*Station Square: Mental Institute*

The nurse slowly made her way down the hall, every time she went to this room it gave her the creeps. She was a brown fox in her mid twenties, wearing the causal nurse outfit as she stopped in front of room 209. She shuddered, sometimes she wondered what was going on inside this guys head, as she slowly opened the door and stepped into the room. Sitting in a chair near the window was a panther, not hardly into his early twenties. He was a light tone of black and was wearing the normal patient uniform for the facility. He also had a scar on his left eye, and seemed like a normal guy, until you got to know him at least.

"Its…time for your meds." The nurse said with a slight bit of fear in her voice, the last person to try and give this guy his medication ended up in the hospital for a week. He didn't respond as she set the cup on the table next to him. He slowly reached his hand out and slipped the pills into his mouth. The nurse, wanting to get out of there before anything happened to her, slipped out the door as she saw the pills enter his mouth.

*Panthers POV*

I noticed her departure and quickly spat the pills back out, before dumping them in my pillowcase. What fools, not even checking to see if I swallowed them, looks like roughing up the last one to give me my meds was a good idea after all. Although I did have to stay in that damn straightjacket for nearly two weeks. I chuckled to myself, the pills were meant to keep my Chaos Energy levels to a near non-existent level, meaning I could really only live off it, and not draw any power from it.

I let out a grin, one that would terrify anyone if they happened to see it, as I laughed inwardly. This was all too easy, when my powers come back, it will be a simple task breaking out of this place. I kept myself from laughing out loud however, didn't want to attract any unnecessary attention. I stayed sitting in my chair and waited for my powers to return, they had only kept me here for 3 months, how pitiful.

*Third person POV*

This panther's name was Ace, and he was preparing to escape from the facility that currently held him. "Any minute now…" Ace spoke out loud, at this point not caring if anyone heard him; it was too late for them at this point. At that moment, Ace's Chaos Aura flared to life, and in the blink of an eye he had busted the door off its hinges.

*Ace's POV*

I let out another grin as I looked at the remains of the door, how weak the security was around here. I looked down the hall and say multiple guards point their guns at me, "Freeze! Put your hands up and drop down to the floor!" One of them said in a commanding tone that I didn't care for. "I've got a better idea, bleed." I said before disappearing. By time the guards figured out where I was, they had all been horrible dismembered. Most of the guards were just beheaded, but I decided to cut off all of the limbs of the guard who stupidly decided to speak.

I looked at the blood that now covered the floor, halls, and even me, and I laughed out loud. It had been much too long since I got to smell an actual amount of blood. I slowly made my way down the hall, killing anybody I came across. I was near the exit when I heard someone screaming for help, but my ears picked up something odd. From where the person's voice was coming from, she couldn't see or hear anything that was happening out here. "Fuck." I said out loud, although I can be a VERY horrible person at points, there's just something about someone who asked for help, mainly of course if the person actually deserved help. I ran toward where the voice was screaming and saw something that in my opinion, was much worse then any amount of murder. Apparently two guards, both hedgehogs, had not noticed the massacre down the hall, and thought they would have a little fun with this poor defenseless fox.

And by fun, I mean they were raping her. I was beyond pissed, murdering somebody was one thing, but this, pissed me off. One of the hedgehogs looked at me, but didn't get the chance to say a word before his head hit the floor. The other hedgehog let out a scream of terror, before he too was beheaded. The fox looked up, obviously noticing that they had stopped, and nearly screamed herself as she saw both of the guards, beheaded. She looked up at me, she couldn't be older then 16, she had orange fur, she also had black hair, something not most Mobians have, that hung down a little past her shoulders, and blazing red eyes that had a look of pure fear in them at this moment. Normally I would pride myself in making someone downright terrified of me, but this was one of my exceptions. I reached toward her and she flinched, but all I did was brush some of her hair off her face so it didn't cover it anymore, "Are you alright?" I said in the best nice voice I could do, which sounded like shit.

She looked up at me in surprise, obviously she had expected me to kill her, or worse, continue where the guards had left off. But I had no intention of doing either of those things. "I…I'm…okay…" The girl said, it was obvious that she was NOT okay, but I kept that to myself. I sighed out loud, I already knew that since this area didn't follow my path of destruction, if she stayed here the higher ups would likely blame the deaths of the guards on her, "Its not safe here, you need to come with me." I said in a mix of a sympathetic tone, and a demanding one, I was not taking no for an answer. The girl had some of the fear reappear in her eyes, "Wh-why?" She asked in a frightened tone.

