Neon and Frost’s friendship continued to strengthen over the months that they’ve known each other. They had enjoyed every second they spent together and cherished the memories they had made. Frost's magic still refused to respond and his flank was barren of his cutiemark.
Neon Lightning, however, had successfully achieved her cutiemark. It was a black lightning bolt that was outlined in neon red. She had received it after she discovered she figured out how to make storm clouds that, when charged with enough electricity, shoot out neon colored lightning bolts. She used this knowledge to put on a show for the entire school, setting up clouds so that they would set each other off at certain times; much like a perfectly executed fireworks display.
But she wouldn't have gotten her cutiemark if it hadn't been for Frost Nexus. He helped her practice the movements and planned out each step of the show. Even though the idea was entirely hers, Frost made the show flawless with his strategic planning.
Frost continued to feel those random cold waves that surrounded him from time to time. It was odd because no matter how warm he was, he could always feel them. It wasn’t anything too cold, but they were just cool enough to be noticeable. There was something about the sudden bursts of cold, something familiar, comforting, almost. Like it was an old friend coming back after a long time of being away.
Frost didn’t think much of them, though he did try to see if his magic would work during these times to see if he could get even a little spark. Everytime he tried, however, the cold would instantly fade, making him even more frustrated because he almost thought his magic was actually capable of thinking on its own and was playing games with him. He dismissed such an idea as it was utterly ridiculous that his own magic was doing this on purpose. But what he did think was that he just needed to wait until he matured enough to use his magic. Which was far more believable and would definitely not label him as a lunatic.
----
Frost Nexus arrived at school just like any other normal day, he walked there today rather than having his mother fly him there. He was afraid of heights, even if his mother was careful while flying, so while he rode on her back he scouted out a quick path to get to school and decided to take it instead.
“Hey, Frost!” A familiar voice called.
He turned to see Neon trotting over to him, giving him a friendly high-hoof before they walked to their home room together. “How was your weekend?” She asked, looking to him with a smile.
“Pretty good. My mom treated me to a really awesome dinner for my grades,” he replied nonchalantly.
Neon chuckled, rolling her eyes. “Is that even a surprise anymore?”
Frost shivered as the cold sensation returned to him, only this time it was stronger. He could've sworn he could see his breath. "Do they always have to crank the air conditioner in here?" He asked rhetorically, his teeth slightly chattering.
Neon gave him a puzzled look, "It feels fine to me. You feeling alright, Frost?" Concern leaked into her normally confident voice.
"Yeah," he lied. "Guess it's just me." The cold feeling subsided as soon as the words left this mouth. It was the third time it had happened to him today and it was beginning to worry him. Though even after the cold had subsided his horn still felt cool, something that didn’t happen after the cold and only increased his level of confusion and worry.
The day continued without another cold flash, much to Frost's relief. Neon and Frost had most of their classes together, the only ones they didn't share were their race specific classes, like Frost’s magic class and Neon’s flight instruction course.
Since Frost Nexus had yet to tap into his magic, he was ridiculed by Galaxy and some of the other unicorns for it. But even though his horn was useless, he was easily the most studious of them, earning high marks in the class as well as many others. He just wished there were more books on ice magic. Though, the more he thought about it, the stronger the links got between his cold flashes and his ice magic that had yet to surface.
Today the teacher for his magic studies class had yet to show, so he chose reading a spell book to pass the time. He suddenly felt a piece of paper hit him on the back of his head. He turned around to see Galaxy laughing like a hyena. He frowned, grumbled something under his breath and returned to his book.
"What's wrong, Frosty the Snow Mare?" Taunted Galaxy. "Nothing witty to say?"
Frost let out an exasperated sigh. He hated that nickname. He had gotten it when Dart and his friends threw him into a snowpony. Needless to say he was angered every time it was mentioned.
"No," replied Frost. "And you are going to have to do better than call me a stupid overused nickname." He turned a page. "But then again you aren't the sharpest tool in the shed, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised."
The laughing turned to Galaxy, who silenced it by giving the other ponies a harsh glare. He rose up from his seat and approached Frost Nexus.
"That was real funny Frosty," he growled rhetorically, smacking him on the back of the head. "You should think about going into the stand-up comedy business." He shoved Frost out of his desk, knocking off his glasses in the process. "Too bad Neon isn't here to bail you out," he sneered. "May as well have some fun by beating a few bruises into ya before the teacher gets here."
