The Canterlot Mall was really busy as everyone went shopping for the holidays. Christmas was coming in ten days and things have gotten so jolly today that The Mall has "Santa's work shop" with toys, a chair for St.Nick himself and elves who were working at "Santa's work shop". All the elves are actually employees working here to make sure everything is ready for when Santa shows up. A man in a blue suit with slick brown hair and had three money bags badge on it was Filthy Rich, but he prefers to be called Mr.Rich.
He was a very rich man with a wife and daughter and he owns everything including Canterlot Mall. He walks by the work shop, making sure everything is set for the guy who will be going as Santa Claus. He looks at his employees who are working as best as they can. He then turn over to Sonata who was counting the candy canes from the bag. They were supposed to be given to the kids after they meet Santa. Mr. Rich smiles and walks by her.
He clears his throat to get her attention which made Sonata stop what she was doing and turn around to see her boss. "Oh, hi Flithy Rich."
"It's Mr.Rich, Miss Dusk." He said, trying not to get annoyed. "I see you are working well and you seem to be doing fine on your own."
Indeed she was, she may not be the smartest siren but she was very good with basic math. It was the only thing she was good at while she and her two older sisters were students in CHS while "the Battle of the Bands" happen. But since she, Aria and Adagio lost their pendants and their singing voices to the Rainbooms, they were powerless and they need to find jobs now. Three months later, they got a job working at the Mall by Mr.Rich who gave them each a job differently. Adagio got her job at a hair salon, Aria was working at Hot Topic and Sonata was working at the food court at Taco Bell ( as long as she doesn't eat the food that is ). But when December came, Mr.Rich gave the Dazzlings a new job as elves for "Santa's work shop". Adagio and Aria didn't like that idea but Sonata does as she was so excited to work there. Now one year later, Sonata was happy with the job even it was only for every year.
"I am and I love the holidays, Sir. I counted only half the candy canes," she said, showing Mr.Rich the candy canes that were in a pyramid style but only half way there.
Mr.Rich chuckles at that. "And how many are their left?"
"About fifty left," Sonata answered with a big grin on her face.
She stop to see how many candy canes are left, but before she could answer, one of the employees walks up to Mr.Rich and clears his throat to get his attention. "So, sorry to bother you, Mr.Rich. But, two of the employees are doing something....naughty again."
Mr.Rich groans at that as if he knew who he was referring to. This is not his day since Sonata's sisters Adagio Dazzle and Aria Blaze were having difficulty with their jobs as elves. Aria would always get into a fight with someone and Adagio would steal fruit smoothies since she was addicted to it. Sonata on the other hand, never does anything bad besides feeding off negative energy and making ponies and humans fight for years, she always likes this job as an elf and she would always say no if Aria and Adagio wanted her to join one of them.
Mr.Rich sighs deeply and spoke. "Tell me, what are those two girls doing?"
"Well, Aria Blaze is assaulting the security and Adagio is drinking the strawberry and banana smoothies from the smoothie counter."
"Why am I not surprised. This is the seventeenth time that they did this. At least you never do anything bad, Sonata."
Sonata chuckles nervously at that. "Yeah. Heh, heh. I never do bad stuff."
Mr.Rich turns over to the employee with a serious look. "Get Aria and Adagio now and tell them to meet me in my office."
The employee nodded and heads over to get them. Sonata raise her hand but, Mr.Rich chuckles at that. "You don't have to raise your hand, Sonata. You're not in school."
"Oh, right," Sonata said with small blush. "Mr.Rich, do I have to go to your office?"
Mr.Rich shakes his head. "No, Sonata. You stay here and continue counting those candy canes. I gotta head to my office to have a talk with your sisters."
Sonata nodded and continued counting where she left off, leaving Mr.Rich to head to his office and have Adagio and Aria meet him.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
At Mr.Rich's office, Adagio and Aria were sitting in their chairs respectively with each of them pouting. Mr.Rich was not in a happy mood, but he wasn't angry either. He was just disappointed at them. This was not his day as Mr.Rich looks at them and spoke. "Why?"
"Why what?" Adagio ask, not feeling grumpy but more smug.
"Why do you keep doing this?" Mr.Rich ask, trying not to yell at them for their antics. "I mean, you girls are just trying to make my day harder and harder."
Aria scoffs. "Like we had nothing better to do then this crappy job."
Mr.Rich gives Aria a glare that would say "watch that tone, Missy." on it. Seeing this, Adagio decided to speak on her middle sisters be half. "What Aria meant to say was that she was just having fun and I'm sure this is all just a misunderstanding, Mr.Rich."
"You call drinking all the strawberry and banana smoothies and beating up my security a misunderstanding? I should just fire you both for this," Mr.Rich sighs deeply and straighten his tie. "However, I'm gonna give you girls one last chance. I know Sonata is not a trouble maker and she likes to keep her job."
