//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 
// Story: Hearth’s Warming Eve Dinner 
// by Exelion 
//------------------------------//

Hearty snow was falling along Equestria, covering the land with an attractive and striking white coat. Every year, pegasi from all over the land prepared a light snowstorm to commemorate one of the most joyful dates on the calendar, the hearth’s warming eve.
 
Beyond that natural veil, a princess was asking her dragon assistant to write the invites for a very important meeting.

“Hurry up with those cards Spike, the hot chocolate is almost done!” said alicorn Twilight.

“They are almost… Done!” answered Spike the dragon, writing the final dot in the last letter.

“Alright, send them!” Twilight said in excitement.

“Now?” Spike asked.

“Of course! I have been planning this hearth’s warming dinner since the last time I was with my friends, but with my royal schedule completely full I had no choice but to host it here in Canterlot. This will be something special,” she said, her voice filled with warm feelings as she watched the flames on the chimney burning the logs.

“I miss them too. Do you remember that time we did the play here in Canterlot?” Spike remembered aloud, sitting closest to the embers.

“How could I forget that, Spike? Here.” she said, handing him a mug of hot chocolate with a marshmallow floating on top.

“Thanks.”

They both observed the hypnotic dance of the fire with great care, as if it held a secret waiting to be revealed. Spike let his head rest on Twilight and she did the same, glad to know her friends would come to spend the day with her.
 
The next morning, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, along with the Cutie Mark Crusaders, were waiting for the train that departed to Canterlot. Several other ponies waited in the station that was properly decorated for the festivities. Signposts, lanterns and the rest of the things that along with the snow propagated an enjoyable feeling.

“Letter for Sweetie Belle!”

Nobody was expecting the mailpony to deliver a letter from manehattan, more specifically from her new friend Bella Farfalle.

“Do not keep us waiting! Open it, open it!” Apple Bloom and Scootaloo said, shaking her.

“All right! All right!”

Sweetie Belle took apart the envelope with her mouth and read aloud for everyone. There was some time since her last adventure in the big city, and the most shocking events were kept in secret to avoid Rarity freaking out, and Applejack grounding Apple Bloom until Celestia left the throne.

“Well, I’m glad Little Babs has a friend to spend Hearth’s Warming eve with,” commented Applejack cheerfully.

"Us too,” they responded, smiling as they remembered that distant weekend.

“All aboard! The train to Canterlot is leaving now!” Said the train driver.

“All right turtles! Twilight is waiting for us in Canterlot!” Rainbow expressed with eagerness.

“Why are ya so hurried, sugarcube? It seems you really miss Twilight,” said Applejack.

“It’s not that! I’m pretty sure that rookie hasn’t practiced since the last time we were together, and I’m going to test her. I don’t want her becoming a slacker.” Rainbow said, zooming in to the train.

Inside the wagon, everypony got into their seats waiting for the train to start.
 
“Speaking of turtles, thanks again, Fluttershy, for letting our pets staying at your home. I really hope we’re not a bother,”  Rarity appreciatively said.

“Not at all. Besides, I left Angel in charge. Some responsibility will do good for that little bunny.” Fluttershy said, grabbing a seat by Rarity.

“I’m sure they will be having a really good time!” Pinkie Pie said with a happy tone.
 



 
Meanwhile, at Fluttershy’s cabin, a different situation was happening. Angel was on top of his favorite couch, wearing a red cape and a cardboard crown. One of his paws held a golden scepter with his face immortalized in it.
 
With a simple gesture he ordered a mouse to bring him a slice of carrot, which he tasted blissfully while he was watching at a gladiator fight between two chipmunks. They were using celeries as swords and broccoli as maces.
 
The other pets were just happily playing, and breaking everything in the rest of the cabin.
 




Due to the weather, it was forbidden to open the windows during the travel. The tarnished windows betrayed the low temperature of the hills around Canterlot.

