A/N: Longest chapter of the story yet! I hope you enjoy all enjoy and please don't forget to read the A/N at the bottom in regards to my future on this site! Trust me some of you might like what you read and others I'm not so sure.

The Last Christmas

By JDWrites101

Chapter Seven: Rule Number Three

Nicholas placed both hands on the railing and looked down at the large gathering of elves below. Even within the condensed dome he had created one could still sense the fury and power of the snowstorm it kept at bay. The damage and loss of land was irreversible and in time the town of the North Pole itself would cease to exist. He gripped the golden metal tighter and exhaled. The presents no longer mattered, Christmas no longer mattered, and his original goal of ensnaring Father Time no longer mattered. The most imperative objective at the moment was the complete and total destruction of the ones who dared oppose him, of the ones who posed the biggest threat to his plans, and of the ones who had ruined his life's work. From the corner of his eye he caught both the Icicle Guard and Kara when they stepped onto the balcony. She gave him a nod and he cleared his throat. At once his voice exploded across the air.

"Ethan Morgan has taken our source of power and invariably given us here at the North Pole a death sentence." The crowd roared and he made a motion for them to calm down. "For far too long we have had to battle both nature and the impossible standards of the holiday the world has created for us. Today I say no more. Today I say it is time for us to not only take a new home, but to make an example of those who would dare threaten not only us but Christmas as well. Before the night is over Whitechapel will be our new home."

The crowd cheered. Nicholas turned his back on them and the Icicle Guard saluted. Rudolph stepped forward his ruby armor shining in the makeshift light. "We await your orders sir."

"Prepare the reindeer for flight and outfit drones for battle. I want our forces to touch down in Whitechapel at dusk."

"All of them? Even the ones that have gone dark?"

"Yes, even the ones that have gone dark. Reroute all magic to the Eternity Clock and prepare to open a portal. I don't want any errors tonight is that understood?"

The group spoke as one. "Sir yes sir."

The Icicle Guard marched through the doors and once the group was gone Kara approached him with a wild look in her eyes. "It's been a while since we've been to battle, are you sure you're up for such a challenge?"

Nicholas looked at her and stated: "Blixen, Comet and Donner were destroyed in battle."

She shrugged and gave a dismissive wave. "You can recreate them, isn't that the reason they exist?"

"I can't anymore I've activated their mirror fragments."

Kara gave a disgusted laugh. "You must be truly desperate if you've activated them. I don't agree with your cowardly tactics, it flaws the beauty of battle."

"Ethan Morgan and his friends have already proven to be more trouble that we would've have ever given credit for. We need to ensure that every advantage possible is ours. Besides the Guard and every single one of our citizens and drones were made for this very reason. We have the largest army is the world and it's high time we made use of it. You should prepare as well, I'm going to have special need of someone with your talents."

Kara smiled and licked her lips. "My blood is boiling at the thought of war."

Both Team V and the Heralds of Winter looked down at the map of the city and after few moments of debate fell into silence. There were too many openings, too many citizens to protect, so many things that could go wrong, and no matter how many ways they tried to make it work there was no way the small group of friends and allies could protect everyone. They were silent for another moment and Benny smiled when his best friend of nearly thirteen years spoke.

"There's no other way to look at it, we need…" Ethan rubbed his eyes and almost appeared lost in thought. "We need to... to... start evacuating."

"Your that afraid?" Asked Benny. When the brunette nodded he felt a chill go up his spine. It was very rare that a problem would occur that demanded the immediate protection of citizens. In fact this was the second time ever that something of this magnitude had occurred. He thought of the destruction the Lucifractor caused a year ago and forced the thoughts away. This was going to be on a whole different level than that. "You saw what the North Pole is capable of and if you think we need to evacuate then lets do it."

"Are you serious?" Asked Erica. She slammed her hands on the table and looked at the Seer. "You want to abandon the city? This is it, everything we want to protect is on the line here and you choose now to play it safe? Why are you acting like such a coward? The holiday is on the line! Our home is on the line!"

