Christmas Preparations (Patreon)

……………………………..

Some minutes before Eidolon is attacked at the North Pole.

Helena

Helena feels weird walking after everything that just happened between her and Hector. She moves her legs, but she barely feels them, and sometimes she even looks down to see if they are working properly.

It almost feels like it is not her body, and she is simply controlling it. It looks so new… It's not the body she is used to.

That is how good that massage was, like she'd been reborn; her whole body reset to square one, without any of the strains and problems people naturally accumulate through life.

She walks to the showers, finding some pieces of clothes lying around on the benches and lockers, proof that the other women have been here before.

“Haah~, I will just wash off the oil and go eat.” Helena removes the towel and bikini bottoms clinging to her body and steps under the shower completely naked. A touch in the designated spot on the wall is all she needs before the water starts running down on her body.

Helena can’t help but moan at the refreshing sensation of being rinsed off. 

Now she understands… Even the shower is part of the massage. The moment water hits her muscles at a temperature lower than her body, it feels like every cell awakens. She can finally feel every inch of her body again.

Face up, she let the water hit her face first before it ran through her body.

“Yees~” She really feels her muscles, previously numb, awakening from the massage. It is an amazing sensation, like a good stretch after a reinvigorating night's sleep.

It even reawakened her libido, which Hector had previously handled. It is probably a product of her better blood circulation, but yeah… she can still finger some lingering around.

As the water runs over her skin, Helena can’t help but compare it to Hector’s hands and fingers, which followed a similar path.

But of course… the water is lacking.

She didn't even notice when her own hands started moving to make up for it, trying to mirror Hector’s movements. Her hands even went to one of the two places Hector didn’t touch: her breasts.

‘There are no muscles to make it relax there.’ She remembers him saying something like that, but offered to massage them because it would be pleasurable.

The Helena of that time flipped him off and, not-so-politely, denied his proposal… only for the Helena a little further in the future to let him do worse.

She tries to regret it, but it's difficult… Even with all the implications and the possible changes to their nice friendship. With a clearer mind, she looks back and thinks that maybe she should have stopped him… Maybe… but it felt so good.

It was just a moment between friends… mature friends who can separate things.

Her hands also unknowingly reach between her legs, and Helena tries to copy what he has just done to her. Obviously, she can’t, but it does not feel so bad.

It is not like she wants another climax like the previous one, just to feel a little good… just to get rid of the last of her horniness.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t work as Helena intended. She couldn’t reach her peak, not even to have a mini-orgasm. She dialed up the situation, her hand and fingers moving fast and rougher as she sought her pleasure.

With her back against the wall and the water running through her body, Helena massages and pinches a breast while her other hand has some knuckles deep in her pussy.

“Ahn… mmm~” Her moans are muffled by the sound of the water, her eyes closed as she vividly remembers what just happened and how she felt in that situation.

She was so putty in his hands that if he pulled his cock out, she would only open her legs to him. In truth, while she was covering her eyes with her forearm, Helena sneakily glanced at his crotch to see the situation down there.

For some reason, she felt some disappointment when she saw that there was no change.

It shouldn’t have surprised her; Hector is the person with the most self-control she's ever met. He endured months of Shego throwing herself into his lap. And he has the supernatural power of controlling his own body. Mind over matter.

It is obvious that he would never allow himself to spot a tent on his pants in front of her. If she had any effect on him, Hector suppressed it thoroughly to keep things from going even further.

Now that she is thinking about it… that was a little insulting. Her feminine side is a little angry with him for not reacting, her pride a little hurt.

“Son of a bitch…” She breathes out between moans, “If you can hear me, come here and fuck me properly. Ahn~,” She says.

Helena is very much aware of Hector’s abilities. If he wants, he can spy on her with his X-Ray vision and other enhanced senses. She knows that Hector has a certain respect for their privacy, but if by any chance he is peeking at her right now… If he thought the same…

What didn’t happen before can happen now…

“...”

“.......”

“.............”

But of course, Hector isn't just hot air; he also speaks through his actions. He would never even take a peek at Helena’s privacy like that or break her trust.

That thought changed the water's temperature, making it colder and somehow destroying Helena’s mood, finally extinguishing her “fire”.

With a sigh, she finished her shower and put on some underwear before putting on a bathrobe.

…………………………………..

Even in the confusing Infinity Castle, it's easy for Helena to find where the others are right now. It is just adjacent to the showers; Isabella made sure the door was obvious.

