Christmas is here and everypony in Equestria is doing final preparations for the holidays. In Canterlot, ponies there are more than excited to prepare for the greatest time of the year. The time when even all royal guards and the palace staff go home to spend time with there family and friends, which is no exception for Twilight, Spike, and the other Elements.
Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy did want to spend time with their families,but also want to spend time with their friends. Thanks to Twilight she made it so they can do both. Families and friends all at Canterlot spending Christmas together.
They thought it would be best to visit Celestia's and Luna's palace first. As they were making their way there the many pony folk greeted them, bowed in respect for Twilight, and most importantly, wishing them a Merry Christmas. As they walk by they also wish them a Merry Christmas as well.
They made it to the palace and since the royal guards were home for the holidays they weren't standing guard, allowing Princess Celestia and Luna to conjure a magic barrier so that only ponies and Spike can get in. Once inside Twilight happily greeted the two sisters. "Celestia! Luna!"
Being filled with Christmas joy they also happily greeted them where Celestia was the first speak. "Welcome back my little ponies."
"And Merry Christmas!" Luna added.
"Merry Christmas to both of you two." Twilight said.
"You sure you won't mind us bringing our families her yer majesties?" Applejack asked a little worried.
Celestia only managed to chuckle a little bit. "Not at all, I welcome all of your families her. After all it is time to spend with your family and friends."
Hearing that made Twilight remember something. "Oh that reminds me, are my family here yet?" She asking hoping that they were there.
"They arrived about ten minutes ago. Two of them were especially excited to see you. They're in the main hall, let's go." Celestia said as they all walked together.
"I'm pretty sure which two Celestia means." Pinkie said excitedly hopping.
"Yeah, two certain Crystal Empire rulers maybe." Rainbow Dash said.
Once they made it to the main hall they all Twilight's mom and dad, Shining Armor, and Princess Cadence. Twilight then happily trotted in there saying "Mom! Dad! Shining! Cadence!"
Twilight Velvet and Night Light hugged Twilight while Twilight Velvet was the first to speak. "It's so good to see you Twilight."
"Merry Christmas sweetheart." Night Light added.
Not being able to wait anymore Shining Armor was the next to hello. "Twily!" Twilight then released her hug from her parents and hugged Shining Armor. "Merry Christmas little sis!"
"Merry Christmas B.B.B.F.F." Of course Cadence was still there waiting to be greeted. They both went to each other and recited their childhood rhyme.
"Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!"
Once they were finished they hugged too. Cadence then spoke saying, "It's so wonderful that you came."
Pulling away from the hug Twilight said, "What was I gonna do? Not celebrate the greatest time of the year with you guys."
"Or us." Spike said in the background.
"It's always nice to you all. Merry Christmas!" Shining said to the others.
"I don't mean to be rude or anything, but wouldn't you rather spend Christmas with you family?" Twilight Velvet asked.
"Our friends too." Rainbow Dash said. "We asked the princesses if we can bring our families here."
Pinkie then started talking before Rainbow Dash could continue. "So now we can celebrate with our families and still be together." She said still happily jumping around.
"Um...Pinkie Pie, why are you jumping so much?" Fluttershy asked in her usual shy way.
"Why wouldn't I? Christmas is my most FAVORITE DAY EVER."
Rarity then took the opportunity to look out through the window and was in awe of the surroundings. Snow falling on the ground, Christmas lights everywhere, and all ponies celebrating. She invited the others to look and when they did they were in awe as well.
"Just look at it. It's gorgeous!" Rarity said still in awe. "The way Canterlot celebrates Christmas is so amazing. This gives me an idea for some dresses I should make for Christmas next year."
"Hey guys look." Spike said pointing at the streets of Canterlot. He was pointing at ponies who were caroling. "There are ponies caroling down there."
Twilight and Shining then had looks on their faces that meant that they want to join them. Both their parents saw and they too wanted to join them.
"Well what are we waiting for, let's go caroling shall we." Night Light said making everpony, even Celestia and Luna go out and join the carolers.
Everypony was ready for tomorrow was the big day. Christmas day! For the best way to cheer was the caroling ponies walking all over Canterlot filling everypony with Christmas Spirit.
