ACT ONE
Many, many years ago, during Twilight’s very first year as crowned ruler of Equestria, and now it was getting onto to be time for her very first Hearth’s Warming as ruler as well.
Snow was falling lightly all around town as ponies and other creatures were busy decorating for the holidays, but easily one of the most exciting things was the annual Hearths Warming Gala, complete with a fireworks show…
Lots of large and extremely expensive fireworks were being brought in and assembled near the royal palace in large crates, where they would soon be setup in the open snowy fields for the big show on Hearths Warming Eve.
Some of the crates were marked: “Danger: Explosive!” and they had to be handled with extreme care.
Twilight was walking around town, with Spike by her side, and a couple of royal guards as escorts. Everywhere they went, there wasn’t a single face that didn’t turn to smile at her, or a subject that bowed or said hello to her.
“Happy Holidays your majesty.”
“Your highness, how’s it going?”
Twilight would smile and bow politely to her subjects.
“Well, look whose popular this year.” joked Spike, to which Twilight blushed. She was still getting used to all this newly acquired fame and popularity since her crowning.
Then a little filly-scout carrying a box of candy-canes innocently approached her. “Would you like a candy-cane, your majesty?”
“Aww, aren’t you sweet.” said Twilight, and she levitated two candy-canes out of the box, but she couldn’t let the little girl go without slipping her a gold coin. “Happy Hearths Warming.”
The filly smiled and then went off.
Twilight then passed one of the canes to Spike, but just as she was about to take a nibble out of her own, Spike snatched it away from her. “Hold it…!” he said and then handed the canes to the guards to magically scan them to make sure they weren’t tainted to anything.
Twilight grunted, “Really, Spike?”
“Twilight, you can never be too careful.” he protested “You made me your advisor, and I advised you--”
“…I know, I know!” Twilight cut in “…There are many other creatures out there that would plot against me and maybe try to hurt me.”
She gave him a loving smile. “I still appreciate the concern, and I understand you’re just looking out for me.” she leaned down and pecked him sweetly on the cheek, making him blush and rock nervously.
“It’s just that I love Hearths Warming so much.” said Twilight “Look at every-creature, all getting along, all happy and peaceful. It’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of.”
Then she felt a bit sad, really missing her friends who were far, far away in Ponyville. She had sent them invitations to come and celebrate in Canterlot with her, they did answer and fully planned to come, but she really wished they were here.
Spike hated seeing her upset, “Hey, come on. No tears.” he said sweetly to her “I miss them all too, but remember, they’re always here with us, and it’s Hearths Warming, a time when friendship and peace can reign over all.”
Twilight looked down at him as music began to play.
Spike began to sing…
There’s a blanket of snow, falling down from the sky
And the time of joy is near
It’s the time that we share, the goodness and care
With the friends and folks we hold dear
Twilight agreed, and began to sing as well.
And despite all the change, one thing’s the same
It’s the feeling we all know well.
Friendship carries on, through Hearths Warming’s light and glow
All the joy and hope, keeping me strong and wise
All these Hearths Warming feelings… Help me grow.
As they continued to walk through town, seeing all the decorations being put up, all the ponies shopping, and smelling the scent of freshly-baked goods.
…Spike kept on singing.
Decorations I’ve seen, of red blue and of green,
And the faces of smiles around
But it’s friendship I know, that gives me a glow
And the sharing gives peace and sound.
Twilight sang again…
Soon the friends we love dear, they’ll all be here
And how happy we will be…
Friendship carries on, through Hearths Warming’s light and glow
All the joy and hope, keeping me strong and wise
Oh, the feelings deep in me…
All these Hearths Warming feelings… Help me grow.
A small tear of joy fell from her eye, and she looked up at the falling snow. Spike snuggled up by her side and she embraced him softly.
They could hardly wait to see their friends again.
Suddenly, Twilight looked to her right, and she saw none other than Moondancer, who was sitting at an outdoor café, under a huge tent to keep the falling snow at bay. Before her on the table was a large textbook, and next to it stood a hot chocolate with whipped cream and a cherry on top.
…And yet, Moondancer seemed very down in the dumps.
If there was one thing Twilight couldn’t stand, other than some-pony being upset at Hearths Warming, it was seeing one of her closest and oldest friends upset at Hearths Warming.
She ordered the guards to standby as she excused herself, but she let Spike come with her for support.
Many ponies also at the café began to go numb with excitement and privileged as they saw her approached.
“It’s Princess Twilight.”
“I can’t believe she’s here.”
“This is so cool.”
Many showed respect and bowed as she passed, but Twilight insisted, “No need to be so formal.”
Her subjects only felt touched that she even spoke to them.
Twilight then approached her saddened friend.
“Moondancer…?”