The double doors are very out of place, standing alone without any wall connected to them. Helena opened the Japanese-style double doors to find a similar Japanese-style room, something like a hot spring inn.

The room is wide enough to fit the huge, short table and all the women around it. Opposite Helena, the room opens onto a bright garden and a starry night sky, which could only be an illusion.

“Finally! I saved you a spot!” Shego raised her hand when Helena appeared, the green woman wearing her bathrobe loosely, making it clear she wasn't wearing a bra.

With a nod to everyone else, Helena crossed half the room and sat on the pillow between Shego and Isabella. She was looking at the great assortment of food in front of her, already salivating, knowing that it was prepared by Hector, when Shego reached for her shoulder and whispered in her ear.

“So… how did it go?”

“...” Helena turns, doing her best to keep her face impassive, even raising an eyebrow in a performative gesture. “Hm? A massage like any other?”

“I bet it was…” Shego doesn’t seem to believe her, and a smug smile spreads across her face. “Anything to add?”

“...what do you mean?” Helena plays it off, reaching for some food to make a plate for herself.

Shego rolls her eyes. “Alright, keep your secrets… MY massage was pretty good, by the way. Especially the end. That power of Hector to manifest a mouth anywhere in his body is a gift to womankind.” Shego goes back to eat while talking depretensiously

“...” A shudder runs through Helena’s body.

It hit her… Yes, Hector went hard on her, but nearly as hard as he could. From his perspective, it was really a “light” massage, even professional and on a “friend” level. The thought of him creating a mouth on his palm and…

She takes a good look at Shego… ‘So this is what she got every odd night… It's no surprise she is walking with a skip in her steps.’

“Oooh, your poor thing!” Helena eyes then shift to the side, seeing Pamela practically suffocating the new girl, Jinx, in her green bosom. 

The blue-haired girl is between the green ex-villainess and Harley, looking very uncomfortable, if the eye peeking from the big cleavage is any indication, but she is making no real attempt to escape.

“I can’t believe you lived in such shitty conditions? No green? Not even a tree? Dirty and toxic water? And not even clean air?” Pamela shows a very sad expression, like someone described the living conditions of orphans in a war zone to her.

“That is horrible.” Planetina from the other side of the table also comments with a pained face

Helena watches the interaction with interest; not only that, she looks around the table and sees everyone interacting with someone in some way. They look pretty relaxed, and it is pretty incredible that those different characters can socialize so harmoniously.

‘I see… nothing is for nothing.’ She understood now that Hector really is not a pervert who's found an excuse to take advantage of them a little.

Everyone here is in a good mood right now. Obviously because of the massage and possible happy endings they got. Their post-nut clarity is keeping them pretty docile and amenable too.

Even the combative Juri Han is just having a little teasing talk with Chun-Li and Cassandra. Saeko and a woman called Shura also seem to be getting along. And even the psychopath Sniper, Amelie, aka Widowmaker, is having a casual talk with the other two purple-haired women. Helena remembers Blair and Vermeil, but she can’t tell which one. Shiraori and that Panacea girl seem to be enjoying the quiet corner. And even the difficult Tatsumaki is talking with Isabella in a much more moderate and well-mannered way.

‘There are really a lot of people here.’ Some of them Helena didn’t even exchange a word with yet. ‘It really looks like some company party… this is getting big’.

Helena just discovered it doesn't feel so bad. She knows those people have unique personalities; some are very eccentric, and others would be downright impossible for her to get along with.

But in this special circumstance, everyone here is an ally, and everyone here understands that.

It is a strange trust link created by their connection with Hector. Under any other circumstances, Helena wouldn't trust half of them not to stab her in the back the moment she blinked, but she knows that is impossible right now.

She didn’t even exchange a word with some of them, but she knows she can trust them at least this much. Because she knows they are under Hector, and it is the same for them.

So everyone can lower their guard a little; it got even easier after everyone got naked together and are now sharing a meal. Even this silly “girls’ night” has some depth, perfectly orchestrated by Hector.

As Helena brings some food into her mouth, she remembers that he is pretty smart.

‘Thankfully, he is not a bad guy. What a harmless way to use his manipulation skills.’

“And where is he?” Shego asks, between bites of her own food.

“No idea exactly…” Helena shrugs. “But during the massage he said something about saving Christmas.”