Deck the hall with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
'Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Spike saw that one pony hanging a missile toe over a sign. Rarity also caught that and planted a kiss on Spike's cheek, causing him to be in a love frenzy.
See the blazing yule before us,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash saw one pony selling fruitcake and went over and purchased a bunch of it.
Fast away the old year passes,
Fa la la la la la la la la.
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses!
Fa la la la la
They all slowed down after looking at one of the buildings.
la...la.....la......la.
The building they were all looking at didn't have any lights on it, no lights inside it, nothing.
"Princess?" Twilight asked. "Isn't this where Blueblood?"
"It certainly is." Princess Celestia said looking concerned for Blueblood's home.
"Why isn't there any decorations or anything?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Maybe we should ask him." Princess Celestia said. She walked over to his door and knocked on it. "Blueblood, are you home?"
"Yes Auntie, what is it?" Blueblood aid behind the door.
"Well I'm just wondering about something important." Celestia said.
Blueblood then spoke again behind the door. "Is it the annoying carolers?" Saying that made them all gasp. "Who by the way are out of tune."
"I TOLD YOU!" Pinkie shouted to the others.
"No that isn't it." Celestia said. Blueblood then opened the door, put on a scarf, and walked outside. "It's just that we would like to know why you don't have any decorations up. It's not like you to forget."
"I don't feel like putting up any decorations, that's all." Blueblood said using his magic to grab some firewood for the fireplace.
"Well you are still coming to the ceremony right?" Cadence asked.
"You mean the ceremony where all the peasants and nobles of Canterlot come together to decorate the Canterlot Christmas Tree?" Blueblood then stopped grabbing firewood. "Count me out."
They all gasped again. The silence was then broken when Celestia said, "What are you talking about? At this time of year, you're never like this."
Blueblood then stopped but didn't make eye contact. "Well maybe because: I hate being around a bunch of commoners, I hate wasting my time decorating a stupid tree, looking at the lights, eating the food, and hearing those pathetic songs." Blueblood then walked inside his home. "But most importantly," He then started using his magic on the door. "I hate Christmas!"
He then used his magic to slam the door shut which caused snow to fall off of his roof and onto Pinkie Pie. Ignoring the laws of physics, Pinkie opened the snow like it was a door and when she got out the snow collapse on itself.
"Well that wasn't very Christmas like of him." Shining Armor said.
"He hates Christmas?" Fluttershy said in a shy voice. "Why?"
"What now Princess?" Twilight asked Celestia.
Celestia thought of it for a moment and came up with a solution. "I think all of you show go to the ceremony, I'll catch up with you." They didn't know what she was thinking, but they thought it would be best to not argue with her thoughts. "And Pinkie would it be alright if you left me some fruitcake."
Pinkie was about to much on the last bit of fruitcake they had with they, but stopped and gave it to Celestia. "Here you go."
"Sister, go with them to the ceremony and don't worry I'll be there." And with that everypony left, leaving Celestia with the fruitcake she asked for. She then looked at it and then she used her magic and cast a spell on the fruitcake. "Let's hope that this works." She thought to herself. She knocked on his door again. "Would you at least like to have some of this fruitcake Nephew."
Blueblood didn't give an answer, but his stomach answered for him. He was indeed hungry so he decided to take her up on her offer. He opened the door and said, "You're lucky that I'm hungry." He used his magic to grab the fruitcake and with that Celestia left wishing him a Merry Christmas. He went back inside and took a bite out of the fruitcake. "Wow this is very good." He then took a couple more bites, but when he did he started getting sleepy. "What's going on? Why do I feel so sleepy." He then took one last bite and then collapsed on his chair, fully asleep.
Blueblood started to slowly open his eyes and view his surroundings. It was really dark so he used his magic to light up the room.
"Must have dozed off." Blueblood said. "What time is it?" Just then he heard something coming from above the fireplace. "Who's there?" He got closer to the fireplace. "As the prince I command you to show yourself."
And then a pony came from above, really filthy from the dust. out of the dust cloud the pony turned out to be Cadence. "You really need to clean that place up."
