Chapter 18: Heartbreakers
It was time once again to welcome the holiday season, especially since it was Hearth's Warming Eve. The snow was falling and houses in Ponyville were decorated for the holidays. Inside Twilight and Chase's castle, one room that had a fire place was nicely decorated for the occasion. At the moment, Chase was finishing some final touches as Twilight and Nyx put some delicious gingerbread cakes on some plates. Spike...was busy snooping the presents.
"There, that should do it," said Chase as he landed back on the ground beside his wife and daughter.
"Thanks dear," said Twilight and was about to kiss him when they suddenly heard some rustling.
"HAPPY HEARTH'S WARMING EVE!" Pinkie shouted as she poked out of their chimney upside down. Then fell out and landed on her head.
"Oh, Pinkie," said Nyx as she, Chase, Twilight, and Spike chuckled to each other. It was then Applejack and Clay arrived from the doorway wearing their saddle bags.
"Shucks, Twilight and Chase!" said Applejack as she and Clay walked inside the room and looked around, "Y'all done it up nice and cozy in here."
"We're about to hang our Hearth's Warming dolls if you want to join us," said Twilight as she used her magic to set up some dolls that looked like herself, Chase, Nyx, and Spike above the mantle of the fire-place.
"Oh, that's mighty sweet of you," said Applejack while Clay nodded in agreement as Pinkie, still covered in soot, dusted off her face and smiled as she stood beside the Earth Pony couple, "but we're just stoppin' in to wish y'all a happy Hearth's Warmin' before we go. Y'all ready to get going, honey?"
"Just about," said Clay with a smile.
"I think it's sweet that your families are spending the holiday together." Twilight said with a smile.
"Picture the most fun-tacular thing you can think of," said Pinkie as she zipped up to Twilight, held her for a moment, and then let her go, "Now multiply that times infinity! Whoo! It's gonna be great!"
Pinkie then grabbed Applejack and twirled about with her. Then did the same with Clay, leaving both ponies feeling a tad dizzy when they heard a train whistle in the distance.
"That's us," said Applejack, "See you later!" Pinkie then bounced away.
"Be careful and have a good time with your families, guys!" Chase called with a smile.
"Will need it!" Clay replied back in agreement.
"Now can we open presents?" Spike asked as Applejack was heading out of the room and froze.
"But tonight is Hearth's Warming Eve," Applejack pointed out, "Everypony knows you don't open presents 'til tomorrow." Chase and Twilight chuckled.
"When Spike, Chase, Jade, Sunray, and I spent our first Hearth's Warming Eve together," Twilight started to explain.
"Wait! Chase and his family spent Hearth's Warming with you guys?!" said Applejack in surprise.
"Not every year," said Chase, "But alot of them since there were ponies out there that didn't care if it was the holidays. Mom and Dad were not home in time for Hearth's Warming since they had to take care of a few matters in Manehatten. So Twilight said Jade, Sunray, and I could spend it with her family."
"True," said Twilight as she rubbed the top scales of Spike's head, "So back then, Spike couldn't wait all night to open his presents! Ever since then, we've always opened them the night before."
"It's kinda like our tradition!" said Spike.
"That's not how our family does it, and I reckon it can't be how Pinkie does it?" said Applejack as Clay looked back to see Pinkie peek back into the room.
"No sirree!" said Pinkie in agreement.
"To each their own, I suppose," said Twilight. It was then the train whistle blew once again.
"AGH! Gotta go, bye!" said Pinkie as she grabbed both Applejack and Clay and the three ponies quickly disappeared.
Twilight just shook her head while Chase and Nyx shared smirks with each other as Spike climbed into her back and strained as he tried to reach for a present behind their Hearth's Warming dolls. Twilight used her magic to give it to him and nodded that he could open it. Spike ripped it open excitedly but then froze once he saw what was inside. Twilight smiled excitedly.
"Just what I always wanted!" said Spike with a rather forced enthusiastic tone as he pulled the gift out of the box, "A book..." Twilight just smiled as Spike looked rather annoyed.
Why do I get to excited about presents every year? Spike thought to himself, Twilight gives me the same thing every year. The only one who gives me something different is... Spike then remembered something and smiled.
"Hey! Where's Chase's present?" Spike asked as he looked around. Twilight flinched.
"Oh! Uh...I..." Twilight stuttered as she used her magic to hide the present out of view, "I think he forgot..."
"Honey!" Chase said sternly, making Twilight flinch, as he took the present from her and gave it to Spike.
"Thanks, Chase!" Spike said happily.
Twilight just rolled her eyes and glared as Spike opened it.
"OH WOW!" Spike exclaimed as he held up a pair of action figures, "Limited edition Power Ponies Action Figures! The complete set!"
Twilight just growled as Spike played with his new toys...until he saw the sour look on Twilight's face.
"Aw, come on, Twilight," said Spike, "I liked your present too. Even if you give the same thing year after year!"
"Do not!" Twilight snapped, "Did you even read the front cover?" Spike looked stunned and picked up the book. He then gasped when he read the title.
"The History and Biography of Stable Lee!?" said Spike excitedly, "He's one of the greatest comic book writers and illustrators of all time! I'm gonna get some cocoa and read this right now!"
Spike then ran out of the room.
Twilight felt much better and giggled to herself.
"Sorry dear," said Twilight smugly to her husband, "But it looks like I win for best gift this time around!"
"Well, you and I aren't the only ones around actually." Chase replied with a smug grin of his own before he turned to Nyx. "Nyx, do you still have your present for Spike?"
"Yup!" Nyx said as she used her magic to bring out a large sack of fire ruby gems, shocking Twilight in the process.
Nyx trotted out the door with the sack in her magic as she giggled.
"Oh, Spike!" Nyx said in a singing tone.
"Yeah? What's in the sack?" Spike's voice was heard as Chase and Twilight heard the sound of Spike opening the sack and gasped loudly. "FIRE RUBIES?! Wow! Thanks, Nyx!"
"No problem." Nyx responded back.
Chase and Twilight shared smirks with each other before they laughed amusingly. Then they shared a loving nuzzle.
*Main theme*
As the train chugged down the track, the Apple Family, which included Clay when referenced, were sitting comfortably on the train. Apple Bloom, Granny Smith, and Big Mac sat on one long seat while Applejack, Pinkie, and Clay sat on the other.
"Chancellor Puddinghead puddings!" said Porter Pony as he walked by carrying various holiday treats, "How 'bout a Windigo-frosted snow cone?"
Clay then handed Apple Bloom a few bits and gestured for the little filly to go help herself to some treats. Apple Bloom smiled excitedly as she rushed to go pick something.
"It's so excitin'!" said Applejack, "Related or not, it's gonna be a hoot havin' our families together under one roof!"
"Apples and Pies together again for the first time!" said Pinkie, "Maybe. Unless were related! Which maybe we're not. I think I just confused myself."
Pinkie held an apple with one fore-hoof and then a pie in another before smashing them together and getting some pie on her chin.
"Try not to over think it, Pinks," said Clay as he patted her shoulder gently.
"Clay's right," said Applejack as she put a fore-leg around Pinkie, "Friends or family, this here's about togetherness."
"Have you tried the Equestria flag crepe?" Apple Bloom as she suddenly appeared between the two ponies holding sticks of rock candy and her mouth covered in blue juice. She was also spitting crumbs from her mouth as she spoke, "The blue is blueberry!" Applejack flinched at the crumbs flying at her face.
"And don't tell Granny Smith I saw, but her trunk is full of presents!" Apple Bloom whispered to Pinkie and Clay.
"Sweet!" said Clay as Pinkie smiled.
"Totally!" Apple Bloom add as the uncle and niece shared a hoof-bump.
"Now hang on, sugarcube," said Applejack skeptically as Apple Bloom wiped the blue berry juice from her mouth, "You know Hearth's Warmin' isn't just about candy and presents, right?"
"Uh-oh," said Apple Bloom bluntly as Granny Smith snored in the background and Big Mac sat quietly next to the experienced mare, "That's your boring sisterly lecture voice."
"You might wanna learn somethin', honey." Clay said to his niece with advice. "Ya'll gonna hear what my loving wife has to say."
Applejack smiled as she kissed her husband on the cheek.
"Do I have to?" Apple Bloom whined.
"'Fraid so!" said Applejack as she cleared her throat. It was then a backdrop appeared with a house made out of gingerbread and candy.
