Nicholas & The Crystal Star

by DanishDash

Chapter 8: The Great Task

Lunch was pretty uneventful, they talked about this and that. About the Grove, some of the minor history, and a few more details about how they ran the place. Nicholas had to admit he was impressed, at first he had thought they were all trapped, but many actually left. Some who had been here for over a hundred years could leave if they wanted, and live out the rest of their life any way they wanted.

Life at the grove also seemed so very peaceful, like Ponyville in many aspects. They had a school, a market, different jobs, even their own currency, which was these beautiful silver coins, with a snowflake on one side, and a pine tree on the other. It was like a micronation, only in hiding, as nopony from the outside had ever found them, or even could get in. 

Outside the protection of the veil was a harsh cold land, and even if an expedition was to come close, they would see nothing but more snow. They could even pass through it, without ever entering the grove. The Crystal Star really was impressive, and the more Nicholas learned about it, the more questions he had.

As for his hooves, it still took a bit of practice, and a few spills, but Nicholas did manage to eat. His clumsy attempts did earn him a few sympathetic giggles from the deers and pony present. Nicholas didn't mind, he chuckled a bit too, and once again thanked his lucky stars Applejack and Mina were with him.

When lunch ended, the three does stood up, to which Nicholas and Applejack did the same. "I think it is time for us to show you your role." Bori said.

"I just know you will get excited about this, Nicholas!" Alice grinned.

Aurora nodded. "He has always enjoyed good craftsmanship."

Having seen the three deers love surprises, and keeping others in suspense, Nicholas decided it was better to see what they meant. However his interest was more than peaked when he heard the word 'craftsmanship', something the three did take notice of, and clearly enjoyed.

"Come with us, Nicholas." Bori smiled, trotting to the large door leading to the hallway.

Mina jumped onto Nicholas's back, and Applejack trotted up beside him as the two followed their hosts. Neither spoke as the does took them down the hallway, and led them back to the large entrance hall. Once again they came to the large staircase, and this time they stopped in front of the large pair of double doors.

Aurora, Bori, and Alice stood in front of it with expecting grins. "Nicholas," said Bori. "As we told you, to live here is a privilege, but it is also a great responsibility, one no one should take lightly."

"We told you that you are the one to protect the Grove, and the Crystal Star." Aurora explained. "But the truth is, your role is so much greater."

Alice had an excited grin plastered all over her face, but she sounded calm as she spoke. "You are to spread cheer around the world, and bring hope, and the joy of giving."

Nicholas looked at the three of them in awe. Somehow, he felt as if he had become very small, or the world had just become that much bigger. "But, how will I do this?"

The three does shared another look of joy. "Easy!" Said Alice. "You have already been doing it every Hearth's Warming Eve."

Then it clicked for the newly ascended alicorn. "You want me to deliver presents at hearth's warming eve for everyone...?" The three nodded in unison. "But, that would require hundreds, no, thousands of presents."

"It's for every kid out there in the world, Nicholas. They are the future after all." Alice smirked.

"But, I don't have that many gifts." Nicholas said a little desperately. "I only have enough for Ponyville."

"Oh, don't you worry about that, sonny." Aurora grinned.

"We have had a while to prepare." Bori added, then glanced at her two companions. "Ladies, I think it is time." A silent signal passed between them, and as one, they turned around to face the large door. With Bori in the middle, the three pushed the doors open, revealing something that made Nicholas's eyes grow as wide as dinner plates.

The does stepped aside, allowing the shocked Nicholas to step into what looked like a MASSIVE workshop!

The place was the biggest workshop he had ever seen, it was at least five stories, with different levels that did different things. They stood in the middle section, looking down at the ground floor, where large tables, and assembly lines had been put up, with hundreds of deers trotting around and working.

Looking up to the different floors, Nicholas spotted a network of stairs, wooden bridges, and even small train tracks with tiny trains running along them. The wagons all carried different materials, paper, wood, tools, fabric, and stuffing for dolls. Despite standing on a balcony and having a pretty good view, Nicholas had a feeling he had barely seen anything.

"This is..." Nicholas said, trailing off.

"Beautiful..." Applejack finished, looking as much in awe as Nicholas did.

The three does smirked. "This way, there is a lot to show."

That was an understatement. While at first glance, it looked chaotic, Nicholas quickly came to realize how well built and organized the whole place was. The workshop had different sections, all working on different things. The ground floor was the main assembly line, and where the products would be taken to the wrapping department.

