'Twas the night of the solstice, and snowfall was heavy
As it covered the skyways of Metamor City.
Though this town never slumbers, or turns out the lights,
It still paused to reflect, this most magic of nights.
For tonight all the veils between worlds grow thin —
And where wizards reach out, things can also get in.
Our rifles were loaded and oiled with care
As they waited for targets that soon would be there;
And I in my armor, with sword polished bright,
Had gone out with my troops for the long winter's night
When from inside my earpiece there came such a clatter
That I signaled to Candace and asked, “What's the matter?”
“It's him again, boss,” my comm officer said.
“I don't understand this! I thought he was dead!”
“His kind,” I cautioned her, “never can die,
So long as some child believes in the lie.
Their faith gives him power, their thoughts give him form,
And I'd place any wager he gave us this storm.
Call up the Air Force to send out the CAP.
Then find me some children. We'll lay him a trap.”
Our bait was an orphanage, three levels down,
Just a few blocks away from the middle of town.
My team set a guard and I ventured within,
Feeling pleased at the thought that I'd face him again.
In our duel last year I had put him on ice;
It was true, he'd re-formed, but I could just do it twice.
The cookies and milk were laid out in the hall
With stockings the orphans had hung on the wall.
Such a lure this Sidhe Lord could never resist,
As he followed the call of his Naughty/Nice List.
I drew out my longsword and hefted its weight,
Then settled back deep in the shadows to wait.
Two hours dragged by; I knew something was wrong.
With one night to work, he could not delay long.
Then Candace called back with a voice full of fear:
“He found our headquarters! The Sidhe Lord is here!”
With a heart full of outrage, I rejoined my squad
And we rushed back to base with our thoughts set on blood.
The defenses were shattered, our soldiers laid low,
All trampled by reindeer and left in the snow.
They hadn't been slain, but he'd trussed them up tight
with fey-crafted ribbons of glowing moonlight.
“Dispel those!” I ordered, then strode through the door
Where my nemesis waited to face me once more.
His obese appearance was shocking to see,
For he moved with the grace of a fish in the sea.
His eyes glowed like embers, then burst into flame
As he turned 'round and saw me, and called me by name:
“Hello again, Janus. I'm so glad you've come.
I'm afraid you're too late, though; my work here is done!”
I looked 'round at my staff: all were most tightly bound.
With bows 'round their mouths, they could make not a sound.
My gaze fell on Candace; her eyes had grown wide.
With scarcely a thought I drew close to her side.
His trap became clear in the instant I checked:
At his word, the fey ribbons could wring the girl's neck.
“I have meant thee no harm,” the Sidhe said with a sneer.
“But the long night comes only this one day each year.
My work must be done with the children in bed,
Which is quite hard to do when you leave me for dead!
Their bonds will dissolve with the morning's first light.
But now my work beckons! To all a good night!”
He gave us a wink, and then swiftly he went,
Pursuing his mission with purposed intent.
My men couldn't stop him, and I didn't try,
For fear if I did that poor Candace would die.
I drew out my sword and with care cut her free,
And she sobbed as she wrapped her arms tight around me.
“We're none of us hurt,” she said, though her voice shook.
“But he left you a message.” Where she pointed, I looked.
A sooty black lump sat by my office door;
Its note said: “To Janus – I wish I'd brought more!”
Then I bellowed aloud for the city to hear:
“You've won this round, Santa, but I'll get you next year!”
