Not An Elucidating EndingView OnlineHearths Warming TasksNot An Elucidating EndingRainbow Dash groaned as she finally finished up all the community service. Just barely in time for Hearths Warming eve events. Shaking her head she collapsed into a convenient bean bag at Pinkie's party, groaning as she took a sip of her eggnog. She smiled, the party was still good. Admittedly it was missing fruitcakes, having squash instead, and no wreaths, or a tree. The tree was replaced by a masterfully crafted replica made of pure tin. She didn't know why they needed to go replace all the Hearth Warming trees with tin trees. She couldn't begin to understand it but Mayor Mare said the princesses said it was important. She was a bit sad that Twilight was busy off doing princess thing but everyone else was here. The bean bag next to her fluffed as Applejack collapsed into it as well. She gave Rainbow Dash a nod and took a sip of her apple cider. Rainbow Dash frowned, not that she wasn't unhappy to see her friend but she wanted answers. "Hey, Applejack." Applejack looked over with a raised eyebrow. "Yeah?" Rainbow Dash looked around, they were alone enough to not worry about this. "What were they all talking about that you did?" Applejack coughed into her hoof and shook her head, looking away. "Ahh, nothin' to worry about Rainbow Dash. Just dug something up. But Twilight and the princesses are dealing with it." Rainbow Dash motioned to the giant tin tree. "And that has something to do with it!? What is it?" Applejack cleared her throat again. "Uh... Don't worry about it. They just don't like tin is all. So it's just a precaution, the princesses should have it handled." Rainbow Dash scowled in irritation. "What's "IT!?" What's going on here?" Applejack waved a hand dismissively... Scowling and shaking her leg hard she looked at it again, and waved her hoof dismissively. "Nothing t..." Rainbow Dash jumped to her feet, pointing at Applejack's hoof. "What was that!?" Applejack scowled at her hoof for a moment longer. "Nothing to worry about, probably just some last remnants of the things that are messing with us, I'm sure we'll be fine. There's more than two unknowable beings form beyond the stars." Rainbow Dash's eye budged. "What!? So you unleashed two..." Applejack shrugged. "More drew their attention." Rainbow Dash took a deep breath. "Fine... Drew the attention of "two unknowable beings from beyond the stars" and you're just dismissing it!? What's next, we have a third unknowable being from beyond the starts that's protecting us." Applejack made a so-so gesture. "Well technically it's the princess' protecting us but I wouldn't say you're wrong." Rainbow Dash opened and closed her mouth soundlessly. "I mean ultimately I can't help but feel like there's something bigger, even beyond us planning and plotting all this." Rainbow Dash gaped. "You're just dumping this on me at a hearth warming eve party!? We have to talk about this!" Applejack thought for a moment then shook her head. "Nah."
Squashing A TraditionView OnlineHearths Warming TasksSquashing A TraditionHearth'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.
Wrathful WreathsView OnlineHearths Warming TasksWrathful WreathsApplejack and Rainbow Dash found themselves saddled with another task that was anything but cheerful: retrieving every single holiday wreath in town. “So let me get this straight,” Rainbow Dash said, hovering cross-legged above the cart of supplies. “One of the wreaths in town is cursed by... Something." She shot a glare at Applejack. "It’s alive and we have to haul away all of them?” Mayor Mare nodded. “It’s the safest option. The curse makes the wreath seem normal until it… doesn’t. The princesses say we can't risk leaving it on someone’s door. Once you’ve collected all the wreaths, we'll burn them. It's the only way to be sure." Applejack adjusted her hat with a sigh. “Sounds simple enough. Grab a wreath, toss it in the cart.” “Oh, it’s never that simple,” Rainbow muttered, eyeing a pile of charred wreathes, one of which had tried to eat her. Mrs. Cake greeted them warmly, and handed them a decorated nicely wreath. “I’m glad you’re taking precautions, dears, but are you sure this is necessary? I’ve had this wreath for years.” “Better safe than sorry,” Applejack carefully placing it in the cart. Just as they turned to leave, Pinkie Pie popped out of nowhere, clutching three wreaths of her own. “Pinkie, why do you