It was another day at the Inkwell Isle School for the Supernaturally Gifted Youth. Ember's teacher Mrs. Atkinson was teaching the children how to write in cursive.
"Alright students, now keep practicing both upper and lowercase of each letter…"
Mrs. Atkinson said to the class until suddenly, the headmistress Professor Cyfrin entered the classroom.
"Oh, good morning, Professor Cyfrin. What brings you here this morning ma'am?" Mrs. Atkinson asked.
"Well, Mrs. Atkinson, I have an announcement to make." Professor Cyfrin.
All the kids paid attention to the headmistress.
"What's up?" Ember whispered to Isfrid.
"Beats me." Isfrid whispered.
"Ember, Isfrid! Your attention please!" Mrs. Atkinson called out.
Both girls turned their attention to the front of the classroom.
"As I was saying, we have two new transfer students starting today. I'd like you all to meet…" Professor Cyfrin was about to announce.
A pair of human-like twins with platinum hair, one boy and one girl wearing Christmas-like outfits. The boy had an excited look on his face, the girl looked grumpy and disappointed.
"Oh no…" Isfrid say, ducking her head.
"What's wrong?" Ember whispered.
"Girls!" Mrs. Atkinson scolded.
Both girls focused their attention.
"Anyway, these are the son and daughter of Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus themselves." Professor Cyfrin continued.
She placed her wing on the boy's shoulder.
"Nicholas Claus. Jr." Professor Cyfrin introduced the boy.
"Just Nick please." Nick corrected.
"Alright Nick." Professor Cyfrin agreed.
Professor Cyfrin placed her wing on the girl's shoulder.
"And this is Holly Nicole Claus." Professor Cyfrin introduced.
Holly said nothing and gave a blank stare.
"Now, I want you all to make Nick and Holly feel welcome here in this school. Are we clear?" Professor Cyfrin asked.
"Yes, Professor Cyfrin." The class answered.
"Yeah right." Isfrid quietly said under her breath.
"Alright, I leave them in your hands Mrs. Atkinson." Professor Cyfrin said and leaves the classroom.
"Alright Nick, Holly. You may both take your seats." Mrs. Atkinson instructed.
Nick and Holly take their seats and get out their school supplies.
"Now, class, let's resume our cursive writing." Mrs. Atkinson announced.
The class resumes their assignment while Ember is concerned for Isfrid.
Later at Recess, Ember, Isfrid, Abel, Marette and Cliff play at the kickball field.
Ember and Isfrid wait for their turn on the bench.
"Hey, Isfrid? You didn't seem happy about Holly earlier? Is everything okay?" Ember asked.
"I don't wanna talk about it Ember." Isfrid answered.
"Isfrid, we don't keep secrets from each other. Remember?" Ember reminded her.
Isfrid hesitated to tell her best friend.
"You know the Claus twins, don't you? You both are from the North Pole." Ember guessed.
Isfrid sighed, knowing she can't fool Ember.
"We're not just from the North Pole… we're neighbors with them." Isfrid admitted.
"Really? Are you and Nick and Holly friends?" Ember asked.
"No." Isfrid answered.
"Really? What happened?" Ember asked.
"You really wanna know?" Isfrid asked.
Ember nodded.
"Okay, since you're my best friend, I'll tell you. When we were little, Santa and my mama introduced us, hoping we could be friends and play with each other. Nick was pretty good at playing, Holly however was another story. Holly always wanted everything her way, when she wanted to play with a toy either Nick or I was playing, she would just take it without asking and wouldn't share any of her toys. She took whatever she wanted, broke all the rules, always picked fights with me and threw tantrums. She's a piece of work." Isfrid explained her past.
"Oh wow. And I thought my father threw the worst tantrums when he didn't want it his way." Ember admitted.
"Yeah, it was no wonder she has no friends. She scares them all away." Isfrid said.
"So, then what happened?" Ember asked.