The hearty conversation our protagonists were having, served as a way to stay warm and not think on the hail outside. The five ponies were sharing the memories of that Hearth’s warming eve play they participated so long ago, and the CMC were eager to return to the capital of Equestria.
 
“What do you have there, Rainbow Dash?” Scootaloo asked.

“Just some punch I made for dinner at Twilight’s.” she answered, pointing at a closed jar she kept with her.

“So ya cook now, sugarcube?” inquired Applejack with an inquiring grin.

“It’s an antique family recipe, that has been passed down the Rainbow line for generations of awesome 
pegasi. Just one sip and your tongue will melt,” Rainbow Dash boasted.

“But if you melt our tongues, how will we be able to eat this delicious Gingerbread Mansion that I made for all of us?” Asked Pinkie Pie in distress, who slammed the table with such a deluxe dessert that made the mouths of all the passengers water.

Every single detail was taken care of, there was even a little pony family, having a meal in the dining room and in a corner of the mini kitchen there was a miniature replica of the gingerbread mansion. Pinkie pointed that detail with a magnifying glass so everyone could look at that.

“That’s awesome Pinkie! How long did it take you to make that?”

“I was up all night, along with several coffee cups and a very old recipe book,” Pinkie suddenly felt a familiar sensation, a product of the excessive coffee intake. “If you excuse me, I gotta find a bathroom.”

She left the pastry at the table and ran to the toilet.
 
“That looks so delicious and moist; it will be the perfect combination for my special zap apple pie!” Applejack said.

“I helped make it,” Apple Bloom added.

“Yes you did little partner!” said her elder sister, grabbing her and messing her mane playfully.

“I collected some vegetal gems for spike,” Fluttershy added.

“And I brought the most fine cutlery one could find this side of equestrian, just for this special event,” Rarity remarked.

“I helped pack everything in bubble wrap,” Sweetie Belle added.

“Of course you did, darling!" Rarity said hugging her sister.

Everyone seemed to think this as an endearing situation, but Scootaloo was too worried to note it. Something was disturbing her, and her face betrayed her.
 
“Is something wrong, Scootaloo?”  Sweetie Belle asked.

“No, nothing… Oh, look! It seems we’re arriving!”
 
What seemed to be a lie told to evade this conversation, resulted in being the complete opposite, because it turns out they were actually there! The wheels squeaked against the rails while they stopped, followed by steam coming out of the engine, announcing the arrival at its destination. The ponies descended in order to go towards Twilight’s home.
 


 

The house where Twilight was temporarily residing, was located in the higher zone on Canterlot, right next to the princesses’ castle. The most curious thing about that place is that most Canterlot citizens have a wealthy income without much difference between them, but they had their social differences, in this case, based on the location of their residence. The ones closest to Celestia’s castle were considered the higher class, while the ones residing near the outer walls were considered a lower caste.
 
While they strolled around the streets looking for the purple alicorn’s house, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom looked at each other conspiratorially.
 
“Hey Scootaloo, do you wanna play I spy?”

“Sure,” she responded resigned “I spy… some colts putting together a hearth’s warming eve tree.”

“It’s our turn now! We see a sad pony who doesn’t want to tell us what’s wrong.” said Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom at the same time.

“All right, I’m telling… It’s just that… everyone else collaborated to bring something to the dinner at Twilight’s, but I came here with empty hooves.” she said with a sad smirk.

“But you don’t need to give things so ponies can look at you in a good light. It all depends on…”
 
But Apple Bloom could not finish her sentence, because Scootaloo grabbed her and Sweetie, dragging them to a dark alley.
 
“What are you doing?!”

“Just help me get something for hearth's warming eve dinner, please!” she pleaded with puppy eyes.
 
“Just stuff that frown somewhere else. We’ll help you, right Sweetie Belle?”

“ I’m not sure…”

“Cheer up, let’s just pretend this is another adventure to find our cutie marks.” Scootaloo rejoiced.
 
Hearing those words, Sweetie Belle’s face brightened up on the off-chance of finding her beloved cutie mark.
 
