The Shadow of Equestria
Chapter 30: Christmas Special
Previous Chapter Next ChapterHow the Shade Stole Christmas.
Snow drifted from the sky as ponies traveled across the city, winter clothing protecting their bodies from the cold. Shops and stores were busier than normal, as parents bought gifts for their children and loved ones.
The Mane Six had left a few days ago to spend hearth's warming with their families. Fortunately for Pinkie, Marble was one of the twenty mares who survived the effects of Lust, so she and her parents could enjoy the holiday together.
Eric stood atop one of the many balconies that overlooked the city. He sighed, wishing he had stayed with Thanos and skipped this holiday.
“Look at them,” Eric’s shadow said, rising from beneath his feet. “So many, going home to their families and loved ones.”
Eric moved away from the balcony, only for his shadow to move in front of him with a wide grin.
“And what about us? We have Sombra, but he isn’t family, is he? And what about a loved one...Oh wait we don’t have one either.”
“I don’t need to be reminded,” Eric growled. He tried to shove past the shadow and go to his room, only for his shadow to grab his arm.
“Why not take what they have…”The Shadow stopped when they heard a knock.
“Eric?” the voice of Princess Luna called. “Are you in there?”
Without hesitation, Eric sent his shadow away and composed himself. “I’m fine...I can handle this… ‘Holiday,’”Eric whispered to himself. Taking another breath, he opened the door. “Something I can help you with, Princess?”
“I was wondering if you could join me as I visit some of the Canterlot Orphanages,” Luna said with a small smile.
“Couldn’t you ask Celestia?” Eric asked, rubbing his aching head. “I’m not exactly a Hearth's Warming guy.”
“I already did, but she told me she was busy today,” Luna admitted with a nervous smile. “Please? I think the children would enjoy your company.”
Eric wanted to say no. No, more than that, he wanted to say ‘Hell No!’ No, more like ‘No way in Tartarus!’ But as the Luna Princess smiled at him, he found himself unable to refuse.
“Sure,” Eric said in defeat. “I’ll meet you at the castle entrance.”
“Thank you,” Luna said, shutting her eyes in glee.
Eric closed the door before rubbing his eyes. “What is it with me and my inability to say no to mares?” Eric asked himself. Regardless, he put his jacket on before glancing to the ring on his hand. “Well,” he muttered. “Here goes my first Real Hearth's Warming… without you.” His fist clenched.
Eric found Luna on the palace grounds, standing by herself. She was adorned in a red and white fur trimmed coat. It was honestly the perfect thing to wear during the Hearth’s Warming Season.
“You haven’t waited long, have you?” Eric asked.
“Not at all,” Luna said, glancing at Eric’s clothes. “Is that a new Jacket?”
“Yes,” Eric replied. “And it was a pain in the ass to get.”
“How so?”
“I owed Rarity for what I did in the Black Market” Eric said. As he spoke, he lifted his sleeve, revealing bandages adorning his arm. “She made me wear Sea Prism Stone, so I felt it every time her needle pierced my skin.”
Luna winced. “It sounds… painful.”
“It was,” Eric admitted with a sigh. “But, I suppose I did deserved it.”
The two turned and began to walk into the city. Luna sidled up next to Eric.
“Well, it does look good on you,” she noted.
“She made it for me, so I might as well wear it,” Eric replied.
Luna hummed, but before she could think of more to talk about, they came across the first Orphanage. Eric read the sign with a quirked eyebrow.
“Destiny Gardens?”
“Our first stop” Luna explained.
As she entered the orphanage, the excited screams of children barraged Eric’s ears. He watched on in bemusement as younglings of every race swarmed the Princess, smiles lighting their faces up brighter than the Hearth’s Warming decorations above them.
“Princess Luna! Princess Luna!” the children cheered, all of them trying to hug her at once.
Luna laughed, embracing them as the caretaker approached.
“Ah, greetings Sunny,” Luna said to the caretaker. “They seem more energetic than usual.”
“They were excited to see you, Your Majesty,” Sunny replied, before spotting Eric behind the princess. “Oh! Who is this? I thought your sister was going to accompany you.”
“She was busy today,” Luna said before motioning to Eric. “This is Eric Von Shadow. The Former Captain of the Crystal Royal Guard.”
“OO,” the children whispered, gazing up at Eric with stars in their eyes.
