A Warm Embrace
The Windigos flew from the portal, all the way up to the skies of the Golden Land. One of them landed on the clouds and transformed into Coldnelius Snap. He looked down at the refugees below with a smug grin on his face.
“So that’s where every pony has gone to,” Coldnelius Snap said. “They wanted to escape the deathly cold of the Windigos. But they only delayed the inevitable. Now that I have figured out the portal crystal to this place, it won’t be long until every pony tastes the deep freeze of the Windigos. Glory to Queen Icelina.”
With that, Coldnelius Snap transformed back into a Windigo and flew deeper into the sky, creating clouds that covered the sun that shined downwards.
Meanwhile, as Princess Celestia opened the front door of the Ruby Library, she quickly stepped aside as Princess Cadance, Shining Armor and Chancellor Cinch ran in.
“You three look like you’re in a hurry,” Princess Celestia said. “What happened?”
“Take a look outside,” Princess Cadance said. “You’re not going to like what you see.”
Princess Celestia peeked her head out of the door and looked up before she gasped in horror. Above in the skies, the windigos galloped around, forming clouds that released snowflakes around in the Golden Land.
“The Windigos?” Princess Celestia said. “But the portal crystal was made so that Princess Cadance, Princess Luna, Chancellor Cinch and I are the only ones who can activate it.”
“For some reason,” Chancellor Cinch said, “The Windigos figured out how to activate the portal crystal and teleport themselves here. I'm puzzled by how they were able to pull that off.”
But before Celestia could say anything, she heard Princess Luna yell out “Sister, did something happen?” Celestia turned towards the back end of the library, where Princess Luna, Twilight Sparkle, Spike the Dragon and Argyle Starshine emerged from the secret passage.
“I’m afraid things just got worse,” Princess Celestia said. “For some reason, the Windigos figured out how to get the portal up and running. Now they’re in the skies above the Golden Land, threatening all of us with a harsh winter that will freeze us all.”
Princess Luna walked up to the door and looked outside. The Windigos circled around in the sky as more snow fell to the ground, covering up the flora in pure cold.
“This is worse than I could imagine,” Princess Luna said. “We must get everyone into the castle.”
“Wait,” Twilight said. “Does that mean we have to head back to the castle?”
“Yes, Twilight,” Princess Celestia explained. “It’s not going to be safe at the library.”
“There’s also the matter of Wanda,” Shining Armor said. “Unlike the rest of us, Wanda doesn’t have a layer of fur to keep her warm.”
“Oh no, Wanda,” Twilight said
“The last I’ve seen Wanda,” Princess Luna said, “She was helping Granny Smith out with the refugees.”
“The one thing I’m hoping for is that Granny Smith is able to get Wanda to someplace warm,” Princess Celestia said. “With all this blustery cold going on, she’ll need all the warmth she can get.”
“What can I do to help out?” Twilight asked.
“Take Spike and follow your brother towards the castle,” Princess Celestia said. “Argyle, Luna and I will get the foals together and meet you there.”
Twilight looked down at Spike, who reached up towards the little filly. She looked up at Celestia with a determined look on her face.
“Understood,” Twilight said before she lowered her back down.
Spike jumped onto Twilight’s back before she got up and ran next to Shining Armor, who gave a salute to Princess Celestia.
“Be careful out there,” Princess Celestia said.
“I will,” Shining Armor replied.
With that, Spike held onto Twilight Sparkle as she and Shining Armor ran out the front door, leaving Celestia, Luna, Cadence, Cinch and Argyle behind.
“There are some blankets scattered in the secret hall of the library,” Argyle said. “I’ll ask my mom and Bright-Eyes to use them to gather up the tykes and bring them to the castle.”
“Excellent idea,” Princess Luna said.
“Afterwards,” Princess Celestia said, “We should head for the Golden Castle and make sure everyone is inside. No pony will be left behind.”
“Including the Man’s Cub,” Chancellor Cinch said. “She doesn’t have fur like the rest of us and you won’t be able to use your magic to keep her warm.”
“I know,” Princess Celestia said. “But I can only hope that she can find a warm place to hunker down until the snowfall ends.”
