A Daring Avant-Garde Xmas II

Hmm.

Hm, hm, hmm...

Oh, who'd be fun to mess with this time...?

Sigh...

I'm feeling frustrated... it's like something has piled up and is weighing me down...

I want to shake, shake... shake it all off and feel unburdened and happy, you know?

You understand, don't you, Espi?

Urgh...

You're not gonna get me to talk for free this time!

Dreams are meant to be sold or bought, you know!

Oh, tut, tut...

Those aren't your dreams to begin with, now, are they, Espi?

You're just a dream-peeper, so don't act as if you own them or anything.

Ugh, that's something that only I can do, so I can do whatever I want with it!

Let me go, or I'll call my friends!

Friends?

You have friends?

That's news to me.

Wait, you're not talking about that pumpkin patch loser and that card shuffling cheat, are you?

Well... they're friends when you need them.

I mean, I suppose we phantoms can be friends when we need each other.

Completely useless the rest of the time.

Seems you're well aware of that too...

You think they'll pop out of nowhere to save you?

You're just a loser who can't even take off her own mask... Why would they save you?

Arrrgh...!

I-I'm pretty close to Master, okay! Master will come save me!

Hmm...

Master, huh...? Everyone's talking about this Master these days... Just what kind of rascal are they?

Fine, I'll get Master to come here then. You can find out for yourself.

When Shaydi mentioned this Master last time, it actually took me aback, quite honestly.

I've never seen her that fixated on someone before.

If she's that distracted... With just a little effort on my part...

I could become the most popular phantom in this marsh!

If only that old crone would just slip up once... I could lock her and that punk with the awful jokes up in the tower...

Don't you dare compare Shaydi with a punk like Rim, you good-for-nothing phantom!

Are you any better? Aside from Shaydi, we're all pretty much good-for-nothings, aren't we?

I... I...

I wear a mask! I'm special! I'm very special!

Wahaha! That's all you got? That crummy little mask?

No one can come close to me when it comes to looks. Where else are you going to find a phantom this cheeky and elegant?

Urgh...

What's with that look?

We phantoms have a narcissistic streak, sure, but...

You're on another level. You should get yourself checked out.

Sh-Shut it!

Whatever. Hurry up and spill... I want to hear about an interesting dream you've peeked in on recently.

I'm dying of boredom here.

I told you... I'm not telling you anything.

Oh? Well, okay then.

Huh? What are you trying to do?

I'm gonna smash your mask, okay?

Huh? What?! No! Don't! Not my mask!

Okay then, hurry up and tell me an exciting nightmare you've seen before I break your mask to pieces. Teehee!

Fine, I'll talk! I'll talk!

Urgh... Um, there's this one punk in Sprite Kingdom who dreams they're being eaten alive by some baked goods...

Oh, boring! Sprites are way too simple.

They're always going on about bread this and cake that... It's just way too predictable with them...

Next!

Um... Let's see... Oh, I remember someone having a dream about a giant snake.

A snake? What's this about a snake all of a sudden?

It was a dream where she was sad when a three-clawed tiger was swallowed by a snake...

Ugh... werebeasts?

Don't you have anything new? I want to hear about something fresh.

Something that'll give me a serious rush! I'm totally numb over here!

Just how big do you need it to be?

Hmm... Something that would be similar to something Shaydi would do?

Ugh... Tch... I was saving this one for myself...

You'll let me go if I tell you? Swear it.

Ooo... Does she actually have something?

I swear on my honor as a phantom, I'll let you go.

Fine. If you break your promise, you're going to have to spend quality time with Rim for a full day, okay?

Ugh, hurry up and tell me!

Well... around this time every year... there's something that hundreds—no, thousands of folks dream at the same time.

Oh? That many folks? Dreaming the same dream at the same time?

Yes! It took me by surprise at first, too.

It's a night when the stars drift down gently, and a creepy, razor-sharp moon hangs in the night sky.

The dreamer runs desperately across the snow-covered field...

They always wake up from the dream at the same moment...

This terrifying figure catches them and says the following in a distorted voice...

