//------------------------------// // A Happy New Year and Home at Last // Story: G5 Adventures in Rudolph's Shiny New Year // by ponydog127 //------------------------------// Upon leaving the Island of No Name, Santa’s sleigh rushed through the skies at a speed that almost matched the speed of light, and with the ponies and Rudolph helping, that made them even faster than usual, especially since they had to cross the Sands of Time in such a hurry.  Not that the ponies minded going so fast... for one, they had a mission to quickly accomplish, and two... they enjoyed flying, with or without wings. Faster than joy itself, and in only a few bongs, they all managed to pull up right beside Father Time’s castle, where Time Twirler was waiting for them. “Rudolph, ponies, Bori, you did it!” she cried. “You saved Happy from the clutches of that evil bird!” “The mission isn’t over yet!” Zipp said with a smile. “You still gotta get Happy to Father Time and let him put on the crown!” “Oh, right!” Time Twirler nodded and picked Happy up with her magic. “Come on, little one, let’s go. The rest of you wait outside the front doors for the party to start! You guys earned it!” And in no time, the unicorn galloped away, leaving the group to get out of the sleigh and get unharnessed. There was one thing that Time Twirler said that was definitely true… they needed a party after this adventure. XXXXXXXX “Father Time! Father Time!” cried Time Twirler as she entered the throne room with the Baby New Year. “They did it! Happy’s back!” “Oh, thank goodness!” Father Time said, taking off the crown as Time Twirler set Happy down on the floor. “This, my dear boy, belongs to you.” And by the time the last bong went off, the crown was on Happy’s head, much to everyone’s relief. They just made it without a bong to spare. XXXXXXXX “Oooh, this is so exciting!” Borealis couldn’t help but squeal as the magic diamond on top of the castle began to drop. “We get to see the magic diamond lower in person!” “Yes, Borealis,” Santa chuckled, “and it’s thanks to all of you and your hard work. You saved the New Year for not just this world, but other worlds in general.” “Aww, shucks,” Hitch blushed with a chuckle. “It was nothing.” “Still… I’m sad we didn't find that cutie mark crystal you were looking for,” O.M told the Mane 6. “Oh, don’t worry about that, O.M,” Sunny said. “I’m willing to spend as much time as we need to with our friends until we can find the last crystal.” “Still…” Zipp kept staring at the diamond. “There’s something familiar in the glow of that diamond…” But before Zipp could say anything more, the diamond dropped completely, meaning that the new year, ‘Nineteen Wonderful’ had arrived, causing everyone to cheer and blow noisemakers, and as Father Time, Time Twirler and Happy emerged from the castle, a cheerful song began to erupt from the crowd. All: Have a happy, have a happy Have a hap-hap-happy new year! Father Time: As the bells ring out Everyone will shout… All: Happy new year! Have a happy, have a happy May each day be filled with good cheer Time Twirler: And with nothing less than much happiness All through the year! All: Should old acquaintance be forgot In the days of auld lang syne? Then take a cup of kindness And you will always feel just fine Have a happy, have a happy Never have a worry or fear Father Time: Here's my wish to you Hope my wish comes true All: Happy new year! Have a happy… happy new year!! “HAPPY NEW YEAR!!” everyone shouted as fireworks ignited in the sky, but then, Zipp began to notice the glow from the diamond again… looking more familiar than ever. “Father Time… may I go up and look at the diamond please?” “Of course. Take as much time as you need.” Zipp flew up to the diamond and inspected it, suddenly seeing a familiar shape in the mineral and removing a piece of it. “I don’t believe it!” she said, flying down with it. “Guys! The crystal was part of the magic diamond all along!” “Huh… I guess our adventure really did need two parts,” said Sunny before turning to Father Time. “Do you think we could take it?” “Of course you can,” Father Time said. “Consider it a reward for all the hard work you all put into these last few days.” The Mane 6 began to cheer as Zipp lifted the crystal to the sky, and this opened the portal to Equestria almost immediately. “Well… I guess we have to go,” Sunny said before turning to all their new friends. “We’re never gonna forget you guys… promise you that.” “Will you ever come back and see us again?” Rudolph asked, and Sunny lifted a hoof to her heart. “Hoof to heart guarantee it.” “Hoof to heart,” said Borealis and Rudolph before they hugged their new friends goodbye, and sparing them one final glance, they hopped through the portal, where their friends and family were waiting. XXXXXXXX “...and then, we rescued Happy and brought him back to Father Time’s castle,” said Misty as they recounted the story to Queen Haven and Alphabittle, “just as the last bong went off.” “Goodness!” said Queen Haven. “That sounds like quite the adventure you all had!” “It sure was, Mom,” Zipp said before sighing. “I’m just glad we’re back home in time for our Winter Wishday party.” “And… what about your mom, sweetheart?” Alphabittle asked his daughter. “Did you see her anywhere?” “No… I did dream about her, though,” Misty said. “And King Moonracer said that she would need our help really soon.” “Help? What kind of help, darlings?” Queen Haven asked. “We’re not sure yet,” Sunny said, “but for now… let’s just enjoy our holidays together.” Hitch sighed and cradled Sparky in his hooves. “Sounds good to me.” XXXXXXXX “And you’re sure you haven’t seen them since Tokyo?” Opaline asked. “Not even while you were in London?” “I swear, Mother, I haven’t seen them in months,” Paradise said before faking a disgusted tone. “Not that I want to, anyhow…” Opaline chuckled maliciously. “That’s my girl.” Paradise sighed when she heard that, but not out of happiness exactly… it was more of a sigh out of relief. But before Opaline could notice it, she turned. “Come. We must lay in wait for the ponies to come for another Unity Quest.” “But that could take months!” Paradise argued. “How will we know when they have a Unity Quest or where the Unity Quest will take them?” “Don’t question my announcements!” Opaline snapped before she regained her composure. “I mean… I’m quite certain we will figure it out. And when they arrive for a new quest… you can be certain that that next quest will be their last.” Paradise sighed at this and followed her mother into the arctic north… hoping and praying that this wouldn’t be the case… …and trying to think of ways she could possibly atone for her mistakes.