Jingle Bells_362 has a minion!

Minion the Candyvet

It’s the most, wonderful time, of the year…
For everyone except him.
For Jingle Bells, Luminaire season meant anything but being happy and joyful and full of the holiday spirit. When he was a young fawn he had always loved the season. He loved baking cookies and hanging up paper snowflakes up into the windows of the Icy Goods shop, where he had been raised. During that time, he had a chance meeting with Melody, who handed out presents to good pets during the Luminaire season. He had instantly been enamored with her, loving her generous spirit. He had made up his mind. Someday, he would be one of her helpers.
But that day never came. He tried time and time again to become part of her entourage, but he always failed, by some outrageous circumstance. First, when he was twelve, he slipped on ice and missed talking to her by a hair. When he was fifteen, he had jumped towards her, only to get into the crossfire of a snowball fight. Every Luminaire Eve he sat by the fire in the shop, a plate of cookies next to him and socks on his hooves. But he was always fast asleep when she came through. Always.
It was no different when he was a strapping, clumsy young Antlephore about to make his way out into the world. He had no idea what he wanted to do with his life. The blue haired woman who ran the Icy Goods store said he could always stay at the shop and help her, and as tempting as that sounded, he wanted a taste of what another life was like.
One day, only a few nights away from Luminaire Eve, Jingle Bells made his way to Vanya’s Workshop, taking a thermos of Icy Goods’ famous hot chocolate with him. The old man was a hard worker, especially during this time of the year when people were coming in to get toys made. He even helped the woman at Icy Goods from time to time, which was the reason for the hot chocolate.
“Velcome, Jingle.” Vanya started as the Antlephore walked in. Jingle Bells smiled happily and placed the thermos on the table next to the man.
“Good afternoon, Vanya.” Jingle returned, sitting down next to the man’s bench, watching him work on his latest creation. “I find it so strange that you can turn pets into toys.” He said softly, his eyes following the man’s hands.
“You misunderstand.” Vanya said, never taking his eyes off his project. “I am not making a pet into a toy, I am infusing life into a toy.” He said, a kind smile on his face.
There was a soft silence between them for a while. “I wish someone would infuse me with something so that I would be useful to Melody…” Jingle Bells huffed, pouting.
“You just vait little deer,” The man looked at him, a twinkle in his eyes, “You may have a Luminaire miracle.”
~~
It was Luminaire Eve. Usually the streets were bustling with but not that night. No one was about, and the streets were almost completely dark. Jingle Bells happened to be out, on his way back to Icy Goods from Vanya’s (another hot chocolate delivery) when he heard the yelling from Melody’s Cottage.
“The fairies!” She yelled. “The fairies are gone!”
Jingle’s ears perked. The fairies were a huge part of Luminaire. They floated around all of Subeta, spreading the Luminaire spirit among the citizens. And most importantly, their magic was responsible for allowing Melody’s sleigh to take flight so that she could deliver her presents each Luminaire Eve. He rushed to the cottage. As soon as he got there, Melody’s crimson eyes looked towards him, filled with desperation.
“Jingle Bells!” She started. He was surprised she knew his name. Then again, she was Melody. “The fairies, they’re gone! They’ve all disappeared! You’ve got to help me find them!” She pleaded. He dropped the thermos immediately.
“Of course!” He said eagerly.
“The only clue I have is this.” She said, holding a small piece of dark matter out to him. It was dressed with a Santa hat, as if to mock Melody. Jingle Bells reached his head forward and sniffed at the matter, then lowered his head to the ground.
“Whoever it is didn’t get far.” He said. “I’ll go and track them down!” He said, his chest swelling with pride. He was finally going to be able to help Melody out. It was his time to shine!
“I’ll come with you!” Melody exclaimed.
Through the snow they ran, Jingle Bells leading the way with his nose and Melody trailing along behind him. Up into the mountains they went, but not too far, until they reached a cave.
“He’s inside.” Jingle said, frowning. He was scared of what was inside. Who would be powerful enough to steal Melody’s fairies? But the kind smile Melody gave him was enough to reassure him. He set his brow and marched into the cave.
What was waiting for them was a surprise.
There was a Darkmatter Ghostly sitting in the cave, the Snow Fairies trapped within a large cage. ”Mistress will be happy. Mistress will reward me.” The ghostly muttered to itself as it looked at the trapped fairies.
“Stop right there!” Jingle Bells started.
“Wait.” Melody said calmly. The ghostly looked over to them and gasped before hiding behind the cage.
“How did you’s find me?” He wailed.
“I think you should explain yourself, Scoff.” Melody put her hands on her hips.
“I just wanted Mistress Maleria to be proud of me…” He muttered.
“I don’t think Maleria would like it if you cancelled Luminaire, it’s her favorite holiday!” The girl scolded.
“Oh… I’s messed up…” He put his head in his hands. Melody smiled and went over to him, placing a hand on his back.
“We won’t tell her if you unlock the cage and go back home.” She said, smiling warmly at the creature. He nodded and the cage opened, then he disappeared. The fairies flitted out, surrounding Melody and cooing happily. “Oh Jingle Bells, is there any way I can repay you for helping me?” Melody asked.
“Well…” He started. After explaining to her she nodded.
“Of course.” She smiled happily.
~~
That night Jingle Bells finally fulfilled his dream of being one of Melody’s helpers. With a little bit of fairy dust and a Luminaire Miracle, Jingle Bells became Melody’s sleigh puller. That night, as he pulled into the sky, he could see Vanya at his window, cheering him on happily.