Christmas Showdown

[anti_kringle]

When they come to the exit, they're not yet home free, because Krampus is waiting for them.

Tall, furry, horned and armed with the big, swinging chains hanging from his manacles.

The big monster smirks at them, and sticks out his long, very red tongue.

Comments

[father_chris]

There is a ringing of bells. Then, in the sky, the sleigh appears, pulled by reindeer, and lands just outside the labyrinth.

Father Christmas steps out, holding a thick, straight candy cane. He holds it in his hand and it grows into a four foot long spike.

"Oh, oh, oh." he says softly, fury in his eyes.

[anti_kringle]

Krampus stands, smirking hideously, and sticks out his tongue at the jolly fellow facing him.

A kick aimed backwards aims to keep his victims at bay.

"Mine!" he declares. "Naughty! I get to keep them!"

[father_chris]

"They ain't naughty." Chris says. "You've been duped. The elf Azarrde had no right putting them in danger, messing with them like that! There's kids in there, women, one of them is with child..." He brandishes the cane. "You let them out, you hear!"

[anti_kringle]

"Mine!" Krampus says, swinging his chains. "Children are nice. Thank you!"

[father_chris]

"Last chance!" Chris says. "You let them go, or I take you down."

[anti_kringle]

"Go eat candy!" Krampus scoffs.

[father_chris]

Father Christmas bangs the cane on the floor, twelve times. As he raises the staff once more, the sound of drums and pipes carries the beat.

Then, he charges at Krampus, jabs the staff into the ground, and launches himself over it towards the monster.

[anti_kringle]

Krampus swings his chains as Father Christmas attacks, aiming for the staff.

[father_chris]

Chris lands as his staff is pulled, slides over the snow, and spins to try and kick him in the...wherever his nuts are.

[anti_kringle]

His legs are long, and everything there is very furry, not nutty.

Krampus bends and picks up his adversary.

"Mine!" he says. "Naughty!"

[father_chris]

"Eight maids"

A milking stand shimmers into appearance, which he uses to smack at Krampus' head.

[anti_kringle]

It crashes against his horns, and Krampus roars, shaking his head.

"Ooooargh!"

[father_chris]

"Seven swans."

Chris aims a headbutt at Krampus's face.

[anti_kringle]

Krampus roars, hitting at him with his chains.

[father_chris]

The chains knock him down before he can gather his next move.

He tries to get himself up - bloomin knees.

[anti_kringle]

Krampus laughs, hisses, and snarls; his chains catch on fire at the ends, and he swings them at Chris again.

[father_chris]

"Six... shit" Chris is half way to forming six frozen goose eggs, which hiss into non-existence as the flames hit them.

He ducks the chains as they swing. He then swings his staff, smashing the end off one of the chains.

Five golden rings glow in the snow, before turning dark.

[anti_kringle]

Krampus charges, stepping between the rings.

[father_chris]

It lands him a glancing blow as he tries to dodge, causing him to yelp, and Chris tries to strike him over the shoulders as he comes past.

[anti_kringle]

Krampus falls over from the blow and lands in the muddy snow, giving a howl.

[father_chris]

Chris grabs him by the horns.

"You know I could bang on about the powers of French hens and turtle doves but the simple fact is that this, Krampus, is Christmas. And that means I win."

He pulls a giant red stamp from his pocket, and slams it down on Krampus's face, so that it reads 'NAUGHTY'.

"And you can stick that up your pear tree."

[anti_kringle]

Krampus flails on the ground and yowls.

[father_chris]

Chris gives him another kick for good measure. Then, he attempts to put a large sack over him.

Bit tricky with the horns.

[anti_kringle]

Krampus flails, and tries to aim his horns at Chris.

[father_chris]

The sack seems somewhat bigger on the inside.

As he tries to hold Krampus still, Chris holds out a hand and starts building up a cage of ice next to the labyrinth.

[anti_kringle]

Krampus struggles every step of the way, so to speak.

[father_chris]

Chris pushes him into the cage as soon as it's constructed, with the sack still over his head, and slams the door.

Then he pauses for a breather.

[anti_kringle]

Krampus sits in the cage, and sulks, sack over his head.

[father_chris]

Chris reaches through the bars to chain Krampus, then turns to the labyrinth.

"You can come out now."

[anti_kringle]

So they do.