Galvanizing Emotion

by Uictoriam Ducere

Charlie has been called many things in his life. A criminal, a thug, and now a deadman. Awakening in a world filled with headache inducing magic ponies who drive him crazy was the last thing he expected. He must now learn to keep his temper in check to stay on their good side as they are the only ones who can bring him home. Being murdered though, makes that kind of difficult… AU

22. Act 1: Making Spirits Bright

Chapter 22: Making Spirits Bright…

"A wonderful gift may not be wrapped as you expect."
-Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Twilight POV

Golden Oak Library

Hearth's Warming Day

"Dear, I'm sure he's doing just fine." Rarity consoles to the sulking drake. "How about we go have some treats with the others, it will take your mind off of it at the very least."

Spike simply sighs quietly, but he doesn't turn away from the living room window he'd been staring out of since the night before waiting for Charlie to come back from wherever he had vanished to.

Rarity walks closer and puts her hoof on his shoulder, "He'll show up eventually, you'll see."

"When's that going to be? Tomorrow? The day after? Nopony's seen him since yesterday and I spent almost all night looking." Spike snorts out as he looks at the blanketed arctic town.

Her brow falls in an annoyed manner, "Please, if there's something I learned about that stallion it's that a simple sniffle isn't going to keep him down."

Against my better judgment, I join the conversation, "She's right, Spike, Charlie's a big stallion and he can take care of himself. He's too stubborn to simply fall ill to the elements. He's like a cockroach in that regard."

He shoots a glare at me for that one, "Yeah, because he's really known for his abilities to withstand the cold with that hairless body of his!" He spits at me with venom. "And you want to know what else I learned? He's also stubborn enough to die out there too. You ever think of that one, noodle head?"

"That-" Actually makes a lot of sense now that I think about it. "…uh no, I didn't think about that."

"Exactly!" He cries out and he turns to me with a look of rancor, "Which is why we should have went looking again yesterday before the storm hit us! But no, we had to 'sleep tight' for Hearth's Warming and now he could be in trouble, and we don't know where he is!"

"I think you're overreacting a tad, Darling." Rarity soothes but I can tell the dragon doesn't want any part of it.

"Overreacting? Rarity, it snowed all through the night and Charlie's out there somewhere freezing his butt off or he could be a Popsicle right now for all we know!" He turns back to see the snow still falling heavily onto our small town. "Or worse…"

"What flavor you think he'd be if he were a Popsicle, Spike?" Rainbow laughs out as we all look up to see her laying on top of one of the circular windowsills munching on a doughnut indifferently, "Artichokes mixed with lemon juice or rotten cabbage sprinkled with garlic."

I can hear a snort of flames emit from the baby dragon and I look down to see his face turning red. I'm no fortune teller, but I don't have to be to know this isn't going to end well.

He points a clawed finger at her, "Well if you and your weather patrol actually did your jobs correctly, we wouldn't have been snowed in all morning now would we?! It was supposed to be a light snow not a blizzard!"

Rainbow finishes her last bite and hops down with precise agility, landing right in front of him with a glare, "I already told you; we minimized the damage as much as we could. It's not exactly easy to stop an entire cloud formation when they're full steam ahead and with no brakes."

"And what caused all those clouds from Canterlot to barrel right at us in the first place?" He shouts back again. "Sounds like a certain pony I know wants to mask her own mistake…"

Rainbow pokes his chest making him stumble backwards a bit. "Listen here, lizard, because I'm not going to repeat myself again. Those clouds simply just turned around like they had a mind of their own. I interrogated the Weather team in the east to see if they had anything to do with it and they all had alibis. It also wasn't the Weather Factory either because apparently those clouds had been made months ago so it wasn't newly made ones sauntering about either. We don't know what caused it!"

"Likely story, Rainbow." He snarls as he pokes her back, "Sounds like nothing but excuses if you ask me."

Uh oh…

The blue pegasus all but foams at the mouth hearing this, "I'll show you a likely story, you little conniving-"

"Hey, Dash, Ah think we may need some help over here with the tree if you don't mind. We can't seem to reach the top on our own." Applejack asks as she sprouts out of nowhere, seemingly on standby just in case an argument like this commenced. "We tried asking Fluttershy, but she's afraid of the height and well… You know how that turned out."

We all look over to see the timid mare holding the sunset-colored tree topper in the shape of a star and staring up at the large evergreen like it might as well have been on the moon, causing her to fall backwards into big macs hooves in fear. She was out like a light while Angel started fanning her with a towel soon after with fervor.

The pegasus blinks at her and turns to the dragon who's still glaring, "I- arrgh alright, I'll be right over…"

The cowmare flicks up her Stetson, "Thanks, sugarcube, it means a lot…"

"…Whatever…" Rainbow sighs and flaps her wings softly so she can hover over to said evergreen with her hooves crossed all the while muttering like a madpony. "Stupid pegasus who's afraid of flying… What's next, Earth ponies afraid of dirt? That'll be the day I-"

When the brash pegasus joins our timid friend, Applejack turns to me with a small smile and gives me a wink and then turns to join the Crusaders sitting by the fireplace without a word. Thank Celestia for that mare. I'd have gone crazy by now if not for her calm demeanor especially these last few months. Between Spike's inability to listen to me and Rainbow's stubbornness, it's good to know that if there's anypony to keep a leash on at least one of them it's her.

"Now, Spike, are you ready to join us or are you going to keep acting like a foal." Rarity asks aloud making me stare back at the two, "We're going to be opening presents soon~"

Spike did seem to perk up at that for a second, but a strong wind could be heard battering against the tree caused a look of worry to wiggle its way back onto his face. He turned to stare down at his right to see a plate full of pristine looking rocky road cupcakes sitting on the end table that he'd spent the night preparing, no doubt for the missing stallion in question when he finally turned up. After staring at the treats for a couple of seconds, he lets loose a tired sigh and walked closer to the window so he could sink down once more to stare out at the frozen Ponyville without answering us.

Rarity's ears lowered in defeat as she turns to me with eyes that just pleaded for me to say something to urge Spike away from his content misery. I just shook my head in response and left the drake to his own devices not wanting to recreate our argument from the night before. I've had quite enough of yelling at a brick wall for today thank you very much.

Soon enough, Rarity and I begrudgingly return without the dragon to the others, who were all by this time gathered around the unlit tree. We could see Rainbow was floating near the very tippy top making sure that star was on correctly as she wiggled it back and forth. She struggled for a moment to get the star to look as straight as possible before finally whistling down to signal that the tree after a long morning was finally complete and everypony looked upon it excitedly as they all knew what came next.

Rarity and I smiled at each other as our horns glow and together shoot a prism of light towards the tree topper albeit with a little bit of a struggle. It seems my magic is still a little drained from yesterday even though we had a full night's rest. The spell took a little longer than usual to cast, but soon enough a comforting incandescent shine sprinkled down from the star, landing on all the glass ornaments and bulbs to illuminate a diverse sect of colors that sparkled throughout the room.

"Now that's a Hearth's Warming tree if Ah've ever seen one!" Granny Smith cheers from her blanketed chair. "Might even be better than ours if yall'ld put some apples on it."

"Granny…" The entire Apple family laments together causing most of us to laugh at her elderly antics.

Feeling as though my job was done, I had left the gang to take my favorite reading seat by the large fireplace and spent a moment watching everypony fondly as they all let out small gasps of awe gazing at the large breathtaking tree that should have been decorated weeks ago not today.

Despite how terrible of a host I was, as I wasn't prepared in the slightest, nopony really seemed to mind when they all gathered here first thing in the morning. If anything, when I had said quite embarrassingly that we hadn't exactly decorated for the event, everypony gave delighted smiles while offering helping hooves with glee despite just coming over for a party. We all had made a sort of game out of it really which I guess was a party on its own and they all played it diligently, that's for sure.

The Apple's, with Granny as their coach of sorts, were in charge of setting up the tables as well as getting all those sweets they had baked for the night before looking presentable. Applejack was also our designated chef, making sure the main course for dinner prepared for the many mouths who were attending. That of course was supposed to be Spike's job however he was… difficult about making it himself when I had asked him. 'No scars on my hide' is what Applejack said when I didn't know who was going to cook dinner so at least that was taken care of quickly.

Fluttershy and some of her songbird friends had helped hanging sparkling garland throughout the room as well as wreaths in the windows. Well, I should say her avian friends did most of the heavy lifting on that part as you already know her feelings about heights. She happily conducted them safely from the ground however and directed the feathered beings with precision. Flocks of birds carried the decorum carefully to make sure it doesn't drop on those below. At least she was more helpful than her furry little ball of rage that some may call Angel, who stared at us all like we were blemishes to his existence. Much like Spike did with me when I had asked him to start this task about two weeks ago.

Rarity wanted this party to really shine, and we both know what that means. She had gone all out with glittering the house to the point some of us may need sunglasses to even see each other. Tinsel was strewn throughout the room like it was going out of style and she even brought her good china which was laced with intricate and expensive gemstones to boot to add to the 'taste' of the room. She did this without even knowing we were on the verge of running out of regular dinnerware from Charlie's target practice, one of Spike's favorite pass times with the human.

This is all of course without mentioning all of the wonderful holiday outfits she'd crafted for every single one of us! Each holding some uniqueness to the pony it was assigned to with dangling bells, candy cane striped decorum, poinsettia headdresses and deep green saddlecoats for us all. By the stars, she even made one for Charlie, though I think he'd burn it or use it as toilet paper before he'd be seen in public wearing it.

The pants were a little… short.

Speaking of ponies not wanting to wear costumes, Rainbow also had decided to stay out of the holiday fun on that note. Saying that she'd rather be caught dead than wear something so lame which isn't surprising to me in the least as she resnents Rarity's outfits the most out of all of us.

Her arrival though? That was surprising and something I hadn't even thought was a possibility for today. I mean, I did extend the invitation to her, but I really didn't think she'd attend due to a certain Human in the equation. However, despite all of that, she seemed to have sucked up some of her own pride for once and joined in on the fun even after our little altercation yesterday.

She was one of the last of everypony to arrive on this joyous morning and it certainly made some heads swivel when I welcomed her myself as it seems the word of her ban had spread to the others. She didn't necessarily greet me in a positive way and looked at me with a twisted mouth like she was about to start something she had wanted to finish from yesterday, but an excited jumping orange filly quickly stopped that from occurring thankfully. She was soon rushed over by the rest of the Crusaders to help make gingerbread houses like their blank flanks depended on it.

Something about cutie marks and being architects of a sort, I believe…

And now? Well, now here we all are gathered in my fully decorated home like it wasn't the unfestive mess from weeks of stress induced insanity it was earlier today. To think this was all done without the pink party wizard herself. The fact that she can set things up like this all on her lonesome and in nearly half the time it took the entire gang together is something that even my books can't explain.

Speaking of Pinkie Pie, nopony can find her either or has even seen her in recent memory just like another certain cranky stallion. She hasn't been at the Hotel with the others in Canterlot if rumor has any merit to it so only Celestia knows where she's been or what she's been up to. The others told me not to worry too much about it as she's pulled stunts like this before, but I just can't help to let it linger in my mind that Pinkie would miss a party for anything.

I just hope wherever she is she's having a good Hearth's Warming and that she knows she welcome to join the party anytime. A phrase I didn't think I'd have to utter considering the mare is practically magnetized to them. Quite literally too, she almost subconsciously walks into them without even thinking if my testing holds any results and credibility. Back when I first moved here the crazy mare had broken any and all scientific foundations based entirely on reality, and I felt I had to get to the bottom of it.

Ah, it seems like yesterday that my naive mind tried explaining the unstoppable chaotic force of Pinkie…

Long story short, I'd make 'fake' parties around town without telling anypony and she'd always show up no matter how far away or how busy she was. Every… Single… Time… So, my only conclusion to her absence to this one is that she has discovered a bigger party than ours worth her attendance which is both worrying and perplexing.

I chuckle at the thought and gaze upon the room at the many friendly faces going about their festivities with a sense of… I don't know. Relief? Yeah, I suppose that's what fit, relief. As for the first time in quite a while, things finally have started to feel normal after so much running around both in town and in my own mind.

Well, as normal as one can be in my situation I suppose. The said situation being Ponyville and my possible exodus from it. I've been ruminating on it most of the night and for the life of me I still cannot believe it especially after everything I've done for the ponies living here. The worst part about it is I know that it's working especially if everypony was simply ignoring Sweet Apple Acre goodies.

I know most of them are just scared of the Mayor and her threats like poor Caramel but not everypony in town is going about this involuntarily. Some are going out of their way to ensure Charlie is forced out and if I'm being completely honest, I don't blame them either.

Like Flithy Rich for instance… That Stallion is in charge of the Market Committee and for good reason. Maybe not so much in charge by title rather than in charge by power as he's, unsurprisingly, the wealthiest pony in town. The Mayor getting him to flip against us was probably easier than getting lost and eaten in the Everfree especially after Charlie almost lobotomized him with a spoon.

