The return of Prince Thorn was heard throughout the kingdom. It brought relief to the royal families just before the winter snow. Snow clouds began to fill the skies, letting down a gentle snowfall. This would be a very special winter. Cirria never knew what snow was, so she was very excited. However Midnight was feeling the complete opposite. Every winter he experienced was harsh and cold. But this time, this time he would be able to escape it.

Oracle saw how cold he was getting, so she put her talents to the test. She made three scarves; one for Midnight, one for her, and one for Cirria. Midnight's was red and dark green, Oracle's scarf was yellow and blue, and Cirria's was white and black. Cirria loved the gift, probably more than what she was supposed to.

Midnight and Oracle walked down the snowy streets of Ponyville. Only a couple of ponies were out in the cold streets. Midnight seemed to actually enjoy the cold now. Cirria was at home with Nova, seeing as he would protect her with no mercy. The snow on the streets seemed to reflect a bit of light. Applejack was running her usual stand, selling nice hot apple cider. "Hey Applejack" said Midnight, "Business good today?"

"Oh hey Midnight, hey Oracle!" she exclaimed. "I'm sellin' the Apple Family's famous apple cider. Not much business today, we usually sell this stuff in the fall. But I'm sure that this will catch on. Y'all want a glass…?"

"Sure, how many…"

"Aw shucks, it's the first glass ya ever had, no buts are needed."

As Applejack began to pour each one a glass, Midnight snuck a few bits into the pay box. Midnight levitated each glass over to them. He grabbed his, but he kept Oracle's floating. Oracle blushed as she slowly took a sip. Midnight took a sip of his as well. "This is great!" said Midnight.

"Uh…excuse me…?" asked a voice. The trio of ponies turned to see the awaiting customer. The pony waiting was a female unicorn. Her multihued pink mane and tail were very long. The tips of her ears were splotched with yellow as the remainder of her coat was white. Her front hoof had a bright pink and a bright purple band around it. She wore earrings that matched the bands. She wore a stylish and warm-looking vest around her body and the mark on her flank was strangely a feather. "I… I would like to buy a glass please…"

"Well sure there partner…hold one for a sec" said Applejack as she replaced the barrel.

Midnight could not understand it, but there was something about this unicorn. Things did not add together. For one, it was her cutie mark. Why would a unicorn have a wing-related cutie mark? It's not even a quill, it's definitely a feather. Also, the vest seemed to be tight, like something is underneath of it. But what really caught Midnight's attention was her mane. It shimmered in the light and seemed to blow in the wind, and there was not even a breeze. There were only two ponies he knew with manes like that.

"Th-Thank you" she replied nervously. After that she seemed to almost gallop away from the small group. Applejack shook her head, "I could have sworn…nah it must be just my imagination…"

"What is it Applejack?" asked Oracle.

"I could have sworn I've seen that girl with wings, not a horn."

Midnight began to walk away, "Excuse me for a minute Oracle. I need… to check something." Oracle looked worried. He headed in the same direction of where the one pony left. Midnight wouldn't… no, he wouldn't, would he?

Midnight continued to follow the unknown pony. She trotted down the streets, looking from side to side for something. Midnight ducked behind a crate to see the pony walk into an ally. Midnight stepped out and silently followed her.

In the ally, the unknown pony was struggling with the vest. Once she managed to take it off, two large wings opened up. The tips of her wings were splotched with orange, just like her ears. "Oh… I knew I should have just covered my horn today" she said. Hoofsteps were heard down the ally, causing the pony to freak out. She tucked the wings to her sides instantly and then placed the vest over her. The ally was dark, so the pony could not see who it was. But, she saw a pair of calming blue eyes. "W-Who are y-you…?" she asked.

"My name is Midnight" he replied back. "Mind I ask why you were hiding your wings?"

"I never liked these wings… I always wanted only a horn or wings, never both. Do you know who alicorns are? They are the rulers of Equestria, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. I am an alicorn, and I am not royalty. All the names I've been called, "Your Highness" and "Princess," it's all because of these stupid features. And to top it all off, I cannot even fly very well or even use powerful magic! I am a embarrassment to the Princesses…"

Midnight felt pain from her. He has found yet another pony that has experienced what both he and Oracle felt. Sure, hers was not nearly as bad as theirs, but she has experience nonetheless. "Listen" Midnight said in a calm voice, "I know how you feel, as well as another. We can help you if you like…"

The pony looked at Midnight, "And how do you know how I feel…?"

"Well…" Midnight stepped into the light, revealing his form to the pony. The pony gasped as she saw Midnight. Never in her life has she seen a pony with features such as her. His features made her like being an alicorn. "As you can see, I'm a… different kind of alicorn. One who has demonic features, rather than angelic ones. If you would follow me, there is somepony I would like you to meet." The pony still seemed shocked, but she nodded. However she was trying to put her vest back on. Midnight sighed at this but continued walking

Oracle and Applejack were simply talking, although Oracle had a worried expression on her face. "Oh sugarcube, I'm sure Midnight wouldn't go against ya" said Applejack. "You two are perfect for each other."

