A Ponyville Hearth's Warming

The sun was steadily setting as evening approached. Fluttershy guessed that it would be an hour or two at most before Princess Celestia arrived. She flew toward the marketplace, scanning for a particular pony. "If anyone can predict where that mean spirit is going to appear next, it's Pinkie Pie!" Fluttershy said confidently. Activity in the market was slowing down, as most ponies had finished their shopping and headed over to the castle to await the party.

From the air, Fluttershy spotted a pony running between several stores at an impossible speed, balancing on her back a sack at least three times her weight. Fluttershy chuckled and landed in the market center. A pink blur whizzed past her into the nearest store. "Pinkie? Pinkie!" Fluttershy called.

The blur stopped next to her, coming into focus. "Hi Fluttershy!" Pinkie exclaimed, smiling. She wore a red hat and robe, matching the festive season. Defying the laws of physics, a huge sack of gifts stayed perfectly stable on her back as she bounced up and down in excitement. "If Twilight sent you tell her I'll be back in a little bit. Gotta buy a few more gifts... wanna see what I got so far??" Pinkie asked excitedly.

"Oh um actually Pinkie I-"

Pinkie Pie dumped out the huge sack or presents, squealing with excitement. "I spent all night coming up with the perfect presents for everypony because this party is superduper important and it has to go perfect or Twilight will totally freak out and nopony wants that everypony should be calm and relaxed and-" Pinkie rambled on and on almost unaware of Fluttershy trying to interject.

"That's great but-"

"And I got Twilight this awesome book on prank spells! Maybe she'll come with me and Rainbow on one of our pranking sprees heehee. There's a really cool wonderbolts sports bottle for Rainbow, a really rare yakyakistan fabric for Rarity, an awesome new rock pouch for Maud, an apple recipe book for Applejack, oh and here's you gift!" Pinkie picked up a small present in yellow wrapping. "That's a surprise!" Pinkie whispered, giggling.

"And I really appreciate it Pinkie!" Fluttershy finally interjected. "But I really need your help, there's an emergency!"

Pinkie put her hoof to her chin hesitantly. "I dunno Fluttershy. If everypony doesn't get a really good gift they won't be happy." Pinkie grinned nervously. "And I really really really want everypony to have the most perfectest Hearth's Warming ever!"

"I do too, but if we don't do something, nopony is going to have a good Hearth's Warming... because there won't BE a Hearth's Warming!!" Fluttershy cried.

"Oki doki loki." Pinkie nodded in understanding

Fluttershy sighed in relief. "There's an evil spirit named Jack Frost who's going around trying to ruin Hearth's Warming-"

"You mean like the one about to appear over your head?" Pinkie asked.

Fluttershy felt a warning chill wash over her as she looked up fearfully. Jack Frost materialized in the air, cackling wickedly. "And a merry Hearth's Warming to all!" He pointed a hoof at Pinkie Pie's gifts. In seconds, the carefully wrapped gifts melted into piles of goo. Fluttershy looked between him and the gifts, utterly horrified. "See ya real soon kiddo!" He gave a mock salute and vanished.

Pinkie looked devastated. Tears began to form in her eyes, and her mane went flat. "No-nopony is gonna have the perfectest Hearth's Warming ever. Without gifts, everypony is going to feel neglected and... sad." Pinkie Pie sat down in the snow, looking sadly at the remains of her presents.

"I-I'm sorry Pinkie I tried to stop him..." Fluttershy said sadly.

Suddenly, Pinkie's head jerked upward. She began wiggling and writhing, as if several parts of her body were twitching. "Pinchy knees, shaky tail, wiggly mane... it's a doozy! A scary doozy!!" Pinkie said in alarm.

"Where?!" Fluttershy asked.

"At- At the castle!" Pinkie declared.

"Then we've gotta go back! Cmon Pinkie!" Fluttershy grabbed her friend's hoof and began galloping back to the party.