//------------------------------// // Winter's End // Story: My Little Pony, Friendship is Out of This World // by Robobrony //------------------------------// Winter’s End Over the rest of the next few days of fall, Nova and Star burst noticed it was getting colder. Through the books he acquired around his and Starburst’s first few days, Nova learned of the seasons here. They were in awe at how the leaves changed color and fell during this time of the month. But one thing they didn’t see coming was the snow winter brought. It was the morning of the first day of winter. The two brothers got up just like every other morning, had breakfast, and got ready to head out for the day. Rarity was kind enough to make scarfs for the two to wrap around their necks and some jackets to keep them warm. The jackets were green to match their coat color and the scarfs were orange and yellow to match their manes and tails. As soon as the door opened, they were greeted with a field of white as the sky was completely covered by clouds and snow was falling. “Whooooooaaaaa, Nova, look at this, what is all this?!” Starburst smiled and cheered at the scene. “Everything is all white.” He looked to the ground at the edge of the door and looked at the snow before him. He took a tentative step and was pleased with the crunch sound he made as his hoof touched the snow. “Hey, it crunches, what is this Nova?” Nova smiled as he explained. “Ha, by the galaxies, I never thought I’d see this again, it’s called snow Starburst, little frozen flakes of water. Go ahead, it’s safe.” Starburst smiled at his brother, he faced forward and walked out into the snow. He was enjoying himself as he crunched around in a circle in front of Nova. “He he, this is so stellar, I’ve never seen anything so cosmic like this, it’s pretty too.” Nova came up to Starburst. “He he, it sure is, I can’t tell you how long it’s been since I saw this.” Starburst looked back at his brother. “So, does that mean we had snow on our planet too?” “We did, but it was rare, I think I only saw it once in my lifetime.” He became sullen at this. Starburst picked up on this. “Hey, don’t be sad, let’s check out the town and see what the rest of it looks like.” Nova smiled again. “Good idea, lets….” “HEY!” Starburst cut Nova off with a cry after he got hit in the back of the head with a snowball. He turned around and looked to see what happened. Nova looked around worried too. “What was that?” Starburst turned back to his brother when the culprit wasn’t seen. “Nova, did you see that, what was that?” Nova was confused. “It looked like a ball of snow. But I didn’t see where it came from.” Another struck Nova. “HEY!” He wasn’t too pleased about this. “All right, who’s doing that?!” He called out. Giggling was heard a few feet away. “All right, whoever is behind that pile of snow better come out now.” Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo came out with their heads hung. Applebloom was the first to speak up. “Hey there Nova, sorry bout that.” Sweetie continued. “Yeah, we were just having fun, we didn’t mean any harm.” Scootaloo then came in. “We just thought Starburst would like to have a snow ball fight with us.” “Snowball fight?” They both asked in unison. Applebloom answered. “Yeah, a snowball fight, aint yall ever been in a snowball fight before?” Starburst answered. “No, what is it?” Scootaloo answered. “It’s where we throw snowballs at each other for fun.” Sweetie Belle chimed in. “Come on, you can be on my team, you and me vs Applebloom and Scootaloo.” “I don’t know, I didn’t really like it when you girls hit me with that snowball.” Starburst informed. Applebloom looked at him sympathetically. “Gosh, we’re sorry Starburst, it didn’t hurt did it?” Starburst answered. “Well, no, it just surprised me is all.” “Haven’t you ever had any kind of fun in the winter?” Scootaloo asked. Nova answered. “Well girls, because of how we traveled, we never really got to play in the snow, so this is pretty much new to Starburst…..and me.” Nova said the last part under his breath. The three fillies gasped. “Really?” They asked in unison. “Well shoot, you can have all kinds of fun in the snow.” Applebloom informed. “Yeah, like snowboarding and ice skating…..” Sweetie started. Scootaloo continued. “And making snow ponies and pony angels, we can show you all kinds of fun in the snow.” Applebloom came up to Starburst and put a hoof on Starburst’s back. “Just stick with us and we’ll show you a great time in the snow.” Starburst smiled and looked to Nova. “Can I go Nova, can I, can I?” Nova smiled big at his little brother. “Of course you can, you go have a good time with the girls and enjoy this winter day.” “YAY, thanks Nova, but what about you, what are you going to do?” “I’ll find something, you go have a good time with your friends.” “Ok, bye big brother!” Starburst and the three fillies then galloped off into town for a fun day in the snow and Starburst’s first snow day. A few months later: KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK There was a loud banging on the