Equestria Girls: A Christmas Carol

Chapters

Stave 1 - Prologue
Stave 2 - Ghost of the Past
Stave 3 - Ghost of the Present
Stave 4 - Ghost of the Future
Stave 5 - Epilogue

Stave 1 - Prologue

To begin with, Chrysalis was dead. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of her burial was signed by the clergyman, the undertaker and the chief mourner. Cinch signed it and her name was good upon "Change, for anything she chose to put her hand to".

Abacus Cinch and Chrysalis were partners for who knows how many years. Cinch was her sole executor, her sole administrator, her sole friend, and sole mourner. Cinch was not dreadfully cut up by the sad event, but she knew that Chrysalis was an excellent Principal on the very day of the funeral with with an undoubted bargain.

When Chrysalis died, Cinch inherited her school, Crystal Prep Academy and she made a promise to her: Making Crystal Prep the most prestigious school in Canterlot City.

True to her word, Cinch had fulfilled her promise in the last twenty five years.

However, she was more concerned with with the reputation of CPA than of the safety of her students and teachers. And for some strange reason, the Holiday season had only ever been a time of stress for her.

It was the night before christmas and the big city of Canterlot was covered in a thick blanket of snow. The air was cold and clumps of wet flakes drifted windlessly down. The town was decorated for the season with bright lights, wreaths, and other decorations.

While everybody was happy and excited for the following day, inside of Crystal Prep Academy, Principal Abacus Cinch, inside of her office, was sitting in her oversized revolving chair as she scribbled her signature to petitions and requests with her pen.

Suddenly, a soft knock at the door was heard.

"Come in," she said in her usual stern tone, not looking up to see who was coming into her office.

"Merry Christmas, mom!" a female voice said cheerfully.

Cinch looked up from her work at the source of the voice. It was her daughter, Sunny Flare with a genuine and innocent smile.

But Cinch had a neutral expression. "Bah, humbug."

"Mom, you really don't meant that, right?" Sunny said, the smile never leaving her face.

Cinch raised her brow. "What right have you to be merry? What reason have you to be merry?"

"Come on, what right have you to be dismal on an occasion that only comes about once a year? Don't be cross, mom," Sunny replied.

"What else can I be when I live in such a world of fools as this one?" Cinch coldly asks. "Christmas is nothing but a waste of valuable education for the reputation of Crystal Prep Academy. Every idiot who goes about with "Merry Christmas" on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding and buried with a stake of holly through his heart."

Sunny frowned at this. "Mom..."

"Daughter..." Cinch began with sigh. "Keep Christmas in your own way and let me keep it in mine."

"But you don't keep it," Sunny said as she shook her head.

"Then leave it alone then," Cinch replied while adjusting her glasses. "Much good it may do you. Much good it has ever done you."

"There are many things from which I might have derived good by which I have not profited," Sunny placed her hands against her chest. "Christmas is among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round as a good time. A kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time. The only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys," she continued with a beaming, gentle smile. "Every year is filled my cusp to the brim with delight and happiness and do me good to say, God bless it!"

Cinch expression didn't change, not even a bit. But she gotta admit that was quite a speech.

"You're quite a powerful speaker, madam," she told Sunny. "I wonder why didn't you choose to study for government."

"Don't be upset, mom. Dine with us at Applejack's house," Sunny said with a gentle smile.

Cinch furrowed her eyebrows. "You mean with those freaks students of Canterlot High?"

There was a long silence in the office until Sunny managed to speak.

"Um, will you come to see us?" she pulled her eyebrows together.

"Oh, I'll see you all..." Cinch said before giving her a icy glare. "I'll see you all in hell."

Sunny Flare gasped. She was astonished, small tears coming from the edge of her eyes.

"Fine," Sunny said with a sad sigh. "But why can't we be friends?"

"Still with that nonsense?" Cinch gave her another cold glare before returning to her work. "Good afternoon."

Sunny let out another sad sigh before exiting the office without even looking back.

Shortly afterwards as Cinch continued her work, she heard another knock on the door.

"Enter," Cinch said, this time looking up.

A woman of about fourty years old, with a brown business suit, white hair and pale light grayish amber skin, entered the office.

"Principal Chrysalis, I believe?" the woman politely asked. "My name is Mayor Maiden."

"Ms. Chrysalis has left this world twenty five years ago in this very day," Cinch replied. "I'm Principal Abacus Cinch."

"Oh, well, I have no doubt her liberality is well represented by her successor," Mayor Maiden said with sincere politeness.

Unbeknown to her, Cinch's brow furrowed at the word "liberality".

"In this festive season of the year, Ms. Cinch," Mayor Maiden continued. "It is more than usually desirable that we should make some provision for the poor and the destitute, who suffer greatly in these days," then her face saddened a little. "Many people are in want of warmth, comfort and food, madam."

"Aren't there prisions?" Cinch asked in a callous tone.

Mayor Maiden raised her eyebrows in confusion. "Huh? Oh, yes, plenty of prisons."

"The treadmill and the poor law are in full vigour?"

"Umm, very busy, madam," Mayor Maiden replied.

Cinch slowly nodded. "I see."

"Well, under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind and body to the citizens, the government of Canterlot are endeavoring to raise a fund to buy food and means of warmth for the poor. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when "want" is keenly felt, and "abundance" rejoices." Mayor Maiden explained as she pulled out a pen and a notebook. "How much money you want to put?"

"Nothing..." Cinch coldly replied.

Mayor Maiden blinked in surprise. "W-What?"

"I don't make merry myself at Christmas and I can't afford to make idle people merry," Cinch coldly said. "I only support the establishment I have mentioned and my school. It cost enough and those who are in need must go there."

