Snow was coming down all over Equestria, sheeting the land in a thick blanket of white. The sun had already set and the moon was now gracing the sky.
Woodwind trudged through the snow with the axe in his mouth. He had to find the perfect tree or Squeaks would never give him a moment of respite.
"Speaking of Squeaks." He thought to himself. He could hear tiny wings flapping behind him. he turned around quick enough to see his daughter bolt behind a tree.
"Squeaks, I told you to stay at the house with your mother and help her watch your brother and sister. You're going to catch a cold."
Squeak came sulking out from behind a tree. "But dad, I just wanted to help you with the tree."
He sighed. They were already too far from the house to send her back. "Alright, Squeaks. lets go." he said and trudged forward.
He heard her cheer and flutter close to him.
"Hey dad, why don't you just fly? It'll be much easier." she asked as she circled him with ease as he slowly lifted each leg through the heavy snow.
"I don't really like to use my wings. I like doing things the old fashioned way." He told her as he continued trudging on.
She replied with a playful tone. "But it's easier." she said taunting him
He chuckled at her and just kept walking.
20 minutes went by until they found it. It stood about 8 feet tall and was a beautiful hue of green. Squeaks knew exactly what one she wanted.
"This one, daddy! Cut down this one!" She yelled flying up to the tree and pulling gingerly at its branches.
Woodwind began chopping. It only took about five swings to cut it down since it was pretty small. It hit the ground with a satisfying thud.
Woodwind used his wings to scoop it on his back and hold it there.
"Wow, daddy! You're really strong!" She yelled as he balanced the tree.
"Why thank you, Squeaks. Now lets go get some hot chocolate. Sound good?"
Squeaks eyes lit up at the thought. "That sounds yummy!" she said as she floated atop her fathers head.
"But, you have to walk back. I'm beat." She said as she curled up in his warm mane.
Fluttershy was busy hanging decorations on the walls as the twins, Buck and Tinyhooves, began to tussle over their favorite toy. Fluttershy finished lighting the fire for Woodwind to warm up to when he returned from the howling cold, and plucked the arguing twins up by their PJ's.
"Now Buck, you've had the toy all day. Don't you think its time for your sister to have a turn?" She said, pleading with the foals.
"No!" came the tiny Bucks little voice as Tinyhooves began to cry more.
Fluttershy sighed as she set the colt down. He was still snuggling the toy.
"Tinyhooves, would you like to help mommy decorate?" Fluttershy asked hoping to cheer the filly up.
Tinyhooves wiped her eyes and began to smile. "Ok, mommy."
Fluttershy hugged her and set her down.
"Ok, sweetie. I just need to go get the ornaments from the cellar. Now be a good filly and finish your bottle for me."
Tinyhooves nodded as she crawled to the quilt to finish the last of her milk.
Fluttershy floated into the basement in search of the box of ornaments. She began to cough again.
She had had that same cough for about a week now. She didn't think much of it. It was cold season, after all.
But the coughing was worse now. She gagged and began to cough up blood.
It spouted from her mouth like a hose. She covered her face in horror and tried to fly back upstairs.
But the world went black. She began to feel a sense of vertigo as she had trouble telling up from down. She tried to scream, but only more blood came out.
She was scared. No one could help her. Reality cut out and she crashed to the cold, stone floor.
Woodwind set the tree down in the corner and helped Squeaks out of her coat.
"Why don't you go get the co-co mix ready. I'll meet you in the kitchen in a minute."
"Ok, dad!" she said flying to the kitchen. "C'mon Buck and Tinyhooves! You want some co-co, too?" She called back to her brother and sister.
They both cheered and crawled for the kitchen.
Woodwind watched and smiled as Squeaks began to help her siblings with the powder.
"Fluttershy! We're back!" He called out.
No reply.
"Fluttershy?" He called out again.
still nothing.
He flew into the bedroom. maybe she fell asleep.
Nothing.
The attic?
No sign of her.
"Buck? Tinyhooves? Wheres mommy?" He asked the toddlers.
"Mommy went to tha baseament!" Tinyhooves said pointing to the cellar door.
He went down and called her name.
Still nothing.
He turned on the light and was horrified by what he saw.
Fluttershy was laying lifeless on the ground. Blood pooling on the floor near her mouth. He rushed to her in a frenzy and picked her up in his hooves.
"Fluttershy!? Fluttershy!" He yelled.
She lay limp in his forelegs.
He bolted upstairs and placed her on the couch. Squeaks bolted in when she saw her mother lifeless in his arms.
"Mommy?!" She yelled and flew next to her mothers limp body crying. "MOMMY!"
"Squeaks I need you to watch the twins and mommy until I get back! I'm going to get Aunti Twilight. Can you do that for me?" He asked barely keeping his composure.
"Mhmm." She said as tears streamed down her tiny cheeks.
With that he was off. He wouldn't let Fluttershy down!