"Have you been a good or bad child?"

Whoa! C-Creepy! What the heck?! Okay, tell me! Who's been having those dreams?

The elves. Those guys seem to share this strange nightmare.

Details! I need more details! Hurry, I can't wait!

Mmm, nice...

You were holding onto something quite amazing there, Espi!

A nightmare as grand as my ambitions!

I told you everything, so hurry up and let me go.

I'm not letting you go.

Eeek? What?! You swore on your honor!

What does honor matter to a phantom?

It's not like this is your first day as a phantom... Why are you acting like this?

Ugh, you play dirty! This is so unfair!

Though I would have done the same thing...

Be a dear and keep an eye on my place, okay? I'm going to be busy planning a big event!

Urgh, come save me, Speaki... my dim-witted friend...

Wahaha! That devastated look!

You're so cute! Give me more "pitiful"!

Sniff...

Your suffering... I'll treasure it...! Teehee!

Based on what Espi told me, to plan this epic party, I'll first need...

Ah, there we go!

Uuuuuh...

Soil... lacks nutrients...

BigWood hungry... BigWood must grow fruit... BigWood wants to be picked...!

Sprites are waiting... Urgh... Urghhh... BigWood can't hold back for the sprites!

Ugh... what the heck is she going on about?

This feels icky... I hope I'm doing the right thing here...

Hey, you! Wood Elemental!

Uuh?

A phantom? Here to steal BigWood's fruit?

BigWood won't give fruit to rotten, withered phantoms like you!

Rotten? Withered? Why you little...! Listen, I've got zero interest in your fruit, okay?!

This is BigWood's land! Get out, phantom!

Ugh, these elementals are always like this. How lame.

Oh, don't be like that, Wood Elemental. Just hear me out here, okay?

Phantom's voice... It saps BigWood's energy...!

BigWood only wants to hang out with bright, cheerful sprites!

Ugh... How offensive...!

Listen here, you pile of rough, brittle bark! You're definitely not one to be picky here!

Dripping your nasty sap all over the place... Who do you think you are?!

Oooh... Mmm...!

Feels good, phantom... More! Give BigWood more!

Say more about BigWood!

Huh? What the hell? Don't tell me she enjoys this...

Her face is made of wood, so I can't tell what she's thinking.

You were thrown together into such a mess that I bet you're really unpopular. Just be honored that I'm even willing to talk to you!

Oooo... You're close! That's the face!

Keep going with that look on your face!

This punk... she's actually enjoying my taunts!

Is she like that expressionless Earth Elemental? Does she have some sort of resistance to my power?

Worse... it's actually putting me in a foul mood... I'm losing motivation!

This is dangerous! I'd better get straight to it!

Um... Hey, hear me out, okay?

BigWood will listen to mean-mouthed phantom...

Will you join me in a prank?

A prank?

Elementals don't do that. That's what phantoms do.

The Water Elemental plays pranks all the time!

Water Elemental... She's an exception. She's lively and cheerful. Forgivable.

Ugh... This is so frustrating! Maybe I'll leave her out of this!

No... it'd be a shame to leave her out...

How do I get her to help...? Oh, right!

You said something about fruits or something before, didn't you?

Ah! BigWood forgot! BigWood needs to find nutrient-rich soil!

Must grow fruit fast! Must show fruit to sprites!

Right, that...!

Will you be satisfied with ordinary fruit?

What can you do with such small, modest fruit?

Don't you want to grow fruit that's big and luscious?

H-Huh?

I'm not talking about the mediocre stuff you usually grow...

I'm talking about big, firm, luscious fruit dangling everywhere. Does that pique your interest?

Hnnngh, hnnngh!

Ugh, cut it out with that weird panting!

What should BigWood do, phantom?! Tell BigWood how!

C-Calm down! That was a fast turnaround!

Listen carefully. You just have to do exactly as I say.

Okay! Whisper in BigWood's ear! Hurry!

Ugh... I'm so tired. I wanna hurry home, wash up, and go to sleep.

