The cold air blew on her face as she smiled, staring up into the sky. It's strange. You plan for the days of winter to come along, and then, before you know it, they're gone, ready for warmth to come again. A brief chortle escaped her as that thought sank in. It's a good thing I keep thoughts like that to myself. If I started speaking stuff like that out loud, people might start thinking of me like a mini-Celestia. Looking down from the sky, Twilight looked out upon Ponyville before her, currently covered in snow. Everypony there was garbed in their winter clothes, scarves and the like, and everywhere she turned, she saw the three separate groups ready to begin their assigned tasks. Animal care, snow ploughing, preparing the weather. All these things and more were needed before everypony was able to send winter away, and usher in the new spring. Letting out a sigh, Twilight began to walk towards the centre of town. There's to be no blunders this time. No attempts to try and fail at these other tasks. Without my magic, I am suited to one thing above all else.

"Twilight!"

Turning, Twilight smiled as she saw Spike running towards her, a single blue scarf wrapped around his neck. When he reached her, he took a few moments to catch his breath before speaking up again.

"I've been looking all over for you. Whatcha up to?"

Twilight turned from her assistant and towards the direction of the town hall.

"I'm going to speak to the Mayor. There's something important I need to discuss with her."

Spike nodded at that.

"Is it alright if I come with you? Nopony else seems to need me right now."

Twilight raised an eyebrow.

"I thought you were going off to help Rarity with her nest-building?"

A sudden look of embarrassment crossed the young dragon's face as he heard that.

"Yeah...about that."

He looked up at Twilight, who was clearly waiting for an answer. Before he gave one however, he took out a handkerchief from within his scarf and blew into his nose. Even after pulling the cloth back, he was still dripping like an untightened water tap.

"Well...you know this cold I've got? It kinda flared up when I was helping her and...well...let's just say that nests and sneeze-induced flames don't mix well."

Slapping a hoof to her forehead, Twilight couldn't help but laugh in an embarrassed manner, to which Spike soon found himself joining in on, despite his worry over the situation. After her laughter had died down, Twilight leaned forward, gently nuzzling her head against the side of Spike's.

"Of course you can come with me. There's nopony I'd rather have with me today."

Spike beamed at that, hugging her warmly, after which the two began to make their way over to the town hall. During the journey, they saw several of their friends working with their respective groups here and there. Applejack was leading the other earth ponies to get their equipment ready for the ploughing, Fluttershy on her own trying to coax the various animals out of their hibernation holes, and every once in a while they'd catch a glimpse of Pinkie Pie, skating about as she headed towards the local ponds. Smiling at all this, Twilight nevertheless remained focused on her goal. Had I joined in like I'm supposed to, it’d just be a disaster. It's shameful, really, that I was so helpless without my magic. Still, I guess I'd never have realised my other talent if I hadn't gone through it all. In time, the two of them finally found their way to the hall, and as expected, the Mayor was outside, speaking to a number of team leaders. As Twilight approached, she saw, even from this distance, that the Mayor was looking more than a little stressed. Believe me, Mayor, I know how tense a leadership role can be. Still...it occurs to me how stressful her job must have been with all the disasters Ponyville has played host to over the years. I shudder to think how much paperwork she's got stuffed in her office for all of that.

Soon enough, the young unicorn and her assistant finally reached the Mayor, just after the other team members had been sent off elsewhere. The Mayor, understandably, let out a deep breath of air before raising a hoof to her temples to nurse some kind of headache. Now there's a familiar sight, Twilight thought. Although not wanting to disturb what had to be the only moment of peace the Mayor had experienced today, Twilight nevertheless cleared her throat, gaining her attention. Seeing Ponyville's librarian before her, the Mayor quickly composed herself before putting on a smile.

"Oh! Miss Twilight! What a pleasure to see you! Is there something I can help with?"

Twilight smiled at that.

"Actually, I was hoping if I could help you!"

Although slightly confused at that offer, the Mayor still kept on smiling.

"Thank you, Twilight, but I already have almost everypony in town contributing to clearing up the winter. One more set of hooves isn't really going to put much of a dent in the work."

The young unicorn gave a nod.

"I understand. But I was actually considering helping with...well...your side of things."

The Mayor raised an eyebrow at that, prompting Twilight to explain herself.

"Look...I know you don't want this to be known, but I know Ponyville has been behind on its winter schedule for the last few years..."

The older mare's eyes widened with horror upon hearing that, which was something Twilight understood. One thing leaders don't like is when problems in their administration become public knowledge. Even so, Twilight carried on.

"...but that's not your fault. Everypony knows you're doing the best you can with a hard job. That's why I'm here. I know you don't want any other winters to go badly, so I figured you could use some assistance."

The Mayor looked away slightly, not wanting to look Twilight in the eye.

"I just...there's always so much to do...and everypony always expects me to be on top of it. But this town...it's like a magnet for trouble. Just today we've had ten ponies unavailable because of sickness and we've had a shortage of materials for the nests. I just...I don't want everypony thinking I'm..."

She didn't finish her words, but then, she didn't need to, for Twilight understood immediately what was going on in the older mare's head. You don't want people to think their leader has let them down. Believe me, I know that feeling more than you know. However, after letting out a sigh, Twilight approached the Mayor and placed a hoof upon her shoulder, gaining her attention.

"It's fine. Something I told my friend Applejack once...there's no shame in asking for help when you need it."

There was silence between the two for a while, and for a brief moment, Twilight wondered if the Mayor would still reject her offer of assistance. But, much to Twilight's relief, the other mare's expression softened, and she put on a more genuine smile.

"Alright...I'll give you a shot. But this is not an easy task, Twilight. Do you think you can handle it?"

Twilight giggled slightly at that.

"I was once tasked with re-organizing the entire royal library of Canterlot. If I could pull that off, then I assure you, I can handle your winter."

The Mayor let out a dry laugh at that, though still smiling.

"If you succeed in this, I promise you that you'll have the biggest post-winter party we can throw!"

Twilight's eyes widened at that.

"NO!!!"

The Mayor was greatly taken aback by that, as was Spike, leading to Twilight laughing nervously before clearing her throat.

"Um...thank you, but I don't need any celebration for this. Helping Ponyville is all the reward I need."

The Mayor regarded the younger mare for a moment before smiling and shaking her head.

"First the cow stampede, and now this? Humility is a fine thing, Twilight, but don't be afraid to let others show you a little appreciation every once in a while."

Twilight considered that for a moment before smiling at the Mayor yet again.

"Has anypony ever told you that you're pretty wise when you need to be?"

The Mayor rolled her eyes.

"Not nearly enough, if you ask me."

In spite of the stress the older mare had been feeling some time ago, both she and Twilight laughed together at that little joke, after which the Mayor sighed and went over to a nearby table, grabbing a single clip-board from it and returning to Twilight with it. Twilight looked at it, and understood. The list of things needed for winter to be wrapped-up successfully. She gave an appreciative smile to the Mayor before levitating the board out of the latter's hooves with her magic. The Mayor nodded in appreciation to the unicorn before turning around, ready to go back to the town hall. Spike, having been silent this whole time, gestured to Twilight that he wanted to follow the other mare. Guess he wants to help her with paperwork or something, Twilight mused. Well, nopony is better suited to that kind of help than Spike, and the Mayor probably needs all the help she can get with that right now. Nodding, Twilight gave Spike the permission he needed, and soon, the young dragon was running off to join the Mayor in her hall. Smiling at that, Twilight turned around, looking upon the rest of Ponyville with her head held high.

"Prepare yourself, Ponyville...winter is leaving."