//------------------------------// // Snowbattle! // Story: Honey's Hearth's Warming Tale // by Jmaster49 //------------------------------// The next day… Atomic Nebula was busy training his choir group for his upcoming caroling tourney. Surprisingly, and somewhat concerningly, he had seen no sign of Tungsten yet. This was causing him a small bit of anxiety as he stuttered his way through the practice session. “C’mon, c’mon, c’mom…Blue Blazes, you’re a little flat. Jumper Cable, you need to elevate your voice. Hess Tia, what are you doing, girl, come on…” The choir members were quick to point this out. “Is it just me or is Neb a bit more jumpy than usual?” Blazes--a male dragon--turned to Hess. “Nobody’s seen Tungsten since yesterday’s incident,” Hess--a female griffon--answered. Thankfully, they wouldn’t have to endure the orders of a jittery instructor for too much longer. “Nebula,” Nero’s calm, yet cold voice cut through the crowd and caught everyone’s attention. “Can I get a minute to speak with you?” “...sure,” he replied as he looked at his troupe, “Take five, everyone.” A wave of relieved sighs and exhales could be heard as the choir members dispersed. “What’s going on, ma’am?” Nebula inquired. “Have you seen Tungsten today? I asked some of the guards and they said they hadn’t seen him,” the older pegasus mare explained with a concerned tone in her voice. “I’m worried that he might be in a state of mental distress.” Neblua shook his head, then sighed. “...Nope. Really hoping he comes around soon. Then again, I haven’t seen Ms. Lodestar today either.” “I see,” Nero replied with a nod, “Then it’s entirely possible that they spent some time together. I wish I could’ve figured out what to say to him myself, but dealing with his mother was the top priority.” “Speaking of which, what happened with that pony-shape trash can?” Nebula spat, talking down to Tungsten’s mother. “...We had her executed,” Nero admitted with a regretful tone, “Honestly wish we didn’t have to go that route, but it’s clear that she was going to make no efforts to improve and was just a destructive force waiting to strike again.” To the older mare’s surprise, the young stallion replied without hesitation or mercy in his voice. “Good,” he said with a stomp of his hoof, “Good people out there like Tungsten don’t deserve to be haunted by such garbage.” Nero’s eyes went wide upon hearing such a thing from him. “...well now. Seems his boldness has made its way onto you, hm? Not that that’s a bad thing. Just remember that--above all else--he needs to be treated with care and support in order to relieve him of his mental issues. Can you do that for me, boy?” Nebula calmed down and listened to what she had to say. “Of course…I promise. Tungsten is more than just a role model for me. He’s a friend, and I want him to be able to smile above all else. Or cry, laugh--express himself however he wants.” “Indeed…” Nero looked in the direction of Canterlot Castle. “...I’ve also left Princess Twilight some suggestions on how the Royal Guard should be treated going forward. They need more time off as well as in-house therapy so they don’t end up old, alone, and bitter like myself.” “Don’t speak of yourself that way, ma’am,” Nebula insisted, “You’re a wonderful role model as well.” “Maybe,” the mare rubbed the eyepatch on her face. “...but if I had the support Number 74 currently has, I probably wouldn’t need to smoke so much. Do me a favor and promise me you won’t enlist, okay kiddo?” “No promises,” Nebula jokingly replied with a grin on his face, “But I’ll make sure I do what I can to avoid it at all costs. To be frank, I love my current position as a choir and band instructor. It’s just…fun.” Given that his cutie mark was three musical notes on a set of bar staves. That’s when Nero thought aloud. “Fun…that’s right. I don’t remember last time Tungsten ever really let loose and enjoyed himself.” Then she looked at Nebula with a glint of excitement in her working eye, “I’ve got an idea, boy. But I’ll need you to be organized and quick about it.” Nebula gasped at the prospect of being selected by a former guardsmare to carry out a task. “...ah! Yes…organization and keeping crowds in order is my specialty.” Meanwhile, with Tungsten and