Clara went into her room and changed into a beautiful red dress that was laying on her bed. It had been so long since she had put on a dress like that. It was covered in red and white lace at the bottom and white pearls that decorated the top. She also had a beautiful white ribbon to tie into her hair. She was so excited! It had been ages since she had been to a social gathering!

"Magic…Christmas magic," Clara breathed out happily. What she didn't see was her brother coming around the corner and he smirked as he gently walked behind her.

"Why do you keep talking about that magic stuff? Father said that there is no such thing as magic," Fritz huffed as he bit into some caramel toffee. The boy had stuffed his pockets with the delicious treats and he had no intention of sharing either.

"Because what else is there to hold onto in this world!" Clara snapped. "Father has lost his job, mother doesn't socialize anymore, and we don't have anymore friends ever since they heard of our situation!"

Fritz looked at his sister sadly, not aware of how much that affected her. "Clara I didn't mean to make you angry." said Fritz.

"Well you did! Can I at least have one Christmas where everyone is happy and I can have a good time like we used to?!" Clara yelled, now raising her voice more.

As her parents walked by, the father immediately knitted his eyebrows and growled in frustration. He walked in and stood in between his children, clearly agitated.

"Listen you two! You both had better not embarrass me at this gala tonight! We've been invited and I want to have at least a semi-pleasant time," Mr. Stahlbaum growled out, now glaring his eyes hard into his children. Clara and Fritz hung their heads under the reprimand, but glared at each other.

"If everyone had just a little Christmas Spirit…none of this would have happened," Clara huffed, now walking with her family down the hallway. As she walked down the long, golden spiral staircase, her eyes opened wide as she could see the design clearly from the top of the stairs. There was the image of the horse-like beast and it appeared that it was frolicking with another beast. A beast that Clara could not comprehend. It looked large and powerful with green eyes and what appeared to be red skin or fur. It's black hair and cheeky smile seemed to say it all.

"I see you see my friends," A voice chuckled in her ear as she descended to the floor. Clara turned and saw Drosselmeyer smiling at her.

"Who are these animals? I've never seen them before," Clara said.

"Oh they are mythical beings. They are responsible for children being happy and carefree," Her godfather added.

"Wow…can you show them to me?!" Clara asked happily. But she was confused as Drosselmeyer's smile seemed to falter a bit.

"I cannot my dear. For you see, they don't allow adults to see them often. If anything, it is really rare. They only allow children and maybe some young adults. I, unfortunately, am too old to see them now." Drosselmeyer said gently.

"But I would love to see them and meet them," Clara pleaded somewhat.

"Well my dear…you can only see them if they want you to; you don't have to go to them…they will come to you," he smiled warmly.

Clara nodded in understanding and watched as other children her age began to dance. She turned and grabbed her brother and soon they were all dancing together around on the gold, red, and white floor. Clara turned and swirled so much she thought she would get dizzy! But she didn't care; for this night she didn't have a care in the world!

"Come children! Come and have some treats," a man called, now pulling out some delicious treats from the back room. Clara watched in pure delight as spiced punch, milk, tea, buttermilk, and various types of juice were placed on the table! Cranberry juice, berry juice, raspberry juice, blueberry spice juice…all kinds of delicious beverages for the taking! But as she walked over to the table to get a drink, her eyes widened at the next table! It was filled with all kinds of cakes and cookies! Lemon treats that resembled lemon bars, chocolate cookies, pumpkin cookies, spiced apple cookies, gingerbread, apple streusel, and blueberry cake! Clara let out an audible shout in glee and ran to the table to eat the treats! It was like a dream come true!

After she had plate full of treats, she joined the other children on the dance floor again and to sing the Christmas songs of the town! The fun and jolly environment made Clara almost visibly cry…it was wonderful to be in a happy place with her family and friends. But to her dismay, it was 11:00 pm and the party was coming to an end. Soon the guests were leaving and Clara looked downtrodden.

"Everyone can't be leaving already," she said sadly.

"My dear…the party has been going for over an hour," Mrs. Stahlbaum said.

"B-But…I don't want it to end!" Clara said.

"Clara be reasonable! No one can dance the night away and eat cake and pie all night," Mr. Stahlbaum said, now lighting his pipe.

"But I don't want it to end!" Clara protested, her eyes watering.

"Don't take that tone with me! Why on Earth does it matter that much to you?! It's a silly party!" her father grumbled.

