//------------------------------// // Hearth's Warming // Story: League of Bronies // by darkironpony //------------------------------// [Bass's P.O.V.] "Why do we have to go shopping," I groaned already knowing the answer. "Because it is Hearth's Warming Eve and you forgot to get your share of things. I'm here to make sure you remember to do it," Adven explained. "We've been over this eight times. Stop complaining already." I grunted angrily. I hated shopping ever since I was born. So I avoided the dreaded malls for as long as I could. So imagine my disgust when Adven and the others decided I had to go shopping. The worst part is I wasn't even there when they told me. Apparently Dylan was told to talk to the zebra in town about the duty. He said he did. Then everyone came to the dojo asking where the stuff was. When I told them I had no idea they blew up at me. Luckily Dylan happened to pass by and sorted everything out. But that he talked to a black and white zebra. I think he may think all zebras look alike. The others already had plans for Hearth's Warming Eve so all of them couldn't do it. Dylan was helping the apple family on the farm. Shadow was helping Fluttershy decorate her home. Rhino and Adven were helping Pinkie and Twilight to plan a party for the day. DJ and Vibes were trying to work out some music for it. From what I heard Tech didn't like Hearth's Warming very much so she always put herself in her home that day just like usual. Adven said he'd help me since Twilight,Pinkie, and Rhino did more work then he did. And that is how I ended up in the mall on Hearth's Warming Eve with Adven. Not my ideal way to spend the day before the holiday. I was initially shocked when we found the mall. Because of the snowy weather the normal vendors would occupy this typically empty home and made an improvised mall. It felt smaller and more intimate than a mall back on Earth. Though that may be because I had seen the vendors back when I worked for Daisy. "So what do we need?" I asked. "I don't know. You have the list," Adven said as I pushed a cart. Or rather pulled it since a harness was placed on my neck. "I can't when I'm pulling this thing!" I said more angrily than I wanted to. I sensed Adven grab the paper and read off the stuff. Each item made my heart sink more and more. This is gonna take forever! [DJ's P.O.V.] "Why not some funk?" I suggested. I threw a magic ball of energy at Vibes. We decided it was best for us to go into a warm house. Bored we decided to play a game of magic ball. Back on Earth when we talked about music we always threw around a ball. It helped us think. When we found ourselves in Equestria we learned how to use magic to create a magic ball. Though we never found out how to make it a weapon. "I don't know. If Hearth's Warming is anything like Christmas and I think the decorations speak for themselves then we shouldn't include funk. I mean when was the last time you heard a funk Christmas classic?" my music partner Vibes asked as he caught the ball. He tossed the magical ball back to me. "We could be the first ones," I said catching the ball. Vibes shook his head. I threw and he catched again. "Hey do you ever think of back home?" he asked. He threw the ball up and down. "I try not to," I replied candidly. "Yeah, me too," he agreed. "Still it bugs me." "What does?" I eyed the ball. "I mean shouldn't we think about it more? I mean we were thrown in this place a while ago and we assimilated pretty quickly," he said sadly. "You think it should've taken longer for us to grow used to this. Well, we were already fans of this place on Earth right?" "Right." "Probably that was why. We were already kinda acquainted with the world. That's probably why we didn't lose our freaking minds," I suggested chuckling lightly. "What's so funny?" "I never imagined I'd be here.,"I said He tossed the ball back to me. "Well you aren't the only one. I never thought I'd end up as a unicorn here either." I shook my head. "That's not what I mean." "Then what?" "Being here throwing a ball with you. Even on Earth I couldn't believe it," I said. "Why?" "Because I did nothing to help you. Because I didn't act sooner you were bullied more than you should have been," I said sadly. "I'm sorry." "You've had too much eggnog," he laughed grabbing the ball from my grasp. "Friends make mistakes. Now lets get back to writing that music eh?" "Any ideas?" "You're the leader here," he said flashing me a grin. I nodded. "So, no funk then." [Dylan's P.O.V.] I eyed