[center][img]https://static0.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/santa-claus-dc-covers.jpg?w=1200&h=675&fit=crop[/img][/center]
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[b][color=28b0f3]Metropolis[/color][/b]
[color=darkgray]Christmas Eve[/color]
[sub]Mentions: [@ThatDeercat] [@Azure Bubbles] [@Cyrania][/sub]

Toyman's parade of victory was short lived. Everything was happening so fast. Before he knew it he was tackled to the floor of the sleigh by a large green monster. If that wasn't already frightening enough the man started to dig into his mind. Winslow was no longer hearing his own thoughts. He couldn't concentrate long enough to keep his grip on the gun and it fell out of his hand and into the snow below. He groaned and yelled in pain as the green man dug deeper into his mind. If that wasn't enough he could feel the sleigh being pulled to the ground. This wasn't fair at all. They were ganging up on little old him. This was supposed to be a battle between he and Thor. Not some kind of super hero squad.

He opened his eyes through the pain and saw what looked like an army of Thors in the sky. No. That couldn't be him. He defeated him. He killed him. That thought helped him push back against the mental torture. He held onto it and a wicked grin crossed his face. [color=violet][i]"Yes, my green friend. I'm Winslow Schott. The man who killed the world's most powerful hero. When I'm free you'll be next."[/i][/color] He projected back through his mind before falling unconscious.

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Thor opened his eyes and saw the walls and ceilings of a cave. There was a fire in the corner and snow fell outside the cave's mouth. Where was he? He looked up and saw a large white beard? Santa? Why was Santa holding him? Wait. Why was he so small? Was this a dream? No... It felt more like a memory. He didn't remember this at all. Before he could fully process what was going on the bearded man spoke.

[color=d9e2e5][b]"It pains me to do this, but Laufey won't stop until our son is dead, Gaea. I want to watch him grow up. I want to teach him how to be a warrior. But I've seen a world. A future where he will thrive. He'll have friends. He'll find love. He'll be a hero. Most importantly, he'll be safe."[/b][/color] The man paused as a tear fell from one of his eyes onto Donald's cheek.

The scene changed as soon as the tear touched his cheek. The world was bright. A contrast from the darkness of the cave only lit with a flame. There was something familiar about this place. He was on the steps of a townhouse and still in the arms of Santa Claus. He placed him in a basket that seemingly came from nowhere in front of the door. He could see the old man's face more clearly now. He was no longer sure that he was Santa. He wasn't wearing a red suit or black leather boots and one of his eyes was covered with a golden eyepatch. He rung the doorbell and said, [color=d9e2e5][b]"Please take care of our son."[/b][/color] before disappearing in a flash of light.

The door opened and he heard a voice so familiar. [color=c6d5db]"Oliver, come quick! A baby! There's a baby at our door!"[/color] He knew exactly where and when this memory had taken him. This was Metropolis and the day that his parents had found him. He always thought they were his actual parents, but he was literally left at their doorstep. He always wondered why he never saw pictures or videos from his mom's pregnancy or his birth. He didn't care that he was their own so he never asked. As far as he knew and cared about they were his parents. But now he had so many questions, but finally one true answer. He was [color=17dbcc][b][i]Thor[/i][/b][/color].

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Thor woke up in the present to see Zach standing above him. [color=17dbcc]"Did anyone get the license plate of that sleigh?"[/color] He asked before slowly standing up. He didn't know what kind of gun he was shot with but it felt like it drained something from him. Besides that he felt fine. There were no holes in his body and his armor was still surprisingly intact. He looked around to see Starfire landing the sleigh and saw the same green man from New York. He was glad they were all okay and that they were able to handle the Toyman without him.

[color=17dbcc]"Thank you for looking after me,"[/color] Thor said as he turned back to Zach. [color=17dbcc]"For your first superhero outing you did pretty good."[/color]

He trudged through the snow over to the sleigh, heading straight for Starfire. Without thinking he hugged her and pulled her in close. [color=17dbcc]"I'm glad you're okay."[/color] When he realized what he was doing he blushed and let her go before turning to their green friend. [color=17dbcc]"Thank you for helping us out. What do we call you? I don't like calling you the green man in my head."[/color]