Merry Christmas everyone! Sorry I haven't been active on FanFiction in a while, but things happen in life, including writer's block and lack of inspiration. I've been on DeviantArt for a little while for no reason other than the fun of it (more or less). But now I'm back with yet another holiday-themed FanFiction. If you're interested, feel free to look up Christmas Carol recasts to take a look at the meme I made. Other than that, enjoy the story! Aside from the original Charles Dickens story, I was partly inspired by Disney's 2009 film and Mickey's Christmas Carol TV special, so expect to see some elements similar to them.
Disclaimer: I claim zero ownership of "A Christmas Carol" and the cartoon/animated characters I have included here.
Rated K+ just to be on the safe side.
It was a snowy Christmas Eve as different cartoon characters went about their day in the city, greeting one another and wishing a Merry Christmas or whatever other holiday they celebrate. On a street corner was the Grinch (2018's The Grinch) dressed as Santa wishing passersby Merry Christmas and ringing a bell while Max his pet Dog happily awaited for said passersby to donate to their charity. Next to them were Raimundo Pedrosa (Xiaolin Showdown), as well as Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable (Kim Possible), Danny Fenton (Danny Phantom), Timmy Turner (The Fairly OddParents), and Sabrina Spellman (Sabrina: The Animated Series) singing carols. Coming around the same street corner and stomping his way past was Benjamin Krupp (Captain Underpants).
Krupp mumbled under his breath, "'Merry Christmas.' Bah, humbug!"
Eventually, Krupp made it to his money-lending business "Krupp & Quartermaine." (On a side note, Quartermaine was dead).
Looking up, Krupp's sour frown turned to a satisfied smirk as he beheld his business, as well as the name of his dead business partner. "Heh-heh, seven years today since my old partner Quartermaine passed on. He left me enough money for him to be buried in the cemetery—even though I sent his ashes to sea and saved a LOT more." The shrewd money lender chuckled to himself.
Inside the building was Aladdin (Disney's Aladdin) about to put a piece of coal in the woodstove before Krupp barged in.
Aladdin jumped for a moment before tossing the lump of coal back into the bucket. "Err, good morning Mr. Krupp, and Merry Christmas!"
"Aladdin, I told you never wish me a Merry Christmas!" barked Krupp, before he noticed his faithful employee near the woodstove and coal bucket and narrowing his eyes. "You weren't putting another coal in the fire, were you?! I told you that coal's not cheap!"
"I'm sorry sir, but the inkwell is frozen."
Looking back at the top of the woodstove, there was indeed a frozen inkwell, but Krupp dismissed it with a huff. "Just get back to work."
Doing as he was told, Aladdin thought of something. "Mr. Krupp. Sir. Tomorrow's Christmas, you know."
"Yeah, yeah—don't remind me. Still though, what's your point?"
"I was wondering, if maybe I could . . . have the day-off so I could be with my family? I mean, a lot of other businesses will be closed tomorrow, and I thought—"
"What? You thought you can just leave willy-nilly and do whatever you want for a whole day?" Krupp saw the crestfallen look on his employee's face (who went back to his work) and begrudgingly gave some thought. "Then again, even I know it would be a waste of time doing business with . . . closed businesses. . . . Fine, you can have the day-off tomorrow, but I'm docking half your salary the next day, got it?"
Aladdin smiled. "Thank you Mr. Krupp—thank you so much!"
"Don't push your luck!" Krupp rubbed his chin as he did the math. "Let me see, I pay you two shillings per day, right?"
"Two shillings and a penny, sir."
". . . Oh, that's right! I gave you a raise for doing my laundry. That reminds me, take these when you go home." The money lender tossed a bag of dirty laundry to his employee, before heading to his desk and counting his stack of coins, snickering in gleeful avarice. "Two thousand eight, two thousand nine, two thous—"
Knock, knock!
The knocking at the door made Krupp not only lose count, but also bump the stack of coins he was on. Growling for a moment, he shouted, "The door is open!"
Swinging the door open with a grin and a Christmas wreath was Johnny Loughran (Hotel Transylvania), Krupp's nephew and only living relative. "Hey, Merry Christmas everyone!"
"Merry Christmas, Johnny!" smiled back Aladdin.
Krupp rolled his eyes and muttered. "Bah, humbug."
"Now where's my favorite Uncle Krupp? . . . There you are!" Johnny grinned before hanging the wreath up.
Krupp got up from his desk and walked over to his nephew while speaking. "Johnny, what are you even doing here?"
"Aw, you know me, Uncle. Just here to wish a Merry Christmas, spread some cheer—just like last year."
"You don't get it, do you? Every year I keep telling you to keep Christmas to yourself—especially if you're going about on your lips a 'merry one.' If I had my way, I'd have every moron who wishes a 'Merry Christmas' to be cooked in their own meals with a stick of holly through their hearts!"
Johnny's grin was replaced with a confused frown during his uncle's rant. "Uhh, what kind of meals do you mean?"
