SZ: Felix Navidad and welcome to…well yet another christmas chapter for gse. BUT….we's doing something a bit different.

Z0: Pay close attention to this Christmas tale, and maybe if you are clever enough you shall find a detail that could reveal something you didn't know was going to happen~

GT: *dressed as Santa* Hope you all enjoy~! We own nothing here aside from Kokoro Tennyson! *pulls out presents and gives them to SZ and Z0* Merry Christmas!

Z0: Ooh present! *opens as Christmas Energy changes me from Hellspawn to a Redeemer* Huh…I feel like not killing without reason…

SZ: *opens present and unfurls it*SWEET! *hops onto zero gravity bike form Mario Kart 8* let's ride! *tenses when a Blue Shell began to hover over*...oh no.

GT: *pulls out a tiny umbrella and tosses SZ an Invincibility Star before the Blue Shell goes off*

'Twas the night before Christmas. However, for the Omni-Team, it was not only just Christmas. Yes, for them, this was also the day before the Birthday of their beloved friend Noel Vermillion. For the Senior members of the team, it just meant they had to pick up a second gift for her in addition to a Christmas Present. However, for a majority of the large team, this is the first time learning of her Birthdate. Let's see what reactions they have to this sudden announcement.

"Wait…you guys didn't know this?" Ben blinked as he was in the midst of strapping a case to the back of his motorcycle, "Noel's Birthday is Christmas…that's why we have so many gifts under the tree. Everyone gets her two."

=You're kidding me! How…How do you even plan the day?= Steel asked.

"Mornings are Christmas, then we have a break, and then it's her Birthday," Makoto explained, "And lemme tell ya…I am not the one who gets everyone up and about when Christmas morning comes."

"Huh? I thought you'd be like a little kid from all the excitement in the air," Max admitted.

"Nope! …Noel is the one who gets everyone awake," Ben informed.

"It's like Noellie absorbs all the Christmas cheer and powers up!" Makoto added, "I joke mostly, but…that is a lot of energy in one little lady."

"Is…Is that why she said she'd do all the decorating?" Sari asked.

"She's only had one Christmas so far…and she is addicted to the holiday season," Makoto stated before pulling her phone out and turning on the live feed security system, showing Noel, dressed as Mrs. Claus from the Rankin-Bass movies, humming as Funkfreed lifted her up to closer to the currently active camera with lines of multicolored lights…while the entire front yard was littered in an adorably organized array of inflatable, wooden, and plastic decorations, "Just wait until we get home. She'll have a landing strip on the roof for Santa."

"It's actually really adorable. But we fear her one day becoming super addicted to Christmas," Ben chuckled, "Again…joking, but…she can be rather particular. So…honestly, don't offer to help…"

"Yeah, if you don't do it her way…she will punt you out of the way and fix it." Makoto added.

=So now we need to get extra gifts for her!?= Steel returned to the topic that mattered.

"It's not such a big deal. Normally everyone just gets her two simple, but meaningful, gifts," Ben explained, "Normally, I grab her two different stuffed animals."

"I got her a bunch of cute pet clothing for Mari, and a new necklace," Makoto added as she grabbed helmets for her and Ben.

"And where are you two going?" Max asked finally.

"Dinner with my parents," Ben explained, "Then we're going to spend the night at Makoto's parents. We told Noel and told her which gifts are for which time."

"We're spending the weekend with my family for Ben's Birthday," Makoto added.

"Wait…Ben's birthday is two days after Christmas?" Naoto blinked as he finished carrying some boxes in.

"Gwen too!" Ben cheered, strapping on the helmet, "Don't worry you really don't need to get me anything…just…don't need me."

"Try not to blow the house up while we're gone," Makoto joked as she slipped her own helmet on.

"Hey wait! What if…" Naoto began before they drove off without another word, "Gah and they ditched us…"

=Ohh…Well, I'm in trouble then. Only got the one for Noel= Steel noted.

"Same," Max sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.

"Hoo boy. This won't end well, will it?" Sari asked.

"It can't be that bad. We've still got time to get at least something nice as a second gift," Naoto argued, "...I know! Let's ask someone who's still here what they got to see what sort of stuff we should try for?"

"Great idea," Max agreed.

"Okay…after revising my original equations, if Santa Claus does exist and eats the treats left out by everyone that celebrates the holidays…factoring in the different foods and drinks he's given depending on the country…" Kajun muttered, typing on a laptop as she sat in a recliner while Lambda and Bluey sat on the couch with Santa hats on their heads and focused on the TV, "...He'd consume a total of 45,800,145,978 calories and his alcohol content would be at a total of 21,162,660 percent which is 53,000 times the lethal limit."

"Magic," Lambda countered as she kept focused on her movie, Bluey covering his muzzle while mutedly laughing at a scene.

"That accrued umbrella term can't account for everything!" Kajun declared.

"Mm…I don't know…it kinda does with Ms. Merlin…" Lambda shrugged while scratching Bluey on the head, "Just because you see magic as something people do with energy you harness…doesn't mean there 'isn't' other types of magic."

"..." Kajun groaned before the front door opened.

