In the dojo, everyone had already unwrapped their gifts, but Cressie still had to give her gift to Splinter. She had forgotten where she put it, so she had to search for it.
“C’mon, c’mon. Where is it? Where is it? I know I put it here somewhere…” She said to herself.
“Cressida? What are you doing? What are you looking for?” Splinter asked.
“You’ll see. Almost got it. And… a-ha! Found it!” Cressie exclaimed as she finally found the gift; she went over to Splinter and handed it to him. “Dad… here you go.”
“What’s this?”
“It’s for you.”
“For me? My dear, you did not have to—”
“Yes, I did. I gave everyone else a gift, I can’t leave you out. Go on, open it.”
“Alright, alright I will.” Splinter took the gift and started to tear the wrapping paper, wondering what it could possibly be. “Let us see what you…” He stopped when he finally saw it.
He removed the rest of the paper and stared at the gift in his hands; it was a painted portrait of him, Celestia, and Cressida all together in a beautiful frame decorated with the Hamato Clan insignia and stickers of golden suns. Splinter looked at his daughter with wide eyes; Cressie paused and her face fell.
“What’s the matter? Don’t you… like it?” She timidly asked.
“…No, I don’t like it.” Splinter answered; Cressie hung her head and remained silent. “I… love it.”
Cressie shot up in surprise. “You do?”
“Yes, I do. I do not know what to say.” Splinter started to tear up; he pulled his daughter into his embrace. “This is so sweet of you. Thank you, my daughter.”
“Oh Cressie, did you paint this yourself?” Celestia asked.
“Yeah, kind of. It’s mostly watercolor paints.” Cressie blushed and smiled sheepishly.
“Well, it is beautiful.” Splinter said before getting up and setting the picture next to the framed photo of his human self, his first wife Tang Chen, and Karai when she was a baby. “There, now everyone can see it.”
The younger mutants all gathered around to see. Cressie proudly smiled as her nieces and nephews stared with wide eyes at the sight of her painting; she looked at her brothers and sister and they nodded at her. She went back over to the tree, picked up a small wrapped box, and approached her mother.
“Here you go, mom. I can’t leave you out either.” She said.
“For me?” Celestia asked, taking the box. “I wonder what it is.”
“Open it and find out.”
Celestia smiled and opened the box to reveal that it was a new music box. Her eyes widened and she smiled as she turned the key on the side; it was playing the Sugarplum Pas de Deux from the Nutcracker ballet. She looked at her daughter, who was giving her a hopeful smile.
“Oh, Cressie, this is so beautiful.” Celestia beamed, kneeling down and hugging Cressie tight.
“It may have cost me almost all of my allowance, but I think it was worth it.” Cressie admitted with a giggle.
“Well, thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome, mom.”
They parted. Rarity then approached the little rat girl and handed her a package wrapped in pink paper and tied with a white ribbon.
“Just a little something extra for your efforts.” Rarity said with a wink.
Cressie took the gift and started to open it, only to see a beautiful new dress. It was silvery white with red sheer fabric underneath and a ruby red ribbon tied around the waist; it even came with a pair of silver satin slippers decorated with red bows. Cressie’s eyes widened in wonder; she looked back at Rarity.
“…Can I try them on?” She asked.
“Of course you can, darling.” Rarity replied with a grin.
And with that, Cressie ran out of the dojo and into a different room to change. Celestia and Splinter gave Rarity a confused look.
“What was that?” Splinter asked.
“An extra gift for Cressida.” Rarity answered with a casual shrug.
After a minute, Cressie came back wearing her new dress and slippers. Everyone turned and let out a gasp; Cressie smiled and gave a twirl.
“Cressie, you look beautiful.” Celestia beamed.
“Absolutely gorgeous, darling!” Rarity grinned.
“Thanks so much, Rarity.” Cressie exclaimed, giving Rarity a hug.
“You’re most welcome.” She hugged her back.
Splinter then had an idea; he smiled a mischievous smirk. “You know, this exchange of gifts almost reminds me of my favorite Christmas song.”