"Cadence?" Blueblood asked. "Is that you?"
"You're close, but wrong." She said dusting herself off. "I'm the pony of Christmas Past."
"What are you doing here?"
She then started dusting him off since there was dust on him too. "Well, since you lost your Christmas Joy I here to help get it back."
Blueblood turned away from her. "I don't feel like it."
"Oh come on it'll be fun." She then placed her hoof on his shoulder. "So are you ready?"
"Ready for what?" Blueblood asked.
She then started using her magic. "For your journey of course." Blueblood then looked confused. "I'm taking you on a journey back in time." She then used her magic and a flash of light appeared.
The light faded and everything looked the same. "Congratulations!" Blueblood said in a mocking voice. "Nothing happened." They both heard somepony struggling out of Blueblood's bed. "What the?"
They looked and saw that a past Blueblood was in the bed. He stretched and said, "Another peasant filled morning." He then started looking happy. "Which is what I would say if tomorrow wasn't a Christmas morning." He got out of bed and looked out the window. "Time for preparations." He said as he started getting ready to go outside.
"This was you on Christmas Eve years ago."
Blueblood was amazed by this. "No wonder this looked familiar."
She then put her hoof on Blueblood. "As much as I would love to see the entire morning, it pains me to say that we need to move along." She then used her magic to send them at night time, but on the same day.
Blueblood looked around and noticed that more things looked familiar. "It's the Christmas celebration."
"That's right. And there you are with Celestia." They both looked and saw what she said.
"WHAT?! YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!" The past Blueblood yelled at the past Princess Celestia.
"Blueblood, please try to understand. You may not know it but this is important for the celebration." Princess Celestia said.
Blueblood only looked more upset. "Activating every decoration and light on the tree and in all of the plaza is more important than putting the star on top of tree?"
"It doesn't sound like much, but believe me it is." Celestia said. "It's always been my job to do this and now I need your help."
"Then why don't you get palace staff to help, like you always did."
"They tried earlier today and I'm afraid that some of them aren't as qualified as they use to be. I'm sorry nephew but right now I need your help with this."
Blueblood then started thinking about something. "Well if I'm not going to put the star up, then who is?"
"I'm giving that position to Twilight Sparkle."
Blueblood couldn't believe it. "Your new student?"
"It will be perfect for her, but know this, that for all it's worth it is for the best."
Blueblood then gave up and gave in, almost. "Alright fine, but can I put the star up next year?"
Celestia put her hoof around him. "We'll how it plays out."
The present Blueblood and the spirit stood there witnessing the whole thing. "All I ever wanted was to keep the tradition going and have me put the star on top of the tree every year." Blueblood said a little depressed. "Every year I ask her if I can, but did she let me?"
The spirit then started using her magic. "Let's find out." They then went through years of the same thing. "Every year, the same thing. Celestia tried to get help but she couldn't find anypony qualified for the job and kept asking for your help every year." She then paused for what came next. "And then came last year."
Blueblood thought that if he hurried and activated everything for the celebration then he could quickly put the star on top. He did it and went for the star, but Twilight was quicker than him this time, not knowing what he was trying to do. Blueblood than started getting angry at this entire thing and stormed out.
"I can't believe this. I was the one that always kept putting the star up. Now I'm starting to think that Auntie is just trying to replace me." The past Blueblood kept talking. "I mean is it really hard to do what I want."
Princess Celestia and Twilight looked at the entire thing. Twilight got a little upset and guilty for what happened and thought that it was her fault. Celestia saw this and comforted her, telling her that it wasn't her fault and everything will be alright, soon.
"And that's why you hate Christmas?" The spirit asked.
"You don't understand, putting the star on the tree was a great honor. I just couldn't believe it." Blueblood said. "I mean what's the reason why this keeps happening."
The spirit thought of it a little and said, "i don't know, but maybe you'll find out."
"What are talking about now?"
She then started using her magic for the last time. "You have a place to be anyway. See ya!" She then used her magic and a flash of light appeared again.
The light then disappeared and everything looked the same. Lights, decorations, and everything. The only thing that Blueblood saw that was different was the pony he was with.
