A Mane 6 Hearth's Warming Tale

by PegaDrago

It's the day before Hearth's Warming Eve and Twilight Sparkle and the rest of the Mane 6 all have the same problem, they don't have gifts for each other. Desperate, each of them goes to the biggest Mall in all of Equestria to try to do some last minute shopping. But end up taking a trip down memory lane instead. A Parody of "So Weird" episode "Fountain" MLP FIM version.

2. Chapter 2

Here's the second part of our Hearth's Warming tale. Includes MLP versions of holiday classics. Can you guess which ones they are?

To be clear, I do not own My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic or its characters.

Twilight's POV: No, no, no! That will never do. Maybe that… No, it won't work either.

Spike had been right about Canterlot Mall still being open. But he didn't mentioned the large crowd of ponies also doing last minute Hearth's Warming shopping. The moment I stepped hoof in here, it looked like Princess Celestia's castle during the Grand Galloping Gala. There had to be at least 13,724 ponies here. Maybe I'm exacerbating a little. But still, this looks pretty packed to me. How am I suppose to maneuver through this large crowd?

Wait a moment, I have wings! How is it that I keep forgetting that I'm an alicorn now. Which means, I can fly above this chaotic crowd.

Flapping my wings hard, the way Rainbow Dash taught me, I lift my body up off the floor. Now that I'm in mid-air, I can get a clearer view of everything. I can also get to the stores on the higher levels a whole lot faster too. No wonder most Pegasi fly constantly.

As fast as my wings can go, I soar high and low. Searching at each and every store to see what gifts I could get for my friends. Someponies pause to look up at me.

I hear them shout, "hey, it's Equestria's newest princess."

"What do you think a royal like her is doing in this here mall of all places?"

"To collect the latest princess designs?"

I'm still not use to all the attention my new role is getting me. Other than my wings, not much about me has changed. I wish everypony understood that. No other ponies more than my friends. That's why I have to get them the best gifts possible.

But at every store I arrive to, all I did get from them was disappointment. There was hardly anything that wasn't too tacky, worn or looked way too simple for any of my friends. Even though the hot chocolate with gummy ponies, chocolate chips with whipped cream looks delicious and the light up scarfs at Stacy's are so festive, these aren't right gifts. I'm a princess now. So I shouldn't give my best friends presents anypony would give them. These had to be gifts that they would remember for years to come.

Tiaras? Rarity would certainly love one. But Stacy's doesn't have one that matches her style. It does have some for the rest of my friends. Although, I don't like the idea of getting tiaras for four of my friends and leave Rarity without one. She would never forgive me for not getting her a tiara, never the less getting her one that doesn't match her. So, that idea's down the well.

I check stores like Penny's Coins, the Floral Department, even Build a Bread. While they had some cute stuff like the gingerbread special, a princess couldn't present her best friends gifts that anypony would give their friends. Sweaters, flowers, baked goods. Princesses don't give their friends things like these. They expect something worthy of royalty.

Only problem was, there was absolutely nothing princess worthy anywhere I went. How could that be? This mall had five levels with about fifty-seven stores on each. Yet, not one of them had royal worthy gifts. When I get done searching four levels, I'm exhausted!

Then I turn to my right at a quiet store that doesn't have as many ponies inside as the others do. This store, I recognize as the one I visited the most as a filly, the bookstore. Looks like it hasn't changed much over the years. It wasn't as big as all the others. But it was filled with more books than any other store in this entire mall. Maybe I'll try my luck there.

I walk in as my mind spirals with possibilities for my friends' gifts. Would any of them like a good book? I know I would love one for a Hearth's Warming present. But what princess would give her friends some mere books? I have to think of something better. Course, right now, I need to rest my wings. They're too tired from all that flying around to do anymore flapping.

"Everypony in the village loved Hearth's Warming. However, there was one such pony who didn't like it at all. His name was Gink Greenhair. He had a rare disease that made him keep growing long, green hair all over his body. Ashamed and embarrassed by his strange appearance, he lived in hiding in a cave high in the Frosted Mountains north of the village. But he didn't live far enough to not notice all the cheers during Hearth's Warming."

