UlTrRa SiK pRoDuCtIoNs pReSeNtZ:

THe CRiSMoN PaGeS By: UlTrAa ShAdDow

Disclaimer: I don't own any of Sega's characters….but I'd be a very happy guy if I did!

-PS: Does anyone own the Sonic Rush 2? Where Cream is first introduced? When I played that game I got the idea that she was a spunky, energetic tomboy. She rocked in that game, so I'm going with the characterization here. Don't worry, she's still sweet, but zesty at the same time…..…and I sound like I just described a poptart or something! XD

"You can close your eyes to things you don't want to see, but you can't close your heart to things you don't want to feel."

-THe CRiSMoN PaGeS

-Beige

-5:30 A.M.- Angel Island

"Section one, check. Section two check and section three…check."

"Knuckles, where are you? If you don't hurry up, the sun will rise without you!"

Born on Angel Island in the heavens…

The guardian smirked. He was just finishing his daily checkup around Angel Island. It was a traditional he had started some years ago when his first intruders, a smart-mouthed hedgehog and a nearly baby fox, came to his floating paradise. Also, he used his maintenance check of the island as jogging time. It felt good to get in a nice, cool workout before the sun rose.

The blood of my ancestors flows inside me…

"Knuckles? Are you almost done?"

"Yeah! I'm almost there."

My duty is to save the flower from evil deterioration…

As he trekked through the multicolored jungle and passed through the flowering shrubs and beautiful streams, the guardian leapt over various tree roots and ducked branches. One branch, that was about chest-high, he soared over like a hurdle.

"Woo!"

"Knuckles!"

"Coming! Coming! Sheesh, she makes it seem like the end of the world is gonna happen now."

Streaking lights, loud sounds, and instinct are the elements that keep me going. I am fighting my own mission, nothing's gonna, stand in my way, no!

With a last detour, Knuckles muscled his way through a few shrubs and found himself no more than one hundred feet from the Master Emerald shrine. The tall towering structure was the last exotic piece on the floating extravaganza that composed Angel Island.

The great shrine, a relic of the past, stood out boldly against the dark horizon. After weathering all the centuries, the great shrine of the Master Emerald was a testament to the brilliance of the dying echidna clan. They had created something that would stand, even after they all had fallen.

It was a structure that their great descendents would gaze upon. Knuckles, a descendant of the great echidna clan started to slow to a halt. An idea suddenly found a way inside his head, a devious idea. He slowed from a jog to a walk, then even a light tip-toe. With a smirk he approached quietly.

---

"That foolish youth! I call him not once, not twice but three times and he still does not appear! See if I ever tell him anymore stories again!"

Tikal, the echidna princess of one of the last royal bloodlines was pacing back and forth. If her golden tiara and decorated dress didn't scream out her sovereignty, then her elegant, poised movements did. Even as she was strolling around, pacing around nervously as any commoner, her posture was still flawless.

"Oh enough of this," she huffed, "I'll go find that boy myself and when I do, I most assuredly will--Eek!"

Fingers frozen from the chill of the morning air ran up her lower back where her midriff top failed to swathe her small back. A boom of resounding laughter followed and she quickly spun to face the amused face of the guardian. Knuckles smiled back at her archly.

"That's not funny, Knuckles!!" she cried as she blushed hotly, fisted curled and brought up defensively, "You—you, you brute! You know how jumpy I am!!"

"I'm sorry!" He grinned back at her evilly; in fact, Tikal thought he didn't look sorry at all, "But I made it back in time for the sunset, yeah?"

"I suppose," she crossed her arms and looked away, "…I'll get you back for that one."

The monarch smiled then walked over to join Knuckles near the edge of the shrine. She sat down gingerly beside him on one of the large stone steps and waited to behold the natural beauty Earth brought daily; they were going to observe sunrise. Surreptitiously Tikal glanced at Knuckles then smiled slightly; it seemed that the sunrise could even make the fiercest of warriors meditative.

I get this power to wipe out the havoc and anarchy ,this is my planet, gonna fight for my destiny.