"Nice for you to come."
Blueblood saw that the pony he was with was Twilight. When he saw her he got a little mad. "Twilight is that you?"
"I'm afraid you're wrong on that one. As you can see, I'm the pony of Christmas Present."
Knowing that it wasn't really her made him calm down a little bit. "Exactly what are you here for?"
She walked up next to Blueblood and said, "Well you remember that you were shown what happened a long time ago? I'm here to show you what's happening right now." She pointed at the ceremony and things weren't going so good right now.
The ceremony did look exactly the way it should be, but the decorations weren't what they were supposed to be like all the other years before. In a fit of guilt, Twilight thought that it would be best to wait if Blueblood would come for the star to be put on top, since she thought that maybe this time he should do it. Celestia was doing her best to make sure all the decorations in the plaza were good, but doing it alone wasn't going to cut it.
Blueblood couldn't believe what he saw. In all of the Christmas ceremonies that he saw, this was a first for him. "What's going on."
The spirit walked up to Blueblood and said, "Every action, no matter how small, has a reaction! without you to help out, things weren't quite the same." She pointed at Twilight first. "Remembering the last couple of years, she thought that if would come then she would ask you to put the star on top, since she knew how you thought about that. She remembered all this when you said that you hated Christmas."
Again, Blueblood couldn't believe what he was hearing. "She wanted me to put the star on top this year?"
The spirit then pointed at Celestia. "Believe me when I say that she was indeed looking for ponies to help with the decorations, but she could never find one. Now she's trying to do it herself."
"Can't Auntie Luna help out with this?"
"Let's just say that 1,000 of solitude can do something to ponies memory. Since they knew that you weren't coming, this happened." She pointed at Twilight and her friends.
"I guess Blueblood isn't coming." Spike said. "I guess you're the one that going to put the star up Twilight."
Still remembering last year Twilight hung her head down. "I promised myself that I would let Blueblood do it."
"Look for yourself Twilight, he isn't coming." Rainbow Dash said.
Not giving any second thoughts Pinkie grabbed the star. "Don't worry, I'll put the star up." She said while running and jumping to the tree.
"PINKIE DON'T!!!" They all said.
Pinkie then jumped on top of the tree, grabbed hold of it, and tried to put the star up, only to make the tree fall. Some parts of the tree hit some of the decorations making them fall on the ground, some of them got smashed in the process. Then tree then landed and all of the decorations on the tree got smashed while some of the limbs got broken. Celestia saw the entire thing, she gasped and flew to the tree.
Pinkie got off of it and looked extremely sorry. "I can't believe this. What have I done?"
Celestia landed and said, "It's alright, you were only trying to help."
They walked over to the tree and sighed. "This wouldn't have happened if Blueblood was here." Twilight said. The only thing that Celestia did was seclude herself in her private quarters for a moment.
Blueblood watched the whole thing and didn't know what to say. The spirit then broke the silence saying, "She is right you know." Blueblood looked at her. "If you were there, then that wouldn't have happened."
She used her magic and then they were in Celestia's private quarters. They saw that there were tears coming from Celestia's eyes. "Oh Blueblood, if only you were here. I know how important it was to put the star on top, that's why I never stopped looking for some ponies to help. I should have told you that a long time ago, instead of waiting until I found some ponies to help." She then placed her hooves on her eyes as more tears came flowing. "If I told you earlier than this wouldn't have happened." She then started chocking for what she said next. "You have every right to blame me for this. Please! Please forgive me Nephew! Please forgive me!"
Seeing all this made tears come out of Blueblood's eyes. Out of all the ponies in the world, he made Celestia, the ruler of Equestria, his own aunt, cry and beg for forgiveness. He thought that he should say something to her. Chocking on his own sobs he muttered, "Auntie, I didn't know." Celestia didn't notice.
The spirit then walked up to him. "She can't hear you!" She then started using her magic. "It's time to go." With a single spark she disappeared and Blueblood found himself in a dark space.
