Wonderbirds: In Festive Skies

by 8_Bit

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, Crossover, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Rarity, Science Fiction
Length: 1388

As the holiday season draws in, a watchful guardian looks down on planet Equis. She is Equestrial Rescue's eye in the sky, and wouldn't trade her job for anything.

'Some ponies might wonder, particularly at this time of year when winter descends and families gather close, why a mare of my status in the world of fashion would dedicate her life to one of darkness, isolation, and militaristic routine. Well the truth is, having established myself as a cultural icon, my company is fully capable of running itself with only remote input on my part. As the Element of Generosity, I dedicate most of my time to looking over the world below, ensuring every single one of its citizens has a friendly voice to answer them if they call for help. And, well, the view is simply divine...'

A Hearth's Warming poem for Winter Solstice (as it's way too late for the Poetry Contest, lel), and a crossover with the hit 1960's TV show Thunderbirds, which is the property of the Gerry Anderson Legacy and ITV Studios.

Wonderbirds is a series of standalone, episodic one-shots and shorts, not set in a linear narrative to each other. Though presented as a series of stories, you do not have to have read previous ones to understand the narrative in each one.

Published 2024-12-21 18:50:01 UTC
Last updated 2024-12-21 18:50:01 UTC

Ut Reveles Astra

Awake beneath stars that softly shine,
In the station's quiet, cosmic air,
Rarity stirs, and thoughts do climb,
As light spills inward, crisp and fair.

She makes for the shower’s gentle stream,
Where water drifts in graceful flow,
Her mind aloft, as still in dream,
While quiet hums around her grow.

The morning beckons with calm embrace,
A cup of warmth, to start the day,
She moves, a smile upon her face,
To a shiny kitchenette, astray.

She watches the coffee slowly brew,
Preparing for the tasks to do.

꧁ ༺ ༻ ꧂

She crosses the room, her coffee high,
Her magic lifts it in her grasp,
Equis hangs freely in the sky,
Framed in light, a peaceful clasp.

The window is wide, a perfect view,
As clouds and oceans softly shine,
The planet's colours, bright and true,
Caught in the beauty, as like fine wine.

With measured steps, near the console’s glow,
Her tasks unfold with quiet might,
The warmth of coffee lets spirits flow,
As she prepares for the morning's flight.

The screens glow bright, work to be done,
She drains her coffee until there is none.

꧁ ༺ ༻ ꧂

She scans the screens, data flows fast,
A storm brews in Indoneighsia's skies,
And lands are wrought by winter's blast,
With worldwide troubles before her eyes.

From shores to skies where tempests rise,
She sees signs of chaos on the land,
The warnings flash, urgent, no surprise,
And Rarity takes note, her mind so grand.

The tasks are clear, signs all too near,
Much strife awaits, but she stands still,
She braces for calls that may appear,
When trouble strikes, creatures needs will.

For if chaos looms and disaster will fall,
Then Equestrial Rescue will answer the call.

꧁ ༺ ༻ ꧂

Next job, she runs a routine scan,
The station's systems on the screen,
Her orbit stable, according to plan,
Wonderbird Five, silent, unseen.

Then life support, which must run right,
Each readout good, steady like stars,
Great motors hum, systems run bright,
And Rarity nods, no issues so far.

Diagnostics clear, the station is sound,
Ensuring the craft will not yet sway,
No trouble here, nor on the ground,
She'll stay aloft another day.

With a sigh and a nod, that task fulfilled,
Rarity calls home, as the phone line trilled.

꧁ ༺ ༻ ꧂

A beep sounds, Twilight’s face appears,
On screen, morning dust in her eyes,
Rarity gives details, clear as cheers,
Of crises that, below her, rise.

"Indoneighsia’s storm grows strong,"
She tells of winter’s heavy toll,
"Delays are mounting, and the threat’s too long,
But we’re prepared, should danger roll."

"My craft is stable in the sky,
All is running as it should,"
Down on the planet she does spy,
Her task is noble, honest, and good.

"But now," she asks, voice filled with glee,
"What Hearth's Warming plans are waiting for me?"

꧁ ༺ ༻ ꧂

And Twilight smiled back, a shine in her gaze,
"Hearth's Warming is but mere days away,
And you'll be home in the sunlight's warm rays,
On Harmony Island, with us you will stay."

She pauses, brief, then her voice does rise,
"Pinkie will fly aboard Wonderbird Three,
To collect you from Hearth's Warming Eve's skies,
So we can all share in the seasonal glee."

Rarity nods, her smile spreads so swift,
Thinking of warmth, friendship and light,
And holiday cheer, a most cherished gift,
A time of peace, love, and laughter so bright.

