Chapter 11:Winter Wrap Up
He was cold, shaking, struggling to keep warm through the cold winter weather. Orion hated winter more than any other season in the year, what a reminder it was for him. A great reminder that he was different, he had no fur, and no thick mane and tail that would protect him from the cold. He growled so slightly as he heard not only the clop of hooves, but also snoring. He tried to wrap himself up nice and tight in an extra blanket, but the snoring of a certain dragon made it ever more difficult to sleep.
Finally he tossed the sheets of his head and looked to see Spike snoring loud. Sleeping away without a care in the world while he listen to Twilight running amok. It was then that a yell from his side went off and spooked him from his bed.
"Wake up! Orion Spike wake up!"The excitement of Twilight alarmed and caused Orion to roll out of his bed.
"Huh…? Mommy?"Spike woke only partially and was about to go back to sleep.
"It's not your mommy! But she certainly can be loud like one!"Orion grunted and grabbed a blanket to wrap himself up in.
"Guys…! It's winter wrap up!"Twilight announced the special occasion that was gold to Orion's ears.
"Well FINALLY! I've been freezing my hoof tips off this entire winter!"Orion breathed warm air into his hands and rubbed them together.
"Yeah, the first day of spring is tomorrow, so every pony in Ponyville has to clean up winter,"Twilight explained while Orion lifted his eye brow in confusion,"Now help me get ready…!"
"Clean up winter? Who cleans up winter? Don't they just use magic to change the seasons like in Canterlot?"Spike grumbled in simple grouchiness, but his words were more true than he knew.
"Exactly. Magic was a source of cleaning up winter for thousands of years…! Earth ponies certainly collected food and thrived in town before,"Orion emphasized how earth ponies worked in the deep past,"But they never even touched a snow shovel to clean the town up. They depended on unicorns, and eventually Celestia to melt away the winter and awaken the animals with her sun rays."
"That's…interesting to know… Because…they say that they've had a tradition of never using magic for hundreds of years…"She smiled nervously after Orion slapped his forehead in shock.
"You have GOT to be kidding me… What kind of QUACK enforced this rule?!"Orion felt dumbfounded as Twilight got her list and checked off her requirements.
"Mayor mare of course. Her ancestors from before put it all together,"Twilight answered as she went back to the list and checked off her requirements,"Let's see, scarf check, saddle check, boots check, Spike refusing to get up and going back to sleep, check!"
"Then I'm going to have a talk with mayor mare about this outrage…! Tradition…bah…!"Orion stated before going back to his bed.
"You…go ahead and do that. It's a good thing I'm so organized, I'm ready, bright and early,"Twilight said before going outside, only to realize it was still night time,"Oh… Maybe a little too early."
Hours later, Orion was in the snow, and out of the house with Spike and Twilight. Thankfully Twilight was able to ask Rarity for assistance on heavier attire for him. He now sported a large and heavy built cloak made of fake, but real looking mountain wolf fur. It was fluffy, and holding so much body heat within the fur that protected his bare skin from the elements. He was even made some fluffy, and thick boots for his bare feet to protect them from the cold snow.
He was absolutely cozy in the garments and only felt intense warmth. Yet it did not stop the flames of irritation that had built within him since Twilight's winter wrap up info. Not only that, but he could tell this strange and fairly new tradition stank of Celestia's work. For the sun was not in the normal area it would be at this current time. It would already be almost high in the sky to melt the snow that remained from a simple courtesy shoveling of personal property between ponies.
"This is all too strange Twilight. Aren't you a bit confused about Ponyville's "Tradition" here?"Orion questioned as he looked to the sky where the sun barely peeked pass the mountain.
"Well it is different from how Canterlot works. But it's tradition, and traditions are to be respected and done properly."Her answer made the prince want to cringe at the idea.
"So…the princess lazily moves the sun slowly, so it requires subjects to not only do more work before her sun finally rises to melt the snow,"He stated as they happened upon the group of ponies preparing to get to work in front of the mayor's home,"But we also have to do these unnecessary and meaningless small tasks without magic!"
"I'd be careful saying that stuff around mayor mare. It was her ancestors that created this tradition with princess Celestia…"Twilight hinted at Celestia's involvement in such a tradition.
"Celestia helped MAKE this tradition…?! How interesting."He mused at the information as they stood with the crowd to hear the speech of mayor mare.
