There's nothing quite like Inkwell City during the Christmas season and on this day of Christmas Eve, the city seemed to be filled to the brim with the holiday spirit. Gentle snowflakes fall from the sky, blanketing the city with snow.
Everywhere you look you would see inkwell citizens dressed in winter garments with smiles on their faces. Every building is decorated with garlands, wreaths, and twinkling lights. On Second Street is the city's large annual Christmas tree for everyone to see. In one corner three postal workers are playing Christmas music with various musical instruments and a little old lady is collecting donations for the less fortune.
In Inkwell Park the children play with the snow, couples look loving at each other on the bridge, and nine various happy citizens are skating and then holding hands while going in a big circle over the frozen lake.
Yes, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves on this festive day. Even the devils.
You read that right, the devils.
The Devil and his son, Bendy Devil, were at one end of the lake, smiling.
The Devil was wearing a red scarf, and the little devil was wearing his earmuffs, a scarf over his red bowtie, and his thick gloves.
Bendy was eating a gingerbread man when his dad light poked the frozen lake with his pitchfork.
The ice cracked from the touch, and it traveled to the group of skaters. Seconds later, the ice broke away under the skaters, they fell, and the nine skaters re-emerged from the water in ice cubes.
The two devils giggled maliciously.
"Christmastime's our favorite time!~ Christmastime's our favorite time of the year!~" The two devils sang as they skated on the ice.
"It's the holiday spirit that makes my heart swell!~" Bendy sang as he knocked the snow from a tree onto a kissing couple.
"The hanging of stockings, the balls on the tree~" The Devil sang as he made a giant ornament ball drop on a mouse citizen.
"It brings out the best in most everyone but it brings out the devil in me!~" The Devil and Bendy sang after mutating the instruments the postal workers were playing.
"It's the hustle and bustle and folks filled with cheer!~" The Devil sang as he made shoppers trip and break their gifts.
"Those holiday feelings we all hold so dear!~" Bendy sang.
The Devil and Bendy then photobombed a family Christmas picture and the family screamed when the camera flashed.
"Makes Christmastime our favorite time of the year!~" The Devil and Bendy sang as they admired the family photo.
"It's the laughter of children, the goodwill towards men!~" The Devil after he made a brick wall appear before a couple of kids on sleds.
"The spirit of giving and festive snowmen!~" Bendy sang after the Devil mutated a snowman and made it attack Ribby and Croaks.
"Makes Christmastime our favorite time of the year!~" The Devil and Bendy sang as they watched the attack while drinking hot chocolate.
Three little boys were licking on candy canes unaware of the two devils up above them.
"So what makes this time so special to me?" Bendy sang.
"Ha! It's actually quite simple you see!~" The Devil sang after he dropped three ice shards and they landed right in the children's hands, getting their tongues stuck on the icicles.
"It brings out the best in most everyone, but it brings out the devil in me~!" The Devil sang as he wound up a tin soldier and made it walk across the street.
The toy's sharp pointed scabbard poked a hole in a car's tire and the driver lost control before crashing into the city Christmas tree. The tree quickly caught fire and the crowd around screamed and ran in panic.
"It brings out the devil in me,~" Bendy sang before he opened a bag and dozens of marbles rolled out on the street and people started slipping and sliding and crashing on the ground.
"Yes, it brings out the devil in us!~" The Devil and Bendy sang as they basked in the light of the flames and the chaos around them.
TOOT TOOT
"Huh?!" The Devil said after he heard the soft train whistle.
The big devil ran to the toy shop window, pushed some children away, and looked around the display. In the display window he saw toys of many shapes and sizes. From dolls, stuffed animals, balls, blocks, and windup toys. But what really caught The Devil's attention was a toy train that made its way along the display area on a train track. The toy train had a green locomotive, and two passenger cars, one red and one brown.
"Oh! What a marvelous little train!" The Devil said. "Oh, there it goes!"
The big devil watched the train go by with his hands and face pressed against the glass.
"Oh! Oh, look at the little wheels!" The Devil exclaimed excitedly.
The train's whistle blew a sweet little 'toot toot'.
"Oh, it makes a little noise too!" The Devil said. "Are you seeing this Bendall?" he turned around, but his son was gone. "Bendall? Bendall?"
"Over here Dad!" came Bendy's voice.
The Devil peeked behind a corner and saw his little devil in a man's arms.
"Not wasting any time with the holiday traditions I see," Henry said before he pointed out the burning Christmas tree. He was wearing a coat over his usual clothes along with earmuffs and a scarf.
"Yepp, Dad, you remember Henry, right?" Bendy asked.
The Devil glared at the human man.
FLASHBACK
Through his periscope, The Devil could see Cuphead held over the saw blades as Wilson monologues about his plans.
"It's gonna happen!" The Devil said excitedly. "The cup's gonna die!"
The Devil was practically shaking until Henry stepped in and saved Cuphead from the blades, The Keeper, and Wilson.
"No...! No! No! NO! NO! NO!" The Devil yelled before he raised the periscope, roared, and exploded.
END OF FLASHBACK
The big devil put on a big fake smile.
"Of course," The Devil said. "How could I forget the "artist" who thought he didn't Bendy's image?"
"Dad," Bendy said with disapproval.
"What?"
Herny felt nervous about being in front of the lord of darkness. "Hello again... sir," the man said.
The Devil gave a satisfied smile after noticing the human's intimidation.
"Anyway, Dad and I are just having some fun for Christmas," Bendy said.
"I can see that," Henry said. "I swear there's a special spot in Santa's naughty list just for you two,"
"Santa's naughty list? What the hell is that?" The Devil asked.
"Nothing!" Bendy exclaimed. He jumped out of Henry's arms and grabbed The Devil's hand. "Say, Dad I think I saw a couple of nuns walk past that way, let's go scare them! Bye, Henry!"
"Maybe in a minute, but first," The Devil said before he pulled Bendy against him and looked right at Henry. "Henry was just going to tell me what Santa's naughty list is,"
"Oh, uh..."
"Herny don't tell—Mph!" Bendy warned before The Devil put a hand over his mouth.
"Well?" The Devil pressed on.
"Um... You know what. I suddenly... can't remember," Henry lied.
"Henry?" came a female voice.
The man and two devils spotted Linda Stein next to the car with bags.
