Winter's Worries
The wind swept through my mane during my flight around Fillydelphia. Suddenly, my head is filled with questions. They break my focus; causing me to fall for a few terrifying seconds before I regain control. I land on top of a nearby building in order to ponder them. Who am I? Where about my family? When, where, and how did my family get started? Most importantly how did we get here? I know about my parents, but that's not enough.
I suppose introductions are in order though. My name's Winter Wind, and I'm a pegasus with a black mane and white coat. Fillydelphia is my home. It's the only place I've known, but that's fine.
There's several parks where I can spend the afternoon. There's also plenty of history, and science museums where I can learn plenty of new things. To top it all off there's other interesting landmarks to see like statues and the docks. There's hardly a dull moment. Now there are questions that need answering, and there's only pony that could have the answers.
"Hello mother," I hang my flight goggles on a nearby hook by the front door, and take a seat at the kitchen table across form her.
"Hello Winter," she replies. I call her mom, but her real name is Windrunner. A pegasus like me, she posses a dark brown coat with a black mane like mine. "Did you have a nice flight? You're back earlier then normal; did something happen?"
"Actually something has happen. Several questions came up, and I decided to come back here to get them answered."
"Ok, what are they? Whatever they are, I'll do my best to answer them. So go ahead."
"They're about our family's history. I know that we were born here, and that we have family in Cloudsdale, but that's it. So do you know anything else? Please, it's important."
"Oh," Windrunner said with a look of surprise on her face. "That's the last question I'd expect you to ask. You're sure that those are the questions you want answers to?"
"Yes, I'm very sure. Please tell me, I can't stop thinking about them. For the sake of your only child. Please?"
"All right, I don't know much, but I can tell you some things about our family history. Make yourself comfortable, because this is going to take awhile." Shifting my position slightly I reply, "All right, I'm ready."
Taking a deep breath she began her story. "Well as you already know; I was born here in Fillydelphia. I've been here my entire life. My parents however, weren't from here. They were both originally from Ponyville. Shortly after they were married, they moved here to start a family. They've been here ever since."
"Wait, they weren't born here?I thought that they were."
"Actually, they weren't. Now do you have any other questions, or can I continue the story?"
"Now that you ask there is one other that comes to mind. Your parents were pegasus, right?"
"Yes, both of them were, as well as their parents. In fact, my entire family is all the way back to the founding of Equestria.
Why do you ask?"
"Because it's important to me! For my entire life the only family I've only known is you and dad. I need to know as much about our family history as possible. The more you can tell me the better."
"Alright, but can you please sit back down? You know I don't like it when you fly in the house."
"Oh sorry," I replied sheepishly. "I must have taken off when I yelled. "Please go ahead."
"As for your father, he's originally from Cloudsdale. We met while he was traveling here on business. It was back when they needed to collect water for the weather factory."
"Wait, wasn't that only a few years ago? I helped collect that water; don't you remember?"
"That's true, but this was years before you were born. This isn't the first time they've been here."
"Ok, is there anything else you can tell me? Do you know anything about his parents, or grandparents?"
"Only that live Cloudsdale. Oh, and they are both pegasus as well. That's really all I know."
"What about dad? Can he tell me anything? The more information I can get the better."
"He might, but he left for Manehatten on business for the shipping company this morning remember? It could be about a moon before he returns."
"A whole moon? But I can't wait that long. Isn't there another way for me to find out?" I reply crestfallen.
"His mother still lives in Cloudsdale. She goes by the name of Winter Storm. She dose have some books on family history.
You could go to her for answers. The city is currently a short trip southwest of here."
"All right then, guess that settles it," I reply. "First thing tomorrow morning I'll head to Cloudsdale." Walking upstairs to my bedroom, I packed my things and fall asleep.
"Let me see here," I mutter. It's the following day, and I'm in the kitchen checking my things before leaving. "Goggles, check. Saddlebags with food and other necessities, check. The address where my grandmother lives, check. Looks like I have everything."
"Are you sure that you want to fly the whole way there? There's a train leaving for Manehatten later in the day that you could take. It wouldn't get you all the way there, but it would be safer."
"Don't worry mom," I reply. "It's a lot faster if fly there myself. Besides, this is the first time I've taken a long trip. You know that I enjoy a challenge."
"All right, come back as soon as you can, and most importantly stay safe."