"A long time ago, the Earth ponies, Pegasus ponies, and unicorn ponies weren't friends," Applejack narrated as the three tribe ponies were presented as cookies on candy cane sticks.
"I don't like you!" said Pinkie, pretending to be a unicorn pony.
"I don't like you either!" said Pinkie, this time pretending to be a Pegasus pony.
"But then, the icy chill of the windigos almost iced up everythin'," Applejack continued as the background was buried in snow and windigo shaped cookies appeared, "So the ponies decided to work together, and their friendship drove them nasty critters away."
"Beat it, Windigos!" Pinkie shouted, pretending to be the Pegasus pony as a giant rock candy stick batted the windigo cookies away.
"Triumphant, they raised a new flag to celebrate all three tribes," Applejack continued as the Equestria flag cookies appeared in a candy can stick, "and Equestria was born."
Applejack then noticed that there was bite out of the flag.
"Uh, what happened to the flag?" Applejack asked.
"I don't know..." said Pinkie as she spoke with her mouth full, proving she had bitten the flag cookie before swallowing and licking her lips.
Clay looked unamused.
"Pinkie, do you ever have any control over yourself?" Clay asked with a glare he sent at the party pony, who smiled sheepishly.
"Is that why we celebrate with a flag raisin' tomorrow?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Mm-hmm!" said Applejack, "And tonight, we'll have the traditional Hearth's Warmin' Eve dinner to remember the shared bounties of our ancestors."
"We do that too!" said Pinkie.
"Then we'll hang our Hearth's Warmin' dolls over the fireplace to remind us of the warmth shared on that fateful night," Applejack said as she put a fore-hoof around Apple Bloom.
"That's what our family does too!" said Pinkie.
"And tomorrow, we open presents!" said Applejack.
"Ah! We do that too!" said Pinkie as she appeared beside Applejack from the right.
"Sounds like the Apples and the Pies do everything the same way!" said Apple Bloom as she appeared between the two ponies.
"At least they do on the surface," said Clay, "But I wouldn't be surprised if the Pies have their own little twists to those traditions."
"I'm sure they'll more similar to ours than different," said Applejack, "They're probably exactly the same!"
"Really?" said Clay skeptically to his wife.
"Of course!" said Applejack and Pinkie as the same time, "We might be related! Hey, I was gonna say that! Stop sayin' what I'm sayin'! You stop it first!"
The two ponies couldn't help but mimic facial expressions and tones as they copied each other. Then they leaned back and laughed heartily as they both tumbled out of their seats. Clay laughed as well.
"Hey, maybe we should declare you two twinsies," said Clay.
"Not happening!" said Applejack and Pinkie sternly as they sat up.
"Just kiddin'." Clay said with a chuckle.
Apple Bloom and Big Mac couldn't help but snicker at the Applejack and Pinkie's expense. It was then the train whistled as it pulled into the station closest to the Pie's rock farm. It didn't stay long before it left the Apple family and Pinkie behind. Pinkie bounced up and down excitedly as Big Mac placed a large chest onto his back. Apple Bloom had been holding into it and plopped into the snow when Big Mac grabbed it and gave her a skeptical look.
"Apple Bloom," said Clay slowly to his sister-in-law. "I know why you want that chest." Apple Bloom just blushed and smiled apologetically as Clay and Big Mac exchanged knowing smiles with each other.
"I'm so happy, I need to make up a new word for how happy I am," said Pinkie, "What about..."rooftastic"?" Pinkie gave a squee.
""Rooftastic"?" Applejack and Clay retorted.
"As in, I'm gonna stand on the roof and yell to everypony how rooftastic this is!" Pinkie shouted as she jumped on top of the roof, which caused all the snow on the roof to fall off and buried the ponies below. Applejack and Clay bushed the snow off themselves as Pinkie jumped down.
"What if our families don't like each other?" Applejack asked worried as Clay sweated a bit, suddenly feeling very nervous.
"Don't get Clay upset. We are friends, Applejack, " said Pinkie as she grabbed the orange ponies face, "and after tonight, our families are gonna be friends too. Do you know what that means? Number of Apples times number of Pies is thirty, minus my preexisting friendships plus two for Maud, Clay, and you makes six from thirty is..." Pinkie took a deep breath as several fore-legs equaling her answer appeared around the screen, "...twenty-four new friendships!" Applejack was baffled by all the pink fore-legs appearing and disappearing as Clay chuckled.
"Pinkie is quite gifted in calculating statistics," Clay said, "I'm surprised you never considered going to college to get a degree in Business Statistics."
"Eh...I don't need a college degree to do what I do," said Pinkie, "But I do admire that you got yours Clay!"
"So do I," said a very familiar deadpan tone. They all knew who it was as she stood a short distance away.
"Maud!" said Pinkie excitedly as she gave her big sister a hug.
"I'm so excited to see you, Pinkie Pie," said Maud, "You too, Applejack. I hope you two had fun sledding yesterday." Applejack and Clay were stunned.
"How'd you know that?" Applejack asked, feeling a tad disturbed at the revelation.
"Isn't it obvious?" Maud replied as she showed Applejack's fore-hoof had some bits of rock on it, "There are specks of extra andesite on your hoof. It's a mountain rock."
"Oh, she's good," said Granny Smith in a hushed tone to Apple Bloom and Big Mac.
"How's school going?" Pinkie asked.
"If you thought quartz was high on the Mohs hardness scale," Maud answered, "wait 'til I tell you about corundum."
"Ahh! So I take it you've been able to open up with some of the students at the Rock University?" Clay asked.
"You could say that. So you must be Applejack's husband, Clay. Right?" said Maud as Clay nodded in confirmation. "Nice to meet you."
The groups started heading off the train platform.
"I missed you so much!" said Pinkie happily.
(Scene changes)
It wasn't long until they reached the farm ground, which was simply decorated with strings of white lights around the house, silo, the outer edges of the yard.
"The place looks amazin'!" said Applejack.
"So many ponies think you have to go over the top with Hearth's Warming decorations," Clay added, "but sometimes...less is more."
"Indeed!" said Pinkie as she and Maud stood at the front door, "Come on, everypony! Meet my super-mega-fun-derful family!"
It was then the door opened and out came a copper colored stallion with a long greyish sideburns and tail wearing a neck tie.
Next to him was a light grey mare with a greenish-grey mane in a bun and same colored tail with some gold reading glasses that had a chain around her neck with a checkered patterned scarf and necklace.
Behind them was a grayish-blue mare with light-bluish-grey mane and short tail. Pinkie smiled as they all walked out of the house, but then she noticed that somepony was missing. She quickly found a grey mare that was a tone lighter than Maud with a long two toned grey mane and tail. She gave Pinkie a nervous look before the pink pony pushed her forward. It wasn't long before the Apples and Pies stood in line across from each other.
"Everypony, meet everypony!" said Pinkie as she stood between them.
The two families stepped forward, except for the lighter grey mare who trembled nervously and ran away. Clay looked at her sympathetically as Applejack and Clay went to go find her. Pinkie's parents walked up to Granny Smith.
"Surely thy name is not but Granny Smith," said the stallion in olden ponish dialect, "I am Igneous Rock Pie, son of Feldspar Granite Pie."
"Thou shalt know me as Cloudy Quartz," said the mare in the same dialect.
"May Providence favor thee well," said Igneous Rock, "and to thou comfort our humble homestead bring." Granny Smith looked a bit baffled.
"Y'all gabbin' with words real funny-like," said Granny Smith, "Wh-wh-what'd you say them names were? "Iggy"? And I'm just gonna call you "Big Mama Q"!"
The two parents just shared puzzled looks with each other. As they were greeting, the light blue-grey mare was speaking to Apple Bloom with Big Mac nearby.
"Gaze into the eyes of Limestone Pie," said the light blue-grey mare, "Ma and Pa may own this rock farm, but I keep it running." She then got right into Apple Bloom's face, making the yellow filly flinch, "Cross me and-"
"Aye aye, Captain Grumpy!" said Pinkie as she swooped in and pushed Limestone back and patted her head, "No one's gonna mess with your precious mine!"
"Or Holder's Boulder!" said Limestone as she smacked Pinkie's fore-hoof away. Pinkie just sighed rushed up to an egg-shaped rock that was as big as a dragon.
"Everypony stay away from Holder's Boulder," said Pinkie before then heads back to Limestone, "There, you happy now?"
