A Hearth Warming Eve Carol
Twilight was dead:to begin with. That much was certain, no debate or question about it. Rarity signed about her register of death, and her name was good upon anything. Rarity of course being her sole executor, her sole administrator, her sole assign, her sole residuary legatee, her sole friend, and sole mourner. And yet, felt nothing more than the minimal amount of grief needed to qualify as griefing. But then again, Twilight was dead. There was nothing I, you, or Rarity could do about it.
Years past after Twilight’s death (seven to be exact), however Rarity’s bitter attitude remained the say. Of all the times of the year Rarity despised, Hearth Warming Eve was the most annoying. Rarity (working yet another late night at her clothing boutique: RARITY AND TWILIGHT), was just wrapping up the last of her work.
It was the eve of Hearth Warming Eve (I know right?), and the joyous spirit in the air made Rarity more cranky than usual. The bell of the store door rung as a filly entered the store.
“Hello auntie Rarity!” said the young mare. Rarity’s expression relaxed slightly at the sight of her niece.
“Why hello my darling Sweetie Belle, what business do you seek?”
“No business, but merely time with my aunt of this Hearth Warming Eve.” responded the filly. Rarity’s face changed back to a disgruntled one. Just the mentioning of the holiday dampened her mood.
“And whatever for!” she shouted. “Unlike you carefree youth, I have a business to run. I’ll tell you this, I did not get to where I am now by taking off on meaningless occasions like Hearth Warming Eve!”
“Hearth Warming Eve, meaningless? Surely you cannot mean such a thing?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“I have no reason to lie! Tell me this, why would you, someone who has very little, have any reason to be joyous around this time?” Rarity responded.
Sweetie Belle thought for a while, “Well, why do you, someone who is rich, not have a reason to be happy?”
“Good afternoon Sweetie Belle.” responded Rarity.
“Oh auntie, I hope that one day you’ll stop being so angry all the time.”
“Good afternoon Sweetie Belle.” said Rarity, this time louder.
“Nevertheless, have a happy Hearth Warming Eve!” said Sweetie Belle.
“Good Afternoon.” said Rarity, even louder than before.
“And an even happier new year!” yelled Sweetie Belle.
“GOOD AFTERNOON SWEETIE BELLE!” shouted Rarity.
There was an awkward silence and Sweetie Belle left the store without saying another word. No sooner than she had left, two Alicorns walked in. One being tall with a white coat and flowing mane. The other was younger, with a black coat and blue mane. Both were beautiful, both seemed powerful. The younger one stepped toward Rarity’s desk.
“Rarity or Twilight?” she asked.
“Rarity, Ms. Twilight has been dead for seven years this night. What may I help you with?”
“I am Luna, my sister Celestia and I are with a foundation that helps feed the poor on Hearth Warming Eve.” she responded. The older one stepped forward.
“It is customary to give a donation that will help our efforts.” she said.
Rarity looked up from the designs she was reviewing, “And whatever do you want from me?” she asked.
The two sisters looked at each other nervously. “Well...uh...we were hoping that since you were so very wealthy, you would give a donation.” said Celestia.
Rarity scoffed, “And what reason should there be for me to give my well earned money away?”
“If you don’t, many could die from starvation.” answered Luna.
“Well maybe they should go and do it, and decrease the surplus population!” yelled Rarity,
The sisters looked at each other in horror, who would have known someone could be so uncaring. Much like Rarity’s niece, they left the store without saying a word. Rarity got up from her table, obviously annoyed.
“Don’t pretend like you’ve been ignoring these conversations Ms. Fluttershy.”
A small mare on the other side of Rarity’s office looked up from her desk.
“I...uh...didn’t w-want to..intrude.” she said in her signature low voice.
“Let me guess..” said Rarity, “...you’ll want tomorrow off?”
“Only if it’s convenient for you.” answered Fluttershy.
“It’s not convenient!” yelled Rarity. “But as long as you’re in your office the next day earlier, I suppose..” said Rarity.
