Rarity turned to the bed. “And now I simply have no idea what to do.” She made motions with her hooves in the air to illustrate her points. “I can't just take the hat and take away Pinkie's new friend, but I also can't just tell a client that I lost his hat. That wouldn't do at all.”
Sweetie Belle sat on the bed, petting Opal. “Maybe you could just tell him that hats aren't in style this year?” she offered, scratching Opal behind the ears.
Rarity looked down at the ground. “I don't know, Sweetie...” she said, looking troubled. “It wouldn't really be right to lie to a client. Especially this client. He's royalty.”
“Oh, is this that Prince Charming guy from the other day?” Sweetie asked, yawning. “He seemed a bit snobbish.”
Rarity huffed. “Well, if he is a touch... proud, he has every right to be. I mean, a stallion that handsome, that suave, that majestic—”
“— not to mention that rich,” Sweetie added under her breath.
“— can afford to be slightly, ah, self-absorbed,” Rarity finished.
Sweetie frowned. “He said your lines were acceptable. He could have at least gone for... I don't know, 'above average' or something?”
“Well, I did need to get rid of some older lines.” Rarity giggled nervously. “And besides, it's important to change up one's offerings once in a while. It shows that your boutique has character.”
“So that's why you threw out a bunch of stuff and designed a ton of new stuff over the weekend?”
“Well, no, not exactly...” Rarity struggled to explain. “I mean, I just... I just wanted my designs to be perfect when he comes back. And I still feel like they're missing something. Something crucial.”
Sweetie flipped Opal over and scratched her tummy. “Why does this Prince's opinion matter so much to you?”
Rarity gave a small smile. “You'll understand when you're older Sweetie.” She glanced up at the clock. “Were you going to meet with your friends at Applebloom's place around now?” she asked Sweetie.
“Well, I was sort of wondering if with this whole thing coming up, and you not being quite done and all...” Sweetie smiled nervously. “I was wondering if you might want some help.”
Rarity cringed, envisioning the last time Sweetie had tried to help her with her designs. “Thanks for thinking of me, Sweetie, but I think I've got enough to be getting on with. You should go see your friends.”
“All right. I think Pinkie was going to introduce us to Frosty!”
“Okay, you enjoy that.” Rarity started to head down the stairs after her sister. On the second to last step she paused. “Frosty...” she muttered under her breath. “IDEA!”
With this exclamation, she rushed into her studio and began to sketch.
* * *
“Oh come on, Twilight.”
Twilight was curled up on the floor, reading a dusty, leather-bound runic tome. Spike was standing beside her, trying to get her attention. “You can't just stay in here and read all afternoon. It's New Years day.”
“Okay. You go then,” Twilight muttered without looking up.
“Seriously Twilight, you need to get some sunlight or something. You haven't even met Frosty yet, either.”
“M'kay. All right. You let me know how that goes.”
Spike rolled his eyes. “Are you even listening to me?”
“Yup Mom. I'll be down in a minute.”
With a sudden movement, Spike yanked on his friend's tail. “TWILIGHT!” he screamed in her ear.
“Huh? What Spike?” Twilight looked around the room frantically. “I thought there was a fire or something.”
“Twilight, you need to get outside,” Spike implored her. “Just because a single spell went wrong, it doesn't mean you have to study the whole rest of the day to make up for it.”
“Spike, the princess is going to be expecting a letter on my findings. I know I'm not her student anymore, but I don't want to disappoint her with something like this. I've got to find a way to make this work.”
Spike sighed. “Do you remember why you were sent to Ponyville in the first place?”
Twilight nodded. “Of course I do. To study the magic of friendship.”
“Exactly,” Spike walked over to the window and opened the shade, letting the sun into the room. “Come on, Twilight. There's a lot more to magic than just reading those dusty old books. I know you might be mad at Pinkie for distracting you, but you've got to get over that and move on.” He turned back to the princess. “I think her friendship means more to you than almost any other type of magic.”
“But, I—”
“You need to forgive her, Twilight.”