It also isn't helping that the ones affected by the human's rampage have effectively gone homeless due to (I can't believe I'm going to say this) Princess Celestia's inability to govern a crisis of all things. Or at least that's what it feels like. She has not only ignored my letters calling for the aid to the disaster victims to recontinue but has seemingly gone out of her way to ensure that good ponies like the Cake's won't have homes in the near future either!

I mean, by Star Swirl's curlies, what on Equestria could she possibly be thinking in her decision!

It's also having the unfortunate side effect of digging the hole we're all in even deeper as well. A hole most of the others are completely unaware they are in at the moment too. I know I promised Applejack I'd explain everything, and I will, but for right now I'd like to celebrate a single holiday without the world on my shoulders and for good grief that's exactly what I'm going to do!

Though… It is kind of important… Maybe I should make some kind of announcement after we open presents… No, after dinner for sure. Or maybe not, it will just ruin the holiday for everypony. Or will it? Maybe it's the perfect time to explain as we're all together! Or it's not and it'll only freak everypony out to the point of panic. Oh, this is impossible! Maybe if I-

Something nudging me knocked me out of my thoughts making me look over to see Fluttershy giving me a timid smile as she sits in Charlie's favorite brooding spot in the house.

"Are you alright, Twilight?" She asks quietly. "It looked like you dozed off there for a moment."

I strain a bit of a smile and look at her. "…Why wouldn't I be?" I giggle out and nudge her back as I realize I had lost myself in my own mind once again, "I'm in my clean home with the ponies that matter the most to me celebrating one of my favorite holidays of the year. In fact, I'd go as far to say that as of right now, I'm beyond alright and that there's certainly no terrible news lurking in the background that may or may not affect every single one of us indefinitely in the near future! hehehe"

"…uh yeah…" She purses her lip at my attempt to control my emotions and shrugs, "Well, anyways I was wondering if there was anything else you needed for dinner tonight. It's still pretty early I know, but I just wanted to make sure we're all ready and we're not missing anything."

I tap my chin, "Um… hmm let me actually see, Fluttershy, as I could have forgotten something entirely. We did put this whole thing together in less than a day…"

With a small woosh from my horn, my trusty check list appears, and I gaze around the room as I go through each point. Most of them indeed do have check marks next to them indicating to me that they are indeed done and dusted however a few remain and I gaze at them intently.

My brow falls as I read some of them… "Well, the rest of them is pretty much for Charlie when he finally crawls out of whatever hole he's hibernating in, but as for the rest everything's done somehow."

"Oh, if we need Charlie, then maybe I could go out and look for him for a little if you want. It wouldn't feel right to go on without him after all considering it's his first Hearth's Warming and all."

I snort knowing how little that statement would actually mean to the human.

"No no, you don't have to do that. It's nothing serious, simply a 'get ready' list for him specifically." I clear my throat and read aloud, "Wear clean clothes, wash and groom his mane, brush his teeth diligently, make sure he bathes, spend 40 minutes nagging him about manners as a precaution, rattle off about any other life skill that he lacks…"

"He can't possibly give you that much trouble for little things like that, can he? I mean you learn how to brush your teeth as a foal…" She asks with surprise.

My deadpanned expression is my only answer.

"Oh Charlie…" She says in a somber kind of way as she looks down at the floor, "I wish there was something we could do to make him less hard on himself all the time…"

"…What do you mean by that? He's harder on me and the others than himself that's for sure." I ask not really sure what to make of her assessment.

"Well, that's not exactly true, Twilight. He's…" She lowers her head as she thinks of the right word and she looks back up at me, "He just needs some more time to adjust I think."

A little cryptic…

"Time? Fluttershy he's been here for 7 months, that's surely enough time don't you think? He's just miserable because I brought him here and that he's stuck." I say as I look over at the sulking dragon who hasn't moved from his spot, "Nothing's going to make him better until he gets home too."

"Yes, that is quite a number of days isn't it but only a fraction of his life. I really doubt a single bad trip has made him the way he is, Twilight…" the timid mare muses, "Somepony like that doesn't just wake up and decide who they are in a single day."

"No… but it surely doesn't help that he's here though…" I grimace as I remember that night he sat quietly inside the pantry for hours as he went through a mental break. "I'm sure when he gets zapped out of here, he'll be his old self, whatever that is…"

Fluttershy takes a moment to respond as she looks at me like she's tiptoeing around her main point, "It takes a lifetime to truly understand who they are or how they know what to feel about things. How long did it take you to truly understand you're grasp of the importance of friendship?"

"…"

She giggles at my silence, "Exactly. He's been here for only a small portion of a year, a long time to us maybe, but how many years do you think he's spent the way he goes about himself. He still has his entire life up to this point to take notes from and I'm afraid that they aren't very helpful as I'm sure you already know." She chuckles out and I join with a small thoughtful laugh.

"Yeah, I suppose," I say when my mind becomes consumed with guilt once more for the spell I casted all those months ago. "It just feels like sometimes he truly hates us… That no matter what we do for him or what we say he just won't change. At least, that's what it's starting to feel like because I'm at my wits end coming up with ideas."

"I wouldn't try too hard if I were you." She warns with a knowing look.

"Then I shouldn't try at all then?" I ask incredulous of the notion.

"Hmm that's not exactly what I said…" She says as she looks down at her hooves.

My head simply cocks at her and my ears twitch not comprehending what she's implying.

"Look at it this way, I had a furry friend out in the Forrest who was scared silly of me for weeks. He was an opossum that was living in an old dead tree near my home and eventually it toppled over in a bad storm when lightning struck it. Well, he was so spooked from the noise that he had ran underneath my house in terror and he stayed there for weeks without leaving. I remember the first day I saw the little critter when he was taking a drink from the creak. When I said hello, he almost fell apart in fear and ran as fast as his little legs could take him back to his temporary shelter. Wide eyed as they come, I'm afraid."

She smiles softly as she recalls this event, and my ears perk up as I try to understand the point here.

"This opossum no matter how many times I had affirmed that I wasn't a threat or that I didn't mean any harm would still run away from me and anypony else who came knocking. I was getting my feathers all ruffled over it for a week straight as I saw a poor creature who needed my help, but I couldn't just force that help on him no matter how hard I tried so I did what I thought was best."

"And what was that?"

"I simply backed away for a little bit and let him feel that he was safe. I left food and clean water by his little hide-y hole everyday and that was all I did. At first he didn't even touch it, but then I watched his tiny, terrified head pop out and took a small bite of the meal after a few days. He quickly ran back inside when the wind blew a little hard but it was a start."

"A start to what exactly?"

"Every day he'd peek his small, adorable head out a little further and further and further. This was over the stretch of a month until one day when I was bringing him his food, he came out fully and greeted me like an old friend. He even ate out of my hoof which was leaps and bounds over how he was when I had first seen him. I was able to nurse him back to health and relocate him to a livelier tree and he's been there ever since, happy as a clam."

"That really is a nice story, but I really doubt an opossum could possibly be in the same ballpark as Charlie, Fluttershy." I say as the tale cements in my skull.

"Oh, without a doubt, but has cramming our help down his throat been working?" She said with a knowing smirk.

"…no…"

She giggles at my expense, "Sometimes to help you have to learn when you can and when you can't like I did." She says with a smile and she looks over at the rest. "We just need to give him the space that he needs for right now."

I hum to myself as I try to think of Charlie as a scared opossum and all it does it make me snort at the thought. He's not scared of anything or anypony, at least as far as I can tell. He gets quiet, sure, but never scared unless I'm just missing something somehow. Or maybe Fluttershy has seen something I haven't…

She nudges me again to get my attention after she had noticed my silence, "I know that's a lot to take in, but you'll see… some more time and I'm sure that he'll prove all of us wrong in the end eventually."

"You want to bet on that? I'd wait for Flash Sentry to finally arrive if you do." I giggle out and she joins me yet again.

We settle in a somber silence as we watch the festivities in front of us when suddenly my stomach uncharacteristically rumbles quite loudly to the point it startled the timid mare.

"Well, to circle back to your question that if I'm doing fine, something to nibble on might make me feel a little more whole I do admit." I sheepishly say, quite embarrassed that I had missed breakfast.

She gleams upon hearing that, "Well, maybe we should check with Applejack to see if she had made anything else but sweets. I know I'm dying for a salad after all the treats Applejack made me take home from yesterday. I thought Angel was going to pop into pieces from how many tarts he had eaten."

"If only we were so lucky…" I murmur silently as I watch the infamous rabbit using one of the bright ornaments for a tan session.

"What was that?" Fluttershy asks paired with a stink eye.

"Oh I said if there was some romaine, we'd be lucky! Hehe." I quickly push her towards the kitchen just in case she did indeed hear me, "Come on, let's see if Applejack brought more than just apple pie."

Before we could get any further into the room, a swift banging that could easily be recognized as somepony knocking at the front door could be heard and everypony turns towards the exit. Huh, I wonder who that could be? Maybe it was-

"Finally!" Spike screams as he gleefully causing my head to swivel over at him.

The drake jumps up from the window full of life and sprints toward the doorway out of the room with the plate of Charlie's favorite cupcakes in hand with a face that just screamed that his wish had finally been granted. Unfortunately, Fluttershy and I were directly in his way as he ran over and practically turned us into pavement as he steamed by towards the main room.

"Whoa! Spike, wait a minute!" I call out, but he ignores me.

Turning my head, I watch his small purple body sprint passed us and knock into Rainbow who was about to take a gulp of some Cider that Applejack had gave her. The mare was soon drenched with her delicious beverage as she gave a pitiful yelp. She turned to glare sharpened daggers at the drake who turned a corner without so much as giving any of us a look.

"What the buck is your problem, scales!" The rainbow-colored mare cries out in fury.

"Snirk That's not how you're supposed to drink that, sugarcube." The country mare giggles out as she pats the pegaus dry with a towel.

Before I could stay and listen to the fallout of that little snide comment, I begrudgingly decide to follow after him albeit at a slower pace than his manic dash. He might as well have given Rainbow a run for her money with how quickly he's descending the steps to the main foyer. I don't even know how he's balancing all those cupcakes especially when he decided to leap the final 4 stairs.

When he landed all the circular pastries went airborne which he was able to catch one by one as they landed on the plate. He gives a small sigh of relief as his creations were still pristine and continued into the main hall. I watched him run around the study table towards the front door where some more knocks could be heard.

"Coming! Hold your reigns a moment!" He yells with glee and soon enough he's at the front door.

I join him as he's struggling to reach the highest one with little pitiful jumps, "Spike, I don't think that's Charlie, it's more than likely-"

"Aha! Got it!" He screams out and turns the handle to pull the door open, "There you are! Do you have any idea how long we looked last ni-"

Spike's words were cut off as he gazes a stallion standing in the doorway, just not the stallion he was hoping for.

"Was I expected earlier?" The new visitor said aloud with confusion.

Flash Sentry, who was covered in snow, stepped inside and shook his helmeted head to shake the flakes off of him like an avalanche. The drake was all but pushed aside as the guard walks past and Spike looks at him confused before turning towards the aftermath of the blizzard with some hope the one he was waiting for was behind him.

He was not…

"No, Flash, he just thought you were somepony else is all." I say with an edge of carefulness to it knowing the dragon's imminent anger is looming.

"He's still hasn't turned up, eh?" He snorts as he sits down to take off his helmet, "Maybe he's finally gone native with the bears and hibernated for the rest of the year."

"That's not funny…" The drake murmurs as he looks at the plate of cupcakes.

I sigh as when I look at him, "Spike, do you think the door would still be on its hinges if it were him?" I ask with some morose. "The last time he was locked out he almost burned the library down so this shouldn't be surprising."

He doesn't answer me as he stares outside where the winds blew with uncaring cruelty against the town.

Flash clears his throat gaining his attention, "Sorry I took so long, Miss Sparkle, I know that you had wanted to put something together first thing this morning, but I was…" his ears fall some as he struggles to finish his sentence, "occupied with a work-related matter that couldn't wait I'm afraid, but I'm here now if you need me."

I give him a soft grateful smile, "I understand, Flash, but everything's already taken care of because of the others. I still give my thanks though." He looks at me strangely, like he had something on his mind, "Did something happen?"

"Hmm? Um, no… Nothing has happened. Just work things, you know." He says with a modicum of trepidation, "So, he's still missing, you said?"

I take a moment to make a mental note of this sudden topic change and ignore it for now. Something just didn't sit right about the eagerness to talk about something else, but who knows. Could be stress if anything. He is a knight lieutenant of the Royal guard after all, no position to laugh at.

I nod my head after a moment, "Yes we don't know where he is though most of us aren't too worried about to be honest."

