Hearths Warming Tasks

Hearth's Warming is the season of joy, harmony, and spending time with loved ones. Presents around the tree, good times with friends and family. The town, coming together to celebrate their culture and traditions. Food shared out generously, good cheer given all around. No pony went uncheered in the season of togetherness where even enemies put aside their differences and came together around the fire for the sake of community.

Though not all agreed with such sentiments. Especially two specifics ones who've done terrible things. Who's sins are too dark to even list. If one were to even comprehend the darkness that lurks in their souls it would drive the sane, insane, and the insane to super insanity. And even in their state of super insanity they would not in a millions years think of the terrible actions these two undertook. The heavens themselves tremble at the mention of either of their names. These unknown horrors dwelling beyond the stars had turned their gaze upon a happy little place, that was almost defenseless...

But as much trouble as Twilight and the other princesses were having with that, Rainbow Dash and Applejack weren't happy about their own troubles. For them, though the end of the world didn't hang in the balance, it was shaping up to be the season of humiliation, frustration, and community service. Both mares stood in Ponyville Town Hall, faces flush with irritation as Mayor Mare explained their punishment, or at least their first punishment.

“I have decided to give you tasks based on your horrible behavior! You" Mayor Mare pointed at Rainbow Dash. "Destroyed the entire town's supply of fruitcake by feeding it to Applejack's chickens! You will be assisting Ponyville in preparing for the holiday,” she said, adjusting her glasses. “Specifically, you’ll be handling our emergency fruitcake replacement program.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Fruitcake replacement? And why am I here?”

Mayor Mare raised an eyebrow at Applejack. "Really?"

Applejack cringed and nodded. "Never mind."

Rainbow Dash's head perked up. "Wait, what? What'd she do!? I wanna know!"

Mayor Mare sighed and shook her head. “That's not important. Back to the fruit cakes. The only viable replacement deemed acceptable is gourds. You two will be delivering them door-to-door as festive substitutes.”

Rainbow Dash burst out laughing. “Wait, wait, wait! You’re telling me we just gotta delivery vegetables? Oh, that's easy!”

“You won’t be laughing for long.” Mayor Mare smiled slyly. “The townsfolk have opinions about this substitution. Good luck.”

The first delivery set the tone for the day.

Applejack pulled the cart loaded with brightly painted gourds, their surfaces gleaming with a sickening mix of glitter and holiday patterns. Rainbow Dash flew ahead, knocking on the door of the first house.

It creaked open to reveal Granny Smith, who squinted suspiciously at the duo. “What’s all this? Whatcha doin' with that cart, those ain't apples missy!”

“Hey, Granny!” Rainbow grinned. “We’re delivering your emergency holiday gourd! Fruitcake replacement. You’re welcome.”

Granny Smith stepped closer, inspecting the squash. Her eyes narrowed. “This ain’t no fruitcake, fruitcake! This here’s a dadgum squash with glitter on it! It gets everywhere!”

“It’s a gourd, Granny,” Applejack said through gritted teeth. “It’s festive. Just… take it.”

"Now I don't need no lip from someone who thinks "oh, I'm gonna mess around with unicorn stuff!" then summons unknowable evil from beyond the stars!" Applejack groaned and pulled her hat down over her face. Granny snatched the squash and muttered something about how much softer punishment's are now compared to her day before slamming the door. Applejack sighed turning the cart.

“Woah there!" Rainbow Dash stared at Applejack. "What did she just say!?"

Applejack hurriedly started to pull the cart. "Nothing'!"

The day only got weirder. At Rarity’s boutique, the fashionista insisted they customize her gourd to match her holiday décor. At Fluttershy’s cottage, the animals mistook the gourd for a snack. Havoc ensued as Applejack wrestled it back from a particularly aggressive badger. Pinkie Pie was, of course, ecstatic. “Ooooh! A holiday gourd! It’s perfect for my holiday gourd juggling routine! Watch this!” Before they could stop her, Pinkie was juggling five gourds, one of which promptly flew through the window of Sugarcube Corner.

The strangest delivery came at the edge of town. A shadowy figure had requested a “uniquely shaped gourd” for reasons unknown. When Applejack and Rainbow arrived, they came face-to-face with Zecora, who examined the glittering vegetable with an intensity that could only make one uncomfortable.

“This gourd’s shape is quite divine,” turning it over in her hooves. “It will go well in my shrine.”

Rainbow leaned over to Applejack. “Is it just me, or does this feel like we’re part of some cult ritual?” She stared intently at Applejack, who cleared her throat.

"Uh... We're almost done! Let's get this finished up!" Applejack quickly turned to go, absolutely not avoiding Rainbow Dash's eye.

By the time they reached the final house, Applejack and Rainbow Dash were covered in glitter, squash insides, and mud. The last recipient, a cantankerous old donkeys named Cranky Doodle, opened the door and immediately began shouting.

“What in tarnation is this?! A squash!? For Hearth’s Warming?! In a holiday already full of people bothering you, coming by and singing at you, poking their noses into your business, at least there's some good food! But now you're just ruining the holiday with this nonsense!”

Rainbow snapped. “Listen here, buddy! We didn’t ask to be the gourd delivery duo, okay? We’re just doing our jobs! So take your stupid gourd and deal with it!”

Cranky glared at her for a long moment before snatching the gourd. “Fine. But only because Matilda likes pretty things.” He slammed the door.

Applejack raised an eyebrow. "Gourd delivery duo?”

Rainbow flopped onto the cart, exhausted. “Never mind that. It sounded official." A stray gourd rolled off the cart and bonked her on the head. Applejack managed to cover her smile with her hoof, and despite herself, Rainbow couldn’t help but laugh.