A Very Mystic Wassailia
In the Mystic Isles, the Protectors were gathered, including Sofia and Madeline.
"And so ends our last Protector meeting of the year." Orion declared.
"Happy Wassailia, one and all." Vega added.
"Happy Wassailia!" The Protectors toasted.
Sofia and Madeline shared a worried look.
"Sofia, Madeline, is everything alright?" Galial asked.
"We're just a little nervous." Sofia admitted.
"We're hoping Chrysta likes the Wassailia gift we made her." Madeline held up a gift-wrapped box.
"I'm sure she'll love it." Garish, smiled.
"She's lucky to have you two as trainees." Galial, declared.
"Thanks." Sofia beamed. "It's just that Chrysta can be..."
"A little grumpy sometimes?" Galial asked.
"Maybe a little." Madeline said awkwardly.
"I'm sure it'll be fine." Garish assured them.
"Princesses!" Chrysta entered the room. "There you are!" She flew over to them, placing hollies in their hair. "happy Wassailia!"
"Oh, wow..." Sofia smiled weakly.
"Happy Wassailia, Chrysta." Madeline added.
"It's my favorite day of the year!" Chrysta chuckled. "'Cuz on the Mystic Isles, Wassailia is full of surprises."
"I'm already surprised." Sofia joked.
"We didn't know you liked Wassilia so much." Madeline admitted.
"Do you have any idea how we celebrate around here?" Chrysta asked.
"Uhh... no." Sofia shrugged.
"Tell the girls, Galeo!" Chrysta urged.
"Well, on the Isle of Centaurs, they hold a big Wassailia Day race!" Galial revealed. "And on the Isle of Fauns-"
"Toran's family plays music together under the Wassailia moon!" Chrysta finished. "And on Garish's Isle, all the giants come thundering over the hills to his house!"
"Yep, where we do what giants do best." Garish nodded.
"What's that?" Madeline asked.
"Bake cookies, of course!" Garish smiled. "Who wants one?"
"I'll take one, Garish." Chrysta asked.
"Us too!" Sofia added.
"Here you go!" Garish gave them giant cookies.
"Uh, thanks!" Madeline chuckled, as she and Sofia struggled to lift theirs.
"Like I said: full of surprises." Chrysta grinned. "Mmm!"
Sofia and Madeline shared another look.
"Speaking of surprises..." Sofia held the gift behind her back.
"Apologies, everyone." Orion suddenly stepped forward. "But we've just heard: There's trouble on one of the Isles."
"We need a Protector to volunteer this Wassailia Eve." Vega added.
"Oh, I'll do it." Chrysta raised her hand.
"But Chrysta, don't you have holiday plans?" Madeline asked.
"Of course I do." Chrysta nodded. "Every year, my whole family squeezes into my little cottage for a fairy feast, but that's not for hours."
"And Chrysta always volunteers on Wassailia." Garish announced.
"Well, I am the number one Protector." Chrysta smirked. "Fill me in, chiefs."
Orion and Vega led Chrysta away to discuss the mission.
"Chrysta always volunteers on Wassailia every year?" Madeline asked.
"That doesn't seem fair." Sofia mused. "Can't you take turns?"
"We've tried." Galial admitted. "But you know Chrysta. You can't argue with her."
"Well, maybe we'll join her." Madeline announced. "What do you think, Sof?"
"I think that's a great idea, Maddie." Sofia nodded.
"Have fun with that." Galial snorted.
Sofia and Madeline went over to Chrysta, Orion and Vega.
"Not to worry." Chrysta announced. "I'll do you both proud."
"And so will we." Madeline smiled.
"We're going with you, Chrysta." Sofia added. "And we won't take 'no' for an answer."
"Great!" Chrysta smiled.
"We'll work together, and get back in plenty of time for our-wait, what did you say?" Madeline frowned.
"I said great." Chrysta beamed. "It's Wassailia. The more, the merry. Now, call your Unicorn friend. We've got to get to the Isle of the Rompkins, and quick!"
