//------------------------------// // A Night to be Merry // Story: Three walks of life in Equestria // by autobotfan15 //------------------------------// The Polar Express charged on the tracks passing the towns that had festive decorations put up and the fields of snow. Which were actually many sheets of white felt draped on parts of my big railroad. I smiled at the accomplishment. It took some time but it was satisfying to see it all finished and a few days before Christmas too or rather Hearths Warming Eve. I still find it surprising how many similar holidays this nation has. However this one sounded like a combination of Christmas and Independence day according to the way Twilight described it. The formation of a country unified by friendship against the harsh cold. If only all modern day humans took this lesson well. At least for this holiday I can still put up my Christmas decorations I had stored in my attic. Cletus and Karen had barely a few decorations up while Jesse and Alison had no decorations at all. Then again those two SJWs don't even like Christmas. Something about commercialism, patriarchy, and a slew of other things I can barely comprehend. I gave up trying to understand their logic, or rather lack of logic, within a few weeks of meeting them. After a bit of play I turned off my railroad and headed downstairs. Tonight Twilight invited me and Sparky to her Castle for a Hearths Warming party. I certainly wouldn't miss this party. From what I've heard many families and friends have been invited. It almost felt like she invited all of Ponyville to join the party. It makes me wonder how big that castle really is on the inside. As I made my ways downstairs I once again passed a photo of my parents. I stopped for a moment and placed a hand on it. I missed them so much. It's not because I'm on this planet away from earth. Its because they were gone long before I came here. I then heard a yip as Sparky was at the door wearing a red sweater Rarity and Fluttershy made for her. Seeing her wear it would definitely make a good internet post to melt hearts. I sighed and smiled as I went down, picked her up along with a bag of presents, and opened the door already feeling the cold winter breeze enter the house and tickle my nose. After locking up we headed to the castle. Amazingly my neighbors weren't out and about during my trek. It's actually quite a miracle. We soon got to the castle where many ponies were either outside playing in the snow or getting settled inside. I quickly made it in and dropped off my presents by a big tree. I immediately felt Sparky squirm out of my grasp. "Hey! Where do you think you're going?" I then saw her run towards a small group of familiar animals. I guess there's that I suppose. Too bad tank couldn't join us because of his hibernation. Then I saw Pinkie Pie trotting up to me. With her were two other mares. The pink mare soon jumped up and hugged me. "Hi Matthew! Happy Hearths Warming!" I chuckled and hugged her back. This mare knows how to make anyone smile even through hugging. "It's nice to see you too Pinkie. Are these your sisters you told me about?" "Yep this here is my oldest sister Maud." She said as she placed a hoof around the mare that was giving me a deadpan expression. Then again I heard she was kind of like Droopy the dog based on what others told me. "Nice to meet you." She simply said. I smiled and waved back. "Nice to meet you too and you are?" I asked noticing the other gray mare who was giving off an intimidating vibe. "Limestone, look Pinkie trusts you so I won't give you a hard time but if you ever find yourself visiting my rock farm don't touch Holder's Boulder." She said as her face twisted into an even fiercer scowl. I immediately felt a bit scared. "Limestone? What did we talk about?" Asked Pinkie. Limestone sighed. "No getting mad at possible new friends." Pinkie nodded "That's right and here is-" She stopped as she looked around. "Uh Where is Marble?" "I saw her trot outside. She said she wanted air but she looked like she saw something bad." Explained Maud. I stared before I noticed another mare looking down as she trotted to the door. She looked miserable. "Was that Marble?" I asked. "Yep that's her she's about as shy as Fluttershy, maybe more." Said Pinkie. "Well it was nice meeting you girls, I'm going to get some air myself." I said as I made my way to the door. That was somewhat true, but in reality I wanted to help that poor girl. No living soul should be sad on a holiday like this. Helping people who are down is a bit of a habit of mine. After stepping outside I saw her on a bench. I approached her and she noticed me. She just waved hello as I walked up to her and sat next to her. "Hello Marble, I'm Matthew but I'm sure your sister told you about me." "Mm hmm." She said. The way she said it nearly reminded me of Applejack's brother. I sat silently for a moment before sighing and looking down at her. "Look I know it's not any of my business but you want to tell me what's wrong? No one should be sad on Hearths Warming." The mare looked to me for a moment before nodding. "I'm sure Pinkie might've told you how she and the Apple family might be related?" She started. "Oh yes, I thought I heard her mention that, but from what I hear that is still an ongoing mystery." I said. "Well one time our families had Hearths Warming Together on our rock farm and I've met Big Mac and he was well... Is it bad that I wish we weren't cousins?" She asked. "Why on earth would you wish...oh. You actually like him like that don't you?" Marble blushed as she hid her face beneath her mane as she continued. "It was recently that I found out he was now in a relationship with another mare named Sugar Belle. Don't get me wrong I'm happy he found somepony but I just wish... I just wish..." She started crying and I acted quick. I bought her into a warm embrace. She cried in my chest for a few good minutes. During that time I stroked her back to comfort her. "There there, I know its difficult especially since your family tree is still a mystery." "How do I even move on from this? Every time I see them it hurts." She sobbed. I looked up to the sky, then back down to her. "I think the first steps are to confront your feelings with those two. I may have known those