North Pole
December 22, 2022
2110hrs
Sparkler was seeing it, but she still couldn’t believe she was currently piloting the Sparkmobile through the hole in the ground and descended into an underground area that previously eluded all sensor sweeps of the region as far as she knew. And if that weren’t enough, it was SANTA’S WORKSHOP of all places. The place which was a myth at BEST. “I don’t believe it…” She whispered.
“We’re descending on Santa’s workshop.” Daydream said.
At that moment, there was a knock on Sparkler’s door. Sparkler turned her head to see a person with pointy ears gesturing down. Sparkler guessed they meant the window and she rolled it down. “Sparkling Medley, Twilight Sparkle, and Sunset and Daydream Shimmer?” The person asked.
Sparkler glanced down to see that the elf had jet boots. She glanced back up at the elf. “And Clear-Cut…but yeah.” She said.
Clear-Cut roared while the elf nodded. “Follow me. We have a landing area all ready for you.” The elf responded before they flew off, past both Zora and Cortana, the two drones that Sparkler set on defense. Just in case things got dicey.
Sparkler continued their descent and followed the elf down to the ground, where indeed they had drawn a landing site in the snow. On the way down, Sparkler and her friends could get a closer look at the town below, and it was clear that some sort of battle took place recently. A few buildings were on fire, and they could see elves everywhere fixing things. “What happened here?” Sunset asked.
“Something tells me whoever stole the device that’s causing the anomalies came in loud.” Sparkler responded as she landed the Sparkmobile on the ground, automatically converting to snowmobile mode. After a quick change into warmer clothing through the Sparkmobile’s advanced technology, Sparkler and her friends climbed out of the Sparkmobile. In awe of the sights around them despite the damage.
“Holy crap we’re actually standing in the middle of the freaking North Pole…” Twilight said.
“This place was always a myth at best…” Sparkler said.
“It’s so much more than a myth. As you can see.” Said a familiar voice.
The four girls and one dragon turned to see an elf walking towards them. The elf smiled as he held out his hand. “Alexander. Head elf around here. We talked on the phone.” He introduced himself.
Sparkler, still in awe that they were talking to one of Santa’s elves, took the hand. “N-nice to meet you Alexander.” She said.
“Likewise Sparkler.” Alexander said. “Excuse the mess. We’re usually a lot tidier.” He said.
“I take it this has to do with the recent theft of your device?” Daydream asked.
“Yeah. The culprits did not take the stealthy approach for sure.” Alexander responded.
“Who are the culprits?” Sunset asked.
“The big guy will explain more. He wanted me to take you to him as soon as you arrived.”Alexander responded. “Come on.” He said.
The group followed Alexander into the largest building in town, and it was clear this was where the main toy production was happening. All around they could see elves working hard. “Please refrain from interfering in the toy making process in any way shape or form.” Alexander said. “With this incident we’ve been—“ Alexander was interrupted again when the lights flickered.
“Is something wrong with your electrical grid?” Twilight asked.
“Without the generator we’ve had to rely on backup batteries. But with our requirements we’re going through them faster than we initially expected.” Alexander explained as they ascended a flight of stairs.
“Has something like this happened before?” Sparkler asked.
“Never. Otherwise it wouldn’t have been so easy for the culprits to take the main generator that sustains us.” Alexander responded.
“And just who are the culprits?” Daydream asked.
“A pair of adversaries you four all know.” Said a low, beefy voice that belonged to the man waiting for them at the top of the staircase.
Sparkler and her friends gasped and their eyes widened at who was waiting for them. A man with a long white beard and wearing a red coat. It could only be. “S-Santa Claus…” the four of them whispered in unison, disbelieving that they were standing in front of the man, the myth, the legend himself.
Clear Cut had a different reaction. He dismounted from Sparkler’s shoulder, and flew right up to jolly ol st. Nick’s face, studying him. Clear-Cut roared at Santa after a second.
While Sparkler was inwardly panicking at what Clear-Cut was doing, Santa responded to Clear-Cut. “Ho ho ho. You’re very observant for a little dragon. Yes. The promotional material all across the world is shockingly accurate for the makers never having seen me before.” He said.
