Thunder and Magic: Darklos First Hearths Warming

The dusk was as magical as the land it basked, shining beautifully on the snowy humble town of Ponyville. The soothing choir of Hearths Warming carols streamed the cold air while the residents went about their day with all smiles. But among all of the happy ponies preparing themselves for the fun of the event, there was another pony with a different agenda.

Darklo, previously known as Lux from his old world, was currently shivering beside the fireplace, huddled in a warm blanket while also taking comfort from the lit fire he conjured from the alchemical symbols on his hoofpads.

"Brrr, okay. Next time, I should think twice before letting Bloom pick the-e-e area." He grunted through jittered teeth, recalling the immediate feeling of impacting snow after an unfortunate sled turn.

While he continued embracing the flames, Twilight came downstairs with Spike in tow. The little dragon had 2 cups of hot chocolate and dutifully placed it by the colt while the mare took the towel in her magic, replacing it with a new one.

"Feeling any warmer Darklo?" Spike asked, placing a claw on his back and feeling the occasional shiver.

"A bit. I just hope I never have to go through that a second time thi-is winter." Darklo responded, extinguishing the fire in his hooves to take a sip of Spikes home brew, lighting up in satisfaction.

"If you just came home right away, you wouldn't be experiencing hypothermia, now would you?" Twilight replied rhetorically, wrapping the colt around the fresh towel. "Your stubbornness is gonna get you into trouble eventually, so consider this a miniature friendship lesson."

"Stubborn? Heh, I had to get it from SOMEPONY." Darklo emphasised with a cheeky grin, forcing the lizard to cover his chuckles whilst his adoptive sister blankly stared at him, unamused. "Oh come on sis, that was funny."

"To you maybe." Twilight scoffed playfully before trotting to their Hearths Warming tree and adding some extra ordiments to its branches. Looking at the festive tree, Darklo had to admit that she had an eye for decoration as it gleamed gracefully like a beacon of hope. And from closer inspection, he could see a few baubles had the names of her friends etched in them, from Rainbow Dash to Fluttershy and even the Princesses. He even saw Spikes and his own by the top of the tree which had a glistening silver sun that stood proud like a particular celestial goddess.

"Well, as much as I hate being stuck like this, I can at least appreciate that I'm not in school yet."

"..." Twilight froze, as if a sudden epiphany had came by her. She slowly rotated her head to meet her brothers gaze, revealing her unnerved and unblinking face. "Did... did I really forget about school?"

"To be fair, with all your lessons, I thought you were homeschooling me so I didn't say nothing."

"OK...OK..." Twilight shifted back and forth, the redness present on her cheeks. "This is mendable, I can fix this. Send a letter in the mail for Miss Cheerlie and figure it out. No worries!" And so, she hastily teleported a purple scarf and wooly hat onto herself before galloping out of the house. "Il be right baaaack!"

Spike sighed at what just occurred and shut the door for her, downing his own hot chocolate as he caught eyes with Darklo who had a raised eyebrow. "What? Did you expect her to be calm?"

"Kind of. She doesn't need to be so worried about me. She's doing just fine taking care of me."

"You haven't seen the most of it." The lizard agreed, setting his mug on the table and kneeling down to the presents underneath. "But you DID just give us an opportunity!" Spike micheviously grinned at the colt who rolled his eyes, understanding quite quickly. "Now I can get a peek at what Rarity got me. Oh what if its a really shiny gem? That would be perfect!"

"Really Spike? It's not even Hearths Warming yet, you need to be patient. Now get off your presents."

"Oh come on Darklo." Spike moaned. "It's literally Hearths Warming Eve. Just one day off can't hurt."

...

What?

"Wait, today? Hearths Warming Eve is today?"

"Well duh, of course it's Hearths Warming Eve! Don't tell me you don't consider it a special day. No way your dad was that much of a buzz kill."

