Here's a Christmas Eve story, you get a morning story TOMORROW.
Here we go! Review, please!
Nana sidled up to Roy. "Roooooy?" she asked.
"What's up?" Roy turned around.
Nana put on her most innocent, pleading face. Roy smiled. "You're giving me the cute face. That means you want something. What is it?"
"Can we have a Christmas tree? And can we decorate it? And have popcorn and lights and everything?"
Roy grinned at her enthusiasm. "I bet we could do that. You and Popo go find a tree, and Marth and I can bring it in after dinner."
Nana squealed with delight and rushed off.
"For her to be that happy, something must have gone right. What did you just promise her?" Marth walked into the room.
"Marth, you've just been drafted."
"I knew that was coming. What am I supposed to do?" Marth smiled.
"Well, after dinner, you and I are going to get Nana a Christmas tree."
Marth thought a moment. "So we just have to go and drag a tree in here? That doesn't sound too bad."
Roy smiled. "Good," he said, turning to Ike, who had just walked in. "Hey, Ike."
"Hi," Ike said. He smiled. "You made Nana very happy. She was bubbling over about how great you two were and that you were going to get her a tree. I can help with that, if you want."
"I promised her we'd get it after dinner," Roy said. "She's going out with Popo to pick one."
Ike nodded.
—
"C'mon!" Nana laughed, pulling Popo through the snow. "We've gotta find the most perfect Christmas tree in the whole forest!"
"Yeah," Popo said. "But it's gotta be small enough for them to carry."
"Uh huh. Oooh! Look at that one!" she pulled him further.
—
"Dinner's pretty much ready!" Peach called, "But Mr. Game&Watch and I are going to need some help getting it all on the table." She walked into the main hall, the little shadow dancing around her feet. Both of them wore red caps with white bobbles on the end. Game&Watch and Peach had become the unofficial cooks of the place. Peach was a superb cook, and Game&Watch loved helping her. Since none of the others particularly enjoyed or excelled at cooking, the task always ended up with them.
"I can help," said Samus. She looked around. "Where's Nana and Popo?"
Ness closed his eyes for a moment. "They're in the woods," he said. "I'll call them."
A few minutes later, Nana and Popo burst in. They were covered in snow and cold to the core.
Leaving their coats and boots by the fire, they ran to their seats at the table.
"Did you find a tree?" Marth asked.
"Uh huh!" Nana said. "It's perfect! Let's go! Let's go!"
"Uh uh," Roy said, wiggling a finger at her. "Dinner first."
Zelda laughed. "When did you two get to be good with kids?"
Marth and Roy looked at Zelda for a moment, then shrugged.
A moment later, Game&Watch came in, balancing a platter bigger than his head. Peach carried a pot in one hand and a stack of plates in the other. Lastly came Samus, burdened with two jugs and a tower of glasses that swayed perilously.
"Let me," Zelda said, taking half of Samus' cups.
"I'll take something," said Link, "if you'd like the help."
"Please," Peach said.
A minute or so later, the table was set, and everyone dug in.
"This is amazing," Samus said.
"You outdid yourself on this," Roy added.
"It's-a great!" Mario agreed.
Peach flushed with pleasure. "Thank you," she said.
The moment dinner was over, Nana leaped to her feet. "Come on!" she shouted. "Let's go get the tree!"
Roy laughed. "OK, let's go," he said, getting to his feet. Marth and Ike followed shortly. They put on heavy winter coats, and Nana and Popo donned theirs.
Outside, it had started to snow. Wind was blowing and snow was getting thicker. "This way! This way!" Nana cried.
Marth, Roy and Ike followed.
The tree was magnificent. It was large, but not huge, and perfectly shaped. The branches stuck out beautifully, and with the snow and ice glimmering on it, it looked like it was already decorated.
The wind blew harder, and the tree bent.
"If we cut it here," Marth said, pointing to the bend, "It will come off easily."
They set to work at cutting the tree. Soon, it was almost split. But at that very moment, a huge gust of wind blew, snapping what remained of the beautiful tree and sending it rolling away from them.
Zelda's voice sounded in their heads. There is going to be an even bigger snowstorm than this. As big as the one we braved coming back from the Final Destination. Please, come back. Quickly, or this one won't have as happy an ending as the last.
"A tree! We need a tree first!" Nana cried.
"Alright," Marth said, pointing to the next tree. "Lets try that one."
The three set to work on the next tree, but the wind tore it away from them again. The same thing happened to the third tree as well. And it only got colder. With every tree that rolled away, Nana grew more and more distressed.
"Nana, we have to go in," Ike said. "To stay out here any longer would be suicide!"
Nana sniffed and nodded. Ike picked her up and put her on his shoulders. "Hold on," he said, as the three ran back towards the Smash Mansion.
They burst into the warmth of the main hall, slamming the doors closed against the wind.
"No tree?" Popo asked.
