Near Christmas time! Normally when I've written and posted anything related to the holidays here, it's usually been for Halloween (my favorite holiday of the year). So, this year, I decided to do something a bit different. I'm going to write a Christmas fic this year! This Christmas fic has basically come from my interest in the myth surrounding Krampus, who is basically a demon that is just as synonymous with Christmas in a good number of European countries as Santa Claus is for the world. And, I decided to put a bit of a WWE spin on it. Now, bear with me as I'm basically going to be putting a few of my own touches on the Krampus myth. That being said, I hope you guys give this a chance and enjoy. =)

(Disclaimer: I own none of the wrestlers used in this fic. They are the property of themselves, the WWE, and the other promotions they belong to. And I also do not own the myth and legend of Krampus. All that I own are my own ideas that are going into the fic.)

For many, Christmas time was a very special time of year. It was a time of joy, merry-making with friends and family, and holiday cheer. But, not everyone felt the Christmas spirit around the holiday season. Paige Knight was one of those people. It wasn't so much Paige wasn't a jolly person; in her own way, she was considered one of the happiest people they could ever hope to know...at least, this is what her friends would say. And, while Paige was never one to partake in major holiday celebrations, she only really rolled along with them for the sake of making her friends happy.

"I'm not really feeling up for shopping right now, guys," Paige said from where she was stretched out on the couch in the apartment she shared with two of her best friends.

"Oh, come on, Paige," a ponytailed brunette said from where she was sitting and pulling her boots on.

"I suggest you just do it, Paige," said a blonde woman who was pulling her coat on. "If you don't, you know Bayley's going to keep asking you to come with us."

"No, Emma. Honestly, I don't see why Bayley's even insisting on asking me to go out shopping with you guys," Paige said.

"Because it's Christmas time, Paige!" the ponytailed bruntte, Bayley, said as she rose from the chair she was sitting in. "I know you don't like to celebrate it, but come on. Can't you at least come with me and Emma? You don't even have to do any Christmas shopping. You could just window shop around the mall while me and Emma get the Christmas stuff."

"Hmm. Well, I have been wanting to see if there are any sales on anything that doens't have the fat bearded man's face on it," Paige said, thoughtfully. Swinging her feet off the couch, Paige said "Okay. I'll tag along with you two. After all, at least my presence will make your shopping trip a lot more fun."

"That's the spirit!" Bayley chirped as Emma giggled a bit.

Laughing a bit at Bayley's excitement, Paige got up and went to her room to get dressed in an outfit that would help keep her warm in the strong chill of the December day. While going out to the mall to do Christmas shopping wasn't what she was really planning on doing, at least she'd hopefully get something out of venturing out into the cold to go shopping with her Christmas-loving best friends.

...

The rather odd trio of best friends walked through the mall, carrying the bags that held their shopping spoils for the day: Paige was carrying around the season one box set of The Munsters TV show along with a zombie plushie she had bought, and Bayley and Emma were carrying bags filled with Christmas decorations and the gifts they had bought for each other in secret. While Paige was at least happy to find things that were more in line with her gothic likes, it still bugged the raven-haired British woman that everywhere she looked she was being bombarded with reminder after reminder of the Christmas season...although, in hindsight, now that she thought of it, Paige was beginning to think that maybe-just maybe-coming out with Bayley and Emma wasn't the best idea. But, at least their shopping trip was done, so, thankfully, they'd be heading back to their apartment soon.

The trio had just made their way past a store that sold novelty Christmas stuff when Bayley saw some of the figurines the shop was carrying on display in the front window. Quickly moving away from the window and over to Emma's other side, Bayley said "Let's hurry up and head outside. Those figurines are creeping me out a bit."

Confused by Bayley's actions, Paige looked at the shop window and was interested by what she saw: Sitting on one of the display shelves facing the window was a rather odd-looking ceramic figurine. It was a strange black fur-covered creature that had its mouth open to show off a fearsome set of fangs with its forked tongue hanging out of its mouth, claws sprouting from its fingertips, a pair of goatlike horns sprouted out of its head, and cloven hooves; and what made this figurine look the most fearsome was the fact that it was hunched over with one hand outstretched with and the other hand holding a length of chain, with this hand reared back as though it was about to attack someone. Letting out a short laugh, Paige said "Whoa. This thing looks pretty metal."

Curious about what Paige was talking about, Emma walked over to the window and saw just what Paige was talking about. Taking a look at the figurine, Emma shuddered a bit and said "Oh man. That looks kinda scary, Paige."

"It's not scary, Em. It's just...OK, it's probably scary to some, but I think it looks pretty cool," Paige said, grinning. "I think I want to buy this."

"Um, Paige? You sure that's going to be a good idea?" Emma asked, nodding her head in Bayley's direction.

"Of course I'm sure it's a good idea, Em. And, don't worry. I'll make sure to put it somewhere so that it won't be seen by you guys," Paige said. Seeing the looks of disbelief on her friends' faces, Paige said "I promise."

Sharing a look with Bayley, who still seemed a bit hesitant to believe this, Emma sighed before saying "OK, fine. But, you better make sure that figurine is out of me and Bayley's sight when we get back home."

"I will, I will," Paige said, waving off Emma's chastisement. Heading into the Christmas store with her friends following behind her, Paige was set to purchase the macabre yuletide trinket that had caught her eye.

To everyone that stuck with this until the end, I just want to say thanks for giving my Christmas fic a try. I plan on having the action pick up in the coming chapters, so hopefully you guys will be willing to stick around for the delightful Christmas spookiness I have set to come. Don't forget to R&R please to let me know what you guys think so far. =)

(Swing by my profile if you guys would like and take a look at the poll I have up. Once you see the poll, it'll be pretty self-explanatory as to what it's for. Feel free to vote on it too, if you guys would like. =) )