Collab Cage Mini-Monthly December -- Secret Santa Hooves

Chapters

Noteworthy -- Receives From -- Cadance
Mr. Cake -- Gives To -- Trixie
Fleur de Lis -- Receives From -- Pipsqueak
Scootaloo -- Gives To -- Blueblood
Pinkie Pie -- Receives From -- Diamond Tiara
Twilight Sparkle -- Gives To -- Gilda
Rarity -- Receives From -- Granny Smith
Spitfire -- Gives To -- Luna
Vinyl Scratch -- Gives To -- Shining Armor
Luna -- Gives To -- Cheerilee
Iron Will -- Gives To -- Apple Bloom
Derpy Hooves -- Receives From -- Babs Seed

Noteworthy -- Receives From -- Cadance

Noteworthy had settled into his armchair by the fireplace, the stone hearth as cold as ice, nodding off silently. A few tears still glistened on his muzzle. The Hearth’s Warming party--or lack thereof--had been a complete disaster.

Paper dishware and trays of treats had been set out on the festive tablecloth in the den, but none had been touched. A few board games were stacked under said table for later, but it was starting to seem like they would not get any attention tonight.

Meanwhile a pink alicorn giggled silently into the cold night, her breath casting glistening white clouds into the air. Slightly above her head and enveloped in an affectionate blue aura was a delicately wrapped Hearth’s Warming present. As she approached the house, Cadance took a quick peek in the window.

“Awww, looks like I arrived just in time,” she sighed sympathetically.

The princess raised her hoof to the door but paused halfway through the act.

“The poor thing--I can do better!” And leaving the gift on the welcome mat, Cadance turned back and flew off into the night.

Inside, the blue stallion sighed because even a little doze couldn’t protect him from the awful truth of his failure.

“I had it all perfect,” he began to the painfully empty room. “I invited all my friends--granted, I’m not sure if they like me that much...” Noteworthy trailed off, shaking his head gravely. “I mean, my best friend Caramel at least said he’d be here. He said he wouldn’t miss it for the world. But then, he’s rather forgetful. What if his fillyfriend forgot to wake him up this morning and he just wakes up tomorrow thinking it’s today and he comes here and says ‘Where’s the party?’ and I have to tell him he’s a day late?”

Stepping out of his chair so he could pace the rug in front of the hearth, Noteworthy continued.

“Lucky said he may not make it. Something about this being the time Rarity takes her evening stroll...oh well...I didn’t think he’d show anyway. He thinks I’m a whiny loser.” Noteworthy stopped pacing at that exact moment, having come to a sudden realization. “I am a whiny loser!”

The blue pony stopped his path of self destruction for a brief moment and pondered what he had just said.

“I am a whiny loser...” he murmured deliberately. Slowly, he sat down right where he was on the rug and curled up into a ball.

“Nopony’s coming to my party. And why should they? Why should I have even bothered trying to have this party when I’m such a loser? How could I ask them to come give me their time like this? How selfish of me! What a jerk move! They’ve got better things to do than be here with me. I’m worthless.”

Suddenly there came a knock at the door. Noteworthy’s eyes flicked to the sound. With a deep sigh, he walked to the door, each step heavy. Taking a deep breath, he swung the door open and began apologizing profusely, eyes shut tight in fear.

“I’m so sorry I had to waste your time like that! Please don’t hate me! I mean, well, hate me if you want, but please don’t hold a grudge. I’m so sorry about this. So sorry.”

When no other sound came from whoever had knocked on the door, Noteworthy opened his eyes again. On his welcome mat was the most beautiful package he had ever seen. With its glittery green paper and topped with a spectacular scarlet bow, it was picture perfect. And even better, on the tag were five beautiful words: “To Noteworthy, from Somepony Secret”

Tears creeping into his eyes, the blue pony pawed at the beautiful paper until all that remained was a shiny white box. Trembling, Noteworthy lifted the lid and peered at his gift. Inside was a cuddly-looking brown bear. In its paws was a red card with white lettering. The letters read “Somepony out there loves you”. Slowly, Noteworthy lifted the bear out of the box, instinctively holding it to his chest and hugging it harder than he had ever hugged anything--or anypony, for that matter--before. Tears streamed down his tired eyes, conjuring long lost feelings of loneliness he had tried so hard to forget.

Just then there came another knock at the door. Noteworthy jumped, facing the door upon his landing. For a few moments, he stayed still. It barely occurred to him that he was still clutching the bear.

“Could it be?” He asked the empty, lonely air, hardly daring to believe.

“Open the door, Notes! I’m freezing my tail off!” an all too familiar voice shouted from the outside.

“C-Caramel?” the blue pony asked tentatively, squeezing the bear again and giving it an extra, unconscious nuzzle.

“Who’d ya think it was, the pizzamare? Open this door before we all turn into ice cream ponysicles!” Blindly obeying the commanding voice, Noteworthy trotted to the door and once again swung it open.

“Well it’s about time, Notes!” A tanish pony with blue eyes snorted. He took one glance at the scene in front of him and gave his friend a look, making his voice softer so only Noteworthy could hear. “Come on, Notes. You know we’d never abandon you. We’re your friends. Relax. We’ve got your back.”

“I love you,” Noteworthy murmured quietly before dropping his gift and giving his best friend a great big bear hug.

“Yikes, get off me! I have a fillyfriend, you know!”

“Oh, isn’t it sweet that you two are so close?” A light blue pegasus mare giggled lightly at her coltfriend and his best friend’s display. After a moment of thought, she declared , “It’s a good idea, really,” and hugged Caramel from the back. The next guests joined in the group hug, even the ones who hadn’t seen how it had begun. Somehow the spirit of the holidays was just enough that nopony questioned why the first ten minutes of the party was spent in a tangle of warm, enveloping hooves.

“Yo ‘Worthy, what are you doing with a stuffed bear?” somepony unspecified asked loudly.

Before Noteworthy could answer this random question, a deep-voiced red stallion answered for him.

“Ain’t nothin’ wrong with having a stuffed bear,” Macintosh murmured. Nopony questioned the powerful stallion.

“Hey uh...Noteworthy...um...I’m sorry about calling you a whiny loser...that was entirely off base. Friends?” Came another all too familiar voice somewhere behind the blue pony.

“Where’d you come from, Lucky? I thought you were going to walk with Rarity?”

“I could never leave you behind, buddy.”

As Noteworthy rejoiced in this moment of love and happiness with close friends, he sent a thought up for whoever sent the stuffed bear. Wherever you are, Somepony Secret, he said mentally to himself, thank you. Thank you for everything.

Mr. Cake -- Gives To -- Trixie

Written by: ManlyDerp

“… I’m sorry, but who am I giving a present to, Mr. Santa, sir?” I asked the portly red earth pony standing before me.

The bearded stallion answered my question posthaste, but not before letting out a low chortle.

“Hohoho, it’s a secret, Mr. Cake!” he replied with much gusto. “It’s not called secret Santas for nothing, after all!”

I grunted in annoyance. “Well, yes, you’ve already explained that, Mr. Cringle, but I’m rather concerned with who I’ve been given.”

The ancient pony raised an eyebrow. “Oh you are, are you? Why are you getting your knickers in a bunch over an unknown pony?”

“Because she’s--”

“How do you know it’s a she?”

“W-well I’m pretty sure Trixie is a mare, last I chec--”

“How do you know it’s Trixie?”

Giving my guest a hard stare, I reached my head back into my saddlebag and produced a single leaflet. Spitting it out into my outstretched hoof, I regurgitated its contents aloud.

“My likes and dislikes,” I began. “Likes being great and powerful… dislikes wheels,” I finished.

“…”

“… Look, buddy, just give the mare a dang gift card or something and just go on with your life.”

“Go on with my life?!” I roared. “That mare put mine and my sugarplump’s foals in danger not two months ago! If you think I’m going to give that witch anything then you’ve got another thing com--”

“Heywhat’sthat?!”

I followed the clothed hoof to where it was pointing. “What’s what?!”

…
“… You’re already gone, aren’t you?”

Facing forward, I confirmed that the red stallion was indeed now gone. Only his hoofprints remained in the freshly fallen snow.

Sighing, I stowed my list away back into my saddlebags and trotted towards home. This was such a huge waste of time. ‘Be a part of the festivities!’ my sugarbear said. ‘Go out of your way to make somepony happy!’ she said. Bah! If I had known that Trixie was on that list I would have never signed up!

I’m getting frazzled just thinking about it! That horrible mare nearly turned Ponyville into an internment camp last time she was here… yet she wasn’t punished?! That’s just deplorable! I’m going to need to remember to send the government a… a... a strongly worded letter the next chance I get!

… But that would only be a waste of ink. Ms. Twilight already gave the guards her word that Trixie was truly sorry for what she did, so there’s not much that can be done. Can’t argue with the Princess’s royal protégé, after all.

Still… it’s not fair that she got away without punishment. Doesn’t Celestia know how scared we all were when that dome went down? Or how much my poor little colt and filly cried when the sun became covered up by those nasty black clouds?

… Grrr…. Why is she still allowed to trot free without a punishment?! It’s just not fair!

Somepony should really do something about her… Somepony should tell her that she doesn’t deserve to be in the same town as those she’s hurt. Somepony should tell her just how rotten of a mare she truly is.

Somepo--

Click!

… Ow.

My mental rant was cut off by the sound of my hoof hitting a lamppost. Goodness, I got so wrapped up in my own thoughts I forgot to look where I was going. Bet I don’t even know where I am either. Stretching my neck out, I used my height advantage over the common pony to look out over the crowd of Hearth’s Warming Eve shoppers and locate some familiar landmarks. Okay… so over there is the Bon Bon family’s Sweets Shop, to my right is Sofas and Quills… so that means I just have to turn the corner and I’ll be back at Sugarfree Corner!

All I have to do is pass that one store… what do they sell again? I think it was pic--

Suddenly, I had an epiphany.

…

… Somepony should really put that Trixie in her place.

Somepony… like little old, unsuspecting, me.

***^***

“Merry Hearth’s Warming, Mr. and Mrs. Cake! Merry first Hearth’s Warming, Pound and Pumpkin!”

“Pink!” squealed Pumpkin Cake while absentmindedly chewing on the little white puff ball of her Santa hat.

“Eie!” chimed Pound Cake. My little colt was as happy as could be as he beat the floor with his new toy mallet.

The missus and I gave our number one assistant a greeting as well. “Merry Hearth’s Warming, Pinkie!” My swanbaby stepped forward. “Oh Pinkie, here’s a little something for you from my pokypie and I, as a thanks for such a wonderful year.”

Hopping with excitement, the youthful young mare handled the box we offered to her as if it were the most delicate of soufflés… but she treated the wrapping as nothing more than tissue paper as she tore through it. Giving out a large gasp, the pink pony gave the two of us an extra-large smile as she applied the cookie shaped studs to her ears.

“Oh I super dupery duper love them guys! I’m going to show them off to my friends right now!” With a quick hug, the filly was already halfway out the door when she shouted, “See you later!”

Waving our hooves in response, I suddenly found myself alone with my family… the best kind of ‘alone’.

“… The kind of ‘alone’ Trixie will never get to experience,” I mentally mused with a slightly evil sounding chuckle.

“Hm? What’s so funny dear?”

With a quick shake of my head, I cleared my head from my unhealthy thoughts. “O-oh, nothing pumpkin scumpkin… well, I think I’m going to take a quick stroll real quick-like here. Wish the neighbors a Merry Hearth’s Warming and what not, hehe.”

My beloved’s face began to glow. “Oh! What a great idea! Let’s just pack up the twins and we can….”