-10:30 A.M.- A Suburb in Station Square

"Cream, aren't you done yet honey?"

Sweet, sweet, you're so sweet…

"Nope!"

"Just let her be, Vanilla."

There's nowhere to hide…

Enjoying the lovely day together were Amy, Cream and a worried Vanilla. They were currently outside of the Rabbits' luxurious Victorian-style three-story house with Amy laid back at a table on the front porch and Cream was outside sparring in their large meadow.

Sweet, sweet, you're so sweet…

Sparing? Yes; Cream, age eleven, had suddenly taken a strong liking to fighting. She suddenly named Sonic as her hero and tried to emulate everything about him. She especially liked his playful, acrobatic fighting style.

So instead of playing with dolls and playing house, Cream loved to practice fighting. No one could understand the transformation in the girl. Nowadays she chose to wear her snowboarding outfit in place of her orange dress.

Actually, for her eleventh birthday all she asked for were a set of durable fighting gloves, in orange of course, and a sandbag to punch and kick. Her mother stepped outside of their house, glancing at her daughter wearily.

Come on, settle our lives…

Today was a lovely day and Cream had been inside punching and kicking her sandbag so when her mother suggested that she go outside and get some fresh air…Cream took the sandbag outside. Ah, kids these days.

"That's quite some daughter you got there, Vanilla," Amy beamed, polishing off the last drops of her nonalcoholic cherry daiquiri.

"I know," her mother wreathed her hands, "I've tried and I've tried to get her away from that thing but she refuses! I mean just name it: dolls, dresses, make up, oh how she refuses them all! Oh, what is wrong with my girl? You know, this is all Sonic's fault. Ever since news reports caught those fights of against those Black Arms monsters, all she's done is watched those tapes and tried to copy his fighting!"

Amy blinked, "Really?"

"Oh yes! And if I have to say, she's gotten pretty good at it too! What am I going to do with her? Well lunch is ready; at least she still likes to drink tea and milk with her lunch."
Vanilla turned her attention to holler at her daughter, " Sugar-muffin! Lunch time!"

"Oh boy!" Cream gave the sandbag one last resounding thump then trampled over to her mother, The beige rabbit smiled at the sight of both her mother and her 'big sister'; just because she was becoming tomboyish didn't mean that she forgot her manners along the way, "Hi mom! Hi Amy. Boy am I thirsty."

Sweet, sweet, you're so sweet…

"I bet you are dearie! Oh look at you! You're sweating terribly." Vanilla pulled out a cloth and patted Cream's face, "All that harsh movement you've been doing, I'm surprised you haven't fainted! Truly, what am I going to do with you?"

"Mom I'm fine," Cream claimed as she tried to battle against her mother's grasp.

"Hey Cream, I was just on my way to see Sonic," Amy beamed, "Wanna come with?"

I'll always be there for you…

"Sonic-sensei!" Cream nodded her head eagerly; he was her biggest idol, she even called him 'sensei' and Sonic liked that, a lot, "Yeah! Maybe he'll show me some more of his moves! He's so strong and cool!"

Just to be sure everything was okay with her mother, Amy glanced at Vanilla with a look that said, 'Can-I-take-Cream-with-me?'. The older rabbit nodded her head, signaling her approval, "Be sure to take good care of my Sugar-muffin, okay Amy dearie?"

"Can do!" the pink hedgehog promised with a smile, she then turned to glance down at Cream, "Well, if we're going to catch my man, we better go now, 'cause he travels around at mach one! Now let's go."

Sweet, sweet, you're so sweet…

The sakura-pink hedgehog bent over and Cream hopped on Amy's back with little trouble. After waving to Vanilla one last time they both took off, on their way to start a new adventure. The sound of Cream's laughter tinkled in her ears, and Amy took off, beginning to pick up speed. The world was beginning to become a blur of bright colors and a jumble of loud noises. Cream blinked when she thought of something, "Hey, Amy?"

In the best and worst times…

"Yeah Cream-pie?"

