Best Gift Ever: Aftermath
Everything in the living room of the Castle of Friendship was tame as it should be. The fire in the fireplace sent steam through the chimney every second it burned. Everyone was enjoying their Hearth's Warming very peacefully. Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, and Spike were sitting nicely on the floor behind the ginormous winterzilla with it's butt planted next to the fireplace, Fluttershy and Discord were sitting in chairs and having little conversations about Winter, and Cadance and Shining Armor were sitting on the sofa, feeding Flurry Heart pudding with her in the pink alicorn's lap.
They were all glad to relax, now that their big problems were over. Some of them failed to get their pony they chose a special gift, some of them didn't. Twilight was trying to make Pinkie Pie a special dessert, Spike was trying to get Rarity a perfect gift, Applejack and Fluttershy caught Flim and Flam trying to get everypony waste their bits on horrid dolls, Rarity traveled all the way to Sweet Acorn Acres to get Applejack's gift that was supposed to be delivered to her boutique in Ponyville, Rainbow Dash and discord were trying to find a creature that Fluttershy would love to have as a new pet, and Pinkie Pie was trying to find Twilight the gift that she would love. Even though their holiday became overwhelming, they still enjoyed it at the end.
"Doesn't it feel nice to just sit here and relax by the fire after all the trouble we went through today?", Twilight asked, glancing at the fireplace.
"It sure is.", Rarity said. "You know, it feels pretty comfortable in this room with all this nice warm soothing heat."
"Speaking for yourself, I can hear the heavy breathing from Fluttershy's new furry friend.", Shining complained. "It's starting to get irritating." He pointed a hoof accusingly at the winterzilla.
"Now, Shiny, don't be rude.", Cadance said, gently pulling his hoof away with her magic. "He's new to this castle, so give him some respect."
"Yeah, it is nice to have a furry friend around to spend the holidays with us.", Pinkie remarked.
"As long as he doesn't cause anymore damage.", Applejack added.
"Well, he would've become a tame creature if it weren't for Fluttershy.", Rainbow Dash added.
"Oh, Rainbow Dash, don't thank me.", Fluttershy said. "I actually want to thank you and Discord."
"Huh?", Rainbow Dash asked, turning to Fluttershy in confusion. "What do you mean? I only just-"
"You brought him here, because he was lonely and his family was gone.", Fluttershy said. "So, yeah, it was really thoughtful of you and Discord to bring him here."
The giant animal nodded.
"You know she's right, Rainbow Dash.", Discord remarked. "You should be appreciated."
The cyan pegasus looked down at the floor with rosy cheeks. "Um, you're welcome, I guess, Fluttershy.", she said, looking up at the buttery yellow pony. She then looked up at the winterzilla. "You two, big fella."
The beast smiled, baring his sharp teeth.
"And, Discord, I'm glad you came to spend time with me and my friends for Hearth's Warming.", Fluttershy said to Discord. "I've never spent Hearth's Warming with you in my entire life."
"I feel the same way, Fluttershy.", Discord agreed. "Almost my whole life, being a stone statue because of me becoming a chaotic monster, I've never got a chance to celebrate a wonderful holiday with such wonderful friends, especially somepony so beautiful like you." He raised his eyebrows two times.
Fluttershy's jaw was agape. "Me? Beautiful?", she asked bashfully with her cheeks heating up.
"Of course.", Discord said. "You have all the parts of you that make you beautiful. Your turquoise eyes, your rosy cheeks, your silky pink mane, your tiny button nose, your smooth neck, every part of you. I would never want you to change how you look, because you're perfect the way you are."
Fluttershy held a hoof to her muzzle to suppress a giggle. "That was really kind of you to say, Discord.", she said. "What else would I be without you?"
"I have no idea.", Discord answered. "Oh, you know, I do have a present for you." He snapped his talon fingers, making a white box appear in his lion paw and handing it to Fluttershy.
"Oh.", Fluttershy said, taking the box. "But, I thought the winterchilla was what you and Rainbow-"
"Yeah, but I was helping Rainbow Dash get a gift for you.", Discord said. "When I saw her in Ponyville, trying to find something that you might like, I thought I should help her. But, this. This is what I got you. Please, open it."
Fluttershy removed the lid and gasped at what she saw. It was a pink pearl necklace. "Oh, Discord.", she said speechless. "It's..."
