The Crusaders Save Hearth's Warming

Apple Bloom dragged her hooves through the snow, saddened by how none of her and her friends' efforts could sway the bitter Mister Hum Buck. She spoke not a word on the way back to her cozy home of Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack had asked her one last time if there was anything she wanted to tell her, but Apple Bloom shook her head before she marched up to her room where she climbed into bed. She pulled the sheet over her face, as she fought with all the thoughts that rattled in her mind. She tossed and she turned, as she tried to force herself to fall asleep just so that the time would pass by, but it was the very passage of time that kept her from sleeping. She threw off the sheet, and headed to her windowsill where she perched her head to stare out at the town. She watched the colorful lights flicker and glimmer, but it wasn't enough to bring forth that same holiday spirit that burned in her just hours ago. Her stomach was sick with the thought of Mister Hum Buck succeeding in his plan, but what was a little filly such as her to do? Grounded and alone, his success seemed inevitable.

"Hi, Apple Bloom!" Sweetie Belle's head popped up in the window, which startled Apple Bloom so much that she yelped and fell backward onto the floor with a thud.

"Apple Bloom? Are you alright in there?" Applejack asked from down the hall.

"Uhh, yeah! I-I'm fine!" Apple Bloom assured her as she closed her bedroom door, then rushed back to the window. "Sweetie Belle! What are you doin' here?!"

"It's not just me! Scootaloo's here too! Your ladder wasn't tall enough to reach your window, so she gave me a boost!"

"C-Can we hurry up?" Scootaloo asked. "My shoulders are killing me!"

Apple Bloom opened up her window, and allowed her friends to climb up inside into her room. They brushed the snow off their coats, and wasted no time getting down to business. "Why am I always the one giving you guys the boost?" Scootaloo complained.

"I don't understand; didn't you two get in trouble?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Well, Rarity was about to ground me for the night, but I got out of it," Sweetie Belle explained. "All it took was promising I'd never do it again, and giving her the good, old puppy eyes. Then she let me off the hook!"

"I just didn't tell my Aunt," Scootaloo said rather bluntly.

"Well, I am grounded, and you two need to leave before I get in even more trouble!" Apple Bloom urged.

"We can't just leave!" Sweetie Belle shouted. "We have to get back to stopping--" Apple Bloom and Scootaloo let out a desperate shush, "--oh, sorry. We still have to stop Hum Buck before it's too late."

"Yeah, if we hurry we just might be able to get back to his house to get a better idea of what he's planning on doing," Scootaloo suggested.

"Well, you two can count me out," Apple Bloom insisted, and left her two friends stunned as they gasped from disbelief of what they had just heard.

"W-What do you mean?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"What do you mean, what do you mean? Didn't you hear me? I said you can count me out. You heard what Mister Hum Buck said, don't go chasin' somethin' you ain't got business chasin'. Well, I'm not so sure we got any business tryin' to stop him." Apple Bloom threw herself back onto her bed, with her face planted onto her pillow.

"You're really gonna go by that horrible advice he gave us?" Scootaloo asked. "Of course it's our business! If he stops that concert, then Hearth's Warming's ruined for all of us!"

"And what are we gonna do? Ain't no way three kids like us are gonna be able to do anythin' about it."

"Come on, Apple Bloom," said Sweetie Belle. "This isn't like you. Where's your Hearth's Warming spirit?"

"Yeah, don't you care about the holiday?" Scootaloo added.

"I . . . I guess I don't anymore," said Apple Bloom.

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle's eyes widened with shock, and their jaws dropped. "Y-You're not serious, right?" Scootaloo asked.

"No, Scoot, I am. It all started with us carolin'. Why did we even try? We sounded horrible, just like Mister Hum Buck said. Darn near embarrassed ourselves in front of the whole town. Then what? We were gonna somehow convince Mister Hum Buck to all of a sudden start likin' Hearth's Warmin'? Like we were ever gonna be able to that. We ain't got no business carolin', we ain't got no business makin' Mister Hum Buck like Hearth's Warmin', and we ain't go no business savin' it. Please, just go before y'all get me in even more trouble."

