
"ALL ABOARD!" someone cried.
"SIVVERS!" Nerissa hollered. "What the mouses is that... that... that train doin' in our basement?"
"I had nothing to do with it, Niss. I... Um... I uh..." Seville stammered.
Nerissa stomped over to the opening in the basement wall and gave the train engine a kick with a paw. "Ouch! Seville, you've been messin' with whisks again, haven't you? This here is a time vortex. A TIME VORTEX! You've gone and opened a time vortex in the basement wall! When Peep #1 finds out about this..."
"But it wasn't me! I'm telling you, Niss, I didn't do it. At least not this time, anyway."
Nerissa stared hard at his brother before pointing to a whisk lying on the floor. "Oh yeah? Then where did that whisk come from, huh? You gonna deny..."
"But that's not mine!" Seville held up two whisks, one in each paw. "See? I admit that I was tinkering with the teleportation device, trying to increase the whisk eggbeater differential accleration ratio but I only had the two whisks. That one there is a plant. Someone is tryin' to frame me. I swear!"
At that very moment, an elf hopped down from the train. "Did someone say time vortex? As in time travel? Tsk, tsk, tsk... Well that certainly explains how I made such good time getting here. But it doesn't explain why I ended up here. Here in this... basement," the elf sneered.
"Nothin' wrong with our basement," and Nerissa glared at the elf. "Exactly who are you and how did you end up in my basement?"

Nerissa snatched the map off the floor and immediately noticed sticky paw prints all over it. "From whom exactly did you purchase this map, Colton?"
"The Weasel Syndicate, of course," Colton snapped. "Everyone knows they're the go-to guys when you need something in a hurry."
"That's true, Niss," piped up Seville. "During the world-wide eggbeater shortage a while back, the only place I could get eggbeaters for our eggbeater-whisk time travelling-teleportation technology was the Weasel Syndicate. That's where I bought those refurbished egg..." Seville slapped a paw to his mouth. "I tried to return the eggbeaters when they all started falling apart but the weasels wouldn't give me a refund. Apparently, all sales are final."
Nerissa looked at his brother. "Okay, seems like you're not entirely to blame for this fiasco, Seville. Clearly this is some sort of retribution by the Weasel Syndicate." He bent down to inspect a rolled up piece of paper on the floor. Seeing that it was Santa's Naughty List, he added, "We need to do something 'bout this train, though. If we're not careful, we'll end up on this list."
"You're probably already on it," smiled Colton. "The list is magic. Names appear and disappear, automatically. Creating a situation where Santa's coal train was drawn into your basement and away from the North Pole sounds like reason for the Naughty List to add your names to its ranks."
"BUT I WAS FRAMED!" Seville cried.
"Doesn't matter," grinned Colton. "Naughty is naughty and the list always knows."
"And I..." began Nerissa.
"Naughty by association," Colton stated. Unrolling the list he pointed to the bottom. "I was right. There you are. Nerissa the Cat and Seville. Looks like you'll both be getting lumps of coal in your stockings this year."
"Awww... MOUSES!" Nerissa sat back on his haunches. "But what if we were to help you find your way back to the North Pole? Do you think that would get us off the list?"
Colton thought for a moment. "It might. Do you have an accurate map?"
"I have better than that," Nerissa grinned. "I have a radioactive reindeer dust tracking compass! Be right back."
Moments later, Nissy returned carrying his compass. "I use this to track all reindeer activity in Nova Scotian airspace each December but I think I can use it to track our path back to the North Pole." He peered into the tunnel. "Yup, just as I thought. The confined space of the tunnel is magnifying the effect of the dust's radioactivity. It's like a beacon pointing to the North Pole. When we encounter diverging tunnels, the compass will tell us which one to take."
"I'll take that," and Colton grabbed at the compass but Nissy drew back his paw.
"No way, Colton. I'm not lettin' this out of my sight. Seville and I are coming with you. I wanna make sure our names disappear from that list."

