> Tales told from the Hearth: Lunaverse > by Alchemystudent > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > IT feels like Hearth's Warming > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It feels like its hearth’s warming         Trixie sat in the office chair, letting out a soft sigh. She so wanted to be a grinch at the moment, every part of her told her to be a grinch, every hair of her coat wanted to be a grinch, but one look at her assistant made her think otherwise. He looked so cheerful about the Eve and wanting to go home, there was no way she could possibly ruin that kind of mood. No matter how bad she was feeling at the moment, she could not bear to ruin his mood, “Ok Pokey, go home.”         “You mean it?” Pokey asked, his eyes wide in happiness.         “Of course, would I lie?” Trixie joked as she helped Pokey get a coat before walking back to her kitchen.         “But what about-”         “We’ll just let it pile up for the next week to handle. It is hearth’s Warming Eve and none of us is going to waste it!” Trixie shouted from within the residency’s office room.         Pokey could only roll his eyes at the thought of his boss’s alternative motives, mainly laziness and the chance to drink burbon. Looking back at his boss as she walked out of the kitchen and to the sofa, he called out, “So, what are your plans for the evening?”         “My plans are simple,” Trixie said, sitting front of a small fire. “Due to the fact that Luna is off on an ‘meeting of goodwill’, my aunt and uncle took an unexpected trip to Luna knows where, and leaving me with no where to go. I am going to enjoy a warm night alone here with my thoughts and Mr. Bourbon.”         “What about your friends? Maybe they’re going to visit,” asked Pokey as he walked out of the residency.         Trixie let out a sigh as she thought, “My friends, they’re probably too busy with their own traditions to come here,” turning her her head up from that thought, she looked at one of the photos that now lined her mantle. Next to a photo of her and Luna was a photo of her friends sitting together in a group, smiling like six idiots. If one had told her that this was the life she would be heading for, a life full of adventure and insanity, would she had believe them? Probably not. Would she give it up for anything in the world? Not even if Discord broke out of his statue, and told her that she had to choose between her magic or her friends.          Her eyes then drifted over to the photo of her as an foal standing with an older stallion, and she smiled. All of the memories of the past hearth’s warming days gone by flooding her mind.         “It’s just a plain tree, grandpa,” little Trixie said, giggling at the oncoming trick. It was something he had demonstrated before, but seeing it always made her smile.         “ You say that now, but,” the earth pony magican smiled as he waved a hoof in front of the tree. “with a little blessing from Luna, and a kiss from the world’s greatest filly.” as he looked to Trixie, he watched her blow a kiss to the tree. “I can turn this little tree into a-” with three claps and a swish of his head, the tree exploded in a dazzling display of light.         Trixie’s eyes widened in amazement and awe, “Wow! How did you do it?”         “Magic, wonder, and happiness of the season,” the blue unicorn chuckled. “Just a codeword for a few electric lights  that he placed under the rug that we sat on that activated on three steps in succession,” Trixie chuckled, remembering how she discovered the trick ages ago.  Looking up at the other photo, of her and Luna, a sad sigh came from her. Luna’s shows during the holiday in Canterlot were some of the best times of the season, and with her gone, it just felt bland at the moment.         Trixie watched as Luna walked in front of her, wings fully spread. For reasons unknown to the young foal, this time of year would occasionally make the night princess seem sad and depressed. Trixie had always wondered why, but then again...her mentor did seem to have a few secrets about her. The blue unicorn then smiled when she watched Luna flap her wings and take to the sky.         It was tradition for the Lunar Princess to give a little show every Hearth’s warming, and being an apprentice to the princess meant that Trixie could have a front row seat. She cheered as she watched her mentor fly through the upper heavens, laying the stars and constellations in a beautiful art. She couldn’t help but smile as she watched the city below her master begin to light their holiday lights in sequence with the princess’s lovely dance through the night sky. It was through her, that Trixie learned some more about the beautiful magic of the holidays.         “A magic that seems to only come, when you have ponies near you. Bah, Humbug,” Trixie grumbled. It wasn’t that she hated the season, far from it. She loved it, her fond memories of her grandfather and mentor proved such. But, it was kind of hard to be happy at the moment, “Kind of hard to enjoy a holiday when you are alone for the evening.” she looked up at the row of photos, each bringing a happy memory but along with it...more depression. Even Twilight had her family come down to visit her, but as for the element of magic? Alone.         It wasn’t supposed to end up like this, espically on this, one her favorite holidays. One of her favorite memories from childhood were spending time with her family, or watching her grandpa putting on a show for her. Heck, she knew that hating the holiday tends to lead to the appearance of dead friends and three ghosts who like to show you different things on the timestream, “It’s just that,” the unicorn sighed and looked at the pictures of the past. “With your loved ones traveling out of town for the holiday, your mentor busy with other things, and your friends gone off to their own traditions...it’s hard to enjoy the holiday with a smile.”         Levitating the bottle in front of her, Trixie let out another depressing breath of air, and looked at the pictures of her friends.         It’s in the singing of a choir         It’s in getting warm by the fire         It’s true wherever you find love         It feels like Hearth’s warming         “I wonder what they’re doing right now?” Trixie asked herself. > Christmas Muffins > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I love the Christmas Cookies I bet Dinky and Ditzy are busy just spending time with eahc other...         In a cozy little apartment, well cozy for two ponies anyway, all was quite and calm. Well, that would be true, were it not for the loud humming coming from a little light purple unicorn that was bobbing her head up and down to music that only she could hear. Skipping by the kitchen table, her horn lit up as she levitated a small pan to the table. Then, placing her hooves on the table and taking a look at the pan, she began to sing and sway her head side to side to imaginary upbeat music I love the Heart’s warming Muffins with the little bit of jelly a tasty little treat that’s resting in my belly with muffins like that how could there be a reason To keep inside For just one season         A blonde headed pegasus listened in closely as her daughter began to sing the catchy little song, finding herself bobbing along to a similar beat that only they could hear. The pegasus walked up to a cupboard that was marked, “don’t open till Hearth’s Warming Eve” and began to unlock it.  A small giggle escaped the mare’s lips as she began to think of her young daughter waiting for most of the day at that cupboard for her mother to get home and open it to unleash the goods within.         It was a special time in the Doo household, a time for baking and a time for mother and daughter bonding, “Get ready, here they come. Hearth’s Warming Muffins!” cheered Ditzy, bringing out a small green and red bag from th special cupboard.         “YAY!” Dinky cheered in response, watching as her mother laid the ingredients before her. While it was true that the baking of muffins was not something that was unusual in the Doo household, these were special muffins that would only come around once a year. giggling, Ditzy began to join in         I love the christmas muffins That are made from scratch I love the blueberries so I add it to the batch When the baking time is over I pull them from the oven The sweet and tasty treat equals Heart’s warming time Hmmmmmm, lovinnnn         Ditzy put  the eggs, milk, and eggnog in front of her young daughter and cmiled softly, “Ok, Dinky, what do you do first?”         “Well, first, you  put in some milk and butter,” Dinky began, while her mother began to chop up some blueberries. Using her horn, she began to to levitate the milk and butter to put them both in the bowl. Carefully, the little filly then added some eggnog to the mix, watchig it all rest there.         “What else?” Ditzy asked, pushing some of the more solid ingrediants to the bowl.         “OH!” gasped Dinky, looking at the three eggs next to the bowl. Grabing the first one, she cracked it and put the yolk into the mix, “Three eggs.” Then she looked at the other two eggs, before gazing up at her horn and squinting.           “Come on, little muffin. You can do this,” Ditzy cheered, a smile on her face.         Dinky squinted hard at the two shelled items, allowing her telekinetic magic to flow through her horn and onto the white eggs, making them glow a small violet. Breathing slowly, concentrating with all of her might, she began to lift the eggs over to the bowl and cracked them open. Sweat began to bead down her face as she let the yellow yolk drip down from the opened shells and into the mix. Looking at her accomplishment, the little filly thrusted her hooves into the air and cheered, “I did it!”         “Great job my little muffin,” Ditzy clapped happily. She was so proud of her daughter and how fast the unicorn had been growing in the use of her magic.         “And then, we stir!” Dinky cheered, thrusting her hoof in triumph and reaching over to grab a spatula.         “What do we stir it with?” Ditzy asked as she added the ginger, flour, baking soda, blueberries, and brown sugar to the bowl.         “Ummmmm,” Dinky ponder for a few minutes, until Ditzy nuzzled her head into daughter’s neck.         “A little lovin, for a muffin,” Ditzy said, watching her daughter try to move away from the nuzzle.         Dinky giggled as she began to stir the bowl, ‘Mom!” and as she stirred, she and Ditzy began to sing.         Me and momma got some advice for how to bake it         In the Ditzy and Dinky Do family way         Don’t hesitate and bake with some lovin         Mix it up and you’ll be famous with muffins. `        Her head bobbing along wiht the beat of the imaginary music, Dinky opened the oven after mother poured the batter into the muffin pans. Then, grabbing the red and green jelly, the little unicorn began to put a little dollop of each into the batter holders and then helped the muffins into the ovens. As the door closed, the little unicorn cuddled up to her mother and continued the song. Christmas muffins Can’t you see Christmas muffins for you and me Christmas muffins are hard to beat When they are so darn good to eat. “And now, for the hard part,” Ditzy said, looking at the oven. “We wait,” sighed the two equines as they sat by the oven and watched. Though the apartment wasn’t too terribly cold that day, the two ponies still decided that it was best just to relax next to the oven as it baked its sweet goods and against one another. Ditzy looked down at her little filly, calmly running a hoof through her golden mane with a soft smile on her face. A part of her began to wonder how long it was going to stay like this, until her little girl would be too busy to take the time to bake some muffins with her. She sighed and shook her head at this, knowing that no matter if that were to happen. She would still bake a treat for her little girl. After all, it was a similar muffin that she got on the day of Dinky’s first Hearth’s Warming. It had become a tradition for them to bake together like this, though to be fair, for the first few years, it was just Dinky watching. Now, the little foal could join in and bake with her. “Momma?” Dinky asked, looking up to her mother. “Yes, little muffin?” Ditzy asked. “Could you tell me, a little story?” Dinky asked. “Sure thing,” Ditzy smiled, running her hoof through her daughter’s mane and smiling. “.Once, there was this lonely little muffin who ran from home.” “Why was she lonely?” asked Dinky. “She made a mistake that made her parents mad, so she had to hide away and felt like she was hated by every muffin around her. So she went to a small house in a far away town where she hoped no muffin would ever bother her. All alone, she felt like she had no friends or any one to care for her.” “What happened?” Dinky asked looking up. “Well, first, she met a little muffin that looked like her. She promised to help take care of that muffin for all of her life. But, she still felt like her and her little muffin were all alone. That was when she met five special other muffins: a bard muffin who stood by her, a barbarian muffin who told her no lies, a teacher muffin that kept her smiling, a farmer muffin who gave her all, and a muffin who was a little rough around the edged, but she could see deep down that this muffin was full of magic. Then, do you know what happened?” “What?” Dinky asked. “The little lonely muffin,” Ditzy sighed, looking at her little girl and then  to a photo of her friends. “Wasn’t lonely anymore.” “Such a sweet story momma,” Dinky smiled, knowing all too well what that really was. Her ears perked at the sound of a little dinging noise, “The muffins are done! Do you think we did good?” Ditzy could only smile as she pulled out the pan and set them down, “Only one way to find out.” she smiled, flapping her wings quickly, “We taste them!” she then threw a muffin to Dinky, who caught it with her horn. Levitating the baked good from her horn impalement, she threw it into the air and in one bite ate it, “YUM!” she squealed as she wiped the crumbs from her mouth and smiled wide. “We did it!” “Congratulations, little muffin,” Ditzy smiled as she hugged her little girl.          > Baby its cold outside > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Baby it’s cold outside Lyra and Bon Bon, are most likely trying to mix and match their traditions together. Or at least trying to, then the cold starts up and then they snuggle up and...ok getting off that train of thought, putting it away, and never getting on it again!!         Lyra happily levitated the stocking to the fireplace and hung it right next toe the beige colored one marked “Bon bon”. A soft smile came to her lips as she looked at the two stockings that hung by the fireplace, the warm fire softly glowing and flickering from within. Walking away from the small fire place, she looked at the tree that she and her marefriend put together. Granted, it was hard at first and led to a small argument between the two lovers, but in the end it all came together.         It was a beautiful tree, decorated with musical themed ornaments and pieces of candy with bright tinsel all around. One look at one of the hanging candy canes caused the mint green mare to lick her lips and to ignite her horn to try to grab one. But she hesitated when she could practically hear the earth pony telling her, “Not until AFTER the holidays,’ in her head. Raising her hoof to her eyes and then pointing it to the tree as a threat for later. Then she drifted her golden eyes down to the small pile of presents at the bottom of the tree, smiling widely at them, “Soon my pretties, you will be ripe. Then I will harvest you and your glorious bounty will be mine!” she whispered, before looking over to some of the presents that were marked for Bon Bon. She sighed, hoping that the earth pony would like some of them, and maybe even the lingerie that she bought for her.         