Nova The Sage
Winter had rolled around and Starburst spent most of his free time with his friends again having fun in the snow. However, Starburst was also spending some time helping nova use what materials they could get to decorate their home and their parents home for a holiday that was coming up. Nova and Starburst had made paper stars with silver glitter to hang outside their homes. Cosmos and Starla were helping their sons as well in the house as they worked together. “This is great, I can’t believe Galea day is almost here.” Starburst cheered.
Starla smiled at her little boy. “I know son, this is the first time we’ll get to celebrate it together like this.”
Cosmos agreed. “Indeed, this will be the best Galea day ever.” After he said that, there was a knock at the door.
“I’ll get it.” Nova said as he stood up and walked away from the table. Once he reached the door, he opened it to see Twilight there before him wearing a scarf and purple jacket. “Hello Twilight, may the stars grant you happiness.”
Twilight smiled as she greeted back. “Hello Nova, what was with the greeting?”
“Oh right, you see, Galea day is approaching. That is what we say during the holiday.” Nova explained.
Twilight cocked an eyebrow in confusion. “Galea day?”
“Yes, come inside and I’ll tell you all about it.” Nova stepped aside to let Twilight in. Nova closed the door behind her and removed her coat and scarf for her. “Would you like something to drink?”
Before she could answer, Starburst ran up to her with a smile. “Hello Twilight, may the stars grant you happiness.”
“Hello to you too Starburst.” Twilight greeted back. She decided to try the greeting as well. “May the….stars grant you….happiness?”
“You got it.” Starburst cheered.
Cosmos and Starla soon entered the room and greeted her as well. Once the greetings were out of the way, Nova went back to his previous question. “So, you want anything to drink?”
“We recently got some great cocoa. Would you like some.” Starla offered.
“Ooh, ooh, I want some!” Starburst cheered.
Twilight smiled. “That sounds nice, thank you.”
Starla made her way to the kitchen to brew some hot cocoa.
Nova and Twilight took a seat on the couch next to each other as Cosmos joined them and sat in a separate chair. “So Twilight, what brings you by?”
It was then that zippy flew in as well. Starburst took a seat in front of Nova and Twilight while Zippy landed next to him. The two started to play while the other adults talked. “I just wanted to wish you all a happy heart’s warming day.”
Nova and Cosmos cocked a brow. “Heart’s what now?” Starburst asked.
Nova responded first. “Let me guess, another holiday you celebrate?”
Twilight nodded.
“Looks like we both have holidays to explain. Why don’t you go first.” Nova invited.
“I won’t have to, there was another reason I came by. I wanted to tell you Celestia has invited us to take part in the annual heart’s warming day play. It’s the story of heart’s warming and how it got started.” Twilight explained.
“What? You mean…she wants….us, as in….all of us….as in, you…our friends….and me?” Nova asked with a bit of nervousness.
“Of course silly.” Twilight giggled. It stopped though when she picked up on Nova’s nervousness. “Are you okay?”
After she asked this, Starla entered the room using her magic to carry a few cups of cocoa for everyone. She passed them out and took a seat on the couch next to Nova. “Twilight, do you really think that’s such a good idea?” She asked.
“I’m sorry Twilight, but there is no way I can do that.” Nova stated.
Twilight placed a hoof on Nova’s shoulder. “Why not?”
“I’m supposed to be keeping a low profile, remember? What if something were to happen during this play that caused my holographic necklace to fail and expose me? I can’t take that chance.”
“Nova, son, don’t you think you might be overthinking this?” Cosmos asked.
Starla seemed to agree with Nova. “I don’t know Cosmos, he may have a point.”
Twilight began pleading. “Come on Nova, this is a big thing, this play is very important to Equestria. This is an honor to be asked to do this by the princess.”
“What if my necklace fails?” Nova asked again.
“Nova, you’ll be wearing a costume, it will cover up your alien features should that happen. Please.” Twilight argued.
Nova just couldn’t say no to Twilight as he gazed into her beautiful pleading eyes. He gave a defeated sigh. “*Sigh* Fine, I’ll do it. Do you have a copy of the play I can see?”
“I sure do, I brought it with me, just a sec.” Twilight went over to her coat where she retrieved a stack of papers. “Here it is.” She floated it over to Nova.
Nova took hold of it with his own magic and began reading it over. “Twilight, I don’t really get why I need to be in this play, the part I was given seems like it might have been added in or something. In fact, I’d say this play was written with the fact that just six ponies would be playing the major roles.”
Twilight smiled as she began to explain. “Well, princess Celestia decided to change it up a bit and added an extra part so you could be in it.”
“Oh my, she did that just so our son could have a part?” Starla asked.
“She sure did.” Twilight responded.
Nova was surprised to say the least. “I…can’t believe she went through the trouble just so I’d have a part.”
“All the more reason for you to take part in this play.” Twilight pointed out.
“This play sounds really important Nova.” Starburst said. He stood up and had Zippy resting on his head. “I’d sure like to see it too.”
“Well then, I guess I’ll be in a play.” Nova said with a smile.
“And we’ll be there to support you.” Starla stated with a warm smile of her own.
“So Nova, you were going to tell me about this holiday you and your family were about to celebrate.” Twilight suddenly pointed out.
“Right, guess we got sidetracked there.” Nova said with a sheepish smile. “Okay, the story of Galea day goes back thousands and thousands of years ago when our race was still young. This was before we had the technology we do today, before our magic was strong as it is today. Long before we had built cities, and vehicles, and anything considered civilized. Ages ago, it is believed there was a terrible darkness threatening the universe. A god like monster that was consuming stars and planets, devouring those that would not submit to its will. It is believed this was the one time Galea intervened on our behalf. She used her godly powers to move our planet and carry it with her while keeping our young race alive.”
