//------------------------------// // Chapter 15: A Heart's Warming Tail // Story: Light and Dark: Road to Redemption // by MXCDarkHorse2020 //------------------------------// Chapter 15: A Heart's Warming Tail It’s that time of the year for everypony! Hearth’s Warming is upon them! A time where everyone gets to spend time with their families and bond with each other as they share and care for each other as they please. Twilight Sparkle like every year plans on spending it with Spike but this year she plans on having her friends from Canterlot come over to spend the holidays with them which really excited her for this year because she sees this a wonderful bonding opportunity to be able to further catch up with them and make up for all of the times she has blown them off in favor of her studies especially Moon Dancer. They all didn’t have anything else do to during Heart’s Warming Eve and they were very excited and eager to accept Twilight’s invitation to come over if that meant spending time with her. Even Lyra Heartstrings was coming over to spend Heart’s Warming with them this year. Twilight and Spike had spent the last two days getting everything ready for their party and they already had the castle decorated inside and out. Twilight was just getting the holiday desserts onto the table while Spike was shaking and feeling the wrapped up presents trying to get an idea of what they are inside. Spike usually is so excited for that part of the holiday he literally could not wait to open his gifts so they decided to start their own tradition of opening gifts on Heart’s Warming Eve instead of Heart’s Warming Day. Just as Twilight is getting everything ready for her friend’s arrival she heard noises coming down from the chimney. Both she and Spike turned around to see it is Pinkie Pie covered in sooth after having crawled her way down through the chimney. “Happy Hearth's Warming Eve!” Pinkie greeted them as she landed on her head while carrying her light blue saddlebag on her back. Both Twilight and Spike laugh as Applejack walks inside after her silly friend while admiring the place. “Shucks, Twilight! Y'all done it up nice and cozy in here.” Applejack complimented as she looked around the room with her green saddlebag on her back. “We're about to hang our Hearth's Warming dolls if you wanna join us.” Twilight offered as she held up hoof-crafted said dolls of herself and Spike. “Oh, that's mighty sweet of you, but we're just stoppin' in to wish y'all a happy Hearth's Warmin' before we go.” Applejack politely declined as Pinkie walks up beside her. “I think it's sweet that your families are spending the holiday together.” Twilight complimented as she placed the dolls up over the fireplace as Pinkie places a hoof around her orange country pony friend. “Picture the most fun-tacular thing you can think of. Now multiply that times infinity! Whoo! It's gonna be great!” Pinkie cheerfully expressed her excitement as she tightly hugged Applejack. At that moment they heard a train whistle blowing it’s horn from the distance. That meant their ride was about to depart from the station. “That's us. See you later!” Applejack said as she separated herself from the hug and then made their way to the train station first with Pinkie bouncing her way out after her with Twilight and Spike waving them off. “Now can we open presents?” Spike eagerly asked Twilight catching Applejack’s attention. “But tonight is Hearth's Warming Eve. Everypony knows you don't open presents 'til tomorrow.” Applejack briefly stopped and turned back to remind of them how Heart’s Warming tradition works out with a confused and bewildered expression. “When Spike and I spent our first Hearth's Warming Eve together, he couldn't wait all night to open his presents!” Twilight explained as she rubbed the baby dragon's scales as he then rubbed the back of his neck looking embarrassed as if he was thinking about the first time he did it. “Ever since then, we've always opened them the night before!” “It's kinda like our tradition!” Spike added. “That's not how our family does it, and I reckon it can't be how Pinkie's does it.” Applejack spoke of her disagreeing opinion before turning to Pinkie as she briefly popped her head back in the room. “Is it?” She asked to make sure. “No sirree!” Pinkie cheerfully answered. “To each their own, I suppose.” Twilight accepted her response and that every pony has their own way of celebrating the holidays. Just then the train whistle is heard blowing it’s whistle again from the distance. “Agh! Gotta go, bye!” Pinkie quickly and urgently said as she dragged Applejack with her so they can quickly catch their train ride before it leaves the station in just mere seconds. Twilight rolls her eyes in amusement as Spike strains as she climbs up onto Twilight’s back to try to reach the wrapped present over the fireplace to which Twilight quickly helped him by levitating the present to him. Twilight nods at Spike to assure him it’s okay to open it to which Spike eagerly opens it and to his surprise it’s a book as Twilight eagerly awaits of his excitement of his gift. “Just what I always wanted! A book...” Spike said as he lifted his gift with a forced grin as Twilight happily smiles at him. “Read what's inside of it.” Twilight instructed him while still smiling to indicate to him that there's more to the book that at first glance. Spike does and as he reads it his eyes widen in amazement a what he is reading. "Whoa." Spike exclaimed. "It's a book all about gems and their wonderful and unique flavors! Oh, boy this is the best book present ever!" Spike then said in excitement. Normally he is not a fan of books, but this time Twilight came up with a way to make looking forward to it worth the wait. "Oh, is this a rainbow set of gems!" Spike asked as he held up the bag of gems inside of the book. "Yes it is!" Twilight happily told Spike. "Just thought I step up a little but not too much." She added with caution as they both silently recall the time Spike turned into a greedy present hungry giant before continuing with the preparations. In short time, Twilight and Spike had just finished all of the preparations for Heart’s Warming Eve as by the time the last decoration has been hung up their holiday guests have arrived at the front door and knocked on it. “Oooh! There’re here!” Twilight galloped in place in excitement seeing that they have arrived. She quickly rushed over to the front door. She opened the doors to see Minuette, Twinkleshine, Lemon Hearts, Moon Dancer, Lyra Heartstrings, and Moon Dancer’s sister all at the door with gifts wearing winter coats with warm smiles. “Happy Heart’s Warming!” The girls all happily said together in unison. “Girls!” Twilight happily exclaimed as they all walked inside. “Welcome! So glad you all could make it!” “We’re so glad you’ve invited us to come. I mean look at this place you’re really living the