“U-um….” I sputtered. “I-I don’t think that’s a good idea. It’s awfully cold, after all….

“… Maybe later?” I added with a forced smile. Rotating my flank, I successfully hid my flapping tail from my wife. She knows just as well as I do that that’s my tell.

“Hmmm… okay!” she finally answered.

I mentally exhaled.

“I’ll watch them then. Take care, frostingpie!”

“I will, cherry top.”

***^***

… I really hope I’m not being timed right now. I forgot how far out Trixie’s wagon was from town. By the time I get back, I could have greeted each neighbor twice over!

… But it will be all worth it, even if I’m caught, just to watch that wicked mare weep. It will finally give me peace of mind and maybe even help me sleep better at night. Knocking her down a peg might even benefit Ponyville as a whole, not just me!
I grew giddy just thinking about it.

Slowing down, I made my hoofsteps as quiet as could be as I crept up to the clearing where the witch’s wagon had set up shop. Getting on my knees, I crawled my way up to a snow bank and hid as close to the ground as I could. I peered over the hill and was greeted to a front row seat to ‘the great and powerful’ Trixie’s only window. Inside, the blue unicorn was sleeping soundly.

With the arrival of a crossed eyed mare, however, I knew that this rest was about to end.

Knock knock!

I heard a groan from within the carriage.

“Ugh… who dares to disturb the great and powerful Trix--”

“Mail call!” Derpy Hooves shouted happily.

A few seconds later, the lazy unicorn didn’t even leave her bed as she simply ignited her horn and encased the mailmare’s package in a pink glow. With a tug, the carefully wrapped present was sent floating through the air, the front door, and finally into the mare’s bed. All the while, the unicorn did not get up.

“Merry Hearth’s Warming!” the grey pegasus chirped, unhurt at all by the rude treatment she had just been given. With the flare of her wings, the bubble marked pony took to the skies.

I paid her no mind as I continued to stare into the window.

It took a few more minutes, but Trixie finally got up. Rubbing the sleepiness out of her eyes and quickly combing her mane, the showmare eyed up my ‘secret’ gift to her with interest.

“Hmmm… now what is this…?” she asked herself. “Fans, perhaps? Or…!”

She suddenly gasped.

“Oh no!” she shrieked. “W-what did that pony just say? ‘Merry Hearth’s Warming’?! I-is it Hearth’s Warming already?! I thought that was next week! O-oh no… well, at least these were ‘secret’. Nopony has to know that Trixie gives out lousy, convenience store bought gifts….

“… Speaking of gifts….”

My heart raced as the box began to glow with a pink light. I leaned forward in anticipation.

Slowly the bow came off….

Then the blue paper….

Then finally the white box underneath was opened fully, and out came….

Trixie gasped.

I smiled wickedly.

From the box, out came a blue, star branded, picture frame. The mare only stared at it as I found it hard to keep in my laughter. Hehe, serves that mare right. Best bits I ever spent right there! Must be sad to not have any friends or loved ones in your life…. Soon she’ll be weeping uncontrollably; weeping for the life she can’t have, for the happy memories she can never have!

Let this forever be a reminder that you are a terrible pony, Trixie!

… I’m rather shocked at myself that I would take pleasure in watching something like this… but then again, she did force my family into hard labor, so it’s rather justified.

…At least, I think it’s justified….

… Ah! There we go! Her face is scrunching up, she’s hiccupping, aaannnddd there’s the waterworks!

The waterworks….

… That came with a joyful smile?

… What?

She’s crying, like I wanted her to do… but she’s smiling? Why--

“Mail call!”

“Ah!” I began to scream, only to then quickly slap a hoof over my mouth. I placed the other one over Derpy’s as well, just in case.

“Ah bwought you a pwesent!” the bubbly mare spoke, despite the gag.

Glancing back to make sure Trixie had not heard us, I quickly took the wrapped gift out of the blonde postal worker’s hooves and sputtered a quick, “Merry Hearth’s Warming.”

“You as well!” she shouted right before taking off.

I glared at her before sinking down into my hiding spot. My head was still swimming… why is Trixie crying happily over my gift to her?

Before I could think about it any further, I noticed that the gift Mrs. Hooves had left with me seemed to be melting through the snow. Curious, I quickly opened it and found a pink thermos full of hot coco within. Now, I may not be the brightest spatula in the tool drawer, but even I can figure out who my secret Santa was. Leave it to Pinkie to give you the most unhelpful of presents in the most inopportune of times.

… Or, is it?

***^***

Knock knock!

“Trixie is coming!” shouted the mare on the other side of the door. I put on the biggest forced smile I could as the portal became open and the witch stepped forward.

She eyed me up. “… What do you want, pastry pony?”

My fake smile intensified as I began to sweat.

“O-oh, you know, just going around, spreading holiday cheer. M-merry Hearth’s Warming, by the way!”

The fully garbed pony continued to stare.

I lifted up the thermos.

“Hot cocoa?” I asked.

This seemed to interest Trixie.

“Oh… Trixie would love some.”

“G-great!” I replied. “I-I don’t have a cup for it though… do you have one inside?”

Trixie nodded. “Yes, Trixie has one. Come, enter Trixie’s humble abode.”

I did as commanded as the mare went further inside. It was quite cramped for me, but I managed. As Trixie rummaged through her tiny cupboard in the back, I quickly located the empty picture frame sitting on a nightstand next to Trixie’s bed.

“Say…” I tried to inquire. “What’s this over here?” I asked, already well aware.

Trixie lifted her head up and bonked it on a low hanging shelf. After rubbing the bump with a hoof, she saw where my own was pointing to. Once again, a smile graced the mare’s lips.

“That, pastry pony, was a very thoughtful gift Trixie’s secret Santa gave to her this year.”

“But… it’s empty,” I stated bluntly. “Don’t you have something to put in it?”

Despite the forwardness of my words, Trixie continued to smile.

“No,” she answered plainly. “Trixie has nothing to put in it….”

“So then why--”

“Yet.”

I halted my question and remained silent. Trixie brought the frame to her side with magic and gave it a tender hug.

“It’s as blank as a foal’s flank and it holds just as much potential, Mr. Cake Pony. Someday, Trixie wishes to fill it with good memories, ones that she will carry to her grave… but for now, it’s blank, as it should be, and I, er, I-I mean Trixie can’t be any more grateful. Hope is the best gift of all, wouldn’t you agree?”

I stood there, stunned into silence, as Trixie returned the frame to its spot and returned to searching for her cups.

… I

I….

… I’m just as big of a bully as she was, aren’t I? Wanting to make a filly cry for my own benefit… that’s not what this holiday is all about.

It’s about being there for each other… about the fire of friendship that exists inside our hearts.

… Inside everypony’s hearts

… Even Trixie’s.

“Ah, here we go.”

Levitating a cup towards me, I shook myself out of my haze as I twisted off the thermos’s cap with my lips. I then poured the scalding hot beverage into the glass….

…Only to be taken by surprise by a second floating cup. Smiling myself now, I filled this as well right before setting the thermos down all together. I took my own drink in hoof as Trixie brought hers to her lips.

“Wait!” I interrupted.

Trixie raised an eyebrow….

… But then lowered it as I brought my glass towards hers.

“… Here’s hoping that next year will bring you good memories.”

The showmare smiled warmly as she brought her own drink forward.

“Same to you, Mr. Cake Pony.”

Clank.

Fleur de Lis -- Receives From -- Pipsqueak

Written by: Calligraphy

It was midnight, the clock chiming on its lonesome downstairs.
It echoed in the dining room, taking turns in mahogany chairs.
It echoed in the living room, dancing in pairs.

Alone it echoed, searching ‘round for company.
A quiet murmur, a distant pleasantry.
Upstairs, I hear none of this, I guarantee.

For you see, I am asleep.
On Hearth’s Warming Eve, I make not a peep.
I’ve buried myself in a blanket heap.

For you see, I am asleep.

While below me a shadow darts,
hiding in darkness from the start.
In cleverness, this shadow doth take part.

While I toss and turn far above,
all he cares for is his mission of love.
He darts to the tree, or lack thereof.

A disappointed sigh escapes him,
his mental conscious berates him,
and as he stands pondering, he has a sudden whim.

His eyes flick to the side and back,
and off he goes again, shadow black.
He tiptoes towards the stairs when suddenly: Clack.

He flinches and hides, eyes peering ‘round.
His breathing quickens and his heart starts to pound,
mouth closed tight, not making a sound.

It’s there that he has a sudden realization.
Something had fallen, caused him needless complication.
He sets off again, wary of further confrontation.

He sets hoof to the first of the stairs with a creak,
cringing as it lets out a feeble squeak.
With so much noise, his mission looks bleak.

Up above, snug in my bed,
I let out a sigh with a turn of my head,
hanging on to slumber by a thin thread.

Ascending the stairs, he comes.
Sneaking through shadows, he comes.
Tiptoeing around, he comes.

He enters my room, carefully.
He crosses the floor, quietly.
He stands at my bedside, silently.

A smile crosses his pale white face.
Evil intentions leave not a trace,
especially since they aren’t the case.

He bends down and digs in his tote,
retrieving a package complete with a note.
He drops it onto the the nightstand close.

‘Dear Fleur, Happy Hearth’s Warming!
May happiness these holidays bring.
From Pipsqueak, Hearth’s Warming’s king.’

He tiptoes away, disappeares from sight.
Into the shadows of a cold winter’s night.
Off he flees, his laughter bright.

The next morning, when I awake,
I glance sideways to gulp and choke.
Nearly having a premature stroke.

Wrapped in red paper,
addressed to one ‘Fleur’.
Who, might I add, is me.

I unfold the signed slip,
My lips slope downward into a dip,
As I smile from the happiness, from Pip.

Pip, the stallion.
Pip, the giver.
Pip, the Santa Hooves...

A traditional holiday fling,
I’ve known not of this thing,
‘The Santa Hooves Exchange’

Every year I’ve hidden away,
waiting ‘til the following of Hearth’s Warming Day,
in my shadowed house I lay.

I’ve never cared for this tradition
A frivolous thing of repetition.
A time for needless acquisition.

And yet I have never given,
kept to myself when the snow has driven,
longing for the solitude for which I’ve striven.

And this simple gift,
this present from Pip,
it changed my thoughts...

and I’m not the slightest bit miffed.

Scootaloo -- Gives To -- Blueblood

Written by: JJ GingerHooves

Once again, the peace and quiet in Ponyville had been disturbed by a certain pegasus filly riding her scooter. Scootaloo zipped through Ponyville, weaving between obstacles such as ponies and carts like a born natural. She ignored the protests of annoyed onlookers, grinning as she felt the wind blow onto her face.

She loved the exhilaration it made her feel, her heart pumping faster in order to keep up with the demands put on the filly and, most importantly, the freedom it gave her. If scooting was like this, she couldn’t wait to see what proper flying was like. She grinned, taking her forehooves off the handlebars for just a moment. No hooves! She was such a daredevil.

Then something smacked her in the face.

Her vision darkened and she yelped, putting her forehooves back firmly on the handlebars. She quickly put a hindhoof on the ground, dragging it along in the dirt. It wasn’t an elegant brake but at least she was still in one piece.

Once she had come to a stop, Scootaloo took off whatever was masking her eyes. It was merely a piece of paper. She dismissed it as stray trash but raised an eyebrow as she sure that words were written on it. Her curiosity was truly aroused when she saw that it was addressed to her.

Scootaloo,

As I’m sure you’re aware, Hearth’s Warming is coming up soon! Keep up the good behaviour and you may just get that special something you wanted!

