Is one that friends come together to give.
A Special Gift
Written by iAmSiNnEr
Helped by Xrevias
Sunset's longing gaze was locked onto a clock hung in front of the classroom. The voice of her teacher echoed in her ear, while the clock's hand ticked, slowly inching towards the number three at the pace of a snail.
She glanced at her fellow classmates and scanned the room. Everyone felt the same thing, the want for the lesson to be over, for the weekend to start, shown by their weary faces. After all, the first day after the weekend was Christmas, and everyone was looking forward to that.
“And so,” the teacher concluded. “The angle of the bisector would be-” she glanced up at the clock. “Ah, it seems that our time has almost come to an end. We will continue this next week, but for now, your homework will be-” a collective groan went around the classroom. “Just kidding!” The teacher chuckled. “I’m not so bad as to give you all homework on Hearth's Warming break. Go on, then, enjoy your break–” The bell rang, and everyone cheered.
The classroom became a flurry of activity as everyone rushed to pack their bags, paper, and pens. Sunset quickly slung her backpack over her shoulder, already heading out of the classroom to meet her friends.
“Sunset!” a familiar voice called out. “Over here!” Sunset turned to see Rainbow Dash by the lockers, waiting for her. “Come on!” Rainbow told her. “The others are already waiting for us, and I’m not first because I decided to wait for you!” she grumbled, but Sunset knew she was joking.
“You can’t be first every time, Dash,” Sunset teased. “I mean, I think even Fluttershy beat you this time!”
“Alright, stop it,” Rainbow groaned. “I wait for you, and this is the thanks I get?”
Sunset chuckled. “Alright, I’ll stop-” something in her bag vibrated, and she paused in her steps.
“Whazzit?” Rainbow asked.
“I think Princess Twilight’s trying to contact me,” Sunset explained. “I just felt the vibration which tells me whenever she does.”
“What’d she want this time?” Rainbow asked, doubling back.
Sunset rolled her eyes as she rummaged inside her back for the book which allowed her to communicate with Princess Twilight. “I haven’t even gotten the book out yet, Dash, you’ll have to wait until I do.” Bringing out the book, she flipped to the latest addition. “What?” she breathed.
“What is it?” Rainbow asked, catching her worried expression.
“It says, ‘Sunset Shimmer, I need your help’, with no signature,” Sunset told her, without looking up. “What could have possibly happened?”
Starlight paced around the room, the portal already lit up and the machine running to keep it open. She had sent a message to Sunset Shimmer, urgently requesting her help, but in hindsight, she should have specified what kind of help she needed.
Suddenly, Starlight’s ears perked up as the machine started to vibrate, a swirl of colors filling the mirror’s frame. A purple ball of magic rose up and slammed into the portal, blinding Starlight as the portal shone intensely. As the light faded, Sunset stepped through on her hind hooves, unsteadily tilting from side to side, trying to get her balance.
“Sunset Shimmer!” Starlight waved awkwardly. “Remember me? Starlight Glimmer?”
Sunset smiled. “How could I not?” Righting herself, she fell on her front hooves and stood on all fours.
“You got my message, right?” Starlight asked worriedly.
“Wait,” Sunset said slowly. “It wasn’t Princess Twilight who sent that message?”
Starlight shook her head. “When Twilight was crowned Princess of Equestria and moved to Canterlot, she entrusted me the book to use as I needed, remember? I believe she told you?”
“Oh, right...” Sunset mumbled. “So, what’d you need my help for? Is Twilight in trouble?”
“Uhhh…” Starlight pawed at the ground. “Yes...? No? Not really, but it concerns her.”
Sunset raised an eyebrow. “Yes?”
Starlight sighed. “Well, Twilight’s taken on all of the princesses’ duties. Day Court, Night Court, she’s been overworking herself and has barely any time for her friends, except for the monthly meetings of the Council of Friendship,” she explained. “Hearth’s Warming is almost here, and I’d like to give her a nice surprise. I don’t really have ideas for it, so I thought it’d be a good idea to ask some of her friends to help. But, all six of her friends, including Spike, are busy at the moment, so I didn’t know who to ask… then, I remembered…”
Sunset gestured for her to carry on. “Yeah?”
“You!” Starlight said excitedly. “You live in the mirror world, and they must have a different way of celebrating Hearth’s Warming over there, and you can help me set up something new for Twilight-”
“Woah, woah, Starlight,” Sunset interjected. “You want me to help you set up a Hearth’s Warming surprise for Twilight? I’m not sure if I’m gonna be able to help much, or…”
“Oh, I’m sure you are,” Starlight replied confidently. “You studied at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, too.”
Sunset nodded. “Okay, but what does that have to do with-”
Starlight paused. “Uhm…” she sheepishly smiled. “Magic?”
“Uh-huh,” Sunset deadpanned. “Still, what do you wanna do? I’m not much of a party-planner, nor am I that…'' She waved a hoof thoughtfully. “Creative,”
“B-but,” Starlight whined, pawing on the floor, “it’s for Twilight…”
Sunset Shimmer paused. Okay, so, Twilight Sparkle, the pony who had opened her eyes and showed her friendship, was overworking herself, drowning in the responsibilities of a Princess of Equestria. Twilight had done so much for Sunset…
Surely taking time to plan a party wouldn’t be too hard, right?