“What are you waiting up for? Canterlot isn't going to wait!” Sweetie Belle said, running who knows where. The other two just smiled and followed her fervently.
 
“Apple Bloom, where do ya think ya’r going’?!” Applejack called out when she saw her sister running away.

“Don’t worry, we’ll be back before dinner!”

“Do you at least know how to get back?” Rarity shouted after them.
 
But the three fillies were already too far to listen. The unicorn sighed in resignation.
 
“I can fly over Canterlot in ten minutes flat, so I can get them later,” Rainbow Dash offered.

“What are we waiting for? Get in, stop getting cold out there. I’m so happy you came by!" Twilight said. Opening the door, and motioning with her hoof for them to come inside.

“The pleasure is all ours, Darling.” Rarity responded courteously, wiping her hooves on the doormat, to get the snow off, before entering the home.

A few blocks away, three fillies were tired and panting.
 
“And where exactly are we going?” Apple Bloom asked.

“How should I know? I just started running excitedly, and when you followed me, so I just doubled the pace” Sweetie Belle said.

“Does that mean we are lost?!”

“We are not lost!" Scootaloo interrupted, “Now we just need to gather some bits, to buy something for dinner. How much are we carrying?”
 
Searching in the deepest of their saddlebags, they managed to gather a considerable amount of a plastic spring, two dust bunnies and a stray parasprite that started flying away.
 
“Great, we’re broke. What are we gonna do now?” Scootaloo exclaimed.
 
The trio stood in place pensive, while sweeping the streets for some inspiration that would make them get some easy money. Looking at a snow pony decorating the entrance of a house, Apple Bloom got an idea and reunited the other two to whisper it to them.
 



 
At Twilight’s house, joy and merriment filled the place while everypony prepared the place for dinner. In the dining room, Twilight and Rainbow were catching up on the advanced flying lessons the alicorn was skipping, because of her royal duties. However, the sound coming from outside was making Rainbow rub her temple with her hooves.
 
“So I should do a loop and then… Rainbow, are you alright?” Twilight asked.

“It’s this song, it’s just too much for me.”

“But it’s a custom here at Canterlot to play this song all day. Don’t you remember when we sang at the play?” Twilight asked, looking confused.

“Of course I do, but I just can’t take it. A few times now and then are good for spirits, but… the whole day?!"
 
With that, Rainbow got two cotton balls and stuffed them in her ears.
 
The song Rainbow Dash was grouching about, was no less than the hearth warming carols. However, this version was slower and with more lyrics than the one colts and fillies usually sing at the play. It was supposed to give a more familiar and enjoyable vibe.
 
Well, for some ponies at least.
 
Twilight just limited herself to laugh.





“Stallions and mares! Pass by our stand, and by just merely 5 bits we will do a snow pony replica of you!” Scootaloo boasted energetically.

“They are so identical that they could be your own twin sibling!” Sweetie belle added.
 
And that was their first business idea, to build snow ponies that resembled their owners. Using the snow that was around, and the needles from the pines as a coat, they opened their own commercial stand.
 
It didn’t take too much time to get their first clients, a nice family of four members: a mother a father and their two twin colts.
 
“Look honey, doesn’t that look like a nice entertainment for our little ones?” Asked fancily the stallion to his wife.

“Yes, I do think the same, dear. What do you say boys?”

“Yes! Snow ponies!” the duo clamored merrily.
 
The father took a small bag with 20 bits and gave it to Scootaloo, whose eyes changed into golden coins.
 
“Now get over here,” Sweetie said pushing the family, “and let us do our magic!"
 
To provide an extra surprise, the fillies blindfolded everyone while they were collecting snow and other materials to make the snow ponies resemble their owners.
 
It didn’t help too much.
 
Apple Bloom was the mastermind of the following phrase, “Somepony has to put this thing out of its misery!"
Well… this situation was pretty similar.
 
When everypony took their blindfolds off, the stallion took his bag of bits, from Scootaloo's mouth, and trotted away with his family, leaving the three fillies with broken illusions.
 
