//------------------------------// // Episode 23: A Hearth's Warming Christmas // Story: My Little Pony: The Mobian Era // by Mister E-Nonymous //------------------------------// Episode 23: A Hearth's Warming Christmas The streets of Ponyville were covered in holiday decorations. At the Castle of Friendship, Twilight and Spike were getting things ready. Twilight was packing some presents into a huge bag. "There," Twilight said. "To surprise Joshua this year, we're going to be spending Hearth's Warming and Christmas with the Freedom Fighters." "That's why you wanted him and Nyx to meet your parents, Shining, Cadance, Guard and Flurry Heart at the Train Station," Spike said. "That's a big surprise for him." "That's right," Twilight said. "Hearth's Warming and Christmas are very similar holidays. And we'll be able to see all the things humans do for the holidays." Just then, Nyx, Joshua, and the rest of Twilight's family came in. Twilight smiled at them. "So, are you all ready?" "Ready?" Joshua asked. "For what?" The rest of them were looking at each other with smug faces. "What is it? Tell me!" "Well, Joshua, Twilight has come up with a very good idea," Cadance told Joshua. "Twilight has planned a special holiday for all of us." "We're going to be spending Hearth's Warming and Christmas with the Freedom Fighters," Twilight said. "What?!" Joshua asked, excitedly. "That's right, Joshua," Twilight said. "Your bags have already been packed. Now, everypony, let's get going." Then they all headed through the portal to Knothole. Twilight then called out, "Hey, everyone! Mind if we tag along on your Christmas?" But then, all of the ponies and Spike gasped, seeing that no one was there. "Were they... taken?" The royal family walked around Knothole, looking for any of the Freedom Fighters. There were decorations set up all over the place, but there weren't any sign of any attack. "Where could they be?" Velvet asked. "Everyone's gone, but no sign of any struggle," Night Light said. "What could have done this?" "I can tell you," came Nicole's voice. Then Nicole appeared in front of them, and she was wearing a green dress. "Good day, all of you. What brings you all here?" "We... were expecting to see how the Freedom Fighters celebrate Christmas," Twilight said. "I'm... afraid you missed most of them," Nicole said. "The Freedom Fighters have all went away to their families. All... but two." "Two?" Twilight asked. Then a realization came to her and asked, "MC and Maria?" "Bingo," Nicole said. "They're in the mess hall." In the mess hall, MC was walking up to Maria with plates of spaghetti. He then set one of the plates in front of Maria and said, "Here you go, Maria. At least I won't have to go through this holiday alone." "What are we going to do now that it's just us?" Maria asked. "I don't know," MC said. "Hey, you two," came the voice of Twilight. MC and Maria looked towards the voice and saw Twilight and her family there. "Is it just you two that's here?" The Sparkle family walked towards the two remaining Freedom Fighters. "Yeah," MC said. "It's just us. Sonic, Sonia and Manic are spending Christmas with their family in Florida, Tails has got family over in southern California, Amy's got family in England, Cream and Cheese are spending Christmas with her mom and her sister in Station Square, Sally's gone over to Denmark with her family, Antoine and Bunnie are in Texas, Mutt is spending Christmas with his mom in Egypt, and Rotor is in Alaska with his family." "So, there's no one left but you two," Cadance said. "It must be hard spending Christmas alone," Shining Armor added. "It is," MC said. "Makes it even more difficult when you have family that's either dead, or on the most wanted list. Sorry, Maria." "So, there's nothing much for you to do?" Twilight asked. "Well, I was planning on renting a house for the holidays in Denver, Colorado with the Freedom Fighters, but with no one to go with me, that plan was a bust," MC said. Twilight looked around at her family and smiled. She then said, "Go ahead and book it. We're all going with you." "Seriously?" MC asked. "Seriously," Twilight said. "So, what are we waiting for?" MC smiled and said, "Nicole, book us all a trip to Denver, and a vacation house big enough for..." He then looked around at those around him. He said, "...twelve." Maria looked up at MC and asked, "Me, too?" "No one should be alone