Fall's Hearths Warming

Chapters

Chapter 1 - Pint and Bucky's Announcement
Chapter 2 - Selfish Abandon
Chapter 3 - Gallant Gust and Soft Steps
Chapter 5 - A Hearths Warming All Our Own
Chapter 4 - Showdown
Chapter 6 - A Little Help From a New Friend
Chapter 7 - A Little Known Secret
Chapter 8: Beyond the Window
Chapter 10 - Happy Hearths Warming
Chapter 9 - Prepping for Hearths Warming

Chapter 1 - Pint and Bucky's Announcement

Two inches of snow glistened in the morning sun as Pint and Bucky paid their after school visit to Fall at the orphanage.

“I’m really surprised nobody has noticed us out here,” stated Bucky. There was definitely no blending in against the snow-covered trees, fence, and ground. Especially on a partly cloudy day like today.

“Not really,” replied Fall with a shrug. “Shortly after Pint’s birthday party a whole bunch of grown-ups started to come in and adopt all the babies from the first floor. There isn’t a single baby left now. Some of the younger fillies and colts got adopted, too. So, the place is pretty quiet with the exception of Rawhide and the other older kids being mean.”

“Speaking of mean,” wondered Bucky. “You’d think the ponies running this place would be keeping an eye out for kids who want to play outside in the snow.”

Fall shrugged again and shook her head.

“No pony wants to play outside,” she stated. “Ms. Powder Puff and the other adults told us they weren’t allowing us to play outside and have spent most of their days up on the fourth floor where they keep the heater.”
“That reminds me,” said Pint as he pulled out a small, sealed pouch and tossed it gently over the fence.

“Thank you,” smiled Fall upon catching the pouch and tucking it under her head band. “These have been really helpful.”

“I’m just glad we found something to help you stay warm despite how awful those grown-ups are to you,” stated Pint.

Up until recently, Pint the Unicorn and Bucky the Pegasus had tried bringing Fall clothing items to help her keep warm. However, Rawhide’s gang, would take them from her, so the pair tried to figure out another way to help their brown, Pegasus friend. This came to them when they realized that enchanted hot packs, particularly the generic ones, looked a lot like used wash cloths. Every pony in the orphanage knew they could force their chores onto Fall, like dishes, which require a similar looking cloth, so they thought nothing when they saw her walking around with the hot pack. Since the hot pack had to be activated through tearing a small strip from it, Fall could take it to her special perch by the uninsulated window, snuggle up with her flat pillow and paper-thin blanket, and rest warmly without anybody bothering her.

“I think snow is pretty,” said Fall. “I like watching it fall from the sky through my window. It’s like a bunch of beautiful stars from the sky.”

“It’s even more fun to play in!” exclaimed Bucky before galloping around in a circle. His actions kicking chunks of white powder into the air with a majority of it landing on Pint.

Pint shook off the snow that had landed upon him and asked, “Do you like playing in the snow, Fall?”

“I would,” she replied. “But the only ponies I’d have to play with are you guys since no pony in the orphanage likes me.”

There was a brief silence.
“You know,” said Bucky as he drooped his wings. “This is probably as good of time to tell her.”

Pint sighed while nervously rubbing his booted hoof upon his exposed horn.

“Hearths Warming,” he said.

“Hearts Warming?” asked Fall. “What do you mean?”

Bucky shook his head.

“Hearths Warming,” he corrected in a kind tone. “It’s when you.. uh…”

“It’s.....,” strained Pint. He, like Bucky, was very worried about not only telling their friend about what Hearths Warming was all about, but even more concerned on how their families were heading off this afternoon for their annual Hearths Warming Vacation together at a ski lodge that was located a number of towns away from the orphanage.

“’Hearths’ Warming?” wondered Fall. “What is it? It sounds warm.”

Pint and Bucky stared at each other for a moment. Then a sort of agreement was made as Bucky nodded, tapped Pint with his hoof, and the small, Pinto Unicorn nodded back.

“Hearth’s Warming,” he said. “Is a time when family and friends gather to remember how friendship brought the three tribes together.”

“Three tribes?” wondered Fall.

“Yep!” added Bucky. “They are the earth Ponies, Pegasi, and Unicorns.”

Fall wondered about why it was such a big deal that Pegasi, Earth Ponies, and Unicorns had all become friends. There was always a bunch of each in the orphanage and it never seemed like a big deal. Well, it sometimes could seem unfair since Earth ponies tended to be the last to be adopted. That is unless you count how older ponies were less likely to get adopted with those who had Cutie marks being even less likely and with Fall herself being reminded almost daily how a ‘False Foal like her would never be adopted…’.

“I’m guessing you never got to see the Hearths Warming Ceremony?” asked Pint.

“No…,” replied the under-developed, brown Pegasus as she shook and lowered her head. “It sounds fun, though.”

“Our families are heading to Canterlot next year,” stated Pint with growing enthusiasm. “It’s where the biggest and best presentation of the play is performed. Since we’ll have you out long before then, Bucky and I will take you with us to see the biggest and best presentation of the greatest story of friendship in pony history!”

“What’s Canterlot?” asked Fall. “Is it one of those places you showed me in town?”

Pint and Bucky exchanged frowns.

“You’ll see,” assured Pint. “Not even I have gotten to see Canterlot yet.”

Hearing that Canterlot was a place that not even Pint had seen made Fall feel a little better. More for the fact it could be a new thing for all of them instead of just her.

“That sounds great,” she stated.

“You have to tell her,” insisted Bucky.

“But,” pouted Pint. “I don’t want to.”

“I know,” stated Bucky. “But I don’t want to be grounded over Hearths Warming for not doing as my mom and uncle want me to do before we leave.”

“Leave?” asked Fall. “So soon?”

“Well…,” Pint said while nervously scraping his hoof in the snow. “There’s something else about Hearths Warming we need to share.”

“What’s that?” asked Fall.

“That…,” the Pinto Unicorn gulped.

“Our parents are taking us out-of-town for an extended weekend,” Bucky bluntly said.