"Happy Wassailia, everyone!" The girls chorused as they followed Chrysta.
Soon after, the girls were riding on Skye, Chrysta flying beside them.
"Ah, what a day!" Chrysta cheered. "I hope it snows! I love making snow fairies!"
"Chrysta's in a good mood." Skye noted.
"Yeah, she really likes Wassailia." Sofia chuckled.
"Which reminds me..." Madeline held up a snack-based gift. "Here's a little something for you, Skye."
Skye ate the gift.
"Molasses and peppermint, my favorite!" He smiled.
"Thanks for helping on the holiday." Sofia beamed. "I hope it doesn't take too long..."
"Oh, never fear, my princesses." Skye chuckled. "T'will be hours before the sun sets over Starmane Hill, when my herd displays their holiday ice sculptures."
"That sounds beautiful." Madeline declared.
"Whoa!" A voice yelled. "One side! Deliveries coming through!"
A sled pulled by a flying reindeer, and piloted by an elf, sped past.
"Look out, Elfalfa!" Skye frowned.
"Sorry about that, Skye." Elfalfa apologised. "Chrysta. I've got a ton of packages, and this year? Oh-ho! I am determined to stay on schedule!"
"Who is that?" Sofia asked.
"That is Elfalfa." Skye revealed. "The elf who delivers gifts between the Isles every Wassailia."
"And every year, there are more!" Elfalfa groaned. "I've got gifts from the trolls that need to go to the centaurs. And from the fauns to the giants..." He noticed Sofia and Madeline. "Who are you?"
"I'm Sofia." Sofia declared.
"And I'm Madeline." Madeline added. "Nice to meet you."
"Sofia? Madeline?" Elfalfa checked his list. "You must be new."
"So, Elfalfa, you gonna need my help again this year?" Chrysta asked.
"No, this year, I've got a helper." Elfalfa grinned. "My daughter, Elfabetty."
A young elf popped up behind him.
"This candy!" She shook a gift box.
"Uh-uh!" Elfalfa grabbed the box. "Not for you, Elfabetty!"
"Aww..." Elfabetty groaned.
"Isn't she the cutest?" Elfalfa beamed. "Don't worry, Chrysta. This year, I've got it completely under control."
Elfabetty suddenly snapped the reins, sending them flying wildly.
"Don't grab the reins, Elfabetty!" Elfalfa yelped.
"Is he going to be okay?" Madeline asked Chrysta.
"Probably not." Chrysta shrugged. "Now buckle up, Princesses, we're here. Get ready for-"
"We know." Sofia rolled her eyes. "Some serious Protector business."
"Right, of course." Chrysta nodded. "But first, some holiday fun!"
They made their way down to the Isle of Rompkins.
"Princess Sofia, Princess Madeline, it's horrible!" Harrumph declared.
"What happened, Harrumph?" Madeline asked.
"Our Wassailia tree got stolen!" Harrumph explained. "Poof!"
"Woosh, gone!" Another Rompkin added.
"While we sleeping!" Harrumph frowned.
"That's awful." Sofia mused.
"Yeah. And we were really looking forward to having our first dainty holiday, like you and Queen Amber taught us!" Harrumph pouted.
"But without a tree, what will we stand around?" The other Rompkin asked. "While we slip Slognog?"
Harrumph got some of the drink from a giant punch bowl.
"Want a cup?" He offered.
"Yes, please." Chrysta accepted a cup. "To Wassailia!"
"Wassailia!" The Rompkins chorused.
They all drank.
"Mmm, extra crunchy!" Chrysta smiled.
"It's the dried moss." Harrumph said proudly. "You two sure you don't want a cup?" He asked Sofia and Madeline.
"We would, but we should probably start looking for clues." Madeline said awkwardly. "Like that, Sof!" She pointed to a large Wassailia tree, floating above them.
