A/N: The second half of this really huge chapter! Next week only has one update, and it may be the final one (dun dun dun). So keep an eye out! And thank you guys for the reviews I'm really gonna miss this sub-section when I'm done.

The Last Christmas

By JDWrites101

Chapter Four: The Longest Day Part II (North Pole Edition)

"Let's go," said Benny aloud. Rory looked up the blank pages of the Claustrum and watched as his friend pulled the Creature Compendium from his backpack and shoved it into Ross's hands. The man gave him a confused look and before he could speak the brunette added: "Keep looking for those monsters."

"Wait, what?" Asked Ross. He looked at Spellmaster and then to the vampire, who shrugged in confusion. "Where are you two going?"

"We're going to help. Come on Keaner we've got a city to save, hand me the Claustrum, if anything is going to help us trap those monsters then it's going to be that."

"Yessir," sang Rory happily. He tossed him the book and together they headed for the exit. If there was one thing he had learned in the past few years it was to trust his friend's instincts and if Benny thought Erica and Sarah needed help, then they needed help. When the door opened he caught wind of something unnatural in the air and rushed forward. In one smooth motion he gripped the fireplace poker, held it up high and pulled his friend backwards. The blade of the sickle clashed with the dark black metal and gave off a small spark.

Benny, unfazed by the events, narrowed his eyes and asked: "Who are you?"

The thing in front of them was clad in fur so much so that its coat fell across the entire body giving them not a single glance about what may be underneath. To Rory it appeared as nothing but shadows held together by a poorly made fur coat. The yellow eyes darted between the two and it attempted another strike.

Rory deflected it again and forced the creature backwards down the steps. "Last chance," said the blonde with a smile. "I don't want to hurt you because I really don't like hurting people and we always tend to give others the benefit of the doubt. But seeing as you tried to kill my friend," his fangs appeared. "That just doesn't sit well with me."

The monster blinked and the two clashed once more in a flurry of swings and strikes. Sparks flew if all directions, and from behind Benny called out:

"Force it backwards." Rory knocked the creature further down the path and into the air. Benny waved his hand and muttered something in Latin. The ice turned to water and the thing landed in it with a splash. He clapped his hands and the slush once more turned to ice binding their opponent to the floor. Rory rushed forward and knocked the sword sideways into a tree. He pointed the tip of the poker at the monster's throat.

Behind him he heard Benny speak. "Out of all the people to attack you picked the wrong pair. By the way nice swordsmanship Rory."

"He's right," said Rory with a malicious smile that would make even Erica shudder in fear. "Out of our entire group we have the most dangerous combination. And thank you B, to be honest I haven't been practicing lately, I think Sarah is probably better than me now." He turned back to the creature and applied some pressure to its neck. "Why don't you tell us why you just tried to murder me and my friend?"

"He wasn't trying to hurt you." The two of them turned backwards. Behind them stood two men, the first had dark black hair and was wearing a coat of similar color. The first thing that crossed Rory's mind was a dark version of Santa Claus the second was the unnatural energy. Next to him was a young man with grey hair holding a small wooden hammer, and around his waist a belt of various tools. "He was testing you. My name is Gabriel, this is the Toymaker, and you've already have the privilege of meeting the Belsnickel."

"Be careful," whispered Rory. He sniffed the air again and frowned. "He doesn't have a scent but I can sense his power and there's a lot of it."

The Toymaker snapped his fingers and several large toy soldiers appeared from various hiding places along the street. One by one they raised their guns to the duo and awaited the command to fire.

"What test?" Demanded Rory. There was no way he could get both Benny and himself away from them in time, and there was certainly no way for them to fight off each and every one of them. "What are you talking about?"

"I needed to see if you deserved the right to protect Whitechapel." Gabriel smiled. "You've passed with flying colors. All I need you to do now... is believe."