Jack Frost turned to Krampus who crossed his arms in disbelief.

"Oh shut up," said Rory. The vampires locked eyes and he gave her a sideways glance. Benny could sense the rising tension in the air. "You know I don't like the idea that someone as hot headed and violent as you has a say in the well being of not only this city but its citizens. We evacuate them because if we were in Nicholas shoes we wouldn't hesitate to show mercy would we?"

"Excuse me?" Sarah placed her hands on her hips in disappointment. "Rory did I hear you right? Are you saying we're no better than Claus?"

"Mercy and kindness are for the weak."

"T-there are t-too many innocent people who could get in the crossfire!" Yelled Ethan. When they looked at him he turned red and began to shy away. His voice was barely above a squeak. "I-I think… we… he's going try and kill us OK? Not everyone is as cold blooded and heartless as y-you t-two! I… I don't know what to do anymore."

He began to stutter and Benny looked over at Sarah whose mouth hung open in shock. This wasn't the Ethan he had grown up around. This was the exact opposite of their smart, sure and calculating friend. It was obvious that something wasn't right, the question was what?

"Man up you baby," hissed Erica. She stopped her foot and the brunette fell backwards with his arms over his face. "If you can't make the tough decisions then leave them to me!"

"Why don't you do us all a favor and go punch a rock!" Screamed Rory. "If innocent people get caught in the fight then so be it. It'll give us a chance to hit the enemy while they're distracted."

"Guys calm down," said Benny. When they didn't acknowledge him he turned to Heralds. "What's going on? I've never seen any of them act like this."

"You sure?" Asked Jack. "Because you're blonde friend over there sure did a number on Comet, I've never seen anyone beat an Icicle Guard using only their fists."

"The same with Rory," offered the Toymaker. "He killed Donner without so much as a second thought."

"That can't be right," said Sarah. She shook her head at the idea. "That's the complete opposite of how they'd act. Rory's always been so kind and sure Erica can get angry but… she wouldn't willingly choose to do that."

"It's clear that something is amiss," said Krampus. As the three friends began to argue louder he raised his hands up and said: "Please children settle down."

"We're not children," hissed Erica. Her eyes seemed to shine underneath the light. "We've been in more situations like this than you've ever been, so don't you dare start lecturing us you giant fur covered freak."

"Don't talk to him like that," said Rory. He gave her a harsh shove. Erica struck him across the face and he knocked her backwards onto the table. "I'm so sick of being your stupid punching bag! Doesn't feel good when someone hits back does it?"

"S-stop it," yelled Ethan. He walked up to Rory both their eyes almost glowing with an unnatural shine. "S-stop hiding behind your powers! Your both just trying to hide that you can't do anything… like normal people can so do us a f-favor and just leave already… or… or don't… I don't know."

"I started to detect some powerful residual magic," whispered Evelyn as she walked in. Rory kicked Ethan backwards and Erica suddenly tackled the blonde into the cabinet. "What in goodness grace is going on in here?"

"I don't know," said Benny. He wanted to rush forward and stop his friends but he was afraid of getting caught in the middle of whatever was going on. Not only that but the sight of everyone so… different unnerved him. "They suddenly started acting like this."

Sarah grabbed Erica and pulled her backwards; at the same time both Krampus and the Belsnickel detained Rory.

"Enough." Evelyn tapped her foot on the ground and several bindings wrapped around Ethan, Erica and Rory. They began to yell at her and she snapped her fingers, and at once their mouths were covered. "It's just as Ethan and I had feared."

"You have an idea as to what is going on?" Asked Krampus. "If you would please inform the rest of us then."

