Disclaimer: Sonic the Hedgehog is copyrighted and produced by Sega. The plot is the only thing that belongs to me, and no profit is being distributed in any way through this story.

Patching Up the Blood

Grief & Siege

Peace and tranquility had lasted here for a long time, but like everything around them, it had since vanished and was now desperately repairing itself to become what it once was. Invasions had caused mass panic ever since the doctor had his urges to conquer and become the Alexander the Great or Genghis Khan of the present. But if the legend of Alexander was indeed true – that the Gordian Knot really did mean it was possible to rule the world by untying it— If it still existed today, if the Knot was bound, and he was able to untie it rather than cutting it with a swift stroke of the sword…

Like the ancient monster itself, chaos had since ensued this great planet, the planet many before believed to be the absolute center of the Universe. All the screaming was malicious in hearing, yes, but as for the doctor, it was more satisfactory than gorging hot dogs in a twelve-minute eating contest. There he would be, fictionally standing on a thick, flat cloud that hung halfway up the Earth's sky. Evil laughter erupted from his big, wide mouth of his, causing mass panic from all those at his mercy.

And whenever there was a time to panic, it was now. Cold, brutal, merciless – these emotions dictated fright, anger, defense, and alarm. Some might have reacted differently, but for others, it was expected to those watching it all unfold nearby. Hostages were taken, if not temporarily, and it was certain that he – or should I say, "it" – would love it.

The limousines cruised down the elevated expressway, passing by cars, wagons, and trucks that were slower than a snail. Of course, they had proceeded with caution instead of taking chances and burst away. The limousine drivers provided this safety net by merely being more…"professional" by keeping both hands on the steering wheel instead of having one lazily laying outside the window and maintaining traction.

"I wonder what Station Square'll be like when we get back," said Sonic to himself as he sat at the right side of the seat, his eyes peering out the door window and at the mountainous skyline.

Legs crossed, the white bat from across the limousine grasped a white teakettle from the table and poured into a small teacup.

"After bumping into all the news reporters at the space station, I think we already know the answer to your question."

"Oh."

The hedgehog suddenly felt a little silly, and he scratched the tip of his right ear.

"I forgot about them."

A smile crept across his muzzle.

"I must admit. I really missed all the cheering and 'Go, Sonic!' chants and will love hearing it again."

Rouge chuckled.

Just like the Sonic I've heard back at headquarters.

"You sound as if you're back to normal."

Stillness crashed onto them.

At last, Sonic shook his head.

"I don't know, Rouge," he replied frankly and touched his chest. "I still feel some pain in my heart, and it's making me very uncomfortable, especially when looking outside…" he dropped his hand and looked up at the sunroof, "…or watching the clouds drift by."

"Why?" asked Rouge.

Sonic blinked as he saw a small, fluffy cloud hover high above him.

"Whenever I'm staring up there now, I think of Shadow. As Super Sonic, I saw him falling toward a cloud, and from the shine of light I saw, it was like he fell right through there and made it his coffin."

Rouge lowered her teacup, but she stopped short. Her big teal eyes glanced at Sonic, and she noticed the formerly unusual – while looking up, his green irises slowly sparkled in the sunlight.

He really is not over it, and I don't think he will be over it for a long time—

She looked back down at the table, where the tea plate and teapot rested.

—Something that mourning always seems to do, I suppose.

She gazed at Sonic again and blinked blankly. Then, the bat eyed at Amy located opposite him, and instead of a partial mask, her sadness was easily noticeable. From her leaning forward; to supporting her big head by leaning on her arms (which were crisscrossed on the door frame); to her half-open, glass-like eyes. Other than either being honest or via underlying clues, Sonic's true emotions were quite difficult to find.

Amy's, though—

She's really been hit hard by his passing for some reason.

She drank some more tea and side-glanced at Sonic, who was now eyeing Amy, too.

And I think I know who else has the logic behind it all.

Teal eyes turned back to the pink hedgehog.

It may be best to leave 'em alone; it's their business to deal with, not mine.

But a frown appeared on her muzzle.

Still, I'd like to help them in coping with Shadow's passing, and hopefully pronto. From the looks on their faces and how they've acted lately, it's clear their methods of dealing with it are not working.

One more sip of her tea, and it was finally placed on the table, the contents missing.

Once I return to headquarters tomorrow morning, I'll talk with G.U.N. and ask them who Sonic and Amy can talk to. Because right now, they really need comfort.

