It was December and the holidays were upon everyone. At the Canterlot Youth Center, everyone was decorating the place with Christmas decorations. In the kitchen area behind the counter Pinkie and Applejack were baking up Christmas treats.

“Mm, these cookies look yummy.” Pinkie salivated.

“Don't get any ideas, Pinkie,” Applejack stopped her, “Remember they're for the party.”

“I know.” Pinkie answered with a pout.

Soon everyone was taking a break as the Cryptid Club were sitting at a table relaxing, “Who would've thought putting together a party for kids could be this tiring?” Gallus groaned.

“I hear ya.” Spike agreed.

“But at least we're halfway done.” Silverstream reminded them.

“And we'll be ready for when the kids arrive.” Ocellus added.

“Yona absolutely love Christmas time.” Yona said happily.

“Same with us.” Bonbon added, as Lyra was looking at something in a book.

“What're you reading about Lyra?” Sandbar asked.

“Oh, just about another cryptic figure from lore that's involved with Christmas.” the girl answered.

“Which?” Moondancer asked.

“This guy.” Lyra showed them a picture of a demonic goat man carrying a sack.

“What is that guy?” Gallus asked in shock.

“That, Gallus, is Krampus.” Lyra answered.

“Krampus?” Ocellus asked with a shiver.

“According to legend, Krampus is a goat man demon who comes around at Christmas time to punish naughty children by stuffing them in his sack and takes them away to the underworld.” Lyra answered creepily.

“Isn't them getting coal punishment enough?” Silverstream asked in concern.

“Are you talking about Krampus?” Adagio asked, as she, her sisters, Supernova, and Kiwi approached.

“You girls know of him?” Spike asked.

“Oh, yeah, he doesn't really take them to the underworld,” Sonata explained, “He shows kids visions of what will happen to them if they keep on being naughty. So in actuality he's teaching them not to be bad.”

“Well, that's a relief.” Silverstream sighed thankfully.

“Guess this book doesn't have all the facts.” Moondancer said in disbelief.

“Which is good news for us.” Lyra said, as she took notes.

“Lyra, can you not think of the club for now?” Bonbon asked, “It's Christmas.”

“Yeah. A time for being together.” Sunshine added.

“With the ones you love.” Moonlight added, while leaning close to Spike who smiled.

“And let's not forget doing this gives us community service credit.” Spike put in.

“Which is good news for my college application.” Twilight said, as she and the girls walked over.

“Everything's just about finished now.” Fluttershy said.

“Oh, yes. It all looks fabulous.” Rarity marveled.

“So you all ready for tonight's Christmas performance?” Spike asked the girls.

“We all sure are.” Rainbow answered.

“It's going to be the best Christmas Celebration ever!” Pinkie jumped.

“Then don't you think we should make sure everything gets finished?” Aria asked.

“Quite right.” Adagio agreed.

“So let's do it, ya'll.” Applejack said, and they all got right to work finishing the center up.

Soon enough all was ready and just in time, for school buses arrived with several school children dismounting and escorted inside by the adults. Once inside the youth center, the students were showing the kids around introducing them to so many Christmas activities. At one table kids were decorating cookies with Pinkie and Applejack, Rarity was at another table helping kids make arts and crafts, Supernova and Kiwi were helping photographers who were taking pictures of kids with Santa Clause.

Spike and everyone else were all walking around the center bringing in supplies and taking them to others. Spike leaned against a support beam and looked around seeing all the happy faces of children.

“Now this is what the holidays are all about.”

“It sure is.” Adagio confirmed.

“So do you merpeople cerebrate something like this in the sea?”

“Oh, yes. Only instead of Santa Clause, we have Santa Jaws.”

Spike did a double take, “Say what?” Adagio giggled.

“Hey, you two.” Twilight approached, “The pageant's coming up. We gotta get to our places.”

“Ok, Twilight.” Spike said, as she and Adagio headed backstage to the stage set up in the youth center.

Soon the Cryptid Club members gathered the children together so they could watch the stage. Twilight stepped out and spoke into the mic.

“Good evening boys and girls and welcome to our Christmas pageant. Tonight we have some exciting talented people who've come together to give you all quite a show. Without further adieu, let's welcome our opening act, Adagio, Aria, and Sonata with All I Want for Christmas is You.” Twilight went backstage.

The kids applauded, as the curtains opened up to reveal the Dazzlings wearing cute elf costumes, while each held onto a mic. When the music started they began singing.

