"Oh, finally, about time to go home!" John exclaimed with relief. The other employees agree, and then a well-dressed man passed through.

"Who was that?" James asked.

"I don't know, but who cares?" John replied. "I was able to have a talk with McCooper, and live. We're gonna enjoy our Christmas, my friend!"

Back in McCopper's office, Sylvia said to McCopper, "Mr. McCopper, you have a visitor with interesting business propositions."

"Oh, really?" Scrooge asked. "Well, by all means, let him in!"

The man seen earlier walks in. "Greetings, dear McCopper. It's nice to finally see you."

"And... you are?"

"I'm Darwin Weasley. You might know me as the nephew of your old friends, Alan and Drakey."

"They never told me they had a nephew."

"Well, they don't talk about me much, despite the fact that I made them corporate people you knew they were today. You see, I am the president and CEO of widespread stores everywhere, and I have quite a deal for you since you've done so wellfor my uncles following their deaths. People say I make trillions, but heck, that's bread money to me! We make so much money, we're taking zillions. So much, we have to invent a new word for it."

"By Jove, you're that rich?!" Darwin Weasley nodded.

"You possess wealth I only wish to get! What is it you want?"

"I came to have you sign a contract that guarantees money by the hundreds, maybe in the zillions. I am looking for a toy company to partnership with the stores I run since the last one got shut down, and because your reputation perceives you, you're the only guy I need for the job."

"Me?"

"Of course. My stores are stupidly low on toys from Black Friday and we need to restock on toys before the sales of Christmas go down! And I'm sure even my uncles would allow this."

"Really?"

"Trust me, gramps! We are supply and demand! We must supply!"

"Supply and demand?"

"Of course! That would mean employees will have to work through the weekends, celebrations of any kind, even if it means Christmas Eve and Day! Trust me, the rewards are worth it, my friend."

"To be at par with the richest man ever? That's a deal I can sink my teeth into! You've got a deal!"

In the main lobby, John sighs joyfully. "Finally, after all these years of hard work, McCopper is finally coming to his senses."

"Yeah, it's very surprising." James said. "Maybe he's not so bad after all." He was proven wrong when McCopper spoke over a speaker, "Attention all employees. There will be a change in plans. For you see, I have just signed a deal my old workers' nephew, the president and CEO of widespread stores, Darwin Weasley! This company is finally gonna become rich!"

The employees get excited after hearing this.

"So that's what that guy was!" James exclaimed.

"Huh? I'm surprised." John commented. "I'm actually proud for him."

"However, sacrifices have to be made." Scrooge continued over the speaker. "You all are working through Christmas Eve and Day! He has many sales to meet and supply! This is a supply and demand world, and Christmas has no room! That is all."

"WHAT?! NO FAIR! THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!" The workers complained.

"OH, COME ON!" James complained.

"But...but he promised we would have time off!" John said in despair.

Back with the elves riding in Santa's sleigh, the reindeer are pulling the sleigh through the sky.

"Well, gentlemen, if my calculations are correct, we're finally heading into the airspace of the kingdom of Corona." Alfred announced.

"So, how do we find them?" Teddy asked.

"Don't worry, Teddy, we'll find them!" Cupid answered. "All we have to do is find the castle. That's where they live."

Along the way, Alfred said, "While we're riding, let's check on McCopper and see how he's doing." He presses a button on the sleigh and a magic mirror emerges and shows a view of McCopper's office as several employees are protesting. "Oh, no! He's at it again!"

The elves watched as John asked through the mirror, "Boss, with all due respect, what's wrong with you? What in the Santa Company is going on?"

"Darwin offered me a better deal, that's all." McCopper answered.

"Everybody calm down!" Darwin shouted. "I know this upsets you, but this is just business we're talking about."

"But this isn't fair!" James complained.

"Sorry, James, but life isn't fair!" Scrooge declared. "You'll have to deal with it if you want to keep this job."

