The Hearth of a Draconequus
The train stopped at the Canterlot station as freshly new, crisp snow fell from the sky. Since their performance in the pageant of the founding Equestria was the best one Canterlot had seen and the events of the last few months had come to pass, there was cause for celebration. The six famous friends with their equally-famous dragon got off and ponies crowded around them, asking for autographs.
"I could get used to this." said Rainbow Dash.
"Indeed, how truly wonderful it is to be recognized other than for designing important fashions." agreed Rarity as she finished signing with her magic.
"Or for being a princess." pointed out Twilight.
As more ponies tried to get autographs, the guards came over to help escort them out and led the way for the saviors of Equestria.
"Everything is so beautiful!" said Twilight, "Even more beautiful than the last Hearth's Warming Eve we were here."
"I reckon you're right." said Applejack.
The others agreed, but one pegasus seemed out of it. Pinkie looked back to see the upside-down smile on her face.
"Fluttershy, what's wrong? Aren't you happy for Hearth's Warming?"
"Oh, I am… it's just…" she turned her head away.
"Darling, are you worried about performing again? Because remember what we told you: it'll be just like the first time, so you have no reason to fret."
"Oh, no. It's not that…"
"Then what?" RD questioned.
She gave a sigh, "I wanted Discord to come see me- us! I mean, to see us perform in the pageant and to spend Hearth's Warming Eve while we here. I wrote him the invitation, but… he hasn't responded… I worry that he didn't get it in time. With all this snow, it is possible…"
"Oh, I'm sure he'll make some grand entrance." gestured Twilight, "He always does, you know that."
"I hope you're right… I hate for him to miss out on anything. I want him to spend time with his new friends, now that he finally has them."
"Is that your present to him?" Twilight asked.
"Oh, no. I have my own present to give him, but if he doesn't show up soon…"
"Oh, darling, don't worry. From what you had told us about your get-togethers with Discord, he will not want to miss out."
"I really hope you're right."
They kept walking down the street and enjoying the sights. Every light on a tree or wreath was shining bright in the snow. They saw the giant candy canes and gingerbread houses in the windows. Then, they came across a skating rink where young unicorns were skating around and having fun. Pinkie, of course, already wearing skates, joined them and did fancy skating moves.
This reminded Fluttershy of when Discord was skating around the frozen Sweet Apple Acres. He offered her skates so she would prove that she would keep her word of not using her element against him. That backfired when he was gloating over his victory and she, in fury, threw the skates away. He finally understood that he needed friends and how he needed her… She sighed, wishing they could finally have the chance to skate together.
"Hey, Flutters!" Dash flew in her face, "Do you want to build a snow-pony with me?"
"Sure!" she smiled, silently thanking for the distraction.
As the pegasi started building a snow-pony, the other Mane Six members had their own winter fun. Rarity and Applejack were throwing snowballs at each other and Twilight and Spike were making an igloo. Pinkie was still skating around.
"You're going to get it, Applejack!" Rarity threw a ball with her magic.
"Like rattlesnakes you are!" AJ retorted, having a chunk of snow in her hoof.
Rainbow and Fluttershy were almost done with their snow-pony. Once Fluttershy put the coal eyes and buttons on and a carrot for the nose, she got a top hat to put on the head. Once she did, the snow-pony came to life!
"Happy birthday!" the snow-pony said.
"Eekk!" Fluttershy screamed and jumped.
Rainbow shouted, "What the-?!" But then she looked at the eyes more carefully, "Discord!"
Discord popped out and gave out a laugh, "Oh, you should have seen your faces! Priceless! But seriously, in a world full of magic, you've never had a talking snow-pony?"
"Because it's not possible!" Twilight came over with the others.
"Oh, well, it was still a good laugh. Now who said you could start the fun without me?"
"I… Oh, Discord, I didn't think you'd make it…" said Fluttershy.
He gave a chuckle, "Truth be told, I was thinking of not showing up at all."
The entire group had their mouths gaped open.
"Not… not showing?" the pony representing kindness softly said, "Oh, no… I did something wrong, didn't I?! Oh, I'm so sorry! Had I…" she started rambling of how terrible she must be to him.