on Christmas," MC said. "Start packing your stuff." Maria smiled, nodded, and headed back to her bungalow. Later at the airport in Billings, Montana, Twilight and her family, MC and Maria were getting off a bus, which was driven by Tom Wachowski. "Thanks, Tom," MC said. "Enjoy your Christmas." "You, too, MC," Tom said. "At lease you won't be spending Christmas alone." "Yeah," MC said, looking at the Sparkle family. He saw Twilight talking to one employee of the airport, asking how things work at the airport. The employee happened to be the one who gave off the tickets to who bought them in person or online. "Well, see you later, Tom. We got a flight to catch." Then they all headed for the waiting area of their plane. Not knowing they were being watched from above. A figure wearing a black shirt, a long red coat, brown pants, black boots, and a metal mask with yellow lenses and a wig of blue hair, similar to Night Light's and Joshua's coats. Later, the group got onto the plane. Shining and Cadance were setting up airplane seats for Guard Armor and Flurry Heart to be sitting in. Cadance then put a collar on Flurry Heart. "Sorry, Flurry," Cadance said. "But, we don't want you to cause trouble on this flight." "Speaking of which," MC said, handing Shining Armor a couple pills. "You might want to take these, Shining." "Why?" Shining Armor asked. "Airsickness pills," MC said. "Sparkles told me about your... problem." "Like I'd need them," Shining Armor said. "I have to agree with Michael, Shining," Cadance replied. "You're gonna need them. Remember the last time we were on an air vessel?" "Fine," Shining said, taking the pills. Luckily, a stewardess came to them with a cup of water. She handed the cup to MC, who gave it to Shining. Shining put the pills into his mouth, and then drank the water. "Hopefully this won't be a long flight." They all got into their seats. In the sitting positions, they were all sitting close together. In row 6, from left to right; Shining Armor, Guard Armor, MC, Nyx, Joshua and Spike. In row 7; Cadance, Flurry Heart, Twilight, Night Light, Velvet and Maria. Later, the group arrived at the Denver Airport, and MC was getting a rental vehicle. "How can I help you?" the woman at the rental car desk asked. "Good day," MC said. "What ride do you have that can fit six adults and six children?" "Well, we do have a Transit," the woman replied. "Up to 15 seats. Of course, with all of your luggage, you're gonna have to make some seating arrangements." "No problem," MC said. "Just sign right here, and you're going to need a good payment," the woman replied. "No problem," MC said, pulling out a card from his wallet. "Aren't you cold?" the woman asked. "You don't seem to have any winter gear on you." "I'm tougher than I look," MC replied when he was signing the paper work. He then finished up, and slid the paper back to the woman. "Alright," the woman replied. "There you go." She then handed MC back the card, the information and the key. "Merry Christmas." MC then headed back to the group and said, "Alright guys, we'll get the car, and we'll head on up to the vacation house, which is near Winter Park Resort." "What is that?" Nyx asked. "A ski resort," MC said. "A ski resort?!" Velvet asked excitedly. "Oh, that's something I don't want to pass up!" MC then looked at Twilight and asked, "Are you sure you and Rainbow Dash aren't related? Or Scootaloo?" "Nope," Twilight said. "We're all born unicorns in the family. Well, except for Cadance. And Guard. And Flurry." "Oh, right," MC said. "Cadance was born a pegasus." He then clapped his hands and said, "Let's get going, everyone." Then they all headed out of there. Not knowing that someone was giving them the stink eye. It was the former Principal of Cozy Glow's current school, Principal Hunter. He then snarled at the group as he saw them heading out and towards the garage of the rental cars. Later, they all arrived at the place where they'll be staying. "And here we are," MC said, everyone being amazed by where they were staying. "Whoa!!" Twilight said. "This place is big!" "So much space!" Nyx said. "Are we going to get a Christmas Tree here?" Joshua asked. "Oh, yeah," MC said. "We'll get a tree as soon as we get our stuff into our rooms. Nyx and Joshua, you two will be sharing one room. Shining, Cadance and their babies will be in the master bedroom. The rest of you, go find