"Joyeux Noel!" Alf greeted, carrying in several colorful boxes, "I bring good tidings, presents, and birthday girl presents!" he leaned a bit to look past his stack of gifts to see the TV, "Huh…New animated film?"

"Ah…Clockwork threw up. Ben said not until December before I could watch," Lambda explained.

"Huh…I like the outfit of that Postman," Alf complimented.

"Christmas presents under the tree; birthday presents behind the tree," Kajun explained, pointing to the decorated tree…before pulling out a squirt bottle and sprtizing Noel when she got too close, "No…"

"Hiss!" Noel hissed as she ran away from the tree.

"...Trying to sneak a peak at her Christmas presents?" Alf guessed.

"No. Her birthday presents only," Kajun sighed before slapping Funkfreed's trunk with a fabric folding fan, causing the trunk to vanish in the blink of an eye.

Alf sniffed, "Is that sea salt rubbed into the fan?"

"Actually, it's soaked every other day in the sea. Perfect for negating Funkfreed's Ushi-Ushi no Mi: Model Elephant," Kajun explained.

"...Oh right. She got him from that one world based on that weird pirate manga," Alf recalled, "You know, one time while in Japan I pretended to be a statue, don't ask, and the author of that manga tried to buy me!"

"Why were you in Japan?" Lambda asked.

"Business. I sold these guys this advanced computer program that makes mucho yen~" Alf laughed.

"...Noted," Kajun muttered as she went back to her research.

"And back to the Santa nonsense for you…kid, it's made up…and frankly if you run around trying to disprove it to kids, Noel will kick your butt to the tune of Jingle Bells," Alf warned.

"I will~" Noel cheered from another room.

"Don't mess with Christmas…" Lambda nodded while sipping hot cocoa, "Or the Postman who helps Santa."

"I shall not rest until I find proof of this!" Kajun declared.

"Hello," Robotboy greeted as he walked towards the birthday side of the tree.

"No…" Kajun warned, picking up the child robot and sitting him beside Lambda, "Watch the movie, Robotboy."

"Okay," Robotboy replied.

"Want me to rewind?" Lambda asked.

"Yes please," he smiled.

"Well she's not totally lost…but hoo boy you are gonna be a heck of a lot of work for your future life partner," Alf muttered to Kajun, "Lambda, Ro, perfect children as always. I bid you all a Merry Christmas."

"Mmm," Lambda smiled as she and Robotboy waved to him just as he walked out.

Bluey kicked a foot, hitting the tub of popcorn on Lambda's lap. Mari paused in her approach on the tree before going after the dropped popcorn. The mink was soon picked up by Robotboy's extendable arms and put between him and Lambda with a tiny bowl for her.

"The fluffy has betrayed me for popcorn…" Noel whined.

"You have to wait until the afternoon on the 25th, Noel," Kajun informed, frowning as she kept working on the calculations.

"...Oh. Idea," Lambda smiled, "After Klaus, Arthur Christmas."

"Arthur?" Robotboy asked, thinking of the Arthurian Mythology.

"Heartwarming movie," Lambda stated, "Good hypothesis for Kajun."

"...Explain."

"After Klaus," Lambda stated as she started the movie back up for Robotboy and Mari.

"Hmm…Noel's Birthday gifts are something we often forget to mention," Tsubaki muttered as the newer members of the gang found her at HQ as she looked up from a tablet, "Ben offered it as a tradition, and we just loved and accepted it to show affection for Noel. But…we do make it a rule that people we don't see all the time are not held to the tradition."

=And you haven't told us despite interacting with her on a near-daily basis because…?= Steel asked.

"We forgot to bring it up," Tsubaki replied, "Truly, with all the nonsense we've had to deal with involving a thief sending most to different universes and then the Alien X-Tinction Event, when would we have time to talk about Noel's Birthday and Christmas?"

"It's a fair point," Max nodded, "Still now we feel a bit of a crunch since we only got her one gift."

"...Okay, if there's one thing that I know Noel loves? It's stuffed animals," Tsubaki summed up, "You can never go wrong getting her stuffed animals that she's never seen before. But she also loves romance and poetry, so a romantic movie or book or even writing utensils like the calligraphy kit I got for her Christmas present or the book of poetry I got for her Birthday present could work." she tapped her cheek, "By the way…none of you got Funkfreed hay, did you? Noel told me he doesn't like hay."

=Er…I'm really glad we haven't gone to a farm-related store then. Maybe sword polish for him?=

"That's a good idea, Noel loves to treat him well as both a sword and as a pet," Tsubaki nodded.

"Well guess we better get to it." Max sighed, "Hope we can find any good stores open at this time."

"Be careful," Tsubaki warned, "Remember Black Friday?"

=No! Never again! I demand to be assigned off-planet the day after Thanksgiving for the rest of my life!= Steel demanded, his eye becoming a red 'X' icon as he crossed his arms before him.

"I'll leave that to you, boss," Max chuckled, "I'm gonna go shopping in my super armor." he formed his helmet as he walked off, "Come on Steel!"

"Still, be careful. Last minute Shoppers are just as dangerous as Black Friday Shoppers because they're desperate to find a gift," Tsubaki warned.

"Tsubaki knows first hand since she was the last-minute shopper last year," Patelliday chuckled as he walked by while writing a report.

