Back at Sweet Acorn Orchard
Back at Sweet Acorn Orchard, Silver, Rarity and Crystal Gem, now that they have finished with their visit to Sweet Acorn Orchard, decided to bid their new friends farewell, for all of them have their own holidays to attend to.
‘It’s a shame you got to leave.’ said Butternut.
‘Oh, you’ve been so generous.’ said Rarity ‘But I must get home for a previous engagement.’
‘She’s right,’ said Silver ‘We have to be in time for Hearth’s Warming Eve with the rest of our families and friends.’
‘And not to mention if we don’t show up on time,’ said Crystal Gem ‘Princess Twilight would throw a hissy fit and have a panic attack again.’
They couldn’t help but giggle at that response, with Rarity standing close to Pistachio.
‘I’ll be keeping an eye on you, Pistachio,’ said Rarity as she gently booped the young colt on his nose ‘I have a feeling you’ve got quite the future in fashion.’
‘She’s not wrong,’ said Silver ‘She has a keen sense on seeing a pony who has great potential.’
‘Not to mention who can see every fine bit of detail on any kind of fashionable item they’ve ever made.’ said Crystal Gem ‘Be seeing you someday soon.’
As Rarity, Silver and Crystal Gem left, Pistachio and his parents waved goodbye to them. But just as Pistachio’s parents walked back inside their house, he realized something and looked at the hat he was wearing.
He suddenly ran up to them and said ‘Rarity, Rarity.’
Rarity, Silver and Crystal Gem stopped and turned around whilst Pistachio stood near them.
‘I love my parents.’ said Pistachio as he tried to get things off of his mind ‘But…they don’t understand that we just had lunch with one of the most famous ponies in Equestria.’
Rarity giggled whilst she blushed and said ‘Oh, I don’t know about most famous.’
Silver smirked and nudged her whilst saying ‘Says the pony who helped save Equestria with her friends a dozen times.’
‘Or that you’ve successfully opened five boutiques all over Equestria.’ said Crystal Gem.
Rarity blushed at that whilst clearing her throat, for they did make solid points.
‘I know you didn’t send a Fedora Felt original to some nopony you’ve never met from Nowhere in Equestria,’ said Pistachio before he had a sad look on his face. He then picked up the hat from his head and handed it over to her whilst he said ‘I’m sure this is actually for somepony special, so…if you want it back, I get it.’
Rarity used her magic to lift the hat and took a good look at it. At first they would be glad to have it back, but unfortunately they felt bad for Pistachio, for they could tell he really liked it. Seeing that they couldn’t bear to see him so sad to part with such a generous gift, Rarity made up her mind.
‘The hat is indeed for somepony very special.’ said Rarity with her own smile, until she hovered the hat over to the young colt and placed it back on his head, much to his surprise as Rarity said ‘And I couldn’t bear to see him, part with it.’
Pistachio gasped in joy with a smile on his face as he said ‘Oh, thank Celestia. Because I did not, want to give this up.’
Crystal couldn’t help but giggle at the sight, with Silver rolling his eyes with a smile on his face, for he figured that the young colt would say something like that.
‘But,’ said Rarity as she held onto his chin ‘If I hear you call yourself a nopony again, you shan’t be my guest for Fashion Week in Manehattan.’
‘And we’ll be there to make sure that you have front row seats to watch the entire event.’ said Silver.
Pistachio was breathlessly surprised as he muttered whilst his pupils shrank and said W-What-? S-Seri-? Wha-?!
Rarity hugged the young colt, as did Crystal Gem with smiles on their faces. As they left, they could tell they made Pistachio very happy as he waved goodbye to them.
But as they walked, Rarity had a sad look on her face and said to herself ‘Sorry Applejack.’
Silver however took notice, held his wife close and said ‘Don’t worry Rarity, I’m sure Applejack would understand. I mean, you may not have intended to give Pistachio the Fedora, but you can see how happy he was.’
