Season Z, Episode T: Natural Disaster

by Flame Runner

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life
Length: 5497

When a terrible mistake covers Manehatten in snow, Twilight and her friends must find a way to help.

The weather factory somehow managed to drop half of its snow supply on Manehatten…in summer. Called to action by Princess Celestia, Twilight, Spike, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack must work together to fix the problem.

If you enjoy this story, please check out the other Season Z "episodes".

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2012-10-07 20:10:01 UTC

Natural Disaster

Season: Z

Episode: T

Natural Disaster

(By: Flame Runner)

In a warm and cozy tree house, literally a giant tree hollowed out and turned into a library, two ponies and a small dragon were talking. One pony was the current resident of the library tree. Her name was Twilight Sparkle and she was a unicorn. Not only could she perform amazing feats of magic, but she was also the personal student of the ruler of all Equestria, Princess Celestia. Twilight was colored purple and had a straight, deep blue mane and tail with stripes of different shaded purple intertwined in it. Twilight was currently talking with another pony, named Applejack.

Applejack was an orange earth pony mare. She had no wings, like the pegasus, nor any magic. But still she was a good strong worker and lived on the largest farm in all of Ponyville, the town which both ponies were residents of. Applejack loved to wear a brown cowboy hat on her straight blond hair and she always had her hair tied with berets.

Sitting with the two mares and throwing in a comment or two was Twilight’s dragon helper, Spike. Spike was very young for a dragon. He had purple scales and green spines which grew down his back and even onto his tail. Spike had no wings, but he could breathe fire. Not just any fire however, a green fire that could literally send messages to Princess Celestia and receive letters from the Princess as well. In fact, it just so happened that the Princess would be interrupting a rather peaceful afternoon between the three friends.

“And then I told him, if it doesn’t have at least three stars it’s not anatomically correct!” Twilight declared and then broke into laughter.

Applejack blinked and Spike simply looked at Twilight with confusion. Twilight’s laughter became a nervous chuckle.

“So…how’s Sweet Apple Acres?” the unicorn changed the subject.

“The farm’s doin’ alright I guess, but this summer is jus’ plain beastly hot this year and we’re not gettin’ as much water as I’d like,” Applejack replied.

“Rainbow Dash was talking with me just the other day and she told me that the weather factory was having some hiccups this year,” Twilight told Applejack.

“What do ya’ mean, ‘hiccups’?” Applejack’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

Suddenly Spike let off a monstrous belch, complete with a fume of green fire. The flame shot between the two mares and both ponies reared and backed up a step or two. A scroll with the royal seal on it landed on the ground.

“A message from Princess Celestia!” declared Spike.

(Insert Theme Music Here)

* * * * * * * * *

“Well, ya’ gonna read it?” Applejack asked Twilight who was simply standing in place dumbly.

Twilight shook her head.

“Uh…yeah,” she said while levitating the parchment over to herself with magic.

The purple librarian plucked the seal off and unrolled the letter in front of her face. She then began to read.

“My faithful student,

There has been a disaster in Manehattan. It would appear that through an unfortunate series of events half of the snow supply in the weather factory has been dumped on Manehattan. The city is now buried beneath snow in the middle of summer. I am going to help solve this catastrophe and I am requesting your presence as well. This will not only be a good way to gain valuable experience as my student, but having your organizational skills could prove to be invaluable. I will meet in you Manehattan.

-Princess Celestia”

Twilight then rolled up the scroll and levitated in gingerly over to one of the library’s many book laden tables.

“I’m sorry to cut our time short Applejack, but it looks like I’m need in Manehattan,” Twilight apologized.

“That’s alright, I understand,” the orange mare responded.

A loud pounding thumped at the library door.

“I’ll get it!” called Spike.

The little dragon bounded over to the door and let in a rather frazzled pegasus mare. She was cyan in color and had a short mane and tail, both of which were filled with the colors of the rainbow.

“Rainbow Dash?” asked Twilight in shock.

“Girls!” screamed Dash. “Manehattan just got hit with a freak snow storm and the weather factory is not happy.”

