A few days had passed. Simon had set his assistants off to gather materials immediately, and he had been working nonstop on blueprints and tests. Finally, Simon lifted a welding mask from his face, then took a step back to admire his work in full. "It's complete," he beamed.
He took another step back, framing the device between his fingers. It was a metallic sleigh, perfectly fashioned after Santa's own. However, instead of reindeer, an engine was packed in the front like the hood of a car. The sleigh itself was shiny and red, its sides a little bumpy where it had been hammered down—it was crafted mostly of the disposable ornaments the cityfolk were obsessed with putting on trees.
Behind him, the back door of Simon's mansion slammed shut. From the indoors, Cad and Veronica emerged. Cad was holding a massive pot filled to the brim with red-and-white goop.
"After a few tests, I've managed to turn all of those candy canes into fuel for the sleigh, boss," Veronica said as she slammed a large book shut.
"She put them in the oven for a really long time," Cad smiled.
"And you might want to buy a new microwave," Veronica added.
"Good, good," answered Simon's oily voice. He curled a finger in their direction to call them over, and popped open the front of the sleigh to reveal its engine. He opened a cap from a part that resembled a tube, then pointed toward it. "Pour it right in here, Cad."
Cad took one small lick of the top of the goop, recoiled at its heat, then proceeded to pour it where directed. It flowed into the engine like neon molasses. Cad shook the pot a few times to get every last drop, then Simon batted him away and closed the engine up. Then, he hopped into the sleigh's front seat. Veronica piled in next to him while Cad struggled to the back.
Simon waggled his fingers over the various controls and screens he placed on the sleigh's dashboard. "This device will fly us directly to the North Pole," he explained triumphantly, "When we arrive, we're going to take control of everything!"
Simon shifted the gear-stick of the sleigh, breaking the halo off the ornamental angel's head as he did so. The sleigh kicked into action. It bumped and hissed, and then, at rapid speed, shot forward. Veronica and Cad were flung back into their seats at the force of the action, but Simon remained sturdy. A massive, evil beam cut his face and a maniacal, evil laugh burst out of him as the sleigh kept moving. Faster and faster still it drove until its front half started to lift upwards. From there, the whole device floated up in an arc on course toward the moon.
"We'll break their toys!" Simon said as he changed gears, "All of the North Pole will be my slaves! And when—" a laugh burst out of him like a jack-in-the-box, "When Santa fails to arrive Christmas Eve, the world will lose its holiday joy! It shall be mine for the taking!"
Cad and Veronica cast eachother a glance before beaming. So the journey in their little red sleigh began, up into the sky and through the frigid air. Instead of the "ho-ho-ho" one may expect from this sight, there was only the sound of "mwa-ha-ha-ha!"
Back on Earth, Simon's device could be seen shooting through the sky, much to the amazement of the unknowing citizens below. Innocent cityfolk looked up in wonder and excited children only became more jolly. Sweet Polly was among them. Her arms were filled with last minute bags and boxes of presents—Christmas Eve was only tomorrow—but today she had no Shoeshine to accompany her. Sharp, crisp air filled her lungs as she looked up, tracing the trail of the sleigh with her eyes. Seeing it stirred up an odd feeling in her stomach—she wasn't certain Santa was real, but she was rather certain that his sleigh was led by reindeer and didn't excrete exhaust.
She lifted a heavy hand to her mouth, pondering. "I simply must tell Underdog," she muttered to herself.
"—a sleigh, a real sleigh, like Santa's—didn't you see it?"
Underdog shook a coat of frost and sweat off himself. He'd been flying around the park on a request from a local children's fundraiser, and had been so busy entertaining the kids that he didn't notice anything remiss. He sniffed and licked a bead of wetness from his upper lip.
"No?"
In front of him, Polly seethed slightly. She sighed, her breath a little white cloud, and pulled the fuzzy hood of her coat around her neck a little tighter. "Well, it flew by, and everyone else in the square saw it, too! I don't think it's right, Underdog. Remember when Cad and Veronica robbed that store? Simon Barsinister must be up to something!"
Underdog crossed his arms, drumming his fingers on one as he thought. On one hand, Simon Barsinister had never been so bold as to try any crimes on Christmas—on the other, Underdog was certain he'd never liked it.
Suddenly, Underdog snapped and punched a fist into his opposite hand. "If Simon's plot is to end this season, then I must make him listen to reason!"
Polly gave a few small, excited claps. "Now we must figure out where they're headed—oh, I have just the idea." She curled a finger to beckon Underdog closer, then leaned down to his ear to whisper.
Underdog backed up with a nod and a smile across his face, then extended his arms to Polly. Polly's grin got a little bigger as the "cold" brought a flush across her face, but she wordlessly slotted herself into Underdog's grip. Underdog lifted her, sliding one hand across the small of her back and one down her legs. Polly settled into him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"When Christmas is in trouble I am not slow!" Underdog exclaimed, "It's hip-hip-hip and away we go!"
With that, Underdog leaped, and shot through the sky like a glittery red comet. He flew high up in the frigid air, holding Polly tighter against him as his surroundings became colder. The atmosphere thinned and the ground far below changed from brown to green to white. Underdog narrowed his eyes as snowflakes and hailstones cut across him. Polly squirmed, burying her face in his neck.
