"Bold letters" is Mephiles
"Bold and Italics" is Noelle

Disclaimer: All Sonic characters belong to Sega. All OCs belong to me.

Chapter Two: I'll Reach

Where are you right now?

It's so dark and cold here.

Please… Please find me quickly.

My voice … My voice will lead you.

This was what she was saying to him. Endlessly he would hear this in the echoes of his mind. He knew, he just knew, she was just calling out for him. Everywhere he saw the girl. When he was in training for endurance, intelligence, and mental stability he saw a strip of dark hair and a piece of tanned skin out of the corner of his eye. Of course, he looked only to see air. It happened all the time, anytime, any day. She haunted him, relentlessly recurring in random places and singing to him. At moments of loneliness, when he felt as if he were the only one in the world, the project, Mephiles, closed his eyes and listened in silence.

Her voice would just come out of nowhere, calming his spirit and bringing a soothing smile to his peach lips. All the newborn hedgehog would have to do was open his heart and ears and listen to her bright melody. Every night, he fell asleep to her lullaby. Before he prepared himself for another day of test and painful inspections, before even putting on his gloves and shoes he closed his eyes. Even through the examinations he would just forget about the world and surrender himself to her.

At the end of the artificial paradise

Really deep, oh so deep at the bottom of the earth

I am fated to sing here as I close my eyes

All alone till I reach my rebirth

From the past that is trapped with now nowhere to go

I will braid all the voices that follow me around

At the edge of repeating times from long ago

I surrender myself, fate abound

Her image plastered itself against his eyes, forever taunting him. The only person that he was interested in, the one who understood him even when he was in suspended animation, had given her heart to him. With that, her memories, soul and feelings had been transferred into him, forever. All those years of solitude she suffered but never really bothered to recognize it was stuck in him. The dull throbbing never ceased. He would walk through the hallways and cringe with each step and after a few years, he never got used to it.

One time, during experimentation for the level of power he was liable to hold, there had to be an unbelievable amount of needles poking him. Mephiles, with the structure of a full grown anthropomorphic hedgehog, but still a newborn, was frightened. When a three inch needle was headed towards his way he just sat there in the white washed room, unmoving, as he always did. Dull emerald orbs glared painfully at the wall as the liquid was injected into his arm. It hadn't hurt immensely, he had suffered worse, but soon he found the needles would not stop coming. One after one, some longer, some shorter, they kept shooting weird liquid in his body. After the twenty seventh one, he could no longer take the pinching pricks, which enveloped his body, silently. It hurt to breathe but that did not stop the young Mephiles from trying to escape.

He leaped off the bed trying to run around the two men in lab coat, but he was captured with no struggle. Though he put up a huge fight, punching, kicking, and screaming to get away they did not release him. They kept inserting needles everywhere in his body; his back, toes, fingers, neck, chest, and even his bottom. Not after at least the fiftieth one, Mephiles had let go of his self-control. He let his ears droop and his body tremble with pain, horrible burning pain. His body must've been thrown into a fire or drenched in alcohol after being rubbed with sand paper.

To his complete and utter horror, there was only last one left before he was good for two days. His body writhed underneath the hands of the seven scientists that held him down. Tears drenched his face as his eyes narrowed at the ceiling, his teeth clenching, he gasped painfully. It hurt too much to breathe, to feel, to think. For the first time in his short life, Mephiles wished he would just die right there so the pain would no longer retain him in its ghastly claws.

To his right, the last needle was held by an old man with a dark grey mustache, in a latex glove. He lightly pressed the push squirting out clear liquid. The sharp needle had to be at least four inches long and Mephiles didn't know if he could take that. There, he gave his last efforts to escape but after a few seconds he gave up, the pain too much to bear. He began to cry harder than ever. It was going to hurt, so much. He was scared. No, terrified. He didn't want this. Not at all.

"Please," he begged, voice broken and raspy.

They ignored him and proceeded even against his protests. Mephiles saw the need an inch away from his chest and soon, without warning, they inserted it into the middle of his chest. He screamed out in pain, a sob tearing through his throat, scratching it. He screamed, pleading for mercy as the needle went deep into him, piercing his flesh and digging its way to his heart.

Just before the poor hedgehog blacked out, he saw an illusion. Above him was the girl with tanned skin, shoulder length ebony hair, and that beautiful voice of hers. She reached out holding his head and cradling it.