“We know,” Applejack responded. “Princess Celestia just sent a message to Twilight here about it.”

“That’s right,” confirmed Twilight with a quick nod, “I’m going to meet the Princess there and help to fix the problem.”

Rainbow Dash sighed. “Whew! What a relief! I’m being sent off to help Manehatten too. It’ll be nice to know somepony who’s going to be able to help get the job done.”

“You’re goin’ too?” Applejack questioned.

“Yep, and I’ve got to get going pronto!” Rainbow Dash stated.

Applejack furrowed her brows in thought for a moment and then spoke once more.

“Alright, that does it. My Aunt and Uncle Orange are in Manehattan and I can’t jus’ leave em’ in a mess like that. If you two are goin’ then so am I.”

“If you want to come then start packing quick. We haven’t got a moment to spare,” Twilight said.

“I’ll meet you girls there,” Rainbow Dash gave a curt good-bye and then flew off toward the horizon.

* * * * * * * * *

Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, and Spike all stepped off of a noisy train. The train station was filled with the clamor of other ponies talking, shouting, and murmuring. Many at the station were preparing to board the now empty train and leave the snow covered city of Manehattan.

Manehattan itself now stood before the threesome. The great metropolis, full of masterful skyscrapers, elegant restaurants, and proper fashion outlets, was now buried beneath several feet of snow. Only the tall skyscrapers managed to peek their heads above the bleak and brilliantly white cityscape.

“That is some freak snow storm,” Applejack stated after giving a high-pitched whistle.

“I’ll say,” Spike gaped in awe at the winter wonderland before him.

“Ok, first order of business: find the Princess and meet up with Rainbow Dash,” Twilight got her brain working faster than the others.

“Right,” Spike agreed. “I’d bet that the Princess would be in the first response center, wherever they set it up.”

“Good thinking Spike. Now we just have to find where they set up the first response center,” Twilight praised her assistant.

“That’s a piece of cake!” declared Applejack.

The orange earth mare sauntered over to another pony, dressed in stylish clothes, who appeared to be a resident. She tapped the stallion on his shoulder.

“Excuse me, but where might I find the first response center?”

The fashionable stallion turned to face Applejack.

“The center’s over that way miss.” He pointed off to the distance.

“You’ll see a long line of ponies trying to get in. Can’t miss it.”

“Thank ya’ kindly.”

“No problem at all,” replied the stallion graciously. “The only ones coming IN to Manehattan right now are coming to clean up this mess. We can use all the help we can get.”

“Yep, that’s what we’re here for. Me and my friends’ll get this here snow out of Manehattan as soon as we can.”

“Much appreciated.”

The stallion gave a quick head nod and Applejack returned the favor by tipping her hat. Applejack then moved back over to her friends.

“The first response center is over that-a-way,” the orange mare pointed. “Apparently there’s a long line too. I sure hope my Aunt and Uncle are doin’ alright.”

“We’ll find out soon enough,” Twilight stated.

The unicorn took off at a quick trot, Spike riding her, and Applejack following close behind. Within a matter of a few minutes, the First Response Center could be seen off in the distance, a mass of ponies was surrounding it. The swarm of ponies became louder and louder as the trio came ever closer to the center. It took a good deal of quick moving, a bit of shoving, and even a little teleportation for the friends to finally get inside the Center. Inside the large First Response Center many ponies, unicorns, pegasus, and earth ponies, were busy scurrying around. Some were dressed in helper outfits while others looked hurt or hungry. Amidst all of the chaos, however, stood one above all the rest. She was taller than all others and her white coat almost seemed to shine with hope. She had both a horn and wings while her main blew in an ethereal wind. This was Princess Celestia, co-ruler of all Equestria. She truly appeared majestic, a beacon of hope, in this time of crisis. The small group from Ponyville quickly made their way over to the Princess.

“Princess Celestia!” cried Twilight, happy to see a familiar face.

The Princess turned from a chat she was having with a helper to face her faithful student.

“Twilight!” greeted Celestia with a beaming smile. “I’m glad you could make it so quickly. And I see that you’ve brought some friends to help. That’s good; we can use all of the volunteers we can get.”

