CHAPTER 1: A CHRISTMAS WISH
It was a snowy Christmas Eve at the Hedgehogs' mansion where a teenage hedgehog girl named Lavender and her mischievous brother Eclipse lived. The house was large and beautiful, with the grandest Christmas Tree you could ever imagine. Mr. and Mrs. Hedgehog were busy preparing the last holiday decorations for their annual Christmas Eve party just as the mobian guests arrived.
After the guests finished exchanging greetings with the hosts, everyone celebrated the festivities. Music and cheer filled the grand mansion as the adults mingled cheerfully while watching their younger ones dance and party. Lavender danced with her friends while Eclipse entertained himself with his friends by chirping at his sister.
"Oh wow," he sneered sarcastically, "what a sight to see you dancing foolishly! I can't wait to see you dance at your wedding!"
His friends howled in laughter, earning scowls from some of Lavender's friends.
"Nobody asked for your opinion," retorted the girl, not looking at him.
"What are you going to do about it?" he persisted. "Don't dodge it, spoiled brat! What's wr—"
"ENOUGH, ECLIPSE!" a booming voice interrupted the annoying goon.
Mr. Hedgehog pulled the brother aside and started to scold him. Lavender sighed in relief and continued to dance with the girls.
"About time your daddy knocked sense into that phony," said one of her friends.
Sometime later, it was time to open up the presents. The light-purple hedgehog was initially miffed when she saw no gift for her. Eclipse, however, sulked pessimistically like it was the end of the world.
"Lavender, Eclipse!" called Mrs. Hedgehog.
The mother ran over to them with a present for each one.
"Yay!" beamed the bubbly girl.
"Phew..." Eclipse wiped a fake sweat from his quills.
"They're from Grandfather Merlin!" added their mother.
Lavender's excitement rose upon hearing the name of her favourite grandfather. An old hedgehog wizard who loves nothing but his descendants, including Lavender.
Eclipse opened his present and received a gnome made of soft silk. His sister opened hers next and gasped.
Inside the box, she found a beautiful, handsome-looking nutcracker hedgehog. The nutcracker sported navy blue fur, turquoise stripes on his handsomely messy quills and glowing emerald green eyes. He had such vibrant colours and detail that Lavender believed he might come to life.
"He's so beautiful!" she exclaimed.
She instantly became attached to her grandfather's new gift and giggled. She cradled the nutcracker hedgehog in her arms while she danced around gracefully. Her parents and friends smiled at the sight. Her gaze never left her present; her eyes stayed fixed on the nutcracker's emerald orbs.
"I'll call you Jaytee," she said softly to the nutcracker hedgehog, "I wish you were a real mobian hedgie."
The eyes glittered as if they smiled at her. Lavender knew this was the best Christmas present she could ever receive; she knew this would be a moment to remember. But little did she know, her brother had other ideas.
Suddenly, the tiny hedgehog slipped from her grasp. Eclipse snatched her gift and smashed him onto the ground!
"Spoiled sister!" growled her jealous brother. "And by the way, you could have given that cheap junk a better name than a stupid initial name!"
Lavender was so shocked when she saw her nutcracker Jaytee break that it shattered her heart. Eclipse's words only reinforced the damage. She broke down into tears and sobbed over her broken gift.
"Eclipse..." she wept, "how could you...!?"
An angry Mrs. Hedgehog scolded Eclipse while her husband harshly dragged the son to the latter's bedroom by the collar. While Lavender's friends consoled her, an old hedgehog appeared. It was no other than Merlin.
"G-Grandfather...!" gasped the girl.
"Eclipse knows better than ruining your fun," frowned the old wizard, "but other than that..."
He swooped his hand in a fancy motion over the beloved nutcracker, which caused Jaytee to flash briefly. Merlin's magic repaired the beloved nutcracker!
"There," smiled Merlin, "your Jaytee is as good as new!"
Lavender wiped her tears away and hugged her grandfather.
"Oh, thank you, Grandfather!" she shouted joyfully.
"Let Jaytee rest underneath the Christmas tree overnight," instructed the wizard, "and he will be happy when you see him on Christmas morning."
Merlin would disappear afterwards.
Soon, the party ended. The guests left with their teenage kids to go home. Lavender placed her beloved Jaytee underneath the Christmas tree and took one last gaze at him.
"Good night, Jaytee!" whispered Lavender.
Then, she headed to her bedroom.