"But many can't go there and many would die," Mayor Maiden pleaded.

"Then they had better do it. It will decrease the surplus population," Cinch said as she returned to her work. "Good afternoon, madam."

Seeing clearly that it would be useless to pursue her point, Mayor Maiden withdraw the office.

The bell of the school rang. The doors flew open and boys and girls began pouring out of the place. Meanwhile, in Principal Cinch's office, the woman was getting ready to go home, picking up her blue coat from the coat rack.

Stepping outside of her office and locking it, she began to walk towards the exit.

"Principal Cinch," a female soft voice called her.

Cinch turned to look at the source of the voice. Behind her, stood Mi Amore Cadenza, or a.k.a Cadence, the dean of the school.

"May I have a word with you for a moment?" Cadence asked.

"You'll want all day tomorrow, I suppose," Cinch said, aware of Cadence's curiosity.

"If it's not too much to ask miss. It's only once a year," Cadence spoke up.

After a few moments of silence, Cinch sighed. "Alright, you have it."

"Really?" Cadence said with a gentle smile.

Cinch gave her a firm look. "But be here the next morning."

"I will," Cadence gave her a thankful smile. "Thank you, Principal Cinch."

With that said, both woman left the building and Cadence hurried home to spend Christmas with her husband and daughter. As for Abacus Cinch, she began to make her trek through the city of Canterlot.

As she continued to make her way through the quieter part of the city, a chorus sang in front of Sugarcube Corner in perfect harmony, much to the discontent of Abacus Cinch.

Youtube Video

"I'm living in a world of fools," Cinch muttered to herself as she continued to make her way until she couldn't hear the chorus anymore.

Arriving home, Cinch approached the door of her house and extracted the key of her house key from the pocket of her coat. She puts the key in the lock of the door and took a glance at the knocker. However, without undergoing any process of change, the knocker is no longer a knocker, but a face...

Cinch gasped at this. She immediately recognized the face.

The face was of a female, possibility in her mid thirties. The face looked pale and lifeless and was glowing an eerie white-blue aura. It had long dark green hair and black skin. It's eyes were closed and it's mouth was embitteringly closed.

"Chrysalis?" she whispered.

Slowly and carefully, Cinch reached out her hand to touch the knocker turned face. But then...

"CIIIIIIIINCH!!!" the face screamed bloody murder as it opened it's ghostly white eyes very wide.

Cinch stumbled backwards, half scared to death. She stood up nervously, expecting the next move of the apparition.

However, the face became a knocker again, as if the face never were there in the first place.

Cinch quickly regained her composure and shook her head. She puts her hand upon the key, turns it sturdily, opened the door and walked inside as if nothing happened. Cinch closed the door quietly behind her and fastened it.

"It must be my imagination," she muttered as she ascended the stairs. Once upstairs, Cinch went directly to her bedroom and locked herself in.

Satisfied, she closed his door, and locked herself in. Double-locked as a matter of fact. Secured against any surprise, she dressed for bed, putting on her dressing-gown and her slippers.

Cinch sat down on her armchair before the fireplace with a bowl of gruel in her hands. She dipped her spoon into the bowl, scooped some gruel out, and brought it to her lips.

As she leaned her head back in the chair, her glance happened upon a bell, an unknown bell that hung up in the chandelier above the ceiling.

"Strange, I don't remember that bell being here before," Cinch muttered as she put the bowl of gruel on a nearby table.

As she was about to stand up from her armchair to turn off the light, extinguish the fire from the mantelpiece and go to bed, the small bell mounted above began to swing...

Cinch instantly looked at the bell. "Huh?"

Soon the bell rang out loudly than before. The sounds of the bell resounded through the house and without a sound or without a wisp of wind, the fire extinguished as if the life of it was sucked away, leaving the only light coming from the chandelier.

However, the room was bathed in darkness. Cinch began to sweat heavily at this.

This was succeeded by a clanking noise, deep down below, as if a person were dragging a heavy chain. The noise became much louder, on the floors below; then coming up the stairs; then coming straight towards the door...

'What is going on here?' she thought to herself with a look of worry.

A chain of silver came through the door, and then two more, each landing with a rattle and a thunk on the floor startling Cinch in the process. An arm came through, followed by another. The next thing to burst through was a head, and then the rest of the body.

Abacus Cinch froze.

Right before her eyes, there was a female spectre. Despite being a ghost, her black skin could be still seen. She had dark long green hair and emotionless, unfeeling ligh green eyes. The spectre was dressed in a heavy white cloak and was bound and tied in chains.

The apparition said nothing as her death cold eyes focused on Cinch.

"W-What d-do you w-want with m-me!?" Cinch asked, her voice filled with fear.

"Much..." the ghost said in a unreal tone.

"W-Who a-are you?" Cinch asked once again. She could hear her heart beating faster.

"In life I was your only friend, Chrysalis," the apparition now called "Chrysalis" explained.

Cinch shook her head. "I-It looks l-like you, but I don't b-believe it."

"Why do you doubt your senses?" Chrysalis asked, her expression never changed.

"In first place, you're a ghost. Ghosts aren't real," Cinch replied and continued, "A little thing affects the senses. You may be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of an underdone potato. There's more of gravy than of grave abou-"

"WOMAN OF A WORLDLY MIND!!! DO YOU BELIEVE IN ME OR NOT!?!?!?" Chrysalis wailed as her eyes became pure white.

The principal screamed in fright and kneeled before the ghost.

"Mercy! Please, mercy!" Cinch pleaded, tears starting to come from the edge of her eyes. "Dreadful apparition, why do you trouble me!? What I have done!?"

