So, let me explain; My parents suddenly decided on going to a family christmas party. As for the 30th, I absolutely forgot what was going on that day, so I had to deal with that, and my laptop died, so yeah...
Either way, here you have it, another chapter.
I opened my eyes to find pure whiteness. I was on my back, and I felt like I was lying on something soft. I sat up, only for my hand to sink back into the surface I was lying on. It looked like snow, but I wasn't cold. I sighed as I stood up, seeing my breath slowly steam out. I looked around wondering why I was out in the snow. When I finished scanning the area, I realized that I was simply standing in a snowy field.
No trees, no elevation, no people – and worst of all, no house.
I momentarily panicked. I have no idea how I hadn't frozen to death speaking that it was cold enough to be snowing and for me to see my own breath.
Though as my panic grew, I saw a figure in the distance walking towards me. They were very fuzzy from the distance and I was unsure of what it was because of the snow or if it was because I'm near-sighted. Once they became close enough for me to see clearly, I noticed right away who it was.
"It is good to see you again, Will," the figure told me.
"P-Princess Celestia?" I stuttered, "Where are we?"
The Princess giggled at my confusion, "Simply an astral plain. And please, no need for formality."
"Ah, of course."
Celestia sighed and looked off into the distance. "There's only a week remaining until you head to Equestria with the others."
I nodded before realizing something, "Wait, we're in an astral plain?"
Celestia chuckled before responding, "Yes. I thought your love for the multiverse theory would have suggested that there are multiple plains. Both between worlds and in them." I simply shook my head.
"Nope, I've never really thought about it that way."
"This is simply the plain between Equestria and America. These plains separate between dimensions on the same clocks, instead of alternate timeline worlds."
"So, why didn't I end up in one when I was on Twi's teleport spree?" I asked.
"It is usually a bad sign if two people end up between worlds like this, however, in this situation I forced it into your dream. Beforehand, Twilight simply didn't posses the power for it."
"Wait I'm dreaming?" I asked.
"Yes. You'll awake shortly. I simply came to tell you that there's only a week left, but I will admit, you are a very good conversationalist. We'll have to talk again when you arrive in Equestria."
I blinked in recognition, and she continued talking. "It's time you did get back though. You have to make breakfast and then it's time to give my little ponies a Heart's Warming to remember.
I nodded with a smirk and started to feel light headed. When I blinked again, I woke in my room.
I walked quietly out into the kitchen. It was only six, so the others would be waking shortly. I got started on breakfast as soon as I got out there. Being Christmas, I decided on the standard special breakfast; blueberry pancakes, french toast, and-instead of orange juice-egg nog.
Once I was done with the french toast, a majority of the household was already at the table. I smiled at everyone and gave them their food, quick to fill some cups with the egg nog. As I took my own seat and started eating, I noticed some saddened looks from the table.
A few minutes of silence-bar forks and knives-was heard.
Finally Big Mac broke the silence. "Back home it's Heart's Warming Day." Everyone muttered and murmured in agreement.
"Heart's Warming?" Diana asked.
"It's basically the Equestrian version of Christmas," Twilight told her, "Although, it is different in some regards." She quickly looked to me.
I sighed, and smiled to her. She nodded and her hand started to glow with her magic. A bright flash came from the living room.
Luna was the first to notice the new presence in the living room, since she was at the head of the table facing the living room, "Is that...?"
I calmly got up and walked over to the tree and picked up the first gift; an envelope, "Do we have an 'Applebloom' here? She has to retrieve a holiday gift." Applebloom was up and over to the living room in less than two seconds. She snatched the box out of my hand and ripped off the paper.
Speaking of paper, that's what was in there. One little slip of it. "Magical assistance for one day, courtesy of Twilight Sparkle," she read the note. She ran over to Twilight and quickly hugged the violet-haired girl. "Thanks Twilight! Ah' already know when Ah'm gonna use this!"
"Oh, and when is that?" Twilight asked.
"Is it possible to do a spell that only a few people can see, but is invisible to everyone else?"
"Yeah. That would be easy."
"Perfect," she said slowly, giving her fellow crusaders a mischievous smile.
"You know guys, she's not the only one that got a gift," I told everyone. All were quick to get out to the living room and sit down; waiting for their gifts.
"Basically what's going on is that I figured that you would all be saddened by not having Heart's Warming with your families. So, naturally, I decided to celebrate Christmas with all of you." All of my friends smiled.