two for a short while but I know they are understanding ponies. Besides I'm sure there's someone out there just for you. Just talk to them and I'm sure things will work out. Think you can try?" Marble said nothing as she just looked to the ground. "Come on give me a smile just to show me you can." I said as I gave her a slight tickle. She giggled and looked up to me with a soft smile. "Ok, I'll try." She got up from the bench and went inside. I sighed as I silently wished her luck. I hope she still finds joy after this. I got up myself and started making my way back to the castle entrance. "You done good Matthew. You done-" Suddenly a snowball struck me in the back of my head. I quickly turned to see a few of the school children having a snowball fight with snow forts. They all looked at me with either amused or embarrassed smiles. Silver Spoon looked like she was caught with her hoof in the cookie jar. "Looks like my aim is a little off." She said sheepishly. "She got you good Mr. Wilkins." Teased Scootaloo. I laughed as I reached into the ground. Picking up a snowball with a grin. "You silly little ponies. I was never one to back away from a snowball fight." The kids saw the snowball in my hand. Diamond looked to a slightly nervous Silver Spoon. "Uh oh, he's gonna get you Silver." The snowball war raged on as I and soon other ponies joined in. "You can run, you may hide, but I will find you." The party was going pretty well. Surprisingly my neighbors hadn't blown it yet. Let's hope it stays that way. We sang carols, shared stories, and played some games. Dinky was really good at charades. After a big feast we soon gathered to open presents. I received a few good presents. Like the portrait of the Crystal Empire Express from Twilight Sparkle, or the small handcrafted (or hoofcrafted) miniature trees from Rarity. Of course I shared my presents, like the stuffed Fennec Fox plushie for Fluttershy, or the cookbook on new muffin recipes for Derpy. At some point I did see Marble talking to Sugar Belle and Big Mac. From the looks of it, looks like the talk they had worked out great as they were smiling. I looked over to see many ponies chatting as they shared my presents. It felt wholesome, yet it was sad because it reminded me of my family back home. A voice got my attention. "You alright there sugar cube?" I turned to see Applejack standing right by me. "Oh yeah I’m fine AJ just fine." "You sure? I was certain I saw a tear comin down your face." I touched my cheek and sure enough it felt wet. I sighed as I looked down at her. "Alright you got me. I guess I'm just now suddenly reminded of my parents." Applejack nodded in understanding. "I'm sure they miss you too, heck I'm sure they're just waiting for you to come home." "Actually my parents aren't on Earth. Not anymore." I said. Applejack looked at me confused then she gasped in realization. "Oh shoot. Sorry about that. I know what it's like to lose someone that close." "Yeah I know about your family history. Welcome to the club." I said sadly. Applejack stared for a bit before trotting off somewhere. Guess she knew I wanted to be alone. For now at least. I'll spare the depressing details about what happened to them, but lets just say drunk idiots and innocent drivers on the road never mix well. A few minutes later I was looking for Sparky to take her home. When I felt hoof on my shoulder. I turned to see Rainbow Dash hovering behind me. "Hey, Applejack wanted you to have one last gift for the road." "Oh and what is it?" I asked. She pointed to where Applejack and a couple of other ponies who had a few instruments. Applejack picked up a guitar and started playing a song that got everyone's attention. "When family cannot be here having' journeyed far and wide. We sing a song to honor them To remember days gone by..." sang Applejack. Soon her little sister joined her. "So take your cup and raise it high Just as surely I'll do mine And laugh we will at stories told As we smile at days gone by As we smile at days gone by" Then came a chorus from her five best friends and the other two crusaders. "For family not here, my dears havin' journeyed far and wide. For loyalty and kindness both we smile at days gone by." I looked around and saw many ponies looking on in happiness. The song felt like it was plucking at my heartstrings. I even saw Sparky with the other pets. Looks like she was sharing a hug with Angel and Winona. "Our paths will cross again one day In time to reunite. For family is always near Even when the seas are wide." As they sang I found myself walking closer to them. "So take your cup and raise it high Just as surely I'll do mine And make a toast for family And the tales of days gone by" The other ponies along with two donkeys, a zebra, a dragon, and a certain spirit of chaos broke out into chorus. I decided to join the singing too, feeling my heart soar. "For family not here, my dears Havin' journeyed far and wide For loyalty and kindness both Take joy at days gone by." "For loyalty and kindness both We smile at days gone by." The farm pony looked up to me with a smile so warm it could melt a glacier. I knelt down and hugged her. She hugged back. "You'll always have family and I speak for all of us when I say we are proud to consider you a part of ours." A small tear of joy slithered down my face. "Thank you." After all the celebrating we all went home. However I had two more stops to make. I went to Cletus and Karen's house and dropped off two presents. I did the same with Jesse's and Alison's. Because no matter if they're a pain, they're still neighbors and everyone deserves a little something. I went inside my house only for Sparky to suddenly jump out of my arms and run to her dog bed. It was then I heard a sound coming from my train layout. I went up and sure enough there was the 1102 parked at a station. The moment I got close it started moving. It was pulling two boxcars. One had the word Merry the other Said Christmas. I smiled as I watched it went into a tunnel and vanished. I then went to a window and looked out at the stars in the night sky. Luna's night has never looked more beautiful. I smiled as I thought back to the friends I made here. "Merry Christmas and Happy Hearths Warming to all and to all a goodnight from near and far."