Cold Hard Truth
[The scene opens with a shot of the Mobians' apartment in the early hours of the morning. We cut to the interior where all of them are fast asleep, panning from left to right; Razorklaw and Sleek, Geoffrey and Sleuth, Fiona and Scourge, and finally on Drago. The camera pauses for a bit as it focuses on the white wolf in particular, still peacefully dozing away]
[Transition to the realm of dreams; we see Drago climbing to the top of a hill. He looks down towards the other side, a rather strange sight awaits him at the bottom. Guntiver is sprinting across the field ahead on all fours as if he were a feral]
[For whatever reason, Drago can't help but humor the idea as he decides to go on all fours himself and chase after the other lupine. While in a dream, the white wolf seems to feel the wind rushing against his face as he continues his pursuit. Eventually, Drago catches up to Guntiver and the two of them continue onwards to a lake. Once there, they pause to take in the scenery, the peaceful, serene landscape that surrounds them. Both of them don content smiles on their faces]
[The moment is interrupted as a loud bell suddenly brings Drago back to reality]
Drago: AGH, what the fu…!
[Drago blinks twice to see Scourge waving a handbell in front of him, causing everyone else to groan]
Scourge: Wake up, ya' lazy sons a' bitches, you're burnin' daylight!
[Drago is about to reach out to Scourge to wring his throat, but he's beaten to the punch as Razorklaw leaps over him and tackles Scourge to the ground with a vicious growl]
Razorklaw: Do that again, and I will slit your fucking throat, got it?
[Scourge initially struggles, but then gives a sickening look of smugness at the feline]
Scourge: Hehehe, looks like someone's already bright and early.
Razorklaw: …You're an idiot.
Scourge: And you're breathing down my neck like you're hungry.
[Fiona smacks the top of her head]
Fiona: God, you're so bad at comebacks…
[Scourge ignores Fiona's remark as Razorklaw gets off the green hedgehog]
Scourge: Now then, I've got your attention, so it's time to get to business.
Geoffrey: And what might that entail, dare I ask?
Scourge: I couldn't help but overhear that you all were attending some sort of get-together today, something about a party in the woods.
Drago: Yeeeeeah? Guntiver's invited us to his cabin, said he wanted to relive some memories…hmmm, I'm sure he does…
Scourge: Before you get too deep into that fantasy of yours, I just wanna point out one tiny little detail…why are we going to some arctic prude's party?
Drago: Hey! You better not push it around him.
Scourge: Oh, I take it you care about this person? That's news to me.
Drago: [under his breath] God, I wanna rip that mug off your face…
Sleuth: Believe me, you're not the only one.
Fiona: Look, I'm willing to go anywhere I'm actually invited to, so you'd better be on your best behavior.
Scourge: Hey, Fi, I don't appreciate being patronized, so reel it in, won't you?
[At this remark, Fiona goes up to Scourge and pulls on his ear. She lowers her voice to a more threatening tone]
Fiona: Like I said…behave.
Scourge: Agh, fine, fine, just…let go of the ear…damn…
[Fiona releases Scourge's ear and he rubs to soothe it]
Scourge: …Heh, seems you still got your spunk.
Fiona: Yeah, and you'd best not tempt it if you know what's good for you.
Scourge: Message noted…
Geoffrey: Right, before this descends into chaos, we might as well get ready. No use goin' back to sleep at any rate…
Sleek: I could have had a few more winks, but whatever…
[As the others begin to prepare themselves for the journey into Evergreen Forest, Drago looks over at Scourge by the sink, combing his quills. The white wolf scowls at the hedgehog who turns around as if on cue]
Scourge: See somethin' ya' like, meathead?
Drago: Given the person in front of me, hardly.
Scourge: Then look the other way if you're so disinterested.
Drago: Piss off.
Scourge: Oh really, be my guest.
[Drago snarls before Geoffrey comes up to him]
Geoffrey: Let it go, mate, you're just askin' for a fight.
Drago: Anyone would think he gets off to this shit.
Geoffrey: He probably does, let's be real.