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle looked to each other, saddened by the words that left Apple Bloom's mouth. However, they knew she meant what she said, and they both knew what they had to do. Without another word spoken, they climbed out the window they came in from, as Apple Bloom clutched her pillow whilst already feeling the guilt of having driven away her two closest friends. But her mind was made, and refrained from turning to look their way. And so, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle climbed down the ladder they used to reach Apple Bloom's window, disheartened by their friend's loss in faith.

"We aren't just gonna let Hum Buck ruin Hearth's Warming, are we?" Scootaloo asked.

"I don't know, Scootaloo. Without Apple Bloom, do we even have a chance?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm not ready to quit on Hearth's Warming without a fight! I'm not just gonna lay around and let it happen knowing I could have done something about it!"

Sweetie Belle pondered, and was inspired by Scootaloo's optimism. "Yeah! You're right! We can't just let him get away with it!"

"Then let's get moving!"

Brimming with determination, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle scampered through the snow unfazed by the cold, blustery winds. They reached Mister Hum Buck's cottage, and approached the front door to listen in and see if he was still home. Instead, they discovered something far more telling. They spotted a letter on the ground, all properly folded and nestled within an envelope. Intrigued, they unraveled it and began to read it aloud to themselves.

"Hmm," Sweetie Belle began. "Dear all members of the Canterlot Choir. I cannot fully express my distaste for your sound, and ask that you please consider canceling your concert in Ponyville. It would really make my Hearth's Warming wish come true?! Signed . . . Strawberry Sunrise? Why would he sign it with that name?"

"Sweetie Belle, look over here!" Scootaloo called. "I found another one!"

"What's it say?"

Scootaloo opened it up with haste, and hurriedly scanned the letter. "Pretty much the same thing, but this one's signed by Amethyst Star!"

"How many more of these do you think he wrote?"

"W-What if he wrote fifty of 'em? Or a hundred?!"

"If the choir sees all these, then. . ."

"They won't come to Ponyville!" they both shouted in unison.

"Oh, this is bad, bad, bad!" Sweetie Belle panicked.

"We gotta find him, and stop him before he mails these out!" Scootaloo looked around for any sign of where he could have gone to, and found the hoof prints he left behind in the snow. "Follow those tracks!"

Their hearts quivered, but their courage persevered as they raced through the snow staying close to the tracks. Meanwhile, Apple Bloom laid in her bed with a broken heart. Her choice didn't make her happy, but she felt it was what she needed to do. Her confidence in herself had diminished to absolutely nothing, and was in desperate need of guidance. However, she didn't know how to ask for it. Nonetheless, it was then that guidance had instead came to her.

"Sugarcube? Is it alright if I come in?" Applejack asked from behind the door.

"Yeah, I guess," Apple Bloom glumly replied.

Applejack stepped inside, and took a seat at Apple Bloom's bedside. "Is there anythin' you wanna tell me? Anythin' at all?"

Apple Bloom thought long and hard, as she tried to find just the right question to ask. She doubted Applejack would be ready to accept an evil plot to ruin Hearth's Warming, so instead, she asked her something much simpler than that.

"Applejack, was there ever a time you just . . . quit on somethin'?"

"That depends. If yer talkin' about that one time I tried to bake over sixty fritters at once in the oven while tryin' to get all of afternoon's chores done at the same time, you bet I quit! I shoulda' quit earlier, 'cause those fritters turned out blacker than a lump 'a coal in a stockin' on Hearth's Warmin' Eve!"

Apple Bloom chuckled as she also recollected the memory. "Not that, I mean like somethin' big. Somethin' you felt you could do at first, but it just seemed like no matter what, you just couldn't do it."

"Are ya sure we ain't talkin' about them fritters?"

"Applejack!"

"I know; I know; I'm just kiddin'. Listen, sugarcube, quitin' is never the answer to anythin'. It don't matter how big or small ya are, or how impossible the task may seem. Apple Bloom, you can do darn near anythin' you set yer mind to. I've seen ya do it before."

"I have?"

"Sure! Goin' back to the fritter story, you remember how filthy that oven was when I realized I left 'em in there too long?"

"Ugh, it was disgustin'!"

