The holiday schedule for American students is quite different from that of East Asian students. Based on length, there are four main breaks in the year: a two-week Spring Break in March, the Summer Break from late May to late August, the Thanksgiving Break lasting five to ten days in November, and the Winter Break spanning two to three weeks, which includes Christmas.
And speaking of Christmas, Thor, whom everyone thought would be off protecting his father Odin while he slept, actually returned.
"The Asgardian calendar is different from Midgard's. The last month of the Asgardian winter begins on a Friday between your January 19th and 25th. The Frost Giants become active and prepare to invade Asgard. Then, they attack Asgard for seven continuous days during that last week of the month, attempting to inflict damage while the All-Father is at his weakest."
At the top of Avengers Tower, Tony was leading the preparations for the first Christmas party since the Avengers were founded. Thor cracked open a can of beer, watching it with a sigh: "The first two times I came to Midgard, I thought it was the same as a thousand years ago. I drank ale and smashed my cup on the floor, which startled Jane."
"Jane, that sounds like a girl's name." Captain America, sketching the entire Avengers team, suddenly suggested: "How about inviting her on Christmas Day, Thor? It's a little too few of us for a Christmas dinner here."
The Avengers' Christmas dinner had to be held a day early because many people, apart from the bachelor Captain and the geographically-displaced Thor, had places to go for Christmas. So, they had to celebrate a day early.
"I'm not quite sure... this is a warrior's feast, but I do see a willpower in her no less than that of a warrior, so I suppose, perhaps she can come."
Tony, standing nearby, shot Thor a disdainful look. If he wants to invite the girl, he should just say so. Why all the roundabout talk?
"Hank and Janet went shopping. I guess the mall is probably torture for Hank. Oh, wait, I think they're here."
Tony said, looking toward the elevator. But as the doors opened, it wasn't Ant-Man and the Wasp who walked in, but a young Black couple. The Captain was the most surprised and immediately stood up to greet them: "Your Majesty T'Challa? Queen Ororo? I really didn't expect..."
"I'm an Avenger too, Steve. You gave me an Avenger ID card, of course, I can come and visit."
After an amicable handshake with the Captain, T'Challa looked at Tony: "Tony, Shuri is really looking forward to the gift you prepare for her. She believes Tony Stark can give her a sufficiently excellent gift."
"Uh, yeah, that little squirt is hard to deal with." Tony immediately changed the subject, turning to the Avengers T'Challa hadn't met: "T'Challa, this is Thor, the Prince of Thunder from Asgard."
"God of Thunder, actually. But it's a pleasure to meet you, T'Challa. I can feel the blessing of Bast and your noble qualities as a warrior." Thor smiled, not even bothering to correct Tony's teasing. Tony continued the introductions: "And over there, hanging up the tinsel on the wall, is Peter Parker, our little Spidey. His merchandise sells better than all of ours combined."
Peter exchanged greetings with T'Challa. Thinking about it, this seemed to be the first time the entire Avengers team was present. Besides the original A6, the two newly added members, Spider-Man and Black Panther, were also here.
So, the Avengers actually only have eight people.
"Why don't I see Dr. Banner? Isn't he here?"
"Well, actually, there is no Banner right now, only Hulk," Tony said, while directing his J.A.R.V.I.S. to position the Christmas tree. "Hulk just watched a horror movie, had a hearty laugh, and is now asleep in his custom room."
"Hulk is awake now."
The big guy walked out of his special room, holding a bucket of what was probably leftover popcorn, eating as he came out. Upon seeing the Black Panther, Hulk walked over, bent down, and stared at T'Challa for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing: "Little Black Cat is here, haha."
"Hey, Hulk?"
Peter said from the ceiling, where he was stringing up lights: "Can you put the Christmas star on top of the Christmas tree?"
Hulk walked over to the conference table, grabbed the Christmas star from a pile of odds and ends, went to the Christmas tree that was about his height, placed the star on top, and then turned and grinned at Peter. Peter gave Hulk a thumbs-up.
Just then, the elevator opened again. Ant-Man, carrying a huge pile of things his girlfriend had bought, walked in, and Janet, entering with her bag, went up and hugged Ororo (Storm) upon seeing her.
"When we have the feast tomorrow, everyone can bring some people. Rhodey is coming then. Please don't mind that he's a spy for the Pentagon; the American Avengers don't have a Christmas party or anything, so he has nowhere else to go. Captain? Do you have anyone you can bring?"
"Uh... I was planning to invite Romanoff and Clint, but Romanoff said you don't like her, Tony. And Clint has to deal with his, you know, new members. Coulson doesn't have time."
The Captain scratched his head helplessly. He occasionally joined Nick Fury's operations, but he was only close to those two from S.H.I.E.L.D. Tony then looked at Hank and Janet. No need to ask; Janet's social circle is the same as his.
"Looks like I'll have to celebrate Christmas twice with Pepper—once in New York, once in California. Thor is bringing a girl, and who else? Hulk?"
"Nobody. Hulk's friends are mostly here. The rest would just get them into trouble."
"Alright." Tony finally looked at Peter: "Are you planning on bringing a girl, Peter? That blonde girl you brought last time, the one you toured the parallel universe with for two weeks? Or maybe that Asian girl? Or perhaps..."
"Uh, actually, I wasn't planning on bringing anyone. Oh, wait." Peter said, pulling out his phone: "Cyclops wants me to stop by the Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. He said it's to express his gratitude and he has a gift for me."
"Perfect, I was planning to go back to the academy, too," Ororo (Storm) said with a smile. But before she could finish, the alarm blared. J.A.R.V.I.S. immediately reported the current situation.
[Sir, there is super-powered criminal activity in New York City.]
"Who's got the nerve to cause trouble right before Christmas?"
[Based on available information, the perp is Wilbur Day, also known as Stilt-Man, committing crimes using a pair of telescopic stilt-boots.]
Tony looked at the Captain. The Captain smiled, stood up, and looked at the Avengers, assembled fully for the first time.
"Alright, one last mission before Christmas. The target is the apprehension of Stilt-Man. Avengers, Assemble!"
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