The Night Before Hearth's Warming

by defender2222

Rating: everyone
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Big Macintosh, Slice of Life, Applejack
Length: 956

Applejack is awoken on Hearth's Warming Eve to a magical surprise

Once every year
at around this time
a story like this is posted
done in a rhyme

Applejack experiences a magical Hearth's Warming Eve night and learns to true meaning of the holiday.

Published 2013-12-03 05:20:05 UTC
Last updated 2013-12-03 05:20:05 UTC

Twas the Night before Hearth's Warming

Twas the night 'fore Hearth's Warming
And down at the Apple's farm
Everything was peaceful
No need for alarm

Applebloom was nestled
asleep in her bed
while visions of cutie marks
danced through her head

Big Mac wore his harness
and AJ her cap
and both were quite ready
for a long winter's nap

When out on the lawn
there arose such a clatter
They raised to the window
to see what was the matter

While inside it was toasty
Outside the wind did blow
The temperature kept dropping
with trees caked in snow

Applejack gazed out
What she saw, fillies and colts
was a great red sleigh
pulled by the Wonderbolts!

They snorted and bucked
Those pegasi so quick
performing maneuvers
and all manner of tricks

Applejack was breathless
'Could this be a dream?'
That's when she saw her
The mare guiding the team!

She was energetic and happy
and had a certain buzz
But Applejack was confused
and didn't know who it was

More rapid than capricorns
those Wonderbolts came
And the mare giggled out loud
and called them by name

"On Spitfire and Soarin'
On Fleetfoot and Sky Beam
On Blitzwing and Skywarp
Thundercracker and Starscream!"

Mac heard new noises
clear up on the roof
and realized it was the stomping
of many a hoof!

Down the chimney
the mare came with a groan
and brushing her mane said
"Hey AJ, nice home!"

She was wearing long coat
with flour all over
and AJ smelled the scents
of peppermint and clover

She had a pink mane
as poofy as could be
and her smile never broke
for she was quite happy

"Pinkie!" AJ shouted
startled by her friend
"What are you doing?
Have you gone off the bend?"

"Do not be silly!"
The mare said without pause
"I am not Pinkamena
I'm the one and only Pinkie Claus!"

And with that the pink mare
reached deep in her sack
and said "Let's see what I got
Your big brother Mac!"

"You work awfully hard
bringing in your yield.
And your back must ache
after a day in the field.

"Those aches are common
and have become the norm
To soothe you I got a blanket
that is toasty and warm!"

A deep blue blanket
was pulled from that sack
And Pinkie draped it
across his great back

Macintosh gave her a smile
and a kiss on the cheek
for this present was perfect
and had just made his week

"Next is little Applebloom,
always off on a lark.
So to her a book on ponies
who took long getting a cutie mark!

"I know finding her talent
has made her greatly moan
But seeing these famous ponies
wiill make her feel less alone!"

The next present was metal
and it was a dandy
Applejack admired it:
a new walker for Granny

"Now don't worry Applejack!
I haven't forgotten you
For here are some fluffy coats
and some new bowls too!

"The coat keeps you toasty
even as the winds make you quake
and the bowls are for the kitchen
to make yummy apple cake!"

Her task now completed
Pinkie Claus made to go
But Applejack stopped her
for she needed to know:

"Why did you do this?
Why do this for us?
You went above and beyond
so why all the fuss?"

Pinkie just smiled
"It's simple, you see
You aren't just my friend
You're also family.

"I can not do magic
But for once, on this night
I can do something amazing
To make your season quite bright!"

And with that she ambled off
heading towards the old door
But AJ leapt in front of her
to tell Pinkie more.

"You're also my family, sugar
And if you're headed the girls' way
I'd like to join with you
if there's room in that sleigh."

And believe or not
this is what they say
Pinkie's brillant smile
grew three sizes that day!

The two leapt in the sleigh
pulled by eight Wonderbolts
and they raced up skywards
without any jolts

They would visit each house
and see each precious friend
who in turn would join them
and be together at the end

For this the merry season
and best believe the boast
Tis better to be with those
that love you the most

Forget all your presents
trees, tinsel and the rest
For love and friendship
are truly the best

Racing away, Pinkie called out:
"Our next stop: Twilight!"
"Happy Hearth's warming" AJ echoed
"And to all a good night!"

"Luna, are you ok?" Princess Celestia asked, ambling over to her little sister. She had heard some strange sniffling sounds and had grown afraid that Luna was feeling down again. However, when the solar princess found her sister, Luna was not at all in a blue mood. The night ruler was, in fact, gazing down from her balcony, a small smile on her face as she watched her little ponies.

"We are very well, sister, very well," Luna said, quickly wiping away a tear and hiding the poem she had been working on based on the events she had just witnessed.

"Well, I am glad to hear that," Celestis said with a yawn, rolling her wings a bit to work out the kinks. There was a reason she didn't stay up past sunset most nights. "I will see you in the morning."

"Goodnight, sister," Luna said, turning her attention to the moon and making it just a bit brighter.

After all, Pinkie Claus would need plenty of light to complete her run.

To all of you reading, happy Hearth's Warming Day from the ponies of Equestria. Thank you for your love, respect, and attention.

Good night.