//------------------------------// // Episode 19: A Hearth's Warming Eve // Story: The Pony Guard (Season 2) // by MXCDarkHorse2020 //------------------------------// Episode 19: Hearth’s Warming Eve It’s Hearth’s Warming Eve in Equestria and this year it’s a white one as it is snowing both in Ponyville and in Canterlot. But that’s not the only reason while this Hearth’s Warming Eve is so special this year. No, it is not just the first they spend together as friends. But it’s the Hearth’s Warming Eve that the Lion and Pony Guard get to perform the most important play of all of history. And it’s a very interesting and important history of friendship and alliances for the ponies of the past to which everyone is very eager to perform and be a part of. “We're getting closer!” Twilight announced as she and her friends popped their heads out their windows as they approach Canterlot. “Poa!” Beshte remarked at the sight of the snow falling around and from the skies. “I can hardly wait!” Rainbow expressed. “Me too!” Bunga added. “I'm so excited, I— I feel like shouting!” Fluttershy also expressed while exclaiming softly yet adorably. “Woo-hoo!” “Hooo-wee!” Applejack shouted a cheer. “Canterlot, here we come!” “Oh, I do hope I look festive enough!” Rarity expressed while wearing an appropriately fashionable Hearth’s Warming tree hat on her head. “Very.” Fuli answered with a chuckle. “If not then I must be dreaming.” Kyoga sarcastically remarked as she and Fuli both chuckled together. “There it is! Canterlot!” Pinkie pointed to the approaching city just ahead. “Oooh...” The Mane Six all said together as their train ride arrived at the train station in Canterlot. “Oh, isn't Canterlot wonderful this time of year?” Twilight asked everyone as they all got off of their train cart. “It sure is.” Kion answered as he gazed at the snow around the area. “I’ve never snow like this before.” “I’ll say.” Ono agreed. “Probably because of the Pride Land’s warm climate prevents us from getting any snow. Common knowledge really.” “I wish it was Hearth's Warming Eve every day.” Rainbow voiced as they follow Twilight to the Canterlot Castle where the play is being held. “If only every wish could come true.” Kyoga sighed slightly as what she wishes for hits close home for her. “There's so much to look at! I feel like my durned eyes are gonna pop right out of my head!” Applejack commented as they made their way through town. “I have an idea, let's play 'I spy with my little eye' as we walk!” Twilight suggested a way so they can pass the time walking to the castle together faster. “I'll go first. I spy... an eight-foot candy cane.” She gestured to the tall candy cane on her left where Scootaloo and another filly have their tongues stuck on them when they tried to lick it. “I spy a snowpony!” Rainbow exclaimed next turning to the pony creating a snowpony. “I spy somepony eating a gingerbread house...” Pinkie voiced as she raced towards a nearby shop, arrived with a gingerbread house before chomping into it in whole bite. “...and it's me!” “But how can you see yourself doing it if you’re eating it?” Fuli asked with a raised eyebrow. “Easy.” Pinkie replied as she pulled another gingerbread house along with a mirror as she chomps down another one while looking at herself in the mirror. “I had to ask.” Fuli said feeling she walked right into that. “You sure did.” Kyoga somewhat bluntly returned as Fuli gave her a friendly jab in the shoulder as everyone laughed together before making their way to the castle so they can get ready to prepare to perform their play. Once they got to the castle, they all got prepped up while everyone gathers in front of the stage curtains. “I can't believe that Princess Celestia chose us to put on the most important play of the season!” Twilight again expressed as she sat down while Rarity put powder on her face. “Do you guys know what an honor this is? For all of us?” She asked everyone. “It sure is…” Ono agreed albeit nervously along with Fluttershy. “Oh, I wish she hadn't honored me quite so much... I can't go onstage!” Fluttershy expressed as her nerves were starting to get the better of her. “I don't want everypony looking at me!” She along with Ono retreat to bury their heads in a box of scarves nearby as Rarity approached them. “Fluttershy, Ono, darlings, there's nothing to feel nervous about.” Rarity assured as she pushed them to the nearby mirror to touch up their eye lashes and hair. “No?” They asked in unison. “Of course not. All across Equestria, ponies are preparing their own pageants for Hearth's Warming Eve in their own towns. It's tradition.” She answered. “So you're saying they'll be too busy to come to our play?” Fluttershy hopefully asked. “Phew. What a relief.” Ono voiced as he wipes the sweat from his forehead. “Well no…” Rarity began as Kyoga quickly rushed over a placed a paw over her mouth while shaking her head against saying otherwise to correct them before letting her speak. “…not many will be around to come and see us. Just a few ponies will be.” As soon as Kyoga let go of Rarity a sudden breeze of cold wind entered the room