the last tree before me that still held some fruit. Of all the trees in the orchard it was the most bizarre. The others towered over this last puny one. Its branches were thin as veins. There was however one way it was like the others. Hanging from its branches were these white apples. If Applejack didn't tell me they were apples I'd think they were snowflakes. Where one would expect to see apples they'd instead see varying shapes and sizes of white and weirdly shaped things hanging from the trees. One of the shapes was a simple rectangle which was an oddity. The others seemed to more often than not have some spiky points. My body shivered. Even while I was in my Dragon body with ice breath I still felt freezing. Luckily Applejack anticipated I would. She asked Rarity to create me this warm orange coat. When I asked Applejack why it was orange she said Rarity said something like "Oh Darling the orange will symbolize your kindness that warms him this holiday season!" or something like that. I cracked my scaly hands. I threw my clenched claw back. "Stop Sugarcube!" Applejack yelled out. The shock of her voice made me stumble and fall. I found myself with my back on a patch of snow. I raised a claw to show her where I was. I heard her run towards me. She gave me a hoof and I pulled myself up. It always stunned me how such a little thing like Applejack could be so strong. Whatever the reason it was still really cool. "Wh-What is it Applejack?" I stuttered as I shivered. "Well ya see ah was kinda hasty when I told ya to buck every tree," she said blushing. "I forgot we need to leave one." "Why?" "You know what happens when one ain't bucked?" she asked. "Because they explode on Hearth's Warming," I answered. "Kinda like fireworks. Though more snowy I guess." "Exactly. Granny Smith wanted one to be left alone. For the party Twilight is planning," she explained. Oh then this is gonna be awkward. I winced as I awaited the inevitable. "I'm glad to see you ain't done yet...What is that?" she asked as she spotted the excuse for a tree before me. "Well AJ this is the only unbucked tree," I explained. She eyed me up and down. Then she walked to the tree and did the same. She nodded and gave me a smile. "Bernice will be perfect!" she said happily. "Bernice?" "The tree. She has been waiting here for years. This is perfect!" she said her eyes sparkling. "Now help me get her in from the cold." "But," I tried. AJ gave me a quick stare and I shut my mouth. AJ ran inside for a few moments. When she exited she held a small pot in her mouth. After a few minutes we managed to put Bernice in the pot. As we carried her I decided to ask AJ something. "So do you name all your trees?" "Of course. They're part of the family after all," AJ said proudly. "And ah don't name them. They already have their names." I chuckled. "And what is so funny?" "That's really cute," I explained. She blushed. She picked up her speed. Luckily I was able to keep up and we brought Bernice inside. [Shadow's P.O.V.] "So, what do you think?" I asked Fluttershy. I beamed as I turned back to our work. Fluttershy's home was usual very cozy. It felt very intimate and small. A perfect symbol of Ponyville in general. As soon as the holiday neared however the town transformed. It was decked in more decorations than a Christmas sweater. Which was oddly fitting. After we set the decorations Fluttershy's home mirrored the town. Above her fireplace we put a few socks. When I asked what for she told me that there was a story involved. There once was a mare who loved socks. Apparently somehow she managed to save Hearth's Warming. Also she was said to have a minty scent to her. They hang the socks as to remember that mare. Above her door we had placed a wreath. The bird house hanging was painted a festive red and green. Everything else was either placed in her attic and replaced with more Hearth's Warming Eve themed things. "Its um..nice?" Fluttershy asked. "Nice?" She nodded. "What's wrong?" "N-nothing," she tried. "I know something is wrong. Thanks for trying to spare my feelings," I said as I placed my hooves softly on hers. I looked deep into her eyes. "Its missing something," she sighed. "What?" "I think we may have put it in the attic," she said sadly. "Well then we'll just have to look for it," I said heading for the stairs. "We don't have to Shadow, really. I should have thought about that before," she said. "Live and learn, right? Besides we can't have you worrying about that thing on the holiday. What