"Long ago, when Equestria was newly formed, three ponies were given a great task. They needed to create a magical way to dispel curses. Each one infused a rose grown in the royal gardens with their magic. One, a Earth Pony known as Morning Glory, infused a light pink rose with the magic of Spring. Another, a Unicorn called Daylight Beam, enchanted a ruby red rose with the delight of Summer. The last, a Pegasus named Golden Ray, put the power of Autumn in a golden yellow rose. Together the roses had much power."
"Princess, if you don't mind me interrupting, you're forgetting a season." Dark Shooter said.
They were trotting along a hallway with many stained glass windows. They had stopped in front of one that showed a Unicorn, a Pegasus, and an Earth pony standing around three roses of different colors. Princess Celestia smiled and nodded.
"Yes. At that time, Winter was not the wonderful season it is today." Princess Celestia led them further down the hall
"Ponies thought of it as a season of replenishing for the earth. After the Windigos were defeated, the Pegasi still made sure the land was hit with snowstorms. Once the Earth Ponies had harvested enough food for all three tribes to survive, the earth would freeze to have enough time for the land to replenish. But nopony loved Winter the way they do now.
It was that way, until a year that the Cloudsdale citizens hosted a celebration to welcome Spring. Luna and I were young rulers then, and offered to judge the foals of the school on their projects. We would choose one to be displayed in the castle. We had been about to decide, when a very special filly showed up late. She told everypony that Winter was something to be treasured, and appreciated, rather than ignored. When she grew older, we asked her to add a rose to the original trio. By then, she had been gifted with Ice Manipulation. She created the fourth rose with her magic, making it certain that it contained the spirit of Winter."
Princess Celestia came to a halt in front of a stained glass window showing a misshapen snowflake.
"That'th the family cretht." Fleetfoot gasped
"And you said the filly had Ice Manipulation, like our family." Dark Shooter added
"Yes, you are her descendants. She was of the Frost Family." Princess Celestia replied.
"But...where did the magic come from?" Fleetfoot asked, and Princess Luna smiled mysteriously
"For the answer to that question, you will need the Four Season Roses, whose magic protects them. Together, they will give you the truth behind your family's powers."
"Where are they?" Fleetfoot asked. She still wanted to know more. Who was the mare? Why did she have the magic? What exactly did the roses do?
"We do not know for sure, the roses have most likely been moved by both their own magic and ponies themselves over time. We do know a riddle that contains directions to where the roses were last rumored to be." Princess Celestia answered. Princess Luna closed her eyes and recited it from memory.
"Spring's rose stands
In waters deep and true
All alone
Summer's rose lies
Where memories drown
Cloaked in disguise
Fall's rose is within
a song where all magic is answered
Concealed in the crowd
The rose of Winter is hardest of all
When you brave what you most fear
It can be found inside."
"Tho...I'd have to unite the four rotheth?" Fleetfoot asked
"Yes, although it may be hard to decipher the riddle. I know some previous bearers of the Ice Magic have tried. None have ever succeeded." Princess Celestia replied
"I'll have help from my friendth." Fleetfoot answered "Thank you for telling me thith."
After Fleetfoot bowed to them once more, and said goodbye to Dark Shooter, she headed back to Wonderbolt Headquarters. Her mind reeled with curiosity. Among her thoughts, one in particular wormed it's way to the front of them.
"What happened to the mare? If the Princesses knew her, then why didn't either of them mention how she passed? Why didn't they tell us what her name was? And why does this somehow feel connected to my nightmares?" Fleetfoot kept thinking about it as she landed. She then trotted into the Headquarters, looking for her friends.