"No it's not! This is happiness! We're never happy anymore! I want this Christmas to be special like the other ones we had!" Clara said sadly.

"Clara, not every Christmas is a jolly one," came the calm reply of her father.

"Well I want this one to be father! It's important! Christmas is supposed to be a happy time and I-I won't let it be a terrible Christmas! I won't let it!" Clara said, now turning and running back in the large banquet hall.

part 2

"Clara come back here this instant!" Mr. Stahlbaum ordered, slightly stamping his foot.

"Come, come…everyone cheer up. This is still a pleasant evening and we still haven't gotten to presents," Drosselmeyer smiled, now ushering everyone to the large and towering Christmas tree.

"I will be retiring early. I do not wish to open any presents tonight," Mr. Stahlbaum said.

"Oh dear, please join us…the children want it," his wife pleaded. Mr. Stahlbaum rolled his eyes and nodded, hoping it would not take too long.

As they took a seat on the red couch-like stool, they watched as Drosselmeyer gave Fritz and Clara each a box. Fritz ripped off the green wrapping paper and red bow and tossed them on the floor in a heartbeat! He then jumped to his feet and shouted in joy! He now had a whole new army of tin soldiers! He now had a complete army for his collection!

Clara, on the other hand, was more careful with her paper. She slowly unwrapped the gold wrapping paper and removed the white bow with great care. The box, for some reason, felt warm in her lap. Why? She was not sure. After all, she was not near the fireplace. She decided to ask that for later and as she removed the top, her eyes widened. Inside the box, was a handsome nutcracker! This nutcracker had dark, black hair, a reddish complexion, striking green eyes, a blue coat with gold buttons, and black pants. His black shiny boots and sharp sword at his side was simply remarkable! He looked absolutely astounding.

"W-Wow…what a Nutcracker! I've never seen one like this before," Clara smiled happily, now holding it up! But she gasped as it appeared the Nutcracker winked at her briefly.

"Let me see him!" Fritz said, now snatching the Nutcracker from her hands.

"Give it back! He's mine!" Clara wailed, now grabbing the feet!

"Now stop it! You two that's enough!" Mrs. Stahlbaum ordered, but the two ignored her.

"I just wanna see him! Give it to me!" Fritz yelled.

"NO!" Clara bellowed. But then they heard a crack! Clara's eyes widened in shock as she saw the arm was ripped off! "W-What have you done?!" she screeched, now grabbing the arm from him.

"I-I didn't mean to," Fritz said gently.

"Look what you've done! You've destroyed him! Y-You're terrible!" Clara cried out, now snatching the Nurcracker and cradling it to her chest as tears began to fall.

"Now see what you've done Fritz. Go to your room," Mr. Stahlbaum ordered, now walking up the stairs with his son. Mrs. Stahlbaum was trying to comfort Clara.

"Now now…no sadness here. It will be alright," Drosselmeyer said gently.

"H-He broke it," Clara sobbed out.

"Clara…it was an accident…he didn't mean it," her mother said gently. Clara just turned away, clearly wanting her privacy. Drosselmeyer nodded to her mother, signaling her would keep an eye on her. Mrs. Stahlbaum nodded back and walked up the staircase to check on her son. Drosselmeyer watched her leave and then turned back to Clara, who was bunched up on the couch.

"Now now…don't be miserable child. After all, you were having a wonderful night," Drosselmeyer whispered, now hugging her to him.

"B-But-" Clara started.

"No buts my dear. Now look at the tree. I have something special to show you." He said, now pointing. As Clara turned, the twinkling jewels and ornaments reminded her of stars in the skies. "Those lights are all about the joy inside each child this holiday. Don't let yours go out…Christmas has not even come yet."

"I know but he broke my gift! My beautiful Nutcracker!" Clara sobbed.

"Now calm down…he's a pretty strong solider," Drosselmeyer smiled, now using a nearby ribbon to fix the arm. Clara wiped a few tears and hugged her godfather.

"Thank you Mr. Drosselmeyer…will you please read the Nutcracker to me tonight? My father usually does but he's too tired I guess," she said sadly.

"But of course. Go back upstairs and get it," he encouraged with a smile. The young girl was on her feet in a flash and ran up the stairs. As she went in her room, she placed down the Nutcracker and looked for her book. But to her horror…it was gone.

