"Alright, let's go through this one more time: warm scarf?"
"Check!"
"Beanie hat quilted by Fluttershy just for this occasion?"
"Check."
"A vest with fluffy trims that will make you look, by your own wording, absolutely ridiculous?"
"Check..."
"Will and determination to make this Hearth's Warming Eve the best one ever?"
"Check and check... Agh, come on Twilight, we went over this list like a hundred times in the last few days! Everything is ready! I AM ready!" answered Rainbow Dash, and added: "And it's not like the Princesses would have picked me if they didn't have absolute confidence in me!"
Twilight Sparkle lowered her checklist, and looked at Rainbow. She smiled, and said with the slightest bit of guilt in her voice:
"I trust that you can pull this off. If Celestia and Luna does so, how couldn't I?! But it's for that very reason this is so important for me, too! I just want everything to be perfect, nothing else. Oh, and of course it's also important that those ponies in need get their presents all over Equestria..."
"I appreciate that you care, Twilight." Rainbow looked sideways at her unicorn friend "Really. But you worry too much. I didn't forget anything. Even if I did, you were here to warn me about it. But you didn't, so everything is set. For real. Really. So go now, or you will miss your train."
"She's right Twilight." Spike chimed in, dragging a stuffed suitcase along the ground "We should go. Trains are pretty scarce on Hearth's Warming."
"See? Listen to Spike. He knows what's up." answered Rainbow, gesturing towards the dragon with a forehoof.
"Well alright!" Twilight said, and put down her clipboard "You convinced me. Then let me just wish you good luck, and a merry Hearth's Warming!"
"Thanks. And have a merry Hearth's Warming too!"
The two ponies embraced each other, and Spike also got his due hug from the rainbow-maned pegasus. Then Rainbow left Golden Oaks, because she didn't want to burst out in laughter. Twilight just began going over a checklist regarding the suitcase's contents...
"Hehe, poor Spike! They're just going for a single day and night to Canterlot... What would happen if it was two days?" Rainbow thought to herself semi-loudly as she was taking off.
The pegasus was flying over Ponyville, and looked down at the village. Everything was sufficiently snowed in. She and the weather team made a great job again. As it was still before noon, she still saw quite a few ponies on the streets. That would change coming afternoon, after the early sunset. This also meant Rainbow still had quite a few hours before she would set off to Canterlot, to help the Princesses in their charity efforts. To spread gifts all over Equestria during a single night is no easy task, but if anypony were able to do it, it would be a duo of alicorns. And of course, Rainbow Dash...
'And even if I would've forgotten something,' Rainbow continued her thought mid-flight 'Twilight would have surely pointed it out. But I don't forget things so...'
Rainbow smiled with satisfaction. She knew she was fully prepared for the task before her, and also knew she would pull it off flawlessly. How proud the Princesses were going to be of her! And also, such a feat would make for some good clout in certain circles. Like the Wonderbolts...
But even among all her positive thoughts, something nagged her. Something deep in her brain started making it's way upwards, among all the cogwheels and pistons, forcing its way to the surface through the well-oiled mind-machine.
Hearth's Warming...
Forget...
Gifts...
"SCOOTALOO!"
Rainbow Dash screeched to a halt mid-air. She looked around in panic if anypony heard what she basically yelled out loud. But that wasn't the case, as she was too high up in the air for that. But now, it dawned on her. She did forget something...
❄❄❄
"Oh no!" Rainbow held her head with both forehooves "I totally forgot about Scootaloo's gift!"
Rainbow started to think. She only had a few hours until she had to set off to Canterlot. She heavily hinted to Scootaloo that she will get an awesome present. Why did she need to be such a loudmouth? Why did she feel the need to always show off? If she didn't set up things like that, now she would have a much easier task. She could get away with it being a surprise belated Hearth's Warming present. But Dash liked Scootaloo, and a belated present just wouldn't do! It also needed to be something non-average. The pegasus filly was turning out to be awesome like her, so she would deserve an awesome gift.
Alongside her worry, Rainbow made it back to her house. She paced up and down, left and right, flew in circles, and in all the other geometric shapes, but nothing came to her mind that was an awesome enough gift, and could be get on such a short notice. Maybe she could beg Rarity to quickly put together some nice dress? Yeah right, but Scoots wasn't really into fashion. Fluttershy? She could recommend a pet to the orange filly, if most of the little critters weren't hibernating. Applejack, Pinkie Pie...?
