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A train whistle sounded loudly as the Apple family walked along the streets of Ponyville. Applejack and Apple Bloom led the way, while Big Macintosh followed behind with a wagon loaded with freshly made apple pies that Granny Smith had just made a few minutes before. Everywhere they looked, they could see decorations, gifts, and parties happening in almost every building they passed.
"Applejack!" A voice called, making them look and see Twilight and their friends walking towards them.
"Howdy, ya'll." Applejack greeted as they joined together, "Bringin' somethin' for the train?"
She received several nods as they continued onward. Rarity and Sweetie Belle had various stylish sweaters, scarves, cloaks, and hats, which were all different sizes. Twilight, Starlight, and Spike had several comic books and novels, all of which were different genres. Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo had a sky wagon full of different toys and games. Pinkie Pie was pulling a cart that had cinnamon rolls, candy canes, and cakes in it. And Fluttershy was being followed by several snow white bunnies (Angel included), Harry the bear, and a seal.
"Um, Fluttershy?" Rainbow Dash questioned, flying overhead with the sky wagon, "Why are those animals following you?"
"You'll see." Fluttershy chuckled, winking at the animals, who winked back at her.
Shortly after, they arrived at the station, where they saw a massive black locomotive with decorations waiting. Behind the engine, they saw two passenger wagons, eight boxcars, and a caboose. Along the train, they could also see several ponies carrying items and food into the boxcars and carefully placing them inside.
"Good evening, everypony." A stallion wearing a dark blue jacket and hat said, checking his pocket watch, "You must be the extra volunteers. Please, bring your donations to any of the handlers and, afterward, we'll get going."
Following his instructions, the group separated and began unloading whatever they had. But for Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo, it was a new experience.
"Sis," Apple Bloom said, balancing three pies on her head, "could ya explain to me again why we're doin' this?"
"Well," Applejack explained, following behind her with more pies, "every Hearths Warmin', this here train goes 'round Equestria and delivers gifts an' food to ponies in need. It's one of the many ways ponies show that they care for one another."
"But, why a train? There can't be that many ponies in need, right?"
"Unfortunately, there are." Rarity commented, hearing the Apple sisters conversation, "But, since so many others are willing to help, it's easier to spread holiday cheer and fun."
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"All aboard!" The conductor called, "We're leaving now! All aboard!"
Quickly, the ponies closed the boxcars and climbed into the passenger wagons. Applejack and Apple Bloom took their seats next to a window and waved to their older brother, who had attached the wagons and carts together so he could take them back home.
Cl-Clunk, clank!
Chuff, chuff, chuff!
They felt the train lurch forward as the locomotive began pulling them away from Ponyville. Throughout the passenger cars, the three fillies could see ponies of all ages. But, the one that stood out the most, was an elderly unicorn stallion with a beard sitting by himself and wearing a red and white velvet suit. Starlight also noticed the old stallion and decided to move closer to him.
"Hello." She said, standing next to his bench, "Is this seat taken?"
"No." The old stallion said kindly, "By all means, you can have it."
"My name is Starlight Glimmer."
"Charmed. I'm Northern Light."
Starlight sat next to him and saw that his suit had swirls that were stitched into the fabric. But, they were only noticeable up close. Quickly, the three fillies also decided to move closer, curious about the old stallion. However, they chose to sit in the seat in front of him and look over. And like Starlight, they introduced themselves.
"Is this your first time?" Northern Light asked, giving a kind smile, "Riding the Hearths Warming train, I mean?"
"Yes." The three fillies replied in unison.
"Years ago, I was on it." Starlight said, thinking back to her past, "But, I was just a little filly then. Probably younger than these three."
"Well," he continued with pride in his voice, "I've been one this train far longer than most. In fact, I've never missed a year they've done this."
As they listened to Northern Light's tale of what he'd seen, they could feel the train as it climbed hills and went down the other side. They passed through tunnels and across bridges, before they arrived at their first destination.
"First stop; Canterlot station!" The conductor called through the passenger coaches, "First stop; Canterlot station!"
The train came to a stop at the platform, where they saw several ponies wearing vests with different logos on them.
