As the train sped toward the North Pole, it went up a ramp that led onto a winding stretch of track on top of a bridge whose support beams were half-submerged beneath the ice. After many half pipe turns, the bridge pointed straight into the North Pole. It went under a clocktower as it entered the North Pole, continuing along elevated bridges until the route eventually reached ground level. The train tracks were only rails, no pieces of wood beneath them.

"We made it! With five minutes to spare! We made it!" The Conductor proudly exclaimed as he stood on the stairs outside the passenger car's interior. After making sure no one was around, he took off his hat, briefly sobbed into a napkin, sighed, put his hat back on, and went back inside.

The passengers all looked through the windows at the glowing buildings and empty streets of the North Pole. There was surprisingly not a lot of snow on the ground.

"There should be elves. Where are the elves?" "Yeah, where are they?" The other kids started asking.

"They are gathering in the center of the city. That is where Santa will give the first gift of Christmas." Said The Conductor.

"Who gets the first gift of Christmas?" Asked Ryder.

"He will choose one of you." The Conductor said, eyeing Elsa in particular.

"It's probably not gonna be me." Said Elsa.

"If you say so, that just means there's a better chance of it going to me." Said Ryder.

"Ryder! There's more to Christmas than just presents!" Honeymarren said in an annoyed tone.

"Look!"

"Elves!"

The passengers all went to the right side of the car and looked out the windows as the train slowed to a crawl. Hundreds of elves on either side of the train were walking toward the center of the city, where a massive Christmas tree stood. A compass-like dial laid in the exact center a few dozen yards from the tree, and had an empty red sleigh on it. Eventually the train could go forward no more due to the sheer amount of elves, and it slowed to a stop. After what felt like hours on the rails, they made it.

The Conductor and all the passengers stepped out of the car.

"All right. All right, ladies and gentlemen. Two columns, if you please. Shorter in the front, taller in the rear. Even-numbered birthdays on the right, odd-numbered on the left. No pushing! No pushing, but let's not dilly dally, it's five minutes to midnight!"

"Hey, what gives? It was five minutes 'till midnight four minutes ago!" Said Ryder.

"Exactly!"

"Exactly?! What's that supposed to mean?! Why are the clocks not moving?! What time is it, really?! I demand-"

"Columns of two!" The Conductor yelled out. Annoyed with the lack of information and reason, Ryder went towards the columns with the other passengers.

Elsa and Honeymarren looked back toward the caboose. Kristoff hadn't gotten out, and looked like he didn't plan to. Honeymarren tapped on the Conductor's shoulder.

"Excuse me?"

"Question?"

"What about him?" Said Honeymarren as she pointed to Kristoff, who sat in one of the seats looking at the floor.

"No one is required to see Santa."

The Conductor went back to the front of the columns of kids, but Honeymarren started towards the caboose. Elsa grabbed her by the wrist.

"What are you doing? We're gonna see Santa soon."

"I can't let him sit out the chance to make his Christmas better! I'll be in and out before he comes, I promise."

Elsa sighed. "Okay, then I'm coming with you. He seems to listen to me, and you never know if you'll need extra persuasion."

"Come on, then!" Said Honeymarren as she ran toward the caboose with Elsa right behind her.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you do not have to hold hands, but please remain in your columns while we are in transit!"

The Conductor started leading the other kids closer to the center.

"Maybe Santa will say why the clocks aren't moving. What do you think, guys?" Said Ryder. He didn't hear a response.

"Guys?"

He turned around looking for Elsa and Honeymarren, and saw them heading toward the caboose. Honeymarren jumped onto steps on the caboose akin to those on the main passenger car. Elsa's right foot stepped next to the stairs onto a metal rod. As she used it for support as she went onto the stairs, she pressed down on the rod, which made the caboose disconnect from the passenger car, unbeknownst to her.

Kristoff looked up as Elsa and Honeymarren rushed towards him.

"You have to come with us!" Said Honeymarren.

"She- she's right." Said Elsa.

"Guys, I don't think me calling out a guy as big and respected as Santa will go too well. What if he only makes it worse 'cause I don't agree with whatever he's got planned for me and my family? Maybe there's some sort of deeper reason as to why Christmas just doesn't work out for me, and who am I to interfere just 'cause I don't like it?" Said Kristoff.

"Look, you may have a point, and I don't know if Christmas will work out for you or not, but you won't know if you won't try. And this is Christmas Eve! Don't stay here by herself! No one should be alone this close to Christmas!" Said Elsa.

"Yeah, come with us. We'll go together." Said Honeymarren.

Kristoff thought about it for a moment or two, and ultimately decided that the risk would be worth it. But right as he was about to get up out of his seat, the caboose started moving and all the lights flashed a few times before they went out.