Now, Hearth’s Warming isn’t all about receiving presents, it is also about giving them. Therefore I would like you to give a present to somepony you’ve never met but I’m sure you know about:

Prince Blueblood

As soon as she saw that name, the filly tossed the paper behind her and set off into the distance. “Pretty lame prank if you ask me...” she muttered to herself.

At least it was out of her mane. Now she could continue on to the clubho--

“Aargh!” Scootaloo screamed as something new hit her in the face. She rapidly braked again and checked what it could be this time.

“Again?!” The pegasus shook her head in disbelief. The words on the paper were the exact same as the one from last. So it was the same one really.

Deciding not to take any chances, Scootaloo went over to a nearby dustbin standing by a house. She smiled to herself in satisfaction as she slammed the lid on the bin, the pesky paper now trapped inside. Then she went back to her scooter and propelled herself along the road.

Scootaloo smirked. At least it’ll make for a funny story, she thought.

Then she got swatted in the face again.

“Oh that is it!” she yelled, coming to a halt and throwing the notorious letter to the ground. She stomped on it and tore it up to pieces and stomped on them too until it was nothing but scraps. Then she stomped on them too for good measure.

“Hah...can’t follow me around anymore...” she said with heavy breaths.

“Erm...”

Scootaloo blinked, looking to her left to see a green stallion staring at her with widened eyes. “Um...” she laughed sheepishly, “That was...er...bills.”

The stallion slowly nodded his head, and Scootaloo awkwardly got onto her scooter, making a swift exit. She looked back, sighing with relief when she couldn’t see him anymore. Thereafter, she focused back on the open road in front of her.

She wasn’t even surprised anymore when the paper hit her again. She stopped, frustrated with all the stop-starting she was doing, and gave a deadpan look at the letter.

“You’re not going anytime soon, huh?” she asked it. Of course it didn’t respond so she held it in her mouth and went along her way.

She didn’t think anypony would approve of her setting alight to it in the middle of the street anyway.

“Blueblood?! Are ya serious?”

“Uh-huh. Take a look.” Scootaloo hoofed over the letter to Apple Bloom. The earth filly scanned the letter, then gave Scootaloo a grim look.

“My thoughts exactly.” Scootaloo moaned, “That thing must be cursed.”

Sweetie Belle trotted over and took the letter from Apple Bloom, giving it a quick read. The three were all in their clubhouse, and Scootaloo had just explained to the others what had happened. Of course they laughed, although they probably would have laughed harder if she told them about that stallion...

“Nope!” Sweetie chimed after looking through the letter. “Don’t you know who sent this?”

Scootaloo shrugged. “I just stopped after seeing ‘Prince Blueblood’.”

Sweetie turned the letter, putting it close to Scootaloo’s face while pointing at the signature at the bottom. “Santa Hooves!”

“Lemme see.” Scootaloo snatched the letter and scanned it with her eyes.

Blueblood certainly...likes himself, so perhaps give him something that glorifies his image? The choice is up to you; I know you’ll pick the right present for him. You’re a good filly, Scootaloo. I’ll see you (or rather, I won’t!) on Hearth’s Warming.

Santa Hooves

P.S. I’m aware of the fact that you’ve yet to receive your cutie mark. Perhaps if you slow down, you might see the truth.

P.P.S Remember to leave me cookies.

“Great. So I have to do this!” Scootaloo moaned.

“Got any idea of what to give him?” Apple Bloom asked.

“I don’t know! What do you give a Prince?! I don’t have the kinda money he has!” Scootaloo collapsed on the floor, hiding her face. “And if I don’t do it, I won’t get a Hearth’s Warming present...”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle exchanged worried looks. “I’m sure you’ll think of something!” Sweetie chimed.

Her optimism didn't seem to help. “Something awful probably...” Scootaloo slammed a hoof on the floor in frustration.

“We can help if ya want,” Apple Bloom suggested but Scootaloo just waved a hoof dismissively at her.

“No, this probably one of things I have to do myself.” Scootaloo got up on her hooves, blowing her mane out of her face. She trailed towards the door, head hung low. “I guess I’ll start at the library. There’s bound to be a book on what Princes like.”

“Sorry Scootaloo, Twilight isn’t here. She’s gone to Canterlot to get her Hearth’s Warming shopping out of the way,” Spike said, leaning against the doorframe of the library’s entrance.

“Can I look at some books anyway?” Scootaloo looked into the main room, trying to see where a ‘Prince’ section could be.

“Sure.” Spike let the filly in but gave her a sharp glare before letting her roam free. “Don’t mess anything up.”

“Well obviously.” Scootaloo rolled her eyes and entered the library proper. She glanced at the many bookshelves, speedily giving up looking through them herself. “Is there a section on Princes?”

Spike scratched his head. “Er, not exactly. There’s a section on royalty though, right there.” He pointed at an upper bookshelf to the right of the pair. “Hold on, I’ll grab a ladder.”

The whelp went over to the far left of the bookshelf and pushed a ladder over to the royalty section. It wasn’t terribly big, but every book looked pristine. Spike climbed up the ladder, inspecting the books’ spines. “What are you looking for exactly?”

“Something--anything--about Prince Blueblood.”

Spike scoffed. “That guy? Got a crush on him or something?”

“No! What do you think?!” Scootaloo yelled, flaring her wings.

“I’ll never tell.” Spike snickered, tracing a claw along the books. “Ah! This will probably suit your tastes just fine.” He grabbed a navy blue book and climbed down the stairs.

Scootaloo peered at the cover once Spike handed it over. The book was titled The Extravagant Lifestyle of a Perfect Prince. As if the title wasn’t gag inducing enough, below it was a picture of Blueblood, clearly posing with a smug grin on his face.

Scootaloo stuck her tongue out in disgust. “Yeah, this will be perfect.” She looked up at a smirking Spike. “It’s not for me!”

“Who then? I don’t know anyone who is a fan of the guy.”

“Well er...” Scootaloo rubbed the back of her neck. “It’s for him.”

Spike gave her a look that just screamed ‘really?’ “Well, you can only borrow it.”

Scootaloo blinked. “Uh, I--he kinda needs it.”

“Yeah and I need something that’ll sort out the claw cramp I get. We don’t always get what we want, you know.” Spike folded his arms, frowning.

“But I have to give it to him!” Scootaloo protested. “Or I won’t get any Hearth’s Warming presents from Santa Hooves!” Scootaloo shouted, falling back on her haunches

Spike jerked his head back in disbelief. “Who says?”

“He did!”

“Sure he did,” Spike muttered sarcastically.

Scootaloo began to grovel at Spike’s legs, looking up at him pleadingly. “You have to believe me!”

Spike wasn’t deterred. “Sorry, but this is too far-fetched. You can borrow it, but not keep it. It’s a valuable book that deserves to be available for every--wait a minute.” Spike’s eyes trailed upwards and he moved a claw to his head, retrieving a familiar object from ontop.

“What the heck is--ah.”

“What is wha--oh yeah. That,” Scootaloo said, getting up and pointing at the letter from Santa Hooves.

“I guess that’s proof then.” He stopped, unable to say anything else.

“Sooo...can you help me wrap it?” Scootaloo requested with a sweet smile.

“What do I look like? A gift-wrapper?! Do it yourself!” Spike protested, giving the letter back to its rightful owner.

“Fine,” Scootaloo said bluntly. “I’m thankful for the book though.”

“I’m sure you are.”

“I am, trust me,” Scootaloo said sincerely, then gazed at the door. “Well I gotta go wrap this up. See ya!” In a flash, she was out of the library before Spike could even say goodbye.

Apple Bloom narrowed her eyes, concentrating hard on the task at hoof. She had to do this quickly but precisely. Carefully putting her hooves towards what she needed to do, she counted to three out loud:

“Three, two, one...”

“Ow!” Sweetie Belle squeaked as Apple Bloom ripped the tape off her cheek. She rubbed the sore patch of skin, eyes watering from the pain.

“I don’t know how you got tape on your face, Sweetie Belle. We’re only wrapping up a book,” Scootaloo commented, biting off more tape from the roller.

“I don’t know either!” Sweetie responded, leaving Apple Bloom and Scootaloo to wrap the present up themselves. Scootaloo had managed to acquire some golden wrapping paper from Rarity on her way to the clubhouse and was literally wrapping things up.

“Aaaaaaand...done!” Scootaloo proclaimed, the book now neatly wrapped up. Thanks to Apple Bloom’s help, the package looked quite neat. Scootaloo bit her lip, staring at the gift. “I really hope he likes it.”

“He won’t like it. He’ll love it. It’s about him after all,” Apple Bloom assured.

“I guess. Now I just gotta deliver the thing and I’m home free.”

“Er guys...I think the letter has other ideas,” Sweetie Belle cried, pointing at the letter which was seemingly crawling across the floor. All the fillies stared at it in horror. It looked downright unnatural to see a piece of paper moving like that.

“I’m not touching that. Nope,” Apple Bloom firmly stated. They all sat there, watching as the letter went over to the present.

“Wait! Don’t touch that!” Scootaloo exclaimed, extending a hoof towards the moving paper.

Before anypony could do anything though, they all watched in complete shock as the letter grew and enveloped the present. It was then surrounded by a red magical aura and, soon after, exploded. The fillies covered their faces, despite the fact that they weren’t in danger at all. The explosion was only a small one. Still, it was enough to make both the letter and present disappear.

A silence fell on the clubhouse. All the fillies were completely stunned.

“Well,” Scootaloo managed to say, “I think that saves me on posting charges.”

Pinkie Pie -- Receives From -- Diamond Tiara

Written by: Masterweaver

Stealth.

She’d heard about it. To shift into the shadows, to slow the breath till it was one with the breeze, to step so daintily that not a mote of dust was disturbed. Legend held that a big fat reindeer in bright red clothes managed to prance all across Equestria around this time of year without leaving a hoofprint in the snow. So, obviously, it was incredibly easy to be stealthy, right? Maybe a bit easier if you were a unicorn, but magic was totally cheating.

Her eyes shifted left and right behind the latex mask as she approached her target. It was the dead of night, in theory. The moon was out and, while some of the lights in houses were on, most of Ponyville was subjected to shadow and dark. Any other night, she’d be at home, snoozing away in thick warm sheets, and part of her wondered why she was compelled this night, of all nights. Actually, all of her wondered that. This entire venture was ludicrous, the skin-tight suit did NOTHING to protect against the cold, and it wasn’t like she was ever going to get any form of payoff.

So why couldn’t she get to sleep until this was done?

No time to consider. Her target came into view. Gripping her package, she rolled across the street, leaving no hoofprints, just a small trench that could have come from a wheel. In the middle of the night. That made sense.

Front door: locked. Side door: locked. Back door: locked. Other side door: locked. Basement door.... locked. She snorted in frustration as she completed her circuit of the building. For all the number of doors this place had, it was tighter than a bank vault when it came to security. Her gaze traveled up to the windows of the building, and she nodded as a plan formed in her head.

It was a bit of a hassle, climbing the wooden support frame while ensuring her package remained on her back, but she eventually got to one of the glass panes. She worked the hinges carefully, swinging them this way and that; eventually she managed to pry the aperture open with a squeal of protest.

Unfortunately, that squeal was soon followed by a pair of wailing cries, awoken from their slumber.

The filly winced. She should have remembered the twins! Her thoughts went wild as she scrambled higher up the outer wall, crouching on the roof in desperate hope of remaining unseen.

Below her, the light went on as a familiar voice went to comfort the screaming foals. “Pound? Pumpkin... oh, did that window open? Here, let Auntie Pinkie shut it.” A protesting squeal and the click of a latch signaled the closure of her first planned route. She almost said a bad word... before snapping her eyes wide.

