Cape High Christmas: A Side Story (Cape High Series)

by R. J. Ross

  "Raindrop Elf!" Max says, grinning from ear to ear.

  "BEST SANTA EVER!" Divine Justice and her doppelgangers exclaim at the same time. Malina, in the perfect Christmas elf uniform, complete with curly toes (and a mask under her pointy hat), stands up in the seat that makes her look even smaller.

  "OKAY, OKAY, one at a time!" she yells, her hands on her hips. "Santa's got important things to do, so I'm going to do the job this time--and unlike him, I'm not afraid of being tough," she says, pointing at Max and Jack pointedly. "Now, one at a time," she tells them, sitting down and patting her lap. "Come on, we don't have all day!"

  Kid Liberty, first in line, just looks around, obviously NOT wanting to sit on her lap. "Um... I don't--"

  "Well come on!" she says, patting her lap again.

  "I can't sit on your lap," he says, lowering his voice. "That would be rude." The look she shoots him says, "Are you KIDDING me?" He tugs on the collar of his shirt before saying, "I could... ah... sit next to you?" he offers, trying to sit down without sitting on her. Soon they're sitting side by side in the big chair, and he's STILL looking awkward.

  "So what do you want for Christmas, little boy?" Malina asks with a grin.

  "I'm over six foot," Trent says, "and still growing."

  "That wasn't the question," Malina says.

  "Okay, um... well, I was thinking maybe a BB gun?" Trent asks, as if not sure.

  "You'll shoot your eye out!" she yells. "NEXT!"

  Emily and her doppelgangers tug at Trent until he gets the point and gets up. They all drop down in the seat with Malina, with one of them draped over Malina's lap. "Hiiiiii!" she says, hugging the other girl. "We've been VERY good girls!" she declares.

  Trent coughs dramatically.

  "And what would you like for Christmas, very good girls?" Malina asks.

  "Oh, nothing much, we just wanted to see you," another of the three says, joining in on the hug. "You're the CUTEST ELF EVER!" the third declares happily.

  "Okay, okay, enough smothering the elf!" Trent says, picking up two of them.

  Malina rolls her eyes. "NEXT!" she says. "Come on, come on, we don't have all day!" She takes a second to sneak-hug Emily before pushing her off her lap.

  "We want to know," Max and Jack say from either side of her chair, "which one of us is first on the naughty list!" Max finishes, leaning down so he's in her face.

  She reaches up, pats him on the cheek, and pushes him away. "NEXT! Move along, kid, you're bothering me."

  "But--" Jack says.

  "I said NEXT!"

  Justin steps up. "Hi," he says. "It's my turn."

  "You cut in line, didn't you?" she says.

  "Well--but it's my show--" he stutters.

  "End of the line!" she declares, pointing at the end. He hangs his head and slowly heads for the end of the line.

  The scene goes dark even for the people in it, and suddenly Justin and his band are back on the stage, singing, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." They finish that and launch into another, and another Christmas song, for a long while. After the final song, Ace heads onto the stage, waving his hands.

  "I figured it out," he says. "We'll just wipe everyone's memories!"

  "But the show's almost over, anyway," Justin says.

  "So? What do you think will happen if people start thinking I'm not a villain? No one will take me seriously! I'll be at the BOTTOM of the NAUGHTY LIST!" he yells dramatically. "I'm not about to be beaten by those two hacks!" He waves a hand in Jack and Max's general direction.

  "Then you just have to do something really, really big," Justin says.

  "Like what?"

  "How about stealing Christmas?"

  Ace just stares at him. "It's been done," he says finally, dryly.

  "Then how about you kidnap Santa Clause?"

  "Pretty sure that's been done, too," he says. The credits start scrolling in the air in front of them, making them both look up. "The show's almost over, man, and I STILL haven't regained my place on the naughty list!" Ace says, rushing forward and trying to grab the credits. He jumps up, grabbing the top line and shoving it downwards. "Not yet, I have a reputation to save!" he yells, only to get shoved upwards by the floating credits. He gets dragged upwards, leaving Justin standing there with his band behind him.

  "Well... uh... Merry Christmas everyone! On behalf of me and everyone at Cape High, we wish you all Happy Holidays!" Justin says, waving at the drone. The drone blinks twice.