"It is required of every man and woman, that the spirit within him should walk among his people-folk and travel far and wide," Chrysalis quietly explained as her eyes became normal. "And if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death. It is doomed to wander through the world and witness what it cannot share, but might have shared on earth and turned to happiness," The ghost then frowned deeply, "Woe is me..."

After a few moments of silence, Cinch spoke up. "You are fettered. May I ask why?"

"In death, I wear the chain I forged in life," Chrysalis replied, "Link by link and chain by chain. It is the burden of a not well lived life."

"It is that what causes you such pain?" Cinch asked, feeling bad for Chrysalis.

"No rest, no peace. Incessant torture of remorse," the apparition sadly said as she hung her head down. "These chains tighten and choke me, reminding me of my selfish decisions and the pain I caused for the others."

"Twenty five years dead. I was the only the person who came to your funeral," Cinch reflected.

Chrysalis looked up, staring intently into her eyes. "As for you, I can see your chains. The weight and length of the strong coil will you bear it's heavy and long as mine. You have laboured on it twenty five Christmas Eves ago."

Cinch glanced at the floor, in the expectation of finding herself surrounded by some cold and unforgiven fathoms of chains. But she could see nothing.

"Take heed, Abacus Cinch, my time is about to end," Chrysalis began as Cinch looked up at her. "For I'm doomed to wander the earth endlessly, never staying in one place but for a few moments. I am here tonight to warn you, that you have yet a chance and hope of escaping my fate."

"Escaping your f-fate?" Cinch said with a mix of hope and confusion. "How? T-Tell me!"

"You will be visited... By three spirits,"

Abacus Cinch felt a cold shiver run down her spine.

"T-Three... S-Spirits?" she stammered.

Chrysalis slowly nodded. "Yes. Without their visits, you cannot hope to shun the path I tread."

Cinch didn't like the sound of that, but nodded in agreement.

"Expect the first tonight at midnight. The second when the bell tolls one. The third when the last stroke of Twelve has ceased to vibrate."

The apparition began walking with her pace stifled by the the chains as she approached the door. But then, she turned to look at Cinch.

"I hope this will be our last meeting, Abacus. For your own sake, remember what has been said here," as she finished her sentence, the ghost simply walked through the door, completely disappearing.

With a shudder, Cinch went into her bed, drained from her activities of the day and the sudden visit of Chrysalis. Her eyelids got heavy and silently drifted off to sleep.

Stave 2 - Ghost of the Past

When Abacus Cinch awoke, it was dark. She felt rested though, as if she had slept through the night. A good night's rest in fact. She could put all these strange thoughts behind her, yet she could not. The ghost was a dream?

Chrysalis's Ghost bothered her exceedingly. Cinch thought and thought it over and over, and could make nothing of it. The more she thought, the more perplexed she was.

Cinch glanced at her clock and saw that it was exactly midnight.

'Midnight?' Cinch thought to herself. 'But it must morning already,'

The bell of Canterlot City's church tolled a deep, dull, hollow, melancholy One, drawing her attention from her thoughts.

Youtube Video

Suddenly, the curtains the window were drawn and a light came through it, flashing up the entire room and catching her off guard. As the sounds of the bell ceased, all the light gathered as if by magic, forming an floating orb in front of her.

Cinch's eyes widened as the orb of light began to take the form of a human.

There before her was a sixteen years old girl with cream yellow skin, cyan eyes and long pink hair, and she was clad in a white dress gown with a floral crown on her head. The expression of her face was full of patience, understanding and kindness.

"A-Are you the spirit w-whose coming was f-foretold to me," Cinch nervously asked. At the same time, she couldn't help but think that the spirit bears a close resemblance to a student from Canterlot High.

"Yes," the spirit replied in a soft and gentle voice. "I am the Ghost of Christmas Past."

"Long past?" Cinch inquired. "From the origins of the holiday?"

The spirit gently shook her head. "No, your past."

"For what purpose has brought you to me, Spirit?"

"Your welfare," Past said with a soft smile as she flew toward the window and opened it with her magic.

With hesitation, Cinch followed the ghost to the window. Once there, Past reached out her hand to her.

Cinch raised an eyebrown in confusion. "Umm..."

"With a touch of my hand, you will able to fly," the spirit explained.

"Oh, okay," Cinch said in realization and took her hand into hers.

At that moment, the spirit flew throught the window taking Cinch with her while the principal watched in awe. As the spirit and Cinch flew towards the sky, a bright light approached from the horizon beyond the mountains.

"What? But everything was dark," Cinch pointed out and turned to look at the spirit. "What is that light?"

"It's the past," Past replied, not looking at Cinch.

The light became bigger and bigger than before, and soon they were enveloped by the bright light.

When she opened her eyes, Cinch found herself in a city with Past beside her in a cloudly, cold, winter day. The city wasn't Canterlot since the buildings were different, also those buildings looked as if they were from 30 years ago.

Cinch felt a sense of familiarity as she looked around the city.

"Wait a moment..." Cinch muttered and began to put two and two together.

"Vanhoover, isn't it?" the ghost finished for her.

"Yes, I remember," Cinch lips quivered. "This is my teenagehood,"

"Your lip is trembling," Past pointed out, looking at her. "And what is that on your face?"

"It's just a pimple," Cinch replied in an unusual soft tone.

The ghost only gave her a soft smile.

"You recolect the way?" Past inquired as she played with her hair.

"I could walk the streets blindfolded," Cinch replied, smiling for the first time on this day.

"I see..." The ghost said with nod as they began their trek across the city of Vanhoover.

Cinch recognised every building, every posts, and every trees. The people of the city were in great spirits and the snowy streets were so full of merry music, that the crisp air laughed to hear it.

Cinch turned to look at the spirit. "Spirit, why they can't see us?"

