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// 74. #HearthswarmingHorrors 
// Story: Ciderfest BOAS APP Stories: 86?! 
// by Janicethelight 
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Story
Aurora trots up to the fires glow, coughs, and begins her tale: 

" 'Twas a few moons before Hearth's Warming, the tale I'll covey
Of greedy twin swindlers, with plans to lead ponies astray.
They crafted a plush, substandard and sly,
Mimicking a dear doll, they called it "Holly" with a sigh.
Promising the "must-have" of the season with glee,
They raked in vast profits for all to see.
"No refunds!" They declared, with hearts cold as ice,
As they counted their bits, their hearts turned to vice.
But two friends, like a beacon, brought wisdom so clear,
"A 'must-have' for one doesn't mean it's sincere."
The doll, once desired, lost its luster and gleam,
In the eyes of the town, it was just a false dream.
So the twins, with their treasures, in a barn dark and deep,
Stored leftover dolls. Secrets they'd keep.
Never to be seen in the light of day,
Holly the Hearthswarmer hidden away."

 Bori continues, stepping into the glow of the fire: 

"But that's not the end, not yet in sight."
"On the horizon, a page glows with light.
Holly the Hearthswarmer, holding it dear,
Carrying her head and a message, without fear.
In her hoof, a note, with words bold and true,
"Fix my friend and let me talk to her," it's due.
With determination in her button sewn eyes,
She approaches the barn beneath the starry skies.
The door is locked, though she tugs with all her might,
Then spots a window bathed in moonlight.
With a crayon in her hoof, she alters the plea,
"Fix my friends and let me talk to them." You see.
With the note clenched in her brave mouth.
She tosses her head skyward, like a comet, due south.
Her head lands on high as if guided by fate,
And what she discovers…she hopes it isn't too late.
Her Holly sisters in boxes, all abandoned and cold,
Left to wither in darkness, as the story unfolds.
A heartfelt cry escapes her, fills the air,
And the page glows with magic, beyond compare.
The barn bathed in Radiance, a wonderful sight,
As Holly's emerge, breaking free from their plight."

 Alice steps into the glow of the fire:

"The future now unfolds, the readers in command.
"Shall the Hollys embrace her role across the land?
As Hearthswarmer dolls, love and warmth they'll spread,
Or shall they stand united, against creators' dread? 
Will Holly find purpose, or rebel against her fate?
'Tis the readers' decision, what comes to await."

[CHOICE]

What should the Hollys do? Which reality should come true?

> Become the Hearthswarmer doll sensation they were promised to be. (Chaos)

> Unite and attack their creators with glee. (Villain)

[ENDING A: CHAOS]

" Near Hearth's Warming Eve, Holly took flight,
With rag doll sisters, they embarked on their plight.
They journeyed near and they journeyed afar,
In search of sweet ponies, beneath the moon and each star.
Their walking and talking brought fear at the start,
But one gentle filly warmed all of the hearts.
With a hug, and a smile, they offered her care,
And the ponies welcomed the Holly’s with love to spare.
Now they have a place, on each hearth they reside,
Throughout every season, by the warm fireside." 

Alice finishes as the three reindeer slowly leave the fire's glow.

(+1 page for Chaos)

[ENDING B: VILLAIN]

"Near the night before Hearthswarming,
Holly made her decree,
With her pony rag doll sisters, a mission to be free.
They sought out two brothers, unicorns they had known,
Who'd left them to suffer, abandoned and alone. 
They searched high and low,
Far and wide did they roam,
For the twins who had hurt them and left them no home.
With words meant to sooth the brothers stepped back in grace 
But the Hearthswarmers refused, their anger they embraced.
They piled on the brothers, their screams pierced the air,
As the dolls sought revenge, with relentless despair.
Trapped in plastic boxes, to the barn were brothers bound,
The dolls carried them there, their fate unwound.
Locking the door with a key out of sight,
The brothers were trapped in the cold barn that night.
Their anger unquenched, they sought more to be done,
Every pony who'd wronged them, they'd ensnare one by one.
Through the night, they worked, with a mission so bold,
Each pony who'd thrown them away, into boxes as they had been sold.
In the barn, they were crammed in, like a dark, twisted show,
Their revenge complete, the Holly’s let their anger flow." 

Alice finishes as the three reindeer slowly leave the fires glow.

(+1 page for Villains)