"She only likes it because she thinks Santa is coming," Adagio stated matter of factley.
"She acts like a kid when it comes to Santa but you, Adagio and I know that Santa is just a guy in a Santa suit." Aria said, folding her arms and looking away.
While Adagio didn't like Aria's attitude sometimes, she had to agree. Santa Claus was a guy in a costume who shows up every year on Christmas to let little kids sit on his lap. Mr.Rich was also the one who hires them no matter who that person is. Adagio gives her boss a stare of agreement. "Aria does have a point. Even though I wonder why Sonata does have a mind of seven year old, me and Aria decided against it and not tell her that Santa Claus is not real."
"Dooley noted, Adagio. But like I said, Sonata Dusk is not a trouble maker and I WILL give you two girls one more chance to at least not make me say the F word," Mr.Rich said, before he gets up and escorts Adagio and Aria out of his office. "Now, come along, girls, I need to make the announcement for Santa's arrival tomorrow."
"Oh boy, I can hardly wait," Aria said, sarcastically.
"This is gonna be fun," Adagio said, being sarcastic like her middle sister.
Once they were out of the office and heading back to "Santa's workshop", Mr.Rich clears his throat to get everyone including Sonata's attention. "Listen up everyone, tomorrow morning, ten a.m., Santa Claus is coming to town."
"SANTA!!!!!!! OH MY GOD!" Everyone gave Sonata a blank stare while Aria rolls her eyes and Adagio face palm at their sisters childish cheer. Sonata blush as she realize what she just did. "Oh, I'm just looking forward to see Santa."
There was a few seconds of silence until Mr.Rich regains his composure to speak. "Uh, right. Anyway, I will be bring my daughter to the mall tomorrow to meet Santa and I want her to be frist in line. She gets a cranky if she doesn't. So do not let her be last."
Those last few words he said sounded very chilling the way he said it to his employees, but the Dazzlings had different reactions. Adagio smirk with confirmation, Aria only groans as if she hates kids and Sonata just smiles and nods wildly.
Mr.Rich smiles again and speaks once more. "Plus, Sonata Dusk will be standing next to him to be his assistant. Now, everyone take a break for six minutes, then get home and come back tomorrow at eight to finish what you all are doing and remember ten a.m., Santa is Coming to town."
As Mr.Rich goes back to his office to do his business there, Adagio and Aria both looked at each other with deadpan looks. Sonata Dusk on the other hand was stunned for a second before she cheers loudly and jumps for joy.
"So, you think we should tell her?"
"No, you know how she feels about that."
"But what if Sonata realize Santa is fake? She's gonna cry like a baby if she knows the truth."
"I understand that he's a fake and Sonata doesn't know it. As much as I want to tell her, maybe we shouldn't."
"I thought you said you never believe in Santa Claus, Adagio?"
"I don't believe in Santa, but Sonata does."
Then, Sonata walks up to her sisters with a grin on her face and started to get hyper just like Pinkie Pie who drank too many coffee."Girls, did you hear that? Santa Claus is coming! Santa Claus is coming! I can't wait to meet him. I've been a really good girl ever since the three of us lost your singing voices."
"Like we haven't remembered," Aria said, under her breath.
Adagio just gave Sonata a fake smile to make sure she doesn't find out about not believing in "Santa Claus". "Oh, I bet he knows you've been a good girl, Sonata. You really are that happy to meet him tomorrow."
Sonata nodded harder with much enthusiasm. "Yeah, he's gonna be here and the best part is that I get to be next to him. Isn't that great!?"
Aria just groans with annoyance from Sonata's even more loud cheer. "We know. We aren't deaf, Sonata."
"So, you get to be next to Santa Claus and you are aware that you have to let one kid at a time in order to let Santa ask the kid what he or she wants for christmas right?" Adagio was no stranger to this kind of thing. She has seen kids sitting on his lap to ask him what would they what for Christmas. Even Aria knows about it, but she didn't care. Sonata looks at her with friendly smirk.
"I think I got this handled. Do I give one lots of candy canes each? Because that wouldn't be fair for the other good little boys or girls," Sonata ask.
Aria facepalm at her little sister. "No, Sonata. You only give each kid one candy cane and that's it."
"Oh, right," Sonata said, with a small smile.
The P.A. from the walls of the Mall started to come to life as Mr.Rich's voice was heard. "Attention, mall shoppers, the Mall is now closing. If you have any gifts from any store you are in and needs to be purchase, please do so now. If not, then have a Merry Christmas. Also, all elves must leave the Mall so they can get ready for Santa Claus. That's right, folks. Santa is coming to town and he his gonna be here in person. That's all, folks."
