Chapter Nine
THE NEXT DAY...
Spike blinks his eyes open the next morning, and looks down to find his arms wrapping Angel against his chest.
"Yup, I'm dead," he mumbles. He lightly trails a finger over her quills, "I died in my sleep, and went to heaven. Now I have the most beautiful angel in the world in my arms; Thank You Chaos."
Angel unconsciously moves closer, and starts to mumble incoherently in her sleep. She sighs, seemingly dreaming about something. Moments later, her eyes crack open and she yawns, taking notice of Spike. "Good morning!" She smiles.
"Understating of the century," he quips. "Good morning Sweetness."
He plants a light kiss on the corner of hips lips, and glances over at Bubbles's "crib".
Angel looks over Spike at her Chao, who is still sleeping peacefully. "Awww...she looks so content. I hope she had a good night. And thank goodness her bed is still intact." She giggles quietly.
Spike absentmindedly rubs Angel's lower back, "Yeah... I wonder when the school day starts for her?"
A knock at the door draws his attention, and then Luna walks in without waiting for a response.
Angel turns her attention to Luna, "You could ask her," She says to Spike, "Good morning, Luna!" She greets her new friend, grinning, and a blush lightly dusting her cheeks.
Luna sees Spike, and Angel in the hammock. With a shriek, she covers her eyes, "My innocence! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to intrude!"
Spike's eyes widen, "Get your mind out of the gutter! Nothing happened, Angel just never slept in a hammock before."
Luna shakes her head, hands still over her eyes, "I thought you were better than that Spike! You manipulated such an innocent girl into your bed, you pervert!"
Spike flips out of the hammock, arms still around Angel so she won't fall. He sets her on her feet, and tackles Luna, "Say that again, Ultimate Wannabe!"
Suddenly the two of them are fighting in a dust cloud like in a cartoon.
Angel blinks, sighing "Those two..." She goes over to Bubbles and gently takes her into her arms "Good morning, honey." Bubbles rubs her eyes tiredly and peers up at Angel. "Did you sleep well?" Bubbles nods, and peers around her.
"Pike?" She says, seeing he and Luna fighting.
The dust clears to show Spike, and Luna. Spike is on his back, has one of Luna's unusually long quills in each of his hands, and has her lifted off the ground by one of his feet planted in her chest. Luna has both her hands around his throat, and his right wrist in her teeth. They're both watching Angel with curious eyes.
Spike smiles up at her, "Hey Bubbles, how'd you sleep?"
Bubbles nods and stares at the two, a question mark above her head. "...Pike?"
Angel stares at the two, smirking. "So...are you guys finished yet? I don't want Bubbles to be violent at this Chao school thing because she learned it off you guys..."
"It's his/her fault!" They scramble to their feet, and point at each other.
Spike throws his hands in the air, "Whatever! Hey, when does the Chao School start?
Angel perks up, "Oh yeah! We gotta be there in about two hours, so grab a quick breakfast, and meet me on the tarmac!"
Luna bolts from the room.
Spike rubs Bubbles's head, and kisses Angel's cheek, "I think yogurt, and some toast is in order?"
"Uh, maybe just yogurt for me. I don't feel particularly hungry..." Angel replies, "Actually, Spike...there's something I've been meaning to speak to you about. It's kind of a concern." She says, frowning.
Spike looks up at her, "And what's that?"
Spike cocks his head at her as he unties his coat from the pipe.
"It's just..." Angel sighs as she looks down at Bubbles , who is happily waving at Spike. " I mean, I know I don't know anything about Chao's, but it kinda occurred to me yesterday just how little knowledge I have, and me being responsible for another life with such lack of knowledge doesn't sit well with me. If Chao's are like children, am I really fit to be a mother to Bubbles?" She bites her lip, feeling a little upset. "I just don't want to screw things up, y'know. I'd never forgive myself."
Spike rolls his eyes as he hangs up his jacket, "Cocoa had the same fear when she found the egg, and wanted to keep it. So we looked up how to care for a Chao on the web, and guess what we found... Nothing, there isn't any "Right" way to raise a Chao. The best advise we could find was, "Just show it lots of love, and wing it". For the record, I think you're doing a great job so far."
