"The holiday had come that everyone knew, Christmas Eve. A time when families and friends come together to celebrate a joyful occasion without the need for violence of any kind to come around. Everyone on the planet knew the holiday as well it's rules such as to be good towards one another, both hero and villain alike. The only ones on the planet who didn't know the tradition were Sledge and his crew who thought it was another human festivity that came and gone like many others. While the green scaled alien could see how people acted friendly and kind towards one another, he didn't understand it that much. It seemed the only ones out of his group were Poisandra and Curio, who decorated the entire base with lights and snow they had gathered when they learned about the holiday."


Afternoon-Sledge's Base

There were several hours left before Christmas Eve would be coming in the next couple of hours as people were rushing out of stores and their jobs to get home to relax amongst their families. The only one who was sitting on his chair watching the panic happening in the city was Sledge who was busy looking at a pad that had the names of several alien outlaws that was currently free and hiding on Earth. While he wouldn't distract himself with human antics and spit on it due to how annoying it could be, it got him curious to see them run around as if the world was ending.

"If these humans knew who exactly they were celebrating, then they'd try celebrating something else. Maybe that Fourth of July holiday with the rockets, it's always good to make the sky light up with explosives."

Sledge told to himself since the decorations and theme around Christmas made it remind him of the many bounties he had captured on his ship. Taking a second to look up a familiar face on his pad, he was able to finally find the alien that was basically Christmas itself. Heximas, a holiday criminal that would give criminals and monsters their greatest desires and give the others burning coal that would burn their houses down. Just as he continued to remember the chase he went through to capture the alien criminal, he barely heard the door open which was Professor Strickler coming in with a festive hat and several ornaments hanging around him.

"Sledge! It is not custom for individuals near the holiday to be isolated in this room. You will fail to learn the meaning of this joyful occasion!"

He spoke out and hitting the side of his point to the ground which caused the monitor in front of Sledge to shut off in an instant. The bounty hunter groaned at his 'teammate's' action as he stood up to look at the chalk faced alien, while also trying to not laugh at how ridiculous Strickler looked.

"The one thing I know about this holiday is that it's winter break and there's nothing happening. Plus about there being peace between people and to not start any crap, while I'm not exactly a peaceful with the record I have. It's pleasant I'm not starting any fights now."

He responded to the professor with how the holiday is a time of peace amongst men and would likely give the armored alien a chance of breath so he didn't need to worry about anything or getting called by Cecil to handle any assignments. The two walked out of the room to stroll down the various rooms that each of the team had taken for themselves, one of them was a small lab that had numerous items and equipment none of the others would use. Right now he was checking up on a guest that Sledge brought in when he and Mark went to investigate that experiment the Mauler Brothers were doing at the docks.

"Hey guys, really glad you both came here. Right, there's so much I've been able to learn about this female variant of the Mauler twins. Her heart is placed on the right side and that I've been able to access her memories through the technology me and Rudolph have been sharing recently."

The blue robot explained to them about the recent study he has been doing on their guest as he brings over his own pad which was able to scan her brain and able to access the memories. It seemed the same like here in this universe but gender flipped, except no sign of him or any of his bounties which made Sledge relief since he didn't want to have an alternate version of himself. Continuing to watch the video and seeing Armstrong visiting her, the moment was interrupted by a loud horn which startled the three as it came from Curio, who was excited about the holiday coming up.

"It's Christmas! Time for bells, sleighs and fruitcake I found in several trash cans!"

He shouted excitedly and coming in blowing his horn along making loud noises that could have waken the female mauler up. Sledge rushed over to take the horn away from the excited filled monster, so they didn't have their hands full with their patient. Double checking to make sure the clone was asleep, the three men sigh at the relief and turned to Curious as they tried their best to not get upset with him due to his excited personality for the holiday.

"Curio. Why are you going around blowing a horn here, where you should be blowing it at the tree I had Fury cut down so you could decorate it?"

Sledge asked the patch work creature as he should be around Poisandra since he was made to keep her distracted while he handled important matters. Taking a moment to think about his words, Curio decided to explain why he was acting excitable as he dragged the armored alien out of the room and dragged him to the living quarters. There he saw Poisandra dressed up as what looked like a female version of Heximas, showing a bit of her skin and wearing all read with a fluffy hat on her head. Poisandra looked upset with having her arms crossed and had a set of clothes fit for him.

"You promised me that we'd go holiday shopping and see Santa Clause at the mall."

