Fizzlepop's Wishby milesprower06ChaptersA GiftDuty CallsAftermathThe Fires of FriendshipReunitedA GiftReturning from Carousel Boutique and carrying a plain white box gently but securely fastened to the back of her chestplate, Major Fizzlepop Berrytwist walked through the front doors of Princess Twilight Sparkle's castle, where the interior heating replaced the chilling gusts moving through the snow-covered hills of Ponyville. Inside, more than a dozen ponies went every which way on their assigned tasks as Pinkie Pie oversaw final preparations for tonight's Hearth's Warming Eve party. She zipped into the kitchen and came out with a tray with two steaming cups of hot chocolate, and gave Fizzlepop a smile and a wink as she made her way out to the front doors, where Thunderlane and Blossomforth were standing watch in the cold. She made her way up the stairs and came across her Princess, Twilight Sparkle, who was reading through a pair of checklists, with Spike in tow, who was carrying half a dozen more. "That was quick, Major. I assume she had it ready?" Twilight asked. "There's no service quite like Rarity's. Then add on top of that, she's the E.U.P.'s armorer." Fizzlepop replied. The Princess of Friendship was never really one for titles, having chided her friends when they first started referring to her as Princess in the days following her coronation. But that didn't mean she wasn't understanding of others who held theirs in closer regard. Fizzlepop Berrytwist was one such pony; after convincing Princess Celestia to grant the Storm King's former lieutenant clemency and transfer into her custody, a suggestion by her student Starlight Glimmer convinced her to offer her a commission as Captain of a new E.U.P. division in Ponyville. Needless to say, Fizzlepop was beside herself, and knowing she had done nothing to deserve such an opportunity, she set out to earn it. In the following weeks, she and Rainbow Dash had created an exemplary volunteer militia for the castle, Ponyville, and surrounding countryside. Months later, her thoughts began to drift back to her deeds as head of the Storm King's legions. Capper had been correct when he told her that she wasn't responsible for almost any of his conquests in the southern regions. Other than the siege of Canterlot, her guilt stemmed from what had happened to the city of Hippogriffia atop Mount Aris. With Princess Twilight's permission, she assembled an expedition to aid Queen Novo and the hippogriffs in their city's reconstruction. While she herself was rather unwelcome, the queen accepted the help of the construction team she had brought along, and after a foolhardy stunt that nearly cost Fizzlepop her life during a mercenary storm guard raid partway through the reconstruction effort, the Queen eventually became convinced of her self-sought redemption, and gave her the greatest gift of all; the healing she had left Equestria in search for; she used the Pearl of Transformation to fully restore the horn that was broken as a filly. During a ceremony a week later, Queen Novo gave her expedition full credit for the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation that she had entered into with Equestria. So when Twilight officially gave her her first promotion to Major, she knew in no uncertain terms that she had earned her place here, and while the Princess preferred being on a first name basis with those close to her, she had no qualms about using a title to remind her Captain of the Guard of just that. "Are you ready for tonight?" Twilight asked, levitating her checklists aside, giving her Major her complete attention. Now, Fizzlepop couldn't hide the nervousness that appeared on her face. "I'm sure I will be. Just have to get through today's events." "Don't worry. It'll go fine. Pinkie has everything under control. Last year went great as well. I was even able to take an hour out of making appearances to go share a good Hearth's Warming story with Starlight. It went a lot better than the start of winter that year, I'll tell you that much. By the way, thank you again for doing that favor for me and getting Captain Rainbow that out of town assignment last week. Cloudsdale just wanted to be absolutely sure." Fizzlepop laughed. "Yeah, well she saw right through it. She told me about her 'nuclear winter' accident last year." "So how familiar is all this to you? I imagine you haven't seen Hearth's Warming decorations in... Well, in quite awhile, right?" Princess Twilight asked. "Yeah, it's been quite a long time. No worries, I'm sure it'll all come back to me." "Speaking of which, have you come up with any Hearth's Warming wishes?" Twilight asked. Fizzlepop didn't answer right away, as if she was honestly taken aback by the Princess' question. "No, not really. It's been so long since I've celebrated Hearth's Warming... Not to mention with everything that's happened to me these past months... I couldn't imagine wishing for anything." Twilight simply smiled at this response. "That's okay, too. If you don't feel right wishing for yourself, you can make a wish for somepony else." With that, Princess and Spike were on their way, continuing their checking of the party preparations, leaving Fizzlepop to continue her walk to the east wing of the castle. Even in the face of everything she had accomplished in the preceding months, there were times and occasions the past still loomed over her like a shadow. After the ceremony and her promotion, Major Speartip advised her to limit her activities around the city, and she didn't really need to ask why. Even though the Staff of Sacanas and the continuation of the Friendship Festival made the destruction in Canterlot short-lived, her actions were unfortunately burned into the memories of the hundreds upon hundreds of Canterlot citizens she had captured, and Princess Celestia as well as Major Speartip surmised that not all would probably be willing to forgive as quickly as they had. So heeding their warning, after a celebratory dinner in the castle's dining hall, Major Fizzlepop immediately returned down into Equestria's central valleys. Fortunately for her, Ponyville was a different story. The town's populace had been distant spectators to the invasion of Canterlot, instead of having front row seats, so when Princess Twilight introduced her as the Captain of Ponyville's E.U.P. division, she was more or less welcomed warmly as she began her search for volunteers. She had become enough of a friendly face in Ponyville, that Princess Twilight had convinced her to be this evening's entertainment; she agreed to put on a fireworks display from the balcony of the castle. Honestly, even though it was just approaching noon, today's duties were the only thing keeping the nerves from getting to her so far, and the first thing on her itinerary today was delivering this package. She trotted up to the third door on the left in the east wing hallway, and knocked on the bedroom door of the pony who had started her on this path; one Starlight Glimmer. After a few moments, she heard approaching hoofsteps on the other side of the door, the door glowed and opened, and there stood the heliotrope unicorn, who greeted her with a smile. "Good morning, Major Fizzlepop. What can I do for you?" Starlight asked. Fizzlepop smiled back, and offered her the ribbon-wrapped box. "Happy Hearth's Warming, Starlight." She said, taking the box in her magic and levitating it over to her. "Major, you didn't have to get me anything." Starlight said politely, though she honestly wasn't expecting anything. "Actually, Starlight. This is something I personally consider to be long overdue." Fizzlepop began, as her magic aura was replaced with Starlight's. With the box in her magical grasp, Starlight untied the