Holiday Special:
It was a nice and snowy day in Equestria, and not one of those snow spells from the Unicorns, as the holidays are spreading as Ponies of Maretime Bay were setting up their Wishday Decorations as the ponies are helping one another and enjoying the holly jolly spirit.
"Happy Wishday, everypony!" Izzy cheered as she hopped off to where her friends were as she giggled while carrying a couple of bags as she passed by the ponies while giving a wave. "Happy, Wishday! Happy Wishday!" She called with waves before she made her way back to the Brighthouse as she then burst the doors open. "Happy Wishday, friends!" She cheered as she saw the rest of the Mane 8 packing their bags while in their winter gear.
"Izzy, you're just in time." Sunset said with a smile. "I see you made it back from Bridlewood. Did you put up your ordinate for the Together Tree like last year?"
"Yepperoni!" Izzy said with a cheerful tone. "And had a quick chat with everypony there, and I made it back as two shakes of a pony's tail. Whoo-hoo!" She cheered as she shook her tail.
"That's great to hear, Izzy." Sunny said with a smile. "Pipp, Zipp, is Queen Haven okay with cancelling the play this year?"
"She most certainly did, Sunny!" Pipp said with a smile. "She said she was okay with it."
"It took a few explanations and begging, but she surprisingly took it well." Zipp said with an amusing chuckle.
"That's great!" Sunny said as Hitch walked over with Sparky on her back.
"And I talked to my Grandma Figgy. She understands that I can't come to her place this year." Hitch said as Sparky babbled with a smile while nodding in agreement.
"She's a nice pony, Hitch. She always understands." Sunny said with a smile.
"What about you, Misty?" Sunset asked as she turned to said Unicorn. "This is your first holiday outside of Opaline. We kinda thought you would use it to be with your Dad. You could spend time with him if you want."
"Thanks girls, but Dad is pretty busy at the Crystal Tea House this time of year, so he doesn't have a lot of free time," Misty said with a smile, "Plus, I feel like I owe you after last Winter Wisday."
"Well, if we gotta be honest, you didn't really take Sparky." Sunset said with a shrug. "So, no harm no foul."
"Tell that to Opaline." Misty said with a shudder. "She still gets angry."
"Well, you're with us, and we're gonna make this the best Wishday ever!" Sunny cheered with a smile. "Speaking of, where's Twilight? Shouldn't she be here by now?"
Her answer came as a purple and Indigo blurr whizzed past them, blowing their manes back as they all gave a surprise look from that as they turned and saw Twilight, wearing a holiday hat while having her saddle bag filled to the brim as she gave an exciting look.
"Are we ready, ponies?! Let's hurry! We need to move now!" Twilight said with an exciting smile as she zoomed around.
"Found her." Sunset said with a chuckle.
"What's gotten into her horn?" Zipp asked with a surprised look.
"This is Twilight's first actual holiday back in physical form." Sunset said with a smirk. "She's been planning this for weeks. And she wanted to spend the holiday with her niece at the Crystal Empire. Flurry Heart has been expecting us as well, so Twilight's kinda in one of her Twilighting." She joked with a chuckle.
"Hehe, I know how she feels." Sunny said with a giggle.
"More than that, this'll be the first Winter Wishday I've ever had with Flurry!" Twilight said, clapping her hooves. "Though it is technically Hearts Warming, but a new era, new name due to ponies having been separated but still!" She said with a wide smile.
"Okay, okay, slow your hooves, Twi." Sunset said with a chuckle.
"Wow, she's more energetic than me. And that's saying something." Izzy said with a cheerful smile.
Twilight calmed down as she gave a sheepish chuckle. "Uh, sorry. I'm just so excited." She said while rubbing her head.
"We can see that." Zipp said with a chuckle. "Seriously, first holidays and you just kept on trying to make it extra."
"Um, Zipp, she was brought back and the other times were just as a spirit. Cut her some slack." Pipp said to her sister. "But I am interested in what the holidays in the Crystal Empire might bring." She said with an interesting smile.
"Well, let's go and find out for yourselves!" Twilight said as she rushed outside as the others watched as they all shared amusing laughs.
"Twilight just can't wait, can she?" Misty asked with giggles.
"Nope. Now come on, let's go before she figures out how to fly the Marestream and crash it by accident." Sunset teased with a smirk, which made them all laugh again as they picked up their bags and walk out of the Brighthouse and then they entered the Marestream as they then took off north to the Crystal Empire to have fun for the holidays.
Meanwhile, in their ice cave, Allura and Sombra were staring at Twitch who was holding up a holiday poster while babbling excitedly, "Twitch, how many different ways do I have to say it?" Allura asked in annoyance, "No." She said dully as Twitch kept babbling as Allura sighed.
"Is he always this insufferable?" Sombra questioned in frustration.
