CHAPTER 4

A Christmas Carol

Aether Kingdom: Coastal Village

Now during the night of the Christmas' Eve, many of the children are getting so excited for the arrival of Christmas tomorrow while Caleb, Sara, Luke and even Abby are helping with dinner, the Digimon are in the living room and also Veemon (dark blue) is tickling Yokomon who is laughing in delight. Also the houses in the village have Christmas' decorations, the younger sibling along with the cousins are in the living room.

"Do you think it could be the best Christmas of all?" Rei asked.

"Well, it will be our first time, therefore it could be the best one." Caeli said.

"I'm just so excited I could burst!" Ila said.

"I wonder which gifts we could receive this year." Cheryl said.

"Of course that will be the best Christmas this year." Adan said, appearing and ruffling Caeli's hair who giggled in delight. "When Pitch Black was there causing fear, everything changed when Santa, Sandman, Tooth Fairy and Easter Bunny gave light, happiness and hope specially for the children, plus losing their misery and fear of the Boogeyman. Also the dinner will be ready in minutes."

"I wonder how Aria, Kibou and the rest of their family are doing there." Caeli said as she watched the window.


Castle of the Aether Kingdom

The castle has Christmas' decorations, also Kibou was so excited for the Christmas, Aria is helping by preparing the dinner, and as for Seth, he was a bit hesitant to have his Christmas spirit.

'Christmas? Hmph, we didn't even have it before, but somehow I don't feel enthusiastic. Apparently my baby brother is so excited while my sister is humming Christmas' songs. Our parents like the idea of Christmas, and even our Digimon like spending Christmas Eve.' Seth said in his thoughts as he watched Kibou putting a Christmas' hat in his SnowBotamon which looked so adorable with it before seeing his sister Aria and Lunamon in the kitchen while humming Deck the Halls.

"What's wrong, Seth?" Coronamon asked his human partner.

"Nothing, it's just that I'm a bit nervous these days, and yeah, still thinking about the past." Seth sighed before explaining.

"Hey brother." Kibou called him as he handed a book to him. "You should read this book, it's about a Christmas' tale, it was Taurus' gift."

"A Christmas Carol." Seth said as he read the cover, knowing that it was delivered by one of his friends he smirked warmly before ruffling the hair of his little brother who chuckled in delight. "Thank you, little brother."

Kibou returned to the sofa with SnowBotamon while Seth started to read the Christmas Carol with interest, even while he was reading the book during the dinner.

"Is it necessary to read at the table?" Alyanna asked and then he put the book under the table before having his dinner.

"Sorry mom, it's just that I'm just curious about the life of Ebenezer Scrooge, I could see he is a grumpy old man who doesn't have the Christmas spirit, but however, I'll come back to the dinner." Seth said.

After ending the dinner, he went to wash his teeth, say goodbye to his parents, siblings and Digimon partner, and he resumed reading the book of Christmas Carol in his bed.

"Well, a good reading will help me sleep very well." Seth said before continuing in his reading of the book. "Haunted by three spirits, I hope I don't have that crazy dream of that catchy music."

He continued reading more pages until he realized it was getting late.

"Oh my… It's getting late." Seth realized before putting the book in the bureau. "Tomorrow I'll keep reading."

The prince started to sleep but suddenly he heard heavy stomps.

"Who is there…?" Seth asked as he pulled out his Twilight Wand.

Then a brick chained with chains was tossed and two more bricks appeared, the one who was chained revealed to be a ghostly version of Wario, he is wearing moneylender clothes but his whole body and clothes are periwinkle color.

"Seth…!" Spirit similar to Wario said.

"Wait a sec… Waguio." Seth said, recognizing Wario's ancestor.

"Yes, it's a me, Waguio." Waguio said, introducing himself. "In life, I was your partner Waguio, the number one."

"Ridiculous! You're not even real, you're just a spirit." Seth said.

"How can you doubt your senses?" Waguio asked the prince.

Waguio yells a ghostly scream which scares Seth, only Coronamon yawns before returning to sleep while Seth rubs his eyes and then realizes that he is talking with a real ghost.

"Waguio, it is you!" He recognized Wario's ancestor before asking him. "What happened to you? And what do you want of me?"

"Much. I have walked the earth in death. That's because of my wasted life." Waguio said.

"Wasted? How, dear old buddy Waguio?" Seth asked.