"I have a notion of what may of just transpired. Ethan brought me this," she held up a small vial. "It's the remains of Blixen. He said he felt off during the fight and that several things didn't add up. One of them was how such a small being could withstand a strike from a large creature such as yourself and the other was the strange emotions that these elves seemed to elicit. That's why you met here- not to destroy the Claustrum but to see if we could find anything conclusive with this."

"Well?" Asked Benny. He motioned to his three bound friends. "You obviously found something."

"There are shards of glass within the remains. In fact it I'd go as far as to say that it seems as though they were embedded within Blixen's skeleton."

"Glass embedded within the bones?"

Jack Frost clenched his fists and growled in anger. "That bastard used my mother's mirror."

"What does that mean?" Asked Sarah. "How can a mirror do something like this?"

"Not just any mirror," whispered Krampus. "The Snow Queen's mirror. I had no idea that Nicholas had managed to get a hold of it, I thought it was destroyed centuries ago."

"I had heard rumors of its existence," said Evelyn. "It's an old tale that's been passed down through the generations but I never thought that something as dangerous as that could exist."

"Well it does," huffed Frost. He floated into the air and crossed his both his arms and legs in fury. "And apparently Nicholas has managed to weaponize it."

"Anyone willing to fill the rest of us in?" Asked Benny. The anger in their eyes, the uncertainty, it… it frightened him to think that something could cause this sort of pain to his friends. "Whose the Snow Queen, why is her mirror so important and what did it do to them?"

Jack Frost sighed then exhaled. As he did small flakes of snow rushed forward in the shape of a beautiful woman. It danced around the room leaving a blue streak in air.

"Before I became a Herald my mother was one. The Snow Queen controlled winter the same way I do. After she gave birth to me she wanted to give me the gift of love and created a mirror that could only reflect the goodness within another. At some point after it was made someone stole it and changed its purpose. Instead of love, beauty, and the good within a person it only reflected anger, ugliness and the worst qualities. They tried to take it to heaven in hopes of destroying everything pure in the world, and on the way up it shattered and covered everything in its shards. People began to see the darkness not only in themselves but in others as well. My mom was so ashamed that she handed the belief the world had in her to me and willingly chose to fade away into nothingness. She hoped I could atone for her sins and use my powers to create the love and innocence that was lost that day."

The snow woman vanished and the flakes faded. Benny looked down and thought of his own mother. "I'm sorry."

"That's awful," whispered Sarah. She placed a hand on his. "No one should ever have to go through that kind of pain and loss."

Krampus bent over Ethan and examined his eyes. "When you fought Ethan did seem rather violent. I wonder if those who were in direct combat with the Icicle Guard suffered from the effects during the fight."

Benny slowly nodded. "Ethan did mention that every time he met with the elves they would make him angry and he couldn't understand why. I figured it was just Blixen's personality."

"Then it would be safe to assume they were made from the glass," said Evelyn. "They must've been created in order to spark tension within a group. Imagine seeming someone calm become a violent mess. The magic must become dormant following their demise only to be activated at a later time. This explains how they were able to endure a strike from Krampus."

"When Nicholas broke the mirror," answered Sarah. "He must've activated the shards within Ethan, Erica, and Rory. He was probably hoping we would be too busy fighting one another that we wouldn't be able to stop him. But why didn't it work against anyone else?"

"It all falls onto those who defeated the elves," said the Toymaker. "Think about it. Ethan, Rory and Erica were the ones who killed each of their opponents. I'm guessing the moment before their death they imprinted the shards within their eyes. As for the Heralds I'm going go out on a limb and say because a Herald created the mirror we're immune to it. I wonder how much of Nicholas's creations has been filled with this vile magic."

"First we need to figure out how to free them from the mirrors control," said Evelyn. A flashlight appeared in her hands and she shone it in Erica's eyes. "Yes I see small shards all around her iris and pupils."

"Tears," said Frost. He landed on the ground and peered into Rory's eyes. "They can be cleared away with tears."

