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“Merry Winter’s Eve, Chancellor.” Bail greets Palpatine at the annual Winter’s Eve gathering.
“You as well, Senator Organa.” Palpatine smiles. Kids run by, playing with their new toys. Palpatine grumbles at the sight.
“Isn’t this just your favorite time of year?” The Senator smiles, and Palpatine wants to scowl, but instead, he kindly smiles.
“It is. It’s such a wonderful holiday,” Palpatine responds. Two kids walk by, talking about planning on waiting up for the man in the red suit.
“Children and their imaginations these days.” Palpatine laughs, and Bail looks at him.
“You don’t believe in Santa Clause?” Bail asks, and Palpatine stares at him dumbfounded.
“No, I don’t. It’s a child’s tale.” Palpatine declares, Bail narrows his eyes at him. “You mean to tell me you actually believe in Santa Clause? The fat man in the red suit with flying reindeer?”
Bail shrugs and takes a sip of his Apple Cider. “Yes, I do. I know for a fact that he is real.”
“Well, I can’t stop you from believing what is actually real, but I know that Santa Clause is fake.” Palpatine states, and a kid gasp at his side.
“Mommy!” The kid screams and runs off.
“You should be careful what you say in a room full of Senator’s kids.” Bail smirks, and Palpatine growls inside.
“This was an interesting conversation, Senator, but I think it’s time I leave for the night.”
“Goodnight then, Chancellor.” Palpatine turns around and walks away, but then Bail says one more thing. “Be nice tonight, Chancellor, because if you’re not, something naughty might happen.” Palpatine scoffs and walks away.
“Ridiculous, and I thought Senators were supposed to be the intelligent ones,” Palpatine grumbles as he readies his vast King size bed. He puts on his nightcap and settles into bed. Just as soon as sleep was about to envelop him, he is awoken by bells and thuds above him.
He jerks up from his laying position and looks around carefully. Loud boots stomping on his roof are heard above him, and Palpatine nervously laughs. He gets off his bed and walks out to his balcony. He sees a sleigh and reindeer on his roof.
“This is going too far, Senator Organa. Whatever this thing is, it won’t make me believe in Santa Claus.” The reindeer stomp their feet, and the Force senses someone behind him. “I don’t believe in Santa Claus!” Palpatine shouts.
“You want to bet your bottom credit on that?” Palpatine quickly turns around and sees a man floating up from under his balcony. He has a gray-trimmed beard with shoulder-length, equally gray hair. He’s wearing a red leather trench coat with fur trimming, red leather pants, with nice looking leather black boots.
“Who are you, and what are you doing here?!” Palpatine demands, completely overlooking the fact that he is floating outside his balcony.
“I think you already know who I am, Sheev, and why I’m here.” The man replies, and Palpatine scoffs.
“Are the Jedi levitating you right now? You don’t even look like Santa? Where is all the fat and the “jolly” red cheeks?”
“I’m using my own magic, Sheev. And how would you know what Santa looks like if you’ve never met him? As for the fat and red cheeks, that’s just what those people advertise. Apparently, a jolly fat man is better than a man who eats so many cookies in one night and still is miraculously fit isn’t good enough.” The man scoffs. “And I prefer Nick.”
“This is ridiculous! Why are you even here? If you were Santa, why would you come here? I doubt I’m on the “nice list.”
“You got that right. You’re on the naughty list.” Nick confirms, and Palpatine rolls his eyes.
“I’m so scared. I’m going to get coal for life now.” Palpatine mocks, and Nick smirks.
“Normally, that’s what would happen. But due to your recent activities and future plans, I’m going to have to take some precautions for everyone’s safety. I wouldn’t want my True Believers to be killed by the people they trust and love.” Nick declares, and Palpatine’s eyes widen as Nick references Order 66.
“How did you know that?” Palpatine demands, and Nick mischievously smirks.
“Because I know if you’ve been bad or good, you should have been good, for goodness sake. It’s too late for that now, Sidious.” Nick smiles, and Palpatine gasps. Palpatine summons his saber, and he almost grabs it when suddenly Nick swipes his nose, and the saber turns to golden dust.
“How?” Palpatine manages to say, and Nick smiles.
“I told you, magic,” Nick responds. “Sheev Palpatine, Darth Sidious, I, Santa Claus, Saint Nick, cast you into the eternal North Pole prison where you will spend the rest of your days.”
“Wait! NO!” Palpatine shouts, but his demands are ignored as his body is enveloped by golden dust.
“Say hello to Jack Frost for me, will you?” Nick chuckles. “He’s only there for detention, but I’m sure you will enjoy his company while he is there.” Nick states, and Palpatine disappears.
“Oh, I love my job,” Nick states and gets back on the roof. He settles in his sleigh and gets ready to take off. “Who’s next, Dasher?”
Dasher huffs, and Nick nods. “Obi-Wan is next. One of my favorite True Believers.” Nick smiles. “Let’s go then. Now! Dasher, now! Dancer, now! Prancer, and Vixen, on! Comet, on! Cupid, on! Donner and Blitzen. And a Merry Christmas to all and to all a Goodnight!” Nick yells as his sleigh flies over the main center of Coruscant.
“Breaking news, Chancellor Sheev Palpatine was reported missing this morning. Live updates coming up next.” The Togrutan reporter, Molly, states.
“That’s so unfortunate, especially on Winter’s Day too.” Breha states, and Bail shrugs.
“He wasn’t a True Believer.”