"We couldn't," Ike said. "We tried, but we couldn't get a tree."
Nana sat down in the corner, still in her coat and boots. When they looked over, they realised she was quietly crying.
"I'm sorry," Ike said. "We tried. You saw us."
Nana nodded. "I know." she said, hugging her knees.
Samus walked over to Nana. "Come here," she said, pulling the little girl to her feet. "Let's get your coat off, and I'll get you some cocoa. How's that sound?"
Nana sniffed again, wiping her eyes. "Okay." She shrugged her coat off, and kicked her boots at the fire. Samus lifted Nana up into her arms, and Nana buried her face in Samus' shoulder. Samus carried Nana into the kitchen.
Popo sniffed. "Poor Nan," he said.
"Christmas is so important to her," Ike said. "Popo, can you tell us why? We might be able to comfort her a little better."
"Christmas..." Popo said, "is the last memory Nana has of Mom and Dad. It's the last time we saw them. We had a tree, and fudge, and everything was beautiful. Now, Christmas is Nana's favourite thing in the world, because it reminds her of home."
"Oh..." Peach said. "You poor kids."
"I'm okay," said Popo. "I have other memories. But Christmas is all Nana really remembers. She was so little then. The candles and the tree are her home. She doesn't remember much else anymore."
In the kitchen, Nana sat listlessly at the table, staring into a mug of hot chocolate.
"Why don't we go sit by the fire," Samus suggested.
"Okay," Nana said. She drooped as she walked back to the fire. Samus sat beside her, and Popo sat on her other side. Everyone tried to think of something to say, but no one could. A snowstorm had denied a little girl who wasn't even ten years old of the only home she remembered. What could they say that could change that?
"Nan," Popo said. "Wanna go light some candles? We have a whole bunch! We'll put them everywhere!"
Nana put down her hot chocolate. "Not really," she said. "I'm gonna go to bed. I'm tired." She sniffed again. She got up, leaving her little mug sitting by the grate, and walked towards the stairs. "G'night," she said. Her shoulders were shaking.
"Wait," Popo said. "I'll come too." He ran after his sister.
The cheerful mood that had filled the hall gave way to sadness. No one could be happy with that heartbroken little face still strong in their minds. Shortly, everyone went to bed.
The last people to remain were Mewtwo, staring blankly into the fire, Jigglypuff, who sat beside him, and Bowser. Bowser got to his feet, walked off after a moment.
Mewtwo continued to stare into the fire. Jigglypuff sang a soft lament.
Soon the two of them left as well.
—
Nana awoke. The sound of the howling wind had ceased. Popo was asleep next to her.
Gently, so as not to wake him, she got to her feet, slipped out of the room and down the hallway. She stared bleakly at the empty room, and walked to the dark fireplace.
Putting on her boots, she opened one of the main doors.
A soft sound caught her attention. Bells?
She raced out into the perfect snow. It was! She followed the sound, running around the building.
A sleigh was sitting in the snow. It gave off a slight glow, illuminating Nana's face, and that of the man in the sleigh. He smiled at her. "Hello there."
Of course Nana knew who he was. He wore dark clothes, but a beautiful red cloak, lined with pure white fur. His hat was like Link's, but made of the same red material and white fur, the rim blending in to his white hair.
"Santa!" she whispered, fear and wonder mixing on her face.
He laughed. His laugh was wonderful. It was full of joy, pure and simple. It was loving, wrapping around Nana like a warm coat, chasing away her fear. "That's right," he said. "You're Nana, aren't you?"
Nana nodded, amazed.
"You asked for a present for each of your friends," Santa Claus said. "That was a very sweet and generous thing to do. How would you like to help me?"
"Help you?" Nana could only gasp.
Santa nodded. "My daughter usually helps me with my deliveries. But she's busy right now. How'd you like to come with me? I have a whole bunch of toys to deliver." He smiled, motioned to his sack. "I know how sad you were. Perhaps this will make it better? I'll have you home before sunrise."
"Yes!" Nana cried. "Yes! I want to help!"
Santa patted the seat beside him on the sleigh. "Climb in," he said. He draped a soft blanket over her knees.
"Alright!" he called, in a booming voice, to the reindeer harnessed to the sleigh. "Let's go! Up, up and away!"
A moment later, the sleigh was in the sky. The sky itself was full of brilliant ribbons of colour. Nana gasped again. "What are those?"
"They're called the Northern Lights," Santa said. "They're what I use to get around so fast." The reindeer landed on a ribbon of bright green light, and ran along it.
"They're amazing!" Nana laughed. She couldn't help it. Less than ten minutes ago, she had been the saddest girl in the world. Now, she was so filled with joy that it made her giddy. Santa's booming laugh mixed with hers, and her heart soared even higher.
"Woah," Santa called to the reindeer. They slowed their pace, and angled downwards. They were on their way towards a snow-covered little house.
