I've been very sick for a few days, but I wanted to get this out before Christmas. I hope you enjoy this festive installment!

Wiseman came back to find that Reala was doing a jigsaw puzzle, and not watching over his guest. He figured if Reala was this relaxed with Iris around, he had nothing to worry about. For the time being. Wiseman dismissed his nightmares to go back to guard duty as he put the last piece in Reala's puzzle.

"Hey now!" Reala said as he smiled.

"All is quiet?" Wiseman asked, fixing his jeweled necklaces.

"It's all fine. She hasn't come out of her room for awhile. Very solitary that one." Reala responded. His back was starting to become sore again. Only this time it was more of a phantom sensation.

"I'm going to my room for awhile. Ring the kitchen and let them know I desire some of that peppermint bubblegum candy."

Wiseman floated upstairs as Reala paralooped to the tube labeled kitchen. "Hey, he wants that special candy. Make it fast!"

With that, Reala slammed the tube back into its' holder. He quickly took his black and red jester hat off and scratched his head.

I still forget what I wanted to tell him earlier.

Jackle saw Wiseman going down the hall as he practiced his juggling skills. He waved to his master as he balanced the torches on his head.

"Thank you master!" Jackle said as he flashed his golden mace.

Wiseman had no idea what he was talking about and waved back.

What was Jackle on about?

(With our sneaky demon friend...)

Iris looked at it with a sense of pride for her own skills. She hoped it had turned out just as she had wanted it too. Afterall, she hoped the design was flawless. She'd planned on making many more and they had to be created to her standards. Setting the stone door back into place, the magic seal made it a part of the wall again. Little eyes watched their creator leave once again.

(Nights, Sonic, and Tails had been taken to a Christmas dream land. This was the last stop before they reached Nightopia and their chance to just have fun.)

Nights changed into his Christmas outfit as soon as the snows blew past, whispering wintery welcomes. A snow covered village was shown sitting on a mountain as the lit up pine trees sparkled on the paths. The lights around the quaint buildings twinkled in many colors, sweet and savory smells wafted out of the bakery windows, and Christmas themed nightmaren flew about with presents.

Night's waved to his seasonal brethren below and took Sonic and Tails to the little gift shop he so enjoyed. A candy cane colored nightmaren came up to the boys, offering a tray of ginger bread men and eggnog. She fixed the present bows that were wrapped around her jester hat and her green eyes twinkled when she spoke.

"Welcome to Magic Emporium! Our job is to make sure your stay here is pleasant and that you find everything you could wish for. How may I help?"

Sonic and Tails looked around the massive place and have never been anywhere near as Christmassy. Poinsetta garlands sprinkled in magic dust hung from the ceilings, sugar cookie trains raced all over the tracks, and huge beautiful ornaments hung from levitating trees. Sonic also saw a few holly angel nightmaren stack present upon present, upon rows of shelves.

"Is this okay? I I mean, asking for anything?" Tails asked Nights. He didn't want to be greedy. It looked like alot of work went into running this place.

Nights nodded.

"There is nothing you can ask for that is too tall an order for them." He winked.

"What would you like gentlemen?" The nightmaren asked as the angel nightmaren stood at attention.

"The biggest most delicious chilidog ever!" Said Sonic with as much enthusiasm as his voice could expel.

"You mean... the Ultimate Supreme Triple Hot - Dogger?" The nightamaren asked as Sonic's mouth fell open.

"Oh yes!"

He ran around in circles, super excited to have the best chilidog ever!

An angel nightmaren delivered the red and green wrapped chili dog to Sonic who savored opening it slowly. His nose was overwhelmed with the good smell! It was glowing gold and had every topping on it. He lifted it up to take a bite...

The chili dog was floating! It sat there in the air as Sonic bit into it. He didn't even have to worry about staining his gloves. It was the most harmoniously balanced, delicious chili dog he ever had. He slumped against the bench and enjoyed the heavenly after taste.

"That's all I ever wanted." Sonic said as he gave Tails a thumbs up. "Go ahead Tails."

"A handy dandy tool kit! I hear it's the to-get gift this year." Tails said, sipping the eggnog still yet.

A gift parachuted down into Tails lap. Tails didn't even want to ruin the wrapping paper it was so nice. He ripped along the present edges and low and behold, there was his most wanted gift. It even came with a prototype robot so he could get a feel for how well it worked. He did some tweaking here and there and it only took him a few minutes until the robot was assembled. It got up and danced for him, then bowed and sat down on his leg.

"Thank you." Tails said as he gathered up his tool kit and sat down next to Sonic.

"Do you two want to go into our chocolate spa next? You'll smell just as sweet as candy itself!" The Christmas nightmaren asked as Tails raised his hand.

"Oh I do! You don't want to Sonic?"

"Nah, not a big chocolate fan."

"We also have vanilla, caramel, and strawberry baths as well." The nightmaren said as Sonic's ears perked up.

"Vanilla please."

So the two headed off to the spa as the nutcracker nightmaren let them through. And to end their happy trip to the city, Nights set up a winter sleigh ride through the scenic park as the Christmas lights twinkled softly. They waved at the reindeer nightmaren that were feeding the forest animals as they gave their good byes to this magical city.

It all too soon disappeared into the blizzard.