Cold Hearts Never Thaw

The sharp hiss of sliced snow would resonate through the quiet of the night, the moon setting an eerie glow on the slopes that stroked the Crystal Mountains. A quiet wind whistled through the peaks, broken only by the sound of a soft grunt. Flying over the peaks, was a solid lump of white, or what looked like it was a lump, but there was a gleam of blue, and the eyes would narrow in focus, as the white being would center itself, before bracing for the landing. There was a thud, and the snow began to fly as a single cry called out.

"Whoooooohoooo!" It was male, and it was filled with joy. The clouds parted and the lump of white could be seen clearly as it skid to a halt, panting softly in its own adrenaline. A stallion the color of freshly fallen snow stood looking around, shifting his skis and chuckling.

"Aw dude...that was awesome! I haven't gotten that much height in years! I must be really out of it after all..." He said, pushing his white and cyanish gray mane from his face, sweat beading down his temple. He paused, a frown forming on his face as he looked back at his cutie mark, three solid blue snowflakes. He remembered a time when he had lived with an equality sign on his rump, a false symbol that was given to him. His brow knitted and he shook his head. "Naw...Starlight's changed...she isn't like how she used to be..."

He was of course doubtful. All of them were. Starlight Glimmer. The false Prophet who had led them astray and turned away from who they were. But now things seemed to be better... right? Double Diamond wasn't sure. Ever since Starlight had left, he and Sugar Belle had run the town, and Night Glider led the patrols while Party Favor organized all of the events. And there were a lot of events. he was also in charge of keeping everyone happy, solving disputes, and so on. It was also rumored that he was dating Night Glider, though Double Diamond had a rather difficult time swallowing that one.

"That was a pretty neat jump, Double Diamond." Came a chillingly familiar voice behind him, and Double Diamond whipped his head around, gawking as the light pink coat and purple and green streaked mane piled high on her head no doubt belonging to the one and only, Starlight Glimmer. "I thought you were going to sprout wings and, you know, actually start flying!" She chuckled, but there was an obvious edge to her voice, as if she wasn't truly sure how to joke.

Double Diamond arched a brow at her, and he shrugged. "Yeah...I still have a lot of practice to catch up on...I mean..I never got a chance before.." He said, scuffing his hoof, and in turn, his ski, looking down but at Starlight from under his bangs.

Starlight seemed rather miffed at the obvious hint, and she pursed her lips, a nasty look forming on her face as she looked away pointedly. "Yeah..I get it. I took away your passions, your dreams, your gifts...but for what? Some peace of my own? Some passion or happiness for myself?"

"Starlight we have been over this." Double Diamond rolled his eyes, "What you did was wrong and selfish, and kinda dangerous. I mean, you are lucky you had the Princess of Friendship resolve it, otherwise...well, to put it simply, we wouldn't be here, talking about this." he gave her a firm look, "You can stop the pity party now. You know that no one is going to give you any."

Starlight opened her mouth to deliver a stinging retort, but she quickly reconsidered, sighing heavily. "You are right Diamond...Nothing I can say or do will ever change what I did. Though it is in the past, it will still haunt me. No matter where I go, no matter who I meet. There is what I have done, and almost did, and for that, I am truly sorry. I am lucky for what I do have...right?" she asked, giving him a soft look, her persian blue eyes shimmering.

Double Diamond hesitated, before he shook his head, "Yeah. But it's about what you really want now, Starlight." he said slowly. His ears splayed out as she stepped closer, and he stumbled back a bit, "What do you want?"

The mare hesitated, and and she looked down, her expression thoughtful. "I guess I just want friends...ponies who I can..be with and share memories with. Real memories. Not ones that I forced..." she said, looking down at her hooves. "Are you cold?"

It was an odd question, and one Double Diamond didn't see coming. But it was also one that was meant for a specific purpose: Topic change. The stallion shrugged, "Nah not really. I am used to the cold." He admitted, a wry smile forming on his lips.

"I guess you would be, looking at your cutie mark and what seems to be your special talent." There was a hint of venom in her voice, and Double Diamond couldn't stop the scowl that formed on his face, and he opened his mouth to reply, only to be interrupted by a dark shadow on the snow. In moments, a mare's voice rang out.

"Double Diamond!" Night Glider called out, her cerulean eyes wide as she took in Starlight standing there, and she glared at the pink unicorn suspiciously. Then her attention snapped back to Diamond. "Double Diamond! We have an issue."

"What is it? Did one of Party's balloons spill gummy bears everywhere again?" he asked, chuckling some.

"No...this is...weirder. You see...someone walked into town. A pegasus. And.." Night Glider hesitated. "She has no cutie mark.."

"She what?" Starlight asked in disbelief, her eyes wide and she gazed at Night Glider. "Are you sure? How can you be sure? How many ponies saw it?"

"I don't have to answer to you, traitor!" Night Glider snarled at Starlight, whirling on her and fixing her with a withering look, "As far as cutie marks go, she should have been freaking perfect for your pathetic idea of a village!"

Starlight Glimmer gave Night Glider a dangerous look, and she grit her teeth, but before she could respond, Double Diamond intervened. "Okay that is enough. Night, go make sure the stranger doesn't go anywhere." Night Glider scoffed, giving Starlight another look of anger, and she flew off.

