“Is she going to be ok, Fluttershy?” Dash stared at the immobile orange filly, concern etched into her face.

Fluttershy bit her lip, ears lowering slightly, “Her injuries are pretty bad, Rainbow. Especially with her wings. If she ever recovers....she may never fly.”

It felt as if a cold, dead weight dropped into Dash’s gut, “ W-why won’t she be able to fly? I broke my wings! I can still fly!”

Tears filled Fluttershy’s eyes from the look of desperation and pain on the cyan mare’s face.

“She’s a growing filly. Her bones haven’t finished developing yet. If she is lucky, then hopefully none of them broke around any of the growth plates.” Fluttershy paused. A frown set on her face. “One break in any of the growth plates will ruin her chances at flight, forever.”

Dash hung her head, despair filling her. She had promised Scootaloo that she would help her learn to fly when she was old enough.

Determination set on Dash’s face as she stared down at the unconscious filly, “You can do it, Scoot. I know you can, and once you are old enough, I’ll show you how to fly. Just as well as me.”

*****

"No no no no...!!" Pansy muttered, scrambling away from the advancing ice. "Oh no oh no...."

"And you're SURE this isn't unicorn magic?!" Smart Cookie asked, scrambling away from the ice statue that was her leader.

"I told you!" Clover exclaimed in panic, quickly scurrying to the center of the cave. "If Platinum couldn't break the ice it isn't our doing!"

"If you're sure..." Smart Cookie murmured, panic tinging her voice.

Pansy glanced around at the ice, looking at everything but the ice encasing Hurricane. "Does anypony know what this stuff is...? I don't think ANY of the weather teams would have the ability to make something like this!"

She felt her back collide with something. She spun around only to come face to face with the other two. "Well...?"

"It has to be some kind of magic!" Smart Cookie muttered, glancing at Clover. "But if it isn't unicorn magic, then wha-"

A loud wail interrupted Cookie, making the three scream in confusion. They all looked up to see pale blue creatures rushing around the ceiling, creating icy chills and consuming ice. They looked down at the three pony’s with cold, unforgiving eyes.

"What," Smart Cookie began, turning to look at Clover with wide eyes. "in tarnation are THOSE?!"

"I-if I'm not mistaken, those are Windingos..!" Clover gaped in shock up at the mystical beasts.

“I learned about them from my apprenticeship with Starswirl the Bearded. They are magical creatures that thrive off of hatred and in return make the land as cold as the hate they consume.” Pansy and Smart Cookie stared up in horrified awe during Clover’s explanation.

“W-well I don’t hate you guys.” Smart Cookie muttered earnestly.

“I don’t hate you two either!” Pansy spoke honestly, attempting to move farther away from the fast approaching ice.

“I don’t hate either of you as well.” Clover spoke with a terrified waver in her voice. Ice began encasing her legs.

“No matter what.” Smart Cookie began, fear thick in her voice as the ice slowly crawled up her body, “We are all ponies.”

A small spark ignited between the three ponies as the ice slowly encased their heads. The flicker of warmth concentrated between the three and shot upward through the green unicorn’s horn. A ball of pink flame burst into the air and instantly melted the ice ensnaring the three ponies.

Stumbling awkwardly, the three ponies looked up in shock at the glowing, heart-shaped fire that freed them.

“I didn’t know that unicorns could do that.” Smart Cookie was in wide-eyed awe of the blazing inferno.

“No...I think that came from all of us. The kindness and friendship we shared...this is how we will save this land and our leaders!” Clover spoke excitedly, shaking Smart Cookie by her shoulders from her enthusiasm.

Pansy smiled, “ I don’t think I hate any of you ponies.” Thoughts of how Hurricane treated her recently rushed into her mind, “I actually hate Commander Hurricane more...” Memories of the kind things Hurricane did, along with her apology drifted into her mind, “Well..actually I don’t hate her...I just really really really really dislike her sometimes.”

The group of ponies giggled joyfully.

*****

Where.... Am I?

Hurricane looked around her surroundings, completely confused. Almost what looked like an ocean of clouds. And snow. Lots of snow. She stood up, feeling as light as a feather.

"Hurricane."

The dark grey mare froze, her body stiffening. That voice, she thought, her eyes growing wide. It was...Him...

She spun around, her eyes landing on the white Pegasus stallion.

