Chapter 602: Dr. Zlo's Christmas Caper! - 4

Dr. Zlo's Christmas Caper! - 4

"Right, which of these buildings looks the most official," Dr. Zlo said after glancing at the elves.

Mabel pointed to a sleek, black building slightly taller than the rest. "Probably that one, hon."

"Excellent," Dr. Zlo said. "Cass, pull us forward."

"You, got it, boss," Cass answered.

The Zlomobile drove until it reached a manned gate.

"Uh, now what dude?" Riptide asked.

"Why, we ask nicely," Dr. Zlo said.

Cass rolled the window down as they approached.

"Name," the guard said.

"The illustrious Dr. Zlo," the villain answered. "We're here to see the man who brings joy and cheer."

The guard scrolled down a list of names on the computer. "Alright, you're cleared. Park in lot thirty-two and an assistant will be with you shortly."

Dr. Zlo raised an eyebrow as the guardsman pressed a button on the console, raising the gate. "I expected a tad more resistance," he said after the drove past.

"Your reputation must precede you, boss!" Cass said gleefully.

Mabel and Riptide shared a glance that Dr. Zlo missed.

"Yes, you must be right, Cass," the villain answered.

The Zlomobile drove down the street, passing multiple parking lots until Cass found the one the guard had stated. Once he parked, a woman in a crisp black suit walked up to them.

"Good afternoon," she said. "Please follow me."

Dr. Zlo smiled. "Finally, some respect from a rival. Good to know Santa Claus recognizes greatness."

The woman didn't answer, leading the group inside the large building. Generic work posters greeted them, insincere phrases like 'work smart not hard' and 'your boss wants you to be the best you can be' sat plastered on the walls. Dr. Zlo got a chuckle from them.

Eventually, the woman ushered them into a black elevator, pressing the top button and bowing as the doors closed. They opened into a wide office filled with black, avant-garde sculptures. The sculptures made a small hallway that led to a wide, black wood desk and a high-backed chair.

"You know," Dr. Zlo said as he walked forward. "Good of you to drop the red and green motif. The colors clash horribly."

The chair spun around. "Come now, Dr. Zlo. We both know I had nothing of the sort."

The villain recoiled. "Dextra Black! What are you doing here!"

Dextra smirked, crossing their fingers and leaning onto the desk. "The same thing as you, I'd suspect."

Dr. Zlo narrowed his eyes. "You plan to replace Christmas with a holiday in your own image?"

Dextra tittered. "What? Oh, no no no. Why would I want to replace Christmas? No, the structure is already in place. Much easier to co-opt it for my gain."

"Good," Dr. Zlo said. "I was afraid we might have a problem." He looked around, spotting a wide couch behind the statues. A small direction from Cass had the butler bringing it over.

"To business, then," Dr. Zlo said, reclining. "I'm assuming those are your elves outside?"

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"Come to gloat against me once more?" Santa Claus asked.

"It does bring me a certain cheer," Dextra answered.

Dr. Zlo laughed. "Oh, how the mighty have fallen. To think I was going to wage war on Christmas when a simple business transaction put him in his place!"

"Not just any business transaction," Dextra said, a bit defensively.

Dr. Zlo only continued to laugh. "Ah, a man of such cheer and goodwill reduced to this! It brings joy to my vile heart."

Cass tugged at Dr. Zlo's sleeve. Dr. Zlo brushed it off.

"You know, when I was young I got nothing but coal," Dr. Zlo continued. "I wasn't even a bad man, then. No, I was only a misunderstood genius, forced to sideline myself for others."

Cass tugged on Dr. Zlo's sleeve, harder this time.

Dr. Zlo turned. "What, Cass?"

"I don't think that's Santa," the butler said.

Dextra and Dr. Zlo looked at the minion.

Cass held up the Santa Finder 9000. "Look, it's not blinking."

"Give me that!" Dr. Zlo snapped. "I don't remember giving it to you."

The villain pointed the device at Santa. Sure enough, it didn't so much as wink. Frustrated, Dr. Zlo slapped the device. He turned it back to the man in the room, frowning again when it didn't work.

"You said you captured Santa!" Dr. Zlo shouted at Dextra.

"I have," Dextra answered. "Your machine must be broken."

Dr. Zlo narrowed his eyes. "Dextra, I know we might have something of an alliance, and that I am more lenient with you than others, but no one insinuates that I make broken equipment."

"And I take offense that you would insult my intelligence," Dextra sniffed. "That man right there is Santa Claus."

"Then why doesn't my Santa Finder 9000 work on him!" Dr. Zlo said, waving it around.

The device blinked green and red, the opposite direction of Santa Claus.

Dextra frowned, looking over at the large man in the room. "Everything about him tells me he's Santa. His posture, his voice, everything."

"Maybe he's a clone, dude," Riptide mentioned.

Dextra shook their head. "There are always slight imperfections in clones. You can't make a perfect copy."

Dr. Zlo rolled his eyes. "Mabel, see if your power works on the good Kristopher Kringle."

"I ain't the biggest fan of someone older," Mabel said stepping forward. "But this man sure aged well."

"Ogle him later," Dr. Zlo snapped. "Questions first."

"No need to get your knickers in a twist, hon," Mabel sniffed. She turned to the Santa Claus. "Now, dear. Tell momma if youre the real Santa Claus."

Mabel's power echoed through the chamber, and while the Santa Claus fought against it, he eventually answered. "No."

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