Hearth's Warming Eve

[Queen Chrysalis]

Hearth's Warming Eve: A time for love in the darkest of hours. This glorious holiday was once shared among many on a cold snowy night as they reunited with their loved ones for a day of joy and laughter. Even during the war's rein, each side would take a break, giving each creature a day to rest on what used to be a welcoming and peaceful holiday. Starting off as ruler for this returning festive day, Queen Chrysalis declared absolute peace across the lands, allowing those who have been hidden to come out once more, and those who have been overworked, to take a day of rest. Showing she had a heart underneath her chitted skin, the changeling Queen swore on her kingdom that she would not interrupt their day of reuniting. With this being written in stone, the equestrian society had rejoiced, planning on throwing the biggest celebration they had seen in years. All of Canterlot would be singing for this holiday as changelings and ponies united for a fun and hopefully jolly night as friends for the first time. History is to be made! Or so, the Queen hoped. Questions ran through her anxious mind. Would her subjects enjoy this? Would anypony be hurt without guards around? Would anyone get her a present? The day begins now! 

[Queen Chrysalis]

Cold for the day's arrival, the Queen of the Changelings had been eagerly awaiting this day for what appeared to be years. Finally! It was her turn to host the most important holiday known to all ponies and changelings alike! Stepping out of her chambers and noticing the time had been completely wasted with reading a book in bed, one pm hit closer then she ever expected. Frantically throwing on a scarf and jacket, Chrysalis exited her chambers in a hurry. Galloping passed the hallway and noticing no sign of guards, she would assume already that they had received her note indicating today's day off. Exiting the palace and standing outside at the gates, Chrysalis awaited her presents eagerly. Was that not how the holiday ran?

"Greetings my subjects! May your holiday be grand!"

Blinking and finding no lines at her gates, the bug Queen frowned slightly. Teleporting herself to the balcony of her castle, she waited. And waited. Annnd waited. Surely they would remember what day it was and come running at once! Trying to figure out how this holiday worked, with a magical pop of her horn, the hearths warming eve guide appeared in her green mystical magic. Flipping through, her palace had been decorated, guards had been given the day off, and singing ponies had been around throughout the day. What was she missing?

[Joxer]

As she thinks this, Joxer walks in behind her with several other random ponies with a grin on his face, talking as he walks up beside her with a grin on his face. He gently hugs the queen, making it obvious through their mental connection that he meant it.

"Well, for one thing, you should really send out invitations with the correct time... Happy Hearths Warming Eve, mother. Here... its for you." He smiles and lets her go, holding out a small box for her.

[Astral Midnight]

An invisible Astral made is way into the room where the Queen was and sat quietly in the corner. He had a small surprise for her, since she had essentially given him a better life. He wasn't sure at first, but he decided to carry out this plan. He stayed in this corner, waiting for his opportunity, invisible to the other ponies, but just slightly visible to the Queen.

[Basilisk Nova (R.I.P)]

Nova grumbles as he carries in most of the huge "heavy" gifts into the room, he glared at the ponies and the gifts because of them it was "too heavy" for them. Mentally cursing them in his mind he placed them on the ground. Nova's appearance has changed for this day, not wearing his armor but his winter jacket, scarf, and a ski mask. He saluted the Queen for it is his job to do so, and with that he took a seat and let the other ponies go first.

[Noble Persona]

Noble had to admit that Hearth's Warming Eve was both the best and worst day of his year. On the one hoof, everypony had a chance to do things and openly be with their loved ones, as long as they didn't make trouble. On the other hoof, Noble still hadn't forgiven Chrysalis for the war she started. He walked down the main street, perusing the stores for a gift of sorts. His somewhat sour mood lightening as he stopped to give money to some hungry foals. With the foals off buying a tasty Hearth's Warming treat, Noble continued his search for a gift. What would the Queen appreciate, though? That was the question he asked himself as his search went on.

[Moia]

Hearth's Warming Eve. An occasion which Moia Gruber usually celebrated for a different reason to everypony else - that being that it was the time when everypony rushed to buy gifts for their friends and family, which meant a significant spike in profits for his company. Followed by yet another spike in profits when everypony rushed to snap up a bargain in their end of winter sales. Truly a time to celebrate, as far as he was concerned. Though, not in the same way as sone others... So why did he find himself standing outside Queen Chrysalis's palace in the freezing cold, shuffling his hooves occasionally to keep his walking frame from icing up?