"Thank you every pony, for being here bright and early. We need every single pony's help wrap up winter, and bring spring,"The mid aged mare announced and was gained a cheer from the town's; ponies,"Now all of you have your vests, and you have your teams. So lets do even better than last year, and make this the quickest winter wrap up ever!"
"Oh…this is so exciting!"Twilight cheered while Orion rolled his eyes and looked at the snowy ground.
"All right every pony. Find your team leaders, and lets get galloping!"The mayor made her people cheer before rushing to find their team leaders.
"Oh gosh, where should I go? I'm not sure where I fit in. What exactly does every pony do?"Twilight asked before a song began to start among the ponies.
"You're about to find out, while I go have a chat with the mayor…"Orion patted her back and high tailed it to get away from the singing.
"Please don't start any trouble. I just wanna respect and do this wrap up right for Ponyville."Twilight warned for Orion to behave during winter wrap up.
He gave her the thumbs up of trust and shook his head with a sigh. He slowly followed the mayor as she got to work sorting out how snow will be plowed from the fields. He huffed and rubbed his arms o keep warm before he approached the mare from behind. He cleared his throat, but appeared not to be getting her attention, but the twitch of her ear said other wise. It told him that she heard him, but paid no attention to him and focused on the plans.
"Excuse me…! But I wish to speak with you about this… Tradition of yours."Orion gave his word to the mayor and was given a sigh in return.
"Not now…! I need to make sure the earth pony's directions to plow are in order for a fast clean up of snow."The mayor waved her hoof to demand space as she wrote out the directions for the plows.
"You know you wouldn't need to use plows other than for clearing personal properties if it weren't for this tradition,"Orion disliked the rude brush aside and slapped his hand over her directions,"This tradition of yours and Celestia's seems like it plays a lot on the subjects while the princess can lazily bring up the sun slowly. Not to mention the strong disregard for what magic could do for this wrap up."
"Well…! I'm sorry if this town doesn't appeal to your forms of winter wrap up and traditions, but tradition is to be respected,"The mayor huffed but remained composed and a mare of manners,"This tradition has been around for hundreds of years, and maintained solely by earth ponies."
"With all do respect mayor mare, but I have been around for two thousand years…! And such a mediocre tradition has never been a requirement,"He defended and decided to give her a lesson in real history,"True this town was the domain of earth ponies back then, but all they did was simply farm through snow to collect food. Spring arrived through the magic of the unicorns and eventually the alicorns…!"
"If you don't even want to respect this tradition, then that's on you…! Don't bother helping if that's the case,"The mayor snatched her directions up and fixed her glasses before leaving,"And kindly keep your distance from me, and your words about the princess to yourself…!"
"Why respect a tradition that makes you work more than you actually have to? Pretty dumb move if you ask me…!"His words were ignored as the mayor turned up her muzzle from the cloaked human.
He sighed, knowing that once again the world was not as it was in his time. If anything, it was starting to appear as if it was in disrepair, it needed an old warrior's touch. He slowly walked over, and sat on a bench and mope about the way this tradition worked. He didn't like it, it was so much work on the subjects, and much less work on Celestia. He picked up a handful of snow and looked to mayor mare as he rolled it into a ball, and was tempted to hurl it at her.
"No… No it's not worth the trouble… I won't get Twilight in trouble,"He tossed the snow ball into a bush and sighed with both hands holding his head up,"This is laziness, how could I have not realize Tia would make this great family separation a vacation for herself. Trying to miss the lesson this would teach her…!"
"The native birds are already awake Fluttershy…! Let us go for our underground friends next…!"The sudden soft and incredibly gentle voice of a young stallion made Orion almost shoot up from his seat.
"That voice… So much like Fluttershy but…"Orion stood up and searched the area before he found Fluttershy.
She was accompanied by a stallion Pegasus that was all too familiar to him. His green coat matched the grass that he showed much love to help it grow luscious and healthy. He had a wavy long mane that almost reached his flank as dark green as the tree leaves he tended to. His tail matched his mane in both color and length like Fluttershy's mane and tail. The stallion gave a gentle and loving smile that matched her own as he floated down and landed gracefully.
"Oh pappy… I'll never understand how you do it so easily…"Fluttershy was next to land by the stallion's side before hugging him.
"Mutual trust, and connection between you and the little friends,"He held up a hoof and let out a whistle while robins perched on his fore arm,"You do it so well yourself child. Your kindness to the friends is without equal."
