Chapter 2: Searching For Gifts
In the bustling streets of Manehattan, ponies were going through store to store as well as some were going out with bags on their backs and those who were setting up decorations around town.
At a gift shop just in the middle of town, some ponies were either buying toys, candy, and books.
Right at the toy section of the store, Nyx was going through some toys looking for as she knew that Shining Armor, Cadance, and Flurry Heart were gonna come over for Hearts Warming Eve.
"Hmmm." Nyx said while looking at some stuffed animals before she spotted a gray whale plush as she used her magic to pick it up. "This looks like it would be good enough for Flurry Heart."
That was when Chase came over to his adoptive daughter with other stuff.
"Have you found the right ones for your family, Nyx?" Chase asked with a smile as Nyx nodded in reply to her father.
"Yup. I've got a new amethyst necklace for Auntie Cadance, a Flash Magnus comic book, and a stuffed gray whale for Flurry." Nyx said as she presented a Silver Diamond Amethyst Celtic Heart Necklace, a comic book with Flash Magnus's image on it, and the gray whale plush.
Chase nodded in approval as he presented some stuff for his family and friends.
"I've already got a cookie recipe for Pinkie, a new bird communication book for Fluttershy, a new apple pie book recipe, an 'I heart the Wonderbolts' t-shirt for Rainbow Dash, a new fashion designs for Rarity, and for Twilight a book based on ancient medieval Equestrian history." Chase said as he presented the cookie recipe, a bird communication book, a t-shirt that has the Wonderbolts logo, an apple pie recipe book, some new fashion designs, and a book on medieval Equestria. Then he remembered some else as he brought out a new book of the Royal Guard, a green fire ruby, and a stuffed dragon. "I also got Shining Armor a new Royal Guard book, a fire ruby for Cadance to add to her crystal collection, and a stuffed blue dragon for Flurry. Now let's go see how the others are doing."
Nyx nodded as they were about to find the rest of their family, when Sunray, Jade, and Trini came over with Clay. They too had gifts for their family and friends as well.
"Sorry it took so long, guys." Jade said. "But we had to wait in line so that we could get our gifts purchased."
"Don't worry, we've already got our shopping done too." Chase said assuringly as he and Nyx presented their own gifts to their family and friends. "Now Nyx and I just need to get in line so that-" Chase was then cut off when they noticed they were two pony short. "Hey, where are Antonio and Sokka at?"
"Right here!" Antonio's voice was heard as the rest of the Elite Ninja, Clay, and Nyx turned to see him and Sokka coming over with some gifts in their shopping bags.
The rest smiled in approval.
"Alright, guys. Let's get to the register so we can pay for these gifts." Chase said as he, his family, and friends walked over to pay for their shopping.
(Scene changes)
Later on, Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Nyx, Sokka, and Clay were walking down the streets with their shopping bags on their backs as well as wearing their casual winter gear.
"You know what I really love about Hearts Warming, you guys?" Antonio asked his family, Sokka, and Clay with a smile. "The presents, snow, the glamor, and the sweet scent of pine trees in the air."
"Yeah, and there's nothing like the Big Apple at Hearth's Warming Eve time." Sokka added with a smile of his own. "But home is where we'll be going."
"Yeah. And with Hearth's Warming Day just around the corner, this will be the perfect time to spend time with our families and friends in Ponyville." Jade said with a grin.
"Nowhere else I'd rather be than to see my family there." Clay added in agreement with a chuckle. "And I hope the train back to Ponyville won't be that bad."
"Uh, guys?" Trini asked as her family and friends turned to her. "I think we might be too late."
Chase, Jade, Sunray, Antonio, Clay, Nyx, and Sokka turned to where Trini was looking before they widened their eyes to see a large line of ponies at the train station.
"What?!" Sunray said in exasperation. "Don't they know that we have to get back home in time for our Hearth's Warming Eve time?!"
"Looks like we're gonna be here for a while. We might as well get used to it." Chase said to his family and friends with hope.
"Aren't you worried about Twilight, Chase?" Clay asked as Chase turned to face him. "You don't think that she might be in need to get back to the hospital to find out what she's going through. Right?"
Chase blinked for a moment before he looked down with a little concern for his wife's well being.
"Well, she did seem like she was in a good mood for some reason." Chase said while he rubs his chin a bit with his right forehoof.
"Yeah, now that you mention it, she was feeling very happy. But I can't put my hoof on it." Jade said with the same look as her older brother.
Chase then decided to shrug it off a bit.
"You know, guys. Maybe we can try something to pass the time to wait for our trip home." Chase said with a smirk.
"Like what?" Sokka asked curiously when a snowball smacked him in the face as he grunted in surprise.
"Snowball Fight!" Chase shouted as he threw some snowballs at Jade and Sunray as they yelped in surprise as they laughed.
"Okay, Chase! You asked for it!" Jade said playfully with a smirk as she and the rest joined in as they threw snowballs at each other while laughing.
(Scene changes)
Meanwhile, Twilight was setting up the decorations in the hall room.
