The snow gently falling from the clouds, the jingling bells, the holly wreathes and tinsil garland, hanging off every window, door, and rooftop, the sweet, sweet smell of gingerbread. All these and more could only mean one thing: Hearth's Warming Eve was here in Ponyville, once again! And right now, everypony was converging to one place: the Castle of Friendship, which was decorated from top to bottom with all kinds of ornaments, courtesy of Rarity, and that was just the outside.
Inside the main hall, everypony stared in awe upon seeing the tall Hearth's Warming tree with shiny gold, green, red, and blue bulbs and various other ornaments...but what caught their eye most was the beautiful golden star at the top of the tree. It sparkled brightly, giving off a warm, cozy feeling that made the ponies smile.
"Lovely," Rarity smiled as she placed one more gold ornament, neatly even-spaced between a red one on the left and a green right on the right.
Of course, the tree wasn't the only thing: there was also the banquet, filled with all kinds of treats, such as cupcakes, cookies, gelatin, apple pies, red velvet cake, muffins, and for drinks, egg nog and cider, as well as fruit punch for the children.
Speaking of the children, they were all gathering around Spike and Starlight Glimmer, the latter holding a book with her magic.
"Who wants to hear the story of Merry Mare?" asked Starlight, causing all the fillies and colts, including the Cutie Mark Crusaders, to clamor at once in excitement, except for Pipsqueak, who held up his hoof.
"Who's Merry Mare?" he asked.
"Who's Merry Mare?!" the other children repeated.
"Merry Mare is a magical Pegasus pony who brings presents to all the good ponies in Equestria on Hearth's Warming Eve," Starlight answered.
"Nopony ever sees her, though," Spike began, "because she only comes when everypony is asleep."
"Ooh~!" Pipsqueak exclaimed in fascination.
"I tried to stay up to see her, once," Apple Bloom said, "but I was so tired, I just couldn't stay awake, and when I woke up, I saw all these presents under the Hearth's Warming tree!"
"Merry Mare only gives presents to ponies that have been good, all year round," Starlight continued, "but does anypony know what she leaves you if you've been naughty."
"She leaves you lumps of coal, instead," Diamond Tiara spoke. "Trust me, I know." She blushed while giving an embarrassed chuckle.
"Me, too," admitted Silver Spoon, "but Diamond Tiara have been so good, lately, we've been all kinds of presents from Merry Mare!"
"And that's very good, indeed," Starlight replied. "So remember, keep being nice to each other, no matter if it's Hearth's Warming or not."
"And don't forget to leave a plate of carrots out and a glass of milk," Spike added. "Merry Mare gets hungry while she's making her deliveries!"
"How will we know if Merry Mare is around?" asked Pipsqueak.
"Easy!" Scootaloo answered. "If you look at the sky and listen very carefully, you can hear the sound of the bells she wears around her neck, jingling as she flies through the air!"
"Wow!" Pipsqueak exclaimed. "She sounds amazing!"
"Yeah, that's why I can't wait to get home and go to sleep!" Sweetie Belle added. "I hope I get that dolly I wanted, this year!"
"I'm getting me a new sled!" Scootaloo spoke up.
"And I've been getting my heart set on a new ribbon for my hair!" Apple Bloom chimed in.
"What's wrong with the one you have, now?" asked Spike, which prompted Apple Bloom to show him the tattered pink ribbon she had in her hair. "...Oh. Well, I guess you have been wearing it a long time."
"Happy Hearth's Warming, everypony!" called Applejack.
"Happy Hearth's Warming!!" everypony cheered, laughing happily together, just as it always should be on Hearth's Warming.
As the festivities went on, Twilight Sparkle stood at the very top of the stairs with her adopted little sister, Moonlight Essence, watching everypony with warm smiles.
"Looks like the party's going well," Twilight said.
"Yeah," Moonlight agreed. "Everypony looks like they're having fun."
"By the way," Twilight began, "you never actually told me what you wanted for Hearth's Warming this year."
"Well...that's because I never really ask for anything on Hearth's Warming," Moonlight answered.
"What do you mean?" Twilight inquired.
"...Well...back when my family was alive," Moonlight began, "we didn't do anything very big for Hearth's Warming. We would just sit around a fire, sing songs, and tell stories about the holiday...but we never really got presents, mostly because we couldn't afford much."
"...I see," Twilight replied. "I guess the Zodiac Nomads weren't very materialistic, huh?"
"You could say that, yeah," Moonlight answered. "And honestly, I didn't mind at all! I was just happy to be with my family..." She then trailed off and sighed.
"...You still miss them, huh?" asked Twilight, concerned.
"Yeah," Moonlight replied before she looked up at her adopted older sister, "but that doesn't mean I'm not happy living with you and Spike and Starlight!"
