“This is SO insane…” Mare Do Well grumbled as she hid behind a trash can as bit-shaped coins were fired at her rapidly.
“Come out, come out, Mare Do Well. Time is money after all,” a unicorn with a black suit and mask with a bit currency symbol on it declared as he approached, a pair of two gatling cannons adorning his shoulders. “Try to stop Coinpinch from robbing Baltimare Jewelry Emporium and Coinpinch stops you permanently!” His cannons rotated, firing numerous coins again.
“Alright, this has gone on long enough. Hearth’s Warming Eve’s a day away for Celestia’s sake!” Mare Do Well said angrily, bucking the trash can and sending it straight at the villain, knocking him back indoors. Before he even saw it coming, Mare Do Well was upon him, stomping her hoof into his chest several times and knocking the wind out of him. “Sorry, Coinpinch. Time to pay your debt to society.” She said, smirking under the mask as she brought her hoof down once more to his face, knocking him out. Looking over at the store clerk, she shoved the unconscious criminal aside. “Call the city guard now.”
“Thanks…” the clerk said, still a little shaky.
“It’s no problem. Have a good Hearth’s Warming!” the said, and with that, she flew back homeward. “You’d think I’d get a break around this time of year…” Rainbow muttered to herself.
~
She could sense it… the snow, the cold, all of it outside while she lay here in her icy prison that felt more and more like a tomb with each passing day. Frostmare stared off into space, longing for a way to see the outside world that night and watch for the morning of Hearth’s Warming Eve, the day when winter was at it’s most beautiful. It brought back the memories…
“Snow Angel! I missed you so much!” Misty Cloud ran up and gave her big sister a hug.
“Aw, I missed you too, Misty-Wisty!” Snow Angel said with a chuckle as she wrapped her foreleg around the filly. “Got that pie from Sweet Apple Acres. Dessert’s gonna be great.”
“Dinner’s gonna be just as good. It’s so wonderful to see you home, honey,” her mother said, smiling as she moved about in the kitchen.
“Eh, the university’s got a lot going on. I gotta do my part in making a difference in this kingdom, right?” Snow Angel said with a laugh.
“Outside! Look!” Misty said, bouncing up and down, her tiny wings fluttering as she attempted to point out the window. Snow Angel approached and crouched down, letting her sister on her back as she stood up and they both looked out the window. The snow had just begun to fall, the two sisters marveled at its beauty. Today was sure to be a wonderful Hearth’s Warming Eve…
Frostmare grit her teeth, ice-cold fog puffed from her mouth as she exhaled sharply. She’d never get to experience that again, ever. An accident that turned her into this, her sister having been frozen solid, and that meddling so-called superhero who foiled her effort to bring an early winter to Ponyville and left her trapped her like a caged animal. Icicles formed around her cell, growing more jagged and sharp as she grew more and more bitter.
Her train of thought was suddenly and sharply interrupted by the creaking sound of the service tray and something being slid in, causing her to raise an eyebrow in curiosity. Odd, it wasn’t mealtime just yet… She mused, approaching and there lay only a letter.
When the Eve is upon you, the heat is off. It read. She leaned against the door and listened, guards were approaching, and soon the door opened. Two unicorn guards, one engulfing both in a barrier spell and the other floating a lunch tray with his magic.
“Alright, Frostmare, we got you an early Hearth’s Warming Eve meal. You’ve been pretty well-behaved so we hope it’s good—” one began, and suddenly the heaters behind them cut off. They glanced back for a second in confusion and that was all Frostmare needed.
Grinning, she let out a fierce yell and gusts of frigid wind blew around her, surrounding the guards, ice formed along the floor and quickly covered them up to their knees, rendering them unable to move. Another gust of icy wind blew past them, carrying Frostmare with it and leaving icicles and frost in its wake.
“So much for kind gestures…” one guard muttered, shivering. The other struggled to free himself but the ice was too thick.
In seconds, the alarm sounded, but it was too late as Frostmare burst from a high window and flew off into the snowy skies with a triumphant laugh.
Free at last… she felt the winter winds blow around her, weaving through her coat and wings. However, it did little to combat the lonliness she still felt from her memories of this day, but she knew how to cure that… flying above the clouds and studying the stars, she determined southwest, and immediately flew in that direction.
Ponyville, where she’d last visited. She’d make them all pay, their happy families and celebrating their good fortunes and friendships this time of year, none of which she had anymore… and she’d start with the pony she blamed for losing that.