"They are shadows of the things that have been," the ghost explained. "They have no consciousness of us."

The principal knew and named every single person. But why was she so happy to see them? Why did her eyes glistened and her heart leap up? Why was she filled with utter gladness when she heard the people give each other Merry Christmas?

Most important, what good had Christmas ever done to Abacus Cinch?

Past and Cinch walked towards the entrance of a building of dull red brick with a weathercock surmounted cupola on the roof and a bell hanging on it.

"The school is not deserted," Past said and let out a soft sigh. "A solitary child, neglected by her friends, is still there."

"I know..." Cinch muttered as her eyes began to water.

The two entered the building and walked throught the halls of the school. They came across to a door which it opened before them, revealing a long, gloomy and melancholy room. Inside the room, there were many desks and at the end of the room there was a black chalkboard.

In one of the desks, a ten years old lonely girl was reading a book. The girl was wearing a school uniform and had light cyan skin, pink eyes and magenta hair. She was none other than Abacus Cinch in her childhood years.

"Poor girl," Cinch said in pity for her former self.

Young Cinch sobbed and looked at the window, watching the other kids playing in the snow while others were going home for christmas.

"I wish," Cinch muttered. "But is too late."

Past turned to look at Cinch. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing," Cinch replied with a shook of her head. "Last night three girls were singing a Christmas Carol at my door. I should have given them something. That's all."

The spirit smiled thoughtfully at this.

"Let's see another Christmas," Past said as she waved her hand.

Using her magic, Past changed the environment. The room was still the same, but Cinch's younger self now had the appearance of a sixteen years old girl and was wearing another school uniform.

Young Cinch was sitting on the same desk and reading a book with an melancholy expression.

"Sister!" a boy's voice came from the door.

Both Cinchs turned to look at the source of the voice. Old Cinch's eyes widened.

Standing at the door, there was boy of about eight years old with the same skin as Cinch, only that his hair was dark purple instead of magenta and had blue eyes.

"Gewitzt," Old Cinch whispered in shock.

The boy ran towards Young Cinch and wrapped his little arms around her neck. Cinch teenage self returned the hug.

Young Cinch smiled softly down at him. "Gewitzt, what are you doing here?"

"To bring you home, Cinch," Gewitzt replied with brimful of glee.

"Home, little Gewitzt?" Young Cinch inquired as lifted him on her lap.

Gewitzt nodded in reply. "Yes. Daddy is so much kinder than he used to be and he misses you."

Young Cinch bit her lip. "A-Are you sure, Gewitzt? Because when I asked Dad for money to buy some presents for Christmas, he got so cross. I just wanted a merry christmas for you and Mom."

"Daddy's much better now," Gewitzt said with a soft smile. "He promised he won't hurt you and me and Mommy anymore."

"I cannot think of a finer gift," Young Cinch said while giving him a warm smile and she stoked his hair. "You are quite a man, little Gewitzt."

Gewitzt pulled Cinch into another hug, which she returned. Cinch gently took his hands into hers and both walked out of the room.

"A delicate creature," Past said with a motherly smile. "He had a large heart."

"I cannot deny that, Spirit," Cinch somberly said. "He was already an angel before his death."

The face of the spirit saddened a little. "He died young on Christmas."

"And now, Sunny Flare is... The only family... I still have," Cinch said as she closed her eyes, letting the tears roll over her face. "If Gewitzt were alive when she was born, he would be... Happy."

Past placed a hand on her shoulder. "Come, there's more."

As Past spoke, the scenary changed. The two found themselves in a hospital room where there was Gewitzt lying in a bed with his eyes closed presided by a doctor.

Cinch immediately recognized the memory. "Oh, no..."

The door pushed open, revealing Young Cinch. She went towards the bedside of his brother and sat down on a chair. His breath was weak and his eyes opened as his head turned towards the visitor.

Young Cinch gently grasped his hand with the two of hers.

"I'm here, Gewitzt," she softly said. "Cinch is here."

"Cinch..." Gewitzt said in a feeble tone.

"Yes?"

"P-Promise me..."

"Yes? I-I'll do anything for you. Anything..."

"Promise me... If you have any offsprings... Gave him or her the same love you gave me..."

And then, his strength failed him, his eyes closed and his lips went silent.

"No..." Young Cinch muttered. Tears started to roll over her face. "No!"

Full of sorrow, Young Cinch stormed out of the room in anguish without looking back while the doctor looked the scene in sadness.

Present Cinch could no longer bear it and breakdown in tears as the spirit watched with a sad look.

"Forgive me, Gewitzt! Forgive me!" Cinch cried as she kneeled down. "I broke your promise!"

The memory faded away and darkness enveloped him and the Spirit once again.

"Spirit, remove me from this place," Cinch said in a broken tone. "I don't want to see more."

"I told you these were shadows of the things that have been," Past said with the same sad look. "Do not blame me, they are what they are."

Then the spirit closed her eyes and the darkness and the ghost faded away without any trace.

Cinch looked up and saw that she was back in her bedroom. Rubbing her bloodshot eyes, she crawled into her bed before the tiredness overcame her, and the moment her head touched her pillow, she fell asleep.

Stave 3 - Ghost of the Present

Suddenly, Abacus Cinch sat up in bed, wide awake and breathing heavily. Cinch sighed and looked around her room. The curtains and the window were still and her room was bathed in peaceful darkness. Cinch reached out her hand to turn on the lamp on the bedside table.

Now, Chrysalis's Ghost had warned Cinch that a second spirit would haunt her at the stroke of one. But this time, she was prepared for almost anything. Cinch wished to challenge the spirit on the moment of its appearance and she didn't want to be taken by surprise.