If Pinkie Pie was down there... then she wasn’t in her room! And her room had a balcony door!

The filly took a moment to ensure the baker was busy putting the twins to sleep before moving swiftly across the roof. Well, kind of swiftly, if you called causing a sudden snowfall from the roof and scrambling for purchase fast. At the very least, it provided another distraction for the party pony while the stealthy filly clung to the cupcake tower. Hoofholds were hidden in its wall, a remnant of settlement days where Sugarcube corner had served as a lighthouse to pegasi delivering supplies. She clambered up the secret ladder, clutching her package with her tail.

The balcony door, thankfully, didn’t have a lock. She pushed it open, taking slow exaggerated steps inside before carefully pushing it back closed. In the dark, the various party equipment seemed strange and eldritch in form; the filly knew it was only a matter of time before Pinkie returned to her bedroom. Rushing quickly down the balcony stairs, the filly began to search for the entrance to the store proper.

“Where is it... where is it?” Her hooves padded desperately in the dark, rapping the boards as she tried to find the elusive hidden hatch. “It’s got to be here somewhere--EEEEP!”

She let out a small shriek as she felt something latch onto her hock, jumping and trying to shake it off. Her neck snapped round and she beheld a pair of eldritch heliotrope eyes staring into her soul. The filly flailed blindly in the dark, desperately trying to get away from whatever creature had decided to grab her. Oh princesses, was it Krampus?! It had to be Krampus--!

Without any warning she fell head over hooves down the steps into Sugarcube Corner.

She stood and shook her head, cursing under breath as she realized how much noise she had just made. Her gaze wandered up the stairs; silhouetted in the moonlight was Pinkie’s freaky lizard with its weird heliotrope eyes.

“Oh.” The filly snorted. “Krampus. Yeah, right. Keep it together.”

Her ears flicked at the sound of hooves coming down the hall. Her eyes roved round desperately searching for someplace to hide.

Mere seconds later, Pinkie trotted to the staircase with a sleepy smile. “I guess Old Holly Hooves musta woke up the twins when he couldn’t decide which chimney to take. Well, the stockings are filled now, anyway.” She climbed up to her bedroom, oblivious to the small filly pressed in an arc over her doorway.

It was with quick and precise reflexes that the stealthy gift giver dropped down and ran into the hallway. The stairs to the lower floor, she was almost home free!

“What was that noise?”

No. No no no, not when she was so close!

With one final desperate jump, she cleared... half of the stairs. Her tumble down the rest was much louder than she intended; it took her a moment to recover.

“Who’s there?” Pinkie was approaching, curiosity in her voice. “Santa? Is that you?”

She could see the tree, but there was no way she could get there before the baker caught sight of her. Unless....

The filly flung the gift through the air, leaping behind the counter and rolling to the other side. Her blue eyes slid right ever so slightly, a grin forming under her mask as she saw the package land under the tree. Mere seconds later, Pinkie Pie appeared, examining the room with a cautious gaze.

“...that’s a new present.”

The filly snapped against the counter. Her ears twitched as she tracked the clip clop of Pinkie’s hooves; she crawled around, making sure the confectionery display was between her and the baker at all times. Thankfully, Pinkie seemed to be absorbed in examining the gift.

“Hmmm. ‘To Pinkie Pie...’”

The kitchen was right in front of her. She made her way quietly but quickly into it.

“‘...From somepony who thinks...’”

Various eldritch devices, presumably for baking, hung in the shadows cast by the Hearth’s Warming tree. Stealthily she creeped toward the door to the outside world...

“‘...you take time to make her feel special.’”

Her blue eyes locked onto the latch. Her hoof reached out.

“Awwww, that’s so sweet! Thanks, Diamond Tiara!”

The filly froze.

Pinkie turned around, walking into the kitchen with a grin. “I mean, I don’t know what it is, but I’m sure you put a lot of thought into it and....” Her words petered off when she realized the other pony was quivering, ever so slightly, in mortal terror.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then the filly sighed, pulling her mask back. “...how’d you know it was me?”

“Because you do this every year,” Pinkie replied simply.

“But... but you’ve never caught me before!”

“Well no, but when you find a gift from a mysterious benefactor every year you get kinda curious, and when you get curious, you investigate, and when you investigate you find details! I didn’t figure it out until last year though, because before that I’d just walk around with the present and say, 'Thank You!' really really loud and hope somepony would say, 'You’re Welcome!' before they realized what they were saying, but after that whole fiasco with the MMMM I figured I should look for evidence, so last year I made sure to examine the wrapping and it was REALLY expensive, so I looked around to find rich ponies that were tired from staying out all night and the only one that fit the bill was you!”

Diamond Tiara stared at Pinkie Pie.

“...You make a lot more sense when you’re sleep deprived. It’s scary.”

“Would it help if I said a lot of random words that all began with Q?”

The filly shook her head. “I... I don’t understand. Why didn’t you tell anypony? I mean you’re not going to tell anypony right?”

“Well why would I tell anypony?” Pinkie leaned in. “The question is, why didn’t you want anypony to know?”

“Daddy would say it’s a waste of money. He just gives me a new toy every year.” Diamond Tiara huffed. “I want... other things. Books, pencils, socks, whatever. I’m not a little filly anymore... but he doesn’t know that.”

“Really?”

“No... he’s too busy making me happy to... well, to understand me.” The filly rolled her eyes. “Tragic, right?”

They stood there in the light of the tree for a few seconds.

“...actually, yes.” Pinkie wrapped a hoof around her. “Yes, it is. But he loves you, doesn’t he?”

“Maybe.” Diamond shrugged. “Or maybe he just loves playing with me. I don’t know, at least you always give me exactly what I want when I come in.” She blinked, rubbing her blue eyes with a hoof. “Look, just don’t tell anypony about this. I can’t look weak. Please?”

“...Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

“...thanks.” The filly unlocked the door. “And one more thing, I know you’re friends with those blank flank’s sisters, so... could you, I don’t know, make sure they keep away from me tomorrow?”

The baker rolled her eyes. “That I can’t promise. Night and... and may the fires of Friendship keep your hearth warm.”

Diamond Tiara paused.

Then she walked out the door.

Behind her, Pinkie Pie shook her head with a small smile. “So close... and yet so far.”

Twilight Sparkle -- Gives To -- Gilda

Written by: DarkPhoenix

It was a wonderful snowy evening outside the Golden Oaks Library. The fat, white flakes falling gently down to coat the world in a sheet of white and the moonlight filtering through the clouds gave the whole thing a wondrous beauty. Princess Luna and the pegasi must have cooperated to get everything this perfect.

Yet all of this was lost on the current occupant of the library. Twilight Sparkle was pacing back and forth across the floor, her mane askew and her mind running in a million different directions at once.

“Oh, what am I going to do?” she said aloud. She gave another glance at the gift wrapped box sitting on the table. It taunted her, reminding her of what she needed to do. Normally, procrastination wasn’t her thing, but this time she had been unsure of herself and unable to convince herself to take action.

When Princess Celestia had suggested a Secret Santa gift exchange, Twilight was all for it. She had assumed it would simply be the Princesses, her friends, and maybe a few others. Everypony was to write their name on a piece of parchment and mail it to Canterlot Castle. There, Princess Celestia would shuffle the entries and mail them back to new people. She would only ensure that no one received their own name back. Other than that, not even she knew who was assigned whom.

Yet it seemed that more than just a few people had entered, because the name that Twilight got back was one which was completely unexpected. Even now, the seemingly innocuous piece of parchment was tied into the ribbon around the gift, the name screaming out at her in its sloppy writing.

“Gilda. Why, out of everypony who entered did I have to get Gilda?” Twilight was thankful that Spike was not in the library at the moment. The little dragon couldn’t know who she had, though he would probably at least be some help in calming her down.

She continued to pace back and forth. Tonight was Hearth’s Warming Eve, so her gift needed to be secretly delivered to Gilda now. Yet she had no idea how to proceed. She knew where Gilda lived, of course. She had found that out soon after she had been assigned the griffon. Getting to Cloudsdale wasn’t the issue either. The issue was whether she had picked out the perfect gift.

She had thought long and hard on what to get the griffon. Twilight had only met Gilda very briefly, but that one meeting did not make a very good impression. Gilda had terrorized Fluttershy, been rude to Pinkie Pie, and almost ruined a Pinkie party before storming out. According to Rainbow Dash, she had apologized via letter though.

The one thing that came through in that brief episode was that Gilda did have a love of pranks. Twilight had raided the local joke shop, putting together a box of everything she could find. The gift was simple enough, but she worried that it was too simple, or would appear too thoughtless to the griffon.

The clock on the wall chimed, drawing her attention to it. It was eight o’clock. If she wanted to get the gift delivered and get back in time to celebrate Hearth’s Warming Eve with her friends, she would have to leave now. With a sigh, she resigned herself to her fate and got ready to leave. Her balloon was already waiting for her out back. She had told her friends that she wanted to go on a moonlight balloon ride before the party to enjoy the evening. She hoped they bought the excuse.

Wrapping a scarf around her neck, she used her magic to quickly put on a hat and a warm coat. Opening the door, she was met with the frigid air outside. Without even thinking about it, she cast a quick warming spell on herself, taking the bite out of the air.

Twilight walked around the library to the balloon and climbed in the basket, levitating the gift beside her. She set the gift on the floor and untied the balloon from its moorings. It floated up and away from the library and Ponyville. She worked the burner to find an air current which heading in the direction of the cloud city.

Finding such a current, she settled in for the thirty minute journey, her thoughts nagging at her the entire time. As much as she wanted to let it go, her mind wouldn’t let that happen. It conjured up scenario after scenario, everything from Gilda hating the gift, to Gilda hating the gift and tracking down the giver. She shuddered at the thought of the griffon on her doorstep, box in hand to let her know exactly what she thought of the gift.

So wrapped up her thoughts and fantasies was she, that she almost flew right past Cloudsdale. Fortunately, the basket bumped into an outlying cloud, jarring her out of her thoughts. She settled the balloon onto a landing pad provided for just such a thing. She tied it to the moorings and was about to step out when she stopped herself.

She had nearly forgotten the cloud walking spell. Quickly casting it upon herself, she exited the basket and onto the pad. Her mind managed to focus long enough to recall the directions to Gilda’s house.

Setting off down the road, the gift once again levitating beside her, she tried her best to stay unseen. However, most ponies seemed to be either at home or at parties with friends, as the streets were empty.

She turned down Cirrus Avenue and spotted her target. It was a simple one story house, nothing fancy. A light was shining through a window, meaning someone was home. Cautiously, she crept up to the house, darting from shadow to shadow. She couldn’t risk teleporting as the flash of light and sound could give her away.

Making it to the window which had the light, she peeked up and inside. She saw a griffon, its back turned to the window. It--she couldn’t tell who it was or their gender--was sitting in a chair at a table inside what was the kitchen. A single front claw raised up to its head and then back down again.

Glancing around the house, Twilight didn’t see any sign of Hearth’s Warming decorations. No tree, no lights, nothing. She lowered her head and moved around the other side of the house. She found another window and glanced inside. This time it was a living room. Still she couldn’t see any decorations.

Testing the window, she found it unlocked. Carefully she opened the window, thankful that clouds never squeaked. She climbed in, gift in tow. Leaving the window open, she tried to figure out where to set the gift. The low table in the middle of the room seemed like a good enough place.

She levitated the gift over to the table and set it down gently. She turned around to leave when a sudden gust of wind blew the window shut, causing the glass set in it to rattle loudly. “What was that?” came a female voice from the direction of the kitchen and the light.

Twilight panicked. She could hear someone moving around. The griffon was about to come investigate, and her only exit was cut off. Looking around she picked the first thing which came to mind and dove behind the sofa.