The Princess nodded respectfully toward each of Twilight’s friends.

“Nothin’ could’ve stopped me Princess. I’ve got family here and I don’t leave family alone when they need help,” Applejack stated with determination.

“Oh? Why don’t you tell my assistant here their names and we’ll see if we can find them for you,” suggested Celestia as the Princess introduced the mare she had been talking to only a moment before.

Applejack soon moved over to Celestia’s assistant and began to name her Aunt and Uncle Orange plus describe them as the others continued their conversation with the Princess.

“I’ve been sent by the Weather Authorities to help clear out the snow. Where do I get started?” Rainbow jumped right back into the conversation.

“We have not started clearing the snow away quite yet as we’ve been busy making sure that the ponies here are safe first, but now that Twilight is here we can start clearing the snow away,” voiced the Princess.

“Me? What’s so important about me?” Twilight asked.

“I am needed to watch and care for all of those here. I cannot spend any time formulating a plan for moving the snow or organizing the effort. I have already set up a place for you to work, but we are low on volunteers as of this moment so it will be a difficult task.”

“That’s a big responsibility!” Spike exclaimed animatedly.

“Yes, it is,” agreed Celestia. “But I’m sure that my faithful student can handle it.”

The Princess was smiling kindly at the purple unicorn. Twilight looked into her mentor’s eyes and saw hope mixed with a strong determination.

“For you Princess, I humbly accept this responsibility,” Twilight said.

“I am glad to hear that.”

Some pony walked up to the Princess and cleared their throat to get attention. It worked, and the Princess turned toward the newcomer.

“The supplies are running low?” Celestia answered the unasked question.

The new pony nodded.

“Very well. Twilight,” the kind ruler turned back to Twilight one last time. “I’m needed elsewhere. I wish you the best of luck and if you ever need me, come and find me here.”

The Princess turned to follow the other pony and they both headed into a large mob until they rounded a bend and neither one could be seen.

“Well, sounds like you’re my boss then,” Rainbow Dash mentioned to Twilight. “So, what do I do first boss?”

“I…I really don’t know. Where do I start?” asked Twilight. “It’s all of Manehattan! How do I clear snow off of ALL of Manehattan?”

Some ponies began to glance over at the purple unicorn and whisper. A few of the louder ponies could be heard saying things like, “Is that the one? Is she in charge of moving the snow?”

Spike moved his little head in close to Twilight’s ear and then began to whisper himself.

“Maybe it’s not such a good idea to stick around here. These  ponies look just about to swarm you.”

“Yeep!” murmured Twilight as she took a look around herself. “Uh…let’s get off to that office the Princess was talking about, shall we?”

Her friends agreed with a head nod and they were off before those around could figure out who Twilight really was.

* * * * * * * * *

Situated in a small corner of an enormous tent and surrounded by a few flimsy cloth walls and some supply boxes for ‘privacy’ stood the three friends. Twilight was pacing nervously back and forth, Spike was sitting on a partially opened supply crate with a long parchment between his claws and also with a quill dripping with black ink, Rainbow Dash was watching Twilight pace nervously and was starting to get antsy herself.

“We could…no. Or what about? No. Urgh! No! No! NO!” Twilight rambled aloud. “None of these plans would work! Spike, read me back the plans we’ve been discussing.”

“Right,” Spike stated as he lifted the scroll up to his eyes. “Let me see…um…scratched out…rejected…scribbled out…nope…uh…we’ve got nothing.”

“What? We don’t have a single plan on how to clear out the snow quickly and efficiently?” Twilight was shocked.

Finally, Rainbow couldn’t take it any longer.

“Then go for quick or efficient! But don’t hit both if you can’t!” blurted Dash.

At that moment, the cloth walls holding back the mob of ponies from finding and swarming Twilight began to ruffle and move.

“Gah! They’ve found me! And I don’t have a plan yet! Hide me!” squealed Twilight as she jumped behind Rainbow Dash, hoping that the pegasus’ body would block her from eyesight.

