On Hearth's Warming Day, Tartarus is not a fun place to be. Holiday joy does not permeate Equestria's most notorious prison. The same drudgery and boredom that plagues its inmates every other day of the year doesn't let up for Hearth's Warming.

Cozy Glow, one of Tartarus's occupants, expected the day to be spent plotting her escape and ascension to Equestria's throne with her 'friend' Lord Tirek. It's how every other day since her arrival has played out, so why not today?

Instead, a mysterious unicorn with a broken horn appears from nowhere. She's here to take Cozy Glow on holiday parole, for a 'proper' Hearth's Warming celebration.

But neither Cozy nor her custodian are what they seem.

Written for Deco for Jinglemas 2023.

Takes place between Seasons 8 and 9.

Featured on 12/29/2023.