Disclaimer: I only own the new characters
Chapter 5: The Council Convenes
Back in his office, Scott and Carol were setting up the chairs for the council meeting. Each had its own place and style, conforming to the owner's likes.
"Are you sure they'll come?"
He nodded, "The emergency button brings them from wherever they are, no exceptions."
"Alright then, I hope they know more about this than we do."
"They have to, or else we're in more trouble than I can imagine." Scott reached over and slammed in the emergency button that was planted into the wall behind his desk.
Like with all magical beings, sparkles began to appear above each chair. Slowly, the sparkles swirled and turned into Father Time, the Sandman, Tooth Fairy, Cupid, Mother Nature, and the Leprechaun.
"I really hope you have a good reason for this Santa! I've got a time zone covering in 20 minutes!" Shouted the Sandman, rising from his chair.
"Now, I'm sure there is a perfectly logical explanation for all this." Mother Nature commented, motioning for her fellow magical beings to sit down.
But Scott couldn't sit down, "The reason I called you all here today is that we have a problem with the Spirit of Christmas."
Mother Nature looked at him with concerned eyes, but the rest of the council looked confused.
"Isn't the Spirit of Christmas just the joy of the holiday?" Asked Cupid.
"No, the Spirit of Christmas is all the happiness when it turns into a physical form. The happiness kind of forms a person that is responsible for the holiday."
"Oh."
"What's wrong with the Spirit?"
"She's sad."
Mother Nature got up from her chair, "This never happened before."
"So, what's the big deal? Just leave some money under her pillow and she'll be happy again in no time." Suggested the Tooth Fairy.
Sighing, Mother Nature put her hand on his shoulder, "It's not that simple."
Santa picked up a tiny Christmas tree and held it out for the council to view. They seemed relatively unimpressed until the tree began to shrivel and turn black. Ash fell from the newly burned branches and landed onto the ground.
A collective gasp came from council and all eyes stared at what had once been a beautiful decoration.
The grace period that usually comes after a moment of pure shock was long and torturous for every legendary character. First to speak up was the leprechaun, "Meybe it be bad luck, now."
"It's no bad luck. This has officially become a serious case."
A literal uproar ensued. Council members were jumping up from their chairs, frantically waving their arms and shouting out suggestions. Most of the ideas that were thrown out were so holiday specific that they made absolutely no sense.
Almost no effort was being made to calm anyone down, and only the silent figure of Mother Nature was everyone's anchor.
Scott crossed over to where she was standing, "Then you know what's going to happen?"
"Yes, Christmas will be destroyed."
She turned from him and clapped her hands, "Everyone! Take your seats, this concerns all of you."
As the members returned to their respective chairs. The dead air hung in the room like some kind of thick fog.
"Friends, the end of Christmas is close at hand. If this problem is not solved by midnight on Christmas eve, it will cause a chain reaction that will cause the devastation of all that we hold dear."
Confused looks came back her way, and the leader tried again, "Each holiday is connected to the other holidays. If one dies, they all die. The Spirit of Christmas is also the spirit of giving and love, the one thing that all humans need."
Various expressions of horror were soon seen and the Tooth Fairy stuttered, "We're all gonna be destroyed?"
"If the Spirit of Christmas is not made happy again, then yes. Even myself." Mother Nature looked down at her hands, the realization of her own mortality suddenly at hand.
Santa stood up, "We have an elf here, Noel, who said that you might be able to contact this spirit."
"Noel is home?" She lifted her eyes and seemed a little joyful at this news.
"You know Noel?"
"Of course. She and I are good friends. After all, we have known each other for a few thousand years."
This last comment prompted some sparse laughs from the council, but each was so lost in thought that none of it was heartfelt.
Carol moved toward the door, "Let me get her, she's been waiting outside."
Soon, she returned with Noel in close step behind her. The elfess was nervous at being in front of the council, but after she spotted Mother Nature, she visibly relaxed.