"I don't have time for this…" I spoke, and I spoke the truth. I could hear more guards rushing down the hallways, and I didn't feel like multitasking killing them and protecting this girl at the same time. I created a sphere of Chaos Energy in my hand and tossed it at the wall at the end of this hallway, causing it to explode and reveal an escape route. I picked up the girl bridal style, which she not only squeaked in surprise, but I also saw her blush out of the corner of my eye. I sighed as I walked out the hole in the wall, we were on the first floor at the time, so no big jumps or any of that, but there is a shit ton of cops waiting for us outside. They all repeated what the guard had said, FREEZE! God this guys are fucking retards, if it wasn't for this girl I would kill them all.

"Chaos Control." I said in a calm voice, my ability to use this technique over long distances without a Chaos Emerald came in handy indeed. The last thing I saw before teleporting was all the cops opening fire on me, and missing because I was no longer there.

*Mystic Ruins: Old Workshop: Third Person POV*

The workshop was dusty and deserted, not a single trace of life to be found inside of it, that is, until a bright flash of light illuminated everything and Ace appeared, still carrying the unknown female fox. She looked around in surprise, not knowing where they were, before she broke into a coughing fit from all the dust. "It's not that bad." Ace said before dusting the couch off with his tail and setting her on it. "What are…you going to do…to me?" The fox said, not knowing whether to be thankful, or afraid of the panther. "Nothing." Ace said blandly and he dusted off on of the chairs and sat in it. This left the fox rather confused, "Noth-nothing?" She said, this was obviously not the answer she expected. "Yes, nothing. What, are you expecting something?" Ace replied, slightly annoyed that she thought he had saved her only to repeat the exact thing he'd saved her from. The fox lowered her head, "It's just…that's the only reason the guards ever came into my room…I was only admitted a week ago…" The fox replied sadly, which filled Ace with anger, if there was one thing he absolutely despised in this world, it was sexual assault, or otherwise dubbed as 'rape'.

"Well no, I have no intention of doing such a thing to you, so relax." Ace said before standing and entering another room of the workshop, which seemed more like an old house to the young female fox. She looked around the old dusty workshop before relaxing, then she slowly dosed off to sleep.

*Dream: Fox's POV*

I slowly rose from my bed in the institution, what was I still doing here? Was it…was it all just a dream? I didn't have anymore time to think as the door swung open, and the two hedgehog guards stepped in, perverted grins on their faces. I looked in horror and I tried to back up until on of them grabbed me by the leg, while the other slammed the door shut. I screamed as they ripped off my clothing, grabbing my breasts and squeezing them until they were practically glowing red. One of them then lowered his pants, showing that he was 'ready' and slowing inched toward me. "NO! STAY BACK! STAY-"

*Real world: Workshop*

I woke from my nightmare in a cold sweat, looking up to see the panther from before looking down at me with a sympathetic look. "A nightmare huh?" He asked me calmly. I could do little more then nod my head, the nightmare still replaying itself over in my head. The panther sighed, but it didn't seem like he was annoyed, "I've had plenty of them, though judging by the way you were acting in your sleep, I don't think any of mine were the same as yours." He said calmly before handing me what looked like a cup of orange juice, I sure hope it is, I'm thirsty as hell. I quickly grabbed the cup and chugged it, and yes, it is orange juice, and took a breath after the cup was empty.

*Ace's POV*

I watched the girl quietly, feeling sorry that she had to go through such an experience; she'll never truly get over it. "What's your name?" I asked her, I couldn't just call her fox or girl all the time. She looked at me for a while before responding quietly, "It's…Ginger." She said looking down at the cup. Ginger, that's a nice name, no fucking way I would ever say that out loud, but still. "Why did you save me?" She asked me. I guess I should have expected her to ask, after all this world is full of greedy bastards who expect a reward for a rescue. "I was disgusted by what those two hedgehogs were doing, and I wasn't going to leave you there to suffer the same fate at the hands of some other sick fuck, so I took you away from that place." I said blandly, it is the truth after all, nothing more to the story, and nothing less. Ginger looked surprised at my answer, "But…you don't even know me…" "Don't need to, I don't need to even know a name if I decide to help someone, which keep in mind, doesn't happen often." After I said that I noticed that she was staring at me. I tilted my head and looked myself over, before realizing the problem.