“Okay…” Sunset relented. “I’ll try, try, to help.”
“Perfect!” Starlight exclaimed. “So, uh…”
“Hm…?” Sunset hummed.
Starlight blushed. “Where… should we start?”
Sunset Shimmer sighed.
“Does this place… look bigger than before?”
Starlight Glimmer led Sunset Shimmer to the map room, allowing the latter to take in the sights of the castle. Sure, Sunset had been there before, but with being away from Equestria for some time, the Castle of Friendship had evolved from its previous form. The map’s table had gotten significantly larger, followed by the sie of the rooms and halls. The map itself had expanded, outlining areas farther outside the borders of Equestria, and even encompassing the frozen north.
“Maybe?” Starlight shrugged. “I know the map got bigger, but I didn’t notice anything else.”
“Well, we could start with what we have?” Sunset suggested, rounding the table. “Decorations, food, and… other things?”
“Mhm, there should be party supplies and food in Ponyville,” Starlight answered. “I have enough bits to pay for it all… hopefully.” She sat down on a chair with Twilight’s cutie mark.
“Where are you working again?” Sunset asked.
“Headmare of the School of Friendship,” Starlight replied nonchalantly.
“So, you’re the principal of a school run by a princess of Equestria?”
“I… yes?” the lilac unicorn dubiously answered. “What’s a principal?”
“Yeah, you should have enough bits,” Sunset deadpanned as she stood beside her fellow unicorn..
Starlight tilted her head.
“Moving on!” Sunset quickly said. “Look, decorations and food are great and all, but how exactly are we going to surprise Twilight?”
“I’ve got a couple of ideas.” Starlight leaned forward. “One should be obvious, inviting her back to Ponyville.” She smirked, “but we could also…”
Sunset raised a brow.
“Bring the party to her!” Starlight chirped. “That way, she won’t be expecting anything at all!”
Sunset Shimmer let her imagination run wild. Yes… the pair could ask a team of ponies to inconspicuously bring whatever they’d need to the castle, while they themselves could use Sunset’s visit as an excuse to go to the castle. Not only that, but the castle was absolutely stunning! The hidden interior garden, home to flourishing, magical plants. Different luminous flowers bloomed in the ambiance, illuminating the space with different, prismatic colors. It’s domed roof would let in light, night or day. The true magic of the garden, though, came from the prospering life.
Or, if they’d prefer something more typical, they could use the various, spacious halls of the castle. With tall, daunting windows that let you see the regal city of Canterlot, which, if Sunset guessed correctly, would be decorated in wreaths, streamers, and a gratuitous amount of christmas lights. To add to that, sparkling snowflakes have never failed to bring a smile to one’s face! Columns for hanging decor, plenty of room for tables and ponies, so it could work if the gardens were off-limits.
“Yeah… yeah, that could work,” Sunset nodded with a smile. “We’d just need to contact the palace for permission.”
“Spike would be a good place to start,” Starlight added. “Royal Ambassador and all that.”
“Haven’t seen Spike in a while,” Sunset commented. “He’s a dragon, right?”
“Yes… you didn’t know?” Starlight asked.
“He’s a dog over in my world,” Sunset explained. “He… isn’t some big, ‘I can stomp on you dragon’, though, right?”
“Nah,” Starlight chuckled. “He’s a sweetheart.”
“Cool.” Sunset cast her trepidation aside. “Hey, could you just forward my message somehow? You have her notebook, after all.”
“Write it down. I’ll copy it, and send a scroll to Twilight.”
“Alright, thanks,” Sunset smiled. “So, supplies?”
“I already have a list,” Starlight beamed.
“You’re really Twilight’s student, huh?” Sunset tittered. “Anyway, I should write to Twilight, get our alibi up and running.” Sunset pulled out her notebook from her saddlebags.
“Please,” Starlight scoffed, “I don’t make a list for everything.”
“Let me guess, she wrote about a hundred to outline everything she needed to do before she was officially crowned as the sole ruler of Equestria,” Sunset deadpanned, using her horn to write with a pen.
“Ten points for the amber unicorn,” Starlight laughed. “I should be able to send scrolls to the girls as well.”
“Having more people on hand would help,” Sunset commented.
“Hands? People? What are those?” Starlight asked, confused.
The gears in Sunset’s head turned as she realized that she used the wrong terms. “Oh, uh, I meant ponies and hooves.”
“Then why didn’t you say that instead?”
“I used the other world’s terms by habit,” Sunset sighed. “Sorry.”
“Hm, alright, then,” Starlight shrugged. “Should we start?” She grabbed the list in her magic.
Sunset closed her notebook with a nod.
Closing the door to the castle, Starlight led Sunset down the path to Ponyville. The former leant a simple coat and scarf to the other, but Sunset still insisted on using a warmth spell to counter the cold.
Snow sprinkled down from the cloudy sky, sparkling like stars. The Castle of Friendship was covered in the white powder, from its roots to its peak, but the decorations still shone through. A large ribbon wrapped around the tree-like castle’s trunk, dotted with specks of snow. Lines of lights were strung about, twinkling a torrent of colors. Red would flash, then green, then yellow, following a steady rhythm.
“Are you sure the girls won’t mind?” Sunset asked, fiddling with her scarf. “I thought you said they were busy?”
