Journey 1 / Chapter 12 Winter Pair Up
In Twilight's house, while Spike and Beldum were asleep, Twilight woke up with great joy. She went over to Spike and Beldum's bed and said to them, which woke them up. "Spike. Beldum, wake up! Wake up, wake up! It's Winter Wrap-Up Day!"
"Twilight it's too early for winter clean up." Beldum said before Twilight said. "Beldum, it is Winter Wrap-Up. And how can you sleep? The first day of spring is tomorrow, so every Pony and Pokemon in Ponyville needs to clean up winter. Now help me get ready." Twilight then put on her winter boats, clothes and put a scarf around her neck. Spike then said still in bed to Twilight. "Clean up winter? Who cleans up winter? Don't they just use magic to change the seasons like we do in Canterlot?"
"No, Spike. Ponyville was started by Earth Ponies, so for hundreds of years, they've never used magic to clean up winter. It's traditional."
"It's ridiculous. No magic. Pah!"
"Twilight, can you please read the note on the door?" Beldum said as he returned to bed. Twilight looked at the door and read the note out loud. "Twilight. If you are reading this, that means you have awakened way too early for Winter Wrap-Up. I'll meet up with you in the morning, Fantomu. P.S. Goodnight." Twilight then opened the door and saw that it was still night outside.
The following morning Twilight, Fantomu, and Beldum were going to the meeting spot where everyone was meeting up. "Oh, I wish Spike, Gible, and Noibat were here, even if they don't like the cold." Twilight said and then Fantomu said to her. "Oh, let him hang out with Gible and Noibat. He really loves to take naps on their heat rock." Then they noticed the Ponies and Pokemon had different colored vests and Twilight said. "Those must be the Team vest Rarity designed. Blue vest with the sun patch is for the Weather Team, green vest with the star patch for the Plant Team, and tan vest with the bunny patch for the Animal Team. I wonder which Team vest I'll be wearing."
"Who knows? I'm just glad that they are letting us try them out and picking the Team ourselves." Fantomu said as they reached the meeting spot and Ms. Major gave a speech to everyone. "Thank you, everypony, for being here bright and early. We need every single Pony and Pokemon's help to wrap up winter and bring in spring." Everyone then cheered. "Now, all of you have your vest and have been assigned to your Teams, so let's do even better than last year and have the quickest Winter Wrap-Up ever." They all cheered again. "Oh, this is so exciting." Twilight said before Ms. Major said. "All right, everypony, find your Team leader and let's get galloping." The leaders were Applejack and Electrike of the Plant Team, Rainbow Dash and Pidgey of the Weather Team, and surprisingly the leader of Animal Team wasn't Fluttershy and Mareep, but a different Pony and Pokemon. Once everyone started to go to their leaders, Twilight looked at all of them and said. "Oh, gosh, where should I go? I'm not sure where I'd fit in. What exactly does everypony do?" Then they started to hear the sound of music in the air and Fantomu said. "I think we are going to figure that all out very soon."
A spotlight then shined on Rainbow Dash, who sang. *Three months of winter coolness and awesome holidays.*
*We've kept our hoofsies warm at home.* Pinkie Pie sang as a spotlight shined on her. The spotlight then shined on Applejack as she sang. *But the food we've stored is running out and we can't grow in this cold.*
*And even though I love my boots this fashion's getting old.* Rarity sang as the spot light shined on her. Twilight then sang as she, Fantomu and Beldum went through the town. *The time has come to welcome spring and all things warm and green. But it's also time to say goodbye. It's winter, we must clean. How can I help? I knew you'd see. What does everypony do? How do I fit in without magic? I haven't got a clue.*
*Winter Wrap-Up, Winter Wrap-Up. Let's finish our holiday cheer. Winter Wrap-Up, Winter Wrap-Up. Because tomorrow spring is here. Because tomorrow spring is here.* The Ponies and Pokemon of Ponyville sang. *Bringing home the southern birds. Our Pegasus job begins. And clearing all the gloomy skies to let the sunshine in. We move the clouds and we melt the white show. When the sun comes up, it's warmth and beauty will glow.* Rainbow Dash sang about what the Weather Team jobs. Then the Ponies and Pokemon of Ponyville sang. *Winter Wrap-Up, Winter Wrap-Up. Let's finish our holiday cheer. Winter Wrap-Up, Winter Wrap-Up. Because tomorrow spring is here. Winter Wrap-Up, Winter Wrap-Up. Because tomorrow spring is here. Because tomorrow spring is here.*ￂﾠ
