AKA Chrysalis vs The Rolled-up Newspaper of Harmony

AKA How To Unalone Yourself At Hearth’s Warming

Chrysalis has been inexplicably spared the wrath of Discord and the Princesses, although frankly, she'd really rather have preferred the stone! Now burdened with an awful, dreadful, wicked curse that... gah, fills her with love and joy any time she tries to think a vengeful thought! And worse! Now she's been roped into pretending to be Applejack of all ponies on some errand to the middle of nowhere with a filly named Diamond Tiara and some lovely wretched mare named Cherry Jubilee.

Not that she'll fail at all in this. Anything worth doing is worth overdoing.

Plus, it beats getting lost in the woods in winter.

Written for Camaleao for Jinglemas 2023!

Co-written with SoloBrony. Thanks for helping me out, man.

Another year, another Hearths Warming. For Luna and Chrysalis, it is their turn to host the traditional dinner. While some ponies may feel out of place, a revelation will leave everypony feeling giddy this holiday season.

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This story was written for Serina for Jinglemas 2023. They requested a Luna and Chrysalis story. I felt like instead of the usual "How they met" or "how they fell in love" I'd go with something set later, and a little fun.

Serina, I hope you enjoy this!

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Sadly no cover art. Couldn’t find something worthy.

Stress levels were already high, with Twilight directing her first royal Hearth's Warming pageant and unexpected snowstorms escaping the Everfree. Then the changeling army arrived.

Now, with Queen Chrysalis holding Ponyville hostage and the clock ticking on suspiciously pointless negotiations, it's up to Rarity to match wits with the invaders and save the holiday. However, as she digs ever deeper into the queen's tangled plot, what she learns could force her to choose between her friendships and her conscience.

Off-season note: This is a Hearth's Warming story like Die Hard is a Christmas movie (but with espionage instead of explosions). Don't skip it just because the holiday's over.

Critical praise:

"A high-tension thriller where nothing is what it seems." — Titanium Dragon (rating: "Highly Recommended")

"An entertaining ride from start to finish … watching all the pieces fall into place is fantastic." — Present Perfect (rating: "Highly Recommended")

"Props to horizon for an intricate web of deception. Most writers have difficulty with crafting mysteries … this one, however, had me completely fooled from beginning to end." — PaulAsaran (rating: "Why Haven't You Read This Yet?")

"It’s a rare mystery and thriller that can keep things tense and make the mystery actually tough to guess as you go along, while still feeling like a natural conclusion. ... The end result of layers unveiled and red herrings contradicted makes it sing." — Ghost Mike (rating: "Really Good")

Second-place winner in the "Behind Closed Doors" December writeoff, now expanded and revised! Featured on EqD! Rated "Recommended" by MLPmatthewl419!

Big thanks to Titanium Dragon for post-Writeoff editing assistance.

Comments contain spoilers!

Hearth's Warming. A time of joy and cheer, of generosity and love.
Not so much for the Apple Family, though.
Winter means the end of crop season, and money is hard to come by. The family, however, protects their pride by celebrating small... meaning not at all.
When Twilight and and the rest of the mane six find this out, they spring into action, wanting this Hearth's Warming to be one especially for them. One to remember forever.
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This is another experimental-ish piece, working with symbolism, emotional development, complex scenes with lots of characters interacting, and world-building.
Of course, you can ignore all that and just read a story about tiny talking horses with magic powers. That's good, too.
Enjoy!
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Thanks to my wonderful prereaders!
General Soarin
Sugar Sprinkles
stanku
TinnyPiano26

The secret of Santa Hooves is, there's not just one. There are thousands... all of them changelings, bound by an ancient pact to deliver presents in exchange for love to get through the winter. Times have changed, and the changelings no longer need the love, but they honor the pact... even Queen Chrysalis.

Even though it goes against everything she believes.

Because some ancient beings you just don't cross- even if it means dealing with a little pony brat who wants to bake cookies on Hearth's Warming Eve.

Besides, every year somepony has to save Hearth's Warming. This year it's Chryssy's turn.

(Don't worry. She does it. Even if she hates doing it.)

(And featured from Christmas Day through 12-29-2018! Thanks, everyone!)

Cover art by AmethystLongcat.

Part of the Remember Fort Libris print anthology, thanks to our Kickstarter supporters!

You know that feeling? You know, the feeling that you get when you realize you've forgotten something that is very, very important? It is 10:32 p.m. on Hearth's Warming Eve, and Twilight Sparkle has just gotten that feeling...

A young Sunset Shimmer, spending her first Hearth’s Warming in Canterlot as Princess Celestia’s personal student, comes to the terrible realization that there’s not going to be any snow for the holiday.

She decides to do something about it.

*****
A Hearth's Warming gift for DrakeyC.

Cover art courtesy of the wonderfully skilled RyuRedwings, used with permission.

Editing thanks to the incomparable and brilliant Pascoite.

Russian translation, courtesy of ya-RInA!

Now available in Spanish, courtesy of SPANIARD KIWI.

Donut Joe keeps his store open on Hearth’s Warming Eve. And why not? He doesn’t have anywhere else to be, and neither do the tired, bitter ponies who find their way inside.

But the Eve is young, and strange things lie ahead. Who knows what might happen on a night like tonight?

(Inspired by the song "Old City Bar," by Trans-Siberian Orchestra)

Reviewed by TheifofZ here.

In which Cadance I of the Restored Empire is given a very unusual Hearth's Warming gift.

Now with a Spanish translation by the gracious SPANIARD KIWI!

On Hearth’s Warming Eve, Princess Luna asks for special duty volunteers from among the Wonderbolts and Reserves. For the first time, Vapor Trail and Sky Stinger have the opportunity to make a child’s dream come true. They should have known that Hearth’s Warming tends to spread its blessings to all involved.

A story for the 2017 jinglemas secret Santa exchange organized by Petrichord. Written for Impossible Numbers.

Featured on Equestria Daily!