that sent Ono flying back into the box of scarves while sending a chill up Fuli’s spine. “What the heck?” Fuli exclaimed as she turned towards the gust of wind. “Oh, my hair! Applejack? Be a dear and shut those windows, will you?” Rarity asked of her while she was putting on her costume to which she turned to the peagsus pony nearby the window too busy cheering for herself like the crowd would. “Aaah! Rain-bow-Dash! Rain-bow-Dash! Aaaah! Thank you, thank you!” “It's a reenactment of the founding of Equestria. It's not the 'Rainbow Dash Show'.” Applejack irritably reminded “Well it should be the 'Rainbow Dash Show'! I'm the star!” She returned as Fuli joined in the argument. “You?! Since when is a play where everyone has a equal role in it revolve around you?!” Fuli challenged. “Curtain in two minutes!” Spike announced from the curtain. “My hair!” Rarity complained. “Shut the window!” Everyone shouted as Kyoga quickly went over to do so. “Oh for goodness sake!” Kyoga snapped as she slammed the windows shut which startled everyone. “You were all so busy arguing that none of you could do a simple task?!” Everyone was rendered speechless unable to come up with a good counter argument. “Now?” Kyoga continued. “Are we all here to show everyone of how we represent friendship and harmony or are we all here to show them of how not to represent friendship and harmony. Because if we are why don’t we just spare ourselves the trouble of embarrassing the princess and just go home?” Everyone had nothing to say because she is right and they need to turn that around. “Well…” She expected an answer. “We’re going to show everyone of how we represent friendship and harmony.” Rainbow Dash answered. “Good. Now get ready.” Kyoga then ordered as they all quickly do so as she takes a moment to take a deep breath to calm herself down. “Yes that was harsh.” She said to herself. “But I couldn’t let them go on stage like that?” She sighed as she went to make sure her costume was properly readjusted before joining her friends on stage. In less than two minutes, everyone was ready to take the stage and begin the play. “Once upon a time, long before the peaceful rule of Celestia, and before ponies discovered our beautiful land of Equestria, ponies did not know harmony.” Spike began the narration with a faux British accent while standing in front of a prop fireplace. “It was a strange and dark time. A time when ponies were torn apart... by hatred!” The audience gasped hearing that, especially the Cutie Mark Crusaders up front. “Oh my!” Thurston commented. “I know. Can you believe it?” Spike whispered as he broke character to address the audience. “I know. You broke character.” Thurston added as Kyoga quickly used her magic to force him to the back of the room. “Whoa!” “Who invited that clown?” Kyoga asked herself as Spike continued. “The one writing the invitations, girl.” A voice in her head sarcastically remarked as she looked around wondering what that voice came from. “What?” She wondered with a befuddled expression as if that voice sounds familiar as if it belongs to someone she hadn’t seen nor heard in years as the spotlights shined on the three groups of ponies. “During this frightful age, each of the three tribes – the Pegasi, the unicorns, and the Earth ponies – cared not for what befell the other tribes, but only for their own welfare.” As Spike further narrated, the curtain opened and closed for each type of pony in groups carrying on with their daily business staring with the Pegasi shaking the clouds for it to snow. “In those troubled times, as now, the Pegasi were the stewards of the weather. But they demanded something in return: food that could only be grown by the Earth ponies.” “Interesting.” Scootaloo whispered to Apple Bloom. “I know right.” Apple Bloom agreed as she along with the other Crusaders and Pride Landers next to them nodded as the earth ponies with unhappy and irritated expressions handed the Pegasi ponies food while doing the same for the approaching and demanding unicorns before lowering the sun and raising the moon. “The unicorns demanded the same, in return for magically bringing forth day and night. And so, mistrust between the tribes festered until, one fateful day, it came to a boil.” Spike continued as the skies turned to a dark and snowy night with strong winds blowing. “And what prompted the ponies to clash? 