All of my thoughts disappear. I heard that tale before. Who was reading it out loud? I quickly turn to find a small group of foals sitting in a circle as fluffy white mare with red bows in her mane and a pair of small glasses read from a small, colorful book.

As the mare rocked in her chair, she read on. "Whenever Hearth's Warming came, he would look down upon the village and see everypony receiving gifts, enjoying festive meals and getting together with friends and family. All the things he never experienced once in his life due to his isolation. As he watched all the ponies in the village enjoying the holiday, his heart filled with jealously. So much that soon, he couldn't take anymore of it."

I can't help but walk over to them. "Excuse me" I politely interrupt. "I don't mean to disrupt you. But what story are you reading them?"

The mare smiles at me. "No worries, dearly. I'm reading an old foal's tale called How Gink Stole Hearth's Warming By: Dr. Saddle."

I'm in awe. How Gink Stole Hearth's Warming was my favorite Hearth's Warming story when I was a filly. I remember Shining Armor reading the story to me every Hearth's Warming Eve night. But when I got older, I fell in love with A Hearth's Warming Tale and forgot all about that foal's book. It's been so long since I last listened to it. I don't even remember most of it.

The mare then put down the book and walked up to me. "Say now, you look like you could use a break. Your poor wings look like they've been used far too much for one day." Well, she was right there. My wings feel like they were about to fall off from all the work they've done. "Why don't you listen in as I tell these little ones the story?"

I shake. "I don't know. I really need to find my friends really good presents before tomorrow."

"I've seen that happen far too many times than what I like. Ponies rushing to find the perfect presents for all of their friends. Too bad most of them don't understand what a true gift comes from." She leads me to the circle of foals. "You can at least take an hour to relax before getting back to your quest to find your friends gifts. I believe that some of the greatest ideas arrive when you take the time to have fun. Your wings can use it."

Well, she was correct about my wings. They do need a rest. As a matter of fact, my entire body could use it. I did spend all day traveling from the Crystal Empire to Ponyville, then fly myself all the way to Canterlot Mall only to search place to place all over this huge place. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to just take a moment to refresh myself. Besides, who doesn't love a good Hearth's Warming story?

"I don't believe we've met before" I tell the white mare. "Do you live here in Canterlot?"

The mare smiles cheerfully. "I'm just visiting for the holidays. Name's Merry Rejoice Saint. Course, most call me Mrs. Saint."

"Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Saint. My name is…"

"Oh, I know all about you, Princess Twilight Sparkle." She sits me down in the middle of the circle, while she sits back in her rocking chair.

She opens the book back up and gets back to reading. "One faithful Hearth's Warming Eve, he was gazing down at the village and hating all he saw. The decorations, the presents, the feasts, anything that had to do with Hearth's Warming. For moons he had to put up with it all. How he wished it could all just go away!"

As I listen to her story telling, my eyelids feel so heavy. I never knew they could be so hard to keep open. Before I knew it, they drop and the last thing I recall is Mrs. Saint saying "That was when he got an idea, a horrible idea."

Fluttershy's POV: Oh dear. Oh my. Canterlot Mall certainly has a lot of stores. And so many levels that have even more stores. How am I going to find my friends right gifts in this big place?

I begin by going to the stores that most ponies seem to like. Penny's Coins was a big place with lots of fancy materials. Maybe my friends would appreciate something from there. Lets see now, hats, coats, ugly sweaters. There were so many choices. How will I be able to choose the right ones for my friends?

What was it that Filthy rich said? The price you pay for a gift tells that pony how much you care about them. But how much is enough?

I suddenly come to a shocking thought. How many grits do I have? Carefully counting all the ones in my bag, I realize that I have thirty-seven. Wasn't a whole lot. But maybe if I ask nicely and promise the sale's ponies to repay them after Hearth's Warming, they'll make an exception.

