//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Hearth's Warming Helper // Story: My Little Pony: Best Gift Ever // by Postwarmonkey50 //------------------------------// From the beautiful skies of Equestria, one can see the beautiful town of Ponyville, home to none other than Princess Twilight and her friends, along with their husbands and children. But it wasn’t a sunny day like any other day. Well, it is, but not in the way you would think. For instead of a green and grassy day, the entire place was covered in snow. One would expect it to be winter, but it is not. Why was the day so different like any other day you might ask? Why it’s Hearth’s Warming Eve of course, the time of year where families and friends come together, celebrating the holidays and exchanging gifts to one another. Kind of like Christmas for the humans of Earth. For the husbands, especially some of the newer humans, it was still strange to celebrate a different holiday, but Hearth’s Warming Eve was so different from Christmas. For some, Christmas was always enjoyful, but nowadays, Christmas would not be for everyone, not the kind of lives that they would lead. But Hearth’s Warming on the other hand. It’s so much happier, so much enjoyful, and with so much song that would make you think you’re in the middle of a musical. Let us find out what all of them are planning for this year’s Hearth’s Warming Eve. ‘It was a single day before Hearth’s Warming Eve,’ said the Narrator from above (I know I’m kinda breaking the fourth wall here, but this is my first time trying to write a Christmas story, so sue me, even if the Holidays are already over) ‘Everypony was busy, so much to achieve.’ From the Ponyville train station, a train arrived to drop off all of the ponies who came to visit their relatives for the holidays, but on the train, the Young Six were standing on the platform, ready to go home for the Holidays. ‘They hustled and bustled, their heads were a-spin. And it’s here that our holiday story begins…’ From the town of Ponyville itself, everypony was decorating the town. The Pegasi were flying around, hanging up the decorations from house to house, whilst from one of them, an Earth Pony named Berry Punch looked out the window and smiled to see the ponies hard at work. A pony civilian walked out with presents in his arms, with little fillies and colts running by, excited for the holidays, running past the pony, whilst the second filly, who was dressed too warmly, ended up fumbling and fell on her back, struggling to get up whilst her cute little legs were wiggling. From the Ponyville markets, every pony were busy hard at work, placing all their pies and Hearth’s Warming Treats at their stands, ready for ponies to buy what they needed for their holiday feasts, along with other essentials for decorations and such. From the stores in Ponyville, all the ponies were hard at work preparing their gifts and supplies. In fact, fellow readers, I feel a song coming along. Take it away Ponyville. Hearth’s Warming Eve is almost here There’s so much more to do As the Ponies were trying to get by, a certain Rainbow haired Pegasus, rushed to Ponyville, trying to do some quick shopping for her family and friends. But thankfully, she wasn’t alone, for following the Pegasus who left a Rainbow Trail, her husband Bolt and their son Bolt Jr., were right behind her as Bolt flew on his Poofy-Poofy cloud. (I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I couldn’t resist. The moment when I thought about it and wrote it down, I laughed so hard I nearly fell off of my chair. It was too funny to pass up.) They looked around with quick haste through the markets, trying to figure out what to get. (Rainbow Dash) Still need to shop (Bolt) For all our friends (Bolt Jr.) But what to get them all? (All) No clue!! As they rushed off quickly to another direction, Fluttershy was looking at the apple stands, wondering what to get for her family, friends, even her animals. Thankfully, to help with the work load, her husband Genus and their son Warm Breeze, along with their youngest daughter Comfy Breeze, who was old enough to walk and talk, accompanied her to help