"Thank you pappy… Let's go wake up the underground friends."Fluttershy walked with the stallion that would seem too young to be an elder, but this was no ordinary stallion.
"Typhoon… Breeze…!"Orion called out, and the green stallion froze and gave a nearly inaudible gasp.
Orion approached the stallion he knew by name, and the Pegasus turned around in response. Typhoon widen his eyes, and felt a glimmer of green flash in his eyes. He stood tall as Fluttershy noticed her pappy's sudden behavior and looked to see O approaching.
"Is everything ok pappy? It's just mister O."Fluttershy put a hoof on his shoulder and got a sigh from him before he put on a small smile.
"I know who he is Fluttershy… We were comrades a long long time ago…"Typhoon looked up to the tall human prince as an old friend as Orion looked to him with the same feeling.
"Typhoon Breeze… As I live and breath… It's been too long old friend,"Orion raised his hands in praise to meet an old friend after so long,"You have barely changed at all since we all parted ways. Now all the things about Fluttershy make sense."
"Wow…! You and pappy know each other…! That's so wonderful to know…!"Fluttershy joyfully complimented on their old friendship as Orion extended a hand to Typhoon.
"Orion… It's been far too long since we last saw each other. I can only imagine what has changed since the fall of your father…"Typhoon slowly reached his hoof out and wrapped it in Orion's hand for a strong stallion shake between warriors.
"Your voice may be gentle, but it seems you still maintain that firm strength,"Orion finally shook and smiled through his cloak before letting each other go,"And just stick with O for now. I'm here incognito for personal reasons…"
"I see… It has to do with Luna am I right?" He asked and Orion shrugged before resisting the urge to turn away.
"Would you two like to have some time to catch up? I really want to get to the little critters in their den…" Fluttershy asked as Typhoon chuckled and patted Fluttershy's shoulder.
"It's alright Fluttershy, how about we all take a walk together and rekindle?"Typhoon suggested for both of them, and gladly took Fluttershy's hoof.
"I suppose I have nothing better to do since the mayor is pointless to talk to."Orion agreed and was required to hold his old friend's hoof before they all took a walk to wake up the critters.
Almost an hour later, Orion was watching Fluttershy and Typhoon working their magic. Fluttershy rung her bell to wake up the animals, while her pappy resorted to gentle whistles. Each worked proficiently, but Typhoon like the better and more natural connection it gave him with the critters. Orion snickered and shook his head to see his fellow warrior doing animal waking. It was his passion after all, but if only Fluttershy knew how special and how powerful her pappy really was.
"You still got it Typhoon. The animals flock to you like a loving father…"Orion complimented as the animals walked out of their dens in groups and yawned.
"Good morning little friends… Spring is here. That means it's time to get up and flourish in a beautiful refreshed world,"Typhoon first whispered sweet nothings and pointed out the way for animals to go and start their spring off,"Thank you… My passions for nature and it's creatures will never fade…"
"Nor does your skills as a warrior. I can tell you still have that fire in you."Orion followed Typhoon to the next burrow.
"Yes, but I don't fight much any more. I like to think I'm in retirement from now on,"Typhoon confessed the ways he goes by now a days in this new age,"Hope I'm not disappointing you Orion… Besides there hasn't been that much chaos in quite some time. What's the point of fighting any more when there's rarely anything to fight?"
"Really? The Ursa attack I had to get my hooves dirty with didn't count?"Orion questioned as Typhoon whistled and gentle tune into the burrow.
"Hostile animal or not, it's still one of natures creatures. I could never bring myself to hurt it."The Pegasus admitted and sighed before keeping his smile welcoming for the mice.
"Fair enough, I do hope however that you'll be ready my old friend. We may live in a more peaceful age,"Orion said as he suddenly heard Twilight calling him in the distance,"It doesn't mean old and new evils won't rise to challenge a world they think has grown weak."
"Do not worry… I have not forgotten what it means to be a warrior. After all I have a descendant granddaughter to watch after,"Typhoon sighed and looked to Fluttershy with his small and gentle smile,"She's such a kind hearten young mare. I fear for the one who would dare bring her harm…"
"It's great to see you again Typhoon…"Orion admitted before Twilight finally caught up with the prince.
"There you are…! I was looking all over the place for you. Mayor mare wasn't too happy hearing me call out for you."Twilight ranted after catching her breath.
"And before you ask. We haven't had much luck finding a place for Twilight in winter wrap up…"Spike yawned and chuckled when remembering Twilight's disaster on the ice ponds.
