//------------------------------// // Spring Blossom Chapter 1 // Story: Snowfall // by Golden Dragon //------------------------------// The Dragon’s Flame is a flower so named due to its vibrant red hue and the distinctive shape of its petals, which resemble the head of a dragon. Given its rarity, knowledge regarding its curative properties is sparse. I was extremely fortunate to be able to acquire just one blossom for my studies. Folklore states that the petals of the Dragon’s Flame can heal a pony from even the most dire of injuries, however lacking any mortally wounded ponies to test this on, I was forced to test its use on lesser injuries -- cuts, fevers, and broken bones. When applied as a salve to a cut the wound was observed to heal much faster than it would have using more traditional methods and with virtually no scarring. When taken orally the patient’s fever broken within minutes and they were up and walking within the hour as if the fever had never been. Applied as a poultice around a broken limb caused the bone to knit within days instead of weeks. With the petals expended, I attempted to grow some for further study with the seeds that I had left over. Unfortunately my attempts were unsuccessful. The seeds seemed to simply die in the soil, despite the fact that other plants were thriving. It would appear that this flower’s rarity is due at least in part to the difficulty in growing it. Summer Dawn, Hidden Horticulture: The Miracles Grown in the Everfree Forest Chapter 1 Spring Blossom stood on the outskirts of a small town. Her commander, a white-coated pegasus with a gray mane and ice blue eyes, stood to her left. Beyond him were two more colts under his command. The sun was setting ahead of them, the long shadow of the nearest house just reaching their hooves. Mistress had sent them to this town to recruit a pony whose skills she felt would help her cause. Since her arrival at the encampment the filly had not left its walls; the mare forbade anypony from leaving unless under orders from her, and only those favored by her were given the opportunity. The gardener had been surprised when Mistress offered her this opportunity. She was among the ponies at the encampment who were not required to participate in the sparring drills, and she had only seen those that did participate chosen. As much as she wanted a chance to get out of the Everfree Forest for a while, she had been unwilling to fight for that benefit. Just the thought of fighting another pony made her sick, even if it was just sparring. Mistress assured her it was so that they would be ready should a denizen of the forest attack, but Spring Blossom didn’t care. She was just a gardener and she was happy that way, but when Mistress offered her the chance to go on an assignment outside of the forest she leapt at the opportunity. Surely there wouldn’t be any actual fighting. Mistress wouldn’t lie to her, would she? A thought formed at the edge of consciousness, but she pushed it away. “Wait here,” her commander ordered them before walking up to the nearby house and knocking on the door. The mare that answered the door matched the description that Mistress had given them. The pony’s eyes began to widen in fear as the commander spoke to her. He gestured back towards Spring Blossom and the other two colts, letting her know that he had not come alone. The fear turned to panic as the mare slammed the door. Her commander trotted back to them, scowling. “Looks like we have to do this the hard way,” he grumbled. The other two colts grinned. Spring Blossom swallowed. “But sir, she clearly doesn’t want to come with us.” “So? Mistress wants her and so Mistress shall have her.” He removed his saddlebags and turned towards Spring Blossom. “There’s oil and matches in there. You’re going to have to burn her out. Go around back and make the fire as big as you can.” Her heartbeat quickened, thrumming against her chest. The thought returned, stronger this time -- a vague sense of wrongness at what was happening -- but again she pushed it away. “Well?” her commander snapped, startling her back to attention. “Are you going to do it, or do I have to tell Mistress of your insubordination instead?” “N-no, I’ll do it.” She had seen what Mistress did to ponies who disobeyed. Everypony had to watch those punishments. It helped to ensure their loyalty, Mistress told them. Their screams . . . . She shuddered at the memory. Spring Blossom took the saddlebags and headed to the back of the house. A small part of her could scarcely believe what she was about to do, yet rationalizations for her actions floated in her mind. She had her chance to come willingly, and She’ll get out of the house. She spread oil over as much of the back of the house as she could, breaking a window and tossing some into the room beyond as well. The oil expended, she took her matches and set it alight. The fire spread quickly, the dry timbers of the house welcoming