"Just forget it Rainbow, you dun screwed up..."
The pegasus covered her eyes, and slowly hovered down onto her cloud-bed. She was disappointed in herself that she forgot. But she was even more disappointed that she couldn't think of any gift for her little buddy! And she was such a quick thinker otherwise...
Rainbow lay like that for a while, in disappointment that slowly started to turn into self-pity. She took away her hooves from her face, and they flopped down on the bed next to her. She was just staring at her ceiling, as if it could give her some advice regarding her plight.
Gift...
Awesome...
Rainbow was thinking, then it came to her. Those mind-worms definitely worked hard that afternoon...
"Of course!" Rainbow sprung up from her bed "Who said a gift needs to be a physical gift? I will give Scootaloo the time of her life, while still keeping to the promise I made to Celestia and Luna. HAHA! You're a genius, Dash!"
With that, Rainbow happily took off, and zoomed...
"Oh, and thanks ceiling!"
...So as I said, zoomed away towards Scootaloo's house. Or more like, towards the house of Scootaloo's aunts.
❄❄❄
Scootaloo put the topper on the Hearth's Warming tree, being held in the air by Auntie Lofty. Aunt Holiday took a good gander at the fully decorated pine, and said:
"Nice work, you two! And a quick one, too. But no wonder, if two pegasi work together..."
"Yes, I guess we make a good power duo." answered Lofty, putting down Scootaloo to the ground "Maybe an even better one than she and you."
Holiday raised an eyebrow at the lighthearted teasing, and walked a bit closer.
"Now-now, I did imply you two were good, but not better than Scoots and me!"
Lofty squinted her eyes angrily at that. Holiday didn't react any differently, and the two mares stared down each other. Scootaloo, deciding to break the stalemate, put up both forelegs between them.
"As the official judge of Ponyville staring contests, I declare this a draw! That's the best you will both get."
Holiday and Lofty both burst out laughing and lifted the filly in a hug.
"Thank you, judge! I dunno what would we do without you! And Happy Hearth's Warming!"
"Yes, you too. I just wish... Mom and Dad could be here too..."
Scootaloo, suddenly, made herself sad. Her hug weakened, and her aunts put her down gently. Scootaloo's parents promised they would visit Ponyville for Hearth's Warming, and they would all spend the holiday together as one big family. But the last train got rescheduled at the last moment, and they couldn't have made it in time, so they called off the visit altogether.
"I understand your plight, Scoot." said Holiday "But you must know Mom and Dad still love you very-very much."
"And I bet," added Lofty "at this time of year, you're in their thoughts even more than usual. Actually, I'm sure they are thinking of you RIGHT NOW!"
"That makes two of us, then." Scootaloo sighed "Or more like, three of us."
Suddenly, a knock could be heard on the door. Four knocks actually, in rapid succession, like that of someone in a hurry. All three ponies looked towards the door, with some surprise. Who that could be? It was already dark outside, being late afternoon. A visitor at this hour, at this time of year was a bit unusual.
"I'll get it." said Holiday, and walked over to the door.
❄❄❄
Rainbow Dash waited impatiently outside of Aunt Holiday and Auntie Lofty's house. She already knocked like what, nine or ten seconds ago? It was getting ridiculous! She was in a hurry, dangit! And stemming from that, Scootaloo was in a hurry too. She just didn't know that yet.
Finally, after like twenty seconds or so, Holiday's slightly chubby figure appeared in the doorframe. Rainbow Dash greeted her:
"Hello Ms. Holiday! Merry Hearth's Warming! Can I come in for a sec?"
"Hello Rainbow Dash and same to you!" Holiday received the greeting, and added, with slight surprise in her voice: "And sure, come in, feel welcomed!"
Holiday stepped aside, and Rainbow trotted in.
"Thank you! I swear, I will only disturb you for a minute. Wow, nice tree... Oh, hello Ms. Lofty! Hello Scootaloo! Merry Hearth's Warming to you!"
Rainbow's adrenaline addled introduction somewhat confused the two adults, but Scootaloo very visibly was happy about the unexpected visitor. She jumped up into the air, and even hovered there for a bit, as much as her tiny wings allowed her.
"Rainbow Dash!!! Merry Hearth's Warming! It's SO good to see you! I didn't expect a visit from you, but really, right now, you're the second best surprise guest who could have came!"
