//------------------------------// // CHRISTMAS DAY SPECIAL - VOLUME FINALE - Chapter 22 - Christmas Miracles // Story: The Equestrian Odyssey - A Tale of Two Worlds // by Kamahido //------------------------------// The next morning, Arc, Derpy and Dinky cook breakfast together. Ember holds her forehead as she sits at the table. “Last night went well.” Derpy looks to her as she and Dinky set the table. “Were they happy with what you brought?” Arc flips pancakes at the stove. “I’ll say. The orphanage staff gets a party, so I figured why not the orphans too.” Dinky laughs happily. “Ten gallons of ice cream and popcorn with all my friends would be a great party in my book!” “That it was, sweetheart! Everyone had a great time from what I could see!” He looks over at Ember. “Especially Ember!” Derpy giggles! “Uh oh. What happened?!” “I just had a little too much ice cream, that’s all!” Arc raises an eyebrow. “A little too much?! You were looking positively green!” “It was really good, okay?! After all, how hard was it for you to take me down the hall and open a portal back home?!” Arc chuckles. “Not very, I suppose.” Dinky looks to her father. “Did the rest of the evening go alright?” “That it did. Cybil got to see her daughter again.” Derpy nods. “How did that go?” Arc sighs. “She admitted that she’s not able to care for anyone right now. So that little girl is still a ward of the state.” Dinky looks down sadly. “That’s too bad.” “Yes, well… you saw Cybil when we found her. She’s not ready for the responsibility that comes with full-time parenting.” Ember shakes her head. “I suppose not.” Derpy nods. “Do you think things will one day end well for them, Arc?” Arc shrugs. “I have no idea. That’s up to Cybil now.” He looks out the window at the milky sunrise before glancing at his pocket watch. “Breakfast is almost ready. Dinky, will you please go downstairs and tell the others it’s time to eat?” “Sure thing, dad!” Dinky runs downstairs to carry out her father’s instructions as Arc turns to Derpy and Ember. “I need to use the restroom before we eat. Don’t wait for me.” Ember looks at the spread before them on the table as the sound of feet coming upstairs can be heard. “Don’t worry, Arc. We won’t!” Arc’s squad sits down and begins to eat. Max looks around. “Where’s the commander?” Derpy looks up. “Bathroom. He’ll be back down in a bit.” A few minutes later Arc returns to the kitchen. “Everyone, we have some early company this morning.” Cybil steps out from behind Arc and smiles weakly. “H-hello everyone.” Xenos look confused. “Miss Cybil? What are you doing here?” “Arc invited me to Christmas dinner. Me and… a guest.” Cybil’s steps aside to reveal her daughter. She stays partially hidden behind her mother. “It’s okay, my little angel. No one’s going to hurt you here.” Dinky hops off her chair and walks over to the nervous child. “Hi there! I’m Daisy! Want to have breakfast with us?!” Dinky’s straightforward attitude seems to help reassure the girl somewhat. They all sit down to breakfast together. Ember turns to her. “Glad you could join us, Cybil. But… how exactly did you manage to convince Headmistress Kulara to let you take your daughter home.” “I didn’t.” Derpy looks suddenly worried. “You didn’t just… take her, did you?!” Arc pulls a paper out of his pocket. “Miss Kulara gave me temporary guardianship of her for yesterday, today and tomorrow until noon. After all, it wouldn’t be Christmas if these two weren’t together.” Cybil looks over at her daughter sadly. “Yes. We have today to spend together. Then she’ll go back to the Farburg Orphanage.” Ember sighs. “Forever?” Arc shakes his head. “Not a chance.” Cybil nods as she looks down at her daughter. “I want to raise her myself! But… as you all know, I have my addiction to deal with.” Dinky looks to her father. “Dad? What’s addiction?” “It’s where you become so dependent on a substance that you’ll do anything to get it.” “What does it do?” “It makes you feel good and gives you a buzz. But only temporarily.” Cybil nods. “Right. After a while, all you can think about is where you’re going to get your next fix from! Like Arc said, I did it to feel good, but also to escape facing my problems. Eventually I was drinking just to try and feel normal.” Ember