Luster Dawn’s Hearth’s Warming Friendship Lesson
Hearth’s Warming has arrived once again. Tons of ponies in Ponyville spread cheer for one of their friends and families as the snowflakes fall from the sky, soon covering the grounds in mountains of snow. Not only that, creatures from all over the lands of Equestria, Hippogriffs, Changelings and Griffons spread their own kind of cheer. Ever since peace returned, no criminal caused any harm in any land whatsoever. Making things easier for every creature to be free from evil. Nothing will ever steal the peace from Equestria again.
In the School Of Friendship, the final classes came to an end with all the students leaving. While they’re disappointed they’re not going to have any time in the School in the next two weeks, they still have the time to spread their holiday cheer for their friends and families. One pony in particular is no exception. Ever since her first ever Hearth’s Warming holiday, she never skips this holiday due to her passion. Her name, is Luster Dawn.
“Hearth’s Warming, Here I come!” She cheered in joy as she and her friend Gallop J. Fry is walking by her side.
“So Luster, what are you going to do in Hearth’s Warming?” He asked.
“Simple, spreading cheer like I always do.”
After the last several years of being her friend, Gallop can see the spirit in Luster. He of course went through the same holiday spirit during his experiences so he’s happy that his friend will do whatever it takes to make every creature happy.
“Well, I think you can’t do that on your own without help.” Gallop smiled.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if anyone stops in our way because as far as we are concerned, we’re always in peace.” Luster smiled back as they head to Luster’s house.
When they went inside Luster’s house, Luster made hot chocolate for Gallop and herself. The two sit down by the table in Luster’s living room.
“What kind of gifts are you going to buy for your family?” Gallop asked after he took a slip of his hot chocolate.
“You really have to say that for every year?” Luster grinned. “You even saw what I did during my ideas when I made the surprises for my family.”
“I’m always curious. You always top yourself of the gifts you come up with. Remember the time we need supplies to make a replica of your parent’s house in gingerbread?”
“True, but that was last year, I always do something different like making a winter scoff for an example.” Luster brought up her ideas as she took another sip of her not chocolate. “I want to make everypony happy with the gifts they received from me. To me, that’s what Hearth’s Warming needs. Doing unique things to make the holiday better.”
She then looked at her family pictures on her wall. One of them features her along with her parents in winter clothes with their house behind them decorated in lights at night. It’s one of many things Luster did with her family during Hearth’s Warming. While it’s going to be challenging for her to come up with something new, she always likes to challenge herself.
Gallop always sees something new in his friend. Everytime he comes into his house or having a picnic, he hears more about her past. He’s more than interest to listen anything she has left just to see how she can improve herself.
Then they heard the doorbell ring which made Luster placed her cup down and make her way to her door. When she opened it, it’s revealed to be Derpy Hooves doing her deliveries.
“Are you Luster Dawn?” She asked.
“Yes I am.” Luster answered.
“You got a letter from your teacher from Canterlot, Twilight Sparkle.” She gives Luster the letter as she leaves to make her next delivery.
Luster closed the door behind her as she’s opening her letter. Gallop took notice as he gets by his friend. “You got a letter from Twilight?”
“I always get letters from my teacher. I wonder what she needs from me.” As she ripped the mail, she took out the letter and reads it.
“Dear Luster Dawn,
You have been a great and respectful student after all the years of my teaching. You always come up with new ideas in friendship that sometimes impressed me. For this season of Hearth’s Warming, I want you to find two ponies who did come across each other from time to time but never became friends. You must show them more of the meaning of Hearth’s Warming so they can become friends at the end. Pinkie Pie and Applejack told me about them, but I want you to figure it out on your own.
I also had a conversation with your parents yesterday and they don’t want anything from you this time. Not that they’re getting sick of it but after what I told them about what I have planned for you, they agreed with me. They want to hear what you did with two fillies in this holiday. They and I want to see what you can do with spreading not only friendship but also the Hearth’s Warming cheer. A combination that I didn’t even did when I was your age.
