First story on , Awesome! Please try and read, this is a test run if you like, I started something else ages ago, and I mean, "Ages", ago, which still isn't finished, and is/will be massive! Can't really say when it will first be up though, but still, suspense! Anyway, just in time for Christmas, (I hope so anyway), I give you one of the most well known Christmas stories, mixed with Sonic the hedgehog, but it's got some kind of a twist, not word for word same as Dickens' version, it's more like, "In-the-normal-Sonic-the-Hedgehog-Universe-with-the-Christmas-Carol-events-taking-place", kind of twist. Hope you enjoy the, "Experimental run", for this whole, "First Fan-fiction", thing, and please review, I just want to know what it feels like when someone does. Thanks!

P.S. It's pretty obvious to tell which characters have which roles. (Sometimes)

Chapter 1:- The Beginning

Shadow hated Christmas.

Surely that was obvious?

No?

Well, if it's not, I guess you can't just sit here wondering why he does, but listen to me, droning on about pointless stuff like that, when I should be telling you the real story.

Anyways, no-one bothered to try and reason with Shadow about his view on Christmas. In fact, no-one even bothered to even talk to him around the Christmas season. They knew it would either bring them a full frontal punch to the face, or a Chaos Spear that chased them about 3 miles down the icy street. Either way suited Shadow fine. As long as they left him alone afterwards.

Christmas had always been a particular soft spot for Shadow. It was around this time 50 years ago, that Maria had died, and that he had been kept in containment for all those years. It was a painful memory, and Shadow wouldn't give a damn if Christmas was stopped all together. The chances of him celebrating it were about the same as Rouge giving up diamonds and jewels forever, and if anyone ever tried to forcibly invite him, or throw a party for him, well, Vectors still remaining black eye from last year can vouch for that.

As a matter of fact, this Christmas marked 7 years, (ish), since Shadow had been first awakened from his artificially induced slumber. The same amount of time it had technically been for Shadow since Maria had died.

As he did(n't) every Christmas, Shadow didn't take into account others people's feelings for the festive season, and didn't care if they wanted to celebrate or not. This year, Shadow had decided to make it pass quickly by creating a special empowering machine for his own gain that would increase his own powers in Chaos Control. Tails had volunteered to help Shadow build it since the 1st of December, but had not taken into account that Shadow would not let him stop working easily.

"Come on Shadow, it's Christmas eve, and it's 6PM!", Tails exclaimed, pointing to the clock, which on que, had struck with a loud and notifying clang.

"Do I look like I care?", replied Shadow, not turning his gaze away from a bolt he was tightening.

"You should", said tails moderately annoyed, "It's Christmas, and I'm Ray's carer, ever since Mighty went missing, and whether you like it or not, it's my job to look after him, and spend Christmas with him, my friends, and myfamily, even if you don't want to". Tails moved over to the warehouse door, taking off his work gloves and facemask for when he was using the blowtorch, and reached for his scarf.

Suddenly, a spanner flew through the air and hit the wooden wall millimetres from where tails' hand would have been. It splintered with a shrieking crack, and tails flinched terribly. He didn't bother looking back at Shadow; he just slowly put his equipment back on, and resumed his work with the blowtorch.

All of a sudden, the door of the relatively small warehouse burst open, giving entry to a great gust of wind, (which caused Shadow and Tails to shield their eyes), and Sonic, wearing a green and red striped scarf, blue earmuffs, a small bag hung over his shoulder, and a holly reef with a red bow in it in his left hand. "In a one horse open sleeeIIIIGHHHHHH!", he finished singing, sliding to a halt, the door slamming behind him. Tails smiled to see his friend and lifted his mask up, Shadow just grunted, and changed his tool to a drill.

"How's it going bud?", Sonic asked, pulling his earmuffs down so that they were around his neck, "I got you a gift! I figured you could open it early if you like!". Sonic reached into his bag, and pulled out a small square box wrapped in red, sparkly wrapping paper. "Wow! Thanks Sonic!", replied Tails excitedly, putting it to one side, "I'll have to open it later though", he sighed, "Anyway", he continued, "What are you doing here?". "Well", started Sonic, "I was going to invite you to some last minute celebrations, and to the feast at my house tomorrow with ray, but", he was cut off by Tails silently signalling at Shadow, who was still drilling. Tails leaned in and whispered, "I might be able to make it tonight if it's at my house, but I can't come tomorrow. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to come, but I won't be able to make it back in time to start the work in time, your house is too far away, and Shadow will go nuts if I keep him waiting!". Sonic frowned, "Thought so", he sighed, then walked over to Shadow. "Hey Shad", Sonic said. Shadow's eyes darted in his direction. "I brought you a present too!", he said happily, holding out the holly reef. Sonic had been through this with Shadow long enough to know that Tails was standing behind him, frantically giving him, "The ixnay, on the exnay", kind of signal, but he had to try one last time.

Shadow swung round on his stool and took the holly reef. He held it at his height, (When he was sitting down), and the green chaos light engulfed it with a great, "Whooshing", sound. When the light dimmed completely, Shadow was left holding what looked like a donut that had been left in the oven too long. He moved it the one side, and sprinkled the remains onto the floor, then turned around, and continued his work on the machine, "Christmas", he grumbled, then gave a small snort of laughter, "What a pathetic waste of time".

"Oh come on Shadow, don't be angry!", cried Sonic picking up the slightly charred bow from the remains of the reef, "My kids made that for ya!". Shadow just grunted, then turned around again. "Tell you what", Shadow said, "I'll let you celebrate Christmas your own way, and in return, you leave me alone". He put unpleasant emphasis on the word Christmas. "As if", replied Sonic, rubbing his index finger under his nose, "Come on! Celebrate at my house tomorrow, me, sal and the kids just moved, would love you to come, there'll be lots of food, and everyone will be there! What do ya say?", he finished, holding out his hand. "I say", Shadow started, turning round again, "Get the hell out of here"; he finished, pointing to the door. Sonic frowned again. "Shadow, it's been seven years since you found out your past, I thought you were over Maria! I thought you understood! Why is Christmas so difficult for you-", he was cut off. Shadow had risen to his full height instantly, the drill inched away from his face, spinning with a small whirr.

"Ooooooh", said Sonic coolly, his arms folded. He hadn't flinched when Shadow had reacted, and hadn't become even more worried when he heard Tails dive for cover. "I think you might be over-reacting Shadow", he said, pushing the drill slowly to one side with 2 of his fingers, "But if you can't accept the joy and happiness of Christmas...", he stopped, then continued, "Well, I'm not gonna stop ya", he turned and slowly made towards the door. "Make sure your there tonight Tails", said Sonic as he passed him, "I don't want to be left outside for half an hour like last year!". Tails promised that he would, then began work again. Shadow had lost interest after Sonic had pushed the drill away, and just grunted. Sonic yanked the spanner out of the wall with difficulty before throwing it to Shadow, "Again? Man, you need help!", said Sonic, before the door flung open once again welcoming the wind. "Merry Christmas to all!", he shouted, to no-one in particular, and bolting out of sight, the door once again slamming behind him. The force of the door caused the winter gear hanging from the pegs to fall off; revealing about 50 of Shadows home-made, "Spanner-Holes".