Spike takes her hand, and pulls her from the room. he presses his lips to Bubbles's head, and smiles, "What do you think? Does Angel make a good Mama?"
Bubbles repeatedly nods her head, "Mama!" She squeals, hugging Angel's arm.
Angel smiles, "At least you guys think so. I guess I just need practice..." She rubs Bubbles' head gently.
Spike nods, and they head to the kitchen. Spike grabs a yogurt for each of them, and sits at the table with them.
"Look Angel, I'm an acrobat!" He feeds himself with his right hand, and feeds Bubbles with his left.
Angel can't help but laugh, "If acrobatics included feeding yourself and a Chao simultaneously, I'm sure you'd win." She winks, eating her own yogurt. Bubbles claps her hands, giggling as well.
Spike takes a regal bow, "Thank you! Thank you! I'll be here until Angel is sick of me!" He winks at her.
"Sick of you?" She raises an eyebrow, grinning "I honestly doubt that will happen anytime soon, Spike." She shakes her head playfully and continues to eat.
Spike smiles, and give bubbles the last of her yogurt. Once they're finished they head up to the deck.
Spike looks around, confused, "She said to meet her up here, right?"
"Uh, I think so. Where is she? She's the one who said we have to be quick." Angel frowns, sighing and playing with Bubbles in her arms.
Suddenly the wind picks up, and something suddenly skims their heads.
"What the-?!" Spike puts a hand on Angel's head, and forces her downward. He summons his sword in his free hand, looking for a threat.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA! SORRY 'BOUT THAT!"
Above them, Luna rides what looks like a board, and she's surfing through the air, leaving a trail of light behind her. She flies down to the deck, and hops off her board, kicking it under her arm.
"It's called Extreme Gear," Luna says, moving a pair of goggles onto her forehead. "Awesome, eh?"
"...You could have took our heads off. But yes, that is most definitely awesome!" Angel replies, a huge grin on her face. "Where did you get it?"
Luna grins cockily, "I stole it."
Spike frowns at her, "... Thievery aside, there's only one board..."
Luna shakes her head, "Uh-uh, I brought enough for the whole crew... Although I didn't realize till now that Wolf can fly all on his own..."
Angel gapes "You...you stole it? How did you manage to steal all those boards without getting caught? And who from?"
Luna giggles, "The Babylon Rogues. I'm buddies with their mechanic, Wave, and she made these boards for me to surprise Shadow with. It might as well have been stealing; she's so good at what she does, and she did it for free!"
"Oh cool! Who are the Babylon Rogues? I've heard of them from around." Angel asks, tilting her head to the side
Spike banishes his sword, and rubs Bubbles's head tenderly, "They're a group of thieves, and considered the best Extreme Gear Riders. No surprise, Sonic took them on once with Tails, and Knuckles."
He looks up at Luna, "So, when do we head out?"
Luna grins, "ASAP!"
"Took them on? As in raced? Surely Sonic would have beaten them. I mean, he's not called "Sonic" for nothing!" Angel replies.
Luna sets her board down, and turns to show Trouble sitting in a kind of harness on her back. He wears a pair of goggles, and waves at them, "Chao!"
Luna trots off, and returns a few minutes later with two more boards. She passes Spike a board that's either dark grey, or light black. She holds a lavender colored one to Angel.
"I got you a little something for Bubbles," Luna hands her a harness much like her own. "Thank Chaos the straps are adjustable, we should get it to fit her."
"Where did you get those?" Spike slides one a pair of goggles that rest on his forehead.
"There's a little shop in Station Square that sells all things Chao. From plushies for the fans, to stuff for new parents. I'm planning on taking you guys there after we drop off the kids."
"Sounds nice," Spike rolls his shoulders. "I was planning on dropping by your place, Sweetness. Y'know, pick up anything you might want? A bed you won't fall out of, for example," he gives her a wry smile.
"Uh, sure thing. I have a sleeping bag I could use so you can have your hammock back." Angel attempts to adjust the straps on the harness to fit Bubbles. "But I was kinda planning on sleeping at my place tonight. I remember Rouge saying about my window...and I might have some business to take care of with...uh..nevermind. So i was wondering if you could look after Bubbles tonight? She asks, mumbling "to make sure she's safe" under her breath.
