High above the mortal realm, upon the heavenly plain, there resides the home of the gods, each of whom lives in their own palace, where they await to hear the prayers of their mortal followers. Among them was the Fluttershy, the goddess of spring. Like the season she represented, Fluttershy was as sweet and as lovely as a flower in bloom, with her rosy pink locks, lustrous teal eyes, and delicate features. Though her natural beauty could not compare to the beauty of her heart, which had within it the compassion to love all creatures, great, small, adorable and hideous. As a goddess, it was her duty to in the warm sunshine and vibrant flowers that came with the changing of the seasons. However, as it was still winter down below, Fluttershy was enjoying her nice quiet time in her palace. Fluttershy's palace was surrounded by a dense garden, filled with every kind of bloom imaginable. The palace itself was quite modest, not being very tall and grand, and constructed from simple marble. Along its walls grew flowering moss and vines of ivy, with plant life even growing upon the tiled roof.
As was most common for her to do during her time off, Fluttershy went about her garden with her bunny companion, Angel, tending to her flowers, and cultivating her herbs. But this was no typical day for Fluttershy, as she was watering her lilies, a flustered cry caught her attention.
"Fluttershy! Oh Fluttershy, dear!"
Fluttershy whirled around to see that the person calling out to her was none other than Rarity, the goddess of winter. Normally, Rarity was the picture of elegance, dressed in delicate, stylish snowflake garments that complimented her snow-white complexion, making her look as regal as a queen. But one look at the obviously distressed and disheveled goddess was enough to alert Fluttershy that something was wrong.
"Oh my, what brings you here, Rarity?" Fluttershy asked.
"Fluttershy, you won't believe what just happened!" Rarity gasped, trying to catch her breath. "It's absolutely terrible, why, it just might be the worst. Possible. Thing!"
At her feet, Angel bunny rolled his eyes at Rarity's dramatics.
"Is it really that serious?" Fluttershy pressed.
"Indeed it is." Rarity then began to recount to her what exactly happened. "You see, I was out in the mortal realm, frosting the trees, adding a few icicles here and there, it was a perfect winter wonderland if I do say so myself. But as soon as I turn my back for a measly moment, all of my hard work has come undone! Icicles knocked off their branches, a mess of tracks covering the once unblemished snow. It looked like a complete disaster."
"That does sound awful." Fluttershy remarked.
"I haven't even gotten to the worst part!" Rarity said. "The perpetrators behind the mess are the nymphs!"
Upon hearing this, Fluttershy let out a shocked gasp of her own. "The nymphs? But, they aren't supposed to be awake until spring."
"I know, and that's precisely what I told them, but no matter what I said, they wouldn't listen to me, and instead ran off to cause more mischief. And you can see the state they've left me in." She indicated her now unkempt violet curls to prove her point. "That's why I'm here. I'm hoping that you could work your magic and talk some sense into the them, and get them to go back to sleep."
Fluttershy gave a determined nod. "I'll do what I can, thank you for telling me Rarity." Fluttershy quickly rushed into the palace and came back out in a thick mossy cloak. "I hate to think what could happen to those poor girls if they stay out too much longer."
"And you better hurry, darling." Rarity added. "There's been sightings of windigos in the area, and you know how dreadful they can be."
"Don't worry, I'll have them nice and cozy in their tress in no time." And with that Fluttershy descended down to the mortal realm.
Meanwhile, in the snowy forest, three nymphs named Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, were all laughing and playing as they ran through the thick snowdrifts.
"Whoohoo!" Cried Scootaloo as she slid down a little hill and into a snowbank. "Man, this is great!"
"Yeah, we should've done this years ago." Said Sweetie Belle.
"I'm still not sure about this guys." Said Apple Bloom nervously. "I mean, you saw how upset Rarity was, maybe we should go back to our trees."
"Aw, quit your worrying." Scootaloo said dismissively, dusting off the flakes of snow off her lilac skirts. "A little snow never hurt anyone. Besides, who knows when we're ever gonna get the chance to see winter again? Now come on!"
The three nymphs continued to run deeper and deeper into the forest, and as they did, their surroundings grew darker and more fearsome, for they were entering a part of the forest where few dared to tread, for it is said that many terrible beasts dwell in that part of the wood. Thankfully, as it was still winter, a great many of those beasts had settled down for a nice winter's nap. However, there were still a few creatures that roamed about regardless of the season. But none of the nymphs knew of this as they merrily chased each other through the thick arbor of old gnarled trees. They didn't stop, until they spotted a curious find that caught their attention.
"Hey, what's that?" Asked Sweetie Belle, skidding to a stop.
The other two followed her gaze to a large, stony formation. Through the vines that completely covered it, the girls could just make out the shape of some kind of creature, one that was an amalgamation of a bunch of other sorts of animals. It was feathered, furred and scaled, with horns, wings and claws. It was unlike anything any of them had ever seen before.
"Freaky." Scootaloo said softly, her wide eyes taking in as much as she could of the stony creature.
