A Hearth’s Warming Tail - Extended Edit.

Chapters

Marley's Ghost
The Spirit of Hearth's Warming Past
The Spirit of Hearth's Warming Presents
The Spirit of Hearth's Warming Yet to Come
Hearth's Warming Day

Marley's Ghost

Lunamoon Marley (played by Trixie) was dead to begin with. As dead as a doornail. There is no doubt about that. One of Marley’s only friends was alive and well on this fine Hearth’s Warming Eve, but she wouldn’t call Hearth’s Warming fine, and she wasn’t well. For this pony was none other than Snowfall Frost, a powerful unicorn who hated Hearth's Warming Eve. It all began many moons ago in Canterlot.

Every home in Canterlot was filled with holiday spirit. Every home... except one. It was said of Snowfall that she was almost as studied as Star Swirl the Bearded. Almost, since everypony knows that Star Swirl was an expert at everything from transfiguration, dimensional calibration, teleportation, levitation, and so much more! The point is, Snowfall was also a powerful unicorn. She wanted to be perfect. Anything that got in the way of that was a waste of time. On this Hearth’s Warming Eve, she was attempting a powerful magic spell to turn a rock into solid gold, when she was interrupted by the sound of loud ringing holiday bells outside, which made her lose her focus. “Well, that batch is ruined.” Said Snowfall Frost (played by Starlight Glimmer). She called for her loyal assistant. “Snowdash!” Snowdash (played by Rainbow Dash) came flying in the room fast with her pegasus wings. “What do you need?”, she said. “Get this mess cleaned up. Those foolish ponies were ringing those blasted bells outside the window and I lost my concentration!” said Snowfall. Snowdash said under her breath to herself as she was sweeping the mess with a broom “whoa, ponies actually enjoying Hearth's Warming Eve. Where did they get that crazy idea?” “Today is nothing to celebrate,” said Snowfall Frost. “Hearth's Warming Eve is a menace. A dangerous day for all of Equestria.” Snowdash then replied “dangerous?! It's awesome! It's the day we remember how unicorns, Pegasi, and Earth ponies came together in friendship to defeat the windigos!” “That silly legend is the problem! Telling everypony that ‘singing songs and being nice’ will solve anything? I've spent years studying magic, and that's not how it works.” “I think you might be missing the point,” said Snowdash.

There was then a knock on the door. “Ug. Who is it now?” Said Snowfall Frost, irritated and more interruptions to her studies. “I’ll get it!” Said Snowdash as she flew to the door in a flash. She then opened the door, and Snowdash knew who it was. They both walked upstairs back to where Snowfall Frost’s office was (they were in the second floor of the building before.) “Snowfall Frost! It’s your niece Starshine!” Said Snowdash in a loud voice to get the attention of Snowfall Frost, who was busy looking at her spell book. “Happy Hearth’s Warming!” Said Starshine to Snowfall Frost (played by Twilight Sparkle). Snowfall Frost then said to Starshine “‘Happy Hearth’s Warming?’ Hearth’s Warming is only a pointless holiday where ponies make excuses to get out of work. Anyway, why are you here?” Snowdash started to walk away to let the ponies talk to each other, and she went back to sweeping the room. Starshine said to Snowfall Frost “I came to invite you to the family Hearth’s Warming party! I know you’ve never come before, but we would still love to have you! You can meet the family!” Snowfall Frost gave a small chuckle, as if he was mocking her niece. “Why did you ever get married?”

There was a couple seconds of silence, because Starshine didn’t expect that comment, and then she said “Because I fell in love.” Snowfall Frost then said to her niece. “'Because you fell in love?' That's the only thing sillier than a happy Hearth's Warming. Love is all humbug and doesn’t have any significance to life. Working hard, and using your skills to better Equestria, now that’s what’s important.” Snowfall then started to ignore her niece and got back to working on her spells. Starshine then said to Frost “but everyone is so excited to meet you. If you just saw the family during Hearth’s Warming-” Snowfall Frost then interrupted her niece “‘During Hearth’s Warming’? Anyone who has “happy Hearth’s Warming” on their lips should be cooked with their own meal and buried alive. Let you keep Hearth’s Warming in your way, and I’ll keep it in mine.” Starshine then said “Hearth’s Warming is a wonderful time of year, a time for giving, being thankful, and being with our family, and those we love. And even though it has never put a bit in my pocket, I say that Hearth’s Warming has done me good and I say God bless it!” Snowdash then said in the other side of the room where she was sweeping “yeah! Preach it!” Snowfall Frost then said angrily to Snowdash “And how would you like to spend Hearth’s Warming in the unemployment line!?” Snowdash then got scared and went back to sweeping the room.

Suddenly, there was another knock on the door. “I’ll get it…again.” Snowdash said, but this time not flying as fast as she was before. A moment later, Snowdash entered the room again, this time with another pony, whose eyes were looking in two different directions (it’s Derpy). Derpy said to Snowfall Frost “Hello, I am from the feed the homeless organization, and I was wondering if you wanted to give a donation during this generous time of the year.” Starshine said to Derpy “Well that’s great! You should really ask Mrs. Frost for a big donation, she is a very generous pony!” “My dear niece!” Said Snowfall Frost. Derpy then walked in front of Snow Frost. “There are so many ponies and creatures out there who don’t have any homes to stay in for Hearth’s Warming. How much do you want to donate?” “Nothing.” said Snowfall. “You wish to remain anonymous?” “I wish to be left alone!” Starshine then interrupted the conversation awkwardly saying “Well, uh, Aunt Frost, I think it’s best that I better be leaving now. But before I go I just want to wish you a happy Hearth’s Warming and a happy new year!” Snowdash said to Star “Happy Hearth’s Warming Starshine” “Happy Hearth’s Warming Snowdash” said Starshine back to Snowdash. Snowfall Frost replied to her niece with an annoyed “bah humbug!”, then Starshine left the room and building and started to go back to her family’s party.

