//------------------------------// // Chapter 7~A Night Star~ // Story: The snow mare // by pegasis23 //------------------------------// A beam of cyan came hurtling toward's Winter and as Winter deflected it away with shield of ice,Winter grimly thought about how what could have been a perfect first day at school turned out be one of the worst. 6 hours earlier For the first time in forever,Winter felt carefree and happy as she trotted down to her first class of the year. That was when she first met her nemesis,Sunset Shimmer. Sunset was a young unicorn at a tender age of seven and was a formidable yet incredibly gifted filly that had went on to Winter's Advanced Magic class. Sunset used to be a sweet,kind filly with magic she often used for the benefits for other ponies. However,her time as student of Princess Celestia soon made the young unicorn complacent and arrogant from her position and prowess. As Winter took her place beside Sunset,Sunset smirked and shoved over Winter's saddlebags before innocently smiling,"Oh,so sorry,er-" "Winter.Winter Snow."Winter Snow smiled back at Sunset before bending over to retrieve her bags.As Winter bent over,Sunset delivered a kick,sending Winter sprawling forward. "Hey!Who did that?"Sunset yelled out to the watching class,her classmates unwilling to tell the truth in fear of Sunset's punishment. Until a mare stepped out of her seat. "Ok,THAT'S IT! We understand that we might have went too far on the prank we had played on you two years ago but this doesn't give you the permission to bully our new classmate like that!"The mare yelled out before shrinking back as Sunset turned to face her. Winter heard the words and as quick as light,something in her snapped. "Oh,you are so dead."Sunset narrowed her eyes and started for the mare but then realized she couldn't move as ice had encased her hooves to the ground. "Huh?"Sunset asked in confusion only to sense Winter was rising up from her place as well. 'I don't know who the hay you are,but you are definitely going to get it for bullying me and my class."Winter growled,icy wind whipping her mane back and forth and a sort of a dark,yet slightly crazed look in her eyes. "Who am I?I'm Sunset Shimmer,and that's Princess Celestia's student to you."Sunset smirked at Winter. "And I am Winter Snow,Princess Celestia's daughter and you're gonna get it." Winter smiled viciously at Sunset Shimmer whose eyes had went wide in shock. Sunset,using a warming spell,broke free and threw a beam of cyan that started the whole fight. Sunset threw bolts and beams of magic at Winter but none hit her target as ice shielded Winter from attacks. She was already feeling exhausted and the pain of overusing her magic was starting to get to her. As Sunset faltered from attacking,Winter struck. A thick ball of ice,snow and winter magic rammed into Sunset and she braced herself for the impact of the wall but none came. "Winter,it's okay,everything is fine."A familiar voice,motherly and comforting,wafted through the air, and as Sunset went closer,she saw Winter being embraced by her teacher. "Princess?"Sunset timidly asked before being shot by the most piercing glare from Princess Celestia. Sunset felt confused,angry and upset as Princess Celestia got up and towered over Sunset and unfurled her wings. "Sunset Shimmer,I am so sorry,but for your crimes of harassing your classmates and my daughter and according to my librarian,Miss Moon Letter,trespassed the Restricted Section of Magic Objects in the Canterlot Libraries,you are no longer my student. My guards will escort you out."Princess Celestia proclaimed,her body positioned in a regal pose but the Princess's eyes betrayed her feelings of hurt and disappointment in her student. "This is the baddest mistake you'll make in your entire life."Sunset glared coldly at Princess Celestia as she was led away. "One of the many...."Princess Celestia sadly whispered as Winter embraced her mother,knowing of the pain and sorrow of Luna's banishment had torn them both mentally apart. As Sunset neared to the room that held the mysterious magical mirror,Sunset made a run for it,causing the guards to go after her but the chase was in vain as Sunset knocked them out and jumped into the mirror. Winter and Princess Celestia went down the hallway,walking about in the school until they reached the room that housed the mirror. Winter pushed open the door to see the guards sprawled on the floor,groaning as they rubbed their heads in pain. "Oh,Sunset Shimmer....No......."Princess Celestia breathed in shock. "What happened?W...Where did Sunset go?"Winter stuttered. "So sorry,Princesses b..but she took us by surprise and...and jumped through the mirror." One of the guard grimaced as the movement. "Shhh,it's alright. If you're feeling up to it,could you please help me move it to the throne room?"Princess Celestia requested,much to Winter's shock. "But,Mom! Why are you putting this in such a prominent place?Shouldn't you just hide it somewhere safe?"Winter protested as Princess Celestia hung her head when they had finished moving it. "No,I want it there....to remind me.... Maybe,one day,she will come back."Princess Celestia looked longingly at the mirror before sighing and walking off with the guards,leaving Winter alone with the mirror. Winter sighed sadly as the door slammed shut before taking a closer look. Tapping the mirror,Winter was surprised when her hoof went in. Unbeknownst to her,the gem above her gleamed a light blue aura as Winter drew her hoof back. Steeling herself,Winter dived in.