"What are those logos supposed to mean?" Scootaloo asked as they got out and started unloading some of the donations.
"Those are for different charities and organizations that help other ponies." Fluttershy replied, ushering her animals out, "I was actually asked to do something special for one of them."
"Can we come along?"
Fluttershy looked back at the fillies, then at their sisters, who nodded their heads and continued to help unload the train.
"Alright." Fluttershy said, smiling at the fillies, "Come on."
Following Fluttershy, they walked towards a mare who wore a vest with a foal on it. After a moment of talking, Fluttershy, the fillies, and the animals walked through the streets until they came to a building that had a sign that read; Little Hoof Orphanage. Inside, they saw a tree with decorations and presents under it, a fire in the fireplace, and several fillies and colts that were smiling and talking.
"Alright, everyone!" The mare called, getting the foals attention, "This is Fluttershy from Ponyville and she's brought some friends along with her. Please, be on your best behavior while they're here."
Seeing the foals in front of them, the Cutie Mark Crusaders noticed that many of them were a little younger than them and many didn't have their cutie marks. Then Fluttershy stood in the center of them and pointed towards Harry, who gave her a wink and picked up the bunnies, before juggling them. The seal was balancing a ball on his nose and clapping his flippers. Throughout the performance, foals laughed and cheered as they watched. Then Fluttershy looked at the Cutie Mark Crusaders and had an idea for a closing act.
"Now," Fluttershy said with a kind grin, "I'd like to do one more thing before we go."
That's when Fluttershy got the fillies and the animals into a huddle and told them her idea. After a moment, they were all in agreement and Fluttershy stood in front of them.
"Okay," Fluttershy said with some excitement in her voice and stamping her hoof, "One, two, three."
Then Harry picked up the Cutie Mark Crusaders, before juggling them, while the seal juggled the bunnies through the middle of the fillies. But, Fluttershy watched, making sure that everything went as she planned. Which they did. After the performance, they gave a bow and said good-bye, before heading back to the station, where they saw that they were closing the boxcars. They climbed aboard and took their seats. The fillies told the others what they did and how much fun it was. Earning Fluttershy some looks, but she just smiled and giggled.
Throughout half the night, they journeyed through Equestria, delivering whatever they had and sometimes picking up other donations. And everywhere they went, they saw ponies smiling with hope and joy. At one point, Sweetie Belle wiped away a tear as she watched a colt smile so big because of the scarf she gave him. But, like all things, the adventure had to end and they arrived back in Ponyville again. But, most of the activity they saw earlier had died down and most of the lights in the small town were now dark. Quickly, everypony exited the train. However, Starlight and the fillies stayed for an extra moment with Northern Light.
"Will we see you next year?" Sweetie Belle asked, looking at the old stallion.
"Maybe." Northern Light said, illuminating his horn, "Here. I think you've earned these."
They watched as four gold bells floated out of one of his pockets and into their hooves. After saying thank you, and making their way out of the passenger coach, they rejoined their friends. But, before they continued home, they turned around and looked back at the train to wave at their new friend. However, instead of seeing him sitting at the window, they saw an empty space.
"Where'd he go?" Apple Bloom asked, looking along the train, "I didn't see get him off the train, did ya'll?"
The others shook their heads, before turning back and rejoining the group. But, before Apple Bloom did, she saw a stallion wearing a red suit standing on the other side of the tracks, waving to her. And just before she could respond, she watched as a gust of wind blew the snow in between them, before settling and revealing that he was once again gone from sight.
"Apple Bloom!" Applejack called, getting her sisters attention, "C'mon!"
"Comin', sis!" Apple Bloom said, turning back and carrying the bell in one of her hooves as she followed her sister home.
Author's Note
Hey, everyone.
This story was mostly just something random I wanted to do for the holidays. In truth, I came up with the idea and didn't think it through fully. So, if it seems broken in some places or doesn't make complete sense, oh well. I'm not really interested in changing it, because I've got other things on the go. This story may have been published late, but it's the thought that counts.
Anyway, Merry Christmas, Happy Hearths Warming, and Happy New Year.