"Speak for yourself!" Spike snaps at me as he sets down the cupcakes onto an end table.

"I said most…" I sneer back at him. "Spike, I can't simply just make him appear out of thin air and obviously he doesn't want to be found especially after that little fight from yesterday."

He gives a tired laugh and looks at me, "Well, that just sounds to me that you don't want him to be found at all."

I shake my head at his conclusion, "That's not what I-"

"It is exactly what you said, Twilight, or have you forgotten already!" My furrowed brow causes him to groan in anger and he continues, "You just wish he was all cozy and as far away from us as possible in Griffinstone!"

My face contorts in recognition as I realize what he's talking about. My not-so-private conversation with Celestia plays in my mind as the dragon fumes in front of me.

"Spike…" I say in a very delicate tone, "That was a misunderstanding, and you don't have the full picture."

"Oh, the picture is painted clearly for me, don't you worry about that!" He screams out enraged.

I feel my face twitch into anger, "I already told you that conversation was a mistake! I should have never asked the princess to come that night as I've said a thousand times!"

"A thousand too many and yet I still don't believe you!" He gets closer as steam exits his nostrils.

"I was at my wits end with him, what was I supposed to do?! Just let him destroy himself because he's your friend? He needed to go somewhere he was comfortable!"

Flash looks between us confused as the argument ramps up.

"You were supposed to tell me things like that, you know, as your trusty assistant! I could have helped or maybe find something to help, but no, you went right over my head and decided for us like that was going to change anything!" He yells out as his tail stands straight up, a sign that the dragon is close to breathing fire.

Flash sputters as he tries to insert himself into the conversation, "What are we talking ab-"

I ignore his comment and finish my own defense, "I couldn't just let him continue the way he was, Spike! You saw him, how he was acting that last month! How much he just didn't care! I had to do something, anything!"

He gives off some sarcastic claps, "Oh, Well, in that case congratulations, Twilight! You did something alright; you destroyed any trust I had for you left after that little stunt you pulled! Like I'd believe a word out of you after that."

"I-I'm sorry, I'm very lost right now. What's happenin-"

Spike gives off a tired laugh, "I remember it like yesterday… and I remember how… How…" his words die out in his throat, and he looks at me with cold eyes, "I remember how you lied to her… About him, about his life here, about me…"

My head lowers in shame as he brings up the part that I had hoped he hadn't of heard between me and the Princess.

"Spike, I-"

"Why don't you save it for a friendship letter, tell how happy I am with you… Since you know exactly what I'm feeling all the time right now for instance, I wouldn't mind at all…" He shoots back, spitting that last part with pure hate.

A cosmic flood of guilt starts to form when I hear that as I know exactly what he's talking about. He sneers silently as he pushes past me quite brutishly so he can reach his hook holding his winter attire and slowly dons everything while cursing under his breath. Flash looks so confused as he continues to try to put everything together.

"I'm going to go look for him because somebody has to." He says making sure to put emphasis on Charlie's speech pattern. "By Discords gumdrops, it's Hearth's Warming and he's out in that somewhere by himself…"

"The snow is taller than you, how are you going to find him by yourself?" Flash finally says putting together his first sentence since we started yelling.

"He's a 6-foot bipedal monkey thing who wears a pink blanket with cupcakes on them. Kind of hard to miss so I'm sure somepony's seen him out there…" He sneers again. "But I know you're not going to go with me so why do you care."

The drake affixes his cap look straight and walks towards the ajar door prying it open and stopping at the entrance to turn back to me as I'm stuck in a kind of stunned silence.

"If you don't want him here, that's fine by me because I don't want to be here either." He says softly yet there's no warmness to it at all.

His features twist some in with confliction when I don't give an answer before he silently huffs and takes off into the cold, leaving the door open. His figure soon disappears into the white background as the wind howls around him leaving Flash and I alone in the foyer.

He doesn't want… But this is his home… I… I guess there's nothing left between us then if that's how he truly feels…

"I'm still very sore over all the bets I've been losing recently, however, should we go after him? It's… pretty bad out there, Twilight, and he's going to get hurt by himself." Flash says knocking me out of my trance.

Before I could answer, more noises from behind me causes me to turn to see the rest of the Elements who came to check on us, no doubt drawn by the noise of screams. They all held faces of understanding which led me to believe that they had heard a little more than the tail end of that little debate. Well, most of them. Rainbow looked a little curious, but other than that, just bored of course but that's not really that astounding.

"W-what was that about, Twilight?" Fluttershy asks in her usual timid fashion. "You… lied? About Spike?"

"I…" mouse out, however I can't finish the sentence.

"Who cares if she lied to the twerp, he probably deserved with the way he's been talking to all of us recently." Rainbow remarks as she rubs her somewhat damp fur.

"Darling, that's not exactly helpful right now…" Rarity chides.

"Who said I wanted to be helpful to the dragon called Charlie Jr.?" Rainbow barks back.

"…Well, I'll give you that much…" The fashionista concedes as she looks over at the door, "He's been a little hotheaded lately…"

"A little?" Applejack hoots out, "Ah don't think Ah've ever seen him so uppity since I met him. Well, not counting when he went all full greed mode and he went monstrous on us, but that's another story."

"We're… not just going to let him freeze out there are we?" Fluttershy comments, "He's cold blooded after all. Maybe if we help him find Charlie, he might… cool off a little? Maybe even smile today?"

"If he wants to catch a cold out there for that lunatic that's on him. I for one am going to enjoy my holiday without worrying about it." Rain zips towards the door and looks back at us, "Who's going to join me?"

The rest all turn to me like my word would sway the rest and they all wait for a decision to be made. I still remain silent as I begin to recognize the term accountability and what it means, but a rogue wind blowing in the cold snaps me out of it. Spike just wondered out into the aftermath of one of the worst storms to hit this part of the country since the tribes were divided all by himself. He may not feel mutually about it, but I still consider him my friend.

"Lets… go look for Charlie…" I finally say after another moment of silence. "It's the least we can do given the circumstances. We don't need the possibility of another frozen stallion because Spike is right about something, he is stubborn enough to die out there."

Rainbow immediately sneered and turned her head away from us with crossed hooves at hearing this but remains quiet. The others all nod theirs in agreement with some looks of determination. As far as they know, right now one of our (Maybe) friends is in trouble and we've done enough sitting around to ignore it any longer.

At least I can't… Not after that sucker punch the dragon hit me with.

We all start to get ready to leave and Rainbow flies closer to me with a scowl, "What?! Why are we wasting our time going out there?! Spike yells at you one time and you immediately crumble? No wonder you're always defending Charlie! Its stockhorse syndrome at its finest!"

"…You can wait here with the others upstairs if you want, Dash, I'm not forcing you to do anything if you don't want to." I say as I prepare to embrace the cold for a long search no doubt.

She sputters out unfinished words as she tries to rationalize our choice on the matter as she's the only one left of us who was going to stay. Right as we were about talking amongst each other over how we were going to do this; she finally sighs rubbing her hoof on her forehead as she finishes her internal dispute and begrudgingly joins us although you can easily tell that she really doesn't want to.

"What's the plan, sugarcube, running around out there with our head's cut off ain't gonna get anything done." Applejack asks aloud and others nod.

"I simply must agree with her on that one, Twilight." Rarity says.

I rub my chin as a somewhat rough search system takes place, "We'll work in a pair of twos for safety purposes and take different parts of town so we can get the most out of this. There doesn't have to be any rhyme or reason to the pairing as long as we don't get stretched too thin."

Soon enough the others start pairing which was pretty simple since the group together was an even number.

Applejack and Rarity were one such pair and they already started arguing over where to start looking, one saying they should search the inner part of town where civilization is and the other hooting over the edge of town in the cusp of the wilderness. You can already put together who wanted what in that one. They settled on looking on the entire edge of town eventually, both liking the parameters of their task.

Fluttershy and Rainbow were the next pair who was equally as dysfunctional as you can imagine. Rainbow just wanted to look aerially as they're both pegasi and they'd cover the most ground in the shortest amount of time. The higher and faster the better. Fluttershy was already spooked on the word 'aerially' and started shivering causing Rainbow to huff in annoyance and simply take the inside portion of town though she did say she wouldn't be participating on banging on doors.

The last was Flash Sentry and myself, it was only natural as the poor stallion is still a newcomer to the rest and has had the most conversation with me. I didn't really mind only because I would have taken anypony as long as I wasn't paired with Rainbow. Our task was, unfortunately, to go find Spike before he got hurt or worse. Rarity had asked if she could do that instead wanting to cradle her almost new assistant however, I found that this was my responsibility in the end.

Now, all paired up and bundled up, we gather by the door, and I stop everypony before we could finally start so I can give one last point to our plan.

"Okay, Since the weather is still pretty foul, I say we search for about 30 minutes and so and we'll meet up somewhere to evaluate if we found them or not. We can't really be out there for too long or we'll be the popsicles." I muse and some give me a chuckle at that.

"Where're we gonna meet, Twi? The towns pretty spread out and I don't think the library is close enough to the center." her lip twists as she thinks, "How 'bout town hall? That's pretty much smack dab in the center if ya ask me."

I want to agree with her logic, however… it's awfully close to the Mayor's office.

"Um… How about we meet at the Sugarcube Corner instead. Or what's left of it that is…" My frown deepens mentioning the bakery, but it's closer to the center of town without the threat of impending doom nearby.

"Well, alrighty I suppose… Sugarcube Corner it is! We'll see ya in a bit." Applejack turns to her partner as they exit the library, "Ya ready there, miss hygienic?"

"Oh please, like some little dirt is going to- gasp I chipped a hoof! That took me all morning to get perfect! Oh, the ponanity!" Rarity yells out as the two head out making most of us roll our eyes.

"C'mon, Fluttershy, let's get this done as fast as possible so I can get back to that bowl of cider with my name on it…" Rainbow snorts out in annoyance as she walks out of the house.

"Oh, not too fast I hope… I'll get dizzy…" Fluttershy says quietly following the other pegasus who is groaning quite loudly at her expense.

The room starts to fill with silence once more as Flash and I share a quiet look knowing how much of a pain it's going to be to talk some sense into a certain stubborn dragon. He walks closer to the open door and silently gestures 'mares first'. I give him a small smile and soon enough we were out in the cold, leaving behind our guests on this dreary holiday morning.

"So… What was his problem earlier?"

"Don't even get me started, Flash."

OoOoO

"Spike, will you just listen to me please, I'm trying to help." I plead as the angry drake walks slowly through the thick snow, "At the very least, you can ride on my back so you don't get sick out here. You know what the cold does to you."

"Maybe I want to get sick so I can use you as a tissue later tonight!" He yells back without turning his head. "And then I can throw you out like one too!"

We walk around the town windmill to continue down the vacant streets which was a little unnerving considering how joyful this day is supposed to be.

"I must concur with Miss Sparkle, Spike. We're looking for him too, there's no need t-"

"CHARLIE!" He yells out, blocking the stallion from continuing his plea. "Where the hay are you…"

He shivers out as he looks around at the iced buildings of the Northeastern part of town, but he continues his search with fervor as the winds beat against us like waves against the sand. Flash looks at me like we should do anything in terms of aiding the dragon but all I can do is just sigh and follow in his tiny Hoofsteps indented in the snow.

I shouldn't be too surprised about how he's acting right now if I'm being completely honest.

After the Pageant, I had found him sitting alone on our front steps with his head in his hands deep in thought letting me know that the human was still missing and that he never caught up to him. He explained to me that he'd spent hours checking almost every nook and cranny in town, even walking all the way to Fluttershy's house on his own through the dark. He was only greeted by a certain rabbit who didn't take too kindly to his surprise visit and he left rather quickly after.

Something about the bunny playing poker with a raccoon and a goldfish, I think?

Anyways, when all his searching ended in failure he simply came home and waited out in the cold looking terrible and hoping Charlie would have turned up which of course you know that he didn't. Spike then went on to argue with me for the rest of night saying the snow was coming down harder and harder and that we had a small window to go looking again which I dismissed.

If I had known how badly the storm was going to be I would have taken up his offer for two reasons. One being that it was dangerous if anypony was out there in in it and other is that it would have avoided the screaming match that following morning. When he awoke, after what little sleep he had, and saw the town he flipped out on me. It was more manic fear than rage however it was not something that I wanted to deal with.

Once he had blown off enough steam (Quite literally) he then did the only thing he could think of at the time. Which was keeping his promise to Charlie about those sweets. He baked his little finned head off in the early morning before anypony had arrived and that was about all he contributed to the party if you could even call it contributing. He then took to his spot by the window and simply silently waited, not paying any new visitor that wasn't Charlie any mind. If he wasn't so grumpy about it, I'd almost feel bad for him, but he was adamant about being a headache instead of doing anything productive.