Pint felt his heart sink as he noticed Fall sit herself in the snow.

“So…,” she said somberly. “I won’t be seeing you guys for a while?”

“Well,” stated Bucky. “Today’s Thursday, Hearths Warming Eve is Saturday, and Hearths Warming is Sunday. So… we should be back to see you on, I think, Tuesday?”

“And we’ll be here as soon as our parents bring us back!” announced Pint. “We’ll even bring you back some presents!”

“Presents?” asked Fall. “Like those you got for your birthday party?”

“Yeah!” Pint continued to exclaim in an effort to remain happy despite how sad he really was. “But even better!”

“Speaking of presents and birthdays,” grinned Bucky. “My birthday is coming up in about two weeks and you’re invited!”

“Really?” Fall smiled. “I can’t wait! I think I still remember some things from what I saw at Pint’s and all you’ve shared with me about birthdays should make it so much more fun, too!”

Pint was happy to see Fall cheering up.

“There’s one more thing,” he said while reaching into a coat pocket and pulling out a folded sheet of paper. “It’s an early Hearths Warming gift for you.”

Fall took the folded paper and opened it up. It was a picture Pint had drew of the three of them, along with candy cloud, around a fireplace that had dolls on a spot above that looked like each of them.

“It’s not as good as the drawing you made for me,” blushed Pint. “But, I hope you like it.”

“It’s wonderful!” exclaimed Fall. “Thank you.”

“It’s a picture of the Hearths Warming we’re all going to have together,” the Pinto Unicorn stated. “That will be us next year. I promise.”

Fall smiled.

“Thanks, Pint.” She said.

“Well,” the much larger, but truly average-sized, Pegasus said. “I’m afraid we have to go now.”

“But we’ll be back as soon as we can!” announced Pint.

“Thanks guys,” she said. “I love both of you and am so glad you’re my friends.”

After a few closing words and warm wishes, Bucky and Pint headed for their homes as Fall made her way back into the orphanage.

Chapter 2 - Selfish Abandon

Fall was most grateful for the magical, heating pack that Pint and Bucky had given to her. This was because it was a full moon that night and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Being able to see the moonlit, snow-covered landscape along with the many stars in the sky made her feel very happy. The warmth provided by the heating pack just worked to further soothe the little Pegasus to the point she comfortably fell asleep as she thought on all the wonders that were beyond the confines of the orphanage.

The next morning, Fall awoke moments before the sun began to rise. As she normally woke up before everyone else in the bunk room, she took the opportunity to get up and go to the bathroom so she could discretely dispose of the depleted, magical, heating pack that Pint had given her. However, something was not going as she had come to expect.

“Hurry up!” the male caretaker barked from the other side of the bunk room door. “We’ve got a train to catch!”

CLICK-SLAM

“Fine!” boomed Ms. Powder Puff as she burst into the room. “All of you who have been here know the drill! We’re leaving and won’t be back for a few days.”

The fillies and colts rose with alarm upon the explosive entrance and statement made by the sky-blue colored Unicorn.

“What?” asked many of the children with surprise. “Huh?”

“So who will be in charge?” asked a familiar, green Pegasus

Ms. Powder Puff scowled around the room until she noticed Fall cowering near her bed.

“Rawhide!” she stated in a rushed tone. “You seem to keep every brat in here in line. You’re in charge!”

“Hurry up!” the male Unicorn growled. “Care Feather already has all the bags downstairs and we’re late as it is!”

“You got it, brats!” boomed Ms. Powder Puff. “Rawhide’s in charge while we’re gone!”

Fall felt herself go numb at the thought of Rawhide being ‘in charge’. The operators of the orphanage did always run out this time of year. However, they usually mentioned some volunteers would be by to take care of things. Was there no pony who wanted to come and help this time?

“Alright!” proclaimed Rawhide as his group of followers gathered around him. “Seems we get the whole place to ourselves this year. Let’s make the most of it.”

Rawhide and his gang left the room cheering over the victory they had achieved. Fall, and a few others in the second floor, bunk room shivered knowing that their lives would be absolutely awful until the caretakers came back. Considering how badly the caretakers took care of them it certainly was saying a lot to want them over Rawhide.

***

Fall wasn’t eager to leave the bunk room. However, when she did, she could hear the sound of fillies and colts carrying on from down on the first floor.

“Oh, no…,” she sighed while making her way down the stairs. “This doesn’t sound good at all.”

Upon reaching the bottom floor, Fall was surprised to see Rawhide, his friends, and some other fillies and colts making a mess out of the place.

“What’s going on?” she wondered.

“Hey!” announced Rawhide upon spotting the frail, brown Pegasus. “I wondered when you’d get down here.”

“What’s going on?” she asked anxiously.

“What’s going on,” grinned the green Pegasus. “Is that I’m in charge.”

“…,?” Fall gasped as she noticed the mess every pony was making. She knew Rawhide had every cruel intention for her to clean up after he, his friends, and any pony who’d join them wrecked the place.
“Buck up,” teased Rawhide. “At least we don’t have those grown-ups around to tell us what to do.”

CRASH!

“oops!” gasped a younger colt upon causing a lamp to fall and break upon the floor.

“Don’t worry about it!” proclaimed Rawhide. “All we need to do is say that fall did it.”

“But I didn’t!” shouted Fall with frustration.

“Be quiet, False Foal!” snapped rawhide. “Unless you want a face full of hoof, I’d recommend you go get a broom and dust pan and clean up the lamp you broke!”

Fall felt herself on the verge of tears. However, she didn’t dare stand up to Rawhide. He not only was bigger and stronger than her, but he also had a bunch of fillies and colts who thought of him as their leader.

“Fine…,” sighed Fall.

“Oh!” teased Rawhide. “Don’t forget you have dishes to do, too!”

