how's it going everyone! Since Christmas is almost here, I decided to do a Christmas story interlude. So...after a hard days work, I now present to you, my humble audience, Interlude; Saving Christmas in Vale.

Hero of Vytal, Interlude; Saving Christmas in Vale

Winter had arrived in Vale, along with a large blanket of snow that covered the land and streets. Today was December twenty-third, one day before Christmas Eve. Dante had aimlessly walked the streets of Vale, went to every shop just to find the perfect gift. Since it was near Christmas, anything good was out of stock. And it was nerve wracking for Dante. He didn't want to screw up.

If I can just find the perfect gift...maybe a necklace? Yeah...I think that'll work. God...what am I saying?! It won't be good enough...

Dante saw a man in an alleyway. From the looks of it, he was homeless.

"Please sir, spare some lien?"

Dante looked in his pockets. He had some lien to spare. He gave the man exactly one hundred lien.

"This...this is..."

"One hundred lien." Said Dante with a smile.

Dante then thought of something. It was freezing cold and the man only wore a shirt. Dante took off his black jacket and handed it to the man.

"It'll keep you really warm. Take care."

"Thank you! Thank you kindly young sir!"

Dante didn't need it. He only wore it to be normal. Since he was who he was, heat and cold wouldn't affect him like other normal people. In fact, Dante felt quite warm. But something was troubling Dante. He felt...an emptiness inside. It felt terrible. But why?


He was not he outskirts of town now. Dante stood on a cliff overlooking all of Vale and Beacon. The falling snow was landing on him.

"So you're him."

Dante turned, looking around.

Where did that come from?

"Down here."

Dante looked down to see something quite peculiar. This person was...small.

"Uh...hi?"

"How ya doing kid?"

Whoever this was, he was small, three feet to be exact. And he wore strange attire. He had red and green striped socks, red shorts with red suspenders, a green long sleeve shirt and a red and white stripped Santa hat. He also had green eyes and pointy ears.

"What the hell?"

"Never seen an elf before have you kid? Heh. You're not the first!"

"An elf? As in... Santa's elf?"

"The one and only." Replied the supposed elf. Dante was trying hard. But he couldn't contain it. He laughed. It was all he could do.

"An elf?! Really?! Bwahahahahahahaha! That's rich!" He stopped laughing taking deep breaths while still chuckling a bit.

"Very funny kid. But believe it or not, I need your help."

"For what? Getting taller? Sorry, but I can't help you there."

"Like I said, funny. Now would just listen for a second?"

Oh well, I guess I'll listen.

"Alright alright. What is it you wanted to say?"

"Alright here's the deal kid. Christmas here in Vale is not gonna be possible believe it or not."

"So what? Christmas is in danger? From what?"

"Nothing major. Problem is, Santa's not gonna be able to make deliveries to Vale this year."

"Santa? As in Santa Claus?"

"The one and only."

"You're joking right?"

"Sadly, no...I'm not joking. Listen kid, Santa is real."

"Really? How real?" Asked Dante sarcastically.

"As real as all the worlds out there." Dante's eyes widened a bit. Did he just say-?


"So let me get this straight...Santa actually exists."

"Yes kid he exists. Believe me now?"

"I gotta say, I wouldn't have believed you if you didn't mention the worlds."

"Well that's how it goes kid. When you work hard to keep yourself hidden, you tend to stay hidden."

Dante and the elf had been riding through the air a while now in a sled...guided by none other than a group of six reindeer. The white haired teen was still finding it hard to believe he was riding in the passenger seat with an elf that works with Santa.

"And why is it that I'm being taken to Santa mr. Elf?"

"The names Alabaster. Alabaster Snowball. Pleasure meeting ya kid."

"So... Alabaster...why does Santa want me there?"

"He has something special planned to help him out with bringing Christmas to Vale."

Great. More plans I'm involved in that I don't know about.


Dante couldn't believe it. The stories he heard as a kid...were true. Santa's workshop, his home. Dante could see elves hard at work making toys and other objects that kids would have wished for Christmas.

