The frosty chill and fierce snowfall of Winter could not hope to weaken the invisible positive energy that filled the streets of Canterlot City. Every building was lovingly dressed in all manner of festive decorations, from colorful light bulbs and garland that lined every window to wreaths on every front door, all of them giving the buildings a sense of good welcome that one could not find at any other time of the year. Some folks had made it a point to have their homes and businesses be watched over by decorative statues of reindeer as well as a certain jolly old man and his sweet wife, both clad in thick red and white winter coats. Why, even the street lights were laced with ornaments that proudly displayed vivid colors of green and red! The city folk walking down the streets were greeting each other with genuine joy as they passed each other by, many of whom carrying lovingly wrapped gifts of various sizes and quantities. This positive energy was none other than the holiday spirit: a heavenly siren song that held all of Canterlot City in its warm grip once a year.
This song was soothing the stressed mind of Luna, the Vice-Principal of Canterlot High School, as she drove down the snow-ridden road in her car while clad in full winter gear, including a brown heavy coat and a fuzzy hat that matched her dark blue hair. The Winter break was one week away for the school, which meant that soon, there would be time off from learning for the students, much to their immense relief. It also meant that, for her, there would be a much-needed reprieve from the perpetual stress-inducer that was the daily grind of working as the Vice-Principal of a high school. A high-school filled with emotional teenagers, magical mishaps that she was sure the police would never believe had happened on testimony alone, and the rare visit from a beloved inter-dimensional princess of... friendship, was it? Luna made a mental note to double-check that detail later as she traveled through the city while trying very hard to not think about the hard work, and paperwork, that would wait for her back at the school. The break may not have started, but this was still a time for cheer, and on this day, she had some cheer of her own to spread as she took a quick glance at the storybook with a hardcover laying on the passenger seat next to her before giving the road her undivided attention.
The drive to the local mall was uneventful, despite the snow battering the ground with impunity. This was the same mall that many a CHS student, including a certain beloved band of young ladies, would frequent, so Luna knew of it quite well at this point. She had her own reason for coming here today: to honor a holiday tradition that she had been spearheading for sometime. After finding one of the few parking spaces available, she grabbed the storybook, gently tucked it under her right armpit, and left the car to make her way into the mall proper. The building was as clean and sparkling as usual, by Luna's reckoning, only with a huge festive slant. Decorations of all kinds were set up for each and every shop, shoppers were scurrying about looking to get some last-minute shopping done, and some cheerful holiday music was being played through speakers to complete the mood.
For Luna, the shops were not her destination. Instead, she made her way to the center of the mall, where a tall pine tree stood proudly over the shoppers. It was immaculately decorated with ornaments, garland, adorable figures and colored light bulbs. Completing the look was a beautiful yellow star that was carefully placed at the top of the tree. Thanks to a little light bulb inside of the star, it glowed a gentle light that could warm a little kid's heart. In front of the tree stood a large wooden chair that Luna eyed with purpose as she walked towards it. With a deep breath that eased her mind in preparation for what was coming, she sat down on the chair, placed the storybook on her lap, and waited.
It took a full two minutes for a whole slew of children to make their way over to her from all over the mall. They didn't show up all at once, so it was more of a consistent stream of kids than an explosion of youth. Most of them were guided by their parents or grandparents, others had dragged their older siblings along for the ride. A few of them were little babies being carried by their parents! They all had excitement painted on their faces as they came up to Luna with laughter while giving her sweet greetings. She was happy to welcome them back with an equally sweet smile as she waved at them all. Three of the kids, she could recognize from a mile away; The Canterlot Movie Club, which consisted of Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. They were escorted by their equally recognizable big sisters; Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash respectively. After getting handshakes from the elder sisters and hugs from the younger ones, she called out to the youthful group with the practiced gentle authority that came with her station;
"Gather round, find a place to sit on the floor, and quiet down, everyone. For, as always, I have a story to tell that will make even your gloomiest holiday just a little brighter."
The group did as instructed, with the CMCs sitting right in front while their sisters sat behind them. The rest of the kids and their escorts found their own spots within the pile that waited with baited breath before Luna. With a warm smile aimed squarely at each and every child, she looked down at the book that still rested on her lap. It was blue and gold in color and bared the golden Canterlot High School logo, a horseshoe tilted on its right side, on the front cover, but it showed no title. As she opened the book to its first page, she began to tell the tale she carried with her all this way;
"This, young ones, is a tale from my school; a tale of the holiday spirit and its immeasurable strength..."
It was Winter time in Canterlot High and the holidays drew near.
Excitement filled the halls and in friends most dear.
In a time like this, you'd think there wouldn't be tension.
But, in the students of CHS, there was old apprehension.
For in one Winter prior, they felt pain in their hearts.
Secrets were posted and friendships were torn apart.
So, the students, in truth, were not at ease.
For they shared a fear that would not cease.
If you walked the halls and heard their thoughts,
You could hear a truth their fear had wrought;
Luna raised her head and motioned to Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash, who clasped their hands together while looking up at the sky with well-acted pleading expressions as they added to the tale by declaring in a dramatic fashion;
"Please, oh please, let the holidays be great!
Let them be filled with joy and not with hate!"
The kids had a good jovial laugh at the sight of three teenagers doing a comically hammy take on acting, while the CMCs gave a respectful chuckle as their older sisters bowed to the group enthusiastically. As they all calmed down enough to return their attention to Luna, who was doing a fine job of hiding her own laughter, she went back to telling the story.
Each student fought this fear in their own way.
Hoping to bring light to someone's Winter day.
An act of kindness here, a good deed there.
All to lighten the load that they had to bare.
But, they all knew it would take more
To chase away the terror in their core.