"Just how do you know where to find Sonic-sensei? He could be anywhere." This caused the pink hedgehog to smile deviously, "Oh, you needn't worry about that, I always know where my man is. The fates can't keep us separated!"

You can be my sweetest honey for eternity!

-1:30 P.M.-The Mojave Desert

"Next in line please."

'No matter where you go.'

"Thank you, next in line please."

'I shall follow.'

"Next in line please? Thank you. Have a nice day sir."

'You cannot run where my feet can trek and you cannot hide where my eyes shall seek.'

"Next in line?"

'At whatever cost, I shall find you.'

"…Next in line?"

'I SHALL find you and when I do…'

"HEY! Stop daydreamin' and come here!"

The pudgy clerk was stationed at the front of a coal-black locomotive. It was one of the last kinds of trains that still ran on coal and manual labor. The impatient clerk crossed his arms and glared at his customer. Some weirdo had the audacity to hide every inch of them self away under a cloak in one-hundred and ten degree weather!

The clerk wiped sweat from his brow and glared; just as he was about to kick the freak out of line, the head of the hooded figure turned to snap around and look at him. The person, securely hidden away under thick, cream-colored cloaks boarded the train with nothing more than a hand-made leather water bag. The figure reached under its robes and handed the clerk the ticket.

"Here," along with a curt, crisp answer, the ticket was nearly shoved in the clerk's face.

"…Thank you," he said warily, watching the stranger board.

The stranger, not caring at all for the other passengers pushed their way through the aisles until the final destination was reached. The seat was soon filled as the cloaked figure sat down. Anyone, stewardesses or by passers who interacted with the uncaring stranger were ignored.

As the locomotive began moving and the world began to pass by swiftly, the cloaked stranger reached into cream cloaks and pulled out a small, black and white photo. It was a rather nice photo of a beaming hedgehog who was winking and giving a 'victory' sign. After glancing at the photo a second longer, the stranger safely tucked the photo back into its origins and stared outside the window. Eyes glinted underneath the large hood, "Sonic…"

-3:32 P.M.-Tails' Workshop

"La da da, I wanna high fly…"

"You still singing' that stupid song, lil' bud?"

"...It's not stupid!"

"Yeah and I'm a pink llama named Jackson."

Typing away on the keypad of his laptop, the thirteen year-old Miles Prower was working on a science project due in three weeks. He was nearly done with designing his invention and would soon be bringing his idea to life. Tails smirked; soon the great marshmallow gun version 2.0 would be born!

A roar of laughter bellowed from the living room. Tails rolled his eyes; Sonic must have been watching his sitcoms again. Yes, in his downtime the blue wonder was a sitcom junkie; he especially loved the humor-filled ones.

Tails growled yet again as another obnoxious wave of laughter followed again, "Pwahahaha! Oh my GOODNESS! How do people come up with this stuff!?"

"Sonic, could you please tone it down a little bit? I'm trying to do some productive work."

"Dude, you just missed the greatness happening in TV! Jenny just totally split soup all over Jared! And then Jared threw a cake in her face! I think I'm about to wet myself over this!!" Just as Tails turned around to chuck the nearest object at his guffawing 'big bro' three loud bangs on the door stole his attention, "Tails! Open up!"

Only one person knocked on the door in that brusque manner; he blinked, raising both eyebrows, "Cream!"

Tails slid smoothly from his seat and marched to the door. He glanced at his reflection in the mirror, smoothed down his golden fur coat and opened the door. Both Amy and Cream were grinning up at him.

Over the past five years Tails had surpassed Amy in stature, something the pink hedgehog always held begrudgingly. Amy waved at him as Cream beamed at him with her arms akimbo, "Hey Amy, hey Cream."

"Hey big guy," Amy grinned at Tails' bashfulness; it never got old to tease him, "Where's that blue hunk you live with?"

"GUWHAHAHA!! Holy crap, this is genius!!"

Tails hiked a thumb behind himself, "Don't you hear him? He's in the living room watching another one of his stupid sitcoms."

Both Amy and Cream strolled past the taller boy. The pink hedgehog immediately made a beeline for Sonic as Cream took a seat at the dinning room table. She blinked then looked at his computer, "Ooh, whatcha got there, Tails?"