Though… his frustration in this matter is justified… And his frustration with me is even more so…

I should have never asked Celestia to come by that night… But what was I to do? Nothing?

My head lowers some as we walk while the event replays in my mind like one of those moving pictures Charlie rants about sometimes.

I found myself pacing in my study after a terrible day waiting for my mentor who is due to arrive at any minute. My request for her presence came after many a night of uncertain contemplation and a heavy heart as I didn't know what else to do.

Charlie has locked himself in his room going on about two weeks now, only coming out to use the bathroom and to occasionally walk around the library without giving Spike and I a passing glance or a simple hello. As far as I can tell, he hasn't eaten a thing either and he's more than likely dehydrated as well.

He hasn't done anything since I read that report from Celestia. The report that started this little mess that fell in my hooves…

One day out of nowhere, the man had started bothering me about asking the Princess on a status report for his way back home, which I don't blame him wanting to know at all as I haven't even heard anything from her either. The seasons changed, the days were passing, and the year was coming to a close without so much as an update to her search. So, in the interest of assuring him that something was being done, I wrote to the solar monarch expecting to at least hear something of good news, a breakthrough, or even a clue.

All that was sent back was a letter stating no progress over the last 5 months had been made at all and to find patience in this trying time.

Charlie didn't take to well to hearing that at all of course as you can imagine.

After a shouting match with nopony in particular, he sat in his brooding chair for a good while in silence as he stared out the window with contempt for something, most likely everything. He sat there wringing that beloved hat of is absentmindedly for Celestia only knows how long, ignoring Spike's attempts to start a conversation or clear the air of his putrid hate.

I was there when he eventually looked down at his piece of apparel for a moment before somberly sighing and shaking his head. Without a word he simply donned it and went to bed at an early hour which wasn't out of the ordinary for this Human, it was actually a part of his schedule. The only thing he really kept track of mind you.

And… and then he never really came back out. Even now, he's lying on his bead alone just staring up at the ceiling like nopony's home. I've never seen him so… unanimated. Even his trademark anger is not present which is beyond worrying.

I tried a variety of things to get him out of there and to lift his spirits, but nothing's working. Not food, stories by the fireplace, a plethora of board games. I even attempted to leave obvious things that would annoy me out in the open, like bowls of peanuts he can throw at me or taking my daily nap out in the open completely defenseless to his pranks. But he didn't take any bait I laid out for him. In fact, I don't even know if he noticed them.

It's almost like he gave up… on everything… At least, that's what it looks like.

Poor Spike has been sitting in the hall waiting for him to come out and start acting normally again which I don't blame him. The dragon adores their little games, most at my own expense through pranks, and he really just wants to have his stallion friend again.

Which is why what I'm going to do is… Well, if the situation wasn't so serious, I wouldn't be doing it is all I'll say.

"Oh, I just wish she would get here already so I can get this over with…" I said glumly as I stared down at the floor.

"Get what over with exactly, Twilight?" A new familiar voice chimes in making me jump.

"P-Princess Celestia! I-I didn't hear you come in!" I trot over and bow like I always do, "I'm sorry about the inconvenience of coming all the way to Ponyville, but this just couldn't wait and this is something I wanted to do not over a letter."

She gives an understanding laugh and puts her hoof on my shoulder, "I know little one, and that's exactly why I had come as soon as I could. What you wrote to me was worrying."

Her horn lights up and two royal looking chairs appear facing each other and she beckons me to sit which I gladly do.

"Now, what seems to be the issue, my student? I sense an… unmistakable scent of hesitation in the air." She says with understanding.

"I'm…" I silently sigh as my ears lower because I know what I've got to ask.

"Twilight, you can tell me anything…" She gives me an assured smile to match her tone. "I know from the letter you wrote that this isn't something that you want to do. Am I correct?"

"Yeah… It's Charlie, Your Majesty. He's…" my mouth twists as I try to find the proper wording, "He needs to live somewhere else…"

She doesn't respond immediately as she intently gazes at me for an uncomfortable amount of time and finally, she heaves a sigh.

"Has he done something to upset you? I understand that he's quite the stinky onion to the others." She giggles that out and I join her halfheartedly.

"ha… N-no nothing like that… Truth be told I'm quite used to it by now, but…" I look towards the shut door and back to her. "But I don't think he's getting used to us, Celestia."

"What do you mean by that, Twilight?" She asks with a slight cock to her head.

"I think his longing for home has… broken his spirit. Your last letter upset him greatly."

"He hasn't hurt you, has he?" She asks with an edge of seriousness.

"He hasn't done anything, Celestia. He's sitting in his room like he wants to- That he doesn't want-" I suck in a breath as I don't have it in my to finish it.

The monarch nods her head solemnly like she knew what I was alluding to with eyes filled with dejection.

"And, what do I have to do with this may I ask. I've already explained there's not much I can do in the way of sending him home as you know. That task has become…" She pauses to think of her wording carefully, "a headache to say the least."

"You can't send him home, but you can do the next best thing." I say with determination.

Her quirked eyebrow tells me to elaborate.

"I've been… researching, Celestia. Researching and cross-examining other countries on the globe and what culture's they bring with them, more so on their attitudes rather than state desserts and cuisine. Like the Griffins for instance."

She smiles as she hears this, "Ah yes, the hearty autonomous Griffins and their hearts which are filled with a rare tenacity. I rather enjoy their presence on occasion despite their reputation for being a tad brutish. Really sobers my own mind when it comes to some of the inner workings of Equestria and how different we are."

"Yes, and that's what I had read. Their love for fighting and inebriation was the pinnacle of all my notes about them. Now, I can't get much out of Charlie about his world, but I can get a lot out of the way he acts around us, Celestia."

"And what pray tell are you implying?" She asks though I know it's more to get me to spill my walk around of wordplay.

I suck in a breath and release it to prepare myself, "I'm implying… that Charlie would fare better in Griffinstone than here in the library and that I ask that you can use some political know how to make that happen."

She blinks at me and ever so slightly her head turns, "This is… unprecedented. I thought in the letters you sent me that he was starting to get used to his living arrangement."

"And he was… until he wasn't." I look down at the floor to break eye contact. "I… can't take care him anymore, Celestia… and I'm not what he needs."

"Has he said so himself?" She raises after a moment.

"Not in so many words, but you've seen how he's been acting…" I speak truthfully.

She hums hearing this after a moment, "Hmmm and what does Spike think of this drastic measure? I'm sure he'd miss his dear friend, would he not? He has a say in this matter too, Twilight."

"He's…" I pause as I try to come up with something.

On one hoof, Spike would not in any way, shape, or form allow this to happen in any regard. He simply adores him too much to do, but that leads into the other hoof. He's still a foal… He doesn't truly understand that this goes above simply having a friend moving away.

This could possibly be life or death…

I feel my look grow resolute as I make eye contact with the monarch once more. "I've spoken with him and he agrees that Charlie has to be with ponies like himself. He hates us, Celestia, and it's only fair if we don't torture him any longer. I know that this is a lot to take in and a lot strings to pull, but I think everypony would benefit from this, especially Charlie."

She hums neutrally as I finish my assessment and she rubs her chin, "And you're certain that Spike is okay with this?"

"He'll be sad in losing a friend but as long as he's safe and that he's happy, he wouldn't mind at all." I say, all lies but it's for the greater good.

Celestia stares at me intently with a blank face as she ponders deeply over, no doubt, my request. Her head slowly turns towards the door out of my room and her eyes flick down to the floor as she hums softly once more. Eventually she turns her head fully back to me with that same blank stare that almost made me start chewing on my hooves in anticipation.

"Very well, Twilight, if this is what you wish then it shall be. I'll start tonight writing letters to officials in Griffinstone if they'd be willing to take in a visitor, but no promises. Their people are leaderless as I'm sure you already know and it will be difficult to begin correspondence over this matter."

"All I can do is ask, Princess, for Charlie's sake…" I say adamantly.

"Yes…" she rubs her chin as she fell deep into thought once more. "For Charlie's sake…"

She snaps out of it after a moment and looks up at me with a smile.

"Don't fret over this, my faithful student, I shall ensure that Charlie will be taken care of regardless of what may happen in the future." She stands and stretches her wings, "Now, I have much to do in planning as I'm sure you understand and that I must depart immediately."

"Of course, Celestia, if there's anything you need from me just let me know! I'll do my best!" I shout enthusiastically making her giggle.

"And your help I may need, more than you know…" She saunters over to the open window and takes off without another word leaving to stare off into the night sky, seeing her silhouette disappear amongst the clouds.

I sigh as yet again I'm left alone in my room with a heavy conscious hoping my decision was the right thing to do.

"…Only time can tell…" I muse to myself as I walk towards a cracked door that I could have sworn was shut tight a few moments ago.

Oh well, I might have just forgotten to close it…

"CHARLIE!" Spike screams out again knocking me out of my reflective trance.

I look around and notice that we're somewhere near the north end of town which was still without life at all as everypony was inside taking shelter from the storm. I look down the street and see the Library in the distance from the complete opposite way we had left which let me know we had gone in a complete circle with obviously no results.

"Spike, we've already looked in this part of town. He's not here." Flash says to him though I can tell it falls on deaf ears.

"W-well, what if he's w-walking around and n-not in one place?" He asks as he starts shivering even worse than he was earlier.

"Then he's okay and he's safe out in this mess…" I try my best to coo out as I watch the drake hug himself for warmth. "Something you're not going to be if we don't get you out of this weather."

His teeth chatters some more, but he doesn't answer me as his eyes flick all around us in search for his valued friend.

"The others are looking too, maybe they found him already." Flash says again after a moment and he turns to me, "We should head to the rendezvous location we all agreed upon, it's been almost 30 minutes already just about."

I nod my head in agreement and walk closer to the dragon, "Did you hear that, Spike? Maybe Applejack lassoed and hogtied him up like present just for you. I'm sure he's wrapped with a bow and everything."

He only replies with a tired huff and turns to us with a look of resignation letting us know we finally got through to him with heavy assistance from the cold wind knocking into him. We all turn and start making our way to the meeting spot without so much a word, though Spike was definitely lagging behind which led me to try to get him to saddle me however he vehemently refused even though he was practically falling apart at the seams.

Stubborn molds stubbornness I suppose…

We soon make it to the ruins of the snow covered Sugarcube corner without much hassle. Well, other than the rogue snow drifts scattered amongst the streets we had to weave around making the walk take much longer than it should have. We stopped on the side of the building and looked around, but it seemed like we were the first ones to come back from our search which is a little surprising. I thought for sure Rainbow would be hitting a paddle ball wearing a bored expression and then ask why it took us so long.

"Ugh! I knew it!" Spike yells out, "They didn't find him!"

"We don't know that until they show up, they had the farther search areas, so it'll take a moment." I say to him.

"Yeah, like you know everything…" He snorts out, still shaking like like a leaf.

I sigh as I know he's still incredibly sore from our argument earlier and with good reason. Instead of feeding into it, I just resort to remaining silent as to not rekindle a screaming match again. Flash and I descend into a conversation about locations he could be hiding at in a storm like this but it doesn't get us anywhere in the grand scheme of things. Not like we're in a position to just run off and check, not in this weather so we just sat there instead.

It wasn't until a couple of familiar voices that got closer did we actually get up to go see if one of our search parties were successful. Spike bounded over excitedly only to be crushed yet again when we spot Rainbow and Fluttershy standing alone as they spoke to one another.

"You're truly hopeless, you know that…" Rainbow says, "Flying should be like breathing for Cirrus' sake. How are you afraid of it to the point you faint?!"

"I-I just get locked up… I see the far… distant… terrible ground and everything starts to get blurry." The yellow pegasus mouses out.

"…You need, like, serious help, Fluttershy…" The brash mare insults as she rolls her eyes.

She turns to see us and she hops to her feet quickly and zooms over even quicker drifting as she stops to kick up as much ice as possible, covering us all with snow. Our silent glares are all we respond with.

"There's no sign of him on our end so don't even ask. Even with slowpoke here we still managed to beat Rarity and Applejack somehow."

"I did my best." Said mare says with narrowed eyes. "More than I can say for you, you barely helped when I was talking to other ponies."

Dash shrugs indifferently, "Eh, looked like you had it handled."

Fluttershy's lip curls, but she doesn't give a response to her and rather turned to me, "Well, she is right about one thing, nopony's seen him. And even further nopony was very helpful either… Something about the Mayor?"

Uh oh…

Rainbow surprisingly cuts in, "Ahhh, they're just a bunch of idiots if you ask me. Probably thought you were trying to sell them something." She looks at me with knowing eyes and a smirk, "Right, Twilight?"

"Uh…" is all I got out before another pair of familiar voices piped in from the distance.

"Well, that's the last time Ah go trekking through the woods with you…" A certain cowmare states as the noise comes from around the building getting closer.

