I wanted to post this chapter later, but it's Christmas Eve and everyone will likely be too busy to read this. All I have to two is spare five seconds to click a couple buttons, haha.
This is the most magical Chapter :) I hope I did it all justice!
"Hey!" Wario shouted up at the zeppelin, cupping his hand around his mouth. "Hey! We're down here, get us out!"
"They can't hear you, they're too far away," Peach mentioned.
Wario threw a scowl at her. "How would you know?" He yelled upward, "Hey! HEY!"
Bowser covered the sides of his head, right under his tiny horns. "Will you shut up? Your voice is so annoying!"
"Well yours is even worse!" Wario shot back.
Bowser snarled at him, which instantly made him back off. The Koopa turned away with a huff.
Mario rose to his feet, balancing precariously on the presents. He jumped and grabbed the rim, pulling himself up to his elbows. Frosty air blew at his face, and he grabbed the rim of his hat. He nearly slipped in the process.
"I can take your hat, if you want," Bowser offered, hopping up to Mario's left. "I have a shell I can store stuff in," he added as Mario opened his mouth.
"Oh!" Mario handed his hat to Bowser. "Take care of it."
Bowser grinned. "No problem!" He brought it by his side, next to the shell's rim. The hat shimmered and dissipated into particles, which were sucked below the rim. Mario's eyes bugged. "What?" Bowser cocked an eyebrow. "I put it in my shell."
"Okay…" It's probably magic. Anything was possible, in this dream. From mysterious trains, to otherworldly kids, and from Santa's workshop, to hundreds of presents. Bowser making his hat disappear was hardly the most impressive thing. Mario let out a sigh.
Peach pulled herself up to Bowser's other side, and Luigi took Mario's right. The children gazed down at the town before them. Mario's jaw dropped. The buildings were even smaller from up high, and they were all lit up with Christmas lights and decor. Chimneys puffed out smoke in colours of red, green, purple and light blue. His sight could reach way out to the square, of which the tree stood tall and proud, a glimmering bright star amongst the depths of the night.
"It's so beautiful…" Peach breathed.
Mario nodded.
They drifted over the snow-covered rooftops, the zeppelin's propellers roaring as it pushed them forward. Mario pointed out a building in which the lights flashed, seemingly to no particular pattern. The four marveled at the sight as they passed.
Mario glanced down at Wario. His cousin laid on his back among the presents, his eyes fixated on the night sky. "Hey Wario, you gotta see this view! It's fantastic!"
Wario scowled. "Who cares?" He pulled his hands behind his head, crossing one leg over the other. "I'm comfortable, on a throne on the top of the world."
Mario rolled his eyes. "You're missing out." He turned his attention back to the view.
"Look!" Luigi cried, pointing. "There's the Polar Express!" The steam engine sat in the square's mouth.
"Look at all the elves!" Peach added. The square was full of them, a sea of red and green. Their chatter was loud enough that Mario could hear it as they flew close to the square's edge.
A whoosh of air sounded above from them as the zeppelin began its descent. It navigated the bag around the tree, though they were so close that Mario could touch it. And touch it he did. The pine needles were the softest he'd ever felt, and the branch trembled a little under his fingers. His hand smelt strongly of pine sap after he pulled it away.
The bag grew lower to the square, and Mario elbowed Luigi. "I told you there was nothing to worry about. We're here on time and in once piece, and we probably made the coolest entrance in the history of ever!"
Luigi bit his lip. "Maybe, but we're still going to be in so much trouble!"
Mario's face dropped right into a frown. I didn't think about that. Luigi was right; they would be in trouble. He winced upon thinking of the conductor; he was going to be furious.
The bag dropped, and the kids yelped as they were momentarily suspended in the air. The bag landed with a thump, and the children hit the presents with a groan. Mario pushed Luigi off him with a grunt, and he heard Peach apologising profusely as she scrambled to get clear of Wario's reddening face.
"Well well well, look at what we have here!"