The two cats and the elf began their long journey to the North Pole. Nerissa and Seville kept themselves entertained by singing Christmas carols while Colton recited the names on the Naughty List.
Seville leaned over and whispered in Nissy's ear, "I think the elf thinks he's one of those actors who can recite the telephone directory and sound interesting."
"A phone book would be far more interestin', I should think," was Nissy's reply.
After what seemed like days but was really about forty-five minutes, the three finally arrived at the North Pole. "And I suppose you'll be wanting to meet with Santa, yourself?" Colton asked Nissy.
"Of course. Gotta make sure my brother and I are off that Naughty List and back onto the Nice one."
"Why of course you're on the Nice List, Nerissa. You came all the way here to the North Pole just to find that out? Whatever made you think you wouldn't be?" Santa asked.
"Well 'cause of... Um... Never mind, Santa. Not important, really." Nerissa pressed his lips together, hoping he hadn't given Santa any ideas.
Turning to leave, Nerissa stopped in his tracks. "Santa?" he asked.
"Yes, Nerissa?"
"Uh, I don't know how to get home. I don't think Seville and I can get back to Nova Scotia usin' the same way we got here. You have any eggbeater teleportation devices handy?"
"HO! HO!! HO!!!" Santa laughed. "We don't use eggbeater teleportation technology up here at the North Pole, little one." Smiling, he bent down to scratch behind Nissy's ear. "But I'll tell you what I can do. I can loan you and your brother a reindeer and sleigh to take you home. You'll be back with your peeps in the twitch of a whisker."
"That would be great, Santa!" and Nerissa began to purr. "We'd appreciate that a whole lot. THANK YOU!"

"Quite all right, my friend. And Nerissa..."
"Yes, Santa?" Nissy replied.
"Nerissa, you and your brother might want to brush some of that Naughty List coal dust off your fur before you return home. I can't imagine your Peep #1 will want you tracking that into the house."
"Yes Sir. Santa... Sir.... Uh... Yup, I'll get right on that." and Nissy hurried off to find the waiting reindeer and sleigh, wondering exactly how much of his recent activities Santa knew.
"MOUSES!" Nissy whispered aloud to himself. "I wonder if Santa knows 'bout my radioactive reindeer dust tracking compass. I wonder if I'm even allowed to have such a thing. Hmmm.... Best not to mention it to anyone. Bad enough that that elf already knows."
And as Nerissa and Seville's borrowed sleigh took flight, Nissy was sure he heard a joyous cry of...
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!
Merry Christmas, Nerissa!
ReplyDeleteAnd a very Merry Christmas to you, too. This is your first one, huh? MERRY CHRISTMAS! purrs
DeleteGreat story Nissy! A true Christmas classic!!! I absolutely loved it!
ReplyDeleteI'm hopin' some peeps will read it to their little ones, tonight. purrs
DeleteMeowy Christmas!
ReplyDeleteAnd Merry Christmas to you, too! purrs
DeleteTee...heh...heh...Funny !
ReplyDeleteMeowry Christmas to you & fameowly too :)
And a very Meowry Christmas to you, too. MERRY CHRISTMAS! purrs
DeleteAnother job well done, helping others! We'd say you earned yourself a permanent place on the Nice List.
ReplyDeleteA permanent spot on the Nist List? How great would THAT be. It would be wonderful. purrs
DeleteMerry Christmas to you all.
DeleteLuv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
And Merry Christmas to you, too. purrs
DeleteYup, tomorrow is the big day and tonight is the big guy in red's busiest night of the year. MERRY CHRISTMAS! purrs
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas! Just a few hours to go. purrs
DeleteNow that story is sure to be a Christmas classic. You should put all of your adventures into a book :) Merry Christmas, friends!!!