“Oh, I just sent them invitations,” Starlight explained and led her into Ponyville. “We’re headed straight to Pinkie to see if she has time to help.”
Sunset figured that having an actual party planner would help. “Yeah, good call.”
“The others won’t mind you being away for a while, though?” Starlight used her magic to clear the path from snow. “You basically left unannounced.”
“Wait… how long will this whole thing take?”
Starlight hummed. “We should set the actual party a few days from now, we just need a plan first.”
“So, it would be fine if I pop back into my world later? Tell the girls I’ll be spending some of Christmas over here.”
“Christmas?”
“Hearth’s Warming,” Sunset corrected with a sigh. “Looks like I’ll be doing this a lot.”
“Perfectly fine,” Starlight giggled, before she twirled into a bow. “And welcome to Ponyville!” She brandished a hoof.
“I’ve been here before, thank you,” Sunset snarked. “Not like much could change–”
Alright, Sunset had to admit that there could be a lot of change. Sure, she had been to the town before, but she had never been there on Hearth’s Warming. There was a rustic charm to the town, since she had grown used to the regality of Canterlot, but it was welcome all the same. Multiple trees were decorated with ornaments, and wreaths adorned the ponies’ homes. Foals ran around in the snow, playing with one another, while their parents mingled a short distance away. Carolers sung their tunes, filling Sunset Shimmer’s ears with the melodies of the holidays.
Sunset’s daze lasted for far too long, but she was interrupted by a round of laughs by her side.
“Yep, that’s Ponyville for you,” Starlight laughed. “Honestly, I’ve been to Canterlot a hoofful of times, and I still want to come back here.”
“Home’s home,” Sunset chuckled. “But, yeah, way to prove me wrong, Glimmer.”
“Please, I did nothing.” Starlight batted a hoof. “It was all Ponyville.”
Sunset rolled her eyes. “We were on our way to Pinkie’s?”
“Mhm, follow me!” Starlight merrily trotted towards a tall building with a suspiciously gingerbread-looking roof.
Sunset paused. On one hand, it could simply be a confectionery with an over-embellished exterior, meant for bringing in customers. On the other, it looked extremely realistic, and she hasn’t seen something of that design back in Everton.
Sunset shrugged. She was in Equestria, after all…
“Uh, is that a gingerbread house?” she asked Starlight, catching up to her.
Starlight nodded. “Sugarcube Corner, where Pinkie stays and works.”
“Huh,” Sunset mused, “our Pinkie also works at Sugarcube Corner.”
“I guess no matter where, Pinkie will always be Pinkie.”
“True.”
A bell chimed, and the pair shifted their gaze towards a tall confectionary. A pony clad in winter clothing stepped out the front door, cradling a pink box in her hooves. Despite the chilly air, Sunset caught a whiff of what may have been inside. It had a delicate aroma, one that she would find whenever she would visit a bakery. Blended into it, though, was a hint of tartness that immediately reminded her of Pinkie Pie, the type of scent that could get you craving for sugar.
Oblivious to it, Sunset took a step into Sugarcube Corner, following Starlight. The interior of the building stayed true to its name. Small round tables were placed about to one side, and there were some ponies seated by them, most likely waiting for their orders or dining in. There were support columns, which wasn’t a surprise, given how spacious it is, but they were fashioned to have the spirals of a candy cane. The counter, opposite to Sunset and Starlight, had different, colorful pastries on display. Behind it, a jubilant, pink pony fiddled with a ribbon, tying it around a pink box, the same kind Sunset had seen being carried out of the establishment.
With a smile and nod, the pink pony pushed it across the counter, taking in return, a handful of bits. She waved goodbye, before beaming at the sight of Starlight.
“Starlight!” Pinkie Pie greeted. “Heya!”
“Hey, Pinkie,” Starlight smiled. “Busy?”
“You know it!” she chirped. “But it’s so nice to see the foals happy!”
Pinkie Pie leaned to her side, taking notice of Sunset. “Oh, heya, Sunny!”
“Hi, Pinkie,” Sunset responded with a smile.
“Don’t you have Hearth’s Warming in the other world?” Pinkie asked, rounding the counter.
“Yeah, but something came up, so I’m helping Glimmer, here.” Sunset playfully nudged Starlight.
“Oh?” Pinkie stopped in front of Starlight. “What do you mean?”
“Well…” Starlight sighed. “We were actually planning to surprise Twilight…”
“Surprise?!” Pinkie darted forward, muzzle-to-muzzle with the lilac unicorn. “And it’s for Twilight?!”
“Y-yeah… the plan is–”
“I am so in!” Pinkie cheered. “So, what’s the deets?”
Sunset rolled her eyes. “We have a list of things we need…”
Starlights horn glowed, and a scroll floated in front of Pinkie, who caught it in her hooves, eyes glazing over the list.
“And we’re planning to surprise Twilight in Canterlot.”
Pinkie paused. Slowly, she lowered the scroll, revealing her growing grin. “Surprise. Twilight?”
“Yep,” Sunset confirmed. “We’re going to go to Canterlot a couple of days from now, but we’ll send Spike a letter beforehand to see if he can help us keep it secret.”
“That sounds perfect!” Pinkie chirped. “I can get most of these ready by… let’s say, three days from now?”
