We thundered across the remaining rails that led up to the landmass stretching out in front of our very eyes. We roared onto a massive viaduct that snaked back and forth as we got closer, not so much travelling on the rails, but as flying through the air like a sleigh. Funny that.
We roared off the bridge, and flew through the buildings, as we continued to descend toward the ground. As we roared down the main line toward the centre of the city, the conductor pulled out his pocket watch and wiped his brow.
“We did it!” he cried. “We’re on time!”
As we began to slow down into the city square, we saw a vast crowd of smallish being wandering into the square.
“What are they?” asked a girl with brown skin and magenta hair.
“Those are elves,” the conductor told us. “They are awaiting the big man himself, who will present the first gift of Christmas.”
“Who’s getting the gift?” the same girl asked.
The conductor smiled. “He will present it to one of you.”
The engine had slowed down to a crawl, and suddenly came to a stop in the heart of the city. The conductor dropped the foot ramp, and we all got off the train.
It was an incredible scene. There was a colossal Christmas tree in the centre of the square, and huge red buildings flanked the scene, each of which seemingly competed with each other in terms of height. The square was absolutely packed with people. It was a wonder as to how we would ever find space to see whoever it was we had come to see.
“Excuse me sir?” Diamond Tiara asked. “But what’s the time?”
“The time,” the conductor smiled, “is 2 minutes to midnight.”
“It’s been two minutes to midnight since I boarded the train!” she exclaimed.
“That’s part of the magic, you see,” the conductor smiled. “Now then, let’s get going!”
I set off, but Sweetie Belle called me.
“Look!” she said, and pointed to the rear car. Sure enough, the other girl was still seated in there. We took the opportunity to climb aboard and speak to her.
“Aren’t you coming?” Sweetie Belle asked her.
“I don’t think he would care,” the girl said.
“But it’s Santa!” I exclaimed. “He cares for all the children in the world!”
“Then why do I never get a present from him?” the girl asked me, with a sad look in her eyes.
I tried to answer her question, but I simply couldn’t.
“You can at least try to live the Christmas spirit!” Sweetie Belle asked. “It’s not just about presents, it’s about joy, happiness, and being with others!”
The girl simply wasn’t convinced. “It simply doesn’t work for me,” she said sadly, looking at the floor as she did so.
I was about to speak again, but then it happened.
There was a loud clunk behind us, as the engine suddenly backed up. The car started to roll backward as it did so, gaining momentum as we were on a slight slope.
I ran to the back of the car, to see two different routes ahead. The points were set to the right.
“Ah think we’re safe!” I said.
But then somebody threw the switch, and we were sent down the wrong line.
“Spoke too soon! Me and mah big mouth!”
We roared down what must have been a 1-in-30 gradient, gaining speed uncontrollably as we rolled toward a tunnel. I climbed out and saw the strange man from earlier sitting on top of the train.
“Turn that big handle!” he shouted. “Unless you wanna crash!”
I ran to the handle, and began to rotate it as best I could. The brakes came on with a horrific screech, as we roared into the tunnel all that could be seen was sparks.
But it wasn’t enough, as we raced toward a turntable that ended in nothingness. “We’re gonna wreck!” I cried.
But we didn’t, and instead came to a sudden stop on the turntable. We were spinning round and round; all the while Bing Crosby was playing in the background.
We got off the car, and decided (for some reason) to follow the music back through the tunnel and along the streets. As we did so, we came into a control building where some elves were watching a screen.
“He’s not getting any!” said one, pointing to a boy who was looking in his stocking.
“Nor her!” said another, indicating a girl dropping some chewing gum.
“Still, boss wants us in the main square,” said a third, as they boarded a strange craft.
We went over to it, and got onto the next one, only to be shot through vacuum filled tunnels and arriving in a room filled with treadmills. A box flew past us, and the girl was excited.
“That’s for me!” she cried.
“What do you mean?” asked Sweetie Belle, as it flew past her. “To Scootaloo.”
“That’s my name!” the girl cried. “He did remember me!”
Before we knew what was happening, she had dived into the tunnel after it.
“Well?” I said. “Let’s go!”
It was like being on a slide in a swimming pool as we flew down and down in a spiral through a sorting schute. We were then deposited into a bag, which was lifted up by a large blimp and flown into the air.
We got a wonderful view of this massive city. Quite how this had never been seen by satellites I had no idea. But we were approaching the square when suddenly-
“Something’s got my leg!” ‘Scootaloo’ cried. Both myself and Sweetie Belle grabbed onto her and tried to pull her up...
...revealing an extemely familiar face.
“Diamond Tiara?” I asked, confused.
“Yes indeed,” she said. “I got stuck in here as well.”
The blimp dropped the bag off onto the sleigh which was positioned in the town square, and flew away. A group of elves helped us down to the square, where, safe to say, the others were relieved to see us.
Then flew in the reindeer, who were attached to the sleigh. They looked so vibrant and happy, the bells jingling (according to Sweetie Belle at least).
I couldn’t hear a thing. But then, one of the bells broke off and flew toward me. I ran forward to grab it, and picked it up, ringing it as I did so.
No sound.
“Ah believe,” I whispered. I couldn’t have come this far to allow my doubts to defeat me. So, I rang it again. Still no sound.
I closed my eyes, trying to shut out the tears. I spoke once again, louder, more defiant.
“Ah believe!”
Then, to my amazement, I could hear the bell.
“What do you believe, young lady?” a kindly voice asked me.
I looked up, and gasped when I saw who it was.