Everypony in Ponyville stayed up all night to get ready for the party. Twilight and Pinkie exchanged dozens of notes. Pinkie got immediate replies from singers and bands. The pegasi agreed to try harder to have the weather controlled for the party. Twilight had all the bakeries and sweet shops in Ponvyille to make all kinds of desserts for the party. With the help of Pinkie Pie and Sweet Dessert, the treats were ready in no time. Fluttershy's animal friends helped clear a spot in Ponyville for the Apples and earth pony to set up a stage. Rarity and others helped decorate and made sure there would be enough space for everypony.
Twilight was in the middle of it all. Spike had helped Twilight keep track of everything. He also checked Doctor Hooves's newly upgraded Predicter for the weather, to make sure there would be nothing severe to stop the party.
At nearly 8 AM on December 9th, Twilight was still up and walking. There were bags under her eyes, and she looked more than ready to hit the hay. Spike had slept for the night, knowing if anything went wrong the next day, Twilight wasn't going to be awake to fix the problem. Spike was the one who needed to handle everything in case Twilight couldn't.
"Spike, wake up," Twilight urged the little dragon.
Spike rubbed his eyes and yawned. "Is everything ready for the party?" he asked.
"Yes," Twilight replied. "But it seems we have a slight issue."
Spike blinked. Twilight was using the same voice she had when Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had gone missing.
"What issue is that?" he asked. Twilight led him to the window.
"Remember how you said there were going to be clear skies today?" Twilight asked.
"Yeah," Spike said.
"I don't think it's accurate." Twilight pointed outside the window. It was snowing hard and fast. The wind blew the branches of trees. It was so snowy and windy, Spike couldn't see anything.
It was a blizzard.
***
Twilight and Spike grabbed their warmest clothing and bolted out the door. Spike leaped onto Twilight's back as she galloped through the strong storm.
"How is it possible that the Predicter didn't know about this blizzard?" Twilight yelled over the wind.
"I don't know! Every other time, it's been right!" Spike replied.
The two tried heading to Town Hall, but it was nearly impossible to see. Spike gasped and said, "Duck!"
Twilight swiftly ducked her head as Spike blew fire in front of them. For a moment, he could clearly see Sugarcube Corner, along with the sight of candles.
"I think everypony's in Sugarcube Corner!" Spike yelled. "It's just up ahead!"
Twilight trudged forward and felt familiar steps. She went up them and opened the door.
She was quickly grabbed by several hooves and pulled inside with Spike. The door was immediately shut.
Twilight looked around. It looked like a refugee camp. Ponies were huddling together for warmth, covered with blankets. Candles were everywhere, giving some light and warmth in the darkness. Mr. and Mrs. Cake were doing their best to control the chaos.
One of the hooves that had pulled Twilight inside belonged to Doctor Hooves. He was shivering and wrapped in a fuzzy blanket. "P-P-Princess T-T-Twilight! I'm very sorry, it seems my Predicter has failed to predict this catastrophe. My invention must have been defective. I'm sorry to have failed you."
"Doctor Hooves, for almost a week your Predicter worked," Twilight said. "You did your best to help everypony. Your invention was pure genius. It only needs some work."
The doctor smiled slightly.
"Twilight!"
Twilight's friends embraced her. Spike was squished in the hug.
"Twilight, we were so worried!" Fluttershy said.
"Are you alright? Did you get here safely?" asked Rarity.
The friends let go of Twilight and Spike. "We're fine," Twilight said. "But what about all the preparations? And everypony else? This surely can't be all of Ponyville."
"The rest of 'em are at Town Hall, along with the preparations," Applejack replied. "Ya should've seen what happened when the blizzard started. It was about 7, and then it started to snow. After a few minutes, we had to leave for shelter. The snow was piling up fast and the wind was howling. The stage might still stand, but ah don't know for how much longer."
"And I was looking forward to partying," Pinkie said with a sigh.
Twilight looked around. No pony looked bright with enthusiasm or cheerful. They were shivering and fearful and cold. There wasn't going to be a party. There wasn't going to be a way to get home for Hearth's Warming Eve.
Rainbow Dash sighed. "This is my fault," she said sadly.
"Don't say that!" Fluttershy said.
