//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: The Letter // Story: Hearthfire & Wintertides // by Deathscar //------------------------------// “Morning!” Sunset greeted as she strutted into the room. A chorus of ‘heys’ and ‘hellos’ came her way from the ponies seated around the Cutie Map. She trotted past the others and straight towards the only wooden chair. Or more accurately, to the pony seated atop it. “I didn’t hear you wish me a good morning.” “...This joke’s less funny the forty-second time around,” said Tempest, whose eyes were glued to the newspaper in her hooves. “Thanks,” Sunset replied in a deadpan tone, hopping onto the chair right beside Tempest. She rested her head upon Tempest’s shoulder, though it drew not even a glance from her. “Love the support…” The main doors swung open once more. And this time, it was Twilight who stepped in. Tempest lowered her paper to the ground, straightened her back and kept her eyes locked upon her. “Thanks for coming everypony!” Twilight, with a glow of her horn, dispelled the Cutie Map’s holographic image. She then set a small pile of envelopes upon the table, unwrapped the scarf from her neck and took her seat. “I called all of you here today to—” “Oh!” Pinkie shouted, waving her hoof. Well, she attempted to. Being wrapped head to hoof in tinsel made it hard for Pinkie to move any part of her body. “I know! Pick me!” Twilight sighed. “Okay, Pinkie.” “We’re here to assign the annual Hearthfire visits!” Pinkie said, her voice brimming with joy. “I do hope I can get Manehatten again!” Rarity combed a stray lock of mane from her face. “It is such a beautiful place this time of year.” “I sure hope I don’t,” Applejack muttered. “Well, actually, I’m giving all of you the option to pick this year!” The entire room erupted into one large, excited gasp. All, that is, except for Tempest, who stared forth with an unfaltering expression. “What’s the catch?” Rainbow asked with squinted eyes and a cautious frown. “There is none!” Twilight replied, grinning. “I just thought it’d be better if we spread Hearth’s Warming joy to the places we want to go to for a change!” “O-oh that’s a good idea. I wouldn’t want to get any place scary!” Fluttershy paused. “...Again.” “So I’ll be reading out the locations one at a time. And if you hear a place that interests you, just let me know!” Twilight plucked the top envelope from the neat pile. She opened her mouth, ready to read out the first location, but recoiled in realization. “Oh, right! I only have seven locations. Because somepony grabbed the location to her village and left a couple of hours ago, bringing along her best friend to visit. Who is not me. You know, the pony that taught her everything she knows about friendship.” Twilight grumbled and several badly-restrained snickers followed. She shut her eyes and took a deep breath in. “But I digress! Since we only have seven locations and we have eight ponies here, I’ll need a pair of ponies to team up.” Instantly, all pairs of eyes shot towards Tempest, much to her confusion. “...What?” she asked, just as Sunset leaned in closer, nuzzling her muzzle into Tempest’s chest. “Hey, Twi? If Mount Aris is one of the places, could we not give it to Tempest?” Rainbow said. “She’s so dense she might sink.” “I’m pretty sure my large build doesn’t mean I can’t swim,” Tempest answered, a hint of pride in her voice. Though her words were immediately followed by the sound of Rainbow’s hoof slamming into her own face. “Babe, just…” Sunset tapped Tempest’s chin lightly. “Just stop talking.” “Okay, well that’s settled.” Twilight returned her attention to the letter in her hand. “The first location that was requested from us is from… hey! Mount Aris!” “Dibs!” Pinkie screamed at the top of her lungs. The tinsel that wrapped her exploded into a mess of colorful, shining confetti. In one swift motion, she zipped up to Twilight, swiped the letter with one hoof and slammed the other down onto the table so hard, it echoed through the chambers for a couple of seconds. Twilight and the others could only watch in frozen horror as Pinkie retreated back to her seat in the blink of an eye. “O-okay, M-Mount Aris is taken!” she whispered softly. With trembling hooves, she picked up the next letter from the stack and read outloud, “The Changeling Hive?” “Oh!” Both Rainbow and Fluttershy exclaimed at the same time, jumping off their chair. They shot each other a look, and both quickly slinked back down. “N-no, go ahead Rainbow Dash!” “P-psh, I’m good. You should take it!” Rainbow said, crossing her hooves. “O-oh, no but you want—” Rainbow launched from her seat, soared to Twilight and snatched the envelope. “Aw yeah!” Fluttershy, dejectedly, slunk down in her chair in silence, hiding behind her mane. Tempest felt Sunset tightened her squeeze on her arm, and she turned, spotting Sunset staring with furrowed brows at Rainbow. Before she could mutter out a concerned ‘Sunset?’, Rainbow’s voice spoke first. “Psh,” Rainbow laughed. She flew to Fluttershy, dropping the letter into her lap. “Just kidding. I’m sure there are way more awesome places to go anyway!” “O-oh my.” Fluttershy grabbed the letter. “Are you sure?” She attempted to ask, but Rainbow had already retook her seat. Sunset’s grip on Tempest’s hoof relaxed considerably. Though Tempest’s mind was more occupied at the situation