Snowfall Frost was busy looking at her spell book, ignoring everything around her. Derpy was still in the room, awkwardly still waiting for a donation. She cleared her throat and said “Now miss, about the…donation?” There was a small pause of silence, and then Snowfall Frost said to Derpy. “Very well. I know what the poor need. They need homes. There are plenty of store houses and prisons available, so the poor must go there.” Derpy then gasped and said “but some would rather die!” “If they’d rather die then they better do it, and decrease the surplus population!” There was a moment of silence, as Derpy was so shocked at the statement. Derpy said “oh my…” under her breath, and then she said “okay, I’m sorry I ever bugged you. I think I’ve taken enough of your time. I’ll see myself out.” She then walked out of the room and out of the building.

Snowfall Frost then said angrily to Snowdash “ugh! These ponies don’t get it! What really matters. Work hard, learn, and use your skills to better Equestria. That's a worthy goal for any pony. [sarcastically] But, by all means, if you want to go home early, ignore all of the work you have, and spend the rest of the day enjoying a pointless holiday, by all means do it!” Snowdash looked kind of puzzled after all that just happened. She wasn’t sure if Frost was being sarcastic or not. “So…are you saying I can leave early if I wanted to?” “Ugh...Sure…why not? But if you’re going to leave, be here all the earlier the next morning!” “We’ll actually boss, I was wondering if I could have some time off tomorrow? For Hearth's Warming?” Snowfall Frost looked annoyed. “Really?” She said. “How much time off were you wanting?” Snowdash became a little nervous, and said "well, the whole day?" "What?!" Said Snowfall Frost. Snowdash, still nervous, said "I promise that I'll show up for work earlier and stay longer the day after Hearth's Warming!" Snowfall, knowing that she probably couldn't get Snowdash to work on Hearth's Warming said "okay fine! But you better keep that promise!" Snowdash then said "Okay! Sweet! Will do!” then she flew out of the building in a flash to spend the rest of the day with her family.

Snowfall Frost looked outside and saw all the ponies enjoying the holiday, “Ugh! I hate Hearth's Warming Eve! All of Equestria would be better off if we just skipped the day altogether.” Snowfall then started to sing:

(Listen to the song and watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25QfedqeafQ)

“Happy Hearth's Warming, they say in the street

Happy Hearth's Warming, they think they're so sweet

Words said so often that they lack any meaning

Why should I join in when I could be intervening?

Everypony loves this cursed holiday

But would they be better off with it out of the way?

Well, okay

Say goodbye to the holiday

With my magic, I'll erase it

The greatest gift that I give today

And everypony will have to face it

No more little games for you to play

After you say goodbye to the holiday

Goodbye, Hearth's Warming, you had a good run

Goodbye, Hearth's Warming, it's over, you're done

Finally set free from your forced celebrations

No need to reply to your trite invitations

Calendar shorter by a single day

Is my magic up to the test?

Time to see, I can't delay

Say goodbye to the holiday

Prepare the spell, no hesitation

All memory shall fade away

See Equestria's new transformation

No more shall anypony say

Happy Hearth's Warming...

[sinister laughter]

...after today!

After today…”

"Once the spell is cast, all of Equestria will be better off, and they'll have me to thank for it!” Said Snowfall Frost to herself.

Snowfall was all set to cast her spell that would erase Hearth's Warming Eve for all time. Then suddenly, she heard loud slow footsteps coming from upstairs. “Ugh! Snowdash, I thought you already left!” But it wasn’t Snowdash. The steps continued, getting closer and closer, and louder and louder. Snowfall could also hear what sounded like chains dragging in the ground with the footsteps. “Hello? Who’s there?” She said, now starting to get a little bit scared. The intruder spoke with a loud and echoey voice. “It is I.” The pony who the voice belonged to started to enter the room. “The great and powerful Lunamoon Marley!” Snowfall Frost looked shocked and scared. “Lunamoon Marley? But, you died years ago!” “Your eyes do not deceive you. It is me.” Marley said, then Snowfall gave a reply. “Likely story. I know there is no such thing as ghosts, so it can’t be you.” Marley said to Frost “Why do you doubt your senses?” “Because I know that they can deceive you in so many ways. You can just be a hallucination, or a spell that somepony is casting to try to scare me. You could be from a piece of bad food. Yes. There is more gravy than a grave about you!”

“‘More gravy than a grave’? Really Snowfall? You never were great with jokes were you? Anyway, I came to warn you.” “Warn me? Of what?” Said Snowfall. “Of this, these chains that I’m in! We had some great times together Snowy, but it was all meaningless! Because we were so into our work, and refused to show love to any pony, I am now in these chains and being tormented for all eternity in Tartarus!” Snowfall looked scared now, as she started to believe that it really was her friend. “Humbug! This can’t be true!” Luna moon Marley replied “oh but it is! You wear such a chain yourself! It’s on your neck, and it will choke you for all of time if you cast that spell! But there is hope! You will be haunted tonight by three spirits!” Snowfall became more scared. “Haunted?! I’ve had enough of that!” “These spirits are the only hope for you to get out of the same chains that I am in!” Lunamoon Marley replied, then she started to disappear, and as she vanished, she said “expect the first ghost when the bell tolls one!” Then as she said the last word, she was gone to return back to Tartarus.

Snowfall Frost was in shock. She was spooked after what she just saw, so spooked that the spell that she was so eager to cast was not even on her mind anymore. Part of her still thought it might have just been a hallucination still, and it was getting pretty late, so Snowfall Frost started to go to bed. She got in bed and said to herself "humbug" in a way to say that she doesn't want to believe what she just saw, so she tried to deny it all as she fell asleep, even though she knew she probably couldn’t fall asleep after seeing the ghost of her friend.