"Then, one day, Holly really crossed the line. I caught her playing with my fragile ice sculpted dolls my grandmother gave me. Even though I told her not to touch those, she still did anyway. I asked her to put them back, but she purposely broke them. I was devastated, those ice dolls meant so much to me. So, in an act of rage, I fired my icy blast at her, hitting her against the wall, causing her injury. Boy, did I get in trouble that day. Ever since, we never had any more playdates with each other. And good riddance." Isfrid finished her story, wiping a tear.
"Isfrid, I had no idea she hurt you." Ember said, feeling bad for her best friend.
"Yeah, she sounds like trouble." Marette added.
Ember and Isfrid notice Marette, Abel and Cliff listening to their conversation.
"How long were you three standing there?" Isfrid asked.
"We were gonna tell you it was your guys' turn, but you were telling Ember your sad story about Holly Claus. So, long enough." Abel answered.
Cliff sobbed uncontrollably at the story that his body started growing flowers and plants.
"You big oaf! Your blubbering's making you grow again!" Abel scolded.
"Oops sorry." Cliff apologized and tore off his plants and threw them aside.
"Anyway, we're so sorry Holly was mean to you. But you got us now. And you even scored a bestie that's way better than Holly." Marette said to Isfrid.
"Really?" Ember asked.
"Yes, Ember. I didn't think I'd find a real friend to call a best friend. Sure, I was well known and was acquainted with our friends at first. But when I first saw you, something about you fascinated me. I don't know what that was, but figured I could try again befriending someone. Only this time, someone with opposite powers instead of someone from the same neighborhood. And after I got to know you, I really started to like you as you started to like me. Especially after you gave me that gift." Isfrid admitted.
Ember felt happy with herself. Then she gave Isfrid a hug. Then, Marette and Abel joined in. Suddenly, Cliff wrapped his big arms around the group and lifted them up in a great big hug.
"Thank you. All of you." Isfrid said happily.
Just then, they hear a commotion going on near the playground. Ember and her friends join the crowd of children to see what was going on. Ember and her friends notice Holly attacking a satyr student with her Christmas-like powers like stars, boxes and tinsel. The satyr kid started crying until the recess monitor ogre runs up to the group.
"What's going on here?!" The ogre yelled in a cranky-like voice.
"She attacked me with her Christmas powers Ms. Bouchie!" The satyr kid cried and pointed.
"Well, you said my powers were stupid. So, you deserve it you half goat freak!" Holly yelled.
"Young lady, you're coming with me to the Headmistress's office!" Ms. Bouchie said angrily.
Ms. Bouchie grabs Holly's arm and drags her with her inside the school.
"Oh boy, it's gonna be her funeral." Marette said worryingly.
"Yeah. Especially with Grouchy Bouchie" Abel agreed.
"Who cares? She'll get what she deserves." Isfrid said angrily.
"Well, maybe some detention might straighten her out." Ember suggested.
"Ember, it's never that simple with her. She has been grounded a lot, always on the naughty list and she's never been disciplined. Nothing gets through to her." Isfrid warned Ember.
"Detention?! Oh no!" Cliff said fearfully and cowered below his friends as they look at him unamused.
"You big oaf! No one's getting detention!" Abel scolded.
"Oh. I knew that." Cliff said as the girls giggled.
Just then, the ogre returned to the playground.
"You five!" Ms. Bouchie yelled at Ember and her friends.
All five children gasped.
"Ms. Bouchie!" Isfrid exclaimed.
"The headmistress wants a word with you five." Ms. Bouchie said in a scary voice.
"But we didn' do nothin'! We're just playin'! Honest!" Marette protested.
"Nah, you kids ain't in trouble. The headmistress wants your help or something." Ms. Bouchie explained.
"Really? With what?" Ember asked.
"Come with me." Ms. Bouchie ordered.
Ember and her friends follow Ms. Bouchie into the school and into the headmistresses' office.
"Here they are Professor Cyfrin. Just like you requested." Ms. Bouchie announced.
"Thank you, Ms. Bouchie. I'll take it from here." Professor Cyfrin thanked.
Ms. Bouchie leaves the office as the five children face the headmistress nervously.