"Don't worry I'll be fine," I assure her. Donning my goggles and saddle bag I walke out of the front door, and start the long journey toward Cloudsdale.
I flew through the air relishing the feel of it flowing over me as I did so. Now this is how a pegasus should live. Soaring through the air, and free to travel wherever they want. Sure, travel by train is easier, but nothing can compare to this feeling.
It's a two day journey to Cloudsdale; less if I pushed myself. Which of course, is my intention. Despite what I told my mom; I don't want to play it safe. Besides, there's little point in doing so when it won't gain you anything. Sure there's risks, but the reward in this case was well worth it. Speaking of which, looks like its getting dark. I should stop and find a place to sleep, but I'll go on a little while longer.
Using my compass from my saddlebags for guidance, I continue for another hour or so before stopping. I land in a tree,hang my goggles and saddle bags in a nearby branch, and find a branch to spend the night in.
As soon as dawn comes I wake up, and stretch out my wings. Sure, it isn't the most comfortable place to sleep, but it will do. After a quick breakfast of apples and a peanut butter sandwich with daises, I pack my things, and start heading toward Cloudsdale. I should reach it by noon today. After a few hours I spot it on the horizon.
There it is; the city were Rainbow Dash was born. I've always looked up to her because she's an amazing flyer. First pegasus to perform a sonic rainboom. She's not afraid to push herself and neither am I. Now's a good time as any to push the envelope.
I make a dash toward it. My wings start to tire almost immediately. Maybe it would be safer to slow down. Perhaps taking a short rest is in order. The city isn't going anywhere. No, I can't stop now. Not when I'm so close to my goal. My wings start to give out. With a final effort I land on the outskirts. I collapse onto a cloud exhausted by my efforts.
Maybe that wasn't such a good idea. Eh, it doesn't matter now that I'm here. After a few minutes I can stand back up. I walk toward my grandmother's house. Now I can get the answers that I so desperately seek.
Wow, this place is a lot bigger then I'd thought it would be. How will I find my grandma's house? Duh, I have her address.
Looks like her house is east of the weather factory. Trotting off in that direction, I head toward the house. It appears after a few minutes of walking. I knock on the door a few times. After a short wait a dark blue pegasus with a white mane answers.
"Hello there, how may I help you?"
Ok, she's the one who can answer all of your questions. So just tell here who you are and why you're here.
"Hi, are you Winter Storm?"
"Yes"
"My name is Winter Wind. I'm not sure if you've heard about me, but you're my grandmother. I have some questions about our family's history, and my mother told me that you could help.
"Oh, I see. I actually do know you. Your father has talked about you quite a bit in the letters he sent me. He also put in a couple of pictures. Please, come in, and make yourself at home. Would you like anything? A cup of tea perhaps?"
"Thank you, a cup of tea would be welcome.It's been a long flight." Setting my things down, I walk over to the kitchen. Along the way I see many different photos, including one of my parents when they were younger. Heading over to the stove, she brews a couple cups of tea.
After setting them on the table, she took a sip from her own and asks, "So you came all the way here to learn about our family? I must say, that's a long way to go, especially when my son could have told you what you want to know."
"Well, that was my first idea, but he's away on business." Taking a sip from my own cup I continue,"My mother mentioned that you have some books on the subject. I figured that this would be the quickest way to find out.
"Ah, I understand. Well there's a lot I can tell you, but I need to know what you want to learn. That would go a long way towards helping me."
"Everything! Well not everything, my mother told me about her side of the family. I don't know anything about dad's side of the family."
"Well that's quite a bit to tell. Our family's history goes back all the way to the founding of Equestria. Shortly after the three tribes came here; they each founded their own city. The unicorns founded Canterlot, the pegasi Cloudsdale, and the earth ponies Fillydelphia.
"Now Fillydelphia was just a small farming settlement at first, but as the years passed it began to grow much larger. As it grew ponies from the other settlements moved in to start a new life. After about six hundred years Ponyville was founded. Fillydelphia began to shift toward manufacturing because the farms where no longer needed and it grew into a city. This growth attracted skilled craftsman from across all of Equestria.
"One of those was an earth pony who was nicknamed Weaver. He got it because he was very skilled the in the art of fabric making. It didn't matter what kind of fabric you needed, or what you used it for, Weaver could make it. Everypony in the city went to him for those goods.