The most expensive thing they sell at Penny's Coins are candy cane colored scarfs. They sure are festive and a lot of ponies were buying them. Perhaps my friends will like them too. So, I wait patiently in line to ask for them. The line is certainly long. It takes a half hour to get to the front counter.

"Excuse me, I would like five of the candy cane scarfs, please" I ask the counter pony.

She gives me a frown. "Sorry, we just sold the last one."

I'm taken back. "What? How? I saw a couple of them out earlier."

"Well, everypony in the line was buying like two or five of them. So we ran out right when you got up here."

Oh no. The good idea was now literally off the shelf. "And you don't happen to have anything that's just as expensive or popular as those scarfs?"

"Not here. But Stacy's is selling some good looking tiaras that are way more expensive than anything we're offering."

Tiaras? Those would be perfect for all of my friends. Especially since Twilight is a princess now. They can be a way to celebrate her new title and let my other friends know that I think of them as special as princesses themselves. As politely as I could, I thanked the pony at the counter and left to hurry to Stacy's.

It gratefully doesn't take me long to find where the tiaras are. What's better, there were still plenty left. Perfect, I'll get them right away.

As I begin collecting five of them, an employee walks up to me. "Um, those cost a hundred grits each. You sure you want to get five?"

I turn to her and speak nicely. "Well, if you don't mind, I'd like to buy them with the grits I have. Then I'll pay the rest after Hearth's Warming."

The employee shook her head. "We don't allow that. You have to pay fully here and now or don't do it at all."

I lower myself. But I have to make a stand. These are for my friends, I can't give up now. Good thing Rarity and Pinkie Pie taught me how to stand up for myself. "I can make a trade instead. Would you like homemade ornaments?"

She shakes.

"What if I promise to work for you to pay off the extra grits?"

She shakes.

I become more desperate. "Do you need a petsitter?"

"Sweetheart, I don't think you're going to find what you need in here." She walks away.

Disappointed in myself, I leave the store with my head hung down as low as it can go. There goes another gift idea. Where else could I find something that my friends will like that would show them how much I care?

I look at what the other ponies got for their friends. Crystal made mini statues, diamond necklaces, golden shoes. Even the blush seemed better than the gifts I originally had planned for all my friends. How can I ever compete with any of what these ponies already got? What presents would show my friends how much I care about them?

"Hello, dearly." I look behind me to find a mare who's fluffy white with red bows in her mane and a pair of small glasses. "You seem so down. And that's not how you ought to look during Hearth's Warming."

I shyly turn away. "Well… It doesn't feel like Hearth's Warming right now."

"Awe, why so?"

"You see… I got my friends gifts for our exchange tomorrow. But then I found out that they weren't good. Not as good as all the gifts everypony else has gotten."

The mare gently puts her hoof on my shoulder. "Now, now. No need to get all upset about that. Why, you seem just as stress about finding perfect presents as that one other pony I met at the bookstore. But you know what I told her?"

"What did you tell her?"

"I find some of the greatest ideas arrive when you take the time to have fun. And I take that advice should work for you too."

I shake my head. "Sorry, I can't. I have to find my friends gifts they will like."

The mare nods. "I understand. But what's wrong with the gifts you already got them?"

As sad as it makes me to remind myself of why I was here, I explain anyway. "Everypony else bought expensive and really standout presents. Things that say how much they truly care for each other. I thought what I had were good. But they can't compete with everypony else's."

"Oh, I see. You know, you're not the only pony with that problem. Everywhere around the world, ponies and other creatures try so hard to find the prefect gifts for all of their love ones. They hardly stop to consider what's inside their hearts."

My heart? What is this mare talking about? What does my heart have to do with finding my friends gifts?

The mare went on. "Try to think back to the best present you ever got."

The best present I ever got? Oh, I couldn't possibly do that. There were so many great gifts I received over the years that it's hard to choose which one I like best of all.

Before I could give her an answer, she looks to the side. "Why, look what's on!"