dream!” Minuette excitably said as admired the inside of the castle. “Well it is just a castle nothing more.” Twilight humbly said with a blush. “Are you kidding? Look at this place! It’s amazing.” Twinkleshine commented with a raised hoof. “How could you not say you are living the dream, Princess?” “Now, now, Twinkleshine?” Twilight replied with a raised hoof. “Just because I’m the Princess of Friendship doesn’t mean I’m not the same pony you all know me for. Like many friends around me you know to call me simply Twilight.” “That’s true.” Moon Dancer agreed as approached Twilight as two hugged. “Good to see you again Twilight!” “Good to see you too, Moon Dancer.” Twilight happily replied as she returned the hug. “And I see you’ve neatened up since the last time we saw each other.” Twilight added referring to her mane which is about the same but much neater and less unkempt as it was in the past. “Oh, yeah.” Moon Dancer aside blushed as she placed a hoof on her mane. “Ever since you visited I decided to take better care of myself.” She said as she removed her coat to reveal a red holiday sweater over it and undone her hair knot which turned her mane into one similar to Twilight’s. Her friends all marveled at her new cleaned up appearance. A sign to show how much more friendly and happier she has become since rekindling her friendship and coming to take big steps in forgiving Twilight for her sins as Midnight Sparkle. “Wow! Very nice! And so very much like me!” Twilight complimented while taken aback a little by how very similar her appearance is to hers. “Nice makeover, Moon Dancer.” Lyra complimented. “Just like your friend, Twilight.” “And it’s nice to see you could make it as well.” Twilight said as she embraced her friend she hasn’t seen in a while. “And it’s nice to be able to finally get together after all this time.” Lyra responded as she returned the hug. “Well I do owe you and the other girls big time to catch up on how our lives have been and what better time to get together to do so than Heart’s Warming.” Twilight said as she turned back to Moon Dancer’s makeover. “Especially those who were close to me in the past seeing how much I see myself in the mirror in them.” “Well I did help her out with her makeover and she does remind me a lot like you.” Moon Dancer’s sister said as she wrapped a hoof around her somewhat protectively. “And you remember my sister?” Moon Dancer told her as she motioned to her with a raised hoof. “I sure do!” Twilight happily replied as she offered her hoof for a hoofshake as her sister simply crosses her arms in response. “I hope you’re not seeking to further hurt my sister like you have in the past are you?” Moon Dancer’s sister sternly said to Twilight. “Aw come on! We all know Midnight Sparkle is all in the past now.” Twilight responded seeing through it with a cheeky grin at her who still frowns in her direction. “Knock it off.” Moon Dancer told her sister who laughs as she shook the alicorn's hoof even though she was serious about what she had just said. The rest of the girls all take off the coats and all hand them to Spike who takes to the nearby closet where he neatly puts them away before joining the others who are happily laughing and chatting amongst one another. “So what do you girls want to do first?” Twilight asked as they made their way to the kitchen to enjoy some holiday treats to snack on. “Well I was thinking we could explore the castle some more.” Minuette brought up as she helped herself to a cup of cider. “I really would like to see more of what living here is like. How about you the rest of you?” She asked the others. “Sounds great!” Twinkleshine eagerly agreed to the idea as Lemon Hearts nodded in agreement. “Would that be okay with you, Twilight?” Lemon Hearts politely asked of her. “Feel free to explore as long as you avoid my science lab.” Twilight kindly approved of the girls request. “Why?” Lemon Hearts asked confused. “Afraid we might blow up your castle? We may not know as much about science as you but we're not lethally dumb enough to tamper with chemicals we don’t know anything about.” “No.” Twilight assured her it’s not for that reason as she resisted the urge to giggle with what she was about to say next. “It’s just so you don’t get your head stuck in another beaker.” Twilight couldn’t help but throw in as the girls minus Lemon Hearts laughed finding the joke funny. “None of you are ever going to let me live that down are you?” Lemon Hearts asked in embarrassment with an annoyed frown. “Sorry.” Twilight apologized. “But it’s rare that I find somepony even managing that.” “True.” Lemon Hearts accepted that as she turned to the others. “Come on girls, let’s go!” After the girls ran off in excitement to explore the castle Twilight, Spike, Lyra, Moon Dancer, and her sister all remained behind. “And how about the rest of you?” Twilight asked the others. “I was thinking we could tell some nice Heart’s Warming stories in your library.” Moon Dancer brought up with a raised hoof. “And I think I’ve got just the story to tell for the holiday.” The four ponies and young dragon all made their way to the library where Moon Dancer pulls out a book from her saddle bag as Twilight and Spike sit next to each other on a couch with Moon Dancer and her sister sitting on chairs on the other side of the table. On the table are separate cups of hot cocoa on the table for them to sip on as they listen to the story. “This is a story I have read every Heart’s Warming.” Moon Dancer explained as she held up the book with her magic. “And to this day it is still one of my favorites and I think you might like it as well, Twilight.” “Well, if it’s as great as you say, Moon Dancer, let’s hear it!” Twilight responded with intrigued interest wanting to see if it lives up to her friend's claims as she starts reading from the very first page. “This is the story of a powerful unicorn named Snowfall Frost, who hated Hearth's Warming Eve. It all began many moons ago in Canterlot. Every home in Canterlot was filled with holiday spirit.” She narrated as it shows a decorated town except for one dark-colored house which serves as Snowfall Frost’s house. “Every home... except one. It was said of Snowfall that she was almost as studied as Star Swirl the Bearded. Almost, since everypony knows that Star Swirl was an expert at everything from transfiguration, dimensional calibration, teleportation.” Moon Dancer read from her book as Spike interrupted. “We get it. Star Swirl's awesome.” Spike acknowledged in annoyance with rolled eyes. “Geez, it’s no wonder you and Twilight are so much alike.” “Right.” Moon Dancer carried on with the story as she further narrated. “The point is Snowfall was also a powerful unicorn. She wanted to be perfect. Anything that got in the way of that was a waste of time.” She narrated as she briefly eyed and hinted at Twilight “Kinda like you in the past.” “Oh, really?” Twilight