"What do you think it is?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Maybe it's a sculpture someone made." Sweetie Belle suggested.
"A statue in the middle of the forest?" Scootaloo questioned. "Nu-uh. My guess is, it just formed like this naturally."
Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes, "oh yeah, a hunk of rock managed to look like a great big monster all on its own."
"Hey, it could happen!" Scootaloo said defensively. I once saw a rock that looked like a dragon."
Apple Bloom got between the two of them and said, "That's enough, both of you."
Scootaloo pointed an accusatory finger at Sweetie Belle. "She started it!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Not!"
"Too!"
"Will you knock it off?!" Cried Apple Bloom, feeling fed up with their bickering (not to mention standing out in the cold for so long).
"Stay out of it!" Both of them shot back.
Unbeknownst to the girls, their arguing had attracted some unwanted attention. The heat of their anger and fighting carried by the bitter wind, alerted the windigos, the winter spirits who brought ice and snow wherever there was turmoil. They could feel the nymphs' presence, and became drawn to them like moths to a flame, as they set out towards the source of the fighting, to further spread their icy influence. More nearby, the statue over which the girls had begun to argue over, faintly glowed for but a few moments, as a dark light pulsed in what was the creature's chest.
The howling wind blew straight through the girls, causing them to shiver.
"Look, can we just get out of here already?" Asked Apple Bloom. "I don't want to stand around here freezing my legs off."
"Okay." Sweetie Belle said.
"Yeah, whatever." Scootaloo shot a look at Sweetie Belle, indicating that they weren't done with their argument, and Sweetie Belle felt the same.
Little did any of them know as they left, the large cracks that started to form in the statue, or the ominous cackle that softly sounded from inside.
Fluttershy landed down upon the snowy surface of the earth, as she did, a small patch of fresh grass grew up from her footsteps.
"Oh, where could those three have gone?" She muttered to herself, looking out in every direction, but no matter where she looked, there was nothing but a seemingly endless expanse of whiteness as far as the eye could see.
Fluttershy drew her cloak in tighter around her. It'll be getting dark soon, and the weather is sure to take a turn for the worse then. There's no time to waste. Reaching into her cloak, she pulled out a set of panpipes, and began to play a little tune on them. After a moment or so, there appeared before her in a gentle breeze a young man dressed in a loose-fitting robe, with his blond hair piled high on his head and a slight five o'clock shadow on his face. It was Zephyr, spirit of the west wind and spring breezes, as well as Fluttershy's younger brother.
Zephyr let out a loud, obnoxious yawn. "Aw man, why'd you call me out here sis?" He asked tiredly. "Do you have any clue how early it is?"
"I'm sorry Zephyr, but I need your help. There are three young nymph who woke up early, and I need your help to find them before it's too late."
Zephyr gave his arms a stretch. "That's it? Couldn't ya, I don't know, do it yourself?"
"No, there's too much ground to cover, not to mention my powers are at their weakest during the winter season, I need all the help I can get."
"I don't know." Zephyr said, still sounding disinterested. "I mean, I was in the middle of this really nice siesta and--"
"Zephyr Breeze." Fluttershy said warningly.
"Okay okay, I'll help." Zephyr said, holding up his hands defensively. "I'll find those nymphs for you in no time."
As quick as he appeared, he was gone.
Fluttershy heaved a sigh. "I hope they're alright."
The nymphs had left the forest and had now made their way to a snowy field. As they walked, the girls were finally starting to feel the effects of the winter weather, as all of them quivered and began to become as pale as the snow itself.
"Maybe we should head back home." Apple Bloom said.
Scootaloo nodded, trying to keep her teeth from chattering. "Y-y-yeah. I think w-we've had en-nough adventure for t-today."
"So, anyone know the way back?" Asked Sweetie Belle. There was an awkward silence. "Oh come on!"
"Oh, I knew this was a bad idea." Said Apple Bloom, shaking her head.
"If it was such a bad idea, then why did you come?" Asked Scootaloo, sounding very irritable from the cold.
"To make sure nothing bad happened to you two."
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
"Whenever we go on one of these little adventures, it always seems to lead to some kind of trouble."
"Oh like you're one to talk." Said Sweetie Belle grumpily.
"Excuse me?"
"Remember the time you went out into the fire bogs?"
"Hey, what happened there was not my fault, I just got turned around is all. Besides, you've got into plenty of trouble yourself."
"Why you!"
This went on and on, as the three of them continued to fight and insult one another. High above them, hidden among the clouds, the windigos watched their prey with an intent gaze. They then began to fly round and round, creating a flurry of snow, as bitter as they were feeling right now.
"This is the last time I decide to do anything with you girls again." Apple Bloom said.
"Same."
"Ditto."
Just as they were about to go their separate ways, they finally realized something. "I, I can't move!"
"Me neither."
"What's going on?" Scootaloo cried.
A sharp winny pierced the air, turning their attention skyward, where three horse-like entities were encircling them, making it colder, and causing the ice that pinned them to the ground to creep up their legs.
