//------------------------------// // Winter Time // Story: Born For Loyalty // by Admiral Q Ponyform //------------------------------// The air was cold but that was as it should be for this time of year. It was Heart’s Warming. A holiday so similar to Christmas it hurt the first few years here. But I got over it. This holiday is all about unity and family and I had a family. Speaking of family I landed In front of my old house and knocked. Mom answered the door and smiled at the sight of me. “DASH!” She hugged me before letting me in. “How was the trip?” “Not bad unlike last year.” Mom snorted and rolled her eyes. “Yeah a blizzard just before Hearth's Warming. Real smart planning there.” “Don't blame me not my department!” Dad said from his chair. “The moron was demoted for that move. So how are you kiddo?” “I'm good, you old timer?” I said with a smirk. “OLD TIMER! I am in the prime of my life.” He said proudly. “And it’s all downhill from here!” I said smiling. “Oh, hit your dad with that kind of blow.” He did a dramatic wounded pose for a second before we both started laughing and mom just shook her head. I unloaded my presents under the tree. “So how is work dad?” I asked as worked. “No real complaints this year. Had fun knocking a 'Supervisor' down a peg.” “Don't you mean Stupidvisior?” I asked and he laughed. “That's a good one! I have to remember that! Still these ponies just graduated from college and immediately put in charge with no experience. It’s just stupid. Experience trumps knowledge.” “Yeah I hear that dad. They come out knowing it all and life goes out to show them with a big NOPE and everypony suffers. Though poor Twi might be conflicted with this.” Dad gave me an eyebrow. “She is a book worm and most of what she knows is from them. Though she is trying and I have been encouraging her to exercise since we often have to take care of something.” “Glad you are doing something important kiddo. I'm proud of you.” I rolled my eyes. “like you are ever not.” “Well you do make it easy.” I could help but smirk at that. “Well I am awesome. Well heading to my room to unpack.” “We have it ready for you.” That was not comforting. “You better have not install that choir thing!” “But Dashie..?” “NO CHOIR THING!” He sighed. “Don't worry we didn't.” I relaxed and headed for my room. ************* I was just finish unpacking when a felt an impact followed by a gust of wind. I looked down and saw my sister attachment. “Hey squirt, missed me?” She looked up beaming. “OF COURSE! You're my sister after all.” I smiled and ruffled her mane. Dawn was so adorable. “Dawn! If your finished tackling your sister supper is ready.” Mom yelled from the kitchen. “Come on squirt. Dinner time.” She let me go and we headed for the dinner table. We sat down as dad passed out the food. I took what I wanted and passed it on. Soon we were all eating. Mom's food was always good. “So did you do anything with your friends before Hearth's Warming?” “Yeah, since we were all leaving Ponyville we exchanged presents early. Twi gave me a book.” I rolled my eyes. In the months I knew her the unicorn had a religious reverence to books. You think Celestia would be that but nope she was a close second. “Rarity got me some stylish goggles. Fluttershy some ointment for aching wings. Applejack some of their delicious cider and Pinkie made me my favorite cake.” “That's good. So what are they doing now?” “Twilight is in Canterlot with her family and the Princesses. Fluttershy beat me here and is likely next door. Pinkie is on her families rock farm and Applejack is the only one still in town with her family.” “At least nopony is alone this holiday season then.” I nodded. “Any luck with your plans getting into the Wonderbolts?” Dad asked. I finish a bite. “Nothing since the competition. I am at least on their radar now. And they are going to be at the gala this spring.” “Sounds like a plan kiddo.” “And you guys?” I ask. “Well I still plan to coach for the foreseeable future.” Mom answered. “I still have a couple decades left before I can retire so I plan to keep in working till I can't.” I nodded, that was a bit of my mindset as well. “And Dawn joins me at the races when not at school or with friends.” I smiled at my sister do beamed at me. That's my sister for you. *********** After dinner me and Dawn went flying. It was fun, a tad nippy but we pegasi have a high tolerance for the cold. Makes sense since we live in the air. Did certainly had speed but not the grace quite yet but it was still so much fun. But soon I was carrying Dawn to bed. Despite her protests Dawn was out as soon as her head hit the pillow. I kissed her forehead and snuck out. Mom was waiting for me outside the room. “She asleep?” She whispered. “Out like a light.” I whispered back and we headed down stairs. At the kitchen table I sat down as mom got us drinks. We drank in silence enjoying each other's company. Mom broke the silence first. “I wish you could visit more.” I gave her a sad smile. “You know I can't. I am Ponyville's weather pony and with this thing with the Elements of Harmony?” I paused and looking down. “I don't think were done with those things.” Mom nodded with a frown. She didn't like it but had no argument against. I was unsure about it. Why me after all? Was it because of my origin or just plain luck? I didn't know. But I won't let what ever it is down. My friends rely on me after all. “Well, better head to bed. Dawn will be up early tomorrow.” Mom rolled her eyes at that and hugged me. ************* I awoke with an impact on my belly making me give out an oof. “WAKE UP! WAKE UP! IT'S MORNING!” My sister said