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Santa Strikes Back
'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house. Not a creature was stirring, not even a giant mouse in boxing gloves.
Far off on another continent however, Dr Boskonovitch is putting the final touches to Yoshimitsu's new nose.
"Try not to damage this one." He politely asked Yoshimitsu after he had finished. "This is the last of the noses."
"I will try." Replied Yoshimitsu.
The Dr released the clamps holding Yoshimitsu's head in place and allowed the mechanical ninja to stand to his feet.
"Now my boy. Go and play with your friends whilst I clean up here. And leave your sword behind! I don't want a repeat of last weeks unfortunate incident with the that boy Susan."
Outside the kids were playing basketball. Yoshimitsu loved basketball. He was much taller than the kids, so they all fought over whose team he should be on.
"Can I play?" he asked.
After some arguments he finally got selected for a team, on the basis of "Its our turn to win!" The game lasted several hours and was still going on when the Dr called Yoshimitsu in for his tea.
"Coming Dr!" Yoshimitsu yelled.
As Yoshimitsu waved goodbye to his friends he ran back to the lab. 'These are good days.' He thought to himself. 'All is well with the world, and pleasant, and nothing could possibly go wrong.' Had he not tripped and fell flat on his face, this would have been a perfect day for Yoshimitsu.
"Will Santa come tonight?" Asked little Johnny as his mother tucked him in for the night.
"Only if you have been good." His mother replied, and softly kissed his forehead.
"Oh I have mother! I have been ever so good! And oh so twee!"
"Then I suspect Santa will be waiting to come down the chimney. But he can't come in until you go to sleep."
Little Johnny smiled and made himself comfortable. Within minutes he was fast asleep, dreaming of toys he may well be playing with the next day.
"LEI!!!"
The scream rang out through the offices as Lei Wulong entered.
"You're in trouble now." Smirked detective Ping. Lei sat down on the edge of her desk and smiled.
"I think he just wants to congwatulate me for last nights bust. We awested 16 dwug dealers."
Lei stuck his finger through a bullet hole in his sleeve.
"They almost shot me." He said.
"Awwww…you poor thing." Said Ping. "Want mommy to kiss it better?"
Lei smirked. "If I had known you would offer, I would have let them beat me up a bit too."
"LEI!!!" Came the yell again as the Chief threw the door of his office open. "GET IN HERE!!!"
"I think you had better get going." Smiled Ping. "He sounds serious. He's using three explanation marks."
"I guess he is weally excited about giving me my medal."
"There there." Soothed Dr Boskonovitch as Yoshimitsu cried the last of his tears. "I have ordered some new noses. We will get that fixed when they arrive."
"But that will be ages!" Whined Yoshimitsu. "I can't go out like this! All of the light from inside my head is shining through the gap!"
"Its not that bad. I doubt anyone will even notice."
Dr Boskonovitch pulled Yoshimitsu to his feet and pushed him into the dining room. "Now. Eat your tea and you can go back out to play with your friends."
Yoshimitsu sniffed and began to eat.
After tea Yoshimitsu went back outside to see his friends. They were still playing basketball, and Yoshimitsu forgot about his nose and ran over.
"I'm back!" he yelled. "Can I join in again?"
The kids cheered and all turned to greet Yoshimitsu, but silence fell as there attention was drawn to Yoshimitsu's nose. Several kids shaded their eyes from the glare.
"Yoshi! What happened to your nose?" one kid remarked.
"I fell down. But I'm ok now." Yoshimitsu smiled. "Can we play again?"
"You can't play." Another kid said. "It wouldn't be fair. We wouldn't be able to see the ball. Its too bright!"
"I'm sorry." The first kid said. "But it would make it difficult."
"OK." Said Yoshimitsu. "Ill go and play inside with my King action figures."
A tear rolled down Yoshimitsu's face as he walked slowly back to the lab. A crackle of electricity shot up as the tear passed his nose.
