A Hearth's Warming Parole


        For the past couple of months, they had stood there, their minds or conciousnesses trapped in solid stone. They were alive, but unaware of the passage of time. They might have remained that way forever, barring any attempt to rehabilitate them, but fate had other plans...


        “Just a bit to the left!” said Spike.


        “Make up your mind.” grumbled Gallus as he moved the strand of garland again.


        “Perfect!” exclaimed the dragon. “The school looks great!”


        Despite himself, Gallus smiled and nodded. “This will be the best Hearth's Warming Eve ever.” They spent a few minutes looking around the festively decorated main hall of the school.


        Twilight came into the room. “And with the meteor shower due tonight, we'll have an extra show.”


        “They're going to come pretty close, aren't they?” remarked Ocellus.


        “Yes, but don't worry. I doubt any of them will hit the ground...they'll burn up in Equus' atmosphere.”  said Twilight.


        “Are we going to talk, or are we going to get some hot chocolate for a job well done decorating?” asked Gallus.


        Twilight laughed. “Okay, but take it easy – everything has to last until Hearth's Warming Eve.”




        That night, the meteor shower was impressive indeed, putting on a great show in the Equestrian sky with brilliant streaks of color. When it started to die down, everyone want back to the school or back home. That's how they missed one meteor that streaked towards the ground and hit the ground with a small explosion and flash of light – hardly noticeable except that it hit not 100 feet from the petrified villains.


        A blast wave emerged from the meteor that quickly dissipated – but lasted long enough to wash over the statue. Then cracks started appearing in the stone, cracks the grew larger and larger.


        Queen Chrysalis had been trying to attack the princesses when she was petrified. This position threw her off balance as she was restored, causing her to fall to the ground. Slowly, she got to her feet and shook her head. “I don't believe it...I'm free!” she exclaimed, then turned to see Cozy Glow and Tirek had also been freed.


        “Those ponies will pay for this!” she declared, shaking a hoof in the direction of Canterlot. “I swear it!”


        “Would you knock it off?” said Cozy Glow. “It was your ranting that got us trapped in stone in the first place.”


        “Don't tell me what to do!” yelled Chrysalis.


        “They'll destroy us.” moaned Tirek. “We've got to get out of here and hide.”
        “Cowards.” snarled Chrysalis. “I'll take my revenge on those ponies by myself if necessary – and destroy anyone who stands in my way.” she added, looking at them pointedly.


        “We don't even know how much time has passed.” remarked Tirek. “We might have been in that stone for centuries.”


        “It dosen't matter.” replied the Changeling. “I'll get my revenge on someone.”


        “Sure you will.” said Cozy Glow sarcastically. “Meanwhile, I'm cold. I'm not going to stay out here. Let's find shelter.” The filly and Tirek headed for the woods.


        “Fine.” snapped Chrysalis. “Just until I get my strength back...then beware, Equestria!” In a moment, she followed them.




        “Where did the cookies I baked go?” asked Pinkie Pie, looking around.


        The students all looked at Yona.


        “Yona not eat all the cookies! Yona only take two!” exclaimed the yak.


        “Well, someone got greedy.” said Smoulder. “I'm sure Pinkie dosen't want to spend all day baking more cookies.”


        “It's okay. I'll bake more.” said Pinkie as she bounced out of the room.


        “The room was only empty for a few moments.” remarked Sandbar. “Whoever took them must move pretty fast.”


        “Whoever took that must be pretty hungry.” said Ocellus thoughtfully.






        “Cookies? Are you serious?” said Chrysalis, staring at the plate Cozy Glow had brought in. “I require love energy!”


        “Well, Pinkie Pie wasn't baking love.” said Cozy. “It was hard enough to get these without getting caught. Eat them and stop complaining.”


        The villains had found an old cabin in the woods that appeared to be deserted. Luckily, it had a fireplace, and Tirek got a fire going so at least it was warm. For the moment, they were at a loss as to what to do next.


        “At least we know it hasn't been that long.” said Cozy Glow. “Pinkie Pie and the students are stll around.”


        “I wonder what freed us – or who?” asked Tirek. “There was no one else around.”


        “Who cares?” said Chrysalis as she reluctantly bit into a cookie. “We're free...and I'm not going back to stone. Nor am I going to sit around in this shack forever.”


        “I guess that's up to us.” said Cozy Glow. Chrysalis looked at her sharply, but said nothing.