Starlight nodded. “And Sunset has time to tell her friends that she’ll be away.”
“And it’s just in time for Hearth’s Warming Eve!” Pinkie cheered.
Pinkie Pie had already begun scribbling on a piece of paper, using her hoof… using the tip of her mane to hold a pen, humming a thoughtful tune. “Oki-doki-loki!” She tucked the pen back in her mane, and she placed the paper on the counter. “That’s my shopping list for tomorrow!”
“Oh…” Starlight stammered, horn glowing as she popped in a bag of bits. “Here, let me–”
“Nuh-uh,” Pinkie shushed her. “It’s for Twilight, right? I’ll play my part!”
“I…” Starlight glanced at Pinkie then back at her bits. Reluctantly, she sighed, storing her bits purse using her magic. “Okay…”
“Speaking of, I should get her a present,” Sunset pondered, “probably something from my world.”
“Present-shmesents, she’ll be happy to see you!” Pinkie hugged Sunset with one leg. “Besides, Hearth’s Warming’s about the ponies, not the presents!”
“Words to live by,” Sunset tittered. “So, you’re in?”
“You betcha!”
Shortly after visiting Pinkie Pie, and the pink mare’s reassurance that she was going to help, Sunset Shimmer was led back to the Castle of Friendship. Starlight immediately began to write a copy of Sunset’s message to Twilight. After mere moments, and Starlight glancing between the notebook and a piece of parchment, the lilac unicorn had sent a scroll to Twilight Sparkle herself.
“Well, this is goodbye for now, huh, Glimmer?” Sunset tucked her notebook in her saddlebags.
“Yeah, but Pinkie and I’ll get everything ready before you get back,” Starlight said. “We’ll see about sneaking in everything.
Sunset giggled. “If I know Pinkie, she can be very sneaky.”
“Sneaky and surprising.” Starlight rolled her eyes. “I’ll send you Twilight’s reply when it arrives.”
“Thanks,” Sunset smiled. “Now, I really should be going…”
“Of course.” Starlight’s horn glowed, and her copy of the notebook levitated onto the portal’s mechanisms. Magic swirled within the contraption, emitting a low hum as the mirror contorted with splashes of pink and blue, swimming in the glass. The two unicorns shielded their eyes when the mirror flashed a bright light, and a prismatic whirlpool had formed in the glass.
“I’ll see you soon, Glimmer.” Sunset waved.
“Looking forward to it!” Starlight beamed.
Sunset Shimmer took her first step into the portal. One hoof entered, then the rest of her form was gently coaxed in. She began to float in a polychromatic sea. Around her, everything looked like clouds, floating, whirling around her in a gentle breeze. Closing her eyes, Sunset prepared herself for the aftermath of this strangely soothing ride.
Which was being, rather harshly, shot out through the other side of the portal.
Sunset groaned, slowly readjusting to having a human body. She was wearing her thicker jacket, given the season, as well as a pair of gloves. Thankfully, she had landed onto a small pile of snow, cushioning her fall.
“Darn portal…” Sunset mumbled. “One moment you’re in bliss, then you’re supposed to pass out.”
“Doesn’t that sound familiar,” a raspy voice laughed. “Really, Sunset, how d’ya know what it’s like to…”
“Dash...,” Sunset growled, rubbing her temple, gathering her bearings, "don't...”
Rainbow Dash continued as if she weren’t interrupted, “... what it’s like to be a dude right after…”
“Oh my gosh, Sunset!” Pinkie Pie’s louder voice silenced Rainbow Dash. The jubilant girl rushed to Sunset’s side, gingerly wrapping Sunset’s arm around her shoulder, helping her up. “We were getting worried!”
“Mighty fine of ya to leave us hangin’,'' Applejack deadpanned. The farmer girl had donned her surprisingly, fluffy winter coat, opting for a trapper hat rather than her stetson.
“Why, Pinkie Pie ran face first into the statue in worry!” Rarity tittered. “Do inform us next time, darling.”
“Pretty sure I told Rainbow,” Sunset deadpanned.
Rainbow Dash cringed while all eyes turned to look at her through the falling snow.
“She didn’t say anything,” Fluttershy broke the silence.
“Of course she didn’t,” Sunset groaned, finally able to stand on her own. “I’ll be going back there soon, though.”
“What?!” Pinkie gasped. “Why?!”
Sunset stopped covering her ears. “Because Starlight Glimmer, if you remember her, and I have something planned for Twilight.” Sunset paused, and her eyes turned to Twilight Sparkle. “Princess Twilight, I mean.”
“Eh, we know,” Twilight shrugged.
“Won’t you be here for Hearth’s Warming Eve, at least?” Pinkie pouted, doing her best impression of a pleading puppy, including the head tilt.
Sunset rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, don’t worry, I will.”
“Splenderific!”
A day had passed since Sunset Shimmer’s abrupt visit, and Starlight Glimmer had just relayed Twilight’s response to the world-traveler's message. It was a concise message, one that the unicorn had come to expect from the newly-crowned princess. A simple greeting, asking how she was, and, of course, the reassurance the Sunset would be more than welcome to visit.
It was worrying, really. Twilight Sparkle was known for her eloquence with language, and even more so her rambling. The letter not having a single tangent was a sign that everything was getting to her; her duties, and her time lost, away from friends.
