The Greatest Gift

by Hoofprintz

Rating: everyone
Tags: Twilight Sparkle, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Princess Luna, Slice of Life
Length: 1474

On a Hearth's Warming Eve alone, Twilight reminisces on better days.

With her mentor away for the holidays, Twilight must spend Hearth's Warming Eve alone. As her sadness begins to get the better of her an unexpected visitor changes her night.

Published 2023-12-21 21:20:00 UTC
Last updated 2023-12-21 21:20:00 UTC

Time well spent

Twilight Sparkle laid on the bed within her room in Canterlot Castle, silently reading a book on the intricacies of casting teleportation spells. Next to her lay a scroll with notes on said literature. It was Hearth's Warming Eve and in less than twenty-four hours she was expected to take an exam on what she'd learned.

Princess Celestia, -- her mentor and co-ruler of the land of Equestria -- would be giving her the exam personally. The Sun Princess was currently on a diplomatic trip to Saddle Arabia, but would soon be back home to evaluate Twilight's progress.

The idea both excited and terrified the young unicorn. She'd been under the personal tutelage of the Princess of the Sun going on a year now and she was finally getting to what she considered "the good stuff."

While the violet mare was typically a straight-A student, her studies were becoming more and more difficult as she gained more knowledge. As she glanced out the window of her room she noted the light snowfall outside.

It was a lonely time of the year, especially on a night such as this. Normally, she'd spend such a festive holiday with her mentor, but that wasn't possible this year. She'd wanted to accompany Celestia on her trip, but the opportunity simply wasn't there.

Her next choice of holiday company, her brother and sister, was a no-go as well. The Crystal Empire was almost as far away as Saddle Arabia and she wouldn't have been able to make it home in time for her test had she traveled to the north.

Her last hope, her parents, was dashed as soon as she received word that they'd gone on vacation to Las Pegasus. Even though she'd been given no prior notification they'd be leaving it hadn't bothered her. She wouldn't have gone with them anyway. That city just wasn't somewhere she wanted to go, and so, she sat alone in her room, studying just like nearly every day of the past year.

As she gazed at the small Hearth's Warming tree sitting in the corner of her room, she couldn't help but feel nostalgic. It reminded her of the year prior, a time when she wasn't so pressured to excel.

Only twelve months ago had she spent Hearth's Warming Eve with her friends: Minuette, Moon Dancer, Lemon Hearts, and Twinkleshine were all amazing mares.

From a young age, Twilight had grown very close to her group of friends, but as soon as her lessons from the princess began, she started to neglect them. It wasn't something she'd wanted to do, more something that just happened.

She couldn't recall the last time she'd even seen them, and that weighed heavily on the young mare.

Maybe, they don't even care about me anymore, she thought ruefully. It was a sobering thought, but one that frequently popped up on holidays such as these. Most distressing was the fact that as more time passed, the thought grew even more plausible in her mind.

The only thing that kept the thought at bay was the idea that, she herself, had not forgotten about them.

No. They wouldn't, she declared with a smile on her face. She knew it to be true, yet there was still a painful sadness deep in her breast. One that would not go away. She wanted to see them. She missed them dearly and there was no way to know just where they all might be.

Closing her book and getting off her bed, she stood to her hooves and walked over to the window. The amount of snow falling was just right, giving the night sky a beautiful white and black appearance.

Moon Dancer always hated the snow, she thought to herself, a chuckle escaping her lips. Her friend had a most legitimate reason for having such an odd disposition. Given any opportunity, Minuette would ambush the poor unicorn with snowballs galore.

It was a game they played whenever winter came around and one that Moon Dancer seemed to always lose. With a longing sigh Twilight gently pressed a hoof against the cold glass. What she wouldn't give to be with them in the snow right now, being silly and just having a fun time. The frigidness of the window made it almost feel as if she might have a snowball in her hoof at that very moment causing her smile to grow.

Those thoughts were instantly replaced when her stomach grumbled loudly, jarring her back to reality. Unfortunately, the hunger recalled Lemon Hearts and Twinkleshine's specially made Hearth's Warming treats.

Each and every year, the pair would bake a large amount of cookies and pies for the occasion. They were beyond delicious and right now, the mere thought of them was making the unicorn's mouth water.

I'll go get something in a bit, she thought dejectedly, still staring out the window. She knew that whatever she'd be able to get from the kitchens wouldn't be as delicious as what her friends had made. It was getting late so the staff that was still on the clock would be small and not the best the Castle had to offer.

Maybe I'll just head into town and pick something up. She shook her head. It was a poor idea. She still had to study and most places wouldn't even be open on a holiday like today anyway. Lifting her gaze in disappointment brought the most beautiful sight to her vision.

The full moon that rested in the sky high above Equestria was shining especially bright tonight. It gave Luna's canvas the most breathtaking crown.

I wonder what she's doing tonight... she thought as she stared at the Night Princess' most precious treasure. She's probably just waking u-

A light rapping came at the door to her room, drawing her attention immediately. She hadn't been expecting any visitors, so the sudden interruption had made her heart skip a beat.

"C-coming!" she called out as she trotted over to the door. "Who is it?" she asked once her hoof touched the knob. Considering her mentor was so far away and nopony else tended to visit her, she was a bit cautious at opening the door so boldly.

"Tis I, Twilight."

She knew that voice. It was not one she'd ever expected to visit her.

"Princess Luna? What are y-" As the young unicorn opened the door she was completely flabbergasted at the sight that greeted her.

"SURPRISE!" the four mares, her best friends, shouted with delight. Princess Luna stood at the center of them a kind smile on her face.

"Wh- I don't-" Twilight couldn't find the words, her eyes sweeping back and forth over them as tears began to develop. "Come in! Come in!" She was finally able to get out, a wide smile coming to her own lips. As four mares passed by her she noted the wrapped gifts Moon Dancer and Minuette had on their backs and the plate of cookies and multiple pies Lemon Hearts and Twinkleshine carried.

Princess Luna, however didn't enter. The purple unicorn looked at the dark alicorn with a confounded look on her face.

"Tis my gift to you, Twilight, on this most wonderful of nights. Happy Hearth's Warming," she bowed her head slightly before turning to leave.

She must've known, Twilight thought, her heart fluttering at such kindness. She had to have.

"Princess Luna!" she nearly shouted, halting the Princess of the Night in her tracks.

"Yes?" the alicorn glanced over her shoulder.

"It would be an honor if you joined us! Please?" There was the faintest hint of desperation in Twilight's voice, the possibility of the mare who'd given her such a thoughtful gift being alone for the evening, aching her heart.

"I would love to, Twilight," Princess Luna's smile grew as she turned back around and entered Twilight's quarters as well.

Author's Note

Wah! So this was a self imposed challenge. I decided to think up a concept out of the blue for Hearth's Warming.

That started with Twilight being alone for the night. Then I thought of how to make that go from sad to happy. Her friends. But how to get them to come? Celestia would be gone. And so Luna was the simplest answer.

After developing the plot in less than a minute tbh I put on a one hour YouTube video.

No matter what, once the video ended I had to stop writing. I was able to complete this story with 59:26 on the clock.

I will admit, the ending is definitely rushed. I would've had them all say or do something together in the room, but I promised myself that's how I was gonna write it and I stuck to my idea. Hopefully, you enjoyed. Merry Christmas and Happy Hearth's Warming all!