"Oh how would I know? Just use your imagination! Besides, what do you have to be merry for? You're poor enough."
The nephew's smile returned. "Sure, but you're rich enough, aren't you?"
Krupp gave a blank stare, his eyes half-closed. "Cute. Real cute, nephew."
"Thanks, uncle. Ooh, almost forgot—how would like to have Christmas dinner with me at my place?"
"You're inviting me to your Christmas dinner?" Krupp inquired with a mildly surprised look.
"Yep."
Krupp's surprised look turned into a smile. "You gonna have turkey with chestnut stuffing?"
"You bet!" smiled back Johnny.
"And giblet gravy?"
"It wouldn't be Christmas dinner without it."
"Why, I bet you even have spice cakes with candied fruits."
"Sure do. So you wanna come over?"
"Don't be so stupid, nephew!" glared Krupp in his usual sour manner before ripping the wreath from the wall and slamming it over Johnny's head like a napkin ring. "That stuff will make my waistline bigger than it already is! So you go and take your wreath and celebrate Christmas your way, while I celebrate it my way! Capiche?"
Johnny pulled the wreath over his head. "Yeah, yeah—capiche, uncle." The nephew's smile returned all the same. "But hey, lemme know when you change your mind—the offer still stands."
Krupp face-palmed himself. "Johnny, tomorrow's Christmas Day, so the 'offer' won't last long."
"I know—limited time only, huh-huh."
"Don't you have better things to do?"
"Oh, you're right—I gotta get tomorrow's dinner going. See you 'round, uncle."
As Krupp lumbered back to his desk, Johnny threw a casual salute to Aladdin. "Merry Christmas, Aladdin!"
"And a Merry Christmas to you too, Johnny!" smiled back the employee.
With a smile on his face and the wreath in hand again, Johnny was humming a Christmas song as he walked out the door.
Aladdin chuckled. "That Johnny—he's always nice."
"Yeah," said Krupp in a curt manner, "he'd always been something of an oddball." Another knock came to the door. "If that's you again, Johnny, I'm still not going!"
The door opened revealing Robin Hood and Little John (Disney's Robin Hood).
"Oh, a couple of customers!" Krupp said happily and rubbing his hands. "Aladdin, allow me to tend to them, personally."
"Good day, sir!" Robin Hood tipped his hat. "My partner and I hope you could help us."
"But first," Little John pointed out, "are we talking to Krupp or Quartermaine?"
"Krupp, my good men!" smiled the money lender. "My business partner has died some years ago. But anyway, how may I help you today?"
"Well, you see, Mr. Krupp," announced Robin Hood, "we're here to collect charity for the destitue and impoverished."
"Beg pardon?"
Little John answered. "Err, my partner means the poor, sir."
The smile on Krupp's face disappeared and he looked crestfallen. "Oh. The poor. I see. . . . Now tell me, raising money for the poor is like your job, isn't it?"
Robin Hood nodded, "Indeed it is, sir."
"Well then, if you gave the poor money, they wouldn't be so . . . poor anymore, would they?"
"Of course."
The money lender slowly escorted the charity collectors to the door while still talking. "And if there are no more poor people that could mean . . . you two would be out of a job, wouldn't you?"
Little John looked confused. "I never thought of it that way."
"I know, right?" Krupp asked as he led them back outside the door. "Believe me gentlemen, the last thing I want is for you to lose your jobs. Oh, please don't ask me to put you two of a job—and on Christmas Eve."
"Oh now, Mr. Krupp," said Robin Hood, "we wouldn't do that."
"Good, now scram!" sneered Krupp before slamming the door on them. The money lender sighed as he directed his attention to Aladdin. "Where is the world coming to these days? You work so hard to earn so much money, and everyone around you wants you to give it away."
That evening, working on the books was Aladdin. Just then, the clock struck seven. The faithful employee quickly finished the last thing he was writing in and getting ready to leave, before Krupp looked up at the clock, and back down at his stopwatch.
"Hmm," Krupp grumbled, "two minutes fast."
Aladdin, while in stride to leave, went back to his desk and opened up the book again.
The money lender groaned in dismissal, however. "Ah, never mind those two minutes Aladdin, you can go."
"Yes!" cheered Aladdin before gathering up Krupp's bag of dirty laundry. "Thank you so much, sir!"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah—just remember to be here early the next day."
"Of course. Have a Mer—err, I mean, a good day, sir."
Krupp watched as Aladdin left before huffing in mild annoyance.
After having closed up shop earlier, Krupp marched up to his house, originally owned by his late business partner. However, he paused when he saw the door knocker transform from a gargoyle-like face to that of late business partner Victor Quartermaine (Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit).
Krupp looked surprised before rubbing his eyes, but still saw the face of his late business partner.
"Krupp!" spookily said Quartermaine.
"No. No—I must be seeing things!" denied the shrewed money lender. "That can't be Victor Quartermaine. Could it?"
There was a pause of staring before Quartermaine simply stated, "Boo."
