Halloween had come and gone without a hitch. Mission HQ had a party, but little did anyone know that their kidding around about vampires and garlic would ever turn up in a serious matter. But it was going to take much more than garlic to get to the bottom of things.
November seemed quiet and mostly uneventful, except for Indy's stressful court appearances to testify against Tonya.
Pippi's birthday came and went, and it was during the following week that Marilee Who started reporting strange tales of vampire elf sightings. The only reason Indy and her friends knew about it was because everyone at KWHO was laughing at Marilee's willingness to make any old ridiculous thing into a news story.
In the meantime, unknown to most of the world, things were not going well at the North Pole, where Santa lived.
His workforce had diminished by about a quarter in mid November, with elves simply going missing, and others acting very strange.
Some refused to come out and work during the day, and warned Santa and anyone else not to come near them. They wouldn't even let any doctor examine them. These elves eventually were found dead in their beds, or locked closets by the next day. And the ME couldn't determine the cause of death.
The police outside of Christmas Town refused to do anything, thinking Santa's please for help in finding the missing elves and what was responsible for the deaths of the others, were nothing but crackpot pranks.
Then one morning when Gilda, an elf reported to him that the reindeer started exhibiting truly bizarre and frightening behavior, Santa knew he had to look for help elsewhere.
First, he went with her and the toughest elf, the one in charge of the workforce, to investigate.
They found two reindeer in a very sorry condition. One was definitely dead with a large bite wound in its throat, and another was injured, trying to fend off a third. This third reindeer was attacking not by kicks or butting, but it seemed to be trying to bite.
Santa and the elves had to work together to try subduing the apparently mad animal, and then tried to quarantine it in a separate stall away from all the others.
Everyone took some kicks and bruises for their efforts.
Before the morning was half over, Santa called an emergency meeting to discuss the matter, what the problem could possibly be, and who, if anyone was out there they might turn to for help since the police weren't taking things seriously.
"There has to be something we can do." Santa began. "Someone we can call...well, everyone?"
"Have you called the Easter Bunny?" asked one elf.
"No, but I don't know what he could do to help us, and I'd rather not risk putting him in danger." Santa replied. "All the same,, it was thoughtfully suggested."
"How about the Grinch? And the Who's?" asked another elf.
Santa couldn't help chuckling at this. "I hadn't thought of him - But I'll keep him in mind. Any other ideas?"
"How about the Nutcracker?"
"He's busy with the affairs of his own kingdom and can't afford to send anyone. And I doubt they'd stand a chance against this enemy. Toys overthrowing a mouse king is one thing. Toys trying to combat vampires is another story."
A low murmur filled the air as people turned to their neighbors, some bouncing ideas off each other, some just speculating about the situation.
Santa waited for a few nervous minutes. "No one has any other ideas?" And then he himself came up with an idea. "Hope is not lost. I just remembered someone who might be able to help. So let's wrap this up, and I'll keep you posted. Thanks all the same for trying."
*****
At Pippi's, things were going well, Indy had gone to work, and Ameh had picked up NT to take her shopping. Pippi was at work stringing up the Christmas lights on the outside of the house.
But at Mission HQ, Cosima, who had a late night and stressful mission the evening before, was still asleep.
What really jolted her awake was the voice message from the microcom on the dresser right beside her bed.
She startled and sat up straight, trying to catch what was being said.
When it finished, she shook her head, trying to clear it, and rubbed her eyes. "Could I have that again?"
The message repeated, and this time she got it. She picked up the com and responded. "Holy crap! Is no one off limits to these cannibalistic monsters?" She shuddered inwardly. "We've got to do what we can to stop that from happening. I'll let the others know, and we'll be there as soon as we can."
"Thank you, Cosima, I'm sorry to put you out especially at this time of year."
"Think nothing of it, Santa, considering the whole world imposes on you at this time of the year, I'd say we all owe you one."
Ameh and NT had been partially successful with their shopping, but they hadn't found everything they wanted to get for everyone. Now, they took a break at a food court. Ameh bought something for herself from a Mexican place and NT opted for Chinese. Then they got their coffee and hot chocolate.
They were nearly finished their meals when Ameh's cell rang.
"Heya Pippi!"
"Oh no, what's up?"
"What - seriously!?"
"Oh, crap, this is just messed up!"
"Yeah, we'll come home right away."
"What's going on?" NT asked as Ameh hung up. She'd seen the wide-eyed horrified look on Ameh's face and knew that meant something must've gone wrong at home. "What's the matter!?"
"Well - " Ameh was surprised at NT's reaction. NT rarely spoke these days, usually only communicating via body language and gestures. This was the first time NT spoke on the shopping trip.
"Did something happen to Indy or - "
"No, no, NT, nothing like that." Ameh reassured her. "Pippi got a message from Cosima at Mission HQ. Santa Claus is in danger and so is his town at the North Pole."
""Is it a witch?"
"No, vampires."
NTlooked horrified.
The two wasted no time exiting the mall, though Ameh in her flustered state, couldn't see or remember where her car was parked. She searched frantically, and it was only when she finally said "Where did I park that darn car?" when NT figured out what Ameh's problem was.
"It's at the other end of the lot down by Target." NT said.
"Thanks."
NT nodded.
It was just good luck for a change they didn't hit too many lights on red during the drive home.
Then Ameh went back to her own apartment to pack for the journey.
Cosima left a message for the other fairies at Mission HQ, for they were currently out.
It was agreed that Pippi should join the mission because of her physical strength. She may not have been magical, but she would be able to physically stop a vampire attack or attempted attack.
Cosima agreed to have NT join the mission because the more help the better, and NT tended to be a bit of a nightowl. That could come in especially handy in this case. Ameh would remain behind for now, but on call.
Cosima got in touch with Heidi and Misery to let them know what was up, and they said they'd keep a look out for anything suspicious here in town while the others were away.
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