Dash and Soarin spend their first shared winter vacation together, but they won't be able to relax for long...
Winter is just around the corner, which means it's time for the ponies of Equestria to prepare for Cloudsdale's delivery of snow and ice for the new season. This also means that Rainbow Dash, who had joined the Wonderbolts shortly after her suspension in the Reserves, and Soarin have the whole season to relax.
Dash invites Soarin to spend their vacation in Ponyville and help prepare for winter, but when Dash can't do her part in the preparations, will Soarin be able to help her out? Unfortunately, that's not the only problem he and the Mane 7 will have to face...
"Alright, Wonderbolts," Spitfire's voice carried throughout the now empty Baltimare Stadium, "Tonight's performance received amazing ratings. This has been one of the greatest season finale shows. Don't party too long tonight, though. Meet at the train station at 3 AM tomorrow and we'll be heading back to Cloudsdale. Just like we all agreed, I sent letters to each of your family and friends in your towns and cities so they can greet you at the station. After that, go home and get rest until spring. You all earned it."
All the Wonderbolts cheered and began to separate in their own groups to celebrate the end of another successful season. The only Wonderbolts left in the stadium were Rainbow Dash and Soarin.
It had been a few months by now since Blaze tried to destroy Dash and Soarin's relationship, and a lot has happened. Dash had joined the Wonderbolts, Twilight had mentored Starlight Glimmer in friendship, who graduated after defeating Queen Chrysalis, and honestly, life had been pretty good since then.
To Dash, life had been too good. Every day she waited for something to happen. Something that would put Equestria in harm's way once again. So far, nothing has happened but she wasn't going to let her guard down.
The two pegasi began to fly out of the stadium when Soarin spoke up.
"How does it feel knowing you finished your first season as a full Wonderbolt?"
"It's awesome," Dash smiled, "better than I imagined."
Soarin smiled back. "Good."
"So, what are you gonna do this winter?" Dash asked.
"I don't know," Soarin shrugged, "my parents are pretty busy in the weather factory and they don't think they'll have much time to relax this year."
"You should totally hang out in Ponyville! You can stay with me, and I'm sure my friends won't mind. Plus you can help get the town ready for winter. We start in two days."
"That'd be awesome! It'll be nice to spend quality time with my awesome marefriend!" Soarin pulled Dash into a hug as she laughed and blushed slightly.
"Alright, you goof," Dash yawned as Soarin let her go, "We both should get back to the hotel, the last thing we need is Spitfire screaming in our ears for oversleeping or something."
Soarin laughed. "Right."
The trip to Cloudsdale from Baltimare had been pretty quiet so far. Most Wonderbolts were asleep, and the rest whispered to each other about their winter plans. Even Spitfire was out. It was about 5 AM now, and they would be at the train station below Cloudsdale in an hour.
Dash fell asleep as soon as she had sat down. Soarin, who had awoken from his slumber an hour ago, admired Luna's night. That was when Airbrush walked up, a blanket wrapped around her.
"Hey, Soar," she said tiredly.
"Oh, hey Airbrush. Do you want to sit down? I can move Dash over a little to give you some space."
Airbrush looked over at the sleeping prismatic mare next to Soarin. She had her head rested against the window but the rest of her body took most of the seat. Airbrush shook her head.
"No need. I'm sure Wave Chill won't mind sharing the seat for once." She motioned behind her, where Wave Chill had been reading a newspaper. He recently had his luggage on the seat but moved it on the rack above when he tried to sleep.
"Go ahead," he said, eyes not leaving the paper.
"So," Airbrush sat down and wrapped the blanket around her self as she got situated, "planning to stay in Cloudsdale again?"
Soarin shook his head. "Actually, my parents are pretty busy with weather business and don't have much free time. I'm gonna be with Dash in Ponyville. Most likely for the whole winter."
Airbrush smiled. "It's good you two are gonna spend more time together. Wonderbolt life can be tough on relationships."
"Yeah, there have definitely been times where we argued because of the stress we had from it, but it obviously hasn't ruined our relationship forever."
