Author's note
Okay, I'm back to make another new chapter. To answer your question, Annon, the fic is continuing fine. It should be done by today, tomorrow or whatever at the latest. Then after it's done, I'm going to work on a birthday fic starring Nyx. The story that introduce her 'Past Sins' is about to hit 1 year old soon, and I decided that it should be the filly's birthday (since that is when she was introduced, right? Right.)

Billy Arratoon, VISION-KING, the suggestions look good in 'Epic Phantom' but from now on, don't post them there. Not that I mind the extra reviews but it's too much paper for me to handle. Instead, post your ideas at Luke's Message Board or forums made by a pal of mine; ask me at deviantART for more details. VISION-KING, I send ya a IM there already. You know what I mean.

DJ-J33, the name has been name for Gold Heart. His name is now Golden Heart.

Speaking of Golden Heart, time for his appearance, folks!

Chapter 4: Why the Demon Pony Hates HWE

The castle rarely gets visitors as no one ever knew that the place ever existed or the Demon Pony scares them away. One pony wasn't scared off as he came. It's a male brown alicorn with green/red mane and green/light brown tail with a gold heart cutie mark, wearing a golden plated chest armor, gold bracelets with green jewels and silver anklets with green jewels.

The alicorn sees the castle, saying, "Well this is where he lives. i hope someone other than him opens the door." He goes to the door and knocks on it.

Twilight, Nyx and Spike were on their way to the boiler room to get something when they hear a knock on the front door. The purple unicorn looks puzzled. Who could that be? No one but Dusk Shine knew that they were here.

Who could that be?" Twilight ask as Nyx wonders as well.

"I don't know mommy." Nyx said with a shrug.

Time to figure it out so the trio goes over to the door and open it, seeing the alicorn; He blinks as Spike ask, "Yeah, may I help you?"

"Oh sorry...didn't know that anypony else was living here." The alicorn said, glancing at Twilight. "You three knew here?"

"Oh yes, we were originally prisoners but are now his friends." Twilight said making the alicorn surprised. "Are you here on important business?"

"Maybe. You?"

"We're going to have Hearth's Warming Eve!" Nyx exclaims happily much to the alicorn's further surprise. "We're heading to the boiler room to get a yuletide log. Want to come with us?"

"Well, sure. I may even stay to celebrate. My name is Golden Heart, at your service." Golden Heart said bowing to the trio who smiles a bit.

"Well, come on. I don't know how long until the Demon Pony figures out what we're doing." Spike said in concern. With all the commotion, who knows how long before the Demon Pony figures out what's going on.

As the four heads off, Golden Heart is pondering. Princess Celestia, the one who made the spell in the first spell, has sent to see if Ben Mare AKA the Demon Pony has found love. So he is surprised to see Twilight Sparkle here.

Could this purple unicorn be the one to break the spell? If so, his princess is going to be pleased if everything goes well.

---

"Hearth's Warming Eve? She's planning Hearth's Warming Eve...in MY...castle? Who does that filly think she is?" The Demon Pony asks in shock and outrage. Dexter and Fluttershy had told Discord of Twilight's plan and the monster in turn informs his master. The Demon Pony couldn't believe that the purple unicorn that he's starting to care for is planning Hearth's Warming Eve, even when he himself has forbid that holiday from the castle.

"Apparently, she doesn't seem to care about how you feel towards Hearth's Warming Eve." Discord said with a sly shrug. The Demon Pony growls as he head back to the fireplace, making the maestro smirk evilly. His plan to break up the love between his master and Twilight is working; the Demon Pony is getting worst by the moment. "Even Little Miss Nightmare Moon-."

"You mean Nyx?"

Discord, groaning in annoyance, reluctantly correct himself, "Yes, I mean Nyx, Master. Even she is involved in the whole planning."

As the Demon Pony sat down in a chair in front of the fireplace, he mumbles, "But...maybe Twight, Nyx and Spike don't even know how I feel about Hearth's Warming Eve."

"On the contrary; they do know how you feel about this accursed holiday. They just don't care. But we all know why we despite that holiday...or are you trying to forget?"

"The day my life ended."

Flashback

Many years ago on Hearth's Warming Even, the Demon Pony was still the Earth pony prince known as Ben Mare...and of course, he was spoiled, selfish and unkind to everypony, even to his own servants who did their best to please him, caring for the pony despite his attitude.

"Give me my presents, I want them now!" Ben snaps furiously to the servants who are nearby. To him, Hearth's Warming Eve is all about him, and no pony else.

Soarin', who was a stallion and out of his uniform, smiles as he held out a present while saying, "Here you go, Ben Mare, Your Highness. Accept this gift as a token of our appreciation and caring. I must say, I speak for everypony when..."

"I don't care, give to it to me!" Ben grabs the present from Soarin', making the Pegasus pony yelp nervously. His master's behavior is getting worst by the day.