On Hearth’s Warming Eve, I’m going to arrive at Ponyville to see the lesson you learn about friendship. I’m looking forward to your efforts.
Your Teacher,
Twilight Sparkle”
After reading the whole letter, Luster Dawn went into silence. Her friend Gallop couldn’t believe it. Instead of doing the same thing as before, she has a task to help two fillies become friends for this holiday.
“Luster, what are you thinking?” Gallop asked.
“I don’t know.” She replied. “For the first time in this holiday, my teacher gave me something that I didn’t expect.”
The unicorn sat back down by her table as she continues to think about the assignment she received. The fact that her own parents don’t want anything made her disappointed. The idea of spreading that kind of cheer to two fillies was never in her mind. Of course she did help fillies in the past but during a time like this, she had hobbies of her own.
“My teacher really wants to make my holiday complicated.” Luster drinking her hot chocolate.
“What’s so complicated about it? You should understand your gonna handle a lot of challenges.” Gallop recalled as he retook his seat.
“It’s not that this task is hard, I just never help ponies in this holiday before. I don’t even have ideas to spread cheer with ponies.” Luster signed to herself.
“Come on, it’s easy. I’ve come across families who made their children really happy in so many ways.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Hearth’s Warming lights, cookies, and making a snowpony. My parents did those things and I loved it.”
Luster found Gallop’s advice helpful. While she only does one particular activity, she still have her friends to back her up. “Thanks Gallop but there’s still one problem. Even if we found out who the two ponies are, I don’t know if they’re going to be friends easily.”
The two ponies stayed in silence when they have to deal with the possibility that their strategy might fail. Forcing friendship on two fillies is always a big no no from Twilight Sparkle. Luster sometimes feel stress when she experience new assignments from her teacher. While she can handle them on her own ways, not everything can be fixed by her.
“Luster.” Gallop spoke which got her attention. “When we became friends in filly kindergarten, all of our friends got along. Believe me when I say this, we’re living in a land that every creature accepts friendship when you do something nice from them. When we find the two ponies, I’m sure they will get along at the end.”
The unicorn came to the understanding what her friend is trying to say. During her time ever since she became Twilight’s student, there’s a lot of different friendships she hasn’t experienced. After that day when her teacher showed her the meaning of friendship, she’s gearing more experience by time. If she can handle friendships with others at her age, so can fillies she meet before.
She picked up the letter again and read the part where Twilight mention her two friends. “Okay, the first thing we need to do is to find out who these two ponies are.”
“Did you come across them once before?”
Luster remembered the time she went to Twilight’s castle, where she met Pinkie Pie for the first time. She had her daughter with her and called her Li’l Cheese, but that’s all she remembered. She never know anything about her when she was busy. Luckily for her, today is the chance to show Li’l the friendship in Hearth’s Warming.
Luster and Gallop made their way to Sugarcube Corner where Pinkie Pie is at as well as her daughter. When they walk up to the front door, Luster knocked on it and not too long. Pinkie answered it.
“Luster! Gallop! Come in!” She cheered as she invites the two ponies in her shop. “Is there anything you want to buy for this holiday?”
“No thanks, we actually want to talk to your daughter?” Luster replied.
“Her teacher sent her a letter to spread friendship to two filles in Hearth’s Warming.” Gallop added.
This made Pinkie Pie smiled since she had a conversation with Twilight about this. She would help Luster but at the same time, Twilight told her to have her students handle it on her own. “She’s upstairs in her room.” She pointed at her staircase as Luster and Gallop made their way. And just like Twilight, she will arrive in Ponyville during Hearth's Warming Eve along with her husband to see what Luster did with her daughter.
When Luster and Gallop enter Li’l’s bedroom, they saw her blowing green and red balloons so she can decorate her room a bit. She then notice two visitors she recognize which made her thrilled.
