Derreck's perspective...

I took a seat across from the two stallions with a relieved sigh, my entire body relaxing. The same, however, could not be said for the stallions, of whom I was their guest. They both looked unnervingly cautious, but also rather agitated by my presence here.

“So... the day before, eh...” I tried to start a conversation about the upcoming holiday which was tomorrow. Flam gave me a steely glare, shifting slightly in his wheelchair. “Any plans?” I asked, to which Flam shook his head rather coldly. I could tell, just by the vibes they were giving off. They wanted me gone more than anything in the world.

“No, as a matter of fact, we don't. Why might you ask?” Flim almost snarled, his tone nearly threatening. I leaned back, resting the back of my head into my hands.

“Well... I dunno, it's Lassie's first ever Hearth's Warming and she wants to have some ponies over... and I have this hinting suspicion that Twilight and her friends still hate Evan and myself-” Flam butted in with a rather rude retort.

“Hmph, I wonder why?” he stated sarcastically.

“Cause you two tried to frame me for killing those royal guards, and now they think I did,” I stated, ever so casually. Flam's grip on his wheelchair tightened as he shouted back at me.

“WE NEVER!... It wasn't supposed to... I'M PARALYZED!” He screamed at me and I shrugged vicariously, not having a care about it.

“Would you have really cared in the least if I had've been sentenced?” I asked in a calm demeanor, Flim speaking up.

“Of course we would have! We were forced into it. It's not like we had a choice,” Flim stated, myself rolling my eyes.

“Everypony gets a choice... for example...” I trailed off as I reached into my duster's side pocket and pulled out a cartoon of eggnog. “Want some?” I offered the brothers, whom looked at me cautiously. "See, at this point... you can either accept a drink from me or... not. That's your choice." The two continued to stare at me, not budging in the slightest.

“I won't bite. At least... not hard,” I teased, taking out two glasses for the stallions and pouring them each a generous amount. The two stallions looked at the drinks, reluctant to accept my most simple gift offering.

Feeling a draft come in through the door, I looked outside, where there was still sand visible on the desert ground. “You know, you guys are kinda lucky out here. Desert's pretty warm compared to back home. Fricken' snowing out like a freak storm... guess all the snow decided to come at once, huh?” I asked.

The duo didn't answer. Instead of speaking, I nudged the drinks closer to them, Flim turning his nose up at it. I huffed before speaking. “Listen... I know you don't like me-” Flam snapped in and cut my sentence short.

“You paralyzed me!” he shouted and I shrugged.

“You tried to frame me-” and then it was Flim's turn to cut in.

“Which we were forced to do without much choice!” he yelled at me.

“There's always a choice. You just chose the simpler route-” Flam cut me off.

“I WILL NEVER WALK AGAIN!” he yelled. I tapped my fingers together before speaking.

“I will admit... our friendship is a rather... unhealthy and most strained one... without a single bit of trust between us... but it's a necessary friendship. You fix and repair my vehicles, and in return I bring you a most generous income and use those vehicles to bring in said income. It's how the world goes round. Without one, there cannot be the other two...” I trailed off and slid their drinks even closer.

“So...” I lifted the carton of remaining eggnog. “Here's to being... flawed, awful, totally uncomfortable, poorly matched friends... and uhh... to the holiday and a happy new year,” I proposed.

They must have figured there was no harm in toasting, as the two rose their glasses to my cartoon. Flim nodded hesitantly. “To a hopeful new year I suppose...” he said, almost regretfully.

Flam chipped in, rather cynically. “I hope you choke on it.”

I shrugged as I brought the carton's opening to my lips. “Well... here's hoping...”

Juggernaut made no attempts to conceal our return as we pulled up to the mansion of a home. Her engine rumbled and chugged until the very moment I shut her down.

Snow continued to fall in a rather blissful way, continuing to pile up on the ground, and almost immediately on Juggernaut as well. I opened the driver side door and made my exit, immediately feeling the cold draft of true winter temperatures.

“Ahh-brrrrr!” I shivered to myself, quickly shutting the door and making for the front entrance of the home. I didn't, however, make it even five feet as a most ecstatic voice echoed out.

“You're home, YOU'RE HOME, YOU'RE HOME!” Cried out the voice as I spotted a plume of snow rushing towards me. My eyes went wide just before I was tackled to the snowy ground, a wet slimy tongue dancing across my face.

“Ahh... guhh... ah-ha-ha,” I laughed as I began to pat and rub the canine's face. She contiued to cover my face wit dog kisses and evidently the wet saliva quickly became frigid cold on my exposed cheeks.

“Okay... ahh... Lassie... come on... eh... ah-ha-ha,” I couldn't stop laughing as she embraced me in a loving way. “Okay, come on, you can molest me when we're inside,” I told her and she quickly stopped her assault.

“Really?!” she replied in an almost too hopeful voice. With that she got off me and I made for the entrance. As I stepped inside, Alfred was at the door waiting.

“Shall I take Sir's coat to dry?” he offered and I shrugged off my coat.

“Sure, thanks Alfred.” I handed him my black duster just as I kicked shut the door behind me. “I'm home!” I called out to my family but Lassie just nudged me.

“Discord went home to be with Fluttershy for the holidays. Chrysalis went back to her homelands, something about being homesick. Trixie is here... somewhere, doing... magical stuff, or something,” she stated and I perked a brow.

“So who is home?” I asked wonderingly. Lassie rubbed her chin before pointing to Alfred whom was making his way down the hallway with my coat.

“Well... Alfred stayed because... oh, actually, Ni-” she was cut off as a presence tackled me to the floor, pressing her lips to mine. “Her,” Lassie stated but I didn't need to be told who it was.

Her lips separated from mine and I nuzzled my nose into hers. “It seems thou missed us quite immensely,” Nightmare teased and I just rolled my eye, giving her a kiss to the cheek.

“And you didn't?” I teased back. We lay like that for some time, just staring into each other's eyes. “You know... I think I'm the luckier one in this relationship,” I stated, Lassie commenting on it.

“Because you go around laying random mares like a stud?” she teased, Nightmare giggling about the comment. I sighed with a slight chuckle.

“No... because I get two beautiful eyes to look at,” I told her sincerely, but her comeback was pretty witty and cute.

“Well your one is just as good as my two, so I think we're pretty even,” she replied back before planting a kiss on my lips, which I wholesomely embraced. We continued to lay there, just staring into each other's eyes like heart-struck fillies.

Lassie scoffed and broke us both out of our trance like state. “This fondling crap is too sappy for me. I'm going to get something to eat,” Lassie informed us, the mention of food making my stomach rumble.

“Oh yeah, hey, I'm starving,” I pitched in, quickly getting up and making Lassie laugh.

“Well tough tits. I'm not cooking for you,” she giggled, Nightmare planting a kiss on my cheek.

“Don't worry, lover, I'll cook something for you,” she offered. I followed Lassie into the kitchen, whom merely poured herself some cereal. “So, Derreck, what would you like to have?” Nightmare asked and I pondered the question briefly before looking to the box of Fruity Hoops.

“You know... I think I'll have what she's having,” I said as I pulled up a chair for myself. Nightmare looked to me with a baffled expression.

“WAHHH... of anything you could possibly desire, thou chooses... cereal?” she nearly gasped and Lassie shot her a look.

“The hay is wrong with cereal?” she asked interrogatively.

Nightmare blinked in complete shock before answering. “It's cliché,” she noted, Lassie remarking about her comment.

“Well... cliché tastes good.” Lassie, instead of using utensils, lowered her face to the dish and began to slurp the cereal, making a bit of a mess on the table. Pouring myself a dish of cereal and milk, I went to chow down, but a voice interrupted me.

“Evan! You're back!” Trixie exclaimed, and I nodded, deciding against trying to explain I wasn't Evan. “Did you bring Trixie the eggnog she requested. I rose my finger to say 'Yes I did,' then realized that I had in fact shared said eggnog with Flim and Flam earlier.

“You wouldn't believe it but... it went sour on my way through the desert,” I lied fluently. She gave me a frown and I sighed. “I'll get another one, I promise,” I told her but her look persisted.

“How can we celebrate Hearth's Warming without eggnog?” she asked, Lassie speaking up in a quippy tone.

“With cereal,” she mocked the magician mare, whom wouldn't have any of it.

“Well, Trixie is surprised at you Lassie. You were so excited about your first ever Hearth's Warming yet now you seem less than enthusiastic about it,” Trixie made note, Lassie's ears perking up.

“Ohhhhh yeeeahhhh! Hey Derreck, you gotta go get some eggnog so we can properly celebrate Hearth's Warming!” she said in a rushed voice. I blinked and nodded, trying to get a spoonful of my cereal. “Come on, hurry! Before it's sold out!” she chimed and I sighed regretfully.

