//------------------------------//
// 03: Make the most of it. 
// Story: One Last Snowfall 
// by Chaos Phantasm 
//------------------------------//


Snowdrop: One Last Snowfall


By Chaos Phantasm


Preread and edited by


Word Worthy


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Chapter 3


Make the most of it


===============


"Do you suppose mom's okay, Firn?"

Firn took a sip from her cup of tea, while Snowdrift looked out of the window of the Weather Factory at the clouds which rained even fewer stars than usual. Firn put her cup down and looked at her sister, letting out a sigh.

"I'm sure Skylight has everything under control, sister. She's been caring for mother since she finished school. She'll be fine."

"That's not why I'm asking... She has aged quite a bit, and with that blizzard coming later this afternoon, I worry how she'll be on the way back. It can get awfully cold out there..."

"You sound just like me right now." Firn sighed. "I can't deny that I share your concern. She worries me just as much, if not more."

A weather pony entered the staff area and addressed Firn. "Ms. Firn, the stars are ready to be distributed."

"Excellent! Could we prepare them for launch tomorrow?"

The weather pony shook his head. "I'm afraid not, the blizzard is on its way and has already hit Manehattan; the stars will have to wait, I'm afraid."

Firn started to shake. "R-Really? T-Thank you for informing me."

The weather pony nodded and left the room, right as Firn brought her hoof down on the table in livid fury. She gritted her teeth and glared at anything in her field of view; she was furious.

"We're behind scheduled now more than ever! Nopony should be learning how to make stars during winter when they are most needed, this is infuriating!!"

Snowdrift watched Firn, who blew a puff of air out of her nostrils. The pale green mare shook her head. 

"Firn...  You know as well as I do that teaching the new snow makers during this time can give them experience. So what if you are behind schedule? That doesn't mean the snow won't fall. "

"You know I prefer a strict schedule, the Spring Sunrise is in two days, Snowdrift! The stars must be ready before then."

"Remember what mom said, about those learners. Be patient with them... If it has to snow on Friday then let it."

Firn sighed. "I swear if you weren't you, you'd be mother. Alright, I'll keep trying, and I'll try to stay calm."

"Good." Snowdrift started smiling. "Sometimes I wonder how you raised Skylight with your personality. You're not exactly patient, you don't tolerate failure. You're a serious, bossy hooves."

Firn put on a bemused look. "She takes after her father. The only trait she got off me was her unwavering concern for mother... You still have little ones don't you?"

"My eldest is turning on sixteen in three weeks, while the twins turn fourteen in three months."

Firn smiled. "You should head home, school will be finished in two hours, your kids will be expecting you."

"Of course. Mustn't forget my little ones..." Snowdrift's voice became shaky as she made her way to the exit of the staff room. She opened the door and stood in place for a moment before turning her head around to look at Firn.

"I'm deeply concerned about mother, Firn. You know this already, you too feel the same. There's already a void father left behind fifteen years ago, I fear that void may get bigger soon... I have this ominous feeling.... can you not sense it?"

Firn looked at Snowdrift and sighed shakily. "I try not to think about it, I try not to remember either, m-mother will be fine, I trust Skylight to look after her, but.. I cannot shake the warning in my heart..."

Snowdrift looked down for a moment before brightening up and jumping around to face her sister. The sudden jump caught Firn by surprise, the pegasus blinked and watched what Snowdrift would do.

"Firn... do you think you'd ever have another foal?"

"Changing the subject I see to liven up the mood... I have thought of it. Right now you need to get going, I've got work to finish."

Snowdrift nodded. "I'll flyby later, okay?" The pale green pegasus smiled and exited the room, closing the door behind her.

Firn, stared at her cup of tea for a moment before getting up and walking over to the window to stare out at the grey winter clouds. She had a sense of foreboding that caused her tough exterior to vanish for a few moments.