As she continued to look over some of her final decorations, she began to think about how this would be their first Hearth’s Warming living in together. One of several more to come, hopefully. They already fulfilled some of their old traditions, such as visiting the parents and doing individual shopping, and hopefully made some new ones together. A smile of almost childish glee came to her as she began to anticipate the next day, which would dedicated to only the two of them cuddling and spending their holidays together. She turned to walk down the stairs into Bon Bon’s shop to see if there any last touches she needed to do, but stopped at the top when she heard the pony singing. It was a soft song, one that brought back memories of a time long ago where they did spend Hearth’s Warming together.         (Three years ago)         “Thanks for helping me finish with the decorating Lyra,” Bon Bon said, putting the last wreath over the doorway to the stairs.         “It was no big deal, really,” Lyra smiled as she walked away from the tree. “I’m always happy to help.”         Bon Bon smiled and ran her hoof along Lyra’s foreleg appreciatively, “And I will always appreciate it.”         Lyra looked into Bon bon’s eyes, smiling softly and giving her a quick kiss  on the lips, “I should go, the dads are probably waiting.”         “Right,” bon Bon said, a little disappointed. She then looked outside at the snow and frost, “You aren’t planning on going now are you?”         “Eh, if I start moving now, I should be able to get there,” Lyra said, walking down the stairs. “I really can't stay.” she said almost lyrically.         “But, Lyra, it’s cold outside,” Bon Bon said, walking ahead of her marefirend with a worried look in her eyes.         “I’ve got to go soon,” Lyra said, looking into her marefirend’s pleading eyes, and finding her resolve fading.         “But baby, is so cold outside,” bon Bon pleaded, caressing the foreleg of the mint colored mare.         Lyra tucked the beige pony’s chin and looked into her eyes, “Honey. this evening has been-”         “Maybe you can warm up with me,” Bon Bon smiled softly.         Lyra’s eyes widened at this, thinking about cuddling up to her lover, “so very nice,” a small gulp came to her, as she found some will power left.         “Look at your hooves, they're just like ice,” Bon Bon exclaimed walking into the kitchen.         “Dad could start to worry,” Lyra thought as she followed her marefriend.         “Then, what's your hurry?” Bon Bon asked, walking back and forth between her stove and the fridge         “Dad could be pacing the floor,” Lyra said, watching her marefriend finish making the hot chocolate.         “I have the fireplace and more,” smiled Bon Bon         Lyra took one whiff of the brew and walked towards the stairs, “ Maybe I should scurry.” “Oh really, please don't hurry,” Bon Bon requested, walking up to Lyra, brushing her coat against hers and running her tail along the unicorn’s nose.         “Well, maybe just a little sip,” blushed Lyra, her body tensing up in arousal. “Before you leave on your cold trip,” Bon Bon winked as she walked up the stairs, Lyra in tow. “The others might think,” Lyra then siffed the coca as she walked into the living room of Bon Bon’s apartment, watching the earth pony winking at her. “Say, what’s in that drink?” “Baby, its bad out there,” Bon Bon said, streaching out on the sofa, giving Lyra a come hither star, “and there are no carriages out there.” Lyra sighed, and smiled, “I wish I knew how, to break your spell.” “Your eyes are lovely right now,” giggled the Earth pony as she moved to the side to let Lyra cuddle up next to her, resting her head on the shoulder. “I’ll warm you up, and you feel swell.” As Lyra laid on the sofa, nuzzling into her marefriend, she laid a soft kiss on the lips, “You drive a hard bargain...bonnie.” (the present) Lyra looked at the couch and smiled softly, remembering that special moment that they shared. It was one of the many pleasant memories that they shared when they were starting out as a couple, and more that she had hoped would continue. Turning to walk back to walk down the stairs, she heard a surprised, “Oh!” “What is it?” Lyra asked as she trotted down the stairs. Bon bon quickly raced to the cupboard to grab some small boxes, “I promised I would get the cakes some chocolate cherries for Hearth’s warming. I almost completely forgot!” “But, can’t that wait hun?” asked Lyra as she looked outside, watching the snow fall heavily. “Well, I guess it could, but I still want to get this done asap!” Bon Bon said, making her way to the door. “Bonnie, you could wait till tomorrow,” Lyra said, walking up to the earth pony and brushing herself against the side and kissing her cheek. “I ought to say no, no, no,” Bon said, smiling softly at the touch, turning her head to follow Lyra’s movements up the stairs. “Want to move in closer?” asked Lyra, winking to her marefirned as she walked to the stairs an their sofa. Bon Bon let out a sigh and put away the cherries, “Well, at least I can say I tried.” “You don’t have to stay inside,” Lyra pouted. “I really shouldn’t stay,” Bon Bon said, looking back at the cherries. “Oh baby, don’t go away, its so cold outside,” smiled Lyra, walking slowly up the stairs. Bon Bon reached the top of the stairs and smiled as she looked at Lyra, keeping some of the hot chocolate in her magic, “I should make that delivery instead.” “But, you’ll freeze out there,” Lyra objected, looking outside and walking up to her lover. “You could freeze out there!” she then ran her hoof along Bon Bon’s side gently, caressing the soft coat. “Say, you lend me your boots,” Bon Bon thought out loud, but then shuddered in pleasure at Lyra’s caress. “Oh, that feels grand.” “Thrill when my hoof touches your coat,” Lyra said, her voice soft and sultry. She then leaned in and kissed her lips softly. “ Do you see? What you are doing to me?” asked Bon Bon as she returned the kiss, her eyes closed and a smile coming to her lips. “They are bound to ask tomorrow.” “But, think of my personal sorrow,” fake whimpered Lyra as she walked to the couch and laid on it, waiting for her girl. “I think they’ll know what is implied,” giggled Bon Bon as she walked to Lyra, trying to resist the charms of her lover. Lyra ran her hoof along the couch, winking at her, “Think how I would live if you died from the cold.” “I guess that I can stay,” smiled Bon Bon as she cuddled up close to her mint green lover, nuzzling the neck. “Aw, see you can’t resist,” chuckled the unicorn, resting her head onto Bon Bon’s shoulder, smiling. “After all,” Bon Bon began, a lyrical tone in her voice. “Its cold out side,” the two sang together.         “You drive a hard bargain, Ms. Heartstrings,” smiled Bon Bon as she kissed her lover again.         “Its because you do it harder, Miss drops,” Lyra replied, kissing bon Bon back and then resting her head on the shoulder. > Since we have no place to go > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- And since we have no place to go Heh, Raindrops is probably yelling at Dash right now, mainly because she wants the snow to come early.                  “Come on, come on!” Raindrops screamed wit irritation in her head. Her hooves were scratching the soft white clouds beneath her in a mix of irritation  and anticpation.         “All right, listen up!” the cyan mare said, pacing back and forth in front of the gathered pegasi. “We have all worked really hard this past year, dealing with storms and other things coming from the Everfree. Now, I don’t know about you, I am ready to just go and unleash the full power of this snowstorm on the town below and go home to bed. Who’s with me!” she shouted, thrusting her hoof above her head triumphantly.         In one of the few times in recorded history, Raindrops enthusastically agreed with Rainbow Dash’s laziness, “HECK YEAH!” It wasn’t that she wanted her boss to fly home, practice a few tricks, and then sleep for a few hours, it was more that she was looking forward to the snow fall that was about to happen. After all, snow was just a colder form of rain right?         