The school bell rang as all the Canterlot High students ran out, excited for winter break.
Sapphire Night was among them. She walked on when she past by Flash Sentry, Sandalwood, and Micro Chips.
"Hey, Sapphire!" Flash called. "You going to Applejack's holiday party tonight? They'll actually have cider this year."
"Yeah," Sapphire nodded. "Me and Wallflower."
"Great!" Flash waved. "See you two there."
Sapphire waved back as she headed toward the school garden.
Sapphire looked around at some of the flowers that Wallflower had stay safe from the winter. She even passed a bunch of poinsettias that the two along with Twilight and Fluttershy planted a while back.
“Those are a nice touch.” She smiled before she spotted Wallflower Blush finishing up her regular gardening duties.
“Hey, Wallflower.”
“Oh hi, Sapphire!” Wallflower greeted as she finished putting away the last of her gardening tools.
Sapphire noticed she was carrying a beautiful flower inside a pail and asked, "That's a nice flower, Wally."
"Thanks, I've had it since I was a little kid," Wallflower said. "I just wish I had a pot or vase to put it in. Oh well. Anyway, I loved that painting you did with Sunset. Even though you got detention for it."
Sapphire smiled sheepishly, remembering how she had helped the Rainbooms try and trick Principal Celestia into calling a snow day that backfired and landed them in detention.
"Yeah," she rubbed the back of her head. "Word of the Wise, don't listen Rainbow Dash's ideas. But I made sure she learned her lesson."
"What did you do?" Wallflower asked, knowingly.
Sapphire took out her phone and showed her a picture of Rainbow Dash shoved into a mash potato snowman. Wallflower burst out laughing.
"I think it's safe to say she won't be getting any ideas like that again," Sapphire grinned.
"Anyway, I'll see you at Applejack's holiday party."
"I hope Flim and Flam don't ruin it again this year," Wallflower said, in worry.
"Don't worry," Sapphire said. "Applejack told me that she got Twilight, Donnie, and Chaplin to help deal with them."
“Hopefully, they don’t need Raph and Slash’s help with them.” Wallflower added.
“Yeah, they really gave them a run for their lives.” Sapphire stated, remembering their interrogation at Equestria world. “But, they promised to let those guys do their plans first. In fact, Raph was forced to pinkie promise.”
“That’s understandable.” Wallflower sighed. “Well, we better go get ready.”
“Yep, see you later!” Sapphire waved as the two left in different directions.
What neither of the girlfriends knew, was that Wallflower planned on getting a case for Sapphire's paint brush. And Sapphire Night was planning on getting a vase for Wallflower's plant.
--------
Later that day, Wallflower had existed a store with a pain brush case in a small box.
"Sapphire's gonna love this case!" She smiled. But as she was heading in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres.
But then a truck drove past and shortly after, she heard voices shout, "Look out!"
"Huh?" She looke and gasped.
Mikey, Derpy, Snips & Snails, and Bulk Biceps were all riding Mikey's skateboard and heading straight for her!
Wallflower screamed and dove out of the way. Unfortunately, she had dropped the box with Sapphire's case inside and the skateboard ran over it with a crunch.
"Oh, no!" Wallflower exclaimed.
"Sorry!" Mikey called back as they and the truck disappeared around a curve.
“Please be okay. Please be okay.” Wallflower opened the box. Unfortunately, her paint case was smashed.
“No. Nonono!” Wallflower whimpered. “I just used the last of my allowance!” She looked at the store window, seeing a red sign that read, ‘No refunds!’. She was about to burst into tears when she got an idea and looked at her flower.
“I hate to do this, but this is for Sapphire!” She said as she headed to the florist store.
--------
Sapphire walked down the sidewalk, carrying a beautiful vase.
"Boy, I was lucky to this one of a kind vase," she said to herself. "Wallflower's gonna love it!"
Then suddenly, she heard screaming and a skidding noise then turned around and gasped. A maroon car was spinning off the road straight at her!
Sapphire screamed and dove out of the way as the car skidded past and smashed, front first, into a lamp post.
Night Terror kicked the back door open and growled. "That turtle! When I get my hands him! I'll head 'em off at the pass!"
Then Night Terror took off cutting through backyards. Back in the car, the air bags had deployed, squashing Flim and Flam in their seats.
"Well, this is a fine mess, brother," Flim said to Flam.
"Quite right you are, brother," Flam agreed.
Meanwhile, Sapphire had landed on a patch of grass, belly down.
"Few!" She sighed in relief. "That was a close one." Then when she began to sit up, she heard a cracking sound and her eyes widened in realization. "Oh no! No no no!" She slowly got up to reveal to her horror, that she had landed on the vase, breaking it into pieces! "NOOOOOO!"
“Now what do I do?” She muttered. “There’s no time to get it glued back up, and I just used up my allowance buying this vase!” Sapphire then shook off her sadness. “Come on, Sapphire, think! There’s gotta be something you can do.” She poked her chin with her paintbrush pondering.
--------
"Well, this is just great!" Bozzerkazooers grumbled. "We ask the Rock N Beats to play for our toy drive and they don't show up!"