"Blizzard!" Hurricane shrieked in joy, racing forward to tackle the stallion. She wrapped her forelegs around him, burying her face into his neck. "Blizzard Blizzard Blizzard!!"

"Oof!" Blizzard gasped, stumbling backwards slightly. He chuckled, wrapping a foreleg around the dark grey mare. "Hurricane, you crazy Pegasus..."

"I missed you so much!!" Hurricane’s voice was muffled as she buried herself deeper into Blizzard’s embrace.

"I know." He smiled softly.

"Wait......" Sudden fear struck her like an arrow to the heart.

"You aren't dead. Not yet....." Blizzard sighed, managing to pull himself away. "Hurricane...."

"I'm not dead? Then what....." Hurricane asked, looking around at her surroundings. "Then where am I...?"

Blizzard smiled at her. "Almost dead. Almost alive. It could go either way." He sighed, and shook his head.

"What does that mean?" Hurricane demanded, glaring up at the stallion she loved. "You're saying I could die or I can live?"

"It depends on how Pansy and the other two react with each other. Speaking of Pansy..." Blizzard began, gesturing for Hurricane to sit. "We should talk."

"What's to talk about?" The grey mare tilted her head in confusion.

"Hurricane, you can't keep pushing her away." Blizzard began, looking away from Hurricane at the snow. "I... Love you. I always will. But I'm gone.... You really need to accept that."

Hurricane sat frozen, her dark blue eyes wide and hurt. "So..... You don't....."

"Hurricane, you have a long life waiting for you," Blizzard interrupted, looking at the grey mare. "Please live it..... For both of us."

"Blizzard...." Hurricane felt her heart clench painfully in her chest at the stallion’s soft words.

"You don't need to worry about losing Pansy... She's a tough mare. Determined to stay by you, Hurricane. Don't be stupid and continue to push her away..." Blizzard sighed, smiling gently at his former love. "Besides, you know it's hurting you just as much as it’s hurting her... Just please...... Hurricane."

"......... I love you, Blizzard." Hurricane whispered, looking down and closing her eyes in an attempt not to cry.

"I love you too, Hurricane." Came Blizzard's gentle reply.

"I won't ever forget you." A small tear managed to escape, slowly gliding down her face.

"I don't expect you to." The stallion gently wiped away the tear.

"..... Please stay with me......" Hurricane spoke in near whisper, throat dry.

"Always." The stallion gently embraced the grey mare, holding her close.

"I'm going to miss you so much....." Hurricane held him tightly, losing herself in the loving hold.

Blizzard smiled, gently pressing his cheek to Hurricane’s, "So will I, my beautiful Hurricane. So will I..."

*****

Several hours went by before Scootaloo began to stir. Whimpers of agony escaped from the small filly’s mouth, alerting Rainbow Dash. She bolted to the injured filly’s side, gently nuzzling her.

“It’s alright, Scoots. Everything will be alright. You're safe now.” Dash laid down next to Scootaloo, draping her wing over the filly for comfort.

“R-Rainbow...Dash?” Scootaloo croaked out, prying her eyes open to look at her hero. “W-what...happened?”

A small frown formed on Dash’s face, “You got hurt, Scoots. You got hurt pretty bad...” A comforting smile made its way onto Dash’s face as the little filly looked up at her, “You're safe now, though. That is all that matters.”

“Did...you save me?” Scootaloo’s purple eyes shown with emotion as she stared up at Dash.

Instead of gloating like she would normally with a smug grin, she smiled softly down at Scootaloo. “I helped you out from the pole pinning you... But Fluttershy is the one who really saved you. If it wasn’t for her, you wouldn’t be here.”

Scootaloo scooted closer to Dash, gently pressing against her side. “Thank you Rainbow Dash....You really are my hero.”

Dash felt her heart fill with affection for the small filly. She carefully removed her helmet, and placed it on Scootaloo.

“You are my hero, Scootaloo.”

*****

"...So it was up to Twilight and I to pull Rarity's cat away from her!" Clover chuckled, smiling brightly at the two sitting across from her. "It was hilarious, Rarity's mane was completely destroyed!"

Smart Cookie giggled. "I bet. Probably not better then the one time Chancellor challenged Applejack to a cider drinking contest! Those two got so drunk, Chancellor thought I was a saddle rack!"