“Alright, Sunset,” Starlight murmured while copying Twilight’s response word-for-word in the notebook. “I hope this works…”
Closing the notebook with a sigh, Starlight began to write a message for Spike, indicating their plan to make this Hearth’s Warming special. Her horn hummed, and a piece of parchment levitated over to her from a separate section of the library.
“Dear, Spike,” Starlight began, “Hey, long time no see, huh? I hope the duties of a Royal Ambassador aren’t too difficult… at least, not as bad as being a headmare.” Starlight giggled to herself, “Anyway… Pinkie, Sunset, and I are planning a little something for our purple alicorn. Send me a reply if you’re willing to hear it out. P.S., it’s a secret from Twilight!”
Starlight rolled up the scroll and placed a seal on it. Her magic engulfed it, before it disintegrated into green embers, flowing out a creak in the window.
Canterlot, the center of Equestria, had been showered by snow, as, for some reason, the weather team had been a few moments behind with the weather. However, the regality of the city still shined through, despite being decorated for the festivities. Lights were strung about the different households of the city, blinking red, green, or yellow. Wreaths were hung outside the doors, along with colorful streamers that brightened up the white walls of most houses.
Overlooking the city, Canterlot Castle included itself in the festivities just as much. The tall towers’ windows, which were placed in a spiral-like manner, had been framed with gold ribbons, gleaming whenever light shined on them. The purple, conical roofs of the castle, topped with liberal amounts of snow, had formed icicles which adorned the overhangs. While the portcullis would usually look daunting, some ponies had made the right decision to decorate it with wreaths and lights.
Through the cold air of that day, a tall, purple-scaled dragon walked right through the main doors of the castle, shivering as he wrapped his scarf tighter around his neck, and puffed green fire onto his claws.
Royal Guards stepped aside to let the dragon pass, bowing respectfully.
“Yeah, thanks, guys,” Spike nodded as he made his way to the throne room. “I hope Twilight’s doing okay,” he mumbled.
Spike was a prominent visitor of his sister, showing up at random times just to check on her, whenever he wasn’t busy with his duties as a Royal Ambassador. He made a left turn which led him straight towards a large pair of ornate, purple doors. Spike gingerly pushed one open, and stepped into the throne room. Stained glass windows lined the hall, depicting various events that were historic for Equestria. From gathering the elements, to Twilight’s coronation, it had seemed as if somepony was always ready to create reminders of pony achievements.
“Princess, you have a guest,” a pony beside the throne stated.
“Oh…?” Twilight Sparkle, sat atop her throne, mumbled, lowering a thick stack of papers. Her eyes traced along the carpet, before she found the dragon Raven Inkwell spoke of. “Oh! Spike!” Twilight exclaimed cheerfully.
“Hey, Twilight,” Spike greeted.
“Wait…” Twilight narrowed her eyes. “Raven, can you stand next to Spike, please?”
“Of course, princess,” Raven Inkwell nodded and deftly trotted beside the dragon.
“Spike…” Twilight drawled. “Are you hoarding again?”
True to her concerns, Spike had gotten at least one pony head taller than Raven, a major difference from previously being the same height as her!
“No, and I promise that,” Spike denied. “Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye,” he stated, going through the different gestures.
Silence pervaded the room for a few moments, accompanied by Twilight staring at the doors. Seeing as no pink pony blasted through, she sighed. “Well, you’re not lying…”
“Which I would never,” Spike added.
“Right,” Twilight snickered. “But anyway, how have you been?”
“Same as ever,” Spike yawned while Raven took her place beside Twilight. “Visiting different nations, making friends… but, it’s thanks to these babies that it’s so much easier!” he smirked as he flexed his wings.
“I’m sure,” Twilight giggled. “So, any plans while you’re here?”
“Other than visit you? None, really,” Spike shrugged. “If we can stop by a hayburger place later, though, that’d be great.”
Twilight beamed, but she was interrupted by Raven coughing. “Apologies, princess, but there are still four diplomatic requests from other nations, five pending investigations for different noble houses, as well as…” Raven trailed off into a long list of things Twilight had to attend to.
Twilight Sparkle sighed heavily, slumping her shoulders. Her wings relaxed and drooped over her throne. “Well, you heard her, Spike.” She glanced at him with a smile, slight bags under her eyes. “I still have a lot to do, after all…”
Spike’s smile slowly faded. “That’s… alright…” He looked down at his feet. “Will you have time for Hearth’s Warming, though?”
“I’ll see if I can finish enough to at least rest a day before it,” Twilight giggled blandly. “I… I should really get back to work.”
“Okay…” Spike answered, hiding a clenched claw behind his back. “I’ll pop in again later.”
Twilight nodded with a smile. “You’re more than welcome to.”
Spike said goodbye to the two ponies and headed out the doors, wandering the halls with his claws behind his head. If only he could get Twilight to unwind… then she wouldn’t have those dreary eyes.
Just then, something built up in his throat. He let out a puff of green flames, and a scroll materialized in front of him. After scrutinizing that it was meant for him, he skimmed through the contents, his eyes and smile getting wider as he neared the end.
“This could work,” Spike murmured. His eyes caught sight of a butler wandering the hall. “Hey, can I talk to you for a moment?”
Glancing around, the butler asked, “Me, sir?”