She looked up and nearly fell off her stool, “Oh, your majesty… hello…”
Twilight sighed, “You don’t have to be formal with me. I may be Princess, but I’m still your friend. Just call me “Twilight.”
Moondancer regained control of herself.
“So, what’s up?” asked Spike “Why were you so down?”
“Spike, don’t be so blunt.”
Moondancer’s features faded into sadness. She didn’t know if she really wanted to tell her friends and get them involved, but remembering Twilight’s ways and how friends helped friends, she couldn’t keep it to herself.
“I’m just feeling a little low… because I’ve been disowned.”
Twilight and Spike both stiffened.
“Disowned?” asked Spike “By whom?”
Twilight wanted to know this as well.
Moondancer cringed softly while trembling, “…My… mom.”
Twilight gasped softly. She remembered Twilight’s mother, Luna Light, from way back when both she and Moondancer were little fillies in Celestia’s school.
Luna seemed rather nice at first glance, but Twilight hadn’t seen or heard much from her since the day she became Celestia’s private student.
“But this doesn’t make any sense.” said Twilight “Why would your mother suddenly disown you?”
This only made Moondancer look sadder, to the point of tears.
“Oh, I’m sorry… I didn’t mean--”
“No, it’s okay.” replied Moondancer.
“No, it isn’t.” protested Twilight “Your mom disowned you, now, when Hearths Warming is so near?”
“No, she actually disowned me almost two years ago…” she paused feeling dreadful to tell her the reason her mother disowned her, but the royal guards came by and informed Twilight it was time to leave. “Beg pardon your majesty, but there is much to be done.”
Twilight knew she had to tend to her royal duties, but she hated to leave her friend in the mood she was in, and having found out why.
Twilight turn to say something to Moondancer, but she got up, gathering her things, “It’s okay. I’ll be fine.”
Then she walked off, but Twilight noted the brimming tears in her eyes, would have stopped her, but she had already gone, and she really had to get back to work herself.
“We can deal with her later,” suggested Spike “I know how you feel, but you can’t ignore all your duties just like that… to help one pony.”
He wasn’t trying to sound mean or inconsiderate to Moondancer, he was only trying to keep things well in balance, which pleased Twilight. “I knew I made you my advisor for a reason.”
Spike smiled, and off they flew back to the palace.
There they had much to do, such as give leave fees for ponies that would be leaving the palace for the holidays while the visited friends and relatives…
Maintain the weather schedule for the pegasi to make sure it would be a white Hearths Warming…
Apart from other things, the one thing Twilight had to take care of was make sure the palace was all decked up nice for the holidays, as well as the fireworks show being setup; that’s where her older friends came in-- Lemon Hearts, Minutette, and Twinkle Shine. All three were hired as event organizers, and with their experience and helpfulness, there was no task they couldn’t complete.
They had already put up pretty wreaths, lined up the windows around the palace with lights, and set up a huge, decorated tree in the main hall.
“How’s that look?” asked Lemon, but Twilight didn’t seem to notice as she was still lost in her worries of Moondancer.
“Twilight?” said Spike.
She finally snapped out of her trance, and while it was against her main priorities, “Would you all excuse me for a moment? There’s something I have to do.”
Then before anyone could say anything, she had teleported away.
“Oh, no!” groaned Spik, having a full idea of where she was going, but he decided to stay behind to supervise the chores.
Twilight had a good idea of where Luna Light still lived, and she was right.
Luna Light lived in a small cottage within Canterlot, and it was rather ramshackle looking, just as Moondancer’s current home used to be before it got fixed up by Twilight and friends, and the place did not seem the least bit decked up for Hearths Warming at all.
It was here that Luna spent most of her time alone with her occupation-- she was a candle maker. She also lived all by herself, as her husband had passed away many years ago, and Moondancer grew up and moved out.
Twilight felt this wasn’t going to be easy, but she had to at least talk to the mare and find out why she disowned her daughter.
She knocked at the door, and got an immediate vocal answer. “Go away! I’m closed until after the holidays.”
Twilight then cleared her throat, “Open up, by order of the princess.”
A long silence followed, and suddenly the door opened ever so softly, Twilight sort of make out Luna’s appearance-- a beige colored unicorn mare, with a red mane, and she wore thick framed glasses, and just like Moondancer, she also wore a black sweater with a purple scarf.
Her cutiemark was that of a candle by a crescent moon.
Despite Twilight’s status, Luna spoke very rudely to her, “What do YOU want?”
Twilight was mystified at her tone, but maintained her cool and tried to be nice. “Um… it’s been a long time hasn’t it since I saw you.”
Luna seemed unimpressed.
“I saw your daughter earlier today, and--” she was suddenly interrupted by Luna stating loudly, “…I HAVE NO DAUGHTER!!” before slamming the door right in her face. “I ask you nicely: Please leave!”
Twilight stood where she was, completely flabbergasted.