On the final day of the school year, the students of Canterlot High came out after the bell rang. The holidays are just a few days away, but like everyone else, the Rainbooms have everything sorted out. Upon getting the call from Victoria involving her family trip to Dimondia town, her two daughters not only wanted a performance from the band itself, but also with them dressed in red hats and uniforms to spread more cheer and celebration at the Hearth’s Warming festival.
In the hallways, Sunset and her friends are eating some frosted holiday cookies after getting them from the cafeteria. But much to everyone’s surprise, Princess Twilight spent the whole day meeting the students just to spread more cheer.
“Who’s ready for the Hearth’s Warming holiday!?” Pinkie cheered to which her friends agreed.
“Tell me about it, Victoria’s family coming together, it feels like the good old days in my family.” Applejack smiled, while eating her cookie.
“I got to say, Lily Pad and Water Lily are probably the luckiest children to have a mother like her.” Princess Twilight added.
“You don’t say?” Human Twilight raising an eyebrow while smirking. “Where have you been?”
“Probably giving friendship lessons to fillies over the last five months?” Fluttershy rolled her eyes. “Although it’s sad that you're not coming along to our trip.”
“I have to celebrate with my friends and family at Equestria. Last year was lucky, but this year, I’m not risking it.” While the Princess Of Friendship took a bite of her cookie, she didn’t realize that her friend from the other side and Sunset had overheard her statement.
She didn’t take the time to finish her cookie, even while heading to the entrance to the courtyard without bumping into someone. Spending time with Princess Twilight in the classes they’re in for less than forty five minutes at a time wasn’t enough for her. Not to mention the times she came back to this world, they never truly had the quality time she wanted to have with the Princess.
“So...your feeling that Water Lily can handle the festival even without you?” Rarity wondered.
“You all saw what I did back at Everfree Forest when I brought Flurry Heart along. Let me tell you, when a child who's almost three years old eventually grows up, it’ll come to a point where she won’t see me anymore.”
Sunset then stopped herself, she can’t even bear for what her future would hold without the assent of the only friend she has from the Mirror World.
“Sunset?” Rainbow turned around. “What’s wrong?”
With her friends stopping in place before heading out the entrance, Sunset signed, closing her eyes while lowering her head.
“Is your cookie full of bad holiday luck?” Pinkie asked, leaning forward.
“No, it’s not like we’re all having bad luck because cookies with frosting would automatically become coal.”
“Then, is there something you’re missing until we leave?” Human Twilight asked.
“As a matter of fact, there is.” Sunset lifted her head up while looking straight at Princess Twilight. “Twilight, can we go outside for a minute?”
As Princess Twilight nodded, she and Sunset headed outside in the courtyard. With the outdoors covered in snow, clouds covering the sky, the two walked up to the statue. “So, it’s no surprise that I’m not coming with you?” Twilight wondered.
“Yes.” Sunset replied, straightening her mittens. “I always respect your life just like every one of your friends. But the more I think about it…” She stopped herself, leaving her princess friend confused. “We never spent any decent stretch of time together since you’ve been coming back.”
“What do you mean? I was your partner in one of your classes.”
“True, but not what best friends do when they go outside of the school.”
“I, I, I...don’t really understand what you mean?”
In a moment that became more awkward, Sunset pasted a bit for a few seconds, not long until she turned to her friend. “Everytime you come over, do activities like going on a yacht with us, exposing the Dazzlings at the Starswirl Festival, and even going on a jet ski race with Rainbow Dash…”
“Yes?”
“We have never hung out as friends ever since then.” After letting it out, Twilight caught on. Aside from the visits from Sunset to Equestria, she couldn’t even remember the last time she spent quality time with her.
“Sorry you're feeling like this but...I don’t really have a choice right now.”
“It’s not like I'm blaming you whatsoever.”
Twilight placed her hands on her hips, thinking about Sunset’s trip to the Hearth’s Warming festival. When it comes to her plans at Equestria, it’s the same route like every other year, but she never skips a holiday like Hearth’s Warming.
“I care about my friends a lot more. If I really ditch my time with them on Hearth’s Warming Eve, they would think I would prefer their other selves, which I don’t.”
“Technically, our Twilight is what you...somewhat...never mind.” Sunset blushed.
“Well, I don’t usually hang out with her all the time like before but...you’re kind of right.” Twilight also blushed. “But for the amount of times Spike and Starlight got my back, I’m sure they’re not gonna handle double the work for the fifth time.”
“Twilight, the thing is, unlike Starlight who came with us to the Starswirl Festival, Spike hasn’t been a dog since the whole Sirens spell takeover at Canterlot High. He hasn’t even met his other self.”
Twilight sighed after hearing what Sunset’s talking about. “I only met Twilight’s dog once...if I ever told Spike that, he might be interested to meet him, but I can’t guarantee he would want a friend who behaves as a dog.”
As much as Sunset agrees with her princess friend, she thinks otherwise. “I’ve only met Spike a few times. It seems he wanted to do more than being around to help you with your work.”