She could see under the sofa and saw talons come into the room. “Is anyone there?” asked the voice which she now recognized as Gilda’s. The talons moved across the room over to the wall. One lifted up and she heard the window rattle. “Hmm. Must’ve been the wind.”

The talons turned around and a gasp reached her ears. “What?” She could see Gilda approach the table. “Where did this come from?” She heard the gift being picked up in a pair of talons. “It only has my name on it. Weird...”

Tearing paper filled the room and pieces of it fluttered into Twilight’s view. “It’s a box,” Gilda said. “Let’s see what’s inside.” More tearing and with a thunk the box landed on the table.

“Gags and pranking supplies? But who would...” She trailed off and was silent for a moment. “Wait, this has gotta be from that Secret Santa thing. But who would know what to get me?”

Twilight could only hope to herself that Gilda would leave soon. It was getting uncomfortable behind the sofa. And she really wanted to leave before Gilda found her.

“Well, whoever got this really knows me,” Gilda said with a chuckle. “Now if only I had someone to pull these pranks with.” Her voice had a tinge of sadness to it. “Oh well, better put these someplace else.” The talons moved off back towards the kitchen.

Twilight waited a moment to be sure the griffon was gone before extricating herself from the furniture. Quickly she opened the window again and moved out. This time she closed the portal behind her.

She moved back around the house and into the street, trotting to put some distance between herself and the house. As soon as she turned a corner, she teleported back to her balloon. She climbed in the basket and started the journey back to Ponyville.

Surprisingly, her thoughts were simultaneously at rest and working again. Her fears about Gilda not liking the gift were unfounded, but something new had taken its place. Gilda had seemed sad and alone. The fact that she was one of the few griffons living in Equestria meant she didn’t have many of her own kind to celebrate with. Considering the way that Gilda had acted when she visited Ponyville that one time, she may not have very many pony friends either.

As the balloon drifted towards her home, Twilight resolved herself to get Rainbow Dash to write a letter to Gilda tonight, inviting her back to Ponyville. If Rainbow was serious about the apology letter and if Gilda was willing, than Twilight was willing to try and be friends with the griffon. After all, nopony deserved to be alone for the holidays.

Her heart lifted by the gift and strengthened by the forthcoming offer of friendship, Twilight maneuvered the balloon towards home and the friends that waited for her there. If all went well, then they would have a new friend to celebrate the New Year with, and Rainbow would be able to reconnect with one of her old friends. And perhaps Princess Celestia was right--everypony deserved a second chance. Smiling to herself for the first time that evening, she made a second resolution: to write a letter to the Princess about what she learned tonight. But that could wait until tomorrow. For now, she had a party to get to and friends to see, and hopefully a new friend would show up.

Rarity -- Receives From -- Granny Smith

Written by: TypewriterError

“Sweetie Belle!” Rarity called upward, placing one of her forehooves on the plank leading up to the CMC clubhouse. “Darling, are you coming? Mummy and Daddy are going to arrive in an hour and you’ve yet to clean your room.”

“Coming!” Sweetie Belle’s voice rang out melodically while Rarity stepped back to watch her sister leave the clubhouse. Her mind was on the package back home. She was itching to open it but had already been running late when it arrived. It wasn’t too soon to open gifts for Hearth's Warming Eve was it? She huffed little clouds and almost called for her sister again when Sweetie Belle finally appeared, her thick scarf flailing helplessly as she bounded down the ramp and tackled her sister in a hug.

“Ouf! Sweetie Belle!” Rarity said and gave her a stern look. She soon smiled and hugged her dear sister tightly. “Come, let’s get back before we freeze,” she said, standing up and shaking the ice and snow off her coat and scarf. Then, with her sister by her side, she trotted back home through swirling snowflakes.

“Rarity, what’s this?” Sweetie Belle asked, hopping up and down to better see the package lying on the kitchen table.

“It arrived for me today. I’ll set it by the hearth with the other presents for everypony. Now, off you go. Your room needs to be clean before Mummy and Daddy get here.”

Sweetie Belle pouted but obediently slumped off to her room upstairs. Rarity turned back to look at the package.

It had been left on her back porch just inside the storm door, wrapped in rubberized cloth to protect it from the damp. Under the cloth had been an old pink dress box tied with a deep red satin ribbon. Those colors didn’t really belong together. It wouldn’t hurt if she switched the ribbon...

A blue aura pulled on the end of the ribbon and untied the bow knot. She could definitely still use this ribbon later. It was almost like another gift really. And if she had already started receiving gifts she could use...

The top of the box flipped off and Rarity’s mouth dropped as she stared at what was inside. A cloud of midnight blue lace cushioned a sealed envelope. Rarity quickly opened the envelope and peeked at the large printed words of the note.

Dear Rarity,

When I was your age I wore this dress only once before packing it away. I always meant to wear it again but never found an occasion. Now it just won’t suit me anymore. I always believed that the best gift to give to a mare is a dress she can feel pretty in. While it might take some altering, this dress is yours to do with as you please. I’d rather have it put to use than sit up in the attic with nopony wearing it. Enjoy your Hearth's Warming days!

No signature of course. With some trepidation Rarity began to lift the dress from the box.

“We’re heeeeere!” a voice trilled from the front door, and Rarity hastily closed the box as her mother trotted into the kitchen with her father booming behind.

“Hey, my little filly!” he said before choking Rarity with a hug. That was the last coherent memory Rarity had for the rest of the evening. She had no time to ask her parents how they had arrived 45 minutes early. She had no time to really say anything while her parents jabbered on with Sweetie Belle. For the entirety of the evening her mind was present with the folds of lace she had glimpsed in the box.

How much would she have to alter it? Would it even fit her? Who had owned it? Mayor Mare? But wouldn’t her daughter receive it? Of course it was rather extravagant... Mrs. Cake? Wouldn’t she save it for Pumpkin? Nurse Redheart? No, she could still find a way to use it. Her mother? No, her mother would never be quite so subtle. Miss Cheerilee? No, she had worn it once and that dress definitely did not suit her. Princess Luna? Princess Celestia? One of Fancy Pants' friends? Screw Loose?....why would Screw Loose even own a dress? Rarity was driving herself crazy.

“Well, Mother,” she said before an exaggerated yawn, “I am so very tired and I would love to stay up and talk more, but I simply must go to bed...”

“Rarity, it’s 7:45...”

“Well, lot of orders...” she said with a nervous laugh and ran upstairs after quickly making sure the box was transported.

Rarity leaned against her doors and levitated the box onto her bed. The only light came from the full moon outside her fancy windows. She already knew what the color looked like. She just needed to see if it fit. She ceremoniously opened the lid of the box again and carefully lifted the dress out, sliding into it and fastening the buttons magically down her back.

It was definitely a dated dress. It would need to be taken in a little around her barrel. The sleeves would have to go.The neck was high but that could be redeemable. It wasn’t high for modesty but for fashion. The length was a little long but that was easily fixed. This dress was practically an antique. Who could give it up? Even though it was dated...she could not deny it was beautiful. Of course it could just be the moonlight. But, it was definitely one of the most perfect dresses she had ever received even though it would need some alteration.

The letter had said the previous owner had only worn it once. How could she possibly find out? The gift exchange was always a secret. She slid the dress off reluctantly and robed a equequin with it. She would make sure it was worn as often as was sensible.

Her sharp nose picked something up. Was mother baking? No, the smell didn’t come from the door. Besides, when was the last time she had baked? She sniffed again, to find the distinct scent of cinnamon. She turned towards the box and sniffed inside. Yes, the smell came from here, probably so the dress wouldn’t stink after being in storage. Also, a hint of mint to keep mice away...and something else.

Rarity moved her muzzle to a corner of the box and after taking a sniff she slowly smiled: Apples. The box smelled like apple pie baking. She would have to find a way to repay Granny Smith.

Spitfire -- Gives To -- Luna

Written by: Lapison

Canterlot Castle, front gate.
0755 hours.

“Ugh, I hate dresses.”

Spitfire stood among the throng of nobility waiting to see Celestia. The day court was opening in five minutes, and this would be her best chance to get into the castle without arousing suspicion or being detected by her target. She shifted uncomfortably, not used to the feeling of cloth restricting her movement, even if it only offered the slightest hindrance.

There had been a bit of time before this operation, and Spitfire had taken the time to consider her options, given herself objectives: get the package to the target, Princess Luna, discreetly and undetected.

She could always sneak in, using the cover of night to slip in without the guards seeing her. Unfortunately, the viability of the night approach was already shaky, because of the simple fact that her target was a night owl by nature and loved to watch the stars. It was imperative that her target didn’t know that she was coming, and trying to slip in while the target was awake was a risk that Spitfire wasn’t willing to take.

So much for the night approach.

The operation was also complicated by the fact that Spitfire needed to plant a package for the target to find. Her anonymous inside source had told her that the target regularly circulated the upper chambers of the castle. Usually, an objective in a high place was easy for a pegasi like her. Windows, vents, even skylights were feasible points of entry. A quick flight in, leave the package, bug out.

But again, her mark’s unusual habits deterred her. Any attempt to fly in would probably be spotted by the mark, because of her stargazing. A mark that looked up all the time was impossible to evade by flight. The only tried-and-true method for aerial stealth was using clouds to cover the advance, which was always iffy at best, and usually disastrous. The worst part? The forecast for the next few days was clear skies for miles around Canterlot.

So much for the flight approach.

Spitfire had also considered a rather unorthodox approach, where she’d dress up as Santa Hooves and deliver the package during Hearth’s Warming Eve. This would have nullified all the disadvantages of the flight approach; knowing ponies, many would actually leap at the opportunity to show Santa Hooves to their foals. The approach also appealed to her for another reason: the details she had received on the target showed that she (or he?) had a childish side and would appreciate a touch like that.

But she also discounted this for three reasons. First, she didn’t want to give anypony the idea that Santa Hooves was a pegasus, let alone a mare. Sharp-eyed ponies might see her wings, and she also knew that it was possible to identify a pony’s gender by their silhouette. It would prove quite disabusing to a foal if they deduced that Santa Hooves was a mare.

Secondly, she was unsure how the guards would react to the alleged Santa Hooves. She didn’t want to be responsible for a full lockdown of Canterlot on the off-chance that some paranoid veteran got a little alarm-happy.

And finally, it was incredibly easy to track which ponies got a Santa Hooves costume. Spitfire didn’t want any trace back to her. That was the whole point of the operation; if the target somehow got wind of the fact that Spitfire given the gift, the mission was a failure.

So much for the magical approach.

Finally, Spitfire had resorted to this approach. It wasn’t the best; she could still think of a hundred and one ways that this could go wrong. She could get frisked. Or she could drop the small package that was nestled between her wing and her dress. She could get shunted along by the nobility, caught in the flow of opulence that went to see their beloved leader.

But there were a few perks. One was the fact that she was just another noble. There was nothing to identify her with; even her cutie mark, usually so distinctive, was just one more among the throng of others that the multitude bore. The ease of blending in was a massive boon to her objective of not being caught. Another one was the easy entry point. Most ponies don’t expect a pony with something to hide to brazenly walk in the front door, but that was just what Spitfire was doing.

And her most important one: they wouldn’t even see her coming. Even though she looked like just another noble, she was a Wonderbolt. And one of the crucial things she’d picked up in her career as a daredevil: Defy all expectations.

Canterlot Castle, Grand Hall.
0900 hours.

Spitfire couldn’t hold back a yawn as she scanned the wide space in front of her. Even though the operation was a delicate matter, it was hard not to relax when nothing of interest was happening. Sure, she was in line for the day court. Sure, she was inching toward her goal: the side door that was the route to the gardens.

