Burst and the others were silent for almost a full minute before Burst broke the silence. "And you thought he didn't exist?", Burst said with a small smirk while looking at Sunset.
"Actually, I'm pleasantly surprised.", Sunset replied. "So is there any chance you know just what happened? Why time's come to a stop?" Santa nodded and pulled out small snow globe and pressed a button on it. A massive display was brought up.
"Have you ever wondered how I'm able to travel the whole world in one night? It's because I have a small amount of control over space and time. But this device..." Santa pulled up an image of a device that looked like a stop watch. "lets me greatly increase that power. The chrono-disruptor. It also lets me actually enjoy all those cookies and milk. But it was stolen a few days ago."
"I called it!", Twilight cheered. "I knew it worked something like that!"
"But why would someone want to freeze time like this? What do they stand to gain?", Starlight asked.
"Making sure Christmas never comes.", Santa said gravely. "I've been doing this job for a long time now. And nothing fills my heart with joy more than seeing the happy faces of children all over the world on Christmas Morning. But with time frozen like this, so much more is at stake. One half of the world will be frozen, and the other would be in perpetual heat."
"So how come we aren't frozen in place?", Sunset asked.
"Ho ho ho! Ms. Shimmer. I thought you would've caught on to your connection with the elements by now. They shielded you from the affects of the time-wave. As for you Burst, you and the rest of your friends are protected by your bond with your monsters."
"This is amazing! I knew you were real!", Burst said with a huge smile. "Can you still travel the world though?"
"Sadly, my reindeer team was frozen into statues back at the North Pole. And even if we do manage to fix this mess, we won't be able to free them in time. Which is why I'm here. I'm sure you wouldn't mind if I borrowed your dragons for tonight?"
"Santa, it would be my honor." Burst summoned Blue Eyes.
"Count me in too!", Inferno said as he summoned Red Eyes.
"Timaeus, Critias, Hermos!", Ace shouted as he summoned his three dragons.
"Show us to the sleigh, and we'll take care of the flying!", Blue Eyes said with a thumbs-up. Santa smiled at their willingness to help.
"It's no wonder you all wound up on the nice list every year." Moon nervously stepped forward.
"Um, Mr. Claus? Which list am I on?"
"Hmm. Nightmare Moon. You pulled quite the stunt when you tried to bring eternal night in Equestria. But you've changed yourself for the better, and now you have what you've always needed. Good friends, and a loving boyfriend." Moon beamed at hearing this. "You can expect a certain package under the tree tomorrow. Oh! And Celestia?" Celestia went over to the group.
"Yes?"
"Sorry it took so long to deliver on that perfect boyfriend present.", Santa said with a wink.
"So how can we help fix things?", Burst asked. Santa reached into his coat pocket, and pulled out what looked like a tracking device.
"This device can trace the signal of the chrono-disruptor. I'll still be able to deliver presents, but only to half the world. As long as the thief holds the chrono-disruptor, they hold the future of Christmas in their hands!"
"So what does this jerk look like?", Rainbow Dash demanded. "I'll deck them good for trying to ruin Christmas for everyone!"
"They look like this." Santa pulled up an image of the thief, and the whole group was shocked! It looked like Starlight, but it was composed of the malefic armor seen on the enslaved dragons! "Of all the people to wind up on my naughty list, she's the worst I've seen yet."
"You can count on us! Just worry about delivering those gifts to the kids on your nice list!", Burst said with a confident smile. "Come on guys! Let's deck that imposter's halls!"