"So, I'm assuming you're all wondering why I summoned you here?" Professor Cyfrin asked.
"We didn't do anything wrong!" Cliff protested and prepared to start crying again.
"Cliff! Don't even start crying again!" Abel scolded.
"It's alright Abel. He's very sensitive. Anyway, you're not in trouble." Professor Cyfrin assured Cliff.
"We're not?" Cliff asked, confused.
"No, my boy. I asked you all here because I need your help." Professor Cyfrin announced.
"With what?" Isfrid asked nervously.
"I'm sure you five have noticed the new student Holly causing mischief towards another student?" Professor Cyfrin asked.
"Um, yes?" Marette answered.
"Well, you five are a wonderful influence on the other children at the school from what I heard. Especially since Ember befriended you four. That's why I would like you children to help Holly behave herself and reform her." Professor Cyfrin announced.
"What?!" All five children exclaimed.
"Yes, I believe if anyone can help Holly out, it was you five. See what you can do." Professor Cyfrin suggested.
"I thought she was gonna get detention." Abel said.
"She agreed if she hung out with you five, she would be spared from detention since this is her first offence." Professor Cyfrin explained.
"Oh dear." Isfrid said worryingly.
"If you five agree to help Holly, I'll reward you with a trip to the Inkwell Isle Zoo." Professor Cyfrin offered.
All five children gasped.
"Okay, we'll do it!" Ember agreed.
"Excellent! Now, why don't you five take Holly with you back to recess and let her join you in your games." Professor Cyfrin ordered.
Holly reluctantly gets up from her chair and joins Ember and her friends as they all head back outside to recess.
They return to the kickball field to resume their game.
"So, Holly, we use our powers to hit the ball to each other." Ember explained.
"Whatever." Holly grumbled.
"What's wrong Holly? Why don't you wanna play?" Ember asked.
"I just don't like magic kickball." Holly grumbled.
"Fine, what game do you wanna play?" Ember asked, trying to be patient.
"I think we should play…" Holly said as she magically created snowballs.
"Snowball fight!" Holly said menacingly.
All five children gasp.
"No, Holly! Hitting each other with our powers is against the rules! Didn't you learn nothin' earlier?!" Marette yelled.
"No! And I don't wanna learn! I always win!" Holly yelled and started shooting snowballs at the five.
All kids took cover behind some school tables as Holly kept firing snowballs.
"Oh, this is just great! This isn't the first time she's done this! She severely hurt me with her snowballs before!" Isfrid complained.
Ember had to act fast, and she shapeshifted into her dragon form. She flew above Holly and breathed fire at Holly's snowballs, stopping her from attacking and roared loudly in her face. The four friends stood in awe of Ember's powers as Ember shapeshifted back to her demon form. She angrily faced a terrified Holly.
"Enough!" Ember scolded in a demonic voice.
"You… you're a demon!" Holly exclaimed fearfully.
"Half demon half human to be exact!" Ember angrily corrected her.
Holly fearfully cowered to the ground.
"Who…who are you?!" Holly fearfully asked.
"I am Ember Hestia Hopewell! Second-born descendant of Gwendolyn Hopewell and the only daughter of the Devil!" Ember answered in an evil tone.
Holly's eyes widened in horror.
"Wait, the Devil himself is your father? The one who took over my father's job twice?" Holly asked, now knowing who Ember is.
"That's right! And I don't like how you treat the other kids including my friends!" Ember said angrily.
Isfrid smiled smugly and folded her arms, happy to see her childhood bully get stood up to by her half-demon best friend. All the kids gather around Ember and cheer her on.
"Ember! Ember! Ember! Ember!" The crowd cheered.
Ember shapeshifted back to her regular form as her friends came out of hiding. Isfrid hugged Ember.
"I'm so proud of you Ember!" Isfrid said happily.
"Thanks. I guess there's times my fiery temper can come in handy." Ember said.
Isfrid faced Holly, terrified of Ember.
"Well, looks like you finally met your match, Holly!" Isfrid taunted.