With a grin on her face, she trurned to look at the line of pegasi next to her, all ready and eager to begin the snowfall, “1!” shouted Dash, as the pegasi raised their hooves. “2!” with the next shout, the weather team braced themselves for a jump. “3!” With the final shout, the team all leapt in unison and unleashed the snow.         Without even waiting for Dash to dismiss them, the jasmine colored pegasus flew beneath the cloud cover, flying after the falling snowflakes. With a smirk on her face, she began to sing to herself         Oh the weather here is so delightful         Watching all of the snow is so wonderful         And since I have no place to go         Let it snow, let it snow         With a chuckle, she gave herself a small chance to do a loop-de-loop and fly up to a small snowflake. Sticking out her tongue, she licked the cold little water crystal into her mouth. A small shudder came to the pegasus as she felt the cold water trail down the back of her throat. After the chill of the snowflake vanished from her body, she let out a giggle and continue to soar through the falling snow. Shifting back and forth on the soft air currents, she allowed the cool winter air to guide her through the sky. For a moment, she stopped flapping her wings and adjusted into a small glide and allowed the snow to acculminated on her feathered limbs. After the snow piled up a little and becam  heavy for her, she corkscrewed in the sky to make the snow fall from her wings.         Banking as hard as she could, Raindrops chased after the snow and landed on  the ground before the snow hit the ground and landed on her. Laughing a little, the jasmine pegasus shook the collected snow off her and walked towards the school.  As she did, she watched as some of the other kids ran by her to their parents or older siblings, all with the intent of heading home to hot chocolate or to play with the snow a little, “Snails? Hey, Snails! Now where did he-” *splut* “Go,” was the last word that passed over her lips as the snowball remants rested on her face. The smile that she had been wearing that day turned into a scowl of anger and rage as she wiped the snow from her face. Narrowing her eyes, she swished her head back and forth in an attempt to hunt down the unicorn that she knew who threw it. “Uh oh, Snips, I think she found us,” said Snails as he hid. “Don’t worry, Snails. There is no way she’ll find us. We have this battle in the bag!” Snails exclaimed with pride. This pride quickly vanished, however, when the branch that he was hiding in violently shook and sent the green unicorn tumbling off into the soft ground below. Looking up, he bearly had a chance to scream as the pile of snow from above hit him hard. As Raindrops laid on the top branch and looked down at her snow covered victim with a cunning smirk, “Nice try Snips, now where is the little brother?” “Um, Uh,” Snips said, slinking out of the snow pile with a nervous look. He was torn between his loyalty to his friend, but one look at the jasmine pegasus told him who he would stand by, “He’s behind that tree!” and then he ran off into the town in order to get home. “What was that?” Snails asked, his green tail showing from behind a tree, not knowing that his sister has him in her sights. “Snips, come in! Do you see the target? Is the enemy in your sights? Come in!” Snails continued to shout into the small can in front of him. “She is at your flank, and ready to take you out,” Raindrops said, flapping her wings at a steady pace. “How do you figure?” asked Snails. “Because,” Raindrops replied, adjusing her alitidude to aim her breeze at a small pile of snow, “I am her!” and before Snails could react, the pegasus flapped her wings hard and blew a ton of white snow on the defensless colt. Watching the little unicorn colt get a ton of snow blown over him caused her to double over in laughter.  But, her laughter was stopped by her brother’s quick recovery and the ability to collect three snowballs in his magic. Deftly, she moved out of the way of the oncoming attack and flew into a tackle into the little brother. With a shrug of her shoulders, she gave the yellow unicorn a noogie and a kiss on the forehead, “Nice try, little brother. But, in a snow battle between a pegasus and an unicorn, I put money on the pegasus.” “But,” Snails said, snowly getting up and walking to his sisters side, “Miss Cheerilee told us about the great snow battle of-” Raindrops shook her head, “Ok, so there was that  one incident but, you get my drift.” she said, smirking and rubbing a bit of snow into Snail’s mane. This snow doesn’t seem to be stopping At least, that’s what I’m hoping Because I love it so, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! As the snow continued to fall lightly around the two siblings, Snails began to talk a mile-a-minute about what he did that day along with some of the biology of the freeze tolerant insects that he had read about. Raindrops, for her part, just listened to him speak about his day, way to interested in the white snow to notice her brother trying to speak and warn her of- *splut* Raindrops growled a little as the snow fell off her face, the firey look in her eyes saying that whoever threw that last snowball was going to pay dearly. With a quick glance to her left, she caught sight of a lavender glow from a small horn and a small brown mane next to it. Nodding her head left to the unicorn next to her, the signal was given to Snails to run next to the bush and begin his own personal assault on the small filly. Her partner, on the other hand, began to roll some snow in his little forehooves to attack the two siblings, but arched an eyebrow when he discovered Raindrop’s dissappearence, “Now, Pipsqueak, before I hit you with a snow barrage, what were you and Dinky doing out here?” “Well, me and Dinky met up while she was going to Sugar Cube Corner to pick up baking supplies,” Pipsqueak began, his Trottingham accent doing little to hide his stutter in fear. “Then we s-saw you and we figured we could take you in a snowball fight.” “So, your last act in this world, is to over shoot your boundaries,” snarked the jasmine coated pegasus, holding four snowballs at once. “Uh...yes?” squeaked the pinto colt, “DINKY! Help!” Upon hearing her friend’s scream for help, Dinky turned to her friend, “Pip!” she exclaimed, her opponent forgotten as she ran and pushed Pipsqueak out of the way of the barrage. “We’re offically outgunned. We should leave.” “You’re right,” Pipsqueak nodded, and then leaned in close to nuzzle his friend, “Thank you for saving me, my little magicain.” Then he turned to run off, not seeing the blush creeping on Dinky’s face, before she ran off after her partner in crime. Raindrops chuckled and shook her head as Snails came back to her side, “Come on, Snails, hot chocolate time!” When we go home tonight How I'll love to watch the storm and if rest by the fire’s light Right at home we’re going to be warm           As the two ponies neared the house, Raindrops smiled at her little brother, “How about you go inside and wait for mom and pop to make some cocoa and I’ll be right there.” “Ok, Raindrops,” said Snails, nuzzling his big sis and running into the warm house. As she watched her little brother walking into the house, she braced her legs and flew off to the rooftop of the house. Turning around, she got into a good position to look over the small town that lay before her home. Though she did not have a home that had a good few over the town, she did have one that allowed her to see things like the Representative house, the Golden Oaks Library, and the town center. All over, she could see the same effect that the snow had on the town. The white blanket’s reflective surface seemingly to make the area alight like it was day, allowing the town to be birghtly lit as though it were the day. Raindrops sighed softly as she laid on her belly to watch the snow continue to fall across the city. It was so calming, so peaceful, and so soft, everything that she wished she could be. Yes, there were times that she wished she could be calmer, to control her little rage issues. But, she knew that was something to come with time, something that she would have to continued to work on. She chuckled as she thought of a certain blue unicorn who kept reminding her of this fact, the mare who had a lot of her own personal issues to work for.  