Pansy smiled warmly, watching as the two shared stories as if they were close friends. When she was certain neither were looking at her, she quickly glanced at the corner where Hurricane stood, frozen within her icy prison.

"Hey, Pansy?" Clover called out, mildly concerned.

Startled, Pansy jumped and spun around, her eyes wide. "Uh, yeah?"

"You're really quiet. Is something bothering you?" Clover asked, tilting her head to the side.

"Yeah. You keep looking back at your frozen leader like there was something wrong or..... Something." Smart Cookie added, leaning forward. "Y'know you can tell us if somethings wrong, right?"

Pansy smiled a bit, shaking her head. "Nothing’s wrong. Just... Thinking. That's all. Thanks for being worried!" She tilted her head to the side, thinking. "I don't have as many funny stories as you two do, anyways. It's nice listening."

"Oh c'mon it doesn't have to be funny!" Cookie chuckled, grinning at the mint green mare. "Just a story, any one you can think of.”

Pansy thought for a moment. "Hurricane's known for destroying desks. She's gone through almost twelve the last month alone."

"Whoa." Clover giggled. "You must need to make really reinforced desks."

"Well..... This month, she's broken four wooden desks, six stone ones, and she's just started on a metal desk." Pansy smiled fondly, shaking her head. "That, and her office is nearly always in shambles."

“Sounds like Hurricane is a real hot-head.” The light yellow earth pony snickered.

“Yeah..she really is.” Pansy looked down at her hooves, smiling softly, “She isn’t all bad though. She really cares for her tribe and would do anything for their benefit, even though she goes overboard sometimes. Well...... Actually pretty much all the time...."

Looking up, Pansy froze from the knowing looks she got from the green unicorn and the light yellow earth pony.

“W-what?”

“You like Hurricane, don’t you?” A small smirk formed on Cookie’s face.

“So.....” A bright blush bloomed on Pansy’s face.

A small frown settled on Clover’s face, “This must be really hard for you... I’m sorry.”

Pansy swallowed thickly. Turning to look at Hurricane, a hollow feeling filled her, “I hope she’ll be ok...”

“Well we better hurry up and melt the ice faster then!” Smart Cookie slung her foreleg around Pansy good-naturedly, startling the mint green pony.

“How?” Pansy tilted her head curiously at the proudly smiling earth pony.

“We could come up with a song! That would be fun, right?” The brown eyes of the earth pony darted between the two ponies, waiting for their input.

“That sounds like fun! What should we sing about?” Clover smiled, excited.

“We...could come up with our own song. Something we can create together.” Pansy rubbed her hoof to her chin, “But what should it be about?”

“Oh I know! How about our new friendship!” Smart Cookie spoke with elation, “We could call it...the friend-zone!”

Pansy and Clover stared blankly at Smart Cookie. “What?”

“You know, because we are in the friend-zone.” The yellow earth pony smiled.

“But....we don’t even have the lyrics for the song yet.” Clover tilted her head in confusion,

“Oh... well, lets come up with lyrics first and then name it?” I meek grin formed on Cookie’s face.

“That sounds like a great idea.” Pansy grinned brightly at the two, looking forward to the song they were going to create.

*****

Rainbow Dash returned her helmet to her head as the small filly drifted off to sleep. Smiling thankfully down at the filly, Dash carefully pulled a blanket over her before slipping away quietly.

She was nearly a yard or so away when a pink blur slammed into her, giving her the tightest hug she ever had.

“Oh Dashie, you were so cuuuuute!” Pinkie gushed as she squeezed the cyan mare against her chest.

“P-Pink...c-cant...” Dash gasped out, in the bone crushing embrace.

“Oopsie.” Pinkie loosened her grip with a sheepish smile, nuzzling Dash lovingly against her cheek.

“You are soooo good with foals, Dashie! How did you get so good?” Pinkie smiled brightly, tilting her head with a questioning glimmer in her eyes.

“It’s because I’m awesome! How else would I be their hero?” Dash replied with an arrogant grin.

“You are so right, Dashie!” Pinkie crushed Dash to her chest again, “You would be a great parent when we have foals of our own!”

“Wha... foals... own?” You could hear the gears in Dash’s brain grind to a halt from Pinkie’s words.

“Rainbow Dash!” Applejack called out, rushing toward the embracing ponies, cutting off Pinkie’s response.