“Oh? And which song is that, dear?” Celestia asked with a smile.
“It is a very popular one, and also quite long. But if anyone wishes to sing it with me…”
“Already on it, Master Splinter.” Rainbow Dash said as she stood up and sped off to get her and her friends’ instruments; she returned within ten seconds.
The Rainbooms grabbed their instruments, Splinter nodded at them, and they started to play. He cleared his throat.
“On the first day of Christmas
My true friends gave to me
A picture of our family” He began.
“On the second day of Christmas
My true friends gave to me”
“Two glass knick knacks
And a picture of our family” Rarity sang.
“On the third day of Christmas
My true friends gave to me”
“Three chocolate cupcakes
Two glass knick knacks
And a picture of our family” Pinkie Pie added.
“On the fourth day of Christmas
My true friends gave to me”
“Four comic books
Three chocolate cupcakes
Two glass knick knacks
And a picture of our family” Applejack chimed in.
“On the fifth day of Christmas
My true friends gave to me”
“Five video games!
Four comic books
Three chocolate cupcakes
Two glass knick knacks
And a picture of our family” Sunset Shimmer sang.
“On the sixth day of Christmas
My true friends gave to me”
“Six silk kimonos
Five video games!
Four comic books
Three chocolate cupcakes
Two glass knick knacks
And a picture of our family” Twilight Sparkle added.
“On the seventh day of Christmas
My true friends gave to me”
“Seven vinyl records
Six silk kimonos
Five video games!
Four comic books
Three chocolate cupcakes
Two glass knick knacks
And a picture of our family” Spike the dog sang.
“On the eighth day of Christmas
My four friends gave to me”
“Eight Christmas postcards
Seven vinyl records
Six silk kimonos
Five video games!
Four comic books
Three chocolate cupcakes
Two glass knick knacks
And a picture of our family” Fluttershy chimed in.
“On the ninth day of Christmas
My true friends gave to me”
“Nine skateboard helmets
Eight Christmas postcards
Seven vinyl records
Six silk kimonos
Five video games!
Four comic books
Three chocolate cupcakes
Two glass knick knacks
And a picture of our family” Rainbow Dash sang.
“On the tenth day of Christmas
My true friends gave to me
“Ten chopsticks
Nine skateboard helmets
Eight Christmas postcards
Seven vinyl records
Six silk kimonos
Five video games!
Four comic books
Three chocolate cupcakes
Two glass knick knacks
And a picture of our family” Celestia sang.
“On the eleventh day of Christmas
My true friends gave to me”
“Eleven rubber chickens
Ten chopsticks
Nine skateboard helmets
Eight Christmas postcards
Seven vinyl records
Six silk kimonos
Five video games!
Four comic books
Three chocolate cupcakes
Two glass knick knacks
And a picture of our family” Luna added.
“On the twelfth day of Christmas
My true friends gave to me…” Cressie began.
“Twelve shining swords
Eleven rubber chickens
Ten chopsticks
Nine skateboard helmets
Eight Christmas postcards
Seven vinyl records
Six silk kimonos
Five video games!
Four comic books
Three chocolate cupcakes
Two glass knick knacks”
“And a picture of our family” Everyone sang together.
The music stopped and everyone in the dojo cheered.
“Good job, everyone.” Sunset grinned.
“Whoa, I can’t believe we actually got through that one.” Azura commented.
“Yeah, I thought we were never gonna remember all that stuff.” Vinnie added.
“But at least we got through it, right?” Cressie asked.
“Indeed.” Splinter put his hand on Cressie’s shoulder. “My friends, my family, you are all generous in spirit, heart, and soul and I am very grateful for the many gifts you have given. But I fear that perhaps we have lost sight of the true meaning of this special time of year. It is a time of sharing, being with those you love, and thinking of others less fortunate than you. Remember that your love for me and for each other is the greatest gift you could bestow and the only gift any of us could ever need.” He knelt down and gave his youngest daughter a hug; Cressie beamed and hugged him back.