The Story of Winter

It all started normally for Winter. He was five years old when it all began. Growing up, Winter wasn't exactly poor, nor was he rich. Most ponies would say Winter's family was below middle class. He was a good colt. His parents were nice ponies. At the time.

Winter always aspired to be like his distant ancestor, but he couldn't get the hang of making snowflakes. He tried and tried, but no matter how Winter practiced, nothing seemed to work. Little did Winter know, his life was about to change. Forever.

One day, Winter caught a split-second glimpse of somepony outside the house from the living room window. He wasn't able to discern what was unsettling about this pony. Winter squinted, his eyes working to catch the details of this strange pony. From the build, Winter deduced that it must be a stallion. He was unable to see much more before the stranger simply disappeared.

Not long after he saw the stranger, the house caught fire. "Okay, don't worry! We just need to get out!" His father urged his wife and son towards the door. The words his father said were in vain. The fire spread at magnificent speeds, eating away at the hallway leading out. Desperate, Winter and his parents turned to scramble through the back door.

As they clambered into the kitchen, Winter realized with dread that the fire trailed after them, like a predator tracking a helpless animal. The fire encircled the room, blocking the way out of the kitchen. They were trapped.

As if taunting the doomed ponies, the fire edged ever so slightly closer. Winter's father bucked furiously at the wall, hoping to create an exit.  It wasn't long before the fire spread to them. His dad was the first to be engulfed in flames.

He roared in pain as the fire licked at his coat, singeing away his fur.

Winter found himself silently begging for it to end quickly. What seemed like hours later, his father stopped kicking, succumbing to the torture of the flames.

"Try to get out..." His mother cried in defeat, right before suffering the same fate as his father. Tears streamed down Winter's face as he watched his parents burn in front of him.

He sobbed as the fire inched towards him. Winter choked at the smell of burning flesh. As the fire approached Winter, he felt a dizziness take hold of him.

Maybe I'll pass out from all the smoke. Maybe I won't feel a thing.

Winter felt his eyes droop, and his legs ready to buckle. Right before he lost consciousness, a deep blue dragon appeared with a mighty crash.

"Come with me, kid." She ordered Winter in a mild but stern voice. Winter, in a state of shock, didn't register what was said to him. With a look of slight annoyance, she gingerly picked Winter up, and soared out of the opening in the roof of Winter's burning house.

The tears that rolled downed Winter's face were obvious. He didn't bother putting on a tough face. The dragon had its claws wrapped around Winter protectively.

The house soon faded from view, and Winter realized that the dragon wasn't just rescuing him; she was taking him somewhere. Winter felt a coldness spread inside of him. He was lucky to come out in one piece, he knew that; but what was going to happen now?

What Winter didn't know was that there was some kind of magic that kept the fire from harming him more than minor burns. Winter, traumatized by this horrifying experience, didn't recognize how the flames recoiled from his touch, as if afraid of accidentally scorching him.

As the wind blew into Winter's face, whipping his mane, he gave in to the growing exhaustion. His bloodshot eyes still wet with tears, Winter slipped from consciousness.