'Twas a mysterious blizzard that overtook the land, and toppled the tribes' precarious peace.” The earth ponies were unable to produce fresh crops from the extreme cold weather as one of them teared up upon coming across a dead crop while a family who is barely keeping warm in a small fire in their house had their roof fly off and source of warmth blown out leaving them all shivered from the immediate exposure to the dangerously cold weather. “The normally industrious Earth ponies were unable to farm their land. The Earth ponies were freezing.” Next up was the struggling pegasi as they floated around slowly while feeling depleted inside due to a lack of food as one of them ate the hair from his helmet while the unicorns were barricaded inside their home with little food and barely holding their fort down as the winds proved too strong for the doors as the double doors were sent flying off of the mountain. “The home of the Pegasi fared no better. The Pegasi were hungry. And the unicorns were freezing and hungry. Even the unicorns' magic was powerless against the storm.” As the storm brewed, the three ponies all fought over some food they managed to salvage before duking it out with each other viciously as they are all at each other’s throats before a meeting from all three parties was held at the building in the center in town shortly afterwards to resolve all of this. “Each tribe blamed the others for their suffering, and the angrier everypony grew, the worse the blizzard became. And so it was decided that a grand summit would be held to figure out a way to cope with the blizzard. Each tribe sent their leaders.” Fanfare played as the three leaders all approached the table in the center of the room starting with Rarity playing the leader of the unicorn tribe wearing a shiny and stylish purple robe with a silver crown with purple jewels on it to match her necklace. “Daughter of the unicorn king, Princess Platinum.” Next up is the leader of the pegasi tribe wearing black and gold armor and a matching helmet played by Rainbow Dash. “Ruler of the Pegasi, Commander Hurricane. And lastly...” The last leader played by Pinkie Pie wearing an appropriately fitting costume as she blew out confetti from her costume before facing the other leaders as they all take off their headwear with serious looks. “...leader of the Earth ponies, Chancellor Puddinghead. Perhaps the three tribes could finally settle their differences, and agree on a way to get through this disaster.” Of course in no time flat did the three leaders all squabbled incoherently off the top of their lungs. “All I wanna know is why the Earth ponies are hogging all the food!” Commander Hurricane demanded as she stomped her hoof on the table as the other Pegasi shout in agreement. “Us?! We're not hogging all the food, you are!” Chancellor Puddinghead argued back. “Oh, wait, you're right. It's us.” She stood corrected blissfully before getting serious again. “Well, it's only 'cause you mean old Pegasusususes are making it snow like crazy!” “For the hundredth time, it's not us! We're not making it snow!” Commander Hurricane responded defensively before locking eyes with Princess Platinum. “It must be the unicorns! They're doing it with their freaky magic!” “How dare you!” The unicorn princess released an offended gasp with a hoof to her chest. “Unlike you Pegasi ruffians, we unicorns would never stoop to such a thing! H-m-ph!” The unicorns all huffed in agreement. “Well, if you non-Earths aren't gonna stop using your weirdo powers to freeze us all, then I'm just plum out of ideas.” Chancellor Puddinghead slumped her head onto the table. “What a shocker. An Earth pony with no ideas.” Commander Hurricane responded with a condescending remark. “Commander Hurricane, please cease with the insults!” Princess Platinum urged the Pegasi leader to do so as she got in her face. “You're not the boss of me, your royal snootiness!” “I beg your pardon?!“ Princess Platinum responded rather offended by that insult as she placed her crown on upside down. “I am a princess! I won't be spoken to that way!” She then strides away from the table with whatever dignity she has right now. “Well, I'm leaving first!” The commander voiced as they both made their way to the door as the chancellor appeared right in front of it. “No, I'm first!” The three leaders all struggled as they all forced their way out while struggling and getting in each other’s way until they were all able to go their separate ways once the double doors opened up for them. “And the blizzard raged on.” Spike narrated as three spirits with the forms of majestic horses watch on with icy blue glowing eyes while blowing more gusty winds their way with increased intensity. “So the summit of the tribes did not turn out as well as hoped, and the three leaders returned home to lick their wounds... and basically complain.” Spike continued to narrate as the three tribe leaders do exactly as he described it. “Atten-tion!” The Pegasi commander addressed her private soldiers played by Fluttershy and Ono wearing black and silver armor with matching guard hats who saluted with the former accidentally stumbling out of the cloud she was standing on. “Well? Aren't you curious about how it went?” “Oh! Commander Hurricane, sir! How did it go, sir?” The female private officer asked as she approached the bottom of the stairs where her commanding officer stands at the top as her partner landed on her shoulder. “Horribly!” The commander yelled as she pushed snow from the top of the stairs on onto the two soldiers who both walk up the steps closer to her as she continues. “Those other tribe leaders are so disrespectful! Don't they realize that we are a mighty tribe of warriors, and should not be crossed? We have got to break ranks with those weak foals!” During her rant she ended up inadvertently sending the two