“Okay... okay. I'm going, I'm going,” I mused to myself. I'd have to get some cereal when I got back. As I took my coat and jingled the keys to Juggernaut I felt a pair of wet lips press against my cheek, nearly making me jump. I turned to meet Nightmare, whom gave me a warming look.

“They probably forgot to say thank you. It really does mean a lot to them. Ever since the beginning of the month it's all either one of them talked about,” Nightmare stated. I gave her cheek a rub with the palm of my hand. For such a feared pony and myth, she really was loving once one got to know her.

Slipping on my jet black coat, I stepped outside and shuddered from the cold. “Damn... it's chilly out,” I mumbled before whistling to Juggernaut. Snow rained from the skies, and despite being midday it was rather dim out, the sun clouded out by dark overcast.

Stepping into the lumbering beast of a truck, I keyed the ignition and blasted the heat. Patting the steering wheel, I decided on quick conversation with the automobile, much like Evan did with Cadance. “Hey, Juggernaut... uhh... yeah...” was all I really got out before pulling away...

I leaned on the shopping cart as I slowly puttered down the isles of Ponyville's small grocery mart. Isle after isle I'd slowly toss things into my cart, mostly stuff I didn't need but what would be considered 'festive'.

As the time passed, my shopping cart started to stockpile with festive crap but I still hadn't got what I truly came in for. 'Damn eggnog,' I thought to myself, Evan's voice returning as my conscious.

'Yeah, but you did promise Trixie,' he told me, making me roll my eye. Alright, I'd give him that. As I continued on, I began tossing more junk into the cart; sugar cookies, crap to make a gingerbread house... all that good... crap.

As I made my way around a corner I nearly bumped into another pony's cart, immediately pulling mine to a stop. “Ah-ha, so...” I trailed off as I met eyes with Twilight, Evan's... whatever he considered her.

She looked to me with a silent stare. It wasn't one of hatred, or resent or anything like that. It was a most pale look... an almost hurt expression, before a tear came to her eye and she rushed off, Spike calling out for her to slow down as he chased after her.

I let out a sigh as I continued to wander through the grocery mart. Looking out a window, I watched as the conditions outside got worse and worse with every passing minute. “Ha-ha-ha... this is gonna be a shitty Christmas... err, whatever the hell these ponies call it,” I muttered with a chuckle.

As the conditions outside continued to worsen, I finally made my way to the dairy section, were the products were kept under cooler temperatures. Looking over all the selection, I had a hard time finding what I was looking for, but my eye finally fell upon the prize. “AH-HA!” I announced aloud as I reached in and grabbed the last carton of eggnog.

'And not a second too soon!' Evan's voice chimed, myself nodding as I placed the eggnog in my cart. Just as I went to leave, I heard an elderly voice pick up behind me.

“Darn it all... darn it all to hay!” snapped the voice. The voice was... familiar. I had a suspicious idea but not one set in stone. Turning around, I nearly gasped as I saw the mare.

“G-Granny Smith?” I stammered, the mare looking to me and squinting her eyes to get a better look.

“Hey... hey it's you... you, that... that thing,” she mentioned, poking me with her cane and making me step back as she stepped closer. “Yeah... yeah it is you. Were around in the summer season helpin' us with crop an' such... ain't seen yah 'round much lately,” she said in her... nearly senile old voice.

'Hey, Derreck, that's not nice!' Evan's voice quipped and me, myself just rolling my eye. She did sound senile.

“Well, howdy... Granny Smith,” I said with a tip of my hat to which she began to mutter things.

“Darn tootin'... youngest granddaughter wanted some eggnog on Hearth's Warmin'... an' I done warned Big MacIntosh an' Applejack 'bout leavin' it tah the last minute... noooOOOOoooo, they tells me. They gots things tah do tahday, an' send me tah get it... told them it'd be all sold out... sure 'nough... done sold out!” she scowled as she pointed her cane at the spot where the eggnog had been.

My face turned to a frown as I groaned, taking a brief look to my cart and spotting the last, most eloquent, delicious... carton of eggnog. I closed my eye and let out a soft sigh as I reached back, grabbed the carton and offered it to her.

“Her, Granny Smith, you can have mine,” I told her to which she looked at me, then to the carton, and then back to me.

“Well... well ah'll be... are yah serious there sonny?” she almost stammered in disbelief. I just shrugged carelessly and she graciously took the carton and put it in her small shopping bag. “Well ain't yah just the sweetest thang! Applejack been talkin' foul a yah lately, sayin' yah done killed a whole bunch a good folk... bwah, rumors ah tell yah! RUMORS!” she announced as she began to walk away, still talking to herself as though I was beside her.

“Ah tell yah somethin', next time Applejack starts talkin' foul a yah, ah'm gonna tan her backside red ah am! Nicest pony 'round these parts yah are! Givin' me yer last carton a eggnog for nuttin'!...” she continued to ramble and I just watched her trot away while I shook my head in disbelief.

'Definitely senile,' I thought quietly to myself. I pondered around the mart for another hour or two before looking to my watch and seeing it was getting pretty late and that I should be getting home. I strolled towards the checkout where I stood another half hour in line before finally going to leave.

Just as I was reaching the exit, there was a charity food drive, giving food to the less fortunate during the holidays. I nearly tensed up in frustration as one of the cute little colts running the food drive looked to me.

“Care to donate to the food drive, sir?” he asked in an adorable little voice. He wasn't exactly dressed nicely, but he wasn't in rags either.

I nearly wanted to shit, thinking to myself in frustration. 'FUCK I HATE THESE PRICKS! They always stand at the fucking exit with these fucking food drives to make you feel like a dick for not donating meanwhile you're leaving with with all this food while they're going hungry during the holdiay... FUCKING MONEY GRAB!'

I put on a faked smile and nodded. “Of course, little buddy,” I said through a painstakingly obvious faked voice of genuine intent. “Here, have some...” I grabbed a box of sugar cookies. “Cookies, and maybe some...” I looked at the next item which was cereal. “Yeah, have some cereal too and...” I began handing them items as I listed them off, each item getting myself more and more frustrated before I nearly snapped.

“Ah, to hay with it!” I nearly swore, refraining from doing so simply because it was a colt I was speaking to. “I got lots of food at home,” I stated truthfully. “Here, just take it all,” I told them, pushing the cart towards them. Their eyes went wide with shock of the reality. “It would probably just go bad in my fridge anyway.”

“R-really?” the colt asked in a voice of disbelief which drove me further over the edge in anger and frustration.

“Y-yee-yeah... YEAH!” I nearly broke out in a furious rampage. “You know what?... Here, you might as well take my money too,” I continued to edge on my breaking point as I yanked off his little hat and emptied my wallet into it, a whole twelve thousand bits and change, to which he and the adult pony running the food drive went wide eyed in shock.

“S-sir-” the adult tried to object to which I cut him off.

“No-no, really... take it! I insist!” I nearly began to yell. “Tis the season, right?” I asked and he nearly broke down and cried, starting to try and hug me. “Nononono, NO! Just don't touch me, okay?!” I warned him to which he pulled out an old style flash camera. I began to wave my hands for him to stop as I tried to yell out. “Hey, what do you think you're-”

The flash of the camera went off and nearly blinded me, disorienting me slightly and, against my will, the little colt was hugging my leg. “Thank you so much sir, you're the kindest pony ever!” he said in a cute little accent that reminded me bitterly of Oliver Twist. Celestia, I just wanted to strangle the cunts of a bitch.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever kid. I gotta get home,” I told them as I stormed my way out and back to Juggernaut. I went in with a slew of cash, came out with nothing and totally out of money. 'Ha, feels like I just left a casino...'

The blizzard storm raged beyond belief, the gusty, frigid wind blustering so hard it nearly hurt my face. “Damn... lucky I brought my truck,” I thought silently as I stepped into the truck, keying the ignition and bringing the truck to life.

Blasting the heat, I wiped the melted snow from my face. Slipping the truck into gear, I quickly took off and started heading home. “Oh man... Trixie's gonna be pissed. Why'd you talk me into that?” I asked Evan, whom took spiritual form in the passenger seat.

“I didn't. You did that, along with the charity, on your own will. I had no input.” I gave him a stupid look, to which he returned. “I didn't say a word, of even give you a nudge.”

I scoffed as I pressed down on the accelerator. “Yeah, but I damn well knew you would've said something!” I scowled, Evan just chuckling.

“Maybe... but than again, maybe not. How would you know?” he asked, making me groan out but then smile.

