And so, the next day...
Cindy Lou put on her coat and got ready with her new friends as they shared breakfast to go and find someone who could tell them about the Grinch.
"Alright... So we need to find someone who knows about the Grinch's past," LJ explained. "But who would know about it?"
"I'm wondering that myself." Akito nodded in agreement.
Euchariah's grandmother was soon making sure he was nice and bundled up since it was chilly outside today, being winter and all.
"Well, there's nothing else we can do but head out and start asking around." LJ replied.
"Guys! Wait for me!" Euchariah called out as he waddled like a penguin due to how much clothes his grandmother made him wear, and he soon fell in the snow face-first. "Oh, no!"
LJ rolled his eyes, then went back and propped him up. "C'mon..."
"Grandma Mariah overdoes it every winter..." Euchariah muttered as he pulled his scarf down.
Mariah waved as her grandson went with his friends to go and begin to ask around about the Grinch.
It seemed to take a while, but they were soon told to go and see two sisters by the names of Clarnella and Rose.
"Yes, we were wondering what you could tell us about the Grinch?" LJ asked, holding a tape recorder. "What was he like before he became so mean?"
"Oh, do come inside, dears." The sisters told them, inviting the kids into the house.
"In your own words, please tell us everything you know about the Grinch," Cindy Lou said as they sat down and took off their coats. "Where did he come from?"
"Oh, well... He came the way all Who babies come from." Carnella smiled.
"That tells me nothing." LJ replied.
"LJ..." Estelle nudged before smiling. "Keep going, please?"
"On calm nights, baby Who girls and tiny Who fellas drift from the sky in their own pumbersellas." Clarnella continued happily.
"Ohh... So that's how it works." Cindy Lou commented as she had learned where babies came from.
"Mm-hmm... It was Christmas Eve and a strange wind blew that night." Clarnella nodded.
"Everyone's got their own way, I suppose..." LJ shrugged.
"You mean like Cosmo and Wanda and how Baby Poof was born from-" Vincent spoke up.
"A wish, sure," LJ replied. "Personally, I saw it as a cheap stunt to bring up the ratings. If anything, Poof was a walking plot device."
"We were having our annual holiday get-together," Carnella continued. "It was morning before anybody realized that he was out there, the poor dear, but you know what? We knew right away that he was special."
"Other than the green fur?" LJ asked.
"Yes, other than the green fur, dear." Clarnella nodded.
"Oh, he was a wonderful... Whatever he was," Rose added. "And we raised him like any other Who child with a deep love of Christmas."
"I guess he had his own way of expressing holiday cheer..." LJ commented.
"Doesn't everyone?" Rose replied.
"Yeah, I suppose that's true." Zofia had to admit.
They were now interviewing the lady from next door.
"The Grinch...?" Martha asked. "He had no sense of color coordination. Although, I hardly remember him. I didn't have time to socialize. I was far too busy with my... Studies."
LJ smirked. "I'm sure."
The other kids glanced to each other as they had a sneaking suspicion about Martha's relationship with the Grinch.
"And if the truth be told, he, um, liked Martha," Mayor May Who said as he was interviewed next. "Martha was my girlfriend. I don't like discussing this Grinch so very close to Christmas, but maybe if you hear the truth, you'll understand why," he then glared down to his personal lackey who was polishing his shoes. "Put your back into it!" he then looked back over to the kids. "I tried to take him under my wing."
"Somehow I doubt that..." LJ muttered.
Akito seemed to agree with LJ as this mayor seemed more like a bully than a respected man.
"He had hair. Not pleasant," Mayor May Who continued. "He shed. Not right."
The kids all shot glances at each other.
"Did I have a crush on the Grinch?" Martha chuckled innocently. "Well, of course not."
"Uh, we didn't ask you that." Cindy replied.
"Oh... Right..." Martha said.
LJ's smirk grew wider. "Hel-lo, blackmail..." he whispered under his breath.
"For some reason, when he came home that day, he really got into the Christmas spirit." Clarnella smiled.
"Yeah, I can imagine why." LJ commented.