“Huh?” The cyan pony squeaked out, her brain slowly working its way back to full power.

“The storm outside! It’s startin’ to let up!” Applejack grinned, “I can go back to mah tribe and check on mah family!”

“Woah there AJ. Just because it sounds like it’s letting up doesn’t mean it’s safe.” Dash spoke seriously, “It could become dangerous at any time and you live too far away to make it safely!”

“Now jis hold on an apple pickin’ minute. Mah family needs me! Ain’t no way I’m stayin’ here while they suffer!” The orange mare growled out, eyes narrowed.

“I think they would rather you be alive than found dead halfway between tribes, Applejack!” Dash snorted, glaring at the stubborn mare.

“Rainbow is right, Applejack,” Fluttershy approached, attempting to calm the small quarrel, “Nopony wants to see you hurt...or worse.”

Applejack huffed in annoyance, “Fine...but the minute it’s safe, I’m goin’!”

Dash grinned victoriously, “ Relax AJ, I’m sure your family is someplace safe.”

“Yea.. I reckon they are too. The Apple family is too tough to let a lil' storm take us out!” Applejack stated proudly.

“WOO! We should have a party!” Pinkie bounced in place excitedly, her grip on Dash tightened in excitement.

“What kind of party could we have in here?” Dash questioned, trying to calm down the excitable mare.

“A the storm is starting to go away party of course!” Pinkie beamed brightly, already planning the party in her head.

“Why don’t we wait until the storm is over? Then it can be a big the storm is gone away party.” Dash suggested, amused.

Pinkie gasped loudly, earning several odd looks from the nearby pegasi.

“You are soooo smart, Dashie!” Pinkie’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, “I better start planning right away!”

The pink mare shot off, releasing Dash suddenly. The cyan mare in question dropped to the floor like a rock. She chuckled good-naturedly, a fond smile forming on her face.

“You are so random, Pinkie Pie.”

*****

“Alright I think we did it!” Smart Cookie smiled happily.

They had debated over the lyrics of their friendship song for hours. Parchment littered the cave floor from Clover crumpling them up in frustration. The ink well and quill were held delicately by softly glowing magic.

“What should we name it?” Pansy asked curiously, reading over the lyrics.

“Circle of Friends?” Cookie said, a little unsure. With the last song name rejected she was a little more nervous about this one.

After a little thought, Pansy and Clover broke out large grins, “That is a great name Cookie!”

The yellow earth pony beamed at the praise. “We should sing it! It will be so much fun!”

Pansy nodded excitedly. The feeling of something amazing would happen filled her. She took a second to glance at Hurricane’s frozen form. She really hoped that the grey mare would be ok.

Clover was a little apprehensive, “I’m not much of a singer...”

Pansy smiled kindly to the green unicorn, “You will be great, Clover.”

“Yea! What Pansy said!” Cookie nodded earnestly, a hopeful gleam in her brown eyes.

With a soft sigh, Clover nodded with a soft smile gracing her face. Both earth pony and pegasus cheered, stomping their hooves on the ground joyously. The three ponies huddled together as the parchment hovered just in front of them.

The fire of Friendship lives in our hearts
As long as it burns, we can not drift apart!
Though quarrels arise, their numbers are few

The ice covering the cave walls and floor began melting rapidly, receding back as if it was a burned creature attempting to escape a fire. The Windingos howled in anger, attempting to pour more power into the ice and overcome the trio.

Laughter and singing will see us through!
(Will see us through!)
We are a circle of pony friends
A circle of friends, we'll be 'til the very end!

The strength of the three ponies’ friendship exploded throughout the cave. Whimpering in agony and defeat, the Windingos transformed into a deadly mist and vanished through the cracks in the cave walls.

The icy prisons began melting rapidly, slowly freeing the leaders from the head down. Each pony rushed to their respective leader, concern growing in their hearts as they approached.

Pudding-head was the first to be released. Dropping heavily to the ground, she was unconscious yet her vitals were still working just as strong as ever.

Smart Cookie sighed in relief, “Good thing earth ponies are able to handle harsh and brutal treatment.”

Platinum broke free second, Clover’s green magic catching her before she fell to the ground. Her breathing was shallow and heartbeat slow. Clover immediately wrapped the unconscious unicorn in her ruined garment and focused her magic within the mare, coaxing her heart to speed up to normal speeds and her breathing to become deeper.

