//------------------------------// // Holiday Folktales, Part 1 // Story: Good Times in Equestria: Thomas’s First Hearth’s Warming Eve // by GoebelTron //------------------------------// Meanwhile, at Twilight’s castle, Starlight and Spike were almost done decorating the castle with festive Hearth’s Warming Eve decorations since they were going to invite their friends over tomorrow for a hangout. Twilight was really excited, “Okay, so we’ve got the decorations, the tree, and pretty much everything. Now, I just need to come up with a dessert, but what would be a delectable? Cupcakes? Nah. Cookies? Nope. Pies? Pastries? Pudding? *gasps* WAIT! PUUUUUUUUUUUUDDING!” She then found a book about Hearth’s Warming traditions, and found the part that she was looking for. “After defeating the Windigos, the Earth pony, pegasus and unicorn nations prepared the first Hearth’s Warming meal together. Chancellor Puddinghead made a pudding so delicious, legends were written all about it! This will totally be the best dessert ever! But I probably should...” Twilight was cut off by a knock on the door. “That’s odd,” Starlight said. “Let’s go see who it is,” Twilight said, and then she and Starlight trotted over to the door. When they opened it, they saw Thomas softly shivering and carrying a few presents in a small sack tied onto a sled. “Thomas? What are you doing here?” Starlight asked. “S-S-Sorry t-to-to dis-d-d-d-dist-disturb you or anyt-th-thi-thing... b-b-but I j-j-just want-w-w-wanted t-t-to d-dr-dr-drop off-f-f a f-f-fe-few p-p-pre-pres-presents-s-s f-for y-y-you,” Thomas said while shivering. “Oh...” Twilight said, then she smirked with a warm thoughtful brow after seeing how cute he looked with his winter gear. “Why don’t you come inside? You look like you’re freezing to death.” Thomas nodded and then Starlight helped him carry the presents inside. “I’ll sent Fluttershy a letter,” Twilight said. “Come on, honey. Let’s go sit on the couch by the fire,” Starlight said, and then she lifted Thomas up with her hoof and carried him to the couch, and after Thomas took off his winter gear, and set them on a hanger, and she laid on four legs and brought him against her chest with a comforting embrace. “Feel warm?” Thomas nodded. Twilight then came back with a blanket and then he felt Starlight wrap her hooves underneath the blanket and over him. “So, what brings you over?” Starlight asked. “I kinda wish I knew what Hearth’s Warming meant to me, but sometimes I feel like I should skip it, but I don’t want to,” Thomas said. “I just feel like I might not get presents like every year because of the other kids taking all the presents before me.” Twilight and Starlight felt sorry for his pain. “Oh, sweetie. I’m so sorry. You know you’re always welcome to talk to us,” Twilight said. Thomas nodded, and then wiped his eyes full of tears, until Starlight hugged him. Twilight then thought of an idea after seeing him feeling the case of holiday blues, “Thomas? Would you like to hear the right Hearth’s Warming story yet?” “What story?” Thomas asked. “We’ll, besides the origin of the holiday, which is about how our three tribes, earth ponies, unicorns and pegasi forming together to stop the mythical windigos, I was referring to my personal favorite holiday story, which is one I’ve read many times. ‘A Hearth’s Warming Tail’!” Twilight said. “Oh, I love that one!” Spike said. “I’ve never heard that one either, but I’d like to hear it,” Starlight said. “Can you read it to me?” Thomas asked. Twilight nodded, “Of course I can.” She then leaned down on her forelegs and let him climb on her back and then they began walking. “Let’s go see if I have it hidden somewhere.” Twilight led Spike, Thomas and Starlight over to the castle library and then took their spots on the couch. Twilight then motioned her hoof over to him and Thomas then crawled over and sat on her lap and nuzzled against her fur as she placed her wing over him as another blanket. Starlight then brought over some mugs of hot cocoa and then took her seat. Twilight then got out the aforementioned book down from the shelf, and then handed each of them some hot cocoa mugs. “Thomas? I also brought some cookies from Sugarcube Corner, but since these are the last ones from this box and have more for tomorrow, how’d you like to have them?” Thomas nodded, and then Twilight handed her nephew a