Santa stood up, "Everyone, this is Noel, she's the head elf here at the North Pole."
"Go on dear, tell them what you think is going on." Carol encouraged.
"I just got back from a vacation, and while I was on vacation, I spent time with the Spirit of Christmas."
"What do you mean?" Cupid spoke up.
"We went shopping, toured some of the historic sites in North America."
"Sounds real fun." Sighed the guardian of Valentine's day.
Noel looked at little hurt, "I like the Mall of America and the Grand Canyon."
"Okay, what does a vacation have to do with this particular problem?"
"When I had to come home, she decided to stay behind and I've been hoping that maybe it's just that separation that is making her a little sad."
"A little sad? This Spirit is gonna destroy the entire holiday world and she's a little sad?" Fluttering his wings in anger, Cupid got right up close to Noel's face as he yelled at her.
"Hey! Take it easy on the poor girl, okay? She has it bad enough as it is." Scolded Mother Nature, pushing in between the two.
"I think this entire council should demand that this elf here contact the Spirit." Shouted Cupid, and other members of the council seemed to agree.
"I can't just call her on the telephone or anything!"
"And why not?"
"I don't have that kind of power! I wish I did, but I don't!"
"You must have something though! Why else would this Spirit just go on a vacation with you, but not be here right now explaining what's going on?"
"She can't!"
Mother Nature was fed up, "Everyone be quiet or I will go hurricane on all of you!"
A deathly silence fell over the members, and they looked at the floor, trying to avoid her powerful gaze, "I have known Noel for a long time, and believe me when I say that she would do anything to stop this if she could. Noel, do you even know where the Spirit is at this point?"
"No, I've tried to track her, but it's impossible."
"You see? Now, there is one other - "
"Look." Interrupted the Easter Bunny, pointing over at the elfess.
All eyes turned on her and soon, the realization of what was happening hit them all.
A single tear was making it's way down Noel's cheek, and she was beginning to cry.
"Elves don't cry. How can she do that?" Someone whispered.
"I was the first elf ever made by the Spirit, and because of that, we share a bond. Whatever she feels, I feel. When she is sad, I cry too."
There was a pause in the air before she continued, "It gets worse. She's already starting to give up, and because of that, I'm starting to lose heart too."
Just then, two more tears appeared and Noel stumbled up from her chair, "I'm sorry that I can't help, but I have to leave now. I can't stay here like this."
She literally ran out of the room, throwing the main door open and nearly crushing Bernard, Judy and Curtis. The three had been trying to listen to what was going on. Glancing over them only momentarily, she walked steadily toward her room.
The eavesdroppers stared after her for a moment, before Bernard realized just how fast she was getting away, and ran after her. As he got closer her could see the tears on her cheeks and the sadness in her eyes.
"Noel, can I - " Bernard started to talk, but she suddenly held up her hand.
Never had he seen an aggressive gesture, even one like that, from her. She hadn't even slowed her pace down. Regardless, he decided to follow her to her room.
Judy looked over at Curtis, "Do you think we should follow them?"
"Maybe we should wait a few minutes, Noel doesn't look too happy right now."
"Okay then." Judy and Curtis started to move exceptionally slow after the pair.
**********************************************************
"Will you at least talk to me?" Shouted Bernard, grabbing Noel's hand and spinning her around.
She released her grip on the door handle and pulled away from him, "I don't want to talk right now."
"Why not?"
"I just broke down in front of the entire council and had to admit that for the first time in a few thousand years, I can't do anything to stop the end of all holidays on earth!" She leaned back against the door to her room, and put her face in her hands.
"Noel, it's not your fault. You can't blame yourself for this!"
He moved forward like he was going to embrace her, but she flattened herself against the door. Bernard shied away, unsure of what to do.
"How do you know it's not my fault? What if she really is unhappy because I left her? I don't want to live anywhere but here, I don't think I could standing moving back down south!" The tears were already beginning to run down her face again.