***

The rest of the day was spent cleaning up after all the mischievous colts and fillies that Rawhide had encouraged to run rampant in the absence of the caretakers. Once she had everything done, she made an effort to hurry up to the fourth floor to get away from Rawhide’s cruelty. She knew no pony dared to go up to the caretakers’ floor. Especially since it was really nothing more than a landing with a triple-locked door that protected the room, or rooms, the caretakers occupied. “I don’t know what’s worse,” she said to herself. “Ms. Powder Puff, or Rawhide.”

“Hey,” came a small voice as a purple filly with a dark-blue mane came out from the shadows. “I’m really sorry for how every pony is treating you.”

“You…,” wondered Fall. “Sorry…?”

“Yes,” the filly said as she limped closer to Fall. Her back-right leg appeared a bit different than her other hooves. It was smaller in size and not capable of holding the weight of the filly like her other legs could.

“Me, too,” an orange Pegasus stated as he appeared from behind the filly. “Nobody deserves to be treated like Rawhide and his gang treat you.”

“Who are you?” asked Fall.

“I’m Gallant Gust,” stated the Pegasus who also had a dark-blue colored mane and tail. “And this is my sister, Soft Steps.”

“My name’s Fall,” the under developed, brown Pegasus stated.

“Happy to meet you, Fall,” smiled Soft Steps. “We actually wanted to talk to you sooner, but were afraid of rawhide.”

“I’m not afraid of Rawhide,” snarled Gallant Gust with a snort. “I’d take him on in a heartbeat if I didn’t know his cronies would come after you.”

“Oh, brother,” sighed Soft Steps. “I’m so sorry I’m holding you back.”

“Don’t say that, Softy,” he said. “You’re all I have since mom and dad passed away.

“Are you two new?” asked fall.

“Well,” blushed Soft Steps. “You might say that.”

“We’ve been kind of hiding in the shadows since being dropped off here about a week ago,” stated the orange Pegasus. “I heard a lot of things about orphanages and was worried about my sister. So, we kind of began finding our own places to do our own things whenever possible until I could gather how this place works.”

“And it doesn’t,” pouted Soft Steps. “The caretakers called me a ‘Lame Gimp’.”

Fall sighed.

“They call me ‘The False Foal’,” she said.

“You’re not a foal?” asked Gallant.

“No,” said Fall as she shook her head. “I’m almost eight years old.”

“So,” grinned Soft Steps. “You’re like me in being ‘Special’?”

“I don’t know if I’d call it ‘Special’ since I’m bullied all the time by Rawhide and the caretakers,” stated Fall.

“You know,” growled Gallant Gust as he clapped his front hooves together. “I think it’s time we came out of hiding and taught Rawhide a lesson on kindness.”

“Brother?” asked his wide-eyed Earth Pony sister.

“What do you say, fall?” he asked. “Let’s go make this place better for every pony by showing Rawhide and his goons that there are other ways to get things done than bullying those like you and my sister!”

Fall couldn’t believe what she was hearing. However, she wasn’t against having some ponies who appeared to genuinely want to make things better over what would obviously otherwise be an awful weekend.

“Sure,” she said. “I’m in.”

Chapter 3 - Gallant Gust and Soft Steps

There was no changing Gallant Gust’s mind. His nose was flared and his eyes were narrowed. The time for hiding was over and the time to confront Rawhide was now.

“Fall,” he said before heading down to the first floor. “Can you keep close to my sister? I don’t want her, or you, to get hurt if things get ugly.”

“Ugly…?”gulped Fall. “You’re not going to start a… fight. Are you?”

“Right now,” spat the orange Pegasus as he fluttered his wings. “I’m ready to do anything to make sure things get better around this awful place.”

“But, brother,” said his sister, Soft Steps.

Gallant held out his leg while giving a very sincere look of determination.

“I have to do this, sis,” he said as he felt a lump in his throat. “I can’t just stand aside knowing someone could bully you for something you never asked to be born with.”

Fall watched as Gallant began to tear up while talking about his sister. This was exactly how Pint and Bucky seemed to feel about her. No. This was how they felt about her.

“Um,” said Fall as she stood alongside Soft Steps. “I think I know why your brother wants to do what he’s going to do.”

“What?” wondered the purple Earth Pony. “You think he should fight that awful Pegasus?”

“No,” replied Fall while shaking her head. “I just think he needs to do what he thinks is right.”

“Thanks, Fall,” stated Gallant while flicking his tail. “I don’t want to fight. But, if Rawhide makes me, I’m willing to take him on for you and my sister.”

“But…,” panicked Soft Steps.

“Let him go,” said Fall. “He’s your brother and he loves you.”

“I know,” whimpered Soft Steps as she watched her sibling march down the stairs. “That’s why I don’t want him to get hurt just because of me.”

“It’ll be okay,” assured Fall as she felt tears of her own streaming down her face. She felt as if Gallant Gust and Soft Steps were her actual, first example of why Bucky and Candy Cloud mentioned how wonderful it would be to have her for a sister. This tied in with how a part of her saw a bit of all of her friends in Gallant as he bravely marched forward to stand up for those, like herself and Soft Steps, who were easy targets for bullies, like Rawhide.

“It is,” assured the orange Pegasus as he helped Rawhide to his feet. “And, after Rawhide here finishes his apologies and cleaning up his mess, we’re going to do it.”

Chapter 5 - A Hearths Warming All Our Own

Gallant Gust took a moment to ask all the ponies who were on the first floor about what they liked to do and if they would like to work with anyone to do it. His purpose in doing so was to show all of the orphans the power of working together. This was something his mother and father instilled in him and his sister at very early ages. He felt it was very important not only for returning order to the orphanage, but also honoring the parents he was still mourning.

“The three of us like making crafts!” proclaimed a cream colored filly who, like her friends, had likely just grew out of being in the nursery.

“Great,” stated gallant. “Does any pony want to hang things up?”

“I do!” announced a much older Pegasus while fluttering about the room. “It’s fun to put stuff up in places no pony else can reach.”

“Well,” said Gallant. “What we need is to have some colorful streamers to be hung all over the place.”

“Can we make the streamers?” the cream filly asked.

“Sure can!” grinned Gallant.

After a while, some ponies walked up to talk with Gallant.