“OH THANK YOU MS. RARITY!” yelled Fluttershy.
Rarity said nothing, but prepared to close up the shop. It was late, few people were still on the street. Rarity slowly made her way towards her mansion, she lived alone and secluded from the public. Just the way she liked it. By the time she had arrived to her front porch, it was very dark and foggy. She searched through her saddle bag until she found the key to unlock her door. However, as she looked towards the door, she experienced a strange phenomenon. For right there infront of her face was not a knocker, but the face of her deceased business partner, Twilight Sparkle.
Rarity blinked her eyes, making sure she wasn’t hallucinating. But, Twilight’s face was still there. She had her eyes closed as if sleeping, and a strange green glow was illuminating from her. Rarity took a step closer, it was definitely her. Suddenly, Twilight’s eyes opened up and revealed two bright green eyes. The sudden revelation startled Rarity, and she fell back on her hindquarters. When she looked back up however, her knocker was back again.
Rarity shook her head, surely she had been imagining things. After all, there was no such things as ghosts. Rarity opened the door to her house, everything seemed normal. After a thorough investigation of the house (especially her cellar), Rarity retired to her her bedchamber for some late night reading. Making sure to triple lock her door, something she hasn’t done in a long time.
Sitting in her chair, Rarity enjoyed catching up on her reading. Today’s selection was a mystery novel, a novel that coincidentally involved ghosts. As much as she would like to deny it, Rarity longed for more time away from work.
BUMP! CLACK!
The sound scared Rarity, what was that noise? “Hello? Is anypony there?” she asked if expecting a response. Nopony answered.
BUMP! CLACK!
The sound was getting louder, no, closer. BUMP! CLACK!
Rarity’s heart jumped, it was right at the start of her stairs.
BUMP! CLACK! BUMP! CLACK! BUMP! CLACK! BUMP! CLACK!
The sound was slowly making its way up the stairs, Rarity grew more worried.
BUMP! CLACK!
It was right outside her door. Rarity held her breath. Suddenly, a bright figure passed through her door. It wore chains from mane to hoof, and stepped forward. Rarity knew who it was, but still didn’t want to believe it.
“Rarity...” the figure said.
Rarity looked down, “Who are you?” she asked.
“Ask me who I was.” said the figure.
“Okay, who were you?” asked Rarity.
“In life I was your partner Twilight Sparkle. However in death, I’m just another lost soul.” said the spirit. “Do you not believe in me?”
Rarity shook her head, “How could I? I may just be sick, dreaming this whole thing” she said.
Rarity however knew it was Twilight, it had to be. Her mane was the same design, her voice was the same, but more importantly, she knew what Rarity was thinking. Only someone as sharp as Twilight could figure Rarity out.
“I assure you that this is real.” said Twilight. Rarity looked into her eyes. Her glowing green eyes.
“Why do you wear that chain?” asked Rarity.
Twilight (who had been levitating in front of Rarity this whole time), looked down at the chain as if just realizing she had it on. “Every link of this chain was forged by a problem I caused in life.” she said. “The day I died, your chain was just as long. However, by now it has increased tenfold! We made this chain in life, and we must bear it in death.”.
“I still don’t believe you!” yelled Rarity. She was always stubborn, even when facing obvious facts.
“You not need to, you’ll see I speak the truth soon enough.” answered Twilight.
For the first time in a long time, Rarity felt fear. Usually the creator of fear, it was an entirely new experience. “Why are you here?” she asked.
“To warn you.” Twilight answered simply. “You will undergo a revelation of your selfishness!”
“How so?” asked Rarity, regretting asking as soon as she finished.
“You will be hunted by three ghosts. Expect the first one when the bell strikes twelve. I warn you Rarity, do not waste this opportunity as I did!”.
With those words Twilight began to shine brighter than she had before. In the light, Rarity saw horrible things. Famine, death, poverty, sadness.
Rarity let out a blood curling scream and closed her eyes. When she opened them, Twilight was gone. She barely had time to catch her breath when she heard another sound. It was the church bell, it was midnight...