“You were a captain of the Royal Guard?” an earth pony filly asked in excitement.
“Did you train the guard yourself?” another pegasus colt asked with the same enthusiasm.
“How long were you captain?” a dragon hatchling with yellow scales asked, his wings extending as he flew to meet Eric’s height.
“Can I join the guard?” A unicorn filly asked with a wide smile
“Children, please!” Sunny began, but Eric waved her off with a small smile, turning to each of the kids.
“I was,” he said to the earth pony, “I trained the guards myself,” he said to the pegasus colt, “I was Captain for eight long years,” he said to the dragon. Then Eric knelt before the unicorn filly. “And you can join the guard if you get stronger and prove yourself.” He tapped the filly’s nose with a grin.
Luna watched on with intrigue as the children giggled and whispered to each other in glee, before Sunny ushered them into another room.
“I’m surprised,” Luna commented. “I didn’t know you were that good with children.”
“This isn’t my first orphanage trip,” Eric replied, rising to his feet. “And it seems it won’t be my last.” He glanced at Luna. “So, do we move on? Or is there still something to do?”
“I usually tell the children a story about Hearth’s Warming,” Luna replied, conjuring a large sack with her magic. “And put these under the tree.”
Eric shrugged and took the sack. “Well, ‘tis the season for giving.’” He indicated the sack. “I can put these under the tree if you want to get started on that story.”
Luna smiled. “You’re a saint.” Luna turned to follow the children, before pausing. “Oh, and make sure you set out thirteen gifts.”
“You’ve done this before?”
“I’ve been doing this every year since I was freed from… well…” Luna paused, gripping her arm.
“You don’t need to go into details,” Eric assured her. “Trust me. I understand.” He slung the sack over his shoulder and turned to the room holding the tree; grateful that the angle hid his scowl. “We all have a part of us we wish to forget.”
Luna nodded with a hum, before turning and following the children.
As Eric placed the thirteen gifts, a small voice piped up.
“It’s fourteen, actually.”
Eric turned. A small filly was sitting by herself on a set of stairs. She had light brown hair, forest green eyes and wore a pair of shorts and an oversized shirt. Eric set the sack down.
“New arrival?” Eric asked.
The filly nodded. Eric was silent at first.
“What happened to your parents?” he finally asked.
She looked down. “My parents liked to travel to islands and create maps for the princesses and other nations. But… pirates…” Her eyes began to water.
Eric nodded. “You don’t need to say anymore.”
She just nodded again. Silence stretched between them, before Eric glanced at where Luna had gone.
“Why aren’t you with the others?” Eric asked.
“They don’t want a freak like me around,” the filly muttered, folding her arms over her knees. “They think I’m cursed”
Eric’s eyes widened. Shaking his head, he walked up to the filly and sat down next to her. “Why do they think you’re a freak?”
“Because I can do this.” The filly touched the wall and a series of small cubes came out. “I accidently turned a colt into a cube. And since then, they don’t want me near them.”
Eric’s brow furrowed in sympathy. “Hey…” he nudged her, but she looked away. “Sweetheart,” Eric insisted, placing a finger on her chin and turned her towards him.
When she finally looked up at him, Eric turned his body into shadows. The filly gasped in shock.
“You…” she stammered. “You’re like… me?”
Eric reformed with a grin and a nod. “What’s your name, sweetie?”
“D-Dawn Snow.”
Eric extended his hand to her. “Eric Von Shadow.”
Hesitantly, Dawn Snow shook Eric’s hand.
“You’re not a freak, Dawn Snow,” Eric assured her. “You’re actually more special than any pony here.”
“How?”
“You have the power to control the cubes you create” Eric said, motioning to the cubes from the wall. “What you have is no curse. It’s a gift.”
Hesitantly, the filly lifted her arm, and the cubes floated up towards her. “How is this… a gift?”
Eric thought for a bit before he noticed a rainbow pin in Dawn Snow’s hair. “Do you know Rainbow Dash?”
He almost laughed at how quickly the little filly lit up.
“Who doesn’t? She’s the most awesome pony who ever lived! She’s faced off against Nightmare Moon, Discord…”
“Well, did you know Rainbow Dash has powers like you and me?” Eric noted.
Dawn covered her mouth. “No way.”
Eric nodded. “She has the ability to produce and control flames.”