Then Spike came down from the stairs as he puts his hat on as well as his scarf around his neck before he spotted Twilight.
"Heeeey, Twilight! Whatcha planning to get your secret pony?" Spike asked.
"Not sure." Twilight answered. "I'm getting the castle ready for my family first. Then I'll shop."
Twilight flew down to get more decorations.
"Maybe something sparkly? Fashionable?" Spike asked curiously as he flew up to her.
"No! Those aren't really the kind of things my pony likes." Twilight said.
"Oh." Spike said before he recomposed himself. "Welp, gotta go! Wish me luck!"
"With shopping?" Twilight questioned and wrapped some lights around the railing.
"Well, I'm actually going to the Mines to find Ember a rare blue fire ruby!" Spike said. "And if everypony's only getting one gift, we have a ton of responsibility to make sure it's extra-special good."
Spike then heads out to go to the Mines. But as soon as he was gone, Twilight brought out her note as she had Pinkie.
"I didn't think of it that way." Twilight said and bit her hoof in concern. "The present I get for Pinkie Pie should make or break her holiday. I can'ts just go shopping and hope to find something nice." If it wasn't bad enough, it looks like holiday chaos has slightly started to return into Twilight's head. "This needs forethought, planing, research!" She flew down. "I'll decorate later. Knowing Pinkie, she probably already has a perfect idea what to get her pony."
She bit her hoof in concern when she felt a slight kick in her stomach as she grunted in surprise.
"And I still need to hold the surprise before Chase gets here. If he finds out about this, who knows what will happen." Twilight said with concern when Bagheera came in.
"Don't worry, Twilight. I'm sure Chase will be very happy to hear the big surprise you have in store for him." Bagheera gently said with a smile as Twilight returned the favor. "In the meantime, why don't you see if you can hire some help over here with the decorations from Nandu Gili's Bunyips so you can find Pinkie her gift."
"Thanks, Bagheera." Twilight said gratefully as she flew offscreen somewhere to write a letter to Nandu Gili.
(Scene changes)
But Twilight doesn't know that she was actually wrong as Pinkie slumps onto her bed.
"I have no idea what to get my pony!" Pinkie said depressingly, covering her eyes in the process.
"There's a pile of presents right there." Limestone said bluntly as she gestured to the wrapped presents behind her. "Pick one, and you're done."
"Those were for when I was getting all of my friends matching harmony Hearth's Warming hats!" Pinkie said and falls from her bed before she appeared from the present pile. "Now it's just Twilight!" She sobs. "I can't give one pony a matching present with nothing to match it! I need something special for only her!"
She accidentally slammed her hoof on a present as it shattered on the inside and she tossed it away.
"I've got it." Maud said bluntly, having an idea as she lifts some rocks up.
"I don't think Twilight likes rocks as much as you do, Maud." Pinkie said.
"Don't rock it 'til you try it." Maud said.
She then holds out a wrapped present, and then the lid pops open as a fake rock on a spring pops out. And Marble giggles.
Gummy, wearing a holiday hat, sticks his tongue out.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Gummy." Pinkie said as she turned to him. "But this is the biggest holiday challenge I've ever faced!" She then smashed another present, "Uh, this one's for you." She hands the present to Limestone, and then she has an idea. "Hey! This is the biggest holiday challenge I've ever faced!" Her excitement throws the presents across the room. "How exciting is that?!"
Limestone, who has a present to her face, tears the wrapping paper off and the lids open.
"Am I up for the challenge?" Pinkie firmly said. "I know I'm good at gift-giving, but am I the best at gift-giving?
"Who would say they're the best at gift-giving?" Limestone questioned. "That's ridiculous."
"Uhhhh-" Marble thought and then Pinkie held her by the face.
"Marble, you're a genius! Yaks would say they're the best at gift-giving! If anypony knows what to do, it's them!" She then grabs her hat and scarf. "I gotta go to Yakyakistan! Thanks! These Pie sister talks are the best!" Pinkie said as she gave each of her sisters a loving kiss to them and hops away.
Gummy came down in a parachute.
(Scene changes)
Meanwhile, Spike was on his way over to the Mines when he saw Pinkie coming by.
"Hey, Pinkie! Where ya going?" Spike asked curiously.
"Over to Yakyakistan! Bye, Spike!" Pinkie replied back as she rushed by to the train station to catch the next train up north.
Spike gets bumped by her, and spins around like a top before he falls over. He soon grabs and places his hat back on when Rarity appears behind him.
"Oh!" Rarity said in surprise before she chuckled as Spike got up. "How's your shopping going, Spike?"
"Doing good so far. I was just on my way over to the Mines." Spike answered. "So which pony did you get?"
"I've got Applejack, darling." Rarity said. "She's going to adore her present. There's a brilliant designer in Manehattan - Fedora Felt - who makes the most marvelous hats. I asked for a new take on western chic that would be envy of every farm pony in Equestria."
