must be the high altitude winds passing through Skytown again…always knocking things about when they come through.”

“Why don’t we have wards or deflection spells around the city? It wouldn’t take that long for a unicorn to create such a simple …”

*KNOCK KNOCK*

“Odd…if any-pony really needs my help they usually just barge in,” I mused to myself “But maybe there are still some ponies with manners around here.”

As I trotted over to the door I could hear the winds coursing through the streets, whistling the haunting melodies of the Coldsong Mountains as they passed by. Pulling the door open with my hooves, I swung it open to find…nothing. The doorway was as empty as the streets around it. Of all things, I thought to myself, why this awful time of night?

Moving to shut the door on the frigid winds, I let my head droop downwards – a reflection of how tired I was, only to see a small blue, white and grey bundle resting peacefully on my doorstep. Why would somepony do that? I snapped my head back up to the surrounding streets to see if anypony had seen, but found nothing, although I could have sworn hearing the faint sound of somepony galloping away, the echoes slowly receding into the distance.

“...Strongwing...”

The voice seemed to come from the wind itself...but that didn’t make any sense.

“STRONGWING!”

The voice boomed across the street, rattling windows in their frames – but no lights came on. As if it was speaking only to me.

“Y-y-yes?” I feebly replied.

“Strongwing, you have been chosen by Winter. Do you accept?”

“I, uh, yes?” If this was truly from Winter, I had every reason to be afraid, but I had to be confident or who I could suffer worse for denying her. “Yes. I accept.”

“Raise this foal; raise it as you would your own. Understood?”

“Yes.”

“He needn't yet know of his heritage. You will tell him when the time is right.”

The winds departed, leaving me alone on my doorstep to contemplate what just happened. such responsibility, to raise a foal that could potentially be.

Why me of all ponies? Something like this wouldn’t be easy to keep secret forever; suppose the foal was gifted with Winter’s power, somepony would notice that and start asking questions.

Returning my attention back to the silent foal on lying at my door, I picked the bundle up in my mouth, (not having any magic is rather inconvenient sometimes), and carried it over to the still warm couch I’d just been sleeping on. It was going to be a long night…

The early morning sun blazed its rays straight through my window onto my face, heck of a way to wake up – but it was routine and it got me up quickly. In terms of enjoyment factor, having the sun burn my retinas first thing in the morning isn’t high on my list.

A small whimper sounded from the couch across the room, reminding me of the previous night’s events. How was I going to explain to anyone why I suddenly had a foal? The sudden burden of a newborn foal would be incredibly taxing on both my time and energy – there was no way I’d be able to manage a foal and a class of highly active fillies and colts! The thought of having to supervise and instruct a class of inexperienced pegasi.

Wait…incoming students! If I enrolled the foal into the incoming class, entering a fake name on the records, I might be able to care for him without any odd questions being asked and with minimal disturbance to my usual life. Brilliant!

I carefully unwrapped the foal from the white, scaly blanket to stare at the unusual bundle I held in my hooves. As far as I could tell he would grow into a young colt, but there was something peculiar about his appearance. His coat was the colour of the winter sky above the mountains; his mane and tail were the same grey one would find in clouds preparing for rain. Most striking of all though was his eyes – blazing spheres of turquoise fury. They immediately drew my attention to the blazingly obvious fact he didn’t appear to have any pupils. It could be a defect, maybe a curse; or even be a sign of adaptation to a harsher climate. Hard to say at this point.

It would be even more difficult to try and enrol without a name though. I thought for a while then looked over at the foal for some sort of inspiration. His coat was the colour of pure ice, glistening in the fading light of the evening. His mane and tail reminded me of clouds – the kind of angry clouds that come with storms and blizzards…almost the same as on the night he was left with me.

So I named him Icy Gale. It seemed appropriate.

Eight young pegasi lined up on the main quadrangle, nervously awaiting their instructor for the initial exam. The surrounding buildings were constructed out of compacted cirrus clouds, but the regal architecture did nothing to soothe the nerves of the fledgling pegasi. They had been standing in formation, waiting, for the last 40 minutes, the tension and frustration were building, and were very nearly at breaking point.

