We open in the interdimensional library that discord frequented. Its many, many shelves held the many, many stories of Equestria. Every single story that could be told was put here.
Grand staircases lead to each level of this ancient library. Each stair was kept in pristine clean condition and polished with a golden shine.
Trees were planted in the courtyard in orderly rows.
Normally peaceful the peace was shattered by quite the colorful language from the twin universe section.
We see our favorite Draconequus searching through the shelves. He turns towards the reader and says
“Ah welcome welcome forgive me I’m trying to locate a particular story book to match with the holiday season. I think I misplaced it somewhere, one second.”
Discord then jumps into the bookshelf throwing random bits and bobs out including a lightsaber ion cannon and banshee.
“Ah here it is. This is a pretty good Hearth's Warming tale. It’s called A Pinkamena Christmas Warming. I know its not normal but I wanted to name it that. Anyway here we go.” said Discord opening the book.
“It was a time of Celebration in the little town of ponyville…..
Ponyville
December 16th
Decorations were strung up all around the town. Lights were strung up across buildings in a multitude of colors. Wreaths hung up on front doors. Icicle lights hung from roof tops and plentiful personal decorations were put up in every yard.
But the biggest attraction by far had to be the tree set up it town square. Holly and golden wrapping covered the branches a light dusting of white powder mimicking snow. Covered it and glass orbs with little town figurines covering the towns year hung from the ends of said branches it was a work of Ponyvillian art.
Ponies were out and about enjoying snowball fights, Snowpony builds, sledding and all forms of winter activities. Others were going through the shops doing last minute shopping the reason being that it was one of the most cherished times of the year, Hearths warming. But it was also a time of Celebration for everypony's twins from earth. For it was Christmas time about twenty years ago when Star Stream noticed that her sister was glum on her first Hearth’s Warming.
When she asked what was wrong, her sister, Sun Nova, simply told her that she would’ve been celebrating Christmas at this time of year with here original family. Star’s mother and father noticed Sun’s sadness and wanted to know what the holiday was. They learned all about Christmas. The practice of the gifts, the giving, and more. In the end the father got a tree and they decorated it.They also sang familiar Christmas carols and gave and received gifts, which became a family tradition.
A few years after the First Christmas, other families of twins began picking up the tradition. It wasn’t until ten years after the first Christmas that Celestia took notice and declared that Christmas was officially recognized as a holiday, thereby allowing everypony to Celebrate both holidays.
We find pinkamena inside one of the shops selling party supplies. She had just gotten a hold of the confetti ultra combo. Her party cannon would be able to fire quite the awesome confetti combinations. Though she was still a little frantic trying to get Maud a gift. Maud somehow had the perfect gift for everyone, while Pinkamena always struggled to give Maud a gift that she absolutely adored, yet she always did it. (not that she showed it she just radiated it without showing the emotion) Pinkamena would not fail this year in her search for the perfect gift to Maud..
She had already gotten a new work of fiction for Marble called Paragon Pony, which Marble had wanted, but couldn’t afford. She got Limestone a calculator to replace her abacus. Limestone had complained constantly that her abacus was crap and wanted another way to count all of the bits they made from rock sales. This would kill two birds with one stone. Pinkamena would have to spend some time teaching Limestone how to use it. Pinkie would get her confetti, but when it came to Maud, her mind just blanked.
Tugging on her mane again, her head met the wall in frustration. Last Christmas/Warming (that’s what Pinkie and Pinkamena called it) Pinkamena gave Maud an interesting stone that she had found in a cave that she had decided to explore. Maud said she liked the gift in her usual monotone. All Pinkamena did was mentally wipe her brow at the bullet dodged.
She would have been getting gifts for her three friends but that would have to wait until after the family party. The party itself was a tradition that started with Hearth’s Warming but was put into Christmas as well and the rules stated that you could only buy gifts for family until after the family Hearth’s Warming celebration. Which Pinkamena thought was dumb, but hey, that was what the family wanted, who was she to argue.
It was fine. After all, she already had the gifts planned out. First up was AppleCider. She was complaining how their plow wasn’t quite up to snuff anymore. Big Mac would struggle and struggle just to get the dang thing to move. On top of that the field had to be plowed twice over sometimes. In AppleCider’s opinion they should have replaced the darn thing years ago.
But a combination of Applejack’s stubbornness and Big Mac having to go to a masseuse for back issues using that plow meant that they weren't going to purchase one anytime soon. That was gift one.