Finally, the last of the ice that had ensnared Hurricane melted away. Pansy barely had time to catch the grey mare as she collapsed. Checking her vitals, Pansy felt terror fill her.

Hurricane wasn’t breathing.

*****

Hurricane felt completely at ease snuggled up agaibst Blizzard, her dark blue eyes closed with content.

Blizzard had explained he didn't know how long it would take for Hurricane to wake up, saying that time worked differently here then in the living world. It didn't matter to Hurricane... The more time she got to spend with Blizzard, the better.

Most of the time was spent in comfortable silence. The rest Hurricane talked, filling Blizzard in on minor things that had happened to the tribe since he died.

"... And it was a huge surprise when the placement school's principal told me they were placing a filly in early!" Hurricane chatted, smiling up at Blizzard. "I mean, she was barely in the school a week!"

Blizzard smiled good naturedly, kissing Hurricane’s forehead. "You taught her well, Hurricane. Even with your slip up..."

"....... Was she here? Rainbow Dash's best friend said she had severe wounds...." Hurricane’s eyes shown with guilt.

"I saw her. She was struggling on her own," Blizzard confirmed, looking ahead of him. "Her family wanted to help, but they knew she needed to do this on her own."

"I can't believe I almost killed her...." Hurricane mumbled, closing her eyes. "She's pretty much my daughter and I almost killed her...."

Blizzard remained silent, gently nuzzling the dark grey mare’s cheek. "Ponies make mistakes, Hurricane."

Hurricane remained silent, leaning against him. "........... I feel weird."

"Pardon?" The white stallion looked down at her confused.

The grey mare frowned, looking up. "Something isn't...... Right?"

"Hurricane...." Blizzard frowned, looking up. "Hurricane you're...."

"Dying?" The question came out in a near whisper.

The white stallion froze, his eyes wide. "Hurricane, you have to wake up!"

"You don't want me to stay...?" Hurricane asked, her dark blue eyes wide with hurt.

"Hurricane think! Do you really want to die?!" Blizzard begged, his voice almost frantic. "Do you really want to leave Rainbow Dash, who thinks of you as her mother? Are you absolutely su-"

"Lieutenant General will be fine without me." Hurricane’s eyes hardened, no trace of doubt in her voice.

"Do you really want to leave the mare who loves you, Hurricane...?" Blizzard asked, looking down sadly at Hurricane. "I'm not worth anything compared to her, Hurricane. I mean... I love you.......but are you so sure you want to leave Pansy...?"

Hurricane opened her mouth to argue. She froze, tears welling up in her eyes. "I-... I don't know....."

“You need to decide, Hurricane. You're running out of time.”

*****

Pansy desperately pounded on Hurricane’s chest, tears flowing heavily from her eyes. She desperately tried to restart the dark grey mares heart, pausing long enough for mouth to mouth resuscitation.

The earth pony leader had already woken up, but was struck silent at the heartbreaking scene between the two pegasi. Clover could barely focus on tending to Platinum, whom was slowly coming to. She wanted to help, but she was still needed to keep the white unicorn’s pulse at a regular rate, at least for a while.

“Hurricane, please!” Pansy sobbed heavily, pressing down on the grey mare’s chest rapidly. She stopped long enough to press her ear to the grey mare’s chest, fighting back another heart-wrenching sob. There was no pulse.

“Hurricane, no...I love you..” Pansy choked out, renewing her efforts to revive the fallen mare. After several grueling minutes, Pansy collapsed onto Hurricane’s chest, sobbing.

Everypony bowed their heads, tears trickling down their faces. The pain and anguish Pansy felt became their own.

A small beat startled Pansy. Immediately pushing her ear to Hurricane’s chest, she strained herself. Listening. Hoping.

A tentative heart beat was heard along with soft breathing. Pansy nearly cried out in joy.

“P...Pan......Pansy...” Hurricane rasped out, only loud enough for the smaller pegasus to hear.

“Y-yes, Hurricane?” Pansy shifted, moving herself so she was staring directly at Hurricane’s face. Her ears perked, ready to hear anything the grey mare had to say.

Hurricane creaked open her eyes slowly, locking dark blue with purple.

“I love you too.”