"Fluttershy…" Discord tried to get a word in edge-wise, but she continued babbling.
"…And I do have tight living quarters. Of course you need room!"
"Fluttershy…" he still tried to get through to her.
"…And I haven't been able to write often, so I must be a bad friend-"
"Fluttershy!" he wrapped his body around her, "It has nothing to do with you! You have done nothing wrong…" he placed his hands on her shoulders to make her feel relaxed and to calm her down, "Far from it…"
"Then why not bothering to show up?! Uh?!" RD eyeballed him.
"I would like to know this myself." the alicorn stated.
"Would you all relax? I didn't want to come because I don't celebrate this holiday so much, okay? Let's leave at that!"
"But who doesn't want to celebrate Hearth's Warming Eve?!" Pinkie moved from one pony to another, "It's, like, the best winter holiday that Equestria has! It has candy canes and gingerbread, and gingerbread houses, even! And let's not forget the tree, the lights, the wreath, and… mistletoe!" She held mistletoe between Spike and Applejack.
Both blushed at this and immediately moved away from Pinkie and the mistletoe.
"Look, the only reason I am here is at Fluttershy's expense. I knew I couldn't let her down by not making an appearance, but I'm not staying long. I'll stay until the pageant starts…" he had his dearest friend face him, "But that's it. I'm sorry…"
"But… why?" she looked on with pleading teal eyes.
Discord knew he couldn't think straight with those eyes looking straight into his soul like that, but merely stated, "I'm afraid I'm quite busy as it is. Things to do and places to go that need my chaotic powers. As much as I want to see you on stage and facing your stage fright, I couldn't be prouder."
"Oh… thank you, and… I understand…" But she had a bit of disappointment in her voice. The whole reason she agreed to reprise her role as Private Pansy was so Discord could see her on stage not being afraid, but she had to redefine her objectives and would still do it for him, even if he wasn't there to see it.
"But in the meantime, I believe you were having fun in the snow, which I'd be more than happy to stick around!" Her face lightened up and looked at the rink. He caught on and said, "You know… we never did get to skate together…" With a snap, the same ice skates appeared at her hooves and he wore the same outfit he had on that day. Not only were Fluttershy and he wearing skates, but the rest of their friends were, too. "Shall we?" he offered his claw.
She giggled, "Let's…"
They skated onto the ice. Fluttershy wobbled a little, but Discord had his tail holding on to her. The others had joined them with Pinkie doing circles around them. Rainbow was flapping her wings while having her skates touch the ice. Rarity skated gracefully while AJ kept losing her balance, along with Twilight and Spike, falling on their bottoms and fronts.
Fluttershy loved how Discord stuck by her side and how he did look quite good in that outfit of his… She blushed at that fact, but Discord took notice.
"Are you cold, my dear? You seem red in the cheeks." Even though he knew a blush when he saw one.
"What?! Oh, I mean, yes, it is chilly."
"Allow me." With another snap, a scarf of green and pink was tied around her neck.
"Oh, Discord… How lovely…"
"It's yours to keep."
"Thank you, I'll treasure it always."
They moved in sync as Discord had held on to her front hooves while her back hooves slid on ice. She loved how she got to put her head back to his chest. So warm and fuzzy… she thought.
Discord, in turn, could feel her soft mane against him. How he loved the feel and he could smell the sweet fragrance, Ah… just like the flowers she grows in her garden… he thought to himself.
"Hey, Discord!" Pinkie kept making circles while saying, "Wanna have a toboggan race?!"
"Why, Pinkie Pie, I thought you would never ask!"
"Hey!" Rainbow flapped above them, "I'll want in on the action!"
"Of course, the more the merrier!" Discord gestured, "Who else wants in on our little competition?"
"Shoot, I never could back down from a challenge!" said Applejack.
"Me, too!" Spike waved his claw.
"Any other takers?" Discord asked the remaining three members, "What about you, Fluttershy or Princess Twilight?"
"If it's all the same, I'll just watch, but I will be rooting for all of you." said Fluttershy, but secretly hoped that Discord would win.