The story seemed to go well about how the young Grinch was excited about Christmas so he could impress Martha May, but it seemed to go downhill when he remembered what the young Mayor May Who said and he shaved himself so he would look like the others, but he only ended up becoming a laughing stock which angered him about his classmates and about the winter holiday in general.
"Lemme guess; he Hulked out and trashed the place next." LJ replied.
"I'm not sure what 'Hulking Out' is, but pretty much," Mayor May Who replied. "The anger..."
"The fury." The mayor's lackey added.
"The muscles~..." Martha seemed to gush. "It was a horrible day when they were so cruel to him. And... I could hardly bear it."
"Boy... That's gotta suck." LJ replied, feeling sad about the turn of events.
The other kids felt bad as that sounded very depressing for the Grinch.
"And that was the last time we ever saw him..." Martha sighed. "The very last time."
"I see... Thank you for your time." LJ sighed, as they left.
Cindy Lou stared into space as they began to leave.
"Well, now we know more about the Grinch, just like you wanted, Cindy Lou." Euchariah smiled bashfully to his friend.
"Yeah, we have the info... But whaddo we do with it?" LJ retorted.
"Hmm... Surely there's something..." Estelle replied.
They soon took a look above and saw Mount Crumpit not too far away as it made them curious of the Grinch.
"He must be so lonely up there." Zofia frowned.
"Maybe..." LJ replied.
"Well, we better get ready for the Whobiliation." Euchariah suggested.
"So that's like some sort of Christmas parade?" LJ asked.
"Yes, it's a very important tradition," Cindy Lou nodded. "We share gifts, prizes, and games with each other."
"Oh... Thanks for letting me know..." LJ replied. "I'm not exactly one for noisy gatherings..."
"Hm... I wish there was something I could do for you," Cindy Lou replied. "Euchariah, would you keep him company?"
"Oh! Uh... Um... I could..." Euchariah blushed. "Are you going to the Whobiliation though?"
"I'm sure I might have to, but you should help LJ, you don't like the noise either." Cindy Lou suggested to him with a small smile.
"Alright, I suppose we're in the same boat." LJ sighed.
"Thank you all so much for your help by the way," Cindy Lou said. "It's nice to have some friends agree with me about the Grinch."
"Hey, no problem!" LJ replied.
They soon went over to Cindy Lou's house while Euchariah went home as they looked over to Mount Crumpit one last time.
"Well... What now?" asked LJ.
"You can go with Euchariah and his family, I guess," Cindy Lou said. "I kind of have to go to this party. It's important to my family."
"Alright... I'll catch up with you afterwards." LJ shrugged.
"I'm really sorry," Cindy Lou replied. "I'd stay with you if I could. Really."
"It's cool." LJ replied.
Cindy Lou then went to get ready.
"I guess we should get ready too..." Akito said before taking out a magic wand that he borrowed from his father.
"Well... Good luck, you guys," LJ replied, following after Euchariah.
They waved to him as they decided to participate in the Whobiliation.
Euchariah sighed to himself as he had a hard time talking with Cindy Lou again which depressed him a little.
"Problem, Euch?" LJ asked.
"Huh? Oh! Um, hi..." Euchariah replied. "Just trying to get home to my grandparents."
"Fair enough." LJ said.
Euchariah soon hung up his coat, hat, and scarf, and wiped the fog off of his glasses once he came inside with LJ. There were two young Who girls on the floor, playing with dolls while the elderly couple who were their grandparents were wandering around the house as it was about time for the Whobiliation.
"Alright... All we gotta do is wait it out..." LJ decided.
Euchariah nodded before looking to his sisters. "Hi, girls."
"Hi, Euchariah." The young Who girls piped up.
"Hello. Name's LJ." LJ introduced.
"Our names are Obediah and Bethiah." The Who girls spoke together.
"I'm sensing a theme here." LJ commented.
"What ever do you mean?" Obediah and Bethiah asked.
LJ just gave a deadpan gaze and then shrugged it off. Josiah and Mariah soon came inside to see their grandchildren.
"This is gonna take a while..." LJ sighed.
"Hello, dear, would you maybe like some cookies and hot chocolate?" Mariah asked LJ.
