Hope for the Holidays Part 1

It was a dark night in a quiet, wintery land. Snow fell across the forest, blanketing the ground and the trees in a cold, yet gentle, cover. Much of the plants and animals have gone into hibernation, awaiting the spring that will come within a few months. A nearby village was calm and serene. There were only a few centaurs that made their way from their houses to the palace that stood over.

Inside, the centaur tribe sat at a long table, cheering the night away. Some ate meat and vegetables, while some drank refreshing juice. Some even got out of their seats to sing and dance, while others played musical instruments to energize their fellow brethren.

But sitting at the far corner of the table was King Vorak Highstaff and his wife Queen Lillian Hayden. The former was a majestic centaur male. The latter was a humanoid with bat wings. Both were dressed in royal regalia. Both enjoyed the food on the table or the music filling the room. Next to them sat three other individuals. The eldest was a centaur who looked bulkier than Vorak. The second eldest was a young human-like boy, with wings like his mother, and wore a pair of leather pants. The youngest was a filly pegasi pony with a curly mane who was shoveling food in her mouth.

“Cozy Glow,” Queen Lillian laughed. “Slow down on your dinner. There is plenty of food to go around.”

“Oh come on, mom,” Cozy Glow said after swallowing her food. “Tonight’s been a great night, so far.”

“Your mother has a point, Cozy,” King Vorak said. “After all, your brothers Tirek and Amadeus have been savoring their food throughout the night.”

“Your father’s got a point there,” Tirek laughed, giving Cozy Glow a noogie. “You may be the only pony of our tribe. But you don't even need to shovel all your food down your throat.”

“Oh cut it out, big brother,” Cozy Glow snarled. “I’m as much of a carnivore as the rest of you.”

Amadeus turned to his mother Queen Lillian, who sipped berry juice from her cup before turning to her son.

“How are you enjoying the Great Centaurian Feast, my son?” Queen Lillian asked.

“Great, mom,” Amadeus said. “I always look forward to this delicious meal. Meat, vegetables, berry juice, and even ice cream.”

“Oh my son my son,” Queen Lillian laughed. “You remind me of when I first celebrated this tradition, long before your brother Tirek came to this wonderful planet. When your father introduced me to the Great Centaurian Feast, it was like he took me in to be a part of his family.”

As Amadeus and Lillian laughed, the two turned their attention to Cozy Glow, who continued to eat the meat on her plate.

“I feel sorry for our little sister,” Amadeus said. “She’s the only pony to live in our lands, much less be a part of the royal family..”

“She was only a baby when we adopted her,” King Vorak said. “And we couldn’t bear to let her starve to death in the wilderness. Besides, our kind do not eat ponies.”

“No doubt about it,” Tirek said, thrusting a meaty rib into the air. “We raise gigantic cattle for their meat and milk, and farm vegetables to serve as our side dish.”

“And of all those who attend our feast, Cozy Glow is the one who enjoys it the most,” Amadeus said. “But I thought ponies don’t eat meat.”

“You’re right on that, Amadeus Scorpan Highstaff,” King Vorak said. “Ponies are mainly vegetarians as they prefer to pick vegetable-based crops or graze on grass to keep their bellies full. However, it’s not out of the question for these equines to enjoy meat like the rest of us.”

“Oh dad,” Amadeus laughed. “You’re just saying that because you want ponies to be more like us.”

“If by like us you mean as merry and hearty, then yes,” King Vorak laughed.

With that, King Vorak got on his four legs and held his mug in the air.

“To the great feast, and to the next year of our well-being,” King Vorak yelled. “To our good health and to the family we have formed.”

The other centaurs cheered at the sound of King Vorak’s voice, raising their mugs of berry juice in the air. King Vorak placed the edge of the mug on his lips before downing the berry juice. After drinking a bit, King Vorak wiped the juice off his lips with his arm before sitting down.

“Oh Vorak,” Lillian laughed. “You always know how to put on a show.”

“Thank you, my love,” Vorak said. “And you’re always one of the biggest supporters of my speeches.”

As King Vorak took a seat, a centaur chef approached the great ruler.