She brought up about an agreement between them when it involved spending quality time with one another. The green scaled alien rubbed the side of his head as he didn't remember joining her as he tried to figure out something to say, he was left speechless as Poisandra continued to glare at him.

"That? Oh, well I was busy with checking out with Mark who's been trying to go solo and avoiding him getting his ass kicked across the city."

Responded back to her in a quick manner since he didn't know how to come up with an answer as he waited for something to happen. Luckily his thought was answered with the door opening up showing Mark himself having a red sweater on along having his mother with him. The red eye alien looked confused at the half Viltrumite being here and Debbie, in which she noticed the tension growing within the room.

"Is this a bad time? Curio invited us over since he wanted to spend time with a family."

Debbie explained why they were here which left Sledge to look over at the patchwork creature and doing this behind his back. Feeling the pressure on him and tapped his foot trying to come up with something else to tell Poisandra as she noticed how Mark didn't look tired or upset from the recent fighting he's been doing. There was much confusion going on and the bounty hunter couldn't figure out how to manage it, it left Poisandra to sigh at her boyfriend's idiocy and takeover the situation.

"That would be lovely to do Ms. Grayson, especially how I'd like to know the many traditions the holiday have to give us. Especially if some thick headed person doesn't remember it."

Replying to Mark's mother as she walked passed Sledge and tossed his costume right on top of Sledge's head in an upset manner. With the women heading into the kitchen to speak to one another, Mark however couldn't help himself but chuckle at the predicament that his friend was in as he walked over to see he could figure out what was going on.

"Let me guess. You've been distracted with those 'bounties' of yours to not pay attention to anything?"

He guessed on what has been going through Sledge's mind since after meeting the Giant and having him sent to the GDA security center. The bounty hunter has been working over the hours of trying to track down anyone from his ship that had survived the crash. The boy only earned a grunt due to how each of the aliens and criminals that he caught would have made him rich, yet unable to turn them in since most of the areas that hired him were several lightyears away from him.

"Just be glad that Cecil has it covered with his people looking around the city if there are any sightings of them running around. Guess the running you need to worry about is yourself if you don't remember to spend time with your girl, holidays like these will always require you to spend time with people you care about."

Mark informed him about one of the traditions of the holiday as Sledge rolled his eyes since it was frustrating to act 'normal' whenever he had time off. The two walked over to the tree due to him having several bags Mark brought in which seemed to be for the aliens. With things seemingly getting calm, the doors opened again showing Fury who was covered in all manners of decorations and explosions. He noticed how everyone didn't notice him as the red lion walked over to a couch where he collapsed face front and groaning in an irritated manner.

"Do I smell the scent of anger and failure? Oh, it's just my former jailer in utter defeat."

The professor spoke out as he and Wrench walked out to notice the warrior appearing wounded as the red lion growled at the pair and wanted to attack them. Only to grumble on the pillow as he was too injured to do anything. Smelling the burnt fur from Fury, the others took a moment to check out their teammate who came in looking beaten up. Fury said nothing but allowed Sledge to look at his teammate to get a better understanding of where he got them from, leaving the bounty hunter to look shocked at knowing who attacked him.

"Wait, I know these wounds. It's Heximas."

He called out the name of the attacker as Sledge rushed out to the monitors to look and see if the alien was nearby for him to capture before Cecil call his men and capture him. Debbie being the generous one helped the lion up and offered him some hot chocolate she made in the fridge, it left Fury to turn his head since it was a surprise to receive this generosity from anyone.

"It's complicated than that. I was doing my usual walks to remember the fights I've had recently, until I noticed some people making a ruckus and decided to indulge myself in some fighting. I came around the corner and saw that old bastard Heximas with several hundred presents he had lined up on a homemade sleigh, he has hundreds of presents in them."

Fury summarizing how where he got them from and what was going on. While it could have been a misunderstanding, Sledge walked back in with his pad and found what looked like a video of the attack happening. It was was already going across the internet which showed a surprising sight of Fury being jumped by the Guardians of the Globe, except for the Immortal and Bulletproof. What made it confusing was the heroes wearing what seemed to be elf costumes, they were laughing and enjoying the punching they gave Fury along making their escape with the sleigh of presents.

"This is defiantly Heximas's work. He uses special coal to turn anyone into his own personal workers, no matter how powerful they are. It was a messy work trying to chase him down on a planet full of Northica, home world of the frost warriors."

