Ax disappeared over the edge of the roof, and everybody froze.

Slowly, a reindeer rose into the air. Everybody stared at Ax in amazement.

"I can fly." Ax said in wonder. "I can fly!"

NOT FOR LONG! Cryak snapped. He pointed at him, and Ax glowed red.

Nothing happened. Cryak looked shocked.

"Magic is too strong for you, Cryak!" Ax said. He looked at the Animorphs. "Right?"

"Uh, Yeah!" Rachel agreed hurriedly. "Right guys?"

They all nodded quickly.

"Then go finish delivering the toys." Ax said quietly. "I'll handle them."

HANDLE US!?! Cryak bellowed. I AM AN OMNIPOTENT BEING, AND THAT IS AN ARMY DOW THERE! SHOW SOME RESPECT!

"Get going. Farewell, Prince Jake." Ax said. Marco saluted Ax solemnly, serious for once in his life. Tobias nodded.

Rachel had tears in her eyes. "I'm going to miss the biggest fight in the history of the universe."

(Wait!) Cassie yelled to Ax. (It's Christmas eve! A time of peace! Don't do it!)

"A huge battle on Christmas eve." Jake said, shaking his head. "That does seem wrong. Christmas eve is supposed to be peaceful."

(Yes!) Cassie said (A time a peace, and comfort, and joy, and tranquility!)

"Oh well." Jake shrugged and started flying. "Maybe next year."

They soared away through the dark sky.

(Man, I can't see a thing!) Tobias sighed.

"Yeah, where's old Rudolph when you need him?" Marco cracked.

"Wait a sec." Rachel said. There was a moment of silence.

(&$.) Rachel swore. (Whatever Cryak did to the sky, my owl can't see through it.)

The sky was lit up by a flash of lightning, and Jake spotted a rooftop.

"Okay, next flash of lightning, head for the roof." Jake said. The sky lit up a few minutes later, and they all dropped onto the roof.

Marco slid off of Jake's back. (What'll we do?) Cassie moaned.

Suddenly, the sky was filled with brilliant flashes. Jake spun around, squinting at the roof of the apartment. Huge explosions of red and cyan were lighting up the sky.

"Holy crap." Jake said. There was a small brown dot slamming repeatedly into the large red figure of Cryak. Whenever they hit there was either a cyan or red explosion.

"Never mind." Jake said in awe. "Let's go."

They all morphed reindeer, and took off for the Chee house. They had to pick up the toys now, because the sleigh had been totaled by Cryak.

"Open up!" Jake bellowed when they arrived, knocking on the door with his antlers.

Erek poked his head out with a guilty expression on his face. It turned to a look of amazement. "You're still alive!"

"Yeah." Jake said. "Why would you think that we wouldn't be? You didn't hear about Cryak."

"Uh, yeah." Erek said, not meeting their eyes. "Ellimist kind of got kicked out of the galaxy."

"Oh yeah!" Rachel said accusingly. "Cryak told us Mr. King did something!"

"That's not important right now." Erek said hurriedly. "Why aren't you dead?"

"Ax is holding off the Cryak, because we told him that magic is more powerful than Cryak." Marco said. "Apparently because he thinks it is, it is."

Erek got a look on his face. "Hmm."

He grabbed a barbie and tossed it to Rachel. "We can pretty much assume that everybody in that apartment is dead, so the last one is your house. Sara, remember?"

He raced out the door. "I'll meet you there! We may not be doomed after all! I have to talk to Judge Jordan."

"Wait!" Jake yelled. "Why don't you just take the toy yourself if your going to see Jordan?"

Erek disappeared around the corner.

"Judge Jordan?" Rachel said, shaking her head in disbelief. "What has my family been up to?"