"But it's true," Rainbow protested. "If I hadn't tried to stop winter from coming to keep Tank from leaving, the weather factory would be just fine, and we wouldn't have this blizzard."
"You tried to stop winter because you care so much for Tank," Rarity said. "I wouldn't blame you for doing everything in your power to keep him with you."
Something clicked in Twilight's head.
The meaning of Hearth's Warming is coming together as one, Twilight remembered when writing a report on the subject. It makes sure everypony is together and united because of friendship and love. They are two of the most powerful things that make Hearth's Warming Eve special. Without this day, there wouldn't be any kind of love or friendship. And without friendship and love, we wouldn't be working together to make Equestria great.
No matter what, Hearth's Warming is about ponies coming together to accept one another and to build the future together, Twilight thought. So I will not stand here knowing there is something I can do to keep the Friendship Express running. The weather factory can be fixed. And Spike and I will spend Hearth's Warming Eve with our family! I will do everything that I possibly can to make sure this party goes on!
Spike was adding some fire to somepony's candle when he heard the door open. Spike turned and saw Twilight gallop into the storm without anything on.
"Twilight!" her friends yelled.
Twilight knew her way around Ponyville. She galloped towards Town Hall. The bitter chill was barely getting to her. Why wasn't she cold? Twilight carried the question for a second until focusing on getting to Town Hall.
She flew up and fought against the wind. She pushed towards the top of Town Hall and barely landed on the tip of the roof.
"Twilight, what are you doing?" yelled Spike from the ground. Everypony from Sugarcube Corner were staring at Twilight.
"I'm saving our Hearth's Warming Eve!" Twilight yelled in reply.
She felt her heart grow warm. "Citizens of Ponyville!" she yelled. "Hearth's Warming Eve is about ponies coming together and working as one! I realize now that I'm not the only pony who wants to make it home for Hearth's Warming, but can't! Ponies come together not just as friends, but as a family! Everypony has to think of Hearth's Warming Eve and what it means to you! Remember your family and friends! Remember how important Hearth's Warming is to you! But never, EVER believe Hearth's Warming is going to be ruined, because if you trust your princess, it won't!"
Ponies were coming out of Town Hall. They heard Twilight's words and closed their eyes. Spike thought about all the Hearth's Warming Eves he had spent with Twilight, and the ones he had spent with her whole family.
Twilight closed her eyes. She thought of Shining Armor and Cadence, expecting their first child. She thought about her parents, and Canterlot, and how they were going to spend Hearth's Warming Eve. Together.
Twilight felt her horn glow. Gasps could be heard from the ground. She opened her eyes and saw her horn flickering with pink flames. Twilight gasped. A glowing pink heart was ablaze in front of her eyes. The Hearth's Warming Heart.
Twilight laughed with triumph. She pointed her horn upwards and cast a clearing spell. Her horn shot a beam into the sky. It turned into swirls of pink fire and it traveled to ground level. Flames and warmth spread across Ponyville. Snow melted in the presence of the Hearth Warming Flames.
Soon, nearly all the snow had melted into water. The wind had died, and the clouds were gone, revealing a sunny sky and dozens of helicopters looking for a place to land.
"They're here!" Pinkie yelled, bouncing up and down. "They're here, they're here, THEY'RE HERE! All the singers and artists of Equestria are HERE!"
Pegasi immediately made a path for the helicopters to follow to the stage. Earth ponies rushed toward the stage to make sure it was still intact while unicorns began moving the food and tables to the stage.
Twilight stared at her horn. The pink flame was nearly out. She smiled. Twilight flew down to Spike, who was amazed at the sight of the snow all gone. The heart followed Twilight.
"How'd you do that?" Spike asked.
Twilight smiled. "All I needed to do was remind myself why I was doing all this," she replied. "Can you find a candle?"
Spike took out a candle he had and presented it to Twilight. She sent the last spark of her fire to the candle. The candle turned pink, the flame flickering brightly.
"Let this candle burn forever," Twilight said, "so that we remember friendship and love will last forever, too."
"Princess Twilight!" Rainbow Feathers flew down to the two of them. "Princess, the party is almost ready. But do you think this party can raise enough money to help fix the cloud factory and save the Friendship Express?"
"I believe anything is possible as long as you believe," Twilight said. "C'mon, Spike! Let's go save Hearth's Warming!"
