Back to the present, in the chalet. No one has spoken for a few minutes. Everyone looks shocked, saddened and horrified by Shadow's story. Sonic finally breaks the silence.

-Sonic: Well done Shad, you've just ruined the mood here...

-Mario: Sonic...

Sonic looks at Shadow and realizes he'd better stay quiet. Shadow, head down and arms folded, looks completely confused. Everyone looks at each other, not knowing what to say.

-Rouge: Shadow...you never told us that...Maria...died on Christmas Eve...

-Amy: It must have been horrible...

There's a look of shame on everyone's faces.

-Silver: We're sorry, Shadow. If we'd known...we wouldn't have insisted you tell us that story...

-Daisy: Yes, we understand how you feel...

At these words, Shadow snaps out of his inertia and violently hits the coffee table, which breaks in two. Everyone steps back. Anger and sadness mingle in Shadow's eyes.

-Shadow: NO! You can't understand!

-Rouge: Shadow! Calm down, I beg you...

-Shadow: You can't understand how I feel! That night, that cursed Christmas Eve, I lost everything I cared about! I lost everything! Do you know what that did to me?! No! I saw people being killed in front of my eyes, I saw monsters, killing without mercy! And...Maria...

Shadow is forced to take a deep breath in order to continue speaking.

-Shadow: That's why I hate Christmas, that abominable holiday that everyone loves! BECAUSE IT DESTROYED MY LIFE!

Suddenly, Shadow runs out of the cottage. Rouge runs after him, but he's much too fast.

-Rouge: Shadow! Rouge: Wait!

Shadow wanders off into the snowy mountains. Rouge returns to the cottage, more worried than ever, while her friends look on with equal concern.

-Rouge: He's gone...

-Mario: What did we do...?

-Luigi: It's my fault...I should never have asked him why he hates Christmas...

-Peach: No, Luigi, it's not your fault...we couldn't have known...

-Knuckles: Now I understand why he hates Christmas...

-Tails: Yeah, and why he didn't want to hear our Christmas stories...

-Blaze: Poor Shadow...all he's been through...it's terrible...

-Amy: And on Christmas Eve too...

The good mood that prevailed before Shadow told his story is now gone. This story has completely upset our friends, who no longer seem to have the heart to celebrate Christmas...

-Sonic: Hey guys! Pull yourself together!

Sonic has just leapt onto the mantelpiece. Everyone looks at him.

-Sonic: We can't get depressed on Christmas Eve! I know Shadow's story is horrible, but that's no reason to pull a face like that! Let's forget about it and have a merry Christmas! We've all come together just for this! We've got to enjoy it! That's the Christmas spirit!

Gradually, smiles return to everyone's faces. Sonic's words warm everyone's hearts.

-Amy: You're right!

-Knuckles: We're not going to spend our Christmas getting depressed!

-Tails: We're here to have fun after all!

-Silver: We're so good together!

-Blaze: Yes, it's so nice to be quiet for a change...

-Peach: It would be a shame to be sad on Christmas Day!

-Luigi: Well said, Princess!

-Daisy: Ah, that's much better!

Joy and good cheer are back. Everyone shouts with joy and smiles. Mario looks at Sonic, both admiring and bewildered.

-Mario: You see, Sonic, that's what's so incredible about you: you've always got a zest for life, and you always know how to give it to everyone!

Sonic: Yeah, I know, I've got a certain talent for that! It's just like you with your good, improvised ideas!

The two heroes start laughing with the others. Rouge approaches Sonic, still looking worried.

-Rouge: Sonic...about Shadow...

Sonic regains his seriousness and climbs down the chimney. He thinks before heading for the door.

-Sonic: Well, I'll talk to him! When you hear him, do what we planned...OK?

-Silver: Do you think you'll be able to talk to him?

Sonic winks and leaves the cottage. Mario walks to the door.

-Mario: Well, we'll wait for him there, and then we'll do what we planned to do!

Everyone leaves the chalet and heads for the foot of the mountain.

Sonic runs at full speed through the snowy landscape. He follows the footsteps left by Shadow, who he eventually finds on top of a hill, admiring the white sky.

-Sonic: Shad...

Surprised, Shadow turns around. Anger left his heart to give way to sadness.

-Shadow: Sonic, leave me alone. Go away.

-Sonic: No. This time, I won't leave you alone like you're used to. I refuse to leave you in this state. Besides, I don't think Maria would want to see you like this on Christmas Eve either.

-Shadow: What do you know?! You don't even know her! You think you know everything but you're wrong!

-Sonic: That's right. But from everything you've always told us about her, I don't think she's the type of person to leave someone sad on Christmas Eve...am I right?

Sonic sees from Shadow's disconcerted look that he was right.

-Sonic: Shad...You know what would make me, the others, and especially Maria happy? We all want you to have a merry Christmas, even though I know what you went through is horrible. If you stay stuck on this experience, you will never be happy. Think about Maria who wanted you to be happy...do you think it would make her happy to see you like that on Christmas Eve? Honor him and have a Merry Christmas!

-Shadow: Sonic...

Sonic walks up to Shadow and places his hand on his shoulder.

-Sonic: Come on...it's time.

-Shadow: Time for what ?

Sonic, without responding, prepares to run towards the foot of the mountain.

-Shadow: Sonic, wait!

Sonic stops.

-Shadow: Why...why are you always like that with me?! Why are you always so nice?! You know what I really am, that I have caused a lot of misery...but you always accepted me as I was! Why ?! Why don't you reject me?!

-Sonic: Because...

Sonic thought before turning around, with a beautiful smile.

-Sonic: I would love to see you smile at least once, Shadow! It would make me very happy too!

Sonic walks away towards the base of the mountain. Still stunned by Sonic's words, Shadow remains frozen like ice.

He lowers his head, smiling slightly before following Sonic.

At the foot of the mountain, there is a huge crowd, gathered at the foot of an immense fir tree. Inhabitants of the world of Mario and Sonic came together to celebrate Christmas. Sonic and Shadow join the others who were waiting for them.

-Rouge: Shadow!

-Silver: You finally decided to come back! What a relief !

-Amy: We are really happy that you are with us!

-Knuckles: Even if you're kinda grumpy, it's still fun!

Everyone starts laughing. Shadow seems touched, although he tries to hide it. He even whispers, so low that no one hears him:

-thanks...

Suddenly, Sonic rushes towards a camera placed right in front of the tree.

-Sonic: Good! Everyone gathers for the photo! Afterwards, we can start the Fiesta!

-All: YEAH!

Immediately, this entire incredible crowd gathers and strikes a pose. Mario leaves a place next to him for Sonic. As he takes his position, Shadow feels the wind brush against his face and he looks up at the sky.

He doesn't know why, but he has this strange feeling that this Christmas, Maria is there, somewhere, watching over him.

Sonic starts the timer. He stands next to Mario and strikes a pose. The camera triggers. Everyone screams:

- MERRY CHRISTMAS!