"It's a school project I'm working on for the science fair," he strode up next to her, "Do you think the judges will like it?"

Cream scrolled through the blueprints and notes, "Tails, when haven't the judges liked your experiments!? You always win first place! Last year I did a project on hamster intelligence and you did a project on the different types of fuels the Tornado ran on. You're such a showoff."

Tails blushed at the unexpected compliment; he rubbed the back of his head absently, "W-well, I didn't mean to showoff. I mean, I didn't think the teachers and students would actually want me to fly the thing!"

"Okay," Cream was bored with his science mumbo-jumbo, "Wanna spar?"

He blanched at her wicked smile, "Er…why?"

"Because I'm bored. You're not---huh?" She blinked and turned to look at his computer and pointed at the monitor, "Hey Tails, this thingy is flashing red."

"What?" Tails stepped beside her, he narrowed his eyes slightly, "Hey Sonic! We have another distress signal."

From the other side of the room, loud crashing thuds resounded. Tails and Cream shared a weary glance at each other; just what in the heck was going on in there? What was the cause of those chaotic sounds coming from the next room over?

'Sonic's probably overexcited,' Tails thought to himself, '…Again…'

In a moment's notice Sonic and Amy both appeared before Tails; the blue champ looked ready and revving to go; he was the one making all that noise, running around and knocking stuff over in his excitement, "Allright! It's time for some action!"

"What about your sitcom?" Tails crossed his arms, "…And Jenny and Jared?"

"Bah, it's a commercial right now," he looked at Cream, "Ready to go, sidekick?"

Cream nodded her head vigorously, "Yeah! Let's get 'em!"

Sonic bent over and hoisted the little rabbit onto his back. With Cream in piggyback position, Sonic smiled, "Ready for launch, Creamster?"

Cream put her hand to her head and saluted, "Ready Sonic-sensei!"

Tails and Amy almost fell over at the goofy, yet overly dramatized heroic pose Sonic struck. He even lowered his voice as he pointed to the stars, "Team Sonic! Awaaaaaaaaaay!" With that, Sonic gave Tails and Amy the victory sign and dashed off. The gold fox looked at Amy and they both shared the same bewildered expression, "…"

"…"

"…"

"…So…uh, you ready to take the Tornado?"

"Yeppo!"

"Amy, didn't that disturb you a little bit?"

"Truthfully, yeah."

"Oh okay. I thought it was just me. The next time we go to the chilidog joint, we'll have to see what they're putting into those chilidogs of his."

-3:32 P.M.- Downtown Station Square

Three big, burly raccoon thieves were trekking down the street with large sacks of money slung over their shoulders. In one arm they held their loot and in the other they held their firearms. Machine guns complimented their robbery nicely. Any bystanders who saw them instantly moved aside.

Their getaway vehicle was waiting for them at the end of the block. The biggest raccoon, who was also the leader of the three raccoons, grinned; their car was just in sight and soon they'd be filthy rich. The scent of success was in the air. Just as they were no more than twenty yards away from the car, one of the three raccoons was suddenly tossed into the side of an old brick building. His other two comrades slowed down.

"Bruce?"

"No, try again."

Rolling around at the speed of sound, got places to go, gotta follow my rainbow…

Slowly ambling towards them and appearing out of the cloaks of shadows was a lone figure. The approaching figure with a confident smile was, "S-sonic the Hedgehog!?" The blue hero with the startling green eyes smiled, "The one and only."

They both turned their firearms at Sonic, the hero laughed cynically, "Are you serious?"

Can't stick around, have to keep moving on, guess what lies ahead? Only one way to find out!

"B-boss," the smaller of the two raccoons stammered, "W-we gotta get outta here! No one can stop Sonic!"

Even though he himself was about three times taller than the blue wonder, he split; he turned and hightailed it out of there. The last of the henchman ran until a small rabbit leapt in front of him. Before he could slow down completely, the rabbit slammed a small fist into his stomach.

Must keep on moving ahead, no time for guessing, follow my plan instead….