“Because I know you all too well, old friend,” I smirked, to which he returned. We continued conversing on old times as we left the town's limits, the blizzard getting worse, to the point I could barely see the end of Juggernaut's hood.

“Holy shit...” Evan muttered and I nodded. “Whatta we do now?” he asked but I was already on it, playing with the truck's on-board navigation system and bringing up the small thermal imaging system that ran off little cameras near the grill.

“Ha-ha, look at that. Betcha Cadance doesn't have those,” I teased him as we began to roll out at a slower pace. As we continued to talk and chat, he began to mutter to me a warning.

“Hey, watch out... the road... STOP THE FUCKING TRUCK!” he yelled, myself slamming the brakes in response. As we came to an abrupt stop, I lurched forwards from the momentum before coming crashing back into my seat from the stop.

The thermal image display picked up a small pony just a few yards away. “The hell is somepony doing...” I trailed off as I realized Evan was no longer with me. “Fucking dick... leaves me to do everything...” I cursed as I quickly stepped out of the truck. “HELLO! ANYPONY OUT THERE?!” I screamed, already knowing the answer but wanting a feel for who it was.

A weak cry for help had me rushing towards them but I had to call a second time to actually find them in the storm. 'FUCK... I should've driven closer...' I cursed myself but finally arrived to the filly's aid.

Sliding down beside her, I scooped her up. She was dressed for incriminate weather, I'd give her that, but this was far worse than just a crumby snow storm. It was the storm of all storms. “What are you doing out here?!” I asked aloud, over the sound of the blistering storm. The harsh blizzardy winds nearly froze my face solid.

She had barely enough strength to answer me but I couldn't quite make out what she was saying over the storm. I shrugged it off and figured I'd ask once we got home. I turned to go but my stomach sank. I couldn't see my truck, couldn't see the headlights... hell, my footprints had even been covered by the snow.

With the blistering winds I couldn't even hear my truck running, and that was saying a lot because the 7.3 turbo makes no effort to be silent, even when at an idle. I cursed myself mentally. The one time I decide to be heroic and save a pony from the blizzard and I find myself lost.

I even started to smell a burning sooty smell. 'Probably death coming for... wait... burning soot?' I thought to myself and took a more vivid sniff of the air. The sound of the wind overcame my sense of hearing, the sheer amount of snow in the blizzard had overcome my sight. But smell... snow didn't smell like anything... but an idling diesel truck reeked of burning fuel.

I continued the smell until I found myself back to my truck. “Yes! Oh yeah, plus one for me!” I stated as I walked around to the driver door and opened her up. In the few moments I had been gone, the truck had become slightly coated in snow, with the exception of the windshield.

Setting the filly in the passenger seat, I shut the door and put the truck into the autopilot setting. “Home,” I ordered the truck, Juggernaut immediately shifting into drive and heading off towards the estate.

I quickly blasted the heat in the truck to it's maximum setting as I started pulling off the shivering filly's wet and frozen clothing. “What were you doing out there kid?” I asked curiously, tossing aside her scarf and boots as I began to undress her.

“Tr-trying t-to... to sur-surpr-” she stuttered through shivers and her voice hit me like a freight train

“Scootaloo?” I asked as I pulled off her balaclava. Her nose was runny and her cheeks were frilly pink but true to my guess, it was the small pegasus filly. “Sweet Celestia... are you crazy?!” I gasped as I quickly stripped off the rest of her winter clothing.

“I-I'm so-sorry... I was-” I cut her short, putting a finger to her mouth.

“Sssh, don't worry about it. We'll talk later...” I trailed off as I realized her body was still damp and cold. 'Son of a bitch!' I thought as I pulled off my shirt and used it like a towel as best I could.

The heat in the truck started to rise and get pretty steamy but she still continued to shiver. Taking my duster coat, I put it over her body like a blanket and tucked her in for the time being. “Keep that on. Don't take it off until we get home, okay?” I told her, to which she nodded then sneezed, snot going all over the oilskin fabric of my coat.

I closed my eye and did my best not to get frustrated as Evan's voice spoke up. 'That's very kind of you, Derreck,' he told me, which was like rubbing salt into some kind of wound I had no idea I had.

Finally we arrived home and I had Juggernaut pull up right to the door. Cradling Scootaloo in my arms, I rushed through the front door where Alfred went to greet me but I pushed right past him and made my way down to the furnace room.

I heard Alfred call out to me but I didn't bother answering. Racing into the furnace room, I settled Scootaloo on the floor where she sneezed again and looked to me, her cheeks finally starting to gain back their color.

I let out a relieved exhale as Lassie came racing in after me. “Yo, what's going on?! Alfred just got all frumpy that there's snow tracked all through the... woah...” she trailed off in silence as she saw Scootaloo wrapped up in my duster.

“You mind getting some blankets or something?” I asked her to which she nodded and quickly departed. I rubbed up and down the filly's back as we sat by the furnace, her cold symptoms slowly leaving as Lassie returned with some comforters.

I wrapped Scootaloo up and Lassie nestled up against her to further warm her body like a truly loving dog does. Scootaloo finally managed the strength to say something proper. “Thank you,” she whispered to which I patted her head.

“Hey, no problem kiddo. Any time, any time,” I assured her and she sniffled a bit.

“I was just trying to-” before she could finish, Alfred's voice cut in.

“Sir... was it really necessary to trudge all that snow through the... oh my...” his tone of voice changed as he saw the filly bundled up in all the blankets. “Shall I put on a pot of hot tea and perhaps some warm noodle soup?” he asked to which I nodded and gave him a thumbs up.

As a short time passed, another voice entered the room, but was accompanied by two ponies, not just one. “Derreck?” I heard Moon's voice ask. I turned to see both her and Trixie enter the room.

“Alfred said something about sickness. I do hope you're not... oh...” she hushed herself as she spotted Scootaloo and came to take a seat with us. Upon seeing her, Scootaloo nearly screamed, but I put my hand over her mouth.

“Relax Scoots, RELAX! She's not bad,” I assured her, the filly shaking feverishly in my arms.

“B-but she... she's Nightmare Moon!” she gasped and I nodded.

“Yeah, but she's not bad... trust me, okay?” I told her. It took a moment but Scootaloo eventually calmed, even if she was still a little cautious of the mare. Trixie took a seat beside me and nudged me.

Looking over, she asked a rather poorly timed question. “Did you pick Trixie up her eggnog?” she asked, nearly making me groan. Of all the times she could ask.

“Uhh... it uhh... was sold out,” I stated and her face nearly went into a pout.

“B-b-but y-you said you would... pick Trixie up eggnog,” she whined and I sighed.

“Shit happens...” I trailed off as I realized I was in the presence of a filly and would have to watch my language. “Sorry. But I can always make some,” I offered but she just pouted about it.

“It's not the same,” she whined, making me roll my eye. I figured it would've went worse had I said I gave it away... or told her that I gave the original carton to Flim and Flam...

Lassie nudged Scootaloo and asked the question I had been wondering since the beginning. “So kid... what made yah try and brave that wild snow storm?” my canine friend asked and Scootaloo sighed.

“It wasn't supposed to snow this bad... and I told Rainbow Dash I wouldn't be able to spend Hearth's Warming with her because I had other things to do, and I wanted to surprise her but... I got lost when the storm hit and... well that's when you found me...” Scootaloo said shyly, looking to me.

Trixie spoke up in a lecturing tone. “Well, you're very lucky he did find you. You could've-” I cut Trixie short.

“Ah screw it kid. You live and learn right. Today's lesson learned gives you more experience for tomorrow... or whatever the saying is. All that matters is that we're all here on the holiday right?” I asked and she half-nodded just as Alfred came in.

“Sir, I prepared you... oh... well, I prepared yourself and the filly a dish of warm noodle soup but... shall I prepare more for everypony?” he asked, Trixie's stomach grumbling being his answer.

“Than I shall get to it at once sir,” he stated as he trotted off. Seeing as how Scootaloo was feeling better now, and no longer in threat of hypothermia, I shed the comforter off her and led her upstairs.

“Wow...” she commented as we walked through the mansion. “This place is so cool...” She was absolutely mesmerized by the place as we made our way to the dinning room. True to his word, Alfred had prepared some tea and noodle soup, which was set out properly for us.

“How did you ever afford this place? It's so awesome. It's even better than the Canterlot Castle!” she chimed, probably a bit of an exaggeration. We took our seats at the rather massive table that stretched quite a ways.

Lassie sat and tapped her paws as she waited, Nightmare sitting next to me and Trixie sitting closer to Lassie. Looking to me, my dog asked a rather basic question. “You gonna eat that?” she asked, motioning to my soup. I slid it over to her and she quickly licked her chops and plowed her face into the bowl, slurping it up and making a mess.