Later, as a faster flurry of snow fell upon the Golden Land, ponies began to pour into the Golden Castle in a hurry. Some fled the Ruby Library while others emerged from the Emerald Forest. Inside, Wanda struggled to keep herself warm while escorting some of the refugees into the castle, with Abigail and Granny Smith behind her.
“Wanda,” Granny Smith said. “I think it’s time you took a break for your own sake.”
“Not yet,” Wanda shivered. “Not until we’re all inside.”
Granny Smith placed her hoof on Wanda’s hand and said with a concerned tone “I know you wish to help them out right now. But you’re in no condition to do so.”
“But I don’t want them to suffer outside,” Wanda said. “Even after the blizzard decided to appear out of nowhere.”
“It’s no ordinary blizzard,” Granny Smith said. “The Chancellor, Shining Armor and your big sister told you that it came…from the WINDIGOS.”
“I know,” Wanda said. “But it doesn’t give me any excuse to leave them out.”
As Wanda stood by some of the ponies entering the castle, Abigail rubbed her paw on Wanda’s leg, catching the attention of Abigail.
“Cold,” Abigail said. “You cold.”
“Abby,” Wanda said. “You don’t need to worry about me.”
“Wanda,” Granny Smith said. “While I do appreciate the fact that you still care for the ponies who need it, it’s not really a good idea if you put yourself at risk.”
But before Wanda could say anything, a gust of cold wind blew into the foyer of the Golden Palace. Wanda covered her arms with her hands, shivering horribly.
“I think you might be right,” Wanda said.
Granny Smith pulled a blanket out from the middle of the cart and wrapped it around Wanda. The little human girl held the blanket tight as she continued to shiver.
“It’s going to be alright,” Granny Smith said. “As of now, I’m releasing you from your punishment due to the hazardous conditions of this weather.”
“Thanks,” Wanda said. “But still, I do feel bad that I have to leave these refugees by themselves.”
“Leave that to us.” Wanda, Granny Smith and Abigail turned to the entrance where Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Trixie and Ditzy Doo stood next to the refugees.
“You’re all here,” Wanda said. “But why?”
“Darling,” Rarity said. “You’ve done all that you could to give the refugees something to smile about. Now you have to look after yourself. And that’s what matters the most.”
“Rarity’s right,” Applejack said. “Even though I also tend to be as selfless as you are, you also have to take time for yourself. Otherwise, you won’t be fit to help out the ponies who need it.”
“Besides,” Pinkie Pie said. “We aren’t the only ones who got this. Your close friends from Canterlot are doing what they can to make sure they stay safe during these hard times.”
“All of them?” Wanda asked.
“Yeah,” Rainbow Dash said. “Sunset, Starlight, Sunburst, Moondancer, Danged Spell, and even egghead Twilight. Though I heard she’s on her way.”
Within an instant, Shining Armor ran through the door and around some of the ponies coming in with Twilight Sparkle and Spike following from behind.
“Twilight,” Rarity said. “You’ve made it.”
“You can thank Princess Celestia for sending me here,” Twilight said as Spike jumped off her back.
“We came here to make sure that you’re safe,” Shining Armor said. “Considering the snow storm going on outside and the windigos.”
Wanda’s eyes looked very watery. She reached out and gave Shining Armor a big hug as Twilight Sparkle cuddled the Man’s Cub by the side.
“Thank you,” Wanda said with a silent cry. “I know I want to do everything to help out.”
“And you have,” Shining Armor said. “Now come on. Let’s get you to some place that’s warm in the castle.”
Wanda released her grip from Shining Armor before she jumped on his back with Abigail leaping up right behind her.
“We’ll catch up,” Applejack said. “Just make sure Wanda stays warm.”
“We will,” Twilight said.
With that, Wanda and Abigail held onto Shining Armor as he and Twilight rode down the hallway, leaving Granny Smith behind with the rest of the younglings. Ditzy immediately flew up to Granny Smith and poked her on the shoulder.
“Will Wanda be alright?” Ditzy Doo asked.
“As long as we hold on,” Granny Smith said, “She will. Promise.”