“I think I know what you’re doing!?” one announced. “You’re making Hearths Warming!”

“No,” grinned the orange Pegasus. “’’We’re’ making Hearths Warming!”

“Did some pony say Hearths Warming?” asked a younger voice. “I think I remember it.”

“That’s great!” cheered Gallant. “Does any pony else here know about Hearths Warming?”

Pretty much every pony in the large room began to nod and announce how they knew of it, remembered it, or actively recalled being a part of all the ceremonies and activities that went with the holiday. Only the foals fresh from the nursery seemed to be at a loss for what every pony was so excited about.

“Wow!” awed one. “I never thought we’d have a Hearths Warming here!”

“With all your help,” stated Gallant. “We will!”

“What’s Hearts Warming?” a very little Unicorn asked.
There seemed to be no shortage in older ponies who wanted to tell the little Unicorn and his other foal friends about what Hearths Warming was.
“I’ll be right back!” announced Gallant Gust as he took this opportunity to get his sister and Fall from back on the second floor landing.

***

Upon returning to the first floor with Soft Steps and Fall, Gallant was pleasantly surprised to see that every pony was really getting into the spirit of the season. Some ponies were so happy to think back on times before they were put in the orphanage. Others were brought to tears upon recalling happier times with parents and siblings they hadn’t seen in a very long time. But most importantly, every pony was being nice to each other by clapping for each speaker, while also helping to comfort those who felt sad knowing they’d never celebrate a Hearths Warming with their families again.

Fall listened with amazement as she saw the normally mean kids being so nice. She never thought any of them were capable of friendliness. However, here they were all looking out for each other in discussing the very event her best friend’s, Bucky and Pint, had just got done telling her about.

“Do you remember Hearths Warming?” asked Soft Steps.

“No…,” sighed Fall. “It sounds wonderful, though.”

“That’s the magic of friendship!” cheered the purple pony as she gave Fall a gentle hug. “This is the time of year we put aside our differences and celebrate how, even with our differences, we’re all friends.”

Fall looked at all the ponies talking about how to make a Hearths Warming right there in the orphanage. Those who didn’t know were being told by those who did while others delightfully added points about the occasion and ceremony that others had forgotten, or never experienced.

“We should do our own ceremony!” suggested a very peppy, older Unicorn. “I remember all about Unicornia and could even play the role of Princess Platinum!”

“Ooh!” a younger Unicorn exclaimed. “I could be Clover the Clever!”

The children were all excited about putting on their own play for Hearths Warming. There were some squabbles over who did what, but Gallant Gust, Soft Steps, and some of the other ponies made sure to keep the arguments from getting out of hand.

“I have an idea,” stated one of the Earth Ponies. “Why doesn’t Fall play Private Pansy?”

“Who?” wondered Fall.

“She’s the one who helps Commander Hurricane of the Pegasus Tribe realize the meaning of friendship,” said Soft Steps.

“You’re smart,” squeaked a young filly.

“Hey!” announced one of the ponies who knew of Hearths Warming. “Soft Steps could be Smart Cookie!”

“You…,” blushed the purple Earth Pony. “You really think so?”

“Why not?” asked another pony. “You and your brother know probably the most of all of us!”

“Who thinks Gallant Gust should be Commander Hurricane?” asked an older pony.

The cheering for Gallant Gust to be Commander Hurricane was growing, but Fall had another idea.

“Rawhide…,” she said softly to the bully who had broken away from the group.

“What do you want?” he asked with a sniffle.

“If Hearths Warming is about friendship,” she said nervously. “Why don’t you be the Commander Hurricane?”

“Me?” he asked with a snort.

“Yeah,” said fall. “I’d rather be friends than not friends with you.”

“But…,” he said. “I’ve been so mean to you and so many others.”

“If Hearths Warming is about friendship and every pony being nice to each other,” stated fall. “I don’t see why we can’t get along.”

Gallant Gust was about to accept the role of Commander Hurricane when Fall and Rawhide approached the group.

“Sorry to bother you,” said Fall. “But I think Rawhide would make a great hurricane commander.”

“Really?” asked gallant. “Isn’t he the one who bullied you and made you do all his chores?”

Rawhide lowered his head in shame.

“He is,” replied fall. “But, if Hearths Warming is about friendship and being nice, I don’t feel right knowing he’d be left out.”

“Well,” thought Gallant. “The story is about how Private Pansy played a part in helping Commander Hurricane understand the power of friendship. Yeah, I think it would work great.”

“Really?” asked a beaming Rawhide. “Really,” assured Gallant. “I can be the Narrator.”

“What’s a Narrator?” asked a younger colt.

“You’ll see,” said a slightly taller pony as she rubbed the colt’s head.

“Okay!” proclaimed Gallant gust. “Let’s all get this place all nice so we can decorate it for Hearths Warming! Then we can all practice to put on our very own Hearths Warming Ceremony!”

Chapter 4 - Showdown

Every pony was running wild without a care in the world for anyone besides themselves as Gallant Gust reached the first floor.

“Woo-hoo!” exclaimed Rawhide before bucking at a bookshelf. This caused it to teeter back-and-forth quite dangerously as books spilled onto the floor.

“Enough is enough,” grumbled Gallant upon unfurling his wings and narrowing his eyes. His fixation was now on Rawhide and how he was going to make him end this madness.

“THAT’S ENOUGH!” boomed the orange Pegasus while stamping his front hooves firmly into the carpet.

Nearly every pony ceased their actions to look towards the Pegasus who had shouted at them as if he were one of the caretakers.

“Who do you think you are?” belittled Rawhide as he made his way towards Gallant. “You don’t have a say in what goes and what doesn’t.”

“Wanna bet?” glared Gallant while he moved to meet up with Rawhide and his gang.

The room was silent as the two kept making their way closer to each other until they were a mere inch from touching nose-to-nose.

“I remember you,” stated Rawhide as he worked to intimidate Gallant. “You’re that new kid with the gimp sister.”

Gallant stepped back while crying out, “Take that back!”