“...” Shego turns to her, disbelief on her face. “He really got himself into the weirdest things, huh?” Like Helena, she doesn’t doubt he is serious.

……………………………………………………..

Eidolon P.O.V.

“Okay, where is it again?” After arriving in the sky above the North Pole, I pause for a moment to check my target's location.

Normally, I would have “locked” an important place like this one on the map in my head(I even have some powers to do that), but… Magic~

Santa Claus’s home and workshop isn't easy to find. It seems to change location with the movement of the stars and is enshrouded in mysterious magical wards.

It not only makes it invisible to the naked eye, but also makes it hard to get through, even if you know it's there.

It is like an invisible and illusory labyrinth. You move forward, but suddenly you aren't; you are seamlessly teleported to another location or simply start walking in the wrong direction without realizing it.

A pretty strong magic that even I, with the All Seeing Eyes of God, needed several attempts to bypass it. Luckily, I had the luxury of doing a lot of trial and error, because the one thing that this place is not is hostile or, much less, lethal.

I mean, if you disregard the fact that it is a cold, barren land with polar bears. Yep, I saw polar bears around here… I think they are magical too.

And if I had to bet, I would say this protection is natural rather than man-made, the place naturally becoming magical like this thanks to its inhabitants, mainly the big boss around here. It is like a Fey forest without the risk of… You know what the Fey do to the poor people who get lost in their backyards.

“Let’s see… Go straight… stop for some time till a chilly wind hits you… go through it…” Activating my All Seeing Eyes of God, I breach the ward by walking on the snow like a normie.

Like many things in life, this needs the proper steps.

It doesn’t take long… Again, it is not a horrible place that wants to keep anyone trapped here to starve and die of hypothermia. Most of the time, it brings you back to where you started.

One last gust of wind carries enough snowflakes to block my vision, and suddenly I'm in a different place. The more sensitive, like me, would have felt their bodies pass through a “veil” and arrive in a place that isn't exactly a pocket dimension, but is almost a different world, separated from reality.

Suddenly it is Christmas. I could almost hear the bells…

“Erm… I mean… like a month after Christmas and no one took the initiative of removing the decorations.” I mutter to myself while taking in the sight of Santa’s Village.

It is almost exactly as advertised. A cozy village filled with log houses, a Christmas tree in every corner, the lights, the enormous building at the end that looks like a factory, and beside it the biggest house in this place.

But the place is dead… Anyone would expect the windows of those houses to be lit with warm yellow light, the chimneys to send out pure white smoke, the pine trees to be decorated, the road to be well-maintained… and, obviously, to see little elves merrily walking around humming Christmas songs.

None of that exists in this place.

“A Christmas Horror movie in this place would make numbers.” I start walking forward. “This place hadn’t changed… and that is not a good thing.”

I hesitate a little about using my detection/searching powers. It is not something you should use if you want to be polite, and the last time I came here, I was able to get on my way without any trouble.

In the end, I still use Haki to sense the little life forces in the houses and fields hidden from my view. 

“Hm, maybe I should bring the girls here… I bet they would enjoy feeding the reindeer some crackers.” But that is not my main objective.

The girls will have to wait while I accomplish what I came here to do.

I wave to the little elves peeking at me from their windows and continue on my way to the big house. I stop only to look at the group of reindeer a little elf is caring for.

There is one with a bright red nose that I know is not Rudolph… the original one, I mean. It is Rudolph III, for what Mrs. Claus told me.

Finally, I arrive at the big log house. I clean my shoe on the doormat that reads “Welcome & Merry Christmas,” then pull the golden ring on the door and knock.

Ting Ting Ting

A clear, crisp sound echoes, beautiful and a little unnatural.

I wait patiently till I hear steps on the other side, and the door slowly opens to reveal the most grandmotherly of the grandmothers.

……………………………………..

“Hmmm~ Don’t tell my grandma, but those muffins are to die for.” I have to compliment. Right now I am sitting on a comfy couch, a small table in front of me, and a fireplace crackling nearby.

Normally I think “chocolate things” like muffins, cookies, cake, and ice cream are so basic, so I always go for another option. But those are excellent.

Mrs. Claus giggles, a hand over her mouth, as she brings me a tray of chocolate milk and puts it in front of me.

Santa Claus’ wife is exactly like how one would expect. A kind-looking old lady, a little chubby but within the allowed range for her age; wrinkles and square glasses are the only things adorning her face, the latter resting on the tip of her nose. Her hair is white as snow, and beyond her fringe, most of it is tucked into a bonnet.

