Author's Notes:

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas...

The Shining Armor:

“Sleigh bells ring… Hey!” the Doctor exclaimed as he walked through the hallways of the colony ship wearing a big red coat and handing out cookies in the shapes of trees to anyone who’d take them. Passing Baroness Manx by, he booped her on the nose and asked: “Are you listening?”

A very confused Baroness Manx just scratched her head before shrugging as the Doctor continued on his way still singing that merry tune to anyone who’d listen.

“In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight
We're happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland

“Gone away is the bluebird
Here to stay is a new bird
He sings a love song
As we go along
Walking in a winter wonderland…”

“I’d think we’d have enough memories of snow and ice, me especially thank you very much…” grumbled out Flashfire as the red unicorn emerged from the medical wing wearing nothing but a hospital gown. “What’s got you in such a chipper mood?”

“...Wait, you seriously don’t know what day it is?”

“December 24th, and no, why should I care? Just another day on the calendar for me. Can’t see why you’re so holly jolly, really…” Flashfire remarked, and at this, the Doctor’s jaw dropped completely, his platter of cookies clattering to the floor.

“...Wait, don’t tell me you’ve forgotten your species variant of Christmas!” the Doctor exclaimed. “I-I t-thought today of all days would be a big day for you!” he stammered out in disbelief before mumbling: “...Well, guess that explains why the ship isn’t decorated or anything, or why I haven’t seen anyone trying to hide presents from anyone else.”

“No offense Doctor,” Spada said piping up, as the yellow Changeling drone walked down the hallways. “But I doubt a day where some of the founders of Equestria nearly froze to death via Windigo is a particularly fond memory for ponies for fairly obvious reasons, given how they spent the last couple of hundred years,” he deadpanned. “And that’s not mentioning all the other species on Equestria really.”

“B-But that’s the entire point!” the Doctor sputtered out. “It’s not about the snow and ice, or the freezing your bones off. It’s about celebrating how you overcame your prejudices and formed Equestria in the first place, defeating the Windigos in the bloody process for Christ’s sake!”

“Perhaps,” Spada commented, bringing the Doctor to a corner out of earshot where he’d attract much less attention. Spada really hated people making a scene. Gave him more emotions to feed on than what was healthy. “But you gotta understand, ponies along with the rest of us haven’t had much happiness since Sunfall Dawn. It’s always been surviving to the next day, and trying to find a way off Equus before it froze over completely. Haven’t had much to celebrate since then. How do you even know about Hearths Warming, along with our other Holidays anyhow?”

“...May have done a bit of research, hopping around Equus’ timeline every so often,” the Doctor explained. “You know, this and that. Always deeply fascinated by you lot. You and humans always have this… Je nais quoi about you, this need to survive no matter the odds.”

“...Not even going to ask about the time-travel thing, probably just going to get a headache I’d really rather pass on. But I see where you’re going with this,” Spada replied. “Now of all times, with Equus dead and gone we do need to remember our heritage or risk losing all memory of it entirely. If you’ve got a plan, I’m on board with it… whatever it may be.”

“Wait, seriously?” the Doctor asked, giving the Changeling drone a stunned look.

“Yep, seriously. The more ingredients in a dish, the better it’ll be! Molto Bene!” Spada exclaimed, punching the air.

“...I assume that’s your way of saying you’re with me?” the Doctor asked in confusion, rubbing his head as he did so. He’d always had trouble understanding Spada’s little cooking-related metaphors. He didn’t mind them, as they added a certain charm to the young changeling but that didn’t mean they couldn’t be confusing at times.

“What do you think?” Spada replied, the green ranger giving him a flat look. “Besides, it’s not like I have nothing else to do around here. Okine -this half dragon, half pony creature for the record- named Nightingale's taken over duties as the assistant nurse for the medical bay. Wasn’t my calling anyways, I prefer head cook,” he shrugged. “But before we go on this little venture of yours, there’s something you need to see.”