"Is everything alright?" Linda asked.
"Linda," Henry said.
The Devil used telekinesis with his pitchfork and made Linda float in the air before she was lifted twelve feet up.
Linda shrieked and Henry gasped.
"Can you remember now or...?" The Devil asked.
"Alright! Alright, I'll tell you just please don't hurt her." Henry said. "The naughty list is a list Santa makes for people who have been naughty all year."
"Ooh! Sounds like my kind of list." The Devil said with wicked delight.
"I guess so. But you won't get any presents unless you're on the nice list,"
"There's a nice list too?"
"Yeah, Santa has two lists. Naughty and nice. Those on the nice list get presents from Santa Claus on Christmas morning."
"Mmhmm, and if you're on the naughty list?"
"Then usually you either get a lump of coal in your stocking or you get nothing at all."
"Oh!" The Devil exclaimed.
"Yes. That's why parents usually encourage their children to be nice all year,"
"Ugh!" The Devil said and shuddered in disgust.
Bendy managed to slip out of his father's arm and land on the floor as the big devil shuddered.
"You really never knew this till now?" Herny asked.
"No, but I have a feeling one little devil did," The Devil said ominously as he curled his fingers over Bendy's shoulders.
Bendy smiled with a nervous chuckle.
"Mm... but this list-business intrigues me," The Devil said before having Linda slowly lowered to the street. "Say goodbye to your adult friend, we're leaving,"
"Bye Henry, bye Linda," Bendy said.
Henry went to his shaking wife. "Bye Bendy," he said.
The two devils vanished after The Devil slammed the pitchfork down.
A while later...
In the Underworld there is a conference room with a stats board on the wall, a long table, and enough chairs to fit seventeen demons. Some devil imps, Henchman, and Sticklers were currently conferencing on important matters.
Stickler cleared his throat. "I'm not pointing any fingers, but someone has been stealing lunches out of the community refrigerator." He said. "Mine are always clearly labeled with the name Stickler, yet they often go missing."
"Yeah, same here." Said Demon 232.
"It's ridiculous." Said Demon 122.
"Yeah, me too." Said Demon 253.
"Uh, I know we work in the fiery underworld," Henchman said. "but that's no excuse for bad manners."
SLAM
The Devil and Bendy walked into the room and removed their winter wear before walking to the table.
"All right, everyone. Listen up." The Devil asked.
The little devil walked to the table and sat next to Henchman while The Devil took his seat at the head of the table.
"I have an important question." The Devil said. "What would have to happen for someone, me, for example, to, let's just say, get on Santa's nice list?"
All the demons flinched after hearing that and groaned awkwardly. One female devil imp drank her tea.
Demon 122 leaned closer to Henchman and whispered, "I thought you said he didn't know about the list."
The Devil shot a fireball right at Demon 122 and the devil imp was burned to a pile of ash. Henchman looked horrified.
"Henchman." The Devil said.
The purple demon spluttered before facing the boss demon.
"You knew about the nice list, and you didn't tell me. Why?" The Devil said with a smile on his face and his pitchfork in his hand.
"Uh... It's not exactly your kind of list, boss." Henchman said twiddling his thumbs nervously.
"Oh! And what is that supposed to mean?" The Devil asked in a huff.
"Well, you are kinda evil," Henchman said.
The Devil gasped. "Are you saying I can't be evil and be on the nice list?" he asked.
"Yeah, boss. That's exactly what I'm sayin'." Henchman said.
The Devil scoffed. "C'mon Bendall we're going," he said before walking away.
Bendy got up from his seat and ran to his dad. They left the conference room and shut the door.
"So where are we going now?" the little devil asked.
"We're going to get my name on the nice list." The Devil said.
"How? It's already Christmas Eve."
"I know and if no one here can help me then we're going to the list maker himself."
Bendy gasped. "You don't mean...?"
"Buckle up son, we're going to a place most could only dream of," The Devil said before he slammed down his pitchfork and the two devils vanished.
Far up north at the North Pole, there was Santa's castle and workshop and the elf village that surrounds the castle. There was snow, reindeer, and elves everywhere.
The elves were small with pointed ears, white hair, and various skin tones. They wore clothes consisting of teal-colored long-sleeved shirts and hats, black belts, black pants, yellow gloves, and ashy blue shoes.
Inside the workshop, elves were working on making toys and singing a lively holiday work song.
"Making Christmas toys 'Cause it's that time of year!~" the elves sang.
"There's no time for fooling around!~" Elf Number 23 sang.
"Santa's made this clear!~ Making Christmas toys Spreading love and cheer!~" The elves sang.
"All the kids are counting on us!~" Elf Number 10 sang.
"Christmastime is here!~" the elves sang.
At that moment, the doors swung open, and Santa Clause stepped in.
"Ho-ho-ho." Santa laughed and held his belly.
Santa was 8 feet tall, with a white beard, pale pink skin, rosy cheeks, bright eyes, and a nose like a cherry. He was wearing the iconic red Santa Claus outfit.
"Santa!" all the elves said.
"Hello, Elf Number 15. Nice tricycle, Elf Number 62. Little Suzy will love it." Santa said as he walked through the workstations and made his way to his office upstairs. "Keep up the good work. Christmas is nigh!"
The elves cheered.
"Ho-ho-ho-ho." Santa said before he walked into his office and closed the door.
His office had white brick walls, shelves filled with books, a marble fireplace, a Christmas tree, a large window, toys everywhere, and a large desk next to the window.
"Hello, Nicholas." Came The Devil's voice.
"Uh-ho!" Santa exclaimed as he turned around.
The desk chair turned around and revealed The Devil sitting there with his pitchfork. The big devil smiled widely.
"Ho-ho, hello," Santa said. "Goodness, what a hairy boy you are." he chuckled nervously.
Bendy walked around the desk and stepped towards Santa while The Devil used his pitchfork to float.
"Oh my," Santa said as the two devils approached him.
"Wow, you're really tall," Bendy said with a smile.
"Why um, thank you. But who are you two?"
"I know how busy are, Santa, especially for tonight, so I'll make this quick." The Devil said before he landed in front of Santa. "I would like to inquire about this nice list of yours." He said while he fixed Santa's white beard.
"Oh-ho-ho. I see. This is about a present." Santa said. "Well, just whisper into Santa's ear what you want."
