A/N: I do not own the rights to anything! MLP goes to those of Hasbro and Hub and the true writers of the show.
Also this is my first real stand alone fic. I have no pre-readers and I know there are some problems in here. So please not screaming and yelling...unless it is for joy then by all means continue on.
Quick fic that has been on my mind since the episode, so enjoy and Happy Hearth's Warming Day!
Ditzy's Hearth's Warming Day Wish
The snow was falling on this Hearth's Warming morning and just about every pony is still in their warm beds dreaming of warm cider and presents they will soon being opening. This is the fact for the Apple Family on Sweet Apple Acres, all four members tucked in tight under their heavy blankets to keep the cold at bay. So none of them knew of the package sitting at their front door, a packaged wrapped in grey paper with a red ribbon on top. A single name is printed on it, Applejack.
In Ponyville three similar packages are sitting in front of three different houses, each with a different name on them. And a fifth package sits in front of a house just outside a Everfree forest where a squirrel sits on top of playing with the red ribbon. A sixth package in the clouds is sitting in front of a cloud door, but the difference with this one is a grey pegasus sits there looking at the package with the name Rainbow Dash written on it. The mare shifts the package slightly to the right, while looking at it with one eye closed, head tilted to the right and tongue slightly hanging out. She shifts it counterclockwise then back to the same position it was in five seconds ago. With a nod of her head she opens her other eye which is not looking at the package but slight above it, giving her an odd derpy look. She smiles at her package before spreading her wings and taking off to her own home on the ground near Ponyville.
Once the mare arrives at her own house she shifts the bag around her chest so she could walk with out it getting tangled up in her legs like it did yesterday. Oh she is still embarrassed about that, right in front of Twilight of all ponies. She didn't stick around to hear the laughter that usaully follows her mishaps, but she does hope Twilight will still except the package she left her. With a sigh she enters her house and unclips the bag to it lays next to the door before continuing deeper into her house. The smell of fresh muffins capture her senses and before she even knows it she was floating her way into the kitchen without even thinking about it.
"Mother! Did you finish already? Did they say yes? Are we going to...come down mom! I can't hug you!"
A young unicorn filly is jumping just under the floating mare, trying desperately to grab a hoof to hug. She whinnies at her with dispaire as the mare starts to drool just a bit.
"Blueberry, orange peel, and some lemon juice. You been experimenting again Dinky? I bet this batch will be the best yet!!" She lowers herself so her daughter can attach herself to a hoof or chest or neck. All great places for a daughter to hug in her opinion.
"You bet it will be mother! I made...I made..." Dinky stops her hugging and pulls back to think. Her little tongue out of her mouth as she does this, giving the same look her mother was giving the package not long ago. "Five dozen! And that is a lot right mother?!"
The mare smile down at her young daughter and nuzzles the top of her head. "You are right, that is a lot. Now go get your saddle and scarf while I get the muffins in my bag to take with us."
"they said yes! Alright!" And before the elder mare could say anything her daughter bolted out of the room to do what she was told to do.
"I do hope they say yes..."
Both mother and daughter find themselves on top of a snowy hill in the park of Ponyville. Bare trees surround them but the view they see through them is the fields of Sweet Apple Acres, which is also bare during this time of year. But mother and daughter loved this view because they had many fond memories on this spot this past year and this is where Dinky wanted to spend her Hearth's Warming Day. The pegasus could not deny her only daughter her only wish.
They both cleared as much snow as they could to place the blanket on the ground then placing a few more blankets on top of it just in case ponies get cold. Then they placed the muffins out and settled in while waiting for others to show up. Dinky is so excited that she is shivering from that then the cold. The pegasus smiles at her but decides she should take her mind off of things before she noticed they been here an hour already an no pony has shown up. She drags out a small book and some colored ink and a quill where Dinky proceeds to draw.
It is near mid day before Dinky was keying in that other ponies were not going to show up to their invitation as she drops the quill from her mouth and gives a small sigh. Her mother nuzzles her right behind the horn.
"I am here Muffin." She whispers as the unicorn leans into her mother's hoof. They both stare out at the scene before them and watch the snow drift lazily down on to the ground, their blankey almost fully covered in snow at this point but neither pony mind as they kept each other warm.
Not long after that there came a bright flash behind them, both jumping up in surprise. The pegasus places her daughter behind her as she turns to see what is going on. And the moment she saw the pony responible for the flash she plops her head into the snow with her front hooves extended out in front of her.
"Princess!" Is what she said, but what was heard is a pony mumbling in to the snow.
