Hello, and welcome to the rewritten version of Moonlit Hearts and Double Heroes (thanks still go to DgShadowChocolate for the title)! I was looking at Iron Hands and Fragile Roses, and then I compared it to the current version of the sequel, and realized just how much I should have waited awhile for the ideas for that story, instead of immediately writing and posting the first results up. I hope this version is better, and makes more sense. Also, Sentimento and Senzace underwent name and design changes, and aren't met so early on. However, Shadow's little problem is almost immediately mentioned (as you can see). Also, I now definitely know who the Puppet Master is, and am greatly enjoying piecing together his design (if I gain the courage, I'll try to draw a picture of him and post it on deviantArt. I'm IvyShadow there). I hope you enjoy this version, and please read the author note at the bottom of the chapter as well. Thank you.
Shadow massaged his temples, trying to get rid of his headache. It had been persisting for a month with varying degrees of severity, but he hadn't told Rouge about it, or anyone for that matter. Couple that with the feeling of being stretched painfully while his body remained absolutely still, and you have one extremely [edit] off hedgehog.
He had managed to tell himself for the whole month that the headaches and the pain would go away soon, but to his utter aggravation they had not. So now he had to consider the possibility that something might actually be wrong with him, and call Tails to see if coming over right now at once immediately would be acceptable. He had only managed to start asking if he could come over when a particularly strong lance of pain went through him and he collapsed, his eyes rolling back in his head. "Shadow? Are you still there? Shadow? Shadow! Shadow answer me!" But the black hedgehog was unable to.
MMM
"Is Uncle D.G. coming over today?" asked Iris. "I miss him."
"We miss him too sweetheart, but he said he has something important to do today, and he's trying to help the Chaotix with that zombie case they've been given."
"Of course, real zombies like the ones Aaron and Noah are interested in don't exist at all," said Iltinis, who was laying on the floor after the latest game of War. War was simple, everyone had two characters to play. Iltinis was both the fearsome monster and the getaway pasha. Iris was both the general and the damsel in distress. Aaron played the idiot and the hero, and Noah played the wizard and the mad marine biologist who made mutant sea creatures to pursue the heroes. Occasionally, Iltinis would toy with the idea of recording these games and writing them as a book at a later point, but he'd always end up leaving it alone. Some things just weren't meant to be shared with the world, like his inexplicable aversion to peach-scented hair spray. He had no problems with the fruit, but hair spray was The Nightmare Before Christmas in product form, without the happy ending.
"Actually Fluffy-" Iltinis cringed, and the kids giggled. "-They are zombies. They stumble around and randomly assault people. However, they aren't decaying and they don't seem to be on the hunt for brains."
"Then what are they after?"
"They think it might be emotions and things like that, seeing as they start singing 'feelings, whoa whoa whoa, feeelings'."
"Ah."
"Can we see the zombies?" asked Aaron. Iltinis wasn't quite sure why he said yes. While the boys were cheering, Amy pulled him into the kitchen and started giving him a talking to.
"What are you thinking? They could get attacked by those things!"
"Do you honestly think I'd let them get hurt?" asked Iltinis, sounding just a little bit offended.
"Not intentionally," said Amy. "At least make sure Sonic goes with you or something to keep an eye on them." Iltinis sighed and nodded.
"As you wish," he said. She smiled and kissed his cheek.
"Thank you."
MMM
The children shrieked with glee. "Faster Uncle Sonic! Faster!" Sonic chuckled and obliged, ignoring Iltinis's disgruntled look as he had to speed up. Thankfully, in hedgehog form he could match Sonic and Shadow, so he wouldn't be too far behind if the idiot crashed. Sonic was currently zooming along with the kids, Iris was on his back, her head peeking over his shoulder. The two boys were in his arms, yelling at him to go faster. Sonic abruptly stopped, and Iris fell off his back. Iltinis's arms stretched and he caught her as he stopped as well.
"We're here, kiddos!" The area was roped off with that oh-so-well-known yellow tape, and G.U.N. soldiers were approaching the unconscious zombies.
"Stay back please, we don't know if they're faking it or not," said one soldier.
"Oh please, I'm Sonic the Hedgehog. I can take down zombies like these if they're fakin' it."
"Sonic, we'd prefer it if you kept out of the danger zone," said Espio, appearing beside the soldier, who jumped. "Why did you bring Iltinis and the kids?"
"Actually, Iltinis somehow got roped into saying that he'd bring the kids to at least see the zombies." Suddenly Iris said.
"They aren't zombies now."
"Oh?" Vector had appeared now, bringing another zombie to the soldiers. "And how would you know that?"
"They just aren't," said Iris stubbornly. "Where's Uncle D.G.?" Charmy buzzed into view.
"Hey Iris," he said, smiling. "Dark Gaia's off doing something."