small dish where the sugar cookies were placed, and they were soft, and covered with white icing and red and green sprinkles. “And in case you both didn’t know, it’s also been a Sparkle family tradition for many generations while growing up,” Twilight said, while comforting Thomas. “When me and Shining Armor were your age, Mom or Dad would read this book to us every Hearth’s Warming Eve to make us smile and have lots of spirits in our hearts. I even found a copy for the library before I would ask Mom to borrow it.” “Wow...” Thomas said. Spike sat down next to her, and then Twilight began to tell her nephew about the story as she flipped open the book while he held and hugged her hoof for comfort. “Okay, so this is the story of a powerful unicorn named Snowfall Frost, who hated Hearth’s Warming Eve so much. In fact, the whole entire Hearth’s Warming season. That is, until one fateful night with some unexpected guests.” “Hey! Just like that book A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens!” Thomas exclaimed, as he recognized the plot. “You’ve heard of this story?!” Spike asked, “Yeah! One of the nuns would read me and the other orphans that story back at the orphanage, but I never even knew you had another version like that one!” Thomas said. “Aww...” Twilight said, as Thomas got a little bit excited while squirming. “Okay, settle down. How about if we cuddle while I read the story?” Thomas nodded, and then cuddled with her wrapped in the blanket and had his hot chocolate and cookies while she placed her hoof in front of him. She then cleared her throat and began, “It all began many moons ago in Canterlot. ‘Twas the afternoon of Hearth’s Warming Eve, every home in Canterlot was filled with holiday spirit. Well, every home, except one. That... of Snowfall Frost.” Snowfall Frost was a lot like Starlight, but she wore a dark purplish magenta tuxedo tailcoat with a white truffle collar shirt and blackish purple neck band underneath, a pair of gold spherical glasses, and white hoof covers over her hind hooves. “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—” “We get it. Star Swirl's awesome,” Spike narrated. “Right,” Twilight 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.” Snowfall read a page of how to turn a rock of coal into gold, and then concentrated all of her magic by turning that coal into goal, but somehow got startled and lost concentration when she heard bells ringing, and then gasped at the broken piece of coal, until she saw bit collectors ringing bells in the street while walking, “Well, that batch is ruined. Ash Hatchet!” “Ash Hatchet was short for Ashley Hatchet, and she was Snowfall’s loyal assistant,” Twilight narrated, and she looked like Rainbow Dash, but she wore a reddish white long sleeve shirt with a grayish purple vest, a orange bow tie, and holed gloves on her hooves. “Yeah, boss? What do you need?” Ash Hatchet asked politely. Snowfall then gave Ash a broom with her magic and pointed at the broken coal pieces, “Get this mess cleaned up, now if you please. Those foolish and pathetic ponies were ringing those blasted bells outside the window once again and I’ve lost my concentration! That’s something I cannot tolerate at all!” Ash then sighed and cleaned up the mess with the broom, realizing her boss was not the kind of pony you wouldn’t want to waste time arguing with. “Wow. No wonder why nopony ever wanted to work with you,” she mumbled underneath her teeth. “Well, least you forget, I took you in as my new partner when nopony else would. And as so soon after my old partner passed away. So unless you wish to see your payments docked, I suggest that you keep your comments to yourself, Ash Hatchet! Now get back to work!” Snowfall snapped. Ash Hatchet then kept sweeping, “But I still don’t get it. Ponies actually enjoy Hearth’s Warming Eve. Where did they ever get that crazy idea?” Well, today is nothing to celebrate, if you ask me,” Snowfall replied. “Hearth's Warming Eve is a menace. A dangerous day for all of Equestria.” Ash somehow commented in protest, “Dangerous?! It's awesome! It's the day we remember how unicorns, Pegasi, and Earth ponies came together in friendship to defeat the windigos! Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten that?” “Bah humbug, that’s what I’d say!” Snowfall retorted with a sneering scoff. “That silly 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. The so called ‘magic of friendship’ they all peddled with never did anything for me, or anypony else as far as I could tell! Besides, I’ve got to where I was through hard work and determination, not through believing some silly old fairy tale that never held any actual relevance!” After finishing up sweeping the coal shards into the trash, she looked back at her boss, “I think you might be missing the point there, boss.” Snowfall then teleported towards Ash and spoke back, “Well, do you know what I believe in, Ash Hatchet? Work hard, learn, and use your skills to better Equestria. It’s done wonders for me, and that’s a worthy goal for any pony who wishes to strive for, so I’d advise you to keep the holiday in your way, and allow me to keep it to myself.” “But you can’t take it or keep it, boss. That’s not how it works,” Ash said. “Hmph. You’re right. I can’t keep it, otherwise I’d ask you to leave it alone for me,” Snowfall said, unti she sarcastically retorted, “But, by all means, if you want to go home early, ignore all of the work you have, and spend the rest—” “Sweet! Thanks, boss! Hope to see you at my big party tomorrow night!” Ash cut her off, as she already took off flying through the door. “Hey! I didn’t say you could leave!” Snowfall said, as it was too late for Ash to hear the rest of it. “Ugh! Great, now I’m forced to work alone on today and tomorrow of all days! I’ve no intention of being a guest at that ridiculous party! Unless I’d rather require to consume that much food and drink than anypony else,” she said, after looking at her stomach, imagining herself with a stuffed belly, and then shuddered after wiping away that thought. She then looked at the crowd below with a sternly cold stare, giving remarks to each other and then turned around with a growl, “I hate Hearth's Warming Eve! Indeed, in fact, I hate the whole entire Hearth’s Warming holiday! It’s a holiday fit for fools!” “And is that what we would all want, Snowfall? A land without happiness and cheer?” said a voice. Snowfall looked all around the room for the source of that noise, but couldn’t find it anywhere. “Who said that?!” she demandingly asked, stomping her hoof firmly on the ground. “Ash, I swear, this better not be another one of your ridiculous pranks! It isn’t funny!” “Now, is that anyway to say hello to an old friend?” the voice asked again. “Enough with this foolishness and ridiculousness of suspense! Who are you and what do you want from me?!” Snowfall demanded loudly, while looking around. “Show yourself!” All of a sudden, a few candles blew out, as a strong cloudy gust of cold wind swept into the room and Snowfall began to shiver as she placed a blanket over herself. “You mean, you don’t remember me at all, Snowfall? Well, I’m crushed. Really, I am. How soon that the high and mighty seem to forget. Well, I suppose I can’t blame you. It has been years, even a few decades ever since we’ve last spoken to each other. So, I’ll just get to the point.” Suddenly, a glowing pale light blue colored ghostly draconequus appeared, standing in the doorway as if it had just walked right through it. He was wearing a preowned finely tailored wool coat with bandages on his neck, hands and wrists, a truffle neck collar, and was shackled and wrapped in chains tied and locked with concrete blocks, heavy iron balls. Snowfall gasped in shock as she recognized the ghostly character and nearly jumped back in surprise, “Mr. Montgomery Dickson? Is it truly you?” “Why, indeed it is,” Mr. Dickson replied, as he floated forward, but he still forgot that he had both his legs and arms wrapped in shackled chains with heavy iron balls and concrete blocks, along with some locks. “Splendid to see you again, Snowfall.” “But... But it can’t be!” Snowfall said. “You’re dead! You’ve been dead for a long time, meaning after you left me without a note, and when the authorities found no trace of you!” “Well, as you can see, I’m alive in spirit form now, from a certain standpoint,” Mr. Dickson said in reply. “I also apologize for the crude state of my appearance, but this however wasn’t exactly my idea of a... how should I say... fashion statement. In fact, I’m also kind of not supposed to be here, since it’s strictly forbidden for me to speak to you in this physical form of all knowing existence, so naturally, I still have time