“Ooh,” chuckled Rawhide while he narrowed his focus onto the Pegasus’ enraged face. “Did I make you mad, little pony?”

“No pony!” shouted Gallant as he firmly anchored his hooves into the rug and spread his wings. “NO PONY MAKES FUN OF MY SISTER!”

“Oh,” grinned Rawhide. “Should I make fun of you instead?”

Rawhide’s gang was growing eager to enter into the argument.

“Shall I hold him down for you?” asked an earth Pony.

“Want me to get his gimp sister?” asked a Unicorn with an evil smile. “She can’t be far from here and I bet he wouldn’t be so tough if the gimp was here.”

Gallant Gust had heard enough. He didn’t want to fight, but it looked like he had no other choice.

“What the-“ gasped Rawhide as he had only enough time to see the determined face of the orange Pegasus as Gallant dove to tackle him.

POOM-FWOP-FLIP-FWUMP!

“TELL THEM TO TAKE THAT BACK!” boomed Gallant Gust.
“Don’t hurt me!” cried the once powerful, green Pegasus as he felt the larger orange Pegasus using one front hoof to hold him to the ground as he raised another to stomp him in the face.

“Why shouldn’t I?” asked Gallant while holding his position in preparation to pound the bully.

“I take back everything!” exclaimed Rawhide. “I promise to never pick on your sister again!”

“Not good enough,” growled Gallant as he pressed his one hoof more firmly into Rawhide’s chest.

“What do you want!” cried the bully as tears began to form in his eyes. “Tell me! Tell me and I’ll do it!”

“I want you,” stated Gallant. “To clean up this mess you’ve made and tell every pony in here who you’ve bullied that you’re sorry.”

Rawhide looked up to clearly see that his next statement would be the difference between being hit very hard, or being let go.

“Okay!” he cried. “I’ll… I’ll clean up the mess!”

“And?” asked Gallant with a glare.

“And…,” whimpered Rawhide. “I’ll apologize to every pony I’ve been mean to.”

“That includes Fall!” announced Gallant.

“’The false foal’?” he asked nervously.

Gallant Gust raised his one hoof higher to make sure his stomp really counted as he further pinned down Rawhide with the rest of his hooves.

“What was that?” he asked with a growl.

“Fall!” exclaimed Rawhide as he began to ball like a baby. “Her name’s Fall!”

“And you’ll apologize to her?” insisted the orange Pegasus with the deep-blue colored mane.

“Yes,” sobbed the Pegasus as tears streamed into his green fur and red mane. “I will.”

Gallant Gust leapt off from atop Rawhide as the once fearsome bully began to sob and snort uncontrollably on the floor.

“Now hear this!” announced Gallant Gust. “If we’re going to make this work we’ve got to work together!”

The room was silent as some ponies stood in disbelief and others went into hiding.

“No pony likes being here!” announced Gallant while moving about the room. “But, it’s up to us to make the most of this! To show that we’ll not be treated poorly just because we’re orphans!”

There was mumbling amongst the ponies who didn’t go into hiding.

“How do we do that?” asked the Earth Pony who once stood alongside Rawhide.

“We do as my parents told my sister and me to do many times before they died,” stated Gallant. “We help each other.”

“But…,” stumbled the Unicorn who was at Rawhide’s other side. “Who will lead us?”

“No pony,” replied Gallant. “From now on, we’re all leaders who look out for each other instead of looking for ponies to pick on.”

There was a series of slow nods as some of the ponies who went into hiding came into view.

“Is that possible?” asked one of the younger colts who had hid himself under a couch cushion.

“It is,” assured the orange Pegasus as he helped Rawhide to his feet. “And, after Rawhide here finishes his apologies and cleaning up his mess, we’re going to do it.”

Chapter 6 - A Little Help From a New Friend

Every pony was in great spirits as they all shared what they knew about Hearths Warming. It was perhaps the first time Fall could remember everyone getting along so well. The best part was how she wasn’t being teased by Rawhide, his gang, or any of the other orphans.

Unfortunately, not everything could be perfect forever. Since most of the ponies were so used to Fall doing all the dirty chores, like sweeping, mopping, and dishes, the little, brown Pegasus was solo-saddled with those tasks every pony had gotten used to her exclusively doing.

“Well…,” sighed fall as she struggled to work the broom and dust pan. “At least every pony is happy.”

“Fall?” asked Soft Steps as she slowly made her way towards the little Pegasus. “Can I help you?”

Fall paused for a moment as her blue eyes gazed with disbelief at the purple Earth Pony.

“Help?” asked Fall.

“Yes,” replied Soft Steps while she took the dust pan from Fall. “You sweep up the dirt and I’ll help you scoop it up and throw it away.”

“Really?” asked Fall. “You can do that?”

“I can do a lot of things,” stated Soft Steps. “I may not be able to gallop, but that doesn’t mean I’m useless.”

Fall took a moment to notice how Soft Steps kept her undersized leg lifted above the ground while putting all her weight on the other three.

Soft Steps took notice of Fall’s eyes looking towards her underdeveloped leg and smiled.

“We have a lot in common,” she said. “I wouldn’t have even known you were a Pegasus if I didn’t notice those tiny wings hiding behind your mane.”

Fall lowered her head.

“They were broken,” stated Fall with a frown. “The filly who did it didn’t even get in trouble. Ms. Powder Puff just got all angry about me ‘playing too hard’ and had some pony look at them. She didn’t care who did it. She didn’t even have to apologize for hurting me so bad and Ms. Powder Puff just kept telling me to ‘suck it up and deal.’.”

“That’s awful,” stated Soft Steps.
“Since then,” Fall continued. “My wings haven’t grown at all even though I’m still growing, really I know it doesn’t look it but I am..just… very, very slowly.”

“Did any pony ever take you to a doctor?” asked the purple pony with hope in her eyes.

“That’s what she called the pony who looked them over,” Fall replied flatly. “But, Ms. Powder Puff got all angry when we got there and they started talking about treatments, appointments, bits, and insurance. I didn’t know what any of that meant, but Ms. Powder Puff got very mad, asked them to just bandage my wings, and told me the pain would go away on its own.”