Finally, after a flight that felt like forever, the weather calmed down until things were clear. The sky was dark with a million twinkling stars. Underdog skidded to a halt midair. He scanned the Earth below with his x-ray eyes and found a pole colored like a candy cane sticking up from the center of an icy plateau. He had just taken in a breath to tell Polly about his finding, but when he turned back to look at her, she was staring at the sky above. Underdog copied her and suddenly understood.
The night was black like ink, and the stars that glittered within it seemed like a hundred-million flecks of glitter. Glowing streaks of green and purple and pink and blue ebbed and flowed like water above them. Underdog could see it all reflected and sparkling in Polly's sapphire eyes, and holding her in his arms, he didn't feel so cold anymore. Polly let out a breath as she took it all in. Underdog watched it dissipate as she turned back to him, finally closing her mouth. Then, she beamed and pressed their foreheads together. Underdog could feel the wag of her tail against his knee.
Finally, when Polly pulled back, Underdog gestured with his nose to the pole below. Polly turned, squinting, before giving him a nod in return. Underdog pulled her close once more and flew down toward it as quickly as he could.
Underdog let Polly down first. She stumbled on the soft snow underfoot—it was much softer than the snow that fell over the city. Still holding onto his arms as he watched, Polly threw a glance around.
"This must be the North Pole, right?" she asked, a slight waver in her voice.
"I didn't fly south," Underdog answered unhelpfully. Polly brushed her knuckles over his forearm, but continued to gauge her surroundings. Underdog copied her, but as far as he could tell, the landscape was a flat white in all directions.
The two turned in a circle, trying to check through every part of the tundra they could. Polly squinted. Then, she tugged on Underdog's arm and pointed behind him. "There!" she exclaimed as the hero turned to look. In that direction, norther north than the pole had been, was one single hill among the immense flatness. Underdog furrowed his brow, skeptical—despite that, he nodded, gripped Polly's hand a little tighter, and started that way.
Luckily, the distance did not seem as far as it looked. Nor did the wind whip around them or snow pelt them as they went. Before they could crest the top of the hill, Polly stumbled on the snow once more, and Underdog turned to help her. As Polly got back to her feet, her eyes widened and her jaw hung open again like they had when she had seen the sky. Underdog whipped around to look and soon found himself gaining a similar expression.
On the other side of the hill was a marvelous village. Large wooden cottages dotted the landscape, each one decorated with snowflakes and ribbons and tinsel and string lights. Beautifully furnished pine trees grew in any place they could find, standing alongside man-sized candy canes growing right from the ground. As Underdog and Polly approached the town, they could only stare in wonder at the merriment around them.
Baubles of all colors glittered above doors and along the ground like windfallen apples. Red berries, mistletoe and holly scattered across the snow as well, and grew up frosty wooden sidings. Wrought lampposts glowed, but between the warmth of the string-lights and ornaments, and the phenomena and moon above, the snow had a luster as if it was mid-day. Bows and wreaths were placed on each door. The windows of each building were perfectly foggy, each one glowing a soft yellow inside.
As the two foreigners made their way further through town, the decor was not the only thing that caught their attention. Around them, small people milled and played about, tossing sticks to little white dogs and grooming caribou calves. Each one, even the dogs they played with, wore collared outfits in shades of red, green and blue, and each wore a nightcap with a jingle bell at the end.
Finally, the inhabitants noticed the newcomers. They all stopped their festivities and looked at Underdog and Polly with ginormous, childlike eyes. When Underdog could see their faces, he noticed that their ears were pointed, and each one's skin was a different pastel color. Polly pulled at the crook of Underdog's elbow, seeming to realize what she was seeing at the same moment he did.
For a while, dog and elf stared at eachother, each equally as confused and intrigued with the other.
Underdog took in a small breath, ready to ask the people around if they had seen Simon Barsinister about. Within the same moment, one elf pushed its way through the crowd and stomped up to them. On its face was a sour, most un-festive expression.
"Alright, alright!" she exclaimed, voice like the littlest jingle bell. She turned to all the elves around her, shouting, "You've gotten a good look! Get back to your work!"
At her word, each elf merrily pranced along as if there hadn't been a distraction at all. The elf in front of Underdog and Polly sighed, pressing claw-like fingers against her white temple.
"These people," she muttered, then turned up to look at the newcomers. "I suppose you're here to see the big man? A bit old for toys, aren't'cha?"
Polly scoffed, her grip on Underdog's arm tightening as she smiled.
He cleared his throat. "My name is Underdog, and I'm here on a mission. We believe a villain has come to ruin your tradition."
The little elf crossed her arms. Her eyes scanned the hero up and down, seemingly to size him up. Underdog stiffened. Regardless, she spoke. "Underdog, eh? It's been a while since we've been to your little cottage."
The elf stuck her hand out straight. For a moment, Underdog blinked at her. Then, he got down to one knee and shook her hand. Underdog's paw was easily twice the size of it.
"You can call me Rocket," said the elf before she turned to Polly. Polly copied Underdog and shook Rocket's hand as well. "You must be Pauline, then."
"Polly," she smiled.
Rocket nodded. "Well, I suppose if there's some villain about, you'll have to meet the big man anyway," she turned stiffly on her heel, and waved over her shoulder without looking back. "Come on."
Underdog and Polly stood up, blinking at eachother in surprise. Then, Polly shrugged, and padded off after Rocket with the snow crunching beneath her boots. Underdog followed.