Wrench telling the group about what made the heroes attack Fury and how this happened. It confused Mark and his mother about this sudden turn of events and what Heximas would want out of this. The screen quickly got interrupted by Cecil who looked upset about what he saw on the news and figured out what was going on.

"I can tell you all just witnessed Earth's newest incarnation of the Guardians have become Santa's evil helpers. I have the boys in the lab trying to scrub the video and make it seem like kids messing around in costumes along Immortal and Bulletproof in medbay from the surprise attack they got from Heximas. I need to know what exactly is happening."

He questioned group about what might be coming next as he and the others soon see Sledge coming out with the clothes that Poisandra gave him and arming himself with his blaster. Taking a moment to look at the old human questioning about what might be happening, Sledge walked over to show an image of Heximas which looked identical to what humans called 'Santa Clause', only to be more alien like and not so friendly.

"I'll put it in simple terms that even Curio could understand. The guy does the opposite of what the holiday is, he gives all the criminals their wishes. And gives guys like you coal along things that can destroy the block. Luckily, I know where he might be and how to take him down."

Responded in a prideful manner as he decided to go and handle it by himself. Before making out to the door, Cecil's comms started to go off as he brought up an image of another sight that no one expected of seeing. It was Eve who was in the middle of handling the mind controlled heroes in a landfill where the sleigh was located along hundreds of presents prepared to be flown out across the world.

"Right, like hell I'll let you go off with my girl."

Mark responded as he pulled out from one of the bags his suit as he brought it along for just the occasion seeing how it was better to have it with him than without. Rolling his eyes at how his girlfriend had to be involved and shook his head on accepting his assistance, since it seemed fighting both a holiday crazed alien with a group of heroes that are under his control. It shouldn't be that much trouble before enjoying the holiday together.


Later-Heximas's Landfill

Outside of the city and away from anyone to investigate was a fight happening within the landfill which had the pink suited girl Atom Eve, flying over the sight avoiding getting attacked by her former friends who were under the influence of Heximas. Who was right now by his sleigh filled with different shaped boxes of presents for the villains and criminals of the world, along looking at his own persona naughty or nice list on people he'd visit.

"Let's see now, Kill cannon wants a new arm able to cut down a building in half. Then there's one of the Mauler's who wants DNA to survive a fatal punch through the stomach, quite gruesome if you ask me. Then there's Magmaniac and Tether Tyrant that want a new home, isn't that lovely?"

Naming off the individuals who wanted gifts for the season but possibly denied due to their criminal history. Heximas was ignoring the attacks and blasting coming from the side where Eve was avoiding projectiles from Robot and Rex splode as they tried to shoot her out of the sky. Taking the chance to come down and take them head on, she made herself construct of knuckles and tried her best to knock them out.

"While there is a small part of me that's enjoying getting payback from this. I would have enjoyed doing it without the idea of them working with a knock off Santa Clause psycho."

Eve commented about fighting her ex-boyfriend as it felt uncomfortable battling Rex and the others in elf costumes and them not holding anything back. Continuing to avoid the attacks, she didn't notice from behind was Monster Girl getting the jump on her and grabbing Eve. Preparing to let out a burst of energy to break the pressure she was being given, Eve was electrocuted by Black Samson in order to keep her from escaping. Just as the battle had been handled and Eve subdued, they brought her over to let Heximas get a better look at her.

"Now then little girl, you must be the famed Atom Eve. Helping forest life with regrowing it's tree's and stopping fires from destroying buildings, very naughty. Though someone like you could help me with sending gifts across the world to the people who truly need gifts."

Heximas reading the deeds she did which he deemed naughty as he pulled out from his pocket a special coal that glowed in an ominous manner. Eve tried to move away but couldn't due to how many of her friends were around her waiting to incapacitate her. Though just before he could share the coal with her, it was blasted out of Heximas's hand and had the group move away to see who shot at him. Before reacting to the shooter, a blue blur zooming past the controlled guardians and grabbing Eve. Coming from the sky was Sledge as well Invincible who was holding Eve in his arms as he couldn't help but smile how he came just in time to rescue her.

"I promise not to say anything cheesy, but you have to admit it. Christmas miracle?"

Invincible asked his girlfriend before placing her on his feet as the trio looked at the controlled heroes and Heximas looking over at them in which the white bearded alien growled at his former captor. Sledge himself was surprised on him being able to get a set of powers of his own and taking over the Guardians by himself.

