At the Simpsons home. Everyone is watching the Happy Little Elves on T.V.

"Hey, Moley, do you think Santa will be able to find Elf County under all this snow?" Ask the elf.

"I doubt it, Bubbles. We'll be sad little elves this Christmas." Says the elf.

"Oh no!" Lisa says.

"Oh Brother." Grandpa says.

"Where's your husband?" Selma asks.

"Yeah, it's getting late." Patty says.

"Well, he said he went caroling with Bart." Marge tells them.


At the dog track. Bart is on Barney's shoulders.

"We're in the money! We're in the money!" Bart and Barney sings.

"I can't believe I'm doing this." Homer says.

They walk past a child with his father.

"Can we open our presents now, Dad?" The boy asks.

"You know the tradition, son, not till the eighth race." The father says.

"Hey Barney, which one is Whirlwind?" Homer asks.

"Number six. That's our lucky dog right over there. He won the last five races." Barney said as he pointed to a skinny dog.

"What, that scrawny little bag of bones?" Asks Homer.

"Come on Dad, they're all scrawny little bags of bones." Says Bart.

"Yeah, you're right. I guess Whirlwind is our only hope for a Merry Christmas." Says Homer.


At this point, Sora and Kairi had arrived at the dog track…

"You know, I've been to a lot of worlds on my journeys. But I still end up finding new things that surprise me about this one," Sora noted as they walked around looking for the two Simpsons.

"You mean the dogs? We have those back on Destiny Islands, Sora," Kairi reminded.

"Yeah, but having them race for…money by the looks of it?" Sora pointed out.

"Well, I'll agree that that's new. Still, what do you think Mr. Simpson and Bart are doing here? Especially this late," Kairi wondered.

"They could be trying to get money," Sora suggested.

"Fair point, Sora. I guess this is a last ditch effort to supply for his family's Christmas. Maybe we should try and stop him from wasting money," Kairi said.

"Right. We just need to find him," Sora said.

"I see him over there!" Kairi said as she pointed towards the betting desk.

"Perfect! We just have to stop them!" Sora said as he began to run over to them just as the loudspeaker spoke.

"Attention racing fans, we have a late scratch in the fourth race. Number eight Sir Galahad will be replaced by Santa's Little Helper once again Sir Galahad has been replaced by Santa's Little Helper." The answer says.

"Sounds like a cute name," Kairi said with a smile as they continued to run over to the Simpsons.

"Bart, did you hear that? What a name - Santa's Little Helper. It's a sign. It's an omen." Homer says.

"It's a coincidence, Dad." Said Bart.

"What is a coincidence?" Sora asked as he and Kairi approached the two Simpsons.

"The dog Santa's Little Helper apparently being a sign from god or Santa or something that our Christmas will be saved betting on him," Bart explained as he shook his head. "Also, what are you two doing here?"

"Well, you see…," Kairi began.

"No! No way! I will not be taking your pity money or gifts this Christmas!" Homer protested.

"But…," Sora tried to interrupt.

"No!" Homer yelled.

"Dad, they're offering to help us. Why not take it?" Bart asked.

"Because I don't need it to make you all happy!" Homer yelled.

"Mr. Simpson?" Sora asked.

"What?!" Homer yelled.

"We understand you want to be able to not feel like a failure on Christmas. You feel responsible for your family's happiness and want for things to go well on such a cheery holiday. If you wanna not go with our gifts, then that is fine. Come on, Sora. Let's leave them," Kairi said as she prepared to leave only to see that Sora was about to say something to Homer. But before he could…

Homer asked, "What are the odds on Santa's Little Helper?"

"Ninety nine to one." A man answers.

"Wow! Ninety nine times thirteen equals... Merry Christmas!" Homer says.

"I got a bad feeling about this." Bart says.

"Don't you believe in me son?" Homer asks.

"Uh…" Bart says.

