She felt like she was falling for an eternity when suddenly she landed on something with a thud. Cinch opened her eyes wide and saw that she was in her bedroom, just as it was last night.
"I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future," Cinch muttered as she got up from the floor.
Just then, a big beaming smile crept across her face.
"The spirits will strive within me!" she happily said, glowing with good intentions. "God bless your soul Chrysalis and the Spirits of Christmas!
She had been sobbing in his conflict with the Ghost of the Future that her face was wet with tears. Those tears of sorrow were converted into tears of joy.
"I don't know what to do now!" Cinch said, laughing and crying at the same time. "I am light as a feather, happy as a little child and merry as a cricket!"
Cinch walked over to the window to look outside. The sun was shining in the crystal clear sky while the ground covered with a soft blanket of snow. Cinch opened the window and took a breath of fresh air.
"Merry Christmas to everybody! And happy New Year to all the world!" Cinch cried in excitement before letting a light hearted laugh.
Cinch spotted a ten year old kid clad in winter clothes with white skin with grayish brown spots and brown hair passing by her house.
"Hey you! Little one!" she called out to the kid.
The kid turned to look at Cinch. "Yes, Madam?"
"What day is today?" Cinch asked in a motherly tone.
"It's Christmas," the boy replied.
"Thank you!" she happily said. "Merry Christmas young fellow!"
The kid gave her a gentle smile. "Merry Christmas to you too, Miss,"
'Good. There's still time,' Cinch thought to herself as she went back to her room.
Out in the street, Cinch was dressed in her winter clothes or as she put it "in all her best". Walking with her hands behind her back, Cinch greeted every single person with a delighted smile.
As she continued to make her way through the city, the same chorus from yesterday sang in perfect harmony. This time, Cinch reacted as if that song came from heaven.
Further down the street, Cinch gasped. Coming towards her was Mayor Maiden who had walked into her office yesterday.
Without hesitation, Cinch walked towards her and gently grasped her hand with the two of hers.
"A merry Christmas to you my dear Madam! How are you today?" Cinch cheerfully greeted.
Mayor Maiden blinked in surprise. "Miss Cinch?"
"Yes. That's my name," Cinch replied with great sincerity. "Allow me to apologize for my actions yesterday and..."
Cinch leaned her head toward her ear and softly whispered.
Mayor Maiden's eyes widened. "Oh my! Are you sure, Miss Cinch?"
"Everything for the needy! With a great back payment included!" Cinch gave her a soft smile.
"I-I don't know what to say," her lips quivered into a slight smile before clasping her hand in a gentle handshake. "Thank you so much!"
"Don't mention it," Cinch said, returning the handshake. "Bless you."
With that said, both women went to their respective ways.
'Gewitzt, I will keep my promise, little brother,'
"Sorry if I'm breaking the sad atmosphere, but I think you're being charitable, Flare," Rainbow softly said. "I mean, I know is your mother, but-"
A soft knock at the door interrupted Rainbow.
"Don't worry everyone. Ah'll go," Applejack said as she got up from her seat.
She walked over to the front door, put her hand on the knob and opened it.
"What Ah can do for-" Applejack's eyes widened when she saw who was at the door.
Abacus Cinch was standing in the doorway with an uncharacteristic soft expression.
Everyone was staring at her with wide eyes of shock. There wasn't any glares, just mixed looks of surprise and confusion.
"Mom?" Sunny said in confusion.
"Hello," Cinch said after a few moments of silence. "I... I came as you asked," then her face turned into one of regret. "I hope everyone of you can forgive an old codger like me. I'm sorry for what happened at the Friendship Games."
Everyone was silent for a moment as all the eyes stared at Cinch.
"Well," Indigo Zap began, catching the attention of everyone, then a smile formed on her face. "Don't just stand there. Enter. It's Christmas."
Everyone smiled and nodded in agreement. Even Sugarcoat and Sour Sweet who, of all the girls, had the most friendly smile.
Just as Cinch was about to reply, Sunny Flare pulled her into a loving hug. Cinch eventually returned the hug with tears forming in her eyes.
The rest of the night was filled with laughter, friendship and fun. Nothing could be heartier for Abacus Cinch. Wonderful party, wonderful friendship, wonderful unanimity and wonderful happiness.
The day after Christmas, bright sunshine lights poured into Cinch's office. Everything was awfully quiet save for the ticking of the clock which read 8:30. Cinch planned what she would say when her Dean arrived.
She was sitting behind her desk with a wide happy grin, waiting for Cadence to arrive. She waited for this moment since yesterday.
Cinch looked down at some used documents, feigning working, Dean Cadence entered the office with a nervous look.
"You're late," Cinch said "sternly", not looking up.
"I am very sorry, Madam," Cadence replied. "You see-"
"I don’t want to hear it," Cinch interrupted bluntly as she looked up at her. "What's the meaning of arriving late?"
"It's only once a year, Miss. It won't happen again."
Cinch got up from her seat and walked towards Cadence.
"Let me tell you something, Missy," Cinch began with disagreement. "I will not tolerate this sort of thing any longer. Therefore I will raise your salary."
"Huh?" Cadence became confused at what Cinch just said.
Then, Cinch bursted into laughter which confused her more.
"Merry Christmas, Cadence!" Cinch gleefully said before pulling Cadence into a hug.
"What?" the dean said in confusion.
"Just like I said before, I'll raise your salary, and assist your struggling family," Cinch gently broke the hug. "I would like to help your lovely daughter and husband."
"I..." Cadence gave her a thankful smile and shoock her hand. "T-Thank you, Madam!"
True to her word, Cinch changed for the good. She did everything she said she would and much more. The changes that Cinch made affected a lot of people including her students. She was able to make amends with Twilight Sparkle and she forgave the principal.
A lot of people still laughed at her, but she let them laugh and didn't pay any attention to it. She knew that it's better to make people laugh than make them do some other things. Her own heart laughed and that was quite enough for her.
As for little Skyla, she didn't die thanks to the support of Cinch. In fact, Cinch became like a second mother to her. Cinch and her daughter Sunny Flare spent every Christmas together grew much closer than before.
Cinch became good as a friend, good as a Principal and good as a woman. The Spirits of Christmas never returned, but Cinch never forgot their teachings. She knew how to keep Christmas well...
And so, as Skyla observed,
"May God bless us, everyone."