And of course she is wearing a red dres with an apron over it.

If someone gave a class of kids the task to draw “Santa Claus wife”, everyone would be 90% accurate even without ever seeing her.

“Don’t worry, it is not a competition.” She says while caressing my black and curly hair.

Yes, this is one of those rare instances where I changed back to my original self. I am still in my Eidolon suit and wearing my cloak.

I mean, the first time I came here, she saw through the changes immediately, and it would be awkward to keep it. Not like she is gonna tell anyone.

After that meeting, I changed how I modified my face, putting aside “cosmetics” and making real changes, like aging myself and a quirk that permanently controls my hair, including my eyebrows.

Eyebrows are a very important part of any disguise, by the way… especially for me, who opted to keep the upper half of my face exposed.

“Sorry if I offend you, but I have to defend my grandma’s honor…” I warn, “I still like her food more.” I say with a sheepish smile.

“Hahaha!” She laughs merrily while clapping. “That is only natural. A grandma’s food is magical.”

I laugh along with her. As expected, she is very magnanimous and nice. 

Unfortunately, the merry mood is not meant to last long… My official business is meant to be a little uncomfortable, so I will just rip off the band-aid already.

“I was thinking, Mrs. Claus… Did anything change with Mr. Claus since my last visit?” The change is really immediate.

Mrs. Claus sighs with a sad expression and sinks into the couch in front of mine.

“No… nothing really changed.” She says while looking down.

“I see…” I pause for a moment before continuing, “Then I would like to talk with him.”

The last time I came here, I didn’t really talk with Santa Claus; I just saw the state he was in… it was sad and pathetic, and to be frank, I didn’t want to look at him like that.

So I just gave a promise…

“This year I will make a world that deserves Christmas. Keep your eyes on your list.”

Apparently, it fell on deaf ears. It is time for a more direct approach.

“Dear… I don’t know if it is a good idea.” Mrs. Claus says in an unsure voice, “Maybe next year…?”

“...” I almost give in. After all, she is the one who knows him better and also the one who has to deal with him if things go badly.

There is also the thought that waiting one year is not so bad; after all, he is inactive for decades… what is one more year?

But no! “I am sorry, Mrs. Claus… I am probably putting you in a rough spot, but I need to at least talk with him.” I stand up, determined. “With everything that is happening, the world needs to remember the Christmas Spirit… And maybe Mr. Claus needs to be reminded too.”

“...” She stares at me for a long minute. If she really says no, I will have to back out, because I am not that much of a nuisance.

There are other ways. But I know she will not say no; I am kind of taking advantage of her goodness.

And as expected, she eventually nods and stands up. “Follow me… he is in his office.”

After a nod, I follow her, and she guides me through her house. The interior is bigger than it looks from the outside, so we go through a staircase and a long hallway before we finally arrive at a door at the end.

Written on the wooden door is Santa “Nicholas” Claus, and a wreath hangs there, but it is mostly brown instead of green.

I also notice the house gets darker and colder here, like the fireplace's warmth can’t reach this place.

Knock Knock

“Dear…? There is a guest here for you.”

“...”

There is no response from the inside, but I can feel his presence.

“Let me try.” I step forward and knock on the door too. “Excuse me, Mr. Claus? Can I have a minute of your time?”

“...” No response. Time to bite the bullet then…

I open the door and say, “Excuse me,” again, then enter.

The office is big, like a living room, and it looks a little like one, too. It is not the usual CEO’s office, with only a table, some shelves with books, and that is it.

It is cozy. The table is there but is not that big, with very comfy chairs on both sides, and it is small enough for the people talking to be close to each other. There are Christmas decorations, lights, a fireplace with some comfy chairs nearby, a red carpet, and big windows… 

I mean, it would be cozy… The place is dark… The Christmas decorations are a mess, or downright destroyed; the fireplace is the only light, but the fire is small and sad.

And alcohol bottles are dirtying the beautiful Christmas carpet.

It is not hard to find him.

In front of the fireplace are two big, comfy chairs, both red; one's back is to me, but I can see a hand on the armrest.

And old, thin, wrinkled han

“We met again, Mr. Claus. Do you remember me? I visited some months ago.” I say while stepping forward. Mrs. Claus looks at me apprehensively as I do that.

