> Spike's Heartfelt Gift
>  by RS-Belle14
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Gift Giving Eve
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was amazing how fast the year had gone by. Before anypony realized it, another one was near its end, and that wonderful time of year had arrived once again: Hearth's Warming, one of Equestria's most beloved holidays. The time of giving, sharing, and togetherness. The time of year to give thanks and let everypony know you care about them.

Like many other cities in Equestria, Ponyville was certainly not short on the holiday spirit. All around the snow-covered town, ponies and other creatures pranced up and down the streets, hurrying to the store to get the last item on their loved one's Hearth's Warming list, waiting in excruciating long lines at the post office to ship their gifts off to another town, and running away from even the tiniest whiff of a fruit cake. Truly, the Hearth's Warming spirit had fallen upon Ponyville and its citizens.

However, there was one creature who did not run about the streets like all the others. No, he stood still, on top of a small hill where nopony else could see him. He was a pony. A green pony. A green Earth pony and he stared down at the decorated exterior of the Castle of Friendship with a smile. A big, wide smile. It was not a smile like all of the other ponies. No, it was not a smile of happiness. It was a smile completely devoid of any warmth. If this pony's smile could be described at all, it was a smile full of... termites.

In a quiet, slimy voice, he began to hum to himself. "You're a mean one, Mr. Grump..."





Scootaloo looked at the game board in front of her and took a deep breath. "Come on, come on, come on." She rolled the dice. "Oh, come on!"

"Ha!" Spike gloated as he placed his claw out to Scootaloo. "That'll be 750 bits, please!"

"Ugh!" Scootaloo slapped a hoof to her face. "Why do I even play this game?!" Scootaloo begrudgingly scraped her toy money off the table and gave it to Spike. "Take your stinking money you no-good dragon, con artist!"

Spike smirked as he took his due earnings. "Salty, aren't we?"

Scootaloo glared daggers. "I'll get you one of these days, dragon, and then you will be the one comparable to seasoning." She looked to her left. "Your roll, Sweetie Belle."

"Okay!" Sweetie Belle happily took her turn. "Aw, shucks." She moved her token and then levitated a single paper bill to Apple Bloom. "Here's your ten bits, Apple Bloom." Sweetie Belle snickered.

"Ah don't know what you're chucklin' about." Apple Bloom took the bits. "This is just one small step on the road to my financial empire. Ah don't care what's happened so far. You're goin' down, Sweetie Belle." Apple Bloom then looked at her other threat. "That goes double for you, Spike."

"Heh." Spike grinned. "With me holding your last property? I'd like to see you try, farm girl."

Apple Bloom glared. "Just watch. This farm gal has a few surprises in her saddle." She took the dice from Sweetie Belle and began to shake. However, just as she was about to make her move, another pony walked in.

"Hey, everypony," Twilight Sparkle greeted. "Sorry to interrupt your game, again."

"Oh, that's no problem, Twilight." Apple Bloom's face became less serious. "We're just havin' some fun is all."

"Yeah, no biggy." Spike stood up. "What's up?"

Twilight levitated a big thermos in front of her. "I was just wondering if any you would like some more hot cocoa. You've all been here for quite some time, now," she said, chuckling.

"Oh!" Sweetie Belle levitated her cup. "I'd like some!"

"Me, too!" Scootaloo held up hers.

"Okay," Twilight happily poured some of the hot beverage into each of their cups. "There you go." She then looked over to the other to the remaining kids. "Apple Bloom, Spike, would you two like some?"

Apple Bloom shook her head. "No, thank you, Twilight. My cup is still pretty full."

"Same here." Spike showed his.

"All right, then." Twilight happily turned around and began to trot away. "Have fun, everypony."

"Oh, hey, Twilight!" Spike chased after her. "Wait!"

"Hmm?" Twilight stopped and turned around. "What is it, Spike?"

"Oh, uh..." Spike stopped. "Nothing. I was just wondering if uh..." He shyly tapped his claws together. "If Shining Armor and Cadance are here yet?"

Twilight playfully rolled her eyes. "No, not yet. I'm sorry."

"Oh." Spike's face dropped a little. "Okay. No big deal. I was just wondering is all."

Twilight raised her eyebrow. "Are you sure about that?"

"O-of course!" He crossed his arms, putting on his best manly face. "I was just curious. I don't really care. I was just gonna see if Shining Armor saw the big game the other day. No big deal."

"Mhmm. Sure." Twilight chuckled as she placed a hoof on Spike's shoulder. "Don't worry about it, Spike. They told me they were coming, so they'll be here. There's no way they'd miss having Hearth's Warming with us. They're just running a little late is all. I promise they're coming." She used her hoof to raise Spike's chin to face her. "Just wait a little longer, okay?" She smiled. "Flurry Heart will be here for your gift. I promise."

"Hehe..." Spike nervously rubbed the back of his head. "W-what are you talking about, Twilight? I have no idea what you mean."

"Oh, I'm sure you know exactly what I mean." Twilight gave him a wink before addressing the Crusaders. "Goodbye, everypony!" She trotted away.

With Twilight gone, Spike turned around and rejoined his friends at their game table.

"Sorry, about that." Spike took his seat. "All right, my turn, right?" Spike grabbed the dice and was about to roll when Apple Bloom interrupted.

"Actually, it's mine."

"Oh. Sorry, my bad. Here you go."

"No biggy. Thanks," Apple Bloom spoke as she began to shake. "You know, Twilight is right. You're pretty darn eager to give Princess Flurry Heart your gift. You're not very good at hidin' it."

Sweetie Belle looked at Apple Bloom in disbelief. "Can you blame him? Princess Flurry Heart is so cute! If I knew I was gonna meet her today, I would've gotten her something, too!" She snuggled her tail. "I can't wait to meet her."

Spike just rolled his eyes as he took the dice. "I seriously just don't know what you guys are talking about." He moved his piece to Free Parking. "I just got Flurry a little something. No big deal."

"Tsh." Scootaloo smirked. "Yeah, right. You've been asking Twilight all day if Princess Cadance and her family have shown up, yet. That sounds more like the opposite of not being eager if you ask me." She took the dice from him. "What did you even get Princess Flurry Heart, anyway?"

"Well, I didn't ask you, now, did I? And I already told you." Spike picked up a cookie from the center of the table. "I'm not saying."

"Not even a hint?" Apple Bloom asked as Scootaloo begrudgingly gave her more bits. "Come on, Spike. Scootaloo said it: that's all you really seem to care about today. What makes this gift any different from anythin' you've given Princess Flurry Heart before?"

Spike could not help but smile. "Because this one is really special. I know Flurry is going to love it."

"See." Sweetie Belle picked up a card. "You keep saying stuff like that. How do you expect us not to bother you? I mean, you're really leaving us in the dark, here." She read the card. "Ooh!" she squeed. "I just won second place in a beauty pageant! Yay!"

Scootaloo chuckled. "So, you lost to your sister again, huh?"

Sweetie Belle's face went from a smile to a scowl. "I'm going to get you for that." She growled as she passed the dice back to Apple Bloom. "But back on topic, why don't you just tell us? It's not like we're going to tell Princess Flurry Heart or anything."

"I know that." Spike watched Apple Bloom buy another railroad before taking his turn. "But... I don't know. I just want it to be a surprise, okay?" He pointed at Scootaloo to take her turn after building another house. "I was really lucky to find it, and I just want Flurry to be the first pony to see it. You know, like a real Hearth's Warming present. You'll find out later, but, right now, please just let me have this."

"Hmm."

Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom looked back at one another. They gave each other a few facial gestures before nodding and returning their attention to the young dragon. "Okay, Spike."

Scootaloo moved her piece in accordance with her roll and stopped on the "Go To Jail" space. She face-planted onto the table. "Whatever," she muffled. "Just do whatever you want. I don't caaaare."

Everyone else laughed.

Following Scootaloo's expression of her despair, the quartet of youngsters continued playing their board game for some time. Spike, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom battled each other for financial supremacy while Scootaloo showed great resilience and honor by just staying in the game. Surely, she would be an inspiration for the common, less fortunate ponies of Equestria.

Sweetie Belle was about to take a trip on Apple Bloom's railroad of the reading variety when there was a loud knock coming from the castle's front door.

"I'll get it," Twilight called out through the halls. One moment later, Spike heard the front door open. "Oh, hi, Derpy! Thank you so much. Happy Hearth's Warming!" The door made a loud closing sound. "Hey, everypony, Princess Luna sent us a fruitcake!"

"AAAAHHHH!!!!" A thud echoed through the halls.

"... Twilight, darling, Pinkie Pie fainted."

"... Oh. Well, I'll be right there—" There was another knock on the door. "One sec." Spike heard the door open once again. "Cadance!"