frowns. “That sounds terrible!” Cybil nods. “Believe me, it is.” Arc sighs “But so many people do it. Now Dinky, I want you to understand that it isn’t wrong to have a drink once in a while. I just choose not to personally. You understand why.” Dinky nods. “I do. So what happened to you Miss Cybil?” “I just went too far. When you care more about getting a buzz and keeping it going than you do about your loved ones, you have a problem.” Derpy smiles. “Well, I’m glad you’re able to admit you have one now.” Max nods. “I’m told the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem.” Cybil sighs. “That I did. Or more accurately, still do. I have a long journey ahead of me on the road to recovery.” She looks over at her daughter who is munching away happily on pancakes. “But… I have a reason to seek help now.” Viktor smiles. “For your daughter?” “Yes. She’s very important to me. I just never realized that until now.” Xenos grins. “She’s a very lucky girl!” Arc looks to her. “Something just occurred to me. I never thought to ask your daughter’s name Cybil.” Cybil looks to her daughter and smiles. “Angel! Say hello now.” The little girl looks up and whispers shyly. “H-hello. Th-thank you for the food.” Dinky smiles at the girl. “It’s good to have you with us, Angel.” Arc nods. “Yes. I hope you enjoy Christmas with us.” Angel looks worried as she turn to Cybil. “I’ve never been to a family gathering before, mom. What do I do?” Cybil thinks for a moment. “Well, we… actually I don’t know either dear.” Ember grins. “It’s about food mostly!” Arc rolls his eyes. “What Ember is trying to say it it’s about spending time with family and friends… while eating.” Ember rolls her eyes. “Yes Arc. THAT’S what it’s about.” Dinky smiles. “Seems right to me!” Arc looks at his pocket watch. “Let’s hurry up and finish eating. Shelly and Lily should be here soon.” Cybil turns to Arc. “Friends of yours?” “Yes. All of us grew up at the orphanage together, so we always do our best to be together for Christmas.” Cybil sighs. “A family…” A short time later there is a knock at the door. Dinky jumps up. “I’ll get it!” She bounds to the door and opens it. Lily is standing there with a several bags of goodies. “Good morning, Daisy!” Dinky steps aside to let her come in. “Hi there, Miss Lily! Where’s Miss Shelly?” “She’s in the car. Arc, we need a bit of help getting her in the house.” Arc grabs his coat. “I’m on it! Max would you give me a hand please?” “Yes, sir!” The pair walk quickly out to the driveway. Shelly is waiting patiently in the passenger seat. Arc opens the door and leans down. “There’s a wheelchair in the trunk. Can you grab it, Max?” Max heads for the back of the car. “I’ve got it!” He heads quickly inside to set up the wheelchair as Arc reaches inside the car and picks up Shelly. She puts her arms around his neck. “Sorry for being such a burden.” Arc shakes his head as he heads for the house. “You’re no such thing. Families have to stick by one another after all.” He carefully carries Shelly up the steps and into the house. “Would you like me to set you down on the couch, Shelly? You might be more comfortable there.” “Yes please.” Arc carefully does so and steps back. “There you go.” Lily walks over to him. “Sorry we’re a bit early. I thought it would take longer to get here with the snow.” “It’s fine. We were about finished with breakfast anyway.” “Can I help with the dishes?” Dinky takes Lily’s hand in hers. “Sure! We can do them together!” Shelly smiles. “I’d like to help as well.” Arc nods. “I’d like that too. But only if you’re feeling strong enough, my friend.” Max hurries over to her as she moves to stand. “Let me help you miss.” Shelly stands up slowly as Max holds her hand. “I am, thank you.” Arc nods as they head for the kitchen. “We have a couple more guests this year.” Lily smiles. “Making new friends, Arc?” “That I am.” They enter the Kitchen as Cybil and her daughter finish clearing the table. “Cybil? These are my friends Shelly and Lily.” Cybil smiles shyly. “Pleased to meet you.” Arc gestures to the young girl near her. “And this is her daughter, Angel.” Angel says nothing and hides behind her mother. Cybil looks up. “She’s a bit shy around strangers.” Lily smiles. “It’s fine.” Shelly nods. “Yes. We