Krupp jumped in surprise with a gasp before opening the door, dashing inside, and slamming the door shut again in a matter of a couple seconds.
Sliding back down to the floor, the money lender breathed a sigh of relief before shaking off the frightened feeling, looking as sour as always. "Bah. Humbug!"
Krupp marched upstairs, brushing whatever happened a moment ago past him like it was nothing. However, he heard the faint sound of chains rattling, but the sound slowly grew louder each step he took, and as he ran up the stairs as fast as he (given his weight) could go, the rattling chains became louder.
Approaching the door to his studies, Krupp slammed the door to that behind him and set up each lock, and even placed a chair under the doorknob for extra measure. He wiped his brow in relief before lumbering over and plopping down into the chair in front of the fireplace.
"Boy," breathed out Krupp, "I guess giving Aladdin the day off wasn't a bad idea after all. I must be getting overworked."
"Krupp!" came a shaky-sounding voice that sounded like it was being carried off by the wind.
Krupp himself jumped again and, having heard it coming from behind him, turned around in his couch and peered over the head as he trembled.
"Krupp!" went the voice again before Quartermaine's ghost appeared through the door, slowly floating toward his still-living business partner with chains wrapped on him. "Benjamin Krupp!"
Ducking back into the couch, the money lender covered his eyes. "I don't see anything. I don't see anything. I most certainly am not seeing a g-g-g-ghost!"
Krupp lowered his hands from his eyes and saw Quartermaine's ghost in front of him.
The ghost simply smirked. "Boo."
Krupp hyperventilated for a moment before biting his nails.
"Oh, come now, Krupp old boy!" said the apparition. "Don't you even recognize me, your old business partner Victor Quartermaine?"
Stopping his nail-biting, Krupp blinked a couple times and relaxed a little, but still confused. "Quartermaine? It really is you, isn't it?"
"You were expecting maybe Yosemite Sam?" The ghost then chuckled at his own joke. "Oh, I may be dead, but at least I still have my sense of humor."
Resting his head in either hand, Krupp had a blank look before mumbling, "Yeah, that's still up for debate."
Quartermaine then looked seriously. "Benjamin Krupp, remember when in life I would rob from the poor? Or I would kick the elderly from the old person's home and have orphanages torn down?"
"Why, of course I remember!" Krupp smiled. "And you did it all in one day. You sir really had class."
Quartermaine smiled in that snooty, satisfied way. "Yes, I know." But then the ghost snapped out of his arrogant moment. "But no—class is not the point, old boy—for I was wrong! I was blinded by my own avarice!" He then looked down at himself sadly, picking up a random chain. "Hence the reason I must carry around these chains—the chains I forged in life. My punishment for doing everyone wrong—even you, in a matter of speaking, Krupp."
"But . . . but . . . surely it isn't all true, Quartermaine. You've always been a man of business."
"Don't you even see?! Mankind and common welfare were my business, and now I must suffer for it! And you, Krupp, are following the same path I went down! . . . However, there's still hope for you yet to change your ways and avoid my fate."
Krupp was frightened and confused before shrugging. "But how?"
"Tonight, you will be visited by three more spirits. Expect the first ghost when the bell tolls one."
"C-c-c-couldn't I just see all three of them at once?"
"Listen to them and do as they say, Krupp . . . or your chains will be heavier than mine. Farewell, Benjamin Krupp!" The ghost of Quartermaine then faded away—chains and all.
Krupp then gulped in fear, before tugging at the collar of his shirt. "Three more ghosts. Why does there have to be three more ghosts?"
Later that night, Krupp was sound asleep in his bed, his curtains up all around him. However, the money lender tossed and turned as he tried to sleep, mumbling about the three ghosts about to see him.
Just outside his curtained bed was a bright light appearing next to his clock. When the light cleared, in its place was an angelic-looking ghost who appeared to be a pale, teenage girl. The young-looking ghost was named Dawn (Total Drama).
"Oh, Krupp," gently called the ghost, "it is time to wake up."
Still seeing that the money lender was tossing and turning in his sleep behind the curtains, Dawn looked over at the clock and got an idea. Seeing as it was one, she tapped on the clock's bell.
That startled Krupp out of his sleep to the point that he rolled out of bed and onto the floor.
"Anyone get the license to that coach?" asked Krupp in a daze before looking at the ghostly teenage girl and shaking himself into full consciousness.
"Oh, good," daintily smiled the spirit, "I was worried you wouldn't wake up. I sense your aura as currently both scared and confused—a purplish gray, if I'm not mistaken."
Not sure what to feel anymore, Krupp pointed at the teenage spirit. "Who are you?"
"Oh, yes, we should be properly acquainted, Mr. Krupp. I am Dawn, the Ghost of Christmas Past."
"Now I know I'm seeing things. You look like you're just a kid. I kind of imagined you to be older. And taller."
"Now, now, Krupp—only kindness can be truly measured. Having seen your deeds, you yourself would measure up, well . . . short."
Krupp just hand-waved the ghost's statement. "Kindness is of little use."