*Little critters hibernate under the snow and ice. We wake up all the sleepyheads so quietly and nicely. We help them gather up their food, fix their homes below. We welcome back the southern birds so their families can grow.* Rarity and Fluttershy sang the job of the Animal Team. Then the Ponies and Pokemon of Ponyville sang, as Rainbow Dash and Pidgy dumped some snow on Twilight, Fantomu, and Beldum. *Winter Wrap-Up, Winter Wrap-Up. Let's finish our holiday cheer. Winter Wrap-Up, Winter Wrap-Up. Because tomorrow spring is here. Winter Wrap-Up, Winter Wrap-Up. Because tomorrow spring is here. Because tomorrow spring is here.*
*No easy task to clear the ground, plant our tiny seeds. With proper care and sunshine, everyone it feeds. Apples, carrots, celery, stalks, colorful flowers, too. We must work so very hard, it's just so much to do.? Applejack sang what the Plant Team did. Then the Ponies and Pokemon of Ponyville sang. *Winter Wrap-Up, Winter Wrap-Up. Let's finish our holiday cheer. Winter Wrap-Up, Winter Wrap-Up. Because tomorrow spring is here. Winter Wrap-Up, Winter Wrap-Up. Because tomorrow spring is here. Because tomorrow spring is here.*
*Now that I know what they all do. I have to find my place and help with all of my heart. Tough task ahead I face. How will I do without my magic? Help the Earth Pony way? I want to belong, so I must do my best today. Do my best today.* Twilight sang as she finally understood what each Team did. Then the Ponies and Pokemon of Ponyville sang. *Winter Wrap-Up, Winter Wrap-Up. Let's finish our holiday cheer. Winter Wrap-Up, Winter Wrap-Up. Because tomorrow spring is here. Winter Wrap-Up, Winter Wrap-Up. Because tomorrow spring is here. Because tomorrow spring is here. Because tomorrow spring is he-e-e-e-re.*
"Well now you know what each Team does." Fantomu said and Beldum said looked at him. "Hey, why didn't you sing with us, Fantomu?"
"Oh, I have a bass sing voice, it would have throw off the song if I sang. But let's not get off topic. Twilight, what do you want to do first?" Fantomu said to Twilight and Twilight said to them. "I don't know. Everypony belongs to a Team, even the Bat Ponies and Pokemon."
"Well they did let us know about this two weeks ago?" Beldum said and Twilight said. "Yes, but what should I do? Where should I go?"
"How about we meet up with our friends. They might be able to help us pick a job." Fantomu said and then Rainbow Dash and Pidgey fellow pasted them. Rainbow Dash then said to Hotto and his bird Pokemon. "All right, Hotto. You and Taillow take your Team and help clear up the clouds over the farmer fields."
"You got it." Hotto said as he left with Taillow and his Team. "The rest of you, you are clear for takeoff." Rainbow Dash said and the rest of her Team took off. Twilight then said to Rainbow Dash. "Rainbow Dash."
"Oh, hey, guys. What's up?"
"What are you doing?"
"Sending off one of my flight crews to retrieve the birds that have flown south for the winter. And sending another to help clear the clouds over the farmer fields."
"Oh, can I help? How about if I help clear out the clouds?"
"Uh… Twilight? You don't have wings." Beldum said, pointing at Rainbow Dash's and Fantomu's wings. Twilight felt embarrassed and said. "Oh, yeah."
"Sorry, Twilight. " Rainbow Dash said talking off with Pidgey. Twilight then turned to Fantomu and said. "Why don't you join the Weather Team?"
"I don't feel it would be the best place for me. Come on, let's find another one of our friends. They might need our help." Fantomu said as he led Twilight and Beldum to another one of their friends. The friend they met up with next was Rarity. She was making bird nests, with Ralts, Neko, and Espurr. As they walked up to Rarity, Twilight said to Rarity. "Rarity, please tell me there's something, anything I can help you with."
"Well, how would you like to help us create Ponyville's finest bird's nests?"
"We make the bird's nest?" Fantomu said to Rarity and she said to them. "Why, yes. When the Weather Team guides the birds back north for the spring, they'll need a place to live and lay their eggs." Rarity then showed off one of the nests, which not only had hay, straw, and branches, but colored hay and a red ribbon. They all looked at it and Twilight said to Rarity. "Wow, Rarity. That one's really beautiful."
