The moon was pale, as it lingered above the sleepy skyline of Station-Square. Far above the lights and commotion of the city,

it floated above. A majestic sight to be sure. Various craters stemming from the many asteroids that had battered the moons

lunar surface over the years dotted the moon's surface. Yet even in its splendor, it was only a half-moon. Destined to remain

no more than that, Eggman's insanity decimated half of its surface years ago in one of his egomaniacal feats of splendor. The

dark side of the moon hid its unsightly scar. Molten lava once swam freely in the gaping wound, but without oxygen, it was a

short-lived joy-ride. Now all that remained of the terrible incident was the aforementioned scar. High above the skies, the

moon wandered. The small satellites own silent seclusion, combined with its hideous disfigurement, normally afforded it little

thought or attention from the people below. Yet, today it was noticed, such a beautiful sight. The moon's unsightly scar lay

invisible to the few people who were still awake to revoke a moment of its former glory. Such quiet serenity the moon seemed

to afford that night, reflecting the hopes and feelings of Station Squares populace that day. What an odd time for the moon to

appear so cheerful and bright, ironic in a way. Such cheerfulness, blanketing what would otherwise have been a severely

somber day. With not a cloud in sight, the moon continued its rare show of pompous glory. One of the few rare chances to be

discerned by the myriads of citizens below, the moon wasted no time, the satellites newfound confidence helping light the city

below.

On the roof of an abandoned apartment complex nearby Twinkle Park, Steve waited in silence. Grey concrete expounded the

entire surface, cracking noticeably in some places. Behind him, a solitary elevator jutted from the dark concrete. The

Apartment was only about two or three stories high, affording an excellent view of the surrounding area. Arms folded in

defiance, his gaze permeated throughout the small plaza below him. He took a short, criticising glance at the moon, noting its

splendor.The moon in response, cast a lovely limelight on his form. Yet even the lovely moon could not disengage the figure

from his thoughts, noting its failure the moon shifted its gaze. The once brilliant light that had bathed his form, now replaced

with a murky darkness. Steve gave a smirk, preferring the near-invisibility of the shadows to the all-revealing light. Boredom

enveloped him, as it had done so many a time in his wandering years. To his chagrin, his mind wandered, as it was apt to do

when he was bored. There he stood a watch-man of sorts, an angel in black. He grimaced at the thought, himself, an angel.

Such an absurdity, yet in an odd way that notion was true. He snapped his mind back to the arduous task at hand he needed

to concentrate today.

His journey was near its end, he needed to be wary. He knew very well, how plans never worked completely as expected.

The fact there had been nary a hitch in his many wandering years, put him on edge. The few hitches there had been were

minor at best, easily solved with either lightly applied persuasion, or means that were more brutal. He fumbled his fingers

clumsily in the cloaks left pocket, after some time he brought his hand back up to his inquisitive eyes. The clenched fist held

the dull, grayish, ring he had managed to obtain from the late Walter. He held it up to the discerning moon, which cast a faint

ray of moonlight on the ring. The ring glowed faintly from the application of light to its form. He had almost forgotten his

biggest hurdle, the uncharged ring. He examined the object meticulously in his hand, trying to find some way to error his

earlier diagnosis of the problem. Finding none, he swore inwardly, slipping the ring back neatly into the cloaks pocket. The

ring problem, while annoying, was still only a minor nuisance. While it would take him at least seven years to re-charge the

ring, that was a small price to pay for his eventual reward.

He snapped back to reality once again, realizing he had been neglecting his other, far more important, duty. He re-

concentrated his gaze in the general direction of Twinkle Park. He had to remain alert. The slightest deviation to his plan now

could ruin his meticulously crafted plot. Everything had to be perfect. Therefore, he waited, silent and morose. Awaiting his

destiny, in hopes it was kind.

Below the roof, within the apartment's interior, the hit-men waited as well. Behind the grimy and rusted door to room "314",

they both waited in rather muted silence. Broken floorboards lined the room, criss-crossed and splintered. The peeling white

paint on the cracking walls greatly enhanced the general atmosphere of decay that permeated throughout the dingy room.

The only piece of furniture in the room was a musty, old, rotten wood table, infested by termites. The table was located near

the entrance to the door, and the men had noticed earlier with some revulsion the termites had made a nest in the walls as

well. A lone, musty, boarded up window blessed the north wall. Small dabbles of moon light made their way through cracks in

the wood, softly illuminating the rifle that barely managed to jut out of a thin space in the boards.

Two strong and callous hands grasped the rifle, as a lone eye peeked through the rifle's scope, gazing at the city below. The

populace had thinned considerably since his target had entered Twinkle Park, and he was glad about that. The fewer

witnesses the better. The constant pressure of remaining in one spot constantly observing, was beginning to tire him greatly.

His eyes twitched noticeably, itching crazily from the sweat that had begun to exude from his pores. He was determined to

make this shot; he did not care for the consequences. Such is the folly of youth.

On an opposite wall his partner sat, legs crossed as he awaited a signal. "Robert, how are you holding up?" The man asked

as he revealed the name of his partner.

"Damn this is tiring, aside from that I'm alright Ben." The assassin named Robert declared in reply, his fingers fidgeting over

the trigger on his rifle.

"Remember the plan Robert! One shot and we're out!" Ben reminded his partner, who rolled his eyes noticeably in reply.

