Cr4ZyFr0G100: This story has been floating around in my mind for a few days. I figured I'd give it a shot.

Disclaimer and warnings: I don't own Sonic the Hedgehog or NiGHTS. Also, there will be soft yaoi later on between NiGHTS and Sonic. Well, it will be yaoi if you consider NiGHTS a man, but justto ruin it for you all, he's going to be a girl in this story. If that bothers any of you, please don't get pissy.


Before Sonic could answer, he turned his head when he saw a large purple figure emerge from the dark steel wall. Tails was trotting close behind him. The two looked like the were talking, and Sonic saw NICOLE safe and sound in Rotor's arms. Finally, they could go home and figure out what this jester was, and what it was doing here. Sonic could also finally afford some alone time to himself, and sort out his cluttered mind.

---

The ride back to Knothole was a droll. Rotor was driving and the truck was leaning over a little to his side. It'd probably tip over if Bunny wasn't on the opposite side to slightly balance out the weight. She unfortunately was crammed in the back with Sonic. Her metal knees were almost in her face, her back was slightly hunched over, and Tails was sitting comfortably in the front passenger seat with NICOLE in his small lap.

Sonic was zoned out. He had his thick head against the window. With every bump, or rock Rotor hit a soft 'thunk' could be heard from the dirty glass window. Every now and then Sonic would turn his head until his dull green gaze reached the bed of the truck where the jester was gently placed. It was still unconscious. Sonic snorted when he turned around for the sixth time to check up on it.

Bunny glanced over at him. The silence was awkward. Sonic eventually felt her soft green eyes and he glanced up at her, he baring the sharper stare. She looked away immediately and Sonic went back to sulking with his head on the window.

"You wanna know what I just noticed?" Said the orange kit in the front seat, breaking the silence.

Rotor looked over at him, "What, Tails?"

The young boy turned around, the sound of the seat belt stretching filled the car. He looked at his hero and stated, "You're not running along side the truck, Sonic."

Bunny glanced over at him again and Rotor looked at him through the rear view mirror. "He's obviously right. You ok back there, blue?"

Sonic looked around. His eyes looked a tad bit frantic and he responded, "Yeah, I'm fine. I uhh, I hurt my leg before." He lied, rubbing his thigh.

Rotor had his eyes back on the dirt road, "You seemed fine when you walked back to the truck with Bunny." Rotor looked worriedly at him through the mirror.

Sonic huffed, "I just don't feel like running, alright?" He snapped. Tails yipped and turned back around, clutching NICOLE to his white chest.

Bunny suppressed a soft gasp. Sonic always wanted to run along side the truck when they used it. He was like his dog that one time they took him on a mission. Sonics dog, Muttski had his head out the window the entire time, loving the way his ears lifted up in the wind. Muttski came in handy when they needed the bombs sniffed out since NICOLE had been suffering fro ma virus. If Muttski hadn't found them, then anyone who wanted to take a walk outside the Great Forest would've been blown to bits.

Silence.

Rotor looked out the window observing the darkening sky, "It's almost night already and it's only 2:46."

No answer.

"Ok, I'll keep my thoughts to myself."

The awkward silence returned to the old truck then ceased when they finally reached their newly improved home; Knothole. Sonic sighed in relief when the car stopped. He swung the door open with such force that one of the hinges snapped. Before anyone else opened their door, Sonic took off, leaving behind a tunnel of wind. Leaves blew up in the air and blotches of grass were kicked up from under his feet.

"Seriously, what is his problem?" Rotor asked after squeezing himself out of the truck. The tires and gears of the truck hissed, and squeaked with relief as Rotor relieved the truck of his weight. The same went for Bunny as the truck jiggled back evenly into place. "Ah dun know, hun. He just needs sum time to 'imself." She said looking into the bed of the truck. She scooped the jester into her thin arms.

Rotor sighed, "Lets get him back to the lab and inform Sally. C'mon, Tails."

The boy hopped out of the car, clutching NICOLE, "Coming, guys."

The trio reached the lab with in minutes. Greeting them there was Doctor Horatio Quack, Sally and Antoine. Bunny placed the jester down on the bed then walked over to Antoine for a kiss hello. The French coyote happily complied, giving her a wet smooch on her cheek.

Sally cleared her throat, "Yes, hello." She smiled sarcastically. Bunny blushed and Antoine cleared his throat as well, "I was simply kissing my mademoiselle hello." Antoine said all prim and proper.

Sally's face softened, "Speaking of kiss hello, where's Sonic?"

The room fell silent.

"Sally, NICOLE copied some data from Robotnik's lab. We should take a look at it." Rotor said taking NICOLE from Tails.

"Really now?" Sally said grasping her computerized friend in her small furry hands. Completely forgetting about Sonic, she, Rotor and Tails walked over to the larger computer in the lab, sat down and started skimming through the data.