Spike's eyes opened wide.
> Grumpy Declaration
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spike scurried down the hallways toward the castle's entrance, leaving the Cutie Mark Crusaders back behind to watch over his hotels. Once he had heard Twilight say the name he had been waiting to hear all day, Spike had dropped his game with the Crusaders and sped toward the front door. Very soon, a newly arrived family of three came into Spike's sight. Relieved, he slowed down his pace and started walking toward the group, paying close attention along the way.

"Oh, it's so good to see you!" Twilight said while hugging her brother, Shining Armor. "I'm so glad you all could make it!"

"Like we'd miss celebrating Hearth's Warming with you!" Shining Armor laughed. 

"Sorry we're late." Cadance trotted up.

"It's no problem." Twilight went up and hugged her sister-in-law. "We're just glad you're here."

"Us, too, Twilight." Cadance hugged back.

"That goes double for one us." Shining Armor stepped aside and pushed a baby carriage toward his sister. "Guess who's been wanting to see her favorite aunt?" He then levitated a smiling, all-too-familiar toddler and her favorite toy snail from the stroller.

Twilight gasped. "Flurry Heart!"

Flurry happily waved with her free hoof. "Hi, Auntie Twily!"

Twilight's jaw dropped. "Did you just say my name?!" She pulled her small niece in, snuggling her. "Aw, look at you! You're growing up so fast!" 

"You bet," Shining Armor said as he proudly wrapped a foreleg around his wife.

"We've been giving her a few lessons," Cadance informed. "She's very talented. You will not believe some of the things Flurry has done. She's really starting to come along."

"Yeah." Shining Armor nodded. "She's one smart cookie. Check this out. Flurry," he called.

"Eh?" Flurry turned her head to see her father.

"Tell Auntie Twilight your ABC's," Shining Armor said.

Hearing his request, Flurry turned back to her aunt and spoke. "A, B, C, D, L, M, N, O, G," she smiled.

"... okay, well, she still has some ways to go." Shining Armor laughed along with the other adults.

Chuckling a bit himself just as he reached them, Spike waved at the crowd. "Hey, guys!"

Cadance and Shining Armor both turned their attention toward the little dragon. "Spike!"

"Hey, Flurry Heart!" Spike waved.

Flurry happily waved back. "Hi, Uncle Spike!"

Spike blushed. Hehe... 'uncle'.

"How's it going, dude?" Shining Armor asked Spike, lifting up his hoof.

"It's going." Spike bumped the hoof with his claw. "It's really good to see you guys. I was starting to think you weren't going to show."

Cadance snickered. "Well, we would have been here sooner, but we ran into somepony along the way that Flurry really wanted to see. We had to stop for a while so she could meet him."

"Really?" Spike asked. "Who was it?"

Cadance looked up to her daughter. "Flurry," she called. "Tell Auntie Twily and Uncle Spike who you saw today."

Flurry Heart beamed. "Santa Hooves!"

"Aw, really?" Spike played along. "You saw Santa Hooves?"

"Uh-huh!" Flurry happily nodded.

"That's right." Cadance started. "The train did actually bring us to town on time, but on our way here, we ran into a little stand and saw that Santa Hooves was visiting Ponyville." She winked. "Flurry went crazy when she saw the whole thing."

"I bet," Spike said.

"Oh, Spike, you have no idea," Shining Armor chuckled. "She stopped us and practically begged us to let her meet Santa Hooves, and how could we say 'no' to that? It was a bit of a wait, though. The line was pretty long. A lot of foals wanted to see Santa Hooves."

"Sounds about right." Spike then looked back up to Flurry Heart. "Did you get to meet Santa Hooves, Flurry?"

"Uh-huh!"

"Did you get to tell him what you want for Hearth's Warming?" Twilight asked.

"Uh-huh!" Flurry answered again.

"What did he say?"

Flurry Heart took a deep breath and spoke in a lower voice. "Eeyup."

Twilight and Spike both laughed at Flurry's interpretation of Santa Hooves.

"Oh, Sweet Celestia." Twilight wiped a teardrop from her eye as she motioned Cadance and Shining Armor to follow her. "Please tell you me you got a picture."

"Of course," Cadance answered as she trotted along with Twilight and her daughter.

Shining Armor began to follow along, too, with Spike right beside him.

"Glad to hear Flurry's been enjoying her Hearth's Warming so far," Spike said.

"Thanks. Yeah, she seems pretty happy this year. You should've seen her when she finally met Santa Hooves."

"Yeah, I would've loved to see that." Spike rubbed the back of his head. "Say, out of curiosity, what did Santa Hooves get Flurry for Hearth's Warming this year?"

"Hmm?" Shining Armor raised his eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, uh, you see..." Spike blushed. "I actually kind of got something for Flurry myself this year, and I just want to make sure you didn't get her the same thing."

"Oh, really?" Shining Armor smiled. "That's really nice of you, Spike! What did you get her?"

"Can't say. I want it to be a surprise, so—" Spike's eyes widened. "Oh... uh, you know what? Never mind telling me what you got her. It's okay."

"What? Are you sure? I don't mind telling you."

"I know, but it wouldn't be fair for you to tell me if I don't want to tell you what I got her, so we're good."

Shining Armor gave Spike a little elbow. "You sure? I'm telling you, I don't mind."

"Positive. All that really matters is that Flurry is happy, right?"

"Well, okay, if that's what you really want." Shining Armor winked. "And right."

They trotted along just a little farther, chatting along the way when Shining Armor pointed at something ahead.

"Hey, Spike."

"Yeah?"

Shining Armor pointed his hoof forward. "Are those three fillies okay?"

"Huh?" Spike looked ahead and saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders stuck in a state of awe as Cadance and Flurry Heart approached them. After slapping a claw into his own face, Spike answered, "Yeah, they're fine. They're just fans is all."

"Hey, wait, I recognize them. They were the flower fillies in my wedding, weren't they?"

"Yup. They're called the 'Cutie Mark Crusaders'. They help ponies with cutie mark problems. They're good friends of mine."

"I see." Shining Armor then gave Spike a little look. "So, which one is your fillyfriend?"

Spike blushed. "My what?!"

"Is it the little earth pony with the cute bow?" Shining Armor teased.

"Shining Armor!" Spike's face turned as red as the Hearth's Warming decorations as he frantically looked back and forth between Shining Armor and the Crusaders, hoping they did not hear them.

"No, wait, it has to be the cute little unicorn, right? I remember you two dancing together at the reception."

"Pipe it!" Spike placed a claw in Shining Armor's muzzle as they grew very close to the Crusaders. "It's not like that! We're just friends! Friends, got that?"

"Really?" Shining Armor shrugged. "That's too bad. Okay. Whatever you say."

"Ugh," Spike just shook his head as they approached the small group of females.

"—And I really like your mane, Princess Cadance!" Sweetie Belle squeaked.

"Aw. Thank you," Cadance gave the young unicorn a small bow. "Yours is really cute too."

Sweetie Belle gasped and began to squee uncontrollably. "You really think so?!"

Spike just shook his head. "Yeah, they're real big fans."





After Cadance and her family arrived, Spike and the Cutie Mark Crusaders resumed their little game night but, this time, with an additional member: Flurry Heart. Once everypony was settled in, Spike was able to convince Cadance and Shining Armor to allow Flurry Heart to play with him and the Crusaders, telling them Flurry would get bored if she was stuck listening to the grown ups and their conversations. With that, the kids had an extra player for game night.

Of course, knowing their previous property board game would be too complicated for the young princess, Spike and the Crusaders found simpler games to play with Flurry; Spike and Flurry stacked blocks into the shapes of castles, Apple Bloom showed Flurry the art of hoof painting, and Scootaloo gave Flurry high-speed rides on her scooter. Times were fun.

The group of five were in the middle of Sweetie Belle's game of hide-and-seek when Twilight and Cadance entered the room.

"Hello?" Twilight called out. "Is anypony here?"

"I'm here!" Spike ran up to the two mares. "What's up?"

"Cadance and I have just received some news. Something's come up. I'd like to talk to all of you about it." Twilight looked around the room. "Where is everypony?"

Spike rubbed his chin. "Well, at this point, I think Scootaloo might've just locked herself in the broom closet after the whole shoebox thing didn't work out the first time. Apple Bloom wasn't in the bathtub like I first thought, so she's probably in the kitchen hiding behind the cereal boxes, the chocolate flavored ones if I had to guess, and I've got a preeeetty good hunch that Sweetie Belle is hiding in the chimney, now, since she thought the oven wasn't very comfortable. Oh!" Spike then pointed to the center of the room. "And Flurry is hiding under the rug right there."

Twilight looked over to where Spike directed and saw a giant lump protruding from the carpet, giggling noises coming from it.