"That's right. Ain't no way we were gonna be able to get that oven cleaned to prep a whole new batch for the reunion. I told Granny that we were just gonna have to cancel the get-together and do it another time. So, I went to go finish up them chores, and what do I find when I get back inside? Yer in there whippin' up batches of candy-dipped apples! Ya must'a had darn near sixty of 'em made! I was so impressed. Couldn't believe none of us came up with an idea like that! You did somethin' that, not just me, but yer brother and Granny thought was impossible. You saved the reunion."

"I . . . I did?" Apple Bloom smiled.

"That's right! You were the family's little hero that day. So, don't go 'round thinkin' you can't do the impossible, 'cause you've proven that ya can."

Overwhelmed with emotion, Apple Bloom embraced Applejack as she comforted her. It was in that moment that all her doubt in herself had been cast aside, and made room for that spirit she once thought she had lost for good. Now, nothing seemed out of her reach. If she could save the family reunion all those years ago, then she believed she could surely save Hearth's Warming Eve. However, she knew she couldn't do it alone. She had to find her friends, and fast, but there was just one little thing in her way. She had to find a way get un-grounded.

"Uhh, Applejack, is it alright if I go back outside? I-I promise I've learned my lesson!" Apple Bloom pleaded.

"I'm sure you have, but I'm afraid I'm gonna have to say no," Applejack insisted. "I'm sorry, but either way you look at it, you still ruined that stallion's mornin'. So, I feel this little punishment is gonna have to stay. Besides, it'll be gettin' dark soon. Ain't no reason fer you to be runnin' 'round this time 'a day."

"But, uhh--!" Apple Bloom paused, and had decided she'd try something she had never tried before. She frowned, and gave Applejack the saddest eyes she could muster in the hopes of persuading her.

"Nice try, sis. That trick might work on Rarity, but it ain't gonna work on me. Why do ya even want to go back out so badly?"

"Because I . . ! I want to apologize to Mister Hum Buck! I ruined his mornin', and I feel really bad!"

"Well, that's nice of ya, Apple Bloom, but I'm sure that can wait 'til tomorrow--"

"No, I have to apologize to him now! Otherwise, I'll feel guilty for the rest of the night, a-and I won't be able to sleep! Pleeeaaase?"

Applejack took a moment to decide, and eventually she gave in. "Alright, fine. But you come right back home after, ya hear?"

"I will! I promise!"

"Then go an' hurry before it gets dark. I don't want you gettin' sick neither."

With a burst of energy, Apple Bloom hopped out of her bed and rushed out into the cold. She followed the tracks left behind by her friends, as she fought against the wind and the sudden increase of snowfall. They led her all the way to Mister Hum Buck's cottage where, to her surprise, her friends were no where to be found. She knocked on the door as loudly as she could, and shouted Mister Hum Buck's name to see if he was home, but she received no answer. She quickly feared the worst, as she felt time was of the essence. She knew not where to turn next, that is until she discovered another set of tracks leading back into town. Apple Bloom dashed onward as her knees started to grow numb, and the back of her throat burned from the icy air, but this wasn't enough to slow her down. Bright and flickering lights lit up the streets of Ponyville, which were also unbelievably crowded with lively ponies walking to and fro. She searched desperately for any sign of her friends, and whilst she dodged and danced around the local townsponies, she bumped into what felt much like a brick wall. She fell to the ground as she rubbed her head to help ease the pain from the impact, but that instantly vanished once she heard two very familiar voices.

"Apple Bloom?" Scootaloo asked.

Sweetie Belle gasped. "You came! I can't believe you're here!" she exclaimed with joy.

All three of them got up on their hooves, and embraced each other in the middle of the street. "I'm sorry 'bout what I said," Apple Bloom expressed with sincerity. "You two were right. We can't just give up on Hearth's Warmin'! So, I'm with y'all to the very end!" They cheered and bumped hooves in celebration; their friendship had truly never felt stronger. "So, do we know what Hum Buck's actual plan is?"

"He's written a whole bunch of mean letters that he's going to send to the Canterlot Choir!" Scootaloo explained.

"If they read them, then they're definitely going to cancel the concert for sure!" Sweetie Belle added. "We've been trying to follow his tracks to maybe catch up to him, but with all these ponies walking around, we couldn't tell which tracks were his!"