Stars formed in Dawn’s eyes. As she processed the information, Eric glanced at Luna’s sack. Realizing that she might be a present short, Eric reached into his shadows, and found a small plushie of a Tundra Dragon. He hesitated for a moment, but shook off his hesitation and offered it to the little filly.
“Is this…?” Dawn whispered. “A tundra dragon?” She looked up at him with joy. “This is so cool.
“It’s yours,” Eric replied with a grin. “Think of it as a gift between freaks.”
Dawn’s eyes softened as she hugged the plushie. “Or… a gift between gifted?”
Eric chuckled, and nudged the filly. “You see?” he noted. “People will only think of you that way if you let them. Use your powers for good, and show them how much fun you can really be.”
The filly nodded. “I will.” After a moment’s pause, she hugged the shadow man, before skipping upstairs.
For a moment, Eric watched her go.
“You’re really good with children,” Sunny’s voice noted. Eric turned to find her in the door way. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were a father yourself.”
Eric couldn’t help but chuckle. “Well, unfortunately, I’m not a family man.”
“Even still,” Sunny said, looking up at where Dawn had gone. “Not many can get Dawn to open up like that.”
Eric nodded. “I found that if you force them to open up, they’ll resent you. However if you let them open up by themselves, they’ll love you til they have a family themselves.” Eric stood and retrieved the sack. “I did want a family. But… some things are just not meant to be.” Sunny hummed softly at that. “No matter where you go, there will always be a family for you,” she insisted.
Nodding at her advice, Eric walked into the room with Luna and the children, as Luna retold the tale of the first Hearth’s Warming:
‘Once Upon a Time, the Pegasi, Unicorns, and Earth Ponies hated each other. The Pegasi, led by Commander Hurricane, believed themselves superior because they could control the weather. The Unicorns, ruled by a king who is represented by his daughter Princess Platinum, believed themselves superior because they had magic, which they used to move the sun and moon. Both tribes demanded food from the Earth Ponies, led by Chancellor Pudding head.
One year, an inexplicable blizzard came to their land, and the ground was frozen so hard that the Earth Ponies could not cultivate. Neither the Pegasi nor the Unicorns could banish the storm, so the three clans held a summit, trying to figure out a solution. But with the storm raging outside reflecting the ponies' conflict inside, it didn't take long for the leaders to angrily give up and return home. The second-in-command of each group — Pegasus Private Pansy, Unicorn vizier and student of Star Swirl the Bearded Clover the Clever, and Earth Pony secretary Smart Cookie — were disappointed at the news.
Individually, each leader decided to leave their desolate wasteland and find a new realm to live. The parties soon found a beautiful paradise with a diverse landscape, beautifully thick clouds, and fertile soil. Unfortunately, they had all chosen the same land, and soon the fighting between the three leaders resumed with increased fervor. As their bickering increased, the blizzard they had left behind started up once again, forcing the six ponies to seek shelter in a cave.
Even the plight of their situation didn't deter the hostilities; as the blizzard grew worse, the leaders' petty bickering continued, until the ice encroached so far into the cave that the commander, the princess, and the chancellor were frozen over in mid-rant. Unfettered by their superiors, the advisors admitted that they had hoped for peace and friendship. Clover the Clever realized that the blizzard was created by Windigos: supernatural creatures that thrive on hate and fighting, and that the coldness of their hearts had brought the disaster on themselves. Just as the ice was about to completely imprison the advisors, the spark of their friendship ignited, saving them and driving back the Windigos.
Seizing the opportunity, the three nurtured the warmth of their friendship with stories and laughter and singing, eventually thawing out their leaders. With every pony realizing that friendship and cooperation succeeded where arguing and fighting had not, the three tribes agreed to come together in harmony, thus forming Equestria on the principle that all ponies are equal.’
Finishing her story she stood and bowed, as the children clapped. However, their clapping faded as Luna made her way back to Eric.
“Can’t you read more?” one of the children asked.
“I wish you could stay forever,” another child whimpered.
“I do apologize, little ones, but we must be off,” Luna apologized with a bow. “But fear not; I will return; whether it be in your dreams or on the next Hearth’s Warming.”