Rarity motioned, "Yes, I'm afraid Fluttershy and I aren't very good with sleds, but I will act as judge to make sure you're all playing fair."
"That goes for me, too." said Twilight.
"Let the race begin!" he snapped his fingers and they were teleported to a snowy hillside near the castle. He was on top with the rest of his competitors, each having their own sled. He himself had a red one with the golden plaque saying, 'Rosebud'. The remaining three mares were on the bottom of the hill.
"Wait a minute!" pointed RD, "We need to set some rules! Discord can't use his magic!"
"Oh, pshaw," he waved it off, "like I was going to! It's too simple! And what about you, Miss Uses-Her-Wings-Every-Chance-She-Gets?"
"Ha! I was right!" Applejack gestured, "Even Discord knows you cheat using your wings! So if he can't use magic, you can't use your wings!"
"Fine! Why we don't stop talking and get on racing?!"
"Ready when you are!" Twilight shouted up to them.
"Ready!" they all said.
The alicorn princess raised her wing, "Ready… Get set…"
The racers each had a look of determination on their faces.
"GO!" she put down the wing and they started down the hill at fast speed.
"Weeee!" Pinkie squealed in delight.
Dash and AJ's sleds bumped at one point.
"Hey! You tried to knock me off!" Rainbow accused.
"No, I did not!" AJ retorted.
"Whoa!" Spike had to cover his eyes at the fast rate he was going.
So far, Discord was in the lead, "Oh, I'm going to win! As I always do."
"Go, Discord!" he could hear the sweet pegasus's voice call out and that made him more determined to win, For her… He leaned more forward and went faster. That helped him cross the finish line first.
He hovered off his sled, proclaiming, "I won!"
"You did it! I knew you could!" she flew up to him.
"But of course, my dear. I always win. You know that…"
They met each other's gaze until a voice cried out, "Incoming!" A pink blur slid on in, knocking him over.
Spike was next for landing next to them. Then, Rainbow and Applejack were in the middle of colliding with their sleds, but they were both knocked off and caused a rolling ball of snow that got bigger as it came down. It landed on top of Discord and he was covered in a deep blanket of snow.
"Discord!" Fluttershy shouted out and started unburying him.
"Oh, relax, Flutters." said Rainbow Dash as she brushed off the snow on her, "He'll just pop out as he always does. No need to dig him out."
It was dark, all around him… He couldn't move, he couldn't breathe, he felt a cold grasp around his body. He never had to feel cold before, but this time, he did feel it. So dark… so very cold… I need to get out! He blamed himself for letting this happen. Bad things always happened with this holiday. It's happening, all over again… I knew I shouldn't have come… but I couldn't disappoint her… Of course though, this means I'll never see her again… He tried digging to find light, but he was so cold and freezing, he couldn't lift a claw or paw.
Suddenly, there was a tiny light above him. It got bigger by the second, and then he heard voices calling his name. Then finally, the light shined on his face and a voice said, "There he is!"
Hooves reached out for him and he grabbed on and was pulled out of the snow pile.
"Discord!" a sweet voice he recognized as she wrapped her arms around him, "Oh, are you okay?!"
"What happened in there?" Applejack questioned.
"Yes, darling. Do tell us," said Rarity, "When you didn't come out on your own… we feared the worst."
"I thought you were just playing with us," RD admitted, "but you were taking longer than I expected you to be."
"Oh, you're shaking… Oh, Discord, please tell us!" Fluttershy begged.
"I'm sorry," he pulled her away, "I have to go!" he moved away from them.
"But why?!" Pinkie yelled out, "We were having so much fun. It is Hearth's Warming Eve, after all!"
He turned his head back in hatred, "Yeah, well, I hate Hearth's Warming Eve! Bah humbug!" he snapped his fingers and started teleporting away.
Fluttershy flew as fast as she could to catch him, "Wait! Discord, your pre-" But he disappeared before she could finish, "…sent…"
AN: Just thought I'd get in all the cute fluffy holiday Fluttercord that's happening this season although this was already in progress before The Midnight Dance popped into my head all of a sudden.