“She raced through the stars as the beast gave chase, doing whatever she could to fight it off. At one point, she had managed to lose the monster and set a trap for it. Once the trap was ready, she lured the monster to the very center of the galaxy where many stars were close together. In this part of the galaxy, a stars gravity is much stronger than it normally would be. She used her powers to intensify the gravity force of the stars there. There, she had our planet tucked safely in another part of the area where we would be safe. She battled the beast long and hard to a standstill. She then launched her trap and utilized the stars powerful gravitational forces as a way to bind the monster. She had managed to trap the beast once and for all. She was too weak at the time to destroy it fully, so she left it there where it is believed to still be trapped.”
“Because of her acts, we have a holiday to thank her for what she did. We hold Galea day to give thanks to her and all she has done and created. We celebrate by first having a get together at night and sit outside to admire the stars. Then we throw a party.”
“We decorate our house with star like objects.” Starburst pointed out. “We were making some but then you came along.”
Twilight listened intently as Nova told the story. “Wow, that sounds amazing, but is it true?”
“HAH, yeah right, as if something like that could be true.” Starburst said with a laugh.
“Whether it’s true or not, that is the story behind Galea day.” Cosmos explained. “Even if the story isn’t true, the origins of this holiday go back further than any equinian can tell. It’s true origins were lost to history.”
“It’s a fun holiday in my opinion.” Starla pointed out. “It’s a great time for families to get together and spend time with one another. This holiday isn’t just about giving our thanks to Galea, but also a celebration of life.”
“Wow, this is so fascinating, thank you for sharing the tale with me.” Twilight said with a smile.
Nova smiled back. “Sure thing, so when is this play going on?”
“We hold it on heart’s warming day in five days.”
“What? But that’s when Galea day is.” Nova pointed out. “And this is the first time we’ve gotten to celebrate it as a family in ages.”
Twilight’s face fell. “Oh, I guess that would be a problem.”
Starburst whined out in disappointment. “Awe, so does that mean we won’t go to the play?”
Cosmos stepped in with an answer. “Now hold on, let’s not start thinking the worst here. Galea day is mostly celebrated at night anyway, right? So the way I see it, we can still celebrate and enjoy this heart’s warming holiday and see the play, then come back home in time to get started with our holiday.”
Starla smiled. “Of course, Cosmos you are so smart, Galea bless you and that big brain of yours.” Starla went and gave Cosmos a kiss.
Cosmos happily returned it. “I know, I’m a genius.”
Nova’s smile returned. “Well, looks like we’ll be celebrating two holidays then.”
“All right!” Starburst cheered.
Five fun filled days of playing in the snow for Starburst and his family passed before it was now Heart’s warming day and Nova, his family and friends were all on the train ride to Canterlot to perform the heart’s warming pageant. Nova was still a little nervous about it, but thanks to the support of his family and friends, he felt he could face this. Besides, he wouldn’t be on stage alone. As the train drew closer, the girls grew more excited. Twilight poked her head out of one window to get a good view. “We’re getting closer.”
Rainbow Dash followed suit. “I can hardly wait.”
Fluttershy then stuck her head out. “I’m so excited, I…I feel like shouting. Woo hoo.” It was more of a quiet shout.
Applejack was next as she cheered. “Woo hoo! Canterlot, here we come!”
Rarity then stuck her head out as she was wearing a small colorfully decorated pine tree looking hat. “Oh I do hope I look festive enough.”
Finally, by Pinkie logic, Pinkie Pie popped up out of Rarity’s hat. “There it is, Canterlot.”
Nova decided to join his friends and poked his head out a window. “Wow, the place looks kind of pretty in this snowy weather.”
Once the train pulled into the station, the group disembarked and began walking among the city. “Wow, look at this place, it’s so colorful.” Starburst commented. The lamp posts had green wreaths with red bows on them and many colorful lights decorated the buildings. Little ponies were seen going about playing in the snow. Starburst spotted his friends and started to join in on the fun they were having.
“I’ll say.” Starla commented.
Twilight walked next to Nova as she admired the scenery. “Oh, isn’t Canterlot wonderful this time of year?”
Rainbow Dash was walking just behind them as she looked about. “Yeah, I wish it was heart’s warming eve every day.”
There were also pine trees set up with colorful decorations and ornaments around the place, and many other things decorating the city. “There’s just so many things to look at, I feel like my eyes are gonna pop right out of their sockets.” Applejack commented.
This gave Twilight an idea. “I know, let’s play I spy as we walk. I’ll go first. I spy….an eight foot candy cane.” Every pony looked over and saw a large candy cane with two little ponies stuck to it by their tongues, Scootaloo being one of them.
“Oh dear.” Starla expressed. She rushed over to help the two little ponies get unstuck.
“Wait up dear!” Cosmos called. “You all go on ahead, we’ll meet you at where the play will be.” He galloped off to follow Starla.
Nova rolled his eyes.
“I spy a snow pony!” Rainbow called out.
Pinkie Pie hopped along as she pointed out what she spotted. “I spy somepony eating a gingerbread house.” She rushed into a shop and popped back out with a gingerbread house. Pinkie managed to eat the whole thing in one bite. “And it’s me.” She stated with a giggle. This got every pony laughing along.
“Interesting game you have.” Nova commented once he finished laughing.
Eventually, they all reached the castle where the play was being held in the throne room. Many ponies were waiting patiently for the play to start. Starburst, Starla, Cosmos, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom all had front row seats for the show.
Everypony working on the play was back stage getting ready. “I can’t believe princess Celestia chose us to take part in the most important play of the season.” Twilight commented.
Rarity was the only one at the moment in full costume. She was wearing a silver crown with purple jewels and a purple cape with white and silver trimmings. Applejack was wearing a brown pointy hat with an orange band and a white feather.
As Twilight went on about her and her friends being selected to play important parts in the play, Nova found his costume which was a simple grey cloak and a wooden staff that curled at the top. He was about to put it on when he spotted Derpy nearby. “Hey Derpy, I didn’t know you were helping with the play.”