Dawn floated over to the window as she spoke. "You didn't always think that. Come—it's time to go."
The money lender squinted an eye while shrugging his shoulders. "So it's time to go. Don't let me stop you." He then jumped in both surprise at the ghost opening the window and due to the cold air coming in before scurrying to her. "Spirit, what are you doing?!"
"We're going to take a trip to your past. Come along, Krupp."
"But I can't follow you! I can't fly, or glide, or float, or whatever it is ghosts do!"
"Just hold onto my hand, and no harm will come to you. Be sure to close your eyes."
"Because I'll still fall?!"
Dawn giggled. "No, silly—a meditative state will help clear your confused mind."
Krupp took a deep breath and breathed back out. "Okay, but PLEASE no funny stuff."
"I promise."
Hesitantly, Krupp held onto Dawn's hand before the two of them floated out through the window and flew above the city.
The money lender dared to look down and screamed as he held onto the Ghost of Christmas Past for dear life.
Shocked while still floating, Dawn mumbled out. "I told you keeping your eyes closed would help relax you. Just don't let go."
"Why would I even do that?!" Krupp asked in fright. "Just watch where you're going, please!"
Passing what looked to be a transparent veil, Krupp and Dawn found themselves in the past—his past, before landing down in front of a brightly-lit building.
Krupp's frightened look turned to remembrance and astonishment as he climbed off of Dawn.
"Do you remember the place, Krupp?" smiled Dawn.
"I . . ." stammered Krupp a little before his face slowly turned to a smile, "I do remember! We're in front of Sam-I-Am's Green Eggs and Ham catering. Oh the stories I could tell you about Sam—he's the kindest person I ever knew." He walked through the side of the building into the hall of dancing cartoon characters—not even bothered by the fact that we went through it no problem. There was a single tear running down his face.
"Why, Krupp, are you crying?" Dawn queried, noticing the tear running down his face.
Krupp snapped out of it before wiping the tear away. "Err, no, of course not—just dry is all. Oh, look over there, Spirit!"
"C'mon everyone—we're gonna celebrate 'til we can no more!" happily exclaimed Sam-I-Am (Green Eggs & Ham) while dancing with a plate of green eggs and ham in one hand.
"That's my employer I told you about. Hey Sam! It's me, Benjamin Krupp! You always called me Benny? Sam?" Krupp was confused. "I don't understand, Spirit—why can't he hear me?"
Dawn explained, "These are only shadows of your past, Benjamin. They can't see or hear you." The teenage ghost's eye wandered over to someone else. "Look over in the corner, Benjamin. Do you remember him?"
Krupp looked in the ghost's direction and saw someone he knew very well, sitting in the corner shyly. "Why, that's me. I had always been on the shy side back then." He then sighed. "And look at me now."
Dawn's eyes were half-closed as she raised either eyebrow. "Indeed."
". . . That is not what I meant. Oh, and look over there—it's Edith."
The young blue-eyed lady Edith (Captain Underpants) walked over to the younger Krupp. "Oh, Benjamin. Would you like to dance with me?"
"Really?" asked younger Krupp. "You're asking me to dance? With you, Edith?"
With a gentle smile, Edith nodded.
"Well . . . I guess so—though I'm not very good."
"Aw, it's all right."
As the young couple danced, younger Krupp slowly got more confident before he really enjoyed being in her company, as they danced happily together.
Krupp breathed in deeply before breathing back out happily. "I remember how much I was in love with her."
"Indeed, Benjamin," said Dawn, "but there was another time with her, ten years later around Christmas."
The happiness immediately drained from Krupp, as he knew all too well what the ghost was talking about. "No. No, please Spirit—not that time! Anywhere but that!"
The building and everyone that surrounded the two figures faded away before Krupp found himself in his old counting house, watching his slightly older self talking to a slightly older Edith.
"But Benjamin," pleaded Edith, "I have been holding onto our honeymoon cottage for so long. I must know: Will you marry me?"
"I'm sorry Edith," said the slightly-older Krupp, "but what could I provide you when I have yet to gain enough money to keep us set for life? And what use is there in keeping a honeymoon cottage for so long when we can gain money from it?"
"Benjamin, what are you saying?"
"I'm saying that I had no choice but to sell the honeymoon cottage. And no, I can't marry you. Not yet."
First shock was on her face, but then tears streamed down Edith's cheeks. "Then . . . then I release you, Benjamin Krupp."
Hanging her head down low, Edith walked out of the counting house.
"No, Edith—please don't go!" Krupp shouted in an attempt, hoping it would somehow change the past. ". . . Spirit, why would you show me that day? Why?"
Dawn looked down, pitying Krupp. "I am sorry Benjamin, but remember: These are the shadows of your past. You fashioned these memories yourself. Please don't blame me."
"Just take me home and leave me! Haunt me no more!" snapped Krupp in a sad tone.
Dawn sighed. "As you wish." She then snapped her fingers.