Satisfied with her reply, the children gave their goodbyes, and Eric and Luna took their leave. All the while, Eric couldn’t help but be awed by how vibrant Luna seemed to be with the younglings. How her smile made her sparkle like stars, and all the worry and fear of the past few adventures seemed to fade away like it never existed.
“You seem to be in good spirits” Eric noted.
“I am,” Luna admitted. “I just so enjoy seeing them happy. After all…” her expression became sad. “I can relate to them. My father was dead before my birth, and my mother died when I was born.”
Eric looked away, an old memory bringing a spark of anger to his eyes. “Must be a blessing,” he grumbled.
Luna turned. “What did you say?”
“Nothing!” Eric said quickly.
Yet Luna still gazed at him in confusion. She didn’t press him – instead looking away, but his words still circled confusingly in her head. ‘How would not knowing one's parents be a blessing?’
Despite her confusion, the trip continued smoothly. Eric and Luna visited several orphanages, and each time, the cycle repeated; with Eric putting gifts under the tree while Luna entertained the children with tales of Hearth’s Warming.
Eric could barely hide his laughter at some of the tales. Even in Equestria, they had versions of Rudolph and Frosty; with Rudolph being a heroic reindeer who saved an important shipment of medicine and gifts, while Frosty was a warrior of snow who defended his village against a horde of Windigos.
Luna noticed Eric’s smile as they left the second-to-last orphanage on their journey.
“Something funny, Mr. Von Shadow?” Luna teased.
“Your Rudolph and Frosty story,” Eric explained. “I’m wondering if they had Devil Fruits. The Reindeer-Reindeer is a Zoan Type. And the Snow-Snow Fruit is Logia.”
Luna hummed as they reached the door of the last orphanage. “It is not impossible,” she admitted. “After all, we have only just recently figured out the source of these bizarre abilities. In the past, Celestia and I just assumed they got the powers from some sort of Dark Magic fueled ritual.”
Eric didn’t bother reply, as Luna opened the door and was once again swarmed by overjoyed children, who took equal curiosity in Eric and pestered him with questions, all of which Eric was happy to answer.
After putting the presents under the tree Eric went to listen to Luna’s story only to find some of the children shouting at the Princess.
“We want a different story!” several of the children were shouting. Luna gripped her hands in nervousness, but Eric had no patience for unruly children. With a hard clap of his hands, he immediately silenced the children, and drew their attention to him.
“Is that anyway to speak or act in front of the Princess of the Moon?” Eric asked.
His words held no malice, yet they struck hard. The children looked down in shame, and sat on the floor.
“That’s better” Eric said before motioning Luna to move. “Do you all want a Hearth’s Warming Tale?”
The children glanced up briefly, but kept their heads down, nodding solemnly.
Eric took Luna’s seat in front of the children. “Then you’ll get one.” Using his powers, Eric formed black snow, which sprinkled down before the children. “Inside a Snowflake,” he explained, before beginning:
‘Inside a snowflake, like the one on your sleeves, there happened a story you must see to believe. Way out in the mountains in the high range of Pontoons, lay the small town of Whoville - the home of the Whos. Ask any pony and they’ll have this to say. “There is no Place like Whoville around Hearth’s Warming Day.”
Eric’s power formed a small town at the foot of a mountain.
Arbor Day was Fine and Easter was pleasant. And every Saint Fizzin's day, they ate a Fizz pheasant. But every Who knew, from their twelve toes to their snout they loved Hearth’s Warming the most, without a single Who doubt.
Yes, Every Who down in Whoville liked Hearth’s a lot
But the Shade who lived just North of Whoville did not!
Using his powers, he zoomed in on the mountain and showed a shadowy figure which was accompanied by a dog.
The Shade hated Hearth’s Warming! The whole Hearth's Warming season!
Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason.
It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.
It could be that his head wasn't screwed on just right.
But I think that the most likely reason of all
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.
But, whatever the reason, his heart or his shoes,
He stood there on Hearth’s Warming Eve, hating the Whos,
Staring down from his cave with a sour, grouchy frown
At the warm lighted windows below in their town,
For he knew every Who down in Whoville beneath
Was busy now hanging a holly-who wreath.
"And they're hanging their stockings," he snarled with a sneer.
"Tomorrow is Hearth’s Warming Day! It's practically here!"
Then he growled, with his shade fingers nervously drumming,
"I must find some way to keep Hearth’s Warming from coming!