yourselves your own room." "What about you?" Twilight asked. "I'm cool with sleeping on the sofa," MC said. "No open windows, no raising the temperature past a certain temperature, and no searching for the presents to open them early." He then looked at Flurry Heart and said, "That last one's for you, Flurry." Flurry Heart giggled and said, "Fox funny." "Good call," Twilight said. "I don't want a repeat of what happened on the last Hearth's Warming." "That was a lot of pudding," Shining said. "And don't forget the Winterzilla," Cadance added. "I really have to ask how you all do things for the holidays," Maria said. "Besides the Secret Santa we did before the other Freedom Fighters." "Secret Santa?" Twilight asked. "It was similar to what you did last year with your friends and Spike," Joshua said. "Oh!" Twilight said. "We started doing this when we started the Freedom Fighters," MC said. "Since I don't have a family. Alright, go on up and find the rooms." Then they all headed to different rooms. MC then looked out the window, smiled and headed over to the sofa. The next morning, Twilight and her family, MC and Maria were at the resort. Velvet was getting excited about going down the slopes for the resort. "You seem excited," Maria said, looking at Velvet. "Are you kidding?!" Velvet asked. "This place will bring me so much excitement! Luckily, I practiced some snowboarding in this form the last time we came to visit Shining, Cadance and their foals." MC chuckled and said, "You have got some excitable activities." He then pulled a snowboard out from his backside and said, "I'll be on the slopes." "Whoa!" Twilight said. "That's a nice looking snowboard." "This was a gift from Sonic last year," MC said. "He was my secret Santa last year. I was Antoine's Secret Santa last year. I made that sword he uses now." "Alright, everyone," Velvet said. "We'll meet back here around lunch time. Do what you want to do." "Maria, why don't you go with Nyx and Joshua?" MC asked. "Just be careful around certain areas of the snow." "Okay, MC," Maria said, walking over to Nyx and Joshua. Then they all headed off in different directions. Velvet was following MC. MC looked back and asked, "You're wanting to go down the mountain on a snowboard?" "I could use some action," Velvet said. "Plus, with you without a family, I thought I'd keep you company." MC smiled at that, feeling something he hadn't felt in a long time. Then the two of them headed outside. MC and Velvet got into their gear. They later got into the chairlift, and they were riding it to the top of the mountain. They were putting the snowboards onto their feet. "Are you sure you're up for this?" MC asked. "I am," Velvet said. She then used her magic to put the snowboard onto her feet. "So, how does your magic work?" "I don't have magic," MC said. "The Oracle of Delphius told me that himself. My power is all kinetic and through resonance." He then sighed. "Sometimes, it's hard for me around this time of year. Seeing different people with their families, spending a lot of time with them, family dinners. Joshua's lucky he didn't end up like me." Velvet then pulled him in for a hug and said, "I know. I know it must be tough. For you and Maria." "Well, Maria still has family, but..." MC said, biting his lip. "Her last remaining relative, to our knowledge, happens to be public enemy number one." "Are you sure she doesn't have any remaining family left?" Velvet asked. "Not to our knowledge," MC said. He then looked around and saw that they reached the top. "Oh, we reached the top." He then took off his seat belt. Velvet did the same with her seat belt. "You ready?" Velvet nodded to reply. "Then let's go!" Then MC got off the seat, then started snowboarding down the mountain, Velvet close behind. Back at the lodge, Shining Armor and Cadance were looking around. Cadance then pointed over at one part of the lodge. "Oh, look, Shining! A spa!" Cadance said. "How about a nice relaxing day there?" "Well, we could go there for a quick massage," Shining said. "This is supposed to be a family Christmas and Hearth's Warming vacation. Plus, Twylie is watching Flurry and Guard." "Hopefully, it won't be too stressful since we brought them for Twilight to watch in Ponyville," Cadance said. "It was too much for her to handle." "Good thing we agreed to let her know before we agree on her watching our kids," Shining said. "Let's