The Shadow Reader Christmas Carol Rewritten

It all happened so quicky didn't it friends? The Shadow Reader went from being a semi-well known creepypasta narrator and tea drinking enthusiast to one of the most powerful men in all of television. How did it happen? It all started on a hot day in June 2020, Shadow received a phone call from Nickelodeon who had somehow stumbled across a video of Shadow's on the Backyardigans Reboot. Named by Shadow as Backyardigan Backyard Adventures, it was intended to be a more darker drama orientated version of the cute kids cartoon Backyardigans. Shadow had made just a few videos where he talked about episode synopsis for the reboot, and Nick stumbled across one of the episodes and they were so impress that they called Shadow up and invited him to come to their studio in California. At the meeting, the Nick put their hands on the table, and made it clear. They were desperate, and they needed something fresh, and that something could beat the sponge in regards to popularity. Shadow immeditately agreed to help make Backyaridgans Backyard Adventures a reality, and for him it was like a dream come true. He had never imagined in all his days, this fan made show of his ever actually becoming a real thing. That same day, Shadow returned to his trailer where he told his fans the good news, and he promised them that no matter how famous he got, he would never ever forget about them. Sadly, he would end up forgetting that promise as the years went on. Shadow packed up his bags that very night, and moved to California where he began working on his dream show. BBA was immeditately met with universal critical acclaim even managing to beat SpongeBob and The Loud House when it came to the ratings. The show never lost it's quality either surprisingly as it ran for seven seasons as well as getting a feature length film. several video games, and even CD's and plush toys. While Backyard Adventures was nearing it's seventh and final season, Shadow knew that the gap needed to be filled so he commissioned a second show entitled Tyrone Adventures which took place after the main show and featured Tyrone moving to New York City where he is tricked into staying in stores way past their closing time. Despite the odd premise, the sequel show was seen as a surprisingly good example of a sequel show being better than the original. Shadow then decided to do the gritty reboot angle again this time with Back On The Barnyard. Shadow's shows became the top viewed programs on the network, but sadly all that fame and success has to come with a price. The man who wants too much out from life risks losing absolutely everything, and Shadow learned that lesson the hard way.

You see; when Backyardigans Backyard Adventures first starting airing, although Shadow's work schedule had obviously become very hectic, he still kept his fans updated on the status of the show as well as uploading creepypasta narrations albeit not as frequently as he once had. Sadly, time and money eventually took it's tole, especially when Shadow became a part of Nickolodeon's inner circle. He eventually became a very close friend of Frank Pryce; the CEO and President of Viacom. Pryce took a big liking to Shadow, and eventually put in the arrangements so that Shadow could become the new chairman of Nickelodeon. Shadow hated Pryce, but had to play nice as since Pryce was in charge of Viacom he was technically his boss. Once he became chairman, it became clear to Shadow that his YouTube channel was holding him back, and so without any goodbyes or even a community post, he abandoned it. Over the months and eventual years that followed, the channel became dead and most fans left it behind with many calling Shadow names like, "backstabber," "ungrateful prick in a half shell," and even worse names that I can't mention here out of fear of getting sued. Not all of Shadow's fans and subs gave up hope however. Queen of Lions and her friends including Space Voyager, BC Network, and Dark Reindeer all knew that one day Shadow would return to being the man they once knew, or at least they certainly hoped that he would anyway. Many times, Queen had trying getting in touch with The Shadow Reader, and even once managed to get onto a Skype call with him, but Shadow rudely dismissed her and commented that he had a lot of work to do and that she should stop bothering him. In a last ditch effort to get Shadow into being the man he once was, every year on Christmas Eve, Queen of Lions or one of Shadow's other YT friends would come to see him at his office and invite him over for Christmas dinner. Every single year, Shadow would always refuse them, but at the back of their minds they always hoped that he would reconsider. Thankfully, this would all come to pass on a very chilly Christmas Eve several years later.