"That was easier than I thought." Sofia declared.
"It's our tree!" Harrumph gasped. "It wasn't stolen!"
"It fleweth away!" Skye noted.
"Not yet, it hasn't!" Chrysta declared. "Princesses, after that evergreen!"
As Skye carried Sofia and Madeline upwards, Harrumph followed.
"No time to be dainty." He charged through the closed gate. "Bam! Crash!"
The tree kept flying as the others pursued.
"Do you have a lot of flying trees in the Mystic Isles?" Madeline asked.
"First one I've ever seen!" Chrysta admitted.
The tree suddenly stopped, its pursuers briefly passing by.
"It stopped on its own." Sofia noted.
The tree descended, planting itself in the ground.
"Huff! Puff!" Harrumph wheezed as he caught up to them. "Hey! This is where I found the tree in the first place!"
"Well, it's all yours." Chrysta smiled. "You know what this calls for?"
"An upside-down holiday cake?" Harrumph offered the confection.
"Yum!" Chrysta took a bite.
One of the tree's baubles changed into a red, winged rodent.
"Hey, what's that?" Madeline asked.
"What's what?" Chrysta frowned, as the creature turned back into a bauble.
"Something we should take a closer look at." Madeline declared, having seen the rodent too. "Harrumph, where did you get those ornaments?"
"Oh, they were hanging right on the branches." Harrumph recalled. "Sproing! Isn't it the best Wassailia tree ever?"
"It just might be." Sofia declared. "Madeline, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Definitely." Madeline held her Amulet alongside Sofia. "I wish to be small."
Both girls shrunk down.
"Sofia? Madeline?" Chrysta gaped. "Since when can you shrink?"
"We'll be right back." Madeline declared, as she and Sofia climbed up the tree.
"Girls, wait!" Chrysta urged. "Trainees..." She sighed.
Sofia and Madeline stopped at a higher point.
"Hi, there." Sofia said to the baubles, who started shaking. "Don't be afraid. I'm Sofia."
"And I'm Madeline." Madeline added. "Who are you?"
Two of the baubles turned into winged rodents.
"I'm Humbelle." The blue one declared.
"And I'm Hidey." The red one added.
"We are Hoodwinks." Humbelle revealed.
"And please don't hurt us!" Hidey trembled.
"We won't." Sofia assured her.
"We're Protectors-in-training!" Madeline smiled. "We're here to help you."
"Yeah?" HUmbelle scoffed. "Tell that to your big huge friend! He took our home!"
"Your home?" Sofia frowned.
"You mean this tree?" Madeline asked.
"Yeah." Humbelle nodded. "We live in this spruce, out in the middle of nowhere."
"Where it's safe!" Hidey added.
"It's okay." Sofia said gently. "Just tell us what happened."
"All we know is one minute, we were safe in our branches, sleeping..." Humbelle declared.
"And then next, we woke up in a Rompkin mud garden, surrounded by big, scary monsters, smashing and crashing everything!" Hidey cringed.
"That does sound scary..." Madeline frowned.
Hidey ran to the edge of a branch and turned into a bauble.
"It's okay, Hidey." Hunbelle assured her, which changed her back. "There you go. So I came up with an escape plan." She continued. "We waited until the Rompkins weren't looking, and then with the rest of our family, we each grabbed a branch, and flew our tree home.'
"Oh, I think there's been a big misunderstanding." Sofia frowned.
"Oh, there sure has!" Humbelle snorted. "That big galoot mistook us for pushovers!'
"Which we kind of are." Heidi admitted.
"But we're not giving up our home!" Humbelle insisted.
"We might..." Heidi cringed.
"She's right, we might!" The other Hoodwinks added.
"Look, we know the Rompkins are big and loud." Madeline admitted. "But if you just talk to Harrumph, you'll see that he's not scary at all. He's-?"
"Right behind you!" Hidey pointed.
"Hello, talking ornaments." Harrumph waved.