Oh, why, thank you most sincerely. Would you all like to try your hoof at a nest?" Rarity said and they both agreed. Rarity then gave them a basket of what they needed. The basket was disorganized, but that was a problem for Twilight. She organized it in a flash. Rarity then told them what to do and after that they both showed off their nest. And while Fantomu looked like Rarity's nest, Twilight looked like it was run over five times. Beldum then said to Rarity. "Can you use that nest, even if it looks a little ugly."
"Oh, Beldum. It's not so bad."
"It's on fire." Ralts said as Twilight nest somehow caught on fire. Ralts then used her psychic powers to put the nest into the snow, putting it out, but it was destroyed. Rarity then said to Twilight. "Oh, I'm sorry dear, maybe you should see Pinkie Pie and Buneary, they might need your help."
"Yeah, maybe." Twilight said walked to where Pinkie Pie and Buneary were, but was sad that she was 0 for 2 in finding her job for Winter Wrap-Up. Fantomu and Beldum followed her, to one of Ponyville's lakes. Pinkie Pie and Buneary were skating on the ice. Pinkie Pie saw them all coming and said to them. "Hey guys!"
"Wow, Pinkie Pie, you two are quite the skater. Probably the best skaters I've ever seen." Twilight said as they all reached the lake. Pinkie Pie and Buneary joined up with Twilight, Fantomu and Beldum and Pinkie Pie said to them. "Thank you, Twilight. I've been doing this since I was an itty-bitty, little, little twinkie Pinkie. Just comes naturally."
"And you Buneary?" Beldum said and Buneary said. "Oh, I've been practicing with Pinkie Pie ever since winter started." Then Pinkie Pie and Buneary started to skate again, and Pinkie Pie said to them. "Which is probably why they designated us the Lake Scorers."
"Lake Scorers?" Fantomu said before Buneary said. "We cut lines in the lake with our skates. So when the rest of the Weather Team comes here to break the ice, it will be easy."
"Easy as pie." Pinkie Pie said before she and Buneary laughed. Twilight then said to them. "How clever. When the thick ice begins to melt, it will break along the lines. Well, you two sure have a lot of work ahead of you. There's quite a few lakes in Ponyville."
"Tell us about it!" Pinkie Pie said skating past them. She then got an idea and said to them. "Hey, Twilight, Fantomu, want to help out?" They both agreed and Pinkie Pie gave both of them skates. Twilight was having a harder time skating than Fantomu, who used his wings to keep standing. Fantomu did try to help Twilight out by supporting her, and it did work a little bit. The moment Fantomu stopped supporting her, she lost control of herself and crashed everyone into a snow pile creating a monster snowman. Buneary was the ears, Beldum was the eye, Fantomu was the center with his wing as the hands, and Pinkie Pie and Twilight were the bottle with their back legs being the legs for the snowman. They all broke out and Beldum said to them. "Everyone ok?"
"I'm good. Twilight? What about you?" Fantomu said, getting up. Twilight had a frown on her face and Pinkie Pie said to her. "Twilight, you did a great job your first time around. I'm sure my first time was just as wobbly and bobbly and crasherrific as yours!"
"Really?"
"No. But did I make you feel better?"
"Yeah, I guess."
"I bet you'll be super awesome at something that keeps your hooves on the ground. I know! Fluttershy and Mareep could probably use your help with the critters."
"Well, I'm pretty good with little animals. Yeah, I'll go help them." Twilight said before skating the wrong way, Fantomu turned her around and Beldum followed them. Fluttershy and Mareep were in a field full of warrens and dens, and were ringing a bell inside one of them. This was how Fluttershy woke up the animales from their hibernation. They joined them after Fluttershy and Mareep woke up a family of porcupines, and Twilight said looking at the porcupines. "Aw, how cute."
"Aren't they? This is my favorite task of the whole season, when I get to see all my little animal friends again." Fluttershy said before Beldum said. "So is it just you and Fluttershy, Mareep?"
"Yes, because we are the only ones with the patience and kindness to wake them up, but we could use the help. Fluttershy is worried that we won't be able to wake up every animal before spring comes."
"Well, I'll help Fluttershy." Twilight said and then Fantomu said. "Me too."