“My lord,” the chef said. “We are preparing your people with a nice supply of our premium ice cream.”

The words of the chef were enough to catch Amadeus’ attention.

“Ice cream?” Amadeus said, licking his lips. “Now that’s what I’m talking about.”

“After you finish your meat and veggies,” King Vorak said.

“Aww,” Amadeus said before he focused on the food on his plate.

“Oh don’t you worry, son,” King Vorak laughed. “After all, you enjoy your food as much as you enjoy ice cream. So if you get that done, I promise your ice cream will be perfect.”

“Sweet,” Amadeus said, looking down at his food. “Now I’m really craving it, and I’ll make it worth it.”

As Amadeus got back into eating his food, King Vorak turned to the chef and said “Let us wait an hour until it’s ready. In the meantime, store it someplay cold to keep it preserved. I know a son who wants to sink his teeth into that.”

“It will be done, my king,” The chef said with a bow.

“Well that’s my brother, dad,” Tirek laughed. “He always has a thing for ice cream.”

“Well that and he has such a huge appetite, Tirek,” Vorak said. “He might even outclass you in that department.”

“Me? Hah,” Tirek laughed, ripping a rib from his plate. “No one dares to outclass your number one son in that department.”

As Tirek pulled the meat off the bone with his teeth, King Vorak struggled to hold in his laughter.

“This is why I'm proud to have you both as my sons,” Vorak said. “Which is why I ask this: Do you promise to look after your brother and sister, no matter what?”

Tirek turned his attention back towards Amadeus and Cozy Glow, both who chowed down on their food without a care in the world. The young centaur smiled before turning back towards his father.

“They may lack table manners,” Tirek said. “But I promise to look after them both. You have my word.”

“That's the spirit, my son,” King Vorak said, raising his mug of berry juice. “Know that should anything go wrong, you will always be there for them.”

Tirek nodded as he raised his mug. The father and son changed their mugs together in celebration before they cheered loudly, prompting everyone in the room to cheer loudly as well. Even Amadeus and Cozy Glow stopped eating their food just to cheer as well.

“This is why I married him,” Queen Lillian said. “He knows how to be a merry old soul, and a merry old should is he.”

Later that night, Tirek, Amadeus and Cozy Glow lied down on their beds in their room, staring at the stars outside. Both Amadeus and Cozy Glow looked stuffed from the food they ate.

“Man,” Amadeus said. “This is why the Great Centaurian Feast is my favorite event of all time. In fact, this is why I’m proud to be of Centauria.”

“Yeah,” Tirek said. “Good food, good times. That's the life of our people. Though I think you and Cozy overdid it on the grub.”

“What?” Amadeus laughed. “It was so worth it for the ice cream.”

“Whatever you say, brother,” Tirek laughed. At this rate, you'll make me look like a skinny weakling.”

“Yeah,” Amadeus said. “Maybe even bigger than a Cybertronian if I keep this up.”

Tirek and Amadeus chuckled for a moment before turning their eyes towards Cozy Glow, who rubbed her belly while staring at the night sky.

“So what's up with you, sis?” Amadeus said. “You seem less focused on the food you ate.”

“The night sky looks so pretty during this time of night,” Cozy Glow said, reaching her hoof out. “They're like gorgeous diamonds.”

“Gorgeous?” Amadeus said. “Diamond's are pretty, not gorgeous.”

“Tomayto, tomahto, what's the difference?” Cozy Glow said.

“She's got a point there,” Tirek said. “Pretty and gorgeous mean the same thing.”

As Amadeus shrugged in silence, everyone turned their attention back to the night sky, relaxing and allowing the aura of the moon to bathe over them.

“You know, I was wondering,” Cozy Glow said. “Have you ever thought about the idea of leading your people, Tirek?”

“Me? Oh no,” Tirek said. “I may be the greatest prince of Centauria. But I don’t have the skills to lead, nor do I want to remain in this kingdom.”

“Nor do I,” Amadeus said. “The moment we’re old enough, we want to set out on our own path.”

“Are you both sure about that?” Cozy Glow said, sitting up. “The world beyond our own may be too wild for you both.”