[Drago snorts as the scene transitions to the cabin in the forest. Since the events of several episodes back, it has received a few renovations; namely with several new pieces of furniture added around the house, and even an extension to the cabin for more room. Outside of the cabin are a set of colorful lanterns and a wreath hanging over the front door]
[Cut to inside of the cabin]
[Guntiver is stirring a pot over the stove while Erma and Sealia are hanging pieces of mistletoe over the shelves and on a hook on the ceiling. Flip has some new decorations brought over from the city and is placing them on the Christmas tree, one of them being a golden word in red letters that says "Family". Augustus is shown placing fresh wood into the fireplace, dusting his hands off]
Augustus: There we go, nice and toasty.
Guntiver: Hope the cold wasn't too bad for you.
Augustus: I'm a polar bear, snow and ice is nothing to me.
Guntiver: Heh, reminds me of the tundra from way back when.
Erma: As I recall, you and Flip used to butt heads over who was the better skier.
Guntiver: [blushes] Oh, well, it wasn't that competitive…
Flip: Sure wasn't, because I always came out on top. Ya' can't go against a penguin in those things, we're natural pros.
Guntiver: When they're not slipping, of course.
Flip: Yeah, when they're not…hey!
[The others laugh as Flip crosses his arms]
Guntiver: Never mind, Flip, I don't mean it. After all, you did know how to pull the wool over people's eyes.
Flip: You bet I did, can't beat me when ya' don't know how to maneuver on ice.
Sealia: [sighs] I love this, it's so nice to finally share another Christmas after so long.
Erma: Agreed, here I thought we'd never get the chance, and alas, I was reunited with my old crew of misfits.
Augustus: Da, a lot has changed, but we're still the same as we were before, strong as a unit.
Guntiver: You all don't know how much that means to me, I remember last year, I was all alone for Christmas…
[We transition to a flashback, set the year before. A lone Guntiver is hanging a lantern out on the porch. He looks out into the forest, no one else is around, besides the snow as it gently falls from the sky. The red wolf sighs as he goes back indoors without a word]
[Transition to present day]
Guntiver: …It was a weird feeling, all on my own with no company, nor any of my old friends…I'm sorry, I don't mean to dampen the mood.
Sealia: It's alright. We understand, it's not fun being in an unfamiliar world. I just wish we could have never been split up in the first place.
Erma: We can't change what happened, but at the very least, I'm grateful to see you all again, especially you, leader dearest.
Guntiver: Oooooh, Erma, still sassy as always.
Erma: Right on the mark, Gunty.
Guntiver: Hehe, heeeeeh…ah, that's it. The stew'll be ready for dinner later on. Have we got the desserts?
Flip: I made sure about that, you wouldn't believe how many treats they serve around this time of year. Practically got a whole baker's dozen a' these cookies here.
[Flip goes over to a red box behind the tree and sets it on the dining table. Inside is an array of Christmas cookies sprinkled with frosting and icing in different patterns, either of Santa Claus, gingerbread men, snowflakes, wreaths, stockings, candy canes, snowmen, or trees]
Guntiver: Ah, excellent, and we got the decorations set up, so I think we're good to go.
[At that moment, there's a knock at the door. The Arctic Freedom Fighters turn in response]
Guntiver: Oh, they're here!
Erma: I've got it.
[Erma goes to answer the door and sure enough, on the other side are Drago, Geoffrey, Fiona, Scourge, Sleuth, Razorklaw, and Sleek]
Erma: Guntiver, we got strangers!
[Sleek gives an odd look]
Erma: Just pullin' ya' chain, mate, come on in.
[The black panther rolls his eyes as he follows his group indoors]
Sleek: Hmmmmmmm…she's at least casual about it.
[His mood changes at the display inside. A smile spreads across the feline's face as he surveys the cabin]
Sleek: My, my…for woodland folk, they know how to spruce up the place.
Razorklaw: It's…serviceable, I'll say that much.
Sleek: It's a bit more than that.
Razorklaw: …No.
Guntiver: Glad you could all make it!
Drago: Heh, wouldn't miss it for the world.
[Guntiver sets the pot to cool and then goes over to the guests]
Drago: Huh, you've made some changes to the place, looks nice.
Guntiver: Thanks, I decided to add more room for the others, ya' know, so they're not sleeping on…straw and all that.
Drago: Nah, indeed…nice set of decor as well. I've only seen cabins like this in magazines.
Guntiver: Well, nothing says Christmas spirit more than a genuine cabin decked out in all the necessities.
Drago: [sniffs] You cooking? And is that a new recipe I smell?