The Hoodwinks screamed and turned into baubles.
"... What'd I say?" Harrumph frowned.
"These are the Hoodwinks, Harrumph." Sofia declared. "And this tree is their home."
"That's right, this is our home!" Humbelle said sternly.
"Oh no!" Harrumph gasped. "Hoodwinks, I am so sorry!"
"You are?" Humbelle softened.
"We Rompkins would never want to take away anybody's home." Harrumph declared.
"Really?" Hidey asked.
"We just wanted the best Wassailia tree." Harrumph nodded. "And yours was so beautiful. But we don't need..." He sniffed. "Such a nice one. My family can celebrate around something else instead, like a rock..."
Harrumph started crying, causing the Hoodwinks to look upon him with sympathy. Sofia and Madeline then returned to normal size.
"Harrumph, wait!" Madeline urged. "Hoodwinks, if the Rompkins promise not to take your tree, could they celebrate with your family here?"
The Hoodwinks quickly discussed the matter.
"You tell him." Humbelle told Hidey.
"Yes, they can." Hidey agreed.
"Oh, lahhhh!" Harrumph sang. "That's my heart singing!" He started dancing, and accidentally knocked over a tree. "Oh, we'll be very dainty, I promise!" He put the tree back up.
"Let's make this place for for a party!" Humbelle declared.
"Yay!" The Hoodwinks cheered.
The Hoodwinks decorated the tree with strings of acorns and frozen pinecones.
"Ooh!" Harrumph smiled, as some of the decorations were added to him. I'm pretty, like a tree!"
"We did it, Chrysta!" Sofia smiled.
"You sure did, Princesses!" Chrysta agreed. "Nice work!"
"So I guess we can get an early start home, right?" Madeline asked. "... Chrysta?"
Chrysta was flying upwards.
"Chrysta, what are you doing?" Sofia asked.
"I'm decorating!" Chrysta declared, using her Enchantlet to wrap a garland to the tree. "Look, glowing garland!"
"But... You have to get back to your family." Madeline frowned.
"There's plenty of time!" Chrysta smiled. "Join me, girls!"
"Okay..." Sofia shrugged. "Come on, Maddie."
Getting on Skye, they added snowflakes to the tree.
"You're good at this." Madeline told Chrysta. "Do you decorate your home?"
"Oh, yeah!" Chrysta chuckled. "You should see my cottage! Lights of every colour, brightest house of the village. My brothers and sisters help me."
"Sounds beautiful." Sofia noted.
"It is." Chrysta agreed. "Now let's hang some way up-" Their Enchantlets chimed. "Right, still on duty."
They joined the rope from their Enchantlets to form a large screen, with Vega appearing.
"What's up, chief?" Chrysta asked.
"It's Elfalfa." Vega revealed. "He's fallen behind on his deliveries, and needs your help."
"Yeah, I could see that coming." Chrysta smirked. "Where is he?"
"Well, by now, he should be right behind you." Vega replied.
As they closed the screen. Elfalfa's sled flew towards them.
"Elfabetty!" Elfalfa yelped, his eyes covered by cloth thanks to his daughter. "Daddy needs his eyes to land!"
Everyone dove for cover as the sled flew by, blowing all the decorations off the tree. The sled crashed into the snow.
"Oh, hello, Chrysta." Elfalfa declared, as he climbed out of the sled. "Remember when I said I had it all under control this year?"
"Yeah?" Chrysta asked knowingly.
"Well, I don't." Elfalfa admitted. "I need your help!"
"That's what Protectors are for!" Chrysta smiled.
"You don't seem so fair behind." Madeline declared. "You hardly have any gifts left."
"Oh, these aren't the gifts I need you to deliver." Elfalfa replied. "Those are."
Elfalfa pointed to another sled being pulled by a reindeer, one packed with gifts.
"Wow." Sofia gaped.
"There's the who, the what, and the where to deliver to." Elfalfa handed Madeline a scroll, which was very long.
