Author's Note

While it isn't Christmas yet, I figured here would be a good time to put this particular episode, especially since there was one thing I wanted to add that I couldn't until now. It'll be a bonus chapter, but you can fit it anywhere in the story you want after Chapter 40.

Bonus - Family Warmth (Hearth's Warming Eve)

As the snow drifted down from the sky outside, Zephyr had his fireplace going with a cup of cocoa in his hooves. While the cold didn't bother him as much as others, he still found joy in the act of snuggling into a quilt or the aforementioned cocoa. He figured it was a nice break from what was happening recently.

He had already attended a play put on by his friends, family, and girlfriend in Canterlot yesterday. It was interesting to learn about how Equestria was founded, though he still wondered where Celestia and Luna were in the meanwhile. Was it a trial for their little ponies at the time, or did a different threat take greater priority than the Windigo's? Or maybe they weren't around at all back then and I'm just assuming they've been around since time immemorial...

Hearing his front door burst open and slammed shut brought Zephyr out of those thoughts as he looked over. He saw that Scootaloo came home as the sky began to darken, which happens earlier in the winter to keep the seasons in balance. "Did you have fun playing with your friends in the snow?"

"Yeah, I just wish it wasn't so cold today! I can barely feel my wings!"

"Well complaining won't do any good. Once you get your duds off, warm up by the fire. I'll get you a hot drink to help." Zephyr puts down his cup and made for the kitchen to make a cup for his younger sister.

Scootaloo beamed at her big brother. "Thanks! I still think cocoa tastes better during the winter. I wonder why that is?"

"It's probably the warmth after a cold day that enhances the flavor."

Once Scootaloo was settled in front of the fireplace, she took a sip from her cup, only to scorch her tongue. "Hot!"

"Careful! I JUST finished heating it up!" Zephyr rolls his eyes at his overly excitable sister as she blows on the liquid. A knock at the door grabbed his attention as he answered it. "Hello?"

Fluttershy was standing there, bundled up with Angel. "Hello, big brother! I hope you don't mind us coming over for tonight!"

"Not at all! Hey, Angel!" Fluttershy's main animal companion was pretty standoffish for a bunny, but Angel respected Zephyr for being willing to treat him more roughly as opposed to Fluttershy being overly tender.

"Since most of my animal friends are hibernating, my cottage feels rather empty. I-I hope you--"

"You know I'll never turn you down, Shy. If you really wanted, you could live here with Angel for the winter until the wrap-up is finished." Zephyr cared too much for the older sister to ever consider otherwise.

That got a smile out of Fluttershy. "Have you figured out your role for the Winter Wrap-up?"

"I did, though it was quite the debate..."

Earlier, right after winter officially began...

"So there's still debate over my role in the wrap-up?"

Zephyr was in the Town Hall with Twilight Sparkle, Mayor Mare, and Rainbow Dash. He had been called over because nopony in the room could agree on a definitive role.

Rainbow shook her head. "Twilight wants to keep you here for the wind currents for some reason. Meanwhile I wanted you to help bring back the southern birds thanks to your connection with them!"

"That's because I have an idea for how the wind currents can assist the wrap-up!" Twilight huffed. "I've been studying them and I think I discovered a way to make them assist in melting the snow! Besides, wouldn't you want him to stay in Ponyville?"

That got a mad blush from Rainbow. "T-that's not what's important here!" After a delay, she looks to the side. "Though... I do kind of want that..."

"Now now." Mayor Mare shakes her head before looking at Zephyr. "Well that's the impasse we're at."

"Well... Twilight, what's your idea with the wind currents?" Zephyr decided to hear that out before making the decision himself.

"Oh, yes! during my studies, I discovered you can manipulate wind currents in more ways than wind strength. You can even modify the temperature the the wind if you lengthen or shorten the currents themselves!"

While the idea had merit, Rainbow voiced what Zephyr was thinking. "If that were possible, why haven't we been doing it to start with?"

"According to "The History of Wind Current Concepts", back when current manipulation was in its infancy, they did do it. But because they didn't have the same knowledge we do now, the town that would eventually become modern-day Vanhoover accidentally scorched their land after too much tampering. That's why wind strength was the only thing modified from then on, but I'm confident we have enough knowledge to bring it back!"

"Yeah, scorching your farmland would be a good reason to never mess with wind temperature ever again." Zephyr thought about it before coming to a decision. "Let's find an isolated wind current to test that out first. If Twilight's idea has legs to stand on, then I'll give you my final take. Is that acceptable?"