"Wow, it's been ages since I've heard you speaking for yourself," said Sonic, grinning.
"Surprisingly, it made him more mature as well," said Espio.
"Seriously?" Before the conversation could continue, Iltinis suddenly ducked under the yellow tape.
"Sir, please-!"
"Iris get back here!" Iris had somehow managed to evade notice and get over to the zombies, one of which woke up. Iltinis felt his heart clench as he prepared to stretch his arms to grab her when the cat blinked dazedly and looked at Iris.
"Oh, hello there. Do you know where I am?" Almost on cue, the other 'zombies' started waking up too.
"Oooh my head..." groaned one.
"Where is that creep?" yelled one.
"What creep?" asked a soldier.
"The one who kept smiling at me and following me around until I started singing that stupid song!" said the lady.
"You can remember what happened?" asked another, stunned.
"Well yeah," said the lady. "I just didn't have control of myself. And now I've missed my appointment at the spa!" She stalked off, muttering profanities. Iris smiled at Iltinis, who was utterly stunned.
"See? They aren't zombies anymore."
"You mean the zombie apocalypse is off? Damn!" said Vector. "I'd got my machine gun and machete ready and everything!" Espio gave Vector an 'you're an extreme idiot' look before turning back to Iltinis, who Iris was gently tugging back towards Sonic and her brothers. Vector seemed to be having occasional times when he'd go back to being insane, and now was one of those times. "If only we had the heavenly can of peach hairspray," he lamented, sighing. Iltinis stiffened, then was suddenly in front of Vector.
"If you find such an object and try to use it on me, I will personally rip you to shreds in hedgewolf form," he growled, holding Vector by the chain.
"Ah but this is a peach hairspray that no one can dislike-"
"I don't care. My threat still stands." Their wrist communicators crackled into life as they walked away, and Tails's voice spoke on the other end.
"Geez you have to let me fix those for you. Sonic, Iltinis, could you go to Shadow's house? He called me this morning then suddenly stopped talking. I want you to see if he's okay, and if not, bring him to my house."
"Sure buddy," said Sonic. "I'll drop your kids off Iltinis, you go on ahead." Iltinis reluctantly nodded.
"You three be good for Sonic," he said, shifting into overprotective father mode.
"Yes Dad," they all chorused, putting their hands on their hearts.
"Good." Iltinis disappeared in a flash of dark blue.
MMM
Dark Gaia grinned slightly. "Iz perfectionary!" he said to himself, looking at the object in front of him. "Now to see if this'll work..."
Now this is a rather short first chapter, I have to admit, but I promise to try and make the next one longer. If you're wondering where I got the name Iltinis Jarnhand, I shall have Iltinis explain.
Iltinis: Do I have to?
Well yeah, duh.
Iltinis: -.-' Basically she was discussing the idea for Iron Hands and Fragile Roses with someone and then they got to discussing names for me, and she liked Iltinis, which is Lithuanian for Fang. She also like Jarn hand, which is Swedish for Iron hand, she combined to make my last name, which means Ironhand.
Thank you Fluffy.
Iltinis: *cringes*
So now that that is explained, I feel that I should mention that zombies in this story are supposed to have completely vacant expressions and sing the song Amy mentioned. They don't go after brains, they aren't decaying, and they don't need to be blasted to absolute bits to be destroyed. And the effects of zombification aren't permanent either. Now, in the other story, Sentimento and Senzace are vampires, and someone had suggested that their feeding of emotions and sensations could make the victims into zombies. I liked the idea, but I didn't use it because I didn't want to have to deal with the heroes blasting hordes of zombies. But when I was looking through the ideas again, I realized the effects could be temporary.
Finitevus: And I shall appear next chapter with the Puppet Master.
Oh yes you shall. So, what is Dark Gaia working on, why did Charmy become more mature (that one won't be answered), what is up with Shadow exactly, and what to Sentimento and Senzace look like in this version of Moonlit Hearts and Double Heroes? Also, what the heck do they look like? All that (except the Charmy question) shall be answered and more next chapter. ^_^ R&R if you liked, please. :) Even if it's just to say "please update" that would be fine, seeing as those sorts of notes make me feel guilty if I leave a story alone and don't do anything with it without informing people that it's discontinued. This one shan't get discontinued however. ;)
Disclaimer: The grossly long author notes, me, Iltinis, the triplets, lovable Dark Gaia, and the two vampires belong to CrazyNutSquirrel. Sonic, Shadow, Amy, Tails, the Chaotix, and G.U.N. belong to SEGA. Finitevus belongs to Archie Comics (I think), and so does Scourge, who'll also be appearing next chapter. And by the way, DON'T R&R. If you don't, then she'll stop the story and I will be SAVED!
What was that? *lifts a statue of Iltinis in the air*
Disclaimer: Uh oh... *runs to avoid being hit by the statue Iltinis's hand*
