Zach's Quest: A Tale for Christmas by Headline Books / Zoom Into Books

“Matt’s book channels the heart and warmth seen in the Rankin/Bass Productions’ Christmas specials and films. In our ever-changing world, Christmas stories like these are welcomed by parents and children everywhere!” —Rick Goldschmidt, Official Rankin/Bass Productions Historian/Biographer (www.miserbros.com) “This imaginative novel will appeal to young readers, ages 6-10, that enjoy adventure, fantastic surroundings, and mysterious beings, with a joyous Christmas message to boot!” —The Children’s Book Review “This is a timeless tale of the beauty that is the spirit of Christmas. It is not only captivating for children, but adults as well.” —Terry Delaney, Pastor/Book Critic

“I enjoyed reading your book, Zach’s Quest—A Tale for Christmas! Great adventure with a solid Christian message!” —Santa Claus, www.SantaClausNorthPoleAlaska.com

MATT & MELANIE DRAGOVITS

“This book is a perfect gift for any child, and any family who loves Christmas. I really hope that it one day becomes an animated Christmas Special – as I can imagine it becoming an annual TV tradition.” —All Things Christmas (www.allthingschristmas.com)

Matt and Melanie Dragovits are kids-at-heart who live in the Chicagoland area with their three amazing children. Matt is a nationally recognized video producer and author and Melanie is a certified teacher. When they are not busy running their video production company, they are writing, drawing, modeling in 3D, and finding other fun ways to breathe life into their characters. You can learn more about their creative projects by visiting www.ethos-studios.com.

ZACH’S QUEST—A TALE FOR CHRISTMAS

At the North Pole, the Star of Bethlehem provides energy to power Santa’s Winter Workshop. But when a young elf named Zach accidentally breaks the Divine Reactor, he must go on a quest to Mount Frostbite to retrieve a new magic gemstone. In a race against time, he must overcome his fears, battle evil goblins, and make the ultimate sacrifice to save the Christmas holiday. This beautifully illustrated children’s fantasy book reinforces important family values while using heartwarming Christmas characters to remind children of the real “Reason for the Season.” We hope you enjoy the book this year and for many years to come!

Zachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Quest A TALE FOR CHRISTMAS

Matt & Melanie Dragovits ILLUSTRATED BY

J.J. Varabkanich & Irma Torre

Zach’s Quest: A Tale for Christmas by Matt & Melanie Dragovits illustrated by J.J. Varabkanich & Irma Torre copyright ©2021 Matt & Melanie Dragovits All rights reserved. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents, except where noted otherwise, are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any other resemblance to actual people, places or events is entirely coincidental. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any other form or for any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage system, without written permission from Headline Books. To order additional copies of this book, or for book publishing information, or to contact the author: Headline Kids P. O. Box 52 Terra Alta, WV 26764 Email: mybook@headlinebooks.com www.headlinebooks.com Lucas Kelly—Design/Layout Published by Headline Books Headline Kids is an imprint of Headline Books ISBN-13: 9781951556280

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020942804

PR I N T E D I N T H E U N I T E D STAT E S OF A M E R IC A

This book is dedicated to our three amazing children... Angelina, Elizabeth, and Luke. May the spirit of Christmas live in your heart always.

It was two days until Christmas...

...and not all was well at the North Pole. “Zach!” Santa exclaims. “You’re a very clever elf, but you can’t do everything. How about we try to find just one job for you to focus on, so you can get really good at it?”

“I know what I can do!” Zach replies eagerly. “I’ll help run the Divine Reactor. That way I can help channel energy from the Star of Bethlehem to power our workshop!” But when Zach tells Brent he wants to help, the number one elf says, “Not a chance, runt. That’s my job.” “I’ll show him,” Zach mutters as he sneaks past Brent. “I’m sure I can figure this out.” Zach studies the device and then starts pressing buttons, twisting dials, and turning nobs. All seems well at first, but then… BOOM! CRACK! HISSSSS! The gemstone heart of the machine shatters.

“Oh no!” shout the elves. “Without power, we can’t finish building our toys! We won’t be able to load Santa’s sleigh! Christmas will have to be cancelled!”

“We’ll need a new gem to fix the Divine Reactor,” Santa tells Zach. “And the only place to find one is at the peak of Mount Frostbite.” “I’ll...I’ll go,” Zach replies. “I should try and make up for all the trouble I’ve caused.”

Santa nods in agreement. “Here is a map to help you on your quest! Now go see Edmund. He has a surprise for you.”