"Um... Thanks," LJ replied. "But no thanks on the cookies."
"All right..." Mariah smiled as she handed him a cup of fresh hot chocolate. "I just put some in the oven for the other kids."
"Thank you, Grandmother." Euchariah said to her.
"Thanks, ma'am." LJ replied.
"My pleasure," Mariah smiled. "Any friend of Euchariah's is a friend of the family's. Especially that cute little Cindy Lou."
Euchariah then blushed as his sisters seemed to giggle about Cindy Lou Who. LJ smirked warmly.
"Where is she now?" Mariah then asked.
"Erm... She's at the Whobiliation with her family." Euchariah told his grandmother.
"Oh... You should invite her over sometime," Mariah replied. "I think she likes you."
"Yeah, now there's an idea!" LJ agreed.
"Oh! Uh... Well... Maybe when she gets back..." Euchariah blushed about seeing Cindy Lou.
"Hey, alright." LJ smirked.
Euchariah rubbed his arm shyly.
"You have that look in ya, son..." Josiah said to his grandson. "I had the same look when I first met your grandmother."
"Huh? W-Whatya mean?" Euchariah blushed.
"He means you like Cindy Lou!" LJ replied.
"Uh! She's just a friend! Really! Th-Th-That's all!" Euchariah blushed and shook nervously. "I've known her since Kindergarten!"
"Ah... That's how it starts," LJ replied. "And it grows, and grows from that."
Euchariah blushed and shuffled his foot.
"You got a special lady, son?" Josiah asked LJ then.
"Nah... I just know how my dad felt when he met my mom." LJ replied.
"I see... Well, you'll meet someone special soon enough..." Josiah smiled. "I'm just glad you kids are safe from the Grinch."
"Now, now, Josiah, he was raised by Clarnella and Rose," Mariah told her husband. "You know that they're my good friends."
"Oh. Thanks..." LJ shrugged.
Meanwhile, with the others...
Akito, Estelle, Vincent, and Zofia were all dressed up for the celebration as they went to join the other Whos in the celebration. Cindy Lou was walking with her father and older brothers as they joined their town in the Whobiliation which would of course annoy the Grinch all the way in his own home. And it was one hell of a ruckus, whatnot with all the celebrating and instruments.
"Dad?" Cindy Lou called.
"Yeah?" Lou replied.
"I've been thinking about this whole Whobiliation."
"Uh-huh?"
"I may do something drastic."
"That's fine, dear, ask your mother."
"Where is Cindy's mom anyway?" Akito wondered.
"Probably at home, trying to one-up Martha May." commented Vincent.
"Honey!" Betty's voice called out.
"There she is." Akito and Estelle concluded in unison.
"Honey, hi! Oh, look!" Betty smiled as she rushed over with a traffic light. "Look, I just found the cutest light for my Christmas display."
"That's a traffic light; she does notice that, right?" asked Akito.
There were then the sounds of car crashes which made the others shudder slightly in a scare.
"Hurry up, we're gonna be late. Come on." Betty told the others.
And the kids followed behind. Music played as they soon gathered all around. The Mayor took his place while Martha was escorted on stage in her very special Christmas outfit.
"And now, the nominations for that Who among us who best typifies the qualities of Who-dom and Who-dery: The Whoville Holiday Cheermeister!" Mayor May Who announced.
Then everyone started paying attention.
"Do I hear a nomination?" Mayor May Who smirked to his citizens.
"I nominate the Grinch!" Cindy Lou called out.
At that, everyone turned and gasped in shock.
"The Grinch?" Some of the Whos muttered to each other.
"My, my, my..." Mayor May Who chuckled. "What an altruistic daughter you have there, Lou."
"Thank you." Lou smiled nervously.
"They'll never approve of it..." LJ groaned, watching the events unfold on TV.
"She's so brave." Euchariah whispered about Cindy Lou.
"Kid has guts, I'll say that much." LJ replied.
"Cindy?!" Mayor May Who called, gesturing for the girl to come see him at once.
Cindy Lou looked around as the other Whos looked at her for mentioning the Grinch like she had.