"W-what are they?" Asked Sweetie Belle.
Apple Bloom shook her head helplessly. "I don't know, but whatever they are, I don't think they're here to help."
"I coulda told you that much." Scootaloo remarked.
The wind suddenly blew colder, freezing the girls right to their cores.
It then dawned on Sweetie Belle. "You guys, I think it's us that's causing this!"
"What?"
"What makes you say that?" Asked Apple Bloom.
"These things, they didn't show up until we started fighting. Not only that, but after what Scootaloo just said, it suddenly got colder." She said.
"Then how do we stop this?" Asked Scootaloo.
"I don't know!"
"Well, whatever we do, I don't think we have much time." Apple Bloom said, as the ice was now climbing up her chest.
"Oh gods, this looks like the end!" Cried Scootaloo.
Sweetie Belle broke down into tears. "Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, I'm really sorry for what I said. I didn't really mean it. You two are the best friends I've ever had."
"I feel the same, Sweetie Belle." Apple Bloom said, her own eyes tearing up. "And I really don't mind our adventures that much. Even if we got into trouble, they were still pretty fun."
Scootaloo sniffed. "Oh you guys, it was nice knowing ya."
As the three nymphs prepared to accept their fate, a sharp sound signal, causing the windigos themselves to freeze. The girls gazed back up to see Fluttershy flying towards them, playing on her panpipes.
"Lady Fluttershy!" All three called.
The windigos glared at the goddess' arrival, and prepared to rush at the interloper. In response, Fluttershy played a bright a cheery melody. It sang of warmth, of the bright beginnings that came with spring. To the nymphs it sounded wonderful, but to the windigos, it made them shrink back, as the terrible noise assaulted their ears. Until at last, the windigos retreated, hoping to get as far away from the pipes as possible. Fluttershy touched down to the ground and waved a hand at the ice that surrounded the nymphs, and in an instant, it melted into water.
The girls smiled and cheered, happy to be saved. The got into a little group hug before turning to the goddess and saying, "Oh thank you, Lady Fluttershy. Thank you so much!"
"Yeah, the way you sent those things running was awesome!" Added Scootaloo.
However, Fluttershy looked down at them with a very disapproving look. "You girls know better than to be out here in the middle of winter. If Rarity hadn't told me you were awake, you could've been killed!"
The nymphs hung their heads. "We're sorry, Lady Fluttershy." Said Apple Bloom.
"We didn't mean for this to happen, we just wanted to see what winter was like." Said Sweetie Belle.
Fluttershy sighed. "Well, you're lucky that Zephyr found you when he did, otherwise I might've been too late."
Scootaloo cocked her head to the side in confusion. "Who?"
At the mention of his name, Zephyr appeared beside his sister. "That'd be me, little lady. Yes, feel free to back in my amazingness."
"And you are...?" Asked Apple Bloom.
Zephyr let out a gasp as if he'd been slapped. "You mean, you've never heard of Zephyr? Spirit of the west wind, bringer of spring breezes? Nothing?"
Sweetie Belle shrugged. "Sorry, never heard of you."
Zephyr quickly regained his composure and said, "Yes, well, at least now you've seen me in action. For it was me who found you poor damsels in distress, and quickly went to alert my sister of your peril. No need to thank me."
"Thank you for your help, Zephyr." Said Fluttershy. "Now, you should probably get going, you're going to need all your rest for when spring comes."
"Ah yes, a siesta sounds good right about now." Zephyr rose higher into the air and with a little wave he said, "Catch you later, sis." And like that, he was gone.
"Man, your brother's a weirdo." Said Scootaloo.
Fluttershy flew the nymphs back to their grove where they belonged, and using her magic, she managed to relieve the girls of the cold chill that had seeped into their bodies.
"We'll talk about this more in the spring." Fluttershy said, getting the girls ready to resume their winter naps. "You will be punished not just for the trouble you caused Rarity, but also putting yourselves in danger. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Lady Fluttershy." They answered.
She smiled at them warmly. "Good. Now let's get you all settled in, and I'll play you a little song to help you get to sleep."
"Lady Fluttershy?" Piped up Apple Bloom. "Thanks again for saving us."
"Anytime." With the pipes raised to her lips, Fluttershy began to play her song, so lovely was her music that the tree branches began to sing along as they swayed.
When the Spring comes in the birds do sing, the lambs do play and the bells do ring.
The primrose blooms and the cowslip too,
The violets in their sweet attire, the bluebells shining in the briar,
The daffy-dilly we admire, while daisies fade away.
The nymphs let out a content sigh, as they leaned against their respected trees and melted into them. Fluttershy finished her lullaby and smiled at the three little trees.
"Sweet dreams, girls." She whispered softly.
Fluttershy lifted herself into the air, and was ready to return to the heavenly plain, but as she flew over hill and dale, she spotted something in the snow that made her stop. For down below, their laid the collapsed form of a man.