"Me, Will, and Twilight all got you some gifts. That's why we weren't here the other day, actually," Diana told them.
"You'll all get one gift from each of us," Twilight added.
"So, since Twilight's first gift was already given out, why don't we continue with all the gifts from her?" I stated rhetorically.
"Sweetie, Scootaloo?" Twi noted to the other two crusaders, handing them their respective presents; envelopes similar to Applebloom's.
"Unicorn service for a day, eh?" Scoots thought aloud.
"I couldn't think of what to do other than that, so I simply got you all the same thing," Twilight explained.
"Well, at least none of us will be left out from each other on this one," Sweetie Belle said. I admire her enthusiasm.
"Now, of course, I couldn't forget my best friends," Twilight said while looking to her five companions, "Let's see...Rarity! I got something I'm sure you'll love."
Rarity floated over the small present and looked at it before gently taking off the wrapping. When she opened it entirely, she gasped.
"Twilight, how in the wide, wide world of Equestria did you get a hold of this month's Equestria's Choice Fashion Magazine?"
"It helps to have three princesses and a draconaquus as your friends, especially when trying to get things across the dimensional field," Twilight winked at Discord.
"Oh, it was nothing," Discord yawned.
"It's always nice to remain on top of things when it comes to fashion trends. This will more than likely help me get back on to making Equestrian designs, though I'm sure that Miss Heartstrings will love to have one of my human designs," Rarity explained.
"Wait, Lyra?" I asked.
"Yes, her. I'm sure she'll love to meet you when the time comes. She's a good customer of mine, no matter how odd her requests are," Rarity said, with a raised eyebrow.
The situation in the dimension that exploded flashed through my mind. "Ehhh...," my spine shivered, "I can't wait to meet her."
"So, who's next?" Applejack asked.
"It looks like you and Fluttershy," I said looking down at the presents. I picked up AJ's and walked it over to her, then going back for Fluttershy's. "Careful, that one is a little heavy, Fluttershy."
I watched as the two opened their gifts, both getting very large smiles upon opening their gifts.
"Oh, thanks Twilight. I've been needing a new one," Fluttershy said, scanning the sewing machine that she pulled out.
"I didn't know you were into sewing," Diana told Shy.
"It's a minor hobby," she explained.
"Minor mah' flank. You made a six foot tall butterfly and a giant version of yer'self outta' nothin' but string and wool. Ah' can't even begin t' describe the things this girl makes in her spare time," Applejack said briskly, while adorning her new stetson, "Love the color. White always did look good on a hat."
"Eeyup," Big Mac chimed in.
"Here Will, catch," she said, tossing me the old one. I eyed her for a moment, "Merry Christmas," she said, pulling the new one down over her face.
"Okay, next up is Pinkie and Rainbow Dash," Twi called, tossing the two their presents.
The two quickly ripped off the paper and mutual excitement came out of the two.
"Oh, thankyouthankyouthankyou Twilight! My old one just began to go kaplooie, and you even got the upgraded model that I've been wanting for soooo long!" Pinkie chanted.
"I know how much you love the Instant-Balloon-Inflator products, and considering it was two years ago I got you the 4,000 model, I figured it much appropriate I get you the most recent 9,000 model," Twilight said giving her friend a hug.
"Out of all the times I've gotten clothes for Heart's Warming, I can honestly say, this is the best one," Rainbow said holding her new T-Shirt out to look at the design. It bore the Wonderbolt's Logo on the left arm, while on the front was humanized profiles of Spitfire and Soarin' on the front and a very well-drawn characture of Fleetfoot on the back, though she was still a pony. As far as I know, the Fleetfoot picture used was the same one as in the IDW comic, Zen and the Art of Gazebo Repair.
That reminds me, Big Mac is going to kill me for my present to him.
Irregardless, Rainbow walked out of the room to a point where only I could see her, then she took off her current shirt. She looked at me while she had her shirt off, and being who she is, she had no bra. She put her hands on her hips and mouthed, 'You like what you see?'
I rolled my eyes and mouthed, 'Cute,' before looking back to see Twilight handing her gifts to Luna and Big Macintosh. Big Mac eyed his, probably already guessing what it was. When he tore the paper off, he smiled. It was a new yoke. I overheard AJ once saying she had been meaning to get him one for years.
Granted, right now it would be a bit ridiculous to wear, but he looked satisfied for when he got back to Equestria with it.
"I got the best one that I could find. I figured that the nails in the one you had were a pain," Twilight said.