"Really?" The Devil asked. "Aren't you gonna, you know..."
"Oh! Ho-ho-ho-ho. Of course." Santa said before walking away. A second later he came back with a stepping stool. Santa sat down and patted his lap.
The Devil giggled before he sat down on Santa's lap. Then he whispered into Santa's ear.
"You want a tutu?" Santa asked. "Sure! Santa will bring you a tutu."
"Not a tutu. I said choo choo." The Devil said.
"Oh! Ho-ho-ho." Santa chuckled.
"Wait, we came here so you could ask Santa for a train?" Bendy asked.
"That's right." The Devil said before hopping off Santa's lap.
"And what about you, little one?" Santa asked.
Bendy looked up and pointed at himself.
"Yes, you," Santa said and patted his lap.
"Oh no, I don't need anything. Thank you," Bendy said.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Santa," Bendy said and he held onto his red bowtie with one hand. He smiled fondly. "I got all I need."
"Ho-Ho alright," Santa said.
"Alright, then in that case I guess we're done here." The Devil said. "So long, Kringle."
The two devils walked away from Santa.
"Ho-ho, okay," Santa said as he walked to his desk and pulled out a pen. "Let me just find your name on the nice list, sir." He picked up the nice list from his desk.
The two devils froze mid-step.
"You wanted a tutu," Santa said.
"Uh, choo choo." The Devil clarified as he walked back and stood next to Santa.
"Right, right. Choo choo." Santa said with a chuckle.
Bendy stood next to his father.
"What is your last name?" Santa asked.
"Devil."
The Devil and Bendy gave each other apprehensive glances.
"Devil, Devil..." Santa said as he scrolled through the list. "Uh... I'm not seeing anything. What's your first name?"
"The?"
"Hmm." Santa hummed before he put the nice list down. "Let me check the other list."
Bendy chuckled nervously. "Okay, um, about that list... it's not definite or anything? Right?"
"What do you mean?" Santa asked before he opened the naughty list and screeching bats flew out of it. "Now let's see. The Devil, the Devil..." Santa said before he shook his head with realization. "The Devil?! You're the Devil? You're number one on the naughty list."
In the naughty list at the very top was written "The Devil" in big red lettering.
"That's not going to be a problem, is it?" The Devil asked.
"Oh no. You've been a very bad boy indeed." Santa said as he scrolled through the list of all The Devil's naughty deeds. "You haven't been nice one day since the beginning of time. I'd be impressed if I weren't so ho-ho-horrified. Uh, I'm afraid this means you won't be getting that tutu after all."
"Choo choo!" The Devil wailed.
"No tutu. No choo choo." Santa said firmly.
The Devil sniffled. "Henchman was right." He said, "I'll never get on the nice list." He sat in Santa's desk chair.
Santa looked further down the list. "And if you're his son," he said turning his attention to Bendy. "The must mean you're Bendall Devil, right?" he asked.
"Yes," Bendy answered. "And let me guess, I'm on the naughty list too."
"Unfortunately, yes," Santa said.
"I figured as much," Bendy said. "Santa, I know my dad is on the top of the naughty list, and for a lot, lot, lot, lot, lot of reasons, but is there anything he can do to get on the nice list? Just this once. Pwease?" he gave Santa the cute wide-eyed kitten face.
Santa's lips quivered before he chuckled. Then he walked over to The Devil on the chair.
"I'll tell you what, Devil. If you can be a good boy till the stroke of midnight, I'll put you on the nice list."
The big devil perked up and shook the jolly man's hand.
"You have a deal, Santa." The Devil said. "I won't let you down. You'll see!" he grabbed his son, and his pitchfork, and left Santa's office in a puff of smoke.
The Devil and Bendy returned to Inkwell City.
"Okay, you got this!" Bendy said with motivation.
"I got this," The Devil said.
"You got this,"
"I got this,"
"Just gotta be nice till midnight."
"I'm gonna get on the nice list."
"Excuse me," came an old lady's voice.
The two devils turned around and saw a little old mouse with a tin can and a bell.
"Would you care to spare some change for the less fortunate?" the lady mouse asked as she shook the can.
"Ew!" The Devil exclaimed before he shot a fireball at the old mouse.
Bendy's jaw dropped.
A few minutes later...
The two devils were back in Santa's office. The big devil looked embarrassed while the little devil and the jolly man looked at him with disapproval.
"What happened?" Santa asked.
"Well, I was off to a good start." The Devil said with his hands behind his back.
"Yeah, for, like, ten seconds," Santa said. He sighed and walked away from his desk. "Santa needs a drink."
"Does improvement count for nothing?" The Devil asked.
"Afraid not," Santa said.
"Uh, uh... Bendall!" The Devil exclaimed before he picked his son up and held him up at arm's length. "I'm nice to him, doesn't that count for something? Bendall, tell him,"
Santa poured himself a glass of milk from his private stash of milk and cookies hidden in his globe.
"Sadly, being a nice father to your own child doesn't automatically make you generally nice. Besides, I wouldn't use your son as an example for your niceness."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You've lied to him repeatedly, you're mean to his friends, and you're a terrible influence. You teach him that torturing, manipulating, and being mean is the norm."
"Hey, I teach him all that because he is a devil and he'll need it for his future."
"You're job as the devil is to punish sinners in the Underworld, not play tricks on children and scare nuns."
"Okay!" Bendy said. "I feel like we're getting off-topic here. Let's just take a deep breath and remember why we're here. Santa," Bendy batted his eyes. "Is it possible you can give me Dad just one more itty-bitty little chance?"
Santa took another sip of milk and sighed.
The Devil set Bendy on the ground.
"I'm sorry, Bendy," Santa said. "But at this rate, your father will be on the naughty list forever."
"Forever?" The Devil said. "I will roast you forever!" the big devil turned red, and fire erupted around him.
Bendy groaned while Santa seemed unphased and "tsked".
The jolly man took out a pen and wrote on the naughty list. ""Threatened Santa."" He said.
The Devil gasped and then groveled at Santa's feet.
"I'm sorry!" the big devil said. "I just wanted that tutu!"
"Choo choo," Santa said.
"Right." The Devil said. He looked up at the jolly man pleadingly.