kind of coltfriend would I be then?" I asked turning back to give her a smile. She gave me a quick nod. She followed after me. After a few minutes we made it into the attic. The attic was littered with miscellaneous things as well as Fluttershy's furniture. I had expected the furniture because I took these up before Fluttershy got home. There were other oddities. I could swear I saw a lamp that locked like a pony's leg. Cobwebs stuck themselves to whatever was in the room. It didn't matter if it was stuff or even the floor. After we got up there we saw two black spiders scurry across the room. Fluttershy grabbed my shoulder. She called the spiders over. They obliged. She whispered something to them. I stood silent. It was always amazing to see Fluttershy work. Before I realized it she was done whispering. She turned to me. "Be careful where you step." "Gotcha. We can't be hurting our friends home. Lead the way." We maneuvered across the floor very carefully. Eventually we made our way to a group of boxes. I went to check the ones on the left. Meanwhile Fluttershy took the ones to the right. I stood above a box. On it was a mountain of dust. Thank goodness I'm not allergic. I rubbed the box a few times. Then I chose to open the box. Inside the box was a few of interesting stuff. Namely a plethora of cans of whip cream. "Uh Fluttershy? Has Pinkie Pie been using the attic to store stuff?" "Yes. Is that okay?" "Yeah. I was just checking." That explains the pony leg lamp. Though only marginally. I went back to searching for a while. Nothing seemed too important. "I found it!" Fluttershy said triumphantly. She flew up in victory. And for that she earned a bump on her head. I rushed to make sure she was safe. Luckily she managed to hit the floor relatively painlessly. Still her head had a light red bump. I helped her up. She blushed bright red as I did. Though I wasn't sure if it was because of the physical pain or the mental pain. My bet was on the bump. At least in Fluttershy's case. This time I went first to make certain Fluttershy didn't get hurt anymore. When I walked ahead of her I could swear I heard something like a can rattling behind me. Once we got to the stairs I let Fluttershy take the lead. I wanted to get a clearer look on her bump. It looked not serious. It looked like any other bump. It didn't appear to be throbbing or even cut. Still a bump was a bump. When we got down I managed to convince Fluttershy to lay down on her couch. She laid with her back to me on the couch. I gave her a small blue blanket. Then I ran to the kitchen. As I was in the kitchen I felt something tap my leg. I looked down and there was Angel Bunny with a displeased expression. He had his arms crossed. "Angel, she bumped her head. Right now I'm looking for an ice pack," I said searching through her freezer. "She has none left. " Angel tapped my foot again. Then he pointed at a plastic bag. "I don't think a plastic bag without ice is the same as a small one with ice Angel." Angel facepawed. He pointed outside and then to the bag. I facehoofed. "Right." Ten minutes later I returned to the house. The once empty bag is now brimming with ice. By the time I returned Fluttershy had turned back. And she was fiddling with an empty bottle. I approached her and gave her the ice plastic bag. "I had to improvise." She gave me a smile. Then she placed the bag on her bump. Then she frowned. "I'm sorry." "Don't worry about it." I eyed the bottle. "So what is the bottle?" "Its the last decoration," she answered sheepishly. "Why this bottle?" "Its the one Pinkie gave us. For our first date I mean," she explained. "Oh. Not to sound mean but why do you still have it? I'd expected you to throw it away," I said. "I was going to. Then I remembered something my mother used to tell me. She told me every moment with somepony you care about should be remembered. Especially on the holidays. That's why I kept it," she said twiddling her hooves. I walked closer and gave her a tight hug. "I'm glad." When I drew away from the hug Fluttershy and I saw an interesting sight. Above us hanged a small green thing. "Its a mistletoe," she observed. "Yeah." "We have to kiss." "Yeah." "Do you want to?" "Yeah," I said grinning widely. I leaned in careful not to hit the bag. [Rhino's P.O.V.] "A little to the left," Twilight instructed. "Right-o!" Pinkie said as she pushed the last chair into position. "Too much. Now put it an inch to the right." Pinkie nodded and did so. "No, no. That won't do. Try a centimeter