asked wondering if she really is like her. “Well, not right now of course.” Moon Dancer honestly answered. “More like Midnight. Your past and evil self.” “Hmm.” Twilight calmly nodded as she raises a hoof to motion her to continue reading. “Go on.” Snowfall appearing in her home was lifting a lump of coal with her magic after weighing to make sure it balances out on her scale on her desk she brings it to her book where she looks up a spell to use her magic to turn it into gold. Snowfall herself while having Twilight’s appearance when she was Midnight wore a black coat with a matching top hat, and matching spectacles. She then levitated the rock in front of the fireplace as she tried to use her magic to perform the spell. She strained a little as she makes progress as she solely concentrates on turning the coal into gold. But just before she could complete it her focus was interrupted by the ringing of bells from outside which caused her to drop the coal on the ground causing it to break apart. "Well, that batch is ruined," She irritably said to herself as she watches the group of ponies who interrupted her focus before she shouted for somepony. "Snow Dash!” "Snowdash was Snowfall's loyal assistant" Moon Dancer narrated as she briefly addressed everypony. "And yes like your friend Rainbow Dash to the T.” "What do you need?" Snow Dash asked her immediately after arriving on the scene as Snowfall pointed to the floor where the pieces of the broken coal. “Get this mess cleaned up, now if you please. Those foolish ponies were ringing those blasted bells outside the window again and I lost my concentration!" Snowfall instructed Snow Dash as she levitated a broom on over to her so she can clean it up with. “Whoa, ponies actually enjoying Hearth's Warming Eve. Where did they get that crazy idea?” Snow Dash grumbled under her breath. “Today is nothing to celebrate. Hearth's Warming Eve is a menace. A dangerous day for all of Equestria.” Snowfall grumpily told Snow Dash as she makes her way back to her desk to place another rock on her scale. "Dangerous?! It's awesome! It's the day we remember how unicorns, pegasi, and Earth ponies came together in friendship to defeat the windigos!" "That silly old legend is the problem! Telling everypony that 'singing songs and being nice' will solve anything? I've spent years studying magic, and that's not how it works." Snowfall dismissed it as nonsense. "I think you might be missing the point there, boss." Snow Dash responded not agreeing to what her boss had just said as she teleported herself in front of Snow Dash. “Work hard, learn, and use your skills to better Equestria. That's a worthy goal for any pony.” Snowfall shouted in Snow Dash’s face before turning back to walk over to her desk. “But, by all means, if you want to go home early, ignore all of the work you have, and spend the rest—“ She sarcastically spoke as Snow Dash takes the opportunity to interpret this as being giving the blessing to go home. "Sweet!" Snow Dash exclaimed as she dropped the broom and dust pan and immediately left the house causing Snowfall to grunt in annoyance. “I was being sarcastic.” Snow Frost grumbled as she turned her attention back at her desk. She then looks out her window to see Snow Dash take off in a flash as many ponies are all enjoying the holidays. “I hate Hearth's Warming Eve! All of Equestria would be better off if we just forgo-ed the holiday altogether.” Snow Frost exclaimed in frustration as she then saw her candle shaking and trembling all of a sudden. “What in the world?!” Snow Frost said in confusion as smoke emerges from the candle with a mysterious figure emerging from the smoke with glowing eyes and looking very tall and thin. "Surprise!" The ghost said in response as he evilly laughed as he emerged from the shadows as he briefly stretched his legs and muscles as he groaned a little. “Oh boy, even when you’re dead you still have to find yourself stretching your muscles.” The spirit answered as he turned his attention back at the unicorn. “Who are you?!” Snow Frost asked as she recovered from her shock. “Have we met before?” Snow Frost asked as he inspected the ghost closely as if she saw him before in the past. "You mean, you don't remember me, Snow Frost?" The spirit asked sounding a little hurt. "Oh, I'm heartbroken, really. Well, I suppose I can't blame you, it has been years since last we seen each other." He added as he made clothes appear on himself. The spirit now wore a finely tailored suit and tie, complete with a top hat and a cane. Once she saw the clothes on the spirit Snow Frost immediately recognized the figure as her eyes widen in realization. "Daniel Dancord? Is it really you?" She asked wondering if this is all really real as it was all coming back to her. "In the ghostly smoke and dust." Daniel casually answered as he stepped forward. As he did so he revealed that his arms and legs are chained up, and weighed down by a heavy chest. "Wonderful to see you again, Snow Frost." "But how is this possible?!" Snowfall exclaimed in disbelief that he is actually appearing to her. "You disappeared a long time ago and that was the last anypony ever saw or heard from you! No note nothing!" "Well that’s what happens when you decide venture out for a business trip out into the blizzard alone with no sense of direction." Daniel explained. "I apologize for the spooky welcome and to be fair this is not what I imagined our reunion would turn out like." "Well that’s unfortunate." Snowfall responded with no change in tone or expression indifferent to what he just said. "But why are you here now of all times you had the chance to see me?" "I thought you'd never ask, Snow Frost," Daniel answered as he approached her with the rattling and clunking of his chains following after each footstep. "I've come to warn you because you're about to head down a dark path, one from which there is no going back. But it's not too late to save yourself, if you act now it may be possible to change your future." "What are you talking about?!" Snowfall retorted seeing she is doing nothing wrong. “How is seeking to better Equestria going down this dark path with a point of no return? She questioned skeptically. "Well if these chains could help explain things better then so be it.” Daniel responded as gestured to them as he rattled them around a little. “You remember how as your partner I listened to your beliefs and methods without ever questioning them?" “Yes.” Snow Frost replied still a lost there. "Well these chains are the reason why I have these attached to my wrists and ankles, for the many sins of darkness and heinous acts committed in the pursuit of ambition and control! Multiple and countless atrocities added on to the weight I’m carrying after all these years. A fitting punishment for me knowing of all the damage I’ve done in the past." Discord further explained. "Please? How