"Mother, if you're as smart as I know you are, you'll come home soon..."


~~~


"Where do you think you're going?" Skylight stood in Snowdrops way just outside the cafe.

"I have things I need to do before we go, Skylight."

Skylight shook her head. "No, we came here for a lecture, not to go around sightseeing!"

"You don't have to be so loud dear... I understand your concern but really, there's no need for it, I'm okay."

Skylight stared at Snowdrop with a stern look on her face. Snowdrop stared back with her pale, blind eyes, almost as if she could see into Skylights own eyes. Skylight's stern demeanor slowly melted away, leaving behind a softy who closed her eyes and sighed heavily.

"Mother is going to kill me, you know?"

Snowdrop chuckled. "If you let me have my way... yes. I will ask again dear, let me go, I have things I need to do. Things I must do."

Skylight stomped her left hoof on the ground and looked to her left toward the stores on the opposite side of the circle and sighed in defeat, lowering her head. 

"Grandma, you are stubborn! You're impossible!!" Skylight lifted her head and sighed once more. "But fine... What do you want to do first?"

Snowdrop smiled and took a deep breath. "Well, now let me think."

Skylight sat down and waited. Ponies passed them by, on hoof and by flight. 

"Where shall we go, Wind Waker, my darling." Snowdrop mumbled to herself.

A cold wind blew and almost blew Skylight over. She used her wings to keep her balance and her footing until the wind stopped. She looked up at the sky then back at Snowdrop who had started walking away. The light cream pegasus bolted after her.

"Grandma, slow down!"

Snowdrop continued to walk in the direction of the city square, the large statue of Celestia and Luna dominating the center, with Castle Canterlot in the distance, rising over the buildings like a mountain. Snowdrop walked toward the statue and stopped only meters away. Skylight caught up not long after. She hovered close to the ground before letting herself drop, folding up her wings after.

"Grandma!!" Skylight shook her head as she stopped beside the old mare.

"You should know better than to run off like that! You could've hurt... yourself..."

Skylight looked up at the statue which Snowdrop faced. She looked at Celestia's statue first, then at Luna's.

"The one on the left is Luna. But I think you know that already."

"She must've been a beautiful princess..."

"Some books described her as beautiful as the midnight sky... I wouldn't know it although, but she was the most dearest friend to me."

"You say that all the time."

Snowdrop snickered. "Because my dear..." The mare turned her head in Skylight’s direction. "It's the truth."

Skylight looked at Snowdrop then to the ground. "Hm... Alright I guess..."

"Pardon me?"

Skylight looked back at Snowdrop. "We'll do it your way." 

Snowdrop smiled. "I knew coming here would win you over."

Suddenly the old mare started coughing and holding onto her chest, none of it sounded healthy. Skylight started to panic and tried to help Snowdrop, but the elder simply brushed her away gently as the coughing stopped.

"I'm okay... I'm alright...." She stood up and held her throat.

"Grandma, we should take you to a hospital... That didn't sounded healthy."

"No!! I have things to do. I don't need you telling me where I should go!!!" snapped Snowdrop.

Skylight took a few steps back and stared at Snowdrop in shock. Bystanders looked at the two mares and whispered among themselves. Snowdrop blinked and shook her head.

"O-Oh my.. I... I don't know what happened there... I'm... I'm so sorry, Skylight."

"No, no don't be. I deserved that, I shouldn't try dragging you home or telling you what to do... You're my elder, and I should be better than this."

Snowdrop frowned and shook her head. "N-No y-you didn't..."

Skylight smiled. "How about we do the next thing you want to do? There must be more than that."

Snowdrop sighed and nodded. "There is. But... are you sure you want to go where we're heading... I'm not sure they'll let you in."

"I'm sure, Grandma."

"Alright... But we need to buy some flowers before we go."

"Flowers? Who for?"

Snowdrop chuckled. "A friend, dear."

Skylight sighed happily. "Then let’s not wait any longer, come on, let’s go back to the market place. And.. well... here."

The young mare put a scarf around Snowdrop to keep her extra warm.

"A scarf?"

"Yeah... That old coat isn't going to keep you warm forever." 

"I suppose... Thank you, Skylight."

Skylight rolled her eyes. "Let’s just go get those flowers you were talking about." 

Skylight put her left wing around Snowdrop and headed off in the direction of the market district.