  "And we're off the air," Nico says. "Good job, Justin, kids. That should more than pay for your Spring Break, and if it doesn't, I'm sure Mastermental will, after a show like that." The group cheers.

  Advent Calendar - Day Twenty-Three

  "So," Zoe says, leaning against Carla's door and watching the other girl race around. "Where are you going?" The day had been Bobby's, and they'd spent it shopping for Christmas presents at the Legends. Most of the other kids are trying to hide their gifts from one another and wrap them. Only Carla is acting strange.

  "I--" the blur that is Carla stops and takes a deep breath, turning to her. "I want to get ready for my day, but I couldn't do it until tonight because then people would worry 'cause I was gone and I don't want people to worry--"

  "Where are we going?" Zoe asks, still lounging there, her arms crossed casually.

  "We?" Carla asks.

  "You helped me, I help you," Zoe explains.

  "But--I--I wasn't going to ask anyone," Carla admits, looking down at her hands. "Because there's a really good chance I'll fail--and then I'll look stupid, and if I fail and you're helping me, we'll BOTH look stupid--"

  "All three of us will," Malina says from behind Zoe. Zoe moves aside, letting her in. "I'm going, too. But... where are we going?" she asks.

  "I wanted to go see Santa and see if he can come to school--but he's probably busy--or... or he doesn't exist," Carla says, looking at the My Little Pony backpack she's loading with food and clothing. "And if he doesn't exist, what do I tell my little brothers and sisters?" she asks them, her worry clear.

  "I think he exists," Zoe says, slowly. "At least, there's a high probability--especially after we saw Ace's play. I mean, it makes sense if you think he's a cape, right? But it won't be easy. I mean, sure, we could just go ask Grandma and Grandpa--"

  "If you two are my helpers, I can't ask an adult," Carla says. "And if I have helpers and I DO find Santa, I can't ask him to be my helper!" she says, groaning and hanging her head.

  "Then don't ask us," Zoe says. "I'll break the rules. It's not like Dad can skip out on giving me a Christmas present, Mom would slaughter him," she adds with a wicked little grin. "And... well, I'll make yours, Malina, if you're willing," she says to Malina.

  "I don't even need a gift--I'm going to help my best friend, that's WAY more important than a gift!" Malina declares fiercely.

  "Thank you," Carla says, dragging them both into a hug. "But can you keep up with me on a run all the way to the North Pole?" she asks.

  "I possibly could, but who needs to?" Zoe asks. "I know someone that's got a teleportation watch just BEGGING to be stolen again," she adds evilly. "Meet me outside the school security field in ten minutes--I'll make you both clear to leave." She heads off, leaving the two looking at each other with burgeoning grins.

  "Make sure you bring a sweater!" Malina says. "I'm going to go get my stuff!" She races off excitedly, leaving Carla to stand there, feeling a bit shaken up. She'd never expected ZOE of all people to volunteer. And would stealing Nico's watch put them on the naughty list? It's been done SO OFTEN that it's more like checking out a library book, right?

  She walks over to the photograph of her family, picking it up and looking at her brothers and sisters. This, she decides, is more important than the naughty list, because she's going to ask Nico if she can bring her siblings to her Advent Calendar day. Letting them see Santa--the REAL Santa--is more important than an entire LIFETIME on the nice list! She puts the picture down and grabs her backpack, checks
her special boots--ones with heavy duty cleats that come out with a button this time! And heads out to meet Malina and leave the school campus.

  They stop at the sight of Nico and Zoe standing outside, and a cold ball of ice develops in Carla's stomach. "Are you--you aren't going to punish her, are you?" she asks. "This was MY idea! If anyone should be punished--"

  "Who's getting punished?" Nico asks. "I just came to wish you all good luck and hand over the watch," he goes on, dangling the watch from his fingers. "And since it's your mission, Carla, you get to wear it."

  She stares at him, and he gives her the most innocent grin she's ever seen him give--"You're up to something, aren't you?" she demands.

  "This close to Christmas? Even a super villain knows to behave around now," he says innocently.

  "He's up to something," Zoe and Malina say, dryly. "But we aren't going to dig because we've got a lot to do!" Zoe goes on, grabbing the watch and strapping it on Carla's wrist. "Okay, Carla, all we have to do is grab on to you and you push the--Malina, grab on," she says, not even finishing the sentence. Both girls grab on tight as Carla pushes the button.