Scootaloo laughed and giggled as Lassie made a rather foalish display. Turning her head up, and with a noodle strangling from the side of her mouth, she spoke. “Wha?” she asked with a mouthful of noodles, making Scootaloo giggle further.

“You're making a mess,” she laughed and Lassie wiggled her paws.

“No thumbs,” came her excuse. I pointed to Scootaloo whom was using her hooves that, evidently enough, had no thumbs. In the moments following, Alfred brought over several more bowls of noodles and cups of tea.

As he set them out for us, he was particularly disdainful towards the mess Lassie had made. “Hey Moony,” Lassie called over to Nightmare whom was just about to take her first spoonful. “Last one to finish takes the blame for the mess?” she challenged, a grin coming across both their faces as the duo spoke out in unison.

“THREETWOONEGO!” their mouths raced before their faces dunked into the bowls and made a considerable mess. Lifting their heads, they both looked at each other and began a foalish argument over who won.

Stopping for a moment, they looked to Scootaloo and Lassie spoke first. “Hey kid, you seen it with your own eyes. Tell Moony over there that I totally dusted her,” she laughed, Nightmare cutting in.

“Oh please, even a blind pony could've seen I won by at least a second, if not two,” she remarked. Scootaloo blinked before swallowing her spoonful.

“Uhm... I think it was a tie,” she mentioned the two challengers looking to each other and speaking.

“Told you so!...” they paused for a moment and looked back. “A tie?!” they both asked and Scootaloo nodded. Lassie looked to Nightmare and Nightmare to her.

Lassie was the first to speak. “I demand a rematch!” she challenged and Nightmare Moon licked her pretty lips.

“And I declare it... you're going down, dog,” she accepted the challenge playfully. Alfred leaned down to me.

“Sir, ever since you've been gone, Lassie has taught the others terrible manners...” he informed me and I perked a brow.

“I can see that...” I looked to the others whom looked back to me. A smirk came across my face and I myself plunged my face into my bowl of soup noodles and made a mess across the table.

Lifting my head, I slurped back the few noodles I actually managed to eat during the mess. Lassie and Nightmare both cackled in laughter, Trixie and Scootaloo soon joining in as well at the expense of Alfred's displeasure. Lassie spoke up in a cackling manner. “Forget the rematch, Derreck takes first place!” she laughed, seeing the most unimpressed facial expression of Alfred.

“Indeed...” he commented before slowly trotting away. We all shared a chuckle before I patted Scootaloo on the back.

“So?” I asked her, Scootaloo looking to me. “Feel better?” I asked and she nodded silently. “That's good,” I replied subtly. I looked over to Trixie and sighed. “Sorry for not picking up your eggnog. It just... slipped my mind earlier and then was sold out,” I stated and Trixie merely nodded.

“Trixie doesn't really mind. She just wishes she had eggnog. Besides, we can make it like you suggested.” She gave me a nod and I rubbed my chin.

“You know Trix... that ain't a bad idea, not a bad idea at all,” I replied with a further rub of my chin. “We'll need... milk... and some eggs... cinnamon... and-” Lassie cut me short.

“So what the hay are we waiting for?! Let's make this stuff!” she said aloud. Getting up from our seats, we all made our way to the kitchen and began to rummage around, finding what we figured we'd need to make eggnog.

As we began to throw stuff together in a blender, Scootaloo sighed rather... depressingly. I nudged her as I reached up high for the cinnamon. “Hey kid, why the long face?” I asked and she shrugged.

“I dunno... I mean, don't get me wrong, this is great but...” she trailed off.

“But?...” I asked.

“Well... I was super excited to surprise Rainbow Dash. She didn't have anything planed tonight either. Tomorrow she's going to see friends but I was gonna surprise her and spend Hearth's Warming Eve with her and wake up in the morning and we were gonna make pancakes and...” she trailed off, her hopes and dreams seemingly defeated.

Upon hearing it, my rather upbeat mood seemed to deflate as well, myself rubbing some eye snot from my eyelid. “Hmm... well that's pretty crumby...” I stated and she nodded with a sigh.

“I just wish she could be here...” she mentioned, and with that, Evan's voice nudged me.

'Come on, for the kid?' he asked and I thought back at him.

'And what am I supposed to do? Just go foalnap Rainbow Dash?' I snapped back and he snickered in my head.

'Possibly,' he giggled and my brow rose upon thinking those words...

“Hey kid...” I trailed off and a wide smile came across my face before I went expressionless. “Ah'll be back,” I told her in the perfect delivery. Pressing my right index and middle finger to my forehead, I focused hard, searching across all Equestria... sensing... feeling. I felt everything. Every tree, every dog, cat, cow, stallion and...

'Found her-' My mind went blank for just a moment...

I found myself standing on clouds, along with a scream that echoed in the cloud home just as I began to fall through the would-be floor. I found the power to keep myself afloat, a powerful aura coating my body and letting me stay airborne as I looked to Dash, who wrapped a towel around her body.

“YOU EVER HEAR OF KNOCKING?!” she nearly screamed and I rolled my eyes as I flew over and grabbed the still wet mare, damp from her shower... heh, with her hair like that, she was pretty cute.

“Don't let go,” I told her but she didn't even manage a squeak before both our minds went white with emptiness...

We fell to the nice hardwood floor of the kitchen, the others gasping as I heard Scootaloo's last few words get cut off by our sudden arrival. “And then he just dissa-” They all were looking down on Dash and I as we lay on the floor, Dash partially covered in her bath towel.

“DASH!” Scootaloo squeaked as she rushed over and nearly jumped on the mare who let out an 'OOMPH' as the filly landed on her. As Scootaloo snuggled into her, Dash rose a brow.

“Wha... what's going... going on?” Dash asked as the others all looked to her. She unfortuantely spotted Nightmare Moon and quickly rose into a defensive stance, the towel falling from her body as she tucked Scootaloo behind her.

“NIGHTMARE MOON!” she nearly snarled, to which my lover to a step back, and I stepped between them.

“Woah-ho, wait! Hold on! Brakes!” I tried to stop any further aggression.

“WHAT?! Are you crazy?! Do you know who she-” she was cut off by Scootaloo whom was tugging on her side.

“No, really Dash. Nightmare Moon is really, really, REALLY, nice. She's teaching me how to make eggnog and even promised to help me make... what was it called?” she asked curiously.

Nightmare Moon's answer was something that had even me perking a brow. “Croquembouche,” she told Scootaloo.

“Yeah, that. It looks really good,” the young filly answered, having Dash lower her guard slightly and ask the same thing I was wondering.

“What's that?” Dash asked curiously.

“It's a secret!” Scootaloo replied, her and Nightmare giggling together like little fillies. Well... that was a first that I'd seen Nightmare act like this. Dash grabbed her towel and wrapped it over herself yet again.

“Ahem... yeah well... hey, how'd you even get here?” Dash asked Scootaloo who quickly told the tale of how she was trying to surprise Dash but got stuck in the snowstorm and how I... as she told it, rescued her. Dash, upon hearing this, grabbed the filly and hugged her tight.

“Scootaloo... oh thank Goddess you're alright... kid, you don't have to surprise me,” she said truthfully but that didn't deter the young filly's attitude one bit. Setting her down, Dash looked to me. “Thank you... but uhh, next time you decide to foalnap me out of my house, can you wait until I'm done drying off?” she asked, making me laugh quietly to myself.

“Sure thing Dash... washroom's down the hallway and to the right... when you get back... we could use some help making eggnog,” I offered, Dash smirking to herself.

“Why didn't you just buy some?” she replied, Trixie butting in before I could even speak.

“That's what Trixie said, but he waited until the last minute and it was sold out!” she complained, making Dash laugh as she trotted away. Our group went back to trying to make the eggnog, every batch seeming to get closer, or further, away from tasting like proper eggnog.

As Dash came back we started to make a bit of a mess... a little bit more than a mess, but we were all giggling and having fun none the less. After yet another batch of taste testing, Trixie spat in disgust. “Blech... this is the worst batch yet... don't you have a cookbook?” she asked and I shook my head. “I should've gotten you that for Hearth's Warming instead... who in Equestria doesn't have a cookbook?” she asked, so disgruntled she didn't refer to herself in third person.

“Y-you... got me something for Hearth's Warming?” I asked, feeling a little tender about it.

“Well of course. You're so very special to me, I had to get you something,” she stated, making me squirm a bit due to the fact I hadn't actually gotten anything for her, or anypony else for that matter.

Lassie cut in. “Yeah, me too. But Alfred wouldn't let us bring in a tree to put everything under because... ohhhh, it would make such a mess!” she quipped in a mocking tone, to which I heard Alfred's voice cut in.