This time, she was ready for almost anything.

The bell of the church stroke One again...

Youtube Video

...but Cinch didn't flinch.

She glanced at the window, expecting the arrival of the next spirit.

However, there was no sign of anything.

Five minutes, ten minutes, a quarter of an hour went by, yet nothing came. Nothing was out of place or out of the ordinary.

After a few moments of waiting, Cinch checked her clock, sighed and, with a last look around, turned off the lamp and laid down on her bed. But then a soft light came from outside her door.

'What in the world?' Cinch thought to herself as she climbed out her bed.

She slowly walked over to the door and put her hand on the knob. The moment Cinch's hand was on the knob, a female familiar voice called her by her name.

"Cinch! Come in, Cinch!" the voice bade her to enter.

Cinch recognized the voice. "Miss Lemon Zest?"

With a deep breath, she slowly opened the door. After opening the door, Cinch's eyes widened. Not in fear, but in surprise.

Instead of the hallway of her home, there was a never seen before room. The walls and ceiling were painted in living green, that it looked a perfect grove. Glistening bright gleaming berries were in every part of the walls. The leaves of holly, mistletoe, and ivy reflected back the light, and such a mighty blaze went roaring up the chimney.

Heaped upon the floor, to form a kind of throne, were many kinds of food. Turkeys, poultry, great joints of meat, sucking-pigs, long wreaths of sausages, mince-pies, plum-puddings, cherry-cheeked apples, immense twelfth-cakes and seething bowls of eggnog. On top of a giant throne made of food sat a sixteen years old girl.

Cinch thoughts were right when she recognized the girl.

There was no doubt about it. On top of the giant throne of food, there was Lemon Zest, a student from Crystal Prep and member of the Shadowbolts. However, she was different and by different, she was wearing a green robe bordered with white fur. Her feet were bare, she had a holly wreath on her head and was holding a glowing torch.

"Come in!" Lemon cheerfully said. "Come in and know me better, woman!"

Cinch entered the room with hesitation, but her mind was filled with curiosity.

"Miss Lemon?" she said in confusion.

"I may look like her, but I'm not Lemon Zest," the girl replied with a smile. "I am the Ghost of Christmas Present!"

Cinch nodded in understanding and then she noticed something on the waist of the spirit.

"I can see you posses an scabbard without a sword," she pointed out.

"This?" Present said as she grabbed her scabbard. "It means peace and love."

The ghost climbed out of the throne of food and she held out her hand to her.

She gave her another smile. "Touch my hand."

"Let me guess..." Cinch wondered.

"Yup," Present nodded, the smile never leaving her face.

Cinch did as she was told and instantly, the room and its contents all vanished instantly as Cinch watched in awe. A few moments later, they stood in front of a barn house in a snowy Christmas Eve night.

"I take it they can’t see us," Cinch said as she looked around the new environment.

"Exactly," the ghost confirmed as she began to walk towards the house.

The house was decorated with strings of brightly colored lights around the windows, the top was covered in a soft blanket of snow and there was holly wreath with apples on the front door.

Cinch followed the spirit into the window of the house and once they got there, the two looked inside the house. Cinch furrowed her eyebrows when she saw who where inside.

It was none other than the female students from Canterlot High, or as we know them as the Rainbooms and three girls of about ten years old. However, and much to Cinch's dismay, they were with the Shadowbolts and a blue girl with ponytail that Cinch couldn't recognize.

"She really said that?" Sunset Shimmer asked in surprise.

"Yeah, and she said that Christmas was a humbug," Sunny Flare replied with a frown.

Rarity let out a huff. "Well, shame on her."

"But why she hates Christmas?" the blue girl asked, playing with her hair.

Everyone nodded in agreement with her question.

"I don't know," Sunny sighed. "But she's my mother and I have nothing to say against her."

"After what she did to Twilight, I doubt she will change for the better," Rainbow Dash said.

"She was... Mean," Fluttershy added in her usual quiet tone. "Very mean."

"I don't think she was mean," Sour Sweet softly said, but then her face turned sour. "She was an crazy, old whinny witch!"

Indigo Zap chuckled. "Oh, burn!"

"Yeah," Rainbow Dash chuckled as she high fived Indigo.

"I have no patience with Cinch," Sugarcoat bluntly said.

Applejack nodded. "Me neither."

"Me too," Rainbow said.

"Me three!" Pinkie Pie chimed in with a smile.

"Me four!" the true Lemon Zest cheerfully agreed.

"Me five!" the blue girl added. "Even if I don't know her."

Everybody in the room shared a light hearted laugh at this. But Cinch had a angry scowl on her face.

"How dare they!" she hissed.

Present held up her hands. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, calm down, woman."

"But I have," Sunny spoke up, catching the attention of Cinch.

Everyone stared at her in confusion. "Really?"

"I feel sorry for her. I can't be angry be angry with her even if I tried," Sunny let out a sigh. "Besides, who suffers by her ill whims? Just herself, always. I think The only consequence of her dislike to us is that she loses some pleasant moments which could do her no harm."

"Sorry if I'm breaking the sad atmosphere, but I think you're being charitable, Flare," Rainbow softly said. "I mean, I know is your mother, but she can't resent you or everyone of us just because we are friends. Not to mention her hate to Christmas."

"Rainbow is right dear," Rarity said, placing her hand on Sunny's shoulder.

Suddenly, Pinkie pulled Sunny in a loving hug.

"Cheer up, Flary! You still have us!" Pinkie said, smiling with a squee and turned at the others. "Isn't that right?"

Not soon after, everyone shared a big group hug. It was a joyous occasion for Sunny Flare. Not only for her, but also for everyone else.