He, Rena, and Wildcard had set up a toy drive in the park for children in need. Wildcard looked inside the donation bin. So far, no one had put in a single toy.
Rena's phone buzzed and she answered it. "Hello?"
It was Sweetheart. "Uh, Rena, we're gonna be a little late."
-------
"What! Why?" Rena exclaimed through the phone.
"For some reason, there's a bunch of cars blocking the road," Sweetheart explained.
The Rock N Beats sat in Melody and Sweetheart's mother's van, while their mother angrily honked at the cars.
"Get out of the way!" She yelled, but the drivers ignored her.
The cars were the Purple Nightmares trying to stop the truck that Mikey, Derpy, Snips & Snails, and Bulk were trying to stop them from hijacking.
--------
“Must be a really big Christmas sale going on.” Wildcard thought out loud.
“What about that Acapella group from New York?” Bozzerkazooers suggested.
“No can do” Wildcard sighed. “They’re under prohibition after the pet show.”
--------
Suddenly, the Nightmares all scattered in a panic. Then a large truck plowed through the cars, Night Terror crash landing on one of them unconscious, and drove past the van, surprising the Rock N Beats.
"Well, that was convenient," Sweet Note said.
"Go, mom, go!" Melody called, and her mom drove through the opening.
"Actually, we'll be there soon!" Sweetheart told Rena.
"Hey, wasn't that Mikey, Snips, Snails, and Bulk Biceps on top of that truck?" Ace noted.
"And I think I saw that crosseyed girl driving?" Clover added.
-------
Back at the toy drive, Rena spoke, "Okay, see you guys soon." And hung up. "Sweetheart said they got held up in traffic, but said they'll be here soon."
"But we need them to bring in a crowd of donners now!" Wildcard said. "Just look at the donation bin!"
"Then we'll need to find someone to perform until they get here," Bozzerkazooers stated.
Meanwhile, Sapphire was walking through the park, still trying to think of a way to get Wallflower's present. She sat down on a bench.
"Come on, Sapphire, think!" She told herself. "How am I going to get a new vase for Wallflower? Well, singing usually helps me think." And she started to sing slowly. "Oh, you better watch out, you better not cry!"
"Where are we gonna find a preformer in such short notice?" Rena asked.
"We could get Trixie to a magic show," Bozzerkazooers suggested.
"You remember what happened last time we got The Great And Powerful Trixie to do show?" Rena pointed out.
"Good point," Bozzerkazooers said.
Then Wildcard heard Sapphire singing and saw that Lily Pad, her mother, and little sister had stopped to listen. Rena and Bozzerkazooers noticed too and all three smiled at each other.
“You two thinking what I’m thinking?” Wildcard smiled. The two nodded and they headed towards Sapphire. “Excuse me?”
“Huh?” All Sapphire could say before she was led by the three.
“Where are you taking me?”
“Mam, we’re desperate. We need you to perform for the people and the toy drive.” Rena explained.
“But-but-“
“Please! The children we’re donating for are depending on us!” Bozzerkazooers begged.
Sapphire tried to reason with the three. “Look. I wanna help. I really do, but I have a party tonight and I need to replace my broken present for my girl so-“
“Please. Don’t do it for us. Do it for the kids. Right now, the only difference between a tear and a smile is you.” Wildcard added.
Just then, Lily Pad's little sister walked up to the stage and placed her stuff turtle on it. Then she turned and started to walked away with her mom and Lily.
Sapphire stared in remorse for a moment, before she grabbed the microphone and dropped down on one knee in front of the girl and sang.
"Oh, you better watch out!
You better not cry!
You better not pout,
I'm telling you why!
Santa Claus is coming to town!"
Sapphire hopped back on the stage and belted out.
"Yeah, you better watch out!
You better not cry!
You better not pout,
I'm telling you why!
Santa Claus is coming to town!"
As she sang a crowd had gathered and some started putting toys in the donation bin.
"One two three!" Melody's voice called out, and music started to play.
Sapphire turned around and saw that the Rock N Beats had arrived. They motioned for Sapphire to keep singing.
[Sapphire Night]
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
I'm telling you why?
[Sapphire Night and the Rock N Beats]
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town!
[Sapphire Night]
He's making a list
And checking it twice
Gonna find out who's naughty or nice</i>
[Sapphire Night and the Rock N Beats]
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town!
[Lancer]
He sees you when your sleeping!
[Melody]
He knows when your awake!
[Ace]
He knows if you've been bad or good!
[Patch]
So be good for goodness sake!
[Sapphire Night and the Rock N Beats]
So... you better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
I'm telling you why?
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town!
After the band played and sang more and more people started showing up and placing toys in the donation bin.
[Sweet Note]
Little tin horns,
Little toy drums!
[Clover]
Rudy-toot-toot
And rum-tum-tum-tums!
[Sweetheart]
Curly haired dolls
That cuddle and coo!
[Logan]
Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too!
[Sapphire Night and the Rock N Beats]
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town!
