The North Pole was shining bright under a blanket of fresh snow. The jingling of sleigh bells filled the air as the elves hurried about, polishing toys and wrapping gifts for Santa’s big night. The reindeer-in-training practiced their leaps and landings, their hooves thumping softly against the glittering ice.

But not everyone was feeling quite so merry.

At the far end of the reindeer stables, a familiar little figure sat alone. Rudolph kicked at the snow, his small red nose glowing faintly in the dim winter light. No matter how hard he tried to cover it up, the glow always gave him away. The other reindeer had already gone off to play reindeer games, without him, again.

He let out a sigh, watching his breath cloud in the cold air. “Guess they’ll never let me join in any of their games,” he muttered quietly to himself.

From the workshop, the cheerful music of the elves drifted faintly on the wind. Somewhere out there, Hermey was probably sneaking away from toy-making again, and Yukon Cornelius might be chasing another silver or gold strike in the snowy hills.

The North Pole was full of wonder and excitement… but also of misfits.

Rudolph’s ears perked at the sound of crunching snow nearby. Someone, or something, was approaching through the frosty fog. Maybe another misfit… maybe someone who understood what it was like to be different.