The year was 2036, and Shadow was still chairman of Nickelodeon and showed no signs of ever wanting to retire neither did Frank Pryce despite him being a proper old custard slice. Shadow had sadly become very lazy in his duties as chairman, as he just let any old shit show on the network, and happily agreed to Nickolodeon renewing SpongeBob for it's 100th season. Shadow was also very annoying as he would make his staff work all the way through the holidays including on Christmas Eve, though he did relent and let them have Christmas day off, but they had to be work all the earlier on Boxing Day. Shadow didn't really bother with Christmas anymore, it was just another day for making money to him now. Shadow and his staff were planning on making a massive Christmas themed crossover movie for the network, which would be a crossover between all of Shadow's shows as well as being a retelling of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. On this incredibly cold Christmas Eve afternoon, Shadow attended an incredibly boring board meeting where his staff showed him the final cut of the special. It was very bad. The animation looked like it was done on the cheap, the humour was out dated and had really cringey scenes such as Austin learning what a smart phone is, as well as a fucking half hour sketch in which Otis and Freddy break the forth wall. Otis also looked more proper lanky like a skeleton, as the animators did not have enough time to render his cow fat for the movie, whatever that means. There were also an over abundance of training montages which were added by an intern named Solomon. Once the credits to the special begin to roll, Shadow said nothing. He grimaced heavily though, as he rose from his skeleton shaped chair and on his orders his secretary Ellie brought him a glass of scotch. Shadow took a sip from the scotch, before he slammed it down onto the ground causing it to smash. Shadow's face became red with fury as he asked rhetorically, "my God does that suck!?" Ellie never disputed her boss but this one of the rare times that she stood her ground as she said in defence of her co-workers, "it's not their fault Sir. I mean you only gave them a two week deadline. You can't... well let's face it you can't make an A tier quality animated film in just two weeks." Solomon then chimed in with his own opinion as he said, "it's not so bad, I mean sure the animation looks a bit sour, but so what? Besides, kids love training montages." Shadow facepalmed with so much force it sounded like a truck had crashed into the building as he yelled, "we have spent two million dollars on this special, and what do you give me!? A bunch of shitty training montages while Pablo reads a book in front of the fireplace! Pablo should be the star! Make that little onion Tasha the narrator! No likes her."

The atmosphere in the room became uncomfortably quiet. A script advisor named Tessio then raised his hand. Tessio brought up the most important question. "What do you want done with the special, Sir?" "Well first of all; this entire special you've done already has to be scrapped, and then I want an entirely new one with better animation, better songs, and most importantly and I can't stress this enough: NO FUCKING TRAINING MONTAGES!" Shadow's yelling was so intense it caused Solomon to go flying out from his chair which nearly broke his back as he was only a frail old man after all. Ellie protested, "that's impossible!" "Enough!" Shadow barked as he slammed his hands onto the table which made everyone cease talking. Shadow then said, "I want the new special done tomorrow, so that we can air it in the evening hours once everyone is done opening their presents." "With respect Sir, tomorrow is Christmas day." Tessio protested. "And? It better be done, or else you're all fired!" Shadow finished as he made his way out from the office ordering Ellie to accompany him as he needed to make his Christmas list. The list included all of the presents that Shadow was going to be giving to his friends. None of his family or YouTube friends were on the list, not even his now former partner Joseph was on the list, the only people on the list were powerful members of Los Angeles county that supported Shadow and his affairs. Shadow had become one of the most rich and powerful men in the United States, his own mansion in the Hollywood Hills, as well as a private jet and his own hotel in Las Vegas. Shadow sat in his office with another glass of scotch in hand while Ellie sat on the chair across from him. With a notepad and pen in hand, Ellie cleared her throat as she asked, "ready?" "Yes, but make it quick I've got dinner with the Mayor." Shadow said rudely. Ellie looked at the first name on the list as she said, "okay, first up is Mayor Borrington." "Bath towel," Shadow said. "Police Commissioner Strickland?" Ellie asked. "VHS recorder, and make sure you give him one of the old ones that only plays Spanish films, that bastard didn't come to the pot luck last year." Shadow said. "Alright. What about your family... they're on the list as is Jo..." "Bath towels! All of them bath towels!" Barked Shadow. "Your own family Sir? Doesn't that seem a little..." Ellie was cut off as Shadow glared at her as he threatened, "don't push your luck Ellie. You got a nice little job here, I'd hate to see you out on the streets come New Years." Ellie understood the threat, and withdrew her complaint. "Okay, I'll send this to HQ." Ellie said as she began making her way out the door, She poked her head around the corner before fully departing as she said, "oh and by the way Sir, there's two people out in the lobby who say they want to speak with you." "Who are they?" Shadow asked already getting annoyed as Ellie responded, "someone called the Queen of Lions, and someone called Dark Reindeer." Shadow's face became green like Shrek as he said, "alright send them in."