Derpy smiled upon seeing Nova. “Hello Nova, I sure am. I may not have a part in it, but I’m just glad to help get it going.”
“So what are you helping with? Lights, sets, props?”
“Costumes.”
“That’s simple enough.”
“So Nova, how does it feel to be given a special part in the play by the princess?” Derpy asked with interest, her crossed eyes fixated on Nova waiting for his answer.
“To be honest, I was pretty surprised when I heard about it.” Nova stated. “Now….I don’t know, nervous I guess. I’m actually a little afraid to get out there in front of all those eyes.”
Derpy waved a hoof. “You’ll be fine, I just know you’ll do great out there.”
Nova smiled at Derpy’s words. “Thanks Derpy. It’s nice to have the support of good friends like you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
After Derpy said that, a blast of cold wind suddenly filled the room. “What the galaxies? What’s going on?” Nova looked over to see the room suddenly in chaos. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were arguing about something near an open window where the cold air and snow were coming from, Twilight was using her magic to try and pull Fluttershy out of a box with Pinkie trying to help, and Rarity was just standing there whining about her hair. “ENOUGH!” Nova shouted. This got everyponies attention. He took to the center of the room and used his magic to first close the window. “There, now that that is settled, just what is going on here? We’re about to put on a play about friendship and harmony aren’t we? So what’s with all the fighting?”
Fluttershy was still hiding in a box while the others looked a little guilty and apologetic. “Sorry Nova, we didn’t mean to.” Applejack said. “It’s just, Rainbow Dash here was thinkin this show should be all about her.”
“Well I am awesome, so why not?” Rainbow retorted.
Nova approached her and explained. “Because Dash, this play is about how Equestria was FOUNDED, not about you. This play is the story of how three tribes found peace with one another and founded a country with friendship and harmony in mind. Get it now?”
Rainbow frowned slightly. “Yeah, I get it, sorry.”
Nova then went over to Fluttershy and took on a more soothing tone. “Fluttershy, why are you hiding in that box?”
Fluttershy kept her head buried as she responded. “I’m afraid to go out there with so many ponies watching us.”
“I see, I understand.” Nova said.
Fluttershy raised her head out of the box and looked at Nova. “You do?”
“Sure I do, I’m a little nervous to be doing this myself, I’ve never been in a play before. But let me tell you a trick that might help. Just forget all those ponies out there and focus only on those on the stage with you. There’s nopony here but you and your friends. Ignore everything else.”
“Really? Do you think it will work?” Fluttershy asked.
“It couldn’t hurt to try. Besides, we can’t do this play without you.”
“Okay, I’ll try. Thank you Nova, I do feel a little better.” Fluttershy gave a smile.
Spike poked his head behind the stage and called out. “Come on guys, get ready, the play is ready to start now.”
The girls and Nova rushed to get into costume and took their places. The lights dimmed down and a spot light shown on the stage. The curtains pulled back to reveal a fake fireplace with Spike standing before it. He began his narration of the play. “Once upon a time, before the peaceful rule of Celestia, and before ponies discovered our beautiful land of Equestria, ponies did not know harmony.”
Spike started walking closer to the edge of the stage. “It was a strange and dark time, a time when ponies where torn apart….by hatred.” The audience let out a gasp. Spike leaned towards the cmc. “I know, can you believe it?” He pulled back and continued with his narration. “During this frightful age, the three tribes, the pegasai, the unicorns, and the earth ponies, cared not for what befell the other tribes, but only of their own welfare. In those troubled times as now, the pegasai were the stuarts of the weather.” A pair of pegasai were flying above the stage and one shook a fake cloud.
“But, they demanded something in return, food that could only be grown by the earth ponies.” A pair of earth ponies gave the pegasai some food. “The unicorns demanded the same, in return for magically bringing the day and night.” The earth ponies then reluctantly gave a pair of unicorns some food. “And so, mistrust between the tribes festered until one fateful day, it came to a boil. And what prompted the ponies to clash? Twas a mysterious blizzard that overtook the land and toppled the tribes precarious peace.”
“The normally industrious earth ponies were unable to farm their land. The earth ponies were freezing.” One earth pony was nearly in tears as a plant he held crumbled and blew away. The pony too then blew away followed by a house in the background. “The home of the pegasai fared no better. The pegasai were hungry.” One of the pegasai tried to eat the fan on his helmet. “And the unicorns were freezing and hungry. Even the unicorn’s magic was powerless against the storm.” The unicorns tried to use their magic to hold a door closed, but the wind was too much and blew it down. “Each tribe blamed the others for their suffering, and the angrier every pony grew, the worse the blizzard became.” Snow piled up around three ponies from each tribe fighting over a bag of food.
A number of ponies started filing into a stone building. “And so it was decided that a summit would be held to figure out a way to cope with the blizzard. Each tribe sent their leaders, daughter of the unicorn king, princess Platinum.” Princess platinum walked in as trumpets sounded. “Ruler of the Pegasai, commander Hurricane.” Commander Hurricane made her way in as more trumpets sounded. “And lastly, leader of the earth ponies, chancellor Pudding head.” Kazoos sounded as the chancellor entered. They each took a spot at a long table. “Perhaps the three tribes could finally settle their differences and find a way to get through this disaster.” Instead, they all started arguing right away and yelling at each other.
Eventually, commander Hurricane’s voice was heard. “All I want to know is why the earth ponies are hogging all the food.” The pegasai cried out in agreement.
The chancellor argued they weren’t. “Us? Were not hogging all the food, you are!” Her voice dropped to normal speaking levels. “Oh wait, you’re right, it’s us. Well, it’s only because you mean old pegasususus are making it snow like crazy!”