both understand how she feels.” Ember gets the water running. “We should probably get these dishes washed and dried.” Derpy walks over with a dish towel. “Right. We have a lot of cooking to do after all.” Arc nods. “Cybil, why don’t you and Angel go get cleaned up? Daisy, can you help them find some clothes?” “Sure dad!” Derpy smiles. “I’ll help you sweetie! After that, you need a bath too!” “Aww… but I wanted to help in the kitchen!” Arc nods. “They’ll be plenty to do later. Do as your mother says now.” “Okay, dad.” They head upstairs as Arc wipes down the table. “Where are the others, Ember?” “They went downstairs to take care of a few things.” Max looks to Arc. “I think I’ll give them a hand. That is if you don’t need me, sir.” “Sure, go ahead. Tell them we won’t be ready to eat for quite a while though, so they have plenty of time.” Max heads to the basement and closes the door behind him. Lily turns to Arc. “Aren’t they going to help us cook?” Arc shakes his head as he begins to wash the dishes. “Nah. They have their own stuff to do right now.” Shelly rinses the plates as Arc hands them to her. “Like what?” “Investigate the Shards for starters.” Lily dries the rinsed plates. “Any luck with that?” Arc shrugs. “Somewhat. We’ve been working with that armored guy on TV.” Shelly’s eyes grow wide. “The Hero of Light?!” Arc nods. “Yup. The guys handle logistics and he does all the hands-on stuff.” Lily looks nervous. “Is he… dangerous?!” Ember chuckles. “Only to the bad guys.” They finish the dishes and get to work cooking. Shelly sits in her wheelchair at the table chopping vegetables. “So did you and Frank make it up to the orphanage as usual?” Arc nods as he puts the stuffing in the turkey. “We did. In fact, that’s how we met Cybil’s daughter.” He explains their exploits the last few days. Lily smiles as she assembles a salad. “You’ve certainly been busy!” Arc chuckles. “We do more than just point the Hero of Light in the right direction.” Shelly smiles. “Is Cybil going to be okay?” Arc sighs. “I suppose that’s up to her.” Lily puts a hand on Arc’s shoulder. “Alcoholism isn’t something one just moves past in a day, after all.” Ember nods. “She’ll have to figure out which is more important. Her habit or Angel.” Arc smiles and nods. “I get the feeling she’ll make the right choice.” Shelly sighs. “It has to be hard to watch someone you care about slip down the path.” She looks over at Arc. “But you understand that all too well don’t you, Arc?” “That I do… that I do.” The others come downstairs and lend a hand. Soon Christmas dinner is cooking away. Ember puts the cold dishes into the refrigerator. “That was a lot of work!” Derpy dries the last of the dishes and puts them away. “Yes it was!” Dinky grins as she and Angel wipe down the counter. “I get the feeling it will be worth it!” Cybil turns to Arc. “You do this every year?” “Yup. Christmas is a time to spend with family, after all.” Angel looks up. “It’s a lot of work for just one meal though.” Dinky looks to the small girl. “But if you do it with friends and family, it doesn’t feel like it though!” Arc nods as he helps steady Shelly on their way back to the living room. “That it does, sweetheart.” Lily follows Arc and Shelly. “Back when it was just the three of us, we’d always make too much food anyways.” Shelly giggles. “Right! We’d have leftovers for a week!” Arc chuckles as he helps Shelly sit down on the couch. “You say that like it was a bad thing.” Ember rolls her eyes. “There you go again, Arc. Always thinking with your stomach.” Derpy and Dinky join them in the Living Room. “What now, dad?!” “The turkey should be ready to come out of the oven in about two hours. Usually we spend this time watching our favorite movie.” Lily grins. “Right! We’ve seen it a dozen times!” Shelly nods. “The ending always gets to me though.” Ember laughs. “Sounds like a winner!” Dinky looks to her father. “What’s it called, dad?” “The movie’s title is ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’.” Cybil nods. “I’ve heard the title, but never actually seen the movie.” Derpy looks up as Dinky sits down next to her. “What’s it about?” Arc puts the familiar disk in the player. “The movie is about a discouraged bank president who begins to question if