get going." Then the two of them headed into the spa. Meanwhile, Maria, Nyx and Joshua were walking through the resort, looking around at what was there. "Wow," Maria said. "This place has about everything." "Yeah, it does!" Joshua said. He looked around and he saw a bowling alley. "Hey! There's a bowling alley!" "Well, we could go, but we need some money to pay for a game," Maria said. "And your mom, your aunt and uncle and grandparents have the money. Along with MC." "Maria's right," Nyx said. "We don't have the money to buy anything." Just then, Night Light walked up to them and said, "A bowling alley, huh? Well, I think we should be here for lunch to eat and bowl. Have you been bowling before, Maria?" Maria looked at Night Light and said, "I've lived on a Colony that's been in orbit for over sixty years. There aren't any bowling alleys up there. Plus, the scientists there weren't good at sports." "Okay," Night Light said. "We'll show you the basics when everyone else comes in." Just then, Flurry Heart teleported in, surprising all of them. Flurry cooed and then she nuzzled Nyx. "Flurry Heart? Why aren't you with Twilight?" "Flurry!" came Twilight's voice. The group looked over and saw Twilight with Guard Armor. "Sorry, guys. She just got out from my watch." "It's okay, Twilight," Night Light said. "We're gonna do some bowling. You want to join us?" "Well, maybe we should wait for the others to come in," Twilight said. "Way ahead of you," came Shining's voice. They all saw Shining and Cadance coming towards them. "The spa was backed up on customers for today. But we got a scheduled massage for tomorrow. We can always come back tomorrow." "That was a good idea," came MC's voice. They all looked over and saw MC, carrying Velvet on his side, with Velvet holding an ice pack on her head. "M-Mom?!" Twilight asked. Twilight and Night Light ran towards Velvet and helped her. "What happened?" "Well, we were snowboarding down the mountain, but when we got to the final slope, I tripped on a rock, and then I was launched into a pen," Velvet explained. "And then I got trampled by something that was named Blitzen." "Basically, this grandma got ran over by a reindeer," MC said. Joshua snickered, making Shining smack the back of Joshua's head. Joshua then said, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. What MC said reminded me of an old Christmas Song." "Yeah, I couldn't resist," MC said. "How come you're not hurt?" Shining asked. "It's called a healing factor," MC said. "I can heal faster than any other creature. Maria has that ability, too." "It's true," Maria said. "I got scratched by a little cat, and the scratch marks just faded instantly." "Well, we can do something together when I can recover," Velvet said. "Let's go pick out a lane." "We can get two lanes," MC said. "We can change lanes as we bowl on them. Just be on the look out for the arrow on where to bowl in which lane." "That's a thing here?" Shining asked. "Yep," MC said. "Now, c'mon. Then after lunch, we'll go find a tree for Christmas. Hopefully, we won't find a cell phone tower that looks like a tree. That would be a mistake." "Does that often happen?" Twilight asked. "Only in movies and TV shows," MC said. Then later, MC, Shining Armor, Cadance, Night Light and Joshua were at a Christmas Tree lot, searching for the perfect one for their cabin. "Alright, everyone," MC said. "We're here looking for the perfect tree. Maria and the others are looking for decorations for the tree. And also some Christmas Stockings." "Well, I have an eye for searching for the best Christmas Trees," Night Light said. "Just like when we pick out logs for the Hearth's Warming Fire." "Yeah, good thing you left them in the Spirit of Freedom," MC said. "Nicole's sending them with the Spirit of Freedom to the cabin this evening." He then came to one tree and inspected it. He then smiled and said, "This reminds me of the time my parents and I went to pick out a tree before Christmas when I was five years old. Dad said to always pick the one with the most beautiful texture, a perfectly straight trunk, and the least amount of needles falling off it." He then shook the tree. A lot of needles came out from under the tree. "Nope." He then went over to another tree. "Wow," Shining said. "So much memories from his past." "Yes," Cadance said. "Although, he has had a tough life, remember?" "Oh, that's