Have a Merry Sonic Christmas ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hi y'all! This is a Sonic Christmas pantomime/play thing that I've written specially for the season. Hopefully it'll be finished before December the 25th, but I'll really have to work at it. This is being written in a slightly different style than my other more serious Sonic stories, so I hope you like it! Also, this play contains many non-Sonic characters in it, the reason being that they're all many of my friends who I asked to appear in it, so there'll be many 'private jokes' which I won't bother to explain because it'll take up too much time and spoil the flow of it, but feel free to e-mail me (I love getting mail!) if you have any questions. Enjoy, and Merry Christmas! Dedicated to Rosie Taylor, Claire Rowe, Xue Chen, Laura Andrews, everyone from Earth who appears in this story and all the residents of the Neo Green Hill Zone. All Characters that do not belong to Sega Enterprises Ltd. are used with permission, save my brother. Legal Junk: Sonic the Hedgehog and related media are ™ and © Sega Enterprises Limited. Tomb Raider is ™ and © Core Design and Eidos Interactive. Worms is ™ and © Team 17 Software. All other characters are © their respective owners. Text © Helen Stansfeld 1998. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ NOTE: I am aware that Knuckles dislikes strong sunshine, but I'll just say that the Sandopolis Zone isn't quite so sun-bathed in the winter. And notice that he is wearing shades. Fault that if you can! Also, there might be a little confusion over the time-line. This takes place before Sonic Adventure, as Tails only knows what one human looks like (ie. Robotnik). This allows for some poetic license, as Station City is mentioned several times, and Amy is actually in it. I forgot about this when I wrote it, so please, no "But humans live on Mobius!" e-mails, thank you. :) After each character will be a three-letter acronym (or TLA) indicating where they come from. MOB - Mobius | ENG - England | USA - United States of America | CAN- Canada Cast of Characters (known so far): Sonic the Hedgehog (MOB) Miles "Tails" Prower (MOB) Knuckles the Echidna (MOB) Amy Rose (MOB) Dr. Ivo Robotnik (MOB) Helen Stansfeld (yup, 'tis me! Hey - it's my play, OK?) (ENG) Xue Chen (ENG) Rosie Taylor (ENG) Claire Rowe (ENG) Moon the Echidna (CAN) Delphine Kiminsu (USA) Tim Stansfeld (my brother, and the only character who appears without permission) (ENG) Metal-Sonic (MOB) Metal-Knuckles (MOB) Egg-Robo (MOB) Mad Mole (MOB) Mighty the Armadillo (MOB) Vector the Crocodile (MOB) Espio the Chameleon (MOB) Charmy Bee (MOB) Neil Williams (ENG) Paul Williams (ENG) Tom Flowers (ENG) Oliver Jackson (ENG) Kevin Wooton (ENG) Crabmeat (MOB) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Act One - I'm Dreaming of a Pight Christmas Scene 1 It is a brisk, clear morning in the Green Hill Zone. A thick layer of snow coats the ground, glistening in the wintry sun. Sonic and Tails have just run out of their house, Tails decked out in a scarf, mittens and Santa hat. Sonic whistles in surprise at the landscape. Tails: Where is everyone? Sonic: Probably nice and warm inside. Everybody of a sane state of mind, anyway. Remind me - how did you get me out here? Tails: I didn't. You said that if I didn't stop humming Jingle Bells you'd break my copy of NiGHTS over my head, and then I said that I was bored, so you suggested a snowball fight. Sonic: Oh, yeah. Did I really say that? Tails: Yup. Sonic sighs and breathes into his paws. Tails: Y'know, if you're cold, you should have put on something warm, like me. He smirks at Sonic and pulls his mittens on tighter. Sonic: Well, if being warm requires looking like an idiot, I'll stay cold. He shivers. Tails looks hurt and starts to say something cutting back, but stops as a brilliant flash can be seen coming from the next valley. Tails: What the heck was that? Sonic: I dunno. Let's go see! The hedgehog runs off, Tails following closely behind him. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene 2 Amy Rose is walking along inside the Station City Mall doing some last minute Christmas shopping. She sits down on a bench by the indoor fountain and consults her list. Amy: Hmm..... I still haven't got Sonic anything. I need to find something really special...... Suddenly a brightly coloured window display catches her eye. Her face breaks into a smile as she reads the frosted lettering on the store window. She leaps off her seat and rushes inside, her hair whipping out behind her. