The 12 Tales of Christmas season 2: The Dark Elf Conspiracy
Hello everyone, I hope you’re having a wonderful day. It’s time for another story in the 12 Tales of Christmas. For this edition the number is 4 and the word is Krampus. This got sent to me by MF217, a YouTuber of good repute. And what a challenge for someone like me. And the way I chose to incorporate this is pure genius.
For this story we return to the world of Ray Carlton, Santa Claus’ long-lost nephew. On the heels of events in Target Christmas he’s about to get involved in adventure yet again. This time he’ll uncover a terrible conspiracy involving a list Santa always checks twice. And a certain creature who delivers coal to all the naughty children of the world.
Get ready for the Dark Elf Conspiracy.
Life for me has never quite been the same since I learned I was the long-lost nephew of Chris Kringle. Me, Ray Carlton, up until a year ago a lowly courtesy clerk with no hope and no future. Now here I was the owner of a successful fix-it-up shop in Christmas city. Patronized by elves and humans who had come there. But in all the time I lived in Christmas city nothing could’ve prepared me for events that rocked my world.
It all began that Tuesday afternoon. At the time I had finished fixing up Doctor Jingleberry’s automated bell. The one he used for New Years celebrations. I picked it up and brought it to the diminutive elf who wore a set of thick glasses and the usual elf attire. I handed the device to him and said, “Here you go Doc, fixed up and ready to go.”
The professor pressed a button on it, and it rang like crazy until he shut it off with no issue at all. “Danka Herrin Carlton, danka!”
I nodded and said, “You’re welcome.”
The elf scientist handed me the proper payment. Then he turned and skipped out singing a merry Christmas tune. I flashed a smirk and looked over my shop filled with tools, the solid oak desk, and at the money in my hands. I put the money in my check stand and sighed in relief. I looked at the mirror and saw the gruff man with a brown beard that showed signs of graying at the tips.
“Looks like age is finally starting to catch up with me.” I thought out loud.
“If anyone had told me a year ago I was Santa Claus’ nephew and that I’d own a shop here in this city I’d have laughed at them.” I muttered.
I went over to a chair and sat in it looking over my shop. Or at least I did until a very familiar police elf walked in with two others dressed in similar attire. I got to my feet and smiled in warmth. “Captain StarGlimmer it’s good to see you again. But what are you doing here? I hope I haven’t done anything wrong.”
The captain looked uncomfortable but flashed an assuring smile. “Nah not you Ray. Since you came to Christmas city you’ve been a model citizen. We’re actually here because we need you.”
My face furrowed at this as I wondered what was going on. “Me, but I’m only a mechanic and fix-it-up guy. What can I do?”
Captain StarGlimmer thought for a moment. “You see someone asked us to fetch you.”
My face furrowed in puzzlement. “Who is this person who needs me?”
“That would be me,” A strange new voice said as the door opened.
I turned in the direction of the voice and yelped as I leapt back in fright. Before me was a walking gingerbread man! Now I’m not afraid of gingerbread or gingerbread men. What freaked me out was this sprinkle covered creature had pointy teeth in his mouth. He also had eyes that glowed as red as flame.
“W-w-who the blazes are you?” I squawked.
The thing responded his voice distorted and creepy sounding. “My name is Gingeros a servant of the great Krampus. I've come here to see you mister Ray Carlton, nephew of Santa Claus.”
My eyes almost popped out of my head. I knew that Krampus was the polar opposite of Uncle Kris. He was the one who delivered coal to all the naughty children of the world. “What does he want to see me about?” I yelped.
“To make a long story short a matter has come up which requires your attention. This matter involves something his Dark Oracle has told him.” Gingeros stated.
If my face could’ve gone any paler it would’ve. I knew the Dark Oracle was how Krampus was able to peer into the dark hearts of naughty children. That way he could see how much coal they were worthy of. I did my best to keep my cool even though I wasn't. But as scared as I was, I also knew there was no rejecting a summons from Krampus.