The Spirit of Hearth's Warming Past

Snowfall Frost laid in her bed, hardly falling asleep after seeing the ghost of her long dead friend just a few hours ago. She was in her bed, when the bell of her grandfather clock struck one. Snowfall looked up to see if the spirit was there, but it wasn’t. But then, she saw a light enter the room from outside the window. The light shined bright after it went in the middle of the room and it blinded Snowfall for a moment. It was so bright it filled up the entire room, and then the light faded as it turned into an earth pony spirit. “Are you the spirit who’s coming was foretold to me?” Added Snowfall Frost. “Indeed I am.” Said the spirit (played by Applejack). “I am the ghost of Hearth’s Warmin’ past, and you and me have got to have us a little chat.” “A chat about what?” Asked Snowfall Frost. “About your spell” said the spirit. “You don't think a spell like that would get by without some powerful forces noticin'? You've got our attention, Snowfall Frost, and we've got some pretty strong opinions on this spell of yours.” “We? You mean the other spirits that Marley mentioned, right?” Asked Snowfall. “Yup”, replied the Spirit. “They'll be along in a bit. For now, it's just you and me. Let's get a move on. We got a ton to see and barely any time to see it.”

Snowfall Frost then said “we’ll if you’re going to show me the first Hearth’s Warming Eve, I don't need a history lesson about it. I already know everything about it.” The spirit then said “we aren't goin' to the past to learn about the holiday. We're goin' to learn about you.” The spirit then held out her hoof and the window opened on its own. Snowfall looked concerned and then said “but spirit, I am not like you, I can’t fly.” “Touch my hoof and you’ll be able to fly. Snowfall Frost did what the spirit said, and they were off flying into the sky. Snowfall Frost was scared of the height and the fast speed that they were traveling in, but the spirit reassured her that she was safe and began to sing.

(Listen to the song and watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-zGoWUpadE)

“As a young thing, life sure is somethin'

You go makin' choices large and small

Always growin' like a seedlin'

And playin' is like dreamin'

And before you know it, big and tall”

Snowfall and the spirit then flew to the ground and they stepped into the past into Frost’s childhood home. The spirit of Hearth’s Warming Past continued to sing:

“And every little bitty choice you make

Sends you down a path to who you are today

So let's take a little trip down memory lane

And see just what the past has to say”

They saw Snowfall as a filly, around 8 years old, and the Spirit said “Aw, look how cute you were. Looks like you're not too upset it's Hearth's Warming Eve either.” Then she continued to sing:

“The seeds of the past

They grow pretty fast

Just look at who you were back then

The seeds, as they grow

Look what they can show

Reveal the truth time and again”

They walked into Snowfall’s old school, where her young self was setting up decorations for Hearth’s Warming eve when professor Flintheart walked in. “Just what do you think you're doing, Snowfall?” Said the professor. “Decorating the classroom for Hearth's Warming Eve, Professor Flintheart!” Said young Snowfall. “You said you wanted to learn to be a powerful unicorn, did you not?” Asked the professor. “I do!” Said the young filly. “And what is the way that one becomes a powerful unicorn?” Asked Flintheart. Young Snowfall cleared her throat and said “work hard, learn, and use your skills to better Equestria.” She said it as if she was reciting the pledge of allegiance, proud and firm. The Spirit looked at Snowfall Frost, the older one, and the unicorn blushed with embarrassment as her younger self said those words. Flintlock looked at a Hearth’s Warming ornament, picked it up with his magic, as he was a unicorn, and he said to the young filly “And how do these help you to learn magic?” “I want to be strong enough to stop windigos and help ponies!” Said young Snowfall Frost. Flintheart scoffed. “That's just a story we tell little ponies. Real magic takes time to learn.” Flintheart dropped the fragile ornament and it smashed as it hit the ground. Flintheart turned his back towards Snowfall in disgrace and said to her “It's your choice. Spend your time learning to become a powerful unicorn or play with your toys and make nothing of yourself.”

“Do you remember this Hearth’s Warming?” Asked the spirit. “Yes, I do.” said Frost. The spirit then said “this Hearth’s Warming was the one that started it, the one that led you to who you are today. Although you didn’t believe what your professor said at first, he planted a seed in your life that grew over time and eventually made you into the pony who would seek to destroy all of Hearth’s Warming Eve.” Snowfall now began to remember this Hearth’s Warming and said “this was my last good Hearth’s Warming before everything changed. After being taught by Flintheart he showed me that real purpose isn’t from decorations but from working for Equestria.” She said those words with regret for the past, but still trying to hold on to her beliefs that she is still in the right and that Hearth’s Warming still is all humbug and that all that matters truly is working hard to improve society.