I turn to where she was looking at. The TV Station had a large TV on with a movie playing. Hey, that's my favorite Hearth's Warming film they're playing, It's a Wonderful World. I can't believe they're showing it right here of all places.

"Seems that you admire this film too, Fluttershy" the mare spoke.

I look back at her. "How do you…?"

She only grins. "Oh, I've seen you around."

I'm confused. "Not sure if I ever seen you before."

"That's because I'm just visiting. Name's Merry Rejoice Saint. Mrs. Saint is what I prefer. But lets not worry about introductions. Why don't you watch your favorite Hearth's Warming film?"

As much as I want to get back to trying to find good gifts, I do kinda want to watch a little of the film. Besides, it's one of my favorites. I just can't resist.

Oh good. They were playing the part when the pony asks to be turned back into a Pegasus again. "Please, let me have my wings back. I want to be able to help clear the skies once more. Just let my have my wings back. Please!"

This is the part that gets me every time. Usually, I fall asleep at this part. I don't mean to, it just happens and I don't have control over it. In fact, I feel exhaustion overwhelming me right now. My body feels heavy and doozy. And before I know it, I hit the floor.

Rainbow Dash's POV: This was hopeless. Not a single store had any of the gifts that I need my friends.

When the main stores that were suppose to have them were a bust, I tried zooming through every other one. I didn't want to waste a whole lot of time, so I only spent like a minute at each place.

I didn't find any of the gifts that I need. No new Daring Doo book. No animal friendly plant. No new sowing kit. No wagon wheel. And, of course, no confetti basket or any other confetti thing. Whenever I asked the store ponies about any of the items, they all said the same thing. They didn't sell items like those.

I slap myself in the forehead. I knew I shouldn't have done my shopping sooner. Now all the presents I planned on getting for my friends were all either sold out or no longer available. No matter how many places I visit, I'll never be able to find the things I need.

My growling stomach catches my full attention. I check out about half of the stores in this entire mall. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to just take a short break.

I fly to Aunt Pretzel's Pretzel Bar and order a large homemade pretzel with lemonade. Now this is the whole reason why I even bother to come here to get gifts. Don't get me wrong. I like pretzels of all kinds. But no pony knew how to make them taste so soft and warm as Aunt Pretzel. I swear, every bite of one was like a flavor explosion in your mouth!

But, enough about the pretzel. I had a real hail storm to tackle. How am I suppose to find presents for all of my friends? All of the items I wanted to get them were gone and no other places had them. Could I just wander the stores until I find good things to give as gifts? No way! These were my best friends I was talking about. I can't just give them all random stuff I find. Whatever they receive from me had to be just as good as what I originally planned on giving them. Question is, what would they be. Another is, where can I find them?

"Silent day. We wish we may."

My ears perk up. What was that? Where were those lovely voices coming from?

I turn to my right to find several ponies gathered together wearing holiday festive outfits. The each holds up opened books to their faces and sings word from word as ponies walk pass them.

"All ponies here, all ponies far away." Hey, I know what they're singing. It was Silent Day, a Hearth's Warming carol. I use to hear carolers sing it all the time back in Cloudsdale. It had been one of my favorite holiday traditions as a foal.

I shake. Now is not the time to think about the past. I must focus on the present task of finding gifts for all of my friends. And as their loyal friend, I will not let them down!

"Don't you just love listening to Hearth's Warming Carols?" I make another sharp turn to find a mare standing next to me. She's got on a pair of glasses I see Mayor Mare usually wear and bright red bows along her mane. Never seen a pony like her around here before. Just who was she?

She looks at me with a gentle smile. "Sorry, Rainbow Dash. I didn't mean to disturb you."

I shrug. "Don't be. I was just…." Then something occurs to me. "Hey, wait a sec. How do you know my name? I don't recall ever meeting you."

She still smiles. "Well, I hear you're going to lead Ponyville in the Equestria Games. Word travels fast about that." The Equestria Games. Of course! Everypony ought to know about the awesome pony who's going to lead Ponyville in the upcoming games.

