//------------------------------//
// Episode 20: Merry Christmas to all... 
// Story: Sparkling Harmony EQG: Agents of SMILE: Yule Tide Assistance 
// by Captain_Cosmos 
//------------------------------//

North Pole
December 25th, 2022
0030

The North Pole was bristling with a crowd of cheering elves, who were all gathered in the town square to welcome the reindeer and Sparkler home.

Once they landed, Sparkler dismounted from the sleigh, and gave each Reindeer a pat on the head as a thank you. She barely finished patting Rudolph on the head when saw Twilight and Sunset running towards her, braced herself as they both gave her a big hug. “You did it!” Sunset cheered.

“I knew you could do it, I always knew you could!” Twilight exclaimed happily.

Sparkler chuckled as she wrapped her arms around her two lovers. “Couldn’t have done it without the reindeer.” She said.

“Eh, don't even try to sell yourself short.” Daydream responded as she joined them. “Takes someone absolutely special to pull off what you did.”

“Eh, I won’t argue that.” Sparkler responded.

“Welcome back, Santa Spark.” Alex said as he and Cornelius approached.

“Congratulations. You really did it.” Cornelius said.

“It wasn’t just me, It was all of us.” Sparkler responded as a few elves began unhooking the reindeer from the Sparkmobile, and removing the bag from it.

"Now Santa would like to have a word with you girls, if you will follow me." Alex said.

A few moments later, Alex led them into a room where they saw Santa looking out a window. He turned to see the girls and Clear-Cut enter with Alex. "Ah. Sparkler, welcome back. And congratulations on a successful run." He said.

"Thanks Santa." Sparkler. "A bit touch and go there, but I for one can't argue with the results."

"Two demons banished to the moon and millions of kids not having to wake up to no presents under the three. Definitely can't argue with those results." Daydream said

"Yeah. Thank you all for everything. We know you sacrificed spending time with your family to help us." Santa said.

"Eh, just another Tuesday for us superheroes." Twilight said.

"Indeed so." Santa responded. "Now, If I may have a moment alone with Sparkler? I would like to talk to her privately." He requested.

Sparkler's friends nodded and left. Once they were alone, Santa smiled at Sparkler. “I truly cannot thank you enough for all you’ve done these past few days.” He said. “Especially flying in my place. We never agreed to that. You had no obligation to do any of what you did actually.”

“Yeah well, You could say the secret agent in me won out over the civilian side, even after I strictly told that side of me that it was currently on leave.” Sparkler responded.

“And because of that, millions around the world are waking up to presents under the tree. As it should be.” Santa said.

“Yeah.” Sparkler responded. “As it should be…” She trailed off as her mind drifted back to The Mayor’s house.

Santa noticed her expression change. “Something wrong Sparkler?” He asked.

Sparkler let out a sigh. “I had a run in with a pair of kids, Light Wing and Dark Wing…And I overheard their uncle talking to their mother.” She told him.

Santa understood what Sparkler was talking about and nodded solemnly. “It’s sad that some people feel it’s ok to do that.” He said.

“It broke my heart when I first heard it. I remember being excited to see the presents under the tree every year on Christmas day when I was a kid. To hear the things that monster did, it actually worked to clear my conscience of the laws I was breaking. I would absolutely do it again  without hesitation if it meant I could help more kids like them.” Sparkler said.

“Speaking of laws. Alex told me that you didn’t spray them?” Santa asked.

Sparkler nodded. “Yeah, I just had them pinkie promise not to tell. I felt that they deserved to live with the knowledge that Santa was real for at least one year, after all their previous years were thoroughly Santa-less.” She explained. “If that gets me on the naughty list, fine. Do it. It would be worth it.” She said.

“Sparkler, the Secret of Santa is our most sacred policy and must be upheld above all else.” Santa responded. “That being said, even that must sometimes be waived for the greater good. And I can think of no greater good than what you described.” He assured her. “You did an amazing job given the circumstances. And for that I will forever be grateful.”

Sparkler nodded, then remembered the cards she had in her hand. “Oh, Uh, here.” She said as she handed the cards to Santa. “All the cards kids left out for you.” She said.

“Ah. I always like getting these.” Santa said as he took the cards. “Bless some kids’ hearts.”

“Must feel nice to know they appreciate you.” Sparkler responded.

“Always a great feeling.” Santa said as he looked through the cards. He got to the one Light and Dark made and stopped. He looked at the card, before reaching out to hand it to Sparkler. “Here. I believe this one is meant for you.” He said.

“Me?” Sparkler asked. “But it’s addressed to Santa?”

“Exactly. They made this card for the one who came to their house this year. And that person was not me.” Santa responded.

“I-I can’t.” Sparkler responded. “It was addressed to Santa, and I was ultimately just a stand in.”