[Flux]

Two different-colored eyes gazed out through the mouth of a mountain cave from just inside where the last tendrils of snow had blown in, staring in the direction that Canterlot was in behind the low clouds and forests. Flux honestly hadn't expected Moxie to hear him out; after all, the idea of leaving the camp for most any reason was so heavily frowned upon by nearly everyone in it. But this...it was different. A day of peace ordered by the highest authority Equestria had anymore, that wasn't something that came around often, and apparently news of Chrysalis's decision to make that happen had never reached the mountain camp.

"And that's pretty much why she does this every year. Maybe it's not the most popular opinion around here, but I think she's doing the best she can with what she's got. She's made some...less than favorable decisions, but it's the ones like this that tells me there's good in her. She's just not good at expressing it very well. The city opens to everyone, and I'm hoping that Ranger will show up if he's in the area," he said, finishing his explanation of the Queen's traditions as he turned back to the mare. "I thought maybe you'd like to come along and see him if he's there."

[Orange Glow]

Orange soon flew up besides her mother and cast her a smile. "I'm sure some of the ponies are just a bit put off right now Mom. I'm sure as soon as they see one of their friend come out other will come. Now.. Since I don't have any other family left for this time of year.. I got you a gift"

Orange presented a beautifully gift wrapped present to her Mother and Queen. Inside the box would just be a nice bottle of wine infused with love from some of the ponies, but not just any love. Pure genuine love.

[Moxie]

The yellow pegasus mare had listened to her friend's explanation with a mix of many emotions. Doubt being a big one. Chrysalis luring her more rebellious subjects out with a false sense of security seemed like an easy trick, especially after she had done it a few years without trouble. Who wouldn't come out after the first year's promise had gone unbroken? The ones who played it safe, that's who, and that was exactly what defined the survivors in their safe haven of camp.

However, the feeling of doubt wasn't the only thing that passed through Moxie's mind. Excitement. Curiosity. Countless questions that could possibly get answered left her feelings of doubt smothered out by a more selfish need to finally get the closure she wanted so badly. And the biggest reason of all? The chance to know if her brother was safe.

"Are you sure Ranger would risk coming out?... he's alot like Genesee sometimes... He wouldn't come out without good reason." Her emotions reflected clearly in her eyes as she looked at Flux. She wanted to know if this trip would truly be worth the risk. They would be breaking camp rules. There was no way in Tartarus that Genesee was going to okay a group of ponies to descend down into towns even on a day promised for peace. She knew all too well he would see the trickery in the gesture as she did. She wanted to go with Flux... but she also didnt want to put him or others at risk. It had to really be worth it.

[Flux]

"I know, and...I just don't know. He may, he may not, I have only hope that he does. You have to be thinking it can never work, I did too for the first couple years. At times I wouldn't even risk being near the border or around the city around this time, so sure was I that they were only waiting for a better time to strike. But I saw, time and again, that she makes good of her promise." Flux began to pace slightly, nervousness creeping into his system.

"The act of trust goes both ways today. She opens the city, her home, to us and others, and we reciprocate that trust by not giving her any more reason to dislike us. I know how crazy it sounds, but I never miss it now that I know. I...I have to try." The stallion was unable to keep eye contact with her and looked down at his hooves, scuffing them lightly on the stone. "I have to hope that someday my family will go too."

[Queen Chrysalis]

Swiftly turning behind her, the Queen of the changelings had stood in mere shock at the sight before her. Subjects.. not many, but a few were at her balcony awaiting her presence. Blinking down at the brown stallion with a somewhat hesitant demeanor, Chrysalis took the first gift before smiling. From a troubled pet to an evolving soldier, her son was turning out to be everything she wanted in a loyal subject.

"Thank you Joxer. You have made the start of this day to be most pleasing indeed. I must, as you say, keep better track of time."