"I wanna believe in you, but there is also the chance that this could go poorly," Kairi pointed out. "Right Sora?"

Instead of respond right away, Sora continued to stand there.

"Come on boy, sometimes your face is all that keeps me going." Homer says as Bart looks at how sad and pleading Homer looks.

"Oh... go for it, Dad." Bart says reluctantly.

"That's my boy!" Homer then says to the clerk, "Everything on Santa's little Helper."

"So, there's no changing your mind then?" Sora asked.

"I'm afraid not. This is my only chance to save my family's Christmas without admitting defeat," Homer admitted.

"I can understand what you're thinking. But please, just accept our extra money and gifts. You can say they are what you bought instead of what we got," Kairi said.

"That sounds like a good deal, dad," Bart pointed out.

"Yeah, but I'd know I wasn't responsible for it," Homer decided.

"Well…okay. But our offer is still available if you want it," Sora said.


Back at home. The Happy Little Elves reaches a happy end.

"Hip-hip-hooray! Hip-hip-hooray! Hip-hip-hooray!" the elves said.

"Yay!" Lisa chered.

"Unadulterated pap." says Grandpa.

"It's almost nine o'clock." says Patty.

"Where is Homer anyway?" Asks Selma.

"It's typical of the big doofus to spoil it all." Says Patty.

"What Aunt Patty?" Lisa asks.

"Oh nothing, dear. I'm just trashing your father." Patty says.

"Well, I wish that you wouldn't. Because aside from the fact that he has the same frailties as all human beings, he's the only father I have. Therefore, he is my model of manhood, and my estimation of him will govern the prospects of my adult relationships. So I hope you bear in mind that any knock at him is a knock at me, and I am far too young to cartoon myself against such onslaughts." Says Lisa.

"Mmm-hmm. Go watch your cartoon show, dear." Patty says.


Back at the dog track.

"Come on Bart, kiss the ticket for good luck. Not that we need it!" Homer says.

"You sure about that, Mr. Simpson?" Kairi asked, feeling nervous.

"Yes, I'm sure," Homer confirmed.

"Don't worry, Kairi. Mr. Simpson knows these types of things better than we do. Things will likely go okay," Sora reassured.

"I…guess," A concerned Kairi reluctantly said.

"Here comes Shirley the mechanical rabbit. And they're off. Around the first turn, it's Whirlwind in the lead, and coming up on the left is Quadruped followed by Dog of War and Fido." says the announcer.

Bart and Homer cheer for Santa's Little Helper.

"Dog of War coming up fast on the outside. And in last place... is Santa's Little Helper." says the announcer.

"D'oh! Oh…" Homer yells.

"Well…we still have our money, right?" Kairi suggested.

"Not that Mr. Simpson will accept it," Sora reminded.

"Don't worry Dad. Maybe this is just for suspense before the miracle happens." Bart says.

"Come on you stupid dog." Homer says.

"Come on boy." Bart cheers.

"Whirlwind wins by a country mile followed by Dog of War."

"D'oh!" Yells Homer

"It doesn't seem possible, but I guess TV has betrayed me." Bart says.

"I don't want to leave till I dog finishes," Homer says with a long pause following. "Ah forget it, lets go."

Outside the dog track, Bart and Homer look for a winning ticket.

"Find any winners son?" Homer asks.

"Sorry, Dad." said Bart.

Barney drives up, with a woman in the passenger seat.

"Hey Simpson, what did I tell you - Whirlwind. Lets go Daria." Says Barney as they drive off.

Sora and Kairi approach Homer and Bart. "So, you didn't find any winners either then?" Homer asked the duo.

"I'm afraid not," Sora said as he and Kairi shook their heads.

"Most people either didn't win or weren't willing to give up their tickets, I'm afraid," Kairi confirmed.

"Aw, crap! Looks like we have no choice but to admit we failed," Homer said miserably.

A man starts shouting.