front door of Nova and Starburst’s home. “oooh, what the galaxies?” Nova groaned as he sat up. “It’s too early for visitors.” It was early in the morning. “*YAWN* Nova, what is it?” Starburst asked sleepily as he sat up in his bed. KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK Nova crawled out of bed, walked to the main living room and was about to open the door when Starburst reminded him of something. “Nova wait, your disguise!” “Oh, thanks Starburst, that was a close one.” Nova retrieved his holo-emitter from the work table and put it on, he gave Starburst his as well. Nova then made his way to the door and opened it to greet his visitor. “Good morning Nova.” The visitor greeted cheerfully. “Twilight, what are you doing here at this hour?” Twilight was smiling bright with a groggy looking Spike on her back. The sun was just barely peeking over the horizon. “Sorry Nova, but I didn’t think you’d want to miss out on winter wrap up.” Nova raised an eyebrow at her. “Winter what now?” “Winter wrap up, it’s the one time of year where the ponies work together to clean up winter.” Starburst came to the door. “You mean winter is over? Awwe, but I was having fun with it.” Twilight smiled at Starburst. “Sorry Starburst, but winter had to end sometime. And today is the last day, every pony in Ponyville will be working on a way to clean up winter and get everything ready for spring.” “Ugh, if you ask me, it’s too early for this.” Spike complained on Twilight’s back. Twilight spoke up again. “Come on you two, I think they’re assigning teams already.” Nova just looked at her. “All right, we’ll come. Come on Starburst, let’s see what this winter wrap up thing is all about, we might even have fun.” At the mention of the possibility of fun, Starburst perked up. “Ok.” The two followed Twilight into town as she galloped. They were approaching the town hall and all the ponies were gathered around wearing different colored vests. Twilight commented. “Those must be the team vests Rarity designed, blue for the weather team, green for the plant team, and yellow for the animal team. I wonder which team vest I’ll be wearing. What about you Nova?” “I don’t know, I’m new to this remember, I don’t even know how all this works.” Nova answered. “Twilight, will I get a vest?” Starburst asked. “Sorry Starburst, but your too young, you can help Nova when he gets one.” “I’ll take a blue vest, which is the same color as my blanky, which I think I hear calling my name. Spike, Spike, come to bed. Ugh, it’s too early.” Spike complained. They took a place at the back of the crowd of ponies gathered to hear the mayor speak. “Thank you everypony, for being here bright and early. We need every single pony’s help to wrap up winter, and bring in spring.” The crowd cheered. Twilight started jumping up and down to try and get a better view. “Now all of you have your vests, and have been assigned your teams. So let’s do better than last year and have the quickest winter wrap up EVER!” the crowd cheered again. Twilight was really excited now. “Oooh, this is so exciting, isn’t it Nova?” “I guess so.” Nova simply answered. The mayor continued. “All right every pony, find your team leader and let’s get galloping.” The crowd cheered and dispersed leaving Twilight, Nova, and Starburst where they were. Twilight seemed a little frantic when this happened. “Oh gosh, where should I go, I’m not sure where I’d fit in. What exactly does every pony do?” To Nova and Starburst’s surprise, music started playing and the ponies started singing. Rainbow Dash: Three months of winter coolness, and awesome holidays. Pinkie Pie: We’ve kept our hoovsies warm at home time off from work to play. Applejack: But the food we’ve stored is runnin out, and we can’t grow in this cold. Rarity: And even though I love my boots, this fashions getting old. Twilight Sparkle: The time has come to welcome spring, And all things warm and green. But it’s also time to say goodbye, It’s winter we must clean. How can I help? I’m new you see what does every pony do, How do I fit in without magic? I haven’t got a clue_ Everyone: Winter wrap up, winter wrap up! Let’s finish our holiday cheer! Winter wrap up, winter wrap up! Cause tomorrow spring is here! Applejack: Cause tomorrow spring- Rainbow Dash: -is here Everyone: Cause tomorrow spring is here. Rainbow Dash: Bringing home the southern birds, A Pegasus job begins. And clearing all the gloomy skies, to let the sunshine in. We move the clouds, and we melt the white snow. Pinkie and Dash: When the sun comes up it’s warmth and beauty will glow! Everyone: Winter wrap up, winter wrap up! Twilight, Rainbow, Pinkie, Applejack: Let’s finish our holiday cheer! Everyone: Winter wrap up winter wrap up! Twilight, Rainbow, Pinkie, Applejack: Cause tomorrow spring is here, Everyone: Winter wrap up, winter wrap up! Twilight, Rainbow, PInkie, Applejack: Cause tomorrow spring is here! Everyone: Cause tomorrow spring is here! Rarity: Little critters hibernate under the snow and ice. Fluttershy: We wake up all their sleepy heads, so quietly and nice. Rarity: We help them gather up their food, fix their homes below! Fluttershy: We welcome back the southern birds_ Fluttershy and Rarity: So their families can grow! Everyone: Winter wrap up, winter wrap up! (Rarity: Winter-winter) Twilight, Applejack,Rainbow, Pinkie: Let’s finish our holiday cheer! Everyone: Winter wrap up, winter wrap up! (Rarity: Winter-Winter!) Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow, Pinkie: ‘Cause tomorrow spring is here! Everyone: Winter wrap up, winter wrap up! (Rarity:Winter-Winter!) Everyone: Cause tomorrow spring is here, cause tomorrow spring is here! Applejack: No easy task to clear the ground, Plant our tiny seeds. With proper care and sunshine, everyone it feeds. Apples, carrots, celery stalks, colorful flowers too. We must work so very hard. Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy: It’s just so much to do! Everyone: Winter wrap up, winter wrap up! Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow, Pinkie: Let’s finish our holiday cheer! Everyone: Winter wrap up, winter wrap up! Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow, Pinkie: Cause tomorrow spring is here! Everyone: Winter wrap up, winter wrap up! Pinkie: Cause tomorrow Spring is here! Everyone: Cause tomorrow Spring is here! Twilight: Now that I know what they all do, I have to find my place. And help with all of my heart, tough task ahead I face. How will I do without my magic, Help the earth pony way? I want to belong so I must do my best today…. do my best today…. Rainbow, Pinkie, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity: Winter wrap up, winter wrap up! Rainbow, Pinkie, Applejack: Let’s finish our holiday cheer! Everyone: Winter wrap up, winter wrap up! Twilight, Rainbow, Pinkie, Applejack: Cause tomorrow spring is here! Everyone: Winter wrap up, winter wrap up! Twilight: Cause tomorrow spring is here… Cause tomorrow spring is here… Cause tomorrow spring is here- Nova and Starburst just stared at Twilight for a moment. “Every pony belongs to a team, what should I do, where should I go?” Twilight then turned to Nova to ask him something. “What do you think Nova?” “Um, Twilight, what just happened?” Nova asked. “What do you mean?” “I mean that big production number you all just put on, with all the singing and dancing, what was all that, where was the music coming from?” “It’s just something that happens around here sometimes, it’s no big deal.” “I liked it.” Starburst chirped in with a big grin. Nova looked down at him, then back to Twilight. “Well, that was certainly an entertaining way to learn about winter wrap up. Anyway, it seems this is a big deal for you, but I’m afraid I don’t know where I can go to help others, so I guess I can try to help you find something to do.” Twilight smiled at him. “Thanks Nova.” “I’ll help too.” Starburst called out. Twilight smiled again as she looked at him. “Thank you too Starburst.” Rainbow Dash suddenly flew by and caught the three ponies attention. She was hovering above their heads in front of a few Pegasus ponies. “All right team, your cleared for take-off.” The ponies then flew off. The three came up to her after she landed. Twilight called to get her attention. “Rainbow Dash.” Rainbow turned to face her. “Oh, hey Twilight, what’s up?” “What are you doing?” “Sending off one of my flight crews to retrieve the birds for the winter.” Starburst then called out. “Ooh, ooh, maybe Twilight can help with that.” Twilight got excited too. “Yeah, maybe I could help clear out the clouds.” Nova started to point out a flaw with that. “There’s a bit of a problem with that.” “What?” Starburst asked. “No wings.” Twilight responded. “Oh, right.” Rainbow saw the disappointment in Twilight’s face. “Sorry Twilight.” Rainbow Dash then flew off. “Great, now what do we do?” She looked around and saw Spike lying in a bush. “I don’t know about you, but I’m gonna be napping.” Spike said as he readied himself for a nap. Twilight pushed on Spike’s cheek to wake him. “Come on Spike, this is serious business. Winter needs to be wrapped up and I’m determined to do my part……somehow.” Nova looked at her worriedly, he came up to her and put a hoof on her back. “Don’t worry Twilight, we’ll find something you can do to help.” Starburst agreed. “Yeah, we just need to keep looking.” She gave them a smile. “Thanks you two.” Twilight finally managed to get Spike up and they went on their way to find something for Twilight to help with. “Winter wrap up, winter wrap up! Let’s finish our holiday cheer! Winter wrap up, winter wrap up! Cause tomorrow spring is here.” Starburst sang happily as he hopped along with his big brother. “Starburst, will you please stop singing that.” Nova complained. “Awe come on, you got to admit it’s catchy.” Starburst responded. “Yes, it is a nice song and all, but it tends to get annoying after the fifth time.” “Fine, I’ll stop.” “Thank you.” Twilight chuckled at their interaction. They soon came to Rarity’s place. She was wearing a yellow vest and making fancy looking bird nests with ribbons. The group came up to