back to the left." Pinkie shrugged. Then she reached for the chair. "Wait! That's too far!" Twilight yelled. "Twilight, she didn't even touch it yet," I observed. "Maybe its fine where it is." "Fine is not perfect. Pinkie said she wanted my help to make this party perfect." "Silly Twilight its already gonna be perfect," Pinkie said cartwheeling next to Twilight. I nodded. "As long as everypony comes it really doesn't matter how the place looks." Twilight huffed as she grabbed a nearby stand. "But the chart says partys are always better when a party room follows fung shui." "Fung shui?" I asked. "You mean that belief that the structure of things in a home can change how somepony feels?" "Right." "That's silly Twilight. And I should know silly," Pinkie said as she grabbed something green and scaly. Gummy eyes blinked. "See, ain't that silly?!" "Fine. We'll leave the chair," Twilight sighed defeated. "Good. So what does that leave?" "The chart says," Twilight said observing the chart, "We have everything. That is except whatever Pinkie asked Bass and Adven to get." "How did you get that from a chart?" I asked dumbfounded. "I take very detailed charts," Twilight said proudly. "She is the great charter!" Pinkie giggled. Before I could comment a knock came from the door. I walked to it. I opened it and found what I expected and what I didn't expect. I expected to find Adven and Bass. Though I didn't expect to find Bass covered in sweat being carried by Adven. I quirked a brow at the strange sight. "We got the stuff," Bass panted heavily. "Why did we have to get these things!" "Because Pinkie Pie," I said not knowing what else to say. "We're gonna need your help," Adven sighed. "There is a lot of it." I nodded. At least I'll find out whatever they got is. [The Next day. DJ's P.O.V.] "We probably should've kept throwing the ball," Vibes said as we walked. "Well. At least we can do covers," I said sadly following him. "It could be worse." "How?" "We could have made the worst music ever." "You mean like Friday?" I joked. "Its Hearths Warming! Its Hearths Warming!" he said mockingly in the tone of Friday. I chuckled. "True. We're here by the way." "Yep," he said knocking on the door. Adven answered. He was wearing a santa hat. And he was wearing star sunglasses. He beamed at us. He waved us in. When we got in I noticed a few things. Off to the side was a magnificently decorated pine tree. It was littered with snowflakes. Though they didn't seem to melt. It looked nice. There were two charts side by side. One was covered with so many facts it was ridiculous. The one beside it was a pie chart. Half of it was covered in red and the other in green. The red part read "Fun" and the green "Funner". Applejack and Dylan were standing near the tree. Applejack looked like she was crying. Dylan mouthed something to her. Bass was laying down on the floor. Carrot Top was standing next to him. She looked disappointed at him. Shadow and Fluttershy were drinking some punch. And Fluttershy was wearing a large flower hat. Rainbow dash pulled a bit out of her ear and showed it to Pinkie. Pinkie responded by pulling out a Wonderbolt figurine from her own nose. Then she gave it to an excited Rainbow Dash. Who then was very disgusted. Of course we had the same area designated for us to perform as usual. For the most part at least. It was more decorated to suit the season but other than that it was unchanged. "You guys ready to party?" Adven said grinning. "As ready as ever," Vibes said back confidently. "Lets a go!" I said running. [Bass's P.O.V.] "All I'm saying is I think you should be up for the party," Carrot Top said annoyed. "After what Pinkie made me do yesterday?! They're lucky I didn't enter a hyperbolic time chamber!" I moaned. Carrot Top sighed. "Fine." I picked myself up. "Thank you," she muttered. "What did she make you buy anyway?" "You'll see. And then you'll find out why I'm so bitter," I said childishly. Before she could press the issue DJ ranned past us to the stage. Vibes followed close behind him. They quickly set themselves up and began playing. "Wait!" Pinkie Pie screamed. "Stop playing!" DJ and Vibes did as she said. Pinkie smiled and moved suspiciously closer to a nearby balloon string. "Okay. Now you can play. And remember no matter what keep playing!" she said winking at them. They nodded. [Play] "Well. Time to dance," I said grabbing Carrot Top's hoof. "Weird first song to dance to," she commented. "I don't know. I could see rich ponies dancing to