Nicholas and Applejack were taken between the assembly lines, and tables, watching as deers put the finishing touches on  wide selections of toys. Some were putting the parts together and securing them, some were quality control, others painted the toys, or corrected small errors almost invisible to the naked eye.

There was a level that worked with wood, and another working with metal. Some sections of the workshop seemed to specialize in more delicate areas, like sewing, or small toys that required mechanical gears to work, like springs, gears, and other stuff one would commonly see in clocks. There were deers wrapping, transporting, writing, making candy or goodie bags to go with the presents. There was even a small infirmary where deers were being treated for tiny burns, or splinters, nothing a bandage and a mommy kiss couldn't fix. 

There was the feeling of Hearth's Warming in the air, with music and even song! The deers suddenly broke into song, something he had only seen ponies do, but here they were, singing!

The more they trotted around, the more Nicholas noticed more and more deers were slowing down work, looking his way, whispering to one another. That didn't stop their singing however, it seemed they were singing for them, as much for one another. 

As the tour seemed to come to an end, it seemed like they had gained a huge following, with deers whispering excitedly. Some followed them from above, trotting along the many bridges, stairs, and platforms. Some simply followed them on the ground floor, all seemingly excited to hear what Nicholas thought, and if he approved. 

Finally they came to stop, and Nicholas looked around him, seeing the work had completely stopped, all the eyes were on him. Nicholas looked around at them all. "This is... This is really amazing..." He said, still in complete awe.

The deers seemed to like that response, and seemed to congratulate themselves, hoof bumping, and nodding excitedly to one another. "Did you hear that, he said it was amazing!" Some whispered, all extremely pleased and proud that Nicholas approved. 

Aurora, Bori, and Alice all exchanged pleased looks, when Alice trotted to the side, and gestured with her hoof. "We have one more thing to show you."

Nicholas looked at her, and then with Mina and Applejack, followed the three does to down the large workshop. The other deer all followed suit, trying to get close to Nicholas, but still kept a respectful distance from him. At the very end of the hall, they came to yet another set of huge wooden double doors, something they seemed to be quite fond of here.

This time four workers quickly made their way up to the doors, and with their combined might they slowly managed to open up the heavy doors. At this point Nicholas didn't think he could be more surprised, but once again his eyes widened, and his smile grew.

Inside were huge racks of toys, the racks going at least two stories above the ground floor. Inside were a few deers trotting around, some with wagons hitched up to them, others with what looked like clipboards. As the doors opened they had stopped working, and when their eyes landed on Nicholas they looked very excitedly, even bowed to him.

Nicholas was too amazed to really take note of it, instead he trotted closer to one of the massive racks, looking at the many different toys. Applejack did the same, trotting over to a selection of doll houses, leaning in to see the beautiful work that had been done on them.

Nicholas did the same, looking over the wooden trains, and the small royal guard figures, doing so with a craftsman's eye. "This is beautiful work..." Again there came pleased mummers from the crowd. He then looked at Aurora, Bori, and Alice. "How am I supposed to deliver all of these toys, on a single night?"

The three does stepped forward, while the rest of the crowd became respectfully silent. "The Crystal Star has powerful magic, Nicholas." Said Aurora. "Time will travel will you."

Bori nodded. "The night of the world is a passage for many."

Alice bowed her head, as in respect. "But an endless night for you."

"Until your task is done." Aurora finished. "This is your legacy to the world."

Applejack stepped up to Nicholas, placing a hoof on his. He looked at her, surprised, but seeing her gentle smile made him do the same. He could see something in her eye, was it pride? Looking back at Aurora, Bori, and Alice, then the rest of the reindeer, even the elves who had all seemed to gather without him seeing, he felt as if a huge responsibility had been placed on his shoulders. 

All of them were looking at him with smiles, with eyes that spoke of hope. Was this really where he was meant to be? Looking around at the many toys, thinking back on his time in Ponyville, his parents, his little brother, everything. The kindness of this world had blessed him with a life filled with love, friends, and family.

He'd always wanted to give back, and knowing his presents brought such joy to the foals of Ponyville, it had made him feel complete, happy, proud even. Nicholas smiled, looking at Applejack once more. She nuzzled him, and he nuzzled her back. Yes, yes this was where he needed to be, but there was still so much to do.

Only a few days until Hearth's Warming Eve, and he needed to be ready. Looking at Aurora, Bori, and Alice again, he gave a single nod. "I'm ready..."