exactly would doing what I think is best for everypony more harmful than good?" Snow Frost scoffed as she blew the concern to the sky as Daniel still tries to get through to her now sounding very annoyed as he crosses his arms irritated. “The point of this is that these chains represent all of your sins and all of the weight of the pain and suffering and the damage won't go away so easily considering what’s to come! My chains represent my sins and regrets for all the trouble I caused. All of the ponies I hurt that truly didn’t deserve what I did to them along the way. And as a result I am doomed to carry the weight and pain of remorse and guilt for the rest of my afterlife and while it’s too late for me you still have a chance to save yourself if you turn yourself around now!" Discord explained to Snow Frost in a way to take it seriously as he gets to the point. "I think I doing just fine on my own, thank you very much.” Snow Frost again scoffed in response sounding a little amused by this as she makes her way back to her desk. “I don’t have anything to be sorry about, I’ve done nothing wrong.” Daniel glared at the unicorn as he continuing speaking to her as she focuses on looking up a particular spell. "Well, since this is obviously going nowhere I will now go." He told Snow Frost. "But be warned Snowfall Frost! Because before this night is through you shall be visited by three more spirits!" "Oh no.” Snow Frost dryly and sarcastically commented as she paid no attention to him. “I’m so scared.” "If I were you, I'd listen to what they have to say because if you don’t there is not hope for you to save yourself as my fate will soon be yours. Expect the first very soon and if my appearance should tell you'll know when they’ll show themselves to you!" Daniel gave his final warning as he vanished with smoke surrounding him and returning back to the candle returning the room back to the way it was before he appeared. Snow Frost simply rolled her eyes in annoyance still not seeing that what she is about to do is doing more harm than good as she sing to a tune. “Happy Hearth's Warming, they say in the street Happy Hearth's Warming, they think they're so sweet.” She sang as she closed her curtains to her windows. “Words said so often that they lack any meaning Why should I join in when I could be intervening?” She sang as she walked up and down a small staircase of books and grabbed ahold of two bottles from a shelf and three more bottles from another shelf. “Everypony loves this cursed holiday But would they be better off with it out of the way?” She evilly sang as she pushed the scale off and everything else she had on the table to make room for the new experiment she plans on making by mixing a concoction of yellow, green, and purple chemicals together which created a puff of green smoke. “Well, okay Say goodbye to the holiday. With my magic, I'll erase it The greatest gift that I give today And everypony will have to face it No more little games for you to play After you say goodbye to the holiday.” Snowfall sang as she stole some Heart’s Warming decorations with her magic and levitated them back to her home to be thrown in the cauldron. “Goodbye, Hearth's Warming, you had a good run Goodbye, Hearth's Warming, it's over, you're done Finally set free from your forced celebrations No need to reply to your trite invitations.” She sang as she blew away the images of the Heart’s Warming decorations appearing in the green smoke. “Calendar shorter by a single day Is my magic up to the test? Time to see, I can't delay.” Snowfall sang as she rips a piece of paper with a wreath on it from her notebook and gathers together four big potion bottles and flips through her book for her desired spell. “Say goodbye to the holiday Prepare the spell, no hesitation All memory shall fade away See Equestria's new transformation.” She sang as poured the contents of the four potions with clouds of blue smoke with two ponies circling the room in the air. “No more shall anypony say Happy Hearth's Warming... “ Snowfall sang as she evilly smirked and chuckled sinisterly a little. “...after today!" "After today... “ She concluded her song as she directed her attention back at the cauldron. “Once the spell is cast, all of Equestria will be better off, and they'll have me to thank for it!” Snowfall proclaimed. “So let me get this straight.” Twilight politely interrupted with a raised hoof. ”Snowfall doesn't like Hearth's Warming Eve so she decides to cast a spell to get rid of it altogether? That’s definitely extreme and something Midnight would do.” “Says the pony who engineered a train explosion to fake her own death shattered the Crystal Heart in order to take over Equestria.” Moon Dancer’s sister commented under her breath although her remarks were clearly heard by Twilight. “What was that?” Twilight questioned with a raised eyebrow. “Is there something you’d like to say to me because I’m right here and can hear from over there?” She added as she narrowed her eyebrows wanting to know if there is something she is keeping from her. “I’m just saying. Considering your past as Midnight you’re lucky this town is very forgiving towards you after everything you did.” Moon Dancer’s sister bluntly commented. “Are you trying to make a point here?” Twilight calmly asked while clearly angered by her remarks. “Oh, no, no.” Moon Dancer’s sister further kept up the snide and sarcastic remarks. “I’m just saying you’re lucky you’re even in the position you are now because most ponies would be either in jail or banished from Equestria.” “Hey, my friends in Ponyville weren’t exactly innocent themselves.” Twilight remarked in defense seeing why she is verbally attacking her like this. “While I acknowledge I am responsible for my own actions my friends aren’t exactly innocent considering they’re the reason I became Midnight in the first place.” “So you’re blaming your friends for simply abandoning you? That’s certainly saying something.” Moon Dancer’s sister further remarked unconvinced by her sincerity. “Sure doesn’t sound like you have changed quite a bit for a psychopath.” Twilight’s eyes widen in rage as Moon Dancer, Lyra, and Spike are all looking at each other worried and uneasy with their friends argument as Twilight gets up from her chair with gritted teeth and her horn lit up as Moon Dancer’s sister lights her horn up too as the two glare at each other from opposites ends of the table. Before either pony could lay it out, Moon Dancer quickly intervened and teleported herself right in between them. “Enough! Both of you! If there’s one thing I wouldn’t tolerate is fighting on this very holiday!” Moon Dancer said as she places her hooves on both her best friend and sister. “Sister, I’m aware of what Twilight has done in the past but I have forgiven her because she truly is remorseful for her actions. So you have no right to judge her like that.” She scolded