“Let’s see another Hearth’s Warming” said the spirit. Then a light shined and took over the room and then the light dimmed and they found themselves in another place. They were standing outside of an old house. “I know this place. This is Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig’s house!” Said Snowfall Frost with amazement. “I haven’t been in this place in years!”. Then she saw a pony that she remembered standing in the house by the open door. “There is Mr. Fezziwig! My old boss alive again! And there’s Mrs. Fezziwig!” She said this in awe because Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig (played by Mr. and Mrs. Cake) have been dead for years and their house was sold. A few ponies were walking into the house as Mrs. Fezziwig said “welcome everypony to the annual Fezziwig Hearth’s Warming party!” Snowfall and the spirit found themselves inside the residence of the Fezziwig’s. There were ponies everywhere. There was a small band playing classic Hearth’s Warming music. There was a pony playing the piano (how you play with hooves I do not know), there was a pony with a trumpet, one with an accordion, one with a standing upright bass, and one with a small set of drums. They were playing all the favorites, Deck The Halls, White Hearth’s Warming, Jingle Bells, and We Wish You a Merry Hearth’s Warming. There was a huge Hearth’s Warming feast with a huge table with ponies crowded getting food as in a giant buffet. Snowfall then saw her younger self, now older than before around 18 years old, and her younger self walked to Mr. Fezziwig and said “excuse me Mr. Fezziwig, but have you seen how much we’re spending on this party? It’s over a month’s pay!” “Snowfall Frost it’s Hearth’s Warming! It’s the time of year to be generous! Go and enjoy the party. Go on” said Mr. Fezziwig with glee trying to reassure Frost to enjoy the holiday. Young Snowfall Frost walked away to get some food. There was a pony standing in front of her who asked Snowfall “are you enjoying the party?” “Trying too, but it’s hard to think about all the bits this party costs. Maybe there’s a spell for this or something.” “There isn’t always a spell to fix everything you know. I’m Sunbell.” (Played by Sunburst). “Snowfall Frost.” Said her young self. They continued to walk around the table putting food on their plate. Sunbell said to her “So you like spells? So do I. I’ve currently working on one to turn stone into solid gold! But I haven’t worked it out yet.” “Really? That sounds amazing! You know, Star Swirl tried a spell like that.” “That’s where I got the spell from” said Sunbell. Snowfall began to light up “you know Star Swirl the bearded?” She asked. “Oh yes! He knows everything from transfiguration, metamorphosis, and teleportation! I want to be just like him!” Sunbell said. “Me too!” Said Snowfall lighting up like a Hearth’s Warming tree. They then finished getting their food and walked together to find somewhere to eat. “Hey! We should meet up sometime and work on spells together!” Said Sunbell. “I would like that very much” Said young Snowfall Frost, amazed that she found a new friend.

“Do you remember this meeting?” Said the Spirit to the older Snowfall Frost after they’ve been watching the whole conversation happening. “Remember it?” Said Snowfall, as the question caught her off guard because she was so focused on the conversation she witnessed and was flooded back with memories and heartaches. Then Frost looked at her younger self talking with her old friend and said in a somewhat depressed tone of voice “yes spirit. I remember it.” “There was another Hearth’s Warming with this colt” said the spirit. Snowfall looked at the spirit of Heart’s Warming past with grief. “No please spirit. Don’t show me that one.” But as she finished saying those words another bright light came and then it dimmed and they found themselves in Snowfall Frost’s office back at the house she is still living in to this day. Both her younger self and Sunbell were there, both a little bit older than the last time.

“Snowfall, do you still want to marry me?” Asked Sunbell. “Yes I do.” Replied the younger Frost, “but we still have so much work to get done! So many spells to finish, so much to do to help Equestria! Our marriage can wait, we will get married next year.” “Yeah, but that’s what you said last year, and the year before that. It seems like the only thing you care about now is your spells.” Said Sunbell. “I’m sorry Sunbell, but it is a worthy goal to follow. You do understand that, right?” Sunbell said “I’ve always tried to tell you that there are more meaningful things in life than spells and helping society, but I’m sorry you can’t see that.” Then Snowfall replied “and I’m sorry that you can’t see that helping Equestria is a worthy goal for anypony, but I do still love you”. Sunbell then said with a sad tone of voice “yeah. I guess you used to. I’m sorry Snowfall, but I see that you are too married to your work to care about me.” Young Frost tried to interrupt “but Sunbell! I-“ “goodbye Snowfall. It’s over. I hope you’re happy with this life you’ve chosen.” Then Sunbell walked away towards the door. Her younger self began to tear up with emotion and sadness, but then she buried the sadness and yelled at Sunbell as he was leaving “fine! If that’s how you want it…fine.” That last word was not yelled, but said with sadness. Then she began to tear up again and said as she began to cry “goodbye Sunbell…” then he left the building and they both started to cry. Then the spirit began to sing again.

“Then some distress, words so careless

Standin' there, you don't know what to do

Feelin' helpless, you can't make it hurt less

So you go and change your point of view”

Then younger Snowfall bottled up her tears and replaced it with anger and went back into her studies, her books and spells, and studied harder than she ever has before. The spirit continued to sing:

“And in that moment, though you didn't know it

Your defenses set up walls you built to last

Leading to the pony you've become today

And the spell you're about to cast

It all comes from your past”

Then Snowfall Frost began to sing.

“The seeds of the past

We grow up so fast

Some hurts never go away”

Then the spirit sang.

“The seeds, as they grow

This we can't let go

All tied to this one holiday.”

As this was happening, the older Snowfall Frost was tearing up. “Spirit, why did you bring me here? I told you not to! Are you trying to torture me?“ Then the spirit said “I’m sorry, but these are the shadows of things that have already happened, don’t blame me.” “Leave me!” Said Snowfall Frost, crying and looking at the ground, and when she looked back up, she was back in her bed in the present and the spirit was gone and she found herself once again alone.

Author's Note

I added a few things from 'The Muppets Christmas Carol' that were not in the original book, because some of the things that the movie did did it better than the book in my opinion and I love that version of The Christmas Carol so much, as it's my favorite. The whole Fezziwig party was more like a recreation of the one from the Muppet movie, and the way Starlight and Sunburst broke up was probably more similar to the movie than the book in some ways.