"Dear, climbing trees is not what I consider part of a pleasant hike… Did you find what you were looking for up there?" Rarity says with some smugness as they turn the corner.

"Ah coulda sworn that growth up there looked like him…" Applejack muses as she scratches her head. "At least the others could have-" She pauses as she looks at us, monkey-less. "Or not…"

"Sorry, everypony, we didn't find him either." Rarity murmurs, "Unless you call another term for sore hooves Charlie…"

"Oh hush, exercise is good for ya…" Applejack says quietly.

They too eventually join us and we all look at each other silently knowing that our efforts were in vain. None of us knew that more than Spike who looked between us all like we were deranged. Or maybe it was foals…

"YOU'RE TELLING ME NOT A SINGLE ONE OF YOU FOUND HIM?!" He shrieks at the top of his lungs, "Were you all even looking!?"

Foals it is then…

"Spike, we looked everywhere! Ah don't know what you want from us." Applejack yells back. "We checked the entire perimeter of town and he's nowhere's to be found."

"Y-you obviously didn't c-check well enough!" He says as his shivering gets worse.

"Darling, you must calm down before-"

"Before I what?! Before I lose my mind!?" he shouts out as he points a finger at her, "Y-you all just d-don't g-get it!"

"Uh… Ponies?" Fluttershy says aloud but most of us ignore her.

"Don't get what, loser? Don't get that Charlie's an idiot who's insistent in becoming an ice cream sandwich right about now? Because I'm fairly certain that's pretty on the nose if you ask me." Rainbow retorts out.

"Rainbow, again, that's not helping," I chide and I turn to the drake. "Spike, I understand that he could be in trouble but there's nothing we can really do about it, not in this."

Fluttershy waves from the corner of the bakery, "Ponies, you should come over and look at thi-"

"H-he's g-going to d-die out here b-because I c-couldn't j-just k-keep my m-mouth shut!" The drake almost falls over from the cold at this point as he struggles to keep his eyes open.

I hear Rarity gasp and she immediately uses her magic to wrap her saddlecoat around him and she croons over him. "Spikey, maybe it's time to get you someplace warm… This weather isn't for somepony like you."

"A-and n-neither is it f-for, C-Charlie!" He shivers out as he ties the coat tighter around himself, "A-and… i-it's all m-my f-fault…"

Rainbow snickers as she takes off towards Fluttershy, "If you want to beat yourself over it, that's on you. I'm going back to the party so I can-Whoa! What the hay?!"

She stops dead in her tracks as she looks over at what Fluttershy had been trying to get out attention over causing the rest of us to quickly join them and gaze at whatever has captured their attention. When I turn the corner my mouth falls open in both awe and confusion.

In front of the Sugarcube Corner was a gigantic pile of what looked like trash, but not just any trash. Wood pieces of all shapes and forms laid cut and laying in a mound that was almost taller than most common cottages around town. As I get closer, I realize that it's mostly freshly cut pieces mixed together with older whole slabs mixed in. What's even stranger is that the pile appeared to not be covered in snow, at least the top of it at least.

Rainbow turns to the timid mare, "Why didn't you say anything? You were staring right at it!"

Fluttershy quietly huffs in frustration at this and only mutters words softly which was too silent for us to make out.

"Where did all of this come from?" Rarity asks as she pokes a small 2x4 with her hoof. "This isn't what Charlie did on Pinkie's day is it?"

"No, he hasn't been here in while…" I say unsure of what to make of this. "Pinkie's been… Pinkie's out doing something somewhere, so she hasn't been coming to get him. And besides that, I was here yesterday and it this was not here I assure you."

"Didn't any of ya check the bakery?" Applejack asks aloud as she too moves some pieces with her snout.

"Um… No, there's nopony here and it's falling apart. There was no point in checking." Fluttershy finally says once her small fuming had ended.

I slowly shake my head, "Well, if nopony's here, who did thi-"

The sound of something crashing onto the pile made all of our head's swivel towards it to see an empty bucket of quick drying universal paint bang down the side and roll slowly towards us, stopping at Rainbow's feet. This of course only added to our confusion when some more movement catches our eye as we spot another empty bucket thrown from the second story through an open window to the pile below by somepony inside.

Wait… open window?

There were no windows to open if I remember correctly… or there wasn't when we walked by yesterday, but as sure as day we all look up to see all the broken boarded up windows had been fully replaced and brand new. Actually, we all softly gasp as we take in the house, slowly stepping backwards to get the entire building in full view leaving most of us speechless.

The Sugarcube Corner, even though it was covered in snow, looked like it wasn't the battlefield between Celestia and a very angry Charlie all those weeks ago. In fact, I'd go as far to say it looked almost better than before.

The siding around the window were still unpainted and held its natural wood color which told us that it was just installed more than likely in the last 24 hours. The crude piece of plywood that was the entrance was now gone and a sturdy oak door that was similar to the old one painted that eye catching hot pink. The windows on the first floor were decorated with lit candles lighting them up like the lights we adorned on our tree back on the library.

"W-what?" I say aloud, even more confused.

"Yee haw! Seems like those crews the Princess promised the cakes came through!" Applejack cheers out with glee.

"I… huh, maybe…" I say still not sure what to make of this. "but that doesn't make sense…"

"Who else would it have been, Twilight?" Rarity asks as she does a 360 to see everything. "It didn't just build itself, so it had to be the Princess."

"She never came through on the compensation, Miss Rarity." Flash informs her, "If she had, I would have been the first to know."

"If it wasn't the Princess, then who?" I muse as I walk closer, eyeing all the new modifications, "And even if she did, who the hay could she have gotten to work through Hearth's Warming?"

"Well! What are we waiting for! We ain't getting any answers out here that's for sure!" An impatient Rainbow Dash cries out as she starts shoving us towards the door.

Soon enough we all stand on the platform on top of the front steps staring at this pristine sparkling door that might as well have come straight of the box. One of the two columns holding up the overhang on the gingerbread themed roof was replaced and unpainted as well. It looked pretty much the same as the one that sat here before however, this newer one had some small, but noticeable changes. One being along the perimeter were engravings or carvings of cupcakes, donuts, candy canes, and wrapped gumdrops that were pretty impressive if I don't mind saying.

On the other side of this new door, you could hear the distinct sound of a hammer banging away solidifying the notion that somepony was definitely inside and the culprit in this surprise construction site. We all just stand there waiting for something I guess to happen.

"Uh… Do we knock?" Fluttershy asks from behind us.

"Well, it seems like the proper thing to do I suppose…" I murmur.

"Oh, for the love of-just get out of my way!" Rainbow yells out as she turns the knob with her hooves pushing it open.

The door doesn't even creek as it swings inward and immediately the delectable feeling of warmth washes over us all as if it were teasing us.

Rainbow was the first to fly inside, too impatient to wait for everypony else of course. She was followed closely by Rarity who at this point was carrying a freezing Spike on her back, no doubt worried that he had been in the elements for far too long. He was still shaking even with the extra clothing he was given. Fluttershy was nudged inside by Applejack after the country mare saw the pegasus' apprehension on meeting this mystery crew however she knew better than to try and escape the cowmares herding capabilities.

This only left Flash and I to share another uncertain look just as we did so at the library before giving soft shrugs. It wasn't until a large collection of gasps inside that we finally gave in to our own curiosity which pushed us to follow the others.

When we fully enter and look around, we too also join in on the awe as we were expecting anything, but not this. Nothing could have prepared us for what we were gawking at with wide eyes and fly catching mouths for good reason. The once ruined and destroyed room where many holes, destroyed floors, dismantled counters, and just the textbook definition of bedlam was now in a state like such a cataclysmic event never even happened.

In fact, I'd even go as far to say it looked even better than before.

The walls were patched and painted over with the same iconic tan which mixed well with the dark natural wooden support beams intricately carved holes through them to show ponies dancing and wearing birthday hats along the edges and in the center held a huge birthday cake with lit candles. The flames of said candles was also cut through so light shining through them made it look as though it was lit. Another one on the opposite end of the room held the scene of ponies, that were unmistakably the Cake's themselves, as they rolled a giant pile of dough. The posts supporting these beams used to look like swirled to look like candy canes now resembled long pieces of red licorice.

The ruined and wrecked counters were either put back together or they were simply rebuilt. The latter is seemingly the right observation as I gazed at them some more, the newly carved patterns of gumdrops and lollipop dotted around surely made it easy to deduce. Just like the originals though, there were sliding glass doors that protected some small racks for donuts and other sweets no doubt. On top of this counter was the same old beat and dinged register that I knew well, however, I can tell some love and care went into it as it was wiped clean and had a mirror shine despite the damages.

Another area for sweets was behind the counter and by the stars was it hard to miss. There were enough hard wood shelves to fill, well, a bakery! Each one more unique than the last holding different patterns of checkers to swirls, not to mention they were perfectly spaced to get the most use out of them. The tables, cupboards, chairs, and bookshelves all were replaced as well. All of them fitting the ever-growing theme of this fun shack.

Along the perimeter of all the walls is what looked like small murals that were not only pleasant on the eyes but brought with them a sense of safety that only your childhood home could emit. The murals held foals playing jump rope, singing songs, and of course eating sweets and ice cream. The largest mural was of Mr. and Mrs. Cake embracing one another as they looked fondly over at a pair of foals that resembled their twins Pumpkin and Pound who were playing in icing.

As I gazed at them, I couldn't help but get a sense of deja vu… Like I've seen them somewhere before…

"W-wha… how-but…" Is all that exits my mouth as we all look back and forth taking it all in.

"You took the words right out of my mouth, Miss Twilight…" Flash says as he's equally as enthralled with the new decorum as I am.

"This is simply amazin'! Ah've never seen such craftsponyship in my life! This'd put Uncle Apple Wood's works to shame fer sure!" Applejack yells out as she stares wide eyed up at the ceiling that held painted clouds with small smiling pegasi heads peering over.

"This is beyond amazing, Darling… This is Art! You'd have to go to a curator in Canterlot to see such exemplary works!" Rarity squeals as she stares at a smaller mural which depicted Ponyville with the bakery sparkling in amazing detail as the centerpiece.

"I… I never seen so much detail in wood carvings before… Just look at that squirrel holding those mints! I can see their whiskers plain as day!" Fluttershy says aloud as she looks at a table with even more unique carvings of other critters.

"A-and don't even g-get me started on this f-fireplace!" the stuttering Spike sounds off to us all as his tiny feet patter over to the lit fire that was held inside. "Ahhhhh that feels s-so good!"

"Yeah… It's all great… Maybe even too great…" Rainbow says in a suspicious kind of way as she looks around.

We all just take in the new room one hoonch at a time, savoring every detail of our beloved bakery however… That doesn't mean were alone in our gazing which was known quite quickly when one made their presence known with an outraged shout that was let loose behind us.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!" A stallion cries out.

Our heads swivel towards the main door to see another group of ponies who held the same amount of surprised as us. Filthy Rich was the one who had just screamed his head off as he looks positively enraged over something that might involve us very shortly. The Mayor was also with him, standing by his side with her mouth agape as she looked around the room, not overjoyed but not upset either. More of a neutral indifference it seemed though you can't hide that look of awe as she saw the same miracle we did.

The two, and most important, other newcomers were the ones who had all of my attention as it was the Cake's themselves. Mr. and Mrs. Cake were glued to each other as they slowly walked further inside with faces that just screamed caution, like what they were seeing was just an illusion and they didn't want to fall prey to it.

"H-honeybun?" Mr. Cake asks to his partner.

"Y-yes, sugums?" Mrs. Cake answers.

"Are you seeing the same thing I am or am I hallucinating?" He says in almost a stupor.

"Oh, I see it too, dear, and I'm too afraid to blink…" She says and the two share a look.

"Again! I ask you all what is the meaning of this! Don't you know this is a restricted area!" Flithy shouts but is disregarded entirely as the Cakes have the room.

It wasn't until they got to the center of the room slowly taking it all in until their lips started to curl upwards, and their eyes flicked around more enthusiastically as they finally seemed to believe that their remodeled bakery was in fact real. The two turn to me with almost tears of joy in their eyes.

"Twilight, was this you?" Mr. Cake asks and looks at everypony else, "Did all of you do this?"

"Us? No, we just got here! We've been out looking for-" I stop as I don't feel like mentioning you know who to the bakers. "Well, that's not really important. Anyways, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in Canterlot celebrating with the twins?"

"Oh, we were, but we had to come down to… finish the deal with Mr. Rich for the Sugarcube Corner. This was supposed to happen tomorrow, but he was adamant about it being done today instead despite the Mayor's orders…" Mrs. Cake says and bites her lip as she looks over at Flithy who's redder than one of Applejack's apples.

"Sellin'? You were gonna sell the place?!" Applejack cries out. "Ah thought all of this was yer doin'!"