"I'm Merry Rejoice Saint. Mrs. Saint, if you don't mind" the mare adds. "Are you enjoying the Hearth's Warming carolers?"

I huff. "Actually, I'm trying to figure out how to find my friends gifts for tomorrow."

"Is that so?" Mrs. Saint sits now at the table I'm at. "I met two other ponies with the exact same problem. They were both so worried about finding their friends perfect presents that it caused each of them to become so stressful. The poor dears."

"Well, unlike those ponies, I had a plan. I knew just what to get all of my friends. But I waited too long and now all of the stuff I was going to get them are sold out." Reminding myself of the shame, I rest my head on the table.

Mrs. Saint tries to comfort me by gently touching my shoulder. "That happens more often than you think. Ponies either have a list of demands or gifts for loved ones. But it's rare to get every single thing checked off of lists of any kind."

I lift my head. "Well, I can't check off anything on my list. And I don't have time to come up with anything that would have been as good as the gifts I had in store for them."

As sad as I was, Mrs. Saint still looked cheerful. "Perhaps you're going at this too quickly. Hearth's Warming presents shouldn't be rushed, you know?"

"But I have to get them by tomorrow and the day is halfway over!" I was right. The big clock above us said it was one. Canterlot Mall closes at six. I only got a few hours left to find my friends gifts.

"So many ponies are like you. They race so often to get things done that they don't take the time to enjoy this festive season while it's still here. Not even to pause to listen to their favorite carol."

Not even to pause to listen to their favorite carol, she says? I glance back at the carolers. "Silent day. We wish we may." They're still singing Silent Day. While I do really like that song, my absolute favorite is Jolly Bells. Don't know why, I just do.

Mrs. Saint moves her head sideways. "Don't you just love listening to that touching song?"

I can't help but follow her lead. "All ponies here, all ponies far away." This song was really touching. Just hearing it made me feel so peaceful. As the song sung on, I feel so relaxed that it's as if all my worry just floated away. And before I know it, my head slams back on the table.

My eyes close as I listen to the final lyrics of the song. "Peace and friendship throughout the land. Peace and friendship throughout the land."

Rarity's POV: This cannot be happening! I didn't have enough grits for anything good at Penny's Coins either. The best thing they had there were scarfs that were candy cane style. I was about to buy some for my friends, then I found out that were each twenty-five grits. I couldn't afford five of them.

Maybe Unica Beauty will have something I can afford. They always had something that helps keep my face clear of wrinkles and makes it shine. I'm sure my friends would appreciate something from there.

Lets see, lipstick that makes your lips glow in the dark? No, how would they be able to go to the movies wearing that? Sugar cookie lotion? No, that would just make them hungry. Green hair dye? Absolutely no! Nothing is worse than green hair.

Think, Rarity! What is the most fabulous thing here that your friends would love?

Wait! Is that glitter blush? I've heard of this stuff. It makes ponies' cheeks sparkle like diamonds. My friends would certainly love them. Just to be safe, I check the price. What luck! They're twenty grits each. I have enough to buy all that I need.

Using my unicorn magic, I place five of the blushes in my carry-on bag. I head for check-out, only to find that the line is out the door. Well, I came this far. I can't allow a line to stop me now. Marching all the way to the back of the line, I wait with other shoppers as the line slowly but surely moved.

"There sure are a lot of ponies buying make-up." Someone behind me speaks. I look back to find a white mare with a cute pair of small glasses and wore very festive bows in her mane.

She gives me a joyful smile. "Seasons greetings, my name is Merry Rejoice Saint. Are you the famous Rarity who made this? She shows me a red dress with white fluffs. "I ordered something that matches my husband's suit. It was just what I wanted!"

Why, I do remember designing that. Somepony asked me in a letter to make her a bright red dress for Hearth's Warming about a month ago. It took a long time to craft to perfection. But it turned out magnificent in the end.

"I do remember making that" I told her. "But, the order was for somepony name Mrs. Saint."