"Yeah, I know!" Rainbow said with a smile, and didn't correct Scootaloo's sentence. Even her big ego knew what Scootaloo meant by second best. She turned to Holiday and Lofty:
"So uh, could I steal your niece for a moment? And by a moment, I mean for about an hour?"
"Now?" Holiday asked back, furrowing her brows "For what purpose? It's Hearth's Warming Eve!"
"I know. It's exactly about that." answered Rainbow, and turned to her little buddy "I promised to Scoots she will get an awesome Hearth's Warming present. Well, I have it, but she needs to come with me."
"You... You have a present?! For me?!!!" Scootaloo gasped "Gosh, I'm so... so...!"
"Of course I have!" Rainbow interrupted "Why, did you think I'd forget about it? Don't answer! I just want you to dress up warm, and take your flight goggles too."
"And may I ask, why would she need those?" came from Lofty, a fellow pegasus, with some suspicion in her voice.
"Because um... We're going for a walk! Yeah, a longer walk. And some nasty wind's blowing outside, so she'd better put on goggles too. Hey, are you ready yet, pipsqueak?!" Rainbow asked playfully, turning back towards Scootaloo.
Scootaloo was already standing there, wearing her warm saddle, a beanie, a scarf, and had her flight goggles on her forehead, too. She was beaming, being absolutely euphoric.
"I'M READY!" she declared.
"Heh!" Rainbow chuckled, then asked the aunts: "So, can she come?"
Holiday and Lofty looked at the visibly excited (possibly far too excited) filly, then at each other. Holiday answered:
"I think there's nothing wrong with that. But don't stay too long, okay Scoots?"
"And wherever you go, look after each other, right?" added Lofty.
"Sure, sure, it will be just as you said!" Scootaloo said, beaming "Come on Rainbow, let's go!"
"You heard her." Rainbow said with a nervous smile "She's eager to go! I better not keep her waiting."
By the time those words were said, Scootaloo was already at the door, trotting in place. Rainbow followed her.
"She'll be back in no time, I swear!" Rainbow said as she was opening the door "Goodbye, and have a nice holiday!"
"BYEEE!" cheered Scootaloo, and followed her friend outside. The door was closed with a wooden thud, and the aunts were left alone in the house.
"Well, that happened..." said Holiday, inching closer to Lofty.
"Yup."
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" cooed Holiday, wrapping a foreleg around her loved one's neck.
"Oh yeah. I sure hope they won't crash..."
❄❄❄
Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo trotted outside in the crunchy, ankle-height snow, in the cold and dark afternoon. But the filly surely wasn't cold, as the fire in her little heart was stoked by her enthusiasm! Her enthusiasm for... Wait, for what exactly?!
"So, where are we going, Rainbow Dash?" she asked "But only answer if it's not a surprise, of course."
"We're going for the RIDE OF YOUR LIFE!" Rainbow answered in an overdramatic manner, pushing her face closer to Scoot's.
"Whoah, really?!" Scootaloo gasped "That's so incredibly cool! And... And how that will happen exactly?"
"I promised Princess Celestia and Luna that I will help their charity efforts. We will leave gifts to ponies in need all over Equestria. Last year they couldn't finish this task on their own, but this year, they asked ME to help. This way, surely no pony will remain ungifted!"
"Wow Rainbow Dash, I always knew you had a noble heart! You're now my hero even more than you already was! You're...you're the BEST!"
"Yeah, yeah, I know!" Rainbow waved a hoof dismissively "But I didn't finish! Where you're coming in the picture, is the sleigh I'll be using. It's a very fast sleigh, imbued by pegasus magic, so if a pegasus is pulling it, it feels almost weightless. You can ride in it to Canterlot, where it will be loaded up with presents. So this way, you can experience a unique, one of a kind, Mach one sleigh ride! Courtesy of yours truly. Then, we'll make a little detour here, drop you off, and I'll go on my merry way. Sounds good, pipsqueak?"
Scootaloo let out a really big *GASP*!
"DOES IT?!!!"
"Okay, I'll take that as a yes." Rainbow winked at her friend "But let's pick up the pace now. The sleigh is at AJ's, so we're going there first."
❄❄❄
Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo arrived at Sweet Apple Acres. Dash knocked on the farmhouse's door, and Applejack opened up.