"That's too bad. Perhaps you can help Fluttershy and Typhoon with the animals."Orion suggested while Typhoon was more than welcoming help to their operation.
"That's why we're here…! Nice to meet you mister breeze."Twilight politely greeted as Typhoon bowed kindly to the polite mare.
"Twilight. Typhoon here happens to be one of my fellow warriors from back in the day,"Twilight lit up at the sudden excitement and shock of meeting another Equestrian warrior,"The Wind's Master they all called him. And the guardian of nature…!"
"Oh stop… There's no need for such build up. I'm just a Pegasus with a love for nature and all its little critters."Typhoon chuckled and wave his hoof to get Orion to stop bragging.
"Wow…! The honor is all mine sir. I'd simply love to perhaps sit down with you sometime and get to know you."Twilight bowed to him excited to be meeting another one of these rare warriors.
"Perhaps maybe sometime over tea would be lovely. For now could you help my descendant granddaughter out,"Typhoon pointed to Fluttershy and surprised her even more with their relationship,"You won't know where you fit in at till you give it a try…!"
"Fluttershy… Is your granddaughter,"Twilight gasped before clearing her throat and smiling,"I mean of course…! Thanks!"
"Oh boy… The unicorn has had me on my hoovsies since we met. Quite the interesting one I have to admit."Orion sighed as Twilight went to talk with Fluttershy on where she could start.
"Indeed… Where did you find this energetic one…?"Typhoon showed true curiosity about Twilight.
"Believe it or not. She's actually Tia's faithful student, and believe me I was shocked,"Orion admitted and patted his friend's back with a snicker,"She certainly doesn't behave like Tia. She's a risk taker, a magical enthusiast, brave, and quite the spirited young mare."
"Indeed… That's quite a surprise. I would think that would possibly rebuild your relationship with Celestia,"Typhoon sat down and gave a mouse a piece of cheese,"She probably misses you a lot since your exile…"
"I know…! I know… But It's going to take a lot to bring me back to her side. Would you not feel shame for such a disaster occurring in your family?"Orion asked while putting his hands into his pockets and looking down to the snow.
"Yeah… I suppose I would be ashamed of my family becoming so dysfunctional,"Typhoon admitted with a nod as he looked at Fluttershy smiling and waking up ferrets,"But it doesn't mean you must close them out of your heart. They're still family in the end."
Suddenly a scream sounded from Twilight, and nearly made Typhoon's body jump. Twilight was running from what appeared to be snakes exiting their den with a hissing yawn. Typhoon ran, and immediately got the snakes calm down while Twilight rammed into a tree. A bee's nest had then dropped upon her head, and caused her to scream again and jump almost ten feet in the air. She then ran the other way and crashed right into a burrow.
"Uh oh… Twilight that's the skunk's burrow…!"Typhoon warned a little too late as the skunks were already spraying.
Orion held his nose, as did Spike before the skunks were finally coming out of their den. Twilight was groaning and smelled outright horrid to them all. Though it was nothing that a tomato juice bath couldn't fix.
"I think the skunks were eating bullet ants again. They smell really strong this spring,"Typhoon made a guess about the skunk's diet through the winter,"I would suggest a four hour tomato juice bath for her."
"Yeah… We'll make sure to get her cleaned off right quick and not smelling like smoke and death."Orion assured his friend before they went in to get Twilight and take her home.
It was not too long before they were back home in the library giving Twilight what she needed. She was sitting in a bath tub full of tomato juice and self disappointment. Spike scrubbed her back, while Orion gladly poured gallons upon gallons of tomato juice on her. The smell was lingering a bit, but thank fully they had clothes pins laying around to pinch their noses shut. Twilight on the other hoof, looked like a grouchy child forced to dress up for picture day.
"So clearly the whole animal idea was not the best idea too…"Orion stated the obvious while dumping more juice through her mane and fur.
"Sigh… All this winter wrap up stuff is harder than it looks…"Twilight moped while Spike brushed her mane to get the stink out.
"I know… And the worst part is that it didn't need to come to such labor on subjects."Orion said before squishing a sponge on her face to clean it off.
"Right, because there's no magic. Why don't you guys just use magic,"Spike questioned and threw around an unorthodox idea,"That way it would get done so much quicker!"
"That's what we want to do, but these ponies are SO insistent on this couple hundred year old tradition."Orion groaned and yanked one more vat of tomato juice.