“Yep.”
The unicorn swiftly approached Spike. “What can I help you with?”
Spike grinned. “See, I need you to inform the staff…”
A few days had passed since Sunset’s initial, and abrupt, visit to Equestria. She kept in touch with Starlight Glimmer via their notebooks, and the latter continuously sent updates on their plan. Pinkie Pie had come through, preparing the different decorations and food items that they could use for the surprise, while the other girls had promised to make an appearance when they could.
All that Sunset had to do now was go back through the portal and help Starlight get everything ready.
Surely enough, she popped through the portal not so long after. The two hastily made for the Friendship Express, which would bring them to Canterlot. They rode past snowy plains, white-capped mountains, and a flurry of snowflakes falling from the sky. In the train cars themselves there was an unsurprisingly large amount of ponies, travelling on the holidays to visit their family.
Once they stopped at Canterlot, they broke into a brisk trot for the castle. Sunset’s old home seemed to have changed a lot since she had last been. Rather than nobility dominating the city streets, there were more local ponies walking around, enjoying what the season had to offer. Foals cheered and played in the snow, a sight that reminded her of what she saw in Ponyville. Ponies were much more amicable to small missteps in their day, evident by how she saw a mare almost trip but shrugged it off without worrying about her public image.
“Hello, Equestria to Sunset!” Starlight sing-songed.
Sunset blinked.
“Welcome back!” Starlight giggled. “You do that a lot, huh?”
“Well, so much changed,” Sunset replied. “And it was all for the better.”
“Yep, but we should get going.” Starlight began to trot at a faster pace, while Sunset kept up with her.
The pair had eventually arrived at Canterlot Castle, which, again, dazed Sunset for a moment, but she was able to swiftly recover in time for a butler to lead them in through a discreet entrance.
“Should you all need assistance, please, do not hesitate to call on us,” the butler said as he led them through an entrance.
“Okay, but where are we going?” Starlight asked.
“I think I know…” Sunset murmured. “Is this the secret passage to the garden?”
The butler smiled. “Yes it is, ma’am.”
“You know this place?” Starlight tilted her head.
“Yeah.”
“Ah, and here we are,” the butler stated, pushing aside a curtain of vines. “A most beautiful venue for our benevolent princess.”
Indeed, this garden was beautiful, but not in the sense that mere words could describe. Though, Sunset’s mind raced to do so. Cobblestone paths led them through the magical garden filled with blooming flowers and tall trees. Vines swirled around multiple lanterns, while flowers adorned them and emitted a soft glow. The dome-shaped ceiling was made of pure glass that eluded the life it harbored within. In the center, the largest tree stood proud, displaying it’s thick roots for all to see, a sign that it has lived through centuries untold.
“I… wow…” Starlight whispered. “I’ve never seen this before.”
“And neither has our princess,” the butler chuckled.
“Yeah, it’s amazing,” Sunset said while running a hoof along some plants.
“Your items are by the side of the courtyard.” The butler pointed. “And miss Pinkie Pie is already in the kitchen, aided by our cooks.”
“Okay, I should get started with the decorations…” Starlight’s horn lit up. “You should probably go to Twilight, she asked for you to be brought to her as soon as you arrived.”
“Shall I lead you, Miss Shimmer?” the butler asked.
“That would be ni—” Sunset paused. “How do you know my name?”
“Sir Spike informed us,” the butler explained. “Now, shall we?”
Sunset turned to Starlight. “You going to be okay on your own for a while?”
”I’ll manage,” Starlight smiled. “You go and surprise that bookworm.”
“I doubt we’re any better, but yeah.”
“I didn’t say we were.”
“But you didn’t say we weren’t, either.”
The two glared at each other before breaking into giggles. Sunset faced the butler. “Well, shall we?”
“Of course.” The butler led her out through the main entrance of the garden.
All alone, Starlight glanced down at the assortment of boxes filled with decorations that Pinkie Pie had prepared for them. She laid about the different colored streamers into color-coded lines, carefully set aside a box filled with ornaments, and took out the items that would allow her to attach the different decorations, like tape.
Starlight Glimmer looked around. Everywhere, she could only see flourishing flora, and beautiful sights. Does she even need to add more to it?
Well, it was Hearth’s Warming, surely she could do something to add to the sights. Tentatively, she used her magic to levitate the streamers and wrapped them around the biggest tree, entwining them to form spirals that ran along its trunk. Afterwards, ornaments floated up onto its branches, slowly attaching themselves and hanging to give the tree a festive look.
No… no, this wasn’t enough. Starlight peaked back into the boxes as she scrutinized the different items. Gold ribbons were laid before her, and there were containers filled with glitter in the box. She could… she could fashion a large star! With a little bit of magic...
“Okay, let’s do this,” Starlight told herself.
Her horn blazed as she melded the items together. Sparks fell from her horn as the gold ribbons began to intertwine with each other, while the glitter’s container shattered, leaving the actual, sparkly powder to float in her magic. The two items formed a whirlwind, and gold sparks shone through her magic which grew brighter and brighter. Starlight smiled through her sweat.
Suddenly, she was knocked back a distance when she overloaded magic in one spot. Starlight screamed as the ribbons were left in cinders, and the glitter had scattered all over the stone floor.
