Reunion
A quick purple claw tip flicked against the small bulb on the tree. The dark blue bulb flickered on and off several times. After a groan, the purple dragon unscrewed the dark blue bulb, examined it, and then screwed the glass object back into the socket. Spike nodded. He clenched his claws, his cheery grin turning into a frown. Spike latched onto the bulb and flicked it several more times.
"Stupid lights," Spike said, the bulb's reflection off his eyes going dim. He unscrewed the bulb. The little dragon plunged a quick claw into the box at his side, retrieved a bulb, popped it into the socket slot, and smirked.
"That won't do, Spike. You've got two red ones next to each other. The whole color scheme is off. " Twilight said as she levitated a plate of cookies onto a small table near the fireplace. Under a stern eye, the festive plate in her magical grasp rotated back and forth, and then stopped. "And now for the milk."
Spike shook his head at Twilight. He unscrewed the bulb, plunged his claw back into the cardboard box, and pulled out another bulb. "There, a fresh 'blue' bulb."
"I just want everything to be perfect for when 'he' comes." Twilight said. She raised an eyebrow at the purple dragon who placed a quick claw over his mouth. "Not funny."
"Don't tell me ya still believe --" Apple Bloom said.
Twilight raised an eyebrow at Apple Bloom. "You don't?"
"It's been about," Apple Bloom tapped a gentle hoof against her chin, "two years since I stopped believin'."
"Well, belief or not, it's more about tradition than anything else." Twilight said.
Pinkie Pie waved her hoof at the others. The pink pony trotted towards Twilight, patting her friend on the head while reassuring her that she still believed in "him."
Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle snickered at one another. The two fillies crept closer and closer towards numerous presents placed under the tree while the others continued to chuckle at Twilight. Inch-by-inch, the unicorn and pegasi filly made their way towards the prize. Inches away from the presents under the tree, they found themselves levitated into the air, a light blue aura surrounding them.
"Who is 'he,' if I might ask?" Princess Star said before sipping on her cup of tea. She placed the tea cup back onto the saucer then smiled at the two fillies who floated above the tree. The princess levitated Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo towards their respective big sisters.
Rainbow Dash placed a firm hoof on her forehead as she watched Twilight's ears perk up, the pony giving a creepy smile to the room. The pony's hoof dragged down her face. She turned towards Princess Star, "Now you've done it."
The princess looked around the room. She raised an eyebrow. Her green eyes followed Twilight who darted out of the room, a quiet "sorry" mouthed to Rainbow Dash.
"When is Princess Cadence and Shining Armor supposed to get here?" Fluttershy said.
Princess Star looked at the time, and then back towards the yellow pegasus. "I don't know."
"You alright there, princess? You look like ya went a couple a rounds with an Ursa Major." Applejack said.
Rarity placed a quick hoof over her mouth. She swallowed her tea and placed the cup beside her. "Applejack. That's a rather rude statement to make to our guest."
"I wish I could say that I was "alright," Applejack." Princess Star said. Her ears lowered as she turned away. After a quiet sigh she said, "I know it's been well over a year since the incident with King Sombra and his defeat. The same for my subsequent return. Even with that passing of time, I'm not sure if my daughter can ever forgive me for what I did, the same being said of my little star ponies. Through my selfish actions, I condemned them to a horrible life."
The soft glow from the tree's lights reflected off the crystal walls. Soft hoof-steps broke the bitter, silent moment.
Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo walked toward Princess Star. Three gentle hooves were placed on the saddened princess's withers. The Cutie Mark Crusaders smiled at the pony princess in front of them. The fillies received a kind, gentle smile in return while the mare wiped away a slight tear.
Eyes turned toward the double doors that thrust open.
Twilight flew into the air, cleared her throat, and then sat in her chair with a grin. She giggled to herself. Her wings twitched at her sides. "I managed to find it. I do love a good story."
Rainbow Dash and Applejack placed a quick hoof over Pinkie Pie's mouth before she could speak. The two ponies pulled their friend back.
Princess Star raised her hoof in a slow, calm manner. She shook her head. The princess took a final sip of her tea, and then prepared to stand up. "I think it would be wise if I left."
Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Twilight looked at one another before they turned back towards Princess Star. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo remained near the snow colored mare.
"I'm sorry. This holiday feels rather uncomfortable." Princess Star said.
"Please stay," Apple Bloom said, pressing her hooves together.
"Bloom. If Princess Star feels uneasy about the whole thing, we shouldn't pressure her ta stay." Applejack said.