"Hey Oracle" said Midnight as he approached. The pony that arrived before followed. "Oracle, allow me to introduce you to…" Midnight blushed slightly, "Oh I'm sorry… I never really got your name."

The pony stepped forward, "H-Hello… My name is Merry Mistrel."

Midnight and Oracle nodded as they left Applejack. They walked down the snow filled streets towards Midnight's home. Midnight and Oracle took their scarves off once they entered. Merry, however, refused to take her vest off. Midnight sighed, "Merry, you can't expect us to help you if you always try to hide it." He turned to Oracle, "Even Oracle is different, but I expected you to see her unique ability as we came here."

Oracle took the hint as her tail fanned out. Merry gasped in surprise and in awe. Oracle slightly blushed, nit many ponies have given her that expression in a long time. Merry sighed as she began to take her vest off. Midnight even noticed that she did it with her mouth instead of her magic. Anyway, once her vest was off, her wings extended to their fullest extent. Oracle gasped, "You're an alicorn?!"

"She's been mocked for it" said Midnight. "Just like how you were ridiculed for your tail and how I was tortured for my looks. I offered to help her with flying, and maybe a bit of magic. Maybe you can help too."

Oracle smiled as she nuzzled Midnight, "You are the sweetest stallion ever Midnight."

---

Midnight spent the entire day with Merry and Oracle. He used the same lessons that Shard used on him, all except for the freezing part. Near the end, Merry was flying like an average pegasus. They only stopped because Midnight wanted to do the same with Cirria. Merry and Oracle relaxed inside Midnight's home as they watched the father and daughter practice. They were both enjoying a nice cup of tea.

"I must say that Midnight certainly is a wonderful colt" said Merry. "He has been so nice to me."

"Yeah…" Oracle replied.

Merry set down her glass from within her magic. Midnight helped perfect her levitation spell, so now she could handle things with ease. She looked at Oracle with concern. She seemed down, but she only became that way when she mentioned Midnight. She gasped, "Oh dear, Oracle, you wouldn't dare to think that would you?!" Oracle turned to Merry slightly shocked. "Oracle dear, you will never have to worry about me with Midnight. When I was practicing, he was talking on and on about you. I would never try to take Midnight away, especially after what you did to the last pony."

"He told you about me?"

"Oracle, Midnight is so close to you, I wouldn't be surprised that in a few years he would buy you a ring…"

"Oh… Midnight wouldn't go that far…"

"Surprises in life are usually unexpected…"

Midnight walked in, laughing and with Cirria on his back. He noticed Merry and Oracle were talking with great smiles. "It seems you two are getting along" he said, "What were you talking about?"

"Nothing" they both said in unison.

"However I would like to thank you for everything you have done for me Midnight" said Merry. "I never would have thought that there was a single pony out there like you two."

"If you think we are unique, you should see some of the other ponies out there" said Midnight.

"Oh no, I was talking about how kind you were. I hope I can meet more ponies with you great gift." Merry got up and started to put her vest on. However she seemed to hate it. This gave Oracle an idea, "I think I can help you even more."

---

It took a while of explaining, but Rarity finally calmed down. Rarity always got excited over things that seemed like a big deal to her, and with Merry Mistrel being an alicorn, Rarity expected the best. Rarity was working away on her sewing machine, "Now Merry dear, I may not understand your pain, but I find your wings to be quite wonderful. Those feathers of yours keep a bright amount of shimmer and shine. But, you are the customer, and I must not criticize your request." With one final touch, Rarity's masterpiece was finished. Merry's new vest was a wonderful shade of pink, just like her mane. It was designed to fit comforting around her body and allow her wings to stay in without causing any sort of pain. Merry put it on and cheered slightly.

"It is wonderful, thank you Rarity" she said.

"Oh heavens no dear, you must really thank Oracle. Why, she even paid for the vest herself!"

Merry turned to Oracle in shock, "Oh no Oracle, I could pay for it myself…"

"Merry, it is no big deal for me" she replied. "Just remember that as long as you are true to your friends, they will love you and treat you with the kindness you deserve."

Merry smiled as she and Oracle pulled each other into a hug. Midnight smiled as Rarity contained her excitement. Merry broke away and faced Midnight, "I will not forget the kindness you showed me as well. I may hide my wings, but I will start showing other ponies once they get to know me enough." Midnight smiled as Merry gave him a small hug. But this hug was short, for Merry wouldn't want to interfere with Oracle. She turned to Oracle before she left, "I expect an invitation when the time comes."

Oracle blushed and nearly shoved Merry out the door before she left. Rarity giggled to think what she meant, but Midnight was clueless. "Uh… what did she mean by invitation? Is there… like a party or something soon…?"

Author's Notes:

Thanks to my friend that allowed me to use her OC

Merry Mistrel: http://xmireille-chanx.deviantart.com/