While he may have been my uncle’s opposite, he didn’t harm Kringle family members. “All right I’ll come but no funny stuff.” I warned hoping I sounded braver than I felt.
The sinister looking gingerbread man said, “Oh I assure you nothing will happen to you.”
Why is it that comment doesn't leave me feeling very assured, I thought in trepidation.
I locked up the shop and got into the passenger seat of StarGlimmer's motor sleigh. We left Christmas city and headed off into the pass beyond the city. And there in the hills was the dark cave entrance that marked Krampus’ territory. We came to a stop and got off the motor sleighs. We approached the very large cavern entrance.
Above it was a picture of a devil-like being with large goat horns, pointy ears and a long beard. The Gingerbread man called, “Lord Krampus I’ve returned and I’ve brought Ray Carlton as you asked.”
A loud rumbling came from within the cave. It was all the elves, and I could do to stay on our feet. A powerful voice from withing boomed, “Yes, I sense him and the elves. You have done well Gingeros. Go now and await my orders!”
“By your will my lord.” the evil looking gingerbread man said before he walked into the cave.
A moment later the ground shook as large footsteps came from within. The large demonic humanoid shaped goat creature with legs like said animal emerged. The creature let out a roar before he looked around. His eyes turned on me and I couldn’t help but back away in fear. I knew Krampus was fearsome and powerful.
But what I saw before me made childhood nightmares look like a walk in the park.
Krampus said in a booming voice, “Ah Ray Carlton I am so happy to finally meet you.”
I lifted a hand and chuckled in a nervous fashion as I said, “Um...yeah, the feeling is mutual Krampus. So why did you call to me and these elves?”
The monster said, “Yes, the details. For starters do you remember an incident that happened a week ago? One involving some dark elves and your uncle’s reindeer.”
My face furrowed as I knew other than the police elves and Natalie no one else was aware. Krampus said, “Come now Ray Carlton don’t look so surprised. My minions keep me up to date on everything.”
“I see, and about the incident as you call it, how could I forget? Those dark elves were nasty characters.” I commented.
“You should ask your friend the police elf for an update about that situation.” The creature said flashing a knowing an unpleasant smirk.
I thought back over things and then it hit me. “Captain StarGlimmer has the sabotage at the toy making facility stopped yet?” I asked.
The elf captain looked shame faced. “Unfortunately, it hasn’t, in fact the sabotage seems to have gotten worse.”
Krampus let out a malevolent laugh. I had to cover my ears because of the booming noise. When he finished, I looked on him again. “You elves have underestimated the forces at work.”
He then pointed to himself. “But the Dark Oracle and I know what’s going on.”
“If you’re inviting us into your cave I’m going to have to decline. You see I know about the reputation you have. Anyone who goes into your cave who doesn’t serve you is never seen again.” I stated in a matter-of-fact tone.
Krampus let out a booming chuckle. “That is quite true Ray Carlton and you are wise to have done such a study of me.”
He snapped his fingers and a podium appeared before all in a burst of dark energy. A crystal ball floated on top of a rock that resembled a stalagmite. The crystal ball glowed with a sickly green energy. In the orb a head appeared with no hair and it’s skin was black as midnight. And it’s eyes glowed a fiery inferno red.
“I have come as you summoned master,” The strange monster said in a deep tone.
Krampus said, "Dark Oracle I have brought the one you and I sought."
The Dark Oracle turned towards me and I felt the full weight of the dark power staring into my being. “Ah yes, you have come as master Krampus and I requested. Now we can deal with this important matter.”
“You are the Dark Oracle?” I asked.
“I am, my master and I have summoned you to deal with this nasty situation. No doubt master has told you of the continuing sabotage at the toy making facility.”
I nodded and said, “I’ve heard about what’s going on. But what has this to do with me?”
“You see this sabotage is a distraction from the real goal.” The entity said.
Krampus explained, “There are Dark Elves who are seeking to commit the unthinkable.”
“What kind of unthinkable?” I asked.
Krampus roared in clear annoyance. “What my master means is the dark elves seek to destroy your uncle’s list. Then they will replace it with their own version.” The Oracle explained.