The revelation was certainly a shocker to the child of alchemy. From what he could deduce, most of the holidays shared an equal equivalent from his own world. Hearts and Hooves Day was Valantines Day, Nightmare Night was Halloween and Hearths Warming was Christmas. But on deeper consideration, he didn't check what the exact date for it was, assuming it was the same as the parallel.

Immediately, he fled to his room and despite the chill still present in his skin, he checked the calander that he often failed to keep to date, flipping the pages to December and looking at the text of Hearths Warming under-

23rd... FRICK!

"So it really is tommorow. Dammit, I haven't even sent my presents over yet, I was gonna do it on the Eve... but it IS the Eve!" Frantically, the foal zipped under his bed and telekinetically tossed the pile onto the mattress. Cards, presents and all.

Frantically, he paced back and forth, mumbling to himself in quick succession. "OK...OK...this is mendable. I can fix this. I just gotta take all these presents to their locations, set them down and flee when I knock on the door. No worries!"

But a quick glance at the window instantly made his eyes wide. The sun was down and the moon was up. Ponies will be sleeping.

"Dammit, dammit. So I rather have to wake everypony up for their gifts or leave them on their front door like some antisocial loser?" His body couldn't take the stress and widdled out from under him. "Man, I messed up BIG TIME."

As he wallowed in his inaccuracies however, a few ideas popped into his head as the angel and devil made their entry.

"Theres nothing to be ashamed of. I dont think anypony would be upset if you gave them their presents on Hearths Warming. They'll understand!"

"Are you kidding me? They are SO gonna see us as lazy asses. And that aint us! Now how about we just sneak into their homes and put down those presents like we're Santa Claus.

"Uhm, if this is really what we want to do, how about just teleporting the stuff inside? Less harm would be done that way."

"Either way, we'd be trespassing at night. Plus, we've done this in the academy before. How hard can it be?"

Although Darklo didn't wanna admit it, the devil on his shoulder was spouting some decent points. Everything he had done in Equestria from training to fighting had always been witnessed by the ponies of Ponyville. If he didn't act, who knows what they'd think of him. Maybe not lazy per say, but it would be somewhat negative. And he was not gonna let that happen. Besides, after all of the presents he was able to sneak into Ira and Zelus' rooms on Christmas Eve, he felt confident he could make the next 6 hours work.

"I warned you..."

"Spike. I'm heading to bed so just tell Twilight to keep it down."

"Sure thing." He heard from below. "Il tell her when she returns. Goodnight Darklo."

Grinning mischeviously at his succesful ploy, the colt teleported a yellow sack, tipped all of his gifts inside and heaved it over his back before jumping out the window and blasting wind from the hoofpads, hopping across the rooftops for his first festive delivery.

Immediately, the colt knew who to start with as he bounced onto the humble walkway of Fluttershys cottage. He'd never had the opportunity to visit but after all the care she had in mothering him prior, Darklo felt like he had to repay her somehow.

Gently bringing out the pink present wrapped in a pastel bow with his magic, he grinned.

"Fluttershy wouldn't mind right? I mean, it's not criminal if you LEAVE something."

So with his mind all set and free of conscience, Darklo fiddled with the old fashioned lock until a satisfying click entered his ears. The colt sneakily jammed through the gap and took a gander at the inside.

The inside was honestly as humble and cozy as Darklo expected from Fluttershy, a large but sleek wooden room that took up the living room and kitchen all in one. Along with the many nurtured plants and artistically pleasing birdhouses, the whole first floor radiated a calming glow.

The colt took a moment to take it all in before creeping up to the Christmas tree snugly fitted in the corner. Though, as he took careful steps towards it, there was something... off about the it.

Jeez, I havent felt this nervous since Principal Vir... that man always knew how to make my skin crawl. It's probably just my nerves.

Darklo eventually was by the tree and gently left the present underneath, smiling at a job well done and turned to leave...

Until he hit a stubborn floorboard. It groaned in frustration which forced the colts ears to hastily point up from the sudden noise. Freezing in place, he surveyed the ceiling, listening for movement above. But what came next wasn't from above, but beside him as a snarl cascaded his ears.

