Yukon Cornelius had given his life to protect his friends from the abominable snow monster, and would be remembered fondly… but now, the ponies had another part of their mission to accomplish; getting their new friends back to Christmastown, in the midst of the biggest blizzard they had ever been in.
It took them about the entire day with the blizzard and everything, but when they finally arrived, there was a whole crowd of elves and reindeer and even Santa himself waiting for them. “Papa!” Clarice cried, rushing to her father for a loving nuzzle. “I thought I would never see you again.”
“Oh, I was so worried about you, my little doe… well, not so little anymore,” Clarice's father said with a chuckle before turning to Zipp and Hitch, standing close by. “Thank you all for helping save my daughter. I was wrong about you all being defiant, ungrateful mules… you’re far from that. I hope you can accept my apologies.”
“No need for apologies, sir. I have a son of my own, and I know you were just trying to protect Clarice all that long ago,” Hitch smiled. “As far as I’m concerned, we’re good.”
At the same time, Santa had been hugging Rudolph with Borealis on his back, realizing that he too had been wrong about misfits after hearing their tale. “Rudolph, I promise, as soon as this storm lets up, I'll find homes for all those misfit toys.”
“Thank you, sir,” Borealis smiled. “We know you’ll try.”
“And I want to apologize to you and your friends as well, Sunny,” Santa told Sunny and Misty. “You were trying to defend your friends and we completely turned our backs on you.”
“We forgive you all, Santa,” Sunny smiled. “Now that everyone understands that misfits have a place, I think everything will work out just fine.”
At the same time, Izzy and Pipp had told Boss Elf how Hermey used his dentist skills to save their lives, and after a moment of smizing (smiling with your eyes) in a pleading manner, he finally relented. “All right,” he told Hermey. “You can open up a dentist office. Next week, after Christmas.”
“Come here. Open your mouth,” said Hermey, and as the boss did as he asked, Pipp caught a glimpse as to what was in his mouth. “Oh dear!” she gagged. “I'll set up an appointment for you a week from Tuesday,” said Hermey. “4:30, sharp.”
At the same time, Rudolph was talking with Clarice, Borealis and his father, who too was very remorseful. “And I'm sorry, too, Rudolph, for the way I acted. And to you, Borealis. I know I never treated you as a member of the family… but I’d like to change that now. To me, you’ll always be my daughter, even if your biological mother is found.”
Borealis smiled with a sigh. “Thank you… that’s what I always wanted. A family to call my own.”
Suddenly, there came a loud banging on the castle doors. “Open up!” cried a voice. “It isn't a fit night out for man nor beast!”
“Wait… that’s impossible!” Zipp cried, recognizing the voice. “Could it be?”
“Let’s see!” Pipp said as she and her sister heaved open the doors. And to their amazement, there stood Yukon Cornelius… his team… and the abominable snow monster! “Here’s the man, and here’s the beast!”
Everyone became fearful quickly, and they began to back away from the monster they had always been taught to fear. “Now calm down, calm down!” Yukon reassured them. “I reformed this bumble. He wants a job. Looky what he can do.”
The spectators watched as the monster effortlessly placed a star on the top of the tree, causing them to gasp in awe. And he doesn't even need a step-ladder.”
“But… but… you went over the side of the cliff!” Rudolph said in confusion, but Yukon only smiled at this. “Didn't I ever tell you about bumbles? Bumbles bounce!”
Everybody laughed at this, and when the laughing died down, Zipp and Sunny quickly approached. “Well, Yukon. We're so glad you’re alive,” Zipp said. “And now that you’re here with some extra hands and paws, we can get this Christmas prep started!”
XXXXXXXX
Zipp was right-- as good as everyone felt, this was no time for long-term celebrating, because the next day was Christmas Eve; the biggest day of the year, and they needed every elf, reindeer, fox and pony to help out.
Some worked on wrapping toys, some worked on getting the reindeer ready and some worked on decorating the workshop and loading the sleigh with the presents.