"Whats a matter kid? Never seen a toy workshop before?" Asked Alabaster.

"It's just...wow."

"What made you think none of this was real?"

"Oh a whole lot of factors."

"Middle school kids huh?"

"Yup."

"Gotta say, kids these days do know how to dissuade faith."

"So...Santa's in there huh?"

"Just go inside and have a nice little chat with the big guy okay? He's got something special in mind."

Alabaster opened the door as Dante stepped inside. The door closed behind him. He looked ahead to see a chair facing a fireplace, and a man sitting in the chair. He wore a red suit with white cotton on the ends of the sleeves and red pants with cottons at the ends. He wore a red Santa hat with cotton lining and a small cotton ball at the tip of the hat.

"So you've arrived. Excellent. Please...take a seat."

Dante did as he was told and pulled up a wooden chair.

"Uh...good evening sir."

"Please! Don't be so formal! Just call me Santa!"

The man turned around to reveal his face. He was aged. Santa looked like a man of sixty with white hair and a long beard. He was also a little round in the middle. Dante noticed Santa had green eyes.

Wow...the real Santa...

"Uh...hi Santa." Said Dante.

"Dante my boy! How have you been recently?!" Asked Santa.

"Good I guess. And just before you ask, yes. I have been a good boy this year."

"I already knew that Dante. I have been checking my list you know."

"I guess. So...what honor or privilege did I earn to meet you Santa?"

"You see Dante...I need help this time."


"You can't be serious Santa."

"Dante...I believe you are the only one qualified for this job."

"Me? If anything I'm the least qualified!"

"Dante my boy...listen to me. You're already familiar with Vale and its people. I know its your home. And I know that you have goodwill for all. That is why I trust you and think you are more than qualified for this task."

"You think I'm qualified to be Santa for Vale...just because I'm nice and caring?"

"Dante...I know you're perfect for the task. Please...help a poor old man with this burden."

Dante sighed a bit. "Fine. I'll do it. But I'm gonna need some training in using the sleigh and delivering presents and all."

"Splendid my boy! I'll have Alabaster train you immediately!"


"How was the ride kid?"

"That...was like driving a rocket."

"Surprising how fast magic reindeer can go huh?"

"Reindeer? Try monstrosities hooked on super drugs!"

"Ah don't sweat the small stuff. It's always like that the first ride. So...we went over delivering presents and steering the reindeer. What else do we have to go over?" Asked Alabaster.

"Hmmm...don't I need a suit like Santa's?"

"Point taken!" Alabaster whistled as elves rapidly came from all sides and started to work on Dante.

"Hey be careful! Ow! Watch where you're threading! Oh no! No no no no no no n-ow! Dammit that hurt!"

"Aaaaannnnnnnddddd done!" The elves stepped back as they examined their work.

"Kid, you look great!" Said Alabaster. Dante examined his new Christmassy attire. He looked like Santa Claus. Minus the beard, old age and largeness in the middle. If anything...he was the more...attractive version of Santa. Dante adjusted his Santa hat to hang from the left side of his head a little bit. He adjusted his black gloves and moved his shoulders around a bit to loosen up the tightness of the suit. It was...comfortable to say at most.

"Great! Not only do you look the part, but you're ready! Remember kid, you gotta be quick."

"Thanks for the help Alabaster. Couldn't have done it without you." Said Dante.


It was December twenty fourth, nearly nine at night. Dante stood outside in the blistering cold snow as the elves were loading up the sleigh with the large bag of presents. Alabaster approached.

"You ready for the big night kid?"

"How does Santa do this? How does he manage every single year?"

"I don't know kid. What I'm thinking is its the big guys good intent for all that keeps driving him."

"And he thinks I have that good intent inside me?"

"Seems that way."

"Heh. Trust me Alabaster. If Santa really knew me, I think he might have reconsidered his choice."

"Kid...I gotta spill the beans here. Santa knows."

"What?"

"He knows of your past kid. And trust me...the stuff Santa and I have seen in your previous life are enough to make anyone go crazy. But in all that craziness he saw a light in you. And that's why your his favorite and at the top of his list, number one in fact. He also knows why you kinda dislike Christmas." Dante sighed, recalling a memory from his past.