I hope this will be enough for my Sprite Kingdom surveillance report...

I just have a mountain of expense reports... I'll never see a bonus unless I get wind of something big... Urgh...

Huh... What's that? That's the Wood Elemental... Oh?

Who's that next to her? An elemental I've never seen? Wait... a phantom?

Got it, Wood Elemental?

BigWood remembers what to do! BigWood is not an idiot! BigWood is not the Sprite Queen!

BigWood will go to the elven city right now! Just wait! BigWood will get juicy fruit!

She's going to the elven city...? What? What's going on?

Hehehe... Those elementals are prickly on the outside, but they're soft in the head, so they're easy to trick.

Teeheehee!

Okay, then. Time to go recruit my next target!

Target...? Recruit...?

Do phantoms have spies, too?

What in the world are they trying to do in Monatium?

They might be plotting some huge conspiracy! This is totally worth reporting!

With this, I can get my year-end bonus!

Oh...

Wait... what if it turns out to be another pointless incident?

That's always how it turned out in Sprite Kingdom...

Ugh... Whatever! I'll just fluff the report up a bit.

I WILL have my cutlets before this year ends!

I, Monatium Intelligence Agent Rohne, will chase after these phantom spies and uncover their classified secrets!

Just focus on those cutlets, Rohne!

Now, where do I find those werebeasts again?

It's been ages since I've been here, so I can't seem to find my way.

Werebeasts? Is she looking for Werebeast Village?

I thought she was up to something in Monatium...

Hmm... If I remember correctly, I think you find them by following patches of fur they've shed...

Do werebeasts these days not roam around as much?

There was a time they'd rub their fur all over to mark their territory... be it the Phantom Marsh or the underground caves.

Did they all get sedated or something?

Urgh, this is frustrating!

We've been going around in circles this whole time!

Never mind the report... I want to clock out soon, too...!

Hmm... is it this way...? No, wait, maybe it's that way...? Eenie, meenie, miny, moe—

Arrrrgh!!! It's that way!!!

Go 250 yards southeast, and you'll find Werebeast Village!!

Huh?

U-Uuuuuh...

Oh, looks like we've got an elf here...

Er, excuse me...? C-C-Could you please pretend you didn't see me?

I just really wanted to clock out that I think I got too excited.

Wahaha... were you hoping to play hide-and-seek with me?

N-No, that's not it... Urgh...

Anyway, thanks for the directions.

What a nice elf you are. Here, I got something for you...

Oh, no! No, thank you! I don't need anything!

What? Why?

Typically, spies only hear things like that when they're about to be tortured or threatened!

What? That's not what I was going to do...

E-Excuse me?

Here, I'll just pat you on the head.

There, that's nice, right?

Um... y-yeah, it does.

There, there...

Now, then... why don't you tell me how you knew I was looking for Werebeast Village?

Huh?!

Ooow! That hurts! How can you go from patting my head to this?!

How long have you been following me, you sly little brat?!

I'm a spy! Being sly comes with the territory!

Don't change the topic, and talk!

Eeek! I'll talk! Stop pulling my hair!

I saw you talking with the Wood Elemental!

When you mentioned the elven city, it felt suspicious, so I followed you!

Oh? And what connection do you have with the city?

What do you mean? I'm an elf. I was trying to p-protect the elven city, of course!

I am a spy with a low performance record... I have to at least do something like this to stand out!

A spy? Is it okay for a spy to say they're a spy...?

...Oh, you're right. I said way too much.

It's okay! Spies are great at revealing their plans anyway! I saw it in movies!

Okay. I'll let you go since you were honest.

Oh, phew... that's a relief. Thank you.

Hmm... an elf, huh...? It would be nice to include at least one of them in my plan...

I had someone else in mind, but swapping in this blundering idiot might actually work...

Rohne.

Yes?

You said something about having a low performance record... right?

Yes, that's why I'm always so poor!

I work so hard all the time, but luck is never on my side...

You don't normally raise performance by merely working hard.

It's more like... You have to make it LOOK like you did something impressive.

I do exaggerate a bit in my reports!