right," Shining said. "I don't know what I would do if Twylie and I lost our family when we were foals." "I'm sure Celestia would've done something," Cadance said. "At least the Freedom Fighters got him and were able to give him a family." "They might not be blood, but that doesn't mean they're not family," Night Light said. "Like Spike, Nyx and Joshua. They're not related to us by blood, but they're still family because of love." "That's true," Joshua said. "I was born human, and have been turned into a pony, twice, but it doesn't mean that we're not family." "There you go, bud," Night Light said. He then looked over at a tree. He checked it out. Cadance walked over and smiled. She then said, "A high level of texture. A perfectly straight trunk." She then used her magic to shake the tree. Not a lot of needles came from under the tree. She then called out, "Hey, Michael!" Just then, MC rushed over. "I think we found one." MC inspected it. He then turned to Cadance and said, "You shook it?" Cadance nodded. MC smiled and said, "I'm impressed." He then whistled to get a tree seller's attention. Later, the five of them went into the store where the rest were. They found the group in the Christmas decoration areas. They saw Flurry Heart trying to race around the place, the others chasing her. MC looked towards Cadance and said, "You might want to start flying. Get ready to catch her." Cadance nodded and started flying. MC then rushed towards the cart to meet collision, stood his ground, and then the cart bumped into him, sending Flurry and everything in the cart out of it. Cadance then used her magic to catch everything, and her arms to catch Flurry. "Flurry, have you been causing trouble again?" Cadance asked. Flurry Heart giggled and snuggled herself into Cadance's chest. She then said, "Mama." Cadance then used her magic to put the stuff back into the cart. MC walked over towards the others and said, "Good job, Sparkles." "Good thing you made me a list," Twilight said. "Now all we need is a Christmas topper. Although..." Twilight then brought up two Christmas Toppers, one being a star, and the other being an angel. "It's hard to choose the right one. What do you think is the best?" MC then brought out a quarter and said, "We'll flip for the decision. Heads being for the Star, tails for the Angel." He then flipped the coin and the coin landed on heads. "Star it is." Then Twilight put the Star into the cart, and she handed the Angel to Maria. "Can you please put the Angel back?" Twilight asked, looking at Maria. "Sure," Maria answered. She then walked towards where they got the Angel. She then came back to the group where they were on their way to the checkout place. Later, they all headed outside, and loaded the Christmas Supplies into the car. MC then said, "Alright, everyone. Once we get back to the cabin, we're all gonna have to pitch in and decorate." "That will be no problem," Spike said. "Twilight is basically the princess of organization." "I thought she was the Princess of Friendship," Maria said. That made everyone, but Twilight, laugh. "Alright, alright," Twilight said. "Let's get going." Just then, Flurry called out in fright. Everyone looked towards her and they saw a man, holding Flurry and a knife in front of her neck. "Principal Hunter?!" "You ruined my life, I'm here to return the favor," Principal Hunter said. Principal Hunter was slowly walking away with Flurry Heart, the Royal Family, MC and Maria were angry at Principal Hunter for taking Flurry. Maria leaned towards MC and asked, "Who is that?" "Former Principal of the school that Cozy Glow currently attends," MC said. "He was fired for trying to frame Cozy Glow so she wouldn't be able to attend his school. He's been trying to convince the school board to not letting anything not human to attend school. He's extremely racist." "And because of you, I can't even get a teaching job!" Principal Hunter shouted. "You smuggled a switchblade and marijuana into a public school just to frame non-human children!" Twilight shouted. "You were supposed to be in prison!" "And this is my revenge!" Principal Hunter said. He then held up the knife, but then his arm was grabbed by someone. The one in the Iron Mask. "What?!" "I don't think so!" came a voice from the mask, which had a vocoder in it to disguise the person's voice. "Who is that?!" Shining Armor asked. MC then pulled out the