While the mall shoppers ( or half them since they got what they needed ) are trying to wrap this up by purchasing a gift for their kids, friends and families, the employees who are dress as elves are heading out the door to call it a night. Adagio and Aria were about to leave when Sonata calls for them. "Wait, we need to finish this or Santa will think that the abominable snowman destroyed the workshop."
Adagio and Aria stop as they gave her a weird look. Aria was the first one to speak. "Sonata, we need to go home. Will finish it tomorrow. Also, you need to stop watching these Christmas specials."
"But-" she was cut off by Adagio who held her hand up to stop her from talking.
"Enough, Sonata. We are leaving now and we will finish it up with the workshop tomorrow, ok?" Adagio gave her a reassuring smile to her littlest sister. Sonata's face was turn into a frown when she realize she wouldn't win her sisters over.
"Okay," she said with a groan.
The Dazzlings were leaving the Mall. Sonata was still looking down and looking sad as ever. She wanted to finish Santa's Workshop so badly, but her sisters told her that can wait. She looks at the Mall one last time and frown, but her frown turn into a realization when she had an idea. An idea that would sure work if she can manage it. She looks back at Adagio and Aria who were in front of her and she tip toes backwards quietly without making a sound.
She was tip toeing very quietly before turning around and running to the door. When she head to the door, she sees a "close" sign on it. "Aw, now how am I supposed to get inside?"
As if there was a miracle, she sees another one over on the wall that reads "authorized personal only". She smiles and sneaks to it, but stops when the door opens. She panics when she sees a massive shadow on the floor coming outside. Sonata quickly hides behind the bushes and pokes her head. The massive shadow got smaller and smaller when a fat mall cop appears. He was wearing a light blue police shirt with a few buttons missing, dark jeans, a police hat, his hair was messy brown and he had a name tag that says ‘Donut Joe’ on his shirt.
Donut Joe stretches before he speaks to himself. "Man, who knew that being a mall cop would be so tough. I can't believe the crazy girl punch me in my gut. Oh well, at least someone is covering for me while I go home and get some rest. Maybe I can get my old job back at the donut shop. I just hope Iron Will doesn't go bull on this Mall if someone sneaks in."
He chuckles to himself until he leaves, but not before turning around and closing the door to lock it with his key. Donut Joe left and spoke to himself again. "I'm glad Iron Will has his keys. He's gonna need them if he wants to leave the Mall by 12:30."
It was a good thing he was oblivious as Sonata had snuck around him like two minutes ago. She quietly sneaks around the Mall and stops when she sees a huge bulking shadowy figure coming. She hides in a nearby trash can and looks to see the figure getting closer. When she got a good look at the figure, it was a huge man with bulging muscles. His police shirt looks like it had its sleeves ripped up, he wears dark shorts with two white socks with two red stripes on each of them, his tie was small and black, he was holding a flashlight, his hair was a blue Mohawk and he had a name tag that says, "Iron Will" on it.
He scans the area with his flashlight and looks suspicious when he looks left and right. "Iron Will thought he saw something. Oh well, Iron Will is gonna look the other section of the Mall."
As Iron Will was out of view for Sonata, she gets out of the trash can to continue to head over to "Santa's Workshop".
When she arrives she saw that it was only half way done. Adagio did say they were gonna finish up tomorrow, Sonata wasn't gonna wait for tomorrow, she wanna do it now and that's what she was gonna do.
"Looks like it's up to me to finish it. Who cares what Adagio said, I'm gonna do it now and make Santa proud," She giggles with delight before getting serious to get ready to finish “Santa’s Workshop”.
Sonata got to work on finishing "Santa's Workshop". She started making paper Angels, wrapping tinsel around the poles, wrapping presents, even going so far as to making a Lego version of Canterlot City ( complete with a train set ). She use cotton to put it on the roof of the little house that is behind "Santa's" chair to make it look like there was snow here.
It took her at least four hours to get it all done as she wipes the sweat away from her forehead. "Sonata, you just made this the best Christmas ever," she said to herself looking at the newly and completely "Santa's Workshop" with pride.
Sonata lets out a yawn and looks at her watch only to see that it was twelve fifty eight. She gasp in shock. "Oh my gosh, Adagio and Aria are probably wondering were I've been. I gotta get outta here."
She quickly ran out to a nearby open vent on the wall that had a sign next to it that reads "Off Limits. Workers Only" on it. She went inside and started crawling inside the vent. It only took her several minutes before she was outside, all covered in dust and web. She dusted herself off and look to see if the cost was clear. That is until she hears a loud voice calling to her.
"SONATA DUSK!" Sonata turns around frighten by the sound of Adagio Dazzle, who was stomping towards her with an angry look on her face. Aria was next to her with the same expression like her older sister.
"H-Hi, Adagio, I-I-I wa-wa-was," she was cut off by Adagio's angry yell.
"Do you have any idea what time it is? It's one a.m. and you decided to sneak away from us like that? What were you doing at the Mall at closing time!" Adagio ask glaring right into Sonata's face.