After one last look at them, she closed her eyes and returned to napping.

If Amy had watched where she went, she would not have realized that she had walked into a room of light.

Around her, everything was white. From the floor, to the walls, to the ceiling, everything was one bright shade of white. Like a star this was, especially when staring at one. Bright and warm, this room released some form of illumination; if one could shut off one half of the wall, then you could see an aura, one so strong that it wouldn't completely dissipate until it was about five feet from the source.

But the source was everywhere, like a sphere trapping someone with no way to escape. No matter where Amy could go, this light source was still vibrant and warm. It was not too warm, not like the "warmth" of a bright, burning star. Yet, it was bright, too bright for the eyes to temporarily cope with.

Therefore, she squinted until they were thin slits. Thin enough for her to see through the brightness, but not thin enough for her to have her eyelashes block her eyesight.

"W— What happened?"

Upon questioning to herself, the pink hedgehog blinked several times, and soon, her eyes adjusted to the surroundings. The moment after, she gasped.

"W— Where am I?" She bobbed her head side to side and saw nothing but white.

Her answer: a long, deep echo of her own voice.

Curiosity peeking, she cupped her hands around her mouth.

"Helloooooo?"

Another echo, but it was more high-pitched.

"Anyone heerrrreeee?"

Another resonation with the same pitch.

"Looks like I'm alone."

Zap…

There went a sound, and Amy jumped. Around her, the light still shone very brightly. However, something was amiss, she thought. She could not pinpoint it via a touch, but she was sure there was something different.

Zap…

There it was again: that zapping sound.

Now she can tell what was going on!

The light's dimming!

The bright, warm light began losing its vibrancy. The comfort she felt earlier was not as noticeable, and the light, instead, was burning for the sake of retaining its power. As a result, she felt a little chilly, as shivers traveled through her spine.

Click.

Amy gasped, and the blacks of her eyes enlarged.

The light had been shut off.

"What's going on?!" she cried out into the sudden darkness.

When she received no response (not even an echo), she began to run. But where could she run? She could not see anything; no more light seeped through, and she was only surrounded by light moments ago. There was nowhere for her to travel to. Nothing. Zip. Nada. It was all vast blackness in this dreadful place, and she—was—trapped.

Then, she stopped.

The pink hedgehog swore she could have heard something when she ran like a scaled hedgehog. It was quiet, but she could hear something. What was it?

Amy heard it again.

And again.

And again!

Then, she felt it.

Then, she smelled it!

Finally, she realized what it was.

It was blood.

Fresh, rich blood dripped down and landed on her arm!

Then went a loud, shrill scream. It lasted for a while, a long while. About two minutes, give or take a few seconds. But it was soon drowned out when she felt something splash on her.

Although the screaming stopped, a yelp of surprise broke through her. The feeling… It was warm and sticky…and smelly?

Please don't tell me—!

She looked upon herself, starting with the floor, which was as black as everything else around and above her. It was so dark, she could not see anything, not even her feet. Nor was she capable of looking at her hands. One minute, she was engulfed in bright light – a gateway to Heaven, in a way – and now she was in a really dark and really cold place. Where and how could she survive in a place where she could not even know where her hands were? And after feeling blood drip onto her, too, no less?

Amy could not provide an answer. Tormented was her mind, her own self, and her own soul. She couldn't walk, see, and think. But she wanted to leave. Leave this place and make her life worthwhile!

Sometimes, life never worked out that way…especially with the death of Shadow.

"Shadow…"

Her eyebrows slid back, and eyes glossed with tears, the brief thought of yelling forgotten. No, she could not do this again. She should not force herself to dwell in a twisted, yin-yang-like world and torment herself with Shadow's passing. She didn't have to fall into a world equivalent to Hell! Recover, her soul exclaimed! Free her mind! Free herself from Hell's grasp and return to logic!

…Unfortunately, she could not.

And now she was engulfed in yet another round of pouring blood from above, and all she could do was scream the loudest scream ever. Very loud, very shrilly, like a tiny bell ringing at the speed of sound. All the blood on her was unbearable for her angry mind to handle.

She had to get out now!

"Amy?"

Like a shot, Amy rocketed up with a shout. Her face sweated, and she panted laboriously. The pink hedgehog looked nervously around. All she could see were Sonic, Rouge, and Knuckles (Master Emerald in tow) staring concernedly at her, and around them was the back of the inside of a limousine.