“Sparkler, please, I insist, take it as a reminder of the good you’ve done tonight.” Santa insisted.

Seeing that Santa was not going to take no for an answer, Sparkler relented and took the card. “Thanks Santa.” She said. She glanced down to see she was still wearing the Santa suit. “I should probably change out of this should I.” She said.

“Ah, before that.” Santa said. He produced a glass, took some of the milk and a pair of cookies from the suit, and handed a cookie to Sparkler. “Celebratory Cookie?” He asked.

Sparkler chuckled and took the cookie offered to her, dipped it into the milk in the glass, and she and Santa enjoyed a nice milk soaked cookie together.

Soon, Sparkler, back in her winter attire, Twilight, Daydream, Clear-Cut, and Sunset were getting ready to leave in the Sparkmobile, which was transformed back into its original car mode. Zora and Cortana flew in and docked with the pylons. “And now we can enjoy our own Christmas.” Cortana said.

“Ditto that.” Zora responded. “I for one cannot wait to see Mr and Mrs. Medley’s reactions to us.”

Sparkler chuckled. “They’ll be shocked, that’s for sure.” She said.

“I just hope they don’t pry us for details.” Daydream commented. “Secret of Santa and all that.”

“Glad to see you intend to keep the secret.” Alex called out. The girls turned to see Alex, Cortana, and Santa with his bag approach.

“We just want to thank you again for all you’ve done. You all are going on the permanent nice list.” Santa announced.

Sunset couldn’t help but chuckle. “Wasn’t that long ago I never would have heard those words spoken to me.” She commented.

“And now that part of you is on a whole other planetoid.” Twilight responded. “Best, Christmas, EVER!”

“Here here.” Sparkler said. “If you ever need us again, just call.” She told Santa and his elves.

“I doubt we’ll need to but thanks.” Cornelius responded.

Santa smiled and reached into the bag. “Now, before you go, I got a few more presents to give out.” He said.

Sparkler raised an eyebrow. “Huh? But I already delivered all the presents?” She asked.

“You did. This is a Christmas bonus as they say.” Santa responded as he pulled out a familiar stuffed animal. “For Clear-Cut, a stuffed lady dragon.” He said.

Clear-Cut beamed in joy as he took the stuffed animal in his claws, nuzzling it. Sparkler recognised the stuffed toy from before. “It’s indestructible right?” She asked.

“Fire retardant material. That thing will never burn or tear.” Santa responded as he pulled out the next gift. “Daydream, I believe you’ve been wanting one of these.” He pulled out an electric guitar and handed it to Daydream.

“Whoa! My own shredder!” Daydream exclaimed. “Thanks a lot Santa!” She beamed in joy.

Santa nodded and handed the next gift to Sunset. “Sunset, You’ve been wanting to try Snowboarding I hear?” He asked as he pulled out a snowboard, with flame decals on it.

“Whoa. That looks sick.” Sunset responded. “Thanks Santa, I love it.” She said as she took the board.

Santa nodded and pulled out a book for Twilight. “Here you go Twilight, A new book to add to your collection.”

Twilight took the book and looked at the title. Her eyes widened. “Daring Do and The Mystery of the Cosmos?! How did you get this? It doesn’t come out for another two weeks!” She exclaimed.

“I have my ways.” Santa winked. Twilight beamed and thanked Santa. Santa meanwhile pulled out one final gift and handed it to Sparkler. “And finally, for Sparkler.” He said.

Sparkler took the package and opened the lid, and what she found was a Santa hat. “My own Santa hat?” She asked.

“Yep, you’re very own genuine, one of a kind Santa hat. A sign that you are now an honorary, certified Santa Claus.” Santa announced. “Congratulations Sparkler.”

Sparkler choked a smile. “Thank you. I promise to take good care of it.” She said.

“And there’s one more thing.” Alex said.

“Sparkler, they haven’t taken out the Mini Magic Generator.” Flappy informed Sparkler.

“What?” Sparkler asked as she looked at Santa and his elves in confusion.

“I believe a secret agent will find uses for a device that allows her vehicle to turn into any vehicle she might need.” Cornelius said.

“You’re seriously letting me keep it? Aren’t you afraid of it falling into the wrong hands?” Sparkler asked.

“It’s coded to your unique magical signature.” Cornelius responded. “So you are literally the only one able to make it work. Should a bad guy try to use it, it will do nothing.”

“Still, You guys are sure about this?” Sparkler asked.

“We trust you Sparkler.” Alex responded. “Just…Try not to destroy anything when you inevitably joyride a Sci-Fi vehicle.” He warned.

Sparkler blushed when Alex coined exactly what she was thinking of doing, and cleared her throat. “Well…If you insist…” She casually raised her watch and selected the sleigh she used. Before pressing the accept button, she turned to Santa and the elves. “Mind if we ride out of here in the sleigh?” She asked.