Sonata was about to say something but she was once again cut off by Adagio. "You know what, I don't have time for this. Let's just go home and Sonata, you are banned from watching TV until New Year's Eve understand?"
She nodded sadly before she walks up to her sisters as they headed to the car. Sonata was about to get in the car, but stops for a minute to look at the Mall. Before she could wonder if "Santa" will like what she did, the car honks, indicating that Adagio was about to lose her patience.
"Hey, Sonata! Let's go now before Adagio yells at you some more," Aria said with a yawn. Hearing that, she frantically got in the car and they leave the Mall to go home and get some rest.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The next morning, The Dazzlings were driving to their work in their elf costumes with a still sad Sonata in the back. She knew that sneaking away from her sisters was wrong but, she had to do something about making "Santa's Workshop" more festive. Sonata was now in trouble for what she did and was hoping that if they get a good look at her masterpiece, they would forgive her as well as being proud of her.
Seeing her in this state, Aria cock an eyebrow at her. "Look, Sonata, you really shouldn't be doing that. What if someone tries to take you away."
Sonata gave her a confused look. "Like the time I got taken away by the boogeyman?"
"No, that was your jacket under the bed " Aria said with a groan.
Sonata went back to being depressed as she turn her head to look out the window. "I'm sorry, I did that. I had no idea you girls would be upset with me after I sneak away."
"Well, you should be. Because what you did was not okay," Adagio said, still mad her youngest sister for sneaking off like that.
"And for the record, Adagio was searching for you for the last three hour yesterday," Aria said without showing any anger or disappointment to Sonata. Adagio gave her a glance. "What?"
Adagio then turned back to the road, but kept on talking to Sonata. "Sonata, I'm gonna forgive you for that. However, this doesn't mean you are unbanned from watching TV. You are still in touble after all."
Sonata frowns and lowers head as if she remembers about that. When they arrive at the Mall, they got out of the car and walked to the building. They went inside to walk to their work place and there were some stores open while half of them are still closed. Sonata walks but kept her head down.
Aria and Adagio sees Sonata's sad expression. "Sonata, you need to stop sulking and keep your head up."
"Just be grateful that she didn't ground you."
"You should be grateful that I'm in a good mood, Aria. Otherwise, you would be grounded for that commit."
"Hey, I was just agreeing with you."
"If I wanted your agreement, I would accept it. Now, let's just get moving it's nine thirty and St.Nick is coming in thirty minutes."
Aria gave her a confused look before Sonata tells her who it is in a sad tone. "He's Santa Claus. But he's also Kris Krinkle. So, he has three names."
Aria rolls her eyes at that. "I knew that, Sonata I'm not dumb. I'm just wondering why they call him that. It sounds weird."
Adagio glances at Aria. "Well, if someone calls you weird would you like that?"
Aria was about to argue but knew that she would lose the fight with her big sister. Instead, she just shook her head. Adagio turned back, facing forward. "That's what I thought."
When they went up the escalator and got off to arrive, Adagio and Aria's jaw drop at what they are seeing.
"Santa's Workshop" was a winter wonderland with complete cotton to look like snow, bowling pins that were painted black and white to look like penguins, a gingerbread house on the table next to the empty present boxes with pretty bows, a inflatable snowman doll, a Christmas tree that has ornaments and etch-a-scetches with pictures of the Mona Lisa on them, giant candy canes that act like guard rails and a complete Lego version of Canterlot City with a train set as well as twelve lite-brite boxes with each letter on them that spells out "Welcome Santa".
Aria and Adagio were completely speechless by what they see. The other employees were both amazed and confused as to how someone was able to do all this in one night.
Both Aria and Adagio turn to each other then to Sonata who was now going from sad to happy when her sisters saw what she did. "Do you like it?"
"Sonata, was this what you were doing while you were sneaking in the Mall?"
"Yeah, I mean I had to do something since you two wouldn't help me."
"And how long did that take you?"
"Umm, I really don't know. I lost count after I finish."
"Wow, for a moron you sure are a good decorater?"
"I hate to admitted, but Aria is right about you on that part."
"Do you think Santa will like it?" Adagio was about to answer when a whining female voice was heard.
"Daddy, when is Santa Claus coming!? I want to see him now!" They turn around and saw the daughter of Mr.Rich herself; Diamond Tiara. The Dazzlings have seen her before when they hypnotized everyone at the cafeteria at CHS. They aren't a big fan of her even though they never talk to her at all.
Mr.Rich tries to calm his daughter down. "Diamond, Santa is gonna be here in a few. So, in a meantime why don't you go get yourself some smoootie while I get everything ready."
He gives her a ten dollar, which makes Diamond happy. "Okay, daddy. But remember, I go frist."
