Chapter Text
Chapter 1
Metropolis city.
The whole city was buzzing of excitement as animals prepared for Christmas. The streets were decorated with lights galore and stacked full of temporary Christmas stalls. Each one contained festive food, drink and trinkets to sell. The crowds were immense as they searched around the busy streets and enjoying the festive activities; even when the sun was blazing down on them on this winter day. Jingle bells and Christmas songs echoed into the air as everyone joined in the festive spirit.
Not enjoying the crowds these days was a frantic yellow hedgehog. Quickly looking down at his phone, he cursed as he was already late. It had been about ten minutes when he got the emergency call from Johnny. Passing through the animals, he was unable to speed up and making him slightly claustrophobic as the crowds gathered in their bundles.
Finally moving away from the hectic herds of animals, he ran down to the newly built block of flats. Removing his hood from his jacket, he looked up to see the stack of balcony’s. Looking down at his phone, he was after flat number 24 on the 4th floor. Pressing the buzzer, he only waited a moment, before he was let in.
Storming upstairs, he finally reached his destination. Knocking on the door, he was approached by the tall lean rabbit. Johnny looked at him and smiled.
“Hey thanks for getting back to me so quickly.” He spoke as he opened the door for him.
“What’s the emergency? Badniks? New Enemy?”
“Umm Not exactly.” Johnny smiled nervously.
Suddenly from behind the rabbit, another rabbit called out her uncle’s name. Stepping inside the flat, Super Sonic saw Cream look up from her toys and smiled to him. The hedgehog smiled but instantly wasn’t happy towards his friend.
“This is the big emergency?” Super hissed towards Johnny, hoping Cream couldn’t hear his annoyance.
“I’m sorry Super but I had no choice. Vanilla is still away with work and now I’ve been called in as well. It’s only gonna be a for a few hours; well depending on the situation.” Johnny shouted, as he quickly run around the flat collecting his things.
“What am I meant to do? I’m a waiter, not a babysitter.”
“I’m sure you’ll both think of something” Johnny winked as he grabbed his staff and headed straight to the door.
“Now you’ll be good Cream, I won’t be long!” Johnny called out.
“Ok Uncle Johnny.” The rabbit smiled and waved to him as Johnny closed the door behind him.
Tapping his foot impatiently, Super was left with no choice. He had no idea what he was doing and certainly didn’t have any “babysitting” experience.
As he took his jacket off, he looked around for anywhere to put it up. However, looking around at the whole flat, nothing was set up as everything was still placed in big boxes; all except for a few toys that Cream was playing on the front room floor.
“You’ve not moved in yet?”
“Uncle Johnny helped us with the boxes yesterday. We were going to set up for Christmas, but mum was called in at work.” The rabbit spoke.
He couldn’t help but detect a little sadness in her voice. As she continued playing, the hedgehog looked around and couldn’t help poke his nose into the boxes. He went to the box labelled “Christmas” and reached his hand inside. He pulled out the tinsel and lights, trying to sort out the huge tangle they got themselves in.
“Well, no harm in us having a go, should it?” Super smiled.
The rabbit smiled and stood up, running towards the box. In a fit of excitement, she threw up the tinsel and wrapped it around her neck. Then she reached for another box and emptied the whole contents. Wrapping the tinsel around Super’s neck, he couldn’t help but laugh.
“Fine, it’s settled. Let’s give your mum a helping hand.” The hedgehog replied as he opened another box.
Time passed on, and both of them got right into it. Anything of Christmas was removed from their boxes. Trying to negotiate locations of stuff went down smoothly. Trinkets and wall decorations were scattered around the flat. In the end, Cream had the final say. Super didn’t mind being the assistant, as of course, he was slightly tall enough to reach the high places. Super joked that the highest parts would be left by her Uncle.
Then it got to the final important task, setting up the tree. The construction was Super’s task; trying his best to not get agitated by the vast number of parts to connect. Even when to his annoyance, the instructions were lost in a pile of boxes. Cream did try her best to help, but in the end, hours way into it, Super and Cream finally sorted the problem and stepped back at their success.
“Right. Think it’s time to get some food. What do you want?” The hedgehog asked as he walked towards the kitchen.
“Can we go down to the Christmas markets? I want to get something for Mum and Johnny too.”
Super had to agree. Looking in their fridge, there wasn’t enough to make a sandwich.
“Good idea. But umm…not too crowded alright?” Super asked as he placed the hooded jacket over him.
