Samus's Return

Somewhere in space, Samus Aran was having a busy day. She had just gotten out of a meeting with members of the Galactic Federation military, who were noticeably difficult to persuade when it came to paying her for the upcoming trip back to Earth. Checking with her contacts proved that the corrupt Colonel and the conspiracy he was part of were staying clean after the knowledge she had, meaning something else was behind this.

But for now, Samus had someone on Earth to talk to. A few button presses bring up a video screen, the image being quickly filled by the face of Utsuho Reiuji.

The Meeting

-SOMEWHERE IN LAS VEGAS-

"Where is he, anyway? He can't keep me waiting forever."

In a mysterious room atop a tall building, eleven strange figures sat around one table. A diverse group, they had waited patiently for their missing ally. Now, though, it was wearing the patience of at least one of the attendees.

The well dressed man who had spoken made to rise, only to be cut off as an armored fist slammed down on the table. As the fist rose, a deep, dark voice came from the armor.

"Do not doubt the Commander. If he requested we wait here, then we should follow his orders."

Patchouli's Christmas Carol, or A Very Bookish Christmas

Christmas Eve in the Scarlet Devil Mansion. Fairies are preparing for the family dinner, the Scarlet Sisters waiting eagerly, and Koakuma...

"Lady Patchouli."

"What?"

Is engaged in the very unenviable task of trying to get Patchouli out of the library. This was the fourth time she was trying this very night, and at this point Koakuma's patience was running low.

"If you don't move from that couch, I'm going to find Meiling and tell her to carry you back to the main rooms."

"..."

Patchouli stares at Koakuma, and then limply raises one arm. Magic takes hold, and she begins to float upwards... coming to a stop when she reaches a couch on a different level of the library.

"There you go. I moved from that couch. Can I finish my book now?"

"...Fine. I will spend Christmas with the others."

Koakuma slightly bows and leaves, letting Patchouli to her own business.

Chao's Top 8 Touhou In No Particular Order (Except For The First Three)

#1: Utsuho Reiuji

#2: Tenshi Hinanawi

#3: Patchouli Knowledge

#?: Satori Komeiji

#?: Komachi Onozuka

#?: Yuugi Hoshiguma

#?: Nitori Kawashiro

#?: Youmu Konpaku

Meeting of the Generals

On the surface of the volcanic planet FYM-94, General Cleft hopped out of his spacecraft, followed shortly by Robot. While their previous adventure on the sand planet Artano had mostly fallen through, leading to a couple months spent in the repair bays of a nearby starbase, a chance remark had pointed them in the right direction. The General prepared for this search with his usual enthusiasm, but Robot seemed to be rather hesistant... as hesistant as an allegedly emotionless automaton could be, at least.

"Come on, Robot! Let's continue looking for General Treister!"
"General, I am not sure we will be able to locate Treister any time soon. This is the fifth planet we have investigated. Not only did the previous four fail to give us good information, we faced deadly situations on each of them. This leads me to conclude that we will face a deadly situation and be unable to locate the General on this planet, as well."
"Oh? And just what were those "deadly" situations again?"
"On STB-1973, we were nearly frozen by the ice monster, and would have remained frozen and failed to defeat it if not for the help of that nation's prince. On the planet of New Brazil, you angered the Jungle Lord, and we barely escaped his army in time."
"Bah, all I said was that New Brazil was a boring name compared to something like New America. I'm surprised he took so much offense."

Utsuho's Heavenly Meeting

High above Gensokyo floats a set of islands, known as Bhava-Agra. Alternately known as Heaven, various immortals dwell there, looking down upon the world below.

And today, there was a very unexpected visitor.

"Uh, hi, I'm looking for Tenshi?"

Christmas Around The Cosmos

Many people associated with the King of Beasts celebrated Christmas, or something like it, in their own way. Whether you were a radioactive raven, a famous bounty hunter, a living rock, or even an ordinary human, you'd have your own take on the celebrations.

===================================

For Samus Aran, Christmas Eve was spent preparing for the drinking contest. Besides sipping a couple beverages and listening to that deliverywoman sing a song in her honor - which was nice, but did she really need a couple of those lyrics? - she had spent most of the afternoon in solitude, catching up on a couple of good books.

With Anthony Higgs rescued, Ridley apparently dead, and the lack of signs of Space Pirate movement, it was finally a nice and quiet time for the bounty hunter.

And that's why Samus Aran spent her Christmas Eve in bed with a book. One might have been forgiven for mistaking her for Gloria.