"I hope it stays that way," Airbrush smiled before a question popped into her mind, "by the way, I heard Ponyville hasn't officially started their winter yet, did Rainbow say when they start?"
"Yeah, they get ready tomorrow. I never experienced winter except in Cloudsdale, so this will be new for me."
"Oh that's right," Airbrush nodded her head, "I forgot Cloudsdale doesn't do the same kind of preparations like the other ponies."
"I'll admit, I'm kind of nervous about that. Dash said she'll show me what to do, so that's good."
Before Airbrush could respond, the now awake Spitfire yelled through the Wonderbolt-filled cabin.
"Alright, everypony! We have ten minutes until we're at the station, so get your stuff together. Once you get off, find your families or friends and head on home."
"Well, I guess I should get my things together. I'll see you in the spring," Airbrush stood up and began to walk back to her original seat.
"You should come visit soon. I know Dash would love it," Soarin suggested.
Airbrush smiled. "Sure thing, Soarin."
Once the train had stopped at the Cloudsdale Ground Station, every Wonderbolt bolted towards their families and friends. Wave Chill was greeted by his little brother and father, Airbrush had her children, Spitfire to her mom, and Dash and Soarin to her friends.
"Hey, girls," Dash greeted as she slowly landed in front of her best friends. It was obvious that she was still half-asleep.
"I'M SO GLAD YOU'RE BACK I WAS SO DEPRESSED THE WHOLE TIME!" Pinkie screeched as she tackled the cyan mare.
"Thanks, Pinkie," Dash laughed as Pinkie let go.
"How was the tour?" asked Twilight.
"Super exhausting, but awesome."
"Oh, darling! You look exhausted! We should get that fixed up, especially in front of your prince charming!" Rarity exclaimed.
"If you don't mind me asking, Soarin, did anypony come to pick you up? Or are you going to be in Cloudsdale?" Fluttershy asked.
"Usually I stay with my parents for the winter, but it's going to be really busy in the weather factory this year," Soarin answered.
"So he's gonna be hanging with us in Ponyville! Is it cool with you guys?" Dash added.
"Soarin is going to spend all of winter, which is the most romantic season of the year, with his marefriend? THAT'S SO ROMANTIC!!!" Rarity squealed. Dash rolled her eyes.
"You thought when he looked in my direction it was romantic..."
"What? It was! I could see it in not only his eyes but in yours!" Rarity defended.
"I wasn't even paying attention until you screamed in my ear," Dash replied in a slightly annoyed tone.
"Well, you two definitely came back at the perfect time. Tomorrow is the winter preparations," Twilight explained, changing the subject.
"That reminds me, what do you all do? I never got to prepare for winter since I've spent them all in Cloudsdale," Soarin questioned.
"Twilight is in charge of organizing each group. Fluttershy leads the group that guides animals to good hibernate places, Pinkie leads the group that takes down the leaves of trees, Rarity leads the group that helps Fluttershy's group with guiding the birds to the south, and Applejack leads the group that collects the rest of unharvested fruits and vegetables," Dash explained.
"And what about your group?" Soarin asked.
"My group gathers the clouds from the weather ponies and places them in the right spot. Pretty much everything that goes on in the sky is what my group does."
"What group am I gonna be in?"
"You're gonna be in Rainbow's group. Fast pegasi like you and her will help speed up the process," Twilight stated.
Soarin nodded. Good, he thought, Not only will she able to explain what to do, but I'll also spend time with her.
The next morning, at Dash's home.
"Dash! Come on, we were supposed to meet Twilight at her castle an hour ago!" Soarin yelled.
Soarin didn't like waking up anyone, especially Dash, but he hated being late. He didn't understand, Dash seemed to look forward to this.
So why was she still sleeping?
"Dash?" Soarin peeked his head through Dash's bedroom door, only to see his marefriend lying in her bed.
"What?" Dash answered, not looking at him.
"We have to go, didn't you hear me cal- hey, you okay?" His voice went from a serious tone to a concerned one. He flew closer as she finally sat up.
"Yeah, just tired. Didn't get much sleep these past two nights," she assured, but Soarin wasn't convinced.
"You sure?"
"Soar, I appreciate your concern, but I'm fine. Let's just go to Twilight's."