Next was Solar Dash. She claimed that paints from the Canterlot Art Society were the best in Equestria and thanks to Pinkamena’s fame in the boxing ring and her status as a Grand Master of Martial Arts she could get those paints easily.
Now for Singularity, she had been fangasming about a new kind of all in one wrench that could change size according to the nut that needed tightening. She was also spouting all kinds of techno babble that I couldn’t pay attention to. Pinkamena knew exactly what tool she wanted but she wasn’t about to spout the kind of things she heard from Singularity.
A few days ago her family surprised her. In a letter that she had received from them, they had all decided to leave the rock farm to visit. They would all meet up at Pinkamena’s house and enjoy the holidays there. At first she panicked, but a surprise visit from Pinkie along with Pinkie singing a song about how she had this brought her confidence back.
After which for the next few days afterwards had Pinkamena preparing for the family party. She would have got it all at once….if the market were not flooded with other ponies trying to do the same with their own parties. Pinkie tried to offer to get the supplies for Pinkamena, but Pinkamena was insistent she do it herself. She had the tofurkey the oats for roasting the potatoes. The corn, cranberry sauce, and asparagus the only thing she needed was a few cherries for a special topping she wanted to make for the apple pie she got from AppleJack.
The problem with that was the stand always seemed to be out of cherries when she would visit. it was the most bizarre thing. She would visit in the morning, in the afternoon, and the evening
But no matter what time she visited that stand would be out of cherries. ‘Well not today today. I am going to sneak up on that stand owner. I don’t know what that stand owner is trying to pull, but I’m getting the jump on him this time.’ Pinkamena thought heading towards the market square.
Pinkamena didn’t know what it was, but her suspicions was that the vendor had something against her for some reason. Because how on earth could anypony run out of cherries in the morning. That was the time that all of the vendors were opening.
It wasn’t long before her target came into view and just as suspected the vendor had a full stock of cherries. Pinkamena fumed. Why did this vendor see fit to keep an item from her? As far as she was aware she had done nothing to earn the dishonesty of this vendor. Pinkamena snuck up on the vendor and before he could react Pinkamena popped over the counter.
“AH HA I KNEW IT YOU ALWAYS HAD CHERRIES!” yelled Pinkamena
“AAAAHHHHHH!” yelled the vendor
“WHY ARE YOU KEEPING THEM FROM ME!” yelled Pinkamena
The vendor looked at me irritatingly. “I don’t have to tell you anything.” said the vendor
“Yes you do this is unfair and you know it. You are the only cherry seller in town so why won’t you sell me cherries?” asked Pinkamena
“Because of what you do, and what you represent. I don’t approve of the Equestrian boxing league. I liked it better when ponies were content with being docile and not wanting to cause trouble or fight for fun. It's not right, it’s barbaric. Simply put, I will not sell to anypony who practices such filth.” said the vendor
“Hey, boxing and martial arts is a good sport. It helps to get rid of stress. It is as much of an art as painting and sculpting.” said Pinkamena
“See, that right there is my point that you are nothing but a barbarian. Thinking that beating up other ponies is an art. Go bother somepony else’s stand.” the vendor said maliciously.
“I am not leaving without those cherries. I need them for tonight. Now I am a reasonable mare sell me the cherries I need and I will leave you alone. If I ever need cherries again I’ll get them from out of town.” I said
“Are you hard of hearing? I believe I said I would not serve you brutes in any of my cherry wares. So go away and don’t bother my stand again.” said the vendor
“My patience is running low and I said I’m not leaving without cherries. So be reasonable and sell me some cherries!” I said with a raised voice
“Perhaps you took too many hits to the head. I believe I said that I would not be serving to you or any other pony who practices those despicable sports. Now go away before I call the town guard.” said the vendor.
Pinkamena could feel the vein in her head gorging from anger and frustration. If she hadn’t taken martial arts classes and was taught patience she would have decked that vendor for his audacity. Taking a deep breath, she thought things over.
She needed cherries for tonight for her pie. The vendor was biased against boxers and martial artists. She tried being civil despite this biased stallion, but despite her attempts the stallion kept trying to send her away.
There must have been some way she coul-
All of a sudden a grinch like grin came onto Pinkamena’s face.
Pinkamena turned around and said “Well then, I’ll leave, but remember when I say that I will be telling Grand Master Celestia how you think she is a barbarian.” she said.
The stallion turned white as a sheet. He certainly did not take this into account Celestia practicing such a brutal sport it was unheard of, so alien no it couldn’t be true. The vendors colors came back in a flash and turned red with anger.
