Jangle slid her bike to a stop right before she disappeared into a vicious winter storm. Grimjack stopped his bike behind her and looked up. It was the mountains he had passed on his way there. He took a moment to actually assess the storm around it. It was like a solid wall, with a clear distinction between the storm and the safe area around it.

“This is the place. Protected by a wall of a deadly winter storm. This place would even give Rudolph trouble.”

“Cute, but I passed through it just fine.”

“Oh?” chimed in Freddy. “Did you get to meet the Grump?”

“Yeah, he was all bluster and no substance.”

Freddy sniggered as Jangle shook her head. She hopped off her bike and took off her helmet. “You really should stop underestimating things around here hotshot. That place is like a snow globe someone won’t stop shaking.”

“Since we’ve been out of that landfill, my sensors have been doing much better.”

“Alright, we just need to stick close together. His storms have a way of separating people to pick them off.” She reached into a pocket of her suit and pulled out one end of Christmas lights and tossed them over towards Grimjack. They kept pouring out of her pocket but didn’t seem to run out. “Tie this around your waist to help us stick together.”

Grimjack sighed again. If he was going alone, he wouldn’t have to worry about any of this. Still, he needed her for directions and Freddy? Well Freddy was here too. Silently he tied the end around his waist. Freddy skipped towards the middle and used his candy cane to pull the Christmas lights down to his level before also tying it around himself.

Jangle nodded as she pulled out a gingerbread cookie shaped like a knife. With a quick flick she cut off the lights from her seemingly bottomless pocket and connected herself. “Driving would be asking to get wrecked, so we’ll need to hoof it from here. Hotshot, you’ll need to carry the bikes again.”

He was already in this deep, so Grimjack complied. He’d lost the argument last time, and he didn’t want to waste his time trying again. “Why didn’t you just ask me to carry both of you?” the words made it out before he could think about it, and he cursed his mouth for acting independently. He’d rather not be used like a mule, but especially not to carry people.

“I can walk very well on my own, thank you.”

“Yeah, it’s best if you aren’t the one leading us. With your disposition, you’d take us directly to the Grump.”

“Isn’t that where we’re going anyway?”

“You know, the straight path is not always the quickest way forward.”

“Freddy’s right. Things will go much quicker if we can avoid the Grump. Even if we make it past him, he’ll slow us down; and we need to hurry and get to Santa as soon as we can.”

Grimjack shrugged. They’d made their points, and it was clear they weren’t going to change easily. Besides, he was just glad his big mouth hadn’t gotten him roped into carrying them. He still had some pride, or at least that’s what he told himself.

“Do you think he knows he’s got visitors?”

“Let’s hope not. Otherwise, he might be protecting them. Plus, he’ll be furious if he finds out there’s some squatters on his precious spires.”

Freddy nodded as he tapped his candy cane against the string of Christmas lights. “Then by all means Jangle, lead the way. Let’s get this big payday rolling.”

“R..right! Just follow the lights and leave the rest to me.”

Thus, the three of them ventured into the blizzard. Jangle leading the way, Grimjack pulling up the rear, and the soft and cuddle Freddy sitting comfortably in the middle. The storm was even more intense than when Grimjack had gone through the first time. His sensors still had directions, but nearly all visuals were gone. Then, the Christmas lights lit up. It was impossible, but he could even see the ones wrapped around Jangle. She was still hard to make out, but the lights seemed to pierce straight through the storm.

As they got closer, the storm seemed to pick up, and Jangle struggled to put one foot in front of the other. Meanwhile, Freddy was lifted into the air completely, and only held down by being connected to both Jangle and Grimjack. Heck, they were moments that Grimjack felt like he was almost lifted into the air. He had no idea how Jangle could manage it. Finally, they reached one of the spires, and Jangle stopped in front of it. She pulled out a chunk of coal and drew a square on the ice.

Jingle jingle.

Grimjack was genuinely surprised as he saw the ice wall bend in and somehow transform into red stone bricks as it looked like a classic fireplace, just massive. Like you’d expect to see in an ancient castle. The three of them walked under its cover, and as soon as they crossed the threshold, it was like the storm was gone. They couldn’t even hear the storm, that nearly blew them away, even though it was inches from them.

“Alright, this next part isn’t going to be as pleasant. Chimney travel isn’t really for anyone but the big guy. Just try not to lose your Christmas cookies, okay?”

Freddy seemed to brace himself while Grimjack stood there confused. “What do you…wahaaa!”

He was cut off as Jangle tapped the side of her nose three times, and in a swirl of golden dust disappeared up the freshly formed chimney, dragging Freddy and Grimjack with her.

An explosion rocked the horde flagship, Rocketship McRocketface, as the emergency sirens blared on the bridge. The captain gripped his chair’s armrests so tightly they were starting to crack. All while soldiers typed frantically at their various stations.

Boom!

Another explosion rocked the ship as personnel went flying.

“Frag it! Fire back Darn it! Return fire on those accursed Torellians!”

“We’re trying captain.” Coughed a scrawny boy as he held an arm over his ribs that were surely broken. “But nothing we’ve got can get past their shields. It’s like they’re boosted somehow.”

With a snarl, the captain slammed his fist down onto his armrest, and sent it flying. “Gorramn it! Where is the Council with their blasted shadow killers when you need them!”

Boom!

The lights shut off for a second before being replaced with red emergency lighting.

The captain looked out of his viewscreen at the opposing ship and let out a deep sigh that almost sounded like a Tiger’s growl. He hit a button on his one remaining armrest, and after a short crackling sound said, “This is your captain speaking. I am ordering a full evacuation. Get to your assigned escape pod and jettison towards the emergency rendezvous point. As of now, Rocketship McRocketface is considered defeated.”

The captain started to lean back as he brought a hand up to his head. Then his eyes flashed open, and he hit the button again. “Oh, one more thing.” The few remaining soldiers on the bridge looked anxiously over towards him as he added, “Your Christmas bonuses will still be deposited on time. After all, crisis or not, it’s still Christmas.”