Still... it doesn't seem to help much when it comes to my Sprite Kingdom reports...

Oh? This punk... seems she's not as naive as I made her out to be...

Hmm... Your image matters.

You'll have to work on your appearance. You need to go around in something that, at first glance, says, "I'm going to pull off something huge!"

M-My appearance? Is it the way I look or my clothes that's the problem?

Hmm... I've got an excellent bit of fashion advice.

Really? Please tell me!

Do you have any foam spray and paint...? Oh, and some balloons would be nice! Big ones.

Huh? What do those have to do with fashion? And I don't have anything like that. Who carries such things around?

They're essential items for spies. You didn't know?

Huh? Essential? I didn't see anything like that in the manual.

Now I see why your performance record is low. You never carried anything like that around. That's why you always fell short.

Huh? R-Really? I mean, thinking back on my past records... you may have a point.

Foam spray, paint, and balloons? That's all I need, right?

Yes. Get those first and go wait in your city. I need to drop by Werebeast Village.

I'll meet you there later and fill you in on the rest, okay?

Oh... um... got it!

Is this where the werebeasts live?

Seems that scatterbrained elf was right.

I don't think it was such a backwater place like this before...

I believe there used to be a giant wooden palace in the town square, as well as some statue that looked like a worm...

Ahh! What's that?

It's a phantom! It's a phantom!

Hahaha! These little rascals are still scared of phantoms, I see.

Are you a phantom? And what brings you to our village?

Hm? Who the heck are you?

I'm Diana, the chief of this village.

The chief? Ha! I wanna talk to the leader here.

I'm the chief here, so that makes me the leader.

Huh? Really? You?

Ohhh, do we have another phantom here wanting to cause trouble?

Cause trouble...? Hmm... She actually looks the part...

She'll fit my plan perfectly!

You'd better leave while I'm asking nicely.

See? You're scaring our villagers. If you have no business here, please leave.

And if I say I won't? What are you going to do about it, huh?

Hmm.

...Do I need to spell it out for you?

Are you sure you won't regret this...

H-Huh?

I'm not one to care about who does what outside of our village...

However, if anyone were to cause trouble within our borders...

It would force me to deal with them myself.

What the hell? What's with her? I'm a phantom, and even I'm overwhelmed by this strange pressure she emanates!

Flattery won't work on her as it did with those other fools!

Oh, hahaha... I have no intention of causing trouble.

I've left the marsh for the first time in a long time and was only going around and taking in the sights.

After being by myself for a long time, I just wanted to make some friends and do some sightseeing... That's all. Really!

Hm, I hope that's not a lie.

I'm telling the truth!

I'm going to keep an eye on you. Phantoms are always deceiving others, after all...

Um, while we're on the subject... would you like to be friends with me?

Friends...?

Look around. You're the only one who's not afraid of me.

You're the only one who doesn't avoid me and speaks to me normally.

I'm pretty selective about who I keep around me, though...

Please be a bit open-minded about this.

Besides, if you find me suspicious, you can just follow me around and keep me under close surveillance.

Yes, that sounds reasonable...

So, here's what I'm thinking... I was planning on going hiking in a bit... Why don't you join me?

H-Hiking?

Yeah. It's on my list of places to go sightseeing today. I wanted to hike up Elemental Mountain over there.

Oh... ohhh...!

Hm... What's with her all of a sudden?

Young kids these days don't like to go hiking, so I've been going by myself...

Excellent! Since it's come to this, let's make this a weekly thing every Sunday!

Why is she so enthusiastic all of a sudden? I had no intention of doing this every Sunday...

Ah... uh... sure... let's do that...

Great! Let's get right to it then! I'll go change into my hiking clothes.

Oh, hold on.

What is it?

Let me guess... You wear some old hiking clothes, don't you?

H-Huh? How'd you know...?

I bought it half-price twenty years ago... It's very durable!

Nope, that won't do. It'll clash with what I'm wearing!

If we're going to be friends, we should at least wear something that matches, don't you think?

Something that matches what you're wearing...?

