//------------------------------// // A Day of Warming Hearths // Story: Sunset's Love Life - Holidays Together // by Lil Sunny //------------------------------// The morning came and Spike was racing around the castle trying to wake everyone. Twilight had insisted that presents wouldn't be opened until everyone was up that morning. Everyone sleepily walked into the living area where the tree had been set up with all the presents beneath it. A tradition Midnight knew about as it was the same as Christmas. Midnight spoke first. "Wow the decorations look great, I didn't really get a good look before. We didn't bring you guys anything though sorry, I guess in all the hype for Sunset seeing Princess Twilight again we kinda forgot." "Didn't we?" Said Sunset with a smirk. She levitated presents from under the tree for Twilight, Spike, Starlight, Trixie, Shining Armor and Cadence and of course Flurry Heart. Twilight was given a book about the traditions in Sunset's world, Spike a large ruby, Starlight and Trixie recieved matching scarves. Shining and Cadence were given a day pass to Ponyville Spa that Twilight had given Sunset on her last visit but she never used. Flurry Heart recieved a small plush pony, orange in color like Sunset. She squeezed it tight and flew over to give Sunset and Midnight a hug each. "I know you normally like to organize everything honey, but I thought since we were going to visit my friends that I should be the one to make sure we had everything ready this time." Midnight smiled at Sunset and kissed her on the cheek. "I guess I must be rubbing off on you Sunny." The two didn't go without recieving their own gifts however. Twilight giving them matching scarves too, however these were enchanted by alicorn magic to change size and shape in the other world. Cadence had planned to give a hoof stitched blanket to Twilight but she insisted it went to Sunset and Midnight instead, Twilight also enchanted it so it would resize through the portal. Even Starlight upon hearing Sunset was coming to visit baked them a traditional Hearth's Warming cake. "Trixie was a great assistant while Starlight baked that you know." She arrogantly proclaimed. "If by Assistant you mean sneaking tiny bits of the mixture into your mouth and licking the spoon, then yes you were." Starlight answered back with a smirk. "Trixie has no idea what you're talking about." She sheepishly said, sinking away beside Starlight. The whole room erupted in laughter. Sunset and Midnight decided to take a walk outside as Twilight, Starlight and Cadence began preparing a feast for them all. Trixie was using her tricks to entertain Flurry Heart while Spike and Shining Armor began discussing something none of the ladies had any interest in hearing. "Probably talking about Hoofball or something." Cadence said giggling. Outside, properly attired this time with scarves and hats. Midnight and Sunset walked through the decorated town, a few others were outside their own homes building snow ponies and throwing snowballs. A stray snowball almost collided with Midnight but she managed to catch it with her magic at the last second and fired it back hitting a young colt in the face. He stood up laughing and apologized for almost hitting them. "Wow Midnight, back home you're barely able to use your magic, and yet you seem to have no problem here in Equestria." "I've been feeling a little stronger recently in terms of my magic, I don't know why. Can we sit down somewhere, I have to tell you something." They found a bench and sat together. "What's up sweetie?" Sunset inquired. "Well you know we had a fight and I snapped at you. I'm still sorry for that by the way. But over the last day or two I've felt this presence inside me, it's strong and it kept telling me you never loved me. I think i was just about able to overcome it and see the truth in Bon Bon's living room that night but I'm afraid the voice will come back. The worst part is, I recognize the voice. I heard it once before, when the magic corrupted me at the friendship games. I-I think Midnight Sparkle might be trying to take over again." Sunset looked genuinely concerned at her girlfriend beside her who was by this point in tears. She enveloped her in a hug and spoke softly. "Midnight. No, Twilight. It's ok. I'll be here through whatever hardships come your way, we're a couple and I won't leave you over something like that. If she is trying to take over then we can fight her together just like we did back then." Midnight sniffed, "T-thanks Sunny. I'm glad you're here for me." They decided to head back to the castle where they were directed to the dining room and in front of them lay a vast assortment of foods. A large Casserole, all sorts of vegetables and plenty of different varieties of jams and chutneys as well as traditional bread stuffing. Everyone plated up their own food and began eating. There was plenty