She grins. "Well, everypony calls me Mrs. Saint for short." She places the dress back in her red sack. "You certainly have a gift for crafting beautiful presents." She eyes my go-bag. "So, why are you buying your friends blush?"

"It's not just any blush" I explain. "It glitters. They're sure to love it! Besides, they're the only things I can afford that are good enough for all of my friends."

"Oh, so that's what this is about. Getting your friends good presents. I met three other ponies with the exact same problem earlier. But none of them could find gifts that they thought would be good for their friends."

"At least I've found the right presents."

She giggles. "Just because they're fancy or expensive doesn't make them right for your friends, you know? A price doesn't make a present perfect. I find that the best gifts of all come from what's in a pony's heart."

Well, that was touching. But I have what I need. There was no need to waste time doubting what I've found. "Thank you. But, my friends will certainly love blush to make their cheeks shine. Plus, they're the most qualified items I can afford."

Mrs. Saint nods. "If that is what you want, then by all means."

We wait for several moments. But only one pony has moved up the line so far. This is going to take a very long time. But, if it means getting my friends the best presents there were, it was worth the wait.

"While we wait, mind if I read you a poem?" Mrs. Saint asks.

I guess if this line was going to take an hour or more, then it wouldn't hurt to listen to at least one poem. "Which one do you have in mind?"

She took out a small sheet of paper. "One of my absolute favorites, Was a Night Before Hearth's Warming by Clayment C. Moose."

Really? That was one of my favorites to read when I was young. This mare certainly knows how to choose fine poetry. Hardly anypony reads that old poem these days. I don't think I'd heard it since I was a filly. Quite sad, considering that it's so touching.

Mrs. Saint read it straight away. "Was a night before Hearth's Warming and all through the town, all was quiet not even a sound. The dolls were all hung by chimney together, in the hopes they'll keep each other warm in the chilling weather."

Hmmm. Just listening to it reminds me of how my father would read it to be at bedtime. I would hear him tell it just as I was falling asleep.

"The foals were all asleep in their beds, while dreaming of the morning in their little heads."

As the poem went on, I feel myself getting tired. As tired as the little foal I once was, who tried to stay up to listen to the rest of the poem. Sleep overtook me every time. And now, I felt as if sleep was overtaking me once again.

"My wife next to me and me hitting the hay, had settled down waiting for the very next day."

She was getting to my favorite part of the poem when suddenly… Ooff! I collapse down to the floor and fall fast asleep.

Pinkie Pie's POV: Hot chocolate or gingerbread? Gingerbread or hot chocolate? Hot chocolate. Gingerbread. Gingerbread. Hot chocolate. Which was better?

After checking out all the goodies that Canterlot Mall was offering, I've narrowed the choices to the Hearth's Warming hot chocolate to the gingerbread special. But which was better?

The hot chocolate had gummy ponies, chocolate chips with whipped cream to make spirits as bright as ever. But candy canes mixed with gingerbread was a holiday spectacular. Which would my friends like most of all?

Okay. Think, Pinkie! You only have to choose between these two choices.

Then again, there were also those cinnamon rolls that look so yummy. In addition, they were hoofing out mega holiday shaped sugar cookies and those candy cane tarts. And not to forget about that pudding.

Oh, how am I going to decide on just one thing to get for all my friends? My head is so overwhelm that it feels like a party cannon ready to burst.

"Excuse me." My head spins towards the pony who just spoke to me. She's a white mare with cherry colored bows in her mane and wearing cute little glasses. "Are you alright, dearly?"

As explosive as I am at the moment, I try to be polite. "Just coming up with gift ideas for my bestest best friends."

She laughs. "Awe, another pony having trouble find her friends good Hearth's Warming gifts."

"There are just so many choices here that it's hard to choose just one."

"I've seen that problem far too many times before. There are millions of things ponies can get that can make good presents. But which would be right for their friends?"

That's the exact words I was thinking. "Especially since so many are good. The hot chocolate. The gingerbread. The sugar cookies. The tarts. The everything!"