"Why is he acting so mean on Hearth's Warming Eve, Applejack?" Apple Bloom, a filly the age of a kid, ask her sister in worry.

"Sssh! He's done already like 'dis, Ah don't know why. Just be silent." Applejack whispered to Apple Bloom, knowing how nasty her master gets when he's angry.

Ben opens the gift but frowns as he saw that he himself got a storybook. The Earth pony grunts, "A storybook? This is a storybook and the best that you all can give me? Ugh, Discord? You better have something better for me."

Discord, who was a gray alicorn before the curse, smiles while saying, "Yes master, of course. I got just the thing." The maestro goes to the organ, playing the tune slowly...and a bit sad for the servants' case.

"Ugh! What is that racket?" Scootaloo, a kid filly, ask in disgust. "It sounds like a bird choking."

"Yeah, even my sister could do better." Sweetie, a kid filly like her friends, said to Scootaloo as Rarity, a grown mare, covers her ears in agreement.

"Ugh, stop, stop, stop; what is that racket?" Ben asks Discord in annoyance, causing the maestro to stop playing.

"A small place in your honor, master," Discord explains, bowing to his master. "Do you like it?"

"I hate it, Discord! That stuff is gloomy and sad...not to mention chaotic!" Ben groans in annoyance. His holiday is getting worst s far. Just then, everyone heard a knock coming from the front doors, "Now what? Who disturbs my Hearth's Warming Eve?'

Since no pony else would answer the doors, Ben got up and heads over to open them himself. Outside as the snow blows is some sort of old beggar female unicorn holding some sort of rose.

"What do you want?" Ben demands to the old beggar female unicorn more than he asked. How dare this ugly hag interrupt his Hearth's Warming Eve?

"Please, I ask for shelter from the bitter cold. All I can give is this rose." The old beggar female unicorn said gently while holding the rose to Ben, much to his annoyance and disgust.

"I don't want a stupid rose. And besides, we have no room for an ugly hag like you."

"Don't be by deceived by appearance my little pony. For true beauty can be found within."

"Wow. Your words have touched me. NOT!" Ben snaps furiously as he slams the door in her face, preparing to head back to his holiday.

Soarin', worried, begins to say, "Why do I get the feeling that will come back bite ya in the..."

The doors open, the rose shine as the old beggar female unicorn is transformed into a beautiful magical alicorn named Princess Celestia.

"Flank," Soarin' said in worry. Ben's eyes are barely open due to the bright light, much to his worry. Not good. He didn't know that this old woman was the most powerful alicorn and big time ruler of Equestria! She saw that the Earth pony has a cruel heart and is going to punish him for so.

"I'm sorry!" Ben exclaims as he bows to Celestia, begging for mercy apparently. "I didn't know!"

"It's too late to apologize. Your actions have shown me you have no love in your heart. Even though I don't want to do this, you have left me no choice." Celestia said sternly to Ben as her magic floats around the Demon Pony as it spreads to everyone in the castle. "You have been deceived by your own cold heart and thus, a curse is place on your home and everypony within as well as being forgotten by the outside world at large."

Soarin', Caramel, Applejack, Rainbow, Pinkie, Rarity and the CMC looks worried. What is going on? Suddenly, the magic glitter floats around, turning them all into little kid foals, or in the CMC's case the baby foals!

"And until you find one who will love you as you are, you shall remain a Demon pony forever..." Celestia said. Ben begins to scream and growl as her magic begins to transform him.

Soon Ben is transformed into the Demon Pony that he is, snarling in fury. He shall remain this way forever...until the day comes when the Demon Pony himself has found love and earn her love in return.

End Flashback

The Demon Pony sighs sadly as he has one hoof on his eyes. Ever since that Hearth's Warming Ever long ago, the former Ben Mare has forbid the holiday as it was the same time when he was transformed into this monstrous form. The castle hasn't celebrated Hearth's Warming Eve since.

Discord smiles gently as he saw the Demon Pony becoming more gray by the moment. The creature said, "But we have come so far since that dreadful time. We have risen above this tragedy...we don't need Hearth's Warming Eve to remember it, do we?"

"Where are they?" The Demon Pony demands more than he asked.

"If I recall, they have went off to the boiler room...or so two little birdies told me."

Discord winks at Dexter and Fluttershy, who smiles sheepishly as the former make, "Tweet, tweet."

---

Twilight's group arrives at the boiler room where workers, despite being foals, are at work to keep the castle warm and toasty during winter by putting wood in the boiler. Golden Heart looks around, saying, "I wonder who is in charge here."

The group notices the workers seeing Twilight in amazement, even though she and her friends haven't been in here before. Spike notes this, "Interesting bunch, are they?"