“And we were born to be wild, Cozy,” Tirek said. “Father told us that one day, we will have to take responsibility for our own lives when we’re old enough.”

“And if we’re taking it too seriously, I understand your plight,” Amadeus said.

“I know,” Cozy Glow said. “But I think you both will miss this place.”

“We will, squirt,” Tirek said. “But I think it will be worth it. If not, at least we'll have this place to call home.”

All three let out a hearty sigh as they stare at the stars in the sky. Amadeus’ eyes began to slowly close as he was on the verge of drifting off to dreamland.

But the moment Amadeus's eyes closed completely, he, Tirek and Cozy Glow felt the floor beneath them shake violently. Amadeus's eyes opened widely as he sat up.

“What's happening?” Amadeus said as he felt his bed shake. “Why is the foundation shaking?”

“I don't know,” Tirek responded. “It's like the whole world is crashing down.”

Feeling nauseous, Cozy Glow rolled out of bed and hit the ground as the room around her shook.

“Tirek, Ammy,” Cozy Glow groaned. “I don't feel so good.”

Tirek immediately jumped out of bed and picked up the pegasi filly before holding her close. At the same time, Amadeus jumped out of bed, struggling to stay on two feet.

“Where exactly did this earthquake come from?” Amadeus asked.

Before Tirek could speak, he heard someone shout “You gotta get out, now.” Tirek, Amadeus and Cozy Glow turned to the doorway to see King Vorak and Queen Lillian standing there in a panic.

“Father, what's going on?” Tirek asked.

“It’s a quake like no other,” Queen Lillian said, pointing to a window leading to the balcony. “Take your brother and sister and head out that way.”

“What about you both?” Amadeus cried.

“Don’t worry about us,” King Vorak said. “We’ll focus on evacuating the other citizens. Now go.”

Holding Cozy Glow close, Tirek got a good look at King Vorak and Queen Lillian before turning his attention to the door leading to the balcony. With a powerful left hook, Tirek smashed the door open before running out of the room.

Amadeus stared down his own mother and father. Tears flowed down his eyes as he struggled to hold his emotions in. He tried to speak, but nothing came out of his mouth.

“You don't need to say anything, my son my son,” Queen Lillian said. “Go with your brother and sister. Be safe out there, Scorpan.”

Amadeus turned his head away as he ran out the back door towards the balcony where Tirrk and Cozy Glow waited for him. King Vorak and Queen Lillian got one last look at Tirek, Cozy Glow and Amadeus before retreating out through the front door and down the hallway.

Outside, the foundation of the palace shook violently as the building began to crumble. Tirek held onto Cozy Glow as he leaped across the fracturing structure, one platform or roof at a time. Amadeus held his arms in the air as bat-like wings formed on his back. Then he took to the air and flew after Tirek from above.

As Tirek leaped across the roof of the crumbling palace, he looked down at the village below, and noticed the houses crumbling around, and the earth pushing itself upwards. But something disturbed the centaur.

“Why is no one emerging from their homes?” Tirek said as he leaped across, holding onto Cozy Glow. “Something’s not right here.”

But when Cozy Glow looked at one of the collapsing houses, she was quick to see a centaur child from behind the window, calling out in a panic. Before Cozy Glow could react, the earth pulled the house down, taking the child with it.

“OH MY GOSH!” Cozy Glow cried. “DID YOU SEE THAT?”

“I did,” Amadeus said, descending down to Tirek and Cozy Glow’s level. “And that’s the most disturbing thing I have ever seen.”

Tirek leaped to the end of the palace as the building began to collapse into the earth. Looking downward, he saw centaurs behind the windows crying helplessly. His face turned to total shock as he held Cozy Glow close to him and Amadeus flew next to his brother.

“No one can get out,” Amadeus said. “And I don’t think there’s anything we can do about it.”

“And unless we get outside Centauria, the same will happen to us,” Tirek said, looking ahead.

Suddenly, the earth began to push upwards, creating pillars of stone around the sinking houses, and in front of Tirek, Cozy Glow and Amadeus.