Not knowing anything (I will continue sing)

I've been singing for eternity

Singing about the sun (Singing about the rain)

And the oh so gentle requiem

At the end of the road (towards the paradise)

The warm hands were granted but with no luck

'Cause they couldn't reach all the way and down towards me

"Sing forever," he begged, closing his eyes to release himself to her voice.

At the bottom of the land which is dying in torture

I am singing where I stand, may my prayers reach to you

With all of the gentle voices I braid

The sleeping forgotten past

I am changing my pain to a smile through the strain

And I'm drowning down to the end in all of my tears

The pain had subsided. Everything was alright again. The dark abyss he released himself into was calming as long as her song rang through its misty halls.

It was when he woke up, in his room, he swore he would find a way to bring her back. He needed to. He longed for her, to physically see and touch her.

When I close my eyes I can see you right there…

… but as soon as I reach my hand for you I can't reach you

Mephiles wanted someone to comfort him, to hold him and tell him everything would be okay. He would not stop until he found a way to do so.

Wait for me…

I will definitely rescue you

During the day, when he was free to do whatever he wished he would sit in front of the one window in his room and bask in the daylight. When her melody filled the room he would sing along with a voice so husky but filled with only hope and faith he would show her, just for her.

At the end of the daring reckless paradise

I am seeking a voice that is lost beyond our sight

I am fated to wander in my own demise

I go further to follow your light

His smooth tone and deep meaning tune would reach the hearts of many if only he didn't sing so low. But of course, the one thing he treasured would only be for her, his lost friend that sat there, waiting for him to rescue her and take her far away where their melody would entwine. Their harmony would take them to a place of utopia where they would only live there. Mephiles would be at full peace, only if she was. He needed to find a way to save her, to be with here, to protect her.

In the shadow of what had happened in the past

I will finally save you and take you far away

'Cause the voice that is echoing in me at last

Should be freed from the dark agony

But my wish doesn't reach (And it will never reach)

To the everlasting paradise

It is distorted with (Oh so distorted with)

All the voices that vanish away

I want to sense the warmth (All the warmth of your voice)

With my hands, and that is my only goal

All the wounds that I may receive, cannot frighten me

Day after day, when his tests were starting to decrease in number, Mephiles dedicated all his time on his project. He would read text book after text book on anything related to resurrection. The tube he was created in was still intact, and full of the bio-liquid. He would go around dropping anything he felt she would like, watching it dissolve. Nothing seemed to work. Never would anything happen except for vaporized bubbles, but he would never give up. No matter how discouraged he got, he stuck to his plan.

She was there, everyday, comforting his needs and supporting him. Why should he ever give up on her? As of now, failure was not and will not ever be an option.

I will fight…

I will sing…

Very soon, he became desperate. It had become two complete years without her…Noelle. He was becoming insane. No longer could Mephiles hold in his heart break. At random moments he would have an anger attack, he called them, throwing a childish temper tantrum. Out of nowhere, he would start fuming, yelling and possibly throwing something. Many labeled him as unstable but fearing they would have to put away their greatest creation, the scientist resolved to stay clear from him when needed be. He was given many suggestions to release his anger but other than that, nothing more was done.

When everyone was asleep, he had snuck back to the room, working on his project. He took a clipboard filled with scribbles and scowled murderously at it. What was he supposed to do know? He had tried everything from dropping foods to even shoes. Out of complete desperation, he even tried sacrificing himself, returning the favor. He decided her life would rather have her live her life instead of trapped inside a dark unseen realm. But of course, it didn't work. He came out disappointed and irritated beyond belief. Drenched to the bone, he sat at the tip of the tube glaring angrily at the water that failed to dissipate him.

Of course.

I will go and take the life of the beast which is roaring

Let it write and get its sleep to the end of this planet

But if there is no way to reach where you stay though I have dissolved the light

I will stand up take the life of this dark paradise

I'm bringing it to an end

It was useless, he decided. The whole idea was a fable from the start. He was a genius, but he could never play the role of God. Resurrecting someone was illogical on all levels. But even if his mind told him he was foolish, his heart told him otherwise.

Mephiles walked over to the capsule and put a hand on it. He placed his forehead on it sliding down. His teeth grinded together as he tried to hold back the tears that stung his eyes. He desperately needed her. Even with a mind like his and devotion beyond any being on this planet, he knew he wasn't even close to bringing the girl back. Her heavenly voice would have to be unfortunately be stuck in his head instead of out here where his eyes and ears could be enveloped in it outside.