"It's something else," thought Ethan. He placed his arm against the window and watched as the wind outside began to pick up. The dark clouds had slowly overtaken the sun and a fresh layer of snow was beginning to fall. Everything beyond the strange barrier turned into nothing more than a white blur giving the view a strange endless feeling. Far below several groups of Elves moved about between the small houses, some stopping to work, others simply throwing snowballs back and froth. Ethan let out a sigh, even at this moment the wonder and beauty of the North Pole could do little to alleviate the fear that had taken hold of him. He thought of his friends back home and felt a chill go up his spine, he could sense the danger they were in.

"There are five of them." Ethan turned back to Nicholas. A strange cold seemed to settle across the room and even the warmth of the fire did little to keep it at bay. The smaller orbs began to flicker between images and the first displayed a monstrous creature with dark fur, long horns, a large club and a forked tongue. "Krampus the original Santa. He brought gifts to those who deserved it, and fear for the ones who misbehaved. Make no mistake, despite his animal like exterior he is one of the most well spoken beings I've ever had the privilege of speaking with."

A single shadowy figure that appeared no taller than Ethan himself. It was covered with a black fur coat that gave no hints as to what may lay underneath it. By its side a single sickle lay. "The Belsnickel, the Herald that kept check on the children of the world. It governed and created the modern rules of the holiday, and often sought out the ones who needed belief the most. Swift, agile, graceful and violent."

The orb behind them displayed the image of an young man with a wooden hammer. "The Toymaker, a Spellmaster who designed gifts for children. His legacy spread far and wide, giving him a life beyond his natural one, a human given the powers of a spirit. The Celestial Hammer he wields has the ability to create material from nothingness."

Now a man dressed entirely in white with a beard that fell far beyond the picture the orb displayed. He clutched a large brown cane and looked older than time itself. "And Jack Frost, whose legend should precede him. The longer he is free the younger and more powerful he becomes."

"You said five spirits," whispered Ethan as he looked between the orbs. He felt fear radiate from Nicolas and shuddered. These were the founders of winter, and though they were only pictures he could sense the energy coming from them. This was on a whole different level than what he and his friend were used to. "That was only four."

Nicholas sighed, and the center globe replaced the image of the Claustrum with a large crisp picture of a young man with dark black hair. "The fifth Herald is my twin brother, Gabriel Claus. He was the one who corrupted the others, and convinced them the world was no longer in need of the Heralds of Winter. I don't know what his plan was beyond taking the holiday for himself but that's what frightens me. I fear it may have involved Mother Nature or worse Father Time."

"I've seen him before," mumbled Ethan as he recalled the day the book had appeared. "He was in the city, he called out to me and told me that Christmas had become a mockery of what it was before. I don't understand what these Heralds have to-"

The room went dark as both the fire and lights went out. The orbs turned black, and Ethan felt the room shake around him. Outside something shattered with the force of several explosions. He rushed to the window with Nicholas in enough time to watch the snowstorm rush forward. The small town vanished and a large chunk of ice slammed against the glass with resounding force.

"What's happening?" Asked Ethan. The room jolted once more and was still. In the distance he could hear alarms blaring. "What's going on?"

"The Heralds have finally made their move," said Nicholas. He ran for the computer and when he bean to type his hands gave off a bright yellow glow. "I'll try to pull a live feed from Whitechapel with my magic. Give me just a moment..."

The small orbs gave off sparks before falling to the ground. The center sphere flickered to life and began to shuffle through pictures. Around them the lights began to explode and Nicholas let out a sharp hiss of pain as he continued to type.

"What… what happened to my city?" Asked Ethan as the large orb image flashed through the various areas of Whitechapel. Every building, every street, every bit of the home he had come to know and love was overrun with large green vines and dark red poinsettia. Before he could add any comments the doors burst open and several Elves clad in a thin golden armor charged forward with guns drawn.

"Who are you and how did you get past our security?" Demanded the Elf at the lead. His golden green eyes shifted between them and he leveled the gun with Ethan's head. "Step away from Mr. Claus. Now!"

"I-I don't know what you're talking about!" Stammered Ethan as he held his hands up. He took a step backwards and the Elf cocked the gun. "I was invited in! I swear!"