"You have no idea." Allura said as Twitch kept begging. "Twitch, we're not gonna learn of these ponies holiday traditions. And that's final."
"Please?" Twitch babbled as he gave off his cute face.
"No. Don't you dare use the cutest bunny face again, Twitch!" Allura groaned as Twitch made his cute face harder.
"Please?" Twitch begged again as he twitched his nose.
"Ugh, I hate cute things." Sombra said with an annoyed sigh as he stood up. "We're supposed to plan our revenge on these ponies and find another Nova Charm, and yet this filthy rodent wants to have fun?" He questioned Allura with a brow.
"He got cooped up in the cave too long, he wanted to do something fun." Allura said with a sigh. "This happened before we resurrected you when we snuck into this Boardtrot place."
"Ugh. So not how we plan on doing." Sombra said with a sigh. "And I have yet to discover another Nova Charm in Equestria. It must be truly rare."
"I did tell you finding one isn't easy." Allura said to him. "And I thought you were a powerful unicorn."
Sombra groaned as he stood up. "I am. But as you haven't noticed, it has been some time since I've done my spells." He said with a look. "So pardon me for being a bit rusty. Having been blasted by rainbow magic three times can take much out of you."
"Don't you have your own spell book?" Allura questioned. "As powerful as you are, you think you would've wrote it down?"
"Of course I have! And-" Sombra tried to say before his eyes widened in realization. "Wait, if the Empire is restored, then so would my private study."
"Private study? You're just explaining that now?" Allura questioned with a brow. "If it's in the Empire, then it's under tight pony security."
"Not to worry. My private study is hidden from prying pony eyes." Sombra assured her. "The castle is so big and old, not many ponies knew where to go or what resides within. And they wouldn't know where to go even if they were right in front of it."
"Mmm, clever." Allura said with a small smirk.
"Indeed." Sombra said with a smirk as he then walked off to the entrance. "I will sneak in, get my spell book, and then come back so I can hone in my magic to find that Nova Charm and get our revenge."
"Wait, shouldn't we all go?" Allura questioned as she and Twitch gave confused looks.
"No. You stick out. And I'm the only pony who knows the Empire better than anypony." Sombra said to her. "This will only be a strict stealth mission. So I'm off." He said as he walked out of the cave and turned into a cloud of smoke and took off into the sky as Allura and Twitch watched him go.
Twitch then looked to Allura and showed her the poster with a smile as Allura sighed tiredly.. "Ugh, fine, Twitch. But only when we're not seen." Allura said firmly as Twitch cheered and ran around as Allura sighed. "I should've switched with Sombra." She muttered.
A bit later, the Marestream was flying in the sky as some snow was falling down before a sparkle appeared at the end as the Mane 8 arrived at the Crystal Empire, which has holiday decorations and was shining brighter as it normally does as the Mane 8 are at the cockpit.
"Oh, my. That's even brighter than a crystal normally does." Pipp comments while covering her eyes with her wings.
"That's because in the holidays, the Crystal Ponies really get into the spirit that the Crystal Heart shines brighter." Twilight explained as they flew past some Crystal Buildings. "And even shines bright as the sun."
"Ooh! Now that's a new level of glow up!" Izzy said with a cheerful smile while literally looking at the bright lights.
"I have a feeling that it's gonna be an exciting trip!" Sunny said with a wide smile as they went to the Crystal Palace as Zipp landed the Marestream in front of it. "Who knows what holiday traditions the Crystal Ponies might give!"
"Well, here in the Crystal Empire, they always have a great Holiday Snowball, remembering everything they've been through the year and while holding a purity crystal they thank for what they most appreciate and make a wish to themselves on what they want in the year to come." Twilight explained.
"Oooh, now that's a fun tradition!" Izzy said with a smile as they all exited the Marestream. "You think your niece would give us a few? Because I have tons of wishes to make!"
Twilight laughed, "I'm sure she will, Izzy." She assured.
"And possibly some sunglasses? Because all this light is hurting my eyes." Hitch complained while covering his eyes as the mares all gave giggles.
"Aunt Twilight! Friends!" A familiar voice spoke up as they turned and saw Flurry Heart walking towards them with a couple of guards behind her.
"Flurry!" Twilight cheered happily as she rushed up to her niece.
"Sunshine, sunshine. Ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves and do a little shake~." The two sang while doing their signature greetings while ending it with a laugh.
"I see you all made it." Flurry Heart said while seeing the rest of the Mane 8. "I would've thought you all have your own traditions to do with your friends and family."
"This is the first Crystal Empire Winter Wishday." Sunset reminded her. "We wouldn't miss it."
"Winter Wishday? Don't you mean Hearts Warming…Oh, right!" Flurry realizes. "New era, different name because of the division. Sorry, I'm still not used to it yet." She said with a small smile.