That didn’t mean it was any less boring.

Spitfire’s thoughts were interrupted by a commotion up near the head of the line.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but you can’t bring that in here.”

“Why? It’s nothing harmful, it’s just a gift!”

“Be that as it may, it has to stay outside the court. If it’s for the Princess, you can mail it to her.”

“But I can’t do that! This is a very special package, and the Princess has to receive it in person…”

Spitfire suppressed a chuckle as she realized what the mare was trying to do. Guess I’m not the only one Mr. Anonymous contacted. She couldn’t really help out the poor mare directly; she couldn’t afford to blow her cover. But as another pony in this grand scheme that somepony had put together, she was a teammate. Another lesson she had learned as a Wonderbolt: help your team.

Besides, the “help” Spitfire was considering might be the excuse she needed to liven up the place a bit.

She sidled toward the mare’s room, passing by the distraught mare on the way.

“Get ready to run. Slip past the guards. You’ll know when,” Spitfire breathed.

The other mare jumped, startled by the quiet voice. “Wh-who are you?”

Spitfire grinned. “Me? Oh, just another mare on a mission.”

Trotting into the mare’s room, Spitfire ducked down, pretending to fix her dress. In reality, she was grabbing the magical noisemaker that she had a friend of hers make as a Plan B. She hadn’t been planning to use it at all, if her approach went off without a hitch. Looks like it’ll see some action after all.

Detaching the noisemaker from the primer and dropping it into the waste bin, Spitfire walked out, counting under her breath. Thirty...twenty-nine...twenty-eight…

The other mare had returned to her argument with the guard. All the while, she kept glancing nervously at Spitfire, who had gone back to her original place in line. Spitfire lowered one eyelid slowly in a wink.

Fifteen...fourteen...thirteen.

The guard, annoyed at the persistent mare, said brusquely, “Ma’am, you’re holding up the line. I’m going to have to escort you out if you don’t back down within ten seconds. Ten. Nine.”

Five...four...three.

“This is your final warning. Five. Four. Thr–”

BOOM!

The magical noisemaker, smoldering in the paper towels, exploded into action, crackling and sparking. A harsh blue light began emanating from the mare’s room. The guard whipped his head around and cursed. “Ma’am, stay right here. I’ll be right back.” However, the calm in his voice was completely eclipsed by the frantic yelling of everypony else.

“What the hell?!”

“Fire! Fire!”

“I don’t wanna die!”

“Aaahh! Bomb!”

“Let’s get outta here!”

Spitfire couldn’t stop a giggle from escaping. She had expected the noisemaker to have an effect. She hadn’t expected the proper and uptight nobility to heighten that factor by ten. The chaotic scene with everypony running every which way certainly didn’t help her stifle her mirth.

Out of the corner of her eye, Spitfire saw the mare slip into the court chamber. Good luck, friend, she wished silently. And may the wind be at your back.

Speaking of which, she still had her own mission to complete.

Spitfire fought against the rush of ponies scrambling to get out. She had to get to the gardens; they were out of the line of sight for anyone looking from the upper chambers, making them the best area for a takeoff. Just because Spitfire couldn’t fly in didn’t mean that she was grounded for the entire operation; if she could find blind spots, she could use them to hide what she was doing, whether it was flying or hiding or something else.

Butting her way into the gardens, Spitfire frowned as she looked up. It was impossible to see her from the vantage point up above. However, to fly in, she was going to have to be in plain sight of anypony looking out. She scanned the windows, searching for a way in. One window in particular caught her eye; it seemed less transparent, like the inhabitant didn’t want any light inside, and the dark blue curtains were drawn.

Spitfire smiled. Well, there’s the most likely place for the target…But how to get up there? She didn’t want to attract attention, and she couldn’t see any way of getting up there and opening the window without getting spotted. She racked her brain for any way to complete the mission. Come on! You’re the leader of the Wonderbolts, you’ve been assigned with a task, you’ve come this far, you can’t give up now!

It was in this desperate state of mind that Spitfire decided to relax her constraints a little. She’d hoped for no collateral damage, but it seemed it would have to be inevitable. She grabbed the small package that she was carrying.

I hope that the Princess won’t send me to the moon for this…

Spitfire hefted the dense little package. With a small grunt, she threw it as hard as she could, immediately turning and fleeing back into the safety of the agitated Great Hall.

She couldn’t see the result of her throw, or if it was any good. But she did hear a small crash, followed by the tinkle of glass.

Luna’s Chambers.
1024 hours.

Luna was rudely awoken by the unmistakable sound of breaking glass, followed by some rays of shining light. Frantic screams echoed from the Great Hall down below.

Her immediate reaction was one that any Royal Guard would have been proud of. She rolled off the opposite side of her bed, her horn flaring to protect herself and hopefully anypony within the area from the explosion that was guaranteed to follow. Her ears turned down in anticipation.

When the expected ball of fire didn’t come, she cautiously peeked around the bed. All she saw was a package, roughly spherical in shape and wrapped in nondescript brown paper, surrounded by shards of glass. Luna creeped towards it.

It showed no signs of exploding, but a mare couldn’t be too careful. Luna fired a bolt of magic intended to probe it for any dangerous materials. After a second, nothing seemed to be happening, other than it glowing faintly, a sign that magic was involved.

In other words, it was perfectly safe to open. Now that her initial caution proved to be unfounded, Luna’s thoughts turned to a different question: Why toss this through a window?

Well, only one way to find out. Luna unwrapped the small sphere.

At first glance, it didn’t appear to be anything at all--just a simple glass orb, transparent, with no secrets at all. Luna knew otherwise; the presence of magic around the orb meant that it was meant to do something.

That something became apparent as she continued to inspect it. Luna held back a small gasp of shock at what she was seeing.

She could see her beautiful night in all its glory. Moreover, she could see all her lovely stars, millions upon millions all encapsulated in the little world of glass. They sparkled blue and red, countless little gems twinkling in the light. And to seemingly top it all off, her moon hung at the very top, an orb of its own that seemed to smile at her.

By manipulating it, Luna found that she could zoom in, twist the stars around, even seem to fly among them. She spent a good twenty minutes familiarizing herself with the little orb, before feeling small, elegant engraving on the bottom of the glass. She turned it over to read it.

Shoot for the moon; if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.

Vinyl Scratch -- Gives To -- Shining Armor

Written by: iDash

A young, alabaster, unicorn mare walked the quiet, snow covered streets of Ponyville. Wrapped around her muzzle and draped down on her neck was a pale purple scarf. Her flank was adorned with the cutie mark of a musical eighth note. Just as she always did, she wore a pair of black rimmed shades with dark purple lenses. This was Vinyl Scratch, or, as she was so often called, DJ PON-3. This talented DJ, however, was not on her way to her job at the local club as she usually was. Instead, she was trudging through the streets in search for a gift for somepony. Seeing as it was so close to everypony’s favorite holiday, Hearth’s Warming Eve, this normally would make sense. What didn’t make sense, though, was exactly the reason why she was getting this gift and who she was getting it for.

It was a pretty simple explanation, though... or at least as simple as one could make it. A few days ago, she had walked into her home just as she always did and found a very precarious letter lying on her kitchen table. It was addressed to her, but had no return address. She asked her roommate, Octavia, who had sent it, but she said that she had no idea it was even there to begin with. This struck an odd chord with Vinyl, but she shrugged it off and read it anyways.

It was then that she learned the letter was from the one and only Santa Hooves. Now, most ponies wouldn’t acknowledge such silliness, but, and though it may seem very silly and childish, Vinyl Scratch still very much believed in the various holiday deities, especially Santa. Hay, if she were to have her own commandments, one would have read, ‘Thou shalt not mess with thine holiday gods.’ So, needless to say, she took the letter very seriously. It had read:

Dearest Miss Vinyl Scratch,

It has come to my knowledge that you are particularly fond of the holidays. As you probably already know, then, this holiday is about the gifts of love and giving. So, in order to spread these gifts, I would like you, my dearest DJ, to give a gift to somepony as their secret Santa Hooves.

In Vinyl’s opinion, the whole secret Santa deal seemed kind of... creepy or stalker-ish, but she loved holidays! Especially this one, and who was she to argue with Santa? She was just a little bit surprised, though, when she read who it was. It was none other than Shining Armor, Twilight Sparkle’s brother and Princess Cadance’s husband. Vinyl remembered how she had DJ’d at their wedding the previous year. It was quite the party... well, at least from what the mare could gather of whatever she remembered of that night. Most of it was just a blur of loud music and cider... a lot of cider.

As she continued to read the letter, it gave her some details on his personality, preferences, and what not.

Though he often seems to focus first and foremost on his work and duty at hand, this stallion is... well, believe it or not, he is quite the avid gamer. That’s right, and he’s also fully equipped with the Haystation 3, Xbox 360, big screen TV, surround-sound stereo... the whole shebang. I am confident that you will be able to find it in yourself to grant the gift of giving upon him, Vinyl, and you may just get a little something in return. Until then, happy Hearth’s Warming Eve!

-Santa Hooves

P.S. If you would like to look him up at all, his gamertag is ArmrdPwny_494.

And that is exactly what Vinyl did. His tag was posted up on various leaderboards. When she saw his high-score for Haylo Reach, she nearly had a heart attack. His score was... dear Celestia, it was ungodly. He was somehow ranked #2 for national and was probably well within the top five around the world. As a fellow gamer, she could somehow relate to him, but she was nowhere near his level. It sent shivers down her back to think of how badly he had to pwn all of those poor defenseless noobs to get that score. It still amazed her how he could ever get the time to accomplish such a feat.

Vinyl continued to trot down the street, heading in the direction of the local game shop. If there was any place to start looking, it would be there. She rounded a corner and turned after trotting a few more steps. The mare looked up and saw a shop’s sign hung in big red letters.

EQ-Games

This was the place. She scanned the store’s front. All of it was familiar to her, the windows, the neon light ‘open’ sign, the posters... except for one, that is. She cocked her head to the side as she took a couple of steps to scan the new advertisement.

Enter Now!

Win a collector’s edition Haylo 4 and lifesize Master Pony model

‘Aw yeah,’ Vinyl Scratch thought. ‘That’s more like it.’

The unicorn trotted into the shop owned by her close gaming friend. Games of all sorts and consoles lined the shelves within. Everything from Assassin’s Steed to Fallout: New Pegasus. Dang it felt good to be in there. She even recognized the smaller section for the Wii games... but nopony ever wanted to play the Wii. Ever.

Vinyl smiled and looked to her right. The mare noticed a new colt working behind the register.

“Hey, new guy,” she said. The beige colored colt turned to her. “How many bits for that Master Pony model?”

“Um, sorry, but we’re not selling it,” he said with an emotionless face.

“Aw, c’mon man,” Vinyl pleaded. “Hook a mare up.”

“No, we can’t. Just sign up like everypony else.”

“What?! C’mon, do you even know who I am?” Slightly annoyed, Vinyl attempted to use her status as a famous DJ, which she rarely ever did.

The colt gave such a deadpan look, Vinyl nearly shrunk back.

The white mare moaned in frustration. The two continued to haggle over the model until a light gray pony with a white mane stepped out of the back of the shop.

“Vinyl!” the pony exclaimed. “How’s my favorite gaming mare been?”

“Oh, hey, Mario,” Vinyl replied with a smile as she recognized the shop’s owner. “Not too bad. Just tryin’ to get this chump here to sell me that Master Pony model, but he decided to be a pain in the flank," she added, the last part with an irritated glance at the beige pony.