"Thank you, dear friend," she says, joy anew,
"I shall be ready, I can't wait to see you."

꧁ ༺ ༻ ꧂

The call, it ends, with a quiet *ding dong*,
And Rarity sits, her thoughts do swirl,
On gifts for friends, her heart a song,
Gowns overdone, not what they'd unfurl.

She ponders on this, what would be right?
Something warm to keep them near.
Not ribbons or silk, but soft and light,
A gift from her heart, something sincere.

Then, inspiration, her smile aglow,
“A fluffy jumper, knitted so fine!”
She pictures each joy, wrapped in soft flow,
And their love, as bright as any sign.

With needles aloft, she starts her plan,
A gift for each friend, to warm her clan.

꧁ ༺ ༻ ꧂

With delicate care, she knits with grace,
Her magic guides yarn through every loop,
For Rainbow Dash, her jumper takes place,
A vibrant design that starts to swoop.

Her mane's wild colours, alive and free,
Splashes of lightning, streaks of red,
A perfect fit, as swift as can be,
This gift of joy, from Rarity’s thread.

Next, Applejack, with earth-toned wool,
Her jumper takes shape in shades so true,
In rich, warm patterns, the needle does pull,
And intricate shapes, many a horseshoe.

With accents so bold, like apples in fields,
Against any cold weather, it warmly shields.

꧁ ༺ ༻ ꧂

Then for Pinkie Pie, yarn becomes swirl,
A loud burst of pink, so bright and so fun,
The jumper twirls, like the liveliest girl,
With her laughter woven in every run.

A ribbon here, a pompom to top,
Bright colours tangle with delight,
A jumper for joy that won’t ever stop,
It matches the heart, so pure and bright.

Next, for Fluttershy, a softer hue,
A pale, sweet pink with petals sewn,
Delicate and warm, her jumper rings true,
Like quiet mornings where flowers have grown.

Gentle lace adorns the edges with care,
A gift of love, as tender as air.

꧁ ༺ ༻ ꧂

For Twilight Sparkle, deep purple and bright,
A jumper with a starburst woven through,
The threads glisten like magic in the light,
A symbol of wisdom, and a heart so true.

A sparkle here, a shimmer to gleam,
The jumper fits fine, no room for a pinch,
A gift that matches her heart and her dream,
With warmth and care wrapped up in every inch.

Lastly, for Spike, something cosy to wear,
A deep green hue that matches his scales,
The yarn soft, with silver thread spare,
All crafted with love that never pales.

With arms so short, it’s snug on his frame,
And Rarity smiles, Spike will feel the same.

꧁ ༺ ༻ ꧂

The jumpers all done, she sighs with care,
Each stitch of love, complete and true,
She gathers them up, a graceful air,
Wrapping each one with red ribbons new.

The parchment, crisp, as she does fold,
Each gift prepared with love so kind,
A selfless gesture, in colours bold,
Her heart, in each, a gift entwined.

Ribbons tied, names inscribed with grace,
She takes a step back, her work now done,
Each package perfect, each one in place,
Her heart aglow in the evening’s sun.

For gifts are now ready, the holiday near,
And Rarity smiles, her love sincere.

꧁ ༺ ༻ ꧂

On Hearth’s Warming Eve, upon her gaze,
Rarity sits by the console glow,
She watches the stars in stillness sways,
And Wonderbird Three rise from below.

A red behemoth in the planet-filled sky,
It climbs with power, steady in flight,
Towards Wonderbird Five, where she will fly,
And meet her friends to share warmth tonight.

Docking clamps click, and lock with grace,
The ships connect, the journey complete,
Rarity smiles, her heart it does race,
For now it's hometime, and joy so sweet.

With a quiet breath, she readies to descend,
And soon the holiday will start, my friend.

꧁ ༺ ༻ ꧂

The holiday's meaning, soft and clear,
Is not in gifts, but in bonds we share,
Together, unite with those held dear,
So warmth blooms in the evening air.

No distance great, no challenge severe,
When love and friendship light the night,
For when we’re whole, there’s nothing we fear,
And all things will shine, with the purest of light.

As we gather around the hearth’s warm glow,
We find strength in each embrace we take,
The ties that bind, help our spirits grow,
And in warmth, we find the love we make.

May joy fill each heart, near and far,
Happy Hearth’s Warming, wherever you are.

Author's Note

A short poem, set in the Wonderbirds universe, to celebrate Winter Solstice.

Whoever you are, however you celebrate, have a wonderful festive season, and may you bring in the New Year in joyous fashion.

8_Bit x