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene 3 Sonic screeches to a halt, sending a spray of snow up into the air. He looks around for anything unusual while Tails arrives, coating the hedgehog with a fine layer of snow. Sonic: (sarcastically) Thanks, Tails. Tails: No prob. Hey - there's nothing here! Sonic's ears prick up. Sonic: Can you hear that? Tails: Hear what?....... oh..... Tails' face breaks into concentration and his ears swing round like radars. Tails: It's coming from over there! He points to a patch of lumpy snow. Sonic rushes over and gets a glimpse of red on white. Sonic: Uh-oh. The hedgehog starts fervently digging at the lumpy patch and jumps back as a face peers back at him groaning. Tails: Yikes! It's a horrible zombie! It's all coated in blood! Look at its eyes! Its ugly face! Its- Face: Hey! Who're you calling ugly, fuzzball? Tails jumps back and his twin tails start quaking. Tails: Please don't eat me! Sonic: (rolling his eyes) Oh brother..... Face: Why the heck would I want to eat ya? Of course, fluffy mammals are a vital source of vitamins and minerals..... Tails whimpers. Face: Hey, it was a joke! A joke! Sheesh, over- sensitive woodland animals..... The figure starts to get up, brushing snow off itself. Sonic watches with interest and Tails shields his eyes, muttering something about the undead. Sonic: Hey, whaddaya know - it's human! Face: Thank you. At least someone round here has a brain...... ohmygosh! Sonic the Hedgehog?! Oh wow! I'm your biggest fan! Is this really Planet Mobius? This is so cool! I've died and gone to heaven! Tails: See, I said it was undead! Sonic: Can it, Tails. I wanna hear what this human has to say. It obviously has taste. Tails: Yeah. I bet it has taste all right. You heard what it said about fluffy mammals! Sonic: I'm not fluffy. Face: Look, I'm not gonna eat anyone, OK? Sonic: I knew that. He smirks at Tails. Face: Anyway, you wanted to hear what I have to say. Here goes..... my name is Helen Stansfeld, I'm 13 years old and I come from Planet Earth. I'm human, well, it's never been proved otherwise, and, as mentioned earlier, I'm a huge fan of you. Sonic: Then.... how did you get here? Helen: You know that blinding flash you saw? Sonic: I wouldn't say blinding..... Helen: Oh, I would.... well, I don't quite know how it happened, but one minute I was playing Tomb Raider and the next I was here, lying in the snow. This is the Green Hill Zone, isn't it? Tails: (shakily) Yes, it is. Helen: Good. I was just wondering, 'cos the background music's Dream Bells. Sonic: Ah, it always changes round December time. One moment tropical paradise, next it's winter wonder-land. Tails looks closely at the girl. She is wearing a red jumper with a white shirt underneath if the collar is anything to go by, with a pair of black bootleg trousers. Her hair is long and brown, with a fringe rather like Claris' from NiGHTS. Helen notices Tails inspecting her. Helen: Not all humans look like Doc 'Botnik, if that's what you were wondering. Tails smiles for the first time in a while. Tails: So you like to play Sega? Helen: Like to play Sega? Are you kidding? I love videogames! What I wanna know is: are you any good? Sonic: (grinning) Well, Ms. Stansfeld, if you care to come this way into the warm, we'll show you. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene 4 Amy Rose literally skips out of the store, clutching a shiny package. She slips it into her bag and smiles. Amy: At last! The perfect present! Sonic'll love it! She sets off towards the other end of the mall. The building is packed with happy shoppers searching for gifts and Amy has to weave her way between them all. She stops in front of a large department store and stares at a sign declaring "Santa's Grotto In- store!" Amy: (singing) Jingle bells, 'buttnik smells, Sonic's just so cool, Tails is cute, we'll munch some fruit, and Knuckles is no fool.... oh, what the heck! When will I ever have this opportunity again? She walks boldly into the store grinning. Amy: After all, it is Christmas. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene 5 Dr. Robotnik stares at Metal-Sonic in disbelief. Robotnik: Surely you don't believe in Santa Claus... Metal-Sonic: It is the spirit of the season. The jolly fat man is everywhere. Logically, if there are pictures of him, songs about him, and other incarnations, he must exist. Robotnik sighs. Robotnik: Metal, I hate to break this to you, but Santa does not exist. None of the other robots believe in him! Metal-Sonic: I will not be disillusioned. If belief is strong enough, then anything can happen. Metal hovers out. Robotnik rolls his eyes and tries to work out what has just unfolded. Metal-Knuckles enters wearing a paper hat. He blows a squeaker and grins. Metal-Knuckles: Merry Christmas, Dr. R! Robotnik stumbles for words. Metal-Knuckles: Come with me, sir. We're going to see Santa! He drags a flabbergasted Robotnik through the door and down the corridor. Robotnik splutters as he sees a crudely painted sign bearing the legend "Santa's Grotto". Robotnik: Oh no... please no... Egg-Robo: Ho ho ho! And what do you want for Christmas little, er... man? The Egg-Robo is wearing a ragged Santa costume and a false beard. A Mad Mole is dressed as an elf. Robotnik: (quietly) Not Rudolph, please not Rudolph... He turns to see Metal Sonic with his nose painted red and antlers atop his head. He is standing in front of a sleigh laden with brightly coloured boxes and packages. Robotnik: (yelling) What's wrong with you?! This is ridiculous! Idiotic- Egg-Robo: Now you don't get any presents. The Mad Mole stands on tiptoe and whispers something to him. The Egg-Robo nods and leans down to face Dr. Robotnik. Egg-Robo: My little elfin friend has informed me that, apart from this very rude outburst, you have been a good little man. I have decided to give you a Christmas gift, as it is the season to be jolly. Now, remember to put it under the tree and to only open it on Christmas Day, just like the other good little girls and boys. Ho ho ho! Robotnik clutches the little box and walks off down the corridor coughing. As soon as he reaches his laboratory he slams the door and rips the paper off. Robotnik: (holding up something dusty and black) That little- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene 6 Meanwhile on Planet Earth, we join a young human being who answers to the name Rosie. She is sitting in a large, yellow inflatable chair. Rosie: (singing) This little babe, so few days old, has come to rifle Satan's hold.... oh pight! Pight pight pight pight pight! This is the stupidest song I've ever heard! And that includes "If You Wanna Be My Side Kick" by Helen Stansfeld! She sighs. With nothing more to do than lounge around singing awful music-lesson songs, Rosie is bored. Rosie: I wonder what she's doing now. Probably something to do with Sonic... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene 7 Helen: (grinning) That's the first round to me! Does your team surrender? Sonic: No way! You just got lucky! Tails: Yeah! My Worms team is 'Miles' better than yours! He smirks at his pun. Helen and Sonic groan. They are all staring intently at the screen. Helen clicks the mouse and laughs as the sound of an explosion emanates through the speakers. Sonic grimaces. Sonic: Right - it's pay back time! Helen: Yeah, sure. I'm shaking. Sonic takes his turn and Helen and Tails stare at him. Tails: "You're all pushing up daisies". Nice one, Sonic! Sonic: Ah-heh. Well, I was getting tired of this anyway. Let's play something different. Tails: Like what? We've been slaughtered at everything we own! Even Burning Rangers, and she says she doesn't even have it! Helen winces. Sonic: What? Helen: Something square in my pocket. I can't think how it got there... She pulls out a CD case and plonks it on the table. Helen: Ah, that's better. Tails picks it up. Tails: Sonic R? What's that? Sonic: Gimme, gimme! Helen: Sonic R? Oh, that's a... wait. You don't have Sonic games here, do you? Sonic and Tails: Nope. Helen: Well, it's a Sonic racing game for the Saturn. Wanna give it a spin? Sonic: Are you kidding?! I've never played a game starring myself before! This is way past cool! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene 8 A dark figure watches over Mobius' surface. Not much can be seen of the person, but it appears to be human. It cackles and turns away from the screen. Tim: Ah ha ha ha! What a pitiful little planet! I can't see what my sister likes about it... mind you, she always was a bit strange in the head... Looking closer, we can determine that it is a young human boy. He is dressed in a black, sinister looking cape, jeans and trainers. He has short brown hair, a similar shade to that of his sister's, with the same greeny-hazel eyes. A fair-haired boy enters and salutes. Neil: Phasers on-line, sir! Tim rubs his chin in thought. Tim: Good... good. What of the resistance? Neil: None, sir. Tim: Not even anything of my insane older sister? Neil: Nothing. On all accounts. Tim: It appears the hit-squad did its job. Now nothing can stop me! Mwah-ha-ha! Neil salutes again and leaves his boss to gloat. It didn't do for lesser-beings to interrupt Tim while he was contemplating world domination. He walks off down the corridor and enters a door labelled "Un-common Room - No gurls aloud". Neil: Hi, Paul, hi, Tom! Paul: Hi, bro. The boss is happy, I take it. Neil: Yup. He's gloating at the moment. Neil looks at Tom and then at Paul. Neil: We better get Tom to stop putting those lego bricks in his mouth. They're costing us a fortune! Paul: Correction: they're costing the boss a fortune. Anyway, they keep him happy. Look at his smiling face! Neil: Uh, no, thanks. I'll pass. Paul: I don't blame you. You didn't tell him the full story about his sis, did you? Neil: You mean that her Saturn was found abandoned? Nah. I didn't want to worry him. It's probably nothing, anyway. Paul: Yeah, but you know how she has this tendency to turn up at just the wrong moment... Tom: Hur-hur! Paul: Quite. Neil: I'm sure it's nothing to fret about. Paul: I see your point, Neil. But she'd never leave her Saturn! And her Sonic cuddlies were still in her room! Y'know, the ones that she spent 45 quid on! Neil: (shaking his head) Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. The boss isn't going to be happy if he hears this. Paul: Then we'll just have to make sure he doesn't hear it, then. If she does appear... well, no doubt we can bump her off. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene 9 Amy Rose is walking down a sparsely lit passageway, trying to find the Santa Grotto. Amy: I must have been following these signs for more than ten minutes! Maybe I've been going the wrong way... no, I've seen arrows pointing this way. They probably didn't have enough space in the store. Yes, that's it. Not enough room in the store. With that she continues following the splodgy red arrows painted amateurishly on the walls. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene 10 On the Floating Island Knuckles the Echidna is kicking back catching some rays in the Sandopolis Zone, the only warm zone left in the wintry weather. He is listening to a personal stereo with a grin firmly planted on his face. Knuckles: (singing along) Thunder, blaze of light... but I will never let go... He is tapping his foot to the beat of the song and obviously doesn't know how silly he looks. Unbeknownst to him, the Chaotix are creeping up behind him, Charmy Bee holding a miniature video camera. Mighty: (giggling) Shut up, Vector! He'll hear you! Espio: Lighten up, Might. He's far away in "Knuckles can sing land". Unfortunately for the rest of us, that is just a distant hope. Vector: Espio's right, Mighty. Anyway, we have enough footage to make a decent video to give Sonic for Christmas. Charmy: What if he finds out? Mighty: That's half the fun! Sonic'll love it and he'll tell Knux how stupid he looked, and then Red will be really annoyed with us! Espio: That's what Christmas is for - making your friends mad at you! Remember last year? Mighty convulses in giggles again. Vector: Yup, he remembers. Knuckles: (still singing) ... It's a Super-Sonic sight, gotta keep it going... Charmy: That's 'Sonic Boom' he's singing, isn't it? Espio: Yup, though I'd have phrased it "That's Sonic Boom he's wailing, isn't it?". Charmy: Aw, don't be so hard on him. Ever heard ol' Buttnik sing? Espio, Mighty and Vector: Ew! Charmy: My point exactly. Sonic can sing in tune from what I've heard, though. Mighty: Yeah, but Sonic's good at everything, it seems. Vector: Jealous, are we? Mighty: Not in the least! Vector: Yeah, sure, Mighty. Whatever you say. Mighty: Hah! Espio: Can you two just shut up?! Charmy: Good suggestion, Espio! Mighty, Vector and Espio: Stop being so darn nice, Charmy! Knuckles: Huh, what? Who's charming? You talking about me again? Mighty: Aw, now we can't get any more "Guardian Goof-ups" clips! Knuckles: (hurriedly) What did you say? Mighty: (sweetly) Nothing, Knux. Knuckles: (suspiciously) Hmmm... Espio: (to Charmy) Hide that camera! Knuckles slips his shades off and springs up to face the Chaotix. Knuckles: Anyway, I'm glad you lot came along, 'cos I've received an invitation from Amy Rose. It's for her Christmas Party. Mighty: Oooh, Knuckles! Something you're not telling us, hey? Knuckles: Har-har. No, there's nothing I'm not telling you. And anyway, it's a joint invitation, so it includes you idiots. Why she asked unsophisticated weirdos like you to her party is unfathomable. Vector: Look out, guys, he's gone all hoity- toity on us again! Knuckles: Just shut up. The crocodile looks hurt and Mighty shrugs sympathetically. Knuckles: Look, I'm sorry, everyone. I don't know why I said that stuff. Charmy: No prob, Knux! Everyone has their off-days. Knuckles looks relieved and brings out a fancy looking envelope. Mighty: Let's have a look. He reaches out for it. Mighty: Ooh, very posh. It's even been crinkle- cut! Espio: I think you'll find that it's actually been pinking-sheared, Mighty. Mighty: Whatever. 