"Princess Celestia? Thee Princess Celestia? Here? At our Hearth's Warming Party?" Dinky's mouth would hit the ground in shock and joy. She feels so over joyed that she just stood there.
"My little ponies. Please Ditzy, sit up, I am sure it is warmer above the snow." Celestia, one of the rulers of Equestria, smiles at the small family.
Ditzy sits up , snow still clinging to her mane, and looks as the princess with her own shocked expression. So shocked she was that both eyes are staring at the princess, though one is still a bit high. Finally her voice worked.
"HI!" She slams a hoof over her mouth and looks embarrassed at her outburst. First Twilight now the Princess, she is out doing herself this week. "Hi..." She says softer now.
"Hi my little mail Pony of Ponyville. Yes I have heard a few reports of your work here, and nothing but good praises so don't look sad."
Ditzy was sure Twilight would report her clumsiness to the Princess, not this. "I...I did good?"
Princess Celestia gives her the warmest smile Ditzy has ever been given. She could have sworn the snow around them was melting from this alone!
"But...how did you know we where going to be here?" Dinky finally joins the two as she slips in beside her mother.
"Well Spike is at the library sleeping in. From what Twilight tells me that is one of his wishes for today, but Twilight is in Canterlot with me this year."
Ditzy's ears fold back in depression for not knowing that, now knowing Twilight will not show up.
"So while we were feasting I get a message sent to me from Spike, a little grey package with Twilight's name on it. Well I gave it to her and...well read the letter that was with it. After that I excused myself and came here."
Ditzy feels a small blushing coming on as she looks at the ground. "Sorry my party not so impressive as yours, or big."
"Oh Ditzy, your party is one of the best I have seen in a long while. True family love right here on Hearth's Warming Day, all I get are nobles who think kissing my hooves make them a better pony."
Ditzy was thinking she should have been kissing the Princes's hooves instead of her face in the floor, but now she is glad for her blunder. 'Note to self, no kissing royal hooves'
"Now then I do beleive you have guest to greet if I am not wrong." She smiles at them before nodding in the direction behind them.
Both of them turn to see a large red Stallion pulling a small sled with a orange pegasus and a tan earth pony on it. Both are giggling at something as the move towards them. Coming behind them is another pony pulling another sled with what looks like a barrel of apples, a jug of something hot, and some pies that look fresh.
"Howdy Ditzy! Sorry we are late, we didn't know about this gathering till Scootaloo showed up. " Applejack said as she pulls the sled to a stop next to the blanket.
Big Macintosh nods his head to Ditzy as the fillies undo the sled he is pulling. Ditzy smiles real big at the four before turning to look at the Princess, only to find her not there.
"Come on Dinky! Lets go sledding!" Apple Bloom pips in as Scootaloo takes the sled to the side of the hill.
Soon the three fillies are flying down the hill with screams of delight while the adults clear off the blanket of snow and set up the food.
"Mighty nice of ya to invite us young lady." Big Mac says as he sits down on a edge of the blanket.
"Yes, mighty nice. I almost forgot where this was until I saw the letter. But Ive got one question ma'am...why did you..." Applejack was interuppted by seeing half of Big Mac's face get hit by a snow ball. "Oh No..." She says before ducking as a snow ball sails over her head, just nipping her hat.
Dinky's eyes jsut go wide in shock over what just happen. She looks from one Apple pony to another trying to figure out what is going on.
"I think some pink pony is asking for war!" Applejack says as she looks about for this culprit.
"What?" Pinkie Pie appears behind Dinky and flops over her, wrapping hooves around her neck. "There is another pony with a pink coat around? And that is also throwing snow balls at you?"
"I think she means you ma'am." Big Mac sits there chewing on his straw, still hasn't reacted to the snowball hit.
"Oh?" Pinkie blinks before falling backwards from Ditzy and rolling around in the snow with laughter. "That is funny! A snow ball war? This will be great! To the fort!" And sure enough she has a small one pony only fort up with a small pink flag waving on a tower.
Ditzy looks over at this as Applejack starts to roll snowballs. Pinkie stands up in the middle of her fort with a smile on her face. And soon both parties are throwing snowballs back and forth. She looks at Big Mac who is watching the fillies pull the sled back up for another run down the hill. But once Applebloom sees the snowball fight she squeals in delight.
"Come on lets join it! I am on my sister's team!" Applebloom rushes over to her sister and starts to make more snowballs.
"Awesome! I shall defend the fort!" Scootaloo rushes over to join Pinkie.
"Come on kiddo! Join the sisters!" Applejack says as she dodges another snowball by Pinkie.
Dinky trots over to the Apple family side and starts to roll a snowball while giggling.