"Isfrid! You're best friends with that…" Holly was about to call Ember a mean name until Ember eyes glowed and she growled and started burning fire as other kids backed away.
"Uh… half demon?" Holly quickly changed her sentence.
"Yep. And she's proven to be a much better friend than you!" Isfrid said as she approached Ember.
"You can calm down now." Isfrid told Ember.
Ember extinguished her flames after taking a few deep breaths.
"And… if you don't want me to unleash my father's wrath onto you, you're gonna do exactly as I say! Or else… there will be consequences!" Ember warned Holly.
Holly nodded fearfully in agreement.
"And I say, we're gonna play our favorite game Magic Kickball and you're gonna play the game by the rules! I trust there are no objections?" Ember asked Holly.
Holly fearfully shook her head.
"Good!" Ember said.
Ember and her friends resume their favorite game of Magic Kickball with Holly having no other choice but to play the game fairly with Ember watching her. Holly complied with the rules of Magic Kickball and used her powers to play the game fairly with the other kids.
After recess, they resume their class until it was time for lunch. Ember and her friends sit at their spot with Holly joining them this time. Holly was still terrified of Ember as she kept a close eye on her, making sure she didn't play anymore mean tricks on her friends.
Back at recess, they resume their game on the kickball field. Ember sat down next to Holly while Isfrid was up next.
"Holly, why are you so mean to Isfrid and the other kids?" Ember asked.
"I don't wanna talk about it." Holly mumbled.
"Well, you're here for a reason and so are we all. I know what it's like to be an outcast because of my powers and to be feared and despised because of them. And I wanna help you, but I can't… if you don't let me." Ember explained.
Holly sat there in silence. Ember sighed in disappointment and prepared to go play with her friends until finally…
"I… I am second to my brother. Nick has always been dad's favorite and expects him to take over his job as Santa Claus one day when dad decides to retire. He casts me aside like I'm… nothing. So, I act like I'm in charge around, hoping everyone will respect me like they respect my father and brother." Holly finally confessed.
Ember's heart sank, feeling empathy for Holly.
"So, you think bullying and harming kids is gonna make you feel better because your brother is your dad's favorite?" Ember asked, trying to understand.
"Yeah, I just wanna show my father I can be like him too. Even if I am a girl." Holly said sadly.
"Didn't you ever talk to him about it?" Ember asked.
"No. He'd never understand nor would ever listen to me." Holly answered.
Ember sat back down next to Holly.
"Well, I know how you can get your father to listen to you. And it's not by hurting other kids to your amusement." Ember said.
"How's that?" Holly asked.
"Have you ever heard of the golden rule?" Ember asked.
"No, what is that?" Holly asked.
"Do unto others as you would have others do unto to you." Ember answered.
"What does that mean?" Holly asked, confused.
"It means, treat other the way you wanna be treated." Ember answered in a simpler way.
"How?" Holly asked.
"Well, you could start being nice to other kids. If you can show that you're willing to change, they'll start to see you differently and they'll start to like you." Ember suggested.
Just then the two girls notice the other four standing, listening to their conversation.
"Uh, how long were you guys listening?" Ember asked.
"We've heard enough. That really explains a lot." Isfrid answered.
"Holly, why did you break Isfrid's dolls?" Ember asked.
"I… uh… because I was jealous of her." Holly nervously confessed.
"Jealous? Why were you jealous of me?" Isfrid asked.
"Because you have parents who appreciate you and praise you! My parents praise Nick more than me! So, I thought hurting you was gonna make me feel better, but I was wrong!" Holly confessed and started crying.
Isfrid stood in shock at Holly's confession. Ember gives Holly a heartwarming hug.
"Why… after what I did… would you be so nice to me?" Holly asked through her tears.
"Golden rule, remember? And I think someone needs to show you some compassion. I can help you with that." Ember answered.
"Really?" Holly asked.
"That's right." Ember answered.
Holly smiled and sunk her head into Ember's chest.
"Thank you, Ember." Holly thanked.
"You're welcome, Holly." Ember replied.