it. She heard screaming within, and the front door of the house bursting open. Spring Blossom returned to the others to find the mare now held by the colts, screaming incoherently, trying to lunge out of their grip, back towards her house. Her eyes met Spring Blossom’s, pleading. “Please,” she managed to croak out in between screams. What could be so important that she’d want to run back into a burning building? The fire nearly completely engulfed the building now, a blazing inferno whose heat caused Spring Blossom to sweat, even as far away as she was. It was then that she heard another sound, nearly drowned out by the roar of the fire and the screams of the mare -- smaller screams, coming from the house. Spring Blossom turned towards the source, a small window on the upper floor. Her blood ran cold at what she saw -- two foals, young enough that they probably didn’t even have their cutie marks yet, banging on the window, crying, the fire raging in the room behind them. Spring Blossom’s thoughts gained clarity for the first time in weeks, the horror of the sight before her blowing away the clouds in her mind. Oh dear Celestia what have I done? As the building began to collapse, so too did the captured mare, her screams becoming sobs. * * * Spring Blossom awoke sobbing. Memories of her past had been haunting her more and more often as of late. She hated dreaming of that event. She barely managed to stick her head out of the open window near her bed before she started retching. She had killed! Foals! That was a stain she feared would never be lifted from her soul. It wasn’t until the incident with the burning house that she had realized that Mistress had been in her mind, changing her thoughts gradually over the weeks, keeping her obedient. She could tell that her commander had been similarly affected, his gaze distant as they had returned to the encampment, their quarry in tow. The other two colts, however, had laughed, taunted the captured mare; they truly were in Mistress’ grasp. It was that night that she had approached her commander, voiced her concerns to him, and they had begun planning what would end up being their failed attempt at escape. After that night she had not left the encampment again on assignment from Mistress. The garnet mare didn’t mind that Spring Blossom had passed up these opportunities as long as she was focused on her other duties. Her commander, however, had not been afforded that choice. He had refused to tell Spring Blossom what occurred during those missions, but she had been able to tell that he was shaken up by it. It wasn’t until her former commander -- then calling himself Snowfall -- had returned with allies that she had finally been able to escape. With nowhere else to go, she remained in Ponyville with Snowfall’s new friends. Spring had arrived, and with it new life, not just for the plants and animals, but for Spring Blossom herself. She had moved into an unoccupied house on the edge of Ponyville where she spent most of her time tending a garden. It was a relaxing life, for the most part, except for when memories of her time serving Mistress bubbled their way to the forefront of her thoughts. Spring Blossom sighed; today was going to be one such day. Perhaps a walk will help. She nodded to herself. Yes, a walk would do her good. As she ambled away from her home memories she tried to keep hidden, not just from herself but from her friends as well, forced their way into her thoughts. --- It was a crisp autumn day as Spring Blossom tended her garden, caring for what few plants would thrive in the autumn and winter months. She was humming quietly to herself as she worked when the shadow of a pony came up, blocking the sunlight. Spring Blossom turned around, smiling, expecting that perhaps a friend had decided to pay her a visit. Instead, she was greeted by a unicorn mare she had never seen before with a garnet coat and a black and purple mane. “You would be Spring Blossom, yes?” The mare asked. “Y-yes, I am,” she replied. Spring Blossom couldn’t precisely put her hoof on it, but something about this mare unnerved her; she had a force of presence that seemed to say that this was a mare who was used to getting what she wanted. “I am in need of a pony with your talents.” “Me? But I just tend to the flowers.” “Do not sell yourself short, child. Flowers require a delicate and exacting touch that few ponies possess. I have in my possession some very rare seeds that require special care, and I would like you to tend them for me. In exchange I offer you access to my private library; I have many books on botany that, I assure you, you have never read.” Spring Blossom’s interest was piqued at the mention of rare plants and books. Tending the common flowers and herbs in her garden was enjoyable, certainly, but the chance to work with something her friends had likely never seen before was a rare opportunity indeed. “Ah, I can see you are interested,” the