I don't remember nodding off, though, I'm not suprised I did. I worked harder in that half day then I had in years. But I was quickly woken up by a tapping on my front door. Curious, and now full of energy from a good nap, I got up from my chair, feeling light as a feather, and walked over to my front door. I had become cautious in my old age and always looked through the peep hole before opening the door. As I lined my eye up with the small hole this time, though, and looked through, I was dumbstruck.
'It can't be…' I told myself, pulling back and rubbing my eye before returning to the peep hole. 'That's not possible. Is someone playing a trick on me?'
"Are you sure this is the place?" A voice spoke loud enough to be heard from behind the door.
"Sure I'm sure! Hold on…" The second voice called my name her tone was much more cheerful and full of energy compared to the skeptical tone of the other voice. "Excuse me! We're here to celebrate, ugh, what is this holiday?"
"Humans call it 'Christmas', Pinkie" a too familiar sounding voice spoke up also from just the other side of the door. "Its just like Hearths Warming."
"Ah hope so" a southern sounding voice spoke up. "Ah didn't bring Granny's famous Sour Cream Apple squares for nothin'."
There came another knocking at the door and I was hesitant, deep down I started to shake. But not of fear. Of enthusiasm. I told myself 'It can't be… that's not possible…'
But as I flung the door open, half expecting a blast of cold air and an empty patio, I was shocked by the aroma of freshly baked sweets, a warm chilled breeze, and the most amazing sight I had seen in my entire life. I thought I must had been hallucinating. I couldn't believe my eyes. It was unbelievable, and I thought I was losing my mind.
After a moment of me standing there like a fool, Rubbing my eyes and stairing dumbfoundedly at the unexpected guests standing at my door. One of them, a purple unicorn pony, looked up at me, smiled and spoke in a warm and friendly tone, "Hello, I am Twilight Sparkle, I hope we aren't late for the party. May we come in?"
It took me a second to find my voice, but when I did, I scrambled to string the words togeather properly. "Ugh, er, yes! Please! Come in! Come in!"
"Thank you, kind sir" Twilight held her head up high as she lead her friends inside.
I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The mane 6 from My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, just walked right into my home, as if this were a normal thing. After a while, I realized my mouth was hanging open and I quickly shut it. In my old age, I lost a few of my teeth and didn't want to show it, it was embarrassing enough that I had to chew a certain way and some foods I flat out couldn't eat any more, like nuts or beef jerky. I quickly returned my attention back to the ponies who had wandered into my home. Most of them had on ear muffs, scarves and hats of various colors that matched their favorite colors. Applejack had green, Twilight purple, Rarity a darker shade of purple to match her mane, Rainbow Dash herself had red (I was suprised they weren't rainbow colored), Fluttershy had a lighter shade of green then Applejack's, and Pinkie had, of course, pink. Following behind the girls was none other then Twilight's number one assistant, Spike the dragon, who was stuffed inside a big plush purple and green coat that looked more like a sleeping bag with sleeves.
'Am I going mad?' I asked myself as I watched six brightly colored ponies, and and baby dragon, from an old cartoon I watched in my youth, dressed in winter attire, walk casually into my small home on this lonely Christmas night. 'Yep. It all adds up. I've lost it. I've gone mad.'
"Alright girls, and Spike," Twilight adressed her friends, collecting all their attention. "We have alot to do before the guests arrive! Let's get started!"
"Guests? What guests?!" I asked, sounding a little panicked. I hadn't planned for guests. Course, I didn't plan for cartoon characters to show up, either.
"Oh, my, darling…" Rarity approached me and began circling me like a hungry shark, but with an expression on her muzzle that made it obvious the last thing she wanted to do was eat me. "We're going to have to get you properly dressed before the guests show up. Do you girls mind if I help our friend here out with his wardrobe?"
"Not at all, go right ahead" Twilight said as she started marking things off on a check list and giving further instructions to her other friends.
"Wait, what's going on?" I protested as Rarity pulled me into my bedroom. "What other guests?! Why are you all even here?!"
She shut the door ignoring my quesgions and began levitating several yards of different material, a needle, spools of thread, and her measuring tape.
"Just relax darling" Rarity said as she started taking my measurements and holding up material to my body. "And please don't move. I don't want to accidently stab you with a needle."