"Easy enough." Benny clapped his hands together and chanted in tandem with Evelyn. An orange mist filled the air and Erica, Rory and Ethan began to cry. A single tear fell from each eye and turned to glass before shattering against the ground. The bindings vanished and the trio began to stir.

"These fragments brought out the worst in each of them," whispered Sarah. Benny looked at her and they nodded as the same thought crossed their minds. "We're going to need a counter spell to nullify its effects."

"Ouch," mumbled Rory. He rubbed his eyes and began to laugh. "Well I never thought I say this but thanks for making me cry. I actually feel a whole lot better."

"Speak for yourself," moaned Erica. "I do my best to keep my stupid vampire side under control. Sorry you had to see that."

"Nothing we haven't seen before," said Benny. He helped her up. "Besides we'll always have each others back."

"You OK Ethan?" Asked Sarah. She extended his hand and he took hold of it with a small smile. "You look a little shaken."

"I am but I'm glad you guys caught on to it. Now we just need to worry about protecting the city and stopping those fragments."

Evelyn crossed her arms. "We have less than five hours before Nicholas gets here and if we are going to have any hopes of countering the shards we're going to need every available Earth Priestess and Spellmaster in Whitechapel working on a counter spell."

"In order to counteract the effects," said Frost. "You'll need magic from at least three different families. I can guide you through the mirror's basic magical structure but it'll fall on whoever's working to create a check against it."

Ethan nodded. "We're also going to need an army if we want any hope of winning." His friends turned to him confusion. "We're not just going to be battling Nicholas and the remainder of the Icicle Guard, we're going to fighting against his elf drones as well. For every child born there's an elf that is created along side it, and he keeps the ones that have gone dark over time."

"Dear god," whispered Erica. She covered her mouth and for the first time the weight of what was to come fell down on each one of them. "That's… that's more than an army."

"It's a legion," said Krampus. "A legion of his own minions coming to claim what he believes to be rightfully his."

"Then we've got no time to lose," said Ethan as he placed a hand on Benny's shoulder. "We've got make sure people can get out safely and we've got to prepare for the worst. Let's go!"

Sarah gave him a curious look and asked: "Where?"

Ethan smiled. "Rule three. It's time to call in some favors."

Whitechapel was in frenzy. Families were fleeing in droves, children were crying, parents screaming, and the sound of screeching tires and honking horns could be heard for blocks. At the moment it was nothing too serious, but given the danger of the situation it would only be a matter of time before things escalated.

"This is insane," whispered Sarah. She took a step forward and was almost run down when a car rushed across the front lawn. "Should we stop them if they're leaving? Or at least try and direct them?"

"No," said Ethan. He stepped forward and peered down the street. For the moment it appeared as though people were staying on the road. The door to his house burst open and his sister and mom rushed forward. "What's the matter? Where's dad?"

"He went on to the school to see if he could help with evacuations," said Samantha. She gave him a hug. "We saw the message in the sky and he said it was something he figured you would do. He called a few of your teachers and they're going to move the elderly to a shelter towards the center of town. Are you all right?"

"Ethan's what's going on?" Asked Jane. She grabbed onto his hand. "I could sense all this strange magic earlier, is everything all right with you guys?"

"We're fine," answered Ethan. "Mom I'm going to need your phone. Jane I need you to go to Stephanie's house and convince her to help Evelyn with a counter spell she working on. She's going to need your help too, be careful though, everyone's panicking and I don't want you getting hurt."

"And give her this," said Benny. He handed her a small emerald necklace. "It'll restore her powers, but it won't let her use them on any Whitechapel citizen. It's something my Grandma and I whipped up in case she ever felt sorry for what she had done."

"Got it," Jane took it, turned away then stopped. As if it was a second thought she gave her brother a hug and added: "Be careful you guys."

"We always are," offered Rory with a grin. Once she was gone he snapped his fingers. "Mrs. Morgan how good are you at making coffee?" Samantha gave him a funny look and made a so-so gesture. "Good enough for me. Toymaker, I'm going to need you also! The Keaner Bakery is about to go into overtime!"