"Well," Santa said. "if you really want to be on the nice list, there is one way, but it comes at a cost."
"He'll/I'll do anything!" the two devils said.
A few minutes later...
Santa's workshop was now vacant save for eleven elves in green robes.
"Fa-la-la-la, fa-la-la-la..." the elves chanted.
The elves stood in a circle with candy canes laid in front of them and candles on candle holders burned on their heads. The candles were the only source of light in the room.
The two devils looked bewildered at the sight. One elf took The Devil's hand and ushered him into the circle of candy canes.
Bendy took a step forward but a large yet gentle hand on his shoulder stopped him from going any further.
"It'll be alright, Bendy," Santa whispered. "No matter what you see or hear, do not disrupt the ritual."
The little devil took a step back and Santa stepped away.
The Devil stood in the circle, feeling uncertain, when Santa suddenly appeared from the darkness.
The jolly man was now wearing a red robe.
"Decatus, seasonem, holly jolly, om!~" Santa bellowed.
"Decatus, seasonem, holly jolly, om!~" the elves chanted.
"Decatus, seasonem, holly jolly, om!~"
"Decatus, seasonem, holly jolly, om!~"
The Devil and Bendy looked on almost fearfully.
"Decatus, seasonem, holly jolly, om!~" Santa chanted one more time. His eyes glowed blue and he blew blue smoke with snowflakes out from his mouth.
Bendy closed his mouth and held his breath.
"Ho-ho-ho." Santa's voice echoed as the smoke filled the room.
The big devil as the smoke vanished.
"Huh? Santa?" The Devil wondered but the jolly man was gone.
"Mr. Claus?" Bendy called out.
But Santa didn't answer and didn't appear.
The elves left and the two devils were left alone in the
"What the hell was that?" The Devil asked aloud.
A few minutes later...
The Devil and Bendy returned to the Underworld. Specifically, in the throne room. The Devil sat on his throne.
"What an unbelievable waste of time." The Devil said.
Bendy sighed. "I'm gonna go get a snack." He said. "You want something?"
"Bring me something with chocolate." The Devil said.
"Okay," Bendy said before he walked out of the room.
The Devil sighed and looked over his nails. "All that for a choo choo I'm not even going to get." He said.
Bendy went to the kitchen and looked through the fridge for something to eat. At the same time, the clock in the kitchen struck 7 o'clock.
DING-DONG DING-DONG DING-DONG
When the clock began to chime, The Devil's hand puffed up and he gasped at the sight. The big devil's body began to shake.
"Ah. Agh!" The Devil grunted.
The Devil got up from his chair and crawled to a vanity mirror while his bones cracked in his body.
"Ooh! Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow! Ooh, ah!" The Devil grunted.
The Devil yelped when his stomach expanded tenfold. His cheeks turned puffy and red, he grew a white beard, and his feet turned into black boots.
"Ow, ow, ow, ow! Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow. Ow!" a red jacket with a white fur-trim and pants with a broad buckled belt melted onto his body, and a matching hat popped on his head.
At the last chime, The Devil's body stopped shaking and the pain subsided... but what he saw in the mirror made him gasped.
"Ho-ho... Oh no!" The Devil exclaimed when he saw his body. He had become Santa Claus.
The big devil looked in the mirror and pinched his now rosy cheeks. He still had his dark fur, yellow eyes with red pupils, pointed ears, horns, and tail though.
"What did that jolly madman do to me?" The Devil wondered. "I've got to get back to the North Pole and make Santa fix this. Now, where did I leave my pitchfork? I can't be seen looking like this."
The Devil tried to sneak away back to his throne. Suddenly, he heard a voice approaching and he hid himself.
"All I'm sayin' is whoever's eating our lunches better hope that I don't catch 'em." Said a devil imp to another.
When they left, The Devil went back to sneaking into the throne room and found his pitchfork. But before he could grab it—
"Dad!" came Bendy's voice.
The Devil his behind his throne just before the little devil walked into the room.
"I found some chocolate cake in the back of the fridge," Bendy said. "Dad?" he looked around but didn't see his father. Then he spotted the pitchfork and grabbed it. "Dad?" Bendy shrugged, plopped himself on the throne, and set the pitchfork across the armrests.
As Bendy started eating some cake, The Devil reached for his pitchfork but then the sound machine whirring made him flinch back.
Henchman entered the room with a vacuum cleaner.
"Hi Henchman," Bendy said.
The purple demon stopped the vacuum cleaner and looked at the devil prince on the throne.
"Oh, hi'ya little boss," Henchman said. Then he noticed the cake on Bendy's plate. "Little boss, you'll spoil your appetite by eating cake before dinner."
"This isn't... just for me," Bendy said. "Dad and I wanted something sweet after the disaster we went through."
"What disaster?" Henchman asked.
The Devil reached for the pitchfork.
Bendy was about to speak when the pitchfork crackled with electricity, and it shocked The Devil.
The big devil exclaimed as he was shocked before he pulled his hand back.
Bendy and Henchman gasped. The little devil dropped the plate, grabbed the pitchfork, jumped off the throne, and then stood with the pitchfork aimed at the throne.
"Alright whoever's behind there, come on out with your hands up or I burn you and the throne!" Bendy yelled before he cocked the pitchfork.
A loud groan came from behind the throne before the 8'foot figure slowly stepped out into view with their hands up.
Henchman gasped. "Ah, Santa!" He said with joy.
"Santa? What are you doing here?" Bendy asked.
The Devil groaned before he turned around.
Bendy and Henchman gasped.
"D-d-d-d-dad?" Bendy stuttered.
"Boss? You're Santa?" Henchman asked in astonishment.
"No, I'm not Santa, you purple idiot!" The Devil yelled with his ground-shaking voice. "I'm The Devil!"
"Whoa Dad, what happened to you? Why are you suddenly so fa—"
Bendy words dropped with the intense frown on his father's face.
"Fa-fe-fes-festive looking?" Bendy concluded.
"This is because of that oaf Santa and his weird ritual!"
"You mean... you two met Santa?" Henchman asked.
"Yeah. He's a psycho." The Devil said.
Henchman grinned from ear to ear. "Ooh! I have so many questions." He said excitedly. "Do his eyes twinkle? Is his nose like a cherry? Does he shake when he laughs, like a bowl full of jelly?"