(Mariah Carey: All I Want for Christmas is You)

As the trio sang, the kids clapped in enjoyment, as the rest of the audience enjoyed the show.

Backstage, Spike was slipping into a green hairy costume, while putting on a Santa coat and hat, “Oh, wait until the kids see me. Hope I don't get too much hate.”

When the Dazzlings finished, the children applauded and cheered bringing smiles to the Dazzlings faces. The three did a bow before going back stage.

Twilight came back out and addressed the crowd, “How's that for an opening? That really brings in the holiday cheer.”

Backstage, Spike spoke to the trio, “Girls, you were all amazing.”

“Thanks, Spike.” Aria said, as the three kissed him.

“Good luck out there.” Sonata said.

“Thanks.” Spike said, as he got himself ready.

He listened, as Twilight was ready to announce him, “Next we have a story about a familiar character who hated Christmas. Hated it so much he tried to steal it. Singing about that green grump himself, Spike as the Grinch!”

The kids cheered, as the curtain opened up to reveal Spike who was dressed as the Grinch pretending to be Santa. Spike began to sing while doing a few dance moves.

(Thurl Ravenscroft: Mr. Grinch)

As Spike danced his girls fanned themselves from his performance, as Sandbar spoke to his friends, “He's really rockin' that outfit.”

“He's gotta be burning underneath all that hair.” Gallus said.

When Spike finished the children cheered and applauded, as Twilight stepped out, “Thank you, Spike. And remember this kids, although the Grinch started out mean and vile. He learned that Christmas doesn't come from a store, but it means a little bit more. And that got his heart to grow three sizes that day.”

Spike smiled at Twilight and bowed to the audience, and went backstage. Once in back he started removing the costume and panted, “Glad to finally be out of this, I thought I was gonna die from heatstroke.”

“Go outside without a coat, that'll cool you off.” Supernova suggested, as she and Kiwi laughed.

“Very funny,” Spike replied dryly, “Well, good luck to the both of you.”

“Thanks.” the two hugged him, and got their instruments ready.

“And now folks, here to bring you Jingle Bell Rock. PostCrush!” Twilight announced.

The crowd cheered as K-Lo and Su-Z were all set up and began rocking out.

(Electric Mayhem: Jingle Bell Rock)

The audience was rocking out with them, along with everyone backstage. When the duo finished up everyone cheered. Later on Twilight stepped back on stage and spoke.

“Everyone, this has been a joyful Holiday treat for all of us. And we wanna all give you a big hurrah with all who helped make all this possible. And so their friends who were sitting in the audience got up and joined her and everyone else on stage.

They stood together before the children, as music started playing. And they all began singing together.

(GLEE: Welcome Christmas)

The children smiled happily feeling the Christmas spirit within them. When the group finished the kids cheered and applauded, and the teens took a bow.

“Thank you, everyone and Merry Christmas!” Twilight announced.

“Merry Christmas!” the others cheered.

Later on, all the kids were escorted home, while the teen stayed behind to clean up, “Now that was an awesome party.” Rainbow said.

“It so much fun.” Yona added.

“And the children all seemed to love it.” Rarity said.

“Especially our performances.” Spike put in.

“You can say that again, Mr. Grinch.” Moonlight replied.

Pinkie came out with hot chocolate on a tray, “Hot chocolate and marshmallow break!”

As everyone decided to break, Spike and his girls stood behind for a bit, “I really am glad I could spend the holidays with all of you.”

“We feel that way too, Spike.” Adagio agreed.

“And we hope to have many more like this in the future.” Moondancer added.

“As one big happy family.” Bonbon said.

Spike smiled and nodded, until Sunshine looked up and gasped, “Look.”

They looked up and saw some mistletoe hanging above them, “When did that get there?” Spike wondered.

“Who cares?” Kiwi asked rhetorically.

Spike nevertheless have his girls a kiss each, “Merry Christmas, girls.”

“Merry Christmas, Spike.” they replied.

“Hey, you all comin' or what?” Applejack called over.

“Coming!” Lyra answered, as they all hurried over to their friends.

Last shot was of a Christmas card featuring everyone close together wearing Santa hats.

Author's Note

Short but Simple. Especially when I have other Christmas Chapters to work on, and so little time. Hope everyone has a good holiday this year even with the pandemic.

Merry Christmas.