Dash then finally sat up, and Soarin watched as she slowly walked out of her room. He was going to keep a good eye on her today.
"Where were you?" Starlight asked as Soarin and Dash flew into the castle.
"Overslept," Dash stated blankly.
Starlight and Soarin exchanged glances at each other, which both shrugged before following the pegasus into the Cutie Map room.
Soarin didn't really know Starlight as well as he knew Dash and her other friends. He knew what she had done, good and bad, but that was really it. When he had met Dash and her friends before Starlight joined the group, it was very easy to distinguish who was who. Twilight the bookworm, Applejack the farmer, Pinkie the party pony, Fluttershy the quiet one, Rarity the beauty guru, and Dash the athlete. He didn't really know what to make of Starlight.
"Rainbow Dash, you were supposed to be here with the rest of Ponyville an hour ago! Do you know how hard it is to lead a group of pegasi AND keep everything else organized?" Twilight lectured as Dash sat in her throne.
"Yeah," Dash answered, almost as if she wasn't really listening.
"What's up with her?" Starlight asked, to which Soarin shrugged once again as a response.
"She said she didn't sleep well last night."
They watched as Twilight continued to lecture Dash about punctuality, who wasn't paying attention whatsoever.
"Rainbow are you even listening to me? You are so out of it today!" Twilight said as she watched her friend slowly fall asleep.
"Yeah, yeah. I heard you. I'll get onto it," Dash yawned as she began to fly towards the entrance of the Cutie Map room, but was stopped by Twilight's magic.
"No. You are going to stay in here until I can find out what's wrong with you."
Twilight placed Dash back onto her throne gently as she walked over to her.
Starlight and Soarin watched the alicorn examine the loyal friend until she had come to a conclusion.
"Yeah, I'm not sending you out there with the other ponies."
"Why? What's wrong with her?" Soarin asked, worry growing each second.
"She's sick. Fever, exhaustion, absent-minded..." Twilight continued to list everything that Dash had been since that morning, "Soarin, you gotta do her job for her."
"What? But I don't even know what to do! She was supposed to show me!" Soarin exclaimed, surprisingly not waking up the now sleeping mare.
"I'll teach you," Starlight volunteered, "I had to fill in for Thunderlane last year, so I know what to do. Plus, I know that if you were in her place, she'd do the same for you."
Soarin nodded and they both left Twilight and Dash in the castle.
Soarin followed Starlight as they traveled down Ponyville, heading towards the snowy part of the town. He looked around to see the pegasi, unicorns, and earth ponies hard at work, but still enjoying each other's company. To him, it was a nice town. Everyone just seemed to get along. Something he wished happened in every part of Equestria.
I guess that's the reason why the Cutie Map tells the girls to go everywhere else
They eventually stopped at the border of the snow now lying on the ground. Starlight turned around to face Soarin.
"Okay," she began, "your group is up there."
She motioned up to the sky above, where three pegasi gently pushed clouds into certain spots before flying away to collect more.
"What you're gonna do is go to the weather ponies, take the cloud and move it right next to the last cloud placed," Starlight explained.
Soarin nodded confidently. "Alright, that seems easy enough."
"That's the first part," Starlight continued, "After enough clouds are placed, you have to get the jars of winds from the weather ponies and follow the wind directors. They'll take care of it from there. Then after that, you have to jump on the clouds to start the snow..."
Starlight continued to explain everything that Soarin will have to do. He was used to a lot of work, but this was insane. How did Dash do this every year?
"Lunch break is in two hours, so come back to the castle then. If you need me, I'll be helping Rarity with the birds," she waved goodbye and left Soarin to begin his work.
"Finally!" Soarin exclaimed as he placed the final cloud in position. For a small town, there was a lot of sky to cover. He turned around to collect the first jar of wind.
"Okay, Soarin, you're gonna give this jar to that mare in the uniform. Be extremely careful, one small crack can cause a tornado," the weather pony warned.
"Yes, sir," Soarin carefully held the jar as if it was his own foal. He looked at the mare and flew slowly but progressively enough to get to her on time and not harm the jar.