tumbling down the stairs and back into the snow when she swung her hoof and caused them to lose their balance. Elsewhere, Princess Platinum has returned to her castle while shivering her bones off. “Clover the Clever! I need you!” She called out for the unicorn played by Twilight wearing a brown cloak over her head while Kyoga and Fuli playing two other unicorns wearing a matching cloak with horn props worn on their heads matching to their fur color. “Yes, your Majesty. Did the other pony tribes see reason as I predicted?” Clover answered while levitating a bucket of water for her princess. “Those other tribes are impossible! I, for one, can no longer bear to be anywhere near those lowly creatures. The unicorns are noble and majestic. We will no longer consort with the likes of them!” The princess angrily declared while leaping into the bucket while splashing water on the two while the peached color actress raised a paw to avoid water getting on her nose like the other unicorn. Meanwhile, Chancellor Puddinghead entered her home through the chimney as opposed to entering from the front door to which her assistants played by Applejack, Kion, and Beshte. “Wouldn't it have been easier to use the door, Chancellor?” The orange earth pony questioned. “Maybe for you, Smart Cookie. But I am a chancellor. I was elected because I know how to think outside the box. Which means…” She responded as she stuck her head back in the chimney. “I can also think inside the chimney. Can you think inside a chimney?” “Uh...” Smart Cookie could barely get a word or a proper response in as the chancellor walked by with black soot on her face. “I didn't think so.” “Ugh.” Smart Cookie groaned as the chancellor had an idea bulb spring off in her head. “Ohmygosh. Hold on to your hooves! I am just about to be brilliant!” “That'd be a first.” Smart Cookie muttered under her breath as Kion’s character popped the question. “What is it?” “I have decided that the Earth ponies are gonna go it alone!” She answered with a bright smile as the yellow earth pony’s smile faded. “Aw, so you mean the other tribes didn't come around?” Smart Cookie figured. “Shoot... I really thought we could get through to 'em if we–“ “Don't worry about them.” The chancellor immediately dismissed positive they’ll be fine before getting nose to nose with her two fellow earth ponies. “We're the ones with all the food, right?” “Um…actually, we're all out.” The male earth pony corrected. “Fine, then we'll have to go somewhere new where we can grow some new food.” Chancellor Puddinghead declared as she moved towards the front door. “And with me as our fearless leader, what could go wrong?” “Well…” The large earth pony started to speak up until… “Just don’t answer it.” The golden fur earth pony urged him not to say it with a gentle nudge. No sooner that she tempted fate as she prepared to walk out the door snow covered the chancellor under a small pile that formed in front of the entrance. “Where should I start?” Smart Cookie questioned with a deadpan expression and tone. “The point is...” The chancellor began as she and the other leaders declared at the exact same time in different locations. “We must find a new land!” The Peagsus commander wasted no time in dragging her lieutenants along the way in search of what she is looking for although her subordinates aren’t as strong flyers as Hurricane as they had trouble braving through the strong winds and cold dropping temperatures. “C'mon, Private Pansy, let's get a move on! Hup-one, hup-two!” The commander barked at the two as lightning crackles with the two leaping into their leader’s arms. “Get a hold of yourself, Private!” Hurricane barked at them as she let go of them. “We cannot let anything distract us from the mission at hand. To find, and if necessary, to conquer a new land!” “Conquer, sir?” The male private asked of what she meant by that as her commander pushed Private Pantsy towards the way not wanting any solider left behind. “You never know where enemies might be lurking.” The commander answered as she lurked around. “I don't see any enemies, Commander. Just... snow.” Private Pantsy pointed out. “A-ha! What's that?!” The commander spotted and then attacked what she thought was a new enemy which was really just dark clouds as Private Pantsy flew into Hurricane’s arms after being startled by a small hoof sized cloud. “Okay. This is getting old.” She then commented with a shake of her head while dropping her as she does this almost every time she brings her to a mission. Meanwhile Princess Platinum along with her three escorts have just begun their journey and true to the princess’s character it didn’t take long at all for her to complain about the bitter cold and snow. “Oh, this is simply taking forever. My hooves are killing me! How long have we been walking for?” “About five minutes, your highness.” Clover pointed out as her other escort showed her the castle in sight after pulling aside one of the branches of the bush behind them. “Oh, I never imagined finding a new land would be so hard.” The princess complained as she pressed forward. “But it'll all