Rarity sat at her desk, posting an update on MyStable. Two days to go! She wrote. It’s a wonderful time, don’t you think?
A whistle behind her briefly distracted her thoughts. Ever since her father had decided to run a live steam miniature railway through the house, whistles and clickety-clacks were common sounds, especially when it was rush hour and there were huge numbers of passenger and freight trains moving. Hondo and Sweetie Belle had worked out an entire timetable, which they operated every now and then.
The last few days had caused her to reflect on something. In spite of the fact that her sister and her friends had nothing to do with this awful mess, she really had neglected her in favour of her friends. And although having friends was important, blood was ultimately thicker than water.
She got up out of her chair, and called over. “Sweetie Belle! Time to head down to the streetcar stop!”
“OK Rarity!” she called. “Dad, I’ll be back later.”
“Have fun dear!” Hondo replied. “Just don’t make a mess of the Apple’s carpets!”
Presently, the streetcar arrived, sparks showering from the wires as always. Both girls boarded, showed their passes and sat down.
Rarity noticed that her sister looked glum. “Whatever is the matter, Sweetie Belle?” she asked.
Sweetie Belle sighed. “I’m sorry for throwing a tantrum over not being allowed to your slumber party,” she said sadly. “I guess I just need to mature a bit.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about,” Rarity replied. “I shouldn’t have been leaving you out. Although my friends are important, I need to balance them and my own family members better.”
The younger girl nodded. “I know. But the whole Anon-a-Miss scandal has put a really sour tone over the whole holiday.”
“That is true, yes,” Rarity said. “However, you don’t need to worry about that any longer. The culprits are in jail, the account has been taken down-”
“And the stuff they leaked is still up there,” Sweetie Belle said miserably. “I still haven’t got over the teasing I got when they revealed I was dating Button Mash.”
Suddenly, Button stepped on, the streetcar having stopped. “Hi Sweetie Belle!” he called excitedly. He sat down next to her. “How have things been?”
“Fine thanks,” Sweetie Belle answered, but her voice didn’t suggest it was.
“She’s still a little upset over Anon-a-Miss. And yes, although the information is up there, what matters is that we can now move on. And if people don’t like the fact that you and Button are dating, that’s not your problem.”
“Isn’t it?” Button asked.
“’Don’t worry about what other people think, as they will just think it anyway’”. Rarity answered. The streetcar came to an abrupt halt as they had reached the end of the line. “I must say, these streetcar journeys are most convenient for expositionary dialogue.”
“Sorry, what?” Button asked.
“Just breaking the 4th wall, darling.”
“Come on!” Sweetie Belle cried. “We have a party to get to!”
Sweet Apple Acres looked most festive. Holly and Ivy was hanging from the porch, a wreath was on the door, lights shone, and Christmas carols could be heard wherever you walked.
Apple Bloom threw open the door. “In here!” she called. The two siblings, and Button Mash, stepped in through the door.
“Howdy!” called Bright Mac.
“A Merry Christmas to you!” Rarity replied.
“Nice you could make it, you two,” said Pipsqueak.
“I wouldn’t miss this for anything!” Button added.
Presently, they went into the living room, where not only 3 entire generations of the Apple family were present, but their friends as well. Rainbow Dash was sharing stories with Applejack, Scootaloo was with Rumble, next to the fire, and Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were merrily singing songs. The 2 younger kids went over to join them.
“Hi Scoots!” called Sweetie Belle.
“Nice to see you!” Scootaloo replied.
“Glad you could make it,” Rumble answered.
“So, what do y'all hope to get from St. Nick this year?” Apple Bloom asked.
“I’ve asked for some new carriages for my railroad,” Sweetie Belle replied.
“Ah hope for a replacement carburettor for one of our locos,” Apple Bloom answered. “It needs replacin’.”
“A loco driving and firing course,” Rumble replied.
“Some new games,” Button replied.
Scootaloo suddenly looked glum. “I’ll probably find coal at the bottom of the tree this year, after what I did.”
Pipsqueak put a hand on her shoulder. “Scootaloo, St. Nick will know you were not acting of your own free will. I think he’ll forgive you. Besides, it’s Krampus who brings the coal.”
“Who’s Krampus?” Button asked.
“You don’t wanna know,” Rumble said quickly.
“Listen up!” called Pear Butter. “It’s now time for the evenin’ meal! Take your seats, youngest first!”