have so many wreaths?” Rainbow tilted her head in confusion. “In case of a wreath emergency, duh! Here, take these too!” Pinkie tossed them in the cart, and Rainbow barely dodged one that seemed to wiggle in the air. Rarity dramatically opened the door, a cup of tea in her magical grip. “Darling, I must insist you handle my wreath with care. It’s a one-of-a-kind design—not to mention positively brimming with artistic integrity.” Rainbow rolled her eyes and reached out for it. “Yeah, yeah, artistic integrity. Just hand it over.” But Rarity wasn’t about to let them leave so quickly. “While you’re here I have made you new Christmas outfits for all the help you're giving everyone!" Applejack groaned and shook her head. "Rarity, we don't really have time for..." Rainbow Dash herself was raising a hoof to object as well until they were interrupted by Rarity. "Also they're bite proof." After a long pause they both sighed and Rainbow Dash with her head hanging. "Nevermind that. Just bring them out." Rainbow Dash pulled at the hood of her reindeer outfit, grumbling while she glared at Applejack. Applejack herself was perfectly happy in her larger red coat, it was quite warm and pretty. "I think she had a favorite." Applejack chuckled and gave a shrug. "I think it's more the theme, you are the flyer." Rainbow Dash had to not in recognition that that might have been the logic. Though she still thought it was just plain old favoritism. The wreath on Fluttershy’s door seemed normal, she wasn't here, and none of the animals seemed to have any objections to them taking the wreath, a welcome change from most houses. As they turned though they heard someone call out, though thankfully not in protest. "Well hello there." They turned around to see a large antlered reindeer coming around the back of the house, a guest of Fluttershy they guessed. He gave Applejack a nod but quickly made his way over to Rainbow Dash. "Might I say I didn't expect to find another of my kind around... Oh." Rainbow Dash blew a part of her rainbow colored main out of her eyes. "Yeah, it's a holiday costume." The reindeer cleared his throat. "Well then, don't let me keep you! Good work on your bringing of wreathes!" "Collecting." "Collecting of wreathes!" He turned and trotted back around the house, muttering "strange tradition." By the time they reached the Town Square, the cart was nearly overflowing with wreaths. Applejack tugged it along easily, grinning at Rainbow Dash who had insisted that she take a turn pulling and Applejack do the retrieving. Sadly she had decided to do that close to the end, where the cart was far too heavy for her to pull effectively. She (of course) could pull it, but she couldn't pull it as fast as Applejack. “This is ridiculous,” Rainbow Dash grumbled. “We’ve got half the town’s wreaths, and not one of them has tried to eat us yet. Are we sure this curse is even real?” As if in answer, a low growl rumbled from the cart. Applejack sighed. “That didn't happen to be your stomach, did it?" “Uh, nope.” Suddenly, one of the wreaths sprang to life, its green foliage twisting into thorny tendrils. It launched itself from the cart, hissing and snapping, trying to attack the back of the pony that was pulling it. Though it just got a mouth full of coat and both Applejack and Rainbow Dash had to pause for a moment. "Wow. I didn't expect the coat to be that... Effective." Rainbow Dash nodded, her own thoughts equally impressed. "Yeah, I mean Rarity does things pretty, but I guess we don't give her enough credit for doing things well either." Applejack grinned. "Ya got that right. I mean that hat she made me lasted for a few years." Rainbow Dash nodded. "We should probably stop by to thank h..." Her sentence was interrupted by a surprised yelp. It hadn't gotten through the coat, but it was a bit of a pinch at time. "Oh right! Demon wreath!" Rainbow Dash grabbed it and pointed it away from them... Then stood there. "Uh... What now?" Rainbow Dash sighed, holding the wreath still. They had tried tied it up, putting it under something, and all kinds of things. This thing was able to crawl out, chew out, or fight out of everything they did to it. They hadn't had time to start a fire but they would have to figure out how to do that. Applejack blinked in surprise as a friend she hadn't been expecting showed up. "Autumn Blaze, what're you... Autumn Blaze grinned as she was wreathed in dark fire. "Plot device."