"Of course, I'll make sure you are." Mr.Rich said before he lets Diamond go to the Smoothie bar. He walks up a few feet and stops when he sees "Santa's Workshop" all new and improved. He looks at every detail from left and right and smiles as if it was a miracle.
"Mr.Rich, did you see the new and improved "Santa's Workshop"? It looks like Disneyland came," said one of the employees. But, Mr.Rich was still stun by all of this. He turns to one of the employees that was speaking to him.
"Tell me, who did this. Because if I find out who did this, not only am I getting someone a Christmas bonus, but also gonna make him or her Employee of the Month." Mr.Rich ask.
Adagio over hears those words and smiles devilish-like. She knew that if she tells him that it was her, Aria and Sonata, they would be getting a Christmas bonus each from their boss. This day just made Adagio's life better. Before any of them could ask why she was acting like that, Adagio calls out to Mr.Rich. "Mr.Rich, me and my sisters did all this last night. We know that we weren't suppose to be sneaking here at closing time, but Sonata convinced us to try it out and pitch in."
Both Sonata and Aria were flabbergasted by what Adagio was saying, even Mr.Rich. Normally he would fire any employee who would sneak in the Mall late at night, but he decided to let that one slide when he couldn't help but be happy about how it looks.
"Well, I gotta say Adagio you and your sisters sure have color me impress. Now, that I know who did it, I suppose I can give you three a paycheck each later on, but that's gonna have to wait," Mr. Rich said.
Both Aria and Sonata were slack-jawed while Adagio just smirk. "Well, it was nothing really. But we did it with Christmas magic."
Mr.Rich snickers at that and got serious once he cleared his throat. "Yes, well, I'm gonna have to give you three a promotion each. Aria, you will be standing by the gate to open and close and let each kid take a turn to sit on Santa's lap. Adagio you will take a picture of Santa and the kid and Sonata you know you will be by Santa's side and give the kid a candy cane."
Sonata's eyes got big when she remembers that she was gonna be next to "Santa Claus". She let out a loud cheer so loud that the entire Mall can hear her.
Aria covered her mouth to stop her from screaming. "Sonata, will you shut up! We are in a Mall filled with people."
"Oops, sorry," Sonata said blushing.
Adagio and Mr.Rich both had different reactions. Adagio just facepalm while Mr.Rich just looks like he was okay with Sonata's child-like manner with a small smile.
Mr.Rich breaks the silence to continue. "Anyways, Santa should be arriving shortly. I better get Diamond Tiara, just make sure evrything else is ready."
Once Mr.Rich leaves, Sonata was day dreaming about being next to "Santa Claus". Aria gave Adagio a glare with fury. "Adagio, why did you lie?"
Adagio just shrugs with a fake confused look. "I don't know. Maybe it's because we get our paychecks and gonna be Employee of The Month."
"Yeah, but we didn't make this, Sonata did," Aria points to Sonata who was doing a nutcracker suite dance with a happy yet dopey expression. A mother and her son saw this and the mother drags her son away from the siren turned teenage girl.
"Adagio, what if Mr.Rich finds out that it was just her and not you and me with her?” Aria ask, still giving her big sister a glare.
Adagio simply chuckles. "Oh, Aria, did you forget, we are evil. We feed off negative energy because it's in our nature."
"Yeah, until those Rainbombs destroyed our pendants with their giant flying horse thing." Aria reminded through gritted teeth.
Adagio's left eye twitch when Aria mentioned the Rainbooms. Adagio and her sisters hated The Rainbooms more then the Pillers. She was about to let out a roar of anger when suddenly, Sonata spoke up.
"Oh my gosh, girls. Look! It's Santa Claus and he's walking this way."
They turn around and sure enough. It was "Santa" himself. Both Adagio and Aria had a unamused expression on their faces as if they know that was a guy dressed as Santa. Sonata got super giddy and sees that he is getting closer to the "Workshop".
"Alright, girls, let's get into places. Sonata I wa-" she stop in mid-sentence when she sees Sonata running to "Santa's Workshop". This made Adagio face palm at this. "Well, Aria, let's just hope she doesn't over do it."
Aria rolled her eyes. "Like she won't cause any trouble."
Adagio and Aria both walk to "Santa's Workshop" and headed to their positions. Aria was right by the small gate with all the children lining up. She could see Diamond Tiara in the front with a smile on her face. Aria looks at the kids with a sneer. "Alright, children. I want you all to be on your best behavior if you want to see St. Nick himself. That includes you, little girl."
Diamond gave Aria a smug look. "You know, my daddy is rich and he owns this Mall. He also gave me permission to let me go frist, which I always do every year. He'll fire you if you yell at me."
Aria was surprise by what she just said to her. She wasn't lying, Mr.Rich is rich for many reasons. His daughter was considered as the world's riches princess of them all. Aria knew that if she does yell at her, Mr.Rich will indeed fire her for that. Before she could say something, one of the kids shouted. "Look, it's him! It's Santa Claus!"