Rory grabbed both Samantha and the Toymaker by the hands and vanished into the skies above.

"I'm heading over to the vampire council," said Erica. "If I can convince them to join us then we'll meet you at the farthest end of Main Street."

"I need Benny," said Sarah as she grabbed the brunette. "Come on we need to head to the museum."

"Why?"

"Because I know for a fact there's someone who can help us there. Besides Ethan said it best himself: rule three."

Ethan nodded to himself and turned to the remaining Heralds. "I'm going to need mirrors, a sudden drop in temperature, the Belief in Christmas and the swords from the Icicle Guard. We've got a city to defend."

When Erica arrived at the Vampire Council the first thing that caught her attention was the destruction of the main room. Even prepared by Ethan's story she still needed a moment to stop and take in the amount of damage that had been done. Debris was strewn across the ground, glass seemed to cover the entirety of the room and every few seconds dust fell from the ceiling. She approached Anastasia who looked up from her desk and raised an eyebrow.

"What can I do for you Jones? As you can see I'm working my hardest to get things running here."

"We need your help," said Erica. "There's no way you didn't see the message in the sky. Nicholas Claus is about to attack Whitechapel and destroy everything within it all because he wants the Belief in Christmas for himself. My friends and I don't stand a chance against him, but with your help we might be able to pull through this."

"You want me to put my people in the middle of a battle that you and your friends started?" The blonde nodded and the small child sat back in thought. "Yes I am aware the city is in danger but why should I risk the possibility of losing good and innocent people? Whitechapel is the place we choose to live and inhabit and at our choosing we can find another home. Convince me as a both a leader and fellow citizen why I should lend you my support."

Erica took a step back and sighed. "I know for a fact that this city isn't just a habitat. I know you and Jesse grew up here before you were both bitten. Think of the times you spent playing the snow, or the times you were with friends and family. Those days and memories are at stake right now. Nicholas will not rest until everything Whitechapel represented is gone. And it won't stop there, Christmas will cease to exist and who knows what will fill the void. That warm feeling you try to recreate during the Winter Festival will be gone; it'll be nothing but a cold empty existence. Do you really want that for everyone? That fear I know you experienced when you were first transformed. But that's not all."

The girl looked down and around them the workers began to slow as they listened in. Erica took this as a good sign and continued. "We also have a set of rules we follow. The first is to always have a form of artificial fire on your person, the second is to expect the unexpected, and the last is to know that your friends will always have your back. You chose to abandon the city during the Stern crisis but you also saved both Rory and I from rushing towards our death. We've been through so much together these past few years, I would've thought you consider me a friend more than a subject."

Anastasia said nothing and placed her two hands together. Around them the vampires had stopped working waiting to hear what their leader would say. At long last she whispered: "It's true my brother and I used to play in the snow… before we became what we are."

"Jesse." She had read the files and though she couldn't believe it at first the pieces had slowly fallen into place. Why else would the boy so adamantly oppose the government he had set up?

"Yes, and it's true we abandoned you and your friends when we should've been at your side. I'd imagine by now Jesse has made has his way over to your other friends with the goal of helping them. I don't know why or how but Ethan and Sarah managed to return his humanity in a way I never thought was possible. It never occurred to me that perhaps in my old age the same thing might happen to me, would make me bitter towards others. It's been so long since I've felt that fear but I won't let the others wallow the same way I did in those early days."

Eric smiled and held out her hand. "So you'll help us?"

Anastasia took her hand and gave it a firm squeeze. "The vampires will be behind you the entire way. We have a home to protect and it's time to make amends for our past mistakes."

Jane knocked the door and waited for a response. She tapped her feet on the cold cement and waited a minute before knocking again. On the other side someone yelled and she put on her best smile. Stephanie opened it and gave her a scowl that could peel the paint off a car. She squinted her eyes in annoyance and asked:

"Isn't it enough that I see your brother and his friend at school? What do you want you little twerp?"

