Stave 3
He wasn't alone for long before his mantle clock sounded to the hour of two-o'clock. Robotnik sat up, dreading the next spirit. What torments would it bring? It was a brief comfort that it was silent after the clock stopped chiming. Maybe the spirits had given up on him already.
Or he thought so until the light suddenly came on, revealing his room was filled with the most delectable feast. Ham, mashed potatoes, fruits and vegetables was laid out.
Standing in the corner, a giant with dark brown curls, wearing a plush green fur-lined coat tied with a red sash. "Come in and know me better man!" He greeted with a jovial tone that radiated a warmth that Robotnik had only known once in his life. In his hand was a torch that resembled the horn of plenty.
Robotnik couldn't help the curious grin. "Who are you?" He asked.
"I am the Ghost of Christmas Present!" The man announced with a jolly chortle. "Come in and know me better man." He slowly shrunk down to match Robotnik's height. "Did I mention that I was the Ghost of Christmas Present?"
Though normally taciturn and quiet, Robotnik found he couldn't stop himself from laughing. "You're a little absent-minded, Spirit."
The Spirit laughed and sobered a little. "I am the second spirit and I would like very much to enjoy this Christmas Day with you. Have you noticed how much more wonderful things seem to be this time of year?"
Robotnik shook his head. "I haven't. Honestly, I've never quite understood Christmas."
The Spirit smiled. "You know, I hear that all the time. Don't worry. By time this day is done, you will understand…" He held up his torch and they were outside as the people were milling about the streets.
Robotnik noticed how happy everyone seemed to be. Despite the terror he inflicted upon them, they still found a way to be happy and enjoy their holiday. They smiled upon one another and hugged and kissed. On the side of the streets, a young boy sang a soft song with his hat held out. Though the people didn't have much to give, they did. With everyone contributing just a little, that little boy was later able to buy a few apples for his dinner.
Their journey took them to many homes, silently observing their festivities. Robotnik noticed the same theme in all of them. No matter what the activities, it was all about the love and the warmth.
"Spirit… I don't understand… How can they be so jovial. I outlawed such festivities. Music and dancing…" Robotnik asked.
The Ghost nodded. "Such laws will never be followed." He chuckled. "Many dictators before you have tried. They are happy just being together. As family."
Robotnik looked upon yet another family eating their Christmas breakfast and exchanging conversations and small gifts. His mind wandered to his younger days. "I have no family…" He told the spirit.
The other man smiled gently. "Now, that's a lie. What about your nephew?" He led Robotnik down the road to the large mansion. Inside, the mink was welcoming his other guests. He was surprised to see only five people. Four hedgehogs and a green reptilian anteater sat around the fireplace.
"Bartleby didn't tell me that he invited the hedgehogs to this dinner!" Robotnik growled momentarily. "Or that he'd found Aleena! Did he betray me?" He asked but the Ghost held up his hand for quiet.
The purple queen drank her tea and smiled. "I really do appreciate your invitation, Lord Montclair. You're a kind young man."
Bartleby smiled as a servant served them Christmas biscuits to go with their tea. "I wanted to gather us together on this day of joy, peace and love. And I wanted to do something for my beloved." He held Sonia Hedgehog's hand as she blushed. Sonic and Manic both mock-gagged in the background.
"Bartleby… please…" Sonia pleaded as she tried to hide her glowing cheeks.
Aleena smiled. "I can see you love my daughter. But… you know that I can't give my blessing… as much for your sake as for hers. I agree with Sonia that we cannot ask you to stand against Robotnik. Not with the family ties between you." She explained.
Robotnik frowned deeply, though he didn't understand why. Bartleby only nodded. "I know… I tried to get him to come but he hates Christmas. I want this to end as much as you all do. Because I know if it doesn't end peacefully, we'll all lose everything. The kingdom needs you both. Imagine if you could work together."
Sonic guffawed. "You think we could work with Buttnick? The Walking Continent? The man is about three apples short of a bushel."
Aleena nodded. "He's right, Lord Montclair. As much as I would love to believe that you could somehow get through to him, he's stubborn and I do believe beyond hope." She touched his hand. "It would take a miracle."