“And that was it?” Soft Steps said with disbelief.

Fall nodded her head slowly.

Soft Steps lowered her head.

“My mom and dad took me to the doctor all the time,” she said softly. “I never liked going, but they said the doctor could help me with my leg.”

Fall noticed tears forming in Soft Steps eyes. So she dropped the broom to go stand by the purple Earth Pony’s side.

“Did I make you sad?” worried Fall.

“No,” replied Soft Steps with a sniffle. “I just miss my mom and dad.”

Fall thought on what she could say. However, she barely had any memory, if any, of her mother and father. She believed she could remember her mom, but the memory was so hazy that it seemed more like a dream than something real.

“I’m sure you miss your parents,” sobbed Soft Steps.

“I…,” sighed Fall. “I’m not sure if I remember my parents.”

“What?” asked Soft Steps. “How long have you been here?”

“As long as I can remember,” stated Fall.

“No pony wanted to adopt you?” asked the purple pony.

Fall shook her head. Her pig tails lightly swaying as she did.

“No,” she replied. “The grown-ups usually showed me last due to something they referred to as ‘Not wanting to give ponies the wrong idea about the place.’. Then, when they started calling me ‘The False Foal’ cause of how slowly I was growing for my age, the older kids would find ways to hide me in a closet, or stuff like that, since they wanted to improve their chances of being adopted since younger foals are almost always adopted first.”

“That’s terrible!” cried Soft Steps.

The tiny, brown Pegasus said nothing as she resumed sweeping the floor.

“Fall,” said Soft Steps. “We’ll get you out of here.”

Fall felt herself smile as the purple Earth Pony said what her friends, Pint and Bucky, had been telling her.

“I mean it!” proclaimed Soft Steps. “My brother is the best and he won’t let any pony shove you in a closet, or hide you away.”

Fall’s smile grew wider.

“Really?” she asked. “You think your brother can help me to get adopted?”

“I’m sure of it!” cheered Soft Steps. “My brother can do anything!”

The little Pegasus knew Pint and Bucky were going to get her out of the orphanage, but having someone genuinely care about getting her out who was in the orphanage with her made the prospect of escaping such a terrible place seem all the more believable.

“Thank you,” stated fall. “Does this mean we’re friends?”

“Of course!” chimed Soft Steps. “Friends forever!”

Chapter 7 - A Little Known Secret

Soft Steps’ help and conversation made it so Fall was easily able to get through all the tasks she had become used to being burdened with.

“Thanks, Soft Steps,” grinned the pig tailed Pegasus. “It’s nice to have a friend around here.”

“Of course!” the purple Earth Pony replied with a smile. “But, don’t forget, you can call me ‘Softy’.”

Fall’s face beamed.

“Thanks,” she said. “Softy.”

***

The duo returned to the main room on the first floor to see how some ponies had already fallen asleep in places around the room while others talked, or played.

“Must be bedtime,” stated Soft Steps with a yawn.

“It usually is when I’m done with all the chores,” said fall. “Ms. Care Feather, Ms. Powder Puff, and Mr. Razzle Dazzle usually have all us orphans locked away in our bunk rooms by now.”

“Or they’re yelling about it,” grumbled Soft Steps.

***

Soft Step’s brother, Gallant Gust, noticed the pair of fillies standing near the sealed entryway into the baby pony’s room.

“Hey, you two!” he cheered. “It seems like we’re all on for putting on Hearths Warming on Saturday!”

“Really?” Softy asked with disbelief. “Yep! It seems like coming out of hiding has really paid off. All the ponies here seem to think I’m pretty cool.”

“No surprise,” giggled his sister. “You’re definitely the best big brother a sister could ask for.”

“Ah, sis’,” he blushed. “I’m just glad I can help make things better for you and Fall.”

The mention of ‘hiding’ caught Fall’s attention.

“You’ve been hiding?” asked Fall. “Where?”

“Well,” replied Gallant. “Did you know this place has a basement?”

Fall nodded.

“Uh, huh,” she said. “It’s where the grown-ups keep all the adoption papers.”

“There’s other stuff down there, too,” stated Gallant.

“Wait,” said Fall. “You found a way into the basement?”

“Actually,” the orange Pegasus replied. “Soft Steps did.”

Fall’s blue eyes looked with amazement towards her friend.

“I don’t know,” she said. “I was just walking around near the front office when no pony was looking and heard a different sound while I walked over one of the rugs.”

“Softy came and got me to check it out,” he added. “I then gently moved the rug to find a piece of floor that had a latch being held in place by a rusty-looking lock thingy.”.”

“How did you get it open?” wondered Fall.

That’s the funny part,” answered Gallant. “The moment I learned they were going to separate my sister and I by putting her on the second floor and me on the third floor, I got super angry and stomped my hooves into the floor near where Softy found the trap door. It then just sort of popped off.”

“So,” said Soft Steps. “My brother and I decided to sneak away until Ms. Care Feather would head upstairs. As she went up, Gallant stomped his hoof near the latch, popped it open, and we snuck down into the basement with no pony noticing.”

The brown Pegasus was in awe.

“So how did you two not get caught?” she asked.

Gallant chuckled.

“The grown-ups here made it too easy,” he remarked. “They would turn up the temperature on the heating system before getting up in the morning. That thing is so broken down and noisy that it woke both of us up and we used that little bit of time to get back up the stairs, reposition the latch and rug, and then gradually make our way back into the groups.”

“Since the caretakers didn’t really know, or care, about us,” added Soft Steps. “My brother and I kept finding ways to stay out of sight so we wouldn’t ever have to be apart.”

***

The three continued to talk until Soft Steps starting yawning and drooping her eyelids.

“You look tired, sis,” stated Gallant with a brotherly nuzzle. “I don’t think any pony is going to care where we sleep tonight. How about you and Fall go up to the second floor and I’ll meet you up there when I can?”

“You won’t forget,” mumbled a very tired Soft Steps.