"Naw. She should stay. New things feel awkward, but that can be said of anything." Rainbow Dash said. She looked at her friends, "What?"
Rarity gave a polite nod. "That's quite the bold statement Rainbow Dash, and I do concur. All of us have our own traditions that felt rather unusual when we first started them. Applejack. Didn't it feel awkward when you and Pinkie Pie got your families together for the first time?"
"Things were more than a 'tad' awkward, if ya ask me. Still, this is a bit different, and I'm not sure if it's right to impose on the princess. She should -- whoa, nelly." Applejack said before she reared up.
Princess Star recoiled. Her right eye crept open. Two cautious hooves latched onto the brown colored tome that floated in the air. The princess raised an eyebrow at Sweetie Belle, "You want me to read this?"
"Why not? I mean, it would be nice to hear a story. I'm sure you've got some great stories to tell." Sweetie Belle said.
Scootaloo and Apple Bloom rolled their eyes before being nudged in the side by Sweetie Belle. The three ponies grinned at tall mare in front of them.
"What is this book? 'A Hearth's Warming Eve tale: historical and legendary feats of a gift giver,'" Princess Star said. After skimming through the book, soon placing the book back in Twilight's lap, she let out a slight chuckle. The princess looked at Sweetie Belle, "Now, now. I didn't say 'no' to a story. How about we wait for -- good, it looks like the little ones are here."
Princess Cadence smiled at the group as she entered the room with Shining Armor at her side. She gave a polite hug to Twilight. The princess of love watched a slight, gentle magical aura envelope the two foals on Shining Armor's back. The two little ponies flew towards their grandmother.
"You two arrived just in time. I was about to tell a little story." Princess Star said. She laid back down. The mare gave a warm grin towards the two foals who chuckled and laughed at her, the little ones placing their tiny hooves against her face. "I'll watch over these two if you want some time alone."
Princess Celestia entered the room, levitating several presents towards the tree. She removed a napkin from the knapsack Shining Armor placed near the door. "Two foals is quite enough."
After a few moments, the doors to the room closed. Princess Star illuminated her horn just as Princess Celestia and Princess Luna sat down. With a mug of cider beside her, the wishing star princess covered the room in a heavy layer of magic.
"Our tale begins long ago, three years that followed the first Hearth's Warming Eve to be precise."
The dark room brightened to that of a snowy landscape. Soon, a snow covered castle came into view with an almost clear sky above. Festive red ribbons decorated the castle's exterior with gold colored bells near the front gates.
"Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had come to Equestria where they were revered for their wisdom and power. It was during the fourth Hearth's Warming Eve that I had come to Equestria with my group of star ponies. We had sought refuge from the terrible strife that plagued our land, and the kindness of Princess Celestia and her sister brought more joy to me than I could have hoped for in my heart. On a small piece of land, my star ponies were allowed to live and co-exist with Equestria."
The magical, illusionary world around the group shifted to the inside of a magnificent, grand, royal hall inside the snow covered castle. A grateful Princess Star bowed to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.
"Two precious gifts were given that day. From Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, they had given us a safe place to call home. The second gift was a surprise. A little colt bolted from the crowd and held a present in his outstretched hoof. Inside, I found a crystallized snowflake that sparkled brilliantly in the light of the morning sun. The ponies around us scratched their heads and shrugged at one another. To them, the necklace must have appeared rather mundane. What I had been given brought a tear to my eye, being a precious gift of friendship.
In front of all of us, the lone colt earned his cutie mark. A brilliant red ribbon adorned his flank and symbolized the pony's almost magical talent for knowing what a pony wanted in their heart."
The illusionary world faded away with the room returning to normal.
"Within Ribbon's heart existed a powerful, kind soul that loved to see those around him smile during the holidays. What struck me was his odd nature where he knew almost exactly what I pony wanted, like magic." Princess Star said.
"Pinkie Pie is probably related ta him, in some odd kinda way. Pink managed to find me this here scarf I wanted for so long. Took her forever to track it down." Applejack said. The cowgirl lowered her hat, "Sorry."
Princess Star nodded. She smiled at the fillies near her hooves. "Anyways, Ribbon's talent couldn't be denied. I'm sad to say, as you all know, my name was struck from all texts per my wishes. What that book mentions is a re-write."
"Slipnir. Santa Colt. Santa Hooves. The names are just as long as the legends of his kind deeds." Twilight said.