Without thinking, Bernard reached forward and wiped one of her tears away. Gently caressing the side of her cheek.
At his soft touch, Noel inhaled quickly, it was heaven. However, reality kicked in and she ran into her room, slamming the door in Bernard's face.
Bernard stood in shock for a few minutes, trying to resist the urge to slam his fist into the door. Acts done in anger were never his specialty. Frustrated and upset, he marched away from the door and back around the corridor to the workshop.
Judy and Curtis, who had been listening, attempted to duck out of his way.
"What are you two doing?"
"Walking."
"In the Head Elf Hall?"
"Yes."
"Why were you eavesdropping on my conversation?"
The two younger elves shrugged, "We wanted to know what was going on." Answered Curtis.
Judy's little voice was a touch shamed, "We're worried about you and Noel."
"I'm not the one you should be worried about. Noel is really depressed."
Placing her hand on his arm, Judy whispered, "You really do care about her, don't you?"
Not realizing what he was saying, he responded, "Yeah, I like her a lot."
"She might need to hear that. Maybe it would make her feel better."
He stiffened and stood up straight, "No, she doesn't seem to want anything to do with me right now."
Again, he walked past the two younger elves without any concern or regard for what they might have to say next.
Curtis and Judy stared after their boss and longtime friend. Sighing in exasperation, they reluctantly begin to follow Bernard back towards the workshop.
********************************************************
"All I can ask you for is your help. Whatever anyone here can do to contact the Spirit would be appreciated." Scott begged the council. He gazed around, looking for some kind of response.
The Tooth Fairy stood up, "We'll do our best, but it just may not be good enough."
"Oh c'mon guys! When is our best not good enough? We're the council of legendary figures! This group has been around forever!"
"But it may not always be that way Santa, sometimes we have to live with the fact that our time may be at an end." Father Time chimed in.
"If we start talking like that, then we are at an end." The stern voice of Mother Nature silenced everyone there, "Santa, we can't stay here all day. I'm sorry, but regardless of any situation, we still have to work too. All of us will do our best to get a hold of the Spirit. I'm pretty sure I have her number on file somewhere." She managed a small smile before disappearing in a cloud of sparkles.
One by one, the other members of the council faded away, until only the St. Patrick's Day Leprechaun was left.
"Look Santa, thee only thing I can offer ya is a four leaf clover for good luck." He held out the small piece of vegetation as a peace offering.
"Thanks, will it work?"
"Well, maybe yes, an' maybe no. There's one thing about luck though, if it does work, it don't work until the last minute. Keep that in mind, won't cha, now?"
With that, Santa and Mrs. Clause were the only ones left in the room.
"Maybe it's time we told the elves what's going on." Suggested Carol, coming to her husband's side.
"Yeah, they have a right to know."
********************************************************
Carol nudged Scott as they walked into the workshop and directed his attention to Bernard. The former head elf was sitting at a table, looking almost completely lost in thought and sadness.
"How much worse can this get? Even Bernard's lost hope."
Scott shook his head, took a deep breath, and began to talk, "Everyone! Can I have your attention please?"
All the bright and shining faces of the hundreds of happy elves turned to him. It hurt him to know that this might be the last time he saw those smiles.
"We have a problem here in the North Pole. It seems that the Spirit of Christmas has become sad. Normally, this wouldn't be too much of a problem, but it seems that if she stays sad, our holiday will disappear."
Whispers and frantic mumbling ran around the room like a wildfire.
"I want everyone to stay calm and keep working. We're going to try to find a way to cheer the Spirit up, but until then I just want you all to keep everything like it normally is."
Unable and unwilling to say more, Scott left his spot on the floor and walked back towards his room. Carol stood still for a moment before following him in confusion. She was scared, and it wasn't hard to tell.
The elves silently went back to work, and for the first time in hundreds of years, the sound of laughter was not heard in the workshop.