"Well, if he's plannin' on sending letters, then he'll be headin' for the Pony Post Office!" Apple Bloom declared.

"I don't know where that is!"

"Yeah, neither do I! My Aunt's always the one who sends out my letters," said Scootaloo.

"I know where it is!" Apple Bloom shouted. "I always go there to send letters to my Auntie Applesauce! Follow me!"

So, off they raced to the post office as fast as they could with Apple Bloom who led the charge. After they had turned a few corners, they came to a screeching halt once somepony crossed their path. Just on the other side of the street stood Mister Hum Buck with the sack of letters on his back. He recognized them without a moment's hesitation once their eyes locked, and Scootaloo wasn't going to waste another second.

"There he is! Get that bag!" Scootaloo exclaimed.

The crusaders charged toward Mister Hum Buck, and in response, he took off galloping. "Out of my way! Coming through!" Hum Buck pushed and shoved his way through the crowded streets, as the three fillies weaved around and between the legs of every pony he disoriented to catch up to him. Their small size gave them an advantage, for Mister Hum Buck had no clear path ahead of him, and the crusaders were gaining ground much too quickly. So, he took a detour, and slipped away into the closest shop, which just so happened to be the local toy store. Of course, the shop was crowded during this time of year, but Hum Buck saw it as the perfect opportunity to disappear. The crusaders followed him inside, but had completely lost sight of him.

"I don't get it. For an old guy, he sure is fast," Scootaloo commented.

"Let's split up!" Apple Bloom suggested. "This is the only way out. So, Sweetie Belle, you should stay here in case he comes by."

"Roger dodger!" Sweetie Belle saluted.

"Alright, Scoot, you take the stuffed animal isle, and I'll head over to the wind-up toys."

"Aw, but I wanna go to the wind-up toy isle!" Scootaloo moaned.

"Ugh, fine, I'll go to the stuffed animals; you go to the wind-up toys."

"Sweet!"

They went their separate ways, and Apple Bloom began to investigate the piles upon piles of assorted animal dolls. She walked up to the largest display of dolls in the store, so tall that it nearly touched the ceiling. They were all stacked up neatly in a pyramid shape as a young employee continued to add more dolls to the pile. Apple Bloom reached out to one of the dolls, intent on rummaging through the entire thing, but was stopped by the young stallion who called down to her from atop his step ladder.

"Hey! Be careful!" he barked. "This took me hours to build, so if you want to look at one, just let me know and I'll get it down for you."

"Sorry, mister! Umm. . ." Apple Bloom knew she couldn't ask him to take down many so she could fully investigate, so she had to choose wisely. "Could I see that ursa!" The employee plucked the stuffed ursa from the stack, but had lost his grip on it. The ursa knocked down a stuffed cockatrice that was closer to the bottom of the stack, which revealed Mister Hum Buck's wide-eyed face lit up with surprise. "Ah-ha! Found ya!"

"Hey! How'd you get in there?!"

"Oh, fiddlesticks!" Hum Buck groaned, then burst through the stack of dolls to escape. Hum Buck brushed against the young stallion's ladder, which made him lose his balance as he swung his hooves about to try and steady himself. However, it was inevitable, the employee fell into the display. Apple Bloom looked on in horror as the dolls all came crashing down on her at once. She dug her way through, and popped her head up from the sea of dolls. She had hoped to catch sight of Mister Hum Buck and where he took off to, but was instead met with a glare from the employee.

"He-he, sorry . . . again," Apple Bloom smiled nervously.

Over in the wind-up toy section, Scootaloo had gotten side-tracked by the wondrous assortment of toys and trinkets. She had wound up a small army of plastic, royal guards as they marched down the isle. Mister Hum Buck glanced back to check and see if he was being followed, and had accidentally stumbled over the toy soldier regime. He wailed as he lost control of himself, and crashed face-first onto the floor.

"Woah! There you are!" Scootaloo shouted. "I mean--just as I planned!"