~~~


Princess Celestia was painting the city from her balcony in her study. The alicorn made very small yet subtle strokes with her brush as if she were naturally gifted at painting. She glanced over her painting and gave a satisfied smile, she put down her paint brush and palette and took a long proud look at her work.

"I think I've done well on this one." She nodded once and stood up, she levitated the painting into the room, along with everything else before heading inside herself and closing the balcony window doors.

Celestia placed her painting against the wall and let out a low sigh. She walked over to the fire where  a scroll and some warm tea laid. The tea had been brought in only five minutes ago. Her crown rested on a table close by, her golden shoes laid beneath that, just out of the fire’s warm glow. The wind outside had started to pick up and die down as the last blizzard of the year was advancing from the north, the only blizzard never to be tamed by Snowdrop’s wonderful stars. A knock came at the door. Celestia, having just sat down by the fire, was sipping her tea when it came. She lowered her cup down on the plate and cleared her throat.

"Yes? Who is it?"

A guard’s voice came from behind the door. "Your Highness, your dinner is ready and waiting for you."

The princess smiled. "Thank you for informing me. I'll be right down shortly." She quickly drank down her tea and levitated her crown onto her head, slipped on her shoes, and left the study.

Maids bowed and guards stood tall as the princess passed. She held her head high and proud. She entered into the throne room on her way to the dining hall when a guard called out to her. Celestia stopped and looked at the guard, who stood by the door.

"Something to tell me, guardsman?"

The guard pony nodded. "Yes, two pegasi were trying to get into the castle, one of them claims to be a very old friend."

Celestia raised an eyebrow and smiled. "And was there anything peculiar about this "friend?""

"Not much about the young one, but the elder, she's blind, and wore a grey cloak."

Celestia's eyes widened. "Let them in."

"Princess?" The guardsman replied in confusion.

"Let them in, I know them."

The guards opened the large doorways that led into the throne room. Skylight and Snowdrop were waiting on the other side, blocked by two pegasus guards who had crossed their wings denying entry, they had not heard the princesses command.

"Guards, let them pass. They are friends of mine."

The pegasi folded up their wings, allowing Skylight to lead Snowdrop past and up the steps. The old mare had flowers held close to her by her wing. She was smiling happily at meeting her friend again. Guards watched the two pegasi in amazement and wonder, many of them had heard of Snowdrop in school, from books and occasionally from the princess herself, but none of them had never thought to actually see her alive. Skylight and Snowdrop stopped in front of the princess and bowed.

"You need not bow, my friends. Especially you, Snowdrop."

Both pegasi lifted their heads. Skylight looked straight up at the alicorn and marveled at her majesty, Snowdrop kept her head faced in one direction, forward.

"Princess Celestia. You sound much older then I remember."

The princess smiled. "And you look as beautiful as ever, even in your old age."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Snowdrop turned her head in Skylight’s direction slightly. "This is my eldest granddaughter, Skylight."

Skylight bowed once more. "It's an honor to meet you, Princess Celestia, I've heard many things about you."

"The honor is mine. Has Snowdrop been telling stories about me?" The princess seemed playfully intrigued. 

Snowdrop’s cheeks lit up brightly. "Maybe one or two." She chuckled.

Skylight and Celestia laughed. Outside, the blizzard began to envelope Canterlot, as it had done to the rest of Equestria. The snow pattered on the windows and started to pile up in the streets around houses. The princess looked upward at the sound of the strong winds blowing and looked at the time. 

"It's almost six o'clock." She looked back at her guests and gave a warm smile. "I will be back in just a minute, I must tend to one more duty for the day. Captain Six Streak will take you to the dining hall. I will join the both of you soon enough."