this. Like a kinda waltz," I said as I bowed mockingly. "I guess it does sound rather regal. I'm sure Rarity would have loved it," she stated. "I hope DJ is okay she isn't here." "I'm sure he understands. I mean holidays are meant to spend time with your family and friends," Carrot Top assuredly. "True. I mean if my mom asked me to spend the holiday with her I couldn't refuse," I agreed. "My dad wouldn't let me. Not since the last time," she giggled. "What happened last time?" "I spent it with my last coltfriend. Daddy didn't like that. So he did something," she said shivering. "Something awful." "Something awful?" I gulped. "Really awful. Like not telling him what he went shopping for somepony awful," she said smiling at me. "Not funny. You almost stopped my heart," I complained. "Then next time you should answer my question." "Plan WC Go!" Pinkie yelled. I turned to see her pull the string. "Pinkie, what," Applejack said. "Are you," RD continued. "Doing?!" Fluttershy exclaimed finishing the question. A loud roar erupted from above. Everypony looked up to find the ceiling open up. The now opened ceiling revealed what I had gotten Pinkie. Why I had suffered going shopping. Why I smelled like the inside of a buffalo. There were a countless number of whip cream cans hanging from the ceiling and each of them were aimed at somepony. "Fire!" Pinkie screamed madly as she tugged hard at the string a second time. "This wasn't on the chart!" Twilight yelled desperately. The whip cream cans fired at the helpless watchers including myself. Within seconds the entire floor was blanketed in whip cream and the guests with it. [Play] As soon as the spraying seized I shook my head. I tried to move the rest of my body and found it was stuck. I looked down to find myself in a curious situation. My body was immersed in some oddly familar shape. I heard Rainbow Dash burst out laughing. "You're a whip cream pony!" I growled at her. A ball of whip cream smacked against her face. "Hey!" she shouted as she wiped the cream off. "Take that!" Carrot Top yelled throwing another one at Rainbow Dash. Of course Rainbow dash dodged and lobbed one back at Carrot Top. Luckily she managed to dodge the incoming ball. But that let the ball hit Adven who had just emerged from the cream. Only for him to be plunged back. He reemerged and flung a giant back which then headed for Pinkie. Without missing a beat Pinkie swallowed the ball. Then she got a determined look on her face. "Whip Cream ball fight!" she screamed. Everypony else emerged with whip cream balls. Even Twilight had one. All I could do was watch the horror before me. Whip Cream got everywhere. Then again it already was everywhere. I guess it got everywhere again. I struggled desperately. Still I was unable to get out. I sighed. As I watched I couldn't help but realize something. Where is Snap? Didn't he come? [Tech's P.O.V.] "Almost there," I muttered. I was finishing the last touches on a special project. It was upgrade for the Shining and Shadow Ponys. Upgrades were typically easy. These upgrades were significantly harder. Probably because they were ones for robots and I wasn't a robotics engineer. Or maybe it was because it was a uniform upgrade. Either way it was harder. Bass would no doubt whine about it if it was uneven. And Shadow wouldn't say anything but he'd be distracted by it if his of Bass's was better. I sighed. I grabbed my welding mask. I then grabbed the small cubes and began welding them. It was funny using a blow torch any other part of the year. I seldom ever did. I preferred to find different ways of reinforcing my inventions. However I wanted to finish it before the day was done. I mean it was Hearth's Warming after all. Hearth's Warming. And I'm welding. This is oddly appropriate. I heard a loud bang. I turned off the torch. I tapped the metal part of the torch on the cubes hoping to replicate the sound. I heard it again. I sighed. I already knew it wasn't the torch hitting the cubes. I just hoped it was. I picked myself up and headed to the door. As I walked the loud bangs grew louder and louder. I opened the door to find a weird blue and red zebra in front of me. What was even weirder was he had a horn too. He grinned at me. "Hey, are you Tech?" he asked smiling brightly. "Yeah," I said evenly. "Who are you?" "I'm Snap Art," he said happily. He grabbed a camera hanging from his neck and showed me. "I'm a polygrapher." "You mean photographer?" "Exactly." "Uh huh?" I asked shuffling uncomfortably as he