"Christmas is when it happened, huh kid?"

"Yeah...its kinda funny how the one day of the year, where you're supposed to get something, you get everything taken away from you. Ironic if we can put it that way."

"But things are different."

"Things are different Alabaster. Now that Santa's depending on me, I simply can't turn him down. Besides...being Santa for a day! Who wouldn't want to do that!" Alabaster chuckled.

"Alright, it's time. Good luck kid!" Dante jumped into the sleigh as he got ready for take off.

"Here we go."


Midnight. Dante had been jumping from house to house delivering presents and eating and drinking the cookies and milk the families made. And then there was the happening. Dante had entered one of the homes through a chimney silently. He left behind the presents for the family of four. A nice watch for the father, a nice set of kitchen ware the mother wished for, a set of baseball gear for the son, and a cute doll for the girl. But that was the problem. The girl. Dante had seen many Christmas movies in his life before coming to Vale. And in all the movies he's seen, there was always that one, small boy or girl that happened to be awake at the hour. And in Dante's case, it was the little girl. As Dante was finished with putting the doll under the tree, he heard a voice.

"Santa? Is that you?"

Oh damn.

Dante turned around slowly, facing the girl.

"You look younger Santa."

"Uh..."

"You're not Santa are you?"

Does this girl know everything?

"No."

"I thought as much. Santa's supposed to be a little bit bigger. Are you a robber?"

"A robber? No. I'm Santa's helper."

Dante picked up the small girl and sat her on his knees.

"You see little girl, Santa was really busy this year. And he couldn't really make it to Vale this year. So, nice as he is, he called me and asked me to be his helper this year."

"And you're basically Santa this year?"

"That's right."

"So, Santa...was I a good girl this year?"

"Yes you were. That's why..."

Dante pulled the wrapped doll from under the tree and handed it to the girl.

"You get this. Merry Christmas."

"Thank you Santa."

"You're welcome. Now, run along."

The girl got on her feet and walked back to her room.

Well that went well.


Dante was really starting to hate his life. He only covered three fourths of homes in Vale with presents, and he had more to go. The reason he was mad was he was trying to break Santa's record for delivery time, but it was proving to be difficult delivering presents at Beacon. Especially when it came to his teams. Dante had successfully delivered presents there, but almost risked getting caught by Ruby, who stirred a bit.

Well that was close.

"What are you doing at this hour?" Dante had jumped at the sound of his voice.

"P-professor Ozpin!"

"Would you care to explain your attire as well as why you are prowling around the school at night?"

"Uh...well...you see-"

"Playing Santa for them I see. Did you deliver all the presents?"

"Pretty much. Oh! That reminds me!"Dante searched in the near empty sack and pulled out a small wrapped box.

"Merry Christmas sir."

"Merry Christmas Dante. Keep up the good work. And do give my regards to mr. Claus if you will."

"Should I even ask how you know?"

"No."

"I thought as much. See you tomorrow morning professor Ozpin." Dante ran off towards the sleigh, full speed ahead.


Before he knew it, the white haired teen was back at Santa's workshop, exhausted beyond belief. The reindeer stopped in place on the landing zone, Alabaster waiting on the side.

"Congratulations kid! You beat Santa's record by an hour!"

"An hour?! Well...sweet!"

"I know! The big guy himself is gonna be back soon, but he left something for you."

"For me?"

"He said to think of it as a thank you for the help. Well...go on in kid."

Dante stepped inside Santa's workshop, still dressed in his Santa clothes. The elves inside the workshop all applauded a smiling Dante as he walked towards the office. He opened the door and stepped inside, shutting the door behind him.

"Santa?" No answer. He took slow steps forward, looking around the wonderfully decorated walls and furniture. The fireplace was flickering with fire, cinders popping.

"Santa?" Dante called once more. Still no response. No ones here. Wait... Dante saw something on his desk. A letter. Dante took up the letter and read it.