“Mare Do Well…” she said, gritting her teeth as she immediately picked up speed.
~
Rainbow Dash flew around Ponyville the following afternoon, putting on a grin as she greeted everypony she passed, saddlebags on along with a scarf around her neck and goggles over her eyes. It was already beginning to snow again, though she already knew the weather routine and this one was nothing compared to what would follow later, she had to admit she enjoyed the handiwork she and the rest of the weather team had put together.
As she flew about, Rainbow slowed down as she passed a few shops, realizing she had yet to get something for Scootaloo… the kid looked up to her so much it’d feel wrong not to show some appreciation for that when this holiday came around. Toys? Nah, she barely payed them any notice. New scooter? Hers worked just fine and she seemed pretty attached to it either way… not to mention she was finally starting to improve on flying so even if she needed a new one she might not have needed it for too long. Growling the pegasus tried to think. She had planned to swing by Twilight’s anyway to fill her in on last night’s patrol, maybe she’d have some insight.
Twilight had just finished sorting books when a loud thump from the door startled her. “Must be Rainbow,” the unicorn muttered, Spike paying neither her nor the sound no mind as he seemed rather caught up in which of the two gems he had would go to Rarity and which would go to his stomach. Opening the door, Twilight discovered a lump of snow with two rose-colored eyes peering out of it seated at her doorstep. “Rainbow? You okay?” she asked.
“Hey, Twi… guess I didn’t slow down fast enough. Not a lotta traction on the ground,” the pegasus said sheepishly, rising out of the snow pile and shaking herself off.
“I see…” Twilight said, looking at the front of her door to make sure it didn’t suffer any damages. “I take it patrol in Baltimare went well?”
“Yeah, mostly. Jewelry store robbery by some freak with cannons that shot fake coins at me. Where do they come up with these gimmicks?” the pegasus asked with an eyeroll.
“Well, at least you seem okay from it. No new costume damages either, I hope?” Twilight asked.
“Not a scratch!” Rainbow said with a grin. “Hey, look, I kinda wanted to know something else… I was thinkin’ of getting Scootaloo a Hearth’s Warming gift, but I can’t think of anything to get her!” she said. “I mean… I know she once wished there were action figures of Mare Do Well but I find the whole idea of one existing kinda creepy, they’d never get my perfect physique right I’d probably look chunky as one!”
Twilight levitated her saddlebag from its hanger. “Well, why don’t we shop around, maybe we’ll find something? I think Barnyard Bargains is still open!” she offered.
“Eh, I guess,” Rainbow said with a shrug. Moments later, they were both out the door and on their way to the largest and by this point likely most crowded shop in the town.
~
Walking together through the snowy streets, Rainbow looked around her. “You know, I really hope crime and stuff takes the day off, too. I’d like to actually celebrate today like I used to, you know?” she asked her companion.
“I get what you mean, Rainbow. I think anypony would love to have some time off every once and awhile,” Twilight answered.
“Yeah, but I don’t get that now,” Rainbow replied, scowling. “I do, I feel bad that I’m not out there making sure nopony’s in danger. I don’t, I end up wishing I did. Don’t evil-doers have any loved ones they can take time out with?”
Twilight chuckled. “I sometimes think that about my studies. I’m always working on that when I’m not out on crazy adventures with you or the others or tending to the library. But I don’t want to slip up and flunk out,” she said.
“An egghead like you? Not a chance,” Rainbow said with a laugh. “But even then, a little time out would make me feel loads better if I could actually do that anymore… curse of being a superhero and all…” she said.
“Oh, I meant to give this to you, kinda forgot about it and figured I’d take it to you later… I got a message from Celestia, it’s addressed to you on the outside,” Twilight said, her horn glowing and a scroll emerged from her saddlebag.
“Why didn’t she just give it to me?” Rainbow asks.
“Dunno… guess she wanted me to give it to you,” Twilight said, magically opening and unrolling it for Rainbow to read. “What’s it say?”
The pegasus shrugged. “Just to remember what Hearth’s Warming Eve is about and how it began. I already know this stuff, I mean I was in a play about it once, remember?” Rainbow asked with a laugh, dropping the scroll in her saddlebag. “That’s great and all, but I kinda gotta also remember being Equestria’s most awesome superhero too.”
