Senseless Writings

Winter and Thunder had just saved their hometown from two disasters in one day. The first was from an army of changelings who were after the secrets locked away in the Thunder Towers. The second was from a small snow spirit who had become scared early in the day from one of the changelings, and had created a snow storm to protect itself. The changeling army was tricked as the keys to the towers were now with the travelers and the snow spirit had accompanied them to see new sights in the world.

"You know this really was a bad idea to make a promise like that right?" Winter had said to Thunder in the middle of the night as they neared the next town. They were heading North by following a plan Thunder had seemed to have thought of as to where they can start their adventures.

"You mean about bringing Flakes with us? Don't worry; I have no intentions of dragging her into dangerous areas. She just wants to see more of the world so we will bring her with us to the towns and she can explore a bit while we go into the dangerous areas."

"She is still our responsibility so we have to make sure she is safe at all times, you more than anything since it was your idea to bring her with us."

"I know, I will take care of her. If things start to look worse than we planned, we will just bring her back home to the forest."

The Phantom Forest was indeed a dangerous place filled with many creatures, but it was rather harmless to spirits. Many of the creatures see the spirits that live in it as harmless or "decorative" so they leave them be. It's one of the things that make dangerous areas beautiful enough to visit despite the dangers.

As they continued into the town Winter and Thunder looked around to find an inn to stay at for the rest of the night. They soon found an inn with a rather odd sign that simply said "Inn" and no real name anywhere. After they made their way inside they were greeted by the mare working at the front desk. They soon made their way to the room they got and settled down inside.

"So it was your idea to come here. What exactly are we going after?"

"Can you bring out the maps you brought with you?"

Winter carefully took out the maps she had brought while being careful not to disturb Flakes, who was sound asleep still in her bag. Winter decided to carefully set the bag down so Flakes could enjoy her sleep without any sudden motion or jolts. The two began to talk in more hushed towns to avoid waking Flakes.

"Okay, let me see these maps...this should be the one."

"That's the map of my grandfather's Thunder Tower locations. Are we going to those?"

"He did go out on an adventure and built these as safe spots for the dangerous areas didn't he? I figured following them could be a start."

"Those towers are mostly in the outlands though. I guess we could visit the few that are in Equestria."

"Exactly. We only need these to start with anyway, I'm sure we can find our own way after a while."

"Alright, well since we have the plan, we should get some rest now."

After they both had settled down into their own beds Winter had used her Magic to put out the candles and topped it off with a force field that divided to the room in two.

"What's that for?"

"Making sure you stay on your side."

"That's really cold you know that. What happened to all that trust for your childhood friend?"

"The only thing I ever trusted was your strength."

"Why do you have to be so cold..."

With his heart broken from the lack of trust, Thunder had slowly fell into his dreams as if to escape the cold reality his friend had slapped him with. Winter however, seemed to have thoughts still lingering in her mind. Eventually her worries were forgotten as the world blackened around her. She never had dreams or anyone in her family for that matter. It was like the rare white color of her mane and tail, which her family was known for inheriting through the generations. She always couldn't tell if it was a blessing or curse to not have dreams. She did consider her white mane and tail as a gift at least, since it was something she could always change if she didn't like it.

Winter woke up as the sun began to rise. She didn't get as much sleep as she would have wanted but the changelings might come after them, so they needed to move quickly. She lowered the force field and decided to wake Thunder up by throwing him off the bed. The stallion that was peacefully sleeping with a wide grin on his face was suddenly awoken when his face became more acquainted with the floor. With an unhappy groan he slowly picked himself off the floor.

"What was that for?!"

"Well I knew how heavy of a sleeper you were so I thought you would need something bigger to wake yourself up."

(I actually couldn't stand that smirk on your face. Your dreams are too easy to read.)

"Try and do it more gently next time? The sun is just rising...are we really getting up this early?"

"We don't have much of a choice. We need to keep moving in case that army comes after us. We can settle down after a while when they probably have given up."

"We can look around the town first right? We still need to find people to join us and-..."

"And?..."

"Oh, nothing. I just wanted to grab something to eat, maybe a local special."

"Try and stay out of trouble then. You should also take Flakes with you, so she can see some of the town."

Winter knew what he was probably already hiding. It was that "present" his grandfather gave him. In case it was something dangerous she decided to send Flakes with him so he wouldn't put her in danger. Winter in the meantime wanted to find a nice spot and start on her journal.

She had made her way through the town and found a small park. A tree stood rather calmly almost bent over near the pond of water. As Winter made herself comfortable she took out her journal from her bag and began to write the events that had happened so far. She also wondered how she would form this into a story later on.

Meanwhile on the other side of town Flakes and Thunder had finally left the inn. Thunder originally stayed behind to wake Flakes up and explain what the situation was. What he didn't mention to Winter was he also planned on using the present he got from his grandpa, which was yellow dye for his mane and tail.

"You sure look different with that color." Flakes said still a bit surprised.

