Winterspell

It has been months since the fleshed two-legged creatures moved into the house. Winterspell continued to watch the children play outside from a distance where they would not spot her. They laughed and giggled, rolling around in the grass. They acted like fillies and colts in a schoolyard at recess. Despite the obvious physical differences between each other, they were very close in likeness.

Some days, one or both of the parents would walk outside to join in the excitement or to call them inside. Other days, there were no children in sight. The odd schedule puzzled Winterspell and made her curious.

On a cool afternoon, Winterspell heard a roar similar to the one she heard when the creatures moved in. Quickly, she ran towards the house and caught a glimpse of a smaller beast with circular feet running away from the house. Inside were the parents and the children. Now, the house was empty.

Feeling incredibly curious, she marched straight through the backyard up to the front door. She used her magic to disengage the lock and the door slid easily. Slowly walking inside, she found the house to be quite like a pony's. Now, she was in a teal colored kitchen, complete with teal colored utensils, big and small.

Trotting around the house, she found the stairs and followed them up to the bedrooms. It had been years since she saw the inside of a house and began to feel homesick. She approached the door at the end of the hallway and opened the door using magic.

There was a big king sized bed in the middle of the room with gray furnishings. Next to one side of the bed was a desk stacked with large piles of paper. On the other, a large vanity sat. Winterspell approached the vanity and peered into the reflection of the mirror.

She was still as radiant as the day she fell out of Equestria's warm grasp into the clutches of this inhospitable world. Opening her wings, she began to feel a weak strand of magic, trying so hard to keep the wings from dissolving into nothing. Then, she noticed a small jewelry box.

Quickly, she opened the lid. Inside, there were several rings and earrings, none of them peaking her interests. There, in the midst of all the dazzling stones, was a diamond necklace. Her eyes glimmered at the luster of the precious rocks against the silver chain. She had to have it.
Sweeping it up with her horn, its cool touch on her snout soothed the aching pain in her heart. It was almost as if Star Swirl was standing right next to her. The memories came flooding back, turning on the valves that had spilt thousands of tears already.

Suddenly, there was a door slam downstairs and the happy screaming of children throughout the house. Winterspell froze dead cold. The diamond necklace felt like it was burning her horn and flesh. With stiff steps, she moved herself into the bathroom. Each clop of hooves against the tile made her cringe. Using her magic, she unlocked the window and flung it open. She heard footsteps approaching the bathroom, and with her fight or flight instincts kicking in, she jumped.

Quickly outstretching her wings, she flapped them vigorously, trying to keep herself aloft in the air. She used her legs to create momentum to push her towards the forest. She only hoped she was quick enough to avoid detection. Her wings soon grew tired and she fell to the ground, skidding across the dirt and tarnishing her snow-white fur.

It was not long before all the animals gathered around her once more, froze in fear that the beautiful creature of the forest was injured. She lay there, panting in exhaustion with the diamond necklace still adorning her horn. Slowly, she adjusted herself to lay down more comfortably, but followed by a burning sensation. She cringed in pain, alerting the animals of her discomfort. Two strong bucks were quick to her side and gently rolled her over.

The area of her skin that had scraped against the ground was now dark earthy brown mixed with a metallic silver: unicorn blood. The animals began to cry out in terror at the sight. Winterspell, wanting the burning to stop, used her magic to try to cool it. The ground around her began to cover with frost. The atmosphere became cold, which made the animals flee. The magic continued to spread until the whole forest became wrapped in an early winter.

***

Somewhere in the raging blizzards of the North Mountains, there dwells a sacred beast that is known to but a few. His name is Winter Fury, the Lord of the Mountains. A buck in Equestria, one with a light blue fur, fading grey eyes, and white muzzle, mane, underbelly, and tail. His legs started out light blue and slowly transitions to snow white, as did his wings. His antlers and horns were pure white and dazzling. He was gorgeous and one of the only male alicorns alive. Ruler of the mountains and master of the winter season, he is the king of all herds of deer in all the world. His castle resides at the top of the mountains, forged of ice and stone.

A few months back, he had visited a herd that lives at the foot of the mountains. The Chief had debts he owed him, so he had come to collect the payment. Unfortunately, the Chief could not pay him, so he took the most beautiful winged doe in the herd. Her name was Fortune Star, dark maroon fur balanced with a soft brink pink colored muzzle and pink to lavender transitioning hair with dazzling dark blue eyes. Now, she resides with him on the mountains.

Now, Fury found himself on the balcony outside his room in the dead of night. The usual blizzard had calmed down, letting the moonlight glisten across the fresh snow. It was only an hour ago that he had laid himself down for the night, dead tired, only to be awoken by the sense of powerful magic. He knew no one was on the mountains. Where did the magic come from? No one had set foot on the mountains since the magic pegasus who threatened his way of life was dethroned by two ordinary ponies.

He closed his eyes and searched for the magic once more. He waited for a minute in complete silence. Suddenly, an image flashed in his mind. Startled, he opened his eyes. It flashed again: an image of a portal to another world. In the distance, a scream. He shook his head, panting at the amount of magic he had used to trace it.

“It… It can’t be,” He gasped.

“What can’t be?”

Quickly, he turned to find the beautiful Fortune in his presence. The moonlight highlighted her features in a way that enhanced her beauty. He smiled in delight, making her blush and shy away from him. She was so bashful for being so beautiful.

“Nothing, my dear,” he spoke calmly, draping his wing over her back. “Come, let us return to bed. We will be leaving the mountain early tomorrow.”

***

It was a beautiful night. The moon was full and the stars gleaming against the night sky. Twilight was walking with Celestia in the castle garden. A warm, summer’s night breeze drifted by. Now, Twilight was worried after complete silence from Celestia since they walked into the garden.

“Twilight,” Celestia began, “I am astonished with your findings. However, you must not pursue after this. It’s too dangerous. Even Star Swirl knew that.”

“But Princess Celestia,” Twilight stuttered, “She’s still out there, waiting for passage home. We have to help her!”

Celestia glared at her.

“Star Swirl lost his life working on his research. A spell incorrectly cast is a dangerous thing. It caused an explosion which disintegrated him.”

Twilight’s jaw dropped. She knew Star Swirl had died many years ago, but she never knew the cause. Falling to her knees, she suppressed wails and bitter tears. Tenderly, Celestia draped her wing over her, surrounding her with warmth. It was quick to calm Twilight down and allowing her to fall asleep.