Sparkler couldn’t help but stare in shock. As far as she had known she was the only one who could understand Clear-Cut, but now… “Y-You can understand him?” She asked.
Santa smiled at Sparkler in response. “I can communicate with all living creatures in the world. So long as they believe in the Christmas Spirit.” He explained. “Even creatures that come out of Pendants.” He added.
Sparkler still was having trouble wrapping her head around the idea that Santa could understand Clear-Cut. Meanwhile Twilight, who had previously been recovering from the shock, suddenly snapped out of it. “Oh dear gosh you’re Santa Claus It’s an honor to meet you sir I have so many questions not the least being how you deliver all the gifts in one night and--Mmph!” Twilight got cut off when Sunset slapped a hand over her mouth to shut her up. She signaled her that now was not the time.
“Sorry about that.” Sunset said. “She’s excited is all.”
Santa chuckled. “Hohoho. No worries my dear. I am sure you all have questions, and I would be happy to answer them but unfortunately we must get down to business.” He told them.
That snapped Sparkler out of her shock and she nodded. “Right. So, What exactly happened here?” She asked.
“Follow me.” Santa responded.
Sparkler, Sunset. Daydream, Twilight, Clear Cut and Alexander all followed Santa through a few hallways. “I trust you’ve been detecting anomalies popping up everywhere?” Santa asked.
“Since this morning.” Sparkler responded. “Alexander says it’s the device.”
“Our magic generator.” Santa responded. “It’s basically our power source.”
“With the generator we’ve been able to stay off the radar and power our entire operation for generations.” Alexander explained. “Without it we won’t last for very long.”
“Like the heart of a person.” Sunset responded.
“It’s the heart and nerves of this operation.” Santa responded. “And up until now it was never stolen. Not even an attempted theft.”
“Alright.” Daydream said. “So who was stupid enough to do something like–Oh my golly…” Daydream was cut off when they entered a large area that was clearly supposed to be a command and control center.
“Welcome to the brains of this operation.” Alexander said. “Here we handle pretty much everything.”
“Impressive.” Sparkler said, everywhere she looked she could see screens.
“Indeed.” Santa responded as they approached a large screen. “It was here where we were able to identify the crooks responsible for this theft.”
“And who are they?” Twilight asked.
Alexander tapped a button on a console and the big screen lit up. “Here’s the security feed.” He said.
Sparkler, Twilight, and the Shimmer Sisters all watched as everything seemed quiet at first, Until an explosion was recorded, and from the smoke emerged a pair of girls that Sparkler and her friends all recognized. “Sundown.”
“Midnight.” Sunset and Twilight identified the attackers.
“I’m sure you can now understand why we called you in to help us.” Santa said.
“I’m beginning to.” Sparkler said as Clear Cut started growling at the screen. In an instant, Sparkler was running through possible scenarios where a pair of crazed demons having a magic generator was a prelude to armageddon. “Why did they steal the thing?”
“Wish we knew.” Alexander responded. “But I think we all know how disastrous this is. And not just because now Christmas is in trouble.” He said.
“Them with a magic generator could sow global chaos.” Sunset said. “Whatever they’re planning it’s got to be naughty.”
“So you need us to get it back.” Sparkler deduced.
“If it is not too much trouble.” Santa responded. “I know you girls wanted a quiet christmas this year, but we wouldn’t be calling on you if we thought anyone else could help.” He said.
Sparkler glanced at Clear-Cut, who nodded her way, it was clear that he was looking to kick the demon’s butts. She glanced at Daydream, Sunset, and Twilight, all three of them nodded, agreeing to the mission. Sparkler smiled and turned back to Santa and Alexander. “We just need a location and we’ll get that generator back from the grinch and scrooge.” She told them. “You can count on us.”
“We’re still figuring out a location. Our sensors have been wonky since the theft.” Santa responded.
“Maybe I can trace their magical signature.” Daydream responded.
To Be Continued…