Episode 12: A Christmas Miracle
On a quiet Christmas Eve, old wounds are finally brought into the light.
Secrets are laid bare, masks are removed, and forgiveness is offered where none was guaranteed.
In the falling snow of Candy Cane Lane, the Misfits learn that family is not who you were—but who stays.
Christmas Eve, 2025 – North Pole
Candy Cane Lane
Candy Cane Lane was unusually quiet for Christmas Eve.
The colorful row houses glowed softly under strings of lights shaped like peppermint twists and snowflakes. Somewhere in the distance, church bells rang faintly, muffled by falling snow. The streetlamps cast golden halos over the fresh powder, and the air smelled faintly of pine, cinnamon… and antiseptic.
Above the North Pole Animal Hospital, warm light spilled from the large apartment windows overhead.
On the sidewalk below, a solitary figure stood still.
Jack Mason stared upward, hands shoved deep into his coat pockets, shoulders sagging beneath an invisible weight. The neon red cross of the hospital flickered behind him, and the laughter drifting faintly from above felt impossibly far away.
He took a step forward.
Then stopped.
His jaw clenched. The man who had stared down monsters, champions, and entire locker rooms suddenly looked unsure how to lift his hand and knock on a door.
Behind him, boots crunched through the snow with purpose.
A hum—off-key, cheerful, unmistakably festive—cut through the quiet.
🎵 “God rest ye merry gentlemen…” 🎵
“Why so glum, chum?”
Jack didn’t turn. He already knew the voice.
“Polly…”
Polly Mason came up beside her brother, bundled in a bright coat that stood in defiant contrast to the night. Her eyes sparkled, breath puffing out in clouds as she smiled up at the apartment lights.
“I don’t know if I can face them, sis,” Jack muttered. “I don’t even know what I’d say.”
Polly tilted her head, studying him the way only a sister could—seeing past the belts, the reputation, the blood and bruises.
“Oh, it’ll be okay,” she chirped. “You said they were your family.”
Jack swallowed.
“And family sticks together, right?”
He exhaled slowly. “Yeah. Which makes it hurt even more… what I did to her. To them.”
For the first time, the swagger of Mean Jack Mason melted completely away—leaving behind just Jack.
Polly stepped closer, lowering her voice. “You told me the two of you were meant to be together.”
Jack nodded faintly.
“She’ll forgive you,” Polly said gently. “She already understands more than you think.”
Then she grinned.
“Now come on, Jackie boy—unless you’re planning to freeze your nuts off out here.”
She laughed, skipping toward the entrance. Jack shook his head, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips, and followed.
Inside – Stairwell / Apartment Entrance
They climbed the stairs in silence, boots echoing softly. At the landing, Jack stopped again—hand hovering inches from the door.
Polly didn’t wait.
She rapped on the door in a playful, rhythmic knock—almost musical.
One. Two. Three.
Within seconds, the door flew open.
Edie stood there in a cozy sweater, eyes wide—
“JACK!”
She didn’t hesitate. Edie threw her arms around his neck and kissed him full on the mouth.
Jack froze for half a heartbeat—then kissed her back, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close like he was afraid she might disappear.
From inside, a thick Scottish voice bellowed:
“Hey! You two gonna close that door or invite the North Pole in for a dram?!”
Edie laughed, dragging Jack inside. Polly followed, closing the door behind them.
The Room
Jack’s eyes swept the apartment.
Ace MacDougal lounged near the fireplace, Santa hat tilted crookedly, whiskey glass raised in salute.
“About bloody time,” Ace grinned.
Beside him, Lady Molly stood poised and elegant, wine glass in hand, observing Jack with a knowing smile.
At the table—
A massive, bald man shoveled chips and dip into his mouth with reckless enthusiasm.
Jack blinked. Disciple One… unmasked.
Next to him, Cara Loco, mask still on, animatedly talking his ear off with rapid-fire Spanish and hand gestures.
Near the wall stood Jax Brenner, arms crossed, looming like a glacier—his glare fixed squarely on Jack.
At his side, Molly Mason, Jack and Polly’s cousin, smiled warmly… cautiously.
In the far corner—
Negropolis stood apart, trench coat draped like a shadow, skull mask unreadable.
And then—
“SQUAWK!”
Flippers waddled forward in a Santa hat, flippers flailing with excitement.