“What?! Are you kidding me, Eight Bit?” Mario said incredulously to his employee. “Vinyl here is our best customer. She deserves the best.”

Vinyl smirked at Eight Bit while the colt backed up anxiously from his boss.

“Don’t worry, Vinyl. I got another one in the back if you want it. I was savin’ it for myself, but you deserve it, my friend.”

Vinyl looked to Mario, a slightly bewildered look on her face.

“You sure, man?”

“Of course! Anything for a good friend. Consider it your Hearth’s Warming Eve gift.”

After she took the model, she bought a collector's edition Haylo 4. The best thing about being pals with the owner of the best game shop in town was that you got quite a few sweet hook ups with new games.

Vinyl sat on her couch at home as she marveled at the armored model in the middle of her living room. The collector’s edition of Haylo 4 sat on it’s base, wrapped in wrapping paper that had the words ‘Party Hard’ repeatedly printed on it in red and green. Attached to the top of the model was a letter in the DJ’s handwriting that read:

Happy Hearth’s Warming Eve! Time to take a load off all those guard duties. Enjoy!

Sincerely Yours,

Your secret Santa Hooves

Next to that was a winking smiley face. Vinyl reclined and continued to admire her work.

‘Ya done good, Vinyl. Ya done good,’ she thought to herself and smirked. ’Now, just how am I gonna send this out without getting caught?’ She pondered the thought for a little bit.

Vinyl then noticed a small light coming from the gift. She looked to her present with a start, afraid that it had somehow spontaneously combusted. When she saw what it was, however, she was just as surprised. There was a bright, swirling light circling around the present. The magic was warm and was somehow giving Vinyl a very happy feeling in her heart. She stared in awe at it.

The light continued to circle the model and the game, leaving a sparkling trail behind it. It continued until the light sparkles engulfed the entire gift. There was suddenly a bright flash that blinded Vinyl as she stumbled back and averted her eyes.

“What the hay?!”

Vinyl stood, wiping her eyes until she figured that the light was gone. She opened her eyes and looked to where the gift was... or where it had been. Neither parts of the gift were there anymore. Instead, lying on the floor in front of her, in neat handwriting, was a small note. It read:

Good job, Vinyl. Thank you for spreading the Hearth’s Warming spirit this year. Happy Hearth’s Warming Eve!

Dearly and Sincerely,

Santa Hooves

“Yeah, yeah,” Vinyl grumbled, though she wore a content smirk. “I just better not get any coal in my stocking, Santa.” And so, she happily trotted off to prepare for the next few days, eagerly anticipating her favorite holiday.

Now, what to get Octy?

Luna -- Gives To -- Cheerilee

Written by: Therizzen

She stared down at the card, at the name on it, the letters that made it up. Focused as she was, she scarcely caught the rustling sound that flitted by her ears. Looking up, she cocked her head.

“Must you really leave already?” He stopped at the balcony, his slender hoof touching the glass door. He turned to face her, his almond eyes lit by the dying fire, and offered her a small smile.

“Afraid so,” he replied. “There are more slips I have to deliver, and after that I need to head back up north to help finish with the cleanup. You know how it goes,” he said, shrugging his apology. “However, it has been wonderful sitting here and catching up with you, Luna.” He emphasized the statement by levitating a still steaming cup from off of the table, his antlers glowing, and he quirked his eyebrows as he took a sip. She smiled.

“It has. Perhaps you can visit again, on the off season?” He lifted a hoof to his chin, contemplating.

“Hmm, maybe. Though, we do much more than just make gifts every year, you know.”

She nodded. “I understand.” And with that, she glanced back down at the card, studying it. Seeing this, he made to step forward as he spoke up again.

“Erm... are you sure you don’t want me to tell you about her?” Luna tilted her head back up.

“Hmm? Oh, no, I’m fine. You’re not the only one who has their little secret methods,” she said, passing him a sly grin. Stepping towards him, she offered him her hoof and, as he shook it, said, “Have a fine holiday, Mr. Hooves.”

He laughed. “And you as well. But please, Luna, we’ve been over this. You know you can just call me Santa.” With a chipper grin, the reindeer opened the door and leapt off of the balcony, gliding through the air before, with a twitch of his horns, he vanished into flakes of snow, trailing and twirling away with the wind. His chuckle remained long after he was gone.

She sat there and watched the snow listlessly fall for a time, a small smile on her face as she unconsciously counted the tumbling crystals, the brisk wind blowing past her. What an odd one he was.

Luna walked back into her cozy room, shutting the door behind her as she sat by the fire, picking the card back up in her magic. Luna’s smile fell away as she scrutinized it, the cogs in her mind slowly chugging away.

Are you sure you don’t want me to tell you about her?

That hadn’t been necessary, for sadly she already knew what her mark wanted.

She had, after all, seen her dreams.

______________________

An intake of crisp air, the muffled crunch of a hoof compacting snow, the lonely whistle of the wind through barren trees. These were the sounds that followed her as she walked, and she knew them well. There had been another sound once upon a time, an old voice that she imagined would melt the snow and make balmy the breeze had it been given the chance.

That sound was gone now though, and it would not be back.

So she walked within the hushed forest and its frost gnarled branches, who seemed to claw down at her from above, yearning to scratch and grab at her rose tinted mane. She remembered a time when she was younger, how the trees had seemed to spring from the ground and leap into the sky, thrusting their leaves out to kiss the sunlight. She glanced at the bleak scene now, and oh how she missed those days.

The Road of Regret, she called it, the lonely snow dusted park path she ambled down. It had had a cheerier name once, but like the voice and the trees it had decayed and passed on, growing old and giving her only memories to keep. And as she mulled over the memories, some fresh and some stale, the regret set in, washing her away into a ravine she had crawled out of so long ago.

If only she had spent more time with the voice, his voice, under the trees and the leaves and the light speckled shade. If only she had laughed with him more, played with him more, and, as a little Cheerilee, sang so many more of his songs. If only she had had more time to say goodbye.

If only...

She stopped her thoughts as she stopped her hooves, the wind nipping at her eyes and drying the tears before they could fall. She gazed out at the open glade in front of her, the snow falling gently as it drifted from above. When she was younger, she remembered she had thought it looked like frosting and imagined that below the white was a cake so large that it must have been left for the birthday of a dragon who never showed. She also distinctly remembered the earthy taste of the grass and ground.

With a sniff and a small smile, she waded out into the frosting, imagining the large and colorful candles as she made her way to the little hill poking out in the center. When she arrived, her breath hitched, and she stood rooted to the spot.

Cheerilee looked at the lonely table, its chairs drawn in under it, hiding, the top buried under the flakes. Hoping with all her might that it was still there, still in one piece, she carefully brushed the snow away, and she sighed at the sight of what lied underneath.

It was still there, after all this time.

She ran her hoof along the game board, remembering each and every notch marring it. How many times they had sat there and played under the sun and the stars. How many times he had won, and how many times he had let her win.

She drew out one of the chairs and sat down, watching her breath crystalize and float away with the wind. How long ago that had been. The days they would spend together, the winters they would partake in, the gifts they would give each other on the holidays. Her friends had thought it odd that she lived with a pony so old, but she didn’t care. Couldn’t, honestly. The earliest memory she had was of clinging to his chest and crying, soaking his fur with her tears as two young, familiar, peaceful faces were lifted into the ground.

Grandma had passed on two years earlier, and so, as she cried, he wrapped one hoof around her, shielding her from the world, never wanting to let go, his own face stained and wet.

From then on, he had her, and she had him, and they made the best of it.

And now she was alone.

She sat on the cold metal chair in silence as the tears fell, letting the emotions run their course. Cheerilee had accepted his death long ago, had carried on with her life, but with the winter winds came the memories and, with them, the pain.

Her ears perked up suddenly, though, as she heard soft wing beats disturbing the air above her. The pony attached to the wings lightly touched down onto the snow nearby, and Cheerilee only wiped her eyes as she tilted her head.

“Princess Luna? What are you doing here?” Probably not the correct way to greet a princess, yes, but Luna had visited her dreams more than once. Many of them right after the... well, the death. Luna simply smiled down at her.

“I am here, Miss Cheerilee, to give you what you want for Hearth’s Warming.” She slid out the other chair and sat down, drawing out the slip of paper with her magic and setting it on the table next to the board. “Company.”

Cheerilee looked at the slip of paper, saw her name on it, and then thought back to the one she had received no more than three mornings ago. She sniffled a bit and put on a small smile as she looked up at the princess. “You’re not very good at the ‘secret’ part, you know that?”

Luna scoffed. “I think this situation can do without it, do you not agree?” With a flick of magic, two steaming cups appeared, and she levitated one over to Cheerilee. “I think this will help to keep the chill at bay.”

“Thank you,” she mumbled as she brought the drink to her mouth, letting the warm, chocolate liquid placate her. Luna waited until she was done, studying her.

“Now, why is it you are all the way out here, on a festive holiday no less?” she asked, gesturing out to the snow covered clearing around them. As the silence answered her, her eyes grew soft. “Are you thinking about him?” The somber teacher nodded in affirmation.

“Yeah,” she said, her voice small, eyes starring years into the past. “I don’t think I’ll ever get over it completely, Luna.”

“We never truly let go of those we love,” she said nodding her head.

“I know, its just... every winter, I get this feeling, like he’s going to come back one of these days, and I remember everything we used to do and think of what we might get to do again.” Her voice curled wistfully into the air, and her eyes swam back to the present. She sighed. “But, it passes. It always does.” For a moment, the coo of the wind was all they heard, as if nature itself sat and mourned for a time. Luna leaned forward and rested a wing tip on her shoulder.

“Then I will wait with you until it passes,” she said. Cheerilee looked up at her, and she smiled. With a nod, Luna looked around. “Do you wish to go somewhere else? It is getting colder.” Cheerilee turned her head, glancing at the frosting and the trees, and the game board and table, and finally at the chair he used to sit in.

“No...” she said. “No, I think I’d like to stay here.” Luna merely nodded again, giving her another smile, its shine warm and radiant.

“Then we shall sit amongst the snow.” With another small fleck of magic, she conjured two blankets, wrapping one around Cheerilee - who mumbled a thank you - and one for herself. Then, she raised the game pieces. “Would you rather be red or black?”

“Red,” she said, grinning.

And so they sat there, amongst the falling frosting and tumbling snow, playing an innocent game of checkers to while the time away. When one game would finish, they would start a new one, both sporting smiles and not caring for the world. They talked and conversed, and Cheerilee listened to the new voice. She remembered the old trees and the happy times, and she even sang one or two of his old songs.

As they were setting up another game, a new cup of steaming liquid in her hooves, Cheerilee spoke up.

“Hey, uh, Luna?”

“...Yes?”

“Happy Hearth's Warming.”

Iron Will -- Gives To -- Apple Bloom

Written by: Merc the Jerk

“... An' this is...?” Applebloom trailed off, raising a brow at the gift she had just torn apart. She held up the garment for Iron Will.

“Well, Iron—I mean, Pony Santa--” He glanced over to Big Macintosh “--T-that's what you guys believe. Pony Santa, right?” he asked under his breath.

On hearing Macintosh's quick confirmation of “Eyup.” Iron Will continued.

“Any way, Ol' Hoof Kringle knew that you wanted something to help with your intense body and mind training, right?” the giant replied, nonplussed by Applebloom's less than stellar reaction.

They sat at the Apple family farm, Iron Will resting easily on the large living room couch, and Applebloom sitting on the floor near the Hearth's Warming Tree. The great Iron Will had decided to crash at the farmstead while his self-help tour was on hiatus. Apparently, some members of his goat squad had eaten lead based cans during their tour in Neighpan. The minotaur was lucky that he and Macintosh went a long ways back—being college roommates at the only mixed species institution in the country had its perks, after all. Now he was able to relax while his entourage got treated at the nearby hospital.

