Christmas For Us

The days were growing colder, even more so atop the mountains, but the cold never bothered him, he freezes, he shakes for a while, then it goes away and his tree's get their green back and hide him once more. Stormy never wanders much this time of year, in truth he probably has never left his mountain during the winter, most of his cover is gone and he would be more noticeable, he almost hibernates like the bears, but this year has been different unpredictable, she was there, always at his side. The nights were warmer, before the cold didn't bother him because he had to deal with it, but now it just wasn't there, a warmth has filled him, he can't help but wonder, is this what love feels like? Stormy has spent much time with this on his mind, Sun Ray knows this but she let's him work out these thoughts on his own, she is happy just being there with him.

Like the years before, the clouds come, but they do not bring rain or storm, only white flakes, snow as it is called, Stormy has only ever seen snow fall from the skies, his mountain peak lays just above these snow filled clouds so he does not know the effect it has on the ground below, curious though he may be he has never ventured to far in this weather, the white snow makes his purple coat stand out very much, but Sun Ray makes visits to the nearest pony village quite often, it is obvious this time of year holds much meaning to her, Stormy knows no such meaning, that is the price of his solitude all these years, he can see the happiness and excitement on her face when she returns, whatever it is Stormy has no desires to see it if others will be there, he may be missing out on something fantastic but something else this life has taught him is appreciating what he has, he doesn't like changes or surprises, even though Sun Ray was such, but that was unexpected.

Sun Ray watches Stormy, he is trying to see through the clouds, to see the snow "Is it possible he's never seen it up close?" she wonders, she can see the curiosity in his eye's, they are wide with wonder and amusement, not his usual sad eye's, if so then she will show it to him, she walks to him "Beautiful isn't it?" she says, Stormy doesn't take his eye's off the clouds "Very, but i can't move these clouds to see it better?" he says, "Because they are not storm clouds full of sadness, they are snow clouds full of happiness and wonder" she answers his puzzled look, then she helps him, she moves the clouds apart so he can see the ground, the look on his face made her smile, he was gazing at the snow, not many things give Stormy such a positive reaction she has learned, it is rare to see him excited like this, she has never met a pony like him before, focusing so much attention on something others overlook, he has a genuine appreciation for the simplest things, truly a very special pony. Sun Ray has an idea, she is going to make him see the snow up close, he wants to very much, she can see that, all he needs is a little push, so she smiles then gives Stormy that little push right off the mountain, he was caught completely off guard and he falls, he spreads his wings to slow his falling and he see's himself floating down gently with the snow flakes, they are cold but not unpleasant, he is lost in them, suddenly his attention is focused else where, Sun Ray was on top of him, tackling him in air and floating down with him. They land softly together on the ground below, Sun Ray still on him, the ground was blanketed in the snow, it was white as far as he could see, her hooves were pressed against his shoulders holding him down "See, beautiful isn't it" she says, "More so than i imagined" Stormy said, a noticeable smile upon his face, still holding him down she looks longingly into his eye's "Happy Christmas Stormy", a curious look was on his face now "What do you mean?", she was shocked at this "Stormy, don't you know what Christmas is?".

It still hasn't sunk in yet "How can he not know what Christmas is?", it just doesn't seem possible, Stormy looked at her curiously "What's wrong?" he says, Sun Ray was almost in shock, though the more she thought about it, it made sense, he has always been alone, always hiding, he said it himself he never leaves his mountain during winter, but still not knowing Christmas, that is unacceptable, she will show him. Stormy is beginning to grow nervous, he looks around "I want to go back now", he was out in the open and uncomfortable, but Sun Ray wouldn't let him go back yet "No, Stormy you must come with me, i want you to see something", he doesn't say anything, just nods and starts following. As he walks Stormy looks at the world as though he is seeing it for the first time, the snow was gorgeous, it perfectly decorated the tree's replacing their leaves, he was starting to get colder, the more he stood and walked through the snow the colder it got, this he wasn't use to, but as he always has, he just deal with it, no complaining, no speaking up, before their was no one to complain to, but he wasn't going to start now. Though he was nervous he did enjoy seeing this, he looked the land over in great detail, it all deserved his complete attention. It was brighter than usual, the sun made the snow glow, he then began to notice something, the tree's were decorated with lights, ornaments, tinsel, candy, "Where are we going?" he asked suspiciously, Sun Ray stopped and looked ahead "There" she said, Ponyville, she had brought him to a village of ponies.