“Actually, that's not how I put it... I do believe my exact words were that it would shed pine needles everywhere... and that it could just as easily be put in the garage instead,” he quoted his words and Lassie grunted.

“Dude... it's cold there, and it's supposed to be in the living room,” she quipped and he nodded.

“Yes, well... it would make too much of a mess... unless sir approves,” he looked to me and I just shrugged and looked out the window, only to see it was still storming outside.

“Uhh... maybe we'll get a tree later,” I mused the idea, not wanting to go outside and get cold again. Scootaloo stepped forwards and spoke to Alfred.

“Excuse me, Alfred, do you know how to make eggnog?” she asked in an innocent tone and he perked a brow. “You know, like the festive kind?” she asked. We all looked to her as she stood before the butler whose lips twitched just slightly before he spoke.

“Well... it just so happens that I do. Why might you ask?” he asked her and she handed him a glass of our latest batch.

“What's wrong with ours? We keep getting it wrong,” she asked him. Alfred took the glass and sipped it gingerly, shuddering slightly as he spat to the side.

“Blech,” he nearly choked before wiping his lip, handing the glass back and speaking. “It requires less cinnamon... add a little vanilla, probably no more than a tablespoons worth, and a bit of nutmeg... and that should make a sufficient blend of eggnog,” he informed us.

We went to it, following his instructions as we blended a hefty batch of eggnog, enough so that we would all have at least one full glass of it. Lassie dipped a paw digit into the blender of eggnog then licked her digit and nodded. “Oh yeah... he's bang on!” she chimed and we poured ourselves all a glass, myself offering Alfred a glass.

“Oh no, please sir I'm flattered but... I prefer mine with a bit of extra... spice, if you will,” he mentioned and I perked a brow, motioning to the others whom all had their glasses. “Oh I suppose just a single glass wouldn't hurt.” He took his glass and we all rose to a toast.

Lassie made it for us. “Here's to Alfred, best damn butler slash cook slash maid in Equestria,” she proposed, adding the maid part in just to poke at him but still making Alfred blush slightly regardless.

“Hay... I'll drink to that,” I said, the others nodding and with it, all tipped back our drinks. “Damn... not bad... hey, Lassie's onto something. If you ain't the best, it's a damn close call,” I commented, Alfred chuckling.

“Well sir... I do take pride in my work... if you would please though, try not to make too much of a mess please.” And with that he was trotting off, probably to go iron a suit or something butler-ish.

I shrugged and made my way to the living room, figuring I'd kick my feet up for a while. Lassie followed me but Nightmare Moon, Scootaloo and Dash stayed in the kitchen to make... whatever she called it.

I flopped on the lazycolt recliner and tilted it back, pulling off my socks and letting out a sigh. Lassie curled up by my feet and Trixie meanwhile turned on the radio, which was playing some holiday music. I was usually pretty grumpy about listening to that crap, but I'd tolerate it for this evening... it was the time of season after all.

As I laid there, I started to doze off, the warm fuzzly feeling starting to come over me before I was suddenly woken by something warm, wet and soft pressing to my cheek, waking me from my near slumber.

“Uhh! Huh, what?” I asked, partially in a daze. Scootaloo was holding a tray of... something, and Nightmare Moon was the one whom kissed me.

“Surprise. Croquembouche,” Nightmare Moon announced as Scootaloo presented the treat to everypony. I shook my head in slight confusion but Dash's words snapped me back into reality.

“They're actually pretty good, you should try one,” she suggested to me. I decided to take one. It was... good, I'd give it that. It was coated in caramel or something there of and the balls were a pastry of some kind. As good as it was, it wasn't what I was in the mood for.

“That's actually really good,” I told her, to which Scootaloo offered another. “Oh no... no more for me... I kinda want a coffee,” I said with a tired exhale as I stood up and drowsily walked towards the kitchen.

“Me too!” Lassie chimed out. I looked back and sighed. That was the last thing I needed right now. A hyper-active Lassie.

“Yeah, I'll take one too, if you don't mind,” Dash added in. I walked over to the cupboards and opened them up then looked back to Scootaloo.

“We're gonna have some coffee kid, you want something to drink? Milk?... I dunno, I got... you want... milk?” I offered.

“Coffee's fine,” she said in a smooth voice.

“I dunno kid. This is espresso, you know?” I said as I pulled out the can of premium espresso coffee. “This is like coffee-zilla,” I stated, knowing it would get her wired beyond belief and have her bouncing off the walls.

“Coffee's fine,” she told me and I rose a challenging brow, to which she whined back. “What?! I drink it! I'm cool like you and Dash,” she commented and I sighed with a shrug.

“Allll-right,” I stated as I grabbed some sugar and a tin of hot-chocolate mix.

Walking over to the stove top, I brought a kettle of water to boil and pulled out some cream. Pouring several cups of espresso, I added cream to them, then made one cup of hot-chocolate and added a slight bit of sugar before putting everything away and walking back out with the beverages.

I handed out all the coffee and gave Scootaloo her hot-chocolate which she believed to be coffee. Dash looked to me with a risen brow and slightly worried look, knowing what a young filly on espresso would be like. I cupped my hand beside my mouth as though to blow on my coffee but secretly did it to hide my mouthed words from Scoots as I informed Dash of the reality.

'Hot-chocolate,' I mouthed silently and she smiled with a knowing nod. Our group sat there and sipped our beverages for a while, just enjoying the company. Trixie was the first to yawn, quickly finishing her drink.

“Well... I'm off to bed,” she said through another yawn, and with that was off. Lassie was next to yawn and didn't really say anything as she curled up at my feet.

Scootaloo yawned next and looked to Dash and I. “Can you tuck me in?” she asked us both and I swallowed. For a moment I was hesitant but figured there was no harm in doing so, seeing as how I'd have to show them a spare room anyway.

“Sure, come on... you can have one of the guest rooms,” I said as I sat up with a tired groan. I showed them to a room with two beds, one for Scootaloo and one for Dash, figuring they could share a room as opposed to separating them.

Scootaloo hopped into bed and Dash tucked her in, rubbing her cheek and wishing her a good night's sleep before kissing her forehead. The filly looked to me next and I just blinked blankly. “Will you kiss me goodnight too?” she asked and I nearly went pale faced.

“Uhh... me?” I asked and she nodded. “L-l-like... I mean... really? You want me to kiss you goodnight?” I asked and she nodded again. "W-well I... I guess if you really want me too...” I trailed off, leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Night kid... sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite... well, I mean... we don't have bed bugs cause Alfred... yeah...” I coughed timidly, not having much experience in this field, to which Scootaloo nodded with a giggle and snuggled into her blanket.

I stood up and made for the door, to which Dash followed. “Hey,” she called to me and I turned. “Listen... thank for... foalnapping me... it means a lot to her for us be together on the holidays... and she really likes you, I can see it in her eyes.” I nodded and scratched my head.

“Uhh... yeah, I... I try,” I told her and Dash nodded again.

“I just thought you should know, I think... I think you would've made a pretty good dad,” she told me and I smiled softly. I stepped back and gave her a nod after which she shut the door to their room and I wandered back into the living room, relaxing onto my chair. I felt all... crumby and miserable... it was because of this warm fuzzy feeling I was getting on the inside.

The others were all passed out, Trixie had left to her own room, Nightmare on the other hand had passed out on a nearby couch and Lassie was at the base of the lazycolt where I soon resided and retrieved my cup of coffee. 'Ugh... what a holiday...' I groaned inwardly...

I awoke with a chill at my feet, making me shiver softly and wake up. Looking around, I saw that all the lights were out, no longer coating everything in that warm, fuzzy, cherishable feeling.

Instead everything was coated in darkness, with small bits of dust fluttering through the hallways, almost glowing. The darkness wasn't black like usual. The winter snow had given the darkness a blue tint. I stood up and looked around, shivering again as I noticed it was fairly cold considering we had a furnace. 'Damn... I wonder if Alfred accidentally turned off the furnace?' I wondered.

As I began to walk towards the staircase, I glanced past the window and took note it wasn't snowing as bad anymore, barely at all actually. Just a few stray flakes fluttered down to the ground.

I perked a brow. Maybe I didn't get anypony anything for Christmas, err... Hearth's Warming, but maybe I could at least get them a tree. 'A stupid fuckin' tree,' I thought begrudgingly as I slipped on my boots and duster coat.

Slipping into the garage I grabbed an ax and some gloves before sneaking out to Juggernaut. 'They'll probably wake up from the engine but... maybe not,' I thought as I keyed the ignition, the truck turning over before promptly rumbling to life.