"All these places..." Madeline frowned. "This is going to take a while."
"Yeah, but we'll get to see Wassailia on all the different Isles." Chrysta pointed out. "Come on, let's have some fun!"
Chrysta and the girls climbed into the sled.
"Give your magical hooves a rest, my good reindeer." Skye told the reindeer. "Skye the unicorn hath it from here."
Shortly after, they were flying through the clouds, Skye pulling the sled.
"First delivery: The Isle of Crystals." Sofia read.
"I love the Isle of Crystals during Wassailia!" Chrysta smiled. "All of the light reflected, and... ooh! You're in time for Azurine's singing crystal concert!"
They heard singing up ahead.
"Wow, that is beautiful" Madeline admitted. "But Chrysta, I'm a little worried. It's getting late, and our families will be waiting for us."
"Maddie's right." Sofia nodded. "We shouldn't take too long."
"Don't worry, Chrysta assured them. "Enjoy it all! That's what Wassailia's is for!"
Chrysta: There's no other day quite like Wassailia
You won't believe your eyes
Wanna see what I mean?
Visit Good Azurine
Chorus: Her magic crystals harmonize
"Encore!" Chrysta called.
Chrysta: There's no other day the Unicorns gather
To carve up blocks of ice
Just imagine the fun when they all sculpt as one
To make a slice of paradise
We are known in these parts for our Magical Arts
Today that's specially the case
But the miracle here
Is friends far and near
Come celebrate in the same place
Sofia: That really sounds great
But we're gonna be late
Chrysta: As soon as I fix his snow face
There's no other day to see mermaids frolic
They rarely come ashore
Mermaids: But watch us shake a fin as we swim with our kin
Chrysta: Cause that is what Wassailia's for
Yes, that is what Wassailia's for
"Chrysta..." Madeline frowned.
"I know, we have to go." Chrysta nodded.
Chrysta: But I just wanna say on this holiday
No matter the weather
We all come together
Cause that is just
What Wassailia's for
"And that was the last package, miladies." Skye announced.
"See, girls?" Chrysta asked. "I told you there was plenty of time."
"Guess you were right." Sofia admitted. "Now, I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some holiday home cooking!"
"Same here." Madeline nodded.
"Mmm, I can almost taste the plum bread and banana pudding!" Chrysta declared.
"Oh, you like banana pudding?" Sofia asked.
"Do I?" Chrysta beamed. "Mm-hmm! There's nothing I love more than homemade banana pudding on Wassailia! It's my favorite!"
"Speaking of which, we forgot to give you-" Madeline started, before the chiming of their Enchantlets stopped her.
Vega contacted them again.
"Chrysta, it's Elfalfa." She announced.
"We know, he was behind schedule." Chrysta nodded. "But we've delivered all the packages."
"No, it's not the packages." Vega declared. "It's his daughter, Elfabetty. They were delivering a package to the Isle of Forever Frost, and now she's lost in a storm."
"We're on it!" Chrysta said bravely.
"Let's hurry." Sofia urged, as Madeline put away the gift.
They flew over to the Isle of Forever Frost. It was very misty, but Madeline spotted a familiar sled below them.
"Look, there!" She pointed. "There he is!"
They flew down, moving beside Elfalfa's sled.
"Chrysta! Sofia! Madeline!" He gasped. "I can't find Elfabetty! I thought she was right here, napping under this blanket. And when I looked, she vanished!"
"When did you see her last?" Chrysta asked.
"When we were delivering a package to the Arctic Condors." Elfalfa recalled. "She must have crawled out of the sled while I was inside their cave."
"We know the Arctic Condors." Sofia declared.
"And where their cave is." Madeline added.
"So do I." Elfalfa nodded. "But with the storm, I can't tell where I'm going!"
"What do we do?" Sofia asked Chrysta.
"What a Protector always does: Bring a little light into the situation!" Chrysta answered. She tapped her Enchantlet, causing it to glow.