"The first time he saw his future wife was while he was returning home for work. He saw a black pegasus with a long white mane out of the corner of his eye. Her name was Cloudchaser, and she worked with the local weather team. It was love at first sight. Right then and there he decided to marry her.
"Now when it came to getting married things worked differently back then. He approached her father Spring Rain and asked for her hoof in marriage. Of course Spring Rain wasn't going to give Weaver an answer straight away. After all, he wasn't going to marry his daughter to just any pony even if he was the best weaver in town. Spring asked Weaver many questions such as why he wanted to marry her, his plans afterward, and so on. Weaver answered them as best as he could.
After they finished her father told him to come back the next day for his answer.
"That day was the longest one of his entire life. Weaver was so nervous that he couldn't even work. He spent the entire time wondering if his answers were good enough. When he came back, Spring told him that he would be happy to let them marry.
"Now Cloudchaser was ecstatic at the thought of being married to such a well known pony, and they were happily married shortly afterwards. As they years passed their family grew. Some of the family's descendants did move back to Cloudsdale.
That's where you dad came from, but for the most part they've stayed in Fillydelphia."
"Wait, so your telling me that there's earth pony in our family?" I blurted out. "I thought that our entire family tree was pegasus."
"Well there's some on your dad's side of the family that are earth ponies. For the most part it's pegasus though."
"You're sure?Is it ok if I look through your books on our family's history? I want to be thorough."
"Of course, I actually wrote them myself a few years before you were born. Genealogy has always been a hobby of mine. You'll find them over in the study."
"Thank you," walking over toward the study, I took a book and started to look though it. "She must be mistaken. My mother is a pegasus. So are my father and me. How could I be a pegasus if there's earth pony in my family? There must be answers in these books."
After several hours of reading I had my answer. It turns out that some of my ancestors had been born earth ponies, despite the fact that both parents were pegasus. Turns that if you have any earth pony in your family tree you could be born one.
Well that explains it. I'm not pure pegasus at all. I had just been simply lucky.
"Winter," called out my grandmother as she walked into the room. "It's getting late. Perhaps you can continue this tomorrow. There's a guest bed room upstairs that you can use."
"Thanks," I reply setting the last book back into the shelf. "I just finished anyway.See you in the morning." Slowly flying upstairs, I reach the bed, and quickly fall asleep.
The next morning I head downstairs to the kitchen were grandma is waiting. On the table sat plates of eggs of toast. "Good morning. I made some breakfast. Please sit down and have some."
"Thank you," sitting down, I took some food and began to eat.
"You said that you finished last night. Did you find what you where looking for?"
"I did. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to look through your books. I found the what I was looking for."
"Are you going to stay for a little while? It's been awhile since any family visited?" It would be nice to have some company."
"Thanks for the offer, but I really need to be heading back. My mother will worry if I'm away to long. I promise to come back soon, and I'll have mom and dad come along as well."
"Oh, that would be nice. Have a safe trip home, and let your dad know that I miss him."
"Sure thing." Putting my saddle bags and goggles on I began the long trip home. As the day wore on I began to ponder what I had learned. I had told grandma that I'd found what I was looking for, but had I really? Sure I know about my family history now, but where dose that leave me? Am I a different pony now that I have this knowledge? Is family really important? Ugh, so many questions without answers. Perhaps I should stop for the night.It's getting dark anyway, and I'll have more time to think about this tomorrow. I land in a nearby tree, and promptly fall asleep.
I wake up in the morning feeling a little stiff. Note to self, never sleep with saddlebags on again. After a quick breakfast I resume my journey.
I slowly come to a conclusion while pondering the previous day's questions. What I've learned from this experience isn't as important as I first thought. Yes, having knowledge about my family is important, but there's more to it then that. Knowing about who you are, and where you come from is something that everypony should know. However, that won't change who you truly are.
Spotting the city, I head toward my home. As the sun begins it's descent I reach it. I set my things down, and head toward the kitchen table where my mom is waiting for me.
"Hello Winter.How did your trip go? Did you find what you were looking for? Can I get you anything?"
"The trip went fine, I did, and some apples would be nice."
"Of course, here you go. Now what did you find out?"
Taking a bite out of my apple I reply, "Well it's actually a long story. So make yourself comfortable."
Shifting her position slightly she replied, "Go ahead I'm ready."
"Well it all began a long time ago during the founding of Equestria..."