“Okay Juggernaut... nice and quiet,” I whispered, as though it would make a difference. I slipped the battle truck into gear and we puttered away and off the estate property, into the depths of the Everfree Forest.

As I cruised along through the snow, I kept cursing silently to myself. “This is such a stupid idea... who the fuck wants a tree... a cock suckin' stupid tree...”

As I began cursing the holiday however, the storm returned, only making me curse louder. “OH FOR FUCK SAKES! HURRAY! AS IF THIS DAY COULDN'T GET ANY MORE FUCKED!” I roared out, the power of the wind nearly rocking the truck. “FUCK YOU TOO, YOU STUPID FUCKING STORM! GO FUCK YOURSELF!” I roared.

As I drove along I looked from side to side of the trail, trying to find an appropriately sized tree. Pretty soon the storm got blisteringly miserable and I decided to just get out and chose a random tree. “Fuck pretty, fuck perfect, fuck everything! They just get a Charlie Brown tree!” I roared as I stepped out, grabbing an energy bar of the dash for the way. I left the truck running with the door open, figuring I wouldn't be long.

Walking over to the side of the trail, I kept one arm across my face, shielding me from the blustering wind. I kept silently cursing the weather in general but the odd time I dropped an F-bomb about the holiday.

As I neared what I believed to be the edge of the trail, I slipped and suddenly began to tumble down a step slope, rolling and bouncing as I fell, swearing vividly the whole way down. As I finally hit the bottom, I let out one loud, prolonged swear that echoed into the distance.

At this point I was cold, wet, freezing and just cursing myself for ever conceiving this idea. Standing up, I retrieved my ax with my fumblingly cold hands. Any longer and I was guaranteed frostbite and hypothermia.

I began to stagger through the knee-high snow, searching painfully for a stupid tree. The wind started to pick up even more and I heard a whistling howl. Looking up to the sky, through all the snowfall and gusting winds, I saw the moon covered by dark storm clouds that looked more like thunderclouds than that of winter clouds. Blue streaks of lightning flashed across the sky, making me curse even more... next it'd start fucking raining, my luck.

“I didn't think thunder could even exist in winter time,” I commented as I trudged on in the utter darkness, cursing even louder now.

My legs started to go numb and frost started to grow on my duster. “Holy fuck... cock-suckin' ASSHOLES!” I yelled out to nopony in particular, and swearing about nopony... just swearing for the sake of swearing.

The whistling howl returned and I looked to the sky where massive ghostly horses flew above me like vultures. I gave them the finger and cursed them. “Awww fuck you! And fuck me! AND FUCK THIS HOLIDAY!” I roared, the flying beasts' eyes flashing at me as they all began to twirl around, creating a whirlwind.

'Oh shit...' I thought as my stomach sank. I decided it was time to high-tail it, but as I went to run I realized that my trail was gone. 'Son of a bitch!' I thought quietly as I took off in a random direction, the creatures, Windigos I think they were called, chasing after me.

Regardless of how fast I ran, the fuckers could fly and I was stuck trudging through knee high snow. They chased after me like crazed beasts, screeching and howling into the wind. As I scurried down a path, one flew low and struck me hard in the back, knocking me face first into the frigid snow.

Forcing myself back up, I wiped the snow from my face but nearly gasped as I found myself face to face... face to grill, with Juggernaut, my stomach sinking further. She wasn't running anymore, and was frozen over with ice. Icicles ran off her grill and frost coated all the metal parts.

I scurried and took a look to the inside of the truck, only to be mortified as the frost had even gotten to the inside. 'HOW THE FUCK DID THAT HAPPEN?! I wasn't even gone five fuckin' minutes!' I thought furiously.

Before I could even take another step, another Windigo tackled me, launching me back down the steep slope. Even through all the tumbling and crashing into tree trunks on the way down, I kept my grip tight on the ax, knowing it was my one weapon I had.

Coming to a fluffy stop, I immediately stood up and gave them the finger. “Ahhh fuck you, you pansy shits! COME AT ME FAGGOTS!” I nagged them on, one Windigo taking the bait and swooshing down. I stepped back and timed it just perfectly.

Just as it got close I swung the ax into its head, planning to use the tree next to it as the chopping block. However, much to my successful timing, the ax seemed to just glide right through the damn thing, like the Windigo was really just a ghost.

It tackled itself into me, dragging me into the ground and breathing on me. Its breath was like liquid nitrogen, freezing the side of my face upon contact. I tried to bring my arm up in defense but it to was frozen, even through the thick oilskin.

My mind raced but I finally came upon an idea, an idea that had slipped my mind due to my frustration and anger. My right fist clenched, three shiny metallic blades emerging from between my knuckles. I drove my fist hard into the side of its head and this time, it didn't go right through like it was just a ghost. The blades drove deep into its skull and the beast squealed and howled before erupting into a fume of soft fluffy snow.

I stood up, the other two looking to me with patronizing glares. I returned the glare as my fists tightened and I felt something growing between them... a handle... one that was expertly crafted... and soon it started to gain in weight.

The blade of blades... the ultimate mythic sword... starting from the hilt, The Shadow Blade began to materialize in my grasp, emerging to be longer than I was tall. The blade itself glowed dark blue, and a flaming aura was lit off the blade, with a heat so intense it warmed my body. the blade almost hummed in my hands as I gripped it tight.

I took a daring step back and the beasts darted down towards me. A determined expression came about my face as I brought the mighty blade to bear in front of me, letting the glowing blade illuminate my face through all the darkness.

Taking a slight crouch, I sprang up at them. The clash was brief, precise and took instance faster than one could blink. I landed in a crouched position, the sword vanishing from my grip as I landed. The Windigos landed behind me and we were all still for a brief moment that seemed to drag out for hours before they both collapsed into a plume of snow.

I dragged myself to my feet and began to stumble along, cursing silently as my face remained numb, along with my left arm. Surprisingly enough, my healing factor wasn't doing anything at the moment to heal the injuries, or if it was, it didn't feel like it.

Tall trees surrounded me, ones that reached way high and had no branches until the very top. They seemed to surround me like some kinda damn nightmare, slowly closing in on me.

Little bits of snow drizzled down through the darkness. Everything was pitched an almost dark blue tint, and the trees cast long ominous shadows across the flat, snow covered ground. As I continued along, I heard a plea for help. My ears perked and again I heard it. I rushed along until I found a figure, cloaked in some kinda raggedy burlap clothing.

“Please... my leg,” she, judging by her voice, whimpered.

“Celestia... who the hay is out on a night like this... I thought I was the only stupid one,” I mumbled and she whispered again for my help. “Okay, okay, relax. I'm gonna help yah.” I examined her body briefly and discerned she wasn't going to bleed to death or be put in critical condition if I lifted her.

Picking her up over my shoulders, I opted to teleport out of this shithole. I put my fingers to my forehead like always and focused... but couldn't come up with anything. It was like everything else was just... gone...

'Shit...' I quietly swore as I began to walk away with the injured mare on my shoulders. “So... what's your name?” I asked, trying to spike conversation.

“Uhh... most ponies just call me Snow,” she told me and I looked back to her. Her fur was white and her mane a matching color.

“Suits you,” I mentioned honestly as I neared a patch of brush that led into a clearing. Stepping out into the clearing, I looked around. We were both undoubtedly cold, hungry, and tired.

“Okay... okay hold on,” I said as I leaned her up against a tree. My claws popped out, making her jump and I quickly went to work on some of the drier branches of brush, stacking up a small pile in a suitable place for a fire. Not too close to the tree to risk wildfire, but not far enough away that we didn't have cover from the elements.

I stripped off some birch bark and placed it near the base. With all claws extended, I clanged them together, a skew of sparks coming off them and lighting the small pit of branches ablaze.

“Oh yeah! What up?! That's right...” I trailed off as I tossed a few more branches on to keep it going.

Snow, as she called herself, scooched closer to the warmth of the fire, pulling her hood back and revealing her facial features in full. She was a unicorn. I rubbed my chin as vague memories of her surfaced. “I... recall seeing you... once... before, somewhere,” I made note and she shrugged.

“I don't know. Perhaps. I'm a rather forgettable pony,” she told me and I rose a brow. “But you... I hear you are a legend... The Punisher,” she said, myself fist pumping the air.

“YES! Finally,” I exclaimed, Snow giving me a strange look. “You don't know how long I've wanted somepony to call me that... pretty awesome,” I said as I leaned back, the fire crackling with warmth.

We sat there for a while, myself throwing the odd branch on to keep the fire hot and continuous. Sitting in silence soon proved a bore and I tried to spike up conversation. “So... family?” I asked but she shook her head.

“You?” she asked back.