Doctor Quack looked the jester over, not letting its beaten up appearance bother him. He's seen far worse. The middle aged duck started performing tests and took x-rays of the still unconscious being without a word. He had nothing to say really.

Bunny and Antoine silently excused themselves outside to bask in the fresh evening air. They hooked arms and walked around for a while, just simply enjoying the others presence. Nothing needed to be said, no other actions needed to be taken. Bunny was clearly taller then the coyote, which made the couple look funny. The sound of her robotic feet were louder then Antoine's boots. The young couple finally stopped at the Lake of Rings. Antoine helped Bunny sit herself down on the cool damp grass and Antoine sat himself next to her.

The two sat with their legs crossed, a giddy smile graced their soft, furry faces. Antoine looked his love over. Her hat had a rip in it, blotches of soot and dirt were on her face. Her purple eye shadow was mixed in with the grimy dirt around her eyes. She looked quite disgusting, but it never bother Antoine. He honestly couldn't care how dirty… or how bad she smelt.

"So," The frenchie started, "How did zis happen to your hat?" He asked removing the dirty brown hat from Bunny's head, being careful of her long thick rabbit ears. He examined the hat closely, "I could fix zis for you," He said looking up at her.

Bunny smiled then sighed, "Ah went flyin' off the truck when Eggman shot at it."

Antoine nodded in understanding. Some of his clothes got ripped after battles as well. He handed the hat back to his love promising to sew it when they returned home. He leaned back onto his elbows, letting his lean legs stretch out, "He's always doing zeh running. He never sits still." His French accent sounded a bit dark. Sonic and Antoine never really got along.

Bunny looked over at him, "Ah beg your pardon?"

Antoine looked at her, "You heard me."

Bunny shifted onto her side, placing her head on her hand, "I don't know what chu mean, Antwan. You're being kinda random."

Antoine sighed. He leaned down a little to meet the rabbits eye level, "Ze Princess actually said zat today. She said zat he is always doing ze running and never has any time for her."

Bunny blinked. Did Sally actually vent to Antoine? Feeling slightly jealous, she pushed herself up onto her elbow. "What else did she say?"

"Zat is pretty much eet. She said nothing else. But she is very, oh what's the word…"

"Disappointed, confused, uncertain -"

"Yes!" Antoine snapped his fingers, "She is uncertain."

Bunny nodded slowly and broke their gaze. Sally and Sonic had a pretty strong relationship considering they rarely saw each other. But then again she really couldn't blame Sally. And usually after a mission if there was no work Sonic would spend as much time as possible with Sally.

"Where do you think Sonic ran off to?" Bunny asked. Her voice soft. Her southern accent just made that much softer.

Antoine shrugged his shoulder, "I don't know, mon cherie."

Bunny collapsed onto her back with a huff, Antoine copied her movement.

"Ya know, Antwan. Ah really don't know how they do it. Ah mean, they're always busy and… Ah just don't think it's gunna last must longer."

Antoine nodded, gazing up at the slowly darkening sky, "I agree." He grasped her left robotic had in his warm and soft one. "I will never let zat happen to us."

Bunny looked over at him with a loving smile on her face, "Oh Antwan," Bunny said giving the coyote a kiss on his cheek. He smirked and leaned in for a kiss on the lips, which slowly turned into passion.

---

Sonic had stopped running a long while ago. He instead was sitting against a tree with a sharp rock in his hand, stabbing at the old bits of rubber that were coming off his shoe. It probably wasn't a wise idea, but he really didn't care at the moment. The fresh nights breeze felt good against his quills and bare chest. He set the rock down, resting his head on the rough bark of an old oak tree. The breeze danced with the trees elegant braches, and the leaves sung a song with one another. A choir of crickets and the occasional frog could be heard.

Sonic had wished he had his guitar to pluck softly along with nature, but he didn't have it on him at the moment.

Obviously.

He smiled to himself at the soothing sounds. He rarely had moments like this, and when he did, he soaked up every second of it. He took a deep breath through his nose. He felt his chest rise up, then collapse when he exhaled. His ear twitched and he sat up.

He had thought he heard something, but it was simply his mind playing tricks on him. He frowned to himself when he let his mind race again. Today's event truly did get to him. Then he thought of Sally. Sweet, beautiful Sally. He didn't go visit her after the mission. He also didn't care about that. He knew that his relationship with Sally was in turmoil anyway.

She was a princess and he was the hero. Usually the two ended up getting married, but not in this fairy tail they didn't. Sonic couldn't possibly marry Sally. Her father would never approve, and she'd probably never accept his hand in marriage. Sonic also could never give up the life of adventure and defending the people of Mobius. He didn't care how selfish he sounded.

He just didn't care.

Sonic mentally kicked himself. He was more depressed then he was before in the truck.

He slumped back against tree with a groan and curled his knees up to his chest, wrapping his arms securely around his boney blue legs.

"It's hopeless," He whimpered holding back a sob.

Everything was; His life, his relationship, this war. Would it ever end?