"Why you little brat!" He wheezed; surprisingly the little girl was a whole lot stronger than she appeared to be. She managed to knock the wind out of him! Someone must have taught that little sprat a thing or two about striking. Little did the bandit know, the infamous Sonic the Hedgehog had taught her personally.

The overgrown thug swung at her terribly and Cream used that vulnerability to her advantage. She timed her attack perfectly to knee him in the chin. A thin trail of slobber flew in the air and the big brute fell to the floor limply.

As Cream dusted her hands off, the leader of the posse turned to look at Sonic; the blue hedgehog smiled back at him charmingly, "Ready to give up now? The odds were in your favor in the beginning. Just think of what we'll do to you now."

The last of the raccoons smirked, "So this is the great Sonic, huh? Having little girls fighting your battles? Truly, I would have expected more from you. If anything, I'm more frightened by your little friend back there."

Sonic's smile didn't waver for a second, "Sure, whatever." Cream, who had her hands on her hips in imitation of Sonic, frowned, "Do you give up or what, mister bad man!?"

The raccoon smirked at Cream, "And return all this money and face jail? I don't think so, pumpkin."

Trusting in what you can't see…

Without warning, he turned and faced his machine gun at the little rabbit in his path. Before he could receive a clear shot at the girl, Sonic raced behind him and neatly struck him with a blow to the back of the head, "Aiming weapons at cute little girls? Now that's not polite. I think she has something to say about that."

Pain clouded the raccoon's vision, but he spat out his last words as he saw Cream charging furiously at him, "Damn you Sonic and your bratty friend! You both can go to he--"

Before he could finish, with a furious cry, Cream kneed him right under his chin. The villain fell over backwards as Cream set her feet upon the ground. She glared, "Mom says it's not okay to use those filthy words." Sonic placed a hand on her head and she smiled up at him, "That's right kiddo. Man, you're getting' pretty good Creamster. Soon I may not have to fight at all."

"Really!?" Cream asked excitedly with a small blush present, "You think I'm that good?"

"You're definitely gettin' up there," then he beamed and lost his older, mature mentor voice for that of a stoked fan boy, "Dude, you're vicious! You totally wiped him good with that last move."

"You taught me that!"

"You bet I did."

"Sonic, Cream? Are you guys all right?"

Take my lead, I'll set you free…

Appearing in the passenger seat of the tornado, Amy hoped out as soon as the vehicle was a few feet from the ground. Along with the appearance of the tornado, a squadron of police officers appeared. Tails landed the aircraft and raised his goggles to the top of his head; it looked as if Sonic and Cream cleaned house again.

"We're fine Ames," Sonic smiled at the smaller hedgehog then looked to the approaching police. Three officers approached as the others arrested the criminals, "Fine job as always, hero boy."

"Thanks," Sonic smiled, "But most of the fighting was done by my partner in crime here, Cream." With a slight chuckle, the officer bent over slightly to look Cream in her eyes, "Hello there, little girl. You know, with all this praise Sonic gives you, you must be a wonder yourself."

Follow me, set me free…

"You must be strong to fight those guys so young," another nearby officer commented with a big smile, "And brave too! You're quite the girl, you know that, pumpkin?"

"I'm kinda strong," Cream agreed pleasurably, "Sonic-sensei is my teacher and my idol!"

"She's absolutely adorable," a female officer beamed, "Who could imagine the valiant Sonic pairing up with such a charming little thing? What a cute duo!"

"Yup!" Cream smiled, "Sonic's my mentor! He's fast, strong, smart and awesomely good-looking." The officers and Amy burst out laughing as Sonic blushed slightly. He rubbed his nose with a slight smugness, "Well, who am I to deny such claims?"

Trust me and we will escape from the city…

"Thank you so much for your help Sonic," then the officer smiled and gazed at the little girl, "And you too Cream. The mayor told us to relay a message to you." Tails arched an eyebrow, "And what's that?"

"He told us to tell you guys that in gratitude of helping protect his city yet again that he personally wants to treat you to a night at the Casa de Rojo."