"Henchman!" The Devil shouted.
"Sorry, boss," Henchman said.
"But to answer your questions. Yes, yes, and... I don't actually know because he always held his gut whenever he laughed."
The Devil groaned. "All I wanted was a choo choo." He said. "I went to get on his nice list, and he did this to me."
"If you want a train, why not just make one appear? You know, with your pitchfork?" Henchman asked.
"Oh yeah, why didn't you just do that?" Bendy asked.
"Because getting a present isn't the same unless someone else gives it to you." The Devil said. "Now, I am going back to the North Pole immediately."
"Oh! Can I come too, boss?" Henchman asked.
"Ugh, fine." The Devil said with an eye roll.
Henchman squealed happily.
"Let's go!" the little devil said.
"Actually, son, you're staying here." The Devil said.
"What?"
"It's time you had a proper dinner and went to bed, little pest."
Bendy whined.
"Stop it." The Devil said. "And hand over the pitchfork."
"Okay... wait a minute," Bendy said with a sly smile. "I found the pitchfork which means... finders keepers."
The Devil groaned. "You can't be serious," he said.
"Don't get mad at me, it's the ancient contract."
"Fine. What do you want?"
Bendy chuckled mischievously.
Back at Santa's workshop...
The elves were putting the Christmas gifts into Santa's gift bag which sat in the sleigh parked on a long balcony with eight reindeer.
"Making Christmas toys 'cause it's that time of year!~ There's no time for fooling around Santa's made this clear!~ Making Christmas toys, spreading love and cheer!~ All the—~!"
The elves stopped singing at the sound of a crackle and explosion.
The Devil, Henchman, and Bendy were now in the workshop. The Devil had his pitchfork, and the little devil was now eating chocolate cake in a box with a fork.
"Santa!" The elves clamored before slowly crowding the demons.
"Ew. No! Back! Get away!" The Devil shouted as he tried to shoo the elves away. "I'm not Santa. I'm looking for Santa."
Then came a nasal voice.
"Ehm... Excuse me."
An elf stepped out from the crowd. He had a large head, thick glasses over his eyes, pale skin, a pointed nose, a white beard, and he had long fingers. He was wearing an elf uniform, he held a book, and he had a candy cane over his ear.
Imagine Stickler as an elf.
The Devil's, Henchman's, and Bendy's jaws dropped in surprise.
"Santa has one too?" all three demons said at the same time.
"I'm afraid you are Santa. Mm." Stickler Elf said as he looked at The Devil.
"What?" The Devil asked.
"According to the bylaws of paragraphs three through seven, subsection 17C, you are Santa. Ehm." Stickler said.
"But he's still The Devil?" Bendy said. "So, he is like... the Santa Devil."
Henchman shook his head.
"Saint Devil?" Bendy wondered.
"Oh, no! That's even worse." Henchman said. He looked at the boss's hands and saw that he still had his claws. Henchman gasped. "Devil Claus." He said.
Bendy gasped too. "Devil Claus!" he said.
Henchman and Bendy squealed happily.
"We're not doing that," the big devil said.
"Too late, it's already said and done, Devil Claus," Bendy said.
"No it's not!"
"I'll allow it," Stickler Elf said.
Devil Claus grabbed Stickler Elf.
"How do I get back to normal?" the big devil questioned harshly.
"You must deliver presents to all persons on the nice list." Stickler Elf said.
"Oh. I won't be doing that." Devil Claus said before he dropped the elf.
"Then you can say sayonara to the nice list." Stickler said. "Plus, if you do not succeed, you'll stay Santa Claus for all eternity."
Devil Claus stared out into space as the word echoed in his mind.
Also, Stickler Elf just kept repeating it.
"Eternity, eternity, eternity—"
"Would you stop that? You're freaking me out." Devil Claus demanded and crossed his arms.
"And, of course, there are rules." Stickler Elf said.
A few minutes later...
Stickler Elf stood on a pedestal in front of a map on the wall.
"Rule number one. You must recite the reindeer roll call." Stickler Elf said.
"Pardon me?" Devil Claus asked.
"Uh, it's when you list all the reindeer," Henchman said. "Like this. On Dasher, on Dancer, now Prancer and Vixen. On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner, and Blitzen. Ho-ho-ho."
The elves cheered and applauded and Bendy clapped his hand against the cake box.
Henchman chuckled sheepishly. "Oh. Why, thank you," he said with a curtsy.
"Rule number two." Stickler Elf said. "Santa must remain jolly at all times, must not ever, ever, ever lose his temper." He said wagging his finger.
"Quit wagging that finger in my face!" Devil Claus yelled as he shook with rage before he pointed his pitchfork at the elf and fired a fireball at him.
Stickler Elf exploded into dust and the elves screamed.
"Ugh. See, no." Henchman said. "That right there, that's exactly the kind of thing you can't do, boss."
"Yeah, exploding elves isn't nice or jolly."
"Oh, right. Right." Devil Claus said before he slammed the pitchfork down.
Stickler Elf returned to life and the elves sighed in relief.
"Rule number three." Stickler Elf continued. "Every kid on the nice list must receive their presents."
Devil Claus groaned. "Fine." He said. "How many nice kids can there be anyway?"
Stickler Elf let the end of the nice list roll away revealing it to be a long, long, long, long... list.
Devil Claus growled. "I will burn you!" he yelled, and his body went up in flames.
Henchman threw water at Devil Claus, putting out the flames. "Uh-uh-uh. Jolly." He said.
Bendy giggled.
"Thank you, Henchman." Devil Claus said.
"Rule number four." Stickler Elf said. "All milk and cookies left for Santa must be consumed."
"Doesn't look like that will be a problem, huh, boss?" Henchman said and shook the big devil's big belly.
Bendy took a handful and shook the belly too.
"Hands off or you get a spanking." Devil Claus warned.
Bendy and Henchman immediately let go.
"Lastly, rule number five." Stickler Elf said. "You must deliver all presents by midnight."
Bendy heard a buzzing sound in his ear and spotted a fly flying around his cake. He tried to swat it away.
"Now, Santa must have a volunteer to assist him if needed." Stickler Elf said. "Any volunteers?"
The elves looked at Devil Claus with apprehension, and for the first time, they didn't seem very cheerful and groaned awkwardly.