her sister before turning to Twilight. “Twilight, I apologize for what my sister said but I also would appreciate if you didn’t try to kill off the only family I have left over a little dispute.” She firmly yet fairly spoke to her friend before turning back to her sister. “I think what Twilight is trying to say is that everypony has their reasons for doing things including herself and even Snowfall. And if I could continue the story, we might just find out what they are.” She added as she glared at both her sister and Twilight. “Go forth.” Twilight calmly answered as she made her way back to her chair without further dispute as she and Moondancer's sister still return daggers at each other as if looks could kill someone. “Proceed.” Spike said as he took another sip from his hot cocoa. “Anyways…” Moon Dancer continued to read as she and her sister sat back in their respective chairs. “Snowfall was all set to cast her spell that would erase Hearth's Warming Eve for all time when a voice from the hearth caught her attention....” “You sure you wanna go through with this?” A voice called out to Snowfall. “Huh?! Who's there?!” Snowfall responded in shock and surprise hearing this voice as she looked around the room wondering where it came from as an apple shaped bubble rose from the cauldron, followed by the appearance of the ghost taking the appearance of a pony dressed up in cowpony attire. "The Spirit of Hearth's Warmin' Past, that's who. And you and me have got to have us a little chat." The spirit spoke, rising out of the cauldron and appearing in front of Snowfall. “A spirit?!” Snowfall exclaimed in surprise before eyeing and inspecting the spirit suspiciously. “I didn't cast any spirit summoning spell. What are you doing here? “You don't think a spell like that would get by without some powerful forces noticin'? You've got our attention, Snowfall Frost, and we've got some pretty strong opinions on this spell of yours.” The spirit calmly responded as she casually walks right through her causing Snowfall to feel a chill up her spine as she walked up to the window. “"We"?“ Snowfall asked confused by what she meant by that. “They'll be along in a bit. For now, it's just you and me.” The spirit said as she opened the window and placed her top hat on her head. “Let's get a move on. We got a ton to see and barely any time to see it.” “I'm not going anywhere. I've got a spell to cast, and I don't need a history lesson about Hearth's Warming Eve.” Snowfall laughed off as she turned back to her cauldron. “We aren't goin' to the past to learn about the holiday. We're goin' to learn about you.” The spirit clarified as she used a lasso to rope Snowfall so she can literally force her along the trip as she yelps as the spirit forcibly drags her in the sky. “Sounds a lot like Applejack to me.” Twilight noted as she sipped her hot cocoa with Spike. “As a young thing, life sure is somethin' You go makin' choices large and small.” The spirit of Heart’s Warming past sang as she teleported through the sky into another time in the past to a village in the mountains. “Always growin' like a seedlin' And playin' is like dreamin' And before you know it, big and tall.” She sang as the spirit circled around a tree to turn it into a baby seeding and as they walked through the outskirts of the nearby town. “And every little bitty choice you make Sends you down a path to who you are today So let's take a little trip down memory lane And see just what the past has to say.” The spirit sang as the two walked into the village and watched as little fillies ran around cheerfully playing and running around as a couple run up to a young Snowfall who is much more cheerful and happier wearing a pink school outfit. “Aw, look how cute you were. Looks like you're not too upset it's Hearth's Warming Eve either.” The spirit of Hearth’s Warming past noted as she sees Young Snowfall helping put up the decorations. “The seeds of the past They grow pretty fast Just look at who you were back then.” The spirit of Hearth’s Warming past sang as they see a Young Snowfall handing every pony presents before trotting off with the Hearth’s Warmings decorations in tow with her grownup-self looking a little downcast at seeing her happy days drowned out with bitterness. “The seeds, as they grow Look what they can show Reveal the truth time and again.” She concluded her song as they teleport to the classroom where Young Snowfall is carrying the decorations into as she starts setting up the decorations just as a gray unicorn with a matching mane wearing a black sweater walks in as Young Snowfall accidentally hangs a star ornament on his horn. “Just what do you think you're doing, Snowfall?” He bitterly and grimly asked of her. “Decorating the classroom for Hearth's Warming Eve, Professor Flintheart!” Young Snowfall kindly answered as her professor lifts the ornament off of his horn. “You said you wanted to learn to be a powerful unicorn, did you not?” He grumpily asked the young filly. “I do!” Young Snowfall brightly answered. “And what is the way that one becomes a powerful unicorn?” He asked her sounding a little sharper than before startling Young Snowfall a little. “Work hard, learn, and use your skills to better Equestria.” Young Snowfall positively answered with a bright-eyed grin. While watching this, the spirit of Hearth’s Warming Past eyes the grown-up Snowfall who grins in embarrassment seeing that she wasn’t always a unicorn who cared very little for the holidays as they watch the scene unfold. “And how do these help you to learn magic?” Professor Flintheart scoffed at the thought that this bright-eyed filly actually thinks that celebrating the holiday is worth the time and effort. “I want to be strong enough to stop windigos and help ponies!” Young Snowfall still positively replied. “That's just a story we tell little ponies. Real magic takes time to learn.” Professor Flintheart bitterly scoffed again as he shatters the ornament with his magic saddening Young Snowfall by his lack of holiday spirit as he places the bow back in the box. “It's your choice. Spend your time learning to become a powerful unicorn or play with your toys and make nothing of yourself.” He callously disregards the decorations and Young Snowfall’s feeling with a simple kick aside to the box of decorations leaving Young Snowfall feeling hurt and crushed by his hurtful words. “Then some distress, words so careless Standin' there, you don't know what to do Feelin' helpless, you can't make it hurt less So you go and change your point of view.” The spirit of Hearth’s Warming past sang as Young Snowfall makes her way to the nearby window where her friends are playing. They all take notice of her as they run up to the window seeking for her to play with them. “And in that moment, though you didn't know it Your defenses set up walls you built to last Leading to the pony you've become today And the