“Um... Mr. Iron Will...” Applebloom said once more, bringing the giant back to the current situation. “How did Santa Hooves expect me ta wear this?”

“It's easy kid!” he boasted, grabbing the garment. “You just put your hoof in here, and...” He suddenly paused. Five empty holes dangled lifelessly as Applebloom tried to pull the fingerless glove on tighter.

The minotaur looked at his own hand and applied it to his face with a sigh. “When shopping for a gift for a horse, buy anything but gloves, of course!”

“Y...ya know, I was kinda droppin' hints at wantin' a new hammer. I don't think I can do much with these... dangly things. Who honestly makes hoof-shoes like this?!”

“They're not hoof-shoes! They're feet-shoes. Hand-shoes—I mean feet-gloves! I mean—Dammit!”

“Swear,” she said politely.

“Eyup,” Macintosh agreed.

“Iron Will apologizes,” the minotaur in question said. “Man,” he said, rubbing at his face. “This is a lot harder to do than minotaurnukah. That's easy. Say hello to everybody, light some candles, bam!” he roared, slamming a fist into his palm. “Minotaurnukah. Eat, drink, then take a nap for eight days in a row. A lot better than this Pony Clause stuff.”

“Wow! What else do ya do!?” Applebloom asked, resting her head on her forelegs.

“Totally find some minotaur hunnys to ring in the new year with.”

“What's a 'minotaur hunny?'” Applebloom asked, tilting her head. “It somethin' ya eat?”

“Among other things!” Iron Will cheerfully said, rising and putting his hands at his hips. “Now, if you'll excuse me, Iron Will is going to have some more hard egg-nog!”

Applebloom watched the giant leave for the kitchen. She turned to face her brother. “Do you know about what he was talkin' about with the minotaur hunny's? Is there any way I could get one ta make up fer the gift Santa Hooves messed up on? Can I? Can I?!”

Macintosh put a hoof to his forehead and groaned under his breath. “Celestia bless us, each and every one.”

Derpy Hooves -- Receives From -- Babs Seed

Written by: CanterlotGuardian

Two eyes in the darkness stared out at the form that flew silently in front of her. It was almost as though they were tracking her every wing-beat, not wanting to lose track of her quarry. The tracker smiled.

It was almost time.

“Hey, thanks for letting me come over and help, Applejack!”

Applejack smiled at her grey-furred friend. “Aw shoot, it was no problem at all, Derpy. Besides, I was kinda surprised when you volunteered to help us out. It made me a bit sad that I hadn’t-a invited you to the party to begin with…”

“Aw, you don’t have to be sad about that.” Derpy grinned. “I would have been fine with just coming over here and helping you get everything set up. You know me--I just want to do my part to help out.”

“Then come on over here and help me get these last few banners up. Ya got the advantage here, with you havin’ wings and all.” As Derpy flew up to get the streamers put up, Applejack couldn’t help but realize that she agreed with Derpy. Even though she’d caused all that destruction with the lightning cloud and all, she had really only been trying to help get everything set up for the Canterlot rodeo.

Derpy, she’d realized, may not be the most coordinated of ponies, but she surely did have a good heart, which was the biggest reason why she hadn’t batted an eye when Derpy had asked her if she’d needed help setting things up for the Apple family’s annual Hearth’s Warming Eve party.

“So is that everything?” Derpy asked after she’d gotten the streamers up.

Applejack took a look around the room. The gifts had all been stacked up neatly around the fireplace, as was the Apple family’s tradition. They’d heard of some ponies using “Hearth’s Warming trees”, but to most family members that was just newfangled nonsense. The fireplace had been the place to put the gifts for as far back as they could remember, and to them that was good enough.

Her eyes continue to rove. The food had been set up in a table on the far side of the barn, all of the decorations had been put up with Derpy and Sweetie Belle’s help--the latter, before Derpy had arrived after getting off of her mail route, the last before Hearth’s Warming Day.

Everything looked to be in order, and Applejack smiled. Things had come together well.

Just then, she heard a commotion coming closer from outside the barn. She smiled at her pegasus friend. “You’ve met the Crusaders, haven’t you?”

Derpy chuckled. “Yep. They were a few of the ponies who came to help fix up my roof when that big storm busted quite a few holes in it.”

“Oh yeah, Ah remember that… We did that in record time, didn’t we?”

“Not too sure about that, but it was really quick. What, less than a day?” Derpy suddenly got an odd look on her face. “Um, Applejack… I wasn’t supposed to bring anything to the party, was I? ‘Cause I totally didn’t…”

Applejack dismissed her concerns with a wave of her hoof, as the barn doors opened slightly and four small forms darted in. They were trying to be inconspicuous, a virtual impossibility for the Crusaders.

“Naw, Ah wasn’t expectin’ ya to bring anythin’. We usually have more than enough food and drink by ourselves, anyways. Besides, you’re here as our honored guest, Derpy. Tonight, you’re a member of the family.”

Derpy smiled a bit awkwardly and looked away for a second. “Really? Do you mean it?”

“Of course she does, silly!” Scootaloo exclaimed, jumping off a chair and landing on Derpy’s head. “Applejack doesn’t say things she doesn’t mean!”

“Yeah, that’s just not somethin’ mah sister would do,” added Applebloom.

“Oh… Well, thanks then. Family isn’t exactly something that I know a lot about… so it’s good that I can have one, at least for today.”

There was an awkward silence at that moment. None of them had been around Derpy very much, so they never gave much thought to what her family life must be like, or anything else about her for that matter.

“Ya ain’t gotta worry about a thing,” Applejack said, smiling and laying a hoof gently against the side of Derpy’s neck. “If there’s anypony that knows about family, it’s me and Applebloom--well, all the Crusaders, really, but especially us two. So yeah, you’re family today.”

“What about your little sister?” Sweetie asked. “Wouldn’t she want to come along to the party?”

“Yeah, that sounds like fun!” Scootaloo added. “Dinky would have a blast with us!”

Derpy smiled. “You know, I think you’re right.” She looked over at Applejack. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. I’m going to get her.” She flapped her wings once or twice, then flew up into the air and out of the barn.

When Derpy had made her exit, Applejack turned to the Crusaders. “Okay, y’all, I got a mission for you.”

They all snapped to attention and saluted her. She had no idea why they did that, but it didn’t do any harm so she never really said anything about it.

“What do you need us to do, Applejack?” Babs asked. Applejack smiled at her, mentally thinking that she was glad they’d invited her to come to their family party. She hadn’t known whether or not she’d want to stay in Canterlot for Hearth’s Warming, but Babs had agreed whole-heartedly to come to Ponyville almost as soon as the words had left Applejack’s mouth.

“Well,” Applejack began again, “as y’all know, Derpy is our honored guest at this year’s Hearth’s Warming Eve party. Unfortunately, it was a relatively last-minute thing, so there really wasn’t anything planned as to whether or not we were going to get her a gift--“

“But we did.”

Applejack looked positively stunned at this revelation. “Ya… ya did? Ya already got her a gift?”

“Yep!” Sweetie exclaimed. “We knew about her coming over shortly after you did.”

“Sure did,” Babs said. “That’s what we’ve been doing for the past few days, why you haven’t found us all that much. We were trying to figure out a good gift to get for Derpy. We finally figured it out, though.”

“We got one for Dinky, too!” Sweetie continued. “We were just going to give it to Derpy to give to Dinky when she got home, but now that she’s coming to the party she can just get it then!”

Applejack was still reeling a bit. She knew about the Crusaders’ penchant for generosity and doing good things for ponies--one member was the sister of the Element of Generosity herself, for Celestia’s sake--but this…? This blew even her away.

She recovered quickly, though. “Well, that was very nice of you all. Whose idea was it?” The Crusaders were about to respond, when a loud “thud” could be heard from the outside of the barn.

“I’m ok!” came a familiar shout. “Dinky’s ok too!”

“Man, Derpy…” came another more-familiar voice. “You gotta watch where you’re going. You could really hurt yourself one of these--“

“DASH!!!” Scootaloo practically threw herself out of the small crack in the door and launched herself at Rainbow Dash, hugging her tight.

“Ha!” Rainbow laughed, returning the gesture. “Glad to see you’re here, Scoots!”

“Why wouldn’t she be?” Babs asked, smiling at Rainbow. “She’s part of the Crusaders, too!”

Rainbow smiled back. “Glad to see you back in Ponyville, Babs.” She turned to Derpy. “Everything ok?”

Derpy laughed a bit. “Of course, Rainbow Dash. I take bigger spills than that when I get up in the morning. It’s all good.”

“She really does…” Dinky said softly. Everyone laughed at this.

“Well, now that everypony’s here that’s coming, let’s get started!” Applejack grinned as she made her way over to the food table. Everypony else got in line behind her, talking animatedly. Dinky immediately went over to where three of the Crusaders were and started chatting with them. They seemed to be very happy that she was talking with them, and they effortlessly included them in their conversation.

One of the Crusaders, though, had broken away and walked to a different part of the line.

“So why do they call you Derpy?” Babs asked when she reached the mailmare.

“Oh, for a few reasons,” Derpy replied, smiling. “Obviously, my eyes are a bit… off. But like I always say, that just means I can see things coming before everyone else!” Babs laughed at this.

“I’m also pretty clumsy at times, as you saw when I crashed into the barn door. That actually happens more often than I care to admit, but it never really hurts all that much. I think I’ve developed a thick skin for that sort of thing.”

“That’s pretty cool, really. Say… have you gotten any gifts for Hearth’s Warming yet?”

“Not really… The mail business doesn’t pay as well as it used to, so I’m kind of having to cut back on a few things for the season. I got Dinky some new toys that she’ll get to unwrap tomorrow, but as for me I don’t think I’ll be getting anything.” Before Babs could respond, Derpy continued: “It’s cool, though. I want other ponies to be happy. It’s fine if I don’t get anything.”

Babs smiled. “You’re pretty cool, Derpy. I can see why everyone around here likes you so much.”

They continued to talk amongst each other as they got their food--naturally, with it being the Apple family, there were quite a few apple-themed dishes, even outside of the dessert section. Surprisingly, the Crusaders didn’t pull their normal stunt of going for the desserts first. That, more than anything else, was a real testament to just how well the Apple family could cook.

Derpy got her plate and went to sit down on a bale of hay. A few seconds later, Babs came up to her, but she wasn’t carrying a plate of food like everyone else was. She was, though, hiding something behind her back.

“Whatcha got there?” Derpy asked after she’d finished chewing her mouthful of potato salad.

“Well…” Babs started, “me and the other Crusaders thought it would be cool if we got you a Hearth’s Warming present. Just ‘cause, you know.”

Derpy was a bit surprised at this. “You all didn’t have to do that! And how did you get it on such short notice?”

“Oh, it wasn’t really short notice. We’d been planning this for a few days, ever since we found out that you were going to be coming to the party. It’s nothing super-exciting or anything, but…” She held the box out to her. “We wanted it to be something special for you.”

Derpy set her plate of food aside, and started to unwrap the present. When she’d gotten it all the way unwrapped, she looked it over in a bit of shock, a tear forming in the corner of her eye. She looked up to say thank you to Babs, but she had already gone back over to the other Crusaders. Derpy smiled and held her gift tightly to her chest.

What she held was a silver-plated picture frame, one that held a photo of herself and Dinky together. The inscription on the back of it simply said, We’re more alike than you realize. I hope this means we can become very good friends. –Babs

Derpy smiled through her tears. “I hope so, too.”