By the time the princesses crossed the threshold and entered the dream they witnessed the chaos.
A colossal figure stood at the very center of the Crystal Empire, wings spread in delight. The figure, an alicorn foal they knew and cherished, had her body crystallized like a diamond. The indistinct dream light bathed her translucent frame, reflecting colorful rays like a prism in a dazzling display over the city.
The Crystal Empire, meticulously recreated by the slumbering mind of a pony who knew the place like the back of her hooves, was finely decorated for the upcoming Hearth’s Warming Day. Standards, colorful trees, bells, and statues stood around the giant Flurry Heart, colorful and inviting with their fine details.
She giggled as she ripped a tangle of colorful lights from the top of a house. Snowponies barely held their shapes as she lifted them from the ground, just to throw the crumbling mass of ice away, babbling and shaking her chubby legs in excitement.
Even though Flurry Heart was twenty times the size of a full-grown stallion, her figure retained an adorable aspect. In contrast to the trail of destruction caused by her shiny hooves, her laughter filled the air like a melody.
Do you understand now why I brought you here, my sister? - Luna glanced at the taller figure that hovered by her side.
Where is she? - Celestia squinted her eyes, searching between fallen poles and misaligned trees for the dreamer. The other alicorn pointed the way.
Princess Cadance stood on the roof of a small restaurant, right beside the new place Flurry Heart decided to take an interest in. The foal bumped her hoof at the walls of the old library and watched the snow fall off on the ground and cover the delicate Hearth’s Warming statues at the entrance. The mother did her best to call her attention, shaking her hooves and calling her many times to no result.
- Flurry, my love, you need to stop this!
The fatigue was evidenced by the dark circles under Cadence's eyes and the disheveled mane lacking its usual vibrancy.
Can’t we turn things back to normal? - Celestia asked.
I can halt Flurry Heart’s advances, but certain dreams must be confronted by the ponies who conceive them. It is useless if Cadence doesn't face what is truly afflicting her.
Between the colorful rays that reflected all over the place, Celestia flew to the other side of the dream and descended from the sky with her wings wide open. She eased herself to the roof right beside her niece.
The pink alicorn paid no mind, eyes glued on the giant foal right in front of them, tranced.
- Stop! Those are sharp, you’re going to hurt yourself! - she cried.
The dark alicorn floated around the giant figure and involved her in the faint blue glow. Flurry Heart struggled and resisted in her attempt to bring a star ornament to her mouth until Luna concentrated her magic on the tip of her horn.
A white blast froze everything in the Crystal Empire. The snow swirls and the untied ribbons carried by the breeze ceased to dance and the dreamland fell in silence.
-Cadence, dear.
Cadence blinked a few times. The princess called her again.
-Aunt Celestia? - the tranced pony called in surprise as she recognized the imposing figure right beside her.
The white alicorn embraced her with a smile. They rubbed their necks together, enjoying the warmth of the familiar touch. Cadence couldn’t help but return the smile.
-What is the meaning of this?
-We heard your cry for help - Luna descended, standing on the roof beside them.
-What is troubling you so much, my niece?
Cadence furrowed her brows, slightly inclining her head. - This must be a mistake.
As if she realized her surroundings for the first time, the youngest princess passed her eyes from the thorn decorations to the crystallized figure frozen in the main square.
- It’s a little odd, I’ll admit it, but it doesn't mean anything.
-All ponies' dreams have meanings, Cadence. Either happy memories, desires, or concerns are manifested when you sleep.
-Are you having any difficulties with Flurry Heart? - Celestia suggested.
-What?
The diffuse dream light shifted slightly, clouding the imaginary sun. Celestia and Luna exchanged glances, realizing the changes in the atmosphere around them.
-I appreciate you both coming all this way for me, but there is no need, really.
A breeze began to blow as Cadence offered them a polite smile. The breeze turned stronger and brought shadows to the cloudy sky, making the colored rays reflected by Flurry’s body dim and disappear.
-Everything is fine.
The crystallizing receded from the tip of the foal’s hooves at first, revealing little by little the fur and her colorful mane. As she transformed, she gradually regained her movements – first as small twitches, and then moving her front legs and spreading her wings.
Flurry’s giggles filled the air. Unaware of the presence of anypony around her, the alicorn moved around with her reawakened sense of exploration. A hoof came swinging to the roof where the princesses stood, breaking the tiles and forcing them to jump into the air.