“How much longer are we gonna have to sit here? If I have to wait any longer, I’m going to go and find my own instructor,” yelled a rainbow maned filly, only to be immediately interrupted by a booming voice from across the grounds.

“Patience, Miss Blaze. Now that the first test is complete, we can move onto the practical test,” replied a steely-eyed, grey stallion pegasus, who proceeded to step out from under one of the nearby arches shrouded in shadow.

“What test? I don’t remember any test!” Spectrum Blaze snapped back at him, eyes glaring and wings snapping open in defence.

“The first test, a test of patience, to see which one of you would break from the group first.”

“Who are you anyway?”

“How inconsiderate of me,” the pegasi paused for a moment, allowing the silence to set in, “Allow me to introduce myself – I am Storm Wind, and I will be your supervising instructor for the remainder of your time here.”

“Now, if you all head over to the building to your right, we’ll commence the practical examination. Miss Blaze, remain behind.”
The group headed off towards the building, leaving a very forlorn orange filly behind. Storm Wind remained expressionless, simply staring into the distance.

Once he was confident the group was out of earshot, Storm Wind turned and spoke directly to her,

“Today, you displayed a skill none of the others appeared to possess; initiative. Miss Blaze, you have potential to further this skill and become a leader. I hope to see you take charge in situations that require someone to stand up when no-one else will. That is all, you may re-join the others.”

Storm Wind turned and began walking back to the group, leaving a rather confused pegasus behind him. He smiled to himself and muttered to himself, “I know she’ll do well.”

 
Storm Wind strode over to the nervously awaiting class, stopping in front of middle of the group so that they could all see him. Spectrum Blaze, still utterly confused as to what had just occurred, joined the back of the group, hoping to draw less attention to herself.

“Ah, Miss Blaze, that won’t be an option for you. Step forward.”

Looking around nervously, Spectrum Blaze cautiously made her way to the front of the group, possibilities running through her already confused mind. Turning to Storm Wind, then to the group she bowed her head and muttered softly.

“I’m sorry…”

She looked back to Storm Wind, only to see him smiling slightly. He walked over to her and held a hoof out to her in anticipation. Seeing the puzzled look on her face, he turned to the group and loudly announced to the group a phrase none of them were expecting to hear.

“Congratulations Miss Blaze. You’ve just been promoted to squadron commander.”

Holding out his hoof once more to the orange pegasus, it finally dawned on her what had just been said. She quickly shook his hoof, as if the opportunity might never occur again.

“Oh, thank you so much, ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh-"

A polite cough from Storm Wind interrupted her before she could continue, allowing him to address the group.

“We’ll now move on to the practical test, so we can gauge your flying ability”

The group moved to the Cloudseum, to find an ice blue colt falling straight towards them from above, before opening his wings and swooping over their heads and across the room, circling back to meet the group interrupting his practice session.

“Icy Gale, nice of you to join us. I was expecting to find you sometime this morning,”

The distinctive tone of Storm Wind resonated throughout the room, commanding attention and respect. Icy Gale stood stunned for a while, then closed his wings and walked over the group. He looked around at the other young pegasi, before moving over to Storm Wind.

“I didn’t know you’d be here today, I was hoping to practice some sharp turns before the class turned up – but it looks like you’re here now…so I guess…”

He trailed off; the stern look from Storm Wind giving more than enough reason for him. Not wanting to get in any further trouble, he took a couple of cautious steps backwards to give them both some space.

“Gale, you do realise that you were supposed to turn up to this class this morning?”

“Yep, but I knew you’d turn up here for the practical. So I figured I’d get some training done and just wait here for you to turn up.”

A silence hung in the air as both pegasi let the words settle in. No-pony spoke, simply trying to contain their thoughts from breaking out rather suddenly. Storm Wind was the first to break the silence, attempting to resolve this pointless argument.

