Chapter Two

It was young Rudolph's first day at reindeer school. His concerned father had made him a special cap to hide his glowing, red nose so the other children wouldn't make fun of him. Unfortunately, this deception would not last long. Just as Rudolph began to settle in with his peers, even finding the courage to start a tentative conversation with a pretty young doe, the cap came off and his glowing nose was revealed to all and sundry.

Kurt couldn't repress an audible wince of sympathy as the unfortunate young reindeer was taunted and teased by his peers, particularly the blonde buck who had been so friendly only minutes before, back when he thought Rudolph was 'normal'.

Jamie looked up at him, his bright eyes reflecting his compassion for Rudolph's plight. "See," he said softly. "I told you this was a good movie."

Kurt nodded. "Yes. What I have seen so far is significant on many levels. In its own way, this film is dealing with the same complicated issues that affect mutants today. I wonder how many 'normal' people are watching this, opening their hearts and minds to our side of the so-called 'Mutant Problem'."

There was a soft grunt from the direction of the darkened doorway. Both Jamie and Nightcrawler gave a startled jump, then turned to face the newcomer.

"Not enough, bub," Wolverine responded, leaning casually against the wooden door frame. "Believe me, Elf, it'll take way more than some dumb kid's flick to get people to accept mutants."

Kurt lowered his head, regarding Wolverine through his impossibly long eyelashes. "Of course you are right, Herr Logan," he acknowledged. "But, the very fact that films like this exist gives me hope that understanding and acceptance is an achievable goal."

Wolverine rolled his dark eyes. "You're just deluding yourself if you think- -"

"Shhhhh!" Jamie hissed, an angry finger pressed to his lips. "I really like this song, so could you two keep it down, please?"

Wolverine raised an eyebrow, but he kept his mouth closed. Nightcrawler quickly found himself entranced by the hopeful lyrics of the sweet song the kind doe Rudolph had met earlier was now singing. "There's always tomorrow for dreams to come true, believe in your dreams come what may..."#

"I must admit, I like this Clarisse, " Nightcrawler smiled as the song came to an end. His expression softened and his luminescent eyes grew distant. "She reminds me of--" He caught himself, clamping his mouth shut before he said too much. Wolverine and Jamie regarded him curiously.

"Reminds you of what?" he pressed.

"Nothing," Nightcrawler said curtly, his normally open expression now closed tight against the pain of memory. "Just a girl I knew once...a long time ago, when I was still with the circus. It is not important."

Wolverine tilted his head, his flinty eyes narrowed, but he didn't press any further. Nightcrawler was entitled to his privacy if that's what he wanted. After all, Wolverine wasn't the only one allowed to have secrets. Jamie just shrugged and turned back to his movie.

Just then, there was a strange flicker from the TV screen. The trio initially passed it off as an effect of the snowstorm outside, but as the scene shifted to Santa's Workshop, where Hermie the Elf was striving to become a dentist despite adverse conditions, the annoying flicker only became more intense. Kurt was forced to shield his sensitive eyes while Jamie groaned and stood up, quickly crossing the space between the couch and the television with the intention of giving the set a good whack, even at the risk of duplicating himself.

What happened next caused even Logan to drop his jaw in shock. Some kind of strange portal unfolded from the flickering television screen, enfolding Jamie in its swirling vortex, swallowing him so quickly that the boy barely had time to make a sound.

"Was ist diese Zauberei?!"## Nightcrawler exclaimed, his golden eyes wide with terror, too startled to remember to speak in English.

"What the f--" Wolverine's shocked contribution was cut off as the portal continued to grow, rapidly stretching towards the sofa where Nightcrawler sat, seemingly frozen, his tail lashing in horrified agitation.

"Elf, move!" he roared, rushing towards his stunned companion.

"Nein! I can see him!" Nightcrawler responded, his luminescent gaze focused on some point beyond the expanding portal. "Fortunately, he has not duplicated himself. If I time this right, I might be able to teleport him out of there!"

"It's too late!" Wolverine grunted with furious frustration as he found his heavy, adamantium-laced body suddenly helpless against the irresistible force of the swirling vortex. "We're getting pulled inside!"

There was a blinding flash of pure, white light, then there was only silence. The recreation room was left empty and dark as sparks flew from the electrical outlet where the TV and DVD player were plugged in. Both appliances lost power at the same time. The only evidence of what had occurred was the sofa, which had fallen on its back when the portal enveloped Nightcrawler.

In a vast mansion filled with peaceful sleepers, only Professor Xavier's slumber was in any way disturbed by these strange events, and all he did was to mumble a few words in his sleep, then roll over.

#Music and Lyrics by Johnny Marks

##What is this sorcery?!