Mario turned his head up to spot the source of the raspy voice. Two elves peered into the bag, smiling in what Mario thought was amusement. Or maybe they're thinking of how much trouble we'll be in, or maybe they'll put us on the naughty list! He gulped, but quickly reminded himself that this was just a dream. Anything that happened here wasn't actually real.
"A new group of troublemakers, eh?" The other elf snickered. His voice was very high-pitched, and he had a curly brown mustache.
Mario tried to explain, "We're sorry. We got lost, and we were trying to find our way back. We were all in the caboose of the Polar Express when—"
"When Wario disconnected it!" Luigi butted in, shooting the twin's cousin a glare. "He wanted to steal all the presents!"
"Hey! That ain't true!" Wario objected.
The elves sniggered.
"Oh, we know all about what you kids were up to. We're Santa's elves, we know all and see all!" the first one proclaimed.
Peach blinked. "I thought Santa—"
"The boss can't do it all himself!" the second one chimed. "But now it's time for you kids to get outta there."
The elves extended their hands down into the bag. Peach went first, per Mario's encouragement. She took their little hands, and they pulled her right out. Luigi went next, followed by Wario (the elves had a little bit of trouble with him). Mario and Bowser got into a little argument, with each trying to be courteous and let the other go first. The elves chose Mario, however, so the boy was hauled out and set down next to the other children.
They stood near the top of the bag, with a long ways to go until they would reach the ground. Even then, there still was a drop, as the sack was rested on the back of Santa's red-painted sleigh. Outside the bag, Mario could see that there were four elves up with them. They formed a set of pairs, one riding atop the other's shoulder.
Bowser came out moments after, and Mario helped to steady him as he stumbled.
"Oh, here's your hat," Bowser mumbled, pulling it out and handing it back to the boy. Mario gave him a nod of thanks, taking it and putting it on his head.
The elves turned to the children, inching their way towards the bag's curve.
"Who's up first?" the first elf asked, his gaze darting between the children.
"Up first?" Wario huffed. "For what?" He approached the curve, squinting his eyes as he peered down it. "There's no ladder? How are we supposed to get down?"
The elves giggled, rather impishly.
"Like this!" they cried. The bottom two swept Wario's legs out from under him, and he yelped as he fell, then slid, down the sack's side. Two more elf-stacks were there to help steady him, and all were laughing hysterically. The conductor was there, his face stern and posture stiff.
"Not surprised to see you there," he commented. Wario opened his mouth, but the conductor shushed him with a raised finger. He swept his hand towards Yoshi and Donkey Kong, who were staring, eyes wide, at the once-missing children.
Peach went next, though the elves were much nicer with her. She slid down with a yelp, and the elves below were quick to catch her. Bowser was chosen to go next, leaving Mario and Luigi together as the elves helped Bowser get comfortable on his stomach (his shell would tear the bag).
"This has been quite the adventure, huh?" Mario noted, his gaze trailing to the Christmas tree.
"Yeah…" Luigi agreed. His hand found its way into Mario's, and for a moment they stared out at the square, taking in the sight of the elves, decorations, flurries, and decorations.
"You boys are next!" The first elf gestured for them to come. "Hurry up!"
The twins went down together, their hands still connected. They didn't even need the elves to steady themselves, as they helped balance each other out. They were quick to join the other children, and Yoshi was all over them in an instant.
"Where were you guys? I turned around and nobody was there! Mr. Conductor was so mad! Did you have an adventure? What was it like? What did you see?" He grabbed Luigi's free arm, practically falling to his knees. "You just have to tell me!"
"We—"
The blaring of trumpets drowned out Mario's next words, and it prompted him to turn himself about. It seemed that some sort of ceremony had started, as the elves started to cheer.
"Oh, look! Look!" Peach cried, pointing to the main hall.
Being escorted out of entrance were reindeer. The elves led the supposed flying mammals to the sleigh, where they stood patiently in line to be harnessed in. Mario counted eight of which he knew were Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen. However… one was missing. Where's Rudolph?