“Note to self,” Trixie said. “Get Glimglam over to comfort Wanda.”
It was later that night at the Golden Palace. The windigos that rode in the skies howled loudly into the night. Snow covered the once glistening landscape and buried the front door of the castle. Inside at a banquet hall, every refugee was enjoying the night away, eating food and telling stories to each other. Despite the danger outside, it seems there was barely a care in the world.
But for Princess Celestia, she looked outside at the sky, completely worried, while Bright Mac and Buttercup walked up to the prime alicorn.
“Is something wrong?” Buttercup asked.
“There is,” Princess Celestia said. “Do you recall how the Windigos retreated from Equestria?”
“It was because of how we embraced each other with the warm heart of friendship,” Bright Mac said. “Ma told me that story when I was a youngling.”
“That’s correct,” Princess Celestia said. “But there’s something that’s been troubling me. Even though there are ponies who are embracing each other with the warm heart of friendship, the magic of the Windigos are growing. Not shrinking.”
Bright Mac looked outside the window and gasped at the sky. The Windigos continued their march across in the clouds, screeching louder and louder. All Bright Mac could do was pull his head away from the window. Buttercup got a good look at the Windigos in the sky and her worry built up within her.
“You’re absolutely right,” Bright Mac said. “They’re not getting weaker. They’re getting stronger.”
“And it’s going to get worse,” Princess Celestia said. “I don’t know how it happened. But it appears that the warm embrace of friendship has no effect on those ghostly ponies.”
“So what can we do about it?” Buttercup asked.
“I believe I may have the answer.” Princess Celestia, Bright Mac and Buttercup turned towards one end of the hall, where Silver Banks walked in carrying a book in his arms. Next to him was Golden Lace, Juniper Montage and Cozy Glow.
“Mr Banks,” Bright Mac said. “You know about the Windigos?”
“And it’s a lot more complicated than it appears to be,” Silver Banks said as he walked up to Princess Celestia with the book in tow. “I found a book involving the Windigos after my reunion with my daughter, and I discovered something horrible. Have you ever heard of a Windigo spell called Venom Frost?”
“Venom Frost,” Princess Celestia said. “I’ve heard the words many times since taking power a thousand years ago. but I don’t understand the definition.
Silver Banks opened up the book and placed it on a nearby table before pointing towards the word “Venom Frost” directly on the page.
“Venom Frost is a lost Windigo art,” Silver Banks said. “It can extract spite from just one pony and amplify it to give strength to the Windigos. The way it works is that anyone with advanced knowledge of Windigo magic can turn this spite into Windigo fuel. What would normally take an entire continent of hatred can be condensed by just one pony.”
“That explains why the Windigos are on a rampage,” Buttercup said.
“It gets worse,” Silver Banks said. “The strength of the spite extracted from a pony can enhance the Windigos’ power even further than before. Meaning that it can be strong enough to cancel out the warm embrace of friendship.”
“No wonder why everyone being so merry has no effect on the Windigos,” Princess Celestia said. “And I think I know who’s behind it.”
“Coldnelius Snap of the Windigos Guild,” Silver Banks said. “No doubt he was spying on my fight with my estranged wife Gold Banks. He figured out how to extract all that hate from her and use it to enhance the power of the Windigos.”
But before Celestia could say anything, she looked down at Golden Lace, Juniper Montage and Cozy Glow. All three fillies looked depressed from hearing Silver Banks’ words.
“Are you alright?” Celestia asked.
“No,” Golden Lace said. “Hearing what my father had to say about the Windigos, and it just made us all dreadful.”
“Yeah,” Cozy Glow said. “This is why I prefer to be cynical. “If it weren’t for Lace’s mother, we wouldn’t be in this mess.”
Celestia placed her hoof on Lace’s cheek and said “Don’t you worry, little lady. We’ll get out of this mess, somehow.”
“But how?” Golden Lace asked. “Because of my mother’s pure hatred, she pretty much doomed all of Equestria. We’ll all become ponysicles because of her.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, my daughter,” Silver Banks said. “While reading up on Venom Frost, I learned that it has one weakness. It requires the pure love and joy of one individual within the vicinity of that hate. And there were two ponies in that vicinity. One was my wife Gold Banks, whose hate fueled the Windigos. The other…me.”