her and Twilight started. “Rarity, please tell me there’s something, anything I can help you with.” “Well, how would you like to help create some of Ponyville’s finest bird’s nests?” Rarity responded. “Bird’s nests?” Twilight asked in confusion. “Why yes, when the weather team guides the birds back north for spring, they’ll need a place to live and lay their eggs.” Twilight complimented Rarity on the nest she just made. “Wow Rarity, that one’s really beautiful.” “Oh why thank you most sincerely.” Starburst got a little excited at this. “ooh, ooh, can I help, that sounds like fun.” Rarity shook her head at him. “Sorry darling, but this requires a delicate touch, I’m afraid your too young to help with this.” “Awwe.” Nova then spoke up. “Maybe Twilight can help?” Rarity looked at Twilight with a smile. “Really, would you like to try your hoof at it?” Twilight answered with a smile. “Would I? YES, where do I begin?” Rarity levitated a basket of materials for Twilight to work with. “Ok now, take some of that straw and hey over there, and a little bit of branch.” Twilight proceeded to organize the items in an orderly fashion. Rarity began to instruct. “Now weave through there, yes, uh take some ribbon, oh, not not not there, uh….yes, tuck it in…..there, but be careful not to….oh, I guess that will do. Oh dear.” Rarity became less sure about this as Twilight assembled her nest. Twilight finished. “There, it looks just like…..yours…..oh my.” She saddened when she saw what a bad job she did. The nest looked ugly. Spike commented. “That nest needs to be condemned.” Nova narrowed his eyes at Spike. Rarity did the same but softened as she responded. “Oh spike, it’s not so bad, maybe the birds could use it as a….” “An out-house?” Spike deadpanned. Nova spoke up. “You know Spike, you could be a little more supportive like Rarity.” Rarity agreed. “Spike.” She came up to Twilight as she blushed. “It’s just fine, it’s just a little rough around the edges.” Rarity shooed Twilight away and began to try and salvage it. “Let me lend you a hoof. We just untie this ribbon, untie these sticks here…” Rarity just went on with the nest. Twilight hung her head in disappointment and sighed. Nova came up to Twilight. “Come on Twilight, let’s find something else you can help with.” She just quietly walked off to find something else with Nova and Starburst following. Twilight had led them to a frozen pond that Pinkie was skating on, she was wearing a blue vest. “Helloooooo Twilight! WEEEEE!” Pinkie called as she skated around, then spun in place. Twilight perked up. “Wow Pinkie Pie, you’re quite the skater.” The four made their way to the edge of the pond. “Probably the best skater I’ve ever seen.” Pinkie skated up to them. “Thanks Twilight, I’ve been doing this since I was an itty-bitty little little twinkie pinkie. Just comes naturally.” She skated back onto the ice and did a few tricks. “Which is probably why they designated me the lake scorer, I cut lines in the ice with my skates. That way, when the rest of the weather team comes here to break the ice, it’ll be easy as pie.” Nova commented. “That’s rather clever.” Twilight summarized what Pinkie said. “When the thick ice melts, it will break along the lines. Well you sure have a lot of work ahead of you, there’s a lot of lakes in Ponyville.” Pinkie came up to them again. “Tell me about it. Hey Twilight, Nova, you wanna help me out?” Starburst then chimed in with a smile. “I wanna help.” Pinkie gave him a bit of a sad smile. “Sorry Starburst, but you wouldn’t be heavy enough.” Nova answered. “I’d like to help but I don’t know how to skate.” Twilight then answered. “I would.” Pinkie smiled bright again. “Come on, put on those skates over there. I bet you’ll be a natural too.” “Ok.” Twilight then went to put the skates on. Once they were on her hoofs, she made her way onto the ice and looked rather wobbly. She was starting to have second thoughts about this. Nova asked to make sure. “Twilight, are you sure about this, you don’t look very steady on those.” Twilight tried to respond. “Uh, maybe on second thought….” Before she could finish, her face slammed into the ice. Nova and Starburst winced at the sight. Spike spoke up. “What are you talking about, you said you wanted to be helpful, now get out there.” Spike started pushing Twilight further onto the ice. Nova tried to stop him. “Spike hold on, I don’t think Twilight wants to do this anymore.” Spike didn’t listen. Twilight started sliding across the ice, moving her legs frantically to try and get control. Spike just smiled cheekily at Twilight’s distress. She started spinning out of control. Pinkie tried to tell her what to do. “Twilight, steer, steer!” It was no use, Twilight started heading for Pinkie, she tried to get out of the way but was too late. Twilight bumped right into her and the two crashed into Spike, then a tree, causing snow to fall on them and covered them completely with spike on top of the pile, Pinkie under him, and Twilight under her. Nova and Starburst winced again. they looked in worry at their