Spike smiled and jumped onto Twilight's back. She reared and took to the skies, the heart following close behind.
She landed onstage in front of thousands of ponies. Pinkie was just about finished explaining the cause.
"So donate to help save other ponies' Hearth's Warming Eve!" Pinkie exclaimed. "C'mon, you know you wanna!"
She passed her mic to Twilight.
"Thank you for coming, everypony," Twilight said confidently. "By donating, it helps the Friendship Express from shutting down and fix the Cloudsdale weather factory. And now, without further ado, let the Steamin' Snowy Hearth's Warming Party begin!"
Twilight and Pinkie rushed off the stage as the curtains opened to reveal the opening act by Mareiah Carey.
"I've got a good feeling about this!" Pinkie yelled over the screams of ponies.
"So do I," Twilight said, smiling at the Hearth's Warming Heart above the stage.
Hours flew by. Treats were bought and restocked. The acts kept changing and duets were performed. Even the Pony Tones performed though Fluttershy had not joined in. Finally, the last song was sung, and Twilight was saying some final words.
"Thank you all for donating for good causes!" Twilight said. "And now, the grand total of donations is..."
Hooves were stamping on the ground like a drumroll. Pinkie Pie handed Twilight a card. She opened it and her eyes widened in utter shock.
"578,942 bits!" Twilight yelled.
"That means we totally SMASHED our goal of 500,000!" yelled Rainbow Dash.
The crowd yelled and cheered and stamped their hooves in applause. The Hearth's Warming Heart glowed even brighter.
"Thanks to everypony who has donated, the Friendship Express won't be able to close and we can fix the weather factory!" Twilight said. "Thank you all for turning out tonight, and thank you to our biggest donator, donating 50,000 bits..." She looked at the name below the total. Her jaw dropped. That name...impossible...
"...Prince Blueblood!?"
The crowd went wild. Twilight had hoped she sounded more excited than shocked. She scanned the crowd and saw Prince Blueblood smiling at the ponies who were thanking him. She could've sworn she'd seen a familiar mane of purple and white hair, but maybe it was just the sheer color of ponies.
"Thank you all! Thank you! And remember to have a wonderful Hearth's Warming Eve!" Twilight said.
Ponies cheered and laughed as they went back home. The sun was just starting to go down. The Hearth's Warming Heart shimmered away.
"Wow! We managed to pull it off!" Rainbow Dash said in amazement.
"And I'm surprised you were the biggest donator," Rarity said.
Twilight's friends and she turned to see Prince Blueblood. "Well, recently, somepony taught me that being a hero comes with rewards. I just thought it'd never be the mother of a princess."
Behind Blueblood popped up a familiar face. Very familiar. Twilight's eyes weren't tricking her.
"Mom?"
Twilight Velvet's eyes shined with tears. "Oh, Twilight, my baby girl!" she whispered.
Twilight was crying, too. She galloped forwards and embraced her mother tightly.
"Oh, mom! I thought I wasn't going to see you!" Twilly whispered.
"I thought the very same thing," Velvet said, her voice cracking. The two hugged for what seemed like forever.
"When did you get here?" Twilight asked once they let go.
"Just after the blizzard ended," Velvet explained. "I never doubted for one second that you wouldn't be able to pull this off!"
"Neither did I," Twilight said.
"Twilight, the sky is clear. The train arrives in a few minutes, and that'll be the last train out to Canterlot. You and Spike can come home now," Velvet said.
"Now? In a few minutes?" Twilight asked.
Velvet looked slightly disappointed. "Isn't this what you want?" she asked.
"Yeah, but I wanna spend a few days with my friends," Twilight explained. "And also to help clean up this mess."
Velvet smiled. "There's my daughter, always loving time with her friends," she said. "Then, I hope I'll see you in a week's time?"
"Definitely," Twilight said, nodding with a smile.
Velvet sighed with happiness. "Well, come along, Blueblood. We don't have much time before the train arrives and I believe you don't like spending time in places like Ponyville."
Prince Blueblood was about to retort but simply said, "Very well."
The two traveled off the stage and to the train station.
"We did it," Twilight said in awe. Spike nodded in agreement. Twilight's friends hugged the two of them. For a moment, the Hearth's Warming Heart appeared, shining brightly, and then it disappeared.