"I cannot believe she would actually say that..." Starlight growled, her ears folded back as she watched Night Glider fly away.
"But she does have a point. You aren't in charge anymore. I am. And you would do well to remember that." Double Diamond sighed, shaking his head. "There was a time I thought I loved you, admired you, wanted to give you anything to be happy.." he trailed off, before he resumed. "But now there is no going back. We are all suspicious of you. The wounds are still too fresh. Give it time to settle, and maybe then you can try asserting yourself."

"But what about now? Do you really feel nothing for me?" she asked, almost shocked by what he said, and Double Diamond could pick up desperation in her voice. "I mean...we..were used to be close.."

"Used to be...but even then, it was all a sick lie Starlight. And..I don't know how I feel. When we learned you betrayed us...it hurt. I went numb. And..I haven't really thawed yet." Double Diamond sighed, "Come on. We have to get back now. Care to use your magic to teleport us?"

Starlight hesitated, and she sighed, "Sure. I can do that." she mumbled, and her horn lit up in turquoise, and with a flash, Double Diamond was swept away, swallowed in what felt like oblivion. It seemed to stretch forever, and Double Diamond clutched his skis to his chest. Only to fall flat on his face, as he was suddenly on the ground again, with his fellow villagers standing around him.

He rose, shaking his head, and he unhooked his skis, looking over at Starlight who was lingering at the edge of the crowd now, shooting looks around, as if searching for the unfamiliar face. Double Diamond let her be, finally removing his skis and setting them to the side, and he looked up as a mare approached. His eyes widened, and he couldn't resist taking in every inch of her.

She was beautiful, almost unnaturally so, but yet she was so perfect and pleasing to the eyes. She was a pegasus, tall, a deep, warm orange, her wings long and slendered and coated in shining feathers that reflected the moon's glow. She was slender, yet lean, as he could see the power rippling in her shoulders as she walked confidently towards him. Her mane was short, but it was a bright crimson red, and she wore two braids. A single one draping by the side of her ear and neck, and the other, across her brow, like a crown. But what drew Double Diamond in the most, was her eyes. Deep, blood red, but yet so lovely, so wonderful and pretty. He felt like he could stare into them for hours. He didn'tthink she could get any more perfect. Until she spoke.

"Quite the graceful entrance, if I do say so myself.." she chuckled, her lips forming a soft, sweet smile. Her voice was so silky and smooth, sultry almost, and it was playful. Double Diamond almost lost his own, and he shook his head, clearing his throat. .

"Pardon my manners, Miss. Welcome to Our Town. You are welcome to stay as long as you like! I am Double Diamond, and this here is Sugar Belle, Party Favor, and Night Glider." He said, nodding to each of his friends he named. "We happily welcome you to our village."

"What brings you to our village?" a pink mare asked, her fluffy purple mane bouncing as she trotted forward. Sugar Belle smiled sweetly at the stranger, and she giggled. "I am Sugar Belle! It's lovely to meet you! What brings you here? Where did you hear about our village?" she asked, her voice chipper yet sweet.

"I was simply passing by when I smelled...some rather yummy snacks. I am a traveler, and I don't mind long days and nights of no food, but when the scent of delicacies hits your nostrils, hunger..can be a rather manipulative friend to bear" she said slowly, her voice lilting as she turned her head to gaze around. "So where are these..treats? I am hungry..and it would be poor of you to let a hungry guest continue to be so, despite your..rather warm welcome.." the stranger smiled again, her eyes narrowing as she seemed to stare at one of the villagers, or rather, at their neck.

"Oh? Well, follow me! I can fix that hunger right on up!" Sugar Belle giggled, her face one of excitement as she trotted away. "Who knows? I might make a feast! To celebrate our new guest!"

"Oh! I will plan us a party! We might have to have it tomorrow though, because its a little late tonight!" Party Favor chimed in, laughing. "Besides, I have plans tonight anyway." He said, giving a wink to Night Glider, whose muzzle turned a gentle rosy color.

"How...nice..." the stranger said, her eyes watching the exchange closely, her ears relaxed. "You may call me Red. That is all you need to know. I am a traveler, and I am here to stay and rest, and replenish my supplies and gain my strength before I go back to my journey." she said, and she turned, moving to follow after Sugar Belle. In doing so, Double Diamond took a quick look at her flank, swallowing as he found it hard to focus on taking in details that weren't about how plump and round it was, or how her tail was half-lifted, as if to tease with what was underneath.

"Wh-where is your cutie mark?" he choked out, stumbling after her quickly. He smiled warmly, taking a quick note that the other stallions besides Party Favor, who was slipping off with Night Glider, were following as well, gazing and gawking at the orange mare.

"Perhaps we can save that for after I have had my fill.." Red murmured gently, her wing moving to gently brush his shoulder, in which he shivered visibly in response.

"Y-yeah...no doubt.." he chuckled, taking another sweeping look, spotting Starlight glaring at him in exasperation. He then watched as she looked pointedly at Red, and she shook her head, before she turned and returned to her home.

Double Diamond frowned, and then looked at Red, then again at Starlight. She looked as if she knew something, or knew something that was important, but his concentration was broken as Red moved her wing away, and he watched as the pegasus walked inside of Sugar Belle's bakery. Taking a moment to gather himself, Double Diamond entered, his mind already filled with questions..