"N-no this is complete surprise!" Mr. Cake shouts and drops his head in shame, "The Princess never answered any of our requests to continue rebuilding and we were running out of money and… desperate. We agreed to sell when we couldn't afford to hold onto it any longer and it was our only asset left."

"Now wait a darn second!" Rainbow shouts out as she zips closer to the couple, "If this wasn't you… and it sure as rain wasn't us… who could have possibly done all of this in a single night and why?! It doesn't make any sense! I mean who would be crazy enough to stay up all through Hearth's Warming eve to-"

"~OOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHH!~"

The long held note of a pony singing in the doorway to the kitchen emerges and we all swing around to see Pinkie Pie standing there with a hardhat placed crooked on her head and more dust sprinkled on her than the deserts of Appaloosa. She dances jovially towards us like she was the conductor of the Conga train as she continues her song.

"~For he's a jolly good fellow, For he's a jolly good fellow, For he's a jolly good fellooooooooow!~"

She sings out and as she reaches us the party mare grabs onto Filthy Rich and spins him around like a top, making crash over a chair with his eyes spinning around disoriented from the fall.

Pinkie strikes a pose at us, "~Which nopony can deny! Which nopony can deny! Which nopony can deeeeeeenyyyyyyyy!~"

If it was even possible, we were all even more speechless than before. How the hay could a single mare do all of this all by her lonesome! I mean, I know it's Pinkie Pie, but even she has limitations!

"Pinkie Pie!?" We all yell out in a shocked tone in tandem.

"Yeppers, that's ma name, don't wear it out, busters, cause I don't want a new one!" She says with her tongue poking out while she adjusts her hard hat.

"W-what are doing here?" I ask incredulously as if I didn't know already, I'm just in denial and need to hear it from the source of insanity herself.

"Mr. and Mrs. Cake told me that a big meany was taking the store away without much of a choice, so with a little sprinkle of nails here and tubes of glue there, I took matters into my own hooves~" she sings out once more.

"S-she's right!" Mr. Cake exclaims as he embraces his partner with joy, "We don't have to sell now! We've been saved!"

Before any of us could dump an ocean worth of questions onto her like a tsunami, Flithy Rich had regained some of his composure after his tumble and gave the Pink mare a nasty glare.

"You think… some new cabinets… and filled holes is going to stop this deal?!" He shouts out as he walks closer with a small limp. "You are even more crazy than I had first assumed if you think that's the case!"

She crosses her hooves and returns the glare, "They don't got a reason to sell it to you now, stinky flank. It's all fixer-upper-ed so you can go suck on some eggs!"

"This property is MINE and I have a document stating the terms of the deal that we have agreed upon, Mr. Cake! All you've done is just give me a building that I won't have to spend money on to rebuild making this deal even cheaper for myself!" He waves a small contract around, "We have an arrangement and you can't break it!" Filthy shouts at the couple, ignoring Pinkie's comments. "It's the law!"

"Well, actually from a technical standpoint it isn't…quite the opposite in fact." the voice of Spike pipes in from the lit fireplace making us all turn.

"What in the blazes are you talking about!" He points at the part of contract that has their signatures. "They signed right here! See!"

"Is it the deed though? Signed and stamped by the mayor of Ponyville?" Spike asks again as he blows his nose with a tissue.

"W-what- is it the- Why does that matter!" He shouts as he stares at the piece of paper. "This is a binding contract of the transaction!"

Spike stands up and clears his throat, "In accordance with Ponyville municipal law 16-c of the tenure to real estate; a property shall and will be in the name of the recipient/owner up until signature of the deed is confirmed by an official of the city, therefore any and all verbal/written contracts before such an event are void should the bill of sale be rescinded. The law was ratified after the legal backlash from the Turnip Leaf v. Brown Russet case to prevent future complications for transactions of property."

We all silently look at him as he wrapped his cloak closer and sniffled like he didn't just read some obscure law from memory.

"What? Don't look at me like that. I live a library for goodness' sake, give me some credit…" he says as he gets back to soaking in the fire.

Filthy laughs out loud heartily though it sounded very negative, "That sounds like a complete pile of rubbish if you ask me! Like you just made it up!" He turns to the Mayor who's deep in thought, "Tell him that's nothing but nonsense so that I can go about my holiday in peace with the best lot in Ponyville in my pocket."

The Mayor surprisingly doesn't say anything at first which is beyond surprising as you already know her stance against the lot of us. She Slowly looks at us and then to the refurbished bakery before she heaves a silent sigh, a sign that the rich stallion knew was going to be bad news for him.

"Don't you dare say it…" He whispers in horror as the Mayor stares at him.

"Filthy, as much as I hate to say this, I'm afraid the law Spike is speaking of does in fact exist… I know this because I passed it myself after the blood feud between the Turnips and the Russets almost destroyed the agricultural economy."

"Oh, don't remind me about those two, idjits." Applejack murmurs, "Ah was a foal when it was full on vegetable warfare between the two of em. We still plow cement potatoes from the ground on occasion…"

"Yes, the dreaded spud barrage of '74… and that event is exactly why I passed it and why as of right now…" She turns to the Cake's who were holding each other's hooves in anticipation, "You all still have full ownership of the bakery should you not want to sell. This is the law, and the law shall be honored as it is written. I as mayor of Ponyville will make sure it is followed. Now I must ask the both of you, are you rescinding the bill of sale?"

The married couple look at each other once more with smiles, nods, and hugged one another before turning back to the Mayor brightly.

"We choose NOT to sell!" Mr. Cake announces proudly.

"YIPPPEEEEEEEEEE! IT WORKED! I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT WORKED!" Pinkie Pie cries out as she practically tackles the couple with elation. "WE HAVE SO MANY CUPCAKES TO MAKE UP FOR!"

"B-but-he-we had…" Filthy stutters out like he was the one walking through the cold. "Mayor Mare, surely there's something we can do about this little mix-up. I can't just walk away, not with how much time I had sunk into planning the Barnyard Bargain 2…"

"Filthy, you should know that my time has also been wasted this morning too. I am simply doing my job in upholding the law…" The mayor clears her throat as Filthy's head lowers in disappointment, "This meeting is adjourned…"

After a moment the businesspony composes himself as he straightens his tie and fixes his hair. "...Very well, I'll… give up on this venture then. Perhaps, the projected revenue would not have made up for the loss in construction fees." He mumbles before he turns to the Cake's with distaste, "As for you two… should you change your mind and do decide to sell, you have my card."

"That's right, take your dirty money someplace else!" Pinkie Pie cries out as she shadow boxes, pulling boxing gloves out of nowhere.

He starts walking out of the bakery with a sullen expression at the party mare's jab, but not before all of us notice the 'Kick me if I'm Rich' sign taped to his back causing us to look at Pinkie as she is dying of laughter. The rest of us join her as we all missed her antics these last few months and it definitely was a well refresher of the party pony's behavior that's for sure. Our round of laughter was soon cut a little short from the Mayor gesturing for silence.

"Now that this meeting has been concluded, I shall take my leave." She looks at us with almost distaste. "Have a… merry Hearth's Warming everypony, and to all a good night."

The others who are unaware of her intentions against us wish her a merry one as well and she turns to follow the entrepreneur to go about her day. However, before she leaves the brand-new bakery, the mayor stops by Flash Sentry who had been standing at the door uncharacteristically silent and at attention.

"Don't forget what we discussed this morning, Lieutenant…" She warns with a look that screamed retribution.

The guards mouth twisted and his eye twitches although it was barely noticeable before his helmeted head turns to us and nods without a word. The mayor, seemingly pleased by this answer, walks out the front door into the white flurry of wind that has struck the town.

What? Flash had a meeting with the Mayor this morning? Was that why he was late to the party?

Before I could interrogate the guard thoroughly and with diligence to just see what else the Mayor was up too, some giggles and laughing could be heard behind me. I looked over to see the Cake's nuzzling and caressing the party pony with love and affection for her deeds.

"We owe you everything, Pinkie Pie," Mrs. Cake says aloud, almost crying with joy. "You've saved us and our home!"

"She's right, we never thought in a thousand years we'd ever see this place back up and running again, not after all of that damage." Mr. Cake almost shouts with joy before he lets go and looks at her, "How on Equestria did you manage?"

"With more party streamers than you can imagine!" She giggles out with Mrs. Cake still embracing her, "Though, it was actually pretty easy for the most part."

"Is this what you've been up to all these weeks?" Applejack asks as we all get closer, "We all thought you were doin' one of those games of yers again. You know, the annual hide n' seek championship you tried to do last year."

"Well, technically it was a game at one point, least to me." She ponders and she places a beat up fedora on her head while making her voice sound more serious, "Detective Pie leaves no stone unturned."

"Yeah, this must have taken you almost all month to complete if not more." Fluttershy says softly with a smile. "I mean, the windows alone must have been at least a week's worth of work."

"Actually, that was done in about an hour believe it or not!" She gleams though nopony really picks up on that first part except for me.

"And don't even get me started on the detail here, Darling, since when were you so gifted in the art of painting and woodwork?" Rarity asks cutting the mare off as she stares at the one of murals once more. "I can practically count the strands of hair in the fur of those ponies running around."

If finally had enough time to process everything that just happened in a very short amount of time to allow me to join the conversation with clarity.

"Now that she mentions it… I don't believe I've ever seen you paint more than the cakes you decorate, Pinkie. When did you even start?"

"We technically started last night though this has been in the works for weeks." She states as she taps her chin.

"We?" I repeat with a quirked brow. "There's somepony else here?"

She answers me with a boisterous bout of laughter, falling to the floor with her legs kicking about as she loses herself.

I look around at the others confused at her response, "Was it something I said?"

"You don't really think I did this all by myself did you?!" Pinkie Pie says aloud in between her laughing.

"W-what?" I ask still not really understanding as I look down at her, "Where did you get the money to hire a construction crew?"

Her laughter grows a little stronger as she hears my words like that wasn't what she had done.

"You… did hire a crew right? I don't see how else you could have done this." I say again.

"Hehehehehehe in a waaaaaaaay! " She sings out as we all grow more confused.

"Pinkie what are you-"

"C'mon! This way, everypony, I'll show you the real work horse behind this party!" She bounds up like lightning and hops towards the kitchen until the mad mare was gone from sight.

We all look at each other warily as it seems that there were more unseen surprises dwelt inside this apparent miracle construction zone. We all follow her, albeit at a slow pace as we can only imagine 16-pound confetti cannons pointed directly at us to fire point blank knowing her.

It wasn't until we got to the hallway on the way to this kitchen we heard something… Odd. Odd enough for us to pause with cocked heads and perked ears. The odd being somepony singing in the room that was our destination. Now I'm sure I know what you're thinking. Pinkie is in the middle of one of her spontaneous and infamous dance and song numbers however… that's just not the case as it's a stallions voice we here. A stallion who sounded very familiar.

It couldn't have been who I thought it was though… It's just not possible in any sense and broke all the laws of nature, matter, physics, and chemistry or whatever others that I simply am drawing a blank on at the moment.

I could swear that the singing belonged to-

"Charlie…?" Spike says with a stuffy nose.

He pushes passed us to the opening to the kitchen and gasps loudly followed by eyes as wide as dinner plates. We quickly matched his pace and soon enough we were all staring inside, mimicking the baby drakes reaction as it was kind of a doozy…

Where's Pinkie's warning about one coming when you need it?

We all stand there in stunned silence as we gaze upon the scene and I mean stunned. The kitchen was beyond a mess, but not for the reason you may think. It wasn't trashed as the main floor had been in the aftermath of the rampage as rather it was in a likeness of, what do you know, a construction zone.

The floor was littered with pieces of cut wood form little itty bitty pieces that some resembles some of those cutout carvings we saw earlier to larger pieces of unused 2x4s that were very similar to that pile we'd seen outside. The counter was covered with a tarp or some kind of large covering that held an exuberant number of tools of all varying sizes and shapes. Most of which, I'd never even seen before though anything more than a hammer is going to go almost completely over my head as I'm not really technically inclined about them.

Speaking of tools… A dirty, sawdust covered, beaten and blistered hairless hand picks up what looked like said hammer with a small chisel and twirls them around with skill. After looking at the motion for a moment, my eyes gaze upwards as whatever denial I had left was extinguished seeing their owners. The hand in question belongs to the missing stallion we spent all morning searching for.

Well, Spike… looks like we found Charlie alright…

The human looked like somepony entirely as he stood there with his side facing us as it seemed like he didn't even know we were there just yet.

His mane had reached even higher heights of dishevelment as it was almost standing completely up by a mixture of dried paint and grime that has accumulated seemingly over a single night. It certainly didn't look like this the last time I'd seen him that's for sure. His new yellow shirt that he couldn't have owned more than a couple of weeks had somehow evolved into one that looked like he'd been wearing for years with cuts, tears, and splotches of paints of an entire rainbow hiding its true color. The rest of his clothes fared no better with same splotches and tears, but it seemed he didn't mind at all. On his hip was a tool belt filled to the brim with anything you could think of as the names of most of them is lost on me entirely.