Frost found his glasses, returning them to his face. He frowned as the cool sensation returned to him, only this time it was strong enough that he could see his breath. He got to his hooves, a frown still evident on his face. 'Maybe I should try to focus my magic again.' He thought as he strained his horn.
He felt the cold sensation shoot up his body and into his horn, becoming even stronger. The room suddenly became cold, making everypony but Frost Nexus shiver. His horn flickered to life with a white aura, the ground around his hooves beginning to form a thin layer of bright blue frost.
Galaxy took a few uneasy steps backwards as Frost's horn grew brighter. Galaxy suddenly felt his hooves fall out from under him as he slipped on a patch of ice, falling on his back.
Frost wasn't casting any specific spell, he was just focusing his magic into his horn like he was taught to when he felt the presence of magic. Though upon opening his eyes, he saw the fruits of his exertion.
Everything in the room had been lightly coated in frost and the ground Galaxy was now lying on had a thin layer of ice covering it. He would be happy, if it wasn't for the fact that Galaxy was still in the room.
"You think you can scare me with that lousy display of magic?" He chuckled. "Your magic is weaker than I thought!" He stood over Frost Nexus, a sneer still plastered on his muzzle.
Frost closed his eyes again, feeling the cold returning to him. Only this time it wasn't as strong or invasive, rather it felt as natural to Frost as breathing.
A bolt of energy shot out of Frost’s horn and at Galaxy. He dodged the attack with great ease, the bolt hitting the wall behind him; ice instantly appearing upon impact. Galaxy walked towards Frost, but neglected to remember the same patch of ice he slipped on before, sliding on it once again but face-planting this time. Frost couldn’t help but laugh at Galaxy's misfortune.
"What is going on here!?" An angry voice shouted.
They turned to see their teacher, Star Charmer, standing over them with a frown . Her coat was yellow with a light purple mane and tail. Her cutiemark was of a blue shooting star, accompanied by several smaller stars of the same color.
Galaxy got to his hooves, putting Frost in what seemed to be a friendly headlock. "Nothing!" He answered with a smile. "Me and Frost here were just messin' around, isn't that right?"
"If you call pushing me out of my chair and nearly punching me in the face fun, then yes. We were," he quipped.
Star Charmer looked around the room, seeing that everything had been covered in frost. She looked to Frost Nexus with a suspicion that he was the cause. His mother had informed her when she enrolled him in this class that his father was able to use ice magic, while also making the assumption that Frost Nexus could do it as well. Needless to say she was skeptical as the magic was very rare and barely even heard of, so she had reason to doubt such magic existing in this young foal. Yet the evidence in the room couldn’t be ignored: Frost indeed had the power to use ice magic, leaving her in a state of slight amazement.
"Galaxy go to your seat. I'll have a word with you in a moment," she said in a stern voice. "Frost, would you come with me to the principal's office?"
Galaxy smirked, releasing Frost from his headlock and returning to his desk. After giving Galaxy a glare, he looked up to Star who motioned him towards the door. He gulped hard.
The walk down to the principal's office was a silent and foreboding one. Only making Frost's nervousness intensify. Only his second month in his new school and he was already in trouble. His mother would have a fit about this. She may have a sweet, gentle tone and demeanor most of the time, but when she was irritated that voice would turn into a roar that would rival even a manticore's. His legs grew weak at the thought of his mother going ballistic.
"So," began Star Charmer. "I heard your father was able to use ice magic. Was he very good at it?"
Frost was drawn away from his turbulent mind to answer his teacher's question, "Yeah, he showed me a few spells, but I wasn't able to use any of them. Until now I guess."
"Do you know how any of it is supposed to work? It is a very difficult magic to learn and even harder to use."
He nodded. "I know a little bit." He paused to remember what his father had told him about the unique form of magic. "He said that ponies who are capable of casting ice magic are connected with the ice itself, using it to gain an advantage in battle should they ever need it. But he also said that it can be used for things other than battle too. But he never said what those were."
“Hmm, I see,” Star hummed thoughtfully.
