Cole and Blake started gathering their stuff as the wintery wonderland outside their window invited them to a wonderous sight. Snow had fallen throughout the night and it looked like they would have a white Christmas this year.

"So Blake, you feeling good about the big break we got?", Cole asked.

Winter Break had started for the college and students were more than eager to spend a holiday with their families and Blake was certainly one of them.

"Yeah, I can't wait to see my adoptive dad and brothers back in Nome.", Blake answered, "I wonder if I have a new adoptive stepmother?"

"Is that even a thing?", Cole wondered.

Blake didn't answer due to not hearing him, but Cole chose to drop the topic as they finished packing. Hal, Greg, and Drake were still on academic probation and were doing community service for their little stunt. Mr. Lars apparently was the final straw and Cole was thankful that the trio were not around as often as they used to. Cole then checked the clock and looked a bit firm.

"We better get down there, cause that bus isn't going to the airport as a shuttle bus does."

Blake couldn't argue with that. He was still thinking about a phone call he and Cole had a couple days back. It was another day of school with studying and they were in the library with Tim getting in some final papers before the final days of the year. After a while, it turned out that their families had all chosen to celebrate in New York that year which came as a surprise, but Tim didn't look so eager.

"What's with you?", Cole asked.

"I'm not looking forward to spending Christmas in New York.", Tim answered.

"Why is that?", Blake asked, "Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year."

"Two words.", Tim answered, "Aunt Dinah."

Cole had heard about his Aunt Dinah before and he looked a bit interested.

"What's so bad about your aunt?", he asked.

"Every year, we have Christmas dinner, that woman makes me sit at the one place I could live without.", Tim said, "The kid's table."

Blake and Cole looked more confused.

"You have to sit with the kids?", Blake asked.

"Can't you try to convince your aunt to let you sit with the grown-ups?", Cole put in.

Tim frowned.

"That's like trying to convince Mr. Scrooge to change his ways without the help of the Ghosts of Christmas.", he answered, "That woman also has five kids all in elementary school and they are total animals who have no manners at the dinner table and just make a big mess."

Cole looked understanding and Blake then put a hand on Tim's shoulder to let him know they were there for him. Cole then looked thoughtful.

"What if you had a friend go with you?"

Tim didn't look so onboard.

"Oh, I show up with a couple of friends from school and now my aunt thinks I'm a big boy and…"

He paused and looked thoughtful.

"Actually, I'm willing to give it a shot.", he answered, "Can our families all meet at my aunt's house. All her friends are out of town and can't make the trip this year."

/

As Cole and Blake got their things and were now packed and heading out to the lot where the bus carrying other students to the airport were lining up to get on. An official was holding a clipboard and taking notes as they were. Even though it was early morning, he looked warm.

"Alright everyone, settle down.", he said firmly, "We'll make time if we don't make any trouble and single-file."

As the line started dwindling, Cole and Blake soon found themselves at the front and the official looked their way firmly.

"Names?", he asked.

"Cole Marty and Blake Wolfen.", Cole answered, "We're going to New York."

The official looked at the list and then turned to them as if suspecting something.

"Flight number?", he asked.

"Three fifty-eight.", Blake stated.

The official looked at the list again and then sighed as he stood aside.

"You're good."

Blake and Cole passed their bags to another official who was getting bags in a storage part of the bus before getting on. Cole remembered the first time he had gotten on the bus for his first college term and when Blake took his seat with him sitting beside him, he soon forgot about it. At least this time, he had his best friend alongside him and didn't have to feel alone. Just as the bus was about to head off, Cole saw Tim heading out of the school with his bags.

"Wait!", he called out, "Stop the bus!"

The official who was taking notes didn't look thrilled, but he paused as Tim came to him and looked at the list.

"Name?", he asked firmly.

"Tim…Barley.", Tim wheezed as he was pretty worn out.

The official looked at the list again and back again.

"Flight number?", he asked.

"Three fifty-eight.", Tim stated.

The official frowned, but allowed Tim on the bus as Tim's bags were settled with the rest and Tim soon took a seat behind Cole and Blake.

"Glad you made it.", Cole said.

"So am I.", Blake added.