"Are you okay, Amy?" asked Sonic.

A sigh escaped her. Oxygen slowly flowed throughout her body, and the production of sweat decreased, allowing her to relax back down on the seat.

Her friends…

Sonic, Knuckles, and Rouge…

They were here…

With her…

By her side…

…Especially Sonic…

Sonic…

…Knuckles…

…And Rouge…

…With her?

Tears began producing, and her eyes minutely glossed. They could not be here. They just could not be here with her— Supporting her! Like the friend she was!

She lunged out with a loud cry, wrapped an arm around Knuckles, and relaxed her head on Sonic's left shoulder. During the while, she began wailing loudly, as tears began pouring out of her big eyes and down both sides of muzzle.

The trio looked at each other with bewilderment.

"Don't look at me," said Knuckles after Rouge stared at him. "I'm not the one with mental trauma."

Mental trauma…

"Amy…what happened?" asked Sonic as he looked down at her sobbing self.

"I—I—I had a terrible nightmare!" sobbed Amy.

Knuckles and Rouge continued watching her.

"What kind of nightmare?" asked Rouge.

Amy did not reply.

At last, she stopped crying, leaned back on her seat, and took a long breath. Her eyes, though, remained shiny.

"As I slept, I found myself in a room of bright light. Everything around me was white, and it never ended wherever I looked. Suddenly…I heard faint zapping…and then…everything went d-dark!"

Her voice cracked and partially stammered, but the saline remained dormant on her eyes.

"That doesn't sound scary," said Knuckles.

"But it went dark!" Amy cried out and looked up at him. The sun shone on her like a spotlight on a stage. "I couldn't see anything!" She looked down again. "Not even my hands."

Knuckles attempted another remark, when Sonic reached out a hand and shook his head.

"Oh," Knuckles mouthed and backed off.

"Why is this happening?" Amy asked and picked up her gloved hands, which were dry and not stained with blood. "Knuckles, Rouge, Sonic…why did this happen to me? Why did I have this nightmare?"

Silence fell.

Then came a reply.

Then another.

Then another!

It repeated quickly, pretty much every second, if calculating it. And, boy, how annoying it was! Make this noise stop at once!

Now, only if she could find it—

Click…

There.

Amy straightened up her back and yawned while covering her mouth. Her bedroom was spacious in width, height, and length. Baby blue paint covered all over the wall, and the floor was covered with white wall-to-wall carpeting. In the center was a round table that stood three feet off the ground, its tabletop three feet in diameter and three inches thick. Shelves, a computer, and two desks stood alongside the walls, and the bed she was sleeping in was near a window that was covered by a drape.

Stupid alarm clock.

Stiff body and all, she slowly opened her eyes. Yet, her body forced her to keep those big lids of hers to remain down. Sleep, it cried. It was too soon for her to get up now! Return to Amy, called her body and brain. She had to ignore that troublesome alarm clock.

Wait a minute.

That alarm clock…

When did this happen?

Her eyes opened and gasped.

"I'm home!" she exclaimed in a hiss.

Her head looked about, a shocked expression on her face.

"Wait… How'd I get here?"

Immediately, there was the sound of a window opening.

"Good morning, Amy," said a voice.

Amy looked up, and poking in through the drape was Sonic.

"Good morning, Sonic," replied Amy casually and looked back down.

—At first.

"'Good morning'?" She looked up again, confusion etched on her face. "You mean 'Good afternoon.'"

Sonic pushed the stubborn drape aside, pulled himself through the window, and sat on the sill.

"No, Amy, I mean 'Good morning.'"

He pointed at the alarm clock, and Amy followed it.

The time was "8:09 AM."

"You were sleeping all day yesterday, so when the limo arrived here, I carried you out and put you in bed."

"Oh," said Amy.

Producing yet another yawn, she pulled her pink and blue quilt off her legs and began walking barefooted down her room.

"I'm gonna get some cereal and hot cocoa," she said, looking back at Sonic's calm face. "Want some?"

Sonic shrugged. "Maybe a cup of cocoa," he replied.

Amy was fine with the settlement, and she walked to the kitchen, which had a narrow hallway (for humans, apparently), white tiles that were covered by a red bathmat, and all the other necessary appliances. She opened one of the lower cabinets and grabbed some cocoa powder, a spoon, and a bowl.