My dear boy Dante,

First, I would like to congratulate you on beating my record for delivering presents in a world! It's the first time that's happened! Second, I would like to take the time to thank you for sacrificing your time to help an old man with a task as great as this. Not just anyone can come and achieve so much in little time. I knew I made the right choice selecting you. And as such, I left a little gift for you. Merry Christmas Dante.

Until we meet again,
Santa Claus

Dante felt...strange. He felt a warmth in his heart. He smiled as he pocketed the letter and went for the present. It was small really. But it didn't matter. This was a personal gift from Santa. He slowly unwrapped the the present and opened the small container. It was strange. The object was a white gem. Dante examined it. Wait, the way it's shaped... the white haired teen went over to where he left his weapon in its sheath. He removed his blade from its sheath and examined the area where his trigger mechanism was. He clicked the trigger four times as a side panel opened up. I guessed as much. He could see the inner workings of his blade. With that, Dante inserted the gem inside his blade as the gem melted away. The white haired teen closed the small side panel and clicked the trigger mechanism. Instead of the usual black current of energy, the blade emitted a white current of energy.

Wow...

"Magnificent isn't it?" Said a voice. Dante turned to see who it was.

"Santa...what is it?" Asked the teen.

"A special property. The only one in existence."

"And you're giving it to me?"

"Only you are worthy enough. Now, here's something else." Santa stepped down from the stairs and approached Dante with a rectangular case.

"Now don't open it quite yet. It's for someone else."

"Did I miss someone?!"

"No dear boy! No! This is for you to give to someone."

"To give to someone?"

"Yes. You choose who you want to give it to. Listen my boy, I understand why you were reluctant at first in helping." Dante looked away from Santa.

"So you know..."

"Dante, you need not blame yourself or anyone for what happened that night."

"Then who should I Santa? I know what happened. I don't know who did it though."

"Dante...you have friends now. A family. Forget the past and focus on the future."

"If only it were easy." Dante turned around and smiled.

"Thanks for everything Santa. Just let me know if you need help next year okay?"

"Will do my boy. Merry Christmas Dante." "Merry Christmas Santa. Oh, and professor, Ozpin gives his regards." Dante left the office as Santa smiled.

That Ozpin...always causing some sort of trouble...


He was back in Vale, dressed in his everyday clothes in the falling snow. It was three in the morning. The sun was to rise three hours from now. Dante was on the cliffs once more, the exact same spot where he met Alabaster. It was beautiful. All of it. It was almost like a dream. A dream he never wanted to end. A dream that he can have and cherish forever. Friends...people he could call family. Something he never had growing up. Along with this joy, he felt fear. His one and only fear was losing all that. Nothing else. He smiled. The only way to prevent that, is to get stronger than I am now. He headed off the cliffs back to his dorm...his home.

It was Christmas morning and everyone was enjoying breakfast. Dante had managed to sneak back inside his room earlier in the morning, without waking up Jaune and Ren, and managed to hide away his Santa suit in his closet. He slowly picked at his pancakes while both teams were eating, singing, and being happy. It made Dante happy. He quickly took a glance at Ruby, who was laughing at one of Yang's jokes and looked away before she could notice. The white haired teen then remembered the words of Santa Claus.

You choose who you want to give it to.

It still was itching Dante's brain, what could possibly be in the box?

He said to give it to who I want. So...when the times right...I'll give it. But for now, I'm gonna enjoy Christmas. He took a glance at all his teammates with a smile.

With my family.


"So we made the right choice by giving it to him Santa?"

"Alabaster...it has long been gone from the worlds. It was about time to pass it on to someone."

"The kid though? Santa, he's only sixteen! You really think he has a chance? Against him?!"

"Look around you Alabaster! The worlds are changing! People are changing! If there is to be hope for the future, then it must be Dante to help create it and usher it along!"

"So we're basically doomed if we don't have Dante?"

"Precisely. Others are gathering Alabaster. Now, it's up to him. It has always been up to Dante."

Interlude...end...

So yeah, that was my interlude. Sorry if its not good, I only did this today. When I can, I'll start working on the next chapter and have it released Thursday or Friday. Until then, thank you for viewing.