“For the hundredth time, it’s not us!” Hurricane argued back. “We’re not making it snow. It must be the unicorns, they’re doing it with their freaky magic.”
Princess Platinum took offense to this. “*Gasp* How dare you! Unlike you pegasai ruffians, we unicorns would never stoop to such a thing, HUMPF!” The other unicorns followed Platinum with a humpf of their own.
Chancellor Pudding Head followed up. “Well if you non-earths aren’t going to stop making it snow, then I’m plum out of ideas.”
Before more arguing could ensue, the doors to the building flung open and a gust of wind and snow accompanied it. A pony walked in wearing a grey cloak and carrying a wooden staff curled at the top. Only his muzzle and hooves could be seen, his features were completely covered by his hood. But he had a green coat of fur. Once he walked in, he closed the door behind him.
“Who are you?” Hurricane asked.
“How dare you interrupt our meeting!” Princess Platinum shot.
The new pony spoke pleadingly. “Please, you must listen to me, this arguing must stop or the storm that plauges these lands will only get worse.”
Pudding Head gave a distrusting look. “Just who are you anyway? And why should we trust you?”
The new pony walked closer to the three. “Who I am does not matter, I am but a traveler of these lands. Please believe me when I say that this arguing must stop, it is pointless.”
“What race are you?” Hurricane asked. “No way you’re a Pegasus, no Pegasus would hide their wings.”
“Hah, maybe he’s ashamed of being a Pegasus.” Platinum argued.
“Yeah? Or maybe he’s a dirty earth pony.” Hurricane shot back.
“HEY!! We are not dirty…oh wait, yes we are. Still, he could just as easily be a unicorn.” Pudding Head argued.
“No unicorn would hide their horn.” Platinum retorted.
“ENOUGH!” The stallion yelled out. “What race I am does not matter! Please believe me, this storm is only going to get worse if peace is not found!”
“Why should we listen to you?” Hurricane argued. “You won’t even tell us what race you are.”
“Yeah, and besides, how would our arguing be the cause of this storm?” Pudding Head asked.
“Because, there are….” The cloaked stallion was interrupted by Platinum.
“Silence, you are wasting our time pony.” The princess said with a wave of her hoof.
“This meeting is going nowhere, I’m out of here.” Hurricane stated as she made for the door.
“Not before me, I am a princess and I should go first.” Platinum argued as she tried to exit the building first.
“No way, I’M first.” Pudding Head cried out.
Each tribe leader fought to leave the place first. Soon, the rest of the tribes left, leaving the stallion on his own. “Foolish ponies, if only I could get them to listen to reason. That seems very unlikely though. They appear very stubborn. Perhaps I’ll have better luck with their followers.” He made his way out and to his first destination in hopes of finding allies to help in his quest to bring peace to the land.
“And the blizzard raged on.” Spike said as he continued his narration. “So the summit of the tribes did not turn out as well as hoped, and the three leaders returned home to lick their wounds and basically complain.”
Commander Hurricane swooped in back to the Pegasus realm and stood proud at the steps of her home. “ATTEEEEENTION!” She called out, alerting a pegasus nearby of her presence.
The Pegasus, private Pansy, was resting on a cloud when she heard the call and stood up at attention. She ended up falling through the cloud and into some snow.
“Well, aren’t you curious of how it went?” Commander Hurricane asked Pansy.
“Oh, commander Hurricane, sir, how did it go sir?” Pansy asked.
“Horribly!” Hurricane declared sternly. “Those other tribes are so disrespectful. Don’t they realize that we are a tribe of mighty warriors and should not be crossed?” During Hurricane’s rant, the guard was trying to make her way up the steps but slipped on some snow and fell down again. “We have got to break rank with those weak foals.”
Hurricane went into her home to think more on the matter. It was then that the cloaked pony from before appeared and made his way up to private Pansy and helped her out of the snow. “Oh, thank you for the help.”
The mysterious stallion gave a small smile. “You are welcome.” His smile faded. “Miss, I must ask for your help.”
Private Pansy gained a look of shock. “Me, with what? Who are you anyway? If you’re not a Pegasus, I probably shouldn’t be talking to you. Commander Hurricane wouldn’t like it.”
“Who I am does not matter, and Hurricane is part of the problem. I’m hoping, since your closest to her, you might be able to talk sense into that thick stubborn head of hers. Please hear me out. This blizzard will only continue to grow and get worse if the three tribes can’t get along.” The pony said seriously.
Pansy cocked a brow at the stallion’s words. “Really? I don’t know, I don’t think I can get her to listen. But how is the arguing what’s causing the storm?”
“It’s not the storm alone, but what the arguing is affecting. There are….
“HEY! What are you doing here?!” Commander Hurricane called out once she saw the pony there. “Get lost, we don’t want to listen to more of your crazy talk, beat it!”
The stallion frowned. “Fine, but I tried to warn you, if peace is not found, this land is doomed.” The stallion then walked off and decided to go to the unicorns next.
Princess Platinum had just entered her castle. “Clover the Clever, I need you!”
A mare in a brown cloak and hood, Clover the Clever, walked over to Platinum and wrapped a blanket on her. “Yes your majesty, did the other pony tribes see reason as I predicted?”
Princess Platinum stood up and made her way over to a cushion as she gave her answer. “Those other tribes are impossible. I for one can no longer bare to be anywhere near those creatures.” Clover levitated a small wooden tub of water over to Platinum. “The unicorns are noble and majestic, we will no longer consort with the likes of them.” Platinum then splashed her hooves into the water, getting Clover’s face wet. There was a knock at the door. “Now who could that be? Clover, go see who it is.”
“Yes your majesty.” Clover walked back to the door and used her magic to open it. Standing before her was a stallion in a grey cloak holding a staff. “Yes, can I help you?”
“It is not I that needs help, but you and the other tribes, I’m hoping you might be able to help me convince your princess to listen to reason. This land is doomed lest the three tribes find peace amongst themselves, or this land will freeze over.”