Celestia closed her eyes and bowed her head to them before excusing herself, and walking off in the direction of the Tower of Day and Night. Skylight sighed and scratched her wing with her teeth before a guard clad in blue armor approached. The armor was different from its modern day counterpart, it had a red feather plume atop a helmet that covered the guard’s entire face, minus the mouth, eyes and horn. The entire neck area was well protected all around, shin guards were tied around the left of the guard to the knee, and the body armor seemed to cover all of the body; underneath he wore thick clothing, the chest plate bore the Equestrian coat of arms. It was a cumbersome, heavy armor. This blue variation was worn by Celestia's captain of the guard. The other guards in the room wore a type of gray and silver, steel variation which looked much of the same but with blue plumes. Other guards wore lighter versions of the armor which lacked most the protection, in favor of free movement and quick reactions. The pony in this blue armor was Six Streak.

Six Streak smiled at them both and cleared his throat. "Good evening, madams. I'm Six Streak, if you'll follow me, I'd be more than happy to take you to the dining hall."

Snowdrop perked up at the sound of the stallion’s voice, it had a certain familiarity to it, as if she knew this unicorn. She smiled and remembered far back to her youth of a stallion who sounded almost like Six Streak. The stallion lead Snowdrop and Skylight out of the room and down a long corridor toward a set of large wooden doors. The blizzard outside rattled the glass windows a little and had blocked all light from coming through, but by now the sun had already set, and the moon was beginning its reign over the sky, the image of the mare in the moon, unseen. The old mare chuckled as the three drew closer to the door. Six Streak stopped just before opening the door and looked at Snowdrop, Skylight also turned her attention to the elder.

"What's so funny, grandma?" asked Skylight.

"I knew your father, Six Streak." Snowdrop said, talking directly to Six Streak.

Skylight was confused and looked at Six Streak, who was smiling.

"Yes, 4-Speed. He told me about you, he made you sound like a nice lady. I'm happy to know he wasn't wrong."

"I remember your father was not much older than I was when we met. He was courting a unicorn if I recall, earth ponies and unicorns, such a romantic union." Snowdrop smiled.

Six Streak chuckled. "I suppose. I ended up a unicorn so I guess something came of it. But that matters not. I'm sure you're both hungry."

"I am quite famished to be honest." Skylight smiled.

"Let's not wait any longer then." Snowdrop said with a smile.

Six Streak stood tall and opened the large doors into the grand dining hall of Castle Canterlot. Skylight's eyes widened as she took in the sight of this majestic room of marble. The table had been set for the princess and two guests, it was almost as if the alicorn had been expecting Snowdrop and Skylight. The mares entered the room, the smell of warm food, baked to perfection graced their noses and took Skylight by surprise.

"They prepared meals... for us?"

"I thought that would be okay. You are guests after all." Celestia entered the room with a smile.

"T-Thank you Princess Celestia, really, thank you." Skylight said in amazement.

"No need to thank me, Skylight. It always pleases me to make a guest feel comfortable."

Skylight and Princess Celestia stepped into the room and walked over to their seats. Snowdrop however, stood still and lowered her head somberly. She lifted her ears to listen out for somepony, but she heard nothing she wanted to hear. Snowdrop shook her head and approached the table in the center of the large room. Celestia had already taken her seat at the front of the table, while Skylight sat beside her, opposite Snowdrop’s chair. The old mare got into her chair and sat there, blankly facing her food. 

"Are you going to eat, Snowdrop?" asked Celestia.

Snowdrop smiled. "Oh I will, Princess. I'm just thinking at the moment."

The princess simply smiled and continued to eat. Skylight watched Snowdrop who was just digging into her food. It was a soft warm porridge which Snowdrop found distasteful. The old mare frowned and sighed.

"Do you not like your supper, Snowdrop?" Celestia frowned.