Duh, I'm still covered in blood. "Oh, right. I'll be back." I said going to walk off before she asked me, "Uh, where are you going to wash the blood off? This place doesn't look like it has electricity." She said to me, as if I didn't already know that. "I'm going to a river a little ways into the woods, not too far from here, fairly new as well." I replied, and then I jumped out the window.

*15 minutes later*

I was making my way back to the workshop, my fur still soaked from my little 'dip' into the river. It had washed all of the blood off me, which I was actually slightly sad about, but oh well. I shook some of the water off me before I entered the workshop, completely oblivious of my surroundings. When I opened my eyes, my face flushed red, something that normally doesn't happen to me. Ginger had not only decided to change into some of the clothes she found in the dresser upstairs, but she decided to do it…IN THE FUCKING LIVING ROOM! And at this point she had nothing on but a pair of light blue panties, exposing her b cup breasts…I quickly shielded my eyes, which by the way, was hard to do with the 8 buckets of water I was holding on my arms…did I mention those?

Ginger seemed much more embarrassed then me, and quickly made a quiet apology before taking her clothes and rushing into another room. I heard her leave, and lowered my arm when the coast was clear, that stupid, stupid girl. Who changes in the living room? WHO?! I walked into the bathroom and placed the buckets by the shower, I then covered them with 8 towels that I had cleaned in the river. As I stood up and looked in the mirror my face was still red, god fucking damn it…It's been years since someone has made me blush and it sort of pissed me off that it had happened. I sighed with annoyance as the blush slowly went away, thank god.

I walked back out into the living room as Ginger came back out from the room she was in, she now was wearing a yellow dress then came down below her knees and orange flip flops, SHE was still blushing from what had just happened. "I…I'm…uh…sorry…" She said nervously. I looked at her, with still slightly angry at what had just happened, "Next time, don't change in the living room." I said to her, willing with all my might not to blush again. Ginger nodded and went over to the couch before sitting down, "So…what did, you think?" She asked me. I was slightly confused now, "What are you talking about?" I asked her, wondering what she was getting at.

"I mean…what did you think about…" She motioned her hands over her body, and I got the message. Damn this girl and her ability to make me blush. Wait a minute…"How old…are you?" I asked with slight anger in my voice. "Uh…sixteen?" She replied nervously. I snapped. "THEN WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU ASKING ME THIS QUESTION?!" I yelled, smashing a nearby bookcase into near oblivion, causing Ginger to flinch in fear. "I…I…" tears started flowing from her eyes, and I realized that now, I was scaring her. I took a deep breath before I removed my hand from the remains of the bookcase, "I'm sorry I lost my temper, but there's two things in this world I despise, rape and pedophiles, and considering I'm past twenty, me even responding to your question would be wrong." I replied, slowly calming myself in the process. Ginger looked up, wiping the tears from her eyes, "I'm sorry…its just…I always had to ask my dad that…" Now I was the one who got to ask a question, "What do you mean?" "I don't really want to go into detail…but my dad molested me when I was younger…" Ginger replied, more tears coming out of her eyes.

It took all my willpower not to smash something else in the house, HER OWN FATHER?! WHAT KIND OF SICK BASTARD DOES THAT TO THEIR CHILD?! I walked over to Ginger and put my hand on her shoulder, she looked up at me, "Its okay, as long as you stay with me, you'll be safe." I said in the most sincere voice I have ever used. She looked up at me and said nothing, as she jumped up and…hugged me? This confused me; nobody has ever hugged me…except...

I finally brought my attention back to the girl who was no soaking my fur with her tears. I sighed and patted the back of her head, "Just let it all out…" I said, patently waiting for her to stop crying. That took about 7 minutes, before she finally pulled her head off my now soaked chest, "I'm…I'm okay now…" She said is a small voice. I let go of her, "You should try and get some rest." Hopefully she can actually stay asleep this time…"I'll…try…" And with that Ginger went over to the couch and laid down on it, and within a few seconds, she fell asleep. I sighed, "Finally…now then, time for me to take care of another matter." I said as I jump out the window and speed toward another section of the Mystic Ruins.

*Mystic Graveyard: Third Person POV*

Ace appeared in front of nine gravestones in a flash of light. As soon as he looked down at them, his expression became that of sadness. He was looking at the gravestones of Sonic Hedgehog, Amy Hedgehog, Mile 'Tails' Prower, Cream Prower, Rouge Bat, Espio Chameleon, Charmy Bee, Vector Crocodile, and Shadow T. Hedgehog. His expression went from sad to in pain when he looked at Shadow's grave, the black hedgehog had been a mentor and a father to him, and when he had came back here a year and a half ago to find his grave had been dug up, he'd been pissed.