Spike nods, "Sure thing babe, I'll watch after her like a good "Pike"." Spike laughs, but it doesn't reach his eyes.
Luna bounces from foot to foot, "C'mon you guys! We're going to be late if we just stand around!"
Angel notices something is off, and smiles best she can "Thank you. I'm sorry to just put this on you. It's not exactly what I want to do..."
She puts Bubbles safely in her harness, having adjusted it to an almost perfect fit and examines her board, glancing at Luna. "Uh...what do I do with it? Does it just float on its own?" She asks, feeling completely embarrassed about asking such simple questions.
Luna takes a running start, and tosses her board into the air. It spins, and she flips onto it. As her feet hit it, light erupts from the back, and sends her flying into the air.
Spike glances at Angel, "... Ladies first?"
Angel blinks and grins, copying what Luna just did. As she sets off, she lets out a surprised shriek as she is nearly thrown off balance. Steadying herself, she smirks "Hurry up, Spike! You don't wanna be left behind, right?" She laughs and follows Luna
Spike grins, "Challenge accepted!"
He takes a running start, and jumps. While in the air he slides his board under his feet, and is thrust into the air by the white light under his board.
He catches up easily, "The way I ride you'd think I'd done it before!"
Angel laughs "Showoff!" She glances behind her to make sure Bubbles is okay, "So how far is it to this place then?"
Luna does an airborne 360, "After we get out of the A.C.E. field I can use Chao Control, so it won't be long!"
A few seconds later Luna nods, and takes both their hands. For a moment everything around them goes completely white, and then they're above the ocean again. This time the Egg-Carrier is nowhere to be seen, and an island is a few miles in front of them.
Luna smiles, "Lady, and Gent! Welcome to Chao Island."
Spike puts his hands on his hips, "Just who are you calling a Gent? I'm no Gentleman, and anyone back home can vouch for me!" He sends Angel a wink.
Angel laughs and shakes her head playfully "I think you are the first guy I've met who openly admits he's not a gentleman." She grins at the sight of the island, eager to explore it.
Luna laughs, "Follow me you two!" She pours on the speed, and Spike keeps pace with her. They circle around the island until they come to a pier. A ferry is docked there, and people are stepping off, most of them with Chao. Luna, and Spike hop off their boards, and land on the pier. Spike pushes his goggles back onto his head, "Very nice..."
The island has a large mountain in its center, which is surrounded by trees. Paths are cut to various buildings within the trees.
A robotic Chao flies up to them, held aloft by a small propeller on his head, "Welcome to Chao Island! I am Omachao 164, and I will be your guide during your stay!" If it could have smiled, no doubt it would have.
"Oh wow...they even have guides?!" Angel says, looking around in amazenent. "This place is great!" She takes Bubbles out of her harness, who looks around with wonder. "so where abouts are we headed, Luna?"
Luna unstraps Trouble who flies over to Bubbles, "Trouble knows where to go."
"Chao!" Trouble snaps a salute, and a black blur tackles him from the air. Trouble throws the blur off him as they hit the ground, revealing it to be another Dark Chao. This one has huge ears on top of its head, and its purple bat wings are each easily the size of its body.
Luna shakes her head with a sigh, "Good morning, Midnight."
The Bat Chao waves at her before squaring off with Trouble.
"Is that one of Troubles' friends?" Angel asks, watching the two Chao and cuddling Bubbles to her.
Midnight tucks her wings against her back, and then she hugs Trouble. She spots bubbles, and flies up to inspect her, "Chao?"
Trouble flies up beside her, "Chao!"
Midnight clasps her little hands, "Chaaaooo!"
Trouble nods, and makes a happy moaning sound. Midnight smiles at Bubbles with her eyes.
Bubbles stares at the new Chao in front of her and blinks. After a few moments she tilts her head to the side and her eyes light up. "...Chao?" She repeats, and turns to look at Luna. "Luna?"
Angel can't help but grin. "She learnt another name!" She says excitedly.
Midnight gasps, and covers her mouth with her hands. She turns to Bubbles, and starts waving her arms frantically, "ChaoChaoChaoChaoChaoChaoChao-!"
"CHAAAOOO!" Trouble covers his ears, moaning in pain.
