He ran as fast as his legs could carry him. They were close behind, catching up, always there even as far as he ran. He looked back and saw the humans on their snowmobiles, the loud sounds nearly deafening. He ran through the snow, leaving tracks that were quickly covered by the vehicles in pursuit. He slid, his heart racing. A cliff, nowhere to run.

He turned and looked at the humans, who were already pointing their guns at him. "No..., he spoke under his breath, and immediately felt a sharp pain in his belly.

"No!!", Tails cried. He gasped and opened his eyes, sitting up. It was night time in the Endless Forest, and the snow was gently falling. It took him a moment to understand that it was a nightmare. He felt a sharp pain in his side, and sitting up, he realized he had been sleeping on a sharp rock that had poked him in the belly.

Sighing, he stood and went to the Pond for some water. He was overheated despite the cold weather, and as he dipped his weary head into the shallows, he lifted it for a moment, and caught a glimpse of a reindeer flying through the air. Tails tilted his head here, as the flying deer came closer and soon landed before him.

Tails approached cautiously. "Hello? Are you lost?", he asked the flying deer. The reindeer shook the snow from his body, the bells on his gear ringing. "Actually, quite the opposite. I came here to find you, Tails.", he replied.

The stag tilted his head, "Find me? What do you mean by that?", he asked.

"Oh where are my manners? Allow me to introduce myself...", the reindeer spoke, and bowed, "I am Dasher, of Santa's flying reindeer. I've come to find you for an important mission.", he said. He noticed Tails' head tilting even further, so he continued, "We are in need of a replacement reindeer for the Christmas Eve flight this year. Poor Vixen has fallen ill and I have my sources that you, Tails, are the perfect replacement for the job."

"Wait, I'm confused. I'm not a reindeer, and I cannot fly. Why are you asking me for this task?", Tails questioned.

Dasher chuckled, "It's really quite simple. Not every deer has the gift of flight, it's a hereditary gift. You actually can fly, you just never have.", he said.

Tails took a step back. This was too much for him to understand all at once. But then he caved, "All right. I believe you. So how will we get to the North Pole?", he asked.

Dasher nodded, "We fly, obviously. Now, the best way to fly is to think of your favorite Christmas carol, and just sing it in your head.", he spoke. Closing his eyes, he hummed "God rest ye, merry gentlemen", and before Tails' eyes he was hovering. "Your turn.", he instructed.

Tails closed his eyes. "Christmas carol...Christmas carol...", He tried to think of one. And then...

"O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
Not only green when summer's here,
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging!"

"Open your eyes, Tails!", he heard Dasher call. The stag did so, and discovered he was hovering above the Pond. "Whoa!", he gasped.

"Relax, Tails! You won't fall, the flight is failproof! Now to move, you have to run in the air, and you can ascend and descend by turning up or down! Got it?", Dasher instructed.

Tails tried it, making a loose shape of an infinity sign. When he was comfortable, he nodded. "Got it!"

"Good! Now follow me, we will head to the North Pole now!", Dasher called, and turned to the north. Tails followed behind, and the two were flying into the clouds.

It seemed like only a moment that the climate got freezing. Tails was astounded that they got to the North Pole so quickly, but then he understood that this was how Santa Claus was able to fly around the entire world in one night. On the horizon, he caught his first glimpse of the North Pole, and was completely shocked at the twinkling lights on the horizon. It was here he realized he was looking at buildings. Santa's North Pole really did exist!

They landed on a runway, the very one used for the Christmas Eve flight. It was here Dasher turned to him, "Welcome to the North Pole, Tails! Come, the stables are over here...", he said. Tails nodded and followed him to a well lit place. He smiled at all the comforts the reindeer got, such as exotic pillows and warm, cozy fires. There were even gourmet foods and delicious water for them. The reindeer were all standing around one who was laying by a fire. Vixen's eyes were closed, her breathing was slow but painful. The others were there for her, feeling helpless that their friend and fellow deer was in such a state.

"Go on. Go say hello to her.", Dasher pushed Tails forward. The stag approached her, as the others made him a path. Vixen opened her eyes and looked to him. "Tails...thank you for...coming...", she spoke, her voice was weak.

"Vixen...", he began to say, "I'll do anything to help you. Please, just get better."

Vixen smiled, and closed her eyes. "Help Santa tonight...for me...", she said, resting her head.