“Really? How is peace amongst our tribes going to affect our land? Who are you anyway?”
“My name is of no importance, please listen to me.”
“I do think we need to find peace, but the princess can be rather….stubborn.” Clover said low so Platinum could not hear.
“I understand, but this land is doomed, if peace cannot be found, every pony will freeze and…”
“Clove the Clever, who is it?” Princess Platinum called out interrupting the stallion.
Clover looked back to Platinum as she responded. “There is a stallion in a cloak here your majesty, I think he knows how to stop this blizzard.”
Platinum got up from her seat and made her way over to the door. “YOU! I thought we made it perfectly clear we have no interest in listening to your ridiculous ideas, be gone with you at once. Clover, get rid of him.” She turned and headed back to her seat.
Clover sighed out in disappointment. “As you wish princess.” She faced the pony. “I’m sorry, but you have to go.”
“I understand.” The stallion bowed his head slightly.
“I do believe you, really, but I have to do what she says.” Clover responded with an apologetic look.
The pony placed a hoof on her shoulder. “It’s all right, just try to do what you can to get her to listen won’t you?”
“I’ll try, farewell sir.” Clover then closed the door on the pony.
The mysterious pony sighed in defeat. “*Sigh* Well, that just leaves the earth ponies. So far two of the other ones I’ve met were willing to listen, maybe I’ll have the same luck with the earth ponies.”
Back at the earth pony tribe, Chancellor Pudding Head entered her home through the chimney. The chancellor’s advisor, Smart Cookie, was expecting her to come in through the door and was a little surprised to see the chancellor come in the way she did. “Wouldn’t it have been easier to use the door chancellor?”
“Maybe for you, Smart Cookie, but I am a chancellor. I was elected because I know how to think outside the box, which means…” Pudding Head stepped back into the chimney and raised her head into it. “I can also think inside a chimney. Can you think inside a chimney?”
Smart Cookie tried to say something but was at a loss for words. “I…”
“I didn’t think so.” Pudding Head stated as she walked past Cookie. She paused in her tracks and looked back. “Oh my gosh, hold on to your hooves, I am just about to be brilliant!”
“That’d be a first.” Smart Cookie muttered under her breath.
“I have decided that the earth ponies are gonna go it alone.”
Smart Cookie was disappointed at this. “Awe, so the other tribes didn’t come around? Shoot, I really thought we could get through to them if we…”
Pudding Head cut her off. “Don’t worry about them. We’re the ones with all the food right?”
Smart Cookie gave a flat look. “Uh, actually, we’re all out.”
Pudding Head wasn’t affected by this news. “Fine, then we’ll just go somewhere else where we can grow new food. And with me as our fearless leader, what could go wrong?” As she said this, she opened the door and a pile of snow fell in on her.
“Where should I start?” Smart Cookie responded.
The cloaked stallion made an appearance again as he approached the two from the top of the snow. “Excuse me, may I have a word?”
Smart Cookie cocked a brow. “Who are you?”
The stallion responded in the same manner as before. “Who I am is of no importance. However, I do know the cause behind this storm and why it is imperative the three tribes find peace amongst themselves. Please, you must…”
The chancellor poked her head out of the snow. “You again, didn’t we tell you to beat it? We don’t have time for your silly mumbo jumbo words.”
The cloaked pony spoke pleadingly. “Please listen to me, this land is doomed if the arguing continues.”
“How do you figure that?” Smart Cookie asked.
“Because, there are…”
“Save it for some other pony, get lost already.” Pudding Head declared.
“But Chancelor, I think he might know a way ta stop this blizzard, he sounds like he might know something.” Smart Cookie ordered.
Pudding Head shoved her face into Cookie’s. “Are you forgetting who’s in charge here? I say he has to go, so go he must.”
“But….” Smart Cookie tried to argue.
“No buts, I say go!”
The cloaked stallion sighed in defeat. “Very well, I tried to warn you, but none of you would listen. This storm will only get worse, there is no escaping it.” With that, the pony turned and left.
“Wait, sir, please!” Smart Cookie called out to stop him, but it was too late. “What do you think he meant by us not bein able to escape the storm?” She asked Pudding Head.
“Nonsense, that’s all he was speaking. Anyway, what I was trying to say before being interrupted is this.” Though separate, the three tribe leaders declared the same thing. “We must find a new land!”
Commander Hurricane flew on in search of a new place to settle on. She paused and looked back when she noticed Private Pansy was flying slowly. She flew back to Pansy. “Come on private Pansy, let’s go. Hut one hut two!” A bolt of lightning went off and startled Pansy, causing her to latch onto Hurricane. “Get a hold of yourself private.” Hurricane declared as she dropped Pansy. “We cannot let anything distract us from the mission at hand; to find, and if necessary, to conquer a new land.” She flew behind Pansy and started pushing her along.
“Conquer sir?” Pansy asked in concern.
“You never know where enemies might be lurking.”
Pansy looked around nervously. “I don’t see any enemies commander, just snow.”
Hurricane pointed a hoof as she declared, “Aha! What’s that?” She pointed at, then attacked a cloud that she thought was some kind of monster.
Pansy looked to her side and saw a small puff of cloud next to her. She freaked out and flew into Hurricane’s hoofs again.
Hurricane gave a flat look. “Okay, this is getting old.” She then released her hold on Pansy.
Pansy flew back up and hovered in front of Hurricane. “Um, commander, don’t you think maybe we should have heard what that pony in the cloak had to say…..maybe listen to just a little bit of what he was trying to say?”
“No way!” Hurricane declared. “There’s no way that pony was a Pegasus, if he had wings, he was keeping them hidden, no Pegasus hides what they are. Besides, it could have been some stupid earth pony or unicorn trick.” She insisted.