"I help out with money, that's what! And so I wear these chains of grief and misery I have in life. But just because chains are strong and long, yours will be even stronger and longer. You must escape, escape from my fate. Repent your previous selfish ways, or you too will carry your chains behind you." Waguio explained the prince of the Aether Kingdom.

"But Waguio, I changed my ways, my friend Aaron helped me to find redemption, I apologized with Caleb, I'm not from Tabuu's side anymore, it's just that I don't feel so ready to have Christmas' spirit, and you're only doing business in life as I do now." Seth explained.

"Business? No, Seth. Mankind should have been my business. I'm here to help you escape from my fate. Change your ways, apologies are not enough to change your fate." Waguio told him.

"How?" Seth asked.

"Tonight...You will be haunted by three spirits." Waguio answered as he counted the number three with the fingers from his right hand.

"I… I think I would rather not…" Seth commented.

"Without their help, you cannot escape from my fate. So you have to meet them. The first one will arrive when the bell tolls one, the second one arrives at two, and the last one at three." Waguio explained as he then turned around.

"Where are you going, Waguio?" Seth asked him.

"There are other ghosts out there that had chains and none free without being able to return back to life, not even with the ritual. So long, prince Seth, and repent your ways." Waguio said as he went through the wall but then he tripped before screaming and falling. "WAAAAAHHHH"

Seth kept hearing until he crashed, however the prince was feeling tired, Seth went back to sleep but suddenly he heard a bell ringing and then the prince woke up and saw a pixie-like Digimon appearing before him.

"Are you one of the spirits that Waguio said?" Seth asked.

"I am. My name is Piximon. I'm the Ghost of Christmas Past." Piximon introduced himself.

"Long past?" Seth asked.

"Your past. Here, I'll show you." Piximon said before grabbing the back of Seth's sleeping shirt and then the pink pixi Digimon took the prince while taking flight in the air and out of the window.


Fields of the Aether Kingdom

Piximon was carrying Seth in the skies.

"I don't know where you're taking me, little fairy." Seth said until he managed to recognize a certain place. "But it seems familiar, but now that I remember, I think it was more of a gala party."

"These are only shadows of the past. Let's take you to where you work for a fine man." Piximon said before carrying the prince directly to a certain and familiar place.


Workhouse of the Aether Kingdom

The two of them are in a workhouse.

"I know this place. This is my friend Dynaman's workhouse." Seth said recognizing the place but also Bomberman's ancestor.

They entered and saw Dynaman and his wife who is the Pretty Bomber's ancestor named Pretty Dynamizer talking to a child version of Seth.

"That's me." Seth said, pointing at his younger self.

"So, prince Seth. We should be getting ready for the gala party. Tell Waguio to hurry up with the decorations." Dynaman instructed.

"Yes sir." Young Seth said, saluting.

Then the young Seth joins his friend Waguio with the decoration and soon most of the people came for the gala party, he then saw himself dancing with a girl similar to Shinobu who is in purple dress.

"That's Shinobu's ancestor, her name is Sanagi. Oh, I remembered she was lovely. The dance was so lively." Seth said recognizing the girl with her present self.

"That's right. After a while, you came out in the snow to cool yourself." Piximon said.

Right on cue, the younger Seth and Sanagi ran out laughing.

"Oh, she was lovely. I could smell her fragments. What are we whispering on that cold day?" Seth dreamily said.

"That was a great day of my life." Sanagi told him.

"Yeah. Sanagi, are you sure about us getting married and stuff?" Young Seth asked.

"There's no reason for us not getting married. Don't you love me, Montana Max?" Sanagi asked before hugging him.

"More than the world. But I'd rather wait until I fulfill the royal duties." Young Seth said.

"Don't say those things, dear. You frightened me." Sanagi said.

"I only wanted the best for you." Young Seth said.

"That's what I want too. The best… I love you." Sanagi said.

The younger couple in the past placed a kiss on the lips while the prince in the present couldn't help but sob a little.

"I… I should've remembered." Seth said.

"But Seth, there is another Christmas." Piximon said.

Seth stops crying and looks at Piximon and then the background changes to the workhouse.


Castle of the Aether Kingdom (past)

They were transported to a different place and they looked through the window to see a teenager Seth, Waguio and a teenage Sanagi in there. Waguio in flesh was leaning against the wall, the teenager Seth and Sanagi were talking, and the prince noticed that there was anger on his younger self's face.

"Here, you have just formed a partnership with Waguio. Your business was new, but your ways are set." Piximon said.