be worth it, don't you agree?” She turned back to her royal escorts. “Moreso if it’s worth dragging us all the way out to whether you’re taking us.” The yellow furred unicorn irritably commented not liking being dragged out to follow and listen to her complain every second and step of the way. “I actually think that the three tribes could've tried harder.” Clover voiced. “If only you…” The princess’s other escort dryly began until the princess then hollered… “Stoooooop!” “What's wrong?” Clover asked as she along with her partner quickly rushed to the princess’s side. “That is what's wrong!” Princess Platinum pointed out to a relatively small stream of water that can be easily crossed. “Seriously…” The yellow and peach-colored unicorns commented in unison with matching raised eyebrows. “Your Highness, it's just a stream. We can cross it easily.” Clover assured the princess as she along with the other escorts demonstrated by walking on the stepping stones to the other side. But the princess still refused to budge an inch to which her two only servants by her side roll their eyes in annoyance. “I refuse to get my gown wet. I have no intention of arriving at my new land looking like a bedraggled Earth pony, or worse yet a rough-and-tumble Pegasus. I, for one, have no intention of stooping down to their level. On the other hand, I have no trouble watching you stoop down.” Clover groaned as she used her magic to levitate the princess to the other side. “Happy?” Satisfied, The princes led the way with her annoyed cohorts following after her. At the same time, Chancellor Puddinghead along with her companions as well as another pony played by Bunga accompanying them for the ride as they all make their way by the diamond-filled mountains. “Yes, yes. This is definitely the right direction.” The chancellor’s assistant voiced as he read the map with his face pushed in it which created a hole in their source of navigation. “It feels like we're going in circles.” Smart Cookie commented as they both see the circle of footsteps in front of them with the other earth ponies just standing in front of them looking lost with what they are doing. “But that's impossible. Are you suggesting that my assistant reading the map wrong?” Chancellor Puddinghead then questioned her as the strongest pony approached her. “Absolutely not, your chancellorness. It's just that there are holes in the map, and–“ He tried to explain to her… “Of course! How else could I see where I was going?” The chancellor then dismissed as she walked to the side. “Yeah, uh–“ Smart Cookie tried to warn her leader… “Or talk?” Chancellor Puddinghead continued. “I need to be able to talk! I mean, how would we survive if I just suddenly shut up?” “Heaven forbid that should happen, your chancellorship.” Smart Cookie voiced sarcastically before further trying to correct her as gently as possible. “Heh. It's just that... the map is also upside down.” “I got a newsflash for you, Cookie. The Earth is round. There is no up or down.” She responded as she walked off ahead. “You're right! It's such a relief to me that you're in charge of this map...” Smart Cookie sarcastically remarked to which the chancellor got walking backwards back towards her with her assistant joining in on the confrontation. “Relief? You don't need relief! If anypony needs relief around here, it's me!” The chancellor then spewed her big fat ego to her assistants. “I'm a chancellor! I'm a bigshot! You're just my, um... my, uh... “Secretary.” Smart Cookie finished. “Whatever.” Pinkie responded by snatching and placing the map into her mouth before spitting it in her face. “You take the map while I enjoy some relief.” “Yes, Chancellor Puddinghead.” She complied as the chancellor along with her assistant walk off the cliff accidentally. “And so, each leader encountered obstacles along the way, but eventually, they all arrived in a new and wondrous land. Nopony had ever seen paradise before.” Spike then narrated as the three search parties have arrived at an area with clear skies filled with sunshine and warmth spreading across the area. “This is the new land we've been searching for!” Commander Hurricane voiced her pleasure as she hopped from cloud to cloud “What a view...” The male private voiced as he looked all around the mountains. “I can see my future house from here.” Private Pansy voiced as she looked down as her commanding officer pulled out a flag so she can claim this land as her own. “I proclaim this new land to be... Pegasopolis!” At the same time, Rarity and her escorts have arrived at the gem-filled mountains as they all walk along the Cliffside. “I've never seen such jewels!” Princess Platinum remarked as she examined the jewels. “This ruby is dazzling. This whole land is dazzling. I'm double dazzled!” “Got a great source of valuable income we could use.” The peach-colored unicorn commented as the princess squealed before placing a flag onto the ground so she can proclaim this lands as her own. “In the name of the unicorns, I hereby dub this land Unicornia!” Elsewhere, Chancellor Puddinghead along with her three followers make their