"The reason why I bought it is because it reminded me of the color of your mane.", Discord said, taking the necklace out of the box and hooked it around Fluttershy's neck. "But, I-"
"Discord.", Fluttershy interrupted. "It's perfect." She flapped her wings, lifting her off her chair. She moved over to Discord's face and puckered her lips like she was going to kiss him on the cheek.
Discord stopped her. "Hold it right there.", he said. "I believe you forgot something." He snapped his lion paw fingers, making a mistletoe appear above them.
"Oh.", Fluttershy giggled. "Of course." She then pecked him on the cheek. "Happy Hearth's Warming, Discord." She lowered herself, until she landed gently next to Discord in his chair.
"You two.", Discord said.
Fluttershy wrapped her forehooves around her draconequus friend and snuggled into his torso fur, allowing him to stroke her mane with his lion paw.
Smiling, Rarity wrapped around Spike's back and pulled him close, making the little dragon's guts feel tingly inside. "Spike, I was thinking about the song you made for me.", she said. "How did you come up with the words just like that?"
Spike sighed in embarrassment. "Well, I've tried so hard to think of what's perfect for you.", he said. "I thought of jewelry and fancy clothes and a new sewing machine, but I just didn't know what to choose."
"Huh.", Rarity said. "To be honest, I could've gone for the new sewing machine. The one I have is getting old anyway."
"But, I didn't get it for you.", Spike whined. "I tried making my own umbrella for you, but I fell asleep on it and messed it up. I found out that my body was covered glue mixed with purple glitter and the umbrella got wrinkled from me laying on it after I woke up. And even worse, my brain was empty of ideas." He felt a tear escape his right eye and wiped it off. "I feel like a horrible dragon."
"Oh, Spike.", Rarity crooned, lifting his chin up with a hoof. "You're not horrible, you were just stressed, that's all. And it doesn't matter if you get me a gift that I would love, what matters is you caring about me. You're still my favorite dragon, and you'll always be."
Spike smiled. "Thanks, Rarity.", he said.
"And I must say, you're actually really good at playing guitar.", Rarity complimented. She turned to Applejack. "Applejack, did you teach him how to play guitar?"
"Yeah, that was a few weeks ago.", Applejack said. "I only taught him a couple chords and then just - BAM - got them good."
Rarity didn't respond, except chuckle.
"You know, Spike, I really am proud of you for playing the guitar so well when you did that song for Rarity.", Applejack said to Spike.
"Ah shuck.", Spike said, blushing. "It was nothing."
Twilight tapped Pinkie's shoulder. "Hey, Pinkie, um... Did you still like the pudding? Even though, it was a monster the first time you saw it?" She rubbed her right hoof nervously.
"Twilight, the pudding was amazing.", Pinkie said. "Why would you think I would hate it?"
"I was just so stressed that my mane and tail were all messy.", Twilight explained. "The recipe that Chancellor Puddinghead made was so hard to find that like it wasn't there at all."
"She was going all Twilyna-", Shining started, but was cut off by Twilight making his mouth disappear with her magic.
"Don't. even. think about it, Shining.", Twilight snarled with irritation and embarrassment. With a flash of magic, Shining had his mouth back.
"Sorry, Twily.", Shining apologized.
"I'm just glad you were feeling better after we helped you out, Twilight.", Cadance said.
"I am too.", Twilight agreed, nodding.
"Twilight, no matter how good or bad your pudding was, it's still the perfect gift.", Pinkie said, patting Twilight on the back. "I do have one question: Did you like the present I got you?"
"Of course.", Twilight answered. "You helped me with the present that you got for me stop the pudding from trying to snatch all of us and suck us into it. So, Pinkie, I believe you're the hero who saved our Hearth's Warming."
"Oh, be quiet, Twilight. It was nothing, really.", Pinkie said, bashfully. "And also, how did you know Flurry Heart was the one who the turned the pudding into a monster?"
"I saw a bag of flour in Cadance's hoof while she was doing it, and then she teleported herself back before I could notice.", Twilight said.
"Wow.", Pinkie said. "Silly little Flurry Heart, always sneaking her way to cause trouble."
"I know, right.", Twilight said, sharing a giggle with her pink friend.