"It's okay. We've been there." Twilight assured her niece with a smile. "Though, if Spike wasn't too busy in the Dragonlands, it would've been a nice family reunion for the holidays." She said with a frown.
"Can't get them all the time, Twilight." Zipp said with a smirk. "Trust us."
"But we're still gonna have a fun time together." Flurry Heart said with a smile. "Now come along and enjoy some hot coco in the palace."
"Thank you, honey." Twilight smiled as they walked in as they started walking in while none of them noticed Sombra's shadow form appearing behind them.
Sunny however felt something off before she looked behind her as Sombra disappeared into the shadows, out of sight of Sunny. "That's odd." Sunny said with a brow before she gave a shrug and walked followed after the others.
Sombra's smoke, however, was floating over the palace before he noticed a window opened as he went through it as he entered the palace's hallway as his head formed as he looked around. "Now, to find my study." He said as he then flew off to find his old private study room while avoiding being spotted by anypony inside.
Inside the palace, the Mane 8 and Flurry Heart walked through the halls as the servants were decorating the halls with snowflake and crystalline decorations while also some waiters and waitresses rolled some food by. "Oooh, now this is an iconic setup you got here, your highness." Pipp said with a smirk as she took a picture of the area with her phone.
"Thank you, I do my best for the holidays. And Hea-Winter Wishday is a special time of the year." Flurry Heart said with a smile. "And while you new generational ponies might have forgotten Hearts Warming, we Crystal Ponies still remember the traditions."
"So when is that Crystal Lighting thing?" Zipp asked her in interest. "Because I think I would like to know more about it."
"Oh, that won't happen until later, Zipp." Flurry Heart said with a smile. "Besides, there are still a couple of things to do before the Crystal Wishes. We still need to collect the purest of crystals and finish setting up the decorations."
"Wow, it must be really special to make it a big event." Misty said with a smile.
"Oh, it most certainly is." Flurry Heart said with a smile. "Every Crystal Pony in the kingdom is so excited for it that they're prepping their own for the big event."
"You're not kidding." Hitch said as he looked out the window and saw the Crystal Ponies setting up their decorations and thinking about what wishes they will grant. "The ponies out there are so excited, I think I saw some tossed a crystal in the air." He commented as a crystal flew past him.
"It's the biggest event of the year," Flurry said before a maid came up to her.
"Excuse me your majesty but it seems the last of the Decorations are still missing, our Crystal Gathering supervisor called in sick and the chefs need help making the last of the banquet." The maid explained.
"Oh, dear." Flurry Heart said with a concern frown. "I already have my hooves full and finding a supervisor is gonna take even longer."
"Hey, don't worry, Flurry." Sunset said with a smile. "We can help out with the extras."
"Yeah, Pipp and Hitch can help with the Purity Crystals, Zipp and Misty can help with the banquet and Me, Izzy and Sunset can get the last of the decorations while Twilight helps you with anything else." Sunny said, gesturing to her friends respectively as they chattered and nodded in agreement.
Flurry smiled in appreciation, "Thank you, but you are my guests, I can't ask you to…" She started.
"You don't need to ask." Sunset assured with a smile, "We're family. Family helps each other through and through."
"It's true. And trust us, this ain't our first royal duties rodeo." Zipp said with a smirk.
"Mmm, more like the third." Izzy said with a shrug.
"Twice for me." Misty said with a hoof raised.
"And as a family, we always look out for one another, no matter what." Twilight said while wrapping a wing around her niece, who gave a warm smile at their willing to help her.
"Thank you all. You are such good ponies." Flurry said with a smile.
"No problem, so where's the room where the decorations are?" Sunset asked.
"You just cross this hall then go left, straight, right, straight, left, up, up, right, straight, right, right, straight, left, left." Flurry Heart instructed with a smile, which made Sunset and the others, san Twilight, gave her confused looks as Twilight gave a sheepish chuckle.
"Okay, how about I give them the directions first and then I'll be right with you, Flurry." Twilight suggested with a sheepish chuckle.
"Agreed." The rest of the Mane 8 said in unison as Flurry gave amusing chuckles.
"I'll be by the Throne Room. I'll see you there." Flurry said as they nodded as she walked off as Sunny turned to Twilight.
"You're gonna give us some maps, right, Twilight?" Sunny asked with a sheepish smile.
"Already got them." Twilight said as she gave each of them a map.
"How'd you make these so fast?" Misty asked with a brow.
"After the empire was restored, I knew you ponies wouldn't know your way around, so I came prepared." Twilight explained with a smile.
"Wow, you always think ahead." Hitch said as he gave a smirk. "Lucky, maps are my-" He then yelped when he saw Sparky eating his map as he ate the whole thing as he gave a burp. "Sparky! Again?!" He scolded as he gave a sigh while the Mares giggled.