“Of course not,” he assured. “I’m sure you and Fall can enjoy some more time together, too.”

“Yeah…,” said Fall. “Sounds good.

The three parted ways as Fall guided Soft Steps up to the second floor bunk room while Gallant Gust went back to getting to know the other orphans who were still up.

Chapter 8: Beyond the Window

Some fillies and colts had already made their way into the second-floor bunk room. They were all either trying to go to sleep, jumping on the beds, or talking about how nice it was to not have Ms. Powder Puff and Mr. Razzle dazzle around.

“So,” stated Soft Steps upon reaching Fall’s bunk that was right by the non-insulated window. “This is your bed?”

“Yeah,” replied Fall. “It’s where I feel the happiest and safest.”

Soft Steps shivered.

“And the coldest,” she chattered.

“You get used to it,” stated Fall upon climbing up onto her flat, battered bunk. The springs within the mattress could easily be felt in various spots from all the wear the outdated twin bed was.

Soft Steps thought for a moment before making her way up onto Fall’s bunk. She first put her front hooves up on the bed itself before kicking up with her strong, back-left leg while pulling up with her two front hooves so that she didn’t hurt her fragile, less developed, back-right leg.

“Eep!” she squeaked while feeling even more cold air blow onto her fur.

“Here,” offered Fall as she used the thin, torn blanket she had to cover up her purple-colored friend.

“Thank you,” said Softy.

Fall went to the windowsill and sat on her haunches. Her gaze focused on the moonlit, snow-covered landscape below.

“Aren’t you cold?” asked Softy.

“No…,” the brown Pegasus replied. She was cold, but so many nights sleeping by the window had gotten her used to doing so. She didn’t like being cold, but she did have ways of not thinking on how chilled she really was.

“Are you sure?” asked the Earth Pony. “I can see your breath.”

The pigtailed Pegasus sighed, which let out a puff of heated breath into the air.

“I’m okay,” she assured. “I have other things to keep me warm.”

“What’s that?” asked Softy while moving to snuggle up against Fall.

“My friends,” she replied.

“Friends?” wondered Soft Steps. “Where are they? Are they here?”

Fall gestured towards the window.

“They’re out there,” she said with a smile. “Beyond the fence.”

The purple pony didn’t know what to say.

“I think you’d like them,” stated Fall. “Pint and Bucky have shown me that there is so much more to this world than this awful place.”

“Are they your imaginary friends?” asked Softy. “I sometimes have a friend named Sprinkles who comes and sprinkles magical dust on my leg so we can gallop together with my brother.”

Fall shook her head.

“No,” she replied. “Pint and Bucky are real friends who do so many nice things for me.”

“Could you tell me more about them?” asked Softy.

***

The little Pegasus went on to tell Soft Steps about all the times she had shared with her Unicorn and Pegasus friends. She seemed to get happier-and-happier as she told each tale from when they first met in early Autumn up until their last visit a day ago.

“Wow!” awed Softy. “They sound like wonderful friends.”

“They really are,” smiled Fall. “I can’t wait until they can help me get out of here forever.”

“You know my brother and I will help, too!” exclaimed Soft Steps. “My big brother can do anything and so can I!”

Fall thought back on how Bucky and Candy Cloud talked about how she’d make such a great sister. She also thought on how they talked about how some brothers and sisters didn’t always get along. However, Soft Steps and Gallant Gust seemed to be a perfect brother and sister pairing.

“My friends, Bucky and Candy Cloud, said I’d be a wonderful sister,” stated Fall. “What’s it like to actually have a perfect brother?”

“Well…,” thought Soft Steps. “He looks out for me and I look out for him. We know we can count on each other to get through anything…”

There was a short pause as Soft Steps felt tears well up in her eyes.

“Are you okay?” asked Fall.

“I miss my mommy and daddy,” Softy sniffled.

Fall felt tears of her own forming as her mind wished she knew what it was like to have actually known her mother and father. Why could she only remember a faint, dream-like memory of her mom? Was it even real? What would it be like to have parents? Would being adopted mean she’d have as much support as Pint and Soft Steps did despite their disabilities?

All these questions brought Fall to snuggle into Soft Steps as Soft Steps snuggled into her. They both cried silently while facing out towards the moonlit, winter’s night.

Chapter 10 - Happy Hearths Warming

The Hearths warming Ceremony took priority over everything else in the orphanage. Fall didn’t even hear a word about dishes, sweeping, or any other chore as numerous ponies helped her, Soft Steps, Rawhide, and every pony else who was involved in portraying the leaders and assistants for each of the three tribes.

***

As the sun began to set on the orphanage this Hearths Warming Eve, the children found themselves surprisingly interrupted by a knock on the door.

“H-hello?” asked the oldest filly in the orphanage as she answered the door. The children knew it would be trouble if any pony stopped by while the caretakers were away. However, it would be worse if the caretakers suddenly came back to see how they had turned the entire first floor into a makeshift stage through the use of blankets, pillows, cut up paper from old coloring books, and anything else the children could find lying around.

“Happy Hearths Warming!” cheered a mare as she poked her head in. She was followed by two stallions who were dressed up in Hearths warming costumes. “We represent ‘Princess Luna’s Dream Team’. This year, we chose your orphanage as our local charity to receive Hearths Warming treats to help raise your spirits just as the Moon Princess raises the moon at night.”

The eldest filly didn’t know what to say.

“Uh…,” she sputtered. “Thank you.”

“Is it okay if we leave our pies, vegetable plates, cheese and cracker platters, and cookies with you, young Miss?” the cheerful, deep-blue Unicorn with the snow-white mane asked. “I’m guessing you’re the super-thoughtful volunteer who is offering to help the orphans out on this most special occasion?”

The older, orphan teen gasped. Everything hung on her answer.

“Y-yeah!” she stumbled. “That’s me! Ms. Thoughtful and stuff.”

“Splendid!” the mare, ‘Dream Team’ leader whinnied. “Then we’ll just leave the boxes here and let you do what’s best for those sweet orphans in there.”