ribbon, removed the top, and her bottom jaw began to drop as she looked inside. "The timing was convenient for a gift, but it's anything but. You deserve this." Starlight's magic aura expanded to the neatly folded garment inside the box, and she lifted it out to reveal an exquisite silk mage's robe, patterned similar to the Ponyville E.U.P. armor pieces. "It's a traditional Canterlot hooded mage's robe styled in the Ponyville E.U.P. colors. The silk outer layer has an armis enchantment that makes it just as tough as our platemail. The wool lining on the inside has a calor enchantment that protects down to minus thirty centigrade. Lastly, the epaulettes on the shoulders pretty much make it official." Fizzlepop's words drew Starlight's attention to the shoulders, each of which had the Ponyville E.U.P. emblem embroidered, and a single silver bar underneath each; the rank of Lieutenant. She looked back up at Fizzlepop, now with tears pricking her eyes. "I... I don't know what to say, other than... I'm honored." Starlight replied, her voice quivering as she fought to keep her tears from spilling over. Fizzlepop smiled warmly at her. "It's been a long time coming, if anything. Everything I've accomplished these past months... It started first and foremost with you, your idea." Starlight unfurled the robe completely, and her view was momentarily obstructed as she put it on. By the time her head was through the hood, she heard galloping hoofsteps quickly approaching from down the hall. Commander Thunderlane came skidding to a halt to prevent colliding with the Major. "Major!" Thunderlane greeted, hastily coming to attention and saluting, and nodding to Starlight. "What it is, Commander?" Fizzlepop asked. "Trouble." Duty CallsSnow was tossed up in the wake of the trio of galloping hooves as Major Fizzlepop, Commander Thunderlane, and Lieutenant Starlight Glimmer ran down the main street of Ponyville towards the Everfree Forest. "It's a seriously ticked off manticore," Thunderlane reported as they galloped. "Came out of the forest and started coming towards town. South patrol is keeping it back while Captain Rainbow came to get me and you, and Lieutenant Rivet went to go get Fluttershy's assistance. Rainbow bolted back over there as soon as she alerted me, and I went to go get you." "Certainly an exciting way to kick off Hearth's Warming." Fizzlepop mused as they ran through the central market square towards the southeastern outskirts. She was suddenly grateful that Rainbow had convinced as many guards as possible to volunteer for patrol today. Those that were active today and tonight would be given the day off tomorrow to spend with family and friends. She initially thought about giving almost all of them the day off today, given that nearly all of Ponyville's population would be in and around the castle for the festivities tonight. She had of course assumed that potential non-pony problems that occasionally wandered out of the Everfree Forest would stay in there for Hearth's Warming. Wishful thinking on her part, but that's why Captain Rainbow was the perfect balance when she started to go soft every now and again. As they reached the southeastern outskirts, they heard growls, roaring, and the sound of beating wings. The trio veered off the road into slightly deeper snow towards the forest, where Rainbow Dash, Rivet, and Fluttershy were contending with the manticore in question. It was still a good 200 feet from the road, but it had come out of the forest considerably. "Fluttershy has a magical ability that can subdue it so she can try and reason with it, but if she can't get close enough or it's not calm enough, it won't work." Starlight informed Fizzle. As they came closer, that appeared to be precisely the case, as the airborne animal caretaker attempted to maintain eye contact, only to be forced to dip down and away when the manticore turned and swatted at her with its scorpion tail, breaking the eye contact in the process. As the beast turned back around and prepared to take a swipe at Rivet, Fizzlepop's horn lit up, and she fired off a bright ball of energy that landed directly in front of it. When it landed, it sizzled and sparked. It was physically harmless, but it served its purpose as the startled manticore took a short leap back and let out a snarl. Nonetheless, it gave the group a little more room to work with. "You guys take the scenic route?" Rainbow asked from above, as she circled overhead, trying to make sure the manticore's attention wasn't focused on any single pony for long. "Fluttershy, ideas to end this?" Fizzlepop asked. "Anything that can calm him down, or at least slow him enough where my Stare can work." Fluttershy replied. Major Fizzlepop turned to her newly-appointed Battlemage, whose horn was already aglow. "Prohibere!" Starlight exclaimed, her horn firing off a bolt of energy that hit the manticore square in the chest. The glowing blue aura now surrounding him didn't seem to make him any less angry, but his flapping wings and swishing tail seemed to slow considerably. "That enough? You've got maybe ten seconds." Starlight warned the yellow pegasus, who then floated down and once again initiated her mystical Stare. This time it seemed to work, as the manticore maintained eye contact, and his aggressive stance seemed to soften as Starlight's spell started to dissipate, though her horn was glowing and ready with another if Fluttershy needed to take cover in a hurry. But several seconds later, the manticore, effectively stunned, stopped growling and went into a sitting position in the hoof deep snow. "Now," Fluttershy began, landing a foot in front of him. "What seems to be the problem?" The manticore let out a series of incomprehensible meows, growls, and grunts, but Fluttershy nodded in understanding. "Well I don't think anypony out here would have any reason to go that deep in on a day like today. I'm sure whoever did it is sorry, and is long gone. But shouldn't you be headed back there in case they try again?" No one present was sure how Fluttershy was communicating with the creature, but sure enough, he stood, turned, and ran back into the forest, disappearing behind the trees and shrubs in moments. When the fading rustling ceased completely, Fluttershy turned back to the group. "Something disturbed its den, took some food, woke up his young. He was following a scent when it spotted Rivet just outside the treeline." Fluttershy informed them. "Huh, talk about bad timing." Rivet replied. "Well, hopefully that's our excitement for the day. We should head back; got a festival to help put together. Including a fireworks show, right Major?" Rainbow teased, getting a smirk and a tint out of Fizzlepop's cheeks for her efforts. Several dozen feet back into the forest, well camouflaged behind a bush, the gray pug-faced hedgehog stared in silent astonishment. The only reason the manticore had lost his scent was due to the intervention of the pair of armored patrol ponies that had been nearby. Having been too petrified to move from his hiding place, he witnessed how they held the beast at bay for nearly ten minutes while help arrived from more than one place. First came the first guard that left and returned with a light yellow pegasus, who tried, rather unsuccessfully, at calming it down. But then she arrived. He was beside himself when he saw Commander Tempest, horn completely restored, run up in the same style armor the other guards had been wearing. She, along with the robed mage accompanying her, cast spells to help calm it enough for the yellow pegasus to work her magic. And just like that it was over. After an incomprehensible conversation with the pegasus, the manticore had retreated back into the darkness of the forest. After making sure everyone was unharmed and accounted for, they moved back towards town. 