spell you're about to cast It all comes from your past.” The spirit sang as Young Snowfall bitterly closes the curtains in refusal to have fun with them and tosses the decorations in the trash before gathering her books at her desk so she can study surprising the ponies outside by sudden cold attitude. “The seeds of the past We grow up so fast Some hurts never go away.” Snowfall sang as solemnly and tearfully sees the sight of her younger self doing the same with regret and pain. “The seeds, as they grow This we can't let go All tied to this one holiday.” The spirit of Hearth’s Warming Past solemnly sang as they backed away from the now bitter filly as she focuses on her studies. “Well at least neither you nor me were disheartened to the part we dropped celebrating the holiday all together.” Twilight noted as she felt sympathy for Snowfall there as Moon Dancer nodded in agreement as she continues with Minuette, Lemon Hearts, and Twinkleshine all joining in on listening as walk up and watch peering over the couch Twilight and Spike were sitting on. The next thing Snowfall knows she is back in the present day in the very same room she was in looking at her boiling cauldron over the fireplace. “Spirit? What am I supposed to—“ Snowfall said out loud as she looked around for the spirit of Hearth’s Warming past when she is suddenly greeted to the sight of a large present following by the sound of confetti launching with another pony figure appearing from emerging from the opening present. “Snowfall Frost! It is I, the Spirit of Hearth's Warming Presents!” The spirit ominously told with a smile on her face. “Um, don't you mean "Present", like the time?” Snowfall corrected her. “No! Toys, Hearth's Warming doll... Here, want a cupcake?” Pinkie responded as she offered Snowfall a toy, Hearth’s warming doll and cupcake in that order as Snowfall grabbed ahold of it with her magic. “Fine, "Presents". All of the pointless things ponies waste their time on.” Snowfall begrudgingly replied as she tossed her offered gifts in the nearby trash can. “Oh, Snowfall, it's not what the gift is that matters, it's what the gift means!” The Spirit of Hearth’s Warming Present replied as she retrieved the presents from the trash bin. “It doesn't mean anything. It's just stuff!” Snowfall replied with a face-hoof to herself sounding a little annoyed at this point. “Exactly! Sometimes a cupcake means "I love you!"” She said as she hugged the cupcake. “Or a toy means "Hi, how're you doing?"” She said as she holds up the toy. “Sometimes a book means "Your mane looks amazing!"” She said as she held up the book and tossed it over her head. “And sometimes a scarf means... Well, a scarf usually means you look cold. That one's easy.” She added as a light blue scarf fell onto the back of her neck. “I don't understand anything you're saying.” Snowfall commented still sounding confused with little interest. “Whoa! Whoa!” The spirit exclaimed as she trembled around. “What's happening to you?!” Snowfall questioned the spirit. “My Spirit of Hearth's Warming Presents Sense is going off! That means a song is coming on!” The Spirit cheerfully exclaimed as she pushed a reluctant Snowfall out the door. “That sure sounds a lot like Pinkie Pie to me!” Minuette happily said as she listens to the story and turns to Spike as he takes another sip from his hot cocoa. “At least this means if you got a book that means your scales are amazing.” She said to the young dragon who gives a smile as he leans his head on Twilight’s shoulder as she kindly strokes his scales as Moon Dancer continues reading. “Take a look at everything around you All the smells that surely will astound you Open up your heart, it will surround you In the magic of Hearth's Warming Eve.” The spirit of Hearth’s Warming Presents as she showed her the presents and baked goods being prepared for the holiday and then showed her the decorations being set up all around town before hanging a wreath around her neck to which Snowfall gives her an annoyed look in response. “The little things that make it better Little ponies spreading cheer.” She sang as she showed Snowfall one pony giving a cold and a homeless pony hot cocoa and fillies singing carols for an elderly pony at the doorstep. “Give a toy, a hug, a sweater Memories that last all year.” She sang as the town ponies all danced around and stopping Snowfall from backing away from the crowd. “The present's always filled with presents Large, medium, and small.” She sang as she showed large, medium, and small sized wrapped boxes in that order. “Sometimes the most important things Aren't very big at all.” She sang as she magically replaced a little filly’s crutch with tap-dancing shoes as they both tap-dance to the beat before Snowfall finds herself facing another decorated house. “What a party, there's so much to see here Can't believe you didn't want to be here You'd have had a blast, I guarantee here This is the spirit of Hearth's Warming Eve.” She sang as they witness the party Snow Dash is at who is happily spending time with her friends on Hearth’s Warming Eve. “Cider's flowing, this is living.” She sang as she toasted a cup of cider with another pony. “Come on and feel the beat.” She sang as she danced on the stage where the band is playing their music. “Life is better when you're giving Each time you do it feels so sweet.” She sang as she helped deliver presents to the growing pile of presents in the center of the room. “The present's always filled with presents So come on, open your eyes.” She sang as she stood on top of the tower as Snowfall comes inside. “Spend time with ponies just like you And watch your spirits rise The present's always filled with presents Take a look around the reason for the holiday. Is quite easily found.” She sang as she slided down from the tower of presents before giving every pony their presents including Snowfall as the spirit emerges from said present. “Yes, the reason for the holiday Is quite easily found And the reason is to be with your friends!” "And the reason is to be with your friends!" Twilight sang to the song as she mimicked Pinkie Pie. When she had stopped, she noticed her friends were eying her suspiciously with amused smirks. "What?" She asked. “You know you're doing your Pinkie Pie voice, right?" Moon Dancer’s sister told her with a knowing smirk. "I was not!" Twilight denied as she blushed and grinned in embarrassment and looked away as Spike couldn't help but giggle himself. “Sure you were.” Lyra sarcastically commented as she futilely tried to hide her embarrassment. “Yes you were Twilight!” Minuette giggled along with Twinkleshine and Lemon Hearts seeing through her attempted denial. “So, what happens next?" Twilight asked hoping to get back on track with the story. “Well the party was---“ Moon Dancer began as Spike suddenly interrupted. "Wait! Can we take a quick break? I need to refill my