Fear of being stuck with a needle, I kept my mouth shut, froze, and refrained from asking my quesgions again. It would probably be better to ask Twilight Sparkle, anyway. She was the brains and leader.
I don't know how long I was standing there before Radity told me I could move. She stuck her head out of my bedroom door and called for Fluttershy, who flew up moments later.
"Dareling, I have a few touch ups to do before his suite is complete, would you mind attending to his, ugh, mane?" Rarity asked, pointing to my head.
"Not a problem" Fluttershy spoke softly then grabbed my by my hand and led me into my own bathroom. "Follow me, please."
This time I willingly followed, I mean, who could deny Fluttershy when she asked politely for something?
She took me over to my bathroom sink, sat me down at a stool and began washing my hair. "Please keep still, I don't want to get any soap in your eyes."
I took a few deep breaths, trying to just accept the fact that I either went over the deep end and am hallucinating about my old favorite cartoon show, or some how the cast of My Little Pony is actually here in my house, dressing me for something. Either way, I figured I might as well go along with it. What's the harm? Not like I had anything else better to do on Christmas other then fall asleep in my chair listening to the 10th remake of the classic 'how the Grinch stole christmas', which was every bit as terrible as the 3rd, 7th and 8th.
Moments later, I felt something lathering my cheeks and figured Fluttershy also decided to give me a shave. Probably a good call, but I haven't had someone give me a good shave since my wife and I were in our 20s. Not a good idea, by the way. But we laughed about it later.
"Alright, all finished" Fluttershy chimmed, fluttering backwards to survey her work. She must have had to fly to reach my face without moving me.
"Is our host ready, Fluttershy?" Rarity popped her head into the bathroom before I had a chance to actually look myself over in the mirror. She paused, looking shocked for a moment before her expression melted into a much more pleased one. "Well, mister, you look dashing. But wait till you see how you look in this!"
Before I could survey the job Fluttershy did on me, Rarity was pulling me back into my bedroom. In a flash, I was redressed from my sweat pants and hole filled hoodie into a high grade tuxedo made from some fine material. It fit me like a glove. She even threw in a pair of new shoes, cufflinks, and a bow tie. My wife and I always agreed that I looked good in bow ties, even in my youth. She said it made me look formal yet fun.
"That's silk satin ordered all the way from Canterlot" Rarity saw me feeling the material of the suite, wondering what it was made of. "Now, you may turn around…"
Rarity and Fluttershy put their hooves on me and slowly turned me around to my sliding bedroom mirror doors to show off the fruits of their labor. I couldn't believe it myself. At first I thought this was some sort of prank or trick. But as I put my fingers to my face and felt it, I found the image I saw in the mirror was very real. I looked down at my hands and couldn't believe what I was seeing. Moments ago I was an old man, wrinkled, with paper thin skin, grey thinning hair, and shamefully missing teeth. But the image in the mirror was that of myself in my late 20s early 30s! My hair was thick and black again, covering my whole head, my skin was full of life, color and tight, and I even opened my mouth wide and saw I had my teeth again! And it was all real! Not the work of some trick mirror! I was young again! I didn't care about the details, I felt alive and full of energy! So much so I even started to dance in the mirror, striking a few slick poses as if trying to act like that cool guy in all the 80s movies. When I noticed the girls giggling, I stopped and sheepishly laughed with them.
"Girls, is our host ready?" Twilight had stuck her head into my room, her jaw dropped when she saw me. "Wow, looking good! And just in time! The guests are here!"
That's when I remembered my important quesgions. "Wait! What guests!?"
But my quesgion was soon answered as I was lead out of my own bedroom and into what looked like my living room. I say that, becouse I had to take a second glance at it to prove to myself it was, at one point, actually my living room. It looked like all the furniture had been removed, the walls looked like they had been streached out maybe another twenty feet each, the roof raised another ten, there were long tables at the end of the room lined with all kinds of holiday foods, although, I noticed not a single meat based dish, but still, it all looked and smelled really good. The entire place had been transformerd and decorated from floor to ceiling with all kinds of decorations! Pictures wrapped like Christmas presents, garlin, stalkings by the chimney, a chimney, an adventure calander hanging on the wall, jungle bells hung from the door nobs. It all was breath taking to astonishing. But what really caught my attention were the 'guests'.