Limestone just snorted and looked away crankily. It was then Applejack and Clay found the light grey mare hiding timidly behind the side of the house.
"Aw, poor thing is super shy," said Clay sympathetically to Applejack, "even more than Flutters." Clay was the first to approach, which made the mare flinch nervously.
"Hello there," said Clay gently, "Don't be afraid. We just wanna be your friend." The mare just looked at Clay timidly but said nothing. Clay could tell she was still on guard.
"My name is Clay and this is my wife Applejack," said the Earth Pony stallion in a gentle tone.
"And you must be-" said Applejack. The mare tried to run again when Pinkie zipped up and grabbed her.
"This is Marble Pie," said Pinkie, "my baby sister who's only a few minutes younger than me but she'll always be a baby to me, isn't that right?" Marble just winced and gave Pinkie an annoyed look that the pink pony completely ignored.
"She's so excitedly to meet everypony!" said Pinkie as she pinched her little sister's check, leaving it red, "Oh, and she wishes you a Happy Hearth's Warming!" Marble just rubbed her sore cheek as Pinkie nudged her to say something.
"Mm-hmm," said Marble softly as Pinkie just smiled next to her. It was then Apple Bloom walked up to Applejack.
"Guess Pinkie Pie always did the talkin' for her," said Applejack as Apple Bloom just giggled in reply. Clay didn't think it was funny and waited for Pinkie to run off before addressing Marble.
"Hey," Clay whispered, "Please don't be afraid to let me know if Pinkie oversteps her boundaries. You do have a right to speak for yourself, Marble. In fact, if you have something to say, you can whisper it to me and I'll tell everypony. I'll make sure your voice gets heard." Marble just said nothing as Clay turned to leave.
"Thank you," Marble said in tone far too soft for anypony to hear, not even Clay . It was then Pinkie gave a whistle to get everypony's attention.
"Attention!" said Pinkie as she stood on Holder's Boulder.
"What'd I say about the boulder?!" Limestone yelled.
"I'll just be a second," Pinkie retorted.
"I see Pinkie's lack of respect for other's property dates back to her life here," Clay remarked.
"You have no idea..." Limestone muttered.
"Everypony get settled in!" Pinkie announced, "There's plenty of room upstairs. and then it's time for Hearth's Warming Eve dinner!" Pinkie then tossed some holiday colored confetti into the air and everypony minus Applejack and Pinkie headed inside.
"So far, so good, cousin!" said Applejack.
"Hee-hee!" said Pinkie as they followed after the rest of the group.
(Scene changes)
It wasn't long before the Apple family had settled into the upstairs guest bedroom. Apple Bloom was bouncing on the top bunk of two double beds. Applejack sat in the lower bunk below Apple Bloom. Granny Smith was opening her chest as Big Mac sat on the top bunk of the second bed. Clay was sleeping with Applejack. Apple Bloom began to talk.
"Oh, I can't wait to taste their fresh sweet rolls!" said Apple Bloom, "They're my favorite part of Hearth's Warmin' Eve dinner!"
"Mine too!" said Clay.
"I'm more of a six-layer bean dip filly myself!" Granny Smith added.
"I love that too!" said Apple Bloom.
"Is that why you asked me to tune up your dentures for maximum crunching, Granny?" Clay asked.
"Eww!" said Apple Bloom remarked, "You upgraded her dentures!?"
"Sure did!" said Granny Smith as she flashed her teeth, "I can chomp a mountain worth of rock candy and still keep chomping away!" Clay chuckled.
"Oh, Applejack," said Apple Bloom to the orange pony who had her stenson hat over her face, "do you think theirs'll be even better than ours?"
"Well, that's a might tall order," said Applejack as she lifted her hat off her face, "but it wouldn't surprise me in the least!"
"Keep in mind that this farm specializes in rocks," said Clay, "I asked Pinkie if they grew any fresh crops and such for food. She said yes, but laughed when I asked where the garden was located." Before anypony could respond, Pinkie appeared from the staircase.
"Are you excited for dinner time?" said Pinkie, "because guess who it is? Spoiler alert - it's me!"
(Scene changes)
Pinkie then lead the Apple family downstairs to the kitchen where there was a long table set. Igneous and Cloudy were sitting at the far end of the table while the others sat on the right side. Before them were bowls filled with some green colored soup with a rock in the middle of it. Along with a large soup pot in the center of the table. The Apple family just looked stunned as they wearily took their seats. Pinkie just kept smiling as she sat opposite of the pink pony's parents. Clay sat between the seat where Applejack would be and on his other side was Apple Bloom.
"What about hot rolls and mulled cider and double-baked pot pie?" Applejack asked.
"Uh, what about six-layer bean dip?" Granny Smith added.
"We have rock soup," said Maud Pie.
"I...am not too surprised..." Clay remarked, skeptical of the food before him, "I mean this is a rock farm, but I had assumed you woulda raise some fresh crops and such to make a soup. May I ask what the soup was made of?"
"Rocks," Maud answered in her usual tone. Clay blinked.
"Never knew you could grind rocks into a soup," Clay said, trying to sound impressed as well as polite.
Potato, po-tah-to," said Pinkie dismissively, "Double-baked pot pie, rock soup! Dinner is dinner! Am I right or am I right?"
"Yeah, um, you know what?" said Applejack nervously as she took her seat, "This is what we were expectin'! Right, everypony?"
"R-r-right, honey," said Clay bravely to his wife.
Big Mac and Granny Smith just made uncertain noises in reply. Apple Bloom just smiled bravely. Applejack and Clay then noticed Pinkie looking at them before the Earth Pony couple laughed nervously. Applejack then stared at her soup and winced as Pinkie slurped hers up in a hurry.
"Maybe it's not as bad as it looks," said Clay as he took a brave sip, his eyes bulging as he tasted the soup and set the bowl down. Trying his best not to make a face as he reached for the rock.
Maybe the rock tastes better than the soup Clay thought.
"Hey, Maud, do you know where the weak point is?" Clay asked, "Since I don't eat rocks regularly, I don't want to risk chipping a tooth if I bite the wrong place."
"Just bite anywhere and you'll be fine," said Limestone, but her smirk made her words anything but trustworthy.
"Just twist the rock 54 degrees latitude and 32 degrees longitude and you'll be fine," Maud replied. Clay nodded as he shift the rock with his other fore-hoof and looked at it.
Maybe this is one of those sugar stones Maud was talking about, Clay thought, Guess I got my Pie style sweet dinner roll after all! Clay then took a bite and chomped on it.
"What's it taste like, Clay?" Apple Bloom as Clay swallowed...painfully.
"Granite," Clay said bluntly.
"Actually, it's conglomerate," said Maud, "Mom and Dad only serve it on Hearth's Warming."
"I...understand...," said Clay wearily. Applejack was still just looking wearily at her own soup.
"Is everything all right, Applejack?" Pinkie asked.
"O' course," said Applejack, "I'm just being a rusty fiddle. Tune me up and let's get back to dinner."
Applejack began to bravely slurp her soup as everypony minus Limestone and Igneous watched with interest. Igneous just ate his own rock as Limestone smirked deviously. Applejack finished her soup in a hurry, made a face like she was gonna be sick, but quickly coughed to recompose herself. Clay had just simply pushed his plate away. With the rock fully eaten, it at least looked like he had eaten his fill.
"Glad that's done," Clay remarked.
"More rock soup, please!" Pinkie shouted as her bowl, along with Applejack and Clay's plates.
"Uh that's not..." Clay tried to retort but was too late as his bowl was refilled and slumped in defeat, "Ugh, I hate it when she does that..."
"Eat up, so we can get to our Hearth's Warming dolls!" said Pinkie excitedly.
"Now that's somethin' I know all about!" said Applejack.
Clay just rolled his eyes. If dinner had taught him anything, it was that the Pies had some slightly different variations to what were common Hearth's Warming traditions.
Clay's speculations were soon proven true.
Once dinner was complete, the Pies had guided the Apples down the outside entrance of the mines. The Pies immediately started using pick axes to chisel some rocks. While most of the Pies had standard doll sized rocks, Limestone had decided to chisel a life-sized rock.
"Who wants a Hearth's Warming doll?" Pinkie asked.
"I do!" said Clay as Pinkie set him a rock and Clay began to use his pickaxe to create one. Applejack and the rest of the Apple family were a little puzzled at what to do as they held pickaxes in their mouths.