'Amy Rose cordially invites Knuckles and the Chaotix to her Christmas Festivities Ball, blah, blah, blah...' Why didn't you tell us before? Knuckles: I just received it this morning. Charmy: It's today, isn't it? Espio: (reading over Mighty's shoulder) Yup. We better get going! Vector: Yeah! I better get my tux out! Everyone turns to face him. Knuckles: You have a tuxedo? Vector: Why not? It says it's a ball, so you've gotta dress fancy. What were you planning to do - turn up like that? Knuckles blushes and looks over his shoulder for no apparent reason. Vector: Look, I know a dress-shop you could visit. You could rent one. Espio suddenly snorts. Mighty: What's so funny? Espio: Imagine Sonic in evening dress! Knuckles starts laughing uncontrollably and the Chaotix follow suit. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene 11 Sonic is sitting intently watching the TV screen, Tails likewise. 'Super Sonic Racing' can be heard playing in the background. Helen: (to herself) This is strange. I'm sure they don't have PAL televisions on Mobius, but it still works... Sonic: Ha ha! Super-Me is triumphant again! He stands up and bows. Tails: S'only 'cos Metal-Sonic is slower than Super Sonic. Sonic: Sure, Tails. You lost by a mile! Tails: (ignoring Sonic) This is a really cool game, Helen! Helen: Glad ya liked it. Have it between you for Christmas. Sonic: You sure? Helen nods. Sonic: Thanks! Hey, wanna come with us to Amy's Christmas party? You don't have a proper invite 'cos you don't actually live on Mobius, of course, but I'm sure she'd love ya to come! Helen: Sure, I'll come! I've always wanted to meet Amy. Who else is coming? Tails: I don't know exactly, but probably the entire population of the Green Hill Zone and Station City. Helen whistles. Helen: That's one heck of a lot of people! Just how big is her house? Sonic: Ah, she's rented some building or other in the Green Hill Zone. It should be cool, food and stuff. Tails: The card says it's a ball, and me and Sonic don't know whether to come as we are or dress up fancy. Helen: Hmm... that's a toughie. Why don't you ask her? Tails: Gee, I never thought of that! Sonic picks up the phone and dials the number printed on the card. Answer-phone: Amy Rose is currently unable to take your call. Please leave your message after the tone and she'll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you. *BEEP* Sonic: Hi, Amy, it's Sonic. Tails and I were wondering what to wear for your ball-thing, so if you could give us a ring before it starts, we'd be grateful. Bye! Tails: Great. It's one of the laws of the Universe. Now she won't get back till just before it's time, and we'll be left stuck without knowing what to turn up like. Helen: Well, why don't you dress formally, and then if no-one else has you can make a quick-trip to the bathroom and get rid of it. Simple. Sonic: Why do we never think of these things, Tails? Tails shrugs. Tails: But what about you? Helen: If I ditch the jumper then I look pretty presentable for a posh do. I'll be fine. Sonic: Great! Then we're all set. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene 12 On Planet Earth two dark-haired boys armed with bazookas are roaming the streets. They are arguing and both look confused. Oliver: I'm sure that's her house! High Lord Tim gave us the address and you know he's never wrong! Kevin: Hello, Oliver - no-one's home! The house is deserted! Oliver: Aw, gee, I guess you're right. Can we blow it up anyway, just to make sure? Kevin: Weeell, OK. We'll just lightly fry it, though. Doesn't do to attract attention. Suddenly something bleeps from Oliver's pocket. Oliver: It's that dratted communicator again! He fishes it out and presses a button. Oliver: Ja? Tim: Ah, Oliver. Oliver: Yessir! Reporting for duty, sir! Tim: Good. You got my sis, then. Kevin makes frantic 'yes' signs. Oliver: Yeah, you can't see any more of her! Tim cackles evily. Tim: Go pick off some of her friends, as well. Associating with her is a crime against Tim. Oliver: Yessir! Right away, sir! He pockets the device and breathes a sigh of relief. Kevin: OK, let's go kill some of her friends! This should be fun! Oliver: First on my list is a 'Rosie Taylor'. Let's go! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene 13 A gauzy-winged creature is staring into a crystal ball, looking worried. It shakes its head and sighs. Claire: This Fairy-Godmothering isn't what it's cracked up to be! First I had to save her from her brother's Hit-Squad, and now I have to save her friends as well! Oh, well. The job has its perks, I guess. She murmurs a few words and sprinkles some fairy dust purely for special effects. Claire: There! They'll have a shock when they get there! She rubs her hands with glee and giggles. Claire: Bibbidy-bobbidy-boo! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene 14 Rosie looks up from her magazine and notices a tingling sensation in her shoulders. Rosie: Wha-? She yells as she is whisked up through the ceiling without actually hitting it. Her magazine floats to the ground, lying skewed on the floor. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene 15 Amy grins as she finally reaches the Santa Grotto. She doesn't notice the crude sign, or the bad-workmanship. No-one else is in the queue and an elf ushers her to Santa. She hops onto his knee, not registering the muffled metallic sound. Santa: Ho ho ho! And what do you want for Christmas, little girl? Amy leans forward and whispers something in his ear. Santa: Really? A little hedgehog like you? Amy nods. Santa: Well, I'll see what I can do. Now be a good girl, and have a sweetie. Elf: Pat Rudolph on the head, if you like. He loves attention. Amy jumps lightly down and strokes the reindeer's head. Amy: (to herself) My, what a strange reindeer. She spins round as a door crashes open on the other side of the room. Amy screams as she recognises Dr. Robotnik. Amy: Aaaiiiieeeee! Robotnik: Ah ha ha ha! My robots going slightly insane has paid off! Crabmeat - grab her! Amy backs off and fumbles for her magic hammer. She gulps as she realises that she's left it at home. Robotnik: Your Pico Pico Hammer Attack won't work, you pitiful animal! He leers evily as Crabmeat grasps her firmly. Amy: You won't get away with this! Sonic will rescue me! Robotnik: That, my dear, is the plan. Your hedgehog hero will come gallivanting in here on Christmas Eve, the snow will be falling, it'll be a crisp winter evening and the spirit of Christmas will be floating around. Then, just as he thinks he's saved you, WHAM! Ha ha ha ha ha! Amy: You're totally cracked, you know that? Robotnik: Flattery will get you nowhere, Miss Rose. Crabmeat, take her away. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene 16 A silver echidna looks out over the forest. The snow covered trees shimmer in the winter sun. She pushes a silver dread over her shoulder and sets out determinedly. Packed ice crunches under her feet as she makes her way through the wood. Moon: It can't be much further now. She treads on, occasionally stopping to get her bearings. The forest is silent, almost as if it is sleeping. Moon shivers as a cold wind whistles through the trees. She approaches a clearing and her face lights up. Moon: Yes! Finally! She runs forward and knocks on the door of a little house. The door opens and a copper-haired human greets her. Delphine: Moon, you made it! Moon: Only just. The weather's terrible! The girl helps the echidna into the warm and shuts the door. Delphine: We've got a bit of time to warm up and then we're going to have to set off again, I'm afraid. Moon: No prob. It'll be great to see the others again. She flops down on the sofa and grins. Moon: Remind me - why exactly do you keep a winter home in the middle of nowhere? Delphine: So that every year you have to trek out here and then journey back to civilisation again! Moon: Har har. Delphine: Thank you. Moon: The pleasure's all yours. Delphine: What've you got in the bag? Moon: Just the usual. She reaches into her bag and brings out a sparkly package. Moon: This is for you, Del. Merry Christmas! Delphine: Aw, thanks, Moon. Yours is under the tree. Moon looks at her watch and sighs. Moon: I guess we better get going. She and Delphine reluctantly get up and grab their things. Del locks the door and they set off towards the Green Hill Zone. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene 17 On Planet Earth a Chinese girl is sitting at a computer. She looks bored and appears to be waiting for something to happen. Xue: Hurry up, you dumb FTP! This is the last batch of MMEX files I need to upload for the Grand Opening! Xue sighs and gets up, leaving the computer to its own devices. She crosses the room to a drawer and slides it open. She idly picks up an opened envelope from inside and empties the contents onto the table. Xue: Now if only Helen would get her rear in gear and send me that dumb letter! She said she'd never send me a late letter ever again! Despite herself, Xue grins. The Grand Opening of her and Helen's joint website is coming up, and it will probably be ready on time if Helen sends the last few files with her letter, whenever that will be. Xue: (looking at the monitor) Ah, finally! She bounds over and closes the program. Xue: Time to check the ol' inbox again, I think. Who knows, maybe there'll be some excuse from Helen. I don't think she'll better her last one when she said she was dead... Xue's face lights up as the screen loads a list of several messages. One of them is from Helen, another from a Sonic fan who she'd written to and one from someone she's never heard of. She clicks on the latter one first, wondering what it's about. Xue: (reading aloud) You do not know me, but it is vitally important that you read to the end of this message. You are in great danger, as you are one of Helen's friends. Her evil younger brother, Tim, is trying to take over Earth and plans to do the same to Mobius. He has sent a Hit-Squad after her friends and acquaintances, and it is my job to make sure you are all safe together. Click on the following link and you will be transported to safety. You must trust me completely, otherwise it will not work. Yours sincerely, a well-wisher. She shrugs. Xue: What've I got to lose? This sounds like fun! She manoeuvres the mouse carefully and clicks. A flare of bright light is emitted from the screen and Xue is sucked inside it without a sound. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene 18 Sonic, Tails and Helen rush to the window as they hear a voice yell "What the heck?!". Sonic and Tails notice the strange look on Helen's face as she rushes to the door. Helen: Rosie! What happened to you? Rosie: (picking herself up) I really don't know. One minute I was reading and the next I got whisked away to here, wherever it is. Helen: No, I meant why are you dressed as a cow? Rosie: What?! She looks down at herself and grins. Rosie: I certainly wasn't attired like this a few minutes ago, but it's obvious when you think about it! Helen: What's obvious? Rosie: I'm the pantomime cow! I've always wanted to be it! This is so cool! Helen: This is not a pantomime, Rosie. It's a play. Rosie: Be picky if you like. I still say it's a pantomime, and I'm still the pantomime cow! Helen: Yeah, yeah. Anyway, come into the warm - it's freezing out here! Rosie follows Helen inside and flops down on a chair. Helen grins surreptitiously and walks into another room. Helen: (from the other room) I'd like you to meet my friends, Rosie. She steps back into the room and beckons. Helen: Sonic, Tails, this is Rosie, my friend. Rosie, this is Sonic and Tails. Rosie gapes in shock and can't speak, which is a very unusual occurrence for her. Sonic: Hi! Rosie finally comes to her senses. Rosie: You mean to tell me that this is actually Sonic the Hedgehog and we're on Planet Mobius?! Helen: Yup. Glad you twigged. That's why there's background music. It's not just some bloke who's turned his stereo up too loud. Rosie: B-but I thought that this place didn't exist! (nodding towards Sonic and Tails) No offence meant. Helen: (pretending to be hurt) You mean you didn't believe me when I said that it really exists? Rosie: Well, no-o... Helen: (grinning) I don't blame ya, but now I'm gonna have to say "I told you so!" Rosie groans. Rosie: (accusingly) You were waiting to say that all along, weren't you? Helen looks sheepish. Tails: So you're from Earth too, huh? Rosie: Yes, I am. Helen's told me all about you two. She pretends to wince. Sonic laughs. Sonic: I had no idea that I had fans from another planet till I met your friend! Rosie is about to reply when there is another 'thump' from outside. Tails: Not another human... Helen: We'll have to find out! With that she sprints out of the front door into the snow. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Break for an interval and refreshments