His body shook with rage, fear and sadness. How could he be so useless? The only thing he could do as of now was sing to her, like she did to him to keep him comfortable. He joined in with her melody, tears cascading down his hot cheeks.

At the end of the artificial paradise
At the end of the daring reckless paradise
I am fated to sing here as I close my eyes

His fist pounded against the glass shaking it. The endless river of tears dripped on the floor creating a puddle beneath him. Mephiles wailed for her to come back and into his arms, where he could be with her.

All alone till I reach my rebirth

I go further to follow your light

He shook his head, not wanting to accept the fact he had without a doubt failed. The only test he failed in his life. Mephiles trembled, body exhausted, emotionally. He could hear her calling out for him, wondering where he was. Why wasn't he there with her?

Where are you?

I can't see you anymore

I'm here

I'm right here

"Please, sing," he cried, failing to realize the bubbles that began to multiply in the tank.

I am standing here to pray for your protecting

I just want to see the smiles in new and bright world containing harmony

I am standing here to fight to see a new end

You were crying all alone for the world's harmony

The countless numbers of bubbles then began to pull towards each other, as if attracted to one another. They huddled in one spot vibrating crazily in their place.

There's a song of hope and light that I send to the day that's ahead

I am giving you my life.

There's a song of pain and shades and it buries the past

I have stolen many lives.

Mephiles' ear shot up from its folded position when he heard slight popping. He opened his clenched eyes and panted. Cautiously, he raised his head to see the source of the popping noise, heart beating at the possibility of what was happening. In front of him, his pupils shrank at the sight. Nothing could compare to the blasts of emotions that pounded their filling multitudes inside his stomach, chest and head. He put his hands on the glass and pressed his nose against it.

I am letting my voice start to flow with the wind and into the bright sky right until I will die

I am letting my voice start to flow with the rain and into the deep earth right until I will die

When the bubbles evaporated, decreasing, the sight he had been craving for began to show itself. Soon the bubbles fully disappeared to display a girl, a tanned skinned, dark haired girl, with the same clothes she had on before her sleep.

Mephiles' could only stare in shock as she floated there. He gasped when she slowly opened her eyes looking at him. The tears that hurt him soon escaped happily. He smiled, chocking on air when he laughed. After so many struggles, she was here, right in front of him. But when she opened her mouth, and began to sing, he could not keep himself from averting his gaze and singing along.

All the voices meets the light and then leads to the shadows

It is part of history, it's repeating again in a circle of fate

The thumping beating sounds of the world will then echo (the thumping)

To declare the coming end. There is no more defending 'cause

All lives will then end and grow back again. A circle we call rebirth

The love from their gaze was too much for the glass. Their unbreakable and titanium bond could never have something as small as glass get between them. Without a moment's notice, the tube began to crack greatly. Mephiles stood back, questioningly. What was happening?

He had no time to wonder as the glass completely broke. The bio-liquid spilled out like a crashing wave, wetting the entire place. The girl inside fell forward, reaching her arms out for someone to catch her. Mephiles ran forward and outstretched his arms towards the falling child.

"Noelle!" he shouted.

For a moment, the girl furrowed her brows questioningly. She hadn't been called by her name in so long, she almost forgot it. This creature in front of her was also unmistakably, familiar. She had seen him before, definitely. His voice was familiar. When she thought about, for a long time, she could hear his voice. His melodies called out to her, asking her to wait for him. Yes, she knew him! It was her friend. Her dear, beloved, friend. One look at his eyes, and she knew he had also waited for her. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes and a wide childlike grin etched her melodious features.

"Mephiles!" she cried out cheerfully.

I will see you again in the light and the shadows and reach the skies, to paradise

Finally, she fell into his arms. To her surprise, even though he would only grow to 4'4, she was only an inch taller. Noelle easily molded into his arms, crying along with him. She wrapped her arms around his chest, burying her head into his white patch of chest fur. His earthy scent sent pulses of safety and warmth through her body. Her little body and reddened cheeks brought such happiness to Mephiles. He planted his head in her hair, curling his legs around her. Around them, the bio-liquid began to scorch the equipment but they just stayed there enveloping themselves in this unbelievable amount of bliss.

They had finally found their other half.

"I thought you had lost your way," she wailed into his chest.

Mephiles dug his fingers into her back, holding her closer. "How dare you doubt me," he whispered straining into her curly locks, kissing her head.

I'll reach…