For, tomorrow, I know all the Who girls and boys
Will wake bright and early. They'll rush for their toys!
And then! Oh, the noise! Oh, the noise! Noise! Noise! Noise!
There's one thing I hate! All the NOISE! NOISE! NOISE! NOISE!
And they'll shriek squeaks and squeals, racing 'round on their wheels.
They'll dance with jingtinglers tied onto their heels.
They'll blow their floofloovers. They'll bang their tartookas.
They'll blow their whohoopers. They'll bang their gardookas.
They'll spin their trumtookas. They'll slam their slooslunkas.
They'll beat their blumbloopas. They'll wham their whowonkas.
And they'll play noisy games like zoozittacarzay,
A roller-skate type of lacrosse and croquet!
And then they'll make ear-splitting noises galooks
On their great big electro whocarnio flooks!
Then the Whos, young and old, will sit down to a feast.
And they'll feast! And they'll feast! And they'll FEAST! FEAST! FEAST! FEAST!
They'll feast on Who pudding, and rare Who roast beast,
Raw roast beast is a feast I can't stand in the least!
And then they'll do something I hate most of all!
Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small,
They'll stand close together, with Hearth’s Warming bells ringing.
They'll stand hand-in-hand, and those Whos will start singing!"
"And they'll sing! And they'll sing! And they'd SING! SING! SING! SING!"
And the more the Shade thought of this Who Hearth’s Warming Sing,
The more the Shade thought, "I must stop this whole thing!”
Why for fifty-three years I've put up with it now!
I must stop Hearth’s Warming from coming! But how?"
Then he got an idea! An awful idea!
The Shade got a wonderful, awful idea!
"I know just what to do!" The Shade laughed in his throat.
"I'll make a quick Santy Hooves hat and a coat."
And he chuckled, and clucked, "What a great Shady trick!
With this coat and this hat, I'll look just like Saint Nick!"
"All I need is a reindeer." The Shade looked around.
But since reindeer are scarce, there was none to be found.
Did that stop the Shade? Hah! The Shade simply said,
"If I can't find a reindeer, I'll make one instead!"
So, he took his dog Sam, and he took some black thread.
And he tied a big horn on top of his head.
Then he loaded some bags and some old empty sacks
On a ramshackle sleigh and he whistled for Sam.
Then the Shade said "Giddy-yap!" and the sleigh started down
Toward the homes where the Whos lay a-snooze in their town.
All their windows were dark. No one knew he was there.
All the Whos were all dreaming sweet dreams without care
When he came to the first little house of the square.
"This is stop number one," the old Shade Claus hissed,
As he climbed to the roof, empty bags in his fist.
Then he slid down the chimney, a rather tight pinch.
But if Santa could do it, then so could the Shade.
He got stuck only once, for a minute or two.
Then he stuck his head out of the fireplace flue
Where the little Who stockings hung all in a row.
"These stockings," he sneered, "Are the first things to go!"
Then he slithered and slunk, with a smile most unpleasant,
Around the whole room, and he took every present!
Pop guns, pampoogas, pantookas, and drums!
Checkerboards, bizilbigs, popcorn, and plums!
And he stuffed them in bags. Then the Shade, very nimbly,
stuffed all the bags, one by one, up the chimney.
Then he slunk to the icebox. He took the Whos' feast!
He took the Who pudding! He took the roast beast!
He cleaned out that icebox as quick as a flash.
Why, that Shade even took the last can of Who hash!
Then he stuffed all the food up the chimney with glee.
"Now," grinned the Shade, "I will stuff up the tree!"
As the Shade took the tree, as he started to shove,
He heard a small sound like the coo of a dove.
He turned around fast, and he saw a small Who!
Little Cindy-Lou Who, who was no more than two.
She stared at the Shade and said, "Santy Hooves, why,
Why are you taking our tree? Why?"
But, you know, that old Shade was so smart and so slick,
He thought up a lie, and he thought it up quick!
"Why, my sweet little tot," the fake Santa Hooves lied,
"There's a light on this tree that won't light on one side.”
“So, I'm taking it home to my workshop, my dear.
I'll fix it up there, then I'll bring it back here."
And his fib fooled the child. Then he patted her head,
And he got her a drink, and he sent her to bed.
And when Cindy-Lou Who was in bed with her cup,
He crept to the chimney and stuffed the tree up!