"Given your history of overreaction…I'm not shocked," Sari blinked.

"Oh hush…" Tsubaki pouted.

"Well guess we're shopping…" Naoto shrugged, "I mean in the end…no one could do worse than whatever Jin gets her." at that, Tsubaki flinched as she realized something.

"Excuse me for a moment," she got up and walked off, "Jin!"

"I did nothing!" he panicked.

"Exactly!"

"Well we know who wears the pants in that relationship," Naoto joked.

"I heard that, Kurogane!"

"Aren't you in trouble with the Lady?" Naoto asked, "You have your own issues to deal with!"

"You're getting Noel two meaningful gifts!"

"AH! My ear! Gah!" Jin cried as he was dragged away, "I know you aren't even here, but I curse you, Tennyson!" unbeknownst to Jin, this caused Ben to suddenly sneeze all over his father at dinner.

"Oh behave, you big baby."

"Alright, that leaves us with an extra gift each," Max sighed, "Let's just all say what we plan to get so we don't end up getting the same thing." he offered as a means of getting back to the mission at hand…and to ignore Jin's yelps of pain from the ear tugging.

"Well I guess Ben probably had the right idea," Sari offered, "I know a store that sells giant plushies…like beanbag big."

"Japan?" both boys asked.

"Japan," she nodded.

"Alright good. Steel and I will go and buy her stuff for her pets." Max offered.

=Elephant sized saddle, sword polish, treats for small fluffy pet who hunt other small creatures…=

"And Mari is why we never have rats," Max chuckled.

=Well, just for the house= Steel noted =Most of the city has thanks to the Kaka Clan that there's hardly any rats anymore=

"Maybe some new chew toys or something?" Max added.

=We call dibs on more pet stuff!= Steel declared.

"Wait, what about the last minute shopping in Japan?" Naoto asked.

"It's actually Christmas there already," Sari explained.

"Huh?" Max pondered.

"They're several hours ahead of us," Sari explained, "Our afternoon is their morning."

"...Yeah, I think you better hurry," Naoto deadpanned to Max.

"Try the bookstore. Find something like a collection of romance stories or shojo manga," Max offered, "It's a Bookstore. I doubt it'll be flooded with people."

"That…is a good idea," Naoto noted.

"Right. Naoto handles bookstore, I'll get plushies, and Max and Steel get cute pet things," Sari ordered.

"Let's get to it, and good luck. I'm not even gonna bother thinking this will be easy…not with our luck," Max sighed.

"Right!" the others nodded as they rushed off to their destinations.

"I don't want to do this…" Jin groaned.

"I'm sorry. I never asked what you wanted. This is non-negotiable." Tsubaki replied, dragging Jin through Undertown.

"Why are we even down here? Is buying her ingredients for her poison darkmatter gift worthy?" Jin complained.

"Well in some ways yes…but no…we are here for another awkward reason," Tsubaki explained before stopping in front of Ragna's Sheriff Station, "You are here to talk to your brother like an adult."

Jin took a moment to process that before trying to flee, only to trip and grunt in pain as he landed face first in the ground. He groaned and flipped over to see what happened…making him gawk as he realized Tsubaki placed magnetic shackles to his legs set to link at the press of a button and prevent his escape.

"Why are you like this? You and your brother have been getting better, and it's time I got you to talk about this awkwardness so we can all have Christmas together as a group of loving friends who are essentially a family!" she growled, leaning down to glare at him, "Do you hear me?"

"Yes ma'am," Jin squeaked.

"Good," she helped him up as she turned off the shackles.

"How did you even get these on me?" Jin couldn't help but ask.

"Don't worry about it," Tsubaki replied as she opened the door…before grabbing Jin by the ear as he tried to flee again.

"Hmm?" Ragna blinked in the midst of helping set up a small tree with Celica, "Oh…what brings you here, oh Keeper of my brother?" he jokingly greeted.

"I am intervening in what I am assuming is a sibling conflict…and helping this one…" she shoved Jin forward, "...get a gift for Noel as Christmas is also her Birthday."

"Ah…" Ragna sighed, "I should have figured it was something painful…frankly, I would rather get my wisdom teeth pulled and get a root canal all in one day…"

"Happy Holidays to you as well, Brother," Jin sighed with crossed arms, "Where's your hot-headed deputy?"

"Well I told her she can have the rest of the holiday off. Not even the losers down here try stuff on Christmas," Ragna replied, "She said something about the food trucks having a sort of party in the park so best guess…spicy food eating."

"I worry about her diet," Celica added, pouring some cups of tea for their guests and a shot glass from a bottle of bourbon for Ragna.

"She's an adult and she can take care of herself," Ragna argued.

"I'm just saying it can't be good to eat that much spicy food," Celica shrugged.

"Why do you make your brother out to be the difficult one again?" Tsubaki looked at Jin.

"Hahaha! That's what he says!" Ragna laughed.

"Mmm…" Jin frowned.

"Seriously, the stories I could tell ya about him as a kid," Ragna grinned.

"We…are on better terms…" Jin admitted.

"He used to be really creepy," Ragna laughed at the memories.

