The clock read 12:02 AM as a pink ear strained, listening for any signs of life. Quietly, perhaps the most quietly the filly had ever done anything in her life, Pinkamena Diane Pie pushed back her bedsheets and stepped onto the floor. She tiptoed past her sister’s beds, trying to breath as soundlessly as possible. One noise and it would be over. This mission depended on utmost silence.

“One, two, three, and duck!” Pinkie muttered under her breath, counting the amount of steps needed before she had to crouch down to avoid one of Limestone’s “Annoying sister traps”.

“One, two, skip the squeaky floorboard.” She hopped over a panel of wood, twirling in the air as she did. “Phase one: ‘evade the sisters’ is complete. Now onto phase two.” Pinkie Pie pushed open the bedroom door, poking her head out and looking to her right and left. “All clear.”

The filly lowered herself to the ground and began crawling on her belly down the hallway. She made sure to hold her breath as she passed by her parent’s bedroom, pressing her ear to the door. Loud snoring could be heard from inside.

“Perfect.” She whispered, grinning. “Mama and Papa Pie are down for the night.” Pinkie continued inching her way forward until she reached the top of the stairs. “Phase two: ‘don’t wake the bear’ is done. Now the most difficult stage…” The staircase loomed dauntingly in front of her, riddled with squeaky floorboards. Carefully, Pinkie stood on her back legs and gripped the banister with her front hooves. It was now or never. She swung her legs onto the railing and began sliding, resisting the urge to whoop and holler.

The tricky part came at the bottom. She gripped her front hooves as tightly as she could on the railing, wincing at the faint screeching sound that was emitted. She came to halt inches away from the end of the banister and hopped onto a strategically placed cushion on the floor.

“Wow Pinkie. That was really impressive.” A flat voice coming from halfway up the staircase broke the silence, causing the young filly to whip her head around.

“Maud! What are you doing here?” She hissed, disappointed that she had been caught, but secretly proud that her sister had seen her awesome spy moves.

“I followed you.” Maud shrugged.  

“But you were asleep! I was so quiet!” Pinkie had been sure that her entire family was sleeping.

“I wasn’t asleep yet.” The grey filly slowly made her way down the stairs, somehow not activating a single squeaky floorboard. “I was just laying there quietly.”

“Oh, and I thought I was so sneaky!” The younger Pie sister giggled quietly before tilting her head to the side. “Don’t tell Mom and Dad I was out of bed past midnight, please?”

“I won’t.” Maud peered down at her sister. “What are you doing awake?”

“Well,” Pinkie frowned. “It’s Hearth’s Warming night, and I wanted to stay awake and catch Santa Hooves.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Maud, can I ask you something?” Pinkie scrunched her eyebrows, trotting towards the kitchen without waiting for a response.

“Of course.” Maud followed her sister into the kitchen. She turned the kettle on and turned to Pinkie. “Would you like some tea?”

“Yes please!” Pinkie climbed onto one of the kitchen chairs, perching right on the edge. “So, the thing I wanted to ask you has been bothering me for the past couple of days.” Maud was silent as she poured hot water into two mugs, placing them on the table. She trotted over the the fridge and grabbed a jug of milk. She put that down next to the mugs and sat on the seat opposite of Pinkie.

“What is it?”

“Well,” A troubled expression appeared on the usually cheerful filly’s face. “Limestone told me a couple of days ago… She told me that Santa Hooves isn’t real.” Maud blinked, looking expressionlessly at the nine year old filly.

“Do you think he’s real?” She finally asked, taking a sip of her tea. Pinkie grabbed the other mug, pouring milk into it.

“Of course!” She began dumping spoonfuls of sugar from the bowl on the table into her cup. “Well, I thought I did until Limestone said that ridiculous thing!”

“If it’s ridiculous, why are you doubting yourself?” Maud calmly rested her elbows on the table.

“I don’t know!” Pinkie threw her hooves up. “I mean, how could Santa Hooves not be real? “ She leaned over and grabbed her sister’s face between her little hooves. “But now sneaky Limestone is ruining it! What if he’s not real?”

“Do you think he’s real?” Maud repeated, her cheeks being squished.

“I… I think so?”

“If believing in Santa Hooves makes you happy, then believe he is real.” The grey pony’s face never changed expression. “Maybe it won’t make Limestone happy, so that’s why she doesn’t believe in him. Holder’s Boulder makes her happy, but that doesn’t mean it would do the same for you.” Pinkie was silent for a moment, staring directly into Maud’s eyes.

“So,” She finally said, raising an eyebrow. “so what you’re saying is if I think Santa is real, and it makes me happy, then I should keep believing he exists? No matter what other ponies say? Because we all have different beliefs and opinions, and as long as you’re accepting of others, it doesn’t matter what you believe if it makes you happy?” Maud blinked, and the faintest trace of a smile was visible on her face.

“Yes.”

Pinkie pondered the concept for a moment before grabbing her mug of tea and chugging the entire thing. “You’re the smartest pony I’ve ever met, Maud! I bet you’re even smarter than Princess Celestia!” The grey filly’s smile grew the tiniest bit.

“Happy Hearthswarming, Pinkie Pie.”

“And that, Zecora, is one of my most favourite Hearth’s Warming memories ever!” Pinkie Pie threw her arms out, grinning at the confused zebra in front of her. Zecora raised an eyebrow.

“Well, thank you Miss Pie, for retelling your glory, really that was quite a charming story. But I simply was out in the village walking, when you ran up, started, and wouldn't stop talking.”

“Right. Heh, sorry.” Pinkie chuckled sheepishly. “But you were just about to ask what my favourite Hearth’s warming memory was, right?” The zebra laughed.  

“I was merely buying ingredients for my next brew, but you should believe what makes you happy, for it may just be true.”

Next Chapter: Apple Cider Caramels (for Midnight Dancer) Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 51 Minutes