They landed gently near the door. "Shall we?" Santa asked. He reached into a sack, and pulled out a gigantic candy cane. He added to that a package, wrapped in bright paper. Then, he held out a little star to Nana.
She took it from him. "It's like Elyan's star!"
"Elyan's star?"
"Yeah," she laughed, pulling her own light out of her pocket. "Elyan gave it to me! He used to be scared of the dark, and this girl had it made for him, and now he gave it to me."
Santa smiled. "Make sure you don't mix up the two," he said. "You'll want to keep yours."
They crept into the house. Santa waved a hand at the Christmas tree, and it glowed in beautiful colours. The top branch, though, remained dark.
"That's where the star goes," Santa whispered. He picked up Nana and boosted her towards the top. She put the little star on the top branch, and it glowed even more brightly.
Santa smiled gently, as he placed the present under the tree. "And the candy cane goes in the stocking." He handed it to her.
Nana tiptoed over to the little sock pinned up by the fire, and put in the candy cane.
"Let's go," Santa said. "We have a lot of toys to deliver, and we only have tonight." he winked, and the two were back in the sleigh.
Nana gasped, laughing. "That's so cool!" she said.
"Up, up and away!"
—
By all rights, someone should have heard the noises Holly was making as she set up the Christmas tree in the main hall and filled the room with candles. But that was perk number 1 about being Santa's daughter: No one woke up when she didn't want them to.
She smiled as she gently placed wrapped packages under the tree and decorated it with glowing orbs that would fade the next morning. She hoped the little child Papa had felt for this year had the best Christmas of her life.
—
Nana laughed as the sleigh flew along a strand of golden light. "Where's the next house?"
"Down here." Santa pointed to a small village. "Woah, there! Down we go!"
They landed in the centre of the village.
A familiar purple glow made Nana whirl around. A Wire Frame was approaching.
Nana screamed. "Wire Frame!" she shouted, grabbing a stick off of the ground. "I can beat it, Santa. I'm a good fighter now!"
"Wait," Santa said, putting a hand on her arm. He took the branch out of her hands, and put a present in it instead. "Try this."
Nana held the present out to the Wire Frame. It took the package, bowed to them, and left. She looked back at Santa in wonder. "I thought they were evil."
"They're not. Their masters were evil. But their masters are gone now. They have good hearts, now that they've been allowed to develop them." Santa smiled. "This is the Village of the Frames. Let's go." He gave her some presents and candy canes, and pointed her to a little row of houses. "You can do those three," he said.
Nana slipped into the houses. Each one had Wire Frames in it. Families slept together on the same bed, transparent arms around each other. Nana delivered toys, lit small Christmas trees. The scenes made her smile. Some of the Frames even had tiny babies in cradles.
When she was back in the sleigh with Santa, she looked out on the village. "It's amazing," she said. "I always thought they were bad."
"Not many are truly bad. Everyone has good in them somewhere. We have a few more deliveries to make. Would you like to do the honours?"
Nana smiled. "Up, up and away!" she shouted.
The next house was a cabin in a forest. It wasn't snowing there. It was cool, but not cold. The forest was still lush, and there were animals sleeping around the area.
When Santa and Nana crept inside, they saw an old woman sleeping on a bed. On a cot next to it, a black-haired boy and a brown-haired girl lay cuddled up to each other.
"Let's see..." Santa thought a moment. "The girl's name is Takimi. She wants dancing shoes and some material to make beds for the animals. Jin wants a wood stove so he doesn't have to cook over an open fire. Their Grandmother never wrote, but she needs a new staff and a needle and thread." He pulled some packages out of his sack. He waved his hand, and a wood stove appeared in the corner. Putting his head to one side, he said, "we need to hurry. We have half an hour to go." He snapped his fingers again.
They stopped at a magic school, and filled the bottom of their huge tree with presents. They stopped at an inn and left a present under one of the beds. A little girl was asleep, cold and shivering, in a tree. Santa decorated the tree in tinsel and gold, and covered her with a warm blanket.
Soon, they landed back outside the Smash Mansion. "You'll have to go now, Nana," Santa said.
Nana looked down. "Okay," she said.
Santa smiled. "Don't be sad. Maybe you'll see me again next year." He tousled her hair. Then Nana felt a warmth around her cold ears. When she looked up, Santa's head was bare. He winked. "Good night, Nana," he said, snapping his fingers.
Nana was in the hallway in Smash Mansion, just outside of her bedroom. She opened the door and slipped inside.
She heard a woman's laughter. When she looked out of the window, there was a beautiful red-haired lady sitting in the sleigh beside Santa. She saw Nana looking at her and waved.
As the sleigh rose up and circled the building, the lady sang.
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
to kids from one to ninety-two.
Although it's been said
many times, many ways...
Merry Christmas to you.
Her high voice harmonized with Santa's wonderful laughter as they flew into the night.
Merry Christmas to you.