//------------------------------// // Freezing Rain // Story: Frozen Friendship // by Melody Song //------------------------------// "Great practice everypony, time for lunch!" Spitfire called, and Fleetfoot flew down to join her friend, Soarin and Rainbow Dash behind her. Rainbow Dash had grown close to them, she was now their friend as well. "You want to head inside and grab some grub?" Rainbow asked "Yeah." Soarin agreed "You guyth go ahead, I want to thtay out here for a bit." Fleetfoot said, and they nodded "Don't stay out here too long Fleet, I got word that the Cloudsdale Weather Factory's scheduling a rain shower over HQ." Spitfire warned "Got it, I promithe I won't be long." Fleetfoot gazed out at the sky, hearing them trotting into the building behind her. One set of hooves stopped, and Fleetfoot pricked her ears as she heard Spitfire's voice. "Fleet?" "Yeah Thpit?" "You seem...distracted lately. Are you okay?" "I'm fine Thpit. It'th jutht...I feel like thomething'th calling me." Fleetfoot replied. There was a rustling of wings behind her, and Spitfire touched down by her side. "What do you mean?" "I mean..." Fleetfoot took a breath "Something has changed in the air Like a storm is brewing Filled with freezing rain I don't know what for But I can't just wait and see While it haunts my dreams It seems like it's coming Coming for me I just can't say When it will come But just as the dawn Comes after the dark I know it will Through the freezing... Rain." Fleetfoot sang softly "I didn't know you were such a good singer. I understand what you're trying to say. You feel like there's something about your past that you don't know." Spitfire said, and Fleetfoot nodded. "Actually, I'm sure of it. It'th almotht like there'th thomething inthide me, that I can't get to." Fleetfoot replied "Well, feel free to stay out a little longer. Just come in before it starts raining. I don't want my top flyer to catch cold. Don't tell Rainbow I said that though." Spitfire chuckled a little and left Fleetfoot alone. Fleetfoot ignored Spitfire's words. She stayed outside even when the thunder rumbled in the distance, warning her of the storm like an alarm. Fleetfoot stood still and closed her eyes, letting the rain wash over her body, mane falling out of the sleek style, hanging around her face in long locks. The water seemed to energize the mare. It made Fleetfoot's wings open on instinct and she took off. Fleetfoot flew high into the air, doing an upwards corkscrew, mane flipping around her face, water drops springing from her wing feathers. "I feel like I could fly forever." Fleetfoot breathed when she pulled out of the spin, doing a flip. She brushed her mane out of her eyes. "What do you mean, the book is gone?!" Icy Mint shrieked at her servant "I-I'm sorry Mrs Frost. I was doing my routine cleaning, when I noticed the book had disappeared. I don't know what happened to your heirloom, I swear." the servant pleaded "Very well. YOU'RE FIRED!" Icy Mint yelled, then turned to her husband as the servant girl crept away, shaking. "Why is it gone? That unicorn you visited said it would lock the brat's powers away until Dark Shooter had foals!" she hissed "Well, dearest, he did mention that if the brat were to ever 'be in her natural element' after she came of age, it would cause the book to appear wherever she is at the time." Sharp Skater replied "Of course. The freak must be flying right now. Her cutie mark had to be flying, didn't it? And of course the weather ponies schedule rain showers over the one place we can't access. Ice is just frozen water. I bet the brat's flying with the stupid stunt team she loves so much, even through the rain scheduled." "We need to find the book before she does then. And maybe teach the lesbian freak some manners while we're at it." Sharp Skater replied, flexing a hoof. "Brilliant. But not in the rain those stupid ponies at the Weather Factory scheduled, I don't want to ruin my mane or outfit." "Of course not dear." Fleetfoot landed near the building, then gasped. Something was glowing. It seemed almost magical, pulsing with ice blue light. Fleetfoot went closer, and could hear it. It was singing, to her. "What ith thith?" Fleetfoot murmured, holding out her hoof to try and find whatever was calling her "Fleetfoot." she heard, and stepped closer "I'm here, what ith it? What are you?" "Fleetfoot!" it was Spitfire shouting behind her. Fleetfoot turned and sighed a little "Oh, it'th jutht you." "Of course it's me. Fleet, what are you doing? I told you to come inside, you're going to get sick. Come on." Spitfire put a wing on Fleetfoot's back and tried to lead her away. "But Thpit, I thaw thomething, it looked tho magical, it came from over there." Fleetfoot pointed, and Spitfire sighed "It was probably just the light on the rain. Come on, let's go inside." "No, I have to thee what it wath!" Fleetfoot pulled away from Spitfire and galloped to light, and it's source. "Fleetfoot, get back here!" Spitfire's hooves sounded behind her, but Fleetfoot said nothing. She let the light guide her, it was drawing her in. "Fleet." Spitfire panted as she followed "It'th like it'th pulling me to it." Fleetfoot murmured, gasping as she found it. An old book lay on the cloud. It was pulsing with ice blue light, ancient writing on the cover. "Wow. There was something there." Spitfire said, and Fleetfoot turned "I'm thorry I didn't lithten to you, you're the Captain, I should have-" "No, I'm sorry, I should have listened. Bring the book and we can look at it inside." "I'm not cold." "You aren't, but I am. Usually I don't get cold, but this rain is worse than usual." Spitfire said, shaking herself "Alright." Fleetfoot tucked the book under her wing and the two turned back, heading for the building.