They arrived at the principal's office, entering the waiting room before knocking on the door. Star Charmer talked with the receptionist for a few moments, then went over to the door that led to the principal's office. The window on the door had opaque, reinforced glass with letters on it that read: "Principal Quick Silver. Please knock before entering."
She knocked, hearing a stallion utter a muffled "Come in.”
When Frost entered the room, he saw an earth pony stallion in a brown suit sitting behind a rather large desk. His mane was slicked back and brown with silvery streaks running through it that glinted from the sunlight streaming through a window just behind him. His coat was a soft white, also shining slightly. He looked to Star Charmer with an inviting smile.
"Hello Star Charmer," he greeted in a friendly voice, rising from his desk and making his way over to them. "I see you've brought somepony with you." He sat a hoof on Frost's head, roughing up his mane. This also allowed him to see his cutiemark, which was a book with a red placeholder draped over the cover. "Did he do something wrong?"
"Oh no, but I think he would do better in a more advanced class."
"Oh?" He went back to his desk, taking a seat and putting his hooves together in a sort of thoughtful arch. "And what would warrant something like that?"
"Well, he performed a bit of the ice magic his mother warned us about today when he was being confronted by one of the students, who will be in your office shortly."
He chuckled, "Lemme guess, Galaxy?" She nodded. "Oh boy," he sighed, shaking his head in disappointment. "Well, that problem will be solved later. For now, would you leave me and Frost here alone for a moment? I wish to speak privately with him, which would also give you the time to get Galaxy and put him in his chair in the waiting room."
She nodded, letting herself out; leaving the two to their business.
"He has his own chair in the waiting room?" Asked Frost with an undertone of mild humor.
"He and Dart both have their own seats out there. If I had my way they’d even have plaques on them," he chuckled.
Quick SIlver motioned for him to take a seat in one of the brown synthetic leather chairs. Frost went over to one of them and hoisted himself onto the one in front of his desk, slipping once or twice on the slick surface. Frost Nexus figured the chair to be uncomfortable, but instead it was rather pleasant to sit in. Like what he imagined sitting on a cloud would feel like.
"So, Frost. Is it okay if I call you that?" He asked, receiving an approving nod from the young colt. "Ah good, good. I'm not one to make ponies feel uncomfortable unless they did something to deserve it." He went back behind his desk, his face still holding onto a friendly smile. "That 'ice magic' your teacher spoke of intrigues me. Would you care to tell me how you're able to use such magic?"
"Well, my father was a unicorn just like me and he was able to use some spells. But I was never able to cast any of the spell before he..." Frost trailed off, his mind going back to his father's passing.
"It's alright, I get the gist of it." He paused. "I knew of your father, we went to school together. We were friends, in fact." He reached into a drawer in his desk, pulling out an old photo. It was of Floeburg and Quick Silver, though they looked much younger and both wore smiles. "We met in highschool. We were around, sixteen or seventeen, I can't remember which. But we had good times together." He looked at the picture nostalgically. "Wish I could've been there for his funeral. But that’s the life of a principal."
He pulled out the drawer again, placing the photo in it and shutting it with a sound thud. "But that's enough about me, what I would like to know from you is if you would like to attend a more advanced magic class."
He returned his hooves into an arch, his tone turned from friendly to official in an instant. "Some of the exercises may be harder, but I think it would help you greatly if you attended. I know about this type of magic you possess and how hard it can be to learn it. This class could help you do just that. But in the end, I can only advise what path you take, the decision is entirely up to you."
Frost brought a hoof to his chin, assuming a thoughtful pose. He had always wanted to figure out how to use his magic and use it as well as his father did. Now he had the chance to harness his abilities and use them to carry on his father's legacy. There was no doubt in his mind now.
"Yes, I want to go," he answered with glee in his voice.
Quick Silver smiled, "Good to hear. I'll enroll you right away. Your first class starts tomorrow," he stated, extending out a fore hoof.
Frost Nexus, reached forward a ways, eventually grasping it and shaking. "Thank you, Sir."
"Please, call me Silver."
Frost left his office with high spirits, after years of waiting he was finally going to learn about magic. His mind raced with possibilities.
As he left he saw Galaxy sitting in his chair, tossing him a smirk that made his blood boil. Frost clenched his teeth and growled with anger, though it quickly diminished as Galaxy was called into Quick Silver's office.
