It was finally Hearth's Warming Day. All of Equestria was celebrating the momentous holiday that symbolized the creation of their great country. Songs, decorations, meals, and stories make the holiday amazing every year. Household would host parties or get-togethers, towns would be filled with song and joy, and the country would have an overall beautiful attitude.
The ponies in Soren's household woke up around the same time. They gathered for breakfast, without any mishaps, and enjoyed their food as an interesting family. After breakfast, they agreed on simply relaxing at home for the day instead of going out to find something to do. They spent their time telling stories or jokes, playing card games, and singing various songs that weren't simply about the holidays.
It was a pretty normal day; Soren learned a few things about his friends. Luna and Pinkamena have the most interesting tales, although they had to stop Pinkamena on a few occasions; he himself was pretty good at a few card games like Blackjack and Cider; Chroma was a pretty good artist (he drew bust shots of all of them); and Luna was a great pianist. Soren still wanted to know what Nyra liked to do. She was a blank flank only because she had no choice. He wondered if the Cutie Mark Crusaders could help her, then he realized the lengths those three adorable fillies go to find their talents. There was no way that would help Nyra.
Towards the end of the day, as the sun would soon begin to set, dinner was being prepared by Soren and Luna. Once the food was in the oven, the two joined their friends by the couch as they all enjoyed the active fireplace next to the blank television.
"Dinner will be ready soon," Soren announced. "Today has been a great day."
"Definitely," Rainbow said as she cuddled next to Soren when he sat on the couch.
"This feels so...nice," Nyra said. "I...I don't ever want to leave." She began to tear up, so Pinkamena brought her in for a sideways hug. Soren still felt bad for Nyra; she didn't deserve anything that she went through in the past. She's come a long way, though. It's only uphill from here.
Nyra thanked Pinkamena. "Don't worry," the pink mare said, "I've been through bad times as well. Being orphaned at a really young age can screw up anypony's mind." Nyra looked at Soren for answers.
"She lost her parents when she was around five-years-old. She traveled through a forest and wound up at her version of Appaloosa, where she found a dying stallion who had been murdered by somepony. As the stallion bled on the ground, Pinkamena tried to help him, but he died right there and right before the townsfolk arrived. They saw Pinkamena next to the bloody blade that was used to kill the poor guy, and they assumed she did it. She grabbed the knife, defended herself with it, and ran into hiding. She's been labeled as a murderer ever since, so she decided to become one ever since. Luckily, she's turned a new leaf."
"That's the gist of it. Nyra, we've all been through rough times. Well...almost all of us." She looked at Chroma.
"Yeah, I can't say I've been through a tough time like you guys have."
"Hopefully you won't," Soren said as he glanced at the kitchen. "I'll be right back. I need to see if dinner is ready." Soren walked away.
When Soren disappeared from sight, Chroma smiled and levitated something out of his mane. He hung it over the doorway to the kitchen, and Soren soon walked under it. The alicorn heard the levitation spell above him and looked up. His eyes widened as he saw a mistletoe hovering there. The girls saw Chroma's grinning face then turned toward Soren.
Upon seeing the mistletoe, the girls smiled then rushed at the alicorn. They began fighting and shoving each other in order to be the first one to him. Pinkamena pulled on Rainbow's tail as she tried to fly to her coltfriend, while Nyra and Luna shoved a hoof at each other's faces. Chroma continued to grin as he watched Soren standing there with a slightly scared expression on his face.
As the four mares edged closer, Soren teleported himself and the mistletoe to the couch. With a scowl, he grabbed the plant and shoved it in Chroma's mouth. The unicorn laughed with a mouth full of plant. Soren shook his head at him then looked at the mares, who gave up and just stared at each other like they were now in a competition.
"Girls," Soren called, "relax by the fire. Luna, can you help me serve dinner?" The princess nodded then Soren joined her in the kitchen.
They set the table and served dinner to everyone within fifteen minutes. During dinner when everyone wasn't deep in conversation, the girls glanced at each other now and again. Things were getting heated; Chroma and Soren could easily tell. At this point, even Soren was slightly enjoying this little battle over him. Once dinner was finished, the six ponies relaxed by the fireplace once more.
"It's been a crazy time in Ponyville," Soren said. "Not a dull moment since I wound up here."
"Soren," Chroma started, "how did you end up meeting everyone in this room? You haven't told me everything about your adventures yet."
"I'm sure you'll read about it when Twilight catalogs my adventures. Luckily the night is still young, so I could at least tell you about the girls. I met Rainbow Dash and her friends when they found me as a foal. I eventually grew to my normal size while I befriended all of them. When I went on my first adventure to Appaloosa, Rainbow showcased her crush to me; she kissed me on the train ride there. It wasn't until after I somewhat accepted Nyra's death that I realized I would like to date her as well.