This time there is finally a response. I see his bony hand grip the armrest tightly and flex it to support him… He is standing up.

He steps from behind the chair, and I can finally see Santa Claus again.

“Who the fuck are ya?!” He practically spits those words at me, his saliva flying in my direction.

“...” Yep, he really didn’t change… And that is not good.

Different from his wife, Santa Claus really subverts expectations when you see him.

Anyone imagines Santa Claus as a jolly old man with a big belly, wearing red, a large black belt, a great white beard, rosy cheeks, and the famous costume…

Well… Old? Yes. Wearing red?... Yes… Rosy cheeks? If you count the unhealthy flush of alcohol, sure. His beard is there too… but it's not as majestic or well-kept as one would expect.

Jolly? The big belly? Nothing of that can be seen.

The belt is there, but it's wrapped so tightly around his thin waist that the surplus hangs loosely.

He is a shadow of his former self.

Last month, I saw 5 crackheads who would make a better Santa Claus than this guy.

He is incredibly thin, skeletal, really… I can see his ribs because he is not wearing his clothes properly. His ears are wide open in a crazy way. His hair and beard are a bird's nest, dirty and yellowed.

I will not comment on the smell…

“I am the hero that came to talk-”

“Don’t care. Go away.” He waves his hand rudely

“...” Few things are harder than talking with someone that doesn’t listen. “Sorry, but I can do that before at least saying what I came here to say.”

“Then say it for the reindeer outside.” He harrumphs and goes back to sit on his chair.

“Nicholas…” Mrs. Claus tries to admonish Santa with a difficult expression, but I stop her.

“It is okay. He can still listen even if he is not looking at me, right?” I say

“...”

“Very well… I will get straight to the point to save us time and awkwardness. Santa Claus… please resume your activities and deliver gifts to the kids of the world.” I don’t beat around the bush.

“...”

Only the fireplace crackling keeps the place from falling into a heavy silence… My super-hearing also allows me to know that it is not only the fire that is crackling. Where Santa grips the armrest, it makes the same sound.

“I understand your feelings, I really do… More than most people, I am exposed to a side of the world that drains my hope… but people like us can’t give up that easily. There is an equal amount of goodness that people like us have the duty to protect and keep alive.”

BAM

“WHAT DO YOU KNOW, BOY?!?” Santa crashes in, suddenly coming face-to-face with me after breaking the chair.

“I know enough…” I keep my voice calm.

Yep, I know… Initially, when I came here, I thought that he was like this because of the World Wars and all the atrocities that happened. Personally, I thought that it was a bit too much for him to get like this “only” because of that.

I imagined that Santa was simply too pure of a soul and easily tainted by this evil…

I was wrong… Now I know whatever war we can wage can’t compare to what some humans do behind the scenes. Especially what they did to the kids…

It is horrible to remember that those monsters were once kids too, and Santa saw what they became.

It is understandable that he would lose hope. It is not strange that Santa has forsaken us.

“It doesn’t matter how good of a kid you try to incentivize them to be, if they forget about you and end up becoming awful adults, huh? That is what you must be thinking.” I continue, staring at his crazy eyes. “I know all that; I think the same some days… But I also know that for Evil to prevail, it is enough that Good does nothing.”

Blam

And that is when I am punched… Yep, this is not gonna be a nice talk.

………………………………………….

After being sent flying through the wall of Santa’s house and even of some poor elves, I face Santa in a field of snow.

“We really don’t need to do this.” I try, “Not everything needs to be solved with viole-”

Bam

“Ya think yaself a big talker, huh??”

I was sent flying once again because I tried to become intangible and it didn’t work.

“Magic is bullshit…” I repeat my other mantra after recovering

After contact, I felt something…

“Are you… a mutant?” I ask, not knowing if he knows the new term: meta-human. “Or have magic?”

“I am Saint Nicholas, bastard.” He rolls his shoulders, ready to keep fighting. “And I am gonna put some charcoal on ya, big mouth.”

“Something similar to Wanda then… I see. Magic is so bullshit.” I shake my head.

My Power Manipulation reacted, but the “smell” was weird… something similar to Wanda’s but of a different category.

“I don’t think you can win…” I comment.

“Keep talkin’.” He dashes at me again, faster than someone with his appearance has the right to be.

I see… so this is how Superman feels.

POW

I let myself be punched again, and once again I roll in the air and land on the ground. My cheek stings, but it recovers fast enough.