Snowdrop turned her head in the princess’ direction and frowned. "I like porridge as much as the next pegasus, but I find it a little de-grading that this was the best your maids and cooks could prepare."

"Their hearts were in the right place. They had your age to consider and..."

"And what's wrong with my age? You are older then I, why must I be the one to be stereotyped? I still have teeth!"

Celestia was taken aback by Snowdrop’s sudden out of character words. The alicorn looked at Skylight who looked down with absolute worry for her grandmother.

"I-I can have it taken back and changed if you like...."

Snowdrop blinked and shook her head. "N-No thank you, Celestia... P-Please forgive me for speaking so harshly, I didn't mean to."

"Are you feeling okay, Snowdrop?"

Snowdrop nodded. "I'm... I'm okay, don't worry." The old mare put on a false smile to hide the truth, and it seemed to work.

Celestia, however, looked unconvinced and lifted an eyebrow with suspicion. Skylight finished her dinner and stretched her wings.

"We have to get going soon, grandma. It's a long trip back to Cloudsdale after all."

Celestia looked at Skylight. "It would be foolish to leave in this weather. This blizzard is the last of the year and the most dangerous of them all. I've already made the necessary arrangements for the both of you to be given a room to spend the night in." The alicorn smiled.

Snowdrop held in a cough as best she could and swallowed. "Thank you, princess. You are much too kind."

Skylight smiled and looked at Snowdrop. "Shall we go, grandma?"

Snowdrop shook her head. "No dear, you go ahead. I'd like to take a moment to catch up with the princess."

Skylight opened her mouth to protest but quickly closed it, remembering the sudden outburst from Snowdrop earlier that day.

"Okay grandma." Skylight turned around and walked toward Six Streak, who lead Skylight away and to the room she would be staying.

The large doors closed and Celestia, having watched Skylight quickly leave, turned her head to Snowdrop and sighed. Snowdrop was smiling, she looked proud and content. She started to eat her porridge while the princess watched.

"She's quite concerned about you, isn't she?"

Snowdrop swallowed and nodded. "She is, but I fear she lets her concerns get the better of her."

"Isn't that supposed to happen with caretakers? They worry because they're afraid."

"I know, princess... She treats me like a filly sometimes because of it. Not that I mind too much, it's bothersome but it makes me feel younger again." 

Celestia snickered. "Don't we all wish to be young again?"

Snowdrop slightly turned her head in the princess's direction. "Well, sometimes I wish it. Other times I'm just happy to have gotten as far as I have."

"Luna would've enjoyed this visit if she were here. She used to watch you in Cloudsdale after we defeated Sombra."

Snowdrop’s happy attitude suddenly melted away at the mention of Luna. "Well.. I'm happy to know she was watching over me for a time. But she would still be here if you had not banished her..."

Snowdrop’s tone had changed. She sounded angry and hurt at Celestia's decision to banish her sister all those years ago. Celestia looked down at the table, upset.

"I know how you feel, Snowdrop. She was my sister, but she was too far gone."

"No pony is ever too far gone. You could have saved her, Celestia. The Elements of Harmony were powerful enough, weren't they? If they were strong enough to imprison Luna within the moon then perhaps you could have separated the darkness from her."

"I could do nothing!" Snapped Celestia. "Luna was over taken by her anger, her jealousy! It's true I could have brought her out of the dark but my anger and heartbreak was too great... And in my rage, I sent her to the moon... Not a day goes when I am not reminded of my failure, it is my deepest regret, my sin. I only hope that someday somepony will succeed where I have failed."

Celestia lifted her head to look at Snowdrop who had started coughing  much like earlier, only it sounded worse. The princess wore an expression of concern as she watched helplessly. A moment after the coughing subsided, and Snowdrop was panting, catching her breath.

"You are sick, aren't you, Snowdrop?"

Snowdrop covered her mouth with her left hoof then slowly moved it to her chest. "I am... But I'm not afraid."

"You should see a doctor. I'd be more than happy to organize one to see you..."