for all and plenty of leftovers stored away for the immediate future. Two large pies, one apple and one cherry were cooling in the kitchen as the ponies made their way to the living area. They were stuffed but they all knew they would find a little extra room somewhere for some dessert later. "Man I couldn't eat another bite" Sunset said picking her teeth Flurry heart had been given a small amount of food along with some baby food so as to not upset her stomach and was currently being fed by Cadence. Trixie and Starlight had fallen asleep. Shining Armor was staring starry eyed at his daughter while Twilight just beamed at the whole room. Midnight of course was cuddled up to Sunset. Midnight spoke. "I've had a great time, and I'd love to come back someday for a visit certainly. I'm sure Sunset wouldn't mind either." "I'd love to honey and I'm glad you had a good time. It's a shame we've got to leave tomorrow morning I've been enjoying my time here." "True Sunny, but we have other friends to celebrate with remember?" "Yeah I know. Doesn't stop me wishing for a little more time here." "Well let's make the most of our time here while we have it." Midnight finished kissing her girlfriend's muzzle. The two began to kiss passionately before a giggle from Cadence reminded them they were presently with company. "Oh don't mind us you two lovebirds. It's just so nice to see a couple truly in love." After a slice of pie each. Everyone retired to their rooms for the night. Midnight however didn't fare to well in the land of dreams, with the haunting visage of Midnight Sparkle giving her quite the nightmare. "Why are you fighting me? You know I'm who you want to be deep down, I'm stronger than anyone in our world, embrace my power and none could stop us. You could learn everything your heart desired and conquer every land that you wanted to." "No, stop! Maybe once I would've done anything for knowledge, but I've changed, I'm not you anymore and you are not me!" Midnight's form dissipated and was to be replaced by a striking blue alicorn with a black blotch on her flank containing a moon and stars for a cutie mark. "I know young Twilight that you are not of this world, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't give you guidance while you are here. Tell me, what troubles you?" "I'm sure Princess Twilight told you about what I did at the friendship games in my world. The demon that corrupted me never truly left, no matter what I do I can't get rid of her." "I know too the pain of regret, of taking a form that represents the worst of your qualities and almost dooming an entire world. Once upon a time I was known as Nightmare Moon, and she would still haunt me to this day had Princess Twilight not convinced me to embrace her and forgive myself. She is part of me, part I would discard given the chance, but also part I had to embrace. This demon may not be who you truly are, but she is part of you, and she will haunt your dreams forever unless you accept that and forgive yourself for what happened." "Wait a minute." Twilight thought "You're Luna right? Sunset told me about the beautiful night skies you crafted for this world. She never mentioned you had a dark past though." "Sadly she was not born when I was first vanquished, nor was she in this world when I returned. She likely didn't know of it." "If a great pony like you can accept your dark past and forgive yourself for a brighter future, why can't I?" "It is not easy young one, but in time I'm sure you can manage it. You have a light beside you to brighten up even the darkest of midnights after all." The sleeping form of Sunset materialized in her dream, a vision from Luna. "You're right,It might take a while. But I'm sure I can overcome this with Sunset by my side. Thank you Princess Luna." Luna smiled and disappeared into the dreamscape. Twilight slept peacefully until the morning. In the morning Sunset was already awake and staring into her eyes. "Morning sleepy head, sleep well?" "Not at first, I had a nightmare about Midnight Sparkle. But then Princess Luna came into my dream and told me all about how she was a monster once too, and she forgave herself and embraced that part of her moving on to a better future. She said you wouldn't have known about it though." "I didn't. I knew she was around when I came through the portal once and Twilight brought me to reconcile with Celestia. I never knew Celestia had a sister. But the topic of her past never came up." "Well I hope I can overcome her influence someday." "You'll never have to face her alone, remember that. You have me and all our friends and we'll never let you down." The two grabbed a quick breakfast before packing away their presents and heading back through the portal. Once they adjusted to being human again Sunset checked her phone which had re-appeared and confirmed time and date as 10 AM December 24th. Christmas Eve.