"Oh, you will? Oh, that would be wonderful." Fluttershy said before giving Twilight and Fantomu a bell. Both of them picked a den and used their bells. Fantomu woke up a family of bunnies from his den, and as for Twilight. She woke up a family of snakes and she was afraid of snakes. So she got out of that den and backed into a den that was the home for a family of bats. That woke them up and caused her to run into a tree. When she crashed into the tree, a bee hive fell on her head and the bees were not happy. The bees chased Twilight into another den, but this one was home to a family of skunks. Twilight's surprise visit not only woke them up, but they covered Twilight in their stick spray. The bees left the den and after giving the hive to Fluttershy. They returned to Twilight house so she could take a tomato bath. At the house, Fantomu had just returned with more tomato juice and gave it to Beldum, who in turn went to the bathroom where Twilight was. Fantomu was standing outside the bathroom and he said to Twilight. "You ok Twilight?"
"No. All this Winter Wrap-Up stuff is a lot harder than it looks."
"Yeah, but that's because you are used to using magic more than most Ponies here."
"He's not wrong. I've seen Unicorns only use levitation magic here and nothing else really." Bedlam said as new tomato juice into the tube. "Still this is hard." Twilight said before Fantomu said. "Well, we still have the Plant Team to try. Once you're ready, we will get going." An hour later, Twilight was all clean and they went to where Applejack and Electrike were leading the Plant Team close to her family farm. After Applejack told her team that they were doing a good job, Twilight, Fantomu and Beldum walked up to her and Electrike and Twilight said to them. "Hey, Applejack, Electrike, how's everything going?"
"Oh, just dandy. Little slow starting, but peachy, all the same. There's a lot of ground to clear, you hear? We can't even start the planting and the watering until we get all this heap of snow hightailed out of here."
"Well, we'd like to help."
"Well, I-I don't know Twilight. Fantomu could help push the carts with his wings, but you, well…"
"Just give me a change."
"Well, I never turn down a hard worker, but…" Applejack said and Twilight took over one of the plow carts. However, she wasn't moving, and the fact that this was the last job left to do. Twilight used her magic to push the cart. At first it looked like she was pushing the cart, and Applejack knew something was up. It wasn't until the cart was going faster than Twilight, that she lost control of the cart and created a big snowball. As Twilight came at them, Fantomu and Beldum flew up to dodged the ball, but sadly Applejack and Electrike got caught in it. Fantomu then said as he and Beldum followed them. "Well, that's not good."
"What's going on? What'd you do? You used magic, didn't you?" Applejack said before they crashed into a snowpile, which in turn caused an avalanche, which ruined most of the Plant Team's work. After Fantomu and Beldum help them out of the snow, Applejack said to Twilight. "Nuts, Twilight! You used magic!"
"Hey, she was trying to help." Fantomu said before Applejack said. "That's not how we do it around here, Fantomu, and especially not on my farm!" Twilight then ran away with tears in her eyes. Fantomu gave Applejack a mean look and went with Beldum after Twilight. Electrike then said to Applejack. "You know that was a little harsh right?"
"Yeah, I got a little mad. I'll say I'm sorry after the Winter Wrap-Up." Applejack said before going into town. In town Fantomu and Beldum found twilight hiding in a bush and Fantomu said to her. "Come on out, Twilight, it's not that bad."
"Not that bad? I can't do anything. I'm a Winter Mess Up."
"That's not true, you can do a lot of things. You just can't do anything related to Winter Wrap-Up." Fantomu said before hearing what he just said. "Thanks a lot for making me feel so much better." Twilight said before Fantomu hit his head with his right wing. "Sorry. Beldum, do you have any idea on how to fix this mess?" Fantomu said to Beldum and Beldum said to them. "Well, you could help them organize their movements and plans."
"What do you mean?" Twilight said as she stuck her head out of the bush. Before Beldum could answer, they heard Applejack talking to Rainbow Dash. "Rainbow Dash, Y'all on the Weather Team need to melt the rest of this snow here on the ground and the trees pronto."
"Got it!" Rainbow Dash said, but just before she did that. Fluttershy appeared and said. "You can't. My poor little animal's homes will get flooded. If the snow melts too fast." Rainbow Dash then was caught between Applejack telling her to go and Fluttershy telling her to stop. Fantomu looked at Beldum and said. "Is this what you were talking about?" Before Beldum could say anything, Ms. Major appeared and said to the Ponies and Pokemon. "Oh, what in Equestria are all of you arguing about? This sort of silliness is why we were late for spring last year, and the year before that, and the year before that!"
"Did she say late?" Twilight said and Fantomu said. "Yes. Yes, she did."