that had unfolded in front of her. Especially on Sunset’s reaction. However, that was quickly forgotten as Twilight took the next letter from the stack and began reading out the next location. And so one by one, each place was taken. The Dragon Lands, Kovantown, Manehatten. Until there sat only two letters left in the pile. Twilight took one in each of her hooves. “Alright, it’s just us left!” Twilight said to Sunset and Tempest. “Do you two want the Crystal Empire? Or…” Crystal Empire? Tempest considered the choice in her mind. “Wintertide Village?” Tempest’s heart skipped a beat. All the color immediately drained from her face, and her next breath in was razor sharp. “W-where d-did you say it was…?” Tempest was barely able to stutter out. “Wintertide Village.” Twilight faced the letter to Tempest, who read those exact words upon the envelope. “Something wrong?” Tempest felt a tug upon her hoof. When she turned, she was met with Sunset’s worried gaze. “I… I… need a moment.” Tempest shot from her seat and galloped out the door at full speed. She thought she heard Sunset call her name from behind, but didn’t want to stop to find out for sure. When the doors closed behind her, she slowed to a brisk trot. But her heartbeat only grew quicker. Her vision began to blur and she could feel her composure began to fray. Like strands unraveling from a rug. W-why? After all this time, why? Why won’t it just leave me alone? The questions called for answers, but none came. There was the sound of something opening. A screech. Then something soft beneath her hooves. Something cold. Something— “Fizzie!” Sunset’s voiced sliced through her daze like a sword. Tempest blinked, shook her head and stared forth at the snow-covered pathway in front of her. Perplexed, she darted her head around. The rolling hills, bare trees and rolling white clouds under the morning sun told her that she was outside of the Crystal Castle. But as to how she got here, she couldn’t say. “What’s gotten into you?” “...I just… needed some air.” “Fizz.” Sunset tossed an orange scarf onto Tempest’s shoulders and began to wrap it around her neck. “I don’t need to be an Element of Empathy to see something’s bothering you.” Why did I even try. Tempest sighed. A hoof was placed lightly upon her cheek. And Sunset smiled. Which was the last expression Tempest expected to see from her face. Summoning all the courage she could scrounge up in her tattered heart, she drew a long, deep breath before speaking. “Wintertide is— was my home.” Tempest barely managed to eek out. The words quickly caused Sunset’s smile to melt into a shocked frown. “I… haven’t been back there since I left to… to join...” “The Storm King?” Tempest nodded. Sunset’s mouth quivered slightly, as if she wanted to speak but couldn’t find the words to say. After a few seconds of trying, she closed her muzzle and spent the next moments in thought. “Why are you scared of going back?” “I…” Tempest spoke, a sudden lilt in her voice as she attempted to suppress the memories. “I… can’t… I can’t say. Not right now. I’m sorry.” Sunset gave several blinks. “Is it related to someone? Something?” “My past. But...” Tempest said. “I just can’t face… I can’t face them.” “Them?” Tempest’s eyes widened at the realization at what she had just said and she gave no reply. She attempted to turn away, but Sunset’s hoof prevented her from doing so. The two mares stood, staring into each other’s eyes under the falling snow. Even as a biting chill breezed past, neither moved. “Maybe... we don’t have to pick just yet. Hearthfire isn’t for about a week, so we have some time. Let’s make a decision tomorrow. Okay, Fizz?” Tempest nodded nervously. With a smile, Sunset trotted towards her and strained her neck, planting a kiss upon Tempest’s lips. Though taken by surprise at first, Tempest quickly melted into the kiss, returning every one of Sunset’s advance with one of her own. After what felt like an eternity, albeit an enjoyable one, Sunset broke the embrace, her eyes fluttering open in a dreamy daze. Tempest stared back. And she couldn’t help but smile. A white blanket had enveloped the land in front of her. And a dark, sparkling one on the skies above. Tempest took a step forward, down the forest hill and past the large empty fields. Onto the stone bridge, which arched over the Wishing River. She stopped and peered into the icy surface. During any other season, the crystal clear waters would be flowing, crashing softly against the rocks. Foals would be lining the banks, flicking coins into its waters with their eyes shut and a wish in their mind. But now, there were no foals. No ponies. Just her. Alone. Even as she made her way onto the main street, the paths were bare. Every house stood lifeless. No lights were shining through any of the windows. And the only rattling came from the signs as the winter winds soared past them. Suddenly, through the pitch black darkness, there came a light. An orange beacon of warmth, illuminated from a house that stood near the end of the road. With shivering hooves, Tempest made her way forward. As she approached, she could hear a muffled mix of joyful sounds. Singing. Laughing. The clanking of cups. All of which, when combined, brought a bright smile to her face. That expression only grew bigger when she was outside the front door, standing between two long