‘Father’s right mother.’ said Crystal Gem ‘Aunt Applejack may not be a pony who is into trivial things, but she would understand that the gift found its way to a pony who is truly more deserving.’
‘Oh, I hope you’re right.’ said Rarity.
‘And luckily, I have her backup gift ready.’ said Silver.
‘Wait, backup gift?’ said Rarity, who perked up by that.
‘Of course, why else did you think the guys and I volunteered to come along with all of you,’ said Silver ‘In case the gifts you guys get lost, destroyed, or isn’t the one you’re looking for, then we can help find a gift and place it aside in case of an emergencies.’
‘Oh,’ said Rarity as she leaned against him ‘You and the others are truly wonderful husbands.’
‘And we would be lost without the likes of you in our lives.’ said Silver as he hugged her, with him doing the same with Crystal Gem, who was hugging her father as well.
Speaking of Applejack, back at the Rainbow Falls
Back at the Rainbow Falls, the guards were busy placing both Flim and Flam into cuffs and placing them in their prison cart and gave the rest of the ponies their bits back, Applejack, Fluttershy, Bucky, Genus, Apple Slice, Warm Breeze and Comfort Breeze were taking the train back to Ponyville. Applejack watched as the Flim Flam Brothers were being taken away.
Once they were out of sight, Applejack turned to the others and said ‘Puttin’ those two in their places makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.’
‘You got that right,’ said Bucky as he leaned against the chair whilst holding his wife close ‘Now Equestria’s a better place now that those two are locked up.’
‘Ooh,’ said Fluttershy as she was sad ‘But we never got gifts for Spike and Rainbow Dash, and it’s already Hearth’s Warming Eve.’
Applejack was a little sad, for it was true, until she smiled and looked at Fluttershy.
‘It probably ain’t what they’re expectin,’ said Applejack before she pulled out the two rip off dolls that Flim and Flam gave them ‘But we still got these. Yay.’
‘Don’t do that.’ said Fluttershy as she was a bit disappointed at that.
When all of a sudden, Apple Slice and Warm Breeze grabbed them and tossed them outside the window.
‘Apple Slice…’ said Applejack as she was about to scold him.
‘Don’t worry,’ said Apple Slice ‘Pa and Uncle Genus already got them presents.’
Both of them showed Applejack and Fluttershy the gifts they got, which made both the mothers surprised.
‘Wow, those are perfect.’ said Fluttershy as she looked at them.
‘Now we’re really glad that y’all came along.’ said Applejack.
After the kids placed the presents away, Apple Slice wondered about something and looked at Bucky.
‘Hey, Pa.’ asked Apple Slice.
‘Hmm?’ said Bucky as he looked at him whilst sitting back up.
‘In all mah years after ah was born,’ said Apple Slice ‘Ah didn’t know y’all had a sister.’
Bucky was then saddened as he said ‘It’s not something I’d like to talk about.’
Bucky took out his locket and showed him the picture of his little sister. As Apple Slice looked at the picture, Bucky said ‘My little sister was like a ray of sunshine, always as happy as anyone can see. I didn’t talk to her about anyone else except for your mother when I was in the hospital.’
‘Hospital?’ said Apple Slice as he looked at his father with a flexed eyebrow.
‘Your Granny Smith accidentally set the house on fire and your aunt Apple Bloom was trapped inside,’ said Bucky as he explained ‘I was able to save her, but the smoke had affected my lungs a bit and I had a hard time breathing. After I was in the hospital, I told your mother about my little sister, Daisy.’
‘Ah actually sympathized about that,’ said Applejack as she looked at her son ‘Ah could tell how much he loved her so much. When he told me that she died of Cancer, ah was actually heartbroken to hear that.’
‘Yeah,’ said Bucky as he accepted the locket back and said ‘In a way, your Aunt Apple Bloom reminds me of her. Always filled with hope, filled with happiness, cute as a button, and always knew how to brighten others’ day. It’s probably why I loved her too.’