Blueblood looked around and tried to find the pony he thought was Twilight. The only thing that he saw was nothing, but dark space. "Where did you go?" Blueblood kept on asking, but no answer. He kept looking until he heard something, and that something was hoof steps in the snow. He turned and saw who was coming and he was yet again surprised. The pony that he saw was Luna.
"Auntie Luna? Please be you!" Blueblood pleaded. "I can't take this anymore!"
She had the look of pity on her face when she said, "I'm sorry, but I'm not your second Aunt, but don't worry. The good news is that I'm your last stop. The bad news is that this might be the worst."
Blueblood took notice of what she said. "What do you mean by that?"
"I mean that I'm the pony of Christmas Future."
"No!" Blueblood was on the verge of breaking down, crying. "I don't want this anymore, not after seeing what I did to my Aunt."
"I'm afraid making Celestia cry was the least of the troubles." Blueblood then got confused. "If wondering what the troubles are then allow me to show you. Because the future is now." She then used her magic to change the scenery. Everything looked the same as the night of Christmas Eve and it was the afternoon.
Blueblood looked and he couldn't believe it. "This is the future?"
The spirit then started heading off. "You could say that." Blueblood saw her and hurried towards her. "It's tomorrow! It Christmas Day!"
Blueblood looked and saw that no pony was around. "It looks like it's the afternoon. Where is every pony?"
"In their homes. Some still angry and some depressed."
Blueblood faced her. "Shouldn't they be at the Christmas Day festival?"
"It got called off for a couple of reasons. One was because of the events of last night."
"And the other reasons?"
The spirit looked at him. "Let's just say that the ponies here was very ticked off about last night. Since many of them had a hoof in setting the lights and decorations up they weren't very lucky."
"Why? What happened?" Blueblood pleaded.
"If you remember, you were told that every action, no matter how small, has a reaction. Since some of the ponies had something to do with the decorating and since because of last night, some pointed hooves at others that if what they did didn't damage what they did, then some of the decorations would have survived." After hearing this Blueblood was at a loss of words. "Which lead to arguments, which lead to fights, which lead to-" She paused for a moment. "Well you probably know the rest."
"Well they can forget about this and hope that it won't happen next year right?" Blueblood asked.
"After what happened last night would you eve forget that."
After thinking about it he thought that she was right, but he still denied this future. "They had to have listened to Celestia right? Celestia must've told them to stop the fights right?"
The spirit then used her magic to show the events of earlier that morning. "Did they listen to her?"
He saw that almost every pony in Canterlot were fighting because of what happened at the ceremony. "All of this was because of me?"
"Afraid so."
"Wait a second! Couldn't Auntie Celestia stop this fighting?"
"She tried. Not just her but also her sister, her student and her friends and family, they all tried to calm them down. They all wanted this to end and for all of them to move on, but no matter what they did, they couldn't get to all of them."
His ear dropped for what he heard. "No, this can't be. This shouldn't be what Christmas should be about."
"That's what they all tried to tell them, but in fits of rage, they wouldn't listen to any of them."
He still denied it. He didn't want this to be the future. He won't let this be the future. He ran toward the other ponies to try and stop this.
"What are you doing? It's pointless to try since they can't hear or see you." The spirit tried to convince him.
He heard what she said but still denied this to happen. "Every pony please stop this! Stop the fighting!" No responses of coarse. He then ran to Celestia and the others. "Auntie please stop them. Don't quit on them, get them stop this fighting." No response. "Twilight, please get you and your friends to stop them." No response. "Please I'm begging." He tried to grab them and snap them out of it, but he phased right threw them. Doing that he accidentally tripped and fell to the ground, going back to looking at the ponies fight. "Please, every pony, I'm begging all of you, please stop this fighting."
"How many time are you going to do this to realize that they can't hear or see you." The spirit said walking towards him.
"No! This can't be happening. They wanted everything to be perfect, but that shouldn't matter. Christmas is about being with friends and family, not for getting what you want." After saying he started thinking about all he went through and then formed tears in his eyes. "I was wrong. I was all wrong." He closed his eyes and put his hooves on his eyes, still crying. "I take back everything I said."
"I don't want this to happen, because I know now."
"Please don't let this be the future, I can stop this from happening!"
