Ponies across Equestria see Hearth's Warming as a happy and carefree holiday. Nature knows no such concept. When an asteroid strikes the ground and raises a thick blanket of dust the week before Hearth's Warming, Equestria is faced with a winter storm the likes of which it has never seen before. As Ponyville's resident princess, it's up to Twilight to lead the town to safety, and she knows that her friends will be by her side.
She does not know, however, how much she'll need them . . . or how close she'll get to losing them.
A Hearth's Warming story.
This story has a sister song.
Bonds of Glory by Taialin feat. wingedalpha
Co-written with wingedalpha. Cover art by shiita64.
Chapters (4)
A touching holiday story.
I see what you did there.
5421808 Hehe.
I swear, I don't plan these things! I just kind of stumbled on this plot point, and it was too fitting a reference to pass up!
In any case, thank you for reading!
I said I would leave you a review in exchange for the one you left me, but all I really have to say is wow, just.... wow! Your story is amazing! It was exciting, emotional, nerve-wracking, imaginative, and just so many other great things! I can't even think of any way to critique it, save to note that I found around a half-dozen assorted typos on account of my freaky-good typo-spotting abilities. Although, I suppose I could also just complain because you killed Fluttershy's little Angel bunny and that is just so, so sad
Really though, you did a great job. I'd wish you luck like you did for me, but I don't think you really need it. In all honesty, if I place at all (and I would be most excited if I did), it would be an honor to come in second to you
5425596 Thanks a lot! As I said in the author's notes, this story has been a very long time in the making, so it feels nice to have it appreciated! I'm going on another editing run of the story right now, but if you happen to remember some of the typos you spotted, I'd really appreciate it if you sent me those by PM. I pride myself on good grammar, and typos annoy me as much as any other problem.
Well, I'm pretty sure I already mentioned how I feel about this one, but I'm gonna do it again: I think it's very possibly one of the most beautiful stories I've read ever, not just in terms of fanfiction in general or MLP: FiM in particular. It kinda feels like The Day After Tomorrow if it was done right, focusing on the human cost rather than nifty special effects (I like that film, by the way, so I hope that doesn't feel like an insult to you). It isn't just a story about relentless misery, though, it's about hope, and maintaining it even when the situation seems bleak.
The characters are true to themselves while you adapted them perfectly to this situation; Rainbow Dash and Twilight are the stars, of course, but everypony gets their moment. I would MAYBE have like to have seen some more realistic trauma to Rarity, but between Fluttershy's nursing skills and medical magic, it's reasonable to assume that all of her hooves are staying intact. That's just me looking for a dark side amidst all this light.
Also, again, kudos on nullifying Discord off the bat. Too many people forget that.
5437094 Yeah, I guess a week of straight frostbite would result in some permanent damage and tissue necrosis, right?
I know, I'm alright with hurting ponies, but I can't bear not giving them a "happily ever after" as well. After everything they've been through, I feel like it'd be downright cruel to leave Rarity forever maimed after almost dying in the first place. And I think the ending is more satisfying this way!
I've already screwed with health and physics a lot in this story, so screwing with it a little more shouldn't hurt, right? Especially if Rarity is happy at the end of it!
5437881
Well, Hiccup suffered a permanent injury and it didn't affect his happiness.
But yeah, it would've been cruel to leave Rarity permanently afflicted by her injuries.
5437992
Ah. Point taken.
In any case, Rarity might have made it out unscathed, that that doesn't mean all of them did . . .
5438045
Oh, did I miss someone getting horribly killed?
5438098 No, that was the other version of the story.
5438594
Aw.
This fic deserves a lot of praise. It's the product of an impressive collaboration of multiple individuals, it's about as grammatically sound as any fic can be, it's well paced and well-written in general. It obviously deserves a like and a favorite, both of which I'll gladly give it, and I don't usually read tragedy fan-fics, much less ones that are this heavy. To everyone involved with producing this, hat's off for a wonderful job well done!
5498679 Believe me, I don't usually write things that are this heavy! Tragedy is one of those genres that I thought I would never have the nerve to write about, but it just so happens that I happen to be rather good at making ponies cry. Toss in a bit of drama
, garnish with a song, and there you go!
What a beautiful story.
I like this so far. Great work!
Yay!
phenomenal!
This story easily made my top favorites list. Great job!!!