Entering into the throne room from the balcony to see her daughter and a few others welcome their Queen with wondrous gifts fit for royalty, the changeling Queen had reassured herself with a firm and confident smile. Lighting up a green magical aura around Orange Glow's present, the mare opened it almost immediately after Joxer's. Widened eyes watched in surprise as the bottle unwrapped itself in her magical grasp. Never, in her existence, had she been shown such admiration and love from anyone that wasnt forced by fear. Wanting to leak fluids from her eyelids, the Queen could not contain herself as she continued to open gift after gift in absolute joy. Like a filly waking up on a snowy holiday morning, this royal mare was nothing but excited for each and every item presented to her. Was this the joy these ponies talked about?

"You have pleased me in ways I have not known!"

Turning to her daughter and Joxer, she was mainly unsure as to how the tradition lasted longer. Her heart meant to be heard, but her min was so full of confusion, it didnt quite know how to get there. Looking to the faces, her mind finally clicked on the next planned session on her check list, that was only, she hadnt read that far in the book.

"My children.. what do I do next? I do not have gifts for these subjects."

[Noble Persona]

After some time spent deciding and eventually failing to decide, Noble picked up something small but he found himself hoping Chrysalis would like it. Of course, his rational side kept telling him that this was the perfect moment to strike. After all, it would send a message to the other rulers that resistance wasn't dead and perhaps be a symbol for others to rally to his cause if Chrysalis was to meet her end. But he knew in his heart that he couldn't do it on Hearth's Warming Eve. A day to spend with family and friends...

Family and friends...

He remained silent as he stepped in line with his gift to her, trying to hide his conflicting emotions as he went through the gesture he felt was expected of him. He only wished he wasn't going to be so alone on Hearth's Warming Eve...

[Moxie]

Moxie stared at her own hooves for a few moments, thinking things over. If it were only her going, she wouldn't think twice at the chance of finding her brother. But Flux was going, and she was responsible for this new member. Well, fairly new... he had been in camp for 6 months but she still felt very responsabile for him. If something happened to him because she okayed going... she would never forgive herself.

However, hearing Flux's final words about his family was too much. She looked at him with sorrow and nodded. "If they're there, we'll find them. Ranger too. Let's do it."

[Moia]

Moia shuffled his hooves, trying to remain at least vaguely warm as he walked slowly towards the palace. Why was he here, engaging in Hearth's Warming Eve, something that he'd never seen the need to engage in before? If his financial and political advisors were to be believed it was to strengthen ties between E.G.O.E.S and the Queen's government, but still he had no idea how to go about it. Was he supposed to buy her a gift? GIve her lots of money? He shuddered and sent that last thought back to the dark corner of his mind where it had come from.

So, he supposed that he may as well pay Her Highness a visit. Maybe he'd pick something up along the way for next year. Slowly, he walked towards the gates of the palace, looking around for some way of making his prescence known...

"Hea-chhhh! Ach du lieber...!"

Aside from that loud sneeze.

[Flux]

The stallion lifted his head at her reply, a cautious smile showing at the good news. At once he started thinking about the logistics. "We're going to need an excuse. Ideally I'd like to stay until it's finished, just in case, which means that if that's okay by you we're back here the morning after, early. We could leave tonight or tomorrow morning, but we're going to need to go around the city and approach from the opposite direction. It may be a day of peace, but that doesn't mean they're not watching for later."

He grimaced slightly before shaking his head and pacing slightly, the details of a mostly-solid trip needing to be laid out before it started. "I'm sure there are others that would like to go, but we'll have to be careful about asking so no one lets slip that it's actually happening." He paused for a moment and blinked before smiling and letting out a soft chuckle. "You showed me your home," he said with a light wave into the caves. "Now I get to show you mine."

[Basilisk Nova (R.I.P)]

Basilisk nova huffed, placing the heavy gift items down near the door. He trots to the queen and bows "My queen" The "elite soldier" saluted. "Happy Hearth's warming Eve, my queen." Nova said.

[Orange Glow]

"Then mother, simply show them a kind smile and gratitude for their gifts and presence" Orange said softly to Chirssy

[Moxie]

Moxie grinned at Flux's remark and followed him out into the tunnels to begin their secret mission.


