A Ponyville Hearth's Warming

As she neared the kitchen, Fluttershy delighted in the wonderful smells that wafted toward her. She peeked inside, and sure enough the baking was in full swing. The entire Apple family along with several baking assistants busily went from one task to another, mixing batter, laying out baking sheets and attending to the ovens among other things. A huge metal rack was stationed in the corner, supporting dozens of batches of cookies, cakes, and other confections. Another rack had all things apple, from apple pie to apple tarts and even apple bread.

When Fluttershy cautiously entered the room, a blast of heat immediately washed over her, caused by the several ovens that continued to spit out treats every thirty minutes. Applejack herself attended to a large cake in the center of the kitchen, decorating it with pink frosting. "When the hay is Pinkie comin back?" she asked Apple Bloom in an annoyed voice. "Ah can only do so much here! If we're gonna finish the big cake we need her help! If the cake ain't perfect, Princess Celestia ain't gonna be too happy. Hear she's really got a thing for cake, and if this cake ain't the best one in Hearth's Warmin' history then ah ain't an Apple!" Applejack threw her hat on the ground for emphasis, but immediately readjusted it onto her head.

"Ah don't know sis! She's still out buying gifts last ah heard!" Apple Bloom replied, carefully carrying a tray of caramel apples over to the metal racks.

"Well she better get back here! She could get all this baking done twice as fast." Applejack complained.

Fluttershy cleared her throat. "Um Applejack?"

Applejack turned around and gave her a warm smile. "Fluttershy! Happy Hearth's Warming sugarcube!"

"Oh um yes well Happy Hearth's Warming to you too Applejack. So-"

There was a loud chime as one of the ovens went off. "Ah'll get it!" Applejack called. "Sorry, just give me a minute." she said to Fluttershy as she pulled on baking mitts and galloped over to the oven.

"Okay but-" Fluttershy tried again.

Applejack rushed the steaming tarts over to the cooling rack, balancing them carefully on her hooves. She trotted back over to Fluttershy and shrugged apologetically. "We've been working all day to get these treats ready for the party this evening. And we've got to get at least sixteen more batches done! The Princess is used to large parties with huge buffets of treats. Nothin like the small stand we had last year! Everypony in Ponyville is gonna be at this party, instead of the usual family celebrations everypony does. That includes us Apples, and we're darn proud to do our part!" Applejack puffed her chest proudly and finished her speech by taking her Stenson off in salute.

"That's really nice Applejack, but I actually really really need your help." Fluttershy begged.

"Ah'm sorry sugarcube but no can do. Unless its a real emergency, ah've gotta get this baking done before the party. Ah made a promise to Twilight that I'd do everything I could to make sure this party turns out perfect."

"But it is an emergen-" Fluttershy was cut off by several chimes as more ovens went off.

"Say again?" Applejack leaned closer with a hoof to her ear.

Fluttershy felt the heat of the room turn icy cold. Frost popped into existence, hovering above the massive cake.

"Is it just me, or did it become really cold all of a sudden?" Applejack asked. Fluttershy trembled and pointed at Frost. "Uh ah don't think the cake has anything to do with it." Applejack said looking confused.

The spirit's eyes glowed white as he spread his forehooves, pointing at the ovens on either side of the room. Realizing what was about to happen, Fluttershy yelled, "Everypony DUCK!" as she threw herself onto the floor. Almost on instinct everypony else hit the deck just as the ovens burst open, spraying half baked batter everywhere. Frost grinned and faded away.

After it was over, everypony slowly got their hooves and observed the destruction. The entire kitchen was a mess, with batter dripping off the walls and counters and baking supplies tossed everywhere. Worst of all, the metal racks had been knocked over, spilling the hundreds of pastries Applejack and the others had baked all over the floor. Several of them were smushed and more were soggy with batter.

"No no no no NO!" Applejack yelled. "We worked all mornin on those!"

"Oh Applejack, I'm so sorry!" Fluttershy patted her friend in a comforting gesture.

"It ain't your fault Fluttershy, I dunno what could've caused the ovens ta burst like that." Applejack hung her head dejectedly as she slowly trotted out of the kitchen. "Everypony who's up to it, get this mess cleaned up. Ah- ah think ah need to be alone for a while." Applejack choked back her emotions and left the room. "Some Hearth's Warmin this is..." she muttered sadly.

"Oh even Applejack can't help now." Fluttershy fretted. "Think Fluttershy think! Each time Jack Frost has been too fast to catch... I need someone who's just as fast! Someone who isn't afraid of that bully...aha!" An idea popped into Fluttershy's head and she raced out the kitchen door. "If anypony can catch him, it's Rainbow!"