The Spirit of Hearth's Warming Presents

Snowfall Frost found herself in her bed again after the spirit of Hearth’s Warming Past left. Snowfall didn’t have to wait long for the next spirit, for it was almost 2 o’ clock when she found herself in her room again. The bell on her grandfather clock struck 2. Snowfall looked, but nothing came. “Maybe it was all a dream?” She thought to herself. Then she laid back in her bed to try to sleep when she heard a loud voice call her name in the distance. “Snowfall Frost!” the voice said. The voice terrified Snowfall, but saw confetti coming out of nowhere. “.It is I,” the voice said, on top of a large pile of wrapped presents, “the Spirit of Hearth's Warming Presents!” (Played by Pinkie Pie.) “Um, don't you mean 'Present', like the time?” Frost. “No! Toys, Hearth's Warming doll... Here, want a cupcake?” The spirit said as she gave Snowfall a toy, a doll, and a cupcake.” “Fine, ‘Presents’. All of the pointless things ponies waste their time on.” Said Snowfall Frost, throwing all the toys the spirit gave her in the trash, still feeling remorse for the holiday even after what she’s been through. “Oh, Snowfall, it's not what the gift is that matters, it's what the gift means!” Said the spirit of Hearth’s Warming Presents. “It doesn't mean anything. It's just stuff!” Scoffed Frost.

“Exactly!” Said the spirit energetically. “Sometimes a cupcake means "I love you!" Or a toy means "Hi, how're you doing?" Sometimes a book means "Your mane looks amazing!" And sometimes a scarf means... Well, a scarf usually means you look cold. That one's easy. But sometimes it can also mean “thank you!”” Snowfall Frost was confused. “I don't understand anything you're saying.” “Whoa! Whoa!” The spirit was shaking and twitching her tail. “What's happening to you?!” Asked Snowfall, now concerned. “My Spirit of Hearth's Warming Presents Sense is going off! That means a song is coming on!” Then the spirit took Frost and herself outside into the city street and she began to sing:

(Listen to the song and watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPzQA9xeT7E)

“Take a look at everything around you

All the smells that surely will astound you

Open up your heart, it will surround you

In the magic of Hearth's Warming Eve

The little things that make it better

Little ponies spreading cheer

Give a toy, a hug, a sweater

Memories that last all year

The present's always filled with presents

Large, medium, and small

Sometimes the most important things

Aren't very big at all”

[tap-dancing solo]

“What a party, there's so much to see here

Can't believe you didn't want to be here

You'd have had a blast, I guarantee here

This is the spirit of Hearth's Warming Eve

Cider's flowing, this is living

Come on and feel the beat

Life is better when you're giving

Each time you do it feels so sweet

The present's always filled with presents

So come on, open your eyes

Spend time with ponies just like you

And watch your spirits rise

The present's always filled with presents

Take a look around

The reason for the holiday

Is quite easily found

Yes, the reason for the holiday

Is quite easily found

And the reason is to be with your friends!”

Snowfall Frost and the spirit found themselves standing outside by the window of the house where Snowfall Frost’s niece Starshine was having the Hearth’s Warming party, the one that she invited Snowfall to earlier. “Starshine!” said a pony in the party in a kind way as a greeting to Snowfall’s niece. “Hey Marry…” said Starshine. (Marry was played by Rarity, and if you forgot the first chapter, Starshine is played by Twilight Sparkle.

(In case you’re wondering: I swapped Rainbow Dash with Twilight in this scene to make it more in line with the book and because I’m using Rainbow in place of Bob Krachet so I want to use Rainbow Dash to be with Tiny Tim.)

“Why, whatever is the matter, darling?” Asked Marry looking concerned, for the way that Starshine said “Hey Marry”, was in a rather upset tone of voice. Another pony jumped into the conversation. “Was it the eggnog? Oh, I knew I put in too much cinnamon!” Starshine replied “Oh, no, the eggnog was great, Flutterholly, I'm just mad at somepony who was complaining about how awful Hearth's Warming Eve is.” (Flutterholly was played by Fulttershy.) “I don't suppose that pony's name starts with "Snow"? Asked Marry. “And ends with "Frost"?” Asked Flutterholly. “She said Hearth's Warming Eve is just an excuse to party, and we would all be better off spending time working to make Equestria a better place” said Starshine. Everyone was listening and all the ponies into the room started to boo at what Snowfall Frost had said. Snowfall Frost watching this all happen felt embarrassed. She knew that most ponies liked Hearth’s Warming Eve, but seeing ponies disagree with her in person made it feel more real and she was beginning to wonder if Hearth’s Warming isn’t as bad as she thought. “What does Snowfall think a better Equestria looks like?” Marry asked. “Ponies working hard, learning, and using their abilities for the benefit of Equestria” said Starshine. Flutterholly and Marry both giggled.

Snowfall was still watching this happen outside through the window and then a snowball hit the window. Frost looked and she saw a few fillies playing in the snow building a snowpony enjoying the holiday. Then Snowfall heard Marry speak again “It looks like we've got everything on Snowfall's list right here.” Then Flutterholly said “I think a perfect Equestria looks a lot like a Hearth's Warming Eve party.” Snowfall Frost started to tear up as she was realizing all the wasted years she could have spent with friends and family on Hearth’s Warming, but she instead spent them alone hating the holiday.

The spirit of Hearth’s Warming Presents looked at her said face and said sweetly “come on. Let’s go see another place on this Hearth’s Warming day.” They walked through the city to a small shabby looking house. “Where are we now?” Asked Snowfall in a curious way. “This is Snowdash’s house, and Snowdash’s family is enjoying a wonderful Hearth’s Warming” explained the spirit.