The rabbit simply had a burst of energy and ran around the flat to find her coat and gloves. Taking a few minutes to lock up and go into the big world, Cream looked a little disappointed.
“What’s the matter?” Super asked.
“I was hoping for it to snow.” Cream spoke with disappointed.
“Well, I’m sure it might. Come on, lets get going.” Super smiled.
But as they walked towards the markets, the animal herds started to gather once more. Worried of getting lost, the rabbit held the hedgehog’s hand as they pressed forwards. Super couldn’t help but feel he was being watched as he tightened his hood over his yellow quills. But for Cream, she couldn’t contain her excitement. Pointing in all directions, Super followed her to each of the stalls as she couldn’t help enjoying the Christmas toys. Seeing her relaxed, the hedgehog started to relax as well.
Cream begged for him to lift her up as she couldn’t see the trinkets in one of the stalls. Grasping them with her gloves, she was stargazed at the sheer beauty of them. She looked at Super and he instantly knew what she was trying to do. Sighing, he looked at his wallet and looked at his recent wage.
Goodbye wage he thought to himself as they bought new decorations for the Christmas tree.
Later on, their stomachs summoned them to the food stalls. Cream insisted a dessert for Johnny and her Mum. Super couldn’t help but to buy some for Ebony and Pyjamas. With bags galore, Cream was finally satisfied and wanted to head back to the flat. To Super’s dismay, his wallet was empty. Oh well he thought, at least Cream was happy.
Finally with their stomachs full, they got straight back into the work as they carefully placed the new decorations on the Christmas tree.
“How do you celebrate Christmas Mister Super?” Cream asked as she placed the tinsel at the bottom.
“Ok, first thing. You don’t have to call me Mister; Super will just do. Actually…this will be first time.”
Confused, Cream stopped and looked at him oddly. A bit embarrassed, the hedgehog wondered how he could explain to the rabbit. He wasn’t lying that this would be first Christmas, but how can you explain to a young child about his past. He had to think on the spot as he scratched his head.
“Well…ummm. I’ve always worked, so never really had to time for it.”
Hoping that will do, the rabbit simply smiled at him and spoke.
“That’s sad to hear. But glad you can celebrate this time! I make sure this will be the best Christmas ever!” She smiled with glee.
Super couldn’t help but feel relieved, that the reply worked. It would have been awful to explain to her, that he previously worked as a psychopathic destructing monster. But as they continued on with the work, the conservation turned toward the rabbit; how she and her mother would celebrate. Having the family together, eating all the food and playing with her countless number of cousins. Soon both of them stepped back and looked at their work. Something to be proud; well except for the last part.
“Hmm. May need help with that star on the top.” Super suggested, knowing all too well he was too short to reach (to his annoyance).
But then, there was a knock on the door. Confused on who that could be, Super went to the door to open it. It was way too soon for Johnny and Vanilla to return, but was left bewildered as Ebony stood at the door.
“Ebony? What are you doing here?”
“Johnny messaged me to check on you two. See you haven’t trashed the place.” The feline winked.
“What does he take me for?” Super sarcastically joked as Ebony let herself in.
Laughing, she took off her coat and walked inside. To her amazement, she looked straight toward the tree. She couldn’t help step forward and delicately touch the trinkets. She gave a whistle as she looked around the place.
“Oh wow! You two have been busy.” Ebony smiled.
“We went to the Markets.” Cream spoke out.
Turning around, Ebony kneeled down and stroked her head.
“You are such a lucky thing! I’m sure your mum would love this little surprise.”
“But we can’t finish the tree.” She spoke as she pointed towards the top.
Ebony stood up and placed her hands on her hips. Tutting, she looked at Super.
“Oh no, this won’t do. Lucky for you, I’m here.” She said triumphally.
Super crossed his arms in annoyance as she feline simply picked up the star and placed it at the top. The rabbit was delighted. Smirking, Ebony turned around and smiled.
“So, what do you want to do next?” She said to the little rabbit.
Super waved his hand defeated as both girls cracked on with the rest. His now only job was to put the kettle on. But he couldn’t help but smile as both of them laughed as they got really into it; especially Ebony. Opening more boxes, Ebony thought it be nice to set everything else up; of course, Cream being the boss.
Chatting away, Super thought of trying out some Christmas drinks for them; a crash course to when he had to serve them at the Groovy Train. Lucky for him, some of the ingredients in the boxes was just what he needed. As he called both of them, Cream was excited to be served with a hot Chocolate, while Ebony tried the Gingerbread latte. He waited to hear their review; which was mainly a thumbs up, smiles and whipped cream over their mouths.