mare continued. “Think of the recognition and respect you will garner from your peers, the knowledge you will gain from my books, the sense of accomplishment you will feel having done something nopony has done in centuries.” “I’m not sure,” Spring Blossom hesitated. “What exactly do you want me to do?” “As I said, I have some rare seeds I need tended. They are called Dragon’s Flame; you have heard of this flower, yes?” She continued after Spring Blossom nodded. “Well, the Dragon’s Flame requires . . . particular conditions in order for it to grow, and I happen to have access to a place with these conditions. I need a talented pony such as yourself to tend these seeds for me so that I may study them.” The gardener’s eyes widened at the mention of the rare blossom. “It actually exists, and you have its seeds? How did you--” “How I came by these seeds is not your concern, child. You need only concern yourself with ensuring they are properly cared for.” “Oh . . . and where would I be caring for them?” The mare paused a moment before responding. “The Everfree Forest.” “The Everfr--are you serious?” Suspicions began to grow inside Spring Blossom. Nopony ventured into the Everfree Forest, not without great need, at least. Her curiosity, however, overpowered her suspicions at first. Dragon’s Flame! A plant so rare it was thought to just be a story, and this mare had its seeds? “You are afraid,” the mare said, her horn glowing, her voice soothing. “I understand your worries, child; the Everfree Forest is a frightening place, but I can assure you that no harm will come to you there. The safety of those at my encampment is my utmost concern.” You will be safe. Spring Blossom relaxed somewhat, the mare’s words washing over her. Although she barely knew this unicorn, Spring Blossom felt that she could be trusted; she had a warm smile. The gardener nodded. “Okay, I’ll do it.” After packing some belongings, Spring Blossom followed the mare into the Everfree Forest. Their journey was mostly in silence but for the sounds of the forest. She couldn’t help but glance around nervously at every sound, eyes straining to peer into the deep shadows. She felt safe as long as she remained close to the mysterious mare, although she could not explain why. The journey to the encampment was long, leading Spring Blossom much deeper into the forest that she had ever dared venture. Dusk fell and they made camp. Spring Blossom huddled close to the fire, its flickering light causing the shadows around her to dance frightfully. The sounds of the forest intensified as the sun set, yet there seemed to be a calmness centered around the mare as she sat impassively, her horn glowing. “Get some sleep, child. Nothing shall harm us tonight.” Spring Blossom nodded, yawning, as she lay down and drifted off to sleep. Their travels the next day were much the same as the day before. At one point the mare stopped walking, her eyes going unfocused, her head cocked to one side, listening. Her lips began moving in a whisper which Spring Blossom could barely hear. “Yes, my Lady, I have found her. She will tend the seeds.” A moment of fear passed across her eyes as she again listened. “Yes, my Lady.” Spring Blossom took a step back, fears and suspicions rising anew. Something was clearly wrong with this mare. What am I doing? This was a mistake. The mare’s eyes focused on her once again. “My apologies, child. I tend to get lost in thought from time to time. Come, we mustn’t dawdle, the sun will set soon and we are almost there.” She resumed walking, passing by Spring Blossom, who could only stare. “I’ve changed my mind.” The mare stopped again, turning to face her, horn glowing. “What was that, child?” “I don’t want to do this. Please, take me home.” The mare sighed. “I am disappointed in you, Spring Blossom, but we cannot turn around now. If you truly wish it, I shall take you home tomorrow, but I would ask that you sleep on this decision, as it is not one you should make lightly.” Spring Blossom agreed, reluctantly, and they finished their journey in silence. The sight of the encampment made her jaw drop -- a two-storey tall keep, a moss-covered tower, and a courtyard all surrounded by an imposing wall. In the courtyard were many other ponies, running drills and sparring . . . sparring! As they entered the courtyard a horn sounded overhead on the wall, three sharp short blasts. Everypony snapped to attention, forming into regimented ranks. An older looking colt approached and saluted the mare, who inclined her head slightly in acknowledgement. “Report,” she ordered. “We lost a guard last night; the foal followed a Forest Light. Should I send out a search party?” The mare’s expression darkened. “No. He’s as good as dead already. Let this be a lesson to the others; the forest is a dangerous place.” She glances at Spring Blossom as she said this. The colt saluted again before trotting off to the others, shouting orders. “What