[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] [hr] [b][color=28b0f3]Around the World[/color][/b] [color=darkgray]Christmas Eve[/color] As the heroes went their separate ways, Santa Claus came out to play. He continued his travels around the world delivering presents before sunrise caught up to him in the different time zones. He almost wished that the heroes decided to deliver the presents for him to give him a much needed break, but he honestly loved this job. No matter where he had to travel throughout the universe it brought him joy to bring joy to others. He decided that the heroes who helped him and the heroes who have been appearing all over recently to help people deserved a little extra this year. Something special to show his appreciation. Without them there would be less people alive to express joy in the world, especially after New York's Fire Troll Invasion. Santa flew all around the United States delivering gifts for the heroes as they slept or were out of their homes. He even stopped by F.E.A.S.T. for Bailey and Christina. To flex his muscles and to make up for his earlier capture he even delivered something for Carol Danvers at the Pentagon to prove to himself that he still got it. As he did so he wondered how much Darkseid's security would grow for next year. If a man who played with toys could capture him then the Dark Lord would have to step up his game. After he finished his deliveries in the Western Hemisphere Santa returned to Metropolis to visit the hospital where Thor's demolition crew laid in their comas. As he arrived in their rooms he could sense magic flowing within them. He was surprised that they were still unconscious all of this time. He pulled out a pouch that his friend Dream of the Endless, known to the world as Sandman, gave him. He actually gave him two pouches. One was filled with sand that would cause anyone to fall asleep. He didn't like using it much, but it came in handy when kids would stay awake to see if he was real. The pouch he was pulling out now was filled with sand that would wake anyone up, no matter how long they've been asleep. He sprinkled the sand on the eyes of all four members of the crew. He waited to see if it worked and watched them starting to stir awake. [color=red]"Merry Christmas."[/color] He whispered before making his swift exit. The next stop Santa made was to the holding cell that Toyman ended up in thanks to J'onn J'onzz. He used his magic to sneak inside and brought the other pouch of sand to knock out the others being held in the cell. He appeared in the cell and blew sand on each of them before turning his attention to Winslow Schott. [color=violet]"You..."[/color] Winslow said. [color=violet]"I see you escaped. What do you want with me?"[/color] [color=red]"Normally I give those like you coal, but I have something else in mind."[/color] Santa said before lifting his right hand and snapping his fingers. [color=violet]"What---"[/color] Winslow started to say before his body began to transform. It began to shrink as his skin turned to plastic until he turned into a three-foot tall toy. [color=violet]"What did you do to me!?"[/color] Winslow answered in an annoyingly whiny voice. [color=red]"I turned you into the Toyman. Merry Christmas. See you next year."[/color] Santa replied with a smirk. Toyman charged forward and fell over, not yet adjusted to his new body. By the time he looked up Santa was gone. The Toyman ran to the bars and grabbed them while yelling, [color=violet]"Santa! Get back here and change me back!! You'll rue the day you ever messed with Winslow Schott!!!"[/color] [hr] [color=darkgray]Christmas Eve[/color] Thor spent the night with Jackee to bring in Christmas together. Despite not having a title and preferring that way the two often crossed the line of what it meant to be friends with benefits. They didn't care though. They enjoyed each other's company and ever since they've been spending time with each other Thor hadn't had any interest in sleeping around with anyone else. He wouldn't admit it out loud, but he wouldn't mind making things official with her. He could trust her with every part of himself. When he returned home from saving Christmas he told her all about it and they spent the night watching Christmas movies before they fell asleep. They both wanted to sleep in, but the ringing of Jackee's phone ruined any hope of that. Her phone was on DND, but the Daily Planet was on her list that allowed calls to come through. She groaned as she reached for her phone and picked it up. She answered to hear Perry White on the other side telling her that he needed her to come and meet him at the hospital and that it was a continuation of her previous story with Thor and the demolition crew in a coma. She hung up the phone and kissed Thor on the forehead. [color=AFE1AF]"Wake up, princess."[/color] She teased. [color=AFE1AF]"The demolition crew from the armor fight just woke up from their comas. You should come with me. I'm sure they'd be happy to know that you're okay."[/color] Thor was happy to know that they were okay. This must have been what Santa meant last night. He somehow was able to wake them up from their comas. It was a Christmas miracle. [color=17dbcc]"I'm happy to know they're okay, too. Santa really came through."[/color] [color=AFE1AF]"I still can't believe you not only met him, but flew his sleigh and didn't even pick me up."[/color] Thor laughed and smiled at her. [color=17dbcc]"Next time. Let's go see my crew."[/color]