“Of course...” Twilight replied, noticing how much Rainbow’s saddlebag looked like it was already well-occupied. “Don’t tell me you brought a reminder for that too…” she said.
“Aw, Twi, when have I been wrong about bringing the costume anywhere?” Rainbow asked as they entered the superstore.
“Right, but still, Ponyville hasn’t seen any problems lately, what’s gonna happen on this short a notice?” the unicorn asked. Before they could answer, a bundled figure pushed past them roughly and moved on down one of the aisles, and an announcement came on.
“The blizzard has begun to intensify outside, everypony hurry with your purchases and return to your homes as soon as possible,” Filthy Rich’s voice stated overhead. As these words were said, Rainbow’s eyes traced down to where she saw clumps of slush where the stranger had passed, and more oddly how they seemed to freeze over. She looked at where the stranger had gone to, noticing white legs from under the cloak, and the traces of ice and frost being left behind.
“So your fault for saying that, Twi…” Rainbow muttered to her friend, and before Twilight could answer, the pegasus had bolted off to the restroom.
“What are you—“ Twilight began, then looked over at where Rainbow had been glancing earlier and she realized what was going on.
Oh no…
White and blue wisps of cold began to swirl around the bundled stranger, who chuckled as she cast off her disguise, revealing Frostmare underneath.
“Sorry, ponies, but it looks like the announcements weren’t kidding!” the icy pegasus declared, cold gusts already beginning to cause ice to form around the shelves and shoppers to flee. Twilight moved behind one of the shelves, and levitated several toys with her magic, sending them flying at Frostmare. The pegasus grunted when several struck her, including a giant stuffed animal that knocked her off her hooves.
“So not cool…” Frostmane grumbled, growling angrily as the stuffed animal froze over and she gave it a quick buck with her hind legs, sending it flying and shattering when it landed. “Alright, come on out, whoever did that!” she said angrily, more icy gusts of wind gathering at the ceiling and forming large icicles. Frostmare glaring about, the icicles began to detatch themselves and drop to the ground, smashing apart shelves as the pegasus sought out her assailant. Loud crashes were heard as each icicle fell. Twilight grew worried, teleporting away from one before it fell on her, and reappearing behind another. Frostmare raised an eyebrow when she noticed a flash of light signifying magic use. “Clever…” she muttered, slamming her hoof and a thin line of ice zigzagged to where Twilight was, and before the unicorn could teleport, ice rapidly formed around her up to her neck. Before Twilight’s horn could charge another teleport spell, Frostmare sent a chunk of ice at her, striking her in the face and dazing the unicorn.
“Well, well, well… you again, the one who helped Mare Do Well out last time?” she asked. “You really shouldn’t have come here,” a large icicle began to form on the ceiling, right above Twilight. The unicorn looked up, still fighting the pain from the abuse she’d gotten and realizing what Frostmare had in mind. Before the icicle could drop, however, the icy trap shattered, and Frostmare saw a flash of dark purple and navy blue shoot by, having freed her captive.
“I should say the same about you, Frostmare,” Mare Do Well said firmly.
"What can I say, the cooler didn't suit me," Frostmare replied with a playful smirk as cold winds began to swirl around her again.
“Really… Hearth’s Warming Eve… what kinda pony tries to ruin that?” Mare Do Well asked as she prepared for the next attack.
Frostmare scowled. “The kind who feels everypony else deserves to have it ruined!” she shouted, taking a stance and a powerful blast of cold blew straight at the costumed pegasus and the unicorn, who both immediately jumped out of the way. The cold blast struck another shelf, instantly encasing everything on it in ice. With Mare Do Well present and recalling her last defeat at her hooves, Frostmare’s ferocity increased as she summoned icicles from the ground that grew as high as the ceiling in less then a second, forcing the pegasus to dodge about carefully.
Twilight, meanwhile, noticing Frostmare no longer seemed to have interest in her, looked about hoping to find some way to help. Cautiously moving around the shelves and narrowly avoiding getting impaled by one of the giant icicles Frostmare summoned, the unicorn took a moment to recall Frostmare’s strengths and weaknesses. Frostmare wasn’t genuinely evil like most of Mare Do Well’s enemies, but her cryokinetic powers combined with her mental instability made her one of the most dangerous in a direct confrontation. Suddenly the memory of telling Rainbow to throw her hot tea at the villainess popped in her head. Frostmare could not survive outside of cold temperatures for long, and warm or hot substances seemed to harm her. Then she noticed a small stand in the store that was selling tea and coffee until Frostmare attacked, and teleported herself over, trying to avoid getting caught up in the fight that seemed to now be spanning nearly everywhere else in the store.