“How dare you besmirch our princesses name! She would never take part in such a horrid sport you lie!” yelled the vendor
“Oh I lie do I then what do you call this?” I asked throwing a newspaper on the counter.
CELESTIA EARNS THE BELT
BY INK BLOT
In a stunning turn of events yesterday, our esteemed ruler Princess Celestia walked into the martial arts ring. Confused by this turn of events the fighters were surprised when she challenged each and every martial artist to a battle royale, including current skirmish champion Brick Breaker. Each fighter, still unsure if they should even lay a hand on our fair ruler, cautiously stepped forward. One fighter Hand Chop took the courage and charged forwards. In a flash Princess Celestia dodged the hit and knocked out the fighter in one hit shocking the audience as well as the remaining fighters. With a smirk on our Princesses’s face she resumed her defensive stance. By the time this was over every one of the combatants were down for the count and our Princess was amazingly unscathed.
When asked how our Princess mastered her amazing combat skills she had this to say.
“I owe everything to my personal friend Pinkamena as she is the one that showed me that a mare can do anything.” as everypony knows Pinkamena also known as- continued on A5
The look on the vendors face was priceless. “Oh and by the way I’m sure the princess would love to find out that you have been refusing service to ponies practicing a recognized art.” said Pinkamena with a smug grin.
“N-no I’ll give you the cherries just take it easy. That’ll be ten bits for the bag.” said the vendor nervously, putting a medium sized bag of cherries on the counter.
Pinkamena gave him ten bits and took the bag walking away.
Pinkamena’s house
6:00 p.m.
We go to the inside of Pinkamena’s house. Everything is decorated to pristine condition with stockings hung over the front room fireplace. Statues of reindeer and santa were on shelves and bookcases.
Holly was strung on hallways chestnuts were roasting on her stove. Lights were strung on her banisters. Truly you could feel the christmas/hearth’s warming spirit.
But Pinkamena’s christmas tree was the masterpiece of the entire decorated onsomble.
It was tall and green with its many branches decorated with lights and gold and silver ornaments. Depicting both christmas and hearth’s warming representation. From the bright northern star to the bright flaming heart that represented the defeat of the wendigos, a bright star stood on top of the christmas tree.
Everything was ready, the tofurkey. the potatoes, and the pie. All that was left was for the family to make their appearance. Soon enough a knock sounded at the door. Upon opening the door the guest was revealed to be Pinkie pie with five gifts. Her mane is curled around a big bottle of her homemade orange cranberry smoothie.
“Hi sis its that time of year again, the family hearth’s warming/christmas party. Ooh I can’t wait for our family to show and get to the gift giving portion. Where's your tree sis?” asked Pinkie
“In the family room. I had to change the location when I found that the front room fireplace was responsible for that christmas tree fire last year. I knew I should’ve gotten that checked out before putting the tree there.” said Pinkamena
Pinkie snorted, “Yeah that was scary, but fun especially when you flooded the house trying to put it out.”
Pinkamena flushed in embarrassment, “That wasn’t funny, it was traumatizing and costly to replace!” I exclaimed
“And we got a giant candle. I knew you had the situation under control.” said Pinkie bouncing to the family room
Pinkamena sighed. Unless the situation was especially dire, Pinkie always saw the bright side of things.
The door was knocked on again. Upon the door opening again it revealed Maud standing at the door.
At the time Maud was working on her research to complete her rockterate (I was surprised that was a thing I mean a diploma for rocks? seriously?) she was wearing her normal dark grey dress and she held a clear bag filled with another five presents.
“Hi Pinkamena I hope I’m not late.” said Maud in her monotone voice
“Nope you're just in time sis Pinkie is in the family room.” said Pinkamena
“Tree isn’t in the front room this year?” asked Maud now Pinkamena had difficulty reading Mauds emotions but she could tell maud was teasing her
“Oh come on! That was once! First Pinkie and now you Maud. Good grief.” said Pinkamena as Maud walked towards the family room
“AND STOP INTERNALLY LAUGHING!” yelled Pinkamena. All she heard from the from room was a hum, Mauds way of hard laughter.
Soon the final knock of the evening came from the door opening. It opened to reveal the rest of the Pie family.
Ignius was wearing his usual onsomble, a dress shirt and slacks, with a black hat and tie. To at least somewhat match the holiday season, he put a holly leaf with two holly berries on the rim of his hat.