Pansy lunged forward, locking Hurricane in a desperate and heartfelt kiss. She trembled, tears of joy streaming down her face. Hurricane wrapped her forelegs around Pansy weakly, tears of her own gliding slowly down her face.

*****

“The storm is lifting everypony!” Cried a pegasus soldier from the door to the bunker.

Rainbow Dash looked up from the softly sleeping Scootaloo to stare at the outside, visible from the open door. “It’s about time. Fluttershy, you good here while I look around for Pinkie to tell her the good news?”

“Of course Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy nodded kindly. “I’m sure she’d enjoy hearing that from you.”

Dash smiled at her friend and turned to address the pegasi tribe. “Alright everypony. It looks like the storm has finally dissipated, so soon we will return to our land and finish packing. In case it starts up again, we will be on high alert until I am able to check the weather conditions.”

The ponies nodded their understanding and wandered to the door, quietly discussing their plans. With that, the cyan mare began fluttering around looking for Pinkie Pie. It wasn’t a very large bunker, just enough for the populace of the pegasi tribe, so it shouldn’t take too long to find the pink mare.

After a few minutes of searching, however, she was just about to think otherwise on the time it would take when the sound of rushing hooves met her ears before whatever it was tackled her from behind.

The pegasus fell to the ground with a thud. The smell of cupcakes wafting in the air. Lifting her head up in a daze, she saw a few strands of pink mane dangling in front of her eyes.

“Hiya Dashie!” Pinkie shouted from atop Rainbow Dash.

Dash rolled herself over to look up at the pink mare in confusion and awe. “P-Pinkie? How long... where did you come from?”

“Oh, I was just coming from baking a batch of cupcakes for everypony.” Pinkie stated simply, a proud smile on her face.

“Cupcakes? But... but how could you? We’re in a bunker.” Dash stared up in confusion. The bunker didn’t have an oven, at least she didn’t remember one.

“Hmm, then how did I get these cupcakes?” Pinkie pulled a pan full of cupcakes, seemingly out of nowhere and presented them to Dash.

“I...I don’t. What have you been doing this whole time?” Dash stared blankly at the pan, attempting to comprehend the anomaly she was just presented with.

“Oh, I was looking for things we could use at the party. I managed to find some streamers and a few party poppers.” Pinkie beamed brightly at the cyan mare.

“How?!” Dash threw up her hooves in exasperation, staring pleadingly at Pinkie for an explanation.

“Oh that’s silly Dashie. How I find everything I use to throw parties,” Pinkie giggled and backed up off of Dash, allowing the cyan mare to stand on her hooves again, “So Dashie. Has the weather changed outside yet?”

Dash looked down at the tray of cupcakes that now rested on the floor of the shelter. The dumbfounded pegasus then shook her head and focused back on the pink pony in front of her.

“Oh yeah, it should be fine now. I’m just about to take a look for myself, but i wanted to come and find you first.”

Pinkie tilted her head to the side in question at Dash. “Really? Why’d you wanna do that Dash?”

“Oh, well I just wanted to tell you first and stuff. I thought you would like to know so we can have a real party outside...and in a place where you can cook things.” Glancing back at the tray of sweets, Dash chuckled to herself.

“Aww, that’s sweet of you Dashie. Okay, let’s go.” Pinkie started bouncing forward, stopping in time to look back at Rainbow Dash.

“What do you mean?” Dash asked, staring in confusion at the pink mare.

Pinkie smiled at the cyan pegasus and trotted closer to Dash. “Well, now that you’ve got me interested too. I want to see if it’s safe outside too, so I’m going with my Dashie.”

Dash grinned widely and walked forward, ruffling her feathers slightly and standing up proudly. “Okay then. Shall we?”

Pinkie Pie nodded and turned to saddle up next to Dash, smiling around at the ponies and grinning back at her fillyfriend. “Yep.”

Snickering back in return, Dash started walking to the entrance with Pinkie bouncing softly next to her.

“So Pinkie, do you think you can get all of the ponies here to come to your party?”

“Of course silly. I’m Pinkie. The best party maker out of all earth ponies.” Pinkie stated proudly, with a giddy smile.

“Hehe, you’re probably the only party making earth pony in that tribe.” Dash nudged Pinkie playfully, a soft smile on her face.