Tim just settled in his seat and took a couple deep breaths before the official who was taking notes came on and the bus driver started up the engine.

"Okay, you just grab your bags, get to the kiosk, get your passes, drop off your bags and get to your gate.", he said firmly, "That means no funny business or you are off the trip and spend the rest of your break helping clean up the school. Understand?"

Nobody answered, but the official looked amused.

"Good.", he said before turning to the driver, "You may take us to the airport."

The driver waited til the official took a seat and he started driving out of the lot and into Anchorage. It was nice to see the place in white like the campus and Cole couldn't help but feel the ivory wolf head on his necklace thinking about Balto and all the friends he made on his first animated adventure.

/

By the time the bus pulled into the ramp for the airport, the official stood up and looked to the students firmly.

"Okay, you know the drill and single file.", he reminded as the bus pulled up to the parking spot near the entry doors, "Now have fun and safe travels."

Even though the students were eager to get going, they did abide by the rules and single-filed out as they got their things and headed inside. Cole, Blake and Tim were just getting to the doors when a car horn honked behind them.

"Please tell me that's not who I think it is.", Cole prayed.

They turned to see Hal pull up in his car with Greg and Drake riding alongside him which dampened their spirits.

"Oh look boys, Shakespeare is taking Jekyll and Tech-Geek on a trip.", Hal mocked.

Cole rolled his eyes.

"Hal, we need to catch a flight, can this wait?", Cole asked firmly, "And don't you have community service to do?"

Hal, Greg, and Drake all burst out into cruel laughter before another car came into the parking spot in front of them not that any of them noticed since they were focused on Cole, Blake, and Tim.

"So what's in New York?", Hal asked.

"Maybe Shakespeare is looking for a modern "Romeo and Juliet" story.", Greg suggested before pretending to swoon, "Oh Juliet, I'm Romeo and I'm feeling lonely and stupid."

Drake chuckled harshly before putting in something of his own.

"Dr. Jekyll, I think Computer Loser needs a therapy session.", he put in, "Maybe Shakespeare could use a potion so he's not so boring."

As they said that, an old lady came out of the car in front of them and Hal was so busy laughing that he accidentally hit the gas and the car sped up a bit to bump the bumper on the lady's car making her turn around.

"My car!", she screamed before she looked Hal's way firmly, "Excuse me young man, but I think you owe me an apology."

Hal looked her way as he got out of his car.

"Go get your eyes checked Grandma!", he snapped back as he walked over, "We're having a moment with-"

He was cut off cause the old lady suddenly looked angrier.

"You bad boy!", she snapped.

And before Hal knew it, she had suddenly socked him in the gut making him fall to the ground only for her to suddenly flip him into the sidewalk and while Cole, Blake and Tim watched in awe, Drake and Greg suddenly got out in an effort to help, but the lady was clearly well trained cause after a series of whacks, chops and smacks, the trio managed to get back to their car and drive off rather fast. The old lady walked out and shook her fist at their retreating car.

"You hoodlums!", she yelled before walking to her own and saw no damage to her car before turning to Cole, Blake and Tim who cautiously stood aside to let her walk into the airport and smiled, "Thank you dearies."

Tim looked to the other two.

"This is why I'm nice to old ladies.", he said.

/

As they made their way in, they got to the kiosk and had just dropped their bags before heading to the security point.

"Okay, we still have time to get a bite to eat before we have to board.", Cole said as he observed the boarding pass he had.

Blake looked interested, but then looked unsure.

"I don't think we should do that Mc D's near the C gates.", he stated, "We need to get out of those fast food habits."

Tim nodded.

"I agree. Greasy food and fats can really hurt you if you let them get the better of you."

Cole decided to let it rest for a while before they went through the security gate and were checked through. The airport was busy at the hour, but there was still time for them to get to their gate.

"Cole Marty, Blake Wolfen, and Tim Barley, please report to gate C as in "Charlie" five.", an announcement over the intercom rang out, "Cole Marty, Blake Wolfen, and Time Barley, please report to gate C as in "Charlie" five."

The trio looked nervous as they cautiously made their way to the counter of the gate.

