The family reunion went on like it always did save for one thing. It wasn't Snow and Heat that got into a fight this time. Instead, Earthquake got arguing with Thunder, and the reunion was called off early after a disastrous quake that shook the whole garden. Mother Nature scolded them then dismissed everybody and hurried to check her treasures. Snow and Heat went home gladly, excited to get away. Heat thought of taking a magma bath, and Snow just wanted to brood in front of a fire for a while. But as soon as the portal closed behind them, Snow wilted as he felt a bit ill. He blinked and peered around, confused by an odd pressure in his middle that felt like he'd swallowed a whole bowl of steaming soup without letting it cool.
"Snow?" Heat asked.
"I don't feel so well all of a sudden," Snow said.
Heat blinked at him, and he was grateful that Snow had admitted it first. "So it's not just me?" he asked, shivering as the pressure inside of him sent needles of cold through his stomach.
"No, I don't think so," Snow said. He tugged at his scarf and pulled it off. It was damp with sweat. He frowned and wiped at his forehead. He pulled his hand back to see that his glove was soaked.
"I'm... sweating?" His expression pinched as he tugged his gloves off of his suddenly burning hands. He looked around at the snow and scooped up a handful to rub against his face. He flinched and pulled back, blinking in shock. "Ow... That... that hurts!" He turned to his brother, fright on his face. "Why does it hurt? It's never hurt before."
Heat stared at his brother as his shivering grew worse. He felt rather dizzy. "Cold always hurts," Heat said, rubbing his arms to try and stay warm.
"No, it doesn't," Snow said, an edge of panic in his voice. "Snow doesn't hurt, Heat! Snow is cool and soothing!" He dropped the snow and stared at his hands as they burned like fire. "Snow doesn't hurt! It doesn't!"
Heat watched his brother panicking as the tendrils of cold burrowed through him. Something was very, very wrong. His vision darkened and he swallowed and slurred out, "We need... we need help..."
But neither of them could move or even string words together. They were absolutely overwhelmed by the odd sensations sweeping through them. Snow was tugging off his jacket and pulled his shirt over his head as Heat huddled into himself. Just as both of them could bear it no longer, something inside of them seemed to burst. The island suddenly shuddered, and Heat and Snow shrieked as violent shocks rippled through them. Pain like nothing they'd ever experienced lit their realities for a brief eternity before it suddenly stopped.
Their shouts had summoned their servants, who came running, prepared to fight. But what they saw stopped them in their tracks. At first they were sure their eyes were playing tricks on them, but as they drew closer there was no denying what they saw. Their sires sat on the ground on either side of the barrier looking puzzled. Cinder peered closer and glanced up at the ice servants. He cleared his throat and addressed Flurry.
"Is it just me, or is Heat... blue?" he asked slowly.
"That's certainly blue," Flurry agreed. He stepped forward and pursed his lips. "And does Snow look a little pink to you?"
"I'd say it's closer to orange," Cinder replied. They paused and looked at each other. "Please tell me they didn't..."
"Hold that thought," Flurry ordered. He turned and strode over to Snow. "Sir, are you okay?"
"No," Snow said quietly. He shuddered. "I hurt all over. Why does it hurt?" His expression pinched and he looked distressed.
Cinder was alarmed and turned to his sire. "Sir? Please tell me you're not hurting, too."