"Now to get milk," she murmured to herself and put the stuff on the counter.

"Ya mean this?" asked Sonic, causing Amy to whip around. In his hand was a milk carton, which its content was half the gallon.

"Don't scare me like that!" she exclaimed.

Sonic chuckled. "Why not, Amy?"

"Because…" started Amy, "because…"

"Because what?"

Amy continued uttering "because," but that was all she said.

"I don't know, Sonic," she admitted finally.

"That's it? You have no reason why you don't want me to scare you again?" asked Sonic exasperatedly, and then, he made a sly grin. "Sorta like you scarin' me and clinging on my back all the time, huh?"

"Hey!"

"Well, ya gotta admit, you do that a lot."

Amy's surprised look turned evil.

"Keep it up, wise guy, and I'll do more than just cling on you."

Green eyes glanced downward and noticed something shiny and gold behind her back.

"Maybe we should just enjoy our breakfasts," he said uneasily.

Amy brought her hand back out.

"Good," she snipped with a sly grin and began preparing Sonic's hot chocolate.

A sigh escaped him. He did not have to meet her personal bodyguard…and he wanted to make sure he did not.

The breakfast was quiet, and it traveled at a normal pace. Neither said anything, they were minding their own business by finishing their own meals.

At last, Sonic spoke.

"Amy, Rouge's made us an appointment with a counselor today."

Amy stopped eating and turned to him.

"Since when?"

"Yesterday. Rouge made it for us."

A brief pause.

"Why?" she queried.

However, Sonic merely turned away.

Amy "oh'd" and looked down at her cereal bowl.

Silence. Something she was used to now. From her friends napping in the shuttle to riding in a submarine back in the city. Only a couple of conversations among friends and a shower of questions from curious reporters broke through the former eeriness.

Something. She needed to strike something. Just to break through the silence.

To break through from mourning for Shadow…

"Th-The meeting…" she began; Sonic turned to her, "…when…"

No. Not this topic. Any topic but this…or better yet, any topic not to deal with mourning!

"The meeting's at two this afternoon," said Sonic solemnly after drinking more cocoa.

He continued looking at her muzzle. All sad and glum, as if she had no drive to continue eating.

Green eyes turned to his cocoa. The surface of the liquid was still; he saw his reflection, one of solemnity and glumness. If his voice was depressing enough…

He put the cup down, the cocoa forgotten; he was no longer in the mood finishing his breakfast, anyway. The blue hedgehog could care less for cocoa that turned cold after, oh, so long. He needed to comfort Amy now.

With that, he reached out and caressed her left hand—

"No!"

—Only for her to wrench it away.

"Leave me alone."

Sonic stayed minutely stunned. "Amy… You sure ya wanna be alone?"

"Yes, Sonic," said Amy, green irises away from him. "I— I need to clear my mind." She turned to him and sternly said, "Alone."

The "blue blur" stayed sitting, but when Amy's look towards the bowl hardened, he agreed to let her be by herself…

Hopefully, for now.

"I'll be back at around noon," he said, pouring the rest of the cocoa in the sink and washing it down the drain.

Before touching the doorknob, he looked back at Amy, whispered words of encouragement, and darted out, closing the door behind him.

Whatever he said to her, she either ignored or did not hear. All she did was remain seated, her eyes weeping invisible tears. But she felt the saline, anyway. They were in her eyes, waiting to burst and land on the table, in the bowl, or on her gloves. But they went nowhere: There was no strength for her to cry. She felt weak and tired. Sleep, her body told her. Sleep away and distance herself from the chaos for once!

Chaos.

The milk within the bowl suddenly swirled, removing her pink reflection.

No! her mind thought in a shout. I can't. Not now!

She walked to the kitchen, unplugged the drain, poured the cereal in her sink, and turned the faucet on.

A sigh.

Much better, she mused. Calm down, Amy. Control yourself.

She returned to the living room, continuously thinking to herself, Take deep breaths. In… Out… C'mon, Amy, you can do it. In and out, in and out.

Nevertheless, she couldn't. Her mind still racing, she plopped down on her bed.

Again, her body told her. Relax. Cleanse your mind, Amy, it said. Get some sleep.

She finally closed her eyes, witnessing darkness.

"I can't…"

Eyelids opened.

"I can't sleep," she said. "I don't know why…but I can't."