Spike laughs, "Oh man, this is priceless!"
Omachao stares at Bubbles, "... Forgive me, for I believe that I am malfunctioning. I shall send for a replacement guide while I have my hearing matrix examined..."
Angel is confused, "Uh...you don't need to do that," she tells the robotic Chao "Bubbles can talk!" She grins, feeling proud.
Omachao's right eye blinks twice, "... Illogical... but the proof is irrefutable... 1001011100101010010100101010001001101001010101010010101001010010100101010010101010100..."
As Omachao rattles off binary code, the others step around him, and continue to the island.
Luna grins, "I know my way around here well enough, so we'll be fine!"
Midnight flies into a tree, and comes back with three fruits in her arms. She sets them on the ground, and Trouble joins her. "Chao!" He gestures for Bubbles to join them.
Angel smiles as Bubbles tries to wriggle out of her arms. She walks over to the to the other Chao and gently sets her down, where Bubbles begins to eat the fruit.
Luna takes Angel's hands, "Spike, would you mind keeping an eye on them? I need to go help Angel register Bubbles into the school system."
Spike snaps a salute, "Yes sir, Mam! Spike, Chao-sitter extraordinaire at your service!"
Luna rolls her eyes.
Angel giggles "Okay then, now we have our Chao-sitter, let's go!" She kisses Spike on the cheek and pulls Luna away, "So which way we headed?"
Luna leads her to a large building with a pair of Omachao waiting out front. They're lead inside to an office where a coyote is shuffling through stacks of paperwork. He looks up when they walk in.
"Oh, hello Luna! It's nice to see you back here... And who is your friend?"
Luna gestures between the two of them, "Mr. Coyote, this is Angel. Angel, this is Anthony the Coyote, principal of the school here."
Anthony stands, and shakes Angel's hand, "How do you do, Ms. Angel. And what can I do for you ladies today?"
Angel smiles "Luna's come to help me register my Chao for your school." She tells him, "Do you have any more places available?"
Anthony smiles warmly, "We always have room here, no Chao should be neglected the pleasures life can present."
He pulls a form out of a drawer, "Now then, what's the little dickens's name, and type?"
"Her name is Bubbles and she's...uh...a neutral Chao?" She turns to Luna, "That's right, isn't it?" Angel blushes and sheepishly smiles at the Coyote "Sorry...I'm kinda new to this Chao stuff."
Luna nods, "Yeah, she's is a neutral Chao."
"It's alright Ms. Angel. I relish an opportunity to help new parents." He writes down the information, "How old is Bubbles, and are there any medical concerns that you are aware of?"
"Uhm...it's only been a few days since she...hatched." Angel bites her lip, thinking. "As for medical concerns, none that I know of. She seems perfectly fine. Except she's considerably smaller than your average Chao. I'm not sure if that's deemed as a "medical concern" but maybe it's best you should know, should a situation arise." She explains
Anthony nods, "We see the occasional case of Chao Orfisim, rare, but perfectly normal." He writes down the information, "Is there anything else we should be aware of before your Chao is enrolled?"
Angel pauses for a moment, "Well, she does have the ability to...talk. But not just your Chao talk, she can call me "Mama". Her vocabulary is limited to three words at the moment, but I think it will develop with time."
Anthony looks up at that, surprised, "Well... that IS unheard of..." He smiles, "We'll inform the Omachao as soon as possible Ms. Angel. Perhaps we can have Bubbles speaking like a grade-schooler in a few week's time!"
He signs the bottom of the page, and slides it across the table for her to sign, "I think I speak for all of us when I say that we all look forward to having Bubbles in class."
Angel grins, and signs the paper "Thank you, I know I'm certainly excited for her to start school."
Anthony makes a few copies of the form, and files the original, "If you wouldn't mind, I would like to meet this Bubbles in person. Chaos knows I could use a short break."
Angel nods "Sure thing. She's with Luna's Chao and his friend at the moment. Should we go now?"
Luna shrugs, "Why not?" She leads them back to the grove where the other four are engaged in a game of Duck-Duck-Goose. Spike walks in slow motion as Bubbles runs up, and tags the back of his ankle.
"Oh!" He snaps his finger, "Dang it, I guess I'm it again!" He grins at her.