Back with the unicorns, princess Platinum and Clover the Clever were making their way in search of a new land themselves. “Oh, this is simply taking forever.” Platinum whined out. “My hooves are killing me, how long have we been walking for?”
Clover used her hoof to lower a branch to give a clear view of the castle. “About five minutes your highness.”
Platinum started walking again. “Huh, I never imagined finding a new land would be so hard. But it will all be worth it, don’t you agree?”
“I actually think the three tribes could have tried harder.”
“STOOOOOOOOOP!” Princess Platinum suddenly cried out.
Clover rushed over to her side. “What’s wrong?”
Platinum pointed a hoof to a river. “That is what’s wrong.” It was more of a small stream with a few rocks in it that could be used to cross it.
“Your highness, it’s just a stream, we can cross it easy.” To demonstrate, Clover walked over two rocks in the stream to get to the other side.
“I refuse to get my gown wet. I have no intention of arriving at my new land looking like a bedraggled earth pony.” Platinum stated as she turned her muzzle up. “Or worse yet a ruff and tumble Pegasus.” She said with disgust. “I have no intention of stooping to their level.” Platinum gave a sly smile and side glance to Clover. “On the other hand, I have no trouble letting you stoop down.”
Clover gave a disgruntled sigh and a roll of her eyes. Within a few moments, Clover now had a harness on her muzzle with the princess riding on her back. “And do watch the gown darling, it’s worth more than the books in your library.”
Clover just walked on over the stream. “Princess, I still say we should have listened to what that cloaked stallion was trying to tell us, he seemed like he knew what was going on.”
“Nonsense, he was probably trying to trick us with some earth pony or Pegasus trick. No way he was a unicorn. No unicorn would dare hide their horn, we are not ashamed of what we are.” Platinum retorted.
Chancellor Pudding Head and Smart Cookie were on their way to find a new land to call their own, or would be if Pudding Head would stop going around in circles. She had a map hanging in front of her face with holes in it for her eyes and muzzle, plus…it was upside down. “Yes yes….this is definitely the right direction.”
Smart Cookie looked down to the ground. “It feels like we’re going in circles.” Their hoof prints were indeed going around in a circle in the snow.
Pudding Head disagreed. “But that’s impossible. Are you suggesting I’m reading the map wrong?”
Smart Cookie looked to the side as she responded. “Absolutely not your chancellorness. It’s just that there are holes in the map and…”
Pudding Head cut her off there. “Of course. How else could I see where I was going?” She started walking close to a cliff.
“Yeah, uh…” Smart was at a loss for words.
“Or talk? I need to be able to talk. I mean, how would we survive if I suddenly shut up?”
Smart Cookie responded in almost a flat tone. “Heaven forbid that should ever happen your chancellorship. It’s just that the map is also upside down.”
“I got a newsflash for you Cookie.” Pudding Head spoke in a whisper. “The earth is round, there is no up or down.” Pudding Head started walking forward.
“You’re right.” Cookie responded in a sarcastic tone that was luckily lost on the chancellor. “It’s such a relief to me that you’re in charge of the map.”
Chancellor Pudding Head paused in her tracks and looked back. “Relief?” She quickly walked backwards and looked Cookie in the eyes. “You don’t need relief, if any pony needs relief around here, it’s me. I’m a chancellor, a big shot, your just my….my er…”
“Secretary.” Cookie replied flatly.
“Whatever.” Pudding Head then started chewing on the map and brought the whole thing into her mouth, then spat it back out into Cookie’s face. “You take the map while I enjoy some relief.” She continued walking on and walked right off the cliff.
Smart Cookie started looking over the map, oblivious that the chancellor just walked off a cliff. “Yes Chancellor Pudding Head.” The chancellor’s head popped back up with a smile. “Chancellor, I do think maybe we should have given that there pony in the cloak a chance to talk. I think he might have known something that could have helped us.”
Pudding Head climbed back up and walked past Cookie. “Nonsense, he’s not the leader here, why should we listen to him? Besides, he might have been part of some unicorn or Pegasus trick. He was clearly hiding his…..earth ponyness with that cloak.”
“His…earth ponyness?” Cookie questioned. “How do you hide that? We couldn’t tell what he was.”
“Exactly, all the more reason not to trust him. Now no more talk about him, we must forge on.”
Spike continued with his narration. “And so, each leader encountered obstacles along the way. But eventually, the all arrived in a new and wonderous land. No pony had seen this paradise before.”
Commander Hurricane jumped from one cloud to another. “This is the land we’ve been searching for.”
Pansy hovered in place. “What a view, I can see my future house from here.”
“I declare this new land to be…” Commander Hurricane took out a flag and planted it in a cloud. “Pegasopolis!”
Princess Platinum and Clover the Clever were on a raised trail close to the ground next to a mountain. Platinum was staring at a small pile of jewels. “I’ve never seen such jewels. This ruby is dazzling, this whole land is dazzling. I’m double dazzled!” She squealed in delight. “In the name of the unicorns, I hereby dub this land Unicornia.” Clover planted a flag into the ground.
Chancellor Pudding Head was relishing in the green area she and Cookie found themselves in. “The air, the trees.” She planted herself onto a small mound of dirt. “The dirt, this dirt is the dirtiest dirt in the whole dirt world!”
“And fertile too, perfect for growing new food.” Smart Cookie added.
“In the name of the earth ponies, I’m going to call this place…..dirtville!”
Smart Cookie offered an alternative. “How about….Earth?”
Pudding Head liked it. “Earth!” She bowed her head and let her hat drop. “Congratulations to me for thinking of it.” A flag sprouted from the hat.
“We found our new home!” The three leaders declared. It was then they noticed one another.
“I planted my flag first.” Hurricane called out.
“Did not.” Platinum argued.
“Did too.” Hurricane shot back.
“I planted mine earlier than first.” Pudding Head stated plainly.
