Tears of Snow

by FlashKenshin77

VII - Blowin' in the Wind

The next couple days followed that pattern; we’d wake up, have breakfast, and then Snowdrop or I would pick what we did that day. It’s funny, they’re so different than what I thought a ‘family’ should be. Here, they laugh, goof around. Hay, Storm plays with her every day. If I acted like this around Dad, he’d throw his bottle and tell me to leave him alone.
Even when I asked to learn to cook, they didn’t yell or tell me to ‘buzz off’... they taught me eagerly and showed me how much fun it was. Last time I tried to ask Dad to teach me to cook, he burnt the pasta and threw it at me. Said it’d toughen me up for how many times I’d fail at cooking.
On the last night of the blizzard, I stared at the ceiling, thinking, while Snowdrop used me as a pillow. I looked down at her, cuddled against me for warmth as she shivered. I pulled the blanket higher, and she nuzzled my chest. Huh… maybe… maybe this is what she meant…

=

We sat at the breakfast table, Primrose once again making excellent pancakes as Storm walked in. “So, now that the blizzard’s finally over, guess I gotta teach you two how to fly, right?”
Snowdrop and I grinned at each other. “Yay!” We said simultaneously.
“Talked to a good friend of mine a while back. Pulled some strings and he’ll let us train at the Wonderbolts Academy.” Storm said, chuckling as he sat down and grabbed some pancakes.
Our mouths drop and our eyes grew. “Y-you mean the Wonderbolts Academy?” Snowdrop asked.
“Unless you know of another Wonderbolts academy.” He said, finishing a pancake. “Honey, these are really good, did you change the recipe or something?”
Primrose shook her head. “No, Icy helped me make them.”
He turned to me and grinned. “Good job kid, these are pretty good.”
“B-but how did you-” I asked, both me and Snowdrop barely able to stay in our seats.
Storm looked at Primrose, who wasn’t really paying any attention to us before leaning in. We leaned towards him too. “Well… if you really wanna know, I talked Rapidfire into-”
“RAPIDFIRE!?” We exclaimed together.
He blinked and tried not to smile. “Well yeah, unless you know somepony else named-”
“The leader of the Wonderbolts? Who took on three griffons-” Snowdrop started.
“All while dodging lightning strikes and griffin assassins!?” I finished, both of us long gone from our seats as we huddled next to Storm.
He chuckled. “I guess so, if that’s how they’re telling it nowadays.”
“Bu… how do you know him?” Snowdrop asked.
“We were friends back in high school, before I met your mother.” He sighed. “Anywho, he gave us special permission to come onboard and watch them train. Said he might even give you two some pointers.”
We squealed and sped off to her room, coming back a moment later with our saddlebags. Storm laughed, shaking his head. “Not yet, we gotta wait for a bit.”
“But Dad…” Snowdrop pouted.
“You two have to shower and make sure all your homework is done before school tomorrow. And your mother has to make sure she doesn’t need your help.” He said. “Don’t worry, it won’t be that bad.”
We dragged our hooves as we moped back into her room and made sure we had everything ready for school, our homework finished. We had gone over the quizzes as I helped Snowdrop with a few problems. Primrose didn’t need our help, having things already under control. I let Snowdrop shower first as I made sure I had everything packed, not looking forward to going back home after training. I… I don’t wanna go back…
“Icy, it’s your-everything alright?” Snowdrop asked, her mane wrapped in a towel.
I shook my head and forced a smile. “Yeah… just thinking that I have to go back home after training…”
Snowdrop frowned and stared at the floor. “O-oh… yeah…” She paused. “So let’s have as much fun as we can right?” She whispered and looked up, smiling at me.
I walked over and hugged her, her fur still wet. “Yeah…” I muttered before letting go and hopping in the shower. I took off my eye patch, hissing in pain as the water hit it.