Guntiver: You're right on the mark. Ever since I've been to the city more often, I've been able to expand the menu. I hope it's to everyone's liking.
Sleuth: Okay, I gotta admit, this is a pretty good setup you've got goin' on.
Geoffrey: Ya' know, I gotta hand it to you, Guntiver, you really do think of others.
Guntiver: Well, when you're the leader of a group, ya' gotta make sure everyone's looked after.
Geoffrey: A message I'm sure doesn't fly over many heads…
[Transition to a little bit later. Razorklaw is sat in the corner of the living room on his own with a mug of cocoa as Sleek and Sleuth are chatting it up with Flip and Augustus. Fiona is speaking to Erma by the fireplace while Geoffrey chats it up with Sealia. On the couch, the focus shifts to Drago and Guntiver]
Drago: [sighs] This is nice. Truth be told, I've never really gotten to experience Christmas before.
Guntiver: Is that so?
Drago: Well, if you came from my background, you'd understand why that was so difficult.
Guntiver: Hmm, point taken, at least you get to celebrate now like everyone else. To be honest, given what you told me, it's hard to believe you'd be like this.
Drago: Meaning?
Guntiver: You know, the big bad wolf who actually does have a conscience.
Drago: I mean, better that than being flat as a straight line, am I right?
Guntiver: Hehe, yeah, you're right there.
[The camera cuts to Scourge watching the discussion from a corner, rolling his eyes disdainfully, Just then, Guntiver looks up, hanging above the duo is a piece of holly]
Guntiver: Um…tck, Drago?
Drago: Yeah?
Guntiver: You know there's certain…traditions around this time of year, correct?
Drago: Um…sure, yeah, why do you ask?
Guntiver: Well…just take a look above.
[Drago does as asked and notices the mistletoe above him]
Drago: Oh…that thing up there?
Guntiver: Yes…and I was just wondering…if you'd-
[Before Guntiver can finish, there's another knock at the door]
Drago: Huh?
Guntiver: Oh, they're here.
Drago: Who's here?
Guntiver: The other guests, I invited them as well.
Drago: Ah, crap…
Flip: Don't worry, I'm on it!
[Flip rushes to open the door and sure enough, on the other side are; the Freedom Fighters, the other half of Team Sonic, Lupe, Hershey, and Queen Hathor]
Sleuth: Aaaaaaand the spirit plummeted back down to zero.
Flip: Heeeeey, glad you could all make it!
Sonic: Well, some of us needed a bit of convincing, you know how it is.
Shadow: No, they don't.
Sonic: Okay, Mr. Scrooge.
[As the group steps into the cabin, Sally smiles at the decor]
Sally: My, my, you've all outdone yourselves with this one.
Tails: I'll say, it's been a long time since I've been in a cabin. Feels a bit nostalgic.
[However, the mood is almost instantly cut short as out of the corner of his eye, Sonic spots Scourge in the corner of the room. The two hedgehogs lock eyes…and then the green hedgehog gives a smirk]
Scourge: What's up, Azul?
[The entire Freedom Fighters' group stares in silence…before Sonic opens his mouth]
Sonic: …A…Are you kidding me? Are you actually kidding me right now?
Tails: Sonic?
Sonic: No, no, I'm not having this…what, the actual, HELL is he doing here?
Scourge: Got an invitation, blue. It doesn't take a genius to work that out.
Sonic: The words "Scourge" and "invited to a party" do not correlate in the same sentence. In fact, I'm sorry, I'm about to go on a tangent, but can you all take a good look around this room, tell me what you see.
[The others gaze around the room, Tails looks toward Fiona who gives him a look]
Tails: Um…people?
Sonic: Obviously, but take a better look, I for one happen to be staring down someone who not only comes from a world where everything is flipped upside-down, but a literal terrorist who should be in solitary confinement!
Scourge: And there it is, the self-aggrandizing speech.
Sonic: You! You can shut up, I don't know what you're doing here, but you are NOT welcome!
Queen Hathor: He's not the only one…
[Hathor gives a hard glare towards Razorklaw and Sleek. The former gives the Felidae Queen his index finger]
Hathor: [furiously] OOOHHH! If you were back in the clan, I would have your heads served on a spike!
Antoine: Personally, I do not understand why we need to share this space with known criminals.
Fiona: Hey, like, you know we're standing right here?
Antoine: I meant for you to hear it.