Up in the air, Mare Do Well and Frostmare circled eachother. Frostmare fired more icicles at Mare Do Well, who returned the favor flinging flash bombs to destroy them and disorient the other pegasus, but Frostmare pressed on. Mare Do Well knew she had to avoid Frostmare’s attacks at all costs, a lucky hit from those bladelike icicles or intense could would send her to the ground and leave her at a complete disadvantage. With all the supplies around she couldn’t do a tornado attack as it’d sweep up too much debris. There had to be something. She heard a pop and saw Twilight near the concessions. What was she doing over—
She saw the sign, and realization hit her. Now it was a matter of dealing with Frostmare. Throwing a flash bomb and then using the distraction to swoop down, Mare Do Well snagged several toys with her hooves and flung them at Frostmare, who dodged them or swatted them aside with her hooves as she remained where she was.
“I can do this all night!” Mare Do Well said, scooping up a few and returning to the air, flinging them all at once at the other pegasus, whose eyes flashed and they were promptly engulfed in a gust of frigid winds.
“We’ll see about that,” Frostmare said, suddenly flying straight at her, Mare Do Well remained in place, and the moment Frostmare connected, Mare Do Well positioned her hooves and struck Frostmare, and with a flip in the air, flung her straight at where Twilight was, right into the coffee and tea machine and creating an explosion of steam as the warm liquids splashed everywhere when Frostmare impacted into it.
Immediately, Frostmare screamed in pain, feeling like she was being soaked in acid. With all the steam around her, she found she could barely breathe. Scrambling to her hooves, the hot liquids simmering on her, Frostmare flew straight to the nearest window and smashed through it, disappearing into the night.
“We should probably go,” Twilight said, earning a nod from Mare Do Well, who flew over beside her. A second later, both vanished from the store.
~
“So… Frostmare’s back… just what we needed,” Rainbow Dash muttered as she removed her hat and mask.
“Yeah, and it looks like she’s out for revenge. Not just on you, but Ponyville…” Twilight said. “She blamed everypony for her sister’s death, that’d make most be dead set on causing this much trouble.”
“But two things, Twi. First of all, it was her own fault in that fight. Frostmare’s, in case you haven’t noticed, Twi, a little crazy in the head!” Rainbow said. “And second, Misty Cloud’s not dead. She survived but she’s been in a coma. Being a pegasus is probably the only reason she’s still alive, remember, but since she’s just a filly, it got her pretty badly.”
“Obviously Frostmare doesn’t know about that last part,” Twilight said. “You know, minus the craziness, I can’t help but… I dunno… feel a little bad for her. Think of how lonely she probably feels, and not being able to do anything about it; and seeing a holiday like this, where families come together to celebrate their warmth and love…” the unicorn mused.
“Doesn’t matter, Twi. She’s gotta be stopped or Ponyville’s gonna become one giant popsicle and I doubt she’s planning for anypony to survive that,” Rainbow answered sternly. “I gotta track her down even in this blizzard, no matter what. I’m gonna do a patrol, I got a few ideas where she might be if you’re right about what she might be feeling,” the pegasus answered, sliding back on her mask and hat, then opening the door and exiting quickly as to not let in the cold winds.
Several minutes later, Twilight had finished lighting the fire, filled with worry. Rainbow was a pegasus and weatherpony… she could handle this weather. It was Frostmare she was worried her friend would be in over her head with, especially by herself with no means of exploiting the icy pegasus’ weakness. Looking outside, she could see the blizzard starting to worsen, and returned to the fireplace again.
“Spike, do you have that tea ready yet?” she asked.
“Almost, Twi!” Spike called, putting extra care into the present he was preparing for Rarity and paying the kettle no mind at the moment.
As Twilight prepared to find a book to get her mind off her concerns she heard a crisp knock at the door.
~
Dark. Cold. Windy. Gotta love a challenge! Rainbow thought to herself as she flew about the snowy skies of Ponyville and attempting to keep her spirits up. Noticing a trail of large chunks of ice and broken trees leading towards Ponyville Cemetary, the costumed pegasus smirked. Her hunch had been right after all.
