//------------------------------// // Chapter 54: Hearth Warming Day // Story: How Did I Get Here? // by k12314 //------------------------------// CHAPTER 54 It was Hearth Warming day at last. My family and I had already opened our presents, and we were all very happy with what we got. Scoots had gotten the new parts for her scooter, which I installed for her. Dashie had gotten a signed picture of The Wonderbolts from me, and I got new mixmaster headphones to replace the old ones Vinyl had given me when I started DJing. Dashie was just staring at her picture, and Scoots was down in Ponyville, wreaking havoc with her new ride. "Kyle... You have no idea how much this means to me..." "Ah, don't worry about it. I'm just glad you're happy with it." "No, really. I never thought I would have an autograph from even one of The Wonderbolts, let alone ALL of them!" She threw her front legs around me. "Well, shucks. I'm happy you're so thankful." "And what about those headphones?" I had them on, and I had my MP3 Player plugged in. I started a song, and my jaw hit the floor. The clearness, the detail... "Dashie, have I ever told you that you and Scoots are the best things to ever happen to me?" She smiled. Then we stood up. "Alrighty. Dashie, get Scoots. We need to get going. We have a party to get to." "Right." I got my jacket and my hat, and walked outside. It was snowing, and I was still really cold, even with the extra protection. "Brrr... Well, at least it'll be warm at the bakery..." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ When we arrived at the bakery, some ponies were already there. Pinkie was the first to greet us. "Oh! Hey there! Isn't this just super? Imeanlookwehavestreamersandbannersandribbonsandsnacksandeverythinglikethat!" "How much air can you fill in your lungs, girl?" "I dunno, Dashie!" "Oh boy... I'm friends with the craziest of ponies..." I facepalmed. "Well hey there, Kyle." "Oh, hey Rendan." I saw a small white colt, around Scoots' age. He looked a little timid, but Scoots payed no mind to that. "Hi there! My name is Scootaloo. Wanna go play?" "Umm... My name is Forge. Sure..." "You have a funny name." "Yeah, I know..." The kids ran off to play. I stood by Rendan, watching. "Forge, eh? Why's he got that name?" "Well, he's really good with making things outta metal." "Ah, I see. Fitting name." Then, Zephyr and Spitfire arrived. "Hey, Kyle!" Zeph ran over to me, a big grin on his face. I whispered to him. "Did it work?" He smiled even wider, and pointed to the bracelet on Spits' front hoof. "Good going dude. You have to tell me about it later." I gave him a friendly punch on the shoulder. "Zephyr?" Rendan just stared. Zeph stared back. "Rendan?" They just walked off to a secluded spot, where no ponies could overhear. I followed them, keeping my distance. I could just barely hear them. "Zephyr... I thought you were dead." "I'm not, but the others are." "What?" "You left us, Rendan. All of our friends in that group are dead. Those bandits came out of nowhere, and you just ran. I managed to take them out, but the others... They weren't as lucky. I watched them fall, one by one." Rendan just stared. My eyes widened. "No way..." "But I..." "Save it, Rendan. You left us for dead." "I had a pregnant wife at home, Zephyr." "I understand. I don't respect you any less for what you did, but it still lays the fact that you left us." "Well... Alright then..." They separated. Zeph noticed me, and approached me immediately. "I know you were listening. You better not tell anypony." "I swear." For extra reassurance... "I even Pinkie Pie swear. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." Smack. "OW." Zeph chuckled, and walked away. I went and mingled with the guests for a while, still thinking about what I had heard. "He was left for dead by one if his best friends... That must have been hard on him..." The party was beginning to calm down, and a few ponies had left. "This is a great party, dare I say so." "Hey, Rarity." "Darling, I just wanted to thank you for all of the good you've brought about in your wake. I used to think you would be trouble, what with your atrocious style, (but now it is the must-have fashion statement!) but I know now that you can do nothing but good, no matter what." "Wow, Rarity. That's pretty heavy coming from you. Thanks, I appreciate it." "Oh no darling, it is I who is thanking you." She smiled warmly, and walked away. "Am I really that important around here?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A few hours went by, and I had a few conversations here and there, but nothing too important. (I also gave Pinkie a stern talking to about defying gravity and breaking the fourth AND fifth wall.) After the party had ended and the guests gone home, Zeph approached me again. "So, wanna hear about that proposal?" "Of course. But let me just say that I'm very happy for you... Hey, where's Spits at anyways?" "Oh, she went home, she was tired after a while." "Ah, I can understand that. Being famous and being in a room full of normal, everyday ponies isn't exactly the most relaxing thing in the world." "Yeah... But wait 'till you hear this. You're gonna be amazed." "Well stop flapping your gums and tell me!" Zeph sat down on the sofa with me. "Alright, so..." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHANGE VIEWPOINT: Zephyr FLASHBACK: Hearth Warming Eve I sat in the restaurant with Lil' Fire, eating the expensive dinner I had ordered. We hadn't talked much, just stared at each other. There was only one thought running through my mind. "Does she know?" I was having second thoughts, mainly just due to the nervousness. "So... Do you have anything to say, Zephy?" "Well... I... I mean..." "Aww... What's wrong?" "N-Nothing! I just..." "If there's something you need to say, then just say it." Then, I managed to bury the nervousness under a mountain of courage. I stood up, and walked next to Lil' Fire. "Spitfire, you are the flame of my life, my passion. I want to be with you, forever." I pulled out the bracelet. Her eyes widened, and she looked at the box, then back to me. "Zeph, I... You... Yes." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHANGE VIEWPOINT: Kyle FLASHBACK END I just stared. "So... Whaddya think?" "I mean... You just... And she... I can't even BEGIN to say how AWESOME that is..." He smiled. "Well, Kyle... If it weren't for you, I would never have met Lil' Fire, I never would have dated her... I never would have been married." "I caused all of that?" "Yeah, and I could never be more thankful." He gave me a friendly smile, which I returned. Rarity was right.