"It couldn't have been…" Celica began before Ragna whispered to her, "Oh my…" she put a hand over her mouth, trying not to giggle.

"Since things seem to be going well…can I ask…what is this weird tension between Jin and Noel?" Tsubaki asked, making Jin flinch at the prospect.

"..." Ragna frowned, "Honestly…my best guess is it's the fact she likely reminds Jin of our sister."

"...Of course there's a sister…" Tsubaki groaned, bringing her hands to her face in exasperation.

"Brother…"

"Look, if she wants to date ya, she's gonna have to deal with all the messed up shit that is our family," Ragna huffed.

"Oh that's sweet, you're welcoming her to the family," Celica smiled.

"Hey, someone has to take Jin off my hands. Frankly if not for her, I'll never marry him off," Ragna joked to lighten the mood, "It's…not the nicest of story, so…let's save the gritty details for another time. Like New Years, where we can drink so hard we forget the talk." he offered with a sigh, "Saya was…a fragile girl with the kindest spirit." he looked at Celica, "You oddly remind me of her at times when it comes to how nice you are to even the criminals we put in the jail cells until the Plumbers can pick them up."

"So Noel reminds you of Saya?" Tsubaki asked, she then blinked, "Then…how does that relate to Jin's…Jin-ness towards Noel?"

"He was jealous because I spent more time with Saya than him"," Ragna huffed.

"Jin, I am sure there is more to it, but like Ragna said, perhaps details to follow another day," Tsubaki sighed.

"Suffice to say…it's not his fault for the…horrible part." Ragna added, "But he was a good bit messed up in the head when we reunited years later as violent adults fighting on two different sides of a messed up law. Now we work together with a better law and I think we're almost good enough to have family meetings…granted eventually one of us grabs their sword, but this time I think it's just how we say hello to each other now." he sighed, "But given how things happened…I can only assume Jin still has…some issues and unresolved ones with Saya…and by proxy Noel."

"That explains a lot." Tsubaki nodded in understanding.

"Yep. Doesn't help Noel does have some traits of Saya in how she looks, especially when she lets her hair loose. Change her eye color and make her skin paler and she'd look like what I'd think Saya would look at her age," Ragna compared, "I know she's not Saya, but it still takes me a few moments to remind myself of that at times."

"I suppose that is awkward, isn't it?" Tsubaki asked, earning a nod, "But it is nice you acknowledge it and are still nice about it, Ragna. Jin, what's your excuse?"

"You are very agitated with me over something I have not made a big deal of and frankly the fact I can't defy you out of fear has me worried about our future together," Jin blurted out.

"Wah…Nervous honesty…" Ragna awed.

"Handy," Celica pointed out, "Especially in a relationship."

"I suppose my…time to reflect on my past, and Magister Tennyson's wisdom and mentorship…has allowed me to reflect more on my…many many mistakes and actions of the past." Jin spoke up, "Even Tennyson has…helped me learn more about myself."

"Yeah…'cause he irritates and challenges you as a man," Ragna smirked, "Only unlike me who accepted him as a weird buddy…you still see him as some kind of rival."

"Oh now that is just…I mean, it…" Tsubaki couldn't think of an argument against that.

"I think Jin just needs someone to challenge to keep himself from getting lost in his own funk," Ragna added.

"When did you get so wise, Brother?" Jin complained.

"Fishing trips with Ben's Gramps," Ragna admitted, "What can I say? Old guy knows his stuff. Also that weird little furry dude…a bit annoying…but good to talk with."

"See…I told you Alf knows what he's talking about," Tsubaki pointed.

"Don't start with me on that aardvark menace to my sanity…" Jin growled.

"Technically, he just looks a bit like one. You could also say aardvarks look more like him," Ragna noted.

"Not helping," Tsubaki sighed.

"Never said I was; just that I would talk this out," Ragna added, "I figure someday it's best I talk to Noel about this. I've heard the story of her origins from Grandpa Tennyson, so I don't want to bring in a weird element like: Hey…you look like my sister who passed away, let's talk about that on top of your being a girl who was made in a lab." he motioned to Tsubaki, "It's…It's just not good even when I word it politely…"

"She's adjusted to it rather well after words of wisdom from Azmuth." Tsubaki explained, "But…I suppose you are right, telling her such a thing could…make for…awkward questions."

"Sides this really isn't a talk for the holiday season." Ragna added, "I kinda like this holiday, it's all about a guy in red bringing good will to the planet. I respect that."

"Because he wears red like you," Jin deadpanned.

"You respect the Red." Ragna replied, "Sides you seem to still like blue…so we'll never understand one another."

"Suppose we never will…" Jin muttered.

"Red is better." Ragna smirked.

"No. Blue is," Jin argued as the two began to glare at one another.

"Hey red is badass."

"I'd rather wear a calming color like blue than wear something the same color as blood."

"Oh dear…" Celica whispered.

"Funny…you didn't seem to mind everytime I stabbed ya," Ragna retorted to Jin.

"Yeah I'm not sure if this is better or worse…" Tsubaki spoke up as this just seemed to continue on for them.

"I'm sure you didn't mind the frostbite I gave you either," Jin scowled.

"..."

"..."