her out. (Fluttershy) This one is nice Warm Breeze picked his little sister up whilst she was wearing an adorable cute outfit (Warm Breeze) And that’s so cute They couldn’t help but be hypnotized by their daughter’s cuteness, causing them to hold their children together. (Genus) And she’s also pretty too. In Rarity’s home, it was a…bit of a mess so to speak, sowing and hard at work, trying to make good gifts for her friends and family. As she was nearly stressed, her daughter quickly helped her out with her magic and designs, one which Rarity treasured. (Rarity) Why do I make all these gifts each year? At the same time, her husband Silver came along and showed them the time, surprising the daughter and the mother. They quickly got dressed, with Silver helping them dress up warmly, as well as received a kiss from his wife and daughter as they quickly grabbed their bags of bits. (Silver) I doubt we’ll make it through They quickly rushed out to the streets to the market, hopefully to be on time to finish their holiday shopping. They then joined Rainbow and Fluttershy, along with their husbands and kids. (Rainbow, Fluttershy, Rarity, husbands & kids) One more day, before the cheer (Ponies) Shop! Pay! Box! Wrap! Bow! Repeat! (Rainbow, Fluttershy, Rarity, husbands & kids) One last chance, before the holiday’s here (Ponies) Box! Wrap! Bow! Again! (Rainbow, Fluttershy, Rarity, husbands & kids) One more day to make the holiday great One more day before we celebrate Rarity walked over to one of the booths and picked her supplies whilst paying for them. (Rarity) One day, and then it’s here As the group left, the ponies got together. (Ponies) One more chance to bring that holiday cheer And who else came along to be part of this colorful song? None other than Pinkie Pie, who jumped over the singing crowd, bouncing gleefully with a smile on her face, but following her was none other than both her twins, Peacon and Lemon Pie, bouncing right behind their mother as they too had smiles on their faces. (Pinkie Pie) Hearth’s Warming Eve is almost here A day for us to share And to whom did they bounce to? To the rest of the Apple Family of course, which consisted of Applejack, her husband Bucky and their son Apple Slice. But with them were also Apple Bloom and Big Mac, minus Granny Smith (May she rest in peace). Grand Pear was also among them, who wanted to know his great grandchild too, as was Sugar Belle, who wanted to spend the holidays with Big Mac. And they were not alone. The Pie family also came to visit. And who was among the Pie family? Both Pinkie’s parents, Igneous Pie and Cloudy Quartz were also there, with Pinkie’s husband Frosty was with. Among them were also Pinkie’s older sister, Limestone Pie and her husband Artifex, along with their newborn twins, their daughter Pebble Pie and their son Boulder Pie (Which was strange that she wanted to name her son after Holder’s Boulder, but they weren't complaining). The second oldest sister, Maud Pie, was among them, with her boyfriend Mudbriar, was also there and decided to spend the holidays with them too. And among them, the youngest sister, Marble Pie. And apparently, she gained a human lover too, whom she nicknamed Rocky, which suited him fine. (Figured that Marble Pie would also have a human lover, and the fact that he was tough as a rock, nicknamed him Rocky, which was fitting, considering he was his favorite movie character) (Applejack) Friends and family all together (Frosty) Pies (Bucky) Apples (Kids) And a Pear As both Cloudy and Igneous managed a stand, Big Mac was busy packing up their bags to a cart, until he struggled to lift a bag, which to his surprise was filled with rocks, with Applejack, Pinkie Pie and their husbands also hard at work. (Applejack, Pinkie Pie & Husbands) With all the planning we still have to do We’ve got no time to spare Sure enough, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and their husbands, along with their children, all took both their families to Sweet Apple Acres, for since the Apples spend the time with them last Hearth’s Warming, now the Pies wishes to spend some time with them for a change. And sure enough, they