friends. They shook the snow off and Spike just started laughing at Twilight. “HA HA, you are a natural Twilight, a natural disaster.” Nova came over to him. “Spike, that’s not very nice, she’s really trying here and all you can do is make fun of her, I can’t believe you!” Spike cringed a little under Nova’s glare. Pinkie climbed off and Nova went over to help Twilight up. “Are you ok Twilight?” Nova asked as he grabbed her hoof and helped her up. “I’m ok, thanks for helping me.” “I’m always happy to help a friend.” For a moment, he just stood there looking into her eyes. Twilight got his attention. “Um, Nova, you can let go of me now.” “Huh, oh, uh, heh, sorry.” Nova quickly released his grasp on Twilight’s hoof and blushed a little as he gave a sheepish smile. Pinkie came up to Twilight. “Twilight, you did a great job your first time around, I’m sure my first time was just as wobbly and bobbly and crasheriffic as yours.” Twilight brightened up at this. “Really?” “……No.” Twilight became sad again. “But did I make you feel better?” Twilight put on a fake smile as she answered. “Heh, yeah, I guess.” Pinkie tried to cheer her up more. “I’ll bet you’ll be super awesome at something that keeps your hooves on the ground. I know, Fluttershy could probably use your help with the critters.” Twilight perked up more at this. “Well, I’m pretty good with little animals. Yeah, I’ll go help her.” Twilight then tried to skate off. Pinkie pointed in the opposite direction she was going. “It’s ah, that a way.” Twilight managed to turn around and head in the right direction but was still wobbly on the skates. Spike started to giggle at Twilight crashing but Nova gave him a glare that stopped him. The three went to help Twilight and made their way to Fluttershy. They came to an area full of warrens and dens for animals, Fluttershy was busy waking up some animals in a den when they approached, she was wearing a yellow vest. “Wake up little sleepy heads. I hope you had some wonderful dreams and a restful hibernation, but it’s time to get up now, spring is coming.” She backed out of the hole she had her head poked in. A pair of hedgehogs came out with a yawn and a stretch. “Awwe, how cute.” Twilight cooed. “I’ll say, look at em.” Starburst agreed. Fluttershy responded. “Aren’t they? This is my favorite task of the whole season when I get to see all my little animal friends again.” “Uh, what’s hibernation?” Spike asked. “It’s like, a long sleep.” “Long sleep?” “Yes.” Fluttershy went up to another hole and rang a bell. “wake up little porcupines.” She pulled back and began an explanation of hibernation. “Animals often hibernate through the winter to save their energy and eat less food.” Spike smiled at the idea. “I definitely like the idea of hibernation, except for the eat less food part.” Starburst chimed in. “So some of the animals just sleep for three months straight? Wow.” A pair of porcupines came out of the hole Fluttershy rang her bell in. They gave a yawn and stretch. They looked at each other and went to hug each other, but stuck one another with their own quills. Fluttershy frowned. “Oh, but just look at all these warrens and dens, I’m worried I won’t be able to wake up every animal before spring comes.” Starburst chimed in with his usual enthusiasm. “Can I help Fluttershy, me and Twilight can do this no problem.” Fluttershy smiled at this. “You will, oh, that would be wonderful.” She then gave Twilight her bell. Nova looked a little worried about this. “Now remember Starburst, do this nicely, you don’t want to scare the animals.” “I know big brother, don’t worry.” Starburst then took off for the nearest den, stuck his head in and yelled out. “WAKE UP LITTLE ANIMALS, SPRING IS COMING!” A pair of squirrels came running out. “Starburst no!” Nova called out. “Oh my.” Fluttershy said with worry. Starburst ran to another hole. “WAKEY WAKEY LITTLE ANIMALS!” This time, it was a pair of chipmunks that came running out looking terrified. “Starburst, that’s enough!” Nova quickly ran up to his little brother and picked him up in his magic grasp. “Hey, Nova?” Starburst complained. Nova glared at him. “Starburst, that is not how you do it, didn’t you see how Fluttershy did it?” Starburst gave a sheepish smile. “Oh, he he, sorry.” Nova set him down and Starburst made his way up to Fluttershy. “Sorry Fluttershy.” Fluttershy just smiled at him. “Oh, it’s ok, no real harm done.” Nova apologized too. “I’m sorry about Starburst, Fluttershy. Twilight, why don’t you go ahead and try?” “Oh, uh, ok. Let’s start there.” Twilight made her way up to a hole while Fluttershy went off to wake some more animals. Twilight rang the bell and nicely called out to the animals. “Hello, wake up little friends, spring is coming.” Twilight rang the bell again and pulled her head out. “I wonder which cute furry little animals I’ve awoken.” A few snakes slithered out and gave a yawn scaring Twilight. “AH, snakes, SNAKES!” She quickly started backing up from them in a hurry. Nova tried to stop her when he saw her heading for a cave. “Twilight stop!” He