way to the new land as they admire the scenery around them. “Nice.” The large earth pony commented in amazement. “The air! The trees! The dirt! This dirt is the dirtiest dirt in the whole dirt world!” The chancellor exclaimed in delight as she and her assistant roll around in the dirt. “And fertile, too. Perfect for growing food.” Smart Cookie pointed out as she pulled up a growing plant. “In the name of the Earth ponies, I think I'm gonna call this new place... uh... Dirtville!” Pinkie then proclaimed. “How about "Earth"?” Smart Cookie dully recommended. “Earth! Congratulations to me for thinking of it.” She then said as she dropped her hat with a flag appearing from under it so she can make it official. “We found our new home!” The three leaders then stated in unison as they all suddenly see that they all have done so at the exact same time right nearby each other. And not one of them expected the other to have had the same idea. “I planted my flag first!” Commander Hurricane exclaimed assertively. “Did not!” Princess Platinum argued. “Did too!” “I planted mine earlier than first.” Chancellor Puddinghead voiced as her flag post fell over. “All of you riffraff are trespassing in Unicornia!” Princess Platinum fired at the other two leaders. “The name is Pegasopolis!” Commander Hurricane corrected as they all come to blows again. “Earth! “Pegasopolis!” “Unicornia!” “I say we fight for the land. May the best pony win!” Commander Hurricane then proposed as she got in the princess’s face as the cold chilly winds blew their way. “That's barbaric.” The princess refused while levitating Clover in between them. “Clover the Clever, throw that brute into the dungeon!” “What dungeon?” Clover asked in confusion. “Look, perhaps if we all calmed down...” She tried to propose as the other followers voiced in agreement. “…Yeah. Maybe we should listen to them.” The chancellor’s assistant agreed. “I agree. Let's all calm down.” Smart Cookie urged them to do so. “I vote for calm.” Private Pansy voted. “I'll have you court-martialed for insubordination, Private!” Commander Hurricane threatened her to stay in line as the winter storm started to rage upon where they stand. “We settle this on the battlefield!” She is then whacked in the face with a snowball along with Princess Platinum when she took a moment to laugh at her only to get smacked in the face with a snowball too to which Commander Hurricane laughed at her as the princess now got furious at that strike towards royalty. “Who dares throw a snowball at royalty?!” The princess demanded as the dark clouds formed around them just as Chancellor Puddinghead suddenly noticed there was snow falling from the skies. “Wait a minute, where'd all this snow come from anyway?” She asked as the male private solider noticed the changing weather. “Since when did we have a sudden forecast for snow all of a sudden?” He questioned. “Oh no. Not again.” Commander Hurricane then realized as the Windigos all bear down on with all of the harsh and bitter power they have at their disposal as the extreme cold weather falls upon them all. “And so the paradise that the ponies had found was soon lost, buried beneath a thick blanket of snow and hard feelings.” Spike then narrated. “Instead of beautiful, it was blizzardy. Instead of wonderful, it was wintry! Instead of spectacular, it was snow-tacular! Instead of–“ “We get it! Move on!” One of the ponies yelled out. “Yeah!” Thurston agreed as one of the guards casted him a stern look to warn him he is going to get thrown out if one more word comes out of his mouth as Spike continued without further interruptions. “Everypony was forced to seek shelter. They searched high and low, but the only shelter for miles was a cold and desolate cave. And, of course, the three tribes had to share it, and nopony was too happy about that.” While the leaders were shooting daggers at each other’s eyes, their accomplices silently preferred that they all work together and put aside their differences. “Please, Commander Hothead.” Princess Platinum said to the peagsus pony. “It's Commander Hurricane.” She corrected as they briefly got nose to nose as the princess cleared her throat. “Please, Commander, could you just stand back and give me my royal space?” She expected of her while pointing to her hoofs on the ground. “You mean like this, your highness?” Commander Hurricane returned as she deliberately stepped a hoof closer towards her. “Indeed not!” Princess Platinum corrected as she pushed the hoof aside to point her attention to the ground. “You see this invisible line?” “Private, outline our territory for everypony to see.” The commander said to the other female peagsus as she started following her orders to which the commander then grabbed her and flew her around the cave so she can mark her territory. “See this real, non-invisible line? No unicorns or Earth ponies are allowed to cross it! This is the sovereign territory of Pegasopolis!” “Clover the Clever?” “Uh... Smart Cookie!” The other two leaders called for the other two ponies to do the same. “I know, I know.” Smart Cookie complied along with Clover without another word as they both draw lines for their respective leaders. During this they ended up face to face with each other as they both drew lines towards each other before turning the other way. “What are you doing?” Commander Hurricane exclaimed as she spotted Private Pansy drawing around the rock. “Don't go around the rock, go over it! I'm not giving up an inch of territory to the enemy!” “That rock is clearly on the Unicornia side of the cave, and it belongs to us!” Princess Platinum begged to differ as she approached them before whispering to her two accomplices. “Who knows? There could be jewels inside.