As if on cue, "Santa Claus" pops up from the green door and let's out his signature laugh. "Oh, oh, oh."
All the kids cheered, even Sonata got more happy when she bounces up and down. "Santa, it's me, Sonata Dusk! I love you!"
"Santa" gives her a friendly wave before he sits on his chair. Aria groans and taps her on the right shoulder to get her to stop. "Hey, idiot. You need to be next to him remember?"
"Oh, you're right, Aria. I do need to be next to him. Thanks for reminding me," Sonata said as she walks over to "Santa".
Aria just rolled her eyes at her little sister and just open the gate to let Diamond Tiara go frist. She excitedly runs over to "Santa Claus" before Sonata gets their frist. While Diamond sat on his lap, Sonata came close enough to get a real good look at him. When she did, she was not expecting what he really thought he was. She sees that his bread was fake, there was presumably a pillow under his red coat and his face was somewhat familiar but she can't quite put a finger on it.
When Sonata Examines him enough, she ask. "who the heck are you?"
"What are you talking about? I'm Santa Claus?" He replies in a deadpan tone.
"No you're not," she counters with disgust.
"Santa" was a little nervous, but he manages to regain his composure. "Why of course I am."
"If you're Santa, what song did I sing for you on your birthday?" Sonata ask, growing quite suspicious.
"Why, the happy birthday of course. Oh oh oh," he replies before turning to face Diamond Tiara. "Now, what's your name little girl?"
"My name is Diamond Tiara," she replied nicely.
"And how old are you?" He ask.
"I'm thirteen," she replied nicely some more.
"You're a big girl, Diamond and what would you like for Christmas? " "Santa" ask her.
Before she could answer, Sonata leans in and whispers to her. "Diamond, don't tell him what you want. He's a lier."
"Let the girl talk." "Santa" said, turning angrily at her.
"You disgust me. How can you live with yourself?”
"Just cool it, Missy."
"You sit on a throne of lies."
"Look, I'm not kidding."
"You're a fake."
"I'm a fake!?"
"Yeah."
"How would you like to beat it?"
Before they could continue arguing, Sonata hears Adagio clearing her throat. She looks at her big sister, who give her a 'cut it out' gesture. She does so and was slightly giving "Santa" daggers out of her eyes.
Diamond ask him if he was fake, but shrugs it off as if it was not important. Once Diamond told him what she wants for Christmas, she got her picture taken with "Santa", courtesy of Adagio Dazzle. Sonata gave Diamond a candy cane after she got off of him.
"Have a Merry Christmas, Diamond Tiara," he said, waving happily to her.
Diamond wave back. "Bye Santa. I will."
"You stink," Sonata said under her breath. "You smell like beef and cheese. You don't smell like Santa."
Sonata grew more concerned about this "Santa Claus". She wants to know who he is and what has he done with the real Santa. Before "Santa" calls up another kid, Sonata leans in close to his face with a stern look.
"What are you sta-" he was cut off by Sonata pulling off his bread.
Sonata gasp when she saw that it was one of the teachers named Mr.Doodle. Sonata and the girls have seen Mr.Doodle at school before the Battle of The Band started. Mr. Doodle himself has seen all three of them in his class a few months back. All the kids scream when they saw a beardless "Santa Claus". Sonata held up the fake beard up to show it to everyone at the Mall.
“Mr.Doodle?” Sonata exclaims.
“Sonata?” Mr.Doodle exclaims too.
"Mr.Doodle is pretending to be Santa!" Sonata shouted. Mr.Doodle tackles Sonata to the ground to try and catch his beard. She manages to knee him in the pelvis and gets up to show the fake beard to Adagio, Aria and the kids.
"Girls, kids, look! He's a fake! It's our former teacher Mr.Doodle and he's pretending to be Santa Claus!" Sonata turns and sees Mr.Doodle chasing her and runs off out of "Santa's Workshop".
Aria was just busting up laughing while Adagio groans in annoyance.
"Man, this is just so funny!"
"Ugh, Aria, we have to stop Sonata and Mr.Doodle now before Mr.Rich sees this."
"What! But I wanna stay and watch the comedy here!"
"Well, if Mr.Rich finds out about this, he'll fire all three of us."
Aria Blaze hadn't thought about that. She may not like the job, but she's only doing it for money and she would hate being fired for not doing anything even being penniless. Aria groans and turns to face the kids in disgust. "Listen up, kids. My sister and I are gonna stop Santa and our little elf sister from destroying The Mall. But don't worry, will just catch them and give them some milk and cookies to calm them down,"
She turn around to face Adagio with a sneer. Aria wasn't really gonna like this but, she must do it for money and Adagio. “Alright, Adagio, let's just get this over with?"