“Oh?” the Doctor asked curiously, raising an eyebrow. “Do tell…”

“Just want to show you a few of us haven’t entirely forgotten the holiday traditions, that’s all,” Spada replied, motioning for the Doctor to follow. He took in a deep breath, and then let it out. He didn’t like going into this part of his past but he had to tell someone eventually. Honestly, he would have rather have liked to tell Pharynx about this really, and that wasn’t because he was his King but because changelings understood other changelings better than anyone else because of their whole sharing emotions shtick. Pharynx may not have been the biggest fan of his brother’s Feelings Forum for various reasons -Hive Mother knew Spada had heard the dark green Changeling call it a hugbox amongst other things- but it did have it's uses. Even Pharynx admitted that more or less.

“Well, that’s nice to hear I suppose…” the Doctor replied, noting Spada’s uncharacteristic uncomfortableness about this whole thing. He normally was this confident perky little bug, but right now he seemed to be anything but. He almost seemed… Well, the Doctor wouldn’t quite say ashamed but that was the closest approximation really.

The Doctor, even as he idly tossed his Kyutama up in the air before catching it in his hand a few times, watched as Spada pressed a few buttons on a door panel, configuring something and stepped into a blue grid lined room. The room itself, it was soon transformed into this cavern packed wall to wall with Changelings of every shape, size, and description including one which the Doctor swore to be a younger version of Spada. It was hard to tell really, considering Spada did share his appearance with several other members of his species. This made the Doctor idly wonder why the changeling never… well, changed his appearance into something more unique coloration wise.

The entire room didn’t really seem all that inviting, what with the poor living conditions of everything and the changelings in raggy clothing bustling up against each other in a clamor of noises like buzzing and chittering in grumpy, angry tones. But still, somehow the Doctor got this feeling of homeliness, and maybe that was in part due to this young changeling handing out loaves of bread and other meager food sources to everyone else and trying to keep them in good spirits. A fake tree, covered with tinsel made out of paper-mache and lights that looked to be barely lit was in a corner of the room, a cut-out paper version of Princess Cadence serving as its star.

Cadence, the Doctor remembered correctly, was a hero amongst changelings not for just simply being the Princess of Love which was a powerful emotion for them, but for being one of the first Equestrians to accept the creatures for what they really were when she invited Thorax into her kingdom. And to think, Cadence’s first experience with the creatures was when their current queen crashed their wedding and nearly ran off with her husband!

The Doctor knew at once that this changeling, even if he never said a word had to be Spada. The fact that he was handing out food, and he was trying to keep an upbeat demeanor even in this mess of a hive was evidence alone of that.

“Now now, Hodgins, Wingbeats! Share, plenty of food for everybug!” Spada lectured, in that distinct Calabrese accent of his before muttering: “...Yeah right, and Santa Hooves will bless us with better living conditions this year. Just too many mouths to feed, and not enough space to go around…”

“...Pretty devoid of holiday cheer aren’t you Spada?” another changeling, this one with bright red chitlin, commented having overheard him.

“What’s there to be cheerful about?” the past Spada asked, even as the present-day one tried to look away in shame, not wanting to watch this holographic projection of his old home. “I mean, it’s the same year after year. And the hive just keeps growing. I mean, I know it’s not your fault you have to be Queen on some days and give us eggs -Blame the Hive Mother for creating you that way really- but every year it just gets that little bit harder...”

“I know kid,” the older changeling said, coughing slightly. “But you have to smile for everyone, especially on today of all days. The rest of the hive, they seem you as something of an idol you know. You don’t have to give up food from your personal food stores, and yet you keep on doing so even if it means you have less for your own family,”

“...What, what happened to the Changelings?” the Doctor whispered in stunned horror. Last he heard of them, they were thriving like every other creature on Equus.

“What do you think happened?” the present day Spada asked bitterly. “Sunfall Dawn happened. We all got shuffled up and bunched up together in vaults, and I think a few of the higher ups just… forgot about us for a time. Busy taking care of their own species. Even when you think everything’s perfect, and we’ve all put aside our differences, some species have a very long memory and never forgot about old grudges,” he growled, his cheery demeanor dropping before his smile returned. “But what can you do, eh? You just smile, and pretend nothing happened.”

“But-” the Doctor started.

“Just be quiet and listen,” Spada told him sternly and watched as his past self was given a short little lecture by his King and sometimes Queen. Kanzaki, he would later explain to the Doctor. That was his name.