Platinum stood firm. “You ruffians are trespassing in Unicornia.”
Hurricane argued back. “The names Pegasopolis.”
“Earth.” Pudding Head insisted.
“Pegasopolis!”
“Unicornia!”
Hurricane hovered in front of Platinum. “I say we fight for the land.”
“How barbaric. Clover the Clever, throw that brute in the dungeon.” Platinum used her magic to bring Clover in front of her.
“What dungeon? Look, let’s all just calm down.” Clover said.
Smart Cookie raised a hoof in agreement. “I agree, let’s all calm down.”
Pansy threw her voice in as well. “I vote calm.”
“As you all should.” The stallion’s voice stated. Everypony looked to see the mysterious cloaked pony before them.
“You again!” The three tribe leaders called out.
“Please hear me out, if you start arguing again, the blizzard will come here too. I beg you not to fight.” The pony pleaded.
“What do you mean?” Clover asked.
“Yeah, how can a storm follow us?” Smart Cookie asked.
The pony in the grey cloak began to inform. “Because it is no ordinary storm. It is created by these…”
He was interrupted by Hurricane. “Save it you. You and the other ponies here are trespassing on Pegasopolis.” Snow started to fall and wind started to blow.
“Wrong, you are trespassing on Unicornia.” Platinum insisted.
“I say we settle things on the battle field!” Hurricane insisted before being pelted by a snow ball. Platinum laughed at it.
Platinum was then pelted with a snow ball. She was steaming mad as Hurricane laughed at her. “Who dares throw a snowball at royalty?!”
Pudding Head was standing next to a pile of snowballs. “Wait a minute, where did all this snow come from?”
“No, it’s too late, they’re here!” The stallion declared.
“Who’s here?” Pansy asked.
The stallion looked up into the sky to see three ghostly horses galloping around in a circle. None of the others bothered to look where he was.
Spike continued with his narration. “And so, the paradise the ponies found was lost, buried beneath a thick blanket of snow and hard feelings. Instead of beautiful, it was blizzard. Instead of wonderful, it was wintery. Instead of spectacular, it was snowtacular. Instead of…”
A pony from the crowd called out. “We get it, move on!”
Spike did just that. “Everypony was forced to seek shelter. They searched high and low, but the only shelter was a cold and desolate cave. And, of course, the three tribes and the strange pony had to share it. And no pony was happy about that.”
The three leaders glared at each other. Platinum glanced down and noticed Hurricane’s hoof close to her. “Please commander hot head.”
“It’s commander Hurricane.” Hurricane declared in annoyance.
Platinum cleared her throat a bit before continuing. “Please commander, could you step back and give me my royal space?”
“You mean like this your highness?” Hurricane moved her hoof closer instead.
“Indeed not. You see this invisible line?” Platinum pointed to a spot on the ground.
“Private, mark out our territory for every pony to see.” Hurricane ordered Pansy. She started to draw the line, but then Hurricane took hold of her and dragged her along with her hoof dragging in the dirt, leaving a line. “You see this real non invisible line? No unicorns or earth ponies are allowed to cross it. This is the sovereign territory of Pegasopolis.”
Platinum called out. “Clover the clever!”
Pudding Head did the same. “Smart Cookie!”
“I know, I know.” Smart replied flatly.
The stallion shook his head in disappointment. The two ponies that were called started drawing lines in the dirt to mark their leader’s territory. All three of the subordinates of the leaders were now drawing lines in the dirt. At one point, Clover and Smart ran their hooves against each other by accident and gave worried looks. It was clear they weren’t happy about this.
Pansy had drawn a line up to a rock and was about to go around it when Hurricane stopped her. “What are you doing?! Don’t go around the rock, go over it. We’re not giving up an inch of territory to the enemy.”
Platinum ran up to the two. “That rock is clearly on the Unicornia side and therefore it belongs to us.” Clover had walked up to Platinum when she whispered into her ear. “Who knows, there might be jewels inside.”
Hurricane started knocking the rock into her territory. “I claim this rock for Pegasopolis.”
“Unhand that rock this instant you scoundrel!” Platinum cried out.
Pudding Head rushed over to the rock then. “Oh look, you found my rock. I’ve been looking for it everywhere.” She picked it up and rushed off with it.
“Hey, you invaded our territory!” Hurricane said angrily.
Pudding Head just mocked Hurricane. “Finders keepers losers weepers.” She sang out.
“That’s the last straw.” Hurricane took a step past the line she stood before and started making for Pudding Head, as did Platinum. Then they all started running around and yelling at each other over the rock.
The stallion in the cloak had enough. “QUIIIIIIIEEEEEEET!” He yelled out as loud as he could. The three leaders stopped running around. “All of you, just stop! Look at yourselves, you’re fighting over a rock for goodness sake! Do you all really despise one another to fight over possession of a rock?!”
“Hey, that rock was taken from us!” Hurricane argued.
“IT’S JUST A ROCK!” The stallion argued back. “All of you WILL listen to me. This arguing has to stop or the storm will get worse! Don’t you find it odd that a blizzard started up so suddenly when you three started fighting again?”
“It did seem rather odd.” Clover stated.
“Yeah, that was strange, it was all sunny and warm before that.” Smart cookie added.
“Um, it did seem odd.” Pansy added as well.
“Are you siding with the enemy private Pansy?” Hurricane asked with a stern look.
The stallion cut in. “All of you need to stop this arguing. This storm is being….”
“I’m not the one arguing.” Platinum argued. “It’s not my fault they can’t get along with us unicorns. They’re just brutes.”
“You’re the one that does most of the arguing your highness.” Hurricane said in a mocking tone.” As the arguing picked up again, ice started to form in the cave and covered the only entrance, sealing them all inside. “Great, now there’s no way out, we’re trapped.”