Landing near the entrance, she moved on hoof to follow the trail, creeping carefully along and staying in the shadows, a pair of lanterns were all the illumination provided and she could see a white pegasus up ahead, searching for something.
“Not here… where are you, Misty?!” Frostmare demanded angrily, slamming her hoof and causing jagged ice crystals to form around where she stood. “I couldn’t mourn you…” she said, her tone softer now. “The least I want to do… is…” she fell to her haunches. “...Be with you for tonight…”
Suddenly flash bombs went off around her, startling the icy pegasus and allowing the distraction Mare Do Well needed to take to the air and swoop down, doing a spin around her to disorient Frostmare and then striking her backward with her hoof.
“You again. Don’t you have family to be with?!” Frostmare asked sarcastically. “Not that you’ll still have a chance to anymore!” she snarled, rearing back and a jagged ice spike suddenly formed from the ground and launched at Mare Do Well, who jumped over and ran across it, tackling Frostmare and the two tumbled across the snow and crashed into another headstone. Frostmare swept her hind leg out, knocking Mare Do Well on her back, Mare Do Well rolled across the ground and back on her hooves, glaring at her.
“I lost the pony who mattered most to me. Care to argue with that?” Frostmare asked.
“She’s not dead, Frostmare. Believe it or not she survived what YOU did to her. She’s in a coma that’s why there’s no gravestone,” Mare Do Well answered.
“Liar!” Frostmare shouted, thrusting a hoof out and a blast of frigid wind flew straight at Mare Do Well, encasing her hooves in ice before she could move. The costumed pegasus struggled, then an idea came to mind. Moving her wing to her belt, she managed to get out another flash bomb, dropping it by her hooves and shattering the ice, allowing her an escape before Frostmare could thicken the icy prison she was preparing for her.
“I’m not lying, Frostmare!” Mare Do Well answered, now airborne as she dodged several icicles that flew straight at her.
“I had everything taken away from me because of an accident that made me this way!” Frostmare responded hatefully, her luminescent blue eyes glowing briefly. “Ponyville’s happiness is undeserved when they don’t care to remember anypony who could lose so much!” she snarled, cold winds beginning to form around her. “Anypony who knew they’d never be able to enjoy a normal day or see somepony they care for ever again because of what happened to them. I’ll make them remember by making them feel the same coldness I have for so many months!”
Mare Do Well swooped in, but Frostmare was ready, she pushed on through the icy winds but they grew stronger and colder by the instant, and before she could reach Frostmare and land a hit, she felt her wings and hooves freeze up and she plummeted to the ground. The moment she did, Frostmare smirked, pacing around her as ice began to form around Mare Do Well’s hooves.
“…And I’ll start with you!” Frostmare said. As the cold winds began to build up again, however, a flash of light appeared in front of her and a scroll dropped at her hooves. Confused, Frostmare turned her attention away from her foe and slid it open with her hoof, and looked it over. As she did, Mare Do Well noticed Frostmare’s cruel gaze change to one of shock and grief.
“I-It… can’t be… sh-she's...” Frostmare muttered, backing away from the scroll as the winds rapidly died down. Feeling the ice begin to weaken, Mare Do Well broke free and galloped after the letter as it began to blow away, catching it under her hoof and reading it and she, too, was overcome with disbelief.
Apparently Twilight had been visited by Dr. Stable, who had braved the storm to inform her and Misty’s mother. She couldn’t help but find it interesting that it’d happen now, but then another letter came to mind that brought such a coincidence full circle…
~
Dear my faithful subject, Rainbow Dash
You are a dedicated and valiant hero to ponykind, and I hope that will never change. With the Hearth’s Warming Eve upon us, however, you may come to learn not all battles can be won with fighting, but some must be won with love. For remember, the true power of Hearth’s Warming Eve came from when ponies ceased their conflicts, and came together in love and friendship, and even the coldest hearts in the land were warmed.
Signed,
Princess Celestia
~
Mare Do Well looked back down at the letter from Frostmare’s sister. Misty had woken up. The letter had Spike’s handwriting but the wording and such suggested he was ghostwriting it for her and Twilight must have ordered he send it to them. Made sense, the filly probably wasn’t in any shape to write anything yet.
Please, stop, Snow Angel! This isn’t you! I love you so much, you're my big sister and you don’t have to be bad! the letter read.