"Are you sayin' that rock is a Hearth's Warmin' doll?" Applejack asked.
"Don't be silly, silly!" said Pinkie as she set her rock down and with a single blow of the pickaxe, a rock shaped doll came out of it.
"Our dolls are these little pieces!" said Pinkie, "Isn't that right, Marble Pie?" There was a brief silence as Marble blushed at being called out and nearly destroyed her own doll.
"Mm-hmm," Marble replied as the rest of the pies were working on their own dolls.
"Our dolls are...rocks?" said Apple Bloom skeptically.
Applejack noticed that Granny Smith tried to hit her rock, only for it to fall off the little rock stump it was set up on. Apple Bloom managed to get her pickaxe stuck in her own rock. Big Mac tried to strike his rock but smashed the pickaxe instead. Applejack went to smash her rock, only to get a blob that had a frown on it.
"Uh..y'all don't have traditional crocheted dolls pasted down in your family?" Applejack asked.
"Aww, you're just a frown factory because you got a weird rock," said Pinkie as she held up the rock blob, "Clay isn't having any problem making a...Clay! Your Hearth's Warming doll is supposed to be yourself, not Applejack!" Clay froze when he noticed that he had carved a very detailed rock shaped Applejack replica.
"Whoops!" Clay said.
Pinkie just sighed and shrugged her shoulders. Applejack just giggled before she looked rather glum.
"Cheer up!" said Pinkie as she held Applejack from the side, "I'm sure you'll do great in the flag finding mission!"
"The what findin' what now?" Applejack asked in confusion.
(Scene changes)
It wasn't long before everypony had finished their dolls, which Clay had actually made two. Now they were all gathered around Holder's boulder once again.
"Limestone Pie, you're the judge!" said Pinkie, "Big Mac, Marble Pie, you're team one!" Pinkie then pushed her little sister next to the red stallion. The two ponies shared bashful smiled with each other.
"Apple Bloom and Maud, you're team two!" said Pinkie as she grabbed the yellow filly and set her next to Maud. Apple Bloom just had an uneasy look on her face while Maud had her usual expressionless face.
"Ma, Pa, you're gonna be with Granny Smith," said Pinkie as she stuck the experienced mare between her parents, "Don't think of this as team old. Think of it as team three!" Pinkie then ran over to Applejack.
"And I'm with Applejack of course," Pinkie said as she wrapped a fore-leg around the orange pony, "since we might be cousins!"
"Uh, Pinkie," said Applejack, "Aren't you forgetting somepony?"
"Um...no...I got..." Pinkie gasped when she saw Clay was by himself. He was also feeling very hurt since she had practically admitted to forgetting about him.
"Clay, I'm so sorry!" said Pinkie, "I didn't mean to do that!"
"Don't worry about it," said Clay sadly, "I'll just go inside and..."
"Hey, don't be like that!" said Pinkie, "I'm sure I can find you...I know! You can team with Limestone!"
"I'm the judge, Pinkie!" Limestone remarked rudely.
"You two can judge together!" said Pinkie as she pushed Clay next to her older sister.
"No way!" said Limestone sternly, "I work alone!" Clay glared.
"Nevermind Pinks," said Clay, "Limestone clearly doesn't..."
"You're a team and that's final!" Pinkie yelled as she pushed Clay and Limestone together. Limestone went to rudely shove Clay away.
"Don't!" Clay retorted and scooted over on his own, "Better?"
"One more inch," Limestone remarked as Clay rolled his eyes and scooted away a little more. Pinkie then jumped on top of holder's boulder.
"As everypony knows-" Pinkie began.
"Stay off Holder's Boulder!" Limestone yelled.
"What is it with you never respecting other's property?!" Clay added, still annoyed with the Pinkie pony for earlier.
"Seesh, and you two wonder why I paired you up," Pinkie remarked annoyingly as Limestone and Clay snorted and glared at her. Pinkie just ignored their faces as she jumped back down and continued, "When the three tribes united to form Equestria, the first flag was sewed by Nimble Thimble. It's tradition to raise a flag on Hearth's Warming to celebrate that famous day."
The others chattered in agreement.
"But who gets to put the flag on Holder's Boulder?" Pinkie asked before the family as Applejack gave her a funny look.
"You mean on the flagpole?" Applejack asked.
"No, silly, it's goes on the highest point!" said Pinkie, "And who's the lucky pony?"
"Traditionally, it's the youngest-" Applejack interjected.
"For the Apples..." Clay muttered discreetly.
"On your mark, get set, go!" said Pinkie quickly as the group split up and walked off.
"Pinkie Pie, will you please tell us what's goin' on?" Applejack asked.
"I'll explain on the way!" Pinkie Pie replied as she grabbed Applejack and pulled her away, making the orange pony yelp. Clay looked to see the two ponies take off for the mines and rolled his eyes.
"You know the less you try to understand Pinkie, the happier you'll be," Limestone remarked in a sarcastic tone.
"Don't I know it," Clay retorted, "so where are we going?"
"Well, with Pinkie here, this could take a few seconds or couple of hours," said Limestone, "since we're stuck together. Might as well see about some rocks that I didn't get around to smashing. I wanted them smashed up before the end of the year but I doubt I will able to do that. Still gotta try though..."
"Need a hoof?" said Clay , "I'm pretty decent with a pickaxe." Limestone just glared.
"Fine!" she snapped.
(Scene changes)
It wasn't long before the two arrived at a part of the farm where rocks of various size and stone slabs lay everywhere. Limestone just grabbed a pickaxe and started chipping away at a rock. Clay just looked around a bit.
"Do you just want 'em smashed?" Clay asked, "or are you trying to preserve any stone or ores?"
"Just smash 'em!" Limestone snapped.
"Okay! Okay! Seesh," said Clay, "I asked cause I want to do my job properly and not have you yelling at me for doing it wrong!"
"Yelling at you would've been nice!" Limestone remarked.
"Very funny," said Clay before he used his karate skills and began to smash through multiple rocks in quick session. By the time he was done, Clay had finished clearing the entire area. Limestone was so shocked that she dropped the pickaxe in her mouth when her jaw hung out.
"That's how you clear out some rocks!" said Clay. Limestone shook her head to recover and just glared at Clay.
"You could've left some for me!" Limestone snapped angrily, making Clay flinch.
"Sorry, I was just trying to help you out," Clay replied.
"Well it was meant to keep us both busy while waiting for Pinkie and the others to find the flag!" Limestone shouted, "Now what are we supposed to do until then?"
"Get to know each other?" Clay asked. Limestone snorted.
"Forget it," Limestone said bitterly as she stomped away. Clay was now angry.
"Why? Not good enough for your friendship?" Clay asked, angrily. Limestone spluttered.
"W-w-wha-what does that got to do with anything?!" Limestone snapped.
"I just wanted to make a new friend," said Clay, "I wanted to learn more about you." Limestone huffed.
"There's not much to me, Cloy," Limestone retorted.
"It's Clay!" Clay said furiously.
"Whatever!" Limestone said rudely, "I'm Pinkie's older sister and I run this farm the way I see fit! There's nothing else you need to know!"
"Then why are you yelling at me?!" said Clay, glaring at her. "You don't need to get so defensive. You're acting like I'm out to hurt you or something!"
"Like you could!" Limestone retorted, "I'm the strongest Pie in this family! I can take you in a fight! Or are you one of those gentleponies too chicken to fight a mare?"
Clay snorted.
"Fine," said Clay, "But if I win, you're gonna tell me why you're so grumpy all the time."
"And if I win, I'll bury you deep underground for asking me that!" Limestone threatened.
"Fine," said Clay, "Let's begin!"
Clay took out his kusarigama chain and twirled it around a bit before going into a fighting stance.
"You're move," said Limestone with a cocky smile on her face.
"Fine," said Clay as he leaped into the air and kicked her by the back with a spinning back kick once, whipped his chain at her, and then palmed striked her twice before upper cutting her as he sent Limestone flying onto her stomach.
Then he back flipped away from her and got into a forward taekwondo stance.
"Show off!" Limestone muttered as Clay grabbed his chain as Limestone grabbed some rather large rocks and bucked them at Clay. Clay swung his kusarigama chain with the blade knocking the rocks away.
Limestone groaned.
I hate to admit it, but those stomps are really dealing the hurt! Limestone thought, I gotta finish him and do it quick!