'Just... How?' The hedgehog wondered. After seeing Canterlot magically and fully restored to its previous state before the invasion, he thought that surely Tempest would have been killed, or at the very least imprisoned. Such was his state of shock that he didn't move until they had returned back the way they came, and the only evidence of their previous presence was hoof tracks in the snow. One thing was certain; that was the last time he'd follow his nose into a cave in search of a meal. AftermathCanterlot, Seven Months Ago... When he had noticed that the sounds of fighting had died down in his immediate area, and had moved up towards the castle, Grubber finally risked a peek out from under the cart where the giant cake had been a few minutes ago. Chunks of cake and gobs of frosting covered the immediate area where the ambush had started. There was a pirate parrot or two still scuffling, but for the most part, the storm guards who hadn't been knocked out, incapacitated, or otherwise engaged by the pirates had given chase to the castle courtyard. Silently slipping out from under the cart and taking cover behind the right wheel, he wondered what his next move should be. He didn't ponder the options very long, because when he noticed the sun and moon start to rapidly fling across the sky from one horizon to the other, the best option seemed to be 'Run'. Darting around a group of guards who had been bound together with a giant ribbon, he paid them no mind and instead focused on the ground ahead of him. His jog turned into a run when he risked a peek behind him and saw a lightning storm begin to form around the castle. When the clouds started to slowly rotate, the stormships hovering over and around the city also started to take the hint, and began to put the city to their rudders. In a matter of minutes, the hedgehog had reached the outskirts of the city, and a retreating stormship passed overhead as he ran for the main gates, which now sat unguarded. There came a sudden gust of wind that made the overhead ship lurch to port. There were ear-splitting creaking and splintering sounds as the airship collided with the cliffside and quickly lost speed and altitude. A dull thud resonated from inside the hull of the ship, and a split second later, flames erupted from the starboard thruster, and this was the tipping point as the vessel capsized and careened down the mountain, but not before crashing through the arch bridge that connected the southeast entrance of the city to the mountain roads below, leaving the Canterlot Falls as the hedgehog's sole choice of rapid escape. 'So much for not swimming an hour after eating...!' Grubber thought, steeling himself for the leap that he made two seconds later, looking behind him for a last time to see a cyclone begin to ravage the castle courtyard. He took quick gasps of air when his head poked above the rushing river as it carried him over the 1,000-foot waterfall, and he took one last breath and held it, waiting for either death or wetness. The splash was muted to his water-filled ears, and when he realized he hadn't hit any rocks, he spread his limbs and swam for the surface. Managing to claw his way to the shore, he blinked several times to see clearly, noticing that the river had already carried him nearly 200 feet from the falls, and that the currents had stripped him of the shirt that had prominently displayed the Storm King's emblem. As the sun continued to dip below the hills to the west, he craned his neck up to see that the lightning storm and cyclone had dissipated, and now arcs of sparkling energy were swirling around the towers of Canterlot. As the night sky continued to encroach and the last airship disappeared over the horizon, he watched as the city looked good as new in a matter of moments, before any of the storm legions had touched down. Unsure of what had just happened up in the mountain city, and unwilling to find out, he took another deep breath, before turning around, and ran alongside the riverbank as it snaked into the hills and valleys below. The Fires of FriendshipWhen Fizzlepop returned to the castle around high noon with Thunderlane and Rainbow Dash, she noticed that the morning activity had only increased, as ponies continued to slowly congregate in the castle foyer for the festivities. According to the castle itinerary, Pinkie and Spike were about to be serving a lunch buffet in the dining hall, which would explain the line that was nearly coming out to the foyer proper. Fizzlepop was barely in the door before Twilight spotted her and came trotting towards her. "There you are, Major. Nothing serious, I hope." "Thanks to Fluttershy, no. Just a wayward manticore who wandered out of the forest." "I'm glad to hear you got it taken care of so quickly. Anyways, there are some guests who have come a long way to see you." Twilight said, nodding to the top of the staircase. Fizzlepop's smile widened as she met eyes with the waving figures of Spring Rain, Glitter Drops, Princess Skystar, and Captain Skyranger. She waved back, trotting up the stairs to meet the quartet. "Nopony told me you were coming," Fizzlepop began, coming in to embrace her two fillyhood friends. "No place like the capital of the Kingdom of Friendship to celebrate Hearth's Warming." Glitter Drops replied. "Skystar, I can't believe you came all this way." Fizzlepop greeted, moving over to hug the hippogriff, who gleefully returned the embrace. "I've been waiting for an opportunity to come up here to visit. Now I can see what one of Equestria's biggest holidays is all about." Skystar replied. "Captain Skyranger, pleased to see you again." Fizzlepop smiled at the armored hippogriff, no doubt here as Skystar's required escort. "Always a pleasure, Major Berrytwist." Skyranger replied cordially. "Well, you four must be hungry. What do you say we get in this line and find out how good this brunch is going to be?" The four guests eagerly agreed, and together, they descended the stairs to quickly get in line behind the dozens of others who were waiting to be ushered into the dining hall. "Attention, guests and residents of Ponyville," Mayor Mare began from the balcony of the castle as the sun finished dipping below the horizon. "I am pleased to announce that we have a record-setting attendance for this year's Hearth's Warming festivities. I would like to profusely thank Princess Twilight Sparkle for her hospitality and for her part in making this one of the most successful celebrations I can remember." There were stomping hooves of applause down in front of the castle as most of the attendees gathered around small torches and fires for warmth. "And now, without further ado, may I present, for your entertainment tonight, Ponyville's Captain of the Guard, Major Fizzlepop Berrytwist!" There was another round of applause as Mayor Mare stepped back, looking back to the door as Fizzlepop stepped up to the balcony, looking out to the several hundred ponies that had gathered in town today. "Good evening, Ponyville, and thank you. Every year, ponies all over Equestria come together to celebrate the founding of our nation, a tale we all know by heart, of how the three separate tribes put aside their differences and united after so many had been lost to the great Windigo Storm. Before I begin tonight's show, I thought I'd share what Ponyville, capital of the Kingdom of Friendship, means to me, and what it has done for me." Fizzlepop paused for just a moment, taking a breath. "I celebrated my last Hearth's Warming when I was nine years old, because I spent most of my life outside of our nation's borders. I had closed my heart and mind to friendship, coming to believe