- Oh, Flurry, don’t do that! - Cadence cried again, flapping her wings.
The older alicorns stared at each other again.
- My sister, I’ll slow her down. Help Cadence however you can.
A magic aura came from Luna’s horn and involved aunt and niece inside a thick bubble. They floated around and could hear no sound from the outside but the moon pony’s voice.
This is a safe space, nothing in this dream shall bother you for a while.
Luna! - Cadence hit the bubble wall with a golden hoof.
You need to face whatever truly troubles you, Cadence.
Luna spread her wings wider and leaped toward the gigantic figure, passing right beside them. The pink alicorn hit the bubble a few more times before realizing there was no use and the thick membrane wouldn’t even move.
The younger princess winced when Flurry threw a statue in the air, almost hitting Luna. Even though there was no sound inside the bubble, she could hear the innocent guffawing in her heart. Celestia waited by her side, the quiet assurance exuding from her composed figure
- Aunt Celestia, I am really worried I might not be a good mother.
The sun pony parted her lips, taken aback by the unexpected confession.
-This is Flurry’s first Hearth's Warming and it's such a magic time. I want her to have a wonderful experience. - She looked away from the scene happening beyond. - I love her so much.
-There is not a single pony who could doubt that. The strength of your feelings is well known in all Equestria.
-But I am so afraid.
Cadence strolled around in the bubble.
- Flurry’s behavior can be unpredictable sometimes and she is just discovering her magic. I worry about what could happen when she comes across all the singing and the lights on Hearth's Warming Night. What if it is too much?
-What if she gets nervous and hurts herself in a burst of magic?
- Raising a pony has its challenges and raising an alicorn foal is a unique mission on its own. It is natural to feel apprehensive, Cadence.
-This is an important moment for all of us, but I feel so lost when I wonder about what may happen - Cadence bit her lips, looking down at her hooves. - I want her to have a wonderful time.
Celestia approached her niece. She opened her warm wings and reached out to her, placing the white feathers on Cadance's shoulder.
-Flurry Heart is fortunate to have you as her mother, and you, my dear Niece, are more thoughtful than you may realize.
-Aunt Celestia, what should I do?
-Nopony can predict the future, that's for sure. But you forget something fundamental.
The white alicorn placed a hoof under the dreamer’s chin, raising her face until their eyes met.
Shining Armor will be by your side no matter what happens, my dear. You have me and Luna as well. And I am certain that there is nothing in all of Equestria that would prevent Twilight from coming here and helping you if you asked.
I couldn’t possibly ask for something like this, it's Hearth’s Warming.
And what is this celebration if not a time to be with the ones you love, my niece? - Celestia smiled.
I would be delighted if you and Shining could bring Flurry Heart to celebrate with us in Canterlot. In this way, there will be four of us to take care of the little one and ensure that she’ll have a wonderful time.
Aunt Celestia, I -
Let us be there for you, my dear. We can adapt a few things around the castle so she won’t be overwhelmed. I always found the lights too bright myself.
Cadence placed a hoof over her chest. She looked into her mentor's eyes and couldn't help but smile at the sight. She whispered her gratitude and embraced Celestia, rubbing their necks.
In the distance, Luna flew around the giant figure and earned some time by catching her attention.
With no warning, Flurry Heart stopped in the middle of a step and her arms fell to the side of her body. She started to glow, gradually increasing the brightness until her body and the entire Crystal Empire around were engulfed in light.
When Luna opened her eyes again, Celestia and Cadence were by her side in the central square. There was no sign of the protective bubble that had shielded them until then, nor the giant baby from moments ago. Instead, Flurry, in her normal size, sat on the stone ground, swinging her chubby arms and laughing.
Flurry, my love - the pink alicorn grabbed the foal, pressing her against her chest and placing a kiss on her cheek.
I can see you found a resolution.
All thanks to you and Aunt Celestia.
We’ll always be there for you and Flurry, my niece.
The Crystal Empire around them, with the standards, colorful trees, bells, and statues was back to its former glory, just like the dreamer. The ambiguous dream light shone over them and Luna's trained eyes noticed the transparency that started to take over their forms.
- It’s almost time for you to wake up, Cadence. We must part ways now.
The farewells were marked by gratitude and excitement for their meeting in just a few nights.
By the time the princesses flew back into the dream sky Cadence’s mind was a peaceful place to be.
Author's Note
Happy Hearth's Warming!