Chapter 5: The Council Convenes
Back in his office, Scott and Carol were setting up the chairs for the council meeting. Each had its own place and style, conforming to the owner's likes.
"Are you sure they'll come?"
He nodded, "The emergency button brings them from wherever they are, no exceptions."
"Alright then, I hope they know more about this than we do."
"They have to, or else we're in more trouble than I can imagine." Scott reached over and slammed in the emergency button that was planted into the wall behind his desk.
Like with all magical beings, sparkles began to appear above each chair. Slowly, the sparkles swirled and turned into Father Time, the Sandman, Tooth Fairy, Cupid, Mother Nature, and the Leprechaun.
"I really hope you have a good reason for this Santa! I've got a time zone covering in 20 minutes!" Shouted the Sandman, rising from his chair.
"Now, I'm sure there is a perfectly logical explanation for all this." Mother Nature commented, motioning for her fellow magical beings to sit down.
But Scott couldn't sit down, "The reason I called you all here today is that we have a problem with the Spirit of Christmas."
Mother Nature looked at him with concerned eyes, but the rest of the council looked confused.
"Isn't the Spirit of Christmas just the joy of the holiday?" Asked Cupid.
"No, the Spirit of Christmas is all the happiness when it turns into a physical form. The happiness kind of forms a person that is responsible for the holiday."
"Oh."
"What's wrong with the Spirit?"
"She's sad."
Mother Nature got up from her chair, "This never happened before."
"So, what's the big deal? Just leave some money under her pillow and she'll be happy again in no time." Suggested the Tooth Fairy.
Sighing, Mother Nature put her hand on his shoulder, "It's not that simple."
Santa picked up a tiny Christmas tree and held it out for the council to view. They seemed relatively unimpressed until the tree began to shrivel and turn black. Ash fell from the newly burned branches and landed onto the ground.
A collective gasp came from council and all eyes stared at what had once been a beautiful decoration.
The grace period that usually comes after a moment of pure shock was long and torturous for every legendary character. First to speak up was the leprechaun, "Meybe it be bad luck, now."
"It's no bad luck. This has officially become a serious case."
A literal uproar ensued. Council members were jumping up from their chairs, frantically waving their arms and shouting out suggestions. Most of the ideas that were thrown out were so holiday specific that they made absolutely no sense.
Almost no effort was being made to calm anyone down, and only the silent figure of Mother Nature was everyone's anchor.
Scott crossed over to where she was standing, "Then you know what's going to happen?"
"Yes, Christmas will be destroyed."
She turned from him and clapped her hands, "Everyone! Take your seats, this concerns all of you."
As the members returned to their respective chairs. The dead air hung in the room like some kind of thick fog.
"Friends, the end of Christmas is close at hand. If this problem is not solved by midnight on Christmas eve, it will cause a chain reaction that will cause the devastation of all that we hold dear."
Confused looks came back her way, and the leader tried again, "Each holiday is connected to the other holidays. If one dies, they all die. The Spirit of Christmas is also the spirit of giving and love, the one thing that all humans need."
Various expressions of horror were soon seen and the Tooth Fairy stuttered, "We're all gonna be destroyed?"
"If the Spirit of Christmas is not made happy again, then yes. Even myself." Mother Nature looked down at her hands, the realization of her own mortality suddenly at hand.
Santa stood up, "We have an elf here, Noel, who said that you might be able to contact this spirit."
"Noel is home?" She lifted her eyes and seemed a little joyful at this news.
"You know Noel?"
"Of course. She and I are good friends. After all, we have known each other for a few thousand years."
This last comment prompted some sparse laughs from the council, but each was so lost in thought that none of it was heartfelt.
Carol moved toward the door, "Let me get her, she's been waiting outside."
Soon, she returned with Noel in close step behind her. The elfess was nervous at being in front of the council, but after she spotted Mother Nature, she visibly relaxed.
