Clockblocker hated his life. Here they were, on each side of some guy who was wearing a too-small Santa suit, with a hat pulled over his eyes and a big beard. On the other side, Missy was helping a mother whose kid had had a minor ah, accident on Santa.

Fortunately, the store had spare suits, and so Santa had leaped up and gone to get his new suit, returning with a grumbling that sounded like he was about to go stomping out of there.

Which would mean that Clockblocker and Vista wouldn't finish the job and Piggy would find something else for them to do. Something horrible. He didn't know what, but Piggy had a… Talent.

I know, I'll talk to him. "So, how long have you been a Santa."

"It's my first job as a Santa, kid…"

God, will that kid shut up? Sure it was boring, but honestly, the jabber was making Brad long for a Lung attack. Seriously, it felt like the kid was trying to audition for Mouse Protector's position.

Then the little girl elf dropped the cleaning bottle she'd been using to clean up after the brat with poor bladder control.

God-Brad's thoughts slithered to a halt, as unnoticed by everyone else, the blond reached out…and space distorted just enough to get the bottle.

Vista.

The PRT—it's a trap—One hand clenched, a few knives breaking the skin, before he controlled himself. No. They'd never send a ward here if they knew I was here. This is just an accident. Just stay cool, and leave when it's done. After all, teens need hobbies too. Brad shuddered when he remembered walking into Rune's room one time and seeing her collection of boy-band posters staring at him with their soulless, empty eyes. He'd backed out like he'd just seen the Endbringers having a sleepover. But he could handle this.

Missy bit her lip to keep from screaming. She'd been looking down, and realized what was happening with "Santa's" hands and skin. She'd outed herself. She'd outed herself to Hookwolf. Hookwolf, who was dressed as Santa Claus.

That was causing a severe issue of cognitive dissonance regarding her image of Saint Nick.

He's here…I don't know. But it's not to attack us, and as long as he doesn't know I know who he is, we're safe. Just wait until we're out of here and call the PRT. I can't even tell Clockblocker to freeze him, because I don't know where the rest of the PRT is. And there are too many people here. Just wait. Just wait and it will be all over.

That was true. The Mall was packed, including a huge line for the new release of the PRT "Heroes of History" action figure line. Security was watching the increasingly annoyed line of mothers, crying children, and people trying to bribe their way into line.

Even through her Hookwolf induced worry, Missy had to smirk at that. There weren't enough figures for everyone, and nobody was about to give up their place. Even Max Anders was standing in line, looking like he wanted to be anywhere else.

Completely unaware of the Mexican standoff, Clockblocker grinned and gestured at a screaming child trying to get his mother to cut in line. "So, anyone ever hear the joke about—"

What hideously inappropriate thing Clockblocker was about to say was lost in a shriek. A shriek that told of Endbringer attacks, of the Nine, of horrors beyond comprehension.

"The Undersiders have stolen the action figures! They're all gone!"

And then everything went completely to hell.