From Oaths to Vows

Luna looked out at the sky as she finished moving the moon into its place. With her namesake perfectly positioned in the sky, she began moving the stars into their formations. Ursa Major and Minor, the various Zodiacs, the Seven Sisters which ironically weren't seven stars, can't forget the Northstar for those traveling types. Soon enough, she was finished with all her stars and constellations, but there was still a blank spot in the sky.

She always left an area of the sky blank, she would use it to be a little creative, maybe make a new constellation that could be a permanent addition to her sky. She closed her eyes as she allowed her subconscious mind to take over. Stars move into place, creating a vague visage of something. When she opened her eyes, she tilted her head in confusion. Like most constellations, it was more of a stick figure representation of what it was meant to be. She first thought it was a pony, but if it was, it had two extra limbs on its neck.

She gasped. She knew this figure all too well. It appeared in her dreams all too often, not able to protect herself from her own fears when she slept. A centaur occupied the empty space in the sky. Only a single star represented its head, but she swore she could feel it staring at her. Promising something... terrible. The princess shivered, the night air nipping at her skin even through her coat.

The nights had gotten chillier, but when she had asked the guards if it was, they had told her that it was no colder than any other night. Was she imagining things, was it all in her head? Maybe she was losing it, her guilty conscious working against her and making her delusional. She shook the thoughts from her head, her second duty was calling her. Nightmares wouldn't fight themselves. Unless the nightmare was about two ponies fighting.

"What a perfect day! The sun is as radiant as ever, the skies are clear as a diamond, what else could a lady ask for?" Rarity brushed her mane as she looked out the window. She had woken up later than usual, having stayed up to see what new constellation the lunar princess had thought up. She was hoping to find some inspiration, but sadly it wasn't so. Still, perhaps she could find some in the bright day instead.

"Sweetie Belle! I'll be over at Fluttershy's cottage for tea, feel free to go play with your friends!"

"Ok Rarity!" Sweetie Belle called from her room. Rarity looked through her closet trying to find the dress she had finished yesterday, a gorgeous sundress that was perfect for the day ahead.

"Aha! Here it is. Oh, I just can't wait for the girls to see such a fine piece." She pranced behind the changing screen, despite nobody being there to see her. She exited the other side, dressed to impress. "Oh, and I know the perfect sunhat to go with this dress." She went downstairs, grabbing a hat from the coat rack before opening the door only to stop when a slight chill ran up her spine.

"A chill? In the middle of Spring?" She looked up at the sky, not finding a single cloud. There was no wind either, it was a perfect day, why was it chilly? She pulled a pink scarf off the coat rack, wrapping herself as she called upstairs. "Sweetie Belle, be sure to take a scarf with you if you go out!"

"Ok Rarity!" The older unicorn closed the door behind her as she set off on her way. Another shiver ran up her spine.

"Ugh, why does there have to be a chill today, of all days? This scarf completely throws off the ensemble." She grumbled. She was hoping to make a bit of a show of her new dress on her way to Fluttershy's, but now she was hoping that everypony had slept in later than her.

Soon enough, she had made it to Fluttershy's cottage without drawing too much attention to herself. She knocked three times while waiting for her friend to answer. Sure enough, the little clip-clop of hooves was heard on the other side of the door before it opened with a small squeak.

"Hello Rarity, why don't you step in? Kinda chilly out there, huh?" The pegasus stepped aside to left her friend in.

"Tell me about it," Rarity pulled off her hat and scarf, leaving both on a small table Fluttershy kept near the door. "I was going to show you this lovely hat and dress combo. If it weren't for the scarf, it would've looked positively glorious." She closed the door behind her as she stepped in, making her way to the kitchen.

"Well, I think you still look gorgeous, Rarity." Fluttershy took the kettle of her stove, the small whistling becoming silent. She poured them both some tea, steam rising from the small cup. "One lump, or two?"

"One, please." The unicorn tossed her mane back. "I can't imagine why there would ever be a chill on such a lovely day. No clouds, no wind, the bright sun shining. All ruined by the air nipping at your muzzle."

"Maybe a snow cloud floated in from the Everfree?" Fluttershy dropped a sugar cube in Rarity's cup. "You know how those clouds can get. It's why our weather team is bigger than other towns our size."

"I didn't see a single cloud on my way here." The unicorn stirred her tea while Fluttershy sipped hers, she always preferred no sugar. "It's just so... unnatural."

"Do you think it's magic?"

"I don't know, but who or whatever is responsible. They must not like the warmth very much."

Applejack shivered as Big Mac helped her into the harness. The cakes had just ordered a whole wagon of apples since Mrs. Cake had forgotten to get some the last time she went shopping. Now they were running low and needed a fresh supply.

"Mighty brisk out 'ere, huh Big Mac?"

"Eyup." He pulled on a harness tightening it.

"Good thing there ain't no frost. Wouldn't do us no good to lose all them apples."

"Nope." Big make gave the harness a once over. "All set."

"I best get trekkin'." She gave a small heave to get the wagon rolling as Big Mac gave his one-word affirmation. Her walk through the orchard was silent if a bit slow. It was a rather large orchard, especially since only four ponies ran it. It was even more impressive considering that all four rarely ever worked at the same time. Usually, just the two eldest siblings, while Applebloom went to school and Granny Smith kept the books for their business. Eventually, she made it into town, spotting a certain daredevil flitting about.

