Hi, everyone! Here is the penultimate chapter of TLN 2. This is the aftermath and Christmas Ball chapter, so I won't say too much and we'll get on with it. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: You already know this.

Chapter 13: Winding Down and Partying Down

Things were settled pretty quickly that night. As all the citizens returned home, the Franklins were giving a place to stay in the palace, at least until they could get their own home.

While Carla was speaking to Rudy and Lulu privately, Russell, Marshall, Bertha, and the guards were waiting outside of a room. Marshall's mother had finally gone into labor, and was in the room with her husband, being assisted by Camille and Wendy.

"Wow... what a day..." Russell sighed in relief, "I'm glad it's over, though."

"I'm glad that hopefully, things will go back to normal," Bill added. He was still recovering from the blast. He was eating some icicles to help remove the pain.

"I'm glad that my Mom's gonna be okay..." Marshall smiled.

"Yeah, and soon, you'll have a little bro or sis to play with too," Harold spoke up.

A few minutes later, Camille opened the bedroom door, "Attention everyone... the baby has been born." She announced, "If you'd like to come and see. Be very quiet..."

The boys carefully shuffled into the room, to see Marge in bed, smiling at her tiny baby wrapped in a blanket in her arms. Ray was at her side. Marshall was the first to approach his parents and his new sibling.

"Marshall, meet your little brother." Marge smiled, "His name is Joseph."

The small boy climbed on top of the bed to get a good look at his brother. The baby stared right back at him with a tiny smile.

"You did great, honey," Ray said to his wife.

"I'm just glad little Joey was able to wait until after everything calmed down." She replied.

Russell approached the bed, "Congratulations, you guys. Of everything that happened, it's nice to have a little blessing." He said, "And soon you'll find a place to stay, right?"

Before either parent could answer, another knock was at the door, "Came we come in?"

"Sure," Russell called back.

The door opened, and in came Carla, "Congrats, you two. I heard the baby has made his grand entrance."

Behind her... was Rudy and Lulu following.

Marge gasped as Ray held her protectively. Seeing his parents in shock, Marshall spoke, "It's okay, Mom and Dad. They're good now." He explained.

"Yes, we've changed," Rudy added, "So you don't have to worry about us hurting you. Or taking your baby to raise as our own heir."

Lulu fluttered closer to the bed, "Oh, what a handsome little boy. And I've got just the thing for him." She waved her hand a little, since she didn't have her wand, and next to the newborn, was a sugar plum themed teddy bear, "A gift for the little one."

"Oh, thank you very much." Marge nodded with gratitude.

"Hey, I wanna give him something too." Rudy said as he waved his scepter. in the baby's hand appeared was a little rattle, shaped like a scepter exactly like Rudy's.

"Very thoughtful of you," Ray added.

Russell smiled at the two royals, "Pretty cool of you to do that. Looks like you have class after all." The tiny boy looked at his sword, "You know... since I have to go home... again. What do you say, Rudy? Wanna take up the Nutcracker mantle again?" He asked, holding the sword up.

Prince Rudy was surprised beyond belief... but after all the dangers he has put the Winter Kingdom into before, he had something else in mind.

"Look, Russell, I really do appreciate this offer very much but I have already made a decision." He explained, "I'm going to spend my days with Lulu, to serve as her Sugar Plum King."

Queen Lulu was shocked, "R-Really... you want to be my king?"

"Of course. I figured that you might need help with growing and harvesting sugar plums. And I've noticed that you've taken a liking to me..." he smirked.

"Oh, you devil..."

"And that's not all."

Holding his scepter up, Rudy tapped it on his head, as a glow engulfed his body. Once it died down, everyone gasped at what they saw. Rudy was now a fairy, his normal prince clothing now with a sugar plum theme.

"Wow!" Russell exclaimed.

Lulu, of course, was amazed, "Oh, Rudy." She fluttered over to hug her new king.

Bertha walked up beside Russell, "I know Albert would be so proud..." She said, "I really proved myself today. And I think we both have, little soldier."

Another idea popped in Russell's head, "Hey, Bertha, I'd like to ask you something." He questioned.

"Yes?"

The little boy held out his sword to the tall soldier, "Would you like to be the newest Nutcracker of Winteria?"

Bertha was stunned as she stared at the sword, "Me... be the new Nutcracker...?"

"Of course. I think you have what it takes. I obviously can't stay as the Nutcracker since I don't live here. Plus... I think Albert would want you to take up the mantle... in fact, I think he's been training for you this moment."

Slowly, Bertha took hold of the sword as it glowed. A beam of light flashed but as it faded away, Russell's eyes widened as he caught the sight of Bertha's transformation. She now had the official Nutcracker uniform, slightly modified.

Bill was amazed, "Once again... history had been made. Bertha, you are the first Nutcracker in history... that is a female. All the Nutcrackers before you have been just male because no girls have ever risen up to take the mantle."

Bertha smiled with honor, "It's an honor and privilege to serve the Winter Kingdom and Winteria as a whole..."

"And now!" Carla spoke up, "I believe we have a Christmas Ball to get ready for... will you at least stay for that, Russell?"

"Yeah! I love a good party!"

The next evening, the Winter kingdom's Christmas Ball had just begun in the royal throne. The King had returned just in time. Even Queen Lulu's fairies had come along to join the party.

It was very lively.

"I hope things went well while I was away, honey." The King to his daughter as he sat on the throne.

"Yeah... we had some events happen. But don't worry, our Nutcracker took care of it." Carla replied.

"And... is that the wicked Sugar Plum Queen?"

"It's fine, Dad. We formed a truce. She's not so wicked anymore."