"Guys it doesn't matter if the tradition isn't the best or efficient way,"Twilight broke up what she felt was an uneasy conversation,"Ponyville has never needed magic to wrap up winter…!"
"They did when me Luna and Celestia were in charge over a thousand years ago! These ponies would freeze to death if it wasn't for us."He gave her some insight on how winter wrap up really worked back then.
"Yeah, besides. They never had the two of YOU here before either,"Spike agreed with Orion's words while Orion made the final splash of juice over her head,"Think of how much quicker you two could wrap up winter with magic!"
"No, no no! I'm going to find some other way to help winter wrap up if it kills me…!"Twilight swore and got a sponge pressed to her face.
"Ok ms tradition. Why not think of this while you're at it. If the Earth ponies started this town solely and wrapped up winter by themselves,"Orion washed her face roughly and shook his head,"Why would they allow Pegasus to use their ability to fly and control the weather to wrap up winter if they did it all by themselves?"
He wore a half smirk as he watched Twilight suddenly feel her mind finding merit to those words. The more she thought, the more she realized that this tradition may not be so traditional. It was now losing it's respect as they finished cleaning Twilight up and getting ready to go out again.
They were now walking together towards the fields that were being plowed. Not for growing, but for plowing out the snow, yet another oddity for the prince. He saw the ponies pulling a lot of weight behind them just to plow out the snow. He stopped and shook his head with a sigh before Twilight met with Applejack. Some how he knew this was going to be all traditional and strange talk that ruins better potential crops.
"Keep pushing Caramel! That's it Bumpkin, I know it's hard work and all,"Applejack was calling out the directions to all the earth ponies working the plows,"But you guys are doing great, YEEHAW!"
"Hard work indeed! Work that could be so much easier on the ponies here…!"Orion greeted with his outtake at what he was seeing.
"Hey Applejack, how's everything going here?"Twilight greeted the proper way with her friend.
"Oh just dandy, a little slow starting, but peachy,"Applejack gave her a somewhat positive out look on their work on the fields,"There's a lot of ground to clear, ya know? We can't even start planting and watering till all this snow here is cleared out."
"Well, I'd like to help…!"Twilight insisted on helping her friend with plowing.
"Well I… I dunno Twilight…"Applejack worried, seeing as Twilight wasn't exactly a strapping and fit earth pony.
"Please, just give me a chance."Twilight begged her friend for a chance to prove herself.
"Well, I never turn down a hard worker but…"Applejack thought, but Twilight was already rushing to try and plow.
"Haven't you thought about just letting the snow melt, couple bright sunny days would melt the snow in a few days,"Orion pointed out while an earth pony was now struggling to move his plow,"Snow could melt and soak into the ground, you wouldn't have to plow or water, and you could plant straight away. Save you a couple weeks of unnecessary work."
He suddenly let the mare think about the idea while he lifted his hand to the struggling pony. His hand a lit with magic and a rock was suddenly pulled out from under the snow. The plow became unstuck, and was on his way while the prince was moving the giant rock away. This was sufficient, but it was not settling well with Applejack to see magic being used. While Spike was groaning with acceptance that magic was in use.
"What the hay are you doing?! Drop that there rock, there's no magic allowed to be used!"Applejack demanded before slapping his hand down to stop the magic.
Only for the rock to come down, and crush Applejack under it's weight. She struggled to get up after catching her breath from getting winded, but even her earth pony strength couldn't move the rock. Orion just stood there chuckling at her struggling after hating on his magic. He shook his head and made sure Spike didn't help her until she stopped struggling. She sighed, and laid there for a moment before looking up at him and growling.
"You want help now? Regardless of magic being used?"he questioned as he bent down to look her right in the eyes.
"Yeah, magic might actually help you all speed speed this work up…!"Spike said only gaining a growl and nod from Applejack.
Orion chuckled more and slowly lifted the boulder off her back in his red aura. The blond mare rolled out from under the rock in time to see it drop into both his hands. He then turned and looked to a small mountain in the distance and made a couple trajectory checks. He then heaved the boulder behind his shoulder, and reared back before letting it fly. Throwing the boulder high in the sky, and soaring like an eagle over miles of fields before it crashed into the mountain's base.
The mountain itself shook like a wet cat for a solid thirty seconds. Leaving Orion to sweep the rock dust off his shoulder and cracking his fingers together. He then turned and crossed his arms while shaking his head at her misjudgment on magic.