"Blixen stand down," commanded Nicholas. He stood between Ethan and his guards. The red coat seemed to billow in the darkness and his voice echoed around the room with unnatural force. "I brought him here, he is our guest and on my order you will stand down or face the consequences."

"Understood sir." Blixen returned his gun to his holster and held up a fist. The other Elves repeated his action and in unison they saluted. He then turned once more to Ethan and squinted. "Who are you?"

"This is Ethan Morgan and as I said he is my guest," said Nicholas. He motioned to the group. "Ethan I would like you to meet my elite task force, the Icicle Guard. They are trained in the art of defense and attack, and run the police force for the entirety of the North Pole itself. This is Blixen he's in charge of the group and my second in command."

"Why?" Asked Ethan unable to keep his curiosity in check. The lights came back on and he was reward his first in detail look at Blixen. He was the same height with dark brown hair, golden green eyes, and a dark rather judgmental expression. For a moment he thought of Anastasia and shook the thought away when he noticed the sword at the Elf's hip. He could tell this one wasn't afraid of getting his hands dirty. "Why do you need a police force?"

Blixen looked at him and shook his head in disgust. "You have seen the supernatural, you know what people are capable of and how spiteful they can be. It is my duty to keep those who would do harm to Mr. Claus or the holiday away. In addition we are here to help when someone like you make a mess."

Ethan felt at a loss for words. It was true that he had freed the Heralds, but were they're people out there who would really want to hurt Santa or try and stop the holiday? It was eventually Nicholas who broke the silence. "This is as much my fault as his. I should've known that the book would eventually make its ways into the material world."

"Yes sir." He saluted. "The barrier has fallen but citizens have been relocated to the inner sanctum. The Icicles have been instructed not to leave your side until the crisis at hand has been solved. Furthermore we have switched to reserve energy until the regular flow of magic returns."

"Regular flow of magic?" Asked Ethan. The Icicle Guard turned their heads and Nicholas looked down in shame. Something at the back of his mind was bothering him, and he had learned long ago to follow his intuition. "My home is danger I think I deserve the right to know what exactly is going on."

Nicholas nodded. "I was a Spellmaster in a past life. I couldn't afford the Claustrum falling into the wrong hands and I certainly never meant for it to be opened in the material world. Can you tell me how it happened?"

"The book... it didn't open right away. It opened when… when the clock tower began to ring."

Blixen spoke: "Of course." Ethan caught the sideways glance the Elf gave Nicholas. "The Heralds must have been waiting for the right moment to strike. The clock's bell would serve as the perfect beacon."

"But why attack Whitechapel? What do they have to gain there? What does that have to do with your magic?"

Claus rubbed his face. "Like me Gabriel is a powerful Spellmaster. He is a master of black magic and has the loyalty of the Heralds, which means he now has the ability to change the very course of winter. We need to stop him before he has a chance to stop Christmas."

"How can they stop Christmas? It's a holiday, an idea, a belief, you can't just stop it and what does Whitechapel have to do with all of it? Stop dancing around the answers and tell me!"

Blixen reached for the saber at his side. "Watch your tongue when you speak with Mr. Claus."

Nicholas crossed his arms and cleared his throat. "It's fine, he has a right to know. My brother and I were born in Whitechapel, which means our powers are solely linked to the belief of the city. He just has to tip the scales of magic and everything I've worked to create will cease to exist. With the five heralds released into what can only be described as the epicenter of my abilities you can see the danger it posses."

"Then the poinsettia were to poison your magic," said Ethan. Several things clicked into place. "Teleport me back and let's fix it! You said earlier they can sway the hearts of the innocent, and if they're loose in my city then my friends and family are-"

"The teleport is down," said Donner. "As is the Eternity Clock. You're going to have to wait until preparations are complete with the sleigh before you can leave."

"Reindeer are being prepped for flight as we speak," said Vixen. "With the magic being tainted we've resorted to emergency protocols, expect the leave within the hour."

