//------------------------------//
// Episode 7: Family Time 
// Story: EoH Evolution: Season 3 
// by Bahamut0 
//------------------------------//

Arctic Ace took a deep breath as he felt the icy winds of the Frozen North blowing through the air. His hands were covered in an icy blue aura of magic that matched the color of his eyes. "Here we go." Arctic Ace shot his arms out! A beam of ice magic shot out! Constructing a tower which Ace flew up to! His angel-like ice wings catching a trail of snowflakes! As soon as Ace landed, he spread out his arms.

The entire ice tower was deconstructed, and tiny satellites of ice crystals orbited around Arctic Ace! "Now for the finale." Ace focused on the snowy ground beneath him, and used his magic to command the snow to swirl around him in a sphere-like formation. "I've already made a snow angel move. Think I'll call this one Snow Globe."

"I just knew ice magic would be perfect for a coolheaded guy like yourself." Aether Stream called out as he joined Arctic Ace in the sky. The original male Avatar grinning at his pupil. "It's no wonder you've mastered your magic so fast. Have you been hanging around Celestia's star student?"

Arctic Ace smiled. "Yes I have. Twilight and I have chatted a bit during our down time. I serve as my team's strategist, but Twilight has to occupy that position and being a leader. Plus, she's a great help to me and the guys since she lives in and runs the library. Meaning we have easy access to information. By the way, how did Burst and Steel take to their magic training?"

"Burst was born a Magi." Aether said with a nod. "And when he started his training, it was clear he specialized in offensive spells. So that made training him in that field was relatively easy. Steel Edge was captain of the Elite Guard. He was new to having access to magic, but his former occupation gave him a clear and focused mind. So he had little trouble as well."

Arctic Ace nodded. "Speaking of Burst Stream, are you worried about him?" Ace noticed that Aether had stiffened a little at his question. "He told me that he's going to be watching over Nightmare Moon during her reformation. And from what he told me about their first encounter, she easily took him down even while restraining herself. We've completed my training early, so shouldn't you go check up on Burst?"

"Arctic Ace." Aether said in a fatherly tone. "I would be lying if I said I wasn't worrying every waking minute Burst is near Nightmare Moon. Burst has contacted me about his situation. And from him informing me, I can say that I know he's going to be just fine. My son is a good judge of character. He can get a pretty good read from people after meeting them. It's how he's gotten to become fast friends with all of you. So if he's comfortable having an ex-villain under the same roof as him, and is certain she wants to become a better person, I'm more than inclined to believe him."

Aether then smiled fondly. "Speaking of family, I'd best be going home! Lumina's waiting for me, and it's rude to keep a lady waiting! ESPECIALLY your wife!"

Arctic Ace smiled. "I'm due for a visit from my family soon. They'll be coming today, and I want to meet them at the station. And again, thanks for your training." Ace flew off towards the station while Aether teleported home. It's been a while since I've seen Ice and Shadow. And even longer since all three of us were with our parents.

Ace landed at the train station. He noticed the crowd murmuring amongst themselves at his arrival. I guess they're still talking about me putting all the Umbrum in cold storage. I'm surprised they haven't erected statues of Ice yet. He's the one that actually put an end to Sombra. Then you've got Spike. He's the one who put the Crystal Heart back where it belongs.

The arrival of the Crystal Express snapped Ace out of his thoughts. As soon as the doors were opened, an orange blur flew at Ace! Swooping him into a hug! "HAH! There's my boy!" Blazewing, the dad of Ace, Ice, and Shadow cheered. The trio's father had fiery red hair and flame-orange skin. His fiery attitude was something Dark Ice had inherited despite the eldest brother's name. Blazewing's outfit consisted of a black jacket and dark blue jeans. "First you become a hero, then you stand among the gods!"

"Now, now Blazewing." A soothing, female voice called out. A woman exited out the train with a serene smile on her face. Her outfit consisting of jeans and a light blue dress. Like her husband, she was a Skyborn. "We all knew that my little snow angel was special. After all, he did get his wings and looks from me."

Blazewing smiled at his wife. "True enough Crystal! He also got his looks from you."

Crystal Breeze smiled as she walked over to Arctic Ace. Ace really did resemble his mother due to both of them having white skin, light purple hair, and icy blue eyes. She gave him a tight hug. "It's so good to see you again Ace. You've grown so much since I saw you last." She then held onto Ace's hand. Smiling down at the snowflake crest mark on his hand that indicated his newfound access to magic. "Despite your Talent Crest, you're anything but fragile."

"Well, I did come up with a shield move I called Glacier Wall." Ace said with a smile. He was puzzled when his mom let go of him, but he quickly understood why. Two figures flew at him, and jumped onto him. The Avatar of Wisdom letting out a knowing sigh as one of the figures messed with his hair. "Ice. Shadow. I was wondering when you two would try and jump me."

Dark Ice chuckled as he released his hold on Arctic Ace. "We never could try to pull a fast one on you Ace! I guess that's one of the things that'll never change between us!"

"Yep!" Shadow Thunder said with a happy nod. "That, and I'm pretty sure Ace's ability to totally own us in snowball fights just got a serious boost!"

Arctic Ace smiled. "Well then. Since you brought it up, would the two of you like to revisit those good times?" Arctic Ace powered up his magic as he took to the sky above the city! With a flap of his wings, a blanket of snow gradually fell upon the city! "However, there's more fun to be had with the whole city in on it! SNOWBALL WAR!" And in less than a minute, the Crystal Empire was engulfed in a snowy mass of playful chaos. 

Everyone was hurling snowballs at each other! Some people even began sniping at those on lower ground from the rooftops! Dark Ice was dodging like the whole thing was nothing to him. That is, until a lucky stranger landed a hit! "What the?!" Dark Ice heard giggling, and whipped his head upwards. He saw Indigo Zap stifling a giggle and holding a few more snowballs in her arms. Ice smirked. "How about I even the playing field?" Dark Ice prepared as many snowballs as he could, and flew at Indigo Zap! Hurling his projectiles like a madman! Naturally, Indigo Zap returned fire! 

The two were evenly matched, but soon found themselves headed for a crash landing as Arctic Ace had used his magic to amass a gigantic snowball that wiped out all the other participants on their little snowy battlefield! "I guess that's the end of the war." Indigo Zap said with a fond sigh.

"Yeah. Looks like." Dark Ice said with a nod. "Soooo, what do we do now? Kiss and make up for earlier?"

Indigo Zap smiled. "Okay." She then kissed Dark Ice on the cheek! "Don't be afraid to visit anytime soon, 'kay? I've still gotta repay you for keeping your promise."

Dark Ice's entire face was flushed red at this moment. Both of his parents watching on with fond smiles. The time of Ice's departure felt like it had all been washed away. And all it took was a chaotic snowball fight that encompassed an entire empire.