everyone he knows and loves would be better off without him.” Angel looks confused. “Even his family?” Arc nods as he sits down on the couch between Derpy and Dinky with the remote. “Yes. You see, things are going really badly in his life due to the actions of someone else.” Dinky frowns. “So someone ruined his life?!” Arc nods as he starts the movie. “Something like that. You’ll see…” The movie starts. They all sit before the TV, spellbound by the classic tale. Derpy and Dinky rest their heads on Arc’s shoulders and snuggle up closer to him. He looks down at them quietly. “Are you two cold?” They say nothing but smile and shake their heads. Arc puts his arms around them as the movie goes on. Together they watch the story of George Baily’s life play out from boyhood to his role in taking over the family business. Angel’s eyes grow wide. “I didn’t know someone could own a bank!” Ember smiles at her. “Me either. But I guess someone has to run it. The movie continues. Dinky looks to Arc. “What’s World War II, dad?” “A war that saw nearly every country on Earth fighting for either the Allies or the Axis powers.” Ember nods and watches intently. “Looks like his brother Harry did pretty well!” Angel looks to him. “What’s the Medal of Honor?” “The highest award that can be given to a soldier in this country.” Dinky smiles. “I know he was brave but why did they give him that?” “He shot down fifteen enemy planes. Two the which were trying to crash into troop transports.” Derpy’s eyes grow wide. “Why?! They would die too!” Arc shakes his head. “The pilots didn’t care. As long as they took the soldiers on the transport with them to the grave, it was considered a victory for them.” Cybil looks on in wonder. “I wonder how many lives that was.” Shelly turns to her. “We learned in history class that a transport could carry around ten thousand soldiers.” Dinky’s eyes grow wide. “So he saved ten thousand people?!” Arc nods. “Yes dear. That’s why he was awarded the Medal of Honor. For extreme heroics in the face of mortal danger.” Before long the scene with Uncle Billy in Mr. Potter’s bank flashes before them. Dinky watches, confused. “Dad? What is Mr. Potter doing with that money?!” Lily turns to her. “Uncle Billy accidently wrapped it up in the newspaper he gave him.” Angel frowns. “Why isn’t he giving it back?! It doesn’t belong to him!” Shelly grimaces. “Because he’s a very bad man! More wealth at any cost!” Derpy appears horrified. “He’s STEALING it?!” Arc nods. “Right! He doesn’t care who he hurts as long as he gets what he wants. Which for some reason is more money than he already has.” Ember grits her teeth and mutters under her breath. “Filthy Rich…” George Baily is standing on the bridge overlooking the icy river. Cybil looks to the others, worried. “Wait! What… what’s he doing?!” Lily sighs. “He’s… thinking about jumping into the river and killing himself. That way his family can collect the life insurance policy on him and the bank can go on.” Dinky looks to her father. “But…but what about his family?!” “Just keep watching, sweetheart.” Before George can carry out his own demise, another man falls into the river ahead of him and calls for help! Without wasting time George jumps in after him! Ember breathes a sigh of relief. “Good! George helped that poor man!” Shelly nods. “That’s Clarence. My favorite character.” The two men sit in a nearby shack as their clothes dry over a stove. Derpy smiles. “I’m glad they’re both okay!” Dinky nods. “Yeah! That was scary! Where did Clarence come from?!” Arc turns to her. “He’s an angel sent from Heaven to help George through this hard time in his life.” Angel looks to her mother. “Mom? What’s an Angel?” “A winged being that supposedly serves God up above, dear. I don’t think they really exist.” Arc smiles at Cybil. “I think you would be surprised.” Angel frowns. “What about his wings?” Shelly smiles at her. “He hasn’t earned them yet.” The wind blows hard outside the shack as Clarence informs George he’s never been born, at which he scoffs. Ember looks confused. “Never been… born?” Arc nods. “Clarence is now going to show George what the world would be like without him.” The two men go back into town. It has changed completely to one that George does not recognize. Derpy