I'll make it through, follow me…

Amy squealed as bright stars grew in her eyes, "Seriously!? Omigosh! That place is like, a five-star restaurant and rumored to be one of the finest in Station Square!"

"I believe those rumors are true, miss," the officer smiled.

"This is awesome," Tails smiled.

Follow me, set me free, trust me and we will escape from the city.

"I'm so hungry," Cream smiled, "Fighting bad guys does make you really hungry."

"Sounds good mister officer," Sonic smiled, "But just let the mayor know that while we accept his gift, we also have to apologize as well."

The three officers exchanged glances, "Apologize? What for?"

"Because when Sonic the Hedgehog goes out to eat. I freakin' go to town! A true hero never leaves food on his plate! Or a fork untouched, or an appetizer unscathed!" Sonic wrapped one arm around Tails and the other around Amy; he didn't realize that she looked as if she was going to faint, "We, Team Sonic, all believe in that great philosophy!"

Follow me!

-2:17 A.M.-The Station Square suites

"Finally, its time for me to relax in these nice, purple satin sheets…"

Sighing deeply, Rouge allowed herself to plummet almost lifelessly into her mauve, satin sheets. Today had been a freakin' long day for the huntress; eight hours of working at a small café, six hours managing and refurbishing Club Rouge then to take a break from it all, she completed some menial thief escapades.

Then, to finish off her day, she made another round at club Rouge, this time making a guest appearance and mingling with her customers. Then she finished with a blind date. Recently, going on these blind dates have become like an odd fetish to her; she couldn't understand quite why she felt as if she had to go on these things but if she didn't, the huntress would feel guilty. Why guilty? Not even she knew the answer to that question. But another trend she noticed was that after the date, she ended up hating the guy.

She has yet to find one guy she would accompany on a second date. But as of right now, it was 2:17 in the morning and Rouge was dead exhausted. No one would stop her from getting this well-deserved sleep, not even Mister Right himself. Besides, in give or take a few hours, she would be up, ready to reboot the entire cycle again: work at the café, go to the club, quest, date and sleep.

Although she was a bat, Rouge definitely preferred day to night; she'd never admit that to anyone though. But it was warmer and sunnier in the bright blue sky, and who in their right mind took shopping-sprees at the dead of night anyway?

-2:17 A.M.-The Station Square Streets

Night was the time that many rested, preparing for the light of day but this was not so for him. Night was his playground, when he operated to his maximum capacity. Daytime was far too bright for him and besides, in broad daylight he stood out like a sore thumb. The ebony depths of nightfall cloaked him perfectly for his line of business.

Mercenary.

Everybody tries to be straight, but things are still unchanged...

Standing on one of the tallest skyscrapers was none other than Shadow the Hedgehog. Surprised? As usual he had his arms crossed and an unfriendly scowl set to his face. It was the only façade a battle-hardened warrior knew; what good were smiles when you had to kill? And laughter was only good for condescending uses.

Aside from his air, flame-powered footwear; the only other accessories Shadow equipped himself with were his two golden bracelets; and those things would stay on his body 'til death do us part, and a matching digital watch. Speaking of which, Shadow flashed a glance at his wrist; 2:17 AM. According to his lead, his target would be arriving any second now.

It's useless to resist, their effort will be wasted.

Someone he would have to squeeze information out of. This client, his incredibly wealthy client wanted him to scare a chubby blue hedgehog out of his wits. Shadow had learned that they were business rivals, so here Shadow stands; ready to scare the living daylights out of a stranger. Well, if it was going to keep the lights and electricity working his is apartment, then so be it.

Just as Shadow checked his watch a second time, a blue, pudgy hedgehog appeared. If Shadow had been in a better mood that tonight, he would have smirked but tonight he had to scare the living daylights out of this guy. Or else.

Head straight for your goal by any means…

Shadow felt his nerves being to become numb and he unlocked his arms and set them at his side; he was just building up more fortitude before he attacked an innocent, plump old-timer. Why? Because his employer said so. Shadow's deep red eyes trailed his prey's movements closely.