As Ebony walked away with hers to continue, Cream quietly sneaked up to Super as he sipped on his drink.
“Is Ebony your girlfriend?”
That one question made Super almost spilt his coffee. Coughing, he was completely caught off guard. Hoping Ebony didn’t hear that, he kneeled down to her quickly.
“Ebony’s my boss! Who told you that?” Super nervously asked.
“Johnny said you had a girlfriend called Ebony. Is that her?”
It took a moment to understand what she meant; that she meant as in; girl-friend? Nervously replying back, he explained to her that Ebony was the manager of the Groovy Train. However as Super tried all he could to mask the sudden embarrassment, Ebony’s ears twitched. Facing away from both of them, she couldn’t hide away the big blemished smirk on her face and trying her hardest not to laugh….
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Later on, an exhausted Vanilla had finally reach home. Work was chaotic thanks to the Christmas period but was hoping Cream was alright. Suddenly she was caught off guard as she saw her brother jumping out of a taxi, with his staff.
“Johnny? What are you doing? Where’s Cream?” The rabbit asked, starting to panic.
“Don’t worry sis, I left her with a babysitter”
“But who? Why didn’t you call me?” Vanilla raised her voice in anger.
“Freedom fighter emergency call. Don’t worry about it; she’s in good hands.” He replied as they both headed towards the door.
But then both of them stopped as they heard a young scream. Both panicking, they rushed to the door and slammed open the door. But as they stepped inside to see why Cream screamed, they both were bewildered to what they witnessed.
Cream was screaming with delight as she waved her hands above her. Above them all, snow was faintly falling down to the ground. But as soon as it touched the floor it disappeared. The whole flat was fully decorated to the brim with Christmas decorations. All the boxes had been removed. Cream was trying to catch the snow before it disappeared. Suddenly she stopped as Johnny and Vanilla walked inside.
Jumping up for a huge hug, the young rabbit was super pleased.
“What happened here; looks like a Christmas bomb set off!” Johnny asked as he laid his staff near to the door.
“Super and Ebony helped me. Look at the snow Mum!” Cream smiled.
“Yes. How on Mobius does it do that?” Vanilla asked, instantly reaching her hand to try and catch a snowflake. But when she opened her hand, there was nothing there.
“Don’t worry. It’s just a little spell I conquered up and best of all, no need to clean. Which by the way Super, we are so doing this at the Groovy Train.” Ebony smiled with excitement.
“Well, saves me cleaning the floors at least.” Super sarcastically replied.
Johnny and Vanilla felt relaxed as Cream served up the drinks and food they bought from the markets. As the girls chattered away, Super and Johnny chatted quietly in the kitchen.
“It was just a small badnik attack; nothing we couldn’t handle. Looks like you had a challenge yourself with those two?” Johnny joked pointing towards Cream and Ebony.
“They weren’t as bad as I thought. Which by the way…” Super stopped, suddenly looking at Johnny with a deadly stare.
Johnny was completely taken back as the hedgehog.
“What have you been saying about me and Ebony to Cream?”
Meanwhile in the other room, the girls were enjoying chatting away. Ebony suddenly caught the boy’s conversation. Quickly spinning around, both rabbit and hedgehog were both talking frantically; was Super blushing? And why did Johnny laugh nervously?
“Ms Ebony?” Suddenly hearing the young rabbit call out her name.
“Oh, sorry love. And please, you can call me Ebony” She winked.
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Later on, it was time for Super and Ebony to head out. Saying Goodbye, Cream gave Super the food that he bought that day. Ebony and Vanilla said their farewells, until Johnny suddenly placed something in Super’s pocket as if he had forgotten something.
Ebony only noticed it before they left the flat. The Christmas markets were still open with smaller groups of animal folk. Knowing Super still didn’t take crowds too well, they decided to take the quieter longer route back home.
“What did Johnny put in your pocket?” Ebony asked.
“Hmm? Oh that? I’m not sure, he said it was a tradition around Christmas time. You know what to do with it?” he asked her as he pulled it out.
She stopped to see what it was. Suddenly she felt a hot rush come across her face and a snigger came. Then she suddenly laughed. Confused Super looked at her with worry.
“Well, what is it? Ebony? Why aren’t you telling me; I don’t get it! Come on!!” Super asked as he followed her in quick pursuit.
Ebony was hysterical as they headed back home, watching the yellow hedgehog shove back the mistletoe in his pocket….
THE END