Equinox

"Thank you, sir!" Livingwood was a light green colt with a positive outlook on life. His father having just purchased a toy train, he thanked the clerk as the two left the store. Using magic, he levitated the train in front of him, waving to everypony he passed. It felt heavy to him, but he endured. "Can I play with it now, dad?" he asked. His father chuckled.

"Not now, son. When we get home, alright?" he offered. Livingwood nodded happily, running into a mare due to lack of attention. He fell on his flank and looked up in shock. The mare shook her head, dazed.

"I'm sorry, miss!" he said. The mare simply smiled, picking up the train he had dropped.

"Oh, it's alright. Is this yours?" He took the train.

"Yep! My dad just bought it today! Right, dad?" His father walked over to them.

"Yeah, not even ten minutes ago..."

"Well, it looks very nice. You're in luck, too; it doesn't seem to have a scratch on it! Still counts as new, huh?" The mare and Livingwood's father laughed. Livingwood looked down to see a small patch of flowers growing where his train had landed. He looked at them strangely, catching his father's attention.

"Livingwood? Are you feeling alright?" he asked. Following his son's eyes, he noticed the flowers as well. "Well, looks like those flowers are what saved your little train, son. Real heroes, eh?" He and the mare laughed again; Livingwood kept looking at the flowers.

"Were they there before, dad?" he asked. His father kept laughing.

"Oh, I don't know, son... Hey, miss, do you have the time?" The mare took out a watch.

"It's about quarter to 3, sir." His father started to walk away.

"We need to get going, then. Nice meeting you! Come along, Livingwood." Livingwood followed, looking back to the mare.

"Bye!" he shouted before bringing his attention to the spot where he had seen the flowers once more, only to find that they were gone. "Dad! The flowers are gone!" His father turned around and looked down.

"No, son, they're right there. See?" He pointed down; the flowers were under Livingwood's hooves. The colt lifted his leg up; even though he had apparently stepped on them, the flowers seemed to remain intact. He was puzzled by this, and went to ask his father, but decided against it. "We need to get home, son. If the flowers are here tomorrow, we can come pick them, and set them in your room. That way, you can always see them."

"A-Alright..." Livingwood followed his father back to their house, all the while thinking of the flowers.

Hours passed. Everything had seemed normal; the flowers hadn't appeared again. Livingwood ran to his room and jumped into bed, excited for tomorrow.

"Now remember, son. If you go to sleep now, you'll be fully rested and ready for school." He smiled.

"Tomorrow's show-and-tell! Can I take my new train, dad?" he asked.

"Sure, Livingwood! Just don't forget to bring it home, okay? Goodnight, son." His father stepped out and closed the door to his son's room. The colt fell back, quickly pulling the covers over him. He was eager to get to sleep. What seemed like moments later, Livingwood sat up.

"I'm thirsty..." he said to himself, climbing out of bed and opening the door. He walked down to the kitchen and levitated a cup to the sink. Filling it, he drank the contents, setting the cup back down on the table and heading for the door to his room. However, his room was no longer there. Where it once was, a grassy field stretched out for seemingly forever. Confused, he stepped through the doorway. Hearing the sound of a door close, he turned back; the door was missing, as well. Flowers began to spring up in a circle around him as an unseen force gradually lifted him.

"Hello, little one. What brings you here?" a voice echoed. Livingwood shuddered.

"I...I don't know... I want to go home!" he shouted. He looked down to see more flowers growing off of the initial circle.

"I wonder..." the voice said. "What is your name, colt?" it questioned.

"Livingwood," he answered. The force released him, and he landed softly on the ground. Everything was silent. "Hello?"

"Did anything special happen to you yesterday, Livingwood?" the voice continued. He thought back to the flowers.

"I got a new toy train!" he responded, excitement building within. "I was gonna go home and play with it, but I bumped into a mare and dropped it. My dad and I saw flowers where it landed, but I don't think they were there before!" He heard the voice let out a sigh.

"So, you are the one. Listen, young one, you have been chosen." Livingwood looked mystified. "As you may have heard, Ponyville is tasked with cleaning up Winter to make way for Spring. Not all ponies are as capable, however. They struggle to clear away the snow and ice, resulting in a short Spring. The universe believes that you are the pony who will aid them in this task." He gave a small smile.

"But, wait, why can't you help out?" His eyes widened. "Wait! Who are you?" The voice laughed.

"Why, I'm Spring, of course!" Livingwood looked around in amazement.

"Really?" he asked.

"Yes, really. Now, I need you to go prepare," the voice requested. Livingwood nodded, but stopped.

"If I'm helping other ponies help you arrive on time, will I get to see my dad again?" A light shone down upon him.

"Of course, little one. I can't separate you from your family. Go on, now." The light shone brighter and brighter until Livingwood could no longer see. He awoke moments later in his bed. The sun was shining on his face. As he sat up, his father burst through the door.

"Son! We're running late; we've gotta get you to school!" His father left, leaving the door open. Livingwood went to stand, but stopped. The flowers were resting below him.