Before he knew it, Krupp found himself back in his bedroom. Actually, he found himself in his bed.
Suddenly, the clock struck two and the bells gave a soft chime.
However, Krupp didn't pay any attention to his clock as he was still (metaphorically) kicking himself for what he did all those years ago. "How could I be so stupid? Why did I ever let Edith go?"
Just then, he felt a bright light on the other side of his bed curtains and heard a strange sound. It sound like . . . bagpipes, of all things. He peered through the curtains and found himself staring at a brightly-lit bedroom full of food while a burly-looking man with a gun for a leg simply called the Scotsman (Samurai Jack) was playing the bagpipes from what looked to be a tall thrown.
Noticing Krupp, the Scotsman stopped playing and looked down with a smirk, his voice brimming with a thick Scottish burr. "Ah take it, laddie, that yer not ahcquainted to the pipes, HAHAHA! Come on ahnd know me better, man!"
Krupp darted his eyes from one side to another, confused and looking about the room in strangeness. "Wait. You're talking to me?"
"Aye, Ah'm the boonin' Ghost of Christmas Present, laddie—simply referred to ahs the Scotsman. Now come on ahnd know me better, man!"
Krupp crawled out of his bed and looked at all the food before him, an astonished look on his face. "Gosh, I'm practically looking at a banquet. Turkey. Goose. Mince pies." A smile crept onto his face again. "All down to the spice cakes with candied fruit, even!"
"Ahnd don't forget the haggis, laddie, HAHAHA!"
". . . Uhh, yeah. Where did all the food come from?"
Jumping off from his thrown, the Scotsman landed in front of Krupp. "Wot ya see here is boonin' food of generosity—oll comin' straight from the heart, laddie." The Ghost of Christmas Present then pointed an accusatory finger. "Ahnd if I'm not mistaken, you have denied yer fellow cartoons of it."
Krupp looked at the burly spirit with a huff. "Excuse me, but no one ever sowed generosity toward me you know, 'laddie.'"
The Scotsman laughed boisterously at the response before giving Krupp a hard slap on the back. "True, but only because ya never gave them reason ta do so. Ahnd yet, there are some people who still show it—even ta the likes of you, Krupp."
"No acquaintance of mine, I can assure you."
"So, ya don't believe me, aye? Come along, ahnd Ah'll prove ya otherwise, laddie."
"Do I have a choice?"
"No."
"Fine. Lead on, spirit."
"Oh, Ah will." With a solid clap of his hands, the two figures found themselves in what appeared to be the poor side of the city.
As they walked onward to whatever direction the ghost was going, Krupp noticed a sword scabbard. "Hey spirit, what's with the scabbard?"
The Scotsman squinted an eye. "Beg ya pardon, laddie?"
"I just noticed you have a scabbard on your back, but no sword with it. How come?"
"HA! So Ah do, laddie! Well doncha know that it's boonin' Christmas? Peace oon Earth ahnd good will toward cartoons."
"Oh, well since you put it that way . . ."
As Krupp trailed off, the Scotsman picked him up and set him down in front of a house. "Here we are laddie."
Krupp raised an eyebrow in disgust and disbelief. "Here where, spirit? Why did you take me to some old shack?"
"Aye, the 'auld shack' so happens ta be the home of Aladdin—yer unemployed ahnd overworked employee—as well as his boonin' family. Go ahnd rest yer skinflintin' penny-pinchin' eyes oon it yerself."
"You just had to insult me, didn't you?"
"Shut it! Now go oon—take a bloody look."
"All right—I'm looking, I'm looking."
Krupp did as the ghost demanded, and his angry look softened as he watched his employee Aladdin helping his two children Arnold Shortman (Hey Arnold!) and Ruby Gloom (Ruby Gloom) decorating a scrawny-looking Christmas tree, while his wife Jasmine (Disney's Aladdin) was tending to the fireplace with a boiling pot hanging on a spit, as well as what appeared to be a covered plate before taking off the built-in grill.
"Children," said Jasmine, "dinner is ready."
"Oh," said Ruby as she took her seat, "it smells so wonderful, Mom."
Arnold had a small smile on his face as well. "It looks great, too."
Jasmine had a soft smile on her lips after being complimented. "Thank you so much."
Krupp noticed the dish of food comprising only a handful of peas, a couple of potatoes, and what looked to be a scrawny Cornish game hen.
"Wait a moment spirit, that can't be all their food!" Krupp objected. "What about the pot over there? Surely there must be, I don't know, a stew or something."
"Nay laddie," the Scotsman answered with a shake of his head, "that be yer laundry."
"Don't eat yet kids—" said Aladdin—"until Charlie Brown is here."
Hobbling down the stairs with his crutch was Charlie Brown (Peanuts). "I'm coming, Dad."
Aladdin helped his third child down the stairs and to the table with the rest of the family.
"Their meal, spirit," said Krupp, "it's so . . . meager."
"Maybe so," stated the Scotsman, "but very much appreciated oll the same, laddie."