Jack laughed aloud, scooping him up.
“Hey buddy.”
Flippers nuzzled into him, squeaking happily.
Jack’s smile faded as he looked back to Edie.
“I’m so sorry,” he said quietly.
Edie shook her head. “It’s okay.”
Jack frowned. “What?”
Lady Molly spoke calmly. “I told her everything.”
Edie nodded. “That’s why I stayed away. So you wouldn’t blow your cover.”
Jack turned sharply. “You knew?”
Lady Molly lifted her glass. “I couldn’t let her believe she lost you. And every time she showed up… you cracked.”
Jack stared, stunned. “Did… anyone else know?”
Negropolis stepped forward.
“I did.”
Jack blinked. “Since when?”
“I suspected from the beginning,” Negropolis replied. “But it was confirmed in Pleasant Pines.”
Jack scoffed. “So when we wrestled… you knew—and still hit me with those potato punches?”
Negropolis smiled beneath the mask.
“Kayfabe, baby.”
Edie laughed, turning to Polly. “Well—finally nice to meet you officially.”
Polly grinned. “Drinks sound great.”
Confrontations & Reconciliations
Jack approached Molly Mason and Jax Brenner.
“Hi, Molly. I wanted to thank you… and apologize for any collateral damage.”
Jax bristled. “Collateral?! Your sister tried to destroy our relationship!”
“Jax,” Molly said gently. “Polly wasn’t herself.”
Polly stepped forward. “I know what I did was wrong. I’ll live with it. But with Dr. Casey’s help—I’m going to be better.”
Molly hugged her.
Jack turned serious. “Our cousins—they’re safe. Being weaned off the serum.”
Jax nodded grimly.
“And your sister,” Jack added. “We’ll get her back.”
Jax’s jaw tightened—but he nodded. “Thank you.”
The Misfits Reunite
By the fireplace—
Ace raised his glass. “So… does this mean Madman Mason is back?”
Jack shook his head. “No. He’s gone. What’s left is something new.”
Negropolis nodded. “Fair enough.”
“But,” Jack continued, “I was hoping… we could reunite the Misfits.”
Ace slapped his shoulder. “Of course.”
Negropolis nodded once.
Jack smiled.
Side Conversation 1 – Billy Pearl & Cara Loco
Cara Loco stands near the counter, animatedly gesturing as he talks to Disciple One, when a shadow falls across him.
Billy Pearl steps in, relaxed, hands in his jacket pockets, eyes sharp behind an easy grin.
Billy Pearl:
“You know… I’ve been watchin’ you all night, kid.”
Cara pauses, instinctively bracing—then realizes who it is.
Cara Loco:
“Sí? You like the mask? I had it commissioned—”
Billy chuckles and waves it off.
Billy Pearl:
“Forget the mask. I’m talkin’ about you. The footwork. The timing. You don’t panic when things go sideways.”
Cara straightens a little, clearly not used to praise from legends.
Cara Loco:
“I just try to survive.”
Billy leans closer, voice dropping.
Billy Pearl:
“That’s the thing. You’re not survivin’. You’re adaptin’. HCW eats guys alive who can’t do that.”
He pulls a card from his pocket and slides it across the counter.
Billy Pearl:
“If you ever find yourself in deep water down there… call me. I don’t work for free—but I don’t leave talent hanging either.”
Cara stares at the card, then looks up.
Cara Loco:
“…Gracias.”
Billy smirks.
Billy Pearl:
“Don’t thank me yet. Just don’t waste what you’ve got.”
Billy turns and walks away, leaving Cara Loco staring after him—equal parts excited and terrified.
Side Conversation 2 – Billy Pearl & Negropolis
Later in the evening, Negropolis stands alone near the window, watching snow drift past the glass.
Billy Pearl approaches quietly, whiskey glass in hand.
Billy Pearl:
“Still brooding. Good—means you’re healthy.”
Negropolis doesn’t turn.
Negropolis:
“Old habits.”
Billy takes a sip, then gestures vaguely between them.
Billy Pearl:
“Gotta say… I had fun out there. Most people don’t realize how hard it is to make chaos look effortless.”
Negropolis turns slightly.
Negropolis:
“You always appreciated the craft.”
Billy nods.
