Chapter 1: Snows of Solstice
It was mid December in Solstice, and the streets were brightly decorated with ribbons of blue and white, all in preparation for a very special day that onlly happened once a year.
The Winter Gala was held every December 21, the day of the Winter Solstice, and the day Solstice was built from the same magic that snow was made from. High adove the busy streets, in the Citadel, Prince Winter was planning something in no related to the Gala, which was in a week.
"Winter," said Nightmare Moon, "Are you sure you need to take a trip now? I mean, the Gala is in seven days!"
Winter turned to Nightmare Moon, a warm smile crossing his face. "This is something I've been meaning to do for years. I mean, what we're talking about here is the very first snowflakes, filled with all the magic of creation!" Winter had been planning this trip for centuries. There was a caven somewhere near Cloudsdale in Equestria, that held the last piles of snow from the First Year. What made this snow so special was that it was imbuned with magic, and could perform miracles. Of course, Winter had created this snow, but not to last this long. He had to know why it was still in existence, and if it's magical properties were still intact.
Nightmare Moon sighed. "Very well. I suppose there's no talking you out of this, is there?" Winter nodded. "Well, at least ask somepony to come with you. I hear Luna has been very stressed-out as of late, and could probably use a bit of adventure."
"Hmm," Winter said, considering. "Very well. I shall take Princess Luna with me if she wants to come."
"Thank you," Nightmare Moon said as she gave Winter a hug with one forehoof.
"Don't mention it," Winter said with a smile.
Cloudsdale, The Next Day...
Winter woke up bright and early, and was already at the base of the mountain when Luna arrived. She looked tired, but also quite determined and excited.
"You sure you wanna come," Winter cautioned, "It is a long way to the cave."
"We shall be fine," Luna said, all traces of fatigue suddenly disappearing. "Well, what are thou waiting for?"
Winter nodded and began making his way up the mountain, Luna close behind him. On the way up, they passed may other climbers, all headed for one summit or another. Eventually, though, Winter and Luna reached the edge of the snowy part of their journey to find an odd sight.
In the snow, clear as day and just as fresh looking, was a trail of hoofprints. While Winter would normally have dismissed them, he noticed two things. One, they were the prints of a foal and two, they were headed in the direction that he and Luna would be going. A sword materialized near Winter's right hand, and he grabbed the hilt.
"What is it," asked Luna.
Winter turned his head towards Luna and pointed to the hoofprint trail. "I don't think that we're alone up here."
Luna came up and examined the prints. "T'was a filly that came through here. We shall be cautious and on the lookout."
Winter nodded. The only thing worse than a young foal with a bit too much bravado was one that got themselves killed because of it. "Let's make haste. The caves aren't too far away, and the tracks seem to be going in the direction we're going."
Luna nodded and quickly followed Winter. For the next hour or so neither of them spoke, and it was dusk by the time they reached the caves.
"The tracks go into the cave," Winter said with curiosity. "Whatever would a filly come all they way out here for, anyway?"
"We would rather not be here to find out," Luna said nervously.
Winter turned and followed Luna's gaze. Off in the distance a snowstorm was brewing, and it appeared to be headed their way. "Well, we can't go back. We'll never outrun it."
"Into the cave, then," asked Luna.
Winter nodded. "Into the cave."