“In the name of the Princesses, I order you to hold fast! Who gave you permission to take out the decorations and needles out of that tree?” A guard bellowed, while coming to reprehend the little fillies.

“RUN!”
 
The CMC were running fast on the streets of Canterlot, trying to lose the guard that was on their backs.
 
“Darn fillies!"
 
Resigned and fatigued, he went back to his position to keeping watching the town, without noticing the three rascals getting out of a trash can, and sneaking back on to the streets.
 
The smell and stains were pretty notorious.
 
“Nice idea, Apple Bloom. We’re still broke and now we are fugitives of the law!" Scootaloo said, taking a banana peel off of her head.

“You were the one who wanted to get money to buy something for dinner!" Apple Bloom furiously said.
 
They butted heads, challenging each other.
 
“I should have known this would happen. It’s like when you fixed that table, an abomination!” Scootaloo screamed

“All of us were there, so you are responsible for that too!" Apple Bloom yelled.

“Stop both of you!” Sweetie Belle said putting herself in the middle. “If you keep this up you will only end up hurting each other!"

Upon hearing that, they both turned around, facing their back to each other, without talking.
 
“Come on, Sweetie, let’s go home” Apple Bloom dictated.

“Sweetie, please, you have to help me get the money!" Scootaloo said.
 
The small unicorn didn’t like to argue, and even less to be in the middle of an argument, however, she had to make a decision.
 
“All right Scootaloo, I’ll help you get the money." Sweetie Belle said with a fake smile.

“Thank you thank you thank you! I swear I will compensate you for this.” Scootaloo said, in joy.

“Don’t think I will help this time. I will just tag along so you don’t get in trouble.” Apple Bloom said.
 
Scootaloo felt a bit sad. She didn’t want to have a fight with the little farm pony, but at this moment getting the bits was more important.
 
In their slow gait, the music of the carols pushed the tension between those two, however, Sweetie Belle was too distracted looking for a job to notice it.
 
“Look over there!” Sweetie pointed, and ran to a store.
 
“Kitchen helpers wanted!” was on a sign on a window of the store, which brought up the attention of the unicorn.
 
“What can I do for you?” Asked a white earth pony, with a curled mane, colored orphanage blue.
 
The saddest blue ever.
 
“We came for the posting,” Sweetie said.

“Do you have culinary experience?” the store owner asked.

“I do, and my two friends can help me!" Said Scootaloo.

“I told you, don’t count on me." Apple bloom clarified indifferently.

“Them come with me to the kitchen, while I explain what this is about.”
 
At first glance one could see a cellar with several chariots, loaded with wooden boxes that contained dishes for a party. Some of them were marked to "go to Canterlot Palace."
 
“Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are hosting a Hearth Warming Eve party with high class ponies from all around equestria, and we are the Official Royal Catering service. However, several of our chefs got sick, and to be able to finish this order we need all the help we can gather. That’s why we thank you for your cooperation with the royal family.

“There’s nothing to thank for. We are happy to help others,” Scootaloo said.
 
Apple Bloom rolled her eyes angrily.
 
“Since you are minors, we cannot pay you in bits, but if you help us we can give you can take home some special dishes as compensation. What do you say?”
 
Both ponies nodded happy for this proposal.
 
“Well, here you have,” Said the earth pony giving them kitchen aprons and hats. “Your working stations are over there. One of your partners will give you the recipe you need to prepare.”
 
Both fillies got to their working stations and started their chores. Apple Bloom just watched them with a grin in her face. Maybe she knew what was going to happen, and she chuckled while eating some popcorn.





“Rarity, the cutlery you brought is beautiful. In my life I have seen something like this,” Fluttershy praised.

“Thanks Darling, although this has nothing to compare with the royal silverware. Right Princess Twilight?”

“Rarity, you should know you don’t need to use my title. And this actually is a gorgeous silverware,” Twilight answered, setting a fork next to the plates.
 