"But, sir, you promised!" John told him.

"I'm changing the promise! I'll let you off once Christmas is over and Darwin's deal with me is complete. Christmas is just another work day, and anyone who thinks otherwise should be boiled in his own pudding!"

"Well, that's not very nice!" James exclaimed.

"But, sir, Christmas is a time for giving." John said. "A time to be with one's family."

"DO NOT REMIND ME OF FAMILY, JOHN!" McCopper shouted. "Family means nothing to me anymore. And as for Christmas, I say 'Bah! Humbug!'"

"And I say 'Merry Christmas', 'MERRY CHRISTMAS'!" James exclaimed. "Sir, you never keep your word with these things, and you're not being fair to us. Can't you just have a heart for once?"

"I don't want any more protesting from all of you! Get back to work or I'm calling in security!"

The guards come out with nightsticks. Everyone moans sadly and leaves the office.

"Wow, sir." Darwin said. "You need to keep your employees on a tighter leash."

Then the mirror ended the view.

"Oh, my gosh!" Teddy exclaimed.

"I'm afraid things with McCopper just got worse." Alfred said. "He broke his promise of letting his employees off because of his greed. I'm afraid we need to find that castle and fast!"

"Indeed." Dougie agreed. "Full speed ahead!"

"As you wish!" Donner responded and the reindeer speed up.

Back at the toy company factory, John goes back to his post with James as tears fall down his eyes. "How could he break his promise?"

"And there, I thought he had finally changed." James agreed.

"This is bad! What am I gonna tell my family? What am I gonna tell..." John sniffles. "Teeny Tom?"

Scrooge exits the building and heads towards his carriage where his butler waits for him. "Take me home, Henry."

"Yes, sir." Henry replied as McCopper gets in the carriage. Then Henry shakes the bridle, signaling the horse to start pulling the carriage forward, which it starts doing.

"SIR, WAIT!" John yelled after McCopper as he appears from out the door.

"Uh, on second thought, take me to my usual lunch spot." McCopper told Henry, ignoring John's pleas.

"PLEASE, SIR! THINK ABOUT MY SON!" The carriage just heads off into the streets as John sighs. "How am I gonna take care of my son now?" He sheds a tear and walks back into the building.

"Pardon my curiousity, sir, but what was that about?" Henry asked. "Didn't he say something about... a son?"

"Oh, just Jonathan's sob story about his sick son." Scrooge answered. "You know, it's just natural selection. If he's gonna die, let him. His death will ease the problem of the surplus population, and one less mouth to feed. Why bother to care for someone who's death is eventual?" Henry didn't respond. "Henry, what's up?"

"Oh, nothing, I was just asking. I...I didn't want to engage conversation."

"Good."

"Oh dear! Always so negative! I know somewhere under all that self-entitled wealth-loving rudness is a better man. Especially for his... nephew, the only member of his family who shows any respect for him." Henry thought.

"I think today was a special and grand day, Henry. I just signed a tremendous deal with Darwin Weasley."

"You mean the president of widespread stores, sir?"

"And the nephew of Alan and Drakey that I didn't know existed. I wonder why the two didn't tell me about him? Anyway, to my usual melon collie lunch spot. My stomach is starting to twist."

"Melon collie, sir?"

"It's a term for my depression of Christmas, Henry."

"Right, sir."

They arrive at a local cafe as the people in the store look at him with surprise, anger and disinterest.

"Sir, why are the people looking at you like that?" Henry asked.

"Probably because of the usual ways they think about me. Now let's go." They approach a waitress with a French accent.

"Ah, bonjour, monsieur McCopper! Your usual table?" the waitress greeted them.

"That would be lovely, Andre." McCopper said.

Scrooge and Henry go to Table 9 and get into their seats.

"Ahh, nothing like a nice meal after a sweet deal to sweeten the taste of profit." Scrooge sighs joyfully as several people in the cafe look at him with disinterest. "What are you lookin at me for?" They left their table. Yeesh, you'd think they'd treat an old person with some respect. Henry looks at him for that statement. "What?"