After taking a sip of something out of a jug, the human poked at the chisel to check if the edge was indeed sharp enough and gave a laugh as he walked back to what looked like some legs for a dining table with an unfinished pattern. It looked as though they were pedals to a flower or something of the like however the pattern only came halfway through the leg.

Charlie got started right away where it seems he had left off and started pecking away at small chunks of wood with precision and continued his tune that he'd been singing since we'd enter the room. His words were heavily slurred and his singing voice wasn't great but tolerable to say the least considering I'd never heard a single note out of him before. It sounded… rustic or something a sailor would have sung with his sea-bound crew.

The man used the rhythm of his foreign tune to match his pace for the work.

"~I remember the day that bear O'Shea fell down into some concrete stairs,

What the horseface boss said when he saw him dead, well, it wasn't what the rich call prayers!

'I'm one navvy short' was his one retort that reached unto my ears!

'When the going is rough, well you must be tough' with McAlpine's fusiliers!~"

As he sung his song, Pinkie Pie had bounced right up almost practically in his lap making him screw up his last little whack at the chisel. He looked down at her with his trademarked contempt for the party mare. At least there's one thing left in this alternate universe I've stumbled into that I can recognize from this whole thing.

"You almost done there, wood whisperer?" She gleamed at him as she blew dust off the leg. "You've been at this for a little longer than usual."

He holds an offended look and points at her, "I'll have you know… hiccup that if anyone here is a wood whisperer it's you, whore. J-j-just rolling the wood planks down all damn day if you know what I mean." he giggles out with the same slurred tone.

When Pinkie's only answer was a deadpan stare, he just sighs as he pokes the leg softly with his hammer and pulls a pencil pit of his belt to redraw some kind of line.

"This here is what they're g-gonna be eating off of every night for God knows only how long after they move back in. It's the least I can do is make sure it's, you know, something good to eat off of, retard." When he's done his line, he looks at her with half lidded eyes. "Did you go get that thing… uh… the um… Shit, I'm feeling really dizzy. The thing?! You know!? The reason why you've been gone for 20 f-fuckin' minutes!"

"Oh, yeah I kind of forgot about it!" She laughs out and the human turns at her with distaste. "Don't look at me like that, we had company~"

"You had what…?" He says confused as he turns to us, and a glare forms. "Fuckin' finally they're here! Been waiting all night for this!" He screams making some of us jump.

I take a couple steps closer as he walks toward us, "Charlie, what are you-"

His dirty finger slams into my lips and he shushes me."Shhh I'll d-deal with you in a minute, miss egg noodle! I got… snirk bigger horses to eat right now."

He throws his tools onto his makeshift workstation and walks over, almost tripping and had to catch himself on a shelf, to grab an easel paired with a stool that was facing away from us. He lifted and saunter over and set it down in front of us before he jogged over to one of those paint buckets that we'd seen was thrown out of a window earlier today. Before we know it, he sits down with paint and brush in hoof before he tilts over the side of the easel and points in a threatening manner towards the Cake's.

"You two! Move little closer!" He shouted making them both jump again.

They looked scared out of their minds as he pointed at them, and they didn't move a muscle.

"Oh, Christ on a fuckin' pogo stick! J-j-just c'mere for a sec!" he shouts once more and as the Cake's continuing to freeze, he simply sighs. "I was joking about the eating thing, you know…"

Surprisingly the two move a little bit and stand there completely still not really knowing what they were doing or if they were even really safe.

He points at Mr. Cake, "Move your head a litttttlllleeee to the right." He does as he's told, "Good! You can listen! Unlike this hot pink ball of autism over here. S-s-she's been driving me fuckin' nuts all goddamn night!"

"I may be hot pink…" The party mare starts but she doesn't finish her sentence as if she forgot what she was doing.

"Oh, my God you're so fuckin' stupid…" He shakes his head as he takes another sip and points at the couple once more, "Alright and you put your chin up! Higher! I-I said higher!" He yells at Mrs. Cake and she also follows rank and line. "Great! Now don't. Move. A. Fuckin'. Muscle. And that goes to all of ya's!"

Charlie looks at them for a moment and sticks his thumb out while closing a single eye as it flicks back and forth between the oval picture frame and the Cakes before nodding. He dips his brush in the paint and holds up the clear coat until the color matches Carrot Cake's deep orange mane. When he seems pleased with the color, he dabs at the canvas with his tongue sticking out.

"What do we do, sugums?" Mrs. Cake asks her partner quietly.

"M-maybe if we don't move, he'll just leave us alone…" He whimpers back.

"Ah ah ah! No talking! Yer fuckin' up my scene!" He shouts and the two imitate stone statues once more.

After a second of his apparent painting, he starts to whistle, then to hum, before finally he starts fully singing once more with a dastardly smile. We all watch in harrowing uncertainty as he worked and sang like somepony had replaced him entirely with another being.

"~I've worked till the sweat and had me a bet with a Russian, Czech and Pole

On shuddering jams up in the hydro dams or underneath the Thames in a hole!

I grafted hard and I've got me cards and many a ganger's fist across me ears!

If you pride your life, don't join by Christ with McAlpine's fusiliers!~"

When he seems to finish his song, he stands up with a hoot, setting the paintbrush and bucket to the side and spins the easel around with anticipation to show his apparent customers his newly made work, who just blinked with surprise. In fact, we all do as we see just what he'd been up to for a portion of his bizarre night.

It was a portrait of a couple, the Cake's to be precise, in a wedding gown and suit with excruciating detail. Even though it was paint it was as lifelike as you and me to the point you could count the singular strands of yarn which sewed on his buttons for the tux. This of course, goes in line completely with those sketches I've seen from the stallion before though it seems painting is in his skill set as well surprisingly.

The bakers walked a little closer with confusion rather than fear as they get a better look at themselves on a canvas.

"It's… our wedding photo…" Mr. Cake says with a small smile.

"I thought we lost it in the wreckage." She murmurs as she fluffs her crimson mane like she was looking in a mirror instead of a painting.

"Oh, you certainly fuckin' did lose it as t-there was a Charlie fist sized hole through all the faces. I just redid it was all," Charlie says with a bit of pride before a scowl sets in. "And it literally took me almost as much time to fix this s-shithole as it did to find a fuckin' picture around here that showed your proper colors! Do you know how fuckin' annoying it is to paint color based off of memory?"

The two shake their heads no and as the seconds go by, their fear recedes as they look at him with a kind of inquisitive marvel as he touches up Mr. Cake's mane in the painting and we all see his diligent process in recreating their greatest day.

His mouth twists as he finishes up a shaggy portion of Carrot Cake's mane, "Well, it's like h-having late-stage syphilis so ya better like it cause I ain't doin' it again!" After one last slash of a brush, he smiles brightly, "There! All fuckin' done and over with… Finally…"

Pinkie hops by hops over and gives him an annoyed expression, "Well, if you'd have just listened to me when I said tangerine orange to begin with, you would have been done this hours ago, stinky head."

Charlie takes his brush and dabs wet orange paint onto her snout causing her to yelp as she tries desperately to rub it off.

"No, what you said was tangerine orange close to the end of the season while sitting out in the sun for an hour… How the fuck was I s-supposed to recreate that?!" He shouts as he stands up, "I'm not a fuckin' mind reader and for some Goddamn reason you don't know how to work this magic sparkle paint shit…"

"It's not my fault I think of so many exciting colors to choose from when I try to concentrate!" She shouts with a giggle, "Like how can I think of anything else except for the shades of dondarf and Razzmatazz?!"

"And that's why you're n-need shock therapy…" He murmurs as he sways off the stool.

He looked as though he was about to head back to his worktable, but halts as he notices all of our jaws resting on the floor and stares back confused as to what we were doing.

He puts his hands on his hips and scowls, "W-w-what're you cunts all lookin' at?" He bears his chompers, "I got somethin' in my teeth?"

"Charlie…" I say carefully as I try and collect myself from exploding into a million questions, "Did you do all of this? The bakery? The paintings? All those carvings? Everything?"

"Well, I-I-I certainly wasn't shitting in the woods now was I, point dexter. Yeah, I fuckin' did, thank you very much! Been here almost all n-night working my f-fingers to the bone and there's still a l-lot left to do. Now if you excuse me, I still have…" He stops as he puts his hands on his knees and bends down like he was going to vomit. "Oh man I don't feel so good…"

Just as I was about to assist him, he suddenly straightens himself and stumbles closer to me while wrapping his arm around my neck and he pokes my chest with another giggle.

"y-y-yer busy all the time right? Always doin' shit for all the other assholes w-without so much as a thank you? You ever s-stop to think why you do it? Is it p-pride or whatever?" he stutters out as most of his body weight leans into me. "Why d-d-don't you tell those c-burp-unts that yer worth more than that and that yer not a suck up… You don't need me to step on toes for you all the damn time, do ya?"

I open my mouth to say something, but he blocks it once more as he did before.

"Ah don't answer that… rhetoricals and all that." he mutters while he tilts that jug back some more to slosh some more drink into his mouth.

My hoof moves to cover my nose as he reeks with a scent that is both foreign and terrible which I simply could not place, but it was rancid.

"A-a-and what about the rest of ya's!" He shouts to nopony in particular as he lets go of me. "Y-y-you all just, what? Let the mayor walk over yer good names?! Thought better of you all than that! W-what kind of friends do you take y-yerselves for?"

"What on Equestria is he talking about?" Rainbow asks in a tone that sounded more aggravated rather than confused.

He points at the pegasus with a glare, "'cept you, t-t-turd, I already expected that from you… Yer just like one of those… Uh…" He slowly bangs his head with a sound akin to a coconut. "Snake thingy's! T-traitor!"

"What did you just say to me, you white cheeked baboon?!" The pegasus cries out and is held back by Applejack biting her tail.

"Y-y-you heard me, B-Benedict Arnold!" He shouts, "J-j-just lettin' yer friends get fucked up the ass… or whatever… and I k-know all about traitors believe me asshole! I should know since one, you know, got rid of me like I was pig stock at an apple-scrapple festival… y-y-you just care about yourself and nothing about… uh… I had a point here somewhere…"

He stops his rant to lift the chug once more, finishing it entirely and taps the bottom as he gulps it down with a wince and sets the bottle down onto the stool. He takes a single step and falls flat on his face with a groan. He flips over and stares at the ceiling with unfocused eyes while Flash, Spike and I trot quickly to his side with worry to see if he was okay from whatever ailment had taken over him.

Spike grabs a hold of one of his flailing arms with nothing but alarm, "It's that fever again! It has to be!" He starts to pull at his shirt to take it off, but is stopped by the guard, "What are you doing? He's overheating!"

Flashes lip pursed as he stared at the human, "I… don't think so…" he says as he gets closer to smell him. "I don't think fever's make even monkey's smell like that…"

Charlie must have heard the stallion and looked up at Flash with a smile, "Has anyone ever told you you look good in uniform?" He says with a giggle and it was barely coherent with how slurred it was. "If I were a m-mare, I'd be all over that like s-syrup on waffles… hehehe!"

"W-what?"

a weak finger presses onto his lips and shushes him, "Shhh we don't want your sheep friend to know, she's jelly like that…"

Flash's head snaps upwards and looks at me with manic eyes, "HE'S LOST HIS MIND!"

A certain cowmare hoots with some laughter causing us to look over to see her by the easel.

"No, Ah think his mind is fine and intact, Mr. Sentry… in fact, Ah'm sure it's better than fine right about now!" Applejack mutters as she taps the jug he'd put down a few seconds ago. "He's drunk!"

"What?!" We all scream together making the intoxicated Charlie wince a little

"What do you mean he's drunk?! How could that be!? Alcohol is illegal and unobtainable!" I scream back at her.

"Well, I could be just seein' things, but Ah'm pretty sure this is about as real as you and me, Twilight." Applejack says with a chuckle as she holds the bottle for me to see.

My eyes squint as I read the label aloud, "Appleloosa's Apple Crisp Reserve?"

"This here's ma cousin Braeburn's batch of hard apple cider that he was quite known fer. His was the most profitable booze in the country at one point so I'd know it if I seen it! At least it was until he had ta shut down his distillery all them years ago… I wonder how it got all the way over here or where he even got it from…"

A gasp from Mrs. Cake could be heard, "Carrot! I thought you got rid of that horrible wedding present your father gave us years ago! You told me you had taken care of it yourself!"

Mr. Cake rubs the back of his head as his partner scowls at him, "W-well, it seemed like an awful amount to just chuck in the garbage so I… uh might have stuck it in the floor? For safekeeping? hehe"

"Ooooooooooooooh!" Pinkie Pie says aloud, "So that's what he's been drinking! I thought it was Charlie fuel with the way he was chugging it!" She points over to a cluster of jugs, some of which were completely empty. "See? He just finished his third bottle!"