Present turned to look at Cinch. "As you can see, even if you disagree with your daughter and hate her friends, she still loves you."

Cinch shook her head in regret and wiped a tear from her eye. "I shouldn't have said those things to her."

"Come on," the ghost said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "There is one more thing I have to show you."

Without a word of warning, Cinch found herself standing outside of an house with Present standing by her side.

"Wait a moment..." Cinch muttered, taking a good glance at the house.

"The house of your dean house," Present finished for her before walking over to the window of the house.

"What's the meaning of this, spirit?" Cinch asked as she followed the ghost.

Present didn't reply. Instead, she simply pointed at the window with a innocent smile which Cinch looked throught it.

Inside of the Twilght residence, Cadence was setting up the dinner table. The table was filled with spaghetti with tomato sauce, roast turkey, roast beef, apple cider and for dessert cream puffs and eclairs.

Cadence mopped the sweat from her forehead. "Phew! Just in time."

Cinch turned away from the window and saw her husband Shining Armor walking towards the house, carrying a female child on his shoulders. The girl had pink skin, her hair was purple and yellow, and her eyes were blue. Also, the girl had a little crutch and had her limbs supported by an iron frame.

Shining and the girl were talking and both seemed very happy. The girl would start coughing, but she would awalys recover and continue to talk to Shining like nothing ever happened. However, Cinch immediately felt bad for the child.

The two entered the house, where Shining was quickly greeted by her wife with a hug.

"Well, where have you been?" Cadence asked playfully.

"Little Skyla wanted to stop by the church," Shining replied with a gentle smile. "I think she likes to visit the church because it's where she can talk to you-know-who who can make her well."

"That's sweet," Cadence softly said, holding back tears.

"Mommy, Auntie Twilight will come?" Skyla innocently asked.

Cadence nodded. "Of course sweetie and Grandma Velvet and Grandpa Night will come too."

"Come on, Skyla, why don't we watch TV while they arrive," Shining gave her daughter a smile.

Skyla nodded in reply before the two headed to the sitting room while Cadence watched with a soft smile.

"Spirit," Cinch began with an interest she had never felt before. "Skyla will survive?"

The ghost burst out laughing at Cinch's question like if it was a joke, holding her sides and rolling her head.

"What's so funny?" Cinch demanded while a cold shiver run down her spine.

Out of nowhere, Present's expression turned serious. Dead serious.

"I can see a vacant seat with a crutch without an owner, carefully preserved," the ghost explained in the most stoic voice that Cinch had ever heard. "If these shadows remain unaltered by the future, the child will die."

Suddenly, the two were in a dark chamber surrounded by gears and springs. It looked to be the interior of a clock tower with the time reading 11:59.

"No, no..." Cinch said, shaking her head. "Kind spirit! say she will be spared."

"But Cinch if she dies the surplus population will decrease," Present replied with the same stoic voice.

Cinch felt another cold shiver as the spirit quoted her own words. Suddenly, the ghost hissed in pain as she held her chest in pain and fell to her knees.

"W-What's going on w-with you?" Cinch nervously asked, becoming more fearful.

"My life in this world is very brief," Present weakly said, her eyes, skin and hair becoming pale white. "It ends tonight."

Cinch's body quivered.

Present let out a agonizing bloody murder scream, startling the principal. A few seconds later, her strength failed her and landed face-first on the ground, never to rise again...

Youtube Video

And the bell struck twelve....

Stave 4 - Ghost of the Future

Here in the silent darkness, Abacus Cinch stood alone. As the last stroke ceased to vibrate, a being of pure darkness, about the size of a statue and covered in a dark black cloak coming, like a mist along the ground, towards her.

The Phantom slowly and silently approached. This Spirit seemed to scatter gloom and mystery in the air. It's deep black garment, which concealed it's head, it's face, it's form, and left nothing of it visible save one outstretched hand.

Cinch felt that the ghost was tall and stately when it came close to her. It's mysterious presence filled her with solemn dread and the spirit neither spoke or moved.

"I-I am i-in the presence of the G-Ghost of Christmas F-Future?" Cinch nervously asked.

The spirit said nothing, but it gave her a nod.

"Y-You are about t-to show me the s-shadows of the things that h-have not happened, but will happen in the future?" Cinch asked again.

The spirit nodded once again. It's silence only made Cinch more nervous than before.

"Ghost of the Future, I know your purpose is to do me good and I hope to live to be a better woman from what I was," Cinch said as bent down on her knees. "Because of that, I am prepared to accompany you with a thankful heart."

The ghost raised it's arm as an purple aura began surrounding it. In the blink of an eye, the two found themselves inside of Crystal Prep Academy.

Future stopped beside a little group of the students of Crystal Prep. Observing that it's hand was pointed at them, Cinch walked up to the group to listen their talk.

"I don't know much about it," Trenderhoof said. "I only know she's dead."

"When did she die?" Frosty Orange inquired.

"I think last night,"

"I thought she'd never die," Fleur Dis Lee said.

Trenderhoof let out a yawn. "Well, who knows."

"Honestly, I don't feel bad for the woman," Fleur said with a flick of her hair.

Frosty nodded. "Me neither. Not after what she did to Twilight at the Friendship Games."

"The only think I can say is Principal Cadence is doing a better job than her," Trenderhoof said.

Both girls nodded in agreement before the bell of the school rang. With nothing left to said, the trio went to their respective classes.

Cinch turned to look at Future with a look of fear.

"Spirit, who's that woman they are talking about?" she fearfully asked.

The ghost didn't gave her a reply, but rather changed the environment again with it's magic.

The two were now in a dark room, too dark to be observed with accuracy, though Cinch looked around to a secret impulse.

Future pointed at a lonely, curtained bed. Beneath the ragged sheet, there lay something.