"Let me quote a verse from the Book of Who," The Mayor said to her. "'The term Grinchy shall apply when the Christmas spirit is in short supply'. Now, I ask you, does that sound like our Holiday Cheermiester?"
"True, Mr. Mayor Who, but the Book of Who says this too," Cindy Lou replied. "'No matter how different a Who may appear, he will always be welcomed with holiday cheer'."
"HA! Roasted!" LJ retorted.
"Well, yes, but the book also says 'The award cannot go to the Grinch, because, uh, sometimes things get a lead pipe cinch'." Mayor May Who replied.
"I think you just made that up, sir." Akito replied.
"No, no, no, it does." Mayor May Who told him.
"What page?" Cindy Lou smirked.
"He made that up," Vincent replied. "He's just lying through his teeth."
Mayor May Who looked nervous as he held the book close so that none of them could see it, but assured everyone that what he said was true, when clearly, it was not.
"But the book does say, 'The Cheermiester is the one who deserves a back-slap or a toast, and it goes to the soul at Christmas who needs it the most', and I believe that soul is the Grinch," Cindy Lou replied before turning around to the other citizens. "And if you're the Whos I hope you are, you will too."
"That's tellin' em!" Vincent smirked.
The other Whos began to agree with Cindy.
"Way to go, Cindy!" Estelle smiled.
Everyone else soon applauded and agreed with her since she knew about the rules.
"Fine... Fine..." Mayor May Who sighed. "If you people want to waste a perfectly good nomination, why, it's up to you, but I am telling you, the Grinch will never come down!"
"And when he doesn't the mayor will get the crown!" His lackey quickly added in.
"Well, more or less." Mayor May Who replied boastfully.
"Yeah? Well, we'll see about that." LJ snorted.
Euchariah wasn't so sure, but he just hoped that Cindy was right. He always believed in her most of all than everyone else, especially when it came to her family. Everyone then went back to celebrating while Cindy Lou glanced up at Mount Crumpit as she decided that she had to go and see the Grinch for herself.
LJ sighed. "I got a feeling this is gonna result in a trip up Mt. Crumpit..." he stated.
"S-S-Should we go then?" Euchariah asked him.
"Of course! She's our friend, and we must stick by a friend when they need us!" LJ replied.
Euchariah then nodded and they soon went out the door. Cindy Lou was sneaking away from the other Whos as they sang their song while she made her way to the mountain.
"Alright..." LJ panted. "You'd think he would have another way of getting up the mountain..."
"Yeah... Couldn't he have installed an elevator or something?" Vincent added.
"Aw, come on, guys, exercise is good for ya." Akito replied as he had no trouble.
"Well, maybe he has something like a secret tunnel system...or some kind of super-tube?" LJ suggested.
"Your guess is as good as mine." Akito said.
"I feel like we're missing something we saw earlier that could've been more helpful than climbing." Zofia commented.
"No kidding..." LJ replied before they made it to the top.
"Well, here we are." Zofia said.
"Mount Crumpit." Vincent added.
"I think I found the door." Cindy Lou told the others.
"Alright then... Let's head on in!" LJ replied.
Cindy Lou knocked on the door a while. "Mr. Grinch? Mr. Grinch!" she then called out, but she didn't seem to get an answer.
"Okay, he isn't home, we should go." Euchariah said nervously, about to walk away.
"Ahp-bup-bup!" LJ announced, stopping him. "Sounds like... Giant cymbals crashing..."
"That's weird..." Estelle commented. "I wonder what's going on in there?"
"I'm afraid to find out." Euchariah shivered.
And so they went further into the cave... And saw the Grinch, getting his head bashed by a giant cymbal-playing monkey. The kids stood close together as they came to see the tall green man.
"Excuse me?" Cindy Lou called, tapping him to get his attention.
The Grinch soon stood straight up and made the cymbals go against each other which seemed to short-circuit the monkey. He soon took a look over below him to see the children. "Hello... Little ones..." he said softly before glaring at them dramatically. "How dare you enter the Grinch's lair?! The impudence! The audacity! The unmitigated gall! You called down the thunder, now get ready for the boom! Gaze into the face of fear..." he then smirked to them. "Booga Booga Booga!"