"I met Nyra when she first tried to steal Princess Luna from us. I somehow managed to stop her during our first fight. Our second fight wasn't until the Battle of the Nyrs, and we all know how that went. Nyra was resurrected later by Nightmare Moon's spirit, which was brought to our world by Diamond. After defeating the spirit, Nyra's body and soul was put to rest yet again. When Luna gave back her life recently, Nyra started to act normal. I honestly don't know why she has a crush on me. We don't truly know each other."
"You were the only pony that cared about me and was willing to give me a chance," Nyra said. "I practically owe you my life."
"I hear that more than you think." He continued with his stories. "When I first met Luna, I was smitten immediately. I knew she was out of my league, yet I still pursued her. I think the first time we sang together was when she thought more about my feelings towards her. It wasn't until I freaked out after I discovered her past that she came to me and comforted me. We cared about each other and she said not many ponies are brave enough to seek the princesses, so she was willing to give me a chance.
"I admit, we didn't spend a lot of time together. Many different things were stopping us. The Battle of the Nyrs was the final obstacle in our relationship. She gave up her memories of me so I wouldn't lose my own memories. I never sought her after that; I figured she was better off. There was another pony that loved me anyway; Luna knew that as well."
Soren sighed then looked at Pinkamena. "I met this crazy mare when I was in the alternate Equestria. In their version of Appaloosa, I fought twisted versions of Twilight and her friends. Pinkamena captured me at one point and was about to torture me...or so I thought. She had me strapped down and was about to—"
"Soren," Luna warned.
"Fine fine. After I convinced her to stop her attempt on me, we took the time to learn about each other. I found that she was pretty nice, just misread. Sure she was a murdering psychopath, but after hearing her tale I could see why. I'm really surprised she showed up when she did a few days ago.
"Chroma...I met you when you and your brother, Amber, recently moved here to Ponyville. You told me you both wanted a smaller town to live in. Rainbow, maybe you have seen his brother around. Amber is the same color as his name implies, and his cutie mark is a book. Look out for him next time you're flying around.
"I guess that's it. That's how I met all of these wonderful mares and you, Chroma. Still doesn't even begin to describe all of the things I went through."
"Still amazing that you're sane from everything," Chroma said. "I probably couldn't handle a single adventure of yours."
"Maybe. I was lucky. I don't know why the Doctor turned himself into an alicorn. Maybe he knew too much about the future, but I suppose that was a good thing." Nyra yawned.
"Are you still not used to staying up during the day and sleeping at night?" Luna asked her.
"Not really. My body will be used to it soon. I should probably sleep though. At least it's practically nighttime."
"You can have the guest room if you wish. We do not mind sleeping here tonight." Nyra stood up and gave her a sleepy smile.
"Thank you, Luna." The bat pony made her way up the stairs. Soren looked at everyone.
"I think we're done for the night. Anyone object?" No one disagreed. "Then let's go to bed as well. I'm sure we're not too tired, but it's not like we have much else to do."
"Mind if I join you, Soren?" Rainbow asked.
"I don't see why not."
"I'll join you in a sec. I need something to drink first."
"Grab whatever you need." Soren walked toward the stairs, Chroma was laying on the rug in front of the couch, and Luna and Pinkamena were laying on the couch.
Upstairs, as Soren opened his bedroom door, he almost didn't see Nyra on his bed. She was laying there with a smile, waiting for him. He sighed and lay with her as they looked at each other. Soren used his magic to lock the door; he really didn't want Rainbow to walk in and get the wrong idea.
"So...you like me, huh?" Soren said, asking a stupid question. "All because I was the only pony to give you a chance? You don't want to try to find someone better?" She draped her hooves around his neck and looked at him intimately.
"I don't need anyone better."
"Nyra, please. I'm with Rainbow. Don't let your lust make you selfish."
"How do you know she wouldn't like a little company in bed?"
"How often have you had relationships like this?"
"Well I wouldn't call them relationships, but when I was leading my army, we all had certain needs." Soren stopped her there.
"Noted. I can't do this though. It would be wrong." Nyra rolled Soren onto his back while she stood on top of him.
"That's not what your feeling down there~."
"Luna-dammit, Nyra! Get off!" He levitated her off of him and onto the floor. He blushed at her while she smirked back at him. She turned towards the door and walked away in the sexiest way she could.
Soren groaned with a bit of irritation and his covered his eyes with his hooves and teleported Nyra to the guest bedroom. He still didn't want to take the chance of Rainbow seeing her leave the room. He unlocked the door, and, seconds later, Rainbow walked in. She saw the blush and extended wings on Soren.
"Nyra?" He nodded. She shook her head and joined him in bed.