"So I see you broke out of the institution." A voice ran out from behind Ace. He jumped at the sound, but quickly recognized who it was, "Jeez, don't sneak up on me like that Chuck." Ace spoke to a cream colored fox with two tails, he wore a sleeveless brown jacket and had blue jeans on, and he also wore the same shoes that Tails used to wear. He also has Tails' blue eyes, "It's your fault for not paying attention Ace, you know I also come here today." Chuck replied blandly. "Yeah, here to see your mom and pa?" Ace asked while looking down at the graves. "Yeah…I really miss them, along with the rest of their friends, I probably would've liked them." Chuck said as he stood next to Ace.

Ace sighed, "Here we are, I'm 22 and a worldwide wanted criminal, and your 20 and…well…hm…" Ace went into deep thought trying to think of what Chuck was known for. Chuck bonked him on the head, "Quiet you, I'll do something big soon." Ace held his head in mock pain, "Ah! The pain is unbearable!" After that he fell to the ground and acted like he was dying, very overdramatically. "My good friend…this is the end for me…" Ace said while clutching his head in fake pain. "Oh god, stop with the act Ace, its childish." Chuck said turning his back to his friend. Ace just laughed out loud as he stood up.

"What's so funny?" Chuck asked looking at his friend. "It's just, things are completely different now then how they were when I first met you." Ace said, putting one of his arms around Chuck's shoulder. "Yeah, it seems like it was ages ago…" Chuck started.

*Flashback, 1 ½ years ago*

Ace was at the graves at this time as well, refilling Shadow's grave with dirt, he had arrived not 10 minutes earlier to find it empty, and the body of his mentor and adoptive father was gone. Ace was flaming mad at this point, and he hoped that nobody came to the graves at this point in time, for their sake. As he finished shoveling the last pile of dirt on the grave and flattening it out, he felt a presence nearby. "It's too much to ask for some peace and quiet, isn't it?" Ace thought as he acted as he didn't know the person was there. He finally ran out of patience, "Enough games, I know your there, so either come out or I'll force you out." Ace said loudly, hearing one of the bushes rustle, the person probably jumped in surprise of his comment, at least that's what he thought.

Ace turned to see Chuck exit the bushes, although at this time he didn't know the fox. "Who the hell are you?" Ace asked rather bluntly, not bothering to hide that he was annoyed at the fox's presence. "I…I'm Chuck…" The cream colored fox replied, he was nervous to say the least. He had seen this panther on the news, and knew how dangerous he was. "Chuck, why are you here?" Ace asked him, he wondered if Chuck had dug up Shadow's body, but that actually seemed rather unlikely, considering he didn't look like he had the strength for such a feat. "I, came to see my mom and dad…" That's when Ace noticed something, the twin tails behind the fox's back.

"You…You're the son of Tails and Cream." Ace pointed out, slightly surprising Chuck, "I used to know your parents ya know, I didn't really know them for long, I was only eight when they died…that was over 12 years ago…" Ace said looking up at the sky. Shortly after Ace's statement, he could hear two people tromping through the woods, they seemed rather angry for some reason. Chuck also seemed to shrink in fear, "Oh no…" He said quietly. Ace was going to ask what was up, when he saw two people come out of the forest, Ace quickly drew up the hood on his cloak, it wouldn't do for him to be recognized by these two people right now.

It was a male and female hedgehog, the male had brown fur and was wearing a red shirt, brown jeans and black dress shoes. The female had white fur and was wearing a silver dress and has white high heels, they looked pissed to say the least. "CHUCK! Where have you been?!" The female asked in anger as she walked up to Chuck. "I…I came…to…" He was cut off though when the male looked at the gravestones and laughed. "Came to mourn you mommy and daddy eh kid? Well I've got a news flash for ya, there dead! And we're your parents now, so quit your whining and come back with us now!" The male attempted to grab Chuck's wrist, but he pulled back. "I have to see my mom and dad!" The female fumed in anger, "We are your mom and dad you little punk!" She raised her hand and smacked Chuck across the face. "We'll teach ya a lesson you'll never forget!" The male said as he approached Chuck, his fist raised as he prepared to strike him.