  Nico waits until they're gone to clap his hands and bring up a hologram. "Hello, Jolly Man," he says with a grin. "I suggest you suit up, because you're about to be invaded."

  "What?" Santa asks, jerking slightly. "Why?"

  "Because my cutest kids are about to breach your territory and Dad won't do a THING to stop them. You'll be lucky if he doesn't give them a hand," Nico says with evil glee. "You started this game, you're going to finish it, in proper Christmas spirit."

  "I really doubt they'll get past my security, unless you sent an army," Santa says. "I do hope they don't get too cold searching."

  "But Santa," Nico says cheerfully, "I don't need an army--I've got twins. Actually, I'm saving Sunny for the Easter Bunny, I think he'll enjoy that. But Zoe is more than enough to find you."

  "Speaking of Zoe," Santa says. "I'd be willing to--"

  "Not a chance," Nico says, hanging up.

  ***

  There's snow and ice for as far as the eye can see. The three girls look around curiously, and Carla suddenly realizes how huge a place it is. "This is going to take ALL DAY!" she says, groaning. "Even at top speed--"

  "Wait, relax," Zoe says, patting her on the arm. "First off, Santa has to have a LARGE facility, right? He's got to make presents for all the kids in the world, and that isn't going to happen in a tiny spot. And according to Ace's story, the North Pole is actually underground, right? That's what happened after the fight between Jack Frost and the very first Santa. So all we need is to find an underground base somewhere around, um... here, I hope. Grandma and Grandpa's place is right over there," she adds, getting her bearings. "That means north is... this way," she declares, turning to the right.

  "Um, what should I do?" Malina asks.

  "Carla?" Zoe asks, turning to the youngest of the group. "This is your trip, what do you think we should do?"

  Carla hesitates, knowing that if she just leaves it up to Zoe, they'll find Santa's workshop in no time. But... "You said it's underground, right?" she says, her mind whirling. "Malina, can you feel how deep the snow is beneath you?"

  "I can!" Malina says, looking a little surprised.

  "Well then you look for a really shallow area--like there's something underneath that shouldn't be," Carla says. "Zoe, you start looking for machines. They can't build toys without machines, right? Not nowadays, anyway! Well, unless they've got a ton of technopaths working for them..."

  "I really doubt it," Zoe says, "but they might. I'll see what I can find!"

  "And I'll start looking for secret entrances!" Carla says. "Everyone have their earbud in?" she asks, touching her ear. When they nod, she goes, "Let's move--"

  The snow under their feet shifts and all three are thrown off as a massive beast of a creature stands up. It stands well over ten feet tall and has thick white fur covering its body. "POLAR BEAR!" Malina yells, tackling Carla as a paw goes swinging--at least she TRIES to tackle her. Carla's already gone. She turns, watching Carla jump in the air and kick the--that's not a polar bear, she realizes.

  "Abominable Snowman!" Zoe says as Carla's foot slams into the creature's face, sending it slamming into the ground.

  "You stay away from my friends!" Carla yells at it as it awkwardly gets to its feet again. She stands in front of the others, her hands in fists, her eyes narrow.

  "He's probably working for Santa," Zoe says as he starts for them again, "so don't hurt him too bad--he's GOT to be on the endangered species list--" she stops, though, as three others sprout out of the ground, surrounding them. "Okay, forget the not hurting part," she says, turning so their backs are to each other's. "Ladies, take them out, but don't kill them, and try not to break anything, this is Christmas," she says, bringing up her fists.

  "Winter Wonderland setting on the apocalypse field?" Malina says.

  "That one's my favorite!" Carla says excitedly. The Yeti look at each other, worriedly. Before they can do anything, the three girls shoot forward in three different directions, attacking one each, or in the case of Zoe, two. Soon all of the Yeti are laid out on the ground, with Carla taking the time to crouch over each of them and pat them on the head. "You'll be okay," she tells them, "we train EXTRA hard to not break things. But we can always bring up a healer if you're too bruised, okay?" she adds.

  The Yeti whimper in pain. The three girls head on, watching the snow closely. "They had to come from somewhere close--honestly, whether they were wild or working for Santa, I don't know," Zoe says as they trudge through the snow, "but it seems rather strange for them to show themselves all of a sudden. Yeti are usually really hard to find, right?"