"I've got a choice to make," thought Benny. He watched as his breath rose into the air and examined the machine in front of him. After a moment of internal debate he turned back to his friends and then looked past them. He could see the bright yellow lights of the city, could see his own home and felt his heart race. He looked at the five spirits, or as they called themselves the Heralds of Winter. Could they trust them? Was this really the right choice to make? "Is this… is this the only way to save Whitechapel and protect everyone?"

"They asked us for help," said Sarah. Her eyes flashed blue for a moment and Benny shook his head in confusion. She scooped up some snow and shaped it into a snowball. "Remember when you told me this is as much my home as yours? Well our home is now in danger, and there's nothing else we can do but fight to keep it safe."

Krampus stepped forward. "We would not ask you to do something unless you were comfortable with it. As of now there is no other option save the one in front of us, but if you do not trust it... we would understand."

"We made a promise," whispered Rory. His eyes flashed, and the Belsnickel nodded. "No matter how bad it gets we'll fight to set things right."

"He's right," said Erica. Her eyes rapidly changed color and Benny rubbed his face. Was he seeing things or was something happening with his friends? "There's too much at stake for us not a decision. The other day we made the choice to open the book, it's time for us to make the same choice again."

The Toymaker nodded and twirled his hammer before pointing at the clock tower. It was getting late and if they wanted to put their plan into action then it needed to happen now. Benny looked at Jack Frost, who nodded, and then placed a hand on the lever. Could he really put the city in danger to protect it? What would Ethan do? He shook his head; he couldn't always rely on his friend for answers, especially with him leaving for school soon. He thought of the calculations he had done with his Grandma and closed his eyes. There were one thousand two hundred and seventy eight people in Whitechapel. One thousand two hundred and seventy eight people that needed protection, all of which could pay the ultimate price if he was wrong. Gabriel placed a hand on his shoulder and whispered:

"You know what needs to be done. Take a leap of faith."

Though Benny couldn't see it he could feel the strange energy fall over his eyes.

"I believe in you." Without a second thought he pulled down the lever with all his might. There was a click and in the distance Whitechapel's lights began to go out one by one. With no heat to keep them at bay the vines would expand into the buildings. Together both groups turned to watch as the darkness fell over their city. Time was now of the essence and there was work to be done.

A woman in a red dress with dark white hair walked in with a clipboard in one hand and a small device in the other. She passed by the Elves, Nicholas and Ethan without giving them a second thought and strolled over to the computer. When she looked up it was with a darkened expression.

"More than seventy percent of the elf drones have shut down," whispered the woman. She began to type away and as she did several graphs appeared in the center orb. "The power is also failing on the farthest points of the city, and the Eternity Clock has gone dark, if things stay as they are we won't be able to deliver the gifts this Christmas Eve."

"We are well aware of the situation Mrs. Claus," said Blixen. She looked up and he gave her a salute. "The Claustrum was removed from its seal so the excess power is gone as well. Not only that but Whitechapel is overrun with poinsettia vines and we have officially shifted over to reserve power."

"Excess power? Drones?" Asked Ethan before he could stop himself. The woman turned to him and he felt her cool blue eyes fall on his brown. It was as if she was passing some form of judgment. "Sorry, my name is Ethan Morgan."

"Kara," said the woman. "Kara Claus, in addition to being his wife, I also manage the more technical things around here. We were using the power of the Heralds to keep the North Pole running. Further more the drone elves in the North Pole aren't real. They're wooden puppets assigned to a child at birth. As the child grows older so does their belief, and the stronger it is the more power the elf has to create a perfect gift each year."

"You see it was much easier to use magic to create the gifts," said Nicholas with a smile. "Unfortunately once they stop believing in me the elf will go dark. We keep them around just in case, but once the power goes out of them... it normally stays out."

"And right now with my husband's magic at an all time low and without the excess energy from the Claustrum I'm afraid we've had to put a halt and the entire production of toys."

"You've been using them as a battery," whispered Ethan. The statement felt… wrong. He wasn't sure why but the idea of using imprisoned spirits, no matter how bad they may be, seemed off. It didn't feel like something Saint Nick would do. "And you harnessed their powers to help keep Christmas going?"