One school day, the students were stopped by a call.
A voice that rang out with laughter through the hall;
Pinkie Pie, who bounced into view of the kids from behind the tree at the moment Luna had reached that line, delivered her own addition to the story with that infectious joy that she was famous for;
"Lookie Lookie! I got a present in my locker!"
The crowd of children cheered at the sight of every kids' favorite party planner as she hopped her way over to her friends. When the kids cooled down enough to listen further, Luna continued on;
The students rushed over to the source of the sound.
It was sweet Pinkie Pie, who happily bounced around.
She held in her hands a present wrapped with love.
She happily laughed as if it were a gift from above.
Another student, lady Rarity, opened her locker.
What she had found inside was quite the shocker.
Hung behind the locker's door was a gift most dazzling.
It was a new dress, which she declared quite smashing.
More students checked their lockers and what did they find?
Why, more gifts inside, left behind by a soul most kind.
Cowgirl boots for Applejack.
Stylish guitar pick sets for Flash.
Violin strings for Octavia.
A soccer ball for Rainbow Dash.
New headphones for DJ-P0N3.
A box of rocks for Maud Pie.
A new muffin recipe for Derpy.
A bunny plushy for Fluttershy.
Word spread of these gifts and more like a storm.
Each students' heart, thanks to them, was warm.
When lunch began, the Wondercolts were joyful.
Showing off their gifts while feeling most hopeful.
Their fear forgotten, the past set free!
A hopeful future was what they could see!
Yet, the students could not help but ponder.
Just who was it that had stuffed their lockers?
Could it be... the Rainbooms, CHS's most famous friends?
Surely it was they who achieved such a beautiful end!
When the group was asked, Sunset Shimmer answered thus;
The lady with the fiery hair herself walked out from behind the tree with poise, turned to face the kids, and with a confident grin and calmness in her voice, contributed to the tale;
"This caper is right up our alley, but honestly, it wasn't us."
Luna took this as her cue to proceed further as Sunset took her seat alongside her friends;
The students were confused! If it was not them, then who?
Could it be... the Principal? This was what she would do!
Ah, but she declared with her trademark dignity;
Principal Celestia, who was hiding in one of the shops to the left of the tree, walked out and added with a smile;
"I get why you would think that, but it was not me."
After walking over to stand at Luna's right side, the story continued from there;
The students were even more puzzled! Who could have done this?!
Clearly, there was more to this mystery! What ever did they miss?
Granny Smith, the school chef, saw the conundrum.
With a smile, she gave the students some wisdom.
Granny Smith snuck up on the kids from behind with her hearty laughter before speaking proudly;
"Does it matter who made sure your gifts were gifted?
Shoot, haven't ya'll noticed your spirits are plum lifted?
Just yesterday, ya'll were more tense than tied rope.
Now, ya'll are havin' fun and feelin' gosh dern hope!"
When the eldest of Apples finished, Luna went on without missing a beat;
Granny's words rang true, for the students resolved
to take this holiday mystery and let it stay unsolved.
Be this giver one person or many, it would matter not.
For they would never forget the joy they had wrought.
With hearts full and glasses raised to the sky,
Every Wondercolt shouted out;
As Luna went through that last set of lines with the voice of a skilled storyteller, more CHS students appeared from different hiding spots throughout the mall. Fluttershy, Sci-Twi, Flash Sentry, Octavia Melody, DJ-P0N3, Derpy, Bulk Biceps, and many more besides. They all surrounded the kids in a circle as the remaining Rainbooms and CMCs all stood up. The children looked around in amazement and wonder as all of the Wondercolts present joined Celestia and Luna in finishing the story;
Thank you, Hearth-Warmers of Canterlot High!
The children cheered and clapped in appreciation as the students and their leaders took a bow.
Later on, with the kids and their families having moved on, Luna had caught up with the CMCs and their sisters as they were finishing up their holiday shopping. After getting their attention, she politely asked;
"May I speak with your little sisters for a moment?"
With knowing smiles, Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash went on over to the nearest shop to check its wares, leaving the Vice-Principal to speak with the young ones, who kept their composure, even though they were giddy inside over what was coming. After looking around to make sure no one was watching, Luna handed Apple Bloom a red and green envelope while stating in a hushed whisper;
"I assume you three remember our arrangement, yes?"
The bow-rocking farmhand took the envelope and stealthily stashed it in her pants pocket while proudly declaring in a whisper of her own on behalf of her fellow club members;
"Now, don't ya' worry none, ma'am. We'll make sure to do our bit safely."
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo each gave her a thumbs up and giant smiles in agreement to this statement, which eased what little concern she had felt beforehand. She knew better than to think that these kids would mess this up. With a respectful nod, she turned to walk back to her car, which prompted the girls to run back over to their sisters. They could not help but express mischievous grins, for with their item in hand, it was time to prepare.
Back in the clubhouse, the CMCs' internalized giddiness reached new heights as Apple Bloom opened up the envelope, pulling out a single metal key with the CHS logo carved on the front and the number one on the back. After placing the key on the table before them, she also pulled a note out from the envelope and read it aloud to her friends;
"Remember, this is the one spare key we have, so do not lose or abuse it. Do what you need to do and give it back when you're finished. Good luck to you three, as always."
The note was placed next to the key on the table after that. With a deep breath, the trio composed themselves before declaring in unison with utter surety, an old resolve in their hearts, and a triple high-five;
"May every Wondercolt feel joy this Winter!"
Happy Holidays, everybody!
Author's Note
With the holidays slowing getting closer, I figured I'd throw my hat into the ring extra early with a Christmas story straight from the halls of CHS!
This is also adding a little bit of lore to Spring Surprises and the universe it is based in. Consider it... context for the future. 