"Beat it! Scram, get lost! You came in last for the last time!" Yells the man.

"Look Dad, it's Santa's Little Helper." said Bart.

"And don't come back!" The Man yells.

The dog runs towards Homer & Bart.

"Oh no you don't! No, no, get away from me! Uh-uh." Homer says.

"Oh, can we keep him dad please," says Bart.

"I've always wanted a dog, you know. I can help you all pay for him and take care of him if you want," Sora suggested.

"I'd also love to take care of him. He's so precious!" Kairi cooed.

"But he's a loser! He's pathetic! He's…," Homer is interrupted as the dog licks Homer. "... a Simpson."


Back at the Simpson home.

"Mmm... maybe we should call the police." Marge says.

"He'll sober up." said Patty.

"Yeah, come staggering home." said Selma.

"Uh-huh. Smelling like cheap perfume." Said Patty.

Homer, Sora, Kairi, and Bart enter.

"Homer!" yells Marge.

"What? Wha?" asks Grandpa as he wakes up.

"Look everybody, I have a confession to make." Homer says.

"This should be good." Patty says.

"I didn't get my Christmas bonus. I tried to not let it ruin Christmas for everybody, but no matter what I did…" says Homer.

"It's partly my fault too. I didn't stop Bart from getting that tattoo. If I did better at that, then things could have gone better," Sora hung his head in shame.

"Hey, you did nothing wrong, Sora. If it makes you feel any better, we managed to get you all a few gifts off of our money," Kairi said.

"Thanks, but you didn't have to do that you two. I mean, what's important is that we spend time with loved ones on Christmas. The gifts may be fun, but they aren't what the holiday is about," Marge said. "Though, I must say, it was sweet for you all to do what you did," Marge said as she kissed Homer's cheek.

"Thanks, Marge. I'm still sad that I couldn't do better though and-," Homer began.

"Hey everybody, look what we got!" Bart interrupts as he brings in Santa's Little Helper.

"A dog! All right dad!" Lisa cheers.

"God bless him." Marge says.

"So love at first sight is possible." said Lisa.

"And if he runs away he'll be easy to catch." Bart says.

"This is the best gift of all, Homer." Marge says.

"It is?" asks Homer.

"Yes, something to share our love. And frighten prowlers." Marge says.

"What's his name?" Lisa asks.

"Number 8. I mean, Santa's Little Helper." Homer tells them.

"So…do you guys still want to open the gifts Sora and I did manage to get you?" Kairi asked.

"We can do that tomorrow. I'm pretty sure that this gift is more important anyway," Marge said.

"Speaking of which, Kairi…I apologize, but in the middle of all this excitement I forgot to get you a gift for Christmas. But, if it helps, I can get you one in a few days time," Sora suggested.

"Don't worry about it. To be honest, I kinda forgot to get you a gift as well. I wanted so badly to get you the perfect gift that you deserve to get, but I couldn't find it no matter how hard I looked. I'm sorry, Sora," Kairi apologized with a bow.

"Looks like we're both in the same boat then. We both couldn't get a gift for each other," Sora said.

"I guess so. You know, we were so caught up in making each other happy with these meaningless gifts that we forgot that the best gift on the holidays is simply being in each other's company. So, what do you say? Wanna spend Christmas with each other?" Kairi suggested as she held out her hand..

"Sure," Sora accepted her hand and the two hugged. "I just wish we could spend it with Riku as well," Sora admitted as he and Kairi looked a bit sad.

"Yeah. He's…like family. But, we'll find him sooner or later. And then we'll find a way home," Kairi said, trying to be hopeful.

"Perfect. For now, what do you say we joining the others in petting Santa's Little Helper?" Sora suggested.

"Sure! He is just so fluffy and cute!" Kairi squeed as she ran over with Sora to pet the dog.

The family all pet the dog. The moment is captured in a snapshot, with "Happy Holidays from The Simpsons" written on it.