Shadow: Really, why are we dropping our standards? I'd rather not associate myself with people who have records.
Sleuth: Isn't that ironic when literally half of you had it out for the blue boy's ass?
Knuckles: Hey! You can shut your mouth.
Sleuth: Or what? You'll have those fat gloves in my face?
Knuckles: No, I'll pierce them through your muzzle. How does that sound?
Sonic: Guntiver, I know you don't mean any ill will, but seriously, what are you thinking of housing these guys? In fact, Geoffrey, how are you still associating with the wrong crowd?
Geoffrey: You'd hardly take me back for a start…and besides, I don't recall any of you reaching out to me or any of us in particular.
Hershey: Apart from me?
[Geoffrey looks over at Hershey and regrets the generalization]
Geoffrey: Well…no…
Drago: Oh, will you stop bending over backwards, it's clear these people can't get over shit that happened in another lifetime that means nothing here.
Hershey: Excuse me…?
[Hershey slowly shifts her gaze over to Drago]
Hershey: Let me remind you…that the stuff I was put through, which you inflicted upon me, never left my mind…so don't try and tell me that it means nothing…at least one of you has the decency to admit wrongdoing…
Drago: Look, I know I did wrong by you, but do you REALLY wanna keep reminding yourself instead of moving on like a healthy person?!
Hershey: STOP doing damage control!
[At this point, Hershey and Drago are glaring daggers at each other as everyone starts to argue and raise their voices over each other]
Guntiver: Hey…HEY!
Sonic: Seriously, first you lot, then Scourge, what's next, is Enerjak gonna rise up from the grave?!
Scourge: That's rich coming from the spineless blue prick viewing everyone as accessories!
Sonic: You actual hypocrite!
Bunnie: Ya'll reign it in now, ya' hear?!
Sleuth: Oh, put a cork in it, cowgirl!
Bunnie: Keep up that slander and you'll be seein' these arms wring yer neck!
Sally: Oh, this is ridiculous!
Tails: You're all piercing each other's ears, stop shouting!
Hershey: All I ask is for you to take accountability, just one damn time, and you can't even do that!
Drago: I can't say a single word without you butting in, how about you let other people speak for a change?!
Hershey: You asshole!
[Hershey is about to smack Drago before he grabs her arm, so she instead uses her forehead to butt his muzzle. The white wolf is about to toss the tuxedo cat halfway across the room when he notices the look on Guntiver's face…almost immediately, he drops Hershey on the ground, brushes past Sonic and walks right out the door…a long silence hangs over the cabin]
Sealia: …Oh dear.
Scourge: Hmm, such a shame, all because this one had to open his mouth.
Sonic: Shadow, can you help me knock this guy out?
Shadow: I wouldn't be opposed to it…
Guntiver: Oh no…Drago!
[Guntiver runs to the door and jets out in pursuit of the white wolf. Lupe goes to pick up Hershey from her state of shock]
Lupe: Are you okay?
Hershey: I'm fine, just…a bit scratched is all.
Lupe: I see…he's done it again…run away like before…
Hershey: I just…part of me wants to see him hurt, but…at the same time, it makes me feel horrible…
Lupe: Hmmm…I don't know what Guntiver sees in him, but…it's something I can't, yet he can…
[Cut to Guntiver running out into the forest]
Guntiver: Drago…Drago…!
[The red wolf's voice becomes an echo the deeper he goes into the woods…the shot lingers with the only sound being the wind in the background]
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To be continued…
Character Guide:
Drago Wolf, Guntiver the Arctic Wolf, Geoffrey St. John, Ixis Naugus, Fiona Fox, Sleuth Dawg, Razorklaw, Sleek the Panther, Augustus the Polar Bear, Flip Penguin, Erma Ermine, Sealia Seal, Hershey the Cat, Lupe the Wolf, Sonic the Hedgehog, Tails the Fox, Sally Acorn, Antoine D'Coolette, Bunnie Rabbot, Rotor Walrus, Knuckles the Echidna, Shadow the Hedgehog, Amy Rose, Rouge the Bat, Silver the Hedgehog, Blaze the Cat, Big the Cat, Cream the Rabbit, Nicole the Holo-Lynx, Queen Hathor, Dr. Robotnik, Dr. Eggman, Dr. Finitevus, Mammoth Mogul - Sonic the Hedgehog