Snowfall looked inside and saw a pony cooking a Hearth’s Warming feast. It was not a huge feast, but just enough for their family. There was also a small Hearth’s Warming tree by the fireplace no taller than a filly that had very few ornaments on it. Snowfall looked but didn’t she her employee. “Where is Snowdash?” She asked. “She’s right over there silly!” Said the spirit, and she looked where the spirit was pointing and she saw Snowdash flying home with a young little filly named Tiny Kim (played by Scootaloo), who was Dash’s daughter. Snowdash was holding her up as she was flying. While Tiny Kim was a pegasus like her mother, her wings were too weak, but not just because she was a filly, but because she was physically disabled and would probably never be able to fly even at an older age. They were flying at a moderate speed, not at all slow but not too fast so that if Snowdash dropped Tiny Kim on accident Kim wouldn’t get too physically harmed. “Woo hoooo!!! I’m flying!” Exclaimed the young pegasus. “Yes you are!” Her mother said. Within a few seconds after Snowfall noticed them, they were already at the door and then Snowdash stopped flying, put Tiny Kim down on the ground, and then they entered the door. As the door was open, Snowfall Frost tried to enter the door, but it closed too soon and shut in her face. “I guess we’re stuck out here” she said. “That’s okay!” Said the spirit. “You can go anywhere if you’re not really here!” And then the spirit walked through the wall and entered the house. This greatly surprised Snowfall, but she knew that she could probably do it too, so she took a deep breath, and slowly walked toward the window and she was able to phase through the wall and found herself inside the house with the spirit of Hearth’s Warming Presents.

“Ah! You made it!” Said Mr. Dash (played by Sorrin) to his wife and daughter as they entered the house. Then he said “And just in time too! The food was starting to get cold!” “Good!” Replied Snowdash. “I am sooooo hungry!” She said. Mr. Dash gave Kimmy her cane, as her legs were weak and she was a cripple. Tiny Kim looking at the food said “everything looks great Dad!” Snowfall looked at their feast, but it wasn’t that much, and yet, they still seemed happy with it. Snowfall Frost then said to the spirit “I pay Snowdash such a small amount. How can they be happy when they have so little?” The spirit then said “oh silly Snowfall! You don’t have to have a lot of money and a lot of stuff to be happy, you can be happy if you have each other no matter how poor you are. The question is, are you happy with how much you have?” Snowfall was surprised by that question, but quickly responded like a knee jerk reaction out of force of habit “well of course I am!” But then she quickly blushed with embarrassment and looked away from the spirit, for she knew that what she said wasn’t true and that she wasn’t happy even though she had so much.

Tiny Kim was then greeted by her two sisters, Rosetta (played by Sweetie Belle) and Adriana (played by Apple Bloom). “There you guys are!“ said Rosetta. “We’ve been starving! Now we can finally all eat together for Hearth’s Warming!” Said Adriana. “How was the church?” Asked Mr. Dash to Snowdash. “It was great. Tiny Kim was hoping that if this is the last time ponies see her, a crippled, on Hearth’s Warming, they would have hope because they would see that she still has hope.” Snowfall looked concerned after hearing that.

Then Snowdash said to the family “alright everyone, let’s give thanks…to Mrs. Frost! The founder of the feast!”. Mr. Dash scoffed and said “the founder of the feast indeed. If she was here I would give her a piece of my mind and I hope she’ll choke on it!” Snowdash looked shocked and said “come on. The Children. Hearth’s Warming Day.” Mr. Dash then relented “oh, all right, but only because it’s Hearth’s Warming. To Mrs. Frost who’s having a fine day today, I have no doubt!” Those last words were said sarcastically. Snowdash then took her drink, held it high, and said to everypony “to Snowfall Frost! God bless us!” “God bless us! Everyone!” said Tiny Kim, “and God bless Mrs. Fros-“ that last word was cut short for she started to cough violently and repeatedly.

“Spirit. Tell me. Will Tiny Kim live?” Asked Snowfall Frost. “Let me see what my Spirit of Hearth’s Warming sense says.” The spirit’s ears started to move uncontrollably, and her eyes blinked a few times. The spirit then gave out a great gasp and said “my Spirit sense said that there will be an empty seat where Tiny Kim is sitting, and a cane without an owner by the fireplace corner. If this remains unchanged, then I believe that little filly will die. But if she’s going to die then she better do it and decrease the surplus population! After all, isn’t that what you said?” “Oh spirit!” Replied Snowfall. Frost looked back at the filly, then suddenly everything started to fade to black around her and disappear, but Snowfall kept her eyes on Tiny Kim until the last moment. Then when everything was black, it then started to brighten up, and Snowfall found herself outside surrounded by snow in a deep thick snow blizzard, so thick it was like a fog where you could only see a few feet in front of you. Snowfall looked around her, but the Spirit of Hearth’s Warming Presents was gone. “Spirit? Where are you?” She yelled out into the void. There was no answer. But Frost did see a large figure appear in front of her out from the snowy fog.

The Spirit of Hearth's Warming Yet to Come

Snowfall found herself alone outside in a thick blizzard, so thick you could only see a few feet in front of you. A large figure approached Snowfall Frost from the fog. “Who are you?” Asked Frost. “I am the Spirit of Hearth's Warming Yet to Come” said the large figure (played by Princess Luna, speaking in her overpowering traditional royal Canterlot voice). “Spirit, please, tell me. What will happen to Tiny Kim?” Asked Snowfall Frost. “I will show you,” said the spirit. The spirit pointed her hoof in a direction and the snowy fog went away and Snowfall and the spirit were now in a different place, back outside the house of the Dash’s, but something about it was different. It was quiet. More quiet than it should be. The spirit was still pointing to the house, so Frost peaked into the window.

One of the first things that Snowfall noticed was that the small Hearth’s Warming tree that was there last time was gone. “Are we not on Hearth’s Warming anymore?” Asked Frost. “No, this is Hearth’s Warming Eve,” replied the spirit. Then the spirit whispered to herself, “at least, it was supposed to be…” Frost looked back in the window and saw Mr. Dash making dinner again and two of their daughters, Adriana and Rosetta, although this time it wasn’t the same. Last time they looked happy, but now they all looked sad. They had the same amount of food as before, yes, although maybe slightly less than before, but still roughly the same. Last time they looked happy with what they had, but now they looked upset.