“Right!” the bashful mare replied. “We’re definitely going to make sure all the orphans have a wonderful Hearths Warming.”

***

No pony could believe that the oldest of the orphans was able to pull off such a miracle. However, she did and now they had three big boxes of food to enjoy along with their play. One box contained pies, another the veggie and cracker platters, and the last one had a wide assortment of Hearths Warming cookies.

“Can we eat them now?” drooled a hungry filly.

“Not yet,” insisted Gallant Gust. “It’s tradition to eat after the play is finished.”

“Yeah,” added a young, yellow Unicorn. “I used to love the food we’d eat after attending our town’s performance of the Hearths Warming Ceremony.”

“Isn’t that when every pony is supposed to talk about the power of friendship and how we’re all happily united under the single flag of Equestria?” asked a mint-green colored Pegasus who was about fall’s age, but properly developed in size and wings.

“Yeah,” stated gallant Gust. “That’s what our family did every year.”

“Well!” squeaked one of the foals who had only recently transferred out of Ms. Care Feather’s Nursery. “I’m hungry and want to see the play!”

Gallant and the other older ponies chuckled as they gestured towards their makeshift stage and seating area to begin the presentation.

***

Aside from a good number of on-stage mishaps, crowd-driven corrections, and plenty of awkward moments of stage fright, the Hearths Warming Ceremony went wonderfully. It wasn’t so much about the quality of the performance as it was all the fun every pony had doing it. What was especially impressive was how Rawhide and Fall got along. He sure could’ve been a lot meaner towards Fall as his role of Commander Hurricane who often snapped towards Private Pansy, but he kept it friendly and Fall felt very thankful for that.

***

The rest of the night was shared amongst all the children of the second and third floor as they ate the donated treats from ‘Princess Luna’s Dream Team’. There was laughing, joking, and plenty of smiling. No pony had anything mean, cruel, or unkind to say, or do, to any pony else. This included Fall, who really couldn’t help but be surprised at how she was being genuinely acknowledged by her fellow orphans as more than the ‘False Foal who does the chores’.

The night also proved to be most informative as all the ponies took the time to help teach those who didn’t fully understand Hearths Warming all about what it represented, who the key characters were in the story, and about other interesting aspects of Equestria.

“I never knew just how much was out there beyond the orphanage,” awed Fall before nibbling upon a carrot stick.

“Oh, there is!” proclaimed Soft Steps as she chewed on a piece of celery. “When we all get out of here, I’ll be sure to help you learn everything!”

“Well,” said Fall as she thought on her friends, Bucky and Pint. “I’m really glad I have so many nice ponies who care about me.”

“And I’m glad you and my sister are super friends,” grinned Gallant Gust as he brought a small plate of cookies to Fall and his sister. “You’re her first real friend and I’m so happy you two can be there for each other.”

“Thanks, Gallant,” stated Fall with a beaming smile. “If it weren’t for you, I don’t think I’d ever have believed all the orphans in here could ever be nice.”

“It just takes the right influence!” proclaimed Softy while gesturing for her brother to hug her.

“That’s right!” he exclaimed as he embraced his sister who also had a deep-blue colored mane and tail. “And I know our parents would be so proud of how we are staying strong together while showing how all of us are capable of being ‘The Elements of Harmony’.”

All the orphans decided to spend the night together on the first floor as the younger fillies and colts began to pass out from exhaustion brought on by their young bodies insisting on getting their rest. The heater may not have been running much, if at all, but the fire of friendship was keeping them all warm and cozy as they snuggled together with happy thoughts in their minds and smiles on their faces.

Chapter 9 - Prepping for Hearths Warming

Gallant Gust found Fall and his sister snuggled up together and fast asleep.

“Oh, sis,” he said while carefully making his way up onto Fall’s bunk. “I’m so happy to see you with a friend.”

The orange Pegasus had never seen any pony want to get close to his sister. Every pony admired him for his impressive wings and strong hooves, but they often would try to avoid his sister beyond giving her judgmental stares.

“Mom was right,” he continued to whisper while seeing the cuddled pair fast asleep. “Some pony would be able to understand and see you as a friend instead of as a burden.”

Gallant did his best to adjust the thin blanket around both Fall and his sister. He then found the flat pillow on Fall’s bed, curled up in a ball in front of the pair, covered himself up with the pillow, and fell asleep.

***

The next day was all about getting ready to do the Hearths Warming Ceremony. There was a lot of chaos, but Gallant managed to keep every pony under control. Even the older ponies got into the spirit of aiding to ensure everything stayed happy, calm, and fair.

“You’re really cool!” complimented a teenage pony. “How old are you?”

“I’m ten going on eleven,” replied Gallant Gust.

“Ten?” the bewildered teen replied. “I’d have never guessed.”

Gallant Gust smiled and pointed towards his sister who was with Fall helping the youngest of the orphans in making decorations for the night’s performance.

“I get told that a lot,” he replied. “It’s because I made a promise to my parents to always look out for my little sister.”

“Look out for your sister?” the Earth Pony teen wondered. “What do you mean?”

“As a big brother,” stated gallant. “It is my responsibility to make sure my sister is safe and not hurt by anyone, or anything.”

“Oh,” the teen said. “Nobody does that here.”

Gallant faced the older, Earth Pony.

“Maybe some pony should?” he suggested. “We bigger kids should always do our best to show our younger friends good examples of kindness, generosity, honesty, and loyalty.”

“Hey!” called out a Pegasus who appeared even older than the Earth Pony that Gallant was talking to. “Are you talking about ‘The Elements of Harmony’?”

“Yeah,” Gallant replied.

“But you forgot laughter and magic,” stated another, teenage pony as she and a friend joined the group.

“Oh!” blushed Gallant. “I was just starting to learn about them in school before, well…”

“Hey!” the teen filly stated with a smile. “It’s nothing to get upset over.”

“You’re right,” replied Gallant as he pushed the thoughts of his deceased parents out of his mind. “Let’s go get everything ready for tonight’s show.”