that it was everyone for themselves in this world. It wasn't until I had returned, when that all changed; when Princess Twilight showed me mercy from a fate I deserved all too much, opened my eyes, and sparked the Fires of Friendship in my heart again. I would like to dedicate this display to her, to the Council of Friendship, and to all of you, who have given me the warmest welcome to my new home. It is an extraordinary honor to serve as your Captain of the Guard. Happy Hearth's Warming." With that, Fizzlepop's horn glowed with an intense blue light, and the tip shot off the first pyrotechnic spell of the evening, rocketing up to just above the top of the castle's tallest tower, and exploded in a majestic display of blue fire. There were ooh's and ahh's from the crowd below as more spells shot off from her horn. The simple ones weren't incredibly taxing, but soon she included pyro spells that dipped down to the crowds before rocketing up to the sky, bringing even more excited squeals from the younger ponies in the crowd. Grubber was awestruck, along with all of the other spectators, at Fizzlepop's pyrotechnics display. The first five minutes were rather simple, and then it got even more interesting as her displays were then joined by musical accompaniment. The unicorn Rarity was introduced, who lead the quintet group The Ponytones who sung all the classical Hearth's Warming carols, which the crowd was encouraged to join. Their voices easily overtook the sound of the fantastic explosions going off above. 'So this is friendship, kinship... Life without the Storm King...' The last song of the night, was one where the entire crowd sang along with the quintet, a song called The Heart Carol. The sound of the entire town singing together was overwhelming as it was carried up into the night sky. It could probably be heard for miles around, even above Fizzlepop's fireworks. There were loud cheers all around as her final spell exploded out to form a blazing heart above the castle, the Fires of Friendship that was central to the Hearth's Warming Tale. After giving a bow, Fizzlepop turned and headed inside, and the crowds finally began to disperse to their homes and inns. Major Fizzlepop took a deep breath after the doors closed and the applause was muffled by the walls. She headed down the hall to the second floor of the foyer, where she could see the light late-night activity taking place; ponies sharing cups of hot chocolate or swapping gifts in front of the Hearth's Warming trees that had been set up. As she turned the corner to the stairs, she saw Twilight climb them to meet her at the top. "Great show, Fizzlepop! That was amazing!" She congratulated. Fizzlepop smiled back, and gave a bow. "I'm glad they all enjoyed it. Guess the nerves didn't get to me after all." "It got the attention of one more special guest who wants to see you." The Princess told her, pointing a hoof down to the bottom of the stairs, where a familiar gray hedgehog stood, and meekly smiled and waved to her. "G... Grubber?" ReunitedAfter standing dumbfounded at the top of the stairs for a few moments, Major Fizzlepop invited Grubber up to the second floor balcony, and left him there momentarily, while she went and got him some food, something he clearly needed when she heard his stomach rumble from a flight of stairs away. So here he sat on the balcony, looking up at the starry night sky, wondering what was going to come next. He had a feeling there was quite a lot to say between the two of them; what they had been through the past several months. But when he heard the balcony door open, and the smell hit his nostrils, he figured thoughts could wait for a second or two as he turned to see his former commander walk up with a plate, on which rested a moist slice of sponge cake, fresh from the oven. "Here ya go. I remember it was your favorite." She said, setting the plate down on the balcony and sliding it towards him before taking a seat. "Thanks. So... I'm guessing it's not Tempest anymore?" He asked before taking his first bite. It was the most delicious bite of cake he had ever had. "Mmhmm," She began, shaking her head in answer. "Fizzlepop Berrytwist was my given name. Didn't seem very intimidating back... Back when we first met." "So... The Storm King finally fixed your horn, huh? Before everything went belly up?" Grubber asked, his mouth full of cake this time. Fizzlepop shifted a bit in her seat before answering. "No. No, Grubber. He... He lied to me. He used me. As soon as he had that staff empowered by the magic of the Alicorns, I was useless to him." "Huh," Grubber began, realizing that he wouldn't really expect anything else from his former boss. "I wish I could say I was surprised. Only reason I was in my position was because he figured me to be too much of a coward to ever betray him. So how'd you end up getting it back? Some powerful pony magic?" Fizzlepop shook her head. "The hippogriffs. Queen Novo used her pearl to restore it. After the battle for Canterlot was over, Princess Twilight saved me from whatever Celestia had in mind for my punishment, not only did she open my eyes to the magic of friendship, but she gave me a purpose, something to strive for. With Rainbow's help, I've put together a volunteer militia for this region. A few months after that, my thoughts turned to what had happened to Hippogriffia because of my deception. I took an expedition to help them rebuild. I wanted to make amends for the wrongs I committed. Novo had serious doubts about me, but after I did something rather foolhardy to stop a raiding party of storm creatures, she realized that I had truly changed." "Well, I'm happy that you finally got what you were looking for. I'm... I'm also sorry about that manticore earlier today. I accidentally wandered into its cave in search of food." "It's alright. That's what we're here for, and nopony got hurt." She reassured the apologizing hedgehog. "So you really like it here?" Grubber asked her, finishing off the slice of cake. She immediately nodded. "Absolutely. For the first time, in a very, very long time, I feel like I'm where I belong." "You're pretty lucky. To be valued and appreciated, especially after what we did. Wish I could know what that's like." The hedgehog lamented. "Well... Would you like to find out?" She asked him as he finished picking up the last of the crumbs. "R-Really? You want me to stay?" Grubber asked. "I told myself that Twilight was the first one to show me friendship in years, but I was wrong; it was you, Grubber. You were the best thing in my year with the Storm King. We didn't exactly do the right things, but we were there for each other, and if we take anything away from that experience, it should be that. We could always use the help around here, and I could definitely use another friend. So what do you say?" Grubber sat there in front of the empty plate, taking in her words. 'Wow, she's really changed, and definitely for the better, I think.' Grubber stood up, and nodded. "I'd like that. Love it, honestly. No more wandering around looking for my next meal. I want to see what it's like to belong somewhere. Here. With you." Fizzlepop smiled, took a couple steps forward, and pulled him into a hug. While his stubby arms could barely fit around the front of her barrel, he nonetheless accepted the loving embrace. Then, he felt her shudder and heard her sniffle as she struggled to keep tears back. "Is everything okay?" He asked her. "Yeah," She told him, sniffling again. "I'm just really glad you're here." She gave him one last gentle squeeze, then released him from the embrace, smiling down at him as a snowfall of light flurries began to descend on the Ponyville night. "Happy Hearth's Warming, Grubber." Author's Note Thanks for reading this latest installment, everyone!