"I've had a long life, Celestia. My daughters are old enough to be without me..." Snowdrop smiled. "I'm not afraid, I welcome it. Regardless of what Firn and Skylight want."

Celestia was paused for a while but in time looked down to her right in thought. "Are you quite sure, Snowdrop?" She looked back at the old mare.

"Life is short, and I have so little time... But... I'll make the most of it." She said with a smile.

Celestia simply smiled at the old mare and thought to herself, "She has certainly matured hasn't she... Luna?"


~~~


Skylight was going through Snowdrops bags in the room. She pulled out a leather covered journal which contained twenty five years’ worth of notes. She looked through them curiously and could see they were a collection of Snowdrop’s life, an Autobiography of sorts. Skylight had noticed that the notes go up until the day before they departed. She would continue to look if Celestia had not startled her by her sudden entrance with Snowdrop. Skylight put the book down and approached Snowdrop.

"You both startled me," she said in a cheerful tone.

"You don't sound like somepony who was just startled, did I miss something whilst I was in the dining hall?"

"Not really." Skylight sighed, her smile still bright on her face.

Celestia stepped forward. "I do hope you find your room to your liking, you two. This is but one of the many guest rooms throughout the castle."

Snowdrop walked over to her bag which was on the table, brushing past Skylight unintentionally. Skylight watched Snowdrop before returning her attention to the princess.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Princess Celestia."

Celestia smiled. "Please, there's no need to thank me. I'm doing this for a friend, it's the least I can do."

Skylight smiled brightly. Snowdrop turned her head to face the wall. "You deserve the gratitude, princess."

"She's over here, grandma..." Skylight walked over to Snowdrop and used her wing to gently turn Snowdrop in the right direction.

Celestia yawned, covering her mouth with her wing. "I will retire now. Goodnight you two."

"Goodnight, Celestia," said Snowdrop.

Celestia turned around and left the room, closing the door behind her gently. Skylight sighed and started looking up at the ceiling, examining the paintings from where she was. As she was looking she slowly turned around so she faced Snowdrop, lowering her head while she did. When her eyes fixed on Snowdrop, Skylight saw the old mare had opened the notebook and had started to writing in the note book on a blank page. Skylight's eye twitched with pure confusion, her jaw dropped and her pupils shrank.

"G-Grandma... you're not supposed to... But you can't... How are you writing?!"

Snowdrop chuckled and finished a paragraph. "I learned. Wind Waker taught me when we started dating. It was hard, though... Took a few year to get the hang of. I could never hope to write in my youth."

"That doesn't really explain how..."

Snowdrop sighed.  "I used to have a reference sheet with the letters engraved. I went on from memory after that. As for spacing, I just measure the distance between letters with the quill, it's all simple really..."

"It's certainly outlandish to me..." Skylight sighed.

Snowdrop stretched her wings which seemed to irritate her, she also stretched her legs and sat down.

"Are you okay, grandma?" 

"My joints are hurting again... Guess my old body's starting to wear a bit thin." Snowdrop chuckled, her lips forming a smile on her wrinkled race.

"Don't say that!" She sighed. "It's just your arthritis, that's all."

"I know what arthritis is dear... this isn't that same pain." Snowdrop coughed, covering her mouth with her left wing.

Skylight frowned. "Look, how about we get some rest, tomorrow we can go to that park you mentioned earlier. Maybe then your pain will go away."

Snowdrops coughing ceased and she folded her wing back up. "Let's hope so, dear. But first, I need to continue my writing. I have not yet documented events of the past..t-two... uahh haaagh...."