turns to Arc. “What happened to Bedford Falls?!” Arc frowns. “Potter happened to it. Without George around, he was able to pretty much buy up everything in town.” Shelly nods. “Right. And it’s not Bedford Falls anymore. Now it’s Pottersville!” Ember’s eyes grow wide. “Pottersville?! How did THAT happen?!” Lily shakes her head. “When you own pretty much everything in town, it’s not hard to do.” George and Clarence eventually make their way to the cemetery. Cybil frowns. “What are they doing there? I thought they were going to George’s housing project.” Arc sighs. “They were. It doesn’t exist because George’s banks wasn’t there to finance it.” Shelly nods. “Potter wouldn’t have given the money for the project, so it never happened.” Arc and his friends watch the scene unfold intently. Clarence turns to George. “Are you sure this is Bailey Park?” “Oh, I'm not sure of anything anymore. All I know is this should be Bailey Park. But where are the houses?” “You weren't here to build them.” George runs up to a large grave nearby. Derpy turns to Arc. “His father?” “Not quite.” George falls to his knees in front of the tombstone. Upon it is engraved the name Harry Bailey. Feverishly, George scrapes away the snow covering the rest of the inscription, ‘IN MEMORY OF OUR BELOVED SON – HARRY BAILEY – 1911-1919.’ A small tear escapes Dinky’s eye. “His… his brother!” Arc sighs. “Yes. He died.” Angel turns to Arc. “But we saw George save him!” Shelly smiles. “Clarence will explain.” They turn back to the television. Clarence walks over to George. “Your brother, Harry Bailey, broke through the ice and was drowned at the age of eight.” George stands up angrily. “That's a lie! Harry Bailey went to war! He got the Congressional Medal of Honor! He saved the lives of every man on that transport!” Clarence shakes his head sadly. “Every man on that transport died. Harry wasn't there to save them because you weren't there to save Harry. You see, George, you really had a wonderful life. Don't you see what a mistake it would be to… throw it away.” Dinky looks up at Arc. Tears stream down her face. “They… they died?! All of them?!” Arc nods. “Yes sweetheart. Every person’s life is important to someone. Take away one person from the equation and everything could fall apart.” Ember looks to him. “This isn’t exactly what I would call a happy movie, Arc.” Derpy nods. “Agreed. Why do you watch it?!” “You’ll see.” Clarence tells George where to find his wife. As expected, she doesn’t know him and runs at his approach. He chases after her as she flees into the nearest building, which is the local bar. Some men grab him in order to protect the frightened woman he is chasing. Angel looks to Arc. “Why is he so… frantic?” “Because the most important person in his life doesn’t know him.” Lily nods. “Right! She followed a different path without George by her side.” The police come and chase George back to the bridge where the whole mess started. He leans on the railing and cries out for Clarence. Derpy turns to Arc. “What happened to Clarence?” “He went back to Heaven, I assume.” George leans on the railing calling out for Clarence and begging to be allowed to live again. Ember sighs. “I feel bad for the guy.” Dinky nods. “Me too! He’s lost everything!” Arc looks to Dinky. “Sometimes you have to get to rock bottom to really be able to appreciate what you have.” Cybil looks to Angel. “I can understand that.” Angel hugs her mother. “Me too!” The snow begins to fall as the police car drives up. Derpy frowns. “Uh oh. That man’s going to get him!” Arc chuckles. “Maybe not.” The man walks up to George, who recoils at his approach. He threatens to hit him before realizing the officer remembers him. Overjoyed at the turn of events, George runs through town wishing everyone a Merry Christmas! Ember smiles. “He bounced back nicely.” Arc nods. “George been given a second chance at life.” George returns home to find the Bank Examiner, a reporter, and the sheriff in his house waiting for him. The bank examiner tells him of the deficit as the sheriff reaches into his pocket for some papers. George grins happily. “I bet it’s a warrant for my arrest! Isn’t that wonderful?!” His children stand at the top of the stairs and call out to him. Ember