"Ay Rainbow!" The cowpony called. "What's with the cold out?" She never stopped pulling her cart, prompting the pegasus to fly by her side as she moved.

"Sorry AJ, the whole weather team's on the case. We don't know what's going on." Applejack raised a brow.

"No runaway snow clouds?"

"Nope."

"No rogue blizzards from the Everfree?"

"Uh-uh."

"No pegasi whipping up the wind?"

"You tell me." Rainbow Dash finally decided to land, a small poof of dust coming from her hooves. "It's so frustrating! There's, like, twenty ponies on the weather team and no one knows why it's cold!"

"Not a-one of them?"

"From Derpy to Thunderlane, this cool air's got all of them stumped."

"Ya think it might be something else? A spell or somethin',"

"Maybe, but why would anypony cast a spell that just makes everypony else just shiver every once in a while?"

"Ah dunno. Some ponies are just weird. Hay, were friends with Pinkie Pie for land's sake."

"Yeah, Pinkie Pie is weird." The two were approaching Sugarcube Corner. They could hear a strange clattering sound from inside. It was normal to hear the sound of metal on metal coming from the bakery, but this was clattering, not clanging. The two went around the back of the shop to drop off the apples and collect Applejack's pay. Rainbow Dash knocked on the door for the earth pony, which slowly opened slowly to reveal their pink friend dressed head to hoof in the thickest winter clothing they had ever seen.

"H-h-h-hey g-g-g-guys-s-s-s. P-p-p-prett-t-t-t-y c-c-c-cold-d-d-d out-t-t-t." Pinkie Pie could barely be heard through her scarf. The clattering now clearly coming from her teeth as she shivered.

"It ain't that cold out Pinkie Pie." Applejack said. "Ah got the apples the Cake's ordered." Pinkie Pie threw off her winter gear in a single swipe.

"Great! Mrs. Cake forgot to pick some up last time, so we had to order a whoooooole wagon just to make it up!" Pinkie bounced over and grabbed a basket, swinging it up onto her back. "Hey Rainbow, mind helping me move the baskets inside?"

"Sure, but I gotta get going soon. Need to help figure out why it's chilly." Rainbow grabbed a basket, flying just behind Pinkie.

"I was wondering about that. Mr. Cake wanted to make some bread by hoof, but it needs to be hot so the dough can rise while he kneads it. He was so excited too." Pinkie places the basket down, turning to go back outside with Rainbow right behind her.

"Applejack thinks maybe some unicorn decided to make it colder with a spell."

"Why?" Pinkie and Rainbow both grabbed another basket.

"Well, why else would it be like this?" Applejack answered, "'Parrantly none of the weather team knows what's goin' on."

"Not even the weather team?" Pinkie was taken aback.

"Not a single one," Rainbow said.

"Spooky..." Pinkie Pie whispered.

"You're tellin' me." Applejack said.

"Thank you for suggesting this day off Spike, a warm relaxing bath is just what I needed." Twilight slumped further down into her tub as Spike relaxed across from her. Since she was a princess, she was granted a very large tub. The rest of the bathroom was just as decadent, giving the feel of an entire spa right at home. Stressing over a potential centaur attack had fried her nerves and a day of self-pampering was just what she needed.

"I knew you were burning yourself out. It also helps that the girls were sick of showing up here every day." Spike chuckled.

"Yeah, I did get... kinda carried away." Twilight blushed.

"At least you didn't have another freakout, especially with that alicorn magic." Twilight got even redder, sinking into the water until it covered her cheeks. Spike only laughed harder. Constantly worrying about Asmund had caused a bit of a strain in her friendships, but taking a day just to themselves was sure to help. Since she had gotten in the bath, she had even decided to cut their meetings down to just two hours on weekdays.

It was at this point that Spike looked like he was going to retch. Before Twilight could say anything, Spike burped as a scroll manifested before him. It fell for a small bit before Twilight caught it in her magic. She unraveled it before reading it aloud.

Dearest Twilight,

It has been a while since I've written to you. Sadly, this is not an informal letter. A certain delicate situation has arisen, and as you are the Princess of Friendship, I trust you to handle it. You see, an ambassador from Griffinstone was meant to arrive a week ago today. The absence of the griffon ambassador isn't surprising, but the lack of explanation is.

We would have received a written letter explaining why they failed to make an appearance, but no such letter has surfaced. We believe this may be a political issue. As you are closest to the Griffon border and hold the title of Princess of Friendship, I believe you are in the best position to handle the situation.
Signed,

Princess Celestia, Diarch of the Sun

"Aw man, I have to go with you don't I?"

"Yes Spike, but don't worry. It's only about an hour flight to Griffonstone and we can teleport part of the way to shave of fifteen minutes." Twilight said, more to herself than Spike. She was hoping to have the whole day to herself, but something this important shouldn't be put off. She had stepped out of the bath before shaking herself dry, using a mane drying spell for good measure.

"Fine. Can't believe I have to give up a nice bath for dusty old Griffonstone." Spike grumbled. He followed her out onto the balcony. She had lowered a wing to let him climb onto her back. She felt Spike grab hold of her mane and slightly nudge her to signal he was ready. The princess took off into the sky with her eyes looking out toward the griffon settlement.

After a while, the two had begun to notice something odd. Was it... was it getting colder? It was the middle of spring, why was cold.

"Twilight... Is that snow?" Twilight looked up and sure enough, a few flakes of snow floated by.

"I have a very bad feeling about this Spike."