Head straight for your goal by any means…

The aging blue hedgehog bid an associate farewell and turned on his way. The second Shadow began to follow him, was the moment any type of regret wiped from his face. He was a solider, a skilled warrior. Those with his occupation did not allow such petty emotions to rule them.

Head straight for your goal by any means…

The old man turned and was greeted by Shadow's unfriendly façade, "…Is there a problem young man? Oh dear, it's quite late isn't it? Your parents must be worried! If we hurry, we'll be able to get out of this terrible weather after all."

Head straight for your goal by any means…

"We need to talk old-timer," his voice was stone.

And with that said, Shadow began to enclose upon his position ominously. The old man took a step backwards as the hedgehog with the dark, blood-red eyes approached. Despite the dark, insidious presence the young hedgehog seemed to have, the old man was worried about him. What teenage kid should be out this late? "Y-young man? What's the matter?"

But Shadow seemed to tune him out completely. Suddenly the old blue hedgehog trembled; there was something just disturbing about this youth. The old timer finally took the time to look Shadow over; the boy had midnight-black fur and camouflaged into the night predatorily, his face was cruel, as if he was unfeeling and lastly were his eyes.

There is a window with the view you have never seen…

The crimson-streaked hedgehog's eyes were an unnerving shade of burgundy; deep and rich like the color of blood. The old timer gulped; what was going on here? This boy was no older than any of his sons at home, but yet there was something disturbingly dark about this kid.

To showcase the old man's powerlessness, Shadow took his left arm and easily slammed in straight through concreted building. The old echidna quaked in fear; that kid had a monstrous strength to send one of his fists through a stone building!

Shadow watched despondently as the hedgehog backed away from him, "W-what are you!?"

"…You're going to listen and listen well." Crimson eyes flickered before Shadow disappeared then materialized right before the old man. The old hedgehog gasped; baffled at the alarming speed the young hedgehog appeared before his eyes.

How did he do that? The plump hedgehog was now cowering and trembling as Shadow had cornered him. Finally emotion was triggered as a malicious smile grew as Shadow popped his knuckles in place.

"Now then, where to begin?"

Get there, no matter how long it takes…

-9:35 A.M.-A building in Station Square

Rouge sighed as she tapped her fingers against the porcelain desk aimlessly; although her face held no signs of it, she was fretfully nervous. Before her was an old echidna who would either decline her loan for a nice heap of money or accept and set Club Rouge on the maps for good. Rouge had dressed to impress this day in a modest rose-colored pantsuit.

Tap the rhythm against the floor…

Her matching gel-stilettos caught the office's light as she jiggled her leg anxiously. She tossed her hair back; Rouge had let it grow out over the years and it was nearly all the way down her back.

To look for another door...

Beside her was a gray wolf, dressed not too badly himself. He too was after that same hefty sum of money. With it, he would open a new night club, one that would put Club Rouge to shame. And if and when he got the money, if Rouge lost her club, he wouldn't mind giving her a job at his place. The white bat was fairly nice to look at.

"If you pull out now Rouge, I'll give you five bucks."

"The bus ride here was five bucks."

"Ten grand?"

"No."

"How about twenty?"

"I'd pay twenty just to get you to shut up."

"Thirty?" Rouge sighed, "Quit wasting my time. Club Rouge needs at least fifty to add a third floor."

"Look, you don't need this," the gray wolf smiled, "Come work in my club and you can make twice as much as you do." To Rouge's great relief, an old crinkled gray bat hobbled into the room. Rouge helped ease him into his seat as Gray the Wolf sat in his chair looking impatient.

"Rouge, Gray, how are you two?"

I am slipping, to the mystery of the night…

"Fine," they both answered in unison then turned to cut each other dirty looks. "So you both want loans for your businesses. I reviewed both of your requests and portfolios. Rouge you want to use the loan money to build a new story upon the club, is that so sweetheart?"

"Yes," Rouge smiled, "I think the customers would love to have a new outlook out over the ocean. Don't you think? And we could expand the bar a little as well. The dance floor wouldn't have to be so crowded any longer."