“Miss Blaze here has been appointed as squadron leader. If you will not listen to me, perhaps, you will acknowledge her instead? You are part of this class, whether you want to be or not – and as leader, it is up to Miss Blaze to decide –“

“I challenge - a race to Central Spire and back.”

There was a pause, both Spectrum and Icy Gale glaring heavily at each other, waiting for their opponent to make the first response. The silence filled only by the wind coursing around the coliseum, whistling softly as it twisted around the columns like a sea snake.

“Miss Blaze, the challenge has been issued. This is a chance for you to prove your capabilities as a leader. Do you accept?”

“Oh, it is on!”

With that they both leap into the air, unfurling their wings and furiously beating them, desperately trying to outfly the other. It was as much a competition of speed as it was control; the turbulent air currents around the Spire required precision aerial skills in order to avoid being tossed about wildly and thrown into a less-than-forgiving object.

There was so much at stake here, I couldn’t afford to lose – and I hate losing. He was only a length ahead of me, and he’d gotten lucky on the start and taken off quicker than I thought he would have been able to – I wouldn’t underestimate him like that again.

I beat my wings faster and faster, slowly gaining on him, at this rate I might be able to pass him before the Spire – if he didn’t speed up also. Timing would be critical if I wanted to win this. Surging forwards I felt a heat on my wings, I shut my eyes – trying to ignore this sudden sensation burning my wings. Only when the feeling increased beyond the point where it could be ignored, did I open my eyes to find the Spire rushing past my right side.

Pulling into a sharp turn around the Spire, I was able to see Icy Gale trailing behind – as if he were avoiding something. It was then I noticed the blazing trail of fire streaming off my wings and tail.

The moment Spectrum shot past me, wings flaming, I knew this was about to get very serious. What if this was a trick she’d learnt – meant to distract me? As she banked around the Spire, noticing for the first time that she was on fire. I could see her panic as she frantically flapped her wings, attempting to extinguish the blaze though to no avail – the flame only following the path she flew. It wasn’t a trick.

It was both terrifying and mesmerising at the same time.

I wasn’t worried about the race anymore, she needed help. Searching the skies for a sufficiently heavy cloud, I found none. With that thought demolished, I changed my path so that we would collide with each other. Angling my body, I began a corkscrew manoeuvre towards her; air currents twisting around me in a vortex, building around me, slowly becoming visible as a swirling tornado behind me. Whoa.

Continuing on a collision course with each other, Spectrum finally realised what Icy Gale was trying to do, he’s built up a small whirlwind behind him in the hope that the powerful winds would extinguish the flames on her body. He’d noticed her look of panic and acted upon that. The ability to make snap, life-saving decisions were critical to pegasi above all else.
Aiming straight towards the centre of the vortex, Spectrum quickly angled her wings to slow herself down enough that the swirling winds would have long enough to remove the flame. Quickly glancing at Icy Gale, she was sure she could see a light trail of condensation behind him – as if the air was almost freezing around him…

Flying straight through the approaching tornado, Spectrum felt the temperature around her plummet to VERY COLD. She’d been right – the air was almost freezing around Icy Gale. As he’d passed her in his corkscrew manoeuvre, she noticed his eyes seemed slightly different, almost glowing – the same effect as when a unicorn loses control of their magic, but not as intense.

Turning back to face Icy Gale, Spectrum dropped into a hover, waiting for him to turn and catch up to her. He flew in a slow pattern to disperse the whirlwind behind him before gliding over to join Spectrum. Then in a quiet voice he asked,

“Can we talk about this when we get back?”

“Well we have to get back first; we were supposed to be racing,”

Spectrum smiled at him, and he returned it with a grin of his own before diving downwards, back to the others awaiting their return with Spectrum right behind.

Observing from the Cloudseum, the class of pegasi watched on in awe as Spectrum and Icy Gale descended simultaneously to land synchronised on the cloud floor in front of Storm Wind and the class. Nodding at each other, high-hoofing and smiling – they spoke in unison.