guided them into the house in order for them to settle down and feel right at home. (Ponies) One more day, before the cheer (Pinkie Pie) Shop! Pay! Box! Wrap! Bow! Repeat! From the Apple Family living room, Apple Bloom was busy helping Grand Pear and Cloudy Quartz decorate their Hearth’s Warming Tree, until they were stunned to see Limestone Pie push a large rock to the center whilst it was wrapped in a bow. Thankfully, her husband Artifex helped her, whilst both their kids were sitting on the large rock, whilst waving their little arms, enjoying the rock ride. (Ponies) One last chance, before the holiday’s here (Pinkie Pie) Box! Wrap! Bow! Again! Sugar Belle and Big Mac kissed one another under the mistletoe and hugged one another, with Marble watching. Normally, she would wince, considering that she had a crush on Big Mac a while back, but it all disappeared when she felt a kiss on her cheek, surprising her, and saw that it was none other than her boyfriend Rocky, who also hugged her, which she ended up cuddling against him. (Ponies) One more day to make the Holiday bright Quick second at one of the back ground characters, a pony named Wensley was busy pouring and selling ciders to customers and he was really tired and even a dead brained monkey could tell that the stallion needed a serious break. (Wensley) One more day, and I can sleep at night (Applejack) The family is almost here Both the Pies, the Apples and the Pear began to sing together as they were suddenly back at the market place. (Don’t ask me how, I don’t understand Cartoon Logic) (Apples, Pies and Pear) One more chance to bring that holiday cheer And at the same time, a certain group of fillies, namely Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, were playing in the snow, with Scootaloo pulling the sleigh as Sweetie Belle was enjoying the sleigh ride. As they enjoyed each other’s company, the entire town continued with their wondrous carol, whilst doing their daily activities. (Ponies) Before the fun, there’s preparations (Just around the corner) Shopping, cooking, decorations (The complications) It’s all worth it in the end Spreading joy to all your friends And from the Ponyville office, where none other than Derpy was working, many ponies came by to deliver their presents from the post office to send to their loved ones, until the last one brought in too many packages, causing the whole thing to tumble over. (Ponies) Even when it never, ever Ever seems to end Aah! And what goes on in the Castle of Friendship. As many of you know, Twilight can sometimes go overboard when it comes to planning, but when it’s Hearth’s Warming, oh boy, you do not want to get in the way of that. And speaking of which, a certain dragon was running down the hall, with a box of decorations in his hands, and quite frantically if I might add. He had stopped in the middle of the hall and noticed everything was not finished decorating, with Emily hard at work as well, along with Twilight’s husband Beau, and their daughter Moonlight Sparkle, all of them quickly at work so that they could do their shopping. (Spike) Hearth’s Warming Eve is getting close We’re not prepared I fear Spike appeared in front of Twilight’s room door, and tried to talk to her, but the Princess of Friendship herself is just as frantic as ever, that much is clear. (Spike) Twilight, you should take a break (Twilight) No time to rest, that much is clear She quickly took out a very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very… OKAY YOU GET THE IDEA!!! …long list whilst she also looked it over, and handed it over to spike. (Twilight) I made a list and checked it twice There’s lots to do on here She then flew down the hall after the two of them were warmly dressed. However, seeing that they didn’t want her to freak out like she did last year and the year before that, Beau, Moonlight and Emily quickly followed Twilight and Spike outside. (Twilight) Oh, if I can’t get everything done I’ll have to wait and celebrate next year As Twilight, Spike, Beau, Moonlight and Emily followed Twilight all the way to the market, everypony continued to be in song, whilst Twilight does her classic