Author's Note from Mat49324: Well, Christmas 2021 has come and gone. Hope you all had a great one. Unfortunately, my Christmas was slightly ruined via the 2021 Diamond Head Classic where the University of Hawaii (the host team) went winless in the classic for the first time in program history since the classic first existed in 2012. They were forced to pull out of the Christmas day game due to COVID-19 concerns and a big rash of injuries. Other than that, it was pretty much a Christmas I'd like to forget. Anyway, with that being said, let's start my landmark 20th one-shot where the spies are about to ring in the new year. For now, here's The Blue Time Ranger if there's anything he'd like to say.
Author's Note from The Blue Time Ranger: 2021 was a... very interesting year in many ways, but I'm sure a lot of people just want to say "good riddance" to this year. So, how about we do that with another oneshot? ROLL IT!
Title: Celebrating a New Year
Summary: While on Christmas holiday in Hawaii again, the spies are looking forward to a new year while celebrating elsewhere instead of in California.
Rating: K+
Story Created: 12/29/21
11:51 A.M. – Waikiki Beach (Hawaii)
It was a nice day to be out at the beach, and that's where Sam, Clover, Alex, Britney, Nick, Blaine, and Mat were. All seven were on Hawaii's famous Waikiki Beach like they were in a prior Christmas vacation, courtesy of Jerry and W.O.O.H.P.
"Ahh, feels good to be back here again," Clover sighed, sporting a purple string bikini.
"Totally!" Blaine exclaimed. "First time here for me, too."
"Right," Britney laughed, realizing the same thing.
She had a blue bikini on as well.
Mat was sitting on the beach with Sam and everybody else... save for Nick and Alex.
"Babe, you said you wanted a turn for a chase later?" Mat asked Sam as he looked at his own girlfriend in her old green classic swimsuit.
"Of course, hon," Sam laughed. "Plus, I'm already used to ringing in the new year with a special someone after all we've been through."
They shared a kiss, too; their relationship was certainly growing indeed.
Alex leaped forward, going into a roll to avoid Nick as he chased her down the beach, only for him to leap himself. Thankfully, Alex was able to weave around Nick, and the chase continued.
"Now that's probably the best way to not waste your day here," Mat told the others while everyone had an early lunch together.
"We certainly have to thank you for insisting we come to Hawaii again, Mat," Britney added.
"Alex was probably thinking we'd never travel for the holidays after the last time we were here," Sam laughed, remembering how Jerry still got them home in time to be with their moms back at the Mali-U campus.
"I wouldn't have put it past her," Clover quipped.
"I probably would've reacted the same way Alex did myself," Blaine added.
Nick juked to one side, hoping Alex would take the bait and go the other way, but she didn't fall for it and went the same way Nick did. Eventually, though...
"Gotcha!" Nick proclaimed and dove at Alex.
They both splashed in the surf.
"I so had you there," Alex giggled.
"That's what you think, sweetie," Nick laughed.
"Should we stay on the beach for dinner or go back to the hotel and have dinner there?" Mat asked the others once Nick and Alex came back.
"I say 'beach'!" Alex proclaimed.
"Same here," Sam replied.
"Beach for me!" Clover exclaimed.
"I concur," Britney quipped.
"Definitely beach," Nick responded.
"Beach for me, too," Blaine stated.
"Welp, looks like that's a unanimous decision," Mat laughed.
"Were you expecting anything less?" Nick teased.
As the beach day continued, Nick often reflected on the adventures they'd been a part of over the course of this year.
He often wondered what his parents would think if they knew about his tenure as an agent of W.O.O.H.P., his many forays into fighting psychotic villains, and the many different places he'd gotten to see.
Though that thought did fill Nick with a bit of sadness, as he knew that he couldn't tell them anymore.
"Hey," Alex quipped as she sat down by Nick while Sam and Mat had their own romantic chase not too far away. "Something on your mind?"
"Nothing gets past my girlfriend, does it?" Nick chuckled. "Well... every time a new year rolls around... I start thinking about my parents. And what they'd think if they knew about my time with W.O.O.H.P.."
"You still miss them, huh?" Alex asked.
"People who say it gets easier are liars," Nick replied.
"Take it from me, Nick," Alex answered, leaning over to hug her boyfriend. "I know for a fact that they'd be so proud of you for all you've done for the world, and I know they're always watching over you."
"...sometimes, I don't know what I did to deserve you," Nick admitted.
"Whatever it was, it must have been something else," Alex giggled as she leaned over to kiss Nick. "I love you, Nick. Don't ever forget that, 'kay?"
"Like I could ever," Nick responded. "I love you, too, Alex."
"Now, how about you and I go for a swim, so you don't keep dwelling on the sads?" Alex offered.
"Sounds like a plan to me," Nick replied. "Just don't expect me to race you again, since I've learned quite well by now that I can't possibly beat you."
"Oh, we'll see," Alex chuckled as she and Nick headed out for a swim.
In the meantime, Clover, Blaine, and Britney still enjoyed themselves on the beach.
"Whew... Brit, I hope you're still liking it here," Mat remarked as he and Sam came back to their spot.
