Christmas Countdown Day 25
Peppermint woke up first. Except… she wasn’t in Elf Jail. She was in her own bed. Her own blankets. Her own pillow. Her own candy-cane socks on the floor. She bolted upright. “What—?!”
Merry Christmas
“The Invitation”
Peppermint woke up first.
Except… she wasn’t in Elf Jail.
She was in her own bed.
Her own blankets.
Her own pillow.
Her own candy-cane socks on the floor.
She bolted upright.
“What—?!”
She ran out into the living room and found Joe, groggy and confused, stumbling out of his room.
Buttercup emerged with bed hair shaped like a small Christmas tree.
Mason followed, still wearing one mitten for some reason.
They all stared at each other.
“Were we…?” Joe began.
“Did Santa…?” Buttercup whispered.
“Are we dead?” Mason asked.
“No,” Peppermint said, clutching her chest.
“I think we’re home.”
The Christmas tree sparkled quietly.
And beneath it—
Presents.
Dozens of them.
They sat together, dazed and blinking, as they opened them one by one.
Candy canes.
Socks.
A new “No Explosives” rulebook for Mason.
Buttercup got a tiara.
Joe got a book titled “You Are Not MacGyver (And That’s Okay)”.
Peppermint saved the smallest gift for last.
Just… an envelope.
Her hands shook as she opened it.
Inside was a single card that read:
“Permission Granted.”
Peppermint gasped.
And beneath it:
A golden invitation to Santa’s Private Christmas Kitchen.
She burst into tears.
Joe screamed.
Buttercup fainted for dramatic effect.
Mason hugged a random ornament.
They sprinted across the courtyard in their pajamas.
The Christmas Kitchen
The doors opened on their own.
And there, standing in his red slippers with a steaming mug in each hand…
Santa.
He smiled warmly.
“You four have caused more chaos this month than I’ve seen in centuries.”
(They all cringed.)
“But… you also reminded me what Christmas spirit really is.”
He handed Peppermint a glowing mug of his legendary hot chocolate.
Her eyes filled instantly.
She held it like it was made of moonlight.
“For your persistence,” Santa said softly.
“For your teamwork.
For your idiocy — yes — but your heart, too.”
They drank together in silence,
the magic warming every bone in their bodies.
Then Santa cleared his throat.
“And one more thing…”
They leaned in.
“You’re all on desk duty until next Christmas.”
They groaned.
Peppermint wiped her tears and laughed.
“I don’t care,” she said.
“I finally got my wish.”
And the Chaos Four clinked their mugs together
as Christmas morning sunlight filled the kitchen.
Perfect.
Chaotic.
Magical.
Merry Christmas Everyone
Thanks for following along on this wild countdown with Aetheriaism.
Mason pipes up:
“Hey, I have an idea. Mine next.”
Everyone: “No.”
“Hear me out… New York. New Year’s Eve.”