"Any volunteer elves?" Stickler Elf asked. "Anyone?"
Bendy swatted the air until he smacked the fly away. "Ah-ha!" he exclaimed.
Stickler Elf grabbed Bendy's wrist. "Very well, you'll be the elf." He said.
"Wait what?" Bendy wondered.
"You'll just need the proper uniform. Elves," Stickler said and snapped his fingers.
Suddenly several elves jumped on Bendy, and they broke into a cloud.
"Ah!... Hey!... Stop it!... Don't touch me there!" Bendy shouted.
When the cloud vanished, Bendy was now dressed like an elf with a teal long-sleeved shirt, black belt, pointed hat, and blush on his face to look like rosy cheeks.
The elves and Henchman cooed at the sight.
"Aw, you look so cute." Henchman cooed.
Bendy pulled out a hand mirror from his pocket and looked at his reflection. He gasped. Then he lowered the collar and saw he still had his bowtie on. Bendy sighed in relief.
Devil Clause picked his son up and held him in one arm.
"Now we both look ridiculous." Devil Claus said.
Bendy glared up at the big devil.
"Aw, but you two look so festive and cute," Henchman said. "Oh, should I get the camera?"
"No!" Devil Claus and Bendy shouted in unison.
"You know the rules, you got the elf, more or less, now you must go," Stickler Elf said as he ushered Devil Claus to the sleigh.
The other elves cheered.
"And remember, if you fail, all eternity." Stickler Elf said.
Devil Clause laughed. "Don't be silly. This will be the best Christmas ever." He said coolly before he got in the sleigh with Bendy seated next to him and set his pitchfork down. Devil Claus grabbed Henchman and said in a panic. "I'm gonna be stuck as Santa forever! I'm never gonna get my choo choo, all because I couldn't do one nice thing."
"You can do this," Henchman said as he held Devil Claus' hands.
Bendy climbed on his father's shoulder and started purring to encourage and relax him.
Devil Claus felt his shoulders loosen up and Bendy slid down back on the seat.
"Okay. All right." Devil Claus said before he turned to the eight reindeer tied to the sleigh. "Fly!" he ordered.
The reindeer didn't heed the big devil's command and stayed still.
"Getti up! Up, up, and away! Move Now!" Devil Claus yelled but still the reindeer didn't respond.
"Why isn't this working?" Devil Claus asked his son.
"You gotta do the roll call. Remember?" Bendy whispered.
"Oh, right." Devil Claus said before he cleared his throat. "On Sleazy, on Stinky, on Larry, and Fatso."
None of the reindeer moved.
"Were any of those right?" Devil Claus asked.
"No," Bendy said as he shook his head.
"Ah! Why do you have such stupid names?" Devil Claus shouted and set himself on fire.
This time the reindeer did respond... by neighing, yelping, pulling at the reins, and then flying away in fear.
After watching the reindeer flee, Devil Claus started to sob.
"Aw, jeez. Who's gonna pull the sleigh now?" Henchman wondered.
"It'd have to be some other flying creature whose name Dad can actually remember," Bendy said.
An idea chimed in Devil Claus' head, and he looked at the purple demon.
"What?" Henchman asked.
Henchman was now tied to the rein with jingling bells wrapped around him and pulling the sleigh.
"I am a genius." Devil Clause said.
The sleigh flew over Inkwell City towards the suburban area. Every house had snow on its roof and the light of the full moon gave the town a tranquil glow. The sleigh soon landed on the first house.
"Uh, boss, you're gonna make so many kids happy tonight," Henchman said cheerfully.
Devil Clause took three presents from the bag, walked to the chimney, and dropped the presents in.
The presents clattered when they reached the bottom.
"Uh, careful with those," Henchman said.
Devil Claus climbed into the chimney and tried to push himself down. He grunted as he tried to move but soon found himself stuck.
"Dad!" Bendy shouted softly. "You should put your finger to your nose. Like this," The little devil put his finger on the center of his flat face.
"What?" The Devil asked.
"He means," Henchman said before placing his index finger against the side of his nose.
"Oh!" Devil Claus said before he put his finger to his nose. His whole body glowed yellow before dissolving into sparkling dust and he was transported down the chimney and into the living room on his behind.
"Gotta work on that landing." Devil Claus said before he took the presents from the fireplace, dusted off some of the ash, and placed them under the tree. "Ah, that should do it." he was about to leave before he remembered rule number four. "Oh, right. Santa must eat all the cookies." He quickly found the cookies and glass of milk by the tree with a card marked 'Dear Santa' on it. "Mmm, don't mind if I do." He said before he ate the cookies and drank the milk. He threw the glass and it shattered.
Bendy was looking in the chimney.
"Any sign of him?" Henchman asked.
"Nope," Bendy said. "Wait!"
A cloud of sparkling yellow dust flew out of the chimney, picked up the little devil, and placed him back in the sleigh before the dust solidified back into the big devil.
"Henchman, onward!" Devil Claus ordered.
The purple demon squealed before pulling the sleigh.
The song "Trepak" played overhead.
The night went on as Devil Claus delivered the presents all over the Inkwell Isle. He had a few slips up here and there. Sometimes he slipped off the roof, got caught in Christmas lights, and got attacked by angry house pets. Dogs, cats, and sometimes aggressive birds.
Henchman would fly from house to house and Bendy would cross off names from the nice list after every visit.
And Devil Claus consumed every cookie and drank every glass of milk no matter how nauseating he was getting.
By the final hour, the big devil groaned in his sleigh and his belly grew twice as big. Bendy had to sit on the bag because there was no more room in the sleigh.
"No offense Dad, but you look like you're ready to pop," Bendy said as he dusted the cookie crumbs off his father's suit.
"I feel like it too." Devil Claus groaned.
Bendy unwrapped a soft peppermint puff. "Here," he said.
"I can't, not another treat."
"It's not for eating, it's for your stomach. Just put it on your tongue like this," Bendy said before he stuck his tongue out and showed the half-melted peppermint candy on his tongue before he rolled it back up. "And you suck up the juice as it melts."
Devil Claus hummed before he took the fresh peppermint puff and placed it on his tongue.
"There you go. That's it," Bendy said.
"Hang in there, boss. You're almost done." Henchman said. "And, after you deliver the last present, you get to fly away and call out, "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!""