Limestone then picked up a rock three times her size and bucked it high into the air so it would land right on top of Clay. But Clay just stayed calm and with a firm swing of his kusarigama chain, knocked the rock away. Limestone squealed as the rock bonked her hard on the head for "critical hit" counter damage.
"You...think you're so tough..." Limestone said, unable to hide the fact she was tiring out, "with your fancy jumps and all...I'd like to see you damage me earth pony style!" Clay smirked.
"Very well," said Clay as he grabbed her and palm striked her in the face, sending her on her back.
Limestone got up before she noticed Clay standing over her with a stern glare on his face. Limestone was beginning to feel scared by this.
"STOP!" she screamed.
Limestone cracked under the pressure, making Clay see this as his glare softens a bit and she crouches low to the ground.
"I give up!" she whimpered. Clay just smirked. Limestone had forfeited the match.
Clay sighed contently as the area returned to normal and then offered a fore-leg to Limestone. Limestone looked puzzled at the gestured before she swatted his fore-leg away.
"I don't need your pity," said Limestone as she stood up on her own, "You got lucky that's all!"
"Oh really?" Clay retorted, "Then why'd you forfeit if you still had a chance to turn things around and beat me?" Limestone had no reply and just glared.
"Now, are you going to answer my question?" Clay asked. Limestone winced, remembering their little bet.
"C-can we go inside first?" Limestone asked, "I don't want anypony else knowing what I'm about to tell you!" Clay nodded and gestured for Limestone to lead them back to the house.
(Scene changes)
Meanwhile, Applejack and Pinkie were inside the mine. Pinkie still hasn't told Applejack what was going on.
"I still don't understand," said Applejack.
"Earlier today," Pinkie explained as she poked about the mine and from behind some of the giant crystals, "Limestone Pie hid an obsidian stone. Whoever finds it gets to raise the flag!"
"It's all just so...complicated," said Applejack, "and...rock-based."
"Well, how else would we do it?" Pinkie asked as she appeared from the ceiling.
"I don't know," Applejack replied wearily, "I sure hope everypony else is havin' a better time."
(Scene changes)
Just outside the farm house, Marble and Big Mac were busy checking the yard.
"Mm-hmm," said Marble.
"Eeyup," said Big Mac.
"Mm-hmm," said Marble.
"Eeeeeeeeeyup," said Big Mac. Then the two ponies shared shy looks with each other. One could say they appeared to be enjoying each other's company.
(Scene changes)
Elsewhere, Igneous lifted a giant rock to continued to search while Granny Smith was with Cloudy Quartz.
"So, how'd you meet this Iggy feller?" Granny Smith asked.
"We were chosen by the Pairing Stone and betrothed within a foresight," Cloudy answered.
"The choosing stone decreed, "Thou shalt love one another"," Igneous added, "and lo, it was so."
"Hoo-wee," said Granny Smith with a smirk on her face, "I gots to look into this oldfangled choosin' stone thing. You reckon it knows any apple farmin' hunks?" Igneous and Cloudy both blushed.
"Indeed so," said Igneous.
"Mmm," said Cloudy in agreement.
(Scene changes)
In another location, Apple Bloom was standing on a rock as she continued searching for the rock with Maud.
"What does the rock look like?" Apple Bloom asked.
"It look like something that formed when volcanic lava cooled quickly," Maud answered.
"Oh," said Apple Bloom simply, not bothering as ask for a simpler explanation.
"Have you ever wished you could turn into a rock?" Maud asked.
"I had a dream once I was an apple," said Apple Bloom, "and thanks to Clay I got a chance to become a pony made entirely out of solid steel."
"I heard about that," said Maud, "Must have been an amazing experience."
"It sure was," said Apple Bloom, "I felt alot heavier yet I still felt agile."
"Alot of metals might be very heavy, but when constructed with the right molecular structure, it be less heavy but still remain durable," said Maud.
"Cool," said Apple Bloom.
"We have alot in common when it comes to thinking about turning into things," said Maud. Apple Bloom blushed, but was very happy she found something in common with Maud.
Guess Chase isn't the only pony who can help other ponies connect with others Apple Bloom thought to herself.
(Scene changes)
Back in the mines, Applejack was still looking about.
"Found it, found it, found it!" Pinkie shouted, making Applejack bang her head on a low ceiling she was under, as the pink pony presented...a paper picture of an obsidian rock.
"A picture? I've been lookin' for a real stone, Pinkie," said Applejack, not hiding how annoyed she was feeling.
"Um, that would be weird," Pinkie remarked as the paper slipped out of her mouth, "Do you know what this means? I get to raise the flag, and now it's time to hide the presents!" Pinkie bounced up and down excitedly.
"Y'all hide your presents?" Applejack asked, quite stunned at what Pinkie had said.
"Of course!" Pinkie replied, "What's more fun than getting a present? Finding a present! Although, most years, nopony finds one." Applejack's jaw dropped.
"So nopony gets presents?" Applejack remarked.
"Eh, not usually," Pinkie answered.
"So lemme get all this straight," said Applejack, trying to process everything the pink pony had told her, "You're only allowed to eat rock soup for dinner, then the pony who finds this rock gets to raise the flag, but not really 'cause you don't got no flagpole, and to top it all off, you don't even get presents?!" Applejack jumped in the air before the pink pony to emphasize her point.
"Well, it doesn't sound very fun when you say it that way," said Pinkie.
"Well, how 'bout you picture this?" Applejack suggested, "Both our families, openin' presents, raisin' the flag...?"
"Picturing it...Loving it...!" Pinkie replied as the two ponies shared warm smiles with each other before heading out of the cave.
(Scene changes)
Inside the Pie household, Limestone and Clay were having a chat together. And to keep a long story short, it hadn't taken Clay long to get Limestone to open up about why she felt so grumpy all the time. The fact she had started crying and hadn't stopped was clue this was something that had been bothering the bluish-grey pony for some time.
"I don't mean to sound ungrateful," Limestone sobbed, "Somepony's gotta watch out for the farm after all. But when I see Maud studying for her rocktorate and Pinkie always bragging about how she's making ponies smile with her stupid little tricks and parties...(sob)...makes me wonder if there could've been something more for me out there. But...but who am I kidding? I'm not super smart like Maud or annoyingly bouncy like Pinkie!"
"What about Marble?" Clay replied, "I haven't had a chance to learn much about her...especially since Pinkie talks for her like the girl doesn't have her own opinion."
"Marble 's the cute one of the family and it makes me sick!" Limestone snapped as her tears continued to fall, "She'll probably be betrothed! Me? Nopony wants to marry this? I'm not even pretty!"
"You are so..." Clay was then cut off when Limestone gave him a death glare and got into his face.
"If you finish that sentence," Limestone warned, shaking a fore-leg at him, "I'm gonna slug you!"
"Why?" Clay retorted sternly, "I'm way more experienced in all martial art forms! Is this also why you can't handle the truth?"
Limestone was stunned. Once again, her defense had been shattered by an unexpected response to her usual threats.
"How do you do that?!" Limestone complained.
"Do what?" Clay asked.
"That's the second time you've made me back down without even trying that hard," said Limestone, "During that battle, I should've just let you hammer me, but I backed out! Just now, I was ready to slug you back to Ponyville, but now I can't even raise a fore-hoof at you if I tried! Plus I...can't...stop...crying. What are you doing to me?!" Clay just looked at you blankly.
"Just giving my new friend somepony she can confide in and know that she can cry without fear of judgment or tellin' the rest of the family," Clay replied calmly.
"You better not tell anypony about this or I'll..." Limestone tried to threaten.
"You'll do what?" Clay retorted back, "What are you afraid of? Being laughed at? Being scolded by your parents?" Limestone said nothing.
"Well? Did your Mom or Dad ever..." Clay tried to ask.
"No," said Limestone quietly, "I don't want to bother them with my petty problems. They'll just say I'm being ungrateful with what I have and being selfish."
"Wanting something for yourself isn't being selfish," Clay replied, "neither is wanting something more with your life. After all, this isn't about not appreciating what you have, it's about showing your full potential. I'm sure Limestone Pie wants to show that she's more than just the manager of a rock farm."
"Yeah...I do," Limestone sniffed, "I...just don't know what I would want to do...or if I can find the time."
"Has Igneous got you working from sun up to sun set?" Clay said curiously.
"No," Limestone answered softly, "I just work all day just to keep myself busy...from what's really bothering me."