Spike then leaned in. "But I'm not going to find her just yet." He winked.

Twilight giggled. "That's very nice, Spike, but Cadance and I really need to talk to all of you right now. Could you get everyone here, please?"

"Sure! No problem." Spike turned around and took a deep breath. "Butter biscuit brunch!" he yelled. With that, Flurry crawled out of the carpet, Sweetie Belle emerged from the chimney, Apple Bloom trotted out of the kitchen, and Scootaloo hopped out of the shoe closet. "Darn. It was the shoe closet," he said as the four ponies came along to his location. "Hey guys, sorry to stop the game, but Twilight says she needs to tell us something." Spike motioned for Twilight to talk.

"Thank you, Spike." Twilight nodded at her assistant before addressing all of the youngsters. "I'm sorry to interrupt your game, everypony, but Cadance and I just received a request to visit the hospital."

"Really?" Scootaloo asked. "What for?"

"Oh, no." Apple Bloom looked concerned. "Did somepony get hurt?"

Sweetie Belle gasped. "Did my dad get into the eggnog again?!"

"No, no," Cadance calmly assured. "Well, not exactly; unfortunately, it appears a lot of foals have gotten sick this Hearth's Warming Eve, and they're going to be spending their holidays in the hospital this year."

"Really?" Sweetie Belle's ears drooped. "Aw. That's so sad."

"It is." Twilight nodded. "But Nurse Redheart just came by not too long ago and asked us to go and visit the foals tonight. She thinks that we can make the foals' Hearth's Warming just a little bit better if we gave them a visit."

"That sounds nice," Spike said. "But what about the others? And us?"

Cadance answered, "Everyone else is coming with us. The foals look up to them as well, but as for you..." Cadance gave Twilight an uncertain look. "We... think it might be best if you all stayed here until we got back."

"What? Why?" Spike replied. "We could help you."

"We know that." Twilight stepped up. "But the thing is, some of the foals could be pretty contagious, and some of us could be more vulnerable to diseases than others." Twilight discreetly nodded her head over to Flurry Heart, who had trotted over to her mother.

"Oh." Spike nodded his head. "Okay. I understand."

"We don't want any of you getting sick," Cadance added. 

"No problem." Scootaloo brushed off. "We get it. We'll just stick here and hang around until you all get back. No big deal."

"Well, that's another thing," Twilight said. "We don't really know how long we'll be gone; we're going to be picking up treats and gifts for the foals on top of spending some time with them. We could be gone for a while."

"So what? That's not a problem." Scootaloo waved her off. "We're not babies, Twilight. Well, most of us aren't, anyway. We'll be fine."

"Are you sure?" Cadance asked. "We could cancel our visit to the hospital if you don't feel safe staying here on your own, or maybe one of us could stay behind with you."

"Absolutely not." Apple Bloom shook her head. "Those foals are waitin' on ya. Don't ruin their Hearth's Warmin' over us, especially if all y'all is worried about is us bein' home alone."

"Yeah!" Sweetie Belle squeaked. "And don't worry about Princess Flurry Heart. We'll take extra special care of her! I promise!"

"Hmm." Twilight looked back at her assistant. "What do you think, Spike? Are you sure you can take care of Flurry?"

Spike smirked and gave Twilight a claw up. "You can count on me."

Twilight and Cadance looked at each other for a moment, nodded, and turned back around to the young group. "Okay."





"Bye, guys!" Spike waved as all of his adult friends walked out into the snowing Ponyville. 

"Bye, everypony!" Twilight waved back. "Send me a message if you need anything. We'll be back as soon as we can."

"Will do!" Spike replied. "Just how, I don't know, but I'll think of something."

"Bye, everypony!" The Crusaders waved.

"Bye-bye!" Flurry Heart waved from Spike's arms.

After sending their family and friends off, the young group went back inside the castle and resumed their games.

A few hours passed by and it was beginning to get dark inside. As far as the day had gone, nothing of significance had happened; everything was going along as any other Hearth's Warming Eve would: Apple Bloom was extremely competitive, Sweetie Belle was scheming and conniving, and Scootaloo could not win a board game to save her life.

The kids were sitting down around the table, playing a card game.

"Got any threes, Apple Bloom?" Spike asked.

"Go fish," she said.

"Darn." He drew a card. "Your turn, Flurry."

"Okay." Flurry smiled. "Um, Scoolahoop? Any fouws?"

"Yup." Scootaloo passed Flurry a card. "Here you go, kid."

Suddenly, there was a knock coming from the front door.

Sweetie Belle was the first to respond. "Hey, it sounds like everyone might be back."

"Yeah." Spike stood up from his chair. "That or we have some more Hearth's Warming carolers on our doorstep." He began to walk away. "Wait here. I'll be right back."

Spike walked down the hall towards the front door and soon arrived. With one claw, Spike slightly cracked the door open, just enough to allow only half his face to be seen. "Sorry, but we're all out of figgy pudding. Pinkie Pie ate all of it before she left. No point in singing here for the rest of the night, so you should probably move on to the next house."

"Oh, I'm not here for any delicacy," a single pony replied. "I'm here to take a young princess with me."

"Huh?" Spike opened the door a little more to see a green stallion, one he faintly recognized. "Hey, aren't you Green Lump?"

The pony cackled. "Indeed, I am Green Lump, but, if you wouldn't mind, I prefer being called 'the Grump'."

"Um... okay? Well then, how can I help you, Mr. Grump?"

The Grump then gave Spike an uncomfortable smile. "The small princess that is in there with thee, I wish to take her away with me. Bring to me the small infant, and I'll be out of your way in an instant."

"You mean Flurry?" Spike just raised an eyebrow. "Riiiight... mind me asking why you want to do that?"

"It's because this supposed holiday of joy, I dread. I'd rather ruin it instead. By taking the child away from this hall, I'd be ruining Hearth's Warming for not just her family, but for all, for her missing presence will make everypony in Equestria shed more than just one tear, giving me a most big smile, ear to ear."

"Uh-huh..." Spike tapped his foot. "And let's just say you do take her. What exactly are you planning to do with her?"

"Of her safety, you need not be concerned. She will not be hit, nor tortured, nor burned. After some time, I will even return her to thee. For that, all I'm asking for is a... small fee." The Grump chuckled. "A few bits and jewels for my trouble, and I will return her on the double. Now please, bring the young princess here, okay? Just let me have her, and I'll be on my way."

"Riiiight..." Spike crossed his arms. "Okay, while I give you points for the rhyming and appreciate you being up front with your little plan, I'm gonna have to say 'no' on this one."

The Grump's smile turned into a frown, which Spike thought looked less frightening on him. "I heavily advise that you reconsider, lest you want me to grow very bitter."

"Sorry, pal, but I'm kind of in charge of watching her until her parents come back, which should actually be any minute now, by the way, so I can't really let her out of the castle. She might catch a cold or something out there. Sorry, but that's just the way it's gotta be, buddy." Spike then placed one claw on the door. "So, why don't you go on and see if you can find some figgy pudding or something? There's got to be some left in town, somewhere."

The earth pony glared at the small dragon. "I tried to be merciful because you are but a child. I declared my plan to you upfront so you wouldn't have to suffer anything even remotely mild, but since you refuse to do as I say, I'll have to get the princess another way." The Grump's eyes turned red as he took a stance as if he were about to pounce. "You really think by just denying me and threatening me with her parents' return that all for you will turn out nice and well?! I assure you, young dragon, this night will be HE—"

Spike slammed the door in the Grump's face just as he pounced. "Yeah." Spike dusted off his claws. "I've heard around town you weren't too bright." Spike then leaned the side of his head against the door to try to hear the outside.

"Oh, horse apples, ow! This isn't over, you hear me?! I'll be back!" he heard.

"Sounds about right." Spike then turned around and paused. Hmm. This might be a problem. He hurriedly made his way back to the playroom. "I'm back."

"DAH!" The Crusaders shuffled to put Spike's cards back to their original positions.

"Really?" Spike placed his claws on his hips. "Trying to cheat me in front of Flurry? What kind of role models are you?" He shook his head. "Flurry, why don't you go play with those blocks right over there for a bit? I've got to have a talk with the so-called big kids over their competitive integrity."

"Okay." Flurry grabbed her whammy and flew off to the other side of the room.

Spike then walked up to the game table, staring down the Crusaders.

"We're sorry, Spike." Sweetie Belle was the first to apologize. "We should've known better and try to set a better example for Princess Flur—"

"Forget that!" Spike quickly whispered. "We've got bigger problems!"

"What?" Scootaloo asked. "What do you mean?"

"Shh!" Spike placed a claw on his lips. "Not so loud. We don't want to worry Flurry."

