Readers: I love you! Reviewers: I LOVE you even more! LOVE all around! Valentines for everybody, even Canada. Here Canada, here is an extra Valentine (since the world is cruel and always forgets to give you one), and some maple syrup to eat it with.

Finnish readers: I owe you an apology, your country had his Christmas tree up way too early in chapter 1! I didn't know ya'll didn't set it up until Christmas Eve. How do you fantastic people find time to put up your tree AND deliver presents to the entire world that night? Finnish people are amazing! Let's be buddies.

While on the note of apologizing to people, Swedish readers: Sorry for putting your ridiculously handsome country inside of a Magic 8 Ball. I only did it because I knew he was resourceful enough to find a way out. Swedes have such terrific progressive policies about gender and LGBT people! You are my heroes.

With the Magic 8 Ball's assistance Finland had been able to get all the presents wrapped just a blink before the deadline. But now, as Finland stood in the snow looking at his fully-loaded sleigh, he had a different problem.

The half of his reindeer team that had hoof and mouth disease still hadn't recovered. Worse still, the virus had spread to the rest of the reindeer too, leaving Santa's sleigh completely immobilized.

"Well this sucks!" Finland concluded "Can't my reindeer have been afflicted by something easier to fix, like maybe a disagreement over whose prancing was the best or something? We worked so hard and my blood sugar levels have me qualifying as a borderline diabetic. I've just been trying to do my job! What a thing to ruin Christmas wi-"

The sound of bells interrupted Finland's lament. He looked up and saw his friend the Magic 8 Ball inside the reindeer's reins, spinning madly in an attempt to pull the sleigh forward. Despite the Magic 8 Ball's best efforts though, the sleigh didn't budge. The small toy was just digging itself into a deeper hole in the snow the harder it tried to move the sleigh for Finland.

Aww...

Finland put a hand over his liquefied heart. He walked over to where the small sphere was spinning and gently lifted it out of the snow.

- 'm s'rry. I failed ya.-

Finland shook his head. "No Little 8 Ball," he clutched the sphere tight against his chest "No ya didn't. I was feeling so stressed, sad and un-Christmas-like, but your kindness has brought my holiday spirit back. Thank you."

-Nh. W'sh I w's str'ng en'gh t' p'll 't.-

Finland patted the Magic 8 Ball reassuringly. "Don't worry about that. Worrying is my job, yah?" Finland smiled and looked up at the overcast sky. "Besides, since you gave me my Christmas spirit back, I can make my Christmas wish."

Finland closed his eyes and concentrated. I wish for there to be a way for me to finish my job. Just a way for me to be able to get my sleigh up and spread some Christmas cheer. Please...the world really needs some cheer right now.

When Finland opened his eyes he found himself standing in a circle of green light. Then he glanced up and saw the most crazy-looking flying metal thing with a ridiculous smiling face sticking out the window.

"DUDES! What's up? Are you having a totally merry Christmas and everything? Dude, what's up with your sleigh?"

There was America, stepping down the boarding ramp of the UFO, still licking radioactive-blue frosting off his fingers.

"Do you totally need a lift dude? I have a hero complex and a spaceship so I am totally equipped to help you out!"

...yah, I guess that works...