The spirit said to Snowfall “you see, Hearth’s Warming is a time to be happy for what you have. But if you were to take the holiday away, then so goes the hope, and living a poor life becomes a hopeless relationship one.” “You mean…” asked Frost, “this is what will happen if I erase Hearth’s Warming Eve?” The spirit nodded and said “however, for this family, they are not only mourning for the poor state of their lives…”

Snowfall looked and noticed that there was no Tiny Kim, and Mr. Frost looked like he was on the verge of tears, as if he was trying to hold something all inside. “No, no, no! Please don’t tell me what I think happened happened?” Asked Snowfall about Tiny Kim to the point of being at the verge of tears herself. The spirit said nothing, but looked away, as if to tell Snowfall that she doesn’t have to tell her anything because she already figured out the truth.

“Dinner does smell good dad” said Adriana (Applebloom, if you forgot), trying to sound cheery. “I wonder when Mom is going to get back?” Asked Rosetta (Sweetie Belle). Adriana looked sad and said “she has been trotting slower…these last few evenings.” “Your mother loved Tiny Kim very much” said Mr. Dash. “She indeed has been taking it the hardest.” Snowdash then walked into the house and we’re greeted by her two daughters. “Hello mommy” they said, trying to sound happy. Then they came and hugged her, then Mr. Dash said “alright kids, time to set the table” then they left to get ready for dinner. “Did you find a place by the church?” Asked Mr. Dash to his wife. “Yes, I did. I found a nice little spot, on the highest part of the hill, where she can be closest to the sky to feel like…[sniff]…to feel like she’s flying.” Snowdash was talking about a spot to bury Kimmy. “Now, [clears throat] how can I help with dinner?” “You don’t have to help me, just sit home and rest” said Mr. Dash, but Snowdash insisted that she help to take care of her family. She then started to carry some cooked carrots to the table, but then her hooves slipped and she dropped a few and then she started to cry repeatedly. It was only a few carrots, nothing to cry over, but she wasn’t really crying for the lost food, but about Kimmy. Her husband and two daughters came to comfort her. They didn’t say a word, but hugged her emotionally. Snowdash then tried to get control of herself and said “it’s okay children. Life is full of greetings and partings. I know that we will never forget Tiny Kim.”

Snowfall then saw Tiny Kim’s crutch and chair was sitting by the fireplace, without an owner. “Spirit!” Said Snowfall, “must there be a Hearth’s Warming Eve like this? How can we bear it!?!” The spirit looked at Snowfall firmly and said. “You were right in saying that you ‘pay Snowdash such a little amount’, for it was because they never had enough money to pay for Kimmy’s medical expenses that she died.” Snowfall then really started to cry and said “I’m sorry! I didn’t know! I didn’t know! I never wanted this to happen!”

Snowdash’s family were then looking very very cold. “It sure has been gettin’ colder these days,” said Adriana. “Lighting coal in a furnace hardly does any good anymore” said Rosetta. The spirit looking at the house then said “unfortunately for the Dash family, even if this was Hearth’s Warming Eve, it would have been their last.” As she said those words, the snowstorm started to get thick again and covered the house, and Snowfall and the spirit were where they were before outside surrounded by snow and a blizzard. “Why?” Asked Snowfall, about what the spirit said about this Hearth’s Warming being their last, still crying a little. “You will succeed in erasing the holiday” the spirit said. Snowfall Frost then looked concerned and scared “and what happens?” She asked in almost trembling fear. The snowstorm got less thick and you could see the entire town covered in snow with only the rooftops showing. The spirit started to sing.

(Listen the song and watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3_n8ev_Ve8)

“I see a cold wind blowing through

I see days neither fun nor free

I see a future caused by you

I see a path not meant to be

The future should be filled with magic

Dreams and wishes brought to life

But the days ahead are dark and tragic

No time for hope when all is strife

Whatever might have been

All the dreams that ponies share

Because of you, Snowfall Frost

Now the future is a cold nightmare”

A few Windigos then flew from the sky past Snowfall “Windigos?!” she exclaimed, “they aren't real! It's just a little filly's story!” “They are all too real, Snowfall” replied the spirit, “and your actions will allow them to return. The future of Equestria shall be bathed in a blanket of eternal snow!” Then the spirit walked back into the fog, but Snowfall could still see her silhouette standing there so she said to the spirit. “No! I never meant for this to happen! I didn't understand! I didn't see how important Hearth's Warming Eve was! These events can be changed right?! When a pony lives one way their life is going in one course, but if they were to change, so does their future, right? Please, spirit! I haven't cast the spell yet! Is there still time?! I'm sorry!” Snowfall Frost fell down on the ground as she said those words, and had her eyes closed at the last word in lament, and when she opened her eyes, she was back in her house in her office.

Author's Note

This chapter is a little shorter than the previous ones. I was thinking of adding the part where Scrooge hears how badly he is remembered after he dies, with the people talking about his death, and other people stealing stuff from his house, and the reveal that it was Scrooge at the graveyard. But having that, plus Tiny Tim, plus all of Equestria being covered in deep snow would have been too much. Plus, I think what the episode did was good enough. I've also been learning how to write this book while writing it. At first I was just retelling the original story with ponies, but now I've realized that I need to be okay with some things being different than the original. After all, what would be the point if this version of the Christmas Carol was exactly the same as the original, just with ponies and a different name for Christmas? That's also why I added a few things in this that weren't in the original, to make this story original and different, but still very much a retelling of A Christmas Carol.

