The Splatalot moat was indeed mysterious. No one really knew for sure what on earth made it so murky. It was once said that it was composed of old hot dog water, but that was just a rumor. What exactly lived in it was more determinable. Crocness and her relatives resided in it. Whether or not they're the only residents of the moat is another question, however.

But one thing everyone knew for sure: the moat was hecka cold. And it was even colder in the winter. That's why, on this particular day, Crocness was busy moving some of her stuff from her underwater lair to inside the castle.

This was the time of year that the moat would constantly freeze. The water monster didn't want to be trapped below the waters when that happened, so she would be living inside the castle until spring.

Each Defender had their own place inside and outside the castle. All year round, to make sure the castle was ready to be defended at all times, the Defenders would take turns spending the night in the fortress. The green Defenders spent the night in the castle more during the winter than any other season of the year. Skabb's cave could get pretty cold, so he'd be staying inside the castle more than usual. Kook's nest wasn't prone to freezing, but he preferred spending the Christmas season in the castle, especially after it was decorated.

At twelve o' clock, just as it began to snow, Crocness emerged from the depths of the murky moat waters, a small suitcase in her hands. She shivered slightly, then climbed up on top of the snow-covered Finishing Platform. She brushed a few water droplets and snow off of her, then marched inside the castle.

The water monster carried her suitcase to the hallway containing the green Defenders' rooms. She walked past Kook's, then Skabb's, then arrived at hers. She clasped the handle, turned it, pushed the door open, then entered.

Inside her dimly-lit room, there was a small, dark green-colored bed, some moss and mushrooms growing along the brick walls and tiled floor, and a built-in, heated swimming pool. After taking in her surroundings, Crocness tossed her suitcase onto a carpet of green moss. She then turned on her heels and walked out the doorway.

As Crocness was shutting the door to her room, one of her comrades walked into the hall. Crocness didn't bother to look up; she already knew who it was. She could tell just by their scent.

"G'day, Ballista," Crocness said.

"Hello, Crocness," the kilted huntress replied, crossing her arms. "Just finished moving in?"

"Just about," Crocness chimed, nodding.

Ballista looked over the half-human, half-reptile. She smirked. "You should really consider wearing a coat or something, Croc. It'd keep you warmer, and maybe make you look better."

The water monster looked up at the huntress, her eyes flashing angrily. "How would you like it if I made you look like a red-nosed-reindeer?"

Ballista ignored Crocness's threat, then unfolded her arms. "Seriously, though. I'd keep warm if I were you. You could get sick if you're not careful. You'd be the first to catch something since you're cold-blooded."

"I'll worry about myself," Crocness replied. "I don't need a coat."

"Suit yourself," Ballista said, shrugging.

Crocness looked down at her boots. She lifted one and turned it back and forth a bit. "I do need some new boots, though. These are getting worn out."

Ballista looked at the reptile's boots with a careful eye. Before the blonde archer could say anything, the two ladies heard a very loud shout and pounding sounds approaching them. Crocness and Ballista covered their ears just as Skabb bounded into the hallway and ran towards them.

"CROCNESS! BALLISTA!"

"SKABB!" Ballista screamed back. "Inside voice! Please!"

"We're decoarating the castle!" Skabb said continued, not as loud as before. "Are you gonna help out or what?"

"Duh, of course!" Ballista replied.

Suddenly excited, Crocness smiled and nodded.

"Then come on!" Skabb cried, gesturing towards the end of the hallway. "Out in the courtyard! Everyone's waiting!"

***

The Defenders split into three groups. Kook, Crocness, and Knightriss would be decorating the moat, Tinkor, Ballista, and Skabb would be decorating the castle and the Stockade, and Shaiden, Thorne, and Gildar would be decorating the courtyard.

After about three hours of climbing, hanging, stretching, fetching, slipping, taunting, and slight arguing had passed, the Defenders were done. The castle was completely decorated, and the warriors of the kingdom were ready to make sure everything looked perfect. Because it was part of their tradition, they viewed the moat first.

The moat was...well, actually, pretty. Crocness had installed some lights that changed colors beneath the moat's murky surface. Over both the Starting Platform and the Finishing Platform were rows of blue, light-up snowflakes. Each of the Baffling Barrels had a wreath hung on them. The Slippery Slope was wrapped with colored lights and a green garland ornamented with bright red holly berries. The Mace Roll's spikes had been replaced with ones that lit up and blinked. A row of decorative, lighted candy canes stretched across the edge of the top of the Beastly Battle Axes. Both the Splatzooka and the Water Cannon were wrapped with colored lights. The Rope Bridge of Disaster was decorated with green garlands, and the Perilous Pole vault was wrapped with a red and white garland and topped with a red bow.

The Defenders commented how great the moat looked, then walked over to the Stockade. While they made their way over there, they observed the castle. It was completely outlined with red, green, orange, blue, pink, purple, and white lights, and some of them twinkled.

The Stockade gleamed with thousands of mini white lights. They covered the entire top of the Stockade like a spider's web. Lighted, blue icicles surrounded the edges of the Pardoning Platform. Green garlands with more mini white lights fell down in front of the purple railings. After the Defenders finished marveling over the Stockade, they headed towards the courtyard.

The courtyard looked like a winter wonderland. Snow was everywhere, and the two siblings and the viking had covered the walls with blue lights. The Titanic Teeter Totters were wrapped with light blue garlands. The Barrier of All Barriers had a layer of glassy ice frozen around it. The Bouncy Bouys were wrapped with blinking blue lights. The murky pools and the Water Wall had been frozen into crystal-clear sheets of ice. Up at the top of the Water Wall, the crown was illuminated with a circle of ice blue lights.

"Well done, Defenders!" Knightriss cried, clapping. "The castle looks wonderful!"

As the rest of the Defenders agreed, the leader rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Now all we need is a tree..."