"That don't change a thing…! We do things here traditionally without magic, just like our earth pony predecessors…!"Applejack still argued her case while he spat near her hoof.
"Then why are Pegasus allowed to use their gift of flight to collect the birds and work the weather if unicorns can't use their magic?"He asked slyly after getting right up in her face.
"Uh…I know you two are busy fighting, but Twilight looks like she's in trouble…!"Spike pointed out for the two as they looked to see a runaway speeding snow plow.
Twilight was screaming and trying to stop the snow plow, but it was carrying her all over the fields. Obstructing every pony elses path and collecting a giant ball of snow on her plow. He was following every where she went, and noticed what was happening the moment he saw the purple magic. He even figured out what spell she was using, but it was working too well. That said only one thing as she suddenly turned and was charging towards them.
"She tried a muscle spell, but she didn't sync it with her own personal body strength,"Orion growled as he put his hands up to stop the incoming giant snow ball,"Twilight shut the magic off!"
He braced, and felt her slam against him as he felt his feet grinding in the snow. While he pushed and tried to cease the plows charging, only for Applejack and Spike to be knocked into the snow ball. He growled and glowed red as he used almost half his own strength on the plow. He felt himself slow, but almost lose focus to see Applejack and Spike screaming as they rolled around in the snow ball. Finally they appeared to be almost coming to a stop towards a cliff like hill.
He lifted his left leg, and slammed his foot against the wall of the hill. It was then that they all came to an abrupt halt without any serious injuries thankfully. Only for an upset Applejack to poke her head out of the snow before the ball burst apart. Her and Spike crawled out of the snow, and her sights were then on Twilight. After Orion rushed to the plow and helped her out of it and brush her off.
Suddenly they heard a rumble, and looked to the hill before snow was suddenly coming loose. It was then coming down like a large avalanche and prepared to bury them. Orion gripped them all, and put his back to the avalanche like a shield for them all. Thankfully a familiar whirl of the wind ensured that the avalanche never came for them all. Orion looked to the corner of his eye and saw a sudden twister behind them sucking the snow up like a vacuum.
It flashed with fluorescent green magic as it then whirled across the plains. Before they knew it, snow from all over the field was taken up into the tornado. It moved like a natural one, but oddly showed signs of control within it's path before Orion spotted him. Typhoon Breeze was almost hugging the twister and maintaining it by the simple flapping of his wings. He waited until the snow was all but gone before he then suddenly lifted the twister with his own two hooves.
He took a deep breath in and suddenly heaved the natural disaster over his head. Sending it straight into the same small mountain that took a flying boulder to it's base. This time as it broke away and dissipated into thin air, the mountain got a flashy coating and top off of snow on it's peak. He took a sigh of relief and wiped a drop of sweat from his forehead before turning to Orion. He simply waved to Orion, and flew back towards town.
"And that…! Is why he's called the master of wind…!"Orion yelled with a hearty chuckled while Applejack growled and stamped her hoof.
"Whether magic worked or not! That's not how we do it around here! Especially on my farm!"Applejack continued to defend the tradition.
"Well how you do it is WRONG and won't be respected for what it does! Look around you,"Orion argued while Twilight was feeling the shame of using magic,"We just saved you days of work, prevented plows from being broken by rocks, and the left over frost will melt into water to help the fields! This tradition your mayor and princess Celestia started is trash!"
They all gasped while Twilight finally couldn't take it and ran away from her shame. He growled, and fluffed his large coat up a bit before storming off to go after Twilight. Spike smiled nervously and slowly followed behind in hopes of not getting scorned as well.
They now sat back in town by a bush near the mayor's house to relax. Spike and Orion sat beside a bush while Twilight was hiding in the bush to hide her shame. Orion sighed and looked around to how tired half the town's ponies were already. Spike in the meantime tried his best to help Twilight lighten up from her minor mistake. Only problem was, his compliments and support didn't exactly help.
"Come on Twilight, come out…"Spike tried to get Twilight to come out of the bush.
"I'm a winter mess up…!"Twilight moped from within the bush.
"Well your good at plenty of things. Just not nest making, ice skating, animal waking, snow clearing."Spike unknowingly went down the list of reminders of her failure in this round up.
"Thanks Spike, for making feel SO much better…!"Twilight whined and remained in the bush while Spike took a slap to the head.
"You're NOT helping Spike…!"Orion said after slapping Spike in the back of the head.
"It doesn't matter… It's probably almost over already. No reason for me to mess it up any further."Twilight groaned.