Snowdrop could feel her breath escaping from her lungs, she fell over holding her throat. Skylight bolted to Snowdrop's side and helped her up, she tried to help her breathe properly again and after forty five seconds of struggle, Snowdrop's breathing became normal once more. She panted, trying to regain her breath while Skylight ran over to Snowdrop’s bag and pulled out an inhaler. She came back to the elder’s side and assisted Snowdrop in using it. Snowdrop could now truly breath again but her throat ached and her memory became shoddy.

"W-what happened? W-Where are we, Firn?"

Skylight shook her head. "Grandma… w-we're in Canterlot, we're visiting the princess."

Snowdrop blinked for a moment and her memory came back. "Oh my... I-I... That's never happened before... I just felt sickly before, but now..."

"Grandma!" Skylight shouted infuriated. "This has happened to you before and you never thought to see a doctor about it?!"

"Please... just leave it alone, Skylight. It's better for both of us that I don't see one."

"I will not stand by and watch you suffocate!"

"Do as I say!!" snapped Snowdrop, her mood suddenly changing to anger. "If you were blind like I was you wouldn't have to!!"

Skylight took a step back and stared at the blind mare on the floor. Snowdrop's eyes widened at the realization of her words, her ears flattened on her head and she lowered her blind gaze downward.

"I-I'm so sorry I... I... didn't mean that..." Snowdrop started to shed tears. "I never meant to say that, I don't know what's coming over me..."

"Grandma..." Skylight approached Snowdrop, stopping when the elder spoke again.

"I know what you will say... Answer me, do you know why I want to go to the Canterlot park..?"

Skylight struggled to find an answer and sighed. "...Why..?"

Snowdrop moved her head upward so her pale eyes met Skylights green eyes and smiled.

"I went to spend some time with my granddaughter."

Skylight flinched in surprise and felt like she could cry. 

"After that dear, we may go and see a doctor. It's a rare chance for us to connect, and for us to be in Canterlot provides a wonderful opportunity, don't you agree?"

"Every fiber of my being, every moral and all of my mother's teachings, my upbringing is telling me to take you to a doctor... Mother will kill me if I do this... But for you.. for you grandma..." Skylight sighed. "...Alright..."

Snowdrop smiled warmly. "Thank you dear."

Skylight came over to Snowdrop and helped her up, the old mare's legs cracked and crinkled as she did, her aching joints felt as if bone was grinding on bone. She ringed and winced from it, but she could bare it.

"We should rest..." Skylight suggested.

"No... I must continue my writing, I must. Historians would get it wrong no doubt, I want to be remembered the right way. I've been writing this autobiography for twenty five years. I've spent my afternoons everyday all these years documenting my life. I leave out a few details here and there for private reasons, not everypony needs to know how I came to conceive Firn and Snowdrift."

Skylight sighed. "Okay then... but not too late please..."

Snowdrop nodded. "I won't be too long." She approached the table and picked up the quill and began writing where she left off as if she could see what was on the paper.

Skylight stayed up the majority of the time Snowdrop was writing. The elder must have written a few thousand words in an hour. Snowdrop finished shortly and closed the book, she put the quill down and sighed with a yawn. Skylight was quite drowsy from the long day. She watched Snowdrop put the notes in the saddlebag and listen out for sounds. When none came she clicked quite loudly and saw what was ahead. She turned around when all had gone dark and clicked again, this time she could make out Skylight’s shape. 

"Shall we retire now, granddaughter?"

"That would be best... Do you need any help getting into bed?"

Snowdrop approached the bed she would sleep in and flapped her wings as she climbed in. "I'll manage."

Skylight blew out the candle on the desk Snowdrop wrote on and approached the bed beside her grandmother’s. Snowdrop had put out the candles beside her bed with her wings. Skylight saw Snowdrop’s eyes were closed, she was already fast asleep and peaceful. Skylight smiled pleasantly and slept just as peacefully, the snowstorm outside subsiding as dawn came hours later.