“No… no… it’s too late! I can’t be myself again, I can’t be the sister that Misty knew anymore!” Frostmare shouted, teeth grit as the winds began to build again, and Mare Do Well noticed ice slowly cover Misty’s letter and her hooves, immobilizing her again.
“That’s… not true, Frostmare,” Mare Do Well said, trying to free herself. “Didn’t you read that? Anypony can change if they really want to! Especially if it’s for the right reasons!” she explained. Rainbow herself certainly had ever since becoming Mare Do Well. She’d always been loyal to her friends, now she was loyal to everypony she helped, and had been willing to accept the loss of her lifelong dreams to continue to be so. No… she became Mare Do Well because she wanted to change, to be a better hero… but now it wasn’t some pony acquaintance or civilian she was saving from some supervillain… it was her own adversary that needed her help now. “Snow Angel…” she said softly.
“DON’T CALL ME THAT!” Frostmare screamed out, letting out a gust of frigid air that increased the ice around Mare Do Well.
“Please… listen… I’m not good at talking stuff out but I’m doing my best here for you,” Mare Do Well said. “That letter from your sister, even if you feel this way, even with what you’ve done, she still has faith in you. She still wants you back! Are you really gonna throw away that chance?”
“STOP IT! STOP IT!” Frostmare shouted, another gust, but this one was weaker, then it began to die down as she began to back away. As this happened, Mare Do Well felt the ice weaken once more and she broke herself free and approached cautiously.
“Snow Angel, please. For her.”
“I can’t! I CAN’T! This is all I am now!” Frostmare cried out again, jagged ice spires jutting out between her and the costumed pegasus her voice trembling now as she backed away further. PLEASE! STAY BACK!” A wall of ice formed between them now but it crumbled away in seconds, revealing the white pegasus now collapsed on the ground.
“You’re not as alone as you think. Your sister still loves you, and you can still be the good pony she knew if you’ll give yourself that chance!”
Hyperventilating, Frostmare thrust her head back and let out a loud, agonized scream as all the months of loneliness and now realization of her sister’s faith in her despite having nearly taken her life all crashing down on her. Ice and frigid snow swirled around her violently but soon fell to the ground, melting around where she sat, the icy pegasus burying her face as she began crying.
Silently, Mare Do Well approached, gently placing her hoof on the weeping pegasus’ shoulder.
“Snow Angel… it’s gonna be alright. I won’t leave you hanging. I promise,” she said softly.
Frostmare curled under Mare Do Well’s hoof as the costumed Pegasus held her, her words choked by her pained sobs “I’m sorry! I’m sorry Misty! I’m so sorry! I-I never… I’m s-sorry!”
~
As she watched Frostmare quietly but very cooperatively leave with the authorities to be taken back to Alkatrot, Mare Do Well heard a voice call her. Turning she smiled a little under the mask as Twilight approached.
“I take it you got my message,” Twilight said with a smile. “Dr. Stable showed up not long after you left. Hope she didn’t rough you up too much before the message got there.”
“Nothing I couldn’t handle…” Mare Do Well answered, though there was some sadness in her tone.
“You alright?” Twilight asked.
“There’s hope for Frostmare. She’s gonna go back and try to… get better,” Mare Do Well replied. “Look, I gotta go. There’s a few places I gotta visit before tonight’s over, okay?” she asked, spreading her wings and flying away before Twilight could answer.
~
Dear Princess Celestia,
I’ve always been used to solving every problem I come against by being tough and strong, or sometimes having to be smarter. But this was different somehow. You were right, that there are times where a fight is won by being strong in the heart… I never was one for such cheesy lines but I guess it’s okay this time of year.
Frostmare… no… Snow Angel… she was the one who needed help this time, and I hope for the best for her. Hearth’s Warming Eve really is about love and friendship warming ponies’ hearts, and it means a lot more then beating up crazy villains that I was able to do that for her… I guess that’s what you had in mind when you sent me that letter, wasn’t it? Misty Cloud is doing well, and I think, as a hero I got a few other things I want to do for the ponies I know could use a little extra Hearth’s Warming cheer before it’s over!
Your Faithful Subject
Rainbow Dash / Mare Do Well
~
The fire of friendship lives in our hearts…
Scootaloo could not sleep that night, the excitement of Father Hearth’s Warming was just too much for her. As a result, the pegasus filly had found herself rolling and tossing and turning left and right in her bed, wishing time would go by faster or she’d finally drift off. Sighing in defeat, the filly stared up at the ceiling, only to be interrupted by a soft tapping at her window. Getting up, she noticed a familiar figure there and nudged open the window.
