Deep within the unstable realm lovingly referred to as The Nightmare, a small sparkle of cheer seemed out of place. Nevertheless it was there, hidden among the folds of fiersome faces and distant moans and snarls.
A single room, decorated like something out of the pages of a children's book. A shimmering Christmas tree, fireplace, and sweets with carefully hung garlands of holly and bows.
Three figures stood in the center of the room. Two teenagers and a tall, pale figure crowned with a set of horns that would have put the largest longhorn bull to shame.
Reala snarled at where he had deposited the children. "JACKLE!"
Keane shrank back. "uh oh. . ." Claris' face fell. "For once we agree. . .!" The kids watched as a cloaked shadow flew across the wall, eyes glinting mischievously. A soft laugh started up, echoing ominously.
"Oh . . ." Reala said, watching. "Drama. . ."

The shadow coalesced into a disembodied mantle, shoes, gloves, collar, and helm. A set of blue eyes opened before narrowing as a Chesshire Cat grin spread out beneath them.
The Nightmaren cackled shrilly before flexing red tipped claws. "Heeere's Jackle!"
Keane stared in dismay as Claris covered her eyes. "THAT was the best catchphrase you could think up? You're slipping, Jack."
Jackle blinked, then sighed and glided out. Moments later, the shadow returned and reformed exactly as before. "I vant to suck your bloood!" Jackle grinned.
Claris stared. "Oh help me, I've been kidnapped by the world's worst showman. . ." Jackle's grin flipped upside-down in dismay. "I knew I should've just laughed. . ."
Claris considered, nodding. "Yeah. Your cackle is your catchphrase in a way. It's what you're known for, so you should really make more use of it. . ."
Keane hissed. "Don't help the deranged nightmare!" "Nightmaren." Reala corrected. Keane tugged Claris closer as if he hadn't been interrupted. "What are you thinking!"

Claris pushed Keane away, scowling. "I'm thinking that if we try to get away, these freakshow rejects are going to do something that we'll regret. And since YOU don't seem to have any better ideas, I'm making myself at home!"
As Jackle nodded, Claris turned on him. "And what are YOU nodding about! I see a tree there and based on what Keane's told me, I'm guessing that it's yours. Now it's not going to finish decorating itself!"
Jackle blinked in shock and for a moment, seemed to be about to attack. Finally, the Nightmaren clenched both fists. "You're right!"
Reala watched in dismay as Jackle returned to the business of decorating the tree. "What nonsense, it's shameful. . ." Reala turned on the kids. "But I think that I can make use of this situation."
Reala turned toward the tree. "Jackle!" Jackle instantly dropped the stained glass teddybear that had been about to find its place on the tree, wincing.
Reala smirked, pleased with that response. "These two little children are going to assist you. Do with them what you will. Just remember, the girl's energy is Master Wizeman's. . ."
Jackle stared at the kids for a moment before breaking into a delighted grin. "Really! Wow, thanks Reala! Hey, maybe you have some Christmas spirit after all!"
Claris allowed her jaw to drop. Keane shivered. "Don't tell me . . . WE'RE the Christmas presents!" Claris nodded grimly. Keane looked away, grumbling. "I told you not to tell me. . ."

Elliot had finally calmed down, but continued to sniffle as he trudged through the snow. NiGHTS followed worriedly. "This is getting dangerous, you humans are too fragile to stay here this long without being warm!"
Elliot sighed, recognizing the truth in the Nightmaren's words. Laying in the snow could be deadly! He raised his head, feeling sluggish. "I'd like to wake up now. . ."
NiGHTS frowned in concern. "You should have left here a while ago, something isn't right. Anyway, the sooner that we get Claris and Keane back, the sooner the three of you can-" Elliot cut NiGHTS off. "What do we need HIM for! Keane's with the Nightmaren! He was helping!"
NiGHTS scowled. "And so was I once, what's your point! Elliot, people can change. It isn't right to leave him there; you saw how Reala was treating Keane, they're not friends!" Elliot folded his arms stubbornly, and NiGHTS smirked. "Or could it be that you're jealous of Keane?"
Elliot choked. "Jealous of him! NiGHTS, is your head as empty as your cuffs? That guy's a loser!"
NiGHTS grinned, suspicions confirmed. "Yep, definitely jealous. Otherwise you wouldn't deny it so violently." Elliot sagged, defeated. "Look NiGHTS, I don't care. I just want Claris back!"
NiGHTS finally relented. "You and me both. Yeesh, we get to save Claris AND stop Wizeman AGAIN! This just isn't my night. . ."
Elliot blinked. "That's because it's only about afternoon, I think. . ." NiGHTS blinked back. "Oh. . ."