"Um... okay?" Apple Bloom leaned in. "Spike, what's goin' on? Why are you actin' so worried?"

"I'll tell you, but first..." Spike looked over and made sure Flurry was out of earshot. "Okay. Now, I need you three to keep calm and quiet on this one, all right?" He took a deep breath. "There was a guy at the door, a creepy guy. He said he was going to kidnap Flurry!"

The Crusaders gasped.

"Oh, no!" Sweetie Belle shrieked before quickly placing her hooves over her mouth. "That's horrible! Who could do such an awful thing?"

Spike leaned closer to the Crusaders. "It was Green Lump."

"Huh?" the fillies replied with weird looks.

Scootaloo pointed her hoof in an outward direction. "You mean the guy who lives in that mountain just outside of town?"

"The pony who says he hates every holiday on the calendar?" Apple Bloom added. "The same pony who tried to ruin Hearts and Hooves day by mailin' everyone in Ponyville obviously fake secret admirer cards? The same pony who dressed up as Princess Luna and tried to declare Nightmare Night canceled? The same pony that tried to sabotage the Runnin' of the Leaves by tryin' to glue all the leaves to their branches only to get himself stuck in the first tree he climbed up? That Green Lump?"

Spike rolled his eyes. "Yeah, him, though, for the record, he's calling himself 'the Grump', now, for some reason, and I know he's tried to do all of those ridiculous things, but—"

Sweetie Belle interrupted. "Not to mention, among other things, trying to unleash a swarm of moths into Rarity's boutique, sabotage Octavia Melody's recital by trying to drop her through a trapdoor, and scratch all of DJ Pon-3 records just before one of her gigs, all of which ended in failure and him being chased and/or mauled out of town?"

"Yeah, yeah. I know." Spike shook his head. "He isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. I get that, but, guys, he still sounded serious, and I don't want to risk Flurry's safety, so can we please, for the first time in that pony's history, take him seriously?"

The Cutie Mark Crusaders paused after hearing Spike's pleas. After giving each other a few looks, Apple Bloom was the first to respond.

"Well," Apple Bloom said while tapping her chin. "Ah suppose we should take his threats of kidnappin' the princess more seriously than him tryin' to replace the apples at Sweet Apple Acres with tomatoes. The best thing to probably do is to send Twilight and Princess Cadance a message about Green Lu—er, the Grump."

"Yeah, about that..." Spike covered his face with his claw. "I don't really have a way to do that right now. Twilight and I used up all the quills and scrolls today sending holiday cards to everypony we know in Equestria and beyond, and I haven't gotten around to restocking them yet."

"Spike!" Apple Bloom lightly scolded. "How could ya not restock on quills and scrolls? You're Twilight's assistant. You should know quills and scrolls kinda go in Twilight's territory!"

"Hey, Twilight gave me the rest of the day off, and I didn't want to spend half of my holiday waiting in line at Quills and Sofas! And how was I supposed to know some creep was going to try to take Flurry away? I didn't even know Twilight was going to be leaving, tonight! Besides, do you have any idea what it feels to magically breathe away as many scrolls and gift certificates as I did this morning? Trust me." Spike nauseously rubbed his stomach. "You don't want to know. Going out and seeing another scroll was the last thing I wanted to do today."

"Hmph!" Apple Bloom shook her head. "Darn it. Well, Ah guess it can't be helped, so what do we do, then?"

"What if a couple of us ran out and tried to get help?" Scootaloo suggested. "I'm pretty sure I can outrun that creep."

"No, I don't think so." Spike waved her off. "There's a lot of snow and ice outside, and it doesn't look like the weather is going to let up anytime soon. I'm not really sure how safe it would be if any of us went out there, especially running at full speed. Plus, imagine if you go out and he catches you. That could make things even worse."

"Hmm." Scootaloo looked down for a moment. "Well, I guess you have a point there, but we've got to do something."

"And we will." Spike looked over to see the young alicorn playing blocks. "There's no way I'm letting that creep anywhere near Flurry."

"Maybe, first, we should tell Princess Flurry Heart what's going on," Sweetie Belle said. "That way she knows to be careful."

"No. Absolutely not," Spike retorted. "If we tell Flurry what's going on, she could freak out, and when she freaks out, it's nothing but chaos. If we're going to make it through this, we're all gonna have to stay calm and keep our heads level." Spike looked over at saw Flurry innocently playing with her toys. "Besides, this is Hearth's Warming, and I don't want to take that away from her."

Sweetie Belle nodded. "I guess you're right. So then, what do we do?"

"Well, since we can't call Twilight or run for help, we'll do the one thing we can." Spike stared back at Sweetie Belle. "We'll prepare."
> Home Alone
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spike and the Crusaders sat at their game table, playing another board game with Flurry Heart, anxiously waiting for the Grump to reappear and try to make good on his word.

After Spike had informed his friends of the Grump's threat, they quickly thought up a few plans and hurried to gather whatever supplies they could get a hold of, never leaving Flurry Heart out of hoof's reach while doing so. They had no idea how much time they really had; they could only prepare themselves to the best of their unique capabilities and hope for the best or, better yet, be greeted by the return of Twilight and the others.

Time passed and their projects ended up finished with no sign of Twilight anywhere nearby. There was also no sign of the Grump, but they all knew he was out there, somewhere, plotting. With no way to contact the adults and the weather looking harsh outside, all Spike and the Crusaders could do was wait, keep Flurry occupied, and keep her safe.

"Congratulations, Princess Flurry Heart!" Sweetie Belle cheered as Flurry moved her piece. "You landed on Princess Lollipop's castle! You win!"

"Yay!" Flurry happily clapped her hooves.

"Haha." Spike smiled. At least she's having fun. He then turned his attention to a nearby window and immediately dropped his smile. "Hey, Sweetie Belle?" he said without facing the unicorn.

"Hmm?"

"It's getting kinda chilly in here. Why don't you take Flurry to the fireplace and make sure she stays warm?"

"What? Why? It doesn't feel that co—" Spike gave Sweetie a serious nod. " Oh... I mean, sure! Pretty chilly in here! Come on, Princess Flurry Heart." She picked up the toddler. "Let's get you warmed up. We don't want you catching a cold, now."

"Okay. Can I have mowe coco, Sweetie Belle?" Flurry asked.

"Of course, with all the marshmallows you want." Sweetie Belle carried Flurry away. "Good luck."

"Thanks, Sweetie Belle," Spike acknowledged before looking back at Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. "Let's go."

Spike led the two Crusaders to the window, opening it, letting some of the chilly air in.

"I'll say this again!" Spike yelled out. "Leave her alone!"

"I must give you props for noticing me in the cold!" the Grump called back. "And for yelling at me something so bold. You certainly are a brave little dragon, and that's surely something to take home, bragging. That said, I will not give up my endeavor, and I will not be leaving the castle alone, whatsoever. To YOU, I will repeat these words of mine, and I certainly hope you hear them this time: give to me the little horse, or I shall take her from you by force. Choose your answer carefully, if I may say, for the wrong response may put you in harm's way."

Scootaloo leaned over to Spike. "Does he always talk like that?"

"For as long as I've known him." Spike then returned his attention to the Grump. "Forget it! She's staying with us!"

The Grump shook his head. "Very well. I was hoping I had made myself clear, but it seems my warning has fallen on a deaf ear. Those words you spoke will haunt you forevermore, for with them, you've just declared war."

"Duly noted." Spike slammed the window shut.

Apple Bloom raised her eyebrow. "Well, he certainly is a character."

"I know, but we still need to take his threats seriously."

"Of course." Apple Bloom nodded. "So, then, what should we do?"

"Hmm." Spike tapped his foot. "Well, I did catch a small glimpse of what he had out there, so we better prepare for some speed. Scootaloo?" The pegasus stood up straight. "Why don't we try your sled idea?"

Scootaloo gave him a salute. "With pleasure, sir!"





"Dear. Oh, dear. Oh, dear." The Grump shook his head. "I tried my best to talk to reason, but it seems he wants a difficult holiday season. I offered him a very fair chance, but he tossed it aside without a second glance. Alas, I am not to blame for what happens next for I honestly told him what he should expect. He may think he can stop me from reaching my objective, but he'll soon find that nothing he does will be effective. I will reach my desired result,' he said while looking at his contraption. "With the help of my trusty catapult!"

The Grump then climbed into the catapult's bucket, holding the lever in one hoof. "Very soon, he will feel my ire." He aimed himself at the castle. "3-2-1 FIRE!"





Spike looked out from the balcony of the second floor with binoculars, spying on the Grump. "This is Flame Breath to Orchard Tree and Spin Wheel. Come in, Orchard Tree and Spin Wheel. Over," he spoke into his walkie-talkie.