Angel laughs "Hey, guys. Having fun?" She asks, grinning, and walks over to Bubbles, gently picking her up. "I hate to interrupt your game, but I have someone who wants to meet you." She walks back to Anthony, holding her hand out with Bubbles sat in her palm. "Bubbles, this is Anthony, the principal of the school."
Bubbles looks up at the coyote, and tilts her head, blinking.
"Hello Bubbles, I'm Mr. Coyote to my students. I hear you can talk, that's quite impressive!"
Spike eyes the coyote before breaking into a wide grin.
Bubbles still continues to stare in silence, making Angel frown slightly "I think she just needs to get comfortable with you first. It was the same with Spike," She glances at him and smiles, "But once she gets to know you, I think she'll open up more."
Anthony scratches his chin, "That's understandable." He straightens up, and checks his watch, "Class starts in a half-hour, so I better get back to work. It was nice meeting you all!" He turns on his heel, and walks away.
Luna turns to the Dark Chao, "Remember to watch over Bubbles, okay Trouble? And help to, right Midnight?"
"Chao!" they agree in unison, and fly over to Bubbles.
Bubbles waves her arms around excitedly. "Thanks, you two." Angel smiles at the other two Chao "so what do we do until classes start?" She asks.
Luna guides them to a grove where dozens of Chao are playing. Trouble takes Bubbles from Angel, and flies her over with Midnight to introduce her to his friends.
Luna puts a hand on Angel's shoulder, "And this is the part where we quietly slip away. Trouble will look after her, and she'll be having so much fun she won't even notice that you're gone."
Spike takes Angel's hand, and wipes a tear from his eye, "They grow up so fast..."
Angel giggles "Well, okay then." she turns to Luna, "Thank you for this. I appreciate it." She smiles brightly "And I have no doubt that she'll be fine with those two."
They make their way back to the pier.
"We'll want to come pick them up around three-o-clock, but right now it's time to shop!"
"Good idea," Spike agrees. "I don't feel right having Bubbles sleep in my coat again." Spike ruffles around in a pocket, and hands Angel a checkbook, "You two go on ahead to the store, I'll track you down later. I'm gonna head over to Angel's place, and see about turning the guest room into a room for Bubbles."
Angel nods "Okay...just..." she shakes her head "never mind, what's in here?" She holds the book up.
Spike gives her hand a squeeze, "Go ahead, and use that to pay for the stuff."
He lightly presses his lips to hers, and takes a step back, "I love you."
He takes off, and heads for the mainland on his Extreme Gear.
Angel is stood frozen, feeling speechless. "He just...said...that...what?" She is unable to form a decent sentence and sighs "Okay Luna, lead the way."
Luna giggles, and sings, "Don't go breaking my heart... Don't go breaking my heart!"
Angel blushes "Luna! Quit it!" she says shaking her head playfully.
Luna laughs, briefly hugs Angel, "Sorry, sorry! But you're too adorable when you're embarrassed!"
Luna picks up her Extreme Gear, "So do you wanna beat him to the city, or you wanna ride the ferry?"
"Why does everybody say that?" Angel mumbles "um, should we ride the ferry? There's no rush, right?" she smiles and collects hers too.
Luna pulls her onto the ferry. They sit at a table, and Luna sighs, "I love this. I'm one of the fastest things alive, but it's nice to slow down occasionally."
Angel laughs "Yeah, i know what you mean. Fastest things alive, huh? Faster than Sonic?" She winks.
Luna grins, "Believe it or not, I did beat him in a race once. I have Knuckles, and Amy as my witnesses..."
Luna frowns, "Shadow told me about Spike blowing up at her back at Twinkle Park... has he apologized yet?"
"Not yet. It's still on his "to do" list. I better remind him about that actually. Apparently he got really angry, it kinda...freaked me out a little when I heard about it."
Luna nods, "Makes sense... I can't imagine he would want you to see him angry. People, especially nice guys like him, do things that they're not proud of when they're angry."
Angel tenses and frowns slightly "y-yeah...that's true." she bites her lips and sighs "So how much further?"
Luna sighs, and pulls out her Chaos Emerald, "If you want to hurry I can teleport us there?"
