Santa's Claws (English version) -episode.3-Children's hero-

-episode.3-

   15km northwest from Musta Pukin village, there was a snowstorm. In low visibility, a girl wearing a coat was walking through the freezing wind.

Her name is San Tiana Rose. 18 years old.

While she was walking, she found a reindeer unable to move on top of a rock. Where it stand was narrow, and the reindeer was about to fall any time.

"I'm coming now so don't move."

Tiana talked softly trying not to scare the reindeer, and she started to climb the rock. But the reindeer lost its balance, and slipped down. Tiana caught the reindeer in the air immediately, then they fell to the ground. Tiana fell from the back and became a shock absorber, which saved the reindeer that was on Tiana.

"Ouch..."

Reindeer got surprised and ran off, then it met with another reindeer. It may be its family, Tiana smiled while lying on the ground as she saw the two reindeer.

"That's good. You look fine."

As Tiana stood up slowly, she asks the reindeers.

"Hey, you two. Do you know where we are?"

-episode.3-Children's hero-

   After few days from the attack of bat type Outerless, Outerless increased more around the village. As Christmas was getting near, people's anxiety was pointed to the Geka plant. This is because most of the people believed that the plant's Geka fuel was attracting the Geka Outerless. Soon the oppositions towards the Geka plant increased, and there was a conference at village office. Outside of the office, there were Taz and Tana waiting for the conference to end. Taz, who was a little tired, speaks.

"How's it going?"

"I'm assigning jobs to people who are capable, but we don't have enough professionals... I think I should go to the frontlines too."

Tana seems to be tired.

"Your job is to give us orders."

"You get worried too much... What shall we do. Geka Outerlesses are increasing more and more."

"People's frustration too. During this busy Christmas season is making things complicated."

Tana lights a cigarette.

"Like everyone's thinking, is the Geka used in the Geka plant causing these problems..."

Taz receives a cigarette from Tana.

"Thanks. But if this goes on, shutting down the plant won't be enough... Seems like it's over."

A lot of people came out of the village office. There was Suffel and Huoli, who was riding his powered armor. Both noticed Taz and Tana, Suffel and Huoli went close to them. Taz opens his mouth.

"How was it?"

Huoli shows his face from the hatch.

"I don't know what to say. About Christmas, safety of the village, removal of the Geka plant, everyone's saying whatever they want. The board members are requesting for the shutdown of the Geka plant. But the village headman postponed the decision. Seems like Geka fuel has only a bad impression for the residents."

Suffel who was about to cry explains desperately.

"But the Geka used in the fuel is less than one percent. Most of the fuel is made of conductor mixed complex. There's no danger if it's managed correctly. It's a waste to stop this excellent technology!"

Huoli made a bitter smile and taps Suffel's shoulder.

"Alright, alright. Everyone knows that. People are just becoming anxious because we all don't know the cause... Taz, how about you?"

"I killed two yesterday. Its fine for now but in this pace, probably I'll need help."

After Taz, Tana also reports her recent situation.

"I'm requesting to the bounty hunters and mercenaries, but it's not easy."

By the all the bad news, Huoli gives a sigh.

"Board members are discussing about calling the military. Also I've heard that a Hika Outerless attacked a Geka mine nearby. But seems like another Hika Outerless and the military beat it off."

"Oh, I've heard that story too."

As Taz said, Huoli gives him a warning.

"They were talking about you too."

"About me?"

Taz looked surprised.

"Yeah. Since you're a Geka Outerless too... Anyways everyone is frustrated by this problem... I have another meeting at the police station. If you get something, give me a call."

Taz and Tana nodded, and Huoli left. As Suffel was leaving, he opens his mouth while he was crying.

"Please solve this problem fast..."

Taz and Tana became just the two of them.

"Call me when something happens."

Taz tried to leave, but Tana started to talk.

"I had a call from Tiana last time."

"Really. I remember it was time for her to come back. Where is she?"

Taz stopped and turned back to Tana.

The last call from her was from the airport.

"Airport? Wasn't she coming from the east? Why is she there at the west."

"..."

Tana turned and stop talking.

"You gotta be kidding... She's lost again..."

"... And one more thing."

"What?"

"She said start thinking about marriage."

"Really."

"So I want you to start thinking too."

"...Okay."

Taz left, as he started to act clumsy.

   There is a tourist facility around the center of Musta Pukin village. From the facility, there is a prototype Geka plant in the east, a lake and the woods up north. In that woods, two kids snuck in. Entrance of the woods was restricted for safety, but the two kids went around it. One of them was Peri Hope. Another one was Peri's classmate, Rokkeus Lapsi. A five years old boy.

"Peri. Let's go home."

Scared Rokkeus tries to persuade Peri, but Peri goes further inside the woods.

"There must be a Geka buried around here! That's calling the monsters here!"

To be an Outer material researcher, Peri read books to study. As a result she thought the increase of Outerless was by the Geka under the ground without any sources, so she came here to find it.

"It's dangerous so let's quit."

"If we find the Geka under the ground, the village will be saved. Dad will be relieved too."

Ignoring Rokkeus's advice, Peri was making an effort for the village and her father. Two kids walked the woods, but they didn't notice that something was crawling underneath.

   Meanwhile, the police, armed Santas and bounty hunters were spending time dealing with the increasing Outerless outside the village. By their efforts, residents were safe but the situation was still unpredictable. While Huoli was on an anti-Outerless mission, he opened a communication and contacts Taz.

"32 Outerlesses are reported just by today. Is it still coming?"