called in worry. Twilight was too gripped with fear as she backed into the cave, she soon came screaming back out with a swarm of bats following her. “YAAAAAHHHH!” She ran into a tree and caused a bee hive to fall on her head. She screamed and ran again. “AAAAAHHHHH!” She ran into another den and hit a wall inside, finally stopping her. However, the hole was home to a pair of skunks. They came walking out looking very unhappy and giving off their usual rotten smell. Fluttershy greeted them happily. “Good morning friends.” Spike, Starburst and nova held their noses in disgust. Starburst was the first to comment. “Ewe, what’s that smell?” Fluttershy informed. “That would be the skunks. It’s a defense they have.” Twilight groaned from inside the hole. “Uuuuhhh.” Later back at Twilight's house, Nova and Starburst were wearing nose plugs and helping to give Twilight a tomato juice bath to get rid of the skunk smell. They were using their magic to scrub Twilight with scrub brushes. She was covered in bumps from the stings of the bees. “Thank you two for helping me get rid of this stench.” “Don’t mention it Twilight, I’m just sorry that ended so badly for you.” Nova said Starburst agreed. “I’ll say, no pony should have to smell like this, it’s disgusting.” Twilight gave a weak smile at them. It soon faded though as she started. “Oh, this winter wrap up stuff is harder than it looks.” Spike was nearby and he too was wearing a nose plug. He agreed with Twilight. “Right, because there’s no magic. Why don’t you just use magic Twilight and get it done the right way?” Nova seemed to agree with this. “I have to go with Spike on this Twilight, why not just use your magic to help out.” Twilight began to explain. “Because, Ponyville was founded by earth ponies, they didn’t use magic to clean up winter so it’s a tradition.” Spike tried again. “But think of how much faster they could wrap up winter with your magic.” “No, no, NO! I’m going to help out without magic even if it kills me.” Nova shook his head, but conceded. “All right Twilight, if you insist, I can tell this means a lot to you so me and Starburst will stick with you until you can find something you can help with.” Twilight smiled at them. “Thanks you two, I know I said this before, but you two are great friends.” Nova and Starburst smiled back, Nova responded. “Just happy to help a friend.” Later on, they soon found themselves at Sweet Apple Acres where Applejack was coordinating a team of earth ponies pushing plows to try and clear the snow so crops could be planted, she was wearing a green vest. “Keep pushin Caramel! That’s it Bumpkin! I know it’s hard work, but you guys are doing great, YEEEHAWW!” The four came up to her with Twilight greeting. “Hey Applejack, how are things going?” “Oh, just dandy. A little slow startin but peachy all the same. There’s a lot of ground to cover here. We can’t even start the plantin and waterin till we get this heap o snow cleared out of here.” Nova came up to Applejack. “Applejack, I don’t suppose Twilight would be able to help, it’s real important to her to help out in some way with winter wrap up.” Applejack looked a little shocked about this. “Well, I…I don’t know Nova.” Starburst came in. “Just give her a chance, she’s real eager.” Twilight then came in. “Please Applejack, just give me a chance.” Applejack seemed to cave. “Well, I never turn down a hard worker but….” Before she could finish, Twilight already made her way to an available plow. She climbed in and started hard to push. She pushed and pushed but the plow wouldn’t budge. She finally stopped. Nova and Starburst looked at her with worry while Applejack just hung her head and shook it. Twilight looked around nervously for a moment. Nova was about to say something but then noticed that Twilight was actually successful now in moving it. Starburst smiled big. “Nova look, she’s doing it, looks like she finally found something she could help with.” Nova was a little suspicious of this. “Yeah, looks like it, I hope so.” Twilight actually managed to pass a few of the other ponies out there as they pushed on. Applejack grew suspicious as well. “Hmm, she’s aweful strong fer such a little pony.” As Twilight passed, Spike took an odd glance at her then spoke. “That’s my girl, followed my advice.” Applejack turned to Spike. “And what in tarnation does that mean?” Nova began to think what Spike might have meant. “Oh no…. she didn’t.” He said quietly to himself. Starburst heard this and turned to his brother, he spoke quietly so Applejack wouldn’t hear. “What is it Nova?” Nova responded in a whisper as he looked at his little brother. “I think Twilight is using some kind of spell on that thing so it will move.” “So, at least she’s helping now like she wanted.” Starburst turned back to the field to watch. “I guess so.” Nova did the same. Soon, the plow started to pick up more speed. The pile of snow she was pushing started growing, she passed by another stallion and accidentally threw snow on him, she turned around, passed him again and made more snow fly onto him. She