"Spirit, what is that?" Cinch asked, feeling a sense of utter dread.

Again, it gave her no reply, but the spirit still pointed at the bed.

Cinch looked at the bed which the cover was so carelessly adjusted that the slightest raising of it would have uncover the unknown face. Cinch felt how easy it would be to do it, but she didn't have the power to withdraw the veil.

"Spirit, remove me from this place," Cinch begged, looking at Future.

The ghost still pointed with an unmoved finger.

She knew what the ghost meant. "I understand and I would do it if I could, but I don't have the strength. Please."

This time, Future lowered it's arm down.

"There is any person in this city who feels emotion caused by the death of this woman?" Cinch softly asked.

Future spread it's dark robe before her like a giant wing and withdrawing it, revealed a living room bathed in dawn's light.

The spirit pointed at a woman on her early thirties a look of worry. She was pacing back and forth nervously, as if she was expecting someone. A man about the same age as the woman, and presumably her husband, entered the room.

The woman approached the man.

"What happened?" she asked with hope in her eyes. "Is it good or bad?"

"Good," the man replied. "Very good."

The woman was mildly amazed. "Then she will hire you?"

"I don't she will hire me," her husband replied. "Because she's dead."

His wife gasped in horror with a panicked look on her face.

"The secretary was right the last time when I tried to get the job," the man continued. "I thought she told her that to avoid me, but it was true."

"But what about your job?" the woman asked worriedly. "What about our future?"

"Relax, dear," he gave her a reassuring smile. "Another woman already took the position of Principal when I went for the interview. Not only that, she hired me! And she will pay me twice of what I could get as a salary!"

The woman was thankful in her soul to hear the notice and clasped her hands.

"We are going to sleep tonight with light hearts!" the woman happily said before they shared a hug of joy.

The only emotion that Future could show her caused by this event was one of pleasure and happiness.

Cinch looked at future with a sad look. "Let me see some tenderness connected with a death, spirit."

Future slowly nodded and using it's magic again, the spirit changed the scenery. The two found themselves in a churchyard...

Here, the wretched man lay underneath the ground with a stone tablet above. It was a worthy place overrun by grass and weeds choked up with too much burying with the growth of vegetation's death.

A cold sweat of fear saturated her forehead.

"What are we doing here?" she asked.

The ghost stood among the graves and pointed at a hill. There, Cinch spotted some people gathered in front of a single grave.

What shocked Cinch it was who was doing the grieving.

Dean Cadence was standing in front of the grave with tears streaming down her face. She wasn't alone, because she was accompanied by the Twilight family. Their expression was of pure sad melancholy.

Silently, Cadence bent down on one knee and put a bouquet of flowers in front of the grave.

A look of disbelief crept across Cinch's face. "The Ghost of the Present was right..."

"We love you Skyla," Cadence whispered with a small smile.

With that, Cadence got up and the family slowly walked out of the cemetery.

"Spirit, something tells me that this is the end of our journey. I know it, but I don't know how," Cinch said, finally realizing the error of her ways. "Tell me, who was that dead woman?"

In reply, the ghost pointed at a single tombstone, completely isolated from any other, on the other side of the graveyard.

"Before I draw nearer to that stone to which you are pointing, are these the shadows of the things that will be or are the shadows of things that will happen in the future?" Cinch asked.

The ghost still pointed downward to the grave by which it stood.

Knowing that it will be useless to ask again, Cinch walked towards the tombstone, trembling as she went and following the finger.

Once she got there, Cinch read the stone of the neglected grave.

Her eyes widened.

Abacus Cinch

"Am I that woman who lay on the bed!?" she cried, upon her knees.

The finger pointed from the grave to her, and back again.

Cinch kneeled before the ghost. "No, Spirit! Oh no, no!"

The finger still was there.

"Good spirit!" Cinch began, hugging tighly it's robe. "Hear me! I will not be the creature of this intercourse!"

Her only reply was silence.

At this point, tears began to fall down her face. "I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it every year! I will live in the Past, the Present and the Future! I will not forget the teachings of the three spirits! Please!"

However, an evil laugh was heard.

"I don't think so," a very familiar voice said.

Cinch looked up and saw that the spirit wasn't there anymore, but rather a very disturbing sight.

There flying above her was noneother than Midnight Sparkle with a evil smirk on her face.

Cinch screamed in horror as blasted Midnight fired an energy blast at the ground, revealing a pit of fire.

"Now, it's time for your punishment!!" Midnight said with a twisted smile before firing another blast at Cinch, which enveloped her in a magic bubble.

Midnight slowly levitated Cinch to the pit of fire.

"No! Stop! Please! I will change!" Cinch begged, fearing for her life. "I WILL CHANGE!!!"

Midnight Sparkle laughed maniacally at this. "Don't worry, I'll be quick."

The magical aura around Cinch vanished completely, causing her to fall.

"NO!!!!!!!" Cinch screamed as she fell right into the fiery abyss...

And soon, she was surrounded by darkness...

Stave 5 - Epilogue

She felt like she was falling for an eternity when suddenly she landed on something with a thud. Cinch opened her eyes wide and saw that she was in her bedroom, just as it was last night.

"I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future," Cinch muttered as she got up from the floor.

Just then, a big beaming smile crept across her face.

"The spirits will strive within me!" she happily said, glowing with good intentions. "God bless your soul Chrysalis and the Spirits of Christmas!

She had been sobbing in his conflict with the Ghost of the Future that her face was wet with tears. Those tears of sorrow were converted into tears of joy.

"I don't know what to do now!" Cinch said, laughing and crying at the same time. "I am light as a feather, happy as a little child and merry as a cricket!"

