Dudley rolled around in a snowbank making snow angels with Kitty while Jeremiah and Iris made snow forts. It was a chilly day and snow was drifting down and making everything white. Still the sounds of carols rang through the air and everyone seemed extra cheery.
"Hey Jeremiah, you want to make some snow angels?", Dudley asked as Jeremiah finished his snow fort.
Jeremiah looked kind of down.
"You okay?", Kitty asked as she and Dudley came over.
"I'm just thinking about Caleb and everyone down below.", Jeremiah stated, " We don't normally visit them this time of the year."
Dudley remembered Caleb and the undesirables who lived below the sewer system all right.
"Jeremiah, I'm sure they'll be fine.", Iris assured him( she came over when she was done), "Hey, why don't we go visit?"
Jeremiah looked better right away.
"First thing tomorrow?", he suggested, "We still got the errands we got earlier today to get done."
Dudley and Kitty both nodded. Earlier that day, Dark Wolf and Herbert sent them out for some last minute Christmas shopping. Kitty took the list she and Dudley had and read off the items on the list.
"Lights, fruitcake, dinner plates, plastic utensils, gingerbread dough, sprinkles, and holiday spices."
"Yep, it's all there in the trunk.", Dudley informed.
Kitty put the list away and saw Jeremiah and Iris put theirs away too.
"We got our items.", Jeremiah stated, "Did you get yours?"
"I believe we did.", Kitty said as the foursome made their way to the Tuffmobile parked in the snow covered lot.
Once they got there, Dudley checked the trunk while Kitty read the list again.
"Yep, it's all there.", Dudley informed as he closed the trunk again.
"What's all this for?", Jeremiah asked.
"We're throwing a Christmas party this weekend at TUFF.", Kitty explained, "We really like this time of year."
"I can tell.", Iris stated clearly.
Dudley and Kitty got in the car as Jeremiah got his cycle out which he and Iris got on to. With a roar of ignition and a little spin in the slick snow, both vehicles took off with snow still falling from the clouds overhead.
TUFF was all decked for the holiday. Wreaths were hung, the tree was brought in and the decorations were just getting put on. Keswick helped with the lights while everyone else got the hot coco and marshmallows. Herbert observed the whole thing and held a tiny clipboard with a check list on.
"Wreaths are hung, food getting placed, hot coco heating up and now we just wait for Agents Katswell and Puppy with the stuff they have and we're set.", he muttered to himself.
At that moment, Dudley and Kitty came in and set the bags of stuff they brought in on the ground and started helping with setting up everything. Herbert saw they were busy so he hopped into his office for some other stuff they needed. Dudley and Kitty ran into Keswick who was just finishing setting up the lights.
"Well, that looks like everything.", Keswick stated clearly( he was wearing his collar).
"Yep, sure does.", Dudley agreed, "So when's the party starting?"
"Agent Puppy, the party isn't til Saturday.", Keswick said, "Didn't you read the memo?"
He handed Dudley a notice from the TUFF mail room, but Dudley just squinted. Kitty rolled her eyes cause she was familiar with this. Dudley wasn't exactly the best reader or the best speller at times, but she got used to it. Just as Dudley got to reading the time the party was starting, he remembered something.
"Kitty, you think the Undesirables will be celebrating too?"
Kitty looked deep in thought.
"I'm not sure. We should ask them if they do when we visit."
They did a once over to ensure everything was in place before going home and as usual, Kitty drove Dudley home. As Dudley walked in, Peg was there in the hall.
"Hi sweety.", she said pleasantly, "How was your day?"
Dudley didn't answer right away so Peg could tell something was up.
"Okay, what's wrong?", she asked.
"It's the Christmas party at TUFF.", Dudley said, "I really want to attend it, but I really want to go visit some friends at the same time."
Peg put her hand on her son's side.
"Dudley, I'm sure you'll make the right decision.", she told him, "I got called in to help invite people by your friend Keswick and a lot of people are going to be there."
Then Dudley brightened.
"Hey Mom, can we move the Christmas party somewhere else?"
Peg looked confused.
"Like where?"
The very next day, Dudley showed up bright and early at TUFF so he could make his idea known. As Kitty, Keswick, Herbert and everyone else came in, they were a little surprised cause Dudley usually didn't show up this early, but they shrugged and went back to their posts. Kitty however stayed.
"What brings you here so early?", she asked Dudley.
"I was wondering if we could move our Christmas party somewhere else.", Dudley stated.
"Like where?", Kitty asked.
"With the Undesirables.", Dudley stated.
The whole room paused for a minute, but Kitty looked surprised.
"Why there?", she asked.
"I just wondered if we could celebrate with them like we did at Thanksgiving last year.", Dudley answered.
Keswick looked unsure.
"Are you sure we should?", he asked, "Cause that time it was just us, ULTRA, and Agent Puppy's mom. Wouldn't people find the Undesirables a little scary?"
Now Dudley got the idea. The Undesirables were not exactly the most normal looking due to them having spent most of their lives in Hades as slaves to the most evil creature they could know. They may have left, but they still carried some of Zero's taint in their forms and looked kind of scary. A lot of people might get the idea that they were Zero's minions and seek to wipe them out or worse, Zero could enslave them again once he found them. Still, he wasn't going to cancel his idea without a fight.