"Galaxy, c'mere son. We have to have a talk."
He gulped, cursing Frost in his mind, and headed into his office.
----
The final bell rang just as he left the school's office. The timing was too perfect as it allowed him to go straight home and tell his mother who he saw today as well as telling her that he was able to use his ice magic for the first time. First though he needed to tell Neon about it; she’d surely like to hear about how he stood up to Galaxy.
He found her just leaving her final class for the day and got her attention. He first told her about how he showed Galaxy what for with his ice magic and then about how the principle and his father were old high school friends.
“You can use your magic now?” Neon gasped with amazement.
“Yep!” Frost chirped excitedly. “I don’t think I can do any of the stuff my dad was able to do yet, but maybe if I practice I could be just as good as him someday!”
“Heck, I bet you could be better than him if you really wanted to!”
“Maybe, but right now I need to get home and try some of this stuff in this magic book I-.” Frost was about to reach into his saddlebags when he realized they were back in the classroom. He was blinded by the recent events and had forgotten about his bags, which at this point contained a book that would help him with his newly found magical skills. He groaned, “I forgot my bags in the class room…”
Neon chuckled, “It’s not the end of the world.” She encouraged, throwing a hoof around his shoulder. “C’mon, let’s go get ‘em.”
----
Frost and Neon entered the classroom, scanning the room for the misplaced saddlebags, which weren’t hard to locate since they still hung on the back of his desk chair. Neon was about to go pick them up, when Frost said he wanted to try and use his magic to get them instead. He poured his magic into his horn once more, though this time was much easier since he knew how to control his magic a little better.
The saddlebags were enveloped in the same white aura that surrounded his horn, lifting off the back of the chair and floating over to him; the book also levitating off the top of the desk and into one of the open compartments. Once they were placed on his back, Frost secured the strap with a flick of his horn.
He looked down at his watch, which read 3:23. “Oh dang, I’m running late to meet my mom.”
Neon looked up to the clock on the wall, “Oh horse apples, you’re right. C’mon let’s go. I don’t wanna get grounded again.”
The two hastily exited the room towards the exit of the school building. The halls were suspiciously vacant, normally ponies could still be seen in the halls at this time; even if school had only let out twenty minutes ago. But there was something in the back of Frost’s mind that was throwing up red flags about walking down the hall. Mostly about how an enraged Galaxy would try to get revenge for getting him sent to the principal’s office. But he figured since he was with Neon that he’d be safe, so he wasn’t too worried about it. His magic was still new to him so he couldn’t rely on it for protection or even a deterrent.
They were mere hoofsteps away from exiting the building when Frost was pulled back by an unknown magical energy. He was slammed into the lockers with a loud crash, his head hitting them and causing his vision to blur. Neon was about to go over to him when Dart blocked her path, a sneer on his face.
“Get out of my way, Dart!” Neon shouted angrily, staring daggers at the tan pegasus.
“Awww, afraid your coltfriend is gonna get hurt?” Dart mocked sinisterly.
Neon held back her blush, gritting her teeth, “H-he’s not my coltfriend! We’re just friends!”
Dart clicked his tongue, “Whatever. Just stay out of this and let the stallions talk.”
Neon hissed as Dart turned his back on her. ‘I’ve got to do something!’ She thought to herself, sneaking off to get help.
"I got detention because of you," Galaxy seethed, slamming his hoof against the locker just centimeters from Frost's head. "You're gonna pay for that you little shrimp."
Frost looked at them, fear absent from his eyes. A defiant look formed on his face. The smirk making the vein on Galaxy's forehead pop out.
"I’d hate to let a debt go unpaid. How much do I owe you?" Retorted Frost Nexus.
Frost Nexus's reward for the remark was a punch to his stomach, knocking the breath from his lungs. He wheezed as he tried to find more air for his vacant lungs. Only making the smile on Galaxy's face widen with sadistic delight.
"Got anything smart to say now, punk? Or do you need more encouragement?" He punched Frost's gut once more. "C'mon, I know you're just dying to say something!" Another jab connected with Frost's body.
“I’m afraid if I do say something smart it’ll confuse you,” Frost quipped.