Quickly, Darklo snapped to its attention and came face to face with a resting grizzly bear.

"Ga-" He clamped his jaw shut so he couldn't make more noise. The bear kept its animalistic glare on him, studying the colts movements. He had to think of something fast, or this bear could-

Wait... what am I saying? This ain't Earth!

"Hey Mr bear..." You whisper gently, "Just came with a very late gift. Sorry for waking you..."

It's hulking body stretched outwards before it's eyes took a glance at the new present under the tree. Once it's suspicions were confirmed, it sleepily yawned and pointed a claw to the door.

Sighing in relief, Darklo nodded in appreciation. "Thank you... Il just, be on my way then... Happy Hearths Warming."

Darklo steadily walked out the door, a particular rabbit giving him the death stare as he left. "And Happy Hearths Warming to you too, Angel." The colt grumbled while he locked the door like his illusive flank wasn't even there. He almost wished it was the first time he met the rabbit. Would've been a better first impression than it was a week ago during the sleeping dragon incident. "Tsk, brat gave Spike and I so much trouble... geez I would've SO helped against that dragon but nah, Twilight haaaad to be protective."

Darklo sigh, hoisting the sack and dashing away on hovered air. "Oh well, no use being salty of the past. Now who's next?"

The moon continued its journey over the dark sky as the colt sped along the empty streets with small streaks of fire propelling him forward. Energy still prime for use, Darklo made haste weaving past the stalls of the market just for fun until he skidded to a halt in front of his next destination. Sugar Cube Corner.

Taking a second to stomp his hooves in the dirt and equinguish the flames from his alchemical attained flight, the colt glanced up at the sweet shop.

"Next up, Pinkie. And can't forget the Cakes too." Darklo bemused, scurring through the sack. "Now where in blazes are they- aha!" Finding the correct colours inside, he lifted them out in a magical grasp, a proud smirk on his snout whilst he prepared his horn and teleported just a few centimeters inside.

"There we are. Just the ones I need.... gotta make up for all my messes in this joint somehow."

-Flashback

A little over two days since Twilight fully took the colt in her care, Darklo persuaded her and Spike to visit the establishment with minimal begging required. The minute he stepped hoof into the bakery, his enhanced nose picked up a plefera of sugary sweets and freshly baked bread that put starry eyes and a gradual drool on his childish sweet tooth.

Immediately, his nose took action and sped to the counter to the Cakes surprise.

"Hello! Do you make chocolate brownies?" The colt bounced excitedly which almost gave Mr and Mrs Cake deja vu. "Oh, oh! And add some chocolate fudge to that, and add a vanilla milkshake to boot!"

The Cakes blinked for a short second before flashing an equally friendly smile at him. "Oh, why of course we can make that for you dearie. We'll have that right in a jiffy for you!" Mrs Cake beamed, akin to a doting mother. Meanwhile, Carrot Top nodded at his request and passed into the background.

Twilight was half amused by the sudden shift in character as she stepped beside the peppy foal. He was almost a totally different pony with how he was acting.

"So you must really like sweets huh?" She ruffled his mane as his adoptive sister stated the facts.

"Yeah, heh." Spike piped up, poking his cheek. "You're like a foal in a candystore!... well, you kind of are, but you get the point."

Darklo chuckled, his mind only set on one sugary track. "Well how can I not! Having sweets and stuff is like a luxury for me. And chocolate..." his mouth watered. "Oh sweet lovable chocolate, I love it so much!"

Spike awkwardly guided the colt to a table while Twilight passed the bits to Mrs Cake, the unicorns smile twitching a bit. "Gah... I'm so sorry, I didn't know Darklo would be like this. He's not normally this hyper."

The older mare didn't seem to mind though, squishing her cheeks to contain her affection. And she was failing at it. "Oh, it's alright Twilight! It's quite relieving to see a foal in their element. And with the whole Nightmare Moon debacle still on his plate, I think he does need some time to be a colt." Carrot Top passed by the two as he set down the sweet treats to Darklo who looked about ready to chow down if his open jaw gave any clues.