ReplyDeleteOohhh... What FUN that would be! purrs
DeleteA very Merry Christmas to you Nissy and all of your family. That was such a good Christmas story.Thanks for that. So happy Christmas eve and a very Merry Christmas tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteSame to you. May we all be surrounded by family, friends and lots & lots of love. purrs
DeleteWe sure enjoyed that one pal! Merry Christmas Eve to all of you from all of us!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Eve to you, too! And a very Merry Christmas, tomorrow. purrs
DeleteI think we're forever stuck on the naughty list, but at least we get to have more fun that way lol merry christmas
ReplyDeleteHehehehee... It does appear to be the list of fun. purrs
DeleteMerry Christmas Eve, Nissy.
ReplyDeleteI hope you and your family have a wonderful Holiday.
xxoo
Awww... Thanks so much, my friend and I hope the very same, for you. purrs
DeleteWhew*wipes paw across forehead*. You certainly missed that lump of coal trying to attach itself to you and Sivvers. Sending you my best ever holiday cheer. Paw hugs, Savvy
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Savvy! And Merry Christmas to Sage and your peeps, too. How's your mum feelin'? Hope she's feelin' well enough to enjoy the day tomorrow and spend lots of time with you. purrs
DeleteMerry Catmus Eve
ReplyDeleteAnnabelle * Boo * Ping * Jinx
And a very Merry Christmas to you, too. purrs
DeleteWooo Hoo Nissy a great adventure,Merry Christmas My friend,xx Speedy
ReplyDeleteSeems sometimes like adventure is my middle name. MOUSES! purrs
DeleteHehehe mine to i think,xx SPeedy
DeleteYup, I have to agree with that, for sure. purrs
DeleteBest Xmas tale!. This could be a children's book. Merry, meowy, snowy white Christmas to the whole gang.
ReplyDeleteAnd a very Merry Christmas to you and yours! Remember, teleportin' is not for kiddies. Especially when there are weasels involved. MOUSES! purrs
DeleteWe loved reading your adventures ! Meowy Chrissymouse and Happy Holidays ! Purrs
ReplyDeleteAnd a very Merry Christmas to you, too! May you be surrounded by friends & family and lots & lots of love. purrs
DeleteThat is a great story, Nissy. Merry Christmas eve to you!
ReplyDeleteAwww... Merry Christmas Simba. I'm pretty sure there might be some toys and stuff waitin' for you tomorrow mornin'. I saw the list! purrs
DeleteMerry Christmas to you on this blessed Christmas Eve. Your stories are fabulous.
ReplyDeletePurrs, Angie
Awww... Thanks so much for writin' that. purrs
DeleteMerry Christmas to you all Nissy. Fank you fur bein' ow furiends. Weez hope all yous dweams come twu.
ReplyDeleteLuv ya'
Dezi and Lexi
And yours, too. Merry Christmas my friends. Merry Christmas to all three of you. purrs
DeleteMerry Christmas to you. That was a great story.
ReplyDeleteAwww.. Thanks! Merry Christmas Flynn. May tomorrow be very special for you. purrs
DeleteMomFOD's t shirt says "i've been naughty, so what." I think that's my life motto. Merry Christmas!!! - Crepes.
ReplyDeleteHmmm... Maybe I need a shirt! Why didn't I think of that? purrs
DeleteWhat a great Christmas story. We love the idea of a time vortex... but we don't want to visit one ourselves. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI'm kinda used to 'em. Livin' with Seville, one never knows when a time vortex might suddenly pop up. purrs
DeleteThat was a great story! Boy Nissy, you sure had to go on a big adventure to get off that naughty list! Maybe next year you will be a little bit nicer! ;p
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to all of you sweetie and to your pawrents too :)
the critters in the cottage xo
It sure was a close call. I'm super relieved I was able to get myself off the list. The naughty list is NOT the list a nip-lovin' kitty wants to be on. purrs
DeleteMerry Chrustmas dearest Nissy, fursibs and mommy and daddy. xox
ReplyDeleteAnd a very Merry Christmas to you and yours, Katie. A very Merry Christmas, indeed. purrs
DeleteCHRISTMAS. Heeeee. xxooxx
ReplyDeleteHehehehee... You been into the nip? I know I have! purrs
DeletePawsome!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
The Florida Furkids
MERRY CHRISTMAS! We're havin' a green one, this year, but it's okay 'cause... THERE'S NIP! purrs
DeleteHope you all have a Joyous and Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteAnd you, too, my friend. Merry Christmas Cleopawtra! A very Merry Christmas to you and yours. purrs
DeleteAwesome story! Clooney Claus rewards the "naughty"! I'z here with your nip mice...Merry Catmas Nissy, Seville, Anderson, Rushton, Auntie Primrose & Mason...did I leave anykitty out? Happy Holidays to your Peeps!