"Lucky I came with spares." Twilight said as she gave Hitch another map. "But, try and keep Sparky away from it."
"I'll keep my eyes on it." Hitch promised with a sigh.
"Okay, ponies. Let's go! Flurry is counting on us!" Sunset declared as they all chattered in agreement and spread out to do their tasks.
With Pipp and Hitch, they were in a collection of crystals as they tried to find the purest of ones as Hitch inspected each one at a time while Pipp was taken selfies of each crystals she find, seeing them amazing as Sparky tried to take a bite out of a crystal, but Hitch stopped him from eating it by grabbing it as Hitch gave a firm look to Sparky, who giggled innocently.
In the kitchen, Misty was helping the chefs decorate the desserts as a stack of cake was made as she added some frostings on it while Zipp flew in and added in a crystal heart decoration on it as she looked down at Misty and gave a wink.
Zipp was about to get a taste of the frosting, but a chef smacked her hoof with a spoon, causing her to yelp and rubbed her hoof as she saw the chef giving her a 'no' shake while shaking a spoon while Zipp gave a sheepish look while Misty giggled from her misfortune.
Meanwhile in the throne room, Flurry is checking over the last of the preparations with Twilight next to her. After looking at a scroll and nodding she was then approached by a little filly with a present and bell, which she offered to the Crystal Princess.
Flurry smiled as she took the present and then used her magic to tie the bell around the filly's neck. The filly smiled brightly as she shook the bell, she then hugged Flurry's leg before she ran off to join her parents and hugged them.
Flurry looked at the family with a longing smile as she saw in their place herself as a filly with her parents, Shining Armor and Princess Cadance, with her father holding her up high while her mother kissed her cheek and nuzzled her lovingly.
Twilight saw her niece's expression as she looked at the family as she realized how Flurry Heart missed her parents as much she missed her brother and sister-in-law as she walked up to Flurry and placed her hoof on hers while giving her niece a comforting smile. "I miss them too, Flurry. But I know they would be proud of the mare you are now. Just like how proud I am of you." Twilight said with a smile.
Flurry gave a small smile as she nuzzled her aunt who nuzzled back. "Yeah, they would. But, at least I still have you, aunty." She said as Twilight smiled as the two stood that way for a moment.
Meanwhile, Sunset was leading Izzy and Sunny down the hallway as they looked around. "Okay, so we just need to decorate the hallways. Should be easy." Sunny said with a smile.
"Yeah, this is gonna be a snap." Izzy said with a smile.
"Uh, it would if we have decorations to decorate." Sunset said as she noticed how bare the hallway is with no decorations. "I think Flurry forgot to bring out the decorations supplies."
"Huh, maybe they're invisible." Izzy said with a cheerful tone. "They could be here, or anywhere." She added as she looked around.
Sunny giggled while Sunset rolled her eyes, "Really funny, Iz." Sunset said with a small smile.
"Still, how are we gonna find the Decorations in this maze?" Sunny asked with a frown.
"They're probably in a supply closet or something. We'll just get to it, grab the decorations and get started. No need to freak out." Sunset told her with a calm smile.
Sunny then gave a nervous look. "Uh, Sunset?" She said before she gestured around them, seeing the amount of doors to different rooms all around them. "CAN WE FREAK OUT NOW?!" She exclaimed anxiously.
"I'll give you ten seconds." Sunset nodded as she, Izzy, and Sunny all screamed as they ran around the hallways in a panic fit while they gave fearful expressions before Izzy stopped with her signature smile.
"Okay, the ten seconds are up." Izzy said with a smile as Sunny and Sunset took deep breaths from their screamings.
"Sunset, what are we gonna do?!" Sunny called out.
"Okay, okay, let's think." Sunset said while thinking a bit. "Let's split up and check each door and see if one of them is a supply closet." She suggested.
"Split up in a giant unfamiliar castle? Are you sure that's a good idea?" Sunny questioned.
"We snuck into Opaline's old castle and traveled to the ruins of Canterlot. When has that ever stopped us?" Sunset questioned with a brow.
Sunny tried to offer a rebuttal but sighed, "Okay, good point." She conceded.
"Okay, split up!" Izzy cheered as the three mares scattered and they started checking each door to find the supply closet. Izzy kept checking each door as she saw bedrooms or bathrooms. "Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope." She naturally said before she stopped in a room with arts and crafts. "No-Oooh! Crafting supplies!" She said with a smile as she eyed the supplies with sparkles in her eyes before she shook her head. "No! Need to focus!" She said as she kept searching before she went back and drew on the door to label it. "Be back later." She said cheerfully before she rushed off.