Galaxy roared, punching Frost Nexus in his muzzle, which also slammed his head against the lockers. Galaxy released him, allowing Frost to cover his injured muzzle. Tears were forming in the corners of his eyes. He uncovered his nose for a second and noticed blood on his hoof. He wanted to get angry. He wanted to kick Galaxy as hard as he could in his face. Yet he willed himself not to.
Frost’s expression went flat. He stood up to look Galaxy directly in his eyes. Galaxy would’ve hit him, but there was something about the stare he was giving him that made him seize up.
“So, Galaxy.” His voice was evenly toned, showing no emotion whatsoever. “Are you beating me up because you’re angry that you got detention? Or, are you jealous because I’m able to use a rare form a magic that would be near impossible for you to learn?”
He clicked his tongue. “Yeah, like I’d be jealous of you, runt.”
“Really?” Frost got closer to his face. Seeing sweat form on Galaxy’s brow. “Because from the looks of it I can tell it just tears you up inside to know that I have something that you will never, I repeat, NEVER have.” Frost’s voice remained calm, yet forceful.
“You want to know why you will never be able to learn this magic? It’s not because you weren’t born with it, oh no. If that were true you’d be able to use at least some basic ice magic spells, but you can’t use ANY ice magic spell even if you trained yourself to your last day. You want to know why that is?”
Galaxy gulped. He withered underneath his stare, his calm yet cruel lecture only adding to the damage.
“Ice magic gets its strength from the pony who uses it. You’re weak. You only think you're strong because you belittle other ponies into thinking their worthless, when it’s the opposite. You make them feel small so you can make yourself feel bigger, when in reality you’re no bigger than an ant.”
Frost about-faced, going towards his saddlebags and throwing them over his back. “You’ll never be strong. You’ll only be weak.”
Galaxy was filled with nothing short of pure rage. “YOU LITTLE PUNK!” He roared. “YOU’LL PAY FOR THAT! I’LL SHOW YOU WHO THE SCHOOL’S STRONGEST UNICORN IS!”
He charged Frost Nexus, but when he tried to move he found that his hooves were frozen to the floor. “What the?!” He shouted with frustration, straining at the ice.
“While you were having a fit, I was busy making sure that I could stop you,” he said with a neutral tone. Motioning to the floor.
Galaxy looked at the ground around him and saw that it was covered in ice. “Why you little…” Galaxy seethed, straining at the ice even more. “You haven’t stopped me yet. Get him, Dart!”
Dart tried to extend his wings, but found that he couldn’t unravel them, or feel them for that matter. He looked to them and saw that they were frozen to his sides, rendering them useless. “How did-?”
“I also made sure you wouldn’t be able to fly, because I knew Galaxy would rely on somepony else to finish up for him.” Frost explained, smirking confidently.
“Oh yeah? Well you may have frozen my wings, but you haven’t gotten my hooves, so you’re in no position to talk,” Dart retorted. He lunged at Frost, a hoof raised ready to strike him; Frost flinching and awaiting the blow. Dart stopped however when Quick Silver appeared in a flash of grey right in his path.
Frost opened his eyes to see Quick Silver standing in front of him with a frown on his face. He breathed a sigh of relief.
“That’s enough Dart,” commanded Quick Silver.
“Frost!” Called a familiar voice.
He averted his gaze from Quick Silver and Dart to see his mother galloping over to him. She scooped him up in her hooves, nuzzling him as if he’d been gone for a year.
Ever since his father’s passing, Grace had become more protective of him. Frost figured this to be because she was afraid to lose another pony that she loved deeply. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t any less embarrassing.
“Don’t ever worry me like that again!” She scolded, while still maintaining a caring tone.
“I’m fine mom,” he said, a blush forming on his face from embarrassment. “I was just having some trouble with these guys.”
She sat down her son, looking at Galaxy and the ice that lay about the room. She looked back to Frost. “Did you do this?”
Frost rubbed scratched his forearm with his forehoof nervously. “I was just defending myself.”
She sighed, “Well, now that it’s over. I think it’s time you unfreeze this colt’s legs and got rid of all the ice around here.”
“But, I don’t know how,” he said helplessly.
“That’s alright,” Silver reassured, “It’s already melting and I’m sure it’ll be gone by the time school starts tomorrow.” He went over to Galaxy, stomping on the ice around his hooves to free him, also making sure to free Dart's wings of their icy prison as well.