ReplyDeleteNip mice? NIP mice? The VERY best kind. purrs
DeleteMerry Christmas to you all! Have a wonderful time! :) xx Roxy & Tigerlino <3
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas my friends! I'm purrin' that Santa was good to you and that you got some nip. purrs
DeleteMeowy Catmas to you and yours! Purrs from Deb and the Zee and Zoey Gang!
ReplyDeleteAnd a very Merry Christmas to you, too. To each and every one of you! purrs
DeleteMerry Christmas Nissy and family from all of us here at TEAM TNR and The ARC
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Sue! Merry Christmas to you and all the kitties. Each and every one of 'em. purrs
DeleteOh Nissy what a fabulous story - as always......you always make me and Mom smile when we read them. I hope Santa Paws brought all of you just what you wanted!
ReplyDeleteMEOWY CHRISTMAS
Love, Sammy and Mom Pam
He brought me nip! HE BROUGHT ME NIP! And now I am... well... nipped. Oh how I love Christmas. purrs
DeleteWishing you a wondrous and peaceful holiday!
ReplyDeleteAwww... Thanks so much. And I wish the very same, for you. Merry Christmas! purrs
Delete• ★ Merry ★*♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♪♫•¸¸.•*
ReplyDelete♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♪♫•¸¸.•*★ Christmas¸¸.•*¨*•
♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸.•★Kisses ★¨*•.¸¸¸.•★
•*¨*•.¸¸♪♫•¸¸.•Nellie★•*¨*•
Merry Christmas Nellie! Santa bring you some nip? purrs
DeleteWish you and your family a Merry Merry CATmas !
ReplyDeleteXOXO
And a very Merry Christmas to you, too, my friend. purrs
DeleteAnother classic tale for the holidays, Nissy! Merry Christmas to you and your peeps! We love and appreciate you!
ReplyDeleteAwww... Thanks so much. I really LOVE that word, "classic." purrs
DeleteMerry Christmas Nerissa!! And have a wonderful New Year, Too!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Samantha & Mom
And a very Merry Christmas and happy New Year to you, too! purrs
DeleteAnother great story. Whew, I sure am happy you got off the naughty list and got back on the good list. I'd hate to see Santa give you a lump of coal!
DeleteHope you and your humans had a wonderful Christmas. By the way, Ann at Zoolatry did our pictures for Christmas. We aren't capable of doing anything half that nice., Love yours too.
Oh yeah... Can you imagine? Coal in my stockin'? MY stockin'? That would be a MOUSES! moment, for sure. purrs
DeleteHappy Holidays my kitty pal!
ReplyDeleteღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
And Happy Holidays to you, too! Hope your Christmas Day was wonderful. purrs
DeleteGreat post :) Hope you had a great holiday!
ReplyDeleteI did! Christmas was absolutely wonderful. purrs
DeleteWhat a wonderful Christmas tale Nerissa! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!
ReplyDeleteLuvs
Marty, Mom and the Gang
Awww... Thanks so much. I'm super glad that you enjoyed my adventure. Hope everhone did. purrs
DeleteHoley Moleys! You guys sure do have some wild adventures over there! Didja get all the coal dust out?
ReplyDeleteYup. Light brushin' followed by spit and polish did the trick. purrs
Delete