Twilighting. (Ponies) One more day, before the cheer Shop! Pay! Box! Wrap! Bow! Repeat! As Fluttershy, Genus, Warm Breeze and Comfy Breeze, along with their canine Trusty, walked with the other ponies, Twilight flew by, gaining their attention, with Spike running after her. Suddenly, Fluttershy’s hooves got tangled in the list, causing her to be pulled away, with Genus, Trusty and the kids quickly going after her, with Beau, Emily and Moonlight in pursuit. (Ponies) One last chance, before the holiday’s here Box! Wrap! Bow! Again! As Rarity, Silver and Crystal Gem were standing near one of the stands to make another purchase, she was suddenly wrapped in the list too, dragging her away, with Silver and Crystal quickly going after Rarity to help her. (Ponies) One more day to make the holiday great At the same time, whilst Twilight frantically went down another part of the market street, Spike came along, and this time, Rainbow Dash was wrapped up in the list, with Bolt and Bolt Jr. quickly going after her. (Ponies) One more day before we celebrate The CMC sang together (Cutie Mark Crusaders) Please, oh please, make it really, really great A mail pony took the packages with him and tried to be in a hurry (Mail pony) One more gift, try to hurry, don’t be late Roseluck, Lily and Daisy were wrapping their present, but a stallion next to them was asleep, and they aggressively sang him awake, causing him to fall backwards. (Roseluck, Lily, Daisy) Box! Wrap! Bow! Repeat! Gotta concentrate!! (Ponies) Just one more day until we all celebrate As Twilight flew by, Spike continued to take the list with him, until he felt a tug on the list and fell backwards. He looked up and to his surprise, Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were wrapped in the list, with their husbands and kids finally being able to catch up with them. They quickly began to take them out of the list. After Bolt finally pulls his wife out, Rainbow Dash said ‘Do we wanna know why you’re wrapping up everypony in town?’ ‘Yeah, I know you want to buy gifts to wrap them and all, but this is ridiculous.’ said Bolt after he held onto her. ‘Not wrapping paper,’ said Spike as he pointed at the list ‘A to-do-list.’ ‘A really, long, to do list.’ said Emily as she stood next to Spike. From afar, they saw Twilight teleporting from stand to stand as she frantically picked up some decorations, some lights and some scrolls whilst she said ‘Two of those! Three of those! I’m gonna need ten of those! Just in case!!’ She then teleported to another stand whilst the others looked at her in concern. ‘Twilight, darling,’ said Rarity ‘Are you all right?’ ‘Yeah, you’re acting more crazy than usual,’ said Silver, but cleared his throat as he said ‘Well, crazier, anyway.’ Twilight teleported to a cake stand as she said ‘Sure, just grabbing a few things to do, I need this, no that’s silly, I need eight!’ She teleported again, with Beau groaning at the side whilst rubbing his templates. At the same time, Applejack and Pinkie Pie, along with their husbands and kids, came along. But not just them, but Starlight and her husband Chance were there as well, even both Trixie (Who was pregnant and could have a baby any day now) and Mystic. ‘Hey y’all,’ said Applejack ‘What’s everypony…?’ They saw Twilight teleporting from stand to stand, trying to get her things on the list. ‘Oh.’ said Applejack when she saw her. ‘Is she at it, again?’ said Bucky. ‘She’s at what again?’ asked Mystic. ‘Traditional Holiday Meltdown.’ said Applejack. ‘Uh-huh.’ said Pinkie, with the others agreeing. ‘Meltdown?’ asked Chance. ‘Every time whenever Hearth’s Warming Eve comes along,’ said Starlight as she explained things ‘Twilight panics and tries to figure out what to give her friends and family for the holidays. So she often goes shopping all crazy and try to make sure that we would have be best Hearth’s Warming Eve ever.’ ‘She does this every time?’ asked Trixie. ‘Unfortunately.’ said Beau. ‘We told mom that she needn’t do that,’ said Moonlight ‘But you know how she gets. Once she sets her mind onto something, there’s no stopping her.’ ‘No kidding,’ said Apple Slice ‘Remember what happened last year?’ Everyone shudders at the thought of it. ‘Not something we want to repeat of.’ said Genus. Applejack calmly walked over to Twilight with a smile on her face, whilst her said friend began to hyperventilate with many items hovering over her, with Beau and Bucky behind her. As she continued to hyperventilate, Beau stood to her right side, with Applejack and Bucky standing in front of the hyperventilating princess. ‘Hey, Twilight.’ said Applejack, trying to sooth the stressing princess calmly and quietly as she pressed her shopping down and looked over to her pony country gal friend. ‘How’s your day?’ Twilight began to speak fast in a panic and said ‘I got way behind grading midterms, and Cadance, Shining Armour and Blade are coming over with Flurry Heart and Raging Halberd for Hearth’s Warming Eve, and I haven’t started decorating, and I don’t know what to get any of you and I…’ Deciding to cut her off, Beau took a hold of his wife’s flank and made a gentle grip on it, causing Twilight to yelp in surprise and immediately stiff herself up. Seeing it as a good time to calm her, Applejack continued to calm the stressing princess down. ‘Take a breath,’ said Applejack, causing the Princess of Friendship to take a deep breath, and held it in, with AJ finally saying ‘Now let it out, sloooooooooooow…’ Twilight managed to exhale slowly, allowing her to calm down. Thankfully, the country mare can be quite the peace talker when it comes to calming others down. Beau then held onto both of Twilight’s shoulders, allowing her to look at her husband. ‘Twilight,’ said Beau ‘We’ve been over this already.’ ‘Indeed Twilight Sparkle,’ said Trixie ‘Trixie knows how much family and friends mean to you, but you can’t always do things alone.’ ‘Yeah, I mean you have all of us,’ said Starlight ‘Why not just ask us for help? You know we’d never let you do things alone.’ Twilight held onto her husband’s hand as she said ‘I’m sorry everypony. I just want all of you to be happy. Considering of what happened last year.’ Moonlight hugged her mother around her waist and said ‘We know mommy. But you know we’d like to help you anyway.’ Twilight smiled and hugged her daughter closely and said ‘I know.’ Applejack then thought about something, something that might help calm the stressing Princess down. She smiled and had a great idea. ‘Now, I think I have an idea that might help.’ said Applejack, allowing the others to be drawn to her whilst she explained. ‘What if we change up how we give gifts this year and do a Hearth’s Warming Helper.’ ‘Oh, like a secret Santa Helper?’ said Bucky. ‘A what?’ said Rainbow Dash. ‘You remember what we told all of you about a man named St. Nicholas?’ said Bolt. ‘Oh, about a kind old man who would go around the world to deliver presents every year to every child around the world?’ said Crystal Gem, whilst she smiled gleefully ‘He is such a nice old man.’ Silver chuckled and held Crystal Gem close ‘That’s right Crystal.’ ‘Well this is something that most schools would do on our world,’ said Genus ‘Before the holidays come, we had to buy a specific gift for a specific friend of our class. We pick a name, but we don’t say to the other what the gift is.’ ‘Hence a Secret Santa Helper.’ said Bucky. ‘Oh,’ said Rarity ‘Now that is a generous way of giving gifts.’ ‘And a special surprise.’ said Pinkie, who also liked the idea. ‘Kind of like that, yeah.’ said Applejack. Emily then said ‘But you know what was our favorite part of Christmas?’ ‘What’s that?’ asked Spike. ‘The music.’ said the humans. ‘Were they really that good?’ asked Fluttershy. ‘Sure is,’ said Genus ‘Would you like to hear it?’ ‘Uh, I don’t…’ said Rainbow Dash before she was cut off. ‘Too late.’ said Bolt before the humans darted off, making them wonder what they’re up to. Emily suddenly appeared, wearing a beautiful dress, gaining the Mane 7’s attention, even most of the residents of Ponyville (Emily) I don’t want a lot for Christmas There is just one thing I need Frosty and Chance appeared by her side as they walked with her. (Frosty & Chance) I don’t care about the presents Underneath the Christmas tree Both Bolt and Bucky picked her up as they escorted her to the right (Bolt & Bucky) I just want you for my own More than you could ever know Genus and Silver picked her up as he escorted her to a piano (Silver & Genus) Make my wish come true Beau then played the piano that the others had escorted her to (Beau) All I want for Christmas, is you. It’s you Pretty soon, they began to dance and sing, gaining everyone in town’s attention as they began to sing. (Emily) I don’t want a lot for Christmas There is just one thing I need (Frosty & Chance) I don’t care about the presents Underneath the Christmas tree (Emily) I don’t need to hang my stocking There upon the fire place (Silver & Genus) Santa Clause won’t make me happy With a toy on Christmas day They began to dance all over Ponyville, trying to get everybody in the groove just as much as they do. (All) I just want you for my own More than you could ever know Make my wish come true All I want for Christmas, is you You, baby Genus stood near Fluttershy as he twirled her around. I won’t ask for much this Christmas I won’t even ask for snow Bolt picked her up bridal style and twirled her around, much to her flustered face (Bolt) I’m just gonna keep on waiting Underneath the mistletoe Silver went over and tilted Rarity backwards, taking her by surprise too (Silver) I won’t make a list and send it To the North Pole for Saint Nick Pinkie instantly jumped on Frosty’s back, with the two of them smiling as they sang. I won’t even stay awake to Hear those magic reindeer click They ended up dancing together once more (All) Cause I just want you here tonight Holding on me so tight What more can I do Baby all I want for Christmas, is you You baby (Chance) All the lights are shining (Beau) So brightly everywhere (Emily) And the sound of children’s Laughing in the air (Silver) Oh, oh (Genus) And everyone is singing (Bolt) I hear those sleigh bells ringing (Frosty) Santa won’t you bring me the one I really need Won’t you please bring my baby to me Pretty soon, everyone began to dance with them. (Emily) Oh, I don’t want a lot for Christmas This is all I’m asking for (Beau) I just want to see my baby Standing right outside my door (All) Oh, I just want him for my own More than you could ever know Make my wish come true Baby, all I want for Christmas is you You baby All I want for Christmas is you, baby All I want for Christmas is you, baby Pretty soon, everything was back to normal, with everyone carrying on after everything had been back to normal, with their husband and wives really impressed. ‘Wow,’ said Trixie ‘Trixie can see why you enjoy that part of the holiday.’ ‘Told ya.’ said Emily. Though it was quite entertaining, Fluttershy changed the subject and asked ‘So what’s a Hearth’s Warming Helper?’ ‘Whenever the whole Apple Family got together,’ said Applejack as she explained ‘There was just too many of us. It didn’t make sense to by everypony gifts. So we’d put our names in a hat…’ ‘Ooh,’ said Pinkie Pie as she leaned in, rubbing her hands together with a sneaky smile and expression as she said ‘A game of chance, tell me more.’ Applejack rolled her eyes whilst Bucky gently pushed her away. ‘Then,’ said Applejack as she continued ‘We pull a name, but keep it a secret.’ ‘A dash of mystery,’ said Pinkie Pie, which she tapped her hands together as Applejack gave half smirk at her ‘Good, good.’ ‘Instead of buyin’ everypony a present, you just get one for the pony you picked from the hat.’ said Applejack, finally laying down her idea. ‘Wait,’ said Pinkie Pie as she realized something ‘So instead of lots of presents, I only buy one of you a present? What kind of game is this?!!’ Frosty held onto Pinkie’s shoulders, keeping her still and said ‘Now honey, remember what we talked about last week?’ Before Pinkie would go on, Rarity thought about it and said ‘Well it would save time.’ ‘And have everything ready in time before Hearth’s Warming day.’ said Silver. Spike suddenly out of instinct, dreamingly looked at Rarity and said ‘And you could get the pony you pick something really nice.’ Emily cleared her throat, causing Spike to blink wide and look at her, making her cross her arms and looked at him with a flex eyebrow and a near stink eye. ‘And something to show how much you love your loved ones.’ said Spike as he nervously placed his arms behind his back. ‘Mhmm.’ said Emily, not buying what Spike was trying to do. Even though the two of them are married, he still hasn’t gotten over his crush of Rarity, even if she and Silver are already married. Rainbow Dash cleared her throat, gaining their attention as she said ‘The less shopping, the better, in.’ ‘Can we do it too?’ asked Bolt Jr. ‘Of course squirt,’ said Rainbow Dash as she rubbed her son’s forehead ‘We wouldn’t leave anypony out of it.’ Fluttershy looked at Twilight with her usual smile ‘Will that help, Twilight?’ ‘I was stressed about shopping.’ said Twilight. ‘Again.’ said all the guys at the same time, causing her to glare at them. ‘No, they do have a point.’ said Trixie. ‘You stress about everything.’ ‘Whether it’s an unorganized library…’ said Starlight. ‘To a shortage of ink and quills.’ said Chance. ‘You know they kinda got you there mommy.’ said Moonlight, which made Twilight groan lightly. Everypony and their husbands and children looked at Pinkie, which she looked stressed, causing Frosty to nudge against his wife, making her reluctantly agree with a sigh as she said ‘Fine, I will only buy one present for my secret Hearth’s Warming Helper buddy.’, whilst she crossed her arms and pouted, clearly not thrilled about this, considering that whenever it comes to planning a party, she tends to go overboard with the presents. Applejack removed her hat from her head and presented it to them and said ‘We just need to put Everypony’s name in this here hat.’ ‘No can do.’ said all the guys and Emily, taking all of them by surprise. ‘What?’ said the wives, Spike and kids. ‘But darling, why not?’ asked Rarity. ‘Very simple my shining diamond.’ said Silver. ‘We already planned ours ahead and have everything ready for Hearth’s Warming Eve.’ said Emily, taking all of them by surprise. ‘Wait,’ said Rainbow ‘You guys already planned things ahead?’ ‘Sure did.’ said Bolt. ‘But when did you have the time?’ asked Fluttershy. ‘A lot of careful planning.’ said Genus. ‘It’s true.’ said Chance ‘Beau asked us to come together and planned things ahead before the holidays even started.’ ‘But…how come we didn’t notice anything?’ asked Starlight. ‘Well, one of the perks being married,’ said Mystic ‘We learned a lot from you.’ ‘Like how to organize from a certain a-dork-able Princess.’ said Beau as he held his wife close, making Twilight blush with a smile. ‘Or how to be sneaky from the experts of being silent.’ said Bolt and Frosty at the same time, with their wives rolling their eyes. ‘And I also asked Angel Bunny and the animals not to spoil the surprise.’ said Genus to Fluttershy, then grumbled ‘Even if that said bunny would stop being mischievous and made me bribe him with carrots to keep him quiet.’ ‘And we know how you feel about lying,’ said Bucky whilst looking at Applejack, who is the honest one of the group, which he knows she doesn’t like lying, for it’s what she taught both him and their son. ‘But we made a promise we wouldn’t spoil the surprise.’ ‘And daddy knew that we wouldn’t keep it a secret.’ said Peacon Pie. ‘So he told us to “Pinkie Promise” not to say anything.’ said Lemon Pie. Pinkie Pie gasped and said ‘You guys made a Pinkie Promise?’ ‘Sure did.’ said Frosty. With Beau saying ‘Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my…’ Right before Beau could say “Eye”, he literally and accidentally poked his eye, making him flinch and yelp, whilst saying ‘Dagnabbit!!’, causing the others to laugh at his mistake, for he and Twilight really do have more in common, considering that she had done it before. ‘And we promise all of you it would be worth the wait.’ said Bolt. ‘But…’ said Pinkie, for now she was interested. ‘Hey,’ said Frosty as he looked at her ‘If you could keep a secret of Shining Armour and Cadance were having a baby, then you can do the same for the surprise tomorrow night.’ Pinkie was reluctant at first, but sighed as she said ‘Okay. I’ll try.’ Once that was settled, Twilight tore up her to-do-list, and wrote down her friends and children’s Cutie Marks on the back. She cut each of them until they were a picture of their Cutie Marks and placed them inside Applejack’s hat, with Bucky doing the same for the kids as he used his own hat. Applejack and Bucky shook up their hats and jumbled up the papers. ‘Y’all ready?’ asked Applejack ‘No peaking.’ The Mane 6, Starlight, Trixie and their kids closed up their eyes and walked over to AJ’s hat, allowing them to pick the Cutie Marks from the hat. Once they received them, they all opened their eyes to see who they’ve picked. Pinkie got excited as she said ‘So excited! Aah! Too excited! I don’t wanna give anything away!’ Pinkie zipped along and took her paper with her as she squealed “Wheee!!”, with Frosty and the kids going after her. ‘Seeing that we already have things ready,’ said Beau ‘Mind if the guys, kids and I help you lot out. It’ll make things easier for everyone.’ ‘Of course darling, we could all use the help.’ said Rarity. ‘And we also wouldn’t mind company either.’ said Fluttershy. ‘So when will the gift exchange occur?’ asked Rarity. ‘How about Twilight’s Castle tomorrow night.’ said Rainbow Dash ‘Hearth’s Warming Eve.’ ‘That’s perfect.’ said Applejack ‘Pinkie, Frosty, Bucky and I, along with our youngins can spend the evening with y’all and the next mornin’ with our families.’ ‘Yeah, ah sure wanna spend some time with aunty Apple Bloom,’ said Apple Slice ‘It’s been ages since we done anything together, what with her and her friends busy with their CMC business.’ ‘And thanks to all of you,’ said Twilight, gaining their attention ‘I should be ready to celebrate by then.’ ‘And we’ll have everything ready before Cadance and the others arrive.’ said Beau. ‘And I’ll help out at the Castle too if that’s alright.’ said Emily. ‘Ooh, this is so exciting.’ said Fluttershy. ‘You got that right.’ said Genus as he held his wife close. ‘Come on,’ said Warm Breeze ‘The sooner we get going the sooner we can get things done.’ As they departed, Spike on the other hand looked very anxious for some reason. He quickly darted towards Applejack’s direction, until he was able to reach her, Bucky and Apple Slice. ‘Uh…um, Applejack?’ asked Spike, gaining the country pony’s attention. ‘Is it against the rules to trade names?’ asked Spike, ‘Like, if I had a better idea for somepony special? I mean, specific?’ Applejack thought about it, then said ‘If you can figure out who has the pony you want and they’re okay with tradin’ ah guess it’s fine.’ ‘Great,’ said Spike, which caused Bucky, Applejack and Apple Slice to notice of what he was going to ask ‘So uh…who did you…?’ ‘Ah don’t have Rarity.’ said Applejack with a deadpan expression, but with a smile on her face. ‘What?’ said Spike, as AJ had already figured him out. ‘That’s not what I…’ ‘Uh-huh.’ said Applejack, causing Apple Slice to snicker about it. But Spike quickly got in front of them and said ‘Also uh…’ They could tell he was nervous, but then asked ‘Do you guys have any idea of what I could get Emily? I want to get her something special too. I mean, I was really grateful for what she did for me and made me the happiest dragon ever. So…any advice?’ Applejack and Bucky couldn’t help but smirk at this, but it was also heartwarming to see that he wants to get his wife something too. ‘Well,’ said Bucky ‘We don’t really know that much. But I guess you can ask Frosty. I mean, they are siblings after all, they know each other like the back of their own heads.’ Spice then face palmed his head and said ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’, then looked at the farm couple and said ‘See ya later.’ As he quickly flew off, the farm couple and Apple Slice continued to walk, with Bucky saying ‘I don’t get it, Spike’s now happily married, same with Rarity, and he still hasn’t gotten over his crush on her.’ ‘Y’all know Spike,’ said Applejack ‘Ah guess some feeling’s are too stubborn to go away.’ ‘Yeah,’ said Bucky as he wrapped his arm around his wife ‘Just like mine never faded away the day I first met you.’ ‘Awww.’ said Applejack, causing her to wrap her arm around him, allowing the two of them to walk down the market to see what they could get for their Hearth’s Warming Pony.