After about 30 minutes of silence and regaining his self control, he stood up, and raced home to Sally. He owed her an explanation.

---

Back at the lab, Dr. Quack had finished up his tests on the jester. He called Sally and Rotor in.

"Did you learn anything, doctor?" Sally asked.

The duck wiped his hands down on a white rag, "Well, he's a creature called a Nightmaren. What he's doing here I'm not sure."

"Do you have any idea where he could have come from?" Rotor asked.

"I've actually read about these beings before. They're usually evil. They are created by the highest level Nightmaren named Wiseman. He resides in the realm of nightmare, which is probably where this guy came from."

Tails had walked in at the perfect time, "Nightmare?"

Sally looked over at him, "Yes Tails, but it's not what you're thinking of. Nightmare is um, well it a place. A uh, special place, where only certain people can go… Right, doctor?" Sally said looking over at the walrus and raising her eyebrows.

"That's right." Rotor smiled nervously. He hated lying, and he was no good at it either.

The yellow duck smiled, "It's not what you're thinking of, Miles. It's something totally different."

The fox smiled, "You sure?"

"Yes." Sally and Horatio answered in unison. "Now go home to your parents. Let them know you're ok." Sally ordered.

"Alright," Tails said smiling then walked out.

"Anyway," Horatio continued, "Robotnik most likely captured him." He said motioning over to the purple jester with his head, "I couldn't tell you how though."

"NICOLE actually has an answer to that." Rotor said looking at the computer in Sally's hands.

"Yes, Rotor. Horatio, Robotnik had apparently built his own ring posts and managed to travel to a place called Nightopia. That is where he met this being who goes by the name of NiGHTS."

"NiGHTS." Sally repeated, "Explain again how Eggman is able to harness it's power to alter the night?"

"NiGHTS was created by the Nightmaren Wiseman the Wicked. It is he who controls Nightmare and when he creates Nightmarens, they will always have some darkness in them. It is that that Robotnik is using to control the night." NICOLE said, her monotone voice never changing.

Horatio rubbed the bottom of his beak, "Hmn, well how do we change all this?" He said waving his pointer finger around.

"I do not know, Doctor." NICOLE answered.

Sally sighed, "Thanks for the info, NICOLE."

"Of course, Sally." NICOLE said then turned herself off for a good recharge.

"I think we accomplished enough for today," Sally said rubbing her left temple after tucking NICOLE under her arm. "I'm turning in." She said dismissing herself. "Oh!" Sally turned around, "When do you think NiGHTS will wake up?"

The doctor shrugged, "In a day or so. He took quite the, erm, beating."

"Ah." Sally nodded, slightly disturbed. "Well, now I'm going home. Good night guys." She waved, walking off.

"I'm game." Rotor said walking out as well. Home and sleep sounded really good right about now.

Still staying in the lab, Horatio looked over at the sleeping NiGHTS, "I hope you can help us fix this mess."

---

When Sally finally reached her room after informing her father, King Max about today, she trudged up to her room. She turned on the light, and nearly screamed when she saw Sonic standing on her balcony. She felt her face flush in anger asshe clutched her heart dramatically. The bullterflies found their way into her stomach, tickling her with romance and nervousness.

"Sonic, you scared me." She started. She placed NICOLE down on her table and walked over to her silent lover.

Sonic turned around and grinned to her, "Hey Sal." He sounded a bit off.

Sally smiled weakly. She figured she'd get right to the point, "Sonic, we need to talk."

"I know where you're going with this, Sal. And I completely agree."

Sally's azure eyes widened slightly, "Really? Oh. Well then you completely understand why we need to take a break in dating? I mean, we never see each other ever. And I feel like you're not making any effort -"

Sonic held his hand up, "Now you stop right there. You haven't really been making much of an effort yourself lately. We're both busy."

Sally opened her mouth to say something then closed it, deciding not to argue with the stubborn hedgehog. "You're right, Sonic." She said sitting down on her bed.

Sonic nodded, then looked back out to the night sky. "Did you start NICOLE's internal timer?"

Sally nodded, although he couldn't see, "Yes I did. It got darker faster then yesterday."

"I know." Sonic said turning to face Sally. He took her small hand in his large gloved one, "I'll always love you. This break is a good thing. Maybe if things clear up we can try dating again."

Sally nuzzled his hand lovingly, "I know we'll start dating again."

Sonic kissed her hand good night, and swiftly leapt off her balcony. Sally smiled a sad smile. She stood up from the bed, and walked over to her mirror and sat in front of it on her small wooden stool. After removing her light blue vest and matching boots she started to brush her long brown hair with the pink brush her mother had given her when she was only a little girl. Sally stared at her reflection the whole time. Each stroke was long and she pressed hard on her hair with the brush.

She stood up after placing the brush back in it's original spot. She lifted up her bed covers and slipped into their warmth and comfort.

Princess Sally Acorn had never felt so empty.