“Call it a draw, we both retract our challenge.”

Storm Wind looked them both over, then back to the class, his expression falling. He had been expecting at least one of them to win – but after closely watching the chase, seeing their talents partially revealed, he was a little cautious as to what to do next; both would be high on adrenalin and unable to make logical decisions – not that their race had been one anyway…

“Spectrum, Gale – thanks to you, we’ll finish for today. I expect all of you to be here tomorrow so we can complete the practical and agility tests. Am I understood?”

All the young pegasi nodded and left as quickly as they could.

“Gale! I’ll be speaking to Strongwing about this.”

Icy Gale nodded, then flew up and out the top of the Cloudseum, talking quietly to Spectrum.

“…and when your wings caught fire! That was kinda amazing…”

“…was really cold around you, like your own blizzard…”

Tomorrow would be a long day, bringing with it many unknowns. The class of young pegasi would deal with them as they arrived at them – whatever they were.
 

Fast. I was going really fast.
Left.

Right.

Drop.

Left.

Up left hard bank right…
DROP!

My second week in flight school and I was already in trouble. Way to go. I was practicing on the agility circuit, trying to beat my record, and had taken a corner wrong and somehow ended up in a No Fly Zone. I’d kept following the natural path of the clouds around me, not noticing that the last marker cloud I’d passed was over 20 minutes ago, but I paid no attention to that fact whatsoever, I was too distracted to notice. Something kept me going though, a love of the open sky, the feeling of the wind through my mane and under my wings as I tore across the afternoon sky and a need to explore the unknowns beyond the ominous, ever-present storm encircling the mountains.

As the Coldsong Mountains began to loom in front of me I began to realise I mightn’t be able to make the flight back, I was so tired from beating my wings as fast as I could. I was exhausted. Scanning the approaching mountainside, I searched for any caves or overhanging’s that would provide some temporary shelter from the incoming storm. I would have to make my way back once the storm had passed, especially as blizzards don’t exactly make for ideal flying conditions.

A dark patch stood out from the rest of the embankment, indicating a potential entrance to somewhere. It would have to do. I spiralled down towards it, gliding to save energy, coming to land on the jagged rock floor that continued back into what could have been a crudely cut tunnel into the mountain. Fragments of broken rock and ice littered the floor; ragged claw marks were now visible along the walls where they had torn the offending fragments off the rock interior.

“Oh hay.” I cursed aloud, suddenly realising where I was – and the danger I was now in. This was a frostwyrm lair. A loud screech pierced the air inside the cavern, followed by the sound of wings unfurling and heavy footsteps growing louder as they moved towards me. I did the only logical thing that came to mind, I flew.

There was no way I could out-match the frostwyrm for strength and very little chance I could outrun it – it was worth a try, although it’s not as if I really had a choice. Turning my gaze to the horizon, I could see Skytown in the distance above me. It would take every bit of energy I had, combined with the motivation of a hungry frostwyrm only a few lengths behind me.

Icy Gale beat his fledgling wings as fast as he could, his life depended on it. Skytown was still a reasonable distance away, but it was manageable. Squinting his turquoise eyes, Icy Gale was just able to make out the forms of frantic pegasi who had now noticed the incoming threat. He began to signal franticly, trying to catch the attention of anyone who was watching the unfolding disaster.

I frantically tried my best attempt at avian signalling, hoping that somepony would notice and be able to take action on my message before I got eaten. Three words: attention, slingshot and acknowledge. The simplest message I could think of, but it carried a lot more meaning. Sling-shotting is a move banned at flight schools all over Equestria with good reason – it’s incredibly dangerous. It requires one pegasi to fly full speed at another who is hovering in a fixed position, the hovering pegasi then snaps their wings closed and links hooves with the pegasi flying towards them. The previously stationary pegasus then performs a half spiral as both fell, sling-shotting the other back in the direction they came from without losing any speed in the process. All of this in less than a second.