But she, much like Raindrops, had to continue to work to make their lives just a little more perfect and clean, like the pure white snow. The pegasus sighed and smiled at the snow, watching it blanket the city, bringing a white calm to the small little hamlet.  The snow is now lying And, it so relaxing and since I love it so Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!  > The most wonderful time of the year > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scary ghost stories and tales told from long ago Carrot Top, I could see really getting into the gift giving season...a lot. Heh, probably looked forward to this almost as much as I do. “I hate this holiday,” muttered Carrot top as she walked to the library. Chuckling a little, she shook her orange mane and replied, “No, you don’t. Not really. You just hate the shopping  part of it.” A sigh escaped her lips as she brought out a small list from her pocket and gave it another read through. Lyra and Bon Bon-X Cheerilee-X Ditzy-X Dinky-X RaindropsX Trixie- For members of farmer’s guild, see other side. A tired sigh left her as she put away the paper, knowing she had one pony left on her list. Sure, she loved seeing the smile on her friends when she bought them gifts,but being the element of generosity and a really good friend to most of the farmers of Ponyville also meant that you tend to give multiple gifts to ponies and try your best to be even between each on to try and show that you aren’t playing favorites. This is was why she chose to limit herself to one gift per pony and this year, this included one great and powerful mare. A smile slowly crept back onto her face as she neared the Golden Oaks Library and her long sought prize within. Opening the door to the library, she remembered when she and the other bearers had discovered the book that was published early that month, “The Longest day: Birth of Harmony.” They had later discovered that this was a book written about them and how they became the bearers. Once she found out about that book, she knew she had to buy it and keep its existence a secret from Trixie  until Hearth’s Warming Eve so she could give it as a gift to Trixie. Of course, she and the other bearers each had their own copy, but she was a little afraid to give the book to Trixie, “Her ego will become the size of a small sun,” she whispered to herself. “Oh, hello Carrot Top,” Twilight said, walking away from the kitchen. “I was just about to close the library for business today. So you made it just in time.” “I’m so glad,” the yellow mare said, smiling. “Is the book I ordered in?” Twilight nodded, “Yes it is, but I thought you already had a copy?” “I do, but its a hearth’s warming eve present,” Carrot replied. Twilight’s ears drooped a little, “Oh, I see. Just give me a second, its in the back.” Carrot nodded and stood there waiting for Twilight to bring out the book. In the meantime, she brought out her copy and began to look at the cover. It was, exaggerated, to say the least, “They got our coats, manes, and cutie marks right.” Carrot said sheepishly with a giggle. On the cover, the bearers stood on a rocky mountain top while Corona’s eyes stared at them from behind. Trixie stood on top of the mountain with her mane flowing behind and in one hoof, a mystic tome of glowing power while she threw out a lighting bolt with the other hoof. Lyra stood behind Trixie, holding Bon Bon like a lover close and protectively while the beige earth pony mare looked scared. Next to Lyra stood Ditzy, holding a baby Dinky and looking on with eyes that looked like she was looking to Trixie for guidance. On Trixie’s right was Raindrops, with enough muscles to put Big Mac to shame and eyes that seemed on fire. On the bottom of the cliff was Cheerilee with big glasses and holding a ruler above her head like a sword, while Carrot Top herself was holding a shawl and looking worried about the battle ahead. “So, how much of that book is true?” asked Twilight as she brought the book to Carrot, “Did you really fight off against a Timberwolf to get Lyra’s cure before she died? What about Zecora, was she really torturing Raindrops to get the location of the others before you came to save her?” “At least they got my coat right,” chuckled Carrot as she shook her head. “You know, I have no idea where the writer got all of those ideas. I mean, some of it is flattering, like calling me the generous farmer of unflappable wit, but then there are some things in there I have no idea where he got it. Like that part where Lyra had to tame a hydra to fight the sirens.” Twilight giggled and shook her head, “Well, I knew the author took some liberties with the story, creative liberties you know. But still, it doesn’t hurt to ask about the true story from somepony who lived it. It makes it all the more fascinating and make the fake story better.” “Maybe,” Carrot admitted, trying to hide her blush. As she placed the book back into her pouch, she noticed the lack of decorations around the library, “Um, did you forget to decorate this year?” “Oh, no I didn’t,” Twilight sighed. “It’s just that I don’t know if Shining and my parents are coming to visit this year. And since I spent most of the past few years traveling alone, not really celebrating, I don’t think they’ll be coming here to spend time with a criminal.” The yellow farmer frowned at the somber mood of the unicorn, then widened her eyes in shock at a shelf, “Oh my goodness Twilight. I just remembered I forgot to bring a book I borrowed from here a few days ago. Oh, I hope I didn’t lose it.” “It’s ok Carrot, since its library property maybe I could help find it?” ask Twilight, knowing that the rules of her house arrest allowed it. “Oh thank you, Twilight!” exclaimed Carrot. “I think I might of lost it when I was at the local Barns but No Bell bookstore just a few blocks away. Maybe we would check that out!” Twilight nodded, “Let me get my coat and I’ll be there,” she then used her magic to pick up her scarf and coat and followed Carrot out the door. About half an hour later, the farmer and librarian  made their way to the small  bookstore, Twilight’s eyes widened at the small treasure trove of books that laid out before her, “Wow, to think they were able to set all this up in a few days.” Carrot smiled, “I guess it was to stem the Hearth’s Warming Eve Rush. Now, how about you go that way and I’ll head to the fictional section to see if I can’t find the book.” “Well, ok,” Twilight said, looking ahead at some of the non-fiction books, taking note of a few. Carrot, for her part, watched Twilight carefully as she went down some of the aisles,  taking note every time the unicorn stopped to look at a book or took some interest in one. After a while looking up and down the store with Twilight, Carrot ran back to her, “ Well, I don’t think its here. Maybe I left it at Sugar Cube Corner.” “Are you sure? I’ve seen the inside of that-” “I am pretty positive, wait outside for me and then we can head there,” Carrot said, pushing Twilight out the door. “Well, okaaay!” the unicorn squeaked as she was pushed out the door of the bookstore. After waiting for a few minutes, she watched as Carrot came out with a few bags in her mouth, “What are those?” “Oh,” Carrot Top said, muffled.  She quickly put away the bags into her pouches, “Last minute shopping. Come on, maybe we can see Sugar Cube Corner before it closes.” Twilight nodded, quickly following Carrot to the gingerbread shaped building. Once entering it, the smell of gingerbread and frosting filled the air, along with the vision of a pink pony placing herself face to face to Twilight, “HEYA!” “Gahh!” Twilight screamed, backing up a little, shocked at the appearance of the pink mare. “Welcome to Sugar Cube Corner, sorry that the cakes aren’t here right now... they’re in the back making their special-awesome-once-in-a-year-gingerbread house. They need absolute quiet and Carrot needs to get that dollop of frosting off his nose. He looks so silly with it on,” Pinkie giggled as she walked back behind the counter and looked at the two ponies. “Sooooooo, what can I do you for?” “Well-” Twilight began, but was interrupted by Carrot. “Two holiday specials, please,” the earth pony said, taking out the bits before turning to Twilight. “Why not sit down for a bit and I will ask Pinkie about the book.” Watching Twilight nod and walk off, the orange mained farmer leaned in to Pinkie, “Pinkie, we have a class D emergency at the library. Go to it.”         