Nicholas looked down in shame. "I didn't want to but without their help I had no choice. They chose not only to abandon Christmas but to let down the children of the world. I was alone and I couldn't let that happen... I admit it was the wrong thing but it needed to be done."

Ethan said nothing. Blixen placed a hand to his earpiece and then moved forward. "Preparations are complete. We're ready to leave for Whitechapel when you are sir."

The sense of wonder returned when Ethan followed the small group through the large take-off strip. It was tinted in golden colors and was easily a dozen miles long. At their end the sleigh was being scanned by over several Elves while the reindeer pawed at the ground awaiting their flight.

"We're several miles underneath the ground," said Nicholas. He walked alongside his wife and pointed at the far end. "In order to get maximum lift off we've adjusted the trajectory and factored in the storm above. I'm not going to lie the with snow storm its going to be a difficult ride." After a pause he asked: "Are you alright?"

Ethan looked up and then shook his head. "I don't like the idea of the Heralds being used as batteries. I know they've done horrible things in the past, but have you tried talking to them? Maybe they've changed or there's another way."

"A snowball will not change its shape with the temperature," said Blixen. "Instead it will melt once the cold is gone. The same way the Heralds could not adapt to the ever-changing world around them. Nature is nature and there is little to nothing we can do about it."

"Ethan." Nicholas held out his hand and a small snow globe appeared. He handed it to the Seer. "Shake it and tell me what you see."

Ethan gave it a gentle rock. The snow fell on the small North Pole, and the in an instant it transformed into Whitechapel. The snow continued to fall until there was nothing left but a vast whiteness. "I see snow, nothing but snow."

"Do you know what I enjoy most about snow globes?"

"No."

"They contain the beauty of something within. They take something that can't be captured and capture it. If we allow the Heralds to run free then both your home and mine will be destroyed. Snow will fall, forever. This could very well be the last Christmas, and who knows what Gabriel will do to Whitechapel in order to keep the belief in him alive. I needed their powers to keep the holiday as it was. Can you understand that I did this not for myself but for the world?"

Ethan shook the globe again and watched as the city returned. He saw five small figures each one representing him and his friends. The snow fell around them, and he nodded. "I know what you mean. I made a mistake in setting the Winter Heralds free, but I swear to you I'll do everything I can to stop them and save Christmas, you have my word. All I ask if that you find another way to power the North Pole that doesn't include the Heralds."

"Fair enough." Nicholas ruffled his hair. And a few snowflakes fell around him. "Sorry you had some flakes stuck in your hair from the walk down here. Blixen, Comet, Dancer you will accompany Ethan and I to the city."

"Yes sir!" They saluted.

Kara approached and Nicholas gave her a quick kiss. "Stay here and keep the Pole running. Do what you can to get the drones back online. I know what your going to say and I don't have need for your talents this time."

"Fair enough." They kissed again and she took a step back. Nicholas turned once more to the small group that was to travel with him.

"Christmas is about to face it's darkest hour. The Heralds are not to be taken lightly. They are powerful foes and will stop at nothing to prevent us from returning them to the Claustrum. They will fight hard, and they will do it without mercy. I ask you not to kill them, they are misguided but I believe they can be helped."

Ethan nodded and the Elves saluted. "Sir yes sir!"

"Then let's go. We have a holiday to save."

Benny looked up from the snow globe in his hands to the clouded skies above. The snowfall had lightened and in it's place the solid cold had settled in. He didn't know how much time was left before they would arrive but he knew it couldn't be much longer. Far below Whitechapel remained in the darkness they had forced upon it and the vines as he had predicted had grown even faster and wilder than before.

"Are you ready Benny?" Gabriel joined him on the edge of the cliff. The man crossed his arms and turned to the skies. For a moment neither of them said a thing. When the wind began to rise he added: "They're almost here."

"What happens after everything is done?" Asked Benny. He held out the globe and felt his pulse quicken when it vanished. "It's in a safe place, right?"

"Have faith in me." Gabriel took a step off the cliff. Dark clouds gathered underneath his feet, and he held out his hand towards the Spellmaster. "Let us greet my dear brother."