"I know they don't look normal, but their not monsters. And nobody deserves to be alone on Christmas. Do they?"
Keswick looked thoughtful for a minute.
"You know, I think I know a way that we can have both events and keep the Undesirables' existence unknown."
He went over to the TUFF screen and made a phone call. Just then, Jeremiah, Iris and Dorian appeared on the screen.
"So, what's up?", Dorian asked.
"Hey ULTRA, we were wondering if Dorian was available.", Keswick stated.
"Well, I was going to test my combination of nuclear and gamma radiation method.", Dorian stated, "But it's going to take a couple weeks for the radiation to settle down so I'm available today. What's the occasion?"
"We were wondering if you could help invent something.", Dudley answered.
Dorian looked eager right away.
"When do I start?"
For the rest of the week, Keswick and Dorian worked on their secret project while Dudley and Jeremiah went to see Caleb and see what he thought. They had already gotten into the sewer system, but it had gotten cold due to the winter weather and Dudley was feeling the chill.
"Are we there yet?", he asked trying not to shiver.
"Almost.", Jeremiah answered, "Just follow the gatherers."
Dudley and Jeremiah had noticed a couple of Caleb's gatherers getting food leftovers from nearby dumpsters and had followed them back. Unfortunately the gatherers had gotten far ahead and then they lost sight of them. Luckily though Jeremiah had visited Caleb many times and knew the way there. Finally after getting further downward, they reached the familiar wall paintings signifying they were close and after another turn, they found the Undesirables' community were it looked like they were getting ready too. Some oil drums were used as large torches giving light and warmth to large intersections while some Undesirables were hanging mistletoe and old Christmas lights. Caleb was seen hoisting an enormous structure that looked like a bunch of trash built to resemble a tree( which Dudley and Jeremiah both determined it probably was). Caleb had finished getting it up when he noticed Jeremiah and Dudley nearby.
"So you heard?", he asked( his translator collar was on).
"You got the message?", Dudley guessed.
"No.", said Caleb, "We're getting ready for our Christmas celebration down here. What brings you two?"
Dudley took a breath.
"Caleb, how do you feel about TUFF having it's Christmas party here with you?"
Caleb looked concerned.
"You realize you could get us exposed right?"
Dudley nodded.
"I know, but Keswick and Dorian have developed a way that can prevent that. In theory at least."
Caleb eased his concern, but still looked thoughtful.
"What is it?", he asked.
"Our scientists are developing special optic lenses that will alter their viewing senses.", Jeremiah explained, "That way they won't really see you as you really are and your home remains unknown to ordinary people."
Caleb looked hesitant, but it was worth a try at least.
"Alright, but I'm not responsible if anything goes wrong.", he stated firmly.
"Got it.", Dudley said.
Dudley couldn't sleep a wink that night. Who could blame him? There was a lot of things that could get out of hand. What if the optic lenses didn't work right? Or what if the environmental atmosphere underground would cause a short circuit? Dudley tossed and he turned, but still he couldn't sleep. At that moment, Peg walked in in her nightdress and face mask.
"Dudley, are you okay?", she asked.
Dudley didn't see her, but he knew she was listening.
"I'm just worried about the party.", he said, "Many things can go wrong."
"Dudley, I'm sure it will all work out.", Peg assured him, "I'll get you some warm milk to help you sleep."
As Peg left, Dudley began to feel a little better.
"Thanks mom.", he said quietly.
Finally, the night arrived. And TUFF had managed to get their decorations and things into the Undesirables' central square where a lot of the activities would be. Dudley and Jeremiah both observed the lenses Dorian and Keswick had developed.
"Are you sure these work?", Dudley asked Dorian as he and Jeremiah each put a pair on.
"Keswick and I tested these twelve different times and in twenty different situations before tonight.", Dorian stated, "They'll work."
A couple undesirables were nearby to test the lenses. Dudley and Jeremiah each put their pair on and after a quick glance, each gave a thumbs up which ment the lenses worked.
"Told you so.", Dorian said calmly.
As guests came in, Dudley and Jeremiah made sure everyone who wasn't a TUFF or ULTRA agent wore a pair of lenses before they went further. Soon the whole place was filled with carols, music, and everyone having a fun time. The punch was pleasant, the lights were just right, and it went on til late. Finally though, it was time for people to leave. As they left, Keswick and Dorian made sure they still had their lenses on til they were a good distance away before taking them off. Dudley and Jeremiah stayed behind as Iris and Kitty helped the other agents move their things out.
"Well, we had our party and as far as anyone knows, this place doesn't exist.", Dudley said as Caleb met up with Jeremiah and him.
Caleb nodded.
"Thanks for not giving us away."
"Why would we give you away?", Jeremiah asked, "You deserve to live in peace and harmony."
Caleb sure got that point. Normally, he wouldn't allow normal people to come visit, but considering what happened tonight, he was willing to let it slide. Before Dudley and Jeremiah left, they gave Caleb a hug around the waist.
"Merry Christmas Caleb.", Dudley said.
"Same to you.", Caleb said as he hugged back( enough to show he cared and not to crush).
With that, Jeremiah and Dudley joined their fellow operatives and soon were leaving again. It truly was one Christmas party that nobody above or below Petropolis would ever forget any time soon.