It’s a suicidal move. If done wrong the sharp turn can cause a flying pegasus to black out, but if they miss the hoof link and slam into the other pegasi, it could break bones in both their bodies. Compared to being eaten by a frostwyrm, sling-shotting seems like a good idea.

I knew everything was going to go downhill fast when I heard the guttural roar of the frostwyrm, closely trailing a blue pegasus, frantically attempting to signal for help. Looking around I could see that everypony nearby had stopped at the sound of the frostwyrm, but no-one had seen the little colt desperately flying ahead of it. I had to do something, I wouldn’t just stand by and watch him get killed – that wouldn’t be right.

Looking once more at the situation unfolding, I focused on the young pegasus flying towards me, I’m sure I recognised those colours, was that Icy Gale?

“...what have you done now?”

I took a running leap of the cloud I was standing on and launched into the sky, defying all reasonable logic, flying straight towards the incoming threat.

A cheer of support and panic rose up together behind me as I flew up to confront the terror now approaching us, hoping to find a way to save my friend.

I was bordering on exhaustion, ready to collapse, when I heard shouts coming from Skytown as a single pegasus took to the skies.

FINALLY, somepony coming to help me!

A familiar multi-coloured trail arced through the sky towards me, leaving only one possibility as to who it could be, Spectrum.
A squadron leader never leaves anypony behind, even in the face of immeasurable danger and trial. If a leader has no-one to lead, how can they be a leader? It takes some serious loyalty to come rescue a friend and squad-mate from a frostwyrm.

The determination was visible as Icy Gale kept his lead only a few lengths in front of the frostwyrm, though just enough to keep out of range from any swipes or coldfire it might try to throw at him, but close enough to know his life depended on that gap. Putting on a burst of speed, Icy Gale was able to put a greater distance between him and the frostwyrm.

The two pegasi were now within yelling range of each other, and both utilised this short opportunity, calling to each other to clarify their course of action.

“Spectrum, I wanna try a slingshot! Get ready!”

“WHAT? Are you sure?”

Yelling her response, Spectrum came to an abrupt halt mid-air, hovering in position waiting for Icy Gale to initiate the next phase of the manoeuvre. He responded as such, reaching out his front two hooves in preparation for the link-up, now realising that both their lives depended on the next few seconds.

Double digit lengths separating them turned to single digit lengths, and time seemed to slow as they approached each other. Linking hooves and snapping their wings in tight, momentum from Icy Gale bringing them into a downwards spin. As they turned, blood rushed from their heads, taking them to the verge of blacking out; concentration and focus keeping them on the edge of consciousness. Any mistake here could be deadly.

Releasing his grip and snapping open his wings, Icy Gale pulled away back towards the dragon. Turning his attention back to the frostwyrm, he began a corkscrew motion before angling his wings back to flip him so his back legs were now ahead of him – ready to buck the dragon in the face.

As Icy Gale flew towards the approaching dragon, Spectrum Blaze pulled into a sharp turn skyward, rapidly gaining altitude. The air thinned as you went higher, every pegasi is taught this from a young age, but Spectrum was really noticing it now – breathing was harder, the air she breathed wasn’t providing enough oxygen to her muscles, each wing flap slowly becoming more strenuous. She couldn’t think clearly anymore.

She closed her eyes

locked her wings against her body

and fell…

The lack of air at high altitudes had finally taken its toll, as Spectrum went unconscious; oxygen no longer able to reach her brain. Barely breathing, she plummeted back towards the impending battle below, and the ground.

The wind was deafening as it rushed past my ears, flattening them against my head. I could feel myself rotating through the air, slowly turning towards the ground, accelerating faster towards what could be a very messy end if I didn’t pull out soon. I quickly angled my wings to stop myself from spinning uncontrollably, intense pain shooting through them as they were snapped back by the wind. Opening my eyes I could see Icy Gale hurtling towards the frostwyrm on a likely fatal collision course; I would not let him get himself killed over this.