Meanwhile, in the castle dining hall, Santa sat at the table while Mrs. Claus stood next to him, trying to get him to eat something before his flight. “Papa, eat.”
“How can I eat?” Santa asked irritably. “That silly elf song is driving me crazy!”
“You're going to disappoint the children. They expect a fat Santa.”
Just then, a weather elf handed Santa a copy of the latest weather report, and Santa glanced over it with a sad look. “Well, this is it,” he told Mrs. Claus. “The storm won't subside by tonight. We'll… we'll have to cancel Christmas.”
“Papa? Are you sure?”
“Everything's grounded! Oh, the poor kids. They've been so good this year, too. But I couldn't chance it. I'll have to tell everybody that it's all off this year.”
XXXXXXXX
Borealis and the ponies were having the time of their lives helping prepare things for Christmas… that is, until Santa entered the room, looking quite worried. “Quiet! Quiet! Please, everybody quiet! Quiet!” he said, quieting the music and discussion in the room. “I've got some bad news, folks.”
Flabbergasted beyond compare, everyone gathered around Santa to hear the worst possible news. “Christmas is going to be canceled.”
This caused everyone to gasp in horror, not sure of what to think. “That can’t be true!” said Sunny. “Christmas has to go on, even with a little bit of snow!”
“There’s nothing I can do, Sunny,” Santa responded. “This weather…”
All of a sudden, Rudolph’ nose glowed brightly, causing many to shield their eyes from the light. “Rudolph, Rudolph, please! Could you tone it down a bit? I mean, that nose of yours. I--”
Suddenly… an idea hit him as to how Christmas might be able to go on. “That nose! That beautiful, wonderful nose!”
“Huh?!” Rudolph and Borealis questioned in surprise. “Rudolph, Christmas is not off,” Santa said with a joyous smile, “and you're going to lead my team!”
“I am?”
“Yes, sir! You and that wonderful nose of yours.”
“H-His nose, sir?” Borealis asked out of confusion. “Ho ho ho! From what I see now, that'll cut through the murkiest storm they can dish up,” Santa said. “What I'm trying to say is... Rudolph, with your nose so bright, won't you guide my sleigh tonight?”
Rudolph stood tall and proud, and so did Borealis on his back. “It would be an honor, sir!”
Everyone cheered at the declaration, and Donner turned to his wife proudly. “I knew that nose would be useful someday. I knew it all along!”
“Rudolph, you’re gonna be amazing!” Pipp said. “I just wish we could go with you and help with our cutie mark powers.”
“Actually… you can!” Hermey said. “Those pendants you’re wearing were crafted by elves a long time ago, and they will allow you wingless ponies to harness the same North Pole magic that the reindeer use to fly the sleigh!”
“Really?! Amazing! I've always wanted to fly like a pegasus” Misty said excitedly. “Well, what are we waiting for, guys? We have a lot of work to do!”
Everyone rushed off to help finisht he preparations, and a song began to play, led by Pipp Petals and Sam the Snowman, who was watching the preparations from outside.
All: Have a holly jolly Christmas
Sam: It's the best time of the year
I don't know if there'll be snow
But have a cup of cheer
All: Have a holly jolly Christmas
Pipp: Have a holly jolly Christmas
And when you walk down the street
Say "hello" to friends you know
And everyone you meet
Oh ho the mistletoe
Hung where you can see
Sam: Somebody waits for you
Kiss her once for me
All: Have a holly jolly Christmas
Sam and Pipp: And in case you didn't hear
All: Oh by golly have a holly jolly Christmas
This year
Soon, the ponies and Rudolph were harnessed into place, Borealis in her special spot on Rudolph's back... but that didn't stop the celebrations from proceeding.
Ponies: Holly jolly
Holly jolly
Oh...
All: Have a holly jolly Christmas
Sam and Pipp: And in case you didn't hear
All: Oh by golly have a holly jolly Christmas
This year...!
By the time that the song was finished, everything had been completed, causing the elves and ponies to cheer-- it looked as if Christmas was going to be okay after all!