"I don't know. We're still fighting the spider type."

Taz shot a grenade launcher and blew the ground where the spider type Geka Outerless was standing, then the Outerless lost its balance. A policeman saw the chance and sniped the Outerless, which made a critical hit. By the teamwork of the police, Outerless weren't able to move. Taz saw the situation and reports to Huoli.

"We're almost finished."

"Alright... Hey, I just got an information. Seems like two kids are missing."

By the sudden news, Huoli couldn't hide his impatience.

"What? You got any details?"

"First one is Peri Hope, girl, five years old. Another one is Rokkeus Lapsi, boy, five years old. They probably went inside the woods beside the lake."

"That's Rakenna's daughter! Why in such a time..."

"Oh, that girl... I'm going with my men. Are you able to go?"

When Taz looked back, he saw the Outerless that was beaten by the police flipped upside down.

"... Yeah. Seems like the spider type is finished. After I'm done dealing with this I'll... Oh..."

"What is it?"

Taz remember something, and he says to Huoli.

"There's no need to go."

"What?"

To sudden words, Huoli felt puzzled.

"I'm saying you don't have to go search the children. Don't worry. They're fine... We still got lots of Outerless to deal with, right? Let's go finish..."

"Don't fool me!"

Huoli shouted by anger.

"There's a 10m snake type around there. Even a victim is reported... Are you out of your mind!"

"... Well, you will know. Anyways the children are fine. I'm heading the other site."

Taz cut off the communication right away. Huoli was upset to Taz as he was getting excited. He trusted Taz, but Huoli felt suspicious for this time.

"What does this mean..."

Huoli changed his mind and went to search for the children with his men.

   Not knowing that they're in a dangerous situation, Peri and Rokkeus were lost in the woods.

"What are we going to do. Now we're lost..."

By walking around the same place, Rokkeus was full with anxiety. In the other hand, Peri was pretty calm.

"It's fine. I'll find it now."

As Peri said, she took out a compass and a map, then she starts to look up where they are. Since she liked to study, Peri knew how to read the map. While Rokkeus was waiting for Peri, he felt something was watching them, so he started to look around.

"What is it?"

Peri spoke to Rokkeus, who was moving around.

"Nothing, I felt someone was looking at us."

Rokkeus felt more anxious, but Peri looked back to her map. Rokkeus couldn't find out what was making him feel weird. The snow on the ground was shaking a little, but the two didn't notice. Rokkeus looked to his side, then he saw a face of a big monster coming out of the ground. It was the snake type Outerless. When the eyes of the Outerless were about to meet, Rokkeus pulled Peri's hand and starts to run.

"Run!"

"W, what!?"

Peri got surprised and when she looked back, she understands the situation.

"Aaaaaah!!"

As the Outerless crawls, it started to chase the two.

"I knew there is a Geka around here!"

Even in this situation, Peri still believed her theory. Rokkeus grabbed Peri's hand, and ran zigzag between the trees. Because of that the two were able to dodge Outerless's attack. But the Outerless stop dodging the trees, and it chased Peri and Rokkeus while smashing the trees. Peri and Rokkeus got frighten as they saw the back, and they kept running. Even when Peri stumbled, Rokkeus pulled her up, and kept running. Soon they noticed the silence, and they stopped their foot. When they turned back, Outerless was gone. As Peri and Rokkeus saw nothing was around them, they sat on the ground and took a rest. Rokkeus stares Peri.

"I'll protect you Peri. From now on. I promise."

To those small but encouraging words, Peri gave a gentle smile.

"Thanks."

Soon Rokkeus and Peri became calm, and they laughed at each other. Then Rokkeus noticed the ground was shaking, and he ran into Peri. In the next moment the ground split, and the Outerless's face came out. As Peri and Rokkeus escaped the sudden attack, they rolled down the hill. As they were rolling on the snow, Rokkeus grabbed Peri tight. They've stopped at the flat ground with some scratches, but they were safe.

"Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine."

"That's great."

Rokkeus stood up and as he noticed Peri was not harmed, then he felt relieved. Suddenly the ground shook, and it cracked where the two were standing. Rokkeus pushed Peri by reflex. As Peri was falling back slowly she saw Rokkeus was about to fall, so she stretched her hand to him. When Peri's hand was about to touch Rokkeus's hand, a big jaw came out from the ground. Before Rokkeus could understand what was happening, the huge jaw closed. Rokkeus was swallowed by the Outerless. Peri fell to the ground and her eyes met with the Outerless, then she noticed the situation and her face was filled with fear.

"Aaaaaah!"

Peri's scream was erased by another one's voice.

"Yaaaaaaaaaah!!!"

It was a girl's voice. In the next moment, the area was filled with pillar of light. Peri closed her eyes since the light was too bright. When she opened her eyes, the Outerless was turned to particles of light. In the center of the light, there was a girl raising her right arm to the sky, and holding Rokkeus with her left arm.

Her coat was torn into pieces and turned to particles of light. She wore a Santa like jacket and pants, and had four pony tails. She faces Rokkeus.

"You've protected her until the last moment. You're great."

To this strange sight, Rokkeus and Peri were just silent. The pillar of light that shined from the girl penetrated the clouds, and shined everyone who saw it.

"Whoever makes children cry, my fist won't be quiet!"

"San Tiana Rose! Is now! Here!!"

-episode.3-Children's hero- -fin-

strongest idiot
Hika Outerless
true enemy

next-episode.4-Burning Christmas-