Santa stood up, "Everyone, this is Noel, she's the head elf here at the North Pole."
"Go on dear, tell them what you think is going on." Carol encouraged.
"I just got back from a vacation, and while I was on vacation, I spent time with the Spirit of Christmas."
"What do you mean?" Cupid spoke up.
"We went shopping, toured some of the historic sites in North America."
"Sounds real fun." Sighed the guardian of Valentine's day.
Noel looked at little hurt, "I like the Mall of America and the Grand Canyon."
"Okay, what does a vacation have to do with this particular problem?"
"When I had to come home, she decided to stay behind and I've been hoping that maybe it's just that separation that is making her a little sad."
"A little sad? This Spirit is gonna destroy the entire holiday world and she's a little sad?" Fluttering his wings in anger, Cupid got right up close to Noel's face as he yelled at her.
"Hey! Take it easy on the poor girl, okay? She has it bad enough as it is." Scolded Mother Nature, pushing in between the two.
"I think this entire council should demand that this elf here contact the Spirit." Shouted Cupid, and other members of the council seemed to agree.
"I can't just call her on the telephone or anything!"
"And why not?"
"I don't have that kind of power! I wish I did, but I don't!"
"You must have something though! Why else would this Spirit just go on a vacation with you, but not be here right now explaining what's going on?"
"She can't!"
Mother Nature was fed up, "Everyone be quiet or I will go hurricane on all of you!"
A deathly silence fell over the members, and they looked at the floor, trying to avoid her powerful gaze, "I have known Noel for a long time, and believe me when I say that she would do anything to stop this if she could. Noel, do you even know where the Spirit is at this point?"
"No, I've tried to track her, but it's impossible."
"You see? Now, there is one other - "
"Look." Interrupted the Easter Bunny, pointing over at the elfess.
All eyes turned on her and soon, the realization of what was happening hit them all.
A single tear was making it's way down Noel's cheek, and she was beginning to cry.
"Elves don't cry. How can she do that?" Someone whispered.
"I was the first elf ever made by the Spirit, and because of that, we share a bond. Whatever she feels, I feel. When she is sad, I cry too."
There was a pause in the air before she continued, "It gets worse. She's already starting to give up, and because of that, I'm starting to lose heart too."
Just then, two more tears appeared and Noel stumbled up from her chair, "I'm sorry that I can't help, but I have to leave now. I can't stay here like this."
She literally ran out of the room, throwing the main door open and nearly crushing Bernard, Judy and Curtis. The three had been trying to listen to what was going on. Glancing over them only momentarily, she walked steadily toward her room.
The eavesdroppers stared after her for a moment, before Bernard realized just how fast she was getting away, and ran after her. As he got closer her could see the tears on her cheeks and the sadness in her eyes.
"Noel, can I - " Bernard started to talk, but she suddenly held up her hand.
Never had he seen an aggressive gesture, even one like that, from her. She hadn't even slowed her pace down. Regardless, he decided to follow her to her room.
Judy looked over at Curtis, "Do you think we should follow them?"
"Maybe we should wait a few minutes, Noel doesn't look too happy right now."
"Okay then." Judy and Curtis started to move exceptionally slow after the pair.
**********************************************************
"Will you at least talk to me?" Shouted Bernard, grabbing Noel's hand and spinning her around.
She released her grip on the door handle and pulled away from him, "I don't want to talk right now."
"Why not?"
"I just broke down in front of the entire council and had to admit that for the first time in a few thousand years, I can't do anything to stop the end of all holidays on earth!" She leaned back against the door to her room, and put her face in her hands.
"Noel, it's not your fault. You can't blame yourself for this!"
He moved forward like he was going to embrace her, but she flattened herself against the door. Bernard shied away, unsure of what to do.
"How do you know it's not my fault? What if she really is unhappy because I left her? I don't want to live anywhere but here, I don't think I could standing moving back down south!" The tears were already beginning to run down her face again.