The alicorn sunk her shoulders in defeat. “You're right Spike. I'm being a terrible friend.”
Spike opened the door for her. Twilight gave him a small smile.
“Thanks, Spike,” she told him, dashing out the door.
Spike saluted. “That's what Dragon Assistants are for!”
* * *
“Ah can't wait to meet her,” Applebloom shouted up to Scootaloo. “Pinkie says she's just like a regular pony, but made of snow!” Scootaloo was pulling her in a wagon to go meet Frosty the snowmare, Pinkie's newest friend.
“And the coolest part is this,” Scootaloo called back, cutting her scooter around a tight corner. “Rainbow Dash helped make Frosty, and she said we could have a snowball fight.”
“Awesome! So, what're we waitin' for?”
Scootaloo pulled to a stop in a clearing. Sweetie Belle was also standing there. “Well, nothing now. We're here!”
Applebloom hopped out of the wagon. “Where's Pinkie?” she asked Sweetie.
At that moment, Pinkie bounced out of the bushes next to Scootaloo. “Where's Dinky? I don't know. I haven't seen her in a while.”
“Wait. If you're here, where's Frosty?” Scootaloo asked. “And where's Dash?”
As if in response, Pinkie's tail started to twitch. “Right here, silly!”
A blue blur sped by, dropping a pile of snow on Scootaloo's head. A few seconds later, Rainbow pulled up alongside Pinkie, a snowy mare on her back.
“Hey Applebloom, Sweetie,” said Rainbow, nodding. “You two look dry.”
Scootaloo shook herself off. “You got me,” she admitted.
“You've got some stuff to learn before you're at my level, kiddo,” said Rainbow, puffing out her chest.
“And this,” said Pinkie, motioning to Rainbow's back, “is Frosty!”
A round of introductions was made. Rainbow came up behind the Cutie Mark Crusaders. “Now, I just happened to check the ground when I was flying over, and you'll never guess who's coming this way.”
Pinkie popped up next to Rainbow. “Was it Mayor Mare?”
“Yes! Wait, no. Twilight's headed this way.” Rainbow raised her eyebrows. “You guys know what that means, right?”
“O'Course!” Applebloom told Rainbow, a maniacal grin appearing on her face. The three Cutie Mark Crusaders huddled together. “Cutie Mark Crusaders: Snowball Assault Team!” they cheered.
“So what's the plan, Dashie?” asked Pinkie.
Rainbow began to draw a tactical map in the snow. “All right. Scoots and I will use the cloud cover to get some snow clouds over Twilight's head. Sweetie and Applebloom, you two are going to entrench on the left side of the path and begin stocking snowballs. Frosty and Pinkie are going to sneak around to the other side and try to get on Twilight's flank. We should be able to surround her.”
The ponies instantly dispersed to their battle stations, Pinkie and Frosty heading south, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom east, and Rainbow upwards with Scootaloo on her back.
“Do you really think we'll get her this time?” asked Scootaloo.
Rainbow kicked a cloud into place above the path. “Without a doubt.”
The two hunkered down in the cloud, just peaking over the edge. Soon Twilight came into view.
“Just a little more,” Rainbow said, watching Twilight come slowly towards the trap. “Three... Two... One...”
At that moment, all the chaos in Discord's unholy name broke forth.
* * *
“Whew,” Twilight said, wiping her brow. “That was the most fun I've had in a while.”
Pinkie bounced up beside her. “You should have seen the look on your face. You were like 'Huh?' and then we were like 'YAH!' and then you were like 'FORCE FIELD!' and kicked our flanks. But it was still fun!”
“What do you mean she kicked our flanks?” Rainbow asked, landing next to the two. “I thought we fought valiantly.”
“Well, she didn't get hit by a single snowball and kind of had an army of a hundred bewitched snowballs pelting you.”
Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Magic doesn't c-c-count, d-duh,” she said, shivering. “Okay, maybe we should go warm up.”
“Sweet Apple Acres is just up that hill!” Applebloom volunteered. “She's not expecting ya, but I'm sure A.J. wouldn't mind if y'all wanted to come in for a glass of hot cider and to warm up.”