"HOLD IT!" Celica shouted, blowing a whistle and earning their attention, "Take it to the usual spot, you two!"

"..." Ragna gently nudged her pointing finger the other way.

"You know what I mean!" Celica snapped, making the two flinch, "Now out!"

"But…"

"Out," Celica frowned as Minerva appeared behind her, eyes glowing menacingly as she cracked her knuckles.

Tsubaki blinked and the only traces of the duo having been there were bits of snow and ice and dissipating, eed and black Seithr, "...Huh?""...Okay…How and what?"

"For 'What,' they often get into brawls often that Undertown actually made a section dedicated to them duking it out. Barricaded bleachers are set up nearby for people to watch and enjoy when it happens," Celica explained.

"That seems like a lot when they could just take it to a random ditch…" Tsubaki muttered.

"Oh, Ben came up with the idea and helped with construction…so he could join…" Celica added.

"Oh god…that's what he does on his breaks, isn't it?" Tsubaki realized.

"Folks like to bet on what alien Ben uses for them," Celica noted, "I won last time with guessing Gravattack, Ballweevil, and Big Chill."

"...oh god," Tsubaki facepalmed.

-linebreak-

"Okay…cute things…" Sari muttered as he was looking through a store…filled to the brim with stuffed animals and Pokemon plushies, "Cute things…cute…things…" she looked at a plush of an akita with a big blue bow sewn onto it like a collar and a party hat, "Aw~I don't think Noel has this one yet." she paused for a moment before pulling her phone out and taking a photo, "And…send with question: 'Did someone get this for Noel this Christmas or her Birthday or does she have it at all?'"

"Wait, wait. So it's not this part here that determines the color of my card, but the middle part, right?" Sandra asked.

"Yep, that's right," Carl replied, looking at the rules as Makoto tried hard to not laugh.

"How many times have we had to do this question in a different variation?" Ben whispered.

"No idea," Makoto replied under her breath, grinning a bit, "But this version of UNO you puked in one session with La-chan is just hilarious." Sandra finally played the red 8 with a corner of it yellow before Makoto grinned and flipped the green card with a white check on it beside her on the table to show a red side with a white 'X' in the middle before playing a Wild Draw 4 with a corner resembling stripes, "I target Ben-kun. Draw four and I win!"

"Aw man~!" Ben groaned as he drew…before cringing as he got all Wilds, "Well…That's an extra 200 points." he laid his hand of three down, showing a Skip and two Draw 2s, "So 260 this round." his phone went off, "Alright, I'll check that real quick as it's Dad's turn to shuffle."

"Last line on the page so last round, too," Carl chuckled as he collected everyone's cards after Sandra counted how many points everyone got before he started shuffling.

Ben shook his head as he looked at his phone before blinking a few times, "...Babe?" he showed her the message.

"Oh wow. She so doesn't have that corgi plush," Makoto noted.

"Right," Ben nodded before typing back and sending a response before picking up his seven cards, "I swear I am not going to be the one with the highest points."

"Uh-huh," Makoto nodded…before playing a Wild Draw 4 on the Red 7 they started off with, "Blue."

"Aw come on~"

"What? I don't have any Reds or cards that can be Flexed to act like Red and change to another color and I'm saving my Flex for later."

Sari's phone buzzed and she looked at it, "'No one has bought that for her.' 'Go for it, Sari.' '...I want one.' 'You'll have to wait for your birthday, Lambda.' '...Bah humbug.'" she rolled her eyes, grateful they made group chats without a teammate for planning birthdays, "Least I got that out of the way…wonder how Max and Naoto are doing on their ends?"

"Clones…Charge!" Max Steel shouted as an army of his Turbo Clones pushed their way past a crowd of people.

=That's right, crazy pet owners! We're prepared this year!= Steel declared =Hurry and get to looking for the gifts we need for the adorable one's pets, Max!=

"Already ahead of ya, buddy!"

"Oh no you don't, you ruffian!" one woman shouted, "That's for my precious pPoopsie!"

"Poopsie?= Max and Steel asked in unison.

=I will never understand the term 'pet parents'…= Steel groaned, =Go Max! Go! You are our only hope! Godspeed friend!=

"Steel, we have an army of me…" Max sighed.

=Exactly! I shall lead the charge! FORWARD!= Steel shouted as the clones began pushing the crazed people away.

"...Should we…?" a security guard nearby asked another.

"'Dealing with super power teenagers' is not in the job description," the other replied.

"Oh…" the first blinked a few times before one of the clones brought a raving customer over…before calmly handing the first a gun, "Gh?!"

"Was whipping it out," the copy informed as the second guard cuffed the man to the bench, "What is with people and being so crazy with sales?"

"No idea," another copy noted as his visor was bright orange and dragging over a tied up woman, "She emptied the whole thing on my visor. No leaks on my mask, lady."

"Okay, see? This? This here, new guy?" the second gestured to the two clones and their captives, "This is actually part of the training: The Tennyson Clause."

=Seriously?= Steel asked.