"Ah. Looks like you're shaping up to be a good Queen, my dear. You've only got one more year until your coronation."

The princess smiled after hearing about the day for her to be crowned Queen of The Winter Kingdom, "Oh trust me... I'm ready."

While that was going on, the boys were having a conversation. Bill was still recovering from being blasted, as his right arm was in a sling. The attack was too severe for the icicles to heal entirely, so he had to heal the old fashing way. Rudy noticed as he made his way towards the captain, "So... uh, sorry for blasting you, Captain Bill. No hard feelings...?" He chuckled nervously.

"Now that you mean it, I forgive you." Bill assured, "But if it happens again, I won't be so nice about it next time."

"Noted, Captain..."

Harold smirked, "So, Bill. Now's your chance to ask Camille to dance, y'know." He said as the other soldiers snickered.

Bill frowned, "Keep that under your hat, Harold." He exclaimed, "Besides, I can't do much dancing with a broken arm."

At that moment, Lulu's fairies were flying around in the room, Harold started to lay eyes on one of them. Curious, he made his way over to her to introduce himself, "Um... hi. I'm Harold. One of the royal guards..."

"Oh hello, My name's my Violet, pleasure to meet you."

"... Would you like to dance?"

"... I would love to..."

Bill watched the tall soldier waltzing with one of the fairies, "Well look who's sweeping a fairy off her feet." He snickered.

"But she can fly. So she's not on her feet." Donald pointed out in confusion.

That's when Camille walked up to the boys, smiling at Bill, "I'm so happy that you're feeling better, Captain Bill." She said, "Do you... wanna dance?"

Bill blushed, "Me? but my arm."

"It's okay. I'll hold you..."

Russell was walking around, enjoying the lively fun of the party. He even noticed the captain and advisor waltzing around the floor.

"Hey, Russell."

The young boy turned around to see Carla behind him.

"Enjoying the party so far?" She asked.

"I sure am..." He smiled, "I'll enjoy it for as much as I can. Since... I'll have to go home soon."

Carla smiled as she pulled her friend in for a hug, "I know... I'll miss you once again, Russell. But you know you're more than welcome to return whenever you want. I really hope you'll come back for my Winter Coronation."

"Coronation?"

"Of course. My father is retiring and abdicating the throne next year. And since I'm turning eighteen the same time, I'm gonna be crowned Queen of Winteria!"

Russell beamed with excitement, "Really? That's great, Carla! I'll definitely come back for that!"

"Wonderful! And if you'd like, you can bring your brother and other friends along with you."

Russell's expression changed but he smiled and simply answered, "Certainly."

"And here's another thing..."

Carla reached into her pocket... and pulled out a crystal, "This is so you can come to Winteria anytime you'd like, and not just when it snows in your home. It's like a key. Hold it up, and a passage with open up to you wherever you are."

Russell took the crystal and examined it, "I'll take good care of it. Thanks."

Meantime, Queen Lulu fluttered her way towards her new fairy king, "Rudy?"

"What is it, Sugar Plum?" Rudy asked as he turned towards her.

"Do... do you really think we can change ourselves for the better?"

"Yes, My Queen, I really do... if we take the chance... and I got a question for you." He mentioned.

"What it is?"

"... Shall we dance?" Rudy smirked as he held out his hand.

Lulu blushed deeply but smiled as she took his hand, "Yes... we shall..."

The two then start to waltz on the dance floor as they looked into each other's eyes. Soon, everyone else started to dance with one another. Russell even asked Carla if she wanted to dance, to which she agreed.

Donald and Stella began slow dancing, as well as Captain Bill and Camille, and Angie starts to twirl around with Bucky. Harold continued to dance with Violet, and the Fairy King and Queen continued to waltz.

Russell felt happy. He couldn't wait to tell the others about this new adventure. Bertha, the newfound nutcracker, looked and smiled at the young boy with gratitude as the others, Cheryl, Mushmouth, and Wendy were watching the scene of the dance floor.

She felt grateful, happy, and proud of herself.

"How am I doing, Albert?" She asked as she looked up.

The spirit appeared from above, "Hey, Hey, Hey, You done good, partner. I'm proud..."

Bertha smiled, "I couldn't have done it... without Russell."

Albert's spirit smiled back with a wink and soon, he was gone. Bertha blew him a quick kiss.

"Hey, Bertha! Come dance with us!" Russell called.

"Oh no, I don't dance, you two go-"

But the boy quickly yanked Bertha's arm.

"C'mon! Join the fun!"

So she joined the little dancing circle with Russell and Carla. Things were finally looking up for Winteria. And Russell couldn't be happier.

"Russell... Russell... where are ya, Rus?"

The boy perked up when he heard that voice, "Bill?"

"Russell..."

He turned back to Carla, "I hear my brother calling... I guess that means I have to go..." He said sadly.

Carla smiled in understanding, "That's okay. Like I said, you have the crystal to use to come back anytime you'd like. Goodbye, Russell. I love you..."

She bent down to hug the little boy, who blushed and hugged back, "I love you too, Carla."

"Farewell, little soldier." Bertha saluted, "Best of luck to you on your journey home."

"Thanks, Bertha."

With that, the boy made his way out the door, bidding farewell to everyone. He ran through the village, and towards the Freezing Forest, as he heard his brother's voice getting closer and closer.

"Don't worry... I'm coming home..." He said, taking out the crystal and shining it, hoping it would help him find his way back to North Philly...

Wasn't that a fun party? The villains are now good, Mrs. Franklin finally has her baby, and Russell is given a special gift my Carla. Now, he's heading home, which we'll see in the final chapter of the story. Stay tuned yet again, for that one is ALSO coming. ;)