"Eeyup," Big Mac agreed, setting the new one aside.
"Okay, next up is...Heart!" Twilight smiled. She picked up a small box and handed it to Heart. Heart shook it around before opening it. She gasped before smiling. It was a small heart made of pure blue sapphire.
"Rarity told me how much you liked Sapphire, so I decided this a fitting gift. I bet it would make a nice center piece for something," Twilight told her.
"Thank you Twilight," Heart cooed, admiring the solid gem.
"I suppose next would be Firework, though I couldn't really wrap yours," Twilight told him.
"Hm?" Firework responded.
"My gift to you is advice. I really think that if you're going to go around trying to get mares, you should befriend them first and not jump the gun. As well as that, go for one at a time," Twilight explained her advice.
Firework frowned, but his expression lightened due to a giggle from Heart.
"Next up is Spike, my number one assistant. I couldn't really wrap your's either though."
"Oh, mine isn't poor advice too is it?" the young boy asked, clearly disappointed.
"Nope," Twilight smiled before her hand started glowing a and a small flash appeared on Spike's face. When anyone looked again, a small, black, curly mustache resided on his lip. I laughed and pointed at the mirror on the wall. He jumped on a chair and looked, quick to be satisfied.
"And for Discord, I have something special," Twilight said. The draconaquus quickly perked up. Twlight tossed him a spherically wrapped present. He snapped and the wrapping disappeared. He then eyed the small snow-globe like object.
"What is this supposed to be?" he said with an eyebrow raised.
"It's a Chaos Sphere," Twilight told him, "Think of it like sea monkeys, except that it's an entire world and you can provoke any type of natural phenomenon on the creatures it holds. You don't have to worry about them dying out either because they reproduce near-instantly when in danger. Even if they did though, you could just make more, it's not like it's a hard spell; especially since you're the lord of chaos."
"Oh, I could have some fun with this thing," Discord slowly said, "Is it just physical phenomenon?"
"Does it matter? You're the lord of chaos, since when do you follow the laws of anything?" I asked.
"That's true, I suppose."
"Well, there is one thing, but I'm sure that it's very unlikely that he'll ever admit what makes him do whatever you say," Fluttershy smiled.
"Don't even talk about that Fluttershy! Those creatures are pure evil!" Discord scolded him.
"Eh, irregardless. Twilight, who's next?" I asked.
She looked down at the remaining two purple-wrapped presents, "You and Diana."
Rainbow Dash tossed over the two presents and I started to open mine. I already knew what it is, since I planned that out with Twilight.
"Equestrian Handbook?" Diana read the cover of her present, "Why would I need this?"
"To understand the ins and outs of Equestrian society," Luna told her, "Will told us that you rarely watch the show that we star in, and as such know very little about it. Considering that you'll be heading to Equestria with us, I figured it a good idea that we get you prepared."
"We still don't know what type of pony you'll be after the switch. If you're a pegasus or unicorn-" Twilight started before Rainbow chimed in.
"-Or hell, an Alicorn."
Twilight sighed, "Or alicorn, you'll need to know how to work your wings and/or horn."
"There's also a map in there. We'd like to all meet up at the Golden Oak Library in Ponyville when you both arrive, so make sure to use it," Luna told my fiance. Diana simply nodded in understanding and started to look at the book. I whistled at her as I finished unwrapping my present. She turned to look at it, and I had already slapped a bow back on it.
"Wow, Twilight, that's a great present!" Diana noted. It was a gold-plated glass heart.
"However, it's not my present anymore," I said, "Merry Christmas, babe."
She snatched that thing out of my hands faster than I could even register it, and started scanning it like she was looking for scratches or something. I chuckled at her keen eye for that kind of thing and stood up.
"Guess that means I'm next," I said.
I walked over to the tree and pulled out the first few presents wrapped in silver paper. "Cutie Mark Crusaders, you want your presents?" I called out. The three girls ran over and pulled their respective gifts out of my hands. They ripped off the wrapping like animals digging for prey.
"Oh, cool! I've been needing a new helmet! Mine's been landed on and blocked so many crashes, it's about destroyed," Scoots admired the blue helmet.
"Yes, ah' get mah' own stetson!" Applebloom yelled. AJ lifted her new one to look at her younger sister. "You hear that big sis, Ah'm just like you now!"
"Ya'll just keep tellin' yer'self that," AJ laughed.