"Twilight, you didn't mess it all up. You just did things different from your true nature. This tradition is forcing you to deny what you can truly do,"Orion decided to try and help her cheer up while Spike rubbed his head from the slap like a grouchy kid,"Look… Don't let this false and crooked tradition force you to not be who you are…! Typhoon used his abilities and possibly saved this wrap up…!"
"But what is there to DO about it now?! We already just got pushed out of Winter Wrap Up…!"Twilight questioned before letting out a more growl like groan.
"Actually, I think We've just found an opening to fix this stupid tradition…!"Orion said as he noticed the mayor in the middle of a feud between Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie.
"What do you mean fix the tradition?"Spike asked before Orion stood up and marched towards the group.
He chuckled as he watched them fight about the migration birds not returning. The seeding not able to commence due to the animals still in the process of awakening. The ice skating slowed down due to the twister scaring off some of the skaters. It was all a mess for every pony to sort out, and the mayor was right in the middle taking fire from both sides. It only got worse when she saw Orion approaching, and sighed before holding her head.
"So how is this traditional Winter Wrap Up working out for you mayor?!"He called out and gained furrow brows from Applejack and the mayor.
"Please stop, I have no time for your gloating on our tradition making us late again!"Mayor Mare yelled and fixed her glasses.
"Really? How late are we so far?"He asked with his arm crossed.
"From the looks of the step backs, and even with you and Typhoon's… Unorthodox assistance. We're about a week behind,"The mayor answered and groaned with their behind schedule performance,"At this rate we'll bring shame to the princess, and nature itself."
"Your princess has no room for shame when she's sitting lazily on her throne sipping coco while you're all breaking your backs out here,"He yelled and silenced the mayor's dramatic claim of shame,"But what if I could get Celestia to give us a bit more help…! Will you listen then? Because I got the answer to this problem…!"
Mayor Mare wanted to say no, but her voice failed to utter such words in this dire time. She looked to every pony working, and growing tired from their back breaking endeavor. Finally she gave in, and let out a sigh before stomping her hoof to help humble up.
"Very well…! We'll…! Ugh…! We'll do this YOUR way!"the mayor struggled to say it, but agreed with trying a different Winter Wrap Up idea.
"Twilight! Mind coming over here for a minute?!"He called out and was given a sigh before Twilight slowly walked out of the bush.
"What did you do now mister O?"Twilight asked as she suddenly was given a fresh blank list paper.
"Take this, and lets try something new. Remember that skill in organization? Let's see if that can help,"Twilight gasped with wide twinkling eyes at the sudden idea,"But first… Let's get some more sun on our town."
Orion bent down, and scooped up a hand full of snow and sculpted it. He rolled it into the perfect ball and gave it a good rear back before tossing it like a base ball. They all watched it fly clear across the plains of Equestria like a fast ball, and aim directly for Canterlot castle. His red crystal eyes watched the snowball's direction, and fist pumped as it went through a castle window. Finding it's target as it smashed against the right cheek of Celestia, who had been sitting on her throne sipping coco.
"Got her! Now for the message…!"He cheered while scooping up another snow ball, and this time putting small balls of crystals into it.
He then sighed, and aimed for the castle again before letting it fly over the plains again. He made the throw count and hurled it perfectly, his eyes could define it's trajectory. He waited for almost a moment till he saw it make it's mark once again. Smacking against the mare's cheek and making her drop her coco before she was then alarmed. She only froze once she discovered the crystals that showed from the destroyed snow ball.
He then crossed his arms and waited for a moment before he got what he was waiting for. The ponies raised their eye brows for a moment before their backs were struck by sunlight. Strong spiraling sun rays were beating their backs and bringing great warmth. They looked around, and saw what Orion defined as a proper spring bringing sun shine. It made the snow and icicles glitter and sparkle with as the melting process was already beginning.
"Now that we have the proper weather at work, what say we REALLY get this Winter Wrap Up going?!"He lifted his fist to the air, and was suddenly greeted by cheers.
"Yeah… Yes,"Twilight agreed with a bright smile and new found confidence,"Lets organize our forces for a true Winter Wrap Up!"
With Twilight's skill and Orion's leadership, all was suddenly moving fast and efficient. The remaining fields were cleared out in a beautiful and fast pattern made by Twilight. After Orion was able to lift all types of boulders and obstructions from the path with his magic. Disposing of them nice and neatly before giving them the all clear to plow. This time however they left thin sheets of snow that made the plows easier to carry, and a water source for the soil when the snow melted.