“Howdy RD! Spike,” the voice of Applejack cracked the air as the orange pony nodded her head toward each of those she had just greeted. Applejack’s head bent down low as she looked at Twilight, who had covered her own eyes with her hooves. “Howdy Twilight.”

“Ah!” Twilight screamed and launched into the air, all of her hooves flailing about uselessly.

“Twilight calm down. It’s just Applejack,” Spike tried to ease his friend’s nerves.

The purple unicorn stopped her screaming and finally looked at her cowboy hat wearing friend. Applejack was chuckling a little at Twilight’s antics.

“That’s some welcome right there,” Applejack commented with a grin.

“Oh Applejack! Thank goodness. I thought you were that mass of ponies outside,” Twilight sighed.

It was then that two more ponies entered the small “room” that Twilight was supposed to be working in.

“Gah!” the unicorn screamed again as she dashed behind the box Spike was sitting on.

“This is Twilight Sparkle?” asked one of the new arrivals. The one speaking was a female pony. Her orange mane was done up with the elegance of all Manehatten had to offer. She wore a large golden necklace with a few gems, connected to small chains, drooping from the necklace. She was a very pale orange in color and her eyes were light blue. Beside her was another pony.

This pony was a male. A stallion with prim and proper green hair and he also had pale blue eyes. His coat was a dull yellow. On both of their flanks was a cutie mark with an orange. The stallion had a full orange while the mare had three orange slices.

“Eh heh,” chuckled Applejack nervously. The hard working mare with a hat turned toward the newcomers. “She’s not usually so, uh…jumpy.”

Applejack walked over to Twilight and got the unicorn up on her hooves. Twilight sheepishly grinned at the two Manehattenites before her.

“Twilight, meet my Aunt and Uncle Orange,” introduced Applejack proudly.

“Oh…this is your family. Oops.” Twilight turned beat red.

Spike and Rainbow Dash started to giggle uncontrollably.

“‘Oops’ is right!” Spike laughed.

Twilight smacked him softly with her tail. Spike got the message.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Orange. Applejack has said nothing but good about you two.” Twilight moved over to shake the two earth ponies’ hooves.

“The pleasure is all ours Miss Sparkle,” the stallion stated cordially with his Manehatten accent.

“We hear that you are in charge of organizing the snow clearing project. Is this correct?” asked Mrs. Orange.

“Yes, that’s correct,” Twilight said. “But unfortunately we are down on both helpers and ideas for clearing off the snow at the moment.”

“Hey Twilight!” called Spike excitedly as he jumped up onto his feet. “What about magic?”

“You mean use unicorn magic to clear off the snow?” Twilight turned around to her dragon helper.

“What a wonderful idea!” chimed in Mrs. Orange.

“Quite right!” Mr. Orange joined. “I’ve heard that Princess Celestia herself was here. Could she perhaps melt the snow? She does raise the sun everyday after all.”

“That’s a great idea!” Twilight responded enthusiastically.

“Sounds great,” Rainbow Dash commented. “Plus it means less work for me.”

“So, why don’t we go and find the Princess?” Spike leaped said just before leaping onto Twilight’s back.

“Come on everypony! Let’s get Manehatten cleared off,” Applejack gave the call to action as the small group left to find Princess Celestia.

But one rainbow maned mare stayed behind.

“You guys go ahead. I’ll be napping here if you need me.”

Then Rainbow Dash stretched out onto of the supply crates and yawned.

“Best day of work ever.”

* * * * * * * * *

“I’m afraid that’s impossible,” Celestia announced firmly.

Twilight, Spike, Applejack, and the Orange family had found the Princess attending to the needs of her citizens. The ruler was managing not only the vast amounts of supplies to be given to those in need, but also helping to keep track of any new ponies that happened to make their way out of the snow laden city.

“Why is it impossible to melt off the snow? Can’t you just make the sun warmer? It is summer after all,” Twilight pleaded with her powerful mentor.

Celestia had already turned around and was levitating a blanket over to a volunteer who already had a full saddlebag full of supplies for needy ponies.

“I could make the sun warmer,” stated the Princess as she turned around to Twilight and the others once again, “but it would have disastrous effects.”

“Beg yer pardon?” Applejack questioned politely.