“Wait,” Golden Lace said. “You’re the one who can stop this snowstorm?”
“I am, my daughter,” Silver Banks said. “While my love as a father has burned brighter, it may not be enough. To truly embrace you as a daughter, it will require the help of friends closest to you.”
“Wow,” Juniper Montage said. “Your father has the solution to this problem?”
“I hope so,” Golden Lace said. “For Equestria’s sake.”
“Then I have a proposition,” Princess Celestia said. “My daughter Wanda Young is up in bed, trying to keep warm from the Windigo’s cold. If you take Golden Lace upstairs and let her interact with Wanda, it may help with warding off the Windigos.”
“Excellent idea, your majesty,” Silver Banks nodded.
“Daddy,” Golden Lace said. “What does that mean?”
“It means you and your friends should come with me,” Silver Banks said. “We have a solution to deal with the Windigo problem.”
Silver Banks ran towards the opposite doorway of the banquet hall with Golden Lace, Cozy Glow and Juniper Montage following from behind, leaving Princess Celestia, Bright Mac and Buttercup behind.
“Do you think he can use the warmth of friendship to break the curse?” Buttercup asked.
“Considering what we’re up against,” Princess Celestia said. “Any help will be appreciated when it comes to beating back Coldnelius Snap’s Venom Frost curse.”
Suddenly, they heard someone screaming like they were having a good time. Celestia, Bright Mac and Buttercup turned towards the stage where Short Fust was dancing like a wild maniac and singing loudly and off-key.. Next to him, Rolling Thunder was jamming on a guitar, though it also sounded off-tune.
“Oh geez,” Bright Mac said as he covered his ears. “That is the worst singing and guitar playing I have ever heard in my entire life.”
As Bright Mac and Buttercup covered their ears, Celestia stood there with a smile on her face.
“With so many ponies here, it can be hard to keep track,” Celestia thought to herself. “Early ago, I did run into both Filthy and Spoiled Rich and they were too busy helping out their fellow ponies from La Maresa. It’s a good thing Argyle Starshine is looking after their daughter. Otherwise, this could have gone worse for them.”
Meanwhile, in one of the bedrooms of the Golden Palace, Wanda Young laid in bed with the blanket wrapped around her torso and legs. Her arms, shoulders and head stuck out as she drank some hot cocoa from a mug. Abigail laid next to the Man’s Cub, rubbing her head against her arm. Next to her, Granny Smith watched on with Shining Armor, Sunset Shimmer, Snips, Snails, Spike the Dragon, Starlight Glimmer, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle, Trixie and Ditzy Doo right beside her.
“How do you feel, Wanda?” Shining Armor asked.
“Cozy,” Wanda said.
“That’s great to hear,” Shining Armor said. “As long as we can keep this place warm, you’ll be alright.”
“It’s too bad you don’t have fur like us ponies,” Granny Smith said. “That way you can stay warm when it gets this cold.”
“By the way,” Wanda said. “Where are Sunburst, Moondancer and Danged Spell?”
“I told them they could go enjoy themselves downstairs,” Sunset Shimmer said. “Along with Hoops, Dumbbell, Score, Flim, Flam, Rolling Thunder, Short Fuse and Spitfire.”
“Yeah,” Rainbow Dash said. “They don’t need to worry about you. Though Spell said he can best Spitfire in a pun contest. Anyone who listens to that will suffer severe pun-ishment.”
“Rainbow Dash,” Every youngling yelled before bursting into laughter.
Rainbow Dash just stood there and said “Eat your heart out, Danged Spell.”
As Snips and Snails stopped laughing, they looked up at Wanda, who struggled to hold in her chortles.
“Princess Wanda,” Snips asked. “How come you don’t have fur like the rest of us?”
“Me?” Wanda said. “I’m not so sure. Though I wish I had fur like you all.”
“Yeah,” Snails said. “You would be warm like a pony like all of us.”
“I would,” Wanda giggled. “Maybe I’ll ask mommy to make that happen.”