Cinch walked over to the window to look outside. The sun was shining in the crystal clear sky while the ground covered with a soft blanket of snow. Cinch opened the window and took a breath of fresh air.

"Merry Christmas to everybody! And happy New Year to all the world!" Cinch cried in excitement before letting a light hearted laugh.

Cinch spotted a ten year old kid clad in winter clothes with white skin with grayish brown spots and brown hair passing by her house.

"Hey you! Little one!" she called out to the kid.

The kid turned to look at Cinch. "Yes, Madam?"

"What day is today?" Cinch asked in a motherly tone.

"It's Christmas," the boy replied.

"Thank you!" she happily said. "Merry Christmas young fellow!"

The kid gave her a gentle smile. "Merry Christmas to you too, Miss,"

'Good. There's still time,' Cinch thought to herself as she went back to her room.

Out in the street, Cinch was dressed in her winter clothes or as she put it "in all her best". Walking with her hands behind her back, Cinch greeted every single person with a delighted smile.

As she continued to make her way through the city, the same chorus from yesterday sang in perfect harmony. This time, Cinch reacted as if that song came from heaven.

Further down the street, Cinch gasped. Coming towards her was Mayor Maiden who had walked into her office yesterday.

Without hesitation, Cinch walked towards her and gently grasped her hand with the two of hers.

"A merry Christmas to you my dear Madam! How are you today?" Cinch cheerfully greeted.

Mayor Maiden blinked in surprise. "Miss Cinch?"

"Yes. That's my name," Cinch replied with great sincerity. "Allow me to apologize for my actions yesterday and..."

Cinch leaned her head toward her ear and softly whispered.

Mayor Maiden's eyes widened. "Oh my! Are you sure, Miss Cinch?"

"Everything for the needy! With a great back payment included!" Cinch gave her a soft smile.

"I-I don't know what to say," her lips quivered into a slight smile before clasping her hand in a gentle handshake. "Thank you so much!"

"Don't mention it," Cinch said, returning the handshake. "Bless you."

With that said, both women went to their respective ways.

'Gewitzt, I will keep my promise, little brother,'

"Sorry if I'm breaking the sad atmosphere, but I think you're being charitable, Flare," Rainbow softly said. "I mean, I know is your mother, but-"

A soft knock at the door interrupted Rainbow.

"Don't worry everyone. Ah'll go," Applejack said as she got up from her seat.

She walked over to the front door, put her hand on the knob and opened it.

"What Ah can do for-" Applejack's eyes widened when she saw who was at the door.

Abacus Cinch was standing in the doorway with an uncharacteristic soft expression.

Everyone was staring at her with wide eyes of shock. There wasn't any glares, just mixed looks of surprise and confusion.

"Mom?" Sunny said in confusion.

"Hello," Cinch said after a few moments of silence. "I... I came as you asked," then her face turned into one of regret. "I hope everyone of you can forgive an old codger like me. I'm sorry for what happened at the Friendship Games."

Everyone was silent for a moment as all the eyes stared at Cinch.

"Well," Indigo Zap began, catching the attention of everyone, then a smile formed on her face. "Don't just stand there. Enter. It's Christmas."

Everyone smiled and nodded in agreement. Even Sugarcoat and Sour Sweet who, of all the girls, had the most friendly smile.

Just as Cinch was about to reply, Sunny Flare pulled her into a loving hug. Cinch eventually returned the hug with tears forming in her eyes.

The rest of the night was filled with laughter, friendship and fun. Nothing could be heartier for Abacus Cinch. Wonderful party, wonderful friendship, wonderful unanimity and wonderful happiness.

The day after Christmas, bright sunshine lights poured into Cinch's office. Everything was awfully quiet save for the ticking of the clock which read 8:30. Cinch planned what she would say when her Dean arrived.

She was sitting behind her desk with a wide happy grin, waiting for Cadence to arrive. She waited for this moment since yesterday.

Cinch looked down at some used documents, feigning working, Dean Cadence entered the office with a nervous look.

"You're late," Cinch said "sternly", not looking up.

"I am very sorry, Madam," Cadence replied. "You see-"

"I don’t want to hear it," Cinch interrupted bluntly as she looked up at her. "What's the meaning of arriving late?"

"It's only once a year, Miss. It won't happen again."

Cinch got up from her seat and walked towards Cadence.

"Let me tell you something, Missy," Cinch began with disagreement. "I will not tolerate this sort of thing any longer. Therefore I will raise your salary."

"Huh?" Cadence became confused at what Cinch just said.

Then, Cinch bursted into laughter which confused her more.

"Merry Christmas, Cadence!" Cinch gleefully said before pulling Cadence into a hug.

"What?" the dean said in confusion.

"Just like I said before, I'll raise your salary, and assist your struggling family," Cinch gently broke the hug. "I would like to help your lovely daughter and husband."

"I..." Cadence gave her a thankful smile and shoock her hand. "T-Thank you, Madam!"

True to her word, Cinch changed for the good. She did everything she said she would and much more. The changes that Cinch made affected a lot of people including her students. She was able to make amends with Twilight Sparkle and she forgave the principal.

A lot of people still laughed at her, but she let them laugh and didn't pay any attention to it. She knew that it's better to make people laugh than make them do some other things. Her own heart laughed and that was quite enough for her.

As for little Skyla, she didn't die thanks to the support of Cinch. In fact, Cinch became like a second mother to her. Cinch and her daughter Sunny Flare spent every Christmas together grew much closer than before.

Cinch became good as a friend, good as a Principal and good as a woman. The Spirits of Christmas never returned, but Cinch never forgot their teachings. She knew how to keep Christmas well...

And so, as Skyla observed,

"May God bless us, everyone."