"Why you little pest!" Mister Hum Buck growled in anger. He collected himself as Scootaloo dashed straight for him. Hum Buck looked for something, anything that could help buy him some time. Fortunately for him, he just so happened to be standing beside a rack of wind-up Wonderbolts. Consecutively, he grabbed each one, wound them up, and watched their plastic wings flap as they flew toward Scootaloo. She stopped in her tracks, and was forced to duck and dodge them all, which bought Mister Hum Buck just enough time to escape. Apple Bloom had managed to catch up with Scootaloo, and urged her to follow as she chased after Hum Buck. With both crusaders hot on his tail, they felt there was no chance he would elude them any longer.

Sweetie Belle stood vigilant at the doorway like a security guard on duty with her chest puffed and watchful eyes. Until she caught sight of Mister Hum Buck as he trotted toward the exit. She saw her opportunity, and seized it as she tackled him to the floor. His bag fell, and its contents spilled all over the floor.

"Ha! I gotcha, Mister Hum Buck!" Sweetie Belle proclaimed from atop his back.

"Mister Hum Buck? Who's that?" The stallion asked. "I'm just trying to hurry on outta here so I can get these gifts wrapped!"

Sweetie Belle climbed down from the stallion, and quickly realized who she captured was not at all Mister Hum Buck, but a stallion dressed in a similar black coat and hat, and a bag that looked exactly like Hum Buck's. Scattered all over the floor were not letters, but toys that were purchased. Sweetie belle chuckled as she shied away from embarrassment. "Sorry. You look a lot like somepony I'm looking for. He-he, what are the odds of that?"

"Sweetie Belle! Stop him!" Scootaloo cried out.

The real Mister Hum Buck flew right by Sweetie Belle, and toward the exit. "Hey! Stop!" Sweetie Belle demanded. She tried to take off after him, but amongst all the stallion's toys that were now on the floor, she stepped onto a toy carriage that caused her to roll out directly into Apple Bloom and Scootaloo's path. They collided, and tumbled onto the floor until they stopped flat on their bellies. Apple Bloom looked up, and watched helplessly as Mister Hum Buck approached the doorway.

"Mister Hum Buck!" Apple Bloom called out, and he stopped to take one look back at our defeated heroes. "I'm sorry we ruined yer day, but ya can't mail those letters! Please!"

"Hmm, allow me some time to think about it. First, I have a little errand to run!" Hum Buck trotted out of the store, and the crusaders helped each other to their hooves.

"Come on, girls. We can't let 'em get away!"

"Not so fast!" said the employee from the doll display. "You three have made a mess of my store!"

"What do ya mean? I didn't do anythin'!"

"No, but your friends sure have. There's toy soldiers all over the floor thanks to this one."

"Those are so cool," Scootaloo admitted.

"And this one just attacked one of my customers, and look at the mess she's made!"

"Yeah, sorry about that, Mister," said Sweetie Belle.

"You three have a lot of cleaning to do, and none of you are leaving until this gets resolved."

"But we can't! We've got a holiday to save!" Apple Bloom explained.

"You can get back to playing pretend after this whole thing gets sorted out. Where even are your parents? I think they should know about this mess you've made."

"Wait! W-We'll clean all this up. Just please don't tell no one!" Apple Bloom begged, as Sweetie Belle attempted to work her magic with her puppy eyes.

The employee sighed. "Fine. You kids are lucky it's the Hearth's Warming season."

Apple Bloom then turned to her friends with a plan already brewed. "Alright, girls, the quicker we clean up the quicker we can get outta here and still stop Hum Buck. Scoot, you get a head start on those soldiers, we'll join you after we get this stallion's toys all cleaned up. Ready? Set. Break!"

The three of them went to complete their tasks, while Mister Hum Buck was allowed to finally reach the Pony Post Office. He stepped inside, victory almost in his grasp. All that was left was the simple task of mailing out his letters. At least, it should have been simple.

"Welcome to the Pony Post Office!" the ditzy mailroom clerk greeted. "My name's Derpy! What can we deliver for you today?"

"Good evening, Miss. I'd like to mail out this entire satchel of letters," said Hum Buck as he rested the bag on the countertop.

"Oooh, boy! That's a ton of Hearth's Warming cards! You must have a really big family!"

"Not quite."