Even with the orange goggles securely pressed against his eyes Ethan couldn't help but squint as the sleigh rushed through the rapidly falling snow. He shivered, and tightened his coat against the cold. He had never imagined, even in his wildest dreams, sitting alongside Santa Claus as they flew high in the sky in his bright red and white sleigh. Above the stars blurred as Nicholas gave the reigns a sharp tug and the reindeer let out a cry in response.

Ethan let out a sigh, as much as he wanted to enjoy the sight around him he couldn't. This wasn't the way he wanted to spend his December. He wanted to be at home with his friends and family. He thought of making s'mores with Benny, sitting by the fireplace with Sarah, riding his motorcycle through the frost covered streets of Whitechapel while searching for the perfect gifts. The illusion broke when Nicholas began to speak.

"Do you remember what I told you?"

Blixen and the Elves answered first. "Yes sir."

"I remember," called Ethan above the howl of the snow and the cries of the reindeer. "You need me to find the Claustrum, and then place it on the Caller in the Vampire Council room. It should broadcast the seal all over the city trapping the Heralds, and refreshing your powers."

"Right," said Nicholas as he pulled tightly on the reins. His face darkened. "And if everything else fails and you find the tide turns against us then use the poinsettia to-"

The sleigh suddenly bucked forward and Ethan grasped onto the railing. Comet, Donner and Blixen manged to retain their stature and each drew their guns in one hand and swords in the other. Through the falling flakes of snow he caught sight of thick black smoke.

"What's that?" Asked Ethan as he felt the sleigh dive forward to avoid another strike. He felt his powers activate and then stop. "What's going on?"

"It's my brother," whispered Nicholas as he held out a hand and summoned a ruby sword. The sleigh bucked again as another strike came from below and in one fluid motion he pointed it at the darkness. There was a flash of bright red light and the smoke separated only to reform, this time with Gabriel riding atop.

"You're making a mistake," called the dark haired man. His voice echoed around them. "Your time is over, just give in."

"I stopped you before, and I can stop you again!" Responded Nicholas as he fired off another beam of light. From the dark cloud Benny emerged and deflected the blast. Ethan felt his eyes burn again and he stumbled backwards. The Spellmaster summoned several fireballs and forced them across the sky. The Elves moved forward and sliced through the spells with precise slices. "What are-"

"Benny," whispered Ethan as he clutched his head. The vision came so sudden, and so fast only to fizzle out. It was an entirely new feeling that quickly died away. It was as if his power was being repressed and then summoned by an unknown source. "Don't hurt him."

Ethan watched as Benny raised both hands, and summoned a fireball larger than the sleigh. In the dim glow of the unnatural fire, and through the snow he could see the strange dark blue that filled his friends eyes.

Blixen stepped forward and pointed the gun at not only the Herald but Benny as well. Ethan knew what was about to happen and threw his entire weight forward. The gun went off into the darkness of the night and the Elf turned to him.

"What the hell were you doing? I had my shot!"

"You were going to shoot Benny!" Screamed Ethan. "We agreed not to use lethal force."

"What happens next is of your own doing." Gabriel pulled Benny into the cloud and the two of them vanished into the darkness as it surged forward. "I am truly sorry Nicholas, but you've left me no choice."

Ethan turned to look ahead and felt his heart stop. A huge dome of snow was currently circling around the city of Whitechapel. He looked back over his shoulder at the large hand of darkness as it began to bear down on them.

"We're going to crash," said Nicholas. He swung his sword against the reins. It snapped, and the reindeer, once free headed for higher ground. Ethan felt the strange sensation of free falling as the sleigh suddenly barreled straight down towards the spiraling dome. He felt the man wrap his arm around him before fastening his other to the rail. The Elves sheathed their swords, grabbed onto the seats and closed their eyes. Nicholas whispered: "This is going to hurt."

The sleigh hit the dome and began to spin as it twirled lost in the powerful current.

A/N: Next chapter is intense. Won't spoil it for you though, take care and don't forget to leave a review. See you next week!