Princess Celestia sat triumphantly on her newly made ice throne in the inner sanctum of Fort Shadowskull. The red and blue flags of Gale and Dusk’s teams sat on the armrests of her throne. The two of them had declined to continue the contest with their commander after their defeats in the latest round. ‘Twas probably for the best; ‘twould have been most difficult to get the Kicker children reorganized after the introduction of those from Canterlot.
Now all of them were doing as children did when they had plentiful fresh snow to play with, continuing smaller and less organized snowball fights, building snowponies, rising sleds down the snowmounds, and playing a variety of other games in the slowly fading sunlight. Even the ravens had taken to playing. Either joining the children on their sleds or rolling about in the snow. There was something harmonious ‘bout watching the children play, and it warmed my heart. I suspected that introducing the children to one another had been Princess Celestia’s intention from the start.
But I was not outside playing with the children; instead I was with Princess Celestia, Mother, Shadow, Gale, and Dusk, sipping on hot chocolate. While my magic was drained, ‘twas still not much of an effort on my part to give everypony seats.
“Well, I had fun,” I said to break the silence that had fallen on the room. Curiously, everypony else exchanged worried looks with one another. That was strange. “What? This was most enjoyable. I look forward to next time.”
Shadow frowned. “Midnight, I have thought it over and reached a conclusion.” She took a deep breath. “I am afraid I must announce that thou art no longer permitted to participate in our snow battles.”
I jerked back at the grave announcement. “B-but why?”
Gale narrowed her eyes. “Thou constructed a gigantic ice dragon that went on a rampage.”
Dusk wrapped a leg around his wife’s shoulders. “And likely traumatized an entire generation of children.”
I blinked slowly. “And?”
“I believe they feel thine enthusiasm for the contest was rather excessive,” Shadow explained.
I tilted my head, failing to understand their intentions. “Such a thing is possible? I always hear of parents complaining their children lack zeal in their activities and do not dedicate themselves to the task before them. I merely applied myself to the task Gale had given me.”
Shadow smile dryly. “I do not think Sunbeam will have any such complaints regarding thee. But aye, thou didst go too far.”
My ears wilted. It seemed that, despite my perfectly good logic, I had once again alienated those around me. “Oh. That was not mine intention.”
“It was supposed to be fun for the children,” Gale said gently. “It is not entirely your fault. I allowed my desire to defeat my husband to get the better of me. I should have ... explained mine intentions more clearly.”
“Thou art quite forgiven, my love.” Dusk rubbed Gale’s shoulder, and she leaned ‘gainst him in turn. They were the picture of contentment, and it greatly confused me. For a mare who always told me she despised the stallion she had married, she seemed most comfortable with him.
I decided to leave that mystery for another day and instead concentrated on more immediate matters. “I suppose the exercise was intended to teach the children strategy and teamwork, rather than merely serve as a display of my magic.”
Princess Celestia nodded. “We yet salvaged the day.” The loud and boisterous laughter and play of the children echoed in the courtyard outside.
I sighed, now realizing I had taken matters too far and considering what restitution so might make to the children of the Kicker Clan. “I fear I will never understand such things.”
Mother scooted closer to me on our bench and wrapped a leg around my shoulders. “What confuses thee, my child?”
“Contests such as these, and playing with children.” My eyes shifted to Gale and Dusk and strange feelings I could not describe stirred within me. “And a great many other things besides.”
“When something confuses thee ... ask,” Mother said.
Princess Celestia nodded. “I have found that asking questions is the easiest way to clear up one’s confusion.”
“That is probably the key to it.” I pointed out through the hole in the wall to the children playing outside. “I think part of my confusion is that I did not experience much of that as a child. I suppose I do not know what everypony considers ... appropriate.”
Shadow grunted, though I could not tell what she wished to convey with it. “Suffice to say, terror spells and gigantic ice dragons only belong on a true battlefield.”
Dusk nodded. “If thou dost see children fleeing in terror and sobbing uncontrollably, reconsider thine actions.”
Gale added, “If all thy friends counsel thee to stop and say that thou hast gone too far, heed their words.”