"Twily?", Shining said, getting Twilight's and Pinkie's attention. He then pointed at Flurry Heart, looking down and feeling sad and ashamed.
Twilight and Pinkie gasped. "Oh my, Flurry Heart.", she said, as she and Pinkie got up on their hooves and walked over to the downtrodden Flurry Heart in her mom's lap. "I'm sorry, we didn't mean to talk like that about you, we know you never meant to do anything bad." The purple alicorn ruffled the baby's mane with a hoof. "You're just a baby and you don't know any better."
"Yeah, you're not in trouble.", Pinkie crooned.
The baby alicorn smiled and flew over to her aunt to cling onto her chest and nuzzle into her fur. She couldn't resist, but tickle Twilight's chin with her mane, making her giggle. She then flew over to Pinkie Pie and did the same to her.
"Hey, that tickles.", Pinkie giggled.
The door was being opened by Starlight Glimmer and Trixie Lulamoon, who then entered the room.
"Hi, Starlight. Hi, Trixie.", Twilight greeted. "Happy Hearth's Warming."
"Happy Hearth's Warming, Twilight.", Starlight said.
"Trixie says the same thing.", Trixie said.
The two looked up and winterzilla smiling and waving at them. They screamed and tried to run out of the room, but was stopped by Twilight shutting the doors with her magic.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! It's ok! Girls, it's ok!", the purple alicorn assured. "He's harmless. Although, he did try to eat us, but still, he's harmless now."
"But, why is he here?!", Starlight asked in a state of panic.
"He's a gift for Fluttershy that Discord and I got for her.", Rainbow Dash answered.
Trixie moaned and passed out, falling onto her right side. She was now entered into her unconsciousness. Starlight, on the other hoof, was a bit speechless. She glanced at her unconscious friend.
"Wow, what a dramatic baby.", Cadance said. She froze with a blank face. She then giggled sheepishly. "No offense, Rarity."
"Oh, none taken, Dear.", Rarity said. "Does anypony have a fan to help Starlight's fainted friend?"
"Leave it to me.", Discord said, getting off his seat and took out a paper fan from behind his back. He walked over to Trixie's body and waved his fan in Trixie's face.
Trixie felt the air blow in her face and rubbed her eyes before opening them. "Uh, I had this weird vision of some white beast sitting in this room.", she moaned. "Also, Rainbow Dash told me that the beast is her gift to Fluttershy."
"No, it really happened and you fainted.", Rainbow Dash said, pointing at the giant creature.
Trixie gasped as she saw the beast for the second time. "Oh, I guess that thing really is here.", she said, getting up on her hooves. "Sorry, for getting so scared when I saw him."
"It's fine, Trixie.", Fluttershy said.
"I apologize for being scared of him as well.", Starlight said.
"It's fine, Starlight, we don't blame you and your friend at all.", Twilight said.
The beast then yawned and laid on it's side, before drifting off to sleep. "Aww, the poor thing's so tired.", Fluttershy crooned.
"You know, I think we're all getting tired.", Twilight said, yawning. She then heard snoring coming from Spike, who was laying on his back in his sleep. "Aww, it looks like it's bed time for this little dragon." She was about to pick up Spike with her magic, so she can bring him to his bed, but she was stopped by Rarity.
"Not so fast, Twilight.", Rarity protested. "Do you think it's no trouble if Spike sleeps at my place tonight?"
"Oh, not at all, Rarity.", Twilight said, allowing Rarity to pick Spike up with her magic and place him on her back before trotting out the room. "Happy Hearth's Warming."
"You two, Darling.", Rarity said back to Twilight, as she continued her way out of the castle.
Twilight was a bit downtrodden to find out that Spike won't be in the castle for the rest of the night. "Well, I guess I'll be sleeping in my castle by myself.", she sighed.
"Don't worry, Twilight.", Shining assured. "Since you were expecting us to come tomorrow, I'm pretty sure Cadance, Flurry Heart, and I won't mind sleeping here for tonight."
"Right.", Cadance giggled, with Flurry Heart clinging on the top of her head. "Twilight did invite us to come tomorrow for Hearth's Warming."
Twilight beamed. "I'd be happy to have you sleep in my castle tonight.", she said. "I have a spare bedroom for you three. And I'm pretty sure Flurry Heart's not gonna want to sleep in Spike's bed, she'll feel uncomfortable while sleeping in it."