"Even your parents would agree with me when I say you can't use work to hide from your problems," said Clay, "after all, venting and smashin' rocks can only help so much."
"It's...it's...ugh...your right," said Limestone, "it might feel better yelling orders about or smashing rocks...but it only gives a way to release my anger and not actually deal with it." Clay hummed as he pondered for a moment as Limestone used a fore-leg to wipe the tears from her eyes.
"Did it feel better to vent to somepony about it instead of just lashing out at rocks and your family?" Clay asked the blue-grey pony. Limestone sniffled.
"Yeah...it does," said Limestone, "I...never had somepony that I could just...open up to before. But I still can't believe I acted so sappy..."
"Stop it," Clay retorted, "Limestone, sometimes a pony just needs to cry. There's no shame in that and it isn't a weakness either."
"Tell that to the family," said Limestone.
"Did they ever say that to you?" Clay said firmly.
"Well...not..."
"Did they ever say that to you?" Clay repeated sternly. Limestone gritted her teeth for a moment before gave a loud snort.
"No..." Limestone grunted, "Fine! Nopony said that to me. I...I just...(sigh)...Somepony has to keep things running smoothly and keep things in order...Mom and Dad aren't gettin any younger...Marble ain't gonna be stepping up anytime soon so I might as well do it!"
"So you've got high expectations for yourself," said Clay, "and you don't want to let your family down." Limestone sighed.
"Yeah..." she replied softly.
"Well, my best advice would be speak to your parents about how you feel," said Clay, "You gotta at least try before thinking they don't care about your feelings. Wantin' somethin' in life has nothing to do with being ungrateful. Everypony feels that way. From what ya've told me, the problem is that your spending so much time working that you're not allowing yourself any time just to relax and having some leisure time."
"Our family has strong values when it comes to being hard-working and productive," Limestone pointed out sternly, "I can't dedicate any time to being lazy."
"That's not what I was considering," said Clay, "What I'm talking about is dedicating a little time for you. Time that can be used pursing another talents or even finding a hobby."
"That's wasting time," said Limestone.
"From your point of view," said Clay, "You see Limestone, when you take the time to expand your talents, you're not wasting time. You're developing other skills. Skills you might be good at or never would have learned you had if you hadn't taken the time to discover them."
"Isn't that how you find your cutie mark?" Limestone asked.
"In a sense, it is similar," said Clay, "except you're not looking for your special talent, but rather expanding your own skill set, which makes you a more proficient pony because you can do other things. What else can you do beside run this farm?" Limestone froze for a moment before looking rather glum.
"Nothing..." Limestone said sadly.
"Really?" said Clay skeptically, "Because I can think of one other talent you have."
"What? Being grumpy?" Limestone asked.
"You could look into rock sculpting," said Clay, "That life sized rock doll you crafted was very detailed. You're quite the artist."
"You think so?" Limestone asked.
"I do," said Clay, "plus Maud told me that you know alot about gems and crystals. I'm sure you could make something impressive made out of rock and gems."
"I do like gems and crystals," Limestone said softly, "especially the ones you find in a geode."
"It's just an idea," said Clay, "if you prefer something a bit more physical, you could try weightlifting. I mean...can you lift holder's boulders by yourself?"
"I wish!" said Limestone.
"Well, that's something you can work towards," said Clay, "Most rocks and ores are rather heavy. Plus exercise is another great way to relive frustration in a constructive manner. I would know. I actually have a short-temper, so I do some practice runs regularly for stress relief."
"I see," said Limestone, "Well, I'll think about what you said. You've given me some good ideas."
"Glad I could help," said Clay, "So...did you wanna be friends? I know Pinkie would be happy if we were, but unlike her, I'm not trying to force the idea on you. I'll respect what you decide." Limestone gave him a genuine smile.
"Sure," said Limestone, "You're pretty cool, Clay."
"So are you," said Clay. He could tell Limestone wasn't a hugger, so he offered her a hoof-bump. Limestone was touched...and went for the hug instead and quickly pulled away.
"You're the only pony other than Mom and Dad I've ever done that willingly," said Limestone, "but don't get used to it." Clay chuckled.
"Whatever, you say," said Clay. Just then, Pinkie and Applejack arrived.
"I got the flag!" Pinkie sang.
"What a surprise," Clay remarked sarcastically.
"Like that doesn't happen every year," Limestone remarked in the same tone.
"Say, you two are acting like each other!" Pinkie pointed out, "So I guess you two are the best of friends now?"
Pinkie gave a happy squee. Limestone rolled her eyes as Clay glanced at her.
"Yeah, we're cool," said Clay, "but it's not like we wanna go pick out carpets or anything."
"Yeah, what he said," Limestone added bluntly. Pinkie giggled.
"Oh yeah, you two are total best friends," Pinkie as she bounced away.
The two just shared blunt looking faces until Pinkie was out of looking range. Then the two ponies smirked and winked at each other before going back to look blunt. Applejack took notice and just rolled her eyes annoyingly at them, but deep down she was grateful that Clay had made a new friend.
(Scene changes)
"Goodnight, everypony!" said Pinkie to the Apple Family holding a candle with her fore-hoof.
"Goodnight, Pinkie Pie!" said Applejack and watched as the pink pony disappeared down the stairs before speaking to the rest of the family.
"We've gotta do somethin', y'all!" Applejack told the rest of the family, "Pinkie Pie's family never had a real Hearth's Warmin'!"
"Say what?!" Clay exclaimed as he sat up from the bed he and his wife were sharing.
"Is that really what she said?" Granny Smith asked curiously.
"Well, I-I'm sure it's what she meant," said Applejack.
"Oh, AJ," said Clay to his wife, "Pinkie's been bouncing about like normal regarding her family's traditions. Plus, no offense, but you're not very good at reading between the lines. In fact, every time you've tried...you always get yourself into trouble."
"Darn tootin'," said Apple Bloom in agreement, "Besides, these are their traditions."
"Eeyup," said Big Mac. Applejack just sighed.
"I know they have their traditions and we have ours," Applejack replied as she looked out of the window, "but I just want them to see how much better theirs could be."
"AJ, honey." said Clay as he walked next to his wife, wrapping a foreleg around her as she rested her head against her husband's neck. "I'm afraid you've got the wrong attitude. No pony's traditions are better than the other. They might not be what you are used to doing for Hearth's Warming, but it is important to respect their traditions."
"I suppose you're right," said Applejack as she continued to stare out the window.
"Cheer up, Applejack," said Clay, "Remember, the true meaning of Hearth's Warming is being with family and friends, no matter what the traditions might be. Things will look better in the morning and I, for one, am looking forward to hunting down my present and anypony else's who can't find theirs. Nopony is gonna be left empty handed with me around." Clay chuckled to himself.
"Sure thang," said Applejack, "G' night, honey."
"Good night, Apple Pie," said Clay as he gave her a side hug, kissed the side of her head, and headed to their bed to sleep. Applejack just continued to stare out the window in deep thought, but then got an idea.
Sorry, Clay, Applejack thought, But this time I'm gonna prove that I'm the pony who's right!
(Scene changes)
Next morning, when the rooster crowed. Pinkie woke up with a huge smile on her face.
"HEARTH'S WARMING!" Pinkie screamed from the single bed, she, Limestone, and Marble were sharing, scaring her two siblings.
"HEARTH'S WARMING, HEARTH'S WARMING!" Pinkie shouted as she appeared between her parent's individual beds, waking them up with a start.
"HEARTH'S WARMING, HEARTH'S WARMING!" Pinkie shouted to the Apple Family in the basement...while standing right beside Clay.
"YAH! UGH!" Clay screamed as he jumped, bonked his head on the ceiling, and landed on the floor with a thud. Pinkie just tossed some holiday confetti before bouncing off.
"HEARTH'S WARMING! HEARTH'S WARMING-GASP!" Pinkie's chanting was put to an immediate halt as she went to exit the house.
Pinkie gave a strangled gasped as the rest of the Pie family was stunned as well. All their outside decorations had been replaced with brighter colored lights, and candy cane standies.
"Oh, my. Oh, my," said Igneous in utter shock. Clay peeked out as well, still rubbing his head. He then gasped as well.
"What. Happened. To. My. Farm!?" Limestone interjected furiously. Clay noticed that smile on Applejack's face and was now just as furious while glaring at his wife.
"Applejack! What did you do?!" Clay snapped at his wife.
