Winter eventually returned back to the Academy once he had regained his strength. After the incident of Storm Sky, things had dwelled back to normal. Winter had his rank raised to equal that of Hurricane due to his actions in stopping Storm Sky. One day the two stallions walked out to the memorial gardens with one day before their training at the Air Brigade Academy was over. They were looking at the snowflake in the center of the garden. “You guys did this for me?” asked Winter. “Aw that’s so sweet of you!”
Hurricane gently nudged him, “oh shut up. You already have enough of a right to say I cried when I thought you were dead,” he laughed.
“You didn’t cry that much Hurry,” said Comet standing next to Hurricane in their moment to each other alone. “You were strong enough to get up and hug me and give me a kiss.”
Winter laughed. “Oh so you two got busy while I was gone,” he laughed. “See I can’t trust you when I’m not around.”
Comet just stuck her tongue out at Winter. “Oh sure,” she said. “Of course you had to die on us for about 3 months.”
“Hey, you try getting blasted upset the head with a magic blast and surviving. I had to survive a free fall and getting nailed by explosive magic,” he said in a smartpony kind of way. “THEN you have the right to laugh at me.”
~~~
Ace stood in front of the ponies of the Academy. A year had passed since they had entered; Hurricane and Winter Chaser had decided to move onto greater things by serving in the Air Brigade division of the Royal Guard, but they were honored as honorary instructors at the Academy. They stood with the other 28 ponies in their class.
“I congratulate you all on your achievement,” he said. “You all have successfully passed through the Academy. Not only have you graduated, but you have also stood in the face of danger to defend the Academy in the face of danger. In all of this however, you are all to be praised, however, I think we all believe that there are two stallions that stand out in front of us all. On that note, Hurricane and Winter, step forward.”
Hurricane and Winter had no idea what was happening, but they stepped forward to a roar of cheers. Shining Armor then stepped forward.
“In recognition of not only serving in the line of duty,” he began, “but staying to teach the next generation of members of Air Brigade in your heroic name, princess Celestia has officially commissioned me to present you with this honor.”
Spitfire then brought him two Mare of Honor medals.
“I congratulate you both in recognition of receiving the prestige award of the Mare of Honor Medal and also presenting you both with the ranks of Captain. Congratulations Hurricane and Winter Chaser of Cloudsdale!”
With that, the entire academy erupted in a volley of cheers and great celebration. Comet stood smiling, waiting for Hurricane to come back down. Hurricane merely beamed from ear to ear, knowing that he had not only reached his dreams, but had exceeded them with Winter by his side, and meeting his special somepony.
“We fly through the skies as one!” called Hurricane to the crowd.
“For All Equestria!”