“It is not a power that can be trained… You simply have it… The ability to do impossible things. Something akin to a cartoon character… but you need to be a character.” I speak. “You are not acting like yourself, so you are pretty weak now…”

“Weak? WEAK?! I will show ya weak!” He shouts; a snowstorm starts spinning around us.

“...” My instincts are telling me this guy is something I don’t want to fight… not because he is much stronger, but because he is problematic.

If I am not wrong, it is some sort of Christmas-related reality-warping power. He can do whatever he needs to do within the limits of Christmas… Controlling snow, shrinking himself to go through the chimney, having a pocket space for gifts, detecting evil and goodness,  flying super fast, being immortal, or even…

“...teleporting.” Blam 

As I was sent flying by the sneak attack, my mind wandered to the thought that he must be pretty strong, 24-25 of December, maybe invincible. Even at this point, he should be unkillable.

“The wards around this place must come from his power, but without his input, it just happens…”

But that doesn’t help now… for some reason, his powers think that “having a fair fight with anyone” is part of Christmas, and this guy can actually fight me.

“Ah, it is like Takaba from Jujutsu Kaisen… As long as he believes in it.” I hold my chin as I land again on the ground. “It is not about the belief of the people on Christmas that makes him stronger… pretty redundant and a cheating loophole, I would say. Imagine a god that can empower himself with his own faith in himself.”

Santa is already above me, fists raised like a drunken Irishman ready to brawl in a bar.

WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH 

His jabs fly, but this time I dodge by weaving around him. I got some openings, but I can’t punch Santa…

“Oh…” Seriously, I need to say sorry to Superman for getting angry at him for being beaten by people weaker than him just because he doesn’t want to hurt them.

Holding back only a little is complicated.

All of a sudden, I was grabbed by my waist and supplexed on the ground.

BOOOM

“...seriously.” I left the hole, buried, relaxed, and shaking off the snow. “You don’t want to kill me, and I don’t want to hurt you… We are wasting time.”

“I have plenty of time to waste~” He shows a sadistic smile, ready to continue.

I sigh and point a finger at him. 

Plim

Five thick rings of light appear around his body, tightening enough that his arms are glued to his torso.

“Santa… I am not trying to be forceful… but don’t want to return too?” I ask with genuine consideration. “Give us another chance… the kids are waiting for you.”

“I don’t care!” He shouts, then pushes the rings away, widening their radius just enough for him to escape.

“...” Yep, Toon Force… Magic for children… Christmas… It makes sense but is pretty annoying.

His fist flies at my face, but a barrier stops it… for a moment, before my solid barrier turns into something like elastic plastic and stretches under his attack.

Riiiip

It really breaks, but I dodge by sidestepping until I am behind him.

I was about to continue, but when Santa turned around, he was holding a gigantic hammer, and when I say gigantic, I really mean giant… The item is the size of a bus, comically large, and he barely seems to be holding it, yet he still swings at me with full force.

“I bet it will hurt…” I don’t move.

Maybe taking it will show my sincerity.

BOOOOOOM

Like a nail, I was buried in the ground, feeling a little dizzy. It messed with my head even with Shock Absorption and my durability.

Bam

I punch the hammer away and fly out of the hole just to be face to face with an equally gigantic chisel.

“Oy oy…” Let’s forget taking attacks on purpose this once.

Clang

I have to slap the sharp object away. At worst, the damage can’t be undone or some bullshit like that.

But he doesn’t stop, floating at me with an angry expression.

“Okay… let your anger out.” I close my eyes and receive another punch.

Bam

Very out of character for me, but if I want, I can be the perfect sandbag. It is not like no one is watching, so no harm to my image as the “Invincible Symbol of Heroism.”

I was punched down till I hit the ground, and Santa followed me.

Bam

Straddling my body, he starts raining punches on my face.

Bam Bam

“Ya think yaself so smart!”

Bam Bam Bam

“...” Despite the punches, I keep looking at him, even as the blows turn my head left and right.

Bam Bam Bam Bam

“Thinkin’ ya all grown up! You… are… just a kid!!”

Bam Bam Bam Bam Bam Bam

“...” Some fights can be won without throwing a single punch.

Pow I grab his fist.

“When the adults fail, the kids need to step up,” I say seriously. “If I don’t step up, someone much younger in the future will have to do it.”