"No surprises. Everyone has a job, but there's no communication or organization with one another." Beldum said and while they wondered what Beldum was talking about, Ms. Major said, giving them the answers. "I hoped my amazingly inspirational speech would urge everyone to do better than last year, but now it looks like we're going to be later than ever! I mean, just look at this catastrophe! The Ice Scorers made the ice chunks too big to melt." Pinkie Pie and Buneary don't know where they went wrong. "The nest designer's horrendously behind. We need several hundred, and they've only made 20." Rarity's team were spending most of the time looking for the part they needed then actually building the nests. "And don't get me started on all the clouds still in the sky, the icicles on the trees. This isn't good. Not at all!"
"And it's gonna be all-to-pieces disastrous if we can't get our seeds all planted." Applejack said to Rainbow Dash and she said to Applejack. "Chillax, Applejack! We're busting our chops as fast as we can."
"No, not fast. You have to wake animals slowly." Fluttershy said to Rainbow Dash. Just then Electrike appeared with Big Mac and another caramel colored Pony. "Hey partner. We have a problem."
"Oh, good gravy! Caramel lost the grass seeds again, didn't he?" Applejack said and Big Mac said yes. Then Pidgey said to Rainbow Dash. "Dash, Ditzy Doo accidentally went north to get the southern birds."
"Oh, that featherbrain! Didn't she learn her lesson last year when she went west?" Rainbow Dash said before they all started arguing again. Fantomu then said to Twilight. "I believe you know what to do, Twilight?"
"Right! Beldum, get my checklist and clipboard. Stat!" Twilight said getting out of the bush. "Yes, ma'am!" Beldum said, rushing back to the house. Twilight then said to Fantomu. "Fantomu, can you get their attention? Also can you help me keep the team communication up?"
"You got it, on both counts." Fantomu said before whiling very loudly. Everyone stopped arguing and turned to Fantomu. Fantomu pointed at Twilight and she said to everyone. "I know you all want to complete your jobs on time, but arguing is no way to go about it. What you need is organization and communication. And we are just the Ponies for the job." Beldum then returned with the checklist and they started to do their jobs.
The first thing they did was organize Rarity supplies, so making the nest would be easy and quick. Beldum checks them off the list as the Ponies and Pokemon put them on the trees. Twilight then helps Pinkie Pie and Buneary create a grid-like shape of the lake, so the ice would be small squares that would melt quickly. Beldum check the lake of the list too. Next was the plowing and planting. Instead of plowing in any dictation then planting, the would all plow in the same direction, with one catching the leftover and pashing it to the end. And behind thm were the planters, which moved the earth and then planted the seed. Beldum checked that off the list and next was the animals. Instead of doing it one at a time, they put a bell at the front of each den. This woke the animals up nicely and calmly at the same time. And while Beldum checked off the animals, Fantomu flew to the Weather Team, Twilight jumped into the tree after seeing the snakes again. In the air, Fantomu gave Rainbow Dash and her team the go. The Weather Team created a spiral which caused not only all of the clouds to be clear, but also took all of the snow and icicles with them. Then everyone worked hard into the night, finishing the last of their clean up. The following morning the southern birds returned and went to their new homes. And after everything was done, Ms. Major said to everyone with Twilight and Fantomu standing next to her. "I can't believe it! Spring is here on time! And we have you two to thank for it."
"Thank Twilight, she was the one who helped you get organized. I just made sure we had good communication with one another." Fantomu said pointing at Twilight. Ms. Major looked at Twilight and said. "True. If it weren't for your organizing skills, we would still be arguing."
"It was a team effort." Twilight said and as Ms. Major singled Rarity to come up, she said to them. "And since you two help every team, we have an official vest for you. We give you the titles of All-Team Organizer and All-Team Communicator." Rarity then gave Twilight and Fantomu a vest that had all of the team's colors. Twilight and Fantomu looked at their vest and Twilight said to them. "Gosh, I don't even know what to say. Thank you, everypony."
"And hereby I declare that winter is wrapped up on time!" Ms. Major said and everyone cheered. After that everyone returned home and at Twilight home, she gave Spike a piece of paper and quile onch he returned from Fantomus house. She then told him what to write. "Dear Princess Celestia, Winter Wrap-Up was one of the most special things I've ever been a part of here in Ponyville. It help me to learn that we all have hidden talents, and if we're patinet and diligent, we're sure to find them. And as always, with good friendship and teamwork, Poines and Pokemon can accomplish anything. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle." Twilight then looked at her vist, and then a thought entered her mind. If Fantomu was good at everything they did today, then why was he hanging out with her all day inside of picking one job for himself?