"Come on, Ellen! We have to leave now or else we won't be back in time for when your parents get here. Audrey! Russell!" Clark Griswold is your typical family dad. Although right now he has bigger problems to worry about than family, which is something he would never think could happen.

two days ago, darkness broke out over a town not too far away from Chicago and is slowly making it's way towards the Griswold property. The expected date of arrival is Christmas day, and Clark has a plan to stop it before the rest of the family arrives. His plan is to save Christmas.

"Clark, are you sure about this?" Asked Ellen with doubt as she made her way down the stairs, "I mean, what if you're putting the kids in danger?"

Audrey then cut in, "yeah dad, I'm old enough to watch over Russell by myself."

Clark's arguments was, "Come one, how many people get to say that they saved Christmas? Anyways, I am prepared for every situation there can be. Come on now, get in the car. It should only be a few hours drive."

The rest of the family reluctantly followed his orders, knowing that there is no way to change his mind. Although they were never able to reach their destination, because the darkness had reached them first.

No matter how dark, Clark was set on finding out the problem. They had only been driving for an hour and a half when the car tires abruptly popped. Clark had no choice but to pull the car over, even if there wasn't another car in sight, which isn't much since they could only see ten feet in front of them.

"See, Clark, now we're stuck here with no way home." Ellen stated, clearly agitated.

"Don't worry about it honey, changing a tire is easy... wait a second," Clark took a second to check all of the tires, "they're all flat, and we only have one extra tire."

Audrey and Russell moaned as Ellen put her head down into her hands. Clark has always been stubborn about everything being perfect for his family to enjoy. He means no harm.

"I guess we are going to have walk from here, come on kids."

"Now, wait a second, you can't expect us to walk the rest of the way there. That would take forever! Why can't you call someone?" Ellen suggested. But before he could answer Audrey explained how there isn't a connection where they are.

Bang!

A garbage can flew and just missed Russell. The family came closer together and someone was holding someone else's hand. They were in big trouble.

There was a moment of silence before more objects started shooting their way, but barely missing them by an inch. Everyone was too scared to say anything and had no idea what was going on. The town has to be deserted, it was evacuated a while ago when the force first came.

"Why are you here?" said a wispy voice, just loud enough for them to hear. But the sound seemed to be coming from every direction and surrounding them.

"We're here to save Christmas!" Clark stated loud and confident. His wife pulled her hand out of his and put it on his shoulder to get his attention, only to shake her head no. He only returned a shrug.

Another Bang came out from nowhere and there was a blast of light. Light so bright that it blinded the Griswold's for a few good seconds since their eyes were used to the darkness. Although once they did settle down, They good still see the darkness but it was pushed away. They were surrounded by a giant dome of lightness.

What they were to do know, nobody knows. The only thing they knew what to do in that moment was stand still and hope that whatever it is will let them live.

"Christmas? That is no excuse! This world will be mine and there will be no such thing called 'Christmas'." Commented the wispy voice.

Clark could not believe his ears, Christmas never existing again? Christmas isn't just about giving presents and eating delicious food, it's about family and being happy and spreading joy. How could saving Christmas be a bad thing?

Ellen shot a dangerous look back at Russell and Audrey, knowing that Clark was going to be really angry for that comment.

"Where are you from, anyways? What, are you too afraid to show yourself?" Clark suddenly got a burst of bravery and anger raging through him, this is not going to end well.

"You want to know where I'm from? Fine, I'll show you." With a sudden zap, everything goes black then reappears, but it's not where they were just a second ago. In fact, the only one the entity brought back to it's homeland was Russell.

He took a look around him, shaking with fear. There was nothing, just a black ground and ash everywhere, "What happened? Where's my family?" Exclaimed Russell.

"Don't worry, kid, they are back on what you call home. But for now we are on my planet, and as you can see it's been destroyed. Earth was the closest planet containing life, very beautiful and vibrant. Just like how mine used to be, but there was a massive war. So now, I've come to make my own home, and you guys will be my servants!" The voice boomed, not at all wispy like it once was.

Then, someone appeared a few feet away from Russ, and let's just say they aren't that pretty.

"You know, I've heard Neptune's very nice. Apparently rains diamonds there." Was the only thing he could think of saying, "but I'd like to go home now, if that's OK Mr. Alien sir."

"Huh, Neptune? That's not going to do, I need you guys to feel the pain that I did when my homeland got taken away from me. All of my friends and family." Then, something popped into Russell's head.

Christmas! How could he not have seen it before? This alien obviously hasn't had that good of a life, seeing as though they were standing on the ashes of it, so Russell needs to spread some Christmas cheer.

"You know, it's like what my dad said. Christmas is more than just presents, it's about spreading happiness to everyone," the alien stood with a confused look on his face so Russell tried again, "look, I'm not that good at this kind of stuff but let's just say I'd really appreciate it if you lived on Neptune instead. It's kind of a win-win situation. Earth get's to live in peace and so do you, and you don't have to feel bad for anything."

"I should've brought your sister here instead." Remarked the alien before zapping them back to Earth, leaving Russell confused because he didn't know if that was a good or bad thing.

Once they got back, it seemed like only a millisecond passed by while they were on the other planet. Meanwhile, Russell was at a loss for words because it seems like they hadn't even noticed he had gone.

"So?" Clark yelled in bewilderment, "Are you going to show me?"

"Ask your son, he saw it all. In my world one year is equivalent to one of your days. Now, you've got five minutes to leave, or else you will be eliminated."

While Ellen had stated hurrying back towards the car with the children close behind, Clark stayed still, too stubborn to give up that easily. He shooed them on and gave Ellen a convincing look as she showed fear in her face for her husband.

"Now, why won't you just give up? I guess you will have to be eli-"

"No, I am not leaving until you do. I will not be eliminated and I will not leave this spot." Clark cut him off. A big hunk of metal flew by his side, barely missing his face. A little too close for comfort.

Knowing Clark, Christmas is too good to easily give up on. Soon the alien will be forced to leave this Earth and try to take another planet. But Clark is willing to give his life before the alien even thinks about taking Christmas away from his family. It's worth a try because in the end, if the whole world is dark then crops can't grow, the Earth won't be able to thrive and humans will go extinct.

"I applaud your bravery, but it's your bravery that will get you killed some day. I just wonder if someone was that brave on my planet, I'd still have a home. The world better thank you, Clark Griswold, because you just saved Christmas. And if you ever need me, I'll be on Neptune." Was the alien's finally words before zapping away and never having plans of returning.

The whole way back to the car, Clark Griswold was the happiest, and luckiest, man on Earth. On their way home, the darkness was retreating faster than it was spreading and soon became nothing but a dot in the sky. What the alien said will always be engraved into Clark's mind, "The world better thank you, Clark Griswold, because you just saved Christmas." +

In the end, this was one of the best Christmases the Griswold's have ever had, and they all lived happily ever after. The end.