NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS RING IN 2025

By: Porter

Attention everyone: welcome to 2025!

Yesterday, the dream world observed the changing of the year by saying goodbye to 2024 and hello to 2025. Sir Timely, the guardian of time, overlooked the transition to ensure that it went smoothly. He stated that it was completely smooth and no problems took place.

“After a rather seemingly long year, the new year came in without a single problem!” he said, “How exciting is it to witness the calendar go from December 31 to January 1 just like that? It's exciting, isn't it? Well, to most of us, I think.”

Across the dream world, various celebrations took place, including in the District. Across the various enclaves, residents celebrated in different ways. For example, in the Japan enclave, gongs were rung to usher in 2025. In the Spain enclave, residents ate a total of twelve grapes- which represent each month of the year- when the clock struck midnight. In the U.S. enclave, people gathered in the New York neighborhood to ring in 2025 with their own “ball drop” event.

“I think it's very interesting to see how people celebrate the new year differently,” Victoria, a local from the English enclave told me, “It's nice to see people engage in different activities. All of them seem fun!”

“Eating twelve grapes in one go is no problem at all!” Estefan, a resident from the Spanish enclave said, “In fact, I can do it in thirty seconds. No problem!”

In the rural dream world, residents celebrated with pyrotechnics, parties, and other smaller celebrations.

“Here at the Club, we were getting down for New Year's!” DJ Techno of the Club said, “We danced all night until midnight when we really cranked it up! It was a lot of fun!”

“We had fireworks over at the Hills and go to see them under the aurora lights,” Degan, a local resident told me, “It was very pretty and it's nice to be away from the loud celebrations and crowds elsewhere.”

The DPF’s Dimension Patrol Unit dispatched additional patrol officers to areas where there would be high foot traffic in an effort to keep these areas safe. Following festivities, the DPU says there were no grand incidents to report as celebrations were overall smooth.

“I'm happy to report there were no grand incidents during New Year's Eve and on New Year's Day,” DPU chief Matías said, “Our patrol officers were on guard and able to swiftly respond to minor incidents, but no one was hurt or in deep trouble. I'm very happy to say this was a relatively peaceful end of the year.”

With a new year in and the old one out, residents are hopeful that 2025 will not be a repeat of 2024.

“Francis has been arrested so we'll be okay,” Estefan told me, “He was the one causing us so many problems. He's gone now and so are the problems.”

“I doubt 2025 will be another disastrous year,” Victoria said, “I am hoping that Lucid gets pardoned though. He saved us after they told us he'd be out for revenge! I think that shows he's not what they've portrayed him to be.”

Sir Timely says that he cannot reveal what the future holds, but says this year will be “interesting” and not as bad as 2024, at least in the short term.

“Yes I've seen the near future and it's interesting, to say the least,” he said, “It doesn't look bad compared to last year, but maybe a bit surprising? There's a big shake up coming, oh I wish I could say more! But alas, I can't say too much or else it would mess up the timeline!”

To whatever 2025 brings, the Tribune will be here with you along the way. To all of our readers, stay safe this year and have an amazing and happy new year!

MORPHS FOR CHANGE DECLARED A SUCCESS

By: Arial

The results are in and Morphs for Change was a success!

For those unaware, the Pole recently held a donation drive following the blackout and massive snow storm. Rainier, the Secretary of Christmas Affairs at the Pole HQ, held the drive to help out those affected by these events.

Around the dream world, donation stations were set up where residents could donate morphs- the currency of the dream world- into them. Residents could donate however much they wanted to and these donation stations would swiftly transport the morphs through tubes connected directly to the Pole. 

After two weeks or so, Rainier has announced that the donation drive was a success.

“Our first ever donation drive was a huge success!” the secretary said, “In total, we managed to raise 136,472,985 morphs! That's a lot for our first donation drive! I'd say it went very well!”

Rainier says that all of these proceeds will go to ongoing recovery efforts.

“All of these morphs will be divided and go to different organizations that are helping out with recovery efforts,” he stated, “This also includes local non-profit organizations, food banks, and other places to help feed, shelter, and provide clothes for those who may have lost much in November.”