At once this threw me for a loop yet puzzled me. Why would anyone want to do that? I thought to myself.
Krampus said, “What they want to do is switch around the list of nice and naughty children.”
If the faces of myself and my colleagues could’ve gone any paler they would’ve. “And thereby ruin Christmas by making it seem Santa had taken to rewarding the naughty kids.”
“Indeed, and thereby make me give coal to the nice children. That's an insult to my reputation and intelligence. Any attempt to destroy your uncle is an attempt to destroy me, and this I will not allow!” Krampus stated in a tone of finality.
Captain StarGlimmer thought for a moment. “You know Alfie one of our chief elves has been acting kind of funny lately. And there have been some noises coming from his quarters.”
“Because foolish elves that is not Alfie,” the Dark Oracle stated in a tone of mild annoyance.
Captain StarGlimmer snapped, “Sheesh you don’t have to be so insulting!”
I put up my hands and stepped forward. “Everyone we should concentrate on the situation at hand.” I said in a tone that tried to show authority.
The police elf sighed and said, “Fine.”
The Dark Oracle said, “You should know Alfie and three other elves have gotten replaced. And I can sense the dark intentions in their hearts.”
“You know why they’re doing this?” I asked.
“I do indeed Ray Carlton. " The sinister being within stated.
"Someone you know from your past has intentions on ruining Christmas for their own gain. And this is part of another plan they have to destroy the Christmas season.”
The ramifications were not lost on me. “There’s someone from my past that wants to destroy Christmas, great!” I growled having a sinking feeling I knew who was behind this whole thing.
“So, what do they plan to do with the real list?” Captain StarGlimmer asked.
“Burn it in the boiler room for the workshop.” The Dark Oracle stated.
I turned to Krampus and asked the one question that had been on my mind since this all started. “Why are you doing this? I always thought you hated my uncle’s family.”
“I do so because there must always be a balance at Christmas time between light and dark. And if you’re wondering I gave up on Birch rods a long time ago for coal because coal is easier.”
“I see,” I said in a cautious tone.
“Well thank you both for this information we’ll take it from here.” The elf police captain stated.
“Do not be so hasty Ray Carlton,” Krampus said. “The Dark Elves have fooled you before and you’ll need something to allow you to see them.”
He waved his hand and a large bag appeared in an outstretched clawed hand. From the bag he pulled several objects that he threwdown at myself and the elves. We caught them and saw they were goggles.
“These are special dark magic detecting goggles. My master's power and brilliance created them. They will allow you to see the Dark Elves.” The Oracle stated.
Krampus said, “Now hurry Ray Carlton, your destiny awaits.”
My face furrowed at this comment. “My destiny, what are you talking about?”
The monster and the Dark Oracle both let out booming yet evil laughs. “You’ll see soon enough human,” the horned creature quipped.
The Dark Oracle disappeared, and Krampus turned and reentered his cave.
Immediately I turned and got into the sleigh. The elves scrambled in close behind me. "Come on Captain we have to make a beeline for the workshop," I called.
Soon the engines roared to life and we zoomed out of there. I grabbed my head and moaned, “Oh boy I knew my life was about to get complicated."
I looked up and added, "But sheesh, first I meet a legendary monster of German and Mid European lore now this.”
“Is it any different from meeting elves?” Captain StarGlimmer pointed out.
“Fair point,” I growled in resignation.
Muwhahahahahaaaa, and the evil cliffhanger strikes in the 12 Tales of Christmas! Come now did you believe I wouldn’t put a cliffhanger in at least one story? I’m not a nice writer so you should know me better than that. Anyway, that concludes this story from the 12 tales of Christmas. For story number 5 we’re heading into the world of science fiction.
Another genre near and dear to my heart. What that story is you’ll have to wait and see.
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Well, there’s still more to go. The 12 Tales of Christmas continue next time. Until then stay true to yourselves, stay classy, and God bless you all. Enjoy the Christmas season good readers.
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The 12 Tales of Christmas season 1
Next: The miracle of life