"Well hiya, Rainbow! Thought you'd never show up. And hey Scootaloo! Merry Hearth's Warming!"
"You too, AJ!" said Scoots.
"So Applejack, is the sleigh ready?" asked Rainbow, pointing with her head towards the barn "We're a bit late, so let's cut to the chase right away."
"Of course it's ready. It's in the barn, just where you left it." answered Applejack, stepping out of the house.
The three ponies began walking to the barn, but then, Apple Bloom popped up too. She noticed Scootaloo, and beamed up:
"Hello there, Scootaloo! Well, ain't it nice seeing ya! Surprise visit for Hearth's Warmin'?"
"No. I'm with Rainbow Dash here. We're going for a sleigh ride!"
"Really now? Boy, then you'll get one heckuva bang for your buck, Scoot! Applejack could tell you about last year's joyride with her!"
"Don't even mention it, Apple Bloom!" Applejack turned back "I still get a bit nauseous when I think about it."
"He-he! Well, I couldn't have rightly guessed the "Iron Pony" couldn't take a little sonic rainbooming!" chimed in Rainbow, audibly very proud of the feat.
"You... You pulled off a sonic rainboom?! While pulling a sleigh?! That's...That's AWESOME!" Scootaloo gushed again.
"Yeah, but actually, all five of the gang were there, not just AJ. And it seemed to me aside from Pinkie, nopony tolerated the speed of sound very much!"
Scootaloo's incomprehensible fangirling was the only answer to that, and a few moments later, they arrived at the barn. AJ and Apple Bloom opened both wings of the door, and there was it, the "sled of dread", as Applejack implied it.
The sleigh was, fittingly enough, red, and had its seats removed, as it was optimized for cargo space for the oncoming task. Otherwise, it was a pretty average looking, one horse open sleigh.
"Okay pipsqueak! Goggles down, and into the sleigh you go!"
"Yes ma'am!" Scootaloo answered, pulled down her goggles onto her eyes, and climbed into the sleigh. As it lacked seats, she just sat down on her rump. Then, she wrapped the safety nets, probably there for the presents, around her forelegs. Safe and secure! Probably...
"That's it! Now AJ, could you fasten the harness system around me? I mean, you're already here, so..."
The "harness system" consisted of a belt, and two rods connecting it to the vehicle. Applejack rolled her eyes, and walked over. Rainbow spread out her wings, and the belt was wrapped around her barrel. Then the earth pony, using her teeth, pulled on the end, so it was secured real tight.
"Shouldn't I fly instead of you as well?" Applejack smirked.
"You totally should, but I'd rather leave this to the professional." Rainbow countered, petting the farmpony over her hat.
"Uh-huh. Well, just take care of Scootaloo here, would ya?" said AJ, looking at the filly, who was literally buzzing with excitement at that point "I'm sure her folks would want her back in one piece."
"IT WILL BE ALRIGHT!" Scoots answered, grinning from ear to ear.
"What she said..." Rainbow said, and flapped her wings in place, warming them up a little "Okay, we'll be off now. Make sure to keep your fields clear for my eventual landing."
"Sure. Go now. And take care of yourself too, ya hear?"
"Bye! Have fun, Scoots!" Apple Bloom said, waving to her fellow CMC.
Rainbow nodded to them, and although Scootaloo was waving back a goodbye, there wasn't any time left for last words, as the pegasus moved forward, and the sleigh yanked along with her. Scootaloo almost fell back, but regained her stature, and decided she will grab onto the front of the sleigh to hold herself in place. And also, to have a first row experience of what is to come.
❄❄❄
Rainbow Dash sped up from a trot to a gallop, and her flapping intensified too. The field in front of her was long enough to make a very snappy take-off, although with a barely loaded sleigh, a much shorter one would have sufficed. But she wanted to impress her little passenger, who was leaning forward in the front section of the sleigh. Scootaloo's heart pounded, the flaps of her scarf waved behind her, and the coat on her back stood on end.
Almost running out of farmland, Rainbow took off at a high speed, pulling the sleigh along. She began a low-angled ascent, flying faster and faster towards Canterlot.
"This is simply incredible!" said Scootaloo, trying to shout over the howling headwind "WHOO-HOO!!! I'm flying FAST!"
"And this is just the beginning!" shouted back Dash "Get ready for some SPEED! Buckle up, filly!"