“Those are good things to know,” I said. “I will remember that for the future.”
Princess Celestia smiled. “I think that is all some very good advice.”
“Aye.” I sighed. “Even if I have been banned from having snowball fights ever again, sadly.”
“I think it best not to tempt fate,” Shadow said.
“Very well.” ‘Twas a great disappointment that I would no longer be allowed to participate in the Kickers’ snowball fights, but there seemed little point in pressing the matter. I could see in Shadow continence that she would not likely bend on the issue. At least I still had my books, if nothing else. “Once we are done here, I will return to my studies. That would seem best for everypony.”
“Very good, then.” Mother considered me for a moment. “And if ‘tis any consolation, thou didst show considerable magical skill.”
“I did?” I tilted my head. ‘Twas strange to hear Mother compliment me so. I expected her to put some addendum on that compliment, criticising me for some failure or telling me how I could improve. But for once the criticising did not come.
“The ice dragon was rather impressive.” Princess Celestia chuckled. “Even if thou didst terrorize the children with it. But I suppose I can forgive one indiscretion as long as ‘tis not repeated.”
A slight smile crept onto my lips. “I admit, that was a moment of inspiration on my part. It has been some time since I have exerted myself so.”
“How didst thou conjure it?” Mother asked. “A constructed body and bound spirit?”
I nodded. “Aye, ‘twas a construct made of ice intended to house an ice spirit. 'Twas merely a matter of summoning a spirit from the plane of ice and wind, and binding it to a vessel it would accept.”
“I see.” Mother grinned with satisfaction. “Good, my plan to counter it would have worked.”
Princess Celestia quirked an eyebrow. “Concerned that thy daughter might have exceeded thee, Sunbeam?”
Mine own eyebrow rose. Had I really come so close to surpassing Mother, even in this one thing? Mother said she had a counter for Icingdeath, but...
“It is only natural for children to exceed their parents, and the truest mark of a teacher is when they are surpassed by their student.” After a moment, Mother smiled proudly. “Though I think Midnight is not quite there yet. But some day she will be the mightiest magus in Equestria—that I assure you, my princess.”
“I will seek to please you, Mother.” I squirmed in place, feeling most awkward at her assertions. I wished to be as great as she wished for me to be, but ‘twas a great burden. There was still much I needed to accomplish before I could begin to declare myself to be so magnificent.
Mother patted me on the back. “I would expect nothing less of thee, my child.” That done, she rolled her neck and shoulders. “Now then, I believe there is only one other matter left unresolved.”
“And what might that be?” Shadow asked.
Mother grinned and her horn light up. “A matter of vengeance.” Her magic nudged a piled of snow that had been collecting out on the barricade, and it fell as a big clump onto Princess Celestia, burying her.
Mine eyes widened. “M-Mother! What are you doing?!”
Being the mightiest pony in Equestria, dealing with snow proved a trifle to Princess Celestia. There was a glow of golden light and the snow melted away from the Guardian of the Sun, an amused grin spreading across her face. “Ah, so that is the way of it.” She gathered up fresh snowballs while Mother did the same.
Shadow stood from her seat and stretched. “It seems the contest is not yet done. I suppose I shall—” She was interrupted when she was hit in the head with a snowball.
Gale picked up another snowball and grinned impishly. “What was that, Mother?”
Dusk grinned too, arming himself as well. “I believe she has started the games anew.”
“And ponies say I am mad.” I let out a put-upon sigh and started collecting mine own snowballs, knowing how this situation was going to escalate. “And now I am in a difficult situation, for now my loyalties have been divided.”
“I do not think there are any clear lines to this battle.” Dusk considered his snowball and then pegged his wife in the back, causing her to gasp in surprise at the sudden betrayal. She turned on her husband and returned fire, the two of them ignoring all others as they battled.
“Ah, so 'tis the last pony standing?” I pulled myself from the bench and prepared myself for one last battle. “That I can understand well enough.”
“But canst thou win?” Princess Celestia hurled a snowball my way.
I caught the snowball in midair and smiled. “In mine experience, there is only one way to find out.”