  "Well, unless you're one of those TV monster hunters," Malina says. "Then they show up weekly!"

  "I don't remember becoming a monster hunter," Carla says. "But it'd make an awesome show, don't you think? Three girl capes hunting down monsters!"

  "We could TOTALLY pull it off," Zoe agrees. "But it's sort of species-ist, really. I mean, Aunt Skye's friend Doris could be considered a monster, and hunting her would be just plain wrong."

  "What have you done to my babies?" a woman demands, dropping from the sky in front of them. She's dressed in red and green, and bells tinkle lightly as she storms up to them. "You could have killed them!" she declares angrily.

  "They attacked us first!" Malina says, nose to nose with the woman--she blinks when she realizes that. "You're a little person, too?" she asks blankly.

  "Elf," the woman says. "I am Toodles the Elf, and I'm in charge of the magical animal division--do you know what that makes me?" she demands.

  "Mrs. Claus?" Carla asks. Toodles turns BRIGHT red.

  "N--no! I--I would never--that is--I am-What that MAKES me is second in command of the North Pole, and first in command of the defense!" she declares.

  "See that stutter?" Zoe whispers theatrically. "Someone has a crush on Santa, don't they?" she teases evilly.

  "Don't worry, Toodles, we're not height-ist," Carla says very sweetly. "If you love Santa, we'll support you ONE HUNDRED percent--well, unless he's married. Is he married?"

  "He is NOT! I would NEVER even think--" Toodles says, still bright red. She breathes in and touches her chest with a fist, and then lets it out, her hand moving forward in a sweeping movement. "Okay," she says.

  "Oh my gosh--You're a Pega-sister!" Carla says, practically bouncing. "SISTER!" she declares, hugging the elf, who looks extremely awkward for a moment, and then sighs loudly before bringing out a tiny phone.

  "Santa?" she says. "They defeated me."

  "That quickly?"

  "Well, Carla and I ARE Pega-sisters," she admits shamefully. "I think it was the hug." The other two jump in, hugging her as well. "But they HAVE to tend to the poor Yeti! They gave them quite a beating!"

  "We only bruised them!" Zoe says quickly. "But we'll do what we can--I'm afraid we left our healers back home."

  "Okay
, okay, bring them in," Santa says, sounding dryly amused. "But only once they close their eyes and PROMISE never to tell how they get in."

  "We promise!" all three girls chime. They close their eyes and cover them with their hands, waiting until Toodles tells them to open them again.

  The room they're in smells like gingerbread and peppermint, and Carla's the first to react as she looks around. Her eyes grow huge and her hands clasp at her chest for a second before she starts racing around wildly from colorful, Christmas-y work station to work station. The elves--supers of all sizes and power types--get a bit startled as she appears right beside them, asking what they're doing. She runs off before they can finish their explanation, leaving a few of them choking on laughter.

  "HO HO HO!" Santa says, making all three girls go perfectly still before turning. For a long moment they stare at him.

  "CENTURY?" Zoe demands.

  "Wait, when did he have a beard?" Malina asks.

  Advent Calendar - Day Twenty-Four

  “This is CARLA’S day,” Vinny snaps, getting in Nico’s face. “She would never be late for her own day–where IS she?” he demands. His hair catches on fire and his hands fist, lighting up as if he’s going to attack their principal.

  “VINNY!” Morgan snaps. “Calm down. I’m sure Nico has an explanation.” The rest of the school is watching Vinny a bit warily. Seeing the most laid-back guy in the dorms getting all fired up is startling, to say the least. But it IS Carla, they think after a second. Of them all, Vinny is most protective of the baby of the group.

  “She’s perfectly safe,” Nico says. “Most likely he put her to work,” he adds, snorting.

  “Who?” Vinny demands. “WHO put her to work?”

  Nico hesitates, and then shrugs. “I’m already on the naughty list, so why not? Santa,” he says, “Zoe, Malina and Carla went up to find Santa.”

  The room goes still, and the kids look at each other for a moment before starting to laugh. “You could have just said that first thing,” Vinny says, his fire gone in a second. “Come on, guys, we won’t see them until tonight, or after Christmas if they really get scammed.”