I couldn't believe at first that the mane 6 from My Little Pony had showed up at my door, now I was sure that I had gone completly bonkers. I began recognizing over two dozen or so more ponies, all socializing, laughing and snacking on foods and drinks all around my living room! I saw the rest of Applejack's family by the food table, probably talking about recipes with others who wandered over there. Near a fire place, that I don't remember ever being a part of the house, were some of the wonderbolts, Spitfire, Fleetfoot, and Soarin, laughing with Rainbow Dash about something she had said. Near a Christmas tree that had all my ornaments but was far too tall and full to have been my own, I recognized the rest of Pinkie Pie's family, her father and mother, and sisters, Maud, Limestone, and Marble, all admiring the tree and decorations with different expressions. Coco pommel, an acquaintance of Rarity's from Manehatten, was with another mare, Moondancer, on the opposite side of the tree, when a certain Princess approached them. Princess Celesria herself greeted one of her former students, to which, Moondancer, nervously bowed, followed quickly by an even more nervous bow from Coco. Princess Celestia must have told them to forgo the formalities. The mares hesitated and looked to one another for a second before each raising their heads. A little ways away, Princess Luna appeared to be reading 'A Christmas Carol' to Cutie Mark Crusaders; Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. The three fillies looked rather nervous, if I had to guess, I'd say Luna was either at the part where Ebenezer was talking with the ghost of Jacob Marley or the third christmas ghost. Or if It was a more accurate version and not a watered down one, she might have been at the tail end of the second ghost. That part shocked me when I read the actual story. Not far away from them, Starlight Glimmer was chatting away with a character I recognized from the Equestria girls movies, Sunset Shimmer. Even though she was in her pony form, I recognized her right away.. After all, who could forget bacon horse? While they were taking, Discord popped up behind Starlight and started altering his face in various ways to make Sunset laugh, which confused Starlight. When Starlight would get wise, she would look over her shoulder really fast, only for Discord to disapear out of sight. I watched this go on three timed before Starlight caught Discord in the act. All three laughed as Discord floated away over to another group of ponies. Pinkie Pie was entertaining a baby Flurry Heart with an array of different faces, stretching, pulling and squishing her watered head like it was made of rubber, causing the baby princess to laugh historically and cheer Pinkie for more. Cadence and Shinning Armor weren't cracking up at every face Pinkie made, but they were entertained ans amazed by Pinkie's odd malubility.
Clearing her throat, Twilight collected everypony's attention, making a toasting class and appear in her hoof. "May I have your attention, please! Our honorable host has just joined the party. Let's all give thanks to him for opening his doors to us to celebrate this wonderful holiday!"
I had half been paying attention to what Twilight was saying, half watching watching her hoof to see how exactly she was holding the toasting glass. It was one of the great brony mysteries. But I was snapped out of my thoughts when a toasting glass was levitated infront of me, surrounded by Twilight's purple magical aura.
The purple alicorn smiled at me as she raised her own glass and whispered loud enough to only I would hear her. "Want to lead us in a toast?"
My mind went blank for a moment, I was never a good public speaker. But as I looked out across the sea of pony eyes looking at me, I said the first thing that came to mind. "Thank you all for coming, you have made this Christmas very magical. Merry Christmas to you all!"
To which, most ponies repeated my last words and toasted to a Merry Christmas. I'm not sure any of them really knew what Christmas was. Say for the Cutie Mark Crusaders, who were some what afraid of the holiday now, thanks to the story about ghosts who punish those who don't have Christmas spirit. Then again, they had Hearths Warming eve, and that was close enough to Christmas. Family and friends gathered for good food, good times, singing, dancing, and over all, being togeather. I took a long, drawn out sip of the drink and it's contents, I realized it tasted llikesparkaling Apple Cider. Not alot of alcohol content to it, but enough that I could taste it.
"How about some music!" Pinkie cheered as she zoomed away out of my view for a moment and somehow reappeared with two more familiar ponies, Octavia Melody, a cello player, and Vynal Scratch, a disc jocky, along with Octavia's cello and Vynal's turntable and speakers. I wondered how Pinkie did that, but I remember some lesson from the past, Pinkie is Pinkie, and just let it go.
Casual music with an undertone of a smooth electric jazz began to play, a slow song. I haven't danced to a slow song since… sence before…
"Care to dance?" Twilight interrupted my thoughts, offering me one of her hooves.