"This is Orchard Tree. Ah'm here with Spin Wheel. We hear you loud and clear, Flame Breath. What is your report? Over."

"INCOMING! BRACE YOURSELVES!"

"HAHAHAHA!" the Grump laughed maniacally as he flew through the air.

"The enemy has gone airborne! Impact imminent! I repeat: IMPACT IMMINENT!" Spike declared as he stared the Grump directly in the eye.

The Grump cackled. "I TOLD YOU THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN! PREPARE YOURSELF, YOUNG DRAGON!"

Spike scowled. "Prepare for impact in FIVE-FOUR-THREE-TWO-"

The Grump grinned with searing red eyes.

"ONE!"

"HAHA-oomph!" The Grump crashed into the castle's wall with an unceremonious 'smack'. "Ouch..."

Spike watched as the Grump slowly peeled off the wall and fell to the ground.

Spike shrugged. "Negative impact. I repeat: that was a negative impact. Over."

"He hit the wall, didn't he?"

"Correct."

"Slammed himself right into a Hearth's Warming wreath, Ah'm willin' to bet."

"Affirmative." Spike nodded. "With glass ornaments, plastic snowflakes, and everything in between."

"Ouch."

"Yup. That's what he said. That aside, how are Blizzard Crystal and Singing Chime? Are they safe? Over."

"They are still secure. Blizzard Crystal does not suspect a thing. Over."

Spike wiped his forehead. "That's a relief."

"What about Green Lump?"

"Uh." Spike looked down. "He's scurrying around the ground. Looks like he's still hurting... now, he's running back up to his catapult... and looks like he's gonna give it another go."

"Really? After that first attempt?"

"Hey, it's Green Lump we're talking, here."

"Fair enough."

"Spin Wheel, he's going to try to enter the castle, again. Have your sled ready, okay? Do you copy? Over."

"Loud and clear! But, seriously, can we drop the code names and, for that matter, the jargon? You two are getting way too into it."

"Request denied." Spike then looked back at the distance. "And incoming!"

The Grump soared through the sky, once again, launching himself directly at Spike. "My trajectory has been corrected! This time, you will be bested!"

"Hmph. Is that so?" Spike crossed his arms and smirked. "Please stay seated and keep your legs and hooves inside the ride at all times. Thank you for joining us, tonight. Enjoy your ride." He sidestepped out of the way.

"Huh?"

The Grump passed by Spike and landed on the slippery floor. "Whoa!"

"I better keep an eye on him." Spike flapped his wings and followed.

The Grump slid uncontrollably on the floor toward the room's exit. He repeatedly tried to regain his balance but just could not seem to get a grip on the ground. Once he passed the door, he tripped over some wire and landed face first on a sled with an orange filly standing right beside him.

"Please don't scratch it. I don't feel like buffing out another one tonight." Scootaloo smirked before pushing the sled down the stairs. "Goodbye."

With that last quip, the Grump was sent down the Castle of Friendship's staircase. The sled shook violently like an earthquake as it descended, making the Grump move like a high-paced bobblehead. The shaky ride continued until the sled reached the end of the stairs, where a homemade ramp made it swerve down into the center of the castle, speeding it toward another ramp that made it and the Grump fly high, right towards the castle's front door.

Apple Bloom held the door open, smiling as the Grump soared toward it. Then, just before he could cross it, Apple Bloom slammed it shut.

"Guh!" the Grump yelped as his face slammed into a wall.

"Pardon me," Apple Bloom remarked as the Grump fell to the ground. "But Ah couldn't help but notice that you were about to fly off my friend's sled, and Ah simply couldn't let that happen. Ah hope you understand."

The Grump wobbled to his feet. "I understand just fine," he slurred as he handed the sled to Apple Bloom. "The sled is not mine."

"Really? Thank you so much." Apple Bloom then opened the door and led him out. "Have a safe trip home, don't talk to strangers, and feel free to not come back."

"Okay." The Grump burped as he limped out the door. "I appreciate your consideration regarding my current situation, but don't think that this is checkmate. I just need a minute to get my head straight."

"Hmm." Apple Bloom rubbed her chin. "Is that so? Well, if that's the case, whatever happens next will be all on you." She slammed the door on his bottom.

"Ow!"

"Did you catch that, Spike?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Unfortunately." Spike flew down to the Apple with Scootaloo trailing.

"What happened?" Sweetie Belle appeared holding Flurry Heart. "Is he gone?"

"Who?" Flurry asked.

"Oh! Uh, someone," Sweetie Belle replied. "Um, the big kids have to talk, again, Princess Flurry Heart. Go play with your toys somewhere else, but don't you dare leave this room. Do you hear me, little lady?"

"Uh-huh." Flurry flew away. "I be wight der."

"Good girl." Sweetie Belle placed a hoof over her heart. "She's such a little angel. But back on topic, what happened?"

Spike spoke. "We went with Scootaloo's sled plan. It drove him off for the time being, but he said he'll still come back later."

"Really? After that?" Scootaloo shook her head. "Ugh. I knew I should've greased the floor some more. That extra speed would've surely knocked some sense into him."

"You did your best. That guy is just really stubborn and surprisingly durable," Spike assured his friend. "But now it looks like we better be a little more prepared. I doubt he'll try the same thing twice. Keep the sled and ramps ready, but let's mobilize Plan B, too. Apple Bloom." The young Apple straightened up. "Please, get your plan ready."

Apple Bloom nodded. "You can count on me."





The Grump kept his head low, quietly sneaking along the castle walls. "They think with that sled and door design, my quest is done? Well, they will soon come to realize that the nightmare has only begun. It will take more than one failed attempt to make me go away. Oh yes, I'm only just now beginning to play. I'll admit, I may have been a bit too direct in my first approach, but, this time, I'll be moving as discreetly as a roach. Those kids definitely carry some inner fight, so I'll just maneuver around them without having to bite. I'll simply sneak into the castle without giving away my location and not make a single peep once I finish this narration."

To the quietest of his abilities, the Grump slowly creaked open one of the castle's windows.





Spike walked to the center to the castle, holding Flurry in his arms, looking around the castle for anything suspicious. Each of the Crusaders soon arrived, as well, gathering around Spike.

"Any sign of him?" Spike asked.

"Nothing on the north side of the castle," Scootaloo answered.

Apple Bloom shrugged. "Same for the south."

"I didn't see anything, either." Sweetie Belle shook her head.

"Hmm." Spike held Flurry closer to him. "We didn't catch anything, either. We thought we saw something getting too close to the castle, but it was just a Hearth's Warming wreath that got caught in the wind, and I'm afraid it might've taken too much of our attention." Spike felt a bead of sweat descend from his head. "I know he's still out there, somewhere."

"Hey, don't talk like that." Apple Bloom placed a hoof on Spike's shoulder. "There's nothin' to worry about. We've got it all under control. Ah've set my traps all over the castle. The minute he steps hoof in the here, he'll be tied up like he was the centerpiece of a rodeo."

The sound of a loud snap came from a room. "DAH!"

"See? What Ah tell ya?"

Having heard the alarm, the kids ran toward the source of the jingling bells. They followed the sound to a nearby room on the first floor. Once they entered, they were greeted to the sight the Grump tied to a Hearth's Warming tree by ropes of tiny lights.

The Grump struggled. "Grr! I was sneaking around in the dark and then this happened! Just what in Equestria is this infernal contraption?"

Apple Bloom smirked. "Just one of the little spring traps Ah set up for ya. You'd be amazed at just how many Hearth's Warmin' lights Princess Twilight keeps around here."

Flurry Heart looked at Spike. "Who dat?"

Er! Spike flinched. Oops. "Uh... a guy testing out the projects we made earlier to see if they work."

"Oh."

The Grump kept pulling. "Grr! What's this?! Try as I might, I just can't seem to break myself free from these cords of light!"

"Ah would think not. Ah made sure the knots are very reinforced. You won't be goin' anywhere anytime soon, and just wait until Princess Twilight and her friends get back."

The Grump then paused and stared at the kids before giving them a smile, one that appalled all of them.

"Young Apple, don't think that you can best me so easily and that I'll just stand here waiting for the princess so leisurely. True, I don't appear to have the strength necessary to break through these  bright lines, but that doesn't mean I can't cut through them by using these teeth of mine!" He then started to repeatedly gnaw on the lights.

"What?!" Apple Bloom jumped. "No, don't!"

"Your words can't stop me! My teeth are tougher! I'll soon break free, and then you will all suffer!"

"No, it's not that!" Apple Bloom replied. "Those lights are plugged in! If you bite through them, you're gonna—"

The Grump was suddenly engulfed in a blue aura. "GUH-GUH-GUH-GUH-GUH-GUH-GUH-GUH-GUH!"

