//------------------------------// // The Queen's Hearths Warming // Story: The Queen and her Court // by Eternal Sunset //------------------------------// “Thank you for helping me hand out these flyers, your majesty,” Fluttershy thanked Sunset shyly as she handed a flyer to a passerby. Sunset, Trixie, and Pinkie Pie are helping Fluttershy distribute flyers for the Animal shelter. Pinkie Pie and Trixie are drawing in crowds with tricks while Sunset and Fluttershy hand out flyers. “I’m happy to help,” Sunset said with a smile, handing out a flyer to the gathering crowd. Fluttershy glanced at Sunset several times, she wanted to talk to her but couldn’t find the courage to do so. ‘No! You’re doing it again!’ Fluttershy mentally chastised herself. “Y-your majesty.” “What is it, Fluttershy?” Sunset asked as she turned to face the shy girl. “H-how are you doing?” Fluttershy managed to say. “I’m doing alright, what about you?” Sunset asked with a smile. “I’m doing fine but...are you feeling lonely?” Fluttershy asked, a hint of concern. Sunset was about to retort when she caught sight of Trixie who was shaking her head no, Sunset calmed herself down before answering. “Yes.” “I’m sorry about that,” Fluttershy said with guilt and remorse.  “I know,” Sunset said in a monotone voice.  They resumed handing out the rest of the flyers in silence, Fluttershy is sad but not for herself and vows to do something about it. Sunset enters her home and immediately heads to her room where she crashes face-first on top of her bed, she lifts her head and looks towards her nightstand where a picture frame is lying face down. Fluttershy’s words echoed in her mind, she felt her anger rising but shook it off and got off her bed. She went to her kitchen to make herself something to eat when her doorbell rang. “Who could that be?” Sunset questioned as she went to open her door. “Hello, Sunset Shimmer.” Trixie greeted with a bright smile. “Trixie?” Sunset is surprised to see her friend. “What are you doing here?” “Do I need an excuse to visit my friend?” Trixie questioned, her smile unwavering. “I guess not,” Sunset answered with a smile, stepping aside to let Trixie in. “Thank you,” Trixie thanked Sunset as she closed the door. “Would you like some-“ Sunset was cut off by her doorbell ringing again, Sunset opened her door to reveal Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy. “Pinkie?! Fluttershy?!” “Hiya your majesty!” Pinkie greeted cheerfully. “I hope you don’t mind us stopping by?” Fluttershy asked timidly, a small smile on her lips. “Uh,” Sunset didn’t know how to respond, she wasn’t expecting anyone to visit her. “Why are you two here?” “To keep you from being lonely!” Pinkie Pie answered with a smile. “No one should be alone around the holidays,” Fluttershy spoke in a soft and gentle tone. Sunset felt her anger rising, the hypocrisy in their words washed away her surprise and before she could say anything, she felt two hands on her shoulders. “Those were Trixie’s exact thoughts,” Trixie said with a smile. “Even though Trixie is Sunset’s only friend here, it’s good to have more people to share our fun!” Sunset’s anger vanished as she looked at Trixie in surprise, the stage magician gave her a wink before pulling Sunset to her kitchen.  “So can we come in or what?” Fluttershy asked in confusion. “You can come in!” Sunset shouted from her kitchen. Pinkie and Fluttershy entered Sunset’s apartment, the two took a seat on Sunset’s couch while the former unicorn prepared some hot chocolate for them. “Thanks for stopping me earlier,’ Sunset thanked Trixie as she mixed the hot chocolate.  “What are friends for?” Trixie grinned as she placed four mugs on a serving tray. “You looked like you were about to shout at them, wanna talk about it?” “It’s what they said,” Sunset said as she frowned. “Given what they put me through, they have the nerve to say that.” “Maybe they didn’t realize that what they were saying would hit a nerve?” Trixie guessed. “Of that, I have no doubt,” Sunset said with a sigh. “Pinkie and Fluttershy are the most harmless people I know, they wouldn’t intentionally hurt-“ Sunset cut herself off, remembering how they hurt her. “But they did hurt you,” Trixie said in a gentle tone. “But Trixie thinks they learned their lesson.” Trixie laid a comforting hand on Sunset’s shoulder. “You don’t need to force yourself to be nice to them, if you’re uncomfortable with them being here then tell them,” Trixie suggested. “Their feelings may be hurt but they’re reasonable now to understand why.” “I don’t mind them being here, it's just their words triggered bad memories,” Sunset explained.  “Then tell them to watch what they say,” Trixie bluntly said. “If they care about making things right then they’ll make sure to watch what they say around you.” Sunset stared at Trixie who had a serious expression on her face, she was acting like a true friend. “Alright, I’ll tell them.” Sunset relented, flashing a smile at Trixie. When they finished making the hot chocolates, the duo entered the living room and Sunset handed Pinkie and Fluttershy their mugs. “Hey girls?” Sunset called their attention. “I know you two had good intentions but can you not say words that expose your hypocrisy?” “What do you-“ Fluttershy cut herself off when she realized how her earlier words offended Sunset. “I am so sorry your majesty!” “I didn’t realize,” Pinkie said in a low tone as her hair lost its puff. “Given what’s happened, coming out of you girls, those words are just a painful reminder for me,” Sunset explained.  “But...how can we tell you words of encouragement?” Fluttershy asked this certainly complicated things for her. “Through actions,” Sunset said simply. “Oh!” Pinkie suddenly brightened, her hair regaining its puffiness as she wrapped her arms around Sunset and brought her in for a hug. “Like this?!” Sunset felt the warmth of the hug spread through her, a small part of her felt bitter that she didn’t receive this from Pinkie when it really mattered but it was soothed away by the hug. “Yeah,” Sunset smiled as she returned the hug. “This works perfectly.” “Can I?” Fluttershy asked, a hopeful smile on her lips. “Come here,” Sunset opened her arms and Pinkie moved a bit to make room for Fluttershy. Fluttershy happily ran to Sunset and hugged her, it felt like they were friends again. “Don’t forget me,” Trixie said with a grin as she hugged Sunset from behind. Sunset basked in the warmth of her friend and subjects, their words of encouragement may prove ineffective but at least hugs are still nice. Applejack grunted as she threw a shovel full of snow over her shoulder, she is clearing her driveway off the snow that fell the night before.  “Gotta make sure the path is clear fer everyone tonight,” Applejack spoke aloud, today is the day of the Apple Family Christmas party and there was still plenty to do for the party. “Need a hand?” Applejack looked up to see Sunset Shimmer smiling at her. “Sun-ah mean, yer majesty what are ya doing here?” Applejack asked. “Granny Smith asked me to help you around the farm,” Sunset answered, walking towards Applejack and melting the snow. “Driveway looks done, what’s next?” “We gotta run to the store to pick up a few things fer the party,” Applejack said, she went to put her shovel away and get the pickup truck to dive her and Sunset into town. When they arrived, Sunset told Applejack to wait while she exited the truck first and went over to the driver’s seat. She opened the driver’s side door and held her hand out to Applejack. “What are yah doing?” Applejack questioned, looking at Sunset’s hand. “Helping you out of the truck,” Sunset answered with a wink. “Oh, ah get it,” Applejack sighed as she accepted the offered hand. Sunset smiled as she helped Applejack out of the truck, she then offered her arm to Applejack who held on to it without hesitation.  “You seem to know what to do when I offered my arm,” Sunset teased. “Have you done this before?” “No, but ah’ve seen a lot of romance movies with Rarity to know what to do.” Applejack answered, her cheeks rosy.  ‘What else have you learned?” Sunset asked, whispering in Applejack’s ear. “Yer Majesty, are yah sure yah didn’t suffer any head injuries when ah...ah relentlessly pounded your skull into the ground?” Applejack asked, her hands started trembling as she started to feel the impact again. “No, why-” Sunset cut herself off when she felt Applejack’s trembling hands. “Applejack is there something you want to tell me?” “Ah still feel it,” Applejack said. “The impact of mah fists against yer face, ah could feel your bones breaking but ah didn’t care. Ah wanted to hurt yah as bad as yah hurt me.” “Do you still want to hurt me now?” Sunset asked. “No, ah don’t ever want to hurt yah again.” Applejack