As those words entered the pink mare’s head,her blue eyes shot open and she let out a gasp, “A class D emergency! I’m on it!” and with that, she took the bits from Carrot and ran out the door of the building, a cannon in tow.         “Why was she dragging a cannon with her?” Twilight asked, her eyebrow arched.         “Its best not to ask,” giggled Carrot as she gave Twilight a muffin with hot chocolate and red and green sprinkles on both. “Lets just enjoy the meal together and talk.” Carrot smiled as she began to lightly munch on the muffin.         “Great! We can talk about the differences between you of the book and you in real life,” Twilight said, a smile coming to her as she brought out a pen.         “Um, lets hold off on that. I am really not that interesting,” Carrot said, sheepishly.         An hour passes between the two mares, more than enough for the hot chocolate to vanish from the cups and the muffins to become nothing more than a tasty memory between the tow of them. Leaving the table and the building with a smile on their faces, the two ponies made their way back to the library, “Maybe thinking at the library might help me find my book,” Carrot said with a sigh.         Twilight nodded, looking ahead, “Maybe, I mean, it would be horrible to lose a good book that you liked.”         “Yes, it would,” Carrot nodded as the two neared entrance of the library. A smirk slowly came to her as Twilight opened the door and let out a giant gasp.         “Oh, my Luna. Look at all of this!” Twilight said, walking into the library, her eyes wide in shock. Looking all over the book laden building, the tree looked like a christmas bomb exploded inside of it. Garland, wreaths. and lights encircled the  main room in several different laps. In the center was a large tree with more decorations than branches, “But, how? When?”         “A few minutes ago, and I have learned its not best to question Pinkie,” giggled the carrot farmer as she walked to the librarian’s side. She then turned to look at a nearby shelf, “Oh, look. Here was my book the entire time.”         Twilight’s eyes shot up at this, turning her head slowly as the gears began to click together, “Wait, you mean-”         Carrot quickly interrupted her by giving her a book, “This is for you, don’t open till tomorrow. And these,” she said, handing over two more book shaped packages. “Are for your family, should they visit, from you. Don’t tell them who bought it, just let them know that it was from you.”         “B...b...but you-”         “I know, but,” Carrot then smiled warmly at the unicorn, putting a hoof onto her shoulder, “This is my way of saying, ‘welcome to Ponyville, please enjoy your first HEarth’s Warming. Here’s to many more.’ I know I never needed to, but, I want to.”         Tears threatened to escape from her eyes as Twilight wrapped her hooves around Carrot and gave her new friend a hug, “Oh, thank you! I don’t know if I cou-” Twilight was interrupted by a knock, “Its open!” and when she turned to see who stood at the door, her smile put Pinkie’s to shame.         “Phew, that snow out there is a killer! I could bearly find this place,” the white unicorn said as he walked into the door, smiling.         “SHINING!” Twilight squealed as she ran to her BBBFF and almost tackled up to the ground in a hug.         “Hey Twily,” Shining chuckled, hugging Twilight hard. “I only have a few hours to spend here with you before I go back on duty. But I will make those few hours some of the best that you had.”         “You already did,” Twilight said, hugging her brother again. So engrossed ws she in her brothers company, that she did not see Carrot leave the library.         “Twilight Sparkle,” Carrot said to herself, leaving the library and marking off the new name on her list. She then looked at another name, and checked that last one off, “And Trixie.” "It really is the most wonderful time of the year," she smiled as she walked away. > All I want for Hearth's warming > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- All I want for Christmas is you Cheerilee would, well, she would...Hmmm? Wonder what a teacher would do on a  few weeks with no foals to work with.          “...And that is what I hope to get for Hearth’s Warming this year, “ Aluah said, finishing the last report of the class day.         “Thank you Aluah,” smiled Cheerilee as she finish clapping with the class. “Now, since that was the report for the day, that also means class is just about over. I could let you all out five minutes early to enjoy your Hearth’s warming break, but I think I could keep you for a few minutes more,” the magenta mare smiled, listening to the groans and moans from her charges.  She then looked at all of them and threw her hooves up, “Just kidding, class dismissed!”         With that, the flow of children was unleashed from the school house and out into the wide world. The magenta earth pony let loose a big sigh as she watched the flood dissapate and leave. Though it was true that she looked forward to the end of the day as much as anypony, she still loved her work immensely and still felt a little down to watch the entire class leave and make the one-room school house empty once more. Taking the papers into her hooves, she smiled a little, wondering how sad she was going to be when the foals were all done with her classes and then leave her school for the big wide world. Shaking her head out of the saddening thoughts, she looked at one of her papers, “‘What I want for Hearth’s Warming’ hmmm? What would I write?”         “I want a chance to become truely great and powerful. To weild the magic of the ages and use it to impress the audiences Equestria wide. To able to bring to the foals everywhere my magic stories and lessons and make them smile with my power. I want to amaze and shock them all. And there, waiting in the wings, would be my handsome assisstant, waiting to help me at a moments notice.”         The magenta pony giggled to herself as she put the papers into her satchel and walked to the door, “Then I guess Trixie would end up becoming the element of laughter. What a weird world that would be, Trixie as laughter. But then, what would the others be?” she shook her head and continued to walk outside and towards her house, to put away her papers.         Pull out the Holly         Put up the tree before it falls again         Hang up the Stocking         Cause we need a little Hearth’s warming.         Cheerilee stoppe herself in her tracks for a few moments, looking up at the falling snow, “Ok, now I know that isn’t how the music goes. Wasn’t there are a few more lyrics before that last one. Oh well,” she sighed and looked to the building she was walking by, noting the music store, “Maybe that’s what I need for Hearth’s warming.”         “What I want for Hearth’s warming is to be able to sing perfectly, able to woo them all with my song and dance. To be able to bring the mood of any place up with my song and to bring ponies to tears with my song.”         “But then, I would get bogged down with so many music offers, I wouldn’t be able to do my teaching job,” sighed the earth pony, before looking up at the old Hospital Loan and Trust. Granted, the orginal owner had died years ago, the building still had an intimitating feeling about it, “Or maybe what I really want for Hearth’s Warming, is a lot of bits.”         “For Hearth’s Warming, I want so much  cash that I never have to teach again! Then I cold lord all of my money throughout the land, buying every stallion to become my slave.”         “But, then I would miss teaching,” Cheerilee sadly mused, looking at her looming house. Nearby, she could hear a teenager argue with her parents, bringing back some memories of her teenage years. As she listened, she began to think, “Yes, I could have all of that, but what I really think I want for Hearth’s warming,” slowly she opened the door and walked in. “Is for all of my friends to be happy.” > Old Friends, dear friends > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Old friends, new friends, here where we ought to be         “And now, we come back to me. Drinking, bored, and all alone on one of the best times of the year,” Trixie said, taking one last look at her empty bottle and setting it aside. Giving herself a good stretch on the couch, she relaxed and began to sway a foreleg fore longingly along the ground, It is the season of the heart A special time of caring The ways of love made clear It is the season of the spirit The message if we hear it Is 'Make it last all year'         As the last lyric left Trixie’s lips, she looked at the clock and sighed, “Guess I should turn-” but, she was interrupted by a series of knock at the door. Eyebrow raised in curiosity, the mare walked to the door and opened it to reveal a little snow unicorn with a small hat. Trixie cocked her head to the side at the sight, and the unicorn followed. Trixie then cocked to the other side, and the unicorn mimicked the movement. Trixie then raised her hoof in the air, and then unicorn did the same, letting out a high pitched, “Happy Hearth’s warming Trixie!” she then walked into the house, the snow lightly melting off her.         “Sorry about this, Trixie. But the moment we got to your house, a ton of snow fell on Dinky, then she wanted to open the door looking like that,” Ditzy giggled as she walked in, bags filled to the brim. “Dinky, put the presents under the tree and then head to the kitchen.”         “Ok momma,” Dinky said, the last of the snow melting off her as she placed the two packages under the tree. Then, taking off her hat, she trotted off into the kitchen.         “Oh, and don’t worry, I brought all of my usual baking tools and ingredients,” Ditzy said, skipping into the kitchen as she hummed to herself.         “But, Ditzy what are-” Trixie was interrupted  by another knock on the door. When she opened it, she was surprised to find a beige earth pony and a mint green unicorn at the door.         “Now you see Lyra? I told you she wouldn’t have that many decorations in here,” Bon Bon complained walking into the room. Looking around she smiled, “Don’t worry Trixie, I brought a few decorations from our house to help out.”         Lyra gave Trixie a hug as she walked in,  “Sorry about that Trixie, she just loves to decorate almost as much as she loves baking,” and with that, she walked into the room with magic levitating gifts in tow. As she walked pass Bon Bon, she did not notice her marefriend hanging up the mistletoe.         Bon Bon smiled as she hung up the mistletoe, “There we are, one mistletoe fresh for the kissing.”         “Ok,” said Dinky, happily skipping up to Bon Bon and kissed her on the cheek before heading to the kitchen.         “Well I meant from,” a depressed sigh came from the earth pony, “Never mind.”         “But what abou-” another knock on the door interrupted the blue mare and she went to open the door.         “Phew! When we Ponyville pegasi make it snow, we make it snow!” chuckling, Raindrops walked into the residency with a few packages in her bags. She then hugged Trixie and walked in. “Hey, is Ditzy making Hearth’s Warming muffins?”         “Well, yes but-” another knock brought out a small growl from the unicorn. “I swear to Luna, I am not going to get a word in edgewise around here!”         As the door opened, Carrot walked in with a small collection of bags in front of  her, “Um, a  little help?”         Trixie sighed and used her magic to keep the small tower steady, “Tree’s four feet ahead and to the left.”         “T-thank you,” Carrot said, struggling to keep the tower balanced and safe as she made her way to the tree.         Before Trixie could close the door again, she stopped herself and awaited the arrival of, “Hello Cheerilee, the tree is that away.”         “Oh, thank you,” the magenta earth pony said with a smile. Then she  reached in her bag and pulled out two bottles, “I also brought some eggnog for us all. Some normal for Dinky and some laced with an old friend of yours.”         Trixie smiled and licked her lips at the thought of bourbon laced eggnog being served. As she closed the door with her magic, she watched the small group of ponies setting things up, talking to one another, and helping each other with  various chores. She watched as Bon Bon tried to get another kiss from under the mistletoe, only to gt one from Carrot Top and Raindrops instead. Looking around, Trixie raised an eyebrow and asked, “Wait a second. What are you all doing here? Don’t you have your own traditions and families to get to.” The five mares all turned to look at the blue mare, their eyes brows arched and looking at one another, “Yeah, we do,” said Ditzy.         “And?”         “We’re doing our tradition right now,” Raindrops said, rolling her eyes in disbelief.         “What?” Trixie said simply.         Lyra chuckled, “‘Spending time with our friends’, we even wrote it down on our calendar. DEcorations,”         “Shopping,” Carrot added.         “Baking,” Ditzy said with a smile.         “And then spending the evening with our family,” Cheerilee smiled.         Trixie began to stutter as she looked at the five mares in front of her, “Y-you, you mean-”         Ditzy smiled softly, “Nopony should ever be alone on Hearth’s Warming. Least of all, our best friend.”         Tears welled up in the element of magic’s eyes, threatening to spill out, “You girls. I-I-I don’t deserve you, at all.”         “You’re right,” Raindrops said, walking up to Trixie and putting a hoof on the mare’s shoulder and smiled. “You  don’t, but we love you anyway.” with that she gave Trixie a big hug. Ditzy joined the embrace with Dinky, “You may be a little rough around the edges.”         “A little annoying sometimes,” Lyra said, hugging Trixie with Bon Bon.         “Arrogant, egotistical, and a little weird,” Carrot smiled and hugged Trixie with the others.         “But, we wouldn’t have you any other way. Because you might be all of that,” Cheerilee said, hugging Trixie tightly. “But we know, that if any of us were loney or needed help, you would be there for all of us. Because, you are our family, our best friend.”         Trixie held back the tears as she returned the embrace, happy to be with her friends on that day. She held them all tightly, and softly wept tears of joys into her friend's coats, “What the Tartarus are we all doing being sad and wishy-washy? Do we not have some traditions to make?”         Dinky nodded, “You’re right! The muffins should be done.” with that, the little filly ran into the kitchen and opened the oven.         “So, are they as good as I think they are?” asked Trixie with a smile as she walked into her kitchen.         “See for yourself,” the little violet unicorn said, throwing a muffin Trixie’s way.         Deftly, the blue unicorn grabbed the treat in her magic and took a bite, “Hmm, while it is good, it just needs something. Ah ha!” with that, Trixie reached into her cupboard with her magic and pulled out some mustard, peanut butter,and some mayo. Then she began to smear the unholy combination onto her muffin and took a bite, much to the disgust of the other mares in the room, “Mmmmm, much better. Delicious!”         After getting their taste back, the bearers all walked back into the living room. Bon Bon taking the time to stand under the mistletoe and await a kiss from Lyra, only to get a quick peck from Cheerilee instead. The magenta mare then winked at her Earth pony friend and walke to the tree, “Can I light it?” Dinky asked.         “No, no, allow me,” Trixie said with a smile. “Now, watch in awe as I proceed to light this tree without magic. First, I will wave my hoof to gain power from the ancient ones that came before us, and then with a kiss from the world’s cutest assistant.” the blue mare awaited a blown kiss from Dinky and then tapped her hoof three times against the floor. On the third tap, the tree exploded in a brilliant flash of purple, mint green, orange, blue, jasmine, and light grey lights.         The small group awed and cooed in fascination as they look at the lights, Dinky looked at Trixie, her eyes still wide, “How did you do that without magic?”         “Magic, wonder, and the happiness of the season,” Trixie smiled as she looked at the top of the tree. “But look, there is one light I forgot. A moon ornament that I place on top every year. If only I had a wonderful assistant to help me.”         Dinky enthusiastically nodded her head and rose her hoof, running to the topper and grabbing the moon in her magic. Concentrating her magic on the small object, she carefully lifted it and slowly placed it onto the the tree, much to the cheers and applause of the other mares, “Great job little muffin,” Ditzy said, hugging her little girl, pride coming across her face at her daughter’s improved telekinesis.         “Thank you mommy,” giggled Dinky into the hug. Then she ran to Trixie and hugged her, “Thanks Trixie.”         “Well, now that show is done, how about I go get us some eggnog and then we can open presents,” said Bon Bon as she left. When she came back, she stood under the mistletoe and await Lyra to give her a kiss, only to get one from Trixie instead.         “I only did that, because tradition,” Trixie snarked, much to the laughter of everypony else there.          Bon Bon let out a small sigh, “A stupid tradition, I mean, what good has it done me?”         “Does this mean I won’t get a kiss?” Lyra asked, standing under the mistletoe next to Bon Bon.         With an excited look, the beige pony pushed her lips onto the unicorn’s and gave her a passionate kiss, “Hey! Watch it over there, there are fillies present!” Trixie yelled.         “Don’t worry, I promise we’ll keep it rated E,” joked Lyra as she gave her love another deep kiss and walked back to the area around the tree.         “Now, this is from me,” Carrot said, handing Trixie the present.         Excitedly, the unicorn began to tear into the package to reveal the book within, “ ‘Longest Day, Longest Night’? Wait, is that...me?” Trixie asked, looking the book over and at the well detailed cover. Looking closely at the cover, she trace her hoof along the image of herself and its brave stance, “I don’t believe this.”         “I know,” Ditzy chuckled, “somepony made a book all about us and how we became the elements.”         “Not that!” Trixie exclaimed, “Its this! Look at this cover.”         “What about it?” Raindrops asked, looking at the book.         “They got my mane wrong! Nopony in the world would have a mane this long, especially a magician!” exclaimed Trixie, bringing out a mirror and looking at the two tone mane. “Really now, where did this Frank Frazetta get the idea that I look like this? And what type of name is that anyway?”         “I heard its a pen name for “Epic Pose”,” Lyra said.         “No matter, I still find it weird. Yet,  I am greatly flattered that somepony out there has heard of all of our adventures and decided to make a grand novel out of it! I do hope that whoever this author is, will have kept some of my more spectacular exploits from that day in here,” Trixie boaste with a smile, looking through the book.         Raindrops leaned in to whisper to Carrot, “There will be no living with her for a while.”         Carrot Top giggled in response, and then handed the pegasus her gift.         So it went, on through that night, for the eight mares. After they traded gifts, they all sung together and while some of them sang better than the others, the feeling of joy that was beaming from each solo or duet was felt throughout the entire group. Trixie entertained the small party with tales that she had picked up from some of the libraries she had visited, while Cheerilee offered stories of her past as the entertainment. Throughout the night, the bearers and the ones they loved were warmed by the feelings of friendship and family that kept them such close friends. So engrossed in their fun, they did not notice the time, or did they care. Slowly, one by one, each mare fell asleep by the fire until the only one left was Trixie. Sipping on the last bit off eggnog, the blue unicorn looked at the seven mares, sighed, and began to sing softly.         It’s in the  singing of a choir         Its in getting warm by the fire         It’s true, wherever you find love         It feels like Hearth’s warming         It’s true, wherever you find love It feels like...         Hearth’s warming         She then put away the empty cup, cuddled herself inbetween Ditzy and Dinky, next to Raindrops who fell asleep under Cheerilee. On the other side of the pony pile, was Lyra and Bon Bon, asleep in each other’s forelegs with Carrot Top asleep under them. Looking at each as she nestled in the small pile, the pony who was responsible for bringing them all together, the pony who was once alone because she had pushed away so many others, the mare who now would watch over this close group of friends, simply smiled to herself and whispered, “I love you all. Thank you, happy hearth’s warming.” and with that, warmed by friends who would never leave her, she fell asleep, protected and home. I wonder where Luna went? In a distant plateau, far away from the city of Canterlot and the far off griffon lands, a blue alicorn stood alone. Looking up at the starry sky, the alicorn of the night sighed and turned away, “She isn’t coming.” “Why did you summon me, Luna?” Corona asked, flapping her wings as she landed. “This place, do you remember it?” Luna asked, looking at the slow nod from her sister. “It was  always a place of neutrality for us both. A place where we would go if we had a fight or we mad at each other. We would cool off and then go back to each other.” “I know this, get to the point!” demanded Corona. Luna sighed, “As you may know, its Hearth’s Warming back in Equestria. An I thought that, just for tonight, we would forget all of our hatred towards one another and share a gift. Here, I brought you a present.” the blue alicorn smiled as the alicorn of the sun took the present, and then she continued, “Its a flower I discovered in the Everfree. Its an eternal blossom, so called because it never wilts and looks as bright as the sun. I thought you might like it.” Corona just looked at the flower and turned away, “I did not bring you a gift, or did I intend to! I just came to see what you wanted and all I see is you wanting to celebrate this paltry holiday. Do not call me again for such frivolites, sister.” With that, the sun tyrant  teleported away. Luna sighed sadly, turning away from her sister, “I should’ve thought as-” she was interrupted by a squeak. Looking down, she saw a little grey animal with a white snout, “A possum? What are you doing all the way out here, little fellow.” Luna giggled as she knelt down, and looked at the small rodent. It was then she noticed the little red ribbon around his neck and tag attached, “ What is this ribbon on you? Hmmm?” Levitating the little creature close to her, she read the tag while undoing the ribbon, “‘This rodent was found outside of my door, do something with him. I took note that he is properly trained, shot, and cared for, do what you want with this thing- Corona.’” Luna let out a chuckle as she held the little squirming creature up, “Oh, aren’t you the cutest little thing. I am going to call you Tiberus. Come along, faithful pet.” Luna said, putting the rodent onto her back and teleporting away. Some miles away, Celestia watched from a rocky outcropping and sighed, “Happy Hearth’s Warming, Luna. Happy Hearth’s Warming.” and with that, Corona teleported away. Happy Hearth's Warming Everypony!