is this place?” Spring Blossom asked. “This,” the mare responded, “is the safest place in the Everfree Forest.” Do not even think about trying to leave, her tone of voice seemed to say. “Come, you must be tired after our travels. I have a room ready for you.” It wasn’t until hearing the mare’s words that the filly realized how tired she was. Was I this tired a moment ago? She stifled a yawn as she follow the mare -- who showed no signs of fatigue -- into the keep. She was so busy concentrating on putting one hoof in front of the other that she barely noticed the banners and tapestries that decorated the keep’s walls. Another yawn cracked her jaw as they stopped in front of a door. “This will be your room should you decide to stay. I trust you will come to the right decision.” Spring Blossom simply nodded as she entered the room, the mare closing the door behind her. As the mare’s hoofsteps faded into the distance, her weariness seemed to lessen as well. She began to pace back and forth, pondering her situation. Her mind and her heart would not agree on what she should do. Her heart told her that something was very wrong here and that she should leave, but her mind told her that the mare could be trusted, that this was a great opportunity and she would be a foal not to stay. In the end her mind could not explain exactly why it trusted the mare and her heart won out. Not even the opportunity to grow the Dragon’s Flame is worth staying in this strange place, it told her. With the dawn came the strange mare. “I trust you have decided to stay?” “N-no,” she lowered her eyes. “I’m sorry, but . . . I just don’t feel comfortable here. I’m grateful for the opportunity, but I would like to go home now.” The garnet mare scowled. “I am sorry, child, but I simply cannot take you home. I do not have the time,” she said, her horn beginning to glow. “You understand, yes?” Perhaps it’s not so bad, here. The thought came to her unbidden, the voice in her mind growing stronger, the voice in her heart waning. “But you said--” “I know what I said, but surely you can stay here a while longer. This is an opportunity you will not get again.” You can do great things, here. “Y-yes, I guess I can stay.” Her heart’s voice vanished, and with it her fears and suspicions about the encampment. What was I afraid of? She tried to recall, but the thoughts were fuzzy, distant. “Um, I just realized, you know my name, but I never got yours.” The mare smiled. “You shall call me Mistress.” * * * As the days went by, Spring Blossom became accustomed to life in the encampment for the most part. Her days were spent much the same as they were before Mistress had found her -- tending a garden -- the only difference being she now had somepony telling her what to do. She couldn’t remember why she had feared this place initially, thoughts of her fears and concerns floating just out of her reach no matter how hard she tried. Mistress spoke with her every day -- always a glow around her horn -- to inquire about progress in growing the Dragon’s Flame as well as making sure Spring Blossom was adjusting well to her new surroundings. She beamed with pride when Mistress praised her progress and felt terrible when Mistress was disappointed. She began to dread disappointing the garnet mare and did everything in her power to make sure it would not happen. “Ah, child, these blossoms are coming along beautifully,” the mare said to her one day. “Thank you, Mistress!” The gardener felt a mild euphoria at the praise. Growing the Dragon’s Flame had been no easy feat -- much tougher than the common flowers she had grown back at home; she was proud of herself. “I believe you deserve a reward. I know that the forest can be oppressive at times. Would you like the opportunity to get out for a day?” Her eyes widened. She was being given the opportunity to venture outside the forest? “Yes, Mistress, I would!” Truly she must be doing well in her duties for Mistress to reward her with this! “I thought as much.” The mare pointed to a white colt, on his flank a single orange flame, who was overseeing sparring exercises. “He is your commander, report to him for the details.” --- As Spring Blossom’s thoughts wandered the past, her body walked through the beautiful spring morning in Ponyville. A cool breeze flowed through her mane, rustling the newly grown leaves on the trees, carrying with it cheerful birdsong. The air smelled fresh and clean, a hint of the rain that fell overnight still clinging to it. Only a few white clouds floated lazily in the sky. She did not notice when her walking took her beyond the outskirts of town. She did not notice when she entered the Everfree Forest. She did not snap out of her reverie until she stumbled upon a strange clearing, an overgrown fountain standing in its middle. Gazing up at the fountain was the last thing she expected to see: a white colt with a grey mane, a single orange flame on his flank. “Snowfall?”