He handed the jar over to mare, who looked for a good direction to open it.
"I'll take it from here, Soarin," the mare said as she continued to look around.
Soarin jumped slightly at the voice. There was something familiar about it.
It couldn't be...
He brushed off the strange thought before continuing on with his work.
"Alright, everypony! Let's all go get lunch and rest for a while. Meet back here in thirty minutes so we can get the snow falling in the area," Mayor Mare yelled.
Soarin flew back to the castle just as Starlight instructed. In all honesty, he was getting tired. Most of Ponyville was finished, so he was glad majority of the work was done. He eventually made it to the castle and walked into the Cutie Map room, where Dash and Twilight seemed to be all day.
Dash seemed more awake now, as in she was able to keep her eyes open for once. She smiled as Soarin walked in.
"Hey, Soar!" She greeted happily.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" He walked over to her to give her a kiss on the cheek before sitting beside her.
"I'm feeling okay, still a little drowsy I guess," she shrugged.
"She has definitely woken up since you left, but her fever is still the same," Twilight stated.
"I hope you get better soon, Dash, it's lonely out there. I don't exactly know a lot of ponies here," Soarin smiled sheepishly before a memory entered his train of thought.
"That reminds me, have you guys heard from Blaze since Canterlot?"
Starlight walked into the room as Soarin asked his random question while Twilight and Dash stared at the Wonderbolt in silence. No one has really mentioned Blaze since that day.
"Blaze," Starlight began, "was that the girl who tried to ruin your relationship?"
Dash nodded before looking back at Soarin. "Why bring her up?"
"I swear I heard her earlier when we were bringing the jars of wind down."
"That's ridiculous, someone would've noticed her in a town like this," Starlight said.
"Maybe you've been working too hard today. Take a load off," Dash suggested.
"Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie will be here soon, and Applejack is gonna bring some food from her farm. I'm sure she'll bring one of those apple pies you seem to love," Twilight added, laughing lightly at the end.
Soarin rolled his eyes when, as if on cue, Applejack walked in with a wagon filled with food, followed by the rest of the friends.
"Hiya, everypony!" Pinkie greeted happily as she bounced her way into her throne.
"Hey, girls. What took so long?" Dash asked.
"Well, SOMEPONY decided to use the first ten minutes of her lunch break to finish a whole section of Sweet Apple Acres while we waited on her!" Rarity announced, being her dramatic self.
Soarin watched Dash as she jumped from one cloud to the next to begin the snowfall. She definitely picked up any and all slack that was created by the other pegasi. This didn't stop Soarin's worry for her. She was still sick and he wanted her to get better as soon as possible, but that didn't work with Dash. If she thought she can handle something, she will do it. She was the most stubborn pony in all of Equestria.
But of course, he loved it.
And he loved her.
He wanted to protect her forever.
So why wouldn't the dang mare listen to him?!
Speaking about protection, there was something else on the young Wonderbolt's mind.
I don't understand. That weather pony didn't look anything like Blaze, so why did I hear her? Why now? Why me? I-
"Come on, Soarin," Dash called out to him from behind, "we're almost done."
"Oh, right," Soarin shook his head before getting back to work.
Dash rolled her eyes, "and he thinks I'm the one who's gonna work slow..."
Dash looked around as she jumped onto another snow-filled cloud. The majority of Ponyville was covered in the new snow, but there was still work to be done.
I really hope we stay at this pace, I think that fever is getting the best of me...
Dash watched from the cloud to see Soarin talking to another pony while moving more clouds into their positions. She smiled at the scene, knowing that Soarin will eventually make friends with the residents of Ponyville. She looked at the pony he was talking to, and it happened to be none other than Derpy Hooves.
Although Derpy could be a little clumsy, Dash had always liked her. Everything she did was for good intentions, and Dash respected that. She smiled as she watched the Wonderbolt talking to Derpy. From what she could see, Derpy seemed to have made a joke, and Soarin laughed along.
Dash turned away from the scene to look for the next cloud to jump on.
"You're not that special..."
Dash shot her head around at the surprising voice but saw no one nearby. She shook her head and continued on.
"I don't see how you thought he'd be into you..."