Sonata meanwhile, was still being chase by Mr.Doodle around the Mall. She dodge every obstacle in her path like the bench, the trash can and even doing a perfect jump over a baby carriage. Mr. Doodle on the other hand didn't do what Sonata did, so he just went around them. She went up the elevator and so did Mr.Doodle. They waited patiently until they are at the top. Sonata spotted a gumball machine and knock it over. The glass of the gumball machine shatters and all the gumballs fell all over the floor.
Mr. Doodle unnoticeably steps on them and was falling on his backside causing his back to crack. "Ah! My back!"
Sonata stop and turns to see Mr.Doodles lying on the floor in pain. She gasp and runs to help him up.
"Are you okay?" She ask, helding her hand out.
Mr.Doodle reluctantly grabs her hand so he can get up before snatching his fake beard away from her. "What is wrong with you, young lady? You think it was okay to pull my beard off like that?"
"I'm sorry, it's just that you were pretending to be Santa and I was hoping that the real Santa Claus is here and not a phony like you."
"Well, I got news flash for you, THERE IS NO SANTA CLAUS!"
Sonata's eyes went wide as they can be when Mr.Doodle shouted out those words. Luckily for them, his voice wasn't loud enough for all the kids to hear except for Sonata.
She got down on her knees and sniffs. "That's not tr-true. Tell me th-that's not true,"
Seeing her in this state, Mr.Doodle suddenly felt guilty about what he did. "Listen, kid. I-"
"Hey, what's going on here!?" A new voice was heard as Mr. Doodle and Sonata look forward to see Adagio and Aria heading towards them.
Adagio comes to comfort Sonata, who was getting ready to cry, while Aria gives Mr.Doodle a death glare. "What did you do our sister!?"
"I didn't do anything. All I said was that Santa Claus is not real and I-ahh, my back." Mr. Doodle said, before putting his hand on his broken back.
Adagio and Aria gasp when they hear what Mr.Doodle said. This was not good at all. Adagio continues to comfort Sonata but kept her glare at Mr.Doodle.
"You told her that Santa was fake!? Why would you say that?!" Aria shouted, getting closer to his face.
Mr.Doodle tries to keep his balance from falling as he glares back at Aria. "She's a big girl. She has to know that."
"She may not be a little girl, but she shouldn't know that Santa is not real. You really are a mean one," Adagio said with a humph.
Mr.Doodle was confused and angry. "But I'm not the bad guy here. It's the truth. That crazy girl just call me a fake by taking my beard off and ran away so I had to chase her. You saw that, didn't you? I mean she does realize that it's my job to be pretending to be Santa."
Sonata got up and look like at Mr.Doodle in the eyes with a hateful glare ever. Her face was red as well as her mascara was running due to her sobs. "You should be on the naughty list, you, you, MEANIE!"
She then runs off crying, presumably heading outside while passing by Mr.Rich, who was looking for Aria, Adagio, Sonata (which he will get to her later since she ran pass by him) and Mr.Doodle. Mr.Rich turns to see her running to the door with a curious look on his face, but decides to deal with that later when he resumes his search for his other three employees. When he saw them, he had a strenful look on his face.
"What is going on here?" Adagio, Aria and Mr.Doodle look up and saw Mr.Rich in front of them.
Adagio walks up to him and spoke. "Mr.Rich, I'm sorry to tell you this, but Sonata was crying out the Mall after she found out that Santa Claus was fake."
"Who told her Santa Claus was fake?" He ask, raising an eyebrow.
Mr.Doodle was next to say something. "It was me, sir. I told her."
Mr.Rich couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You!? Why and how did this happen?"
Mr.Doodle started explaining everything about how Sonata yanks off his beard and chasing after her. He told him about how Santa Claus was not real in front of her and causing her to sob. After he told his story Mr.Rich was both stun and saddened by her behavior. "I can't believe my favorite employee would be upset about this. I mean she does know she's a grown woman right?"
Aria nodded to that. "Yeah, a grown woman who still thinks Santa is real."
Aria was hit in the arm by Adagio, who quickly faces Mr.Rich in a serious yet worried look. "She does know, but she still believes that Santa is real."
"Then, why didnt you tell her this early ago?" he asked.
"Well, we kept that a secret for a while until now," Adagio gave a quick glance at Mr.Doodle, who rolls his eyes. "We really feel bad for her."
Mr.Doodle looks down in shame. "I guess I should be the one to apologize to her."
Mr.Rich gave Mr.Doodle a glare right to his face. "You're lucky, my daughter isn't next to me. Otherwise, she would be crying next to Sonata. Now, since you suggested, I expected you to do so, then I want you to get back on your chair and do your work. Be grateful that I'm not gonna fire you or Sonata for pulling your beard."