"Then they must be happy holidays letters to all your friends! You must be really popular. Especially with a hat like that!"

"Again, no. Friends are nothing but a distraction and waste of time, not to mention irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. I've never sent out a Hearth's Warming card in my life, and I don't ever plan on it."

"Well, that's fantastic! We're having a sale! We have a selection of Hearth's Warming cards for any last minute uhh . . . card-sending! The first card is free, every card after that is just one bit for the postage!"

"I appreciate the offer, but I will have to respectfully decline--"

"But look at the little reindeer on this one!" she giggled as she held the card up to Hum Buck's face. "Ain't he just adorable?"

"I suppose, but I'm really not--"

"How about this one with the snowmare! Nothing says Happy Hearth's Warming like a happy snowmare! It even plays a tune when you open it!"

"For the last time, I don't want--"

"You drive a hard bargain, but maybe this one with jolly old--"

"The answer is no!" Hum Buck yelled, and sent Derpy reeling back in terror. "I won't, nor will I ever, purchase one of these hideous cards! If I did, it would be to use it as food for my fireplace so that I may watch it burn into ash! Because I can assure you that watching each of these pathetic symbols of the holiday be consumed by flames would bring me more joy than anything else this blasted holiday has to offer! Now, can we please get back on track, and have all these letters sent out tonight? I would also like to pay for expedited postage so that these may reach their destination post-haste! Is that a possibility, my dear?" he asked uncomfortably calmly. The horrified Derpy then nodded. "Splendid."

"Come on, girls! We have to hurry!" Apple Bloom urged her friends as they powered through the snow. All they could do was hope that they were not too late. They burst through the doors of the post office, and galloped to the front desk. They got up on their hind legs and peered over the countertop to find a clerk, but there was nopony to be found. "Hello? Anypony here?"

"Looking for me, my dears?"

The crusaders turned, stunned but also angered to see Mister Hum Buck with a smug grin on his face. What worried them was the absence of his bag, which made their stomachs churn. "W-Where are those letters?" Scootaloo demanded.

"We know what your plan is!" Sweetie Belle added. "And we won't let it happen!"

"How precious. 'Tis a good thing I stayed. I wouldn't have wanted to miss this," said Hum Buck.

"Miss what? What are you talkin' 'bout?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Your letters are all set to go, Mister," said Derpy upon returning to the desk. "They were just taken by our last mailpony for the night."

"What?!" the crusaders cried.

"Wonderful!" Hum Buck celebrated. "Thank you for your hard work today, miss."

"You're welcome," said Derpy somberly. "We're also closing in a minute, or maybe more like sixty seconds."

"A minute is sixty seconds."

". . . Oh, right."

An awkward silence fell upon the room, as Derpy stood up a 'closed' sign on her desk, and left the office. The crusaders fell to their knees, hearts broken as their eyes wept. Never once did they consider the thought of failure, as they hoped that the strength of their friendship and love of the holiday would be more than enough to see them through. Everything had crumbled right in front of them in that very moment, and Mister Hum Buck enjoyed every second of it.

"You should have headed my advice, girls," Hum Buck went on. "Now, look at you. A groveling, sniveling mess--and for what? All because some grandiose choir won't be showing their faces around here in Ponyville, and that might make a few ponies sad? Pathetic! All of it! You're lucky I'm in a generous mood at the moment, so here is what I'm going to advise you girls do next." Hum Buck stood by, and loomed over them as they looked up with their teary eyes and quivering lips. "Wipe away those tears, stand up straight, and move on with your lives. All those disgusting feelings swirling inside you, cast them aside. For they'll do you no good. So, you failed; you'll soon understand life is full of it. All we can do is learn from our mistakes, yes? Now, go on, stand up straight." The crusaders followed his command as they continued to sob. "Next, take a breath." Their throats ached, but they still filled their cheeks with air. "And repeat after me. Bah."

"B-Bah?" they muttered.

"Come on, is that all you got? This is your time to express yourselves! You despise me, don't you? Just like the rest of this forsaken town? Say it loud, say it clear, say it with purpose. Look me in the eyes, and say--bah, Hum Buck!"

"B-Bah, Hum Buck. . ."