I noticed that she and the others were now wearing their Galla dresses. Did they slip them on in the split second my mind was distracted? And another thing, wasn't Twilight a unicorn when she first arrived? I just realized she now had wings. When did that happen? I felt like I was leaving the princess of friendship hanging too long, and took her hoof in my hand, leading her to the section of the living room that had become a dance floor. Couples took one another in their hooves, but also friends, as we all danced to the relaxing music.
"This is really nice" I said the first thing that came to mind as I lead Twilight Sparkle in a simple waltz.
"I'm glad you like it" Twilight Smiled as she danced on her back two hooves, her dominant hoof in my hand, the other on my shoulder. My hand that wasn't holding her hoof was on her hip.
"I haven't danced like this in… a… a really long time." I said, now fighting back tears.
Twilight said nothing as she fell into me, her head resting on my chest as we continued to dance. To anyone else, or anypony else, we could have appeared to be an item. But to anyone who ever watched the 7th Harry Potter movie, you would know that sometimes, best friends dance like this when that special someone isn't there, and you're trying to help cheer that friend up. Guess that made Twilight Harry and me Hermione. As bad as it was, I closed my eyes and pretended Twilight was my late wife. It felt so peaceful and so good that I lost track of time. It wasn't until I heard Apple Bloom's voice that I was pulled back to reality.
"So, sis, when do we give him our present?" Apple Bloom nudged her older sister. "And when do we get ours?"
"Later, Apple Bloom" Applejack annoyingly hushed her sister.
'Shoot!' I thought in a moment of panic. 'The presents! What can I give them!? I didn't get anypony anything!!!'
My mind began racing. I didn't have time to run to a store, it was Christmas eve! Most places closed early and probably closed by now. What do I do!? Then a thought hit me.
"Hey, Twilight" I murmered, just loud enough to catch the purple alicorn's attention. Twilight pulled her head away from my chest and looked up at me. "You don't happen to know if Rarity has any wrapping paper handy, do you?"
After a few moments of talking, Twilight and I split up, gathering her friends togeather as casually as we could to recrute them for a little side quest. We disappeared into my bedroom for a bit as Princess Celestia and Princess Luna oversaw the party, mostly keeping Discord out of trouble. The music changed to a more modern song and ponies all around began to dance with more energy then the previous waltz. Ponies began dancing all different styles, resembling more of a dance one would see at a high school gathering then a formal one. I wanted to watch them and take note of their different styles, but I had work to do with my little helpers.
From what I could tell, we all were gone for only three songs worth of time. When we were finished, the mane 6 and I emerged from my bedroom, ready for when everypony was good and tired. But for the moment, it was time to boogie!
I grabbed the nearest pony's hoof and lead them to the dance floor, who turned out to be Pinkie Pie, and began dancing like nopony was watching. It seemed like no pony really cared how I danced, and maybe that's how it aught to be. It made me feel like I was in high school again, even younger then I felt before. So full of energy and life. I didn't even notice till I started doing a dance that involved bumping hips with a partner that Pinkie had tagged out with Rainbow Dash. We even pulled out a few dance moves I didn't know I could do, holding onto Rainbow Dash's hooves as she lifted me ever now and again into a quick jump and twist move. No way I could have done that at my real age. Now I'm 100% sure I was in my young age again, and I was going to make it dance like crazy! When the song ended and another one was about to begin, Applejack cut in with her own pop version of Square dancing, to which I mimicked before we had a little bit of a dance off. She would perform some dance step, then I'd mimicked it, and add something else to it. After about three or four rounds of that, we noticed other ponies joined us on either side, forming two teams. All of us then began to perform some dance number in perfect synch, back and forth, my team vs team Applejack. Things got heated until the music ended to which the teams paused for a moment before breaking out into cheers for themselves and the other team, sharing words of congratulations and encouragement. I noticed there was a break in the music and saw the clock, it was almost 10:20. I was about to suggest we do the gifts next, I was excited to hand out what I had to offer my special guests when my stomach made a loud and embarrassing gurgling growl. The two closest ponies to me at the time were Rarity and Rainbow Dash, who both giggled.
"Oh my, darling" Rarity commented lightly. "When was the last time you ate?"
"Gotta keep fuel in the tank, pal" Rainbow Dash added.
"Yeah, maybe I should eat something while I have a chance…" I chuckled lightly, feeling a little embarrassed by my stomach having a mind of its own.