cocoa." Twilight groaned but relented to his request. "Fine.” She obliged as Spike ran off to do so. “But hurry up! We're almost to the best part!" She called out to him as he ran off ahead. Fortunately for everypony, Spike wasn't gone for long. He returned shortly with a full mug of hot cocoa with marshmallows. "Okay, I'm ready." He said to Twilight as she and Moon Dancer rolled their eyes with Twilight’s more amused than annoyed as the latter cleared her throat ready to narrate. "The party was in full swing. And all Snowfall Frost could do, was watch." As the party went on, Snow Dash was seemingly like the only pony was wasn’t having any fun as she stands with a cup of cider in her hood. “Snowdash!” A mare wearing a red holiday dress called out to her with a Pegasus pony wearing a light green dress walks beside her. “Hey, Merry.” Snow Dash said with a sigh. “Why, whatever is the matter, darling?” The unicorn inquired. “Was it the eggnog? Oh, I knew I put in too much cinnamon!” The Pegasus worryingly wondered. “Oh, no, the eggnog was awesome, Flutterholly.” Snow Dash reassured her before crossing her arms as she focuses on what’s really bugging her. “I'm just mad at somepony who was complaining about how awful Hearth's Warming Eve is.” “I don't suppose that pony's name starts with "Snow"?” Merry asked. “And ends with "Frost"?” Flutterholly finished. “She said Hearth's Warming Eve is just an excuse to party, and we would all be better off spending time working to make Equestria a better place.” She voiced her disgust as the crowd boos at said unicorn’s distaste for the holidays after having heard what Snow Dash said leaving Snow Frost taken aback by their jeering as the spirit of Hearth’s Warming Presents gently nudges at her. “What does Snowfall think a better Equestria looks like?” Merry asked wondering what her vision is. “Ponies working hard, learning, and using their abilities for the benefit of Equestria.” Snow Dash answered as both her friends giggle at seeing what Snow Frost solely focuses on spending her time seeing it as a waste of time leaving Snow Frost looking hurt from hearing that as she sees a snowball land in front of the window. She turned and saw a group of fillies having a snowball fight as they completed creating a snowpony. “It looks like we've got everything on Snowfall's list right here.” Merry told Flutterholly as they looked out the window. “I think a perfect Equestria looks a lot like a Hearth's Warming Eve party.” Flutterholly said in agreement as they closed the curtain leaving Snow Frost tearing up hearing them say that Equestria would be better off without her or if she never existed at all. “Me too! Too bad it's going to be the last one ever! Ever! Ever! Ever!” The spirit of Heart’s Warming Presents sympathetically said before ominously disappearing in the fog that had just appeared. “Spirit? What do you mean? What's going to happen?!” Snow Frost wondered as she tried to follow after her yet finds herself in the middle of a frozen tundra with snow all around the area as she finds herself facing a giant spirit with a horn on her head covered in darkness as the wind blows around her. “Who are you?” Snow Frost questioned as she nervously backs up a bit. “I am the Spirit of Hearth's Warming Yet to Come.” The spirit answered as she spread out her wings to reveal she is an alicorn spirit similar to Princess Luna. “Are you here to show me what future Hearth's Warming Eves are like?” Snow Frost nervously asked as she is facing the very strong winds as snow falls down onto the ground. “No, for there are no more Hearth's Warming Eves for me to show.” The spirit grimly answered. “Why not?” Snow Frost wondered why. “You will succeed in erasing the holiday, as you wished.” The spirit answered as her head emerged from the shadows. “And what happens?” Snow Frost asked what she means by that. “I see a cold wind blowing through I see days neither fun nor free I see a future caused by you I see a path not meant to be.” She sang as she showed Snow Frost the frozen tundra while pointing an hoof at her direction as Snow Frost backs herself up on the edge of the cliff as the blizzard grows stronger. “The future should be filled with magic Dreams and wishes brought to life.” The spirit Hearth's Warming Yet to Come sang as she showed an image two ponies happily having a good time dancing together. “But the days ahead are dark and tragic No time for hope when all is strife.” She sang Snow Frost walks up as the spirit makes the image disappear into thin air before directing facing Snow Frost. “Whatever might have been All the dreams that ponies share Because of you, Snowfall Frost Now the future is a cold nightmare.” She sang as the Windigos floating blew by with the wind. “Windigos?! They aren't real! It's just a little filly's story!” Snow Frost exclaimed in surprise trying not to believe what she had just saw. “They are all too real, Snowfall.” The spirit firmly told her that the Windigos are in fact real. “And your actions will allow them to return. The future of Equestria shall be bathed in a blanket of eternal snow!” She warned Snow Frost as she disappeared into the darkness and the blizzard. “No! I never meant for this to happen! I didn't understand! I didn't see how important Hearth's Warming Eve was!” Snow Frost protested as she laid down onto the snow covering her eyes pleading for forgiveness. “Please, spirit! I haven't cast the spell yet! Is there still time?! I'm sorry!” She exclaimed in tears as she covered her eyes from the horrible future. After another bright flash of light, Snow Frost opens and uncovers her eyes to see she is back in her home. She opens the nearby window to her balcony in relief to see that the terrible future she was about unleash hasn’t happened yet seeing ponies gathering around one who is ringing a bell seeking charity donations. “There's still time!” Snow Frost exclaimed in relief and happiness as she rushes off to do something while she still can. Back at the party Merry and Flutter Holly answered the door when they heard a knock. They both answered the door where they are greeted with a face they never expected to see at all. “Oh, my.” Merry exclaimed in surprise. “Snowfall Frost?” Flutter Holly exclaimed just as surprised. “I was hoping I wasn't too late for the party? I brought gifts.” Snow Frost humbly explained herself as she levitated wrapped presents with her magic. The music abruptly stopped upon everypony seeing her along with Snow Dash doing a spit-take from his cup of cider upon seeing her. “Boss?!” Snow Dash exclaimed in surprise at her unexpected appearance as she walks inside. “I was wrong earlier, about Hearth's Warming Eve. It's not all about singing and presents. The singing and presents are all about celebrating the ponies in our lives. The ponies we should listen to more often: our friends.” Snow Dash explained her apology as she approached Snow