The mare next to him was white with a greyish green mane and tail. Her mane was put in a bun and she wore half moon glasses. She wore a plain greyish blue dress with a little wreath pin on the left side. It was good to see her mother Cloudy Quartz
The mare to the far left was Limestone Pie. She was Purplish grey with a white mane and tail. Her mane was flat in the front but it spiked up a bit in the back. She wore a leather jacket with spiked bracelets and choker. She also wore black work boots.
The mare to the far right was Marble Pie. She was a light grey mare with a dusty green mane and tail she wore a turtleneck sweater with jeans her mane was long and part of it covered her left eye.
“Mom, dad I’m so glad you came.” said Pinkamena giving them a hug
“Good morrow my daughter. I see you hath been busy with the decorations of our fair holiday. Hast Pinkamena Diana and Maud appeared yet?” asked Igneous.
“Yah, they are currently in the family room putting their presents under the tree.” said Pinkamena.
“Ah not in this room seeing what had happened last year dear daughter?” asked Cloudy
Pinkamena made a face, “Not you too mom! I already got that from both Pinkie and Maud. did you guys collaborate on this or something? Wait how’d you even know that I never tol-PINKIE YOU WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO TALK ABOUT IT TO ANYPONY ELSE!” yelled Pinkamena
“You can’t just not talk about it sis it was funny. Said Pinkie from the family room
“Ah chill sis we’re just hav’n some fun with ya. Don’t take it to heart. Although that fire was kinda big. According to the letter.” said Limestone
“Were also just excited to spend time with everyone you and Pinkie don’t really visit that often.” said Marble
“I know Marble I’m just really busy these days what with the dojo and personal training not to mention the defense for the town I do it tends to get difficult. Said Pinkamena
They all walked into the family room and the rest of the family put their presents beneath the tree.
“So dear daughter thou said that thee had a training facility? Is this for one of thine forms of combat?” asked Igneous
“Yeah, its my training dojo. I’m a grand master of the earth pony style of martial arts. I teach students there, but enough about me how’s the rock farm?” Asked Pinkamena
“It does well, Pinkamena Jane, it does well. Especially since you drove off those foul bandits. We’ve been able to grow more sunstones. I must admit it feels good not to struggle financially.” said Cloudy
“What about you Limestone? Your new attire is certainly interesting.” said Pinkamena
“Well seein as I’m runnin the rock farm now I’ll tell ya. Mostly I need to make sure that no bandits settle in the area again. What I’m wearin will help with intimidation. Especially since bandits these days are little wimps. But I also like this look so I’m gonna wear it.” said Limestone
“What about you Marble? What are you up to?” asked Pinkamena
“Well...um I take a lot of unusable rock and marble and I carve from it. I surprisingly got some commissions from some canterlotian nobiles. I don’t know what it is but I love carving those statues. The feel of the smooth marble. The satisfying sound of my chisel and hammer as it shapes the marble. The smell of the dust as it leaves the slab to form the perfect shape I love it.” said Marble
Pinkamena drew Marble in for a hug “i’m glad that you found a habit that you absolutely love Marble I’m happy for you.” said Pinkamena Marble smiling
Soon everyone stepped into the dining room everyone gasping in surprise from the bountiful spread.
Stories were shared laughter permeated the air and the food was enjoyed.
Soon enough it was time to turn in for tomorrow was Hearth’s warming/Christmas day.
PINKAMENA’S HOUSE
8:00 A.M.
It was a great morning in Pinkamena’s house and everyone woke up refreshed and ready to enjoy the day together.
Everypony was happy and smiling (Maud on the inside).
Pinkie squeed as soon as she saw the confetti. She had to restrain herself from getting her party cannon to use the confetti.
Marble loved the book she got. She said she’d read it when she got home.
Limestone really appreciated the calculator and said it would double the speed in which she counted the family earnings.
Cloudy Quartz got her hands on a nice pair of knitting needles. (she liked making blankets for her family to use.)
Igneous had received a new rock plow (think of a normal plow but the blade is replaced by a drill.)
Mauds gift was a golden crystal Pinkamena found while spelunking one day. It was big and interesting and as soon as Pinkamena gave it to maud a miasma of happiness began radiating from Maud. She loved her gift.
All in all it was a good Christmas. Hearth’s Warming was next and the family was set to go up to Canterlot for the Hearth’s Warming pageant.
Where it was said Pinkie would play a part.
Discord closes the book and looks at you. He is wearing a santa hat that he got from somewhere. “I don’t know about you but I love the Christmas/Hearth’s Warming time of year. Especially the eggnog. Have a happy holiday everyone I’m joining the story soon.”