to speak, so I’ll make it short. Even though I suspect it’s not long before the forces who gave me this form cuffed me up like an animal and forced me to leave. Do you have any idea how humiliating it is?” “Well, I’m truly and humbly sorry to hear that, but I don’t have much time to spare myself,” Snowfall said to Mr. Dickson. “But by all means, why have you decided to appear in front of my presence now of all times? What reason do you have to show your face before me?” Mr. Dickson then chuckled and laughed coldly, “Well, I’m glad you asked. Come closer.” Snowfall then walked closer to him, as he placed his talon arm onto her, as she ignored the gothic garments and chains around him. “I’ve come to warn you. As you can see, you’re heading down a very deep dark path, missy, and it’s one from which there is no going back. But the good news is that it’s not too late to save yourself, so if you act now, it may be possible to save your future, unless you’d rather end up like this.” “Okay, now I know I’m only hearing things! You’re sounding like those phony fortune telling gypsies that claim they can see the future!” Snowfall retorted, until she noticed his chains. “And did you have those chains when you came in?” “Oh, these? I was wondering when you’d notice somehow, Snowfall,” Mr. Dickson replied. “Perhaps, you remember so long ago, as your partner, I followed your beliefs and methods while standing by your side, and never, not even once, questioning them?” Snowfall nodded in reply, as Mr. Dickson then continued. “Well, somehow I was wrong, and so are you! These chains are my heavy price to pay, my unforgivable punishment, for I forged them in my life by my own actions. My own selfish, malicious and heinous acts of greed! Made them help me think about what I’ve done year after year! And I tell you, my dear Snowfall, you’d wear such accursed chains like these yourself, except you just don’t know it! They were still as long as this when I left you, and if you could see the size and weight of them now, you won’t even turn pale as me!” Snowfall scoffed at the so-called warning from Mr. Dickson’s words, “Oh, please, if I really had these chains, I’m sure I’d know of their existence before now. What makes you think this is gonna scare me?” Mr. Dickson only shook his head, “I tell you, Snowfall Frost, these chains are there and here to stay and they won’t go away so easily! Besides, everything you do is counted against you, as it was for me when I left my existence behind! This is my punishment, my burden, my penalty, my curse! I am doomed to walk down this path for all eternity to walk this path, forever chained up and restrained by my thoughtless, selfish ways! But take heed, for fate is on your side! My path may not change, but yours still might!” “Enough! Now please, no more of this nonsense, Mr. Dickson! I’m not scared so easily, and I won’t just abandon my ways because you say so!” Snowfall retorted coldly. “Whatever my fate awaits me in... wherever it is you are in now, I’ll answer for it when time comes. I appreciate having this talk though.” Dickson groaned, as he then screamed while rattling the chains as they began to pull on him as if the were alive, and Snowfall panicked. “Well, it seems I’ve less time to speak to you than I thought,” he said as he cornered Snowfall towards her desk. “But, I won’t be the only one talking to you tonight! Now listen carefully, Snowfall Frost! For the rest of tonight, you shall be visited by three more spirits! You hear me?! Three! Haunted if you prefer!” “Haunted?! I’ve already had enough of that ridiculous nonsense! I don’t believe in ghosts!” Snowfall protested. “Why can’t I just meet them now all at once, and be done with it?!” “Oh, no, no, no, no, no. That’s not how it works, because these ghostly spirits work in mysterious ways, Snowfall. Even more mysterious than myself,” Mr. Dickson cautioned. “But I’d pay more close attention to what they’ll have to say, because for without the help of the spirits and their ghostly gifts, you cannot hope to avoid the path that I made so long ago! When the first stroke of 10 arrives, expect the first of them to arrive soon. You’ll know when they’ll make their presence known to you! Good luck, Snowfall Frost, for you have been warned!” Mr. Dickson then vanished without a trace. A rush of warmer wind restored the candles to their normal