As winter loomed on the horizon the weather became colder and colder. Rarity made Twilight a winter coat, to help keep her warm.
"Thanks Rarity. I didn't go out much in winter so I didn't really have many cold-weather outfits." Twilight remarked, turning to see the back of the jacket in the mirror.
"No problem darling. Now, we need to discuss the Winter Ball-"
"First Frost! First Frost!" Pinkie came running into the room, followed by the others.
"Oh, yes, I'd nearly forgotten!" Rarity cried, dropping her pincushion on the bed.
"What's First Frost?" Twilight asked, at least glad Daring seemed equally confused.
"A celebration we made up. Every year, when the first frost of the winter season sets in, we all have a sleepover at one of our castles. We switch each year. Though we haven't figured out what we're gonna do this year." Applejack explained.
"We can have it in our room." Spitfire suggested.
"Good idea." Rainbow said.
"Yeah, considering we were s'posed to have it at your place anyway!" Pinkie added
"Fleetfoot never wanted to host, and we respected her wishes. Though I suppose now we know why she never did." Fluttershy remarked, and Pinkie nodded.
"Well, count me in. I enjoy having sleepovers with you all." Twilight said.
"Twilight, darling, it's not a mere sleepover. We also do each others hair, paint our nails, laugh and play games, and tell stories to pass the time." Rarity objected.
"Oh. It actually doesn't sound all that different from the holiday parties in the village. Minus the sleeping over part." Twilight led them out to the dormitory hallways, and into the library. "Your library has a few books on the old traditions. See? Right here:"
Twilight pulled a book off the shelf and showed it to them.
"Every year, citizens and royals alike would gather together in friendship, seeing each other not as of different status, but one in the same. They would exchange greetings and gifts, as well as stories. At midnight, they would all gather together around the ceremonial candle and hold a single flame to it. If the wick caught fire, it would mean a good harvest and fair treatment for the whole year. If not, then still the people would remain ever hopeful for the coming spring." Twilight read.
"That tradition has not been celebrated in some time." Vice-Headmistress Luna appeared behind them.
"But we still light candles and sing in the village." Twilight objected.
"I meant the idea of royals and citizens coming together. Of course, since the kingdoms have grown over the years, it is much more difficult to promote to everyone the idea of being together during the holidays."
"It used to just be a few kingdoms, right?" Daring asked for confirmation.
"Yes. When my sister and I were young, it was merely a few kingdoms. The Alicornia Kingdom, for one, where my sister and I hail from. Dragonia was merely a small settlement at the time. The Shadow Lands had yet to be discovered and the Shape-Shifter Kingdom was still under the rule of Chrysalis."
"Right. I remember the boys saying something about their Headmasters not being born royal, they rose up against her and then took over the kingdom." Sunset added.
"Precisely. Of course, they do not rule alone, neither do my sister and I, or Ember. We rule our kingdoms as separate colonies but we will always seek guidance and help from each other." Vice-Headmistress Luna explained.
"So, what are your plans after school lets out for the winter?" Twilight asked.
"We're all going to spend the holidays visiting each other. But we do still have our kingdoms to rule over. And you?"
"Some of us will be visiting Twilight's village, to meet her village friends. Others will return home." Rarity said.
"Fleet's coming with me back to the Fire Kingdom." Spitfire added, putting her arm around Fleetfoot gently.
"I wonder what plans our brothers are making." Starlight commented to Sunset, who laughed, shaking her head.
"Knowing those two nerds, probably dragging their friends to a Ogres and Oubliettes thing or something."
"Blankets?" Spike asked.
"Check." Sunburst said.
"Snacks?"
"Check."
"Board and gaming pieces?"
"Check and check."
"Friends?"
"They'll be here in a minute, so check."
"What are we missing? Oh, pillows!"
"Soarin is getting them with Shining."
"Pillow fight!" Soarin ran into the room, brandishing the pillow like a sword. Shining ran in with another in his grasp.
"Aw yeah!" Flash cheered.
"Oh no." Sunburst and Spike sighed, before Soarin knocked Sunburst in the chest with a pillow.
"You guys were just supposed to be getting the pillows, not ruining our setup." Spike protested, gesturing to the carefully arranged items.
"Sorry, but it's more fun this way." Soarin pulled another pillow from where it was tucked under his arm, tossed it, then threw himself into the air. He shifted and came down on Sunburst's bed, the pillow falling under his head so he could lie down on it.
"Impressive." Dark Shooter commented from his bed. "Thanks for letting me hang out with you guys. Though I'm not sure how to play this game."
"No problem, you'll pick up on it fast, I'm sure." Spike replied, as Shining set the other pillows down.
"We're here, sorry we're late." Fashion Plate came in, smiling.
"Ooh, snacks." Cheese selected a cupcake from a platter and ate it cheerily.
"Do you know if the Headmasters are joining us?" Discord asked.
"I don't for sure-" Spike started to say.
"Oh, fantastic, so I can make up rules again?"
"Just because they may or may not be joining us doesn't mean you can do things like add extra zeros to a character chart and say that gravity is optional in the game." Star Tracker objected.
"Fine, kill the fun, will you?" Discord slumped down and crossed his arms.
"So, are you ready to enter the realm of Ogres and Oubliettes?" Spike asked, waving his hands eerily as the other boys went to join them.
"Yes." They all replied, save Discord. The group looked at him expectantly.
"Fine, yes." Discord gave in, throwing is hands up in defeat.
"We aren't too late, I hope?" Headmaster Thorax entered the room, and Spike looked up.
"Not at all Headmaster, is Vice-Headmaster Pharynx with you?"
"He's in a call with one of the Professors of the girls school, but he'll be here soon." Headmaster Thorax sat by Spike as Vice-Headmaster Pharynx entered.
"Yeah, okay, talk to you later. Bye." Pharynx hung up and stowed the phone in his pocket.
"How'd it go?" Headmaster Thorax asked, looking at his brother with a knowing grin.
"Good, we talked about nunya."
"What's nunya?"
"None ya' business." Vice-Headmaster Pharynx snapped.
Headmaster Thorax blinked, then seemed to get the joke and nodded, looking back to the others.
"Um, so, ready to play?" Spike asked.
"Yep." Headmaster Thorax said eagerly. Pharynx rolled his eyes at his brother, but sat by him.
"Yeah, I'm ready." He sighed. And the game began.