It was the day before Christmas Eve, and everything was going right. And very soon, it's gonna get so much better. My name is Olive, the Other Reindeer, and I'm a dog. I know, seems a bit odd a story like this coming from a dog. Well, let's just say I'm very high on Santa's Nice list. I have done more things than a man does in a week last year.
Anyways, back to the story. I was decorating the doghouse late one day. Tim was already asleep in the night, and I was about to go to bed soon myself. I guess sleeping will have to be for another day, because I heard someone entering in my home. Didn't smell like Tim, so my instincts went into action.
"Who's there?" I growl.
Fido notices as well, and cowers behind my small Christmas Tree. With my fangs bared, I was ready to attack at any moment. But my fears and anger faded away when I noticed who it was. The big man in the red suit was right in front of me. Santa was in my backyard.
"Olive, mind if I ask for your help again?" Santa asked me.
"Did another reindeer get injured?" I replied.
He shook his head. "No, not this year. But, I was wondering if you could help me out with some of the preparations. Some of the elves got sick, and they can't fill the quota in time."
I turned to my house, thinking about Tim. He was really worried about me last year.
"Don't worry, you'll be back by the morning of Christmas Eve, just in case you need anymore things to get done before Christmas Day."
That relieved me of my worries. A smile goes across my face. "I'll always be there to help you, Santa!"
Santa smiled back at me. "Get in the sleigh, we'll make it back to the North Pole in no time."
"Hold up, I'm coming!" Fido jumps after me in the snow, and leaps on my shoulder.
Santa, Fido and I climb in, and off we went. I knew the sight was awesome from the reindeer's perspective, but it was twice as breathtaking sitting shotgun with Santa. Seeing all of the houses from above was looking down at a toy town, covered in snow. Some children I can see from windows of their warm houses, gazing at us as we fly. The look on their faces are so astonished by the sight of seeing a dog flying overhead with Santa. Confusing, but mostly astonishing.
Soon, the houses become more scarce, and the snow fell harder. I can tell we were getting closer to the North Pole. Soon, I saw the place I haven't seen in a whole year, Santa's Workshop. It's as beautiful as I remember. The sleigh started to descend, and a landing pad appeared, landing safely in a shed.
"Here we are." Santa said as the three of us dismounted.
Suddenly, a Conductor walked into the room. He wore a blue tuxedo with a black tie, and a white shirt underneath. He wore a hat that said 'Polar Express Conductor' on it. He had a big bushy brown mustache, and reading glasses were on his face. He constantly looked at his pocket watch as he approached us.
"Thank goodness you finally got some help. By the rate we were going it, we were gonna be in some really deep..." He stops when he sees me. He looks down and looks me in the eye. "This seriously can't be the help you got, right?"
I kind of felt offended by that, but maybe he didn't mean it to be harsh.
"Now, she doesn't look like much, Conductor, but she's better than she looks. She's determined to save Christmas in anyway. Besides, I know I can't get enough workers to replace ten sick ones, but Olive here is a great motivational speaker. She'll motivate them." Santa backs me up.
"She's a dog! How much can a dog seriously do?" The Conductor asks.
"Well, be surprised when you find out." I reply.
The sound of my voice made him jump a little. "She talks..."
Santa nods. "Now, we can talk another time. We have to get these presents in order, and you're gonna help us out, Olive." Santa says to me.
I salute to him. "You can count on me."
The Conductor rolls his eyes. "Don't be so dramatic. Let's get to work before we run even more behind!"
We all walk out of the shed, and open the doors to the factory. Everyone turns to our position when we walk in.
"Hey guys, it's Olive the Other Reindeer!" An elf says as I walk past him. The others give a small cheer. That makes me feel so warm inside. I walk past them, and stand up on a stool to get their attention. Then I realize, I already have the attention.
I clear my throat. "I know it might look bad now, but I promise you, we will get these presents done. I've went through quite an adventure, being a Jack Russell Terrier. I've shown that anyone can do anything, if they really believe they can do it. If I can travel long and far to get to the North Pole, and give myself a way for a dog to fly and deliver presents across the world, I know we can team together to finish this job, and get Christmas back on track!"
This gets the whole place riled up. Wow, I'm good at this. The Conductor hands me a clipboard of the remaining presents.
"Not bad. Keep it up, and you have my respect."
Now for the hard part. I have to keep track of the presents, and make sure we meet the quota. It's a good thing Santa doesn't need any help delivering, because I'm probably going to be mentally exhausted by the time this is over. Everything was going right, and I was as happy as ever, helping Santa again.
Then my heart sank.
Everyone's heart sank when they heard an explosion from the back of the Factory.
"Olive, what the blazes was that?" The Conductor says as he walks up to me.
"Hold on, if you think she caused an accident like that, you're surely mistaken!" Fido shouts at him.