was getting faster and faster and the snow pile she was pushing was getting bigger and bigger. It was too late for anypony to do anything when they realized she was heading right for them. She slammed right into Applejack, Spike, Nova, and Starburst, they were now caught in the snowball she had made. Applejack tried to speak as they rolled. “What’s goin on, what’d you do, you used magic didn’t you?” They slammed into a cliff and caused an avalanche, thus covering the field in snow again and burying every pony at the cliff. All their heads popped out of the snow, Applejack glared at twilight. “Nuts Twilight, you used magic.” Spike then started in. “The nerve, can you believe her?” Nova didn’t let that slide, he glared at Spike. “Spike, it was your idea to do it, don’t put the blame all on her, you’re the one who suggested it in the first place.” Spike cringed at Nova’s glare. Nova then turned to Applejack, he also saw Twilight was practically in tears. “Applejack, try to understand, Twilight was just desperate to help out in some way with winter wrap up. She’s been trying real hard to help without her magic and everything she’s tried didn’t work out so well. This was just an accident, I can understand you being upset seeing as she pretty much ruined all the hard work here, but it was just that, an accident. You can forgive her can’t you?” Applejack looked to the side for a moment, she looked back to Twilight. “All right Twilight, I forgive ya fer this, but perhaps you should find somethin else you can do.” Twilight simply nodded. “Let’s do that again.” Starburst cheered. The others just looked at him. “What, it was fun.” This just made them roll their eyes, except for Twilight. The group got themselves out of the pile and headed back for town. Upon nearing town hall, Twilight hid behind a bush in defeat. Spike tried to get her to come out. “Come on Twilight, come on out.” “I’m a winter mess up.” Twilight responded sadly. Nova then tried. “Come on Twilight, it’s not that bad, maybe there’s something else you can do that you haven’t tried yet.” Starburst agreed. “Yeah, what he said, you just need to keep looking.” “Rainbow Dash.” Applejack’s voice was heard nearby. “Ya’ll on the weather team need to melt the rest of the snow here on the ground and on the trees pronto.” Rainbow responded. “Got it.” She was about to take off when Fluttershy stopped her. “You can’t, my poor little animals homes will get flooded if you melt the snow too fast.” “Got it.” She then went back in the other direction. Applejack stopped her again. “I’m tellin ya Rainbow, ya gotta melt that snow now.” She flew up into the air and Fluttershy stopped her again. “No, you simply must wait.” Rainbow was starting to get annoyed. “Okay.” Applejack and Fluttershy started going back and forth with Applejack starting. “Go.” “Stop.” “Go.” “Stop.” “Go.” “Stop.” Rainbow Dash finally had enough. “UGH, make up your minds!” The mayor came walking up to them. “Oh, what, in all of Equestria, are all of you arguing about? This sort of silliness is why we were late last year. And the year before that, and the year before that.” “Late?” Nova said to himself. He continued to listen in. The mayor continued. “I was hoping my amazing inspirational speech would urge everyone to do better than last year, but now it looks like we’re going to be later than ever, I mean, just look at this catastrophe. The ice scorers made the ice chunks too big to melt. The nest designer is horrendously behind, we need several hundred, and she’s only made one. And don’t get me started on the clouds still in the sky, the icicles on the trees, this isn’t good, Not ….at…all.” Applejack then started. “And it’s all gonna be all to pieces disastrous if’n we can’t get our seeds planted.” Rainbow Dash responded. “Chillax Applejack, we’re bustin our chops as fast as we can.” Fluttershy then came in. “No, not fast, you have to wake animals slowly.” Bic mac then came walking up with Caramel next to him. “Uuuhh, AJ?” Applejack facehooved. “Oh good gravey, Caramel lost the grass seeds again didn’t he?” “Eeyup.” A pegasus mare then came flying in. “Derpy Hooves accidentally went north to get the southern birds.” Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes. “Gah, that feather brain, didn’t she learn her lesson last year when she went west.” All the ponies started in and arguing. The mayor tried to get their attention. “Stop this at once, we don’t have time to argue! It’s almost sundown, spring is going to be late again. Another year of scandal and shame, if only we could be more organized.” That’s when it finally hit Nova. “That’s it, twilight, I think I know how you can help with winter wrap up.” Twilight poked her head out of the bush. “Really, how?” “Isn’t it obvious, these ponies have trouble being organized, and who here is the most organized pony?” Starburst answered with a smile and a jump. “Twilight!” “Of course, I am organized, Nova you’re a genious! Spike, get me my check list and clip board, stat.” Spike then ran off. Twilight then tried to get their attention. “Stop