And just as Twilight turned her head to face them, Mrs Cakes breathy whisper flicked her ear. "You have a very good son there. I know you'll do great."

There was never a day where Twilight felt so heated before, the lavender fur on her face practically turning red as her eyes shoot open.

"Ah-" She cracks, "M-Mrs Cake! I'm... I'm not his mother!"

"Oh dear me, I'm sorry sweetie I just assumed. You know since you adopted him and all."

"Wait who-"

"Pinkie Pie, she works with us remember?"

"Oh... right. A-Anyway, no I see him more as a little brother to me. Like Spike."

Mrs Cake softens up as she pat her on the shoulder fondly. "Well, no matter what you see him as, he's a part of your family now. And I'm sure he appreciates your care just as much as you appreciate his company-"

NOM! NOM! NOM!

...

Silence. Mrs Cake and Twilight has felt a bit of sticky fudge simmer on their coats. And as they look to the scene of the crime, they are left flabbergasted. There was Darklo, mouth and barrel covered in chocolaty goodness. The plate and glass holding the milkshake were the only thing that had no traces of food, not like the chairs, the table and Carrot Top who was unfortunately in the blast zone. Each pony stared in surprise at Darklo, besides Spike who licked the chocolate from his scales as he shook himself from the shock of it all.

And the colt of the hour? He just awkwardly flashed his teeth at them, all mucked up from chomping on brownies.

"Hehe... uhm, thanks for the meal?..."

-End Flashback

Darklo looked on at the same table he made a mess of, sweat coursing his brow as he reminisced whilst walking along the shadow-filled building.

"Man..." His cheeks flushed at the thought. "Definately not one of my finest moments, heh."

"Totally!"

"I know, thanks Pinkie- ah!" Darklo jumped in shock as he glanced up at the party pony.

"Hehehe! I couldn't belieeeeeve the amount of chocolate you splatted around in one bite! I gotta say, you might even rival my sweet tooth. Hmmmm, maybe not, but it's close!"

Darklo twitched his eye, his brain taking time to process the mare in front of him. "But... I was thinking about that- how did you know what I was thinking?" He asked with genuine confusion.

Pinkie Pie chuckled with giddy amusement, her mane and tail poofing out even more than it was before. "Oh silly billy, I just assumed! Thanks for confirming for me Darky!"

"No." The colt frowned immediately. "Just Darklo. That sounds way too cute... and mildly racist." He shook his head and passed the presents to the mare who gasped at what she had in her hooves.

"Oooooh you shouldn't have little guy! I knew we were missing a few gifts for Hearths Warming! Always happens with a shivering bouncy backflip."

"Shivering bouncy what now? Ugh, nevermind. Sorry for being so late."

Pinkie grinned with zero disappointment in her movements. "No worries Darklo. The presents are here and that's what matters, hope you have a good festive delivery!"

And so, she fled upstairs with the presents. The colt didn't even hear any signs of steps from her hooves, which was slightly off to him.

He sighed, teleporting out of the store and back out to the cold night. "Heh, geez... that mare. Now then," Darklo rubbed his eyes before hoisting the sack on hid back and flew off. "I've still got time."

Another hour passed as he ventured through home after home. These being much less impactful than from Fluttershys cottage and Sugarcube Corner, just move in, plop the present and dip. Piece of cake.

The targeted ponies like Zecora, Mayor Mare and the flower sisters were none the wiser and Darklo intended to keep it that way.

Well, Pinkie found out but she's Pinkie so it doesn't count!

Surprisingly, the easiest one was Rainbow Dashs home as although it took time for his air alchemy to take him to the clouds, he just flew into the floor and set it down before descending. The simplicity of it put a smile on his face, it was like he was a super spy or something.