beaming with delight. I glared at her then pushed her off and slowly got up. She zipped around like a humming bird as I went and took care of business. At Dawn's insistence we were in the living room and she booted out presents. And the opening began. I got alcoholic cider for dad, mom got a dress, and Dawn an autograph of her favorite racer other then mom. I got goggles from mom so I had a spare. Dad gave me some wing blades. I raised an eyebrow at him. “Figured you might need them since Princess Celestia has taken an interest in you and what your letters have mentioned. You kinda out grew your last pair.” Okay he had points there. I haven't touched my last pair since I was in my early teens. “Better brush up then.” I replied. Dawn got me a figurine of Spitfire. I smiled and ruffled her mane in thanks. After presents was a much needed breakfast. It was a pancake breakfast and I certainly indulged. I will exercise it off later. The rest of the day was family fun and smiled were abound. ************** Dash here again. A couple of interesting happened after I got back from my parents place. One was the last Winter Wrap Up. I was prepared for another headache with that tradition. It is so disorganized that I am surprised anything gets done but Twi stepped up to the plate and actually got things running smoothly. Glad she found something she could do since Applejack is a stickler for the no magic thing on this day. Completely ignoring us pegasi clearing up the weather for spring is using magic. Frankly I think that will be a never ending debate between us. A week after that was the gala and oohh boy was that a disaster. So many of the girls conception of the event so wrong. I think I was the only one that got anything achieved that wanted to. Had a short conversation with the Wonderbolts, talking about stunts and what they have planned going forward. Then all hell went lose. Pinkies antics caused a cake flying and poor Rares used as a shield by the unicorn stallion she was with. Real classy there dude. Well then the doors nurse open and a whole bunch of animals ran through, then the most disturbing thing I have seen to date. Flutters..unhindged. Her mane and dress were a mess and eyes bloodshot and then the mare where you have to strain your ears to here yelled out. “YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE ME!” That caused panic and the gold alicorn statue started ripping at it was hit. I raced over to save and DUDE that thing is heavy. I held it for about ten seconds it hit a pillar and that caused a domino effect. But Twi and Celestia saw the aftermath. Two was full has drop and Celestia,I think she trying to hide a giggle? Well that was the end of the gala. Twi took us to her favorite place. A donut shop and we all had donuts and milk. And Celestia of all ponies joined us and admitted she invited us for exactly what happened. The gala as is has become so boring to her she brought us to we could livened it up. She went down a notch for me in respect. Though she did have us rooms for the night and that was when something interesting happened. That night…. I hanged up my dress. As comfy as it was I was glad to be out of it. Then I heard a knock on the door. I went over and opened a crack peaked out to see a dark blue mare before me. “Can I help you?” I asked. She looked confused before she had that 'Ah ha' moment. “Tis I Princess Luna. May I come in Rainbow Dash?” “That is quite the change princess, come on in but please just call me Dash.” I step back and opened the door further to let her in. As she came in I observed her new form. Not even close to her sister's height or even that Nightmare Moon form. But certainly taller then the average pony. A darker blue with a much calmer night sky mane compared to her nightmare form. “Very well…Dash, as long as you call me Luna.” “Deal, So what's with the new look?” I ask. “Actually, tis a really old look. This is the form I used before the Nightmare. That is the newest look.” “And that form you had after we orbital friendship cannoned you?” “My real form. The forms I and my sister use are our preferred forms. Our real forms are a bit different.” “So what is Celestia's real form?” Luna smirked at me. “on the taller end you are unicorns at Canterlot go with a pink mane and tail.” Interesting but confusing. “Okay then why is her mane and tail that like rainbow thing instead of orange? She is the alicorn of the day.” “Honestly neither of us know. It could be after the aurora boerialis.” “Which can only be seen at night.” I quipped. She just shrugged. “Well good to see you recovered but why visit me?” “Because you intreque me. Out of ever pony I know you didn't even fear my nightmare form and even had the gall to school me in my flawed thinking. I like to know such a mare more.” “Well other then being the fasted pony alive, the first pony in ages to do a Sonic Rainboom and nearer of the Element of Loyalty I am just an awesome pegasus.” “So modest.” Luna replied. I shrug. “So tell me about your family.” “Dad's a factory worker in Cloudsdale, mom is captain of the Sonic Boomers racing team, and my little sis plans to be a racer.” “So speed is in your blood.” “You can..*yawn* say that.” She gave me a sad smile. “I have kept you up. My apologies.” “Hey busy day and night. I do wish I had more time to star gaze. But I do need some rest. But would like to talk more again at some time.” “Like wise Dash. Good night.” “Good night Luna.” Present It was a good night and we were all in high spirits on the train back the next day. Well I better sign off and get to work but maybe was my face for I swear I just saw a pink cloud.