However, the nice chat was interrupted by a fire alarm and two firefighter carriages that passed with haste near Twilight’s house. Curiosity got the best of them who watched the marching of the public forces.
 
“There might be a fire somewhere. Maybe a candle fell in a table,” Twilight guessed.
 
The rest agreed with her and went back to preparing the table.
 




The siren was losing volume, as the firefighters were arriving to the place. The earth ponies were unwinding the hose, while pegasi were going inside of the building to rescue the ponies that were trapped inside. The unicorns were already casting their bubble spell to suffocate the flames after the pegasi came out.
 
They evacuated, and some curious ponies watched the fire consume the place, as majestic as destructive, a simile very… striking, crowning the sunset.
 
Scootaloo frowned while focusing on the snow covering the ground. Anypony looking at her, would guess she was trying to shoot lasers from her eyes. Actually, she was frustrated, and angry with both Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom.
 
“Scootaloo, I’m sorry for messing up,” Sweetie Belle said with a crisp voice.

“How could you leave the gas open like that?” Scootaloo inquired without removing her gaze from the floor.

“You told me to turn on the oven…” Sweetie Belle said.

“And then I asked you to come over and help to prepare the table.” Scootaloo sighed. “If you closed the gas, nothing of this would have happened!”

“Scootaloo, please calm down” Apple Bloom said.

“You know what Dictionary?! Rarity was right! You are useless, a hindrance!” Sweetie Belle screamed.
 
Without changing her expression, she saw how her unicorn friend was shedding tears that got lost in the snow. Meanwhile, Apple Bloom hurried to her side to hug her and contain her cry.
 
“Scootaloo, look at yourself! You are acting crazy, and you are mistreating us, just for a dinner…” Apple Bloom said, comforting Sweetie.

“That dinner is important to me, alright?” Scootaloo yelled. 
 
Apple Bloom stood stupefied with her friend’s reaction. She could not avoid a tear falling from her eyes, and Scootaloo did not miss that, however, she did not flinch in the slightest.
 
“Come on Sweetie, the rest are waiting for us at home.”
 
They both wiped their tears, and started to walk back home, not without passing Scootaloo, and saying “ You are important to us Scootaloo. Think about it.”

Letting that sentence mark their departure, both fillies left Scootaloo alone, who left in the opposite direction to avoid any contact with them.





Night fell upon Equestria, and with it, its respective luminary. The snowstorm stopped and the sky was completely clear. Business' all around were closing their doors, as their owners prepared to spend the night with their beloved ones, with the fire of the hearth providing warmth.
 
The carols in the speakers resonated in the streets, now that they were empty. Not a single soul roamed the ways that late.
 
Except for Scootaloo, who was tired and weary, and was trying to find an open business, even though it was in vain.

She was lost, she didn’t know how to get back home
 
The cold of the night was chilling her bones, and made her shiver.
 
Without any other options, she got a newspaper and lied below a lamp post, her only warmth source in this cold night, and covered her eyes with the papers from the columns dedicated to hearth warming eve.
 
When she saw a picture of a smiling family, enjoying their dinner, her heart squeezed. Tears rolled down her face merciless, while she tried to close her eyes and sleep.
 
Maybe, that way she would dream of a better day than this one, surrounded with the ponies who loved her.

“Hey Scootaloo!” Rainbow dash made her dynamic entry over the snow on the street. “What are you doing here? Everyone is worried! Come on!”
 
Scootaloo didn’t feel like cooperating, so Rainbow put her over her back and marched towards home. A good part of the trip was silent, however, the older Pegasus decided to talk.
 
“Are you going to tell me what happened? The other two were pretty crossed and didn’t want to tell us anything.”

Rainbow was surprised to find her coat getting wet with the tears of the small Pegasus.
 
“I’m dumb. And a bad friend.”
 
With a frail voice, she related all that happened during the day, from her self-consciousness about the dinner, passing through the disaster at the kitchen and her eternal gait on Canterlot deserted streets.