"I'm not saying that." Devil Claus said.
"That's how it goes in the book," Bendy said.
"I'm not going by any book." Devil Claus said. "The only reason I've been doing any of this is for my choo choo. Now, how many more houses do we have left?"
Bendy pulled out the nice list. "Good news, Dad. Just one house left to go," he said. Then he lightly gasped and closed the list.
"What is it?" Devil Claus asked.
"Nothin'. Just one more house." Bendy said nervously.
The big devil sighed. "What a relief!" he said. "You know, this peppermint is really help-" But that feeling of relief ended as soon as he saw the house they were approaching.
The Kettle Cottage.
"No..." Devil Claus muttered before he looked at his son.
"I did not plan this, just for the record," Bendy said.
"Agh!" Devil Claus snarled. "You have got to be—!"
"Uh-uh-uh. Jolly." Henchman said.
Devil Claus groaned before the fire on his back went out.
Henchman and Bendy gave a thumbs up before the sleigh landed on the roof. But after they landed, the big devil didn't move. He just sat there with his face tucked into his arms, looking broken and defeated.
"Come on, boss. You can do this." Henchman said with encouragement.
"This is literally your last step to getting that choo choo," Bendy said.
Devil Clause got up, took the bag of gifts, and walked across the roof.
"Do you want me to come in with you this time?" Bendy asked.
"No, this is the last house, I'll get it over with faster alone." Devil Claus said.
"Okay. Just remember the choo choo waiting for you after this." Bendy said. "And all it'll take is giving a gift to everyone inside. Even Cuphe—"
"Don't say his name, or I'll throw up." Devil Claus interjected before he put his finger to his nose. He turned to sparkling yellow dust and flew in through the chimney and into the living room. "Now, where is that stupid tree? Ugh. What happened here?" he wondered after he noticed the burnt tree. "Ugh. Whatever." He said with a shrug.
Devil Claus placed two gifts under the tree.
A stack of pirate romance novels for Mugman and a new radio for Elder Kettle.
But when he grabbed the third gift from the bag, the big devil could hardly believe what he pulled out.
"It can't be. It's my choo choo." Devil Claus said as he held the toy train in his hands. Then he gasped when he read the gift tag tied to it.
'Cuphead'
"What?" Devil Claus said. "This must be some sort of mistake. This is supposed to be my choo-choo. That little cup has been naughty all year. He doesn't deserve a choo choo!" he yelled, and a fire erupted from the fireplace. "Hmm. Perhaps I could just keep his present for myself. That would teach that brat a lesson." He said. "Why, yes, of course. What better present is there than learning a valuable lesson?" he said as he tucked the toy train into his coat.
"Santa?" came a soft voice behind the big devil. There at the bottom step of the staircase was Cuphead. "Is it really you?" the cup boy asked.
Devil Claus turned to face the cup and chuckled nervously. "It sure is. Ho-ho-ho?" he said.
Cuphead chuckled sheepishly. "I was worried maybe you weren't comin'." He said.
Devil Claus chuckled nervously. "Why would you think that?" he asked.
"Well, I know I've been kinda naughty this year," Cuphead said sheepishly. "It's just hard bein' nice all the time, you know?"
The big devil grunted. "You have no idea!" He wailed. Before he ate the cookies and drank the glass of milk. He threw the glass down on the floor.
Cuphead barely acknowledged the shattered glass.
"You know what, Santa? Even if I didn't make it onto that nice list, I still got the best gift in the world this year." Cuphead said.
"Oh, and what's that?" Devil Claus asked.
Cuphead pulled his pajama collar over and showed the shining star pinback button.
"Oh, that's nice," Devil Claus said with confusion.
"Actually, since you're here I was wondering if I could make a request."
Devil Claus put his hands on his hips. "Listen Cup, I only give one gift to every kid, one, and if you think can ask for more, then you're—"
"No no Santa, you got me all wrong," Cuphead interjected. "My request is for a friend."
"Who?" Devil Claus asked.
"His name is Bendy Devil."
Devil Claus' expression shifted to shock.
"He said you don't normally give gifts to his kind, but I don't want him feeling left out because of who or what he is. You know?" Cuphead said. "Everyone judges him because he's a devil or because his dad is evil and crazy. And I know he can be tricky and a liar. But he's also great."
"He is." Devil Claus whispered in agreement. Before he cleared his throat and spoke a little louder. "I mean, you think he is?"
"Yeah, and I think he deserves at least one gift this year. So please don't forget Bendy,"
"I will... I will see what I can do," Devil Claus said.
The big devil flinched when the cup approached him and hugged his belly.
"Thanks, Santa. You're the best," Cuphead said.
Devil Claus sighed. "Alright, fine," he said before he pulled the toy train from his pocket. "This is for you," he said.
Cuphead looked at the toy with wide eyes. "Wow! Thanks, Santa!" he said as he grabbed the toy train.
Devil Claus couldn't let it go though.
"Thank you. Thanks." Cuphead said before he finally pulled the toy away. "Oh boy! A choo choo! It's the best toy I ever got."
Devil Claus turned around and cried into his hands.
"You really are the best, Santa," Cuphead said. "Isn't that right, Mr. Choo Choo?"
The cup pulled on the train whistle string and the toy tooted.
The big devil gasped. "The little noise!" he said excitedly as he reached for the toy train. Then he quickly pulled his hand back. "No, no, no. I'm fine. I'm going." He said before he started walking to the fireplace.
"Hey, Santa?" Cuphead said.
"Yes?" Devil Claus said.
"Merry Christmas."
Devil Claus inhaled deeply. "Merry Christmas." He said before he put his finger to his nose and flew into the chimney.
Bendy and Henchman were looking over the list when the cloud of yellow dust appeared and reformed into Devil Claus.
"So? How'd it go?" Henchman asked.
"Did you deliver all the gifts?" Bendy asked.
Devil Claus sighed before he went to the sleigh and put his face in his palm.
Bendy went to his father and petted his other hand.
"Boss?" Henchman asked.
"Ugh. It was awful. The cup was there,"
"I mean... it's his home." Bendy said.
"No, you don't get it. He was awake, he saw me, we talked, and I-... I..."
"And you what? What did you do?" Bendy asked.
"I did something nice... for him."