A red glow shone from inside the main hall, and a reindeer leapt out through the doors. He had no escort, no harness, and his hooves didn't touch the ground as he bounded through the air. Mario let out a gasp, and Luigi grabbed his arm.
"Mario, it's Rudolph! It's Rudolph!" He shook Mario, his eyes never once leaving the reindeer.
"I know! I know!" Mario whispered excitedly back. It took every ounce of self-control to keep him from bouncing around like an excited two-year-old. The three-year-old Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer movie had become an instant classic among their family, and had made the unique reindeer the twin's favourite. Mario knew that Luigi loved Rudolph more than him, as he too had experienced bullying. He saw the reindeer as his Christmas Hero, in a sense. Staying put was probably killing him.
Rudolph almost seemed to dance around the square, soaring around on graceful hooves. His nose shone as bright as a star, flickering on and off. He even winked at the children, which caused Luigi to scream like a fangirl. Everyone gave him weird looks after that.
Finally, Rudolph banked back and took his place at the front of the line, where several irritated elves waited to harness him in. Mario thought he saw the other reindeer rolling their eyes. He giggled.
The trumpets rang out again, and a line of elves marched out of the main hall. They held a long string of silver bells, polished to the point where the light effortlessly sparkled off. The elves cheered, singing out the first couple lines of 'Silver Bells'. After they were recited, the bells were shaken.
But no sound came from them.
Mario's face dropped. He frowned and cupped a hand around his ear. How could they be silent? How could they? He glanced around at the other children, expecting them to be just as confused as he was, but many were smiling.
Peach caught his eye. "Oh, aren't they the most beautiful sound?"
Mario's stomach lurched, and he forced a smile on. "Yeah!"
Hers dropped a little, but she turned her attention back to the bells, swiping tears out of her eyes.
"Mario! Mario! They sound so… so… so Christmasy!" Luigi gushed, grabbing his arm once again.
Mario couldn't even speak. Luigi didn't notice his silence, however, and went on to tell Yoshi the exact same thing. Questions were circling in his head. Why? Why can everyone else hear them and I can't? It just didn't make sense…
"Mario…?" Bowser asked, his voice unusually quiet. "You can hear them, right?"
Mario turned to gaze at Bowser. The Koopa's face was tense, his claws an inch from latching onto Mario's arm. He can't hear them, either. Why else would his friend look so haunted? "No… No, I can't."
Bowser's lip trembled. "B-but everyone else can!" He stared down at his hands. His voice cracked at his next words, "What's wrong with us?"
A pang his Mario's chest. "I… I don't know." What IS wrong with us? Why couldn't they hear the bells? What did they have that the others didn't? Or vice versa…
The elves quickly attached the bells, pulling back and backflipping into the crowd. The trumpets blared out one final time, their tune being much longer than the last two. The whole crowd fell silent. Then they started to sing, swaying their hands in the air.
"Oooooh… yooooooouuuuu… You better watch out… you better not cry!"
Luigi, Peach, Donkey Kong, and Yoshi joined in, picking up the lyrics instantly.
"You better not pout, I'm tellin' you why… Saaanta Claus is comin'… toooooo tooooown!"
Upon crowing the last word, the doors to the main hall burst open.
Revealing nothing.
Where's Santa? Shouldn't he be out by now? Mario frowned and scratched his head. The crowd went wild, elves clambering on each other's shoulders. They roared, cheering, and Mario could barely pick out the 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' song in the background.
"It's Santa!" Luigi shrieked, jumping up and down. He clapped his hands over his face "It's Santa!"
"Wh-what?" Mario shouted, a cold pit forming in his stomach. Santa? He stretched up on his toes, straining to see over the elves. He still saw no one. "Where?!"
"Right over there!" Yoshi squealed, pointing as his tongue hung out of his mouth. He was panting like a dog as he gazed, his eyes sparkling at presumed Santa. Peach was crying, likely from sheer joy, and Donkey Kong was staring with round eyes. Even Wario appeared to see Santa, his eyes wide and mouth pulled back in an almost frightened frown. Most appeared to be in awe of Saint Nick.