Nicole handheld device and said, "Nicole, we got an unknown figure. Can you figure out who this guy is?" Nicole then scanned the figure in the iron mask and said, "This person is known as the Iron Mask. Species: Unknown. Age: Unknown. Place of Origin: Unknown." "Whoa," MC said. "Wait. Did you say... Iron Mask?" He then frowned. "Wait, I think there was a section in my family's journal about the Iron Mask." "Oh, yeah, I saw it!" Twilight said. "The Iron Mask was a hero to MC's kingdom, long before MC was even born." Principal Hunter was about to punch Iron Mask in the face, but it hurt his hand, making him drop Flurry. Iron Mask caught Flurry Heart, and rushed towards Cadance. "I believe this is yours," Iron Mask said to Cadance. Iron Mask then stood up. "I think it's time you alerted the proper authorities." Iron Mask then rushed towards the former Principal and pinned him down. Later, the Police showed up and apprehended Principal Hunter. Iron Mask then climbed up a lamppost, jumped, and the coat Iron Mask was wearing spread out and formed a hang glider. "Whoa! That guy is awesome!" Spike said. "That was the coolest thing I've ever seen!" Nyx said. MC looked at the Iron Mask as the latter was gliding away. Shining Armor then walked up to MC and asked, "Are you okay?" "I don't know," MC said. "But there's something about the Iron Mask that's... familiar to me." "Like you've seen him before?" Cadance asked, looking towards MC. "The Iron Mask was never confirmed as male or female," MC said. "Let's just forget about this and head back to the cabin." Then they all got into the vehicle with all the stuff. On Christmas Eve evening, MC was looking out the window as the Sparkle Family and Maria were watching "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" starring Jim Carrey as the Grinch. Twilight then said, "There's something about the Grinch that seems familiar." "Now that you think about it, he does look familiar," Maria said. "Maria..." MC called out. Maria looked towards MC. "It's time to open our presents from the Freedom Fighters." Maria nodded, heading for her room, and came back down. MC then came over to a large package, which came with the Hearth's Warming logs. "Thank god Nicole brought this with the Hearth's Warming logs. This thing is heavy. What's in here, and who packed it?" Maria came back into the room with a small box in wrapping paper. It was barely bigger than her hand. She walked over towards MC and asked, "Who should go first?" "Ladies first," MC said, answering Maria's question. Maria then opened up her gift, and inside was a necklace. She then gasped and said, "This... this was my mother's. Who got this... and how?" "You're welcome," MC said, looking at Maria. Maria looked towards MC and asked, "You? You did this?" "Luckily for me, Alex Lynol had some of your family's stuff from fifty years ago," MC said. "I asked for something with his sentimental value to you. Luckily, I got to him before he, Bruce and Cozy Glow left for Hawaii. He's an otter, and those creatures love water." Maria smiled and said, "Thank you." Maria then took the necklace out of the box and tried to put it around her neck. MC helped Maria by holding up her hair. MC then opened up the package and inside was something rolled up. He unrolled it and gasped. He then said, "It can't be!" What he unrolled was a tapestry of him and his parents. "The tapestry?!" "The Oracle of Delphius found me after I picked your name from the hat," Maria said. "He brought me to your old kingdom, I found your family's tapestry, and restored it as much as I could." MC smiled and said, "Thank you." The Sparkle family looked over at MC and Maria, the two of them getting things that had something that reminds them of the good people of their families. MC then rolled it up and said, "I'm gonna have to put this back into the Spirit of Freedom, and have Nicole take it home." He then headed out and took the tapestry out to the Spirit of Freedom. At the top of the mountain, the Iron Mask was looking down at the cabin, seeing MC putting the tapestry into the Spirit of Freedom. The Iron Mask then said, "Michael Crayton, I know you will be the greatest Crayton in the entire royal family. I just know it. Merry Christmas." Iron Mask then got up, pulled out some ski poles, and the shoes the creature was wearing extended into skis and the creature started skiing down the mountain.