“You see, while making the sun burn hotter would melt the snow it would also make the rest of Equestria much warmer as well. That warmer weather would in turn start fires in other places all over Equestria. So while we would solve one problem, we would create another one.”

“But Princess!” objected Twilight.

“No Twilight,” stated Celestia forcefully. Then the ruler’s eyes softened, as did her tone as she looked at her blossoming student. “I know that I have given you a tough responsibility, but I believe that you are capable of completing it.”

Twilight met her teacher’s gaze with a look of uncertainty for a few seconds.

“I…I just don’t know where to start,” admitted the unicorn as she bowed her head sadly.

“Twilight,” Celestia smiled kindly at the troubled pony, “I sent you to Ponyville to learn about the magic of friendship. When times are hard and you don’t know what to do, why not turn to your friends for advice? Now, I’m needed here but I’m confident that you and your friends, working together, can solve this problem. Good luck, my faithful student.”

Celestia nuzzled the young unicorn comfortingly, like a parent would to their child, before turning back to the many tasks she needed to accomplish for the ponies of Manehatten. Twilight looked over her friends as determination slowly flowed back into the unicorn’s eyes.

“Alright, if we’re going to solve this problem then we need to solve it together, just like the Princess said. And that means that we need Rainbow Dash too.”

“Back to brainstorming?” asked Spike.

“Back to brainstorming,” affirmed Twilight happily.

* * * * * * * * *

Mr. and Mrs. Orange, Applejack, Spike, and Twilight returned to the small ‘room’ they had started in. A loud snoring could be heard coming from atop the supply crates.

“It’s work time Rainbow!” declared Twilight gleefully.

The snoring continued.

Twilight looked at her friends sheepishly.

“I’ll get her up,” Applejack eased the tension.

The orange work mare pulled back her powerful hind legs and lashed out on the crates. The supply boxes shook and rattled violently, but when all was said and done the snoring continued.

“That is one heavy sleeper,” Mr. Orange commented.

“Is that the Wonderbolts?” Spike spoke out suddenly.

“The Wonderbolts?! Where? Where?” Rainbow Dash instantly appeared at her friends’ sides.

“Works every time,” Spike chuckled softly.

“Sorry RD, no Wonderbolts here,” Applejack apologized.

“But, now that you’re up, we could really use your help,” Twilight explained.

“The whole ‘sun Princesses melts the snow thing’ didn’t go over so well?” Dash asked unenthusiastically.

“Afraid not,” Mrs. Orange answered.

“Rats.” Dash clicked a hoof against the ground. “So, what are we doing then?”

“Well, after talking with the Princess, I think it would be a good idea to put our heads together and figure out a way to clean up Manehatten quickly and efficiently,” the purple mare said.

“You want my two cents?” Dash queried. “I think that we should gather up all of the pegasus and just blow the snow off. It’s quick and easy.”

“Hold yer horses,” Applejack was quick to object. “That might clear off some of the city, but where would that excess snow go, huh? It would get stuck on top of the rest of the city. You’d clear off half of Manehatten jus’ to cover the over half twice as deep!”

Rainbow Dash marched right up to Applejack and shoved her face into the orange mare’s face.

“You got a better idea?”

“I say we get all the ponies together and clear the snow away an inch at a time. We’ll uncover the city at the same time and allow the sun to melt away the piles so that all of Manehatten gets cleared off. It’s efficient and effective.”

“And slow!” blurted Dash.

“Well it’s better n’ your idea,” Applejack shot back.

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah!”

“Girls!” Twilight interrupted the two headstrong mares.

The feuding two turned their attention away from each other and toward the unicorn.

“We need to be working together, not fighting.”

“Then you choose which plan is best,” Applejack quipped.

“That’s right! The Princess put you in charge, so you choose the plan and then we’ll get to work,” Dash agreed.

Twilight took a faltering step back and a look of shock crossed her face.

“Choose? Right now?”

“Eyup,” Applejack stated with a determined head nod.

“But…but I don’t have enough research to make an informed decision yet!” cried Twilight.

“Spike,” commanded Dash.

