The Sunset Also Rises: Holiday Specials
Winter Wrap-Up
Today was the day, the nine month anniversary of Sunset meeting what was now her family. It was also the day of Winter Wrap-Up. Sunset had done some research, and was super excited. This was the season change that she had yet to see in Equestria. In Canterlot, each of the season changes were made by one race of ponies. Summer came through the alicorns, and thus, the Princess of the Sun changed the seasons from spring to summer. Supposedly that was the season change that took the least work. Then, came autumn, also known as fall. That was governed by the earth ponies, who bucked trees and ran to begin the season. After that, was winter. The pegasi took care of that, using their weather factories to bring the snow. Finally, there was spring, in which the unicorns used their magic to clear the snow, and begin the spring.
Sunset had been out for every single one of those season changes, experiencing them and loving it. Through her research, aided by her sister, she found out that other places in Equestria did the season changes differently. Canterlot, however, was built upon the unity of the races, and so, each race, including alicorns, played their part.
Sunset woke up. "It's Winter Wrap-Up!" she exclaimed. She jumped out of bed to Twilight's, and shook her awake. "Twilight, wake up, it's Winter Wrap-Up!"
"Huh?" Twilight said groggily.
"It's Winter Wrap-Up!"
"So it is. You know we don't start until noon, right?" Twilight said.
"I know, but I was too excited," Sunny said.
Twilight yawned. "Well, I'm up now," she said. "What do you want to do?"
"How about make mom and dad breakfast?" Sunset suggested.
"You know I don't know how to cook," Twilight stated, getting out of bed.
"I kind of had to teach myself when I was younger," Sunset said.
"Oh, right," Twilight said.
"So, how do you feel about pancakes?" Sunset asked.
"Sounds great," Twilight said.
"Give me fifteen minutes, then wake mom and dad up," Sunset said. "Then wake Shiny and Spike up. Shiny needs a bit more sleep, and I think that Spike, being a baby, should sleep a bit more."
"Okay," her sister responded.
Twenty five minutes later, everypony was up and eating pancakes.
"How do you like them?" Sunset asked.
"They're great, sweetheart," her mother responded.
Sunset's eyes widened as she realized that not only the day was Winter Wrap-Up, but also the nine month anniversary of when she met them. She then smiled. "Happy nine months," she said. She could not think of anything to add after the word months, so she just said the amount of time, beginning a tradition.
Shining Armor was the first to realize it. "You're right, it has been nine months," he said.
Night Light, however, was not very good with dates. "Nine months since what?" he asked.
His wife answered with a light knock to the head, enough only for him to feel it, and not get hurt. "Nine months since we found her," she said.
"Has it already been nine months? Time flies," he said.
"Indeed it does," Sunset said. "Sometimes it feels like just yesterday that I got my cutie mark and Twi and I became Princess Celestia's personal protegés."
"So, any other reasons for waking up early?" Shining asked, seeing that she had just thought of it being nine months moments before.
"Actually, yes," Sunset replied. "It's Winter Wrap-Up. I was just so excited for it. It's the only season change I haven't seen in Equestria yet."
"And this time, we are the ones changing the season," Twilight Velvet said with a smile.
"Yup! I can't wait to see what everypony does. I mean, I know that some go get the animals, some clear the huge piles of snow, and some use their magic to help the trees," Sunset said excitedly.
"Actually, your dad and I met on Winter Wrap-Up," Velvet said.
"Really?" Sunset asked.
"Yes, it happened about twenty years ago," Twilight Velvet started.
Twilight Velvet was walking along, preparing to clear snow. However, she wasn't paying attention, and ran into a stallion, also on snow duty. They fell over on top of each other.
"I'm sorry," said the stallion, getting up, and offering to help Velvet up.
Velvet accepted his request. "No, I'm sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going," she said.
He chuckled. "Neither was I. Night Light, by the way," he said.
"Twilight Velvet. Good to meet you, Night Light," she said with a laugh. "I guess I was thinking about the book I was writing."
"You're a writer?" he asked.
"An aspiring one, at least," she replied. "I'm about halway through, but, I really need an editor or something."
"Well, I'm a teacher, so I'd be glad to take it a look over," he said.
"What do you teach?"
"I mostly teach foals, I do well with them, but I do meddle in a little research from time to time."
"Well, I'd be happy to have you look it over," Velvet said, before looking at Night's patch. "Looks like we're both clearing snow. Care to join me?"
"Why not? I'm sure I can learn a little of your story," he replied, as they began to walk together.
"We didn't actually start dating until-"
"Hush, dear. That is a story for another day," he inturrupted with a smile upon his face.
"Of course, it is" Velvet chuckled.
"Wow," said Sunset.
"Pretty great, right?" Night Light asked.
"Yeah," Shiny said.
Twilight looked at the time. "It's almost 11:30," she said. "We better get ready."
"Yes, we should," their mother said. "Sunset, I hope you're ready to clean some snow, because we're about to wrap up winter!"
After five hours of work, they all came home, with smiles on their faces.
"So, how was your first Winter Wrap-Up?" Night Light asked Sunset.
"It was good," she replied. "Lots of hard work with magic."
"Indeed it is, sweetie," Twilight Velvet said. "But it pays off, in the end. What once was winter turns into spring."
"And how wonderful spring can be" Nightlight finished.
Author's Note
Well that took a turn. For good. I enjoyed exploring Night Light's and Twilight Velvet's characters. I was able to give them a new depth that I didn't in The Sunset Also Rises.
There are 4 important days I am recounting in these. WWE, Hearts and Hooves Day, Nightmare Night, and Hearth's Warming Eve. Each will be released on their respective days. Boy did I cut it close on this one.
What is a holiday without memories? Thus, why maybe you might be able to find a theme that will run through these four shorts.
I hope you all enjoy!