Without thinking, Bernard reached forward and wiped one of her tears away. Gently caressing the side of her cheek.
At his soft touch, Noel inhaled quickly, it was heaven. However, reality kicked in and she ran into her room, slamming the door in Bernard's face.
Bernard stood in shock for a few minutes, trying to resist the urge to slam his fist into the door. Acts done in anger were never his specialty. Frustrated and upset, he marched away from the door and back around the corridor to the workshop.
Judy and Curtis, who had been listening, attempted to duck out of his way.
"What are you two doing?"
"Walking."
"In the Head Elf Hall?"
"Yes."
"Why were you eavesdropping on my conversation?"
The two younger elves shrugged, "We wanted to know what was going on." Answered Curtis.
Judy's little voice was a touch shamed, "We're worried about you and Noel."
"I'm not the one you should be worried about. Noel is really depressed."
Placing her hand on his arm, Judy whispered, "You really do care about her, don't you?"
Not realizing what he was saying, he responded, "Yeah, I like her a lot."
"She might need to hear that. Maybe it would make her feel better."
He stiffened and stood up straight, "No, she doesn't seem to want anything to do with me right now."
Again, he walked past the two younger elves without any concern or regard for what they might have to say next.
Curtis and Judy stared after their boss and longtime friend. Sighing in exasperation, they reluctantly begin to follow Bernard back towards the workshop.
********************************************************
"All I can ask you for is your help. Whatever anyone here can do to contact the Spirit would be appreciated." Scott begged the council. He gazed around, looking for some kind of response.
The Tooth Fairy stood up, "We'll do our best, but it just may not be good enough."
"Oh c'mon guys! When is our best not good enough? We're the council of legendary figures! This group has been around forever!"
"But it may not always be that way Santa, sometimes we have to live with the fact that our time may be at an end." Father Time chimed in.
"If we start talking like that, then we are at an end." The stern voice of Mother Nature silenced everyone there, "Santa, we can't stay here all day. I'm sorry, but regardless of any situation, we still have to work too. All of us will do our best to get a hold of the Spirit. I'm pretty sure I have her number on file somewhere." She managed a small smile before disappearing in a cloud of sparkles.
One by one, the other members of the council faded away, until only the St. Patrick's Day Leprechaun was left.
"Look Santa, thee only thing I can offer ya is a four leaf clover for good luck." He held out the small piece of vegetation as a peace offering.
"Thanks, will it work?"
"Well, maybe yes, an' maybe no. There's one thing about luck though, if it does work, it don't work until the last minute. Keep that in mind, won't cha, now?"
With that, Santa and Mrs. Clause were the only ones left in the room.
"Maybe it's time we told the elves what's going on." Suggested Carol, coming to her husband's side.
"Yeah, they have a right to know."
********************************************************
Carol nudged Scott as they walked into the workshop and directed his attention to Bernard. The former head elf was sitting at a table, looking almost completely lost in thought and sadness.
"How much worse can this get? Even Bernard's lost hope."
Scott shook his head, took a deep breath, and began to talk, "Everyone! Can I have your attention please?"
All the bright and shining faces of the hundreds of happy elves turned to him. It hurt him to know that this might be the last time he saw those smiles.
"We have a problem here in the North Pole. It seems that the Spirit of Christmas has become sad. Normally, this wouldn't be too much of a problem, but it seems that if she stays sad, our holiday will disappear."
Whispers and frantic mumbling ran around the room like a wildfire.
"I want everyone to stay calm and keep working. We're going to try to find a way to cheer the Spirit up, but until then I just want you all to keep everything like it normally is."
Unable and unwilling to say more, Scott left his spot on the floor and walked back towards his room. Carol stood still for a moment before following him in confusion. She was scared, and it wasn't hard to tell.
The elves silently went back to work, and for the first time in hundreds of years, the sound of laughter was not heard in the workshop.