Hmm, maybe I should break THAT out again?

Oh, don't worry. I knew this would happen, so I brought along the latest outfit in hiking fashion.

I've been keeping this for whenever I finally made a new friend.

The latest hiking outfit...?

Ta-da!

What do you think? Isn't it pretty?

A-Are you sure that's for hiking?

It doesn't look like it covers much...

Why? Don't think you can pull this off?

No, it's just... I think I'll get all scratched up if I wear something like that hiking.

Hardcore hikers these days all wear stuff like this, okay?

It's all about pushing your limits in extreme conditions. To prove how strong you are!

Hmm... Maybe it's something similar to your mental discipline when training?

I suppose it's basically what I used to wear in my youth...

But wearing something like this at my age is a bit embarrassing.

Oh, don't be so shy. You don't look that old anyway!

You can totally pull this off.

So, don't be like that and quickly change into this like the good little girl you are.

We won't go hiking until you do!

Ugh...

Fine. Just this once, though.

Wahaha!

How amazingly fast! This ride is incredible! What speed!

This is the absolute best!

Ugh! Why do I have to carry you around?

We're friends, aren't we? It's been so long that my legs started to hurt from all this walking!

You can do this much for a friend who's struggling, can't you?

Urgh, I mean, sure... but... Are you sure your legs hurt that much?!

Okay, look... If I tug at your right horn, turn right, okay?

Argh! If you tug at me like that all of a sudden, I'll lose my balance...!

How could you yank my horn like that out of nowhere?!

Aw, I thought you'd be able to handle that much...

Hmm... Looks like we need to think of something a bit safer...

Please hurry and get up.

Elemental Mountain is right in front of us, so we should start our hike!

Yeah, yeah. Just let me climb back on.

You're going to climb on my back again? Don't tell me you plan to do this during the hike, too!

That's exactly what I was thinking.

What the heck?!

Why? Am I that much of a burden to carry?

Urgh... Since you agreed to go hiking with me, we should walk side-by-side and enjoy our time together!

I didn't realize you were that weak...

What?!

How disappointing. I didn't know you couldn't even do that much for a friend.

I wanted a friend I could rely on anytime. Someone I could really lean on...

It looks like you had other ideas, though... I see...

No, that's not it... it's just—

Hurry up and carry me then.

Urgh...!

Next time we go hiking, please make sure your legs are okay.

Yep! Got it!

I'm a phantom who just floats around anyway... My legs don't matter. Teeheehee!

After I lowered her guard, she became total putty in my hands!

Stop right there!

Eek! Have I gone over the speed limit?

You shall not pass!

Why, these puny elemental punks...

I have to go up Elemental Mountain for a very important reason, got it?

Who are you to stop me?

That's right. We are only here to hike.

Hmph. Sylla instructed us not to let anyone enter the mountain.

Naia also consented to this.

Ifrit too!

And so did Gabia.

Diana?

Yes?

Just run them over.

N-No! Why would you try to do such a thing?!

I'm the one at the reins here! We can't give in to such losers like them!

The elementals are our neighbors! We cannot just run them over!

Ugh... I can't believe you're making this harder than it needs to be.

Hey, elementals! Is it because I'm a phantom? Is that it? Discrimination?!

You should let me pass even if I'm a phantom!

No means no!

Look carefully. I'm not even touching the ground since I'm riding on her back, right?

So, technically speaking, I'm not "climbing" the mountain. Heehee.

Does she have a point here?

What the heck do you mean, you idiot?!

You've been burning for so long, you must've fried your brains! Hehe.

You pathetic kindling ember... I ought to throw dirt on you and snuff you out for good!

Damn, that was harsh! You should watch what you say!

Oh, you got anything else to say?!

These fools... Look at them fighting among themselves. You catch my drift, right? Now, get out of the way!

Not a chance! And it's not because you're a phantom!

There's a noble elemental council today, so no one may interfere!

Naia said to keep everyone out!

That's right.

Hmm... a noble elemental council...?

They're all gathered in one place today? Damn!

If we really head in, we're done for!