Twilight chuckled as she nuzzled the unicorn filly, lovingly.
However, while the warm feelings were going around...one pony wasn't really getting into the festivities, namely a certain handicapped unicorn who almost brought ruin to Equestria about a month back. That unicorn was none other than Fizzlepop Berrytwist...or, preferably, Tempest Shadow, who was sitting apart from the other partygoers with a mug of cider...which had barely been touched.
"Yo!"
Tempest yelped slightly before she turned to see Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie.
"Oh...hi," Tempest said.
"Some party, huh?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"Yeah...I suppose," Tempest replied, although she made no eye contact, whatsoever.
"Are you okay?" asked Pinkie. "How come you're just sitting, all by yourself?"
"I...I just wanna be alone for a bit, that's all," Tempest answered.
"Psh!" Rainbow Dash scoffed. "Well, that's no fun. Have a drink, dance with somepony! Just let loose!"
"Yeah! It's Hearth's Warming Eve!" Pinkie exclaimed.
"Yeah...I know," Tempest answered before she sighed. "I know I should be happy...but...it's not exactly easy for me."
"Why?" Pinkie asked.
"Um...pardon me?"
Rainbow Dash and Pinkie turned to see one of Tempest's old friends, Cobalt Star.
"Mind if I sit with Fizz- err, I mean...Tempest alone?" asked Cobalt.
"Sure," answered Rainbow Dash. "C'mon, Pinkie! Let's grab some more cider!"
"Yippee!!" Pinkie cheered as she followed the cyan Pegasus, while Cobalt came and sat with Tempest.
"Everything okay?" asked the stallion.
"...I remember when I used to love celebrating Hearth's Warming with everypony," Tempest said, "but...now it's hard for me, because-"
"I know," answered Cobalt. "...It was around Hearth's Warming when you had your accident."
"...Yeah..." Tempest whispered, solemnly with a deep sigh. "I don't understand...I should be over this by now."
"Hey, I get it," Cobalt said as he put a foreleg around her shoulder. "These things are hard to get through...but at least you're trying, right?"
"...That's true," Tempest answered. "I am trying...I just feel like I'm not trying hard enough." She then looked out the window to the falling snow. "The only reason I'm at this party right now is because Princess Twilight invited me...I felt it was the least I could do, after everything she did for me."
"I think that's a step in the right direction, don't you?" asked Cobalt.
"I guess it is," Tempest answered. "By the way, where's Crystal?"
"Over there," Cobalt replied as he pointed to his wife, Crystal Cascade, who was lying on a sofa with a tired look on her face while Fluttershy sat next to her in an attempt to keep her company. The unicorn's belly seemed to have gotten a little bit bigger since Tempest last saw her, indicating that she was nearing the end of her pregnancy. In fact, if she didn't know better, Tempest could see some slight movement going on, and it seemed to make Crystal wince a bit at the strange feeling.
"I wanted her to go to the hospital, just in case something happened," said Cobalt, "but no, she insisted on coming to the party with me. Said she hadn't missed a Hearth's Warming party, yet, and she's not starting now."
Tempest chuckled.
"I see she's just as stubborn as ever," she quipped.
"That's my Crystal," Cobalt mused, causing them both to laugh.
"How are you doing?" Fluttershy asked.
"Oh, I'm fine," answered Crystal. "Thank you for asking...just very tired, right now."
"You must be very excited to be a mother," said Fluttershy.
"It's been a journey," Crystal replied. "Not a fun one, I might add." She then looked at her belly. "I'll tell you one thing, carrying around this little one hasn't been easy...but I know it'll be worth it."
"Have you found out if it's going to be a filly or a colt, yet?" asked Fluttershy.
"Honestly, we want it to be a surprise," answered Crystal.
"I see," Fluttershy nodded.
"Yeah, that's how my Mom did it when she had me," said Crystal. "I guess I just like to do it the family way, you know?"
Fluttershy giggled at that.
"You have your reasons, I suppose," she said before she looked out a nearby window to see the snow...which was falling quite fast. "It really is snowing, out there."
"Yes, it is," Rarity agreed as she looked out the window. "I hope it doesn't snow too much."
"Ah, relax," Rainbow Dash said. "What's a little snow done to anypony?"
"Well...perhaps," Rarity replied. "It's just that Sweetie Belle and I have to get home, soon."
"So do I," Fluttershy added. "I have to check on my animals."
"Who wants apple pie?" Applejack asked.
"...Well...I am a bit hungry," Fluttershy said.
"Do you want anything, darling?" asked Rarity.
"No thank you," answered Crystal. "For some reason, I'm not as hungry like I was before."
"Well, if you're sure," said Fluttershy before she went to join her friends to eat while Crystal sighed and continued to rest. However, with everypony busy celebrating...they had no idea that the snow was beginning to pile up, outside.