“And maybe if you decide to come down to La Maresa again,” Snips said, “We could give you a royal tour of the entire town.”
“After all,” Snails said, “We’re the best at what we do.”
As Wanda continued to giggle at Snips and Snails, there was a knock coming from the door. Granny Smith walked up and placed her hoof on the doorknob.
“Hold on,” Granny Smith said. “I'm coming.”
As Granny Smith opened the door, she looked up and saw an enthusiastic Silver Banks with Golden Lace, Cozy Glow and Juniper Montage by his side.
“Mr Banks,” Granny Smith said. “I’m surprised you’re here.”
“I’ll explain later,” Silver Banks said. “Right now, I request permission to let my daughter be with little Wanda.”
“Permission?” Granny Smith laughed. “You don’t need no permission to see Wanda. In fact, she needs all the comfort she can get.”
“Really?” Golden Lace said with an excited tone.
“Yeah,” Granny Smith said. “Come on in. Last thing she needs is to be alone.”
Golden Lace ran up to the bed where Wanda laid on it, still sipping her cocoa. Lace looked up at the Man’s Cub with a smile on her face.
“Hey Wanda,” Golden Lace said. “How are you doing?”
“I’m doing fine,” Wanda said. “But it’s still a shame that I’ve been shivering for a while.”
“I know,” Golden Lace said. “It’s because of this blasted cold and the Windigos.”
“Yeah, I’ve noticed,” Wanda said. “I was told that it takes a warm embrace to send those Windigos packing.”
“Not these,” Golden Lace said. “They say Coldnelius Snap is behind the incident with something called the Venom Frost curse.”
“Venom Frost curse?” Wanda said, surprised.
“I’ve heard about the Venom Frost curse,” Twilight Sparkle said. “The curse involves the very hate extracted from an individual that was used as fuel to power the Windigos, bypassing the need for the anger of large crowds.”
“You have?” Wanda asked.
“And to make matters worse,” Twilight said, “Windigos powered by this curse cannot be vanquished through the warm embrace of friendship. It requires those within the vicinity of the individual to give out their own warm embrace of a friend or family member to break the spell.”
“So,” Wanda said. “The Windigos are this powerful because of this…Venom Frost?”
“That’s what daddy said,” Golden Lace said. “But even if being by your side as a friend doesn’t send the Windigos packing, then at least I’m glad to be by your side, as are all your friends. In fact, I think there is one friend who really enjoys being around you and she’s close to your bed.”
Wanda turned to her left and saw Starlight Glimmer staring at her.
“Come on, Starlight,” Wanda said. “Join us.”
“Me?” Starlight said, pointing to herself.
But just as Starlight answered, Golden Lace levitated Starlight into the air and placed her on the bed between the cream-colored pony and Wanda Young. Starlight looked at Abigail and rubbed her behind the ears, causing the kitten to purr and rub her head on Starlight’s hoof.
“Why me?” Starlight asked, turning her eyes towards Golden Lace.
“Because back when I was a big bully,” Golden Lace said, “You and Wanda were the ones I picked on. I saw you both as weak due to how easily you both broke down in tears. But thanks to the words of one Queen Novo, a revelation about my own mother, and the time I spent at Daisy Joy Tech, I realized just how important friendship truly is. And I saw how you both embraced your friends in a way I never imagined.”
“Oh yeah,” Starlight said. “You were mean back then.”
“She was,” Sunset Shimmer replied. “But not anymore.”
“I hope that if we do make it out,” Golden Lace said, “I want to be with you all more than anything else in the whole wide world. There are a lot of things I missed out on, like the famous Ponyville Providence Fair. And if you all decide to travel the world…”
“You want to join us and share the moments together?” Pinkie Pie said. “No problem-o. We could always use an extra friend to join in on the fun.”
Golden Lace giggled for a bit as Wanda picked up a tea kettle nearby and poured hot cocoa into an empty mug.
“Here,” Wanda said as she placed the tea kettle down. “There’s some cocoa left if you want.”