raises an eyebrow. “He’s happy about being arrested?” Arc shakes his head. “No. He’s happy to have his family back.” George’s wife comes in and the family embraces. Derpy smiles. “Aww… what a nice way to end it!” Shelly shakes her head. “It’s not over yet. “ Lily nods. “Right. There’s still the missing money.” George’s wife pushes the contents of a table onto the floor as townspeople hurry in the front door and start dumping money onto it. From Uncle Billy to the people who lived in his housing project, his childhood boss, the owner of the bar, their old housekeeper, and even his high school principal. One by one they give to their town’s hero. Ember grins. “That’s really nice of everyone to help George out. But it doesn’t look like enough money to repay what was lost.” A man walks in with a telegram and calls for silence. He reads it aloud for all to hear. “Mr. Gower cabled you need cash. Stop. My office instructed to advance you up to twenty-five thousand dollars. Stop. Hee-haw and Merry Christmas. Sam Wainwright.” Cybil looks to Shelly. “Who was Sam Wainwright again?” “That was the fellow who had his girlfriend Mary taken away from him by George in the beginning.” Angel looks confused. “Wasn’t he mad?” Dinky giggles. “I guess he got over it.” Arc nods. “Right! You see, George is such a grand fellow, that in his hour of need even those who didn’t really like him came to his aid.” Ember stares at the screen, spellbound. “Incredible!” A man in a uniform enters the house. Angel looks to Arc. “The police?” “Not quite.” The man quickly approaches George. “HARRY!” Derpy’s eyes grow wide as a smile spreads across his face. “His brother?!” Lily nods. “He had to come to George’s aid.” Arc nods. “Right!” Harry looks to George as someone hands him a glass. “A toast... to my big brother, George. The richest man in town!” Everyone applauds as George’s daughter begins playing ‘Hark the Herald Angels’ on the piano. All assembled join in singing along. The Bank Examiner approaches the table and drops some money onto it. The sheriff does the same as he rips the arrest warrant in half and drops it on the pile. They join the others in their song. Derpy turns to Arc. “It’s too bad Clarence isn’t there to enjoy the celebration.” Arc smiles. “Funny you should mention that…” George looks down at the pile of money before him and spots a book. “What the…” Still holding his daughter in his arms, George glances down at the pile of money on the table. His eye catches something on top, and he reaches down for it. It is Clarence's copy of ‘Tom Sawyer’. George opens it and finds an inscription written in it. “Dear George, remember no man is a failure who has FRIENDS. Thanks for the wings, Love Clarence.” Cybil smiles. “That… that’s beautiful!” The camera pans over all assembled as they continue singing before the movie comes to a close. Angel smiles. “That was a nice movie!” Dinky grins. “I’ll say!” Ember chuckles. “Up until the end, I was wondering why it was called ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’.” Derpy nods. “Right! It didn’t seem like things were going so well up to the last scene.” Arc sighs happily as he pushes the stop button on the remote. “Well… it’s a story about how one person can make a difference in so many lives.” “Like you dad?” “Well, I wouldn’t go that far.” Shelly looks at Lily. “You have in our lives anyway.” “Shelly’s right. You were the one who said we should come to Angel Grove when we turned eighteen.” Ember turns to Arc. “You kept me out of jail and showed me a different path.” Derpy smiles. “Without you, my daughter and I probably wouldn’t be alive.” Dinky grins. “I wouldn’t have a dad who loves and takes care of me!” Cybil holds Angel close. “I would have still been lying in a gutter somewhere, passed out drunk, or dead.” Angel nods. “And I wouldn’t have my mom back.” Derpy looks to him. “Along with so many others back home that you helped. You should be proud of yourself, Arc.” Ember laughs. “I know I am!” Arc holds Derpy and Dinky close. “I… thanks everyone. Merry Christmas!” After a few moments Lily stands up. “I should probably check on the food.” Shelly stands up slowly and with great difficulty. “I’ll help. It smells like it’s almost done.” Arc stands up and heads for the