"I always thought about changing it. I think it looks better with this color anyway. I probably look like how gramps did when he was younger, with the exception of his red coat. He probably saw that in me and gave me this dye. His mane was yellow naturally but as you grow old it likely fades."

"So what kind of things can we go see in this town?"

"Follow me. I might not know the town but I know how to have fun."

Thunder and Flakes started into town in excitement and probably had enough energy to party the entire day away if they were given the chance. But the adventure had already started, and wouldn't give them much time to enjoy the nice sunny day as they wanted to.

High in the sky, unrelated to Winter or Thunder was a light green pegasus with a dark green mane and tail. His cutie mark was similar to that of a tornado. His name was Ace Whirlwind. He was roaming randomly in the sky with a sly kind of smile that was so pointed you knew it wasn't good. He eventually noticed Winter under a tree in the park writing in a journal. Ace knew everyone in town, and could tell she was new to the place. With an even bigger smirk on his face he descended to the ground near Winter and started his greeting.

"Hello, you must be new in town. Did you want any help showing you around?"

"I think I'm fine thank you."

(This guy has a smile more crooked then a lightning bolt.)

"Oh don't be shy. I'm a very helpful person to newcomers in this town. So what's your business here anyway?"

"I believe that's my business now isn't it?"

"Burr, you’re a cold one you know that?"

"Take a number. Now I should be on my way."

"Wait up, I really can show you around you know. Do I not look that friendly? I get that a lot."

"You're a persistent one aren't you?"

"Well when I see something I like-"

"I'm going to stop you right there. I'm not planning on staying long so helping me out is a bit of a waste of time for you."

"There's no waste in helping a pretty young mare."

"I underestimated you. You're as persistent as much as Thunder is passionate."

"Thunder? A stallion you know?"

"Yes, he is here with me in the town. I'm not sure he would like it if he saw you following me."

"W-What are you talking about? I would love to meet him!"

(I hope he can't fly. Have to guarantee my safety here)

"Is that so? Well I was just looking for him right now. Why not help me find him?"

"Sure! So what kind of stallion is he?"

(Now's my chance to find out!)

"He's light brown with a dark brown man and tail. You shouldn't be able to miss him because of his strong build."

"Well I'm not sure about dark brown but I see a stallion that fits the bill except he has a bright yellow mane and tail."

"He has a cutie mark of lightning arcing from a thundercloud and is with a snow spirit. That should help."

"Well that yellow mane stallion I just mentioned also has that cutie mark and has a snow spirit with him."

"...What?"

Winter shifted her gaze to where Ace had mentioned and saw sure enough, Thunder Charger with a bright yellow mane and tail that matched his eyes just like his grandfather. He hadn't noticed her yet so she casually but surely slowly made her way to him with a rather annoyed "smile".

"Thunder?"

"?!"

(That tone...this can't be good...I need to look for an exit!)

“Thunder!"

"Y-Yes Winter?"

"So she's the dominant one eh?" Ace blurted out.

"You stay out of this." Winter said sending chills down Ace's spine which surprised even him.

"Thunder...what have you done to your mane and tail?"

"oh...uhm....."

"Yes?"

"Well...grandpa left me a present as we set off right? I always thought about changing the color anyway..."

"Thunder!"

"Y-Yes ma'am?"

"I'm not really that annoyed that much by the fact you dyed your mane and tail..."

"Y-You’re not?"

"No...I'm annoyed by the fact that you hid it from me!"

"S-Sorry...I just uh...wanted to keep it a surprise."

"Well I'm surprised alright."

"I-I see..."

(This wasn't the kind of surprise I was going for!)

"B-By the way...who is your new friend here?"

Thunder had changed the topic the best to his advantage onto the green stallion that arrived with Winter. He was still a bit chilled by the mood set by Winter, but otherwise looked like a rather "charismatic" kind of pegasus. His pointed smile leaves a void of where trust should be and gives off a rather bad vibe.

"Excuse me, my name is Ace. I was just showing your friend here around the town. So why are you both here?"

"Just passing through." Thunder said with a rather stern face.

"You're almost as cold as your friend you know that?"

"Regardless, I thank you for showing her around, but we should be on our way."

"Mind if I ask where you're going? You don't often see two ponies and a snow spirit traveling together like this. You seem to have some pretty large bags too. Are you guys going on a kind of adventure?"

"And if we are?"

"Well I'm sure I could be of some help don't you think? I was getting bored of this place anyway."

"What is it you're after exactly?"

"Well, adventure leads to treasure doesn't it? I think that sounds pretty profitable."

("Thunder!") Winter had whispered.

("Do you really plan to take him with us?")

("Well he is a pegasus. He can be useful in our adventures. It's going to be hard to find a replacement anyway.")

("That's true but even you can see the crooked smile of his. Can we really trust him?")

("We will find others soon so it won't just be us looking after him. I think he could be useful anyway.")

With a heavy sigh Winter gave up and decided to go along with it. Thunder then spent some time explaining the situation to the new young stallion along with their plans of traveling. After things were all ready and agreements were met the new group was prepared to set out to the next town. The day was still a bit young, and they would likely reach the town by afternoon.