Tch, oh well. Let's turn around, Diana.

Wh-What about the hike?

There's nothing we can do. We have to respect their wishes.

You're giving in surprisingly fast on this...

Ugh, why'd the elemental council have to be today?

My plans are completely ruined!

Weren't you just planning to go hiking?

Sightseeing, okay? Sightseeing. I wanted to hike up to see someone living at the summit.

Who...?

Oh, well... Since things have turned out like this, I suppose it can't be helped... *Sigh*

Maybe I'll give it another shot next year. I can't believe all this work has gone to waste... What a pity.

Ribbit!

What the...? Was that a frog?

Hmm... I thought I heard someone letting out a sigh...

Was that you?

What in the... Who the heck is this...?

I'm Ui, the Drizzle Elemental☆!

Elemental?

Wow! You're just like me!

You ride that pretty friend of yours, just like I ride Croakie!

Ah, right! Yes, I am riding around on this pretty friend.

I knew it! Friends are meant to ride each other!

Right, Croakie?

Ribbit!

Friends are not meant to ride each other!

Wahaha! Waaaahahaha! I like you!

Right, Diana?

*Bleat* Yikes! Why am I doing this?

Anyway, my phantom friend, is there something troubling you? You look pretty downcast!

"Friend"? We just met... how are we friends already? Is this just something she says?

Oh, I was getting together this exciting party...

And I needed to get into Elemental Mountain to make my final preparations.

You do?

But I wasn't allowed entry because of some elemental council.

At this rate, I'll have to move the party to next year.

Next year...? Do you always throw a party at the same time of year?

Yeah. I have to.

If that's the case... next year won't work either.

The elementals always hold their council during this period.

Huh?

I heard that elementals have to work really hard during the winter.

They hold a big council to divide up their responsibilities so that the world doesn't get cold!

Excuse me?

That's why the elementals hold a council?

Wait... That means this is bound to fail next year, too!

What the absolute heck?!

You look even more upset now!

What were you trying to do in Elemental Mountain?

If there's anything I can do to help, I'll do it!

Wait a minute... she said she was the Drizzle Elemental, didn't she?

Hmm... drizzle? Would that work?

I heard there's a Snow Elemental living at the summit of Elemental Mountain.

I just wanted it to snow for one night.

Snow...?

Wh-Why did you want to do that?

Think about it... Wouldn't it be amazing?

It's like little white stars falling gently from the sky!

It's perfect for a party!

Ummm...

I'm not sure if snow falling is all that great...

Just think about it. Rain freezes and becomes snow, right?

What's not great about it? It's just cold water.

Um... maybe it's not so bad if you put it that way... but I think it may be more the cold than the snow.

Can you turn drizzle into snow, too?

Er... um... I've never tried that...

Come on... help a gal out here...

We're both friends who ride friends, right?

Have you ever seen anyone else like us? Look at us! We are like two peas in a pod...!

You're right, but...

I just need it to snow for just one night.

I think the other elementals might get angry...

Umm... How about something that only looks like snow? Would that work?

Something that looks like snow? What's that?

I'd have to think for a sec—Oh!

Flour! We could use flour!

Flour?

It's white and floats around, just like snow!

It can pile up on the ground, too! And if it gets wet, it clumps!

Argh! Why would you do that? Who's going to clean all that up?!

Be quiet, Diana.

But...!

Friends should listen properly! Just like Croakie here!

Eeek! That's... *Bleeeat*

Huh? What's going on with the werebeast chief...? When did she become so inarticulate?

Hey, are you okay?

*Bleeeat*

Is it because she's a werebeast?

Anyway, can you do something like that, Drizzle Elemental?

Uh... ah... well... I have a f-friend!

If the Flour Elemental works with me... I think we can do it!

There's a... Flour Elemental...? Geez, these elementals just don't make any sense.

I'll have flour and drizzle fall from the sky tonight.

That'll make it look like it's snowing!

Well, okay! I suppose that should be good enough.

If you can just have it fall over Monatium—

I'm so excited! Let's get this flour rain to fall over all of Elias!