"What's this supposed to be?" Sweetie Belle asked, holding her gift awkwardly in her hand.
"Oh, it's one of those music devices!" Scootaloo realized, "An iPod, right?" I nodded.
"Well, that's cool and all, but I don't really listen to music that much," Sweetie squeaked.
"Maybe you should start," Rarity told her sister, "You have musical talent in you. I can hear that when you're singing in private."
"You heard that!?"
"All the time, Sweetie. But remember, you are very talented." She looked at me with heartfelt eyes, "Who knows what and where music could bring you."
Sweetie Belle's face flushed and she just fell back to the corner of the room where her friends were.
I went back to the tree and picked up a present with a red bow. "Big Mac," I got the his attention, walking the presents to him. Big Mac eyed his extremely small present before opening it.
"A box of nails?" His eyebrow raised. Applejack stifled a laugh.
"Yeah, wouldn't want to have a repeat of the Summer Festival from that one year would we?" I joked. Big Mac frowned and AJ completely lost it.
"Woo wee, that's a good one, partner!"
I went over to Big Mac and leaned into a whisper, "Also, when you get back to Equestria; look up the Wonderbolt, Fleetfoot. I'm sure that she'd love to sit down and have a good chat with you. Maybe a little bit more." I patted him on the back and left him to dwell with his thoughts-which probably consisted of how he was going to kill me in my sleep.
I went back over to the tree and picked up two presents; one with a light blue ribbon and one with a scarlet ribbon. "Firework and Rainbow Heart."
Both presents were rather small, so they took almost no time to open them.
"Oh, matches. Good, I was on my last box," Firework noted.
"Oh my," Heart gasped at her gift, "They're beautiful." Ruby and Sapphire stutted heart-shaped earrings. Nothing special.
"It's nothing much," I waved it off, "Let's see, Discord and Spike-you're up." I tossed Spike a present with a lime green ribbon and Discord one with a tan one. Discord made both wrappings disappear and they both eyed their gifts.
"A voucher?" Discord looked at the tiny slip of paper.
"It allows you, should you choose to redeem it, to 'Discordize' the inside of the house for twenty-four hours," I told him, "It expires on the 29th."
"Meh," Discord said, throwing it over his shoulder. Fluttershy put a hand on his shoulder.
"Oh yay, cologne," Spike said sarcastically. I crouched to his height and whispered in his ear.
"It has the scent of white roses. Remember who likes white roses?"
Spike perked up and nodded. I smiled and walked back to the tree, grabbing the remaining six presents and handing them to their respective owners.
Rainbow opened hers first. "A necklace? Really?" It was pretty small. It was of her cutie mark. I had bought it from Hot Topic instead of making it. But that wasn't it.
"I also decided to let you have this," I said, pulling out the Sandman souvenir I have. She ran over and grabbed it out of my hand. She studied it for a moment before wrapping me in a hug.
"Thank you, Will."
"A Waffle recipe?" Pinkie asked. Obviously, she unwrapped her gift.
"Yeah. I know you love sugar, so I decided to let you know Tom's Waffle recipe," I told her, separating from Rainbow. Pinkie smiled with delight and got to reading the recipe.
"Oh, Will, you shouldn't have," Rarity said while looking at a white rose in her hand. I smiled, waving off the gesture, and watched Fluttershy open her gift.
"A butterfly farm?" Fluttershy asked reading the label.
"Yep. They're special butterflies that as soon as they come out of their cocoon, they lay their eggs, and their larval stage is only four days long," I explain, "In case you want to have a lot of Butterflies around the cottage, there you go." Fluttershy smiled at that thought.
"Oh, books. Will, you know me too well," Twilight sighed, "The entire Twilight saga, and the entire Warriors series. Not bad."
'You just keep telling yourself that Twilight,' I thought to myself.
"Oh, would ye' looky here. New Cider Mugs. We've been needin' a couple new ones lately. Thaks Will!" Applejack thanked me. I nodded in exchange.
"And what of me?" Luna asked.
"Ah shit, I knew I was forgetting something," I cursed, "Okay, so I'm in a bit of a bind. Is there anything you necessarily want?"
"Anything?"
"Anything at all," I tell her. I feel I'm going to regret that.
She signals for me to come closer. I'm guessing she just wants to surprise the others, so I turn so she could whisper into my ear.
What I didn't expect was for her to turn my head to face her and kiss me full out on the lips. For a few seconds I heard gasps and was enveloped in shock. After about five seconds, she let go and I blinked in recognition to make sure reality was in tact.