"It appears so, but that is only half the tale. As the years passed, the colt grew into a fine, strong stallion. As the years passed, I'm sad to say, the stallion began to grow older. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna believed Equestria would fall into sadness if such a kind pony were to pass. Ribbon accepted that fact and wanted an heir to carry on the legacy, but the two alicorns had other ideas. They spoke with Ribbon and myself about a single, powerful wish." Princess Star said. She gave a warm smile to the group who began to yawn at her. "I believe you all know what wish I granted."
The Cutie Mark Crusaders crept closer. Apple Bloom yawned. The infection yawn carried to Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and then the rest of the room. The fillies' eyes crept open then closed.
Princess Star gave a slight smile to the group. She looked at her hooves. A slight blue glow enveloped her horn. The two sleepy foals floated towards Shining Armor. "Princess Celestia and Princess Luna stood before me, and, under the light of a beautiful full moon, Ribbon approached me. It brought me no greater joy than to see a pony such as that receive their heart's desire."
"What did he say?" Apple Bloom yawned.
Princess Star's ears perked up. She listened to the small clock chiming in the corner. "That will be a tale for tomorrow, if you are all up for it."
Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo rested their heads on their hooves. Applejack's hat slid down onto her face while she slept.
Princess Star stood up and crept by the slumbering ponies. She phased through the crystal door then walked along the hallway towards the balcony.
*** *** ***
The lone pony princess gazed out towards the horizon. A snow covered Ponyville greeted her eyes. Shadows danced around the illuminated windows with mares, stallions, fillies, colts, and foals playing with one another. Her quiet sigh drowned out by slight wind, Princess Star turned away from Ponyville. The princess headed towards the door.
"It's been a long time, has it not?" A voice said.
Princess Star stopped. She raised her head and turned around to see a tan stallion with a maple syrup colored mane and tale standing where she once stood. The princess wrapped her hooves around the stallion, receiving a hug in return.
"It's been a long time, Princess 'Wishing' Star, so long that even I had almost lost hope for your return to this world." Ribbon said.
The princess's ethereal wings unfurled and wrapped around the pony she embraced. Tears crawled down her cheeks, glinting in the light of the moon. "Every day was a nightmare, Ribbon. I hissed, snarled, and lashed out against my little star ponies. No matter how hard I tried, darkness prevented me from stopping myself."
Ribbon hugged the pony, and then backed away. He extend a slow, gentle hoof, "Here, you should dry your tears."
"Worst of all, my daughter grew up without a mother's love or kindness. I don't know if I can forgive myself, or if my daughter can ever forgive me." Princess Star said as she wiped away her tears.
A calm breeze brushed against the ponies' manes. Both of them gazed towards Canterlot before turning towards Ponyville.
"A mother's love is what saved Princess Mi Amore Cadenza from a fate similar to your own. There is no telling what would have happened if she had stayed at your side." Ribbon said.
"Do you think she'll ever forgive me?" Princess Star said. She raised her head. Her mouth dropped open. A small, intricately designed cloak was placed over her. "..."
"Welcome back, Princess Che Desiderano Stella. As always, I am 'eternally' grateful for the gift you gave me that Hearth's Warming Eve. I'm still spry as a young twenty something stallion, even though I'm over a thousand years old." Ribbon said, ending with a quiet chuckle. A beautiful red sack with a gold cord sat at his side. He reached into the sack, "Please, give these presents to your precious grandchildren. Also, if you don't mind, would you please give these presents to those three courageous fillies."
Princess Star nodded to the stallion in front of her and received a polite nod in return. She took the presents in her magical grasp.
A flash of light illuminated the area. Where the earth pony stallion once stood, four snowy hoof prints were left.
"As for your daughter's forgiveness, I believe all you need to do is talk to her. Isn't that right, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza?" A voice said, resonating in Princess Star's ears.
"Can you forgive me?" Princess Star said as she felt two wing come across her chest.
Princess Cadence moved towards the balcony. She gazed towards the moon, and then towards Canterlot. "When I look at those two bundles of joy, my son and daughter, I understand that a mother will do anything to protect her children. What you did was out of your love for me."
Princess Star smiled as Princess Cadence leaned against her. Gentle snow continued to fall onto the landscape, a small starry shield protecting the presents from the elements.
"Happy Hearth's Warming Eve, mom." Princess Cadence said.
"..." Princess Star bit down on her lip, and then relaxed. She leaned her head against her daughter's head. "Happy Hearth's Warming Eve, my precious daughter."