Stormy froze, he couldn't go there, to many ponies, to much noise, suddenly all of the wonder was gone and he was... afraid, Sun Ray came to him "Please Stormy, for me, i want you to see Christmas. Today is what is called the eve of Christmas and tonight when the clock strikes 12 will begin the most magical day of the year, it is a day of miracles and you should be apart of it", Stormy stood, thoughts racing through his mind, he doesn't want to, he had already experienced the greatest miracle of all, Sun Ray had actually returned to him, she was asking more of him than he might be able to do, it wasn't a matter of would he, but could he, he already felt himself panicking... but for her... he would try, he wishes she didn't say that, she has done so much for him that he feels like he must do whatever she asks when she says "For me", with a nervous hesitation he nods his head, she smiles and they walk together to the village.

Upon entering the village Stormy is hit with mix emotions of amazement and fear, everything was beautiful, the colors of green and red were added to everything in various designs, songs were sung of this "Christmas", the smells in the air of foods he never knew existed, but still among all of this the snow was his favorite, it added an unappreciated beauty to everything it layed upon, he would not deny how nice the decorations were though, but the snow was natural, it signified something very important to Stormy, a memory, perhaps his first, he was young, before he even got his cutie mark, even then he was alone, he remembers that part perfectly, he was in a cave freezing, winter had just come, an ice cold rain was pouring down and he layed in his cave listening, it's sound brought him peace, but it seemed to stop all at once, he looked out of the cave to see the snow falling, it seems he has seen it before, he hasn't thought of this memory in a long time, the moon was full, brighter than it has ever been, he ran out of the cave jumping and playing in the snow, laughing... smiling... a time of youth and innocence, before all the worry and fear, he even had his horn. He doesn't remember much past enjoying the snow for the first time, but now it is a calming thought, it makes him happy..

Stormy was deep in thought, he hasn't even realized he has been walking through the village, Sun Ray was happy, a time of miracles indeed, Stormy the loneliest pony was in the middle of Ponyville, surrounded by countless others filled with the Christmas spirit, she actually made that big of an impact on his life, she was overjoyed. Stormy was still wary, this was a big change, but so far wasn't so bad, and this "Christmas" was certainly beautiful, the sun was growing dimmer, night was approaching, and the lights were on now, they lit up everywhere, every color imaginable, Stormy was amazed, he gazed at them with much wonder and amusement. But the other ponies were focused on him, the sad tale of Stormy was known throughout the land and some didn't even believe he was real, but there he was, Stormy who wanders to his own rule, no king, no queen, no one, who shapes his own fate was standing in their humble little village, the stories are mostly tall tales and over romanticized but to them he was still a myth, or legend depending on which ones was heard and seeing him was like witnessing a story come true. The ponies kept their distance though, mostly because of the shock of actually seeing him, but suddenly a rather hyper pony came prancing loud, singing songs of the season, she obviously was a very happy pony, Stormys ears went down, he didn't like loud noises and she was very loud, and her jumping around made him nervous, he stopped when she got closer and began to take steps back, but she was there at him, talking, asking questions, all so loud, Sun Ray tried to calm this hyper pony down explaining how Stormy was, but it was to late, she had got the attention of the whole village and they all came to see Stormy. He was surrounded, Sun Ray was worried, she couldn't calm them all in time, Stormy panicked, his heart racing, he couldn't breath, everywhere he turned was another pony, he couldn't take it anymore, he finally spread his wings and jumped up barely able to fly over the crowd, his panicking made it tough to fly, Sun Ray was calling out for him but he couldn't hear her over the crowd, Stormy ran out of the village and into the forest.