Then he went up the chimney himself, the old liar.
And the last thing he took was the log for their fire.
On their walls, he left nothing but hooks and some wire.
And the one speck of food that he left in the house
Was a crumb that was even too small for a mouse.
Then he did the same thing to the other Whos' houses,
Leaving crumbs much too small for the other Whos' mouses!
It was quarter of dawn. All the Whos still a-bed,
All the Whos still a-snooze, when he packed up his sled,
Packed it up with their presents, their ribbons, their wrappings,
Their snoof and their fuzzles, their tringlers and trappings!
Eric showed a sleigh climbing the side of the mountain
Ten thousand feet up, up the side of Mount Crumpit,
He rode with his load to the tiptop to dump it!
"Pooh-pooh to the Whos!" he was grinchily humming.
"They're finding out now that no Hearth’s Warming is coming!”
“They're just waking up! I know just what they'll do!
Their mouths will hang open a minute or two
Then the Whos down in Whoville will all cry boo-hoo!”
“That's a noise," grinned the Shade, "that I simply must hear!"
He paused, and the Shade put a hand to his ear.
And he did hear a sound rising over the snow.
It started in low, then it started to grow.
But this sound wasn't sad!
Why, this sound sounded glad!
Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small,
Was singing without any presents at all!
He hadn't stopped Hearth’s Warming from coming! It came!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!
And the Shade, with his feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling. "How could it be so?
“It came without ribbons! It came without tags!
It came without packages, boxes, or bags!"
He puzzled and puzzled till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Shade thought of something he hadn't before.
Maybe Hearth’s Warming, he thought, doesn't come from a store.
Maybe Hearth’s Warming, perhaps, means a little bit more!
And what happened then? Well, in Whoville they say
That the Shade's small heart grew three sizes that day!
Eric used his shadows to show how the sleigh was sliding off the edge and the Shade jumping to grab it only to miss and hastily to crawl and grab it
And then the true meaning of Hearth’s Warming came through,
And the Shade found the strength of ten Shades, plus two!
And now that his heart didn't feel quite so tight,
He whizzed with his load through the bright morning light
With a smile to his soul, he descended Mount Crumpit
Cheerily blowing "Who! Who!" on his trumpet.
He rode into Whoville. He brought back their toys.
He brought back their floof to the Who girls and boys.
He brought back their snoof and their tringlers and fuzzles,
Brought back their pantookas, their dafflers and wuzzles.
He brought everything back, all the food for the feast!
And he, he himself, the Shade carved the roast beast!
Eric then dispelled his shadows and closed his eyes as he began to sing
Welcome Hearth’s Warming. Bring your cheer,
Cheer to all Whos, far and near.
Hearth’s Warming Day is in our grasp
So, long as we have hands to clasp.
Hearth’s Warming Day will always be
Just as long as we have we.
Welcome Hearth’s Warming while we stand
Heart to heart and hand in hand.
Eric opened his eyes and smiled as he saw the wide smiles and stars in their eyes. Immediately, a hand went up which made Eric chuckled.
“Yes?”
“Can you tell us another one, Mister?” a filly asked with pleading eyes.
“I could… if you could say something to the Princess who left you all the gifts and took time out of her schedule to tell you a tale,” Eric said with a grin.
All the children gave a respectful bow to the princess. “We’re very sorry Your Majesty.”
“You are all forgiven” Luna said, before nodding at Eric, who began another story.
Luna noticed that despite Eric saying he didn’t want to leave the castle, his genuine smile had not left his face since the first orphanage. Eric told the children a Hearth’s Warming tale he called ‘Santa Is Coming to Town.’
After completing his story, Eric realized that the Princess was missing.
“She had to leave to raise the moon,” the care taker explained, before turning to the children. “And you know what that means, children.”
The children groaned, but did not protest further as the caretaker sent them to bed.
With the last orphanage visited, Eric returned to the castle, finding Luna waiting for him.
“I find it curious,” Luna noted as he approached. “You said you didn’t want to leave the castle. Yet, since we left Destiny Garden’s orphanage, that smile has not once left your face.”
Eric couldn’t even bring himself to frown. “I’ve got nothing to say.” He glanced back at the decorations. “If you don’t mind… I think I’m going to walk around for a bit.”