Present

Fluttershy put a hoof to her mouth in thought as Angel settled down by the fire. "I heard about that. Ponies were wondering why the area around Rainbow's house was warmer than usual."

"Yeah, that was us testing Twilight's idea. Since it worked, I gave the compromise that I can alternate between wind current management and southern bird migration duties each year."

Scootaloo came over to hug Fluttershy, though she flashed a grin at Zephyr. "You're so popular!"

"Yeah, yeah." There was another knock at the door. "Is my house suddenly a hot spot or something?"

Turns out it was Harpsong and Medishy at the door this time. "We wanted to see our foals today, so here we are!"

"Hi, mom! Hi, dad!" Scootaloo called out as the parents came in and knocked the snow from their legs. When they were done, they got hugged by the filly. "Missed you!"

Medishy chuckled. "We missed you too, Scootaloo. Harpsong had a feeling our family was gathering here and wanted to come as well."

"I can't very well resist family time during the seasonal holidays!" Harpsong giggles at Zephyr's snort of laughter as Fluttershy came over to hug them as well.

"Well there's plenty of space by the fireplace. Let me know what hot drinks you want and I'll get them for you as you warm back up!"

Fluttershy took hot cocoa as well, but Harpsong and Medishy took tea instead. After getting everypony their drinks, the family enjoyed various discussions around the fireplace. A lot of familial warmth radiated from the spot.

Zephyr's ear flicked when he thought he heard something outside. "Be right back. I need go check something." Exiting the house, he notices the tell-tale sign of snow disturbed by a Pegasus take-off. Taking flight himself, he quickly nabs Rainbow off the roof. "Didn't think I would miss you out here, huh Rainbow?"

"You're no fun..." Rainbow pouted at getting caught so easily. "I just wanted to see how you were doing, but I didn't want to interrupt your family time..."

Zephyr could sense the loneliness in Rainbow's voice. While she did love her parents, they tend to be overly enthusiastic about their support of her which can be overbearing for her. Because of that, she didn't have anypony to visit or be visited by. "Then come on in!"

"Huh? But I'm not--"

"You're my girlfriend, of COURSE you're my family!" Rainbow blushed at that as she was led in by Zephyr.

"Rainbow!" Fluttershy smiled at seeing her foalhood friend and potential future sister-in-law. "Zephyr's oddly perceptive when it comes to you."

That made Zephyr sputter in embarrassment before looking away with a blushing pout. Rainbow laughed at the scene as Harpsong wanders over. "Good to see you, Rainbow! Why don't you join us by the fireplace?"

Rainbow initially wanted to protest, but seeing Scootaloo beaming at her and Medishy smiling made her want to partake in the warmth of the family. "If... you'll have me."

After getting her own mug of hot cocoa, Rainbow took her place by the warm fire. Despite thinking she was the outcast of the group, she quickly found herself in spirited discussions with the family. She even managed to embarrass Zephyr more by getting Harpsong to tell stories of his foalhood.

After much time had passed, Medishy looked at the clock. "It's getting late. You foals should get to--"

"Shh..."

Medishy looked at Harpsong, who motioned towards the other four. Fluttershy and Rainbow were by each of Zephyr's sides, their heads snuggled under his head, with his primary wings wrapped around them. Scootaloo was in his lap with his secondaries wrapped around her. All four were sound asleep.

Medishy smiled warmly at the sight. "And to think Rainbow was afraid she wouldn't fit in..." He made sure to get two blankets for the foals. One draped onto Zephyr's head to cover their backs, the other wrapped around the front to help keep Scootaloo warm. "It's sights like these that make me love this season."

"Agreed. Plus, Zephyr has come a long way from thinking he'll never have friends, much less a girlfriend. As a mother, it makes me happy."

"I do feel somewhat guilty you're helping me raise my foals when you have no biologically related ones yourself..."

Harpsong rolled her eyes. Medishy always worried about things like that a bit much, yet she couldn't help but love him for it. "You know I'm fine with it. There's more to somepony's legacy than just one's 'biological' offspring. Besides I'm 36 now, I doubt I can conceive any foals of my own anymore."

"No reason we can't try, right? Give Scootaloo a little brother or sister?"

"You're certainly getting bold, aren't you Medi?" She giggles at her husband's blushing face. "We can try, but... for now, I just want to enjoy my time with who we already have in our lives." Medishy said nothing as he hugs her and the two enjoy the warmth of both the fireplace and their family.