The man whom Mario could not see.
A glance over told him that Bowser lacked sight of the Christmas mascot. The Koopa was dragging his hands over his eyes, pulling down his face in the process.
"Why can't we see him?" Mario wailed, tears starting to form in his eyes. "Why can't we see him?"
Bowser shook his head, tears bubbling up. He wiped them away, though a few still trailed down his cheeks.
Why? Why can't we see him? Mario held his head, his mind struggling to put the pieces together. What was it about Bowser and him that made them different from the others? What did they have— or lack? And if this is a dream, why can't I picture…
A dream.
Of course.
Mario and Bowser lacked belief.
Neither believed in Santa Claus. Both thought they stood in a dream, thinking that they'd wake up in their beds, that this adventure would be nothing but a dream to be forgotten. That has to be what we don't have… why we can't see…
But this logic wouldn't work in a dream. No, Mario's dream-world would be able to concur up a Santa, and a sound for the bells.
That mean… this adventure was… real.
Santa… the elves… the North Pole… the workshop… It was real. All of it. They really were on a train adventure to the top of the world with kids from another planet. Mario closed his eyes. I believe in this… all of it. It's real. This isn't a fantasy of mine. It's the real thing.
"M-Mario?" Bowser tapped his shoulder.
Mario turned to the Koopa with a smile. "Bowser… I figured it out. This… all this… is real."
His snout wrinkled. "What?"
"This isn't a dream, don't you see?" Mario grabbed Bowser's hands. His scaly hands. Ones that very much belonged to a real, living creature. "We're really at the North Pole, and all this exists. I'm real, you're real. The Polar Express is real…" A light, warm sensation wrapped around him as he spoke each word. "The elves… the crazy technology… and Santa himself."
Bowser shook his head. "No… no, it's not."
"Think about it!" Mario urged. "I know it seems bizarre, but could you really have thought of this all yourself? You, Bowser, who has no idea what Christmas even holds or represents? Could you make up all these symbols, or me, or Peach? We told you a lot of stuff, that didn't come from your head."
Bowser's eyebrows knitted together, but he shook his head, still reluctant to believe.
Mario's smile grew brighter. "I think I know why the Polar Express brought you here." He lowered his voice. "It was because you don't know. You don't believe. And you need Christmas the most." I know I needed to believe again… and I bet Luigi was brought along to help me realise that. "Bowser… just close your eyes, and allow yourself to believe. You'll feel it, I know you will."
After a few moments, Bowser complied, squeezing his lids shut tight. His breaths were slow as he seemingly fought against his own mind.
Then he relaxed. A smile seized his face. When he opened his eyes, a newfound twinkle rested within the ruby-coloured irises. "I do feel it." Bowser whispered, his voice growing louder. "That means… you're really my friend…"
Mario nodded. "Of course I am!" His heart seemed to do a fist pump. Yes! I got him to believe! I opened his eyes! Mario's were open, too, and he knew this night would never be one to forget. He would never close his eyes to believing ever again.
Bowser's eyes trailed up, and he gasped. Mario turned around, tilting his head back. In front of him stood a round man with a magnificent frost-white beard. He dressed in a red coat and pants, framed with white fur. His hat was red, with white fluff surrounding the rim. A pom-pom dangled from the edge, and his sharp eyes, filled with an undying spark of Christmas spirit.
"Santa…" Mario breathed, his chest bubbling up as he resisted the urge to jump around like a schoolgirl. I can see him! God, I can see him!
"What was that you said? About all this?" Santa asked, his voice deep yet jolly.
"I… It's real." Mario repeated. "This is real, all of it." He began to point. "You, the sleigh, the reindeer, the North Pole, the elves, the Polar Express, this adventure…" he glanced at Bowser, Peach, Yoshi, and Donkey Kong, "and my new friends."