The mare nods. "But which do you think your friends would like? That's the question you need to ask yourself."

What my friends would like? She does have a point. What would they like? Actually, that's an easy answer. They would like everything here!

"I know my friends would like anything they're selling here" I explain. "I just don't know which goodie is the goodiest for them all."

"I see" the mare says. "Oh my! I almost forgot why I came up to you in the first place. Someone gave me this for a present. But I don't think I can eat it all." She takes out a fruitcake wrapped in a red bow. "Would you like to have some?"

Fruit cake? I love fruit cake. I don't know why since it's not as sweet as any other goodie. I just do. Plus, this pony was asking for somepony to assist in eating some of that goodie. Who would turn down an offer like that?

"Sure thing, ummm" I stumbled when trying to remember this pony's name. Did she even tell me her name?

"Oh, I'm Merry Rejoice Saint. Mrs. Saint for short" the mare says.

"Alright, Mrs. Saint! I'll help you eat your fruitcake."

"Excellent!" She breaks off half of the fruitcake. Then she gives part of it to me. "Want to have it now?"

I answer by licking my lips. Chomp, chomp, chomp. Into my mouth the fruitcake went. And yum, yum, yum! Every small nibble takes me back to when I was a filly.

"I use to…" Chew. "Eat this…" Chew. "All the…" Chew "Time when I…" Chew. "Was a…" Chew some more. "Filly."

"Oh, really?" Mrs. Saint says in and oddly tone. "I hope they're good memories."

I eat more. "Well…" Chew. "I can't recall…" Chew. "Most of them…" Chew even more.

"Well, you know, sometimes the simplest things bring back our most cherish memories. Especially the ones during Hearth's Warming."

I swallow. "How so?"

"Whether it's a gift you got or eating a fruitcake, it has the powers to help you remember those hidden memories. It's like if you knit a sweater with your grandmother on a cold Hearth's Warming Eve. Whenever you look at it, you'll remember the moment when you made it with her."

I tried to listen to what she is saying. But, for some reason, I feel a bit lightheaded. I start to chew slowly as my eye lids begin to drop down. My body feels so heavy and my stomach is so filled with deliciousness that it feels like it's about to fall below my waist.

"Your fruitcake is so appetizing that I think I'm about to go into a food coma."

Mrs. Saint grins. "Why, thank you, Pinkie Pie."

I eat the very last bit of my fruitcake half. Now I feel the same way I do after drinking a glass of warm milk. No matter how hard I try, my legs give way and I go flat on the floor. "Wait, how do you know that my name is…" I suddenly become snoozy. What had been in that fruitcake?

Applejack's POV: I try my best to avoid all the holly jolly tarnations that have anythin to do with Hearth's Warming. Problem was, everypony seemed to be goin all out on the topic.

I mean, what was the deal? From what I can see, the only thing that Hearth's Warming seems to be about is all the needless knick knacks ponies shop non-stop for. What was the point of celebrating when all three pony kinds came together if all everypony cares about is how many presents they're gettin?

Come on, AJ. You know better than this. The holidays weren't about gifts. They were about being together with those you love. Just like that there family drinkin hot chocolate. That young filly reminds me of how I use to gulp down the hot chocolate my pa and I would get at this small cafe every Hearth's Warming. And the way that older foal is dipping his candy cane reminds me how Big Mac and ma liked to add candy canes to theirs. They use to do that every Hearth's Warming, until ma and pa…

Tarnation! Why am I thinking all this? I hadn't thought about my fokes in ages. What is making me miss them now? It must be this Celestia for saken mall. It's messin with my head.

Why did I have to be at this dang mall anyway? Couldn't Apple Bloom had asked somepony else to come with her instead? How come I was the unfortunate one to have to put up with all of this Hearth's Warming stuff they were displaying here?

I hear carolers singing the same old songs they sing every year. Doesn't anypony get bored of the same old songs?

Now I smell fresh gingerbread coming from Build a Bread. Don't they know the bad bellyaches those ponies are goin get after eating that stuff?