Shadow was having a bad enough day as it is, he was getting pressure from Frank Pryce to finish up work on the special before Christmas day, and now he was going to have to commission it on the very day. Shadow sat down at his desk as Queen of Lions and Dark Reindeer walked into the office. "What do you two want then?" Shadow asked annoyed. "We were just wondering, if you'd be able to make it to Christmas dinner this year or not?" Dark Reindeer asked. "My channel is dead to me, I told you both that several times already." Shadow said as he poured himself yet another fucking glass of scotch. "But Shadow just..." Dark Reindeer was unable to finish his point as Shadow had slapped him across the face as he yelled, "that name just like my channel is dead to me! Shadow adjusted his suit, while Queen helped Dark up from the floor as the slap had been so forceful that it had sent Reindeer falling down. "Shadow, please we miss you. We're all counting on you making a return to YouTube." There was so much hope in her eyes as well as the eyes of Dark Reindeer that Shadow hesitated a moment before saying, "Oh, Queen can't you see? Ever since I got out from YouTube, life has been great. Truth is everybody's dream is to get out of YouTube." "You never used to be like that." Muttered Dark Reindeer. This hit Shadow like a brick. Dark was right. Shadow used to be someone that people on YouTube looked up to, and there was a time where the only thing he knew was YouTube and making YouTube videos for his fans. He had relied on his channel on many things including keeping a roof over his head. It was after all through his YouTube channel that Shadow ever got that phone call from Nickelodeon in the first place. Shadow just stood there deep in thought, which Dark Reindeer interpreted as a dismissal. "Come on Queen, let's go. There's always next year." And with that, both Dark Reindeer and Queen of Lions left the room leaving Shadow with nothing but his thoughts. Dark Reindeer's words had struck a cord though, had Shadow always been a bad man and did the money and power just help to show who he really was? Shadow lit himself a cigar, and decided to clear his head by seeing how his animators were getting on with reanimating the Christmas special. Although Shadow never said it out loud, he felt incredibly guilty about slapping Dark Reindeer. He puffed violently on the stinky cigar hoping it would make the guilt float away.

Thankfully, the rest of the day went by fast as Christmas Eve normally does. The staff had made series progress on the special, and they were really working hard to the point that there was no doubt that it would be able to air tomorrow evening. Ellie asked Shadow about getting Christmas day off, as she wanted to head to Greenoak with her boyfriend Sonny who was a high-ranking Nick official and an informant for Frank Pryce over at Viacom. Pryce had noticed the stress that Shadow had fallen under with the special, and so Pryce had appointed his top man Sonny to keep a close eye on him. Shadow refused to give Ellie a day off as he needed her around to make him a cup of coffee. "But it's Christmas day!" Ellie protested to which Shadow joked, "really? I thought it was Easter!" Shadow's jokes were much crueller sounding than they ever were during his days on YouTube. Just before departing for home, Shadow gave orders for Solomon to be assassinated. Solomon had been the one to implement the training montages against Shadow's wishes, and he also insulted Shadow by saying he had the smallest toe in the whole of Los Angeles. Outside of Nickoldeon HQ, Solomon saw that a car had pulled up beside him on the pavement, and a man in a large bulky overcoat got out from it. "Mr Solomon can you get in please?" The man asked. Solomon gulped heavily as he knew that it was going to be a long drive. Shadow meanwhile had a late night supper at Aaron's Diner in Hollywood, and he caught a cab back to his mansion in the Hills. At the mansion, Shadow made his way up the diamond crusted staircase to his master bedroom. He had a bed big enough for 10 people and a bedroom large enough for a movie ballroom scene. Shadow tucked himself under the covers, and wondered how much fame this new special would net him, and he wondered if one day he could take over another network, Cartoon Network perhaps? This brought him back to Dark Reindeer's comment earlier. Had Shadow really changed? He did used to be a good person right? Queen of Lions' comment certainly seemed to suggest that. In truth, Shadow had never really paid attention or noticed a change in his personality, or perhaps he didn't care to notice it. Shadow was lazy when it came to maintaining his mansion, and the walls were covered in mould so much mould it looked like an arts and craft project. He hadn't even bothered decorating the house for Christmas, and it was just another day to him now. Shadow was about to drift off into sleep, when he heard a loud noise coming from his living room. More specifically, it was coming from the fireplace.

Shadow thought that it was a burglar, and so he acted quickly. He reached underneath his hay filled pillow, and pulled out a large shotgun intending to kill this unruly guest. The Commissioner was a personal friend of his, so there would be no repercussions for self defence. Once he had made his way into the living room, Shadow was frightened out of his wits when he saw an otter shaped figure emerging from under the fireplace covered in soot. The creature cleaned itself off as it revealed itself to be none other than Shadow's beloved plush toy and channel mascot; Otterton. Otterton had been left behind in the trailer after Shadow left for California to hit it big. "It's you?" A bewildered Shadow asked. "Yes, it is I Otterton!" Otterton proclaimed happily. Shadow asked how Otterton could be here, but Otterton simply laughed as he said, "you should remember more than anyone Shadow; I'm not your average plush toy."