A colt came up to the workers. It is a small crimson colored Earth pony with sap green eyes, an orange mane and tail, and is wearing a yoke while having some bit of straw in his mouth. He got a green apple sliced in half cutie mark on his flank. His name is Big Macintosh, Applejack and Apple Bloom's big brother.

"Now all right, back to work, ponies! The castle doesn't heat itself! Nnope," Big Macintosh snaps to the workers, ordering them back to work.

"Hello! You must be Applejack and Apple Bloom's big brother!" Nyx exclaims to Big Macintosh with a smile, the colt sees her and the others.

"Howdy, you must be friends of my sisters. What can I do you y'all for?"

"I'm looking for a log." Twilight explains to Big Macintosh. "Something special for Hearth's Warming Eve."

"Yeah, got any we can use?" Golden Heart asks Big Macintosh curiously.

"Yyup, we got logs all right." Big Macintosh said as he begins to search. "Whatcha want? Hard wood, soft wood; we got it all. Birch, maple, oak..." The stallion yelps as he hit his head on something. "Ouch; Concrete; Hoo boy; my head, no worries; It will pass. So what do you want?"

"I hope you don't mind but can we browse?" Twilight ask Big Macintosh curiously.

"Right, we promise to stay out of the way." Nyx said to Big Macintosh with a smile. "We just want to find the right log for ourselves.

"Okay, suit yourself. Take your time, I got work to do. Yyup." Big Macintosh said as he goes off back to work.

The group begins looking around in the wood for the perfect log, it must be just right. Just then they heard some banging and hissing from the boiler. It begins to heat up badly making them gasp. Something terrible is about to happen!

Fortunately, the whistle blows as steam came out, calming the boiler down. The visitors sigh as Golden Heart said, "That's a close one. For a moment, I thought this place was going to blow up."

"Shucks, it does that from time to time but never blew up yet." Big Macintosh said in satisfaction. Then he saw his workers not working again, much to his annoyance. "Ahem! Did I pay you for being boring? Nnope! Do that on your own time; back to work!"

The group kept on looking until Twilight and Spike climbs on a pile of logs. The dragon notices something as he said, "Found something Twilight!" Twilight glances and smiles as she saw a perfect log: one that isn't cut in half yet.

"Good work, Spike." Twilight said as she takes the log and slid down safely. The purple unicorn hums a bit while blowing the dust off the log.

"Mommy, that looks wonderful." Nyx exclaims happily. "It will be the perfect Yuletide log to..."

Suddenly the group heard growling, gasping as they saw the Demon Pony coming into the room and to them. Twilight quickly hid the hid behind her back while humming. She hopes that her 'captor' doesn't see it.

"What are you hiding?" The Demon Pony demands angrily as he tries to see what Twilight is hiding, making her as bit nervous. Glaring at Golden Heart, the monster demands, "And who are you?"

"My name is Golden Heart, a friend of the castle. You may not know me but..." Golden Heart begins to say but was interrupted as the Demon Pony huffs, growling as he trots to behind Twilight and notes the log in her hooves, looking at it carefully. "Well, I guess I can tell you later."

"It's a Yule log." Spike explains to the Demon Pony.

"A Yule what," The Demon Pony ask Spike with a frown.

"A Yule log, a wonderful tradition; why, when one log is chosen, everyone in the house touches it, making a Hearth's Warming Eve gift." Twilight explains happily. The pony yelps as the Demon Pony swipes the log from her in fury.

"Bah! Wishes are stupid, even Hearth's Warming Eve ones! I bet you three made one each last year. Well, tell me, IS THIS WHAT YOU WISHED FOR?"

The Demon pony roars so loudly that a bunch of bats flew out of the darkness, flying outside. Spike and Nyx yelps as they hid behind Twilight in worry. Golden Heart frowns deeply. He notices that the Demon Pony is getting a bit angry and worst about Hearth's Warming Eve. No surprise since that is when Celestia performs the curse on the castle along with Ben in the first place.

"No...no I didn't." Twilight said in sadness, the Demon Pony glares at her. "But I will do my best to keep wishing. And when the log is burned on the morning of Hearth's Warming Eve..."

"Well, not saying that there's going to be one..." Nyx said quickly.

"Don't play dumb with me. I know what you're all up to." The Demon Pony snaps at the trio living in the castle. "And Nyx is right, there isn't going to be a Hearth's Warming Eve. Not a chance."

"But..." Twilight begins to protest.

"NOOOOOO; I AM THE MASTER HERE AND WHAT I SAID GOES!"

"Yikes! Who told you we were going to have a Hearth's Warming Eve anyway?" Spike ask sthe Demon Pony in alarm. It's official, the master of the castle did indeed know about the fireplace. But who told him?

"I know what's going on in this castle!" The Demon Pony roars to Spike, scaring him some more. "Nothing goes on without me finding out about it!"