"No…No! My book! My Nutcracker novel!" Clara cried out, now ripping out every item in the bag searching for her book. But it was no use…it was not there.

Clara fell down to the floor and covered her face in her hands. How could a wonderful night be ending so terribly? Before she could say a word, she felt strong arms lift her. For Drosselmeyer had been waiting for her and when she didn't return, he knew something was wrong.

"Shhhh…shhhh my little sugar plum." He cooed in her ear. All he heard were sobs and brokenhearted crying. "Now now my little Clara; all is not lost…you will feel better after I tell you the story."

"Y-You can't! I don't have my book!" she cried out; her face was pure red with frustration as hot tears continued to fall. "This night is turning awful!"

"Oh now now…I know a thing or two about the story. Now come downstairs with me by the warm fire and let me tell the story," he soothed, now walking back down the spiral staircase with the girl in his arms. Once they were by the cozy fire, Drosselmeyer began to tell the story. He knew that she was also falling asleep.

"Now many, many years ago…there was a prince that had a curse placed on him. He had been transformed into a Nutcracker and was doomed to fight against the accursed Rat King and his army," Drosselmeyer began. As he began to go on, he smiled even more as he saw a shimmer across the floor. He then leaned down towards Clara's ear.

"Hang on my dear…you are about to venture into a brand new adventure," he whispered, now wrapping a blanket around them and hugging her until they both fell asleep on the couch together.

After a few minutes, Clara shifted because she was feeling uncomfortable. But as she turned, she saw that she was alone in the room. Drosselmeyer was gone.

"That's strange. I thought he was just here," she said to herself. But she also noticed something else; the fire had gone out in the fireplace so the room was even darker than before.

"What is going on? I need to find someone to light the fire," she thought, now getting up from the couch. But as she did, she let out a gasp of surprise. The house looked abandoned! Cobwebs were everywhere and the place looked like it hadn't been lived in in years! Clara began to shake and cower; where was she and why was she alone? For the first time that night, Clara felt afraid. Little did she know…that's exactly what an evil force wanted.

"I-I wanna go home," she said, now cowering back on the couch. But she then felt something warm on her lap again. As she looked down, she saw the Nutcracker. She picked him up and hugged him tightly. "At least I have you!"

"And you always will," a deep voice chuckled. Clara's eyes shot open as she looked down and with shaky hands, turned her Nutcracker around. Her eyes got even wider as the Nutcracker smiled at her. "Hello Clara."

"Y-You're alive? But how?!" she asked in surprise.

"Christmas magic young one. I'm pleased to meet you! Prince Jocu at your service," he bowed.

"P-Prince?! Like in the story?!" Clara smiled widely.

"Yes…but only you can help me. I have transformed into a Nutcracker and I want you to help me break this curse," Jocu said.

"I-I can't" Clara said uncertainly.

"Why not?" Jocu asked gently.

"Because I'm not a hero like that other Clara in the real Nutcracker story. I'm just me," Clara said.

"And being you is more than enough. Now are you ready? We are going to have an adventure," Jocu smiled.

"Really? An adventure?!" Clara grinned, but her smile faltered. "But I need your help. I need to find my family. I was here in this house and now it's empty and abandoned!"

"Well…I will explain on the way. In order to face what happened with your family, you must trust me and come on a journey with me," Jocu smiled. "But for this journey, you may call me Nutcracker."

"Alright Nutcracker. Let's go." Clara nodded in a determined manner. Nutcracker snapped his fingers and soon Clara began to shrink down more and more and more. Soon she was approximately his height. She blushed at how handsome he was and he gave her a small hug.

"Let's go!" Nutcracker smiled, now gently taking her hand. But before they jumped off the couch, he paused and gently smelled the air. His eyes then narrowed in frustration. The Nightmare King was near and he was in the same room too.

"Nutcracker look!" Clara said in shock. Nutcracker turned just in time to see a large rat come into view and it had a crown on its head. It was a large black rat and had red eyes that peered into Clara's heart. It then balanced on its' hind legs and laughed outloud.

"Very well then. If we are playing the 'Nutcracker' story nonsense…then allow me to introduce myself. I am Damus…the Rat King!" he laughed out, now showing his sharp teeth. Clara's eyes widened in horror; this was going to definitely be a bit harder than she thought.


guestsurprise: Oh dear guys! The Rat King has made his move!

newbienovelistRD: GASP!