“Luster Dawn!” Li’l cheered as she ran up to Luster and gave her a hug. “It’s nice to meet you!”
“So do you.” Luster replied back. As Li’l broke the hug, she headed back to her spot.
“Hey, wanna help me blow up balloons?”
“Actually, we want to talk with you for something.” Gallop said which made Li’l tilted her head in confusion. “Do you have any plans with your family in the night of Hearth’s Warming Eve?”
“No, Pinkie said we did when we were going to make Hearth’s Warming cookies, but just this morning, she had other plans without me.” Li’l became disappointed when she has nothing to do in the night before Hearth’s Warming. But this gave Luster the advantage.
“Hey don’t feel so blue.” Luster placed her hoof under Li’l’s chin. “Do you want to spend time with me?”
“Really?” Li’l’s ears perked up.
“There’s going to be a lot of surprises that will amaze you. I can show you how I spread my holiday cheer.”
For the first time in her life, Li’l Cheese has something to do in this season without her parents. She wondered what kind of activities are available that will keep her occupied, especially during a holiday like Hearth’s Warming.
“Why would I say no to an offer like that? Yes!” She jumped in joy.
As for Luster, she found the first of two fillies for her friendship lesson. It’s only a matter of time for her to find the second filly, and she knows where he is. “I’ll go pick you up hours before the night of Hearth’s Warming. I’ll take you to Canterlot to show you the places my parents showed me when I was your age.”
“Seems fair to me.” Li’l giggled.
“See you in Hearth’s Warming Eve.” As Luster wave back, so does Pinkie’s daughter. Luster and Gallop left Sugarcube Corner to get to their next destination where Applejack is living.
They arrive to Sweet Apple Acres where they did help Applejack from time to time in field work. “Are you sure you know what your doing?” Gallop asked.
“Yes.” Luster answered. “I did meet him before but never know him.”
“What is the least you know about him?”
“His parents take him to Appleloosa to show him the lifestyle of his father.”
“But are you sure he’s here?”
Luster sign with the odds might backfire on her. “I’m sure he stays in Sweet Apple Acres for years during winter. I just hope he’s the perfect friends for Li’l Cheese.”
Without wasting anymore time, the two make their way to the farm. They saw Applejack packing up pies for the delivery she’s making for her folks in Appleloosa.
“Applejack!” Luster shouted to the farm girl’s attention.
“Well howdy Luster Dawn!” Applejack smiled. “Mind helping me for my delivery?”
“Sure but before we do that, can you do us a favor?”
This made Applejack confused until Gallop fills in. “Twilight send Luster a letter to do a friendship lesson.”
“Oh really?” The farm girl smirked. “So you're looking for two filles right?”
“Uh huh, I found Pinkie’s daughter Li’l Cheese.” Luster explained. “Where’s your brother?”
Applejack while knows what’s going on is still not handing the slices of advice to Twilight’s student. But at the same time, she never lies the more she gets older.
“Big Mac is helping Rarity with the chorus so they can sing songs in Hearth’s Warming Eve. His son is in his room in the farm.”
“Can we have a talk with him? We will help you later.”
“No problem with me.”
As the two made their way to the farm, Applejack returned to her daily work. Luster did went through the lifestyle with Applejack in Appleloosa before. Unlike Li’l who spent most of her life in Ponyville, Big Mac’s son always lived in Sweet Apple Acres. When it comes to Hearth’s Warming, city folks in Appleloosa and Sweet Apple Acres do different things. Even having a holiday feast and doing small family reunions, they’re own routine gave Luster more ideas on what she can do for Big Mac’s son.
When they walk up to the filly’s bedroom, Luster slowly opened the door. They saw a purple filly looking at the photos of his time with his family during the last Hearth’s Warming. His cutie mark is a muffin with a slice of apple on top of it.
“Excuse me?” Luster kindly spoke which made the filly’s ear perked up. When he looked at Luster, he remembered her in the past when she was talking to his aunt.