“Well, It really looks like you screwed up this time.” Rainbow Dash said.
 
And, believe it or not, that didn’t make Scootaloo feel better.
 
“Listen, kid, you came to the play last year. Do you remember what the lesson from that was? Try to listen to the annoying music on the speakers and you will see.
 
Rainbow descended near the posts, so Scootaloo could hear the carols. It was the first time in the whole day she was listening carefully that music that brought her good memories of her friends.
 
“Hearths Warming Eve is not about what you can get to a dinner, It’s about trying to spend the day with those ponies who are special in your life, and celebrating the friendship that is on everypony’s hearts.

When they arrived at Twilight’s home, Scootaloo jumped from Rainbow’s back and looked at her with eyes red from crying so much.
 
“Do you think they could forgive me?”

“You three are real best friends, and best friends always forgive each other. Come on girl, stop crying!" Rainbow said, tenderly wiping Scootaloo’s tears with her hoof.
 
With lots of thanks, she jumped to Rainbow and surprised the prismatic Pegasus with a unique hug, one that matched the hug she gave her some time back while camping.
 
“Since when are you so deep, Rainbow?” — Scootaloo questioned her fostered sister.

“You better not tell anyone. I will deny it anyways”
 
Giggling, they climbed the steps, but when Rainbow was about to open the door, she noticed that Scootaloo fell behind. In her little mind, ran the possibility of her friends not forgiving her ever again for her behavior, and therefore, everypony else would hate her, leaving her alone for the rest of her Pegasus life. However, Rainbow touched her with her hoof, bringing her back to reality and nodded, implying she was ready.
 
The door knob turning and the screech of the door informed everyone Rainbow’s arrival. They were sitting in the dining room, waiting for Scootaloo, to begin eating.
 
“Did you find Scootaloo?” Twilight asked worried.
 
Rainbow Dash signaled with her hoof, and the little filly entered the room crestfallen and pained. Without raising her head too much, she looked for Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, who were sitting on the other side of the table.
 
Sweetie was looking at her, scared and curious, but Apple Bloom didn’t turn her gaze to Scootaloo.

“Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle… I’m sorry. I shouldn't have behaved like that, and you don’t deserve to be treated like that. Sweetie, you are amazing, and you have a voice that would melt everypony's hearts, and you Apple Bloom, you are great, and you have a pretty red bow, and the most important thing is that… you are the most important thing in my life… you're my best friends.”
 
With tears of sadness, joy, and regret, she awaited their answer.
 
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle looked at each other for a second, and nodded with a smile. The both jumped from their seats, falling over her Pegasus friend, ensnaring her in a comforting hug.
 
The other mares observed the scene tenderly, and Pinkie was crying rivers for the feels.
 
“Of course we forgive you, silly pegasus,” Apple Bloom said.

“Alright, now that we are all here, it’s time to start dinner.” Twilight said, levitating the dishes to the table.
 
Everypony gave thanks for the food and started tasting it, especially Spike, who was eating a vegetal gem every chance he had. Rainbow’s Punch, to make it short, was a magical drink in the taste buds of the ponies.
 
The Hearth-Warming Eve carols were a nice background music for a day that ended well, and these fillies learned a valuable lesson about friendship in the most magical night of the year.





The next morning, everypony left Twilight in Canterlot, and took the train back to PonyVille.

Fluttershy walked over to her cottage, with her four friends following behind her,  so she could return every pet to their respective owner.
 
“I hope Angel behaved responsibly” Fluttershy thought.
 
At a first glance, her cottage looked normal, nothing out of place.
 
When she opened the door, Angel scurried out, running into the Everfree Forest. Fluttershy had to fly into the air, to avoid losing sight of her little bunny.

“Angel! Wait!” She screamed

Right when she decided to go after him, every animal and pet ran out of the house, chasing the bunny for all the bad things he did during Fluttershy’s absence. 

“Oh no. What did he do this time?” she asked while flying to his rescue.
 


FIN