“Then you clearly don’t know what it feels to have an assistant like him.” Twilight turned to the portal to Equestria. “When it comes to Starlight Glimmer and Rainbow Dash, I’m sure they won’t skip their holiday tradition with their friends. I mean, how many people are you bringing along?”
“Almost fifteen.” Sunset being honest. “The Cutie Mark Crusaders, Big Mac, Granny Smith, Trixie and Spike.”
“Okay so...is it any different to have me around?”
“Not even close, They wanted to come along so they can do something for a change during this holiday.”
Twilight had never forgotten the many friends she made in the past. If she knew what they were doing right now, she would make it up to each one before she stayed in Equestria permanently.
“Look, I get it, but what I want from you is to spend a full day. Yes it won’t be an adventure but...I doubt we'll ever have that chance before it’s too late.”
“Then when are you going to leave to Dimondia town?”
“First thing in the morning.”
Upon getting the information, Twilight may have the day off tomorrow, but the following day, she’ll have to go Hearth’s Warming shopping. The thought of spending one day with Sunset Shimmer at Dimondia town is interesting enough, regarding the risks of changing her plans.
Meanwhile, the Rainbooms were watching Twilight and Sunset, through the door windows. “You sure they’re working this out, because I don’t think they are.” Fluttershy spoked.
“It seems like Sunset wanted more for this holiday.” Applejack said, placing her hands on her hips.
“Are you really surprised by this, darlings?” Rarity rolled her eyes while smiling. “It’s no surprise that Twilight might come with us. This is like the ninth time she’s come over to our world.”
Human Twilight had spent more than enough time with Princess Twilight, but the more she remembers, her closest friend never really had a chance to hang out with her. Aside from helping the princess to find a gift for Water Lily last year, she usually would have anyone else come first, leaving her out of the fold. She headed out of the main entrance, with her friends taking notice.
Princess Twilight and Sunset Shimmer both saw their bookworm friend walking out while putting on her earmuffs. “Is it a surprise that coming here seems like a problem with your pony life?” Human Twilight asked, turning to her counterpart.
“If you were the one coming over, I would say the same thing.” Princess Twilight being honest. “But would I blame you?”
“No, but Dimondia town is two hours away from here. You sure it’s a good idea to come along?”
The Princess Of Friendship may consider joining the Rainbooms in their performance, but spending four hours to drive there and back, all the while being part of the Hearth’s Warming festival would take up the whole day. And at the same time, she never received a map of what the town is like, making her wonder if she’s making the right choice.
“Okay, I know this isn’t necessary but...I’ve gained some cash during my time here right?”
“From being part of the parade at Equestria Land and helping Camp Everfree’s charity, you have way more than you think.” Sunset recalled.
“Because if there’s shops at Dimondia town, I want to at least make a list to give my friends a gift on Hearth’s Warming.”
“You mean, friends like the Shadowbolts, Wallflower Blush, Desert Sage?” Human Twilight guessed to which her counterpart nodded. “Why would you want to do that?”
“Because if I never come back here again, I might as well give them gifts of...my departure from their lives.”
“That’s...actually not that bad of an idea.” Sunset smiled with her eyes open. “Granted this would be tougher than last year’s, but it’s better to give them something before...you move on.”
Soon, the rest of the Rainbooms came out, with Canterlot High’s supervisors demanding them to leave. “We’re gonna be heading home now!” Rainbow Dash shouted.
“If the Princess Of Friendship does come, have her do some sightseeing!” Applejack added.
“And there’s gonna be lots of games at the Hearth’s Warming festival!” Pinkie squealed. “YOU WON’T REGRET IT!”
With the Rainbooms heading home for the day, Twilight knows she shouldn’t be alone. “And I’m sure Starlight, Rainbow Dash, Flurry Heart and especially Spike won’t.”
“Looks like our road trip group has been expanded.” Human Twilight smiled.
“Spike is definitely gonna have the best holiday of his life, I can tell you that.” Sunset smirked while eating her cookie.
“I’ll tell them everything while I’ll make the list. We'll be here as soon as we can in the morning.” Princess Twilight closed her eyes in delight. “Besides, I actually enjoyed wearing that red and white outfit last year.”
“Most girls love being that curtain woman, that’s why this holiday will never get old.”
Princess Twilight heads through the portal back to Equestria, while her friends head home, making more preparations while packing up for their trip. It won’t be any different for the future that comes next year, but they’re not willing to skip their potential final moments as close friends. Although it doesn’t change how their trip will always be unpredictable.
“Do you think any boy would find us attractive when we perform?” Human Twilight wondered.
“I...haven’t even thought about that, I should've told Twilight that before she left.” Sunset scratched on the back of her head. “Even the others won’t like it.”
“Is that a problem?”
“Not sure, we never met anyone who lives near Dimondia town.”
“Especially the fans who only listen to our music. I’ve got a feeling Victoria’s family aren’t the only ones who’d love to meet us in person.”
Sunset looked up at the sky in annoyance. “Do you think Princess Twilight has enough friends as it is. She’s maybe the Princess Of Friendship, but not the Princess Of Getting As Many Friends As Humanly Possible!”
Human Twilight lowered her head while sighing. “It was just a figure of speech, you don’t have to get personal.”