A GiftReturning from Carousel Boutique and carrying a plain white box gently but securely fastened to the back of her chestplate, Major Fizzlepop Berrytwist walked through the front doors of Princess Twilight Sparkle's castle, where the interior heating replaced the chilling gusts moving through the snow-covered hills of Ponyville. Inside, more than a dozen ponies went every which way on their assigned tasks as Pinkie Pie oversaw final preparations for tonight's Hearth's Warming Eve party. She zipped into the kitchen and came out with a tray with two steaming cups of hot chocolate, and gave Fizzlepop a smile and a wink as she made her way out to the front doors, where Thunderlane and Blossomforth were standing watch in the cold. She made her way up the stairs and came across her Princess, Twilight Sparkle, who was reading through a pair of checklists, with Spike in tow, who was carrying half a dozen more. "That was quick, Major. I assume she had it ready?" Twilight asked. "There's no service quite like Rarity's. Then add on top of that, she's the E.U.P.'s armorer." Fizzlepop replied. The Princess of Friendship was never really one for titles, having chided her friends when they first started referring to her as Princess in the days following her coronation. But that didn't mean she wasn't understanding of others who held theirs in closer regard. Fizzlepop Berrytwist was one such pony; after convincing Princess Celestia to grant the Storm King's former lieutenant clemency and transfer into her custody, a suggestion by her student Starlight Glimmer convinced her to offer her a commission as Captain of a new E.U.P. division in Ponyville. Needless to say, Fizzlepop was beside herself, and knowing she had done nothing to deserve such an opportunity, she set out to earn it. In the following weeks, she and Rainbow Dash had created an exemplary volunteer militia for the castle, Ponyville, and surrounding countryside. Months later, her thoughts began to drift back to her deeds as head of the Storm King's legions. Capper had been correct when he told her that she wasn't responsible for almost any of his conquests in the southern regions. Other than the siege of Canterlot, her guilt stemmed from what had happened to the city of Hippogriffia atop Mount Aris. With Princess Twilight's permission, she assembled an expedition to aid Queen Novo and the hippogriffs in their city's reconstruction. While she herself was rather unwelcome, the queen accepted the help of the construction team she had brought along, and after a foolhardy stunt that nearly cost Fizzlepop her life during a mercenary storm guard raid partway through the reconstruction effort, the Queen eventually became convinced of her self-sought redemption, and gave her the greatest gift of all; the healing she had left Equestria in search for; she used the Pearl of Transformation to fully restore the horn that was broken as a filly. During a ceremony a week later, Queen Novo gave her expedition full credit for the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation that she had entered into with Equestria. So when Twilight officially gave her her first promotion to Major, she knew in no uncertain terms that she had earned her place here, and while the Princess preferred being on a first name basis with those close to her, she had no qualms about using a title to remind her Captain of the Guard of just that. "Are you ready for tonight?" Twilight asked, levitating her checklists aside, giving her Major her complete attention. Now, Fizzlepop couldn't hide the nervousness that appeared on her face. "I'm sure I will be. Just have to get through today's events." "Don't worry. It'll go fine. Pinkie has everything under control. Last year went great as well. I was even able to take an hour out of making appearances to go share a good Hearth's Warming story with Starlight. It went a lot better than the start of winter that year, I'll tell you that much. By the way, thank you again for doing that favor for me and getting Captain Rainbow that out of town assignment last week. Cloudsdale just wanted to be absolutely sure." Fizzlepop laughed. "Yeah, well she saw right through it. She told me about her 'nuclear winter' accident last year." "So how familiar is all this to you? I imagine you haven't seen Hearth's Warming decorations in... Well, in quite awhile, right?" Princess Twilight asked. "Yeah, it's been quite a long time. No worries, I'm sure it'll all come back to me." "Speaking of which, have you come up with any Hearth's Warming wishes?" Twilight asked. Fizzlepop didn't answer right away, as if she was honestly taken aback by the Princess' question. "No, not really. It's been so long since I've celebrated Hearth's Warming... Not to mention with everything that's happened to me these past months... I couldn't imagine wishing for anything." Twilight simply smiled at this response. "That's okay, too. If you don't feel right wishing for yourself, you can make a wish for somepony else." With that, Princess and Spike were on their way, continuing their checking of the party preparations, leaving Fizzlepop to continue her walk to the east wing of the castle. Even in the face of everything she had accomplished in the preceding months, there were times and occasions the past still loomed over her like a shadow. After the ceremony and her promotion, Major Speartip advised her to limit her activities around the city, and she didn't really need to ask why. Even though the Staff of Sacanas and the continuation of the Friendship Festival made the destruction in Canterlot short-lived, her actions were unfortunately burned into the memories of the hundreds upon hundreds of Canterlot citizens she had captured, and Princess Celestia as well as Major Speartip surmised that not all would probably be willing to forgive as quickly as they had. So heeding their warning, after a celebratory dinner in the castle's dining hall, Major Fizzlepop immediately returned down into Equestria's central valleys. Fortunately for her, Ponyville was a different story. The town's populace had been distant spectators to the invasion of Canterlot, instead of having front row seats, so when Princess Twilight introduced her as the Captain of Ponyville's E.U.P. division, she was more or less welcomed warmly as she began her search for volunteers. She had become enough of a friendly face in Ponyville, that Princess Twilight had convinced her to be this evening's entertainment; she agreed to put on a fireworks display from the balcony of the castle. Honestly, even though it was just approaching noon, today's duties were the only thing keeping the nerves from getting to her so far, and the first thing on her itinerary today was delivering this package. She trotted up to the third door on the left in the east wing hallway, and knocked on the bedroom door of the pony who had started her on this path; one Starlight Glimmer. After a few moments, she heard approaching hoofsteps on the other side of the door, the door glowed and opened, and there stood the heliotrope unicorn, who greeted her with a smile. "Good morning, Major Fizzlepop. What can I do for you?" Starlight asked. Fizzlepop smiled back, and offered her the ribbon-wrapped box. "Happy Hearth's Warming, Starlight." She said, taking the box in her magic and levitating it over to her. "Major, you didn't have to get me anything." Starlight said politely, though she honestly wasn't expecting anything. "Actually, Starlight. This is something I personally consider to be long overdue." Fizzlepop began, as her magic aura was replaced with Starlight's. With the box in her magical grasp, Starlight untied the ribbon, removed the top, and her bottom jaw began to