After Galaxy got rid of the stiffness in his limbs, he faced Frost once again, a scowl on his muzzle. His advance was stopped by Quick Silver, who rested a hoof on his shoulder, giving him a glare of his own and shaking his head.
“You two are in A LOT of trouble,” Quick Silver bellowed. “Or in simpler terms: detention for a week. I’ll also be notifying your parents.”
Both Dart and Galaxy’s eyes went wide, begging him not to give them detention and pleading him not to tell their parents what happened.
“Enough you two. Just go to my office and wait until your parents arrive to pick you up.” Quick Silver turned his gaze to Grace Feathers. “I’ll leave Frost’s punishment in your hooves, Grace.”
Grace nodded, nudging Frost Nexus to follow her. “We are going to have a talk when we get home.”
Frost grimaced at her words, hanging his head low and laying his ears flat against his head. He never liked seeing her mother angry, especially at him, and judging by the frown on her face, he was in for it.
----
After arriving home, Grace told Frost to take a seat on the couch. His mother sat in front of him, staring at him sternly. He didn’t know what to expect. All he really knew, was that he was in trouble.
“What, exactly, happened?” She questioned.
Frost was drawing imaginary circles in the couch’s fabric, ignoring her question.
“Frost. What happened?” She asked again, putting more force into her tone. “You aren’t going anywhere without an answer.”
“After I left Principal Quick Silver’s office and got my saddlebags I was walking down the hall. They showed up and attacked me,” he explained, not making eye contact. “Honestly, that’s what happened.”
“Did you do anything to provoke them?”
He shook his head. “No.”
Grace lifted up his chin with her hoof, looking him in the eye. “I can tell when you’re lying, Frost. You’re my son, so I know enough about you to know when you’re lying.”
“I may have acted like a smart aleck to them,” he admitted. “I also insulted Galaxy a little bit.”
Grace let out an exasperated sigh, “What possessed you to do that?”
“I was tired of being pushed around. I did what dad would’ve done; I stood up for myself by showing them what kind of magic I can use.”
“Frost, I know your intentions were good, but you don’t just freeze ponies because you don’t like them. That’s not what your father used his magic for and it’s not what you should use it for.”
“Then what else can I use my magic for? As far as I can see that’s the only thing it can help me do…” He trailed off, his eyes glazing over as his mind went back the incident in question. “And the look in his eyes…The fear he felt when he couldn’t move…Knowing that I was the one who did it. If the other ponies in the school knew what I could do…Then maybe I wouldn’t be a punching bag anymore…Then maybe I could show them all what I’m capable of…”
Grace gently shook her son, snapping him back to reality. She didn’t know where this came from, but it scared her to hear him say such things.
“Sweetie, ice magic is meant to protect ponies. Not harm them.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ice magic is unique because unlike most magic, it prefers to take a defensive form rather than an offensive one.”
She went over to a bookcase that lay on the other side of the room, grabbing a very old book from one of the shelves. She sat down next to Frost, opening the book to its first page.
“You see, back when the three races were divided, ice and snow blanketed the ground. There was a certain group of unicorns, your ancestors, which tried binding their magic to some of this ice. Once they did, they found that they could control it. Giving birth to a whole new type of magic. But this one was special in that it behaved a certain way.”
Frost looked at the pictures in the book, seeing several illustrations of ponies who were controlling ice like his father could. His interest didn’t fade as she continued telling the story of his magic.
“When a pony tried to use ice magic in anger, the ice didn’t respond to them at all. But when a calm pony used ice magic, the ice followed their command without missing a beat. They also found that ice didn’t destroy, only preserved, which is why the trees, flowers and grass freeze but don’t die.”
“So, ice just wants to protect the living things from being hurt by the cold winter?” Frost asked.
She nodded, “Exactly. Ice doesn’t kill, only preserve. It doesn’t want to gain any power, yet at the same time it doesn’t give any. Finding balance is the key to using ice magic.”
“Oh,” Frost said in awe.
“That is what ice magic is. It’s not about how strong or weak a pony is, but how well they’re able to stay balanced. Both physically and mentally.”
She closed the book with a thump, then returned it back to the shelf with the other tomes. She returned to her son, roughing up his mane. He uttered a chuckle, smiling brightly at her.