"It will be if I was able to bring this guy back to his planet and have him pay for his crimes, but still gramps. Continuing to give people weapons to blow themselves to hell?"

He asked Heximas in which responded was the red suited alien pulling out a lance shaped in a form of a Christmas tree and fired an energy beam at them. Avoiding the attack, they were surprised from behind was Duplikate copies in elf clothes tackling them. Throwing the copies off and seeing the guardians attacking them, Heximas decided to get his sleigh ready for his departure.

"Only if they use it appropriately. Half the world's criminals and villains wish for better things, most of them want to find new places to live after what Omni man had done. Mostly myself since I know you took me away from my world."

Responded back to Sledge as he ignored the punching and attacks his helpers were giving to the others as he checked inside of the controls to see Shrinking Rae coming out with a set of tools due to how she made sure it was operational. Nodding her head to him on the sleigh being ready, Heximas allowed her to assist the team in holding off the others so he could start his gift giving. Mark was doing his best to not hurt the heroes as well having trouble not harming due to how each of them were going all out, taking a moment to stop Monster Girl and Black samson. He looked over to Sledge seeing how he had his hands full with Robot.

"You've dealt with this guy before, tell me how we can stop this mind control crap before I started actually throwing my punches."

Questioning Sledge as the bounty hunter noticed how their hats were glowed in the same color as the coal that Heximas was about to give Eve. Taking the opportunity, he ripped the hat off Robot as his costume evaporated off him and free him of his control. Seeing how that was the answer to freeing the guardians, Mark and Eve decided to handle them while Sledge went after Heximas. Shooting off into the air and chasing after his former prisoner, he landed on top of the presents and aimed his blaster at Heximas.

"While the old self would completely destroy you with one shot and laugh at the remains. I've been around some actual bastards that deserve it unlike you and the others on board my ship, along that the holiday is supposed to be about peace amongst men. So maybe, for once. We try to settle this like sensible aliens?"

He offered a suggestion to Heximas since it was true on what he said. Due to the hiding he was doing and watching Sledge along with his crew along the beatings they'd endured, while it was fitting for how he had treated him and the other criminals that was on his ship get punishment. It felt different, more or less graphic since most of them weren't used to that type of combat. Just as they were over the city where Heximas noticed the humans below him showing different types of emotions of joy and excitement of being together. Despite the destruction and deaths that have happened upon this planet, it seemed that the humans were able to celebrate amongst themselves and continue to be positive amongst one another.

"It's that or a bunch of humans who want to give you a proper season's beating for making them into helpers without pay."

Bringing up another thing as Sledge pointed in front of Heximas was Invincible along with Atom Eve and the Guardians who didn't look thrilled about being his puppets. Seeing how he was outnumbered and knowing he couldn't get everyone to be his elves, he took a moment to look at his list and back at the masked people with a new idea brewing in his mind.

"Maybe, I could change too?"

Heximas offered himself for rehabilitation as the Guardians took a moment to think about it since he seemed to have changed all of a sudden and meant what he said. Taking a moment to look over at Sledge to see if the alien was being real, he nodded to them about how Heximas wouldn't make it out without earning several wounds and bruises on him. Though he'd have to do something in return for the trouble he almost started, and Sledge knew exactly where to start.

Later-Sledge's Base

Several hours had passed and there was no sign of the others since they left to handle Heximas along his controlled heroes. Debbie was by the tree with Curio as she was reading him several stories to keep him occupied while Fury had fallen asleep from finally healing from the attacks. Meanwhile, Poisandra was pacing left to right in an anxious mood as she had become nervous for Sledge due to how despite he didn't go with her to the mall, she still cared for him. Watching the panicking girl moving left to right was Wrench and Strickler, who didn't know how to approach the situation since it they didn't know how to approach her.

"Poisandra? Maybe."

Wrench reading himself to offer some words to settle the pink hearted woman, only to receive a microwave to the head which scared the professor and had the others noticed the angered Poisandra. Breathing in and out about her violent action, Poisandra saw how she was making a scene by herself.

"I'm just thinking how most of the idiots that Sledge had captured have recently gotten a power up, and I'm right now having trouble with what Heximas might have since he took down half of the Guardians. Even if I can outrun anyone on this planet, I'm worried that one of them could get the upper hand."