Along with the electrified earth pony, the tree also began to shine brightly in a menagerie of green, red, and white lights. They flickered on and off in a very brilliant display of Hearth's Warming. With the Grump and tree combination, the entire room was lit up in bright colors as if it was the night sky of Las Pegasus.

"Oooh." Flurry stared. "Pwetty."

"GUH-GUH-GUH-OH-HO-HO-HO-MAKE IT STOP!" The Grump continued to get shocked as his radiant display grew brighter. Then, in a flash, the Grump shot out of the window like a lightning bolt. "DAH!"

The kids ran to the window and saw a trail of melted snow that went on for quite a bit.

"Ow..." they heard in the distance. "That was a mistake... to that, the blame I'll take... but I'm not done, yet... just you wait... very soon... it will be checkmate... ow."

Spike shook his head. "That guy has got as much stubbornness as he does stamina."

"Shoot." Apple Bloom kicked the ground. "He actually got out. Ah thought for sure we had him. Well, Ah suppose Ah better strengthen the rest of them."

"Yeah." Spike nodded. "Assuming he falls for another one, but, to be safe, maybe we should take a more direct approach and prepare Plan C, too."

"Uh-huh!" Flurry cheered. "Pwan C!"

"Thank you, Flurry." Spike patted the little pony's head. "Okay, Sweetie Belle, looks like you're up."

Sweetie Belle smiled. "I'll do my best."





"I must admit, this endeavor is becoming quite risky." The Grump coughed out some smoke. "I've even been left a little extra crispy. But even if I am now a little more tender, I still will not yet surrender. Tonight, I will be the one to end up on top, and there is nothing they can do to get me to stop. For them, I do not think I can say the same. They are sure to have a breaking point in this game. I am undoubtedly the most clever pony in town. There is absolutely no way they can bring me down. Sure, my plans tonight have come with a few unforeseen developments, but let's see them handle the unrivaled power of the elements!"

The Grump laughed maniacally as he turned on all of his giant fans.





"What's he doing now?" Scootaloo stared at all the contraptions from a window.

Spike scratched his head. "Um... blowing cold wind at us?"

"This is just getting sad." Apple Bloom face-hoofed herself. "He knows that one of us literally breathes fire, right? What does he think that's gonna do? Freeze us all like popsicles?"

Flurry Heart shivered against Sweetie Belle's chest. "Brrr."

"There, there. Here's your blankie, little one." Sweetie Belle wrapped Flurry like a burrito. "Don't you worry about a thing, Princess Flurry Heart. I'll go take care of this right now." Sweetie Belle passed the little alicorn to Apple Bloom before galloping off.

Spike watched as Sweetie Belle climbed up the stairs. Let's hope she pulls it off. He then returned his attention to the window, watching the Grump and waiting for his friend. About a minute later, Sweetie Belle appeared from one of the second floor balconies.

"Um, excuse me?" Sweetie Belle called out. "Mr. Grump?"

"Huh?" The Grump noticed Sweetie Belle. "Ah, it's the young unicorn. Have you come to wither in my snowstorm?"

"Actually, I've come to talk to you about that; you see, your fans are making the castle a little chilly, and Princess Flurry Heart really needs to take her nap, soon. Could you please stop your fans and leave us alone for the rest of the night? We'd really appreciate it."

The Grump chuckled. "While I admire your attempt at negotiating, I'm afraid I'm in no mood for political debating. I am here to take Hearth's Warming from all of you, and there is absolutely nothing you can do. You best give me the baby alicorn while I'm still feeling charitable, lest you want me to become very irritable."

Sweetie Belle breathed out. "Very well. It's your choice." Her horn glowed.

Very soon, a giant, decorated silver bell covered in a green aura appeared from the castle.

The enormous object slowly drifted across the night sky until it floated right over the Grump's head.

"Uh..." The Grump stared at it, wide-eyed. "W-what is that?"

Sweetie Belle smiled. "The Shining Hearth's Warming Bell of Discipline! Santa Hooves brings the coal, I bring the authority! Here you go!" Her horn stopped glowing.

The bell dropped to the ground with an audible crunch.

"Oooh," Spike and Scootaloo both scrunched while Apple Bloom covered Flurry's eyes.

"Ah, geez." Spike poked his head out the window. "Hey, Sweetie Belle, you weren't supposed to pulverize the guy!"

"Relax." Sweetie Belle waved him off. "I just trapped him. It's a hollow bell. Well, except for the clapper, that is. He's fine."

"Thank Celestia!" a voice said from inside the bell. "And I heard every word! Now, I will use the tongue of this over-sized chime to break through, and I'll be as free as a bird!"

"Uh." Sweetie Belle shrunk back. "I wouldn't do that! That's a working bell! One swing of the clapper, and it will—"

The Shining Hearth's Warming Bell of Discipline rung with a powerful tone that would put an orchestra of gongs to shame. The resonance shook the snow, castle, Spike, and all his friends to the point where they could barely stand up. If earthquakes had feelings, they would be proud.

After struggling back to his feet, Spike looked back out the window to see that the ginormous bell had fallen to its side, and, from it, wobbled out a very shaken Grump.

The pony repeatedly tripped over himself as he approached his big fans. As soon as he reached them, he yanked off their power and turned to Spike. 

"Don't think you can now just peacefully go to sleep," he yelled. "I will return later to steal my keep."

Spike face-clawed himself. "Seriously? After that? Don't you think you've—"

"Don't bother trying to heard me away like some sheep!" the Grump interrupted. "Not just because it wouldn't deter me in the least, but also because I cannot currently hear one, tiny peep!" He scurried off into the distance.

Spike shook his head. "Something is not quite right with that guy." He turned around to see all his friends back up on their feet and that Sweetie Belle had returned. "Guess what? He says he's still coming back."

"Don't worry, Spike," Sweetie Belle replied. "That was just round one. I'll just go get my bell and—"

"No!" Spike and the other two Crusaders interjected.

"Sorry, Sweetie Belle." Spike walked up to the unicorn. "But I think it's best if we retire the Shining Hearth's Warming Bell of Discipline for the rest of the night."

"Maybe longer," Scootaloo added.

"But why? With a few adjustments, I'm sure it can stop him."

"We know that but..." Spike rubbed his head. "I mean, look what it did to Flurry."

Sweetie Belle looked over to see Flurry in Apple Bloom's arms, holding her little tummy and looking nauseous.

"Oh." Sweetie Belle returned her attention to Spike. "Okay, I guess we can forget about my bell for a bit. But then what do we do? He said he's coming back."

"Just keep putting up our other traps and fend him off. Twilight and everyone can't be gone for that much longer. Besides, did you see his last plan? The guy literally just turned on a few fans on us. What could he possibly do next?"





"The pain of that bell was absolutely searing," the Grump narrated as he climbed the castle walls. "Thank goodness I've regained my sense of hearing." He reached the roof. "But return to business I must do now. I have yet to have taken my final bow. Being direct, discreet, and elemental bore no results in my previous tries, but for this plan, I have great confidence in the art of disguise. Nothing will stop me on this Hearth's Warming Eve. Its absolute ruin I will achieve! Even if that little dragon has proven himself to be a good competitor." He looked at the chimney. "Not even he would think to harm such a beloved holiday character."

He slowly began to climb down the chimney.





Flurry Heart yawned and began to lean over the table.

"Aw." Sweetie Belle levitated the little alicorn into her arms. "Are you feeling sleepy, Princess Flurry Heart?"

"Nuh-uh." Flurry shook her head before yawning again.

Apple Bloom slid beside Spike. "Ah finished checking all my of nets. Ah didn't see him in any of the rooms."

"Ditto with the land." Scootaloo hopped in. "I checked all the windows. Nothing but snow. None of my scooter traps were set off either."

"Hmm." Spike crossed his arms. "It sounds too good to be true. If that pony is anything, it's determined."

"That's one way of puttin' it, Ah guess." Apple Bloom looked at Spike. "What do you think he's up to, now?"

Spike tapped his claws on the table. "I don't know. You can never really know with that guy. Explosives? Giant slingshot? Trapeze? Your guess is as good as mine."

Scootaloo placed a hoof on Spike's shoulder. "You okay, dude?"

"I'm fine. I just..." Spike looked over and watched Sweetie Belle gently rock Flurry. "I don't know. I just have this strange feeling like something bad is about to happen, and I just want this to be over with already." He stood up. "I think I'm gonna go take another sweep around the castle again and maybe set up some snow globe bombs and—"

"Ho-ho-ho!"

Everyone's heads shot up.

"Huh?" Spike looked around. "Hey... did you guys hear something?"

"Ho-ho-ho! Happy Hearth's Warming! Ho, Dasher! Ho, Prancer!"

Spike raised his eyebrow. "That's his voice."