It's so thrilling because it's my first time doing this! It's the same for you, too, right, Croakie?

Ribbit!

Just over Monatium would be enough... wait... maybe it doesn't really matter.

And hey, having this happen on a larger scale might even be better...

Remember, phantom friend!

This is only for just one night, okay?! Tonight!

Yes. Tonight. It will be a very special evening. Teeheehee!

*WEEEEEEEE-oooooow-WEEEEEEEE-oooooow*

Air raid alert! Air raid alert! All citizens of Monatium, evacuate immediately.

An unidentified powder is falling from the sky.

Remain indoors until further instructions are issued.

What in the world is going on?

What is this powder falling from the sky?

Please have a look at this, Mayor! The camera caught these strange creatures...!

Hmm, nice.

Wood Elemental, with these luscious fruits of yours dangling off of you everywhere...

It'll make you look irresistible to everyone!

Oh! Such perfectly round fruit! It's a perfect sphere!

So shiny and luscious!

Now, let's see if the elves can resist your charm!

Mmm... Okay! If elves like it, then sprites like it too!

Little elves, BigWood is coming! Look at BigWood!

Look at BigWood's fruit! Rush at BigWood and pick at them! Haha!

Aaaah! It's alive! A moving Christmas tree!

Okay, the tree is done... Now, where's that little elf...?

*Huff, huff* Sorry, I'm late! I just got here!

I thought you weren't coming! But better late than never.

Finding a big balloon took some time, but I got one custom-made at the Factory District!

It's red, right?

Yes!

Okay, then... First, we attach the balloon... and then the foam...

Oh, that looks very convincing! It's exactly like the monster from the nightmares Espi described.

M-Monster?

Oh, don't mind me! Now, go and give your report dressed like this. Your performance record will skyrocket!

But something feels off... Do you have a mirror or anything?

There's no time for that! You won't even be able to give your report once midnight passes.

Every moment counts! It's now or never!

Oh, that's right! Okay! I'll get going right away!

Make way for Spy Rohne! I am charging straight to City Hall! Full speed ahead!

AAAAAAH! It's Santa! Santa's here!!!

Santa's here to take us away again!

If we're caught this time, it's toy factory labor for life!

Now, Diana, you're ready to have some fun, too, aren't you?

*Bleeeat*

Hehe... I've hitched you up to a sleigh, so I won't fall off this time!

Okay, let's get going then!

Onward!

*Bleeeeeeat!*

Aaaah! Requesting backup! Requesting backup!

Rudolph sighted in the south! She's crossing through Central Avenue at great speed!

It's Santa! Santa is charging toward City Hall!

Fire! You've got to open fire! Don't run awaaaaaay!

I-Is this a dream?

How could something this awful be happening?!

Santa is a monster from Earth! Why is such a thing happening in Elias?!

The Suppression Unit... Get the Suppression Unit, Amelia!

Mayor... *Sob* I'm... scared...!

Amelia? Get it together! You're my secretary! I can't have you holed up in some corner!

*Huff, huff*

Mayor...

Aaaah!

*Gasp*

Amelia! Don't pass out! I'm scared too!!

Performance... *Huff*... Raise... *Huff*... performance... *Huff, huff*

Aaaah! We already made enough toys!

We've met our performance targets for last month! We assembled 5,000 wooden dolls...

Attached 3,000 pairs of doll eyes... wrapped 12,000 gifts... Ahhh, urrrgh, ehhhh!

Not enough... *Huff*... Hehe... *Huff*... Higher performance...

Hit that self-destruct button! Blow up City Hall!

Mayor...? *Huff*... What's wrong...?

Fire everything we've got! Wahehehe!!

Wahaha! Hahahahaha!

It's a white Christmas! Merry Christmas!

A chaotic party no one will forget!

I knew I could count on one of Espi's nightmares! It works beautifully!

This is what I wanted! This is thrilling! Wahahaha!

Onward, onward! Faster!

*Bleeeat*

The night's not over yet!

Wahaha!

Merry Christmas, one and all!