"It's Hearth's Warmin', Apple-style!" Applejack told them as the rest of the Pie family stood in place with stunned looks on their faces, "We've been doin' everything your way, I thought we could mix it up a bit!"
By now the rest of the Apple family had exited the house and were just as stunned at the changes Applejack had made.
"By changing everythin' behind everypony's back?!" Clay snarled as Limestone growled in agreement, but Applejack ignored him.
"Marble Pie, you could raise the Equestria flag up this pole, because you're the youngest!" Applejack told the timid pony as she pushed Marble toward the flagpole.
"Ma and Pa Pie," Applejack told the two parents, "we'll cook you up a meal you'll never forget!" Mario glared.
"What do you mean we?" Clay remarked, making it clear he or the rest of the Apple family were not involved in Applejack's little plan. Even Pinkie looked rather upset.
"And look, we all get presents without havin' to find 'em!" Applejack continued as she pointed toward the mountain of gifts nearby.
Apple Bloom just smiled excitedly and rushed to find one for herself. Granny Smith walked up to the yellow filly and gave her a knowing look, which Apple Bloom understood and put the present in her fore-hooves down. Applejack just continued smiling as the others just remained stunned, except for Clay, who face-hoofed himself and shook his head.
"...Yeah, this is gonna be great!" Pinkie remarked as she walked up and tried to lighten the mood, "All the stuff she's said. Right, everypony?"
"Pinkamena Diana Pie!" Igneous Rock retorted sternly, "Truly thou cannot favor this madness!" Pinkie was taken aback.
"Well, I wanna be one big family!" said Pinkie in her defense.
"But what about what we usually do?!" Limestone snapped as she walked up to the pink pony.
"I, um, well, I-I don't know!" Pinkie replied, quickly feeling flustered and started to cry as she buried her face into her fore-hooves, "Don't make me choose!"
"You shouldn't have to," said Clay before glaring at Applejack, "but there's always that one apple who seems to like takin' what you say and lettin' it all exit out the other ear unheard."
"Ugh, don't even get me started," said Limestone irritably in agreement.
"I didn't mean to cause a fuss..." said Applejack, trying to do damage control, "Why don't we just open presents around the flag pole? It'll be fun, you'll see!"
Clay snorted through his nose.
"I was looking forward to finding my present," Clay remarked.
"Excuse me," said Maud as she examined the flag pole, "You planted the pole on a fault line." Clay's face paled.
"Oh no, that would mean..." Before Clay could say more, the ground began to rumble and cracks appeared along the ground. To make matters worse, one fissure headed over to Holder's boulder.
And sent it tumbling over a cliff edge and into the bottom where the entrance to the mine was located. The Pie family looked over the edge, completely stunned. Limestone was in complete shock for a few seconds.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Limestone screamed as Applejack's flagpole cracked and fell down as well. Applejack and the rest of the family were stunned.
"Oh, boy," Applejack groaned to herself. She then looked at her right as Clay just gave his wife a stern glare and said nothing.
"Clay, honey, I...I..." Before Applejack could say anything more, Clay walked away and headed back inside. Applejack just watched him head inside before lowering her head in shame.
(Scene changes)
A few minutes later, Maud, Limestone, and Pinkie were busy taking down all the decorations Applejack had put up and tossing them into a trash can. Pinkie was still upset.
"You didn't have to ask them to leave!" Pinkie protested to her older sister, "Even Clay made it clear as crystal the rest of the family had nothing to do with this!"
"They wanted to go!" said Limestone, "We don't need anypony forcing their way into our family!"
"This was all a misunderstanding, everypony!" Pinkie replied, "I know Applejack, and she'd never do anything bad to anypony!"
"Look around, Pinkie Pie!" Limestone retorted angrily as she showed her the mess, "It's gonna take me ages to get this rock farm back on track! And how are we gonna lift Holder's Boulder?! This is all her fault!"
"Then it's my fault too..." Pinkie remarked as she turned to walk away.
(Scene changes)
Up above, Clay had been listening from the upstairs window. He was still very upset.
"Just when I thought I was getting Limestone to open up and be my friend," Clay said out loud, "My stupid wife has to go and ruin everything! There's no way Limestone will want to even speak to me anymore after all this!"
"Now settle down there, Clay," said Granny Smith, "Prob'ly best if we head back to Sweet Apple Acres. Maybe in time we'll be friends again, but for the now it's best if we give them a little space."
"I wish we didn't have to," said Apple Bloom, "I really liked Maud. She's sweet once you get to know her. They all are." She then saw Limestone outside, who made a gesture with her fore-leg to leave.
"This is worst Hearth's Warmin' ever," said Apple Bloom. Clay sighed.
"I agree with that," said Clay and sighed.
There was a sad silence for a few seconds.
"Eh, has anypony seen Applejack?" Granny Smith asked. Nopony answered and looked at the Earth Pony stallion, who was finishing his packing when he turned around and saw the looks.
"Uh...why all the eyeballs on me?" Clay asked curiously.
"Clay, did you say anything to Applejack before you walked inside earlier this morning?" Granny Smith asked firmly.
"No," said Clay honestly, "Just gave her a look and walked away. I didn't want to say anything because I felt like I was gonna explode." Granny Smith hummed.
"I see," said Granny Smith as she scratched her chin, "was it your "I'm disappointed in you" look?" Clay looked a little stunned.
"Yeah, I mean I was disappointed and she ignored what I said about respecting the Pie's family traditions," said Clay, "and for disregarding my advice...again..."
"She may have a bad habit of doin' that, sonny," said Granny Smith, "but she's still yer wife. Can you please go and find her?"
Clay just sighed.
"Sure," said Clay with a little reluctance in his tone, "Just how can I find...oh yeah!"
Clay opened the window and exited the room before closing it from outside. Clay did some flips and landed on the ground when Limestone got in his way with a stern look on her face.
"What were you doing up their with your moves?" Limestone snapped. "Haven't you and your family done enough damage?!"
"I was locating my wife!" Clay retorted back sternly.
"Well get your wife and get out!" Limestone yelled.
"We'll leave when were good n' ready so back off!" Clay yelled back, even getting into the pony's face. Limestone cowered back at being told off as Clay stomped away. She quickly recovered and snarled as she went to go after him when Maud held up a fore-leg in front of her.
"Leave him alone, Limestone," Maud said in her usual deadpan, but firm tone.
"B-b-but...nopony talks to me that...that..." Limestone couldn't finish. Most ponies don't realize just how intimidating Maud's stoic face can be, especially if she's starting you down.
"Uh...whatever!" Limestone snapped, refusing to admit she couldn't stand up to Maud, as she stomped away to get back to work.
(Scene changes)
Once Clay arrived at the cave, he could hear the faint sound of somepony crying in the distance. He took a slow breath before walking inside to find Applejack crying by herself near some giant crystals. Clay slowly approached his wife.
"Sweetie," Clay said gently. Applejack just looked at her husband for a second before her tears increased and she continued to cry and looked away.
No need for a lecture on this one Clay thought, All she needs right now is a little love.
And that is exactly what Clay did. He walked up to her and held her as Applejack shed her tears.
"I don't know how you can even hold me," Applejack sniffled as she pulled away, "I really cracked the corn this time."
"I really popped the piñata this time," Pinkie sniffled since she had been crying on the other side of the crystals.
"Pinkie Pie?" Applejack and Clay asked together, making the pink pony yelped as she zipped over to Applejack.
"What are you doing here?" Pinkie asked.
"What are you doin' here?" Applejack asked next.
"I came here to think!" Applejack and Pinkie said at once, "You did? So did I! Aw..." The two ponies chuckled to each other.
"I'm too ashamed to go back up there," Applejack said once they had calmed down, "Your family, my family, they must all think I'm such a nincompoop. I know Clay thinks I am."
"I never said that, honey!" Clay protested.
"Well, y'all must think I'm pretty dumb for doing what I did, honey." Applejack remarked sadly, "I did ignore everything you said to me last night about respecting Pinkie's family's traditions."
"That doesn't mean you're dumb, AJ," said Clay, "You just made a dumb decision. Big difference." Applejack just sighed.
"Well I feel like a nincompoop," said Applejack.
"Aw, no one thinks that!" said Pinkie, "Pushy, aggressive, mean..."
"Pinkie..." Clay warned as Applejack glared at the pink pony.