However, as he went to hit Chuck, Ace stepped next to the man and grabbed his wrist, "I wouldn't do that if I were you." Ace said in a deathly calm voice. "Who do you think you are?!" The man said as he flung his other fist around, trying to strike Ace. He never got the chance though as Ace sent him flying into a tree trunk. He looked the female in the eyes, his eyes striking fear into her, "Both of you better leave, before I change my mind and decide that you're not worth sparing." Ace said, referring to their lives. The male and the female both scurried away, like rats Ace thought as he turned back toward Chuck. He took his hood off, "You okay?" He asked as he held his hand out to Chuck. "Wh-why did you help me?" Chuck asked Ace, the news had said he was a cold blooded murderer who would kill anyone he met. "I have this nagging feeling of justice; it's almost like a six sense. Although I do kill…a lot, I seem to be able to notice when people are in trouble, even if they are all the way across the city." Ace replied as he helped Chuck to his feet.

"Now then, why don't we get your stuff from them? And don't asked where you'd go, your father has two different workshops in the Mystic Ruins, you can live in one of those." Ace said before Chuck could ask the question.

That night Ace helped Chuck get his things from his old home, find and clean out one of his father's old workshops, and move into it by the next day.

*End Flashback*

Ace sighed, "Good times, I still can never forget the look on their faces, cowards." "Well, that's pretty much all they were, very rich cowards. But enough about that, you have some explaining to do." Chuck said as he crossed his arms and looked at Ace, slightly annoyed. "Huh? What'd I do now?" Ace replied with confusion. "Who was that girl you brought to the workshop today?" Chuck asked, causing Ace to get defensive. "Whoa! It's nothing like that! She's way too young for me anyway!" Ace said waving his arms in front of himself. Chuck narrowed his eyes, "Ace, I didn't even ask about that sort of thing." "Oh…well then, when I was breaking out of the institution, I heard her scream, when I got there…she was…" Ace made a few motions with his hands, causing Chuck understand, "Oh, continue." "Well, I kinda killed the two dudes…and got her out of there because she probably would've been blamed for their deaths…" Ace said holding the back of his head nervously.

Chuck just face palmed himself, "Ace…I understand where you're coming from, but you know who won't?" Ace gulped as he knew who Chuck was talking about, his number 1 stalker, why she even tried to stick around him considering he's killed hundreds of people is beyond him. "You mean Luna?" Ace asked nervously. "Yes Ace, Luna, and ever since you got caught and thrown in that place, she's been pretty pissed about it." Chuck told Ace. Ace sighed with annoyance, Luna never cut him any slack on those sort of things, and if she saw Ginger the first thing she would guess would be…Ace had to turn away from Chuck and hold his mouth in an attempt to not throw up, he found it weird to himself that he could murder hundreds of people and not give a damn, but when it came to 'that' subject, he would nearly vomit.

"Try to not lose your lunch Ace, geez." Chuck said looking at his best friend. Ace regained his composure and took a few deep breaths, "Sorry, but when anyone brings up, well, any involving 'that' sort of activity with someone under aged, it either pisses me off, or nearly causes me to vomit." Ace explained like it was obvious. Chuck just sighed, "Well enough about all of this, you should get back to the workshop before something, I don't know, eventful happens." Chuck said as he turned to leave. "Wait, why don't you come back with me?" Ace asked his friend, to which Chuck shook his head. "I don't really wanna get caught up in this…" He said before turning to leave again. Ace however, was having none of it and stopped his friend again. "Come on Chuck, she's a nice girl, I'm sure you'll enjoy being around her." Ace said, trying to get out of going back to the workshop by himself. Chuck just turned around and looked at Ace with a 'Did you really just say that?' look.

"Ace, did you really just call someone, ANYONE, nice?" Chuck asked Ace, knowing full well it wasn't like his friend to ever talk that way. "Uh, well…maybe?" Ace replied with a shrug. Chuck just laughed before responding, "Who are you and what have you done with Ace the Panther?" He said mockingly pointing at Ace. "Hey! I'm me! I'm just trying to, you know, be just a little bit nicer." Ace said while using his thumb and index finger to show the little bit of niceness that he is trying to add to himself. Chuck just shook his head, "Alright then, fine. I'll come back with you to the workshop. But you owe me for this." Chuck said pointing at Ace, to which he replied with a mock salute. "Yes sir!" Ace said before chuckling uncontrollably. Chuck just sighed again in annoyance and made his way to Ace's workshop, which the panther promptly followed him.

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