//------------------------------// // Part 2: Braving the Winter Storm // Story: Good Princess Celestia // by twilightsparkle3562 //------------------------------// Sister monarchs, forth they went together, braving the rude winds and the bitter weather that shimmered around them. Celestia was determined to do whatever she could to bring these essentials to the ponies that were less fortunate than her. "Keep moving, my sister!" she called out to Luna, who was struggling to hold her sleigh full of essentials. "We cannot let the weather stop us!" However, the winds were getting so strong to a point that their bodies were starting to give out and Luna felt herself start to lose her strength. Nevertheless, she tried to follow in her sister's footsteps. Then, she felt her legs give way and she fell to the ground. "Sister!" she cried, causing Celestia to stop and turn to face her sister. "The night is growing darker and the winds are blowing stronger! My heart is failing and I don't know how long I can go, but I can't go on much longer!" But, Celestia was determined to finish what she set out to do. However, her sisterly instincts were kicking in and she quickly dashed over to her sister's aid. "Luna, you must stay strong," she said, draping a wing over Luna's body. "Just follow my footsteps, tread in them boldly and you will find that the winter's rage only freezes your blood less coldly!" Heeding her sister's advice, Luna refocused on the task at hand. With each step she took, the Princess of the Night felt her strength regrow stronger and stronger. Still, the winds of the winter storm continued to buckle at the two sisters. They were not wearing anything other than their royal regalia to cover their bodies. But, they had face this before. "We cannot rest, my sister," called Celestia, who was remembering her and Luna holding off the frozen north of the Crystal Empire. "We've battled the frozen once and we can do it again!" The snow was continuing to grow deeper and deeper with each step they took. Finally, they made it towards the stadium right near Starswirl the Bearded's fountain. "It's the fountain, Luna!" cried Celestia. "We're almost there! Just a little further!" But, despite her sister's encouragement, Luna was starting to give into the harsh cold winds that slammed at her body. Just as they neared the house, Luna let out a sharp cry and collapsed into the deep snow. However, the winds were so strong that Celestia didn't hear her sister's cries. "Luna?" called Celestia, turning around. "Little sister, did you hear me?" Then, Celestia turned and noticed that Luna was no longer following her footsteps causing Celestia to fear the worst. "LUNA!" she shouted and removing the straps that connected her to the sleigh, Celestia struggled to reach her sister, trying to get through the deep snow. "LUNA!" Looking down, Celestia saw her sister lying face down in the snow. Her flowing mane was now frozen solid along with the rest of her body. Fearing the worst, Celestia grabbed her sister in her magic bond and placed her on her back. "You'll be all right," she cried, her long horn nothing more than a thick cold icicle. "I will get us to the house myself! Even if I have to carry you, little sister!" … With her horn frozen solid, Celestia could not perform any magic to attract the attention of the occupants inside the house. But watching from a window, the daughter noticed what was going on, not knowing that the princesses were coming towards them. "Papa, there some ponies outside," she remarked to the father who got out of his chair and went out to the window. "Look!" "My dear Sixpence," he chuckled. "You must be seeing things. There's nothing out there but snow. Come and sit with me by the father." "But, I can see them, papa," cried Sixpence. "We have to help them!" "Sixpence, that's enough of your imagination for one night," remarked the father. "Now, come over and…" Then, suddenly…BANG! The father and daughter heard the bangs and quickly dashed over to see what was going on. Opening the door, the saw what appeared to be a broken bottle of wine. "Wait here, Sixpence," ordered the father who then ran to grab his winter coat. "I'll go find out what is going on here." Braving the elements, the father ran out into the blinding snowstorm searching for whoever threw the broken bottle of wine at his door. He searched high and low then he saw the shadow of a pony coming towards them. "How on Earth…?" gasped the father, not believing what he was seeing in front of them. "It can't be possible!" The father watched as standing in front of him was Princess Celestia herself and Princess Luna passed out on her back. Knowing that royalty was standing in front of him he bowed to Celestia. "There's no time for bowing, my subject!" called Celestia. "We've come to bring you and your daughter essentials to survive the storm! You must help us!" "I will do whatever I can, your highness!" replied the father, taking off his winter coat to place it around Luna. "My house is not too far away from here! Can you make it?" "I can try!" grunted Celestia, starting to feel her legs give way. "But, I don't know how much longer I can stay on my feet! My sister's sleigh is not too far away if you want to help pull it in!" Realizing that time was of the essence, the father flashed his horn to attract the attraction of Sixpence, who was watching from the window. "Papa's in trouble," she whispered and throwing on a black cloak, Sixpence went out into the storm, following the flashing lights that her father was producing. By then, the storm was growing deadly and dangerous for anypony to be outside. "The royal sisters need our help, Sixpence!" called the father. "Get the other sleigh that is right behind us! Now hurry!" "Yes, papa," she answered and the father motioned for Celestia to follow him towards the house. Sixpence struggled to haul Luna's sleigh against the brutal winds, but nevertheless they made it back to the house after a few agonizing minutes. Opening the door, the father led Celestia and a near frozen Luna into the house while he set about covering Luna up with whatever blankets he could find. Although she was triumphant in her mission, Celestia herself was also very weak and she collapsed to the ground herself. "You and your sister must rest now, your highness," cried the father as he too wrapped Celestia in blankets. "My daughter and I will bring in whatever you brought for us." "Thank you," gasped Celestia, struggling to breathe as she looked away from the father and towards her sister, who was still unconscious from being out in the cold. Yes, the sister were triumphant in their quest, but the risk of going out in the blinding snowstorm had almost cost them their lives. Now, they were going to ride out the storm with these ponies that they were now helping out of shear generosity. But, in the snow, where the sister's had troughed the snow lay dinted. The glow of the hoof prints meant that heat was in the very sod of which Princess Celestia herself had printed…