Sunset approached one door and opened it slowly before she was buried under a wave of crystals. She then popped her head out and spit out some crystals out of her mouth, "Belch, Topaz." Sunset said disgust. "Good thing Spike isn't here. He and the other dragons might eat these in a sec." She commented as she used her magic to put the crystals back in the room and closed the door.
Sunny then checks each door. "No. No. Ugh! How does Flurry know her way around this castle?!" She asked anxiously. "It's as big as Zephyr Heights and Opaline's castle put together!" She stated.
Sunny went to another door, but when she did, she yelped when she found a flight of stairs down below as she slipped and then she tumbled down the stairs, yelping from each stop as she grunted before she fell flat on the floor on her stomach as she groaned.
"Ugh, okay, I think I found the basement." Sunny groaned as she got up and rubbed her neck. "Long way down though. But, it makes sense for a big… castle…" She muttered before she looked around and noticed that the room was like a cave cavern while the area was a bit dark around her. "Okay, this is spooky." She muttered with a fearful tone.
Somewhere in the castle, the black smoke of King Sombra continues to fly across the hallways as he manages to avoid some of the ponies inside while staying out of sight as his head forms as he searches around. "Mmm, a bit has changed here. But my private study should be done below." Sombra hummed as he looked around.
"Hey, Sunset! I found the decoration room!" Izzy's voice yelled out, which made Sombra raise a brow as he quickly flew around a corner and saw Sunset and Izzy looking at a door.
"Wow, Izzy. You really know how to find the right places." Sunset complimented with a smile as she looked at the amount of decorations. "Flurry should really label these doors. It would've made things a bit easier to find sooner."
"So, where's Sunny?" Izzy wondered.
Sunset looked around and noticed that Sunny wasn't with them. "Huh, that's strange. She was right here close by." She said while scratching her head. "Maybe she must've rushed off to find the storage closet somewhere else?"
"Mmm, maybe we should check for her." Izzy said while rubbing her chin.
"We were lucky to find these decorations. Sunny could be anywhere." Sunset said in concern as Sombra spy on them before he saw that one of the doors was creaked open, which he was familiar with.
"It would seem the young pony has stumbled upon my studies," Sombra said with a sinister smirk as he then had an idea. "This could be useful." He said with a smirk as he then looked at Sunset and Izzy. "But first, some insurance." He said as he picked up a loose crystal and tossed it to a far end of the hallway.
"What was that?" Sunset asked with a brow.
"That must be Sunny! I'll go get her!" Izzy said cheerfully as she rushed off as Sunset sighed and began to unload the decoration supplies as Sombra took his chance and rushed to the door and quietly closed the door before they noticed.
Sunny looked around the area as she saw the whole cave-like room she was in. "Okay, how is it that the Crystal Empire is beautiful on the surface, but there's a spooky dark cave room on the bottom?" She asked with a nervous look as she looked around. "Okay, Sunny, don't panic. Just go back upstairs with the others and everything will be alright."
But before Sunny could go, a black smoke flew over her, which got her attention as she saw the smoke going to the other end of the room before it floated around something as green flames lit, revealing to be a door to a secret room, which piqued Sunny's interest.
"A secret door?" Sunny asked in surprise. "Huh, this castle is full of surprises." She said as she then walked up to the door as she slowly reached for it with a nervous look before she then saw it was locked as she struggled to open it. "Huh, what do you know, locked." She said with a brow.
"Use your magic…" Sombra's voice spoke up, which made Sunny raise a brow.
"Uh, who said that?" Sunny asked with a brow.
"To open the door, use your magic, pony." Sombra instructed Sunny, who gave a strange look.
"Um, okay." Sunny said as she then concentrated and brought out her Alicorn magic as she then shot her magic onto the door, which hit the crystal on top of it, which caused the door to glow a bit, which surprised Sunny as she covered her eyes as the light faded and the door creaked open. "Wow. It actually worked. Thank you, strange voice." She said as she then opened the door completely and gasped at what she saw.
Inside was some kind of anciently themed study, with candles, bookcases with scrolls, books and parchment and even a lectern with a black color grimoire with silver rims and a green, purple, black and red eye like symbol on its cover.
"Wow! What an office." Sunny said in amazement as she looked around. "And pretty clean too. How long has this been down here?" She added as she saw the grimoire on the desk. "Oooh, what kind of book is this?" She asked as she then opened it, seeing some instructions and details on the books she never seen before. "Huh, this is an interesting book. It looks like some kind of spell book." She said before she looked at the title. "'Truths of the Darkness', wait, this is a…Dark magic spell book?" She said in realization.
Sunny backed away in shock by what she just found out. "Okay, I know about dark magic from Opaline, and a bit of details from Sunset and Twilight, but why is there a book about dark magic underneath the crystal castle? I was told to stay away from stuff like those"
"The book has called for you." Sombra's voice spoke up, which made Sunny look around in surprise.