"No no, it's fine. I'm enjoying taking it easy, actually. I was just curious is all." Angel smiles
Luna shrugs, and puts her emerald away, "About a few miles. Ferries are pretty slow, so the ride from Station Square to Chao Island is about a half-hour." She suddenly brightens, "Hey, I know the perfect thing to pass the time!" She trots off, and returns a few minutes later with two huge slices of chocolate cake.
"This is why I waited to ride this thing until Spike was gone," she says with a giggle.
True to her word, a half hour later the ride comes to an end. They step off the ferry with their extreme gear tucked under their arms.
"The store is in the mall," Luna calls over her shoulder. "What do you think, should we walk, or ride?"
Angel stretches her arms out "Let's walk. I feel like taking it slow, and that way I can take a proper look at the island too." she walks up to Luna, and grins "and that huge slice of amazingly delicious chocolate cake is a secret between us girls." she winks playfully and laughs.
Luna grins as they walk the streets of Station Square, "It's a bit of a walk... I guess we could swap stories? A lot of people are confused when I say Shadow's my brother, considering he was created, not born. Same with me."
"So, you were created as Shadow's sister? Why?" Angel asks, tilting her head to the side. "I kinda understand why people get confused." She laughs
"Well, Shadow was created by mixing alien, and Hedgehog DNA. Reason was so our creator, Gerald Robotnik, could make a cure for his grandaughter. Shadow's DNA couldn't do it, and so the Professor started thinking that the problem was that he was using MALE DNA for a cure intended for a GIRL. So he used Shadow's DNA to clone a female version... ME!"
Luna strikes a pose, "TA-DA!"
"Wow, that sounds awfully complicated." Angel replies "That's a pretty unique history you have. What was wrong with his grandaughter?"
Luna taps her chin, "I'm not entirely sure... I think it was some kind hereditary disease that was slowly killing her. She wouldn't have lived to see adulthood if GUN hadn't stormed the ARK, and killed her in front of Shadow. That's why he's always so angry, she was his only friend back then, as good as a sister. Maybe my blood could have saved her, but we'll never know."
Angel gasps, horrified, "She was killed in front of Shadow? That's...that's terrible, I can't even fathom how Shadow must have felt. Where were you during all of this?"
Luna rubs the back of her neck, "Well... Gerald hadn't gotten around to waking me up yet when Maria was killed... I've actually only been on earth for the past year." Luna smiles shyly, "It's been quite the wild ride."
Angel grins "I bet it has, so technically, how old are you and Shadow?"
Luna frowns, "I'm only not going to be mad because you're one of my best friends." She sighs before saying, "The raid on the ARK was fifty-seven years ago. Shadow spent most of that time frozen, and he's only been walking the earth for about seven years now..."
Luna suddenly becomes interested in the leaves in a tree they're passing by, a slight blush dusting her muzzle.
Angel blinks "So are you both over 50 years old? You guys don't even look like you age..."
Luna groans, "That's one of the good things about us I guess. Our alien DNA doesn't let us age like you guys do. The race the DNA was taken from, the Black Arms, only get stronger as they age. Assuming nothing kills Shadow, or I we can live to see several centuries. Chaos, I am not loving that as much fun as it sounds, I feel like a fricking vampire or something."
She runs a hand through her quills, "The other side of that argument is that we start counting our age after we are "Born". Shadow was awakened long ago, but me..."
Angel raises an eyebrow "But you...?" She urges, completely intrigues with Luna's story.
Luna grimaces, "If we go by that logic, then technically I'm only a year old."
She groans, and swings a fist as a brick building. The stone cracks under her fist.
"This is humiliating," she groans. "I'm either a geezer, or a baby! Chaos!" She buries her face in her free hand.
Angel laughs lightly, and places a hand on her shoulder "So, age doesn't matter. It's just a number, it doesn't define who you are." She says.
Luna laughs with her, "Yeah, we pretty much just live with each day as it comes. I learned that from Sonic."
Luna starts walking backwards in front of Angel, hand on her hip, "You've heard my embarrassing history, now it's your turn!"
Angel raises an eyebrow, "I don't think I really have any embarrassing history," She replies. "I don't remember much of when I was little..."
