Luna watched the knife as it spun in the air. It would be so easy to knock it away. But she couldn't. Not when four horns pointed at her, waiting for her answer.

TW: mentions of rape (not explicitly shown but the aftermath is.)

It's true, Celestia has a lot on her plate: the stewardship of Canterlot High School has recently fallen into her lap; her dear younger sister has recently started a job at the very same high school; and the details of her romantic life are... best left unsaid. Any sane individual wouldn't want to add a child to that mix, but those adorable bright blue eyes were irresistible.

Night Light sets things into motion. Who can really know the future?

Editor: Professional Prose Pony: Soaring

Art by: Crosmir

This story is a sequel to Friendship is dead

A year has passed since the wedding incident, and the passing of Ponyvilles once beloved librarian/ element of magic. Shining armor, now the prince of the Crystal empire and the captain of the Crystal guards, is struggling to forgive himself over the events last year at the hands of his corrupted sister. With his parents continuous hatred towards their son, he begins to wonder if he can truly redeem himself over his past actions and earn back his parents love.

Side note: Shining armor will be the main focus of the sequel, Applejack and the others will make some appearances here or there though and have their moments as well.

It's Hearth's Warming Eve and Twilight's household is abuzz with activity. Some of this is activity that the little filly is familiar with, but so far, there are some things that take place behind closed doors that she has no idea about. Not simply the wrapping of presents, of course, but things she can't imagine a reason to hide.

Well, this year, on her seventh Hearth's Warming, she's not going to stand for it any longer. She's going to find out what the grownups are doing in the kitchen all this time. She's going to learn how it all works and hopefully, in the future, she's going to be able to help, in addition to how she helps prepare for the holiday already.

However, through the course of discovery and fulfilling her obligations, Twilight is going to encounter a question. A question that any child would be terrified to ask, but too curious not to.

***

Written for SabreTheRedMane for Jinglemas 2023

Twilight and Shining visit their parents' home for the holidays.
They have worked very hard all year to be on the Nice list.
But back together again under the same roof for Hearth's Warming night...

Written for tailsopony for Jinglemas 2023

It had been an accidental falling-in that had brought them together. Sort of together. Velvet's divorce, Sunset's break-up... it was an awkward thing to know that failure of a relationship had helped them bond. Remaining in the only city they'd ever been able to call home, perhaps it was inevitable that their sorrow should not be endured alone.

But now comes their first Christmas. And tonight's date night is more intimate than before. All it would take is a single moment for the sparks to truly fly.

Part Two of my 2023 Christmas Special. Enjoy!

All characters are 18+

As always, a shout-out to those who follow me just to downvote. That's dedication.

Edit: Featured, 12/23 - 12/24/23. Thanks, y'all.

Night Light and Twilight Velvet kindle a connection beneath the enchanting spell of Canterlot's Annual Hearth Warming Eve Dance.

Part of Serina's Hearth's Warming Eve Collection for 2023.

Sludge thought he could impersonate Spike's father and live the sweet life in a castle.

He failed to anticipate what would happen when Spike's real parents found out.

Featured 11/30/2023 - 12/3/2023!

An unexpected illness took the life of Night Light, husband of Twilight Velvet and father of Twilight Sparkle, Shining Armor, and Spike. It was the day of his funeral.

And Spike would not cry.