rows of Frostblooms. She leaned down, attempting to sniff the white-petaled flowers, but instead, smelled freshly baked Hearth’s Warming treats wafting from the house. Tempest took a big sniff, savoring the smell of cookies. They were sweet. Buttery. And… Wistful. Tempest shook her head. Where seconds ago the smell brought her joy, it now carried with it sadness. The memories came rushing back. And the serpentine door knocker that hung at the front only reinforced her theory. With a trembling hoof and a fearful expression, she gripped the wooden knocker. What’re you doing? You know where this is. Don’t— She hit it gently against the door several times. The talking ceased immediately. And a pit had formed in Tempest’s stomach. Run! her mind shouted. But her body refused to obey. Hoofsteps echoed just behind it. Then silence. After a couple of seconds, there came the sound of a bolt being slid away. The door swung open and, at the doorway, was the one pony Tempest had both craved, yet never wanted, to see once more. Her words froze at her throat, allowing nothing more than a low ‘uhhh’ to escape her lips. Tempest took a breath. A bigger one to calm her nerves. And stared straight into the pony at the doorway. With all the strength she could muster, she opened her mouth and spoke. “Hi.” Slam. Tempest recoiled at the sound. When she opened her eyes, the light in the home had gone pitch black. And with it, the smell of windigo cookies and pudding cups. “N-no… Wait!” Tempest sped up to the door, slamming the knocker repeatedly against the wooden front as tears trailed down her face. “Please!” she shouted. “Please!” But when the only sound that accompanied her was the howl of the night, she knew she was once more on her own. She dropped to the ground, sobbing and shivering. There was no warmth to be found here. Not for her. Suddenly, there came a bright light from the edge of her vision. She gazed upwards, spotting the moon glow an almost otherworldly sheen. Like a beacon at the top of a lighthouse, it beckoned for her. Tempest stood up, entranced by the sight as the moon glowed brighter. Brighter. Even brighter still. Until it enveloped her vision and... “Fizz!” Tempest’s eyes flew open. She shot out from under the covers, tossing them harshly to the side. Her breaths were short. And her heart threatened to beat itself out of her chest. “W-where…” she muttered, glancing quickly around the bedroom. “Breathe!” Sunset said, placing a hoof upon Tempest’s shoulder. “You’re safe. Relax.” “I… I was...” Tempest attempted to force the words from her mouth, but no matter how hard she tried, they refused to be spoken. Sunset’s forehooves wrapped themselves around Tempest’s body, pulling her shaking form close into a warm embrace and catching Tempest’s attention. Tempest gave Sunset a look of wide-eyed horror and Sunset stared back for a moment before leaping off the bed. “Come on, let’s go get some water.” Tempest didn’t nod. Didn’t say yes. Still trembling, she barely found her footing upon the floor and began to trot slowly. Sunset ducked under Tempest’s hoof, ensuring it rested on her shoulder for support as they paced out the door. “And then… I woke up.” Tempest said, staring at her reflection in the cocoa. There was a passing moment of quiet between the two. But the atmosphere was anything but calm. Tempest’s mind told her to look up at the mare across her. But instead, she tightened the grip upon the cup, feeling the hot ceramic radiate to her trembling hooves. “Has this nightmare happened before?” “No. Not recently.” Tempest turned to face the nearby window. She glanced out and was only able to spot the flickering street lights that lit the Ponyville roads. “Maybe… we should go to Wintertide.” The words caught Tempest off-guard. She snapped her attention to Sunset, who was now the one staring down at her cup. “No,” Tempest replied curtly. “Fizz—” “I am not going back there.” “Fizz.” Sunset sighed. “These nightmares are only going to get worse.” “You’re overreacting. It was just one nightmare, Sunset.” “Yeah. That’s… h-how it starts,” Sunset spoke in a hush so soft, that a passing breeze could’ve carried her voice away. “The answer is still no. I can’t go back there.” Tempest bowed her head. “It’s a worthless journey anyway. I already know what’ll happen.” “R-right,” Sunset muttered. Her hooves lifted the cup to her lips and she sipped slowly at the chocolate. There was something about her movements that brought a sense of unease to Tempest. She expected Sunset to be rambling, talking or at least attempting to convince her. Not to give up so easily. Or to give up at all. Yet, the more she thought about it, the more pain was sent to her throbbing head. So she drank the cocoa in one large gulp and hopped off the chair. “We should head back to bed. And tomorrow, I’ll tell Twilight that we’ll be taking the Crystal Empire instead.” “O-okay.” Sunset didn’t look up. Not until she spotted Tempest waiting patiently at the counter for her. “Cocoa’s still hot. Go on ahead, I’ll catch up.” Sunset gave a plastic smile to Tempest, who gave an equally forced one back before heading out of the kitchen and back to her bedroom. But even after snuggling under her covers, she could not shake the sense of unease. You're just overthinking things again. She told herself. But she wasn't sure even she believed the lie.