“Wanda,” Golden Lace said. “You don’t have to…”
Wanda picked up the mug full of cocoa and held it in front of Golden Lace, who picked up the cup with her magic and took a sip. After taking a small gulp, her face lit up warmly.
“Wow,” Golden Lace said. “Thanks.”
“That’s a sign that means you’re truly one of us,” Wanda said. “And we couldn’t have it any other way. After all, you are a true friend, and we stick around to the very end.”
Golden Lace took another sip of cocoa as Starlight came behind and gave Lace a hug. Everyone awed at the sight of two ponies while Trixie wiped a tear from her face.
“I’m proud of my Glimglam,” Trixie said.
“Say,” Rarity said. “Are those tears?”
Trixie freaked out for a bit and said “I was…uhhh…wiping my nose.”
“Yeah right,” Rarity said with a smug grin on her face. “If you were, I would be disgusted by it.”
“She’s right,” Fluttershy said. “Besides, don’t you use a handkerchief instead of your hoof to wipe your nose?”
As Trixie just stood there, blushing embarrassingly, Silver Banks stood at the doorway with Juniper Montage and Cozy Glow by his side, smiling warmly.
“This is what my daughter truly wants,” Silver Banks said. “I’m proud of her.”
“Lace is lucky to have all these friends by her side,” Juniper Montage said. “I wonder if I can be like her.”
Silver Banks looked down at Juniper and said “Go up to them. My daughter could use some company.”
Juniper Montage smiled as she and Cozy Glow ran up to Wanda. Twilight lifted Spike onto the bed, who crawled up to Wanda and gave her a big hug. Starlight returned to rubbing Abigail on the back of her ear with a smile on her face, while the rest of the younglings cheered.
“I don’t care if we all perish,” Granny Smith thought. “As long as we’re all together, that’s what matters the most.”
Meanwhile, in another room, Argyle Starshine was sitting at his desk, putting his pen to the page of his book. On a nearby bed, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Diamond Tiara watched on with Sunlight Starscout and Bright-Eyes Starshine by their side.
“The Windigos have cast their spell across the Golden Land,” Argyle wrote. “Some say it is the work of the leader of the Windigos Guild: Coldnelius Snap. Somehow, they came through the portal and are now tormenting everyone here with a bitter cold that has never been seen before. While Windigos can be sent away with the warm embrace of friendship, it seems they are undeterred by this warm light. I have never seen this kind of deterrence in Windigos, or in any creature in my entire lifetime.”
Argyle dipped his pen back into the inkwell before placing it on the paper once more.
“And yet,” Argyle wrote, “Despite all uncertainties, there is still a cause for celebration going on within the ponies that take refuge here in the Golden Castle. Everyone young and old were enjoying the time of their life as if it would be the last time they would do so. Little Wanda Young, on the other hand, cannot join in on the festivities due to the fact that she is a human and not a pony. But I heard that they are keeping Wanda warm and content while she keeps herself snuggled up in bed. And judging by the sound of laughter, they seem to be enjoying every moment that they can. Sometimes, no matter how tough the times are, we can find ways to keep ourselves happy so that there is still a glimmer of hope remaining.”
As Argyle placed his quill into the inkwell, Sunlight Starscout placed her hoof on Argyle’s shoulder with a smile on her face.
“That’s my boy,” Sunlight said. “Even with uncertain doom awaiting us, you still keep your spirits up.”
“Thanks, mom,” Argyle said. “I bed dad would be proud.”
“He would,” Bright-Eyes said as Apple Bloom crawled up to her. “And I bed every pony before us would be proud as well.
“All we can do is hope and embrace each other,” Argyle said. “But as long as we keep that warmth in our heart, no cold can keep us down.
“Agreed,” Sunlight said as she walked back to the bed, sat down and hugged Bright-Eyes. “No matter what, we will make it through to the very end.”
But outside in the hall, Eleanor Young looked through the door where Wanda and the other younglings were. She cracked a smile on her face as she heard the sound of colts and fillies giggling.
“If I don’t make it back to Evevanya,” Eleanor said, “At least I’ll be with my daughter Wanda. For you are truly a princess, be it in Equestria, or back home.”
To Be Continued in…
Winter Wrap-Up