"You're almost as scary as The Riddler." Akito deadpanned.
LJ chuckled.
"Mr. Grinch, my name is Cindy Lou Who," Cindy began as she spoke to the green man. "These are my friends, Akito, Estelle, and Vincent Fudo, Zofia and Lionel Schwartz Jr, and Euchariah Who."
"You see?" The Grinch grinned. "Even now, the terror is welling up inside you all."
"I'm not scared." Cindy Lou shook her head.
"I'm mostly amused!" LJ added.
"Denial is to be expected in the face of pure evil..." The Grinch replied before he seemed to snarl at them.
"I don't think so." Estelle replied.
"Doubt!" The Grinch remarked. "Another unmistakable sign of the heebie-jeebies! Now you're doomed!" he then brought out a white T-Shirt and began to growl and tear it off to scare them away.
"Oh, no, you ripped your only piece of clothing..." LJ sighed. "Let's just cut to the chase here, explain why we came up here."
"Kids today... So desensitized by movies and television," The Grinch muttered to the fourth wall before shouting, "WHAT DO YOU WANT?!"
"Mr. Grinch, we came to invite you to be Holiday Cheermeister." Cindy Lou smiled, taking out an invitation.
"Yeah. Dunno if you'd wanna come, even though Martha May will be there," LJ added. "From what I saw, she seemed eager to see you again."
The Grinch seemed interested at the mention of Martha May Whovier.
"Not to mention you'll always get an award." Akito added.
"Oh... Is that right?" The Grinch replied. "So, Martha May will see me as a winner?"
"Yup! And she's gonna be crazy about ya; even moreso than usual!" LJ embellished.
"She'll be on me like fleegle flies on a flat-faced floogle horse," The Grinch replied. "Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you, Martha baby, but the G-Train has left the station!"
"So, will you come?" Zofia asked.
The Grinch looked to them before shrugging. "Oh, all right."
"Oh, yeah!" LJ cheered. "See you there!"
"I don't know if it's that adorable twinkle in your eyes, or that nonconformist streak, that reminds me of a younger, less hairy me, but you've convinced me," The Grinch smiled as he took them to the door and stepped back. "Who knows? This Whobiliation could change my entire outlook on life!"
"Really?" The kids asked.
"No." The Grinch replied before pulling down the string to send them through a trapdoor.
"YA-HOO-HOO-OOOEY!" LJ yelled as they went down.
The invitation seemed to be left behind as they were sent in through a chute and it seemed like a ride.
"This is like something out of an amusement park!" Vincent beamed.
"You mean like at Universal Studios?" Zofia smirked innocently.
"Sis... No. Just... No," LJ replied. "The Cat in the Hat movie did that lame joke, and it sucked."
"Ah, people just don't get my sense of humor sometimes." Zofia replied.
"That movie was awful, and you know it!" LJ retorted. "And self-promotion isn't humor, it's money-grubbing."
"Yeah... The only thing I can admire was that The Cat in the Hat was the first book Mike Myers ever read and then he got to play the cat..." Zofia commented.
"Oddly enough, Tim Allen was originally supposed to play him, but he declined because it terrified him." LJ replied.
"I'll take Tim Allen in Home Improvement or The Santa Clause, thank you." Zofia said.
"Or as Buzz Lightyear." LJ added, as they shot out from the exit hole and into the snow.
Cindy Lou giggled a bit as that was kind of fun.
"There you are, honey!" Lou called out to his daughter as he rushed to her. "You can make snow angels with your new friends later. We can't be late for the Whobiliation."
"I have a feeling it'll be something memorable..." LJ smirked.
"You said it, buddy." Akito agreed.
They soon walked along as they went to get to the Whobiliation as no one seemed to notice they were gone very long.
"It's a big crowd..." LJ shrugged. "Nobody would notice a few kids missing."
"Come on then." Cindy Lou said as she took Euchariah's hand which made him blush.
"Uh,... Y-Y-Yeah..." Euchariah replied.
The other kids then followed behind.