I walked around several ponies, making my way to the table of food layed out at the far end of my living room. I shook hooves and greeted ponies individually as I made my way to the mouthwatering food that I had some how avoided all night. I realized that I had been so caught up with everything, that the only thing I had to eat all day was a single slice of buttered toast. The closer I got to the food, the more the wafting aroma snarred me. It was an array of different scents that made my stomach clench, craving nourishment.
After shaking hooves with Ignious Rock, who went on and on in his old style of 3rd person style of speech, thanking me for inviting him and his family to this party in my home, I managed to reach the beginning of the table where plates and eating utensils were layed out. I was so hungry and it all looked so good, I grabbed a little of everything. The individual entries seemed to be kept warm via a magical spell, same with the cold foods being kept cold. After I loaded my plate up, I looked around for somewhere to stand and enjoy my meal. I was drawn towards the reading corner by Fluttershy who was reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas'. This I had to sit in on.
As I found a good position in a small crowd of ponies gathered for the reading, I realized I forgot to grab something to drink. I was going to just deal with it, not wanting to be rude and leave, when what appeared to be a mug of Apple Cider appeared next to me. I took the levitating mug then saw a familiar muzzle appear next to me. Twilight was wearing a confident smirk as she stood next to me, also wanting to sit in on her timid friend's story telling. I slowly ate as I listen to the soft spoken Fluttershy as she began reading the contents on the pages of the family favorite book.
"Twas the night before Christmas" she began, her voice soft spoken but was loud enough for all who had gathered around to hear, which appeared to be most of the guests. "And all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…"
I was completly focused on the story and almost forgot to eat. But the aroma of the food kept drawing me back to it. It all tasted so good, even the veggies I had added to my tray of food tasted far better then any I had in my entire life. 'I read in fan fiction that food grown by earth-ponies was exceptionally delicious, but I never knew it was this good.'
When the story ended, ponies and myself applauded Fluttershy and her excellent story telling skills.
"How's th' food, parnter?" Another familiar voice chimmed in, looking up at me with her emerald colored eyes.
I swallowed the mouth full of carrots I had in my mouth and told Applejack "Honestly, I've never had better."
"Well thank ya" Applejack beamed. "Most those vegetables were grown as mah family's farm. We do more then just Apples, ya know. And how's mah Granny's famous Sour Cream Apple squares?"
I looked a the desert on my plate Applejack must have been talking about. I took a small bite, rolled it around in my mouth for a bit, letting my tounge judge the flavor and texture, before chewing and finally swallowing the bite. "It's delicious!"
"Really?" Applejack readjusted her hat. "Ya ain't just sayin' that?"
"No! It's wonderful!" I replied quickly so I could take another bite of the dish.
"Well if yer ever in town, we offer it om our caterin' menu" Applejack told me before excusing herself to see what Apple Bloom had gotten into, saying she hadn't seen her in a while.
"Enjoying yourself?" A motherly, regal voice chimmed behind me.
I swallowed the bite of food that was only half chewed in my mouth as I turned around. I was now face to muzzle with not only Princess Celestia, but her sister, Princess Luna. Despite how well Rarity and Fluttershy put me togeather, I felt incredibly under dressed for meeting the Co-rulers of Equestria.
I lowered my head and bowed awkwardly, having never met anyone in my life who I actually needed to bow to, then I remembered Princess Celestia asked me a quesgion. I answered with my head still bowed, speaking possibly louder then nessisary. "Y-yes I am! Enjoying myself, that is! Thank you! Your majasty!"
"Please, raise your head" Celestia spoke softly. I did as she asked, and when I raised my head, my eyes met her her gentle magenta gaze. "Tonight we are just your humble guests. No need for formalities."
"We are enjoying the party, as well" Princess Luna chimmed in. "Thank you for inviting us."
"Thank you both for coming" my voice returned to normal as I did my best to sound warm and humble. "It means alot to me that you made time to spend this holiday with me and my other guests."
The princesses and I chatted for a bit longer before I saw what time it was. Nearly 11 o'clock. 'It should be a good time to pass out my gifts to everypony. I just hope they like them.'
I excused myself from the princessse's and found Twilight Sparkle mingling with her brother and other family. I leaned in and whispered in her ear that it was a good time to do the gift exchange. She nodded and excused herself from her family to make her way over to her friends, gathering them up one by one to help pass the presents out.
