A Ponyville Hearth's Warming

"And then I said: 'If you keep building your house out of ginger bread, no wonder it crumbles every year!"

Fluttershy laughed so hard that she snorted eggnog out of her nose. She sniffled and wiped a tear from her eye. "Ginger bread ha!" Fluttershy giggled as she collapsed back into a fit of laughter.

Her cottage was decorated for the festive season, with candy canes, mistletoe and ornaments hanging on the walls. Bright lights happily shone throughout Fluttershy's home shining joyous pinks, reds, greens and blues. Discord and Fluttershy both sat plush couches in the living room, enjoying eggnog and cookies. A fire crackled in the hearth, providing a warm glow for the two friends.

"Oh Discord I'm so glad you decided to visit today! I hoped the others would come by, but everyone is so busy preparing for the Hearth's Warming Eve party at Twilight's castle. Everyone wants it to be just perfect because Princess Celestia is attending this year."

Discord finished drinking his eggnog glass and waved his paw dismissively. "Oh big deal Princess Sunny Buddy is showing up. It's not the end of the world!" He snapped a talon and a little wind up Celestia toy appeared in his paw. Discord cranked it a few times and it began mechanically flying around the room. "Though from what I hear she eats through the Hearth's Warming Eve cake so quickly that they make extra at every party she attends." The wind up toy began chomping its way through a large pink cake that floated over Fluttershy's head. She looked up at the plastic alicorn and sighed.

"Try telling Twilight it isn't a big deal. When we got the letter that Princess Celestia would be coming, she went into a nervous breakdown for hours!"

Discord raised an eyebrow. "Says the pony who locks herself away every Nightmare Night?" A paper Flutterbat appeared in the air and began zooming around, biting all the red ornaments in sight.

"Point taken I guess. I just hope it's all worth it in the end and the Hearth's Warming party turns out perfect."

"Oh Flutters, I've been around centuries and let me tell you: nothing turns out perfect. In fact, when ponies try to make things perfect it makes the Chaos that ensues all the more hilarious!" Discord chuckled. Fluttershy didn't look too amused but said nothing. Suddenly Discord froze and sniffed loudly. "Doth my senses deceive me?"

"What is it Discord?" Fluttershy asked curiously.

"It appears another Spirit has decided to pay Ponyville a visit." Discord narrowed his eyes and pointed at the window. The curtains flew open to reveal the snowy streets outside. There was barely anypony outside as most ponies were in the market buying gifts, taking advantage of the last minute Hearth's Warming sales. Discord's eagle talon was pointed at a particular pony slowly trotting along the empty road. The pony was an average looking light blue unicorn stallion, with a snowflake cutie mark. He seemed to be taking his time, looking around at the many Hearth's Warming decorations ponies had put up.

"Hmm, I can't say I've seen him in town before, but he looks... normal. He doesn't look like a spirit."

"Look again." Discord said with a frown.

Fluttershy squinted. The stallion seemed to shimmer, as if he wasn't completely solid. He trotted up to a large candy cane standing in front of a house and lightly laid a hoof on it. Slowly ice began to spread across the candy cane, until it was completely covered. Without warning, the candy cane shattered violently, spraying ice across the road.

"Who is that?" Fluttershy gasped.

"Jack Frost, spirit of ice and snow, lord of winter and king of the windigos." Discord explained. "He's an old spirit, used to be very powerful during the time of the three tribes. Hasn't shown up much recently except to bring in the occasional blizzard. But I guarantee whatever reason he's here, it isn't a good one."

"Can you do anything?"

Discord shrugged. "I guess I can try." He popped out of existence and appeared outside. "Hey frosty! Long time no see!" Fluttershy peered out the window, trying her best to listen to their conversation.

The blue stallion turned around, his eyes glowing white and power streaking off of him. Once he saw who it was he quickly returned to normal. "Ah if isn't the tamed spirit of Chaos." he said in an impish voice. Fluttershy found it strange that a stallion had such a squeaky voice, but then again, this wasn't exactly a normal stallion.

"I choose to take that as a compliment Jacky." Discord lazily flew in the air. "And what brings an icy fellow like you to Ponyville?"

Jack casually flicked his hoof and a miniature blizzard flew toward the nearest house, destroying it in seconds. "I've come to herald the next ice age, what else?

Discord chuckled and snapped his talons, repairing the house and adding a few Discord shaped decorations to it. "Can't say that I'm surprised but why now of all times?"

"Too long my windigo subjects have been kept at bay, for there is no hatred and distrust for us to feed on. This 'Hearth's Warming Eve spirit' has made the Fire of Friendship burn so bright that most of my brethren are driven to the furthest corners of the planet."

"Well, I'd be lying if I said you didn't deserve it." Discord sighed. "Though your antics were enjoyable all those years ago, even I see that these ponies have a lot more to offer than being an emotional food source or simple amusement. Why not try friendship and love instead? I hear they taste great with oats."

Frost hissed. "You are nothing but a fool as always Discord."

"A fool? Me?!" Discord said with mock surprise. He was wearing a red jester hat with jingling bells.

"Long ago I whispered to the mind of a powerful unicorn almost convincing her to cast a spell that would erase Hearth's Warming forever. Were it not for the interference of those three meddlesome Hearth's Warming spirits I would have succeeded." Frost said bitterly.

"Hearth's Warming Presents was always a real sweetheart back in the day. Presents would always have such prescience that every Hearth's Warming she'd always be present with a present." Discord grinned as Jack Frost stared at him in utter confusion.

Frost shook his head and continued, "This year however, the Hearth's Warming spirit seems to be particularly weak in Ponyville. Once I crush it completely by ruining Hearth's Warming, my windigos will finally be able to feed on these miserable ponies and take over all of Equestria." He laughed manically, which sounded more like hiccups with his squeaky voice.

Discord looked skeptical. "Really?"

"And I suggest you get out of the way Discord."

"Right you are Frosty... well tootles!" Discord waved and disappeared with a pop.

Fluttershy was startled by a small pop behind her and turned around. "Well how was that?" Discord said nonchalantly.

"Um Discord, by do something I meant, you know... magic?" Fluttershy said softly.

Discord grabbed another cookie and began munching on it. "Oh that's what you meant! Well I can't make him leave. My magic doesn't affect him."

"But he's going to ruin Hearth's Warming and bring back the windigos! Oh what do we do what do we do?" Fluttershy panicked.

Discord snapped his paw and a thick winter coat appeared on him. "Well this visit was lovely Fluttershy but I've got a party in Chaosville to get to. Me and smoozy are gonna set the dance floor on fire... literally!"

"But-" Fluttershy protested.

"Oh hey mistletoe!" Discord pointed upward at a small wreath. He picked up Fluttershy and gave her a small kiss on the cheek, leaving her blushing. He snapped his eagle talon and vanished into confetti.

Fluttershy felt slightly warm inside from the kiss, but that warmth was soon replaced by dread. That spirit was going to ruin Hearth's Warming and bring forth eternal winter and she was the only one who knew about it. She had to find Twilight... and fast.