Honey… The two had awakened underneath the pine trees when they heard various birds tweeting and squirrels chittering as they rushed to prepare for winter. “...guess we took a bit extra time than we thought,” Tungsten yawned as he sat upright. “...Guess so, yeah,” Honey admitted as she rose to her hooves, “But it looks like our body heat managed to keep each other warm at least. Wanna start heading back?” “Yea. Good idea,” Tungsten agreed. As they started trotting, a thought came into his head. “Oh yeah, the winter gala’s today--er, tonight. Wanna go together?” “I’d love to,” Honey immediately replied, “It’ll be another chance we can get to know each other better.” “Sounds swell…” Tungsten looked around at the snowy landscape that was before them as they made their way back into the main city. “Ah…you know this is taking me back to one of my halfway decent memories.” Honey looked around, wondering exactly what he was referring to. “Really? Which one?” “The snow,” he explained, “Back in high school before I enlisted, we’d always gather up and play in it. Build forts, throw snowballs, lay sieges…” He sighed as he recalled a fonder time in which he remembered when he actually felt excitement. “...was all fun and games ‘til we drafted. You either end up seein’ none of your old friends anymore or they move far away where you can’t reach ‘em.” “Ah…I see…” Honey tried her best to comfort him by nuzzling her head underneath his chin. “Well don’t worry. If there’s a way we can--” Tungsten’s ear flicked as he heard various voices shouting. Then, he quickly left Honey’s side and rushed towards the entrance to Canterlot’s Mane Street… “Well I’ll be damned…” As it turned out, the source of all the shouting and hollering was from various Canterlot citizens that were engaged in what appeared to be a citywide snowball fight! The entire street was covered in snow made by two forts on both sides. Several adult ponies, changelings, griffons, dragons, and other creatures were playing alongside children as well. “Wow…” Honey muttered in amazement--eyes wide as she gazed upon the battle of frozen white forts and projectiles. “I haven’t seen one this big in ages. I wonder how they got this set up…” “Me too…” Tungsten mumbled hesitantly as he felt that same, child-like sense of excitement flare up within his stomach. Part of him instinctively moved forward, desiring to join in, but his limb twitched, hesitating as he paused mid-step. Honey could tell something was off due to the way he moved, and asked, “...is everything okay? Do you wanna maybe join in, Tungsten?” The stallion was unsure as to how to express himself. Visibly concerned, he stared at the ground for a moment as he thought to himself. ‘...am I really gonna enjoy myself, or will it result in more trauma?’ Well, he wouldn’t have to worry about that for too much longer. Tungsten was greeted by the young Nebula who ran up to him, nearly out of breath as he begged for his help. “Sir! I’m so glad you’re here! We’re being overrun and we need help!” he yelped with a faux-panicked expression on his face, barely hiding his excitement, “Our corner of the map where the adults are is nearly demolished!” Naught but a few seconds later, Lemon Hearts joined in and called on Honey. “You too, Lodestar. We need your help! We’re down two players and our side of the field is almost gone! Minuette has some sort of snow spell she’s using to create stronger barricades,” she pouted with her cheeks puffed out from the sides, “Dirty toothpaste-lookin’ cheater…” “...M-maybe I can help,” Tungsten squeaked in a low, almost inaudible tone. “...you okay there, buddy?” Honey asked while rubbing the back of his neck. “Something catch your tongue?” “...I can help!” he repeated himself with a louder, more excited tone with a wide smile on his face, “Yea, yea--we just…we just need better fortifications on this side. They won’t even know what hit ‘em, eh?” “That’s right, sir!” Nebula cheered in agreement, “I’ve actually been working hard on this end here! C’mon!” Tungsten eagerly followed after the young stallion, keeping pace with him until they arrived at their side of the field where they began to fortify their snowy walls and pelt their enemies with snowballs from behind it. Honey