In the living room of the Destiny's Bounty, there's a big Christmas tree in the corner of the room, covered in ornaments and tinsel with a star on top of it. Someone's sitting on a chair by a custom fireplace (they didn't want to catch the ship on fire again), having a book to their face. They put the book on a small table beside them and it turns out to be Zane Julien himself.
"Hello there, glad you came to visit. As you guys already know, I'm Zane and this is Jay-" Zane notices Jay isn't sitting on a couch. "Jay, where did you go?"
"Sorry about that. I went to the kitchen to get a refill," Jay explains as he speed walks back to the living room with a cup of hot chocolate in his hand.
"Anyways, welcome to a fanfic reading. Today we'll be reading a recreation of a classic story and one of my favorites, A Christmas Carol," Zane says as Jay hands him the book and returns to the couch.
"So everyone get comfortable as we start the story. We hope you enjoy this," Jay adds before he starts drinking from his cup.
At Ninjago City, the streets are pack with people traveling to one place to another. Shops are filled with people from last minute shopping for gifts and picking up stuff. Others are enjoying the Christmas lights and listening to people sing carols. Usually, most places except shops and restaurants should be closed by now, but one is still open and that is a counting house. There's a small sign on the building that has the names of Mr. Chen and Clouse printed on it. Zane and Jay are standing by the place as they continue with their story.
"Our story begins at a counting house run by Mr. Chen. He owns dozens of noodle shops across Ninjago and manages it all in the old building," Zane says.
"Don't be fooled by the sign. Clouse was Mr. Chen's partner until he died a few years ago. Mr. Chen still hasn't changed the sign. It just goes to show that he doesn't like spending any money for things he doesn't think is important," Jay addresses as he's wiping the window of the building with his hand to see the inside of the building.
Inside the counting-house, only two people are in there. Mr. Chen counting the money he made from his shops. On the other side of the room is his clerk named Lloyd working at his cramped desk. Lloyd is a blonde man in his late 20s with green eyes and wearing his green coat to keep himself warm since there isn't a fireplace. Mr. Chen is a man in his late 40s with red hair turning grey and dark eyes.
"The room is dull and very cold since Mr. Chen doesn't bother to purchase a fireplace for the place," Zane explains. "Nothing interesting is happening until-" Zane was cut off when a man with brown hair and facial hair enters the building. "That's Ronin. A friend of Mr. Chen even though they're not really friends. He's also wealthy and greedy like his 'friend'. The difference is that he's friendly, not too greedy, and gives his money to the poor during Christmas. Much better than Mr. Chen," Jay says. "But back to the story."
"Merry Christmas, Mr. Chen," Ronin says with cheer as he hangs his hat and coat on a hat rack.
"Bah, Humbug," Mr. Chen groans trying to focus on his money.
"That's not the Christmas Spirit. Light'n up a bit, old man," Ronin smirks as he walks over to Mr. Chen's desk.
"I will not! Christmas is just nothing more than a waste of time."
"Why is that?"
"It's nothing more than people wasting their money on nothing useful!" Mr. Chen exclaims.
"Oh come on. That wasn't a good argument and Christmas isn't about that. It's all about family, being together, and giving gifts to people you care about. It might sound typical, but it's really nice," Ronin explains.
"He has a point, sir," Lloyd comments.
"Aren't you supposed to be working, Garmadon?" Mr. Chen scolds at Lloyd.
"Sorry sir," Lloyd says before quickly goes back to work.
"Anyways, the city is having a Christmas party at-"
"I'm not coming! You will never change my opinion about Christmas and that's it!" Mr. Chen interrupts Ronin.
"Fine. If you change your mind, you're always welcome," Ronin says knowing he still wouldn't show up. As he grabs his coat and hat, Ronin remembers the reason why he showed up here in the first place. "Before I leave, someone wanted me to give you this letter. They didn't want me to tell you who they are. It's best if you don't know before reading it," Ronin explains and tosses a letter to the desk. "Later, old man."
"Merry Christmas, Ronin," Lloyd smiles at Ronin.
"Thanks. You too, kid," Ronin says as he gets ready and heads outside.