Dash looked around once again but had the same result. No one.
"Okay, who said that?" Dash asked while searching for this mysterious voice.
"I can ruin your life..."
Dash froze as the mysterious voice said those five words. She remembered them, but not the voice. She didn't know what to make of it.
She then flew away from the cloud, hoping that work would keep her mind off of the memory.
"That was weird..."
"Alright, everypony," Mayor Mare began, "I am pleased to announce that all of Ponyville is officially in winter!"
The citizens of Ponyville cheered, for their day of hard work was over. Mayor Mare began her speech as everyone listened closely. All except Dash, who's mind flooded with thoughts about her strange experience. Soarin looked over at his marefriend, who had a focused expression but was staring at the ground.
"You okay?" He asked, quiet enough for her to hear but not the rest of Ponyville.
"Huh? Oh yeah. I'm fine," Dash assured once she snapped out of her gaze.
"You sure? You seemed to be thinking of something just now. What's up?"
Dash shook her head and shrugged, "I don't know."
"What? What does that mean?"
"Something weird happened earlier. I'll tell you after we get back to the castle," Dash said.
Soarin nodded slowly as he watched Dash try to focus on the speech. He didn't understand what she meant by "weird". Dash was friends with Pinkie Pie AND Discord so her standard for weirdness had to be somewhat high. What could've possibly passed that level?
I'm sure it's nothing.
At Twilight's castle. "Huh?" Soarin asked in confusion.
Dash had explained the strange event to her closest friends and coltfriend. They all had about the same amount of confusion as Soarin written across their faces.
"I don't understand, you're saying there was this mysterious random voice that tried to insult you?" Applejack tried to clarify.
"No, it was more than just that," Dash explained, "Everything it said was what Blaze said to me that day at The Tasty Treat, but it wasn't close to her voice at all."
Soarin thought for a moment before an idea entered his mind.
"Maybe Discord just tried to play a prank on you. He's known for that kind of stuff anyway."
The girls in the room nodded in agreement except for Fluttershy.
"Oh, I don't know. Discord can be a prankster when he wants to be, but that would take it too far. That would be something the old Discord would do."
"Too far? You, Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie and the rest of Ponyville made me think you all died because of one of my pranks! I wouldn't be shocked if Discord pulled a prank just as bad, if not worse, as yours!"
"Woah, why haven't I heard about that?" Soarin asked, shocked to think a town like Ponyville can pull off something like that.
"Not important," Dash quickly responded, not wanting to relive that night ever again.
"Oh come on, Rainbow! That was to teach you a lesson, not for fun," Twilight defended.
"Twilight is right. Although, I do have to admit. I now don't believe that Discord pulled this off. He wouldn't do such a thing for no reason," Rarity stated.
"Well then, what was it?" Dash asked.
"I think it was just your mind playing tricks on you. You should take it easy until your fever is gone. The cold weather may have gotten to you," Twilight explained.
Soarin looked at Dash and mouthed "I told you so", to which Dash stuck her tongue out.
Back at Rainbow's home later that night Dash laid in her bed, Luna's moonlight shining through her bedroom window. Dash stared at the ceiling, thinking about the voice.
I don't get it. I've had worse illnesses than this. What's wrong with me?
She thought long and hard about each possible answer she could muster up, but none seemed to match up. She turned over to face Soarin, who was fast asleep. She smiled warmly before turning back over to face the window before she got up slowly to avoid waking up her coltfriend.
Maybe a small flight will help me sleep
She quietly flew out of her home and glanced at the silent town from the air. All lights were off, only the ponies who worked night shifts were awake. Dash landed on a cloud and gave her attention the bright full moon.
Dash had always loved Luna's nights. It felt as if there was a special type of magic gliding throughout the sky, a magic that not even Twilight could create. It was beautiful. She began to feel at ease for the first time that night.
After a few more minutes of relaxing on the cloud, she flew back home and looked at her town before going inside.
She quietly flew back into her room and bed, where Soarin was still deep in his slumber. Dash smiled once again at the Wonderbolt before situating herself back into a comfortable position. She could feel the dreamland approaching just before someone woke her.