Sofia and Madeline did the same.
"Yes, that is a little light." Skye noted. "Perhaps miladies would like a whole lot more?" His horn started glowing brightly.
The two sleds started flying through the snowstorm.
"Stay close." Madeline told Elfalfa. "We're almost there."
"If you say so." Elfalfa nodded.
They landed outside the Arctic Condor's cave.
"Elfabetty!" Elfalfa called. "Elfabetty!"
As they neared the cave, they were greeted by Stormy, the baby Arctic Condor.
"Oh, Stormy." Elfalfa smiled. "Have you seen Elfabetty? We can't find her anywhere!"
"Sorry, we haven't seen her." Stormy shook his head. "Not since you left."
"Oh, where could she be?" Elfalfa despaired.
"Don't worry." Sofia comforted him. "I'm sure she's okay."
"My friend, we'll search the whole Isle if we have to." Chrysta pledged.
"Please, hurry!" Elfalfa begged. "We must find her!"
"Let's search the forest below." Chrysta instructed.
As Madeline passed the sled, she heard a giggle.
"Hold on." She climbed on the sled. "I think we're in for another Wassailia surprise!"
Madeline lifted off the top of a large gift box, revealing Elfabetty inside.
"Daddy!" The young girl squealed, her face covered in chocolate.
"Elfabetty!" Elfalfa gasped happily. "Oh, thank goodness!" He lifted her out of the box "Oh, you silly girl. Did you climb in there when daddy wasn't looking to find some candy?"
"And now I have a tummy ache." Elfabetty rubbed her stomach.
"You take her home." Chrysta instructed. "We'll deliver those last gifts."
"It's alright, these are all for her." Elfalfa smiled. "How can I ever thank you? I know! Next year, you three are getting a nice delivery from me!"
"We can't wait." Sofia beamed.
Elfalfa and his daughter rode their sleigh into the sky.
"Farewell!" He waved. "And, oh-hoh! Happy Wassailia to everyone!"
"It's over." Madeline sighed with relief.
"Yeah, I guess it is." Chrysta shrugged. "That's it for Wassailia for another year..."
"What do you mean?" Sofia asked. "It's just begun! Now you can go home to all your brothers and sisters!"
"Yes, of course!" Chrysta smiled awkwardly. "But, just in case..." She contacted Vega again. "Anything else, chief?"
"All is quiet." Vega announced. "Thank you all. Go, enjoy your holiday."
"Okay." Chrysta sighed, closing the loop. "Then, uh, er... bye!"
"Huh?" Madeline frowned, as Chrysta flew away. "Uh... happy Wassailia, Chrysta!"
"Are you ready to return to the Ever Realm, my Princesses?" Skye asked.
"Skye, is it my imagination, or was Chrysta acting a little strangely?" Sofia asked.
"I did not notice." Skye admitted. "But whatever ails her, I trust she will soon be cured by a little caroling and opening of gifts!"
"Our gift!" Madeline realized. "We forgot to give it to Chrysta!"
"Skye, what do you say we drop this sleigh off, and take one last ride to Chrysta's house?" Sofia suggested.
"'Tis my honor." Skye smiled, and waited for Sofia and Madeline to get onboard. "Onward, to the Isle of Fairies!"
Skye took off into the snowy air.
Shortly afterwards, they reached the Isle of Fairies, flying across a village.
"Which cottage is Chrysta's?" Madeline asked.
"I think it's that one." Skye pointed to the only non-decorated cottage.
"Chrysta lives there?" Sofia frowned.
"But were all the lights and decorations she told us about?" Madeline wondered.
They landed outside the cottage, and saw Chrysta through the window. She was eating alone.
"I am perplexed." Skye frowned. "Where is Chrysta's family?"
"I don't know." Sofia shrugged.
"Let's find out." Madeline declared, knocking on the door.
"Sofia! Madeline!" Chrysta gasped after opening the door. "Wh-what are you doing here?"