~~~


The next day came quickly during the mare's restful sleep. Pegasi and Unicorns were clearing the mess left behind by the snow storm, to keep the streets safe and to prepare for the spring sunrise that was to come the next day. Skylight awoke early enough to do her morning stretches. She looked around for Snowdrop who was usually awake by now, only to find she wasn't. Skylight looked around the room for the elder to see she was still in bed. The cream colored pegasus sighed with a smile and approached the bed.

"Grandma, it's time to get up. We're going to Canterlot Park, remember?"

Snowdrop stirred. She lifted her head from the pillow slowly. Suddenly Skylight was taken aback by the elder’s complexion. Snowdrop had paled overnight, she was like a ghost, gaunt and white. Skylight immediately went to the room’s door and opened it. She looked to Six Stream who was passing by and asked him urgently to fetch Princess Celestia, the fear in her voice was enough to hurry the stallion, who nodded and quickly ran to the throne room where the Princess Sat.

Once told, Celestia wasted no time, she came to the room and stopped in the door way when she saw Snowdrop was standing with assistance from Skylight, worry written all over her face. The princess noted Snowdrop’s heavy breathing and panting. Whatever was wrong with Snowdrop, it had reached its end. She knew it was only a matter of time now, Snowdrop knew it too and was eager to go, so she may spend time with Skylight if only for a short time.

"Oh Snowdrop..." Celestia muttered with sorrow. She carefully approached the two and got down to the old mare's height.

Snowdrop blinked her pale eyes, she knew the princess was there and smiled. "I'm not... afraid... It's what awaits me I'm afraid of..."

By this point Skylight could do nothing to assure herself that her grandmother was okay, Snowdrop could say nothing of the sort, either. Skylight fought back tears and looked to the princess.

"She insists we get going to the park. Say's it'll be a bonding experience for us to walk together and talk..."

Snowdrop nodded in silence. Celestia looked at the both of them and stood up, her head lowered. 

"As princess I cannot allow Snowdrop to leave without medical attention. But I doubt you would allow me to stop you. Right, Snowdrop?" 

"I'm... s-stubborn... you know that..." She smiled, resting her head against Skylight’s neck. 

Celestia looked toward the couch and levitated Snowdrop’s coat to her, putting it on her old friend so Skylight did not have to. Celestia fought back her own emotions and tried to keep a calm composure, though her voice gave her way; it trembled with emotion.

"Y-You where this, and stay warm. I-I had the cooks p-prepare some food f-f-for you." 

"Thank you princess," Skylight said with gratitude.

Six Streak opened up Skylight’s saddlebags and placed the meals within. He and the princess lead the two mares through the halls and into the throne room, maids and soldiers pausing to see Snowdrop in her dismal state, each of them feeling sorry for the old girl. The guard opened the doors for them, Six Stream stood back and watched while Celestia lead the two out. She bid the two farewell and good health to them while they left. As they did, a single snow flake came down and landed in the corner of Celestia's eye, streaming down her cheek like a tear. She touched her cheek with her wing and looked at the water that had fallen to her face. She looked up and saw that Luna's statue had water coming from the eyes.

"Luna... Are you crying, dear sister?" The princess turned her gaze back to Snowdrop and Skylight, both of whom were walking away in the direction of their destination.

Snowdrop and Skylight entered the park upon their arrival, they stepped through the snow, soft and cool beneath their hooves. Snowdrop could feel her strength returning to her and stopped, Skylight stopping in turn.

"Something wrong, grandma?"

Snowdrop shook her head. "I'm okay, I think I can walk now."

"Are you sure?" Skylight sounded concerned.

"I'm sure." Snowdrop lifted herself off of Skylight and started taking a few steps forward.

Skylight watched Snowdrop carefully. For a while Snowdrop seemed normal, she felt her way around, safe in the knowledge that Skylight was nearby. The wind started to pick up, Snowdrop could hear the sounds of children, their voices carried upon the wind, the sounds of stars streaking past much like in her youth. Snowdrop felt weak again, she started to stumble and wobble. Seeing this, Skylight rushed over to Snowdrop flapping her wings to gain more momentum; she called out to her grandmother. Snowdrop took in two more breaths before closing her eyes and falling into the snow. Snowdrop then laid still on the ground as Skylight fell to her grandmother’s side and called for help.


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