(All Gen-X Characters are copyrighted by Marvel.)
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The figure entered the hall of the Xavier School of Gifted Youngsters.
It was a dream come true for him, but then it was a dream, a fantasy of
sorts. He opened the bag he had with him. He wasn't Santa Claus,
but he was doing his job at this location. He believe all should
celebrate Christmas' season of peace, and receiving, and it made him feel
good to give out presents. He looked at the list he had. The
first names were the youngest children at the school, Artie and Leech.
He pulled out two matching boxes and focused one the contents. They
were simple children, and boys deserved the right type of gifts.
He smiled and created something the two could share. They liked games,
and he figured they would like these.
He went to the next name on the list, Jubilation Lee. A while ago,
she wished her parents could be back with her. That was impossible
so her focused on her desires. He smiled when he realized who one
of her favorite actors was. He pulled out a medium sized box.
He chucked think about all the contents. She would flip.
The next name was Paige Guthre. She was a kind child. She deserved
something nice. He focused on her likes. He saw one that would
come in time, but he couldn't do anything to push it. He then saw
all the stuffed animals. He decided she might like a special stuffed
animal.
Next was the girl known as Penance. The poor child was a mess, and
he could see all of it. He pulled out a special gift for the little
girl. He placed it down and smiled. He wiped a tear away from
his cheek and smiled.
The name following hers was Gaia. This one had to be special, it
was the girl's first Christmas. He didn't know what to give her.
He then smiled. Something hit him that might make it special.
He pulled out the package and placed it on the pile. He thought of
how her eyes might light up at the sight.
He came to the last girl in the list, Monet St. Croix. He saw her
nature, and felt she needed to learn something. He pulled out the
present. He chucked, knowing she might not find the gift to be her
favor, but hopefully she would get the point.
It was now the guys' turns. He looked at first name on the list,
Everett Thomas. He smiled and found the perfect gift. It was
simple, not extravagant, but it was what the boy might like.
The next name was that of Jonothan Evans Starsmore. He knew what
the boy would definitely love for a gift. He reached into the bag
and pulled out a large box. The lad would find a lot of things could
be done with this gift.
He glanced at the following name. Angelo Espanosa, a lad who faked
his death. He knew what the boy would like the most. He had
made special preparations for this gift. He pulled out a small envelope.
He smiled and stopped his task, so he could let a tear go. It was
a heart touching gift.
He pulled out the next gift. It was for the woman teacher at the
school. A moment from one's past that was a happy one. He placed
it down on the pile.
He was about to reach into the bag for the next to last gift when a voice
called out, "Aye, what are ye doing here?" He turned to face the
headmaster of the school. He just smiled and pulled out the package
and tossed it. The man caught it and said, "What the, who are
ye?" It was too late, he faded to another site.
He looked up at the place and pulled out a special present. Something
he hoped the last recipient would greatly appreciate. He placed it
at the door and disappeared from sight. It was time to see how the
gifts were received.
**********************************************
He knew everyone heard him as they were heading for his direction.
Sean couldn't believe what had happened. A man threw him a present
and disappeared. It wasn't St. Nick, but it was someone. When
everyone entered the first one to say something was Jubilee, "Oh my gosh.
Who brought those?"
Everyone went to the pile of gifts, but no one could outrun Artie and Leech.
The two found their gifts and opened them right away. The boys pulled
out two Gameboys, and two cartridge boxes, one red and one blue.
An image of a cartoon character appeared over Artie's head, and Leech said,
"Yea, Artie, We catch own Pikachu's now." Sean knew the kids love
the show, but didn't know they wanted that as a gift.
He then heard Jono say, "I don't believe it." Sean saw that Jono
was holding a brand new guitar. The boy was almost in tears.
"I never thought I'd have a guitar like this." It was obviously Jono's
fondest wish.
Jubilee then tore into the box with her name. The first thing she
pulled out was a box. "A computer game. This is all I get."
Paige looked in and said, "There's more. There's a copy of Home Alone
2 in here."
"I don't like that kid in those films." She looked pulled out another
box and said, "What is it with these computer games?" She put the
box down and did a double take. "Oh my gosh." She tore into
the box and discovered the common link these items had. "It's a Tim
Curry theme. Kewl. Movies, Games, even a music CD." The
girl was in heaven.
He watched as Paige move to her box. She opened it to see a big stuffed
animal. It looked like the image Artie had conjured. Leech
just said, "Pikachu," as Paige hugged it. Sean had to admit that
it was adorable, and Paige adored it.
Everett then opened his gift and smiled. "Hey guys, look. It's
a picture of us when we first came here, but I don't remember us taking
this picture." Sean glanced at the picture and was amazed.
Everett was right, it was a photo that never was taken.
He then heard Gaia gasp. They all turned to face her and they all
saw it. It was a diamond. A note with it just said, "May your
first Christmas last as long as this diamond." The mysterious gift
giver wanted Gaia to remember this season.
Emma walked in and said, "What's the commotion? Isn't it early for
opening presents?" She noticed all the gifts and then saw the box
for her. She opened it and said, "My goodness, this is a photo of
me in my childhood, during Christmas." Sean decided to open his package.
He saw a picture of Theresa and with it was a pipe. Theresa was a
little girl in the picture.
He saw Monet slowly open her gift. She pulled out a locket and said,
"Moi deui, it is like my mother's. Does it have her picture inside?"
She opened it up and looked in shock as a small piece of coal came out.
A voice then said, "Tis the nature to give a gift to suit thy actions.
Your gift is what you always wanted. Behave this year and ye will
get the picture. Remember those who cared for ye, and paid ye compassion,
and know that they could have avoided ye." Sean looked for the source
of the voice but decided to stop, but he did see the look on Monet's face.
It was a face of someone who has been humbled.
Angelo then picked up and envelope and opened it. He looked it over
and started to cry. He just looked at everyone and said, "It's from
my mother. She said that she still loved me, regardless of who I
am. She knows that I would do no wrong." He was crying even
more. Sean wondered who the visitor last night was, for he wasn't
sure if even Santa could pull that off.
Finally everyone looked at Penance who had opened her gift so very carefully.
He saw a look of surprise on her face, and tears at her eyes. Everyone
went to see what she had, when the most unique thing happened. Sean
heard the radio go on and it said, "For all listening, this is for all
children, age 1 to 92." Then the music began and the same voice that
made the announcement, and that spoke to Monet started singing. "And
so this is Christmas, and what have you done..." As the song continued,
all his students who could speak started to sing.
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Emplate watched as his manservant entered the room. He was carrying
a package. "What is that, D.?"
The little man just looked at it and said, "A present, for you. Someone
left it here."
Emplate took the package and opened it carefully. Inside he found
a photo of his younger days, before he was this, with his family.
But who could have sent this? Gen X didn't know where he was, nor
did his father. Then the odd thing happened. He heard music
echoing through his place. He couldn't help but sing. "The
near and the dear ones, the old and the young."
**********************************************
"Let's hope it's a good one, without any fear." He finished singing.
He knew that all the recipients of his gifts were singing. Christmas
did that to one. He started away from where he stood.
A voice just said, "You did good. Got even a tough one to feel happy.
You should do this every year." The bearded man smiled with his last
words.
The man just smiled and said, "No, I don't want to take your job, Santa,
but thank you for letting me live out this fantasy." The man yawned
and laid down in chair.
Santa walked over and said, "No problem, child. No problem."
He took the man to his sleigh and took the man home.
Merry Christmas, and Happy Hanukkah
(note: Song quoted above is "Merry Xmas (War is Over)" by John
Lennon and Yoko Ono. It inspired me to write this Generation X Christmas
Tale.)