"Hey! No fair! Three versus two! Who are we going to get to help us?" Scootaloo argues before getting hit in the face by Applebloom.
"Don't worry Scoot! I'll join your side!" Came a sing song voice behind the fort before a small white unicorn trots over to the fallen snow covered pegasus. And she has a snowball ready. And with little warning she releases it and watches Applebloom get hit straight in the face.
"Yeah! Sweetie Belle to the rescue!" Pinkie Pie cheers before getting hit in the face by a snowball from Dinky.
"Way to go sugarcube!" Applejack cheers.
"Barbaric." Rarity joins Ditzy and Big Mac on the blanket hoovering behind her a basket full cupcakes and another full of scarfs. "Anyways I saw this basket on the bottom of the hill collecting snow, no doubt from Pinkie who got excited over a snowball fight. This one is for all of you Dears. I just couldn't wait to show off my new scarfs."
Rarity smiles as she pulls out a large red one with green stripes at the end. She wraps this one around the wide eyed stallion across from her. She then pulls out another one, grey this time with white bubbles on either end. She wraps this one around another wide eyed pony, who shortly afterwards has tears seeping out of her eyes.
"Oh dear, did I do something wrong?" Rarity looks shocked and sad all in a moment before she finds herself in a bear crushing huge one would expect from Big Mac, but hers is from Ditzy.
"thankyouthankyouthankyou" She squeals in delight.
"Oh...were we suppose to bring presents?" A small voice chirps in behind Big Mac. "I am so sorry, I just brought some muffins, carrot muffins. Angel decided on them saying they would be great here."
Fluttershy stops just short of the blanket with a basket on her back, and a rabbit that seems to be proud of the muffins the basket is carrying. Ditzy pulls back and looks over at the fellow pegasus.
"Muffins? Oh muffins will do just fine, no presents are demanded but are very welcome. Same with muffins! Muffins and presents are the same in my eye." Which one was slowly creeping upwards on it's own.
"Oh good, then Angel is right." She nods to the rabbit who hops off her back with the basket before she sits next to Big Mac and smiles at every pony there.
Sunlight strikes down on Rarity, giving her a glowing spot light as she is wrapping a scarf around a blushing yet smiling Fluttershy. That sunlight slowly enlarges till the whole hill top is bathed in it, giving the ponies some warmth. Ditzy looks a bit confused before looking up to see a blue blur racing back and forth in the clouds, breaking them up for more sun light to shine down. She grows the biggest grin since...well since Fluttershy's muffins were mentioned.
Rainbow Dash lands softly next to Rarity, who attaches a rainbow scarf on the mare without batting a eye, and looks up at her work.
"Sorry I am late but the message I got said to clear the skies over the hill. Took a bit longer then I would have expected but we really pilled up those clouds the other day. That way every pegasus could get today off."
Ditzy looks crestfallen as she sinks into her scarf. "I...I didn't mean to have you work."
Rainbow looks over at the grey mare. "What? Oh nonono Derpy..."
"Now Dash...her name is Ditzy..." Rarity interjects
"I know what her name is! I call her Derpy, I came up with the name and I use it. She is fine with me using it." Rainbow sticks her muzzle very close to the wide eyed Rarity.
"She is right, she did come up with it at school. But Ditzy and I know she didn't do it to be mean, but others did it TO be mean." Fluttershy whispers in Rainbow Dash's defense.
Ditzy nods her head slowly while smiling at Rainbow Dash. "She even beats up those that are being hateful. She shouldn't...but she does. And she can call me that because I know she means well."
"Ha! That is because I ...am... awesome... right?" Rainbow Dash poses in front of the ponies. Fluttershy and Ditzy both nodding with smile on their faces.
"Anyways before I was rudely inturupted." Rainbow Dash glares at Rarity who just huffs at her and turns her head away, "On top of your package I had a letter from...well it just said to clear the sky before joining the party. No sweat!"
Ditzy pulls her head out of her scarf and claps her hooves together in joy. "You did wonderful Dashie!" She says as her one eye is starring up at the blue sky.
"Hey where is Twilight?" Rainbow Dash asks.
"Tarnation I almost forgot she wasn't here. She usually the first pony at any event we do." Applejack says as she sits down between Ditzy and Rarity, who promptly wraps a tan scarf with a red apple at the end around her.
"Unless it is a surprise party for her!" Pinkie says from on top of Big Mac, who stops chewing his straw for a moment. "Is it a surprise? Should I have brought a cake?" She too found a pink scarf with small colorful balloons all over it.
"Oh no...Twilight is in Canterlot with the Princess's." Ditzy looks down at the food gathered on the blanket to hide the tear forming in her eye. "She must be having a grand..."
