EarthChristmas EveOn the Night Before Christmas everything was sweet. A Jolly man in red had just left the Lord of Apokolips a coaly treat. He traveled through the stars delivering gifts to all the good boys and girls while giving the naughty their due. It was time for him to return home to finish up his work for the night before the sun began to rise in the east. Things were running smoothly until he made his way to London. He was dropping off a lump a coal at a devious man claiming to be the Toyman.
Santa and his reindeer landed on the roof of Winslow Schott's apartment building.
"I'll show this naughty young man that there's only room for one, Toyman. Wait here, fellas." He pulled dust from a pouch on his waist and blew it into the cold winter air. His body transformed into the magical dust and maneuvered through the air before entering the Toyman's apartment. The moment that the dust entered the apartment it transformed into Santa Claus once again.
SNAP. The moment that Santa touched the ground a trap activated surrounding him in a makeshift cell of metal.
"Ho, ho, ho. This can't contain me." The jolly old man said before trying to use his magic to escape, but then he realized that he couldn't feel the connection to his magic.
The lights turned on to reveal Winslow Schott staring down Santa Claus.
"Well, you're not the magical freak I planned to capture, but this is an unexpectedly pleasant surprise. Hello, Santa. I bet you're wondering how I was able to make a trap that stops magic. An annoying little trickster gave me some precious and rare metals to make new toys with. Uru and Nth metal. He wanted me to use them against his brother, Thor and I still might, but I planned to use them on Loki when he returned. But with you being here tonight a wonderful opportunity has presented itself. I can finally get my revenge on the bastard who destroyed my wife. This is the greatest Christmas gift I've ever received."Winslow skipped over to his bedroom to pick up a sack of toys of his own before heading towards his door.
"Merry Christmas, Santa. Please do enjoy your stay."
Every TV Channel and Radio Station around the world was taken over by a Breaking News Broadcast urgently being put out.
"We have news that I never imagined I'd be reporting on in my life. An explosion destroyed the home of Arms Manufacturer Walter Dunhill. Walter was home at the time and has been announced dead on the scene. But that's not the shocking part and why we're taking over every broadcasting channel right now. Eyewitness statements report seeing a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer leaving the scene. After my parents told me Santa wasn't real I stopped believing in him, but Santa is real and he's on a rampage. Please everyone, remain safe and vigilant. Protect your kids. Santa Claus is coming to town and he's handing out more than just toys and coal this year."After the reporter was done speaking a photo of the evidence of Santa's involvement in the attack on Walter Dunhill was shown on the screen.
Thor couldn't believe his eyes or his ears. Santa was real? That was a shocking revelation, but he didn't believe that he was the one responsible for Dunhill's death. There was one person that he knew loved toys and explosions and was one that had a hankering for revenge. But if he was flying Santa's sleigh, where was Santa?
Thor had a feeling that he'd be coming for him next. They had unfinished business to attend to. He was glad that he finally moved out of his parents' place. If the Toyman was able to track people by where they lived he didn't want them to be in any danger.
"Looks like Santa isn't the only one suiting up for the holiday." Thor walked over to his coat rack and picked up Mjolnir.
"It's time to save Christmas."
Virgil, Daisy, and Richie were volunteering together at a homeless shelter's toy drive when they heard the news.
"You guys don't actually think Santa's responsible for this, do you?" Daisy asked.
"Nah. Good guys don't just go evil like that. But someone's out there trying to make Santa look bad. If he comes this way Static will be ready." Virgil said with a flash of electricity in his eyes.
Batman and Robin were in the Batmobile when the radio broadcast came on.
"I don't think the real Santa is doing this." Robin said, more hopeful, than sure.
"I doubt he is, Robin. But we have our own Santa troubles to worry about."