"Well, your pa and Charlie certainly got a good sense of taste… Those Appleloosa fellers sure know how to make a drink." Applejack says as she reaches the crate.

She takes one of the full ones out with a sip and almost spits it out as her face scrunches in pain while looking at the bottle like it were cursed.

"Goodness gracious! It's stronger than a bull trainin' fer an arm wrestlin' match in ruttin' season!" She hoots as she fixes her hat. She turns to Pinkie, "You said he's drank three of these?! By himself?!"

"Well, yeah I didn't drink any of that yucky stuff…" The pink mare blanches as she thinks about it, "I wouldn't even call it a drink, but he seems to like it."

"B-b-batter up…" Charlie mumbles making us all look towards him, "three balls, one out… My two balls in your mouth hahaha…"

"… He liked it a lot…" She says softly as we all get closer to the human, "You should have seen his face when I brought it out to him. He lit up like a Hearth's Warming tree and said he could kiss my cat which is weird cause I don't got no cat to kiss."

Spike puts his hand on Charlie's forehead, "Is… Is he gonna be alright? Like is that poison or something?"

Rainbow snorts as he gets closer, "I wish it was poison, scales… he's just more stupid than usual is what all of that means." She pauses to laugh as she stares at his hands bounce around to a song that isn't there, "If that's even possible for this dimwit!"

"Dimmy wimmy spimmy gimme…" The human giggles out some more in complete nonsense.

"We should totally write something on his forehead or shave off his mane! His face would be priceless!" Rainbow laughs out as she looks around the room for something to assist her in this.

Charlie lifts is many digit-ed hoof gaining the quick ponies attention and she watches it slowly move towards her. A finger outstretches and before she could do anything it pokes her snout softly and Charlie blinks in delay.

"Boop."

Rainbow recoils immediately while her nose wrinkles with disgust and she mutters under her breath about that traitor comment making some of us giggle at the antics as the situation had seemed to calm itself.

"So… he's fine then?" Spike asks for one of us to answer.

"Well, he's gonna have one mighty headache tomorrow, but considering how he drinks it like water, I'd say he'll be right as rain in about a day." Applejack says with amusement plastered all over her face.

The dragon still looked at him like he wasn't convinced of his health when the drunk started humming a new tune with a burp every now and then.

"She's right, Spike, there's nothing to really worry about." I say in a comforting way. "He's just having a good time like he's been whining about since he got here is all."

"…If you say so…" The dragon says aloud as he sniffles.

I breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the dragon's nerves had finally been settled over the human and we could all finally go back to celebrating the holidays in peace and with a smile.

"I can't believe we have our bakery back, honeybun! After all of that hardship in the hotel we have our business again!" Mr. Cake shouts with joy.

"More importantly we have our home back, sugums." His partner softly says and she nuzzles him, "We can start baking again just like we used to! We simply must have a re-grand opening to let the town know we've reopened!"

Speaking of celebrating…

"Um, excuse me Mr. and Mrs. Cake?" I ask and the two lovers and they turn to me with small smiles, "You're more than welcome to join us at the Library for Hearth's Warming if you want. I know Canterlot is out of the way and you'd be stuck traveling for the day if you left now."

Mr. Cake shakes his head, "We unfortunately can't stay for too long as we left the Twins with a sitter back in the city."

"But the thought is appreciated for sure!" Mrs. Cake quickly adds. "You've done enough for us already as it is, and we simply take any more charity."

"…What did I do?" I ask confused.

"Well, you got the monster to… you know…" She mouses out and I'm left to stare at her even more perplexed.

"Know what? I'm not sure what you're trying to say here." I softly say as I look between them.

"He'd never have done this without some kind of forceful order from you or the Princess, he already made that apparent himself..." Mr. Cake elaborates though he can see the look on my face didn't collaborate with his story. "You did make him do this, right?"

"Um… No, actually. He went missing yesterday and we've been looking for him." They look at each other confused and back to me. "We had no idea he was here at all."

"That's cause the big meany cake did it all on his own!" Pinkie announces making us all snap our heads over to her. "We were stuck here for the Blizzard, and he got right to work with as much speed as Rainbow over that ahaha! Guess there's a heart underneath all the smelly gunk after all!"

"F-f-fuck you, B-Brad…" The human slurs as he's on the edge of being unconscious. "I-I ain't doin' that…"

"Silly, Charlie! How many times do I have to tell you!? My names Pinkie Pie!" She gleams as she looks over at him, "Tell this Brad pony to stop stealing my identity!"

The Cake's looked at each other in silence once more as a sort of confliction grows within them but they kept it to themselves as they watched the drunken man gurgle out some more nonsense. Mrs. Cake whispers in his ear for something and the stallion didn't look too pleased about and sighs when he turns to me.

"Twilight… Um…" Mr. Cake says like he wanted to ask me something he didn't want to, "I know a lot was already done and we have no right to ask for anymore, but this place is pretty far from complete… Do you think we can… borrow him again tomorrow? Or whenever he's feeling better so he can finish?"

"Of course, but I'm going to warn you he's still going to be Charlie…" I say with a tired laugh. "Not to mention whenever I ask him to do anything he naturally takes the path of most resistance so no promises."

"Well, how about you give him the rest of the liquor as payment?" Mrs. Cake says as he looks at the bottles. "He seemed to really like it and got his… terribleness in check if that's even possible."

I shake my head at the notion of breaking the law, "Oh, I don't know if that's such a good-"

"Yer gots yourself a dealio, Pillsbury! I'll be back! Huh, I'm l-like the terminator over here! J-J-John Connor…" A slurred Charlie shouts up from the floor and his head slaps the floor with the sound of snores coming soon after.

Looking at one of the empty bottle, I sigh and nod to the Cake's who simply gleamed however I still can't shake the idea that this is going to lead somewhere I'm really not going to like.

Soon enough, after some more gawking at what the Human had been doing at the bakery, we all decided to finally take our leave and to return to our party. The Cake's embraced their assistant baker with love and asked her if she'd accompany them to Canterlot to help moving. She agreed with haste of course. They all announced they'd return the next day with the twins in tow so they all could get resettled in their homes once more. With that, they took off rather quickly and excitedly from their new/old home as they talked in great detail what to bake first when they returned.

This left the lot of us to look down at the snoring Charlie and draw straws to see who'd be tasked with bringing him home. Rainbow and I lost so it was up to us, though it took a little more convincing to get the other mare to actually do it. Before we knew it, we were halfway to the library with Charlie behind us laying on a makeshift sled mumbling silently. Rarity and Fluttershy had took off ahead to see if the little ones and Granny were still in one piece in our absence as we had all kind of left poor Big Mac in charge of them since we went searching.

"It's a good thing he hasn't been eating or else this would have been a lot harder than it is." I say aloud as my hooves march through the snow pretty effortlessly.

"Well, maybe if Spike ate less then it'd be even easier!" Rainbow shouts as she looks back to see the drake sitting next to the human. "You hear me? Go on a diet!"

The dragon doesn't answer as all of his attention was on the human who was bundled up in that dirty quilt he's been dragging around.

I hear Applejack laugh as she looks to the jugs sitting in her saddlebags, "Ah can't believe this stuff was just sittin' underneath our noses…" She muses as she walks to our side, "and Ah also can't believe how much of a swimmer Charlie is. Three jugs of Apple Crisp Reserve… Unbelievable. I'm surprised his liver is even functionin'"

"And to think if we'd just given him some to begin with, he'd be a lot more inclined to listen to us." Flash says smugly as he shakes a bottle resting in his.

"That's not what Ah…" Applejack started to say and then an eyebrow quirks as she looks down at the jug, "Well, now that you mention it, that's a pretty good idea. Hmmmm…"

"This is the only time we're letting this happen," I say adamantly. "What we're doing is very illegal and I can only imagine what will happen if the Princess finds out!"

"As long as it gets Charlie to calm down, I don't really care what law we break…" He mutters as he walks around a snow drift.

"You're a lieutenant of the Guard!" I say back, "How can you say that?!"

"Then in that case, you're all under arrest…" Flash says playfully with some rolled eyes causing some of the others to chuckle.

My smile doesn't ever form as I feel like the butt end of the joke for that one.

"Oh, C'mon, Twi, ease up a little. It's not exactly fair to Charlie if it was legal and easy to get back home. Let him have his fun for once and just think its fer a good cause too!" Applejack chuckles out. "'sides it's a dumb law anyways… put a lot of Apple's out of a good line of work is all it did."

The rest of the trip was pretty uneventful and soon enough we all reached the door to the library and with help from a begrudging Rainbow, we managed to pull him inside to see quite an amusing sight. Big Mac was sitting by the tree absolutely miserable as he was caked in makeup that looked terrible with the three Crusaders holding brushes of blush and other eyelash curlers.

"They thought it would help get their cutie mark…" I what he said with disdain for his existence when Applejack and Spike were left dying from laughing.

"And maybe if you held still, we'd've gotten it by now!" Apple Bloom cheers out. "You keep makin' us smear it every time you wiggle!"

"Well, it's not all your fault, Mac, Apple Bloom just thinks that shade isn't right on him." Sweetie Belle says.

"Whatchu mean?! It matches his eyes! See!" The cowfilly barks back.

"I'm just not convinced." she states as I sense a growing tension between them.

As I was about to listen in to the argument that was about to break out between all poor souls involved, Rainbow nudges me with a sneer to get a move on so we left the poor stallion to his fate as we ascended the steps with the human in tow. We both looped his arms around our necks as each step was passed with no help from him at all as he was literal dead weight as we struggled horribly.

Eventually we burst into his messy room and practically launch him into his unmade bed with exerted gasps for air. He simply bounces on the mattress a little and gives a small groan.

"Next time, Fluttershy and Rarity can handle this… See how they like getting Charlie germs on them." Rainbow mutters as she tries wiping off the slobber when he had leaned on her halfway up the stairwell.

"Well, at least we got him here in the end…" I say as I watch the human roll over onto his back. "Thanks for all the help, Dash, I really appreciate it."

"Hmmhmm… Sure. Just don't expect me to be so charitable the next time my straw was the shortest. Can't even walk up a flight of stairs on his own… Before you know it, you're going to be wiping him next so get ready for that." Is all she responds with as she slowly starts walking out of the room however, she halts when some noises out of Charlie surface.

"Uhhhh… Twilight?" He say's with half lidded eyes. "Where am I…?"

I walk a little closer to the edge of his bed, "You're in your room, Charlie."

He hums quietly as he gives a large sigh. "Yeah, I shoulda figured that…"

"Try to get some rest, you… drank a lot and you're not going to feel too good." I said tiredly as I study his impaired movements.

"…I know… I always drink too much…" He eventually words out as the ceiling takes up his view. "Or at least that's what everyone at home said…"

"Do you need anything? Water or something? You're going to be really sick tomorrow." I ask although it feels like I already know the answer.

"Nah… I'm alright I guess…" He says in that same downtrodden tone. "Same shit different day and all that…"

I turn to look at Rainbow who only greeted me with an annoyed expression over my crooning and I start to make my way out of the room along with her when he calls back once more making us both turn.

"Hey, Twilight…" He mumbles quietly.

"Yes?"

He takes a moment as he blinks at the blank ceiling once more, "…I miss my brother…"

My ears flatten and I wince as the guilt stabbed me right in the gut hearing his words.

"I'm sure Wally misses you too, Charlie, and is no doubt worried sick wondering where you are." I whisper back but he doesn't look convinced.

"Nah… I don't think so…" he says with a stout resolute tone.

"He's your brother, that's what siblings do is worry about each other. Why wouldn't he?" I ask confused but he doesn't seem to hear me as he starts losing consciousness once more.

"I ain't ever seeing him again…" He all but whispers out as he rolls over to his side away from us and his soft snores hit us once more.

I shake my head quietly and heave a tired sigh and leave the room, but not before I turn to see Rainbow staring at him with pursed lip and a furrowed brow.

"You coming, Rainbow? I think some of the appetizers Applejack was telling us about earlier might be done." I whisper to her as to not wake Charlie.

She doesn't answer immediately as she watches his body slowly rise and fall like she was wondering about something before she walks by me without a word down the hall. I give another tired sigh as I feel my magic grip the doorknob and it slowly shuts with me on the other side. I stare at the closed door with a sense of melancholy.

"Merry Hearth's Warming, Charlie…"

---

Important announcement everybody!

Next Chapter will be the finale of Act 1 and because of this I will not be breaking up the last arc into separate chapters! It could be 10,000 words or it could be 30,000 so please expect delays for the next chapter release. I will be trying my best to keep up with my schedule but you all know how it goes.

Thank you all and goodnight!