"How can you be so selfish?" Twilight demands to the Demon Pony in frustration.

"You don't understand; none of you do; you got no idea what it's like to lose everything; Being trapped in your castle like some sort of prisoner!"

"A prisoner; the only one holding us all prisoner...is you! Well, guess what, I'm not giving up, and neither would Nyx!"

Twilight, Spike and Nyx storms out of the room, the Demon Pony watch them leave in guilty, feeling sadly. His hopeful love is right. He is holding everypony hostage because of his anger and hatred.

Golden Heart frowns as he said sternly to the Demon Pony, "Ben Mare...Princess Celestia send me to see if you have a true love...and Twilight is the right choice. But if you keep up your hatred of Hearth's Warming Eve, you will not only lose her, you will lose yourself...and I can see how gray you're becoming, you're turning into a shell of your former self!"

The Demon Pony looks down in sadness. Golden Heart is right, he is losing Twilight as well as his chances of breaking his curse forever...no, scratch that. Ben is losing her.

As Twilight trot back into the boiler room, she saw Golden Heart watching the Demon Pony leave sadly; the purple unicorn looks down in sadness as she, Nyx and Spike head back into the castle. How can the place has a Hearth's Warming Eve when the Demon Pony won't have it?

---

Back in her room, Twilight sighs as she flops onto her bed, looking sadly. Golden Heart came into the room and spoke up, "Twilight, I know you're doing the right thing. You just..."

Just then the CMC came in, Apple Bloom exclaims happily, "Twilight, Twilight! Yew should see 'de ballroom! It's all decorated, pretty an' got garlands all over!"

Scootaloo notices Golden Heart, asking in curiosity, "Who are you?"

"Golden Heart, a friend of yours and...well, just leave it at that for now." Golden Heart said in concern.

"Oh. I think the master is going to be happy when he finds out that we're going to have Hearth's Warming Eve." Sweetie said with a smile on her face.

"Unfortunately, those aren't the words that your master would use."

"Yes, he already found out." Twilight said with a sigh as she goes over to the curtain in sadness.

"He did?" Apple Bloom asks while blinking her eyes in surprise. "Well, was he done excited?"

"No, Apple Bloom; The Demon Pony has forbidden it still." Spike groans as Twilight open the curtains, looking outside as if in defeat. "I don't know who told him but that pony won't let us have Hearth's Warming Eve at all and would most likely try to stop us if we continue on."

"What?" Sweetie asks in shock and disbelief. "But...but I thought he couldn't forbid Hearth's Warming Eve!"

"Yeah, mommy! We should continue having the holiday despite what the Demon Pony said." Nyx insists, making Twilight's eyes lit up upon her hearing that. "We can't let what he said stop us, right? We love this holiday, almost every pony in the castle does."

"Yes, the Demon Pony won't find true happiness if he forbids a holiday forever." Golden Heart said in agreement. "If you can continue what you're doing, sooner or later the magic of the holiday will change him around."

"You...you're right, the Demon Pony can't. And who knows? Maybe he will be changed around." Twilight said, filled with confidence. "We will have Hearth's Warming Eve with or without him if we must!"

"YAY," The CMC exclaims happily and eagerly.

"Can we get a tree now, Twilight?" Scootaloo ask Twilight excitedly. "That's the only thing we need to get now."

"Yes, yes, of course. Let's go get a tree...but first..." Twilight said, hushing the others while taking the present she, Nyx and Spike has made for the Demon Pony.

"But won't the Demon Pony be upset if we..." Spike begins to say in concern.

"Sssh; No matter what he said, the Demon Pony is getting a present."

Twilight goes into the Demon Pony's room; the others wait outside to be on the look for the master. The purple unicorn trots over to the small table where the enchanted rose is, knowing that he will see his present there.

"Hurry; 'De master is coming." Apple Bloom whispers to Twilight. Sure enough, the Demon Pony is coming to his room, a bit grumpy now.

Twilight quickly put the present by the rose and hid, as did the others. Just in time as the Demon Pony opens the door, growling a bit. The argument that he had with Twilight as well as the discussion with Golden Heart is still on his mind.

As the Demon Pony pass by, Twilight came out of hiding and leave the room quickly, heading out with her daughter and her friends. Now that the present is settled, time to find a tree.

Author's note
Geez, we know why the Demon Pony hates Hearth's Warming Eve and he is still refusing the holiday. That won't stop Twilight and her friends though. In the next chapter, as they go looking for a tree, the Demon Pony decides on forgetting his hatred of the holiday to make a gift for his love, much to Discord's dismay. The villain plans on stopping Twilight by any means necessary, even if it means tricking her into breaking her promise and doing something evil to Spike.

Spike: Yikes!

Me: Yeah, yikes. Read, review and suggest.

Golden Heart is an OC belonging to an author whom I know on deviantART.