“ “I claim this rock for Pegasopolis!” Commander Hurricane declared as she pushed the rock into her territory. “Unhand that rock this instant, you scoundrel!” Princess Platinum demanded as Chancellor Puddinghead suddenly appeared. “Oh, look, you found my rock. I've been looking for it everywhere.” She then picked up the rock with her teeth and then ran off ahead with it back to her side of line. “Hey! You invaded our territory!” Commander Hurricane then said to her. “Finders keepers, losers weepers!” She simply responded in a taunting manner to which worked the Pegasus pony’s last nerves. “That's the last straw!” She stated as she enters the chancellor’s marked territory as Princess Platinum does the same. “Give me my rock!” She demanded as the chancellor ran ahead with the rock in tow as the unicorn princess and the commander both give her a chase all while arguing with each other unaware that the Windigos have frozen their entrance with ice leaving them all trapped inside the cave. “Look, everypony! The entrance!” Clover the Clever shouted directing every pony’s attention to the cave being sealed shut. “Great. Now there's no way out! We're trapped!” Commander Hurricane grumbled. “You two deserve this horrible fate. You've done nothing but argue and fight with each other!” Princess Platinum retorted. “You've been fighting too, your Highness.” The commander rightfully fired back. “Yeah! Worse! I haven't been fighting nearly as much as you!” Chancellor Puddinghead added even though she had her fair share of the blame. “How ridiculous! A unicorn never stoops to fighting!” Princess Platinum fired back as she along with the other tribe leaders are unaware that their bodies are freezing up into ice to which the followers slowly backed away into the center of the cave once they noticed it. “That's just 'cause you wimpy unicorns know you'd never win! Earth ponies are numbskulls!” “Pegasi are brutes!” “Unicorns are snobs!” The three leaders argued their last words as they are all froze up and completely encased with ice leaving the others backed up against each other as the ice surroundings form to the center of the cave while briefly sighing in relief although the moment didn’t last long when they huddle together upon hearing and seeing the Windigo’s roaring howls from the skies. “W-W-What is that... thing?” Private Pansy stammered. “They must be... windigos!” Clover the Clever answered. “Windigos?” Everyone else questioned as Clover explains it to everyone. “My mentor Star Swirl the Bearded taught me about them. They're winter spirits that feed off fighting and hatred. The more hate the spirit feels, the colder things become!” “Then... this is our fault.” Smart Cookie said in realization. “We three tribes... we brought this blizzard to our home by fightin' and not trustin' each other. Now it's destroyin' this land, too.” “What are you all talking about?” The comedic assistant of the chancellor questioned. “This happened because our leaders couldn’t come to an agreement of settle their disputes.” “Nevertheless, we are still unicorns, Pegasus, and earth ponies and we should have done more to reason with them.” The other unicorn pointed out. “And now our bodies will become as cold as our hearts... all because we were foolish enough to hate.” Clover then expressed as they are further centered in the cave together. “Well, I don't hate you...” Private Pansy voiced to make it clear she has no ill feelings towards any of them while directing any negative feelings towards her frozen superior. “I actually hate Commander Hurricane a lot more than I hate you guys.” Everyone giggled as the Windigos snort as they prepare to encase the remaining ponies in ice. “Actually, I don't really hate her…” She continued… “…I just really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really dislike her.” “You mean of her poor decisions in life?” The smaller peagsus asked. “Yes.” She replied as everyone laughed even when being further encased with ice. “Well, I don't hate you guys either.” Smart Cookie expressed. “Nor do I.” Clover also expressed in agreement. “Me neither.” The other earth pony added as the only things yet to freeze is their heads. “Couldn’t have said it better.” The golden furred earth pony agreed. “Me neither.” The yellow furred unicorn nodded. “Because no matter what our differences, we're all ponies.” Clover declared as they all huddle together while calmly smiling while accepting their fate’s with dignity. Then all of a sudden, Clover’s horn along with the other two unicorn's horns glowed along with eyes glowing bright white and together they sent a burst of magic upwards that not only melted the ice encasings but created a fiery display of magic that vaporized the Windigos and then turned into a fiery heart once the Windigos were banished. “Wow!” Both the male earth ponies voiced upon seeing this. “What was that?” Private Pansy asked. “I didn't know unicorns could do that.” Smart Cookie voiced in amazement with what she saw. “I didn't either.