"W-What?" Sunny asked in confusion.
"The book calls you here for a reason." Sombra's voice said, which made Sunny listen. "It wants you to learn a new level of magic that you can harness."
"B-But, Sunset and Twilight told me that dark magic is additive, it can change who I am if I can't control it." Sunny said with an uncertain look.
"Perhaps. But with this book, you can learn how to control dark magic at your leisure." Sombra's voice said to her. "With that kind of power, you could do everything you ever hoped to achieve and more."
"I-I don't know. I have already accomplished much." Sunny said with an uncertain look. "What if I lose control like how Opaline once did when she craved power?"
"The balance of light and dark are most important. You must learn to see the darkness in the light and find the light within the darkness." Sombra told her, "Already your friends have been put through such harrowing experiences and the one you call sister already struggles to carry the weight of protecting them on her shoulders. Can you truly stand the thought of watching her crumble when the time comes?"
Sunny looked down in thought as she remembered the times when she and her friends have many close calls in their adventures from fighting bringing back magic all the way up to dealing with Allura as she remembered the hardship they went to and how Sunset has been carrying the weight of protecting them since the very beginning as she faced what the new era of Equestria has shown her while also carrying on Twilight's legacy before she was brought back and how she always kept them together and had close calls in getting hurt, she even saw how she was pushed to the limit during the Multiverse incident with Sonic and his Opaline and how she took many risks to make things right.
Sunny closed her eyes as she thought for a moment before she sighs. "My friends and sisters nearly got hurt because of whatever danger comes our way. And Sunset has been through enough pressure. I don't want her to get so stressed over the weight she's carrying." She said with a worry frown. "I have to help her, help them. All of them."
"Yes. You must. Take this grimoire and practice your magic to learn the balance of power to protect those you care for." Sombra insisted as Sunny looked at the spellbook in front of her.
"I suppose, one spell couldn't cause any harm." Sunny told herself, picking up the book and opening it. Sunny flipped through the pages before she then stopped at a certain page, which showed a dark crystal growling spell. "A Crystal Growth spell? Mmm, seems harmless enough."
Sunny then read the instructions on the book as she then summoned her Alicorn magic again as she then glowed her horn, she focused hard as she strained a bit as dark magic began to form on her horn, which caused her Alicorn form to glitched and turned dark a bit before she fired a beam on the ground with a yell, which she hit as she panted a bit as she took a deep breath and look at the spot she shot at.
There was nothing for a bit before the ground created a small crack and a dark crystal appeared on the ground as Sunny looked in awe at what she saw. "Oooh, I did it! I grew a crystal!" She cheered while looking at the crystal. "And it really came from dark magic?"
"Yes, a truly impressive display of power wouldn't you say," Sombra told her.
"Oooh, wait until Sunset and the others hear about…" Sunny tried to say.
"No!" Sombra yelled, which made Sunny flinched. "You can't tell your friends about this yet. You need to master your magic first before you tell them. They might worry that you will become corrupted and never give you the chance to master dark magic."
Sunny thought for a moment before she spoke. "You're right. My friends might get a bit overprotective and if they do I'll never learn more dark magic. Maybe I should keep this to myself until I'm sure I have full control." She said with a thoughtful look.
"Yes. Keep your training secret, Until you have full mastered this power, you must keep it a secret." Sombra told her.
"If it's for my friends' protection, I will be ready." Sunny said with a determined look.
"Sunny?! Sunny! Where are you?!" Sunset's voice called out, which got Sunny's attention as she shook her head as she look out. "Sunny?! Are you in here?!" She called as Sunny heard the door upstairs creaked open. "Are you in the basement?!"
"Looks like they're worried about me." Sunny said with a worried look as she can't hear the voice anymore, which made her shrug and she tucked the grimoire away in her saddle bag and rushed out of the room where she saw Sunset looking down from the door. "Sunset! I'm here!"
"Oh, there you are, Sunny! We've been worried about you!" Sunset called in relief.
"Sorry! I was looking for the decorations and uh, kinda tumbled down here." Sunny said with a sheepish look as she began to walk up the stairs as the door to the study room closes.
Inside the abandoned room, Sombra gave a chuckle as his body formed as he gave a sinister smirk. "That young pony played right into my hooves." Sombra said with a smirk as he then waved his hoof, which showed another grimoire like the one Sunny had. "Good thing I created a spare so I could manipulate a pony to the darkness." He said with a smirk as he picked up his book.
"Now, let us see how far she will go, and how deep she shall fall," Sombra said with an evil smile.
After Sunny got back up, she, Izzy, and Sunset were setting up some decorations as they were decorating the hallways and other parts of the castle as Izzy spoke. "So, what did you find down in the basement, Sunny?" Izzy asked with a cheerful smile.