"Oh, little fairy. Spare me the rest." Seth said, not wanting to remember that day.

"I'm afraid this is true. This is where you forgot love from your heart and replaced it with love of laws and royal decrees." Piximon said.

"NO!" Seth said in despair.

"Why? Why are you doing this?" Teenage Sanagi asked.

"Hey, I was doing you a favor here, Sanagi." Teenager Seth said before checking his agenda. "Hmm… More pocketing is given in a month, plus new laws to establish. Do you realize what money I can't stand to lose or the laws I cannot ignore?"

"But Seth… Don't you remember the last time…?" Teenage Sanagi asked him.

"Bah! Things are already different! The past is the past! It was just a corny fantasy! A waste of time! A fraud which is… a humbug...! Yes, yes, of course! A humbug!" Teenager Seth said, causing Sanagi to gasp and turn away.

"I… I wish to break off our engagement, Seth." Teenage Sanagi said, a bit devastated as a single tear fell from his eye.

"Sanagi can't be serious! Why?" Waguio said.

Ignoring Waguio, Sanagi made her way to the door and turned to the teenage Seth for the last time.

"You became someone I don't know! Someone I don't wish to know!" Teenage Sanagi said with tears threatening to stream down from her eyes.

"Then go already!" Teenager Seth told him.

The teenage Sanagi ran out the door while Waguio walked to the teenager Seth and they continued working, the prince in the present clenched his fist.

"I couldn't bear it!" Seth said with regret before turning to see Piximon and begged. "Haunt me no longer, please!"

"Just remember. These are just shadows of your past. You can't change it." Piximon said before swinging his staff to unleash a flash and then everything was engulfed by darkness.


Castle of the Aether Kingdom

The prince was back in the bed from his room and he heard the bell ringing and heard a friendly laugh.

"What's that?" Seth asked.

Then he went through the corridors and arrived at the dining room. He saw a lot of food for Christmas and saw a yellow human giant.

"Who are you?" Seth asked.

"My name is Doshin the Giant. I am the Ghost of Christmas Present. Come and get to know me better." Doshin said before grabbing Seth.

"Wow, look at all this food." Seth said.

"Yes, all the known foods during Christmas across different worlds." Doshin said before adding and putting Seth in his giant yellow hand. "Now follow me."

The yellow giant lifted the rooftop of the castle like a toy castle before going outside.


Castle's Town

The yellow giant was outside from the castle.

"Now climb onto my shoulder." Doshin said and Seth nodded before climbing into the yellow giant's shoulder.

Then Doshin grabbed a lamppost before modifying it and turned it into a lantern, even turning it off and turning on to text it, the giant walked across many houses until in one of them he opened a rooftop but suddenly a woman screamed and Doshin covered the rooftop with embarrassment and as for Seth, he didn't want to know what really was inside there and Doshin continued.


Coastal Village

The giant brought the prince to Caleb's village, towards the mansion where the family Kaneko Miura lives.

"Hey, I know this house, it's the house where Caleb lives there." Seth said, recognizing the place before asking. "But why did you bring me here?"

"You better see it." Doshin said before putting Seth in the ground to see Caleb with his family.

"The meal is ready, thanks to the efforts of our children by hunting villains they gained money to meet household needs." Eva said.

"Yeah, sometimes it is very dangerous facing pure evil villains but at the same time is worthy to gain more earnings." Sara said.

"Here comes Caeli." Caleb said before carrying her little and innocent sister in his arms as she giggled in delight. "Let's go to the table."

"Okay." Caeli said between giggling.

Apart from Caleb, his siblings, parents, uncle, aunt, cousins, the Digimon and Pokémon partners are there in the dining room.

"I see your uncle, aunt and cousin are here tonight." Caleb told his little sister gently.

"We were not going to miss this Christmas Eve." Ila said.

"Yeah, with more is merrier." Rei added.

"Our little sister is an innocent angel." Luke said.

"Dad, mom, brother, what do you think of the royal family?" Caeli asked her parents.

"King Noah, we are closest family friends." Adan answered to his daughter.

"Queen Alyanna, believe me, is so curious speaking with her, having speeches from mother to mother being from different families, but we have one thing in common, we are both the best mothers for our respective children." Eva explained.

"With Aria, I remember when we were younger and we were separated from our families and this is how I met the love of my life." Caleb said, explaining about Aria.