“...” He pauses, a little out of breath while staring down at me.

“Everything is too complicated, and it may be unfair to even come talk with you from my high horse… but the only thing I am sure of is that the kids are innocent. Amidst everything happening, they deserve some of the fantastical things to be good… not only tragedy. They deserve a Christmas.”

“...”

“Nicholas! Nicholas! What are you doing??” Mrs. Claus comes running toward us, frantic and shaken. Poor woman, I don’t want to worry her.

It seems even this Santa isn't completely heartless, because he gets off me.

“Have you really lost your mind?? He is just a kid!” Mrs. Claus shouted, tears appearing at the corner of her eyes

“I am okay.” I sit up casually.

“Hmpf. Just knocking some sense into him… a kid eventually needs to discover that Santa doesn’t exist.” He says with a scornful face.

“...1914.” I suddenly say, making the Claus couple look at me. I continue to explain as I stand up. “During the First World War, on the Western Front, and after months in conflict, the two sides agreed on an unofficial ceasefire.”

“...” Santa's eyes widen.

“They stopped the war, exchanged gifts, and even played football… It is one of my favorite stories of humanity. The proof we could all be friends.” With my back fully straight, I look at Santa. “You are not there, but Christmas happened even under those circumstances because the people kept it alive. Much like your powers, they believed that it meant something, and it materialized reality into something beautiful. After decades of having faith, they deserve a miracle.”

“...”

“You are out for decades, Old Man, and we kept the tradition alive without you.” I drop my respect for him a little. I failed tonight. “And we will continue to do that. This year I will make it even more special and breathe life into it. Even try to get rid of the capitalist corruption of the Holiday in the meantime.” I shrug and start walking past them.

I nod at Mrs. Claus, then turn my back on Santa and walk to the village.

“If you are not gonna help, I am gonna use the installations and the elves… I hope you don’t mind.” I wave over my shoulder, “I mean, you said that you don’t care.”

“...”

……………………………………………..

Malibu

Next Morning

“Hello, Stark.”

“This time my security system caught your presence.”

“Your window was open, and I just slowly floated inside… It is practically sending a letter beforehand from perspective.”

“Hi, Eidolon~” 

Tony Stark and his girlfriend Pepper are enjoying themselves in the indoor pool of his mansion.

The superhero, shirtless, slowly sits up in his reclining chair and lowers his sunglasses to talk to me.

“Dude… I am relaxing. If you come to me with another thing like the last one, I will have to ask you to leave.” He jokes.

“Relax, nothing like that.” I raise my hands to placate him.

“Good, because I am still affected by that shit.” Tony sighs and reclines back; Pepper leaves her chair to sit with him. 

Hmm, I see… he must have been going through some psychological problems while trying to tone down the alcohol too. I will suggest him seeing Harley for a therapy session later.

“Then you will be happy to know that I came here to talk about something in the exact opposite direction.” I raise a finger

The glasses he just put back slide back to the tip of his nose.

“What are you talking about?”

I smile, “Wanna help me save Christmas?”

“...”

“....” Even Pepper is looking at me strangely

“.......”

“You are kidding, right?”

“Tony…” I open my arms to him. The implicit question is: ‘Since when Eidolon saying something outrageous is strange?’

“...tell me the details.” He finally talks, making me smile again

“Maybe later, I can tell you the overall situation for now… Basically, I went to the North Pole to talk with Santa about restarting his job… or is the term ‘hobby’ better? Anyway, I failed, but I will still go forward with the plan and do a big Christmas this year.”

“Is that the short version?” He quips

“I will get Santa’s Workshop to produce the toys for the kids around the world, but I don’t want to stop there… We all know some older kids nowadays are more interested in electronics…”

“I am seeing where this is going...”

“I am going to provide the materials and produce half of them.” I complete

“I am in.” He doesn’t even think about it. After what we saw, I am sure he wants to help the kids.

“Good. I don’t want to interrupt more of your free time, so I will come back later with the details.” I wave once, disappear from my spot, then reappear high in the air, looking down at the mansion.

I hear “He always does that” even from here, but my mind is somewhere else…

“Taking a good look at this place reminded me that we are in the time of Iron Man's third movie… Would it happen this year? or maybe in the next?”

With my presence, would terrorists be dumb enough to target a superhero?

“...”

Yep, they would.

“Whatever… It is Tony’s story; he can handle that. Just gonna help a little.”

………………………………