"Yeah, you have been down in the basement for a while before we found you." Sunset said in curiosity. "What kept you down there?"
Sunny opened her mouth to answer as she glanced at her saddlebags, tempted to tell them about the book but was concerned how they might react when they find out that it's a dark magic spell book.
"Oh, nothing special. Just got lost in the dark and couldn't find a lightswitch." Sunny said with a sheepish smile. "Seriously, it was really dark down there."
"Yeah, it was pretty dark down there." Sunset said with a shrug. "Didn't even know this castle comes with a basement."
"Well enough about me, is the celebration ready yet?" Sunny asked, changing the subject.
"Well, we just got word from the others that their activities are finished." Sunset said to her. "We just need to finish up the decorations and meet up with our friends at the throne room and we'll be making crystal wishes."
"Yeah! And I got a list of wishes right here!" Izzy said as she unraveled a scroll, which went all the way down to the floor.
Sunny gave a giggle. "You sure have a lot of wishes, Izzy." She said in amusement.
"Oh this is just the Part 1," Izzy told her, before she pulled out another scroll, "Here's part 2," she said, as the scroll unraveled to be three times as long as the first one.
Sunny and Sunset looked at each other in surprise before they shared giggles. "Izzy, you're something else." Sunset said in amusement.
"Yep." Izzy said with a cheerful smile before she levitated the last of the decorations and put them in place. "And finish!"
"Finally," Sunset said in relief.
"Phew. I like decorations, but this castle was big." Sunny said in relief. "Much bigger than Zephyr Heights."
"That's the Crystal Empire for ya." Sunset said with a chuckle. "Now come on, let's join the others for the Crystal Wishing."
"Yeah. Let's go." Sunny said as the three mares walked off while Izzy giggled and hopped the way as they walked down the halls to the throne room.
Soon everypony in the Empire gathered outside in front of the palace while giving exciting smiles while some curtains to the center of the palace where the Crystal Heart is as everypony chattered in excitement as Pipp, Hitch, Sparky and some of the castle servants handed out the purity crystals to the Crystal Ponies.
"Oooh, this is so exciting!" Pipp said in excitement while giving a pony a crystal. "We're gonna witness an ancient Equestrian tradition!"
Sparky babbled eagerly as he had sparkles in his eyes. "Yeah, buddy. It's gonna be really fun." Hitch said with a smile as he gave another crystal to a pony. "And try not to eat the crystals." He advised as Sparky slouched sadly as Hitch chuckled and gave the baby dragon a nuzzle.
"Oooh, I just can't wait any longer! I might explode in excitement!" Pipp said with an exciting look with her wings spread.
"Hey guys," Zipp called as she soared down to them, "Princess Flurry says they're about to begin, take your positions." She advises.
"Finally! Let's go!" Pipp cheered as she flew off to the back of where the curtains were as Hitch, Sparky, and Zipp followed behind as well.
Behind the curtains, the others were dressed in Crystal-like season dresses, or suits, as they were putting the final touches. "I must say, Flurry. You inherited your mother's sense of style." Twilight complimented her niece as she looked at her crystal dress. "You prepared this just for us?"
"As heroes of the Empire for saving us from our crystal hibernation, you ponies are part of this special day." Flurry said with a smile. "And I thought I would add a bit of pizzazz to the mix."
"Well, you succeeded!" Pipp said as she took many selfies of herself and her friends with her friends. "We look glamorous!"
"And we look amazing with so many sparkles!" Izzy said with a cheerful smirk.
"We appreciate the special treatment, Princess Flurry Heart." Sunny said with a smile. "These dresses are amazing."
"You didn't have to do this sweetheart," Twilight told her niece.
"I know. But I wanted you all to feel great." Flurry said with a smile. "And an offer after saving the Empire. And also, it makes you all more amazing."
"Well, she's not wrong." Hitch said with a smile.
"Now, I believe it's time for the event to start." Flurry Heart said with a smile as she walked up to where the ponies are gathered as the curtains opened up and she walked up to the announcing steps as she looked down at the Crystal Ponies gathered around her as they all chattered to their princess as the Mane 8 gathered behind her.
"Citizens of the Crystal Empire, I am pleased that you have all gathered on this special day: Our first Winter Wishday since our return to Equestria." Flurry started off as the Crystal Ponies stood quiet. "Though my mother, father and many other friends and family have left us, their spirits live on in our hearts along with our burning love for them and each other." She said as they all took a moment of silence of those that left them as the Mane 8 shared the similar expressions. "But we will honor their memories by moving forward and carrying the traditions they taught us to this new era of Equestria and show them how we celebrate the holidays, but having our wishes and showing them how we did in our Hearts Warming days and showing how a real wish is done. Now, everypony, bring out your Wish Crystals and reflect!"