I tapped the side of my head. “He keeps me in the boundaries of sanity... got a few folks back home too... came out to get them a tree for Hearth's Warming,” I mentioned and she perked a brow.

“I heard somepony in the forest... cursing the holiday... rather vividly. Was that by chance... you?” she asked curiously and I sighed.

“Yeah but... I don't really hate the holidays. I was just kinda frustrated that I was trying to do something nice and everything kept kinda... you know?” I asked and she merely licked her lips.

“Well... I'm not so sure. You should watch what you say, even when alone. Somepony could hear it and mistake it for something else.” She had a point, I'd give her that, but not much else.

We continued to sit there and I heard her stomach grumble while she licked her lips. “Hungry?” I asked and she nodded. “Yeah... me too... me too,” I told her, rubbing my hands together near the fire. "Wish I hadn't have wasted all that noodle soup earlier," I said aloud as I rubbed my stomach.

“Do you have anything to eat?” she asked and I shook my head. “Nothing at all?” she asked and I rose a brow.

“Well... if you want I could cut a piece of my arm off and cook it... it'll grow back so...” I offered honestly, and rather cynically. She nearly cringed at the offer. “Well... offer stands. Truth be told, if I have to stay out here much longer, I might just do it,” I joked with a laugh, Snow cringing further. "I'm joking, of course."

I groaned as my stomach rumbled and I thought back on those damn... whatevers, that Nightmare Moon and Scootaloo had made... what I'd give for one of those... and all that soup we splashed... hell, I might even consider one of those nasty energy bars in my truc-

“The energy bar!” I gasped as I stood up and fished through my coat. Snow looked to me with a risen brow as I found it in one of my duster coat pockets. “AHHH-HAAAA!” I announced and rose a brow as I looked to her. “Still hungry?” I asked and she nodded quickly.

I tossed her over the bar to which she caught graciously and began to peel open as I took my seat. “Aren't you going to have one as well?” she asked but I shook my head.

“Nah. That was the only one. Took it for when I went out to cut down a tree for Hearth's Warming... all yours,” I told her and she looked to the bar then back to me.

“I'll split it with you,” she offered but I shook my head.

“Nah kid, you have it. You look like you need it more than me... besides, I'd rather eat part of my arm than one of those, yech!” I joked with a wink. She persisted with the offer but I instead reached over and gently pushed the energy bar towards her. “Seriously, I can live without it. Those things are disgusting... but you look like you need it.”

She looked to me with genuine eyes and gave me thanks before indulging in the bar. “If only everything could be that easy... but noooo, go to get a Hearth's Warming tree? Get lost out in the Everfree, crazy ass bird horses attack me, my truck gets frozen, I get stranded and now... well, this part isn't so bad, me and you, eh?” I asked and she nodded.

“You went out in the middle of the night just to get a tree for your loved ones?” she asked and I nodded. “That's kind of you,” she mentioned and I rolled my eye. Everypony kept saying I was kind. I really wasn't...

We sat for a while longer and the feeling to my arm and face started to return. Snow looked to me with a curious look. “I hear you... uhh... lay, a lot of mares,” she mentioned and I perked a brow.

“I might, why?” I asked and her answer was one that threw me way off. I was kinda half hoping she'd ask for a proverbial roll in the hay...

“Well, I also heard you were in a relationship... don't you think that's a little... less than faithful?” she asked and I shrugged.

“Yeah well... that's the kind of relationship she wants to lead, and I'm not one for arguing that,” I responded and she gave me a smart-assed look.

“Well what if she wanted something more... something a bit more faithful?” she asked and I shrugged.

“She'd ask,” I replied but she continued with the 'What ifs'.

“But what if perhaps she's waiting for you to say she's the only one you want?” she asked and I just dipped my head into my hands.

“Dude... dudette... I don't go to a therapist for a reason... please,” I pleaded with her and she stopped with a simple nod.

“I was just asking. I'm sorry for prodding but I'd just like to know... if she did ask you... out of the blue say, for you to be ever faithful to her... could you?” she asked and I nodded.

“Oh, yeah, of course. No doubt. I love Ni... her, more than anything,” I replied, figuring if I told her I was spooning with the legendary 'Mare in the moon' she might think I'm either nutty or terrifying.

I leaned back and laid down beside the fire, keeping toasty warm. “Okay Ms... Snow, how about you?” I asked but she shrugged as she too laid down.

“I live my life a free mare, traveling the world every year and bringing joy to others...” she trailed off and I rose a brow. That could mean a number of things. I pushed the thoughts aside as she spoke again. “Thank you for the energy bar. I know it wasn't much but it was your only piece of food, and in knowing that, I know you are true of heart,” she thanked me and I just groaned loudly.

“Ohhhh please, don't patronize me... just... just nod and say 'Thanks for the bar'... actually, not even that, those things are terrible,” I laughed and she just smiled.

“As you wish Mr. Parker. Sweet dreams,” she replied as we both curled up around the fire. As I began to drift into sleep, I wondered to myself.

'I never told her my actual name...'

I awoke with a gasp, jumping up and looking in all different directions. I was warm... dry...

I looked around and blinked. I was back in my mansion... I rushed over to the window and looked below. There, sitting out front where I had originally left her the day before, sat Juggernaut.

I scratched my head as memories from last night started to fade. 'Had it all been... just a dream?' I wondered to myself. Before I could even speak, a small filly ran into me from the side.

“Oh, you're the bestest ever!” Scootaloo chimed as Lassie plowed into me as well, followed by Trixie which finally knocked me over.

“GWAH! What?! What did I do?” I gasped as they all snuggled me.

Scootaloo pointed to the tree that sat in the living room with an assortment of presents beneath it. The tree itself was beautifully decorated. I blinked in disbelief but Lassie spoke before I could say anything. “Oh man, for a little while I thought we weren't gonna have one, but this is... PERFECT! Man, Alfred is gonna be like 'Bwahch, why did you have to make a mess, blech!'” she mocked the butler, whose voice soon picked up.

“I don't believe I sound like that at all, but... sir, did you really have to drag a tree inside?” he asked and I waved my hands like I had nothing to do with it. Lassie hit me playfully.

“Oh, give us a break. Who else would've brought it in? Hearth?” she asked and still I was left clueless as to how it ended up there. Scootaloo looked to Dash whom looked to me.

Speaking up, the filly asked the question most kids do on Hearth's Warming. “Can we open presents now?” she asked and Dash looked to her.

“W-well... I mean, the presents I got for you are back-” but Scootaloo cut her off.

“That's okay, Evan got presents for all of us, even you,” she said, calling me Evan instead of Derreck, which was fine, but only for her. Dash looked to me and I shook my head like I had no idea what she was talking about.

We all walked over but before I could really get a look at anything, Trixie levitated over a gift for me. “Here, Trixie figures you should open the first gift since you really brought home the spirit of the holiday,” she said, the others all nodding. I hated being the center of attention...

Taking a brief look, I saw it was from Trixie, or as she put it 'From: The Great and Powerful Trixie'. I opened up the gift, and pried open the box to find...

“It's a cape, just like Trixie's. Now we can have the matching pair!” she exclaimed. “The most great and powerful in all Equestria will have matching capes to show off their great and powerfulness,” she stated, only making me blink.

Scootaloo pulled on my leg and I looked down to her. She leaned up as though to whisper and I leaned down so she could tell me her secret. “I'm sorry but I didn't get you anything. I didn't know I'd see you,” she apologized but I just shrugged it off.

“Don't worry about it kid,” I assured her as Lassie began to shred one apart.

“Woah... aww, you're so thoughtful D. I love bones,” she said, holding up the bone and licking it in an almost sexual way. I just closed my eye, not wanting to think what she'd be doing with it later. Lassie opened another one then looked to Trixie. “Ohh... double trouble,” she said, holding up a second bone before cracking an innuendo. “If you guys all got me bones, I won't have enough places to put them.” I shuddered from the comment.

I sat back as they all started opening presents from one another, Scootaloo unwrapping hers that was from me... somehow. It was some heavy winter clothing and a... box?

“Oh cool,” she chimed as she showed off the box, which turned out to be a ready to build gingerbread house. “Can we all make it together later?” she asked, the others nodding in response.

Dash opened up the present I had supposedly gotten her and gasped. “Holy... no... way...” she looked to me wide eyed, then to the gift again. I had no idea what it was. “Are you serious? Is this for... it is... it can't be... but it is!” she exclaimed, standing up in unparalleled joy.

“A first generation Wonderbolts officer uniform... oh no way! IT'S EVEN MY SIZE!” she squealed like a filly on Hearth's Warming...