bright flaming states as light came back to the workshop, as if Mr. Dickson had never been there at all. It somehow left Snowfall shaken a little, as she felt like she just saw a ghost. “Could he have been anymore cryptic and non informative?” Snowfall thought out loud while hanging the blanket back up, and before shaking her head. “My senses must be playing tricks on me. That sure looked like Mr. Dickson, but how do I know it was really him? Perhaps something I ate must’ve caused my mind to go crazy for a moment or two. But dare I say it, that was somehow far more of a huge gravy more than a grave about that spirit. Now then, where was I before I was so rudely interrupted? Let’s see...” Of course, it didn’t take long for Snowfall to be reminded of what enraged her earlier, “Oh yes, that’s right. Of course.” The sound of bells jingling and ponies giggling could be heard from miles and miles from her workshop. “Ugh!” Snowfall growled, as she slammed her windows shut. “I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, even a thousand times if I must! I hate Hearth’s Warming Eve!” It was then that her unicorn brain began to brainstorm and scheme, and then soon it settled down, until she got an idea. Truly the most frightening and unpredictable idea, one that sounded good to her but to anypony else would’ve been crazy and foolish enough to do it. Snowfall got the most wonderful, AWFUL idea she had ever gotten! “In fact, all of Equestria would definitely be better off if we just skipped the day altogether. And luckily, I’m just the pony to do it,” she said, while scheming and preparing a cauldron, and filling it up with such things as a discarded wreath, a toy from a child that has been tossed aside, and all sorts of chemicals in all sorts of colors. Happy Hearth's Warming, they say in the street Happy Hearth's Warming, they think they're so sweet Words said so often that they lack any meaning Why should I join in when I could be intervening? Everypony loves this cursed holiday But would they be better off with it out of the way? 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 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 Calendar shorter by a single day Is my magic up to the test? Time to see, I can't delay Say goodbye to the holiday Prepare the spell, no hesitation All memory shall fade away See Equestria's new transformation No more shall anypony say Happy Hearth's Warming... ...after today! After today... She then laughed sinisterly, ignoring the ominous projections of the windigos in her cauldron. But without anypony noticing or witnessing the actual events, they could only speculate with no actual proof or evidence. Snowfall somehow payed no mind to whatever she saw. Perhaps she must’ve had hesitated too briefly, or maybe for one good reason or another. But in the end, whatever disastrous reasons she might have had for her decision to erase Hearth’s Warming from existence, it was enough to overpower any concerns or doubts that the powerful unicorn mare might’ve had, as she continued preparing her spell. “Once the spell is cast, all of Equestria will be better off, and they'll have me to thank for it!” Snowfall proudly said to herself, while standing over her simmering and bubbling cauldron with her magic charged and ready. “Wait, wait, wait, wait! Wait just a minute!” Starlight spoke up, interrupting the story for a moment. “Let me get this straight. Snowfall doesn’t like Hearth’s Warming Eve so she decides to just cast a spell to get rid of it altogether? That seems a little bit extreme.” “In our version, Scrooge only cared about money and banking investments rather than just the holidays,” Thomas said. “I don’t want the holiday to go away.” “Don’t worry, sweetheart. We’ll get to the good parts,” Twilight said, and then saw his mug empty. “Do you want more cocoa or are you full?” Thomas nodded that he wanted more cocoa and then they took a little break so Twilight can refill their cocoa and bring some cookies. “Come here, honey. Why don’t you tell me about some more of this Christmas tradition in your world?” Starlight asked, as she then laid him down on her lap while holding him with her hooves, and then Thomas told her about Christmas back in his birth world, including the birth of Jesus Christ, and how they celebrate the holidays, but how and why he’s always asking Santa for presents.