“Cider?” Rainbow licked her lips. “Would I ever!”
Rosy cheeked and tired, the seven ponies made their way up to the crest of the hill.
“Pinkie?” ventured Twilight. “I wanted to let you know, well... sorry I was so snappy before about that spell.”
Pinkie patted her friend on the back. “It's okie dokie lokie. Sorry I interrupted you when you were doing it.”
Frosty, walking beside Pinkie, gave a small smile.
“Applejack!” Applebloom called, opening the door. “We're home!”
“Tell everypony to wipe their feet off!” came the response from upstairs. “I'll heat up some cider in a minute.”
The six trotted out and sat around the table; Frosty had deigned to remain outside. They were just settling into some small talk when Applejack came into the room.
“Here's some cider to help y'all warm up. Oh, howdy Twilight, didn't expect you!” she turned, seeing Rainbow for the first time. “An' I shoulda guessed you would come,” she said with a scowl.
Rainbow let out a nervous laugh. “You know I'd never pass up a chance for cider!”
Applejack raised her eyebrows.
“Oh, by the way,” Pinkie interjected, letting the tension out of the moment. “Frosty was wondering if she could get some of your cider cold. Since, you know, I don't think hot cider would be good for a snowmare.” She giggled.
“Sure,” said Applejack. “I'll get you some.”
At that moment, there was a knock on the door. “Ah'll get it!” cried Applebloom, leaping up from her seat.
Applebloom opened the door, letting in a rather frazzled Fluttershy. “Rainbow! I'm so sorry, but Carrot Top said she sold her last two carrots to you, and I need a carrot or else Angel Bunny's salad won't be just perfect and then he won't eat it and then he'll starve,” she said all in one breath.
“You're out of luck,” said Applejack, coming back into the room. “Rainbow used that last carrot for Frosty's nose.” She went outside to go give Frosty her cider.
Rainbow picked her cider up off of the table. “Well, actually...” she rustled through her saddlebags. “I actually picked up a second carrot, so, um, here you go Fluttershy!”
Applejack stuck her head back through the door and looked up at Rainbow. “You picked up a second carrot why exactly?”
Rainbow offered her a sheepish smile. “Uh... to eat?”
With a flash, Rainbow was out the door with Applejack chasing behind her. Twilight sighed. Some things would never change.
“Anyone want more cider?” called Applebloom from the kitchen.
* * *
Pinkie set up the tent next to sugarcube corner. “I brought lots of blankets and stuff, and so we should be able to spend one last night getting to know Frosty, since I don't think she'll be able to stay with us much longer with the warm front coming in.”
“Wow,” Twilight looked up at the huge tent. “The last time I had a sleepover, a tree fell into my house. Do you think that will happen again?”
Applejack and Rarity cringed at the memory. “I doubt it,” said Pinkie, looking up at the sky.
“Yeah,” Rainbow continued. “There isn't a single cloud in sight.”
“All right.” Twilight climbed into the tent.
Rarity shuffled back. “As much as I'd love to join you guys, since, I, uh, love camping so much, I'm afraid I have an urgent order to fill, so I'll have to catch up with you guys in the morning.”
“Absofruitly-lootly!” Pinkie dived into the tent, giggling.
The five remaining ponies stuck their heads out of the tent and looked at Frosty. “So what do you think of Ponyville so far?” asked Fluttershy.
“Yeah! Is it totally awesome or what?”
Frosty smiled at them mutely.
“Girls, she might not be able to speak!” Twilight told them.
Applejack looked over at the princess. “Wait, what?”
“Well, the object animation spell that I placed on her head is only intended to animate matter which already subsists, not to create it's own functional organism,” Twilight explained. “I bet Pinkie and Rainbow never carved Frosty a tongue or a voice-box, so she probably can't speak.”
“She said 'she loves it so far,'” Pinkie interrupted.
Twilight looked at Pinkie. “Wait, she didn't say anything!”
Pinkie rolled her eyes. “You wouldn't understand, Twilight.”