As they walked away, Tails couldn't help but ask, "What has happened to her?"

Prancer shook his head, "This happens sometimes. She will be okay. We just needed someone to take her place tonight.", he replied.

"Come, Tails. Come rest, for in a few hours we will be taking flight to deliver the presents to the children of the world.", Comet said. They led Tails to a fire where he could sit, and gave him some of the most delicious food he had ever tasted.

When the time came, they geared up for the flight. Each reindeer had their place, Dasher and Dancer leading, followed by Prancer and Tails. Behind them were Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen. They began their preparations when Santa and his elves loaded the sleigh with a massive bag of presents. At this point, Dasher turned back to Tails, "Remember your song! We will all lift off when Santa calls your name!", he called.

Tails nodded, and when all was ready, Santa began to call his reindeer. Dasher, Dancer, and Prancer were soon off the ground. "On, Tails!", he specifically called the replacement, and Tails immediately hummed O Christmas Tree, and was hovering as well in an instant. The four behind them lifted off when they were called, and Santa commanded, "Now dash away! Dash away, all!"

The reindeer took off. Tails nearly got whiplash as he wasn't expecting them to be so fast together. The flight took to the sky quickly, and almost a moment later, they descended into Scandinavia. The presents were quickly delivered to each house in each country, as they dashed through Europe and into Africa. Tails looked back at one point and saw that Santa and his bag of presents were not there on the sleigh. "Don't worry, Tails!", Dancer called, "He's very, very quick in delivering the presents! We just need to fly up here for him."

They continued on, through the Middle East, going to Asia and the Pacific. Tails was soon becoming tired, his eyes were drooping. "Tails! Stay focused! We still have the Americas to deliver to!", Cupid called. This woke Tails up, who was alert once again.

The flight took several hours, and Tails was slowly losing his senses. He blacked out at one point, just when they were passing over Panama.

When he came to, he was nestled upon a small pile of pillows, by the fireplace. He sat up, and soon saw Donner was sitting with him. "You gave us quite a scare, Tails!", the reindeer nudged him and laughed.

"The flight! Did we...?", Tails questioned, shocked and embarrassed that he had passed out.

Donner laughed again, and then said, "You did brilliantly! Most replacements don't even make it to Italy before they've gotten too tired for the flight. You made it to Middle America!"

Blitzen came forward as well, "We could not have made a successful flight without you. You did not see it, but we take breaks in between countries - seven fly while one rests. But you, Tails, you flew nearly the entire trip until you could go no farther. When you passed out, we were ready to finish the flight. You really were wonderful!"

He sat up, still sore, but smiled. But then he asked, "Oh! But what about Vixen?"

Dasher approached, and motioned his head toward Vixen's stable. "Go take a look for yourself.", he said.

Tails stood, but nearly collapsed. Blitzen caught him, and supported him as they walked over. And when he saw Vixen, his eyes widened. For the reindeer was not alone, a youngling was nestled sound asleep beneath her belly.

"She was...pregnant?", Tails questioned. Cupid, who was nearby, nodded. "Those who have the flight gene come directly from us. They are placed somewhere in the world where they can live their lives as any normal deer. But when we need them, we come find them, just like we did for you."

"Wait, wait...does that mean...?", Tails began to say.

The reindeer nodded. "That's right, Tails. You are one of our descendants. One of your relatives was one of our children.", Dancer said to him.

This was all too much to take in. He nearly collapsed again, more from fatigue rather than shock. "Rest, Tails. You've earned it.", Prancer said.

He was brought back to the place where he had slept before, and resting his head, he smiled to them all. "I'm glad I could help. Please, if you ever need me again, never hesitate to ask.", he said, closing his eyes.

Dasher gave him a nuzzle, and replied, "We will, Tails. We will."


That night, he had the most wonderful dream, where he walked up a large stairway before several animals, and when he was at the very top, a peacock crowned his head. He turned to the animals, who cheered for him, and began to chant, "Long live the king! Love live the king!"

He opened his eyes, and sitting up, he was sitting in his favorite place in the Endless Forest. But something was odd, and as he moved his head, he discovered there was a golden crown shaped perfectly to fit around his antlers. On the crown was a note in deer language that he could read.

Thank you for your service, Tails! Merry Christmas!

- Santa Claus