“Very well,” Luna moved to leave, before pausing. Glancing upward and then back at Eric, she planted a small kiss on his cheek.
Eric blinked in confusion at her, before she pointed up. An entire row of mistletoe was hanging above them. Eric sighed, but still couldn’t bring himself to frown.
“Thank you for joining me today” Luna said, blushing as she returned to the castle.
“No problem… Princess,” Eric replied, holding his cheek as he headed back into the city.
Back inside the castle, Luna was greeted by her sister, who held a small box in her hands.
“Happy Hearth’s Warming, Luna,” Celestia said, opening the box.
Inside, Luna found a Moon and Sun necklace. “Oh… Thank you, Tia.”
“It was… our Mothers” Celestia said with a smile. “Get some rest, sister. It looks like those children wore you out”
Luna smiled, hugging her sister before putting on the necklace. With a small spring in her step, she headed back to her room. As she entered, her eyes grew wide: her room was filled with glowing wisps of magic. Walking through her room she looked ahead and found her balcony window was wide open, letting the glow of the moonlight in. Sitting on a small table was Eric’s Crystal Orchid, which filled the room with the magical wisps. Next to the potted plant was a box and a card.
Luna gingerly picked up the card and opened it.
Happy Hearth’s Warming, Princess
-Eric
Opening the box, Luna found a moon and star necklace inside.
Smiling, Luna held the trinket to her heart. “Thank you, Eric.”
As Eric walked around, he couldn't help but feel lonely. Eventually, he formed a pair of wings and flew back to the castle. Only Eric didn’t fly to the entrance; he flew up to the absolute top of the palace. Once he set a single foot down…
“WHY?!”Eric’s shadow boomed, rising behind him.“Why did you give that flower to her!?”
“I don’t know,” Eric said, unable to stop smiling. “It just felt like the thing to do.”
The shadow moved in front of Eric. “Why are you so happy!”
“It’s Hearth’s Warming,” Eric replied. “I got to spend it the same way I did one thousand years ago: by giving children a great Hearth’s Warming.”
The shadow paused, trying to digest that. And in its moment of contemplation, Eric sent it back where it belonged. Reaching deeper into his shadows, he pulled out his treasured violin. Shutting his eyes, he began to play, as he recited the story his old friend used to tell him on Christmas Eve”
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the garage
Not a creature was stirring, not even my Dodge.
The tires were hung on the bumper with care
In hopes that St. Nicholas will fill them with air.
The engine was tucked all snug in it's bed
While visions of Spark Plugs danced in its Heads.
With me in the front seat and the wife in the back
We just settled down after having a snack.
When outside the garage we heard a car roar
It must have more cubic inches than a 454.
So I rose just enough to look over the hood
To see what I can see, the best that I could.
All of a sudden it opened, the overhead door,
And I could see six cars, then I saw two more.
They were all the Christmas colors, Red, Green and White
There's no doubt in my mind, it's St. Nicholas alright.
He was all dressed up in his Drag Racing suit
Jacket and Pants, Gloves, Helmet and Boot.
Unlike his red furry suit that he normally wore
He wore this suit when he put the pedal to the floor.
He entered the garage and knew just what to do
And filled up those tires in a minute or two.
He went out to the cars with trunks open wide
Then he loaded his sack and brought it inside.
Along with his eight little helpers so jolly
They set out some gifts from Moroso and Holley.
A new set of Fan Belts and Seat Covers of gray
Were surely the makings for a great Christmas Day.
'Let's go fellas' he said, 'Be quick on your feet'
'Pedal to the Metal Boys, and let's hit the street'.
I heard the cars start, first one, two, three, then all
They just sat and waited till he gave them the call.
'On Corvette! On Mustang! On Cobra!
On, Stingray! On, Camaro! On, GTO!
On, Charger! On, Plymouth Too! '
'Put the pedal to the metal, there's more stops to do'.
Hearing the thunder of the pipes and tires squealing
Filled my heart with a warm, fuzzy feeling.
And I could hear St. Nick yell, as the cars took flight
'Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night'.
Once the song and the rhyme was finished Eric gazed blissfully at the star-filled night.
“Merry Christmas, Calam,” Eric said, lowering his instrument. “I really hope you’re alive and well… somewhere.”
Next Chapter: Setting Sail Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 16 Minutes Return to Story Description