Luna returns to her side, and slides her arm through Angel's with a grin, "I'm listening..."
Angel sighs "I don't really know of anything to tell you. But...there was this one time a few years ago, I was meeting up with a friend who I hadn't seen for a long time. I ran up to her and gave her a huge hug and a kiss on the cheek, only to find, it wasn't actually her...it was another girl who just looked like her" she laughs "It's pretty funny looking back on it, but back then, it was so embarrassing. That's pretty much the only thing I can think of."
Luna doubles over laughing. She wipes a tear from her eye, "Wow, that happens a lot huh? When I first came to earth I mistook Sonic for Shadow, and when I caught him he thought I was Amy at first!" She starts laughing again.
Angel laughs along with her "I guess it's a pretty common mistake. Is that how you two first met?"
Luna catches her breath, "Yeah... Heh, when we realized what happened we became friends pretty fast. Amy had seen the whole thing from across the street, and came over to stake her claim..." Luna snickers again.
Angel shakes her head and laughs once again "She's so possessive of him," She gives a content sigh "Y'know...I can't remember the last time I had such a good laugh with a friend. It's been too long..."
Luna nods, "Yeah, that's why I come back when I can! It's nice to have a few gilrfriends to talk to."
She looks ahead, and points, "There's the Mall! C'mon!" She tugs Angel lightly by the arm before jogging towards the big building.
Angel can't help but grin "I'm not really one for extensive shopping, but with the right person, it can definitely be a laugh!"
Luna nods in agreement, "But remember, we're here for Bubbles today!"
She leads Luna through the crowds until they come to the front of a huge store. Over the entrance is a banner that says in multi-colored lettering "Chao Land".
Luna smiles, "This place has everything Chao, and they even have international braches!"
"Oh cool! This place is huge...I'm guessing they have pretty much everything?" She says, looking at the store in surprise
"Yup!" Luna almost drags her inside, "What do you think we should look for first?"
"Uh..." Angel thinks for a moment "I have no idea, I was kinda hoping you could help me out with what to buy, seeing as I'm a first time parent and all..."
Luna rolls her eyes, "Okay, fair enough... Three basic things all kids need: Food, Play, and a place to rest. I think Spike mentioned that Bubbles slept in his COAT last night?" Luna raises an eyebrow.
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that." She smiles sheepishly "Shall we sort her out something to sleep in first?
Luna giggles, "Probably, yeah... Hey, that's new!" She steps up to a wall with shelves that hold what looks like gigantic flowers in every type, and color. An employee comes up to her, and says, "Are you interested in our newest cribs, Ma'am?"
Luna's eyes widen, "Cribs?"
The employee hefts a tulip the size of a barrel off the self, and sets it in front of her. The insides of the petals have cushions built into it, and a super fluffy pillow rests in the center.
Angel stares in amazement, "It's super cute! I'm sure Bubbles will love it! What do you think, should we buy it her?"
The employee smiles, "I'm glad you approve! We have this in a variety of colors, which would you like?"
Luna smiles, "Bubbles is your baby, Baby. Plus Spike is paying for it, so go ahead if you want it!"
Angel looks at Luna, "But...that just makes me feel bad if he pays for it. I'll quite happily pay for it, it doesn't matter." She says, and turns to the employee "Uh...I'll take a light blue one, please." She smiles
As the employee puts the red one in front of them back, and heads off to find a light blue one, Luna frowns, "Your money I guess... Spike might feel a little hurt that you didn't let him help, but at least he tried."
Luna's cell phone goes off, and she answers it, "Hello?... Hey Big Brother!... Yeah, why?... Oh... Alright... Aye-aye, Captain!" She smirks as she disconnects the call, "Shadow wants us back on the Egg-Carrier. He didn't sound happy, but when does he ever?"
"He does? Why?" Angel frowns, a little disappointed about their shopping trip being cut short. "Is it some kind of emergency?"
"Must be," Luna says. The employee comes back with the bed, and Luna asks, "Can we put this on reserve, and come back for it later?"
The employee nods, and has Luna fill out a short form, and they leave the store with complimentary catalogs in their pockets. Once outside they jump on their Extreme Gear, and Luna Chaos Controls them as close to the Egg-Carrier as she can.