Adagio and Aria did a double take on that. "Wait, Sonata is not fired even after she yanks off Mr.Doodle's fake beard?"
He turns his attention to Adagio. "Adagio, just because I'm somewhat mad, doesn't mean I'm gonna fire them. Besides, what she did was a petty thief and I don't really fire employees who steal anything unless it's something valuable."
Adagio and Aria then look at each other with the same shock expression. They never knew that Mr.Rich wasn't the type of owner to fire his employees when they do a petty thief. Adagio and Aria walks away, but Mr.Rich stops them. "Where are you two going?"
"We are going to comfort Sonata," Adagio said.
"Yeah, we also want to escort Mr.Doodle to see her so he can apologize to her." Aria added, making Mr.Doodle gave them a confused look.
"You are?" He ask, scratching his head.They both gave him a glare which makes Mr.Doodle back paddles on that. "I mean, I don't mind if you girls come with me."
Mr.Rich was not expecting this from them. The Dazzlings walking with Mr.Doodle to make sure he apologizes to Sonata while they comfort her? Mr.Rich allows it by giving Adagio and Aria an okay grin. "Alright, girls, I'll allow you two to go with Mr.Doodle to make sure he apologize to Sonata. But, make sure to be back in eight minutes or none of you will get paid."
The three of them nodded to that understatement and wasted no time leaving the Mall.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Once they exited the Mall, Aria quickly spotted Sonata sobbing by the lamppost. "She's right there."
"Alright, Mr.Doodle, you walk over there and say you're sorry," Adagio said in a motherly tone.
"Yeah, yeah, I got it," Mr.Doodle replied, mumbling something else under his breath.
He walks up to her and clears his throat so that way she can hear him. When she did, she turn to face him but changes her expression from sad to angry when Sonata notices him.
"What do you want?" She ask angrily at him.
Mr.Doodle takes his Santa hat off and looks down on the ground in shame. "Um, I just wanna say I'm sorry. I'm really sorry for saying Santa is fake. To be honest, I had know idea you would take that seriously."
Sonata was still mad at him, but she lets him continue. "Your sisters told me that you really believe in Santa and they told me that they have been keeping this a secret from you about Santa not real because they didn't want to hurt your feelings."
Sonata turns her attention to her sisters, who were looking both worried and shame about the secret they have been hiding from her. "Is that true?"
"Yes. But we had to keep it a secret," Adagio said, still looking worried.
"Sonata, just because Santa is not real doesn't mean you have to stop celebrating Christmas," Aria added
"Plus, there are most adults who believe in Santa Claus and yet they still celebrate Christmas. However, not everyone celebrates Christmas. Some people celebrate Hanaukkah and some celebrate Kawnza. Again I just want to say I'm very sorry for hurting your feelings, Sonata. You can believe in Santa Claus if you want. Can you forgive me?" Mr.Doodle did sound very apologetic about this and if what he said was true, will Sonata accept his apology?
Sonata was in deep thought, she couldn't believe that Adagio and Aria knew that Santa Claus was fake and Mr.Doodle tells her that she was sorry.
After a few seconds to think about this, Sonata gives Mr.Doodle a serious look. "Do you really mean that?"
Mr.Doodle nods in responds.
Then all of sudden, Sonata gave him a hug as if she was happy to know that he really does mean it. "I forgive you, "Santa."
Mr. Doodle smiles and hugs her in return, even though Sonata calls him Santa. Adagio joins the hug along with the reluctant Aria who just did a not-so tight hug around them, but she did smile about all this.
When they stop hugging, Mr. Doodle looks at his watch and gasp. "Oh, look at the time. We should get back to seeing those kids."
"He's right, girls. Those kids are probably wondering what's taking Santa so long," Adagio said, agreeing with Mr.Doodle.
"We should tell them that "Santa's bread" grew back with magic. Plus, will tell them that Sonata was freakishly strong,” Aria suggested to that idea, hoping it would work.
Adagio was unsure about it. "Are you sure they would buy it?"
Aria shrugs. "It wouldn't hurt to try."
"I actually like that idea," Sonata said with much enthusiasm.
Adagio rolls her eyes, but smiles anyway. "Alright, Aria will stick to that plan."
"Hey, as long as they believe it, I have no problem with that. Now let's go," Mr.Doodle said, motioning to the girls to follow him.
So, The Dazzlings and Mr.Doodle were about to leave when suddenly, they hear sleigh bells ringing and someone saying "Oh, oh, oh,"
This makes them stop and wonder where that sound came from?
"Did you guys hear that?" Aria ask, wondering where that came from.
No one gave an answer until Sonata looks up and sees a figure riding on a red sleigh with reindeers and smiles. She knows who that is and just continues smiling while Adagio, Aria and Mr.Doodle finally looks up in shock to see what Sonata sees. Sonata whispers to herself. "He is real after all."
The End