"Mom, Dad," Charlie Brown smiled, "just look at all the food—it looks incredible."
"See?"
"We must thank Mr. Krupp, the founder of the feast."
Aladdin and Jasmine looked at one another sadly.
Krupp couldn't look away from Charlie Brown—such a remarkable child. "Please tell me spirit. What is wrong with Charlie Brown?"
Even though the skinflint would deny it, the Scotsman wasn't fooled and could sense a hint of concern in his voice. "Much Ah'm afraid, laddie."
Krupp watched as the family shared the small meal between them. " . . . Do you know what may happen to him?"
The Scotsman raised his eyebrows in sadness. "Mah realm's oonly in the present, but Ah see an empty chair, ahnd a crutch with no owner."
"But . . . but that means—"
Soon the clock struck once again, somehow more ominously. If he had any hair under his hairpiece, Krupp would feel it standing on end.
"Ach!" went the Scotsman. "Mah time with ya is oop, laddie—now ya moost see Darth Vader, ya know."
"Wait—who?!" Krupp asked in a panicky tone.
"None oother than the boonin' Ghost of Christmas Future."
"No, spirit—don't go! I need to know what happens to Charlie Brown! I just need to—"
The Scotsman set his heavy hand on Krupp's shoulder and winked as he started to fade. "Go ahnd know him better too, laddie."
As the ghost faded out of sight, as well as Aladdin's house and the other houses surrounding him, Krupp found himself alone once again and surrounded by darkness and very little light above him. Suddenly, he noticed his shadow changing shape into a whole other being, and he heard the sound of what could only be described as a steady . . . metallic breathing.
Krupp looked at the shadow, gulping in fear. He almost couldn't speak, but had to force himself to rasp it out. "Are you the Ghost of Christmas Future?"
The shadow with metallic breathing nodded once, but not a word was said from him.
"You're . . . you're about to show me . . . how my actions could affect what is yet to come. Right?"
The ghostly shadow repeated the same nod.
"Spirit, I fear you more than any specter I have seen, but I shall follow you as I did the others."
The Ghost of Christmas Future stood like the shadow he currently was, his metallic breathing still steady.
Krupp was finding himself stressing over the lack of response. "Well, come on, spirit—we must go now before the night is through!"
The shadow ghost gave a single wave of either hand and Krupp found himself enveloped in what could only be described as blackness, almost cape-like in feel.
Krupp, seeing the ghost's shadow still looming over him, followed where the latter was pointing and spotted Slappy and Skippy (Animaniacs), talking to what appeared to be Alice (The Penguins of Madagascar cartoon series).
"Wait a minute," Krupp whispered, "I recognize those two—that's Slappy and her nephew Skippy, my housekeepers."
"All right, so what've you two got for me today?" smirked Alice.
"Well, how do these collar buttons look?" Slappy asked.
Alice looked at them and chuckled slyly. "Looks like these will fetch a nice little sum, my friend."
"How about these bed curtains, Alice?" Skippy asked, holding up some bed curtains.
"Slappy and Skippy! You're fired! FIRED!" called out Krupp realizing something. "Oh wait—they can't hear me."
"Don't cost much," Alice stated while inspecting the bed curtains over, "but they should cost a little something. Throw those in along with the bed sheets."
"Deal!" said the two Squirrels giving thumbs-up each.
"Heh-heh-heh-heh. The fool won't be needing them anymore anyway."
Realization then hit Krupp before looking at the ghost shadow. "Spirit—I see now! I see that the events of that poor man could be my own. Please spirit—please show me come kind of tenderness connected to tragedy . . . or what I've witnessed will haunt me for the rest of my life."
Once again, Krupp found himself enveloped in that cape-like blackness before finding himself at a cemetery.
Krupp looked to the ghostly shadow. "I must know, spirit. I must know before I go on any further: What happened to Charlie Brown?"
The shadow-like ghost with metallic breathing pointed over to a hill, where Aladdin, Jasmine, Arnold, and Ruby could be seen. The family was huddled before a tombstone, and tears streamed down their eyes, while the overworked employee gripped Charlie Brown's crutch.
"No. No, no, no—it can't be! It just can't!" denied Krupp with anguish in his voice before dropping to his knees. "Not Charlie Brown! Spirit, I never wanted these events to happen! Please speak comfort to me—please tell me these events can change!"
Krupp was then surprised by the sound of laughing. He and the shadow ghost looked over and saw brothers Norbert and Daggett Beaver (The Angry Beavers) with shovels in hand looking over their work of a newly-dug grave, with a snow-covered tombstone.
"Well, Dag," smirked Norbert, "I see a pretty cheap funeral for him, doncha think?"
"Yeah, I'll say, Norb—eeh!" nodded Daggett. "No friends, no family—only way I'll attend is if lunch is provided."
The two Beaver brothers laughed again.
"That's a fact!" Norbert agreed. "Speaking of lunch, let's take a break."
"Good thinking," Daggett smirked, "since he's not going anywhere."
