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The Chaotix household is busy and lively. All of the windows have been occupied by the glow of Skeeter’s oculars at least once as he races between the many vantage points, anxiously waiting for his numerous aunts, uncles, and friends to arrive. At one point, Skeeter is running so much that he almost bumps into Vanilla and Vector who are preparing a large feast for everyone joining Christmas today.
“Oops! Skittering Skeeter! 4 o clock!” Vector jokes, catching Vanilla and the bowl of mashed potatoes she has in her hands before they both could crash to the floor.
“Sorry!” Skeeter stops sprinting and turns around for a moment. “I’m just so excited! It’s my second Christmas! And I didn't have a voice box for the last one!”
“It's alright, Skeeter.” Vanilla brushes herself off and thanks Vector with a quick kiss to his cheek, causing him to blush. “I understand that you’re excited, but maybe slow down just a little bit.”
Skeeter returns to his earlier self given task of bouncing between the windows. “I will!” He calls back before bounding down the hallway.
“And no jet engines in the house!” Vector reminds him after he's out of sight.
“I know!” Skeeter calls back fainter. The little robot gets to his next window and presses his oculars to it. Thankfully he didn't have to worry about fogging up the glass since his vents and jet engines aren't anywhere near his eyes. Unfortunately, no guests had appeared in this window yet either.
“Skeeter!” Gemerl’s voice box calls from across the mansion and Skeeter quickly leaves the room he is in to navigate the extensive floor plans and find his dad’s location.
“Yes dad?!” Skeeter makes it to the room Gemerl is in and the reborn gizoid stands in front of one of the windows he had looked out of five minutes prior.
“Your papa is here.” Gemerl says warmly, amused at his son’s immediate joyous reaction.
“PAPA!” Skeeter’s yell could be heard through the entire house and Gemerl follows his son to the front door where Shadow, Rouge, and Omega were coming up to the door with gifts. Well Shadow and Omega held all the gifts. Rouge held a store bought plate of cookies. Skeeter swings the door open and greets Team Dark.
“There he is!” Rouge announces sweetly as the little robot ignites his jet engines and flies right into Omega's arms. The E-100 unit barely has enough time to shift the presents he’s carrying to one hand so he can catch his son with the other.
“MERRY CHRISTMAS HAVOC BRINGER!” Omega booms and wraps his son up in a hug. Skeeter returns it before crawling up on his massive shoulder pad to perch happily.
“Hi papa! Merry Christmas!” Shadow has to cough into his hand to keep himself from smiling like an idiot. The little robot then waves to the other members of team dark. “Hi Uncle Shadow! Hi Auntie Rouge!”
“Well aren't you two just adorable?” Rouge teases, maneuvering her phone out of her pocket to take a picture of the father and son, much to Omega’s chagrin.
“YOU HAVE FOUR PICTURES LEFT.” Omega warns her, but is distracted by Gemerl sauntering through the open door with Vanilla close behind.
“You are early.” Gemerl comments, taking a few of the presents from Omega’s grasp and offers to take some from Shadow too, who politely declines.
“ROUGE INSISTED WE BE THE FIRST GUESTS TO ARRIVE.” The E-100 unit gestures to the bat who gives an innocent smile and wave.
“Have to be first in line to get the food while it's hot!” Rouge smirks.
Vanilla cracks the door behind her on her way out and picks up her dress as she sprints to meet Rouge on the steps of their mansion. “Its so wonderful to see you and the gentlemen!” She takes the plate of goodies from Rouge and invites them all inside. “Merry Christmas! I'm so happy you all could make it.”
“I had no choice.” Shadow gruffs with just a hint of amusement behind his tone of voice. He and Rouge follow Vanilla inside.
“Well, I'm happy you're here regardless.” Vanilla responds to him happily.
Skeeter pokes at his dad’s golden crest from his position on Omega’s shoulder blades. “Look dad! I’m taller than you.”
“I can see that.” Gemerl says slightly amused at his son's antics.
“NOT A DIFFICULT FEAT TO ACCOMPLISH.” Omega pokes fun at his spartner and Gemerl rolls his eyes, then grabs the larger robot’s head with both hands so he can give him a zapping kiss.
“Ewwww.” Skeeter comments and giggles, hiding his eyes from the affection.
“HA!” Omega grabs Gemerl’s head in return and gives him more kisses back than would be considered normal for their standards.
“Nooo! Stop, that's so embarrassing!” Skeeter has to jump off his father’s shoulder plate to escape the mushy scene.
“Amusement: rising.” Gemerl comments when Omega is done zapping him affectionately. “You are unusually affectionate when embarrassing our son. Logging information for future use.”
Omega releases him and points in his face. “DO NOT GET USED TO IT.”
The robot family was about to head inside when the sputtering of a large ship told Skeeter and his robot family that another group of guests had arrived. Skeeter’s eyes shine bright as a dilapidated Egg Carrier lands in the field opposite of the Chaotix Mansion.
“UNCLE SIGMA!” Skeeter shouts with excitement and begins running to the airship. Disgruntled that his older brother had accepted Vanilla’s invitation, Omega tries to sneak inside. But before he can escape, Gemerl grabs onto his shoulder handle, then begins to drag him towards the ship.