"Yes, that's good. The next time somepony makes you feel down, just do as I've said. I guarantee you'll feel much better in the end. Come, allow me to guide all of you home. It's dark and it's cold outside, certainly not a place for young fillies like yourselves to be wandering alone." Mister Hum Buck held the door open for the fillies to exit, where he stopped Apple Bloom. "Oh, and also, I accept your apology." Apple Bloom turned away, and Hum Buck smiled, as he could sense the scorn from within her.

The streets were suddenly empty as the snowfall brewed into a rugged storm of violent winds. Ponies tied scarves around their faces to shield themselves from the icy wind as they fled to their homes. Mister Hum Buck walked each of the fillies home, and handed them off to their respected guardians. Scootaloo returned to her Aunt, and Sweetie Belle with Rarity. Not a word was spoken during their walks, and not a goodbye was said as each filly returned home. Apple Bloom was the last to be walked back home. Hum Buck knocked on the door of her farmhouse, where Applejack answered rather instantly. She was relieved to see Apple Bloom as she took her hoof and led her inside.

"There ya are!" said Applejack. "Oh! It's you again. Thank you kindly, uhh."

"Hum Buck, at your service madam," he said as he tipped his hat.

"Well, thank you kindly, Mister Hum Buck. I was startin' to worry 'bout little ol' Apple Bloom."

"Not a problem at all. T'was the least I could do. She apologized for her behavior, of which I am grateful for." Hum Buck looked down at Apple Bloom as she hid behind Applejack's legs. "She truly is quite a darling with a heart of gold. You must be proud."

"Oh, every day! Ain't that nice of 'em, Apple Bloom?" Applejack looked down for reassurance from Apple Bloom, where she only subtly nodded. "Brr! This storm's gettin' a little crazy!"

"I know; It's a bit bizarre. It seemed to have come out of nowhere. Though, I'm certain it'll lighten up in due time."

"Say, why don't ya come inside fer a minute or two? Just so you can warm up a bit before ya head back home. It's the least I can do to return the favor."

"I'm flattered, but I'd hate to impose."

"Oh, nonsense. Come on, just fer a--"

"Trust me, I'd only be a burden. Besides, this walk could be good for me. The streets are clear, and all is quiet. Celestia knows when I'll be able to endure peace and quiet such as this again."

"Well, if yer sure that's what you want, then I won't get in yer way. Happy Hearth's Warmin' Eve, Mister Hum Buck!"

"Yes, it will be, won't it?"

Hum Buck smiled, and walked back into the storm. Apple Bloom watched him disappear as Applejack shut the door. She had never felt such a painful ache in her stomach before, and every grin Mister Hum Back gave only made matters worse.

"Well, shucks, ain't he nice?" Applejack asked.

"Yeah, he sure is," said Apple Bloom.

"Oh, and guess what I just found out! The Canterlot Choir, the biggest and most amazin' group 'a singers in Equestria are comin' down here to Ponyville for Hearth's Warmin'! I don't know how we're gonna do it, but you and I are gonna sit front and center! Don't that sound like fun?"

"Y-Yeah, a whole lot of fun!"

"Oh, Apple Bloom, yer cheeks are all wet from the snow. Here, let me help wipe it off."

"N-No, that's okay. I'm . . . I'm just going to go upstairs for a bit."

"Oh, alrighty then. Well, hurry back down! Yer brother just made a nice, warm casserole! I'm a little worried 'bout it since it's yer brother's cookin', but it sure smells good!"

Without a word of acknowledgement, Apple Bloom rushed to her room and closed the door. She was calm, and steadily walked to her bed. Despite her effort, it didn't last long. She burst into tears, and dug her face into her pillow to mask her whimpering. She didn't know it, but at this same moment in time, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle had wept tears of their own. It seemed that whatever flame Applejack had reignited within Apple Bloom, Mister Hum Buck had quickly snuffed out. It would seem that all is lost, and that wretched Mister Hum Buck had finally won. Once he returned home, he slumped in his chair, and reveled in his victory. He poured himself a glass, and made a toast to himself as the storm roared outside. He listened as his cottage creaked and shook, and felt a bit uneasy, but he celebrated nonetheless. However, this story is not over quite yet.