Try again.

"A… All right, I'll try."

She shut her eyes again and fell into a timeless sleep.

Chaos… Chaos…

No reply.

Your chaos…

Same response.

It's looming, Amy.

Amy mumbled.

Your chaos, Amy. It's awakening within you.

Amy slept on her right side, still muttering.

You can't ignore it, Amy. You know you can't.

"Not now…" she moaned and tossed to the left.

No, Amy. Your chaos is calling you. It must awaken.

"Chaos… No…"

Wake it up, Amy!

"Leave me alone! Please!" she hissed with pain and began panting.

Sorry, but I can't. I must wake up your chaos. NOW!

Amy continued gasping out of fright.

Yesss, that's it, Amy! Breathe! Fall into the depths of chaos… Do it, Amy! Open your heart and unleash your chaos!

"STOOOOOP!!"

She sat up with a start. Sweat dripped profusely down her face, from the sides of her huge eyes, onto her nose, and down her muzzle.

Not again! Not the nightmares. Not the ones similar to yesterday while sleeping in the limousine… She needed peace, not chaos!

Yes. It was okay. It was okay to cry. No longer did she have to worry. The nightmares were now over.

"But the nightmares'll RETURN!" wailed Amy to the emptiness of her baby blue house. "The darkness… It's returning! I don't want it to be dark!"

She bent her legs and sat in a self-huddle on the bed.

"Please… Somebody… Sonic, anybody. H— Help me…"

At last, the tears that were stuck inside her were unleashed. The sorrow and pain within her was finally being let go. Let it all out, Amy, her eyes encouraged. Do not bear this emotional pain inside her. Let it go. Free her from the anguish, the hurt. Be the once free-spirited, independent hedgehog again.

Tears silently streaming down her eyes, she raised her head and looked at the baby blue-painted door across the room. The door… It meant escape. Escape from her house, from Station Square… And it was the gate to freedom, too. Freedom from the torment that held her hostage since leaving the ARK.

Yes. Freedom. She yearned for it. A little quiet time away from Station Square would help her.

Now, what about Sonic and the others? Furthermore, what to do about her meeting with the psychologist? Amy had to think of something.

At last, she found it.

Now she could leave.

Across the world, the pirates screamed and panicked. Like cowards, they hid under the boards, in the crow's nest, and behind the wheel in the main room. It didn't matter where to look. Aside from the occasional frightened whimpers, no one could find them.

And for good reason, as round black robots fired lasers at the speedy hedgehog. High and low, lasers targeted Shadow. But all they ended up with was either air or wood.

Shadow continued skating around the remaining operational robot, which lacked the capabilities of shooting anything, much less a blasted anthropomorphic hedgehog! Then, lasers still in hand, the robot fired, but upon releasing the red energy, Shadow jumped high in the air, missing him completely. Eyes hard on the enemy, Shadow raised his right hand high and swooped it down.

"CHAOS SPEAR!"

At once, several spears of golden light appeared from the sky and nosedived at the robot. It tried to fire at all the lightning-quick spears, but it was too much: The Chaos Spears struck the robot, breaking it apart and causing some useless pieces of machinery to jump into the sky and land into the sea.

Once the fight ended, metal and wood lay everywhere. Loose rails and floorboards scattered all over the deck, and the metal was charred from several rounds of Chaos Spears. But Shadow paid no attention to the mess on the ship; instead, he turned to his right, where several pirates timidly crawled out from their hiding places and stared pleadingly at him.

"Where's the nearest port?" he whispered to them.

The tall, old-ragged pirate pointed to the left. "'Tis— 'Tis that way, m-m-mister," he said, voice quivering.

"Good." Shadow looked away. "Clean up this mess. I've gotta meet with Doctor Eggman at once."

He raised the green Chaos Emerald into the air and was gone.

Author's Note: Although I like college sometimes, it can be really bothersome forcing myself not to update any of my chaptered fics for more than a year as a result of schoolwork. Thankfully, school is out for the summer, and now I can concentrate on writing fanfics again (and hopefully finish some of my chaptered works).

Parts of my narrative are inspired after reading a require book for one of my Spring 2008 college courses, Tillie Olsen's Yonnondio: From the Thirties, especially the latter part of the chapter, which I wrote and completed last night.

As for my fic, what do you think of the chapter? Read and review to tell me your thoughts on the chapter.