"Oh, I'm not helping," Pinkie realized, "Sorry."
"I'm sorry I forced my traditions over yours," said Applejack, "I don't want you to have to choose between the family you were born into and the friends who love you like one. I really hoped we could be one big family. I guess not."
"Guess some friendships just aren't meant to happen," Clay added, wanting to voice his own disappointment.
"Don't say that!" Pinkie protested in devastation.
It was then the train whistle could be heard in the distance.
"I wish we could stay, but we've got a train to catch," said Applejack sadly.
"Yeah, I'm sorry, Pinkie," said Clay in the same tone, finding it hard to keep composure since the pink pony was crying, "We'll see you when you come back to Ponyville." The Earth Pony couple turned to leave.
"H-Ha...Happy Hearth's Warming," Pinkie sobbed, making both Clay and Applejack's eyes fill with tears.
"You too," said Applejack and Clay together before heading out of the cave to catch their train home.
(Scene changes)
The train ride itself was rather uneventful. Applejack and Big Mac just looked out of the window with glum looks on their faces. Apple Bloom just sat next to Clay with her eyes shut and looking just as glum. Clay used a fore-hoof to gently rub his little sister-in-law's back for comfort. Granny Smith was reading a book.
"You want to know why Holder's Boulder's so danged important?" she asked the group.
"I tried asking Limestone, but all she said was not to touch it," Clay remarked. Granny Smith took a deep breath to create haze on the window.
"Well, now their great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather Holder Cobblestone - he found that boulder in a dragon's nest, older then time itself!" Granny Smith explained as she used a fore-hoof to illustrate her point, "He built the family farm around it, even though it was just an ordinary rock. it always brought them good luck."
"Aw, crickets!" said Applejack as she jumped off her seat, "That is important! I got so caught up in the things they were doin', I never asked why they did 'em!"
"That is what I was trying to tell you last night," Clay told his wife, "You were so focused on their traditions being wrong or worse that you never asked why they did them in the first place. Sometimes I think they only way you'll listen to reason is if somepony bonks those facts onto your head!" Applejack glared at her husband when the train suddenly rumbled and a large object bonked Applejack on the top of the head. Clay was stunned.
"I...wasn't expecting somepony to literally bonk Applejack on the head," Clay remarked. Applejack quickly recovered and turned to see the large object was actually a present.
"To Applejack, from Pinkie Pie," Applejack read aloud, "Cousins forever."
"Aw, Pinkie sent you a present," said Clay and then gasped as he covered his head and looked around for any falling presents. He then breathed a sigh of relief to see his head was safe. Applejack just chuckled at her husband's paranoia of random falling objects.
"You just found your first Pie Hearth's Warmin' present ever!" said Apple Bloom. Applejack laughed.
"Only Pinkie Pie could hide a present on a movin' train," said Applejack, "What a great tradition!" It was then Applejack came to a realization.
"Stop the train!" Applejack shouted as she rushed into the foreground.
It wasn't long before the Apple family had made the train stop so they could get off.
(Scene changes)
Back at farm, the family was at the bottom of the mines, straining with all their strength to try and push Holder's Boulder back up the steep path.
"Come on...you...boulder, come on...agh!" Pinkie groaned.
"I'm pushing as hard as I can too," said Maud in her usual tone as the family continued trying to push Holder's Boulder.
"Rrrgh, it's hopeless!" Limestone said in defeat as she threw her fore-hooves in the air.
"Need a little help?" said a voice. The Pie family turned to see...the Apple family.
"Apples!" Pinkie gasped.
"What do you want?!" Limestone asked rudely.
"I wasn't tryin' to take your traditions away," said Applejack as she stepped forward and removed her hat, "I was tryin' to share ours. I was so focused on us bein' one big happy family, I thought we needed the same traditions right away. What I should've done was learn about yours and teach you about ours. And over time, we'd make new traditions together. I'm sorry y'all."
As Applejack spoke, the rest of the Apple family smiled supportively. Pinkie was touched, Limestone just glared, and the other Pies just listened. Once Applejack had finished, they all looked at Limestone, making it clear by their faces they had accepted the orange pony's apology. Limestone stayed silent and looked about for a moment.
"Well, don't just stand there!" said Limestone, "We got a boulder to move! And I'm in charge." The rest of the Apple family gathered up to Holder's Boulder and began to work together to push the Boulder up the hill.
"I think we've just invented our first combined tradition!" said Pinkie, "Pushing Holder's Boulder out of the quarry!" Pinkie squeed excitedly, "I can't wait for Applejack to knock it over next Hearth's Warming!" Everypony laughed.
(Scene changes)
Once Holder's Boulder had been secured, both families returned to the farm house. On the fire-place mantle were everypony's rock dolls, which Limestone had a made a smaller one and Clay had put both himself and Applejack on the mantle. Applejack then smiled before she kissed her husband on the cheek. In another part of the room, Apple Bloom was petting boulder when Limestone appeared with a plate of sweet rolls. Apple Bloom grabbed one to eat and then gave another boulder as she and Maud shared smiles with each other. In the middle of the living room, Marble and Big Mac were sharing bashful smiles at each other.
"Marble Pie, you want to wish Big Mac a happy Hearth's Warming, don't you?" Pinkie interjected as she appeared between the two ponies, "And you too, right, Big Mac?"
"Mm-hmm!" said Marble with a smile.
"Eeyup," Big Mac replied with a short giggle. At the table, Granny Smith was with Igneous and Cloudy.
"Eh, lemme see here, uh..." Granny Smith pondered before trying to speak in olden dialect, "If thou ask-eth me, uh, thou two are, eh, okay-eth in my book."
"Yee-haw," Igneous replied in a more formal than country accent, but it didn't matter. Both sides were happy.
In another corner of the room, Applejack excitedly held the present and then unwrapped to reveal...a giant rock. But it didn't matter, to Applejack that rock was special because she got it from a pony she called her friend and family.
"Happy Hearth's Warming!" said Pinkie.
"Happy Hearth's Warmin', Pinkie Pie," said Applejack as the two ponies shared a hug with each other.
Clay just smiled as he watched the two ponies hug each other when he felt somepony tap his shoulder. He turned around to see Limestone, holding a wrapped package of her own.
"Your Hearth's Warming present," said Limestone bluntly. Clay smiled as he unwrapped the package and was surprised to find two gems that were perfectly diamond cut. One gem was red while the other was light blue.
"Nice," said Clay, clearly impressed, "gems from the quarry I presume?"
"Not just any ordinary gems, my friend," said Limestone proudly, "I happen to know that these gems have a high magic tolerance and they have special properties that allow the magic to connect with the user without corrupting them. I figured they might be of use to your friend Chase against the monsters calling themselves the Quinkan. No biggie." Clay smiled.
"It is a big deal," said Clay, "These gems are just what I need for Chase to have. Thank you, Limestone. This is for you!" Clay pulled out a medium sized package. Limestone could tell what it was.
"A rock? Seriously?" she remarked rudely.
"It's ore," said Clay, "and a special type of ore to be exact." Limestone just glared and ripped off the wrapping paper. She gasped at the rock inside.
"It's...it's...it's...iridium!" said Limestone in shock as she traced a fore-hoof on the surface and even tasting it with her tongue, "Real genuine iridium ore! I've been searching for years for this stuff, but it's so rare!"
"I stumbled upon it a few months ago when helping my friend Rarity with some gem mining," said Clay, "Since I'm not skilled at working with precious ores and Pinkie plans way in advance that we were going to spend Hearth's Warming together, I figured you would find a use for it." Limestone smiled and then snorted.
"I normally don't do this but..." said Limestone. She then hugged Clay for one second and then pushed him away, "Thank you." Clay was a little stunned by the quick hug and then chuckled to himself.
"You're welcome," Clay replied, "Happy Hearth's Warming my friend."
"Happy Hearth's Warming...friend," Limestone replied and they shared a hoof-bump.
"Attention, everypony!" said Apple Bloom, "Maud wants to sing some Hearth's Warmin' carols that she wrote." The two families cheered as they gathered around Maud.
"This first one is about rocks," said Maud, "They're all about rocks." Maud began to "sing" her carol. Clay and Applejack sat next to each other as they shared a loving nuzzle.
Hearth's Warming is great.
Like calcium silicate.
What a wonderful day.
As good as mica or clay...
Everypony agreed that it was the best Hearth's Warming they ever had.
As one big happy family.