“You two deserve this terrible fate, not us. All you two have done is argue and fight with one another.” Platinum stated.
“You’ve been fighting too your highness.” Hurricane stated. The ice continued to creep along the walls and floor of the cave.
“Yeah, I haven’t been fighting as much as you.” Pudding Head stated as ice formed around her hooves. The ice began forming around the other leaders as well as they continued to argue.
“How ridiculous, a unicorn never stoops to fighting.” Platinum shot back as half their bodies were now covered.
“That’s cause you wimpy unicorns now you’ll never win.” Hurricane said. Her last words were a final insult before the ice covered her completely. “Earth ponies are numbskulls!”
Pudding Head gave one final insult as well. “Unicorns are snobs!”
Finally, Platinum. “Pegasai are brutes!” With that, all three leaders were now fully encased in ice and frozen solid. The three subordinates had gathered near the center.
Clover saw that the stallion was close to them but was also trapped in the ice, not completely I frozen yet, but the ice was creeping up his body. “Oh no!”
The stallion hung his head. “Fear not young one, I am resigned to my fate. I tried to warn them but failed. This land is doomed to ice and snow. I tried to make them see reason, but there was just too much hatred in their hearts. I’m just sorry I could not save you three. At least you were willing to hear me out.”
“There must be something we can do?” Smart Cookie asked.
“I’m afraid it’s too late. Farewell….my friends.” With that, the stallion was now completely frozen solid like the others.
The three remaining ponies backed away from the encroaching ice and met in the middle. They heard a strange sound that caused them to look up and gave a yelp. “YAH!” Three ghostly horses circled over their heads emitting a cold icy wind that was freezing the cave.
“W-w-what is that thing?” Pansy asked.
Clover the Clever provided an answer. “They must be…windigos.”
“Windigos?” Smart Cookie and Pansy asked.
Clover continued with her explanation. “My mentor Starswirl taught me about them. They’re winter spirits that feed off fighting and hatred. The more hate the spirit feels, the colder things become.”
Smart Cookie gave a worried look. “Then, this is our fault, us three tribes. We brought this on ourselves with our fightin’ and fuedin’ and not trustin each other. Now it’s destroyin this land too.”
“That must have been what the stallion was trying to warn us about.” Clover said as she looked over to his frozen form. She faced forward again to the two before her. “And now our bodies will become as cold as our hearts, all because we were foolish enough to hate.”
“Well, I don’t hate you.” Pansy suddenly said. “I actually hate commander Hurricane a lot more than I hate you guys.” This caused the other two to laugh. “Actually, I don’t really hate her. I just really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really dislike her.” The three shared a laugh at that.
“Well I don’t hate you guys neither.” Smart Cookie said with a smile. The ice was starting to form around them and climbing up their bodies.
“Nor do I.” Clover responded. This seemed to agitate the windigos as they gave a whinney and seemed to try and freeze them faster.
“No matter our differences, we’re all ponies.” Smart Cookie said before the ice completely froze them in their huddle.
Just as the ice reached Clover’s horn, it started to glow and a burst of magic erupted forth that freed the three from their icy prison. Pink flames shot forth from Clover’s horn with her eyes glowing pure white. The pink flames seemed to cause the windigos pain as they whinnied and were driven away. The flames then formed into a flaming pink heart that hovered over them in the cave.
Clover placed a hoof to her head. Pansy approached Clover. “What was that?”
Smart Cookie also made her way to Clover. “I didn’t know unicorns could do that.”
Clover was just as confused by what just happened. “I didn’t either. Nothing like this has ever happened before. But I know it couldn’t have been just me.”
“Right you are Clover.” The stallion’s voice sounded.
The three looked over to the source to see the cloaked stallion now free from the ice. “You, you’re okay.” Clover stated. She and the other two rushed over and gave him a hug.
“Well, this is a surprise.” The stallion said with a smile.
“We’re so glad you’re okay.” Pansy said.
“I’m glad to see you three all right as well.” The cloaked stallion said. “The three of you joined together in friendship chased the windigos away and freed us from our icy prison. You did it, you saved the land from eternal ice.”
Spike continued on with his narration. “All through the night, the ponies kept the fire of friendship alive by telling stories to one another, and singing songs, which, of course, became the winter carols we sing today. Eventually, the warmth of the fire and the singing and laughing reached the leaders, and their bodies began to thaw. And, it even melted their hearts. The three leaders agreed to share the land and live in harmony forever after. And together, they named their new land…” The ponies all cried out the name. “Equestria!”
With that, the crowd cheered and applauded. As a finale, every pony all sang out.
The fire of friendship lives in our hearts
As long as it burns we cannot drift apart
Though quarrels arise their numbers are few
Laughter and singing will see us through (Will see us through)
We are a circle of pony friends
A circle of friends we’ll be till the very end~!
With the play now done, the group of friends gathered backstage to talk. “Well Nova, you did pretty good out there.” Twilight complimented.
“Thanks, I was pretty nervous to be in front of all those ponies like that, but I just followed the advice I gave Fluttershy and really got into it.” Nova said with a smile as he removed his cloak.
“You did great.” Twilight said before giving Nova a kiss on the cheek.
“So, now that that’s over, let’s head back home and I can treat you all to the holiday me and my family were about to celebrate.”
“Great, I can’t wait to throw a party.” Pinkie said with a hop. “I love learning about new parties.”
“Then what are we waiting for?” Rainbow asked.
Applejack followed up. “Yeah, let’s head on back and get to it.” The group left the stage, met up with Nova’s family and the other CMC and went to the train station to head back to Ponyville.
They soon arrived and got right to the celebration of Galea day. A few long tables were set up outside with treats and decorations as the sun set. The stars twinkled in the night with a full moon in the sky. They all had a great time as Nova taught his friends some of the games they played. Every pony stayed up about half the night celebrating and having fun. Nova and Starburst couldn’t be happier.