“Craft matters. And if you ever feel like stirrin’ things up again…”
He grins.
Billy Pearl:
“…I give loyalty discounts.”
Negropolis actually chuckles—a rare, dry sound.
Negropolis:
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Billy raises his glass.
Billy Pearl:
“Just remember—doors don’t stay open forever.”
He walks off, leaving Negropolis thoughtful… calculating.
Side Conversation 3 – Jack Mason & Cara Loco
Near the end of the night, Jack Mason approaches Cara Loco, who stiffens slightly before recognizing him.
Jack Mason:
“Relax. Not here to intimidate you.”
Cara exhales.
Cara Loco:
“Hard habit to break.”
Jack studies him for a moment.
Jack Mason:
“You’ve got guts. Standing up to Dark Dominion—especially in HCW—that takes something.”
Cara shrugs.
“Someone has to.”
Jack leans in, voice low but sincere.
Jack Mason:
“If they come for you… you won’t be alone.”
Cara looks up, surprised.
Cara Loco:
“You mean that?”
Jack nods once.
Jack Mason:
“Dominion thrives on isolation. I don’t play that game anymore.”
Cara extends a hand.
Cara Loco:
“Then maybe the game’s changing.”
Jack shakes it firmly.
Jack Mason:
“It already has.”
They separate—both knowing that if things escalate in HCW, that promise will be tested.
Final Scene – Christmas Eve Dinner
The table stretches nearly the length of the apartment—pushed together from mismatched sections, draped in a red-and-white cloth Edie clearly found at the last minute. Candles flicker softly, reflecting off glassware and casting warm light across faces that have all seen too much darkness to take this moment lightly.
Plates are full. Drinks are poured.
Laughter hums beneath the surface—but there’s also something else in the air.
A pause.
Edie stands at the head of the table, glass raised, eyes shining.
“Okay,” she says warmly. “Before the food gets cold and Ace drinks all the good stuff—”
Ace lifts his glass unapologetically.
“—I just want to say how grateful I am,” Edie continues. “For second chances. For people who choose to come back. And for the family we make… even when it’s messy.”
She takes a breath, about to continue—
“Wait.”
The word is quiet.
But it stops everything.
Negropolis rises slowly from his seat.
The room stills.
Even Flippers freezes mid-waddle.
Negropolis stands at the far end of the table, gloved hands resting on the edge. The skull mask—ever-present, ever-guarded—catches the candlelight, hollow eyes staring out at everyone.
He looks around the table.
At Ace.
At Edie.
At Polly.
At Molly and Jax.
At Cara Loco.
And finally—
At Jack.
Jack meets his gaze, already understanding.
Negropolis speaks evenly, but there is weight behind every word.
“I have spent most of my life hiding,” he says. “Not because I wanted mystery… but because I believed distance was safety.”
No one interrupts.
“This mask,” he continues, touching it lightly, “was never about fear. It was about control.”
He exhales slowly.
“But tonight isn’t about control.”
He nods once—to Cara Loco.
Cara stands, nervous but resolute, and removes his own mask first. It’s symbolic. Supportive.
Then Negropolis lifts his hands.
The room holds its breath.
Slowly—deliberately—he removes the skull mask.
Candlelight reveals his face.
Not monstrous.
Not terrifying.
Just… human. Scarred. Tired. Real.
There is no gasp.
No shock.
Only quiet respect.
Jack’s lips curve into a small, genuine smile—not triumphant, not amused.
Proud.
This isn’t a reveal for the room.
It’s a gift.
Jack stands and raises his glass slightly, saying nothing—just meeting his friend’s eyes with understanding.
We’re here. You’re safe.
Negropolis nods back, the barest hint of relief crossing his features.
Edie swallows, emotion catching in her throat.
She lifts her glass again, voice steady but heartfelt.
“To the people who choose to stay,” she says.
“To the ones who take the risk of being seen.”
She looks at Negropolis. Then Jack. Then the whole table.
“And to family—not the kind you’re born into… but the kind that finds you anyway.”
Glasses rise.
They clink.
Snow continues to fall outside the window—soft, endless, forgiving.
Jack takes his seat, glancing once more at Negropolis.
For the first time, there is no mask between them.
And Jack knows—without a doubt—
This isn’t just a team anymore.
They are family.
End Episode.
What a great ending…or continuation.
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