Applejack chuckled and said ‘Ah’m sure Apple Bloom will be tickled pink when she hears you say that.’
Bucky’s face softened as he looked at Applejack and asked ‘Applejack, when the holidays are over. Do you think that…I could spend some time with Apple Bloom? It’s…been a long time since we did anything together.’
Applejack held Bucky close with a hug and said ‘Ah’m sure she’d appreciate that.’
‘Also,’ said Bucky as he held onto her hand ‘I’m sorry I lost my cool against the Flim Flam brothers. It’s just that when they insulted Granny Smith like that.’
Bucky was silent for a moment, but then looked at Applejack and said ‘I know how much she meant to you and the others, I mean she was the only mother you guys had left. And…she was my mother too. The only one who had been there for me where mine had failed.’
Applejack hugged her husband as a tear slowly went down her cheek ‘Ah know. Ah miss her too.’
Fluttershy then looked at Genus and said ‘Genus?’
‘Hmm?’ said Genus as he looked at her.
‘I’m sorry that Flim and Flam made you remember about those poor animals.’ said Fluttershy whilst she was holding both his hands ‘I couldn’t imagine what would happen if I had to go through the same thing.’
Trusty licked Genus’ hands before he was petted. ‘Thanks Flutters.’ said Genus ‘But they’re in a better place now. I’m sure they’re still happy and are watching over other animals who are in need of friends.’
‘I’m sure they do.’ said Fluttershy as she held him close.
‘Now that we have everything we need.’ said Warm Breeze as he looked at them ‘I hope everypony else had better luck then what we went through.’
‘Knowing them,’ said Applejack ‘Twilight’s probably stressed out of her mind trying to find the perfect gift.’
‘That’s oddly specific.’ said Bucky as he looked at her.
Meanwhile, from the Ponyville Hospital
Starlight continued to pace back and forth, worried about her friend. For she’s worried if both Trixie and the child will be okay.
‘Come on Starlight, relax.’ said Chance ‘Mystic’s with her, so she’ll be fine.’
‘How can I be fine?’ asked Starlight ‘How will the child turn out. We don’t know if it’s a colt or a filly.’
‘Aw, that’s why I love you so much Glim-Glim.’ said Chance as he stood up and held her close ‘You caring shows how big your heart is.’
He then rubbed his nose against her, which made her giggle out of instinct. ‘Oh Chance, you always know what to say.’ said Starlight.
‘Anything for my dear Glimmering Star.’ said Chance.
‘Glimmering Star?’ said Starlight in confusion.
‘I was trying to be poetic.’ said Chance ‘I hope it’s…’
Starlight held Chance close to him in a hug and said ‘It’s perfect.’
Chance hugged her back, until they heard a door open. When they looked, they saw Mystic smiling and said ‘You guys can come in now.’
Mystic led them inside the room, and what they saw, a true sight to behold. For Trixie was holding her little foal in her arms as she was shedding tears of joy. For in her arms was a baby Filly Unicorn, who had the same coat color as her mother, as well as her hair and mane. But she had her father’s eyes. The little filly wiggled her arms before she let out a yawn.
‘Trixie would like you to meet her daughter.’ said Trixie as she looked at her friends entering the room.
Both Starlight and Chance looked at the baby, even they were shedding tears when they saw the little sweetheart.
‘Oh, Trixie.’ said Starlight as she looked at her best friend ‘She’s perfect.’
‘And she has her father’s eyes.’ said Chance.
‘She sure does.’ said Mystic as he too shed tears and wiped them away.
‘So what’s her name?’ asked Starlight.
‘We’ve been thinking…Misty.’ said Mystic.
‘Because she is as mysterious as her father, even mystical.’ said Trixie.
‘On the plus side,’ said Chance ‘At least she’ll get a chance to experience her first Hearth’s Warming.’
‘Oh, so true.’ said Trixie ‘It’s a shame the others couldn’t come.’
‘But most of them were out of town,’ said Starlight ‘There’s no way they would’ve reached here on time.’