Santa nodded, a smile starting to brighten his face. "It seems two more have felt the magic tonight." He stepped back, his soft eyes sweeping across all seven children. "Now comes the time of every year, where I must pick which child gets the first gift of Christmas."
The first gift! Mario instantly turned his gaze to Peach. She was the most spirited of them all. She probably would receive it. He ignored the stone that seemed to weigh in his stomach, turning his thoughts from wish it was me to I wonder what she'll ask for?
"There's a rather small number of childcare this year," Santa began. "But I can make it work." His eyes started on Donkey Kong. "You, young child, have had much turmoil plague your family." The ape nodded, his gaze falling to the ground. "I encourage you to keep your hopes up. You and your family will find your happy ending in due time."
He transitioned his gaze to Luigi, who instantly stood spine-rigid. "It was awfully brave of you to go after your troublesome cousin like you did. Especially with the fact that he scares you. Your sense of righteousness is strong. While you may have faith in me, you must also learn to have it in yourself as well."
"Yes, sir," Luigi timidly replied, his voice squeaking like a mouse.
Santa laughed, a merry, booming sound that carried across the square. The way he tilted his head back, and how his smile showed off all his shining teeth, and the way his shoulders shook was mystical. Mario couldn't help but laugh himself.
Santa's gaze turned to Wario next. "I see we meet again, my secret fan."
Wario shifted. "I'm not your fan."
"Yet you still believe." His face fell. "You still believe, yet you encourage others to lose their faith. Your reputation is not worth the destruction of children's magic. Many more need Christmas magic than you would ever think. It would be wise to consider that the next time you think about crushing anyone's faith."
Wario nodded, his posture sagging. "Yes, sir. And I'm…" He let out a sigh. "I'm sorry. For that and trying to take the other presents."
Santa's beam returned. "I will let you off easy this year, as you have clearly learned your lesson. But let me warn you; next year I will not be so generous."
"Yes, Santa."
Wow! He got Wario to actually apologise! And what did Santa mean by, 'they've met before'. He would make sure to ask Wario about it later.
Santa's eyes moved to Peach. "You young lady. Princess. You have a lot of responsibility for your age."
Peach brought a hand to her chest, nodding.
"Yet you handle it exceptionally well, and the way you always extent love towards those around you is an admiral skill. Keep that up."
"I will, Santa… and thank you."
He chuckled. "No problem." His eyes moved to Yoshi. "You're the one who aways asks for more food."
Yoshi rubbed the back of his head with a nervous laugh. "Yeah…"
"You know… one of the things you should learn to do is share. Your love for food is not a problem, but it becomes one when you start to hoard it all to yourself. There are many more tummies that desire treats than just yours."
"I know. I'm trying to work on my self-control." Yoshi let out a groan. "It's just too hard!"
Santa raised a finger. "Ah, it's only too hard when you say it is. You can do it, Yoshi. Keep repeating that to yourself."
"You can do it, Yoshi. You can do it, Yoshi," Yoshi chanted.
"In your head, Yoshi."
"Oh, sorry."
Santa chortled. His eyes skimmed over Mario to land on Bowser.
Mario's chest tightened, and his body froze. Wait… why did he skip me?
"You, young prince, have been denied the spirit of Christmas," Santa murmured.
Bowser's fingers intertwined as he jerked his head away. "It wasn't my fault…" he mumbled.
Santa gave a shake of his head. "I never once thought it was. Your father kept it from you, through no fault of your own." He smiled. "I'm glad you managed to find your own spirit, along with some friends."
"Yeah…"
"Don't be sorrowful," Santa encouraged. "You'll all see each other again, I can guarantee it. Love knows no boundaries, even if you're across the galaxy. Friendship is a form of love, before you ask." Santa turned away, standing tall as his booming voice echoed crossed the square. "And now we come to our last child, who's belief faded as he grew."
Me! He's talking about me! Mario clasped his hands together, leaning a little towards Santa.