"Yeah, it's fun," Britney replied. "I'm glad we experienced quite a bit here from the hotel, the hikes, shaved ice, and so forth."
It was true – they'd all gone around the island of Oahu and went on a hike, hit up some beaches (especially Waikiki), and did experience some local Hawaiian food like the last time they came to Hawaii.
Nick decided to try and sneak up on Alex from behind, but even though he could actually swim now, his lack of real finesse was evident, and Alex saw him coming, twisting around to dodge his lunging grab.
In the meantime, everybody could see Nick and Alex still in the ocean, but this time, they were playfully wrestling with each other.
Alex playfully dove deeper to avoid Nick before coming right back to grab his legs and drag him downward, but Nick was able to escape rather quickly and loop his arms around Alex.
As for Clover and Blaine, they were certainly enjoying another Hawaiian holiday (well, a first for Blaine anyway); Sam was no different being with Mat and all.
After Nick and Alex returned from their playful bout in the ocean, everybody gathered for a beach selfie that Mat took.
"I'm sure Haruka and the others will be jealous a little bit," Nick laughed.
"I'd like to see the looks on their faces," Britney chuckled.
Sam, Clover, Alex, Mat, and Blaine all shared a laugh over that scene.
6:04 P.M. – Waikiki Beach
Local police were going around the beach asking everyone to leave the water as the sun was going down. Fortunately, all seven of the spies were out of the water already; all three of the boys had T-shirts on again since they were unlikely going back in the water. While Nick and Blaine both had tank-tops on, Mat had a 2004-throwback motocross shirt that was red and white and read "Roy 67" on the back, which signified 5-time Canadian Motocross champ Jean-Sebastien Roy.
As for the girls, they still had their swimsuits on since the temperature was still far from what they considered to be "cold."
"It's great to celebrate the new year here in Hawaii," Alex stated.
"Uh-huh," Mat replied. "I've been so used to watching the mainland celebrate the new year before we do in Hawaii."
"It'd be a different experience to see this on TV," Nick replied.
"Totally," Blaine commented.
The fireworks in Hawaii went off, even though it was after 6:00 and not the new year yet.
"Man, this is great," Clover replied.
They all enjoyed a light dinner as the fireworks continued.
It may have lasted only thirteen minutes, but everybody could take that.
7:00 P.M. – Ehiku Kukui (Seven Lights) Hotel
After everybody came into their room, they all unwound from their beach day and seeing the fireworks. They were just in time to see the East coast on TV celebrate the new year, while there were just five hours remaining for the state of Hawaii to celebrate the new year.
"I hope this trip is worth it this time," Mat told the others.
"Oh, no doubt it is!" Nick exclaimed.
"I'm happy we get to come here again after the last time," Alex stated.
Nick laughed at that, seeing he rightly predicted that Alex would say that.
The crew watched on TV as the ball had dropped at Times Square in New York City, while Hawaii had to wait five more hours.
"Two more hours until the West coast welcomes the new year," Sam quipped.
"You know, every time I watch the ball drop in Times Square, I kinda feel sorry for the poor guys who have to clean that mess up after it's all over," Nick quipped. "I mean, you see how freakin' huge Times Square is, and all the people that show up for the party, right?"
"I feel you on that one," Clover responded.
"New Years was usually the only time my mom would let me stay up late when I was a kid," Alex admitted.
"Same here, really," Nick laughed. "I remember this one year that mom, dad and I stayed up to watch Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, but I was so tired. I managed to stay up to watch the ball drop and ring in the new year, but I zonked out almost immediately after."
"Bro, I think we've all been there at some point," Mat laughed.
Sure enough, two more hours passed, and it was time for Hawaii to celebrate the arrival of the new year.
"Well, this is it, everyone!" Alex exclaimed. "Let's start the countdown!"
"Take us away, Mat!" Nick proclaimed.
Those ten seconds passed rather quickly, and it was followed by a collective shout of "HAPPY NEW YEAR!" from across the hotel.
"Never gets old, does it?" Sam chuckled as she put her arms around Mat.
"Got that right!" Alex laughed as she hugged Nick.
"I'll toast to that," Clover proclaimed, leaning affectionately into Blaine.
Nick glanced outside the nearby window as the celebrations began, and he almost thought he could see his mother and father watching over him.
For all he knew, maybe they were.
Mom? Dad? Nick thought as Alex pounced on him to give him the customary first kiss of the year. You don't have to worry anymore. Because I'm in good hands.
Totally Spies: Celebrating a New Year
~The End~
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Final Author's Notes from Mat49324: Well, we hope 2021 was a great year for everybody, and that 2022 will be just as good. Despite we ended the year on a bit of a downer with the passing of Betty White and John Madden, 2021 was a VERY good year for me overall. For now, happy 2022 everyone, and here's The Blue Time Ranger for anything he'd like to say.
Final Author's Notes from The Blue Time Ranger: Happy 2022, everybody out there in fanfic land!
Seriously, where does time go sometimes? It's like it goes slow when you want it to go fast, and when you want it to stick around, it blasts off with Sonic speed. It's weird like that.
Anyways, that's all I have to say other than, as always, until next time, have a fantastic day, don't listen to the screeching morons, and we'll see you next mission!