“ Clover voiced just as surprised herself before they all joined hooves together. “Nothing like this has ever happened before. But I know it couldn't have been just me. It came from all three of us, joined together, in friendship.” “All through the night, the three ponies kept the fire of friendship alive by telling stories to one another and by singing songs, which of course became the winter carols that we all still sing today.” Spike narrated as all of the ponies aside from their leaders all did exactly that. “Eventually, the warmth of the fire and singing and laughing reached the leaders, and their bodies began to thaw.” Literally the ice around them melted as all of their leaders expressed gratitude for saving them and helping them realize how wrong they were just as the cave exit opened up again with the land returning to its prosperous state. “And it even began to melt their hearts.” Immediately afterwards, they all came to a truce and decided to put aside their differences aside so they can press forward together for a brighter future by creating and posting a new flag that had the image of two alicorns circling around the sun and moon on it to which is seen to this very day. “The three leaders agreed to share the beautiful land, and live in harmony ever afterwards. And together, they named their new land...” Spike narrated as everyone else finished together. “Equestria!” The audience cheered as they were all awe-inspired seeing the wonderful tale of Equestria’s history as the curtains closed for a minute before opening them back open so the cast can take a bow together before singing a song together. “The fire of friendship lives in our hearts As long as it burns, we cannot drift apart Though quarrels arise, their numbers are few Laughter and singing will see us through (will see us through) We are a circle of pony friends A circle of friends we'll be to the very end.” The audience all gave the cast another thunderous applause as they congratulate them for putting on a marvelous performance together. After the play, everyone all got out of the costumes and they all voiced and complimented each other for a job well done. “That was Un-Bunga-veilable!” Bunga expressed excitedly. “I know.” Ono expressed relief with a smile. “I’m just glad I managed to make it through the whole performance without having a heart attack.” “We should be so honored that Princess Celestia chose us! She must really think we exemplify what good friends are!” Twilight happily expressed. “We sure do!” Kion agreed as she placed a paw around Twilight’s back just as Pinkie does the same towards Rarity. “I couldn’t agree more.” Kyoga voiced as she prepares to get whatever she has up her chest out. “And I’m sorry I snapped at all of you earlier.” “It’s all right.” Rainbow accepted on behalf of everyone. “We definitely needed to hear that considering we were about to go on stage.” “And don’t forget...” Bunga added. “Hakuna Matata!” Kyoga smiled as they all felt a breeze from inside courtesy of some open windows nearby. “Applejack, I thought you closed all the windows.” Rarity questioned the cowgirl. “Don't blame me.” Applejack fired back as she got in the girl’s face. “Rainbow Dash should've flown up there and shut it. After all, she's got wings.” “Why do I always have to do all the high up chores?” Rainbow complained as she turned to the egret and unicorn. “Why can't Twilight use her magic for a change! Or heck why not Ono fly over there and close them. As they all started arguing again as Kyoga just shook her head while walking over to the windows to do so just as they hear the roars of a windigo from outside to which immediately shut them all up as Kyoga shut the windows closed while slightly smiling and looking on amused as they all got embarrassed with what they had just said and did. “Some things never change.” Kyoga said to them finding this funny as they all laugh together. “But we’re still friends right?” Bunga asked everyone. “The best.” Kion replied as they all remember that even with their differences and ups and downs they are still the best friends anybody could ask for and that’s all part of the holiday spirit while Kyoga looks on hopeful that things will get better going forward into the new year... …All while it’s all being watched secretly by Scar from the shadows in the ceiling undetected from making using his magic to open the windows twice so he can a get a better feel of how to drive a wedge in their friendship along with locking eyes on the lioness who he secretly made the sarcastic remark in her head before quietly teleporting away undetected.