"Not only did he regain his faith, but he encouraged another to share in it. Not to mention his consideration for the faith of others. It takes a truly exceptional individual to do all that." Santa approached Mario, whose heart raced. "Which is why," he put a hand on Mario's shoulder, warmth spreading from the touch and through Mario's body. "this exceptional young lad will be receiving the first gift of Christmas."
Cheers rose up from around the square. The other children gasped. Wario's face was twisted in a scowl of utter rage, while Luigi appeared to be hiding a frown. Yoshi was chanting Mario's name, his loud voice stark among the crowd. Peach's face was alight with a smile, and she clapped her hands. Bowser and Donkey Kong stared with wide eyes, their mouths parted.
Mario couldn't bring himself to speak. His breath seemed to evade him, and he weakly pointed to his chest, staring up at Santa. At long last, he managed to squeak the word, "Me?"
The jolly man nodded, his face warm. "You."
Mario's legs felt like jelly as Santa gently took his hand and guided him to the sleigh. After a few steps, he snapped out of his shock, and took to trotting easily by Santa's side. His heart fluttered, his body filled with the coziness of the spirit. Each step was a skip, and a strong grin was strapped to his face.
Santa released Mario's hand to climbed up into his sleigh, while the boy was easily able to jump up. Santa lowered himself onto the sleigh's bench, then he patted his lap. "Come and sit, my boy."
Mario plopped himself down instantly, feeling right at home in the man's lap. His body was tingling with Christmas magic's warmth, and it took every ounce of self-control to stay still. I get the first gift of Christmas! I get the first gift of Christmas!
"Now, my boy." Santa squinted his eyes a little. "Mario is your name?"
"Yes, sir!" Mario gave an eager nod, his hat falling over his eyes. He quickly adjusted it as Saint Nick chuckled.
"Mario, what would you like for Christmas?"
Mario opened his mouth, ready to tell Santa all about that new action figure he'd spotted in the store a few months back, but stopped. This is the opportunity of a lifetime! He couldn't just waste it. He was here, on Santa's lap, his faith restored. He'd been one a one-time adventure, conducing memories and friendships that would last a lifetime. That was a gift in itself.
"I would like…" Mario glanced around at the square, his eyes taking in the sights; the tree, the elves, the charming little buildings, the Polar Express in the background, his friends. He closed his eyes, picturing the workshop, times on the train, and the moment where he had first laid his sights on the Polar Express. Mario brought himself back to the present, turning his gaze up towards Santa. "I would like something to remember this adventure. I had a lot of fun, and I made some really good friends." He glanced at Bowser and Peach. "Could you give me something so that I'll always remember? Something that I can look at and remember this, all of it."
Santa smiled, his eyes wrinkling. "I have just the thing for you." He waved for a few elves to come over. "Get this young lad a special trinket, will you?" He flashed a wink at them, and the elves gasped. A couple put their hands over their hearts. Three rushed over to the reindeer. One hopped atop the shoulders of the other, grabbing a bell from the harness. He worked at it for a moment before pulling it off. He dismounted his partner's shoulders, and the three of them rushed over to the sleigh. The elf held up the bell, shining silver in the tree's glow.
"Thank you." Santa lifted it out of his palm. He smiled, rising to his feet. He held the bell up. "The first gift of Christmas!"
A cheer rose up as Santa put a hand on Mario's shoulder. The boy wore the biggest smile he'd ever made in his life. I'm getting a bell! The symbol was perfect, really. It directly connected to Santa, and it would be physical proof of his and Luigi's adventure. Not to mention its sound would alway be a reminder of his belief. He bounced on his toes as Santa turned a grinning face down towards him.
"I believe this is yours." Santa held out the bell.
"Thank you!" Mario swiped it from him, bringing it to his ear as he shook it. A high, melodic tinkle emitted from it, sending that Christmas spirit pulsing through him. Santa patted his back.
"You know," Santa let out a sigh, "I had another kid who was just like you. He was a Doubter, as well."
"A Doubter?" The term made the hairs on his neck stand up. It sounded awful, hearing it now. That's what I was. Never again. He would never forget this, and his faith would never disappear.