“Rainb—I mean… Mare Do Well?” Scootaloo asked.
“Heya, Squirt,” Mare Do Well said, sliding up her mask and revealing Rainbow’s grinning face. “How ya keeping? Getting ready for Father Hearth’s Warming?” she asked.
“I wish. I can’t sleep, though. Way too excited!” Scootaloo said with an eyeroll.
“Well, howabout a little flight around town, might help you sleep, and not to mention the view’s great!” the costumed pegasus answered. Scootaloo grinned widely and nodded, rushing over to her desk to leave a note in case her parents came by, and mustering her strength, flew out the window and onto Mare Do Well’s back.
“Hang on tight, kiddo,” the pegasus superheroine said, the filly complied, and they flew off together, gliding over the snow-covered rooftops below, the moonlight from the clearing sky making them glisten. “Happy Hearth’s Warming Eve, Scoots.”
As long as it burns we cannot drift apart…
In her cell in Alkatrot, Frostmare sat quietly, looking down at the floor as she formed an ice sculpture of herself and her sister from happier times, a faint, but sad smile on the mare’s face. Her thoughts were interrupted however, by a knock at her cell door, noticing the guards there trying to get her attention.
Though quarrels arise, their numbers are few…
Having returned Scootaloo home and tucked her in, Rainbow Dash stopped by her home to change out of the costume and flew back to Twilight’s home, the moment she opened the door, however, she was caught off-guard by Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Applejack, along with Twilight and Spike.
“Hey, guys. Hope I’m not late,” Rainbow said with a sheepish laugh.
“Naw, we waited for you to get here!” Pinkie Pie said with a grin.
“So, what pray tell took you so long?” Rarity asked.
“Oh, a couple stops here and there. Had some words with the authorities and such, and made one extra stop before Scootaloo’s.”
Laughter and singing will see us through…
Frostmare was, needless to say, a little confused as she was escorted down the halls to the visitation area. The guards watched her every move, and two others had a heating system ready should she try anything, but their expressions seemed more out of obligated caution then contempt. The Warden pressed a switch on a doorway ahead, and gestured Frostmare through. The white pegasus complied, and stopped in her tracks when she saw who was waiting for her. Behind the reinforced glass walls, stood her mother and sister, both smiling at her upon her arrival.
“Mare Do Well visited the hospital… said I should come see you,” Misty said, putting her hoof on the glass that stood between them and smiling softly at her older sister. Frostmare returned the gesture, smiling as the first tears of joy she’d shed in a long time formed in her eyes.
We are a circle of pony friends…
The party had since ended and the others had gone home, save Spike who had gone to bed. Twilight and Rainbow simply watched as the snow fell outside.
“We’ve gone through some pretty crazy adventures, Rainbow,” Twilight said at last.
“Yeah, well, comes with the territory of being Equestria’s coolest superhero, Twi,” Rainbow said, grinning.
“You’re Equestria’s only superhero, Rainbow,” Twilight replied dryly.
“Obviously! Is there anypony else who measures up?” Rainbow asked with a laugh.
“Well, after what you did for Scootaloo and even the pony who almost froze over the town, I guess I can’t argue with that,” Twilight answered with an eyeroll. “Sometimes you can be so reckless and so boastful, you know.”
“And you can be such an egghead and a know-it-all, Twi,” Rainbow retorted.
“But… you really are a sweet, loyal pony. I couldn’t be more proud to have you as a friend, Rainbow,” Twilight said, a genuine smile on her face as she reached under her bed and slid a gift over to Rainbow Dash, who looked down at it for a moment and then at Twilight in surprise. A second later, the cyan pegasus shook her head.
“Twi… I didn’t think to…” she began.
“It’s fine, Rainbow,” Twilight replied. “You’re always busy fighting crime and being a superhero,” she added before Rainbow Dash playfully tapped her on the head with her hoof.
“I didn’t think to miss out on doing the same for you, Twi!” Rainbow said with a laugh, pleased Twilight fell for her joke. Reaching into the saddlebag she’d left on the bed, she slid out a gift of her own for her long-time support in the path she’d chosen for herself.
“Happy Hearth’s Warming, Twi.”
“You too, Rainbow.”
A circle of friends we'll be to the very end…