drop as she looked inside. "The timing was convenient for a gift, but it's anything but. You deserve this." Starlight's magic aura expanded to the neatly folded garment inside the box, and she lifted it out to reveal an exquisite silk mage's robe, patterned similar to the Ponyville E.U.P. armor pieces. "It's a traditional Canterlot hooded mage's robe styled in the Ponyville E.U.P. colors. The silk outer layer has an armis enchantment that makes it just as tough as our platemail. The wool lining on the inside has a calor enchantment that protects down to minus thirty centigrade. Lastly, the epaulettes on the shoulders pretty much make it official." Fizzlepop's words drew Starlight's attention to the shoulders, each of which had the Ponyville E.U.P. emblem embroidered, and a single silver bar underneath each; the rank of Lieutenant. She looked back up at Fizzlepop, now with tears pricking her eyes. "I... I don't know what to say, other than... I'm honored." Starlight replied, her voice quivering as she fought to keep her tears from spilling over. Fizzlepop smiled warmly at her. "It's been a long time coming, if anything. Everything I've accomplished these past months... It started first and foremost with you, your idea." Starlight unfurled the robe completely, and her view was momentarily obstructed as she put it on. By the time her head was through the hood, she heard galloping hoofsteps quickly approaching from down the hall. Commander Thunderlane came skidding to a halt to prevent colliding with the Major. "Major!" Thunderlane greeted, hastily coming to attention and saluting, and nodding to Starlight. "What it is, Commander?" Fizzlepop asked. "Trouble."
Duty CallsSnow was tossed up in the wake of the trio of galloping hooves as Major Fizzlepop, Commander Thunderlane, and Lieutenant Starlight Glimmer ran down the main street of Ponyville towards the Everfree Forest. "It's a seriously ticked off manticore," Thunderlane reported as they galloped. "Came out of the forest and started coming towards town. South patrol is keeping it back while Captain Rainbow came to get me and you, and Lieutenant Rivet went to go get Fluttershy's assistance. Rainbow bolted back over there as soon as she alerted me, and I went to go get you." "Certainly an exciting way to kick off Hearth's Warming." Fizzlepop mused as they ran through the central market square towards the southeastern outskirts. She was suddenly grateful that Rainbow had convinced as many guards as possible to volunteer for patrol today. Those that were active today and tonight would be given the day off tomorrow to spend with family and friends. She initially thought about giving almost all of them the day off today, given that nearly all of Ponyville's population would be in and around the castle for the festivities tonight. She had of course assumed that potential non-pony problems that occasionally wandered out of the Everfree Forest would stay in there for Hearth's Warming. Wishful thinking on her part, but that's why Captain Rainbow was the perfect balance when she started to go soft every now and again. As they reached the southeastern outskirts, they heard growls, roaring, and the sound of beating wings. The trio veered off the road into slightly deeper snow towards the forest, where Rainbow Dash, Rivet, and Fluttershy were contending with the manticore in question. It was still a good 200 feet from the road, but it had come out of the forest considerably. "Fluttershy has a magical ability that can subdue it so she can try and reason with it, but if she can't get close enough or it's not calm enough, it won't work." Starlight informed Fizzle. As they came closer, that appeared to be precisely the case, as the airborne animal caretaker attempted to maintain eye contact, only to be forced to dip down and away when the manticore turned and swatted at her with its scorpion tail, breaking the eye contact in the process. As the beast turned back around and prepared to take a swipe at Rivet, Fizzlepop's horn lit up, and she fired off a bright ball of energy that landed directly in front of it. When it landed, it sizzled and sparked. It was physically harmless, but it served its purpose as the startled manticore took a short leap back and let out a snarl. Nonetheless, it gave the group a little more room to work with. "You guys take the scenic route?" Rainbow asked from above, as she circled overhead, trying to make sure the manticore's attention wasn't focused on any single pony for long. "Fluttershy, ideas to end this?" Fizzlepop asked. "Anything that can calm him down, or at least slow him enough where my Stare can work." Fluttershy replied. Major Fizzlepop turned to her newly-appointed Battlemage, whose horn was already aglow. "Prohibere!" Starlight exclaimed, her horn firing off a bolt of energy that hit the manticore square in the chest. The glowing blue aura now surrounding him didn't seem to make him any less angry, but his flapping wings and swishing tail seemed to slow considerably. "That enough? You've got maybe ten seconds." Starlight warned the yellow pegasus, who then floated down and once again initiated her mystical Stare. This time it seemed to work, as the manticore maintained eye contact, and his aggressive stance seemed to soften as Starlight's spell started to dissipate, though her horn was glowing and ready with another if Fluttershy needed to take cover in a hurry. But several seconds later, the manticore, effectively stunned, stopped growling and went into a sitting position in the hoof deep snow. "Now," Fluttershy began, landing a foot in front of him. "What seems to be the problem?" The manticore let out a series of incomprehensible meows, growls, and grunts, but Fluttershy nodded in understanding. "Well I don't think anypony out here would have any reason to go that deep in on a day like today. I'm sure whoever did it is sorry, and is long gone. But shouldn't you be headed back there in case they try again?" No one present was sure how Fluttershy was communicating with the creature, but sure enough, he stood, turned, and ran back into the forest, disappearing behind the trees and shrubs in moments. When the fading rustling ceased completely, Fluttershy turned back to the group. "Something disturbed its den, took some food, woke up his young. He was following a scent when it spotted Rivet just outside the treeline." Fluttershy informed them. "Huh, talk about bad timing." Rivet replied. "Well, hopefully that's our excitement for the day. We should head back; got a festival to help put together. Including a fireworks show, right Major?" Rainbow teased, getting a smirk and a tint out of Fizzlepop's cheeks for her efforts. Several dozen feet back into the forest, well camouflaged behind a bush, the gray pug-faced hedgehog stared in silent astonishment. The only reason the manticore had lost his scent was due to the intervention of the pair of armored patrol ponies that had been nearby. Having been too petrified to move from his hiding place, he witnessed how they held the beast at bay for nearly ten minutes while help arrived from more than one place. First came the first guard that left and returned with a light yellow pegasus, who tried, rather unsuccessfully, at calming it down. But then she arrived. He was beside himself when he saw Commander Tempest, horn completely restored, run up in the same style armor the other guards had been wearing. She, along with the robed mage accompanying her, cast spells to help calm it enough for the yellow pegasus to work her magic. And just like that it was over. After an incomprehensible conversation with the pegasus, the manticore had retreated back into the darkness of the forest. After making sure everyone was unharmed and accounted for, they moved back towards town. 'Just... How?' The hedgehog wondered. After seeing Canterlot magically and fully restored to its previous state before the invasion, he thought that surely Tempest would have been killed, or at the very least imprisoned. Such was his state of shock that he didn't move until they had returned back the way they came, and the only evidence of their previous presence was hoof tracks in the snow. One thing was certain; that was the last time he'd follow his nose into a cave in search of a meal.