"Hi everypony! I hope we are not late!" Twilight marches up the hill with Spike on her back.
"Hey gang! I got some salad for the festivities. And I brought our favorite book of Hearth's Warming Day." The baby dragon announces from her back.
"Now Ditzy, you have to tell me why did you tear your picture up?" Twilight ask as she brings out a small torn photo from her saddlebag. A scarf of dark purple and many shinning stars is slowly wrapping around her neck.
She places it on the blanket to show her smiling up at everyone. Soon another torn photo joins Twilight's showing Applejack and it looks like the torn sides of both photos fit. Soon four other pieces were joining the pile, almost finishing the photo puzzle. Except one peice is missing, right in the middle of them is a gap. Ditzy slowly places her's down in the center which has both Ditzy and Dinky smiling up at them all.
"I figure you might remember where this was taken. Was hoping you would remember...and join us. I know you may not see me as a friend..."
"Now hold on young lady. Even though I am not part of this picture I see you everyday in town. Even I know you are a good mare like the rest here. You are one friendly mare and every pony here does consider you a friend or we would not be here." Big Mac nods with Pinkie nodding ten times faster, she is still perched on his head. "And in this torn up picture I see true genuine smiles on every ponies face. One thing I learned is these mares can't do fake smiles to save their rumps."
Ditzy grins with tears running down her muzzle. "But you are all more then just...just...friends. You are family in my eyes." And with that said both eyes are focused on Big Mac. "Even you gentalcolt. You are the nicest stallion around."
Big Mac just chews his straw and nods at her.
"Well said Sister!" Pinkie Pie cheers while clapping her hooves together.
"Yes Bravo my darling. I do agree every pony up here sees each other as family in some way." Rarity holds up a glass of cider.
"Ah shucks Sugarcube. I guess I never got to told you that you be welcome on our farm any time. My friends are my family." Applejack takes her hat off and holds it to her chest.
"And you are more then welcome to join me in the library Ditzy. I always love the company during my studying times." Twilight also holds up a glass of cider.
"And you are always welcome to my house. I am sure you would make lots of more friends with my animals there. We all love gental ponies with caring hearts and you have the biggest heart of all ponyville I know." Fluttershy whispers.
"Ah shoot, and you know you can chill on the clouds with me. I would love to show you some of my awesome tricks! And I bet you may have some good tricks to show me miss mail pony! I saw you the other day do a great dive to catch that package. Amazing!" Rainbow Dash exclaims.
"
"Oh you are all so sweet...Princess Celestia said..." Ditzy pauses, not sure she should bring up the Princess like this.
"Yes?" a voice that was here not long ago speaks up behind the mail mare.
All ponies turn to see both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna standing next to the pile of snow that was once a fort. Four heads pop out of the pile of snow and gap at the princesses. Ditzy slams her head back into the snow a mumbles something while the rest did their usual bow to them. Luna leans down to nudge the grey mare with her muzzle.
"Rise young pony, your face is needed up here for us to see." Luna speaks softly hoping her lessons from before are remembered.
Ditzy pulls up and stares at Luna's eyes for a long moment before she starts to cry. Luna steps back in shock, looking over at Celestia for explanation. She just gives a small smile before nodding back to Ditzy. Luna turns to look to see Big Mac patting her on the back. Actually the moment he patted her she latches herself on to his hoof. He smiles down at her before pulling his hoof...and her, to his chest to give her a better hug.
Applejack and Rarity were soon joining in with the hugging while Pinkie flops down on to their heads hugging their mains more then anything else. Fluttershy timidly joins in with Twilight on one side while Rainbow Dash slams herself on to the other side. Ditzy was trapped in the middle of it all,loving it to the end.
"Hey! Make room for us!" Dinky yells before four fillies tackle the group.
This causes the whole mess of ponies to fall backwards into a tangled mess of limbs and chaotic laughter. The Princesses both just smile at the group, Celestia bring her wing over Luna's back.
"This is a true Hearth Warming Celebration. No need for raised noses of high society or hoof kissing grovelling. No need for stories or singing. Just friendship of those you care about."
"What? No stories?" Spike pipes in with a book open in front of him. "But it's my favorite!"
"Oh Spike. You know we wouldn't miss this little brother." Twilight giggles as she sits up in the middle of the group.
"Story? Ah yes please do! I love a good story!" Ditzy squeaks out as Dinky and Sweete Belle try to tickle each other on the mail mare's back.
"Yes Spike. We do love hearing your stories." Princess Luna speaks out as she joins the other ponies on the blanket.
"Oh good. Once back in the times of old Equestria..."