The camp was buzzing with ponies preparing for Hearths warming inside the camp walls. Yearly, the whole camp came together to try to create a special day for everypony to connect back to the traditions they all had left behind or lost with the war. More duties were added to everypony's list to decorate and help prepare the next day's feast. It was mid-day by the time Moxie and Flux had finished their major chores and began to find the opportunities to pull aside camp ponies they thought might want in on their plan. There were many ponies they trusted to keep their mission quiet, and they tried to ask any pony that they knew had family that might still be alive in the area they were headed. To their surprise, many ponies hardly took the time to think about it before accepting their invitation, and before they knew it, they had more ponies then they had anticipated.

Getting them all out under the cover of darkness was going to be tricky. Sneaking out the main entrance was no longer an option. With careful planning, they devised a plan by nightfall to sneak out the western river exit in the twilight of the next morning.

Word was passed secretively to all the ponies who were on the list to join them. Moxie and Flux retired to their chambers as normal for the night with the entire camp. When the moon was at its peak in the sky, the duo quietly made their way from Luna's Chambers and into the underground tunnel systems where they soon gathered with the rest of their group. With everypony soon accounted for, they made their way past the underground river, and made their exit of the camp without issue.

The group moved swiftly down the mountain's slope, their spirits high with hope of the possibility of seeing loved ones again. Pegasi, unicorns, and earth ponies stuck as one to the ground to remain out of sight to the posted watch guards of the camp above. Today the races were united by their goal and cooperated in an ease that was rarely seen. Everypony knew the reason the other was there today, to try to find out if their loved ones were still alive and well. Moxie's heart fluttered as she pictured her brother's smirk, praying that the gift of that sight would be hers once more today. She followed close behind Flux as he lead the group onwards as the light of the rising sun began to light their way.

"Once we get to the valley farmlands, we should pause and make sure every other pony knows where they are going. Do you think any will be headed our way?" She pondered quietly to flux as she matched his brisk pace.

[Flux]

Flux's teeth chattered slightly as he walked and his breath turned to mist in the cool night air, but he wouldn't have it any other way. He felt free again, just like he had before he settled into the caves. Despite the brisk chill he felt on his face he was quite warm under his duster.

He flinched slightly when Moxie spoke up; he hadn't realized she'd been walking next to him but offered her a smile and slowed his pace slightly for her. "I rather doubt it," he replied, his voice soft in the open air. "I've spent quite a bit of time gathering what information I could and I don't think any of these ponies have any ties to the city. It's probably for the best, too. Less faces to track back to everyone else. I wonder if she remembers me," he added after a pause, almost as an afterthought. He was, of course, talking about the time he'd spent working for the now-Queen, though was fairly sure no one in his current living situation would like to know that one among them had any ties with her.

After giving everyone in their group some basic directions and ensuring they knew to meet back here for the return, the two pegasi turned towards the city, the blue one sporting an eager grin. "So, thoughts? You excited?" he asked. He then blinked, realizing something. "And are you cold? You can take my duster if you want."

[Queen Chrysalis]

Taking in what her daughter had suggested, the Queen of the changelings had indeed smiled and looked genuinely happy for the gifts she recieved. Shifting to the soldier among the crowd with one large present in particular, her eyes had lit up like the mindset of a childs. Nodding as if welcoming him closer, the Queen moved toward Basilisk Nova, her interest peaking by the second.

"You have bestowed a present to me? Basilisk Nova, how may I thank you for this gracious offering?"

[Moxie]

Flux's comment to himself had thrown Moxie off for a moment, who was this "she" he wondered if remembered him?... Maybe Flux wasnt just going for his family after all. Maybe love was on his mind? A small pang twinged in her chest but she soon pushed it aside. Every pony had lives before camp, and so did she.

The chill in the air seemed to be thawing as the sun peaked it's warming rays over the peaks of the foothills now to their backs. Moxie helped organize their group and send them on their ways before it had dwindled down to just herself and Flux. She scampered after him as he turned them towards their destination and smiled warmly back to him. "I'm alright, the sun will be out fully soon and its already getting more comfortable. Plus, i like to stay loose on my hooves." She gave her fur a shake and bounded ahead of him with a giggle, using her wings to lightly bounce from one boulder to another along their way. It was nice to make a game out of their journey, and she soon became determined not to touch the ground with minimal wing help.