"Yeah." Apple Bloom stood up. "And Ah think it's comin' from the livin' room."

Scootaloo ran to the living room's doorway. "Yeah, from the chimney!"

"So..." Sweetie Belle started. "Is he really trying to pass off as...?"

"A happy Hearth's Warming to all! Ho-ho-ho!"

Flurry's eyes sparkled. "Santa Hooves?"
> Flurry's Gift
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Flurry Heart excitedly broke out of Sweetie Belle's arms. "Santa Hooves! Santa Hooves!" She cheered before flying off.

"No!" Sweetie Belle tried to reach for the toddler.

"Flurry, wait!" Spike flapped his wings and gave chase. "Flurry!"

"Ho-ho-ho! A merry Hearth's Warming!"

"I'm coming, Santa Hooves!" Flurry happily declared.

"No!" Spike flapped his wings harder. "Flurry! Don't!"

Flurry flew into the living room past Scootaloo and was heading straight for the chimney.

"Ho-ho-ho! I've come bearing gifts for all the good little fillies and colts!"

Flurry flew even faster. She maneuvered around any tree, table, or decoration that stood in her path, hardly slowing down at all. Just as she was about to fly into the chimney, Spike was finally able to catch up and grab hold of the small alicorn.

"Eh! Eh!" Flurry struggled to get out of Spike's grip.

"Flurry, stop!" Spike tried his hardest to keep hold of Flurry. She struggled, but he would not let go. Even when she tried to teleport away, he quickly grabbed hold of her again just as she reappeared, but she was determined. "Flurry! I said stop!"

Flurry kept flapping her wings. "But—"

"Stop it!" Spike yelled into Flurry's face. "STOP IT! RIGHT NOW!"

Flurry froze. "But... but Santa Hooves—"

"No!" Spike angrily retorted. "You will NOT go up there!"

"Huh?" Flurry shrank. "But why?"

"Because it's not what it looks like! It's not what you think! Santa Hooves, him flying all around the world, giving presents to kids, it's all bogus! Flurry, Santa Hooves is NOT—"

Just before Spike could say the next word, he noticed just how shaken Flurry had become under his tight grip, how she shivered when he spoke to her. He had scared her, and she looked like she was just about to cry.

"Um..." He paused. "I-I mean... Flurry, you're doing it all wrong. You were about to make a huge mistake."

Flurry cracked her eyes a little more open. "Huh?"

"You're not supposed to chase Santa Hooves on Hearth's Warming; you're supposed to be asleep when he's in the house. He only gives presents when kids are sleeping, remember?"

Flurry's eyes widened. "Oooh." The fear she exhibited moments earlier seemed to have suddenly vanished as she happily nodded. "Uh-huh!"

"Right!" Spike ecstatically shook his head. "He's almost here, so you better get to sleep or he won't give you a present! You want him to give you a present, don't you?"

"Yeah!"

"Then hurry! Get to sleep!"

"Okay!" Flurry flew out of Spike's claws and quickly made her way to her nearby baby carriage. She laid herself down, covered herself with her blankie, and snuggled her whammy. She made a few exaggerated snoring sounds, trying her best to appear sleeping while poking open an eye every few seconds to look back at the chimney.

Spike wiped some sweat off his forehead. "Thank Celestia."

"Spike!" The Crusaders finally caught up.

"We heard everything." Sweetie Belle breathed out. "Thank goodness you stopped her."

Scootaloo worriedly looked at her friends. "But what about Green Lump?! He's still coming!"

"Ho-ho-ho! What a wonderful time of year!"

"Oh." Spike scowled. "Don't worry. I haven't forgotten about him." He began to walk toward the chimney. "You three stay here and keep an eye on Flurry. I'll take care of him." He clenched his fist. "I'm going to make sure he doesn't bother us again."





"Ho-ho-ho!" the Grump continued to slowly descend in the chimney. "I give presents to all, so to all a good—"

"Do you have any idea what you almost made me say to her?"

The Grump stopped when he heard that and took notice of the increasing temperature in the chimney. He looked down and saw Spike hovering just under him. Smoke flared from his nostrils and his eyes did not look happy.

"Um." The Grump thought quickly. "Hello there, young dragon! I come bearing presents for—"

"Shut up!" Spike interrupted. "And listen. This is how the rest of the night is going to play out: you're going to get out of this chimney, stay off our property, and leave Flurry alone. Got it?"

The heat began to make the Grump sweat. "B-but—"

"No." Spike scowled. "No buts, no ands, no ifs, and no whats. You're leaving. You're not going to bother us, again, and if you even think about it..." Spike took a deep breath and the chimney felt a lot warmer. "I won't hold back next time."

The Grump's keister suddenly felt very toasty.

"AHHH!"





"AHHH!"

Spike watched as the Grump flew up the chimney like a firework set off during the Summer Sun Celebration.

"Hmph!" He descended to the ground.

Once he made it back down, he walked out of the chimney and the Cutie Mark Crusaders all ran up to him.

"What happened?" Apple Bloom asked. "We saw somethin' flyin' out the window. Did you light a bottle rocket on him?"

"No." Spike dusted his claws. "I just persuaded him to not come back the old-fashioned dragon way."

Scootaloo gasped. "Dude!"

"Don't worry. It was just my mild breath. A warning flame, if you will. He'll be fine. Now, then." He walked passed the Crusaders. "Where's Flurry?"

Spike walked across the living room to the baby carriage. He found Flurry still pretending to sleep, snoring exaggeratedly loud. I guess she did inherit something from her aunt.

Flurry soon poked her eye open and saw Spike. "Is he gone?" she whispered.

"Yup." Spike patted Flurry's head. "Good job, Flurry. He didn't suspect a thing."

Flurry sat up. "Yay!"

"Haha." Thank goodness. It's all over now.

"So where is my pwesent?"

"Huh?"

"My pwesent," Flurry repeated. "Fwom Santa Hooves."

"Oh..." Spike's eye shot open. "Oh! Uh... It's, uh..."

"What's wong?" Flurry gasped. "Did he not bwing one fow me?! B-but... b-but..." She began to choke up. "But why? Was I a bad pony?"

"What? No, no! That's not it."

Flurry Heart choked up some more. She then covered her eyes with her tiny hooves and began to cry.

"Stop." Spike placed a claw on her head and softly smiled. "It's okay. That's not it, at all. You've been a very good pony, and of course Santa Hooves brought you a present. He just left it in the other room under the tree. Silly old me just forgot it there."

Flurry looked up with big eyes. "Weally?"

"Uh-huh." Spike nodded. "Wait right here. I'll go get it for you."

Spike walked away from the baby carriage. The moment he turned away from Flurry, his smile disappeared. Hmm... I guess I have to. For her. He began to walk.

As he carried on, the Crusaders caught up to him.

"What are we going to do?" Sweetie Belle asked. "We need to find her a present!"

"She does have a present," he answered without facing her. "From Santa Hooves, and I'm going to go get it for her."

Sweetie Belle looked back and forth. "What do you mean? What present?"

Spike did not answer Sweetie Belle's second question. Instead, he kept walking toward the next room with the Crusaders following close behind. Once inside, Spike led the Crusaders to the Hearth's Warming tree and picked up one of its presents.

"Here it is." He solemnly looked at it.

Apple Bloom gasped. "But, Spike, that's the present you were goin' to give Princess Flurry Heart!"

"I know." Spike took a deep breath. "But she's expecting a present from Santa Hooves, so... ya know."

"Well, you don't have to do that!" Scootaloo said. "Can't you give her somepony else's present? Like Twilight's or her parents'? There's gotta be another one in here for her, somewhere!"

Spike slowly shook his head. "No way. Absolutely not. I'm not going to rob them of their chances to make Flurry happy, especially when this, all of this, happened while she was under my care. It's my responsibility to make sure she's safe and happy, and that's exactly what I'm going to do. Besides..." Spike gave his friends a small smile. "Santa Hooves is supposed to give good fillies what they want for Hearth's Warming, right?"

"But, Spike," Sweetie Belle said as she slowly trotted up. "That's your present. You want to give it to her. You've been waiting to do that all day."

"And I am." He looked back at the present. "Just... a little differently than I had expected."

Spike stared at the small gift for a moment. He remembered when he had first seen it and how it made him think of Flurry. He thought he found the perfect gift for her and how happy she would be when she opened it.

He read the label in the center.




To: Flurry Heart
From: Spike




With a deep breath, he peeled off the sticker.

"Spike—"

"Let's go."

Spike led the Crusaders back to the room where Flurry was waiting. He walked up to the baby carriage, present in claw. Flurry happily clapped her hooves as she watched Spike approach her with the small, colorful box.

"Here you go." Spike placed it in front of Flurry. "Compliments of Santa Hooves for being such a good filly this year." He winked.

