Huey leapt behind a snowman just in time to avoid being hit by a barrage of snowballs. Pushing himself into a sitting position, he glanced from one side of the snowman to the other to gauge where the attack was coming from.

These team ups were much more interesting than their last ones had been.

He was on the same team as Uncle Donald this time, Louie was with Panchito, and Dewey with José. Goofy, Launchpad, and Aunt Daisy were running around the yard, trying to keep score amidst the chaos. On the sidelines sat Gosalyn, Uncle Scrooge. Mr. Mallard, and Max ready to be tagged in if they were called.

The snowballs lessened to nothing and Huey scooped up snow, packing it together and running through his options.

Uncle Donald was likely still behind their fort, keeping the others at bay. Being teamed up with Uncle Donald was cool; the older duck was more strategic than Huey, but also had an impulsive streak when he became angry. Dewey was methodical and strategic enough for both him and José, but the parrot adapted to Dewey's more structured play well. Louie and Panchito were just in it for the fun, more focused on throwing the most snowballs at their enemies rather than coming up with some sort of plan of attack. It was that last group which was keeping everyone on their toes; it was hard to strategize when you were constantly being pelted with snowballs.

"Hold!" came Dewey's voice. "José needs a new coat."

Huey glanced around his snowman and saw José duck back inside the cabin. Launchpad walked into the yard, hands held out to ensure nothing happened until all members were back in play.

Sure, they were paused, but Huey took the time to build up his arsenal, packing as many snowballs together as he could. And he was confident the others were doing the same. The only rules during a pause were you couldn't move from your current position or throw any snowballs. If he'd been paying more attention and considered that José's light jacket wouldn't sustain him for long, he would have stayed with Uncle Donald at their fort so they could come up with a game plan during this pause instead of going out on a scouting mission to get a lay of the land mere seconds before.

Should've, would've, could've.

Huey heard the front door open, saw the flash of yellow from José's winter coat, and grinned.

Jumping up to his feet, Huey fired his snowball straight for the parrot. It hit him right in the beak.

The triumph coursing through Huey quickly died when he realized he hadn't his José.

He'd hit Negaduck.

Why was Negaduck in the cabin? Why had he decided to leave via front door? And why, oh, why, had Huey not seen the red and black in the mallard's uniform along with the yellow?

The yard had fallen silent, all eyes fixed on Negaduck.

He wiped off the snow from his beak and sent a deadly glare to Huey.

Oh, God.

He'd heard about Negaduck and knew he was one of the most dangerous villains in existence. But seeing him in person…. It was very much like staring down a barrel of a gun. But more dangerous.

Negaduck sneered and that was so much worse than just a glare.

Throwing his hands up in surrender, Huey stepped out fully into view. "I thought you were José," he explained in a rush. "I didn't— you were— Since when were you in the cabin?"

Maintaining eye contact, Negaduck reached backwards and oh, man. This was the end, wasn't it? Huey was gong to die right here in this yard on Christmas morning. What a way to go. He was still so young. Had to many more things he'd wanted to do. This couldn't be it.

In a flash, Negaduck drew back and fired.

His aim was true, a decent sized snowball pelting Huey directly in the chest.

The silence in the yard was broken when Gosalyn burst out laughing.

But Huey couldn't focus on that. Because Negaduck was coming right at him, scooping up more snow along the way with a determined look on his face.

"Strike Team Omega!" Huey cried, scrambling backwards.

"We get Negaduck!" cried Dewey.

Ugh, why hadn't Huey thought of that? Put himself on the same team as Negaduck? Cause, sure, he'd get his retribution but then they could cream the other teams.

Negaduck, though, seemed to care not at all for the teams, still advancing on Huey. He tripped over something and fell into a snowbank.

"We get Mr. Mallard!" said Louie.

"Uncle Scrooge!" Huey called, unable to think of much else with a super villain bearing down on him other than to ask for help.

Negaduck loomed over Huey, a frown on his beak, and drew his arm back, snowball in hand.

Huey covered his head and closed his eyes, praying for a swift end.

But the snowball never made contact.

"All right, laddie," came Uncle Scrooge's voice. Based on his tone, he was smiling. Huey snapped his eyes open.

Uncle Scrooge was standing between him and Negaduck, brandishing his cane. "Let's see what you're made of."

Negaduck growled, but his eyes sparked as he aimed and threw his snowball at Uncle Scrooge. Uncle Scrooge dodged it easily and kicked up some snow, grabbing a handful midair and tossing it at Negaduck, the villain batting the powder away.

Sitting up, Huey breathed a sigh of relief before he saw Uncle Donald motion him over. He scrambled back to their fort and once he was safely behind their walls of snow and ice, Huey glanced back out over the battlefield.

Uncle Scrooge and Negaduck were engaged in an intense duel, snow flying around them in flurries and their movements blurred. Mr. Mallard was crouched beside Louie and Panchito, speaking hurriedly, the three of them making as many snowballs as they could.

José stepped out of the house, took in the scene before him, and ducked next to Dewey, asking, "What did I miss?"

Launchpad had quickly vacated the combat zone and was standing beside Goofy and Daisy, the three of them trying to gauge who was in the lead.

On the porch, curled into a wicker loveseat, sat Max and Gosalyn, watching the fight.

"We have to help Uncle Scrooge," said Donald, bringing Huey's attention back to the battle at hand.

"Do we?" asked Huey. "He seems to be holding his own out there."

"Huey Duck," Uncle Donald reprimanded, "we are a team. And," he leveled Huey with a glare, "you started it."

Well, he could hardly argue with that.

Working with Uncle Donald, Huey helped build up their arsenal while Mr. Mallard leapt into the fray, Negaduck and Uncle Scrooge easily adjusting to another opponent.

This wasn't like any other Christmas Huey had had before, which was saying something considering the family he had. But it wasn't the worst Christmas, either.

In fact, this one ranked one pretty high.

Uncle Donald clapped him on the shoulder before they ran out to battle, Dewey, José, Louie, and Panchito not far behind.

Merry Christmas indeed.