Hearth's Warming Day

Snowfall Frost found herself in her room in the morning. “I’m back. I’m back!” She exclaimed with joy. “But is there still time?” She wondered because she didn’t know how long she’s been gone. She then came to open the window and saw a young colt outside. “You there, young colt!” She said. “Me miss?!” The colt said in his thick British accent (played by young Pipp from the ponyville school). “What day is it?” Asked Snowfall. “Today? Why today is Hearth's Warming Day!” Said the pony. Snowfall was amazed and said “Hearth’s Warming Day! Hearth’s Warming Day!” Then she said quietly to herself “there’s still time! The spirits did it all in one night! Well they can do whatever they like, of course they can!” She looked back at the pony still standing there and said “young pony! Do you know if the prize cake down the street in the bakery is still there?” “You mean the one as big as me!? It’s still there!” He said. “What a smart young pony! Go and buy it for me with this!” She then threw down some bits. “Bring it back here at 5pm tonight and I’ll give you 300 bits! No, 500!!” “Wow! Really?! Thank you miss!” Said the young pony.

Snowfall Frost closed the window and said to herself “I’ll bring that cake to Snowfall’s house! It’s twice the size of Tiny Kim! But first…” Snowfall looked at her spell she was working on to erase Hearth’s Warming and she destroyed it. “There. Now that that’s done, before I go to Snowdash’s house, it’s time to wrap some presents! I’ve got my niece’s party to go to!” She then started to wrap some presents with anything she could find in her house that would be good for a gift.

After some time, Snowfall started walking to where her niece was having the party, when on the way, she saw the same pony she saw before about the donation to the poor. “Happy Hearth’s Warming my fine pony!” Said Snowfall Frost with exceeding joy. “Snowfall Frost?” said the pony (Derpy), confused, surprised and baffled. “About that donation you asked me about yesterday…put me down for…” then Snowfall whispered an amount of bits in Derpy’s ear. Derpy gasped “That much?!” “And not a single bit less!" Said Snowfall. Derpy was amazed and said “wow. I don’t know what to say. Thank you so much!” “Happy Hearth’s Warming!” Said Snowfall. “And a very happy Hearth’s Warming to you Snowfall Frost!” said Derpy with beaming joy.

Snowfall then started to walk to where Starshine was having the party, the same place she saw before with the spirit of Hearth’s Warming Presents. She knocked on the door and was greeted by two surprised ponies. “Oh, my.” Said Marry (Rarity if you forgot). “Snowfall Frost?” Said Flutterholly (Fluttershy). “I was hoping I wasn't too late for the party? I brought gifts” Snowfall said as she was levitating some presents she wrapped. Starshine then noticed her aunt. “You came!” She said with surprised joy. “Yes I did. Thank you for inviting me” said Frost. “I was wrong earlier, about Hearth's Warming Eve. It's not all about singing and presents. The singing and presents are all about celebrating the ponies in our lives. The ponies we should listen to more often: our friends. Our family.”

Snowfall then gave Starshine a wrapped present. Starshine unwrapped it and then got excited. “A spell book!” She said. “And one on rare spells too! Wow! Oh thank you aunt Snowfall!” “You’re welcome!” Snowfall said. “All of the rest of the gifts might not be as amazing as this one because I was in a hurry, but I’ll do better next time.” Snowfall then heard a voice in another room that sounded very familiar. One that she hadn’t heard in years. “Could it be?” she said, as she went through the crowd to find the pony. “Sunbell!” Snowfall said, and it was him! “Snowfall Frost?” Sunbell said, sounding surprised. “I know that you might never want to see me again, but I just want to say that I am so so sorry for the way I treated you” she said, starting to cry. “I let something else be the most important thing in my life when it should have been you! The best way to make Equestria a better place isn’t by making spells, but through love, through friendship. That’s the real magic. I was hoping that…maybe…we could start over?” “I would love that.” Sunbell said. “I’m just so glad that you finally came back around after all these years! Why don’t you stay for dinner? We have eggnog and fruitcake!” Snowfall was very happy, but then said “thanks, but I can only stay for a little bit. I’ve got somewhere else I need to be later on.”

After being at the party for a few hours, Snowfall went back to her house at precisely 5 o’ clock and that young pony was there with the cake, and she gave him 500 bits. She then walked to Snowfall’s house with the cake, more presents, and some food. She went up to the door, but put everything by the wall out of view of the door so that Snowdash wouldn’t see it. Snowfall knocked on the door, and Snowdash opened it. “Boss?” she said, looking surprised and a little scared. “Snowdash…I have something I need to say to you…” Snowfall said, sounding a little mad, because she was trying to surprise and prank her employee while she could. “I…I’m giving you a raise!” Snowfall looked even more surprised now and said “what?” Snowfall reevaluated herself and said “I’m…I’m giving you a raise. And I’m going to pay off the mortgage on your house.” The entire family heard what Snowfall said and were all surprised with delight. “Why don’t you come on in?!” Said Snowdash with joy.

Snowfall then revealed everything she had by levitating it with her magic. “I brought presents and food!” she said. The entire Dash family was in awe. “Wow!” Rosetta said. All of this shocked Snowfall, to the point where she started to question it, so she said “so is all of this true?” “It is.” Snowfall said. “I am going to give you a raise, pay off your mortgage, and I will pay for any medical bills needed to help your family.” she said those last words looking straight at Tiny Kim with care and love. Snowfall looked back at Snowdash and said “I am so sorry for the way I have been treating you. I was so wrong about Hearth’s Warming Eve. It’s not about gifts and songs, but about the ponies in our lives that mean so much.” “Wow” Snowdash said, so in awe and in shock that she couldn’t think of anything else to say. Mr. Dash witnessing all of this with the entire family then said to Snowfall “why don’t you stay for dinner?” “I would like that very much” said Snowfall emotionally.

From then on, Snowfall became the closest friend to the Dash family, and provided them every need. And for Tiny Kim, who did not die (as a filly), Snowfall became like a second mother to her, and they became as close as family. And for everypony who knew Snowfall, they would say that out of everypony, Snowfall Frost knew how to keep the Hearth’s Warming spirit alive. And for every year on, it was always said of all the Hearth's Warming Eve celebrations, Snowfall's was the Hearth's Warmingest.