"We'll figure something out, Twilight.", Cadance said.
"Alright, Pinkie Pie, let's go back to the farm and get some shut-eye before tomorrow morning.", Applejack said, exiting the room.
"Coming, AJ.", Pinkie exclaimed, running after the farm pony that's running through the halls.
"Happy Hearth's Warming, you two.", Twilight said, watching two of her best friends make their way out of the castle.
"Happy Hearth's Warming, Twilight.", Pinkie and Applejack said in unison, as they exited the castle.
"Um, Twilight, is it ok if my new friend stays here for the night?", Fluttershy asked.
Twilight nodded. "As long as he doesn't snore too much.", she said. "I'm pretty sure he'll be back to being a small creature by morning." She looked at the peacefully sleeping winterzilla. "Happy Hearth's Warming, Fluttershy."
"Happy Hearth's Warming, Twilight.", Fluttershy said back.
"I wish you the same, Twilight.", Discord said, taking Fluttershy under his lion arm and creating a portal that leads to Fluttershy's cottage by scratching the air. "Tah tah." They entered portal and it was gone in a flash.
"Good night, Twilight.", Rainbow Dash said, speeding out the room. "Happy Hearth's Warming!"
"Well, me and Trixie are going to be sleeping in this castle for tonight, because it's too cold out there for us to be sleeping in Trixie's wagon.", Starlight said.
"Um, ok, Starlight.", Twilight said, rubbing the back of her neck with a hoof. "But, where will you be sleeping tonight? There's only one spare bedroom in this castle. Because-"
"Trixie guesses that she and Starlight will sleep on the couch in this room.", Trixie said.
Twilight giggled. "Suit yourselves, girls.", she said. "Because, these three and I are going to leave you here, so you two can a way to get comfortable. Good night." She, Cadance, Shining Armor, and Flurry Heart exited the room, before the doors were closed behind them. She opened the right door and peeked her head in the room for about a couple more seconds. "Also, I was gonna tell you that Cadance, Shining Armor, and Flurry Heart will be using the spare bedroom that you own. So, yeah, guess you are sleeping on the couch tonight." She giggled, before her head disappeared behind the door as it closed.
The two girls realized that they're going to be sleeping with the snoozing winterzilla as they heard it snoring. They groaned in irritation.
-0000000-
Twilight starred out the window in her bedroom, watching the stars twinkle in the night sky with a smile on her face. She knows that tomorrow will be the best Hearth's Warming ever. According to how much fun her friends had, giving gifts, eating pudding, and singing a little song.
"Watching the stars before going to bed, huh?", Cadance asked, who unexpectedly entered Twilight's room. Her question caused Twilight to turn around and look at her.
"Yep.", Twilight answered. "I'm glad you, Shining, and Flurry came to spend the holiday with me."
"I am too.", Cadance said, hugging Twilight. "Hearth's Warming was my favorite holiday to spend with my favorite filly, who's now a full-grown alicorn."
Twilight giggled cutely. "I thought you wouldn't say that.", she said, walking over to her bed and getting herself tucked into her covers.
"You were so cute tucked into her bed when you were a filly.", Cadance cooed, lifting herself off the ground and gently landing on the bed.
"Really?", Twilight asked, raising a eyebrow. "Is that what you thought of me when I was a filly?"
"Hey, you liked it when I tuck you in bed, don't lie.", Cadance said smirking.
"Well, I'm not a filly anymore.", Twilight said.
"You also liked it when you I give you tummy tickles before you go to sleep.", Cadance cooed, removing the covers to expose Twilight's plump tummy. She placed her hooves on it and started digging into the skin, making Twilight laugh. "Little Twily's getting tickled by the tummy tickler." She laughed along with Twilight as she tickled her. The tickling ended when Shining called for her.
"Cady.", the white unicorn stallion called. "Me and Flurry are waiting for you."
"Coming, honey.", Cadance said. She leaped off the bed and headed for the doorway. "Good night, Twilight. Happy Hearth's Warming."
"Happy Hearth's Warming, Cadance.", Twilight said, before Cadence closed the door behind her. She pulled the covers back up to her chest. She starred at the ceiling for a few seconds, before slowly closing her eyes to drift off in the world of magical fantasies.