=

We held hooves and hopped around Storm in tandem, happy that we were finally leaving as he led us towards the Academy. As we walked there, me and Snowdrop talked about all the tricks we were gonna learn, trying our best to mimic the Wonderbolts.
Finally, after what felt like forever, we stood outside the Academy, two Wonderbolts standing guard over the entrance. I stared up at their cold faces as a shiver of fear tingled down my back.
The building was at least three stories tall, the sloped roof hanging over the second story. Several large windows dotted the outside, the view probably amazing from inside.
We paused right before the steps as a pony walked towards them, his slick back amber mane was littered with gray streaks. His coat was dark gray, all color lost in his old age. He saw us, pulling his sunglasses off so we could see his red eyes. He quickly walked over and stared at us, him and Storm having an intense stare-down.
After a few moments, a big grin spread across his snout as he hoofed Storm. “About time you got here slacker, thought you’d never show.” He said.
“Sorry Rapid, had to show the kids around.” He said, pointing at us.
Rapidfire turned and stared at us coldly, an eyebrow raising as both me and Snowdrop quickly got to attention. We gulped, trying not to freak out as Rapidfire continued to stare at us.
Slowly, a grin worked its way on his face. “Seems you taught the kids well.” He said before bending down and offering a hoof. “Wonderbolt Captain Rapidfire, who are you two?”
“I-I’m Snowdrop…” She said, blushing.
“Icy…” I stuttered.
“Well Snowdrop, Icy, welcome to the Wonderbolt Academy. I’d love to stay and give you a personal tour, but I gotta go to a meeting.” He slightly pouted. “But I’ll try and make it back before the windbowl.” He chuckled, waving goodbye before disappearing down the street.
We watched him leave before we squealed, jabbering between the two of us as Storm led us inside. We gawked at the large building, Wonderbolts walking freely inside. They were each huddled into their own groups with most ignoring Snowdrop and I. Several of the Wonderbolts nodded to Storm, pausing to salute or chat with him. Me and Snowdrop looked at him suspiciously, surprised that they would stop and talk to Storm like he was one of their own.
Suddenly, we were stopped by several Wonderbolt trainees surrounding Storm. They barraged him with things to sign and questions about the ‘old days’. They squealed over him like we did Rapidfire, Storm embarrassed with all the attention.
Snowdrop leaned close to me. “Why’d we stop?”
“A bunch of Wonderbolts are talking to your dad-”
“You're the reason I wanted to become a Wonderbolt! When you helped save Princess Celestia from those griffins!” A Wonderbolt said as Storm nervously chuckled.
Me and Snowdrop stared at each other before turning to look at Storm. “As much as I’m flattered, I really must be going.” He said.
“Oh, of course sir! Sorry that we interrupted.” They said, walking away as they talked amongst their group, comparing signatures.
Storm sighed and turned to us. “Phew, thought they’d never leave.” He chuckled.
“Dad, you were a Wonderbolt?”
“That saved Princess Celestia?” I squeaked.
He blushed. “That was a long time ago.” He ushered us forward. “Come on, we don’t wanna miss the windbowl.”
Both of us were frozen, our mouths almost touching the cloud. “YOU WERE A WONDERBOLT!?” We said in unison.
“Yes, yes I was.”
“But why did you quit?”
“Are all the stories true? That they make you fly blindfolded?”
“Can you really do Buccaneer Strut and Blind Frontal-Flip?”
“Oh, what about the Cloud Skimmer?”
We continued our interrogation as his face got redder and redder. “Guys!” He finally yelled and cut off my question as several ponies turning our way. “That’s enough. Now I want you two to be quiet till I say so, okay?”
We looked at the floor and nodded as he sighed and led us outside. It was awkward between the three of us, none wanting to speak after getting yelled at.