“Now, listen…” Kanzaki explained and the red-toned changeling King sighed. “I know. Hive Mother above I know,” he stated in a pained expression of someone who’d seen just that too many winters. “Losing your ma and pa, couldn’t have been easy. But you’ve got your little sisters to look out for, and you not smiling on Hearths Warming? They won’t be smiling either. You need to give them hope kid. Losing your parents, that’s a sad thing indeed yes. But you know what’s even sadder? A young changeling not smiling on Hearth’s Warming Eve. For the sake of your sisters, strive to become a man they’d be proud of. Hell, you might even one day replace me as King.”

“...Yeah, not quite sure I’m ready for that step,” past-Spada laughed, and Kanzaki laughed a little as well. “But I get what you mean, gotta keep bringing these little ones some form of hope right? After all, it’s all I can do…”

With that, Spada pulled out a little bell and rang it. “Alright everybug, time for a little singing and caroling, just to remember the Princess who gave us a new hope. She wasn’t called Cadence without reason, after all! My oh my, I’ve heard she could carry a tune!”

With that, this small but packed little hive seemed to cheer up immensely, and began to sing in time.

“Silent night, holy night...
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace…”

A tear slipped down the Doctor’s face, and he wiped it away quickly as the simulation of the past faded out. “So that’s why…” he whispered.

“Yeah, that’s why I’m both so dead set on keeping everyone smiling, and keeping everyone from forgetting the memories of Equus’ past traditions, simply because they brought hope to me as a little ‘Ling,” Spada whispered, wiping away a tear of his own. “Doctor, I ask of you now. Will you help me?”

“It would be my honor,” the Doctor replied as he straightened his tie. “After all, that’s what my title means right? The man who makes people better.”

“Oh, hey ho the mistletoe…” Spada hummed largely to himself as he and several other drones helped string up garland along the halls of the Shining Armor with a little help from a few other changeling drones. And of course, the Doctor, who’d taken to wearing this fake white beard.

“What the Hay are you doing?” Stripped Gear asked in his Marish accent as he and Pharynx walked on by, an aqua-blue changeling flying past on his wings. “Seriously, what the Hay are you lot doing?” he asked, tilting his head in confusion. It was sorta cute actually, especially when Pharynx mimicked this motion.

“Getting into the seasonal spirit!” Spada chirped merrily and looked at his current King. “Don’t tell me you of all ‘Lings have forgotten!”

“...Oh right, Hearth’s Warming.” Pharynx muttered, shaking his head. “Too cheery for me...”

“Figured about as much…” the Doctor mumbled. “Here, have an apple!” he said, tossing one to Pharynx.

“Well, if one a day keeps you away then gladly…” Pharynx muttered as he bit into it.

“You’re such a Snowfall Frost, you know that right?” that same aqua-tinged changeling drone joked with a small laugh just barely hiding her giggles behind a claw. “I mean, crack a smile why don’t you? It’s good for you!”

“Hey, maybe his face would break if he did!” a light green drone joked in response as he hung up some mistletoe above his own quarters. “Hive Mother knows he never smiles!”

“Is… Well, all of this really necessary?” Stripped asked, gesturing to all the garland hanging above his head, and batting away a piece of Mistletoe a particularly mischievous changeling was hanging above his and the Doctor’s heads.

“Depends,” Spada replied.

“Depends on what?” Stripped parroted.

“Depends on if you want to see some happy faces on this crew,” Flurry commented, having long been informed on what the Gold and Green Rangers wanted to do. Celestia knew they’d never get her approval to decorate the ship unless they asked her personally. She’d have their heads otherwise. “And a happy crew is a well-functioning crew is it not?” she asked, eyeing both Stripped and Pharynx sternly daring them to raise an argument.

“True enough I suppose…” Stripped Gear admitted, with a long sigh. “...I admit it’s been far too long since I’ve had anything to be really all that happy about.”

“Same,” Pharynx admitted, smiling briefly. And no, his face didn’t break when he did so contrary to popular belief. “Carry on boys. Carry on.”

“I’m a girl,” the aqua-colored changeling huffed crossing her arms. Both the Doctor and Spada shared a wince at this and sucked in a breath. Talk about embarrassing. “...See if I leave anything in your stocking for that remark.”