Leaving the grave (with camera following), the two Beavers laughed once again.
Once the camera panned away from the gravediggers, Krupp and the ghostly shadow were standing near the grave.
Krupp gulped once again, as he dared to look up at the ghost once more. "Spirit, dare I ask, but . . . who was that man whose death brought so much joy to others?"
Almost as if telekinetically, Krupp found himself being raised in the air and drawn closer to the silhouette and over the hole, as it was the shadow ghost himself doing it. Lightning seemed to strike from all around, and wind was blowing. Krupp could see the hand that was controlling the telekinesis going on emerging from the shadow—like a dark being stepping out of a dimension within a shadow.
"Spirit!" called out Krupp against the wind and lightning. "Please! Are these the shadows that will be, or are these the shadows that may be?! Could these events change?!"
With his telekinesis the ghostly shadow turned Krupp over to the tombstone. The snow blew away to reveal the name . . .
Benjamin Krupp.
Seeing his name on the tombstone, the money lender gasped before facing the ghost again, while still suspended in the air.
"No, Spirit! Please hear me out!" Krupp pleaded. "I'm not the man I was! Why show me these things if I'm past all hope?! Spirit, assure me that I may change these shadows you've shown me! Change them by an altered life! Please, spirit! I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year! I will not shut out the lessons of the past, nor present, nor future! Oh, please, spirit, tell me I may sponge away the writing on that stone!"
The silhouette stepped forward out of the shadow, revealing himself as Darth Vader (Star Wars Rebels). The sight of the ghost frightened Krupp so, to the point of screaming in terror.
While no eyes could be seen through his helmet, Krupp could feel the eyes of the grim-looking spirit metaphorically burn a hole through him.
Darth Vader said only one thing to Krupp: "You already know the answer."
Krupp then found himself falling down the hole and into the open black casket awaiting him before screaming for his life.
Thud!
Krupp woke up and found himself face-first in his floor, his bed sheets still on top of him.
"I'm here?" asked Krupp as he looked about himself, realizing he was back in his room. "I'm . . . I'm still here." With a gleeful smile, he jumped up and cheered. "I'm still here!" He then heard the bells from the clock outside ringing, with realization. "It's Christmas—I haven't missed it! YAHOOOO!" Krupp danced around before dashing downstairs and finding Slappy and Skippy.
"Slappy! Skippy!" Krupp exclaimed happily. "MERRY CHRISTMAS!" He then took them with each hand and danced around with them. "Tra-la-la! Tra-la-la! Dance with me, my friends!"
"Aunt Slappy, what's going on?" Skippy asked in genuine confusion.
Slappy however was just as confused. "I have no idea Skippy. Mr. Krupp, are you all right?"
Having stopped dancing with them, Krupp kept on smiling. "You better believe it—better than ever! Why, I don't know what to do—I'm as light as a feather and merry as a schoolboy, as the spirits gave me another chance and did all in one night. Oh, of course they could—they can do anything you know."
"Err, sure they can."
"Ooh, I just remembered. You know that prize turkey down at the butcher?"
"The one twice my size, Mr. Krupp?" Skippy asked.
"That's the one, my boy! Such an intelligent lad you are!"
"Aw, shucks."
"Listen, I need you two to go buy it for me."
"Be serious!" the Squirrels exclaimed in surprised unison.
"But I am serious, guys!" said Krupp before handing them money for it. "Here's the money. Come back here with it and I'll each of you half a pound. What do you say?"
"Huh! You really are serious?" Slappy grinned.
"I sure am."
Skippy saluted. "You got it, Mr. Krupp!"
So the aunt and nephew Squirrels took off like a couple of shots.
Krupp tapped his fingers in anxious joy. "The turkey will be perfect for Aladdin and his family. It's at least twice the size of Charlie Brown. Oh, there's so much to be done—I better get to it."
Outside were Robin Hood and Little John bidding all passersby a Merry Christmas as they gave them as much money as they respectively could for their charity. Coincidentally, the two collectors were standing just outside Krupp's house.
Now fully dressed for the day, Krupp swung his door open and spread his arms out. "Merry Christmas, one and all!" He then noticed the two charity collectors. "Well now, just the gentlemen I hoped to see today. Good morning to you both."
"Oh," said Robin Hood in surprise, "and a good morning to you, Mr. Krupp."
"It most certainly is. Oh wait, I mustn't forget." The money lender then handed the charity collectors a bag of coins each. "My donation for the poor—fifty gold sovereigns each, my fine men."
"Fifty each, Mr. Krupp?" Little John asked, also surprised.
"Why Mr. Krupp," Robin Hood said, "that makes it—"
"One hundred altogether—and not a penny less!" Krupp smiled jovially.
"Hey Mr. Krupp, we got the turkey!" said Slappy as she and her nephew came running with the giant turkey in their hands.
"Want us to bring it in, Mr. Krupp?" Skippy asked.
