Hey again! Just to let you know, I rewrote this chapter, due to a request from SVForever for more description. Here is Chappy Three…again!
Chapter #3: Christmas Past
Unfortunately for Tortimer, his sleep was once again disturbed an hour later when the clock struck one. He turned over in his bed and covered his head with his blankets, attempting to fall asleep again. But all of his sleepiness vanished when a ghostly voice called out to him. A cold hand shook his shoulder.
"Tortimer, wake up."
The old turtle let out a scream and jumped out of his bed. He grabbed the cane that always lay at his bedside and held it in an attack pose at the figure standing…more like floating…in front of him. The ghost resembled a hound; in fact, he bore resemblance to the police dog Copper.
"Do not be afraid, Tortimer!" said the Ghost. "I am the Ghost of Christmas Past…or more specifically, your Christmas past. Come with me." The ghost took the mayor's hand and led him through the wall. The town of Holiday vanished completely, and another took its place.
They stood in a merry village, with Christmas lights on trees and animals caroling around the neighborhood. Snow fell gently on the town, and many children were out having snowball fights.
"Do you recognize this place?" asked the hound ghost.
Tortimer sucked in his breath. "My hometown! I was a little lad here…"
The ghost took him by the arm and led him to the town's Museum, where a party seemed to be going on. A Christmas tree stood proudly in the lobby, and in every room Christmas lights and holly hung on the walls. Even the fossil dinosaurs were decorated for the party! Each room had been transformed for the special occasion—the insect exhibit was a dance floor; the fossil room served as a sort of lounge; the art gallery had painting tables for littler children; and the aquarium was used as a small theatre. It was even rumored that someone had hung mistletoe in the observatory!
The ghost led Tortimer into the café (you know, from AC: Wild World for the DS) and pointed out one particular animal over by the table that had the drinks: a young, energetic tortoise wearing an expensive-looking tuxedo. In one hand he held a glass of punch, and the other a black top hat. One of his friends, a bulldog, asked about the hat, and he chuckled.
"My dad gave this to me as a present," he replied to his friend's question. "Yeah, I know, a bit early, but he wanted me to look important for this party. He's always actin' like I'm gonna be somebody famous one day. I think he wants me to run for mayor of this town when I'm old enough!" The group burst into laughter.
"You! The mayor! Your old man's crazy, Tortoise!"
"That's the hardest job you can ever get…or even keep!"
The tortoise chuckled. "Yup, I know that. That's why I say each time he tells me that, 'Sure, Pops, an' maybe I'll become the King of Animal Crossing after that!'"
This joke prompted more laughing. One cat slapped his knee and said, "Man, you're quite the comedian, Tortimer, old buddy!"
The old Tortimer gave a start. The tortoise in the group was a younger version of him! The memories of his childhood Christmases slowly came back. "Now I remember this! Blathers' family had Christmas parties every year in the Museum!" the mayor said in delight.
"You were much younger then, and much merrier," commented the ghostly dog. "Your life was full of cheer until you were elected mayor and fell in love with your money."
Tortimer's smile faded slightly. "I…guess yer right."
"My time is up, and the next ghost will come to you in the next hour. Be ready!"
The turtle suddenly felt drowsy, and he fell softly to the ground, asleep.