‘But let’s surprise them all at the castle.’ said Mystic ‘I can’t wait to see the look on their faces when they see this cute little bundle of joy.’
And just like that, Misty fell asleep, for she was now tuckered out, which the others couldn’t help but fawn over her.
Meanwhile, within the Castle of Friendship’s kitchen
From within the kitchen of the Castle of Friendship, Twilight and Moonlight were busy prepping the ingredients together for Pinkie and the Twins’ pudding, whilst at the same time, Beau had quickly snuck in after he was doing something mysterious (Don’t worry, you’ll find out soon enough). He saw not much has changed, whilst Twilight was reading the list and Moonlight was busy throwing the rightly measured ingredients in.
‘Sugarplum.’ said Twilight.
‘Check.’ said Moonlight as she placed the Sugarplum in the pudding pot.
‘Gingerbread.’
‘Check.’
‘Candy Canes.’
‘Check.’
‘Nutmeg.’ check.
After they were done, they quickly looked at the pot, with Moonlight holding the book whilst Twilight stirred the pot. Beau just groaned, for this was not what he had in mind when it came to celebrating the holidays.
‘Next time I see that dragon,’ said Beau underneath his breath ‘I am going to give him the wedgie of a lifetime.’
At the same time, Shining Armour, Cadance, Blade, Flurry Heart, Raging Halberd, Emily, Sunset, Ignis and Searing Shimmer walked in the kitchen.
‘Flurry loved sledding.’ said Cadance as they were in the middle of a conversation.
‘I’ll say,’ said Blade ‘Even Raging Halberd enjoyed racing against his half sister.’
‘Don’t get me started on the snow angels.’ said Ignis.
‘I even built the biggest snow castle I could ever make.’ said Searing Shimmer.
‘Too bad her aunt wasn’t there.’ said Shining Armour as he and the others looked at Twilight and Moonlight.
‘Yeah, and Searing really wanted to sled with Moonlight again.’ said Sunset as she had the same facial expression on her face like Shining Armour’s.
‘I’ve been trying to get them to snap out of it for hours.’ said Beau ‘You try to get them to their senses when their mind’s onto something.’
‘You don’t have to tell us twice.’ said Shining Armour
‘Shh.’ said Twilight as she shushed them.
‘Concentrating here.’ said Moonlight as they focused on the pudding.
Beau then spoke to them and said ‘Trust me, you should’ve seen what she was like after she turned into a baby.’
This caught, minus Twilight and Moonlight’s attention.
‘Wait, what?’ said Sunset.
‘When did that happen?’ asked Ignis.
‘Oh, it’s quite the story.’ said Emily ‘Let’s just say Twilight caught a horrible cold and whenever she sneezed, her horn shot off sparkles that affected her friends.’
‘As for what happened after they got sneezed on,’ said Beau ‘One of Rarity’s hooves got turned into a roller skate, Applejack kept on flying around, Fluttershy teleported to somewhere cold and Rainbow Dash spoke through sound effects.’
‘And Pinkie Pie?’ asked Cadance, for now she was drawn into this.
‘She went to get a cure from Zecora.’ said Emily ‘But she failed to read the warning label, or even wait for Pinkie Pie to finish.’
‘It may have cured her and turned her friends back to normal,’ said Beau ‘Unfortunately the side effect included that she would get turned into a baby. Trust me, if you guys think that taking care of Flurry Heart and Moonlight as baby Alicorns were bad, you should’ve seen how Twilight was.’
Shining Armour, Cadance and Beau shivered loudly, for it was something that they didn’t want to imagine. At the same time, after adding a final drop, whilst ignoring the disappointed face from her brother, the pudding had been finally finished, which caused both mother and daughter to smile. However, the making of pudding seemed to fascinate both Flurry Heart and Raging Halberd, for now they want to be part of it too.
‘There,’ said Twilight after she closed the book whilst walking over to the nearest table ‘Ingredients measured exactly.’
‘And soon, we’ll have the best pudding, ever.’ said Moonlight.