continued to stare. "Right." "Did you want to tell me something?" I asked tapping a hoof. "Oh yeah! This is for you!" he said giving me a letter. "Its muy importante!" "Well thanks." "You're welcome," he said standing there still. "Thanks," I said dismissively. He smiled back at me. "Don't you have somewhere to be?" "No." "You wanna come inside?" I asked tiredly. "Its pretty cold outside." "Naw. I'm good." This pony is definitely stranger than his appearance indicates. "Suit yourself," I said opening the letter. [Play] The letter read "Hello niece. Its your uncle. I know we haven't talked in a long time. And I know this may come as a surprise. But what better time for a surprise than Hearth's Warming, eh? Anyway I was wondering what I could get to surprise you. Knowing you you'd probably want some new wrench or something. I think I found you a much more exquisite gift. I know you aren't one for "fancy gifts" but I hope you'll appreciate it. I want you to know I still love you Tech. You're still my favorite neice. Fleur misses you too. She says one day when we see you again you and her have to have a "builds off" rematch. Even after all these years I struggle to comprehend you two. Anyway happy Hearth's Warming. I love you Tech. Don't ever forget that." I looked at the unicorn zebra. He looked cluelessly at me. "You didn't happen to have anything else for me, did you?" He facehoofed. "Oh yeah! My bad." I put out my hoof. Then he placed a picture on it. I smiled weakly at the picture. My eyes watered a little at the sight. "Thank you," I said sniffing. "No problem. What is it?: he asked bluntly. "Its a picture of me and my uncle," I said wiping my eyes a little. What I said was kinda true. It was a picture of me and my uncle. But it was taken years ago. Before I had left Canterlot. And before my uncle changed his name. "Hey! I know that pony he's," Snap said surprised. "That's right. He's Fancy Pants," I said proudly. "But don't tell anypony." He nodded. "Thanks." Then he raised a hoof. "On one condition." "What?" I asked shocked. "You and I go to a party right now," he said smiling still. "But I'm working." "Well, take a break." "But its for a few friends." "They'll understand. Now come on," he said as he dragged me away before I could convince him otherwise. Truth be told. Even given the time I probably wouldn't be able to convince him at all. I guess I did need a break. He raced through town. Many ponies gasped at our speed. I was too struck with awe. And reeling from my uncle's letter. I heard Snap sniff loudly like he was a bloodhound. I could have sworn he let out a little bark. We made it in front of Ponyvill'es premiere bakery. Once there he let go of me. Then he began sniffing at the door. "I think I smell whip cream!" he yelled excitedly. "And Bass." He burst through the door and screamed. "I did! I did smell whip cream!" I followed him inside. My jaw dropped. Somehow the entire interior of the place was coated in whip cream. If I didn't know better I'd assumed it was snow. Snap went to sniffing until he saw a snowpony. The head of the snowpony sported a lengthy beard and impratically sized eyebrows. He tapped his hoof against the beard. Then he tapped it against the eyebrows. He put a hoof under his chin as if in deep contemplation. His face grew concerned. He raised his hoofs and motioned them like scales. Looks like he is weighting his options. He shrugged and opted to lick the snowpony. A few minutes later where the snowpony lay was now a soggy Bass. "EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dude what the hell!" he shouted at Snap. "Couldn't you have just scooped me out?!" "I was hungry bass. I really was," Snap said giving Bass puppy dog eyes. "He did free you. Even if it was disgusting," I said defending him. "I suppose you're right Tech," Bass sighed. Then he looked at me surprised. "Tech? What are you doing here?!" "I was invited wasn't I?" "Well, yeah. But you hadn't come to a party yet," he explained. Before he could continue a ball of whip cream hit the back of his head. He turned around angrily. "Not this time! This time I'm free! And you're all going to pay!" he shouted madly. "Come on Snap, and Tech. Lets show them how to really lob whip cream balls!" "Yeah!" Snap yelled excitedly. "Whip cream balls?" I muttered disbelievingly. Without another word Snap and Bass dragged me along on their reign of terror. Despite the coolness of the whip cream that day I never felt it. I guess it must be "the fire of friendship."