Flurry eagerly ripped into the present, tearing off shreds of wrapping paper with no concern of making a mess. She tore through it until she finally reached the box hiding underneath. Flurry quickly lifted the top off, and her eyes widened.

She gasped as she reached in. "Wady Buggy!" She lifted up a cute, stuffed ladybug teddy into the air. "THANK YOU, SANTA HOOVES!"

She snuggled the ladybug and flew it around the air before reaching over to her Whammy.

"Hewo, Whammy!"

"Hewo, Wady!"

Spike laughed at Flurry's delight. "Go on, have some fun! Play with your present!"

"Okay!" Flurry happily flew off with her new toy.

The Crusaders stepped closer to Spike.

"A ladybug?" Scootaloo asked.

Spike shrugged. "It's from the same series as her Whammy. I think they're supposed to be best friends or something like that. Lady Buggies are actually pretty rare. I just so happened to come across one when I went to that convention the other day. It cost me a couple of gems." Spike watched Flurry happily play. "But just look at her."

Sweetie Belle placed a hoof on Spike's shoulder. "You've made her very happy, Spike." She softly smiled.

"Yeah." Spike tried to smile back. "I guess I did."

"You've been good to her," Scootaloo said. "You've been really good to her tonight."

"And, hey," Apple Bloom spoke, placing her hoof on Spike's other shoulder. "She'll know what you did for her, someday. One day, when she's older... she'll understand what you did."

"Hehe..." Spike attempted to chuckle. "I guess. I just... I just wanted to let her know I care."

"Ah'm sure she does know, Spike." Apple Bloom lifted his chin. "Anypony could see that."

There was a knock on the door.

"We're back!"

Twilight and the others appeared to them a few moments later. "We're back, everypony! You will not believe the night we've had. How has your night been?"

Spike and the Crusaders stared back at the adults.

"WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG?!"





Spike and the Cutie Mark Crusaders explained everything to the adults when they got back. While they were slightly frightened by what had happened (they really mellowed out when they heard it was Green Lump), they were grateful and thanked Spike and his friends for handling the situation.

Midnight passed and Hearth's Warming had arrived. Everyone exchanged and opened presents and celebrated the holiday the way it should be. Smiles and laughs filled the castle halls as if nothing had happened.

Most of the attention was given to Flurry, who easily received more presents than anyone else. She thanked everypony and enjoyed all of her gifts, but none seemed to make her happier than her new Lady Buggy, and seeing that actually brought a smile back on Spike's face.

As long as she's happy.

Seeing how busy Flurry was with all the attention, Spike and the Crusaders decided to move on and play another game to pass the time.

"Yes!" Scootaloo cheered. "Yes! Finally! Thank you!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Spike handed his play money to Scootaloo. "Don't go celebrating just yet. This game is far from over."

Scootaloo smirked. "The tables have turned, dragon. Your time is up. My time is now! I'd like to see you try to make a comeback!"

"Hmph!" Spike stared at the board game. She might be right. With a night like tonight, I might've used up all my luck, already.

As he was studying the board and trying to find a way to salvage his situation, Spike felt a tiny poke on his side.

"Hmm?" Spike turned around and saw Flurry with her parents. "Oh, hey, guys. What's up?"

Cadance smiled. "Oh, nothing, Spike. Flurry just wanted to see you for a second."

"Really?" Spike looked back at the small alicorn. "What is it, Flurry?"

Flurry smiled and held up a colorful card. "Ta-da!"

"Huh?" Spike stared at it. "What's that?"

"It's your present!" Cadance answered. "Flurry Heart made it all by herself. She's been waiting to give it to you all day."

"Uh-huh!" Flurry happily nodded.

Spike's eyes widened. "R-really?" He looked at it before slowly taking it.

He opened the card and saw a simple drawing of a purple dragon and a small, pink alicorn together with a crystal heart surrounding them on the first page. The second page had a message.




To mi faverit unkle, Spike,
Luv, Flurry 




Spike stared at the card. "... you made this for me?"

Flurry smiled. "Uh-huh! Happy Hearf's Warming, Uncle Spike!" She flew up and gave him a hug. "I wuv you!" *Muah.*

Spike was left momentarily stunned in Flurry's embrace but soon softly returned the hug. "... th-thank you, Flurry. Happy Hearth's Warming. I love you, too."

Flurry let go of Spike, gave him one last smile, and hovered over to her mother.

"Come on, Flurry," Cadance said. "Let's go give Auntie Twily her present."

"Okay. Bye-bye, Uncle!"

They left.

Spike watched as the royal family trotted off until he heard some snickering behind him.

"Aw." He heard Sweetie Belle hum. "Someone loves his niece."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Spike turned around to face the Crusaders. "Laugh it up."

"Ain't that sweet?" Apple Bloom chuckled.

"Whatever." Spike shrugged.

Apple Bloom continued. "Guess you didn't need your gift after all."

Spike pointed at the dice. "Can we just get back to the game, already?"

"Hmm." Apple Bloom playfully tapped her chin. "No, not just yet."

Spike rolled his eyes. "And why is that? You want to keep making fun of me?"

"No." Sweetie Belle shook her head. "Well, actually, maybe a little, but it's just..." Sweetie Belle looked at her friends and giggled. "We think you deserve a little something for everything you did, tonight. Right, girls?"

Scootaloo and Apple Bloom nodded. "Right!"

"Huh?" Spike looked at his friends. "What do you mean? Like what?"

Without any warning, the Cutie Mark Crusaders hopped off their seats and surrounded Spike, grinning and fluttering their eyes at him.

"Hey!" Spike nervously said. "W-what's going on?!"

Scootaloo smirked. "Happy Hearth's Warming, big guy."

"What are you—" Spike suddenly noticed something move above him. He looked up and saw some mistletoe covered in green aura floating above his head. "Huh?!"

All three Crusaders leaned in. *Muah.*

Spike felt his face turn crimson while the Crusaders giggled their way back to their seats, blushes covering their cheeks.

Apple Bloom then slid the dice over to Spike. "Now, we can start playin' again."

Spike sheepishly smiled. "R-right."
> Grumpy Epilogue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Half the morning had passed since the Grump was launched from the castle. Thankfully, with the abundance of snow in Ponyville, he was able to cool down his keister as soon as he landed. While it would have been simple to continue with his plan to kidnap Princess Flurry Heart, he decided to drop it after his last failed attempt. Those kids could sure put up a fight, and that dragon made it pretty clear what would happen if he returned, and the Grump preferred his keister not be turned into charcoal.

With that decision, he just checked out, sitting on some random bench. He did not bother to go home or even change out of his costume. With all of his failures throughout the year on top of Hearth's Warming, he just did not have the will to move on, so he just sat there, beard and all.

The morning sun would soon arrive, and other citizens were already beginning to celebrate the holiday all over Ponyville.

Oh, how the Grump hated Hearth's Warming. It was nothing but noise, gluttony, sickening music, and materialistic shopping to him, just another way for corporate Equestria to get more bits just like any other holiday. It made him sick.

But what could he do?

He just sat there, letting the day pass by him. He would receive the occasional "Happy Hearth's Warming" from a random citizen every so often, but he did not care. He just wanted to be left alone.

While he was busy sulking, the Grump felt something flutter close to him. He looked up from the ground to see Princess Flurry Heart hovering in front him, holding a stuffed ladybug.

"Huh?" He stared.

She smiled. "Thank you, Santa Hooves! It my favowite pwesent ever!" She hugged him.

The Grump looked down at the toddler. "Uh..."

"Come on, Flurry."

The Grump looked across the street to see Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor with a stroller.

Shining Armor spoke out again. "We've got to get to Spearhead's house before breakfast."

"Okay." Flurry Heart flew back into her carriage. "Thank you, Santa Hooves! Happy Hearf's Warming!"

Cadance and Shining Armor also waved at the Grump. "Happy Hearth's Warming, Santa Hooves!"

The Grump watched as the royal family walked off. He saw how Princess Flurry Heart played with the ladybug and a snail, and he could not help but notice just how... happy she looked.

"Huh." He watched as they trotted along, seeing Princess Flurry Heart playing with her toys. "Um..." He stood up. "H... ha... happy Hearth's Warming!"

Princess Flurry Heart responded by happily waving from her carriage.

"Hmm..."

"Excuse me, sir?"

The Grump turned around and saw a young mare.

"I'm sorry to bother you, but I couldn't help but notice your holiday spirit. Would you like to make a donation for young fillies in need?"

"I, uh... I... yes." He nodded. "I'd like to donate twenty bits."

"Really?!" The mare jumped. "Thank you so much! The children will really appreciate it!" She took out a notepad. "And just who is making such a generous offer?"

"The Gru—I mean..." He smiled. "Green Lump."