everypony!” They kept arguing. “Stop!” Nova interceded. “Let me handle this, and you may want to cover your ears.” Twilight and Starburst did so. Nova took in a deep breath and shouted. “QUIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEET!” Every pony finally stopped arguing and turned to Nova and Twilight. “Thank you, now listen up everypony, the problem you seem to have here is organization. Well I happen to know just the pony for the job to help with that. Twilight Sparkle!” Nova announced as he stepped aside to present her just as Spike came back with Twilight’s requested items. Twilight stepped forward. “All right everypony, is everyone ready to wrap up winter?!” The ponies cheered and Twilight began issuing orders. With all their tasks given, they spread out to complete them. Big Mac delivered the required items for Rarity to make her nests and was finally making progress with them. Twilight helped Pinkie organize the lake scorers so they would cut evenly sized square shapes in the ice so it would melt fast enough. Thanks to Twilight’s organization, the snow plowers were able to remove the snow, plant the seeds, and water them at the same time. Nova was on the snow plow team to help out with this while Starburst stayed with Twilight. Twilight helped Fluttershy string up a series of bells over her animal friends homes so one pull on a rope was enough to wake up a bunch of animals at once. A bird on Fluttershy’s head chirped out, giving Rainbow Dash the signal for her team to start clearing the clouds. They flew in a line and managed to clear them out along with the snow on the trees. Every pony worked through the night and managed to get everything done. When morning arrived, the Pegasus team that went to get the birds came back with all of them and the birds found a nice nest waiting for them. Nova was standing next to Twilight when every pony gathered around her as the mayor came up next to her. “I can’t believe it, spring is here, on time, and we have you to thank for it. If it weren’t for your organizing skills, we’d still be arguing.” “Eeyup.” Big Mac agreed. Twilight smiled. “It was a team effort.” Mayor Mare continued. “And since you helped every team, we have an official vest for you.” Rarity came walking up with a vest floating in her magic grasp. “We give you the title, all team organizer.” Rarity put the vest on Twilight as she smiled brightly. “Gosh, I don’t know what to say, thank you every pony.” Nova put a hoof on her back. “You earned it Twilight, you deserve this.” Twilight smiled at Nova. “Thank you Nova, I don’t think this would have been possible without you, thank you so much.” Nova responded back. “I didn’t do much.” “Yes you did, you stuck with me through all of this, and you helped me find a way I could finally help with winter wrap up, I just can’t thank you enough.” Twilight then just gave Nova a quick peck on the cheek. Nova was surprised by this and blushed a little. “uh….um, sure….no problem.” Starburst, who was at the front of the crowd with the others, just gaged. “Ewe.” Mayor Mare then continued. “And I hereby declare that winter is officially wrapped up on time!” The ponies all cheered. Applejack then pointed out something. “Spike’s sure in fer a hog sized surprise when that last piece of ice melts.” Nova looked to see what she meant and saw that Spike was asleep on a chunk of ice that had yet to melt. Later that afternoon, Nova and Starburst made their way inside their home. They removed their necklaces and placed them on the table. “She kissed me.” Nova thought quietly to himself. “What was that Nova?” Starburst asked. “She kissed me, Twilight kissed me, why did she kiss me?” “How should I know?” “Don’t you get it Starburst?” Starburst raised an eyebrow. “No?” He answered warringly. “Oh right, your too young to understand this. Look, If she has feelings for me, it would never work out, we’re from two different worlds, if she finds out what we are, it’s all over. I can’t let her close.” “So does that mean you won’t be friends with Twilight anymore?” “I can’t just call off a friendship, if she’s starting to like me as more than a friend…...I…….I don’t know.” Nova hung his head. “How do I let her down nicely?” “Nova, do you like her back?” “I don’t know, I mean……well, she is nice, and pretty, and smart and…..WHAT AM I SAYING, I CAN’T HAVE FEELINGS FOR HER! This is ridiculous, I can’t be liking her like this, we’re too different. Sure I don’t care what she looks like, but if she saw me…….oh sweet galaxies, what am I getting myself into?” Starburst tried to console his older brother. “Nova calm down, I’m sure it’s just in your head, maybe you just need some rest, we didn’t really get any sleep last night.” Nova turned to Starburst. “You’re probably right, I’m probably thinking too much into this. I just need some rest. Thanks little bro.” Starburst smiled back. “Your welcome.” So the two turned in for the night. “Am I really starting to develop feelings for her, and what was up with that kiss on the cheek she gave me? I hope I am just overthinking this.”