I know, I know, it's not Christmas time, but it is in this story. So I guess it's time for a little Christmas-in-August. Don't forget to review!

12/25/2011

Dear Journal,

I have one wish for Christmas: Tails to be okay.

-STH

Sonic placed his notebook back where it belonged on the table next to his bed. As he set it down, Sonic caught sight of the note he noticed when he had first awoken.

Dear Sonic:

Merry Christmas! I'm really sorry that I gave you that…thing. I feel really guilty about it, but I just thought it might help you be better able to handle everything…I don't know. Maybe I was just being stupid. I really hope you can forgive me.

Everyone is gone for now, if it's before 1:00. We're trying to see what we can do about the X-Tornado since it was pretty badly damaged in the battle. You know what you can and can't do with all your injuries. When we come back, we'll have a good Christmas. If you hear…something going on with Tails, do what you can.

Love,

Amy

Everything was pretty boring. Nothing was going on with Tails, which really was a good thing, Sonic had to tell himself. But being in an empty house trapped in bed was about the most boring things could get. He laid back in bed and sighed. He had a feeling this would not be a very merry Christmas. Life was just too hard right now to allow themselves to slow down even for a moment. Even on holidays no one could relax; they had to work hard constantly just to stay alive.

Sonic looked over at the curtain dividing him from Tails. He listened hard, pushing away all the white noise around him until he could hear the deep breathing of his little buddy. Sonic could only imagine what stress he'd been under through the war with the Metarex. Sonic cringed. He could not bear the thought that he had not been there to help Tails. If he had been, Tails might not be in his current state.

I thought Christmas was supposed to be all cheer and family and peace, Sonic thought. But all Sonic felt was despair. He felt now, more than ever, he had been cut out of the lives of his friends, like a vital part of his life had been stolen away. He couldn't bear to think about it.

But that was what had happened, Sonic told himself. Now I can do something about it so I better stop complaining and start moving.

Sonic swung his legs over the side of his bed and took a deep breath. Amy wasn't there, giving Sonic the perfect opportuity to see Tails. Sonic stared at the small distance and realized the similarties to a marathon. Could he actually do this?

He couldn't give up the chance he had. Sonic gritted his teeth and slowly slipped off of his bed until his feet touched the floor. Carefully, he shifted weight to his feet. Sonic wavered briefly, but he quickly steadied himself. All right, Sonic thought, so far so good.

Sonic took another deep breath, steeling himself. This is it, he mentally told himself. Just one foot in front of the other.

He slowly stepped forward, ready to catch himself if he fell. Every step he took he put his weight on his foot gingerly. His heart beat rapidly in his chest, and a grin grew on his face. About time, Sonic thought, feeling more relief than he was willing to admit.

Sonic made it around the curtain and over to Tails's bed. Sonic sat on the edge and just looked at the face of his little brother.. His eyes closed and face free of troubled lines, he looked far more at peace than he could be while awake. However, Sonic felt his heart drop just looking at Tails. With his innocence and youth, Tails just looked so weak and helpless. Sonic hadn't been there to help Tails and so now he was hurt. Sonic was supposed to be the hero, and he hadn't been there when he was needed.

Suddenly, Tails's eyelids fluttered. Sonic's heart skipped a beat, and he grabbed Tails's hand. Tails opened his eyes slowly. "Sonic," he said weakly, his voice cracking, "am I in Heaven?"

Sonic felt a pang, as if someone had thrown a rock at his heart. Tails thought they were both dead. That Tails had been killed in his plane, and that Sonic had died as well. How could he think that? "Tails, you're not leaving us that easily," he said, struggling to sound calm. "You're still on Mobius. You've still got a job to do here, little buddy."

"Oh."Tails's mouth formed the single syllable as he turned his gaze to the ceiling.

"Tails, why would you think you were dead?" Sonic said, surprised at himself for actually pursuing the matter.

"That hit...it was so hard. And it was all my fault. If I had only paid more attention...then I could have protected Cosmo," he said shamefully, his voice quiet as if it was a struggle just to speak.

"Tails, you and Cosmo are fine; it's all okay," Sonic said with what he hoped was a reassuring smile.

Tails looked at Sonic again. "I don't want to face this anymore. I don't want to be scared all the time." Tears glistened in his blue eyes. "I want this war to be done."

Sonic squeezed Tails's hand, the only thing he felt he could do without hurting his friend. "Tails, we can't give up. You've fought for so much; we can't let the Metarex win now."

"But how can I keep doing this?" Tails asked, his voice breaking. "I don't know where you find all that strength, Sonic. I just can't find it."

"It doesn't mean you should give up," Sonic said, his face set. "There's every chance...no...it's for sure that we'll win if we don't give up. It's not like we're the only ones fighting against the Metarex in this war. We're not alone; we just have to keep fighting."

"Sonic," Tails said, his voice thick with tears, "you don't know how hard it is to fight them this time. They won't stop!"

"I do know, Tails," Sonic said gently. "I may have been a Metarex, but I fought those who were against the Metarex. From the few battles I remember, I know how hard the rebels fight. I know how hard the Metarex fight back. I know it." Sonic felt his voice change to the point where he was almost yelling. "This is a battle of wills! Who will give up first! Don't you see that? It's not based off of who is stronger, but how strongly you feel! How bad you want to win! How can't you win if you just don't give up?"

Tails stared unblinkingly at Sonic for a few moments. "Yeah, I guess it is that simple, huh?" Tails whispered.

"It is," Sonic whispered in reply.

For a brief moment, they sat in silence. What Sonic said truly hit him then. Was it really that simple to fight the Metarex? Sonic realized he had always known, but only now did he recognize the fact. Suddenly Tails looked at Sonic and asked, "What day is it anyway?"

"Christmas."

"Merry Christmas," Tails said smiling.

Just like that, their previous conversation was done. Sonic returned the smile, happy to see Tails looking more like himself. "Merry Christmas, little buddy."

"I have this feeling that I just missed something," said a female voice behind Sonic. Caught off guard, he jumped, and he heard the girl laugh.

Sonic turned around to see Amy standing there, hands on her hips. "You have no idea!" Tails laughed.

Amy smiled. "It looks like the both of you are doing fine." She stepped up to stand next to the bed.

"What would give you that crazy idea?" Sonic asked.

Amy rolled her eyes and looked down at Tails. "How are you feeling?" she asked, her voice much softer.

Tails smiled at her. "Okay. How's Cosmo?"

"She's fine," Amy said. "And so's the X-Tornado. Well, not exactly. It's going to need some repairs, some pretty big ones, but it's reparable."

Tails let out a sigh of relief. Sonic spared one glance to Amy and then only had eyes for Tails. Sonic's breathing eased, and for the first time in long time, Sonic felt an actual sense of peace. Merry Christmas.