"Heh, enjoy your new Spitfire figurine Rainbow," He declared smugly as the he glided to Ponyville, "I just hope it IS new, there were an awful lot of wonder bolt memorabilia so maybe I just gave a duplicate... eh the thought that counts right?"

Darklo finally met solid ground and he breathed steadily, slightly feeling the effects of his alchemy use. "Gee... maybe I should've used my two legs- ah, I mean 4 hooves more often. Can't get totally spent before I return home."

Affirming his decision, Darklo strolled through the vacant streets and basked his vision with the night sky until he arrived at the Carosel Boutique.

"Hmm, I guess I haven't actually seen the inside have I? Must have some good ascetic if Rarity is in charge."

Taking a present onto his back that looked like it got dunked in glitter, the colt lit his horn and tried unlocking the door, but the magic rebounded which generated a slight shock, surprising him. "Wha-! Well, I suppose I should've expected a locking spell. Gee sis, haven't even taught me that yet... maybe I can teleport in, can't be too draining if it's just a step or two."

Again, Darklo lit his horn and attempted the spell, only to feel as if the whole building was blocked off, inaccessible for his magic to detect a space inside and relocate. His golden brow furrowed as his mind hastily thought of a solution, wandering around the outskirts until he found his way. From the back, there was an open window on the second floor which would be childplay to hover into.

The colt exhaled and sweat pored from his coat as he nervously floated in the air and snuck inside, hopping onto the marble floors with a gentle clop. The first thing that came to his attention was the abhorrent snoring coming from the bed. It was Rarity, slobber drooling from her mouth and a royal purple bed mask attached to her face. Her mane was also far from styled as it strung around on the pillows in a random assortment which seemed surreal for a noble fahsionista. Darklo could even make out the sparks of magic on her horn, attempting to coax her out of heavy slumber.

"Huh... looks like the locking spell signal did its job. Man, this would've gone so much worse-"

"U-uh?... oh what's with this pain?" Rarity groaned and lazily detached the mask, wiping her eyes as she looked to her horn. "I see... tsk, not again. Who would dare attempt to steal on Hearths Warming? Have these scoundrels got no tact?" The mare dragged herself out of bed with an annoyed force. "At least Sweetiebelle is still with mother and father, I swear, if this miscreant took any of my new line up- huh?"

Raritys potential rambling was cut short by the out of place present left in the middle of her room. Raising an eyebrow, she took it in her magic and read the label.

"Hmmm, To Rarity. Merry Hearths Warming, from Darklo..." A mix of relief and frustration wash over as she read it. "So that's what happened. That colt... but don't think Il be letting you off easy. Breaking and entering, hmph! But I suppose since it's technically Hearths Warming right now..." Rarity took a moment to stabilise herself before she sat on her bed and lit her horn to rip open the gift.

Darklo fled as fast as he possibly could, heart beating destructively and muscles working overtime as the buildings became nothing but blurs. Eventually, he slowed down by the edge of Ponyvile and caught his breath.

"Hoo... hah... wow... okay. That was close! Though, Rarity isn't Pinkie, she'll tattle for sure... drats!"

"I did warn you, this was completely unnecessary!" The angel on his shoulder snarkily proclaimed, poking at his temple joyfully.

A quick shake of the head and his mind focused again. "It's fine... I think? Just one more house to go and the last ones can be done at home."

The colt sighed as he continued his trek along the array of apple trees, easily finding his way around despite the darkness filling his vision. "Guess all my trips here have come to use. Thanks Bloom." He remarked with a deep fondness, traversing the field like he'd been there all his life.

Eventually, Darklo cleared through the thick orchard and towards the Apple family barnhouse. Luckily, he already knew the ins and outs of the place from his previous visits so this should be an easy final delivery. Surged with confidence, Darklo unlocked the door with his magic and entered the hall.

The place was dark as all the houses were, but with the scent of familiarity on his nose, he happily walked to the living room and set the presents down.