“No…” Starlight groaned. “No, no, no!” She got up, stammering those words repeatedly has her horn sparked.
“Hey, what’s going on—” Sunset’s voice cut through. “Starlight? What happened?!”
Starlight winced at the volume of her voice. “I-I… I was trying to…” she sniffed. “I tried to…”
Sunset dropped to Starlight’s side, pulling her close. “Hey, hey, calm down…” she said softly. “Breathe…”
Starlight followed Sunset’s direction, and she took deep, shaky breaths until she found the strength to speak. “I was trying to… make something special for Twilight…” she murmured. “I ended up making a mess…”
“Something special?” Sunset asked dubiously. “What do you mean?”
“Look around!” Starlight exclaimed. “The garden’s beautiful, but it could be so much more!”
Starlight paused to sniffle.
“Now…. now…” A tear ran down her cheek. “I just ruined everything…”
Sunset wiped away Starlight’s tears, pushing her head up with a hoof. “Hey, look at me.” When Starlight avoided eye-contact, she reaffirmed, “Look at me.”
Starlight hesitantly met Sunset’s gaze, which, to her surprise, had a soft smile rather than an indignant frown.
“What you did with the tree was already amazing,” she whispered, caressing the back of her head. “But, you know what already is special?”
Starlight shook her head.
Sunset smiled. “We’re here. Twilight’s friends are coming, and we’ve already got a whole party planned,” she explained. “You should’ve seen her face when she saw me… I swear, if she could, her smile would’ve gotten wider.”
”I thought I said,” a jubilant voice cut in. “Hearth’s Warming’s about the ponies!”
Sunset and Starlight craned their necks to see Pinkie bounce inside, an armada of maids following closely behind her.
“It’s okay, Starlight!” Pinkie chirped as she wrapped the mare in a hug. “It already looks amazing, especially the tree!”
Sunset didn’t bother to question the mare’s timing. “See, you already did great with planning all of this.”
”I just…” Starlight sighed. “I wish I can make it even more special…”
Sunset hummed. “Well…” she turned to face the butler from before. “Hey, do you guys have any runes?”
”We have spares,” the butler answered. “Would you like to borrow them?”
Sunset smirked. “Yep.” She turned back to Starlight who was still wrapped around one of her legs. “So, here’s the plan…”
Starlight’s ear twitched as Sunset whispered in her ear. Her grin grew the longer Sunset spoke. Pinkie shrugged and laid down the grand food spread onto the table.
The butler shortly returned with the requested runes. Sunset thanked him and she and Starlight quickly went to work with their horns. The veins in each stone flashed a different color with each time they cast a spell.
“Oh, that tunnel was absolutely dreadful!” a melodic voice complained. “I do hope we will not be using it again?”
“It was very dark,” a more demure voice added.
“I reckon we ain’t goin’ back through there anyway.”
“Bunch of scaredy-ponies.”
“Hey, girls!” Pinkie chirped and approached the other element bearers, while the two unicorns continued to work on the runes.
“Pinkie Pie, darling, it’s good to see you again!” Rarity said as she hugged the pink mare.
Pinkie giggled and pulled back. “Heya, Rainbow! Win your last race?”
“You betcha!” Rainbow Dash boasted.
Fluttershy giggled. “She won by a large margin…”
“O’course she did,” Applejack smirked and nudged the Wonderbolt.
“No doubt here!” Pinkie beamed.
“Oh, hey, Starlight!” Rainbow Dash greeted, before noticing Sunset’s presence. “Wait, is that Sunset?”
“Yeahuh! She helped plan all of this with Starlight!” Pinkie chirped.
“You didn’t plan this, Pinkie?” Fluttershy asked.
“Nuh-uh, I just got the decor and food!”
“Regardless, I believe we’ll have a splendid time,” Rarity nodded.
“Ditto with Rares,” Applejack agreed.
“Hah! we did it!” Sunset shouted. Her horn blazed as she tucked the runes atop of the different lanterns, ensuring that the area above them was clear.
“Did what?” Fluttershy tilted her head.
“Oh, hey, guys,” the two unicorns echoed.
“And now they notice us,” Rainbow Dash deadpanned.
Sunset rolled her eyes. “I say the same when you finally realize you have an ego.”
“Uhuh,” Rainbow Dash snickered. “Whatever you say.”
Pinkie Pie somehow stretched her forelegs far enough to wrap everyone in a hug.
“Let’s get ready!”
Twilight Sparkle had been abruptly brought from the throne room and into wandering the halls of the castle. Her castle. Spike led the alicorn towards a section she had never wandered into, one that she was actually very curious about.
“Where are you taking me, Spike?” Twilight asked.
“Just follow me,” the dragon replied enigmatically.
“Spike, I really do have a lot to do,” she said. “Plus, If I want to have time to spend with you, the girls, and catch up with Sunset…”
“Yeah, yeah, time doing your work without taking a break,” Spike shot as their pace increased.
Twilight blinked. “I do take breaks!” she shouted, sharply pulling back her hoof. “What is up with you today? First you barge into the throne room, then begin dragging me through the castle!”
“Twilight, please,” Spike sighed. “This is the only way I know to get you out of that chair.”
“Chair?!” Twilight screamed. “It’s the throne of Equestria! Where Princess Celestia and Princess Luna ruled over the entire nation!” She flared her wings. “It’s my responsibility to ensure that we’re functioning and happy!”