"I think maybe the red one should go higher. . ." Jackle mused, holding two round, glass ornaments up to the tree. The Nightmaren turned toward Claris and Keane. "What do you think?"
The kids had been lashed to the wall garland by bows, for some reason. Claris growled. "I THINK that you're insane!"
Keane nodded. "Yeah! You're putting it right next to that purple clown ornament! Everyone knows that red and purple clash!" Claris blinked at him. "Not what I meant, but it's true. Look at NiGHTS and Reala!"
Jackle blinked thoughtfully. "Oh, I guess that's right. . . the gold one then." The kids nodded in agreement.
Claris blinked, catching herself. "What are we doing!" She hissed at Keane. Keane turned to her in surprise. "Making ourselves at home, like you said?" Claris shook her head. "I didn't mean on the wall! We have to get down from here."
Jackle reached for another box of ornaments, answering distractedly. "Can't come down. Not Christmas yet." Claris watched the Nightmaren as if seeing Jackle for the first time. "Of course . . . that's it! Jackle, you have it wrong!"
Keane looked at her. "He does?" Claris nodded. "You bet your jinglebells! Jackle, decorations don't come down on Christmas, that's when they're supposed to go up!"
Jackle froze, looking disturbed. "ON Christmas?" Keane considered. "My granpop used to wait until Christmas Eve to set the tree up, then he'd tell us Santa did it!"
Jackle frowned, turning to face the kids. "Tree shouldn't be up yet? Santa? The song talks about Santa, but fif he's Santa Clawz, isn't Clawz. . ."
Claris laughed. "Not Santa Clawz, Jackle." Keane grinned. "Santa Claus! He's the guy who brings presents to all the good kids!"
Jackle considered that, mentally crossing out the image of Clawz in a red fur cap. "What about it raining deer?" Claris giggled. "You mean reindeer, Jackle. Santa has magical reindeer that fly. . ."
Jackle looked confused. "Doesn't everything fly?" The kids laughed at that. Keane shook his head. "Boy do you have a lot tgo learn about Christmas! We'll show you if you let us down." Claris nodded her agreement.

Jackle started forward, but hesitated. "Reala'll get mad. . ." Keane cocked his head. "So? Jackle, you're like three times his size!" Jackle looked down. "I am?"
Claris would have slapped a hand over her eyes had she had one free. "How can you not notice a thing like that. . .!"
Jackle crept closer. "Am I a good kid?" Claris considered. "You're not a kid." Keane nodded. "And you're not good."
Jackle frowned. "I am so good! I do what Master says!" Keane scowled. "You mean 'Boss?' You tried to kill me!" Jackle arranged both hands in an arms folded position. "It wouldn't've hurt. . ."
Claris sighed. "Look, if we tell you what Santa considers good, and what he looks like and does, will you let us down now?" Jackle pointed distrustfully at her. "You hurt me before! But . . . then stopped NiGHTS from hurting me. . ." The Nightmaren seemed to have reached an impasse. ". . . promise."
Claris nodded eagerly. "I promise, if you let us down, we'll tell you what you want to know." Keane nodded as well.
Jackle sighed and flung a pair of cards at the kids. With twin shrieks, Claris and Keane fell to the floor, realizing belatedly that only the bows binding them had been severed. Jackle drifted close. "Now. Now you'll tell me about Santa."
Claris looked up at Jackle's grinning teeth and floating eyes, and winced despite herself. "Okay, we'll tell. . ."

To Be Continued. . .