What started out so hopeful was now looking like a mistake, thought Sun Ray as she broke free from the crowd trying to follow Stormys prints in the snow, but with the snow still falling it was getting harder to see them till they eventually disappeared, she felt awful, she knew how he was but insisted on making him come here, she only meant for him to see Christmas, to experience it's magic, maybe it was too much too soon, "A time of miracles" kept coming to mind, and she would need a miracle to find him now. Sun Ray searched and searched in the forest till dark fully took over but found no traces of Stormy, he was gone... she left forest and walked back to Ponyville, she was upset, tears rolled from her eye's and froze in the cold air, she was so looking forward to spending Christmas with the one she loved, but it was growing later and she would have to wait until the mourning to search again, maybe he went back to his mountain. Sun Ray returned to the village to join the other ponies and waited with them as they continued their festival while counting down to Christmas. In the distance may clouds were forming, a blizzard was coming and it was a big one, the dark clouds took over the sky and the wind was blowing fiercely making it colder than it should be, the snow was falling faster now, it was instantly noticeable that the snow was growing deeper, all the ponies took shelter in the town center, in the largest building in Ponyville, the snow kept falling and falling. Sun Ray's worries for Stormy grew, he was out in this all alone, he could freeze to death, this blizzard was beyond her magic, she could do nothing but sit by and watch helplessly.

Stormy watched the clouds form from deep in the forest, he knows storm clouds well and can see something bad was coming, he didn't know what to expect though as he's never seen a bad storm in the winter before, right away he could feel the temperature dropping, it was so cold, colder than he has ever felt the air, he thought he could take it at first but it was unrelenting, his hair was growing brittle and freezing, the snow was falling heavily and stacking on him, he was having to shake it off often and it only seemed to fall more, all at once he realized how much danger he was in but the only thought that came to mind was Sun Ray, not even her warmth but just seeing her again, he had to get back to her, he started to walk forward but it was hard, every step was chilling and he couldn't really see where he was going, but he didn't have to, he has learned over the years to memorize his trails by feeling alone, something that came from never looking up as he walked them, still it was tough, the cold made his every move a challenge but seeing Sun Ray kept him going, he should have never ran away, but an overwhelming fear took him over, he feels this fear again now but his time it is of never seeing her again, it is pushing him but how far can he go. So cold, so very cold, Stormy walked through the forest back to Ponyville, he couldn't run, the wind already felt like razors on his face and running made it worse, he still had a ways to go, his movements were becoming stiffer, he was shaking very much and hurting all over, the snow was so beautiful and now it was like a monster that was beating him down and not letting up, he could feel all the feeling leaving his body, was this it, it couldn't be.

The ponies watched as the blizzard took over, all their hard work, decorations, everything, was buried in the snow, they have never seen a blizzard such as this, but Sun Ray knew exactly what it was, Stormy, his feelings are expressed in storms, he must be feeling terrible to have caused this, she couldn't blame him though, it is an unconscious ability, Stormy can't control, and it was her fault anyway, she wanted to see him again, to hold him and tell him everything was ok, but this storm was to much, she could only hope that he was somewhere safe, but her worries were soon put away, one of the ponies began to yell out "Their is somepony still out there!", she went to a window quickly to to see her Stormy pushing against the storm, moving ever so slow, not able to lift his hooves all the way above the snow, his once purple coat now had a bluish tint from the freezing cold, he has been in this a long time, "He came back" Sun Ray kept thinking to herself, the thought brought her happiness, but her worries took over again, Stormy suddenly collapsed, unable to take the cold anymore. The blizzard was falling it's hardest but Sun Ray didn't care, she had to get to Stormy, she ran to the door but it wouldn't open, the snow had it blocked, so she did the only thing she could and jumped through one of the windows, the cold hit her right away but it wouldn't stop her, she got to Stormy, he was nearly froze, she lifted him and tried to pull him back but it was to difficult with the blizzard, thankfully some of the other ponies came to help and they all managed to get Stormy inside, he was froze, he wasn't breathing, tears were pouring from Sun Ray's eye's as she waited to see if Stormy would awake, she wouldn't leave his side, she layed with him hoping her warmth would help.