"A little sweat won't kill anyone," Gray murmured, but Rouge ignored him.

"And Gray, you wish to add on to your club as well?"

"Strip club, sir" Gray smiled, "We need more room for the dancers. And look, I've offered Rouge a job there, she can work there!"

"You must be cr--"

"Calm yourself my dear," the older bat replied firmly. Rouge paused and settled for crossing her arms. With her current scowl she could burn a hole through the floor. The old bat looked from Rouge to Gray then back at the large stacks of papers in his hands. With a sigh he knew it was time to make a decision.

I know there is an easier way, but it is my choice anyway, don't let me waste my time in futile thinking any more...

---

"Do you think he's going to get the loan?"

"Of course."

"Maybe with all his money, the boss will make us all sandwiches!!"

Three wolves: one white, black and brown were waiting at the lobby of the first floor. Their boss was Gray, the wolf who was going against Rouge for the loan. They had been waiting three long hours and hoped that by now the process would be nearly done.

The white wolf sighed, "By the time they finish, I'll have another white hair."

The black wolf ogled at him incredulously, "…Shut up."

"YEEEEEEEES!!"

All the wolves glanced up, the white one smirked, "Uh oh."

"Wow," the brown wolf smiled, "Boss can really make his voice sound really girlie."

"That's because it wasn't him you nimrod," the black wolf hissed.

The lights from the elevator glowed and with a resounding ping, the door slid open. Out stepped Rouge looking like the queen of the world. Her smile was large, her eyes were twinkling and she had a nice little strut going.

Fated not to be tamed…

"Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Who's your mama?!" she screamed out to no one. "Jennifer the Wolf," the brown lupine answered, merely to get swatted on the back of his head.

As Rouge strolled through the lobby she smiled generously, waving and smiling at anyone who paid her the least bit of attention; this was it. With that new grant of money, she'd be able to make club Rouge bigger and better than before. Surely after this, Club Rouge would be on the map as the most hippest joint to be!

Watch me, I never will lean upon you...

Before she headed to the door, Rouge caught sight of the pack of wolves. Three of her rivals' wolf buddies were standing near the door. The white wolf instantly stepped in front of her. When she tried to move one way, so did he and when she tried to move the other, he did as well. He mirrored her movements very well. Rouge frowned and ceased the struggle, "Can I help you?!"

"Ah, congratulations my fair lady," the white wolf bowed, "As the beauteous Aphrodite is celebrated for her beauty so too is the illustrious and fair Rouge." Rouge glanced to the side and blinked back at him, "Er, thanks. Now could you move?"

"Ah," the white wolf raised an index finger, "But does one hide their eyes from the sun? Or refuse to gaze up at the profoundness of the moon? That is what I shall suffer if I can't see you, my loveliness."

"So get out of my way then and watch me leave," she hissed.

"But why on Earth would I--oof!" Rouge decked the white wolf with a punch to the stomach and sent him to the floor. The black wolf moved out of her way easily and she smiled; it looked like somebody got the picture. She blinked as the brown wolf jumped in her way.

"Ooh, ooh!" he cried, "Me next! Me next!" With a sweat-drop, Rouge merely shoved him into the wall as she strolled out the door. She shook her head and waited near the curb for a cab, "…What a weirdo…"

Once outside Rouge glanced at the busy, bustling city. Everyone, like usual, was in a hurry to get through their day. But today, Rouge didn't care, because,'I'm finally getting the loan! I'm finally getting the loan!'

Rouge couldn't help but laugh and finally exclaim, "I'm finally getting the loan!" Even though the huntress stood right in the middle of a walkway, she didn't care. Yeah, some passerbys called her names, and muttered ill about her, but today she didn't care.

The huntress looked to the bright blue sky and smiled as the wind whipped her pallid curls playfully; today would be the beginning of change! Club Rouge was going to finally get its well needed upgrades.

I can go, by myself…

Today would be the day she would live her dreams!

…And today would be the day her world collided with a certain, familar red and black hedgehog…

Fly in the Freedom!

-To be Continued!