Blaze the Pony Tale

by Wolven5

24. Winter Wrap-Up - Part 1

A blue unicorn snoozed peacefully in his room at Sweet Apple Acres. Never had he felt such blissful slumber, never had the pillows and blankets been so comfortable. Moaning in content, he turned over to his other side to escape the irritating ray of light peering through his curtains. In the back of his mind, fogged by sleep, the light heralded an unpleasantness yet the heavenly bliss of sleep clouded his memory as to what it meant. Sighing, he simply let go of the semi-waking moment, slowly drifting back towards restful darkness…

*Cock-a-doodle-doo!!!*

That rooster is gonna be my new feather pillow if he doesn’t shut his beak… Midnight thought with a grumble, quickly taking one of his pillows and covering his head with it.

Now he was almost awake, and the memories of what morning brought were coming back. Thankfully, he’d had the foresight to place a sound-barrier over his door, as well as a charm to make sure it stayed closed until he himself opened it. Nopony was gonna tear him away from the nirvana he was experiencing-

*CRASH!!!*

“YAUGH!” Midnight bolted up and gaped to see his door had been knocked down and in the threshold stood Applejack and Big Macintosh, both giving him a look, both of them wearing a green vest.

“Ergh, what is it that’s so important you had to tear down my door?!” Midnight grumbled as he tightened his blankets around him, only for Big Mac to snatch `em away with such force, Midnight was sent for a spinning drop onto the floor.

“Up n’ at `em, haystack,” Big Mac said, “It’s Winter Wrap-Up Day!”

“Oh no…” Midnight groaned as he remembered what the family had discussed last night. Sighing in submission, not wanting to be on the receiving end of Applejack’s apple-bucking skills, he forced himself up and said, “So what’s next…?”

The three of them made their way to town square, where everypony was already gathering. Midnight asked, “So, how’s this work?”

“Well, Winter Wrap-Up’s split int’ three teams,” Applejack explained, “Mah team is the plantin’ team, our job’s ta’ get started on plantin’ new crops an’ grow more food.”

“Eeyup,” Big Mac nodded when down came Thunderlane, sporting a blue vest.

“Hey guys! How’re ya doing? I’m all psyched to get started!” he flapped in place, his eyes furrowed.

“What team are you on?” Midnight asked.

“The weather team, duh,” Thunderlane pointed out the pegasi up high, all sporting blue vests. “Me & Dash are both heading the weather team, though of course she’s actin’ like it’s just her… Anyway, come on!”

They followed him into the crowd where Mayor Mare was making a speech.
“…bright and early! We need every single pony’s help to wrap up winter, and bring in spring. Now, all of you should have your vests, which assign you to your teams so let’s do even better than last year, and have the quickest Winter Wrap-Up ever!”

Everypony cheered, during which Midnight asked Thunderlane, “Wait a minute, we just ended Fall, how can it already be time for Winter Wrap-Up?”

“Huh?” Thunderlane responded.

But before Midnight could pursue the matter further, Mayor Mare instructed, “Alright, everypony, find your team leader, and let’s get galloping!”

“See ya later, Night,” Thunderlane zoomed off to his team, Big Mac nudging Midnight to follow when Midnight heard some music start up.

All the while, Midnight had noticed Twilight looking unsure and lost but one particular thought crossed his mind, Where did that music come from?!