"That's a great gift, Rarity." Spike said with a smile. "Well, I've gotta get going now. I don't know if Ember's fire ruby is gonna be there soon."
Spike soon zips away as Rarity giggled as Spike's obvious crush on Ember before she walked away as well.
(Scene changes)
Meanwhile, Rainbow and Fluttershy were out shopping. But Rainbow happened to have Fluttershy, and was trying to get an idea of what to get her.
"Okay, what about your favorite food?" Rainbow asked.
"Ooh. I couldn't pick just one." Fluttershy said. "What if it hurt the other foods' feelings?"
"Riiiiight... But there's gotta be something you really, really like?" Rainbow asked.
"I really, really like... "Fluttershy thought as Rainbow smiled. "...everything!" As if this wasn't hard enough to know what the yellow pegasus liked, Rainbow just looked annoyed. "Why do you ask?"
That caused Rainbow to flinch in surprise.
"Juuuust getting gift ideas." Rainbow said, being careful not to mention her. "Uh, for my pony. Who isn't you.
Rainbow smiled nervously as Fluttershy looks through a window of a jewelry shop.
"So, uh, is there anything you don't like?" Rainbow asked hopefully.
"Hmmm... Not liking things!" Fluttershy answered.
Rainbow angrily groaned as Fluttershy was not being very specific. And then flies off away.
"I hope that helped!" Fluttershy waved goodbye.
Fluttershy looks through the window, and eyes on a necklace with purple beads, and a blue jewel with a purple jewel in the middle.
"Hey, Fluttershy!" Spike said as he suddenly appeared with a picking ax. "Thinking of getting that for your Hearthswarming Helper?" He looks at the necklace. "I guess you've got Rarity?"
"Mm-hmm." Fluttershy replied back as she nodded. "She loves shiny things." She then became a little concerned. "But there are so many in Ponyville, I don't know what I might find for her."
"Well, I'm sure you'll find the perfect one. As for me, I gotta find the fire ruby Ember loves. See ya!" Spike said as he zips away to the mines as Fluttershy waved goodbye to the baby dragon and Applejack appeared.
"There you are!" Applejack said. "I need your help."
"What do you need, Applejack?" Fluttershy asked with concern.
"I just need help figurin' out what to get Rainbow." Applejack replied back as Fluttershy smiled.
(Scene changes)
Meanwhile, Rainbow bluntly went to the nearest store, and came out with a candle.
"Candle. Great. Whatever. Fluttershy-shopping done." Rainbow grumbled in annoyance when she heard a grunt of disgust.
Then suddenly, the candle turns with a Discord face.
"You can't honestly be serious." Discord said with a bored look, but Rainbow didn't recognise him.
"GHOST CANDLE!" Rainbow shouted in fright as she was creeped out by that and threw the candle away.
Candle Discord hits the wall, and picks himself up.
"A candle is what you buy when you have no idea what to get somepony." Discord said.
Rainbow groans and rolls her eyes annoyed.
"What do you want, Discord?" Rainbow asked in irritation as Discord was the last one she wanted to see right now.
It's possible she's still upset about the prank Discord did with the fake map summons.
Discord then flashes and turns back to himself.
"Fluttershy told me about this Hearth's whatever-it's-called." Discord said sternly. "I may not be invited, but I wanted to make sure she gets a quality gift."
He then tosses the candle in a trash can.
"I tried asking her what she likes, but she likes everything." Rainbow said as she takes out the candle.
"Well, she says that, but her real friends know what she actually likes." Discord said.
"I've known her a lot longer than you have." Rainbow said, pointing at him sternly.
In a flash, Discord appears as a circus tamer, and little Sheep jumps through a hoop.
"Then you must surely know that lit candles around adorably flammable animals make her nervous, don't you?" Discord said with a smirk.
Rainbow realized he was right and then tossed the candle behind her.
"Fine." Rainbow said as she angrily groaned. "I'll get her something else."
She then flies off to find something else, and then Discord appears wearing a flight helmet and goggles and steering wheel as if he was Snoopy.
"Perhaps I'll tag along to steer you in the right direction." Discord said with a mischievous smile.
He turns and catches Rainbow by his tail as she yelps in surprise.
(Scene changes)
A little while later, inside the gem mines, Spike entered the opening walks further inside.
"Alright, Spike. It's time to get the fire ruby for Ember." Spike said with a smirk as he continued walking further into the cave before he eventually saw a blue crimson fire ruby mounted on the cave wall.
Seeing this made Spike stare at it in awe and amazement.
"There it is." Spike said in excitement as he went over to it and brought out his picking ax. "Okay, time to see what this baby can do."
With a swing, Spike slammed the picking ax into the wall to get the blue fire ruby out as he struggled with all his might. Suddenly a slight creek was heard as the picking ax snapping half, causing Spike to fly in the air as he yelped in surprise before he landed on his back.
As Spike lifted his head, he noticed the other half of the picking ax sticking out of the wall. He sighed, knowing that this was going to be tougher than he thought.
"Okay, this won't be that easy." Spike said with a flat look on his face.
