it was a cold December morning, a fresh blanket of snow covered the town of ponyville. ponies began to trickle out of their homes, to begin their day. just outside the everfree forest, laid a small cottage with a tree like structure. the windows were fogged to the point you couldn't see inside. the teal door to the cottage opened to reveal a yellow furred Pegasus with long pink hair a green eyes. she carried a bag in her mouth as she stepped out into the snow. as she set the bag down, a few animals scurried up the hill to her. she put a bowl in the bag and scooped up the contents, animal food. setting the bowl down the few animals dove in as she flinched. "oh my," fluttershy said "you all are starving! oh but I cant invite you in.. angel would get upset..." she thought for a moment. "oh wait that's right he's dead! so.. come right in!" she said with a warm smile as the animals followed her into the cottage. upstairs, a groggy unicorn stepped out of bed. his jet black mane was a shaggy mess, his icy blue eyes were barely open. he clumsily stumbled into the bathroom to get ready. he turned on the sink and splashed his face with warm water, his dark gray fur hung down causing him to look much older. he shook the water off and trotted out of his room. fluttershy was downstairs making breakfast, apples, eggs, and toast. "glad to see your awake, astrid!" fluttershy said without looking. astrid looked up in confusion how the hay did she know I was here?astrid thought walking to the table. "morning mom." astrid said sitting down. "good morning!!!!!" a hyper pony yelled. astrid nearly spit out his orange juice in shock. he swallowed and turned around. "oh hi pinkie pie. you scared me...." astrid said shyly. pinkie giggled and held out a box with a tag with his name on it. "what's this?" astrid said looking at the box. "happy birthday!!!" the mane six said jumping out. astrid had forgotten his own birthday! "oh thanks everypony!" astrid said smiling. the girls handed him their gifts. from pinkie pie, a bunch of treats of all shapes and kinds. from applejack, a pair of work boots. from rainbow dash, tickets to see the wonderbolts. from rarity, a red and black scarf. and from twilight, a book of advanced magic. pinkie brought out his favorite cake, red velvet, and they sang happy birthday to him. he thanked them and they all hurried off to continue their day. astrid turned to his mother, who hadn't given him a gift. she turned around and gave him a old looking box, with odd markings and scratches all over it. astrid looked at the box curiously. she slowly gave him the box and looked into his eyes. "astrid," she began "this is your present however, you cant open it until tonight ok?" fluttershy said with a smile. astrid nodded and took it to his room. when he turned to leave, a wispy and dark voice called out to him. astrid..the voice called. astrid spun around to face it however nothing was there. he shrugged and walked out, closing the door and locking it. astrid trotted down the steps and out the door, on his way to see his girlfriend who was in town. he trotted to sweet apple acres and looked around. "Cuddles!!!!" a tomboyish voice called as a pony tackled astrid pinning him to the ground. "gah! oh.. hi babe." astrid said pushing her up. babs started to whine. "come on! I want a huggle!!!!!!" she whined as astrid sighed in annoyance. babs gave him a tight squeeze before trotting along side him. "so..." babs said poking his shoulder. "what?" astrid said looking at her.****