Spike paused, staring at her. “Are you happy, though?”
Twilight’s wings relaxed, and she lowered her stance. “What?”
“Are you happy?” he repeated.
“Am I… of course I am!”
“Then, you’re fine with spending so little time with me, your friends, and your family?” Spike added.
Twilight cringed. With the few months she had been ruling over the nation, she barely took any time off to spend with everypony she loved. While Spike would come over every so often, the others, like Rarity and Rainbow Dash, barely had any time off from their work as well to even visit. Not to mention, she was already worn out by her workload…
“I…” Twilight stammered.
“See?” Spike sighed. “Can we just have this time to be with each other again?” he pleaded. “I’ll take the blame from Raven if that’s what it takes.”
Pawing a hoof on the ground, Twilight gave a small nod. “Okay… okay… fine,” she agreed, “Just this once.”
“Great,” Spike smiled. “Now, if you’ll just pull on that there…” He pointed at a blown-out torch.
Twilight dubiously followed as she was told, and she used her magic to tug on the torch. It pulled back like a lever and a section of the wall creaked open, acting as a door. She stared at it curiously before Spike immediately headed in.
“Hey, Spike!” she chided, following him anyway. “We don’t know what’s in th—”
“Surprise!”
Twilight, thankfully fought the urge to jump. However, she could not resist the urge to scream, one that echoed through wherever she stood.
Once she stopped, she was met with the grins of multiple ponies gathered in a courtyard, and surrounding them was a beautiful, enchanted garden. Flowers emitted a faint glow of different colors, while in the center was a heavily decorated tree. wrapped in spiralling ribbons and shimmering ornaments.
“G-girls?” she stuttered, trying to comprehend what was happening.
“Twilight!” her five best friends exclaimed as they proceeded to jump on her.
“Gah!” Twilight yelped as she found herself beneath the weight of five ponies, all of which desperately tried to wrap her in a warm embrace.
“We missed our timing, huh?” Sunset asked through watery eyes.
“Mhm!” Starlight hummed her agreement with teary eyes of her own.
Twilight, beneath all of her friends, couldn’t help but let tears run free. Here she was, despite being swamped by work, surrounded by ponies she dearly cared for and loved. Rarity was always busy with the latest fashion trends, Rainbow Dash was racing away, while Applejack would continue to work at Sweet Apple Acres. Fluttershy was always looking out for her critters, and Pinkie remained true to Sugarcube Corner. As such, they barely had time to visit her in Canterlot… which always left her to drown in her responsibilities.
This… this was sweet, sweet, respite.
“I… I missed you girls…” Twilight sniffled, unfurling her wings to wrap them in a feathery blanket.
As their sobs slowly became gentle echoes throughout the garden, the six ponies eventually pulled away from each other’s embrace.
“We really should set aside some time for each other,” Twilight giggled, smiling. “More than our Council meetings.”
“Hm, I do suppose I could find time to visit every so often,” Rarity beamed.
“Same here!” Pinkie and Rainbow Dash added.
“Me too,” Fluttershy said softly.
“An’ the apples take time to grow,” Applejack nodded.
“I certainly could use my friends by my side,” Twilight agreed.
A cheer of agreement resounded through the garden, and the party began. Maids and butlers remained on standby as more guests arrived, including family members of the first guests, as well as friends. Princess Cadance and family, the Royal Sisters, and even Discord made an appearance!
Luckily enough, the Lord of Chaos didn’t make much of a ruckus.
Much.
“Okay, everyone!” Starlight gathered everyone’s attention. “We have a little something special planned.”
“If everyone would be so kind to gather in front of the tree?” Sunset directed.
Once everyone had congregated to where Sunset had indicated, the two unicorn’s horns blazed with magic, two light green hues blending together, creating an already amazing light show. Sparks of the light began to pervade the garden, twinkling like stars themselves, to which the younger of the guests tried to catch them in their hooves. Sunset smirked, and all the sparks shot towards different locations in the garden, eliciting a chorus of whines from the foals. Twilight’s eyes widened when she must’ve caught wind of the activating magic.
The runes the pair had placed around burst out magic, as splotches of different lights shot into the garden’s sky. What were once mere orbs exploded into streams of color, intertwining with one another to form different shapes, patterns, or simply weaving through the crowd. Everyone attending could merely watch in awe as literally swirled around them. It was a lightshow only two of the most powerful unicorns could create. As the magic slowed, all the different strings of magic gathered in front of Starlight and Sunset, twirling and forming a snowflake within an ornate heart.
“I think I speak for everyone here when I say that we love you, Twilight,” Starlight beamed as the magic took its final form.
Twilight’s heart clenched, not from pain, not from being hurt, but from the sheer joy she felt in that moment. Starlight and Sunset, two ponies who had come so far, ponies who had proven that anyone can change as long as they are willing. Two ponies who she had given her friendship to… what they were doing now was proof that they truly had come to embrace friendship. The friendship of other ponies.
Twilight’s friendship.
“So, let’s end this with a bang!” Sunset cheered and the magic blasted into harmless glitters once more, dropping like prismatic snowflakes from the sky.
“Happy Hearth’s Warming!”
Author's Note
Merry Christmas!
Have this fic!