“This is a special hammer I’ve made,” the inventor elf says proudly. “It has a zipline built into the handle to help you scale Mount Frostbite!”

As Zach heads out into the snow, his best friend, Angie, calls out, “Zach, please don’t go. It’s too dangerous.” “No,” Zach replies. “This was my mistake and it’s my responsibility to make this right. I need to do this.” “Then take this for good luck,” Angie says as she fastens a poinsettia pin to his coat and then gives him a hug goodbye.

Meanwhile, in the heart of Mount Frostbite, an ancient race of goblins that spy on Santa have other plans in mind. “We’ve got to stop that elf! ” Grife roars to his goblin pack. “If children don’t get toys for Christmas, they won’t want to celebrate the birth of Christ. Go! Now!”

And the goblins aren’t the only danger. “SNARL! RAHR! SNAP!” growls a pack of hungry wolves as they race after Zach. Zach weaves in and out of trees and hurdles boulders, just barely escaping the hungry beasts. “Aaaahhhhh! Oooooh!” the frustrated wolves howl in anger.

Zach checks his map and follows it North to the mighty Glacius River. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Zach grumbles in frustration. “This bridge is the only way across. My quest can’t end like this.”

Back at Santa’s workshop, another elf has plans of his own. “Embarrass me, will he?” Brent sneers as he steals one of Santa’s sleds. “I’ll show them all. I’ll get to Mount Frostbite first, save the holiday, and then I’ll be the most respected elf in all the North Pole again!” 13

“This is hopeless,” Zach moans as he stares at the Glacius River’s strong current. “How am I supposed to... WAIT! MY HAMMER!” And with a Click! Whoosh! Whoaaahhhh! Zach swings across the icy waters. “All right,” Zach smiles while checking his map. “With a little luck, I’ll find shelter for the night and finish my quest first thing tomorrow.” “It’s getting dark,” Mrs. Claus says, “are you sure Zach can do this?” “I’m starting to have my doubts,” Santa replies. “I wanted to teach him a lesson, but I’m starting to worry if our little elf will be able to complete the task.” As if in answer to their fears, Zach enters the caves and comes face-to-face with the goblin pack. “Ahhhhhh!” Zach shouts while running as fast as he can. He dashes in and out of small openings doing his best to escape, but he is no match for the strength of the goblins.

“Let me out. Please,” Zach begs. “No,” a small goblin named Skretch replies. “Me may be outcast from other goblins, but me still important. Me have special ability. Me able to open and close hidden passages in mountain.” “You know,” Zach whispers. “Even a goblin could earn a present from Santa if he chose to be good.” “Me would like presents,” Skretch replies. “But no help elf escape. Other goblins punish Skretch if me do.” 15

Hours later, long after everyone has fallen asleep, Zach wakes up as he feels a tugging at his belt. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My map! No! Brent. Stop. Help me escape!â&#x20AC;? But the larger elf simply grins and runs off.

“Time for a little elf ingenuity,” Zach mutters as he uses the poinsettia pin to pick the lock. “Woo hoo,” he cheers softly while racing free.

Zach sees a stockpile of wood, metal, wire, and fabric the goblins have been hoarding. “This must be a piece of the bridge they destroyed. Okay, time for some elf creativity! Let’s see them try to catch me on this!” Zach soars across the snowy field only to find Brent and his sleigh stuck in the deep snow. “The… the…st…storm was too much for… for us,” Brent chatters. “I’ll help you,” Zach shouts over the harsh winds. “But only if you promise we finish this together.” Brent scowls, but then nods in agreement.

Back in the caverns, the goblins begin to wake and quickly realize Zach has escaped. “To the mine cart!” shouts Grobbly, the short leader of the group. “That blasted elf won’t get far!”

“It’s no use,” Brent grumbles. “We may have made it to the base of Mount Frostbite, but this ice is too slippery. We’ll never make it to the top.” 21

“Oh, wait,” Zach shouts with glee. “I almost forgot...” Zach grabs his special hammer and shoots the zipline high into the mountainside. “Grab on!” Hours pass and darkness begins to fall as the elves scale the huge mountain. “Whew!” Zach gasps as he and Brent climb over the final ledge. “Not so fast, pointy ears,” shouts a hulking green goblin. “Look out!” Brent cries as he abandons Zach and dashes toward the cave entrance. “Wait!” Zach shouts. “I can’t fight all of them by myself!”