[Flux]

"Loose on your hooves?" he repeated back with an eyebrow raised in a challenging smirk, oblivious to her reaction to his comment. "You think I can't be while wearing this or something?" He gave a quick snap of his wings to propel him onto the boulder she had just occupied, his hooves clicking against the hard surface. "Lead on; I'll bet you a cup of cocoa I can be just as nimble as you!"

He jumped from rock to rock after her in the same manner, using his wings as little as possible, and the two soon found that doing so made the remaining distance pass by faster than simply trudging along. The city had been visible on the horizon shortly after the group split up and before too long it had risen before them to where they would be near it within an hour or so.

[Moxie]

Moxie skipped from each rock with ease, going faster and faster till she was spraying the snow atop the boulders into the air in her wake. Her open wings allowed her to continue to build up speed and keep her aerodynamic. She sliced through the air as she bounded from each rock until the last actual boulder passed her by. Now with only tamed roads ahead, she gave up her previous game and went instead to a game that basically consisted of scooping up hooffuls of snow as she ran and chucking them back toward's Flux's face, laughing all the while in giddy joy.

[Flux]

The snow that skipped off the tops of the rocks could barely settle before it was lifted into another wake as Flux shot by, mere moments behind her. They accelerated toward the city, and he didn't even realize how close they had gotten until they ran out of rocks and other things to jump from until his hooves skidded against the frozen ground for the first time since they started their little game. A snowball against a white background wouldn't show up to him, and if it were not for her irregular action and the shadow that raced across the ground towards him he would have taken a facefull of snow. After recovering from his dodge he realized what she had done and took off laughing after her with one wing dropping towards the ground to gather as much snow as it could hold before he caught up to her. By now they had entered the long shadow that the city wall cast.

[Basilisk Nova (R.I.P)]

"I don't know what I would even like in return my queen. " The elite soldier bowed once again. "The only thing I wish for, if possible, to see my family once again... but i'll leave it up to you whatever you wish to do, my queen."

[Moxie]

Moxie squeed in excitement as she ran from him, trying to pick up snow as she went to send hurtling back at him over and over again. After awhile of their play, she dove behind a nearby wagon cart and hid to catch her breath. As she did, her eyes opened wide as she finally had paused long enough to look around. The scene had changed drastically, and now tall buildings loomed above her. All were decorated with lights and garland, their piney smell making her think of home. Her distraction made her forget about her running game with Flux, and she trotted out from behind the wagon without much thought as she continued to look around.

[Flux]

As she turned to survey the city that spread out before her she was greeted by the wonders of engineering and advancement that had been made all before, during, and since the war. Unfortunately, her action also left the back of her head a prime target for the load of snow that Flux had collected. Taking advantage of the situation he dropped the load of powdery snow all over her back with a shout of victory, being sure to rub some into her neck under her mane. If she hadn't really left the camp for the past few years she was well overdue for the standard snow abuse. Of course he had no malicious intent with any of it, but as the old adage went, "she started it".

After a few seconds to let his win sink in he began to help brush the white powder off, chuckling, before he was suddenly struck by how much this felt like what he used to do with his sister after they'd fought in the snow. His movements slowed for a few seconds before he hastily retracted his wing and turned back towards the city with a steadying breath so he could blink his eyes clear without raising suspicion. "It's amazing, isn't it?" he asked softly.

[Moxie]

Moxie sputtered and spat in protest as the rain of snow was unleashed upon her. Fussing stubbornly against his hooves as he help clear the snow away, she now felt chilled to the bone.

As he stepped away, her teeth chattered and her fur fluffed out against the crisp air. "Holy Luna I'm frozen!" She worked out through her shivering, "Its b-beautiful, b-but it'd be even m-more pretty behind a cup of hot c-cocoa." She glanced around, looking for a shop to start their day off in before they set to the real work of navigating through the city to find Flux's hopeful destination. "Think any p-place is open?..."

[Flux]

Flux pulled himself out from the pit that had tried to open in his mind, taking a breath before turning to grin at her. "Well, considering what day it is, probably not a real shop, exactly. But! There is one place that's always open, if you're interested in seeing-" he paused for effect and leaned in conspiratorially as if releasing some great secret upon her, "The Light House. You could say I'm a co-owner there."

A good portion of his intentions with suggesting his old home was to see if anything had changed. If it had, that meant that someone of his family had been by since he left for Camp New Hayven.