The crackling of embers in the timid fire kept the dim room alive, as an ongoing blizzard whipped snowflakes past the frosty windows. Ashes flickered and danced apart from the flames, but then would face death as the came upon the cold tile beneath.
Before the scarlet fire sat a young mare. Velvet drapes sat underneath and above her frail body, an act set to hold in heat and shield the pony from the harsh elements the world decided to set upon the her and the living population. However, she seemed not to have taken notice, her body still. Dull, shattered eyes gazed at the warmth, the light in return illuminating her pupils, drained of all color.
The echo of the room's door slamming shut created a crack in her meaningless concentration. Both of her ears flicked at the noise, and her tail swished across the tile ground. The mare let the actions continue, hoping to alert the newcomers of her presence.
The taps of the hooves were thunderous. The fire then seemingly grew, showing the silhouette of two other mares, one a unicorn, the other pegasus. The unicorn's horn glow was soft, supporting the pony at her side as they both continued forward. Dried breaths were released from the pegasi's muzzle as she paused at the flames.
The mare that sat alone finally let her gaze turn upward. As if magic her eyes sparked, magenta returning to her pupils. A grin then formed as she began to shuffle to give room. "Hi Clover, Pansy." Smart Cookie stated softly, her own voice hoarse as well.
Clover the Clever hummed at the welcome. "Evening. Mind if we sit?" a confirming nod followed her question, and with haste her magic rolled part of the drapes out from underneath her friend's body, allowing Pansy to cautiously sit. Clover followed suit, snuggling under the pegasi's small wing.
Seconds passed as each remained silent, staring at the fire in the same way Smart Cookie had done moments before.
A rush of wind suddenly caught all their attention, banging a single window open as the cold air swirled in. Pansy shook awake from her near sleep, hacking as she failed to screech at the occurrence.
Clover took one an expression of panic before her horn erupted into her signature magic glow, the wood on the window pane creaking as the window was shut again. She then switched to the pegasus, leaning close as she whispered the only comforts she knew. "It's fine, Pansy." Cookie tried. "The Windigos are no longer a threat to us."
Pansy sniffled, wrapping the velvet tighter around herself. "M-Maybe not to the others." she murmured. "But you know all of us are doomed to the fate of the curse."
The silence following her statement became deafening. "I apologize, I did not mean to ruin this moment of peace."
Smart Cookie gave her a reassuring smile. "It's fine."
Clover piped up. "However, what she speaks of still stands. We cannot hold out forever. Soon, we all we become victim to the curse afflicted upon us." she gestured with her front hoof to them all, and how both Pansy and Smart Cookie's coats had nearly lost of all their natural shine.
Pansy ventured quietly. "Then why do you still seem fine?" she made sure to keep her tone far from accusing.
Clover's eyes darted nervously. "I do not know." she finally responded. "Maybe it is since my body was the host for the fire that defeated the Windigos, I am able to resist their power more than what an average pony could."
She then began the stand up, only to freeze as her body began to rack with unwelcome coughs. "Clover!" Pansy cried, fortunately able to catch the mare as she succumbed to the sickness and fell. Smart Cookie shuffled, expression switching like lightning to concern. "Is she alright?" she asked swiftly, staring over Pansy's stiffened shoulder.
Clover looked back, though her eyes remained unfocused. "But, I will soon enough be encased in the ice of our enemies, such as you will." the unicorn grunted as she hoisted herself back into lying position, her friends following her example. The fire was once more their only companion as they eyed it intently, exhaling as they received its warmth.
Cookie's eyes darkened, and her voice was close to dead as she spoke loud enough to hear. "We need to be separated."
Pansy stared at the mare in horror. "W-What?" she tried to scramble to her hooves, only to stumble and return to shivering on the covers. "I don't know, I wouldn't like to be without you guys when the curse takes it full effect."
Clover opened her muzzle to respond, only to consider her words and stay quiet. "It doesn't matter if we freeze as one or alone." Smart Cookie said. "The Windigos followers will find us, and destroy our bodies so we can never return. The ultimate revenge; death."
She stomped her hoof on the tile, the noise shaking the very air, startling her comrades. "That's why we have to be moved. Put on other ends of this new world."
"Ah," Clover mused. "So we can all be hidden, and safe from the wrath of anypony who dares to try to destroy us."
The earth pony nodded solemnly. Then her head perked, and she fluttered her eyelashes. "I guess now we have an idea on how we can icescape." her voice wavered uncertainly at the pun.
She sighed with relief as the other two mares giggled at the word she had used. "I lived my last few years with Chancellor Puddinghead. He was bound to have some kind of effect on how I acted." she explained, her own words shaking as she began to laugh at the sheer stupidity of her own joke.
Clover took deep breaths to pause her laughter, holding her hoof on her chest and outward repeatedly. "So..." she began, scanning to make sure her friends were paying close attention to her words.
"This...weather. What is it called?"
Pansy responded almost immediately. "Winter." the single word rolled off her tongue without a hitch. "All Pegasi still need to continue the work destined. Whatever the Windigos used for their magic, it had a direct correlation with this time of year."
Her eyes were then clouded with a deep sadness. "I do not enjoy it, though. It reminds me too much of what is to come for us." she stifled a chuckle. "Our first and last, huh?"
She stare was then cast downward, and only looked up when a light violet hoof was placed on her shoulder. "Let's not speak of that." Clover suggested calmly, scanning Smart Cookie as she nodded behind, unknowingly to the pegasus.
"Alright." Pansy nodded slowly, but surely.
"Now, do you girls have any plans?" Cookie ventured, eyes gleaming with anticipation. "I can't do much of the work for my race since of my condition, but Puddinghead has invited me over for a feast!"
"That's wonderful!" Pansy cheered, clapping her hooves together in glee. She then went on to wheeze, holding a light blue hoof in front of her muzzle to muffle the sounds. "I was planning on heading over to Cloudsdale to spend the day with my family."
She winced at Smart Cookie's raised eyebrow. "Well, I-I mean, they'll come here." she forced a weak smile.
Clover swallowed thoroughly, then said "Starswirl the Bearded will be helping me with experiments to find the cure for our disease. When that time is done, I will be continuing to see Princess Platinum, to discuss plans for this new pony nation."
Pansy timidly raised her hoof. "That's seems like a bit much for somepony with a curse like ours to do, Clover. Are you sure you'll be alright?" her concern for her friend's well-being was clear.
Clover the Clever nodded. "Quite. I am still able to move, and my magic will support me in times of need." to demonstrate, her horn lit with it's signature glow, folding her part of the drapes over her lone body.
"I guess so. Just don't overdo it." Smart Cookie instructed, resting her head against her forehooves. She sighed. "I'm so happy to have you girls here." she spoke quickly. Tears glittered in her soft eyes, threatening to drip to the floor.
But a streak came sliding down when she realized the others had begun to cry as well. They all knew what was to come, their fate. But they also knew that they could face it. As friends.
The fire pulsed and brightened, the warmth increasing the short area it reached.