Explaining what Poisandra was feeling since Sledge had left and possibly being its last conversation before ending up either destroyed or beaten to a bloody stain. The mother knew the feeling she was going through when it was with Nolan, being afraid of the fights he got himself in and then making it out with a smile on his face. Though now it had changed after showing his true colors, now she needed to worry about was Mark's safety since he's been trying to prove himself he wasn't like his father. Deciding to intervene in the moment, Poisandra saw Debbie coming over to possibly offer her advice in handling this feeling.

"You have to have faith in him, which is scarce since everyone seems to want to not trust one another. Meaning you need to keep it, otherwise there will be a day he won't come back."

She informed Poisandra on staying positive as much as she can before something would happen and take him away from her. While it was a frightening thought of not seeing him again, she had to trust Sledge could look after himself as well Mark since she had grown fond of hanging out with him. Having heard her words and calming herself down, Curio's ears quickly heard the sound of bells ringing from outside as he leapt over the couch waking up Fury which caused the lion to growl in anger and chase after him.

"That damn brat, I'll rip his head off!"

Shouting in anger as he went to see where he went as the others followed them outside of the base to see what something surprising. Snow, several snowflakes were coming down on them in a gentle manner which them speechless at the sight. Especially hearing the sound of bells jingling in the air and the sound of someone laughing in excitement.

"It's Santa, isn't it? Really Santa Clause!"

Curio asked in excitement and rushed over to Debbie after hearing her stories as they saw a bright red sleigh coming downwards upon them. Fury thought it was Heximas and was ready to attack him, only to see the white bearded alien with Sledge and the two costumed humans with holiday hats on their heads along smile across their faces.

"No Curio, just another alien needing to see that there's another way then getting beaten up. Especially how the guardians are focusing on delivering presents across the city and world to make sure that video they of them beating Fury wasn't real."

Mark explained to the patchwork monster which made Fury growl at the explanation, though noticed from the sleigh was the presents gone and possibly changed during the conversation they had with Heximas. The Christmas themed alien nodded as he showed them his list which had changed from giving villains and criminals their heart's desires to anyone who needed it. Wrench decided to check it out from the pad and saw how across the world was the guardians along with the Immortal and Bulletproof who were able to make it out of recover and help out with the gift giving.

"I'm still unsure of the change that the young man has told me about with you all. However, with what I've seen from each of you. It seems that even I can learn a thing of two of changing."

Heximas admitting to being a different alien amongst the long trip here and changing the gifts with his lance to make sure they were safe for everyone. Such as the former bounty hunters as he brought out several boxed presents to each of the group, especially Debbie and Strickler who were surprised at receiving gifts. Each of them fond fascinating gifts that would help them relax when their not fighting, Fury obtained a traditional gourd that he could hold any type of beverage without making it smell or unable to break. Wrench was offered a set of new tools that were new and seemingly able to fix anything, Curio was given a set of comic books which made him excited to read up on his favorites.

"I give this gift receiving an A plus! Especially with these fundamental books on proper manners and respect."

Professor Strickler declared as he smiled at the books he received as Debbie was given numerous tickets to Italy with cards allowing her to purchase the finest of things in the country. Poisandra, got hers as it was a mistletoe which made her confused about why she was giving the plant. Though was quickly answered from Sledge who kissed her directly on the lips, everyone was shocked at the sudden sight of him kissing her while Poisandra was left with a goofy smile from how bold he was to do that.

"What Heximas gave me? Was nothing. Because I already got you and the crew, don't need anything else. Well, maybe just you."

He explained what his present was as he soon carried Poisandra off her feet and took her inside where he could spend time with her. Meanwhile for Mark and Eve, they received presents that represented something they desired. A family, Eve was given a photo of her old family that she had lost long ago when she discovered her powers. Mark was given a photo of him with his mother along with his friend William, his mother and Eve with Sledge and the others huddled together like a family.

"Whether they don't share your blood or aren't like you, friends can be just as family to you than anyone that's stands by your side."

Eve telling him since she knew the feeling of missing her old family since Mark had missed having his dad in his life. Though he felt lucky to have this unusual group of aliens be with him during this time of his life, seeing how they gave him company than he could have asked for. Especially how they would fight whatever would come at them, whether it be from Earth or the stars themselves. Though that was another issue to worry about, now it was time to enjoy the company of everyone and enjoy the holiday together.


Happy Late Christmas everyone as well a New Years Eve. There will be more to come later on, as well things you'll not see coming. Comment down below with any questions, until then. See you all in 2024, thank you all for sticking around. Your all incredible and most importantly, Invincible.