I called the attention of everypony to myself. When I felt all eyes were on me I announced "The Christmas gift exchange is about to commence, and I have gifts for every one of you. I want to thank Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends for all their help. I couldn't have done it without you girls!"
Everypony stomped their hooves and cheered as Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Pinkie Pie pulled out a large sack filled to the brim with the gifts we had wrapped for everypony there. I took a seat near the tree and began reading off names on the guest list Twilight write up for me. It took a while to pass all the gifts out, but thanks to Twilight and her friends, every pony recieved their gift in record time. I'm luckily I had just enough to supply everypony with a gift.
"Can we open them?" Apple Bloom asked innocently, earning a hard look from her older sister, who wasn't quite sure on the traditions, but felt it was an inappropriate and rude quesgion to ask.
"In my family, we all got to open one gift Christmas night, then the rest Christmas day" I spoke loudly enough for all to hear, a little suprised at how much more casual my tone was then when I first adressed them all earlier. "So please, if you wish, you may open your gifts from me. But you could always save them for tomorrow if you wish."
Not needing any more incentive then that, Apple Bloom and her friends began attacking their gifts, wrappung paper flying everywhere. Everypony else sat back and watched the Cutie Mark Crusaders open their gifts.
"Wow wee! Cool! Look at that! Ah play set of the barn!" Apple Bloom held the Sweet Apple Acres barn set up over her head, the one that came with several items and two figures. One of Granny Smith and one of Crimson Gala. It was one of the items from my wife and my My Little Pony collection I kept. My wife had given it to me one year for Christmas, and I know she would have approved of me passing it on to Apple Bloom. Even though I knew full well that she planned to take it out of the box, I wss more then OK with it. It deserved play time after all these years.
"Look! I got a figure set with all the Wonderbots!" Scootaloo cheered as she held up a set of small figures, each a different wonderbolt. But one figure caught her eye the most. She gasped and she pointed it out to her friends. "Look! Look! It's Rainbow Dash! She's in there too!"
"Wow! Look! I got a set just like Apple Bloom! But this one is Rarity's Boutique in Ponyville! It even has Hoity Toity!" Sweetie Belle bounced, full of excitement.
The three began talking about ways they could play with their sets togeather, coming up with all kinds of little adventures their figures could have.
My wife and I kept most things in their original boxes to help them last the test of time and present them as best we could. But it made me feel good to pass them on to those who would enjoy them and care for them. One by one the mane 6 and I passed out gifts that we thought best suited each pony. We did group gifts for a few, like Princess Cadence, Shinning Armor and Flurry Heart got a play set of the Crystal Empire that came with figures of all of them, along with a story book to read to Flurry at bed time. The Pie family all recieved various gifts relating back to Pinkie that they all seemed to like. The princesses received plush Build-a-Bear stuffed animals of eachother, that they pulled into a hug almost emmediatly after opening. Slowly the stack of presents dwindled until the last one, a gift to Twilight Sparkle herself, was given.
She opened it and was a little shocked to see it was another plush pony, a version of herself, in her corrination dress. She was shocked for a moment, looking it over a bit. When she finally cracked a smile and hugged the plush version of herself, she told me "I hope you don't think I'm too vane for loving this gift."
"I wanted YOU to have that one specifically" I spoke in a tone that Tony she could hear. "It was the first plush pony I ever got. My wife and I went and got that one togeather, many, many years ago."
Twilight's expression changed and she tried to push the gift back to me. "I-I can't accept this. I can't take it away from you."
But I pushed it back to her. "Please accept it. It would mean alot to me. I know my late wife would have wanted it that way, too. Please."
After a moment, Twilight faught herself internally, then happily took the plush version of herself back. "Thank you. I'll always treasure it."
"Hey, big guy" Rainbow caught my attention, hovering at eye level with me, a gift in her hooves, outstreaching it to me. "Hope you like it!"
"Oh! Oh! Here's one from me too!" Pinkie bounced over, a gift bouncing on top of her head.
"And me, too…" Fluttershy spoke up a little as she also presented me with a gift.
"Well, it is a gift 'exchange' " Twilight stated as she motioned to the ponies gathered up to offer their gifts to me.