“Hello…?” He replied.
“Did I bother you?”
“No, but I’m gonna be bored in this holiday.” He looked at the photos again while Luster and Gallop enters the bedroom.
“What’s your name?” Gallop asked.
“Muffin Mac.”
“Muffin Mac? That’s a good name.” Luster smiled. “Why are you so bored?”
Muffin Mac tried to keep it personal to himself since it only happened once in his life. “Last year, my mom and dad showed me what Hearth’s Warming is like in Appleloosa. It was the best day I ever had with the activities I did there.”
“What did you do there?” Luster asked.
“Having a feast and best of all, giving my friends the gifts I made by myself. My mother taught me everything how to make my friends happy.” Then Muffin began to sadden again. “However my dad told me they’re too busy to take me to Appleloosa again. Last year was the first time that made me feel something in Hearth’s Warming but now for this year, I won’t have the same feeling like last year’s.”
Luster found Muffin Mac’s story understandable in the state he was. After finding out the solution to make Pinkie’s daughter happy in Hearth’s Warming, she found more ways to make Big Mac’s son feel the magic of the holiday again.
She looked at the photos where Muffin Mac is hanging out with the folks and friends he had in Appleloosa. She can easily see that he did went through friendship before when he handed them his gifts to them. One of them has him enjoying the food during the feast his parents along with Applejack made. And finally she looked at the photo of him and his parents after the day is out. He is holding his present he got from his father, he was more happy to have the best time with his family last year.
“Muffin Mac.” Luster spoke. “You need to understand that your parents are doing everything they can to make you happy. If they can’t take you to Appleloosa this year, they might take you next year.” While Muffin is slowly feeling better, the orange unicorn continues. “You haven't experienced more of what Hearth’s Warming has to offer.”
“What do you mean by that?” Muffin Mac wondered.
“How about I’ll take you to Ponyville in the night of Hearth’s Warming Eve? You might find the answer to yourself.”
Muffin Mac became stunted from Luster’s offer. He got something to do for his second ever Hearth’s Warming. He gave Luster a hug much to Luster's surprise. “Thank you so much!”
“I’m always here to make every creature happy. I’ll pick you up on that night. And by the way, there’s going to be a filly joining us.”
“Really, who is it?” Muffin Mac breaking the hug.
“Li’l Cheese. Trust me when I say this, your going to have a great time with her.”
Muffin Mac gained interest into the pony he’s about to meet at Hearth’s Warming Eve. As for Luster, she found her second pony she can bring to Ponyville. “I’ll be waiting for you once you pick me up.”
“Don’t worry, I’m never late.” Luster and Gallop left the bedroom, leaving Muffin Mac cheer in happiness. Meanwhile outside of his window, Applejack saw everything Luster did with her brother’s son. The fact she had a conversation with Twilight about this, she like Pinkie Pie will be in Ponyville to see what she’s going to do. It will be a night, Li’l and Muffin will never forgot.
The time has come. Hearth’s Warming Eve has arrived with so many creatures either singing in Rarity’s chorus or making desserts for friends and families. Ponyville is the most busy place when it comes to this holiday and it never misses a single holiday. It’s the perfect time to have Luster show to Muffin Mac and Li’l Cheese everything she needed.
After she took Li’l to Canterlot, she made sure to go around Ponyville to prevent any of the meanings she’s trying to show. This night is important to not only impress their families, but also her teacher. Twilight, Pinkie, and Applejack are going to arrive eventually to see what she accomplished. It’s only a matter of time to see Luster’s efforts put to the test.
“Luster, I know you mention this morning that your bringing another pony with us, but did we really have to go around Ponyville?” Li’l wined.
“I’m sorry but I want to keep it a surprise. I didn’t bring him with us since I was told her aunt was taking care of him. We shouldn’t spoil any of the stuff that’s waiting for him right?”