And so the six ponies carried on into the night.
* * *
The sun was rising as Twilight and Rarity, who had just arrived, used their magic to fold up the tent. Pinkie was hugging her friend as the warm front closed in rapidly.
“You're sure they can't push back that warm front?” Pinkie asked Rainbow.
“Weather ponies have their orders, Pinks. They can't stop summer just for you and your friend.”
Pinkie hugged Frosty tighter. “I'll miss you so much.” She pulled Frosty in even tighter. “You had such a great sense of humor. We'll definitely build you next year.”
A drop of water dripped out of Frosty's eye. She placed her hoof in Pinkie's as the sun rose over the horizon.
The droplets began to form all over her body. Slowly her hind legs began to melt, the water dripping down into the snow below.
In a few minutes, her hoof slipped from Pinkie's as her leg fell from her body, caving the whole structure in. Pinkie gave one last small, sad smile at her melted friend before turning away. “I'll never forget you, Frosty,” she whispered to the pile of snow behind her.
She picked the hat up off of the top of the pile and handed it to Rarity, trying to control her breathing. As Rarity dried off the hat, she began to cry lightly.
Twilight put her arm around the mare's shoulder. “Pinkie,” Twilight started, “part of friendship is... is having to say goodbye. It's hard, but it's important to let Frosty go.”
Pinkie sobbed into Twilight's shoulder. “But we had almost no time together,” she sobbed. “She was only here for a day. A day, Twilight. I didn't even really get to know her.”
Twilight rubbed her hoof up and down Pinkie's back. “Pinkie, part of her is still here. She's always going to remain inside you. Inside your mind, inside your memories,” she patted Pinkie's chest. “And inside your heart.”
Pinkie sniffed and wiped her eyes.
“And you know what?” Twilight rubbed the back of her head thoughtfully. “There's something else that I've learned about friendship.”
Pinkie looked up at Twilight.
“No matter how far away you get from somepony, as long as you care about them, there's always a way back.”
* * *
Rarity fiddled with the hat in her hooves as she waited behind the counter. The tingling of bells alerted her to the entrance of the customer she had been waiting for.
“Good morning, your highness.”
“Good morning, miss,” he replied. He was tall, with a pure white coat and eyes that were the dark, deep blue of the ocean.
“Prince Charming, sir, would you like me to direct you to your suit?”
“Ah, yes.”
She walked him through her new designs on the way to the back room. With a flick of her heel, she hit the lever to open the windows.
Prince Charming took a step back. “Now these designs are absolutely stunning. I take it these found some inspiration in the colors of winter?”
“A good friend, actually,” Rarity replied, looking back. She looked over her designs shimmering in the sunlight. He was right; they were absolutely perfect. She reached up to her saddlebag and patted it to make sure that the hat was still there.
Rarity picked her way through the racks and led the Prince through to the back room. “And, here we are.”
She showed him the dark suit, expertly repaired. It looked practically new.
“Fantastic,” he said with his eyebrows raised. “I wasn't expecting it to look this good.”
Rarity blushed, looking askance at the floor.
He started to walk towards the door. Rarity coughed. “That would be thirty-eight bits, sir.”
Prince Charming turned back around, chuckling. “What, you weren't going to let me go with it for free thanks to my being ridiculously good-looking?”
“Well, ah... no.”
He rolled his eyes. “You really expect me to pay for this?” he asked, holding the suit up. “Why do you think I came to a second-rate boutique in backwater Ponyville? Anyway, why isn't my hat here.”
Rarity bit her lip, feeling her saddlebag. The hat was still tucked inside.
“I'm sorry, sir, but the hat got lost.”
Prince Charming recoiled. “And you expect me to pay for that?” he gave a small 'tsch' sound, and turned on his heel. “Don't ever expect to see me around here again,” he yelled back, slamming the door.
“Don't worry, I won't,” Rarity replied to nopony in particular with a small smile. She pulled the hat out of her bag. Looking it over, she tucked it on a high shelf in her cabinet.
“For next year,” she whispered to herself. “For next year.”