"Lastly Seth, at the beginning a bad guy prince, but now he is a very cool friend." Luke explained about Seth.

"And also thanks to the arrival of the Zodiac Warriors, Elemental 10 and Oracle Members, our families, the village, this entire world was restored and Seth is now part of the team of heroes." Sara explained about the past events and also how their homeworld was restored.

"Don't forget Kibou, he and SnowBotamon are an adorable duo." Ila said.

"He even wanted to hear Princess Luna singing again." Caleb said.

Now back outside, Seth kept watching Caleb's family having dinner and then he saw the yellow giant.

"Oh, why must I see this?" The prince asked, sighing before adding. "Even though Caleb and his family now have a better life."

"Well, surely you weren't surprised, but if it had not been for the arrival of the Zodiac Warriors, Elemental 10 and Oracle Members, your entire world and every town would still be deserted, ruined and forgotten, if they had not been revived, Kibou would not have been born." Doshin explained.

Then the prince kept watching at Caleb's house in the dining room.

"A Merry Christmas to us all. God bless us." Caleb said.

"God bless everyone." Caeli said.

Now back outside.

"Are you telling me that…? If my parents had not been revived like Caleb's parents, neither Caeli and Kibou would have been born." Seth said, realizing the importance of that ritual and the full restoration of the Aether Kingdom before turning to see the giant but he wasn't there anymore. "Spirit? Doshin?"

Seth watched mist at his surroundings, the part about where he heard about Kibou and Caeli not being born left him devastated, and then he bent down to his knees and closed his eyes, but then he heard the bell ringing.


Castle of the Aether Kingdom in Ruins (alternate future)

Seth then opened his eyes but only to discover that the whole castle and kingdom is in ruins.

"What happened here?" Seth asked as he watched his surroundings.

Suddenly the prince heard slow steps and turned to see a figure in black cloak.

"Are you the ghost of Christmas Yet-to-come?" Seth asked the figure who just nodded.

Then the person in black cloak motioned him to follow him and Seth followed the person.


Graveyard

The prince and the person in black cloak arrived in a graveyard, however there was a lot of mist, it was dark and everything looked depressing, and then the person in black cloak pointed at the tomb of Caleb along with all the names of his family.

"What!? Oh no no no no no no!" Seth exclaimed in horror at the sight of that tomb.

Just then he heard some laughs and turned to see the other two people (two trainers named Shamus and Damian).

"Man, I can't believe that young man is gone." Shamus said.

"And his job was all lame, who wants to accept a lot of royal duties." Damian said.

"A funeral with no one coming here." Shamus said.

"Not even his family didn't care about coming." Damian said before both departed.

Then both of them approached the tomb but Seth was a bit closer.

"Spirit, who is that grave?" Seth asked.

Suddenly the person summoned the No Name Keyblade and casted Firaga producing a small campfire enough to light there and then the man pulled out his hoodie and revealed himself as the Master Xehanort.

"Why, yours, Seth Aether!" Master Xehanort said as the ground in the tomb opened and then the old master pushed Seth to the abyss of the tomb where there is a coffin down there which was being rose by lava, Seth clung into a rot preventing himself from falling. "The prince of this graveyard!"

The old master laughed evilly as Seth was clinging to his life.

"Please, spirit! I am not the man I was! I'll promise to keep Christmas in my heart and keep it over the years! Oh, tell me how to wipe the writing off this stone!" Seth begged fearfully.

Master Xehanort kept laughing evilly as the root where Seth was clinging broke and Seth started to fall directly at the coffin.

"Spirit, please!" Seth said before falling down.


Castle of the Aether Kingdom (present and next day in the morning)

But suddenly the prince opened his eyes and he realized that he was wrapped in his own bed sheet, and gasped in relief as he came out, and then his relief was replaced by cheering.

"This is my soul, my own room, my home. How long have I gone for?" Seth asked himself before opening the curtains to show daylight. "It's morning! Oh, what a marvelous morning! The spirits gave me a second chance!"

The prince approached where Coronamon was sleeping.

"C'mon buddy, it's morning, today it's Christmas' day!" Seth said, cheerfully as Coronamon rubbed his eyes before waking up.

"What…?" Coronamon asked drowsily.

"We have to share this day!" Seth said before going outside but then he realized. "But wait… I must change my clothes first!"

The prince came to his wardrobe, now beyond doubt, the prince will make the most of his happiness in any moment of happiness.

TO BE CONTINUED