"We need help," said Jane. The old woman looked up her up and down for a moment and did nothing more. "My brother and his friends were affected by a spell and I know you saw the message in the sky about-"

"I could care less about them or that. They ruined my plans for eternal youth I say let them wallow in their own stupidity for a while."

"But the city needs help!"

"This city is always in danger who cares if this time Santa Claus is the one to bring the destruction. It not like it isn't something that hasn't happened a million times before."

Jane held out her hands. "Christmas is at stake. I know you can feel it! I could when I was younger and it's only going to get worse."

"I'm Jewish so what do I care about a holiday that has absolutely no importance to me? The city turned it's back on me so what if its on the verge of collapse? It'll be a learning lesson for all you young children who think the world is all black and white and just good and evil."

"You turned your back on the city first!" The older woman flinched. "You started sucking the souls of teenagers to live forever. Maybe if you thought about others first then it wouldn't have happened. It was wrong to think a bitter old woman like yourself would help us. I don't usually say things like this but I hope you stay here all alone and I hope no one every visits you again. You're the kind of person who wants to be unhappy and wants everyone else to be. I thought you'd be excited to work on a spell with your old friend, and earn a chance to get your magic back. But I guess I was wrong."

Jane walked down the stairs and stopped when Stephanie called out to her. "Evelyn needs my help?"

"Duh. Her entire family is in danger. You think she would just leave them?"

The woman grabbed her jacket and scarf from the hanger and followed after her. Jane said nothing and smiled. If there was one thing she could do it was rile a person into action.

Benny stood in front of the sarcophagus and shook his head once Sarah had finished recounting her plan. "You want to wake up Hottie? Of all things would you could possibly do you want to wake up that rotting Romeo. On behalf of Ethan I need to ask: why?"

"See all these stone warriors?" She motioned to the room around them. Nearly twenty of the statues were positioned around them. "They were cursed when Hottie was first trapped, once he reawakens he should have the power to reanimate them."

"But there's a chance he won't."

"But there's a chance he will."

Benny shrugged. He had argued to the best of his ability but if Sarah thought the mummy could help them who was he to turn him away. The Spellmaster placed a hand on the front of the ancient tomb and watched as the light of the underworld began to seep through. The lid opened and from within the murky depths Hottie Ho-Tep appeared. His eyes widened and he held out his arms.

"Sarah, my love you have returned! I knew our love would know no bounds."

She stopped him and took a step back. "It's not like that Hottie. Whitechapel needs your help, I need your help that's why we're here."

Hottie turned to look at Benny who silently nodded. "Where is the other one, the one who was thin as reeds and fancied you in the same way I did?"

"Ethan couldn't be here," said the brunette. "But I'm his stand in. Our city is about to be attacked by Santa Claus and we don't have the power to protect it. We need all the help we can get."

"You have awoken me from my sleep because you need my assistance? I am only one person."

"But you have an army," said Sarah. She motioned to the stone warriors within the exhibit. "I know about the curse that fell on your people and I know you're the only one who could wake them. Please… we need help."

"I owe nothing to you or your people." He turned his back on them and stopped. "My days of war are over. Let me rest in peace."

"We'd follow Ethan into battle any day," said Benny. The ancient being turned to him and waited. "Can your people say the same about you? Do they have enough faith in their leader they would put their lives on the line to protect not only him but the ones he cares about most? We have a small set of rules we follow and the most important is the third."

Sarah stepped forward. "No matter how bad things get know that your friends will have your back. I thought if anything we were friends."

Hottie held out his hand and his staff appeared. At once the statues came to life and shed their stone exterior. "Though this is only a small part of what my army used to be, we and they are under your command. Whitechapel has been home to my exhibit for so long it can almost be called a second home."