Beating my wings more rapidly now, I was able to push past the speed I’d been falling at; this was real speed! I could now feel the air around me compressing as I forced my way through it at speeds pegasi weren’t designed for. My whole body was under stress - tears were streaming from my eyes, my wing joint and muscles were really aching from the work I was doing. I had to go faster.

I stretched my front hooves out in front of me to streamline my shape, as if to push the air out of my way, hoping it might make some difference. The effect was immediate. A blazing cone seemed to form just in front of me and narrowed around me the faster I flew to push through it. It wasn’t like anything I’d ever seen or even heard of. It was awesome!

Had. to. go. faster!

Putting on a last-ditch burst of speed, i passed through the cone surrounding me; a tingle passing through me as I did so, followed by -

BOOM!

The tremendous sound of an explosion split the air all around me, but what could…? I turned my head around to multi-coloured ring expanding outwards behind me, like some sort of shockwave, but the most confusing thing was the rainbow trail following me – just an extension of my mane and tail. I didn’t understand it at all. It was amazing!

I didn’t even notice I’d cut straight between Icy Gale and the frostwyrm until I saw them blown apart from each other from the force of the explosion. There was a blue-white flash from Icy Gale shortly afterwards, then –
Huh? That didn’t make any sense…

I’d tried to keep track of Spectrum after our slingshot, but after she pulled skyward I quickly lost sight of her as she flew higher. Taking my gaze off the dragon momentarily, I could see her barrelling straight towards me and the frostwyrm. A blazing cone formed ahead of her and closed in around her. The distance between us was closing extremely quickly; what was she doing?

Everything happened in slow motion. She passed through the cone surrounding her. An explosion of colour all around. The shockwave passing through my body, knocking the air from my lungs. Then a sensation surging through my body, enveloping every part of me, filling it with…

Time stopped around me. I saw Spectrum below, a rainbow trail blazing behind her. The frostwyrm in front, a vicious snarl on face, claws outstretched towards me. Then it all released, pouring out from my body.

A wave of cold energy burst out from me in all directions, literally freezing the air, turning it to shards of ice. Spectrum’s rainbow trail began to crystallise behind her; multi-coloured crystals falling to the ground is it broke under its own weight. I glared at the dragon and the cold seemed to focus around where I looked – on the frostwyrm.

It had to be magic. I was a pegasi – we didn’t have magic like unicorns, but I couldn’t think of any other way to explain it.
I turned all my attention back to the frostwyrm; feelings of anger took over my thoughts; I would NOT let this creature win. This was personal now – between it and me. Rage flooded through me, transforming, becoming a focus for the magic flowing through my body.

“IF YOU FIGHT COLD; BE CONSUMED BY IT!”

Screaming the words at it, I slipped into the magic as if were just water – a feeling that seemed almost natural.
The frostwyrm let out a screech in defiance; a challenge. I answered, willing ice to take hold of it, to remind it of the terrible cold that it lived and survived in. Words formed power, building around me, releasing as I Spoke to it. Tendrils of ice burst from the air around me, searching for the thing I called them forth to do.

Racing through the air, autonomously, they sought out the frostwyrm. Converging together, they pierced its scales; driving into its body; icy barbs forming off the shards, shredding flesh and gouging holes for more ice to form in. this was anger personified through ice, stealing warmth from the dragon’s body, escaping into the air. I could feel the power flowing back to me as they drained the life-force from the frostwyrm. It was a horrific sight; an image I would never forget; burned into my mind.

For a brief moment, I felt an unknown presence around me; whether this was an effect of draining the life-force from the frostwyrm or something other – it made no sense. Neither did anything else today though, but for what it was - it was unnerving.

A surge of power left me in an instant. What was this? Stretching out my consciousness, I felt for the source of this sudden drain. I followed the path of the magic, tracing it to its release. A young colt, filled with anger and pain.

As the flow of magic began to reduce, I Spoke to his mind through the connection we shared,

“I will be watching you, young one…”

A shudder in the connection as it closed told me that he had heard me. These would be interesting days ahead.