"Do you have any idea how many life-threatening situations were diffused by Ben Tennyson here in Bellwood during the worst parts of the shopping year?" the second asked, "In the few years he's been known to the public, he has helped in catching twenty people with either knives, pepper spray, or any object that was meant to injure, maim, and distract, prevented the destruction of several shops' doors, saved sixty-eight people especially the elderly from being stampeded on, caught fifteen people that fell off the escalators, upper floors, or an elevator breaking, and thirty-two kids found and returned to their parents that got lost in the rushes. As such, you mister have earned a twenty percent discount as per the clause."

"Wow…That's pretty awesome," the first clone noted in surprise.

"We ran out of duct tape!" a Clone called out as many of them carried people mummified in tape.

"...We'll use that twenty percent on more duct tape," the lead clone informed.

"You'd be surprised how often that one is the one Ben Tennyson has to buy," the second guard sighed, rolling his eyes, "Third floor, Hardware store, fifth on the left from getting off the elevator to the right of the food court."

"I'm on it!" a clone cheered as he ran off.

"Book book book…gotta find a book or something she'd like," Naoto muttered as he walked through a large bookstore, "She loves romance, poetry, and likely anything involving cute animals like some manga…" he looked at one aisle, "..." he pulled his phone out, "'Is Noel a fan of Fruits Basket?'" a few moments passed before he got responses, "'I got her the complete series for her Birthday. Sorry, Naoto.' Dang it, Kajun." he looked at another part of the shelves, "'Juhou Kaikin! Haido ando Kurōsā.' Well…it's got a stuffed teddy in a fedora and tie on the cover…with a cigar?" he pulled it out and read it, "Gh! …Nope. Noel would probably panic over this." he paused for a few moments, "I did need to get Makoto something and she likes action mixed with comedy, so…" he typed the title of the series in another chat, "'Never heard of it.' 'Dude, sounds like she'd love it.' 'A teddy bear that can fight with a magic chainsaw? Yeah, sounds like something she'd love.' Alright. No one's bought it. I'll pick up a few copies…just need something for Noel now…" he muttered before stopping on one, "...Fushugi Yugi…oh yeah. I think she might like that…"

"Security clones?" Max called out.

"All crazy shoppers mummified and left for the police!" A clone cheered.

"Had to add extra Duct Tape to the budget," another clone added.

"Fair enough," Max nodded, "Shopper Clones?"

"We found an Elephant saddle, sword polish, a decorative sheath, whetstone, cute pet clothing for a Mink, and a variety of chew toys," a clone stated.

"Alright check, check and check…" Max nodded, "Uh…anything else we needed…"

"...STEEL!" they all panicked as they noted their symbiotic friend missing.

"How did we lose him?!"

"I don't know!"

=HELP! I'VE BEEN KIDNAPPED BY A CRAZY LADY!= Steel's voice shouted throughout the mall.

"..." all of them facepalmed in unison.

"Right…spread out and look," the original sighed..

"We'll make sure the gifts get home," a few clones sighed as the rest ran out.

"Steel, describe the lady!" the original called.

=SHE'S A KAREN!=

"...That does not help. Do you mean she looks like Karen from my old middle school that Mom showed you and Kajun in my old school album?"

=YOU NEED TO READ MORE REDDIT!=

"Just zap her!"

=I TRIED! SHE'S WEARING RUBBER GLOVES!=

"Rubber glo-WHO WEARS RUBBER GLOVES?!"

=KARENS! AND THEY DEMAND MANAGERS TO SUFFER AND GIVE INTO THEIR DEMANDS!=

"Gah…I am so banning you from the internet…" the clones all groaned in unison with the original.

"Okay, got her the adorable little party corgi, so just need to wrap this in the right paper when I get home," Sari noted, looking at a shopping bag with the adorable plush corgi in a bow and party hat, "Just have to wait for Naoto and Max to get back here at our meeting spot before heading home."

"Gah!" Max shouted as he rolled through a Ground Bridge, "Second wave…too much…had to smash my way through…" Steel floated in and flopped down on Max's head.

=We got…our stuff…= Steel groaned, Max weakly holding up his bag before Naoto whistled a small tune as he walked out of his Groundbridge…while reading a manga.

"Huh…Reading about Funkfreed's owner…really wish I got a few minutes with that asshole," Naoto scowled, "Seriously, the levels of abuse and trauma he inflicted on Robin…"

=Were we the only ones who had trouble?!= Steel snapped.

"T-Told you…Bookstores would be safe…" Max groaned before letting his head fall to the ground, "Had…gifts…shipped to the shop up top…will…get after…I recharge myself…" the glowing sections of his armor flickered as he groaned.

"How much energy did you use?" the other two blinked.

"So…much…smashing…only…two hands…and three dozen clones…"

=Karens are vile, evil creatures…= Steel whined.

"Yeesh…" Sari and Naoto cringed before Sari's phone rang.

"Hello?" Sari answered.

"Sari, did you all get your gifts for Noel?" Mai asked.

"Yeah, we did."

"Okay…good. Now for…well…the hard part."

=WHAT HARD PART?! THERE'S SOMETHING WORSE THAN KARENS?!= Steel panicked.

"What hard part?" Sari asked.

"Getting your birthday gifts for Noel wrapped up…without letting her see them," Mai deadpanned, "Ugh…Why does she have to stay away from the Christmas presents but try to sneak peeks at her birthday gifts?"