“How about some supper?” She suggested.
He nodded in agreement, his stomach announcing its vacancy as well.
----
After having their fill of food, they returned to the couch. Grace had retrieved an old photo album, showing Frost several pictures of his family. She turned one of the pages, showing a photo of herself and Floeburg holding a small, blue unicorn foal. Her hair looked quite frazzled, as if an industrial sized fan had been turned on her.
“Who’s that?” Frost asked, pointing to the foal.
Grace chuckled. “That’s you right after you were born.”
“Oh. I was really small, wasn’t I?”
“Mhmm. But the doctors there said you were a very strong and healthy foal. They were especially surprised by what you did after you were born.”
Frost looked at her with a puzzled look. “Huh?”
“A few days after your birth, you used some of your ice magic for the first time. Surprising everypony, including your father, by how early your abilities showed up. They also played a part in how you got your name.”
She turned the page, showing a picture of what seemed to be a portrait of Grace and Floeburg’s faces in what looked like a layer of frost that had accumulated on a wall.
“I did that?” He asked.
She nodded her head. “Even your father was surprised by what you did. The hospital room was also covered in frost, except for the ponies in the room. It also covered you a little bit, it reflected the light in the room and made you glisten. Which is how you got the ‘Frost’ part of your name.”
“The ‘Nexus’ part came after you were able to control the frost and make a picture out of it. Your father said you had a connection with the ice, telling it what to do by the thoughts in your mind. When you opened your eyes for the first time, we were the first ponies you saw. So you used the images in you to make the picture.”
“Wow,” Frost gasped, a smile on his face.
She smiled at him, noticing something on his flank for the first time. What she saw was Frost Nexus’s cutiemark, a light blue snowflake with a black outline surrounding it.
“By the way, Frost. I think there’s something on your flank,” she pointed out.
He raised an eyebrow, looking to his cutiemark. He rose from his lying down position to get a better look at it. He was unable to contain his excitement as he continued to stare at his newly formed talent badge.
“I finally got my cutiemark!” He exclaimed.
Grace giggled, “Yes, and it’s a fine cutiemark at that.” She grabbed him with her hooves, nuzzling him. “Plus it suits you perfectly, my little snowflake.”
“Mom!” Frost protested playfully.
Grace then turned him over on his back, tickling his underside. The two laughed for a good while. It had been ages since they did something like this. Frost loved playing with his mother, she always knew how to make him smile when he was down.
After they settled down, they resumed their snuggling position. Grace draping a wing over Frost while he snuggled up close to her side. Thankfully it was a Friday, so they could stay this way for as long as they wanted to, and they wanted this to last for as long as possible.
Grace brought the photo album back over, looking at some of the photos of her and Floeburg. She didn’t let Frost see it, but sometimes she would mourn his death from within her room, crying to herself silently. She had gotten over most of the grief of his passing, but some of it still refused to go away.
She got to the picture of them having their kiss at their wedding. She remembered how handsome he looked with his tuxedo. She fished out the picture from the sleeve in the book, looking at it as her bottom lip began to quiver.
Tears began clouding her vision as she continued to gaze at the picture, only adding to her growing sadness. She shut her eyes as she let the tears flow from her eyes. At the same time, she felt something tugging on her mane. She turned to see Frost Nexus looking up at her, a comforting smile on his face.
“It’s okay mom. I’m still here, don’t worry,” he declared, hugging her neck.
Grace set the photo down, wrapping her hooves around her son and kissing him on his head. She loved her son with all her heart, he helped take away some of the pain of her husband’s death. She thanked Celestia that she had such a loving son to help her get through his death.
Frost separated the hug, finding a sudden interest in his mother’s mane. In a matter of seconds, he cloaked himself in its snow white locks. He poked his head out and looked back up at her. She chuckled at the sight. It always made her smile when he did this.
He reached out a hoof to wipe away some of her tears.
“Don’t cry mom, it makes me sad when I see you cry.”
She sniffled a little, nuzzling her son. “I won’t anymore, I promise.”
Frost smiled, returning his mother’s soft touch. While he was near his mother, he felt safe. He knew that she would protect him no matter what. He felt sleep’s grip on him as he nodded off, along with his mother. They would get through his death in time, but they had something to combat the pain and sadness. They had each other.