Sarah nodded. "Then follow me, I'll get you guys some winter clothes and we'll meet up with the others."

Benny nodded and as they made their way to the exit stopped. He looked at the large statue of a Greek warrior and smiled as a sudden idea began to form in his mind. "I'll meet up with you later I need to make a few quick stops first."

"Why?"

"Rule three duh!"

Ethan watched as Jack Frost flew through the sky and rapidly reduced the temperature within Whitechapel. At once the vines began to grow and across them poinsettia flowers bloomed in full. He checked his watch and noted that they had a little over two hours until sundown. The phone in his pocket buzzed and he answered.

"Ethan speaking."

"It's Jane. We've managed to create a counter to the mirror and they're working on another spell for defense. I'm on my way over with an artifact that'll help. I also checked your laptop and Claus is a little over two hours away."

"Sarah should be in the area. If you see her hand it off and then get someone safe." He hung up and motioned for Krampus to put the mirror down. The beast did as he was bid and he flashed him a thumbs up. "That should be good."

The Belsnickel jumped down from the building and landed next to him with the small object in question. He placed a hand on the black paint and turned to the Herald. "Did she agree with our plan?" The Belsnickel nodded. "OK then set it up on the lights over there above the street. This area is as defended as it's going to get right now. Oh and did you find the swords?"

The fur coated being handed the swords to Krampus and darted up the side of the building. "It seems as though you were right again Ethan. I can sense the power within brimming with explosive energy. What could you possibly hope to accomplish with weapons as dangerous as these?"

Rory and the Toymaker came down along the other street and stopped when they caught sight of Ethan. The blonde jumped up and down excitedly. "I got a lot of non-supernatural people to gather as many poinsettia flowers as possible and we're positioning them around the alleys. Combined with the vines Nicholas's army will be forced down one the four main streets and we've already set up a bunch of traps."

"That's great," said Ethan. He looked over his shoulder and noted the various personal moving about the rooftops. He turned to the Herald with a grin. "We're going to put the Belief in Christmas back in the clock tower and force Claus to fight us on our own terms. Any words on anyone who'd be willing to fight with us?"

"Of course," responded the Toymaker. "Rory asked me to fix a few things here and there and then had me make a couple rather unique builds. It's nice to work with a person who isn't limited in their imagination."

"Fix? Build? Should I be afraid?"

"Behold!" Rory made a dramatic motion. Several large alligators appeared around the corner and wrapped around each of their necks were dark red collars. He snapped and they stopped. "Heat collar that will not only let me control them and keep them warm in this oh so cold weather. I also have one last surprise."

Debbie Dazzle appeared and Ethan jumped back ready to attack. "Relax E, she's on our side I got the Toymaker to fix her up. I'd figured we'd need all the help we could get."

The Herald nodded in agreement. "She was one of the easier fixes, that car he showed me was definitely harder than anything I've encountered before."

"That's nice but I bet I can do better," said Sarah. She descended from the sky and motioned to the main road. The small gathering of soldiers marched forward with Hottie Ho-Tep at the lead. Next to them walked David and his pack of were-wolves. "They wanted to lend a hand and who was I to say no? Besides you have got to check out David's real wolf form it's pretty beast. Oh and Jane wanted me to give you this."

She handed him a chessboard and Whitechapel appeared. He looked at the small details within and smiled. "This is going to be helpful. It's like a miniature hologram of our forces. It showing that Erica should be arriving any moment with the vampires in tow."

"Umm… excuse me." They looked up and found themselves staring at the group of teachers before them; each one of them had their own makeshift weapon in hand. Mr. G stepped forward and held up a hockey stick. "We're here to help, there's no way we're going to let you students go into battle alone."

"The teachers aren't alone in this," called out Ross. He marched forward with Samantha, the Jones, Foxes, Clovers, Stachowski and Weirs. "We're here to fight as well. It's time we showed the younger generation how it's done."