It grew later into the night, only 2 hours till Christmas now, and the blizzard was still going strong, that didn't matter anymore, Stormy was back with her, he was beginning to warm up, he was still freezing and shaking though but he was awake now, he hasn't opened his eye's yet for fear of the other ponies, if he were to panic again he would be trapped, so he layed with Sun Ray, he felt at home in her embrace, the ponies of Ponyville were inspired at the display of genuine love from the 2. This Christmas was looking bleak, but even with all that has happened the ponies still continued to celebrate, they used what little they had to decorate the building they were in and still sung of the wonders of Christmas, but quieter in respect for Stormy, one of the little fillys then approached Stormy slowly, she had a gift for him, she walked up quietly and placed a candy coated apple in front of him, it was decorated like everything else, with the colors of Christmas "Happy Christmas Stormy" the filly said, "Thank you" said Stormy softly, his first Christmas gift, he didn't know how to express what it meant to him, Sun Ray just smiled "Look" she said looking above them "Mistletoe", Stormy looked curiously "Mistletoe?" he said, before Stormy could say anymore Sun Ray surprised him with a kiss, meaningful, longing, passionate, desired, maybe this Christmas wasn't going to be so bad afterall, they were safe and had each other, the didn't need anything more than that, the mayor of Ponyville then asked Sun Ray if she would do the honor of reading the traditional Christmas poem, Sun Ray gladly accepted.

"Their's something in the air tonight Their's Christmas trees and Christmas lights Yes they all light up my life But their's something in the air tonight

From the first time I've seen the snow It's more than I've ever known To see it in this light Their is a magic tonight

All the gifts, material things To all the songs that we sing Cupcakes, cookies, apples, pies Tis the season, it is alive

Another year and we are here We come from far and wide We look to what we're thankful for Our real gift is right by our side

But happy Christmas to all And to all enjoy the night For when the mourning comes It will bring that Christmas light

Magic will feel the air A day of miracles you will see Anything is possible All it takes is a little belief

Their's something in the air tonight Their's miracles, magic, love, and life Yes they all light up my life So happy Christmas to all And to all a good night"

It was growing closer to midnight, all was as perfect as it could be, the ponies continued their traditions as best they could, Stormy was calm now, the crowd didn't really bother him anymore and he even found himself to be excited for what Christmas would bring. Sun Ray noticed something among all this, Stormy's mood has drastically changed yet the blizzard outside was as fierce as ever, it wasn't him that had created it, he had braved the worst blizzard she has ever seen to get back to her when he easily could have waited it out in a cave, alone, like he wanted, in fact he should have, he shouldn't have been out in that weather at all, but he did anyway, a time of miracles, Stormy has given her the greatest gift of all, true devoted love.

It was time, everypony watched the clocks and counted down, Christmas was upon them. The clocks struck 12 and they all cheered, "Happy Christmas!" was heard all over the room, Sun Ray looked to Stormy, he still stood avoiding the crowd in one of the corners, the look of wonder back on his face, and he was looking around observing all the other ponies, unlike other ponies Sun Ray couldn't read Stormy to see what he was thinking, always a mystery, she would have to wait and see what he would do. Stormy could actually feel a change in the air, he couldn't explain it, he took deep breathes in and out, he had a gift for them, without knowing how, he could feel the magic inside him, he closed his eyes, what was left of his horn began to glow and he glowed with it, he no longer had the tint of blue from the cold, he was better, he was perfect, Sun Ray kept watching, he continued glowing, the ponies were speechless at this display, all was quiet, a light shined through the windows, no, several lights were shining, the ponies went to look and saw their decorations again, the blizzard had stopped, they were able to open the doors again, it was so calm like nothing had even happened, Stormy had not only calmed the storm but has lifted its damage from the earth, they were in awe of Stormys magic, his gift, all the young ponies ran outside to play once again, the others gave their thanks to Stormy, he had to lay down now, it took so much to do this, Sun Ray was amazed, she has seen Stormy preform magic like this before but didn't understand how, when he lost his horn he lost the ability to use magic, yet there it was right before her eye's, a miracle, a time of miracles indeed.

Christmas in Ponyville continued as it always has, but Stormy decided not to stay, they made him feel welcome, like he was one of them, but it wasn't his place to be, though he has much to think on now, maybe it wouldn't be so bad to visit every now and then with Sun Ray. Sun Ray ran up to Stormy while he was leaving "What you did was amazing, we wish you would stay", Stormy could see the young ones behind her hiding, waiting to see what Stormy would do next, "Thank you for showing me Christmas, i will come to Ponyville again sometime, but for now i have to find some mistletoe for our mountain", Stormy smiled and blushed and kept walking, Sun Ray smiled heavily, always a mystery, her Stormy made her very happy. And so Stormys tale, his legend, continued to grow...

"If i should live forever and all my dreams come true, My memories of love will be of you." - John Denver