Typhoon and Fluttershy organized the native birds of their home to assist with nest making. After all, who was better at making birds nests other than birds themselves? It gave the stallion and his descendant granddaughter time to use Twilight's new strategy of stringing up bells for all burrows. Twilight watched as all bells rang, and awoke all animals including the snakes. She had jumped and remained in the tree until the snakes were on their way out to find food.
Orion focused on the clouds with his magic to assist the Pegasus with moving the clouds for the sun. While one Pegasus finally brought back the birds that had gone on migration. Just in time to be situated in nests built by their native friends, taking half the work out of Rarity. All that remained was the icicles that Orion gladly picked away with some help from Twilight. It was now certain that they had found their calling in Winter Wrap Up.
It was then that Winter was officially wrapped up, and spring was here. After fishing Spike from a chunk of ice he decided to sleep on, he felt his work was done. While Twilight stayed to finish up and listen to Mayor Mare's speech, he decided to go home with Spike. He carried the baby dragon all the way home, and was just at the door before the baby dragon woke up with a cold. The hidden prince found enough kindness in his heart to get a fire going, and wrap Spike up in his blue blanket.
"Luna was right… The Equestrian Warriors are not gone…"Orion sighed warmly as he thought of his old friend Typhoon Breeze being alive and well.
Both he and Spike were then sitting in chairs by a warm fire place sipping hot coco and enjoying the coming spring. Orion sighed and finally began to relax while Spike suddenly sneezed green flames. Orion simply moved the dragon's chair more towards the fire place in return. Suddenly the door opened, and Twilight happily trotted inside and pulled out a chair to sit in. She sat right by both her friends and sighed with happiness while Orion gave her a thumbs up.
"You did good work Twilight… It was only a matter of time before you found your calling,"He admitted to her while passing her a cup of hot coco,"So how did it go?"
"Well… We brought spring just in time…! The mayor was so happy,"Twilight admitted while showing off her brand new wrap up vest,"She even gave me this amazing organizing vest. I'm the Winter Wrap Up organizer…!"
"Nice…! Betcha they won't be questioning how we do things any more…"He admitted with a chuckle while sipping coco.
"Right… About that… The mayor wanted you to have this. It's her way of saying sorry for doubting you,"Twilight levitated what appeared to be an official document,"It's a little something for your knowledge, and your leadership today. I think you'll like it….!"
Orion rolled his eyes and chuckled before taking up the professionalized note. He opened it up and began to read it, and as he read it, he became more surprised by the moment. For what he read was not only an apology and thank you, but it was also an offer.
"She wants me to be the Ponyville school's designated substitute teacher?!"He asked as he closed the note for a moment.
"Only if you want. She said since you have such knowledge in history, magic, and discipline. You'd be a perfect sub for ms Cheerlie,"Twilight explained as a half smile grew on his face before he looked back to it,"Like I said it's your choice…"
While Orion contemplated his choices in this amazing opportunity. Twilight pulled out her own little message and got a quill pen ready for Spike to use. He groaned and suddenly sneezed again before taking the letter, and writing the lesson.
Dear Princess Celestia
Winter Wrap Up was one of the most special things I have ever been a part of here in Ponyville. It helped me to learn that we all have special talents, and if we're patient and diligent enough. And as always, with good friendship and teamwork, ponies can accomplish anything.
Twilight finished her lesson and took up the lesson Spike had wrote down for her. Orion nodded and agreed with her lesson before signing the document with his answer. He sent the document back the mayor's way in a ball of his own red magic.
"Good lesson Twilight. The new substitute teacher of Ponyville school approves…!"He gave her the thumbs up on becoming a substitute teacher, and her friendship lesson.
"That's amazing to hear! What do you think Spike,"Twilight asked Spike without getting a single answer in return,"Spike?"
Orion cleared his throat and pointed to a sleeping Spike rocking in his chair. Twilight giggled at her baby dragon friend while Orion joined in the laughter. Together they laughed and enjoyed yet another eventful day for the student and the prince. Together they could only sit back and enjoy this coming spring and all of it's wonders. Warm, cozy, and with spirits so much more higher than ever.
Hope this episode wasn't too rushed. You all wanted Equestria warrior, you got it every pony. More is yet to come in this lovely new portray of friendship is magic. And all of you will keep it going towards more adventures to come. Stay pony every one.