While the holiday season is coming to an end, Rainier says it's never too late to donate for good causes.

“While Morphs for Change occurred during the holiday season, don't take this as the only time to help out others!” the secretary said, “You should always help each other out year-round! That's what makes us as people! We're just really glad people came out to donate to help out their fellow residents!”

With the success of this donation drive, Rainier says it may return next December.

“For our first donation drive, this was great! I'm already thinking of running it again next December,” he told me, “I hope next year we raise a lot more to help out even more people! Until then, I hope you're all on your best behavior this year! Let's make it a good year!”

The holiday season in the dream world will persist for at least another week or so. Residents have until then to continue viewing the lights and sounds of the season. From everyone at the Tribune, happy holidays and happy 2025!

Q/A: Ask the main cast

How'd you spend New Year's?

Nate: I spent it with friends and had a really special time!

Figment: I took a quick peek in a few portals to see how the party was going and had fun seeing fireworks!

Telly: It was spent watching festivities on TV, of course!

Almoral: I spent it with some super awesome people at my mansion!! 

Porter: I was covering the celebration in the English enclave at the District!

Rainier: Saw some fireworks over in the center of the Pole!

Epsilon: I spent it with the usual little squad of ours this time around.

Cirrus: Watching fireworks in the District with fellow coworkers and friends!

Dylan: With my boyfriend and friends!!

Sylveran: Sitting by the fireplace, drinking and waiting until midnight.

M3-0W: I was in the Hills dimension looking at the aurora lights with a few other people!

Ophelia: I spent it at home with my wife and nothing else.

Finnegan: I was with Eli and his family for New Year's and had a lot of fun!

Eliazar: I spent it with my mom, sister, son, and of course, Finn.

Kodia: I was at my watch tower listening to the radio when it hit midnight!

Daiki: I was at home writing down my thoughts.

Kamaria: I spent it at home watching the countdown on television.

Vivienne: I was in the French enclave partaking in celebrations with fellow residents!

Matías: It was spent at home this year, though I fell asleep before midnight.

Do you think this year will be peaceful, yes or no?

Nate: Yes!

Figment: Yes?

Telly: Of course!

Almoral: Heck yeah it will!!!

Porter: I hope so!

Rainier: I absolutely think it will!

Epsilon: Sure.

Cirrus: Definitely so!

Dylan: Y-E-S, yes!

Sylveran: No.

M3-0W: Yes!

Ophelia: Yes, of course.

Finnegan: Heck yes!

Eliazar: I would hope so.

Kodia: I'm saying yes!

Daiki: Yes.

Kamaria: Perhaps.

Vivienne: Oui! 

Matías: I think so, yes.

What do you wish for 2025?

Nate: Peace for all of my friends!

Figment: Maybe another radio to listen to music on!

Telly: The return of TV and the downfall of the computer!

Almoral: Lucid!!!! Or, uh, hehe, if that's too much then I want a pardon for him! But either one is fine! I mean, I don't think I'll see Lucid this year so…a pardon! For him!

Porter: An exclusive interview with a member from the Council!

Rainier: Less people on the naughty list!

Epsilon: Lucid's redemption.

Cirrus: A calm and peaceful dream world with no freak weather events!

Dylan: Lucid finally getting a pardon which is badly needed!!!

Sylveran: Something I've been eyeing for a while now.

M3-0W: More adventures, the good ones, though!

Ophelia: More people practicing basic hygiene.

Finnegan: I wish for happiness and peace, but maybe I already found that.

Eliazar: Good health, peace, and joy for my friends and family.

Kodia: More tours in the wilderness! I loved the ones I gave last year!

Daiki: Less cases and incidents involving Francis, ah wait, that may be accomplishable now.

Kamaria: New cyber equipment to become more modernized in the IAA.

Vivienne: Lots of joy and happiness to all this year! We need it more than ever now!

Matías: Safety for all of my patrol officers, and of course, the dream world.