I told them I would wait to open them all until Christmas, not wanting to spend the rest of our time opening gifts infront of them. They all seemed to understand. Some of them reluctantly nodded, appearing disappointed that they wouldn't see me open their gift, but I happily thanked them for the gift and placed them under my tree. Once I received what I thought was the last of the gifts, I heard the strum of a guitar.
Everypony turned to see Applejack in the corner, an acoustic guitar in her hooves. Where she pulled it from I have no idea. I stopped asking quesgions a while ago and just started rolling with it. But the song seemed… familiar some how.
"When family cannot be here
Havin' journeyed far and wide
We sing a song to honor them
To remember days gone by…"
Applejack was soon joined by her sister, Apple Bloom, and her grandmother, Granny Smith, in singing the holiday song. After the first couple of verses, everypony joined in as background chorus, say for myself. I couldn't trust myself to move let alone sing. I was on the verge of tears, my heart breaking in two. I felt warmth and love from the song, and was glad that I wasn't alone on this wonderful holiday, but I still faught back the tears of knowing that all good things came to an end. And soon, I would be all alone again. But I forced myself to just enjoy the good times and not ruin this as a memory for myself. Angels couldn't have sung more beautifully.
Sadly, it wasn't long after the song ended that most decided to call it a night. Some went right back to socializing and eating, but some like Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Applejack, all had to get the little ones into bed. I saw them all off, not really knowing where they went after they left my house and ventured into the cold, winter's night. Deep down I knew they went back to their homes in Equestria.
It was five till midnight when the second to last guest left. Leaving just myself and Twilight Sparkle to count down till Christmas day. The room seemed to shrink back to its normal size, the tables that magically appeared with so much food were gone, along with almost every dish, say for a small plate of cookie and milk Pinkie wanted to leave for Santa. The humongous tree shrank back to normal size, the wall decore vanished. Everything seemed to go back to normal, say for myself. I still appeared much younger then I should be, and still in the tuxedo Rarity made for me. A crackling fireplace that I knew my house didn't have before also stayed back with us in place of my television set with the burning log DVD.
Standing beside the fireplace, barely illuminated by the light, I swore was Princess Celestia. But taking a second look, I realized it was Twilight Sparkle. She was so much taller, lengthier, her mane seemed to flow with sparkles like diamonds in her mane. Her horn and wings were much longer and more elegant. I remembered now. That was the way she appeared in the final episode of the series, many years after she left Ponyville and took over for Celestia and Luna so they could retire and enjoy life.
I felt it more strongly now. A pain in my chest. I knew the wonderful Christmas eve was coming to an end, symbolized by the pony who started it all, appearing as she did when her show ended. But before she disapeared like all her friends, I had quesgions that needed to be answered. Quesgions that, up until then, I ignored and pushed back for the sake of enjoying myself. But there was no escaping it now.
I casually walked over to the fireplace, a chair was levitated over for me to sit in, mostly likely by Twilight's magic. Before I could say anything, she spoke up, her own voice sounding so much older then she had when she walked into my house several hours earlier. "You have quesgions. You get three, then, I give you my gift, and leave."
Her words hit me hard. This really was the end of a wonderful dream. Part of me didn't want it to end, but I knew it would. I collected myself and thought about the most important quesgions I wanted answers too. I thought long and hard as I gazed into the fire "Ok. How did you all get here?"
"Magic, how else" Twilight answered her tone sounding slightly more cheerful as she gave me the quick answer.
"That's hardly an answer" I shot back, not meaning to offend my unique guest, but wanting to be taken a bit more seriously.
Realizing it really wasn't much of an answer, Twilight explained "in your world, this is the time of year for miracles, goodness to overcome all odds, and magic. Is it so odd that we would come to you, especially after such a heartfelt request from the both of you?"
"Both of us?" I asked my second quesgion without thinking, but didn't care.
Twilight nodded, her eyes so sad as they looked down at me. "You wished with all your heart not to be alone on Christmas, and She wished the same, seeing how hurt you were when she was gone. She couldn't come herself, so she asked my friends and I if we would celebrate Christmas with you in her stead…"
I fell out of the chair and onto my knees, the tears I had been fighting back this whole time finaly burst through, my heart bleeding. I couldn't take it any more and began crying rivers. I had a feeling she was behind this all. It's ridiculous but I knew. I knew my wife was watching me and saw what I had become. Some old, wrinkled recluse, who couldn't live without her. Living each day as if it didn't matter. I felt terrible for her having to see me like that. Ashamed that I put her though that. I hurt, but so did she, and I never thought about HER feelings.