[Sapphire Night]
Santa Claus is comin'
Santa Claus is comin'
Santa Claus is comin'
To town!
The crowd cheered.
Sapphire noticed the clock said ten till five. “Hmm. Guess I’ll be arriving at Sweet Apple Acres empty handed.”
“That was terrific!” Rena cheered.
“We can’t thank you enough for helping us out.” Bozzerkazooers added.
“Thanks to you and the Rock nBeats, our toy drive was a success!” Gleamed Wildcard.
The Rock n’Beats walked up to Sapphire. “Thanks for covering up for us.” Lancer thanked.
“No prob.”
Sapphire sighed, looking at her broken vase.
the Rock nBeats took notice. “What happened?” Sweetheart asked.
“I bought this for Wallflower as a Christmas present. Then some NUT tried to run me over! Resulting in this!”
Sweetheart's mom came up and saw Sapphires vase. “You know, I think I saw another vase like that one.”
“Really? Where?” Sapphire perked up.
“At the Flimflam Pawn Shop.”
Sapphires smile turned to a frown slowly. “Great.”
-------
Flim and Flam were the last people she wanted to got to for help, but she no choice if she wanted to get a new vase for Wallflower. So Sapphire made her way to the FlimFlam Brothers' pawn shop.
When she entered the shop, she saw a grouchy Flim and Flam sulking at the counter. They both covered in apple sauce. Sapphire guessed it must have been part of Twilight, Donnie, and Chaplin's trick. She then noticed a piece of paper laying on the desk, that read If you ever bother the Apple Family again, we'll sick Raph and Slash on you!
"I can't believe those three triple husseled US!" Flim exclaimed.
“It was easy when it was that Twilight gal!” Flam pointed out. “But with that turtle and tech head, it was like they were three steps ahead of us!”
At least it wasn’t those two Tough Turtles who threatened us at Equestria Land.”
“That was bad enough.” Flam continued. “But when we admitted defeat, some brute hijacked us, forced us to chase that truck with those kids and another of those turtles, who shot our tires.”
“Thanks to him and those Purple Nightmare punks, our car has to go to the shop!” Flim finished. “And we’re paying double!”
“If we don’t make a sale soon, we’ll go broke!”
Sapphire cleared her throat, getting their attention.
"A customer!" They shouted, rushing off to clean off the apple sauce before coming back.
"Welcome to the Flim Flam Brothers' Everything Under The Sun Emporium!" Flim said.
"If you want it?" Flam added, before bothers said...
"We've got it!"
"I want that vase," Sapphire pointed at the vase on the counter. "In trade."
"Hmm?" The brother pondered.
Flim held the vase. "And what might that be?"
"This paintbrush," Sapphire held up her brush.
Flim and Flam did not look impressed.
“A paintbrush?” Flim raised a brow.
“We wouldn’t even trade that for a gumball!” Flam huffed.
“What’s so special about a silly old paintbrush?” Flim glared.
"You know," Sapphire grinned. "They say this paintbrush belonged to Countess Calartora. Having a celebrity's item would make two very rich!"
Flim and Flam just laughed.
"Do you think we were born yesterday?" Flam asked rhetorically.
"Alright," Sapphire shrugged, and turned to leave. "I'll just give it to the next pawn shop owner. Like that guy." She pointed to photo of a man in an orange fezz. The photo had darts all over it.
"Hulking Hoarder?!" Flim gasped.
"Our arch rival!" Flam added.
"Yep," Sapphire said. "I just trade this paint brush to him and he can get rich."
"Ah, wait!" Flim interjected.
"M-maybe that brush is worth something after all," Flam said.
--------
Soon, it was time for the Sweet Apple Acres Christmas party. The students of CHS were mingling with their friends from New York. Donnie and Chaplin were laughing their heads off, telling about how they tricked the Flimflam brothers.
Wallflower and Sapphire chuckled from their spot in the barn.
"Looks like those three gave the FlimFlams a real surprise," Wallflower said.
"Yep," Sapphire agreed. "And speaking of surprises..." she held out her gift. "Ta-da!"
"Sapphire, thank you! And also..." she pulled out her gift. "Surprise!"
"Wow!" Sapphire gasped. "Thanks, Wally!"
They exchanged their gifts and opened them. But when they opened each other's gifts, their smiles faded.
"It's... a case for my paint brush..." Sapphire said, remembering she didn't have her brush anymore.
"A vase for my... flower," Wallflower's face saddened. "It's beautiful, Sapphire, but... I traded my flower to get you that case."
"And... I traded my paint brush to get you vase," Sapphire admitted.
"You traded what you treasured the most..... for me?" Wallflower gasped. "But... you know what? that makes feel so... glad."
Sapphire smiled. "Y'know. I think you're right! That does make it worthwhile."
The two smiled and hugged.
"Merry Christmas, Wallflower," Sapphire said.
"Merry Christmas, Sapphire," Wallflower replied.
Then suddenly, everyone was interrupted by a loud crash from outside. Followed by Mikey's voice saying, "I think you need to work on your parking."
To Be Continued