=

A while later, we stood outside the academy building, a huge sunken part of the cloud in front of us. Both of us stared in wonder, Snowdrop backing up slightly.
Storm sighed. “Look, I’m sorry I yelled at you two earlier, but that was a long time ago…”
“We’re sorry too Dad… it’s just, why didn’t you tell me you were a Wonderbolt?”
“It’s a long story, remind me to tell you another day.” He said before he cleared his throat. “Before you is the windbowl, a special training device created by Starswirl and Princess Celestia.” He said. “There’s only a few in existence, the magic necessary to create one far too strong for normal unicorns, and even the Princess has to rest afterwards. In the center of the bowl, strong currents swirl against the sides, creating the momentum needed to move the city.” He paused. “I believe we’re in time for a demonstration.” He said, motioning to several trainees blindly jumping in.
The wind tore at their uniforms, their wings refusing to stay at their sides. “The wind tears at any open you give it. Any weakness it can find, it’ll grab on and tear at your resolve.” Storm said coldly, watching as the trainees were already struggling to stand.
Several of the trainees quickly bailed out, their uniforms ragged as they panted on the sides. “You go numb in moments, the feeling leaving your body as the wind ceaselessly pulls at you. You can’t open your eyes or they’d dry out faster than flying in a desert. Your ears are buffeted by the pressure, your head feeling like it could burst any minute.”
Only two trainees remained, gritting their teeth as their wings slowly worked with the wind. It seemed that they finally got the hang of it, going with the wind. Me and Snowdrop watched in horror as one of the trainees wing dipped him too close to the ground as he bounced around the bowl before being spit out. He laid dazed on the cloud as his exhausted teammates rushed over to make sure he was alright.
“You have to learn to harness the wind, make it a part of you. You can’t control it, wind is a natural element, able to destroy any that stand in its way. Once you learn its ebb and flow, the gentle nuances. Once you do, well… see for yourself.” He said, motioning at the remaining trainee, who was hovering off the ground, his body shaking. Finally he slowly and sluggishly walked out and slumped right outside the bowl. “Funny thing is, sometimes they aren’t so lucky and are flung right off the side.” Storm said and pointed at the other side. “The bowl was made so one edge was always at the end of Cloudsdale, extra incentive not to fall out. If you fall out… well, the earth ponies and unicorns usually send us the remains.” He shrugged as the trainees stumbled inside, the survivor dragged. Storm clapped his hooves. “So, who wants to go first?”
We quickly backed up and I stood in front of Snowdrop as we shook with fear. I could feel my face pale as we shook our heads no. Storm gazed at us coldly before a small smirk appeared on his face. “I’m just kidding you two.” He started to laugh, holding a hoof over his face. “Can’t believe you thought I’d throw you in there… you should see the look on your faces.” He chuckled, taking a calming breath. He walked right passed us and when we didn’t follow, he turned around. “So do you want to fly or not?”
We scrambled over each other and followed right behind him as we left the windbowls.

=

“Here we go, some peace and quiet.” He said as we stopped. We were on the farthest part of the academy, away from everypony. “Alright Icy, I’ve already taught Snowdrop a bit of flying, so we’ll have to catch you up to speed.” He sighed. “Snowdrop, do you remember the cloud flow that I taught you?” She nodded. “Good, I want you to teach Icy.”
She blinked. “W-what?”
“The only way to show me that you mastered it is to teach it to somepony else.” He said calmly. “Don’t worry, I’m right here.”
She gulped and turned towards me. “A-alright… Icy, close your eyes.” I did as she said. “N-now… do you feel the tug on your hooves from the cloud?”
“Uh… no?”
“Spread your hooves out and just breath, keep your eyes closed. Feel around you.”
“Everypony has inert magic inside them. It’s what gives the pegasi the ability to shape the weather. First you must learn to feel the magic inside. Then harness it… then you can merge with the wind.” Storm said, a cold breeze flowing through.
I shivered, feeling something prickling inside. “I’m not feeling anything… except cold.”
She walked up to me and placed a hoof on my chest. “Relax, you're too stressed.” She paused. “Dad taught me to see through this, look for everypony’s faint outline… I can see that you’re too wound up.”
I bit the inside of my cheek and took a deep breath, trying to calm down. Another breeze hit us, this time gliding over my back. I twitched as I felt something. I was startled, my body relaxed by itself.
“Ah, seems like its a bit windy…” Storm chuckled.
It felt like a small fire was lit in my chest, the wind tugging at it, making stronger. “Do you feel it Icy?” Snowdrop asked.
“Y-yeah…”
“Feel the breeze glide over you, feel it take hold of your wings…” She whispered, our wings opening by themselves.
“Good job kid, you're a natural.” Storm said. “Now that you can finally feel it, we can start learning to jump.” He said as he began to show us lift off. “Never lift off against the wind, always go with. Learned that the hard way and nearly broke my wing.” He chuckled.
Both of us practiced with Snowdrop easily taking to it more. She seemed to understand how to time in between gusts to keep hovering. It was a lot harder than I thought, even with a few tips from Storm.