A handkerchief was levitated over to me, which I took and did my best to clean myself up. Taking several minutes to collect myself, I knew I had only one last quesgion to ask. I had one lined up, but I had now a much more important one. One that I needed an answer to if I were to ever sleep at night again.
Gathering myself, wanting to speak as clearly as I could manage, I turned to Princess Twilight Sparkle and asked "Is she alright?… I mean…Is she happy where she is?"
Although technically two quesgions, Princess Twilight answered with a regal smile that rivaled her mentor's. "She is happy, healthy and well. And now, before I take my leave, I want to give you my gift…"
A part of me wanted her to say, to not accept the gift and make Twilight stay there with me out of a technicality, if that would even work.
But a bigger part of me knew it was selfish to want to keep someone there, just to eliminate my loneliness. I put on a modest smile and told her "thank you. And, thank you and all your friends for making this Christmas one to remember. Before I take your gift, can you do me one favor?"
Twilight looked a little stunned but relaxed her expression and asked "what can I do for you?"
I took a few deep breaths, steadied myself and asked the purple alicorn princess "Can you tell my wife that I'll be OK? And not to worry about me?"
"Why don't you tell her yourself?" Twilight chimmed, her words taking several moments to click in my head.
I front of me, the yellow and orange flames died down, the fireplace stretching into a wide and tall doorway, like one that belonged on a medievel castle. The doorway fed into a long, dark tunnel, with no lights say for the one at the very distant end.
"She's waiting for you" Twilight whispered to me. "But you must take this journey alone. I need to remain here and close the door. It's up to you if you want to go to her or-"
But I didn't hesitate. To see my wife again, to hold her to he'll her I would be OK, I would walk to the moon and back. I ran as fast as I could down the tunnel, which seemed to streach for miles. I never looked back, though, only looking ahead at the white light at the end. Gradually, the light seemed to get bigger and bigger. I knew I was getting close and began running harder and harder.
I reached the other side, where a white mare stood next to a lamp post, her coat such a pure color it made the snow aroud her look grey in comparison. She was wrapped in a wool hat and scarf, with a pair of wings curled into her sides to help stay warm. Her saphire blue eyes beamed at me, a wide smile spreading across her muzzle as her eyes began to tear up. I couldn't begin to explain it. It was a feeling that transcended all other senses. Looking at this mare, being close to her, I knew who she was. I knew in my heart, this was without a doubt my wife.
I couldn't find the right words to say, a million things popping in and out of my head. Luckily, gravity did it for me. As I tried to take another step, I fell off balance and landed face first into the snow. My face felt like it dig into the ground more then it should have, like my nose became a shovel.
I heard the crunching of snow around me as she helped me up. It was then I realized my own hands and feet turned to hooves. When I was about to stand on my own, four new legs, I looked myself over really fast before turning my attention back to my wife.
"You're a dork" She finally said, with a tear filled chuckle. Something only my wife would say in a time like this.
I did the only thing I could think of, jump into a huge hug with her, squeezing much harder then was nessisary, but I was afraid I would wake up at any moment and this dream would be over. And if I did I didn't want to let her go.
"Did you have fun at the party?" She asked me in a raspy voice, trying to speak through my vice grip.
I let up a little on her as I whispered in her ear "thank you. It was the best Christmas I could have hoped for."
"Well, it's Hearths Warming Day, here" She whispered back. " and I have some more friends who want to meet you if you're up for it."
Releasing her from my hug, I looked her in the eye, my tone serious and a little shaken. "I'm not going to wake up from this dream, am I?"
My wife smiled back at me, no longer teary. "Nope. You're stuck with me."
I chuckled in response and began walking back the way she came, my hoof holding onto her hoof. "You mean you're stuck with me! I can't wait to drive you crazy again! Ouch!"
She had let go of my hoof and pulled on my ear. "I have bigger targets now. Behave yourself."
"Maybe" I playfully said with a chuckle.
Togeather, we walked back on a cleared stone pathway, back to a small town that looked so familiar. A town that I'm sure would provide us with good times, bad times and of course adventure. The sign on the way greeted us with 'Welcome to Ponyville' in big bold letters.