“Uh…Rainbow’s plan is quick, but will make some other problems. But AJ’s plan is efficient, but will take a lot of time,” the little dragon recapped.

“That’s a tough choice,” commented Mr. Orange.

“…I still to think it through,” Twilight replied slowly.

The cyan pegasus pawed at the ground anxiously.

“No,” she stated bluntly. “That’ll take too long. If you can’t decide right now, then I’m going to gather up some pegasus and get this snow cleared off MY way.”

“Really, isn’t that a bit hasty?” Mrs. Orange questioned, but was interrupted by Applejack of all ponies.

“Oh no ya don’t! If you’re goin’ to use your plan, then I’m goin’ to use mine. You clear the north side and me and my ponies’ll clear the south side.”

“Fine by me!” Dash replied before speeding out of the tiny room.

Applejack charged out, just behind her headstrong pegasus friend. All heads were turned to where the two had just recently departed.

“Well, that escalated quickly,” Spike said.

* * * * * * * * *

Rainbow Dash stood in front of a small group of pegasus volunteers, each dressed in a volunteer uniform that would have made Rarity gag.

“Thank you all for coming out to help clear off the mess here in Manehatten,” Dash began her speech. “We’ve got a very important task before us today. We’re going to blow all of the snow off of the north side of the city while the other team clears off the south side. Everypony ready?”

Some head nods and murmuring gave Rainbow Dash her answer.

“Great! Then let’s fly!”

The group of pegasus pumped their strong wings and pushed into the air. They blasted toward the south side of Manehatten at blazing speeds, with Dash in the lead.

Similarly, Applejack stood before a larger band of earth ponies and unicorns.

“First of all, I’d like to thank each and every one of y’all for lending your hooves to assist Manehatten. A pegasus team is headed to the south side of the city while our job is to clear off the north side. We’re goin’ to move the top snow off and then move it into smaller piles where it’ll melt faster. Alright, let’s get to work.”

With these words Applejack lead the ponies out to the north side.

“I don’t think this is exactly what the Princess had in mind when she said we should work together,” commented Twilight as she watched both teams move out in opposite directions.

“Quite right,” Mr. Orange commented as he stood by Twilight’s side.

The unicorn looked over to Applejack’s uncle.

“If there’s something I’ve learned in my life, it’s that splitting instead of working together never leads anywhere good.”

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this,” stated Spike from atop Twilight’s back as the two groups receded from eyesight.

* * * * * * * * *

Things started off smoothly. The pegasus blew off snow quickly and soon a few buildings could be seen. The earth ponies and unicorns, likewise, made significant progress. They moved off the top snow and placed it into small piles which had already started melting. But that’s when everything began to go south.

The pegasus started blowing snow everywhere. Some reburied parts of the city that had already been cleared while other pegasus accidentally pushed the snow into the north side. Not only were these issues going on, but large mountains of snow began to form around the city and block out the sunlight which only made melting the snow harder.

The other team was having it rough too. With the sunlight being blocked and more snow being blown in they began to have issues. On top of the pegasus making it difficult, however, they were also making their own problems. The piles they had set up weren’t melting fast enough even with full sunlight and more small mountains of snow were building up around Manehatten. It didn’t take long for both teams to realize that they were in trouble and that the sun would soon set and halt their progress. They decided to call it quits as the two team leaders returned to the first response center to discuss their problems with Twilight.

“Why can’t cha’ keep those pegasus of yours out of our side?” Applejack accused Rainbow Dash as they all met in the small supply room from earlier.

“At least we got a lot of our side cleared off. You can just barely see the skyscrapers on your side!”

“Both of you be quiet! This bickering is getting us nowhere!” Twilight said.

The room was filled with tense silence as Twilight looked over her two friends.

“Now, I still don’t know exactly what to do, but I know that we still have a problem and we’re still nowhere near solving it.”

“I’m tellin’ ya’ it’s those pegasus makin’ a mess of things,” Applejack commented as she glared at a certain pegasus.

“It’s not my fault that we’re actually getting our job done,” Rainbow defended.