Darwin appears. "Ahh, what a coincidence! How lucky I am to run into my honorable client in my favorite cafe in the town?"

"Darwin, what a pleasant surprise to see you here!"

"I was going to go to your office and tell you about this whole deal we made." Darwin sat down as Andre appeared.

"Would you like your usual, Mr. McCopper?" she asked.

"No, I'm starting to cut back on those fattening dumplings and chicken." McCopper answered. "Just give me a turkey and mozzarella cheese sandwich with some tomato soup. Any of you want something?"

"I'm not hungry, thank you." Henry responded.

"I'd like just one dumpling and some tomato soup." Darwin said.

"And we'll just have water." McCopper added.

"Coming right up." Andre said and then leaves.

"Well, McCopper, I told the board about you, and they love ya!" Darwin exclaimed. "Your company's perfect for ensured sales! And we both are gonna benefit from this!"

"Wonderful news, Darwin!" McCopper exclaimed. "Just wonderful!"

"I can see the future, gramps! You and I are both gonna benefit from this! We'll become marketing gods among men." Andre comes with their water.

"Well, in that case, a toast to the new era of McCopper & Weasley businesses all around!" They clink their cups together.

"I can imagine tomorrow being the best day of our lives already!" They take a sip of the water.

Back with the elves, they have arrived at the kingdom of Corona and park the sleigh in front of the castle, where they are approached by the guards and their captain.

"Are you three elves working for Santa?" the captain asked.

"Yes, captain." Teddy said. "We are three of Santa's elves, and we need to see Princess Rapunzel and Eugene Fitzherbert for something important."

Rapunzel and Eugene are helping the king, queen and staff set up decorations for a Christmas party when the guests entered, escorting the three elves.

"Well, hello there, Princess Rapunzel!" Alfred greeted the princess.

"You know who I am?" Rapunzel asked.

"Of course we do!" Teddy answered. "We work for Santa Claus."

"He sent us here to find you because we got a major problem on our hands for Christmas this year." Dougie said. "A greedy man named Scrooge McCopper, who owns a toy company and hates Christmas, has learned a few magic spells and plotting to cast one of them that will turn everyone into scroogy Christmas haters. Santa needs help from you and your husband, Eugene, to stop this heinous crime of his."

Eugene comes toward them and says, "Alright, then. We'll get ready and pack our stuff."

While the princess and her husband are in their room packing for their mission, Pascal comings bounding up to the Rapunzel and gives her a look that says 'Are you two going on vacation? I want to come too!'.

Rapunzel chuckled at her pet's excited antics before telling him, "Pascal, Eugene and I are on an urgent mission to save Christmas, but I can't leave you home alone and let you become lonely, now can I?"

Rapunzel and Eugene come out with their luggage. "Alright, we're ready." Rapunzel said.

"Keep our daughter safe!" The king called to the elves.

"You can trust us with them." Alfred called back. "She'll be fine."

The two people and chameleon hopped into the sleigh with Teddy, Dougie and Alfred.

"How long will this trip take?" Eugene asked.

"It's not a long trip actually." Alfred answered. "We just need to face a few obstacles, nothing that we can't handle."

"I don't like the sound of that." Rapunzel said.

"Relax, princess, we can handle it." Teddy said reassuringly. "Our reindeer can keep us safe. Now hold on tight, we're about to take off."

The reindeer pull the sleigh quickly as the group holds on for dear life.

"AAAHHH, I WANT OFF THIS THING!" Dougie screamed.

"KEEP IT TOGETHER, SNOWFLAKE!" Alfred shouted as they zoom off into the distance.

"Good luck, Rapunzel." Queen Arianna whispered.

Looks like our heroes are beginning their mission to save Christmas! Stay tuned for the next chapter coming soon!