"I can change! I can change! I can change!" Blueblood opened his eyes and found himself back in his home. He looked everywhere and noticed that there weren't any spirits or anything. He was relieved. "Thank goodness." He then realized what that it was still dark and it was almost morning. He looked outside and saw the damage of the ceremony and by the timing of the moon going down. "There's still time. I can still fix this." He then grabbed his scarf and ran outside to the plaza.
Moments later Celestia raised the sun, beginning the new day. She was still depressed at what happened at the ceremony but then noticed something down at the plaza. She saw Blueblood down there fixing everything before any pony woke up while whistling 'Deck the Halls'. She thought that she might have been dreaming and thought that she should check this out.
She flew down to him and he was more than excited to see her. "Merry Christmas Auntie."
After what he said to her last night she couldn't believe what he was saying right now. "Am I still dreaming?"
"Sure hope not." Blueblood said. "It took me a while to put everything back together." Blueblood pointed at all of the plaza.
Celestia looked and everything was as it was from before. Nothing was a mess, everything was spotless, and the tree was still standing with new decorations and lights. "You did all of this?"
Blueblood nodded. "You see, last night I realized something. I always wanted to be the one that kept putting the star on top of the tree, but now I realize that it isn't about getting what you want, but to be happy about what you do have." Celestia was shocked to hear that. Out of all the ponies in Equestria she heard it from her Nephew who is usually so stuck up. "I know what I said last night and I must say that, I'm sorry."
Celestia couldn't help but feel very happy for what he was saying. She could start feeling a tear coming down as she said, "At least you're hear now. And thank you for all that you've done."
Blueblood then started feeling tears of joy too. "You're welcome Auntie."
"Princess!"
Celestia and Blueblood turned to see who said that and saw Twilight and her friends coming. They all couldn't believe what they saw, but everything wasn't was it appeared to be from the ceremony.
"Did we wake up in the wrong city?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Far from it." Celestia said. "It seams that Blueblood fixed everything before any pony woke up."
They were all at a loss for words. They didn't expect the one that fixed everything to be Blueblood of all ponies.
"Blueblood did all of this?" Spike asked getting confused by the second.
"Let's just say that things have happened last night and I'm sorry about what I said. I guess I was just a little mad about not being the one to put the star on the tree all those years." Hearing that made Twilight's head drop. "But now I realized that it shouldn't matter. I mean it's not the season of getting, it's the season of giving."
Twilight than lifted her face up and said, "I still do feel about all those years ago, and for I'm sorry."
"It's OK, I forgive you." Blueblood said.
Just then all the ponies walked outside and saw that things weren't the same, which made them amazed. They were at first about to be mad, but after looking at all this they couldn't help but feel happy. They all looked and saw Blueblood, Celestia, Twilight and the others and knew what happened, which amazed them even more.
Coming out of their homes were every pony in Canterlot. Including the families of Twilight's friends, Twilight's family, and flying down to the plaza was Princess Luna. They told every pony the whole story and just like Twilight and her friends, they were at a loss for words, but felt happy to know this.
Cadence then broke the silence saying, "So I guess you don't hate Christmas anymore, right?"
Blueblood thought about it a little and when he thought of what to say he started looking angry. "Are you kidding?" They were all speechless. "The one thing I had about Christmas-" He paused for effect and then started looking happy. ",is that it only comes once a year." Saying that made every pony laugh with joy.
"Sister?" Luna asked Celestia making her face Luna. "By any chance are you the one responsible for Blueblood's change in behavior?"
Celestia giggled a little bit. "Maybe."
Every pony in Canterlot started looking at the tree and noticed one thing that was different.
The star still wasn't up.
Blueblood then faced Twilight and said, "Well, aren't you going to put the star up."
Twilight looked at the star and thought of something. "I think you should be the one to do it. You know for old time sake."
Blueblood couldn't help be feel more happy than he did now and thanked her. He then used his magic to levitate the star and placed it on top of the tree. He then went over to Celestia and they both used their magic on all of the lights and decorations, Making all of Canterlot shine bright and look fantastic. Thanks to Blueblood every pony has their Christmas spirit once again.