And all around me, ponies scrambling like hogs to a feeder. That was what ponies really care about these days, presents. It didn't matter the history around the holiday. All that mattered to everypony was the amount of useless junk they were gettin. Is that what Hearth's Warming has become? If so, I wouldn't mind skippin the whole holiday.

I pass by a white mare ringing an annoying bell. "Happy Hearth's Warming to all! Happy Hearth's Warming to all."

I try to ignore her. But she taps me on the shoulder. "Happy Hearth's Warming to you, dearly."

I sigh. "Not very happy at the moment, ma'am."

She frowns. "Is that so? Don't tell me that you're struggling with finding gifts for all of your friends. I've met five other ponies just today with that problem."

"Na. I do have gifts for all of my friends. I just don't know if I feel up for celebratin Hearth's Warming anymore."

"Awe. Why so?"

I look away. "I can't really explain it. I mean, I was fine about it til…" There's not a real easy answer here.

"Until you saw that one family?"

My eyes widen like a pair of blooming sunflowers. How does she know about that?

Before I get a chance to ask, she answers for me. "Oh, I just guessed it. I've seen it happen so many times. Ponies suddenly disliking Hearth's Warming after being reminded of what they lost, especially if it was a loved one. Who was it that you lost?"

My heart feels like a barrel of apples. Not sure if I'm up for explaining to this pony I've just met about my private life. But maybe it would help rid myself of this unhappiness I'm feelin. "I lost my ma and pa when I was a youngin."

The mare gives me a surprised, yet comforting hug. "Oh, I'm so sorry, dearly!"

"Thank y'all. I'm not even sure why I'm feelin this way. I mean, I've seen other families before. But now, as I'm watching all the ones I see here, I feel as if my entire apple tree plantation got chopped down. And just thinkin about anything havin to do with Hearth's Warming is makin it worse.

The mare releases me to look me face to face. "I know, Sugar Cube. The holidays do bring back hard reminders of those we lost. But that isn't always such a bad thing."

I give her a hard, sturdy look. "What's y'all talkin about?"

She gives me a slight grin. "Well, just because your parents are gone from your sight doesn't mean that they're gone from your heart." Hmm, Granny Smith told me that once. "And you know what really helps when you miss someone?"

"What might that be?"

"Remembering all the good times you had with them." She gives me a smile. "Perhaps you remember some of you and them during Hearth's Warming."

Me and my parents during Hearth's Warming? I can only recall small pieces of flashbacks like that. But not an entire memory of them.

"I don't think I can remember anythin like that. I only know simple things like how my pa and I would get hot chocolate together."

The mare grins. "Hot chocolate like this?" She offers me a cup of hot chocolate with gummy ponies, chocolate chips and lots of whipped cream. Was that what Apple Bloom's friends wanted her to try? No wonder they liked it so much. "Why don't you have some. It might help you remember."

Hot chocolate helpin to find some long lost memories? Never heard of such a thing. How can it be possible?

Still, the mare hoofs it to me. "Please, just try it."

Well, what did I have to lose? Besides, I couldn't say no to this nice mare.

So, I take the cup and have a big sip of the hot chocolate. Whoe donkey! That stuff was as sweet as Pinkie's sugar filled cake. Apple Bloom better be prepared to be met with so much sugar.

"Thank you now" I tell the mare. "I'm starting to feel better already. Hey, what did you say your name was?"

The mare grins joyfully. "Call me Mrs. Saint, please."

Mrs. Saint. I don't recogn I've heard that name before. Was she from around here? She just a visitor? Or did she just move here to Canterlot?

I wanted to ask, when I feel so woozy. I feel the same way I feel when I drink too much apple sider. My body's so wobbly that I quickly loose my footing and fall to the floor. My hot chocolate spills all on my head as my eye lids fall down and I'm out like a candy light.

What will become of our heroes now? Will they find gifts for each other? Stay tuned.

Hope you guys liked the MLP versions of some holiday classics. Did you figure out which I based them off of?