“Did you know?” the Doctor whispered to Spada, who shook his head.

“No, but I’ll pretend I did…”

“I HEARD THAT!” came a shout.

“...Yeesh, touchy…” the Doctor murmured to himself and laughed a little at Spada’s expression. “You informed Crescendo and Jabari on your plans?”

“Said they were only too happy to help, even if Crescendo admitted she didn’t entirely understand this whole shebang as she put it,” Spada replied. “Even managed to rope in her sisters.”

“The more the merrier!” the Doctor chirped cheerfully. “Molto Bene!”

“...That’s my line,” Spada grumbled half-heartedly, a small smile tracing his facial features. “Anyways, they’re gathered in Night Bird, with Luna ready to lead the singing as ever. Or at least direct. Crescendo can be awfully fussy it seems about someone other than her doing the singing. Could get quite messy if I don’t resolve the situation,” he muttered in a worried tone sucking in a breath.

“Well, that’s a siren for you. They guard their abilities to charm a crowd with their voice jealously so…” the Doctor replied.

“Relax, I’ll work it out even if I have to threaten Crescendo and her siblings with a lesser feeding of fish than normal,” Spada replied. “She probably won’t be happy about that, but if needs must I will do what I have to so that everyone has a happy Hearth’s Warming, The Three Days of Freedom, Blue Moon Festival, Snilldar Fest, etcetera. You get the idea.”

“I’m surprised you’re keeping all these traditions straight in your head,” the Doctor replied in a rather impressed and complimentary tone.

“Eh, I’m a task-master and organizer extreme if I have to be,” Spada shrugged and the Doctor gave him a look.

“...You got Twilight to help you, didn’t you?”

“Yeeeeeah, I admit I did,” Spada replied with a sheepish grin. “Turns out she’s not so pleased about her charges forgetting some very old traditions that date back a couple million years. Ranted and raved for quite a bit when I explained what I was doing. Hearing’s just barely came back as it is!”

“How angry was she?” the Doctor inquired.

“Well, let me put it this way,” Flurry chimed in with a small chuckle. “If changelings could absorb a hologram’s emotions, Spada here would be bloated!” she said and at this the Doctor winced.

“That bad huh?” he asked and Spada and Flurry nodded in unison before the Doctor quirked an eyebrow at Spada. “By and by, you’re still celebrating the Blue Moon Festival? I thought that was where griffons sat at a table with their family members, try not to claw each other’s eyes out and give each other gifts they know they won’t like?”

“It’s still a tradition isn’t it?” Spada replied with a small nervous chuckle. The Doctor sighed and muttered something under his breath about changelings who were way too damn generous for their own good.

Eventually, everything went according to plan -more or less- and quite a few of the ship’s crew members and their families were gathered at Night Bird to listen to a choir sing. Those that couldn’t fit into the bar were listening in on the ship’s intercommunications system. The whole Luna/Crescendo issue had been sorted out, with a bit of niggling from Flashfire and Crescendo had eventually given in. She and her sisters were projected holographically from their tank and were now sharing the stage with Luna’s own hologram.

As they started to sing, Flurry smiled at Flashfire.

“See, not so bad is it?” she asked him and Flashfire simply shook his head.

“I guess not,” the unicorn replied, as he sent a certain Changeling and Time Lord duo a small approving smile. The two nodded back at him and glanced at their two new Element Kyutamas in their grasp. Generosity and Laughter had finally returned. “Guess I just needed someone to remind me of what I’ve been missing. Oh Hay, what I forgot I was missing even.”

“In the meadow we can build a snowman
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown
He'll say, Are you married?
We'll say, No man
But you can do the job
When you're in town

“Later on, we'll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid
The plans that we've made
Walking in a winter wonderland…” the choir sung, and a certain Princess of the Sun somehow despite being a hologram managed to conjure up a Hearth’s Warming themed Kyutama in a gold flash of magical light. When inserted into the Kyuchanger, and used this Kyutama conjured up twin trees covered in ribbons and ornaments, along with several presents.

Flashfire smiled as the song ended, and rested his head in Flurry’s shoulder. All for a time at least was well. And if you asked him, well he wouldn’t have anything any other way.