Rainbow accelerated even more, eventually reaching the same elevation as Canterlot, although they were still far from the city. They also got into some turbulence, and probably any other non-flying pony would have freaked out from that, but Scootaloo was more than elated. She and Rainbow Dash? Flying through turbulence? Cool and dangerous, just as she'd want this ride to be!
The filly also looked around, and the winter wonderland around her was breathtaking. From that high up, she could see whole central Equestria, and boy, was it a sight to behold! Their home village, Ponyville, was just hundreds of illuminated dots far behind them, and Canterlot, to which they were rushing towards, were simply magnificent with its special holiday lights. The snow was seemingly falling horizontally, right into the Scootaloo's face, but she didn't mind it, she had her goggles on. Rainbow was right to request them of her!
"Now how about some tricks?" Rainbow yelled back "Can you take them?!"
"Go on!!!" Scootaloo shouted, ready for more.
Rainbow Dash did some hoops and loops and turned the sleigh into the mid air equivalent of a rollercoaster. Scoots trashed from left to right, and from right to left from the violent turns Dash was making, but her adrenaline negated any sense of fear she could have had at that point. Blood rushed to her head from all the loops, and she had to hold on real tight into the safety nets underneath herself to don't fall out of the sleigh, plummeting to her doom. But even plummeting only felt like a potential inconvenience then. Scootaloo was on a drug that moment, and the drug's name was DANGER!
"You took all that like a champ! Perhaps it's time for our big finale... Are you ready for something really boomtastic?"
"DO EEEEET!" hollered the Scoota, ready for the booma.
Done with the aerial maneuvers, Rainbow began a steep ascension, quickly gaining altitude. The sleigh behind him was slightly shaking from the blazing speed, and Scootaloo riding in it was also shaking, with a weird mix of slight fear, anticipation and excitement. Finally, Rainbow Dash topped out her ascent, and leveled her vehicle, slowing down considerably.
"Final chance to opt out..." she gave a last warning.
"No way! Let's go!" came the answer.
"Then hang on real tight, because this is gonna be wild!" said Dash, and she began her divedown.
The pegasus with the sleigh was descending almost vertically, going for the sonic rainboom. Hundreds of feet whizzed past them in a heartbeat. Scootaloo's cheeks started to flap from the incredibly high speed. She also got pushed into the back of the sleigh, and the raw speed kept her there pinned. She didn't even need to hang on, as she couldn't even move! But Dash flew even faster still, accelerating, and the landscape that seemed like a map just half a minute before begun to show detail as they were plummeting.
As Rainbow was nearing the speed of sound, the mach cone started to appear around her front hooves. The air wheezed past her, she pushed herself to her limits, knowing that although not easily, but she could pull it off. The cone of pressurized air before her was rapidly decreasing in angle. She was near...
Mach 0.9...
Mach 0.95...
Mach 0.99...
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
The shockwave of the colorful explosion was left behind them, as Rainbow Dash passed the speed of sound. As they were approaching the ground at this incredible speed, Dash started to pull out from the divedown, slowing down, returning to horizontal flight. After a good minute, Rainbow turned back, panting:
"So... How that was?!"
Scootaloo was panting too, and grinning, answered with overflowing happiness:
"That...was...INCREDIBLE!!! Best Hearth's Warming gift, ever!"
"See? I told you your gift would be awesome."
"And I couldn't be happier about it. You have my neverending thanks, Rainbow Dash! Expect a hundred hugs upon landing!"
"Whoa, whoa! Let's not indulge in the sappy stuff, okay? We are danger-defying daredevils. Let's remain smooth and cool."
"Eh... Heh. Okay. You're right. We daredevils, huh?"
❄❄❄
Finishing some relaxed flight, Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo landed in Canterlot. After undoing her harness, Rainbow stepped next to the filly, who disembarked from the sleigh.
"You know" started Dash, touching the back of her head with some embarrassment "I was thinking about this hug-stuff. Maybe one single hug won't hurt us. After all, I'm chilled a bit from the cold rushing air."
Of course, Scootaloo didn't need more subtle urging, and jumped into a hug. Rainbow wrapped her forelegs around the filly, and they remained like that for a good few seconds.
"You know, even hugs can be awesome. Did you think of that?" Scootaloo said, still in the embrace.
"You might be right..." Rainbow conceded with a smile "Merry Hearth's Warming, awesome filly!"
THE END