The orange mare growled and let out a snort. She opened her mouth to speak, but other words filled the silence.

“Applejack! I’m surprised at you,” spoke her Aunt Orange.

Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Twilight were all caught off guard at the outburst.

“You may have decided to keep that funny accent of yours, but I know that you’re better than this. When you visited us even as a little filly I could tell that you had a knack for getting things done, and getting them done right. So stop this petty squabble. We have a mess in our city and it’s up to you…all of you, to make it right.” She looked each pony in the eye as she finished.

“It’s time to work together,” Uncle Orange added. “Working against yourselves will get you nowhere in a hurry.”

The ponies were left speechless as they looked into each others’ eyes. Applejack hung her head, but Dash just looked guiltily away.

“I’ve got it!” exclaimed Spike as he jumped to a standing position onto of Twilight’s back. “Why don’t we put both ideas together?”

“What? How would we do that?” Twilight asked her helper.

“The pegasus could clear off the snow while the earth ponies gathered it up into small piles which the unicorns could melt away quickly.”

“Spike that’s brilliant!” Twilight leaped around joyously, which knocked Spike off of her back.

“Glad you think so,” came Spike’s muffled voice from the floor.

“So can we put our differences aside and work together?” Twilight asked her friends.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash didn’t speak for a few moments.

“I think I can manage it,” Applejack finally stated with a nod in agreement.

“If AJ can do it, then so can I,” Rainbow answered swiftly after her orange friend.

“Great! Then I’ll lead the unicorns, Applejack can lead the earth ponies, and Rainbow Dash-” Twilight explained.

“Pegaus. Got it,” interrupted Dash.

“Now let’s see what teamwork can do,” Mrs. Orange said with a smile.

* * * * * * * * *

The clean up went smoothly the next day. Three teams were organized to help take care of the snowy mess. The pegasus were reassigned to help blow snow the snow off into concentrated areas where the earth ponies would then gather it into small piles so that the unicorns could melt it quickly and safely. Within no time, much of the city was cleared off. Although it would still take a few days to finish, Twilight and her friends knew that Manehatten would be free of its cold burden soon. As the teams worked, Twilight could almost sense that the sun felt just a smidge warmer than usual. She smiled as the clean up continued until the entire city was free with the exception of only a few snow banks left for the sun to melt away. Summer was back in Manehatten as the stranded ponies from the city found their ways to their own homes once again. It was time for the volunteers to head back to their homes as well. Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, and Spike stood in the remains of the first response center which was being taken down as Mr. and Mrs. Orange said their farewells.

“It was a pleasure meeting you all,” Mr. Orange said as he politely shook each hoof.

“And Applejack, feel free to visit again. I just hope that the next time you come it’s not because of another disaster,” Applejack’s Aunt added.

“I’m jus’ glad we were able to help. Good bye Aunt Orange. Bye Uncle Orange.” She gave each of her relatives a hug before the couple departed back into the now cleared off city.

“And if you’re ever in Ponyville, make sure to drop by and say hi!” called Twilight as the couple walked away.

“Twilight!” called a voice from behind the group from Ponyville.

The ponies and dragon turned around to find Princess Celestia regally striding over to them.

“May I commend you and your friends on a job well done.”

“Thank you Princess.” Twilight bowed as did her friends.

“You have all taken on a very difficult task and worked hard to complete it,” Celestia continued.

“But we couldn’t have done it without teamwork,” Twilight stated.

“That’s right,” Applejack piped up. “Me and RD both had different ideas on what to do, but it wasn’t until we worked together that we actually got anythin’ accomplished.”

“Oh, I see,” commented the Princess.

“Yeah! When AJ and I were working alone we didn’t get anywhere, but as soon as we all started working together it was so easy,” Dash added.

“It would appear that you all learned a very valuable lesson about teamwork,” said Celestia.

“I guess we did, didn’t we?” Dash thought aloud.

“And I learned that leadership can be really difficult without good friends to help you along the way,” Twilight mentioned.

“That is also a good lesson. Spike, did you lean anything?” the Princess turned her attention toward the dragon.

“Nope!” Spike chipped in happily.

Celestia laughed.