"I mean…we're at the base, and she's at home…" Naoto pointed out.

"Trust me…she'll still find a way…"

=Well…That's not ominous…= Steel muttered.

"...You mean like Blukic and Driba attempting to spy on us with a spy camera?" Naoto guessed, looking over at the lab entrance to see the two Galvan poking out...while holding up a camera.

"Traitors!" Sari gasped, snapping her fingers and shocking the two of them.

"Let's get the gift wrap from Magister Tennyson's office…and be free of this…" Max groaned, "I'm gonna need a minute…" his armor only began flickering back on.

"Right," Naoto nodded, hefting Max up into a shoulder carry and followed after Sari.

"Well it's not like Noel can get here to find these gifts now." Sari giggled, "She's probably working on the 7th layer on tinsel covering the house."

"Hmm…my spies have failed to report in. My gift senses are tingling," Noel spoke in the process of indeed putting up a 7th layer of tinsel over their home, "Someone got me last minute gifts…" she mused, "They must not have known my Birthday is also Christmas, oops~" she bopped her self on the head lightly, "My bad, but…still presents…probably Birthday gifts. Santa has no rules about sneaking a peek at those gifts." she smiled while rubbing her hands, "Well I guess I can skip the 8th layer and go take a peek. If I was a good friend getting me last minute Birthday gifts, where would I hide to wrap them? …Plumber HQ!" she smiled, "Hmm…I wonder if I should apply these Sherlock level Deductive skills to things besides presents?"

"Paon," Funkfreed shrugged, a Santa hat on his head and a wreath acting as an oversized collar for the Elephant-Sword.

"Mmm…You are right, Funkfreed. Nah," Noel shook her head before nodding to Mari, wearing a tiny elf hat as she lapped from a bowl filled with eggnog, "Mari, Funky, it is time for present snooping!"

"...Does sister get coal for this?" Lambda asked, looking at Mai.

"Eh, it's not Christmas presents she's trying to look at…but it's her birthday presents…I'm not really sure," Mai shrugged.

"Okay…This?" Kajun gestured to the giant spaceship-like 'sled' in the movie they were watching, "This is far more reasonable and logical! A family line and a highly advanced 'sled' with numerous operatives capable of performing a sweep of entire cities in several seconds!"

"You have issues…" Lambda replied simply.

"Yeah…we've known and accepted it," Mai added.

"Is Robotboy…Elf?" Robotboy asked as he noted the height difference between the humans and Elves.

"No you're just a little boy, Ro," Mai explained.

"Oh! Phew, Elf looks like a very difficult job," he sighed in content.

"Agreed," Lambda nodded.

"...You still want to hug them, don't you?" Mai asked.

"They are small and adorable," Lambda stated.

"Well that seems consistent with you and your sister," Kajun noted.

"And you are crazy, crazy lady." Lambda argued.

"She makes a point…" Robotboy whispered to Mai, "Not a nice point…but…point."

"We love her despite it," Mai sighed, patting his head.

"Hmm…" Noel muttered, standing outside of the cover building of Max's Plumbing, she looked around before spotting several boxes left in the side garage as delivery, "I bet my share of Christmas cookies…those are my presents." she whispered over her shoulder to Mari and the sheathed Funkfreed on her back, "They are rather big and medium, must be multiple gifts…but what could they be…?" she then flinched before jumping and climbing to the roof as Max and Naoto walked out, "Oh of course they would be the ones to learn last, duh~" Noel giggled silently to herself as they began moving the boxes, "Hmm…now I need to find them inside the HQ…I need to break in." she declared sternly before flinching when Mari began gently pawning her face, "Ah…okay-okay, too serious…I forgot that I work here…stop…your paws are so soft and tickle me…" she giggled.

Sure enough, Noel just walked in like normal and slowly looked around for her friends to spy on their gift wrapping. In the process, she walked past the still twitching Blukic and Driba. She gave a silent bow of apology before making her way further 'till reaching the Magister's Office, which she knew was empty as Grandpa Max was spending the day giving his regular lectures, and afterwards was headed to have dinner with Gwen and her parents. So this meant the office was empty and free to be used by any of his favorites. In other words…the Omni-Team who were his kids more or less. The issue was how would she sneak in. Just waltzing through the door would be probably the dumbest of ideas as they'd just shoo her away.

"How would someone more devious do this…?" Noel whispered, "What would Ben and Makoto do?" she looked at the vents, "...I'm going to change into work clothes first…" she slinked off to find her locker that held her spare Proto-Armor.

Meanwhile, within the office, the trio were in the midst of properly wrapping their gifts. Sari has found a nice way to wrap her gift and keep it from being too obvious. Naoto and Max, however, had difficulty thinking how to wrap the gifts…and ultimately decided to put them into large boxes with bubble wrap and wrap that.

"18 Volumes…I didn't expect them to have the entire thing in stock…" Naoto muttered.

"She's gonna be busy with those for a while," Max sighed as Steel used his lasers to cut the wrapping paper as they covered the box.

=If that doesn't, the other gifts sure will keep her busy…= Steel sighed before flinching =What was that sound? …It came from the vents!=

"Oh you have to be kidding me…" Sari groaned as she walked over to the vent grate and opened it, "Steel, run interference."

