𝐀𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 || My Little Pony : FIM

Goodbye Winter

"Pinkie, I finished breaking up the ice across the river into town! Decided you might need my help before I give the cart ponies a hand with pulling the carts full of snow from the rooftop teams." Astral's words were muffled slightly, thanks to the ice skate laces that were in his mouth. The stallion had reached the top of the hill where Fluttershy had said she last saw the pink mare.

As he trotted towards the thick ice layered over the water, he saw Twilight, Spike and Pinkie across the lake.

"Hey guys!" Astral Jade waved, lacing up his skates and casually gliding towards the trio.

"Astral? I didn't know you skated too." Twilight commented with a surprised smile. Her amethyst eyes followed his figure as he re-traced the lines Pinkie had made only a few moments ago, making sure to space out where he was going so the ice wouldn't clump together.

"Eh, I wouldn't say I'm amazing, but Pinkie was kind enough to teach me when I first moved here. Turns out it's a winter wrap up job too." He shrugged, skidding softly to a stop near the edge of the forzen surface.

"I also help haul the snow carts when the weather team clears snow from the rooftops in town. It's not much, but I'm happy to do my part." He stated proudly.

"So you do all of that without magic?" Twilight then asked, receiving a nod.

"Yep, I sure do. I find it's easier to work as a team when you're all on the same level. If all the Unicorns went around levitating the snow, then it would throw the Pegasi off schedule, and then the Earth Ponies. Everything and everyone has their place when the seasons change. At least, in Ponyville they do." He continued, watching as Pinkie spinned and twirled across the lake.

"I'm beginning to doubt that." The purple mare then said sadly, earning a concerned glance from the tan stallion.

"Hey now, chin up, Twi. Of course you'll feel a little left out at first, but we just need to figure out where you fit in. There's more than just the 3 teams, each team has separate groups and sub-teams. You'll find your place, I'm sure of it." He reassured, and the unicorn couldn't help but smile at his optimism.

"Hey, Twilight, wanna help us out?" Pinkie joined them, grinning widely and holding out a pair of skates.

Twilight gasped in excitement. "Would I?"

"Come on, put on these on. I bet you'll be a natural too." She continued, handing the mare the skates.

"Okay." Twilight nodded, lacing them up.

While Pinkie continued to breeze around the lake, Astral stayed by Twilight, his hoof supporting her as she struggled to stay balanced.

"Uh... maybe on second thought." Twilight spoke up, the blades beneath her wobbled.

"What are you talking about? You said you wanted to be helpful." Spike narrowed his eyes, earning a chastising glare from the supportive unicorn to her right.

"Its alright Twilight, you don't need to rush. It's your first time on the ice, you're going to be a bit off balance. I can guide you around a few times, if you'd like?" He offered, feeling his lips quirk up into a lopsided grin as he watched her flail around. It wasn't because it was funny to see her failing, but because she had this overly concentrated look on her face that was adorable.

"Oh..no, no I can do this. I can do this." She repeated, pushing off on her own. But the mare soon lost control of her hoofs, and the more she moved, the worse she was making it for herself.

"Twilight, steer! Steer!" Pinkie Pie screamed across the lake, coming to a stop.

"Yaaaaa!" Twilight yelled, now heading straight towards Pinkie.