Li’l tried to understand that she was the only pony Luster took with her to Canterlot. When she heard that she’s taking another pony, she was mostly confused but it didn’t bother her. She does like ponies at her age, especially when their playful like her, so does Muffin Mac.
It took time for Luster and Li’l to get to Sweet Apple Acres where Muffin Mac is waiting. He’s in his winter clothes when he’s about to go to a village that’s really cold unlike Appleloosa.
When Li’l saw Muffin Mac for the first time, it gave her a likening to him because of how cute he is. As for Muffin Mac, he remembered Li’l Cheese during the times they’re in class. However their teacher nevered put him and Li’l in a group together, so they never got the chance to talk to each other.
“Sorry we took so long.” Luster walking up Muffin.
“It’s okay, I just got out of the farm ten minutes ago.” The filly straighten his scoff.
Li’l Cheese slowly walk up to Muffin. “Have I met you before?” She asked.
“Umm...yes, but have we ever played together?” Muffin trying to remember his school times.
“Uhhhh…..I don’t think so.”
Luster saw the two ponies trying to get along as friends but so far, it’s not starting out good. Then one of his friends, a black Griffon stopped in the sky. During most of the day, she helped Gallop and the others to prepare the surprise in Ponyville. Being the light hearted Griffon who helped Luster in the School Of Friendship, she gave her a thumbs up to which Luster nodded in her response.
The black Griffon returned back to Ponyville as Luster continues her goal. “Muffin, Li’l.” She gets by the two fillies. “I am aware you two haven’t played together once, but I promise we’re going to have a great time together. Let’s go to Ponyville now.”
Muffin and Li’l looked at each other again. While it is true that life sometimes kelp them apart, tonight will change. They follow Luster as they leave Sweet Apple Acres.
Back at Ponyville, everything is set up thanks to Luster’s friends. They enter the Town Hall where they need to prepare the food for later. Meanwhile, Twilight along with her longtime friends are by the windows watching Luster completed his friendship lesson.
Finally Luster arrived at Ponyville along with Muffin Mac and Li’l Cheese by her side. It is nighttime without a cloud in the sky in Hearth’s Warming Eve. Around in every tree and building in Ponyville, ornaments and tons of colorful lights lighten up the whole place.
“Woooow!” Both Muffin Mac and Li’l Cheese commented while witnessing the sight.
“This place looks beautiful.” Li’l spoke.
“I’ve never been to a place like this before.” Muffin added.
“I know.” Luster replied. “I remember my first ever Hearth’s Warming when I came out of my house, walking all over Ponyville to see the lights.”
The three ponies enjoyed the view in all of their surroundings. Muffin Mac notice several fillies playing in the snow. Last year there was no snow in Appleloosa for him to play in. He never thought that there’s so many ways to have fun in the season of winter other than shoveling the snow aside.
Li’l Cheese adore the lights in Ponyville more than anything. There were, at times where she decorated her family’s tree in the last years, but she wanted to do more. “I told my mother last year that when I get older, I want to decorated Ponyville. Weeks before this day, I drew the town of Ponyville with my own ideas of what it should be in Hearth’s Warming.”
“Really?” Muffin Mac turned his head to Li’l.
“You must really love to make Hearth’s Warming special.” Luster smiled.
“I do, even my mother agreed with me.”
Luster found Pinkie’s daughter something to contribute just like she does. While she spread cheer for her family, Li’l wants to spread cheer for everypony.
“I think I’ve seen more of what Hearth’s Warming have.” Muffin commented while Luster and Li’l turned their attention to. “If my parents took me to so many places in Equestria, I might see new things. Ponyville has the cheer even outside of their homes.”
Muffin may be disappointed his parents aren’t taking him to Appleloosa, he’s happy that Luster took him to Ponyville. As for Luster, she is proud that her friends took care of everything for her. All that’s left for her is to express her thoughts about Hearth’s Warming in front of the two fillies she brought along.