‘Now, what were you saying?’ said Twilight as she and Moonlight paid attention to them.
Beau then slapped his forehead, typical Twilight.
‘Hi, remember us?’ said Shining Armour ‘We came all the way from the Crystal Empire for some quality family time?’
‘The only chance we can get off from our royal duties?’ said Blade.
‘And the time for Moonlight’s cousins and friend to come over?’ said Ignis.
‘And you’ve neglected to spend time with your husband, again.’ said Sunset.
Twilight noticed how Beau looked ticked off, much to her worry, even Moonlight.
Twilight sheepishly walked over to them with Moonlight in tow, whilst Raging Halberd and Flurry Heart whispered to one another of how they could make the pudding extra tasty.
‘Okay,’ said Twilight as she stood near her loved ones ‘I did get a little stressed out about Hearth’s Warming this year.’
‘Even after I told you plenty of times.’ said Beau, which caused Twilight to feel bad for neglecting to spend time with her family.
However, at the same time, unknown to everyone, both Raging Halberd and Flurry Heart flew over to the cauldron and picked up a bunch of random ingredients and threw them in the pot, allowing the both of them to high five one another.
Shining Armour laughed a bit and said ‘What? You? Never.’
Twilight placed the last piece of the puzzle of why she was stressed again as she said ‘So my friends decided we should do a Hearth’s Warming Helper and give one pony a present to save time.’
‘It went swimmingly until Spike ruined it.’ said Beau ‘And I would’ve helped too if they’d let me.’
‘Sorry daddy.’ said Moonlight as she hugged her father.
But no one seemed to notice that Flurry and Raging continued to throw in random ingredients in the pot. And right on cue, everyone started to laugh at her predicament.
‘What?’ said Twilight, clearly confused.
‘Let me guess,’ said Shining Armour ‘You got super worried about making sure the present was perfect, and went all Twiley-nanas didn’t you?’
‘That pretty much sums it up.’ said Emily.
‘I wasn’t Twiley-Nanas.’ said Twilight trying to defend herself, until she got the “Really?” look from Shining Armour as she said ‘Okay, fine, a little…’ she then looked at everyone and everypony else giving her the same look, with her finishing with ‘A lot Twiley-nanas.’
They smiled as they were satisfied with her answer.
‘Twilight,’ said Cadance as she walked over to her sister-in-law ‘We know you get overwhelmed. You should have just told us. We could’ve helped.’
‘And didn’t you once told us that friends are at their strongest by working together?’ said Sunset with a smirk on her face ‘You wouldn’t stop talking about it.’
‘That’s what I kept on saying.’ said Beau with a pout.
Twilight walked over to Beau and said ‘I’m sorry I ignored you lately Beau…’
‘I know I know,’ said Beau as he stood up ‘When you set your mind onto something, you never stop. Kind of like that time during the Storm King’s invasion.’
Twilight winced at that, then she looked sad with her ears drooped as she said ‘Not my proudest moments. I already had Bolt lecture and chew me out about that after we came back from the Festival.’
Twilight nearly shed a tear and said ‘And that I didn’t know that you weren't going to make it and that Moonlight was nearly…’
Shining Armour hugged his sister and said ‘You don’t need to say anything Twiley. We were all messed up after what happened. Why…I was an absolute mess when I found out Cadance had been captured.’
‘Yeah,’ said Blade ‘I knew Shining and I should’ve been there for her.’
‘I know,’ said Cadance ‘But someone had to look after the Crystal Heart and the Crystal Empire.’
‘I know what you mean,’ said Sunset as she looked down ‘We all got hit by our worst. Nightmare Moon, Discord, Chrysalis, Sombra, myself, Tirek, the Dazzlings, Starlight, the Friendship Games, Camp Everfree, Juniper Montage, Wallflower, the Pony of Shadows, Cozy Glow. At their worst, none of us had been hurt that badly that day.’