=

“I did it!” I said, finally hovering just above the cloud. My wings were gently lifting with the wind. He grinned at the two as my wings flapped, the small uptake keeping ‘em aloft.
“Congrats kid.” Storm said, rustling my mane as I smiled.
Snowdrop hovered over, small beats of her wings pushed her forward. We bumped hooves as Storm cleared his throat. “Now that you know how to hover, let’s try actual flying.”
We landed as he took off, showing us the stance we want to take off in, when to flap our wings, which way to tilt to turn. It seemed so complicated, tipping your wing and leaning left, all the while keeping a steady rhythm. It took me awhile and several face plants into the cloud before I could even hover off the cloud long enough to start moving. I did my first semi circle, finally grasping a few tricks he showed me.
I looked over at Snowdrop as she expertly flew through the air, dipping right with the wind and using momentum to keep herself airborne. It was almost as if she could see the change before it happened, dipping easily with a gust of wind.
“Seems she’s a natural.” Storm said, watching with pride.
“Yeah… its almost like she can predict the future.” I said, hovering around.
“Well in a sense, she can. She can see the energy clearer and I’ve taught her little tricks since she was born blind.” He sighed. “Even if she can’t see normally like us, she can see the energy clearer… what takes us years of practice takes her about half the time. Our biggest problem is being clouded with sight, but she doesn’t have to worry about that.” He turned to me, scratching his neck. “Look, I know we’ve had this talk before… but I just can’t help it. I know how much you mean to Snowdrop… and I worry about you. You’re a great colt and have quite the unusual outlook on life. I know you didn’t want to say anything… but what’s the real reason your dad isn’t here? He’s not on business, is he?”
I turned away, my wings buzzing to keep me afloat. “I… uh, don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Icy, I’m not going to force you to say anything… Just know whenever you need somepony to talk to, I’m here, okay?”
“Yeah… I know…”
“Good.” He faintly smiled. “Oh, and Icy?” I tilted my head. “You and Snowdrop make a cute couple.”
I face planted in the cloud, my wings going stiff. Storm roared with laughter, almost falling down as Snowdrop landed next to us. “What happened?”
I shook the snow off my head, my face on fire. “N-nothing…” She looked at me quizzically as she helped me to my hooves, patting the snow off.
“ICY!!” Somepony’s voice yelled.
My fur stood on end as I dived behind Storm. Storm and Snowdrop quickly looked towards the voice, a stallion flying towards them. “Who the hay is that?” Storm asked.
“M-my d-dad…” I whispered and gulped as the stallion landed. Dad had a dark navy blue coat, silver starting to show. His mane was short and thinning, the remaining was silver. His ice cold blue eyes glared daggers at me as he marched over. His silvery blue tail swished agitatedly. His cutie mark was a shield over the sun.
Storm intercepted him. “It’s nice to mee-”
“What the hay do you think you’re doing?!” Dad yelled.
Storm blinked. “What?”
He reached around and grabbed my hoof, pulling me away from them as Snowdrop gasped, tears in the corners of her eyes. “What do you think you're doing with my son!? Teaching him to fly?! That is a sacred tradition between father and son and you took it away from me!”
“Excuse me! He’s old enough to learn and he needs to! He deserves to be taught, with or without his father’s help. Every pegasus needs to know how to fly.”
Dad glared at Storm before pulling me away and forced me on his back. “I’ll teach him when I think he’s ready.” He paused and poked Storm in the chest. “And you stay the HAY away from my son!” He said, flying away.
I turned around and looked at Storm, scared, and tried not to cry as Dad took me away. The last thing I saw was Storm quickly trying to comfort Snowdrop.