"Oh, I have better idea—just follow me, my friends!" said Krupp as he put the promised money in the Squirrels' respective coat pockets before turning to the charity collectors "I very much enjoy your company, my good men, but I have so much to do today. Have a Merry Christmas!" As he went onward, he clicked his heels once, with Slappy and Skippy behind him.
"Say, thanks!" Little John smiled with a wave of his hat.
Robin Hood did the same. "Thank you, Mr. Krupp, and Merry Christmas to you too!"
Krupp skipped happily along, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas from the Grinch and Max, to the young carolers, and everyone in between before running into Johnny.
"Johnny, my favorite nephew!" exclaimed Krupp in real happiness before giving his nephew a hug.
"Err," said Johnny as he awkwardly gave a hug back, "it's good to see you too, uncle."
Krupp broke the hug to tell his nephew the good news. "Hey Johnny, does the offer to Christmas dinner still stands?"
"Uhh, sure it does. Wait—" happily realized the nephew—"you mean you're really coming over, Uncle Krupp?"
"You bet! You know how much I like spice cakes with candied fruit. I'll see you later." Krupp then skipped along before calling over his shoulder. "And Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas, Uncle Krupp!"
The born-again money lender stopped by a toy shop, a big bag of toys over his shoulder, as Slappy and Skippy were waiting for him.
"Where are we going now, Mr. Krupp?" Slappy inquired.
"Yeah, where to now, sir?" Skippy wondered out loud.
"Oh Slappy and Skippy," Krupp smiled, "you two have been so helpful to me that there's nothing else to do. Tell you what—while I take the turkey to a very special person, go enjoy yourselves on Christmas, and don't forget." He then stuffed two more satchels both holding a half pound in the Squirrels' respective coat pockets.
"Another half pound?" asked the Squirrel aunt and nephew together in pleasant surprise.
Krupp stuffed the prize turkey in the bag he carried. "You two more than earned it. Have a Merry Christmas!" As he walked onward, he whispered to himself. "Next stop: Aladdin's house."
Having reached his employee's house, Krupp motioned for Slappy and Skippy, turkey still in hands to hide a moment. The money lender had to calm himself down and tried to look austere for the moment as he knocked on the door with his free hand.
Answering the door was Aladdin himself, surprised to see his boss. "Mr. Krupp—err, Merry Christmas!"
"Hmmph! Is it?" asked Krupp in faux anger before stomping into the house.
"Err, make yourself at home, sir."
The rest of Aladdin's family were shocked.
"Oh, Mr. Krupp!" gasped Jasmine. "Aladdin has told us so much about you."
"Oh, yeah," nodded Krupp harshly before looking over at Charlie Brown, "I'm sure he did, madam." He then winked at the poor-doing child, before directing his attention to his faithful employee. "Aladdin, you better have a good excuse for not coming into work today. Also, I have another load for you, evidently."
"Mr. Krupp," frowned Aladdin, "you gave me the day off—for Christmas. We talked about that yesterday, remember?"
"I remember no such thing. Aladdin, stand together with your family so I can get a good look at all of you."
"Mom, what's going on?" Arnold whispered.
"Mr. Krupp's not going to fire Dad, is he?" Ruby whispered as well.
"I . . ." whispered Jasmine in worry, "I don't know."
"I have made up my mind about you Aladdin!" Krupp exclaimed. "I have come to my decision: I'm going to raise your salary and pay off all your debts, understand?!"
There was a moment of surprise as Aladdin and his family looked at the money lender in surprise.
"Had you sweating there a moment, didn't I?" smirked Krupp as he dropped the austere act and laughed jovially.
"So, you really mean—?" asked Aladdin.
Krupp finally relaxed from laughing. "Oh, yes indeed. I truly am raising your salary and paying off your debt, and I would also like to make you business partner."
"You mean it, sir?" Aladdin asked happily.
"Every word, my good sir. And that's not all. Children, why don't go ahead and look in the bag."
Arnold, Ruby, and Charlie Brown looked in the back and their eyes lit up at the sight of the large assortment of toys.
Krupp then remembered something. "Oh wait—I almost forgot something. Kids, lemme sneak in there for just a second." He then pulled out the prize turkey and handed it to Jasmine. "And for you my dear lady, the best turkey money can buy for dinner."
"Oh, Mr. Krupp," gasped Jasmine happily, "thank you so much."
Standing by his wife, Aladdin looked happily at his boss-now-business partner. "Thank you for everything, Mr. Krupp."
Krupp chuckled happily as he patted Charlie Brown on the head. "Merry Christmas, my friends."
"Merry Christmas!" Charlie Brown smiled.
As the three children hugged Krupp, he hugged them back. For the longest time, he had been alone, especially on Christmas. But now, having seen the light, he wasn't alone anymore.
The End
And so ends my second FanFiction story thus far. Hopefully, life doesn't bog me down from writing any more stories—holiday-related or otherwise. Also, I tried my best to "replicate" the way the Scotsman spoke, so I just hope I did the job properly (for lack of a better phrase). Until next time, have a Merry Christmas! :)
