Christmas Story: Good Always Triumphs by Fiero

Thank you Fiero for entering the Christmas Fiction Contest. Here is their story...

(By Dan Peyton)

Over the bleak, cold arctic north a large BADGE landing craft buzzed through the gray skies. Gliding next to it was the stone hero Gargoyle, keenly watching the white land below.

Nova sat in the command seat of this large craft while his trusty robots managed the controls. He touched a comm device attached to his ear, “Anything yet, Gar?”

Gar answered, “Just snow. I...WATCH OUT!”

The proximity alarm went off and the whole craft lurched to the side as something slammed into them. The whole craft spun out of control, the three robots on the bridge rolled about like toys in a storm while Nova kept his firm grip on the command chair.

Nova looked out the front windows as they fell out of the sky and slammed into the ground. Waves of white powder spewed from either side of the ship as they plowed across the frozen north. After the sliding came to a stop, Nova shoved the emergency exit open and jumped out.

Gar landed next to him, "Sir, look!"
A demon approached,“Ah, Director Nova. It’s been a while.”

“What is it this time, Krampus? You and I both know you’re unable to get into Santa’s palace.”

Krampus resembled a man with shaggy hair all over his body, long demonic horns on his head, a long tail, and goat-like legs. He smiled at Nova with those fangs of his, “True, I could never get into that place. But, things have changed.”
“What are you talking about?”

Krampus answers, “These Morphons are spectacular little blessings, now aren’t they? Some humans have been turned almost into gods with them, and some into demons...depends on what they do with them I suppose. I, already being nearly a god myself, found them to be most delightful.”

Nova growled, “What have you done?”

“What I was always meant to do, punish the nasty little brats of this world. And with Santa out of my way, I think I can do my job unhindered. I think I will go eat at least ten thousand children, for starters. I believe that should make up for the lost years with Santa holding me back. Then, who knows? Maybe I’ll eat a few thousand more, all before Christmas.”

“No, you can’t,” Nova exclaimed.

Krampus laughed, “Who will stop me? Without Santa’s cheer, and morphons surging through my body, I am invulnerable. Now, I think I’ll start with a nice aged appetizer.” He jumped at Nova but was blindsided by a full-body slam from Gar. Without a second thought, Gar punched the demon hard enough to send him sprawling ten feet backward across the snow.

“Stay away, monster,” Gar commanded.

Krampus sat there, wiping a trickle of blood from his nose. “You’re an interesting foe. I’ll enjoy playing with you when I’m done. But, alas, I have other plans.” He vanished in a black puff of smoke, leaving only a cackle in its wake.

Nova let out a furious scoff, “This is serious.”
"What was that thing?" Gar asked.
"A demon who dines on little children. Since you can fly, head back to BADGE HQ and alert the leagues that Krampus must be defeated. I’ll stay here and call on any heroes who can help me find Santa and set this all straight. GO!”

Gar took to the skies while Nova headed back into his wrecked ship. He activated his comm, “Nova to all heroes, I need anyone who can help me find Santa, this is a matter of planetary emergency.”

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(By Fiero)

Nova was mad. Santa was missing and thousands of children were being threatened. When Nova got mad...well, it just wasn’t a good place to be. It was said smoke actually came out of his ears. He sent out an emergency call to all heroes.

Fiero heard Nova’s emergency call. A demon, that old fool Krampus, threatened to do the unimaginable...erase xmas and eat the children! She was ready to explode with anger as memories of her clinic days in the broken part of town vividly filled her head. She loved those kids!

Fiero shook her head and looked to the sky. “Madness!”, she screamed to the wind. She let out a long breathe trying to regain her calm state of mind and focus her energy on a plan. She would not allow this. Santa would be found and the children protected, she vowed. She would once again use her powers for the good of all. Fallen or not, she would continue to elevate her spirit.

“Director Nova, fiero here. I will help find Santa so xmas can cover the world with showers of love. You can depend on me”. Nova expected the call so he smiled as the call disconnected. Fiero was a fallen angel that burned her way through hell fire and came out the other sided like a phoenix rising through its ashes. She would use her strong psychic power to discover where Santa had been hidden. Nova knew he could depend on her.

The tall indigo hero walked to a quiet nearby field and leaned back on an ancient oak tree. As Fiero focused her thoughts, the search for Santa began. Colors began to swirl as the world disappeared and fiero rose to become spirit. She thrust her arms to the sides and her psychic energy flew threw her fingers and out into the world. As the colors began to turn into spears of blazing colored light, she sensed a void of color in the spirit realm. It was deep and dark and her energy would not penetrate it.

Fiero knew what this meant. Santa was being held prisoner wherever this void was located. As she concentrated more intently, the location became clear. “Director Nova”, fiero said when her phone call connected, “I know where Santa is being held. Here are the coordinates. There is a strong energy force keeping Santa prisoner so I will be there to assist. Can you have the plane pick me up asap?”

Once on the plane, fiero concentrated her psychic energy on the void. She forced the spears of color into the air to disperse the dark energy. The strain was beginning to take a toll but she continued. As the plane was about to land, fiero was able to break through and Santa was freed. He wandered out of the large void into the colored light as his shackles fell off his arms.

The plane landed and Nova ran to get Santa. Fiero continued to use her psychic force to clear Santas thoughts and energize his spirit. “Santa, you old coot. I’m so happy to see you in one piece”, Nova said and he hugged the well padded, bearded guy from the North. Santa smiled as he glanced at the indigo skinned Fallen Angel and then quickly back to Nova. “ Not as happy as I am.”, he said” Not only can xmas go on but the children are safe. You deserve a whole sled full of morphones for this!”

Fiero felt at peace. It was always a good feeling to kick some evil butt. “Yes”, fiero thought as she nodded her head, Krampus will be dealt with and I will make sure it happens”.