Zach turns to face the goblin pack. “I’m not going down without a fight!” he shouts. The little elf scoops up a huge mound of snow. And then Whap! Splat! Splat! Whap! He nails the goblins over and over with a stream of snowballs. His natural elf agility helps him stay just out of the goblins’ reach, but… eventually they surround him. “Looks like you could use a hand… and maybe some antlers too!” Angie shouts as she and Comet come flying to the rescue! Angie leaps to the ground, “C’mon, I bet I have better aim than you!” “We’ll see about that!” Zach snickers as he pelts one of the goblins right in the face. Comet joins in and rams one of the larger goblins in the butt with his antlers.

“Ouch, Aargghhh! Yeouch!” the goblins shout as they flee, but not before they collapse the only entrance to the mountain. “No!” cries Zach. “We were so close.” “Me help! Save Christmas!” Skretch calls out. “Me use my special power to open brand-new passage into mountain.”

Inside Mount Frostbite, Brent struggles to find his way to the gemstone mine. “This blasted map is useless. It’s all twists and turns, I’m nearly back where I started.”

But the littlest goblin is having no problem at all. “C’mon, pointies,” Skretch shouts as he races through Mount Frostbite. “Me know fastest way to gemstone mine!”

And they’d better move fast, for as the goblins report back to their king he howls in rage, “What! You let him escape! RRAAAHRRRRR! I’ll handle this myself!”

Meanwhile, things at Santa’s Workshop are looking grim. IT’S ONLY ONE HOUR TILL MIDNIGHT! “I can’t wait any longer,” Santa informs Mrs. Claus. He jumps into his sleigh and flies off to help his elves. “Run like the wind, Blitzen!” he shouts into the cold night sky. “We made it!” Zach cheers as they arrive at the gemstone mine. “We actually made it!” But just as they set to work, a loud ROAR fills the air.

“Follow me,” Skretch cries. “Must escape!” “Skretch!” Grife shouts. “Stop them! I command you!” But instead, Skretch uses his special powers to collapse the wall. “You did it!” Angie shouts with joy. “You stopped him!” “Still need run,” Skretch responds as he starts racing toward the exit of the mountain. “Not so fast!” A familiar voice shouts while attacking. “I want that gem!” “Why?” Zach pleads. “Why are you doing this? You promised.” Brent attacks over and over again. “It’s the only way. It’s the only way for me to regain my...” But before Brent can finish, a massive shadow appears overhead and another loud roar fills the air. “Whoooosh!” Grife swoops in and attacks. “Nooooooooo...” Zach cries as he falls to his doom.

At the very last minute, Comet races to the rescue. He flies down, catches Zach, and the two of them turn the attack on Grife. Comet charges forward, ramming the Goblin King with his antlers. Zach looks at Grife’s large wings and gets an idea. He quickly uses the sharp gemstone to cut loose a piece of Comet’s reins. The brave little elf leaps off the large reindeer and attacks. “Get off of me, you little fool!” Grife shouts. “We’re both going to crash if you tangle my wings up any...” SPLASH! Grife sinks to the frozen depths as Zach struggles to climb onto a nearby ice float. All seems lost when Santa comes flying to the rescue. “Let me help,” Brent pleads. Angie holds Zach close to try and warm him up. “He’s ice cold and barely breathing,” she sobs. 29

As soon as they reach the workshop, Brent races to repair the Divine Reactor. “I’m sorry, Zach,” he whispers. “So, very, very sorry.” But even after Brent has fixed the magical device, Zach doesn’t stir. Santa drops to his knees. “Dear God,” he prays. “Zach sacrificed himself to make things right. He did more than learn a lesson. He taught one as well. Please, Lord. Please help my little friend.”

As Santa continues to pray, a bright flash of heavenly energy surges from the Star of Bethlehem. It races into the Divine Reactor, channels through the workshop, and flows into Zach’s lifeless body.

Zach’s entire form begins to glow. Santa stands up and wipes away tears as Angie, Skretch, and Brent jump for joy. They rush toward the bed and Zach leaps out to greet them. The Star of Bethlehem healed him 100 percent! Zach gives everyone a hug and races out of the room. “C’mon, everyone, we’ve got work to do!”

“I don’t believe my eyes!” Santa exclaims. “It’s a Christmas Miracle!” In no time at all, the sleigh is loaded and they are racing through the sky. It was close, but Christmas was saved. And Santa could once again reward good children all over the world as they celebrate the birth of Christ! 32

The End

“I enjoyed reading your book, Zach’s Quest—A Tale for Christmas! Great adventure with a solid Christian message!” —Santa Claus, www.SantaClausNorthPoleAlaska.com

MATT & MELANIE DRAGOVITS

ZACH’S QUEST—A TALE FOR CHRISTMAS