AftermathCanterlot, Seven Months Ago... When he had noticed that the sounds of fighting had died down in his immediate area, and had moved up towards the castle, Grubber finally risked a peek out from under the cart where the giant cake had been a few minutes ago. Chunks of cake and gobs of frosting covered the immediate area where the ambush had started. There was a pirate parrot or two still scuffling, but for the most part, the storm guards who hadn't been knocked out, incapacitated, or otherwise engaged by the pirates had given chase to the castle courtyard. Silently slipping out from under the cart and taking cover behind the right wheel, he wondered what his next move should be. He didn't ponder the options very long, because when he noticed the sun and moon start to rapidly fling across the sky from one horizon to the other, the best option seemed to be 'Run'. Darting around a group of guards who had been bound together with a giant ribbon, he paid them no mind and instead focused on the ground ahead of him. His jog turned into a run when he risked a peek behind him and saw a lightning storm begin to form around the castle. When the clouds started to slowly rotate, the stormships hovering over and around the city also started to take the hint, and began to put the city to their rudders. In a matter of minutes, the hedgehog had reached the outskirts of the city, and a retreating stormship passed overhead as he ran for the main gates, which now sat unguarded. There came a sudden gust of wind that made the overhead ship lurch to port. There were ear-splitting creaking and splintering sounds as the airship collided with the cliffside and quickly lost speed and altitude. A dull thud resonated from inside the hull of the ship, and a split second later, flames erupted from the starboard thruster, and this was the tipping point as the vessel capsized and careened down the mountain, but not before crashing through the arch bridge that connected the southeast entrance of the city to the mountain roads below, leaving the Canterlot Falls as the hedgehog's sole choice of rapid escape. 'So much for not swimming an hour after eating...!' Grubber thought, steeling himself for the leap that he made two seconds later, looking behind him for a last time to see a cyclone begin to ravage the castle courtyard. He took quick gasps of air when his head poked above the rushing river as it carried him over the 1,000-foot waterfall, and he took one last breath and held it, waiting for either death or wetness. The splash was muted to his water-filled ears, and when he realized he hadn't hit any rocks, he spread his limbs and swam for the surface. Managing to claw his way to the shore, he blinked several times to see clearly, noticing that the river had already carried him nearly 200 feet from the falls, and that the currents had stripped him of the shirt that had prominently displayed the Storm King's emblem. As the sun continued to dip below the hills to the west, he craned his neck up to see that the lightning storm and cyclone had dissipated, and now arcs of sparkling energy were swirling around the towers of Canterlot. As the night sky continued to encroach and the last airship disappeared over the horizon, he watched as the city looked good as new in a matter of moments, before any of the storm legions had touched down. Unsure of what had just happened up in the mountain city, and unwilling to find out, he took another deep breath, before turning around, and ran alongside the riverbank as it snaked into the hills and valleys below.
The Fires of FriendshipWhen Fizzlepop returned to the castle around high noon with Thunderlane and Rainbow Dash, she noticed that the morning activity had only increased, as ponies continued to slowly congregate in the castle foyer for the festivities. According to the castle itinerary, Pinkie and Spike were about to be serving a lunch buffet in the dining hall, which would explain the line that was nearly coming out to the foyer proper. Fizzlepop was barely in the door before Twilight spotted her and came trotting towards her. "There you are, Major. Nothing serious, I hope." "Thanks to Fluttershy, no. Just a wayward manticore who wandered out of the forest." "I'm glad to hear you got it taken care of so quickly. Anyways, there are some guests who have come a long way to see you." Twilight said, nodding to the top of the staircase. Fizzlepop's smile widened as she met eyes with the waving figures of Spring Rain, Glitter Drops, Princess Skystar, and Captain Skyranger. She waved back, trotting up the stairs to meet the quartet. "Nopony told me you were coming," Fizzlepop began, coming in to embrace her two fillyhood friends. "No place like the capital of the Kingdom of Friendship to celebrate Hearth's Warming." Glitter Drops replied. "Skystar, I can't believe you came all this way." Fizzlepop greeted, moving over to hug the hippogriff, who gleefully returned the embrace. "I've been waiting for an opportunity to come up here to visit. Now I can see what one of Equestria's biggest holidays is all about." Skystar replied. "Captain Skyranger, pleased to see you again." Fizzlepop smiled at the armored hippogriff, no doubt here as Skystar's required escort. "Always a pleasure, Major Berrytwist." Skyranger replied cordially. "Well, you four must be hungry. What do you say we get in this line and find out how good this brunch is going to be?" The four guests eagerly agreed, and together, they descended the stairs to quickly get in line behind the dozens of others who were waiting to be ushered into the dining hall. "Attention, guests and residents of Ponyville," Mayor Mare began from the balcony of the castle as the sun finished dipping below the horizon. "I am pleased to announce that we have a record-setting attendance for this year's Hearth's Warming festivities. I would like to profusely thank Princess Twilight Sparkle for her hospitality and for her part in making this one of the most successful celebrations I can remember." There were stomping hooves of applause down in front of the castle as most of the attendees gathered around small torches and fires for warmth. "And now, without further ado, may I present, for your entertainment tonight, Ponyville's Captain of the Guard, Major Fizzlepop Berrytwist!" There was another round of applause as Mayor Mare stepped back, looking back to the door as Fizzlepop stepped up to the balcony, looking out to the several hundred ponies that had gathered in town today. "Good evening, Ponyville, and thank you. Every year, ponies all over Equestria come together to celebrate the founding of our nation, a tale we all know by heart, of how the three separate tribes put aside their differences and united after so many had been lost to the great Windigo Storm. Before I begin tonight's show, I thought I'd share what Ponyville, capital of the Kingdom of Friendship, means to me, and what it has done for me." Fizzlepop paused for just a moment, taking a breath. "I celebrated my last Hearth's Warming when I was nine years old, because I spent most of my life outside of our nation's borders. I had closed my heart and mind to friendship, coming to believe that it was everyone for themselves in this world. It