answered, her voice filled with sorrow. “An’ ah also don’t want to feel this way either.” Sunset could see the pain in Applejack’s face, she understood what she was feeling. “I think I know how to help you,” Sunset said. “Yah do?” Applejack looked at Sunset hopefully. “Place your hands on my face,” Sunset said. “What?” Applejack was taken aback by Sunset’s request. “Trust me, it will help ease your trouble,” Sunset assured her. Applejack looked a little unsure but she owed it to Sunset to trust her, she let go of Sunset’s arm and gently placed them on her face. She jumped a bit when Sunset wrapped her arms around her and brought her close. “Focus on how my face feels,” Sunset instructed. “H-how’s this suppose to help?” Applejack questioned. “It’ll replace the awful feeling,” Sunset answered. Applejack focused on the feeling of Sunset’s face, she felt her cheekbones and noted how soft her skin felt. Her cheek turned red as she continued to feel Sunset’s face.  “You can let go now,” Sunset said with a grin as Applejack removed her hands from her face. “Do you still feel the impact?” Applejack focused on her hands, she could still feel the softness of Sunset’s face. “No, ah don’t. Thanks, Sunset.” “Thank Pinkie Pie, her hug gave me the idea,” Sunset said with a wink before offering her arm back to Applejack. “Shall we continue?” Applejack nodded as she took the offered arm, the two looked around the store for the necessary items for the party. Making some jokes and having fun, for a moment Applejack felt like nothing had hanged and they were friends again. Soon the two parted ways and Applejack drove home, she parked the truck and entered her home. “Welcome home, Applejack.” Granny Smith greeted her granddaughter. “Ah hope yah don’t mind but ah cleaned yer room.” “Thanks, Granny. Ah, appreciate it.” Applejack thanked her grandmother as she went up to her room, when she opened the door she spotted a box on her bed. When she opened it she was shocked to discover Sunset’s present along with the things that she threw out that involved Sunset was all there. “But how?” Applejack questioned as she found a note on top of it in her grandmother’s handwriting. Found this layin’ in the snow outside, figured ah’d hold on t it until yah can think clearly. “Granny,” Applejack whispered before running out of her room and down the stairs, she found her grandmother and hugged her. “Thank yah, Granny.” “Anytime, Applejack.” Granny Smith smiled, holding Applejack close as she cried. Rarity let out a sigh as she looked at the box of ripped photos. “How am I going to fix this?” There was a knock on her door. “Rarity, you have a visitor,” Sweetie Belle called from the other side. “It’s Sunset.” “You can come in,” Rarity said as she was about to put away the box but then wondered if perhaps Sunset can help her fix them? Her bedroom door opened and Sunset stepped inside. “Hi, Rarity. Whatcha got there?” Sunset asked as she noticed the box. “Hello, darling. It’s a mistake I hope to correct with your assistance.” Rarity said as she showed Sunset the contents of the box. “It’s a bunch of ripped photos,” Sunset commented as she picked up a few pieces. “Those are photos that had you in them,” Rarity shamefully admitted.  “Oh,” Sunset said awkwardly. “I was hoping that you could use your magic to fix this,” Rarity said. “Hmm, I certainly could,” Sunset said as she focused her magic and ponied up. “Place your hands over mine.” Rarity did as she was told and placed her hands over Sunset’s who is holding the box, Rarity felt a familiar jolt of magic that caused her to pony up. Images of the wonderful times she shared with Sunset flooded her mind, the contents of the box started glowing but then quickly faded. “That should do it,” Sunset said with a smile. Rarity looked inside the box and to her amazement, all the ripped photos have been completely restored. “Thank you so much, Sunset.” Rarity thanked the former unicorn. “Glad I could help,” Sunset said with a smile. “Is this why you asked me to come over?” “Not quite,” Rarity set aside the box and looked at Sunset with a serious look. “I wanted to talk to you about what happened during the surprise coronation you threw for me.” “Oh, that.” Sunset nervously said. “There wasn’t an appropriate time to talk to you about this before now,” Rarity explained as she crossed her arms. “Why on earth did you want to humiliate yourself in front of everyone like that?!”  “I thought it was the best way to make up for what I did,” Sunset answered, rubbing her arm nervously. “Sunset, how could you possibly think that?!” Rarity demanded but then her tone softened. “I noticed your dress coming apart, and immediately knew what was going to occur. There were two options, either I do nothing and let you humiliate yourself in front of everyone or I do the sensible thing and prevent the disaster that was about to unfold. I choose the latter.” Rarity walked up to Sunset and placed her hands on her shoulders. “Sunset, please stop sacrificing yourself for me or at least talk to me before you do something so foolish.” Rarity said with a smile. “I truly believe that after giving you your present that I have moved on from my hatred towards you, there is no doubt that I now know for sure just what kind of woman you are.” Rarity pulled Sunset into a hug. “A generous person who would move heaven and earth to right a wrong.” Sunset wrapped her arms around Rarity and the two stayed like that for several minutes before separating.  “Now it’s my turn to make it up to you,” Rarity said with a wink. “You’re already more than halfway there,” Sunset replied with a smile, she still felt the pain from Rarity’s betrayal but felt less bitter about it than she did with the others. Sunset looked herself over in the mirror, her hair was nicely combed and she is wearing the outfit Rarity gave her. She looked ready for the Christmas party. She grabbed two bags full of presents and exited her apartment, when she exited her apartment building she found a car waiting for her outside and Flash waving at her. Sunset waved back before hurrying towards the car. “Did I keep you waiting?” Sunset asked as she got in the passenger side. “Not at all, I just got here myself,” Flash answered as he drove off towards the Apple farm. “Thanks again for the lift, Flash.” Sunset thanked her ex. “Trixie doesn’t own a car and it didn’t feel right asking my followers. Especially the girls.” “No problem, I’m always happy to help,” Flash said with a smile. “So how are things between you and the Rainbooms?” “Good actually,” Sunset answered. “They haven’t earned my trust yet but they’re getting there.” “Glad to hear it, be sure to let them know when they’re doing something you’re not comfortable with.’ Flash reminded her. “I already had to tell Pinkie and Fluttershy that,” Sunset said with a smile. “Trixie convinced me to do it.” “Has Trixie earned your trust?” Flash asked, curious as to where Trixie stands in Sunset’s inner circle. “I trust her more than I do the Rainbooms,” Sunset answered. “She’s not afraid to speak her mind and is upfront with me.” “It’s good to hear that you have someone you trust,” Flash said. “It puts me at ease.” “I trust you too, Flash,” Sunset said with a smile. “I’ll be counting on your help for the future.” Flash suddenly remembered his daydream of Sunset asking him to help her sire an heir which caused him to turn red. “S-sure thing, Sunset,” Flash said nervously. Sunset raised an eyebrow at Flash’s sudden nervousness but didn’t say anything. The rest of the drive was silent as Sunset looked outside the passenger window at the falling snow, they soon arrived at the Apple Farm and after promising to pick her up later, the two bid farewell as Sunset approached the Apple family house. She knocked on the door and as it opened she is greeted by Applejack. “Hey there, Sunset.” Applejack greeted her queen as she stepped aside to let her in. “Glad yah could make it.” “Thanks for the invite,” Sunset thanked the cowgirl as she placed her coat on the coat rack by the door. Applejack guided her towards the living room where the rest of the Rainbooms were along with the CMC. “Hi, your majesty!” Pinkie greeted as soon as she saw Sunset. Sunset exchanged greetings with the rest of the guests and placed her bags of presents by the Christmas tree. The party was in full swing as everyone exchanged Christmas stories, shared eggnog, and Sunset got to embarrass Applejack under the mistle toa as she dipped the farmgirl before kissing her cheek. There was plenty of laughter that night, everyone is in very good spirits like Anon-A-Miss never happened. But it did, and that’s why Sunset couldn’t fully get in the holiday spirit. It was starting to get late and Sunset decided that now was a good time to leave but first she needed to inform her former friends on what will be happening during the break.  “Girls, I have an announcement to make,” Sunset said from her spot on the sofa. “What is it, yer majesty?” Applejack asked, a little nervous as to what it might be. “First, thank you for inviting me to your party. I enjoyed myself and the company,” Sunset thanked the Apple Family. “Second, I will be spending winter break with my family in Equestria.” “I hope you have lots of fun!” Pinkie Pie immediately said, a big smile on her lips. “Thank you, Pinkie,” Sunset thanked the pink-haired girl. “But before I leave there’s something I want to say to Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle.” Everyone briefly glanced at the young girls who looked at Sunset with nervousness. “I forgive you,” Sunset said with a smile. The CMC along with everyone else is shocked by this.  “What you did is wrong and cruel, and it quickly spiraled out of control but you realized your mistake albeit after I caught you but you came forward just in time,” Sunset said, her smile becoming warm and inviting. “What do you say we start over as friends?” The CMC glanced at each other before rushing at Sunset and enveloping her in a hug. “We’re so sorry, Sunset!” Applebloom cried. “We’ll never do something stupid like this again!” Scootaloo promised, crying against Sunset’s chest. “We promise!” Sweetie Belle sobbed. Sunset warped her arms around the young girls as they cried and apologized when they stopped crying Sunset addressed her former friends. “Girls, these last couple of days have been nice but I’m still not over what you did to me,” Sunset explained. “We figured,” Applejack spoke, a little disappointed. “Yah can’t bounce back from the hurt we caused so soon.” “Well said, Applejack,” Sunset said. “I wish there was a way to get out my need for revenge against you girls in a peaceful way but there sadly isn’t.” “It’ll take time,” Rarity said. “I’m willing to wait.” “Same here,” Applejack agreed with a smile. “As much as we want things to go back to the way they were before, it’ll be dumb to rush into it,” Rainbow Dash said with a grin. “I should know!” Everyone had a good laugh. “That reminds me, because of what happened I can’t stand to hear words of encouragement coming from you girls,” Sunset said as she felt her anger rising. “So instead I prefer if you showed it through your actions like a hug.” “We can do that,” Rarity said with a smile. “Can we give you one right now?” Pinkie asked hopefully. “Sure,” Sunset agreed as she held her arms out, the Rainbooms immediately rush to her and enveloped her in a hug. Sunset smiled as she felt the warmth of the hug, she loved this alternative.  When they parted, Sunset went over to the Christmas tree to retrieve her bag of gifts. “I had these gifts ready for you girls before the Anon-A-Miss debacle,” Sunset explained as she handed the bag to Applejack. “If you’ll excuse me, I should be heading home. I leave for Equestria tomorrow.” “Can we see you off?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Sure,” Sunset said with a smile as she made her way to the door, she texted Flash to come to pick her up and he replied that he was already on his way. “Hold up, your majesty.” Applejack said as she hurried to Sunset with a bag in her hand. “Don’t ferget about yer gifts.” “Thanks,” Sunset thanked the farmgirl as she took the bag of gifts from her. “They’re mostly from Pinkie, Fluttershy, and me, yah already got yer gift from Rainbow and Rarity,” Applejack explained. “Thanks, fer coming.” “I’m glad I did,” Sunset said before she and Applejack shared one final hug. “Happy Hearths Warming, Applejack.” “Merry Christmas, yer majesty.” Applejack said as she and Sunset broke the hug. “Happy Hearths Warming!” Sunset shouted to the rest of the party-goers. “Merry Christmas!” Everyone shouted back. Applejack opened the door and saw Flash’s car approaching Flash stepped out of his car to open the door for Susnet who thanked him as she stepped in, Flash got back in the driver’s side and they left the farm with Applejack waving goodbye. “Did you have fun?” Fash asked as he got on to the main road. “Yeah,” is Sunset’s simple reply as she gazed outside the window, a small smile on her lips. Flash smiled as he drove Sunset home, Sunset stared out the window feeling hopeful for what the new year will bring.