‘But we always came back stronger,’ said Ignis ‘To quote a character from a story; “As we share the glory of our victory, so too must we share the pain of our defeat. We grow closer and stronger together.”, and in the end we did.’
Emily couldn’t help but giggle and said ‘Truer words have never been spoken.’
After the hug, Twilight hugged Beau and said ‘I’m also sorry for neglecting you Beau. You’ve always been a great husband and…where was I when you needed me the most?’
‘We all have our faults. None of us are perfect.’ said Beau ‘Believe me, I know that better than most.’
After they broke the hug, Moonlight says ‘And now we’re here together, celebrating as one big happy family.’
‘Couldn’t have said it better myself.’ said Searing Shimmer
‘And the good news is,’ said Twilight as she broke the hug and spoke to her family and friends whilst Flurry Heart and Raging Halberd teleported back to their parents without anyone else even noticing ‘Pinkie’s present is almost done. And it’s just friends and family and a calm, quiet Hearth’s Warming Eve.’
Oh Twilight, you shouldn’t have jinxed it. For the time they left, the pudding, combined with the random stuff that Flurry Heart and Raging Halberd threw in, the pudding began to bubble and poured over the pot out of control.
As they walked down the hall, Shining Armour was curious about something. ‘Say, when Twilight was turned into a baby, did you sing her a lullaby? I know Cadance and I had to sing when Flurry Heart had trouble sleeping.’
‘Why yes I did.’ said Beau ‘After that last human came along, uh, what was his name?’
‘Garuda.’ said Twilight ‘He got married to Rainbow’s friend Gilda.’
‘Right,’ said Beau ‘He told me of a special lullaby he heard a long time ago from a story he watched. When they last visited Rainbow and Bolt, I heard Garuda sing a song to calm his newborn down, which worked. He taught me that song in case I needed to sing for Moonlight in case she would ever get a nightmare.’
‘Awww.’ said Moonlight as she was touched.
‘Can we hear it?’ asked Cadance.
‘Of course.’ said Beau. He cleared his throat as he began to sing, with Moonlight happily playing a guitar she teleported form out of nowhere and started to play.
(Beau)
It always seems more quiet…in the dark
It always feels so stark…
How silence grows under the moon
He slowly held Twilight close as she was suddenly enchanted by the song, for even though she was temporarily a baby, she still remembered the song.
(Beau)
Constellations gone so soon…
I used to think that I was bold
I used to think love would be fun.
Now all my stories have been told…
Except for one.
He suddenly picked Twilight up bridal style, much to their surprise as he suddenly rocked her:
(Beau)
As the stars start to align…
I hope you take it as a sign
That you’ll be okay
Everything will be okay
Twilight felt like she was being in heaven as she slowly rested on her husband’s shoulder whilst her arms were locked over his neck, smiling as she had her eyes closed.
(Beau)
And if the seven rings collide
Although the day could be my last
That you’ll be okay
When I’m gone you’ll be okay
They were surprised by how beautiful that song was, even the way Twilight enjoyed the song, even the children in the room loved the song. Beau continued to sing the song for Twilight, for in a strange way, ever since she was turned into a baby, he enjoyed singing that song to her until she returned back to normal.
(Beau)
And when creation goes to die
You can find me in the sky
Upon the last day
And you will be okay
When the song was over, Twilight hummed dreamingly as she looked at her husband with a soft smile. ‘It’s still very beautiful Beau.’
‘I’ll say.’ said Shining Armour, clearly surprised ‘If I had known about a great song like that, I would’ve sung it to Twilight whenever she was scared.’
‘Or when I foal sat her.’ said Cadance.
‘I think the song was beautiful uncle Beau.’ said Flurry Heart.
‘Thanks.’ said Beau as he smiled with pride ‘Now then, shall we get back to relaxing for a bit until the others come back.’
‘Of course, but uh…’ said Twilight as she looked at the position they were on. ‘Can I stay like this for a few more minutes?’
Beau chuckled as he said ‘Of course my cute Adorkable bookworm.’