"It's what we call those who are starting to not believe in the magic anymore. It's the time when a child can either be awoken or closed forever. You, my boy, have returned to being a Believer, and you managed to convince your Incredulous friend to have his own faith, even though he should have been past awakening."
"You mean Bowser?" Does that mean… Peach and I did the impossible? Or had Santa known all along that Bowser was able to open his eyes? He probably had, which was why Bowser was on the train in the first place.
"Yes, Bowser." Santa paused. "That other boy, the other Doubter, learned all on his own to believe again. He, too took a sleigh bell home. He still has his faith, even though years have passed."
Mario stared at the bell, his own face reflecting back at him. He shook it again, laughing at the pure sound that come from it. I could listen to this all day…
A series of gongs rang out and Mario jerked his head towards the giant clock. Both hands were pointed at the twelve, at midnight. Christmas Day.
"I'm afraid that's my call," Santa patted Mario' back. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, Santa!" Mario chimed. He flashed him one last smile before he climbed down from the sleigh. The elves helped to steady him. Mario kept the bell clasped between his hands, holding it close to his heart. Yoshi and Luigi were on top of him in an instant.
"C'mon, show us the bell!" Luigi begged.
"I wanna see!" Yoshi reached for Mario's hands, but he jerked away.
"I'll show you all later! When we're back on the train." He stared down at his heads. He didn't want to give the bell to someone else… he needed to continue feeling its magic.
The sleigh bells chimed, prompting Mario to turn around to face it. Santa raised his hand, and a luminescent whip appeared in his palm. It shimmered, pulsing with mystical-toned colours. With a flick of his wrist, it sang through the air, cracking in the air (it did not touch the reindeer). Rudolph leapt up first, and the others followed in a smooth wave. Their hooves churned through the air, the bells jingling. The sleigh inched forward, bouncing a little, yet it did not leave the ground. The sack swayed, and Mario gasped.
Oh no! What if it was too heavy? What if the reindeer couldn't handle it? His grip on the bell tightened.What if taking the bell took away from the flying magic?
The sleigh jerked forward, its runner lifting off the ground. Santa gave a boisterous laugh, cracking his whip once again. The reindeer's legs pumped in a blur, and the sleigh soared into the air.
The children's mouths fell open as the reindeer pulled the sleigh around the square. They leapt forward in graceful bounds, with the bells singing out their harmonious jingle. Rudolph's nose glowed with the light of the north star. The elves cheered, many hugging each other as sleigh banked up, down, and around the square.
Luigi grabbed Mario's arm as the sleigh passed over the heads of the children, but the latter hardly noticed. His eyes were entranced to the wondrous sight.
The sleigh curved in a wide arc, soaring up to the top of the tree. The whip swished out, striking the tip of the tree's star. A heavenly light swept down the tree, washing over the crowd. Mario felt the tingling warmth of Christmas magic grow stronger.
Santa cracked his whip once again. "Now Dasher, now Dancer, Prancer and Vixen!" He cried, his voice ringing out over the square. "Now Comet, now Cupid and Donner and Blitzen! Go, Rudolph, go!" His whip sang through the air with a snap. "Dash away, dash away, dash away all!"
Sparks flew from the reindeer's hooves, and their legs sped up to the point of a blur. They all shot forward at a breakneck speed, vanishing out of sight with a hiss. The embers drifted down, twinkling until they blinked out of sight.
Wow… Mario's astounded face finally managed to turn into a smile. He could hardly sit still, feeling like a little kid all over again. The bell was pleasantly hot in his palms.
The elves all grabbed their hats, tossing them high up in the air with a collective, "Yaaaaaaaay!"
Another Christmas a success.
Rudolph's inclusion was my Mom's idea; we were watching the movie this year (2020) and she said that his abscence was one of the things she didn't didn't about the movie. I took note and included him here. Hey, Mom, if you're reading, I hope you're happy.
I hope you felt the magic! I sure did. In case you're busy tomorrow, Merry Christmas! Have a wonderful one!