Dash. “Wow.” Snow Dash commented in astonishment as Snow Frost levitates every pony gifts. Snow Dash opens her gift with her teeth to reveal a bottle of some kind of potion. “Dragon toenail? Uh... thanks?” She awkwardly and politely thanked her boss. “I was in a hurry. I'll do better next time.” Snow Frost responded sounding a little apologetic for her hasty gift giving. “Ha. You kidding? No one's ever given me dragon toenail before!” Snow Dash expressed her great appreciation for her boss’s gift to her. “It's awesome! Now come get some eggnog!” She motioned Snow Frost, Merry, and Flutter Holly to follow her so they could go get some eggnog. “And from then on, it was always said of all the Hearth's Warming Eve celebrations, Snowfall's was the Hearth's Warmingest.” Moon Dance narrated as Snow Dash gives Snow Frost a cup of eggnog to which she graciously accepts. “The end.” Moon Dancer concluded as she closed the book. “Well, Twilight, what did you think?” “That was pretty amazing.” Twilight complimented. “Like a holiday version of my past self learning her lesson before she committed the biggest mistake of her life right down to her biggest sin.” “And that’s why I figured you would love it.” Moon Dancer said as she levitated the book to her. “Consider this your Hearth’s Warming present, Twilight.” “Really?” Twilight asked sounding touched by her offering. “Gosh! Thanks!” She thanked her friend as they embraced each other for a hug. “And I can assure you that this will be a book I will definitely be reading every Hearth’s Warming every year going forward!” “Me too!” Spike eagerly spoke up as he finished his hot cocoa. “That was a great story! By the way, were some of the characters from the story inspired by Twilight’s friends because their names were awfully similar to theirs?” “Yes, Spike they were.” Moon Dancer simply answered as both she and Twilight eye at him as if he was asking a trick question while Minuette, Lemon Hearts, Twinkleshine, and Lyra all chuckle amused at Spike being clueless. Moon Dancer’s sister approached Twilight with a look of regret on her face. “Twilight...” Moon Dancer’s sister began as she nervously rubbed her hoof on her other front hoof as Twilight watches intently. “I just wanted to say I’m sorry what I said to you earlier. I shouldn’t have made those unfair remarks at you.” “It’s all right.” Twilight shrugged it off as it’s no big deal. “But I gotta ask was it because you are still stinging from what I did to you and Moon Dancer’s parents?” “A little of both.” Moon Dancer’s sister ashamedly answered as she briefly looked away. “It’s just that when you became the Princess of Friendship I felt you were left off easy for your crimes as Midnight.” “Truthfully I thought so too when my friends forgave me for what I did. And even though I became the Princess of Friendship and all is forgiven I still have to answer for my crimes such as giving personal apologies to every pony killed from that train explosion and attending their funerals as well as for lying to every pony for pretending I was dead at the time.” Twilight acknowledged Moon Dancer’s thoughts as she speaks. “But why did they forgive you?” Moon Dancer’s sister asked the alicorn. “Two reasons.” Twilight began with a raised hoof. “One, because I saved all of Equestria from Lord Tirek. And two, because the girls felt they were to blame too.” She explained as Moon Dancer’s sister listens while trying to follow what she was saying as she recalls the wedding flashbacks. “Because they walked out on me in a time of need after my brother banned me from the wedding after rightfully accusing Princess Cadance who was really Queen Chrysalis of being evil which was only confirmed when she sent underground. It was a miracle that she didn’t kill me when she had the chance.” She said as Moondancer’s sister now looks at Twilight sympathetically. “Even though I didn’t handle it well by not providing solid proof to back up my accusations they weren’t in right too as they should have at least heard me out. If they hadn’t been so focused on the wedding the whole crisis could have been averted and even so in the end we all made mistakes on our parts and made amends in the end.” “I’m so sorry.” Moondancer’s sister apologized as tears formed around her eyes now feeling guilty for lashing out at Twilight like that. “I never knew you went through so much pain back then. “It’s okay.” Twilight assured her it’s no big deal as she hands her a tissue with her magic. “Point being everypony made a mistake that lead to dark times happening and that true friends forgive each other no matter what.” Moondancer’s sister then was brought in for a hug by Twilight to let her know that she forgives her for bringing up her past harshly like that to which she returns. “Like sister, like sister.” Twinkleshine said as she and the others watch the touching reconciliation scene. “You said it.” Lyra said in agreement. “A heartwarming scene to behold.” Lemon Hearts agreed to as Minuette spoke up. “Speaking of heartwarming.” Minuette brought up happily. “How about we go to the kitchen to make some cinnamon buns and gingerbread cookies.” “Sounds like a great idea!” Twilight immediately voiced her support of the idea. “How about the rest of you?” She asked who all nod their heads, up for it. “Let’s go!” Minuette raced of ahead with Twinkleshine, Lyra, and Lemon Hearts following after her as the others. “Thank you for inviting us over for Hearth’s Warming, Twilight.” Moon Dancer thanked the alicorn. “This is the most fun I had in years.” “You're welcome.” Twilight replied as she turned to her sister. “And thank you for finding it in your heart to forgive me.” “Well, it’s like what you taught me.” Moon Dancer’s sister replied with a shrug. “Forgive and let go. Turn the other cheek. Listen to both sides of the sorry before passing judgement.” “And that’s the Twilight everypony knows and loves.” Spike added with a raised finger as everypony in the room laughs as they heard some clutter from downstairs in the kitchen and some muffled screaming as Lyra runs into the library. “Girls?!” Lyra exclaimed as she ran inside the room in an urgent manner. “What’s wrong?” Twilight asked wondering what the commotion is all about. “Nothing expect for the fact that Lemon Hearts got her head stuck in a measuring cup.” Lyra explained with a bewildered expression on her face. The girls and Spike all have varying reactions of surprise on their faces as they all wonder how she even managed that...again. “Don’t worry I’ll help her out.” Twilight responded with an amused expression as she rushed over to the kitchen by flying over the railing as the other girls laughs as they follow after her. “Some things never change.” Moon Dancer sarcastically said as she rolled her eyes as the other girls laughed as they all made their way down the stairs as fast as they could so they could help her out of her predicament too.