“I’ll jump across,” Tirek said. “Try to save some of the villagers.”

“On it, brother,” Amadeus said.

As Tirek leaped from the palace and jumped across the pillars of stone, still holding Cozy Glow, Amadeus flew downward towards the houses, eyeing a centaur maiden who broke the window of her house.

“I GOT YOU!” Amadeus yelled, reaching out.

But before he could reach the maiden, a pillar of earth rose up, blocking both from each other. Amadeus came to a stop in total shock.

“I DON’T BELIEVE THIS!” Amadeus shouted.

As Amadeus turned to his right, he saw more and more pillars rise up, blocking the windows and doors of each sinking house. Amadeus’ eyes shrunk down in horror as he paused for a moment.

“I…I can’t save them,” Amadeus said.

But before Amadeus could move, a pillar of earth pushed upwards underneath him. Upon collision, Amadeus was knocked into the air, screaming loudly.

“SCORPAN!” Tirek shouted, looking upwards as he leaped across the stone pillars.

As Amadeus fell back down, he quickly flapped his wings as frantically as possible, pausing in mid air before he could hit the ground. Without a second thought, Amadeus flew up into the air towards Tirek, who was nearing the wall of Centauria.

“Brother? Are you okay?” Tirek asked.

“Shaken up, but fine,” Amadeus said, looking down at the sinking village. “But I can’t say the same for everyone else.”

Tirek jumped from one pillar after another, holding onto a scared Cozy Glow and looking down at the sinking village. His heart broke, watching as earth pillars blocked the villagers in their houses. Tirek turned away as he leaped again and again, all while Amadeus flew by his side.

“Ammy,” Tirek said. “Don’t risk your life trying to save them.”

“I know,” Amadeus said. “But…I just feel so…helpless.”

As Tirek leaped high into the air, he soared over the village wall, landing on the snow in front. He quickly ran as fast as he could as Amadeus flew downward next to his brother. Behind them, the ground broke apart as the village and castle ruins sunk into the earth and the stone pillars emerged.

As the trio reached the forest, Tirek began to tire as his four legs slowed down. Cozy Glow hid her face behind Tirek’s chest as the giant centaur held her tight. Amadeus landed his feet on the snow before he and Tirek turned to face the sinking village.

“Our home….it’s disappearing,” Tirek said.

Inch by inch, the village and the ruins of the palace sunk into the earth until only stone pillars stood where the buildings were. Moments later, the earth stopped shaking, leaving nothing but silence.

As Cozy Glow turned her head forward, her eyes shrunk in horror as her jaw dropped in shock. In front of her, the palace and the houses were all gone. All that was left of Centauria were nothing but stone pillars that rose from the land.

“It’s….it’s gone,” Cozy Glow cried. “Our home is…gone.”

Cozy Glow turned her head back and cried into Tirek’s chest, bursting into tears. Tirek could do nothing but stroke his adopted sister on the mane while Amadeus turned his head away with a tear running down our cheek.

“This….this isn’t what I had in mind when it came to moving out,” Amadeus cried. “Everyone’s gone. Mom, dad, every villager of Centauria. IT’S ALL GONE!”

Amadeus thrusted his fists into the air, screaming in agony, before collapsing onto the snow crying his eyes out. Tirek looked at his brother with a tear running down his cheek, all while holding a crying Cozy Glow close.

“Mother, father,” Tirek said. “You raised the three of us since we were babies. And now, you’re gone. How can life become this cruel?”

Tirek slowly lifted Cozy Glow up and held her close before looking at the ruins of what was once Centauria. Amadeus continued to cry his eyes out as his tears fell into the snow like rain. But unbeknownst to them, a sinister laugh came out of the remains of the ruins as if it were to mock the trio.

To Be Continued

Author's Note

So this is an all new story that's set in the New Ponyville universe. It's going to be slightly longer than last year's True Meaning of Starlight. Furthermore, characters from Rankin Bass' holiday specials will return(I can confirm that fan favorite Yukon Cornelius will be one of the main characters).

The question is: How will Tirek, Cozy Glow and Amadeus survive through this fanfic? Stay tuned.