She looked to me in disbelief. “How did you... why did you... oh this is sooooo awesome!” she squeaked, flying into me at nearly mach speed and hugging me. I just scratched the back of my head as she bumbled out a thank you.

“Uhh... yeah, it was nothing,” I stated modestly, having no clue as to how it got there or where it even came from.

“You didn't? Oh you did? You liar!” Trixie squealed and tackled me over my chair, pinning Dash between us. “You said they were out of eggnog! I should've known!” she squealed before planting a wet kiss on my lips. I was a little shocked to say the least and when I finally managed to stand, I saw there was a small crate with six dairy bottles labeled 'Eggnog'.

I blinked in true disbelief but before I could really say anything, Nightmare handed me a present, one from her. I opened it up and looked at it. It was a checkered shirt, with a button-up front, chest pocket and collared neck.

“I thought you might need something more relaxitive for when you're hanging around home... I think it'd look good on you,” she said and I quickly pulled my old shirt off and slipped the new one one. Sure enough, it did look pretty decent... and kinda made me look like some kind of retired old stallion about to go golfing.

“Oh, oh, oh! Put the cape on too!” Trixie chimed. I did as suggested and slipped the cape on. Lassie rushed over with a small present and offered it to me, it was from her to me. Judging by the small shape and shaft-like appearance I didn't want to really know what it was, knowing her... personality.

Irregardless I opened it up to find a fine cylinder tube with a wonderful smelling cigar inside. “I always see you chewing that same old nasty cigar of yours and figured you might want a new one,” she laughed and I managed a chuckle as I slipped the fresh cigar into my mouth.

The taste alone was mind blowing. So exquisite and immaculate... my smile widdened. Lassie looked back to the tree and spotted another. “Hey... this one's for... Alfred?... gimme a sec... ahem...” she moved over to one side of the living room and knocked over a vase of flowers.

"Alfred! I knocked over a table and it's made a big mess! You should come and clean it!” she called out and I could hear the 'Clip-clop' of Alfred's casual trot as he slowly, and probably in a disgruntled way, came up to clean the mess.

“Ms. Lassie could you-” she presented him with the gift.

“Nah, forget the mess. Here, this is for you,” she said and he went wide eyed.

“A... a gift... for me? On Hearth's Warming... why I... I never... nopony ever gets me a... thank you,” he said as he slowly opened it and gasped as he revealed a fine suit coat to everypony. “Mr. Parker... you shouldn't have,” he nearly cried... and genuinely cried too. “It's... oh you really shouldn't have, this is so wonderful,” he said and I blinked. It just looked like a plain jane... suit coat.

“Uhh... what is it?” I asked and he gave me a dumb look.

“Oh please Mr. Parker... you know full well what it is... you really shouldn't have... oh this is...” he continued to ramble as he trotted away with the new suit, crying in happiness all the while. I looked to the others in confusion, a look which they returned. What was the big deal?

“Ideas?” I asked them but they all shook their heads. With that we were mostly out of presents, only stocking remained which were filled with goodies.

“Can we start making this?” Scootaloo asked, holding up her gingerbread house. The others all followed her to the kitchen, everypony except Nightmare and myself. I myself walked over towards the tree to finally inspect it and nearly tripped over a gift that was hidden under all the shredded wrapping paper.

Nightmare picked it up and looked to me. "You didn't have to get me anything. You being home for Hearth's Warming was enough,” she chimed and began to open it. I saw her legs threaten to give out as she looked to me. “Are you... are you serious?” she asked as she levitated out two nearly identical necklaces.

“What are they?” I asked. She gave me a smirk.

“You bought them and you act like you don't even know what these are,” she giggled to me and still I was puzzled. “They're promise necklaces... two lovers wear them when they want to be forever loyal to one another...” she placed one in my hands while the other around her own neck.

“The hooves on the amulet piece signify friendship, the crown represents loyalty and the heart...” she trailed off as she placed a kiss to my lips. “When the user wears it, the heart piece is to face towards the wearer's own heart, to signify the other is always in their heart and that they will forever remain loyal and faithful to them... are you saying... I'm the only mare you'd ever want?” she asked, turning her head to one side and bashing her eyes at me with a blush.

It was that one comment, the last phrase, that made me remember, and finally realize who was probably behind this... if she even truly existed. I nodded and slipped my necklace on. I stood before her and took her into an embrace. “You're the only mare I could ever want,” I told her honestly. We were about to kiss when a set of snowballs hit me and Nightmare.

“Ewww!” Lassie giggled with Scootaloo. “You two were about to kiss!” they giggled together, snickering as I frowned but the game was on for Nightmare. She quickly, and most joyfully, chased them out the door. I sighed... oh how the great and powerful had fallen...

I raced out the door, slipping my boots on as I went and chased them out to the front yard where a snowball fight had erupted. Dash and Scootaloo were hiding behind a fort. Lassie and Trixie had amassed some kind of contraption that was like an automatic snowball catapult while Nightmare and myself had just arrived.

The war was on and raging like wildfire. Just as I was getting ready to assault Scoots and Dash's base while Trixie and Lassie provided Moon and myself cover, I was hit in the head by something... different.

“Hey, snowballs only! No... newspapers?” I asked curiously as I looked at the wrapped up newspaper.

“SORRY!” cried out a voice from above. I looked up to see a grey pegasus slowly and most gracefully flutter down. “It slipped. I didn't mean to hit you with it,” she apologized before I took her into a hug.

“Hey Derpy, how are yah?” I asked. She shrugged. It was the first time ever that she hadn't crashed into me before meeting like this... but I suppose she had hit me with a newspaper so that was close enough.

“Okay, I'm not actually on duty, we have the day off but this is tomorrow's issue and I knew you'd just have to see it!” she exclaimed and we all gathered in as I looked at the headline. There was a goofy picture of me trying to wave my arms while at the grocery mart, with the captioned title 'Local charity hero!'

Dash plucked the paper out of my hands and began to read it aloud. “During Ponyville's local charity food drive to feed the less fortunate for the holiday, there came a most unexpected, but very welcome, donation from a passerby. The anonymous donor gave nearly four hundred bits worth of food to the charity before filling small Timothy's hat with over Twe... Twelve...” Dash dropped the paper and looked to me.

“You gave the local charity over twelve thousand bits?!” she nearly gasped and I just shrugged but Derpy grabbed me tight, hugging me lovingly.

“Isn't he so great? He's a real hero now!” she chimed to the others but I quickly shrugged it off.

“Oh come on, it was nothing. I'm not really a hero,” I said but Derpy would have none of it.

“Of course you are. Because of you, lots of less fortunate ponies can have a happy holiday this year. Lots of less fortunate colts and fillies can have presents, just look!” She grabbed the newspaper off the ground and reopened it, showing a picture of several ponies at the orphanage, overjoyed with presents in front of them. “That's because of you!” she said, making me feel all crumby inside... or maybe I wasn't feeling crumby but I didn't like the feeling I felt.

“Well... it's not like I-” but Derpy cut me short.

“You don't actually have to save a life to be a hero Evan. You don't have to defeat bad guys or save the entire world,” she said, addressing me by the wrong name but I'd let it slide, for her. “You just have to make a difference in somepony's life.” I felt the feeling inside me worsen further.

“Okay... well, I'm wet and cold...” I stated before looking to the others. “Coffee anypony?” I asked, the others' ears all perking from the suggestion. “Derpy? Wanna come in where it's warm?” I offered and she followed us all in.

Walking in through the front door, I began brushing myself off and kicked off my boots. Scootaloo giggled as she looked to me. I looked to one side and saw the door which was closed. On my other side was Derpy. I looked at myself but saw nothing worth giggling about.

“What?” I asked and she nudged her head upwards, myself and Derpy looking up to see a mistletoe directly above us. A blush came about both our cheeks as we looked to one another.

I heard Dash's laughter echo from above.“You know what that means, don't yah?” Dash teased us both and I swallowed hard as Derpy looked to me with an adorably cute, timid blush.

Before a word could be spoke between us, I heard Lassie speak up. “Outta my way!” She playfully shoved Derpy aside and tackled me to the ground, assaulting my face with lipstick covered kisses.

“ACK... GAHHH... LASSIE!” I gasped but as I opened my mouth to speak she shoved her tongue down my throat and began to forcefully make out with me. The others, even Alfred, all laughing at my poor luck as my dog essentially molested me.

She pulled away for just one second to speak. “Come on dude, you promised yesterday you'd let me molest you when we got inside...”

Author's Notes:

Well, sorry I missed Christmas guys and gals. I got sick and misreable before I could get the chapter done and have been sitting drinking bottle after bloody bottle of Buckly's for the last few days until now. So, Happy, delayed, Hearth's Warming, or Christmas or whatever you like, and happy new year.