Everyone around her couldn't help but laugh as Santa nodded. “Go ahead. You’ve earned it.” He said.

Sparkler beamed as she put on the Santa Hat she was just gifted, and Flappy used the mini magic generator to summon a pair of reindeer. Twilight, Sunset, Daydream and Clear-Cut climbed in as Sparkler waved. “Well, It’s been fun, but we should go now. Merry Christmas guys.” She said.

“Merry Christmas to you all. And Again, thank you for everything.” Santa said as Sparkler took the reins, cracked them, and they took off. Headed for home.

TWO DAYS LATER…

Two days after the big Christmas Rescue as they came to call it, Sparkler, Twilight, Sunset, and Daydream were back in Canterlot, spending Christmas and new years with the Sparkles. As she had predicted, Sparkler pretty much had been sleeping more lately due to being up for a whole 24 hours, and it didn’t help that the minute they returned, Sparkler was called into SMILE for a debrief. 

Fortunately, Sparkler managed to avoid giving specifics about the North Pole and Santa, and even managed to explain the Sparkmobile’s new power and Zora and Cortana’s new sentience as a side effect of the chaos device. And Derrick was also ecstatic to learn that Sundown and Midnight were now banished to the moon. Now, in between family events, Sparkler, Twilight, and Sunset all laid, cuddling on the couch, while Spike the dog and Clear-Cut snuggled in the dog bed, with Clear-Cut clutching his new toy. “Mmm. After the adventure we had, this is exactly what the doctor ordered.” Sunset commented.

“Us, cuddling by the fire, enjoying each other’s company.” Twilight said.

“I’m only sorry it took as long as it did to get here.” Sparkler said.

Twilight sighed. “Sparky, I thought we talked about this, you have nothing to be sorry for.” She said.

“And just think. Because we decided to help, Sundown and Midnight are now banished to the moon.” Sunset said, chuckling. “Wait until I tell Princess Celestia we took a page from her book.”

“I’m sure she’d be proud.” Twilight said as the three giggled.

“Yeah well, I’m still sorry we spent half our vacation NOT on vacation.” Sparkler responded.

“Sparky. Just stop apologizing. You are never going to get us to believe you are at fault for it.” Sunset told Sparkler.

Sparkler saw the looks Twilight and Sunset were giving her, and relented. “Alright, if you say so.” She said.

Sunset and Twilight smiled as they kissed Sparkler’s cheeks. “We should take the Sparkmobile out tomorrow and see what OTHER vehicles it can now turn into.” Twilight suggested.

“Battlestar Galactica’s Raptor anyone?” Sunset suggested.

“Star Trek Runabout.”

“A Halo Pelican.”

“So many options.” Sparkler said.

“Bad guys look out.” Sunset said. “The world's best secret agent is now armed with all of Sci-Fi at her fingertips.”

All three girls giggled in agreement. Meanwhile, Spike Lazily glanced over at Sparkler’s Santa hat, and he noticed something in it. “Hey Sparkler?” He asked. “What’s that in your hat?”

Sparkler raised an eyebrow as she glanced at the hat she had laid out on a small table next to the couch. Being way too comfortable snuggled between her girls to move, Sparkler just used her ring to grab the hat, and look inside, she found a note in there that she coulda sworn wasn’t there before. She took the note out. “Huh? What’s this? She asked.

“What’s what Sparkler?” Twilight asked as Sparkler unfolded the paper.

Sparkler looked for a signature and she raised an eyebrow when she found one. “It’s from Santa.” She said.

“Santa? What does it say?” Sunset asked.

Sparkler glanced at the note and read.

Dear Sparkler,

Christmas is about the time you spend with the ones you love. Be they Family, Friends, or overprotective dragons. (Sparkler had to snicker at that one, as Santa was obviously talking about Clear-Cut.) On the subject of family, I know that You have always had questions about yourself. And the powers that you possess. But most of all, I know that you wonder about your biological family, and why they gave you up. Well, here is some information to make your search for them easier. They are indeed alive and well, and they may be closer than you believe.

Keep doing what you do best, and make the world a better place for all.

Sincerely,
Santa Claus.

“Wait, Your biological family?” Twilight asked, reading the note for herself.

“Yeah…” Sparkler responded. “According to him, they’re out there…And maybe closer than we think.”

“Could they possibly be here? In Canterlot?” Sunset asked.

“It sounds like it could be possible.” Sparkler responded. After a moment of looking, she folded the note back up and slid it back into her hat. “But we can worry about that later, right now, I just want to spend now with you two.” She said.

Twilight and Sunset smiled as they snuggled with Sparkler. “Merry Christmas…Santa Spark.” They said.

“Merry Christmas you two.” Sparkler responded with a chuckle as they cuddled together by the fire. Basking in this moment they had together.

To be Continued Next Time…