"Hold it, Fido. I know he didn't mean it." I hold off Fido. "I'll go check it out." I walk to the back of the factory to see what happened. The lights were blown out by the explosion except for one, flickering in the darkness surrounding it. I had a feeling that someone was going to attack me, so I was on my guard. I looked around quickly to make sure no one was going to attack me. Suddenly, I turn around when I hear the screams of Santa, The Conductor and the Elves.
"Huh? What happened over there? Santa? Conductor?" I was about to run back, when something grabbed my tail. Or someone. I yelp as I fall to the ground. I turn to see my attacker, and rage filled my body at the sight.
"The Postman!" I growl.
He laughs. "You're not saving Christmas this time, Olive."
"So you're the one that's behind all of this." I snarl.
He sighs. "If only I could think of a plan like this." He shakes his head. "It was a team effort, but there is someone on top who's controlling everything."
"Who?" Not the best question to ask. He laughs again.
"I'm not that stupid! Besides, none of us really know who it is. He keeps his identity secret."
He stands aside to reveal a red... thing. I have no idea what it is. I think it's a guy, but the voice makes it confusing. It has strong claws for hands, pink puffy hair on the back of his head, yellow... no, green eyes, and big pointy ears. He also has a belt around his waist, and long high-heel boots.
"Awww, look at the cute little doggie. But it's time for the dog to go back in it's doghouse... forever."
That was enough to scare me lifeless. I run past its long legs, and run out of the hole of the factory, where the explosion was. I run out into the snow, as they follow me.
"After her!" The Postman shouts. "No witnesses!"
I run up a snowy hill, and hide behind a tree.
"What do we do now, Olive?" Fido asks me as I catch my breath.
I pick up a rock, and case in snow. It looks like a normal snowball now, but they're gonna be in for a big surprise.
I slow down my breathing and focus. "We fight." I reply.
"Does the dog not wanna play?" I hear a voice, that isn't The Postman or the red crab thing. You know, I might just call him Him, for now.
I rush out of hiding, and throw the snow covered rock at my intruder. What I see might be even creepier than Him, but I know who he is. The green, wrinkly, Santa Claus wearing Who himself, The Grinch. And I just pelted a hard rock at his face.
He yells at it hits his face. "So, that's the way you wanna play, eh? Two can play that game, ya mutt!" He starts to gather ammo, so I do as well.
"I heard a little pansy yell for help. Is that you, Grinch?" Him asks.
"Get lost, pretty boy. She threw that snowrock at me, I'm getting payback!" Grinch barks at him.
I hear another person. I peek around the corner to see a big, big, woman. Not even large just... wide. She has green hair, and a yellow feather as a centerpiece on the top of her head. She has a really long nose, and wears a red long sleeved dress. She's talking on a Walkie Talkie.
"Did we get them all? The sooner we end Knishmas, the better."
The Postman rolls his eyes. "For the last time, it's Christmas! Get it right!"
"Not where I come from. It's either my way or the highway, shrimp!"
While they're distracted, I make the perfect strike. I throw the snowballs as hard as I can at them. First Postman, then the big lady, followed by Him, and ending with the Grinch. They all take a hit, and fall over in a matter of seconds. I dive and grab the walkie talkie, waiting for anything useful. The person on the other end picks up.
"We got all of them here. We're taking them from the front, so meet us up there."
"No!" The big lady gets back up, and charges at me, but I jump over her.
"Thanks for helping me!" I wave goodbye as I rush around to the front of the factory.
"Get her!" Him screams.
I ignore the shouts from behind as I dash to the front. I'm in such a hurry, I get on all fours and sprint the rest of the way there. Fido has to hold on tight of my collar to stay on. As I turn around the corner, I see a giant machine that has a cage attached to it. There I see Santa, the Elves, the Conductor, and more people I don't quite recognize. On top of it is a shadowy figure in body armor. Every part of its body is covered up with an article of clothing. The face is covered with a mask, that looks like it was made of ice. The claws on its arms sharpen as it sees me.
I growl. "So, you're the one behind this, am I right?"
The figure laughs. I can't tell if it's a boy or girl by the voice, either. Sounds like a voice changer. "The poor little dog is trying to save the day. Truth is, you're no match for me."
"I'm stronger than I look, you ice figure!" I exclaim.
"I know you don't know my name, and I hope to keep it that way. But please, call me Blight." The figure says.
"Well, Blight, I won't let you get away with this!" I prepare to fight, but then I hear someone call my name.
"Olive... don't do it..." Santa Claus calls out to me. "You're not... strong enough."
"Then what do I do?" I ask.
"Get someone stronger." Santa tells me.
Blight jeers. "Good luck, no one is stronger than me!"
I just have to do what Santa says. I trust him, and if he says Blight is too strong then doggone it, I will find someone stronger! Instead of running towards the fight, I run away from it, into the forest.
Blight just watches me as I run. "Bring a whole army, if you wish. I will not be defeated. Christmas, will be over."
I have to find someone out there, I know I will.