Luna coughed, "Now if you must know, Celestia does not wish for me to get into any relationship due to my immortal status. As such, I've never had my first kiss." It must have been embarrising to admit that because she started to blush.
"Why me!?" I asked, still in shock.
"Well, I can't say that you aren't at least handsome. However, unlike some of my comrades," Luna tilted her head at Rarity and Rainbow, whom chuckled and blushed, "I can actually hide how I feel."
I looked at Diana to see if she was mad, but she just shrugged it off, then got up to get her gifts. She had piled all of them up in a stack, so she could just hand them off and everyone would get their gifts simultaneously.
Once everyone had them, they opened them at the same time.
Spike, Fluttershy, and Big Mac all got sweaters. Spike's was a solid purple, Fluttershy's was green with a butterfly on it, and Big Mac's was red with a green apple on it. The three smiled and slipped them on over their shirts.
Luna got two t-shirts, both with comical readings on it. One said, 'I'm the cute one,' and the other said, 'My sister did it.' She smiled at them before Rainbow spoke up.
"Diana? Are you absolutely serious about this?" I walked over to her to read the slip of paper in her hand. I don't remember Diana ever telling me what she got for Rainbow.
"What's it say?" Applebloom asked. I read it in my head and only one thing went through my head.
"What the hell Diana!? I'm not a toy!" I yelled at my fiance.
"Maybe not yet. But on Monday, you'll be mine," she said with a sultry look. I blushed.
"What in tarnation does it say?" Applejack asked.
"'One non-sexual interaction with Will' Redemption Ticket'," Rainbow read the slip. Everyone seemed surprised, before Rainbow looked up at me.
"Need I say what I want?" I sigh and shake my head. She giggles and gets a grip on my shirt collar. She yanks me down and places her lips on mine.
Now, I'm just going to say; Holy. Shit. Rainbow Dash is one of the best kissers I've ever met in my life. I've kissed three of the girls in this group, and Rainbow definitely trumps all of them. Rarity is gentle, but has finesse. Fluttershy is shy, making her kisses rather dry and delicate. Luna is a lot like Rarity, but has that sense of regality in it-sort of fitting.
But Rainbow Dash-I mean, wow. She's a combo of all three. Gentle like Rarity, dry like Flutters (Not a fan of sloppy kisses), and some how regal like Luna.
Sadly, but fortunately, after about a few seconds, Rainbow pulled away and turned in her ticket to Diana who ripped it up. She seemed to make a show of it, staring intently at me, as I was still out of breath.
I took a moment to calm down by looking around to see what the remaining receivers were. The apple sisters were looking at their new southern-style apparel, which I'm sure would look wonderful on both of them.
The remaining two CMC members pulled out their presents. Scootaloo was hopping on to her new scooter, which was pretty funny in my opinion. I saw Sweetie smile awkwardly at her present-a karaoke machine. Rarity chuckled on the opposite side of the room.
Rarity and Heart both silently admired their jeweled necklaces. Heart's was made of ruby, while Rarity's was a mix of Diamond and Sapphire.
As soon as Twilight pulled out her present, I had to quickly stifle a laugh.
"Uh, Diana? What's this?"
"That's a bathing suit, Twi. I feel you should go to the beach when spring rolls back around," Diana said, causing Rainbow to stifle a laugh as well.
"What's so funny you two?" Twilight asked. Rainbow broke at that.
"You're too good, blondie. Twilight's only gone to the beach like twice before."
"Well, maybe I'm going to go more often this year," Twilight pouted.
"Whatever you say, egghead."
"Is this a joke?" I heard Discord wedge in. I looked over and saw him holding a razor.
"No, it isn't. I frankly don't like you're beard," Diana said back, searching under the tree for something.
"Oh, fine," Discord said. He snapped his finger and his beard poofed away.
"I'm not quite sure what you're getting at with this one, Diana," Firework said randomly. Diana walked over to him and whispered into his ear. He quickly dawned in realization and nodded in understanding.
"Will, I can't seem to find your present," Diana muttered loudly. She looked at me and I simply pointed to Spike, dabbing his cologne on his neck. Diana eyed me, but just smiled and shook her head.
"Welp, now that Christmas is over, we're almost done. Just one more big event and we'll be done with this amazing year," I said loudly, while sitting down on the couch and booting up my laptop.
"What's the big event?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Give it five days," I told her, giving Diana a wink.