Ethan opened his mouth to protest and the Toymaker held up a hand. "Don't worry I can outfit them with some armor, speaking of which." He snapped his fingers and several columns of toy soldiers marched down the four roads. "They'll provide cover for everyone else."

"The counter spell is already in place," said Evelyn. She approached with Stephanie. "I gave it Jack Frost on the way over and he should be mixing in with the snow. We've also planned another spell." She gave a hearty laugh. "It's one I've wanted to try since reading the last Harry Potter book."

Stephanie rolled her eyes. "Doesn't make it any less challenging. We've managed to animate every single statue within Whitechapel but we need to be in a secure location in order to control them."

"Then we'll provide you with the proper cover," said Anastasia. Erica and Jesse landed alongside her and gave them a curt nod. "We'll disperse among the shelters within the city in an attempt to keep any and all remaining citizens safe."

"Jesse," said Sarah as she crossed her arms. The man looked down embarrassed. "It's been a while. Never got a chance to thank you."

"It's good to see you again," said Ethan. He held out a hand. "Ready to make quick work of Claus?"

"I'm not one to join the losing team," said Jesse. He took his hand and gave it a shake. "Never thought I say this but let's stop Santa Claus."

The sound suddenly shook and everyone turned to look in the direction of the museum. Walking forward and towards them was Benny, a small group of women, and a large Greek Warrior statue with a red gem implanted within its head.

"Hope I'm not late to the party," called out Benny. Ethan looked up at the great hulking statue and Sarah took a step back in shock. "Everyone I'd like you to meet Boltz and of course you all know Whitechapel Martial Arts Club."

Sunday Clovers stepped forward with a bow and arrow, Brie held up her throwing knives, Jen gave her steel whip a snap, Rachel slammed her boxing gloves together, Della wore Puffle's collar and tapped a large staff on the ground while Serena whistled causing the silver choker around her neck began to glow.

Frost whistled and gave Benny a high five. "Not that's what I'm talking about."

"That reminds me I've been meaning to ask you: what can you do with snow men?"

"Snow men?" The blue skinned boy smiled. "Why do you ask?"

Krampus took a step forward, the Belsnickel held out its scythe, Jack Frost landed and the Toymaker twirled his hammer. Ethan looked at the group and for the first time all day he felt a fire burn within him. Even if the numbers were against them he never allowed himself for a moment to think they would be beaten. Whitechapel was ready for a fight.

Ethan watched stood at the edge of the city and watched as the sun began to set in the distance. The sky rapidly darkened and on the far edge of the field a sleigh landed. Nicholas stepped out with Kara and the Icicle Guard following close behind. They walked forward and Team V and the Heralds did the same. At the center of the field they stood for a moment neither of them moving, and neither of them speaking.

"Give me the Belief in Christmas," demanded Nicholas. He reached for the sword at his side and held out his other hand. "I don't want to hurt any of you but if you stand in my way then Whitechapel will burn and all of you will die."

"We're ready for you," said Ethan. "If you so much as touch the Belief in Christmas you'll pay the ultimate price, that's my warning for you."

"I'll take that as no then." He snapped his fingers and Kara placed the snow globe in her hands on the ground. It began to glow as a large black portal opened in the air above it. It spread towards the ground. He laughed and gave a dismissive wave of his hand. "Kill them all."

From within the inky depths of darkness row upon row of elf drones marched forward. Ethan felt his heart sink as the hundreds of machines marched towards them. The fight for Christmas had officially begun.

A/N: How's that for a cliffhanger? So last chapter I wasn't sure if I was going to continue writing stories here on Fanfiction. After talking with my friends I think I'm going to write one last one, and it's going to be a mix of fairy tales and romance. I was told I need to work on writing outside my comfort zone and the future story is definitely going to be one of them. I don't want to spoil the couple but I'll tell you in the next chapter! Enjoy and don't forget to leave a review!