Mr. Chen sighs at Ronin finally leaving him alone in peace. Without any warning, two men enter the courthouse. One wearing red sunglasses and the other having a goatee. This makes Mr. Chen bang his head against his desk.
"What is it now!?" Mr. Chen groans loudly as he looks up at them.
"Sorry to bother you on Christmas Eve, sir. I'm Griffin Turner and this is my partner Neuro. We would like to talk to you and your butler Clouse about something very important that's happening in our city," Griffin introduces himself and Neuro to Mr. Chen.
"First of all, Clouse isn't a butler. He was my business partner. Second, Clouse is dead. It's just me," Mr. Chen tells them. "What is it that you would like to talk about?"
"Every year, homeless people are living in the streets with no place to go. We're running a charity party at the church for those with no homes. It whole day where people receive presents, hot cocoa, and plenty of food for everyone. We here to collect donations to help those in need," Neuro explains him.
"Sure. I'll donate some money," Mr. Chen says with sarcasm no one picks up.
"What should we put you down for? " Griffin smiles at Mr. Chen.
"Nothing. Now leave me be," Mr. Chen replies.
"Why nothing?" Neuro asks.
"I don't want to waste my money on something useless. Now go away," Mr. Chen answers.
"But you said-"
"I don't want anything to do with this! This is all pointless and a waste of time! They deserve to live like this! It's there own fault they're poor and they must suffer the consequences of their actions!"
"Well you're a jerk," Griffin mutters.
"Oh boy," Jay turns away from the window, knowing what will happen next. Let's just say it's about to go down. Mr. Chen hears what Griffin said about him and stays silent before he starts yelling.
"REEEEEE!" Mr. Chen shrieks and throws a nearby book at them. Giffin gets hit by the book, leaving him with a bloody nose. He and Neuro immediately run towards the exit screaming and got out. Lloyd just sat there in surprise from what his boss did. It's not every day he sees him throws books at random people who anger him.
"Wasn't that a little too harsh, sir?" Lloyd asks as he picks up the book and puts it on a shelve. "I think you could have been a little ni-" Lloyd stops talking when he sees Mr. Chen glares at him.
"Nevermind."
"That's what I thought."
Mr. Chen finally looks at the letter on his desk and picks it up. He opens the letter and only reads a little bit of it before tossing it away into the trash. It's a letter from his daughter name Skylor, inviting him over to her house for Christmas. It's been years since the last time he heard of her, but he didn't care. He didn't want anything to do with Christmas or her. Not after she-
"Tell me, Lloyd. Why are you married?" Mr. Chen asks Lloyd, trying to get his mind off of Skylor.
"Well, I love my wife, Ali. She's kind, sweet, and the most beautiful women I have ever met. I'm thankful to have her and two lovely children," Lloyd smiles at the thought of his family. "What more could I ever want."
"You're just like your father. He could have been so much more if he didn't choose to be with your mother," Mr. Chen shakes his head as he goes looking through his papers.
Lloyd didn't know whether or not if he should take that as a compliment. So he didn't reply and starts to pack up to leave since it was 8:30. Before leaving, he goes up to Mr. Chen to ask him something.
"Sir, I was wondering-"
"Let me guess, you want a day off tomorrow," Mr. Chen interrupts him.
"Yes, but if that's okay with you."
"Alright, but I expect you to be here early on the day after tomorrow. Okay?" Mr. Chen sighs.
"Of course. Thank you so much, sir. Merry Christmas- I mean, good night, sir," Lloyd corrects himself before heading out.
"Whatever," Mr. Chen sighs before continuing to work. Outside the counting-house, Zane and Jay see Lloyd walking home while humming to his favorite Christmas songs. They both smile and turn back to the building.
"Mr. Chen's heart may be bitter and cold now," Zane points out.
"But on this night, his life is going to change forever," Jay continues.
I hope you're enjoying this story so far. I'm hoping to get most of the chapters out before Christmas ends. I'm determined to do it (unless my family has other plans). Ali and her two children belong to Sweetheart114 while the rest of the ocs that are going to be in this story belong to me. Have a wonderful day and peace out.