=Got it!= Steel replied as he flew into the vent and Sari closed it before grabbing some of the colored tape and covering the slots of the vent.

"Extra measure if Steel fails," Sari explained to the confused duo, "Now hurry!"

"Get the tape, get the tape!" Max ordered in a hushed voice.

"I got it; don't rush me!" Naoto complained.

=Aha! AH! MINK ATTACK! I can't fight back!= Steel cried out =Curse you, mutual affection for furry creatures!=

"No wait! Mari, no! You'll get one of you hurt! List-Gah!" Noel cried as she slipped, "I'm okay!"

=...Time out to check on your owner?= Steel suggested.

"Got mine wrapped," Sari spoke.

"Same," Naoto replied.

"Just need to put the last piece of…" Max began before looking at the empty tape holder, "Gah! Out of tape!?"

"There's more in Magister Patelliday's desk!" Sari spoke.

"We'll go get it…then get these home," Max spoke.

"Wait…am I on 'get Noel out of the wall' duty?" Naoto realized.

"I'm sorry~" Noel spoke up.

"Don't worry, we have an entire system to open the vents to grab spies sneaking around in them," Max explained, "There should be a button that floods it with sewer water."

"Ah, no!" Noel panicked, "Ah! Mmm…Hnnngh! …Um…I…I'm stuck…"

"Well let this be a lesson about sneaking peeks at presents." Sari spoke up, "But since it's your Birthday, we won't use that button."

"But we're not getting you out 'till the presents are in the safe zone!" Max added, "Sorry, but also not sorry!"

"So…what did we learn?" Tsubaki asked back at home as Noel took a shower and changed.

"Hah…being a little Gift Sneak is naughty and I shouldn't go so far for it…" Noel pouted.

"Well we know it won't stop you, this is just part of the fun for us," Tsubaki smiled.

"Hmm…I love you, but I'm not a fan of being babied…I'm a big girl…I mean, a woman…" Noel muttered sheepishly.

"Just our way of showing some love," Tsubaki smiled, "Hope you enjoy your gifts."

"Hmm…" Noel pouted as Mari climbed up to her shoulder, "Don't think I won't keep trying! Christmas Presents are a no go, but Birthday gifts are perfectly fine."

The Future

"Truth be told…I did keep trying this little sneak act for several years…" Noel's voice laughed as an older Noel Vermillion sat in a bedroom next to a bed, "And each year, my bad habit would always get me into deep trouble…"

"Woof…" she looked down to a clear red furred Corgi with a happy wagging tail.

"Oh~ She's already asleep." Noel giggled, "I guess she wore herself out at the party. Didn't even need a story." she picked the dog up, "Shh…you bark too loud, mister." she tapped his nose gently, earning a small bark, "Oh I know, it wasn't a perfect retelling, but I had to censor some information; she's just a little girl. And frankly telling her all the tomfoolery my brothers cause is a bad idea." the dog began licking, "Pfft, no…Drei! No kisses~ Stop~" she laughed, "Go play with your pups!" She put the dog down and nudged him to the door.

"...Mmm~" Drei whined as he slinked off.

"You're just upset because they all love giving you kisses and leave you soaked."

"...arf."

"Mm hmm. I thought so," Noel smiled

"Oh there's the doggo!" Ben 10K cheered, picking up the Corgi, "What are you doing over here? Oh Noel? Is she asleep already?" he asked holding Drei under his arm as the corgi was happy to be held again, "Guess I didn't notice…Ken got stuck on the roof again…somehow…her brother is somehow a lot of trouble…"

"Arf…"

"I know…but he's still a good kid," Ben 10K chuckled a bit as he scratched behind his ear.

"I was just telling her a bed time story." Noel giggled, "She got really excited to play with the other kids. I was nervous because I feared something may happen…then I remember who her mother is."

"Yep, anyway, I'm going to head back and tell Ken why we don't wait on the roof for Santa. No matter what other kids rope him into," Ben 10K sighed, "Here…one dog for you…"

"Eh?" she blinked as the corgi was put in her arms as he proceeded to mercilessly lick her face, "Gah! Ack! Ptui…no…these are unauthorized kisses!"

"Arf arf!"

"Ah shh! Drei…"

"Best Dog in the cosmos…and the one weakness to you," Ben 10K laughed.

"Ben…" Noel whispered as she blushed a bit.

"Hahahaha!" Ben 10K continued to laugh as he made his way out.

"...oh I swear that man knows how to make me lower my guard," Noel muttered before looking back at the sleeping child, "...still, I hope this Christmas will be as memorable to you as it was for me…"

SZ: Aww what a sweet ending.

Z0: Indeed, for those wondering why this was released after Christmas…well honestly we got the idea to make it…ON Christmas…but well…stuff happens it's the holidays folks. Besides the main point was it's a Noel Birthday chapter. And as of writing this done and hopefully posted…on Ben's Birthday…funny how that works out…

GT: Indeed. Please read and review, folks! Happy Holidays!

Z0: Hope you had a good Holiday season this year, whatever you celebrate folks! And happy new year!