Yo-Kai Watch! Christmas in Springdale

Chapter 04: The Cave of the Ice Witch

Rejoining Nate at the park with his Yo-Kai friends, they had just finished explaining everything that happened to Katie about the Yo-Kai, the watch and everything Nate's been through since putting it on. While it did seem somewhat confusing to Katie at first, eventually things began becoming more and more clear when they referenced situations they had experienced when a Yo-Kai inspirited them, such as with D'wanna.

"Oh. So, the "Yo-Kai" are spirits that you can only see with that watch? And….if you can earn their friendship, they give you a medal?" Katie asked. Nate nodded, taking out Jibanyan's medal from his coat.

"Yeah. See? This is Jibanyan's medal. All I have to do is stick it in the watch and I can call him whenever he needs me." he explained.

"Which is a LOT more than you can POSSIBLY understand Katie. This "slave driver" practically calls me twenty-four seven." Jibanyan lazily added. Nate groaned.

"Well, what can I say? You're the most helpful Yo-Kai I ever had." he replied. Katie lightly chuckled.

"I think its rather sweet that you're trying to help the Yo-Kai Nate. I can see its very clear that they love you just as much." she said, bending down to pick up Jibanyan. Nate smirked.

"Let me tell you, Katie, there are times I'd rather have NOT gotten this watch since they've drove me nuts on a few occasions." Nate explained. Katie giggled.

"At least you're not a crazy person. I was worried you were losing your marbles or something." she replied. Nate nodded, blushing slightly.

"Wow. I can't believe Katie knows about the Yo-Kai now. It's kind of relieving knowing that I don't seem "weird" to her anymore." he thought. Just then, Katie asked if she could meet any other of the Yo-Kai friends Nate befriended. To that, Nate nodded and looked to Whisper.

"It should be about time to call Frostynyan back, right? He told us to check back with him after an hour." Nate asked.

"I would think so." he said. Nate nodded firmly and reached into his pocket, taking out Frostynyan's medal. As he stood up and gripped tightly to the medal, Katie started to look on, waiting to see the Yo-Kai summon in action.

"Come on out my friend! Calling Frostynyan! Yo-Kai Medal! Do your thing!" Nate shouted, slipping the medal inside.

SUMMONING...CHARMING!
Alarming, boom, boom! Walla, walla, dance, dance, Charming!

In a blazing beam of light, Frostynyan emerged from Nate's watch and landed right in front of them.

"Hey there Frostynyan. I'd like you to meet a friend of mine. This is Katie, a girl who's recently started seeing Yo-Kai." Nate said, extending his arm out towards her. Frostynyan looked to Katie and nodded.

"H-Hello there. Uhhh….sorry to have been running a bit late Nate. I…..sort of ran into my OWN problems." Frostynyan replied, hinting to his side as the others saw another Yo-Kai clinging to his arm. It was Frostina.

"W-What the?! You had a hitch hiker?" Nate asked.

"Well, I wasn't planning on it. See, Frostina caught wind of my plans and, well, tried to talk me out of it. Then, when you tried to summon me, she grabbed onto my coat and wouldn't let go." he explained. Frostina then pulled Frostynyan towards her.

"And I HOPE you understand that going to Damona's castle is suicide to ANY Yo-Kai! She's the meanest Yo-Kai to ever exist and I don't want you to go risking your furry hide for me!" she shouted. Just then, Nate leaned over towards them.

"That's why he's not going alone Frostina. Frostynyan's got us backing him up. It'll be okay. I'll PERSONALLY guarantee he comes back safely." he said. The two Yo-Kai looked on at Nate, but Frostina shook her head and clutched tighter to Frostynyan's arm.

"No! You're not going anywhere!" she exclaimed. Eyes were on the pair as Frostynyan slipped his arm free and turned to face Frostina directly.