“Yeah.....so...do you really believe I’m a part of this tribe now Dashie? I mean pones give me looks when I act all bouncy around them.” Pinkie spoke softly, her voice a mixture of hope and concern.

“Well heh, it’s not that. It’s just something they aren’t used to. Hurricane had them all so strict and stiff natured that...well a pony like you isn’t something they get.” Dash gave Pinkie a reassuring grin.

Pinkie nodded slowly, her curious eyes locked on to Dash’s as the cyan mare explained the tribe’s hesitance to trust her.

“I’m sure they’ll all accept you in time, Pinks. Don’t worry okay?” Dash stated confidently.

Pinkie leaned slightly on Dash and nuzzled her neck calmly. “Okay Dashie. I believe you.”

Feeling a rush of emotions Rainbow Dash lowered her head onto Pinkie’s mane and nuzzled her back. Members of the tribe still stared in slight disbelief at her actions, but Dash and Pinkie didn’t notice. They were relaxed in each other’s gentle caress.

“Hey ya’ll!” A voice cried from the side. The two ponies had reached the door and turned to see an orange earth pony trotting toward them.

“Hey Applejack. Whatcha doin’?” Pinkie tilted her head to the side quizzically at the blonde mare.

Applejack stiffened a little at the innocent question and dug a hoof into the ground. “Oh ah was jus’ waitin’ fer you guys ta show up...so ah could say a proper goodbye.”

“What’s the matter Applejack? Aren’t you happy that you can go back to your family now?” Dash asked, a mixture of concern and amusement in her voice.

“Well sure as hay I am. No question...but...ah guess ah jus’ didn’t wanna leave without saying so. Ah’ll miss yah’ll.” The orange mare spoke softly, smiling sadly at the two mares.

Pinkie walked forward and wrapped her hooves around the orange pony in a reassuring hug. “Awww, Applejack, don’t be silly. You can come and visit us anytime you want. Just like you did with me when I was all by my pony lonesome in the cabin.”

“Well shoot sugarcube, ah’d be happy tah stop by if ah get the chance.” Applejack returned the embrace, smiling.

“Before Hurricane comes back with the news to leave that is.” Dash stated roughly as she looked to the closed door of the building.

“Oh...I guess I forgot about that.” Pinkie stated sadly.

“Aww, it’s alright Pinkie. Maybe ah can stay fer a little bit and come with ya when yah’ll leave with Hurricane. Jus’ tah maybe get an idea of where ya live.” Applejack grinned at Pinkie, draping a friendly foreleg around Pinkie’s neck.

“Oooh neat! That sounds like a great idea, and we can have a quick party to celebrate!” Pinkie bounced with excitement, her mind working three times as fast, coming up with new ideas for a party.

Rainbow Dash chuckled at the pink mare’s enthusiasm and turned her attention to the two guard pegasi at the door. “Alright you two, let’s see if things have cleared up enough.”

*****

Hurricane watched as the five other ponies talked with each other, pain gnawing at her heart. She did something she swore she'd never do in her life. She had left Blizzard.

Her eyes drifted over each member of the odd group, noting the mild changes in each of the other leaders. We were all frozen, Hurricane thought, finally looking at Pansy. What froze us...?

Pansy stayed beside Hurricane, leaning against her a little.

"I'm sorry..... Pansy." Hurricane spoke softly, avoiding the other mares gaze.

"For what, Commander?" Pansy asked, looking up at Hurricane with confused purple eyes.

"......... I'll tell you on our trip back to gather the tribe..." Hurricane draped a large grey wing around Pansy, eyes glazed over in thought. Pansy smiled softly and shifted closer to the grey mare.

"Oh! Hey! I had a genius idea!" Pudding-head exclaimed, bouncing up while pulling the two other leaders towards her. Pansy nearly fell over from the sudden absence of the large grey mare. "Since we all pretty much find this amazing land, how about we all-"

"Live together, in harmony!" Platinum interrupted, tossing her mane behind her. "Yet I still vote we call it Unicornia."

Hurricane glared at Platinum, yet began to think. "A land where we ignore our own specific tribes needs and focus in the main problems for all three together. Where ponies are free to chose what they want to do, not what they're forced to..."

"What would we call it?" Smart Cookie asked, looking at the three leaders in disbelief.

Each leader looked at the other, sharing an almost knowing look before returning their attention to the three mares.

"Equestria."