One by one, the Crystal Ponies brought out their Wish Crystals and looked at their reflections as they closed their eyes and began to make their wishes as their crystals began to glow brightly, which made the Mane 8 look in awe as the crystals all began to sparkle.
Twilight turned to her friends and brought out her crystal as she gestured the others to follow along as they brought out theirs and began their wishes, as well as their Wish Crystals, glowed in their respective colors as they were making their wish.
Flurry Heart opened her eyes as she saw her crystal glowing as she smiled and turned to the crowd. "Now, let's toss our crystals so that our wishes will be granted in the new year!" She announced as she tossed her crystal up, which glowed brighter as it then exploded into a pink-ish sparkle as a pink star was formed.
Soon, the other Crystal Ponies toss their crystals up, having similar effects as more stars were created above them as the Mane 8 look in awed at what they were seeing at seeing so many stars.
"Come on, ponies. Let's not keep them waiting." Twilight said as she tossed her crystal up.
"You heard her, let's do this!" Sunset called as she tossed hers next. One by one, the rest of the Mane 8 tossed their crystals up, causing them to explode and creating multicolors stars that glowed brightly while also forming a heart shape in position as they looked awed.
"This is… amazing." Sunny said in awe with sparkles in her eyes.
"This certainly takes Wishday to a whole new level." Hitch complemented while Sparky babbled in awe.
"Oh, this sparkle is everywhere!" Izzy cheered in pure excitement.
"It's beautiful." Misty said with a smile.
"And not to mention, glamorous!" Pipp cheered as she took a picture while also recording the event. "My Pippsqueaks are so gonna love this!"
"Heh, not bad." Zipp said with a smirk.
"I never experienced something like this, but this is beautiful." Sunset said in awed as she turned to Twilight. "Did you do something like this back in our time, Twilight?" She asked with a smirk.
"Well, Cadance was the one who came up with the idea, it pretty much came to life during my first year as ruler of Equestria." Twilight explained.
"Really?" Sunny asked with an interesting smile. "Maybe that's how Wishday, Wishenstine, or Wishiehoof was made!" She said in wonder.
"Well, the whole crystal wish thing does bring out some ideas." Zipp said while rubbing her chin with a smirk. "I'm gonna have to do research on that."
"Other time, Zipp." Sunset said in amusement.
"Indeed." Flurry said with a smile as she walked up to the group. "Now, let's celebrate this special day of the first Wishday of the Crystal Empire!" She announced as everypony all cheered in agreement as they are ready to get the celebration started.
What they didn't know was that Sombra was watching from a mountain top as he groaned in disgust. "I despise such colorful events." He said with a dull look as he then smirked as he took out his spell book. "But, at least it gave me a chance to get my spell book, and to manipulate a pony to try out dark magic. As I have a feeling that she will be seeing the darkness in the light soon." He said with a sinister smirk as he disappeared in a black a smoke and took off away from the Empire, as he had much planning and practice to do.
Meanwhile, in the mess hall of the Crystal Palace, everypony was wearing their crystal dresses while some were dancing, chatting, trying out some special games, or eating the food that was brought out as Flurry was sitting on a chair, overlooking the celebration as she gave a smile.
"Want some punch, Flurry?" Twilight asked as she came over to her niece with two drinks as she offered one to her niece.
"Yes, please." Flurry said with a smile as she offered the drink and took a sip. "Aunt Twilight, this has been the best holiday ever. And I mean that after what the Empire has been through."
"Well, we do our best." Twilight said with a smile.
"But, it's even better when you and your friends are here." Flurry said with a smile, which Twilight shared a warm one. "While it's not the same as being mom and dad, having you around, it's just as good."
"I feel the same way." Twilight said, wrapping a wing around her. said with a small smile as she turn to her friends, while Pipp was taken many pictures, Izzy was looking at the treats, Misty and Zipp were playing a game, Sparky was opening a present with Hitch and Sunny while Sunset was singing a carol. "But, even as the times change, our hearts remain the same. And friendship is as strong, just like family." She added with a smile
"True loves burn eternal," Flurry recited with a warm smile as hers' and Twilight's cutie marks glowed and came together.
The Cutie Mark magic came together and formed a heart shape with a sparkling star around it as the two Alicorns looked in awe, as were everypony gathered as they saw the light shining bright in the middle of the room.
"Did our Cutie Marks just…" Flurry started in awed.
"They sure are. You get used to it." Twilight said with a small smirk as the rest of the Mane 8 gathered around the two Alicorns as they all laughed and chatted to each other of their holidays and how much fun they are having as the Crystal Empire enjoys it's first Wishday tradition and it shared its own traditions to the new generation of ponies as the stars outside the castle sparkled bright while the heart shape one the Mane 8 made sparkled brightly.
Happy Holidays