The whole room took their places. Apple Mac stepped forward. “If ya’ll could bow yer heads in prayer please?” he asked.
The entire room closed their eyes, put their hands together, and prayed.
Mac started the grace. “Dear Lord,” he began, “Thank you for the gift of our friendships and our family, to see us through the cold hard months of winter, to bring us joy and happiness whenever it is needed. Thank you for the food which you have provided, and the sustenance we need for our daily lives. And finally, thank you, Lord, for life itself, and all its fruits and joys. Amen.”
“Amen,” everybody replied.
“Now then!” boomed the voice of Granny Smith. “It is family tradition for the newest member of our family to fill their plate first. That’s you, Apple Bloom.”
Bloom looked up. “I’m afraid it ain’t, Granny.”
“Sorry?” Granny Smith replied. “Have Ah miscounted again?”
“Ah’m the youngest member of the biological Apple Family, yes," Bloom continued. “But the newest member...is Sunset Shimmer, so she should start first.”
Sunset beamed in surprise. “Thank you, Apple Bloom,” she said.
“Well, ain’t that sweet!” Pear Butter exclaimed. “The true Christmas spirit!”
When the meal was concluded, they all camped out to the barn for the concert and dance.
There were fast songs, slow songs, some performances from the Rainbooms, and even a spirited rendition of Crocodile Rock by Button Mash and the Crusaders, who also performed a version of ‘Awesome as I Wanna Be’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uJH-jH4bmw
But the real surprise came at the end. “For our final number,” announced Bright Mac, “we have a special guest. Please welcome, Mr Neil Morrissey!”
Neil Morrissey stepped forward, dressed in workers overalls and a hard hat. The Crusaders formed up behind him as a backing band. “Well,” he said. “Good evening everybody!”
“Good evening!” everybody replied.
“It’s been a long time since I last performed to a crowd this size!” He smiled again. “Well, I last did this for Christmas 2000, and it went to No.1. So, nothing should go wrong!”
He fired up the microphone.
“Ahhh, Ahhhh-”
“Take your places!”
“Can we fix it?”
“Yes we can!”
“Bob the Builder!”
“Can we fix it?”
“Bob the Builder!”
“Yes we can!”
Rainbow Dash awoke on Christmas Day to the sound of a brass band playing in her ears. She looked outside and smiled. “Looks like the Salvation Army are out in force,” she said.
Getting showered and having breakfast, she greeted her parents.
“Merry Christmas Rainbow,” said her father, Bow Hothoof.
“Where’s Mom?” Rainbow asked.
“In the living room!” called Windy Whistles.
Rainbow stepped in and saw the room had many boxes in it. She hadn’t asked for much this Christmas, but what she saw made her happy.
After proceedings were done and presents opened, Rainbow Dash set off for Scootaloo’s house. The snow crunched under her feet as she walked along. The town was oddly silent. It was Christmas Day, after all. The streetcar was in bed, and no trains were running. All that could be heard was birds chirping, people walking down streets, and carols everywhere you went.
Rainbow knocked on the door to Scootaloo’s house. Cheerilee opened the door. “Dash!” she exclaimed. “You remembered my invitation!”
“Had to do some stuff with my parents first,” Rainbow replied. “Scoots ready?”
“You bet Dash!” a familiar voice called. “I did get coal, by the way.”
“Why are you happy then?” Rainbow asked. She was promptly led into the next room, and what she saw made her gasp.
It was a live steam model of a PRR T1, complete with working lights and sounds. It also had 2 coaches to go with it. “That’s amazing!” Rainbow cried.
“I know!” Scootaloo replied. “That's why getting the coal wasn't a downer. Wanna give her a drive?”
After a few hours of fun together, the family sat down for a family tradition; watching Thomas’ Christmas Party.
“When did this come out?” Rainbow asked.
“December 25th, 1984, in the UK, and 25th November 1990 in the US,” Cheerilee replied.
“How old was I then?” Will asked.
“10,” Scootaloo replied.
“I remember seeing this when it first broadcast in America, as part of Shining Time.”
At last, they gathered around the table for their evening meal.
“I propose a toast!” Cheerilee called. “To the Christmas spirit!”
“To the Christmas spirit!” they all chorused.
“A Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!” Rainbow Dash added.
Scootalo smiled. “God bless us, every one!”