The Oracle smiled mysteriously. "I don't know… Christmas is a time for miracles… Even for those as evil as Robotnik."
Robotnik looked down. "Spirit, please, show me no more here."
The Spirit nodded and led Robotnik from that home to another. The difference between this home and Bartleby's was drastic. This new home was a run down old shack that he had never seen before. For the first time, Robotnik examined the area. None of the houses were really houses. They all seemed to be fashioned from large packing containers.
"What is this place?" Robotnik asked curiously.
The Spirit gestured to the frosted window and they both peered inside. The lights were dim but they could see just enough. In one corner was a small kitchen with a tiny wood-burning stove. There was a small fireplace where a small fowl was being turned on a spit. It wasn't much of a bird but it was what they had. In another corner was a small Christmas tree. It was small enough to sit upon a table. Beside the table was a bed. In that bed was a young orange fox, reading a pop-up book.
"Spirit, whose home is this? Who is that child? Where are his…" Robotnik demanded.
"Hurry Dingo! We don't have a long time before we have to be at the palace and I want to have our Christmas before we go!" Sleet's voice was right beside Robotnik as he and Dingo appeared outside, carrying a tiny bag of presents.
"Wait, this is Sleet and Dingo's home?" He asked, rushing inside after them. He had never seen where his bounty hunters lived.
The wolves didn't even see him as they went to the boy in the bed. "Hey kiddo. How are you feeling?" Sleet asked with a strange tenderness.
The fox-boy coughed. "Better, I promise. When can I get out of bed, big brother?"
"Not for awhile yet, Tails. You know how weak you get when you're sick." Dingo said as he handed him the bag of gifts.
Tails squealed. "Presents! Father Christmas came after all!" He opened the gifts. There was a toy train that was missing it's back wheel. Tails ran the train along the bed before opening up a teddy bear that had only one eye. The rest were a stack of children's books.
Sleet nodded. "Yes, he did. He knew just what you liked and he hid them in the secret spot as he does every year."
Dingo went to the meager bird on the fire. "The chicken's done." He pulled it off the fire and set it to rest.
Robotnik looked at the meal. "That's not enough for all of them… especially the boy. He needs to eat if he's to get well."
The Spirit nodded as they watched Dingo cut up the small meal and gave the biggest piece of meat to Tails. The boy clapped his hands with excitement. "Look at this big chicken."
Sleet frowned. "I only wish we had more to give you." He said sadly. "I'm sorry, Tails. I wish we could give you a house with heat and a room of your own. Some big brothers we are." He slammed his fist into his hand. "If we had been able to keep our old jobs, you would have all that but we can't even give a proper Christmas dinner."
Tails climbed out of his bed and hugged his brother. "It's okay, big brother. The chicken is good. I'm happy just like this. God bless us. Everyone. Including Robotnik. God bless us!" He started coughing and Sleet and Dingo encouraged him back into bed to rest.
Robotnik blinked. "Spirit, will Tails live?" He asked. He turned to see the Ghost of Christmas Present looking old and decrepit.
"That is the Future and not my purview…" He sighed as he stood up and led Robotnik out of the home and to a cemetery that seemed to appear out of nowhere. "But judging by what we've just seen, if these shadows aren't changed, I believe he will die." He replied as they sat down on a bench. "But if he's going to die, then he best get to it. And decrease the surplus population."
The old tyrant's eyes locked with the Spirit's as his own cruel words were flung in his face. Before he could just an argument, the Spirit began coughing. "What is happening. Is your time so short?"
He laughed. "My time in this world is very brief. In fact…" He said as the clock began chiming. "I shall be gone by the stroke of twelve."
Robotnik shook his head. "No! This cannot be. Surely there is more… I've learned so much from you, Spirit. You've changed me…"
"And now…" The Spirit took a large breath. "I leave you to the last Spirit…. the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come…. Go now, and know him better, man…" He instructed as he faded and a fog began to roll in.
Again, Robotnik was alone to face the coming fog. He didn't know what was next but he felt his chest filling with ice as he waited.
AN: Which is your favorite Scrooge from any version of A Christmas Carol? I personally love Alistair Sims.