“Hearth’s Warming has a lot more than you think Muffin.” She rubbed on Muffin’s head. “From where you two live, they always celebrate in their own ways in not just Hearth’s Warming, but also in all holidays.”
“Like Hearts In Hooves?” Li’l guessed which Luster nodded.
“My teacher told me her past Hearth’s Warmings and she told her teacher about what her Hearth’s Warmings were like. They’ve seen new things every single year which made me sad I didn’t get to experience what they did. If you go to places you never went to in holidays, you might get an experience to tell your grandchildren about. That’s what I’m going to do.”
Inside the town hall, Twilight Sparkle is impressed and so does her friends. Every word she heard from her student is true and she can’t wait to give Luster her grade.
As for Muffin and Li’l, they liked that Luster took them to Ponyville in a night like this. They both looked at each other with the lights behind them lighten up. Even though they only met once in a while, this day they have something in common in this holiday.
“You know, I think the reason why we never got the chance to know each other is because we have different hobbies.” Li’l spoke.
“I wouldn’t say that, I just think sometimes fillies like us need time in order to play together.” Muffin replied. “When I see you, you seem fun in activities and everything I heard about you decorating Ponyville, I want to join in to help you.”
After hearing Muffin’s thoughts, it made Li’l warm on the inside. She may have friends she made in Ponyville but none of then ever told her what they think about her.
“Hey, maybe if your parents took you to Appleloosa again, may I join you? It must be fun over there in Hearth’s Warming.” Li’l offered.
“Sure.” Muffin accepted. “You’re going to love the food there.”
Then Luster almost forgot about what’s waiting for them. “Speaking of food, come with me.” Muffin and Li’l became confused until Luster walk up the Town Hall’s front door. “Would you two be happy to have a holiday feast?”
The two fillies became thrilled as they ran up to Luster while she opened the door. Thus the food her friends have prepared look delicious. Not to mention that Pinkie Pie, Cheese Sandwich, Big Mac and Sugar Belle are also here.
“Mom, Dad!” Both Muffin Mac and Li’l Cheese walking up to their parents with a hug.
“So how was your time with Luster Dawn?” Cheese Sandwich asked.
“Great! She showed me how beautiful Ponyville is in Hearth’s Warming is during the night.” Li’l cheered.
“With all the lights right?” Pinkie added to which her daughter nodded. “I would love to see what you did in Ponyville when you get older.” She then gave her daughter a hug that made her daughter smiled.
“Did you see Ponyville outside?” Muffin asked.
“Yes.” Sugar Belle answered.
“I was going to show what Ponyville celebrates during Hearth’s Warming but I was busy.” Big Mac replied. “When my sister told me that Luster was taking you, I thought that me and my wife should be part of this feast her friends did. To see my son take the sight of what more this holiday has for all of us.”
Muffin Mac loved the words he heard from his parents. He knows in the bottom of his heart to trust his mother and father no matter what because of their honesty they have. He gave his two parents another hug to which they accepted it.
As for Luster Dawn, she noticed her teacher was watching the whole time. And the look on her face is nothing more than impressed. “So Twilight, how did I do?” Luster asked.
“You did very well.” Twilight spoke as she lowered her head. “The lesson you learned is to bring two young ponies together in the night of Ponyville during Hearth’s Warming Eve. Giving them more of what you loved about the holiday and now they do want more, together.” Twilight then looked at Muffin and Li’l who are getting their food. “Now that they know each other, I’m looking forward to what you see from them.”
“I would be happy to see their growing relationship improved. It reminds me of my childhood.” Luster being mesmerized.
“Bet your parents would be proud of what they’re going to hear.” Applejack chimed in.
“I know, because they know how I feel about Hearth’s Warming.”
Luster, her friends, Twilight and her friends made their way to the feast they’ve been waiting for. The passion of Hearth’s Warming they dedicated for decades will remain the same in the future until the end of time. Just like every other holiday.