stairs. “Excuse me everyone. I… I’ll be right back.” He walks up the stairs as everyone else heads for the kitchen. Dinky turns to her mother. “What was that about?” “I think your father just needs to use the restroom. It was a very long movie after all.” A few minutes later Arc descends the stairs and joins the others in the kitchen. “How’s the food coming along, Shelly?” She closes the oven door and stands up slowly. “Very nicely! We should be on schedule for a one o’clock dinner.” “Good!” They return to the living room to chat while they wait. Before they know it the oven beeps. Lily stands up. “That’s our cue!” They return to the kitchen and remove the turkey from the oven. Arc begins carving it and laying the meat on a serving platter. Ember sniffs the air happily. “That does smell GOOD!” Arc nods. “Yes it does! Shelly and Lily really outdid themselves this year!” Shelly smiles at Arc. “We had a wonderful teacher.” Lily nods. “That we did!” Arc chuckles. “I only taught you the basics of cooking. You two FAR surpassed me on your own.” Derpy and Cybil retrieve the cold food from the refrigerator and set the serving plates and bowls on the table. Arc calls out to the Living Room. “Daisy! Angel! It’s time to eat!” The pair run in and sit down as Ember calls down the basement stairs for Arc’s squad. In a few minutes everyone is in their place around the table with Arc sitting at the head. There is a knock at the front door. Ember looks confused. “Who could that be?” Arc looks at his pocket watch and stands up. “I’ll get it.” Derpy nods. “We’ll wait for you to get back.” Ember looks confused. “We will?” Max nods. “He’ll be right back.” Xenos looks at the food before them. “I hope he does so quickly!” Hugh grins. “Yeah! This food smells great!” Viktor chuckles. “Patience, everyone.” Arc leaves the room and returns a few moments later with someone behind him. Ember looks at the newcomer angrily. “Y-you?!” Frank Fontaine, cane in hand, walks slowly over to the table with Arc. Lily and Shelly appear nervous. “Hello everyone. Merry Christmas!” “H-hi Frank!” “H-hello!” Frank walks over to Lily and Shelly. He kneels down between them. “Please, my old friends. You don’t have to be afraid of me. We all grew up together and now share the same town.” “I-I’m sorry, Frank. You just give me the creeps now!” “Being the leader of the Shards has that effect, you know!” Cybil looks confused. “The leader of the Shards?!” Arc clears his throat. “Everyone, please listen. Frank, Lily, Shelly and myself have been through a lot together. Like I said earlier… Christmas is a time for family.” He turns to Frank. “I would be honored if you would join us in celebrating this holiday, old friend.” Frank smiles as he shakes Arc’s hand. “Thank you for having me, my friend!” Derpy sets out another plate and silverware next to Arc. They make room and sit down together as the snow continues to fall outside the window. Arc looks around the table as he sits down. “Now that we’re all here, let’s say grace and enjoy this meal together!” Everyone bows their heads to give thanks for the meal. Meanwhile a blue-hooded figure watches silently through the kitchen window. Wiseman stands in the backyard observing the gathering, cloaked. “Arc… you’ve come such a long way. However, you still have a long and hard road ahead of you. With the help of good friends and family you will achieve your goal of rescuing Princess Celestia. I only hope and pray… that such things do not come at too high a cost. But I suppose time will tell in that matter… sooner or later.” --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- That evening Arc retires to his room exhausted from the day’s activities. Cherry calls out to him. “This was an amazing day, Arc! Thank you for allowing me to witness it!” Arc sighs. “Yes, well… I just wish you could have been here to join us as… as…” “As a human?” “No. As my fiancé.” “Sorry.” “Don’t be, Cherry. It’s not your fault.” They are silent for a time. “It was adorable how Dinky and Angel fell asleep on the couch together!” Arc nods. “Agreed. They’ll miss each other when I take Angel back to the orphanage tomorrow.” “Do you have to?!” “Yes. That much is out of my hands.” Cherry sighs. “What about Cybil?! Do you think she’ll