Have a Merry Sonic Christmas This is the second act of my Christmas special. After several inquiries, I'll say that you are free to act this out if you want to. Please notify me if you do, though, as I'd love to hear about it! Why anyone would want to is beyond me... It is also shorter than Act 1 because I don't have enough time to finish the entire thing before the 18th of December (my last day at school before Christmas, and therefore my last day to upload it). Unless I change my mind and give you a new act every year... 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. The X-Files is ™ and © Twentieth Century Fox. All other characters are © their respective owners. 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) Helen Stansfeld (yup, 'tis me! Hey - it's my play, OK?) (ENG) Xue Chen (ENG) Rosie Taylor (ENG) Moon the Echidna (CAN) Delphine Kiminsu (USA) Tim Stansfeld (my brother, and the only character who appears without permission) (ENG) Metal-Sonic (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) Laura Andrews (ENG) Elizabeth Andrews (ENG) Oliver Jackson (ENG) Kevin Wooton (ENG) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Act 2: Mistletoe and Mulder Wine Scene 1 Sonic, Rosie and Xue are busy talking animatedly about something; subject unknown. Helen and Tails are hunched over the computer planning a line of action for when her brother inevitably tries to take over Mobius. They both turn as the three burst out laughing. Helen looks suspicious and leaps out of her chair. Helen: All right, what's so funny? Rosie: (with a wave of her hand) Nothing. Don't worry about it. Helen: No, I'm worrying! What have I done that's so funny? Sonic sniggers and looks helplessly at Xue. Xue grins at him. Rosie: I was just telling Sonic and Xue about some of your past, erm... escapades. That's all. Helen: (worriedly) Which one? Before Rosie has chance to change the subject, Tails yelps and runs to the window. Sonic rushes to join him, the others following. Sonic: What in the world...? Helen: No... it can't be... Xue: What? What's happening? Helen: It's my brother's attack force! He's trying to take over Mobius! Sonic: Not if it's anything to do with me! He flings open the door and speeds up to the craft. He kicks the metal doors, but only achieves a throbbing foot. A flight of stairs extends from the very top of the spaceship and Tim strides down. Tim: Well, well. So we finally meet. I've heard so much about you, you know. But I'm forgetting my manners - the name's Tim. I will be your dictator for tonight. Sonic stares in disbelief. Helen steps forward and pulls off a karate-style kick in the air. Tim: Very impressive, I'm sure. I thought I had you blown up; I guess I was mistaken. I credit you for your ingenuity. Helen: Cut the sarcasm, Tim-o-flea. Drop this 'world domination' thing right now or we get nasty. Tim: You and what army? Helen gives a piercing whistle and looks behind her. Sonic: (as Tails, Rosie and Xue run out) This one! Tim raises an eyebrow. He pulls an RC-P90 out of his cloak and cocks it. Everyone runs for cover, screaming. Tim: (laughing) The army retreats. Not so mighty now, are you? (to the ship) Neil, Paul, Tom! Get out here! Neil and Paul come running. Paul: Yessir! Here, sir! Neil: Tom's just swallowed a live grenade, sir! Tim groans and rolls his eyes. Sonic crawls over to Tails and Helen in the ensuing mayhem. Sonic: This guy means business! Tails: No kidding! What are we gonna do? Helen: I have no idea. He does have a few weaknesses, though. Do something to get him off his guard. I'll pretend to give myself up and you get him, OK? Sonic and Tails nod. Helen: (loudly) I give up! This is too much for me! I surrender! Tim spins round in surprise. Tim: I sincerely doubt it. Neil, Paul, take care of those fools creeping up the sides. Neil brandishes his Moonraker Laser and Paul brings out a Silenced PP-7. They each aim them at the heroes, stopping them in their tracks. Helen's face falls as Neil and Paul escort Sonic and Tails to the space-ship. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene 2 Meanwhile, Rosie and Xue have escaped un-noticed. Now a good distance away, Rosie collapses on a rock, panting. Xue sits down on the snow with her face in her hands. Rosie: We shouldn't have done that, should we? Xue: You mean leaving Helen, Sonic and Tails? Rosie: Uh-huh. I feel all guilty now! Xue: Well, just think: we're here safe. If we'd stayed we'd be captured now. We have a better chance of getting help, and Sonic'll be able to handle the situation. And I don't think Tim would be able to kill his sister if he's actually there present. Rosie: I hope you're right. But where are we going to get help from? Xue: Knuckles, of course! Rosie: How could I have forgotten him? How could I ever forget anything to do with Sonic? I've been one of Helen's best friends for two years! Where will he be? Xue: The Floating Island, of course. I've always wanted to meet Knuckles! He's cute! Rosie: I wouldn't say Knuckles was cute... Tails, yes; Knuckles, no. The two get up and set off in what they hope is the right direction. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene 3 Laura: OK, imp, prepare to be nuked! The human being is on her hands and knees in her room, searching for something. She looks up for a moment and hits her head on the corner of her desk. Laura: Ow! Suddenly something catches her eye and her hand clutches it. Laura cackles evily. The item appears to be a small, red, liquorice figurine. Laura: Now I have you, Wicked Imp! She stands up and walks out of the room, still holding the Wicked Imp tightly. She bounds down the stairs and into the living room. Laura: Hey, Liz! I found it! Elizabeth: What, you mean that Wicked Imp that went missing ages ago? Laura: The very same. Want it? Elizabeth: No way! I'm not being tricked twice. Laura sighs at the missed opportunity to feed horrible sweets to her older sister and walks away. As she makes her way upstairs the door bell rings. Laura: OK, OK, I'm coming! She opens the door and looks puzzled as two boys with guns are standing at her front door. Laura: Who the heck are you? Oliver: (grinning) We're your worst nightmare, baby. Laura: So you're really Take That in disguise? And don't call me baby... Kevin: Sorry about him: he's trying to act macho. To answer your question, no, we aren't Take That in disguise. We're a hit-squad sent by High Lord Tim. Laura: Sorry? What did you say? You can't be calling Helen's brother 'high lord'... Oliver: We sure are, babe! Laura socks him one. Laura: Don't call me babe. Kevin: Well, it was nice to chat, but we're going to have to kill you now. Laura starts to protest but is cut short by a flash of blue light and a sound like fairy bells. Kevin looks baffled as his victim disappears. Oliver is still on the floor holding his face and moaning. Kevin: Hunh? What happened? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene 4 Amy: Someone help me! She pricks her ears up hopefully. Nothing. She slumps down onto the stone slab obviously intended as a bed. Her cell is dark and dingy, and smells faintly of rotten eggs. She has been calling out for the last half hour, and all she has achieved is a sore throat. Amy: I wish Sonic was here... Amy sighs and looks up at the barred window high above. There is no way she can escape that way. Amy: If only I could reach my Bat utility belt... She walks to the front of her cell as she hears a faint 'glingling' in the distance. It seems to be getting louder and soon she can hear muffled voices arguing. Amy: (hopefully) Hello? Suddenly a red and white fluffy hat comes into view, followed by a pair of antlers and something in green. Amy gasps as she realises it's the posse of robots dressed as Santa and co. Egg-Robo: (quietly) Ho ho ho! We've come to rescue you, little girl! Amy nods mutely. Mad Mole/Elf: (swinging a bunch of keys round his finger) Have you out in a second. He fiddles with the lock and opens the door of the cell triumphantly. Amy smiles and quickly walks out. Amy: Thank you! Metal Sonic/Rudolph: Our pleasure. That fat child is very mean and nasty. He deserved what he got for Christmas. Amy is curious as to what he's talking about but decides not to ask. Santa and friends usher her down the corridor and through to a back door. Egg-Robo: I hope we meet again. We would have dropped you off at the department store but it wouldn't be safe for you to remain in the nasty fat child's domain. Merry Christmas! Amy: Merry Christmas to you too. She starts walking home and adds Amy: I think... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene 5 Sonic, Tails and Helen have been thrust into a dingy cell that smells faintly of Tom. It is not a pleasant experience. Tails: What are we going to do? Sonic: Do you want the truth, or the optimistic version? Tails: Uh.... truth... Sonic: (breaking down) I don't know-ho-ho! We're trapped and there's no way out! It couldn't possibly get any worse! Tails: (to Helen) I should've gone for optimistic, huh? Helen: (whilst staring at Sonic, who is still wailing) What makes you say that? Tim: (through a speaker on the wall) Ah ha ha ha ha! Couldn't get any worse? I wouldn't believe it, 'hog boy. Helen: What was that all about? Tails shrugs. Sonic continues to prophesise doom for all eternity. Suddenly Tails' tails stand on end, looking like two toilet-brushes attached to his rear. Helen: What? Suddenly Helen stands rigid. Speaker: "Hello everybody!" Tails and Helen: AAAGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!! Sonic comes out of his current mental state and stares at the wall in horror. Sonic: What's happening? What's going on? Helen: (to Tails) I'm going to have to break this to him gently... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene 7 Moon and Delphine stand confused outside Sonic and Tails' house in the snow. Del: Are they mad? They've left the door open! Moon points off to the left. Moon: Check those marks over there! The snow's completely melted! Del: Something's not right. Look - footprints lead out the door, but they don't go back in! Moon: Oh no. We've walked into the middle of the X-Files. A shiver runs down Delphine's spine. Moon looks around thoughtfully. Del: Is it me or has it just got colder? Moon: I can't feel anything. Del: Smirk all you like. S'not my fault I'm not furry. Moon grins playfully. Del smiles sweetly back, obviously faking it. Suddenly two white missiles smack into the two friends, taking them completely by surprise. Moon: (spitting out snow) All right, wise guy, you asked for it! Del: Yeah! Show yourself, you coward! Knuckles steps out from behind a snow drift holding his paws up, trying to look innocent. Moon: I should have guessed. Knuckles: Sorry? I was just strolling past and I heard shouts, so naturally I came to see what had happened. Del winks at Moon. Del: Sorry, Knuckles. It must have been someone else. They'll be long gone by now. Knuckles looks relieved and walks over to them. Moon: Yeah, they'd have to be really stupid to stick around here. Knuckles laughs edgily. Knuckles: Yeah, really stupid... Del: Of course, we wouldn't (nods to Moon) hit them too hard! At her signal Del and Moon pelt Knuckles' head with packed snow. Knuckles tries to fight back but slips and lands on his backside by a tree. A faint rumbling can be heard and the tree's load of snow dumps itself onto his head. When he resurfaces, Knuckles looks murderous. Knuckles: That wasn't funny! Moon and Del laugh harder. Del: It was from where we're standing! Knuckles raises an eyebrow. Knuckles: Well, if you enjoyed that, then wait till you get a load of this! He whistles and the Chaotix appear, sending snow balls flying. Moon: (to Delphine) Run for it! Del nods and they sprint into the open house. Del: Sonic! Tails! Moon: They're not here. Geez, they were meant to meet us here, in time for the party. Mighty: (from outside) They went in here, guys! Del: Uh-oh. Moon: They wouldn't dare... Espio: (tossing a snow ball from paw to paw) Really? Charmy: Don't do it, Espio! That's expensive carpet! Espio turns round, annoyed at Charmy. Taking their chance, Moon and Del grab him from behind and stuff him into a chair. Espio: Hey! Moon: Look who's laughing now. Espio struggles for a few seconds and then gives up. Knuckles and the rest of the Chaotix appear in the doorway to the living room. Vector: Truce? Del: Truce. Moon lets Espio up and sits down. Knuckles: Where's Sonic? Moon: We don't know. They left the door open and never came back. Knuckles smoothes back his dreads and starts chewing some sunflower seeds. Mighty: Oh no, he's doing his Mulder impression. Espio: Bagsee I get to be Scully! Del: No, I'm Scully! Moon: (rolling her eyes) Oh brother... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene 8 Amy pauses for breath by a newsagent on the outskirts of Station City. The sky is going dark and a few stars can be seen twinkling in space. Street lamps are beginning to come to life and most of the shops are starting to close for the night. Amy: I can't be late for my own party! She glances at her watch and grimaces. Amy: Great. A whole hour! Just think of all the things I can do! After her bout of sarcasm Amy trots off down the road. The Green Hill Zone is sign-posted, along with Speed Highway and Casino Night. She stops as she sees a car with a sign declaring 'Taxi' on top of it. She runs over to it and hops in the back. Amy: The Green Hill Zone, please. Driver: Yes ma'am. Amy congratulates herself as the taxi drives off towards her home. Amy: Do you take Mobian Express? Driver: Yes ma'am. Soon the lights of the city are a distant haze. The roads are relatively empty, probably because of the snow. Staring out of the window Amy can see the first few flakes fall serenely to the ground. Amy: (to herself) It's a good job I'm not walking home. This way I'll be back in time to get ready without rushing. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene 9 Xue: Oh no! It's starting to snow! Rosie looks up and groans. Rosie: How close are we to the Floating Island? Xue shrugs. Rosie is silent for a moment. Rosie: You mean you don't know where it is? Xue: Ah-heh... Rosie: Oh brilliant. So basically, we're lost. Xue: That's about the meat of it, yes. Rosie: Well, we can re-trace our steps and get back to Sonic's house. Then we can work out what to do next. Xue: But the snow's covering our tracks! Rosie looks panicky. Rosie: What are we going to do? Xue: I dunno. Rosie: What would Helen do? Xue: Oh, that's easy. She'd go back anyway. Rosie: OK, that's exactly what we don't do. That means we carry on. We're bound to come across something. Xue: Sounds as good a plan as any. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene 10 Sonic: I can't take much more of this. Tim has been playing Sonic's Sonic Adventure commercial over the speakers for over an hour repeatedly. Tails: I know how you feel. I think I'm going to be sick. Helen: Aw, c'mon, guys - we can't let ourselves be defeated like this! We can't let my sadistic brother take over Mobius! Sonic groans and pulls himself up. Sonic: Why do you always have to be right? Helen grins. Tails starts rotating his tails and hovers off the ground. Helen: First off, we need to find a way out. Tails: That's no problem. He flies up to the ceiling and yanks the cover off an air duct. Sonic: Good work, Tails! Tails beams and lands to join them. Helen: OK, Tails, can you fly me and Sonic up there one at a time? Tails puffs out his chest. Tails: Sure can! He grabs hold of Helen's hands and spirals upwards. When they are all in the air duct Sonic replaces the grille and looks expectantly at Helen. Sonic: What now? Helen: Now, we crawl. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene 11 Moon: Quiet, you guys! We need a plan! Something's obviously not right! Espio: Sounds like a job for Mulder and Scully! Vector: (rolling his eyes) Here we go again... Moon: I'm being serious here! Knuckles aims a sunflower seed at her and laughs as it bounces off her nose. Moon growls and marches over to him. She hefts him up by his dreads and winds them round the top of the lamp shade on the ceiling, leaving him dangling. She brushes her paws together and sighs. Moon: Now we've got that sorted out, what should we do? Knuckles: How about letting me down? This hurts! Moon: Good. It was intended to. I'm sure your logical FBI mind will think of a way down. Knuckles scowls and squirms, resulting in him getting more ensnarled in the lamp shade. Del: I'll get you down, Mulder! Your show of boyish agility is really turning- Moon cuts in before she could finish. Moon: I said enough! Del: Awww... Moon: I'm trying to be serious! Charmy flies over and whispers something in her ear. Moon nods and smiles at him. Moon: (shouting) If you don't all shut up, I'll turn the light switch on! Knuckles: (urgently) Do what she says, guys! Vector grins evily at him. Knuckles yells something unrepeatable and squirms a little more. Moon: Right. Now that I've got your attention, we need to find out what's happened to Sonic and Tails. Mighty: There's something on this computer behind me! Everyone crowds round, except Knuckles, who is still entangled on the ceiling. Espio: "Action Plan. In case Helen's brother invades Mobius." Who the heck's Helen? Vector: Yeah, who is she? Knuckles raises his eyebrows twice in quick succession and grins. Del: No, it's nothing like that! Helen's a Sonic freak who usually hangs around the Hidden Palace Forum on the Neo Green Hill Zone! Mighty: That's still no help. Moon: Well, all you need to know is that she's an Earthling. Well, it's never been proved otherwise, anyway. Charmy: This is just a guess, you understand, but I think that Sonic, Tails and this "Helen" have been captured by her brother. Del: That would explain that huge ring of melted snow! It will've been her brother's spaceship! Moon: OK, everyone outside! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Break for second interval and entertainment. This week: Sing-along Songs with Sonic