Heavy footsteps echoed through the halls of the corridor while the large Astarte passed by two auxiliary who were talking about the new rations but snapped to attention making the symbol Aquila with their hands over their hearts.

The black armored marine took a second and gave a nod before proceeding down the metal hall.

His massive tactical dreadnought plate would have been too much for the halls of a normal ship but in this one, he had so much room he could have his wings almost unfurled and still have room. Stopping at his destination he looked at the two drones standing at attention guarding the door to the room, gifts from the mechanical cult to defend their inquisitor. However, unlike the standard robots, these possessed a skull-like faceplate that echoed the helmet of the inquisitor with black sharp armor.

They didn't bother to move their heads, they knew it was him, however, the servo-skull built into the door had it's bionic eye scan him. After it did it's work the skull moved into the door before opening said door to allow the marine entrance into the room, stepping into the dark chamber. It barely had any light save for a few hundred candles burning in slots on the walls and a single fireplace. The Astartes didn't use his helm's scanners for he has been in here so many times that he could walk in here with his eyes closed and know where everything is without damaging anything within this room.

"Inquisitor," The marine spoke as he stopped by a chair that was sitting right in front of the only brightest light source in the room.

"Spike... You don't need to be so formal with me in here dude,"

Spike huffed under his helmet as he walked over past the chair where Salem sitting, his unnatural golden eyes staring at the fire in front of him.

"Why did you summon me? Is there a reason for this meeting?"

"Is there any reason I need to see my friend?" Spike shifted in place at the word Salem called him.

"Inquisitor,"

"Spike... come on don't make me order you,"

"Fine. Salem. Why am I here?"

"Well? Titus is on the legion destroyer hunting some black legionaries trying to raid one of our craftworld allies, Sunset is currently dealing with that rogue trader problem, and Oliver is tracking down that damn clown," Salem responded. "I just want to speak with something,"

"So what? You have Malo to keep you company. Why do you have you pulled me from my duties?"

"Your duties? Since when is playing regicide a part of your duties? Or since when is writing poetry for Rarity also a part of your duties?"

Spike froze as he gave an uncharacteristic groan of an Astartes.

"Alright fine. What do you want to talk about?"

"Nothing much just some stuff from the old days," This was followed by something that caught Spike's attention.

A bottle of amnesic...

"I remember that! That was after Dash crashed though the window with half of the Apple family's barn still tied to her back!" Spike roared in laughter his large armored form sitting across from Salem while the Inquisitor held a smile as well.

Slamming his fist on the table from how hard he was laughing Salem looked up at Spike.

"Oh! Then there was that one time when Discord color-swapped Titus' armor after he called him a 'mixed match cretin' and Titus threw half the damned everfree forest at him to change his colors back!" Salem bellowed.

"Yeah that was before... before..." Spike smile slowly faded causing Salem's to follow.

"Crap. Sorry Spike I didn't mean to bring that up,"

Spike shook his head while he sat across from Salem.

"It's fine Salem. Just glad to have those memories before what happened," Spike answered grabbing his oversized glass and taking a drink leaving the two back in silence.

Salem fidgeted telling the aggmented dragon that Malo had done something to the Chimera who smiled.

"I'm getting there," Salem spoke with a smile. "Spike?"

"Yes?"

"You want to know something funny?" Salem asked to which Spike smiled.

"Back on Equis there was this holiday in the winter cycle, right? Can you recall its name for me? I can't seem to remember it's name right,"

"You mean hearth's warming eve?" Answered while Salem was about to take a sip from his drink.

"Yes! That the one!" Salem snapped his armored fingers. "It was very similar to this holiday back on my Earth called 'Chrismas' you be surprised how both are similar however it was stared for a very different reason than Equis' own holiday,"

"Oh? How so,"

"It was to celebrate the birth of a savior who would save humanity from their sins and through the years it had grown into a world wide holiday where it was to be a day where families would come together to celebrate," Salem answered holding a glass. "Even had a myth of a man in a red suit giving holiday presents to children who where nice but gave coal to children who were naughty,"

Spike lowered his drink at that.

"Why coal? Wouldn't that be more expensive than a simple play thing?"

"I don't think that was the point Spike... however there were some anomalies that the foundation knew of that were a twisted mockery of that holiday. An immortal drunk, A living gingerbread village, a dark spirit that would take children away turning them into slave then toys once they were used up, and a town that celebrated it none stop throughout the entire year capturing those who didn't have any 'proper holiday spirit' almost something that she would create,"

"I almost forgotten about those creatures from that the foundation had tried to hold back,"

"However their were a few good ones,"

"What you mean?" Spike asked while he poured himself another drink.

"Remember that witch child?"

"Somewhat yes,"

"Well, she made that myth of a man who gave toys to children into a real man. Last I heard he even started to help the foundation fight back against any 'holiday' based creatures," Salem said with a smile.

"I feel this isn't the reason why you brought this holiday up," Spike pointed out.

"That's true,"

"Well you see today if you have forgotten is Sanguinala," Spike watched as Salem lifted a book to the dragon with a hardened cover and hardened page protector to protect the book from anything that could damage the pages within. "Happy holidays old friend,"

Hesitantly Spike took the hardened book and upon releasing the lock and opening the serious-looking cause the dragon smiled.

"After so many years you finally gave me the full copy," Spike answered.

"It's not the original copy I possess but yes however that wasn't the hard part of this little deal. It was the case you have no idea how long it took me to make that cover or how expensive the material it was to get it," Salem responded while Spike gently flipped a page within the hardened case. "That case might even survive blows that your armor cannot and It can only open to your touch or mine,"

Spike's eyes turned from the colorful imagines from the pages to Salem.

"Thank you my friend. But I haven't got anything for you?"

"Well sharing a drink with me is all that I wanted from you brother,"

Shutting the graphic novel Spike this time poured Salem a drink, as the Chimera took it Spike raised his glass to the Terrian who met his raise with one of his own.

"Happy Hearth Warming eve brother,"

"Merry Christmas little brother,"

Author's Note

Well, a short one and two holiday specials back to back?

Not really what I had planned however with life comes a knocking not only for me BUT my Editor as well I decided to have a minor hiatus until the end of this year (2023) and post another chapter sometime in January of 2024.

And yes this is the Warhammer 40k timeline free of spoilers, I just know their will be that one guy who gets upset about Spike being a space marine or the fact he is in Terminator plate but he has wings. Not caring this is my personal Homebrew chapter with inspiration of armor from these custom models I found online:

Soooo... hope you all have Merry Christmas and Happy holidays!

Also 3 updates in under 24 hours? Just put a red nightcap on me already but I ain't growing a beard.

This year hasn't been the best for me but I hope you all had a good one and let's just say I think this next year will be a much better one!