Isfrid, Marette, Abel and Cliff stood in shock at Ember finally getting through to Holly.
"Wow, I've never seen anyone crack Holly, but Ember is really good." Isfrid admitted.
"Yeah. Maybe, we could show her that by being good, she'll get her daddy's approval and start being nicer to everyone." Marette said.
"Yeah! Show her how to be good!" Cliff agreed.
"I guess it's worth a try. This is what Professor Cyfrin wanted us to do." Abel said.
The four kids walk up to Ember and Holly. Ember and Holly get up from the bench.
"So, what do you say?" Ember asked.
"Hmm… okay. I'm ready to learn." Holly answered, feeling ready.
"Alright. You can start by apologizing to that satyr you bullied earlier. Let's go." Ember said.
She takes Holly's hand, and the group goes to find the satyr kid. They find him playing on the seesaw alone. When he sees the group, he is terrified of Holly.
"Hey, Billy!" Ember greeted.
Billy shivered in fright.
"It's okay, don't be scared. Holly's got something to say to you." Ember said and gestures Holly to come over.
Holly approached Billy as he looked at her nervously, fearing she would hurt him again.
"Billy… I… uh…" Holly hesitantly said and looked at Ember.
"Go on Holly." Ember encouraged her.
Holly looked back at Billy.
"I…eh… I'm… s-s-s-sor…ry." Holly struggled to speak the word 'sorry'.
"What did you say?" Billy asked.
"I'm… sorry I hurt you and called you a half goat freak." Holly finally admitted.
Billy was shocked.
"Really? I'm sorry too for calling your powers 'stupid.'" Billy apologized too.
"So… we're good?" Holly asked.
"Yeah, we're good. Hey, wanna join me on the seesaw?" Billy asked.
Holly looked at Ember and she gestured her to go play with him. Holly took a deep breath and sat down on the seesaw.
"How do you play?" Holly asked.
"First, I jump up. Then, I come down and then you jump up and back and forth." Billy explained.
Billy jumps up first, then comes down and Holly jumps up next. For the first time, she feels happy and starts having fun. Holly looked down at Ember and her friends. They give her a 'thumbs up' approval.
Later, Ember gathers everyone to have Holly display her powers.
Holly shows off my magically creating snow around the soccer field and grows pine trees and decorates them with beautiful lights and ornaments. Everyone stood in awe as Holly was finally getting praise for being good. Holly magically creates gifts for all the children. They open their gifts and receive various toys and cheer for Holly.
Ember opened her gift and received a demon plush doll, to Ember's surprise. Isfrid opened her gift and to her shock, she pulled out her old ice-sculpted dolls magically restored.
"Holly? Is this?" Isfrid was about to ask until Holly interrupted.
"Yes, I figured you'd want those back. Ember told me they mean so much to you. I was wrong to break them. I'm so sorry, Isfrid. I was hoping if maybe we could… start over if not now, maybe down the road?" Holly asked.
Isfrid hesitated, but remembered what Ember said.
"Sure, someday." Isfrid reluctantly agrees and both hug it out.
Ember smiled at Holly and Isfrid making up.
Later, Ember is called to Professor Cyfrin's office.
"You wanted to see me ma'am?" Ember asked.
"Yes, Ember. I watched what you did for Holly, and I have to say, I am impressed with you. You and your friends showed her kindness and compassion and how it is positively affecting her." Professor Cyfrin praised Ember.
"Thank you, ma'am. You see, Holly feels second to her brother Nick. She feels like he's always been her father's favorite kid. That's kinda the reason why she acts out and hurts others." Ember explained.
"Hmm. Her father is Santa Claus. It must be very hard being a child of the one who delivers toys on Christmas Eve night. Well, I'll have Holly start seeing our school psychologist about this. And tell your friends to meet at the school on Saturday morning for your trip to the zoo. Have your friends get these signed by their parents and return them to me tomorrow including your father." Professor Cyfrin explained as she handed five letters to Ember to have her friends give to their parents including her father.
"I will ma'am. Thank you." Ember thanked.