"We forgot to give you this." Sofia held up the gift.
"We made it ourselves." Madeline added.
"Oh, thanks..." Chrysta accepted the gift. "Happy Wassailia!" She made to shut the door.
"Chrysta, wait!" Sofia said, she and Madeline stopping the door.
"May we come in?" Madeline asked.
"Oh, it's really not the best time." Chrysta told them. "...Okay, fine."
Sofia and Madeline walked inside.
"Is everything okay?" Sofia asked.
"Where's your family?" Madeline frowned. "And all the decorations you told us about?"
"Oh, uh... they should be here any moment." Chrysta declared.
"Chrysta..." Sofia urged.
"Okay, okay." Chrysta sighed. "The truth is... I don't have a family. I spend Wasasailia alone. But it's fine. I'm usually so tired from making sure all of the other Isles are taken care of... y'know, it's fine!"
"Is that why you always volunteer on Wassailia?" Madeline asked. "So you can celebrate with everyone else?"
"What?!" Chrysta chuckled falsely. "Madeline, now you're just being ridiculous! I just like to come home after a long day of Wassailia protecting, and kick my feet up. No-one to bother me, I can just relax..."
"But no-one should be alone on Wassailia." Sofia declared. "You should come to Enchancia and spend it with us and our family."
"Just because you feel bad for me?" Chrysta scoffed. "No thanks!"
"She didn't mean it like that." Madeline frowned.
"Listen, Princesses, I'm a Protector." Chrysta stated. "I help people. I don't need people to help me."
"But-" Sofia started.
"I did what I do every year." Chrysta stood them both up. "I celebrated it on all the different Isles. Now, I'm fine by myself." She pushed them out the door. "So please, go home to your family." She closed the door behind them.
"Well, my Princesses, at least you tried." Skye consoled them.
"She's got it all wrong." Madeline declared.
"Yeah, I wasn't inviting her because I felt bad for her." Sofia sighed. "It's just... she's done so much for us."
"And for many others." Skye pointed out.
"That's right." Madeline realized. "So many..."
"I know that look." Sofia smiled. "You have an idea, don't you?"
"I sure do." Madeline nodded.
"Come on, Skye!" Sofia declared as they climbed on.
"Where are we going?" Skye asked.
"Everywhere." Madeline answered.
They ascended into the clouds, to the Isles beyond.
Some time later, Chrysta looked at the gift Sofia and Madeline had given her. She opened it to see a single tree ornament inside, one with a picture of the three of them on it. Smiling, she hung it on her tree.
"Princesses..." She wiped a tear from her eye.
Suddenly, she heard music.
"What's goin' on?" She looked around. "Where's that music comin' from?"
A bright light shone through the window.
Chrysta went outside, and found Sofia, Madeline, Skye, Elfalfa, Elfabetty, and many others from across the Isles waiting for her.
"No, no, no, no!" She shook her head. "You don't need to do this! I'm fine! You should all go! Be with your families!"
"But don't you see, Chrysta?" Sofia asked.
"You helped us all today." Elfalfa smiled.
"And every day." Vega added.
"And that makes you our family." Madeline beamed.
"Well, whattaya know?" Chrysta chuckled. "Another Wassailia surprise! Thank you all. I'd invite you in, if I had something to serve everybody..."
"Will plum bread and banana pudding do?" Orion stepped forward, carrying a baking tray full of that same food. "It was Sofia and Madeline's suggestion."
"They're my favorites." Chrysta smiled. "Thank you, Sofia and Madeline." She hugged her trainees.
"Happy Wassailia, Chrysta." The girls chorused.
"You know what? It is." Chrysta admitted. "Well, what are you all standing around for? Come on in, everybody!"
"Let the party begin!" Elfalfa announced.
"Yay!" Galial cheered. "Happy Wassailia!"
They all gathered inside Chrysta's cottage, sharing both the food and the spirit of the holiday.