Easy peasy... He thought, taking the opportunity to look up at their tree. It was nothing less than gorgeous. The tree sprouted in the corner while wrapped in a decorative glimmer of holly, baubles and colourful lights. Along with that, there were many wood carvings, each with the name of each family member. Looking at their names does put a smile on the colts face. They were one of the first families he got so close to after all.

"Hm... hope they'll like the gifts. I tried my damndest with these ones."

But as he turned around, he just noticed somepony on the couch. And it was a filly he immediately recognised. She was curled up in a snuggly ball, her pink bow left on the solid table which allowed her rosey unknempt mane to run down her neck freely. She even had an eye open, drowsily watching her friendly trespasser.

"Shoot...uhhhh hi Bloom."

"Hi. Little late for a sleepover, ey Darklo?" Apple Bloom stretched her hooves and released an adorable yawn whilst she rubbed her eyes.

"Uhm... yeah, apologies. Say.... uh you wouldn't tell Applejack right?" Darklo asked nervously. There were not many things from his old life that made him shiver, but a stern and deserved reprimanding? Oh yeah, that's one for sure.

"Hehe. Nah, don't put yah fiddles in a twist bud. Ah promise my sis won't hear a peep from me." The filly sat upright and placed her hoof by her chest. "Yah have mah word. Friends honour."

A warm feeling surged like waves in Darklos heart. It was almost like he was back with his closest friends in the academy again, and he loved the feeling every time it reared its beautful head.

A smile of appreciation later and the colt nodded, completely trusting her honesty. "Thanks Bloom. You're the best... say, why are you down here anyway? Too excited for your presents?"

Applebloom stroked her mane into a slightly cleaner appearence before smirking knowingly at him. "Heh, oh nah. Yah see, Ah noticed that mah best friends name wasn't of any of mah presents. So Ah thought yah'd rather do somethin' stupid, or yah'd come in the mornin' with a surprise."

"Oh... of course." Darklo averted his gaze, embarrasment very evident in his body language which left the filly in a good mood. "Damn, you've got me figured out huh?"

"Yah have no idea." Applebloom grinned at the state she put her normally stoic friend into, her tired eyes glimpsing at the new presents under the tree. "So yah got each of us a lil' somethin' huh... how cute."

"Uh yeah." The crickets creak from outside the window, filling in the silence of the slumbering home. Eventually, the awkwardness got to the colt as he steadily backed away to the open door. "Well, I've done what I needed. So, Happy Hearths Warming?"

"Yeah... Happy Hearths Warming Darklo. See yah in a bit." Applebloom yawned again, hopping off the couch and dragging herself upstairs to her room as Darklo shut the door and in a few seconds and a flash of light through the gaps, he dissapeared.

Back in Golden Oaks library, in the middle of the floor in Darklos room sat the symbol of portal alchemy, Ianue. The sketched symbol then glowed from pure black to a light gold, following with a spark of light. And out came Darklo, sack in hoof and horn flashing in exhaustion.

"Phew... man... what would I do without portal alchemy?" He rhetorically pondered as he took a look in the sack, seeing just two more presents inside. "Okay now... let's get this over with."

The colt, with half lidded eyes, then dragged himself out of his room and trickled downstairs before plotting the presents under the tree.

Once they were all set and planted, Darklo sighed deeply, the exhaustion finally catching up with him. However his mind did take comfort in a mission completed.

"Guess after all of my efforts, I could do it all in one night..." Though a tad bit of shame hit him as he ponders what the Princesses would think, but that shame is drastically overtaken by the exhaustion of both his constant magic and alchemy consumption.

So back to his room he went and flopped onto his bed, the sleepiness quickly consuming him. And as his mind slowly shut off and slid into dreamland, he silently smirked to himself. The colt even smothered his face in his pillow, hiding from the gradually rising sun.

Geez... these 5 hours better not kill me...

...

"Twilight, Darklo. Wake up! It's Hearths Warming!"

...

His eyes shot open as he eventually registered Spikes words...

"Uuuuuuuuuuuggh!"