be able to find work here in town?” “Viktor found an ad in the paper for a janitor down at the Police Station. If her and I go down there together I think I can convince Marshal Raynor to hire her on a trial basis. In the meantime she can stay here until she’s able to get an apartment.” Cherry giggles. “That would be wonderful! Then she could take Angel home with her!” “That’s the plan. Assuming she can stay away from the bottle, that is.” “Can she?!” Arc shrugs. “She’s already lost everything before because of it. Hopefully that’s enough for her to change her ways. Headmistress Kulara won’t let Angel go with her until she’s convinced it’s safe.” “She seems to be a good judge of character.” Arc calls forth his helmet and holds it to his forehead. “That she is.” “Um, Arc? Can I ask you a favor?” “Sure, Cherry. What is it?” “Can I… can I please stay in your head tonight?” “If you want to. I just thought you’d be bored and unable to see when I’m asleep.” “That may be. However… I just want to stay close to you right now.” Arc turns off the lights and gets into bed. “Okay. If that would make you happy.” He lies down and turns on his side to look out the window at the gently falling snow. “Good night, Cherry.” “Good night my love.” Arc quickly falls asleep. He dreams of Cherry Hill Ranch in the spring. The cherry trees are blossoming and filling the air with an intoxicating aroma as the sun sets over the trees. He sits on the front porch swing and takes in the view. “Breathtaking… “ The screen door opens and someone steps out of the house. “That it is!” Arc turns to see a beautiful young woman with cherry red hair and striking green eyes wearing a yellow summer dress standing in front of the porch steps. “Hello… my love.” Arc stands and walks toward her slowly. “Cherry?! Is that you?!” She smiles and laughs as he approaches. “It is! How do I look?” “Amazing! How did you…” She looks him in the eye and giggles. “It’s a dream, Arc! I can be anything you want me to be here! Tell me, how do you like my hair?” “It… it’s very nice.” Cherry looks at him as it instantly changes to a beautiful blonde hue. “How’s this?” “Um… okay, I guess.” Her stomach slims noticeably from normal to that of a model. “Humans like skinny mares, right?! Is this better?!” “Well, I…” “How about my clothes?” In a flash of light her yellow summer dress is replaced by a bikini. Arc blushes slightly. “Cherry…” She takes his hands in hers and holds them to her face, speaking quickly. “I can be anything you want me to be here! Just tell me what you would like to see and I’ll do my best to do it! I…” “Cherry, stop!” She looks confused. “Arc? What is it?” “There is something I want you to do. Something… different I want you to be than what you are now.” “Name it!” Arc leans in close and whispers something in her ear. Cherry smiles and blushes slightly. “Are… are you sure that’s what you want?” Arc nods and smiles at her. “Yes.” Cherry Jubilee closes her eyes and smiles as she continues to blush. “I… I guess I should have known…” There is a flash of light as Cherry carries out Arc’s wish. She looks up at him, sleepily. “Better?” Arc falls to his knees and takes her hooves in his hands. “Much!” He wraps his arms around her neck and gently strokes her mane. Cherry puts her hooves around Arc’s neck to return the hug. As she sits back on her haunches to join Arc on the front porch steps, Cherry sighs. “I… I don’t understand. Why would you want me to look like this?” Arc turns to her. “Because this is the one I fell in love with. Not a human girl, but… the mare you’ve always been.” Cherry puts her hooves on his chest. “But all I want to do is to make you happy!” Arc smiles and lays his hands on her shoulders. “You do! Just as you are now.” She smiles at him, tears in the corners of her eyes. “I… I love you so much, Arc!” “And I love you too, my dear.” The pair draw close and share a passionate kiss in the sunset’s light. As Arc draws back to look at Cherry’s happy face, he speaks to her. “Happy Hearth’s Warming, Cherry.” Cherry smiles as tears of joy stream down her face. “Merry Christmas, my love.” Arc and Cherry hold one another as the endless sunset continues before them. For in their minds time, for all intents and purposes, had stopped moving.