“Tactical retreat: thwarted.” Gemerl beeps in amusement.
“NO!” Omega yells for a moment before he drops his arms in defeat. A few meters away, Sigma and Mecha walk down the ramp of the Egg Carrier with presents in hand. Skeeter bounds right up to them and gives out big hugs.
“Merry Christmas Uncle Sigma!”
“Merry Christmas Skeeter!” Sigma pats Skeeter's head fondly and he beeps in return!
Skeeter reaches up to Mecha, who bends down in response. Beeping in synchronization, Skeeter and Mecha share a conversation only robots can understand.
“Merry Christmas Uncle Mecha!”
“Merry Christmas Skeeter.” Mecha beeps back and pokes between his eyes fondly.
Skeeter then motions them towards the house excitedly and starts to run back to his parents’ sides.
Mecha offers his hand to Sigma shyly, and the E-100 unit takes it with gusto. “To Christmas!” He shouts in ernest, earning an amused beep from Mecha.
Gemerl is still holding onto his spartner with one hand while they approach. “Vanilla and I are thrilled you both could make it.”
Mecha takes the presents from Gemerl’s hands so he can give him a proper handshake. “I see you have your hands full.” Mecha chastises Omega gently who crosses his arms in annoyance. “The weather was clear enough that we could fly without issue.”
“Indeed!” Sigma booms. “And now I get to spend it with my remaining brother.”
Sigma approaches Omega cautiously, very aware that he isn't very happy to see him. “Hello brother. Merry Christmas.” Sigma hands Omega the coordinates of five eggbases, and his oculars practically popped out of his circuits at the gift in his claws.
“OH…” Omega’s voice box volume tapers and all distaste for his brother is immediately forgotten.
Gemerl nods in satisfaction. “That means he likes it.”
“It certainly seems to be that way.” Sigma beeps in amusement when Omega won't take his eyes off the eggbase coordinates.
“Come inside!” Skeeter hops excitedly. “I can't wait for you to meet everyone!” As Skeeter leads the robots inside, he is just about to close the door when the little robot sees a large blimp travelling overhead. His eyes shine bright with excitement as two figures drop from the blimp, both on extreme gear.
“AUNTIE WAVE!” He runs out again to meet them as they glide to the ground in circles. “AND STORM!” The two Babylon Rogues wave to him as they get close to the the Chaotix’s front lawn.
“Merry Christmas Skeeter!” Wave jumps off her extreme gear first and hands a few presents to the little robot. “We almost couldn't make it today. We won't be able to stay, but we'll be here long enough to chat, eat, and hand your parents the growth spurt bill.” Wave jokes.
Skeeter's hops in excitement! “I’m just happy you both got to come say hi! The presents Vanilla and I helped pick out for you both are inside!”
“Well that's sweet of you.” Wave chortles warmly.
Storm touches the ground next. “There’s the little man! Been awhile since we last saw each other!” Storm grabs Skeeter’s metal face fondly and shakes him about earning giggles from his voice box. The smell from the food indoors wafts outside, instantly catching Storm’s attention. “Oooh! I've never tried Vanilla’s cookin’ before! I gotta have some!”
“Wait Storm. Remember to hand them the presents first. We can't just barge in and expect them to feed us. Remember our reputation!” Waves rushes after Storm after he runs inside.
Skeeter is about to finally join them inside when a voice calling his name catches his attention.
“Skeeter!” Skeeter’s head swivels behind him and Tails is in the distance hauling a floating basket carrying all sorts of presents.
“Tails!” Skeeter skips up to the fox and accepts a few things that Tails hands him.
“Merry Christmas Skeeter!”
“Merry Christmas! Thank you for coming! Are Unckles and Sonic gonna be here?”
Tails laughs at Skeeter's nickname for Knuckles. “They’ll get here later on! Who all is here?”
“Oh! Papa, Uncle Shadow, Auntie Rouge, Auntie Wave, Uncle Sigma,” Skeeter continues to list off the names of the guests who have already arrived while he walks Tails to the door.
Skeeter looks around one final time, making sure no more guests are going to arrive when a bright blue flash races over the steps of the mansion and out of sight. “What?” Skeeter tries to replay what he recorded with his oculars, but he can't get a good image of what the figure looks like since it was moving too fast. It did leave a small present in its wake though.
Skeeter looks around at first, but then cautiously picks it off the ground and reads the note. “‘To Skeeter, from…” Skeeter trails off when he realizes the from column is blank. “Oh…well thank you! Whoever you are!” Skeeter calls into the open, before closing the door behind him fully.
Metal Sonic rests against an outside wall and looks through a window while remaining out of sight. Happy laughter and talking fills the entire mansion, something that Metal finds himself slightly jealous of. He watches Skeeter open his present from the safety of prying eyes and feels satisfied when Skeeter seems to like the new speed modules given to him. Metal nods to himself and fires his jet turbine to leave the Chaotix Household and their Christmas guests so they can enjoy the rest of their evening peacefully.