"Frostina, please, know that I'm not doing this for just willy nilly fun. I'm going….to fulfill the wish you hoped would happen. A Christmas where humans and Yo-Kai can be together. I honestly think its a wonderful wish and I'm hoping Damona will feel the same." he said "It's a Frostynyan's duty to help that one special "snowflake" grant their wintry wish. And, well, I want to grant your wish more than anything else." Frostina's eyes began to water, shedding small tears in her big eyes. She sniffled and wiped them away.

"Fine. I see I can't get through to you. A…At least let me come with you." she said "If you're out to make my wish come true, I'd feel a lot better….knowing we worked for it together." Frostynyan lightly blushed, nodding before they leaned in closer to each other, their foreheads touching. Everyone started blushing as well.

"Awww….how sweet." Katie thought. She then looked to Nate, remembering Frostina's words about Damona's castle being a suicide mission to anyone who approached. With a determined look, Katie set down Jibanyan and approached Nate.

"Nate! If you're going with them like you say, I'm going too!" she shouted. Nate, Whisper and Jibanyan suddenly jumped from shock.

"W-WAIT! You're wha…?!" Nate shouted.

"Nate, it's obvious that you're doing something crazy. I had no idea until now about all the dangerous things you've dealt with because you wanted to protect your friends and family. I think it's time….one of us returns the favor. So, if you're going to help them, I wanna help too." Katie explained. Nate started blushing even more, never believing he'd hear those words from her. But instead of turning her down, Nate simply nodded.

"All right. I know you….for sure. The kind of girl to not give up on things. But if things get crazy, promise me you'll stay safe?" Nate asked. Katie nodded.

"I will. Promise." she replied with a stern look.

~ Yo-Kai Realm | Netherworld ~

Following everyone gathering together, Nate proceeded to summon Mirapo and, giving him the coordinates provided by Hidabat, the mirror Yo-Kai beamed them directly on a cliffside leading towards Damona's Castle, in the darker parts of the Yo-Kai Realm. Upon arrival, Nate turned back to Mirapo.

"Thank you Mirapo. No one can call you a cowardly Yo-Kai." he said. Mirapo simply saluted before running off, his bell jingling behind him. He then turned and looked on in the distance, seeing the ice spike that was Damona's home. The clouds above their heads was covered with black clouds and occasional lightning flashes and thunder rumbling.

"W-W-Well, come on everyone. No time like the p-p-present, I always say." Whisper cowered. Jibanyan crossed his paws, glaring up at Whisper.

"Nya….is someone acting SCARED?" Jibanyan asked, making Whisper scoff.

"O-Of course not you mangy alley cat! If anything, I'm t-t-thrilled to meet such a powerful Yo-Kai!" he shouted. Jibanyan grew a cocky grin just as Frostynyan pointed out that his legs were shaking as much as Whisper.

"T-They are NOT shaking! I'm….just as eager too!" Jibanyan replied. Nate chuckled.

"It's all right to be nervous you guys. But….try and keep a brave face. We're not leaving here without the Yo-Kai Heart." he explained. Hearing Nate's words, his two Yo-Kai friends nodded.

"R-Right! Let's go then." Whisper agreed. With that, the group started up the pathway towards Damona's castle, led on by Nate, Whisper and Jibanyan. Though the path ahead was narrow and chasms surrounded them on each side, they pressed forward. But upon arriving near the gates, they quickly ducked behind a large rock.

"N-Nate, what are we…?" Katie whispered, silenced by Nate. He slowly leaned out from behind the rock, seeing a pair of Oni guarding the gates. Each was as large as Gargaros and armed with a steel club.

"So….how do we get past them?" Jibanyan asked.

"Simple. I've seen this happen in a lot of movies. All we gotta do is lure them away from the gates and then, when their backs are turned, sneak inside." Nate whsipered.

"Good plan "Einstein". But what are we going to to use for bait?" Whisper asked. This put a serious hole in Nate's plan, scratching his head as he thought.