"Everything okay?", Cole asked.

The secretary behind the desk looked their way interested.

"We just got a trio of first-class seats that were just cancelled last minute.", she said, "Would you three like to upgrade?"

Cole, Blake and Tim couldn't believe their good luck! After a quick print of their new boarding passes, they were in a much better mood as they walked away from the desk.

"Talk about luck.", Tim said as he observed his first-class ticket.

"And we're set all the way to New York.", Blake added, "We have a bit of a layover of a couple hours in Minneapolis, but then it's a flight right to New York."

"Too bad it will be night by the time we get there.", Cole admitted before brightening up, "But at least we'll have seats near each other the whole way there and back."

As they started out, Cole looked interested.

"Hey, now that we're first-class flyers, why not have our lunch at the Alaska Lounge?", he suggested, "Free food and some hot chocolate."

That was all Blake and Tim had to hear. Before long, they were entering the lounge and the staff working the desk looked their way as they handed over their passes. After a quick check, they were allowed inside. Tim reached into his carry-on bag and took out his laptop so he could take some notes as Cole and Blake went to the buffet area to find eggs, sausage links, and bacon with some sweets placed nearby (holiday themed of course). Once Cole and Blake got their salads and soup, they met up with Tim who was done with what he was working on before he headed off to get his own plate.

"Now this is good eats.", Blake said before he took a bite of his eggs.

Cole was too busy chewing to answer, but nodded to show he agreed with him. Tim soon came back with some hot chocolate that had some whipped cream on top of it. Cole had swallowed what he was chewing and began enjoying the hot chocolate. It was fun, but after a while, Blake saw the clock and one look told Cole and Tim that it was time to go.

/

After getting on board and getting seated, Cole and Blake fastened their seatbelts while Tim was seated across from them. Cole and Tim had aisle seats while Blake had the window, but they didn't mind. Before they took off, a flight attendant came by with a pad taking orders on what people would have to drink before take-off.

"I'll go with orange juice.", Cole answered.

"I'm up for apple juice.", Blake stated.

"I'll go with water.", Tim added.

They chose to not have ice in their drinks and by the time the plane took off, they were at ease and catching up on some sleep. They were light sleepers cause the flight attendant came by with their drinks and they accepted them before they settled back to a relaxed state.

"I can't wait for the snacks to arrive.", Cole thought to himself, "All those eggs and sausage really tasted good, but they only serve it early and our flight wasn't one of them."

Cole then took a while to rub his fingers over the charms on his necklace as an announcement came on.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We have reached our cruising altitude and you are free to move about the cabin."

The seatbelt sign above went off and Cole felt a familiar feeling come over him. It was faint, but he had grown to know that it ment he had another adventure happening.

"I better get to the bathroom.", he thought to himself, "That's where a mirror usually is."

Then he suddenly felt that he had to go so he quickly unfastened his seatbelt and was about to head to the bathroom.

"Cole, where are you going?", Blake asked.

Cole thought fast.

"I just…have to go to the bathroom.", he answered, "You going to be okay?"

Blake nodded.

"I'm going to catch up on some more sleep.", he said, "I'll be fine."

Cole headed to the bathroom and was behind the door before Tim suddenly spoke up.

"So Blake, when are you going to tell him?"

Blake looked alarmed.

"Tim, not yet.", he said cautiously, "Cole is in such a good mood now. I don't want to ruin it with what I found out."

Tim seemed to understand and went quiet while Cole finished his business in the bathroom. He was just washing his hands when a train whistle ringing reached his ears.

"Well, that's a new one.", Cole thought, "I wonder what world that means I'm going to."

He looked to his charms to see if any would shimmer. Most of them were silent, but just as he got to the American flag with tiny gold Statue of Liberty, he heard the train whistle again. He turned to the mirror that was lighting up and he stood firm.

"Guess it's back to Fievel's world.", he said to himself as he noticed the charm he had gotten to shimmer for a moment.

He reached out to the mirror as it lit up and a warm breeze came to his face. Taking a breath, he closed his eyes and touched the mirror before disappearing without leaving a trace behind.

(A/N: Well, another story has begun and for the record if I don't get a chance: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!)