Bendy was taken aback by his father's words. "You. We're nice... to the cup?" he asked.
"Yeah, I really don't want to talk about it."
"But Dad, you did something nice. You know what that means?"
Devil Claus gasped. "The nice list!" he exclaimed.
Henchman, Bendy, and Devil Claus looked at the nice list, waiting for something magical to happen. They waited and waited... but nothing happened. Devil Claus groaned.
Just then the purple demon gasped. "Boss, look!" Henchman said.
Devil Claus and Bendy gasped.
Under Cuphead's name, two more names were written in shiny blue lettering.
'The Devil'
'Bendall "Bendy" Devil'
The demons laughed and jumped for joy.
"You did it!" Henchman said.
Devil Claus sighed. "Finally," he said.
"Yep," Bendy said as he went to the sleigh. "So does that mean we can go?"
Devil Claus was about to say yes before he remembered Cuphead's request. "Not quite, I still have one more gift to give." He said as he sat in the sleigh.
"You do? To who?" Bendy asked.
The big devil looked at his son and patted his lap. Bendy's eyes widened before he took the initiative and sat on Devil Claus' lap.
"So what would you like for Christmas?" Devil Claus asked.
"Oh wow, my first Christmas gift!" Bendy said as he twiddled his fingers. "Oh!" he gasped before he whispered into Devil Claus' ear.
The big devil slammed down the pitchfork and a gift box appeared.
Bendy took the box and ripped the wrapping off before he squealed. It was a toy black pitchfork that was just the right size for the little devil.
"Keep in mind it doesn't have any magic," Devil Claus said. "You'll get that when you're old enough."
"Still, this is so cool," Bendy said. "Thanks dad,"
"Aww, the little bosses first pitchfork," Henchman said.
"Now let's go back to the North Pole." Devil Claus said. "There's a choo choo with my name on it."
Henchman pulled the sleigh through the sky and landed on the balcony at Santa's workshop.
The elves cheered.
"Thank you. Thank you, everyone." Devil Claus said as he stepped out of the sleigh and bowed.
Bendy stepped next to him.
"Masterfully done." Stickler Elf said after he stepped closer.
"Why, thank you, Stickler Elf." Devil Claus said. "I find that when I set my mind to something and I truly believe in myself, I can do anything I want."
Henchman gasped. "Boss!" he exclaimed and pointed at the big devil's feet.
A blue smoke surrounded Devil Claus followed by a flash of light and an explosion.
Bendy and Henchman gasped when the smoke cleared.
The Devil slowly opened his eyes and saw that he was back to his devilish form.
"I'm back! I'm me again!" The Devil exclaimed happily.
"Dad!" Bendy exclaimed and jumped.
The Devil caught his son, and they hugged each other.
"I can wrap my arms around you again," Bendy said. "Wait. I'm still an elf!"
"It's a costume, son." The Devil said.
"Oh yeah," Bendy said before he ripped the jacket off, threw down the hat, and rubbed off the blush. "Better?"
"Much so," The Devil said before hugging Bendy.
The little devil hugged back before another thought came to him. "But if you're you again, then where's—?"
WHIRL
The three demons looked ahead of them and saw the blue smoke swirling around before Santa Claus appeared.
"Ho-ho-ho." The jolly man laughed.
"Santa!" Henchman exclaimed softly.
"Very well done," Santa said.
The Devil set Bendy down next to him before he stepped closer to Santa.
"Well, Santa, I delivered all the presents." The Devil said.
"It's a Christmas miracle," Santa said.
"And now I get my choo choo."
"Oh no. Your present is even better than a choo choo."
The Devil gasped. "Better than a choo choo?" he asked.
"Oh yes. And that present is... the joy of being nice!" Santa said.
"Aw!" said the elves.
"Aw, that's so sweet," Henchman said.
"Oh! The joy of being nice." The Devil said with a smile. "That is so..." he paused before he shouted and set himself on fire. "...stupid! You are all a bunch of idiots!" he yelled.
"Are freaking kidding me!?" Bendy shouted. "My dad worked his butt off and you do this life lesson stuff! You fat, stupid, big nose, boring, jolly old fart! How dare you!"
"Henchman, Bendall, we're leaving." The Devil said as he grabbed Henchman's wrist and wrapped his tail around Bendy's wrist.
"Bye, Santa!" Henchman said nicely.
"See you never again, Crud Kringle!" Bendy yelled.
The Devil slammed down his pitchfork and the demons vanished in a puff of purple smoke.
Santa and Stickler-Elf shrugged. "Mmm. Mmm." They hummed.
Back in the Underworld...
The Devil opened the community refrigerator, took out a sandwich from the bag labeled 'Stickler', and ate the sandwich. The big devil sadly walked into the throne room and sat on his chair.
Bendy stepped in soon after, holding a wooden toy train. "Hey, Dad. I know it's not the same, but you can play with my train if you want."
The Devil sighed, "Thank you little pest, but I'll pass on that." He said. "You know what hurts most though?"
Bendy tilted his head.
"Even when I do everything I'm supposed to, I still don't get what I want." The Devil said.
Suddenly, the silence was broken by the sound of a train whistle blowing.
The two devils gasped when they saw it. At the other end of the room, there was a train going around a track. The train was two feet tall with a green locomotive, three brown passenger cars, and a red caboose.
"Santa got me a choo choo after all!" The Devil said happily.
"Whoa!" Bendy exclaimed.
The Devil grabbed his pitchfork and slammed it down. Now he and Bendy were dressed like train engineers. They ran over to the train.
"I can't believe it!" The Devil exclaimed.
"It's even bigger than the one you wanted," Bendy said.
"And it makes an even better noise!" The Devil said before he jumped on the train. "C'mon son, all aboard!" he stretched out his hand.
Bendy reached and grabbed the big devil's hand. He was pulled in and seated in front of his father on the first passenger cart.
"Chugga-chugga, chugga-chugga choo choo!" The Devil exclaimed.
"Choo Choo!" Bendy exclaimed.
The two devils chuckled.
Meanwhile, hiding behind The Devil's throne was Henchman. He had grease stains on his body, and he was holding a wrench. He had a toolbox and a spare train track next to him. When Henchman saw The Devil and Bendy having fun on the train he built, he smiled and shed a tear from his eye.
"Aw. Merry Christmas, boss."