"Good question." he muttered. But just then, he had the perfect idea hit him.

"Oh! Wait! I know." Nate muttered, turning towards Whisper. The sight of him eyeing him caused the Yo-Kai to freeze up.

"W-Wait. Why on Earth are you looking at me?! I am your Yo-Kai BUTLER! NOT BAIT!" Whisper replied. Nate groaned.

"Okay. So there goes my plan of dressing Whisper up as an Oni. Oh! Wait! I got something better!" Nate shouted. As all this went on, the two Oni guards stood firmly at the gate until a strange fog began coming over the area. They looked baffled, glaring at each other before growling and prepping their weapons. But what came next took them both by surprise. Through the mist, they could see two other figures approaching, about the same size of them. As the mist started to clear, they both saw two female Oni, winking at them and waving their hands in a teasing fashion. The Oni looked on cluelessly before their hearts exploded with love.

"HUBBA HUBBA!" the Oni groaned. Dropping their weapons, the two Oni chased after the females down the pathway from the castle, unaware they were tricked by Illoo's magic.

"Hoo hoo!" Illoo laughed.

"Thanks Illoo. I owe you one for this. Remind me to invite you to our holiday party when this is all over." Nate said. Illoo chuckled before continuing after the Oni, making sure to keep his illusion going. Nate and the others pressed forward and reached the front gates, pushing it open with their combined strength. Upon entering the castle, they looked around at its beautiful icy walls which shimmered with the flashes of lightning outside.

"Okay. So now we just gotta find the Yo-Kai Heart and get out of here." Whisper said.

"But….where could it be nya?" Jibanyan asked.

"Most likely with Damona. I heard she never lets it out of her sight since she obtained it." Frostina explained. Nate groaned.

"And here I thought we could've been sneaky and not get caught. But….it looks like we'll have to let Damona know she's got visitors." Nate said, firmly making a fist. As the others nodded with him, a voice suddenly echoed the halls of the castle foyer.

" I already know. "

Everyone gasped, fiercely looking around the room.

"T-T-That was Damona! I just know it!" Frostynyan gasped.

"B-But where is she?! How could she have known we were here?!" Whisper asked, looking towards the ceiling.

" Because your voices echo…Duh. "

Just then, the ground beneath them started to shake violently until a large slab brought them high into the air. It stopped when it was just at the same level as the entrance to Damona's throne room. Looking inside, Nate and his friends all gulped simultaneously before walking inside. As they entered, they saw this room was far different than the rest of the castle. Large icicle spears hung from the ceiling as a chandilere made of ice shedded light in the room. In the far distance, a tattered red carpet stretched from their feet towards the icy throne where Damona was seated.

"A..A little girl?" Katie asked. Whisper gawked in fright before hiding behind Nate.

"Nate! T-That's her! THAT'S Damona, the Oni Princess!" Whisper shrieked. Nate gasped.

"That little girl? Nya, you must be joking." Jibanyan replied. However, hearing those words, Damona's face began to scowl as an ominous wind blew its way towards Nate's group, automatically sending a sharp cold pain up their spines. Feeling the sheer evil from it, Jibanyan yelped from fright and clung to Nate's leg, quivering like a fish.

"I take it back! She's WAY scary!" Jibanyan whined. Damona's eyes closed slowly as she sighed and leaned her cheek against her hand. As Nate watched, he could see the item of their quest, the Yo-Kai Heart, tucked under Damona's other hand. But when he looked back to her face, her eyes opened to show an Oni powerful glare, almost scarier than those of Gargaros.

"So everyone…tell me. What's a bunch of little Yo-Kai worms AND two worthless humans…..DOING in my castle? Huh?!" she asked. Nate gulped.

"Oh man. You can just feel it from here. Her heart….it's nothing but total evil." Nate thought. The others remained frozen in place as Damona's petrifying gaze was fixated solely on them.

TO BE CONTINUED…