was in awe for a moment, her heart fluttering about as she watched Tungsten truly enjoy himself for once. The smile on the stallion’s face was wide and genuine. His laughter was hearty and happy--enough to make her shed tears of joy as she watched her beloved simply have fun… “Eeeegh…!” she squealed while repeatedly prancing in place, “Tungsten’s finally smiling.” “You finally worked up the courage to talk to him, huh?” Lemon Hearts congratulated her friend, bumping her hip with her own. “I’m proud of you, ya know that? These past few months you’ve been unable to look at him without collapsing. Now? It’s like you two are two peas in a pod.” “You think so?” Honey asked with a nervous smile while rubbing the back of her neck. “...I’m just happy for him more than anything. I mean, I love him…he loves me back…which is great. But knowing his heart can finally start beating again is what I’m most satisfied with. Now he can start being himself again…” “That’s right,” Lemon agreed, “All thanks to you…and maybe the rest of us too.” Honey couldn’t help but giggle and nod. “Well, yeah you’re right. I never would’ve talked to him had it not been for you guys supporting me. So thanks, Lem.” “Yeah, that’s what friends are for--don’t mention it,” she trotted towards the snowfield and flicked her tail, “Though, you could mention it to Twinkleshine the next time she claims I’m lazy--” Honey rolled her eyes and spotted Kemuri watching from nearby. “Oh! Kem! You too! Wanna join us?” Honey asked as she walked up to her. The changeling mare shook her head. “Don’t worry about me. I still have some errands to run.” She then put on a smile, “Go on ahead and have fun with your new coltfriend,” she teased her with a little hiss from her tongue. “Your love for him is quite sweet, so don’t fail him, okay?” “Wow…you can sense it, huh?” “It’s my job to,” she replied with a nod, “As the upcoming Changeling-Pony ambassador, I have to be able to sense everyone’s emotions. Tungsten helped me realize what I wanted for myself above everything else…so thank him for me, please.” “I will,” Honey replied as Kemuri left. “Hey, Hon!” Tungsten called out to her while cackling from behind a wall of snow, “Are you handy with snowballs? Could use your help here!” “Yeah, c’mon!” Lemon shouted from behind a nearby icy rampart, “Let’s stuff Minuette’s minty-fresh face with snowballs!” “Hang on, guys!” she called back as she galloped over to their side of the field. And they all engaged in trench warfare. Snowy trench warfare against their enemies. On the opposing side, Minuette was accompanied by Twinkleshine, Lyra Heartstrings, and-- “Et, tu, Flash?!” Tungsten called out upon seeing the orange pegasus. “Hey man, I was bribed!” Flash yelled back as he readied snowballs in his wings. But before he could throw a single one, Tungsten had leapt from behind cover, stomped the earth in front of him with his front legs with enough force to make a large pile of snow rise up out of the ground which congealed into a ball that he’d perform a spinning dropkick in order to launch it up to Flash--all in the span of three seconds. “MOTHERFU--” BOOF! Flash was launched to the other end of the street, landing in a pile of snow--unharmed, but spiteful with a determined grin on his face. “I’ll get you!” “Woah!” Atomic Nebula yelped upon watching the snow carry Flash across the city. “Did you just launch that snowball with an enzuigiri??” “That was more like a snow-meteor than a ball,” Honey snickered, marveling at how skilled Tungsten was. Lemon Hearts was quick to correct her, “Technically, it’d be more like a comet--” “Look out!” Tungsten ducked down, “I’ll handle the front!” Poof! Lemon was struck in the face by Minuette from the other end of the field. “Are you gonna talk, or fight?!” the toothpaste-colored mare shouted. “You didn’t even gimme a chance to crouch down!” Lemon complained as she levitated the snow off her face and hid. “Down here I’m perfectly--!” “--exposed!” Lyra shouted as she created a giant hand to throw a snowball at them from the side! “We’re being flanked!” Lemon squealed. “Ms. Lodestar!” Nebula called on her, “I have an idea. This way.” Honey stood with him and prepared to fight back with more frozen ammo. “Okay…I’m with you!”