"You may return to your class now." Professor Cyfrin said.
Ember nodded and left her office. She returns to Mrs. Atkinson's classroom and rejoins her classmates. After school, Ember and her four friends meet up.
"Guys, we did it! We're going to the zoo Saturday morning!" Ember announced.
"Yay!" The four friends cheered.
"Professor Cyfrin asked me to give you guys these permission slips to have your parents sign and bring back to her tomorrow." Ember said as she handed her friends each a letter.
"Okay, we will!" Isfrid said excitedly.
"Yay! I wanted to see the new cheetah exhibit! They're the fasted land mammal on the planet!" Abel said.
"Yay! The Zoo!" Cliff cheered.
"Oh yeah! We goin' together!" Marette said.
Just then, the elevator appeared from Hell. Henchman opens the door and the Devil steps out.
"There you are Ember! Come along now! Time to go home!" The Devil called.
"Okay guys, I gotta go! See you tomorrow!" Ember said as she walked up to her father in the elevator.
"See ya!" Her friends called back.
Henchman closed the door and disappeared back to Hell.
That evening in Santa's workshop at the North Pole, the Clauses were eating dinner until Holly finally works up the courage to speak.
"Uh, dad? There's something I wanna talk to you about." Holly said.
"Can it wait? I'm busy going through the nice list." Santa said, looking through his scroll.
Remembering Ember's advice, Holly magically takes away the nice list to get her father's attention.
"No, dad, now." Holly said, feeling brave.
"What is it?" Santa asked impatiently.
"Why do you love Nick more than me? Why do you cast me aside like yesterday's Christmas presents? Do you hate me? Am I not good enough for you?" Holly asked with tears building up.
Santa was shocked at his daughter's questions as she started crying.
"Sweetheart, how could you ask those? You are one of us." Mrs. Claus said.
"No mom, dad made me feel like that. Nick is the perfect son and I'm the problem child!" Holly yelled as she was sobbing.
"Nick, the perfect son? Is that really what you think?" Santa asked.
"Yeah. He's your 'golden child'. You always included him in everything, leaving me on the side.'" Holly answered.
"Oh, sweetheart… I had no idea you felt that way." Santa said feeling guilty.
"Oh dearie, you need to know we love you as much as we love your brother." Mrs. Claus assured her.
"Well… I guess I have been paying too much attention to Nick I must've forgotten about you. I'm so sorry dear. Can you ever forgive me?" Santa asked.
"Well, maybe down the road but sure." Holly hesitantly answered.
Both her parents get up, approach Holly and embrace her as she continued crying. Nick was shocked that she always felt beneath him. Nick gets up and joins his parents embracing his twin sister. Holly smiled, finally receiving the love she wanted from her family.
Later that week, Saturday came, and the Devil drops off Ember at the school with her friends for their field trip to the zoo. Holly joins the group too with Professor Cyfrin.
"Alright children, are you ready for the Inkwell Zoo?" Professor Cyfrin asked.
"Yes!" All six of them answered at once.
"Wonderful. Then, let's get on the bus and get going." Professor Cyfrin said as she leads them on the school bus. They drive off to Inkwell City as the kids socialized.
They arrive at Inkwell Zoo and Professor Cyfrin explains the rules and guidelines. They enter the zoo and explore all the exhibits. Ember decided to check on Holly.
"So, Holly, did you ever talk to your parents?" Ember asked.
"Yes, I finally did. Dad didn't realize he was too focused on me to notice me and apologized. Professor Cyfrin even had me start talking to the school psychologist every week. It's been helping too." Holly answered.
"That's great. I'm so proud of you." Ember said.
"I owe this all to you Ember." Holly thanked.
Both girls hug each other until Isfrid called,
"Hey! Are you two coming? We're gonna see the Artic exhibit! My favorite!"
Both girls rejoin their friends and have fun for the rest of the day at the Zoo until it was time for the kid's parents to pick them up and return home.
From then on, Holly learned to treat others the way she wanted to be treated and is now being accepted by other students thanks to Ember's compassion.