wasn't until I had returned, when that all changed; when Princess Twilight showed me mercy from a fate I deserved all too much, opened my eyes, and sparked the Fires of Friendship in my heart again. I would like to dedicate this display to her, to the Council of Friendship, and to all of you, who have given me the warmest welcome to my new home. It is an extraordinary honor to serve as your Captain of the Guard. Happy Hearth's Warming." With that, Fizzlepop's horn glowed with an intense blue light, and the tip shot off the first pyrotechnic spell of the evening, rocketing up to just above the top of the castle's tallest tower, and exploded in a majestic display of blue fire. There were ooh's and ahh's from the crowd below as more spells shot off from her horn. The simple ones weren't incredibly taxing, but soon she included pyro spells that dipped down to the crowds before rocketing up to the sky, bringing even more excited squeals from the younger ponies in the crowd. Grubber was awestruck, along with all of the other spectators, at Fizzlepop's pyrotechnics display. The first five minutes were rather simple, and then it got even more interesting as her displays were then joined by musical accompaniment. The unicorn Rarity was introduced, who lead the quintet group The Ponytones who sung all the classical Hearth's Warming carols, which the crowd was encouraged to join. Their voices easily overtook the sound of the fantastic explosions going off above. 'So this is friendship, kinship... Life without the Storm King...' The last song of the night, was one where the entire crowd sang along with the quintet, a song called The Heart Carol. The sound of the entire town singing together was overwhelming as it was carried up into the night sky. It could probably be heard for miles around, even above Fizzlepop's fireworks. There were loud cheers all around as her final spell exploded out to form a blazing heart above the castle, the Fires of Friendship that was central to the Hearth's Warming Tale. After giving a bow, Fizzlepop turned and headed inside, and the crowds finally began to disperse to their homes and inns. Major Fizzlepop took a deep breath after the doors closed and the applause was muffled by the walls. She headed down the hall to the second floor of the foyer, where she could see the light late-night activity taking place; ponies sharing cups of hot chocolate or swapping gifts in front of the Hearth's Warming trees that had been set up. As she turned the corner to the stairs, she saw Twilight climb them to meet her at the top. "Great show, Fizzlepop! That was amazing!" She congratulated. Fizzlepop smiled back, and gave a bow. "I'm glad they all enjoyed it. Guess the nerves didn't get to me after all." "It got the attention of one more special guest who wants to see you." The Princess told her, pointing a hoof down to the bottom of the stairs, where a familiar gray hedgehog stood, and meekly smiled and waved to her. "G... Grubber?"
ReunitedAfter standing dumbfounded at the top of the stairs for a few moments, Major Fizzlepop invited Grubber up to the second floor balcony, and left him there momentarily, while she went and got him some food, something he clearly needed when she heard his stomach rumble from a flight of stairs away. So here he sat on the balcony, looking up at the starry night sky, wondering what was going to come next. He had a feeling there was quite a lot to say between the two of them; what they had been through the past several months. But when he heard the balcony door open, and the smell hit his nostrils, he figured thoughts could wait for a second or two as he turned to see his former commander walk up with a plate, on which rested a moist slice of sponge cake, fresh from the oven. "Here ya go. I remember it was your favorite." She said, setting the plate down on the balcony and sliding it towards him before taking a seat. "Thanks. So... I'm guessing it's not Tempest anymore?" He asked before taking his first bite. It was the most delicious bite of cake he had ever had. "Mmhmm," She began, shaking her head in answer. "Fizzlepop Berrytwist was my given name. Didn't seem very intimidating back... Back when we first met." "So... The Storm King finally fixed your horn, huh? Before everything went belly up?" Grubber asked, his mouth full of cake this time. Fizzlepop shifted a bit in her seat before answering. "No. No, Grubber. He... He lied to me. He used me. As soon as he had that staff empowered by the magic of the Alicorns, I was useless to him." "Huh," Grubber began, realizing that he wouldn't really expect anything else from his former boss. "I wish I could say I was surprised. Only reason I was in my position was because he figured me to be too much of a coward to ever betray him. So how'd you end up getting it back? Some powerful pony magic?" Fizzlepop shook her head. "The hippogriffs. Queen Novo used her pearl to restore it. After the battle for Canterlot was over, Princess Twilight saved me from whatever Celestia had in mind for my punishment, not only did she open my eyes to the magic of friendship, but she gave me a purpose, something to strive for. With Rainbow's help, I've put together a volunteer militia for this region. A few months after that, my thoughts turned to what had happened to Hippogriffia because of my deception. I took an expedition to help them rebuild. I wanted to make amends for the wrongs I committed. Novo had serious doubts about me, but after I did something rather foolhardy to stop a raiding party of storm creatures, she realized that I had truly changed." "Well, I'm happy that you finally got what you were looking for. I'm... I'm also sorry about that manticore earlier today. I accidentally wandered into its cave in search of food." "It's alright. That's what we're here for, and nopony got hurt." She reassured the apologizing hedgehog. "So you really like it here?" Grubber asked her, finishing off the slice of cake. She immediately nodded. "Absolutely. For the first time, in a very, very long time, I feel like I'm where I belong." "You're pretty lucky. To be valued and appreciated, especially after what we did. Wish I could know what that's like." The hedgehog lamented. "Well... Would you like to find out?" She asked him as he finished picking up the last of the crumbs. "R-Really? You want me to stay?" Grubber asked. "I told myself that Twilight was the first one to show me friendship in years, but I was wrong; it was you, Grubber. You were the best thing in my year with the Storm King. We didn't exactly do the right things, but we were there for each other, and if we take anything away from that experience, it should be that. We could always use the help around here, and I could definitely use another friend. So what do you say?" Grubber sat there in front of the empty plate, taking in her words. 'Wow, she's really changed, and definitely for the better, I think.' Grubber stood up, and nodded. "I'd like that. Love it, honestly. No more wandering around looking for my next meal. I want to see what it's like to belong somewhere. Here. With you." Fizzlepop smiled, took a couple steps forward, and pulled him into a hug. While his stubby arms could barely fit around the front of her barrel, he nonetheless accepted the loving embrace. Then, he felt her shudder and heard her sniffle as she struggled to keep tears back. "Is everything okay?" He asked her. "Yeah," She told him, sniffling again. "I'm just really glad you're here." She gave him one last gentle squeeze, then released him from the embrace, smiling down at him as a snowfall of light flurries began to descend on the Ponyville night. "Happy Hearth's Warming, Grubber." Author's Note Thanks for reading this latest installment, everyone!