"Ya, ya ok I got it. Don't worry so much Ben; you'll give yourself grey hairs." Robert stated, as he continued his designated

task of scoping out the target. The lone man named Ben gave a sigh; he had not wanted Robert to take the shot. Yet if there

was one thing Ben had learned about Robert, he was persistent. They had both been friends for years, perhaps out of

necessity, and in that time, Ben had learned a lot about Robert. One of Robert's biggest fault's being, his rash style of

decision-making. While Ben knew how bone-headed Robert could be at times, Ben also knew he himself did not have the

heart to shoot their target. Sonic, the world famous hero, and self-proclaimed speed demon. To murder such a good-hearted

man, went against all the few flimsy principles Ben had managed to attain over the years. He had caved in to Robert's

demand quickly, knowing if given the chance he would spare Sonic's life. Yet, he supposed greed clouded his mind as much as

it had his partners. They both needed money, and this was the easiest way he knew how to get massive amounts of cash

quickly. So, despite his various grievances against such a course of action, he had agreed to this plan.

Robert gave a shout. "They have left Twinkle Park!" Ben snapped quickly out of his thought process.

"Do not shoot yet!" Ben replied, as he quickly lunged over to Roberts's position. Sure enough, Sonic had left the building. The

streets various light sources, illuminating him as he walked along the sidewalks. The other three that had entered with him

were also present; Ben noted with some degree of dismay .The general area was almost deserted, some cars still rolled

along noisily through the streets. However, after a short while even those were gone. A testament to how late it had gotten

since their arrival. The many people who had been inside Twinkle Park flooded out of the building much earlier than Sonic and

his posse had. Ben winced when he realized how completely at ease they all appeared, two of the target's friends' appearing

in shock over something another had said. He remembered quickly why he would not have been able to accomplish the task

asked of him.

"I got a good shot lined up here Ben." Robert suddenly proclaimed, snapping Ben out of his thoughts.

"No, not yet, let's see if they split up. It will make our task that much easier." Ben commanded, holding his hand to the loaded

rifle, preventing Robert from making a shot. They both stood in a sort of morbid silence, awaiting the right moment to unleash

their deadly bullet on an unsuspecting victim.

"Wait a second… YOU TWO ARE DATING?" Miles exclaimed in surprised shock, both Cosmo and Miles were greatly surprised by

the news, as they all walked slowly along home. Amy gave an affirmation, as she lightly rested her head on Sonic's shoulders.

"Sure are! I knew he could not resist me forever. Could you?" Amy lovingly teased as Sonic gave a chuckle in reply.

"I'm afraid not Amy, in the end you got me. Don't you worry though; I'll find a way to sneak out of this eventually." Sonic

replied, teasing Amy back.

"Hey! That's not even funny!" Amy pouted, as she dis-engaged herself from Sonic's shoulders. They all laughed good-

humouredly at that revelation. Even Amy, much to her chagrin, managed to crack a smile over the joke, as Sonic grinned

mischievously. He turned back as they continued their trek home.

"Ummm, Sonic? You may want to watch out… because Amy is holding her hammer… and she seems to have a…rather, ummm

murderous gaze…" Cosmo declared rather cautiously, after she had taken a quick glance back. Sonic turned around slowly,

and saw that Cosmo's proclamation was true. Amy began to chase Sonic, as he ran for his life.

"Cmonnn! I just want to talk to youuu!" Amy taunted with a laugh, as she continued chasing her new boy friend through the

alleyways and streets.

"Is this how you win friends and influence people!?" Sonic shouted in retort, as he quickly managed to dodge a hammer

strike. That little incident greatly enhanced his motivation to continue speeding away from Amy, and also answered his earlier

question.

"Maybe so, come a bit closer and you'll find out!" Amy replied with a grin, both Cosmo and Miles were cracking up over the

absurdity that was unfolding before them. They both weaved in and out of the general area, shouting various witticisms at

each other.

"Gee, Sonic has gotten a lot more… open with Amy hasn't he? I'm happy about that; I was very worried for her…" Cosmo

explained, turning around to face Miles. She was glad that the disturbing mental images had mostly left, and she could now

focus her mind clearly.

"Ya, I'm actually a bit surprised, what happened in Twinkle Park? Maybe some kind of mind control…" Miles jokingly replied, as

Cosmo emitted an unrestrained giggle in response.

"Wouldn't be too surprising now would it?" Cosmo replied in good humor, greatly relieved that she was still able to uphold a

conversation with Miles. Her earlier disastrous attempt at explaining her love still echoing faintly within her mind. Her

emotional wounds over the incident had healed somewhat, she would make another attempt later, she thought.

"It's nice to see you're fever seems to have dropped. I was a bit worried earlier; you're face looked a bit flushed. No problem

now though, right?" Miles asked with a cheerful smile, greatly relieved she appeared to be feeling better.

"Ya… of course…" Cosmo stated rather shyly, still somewhat saddened her earlier symptoms had been attributed to illness

instead of love.

"Are you sure, you don't seem very convince-"

"YES IM FINE!" Cosmo interjected angrily, reacting faster than her mind could think. Her scream of affirmation managed to

garner the attention of Sonic and Amy as well. She tried to choke back her words but it was too late, they were all staring in

her direction over her rare display of anger. She shuffled her feet nervously as she averted their prying eyes'. "Sorry…" She

mumbled haphazardly, trying to hide herself amongst the sea of grey concrete.

Sonic and Amy returned to the group as Cosmo walked behind Miles. Nobody said anything, but they were all wondering why

Cosmo had gotten angry. After some time in silence, Amy snuck back to speak with Cosmo. The Seedrian girl appeared deep

in thought as Amy whispered into her ear. "So… it didn't go well I suppose?" Amy asked softly, surprising Cosmo as she spun

around quickly to reply. Cosmo instantly knew what she was referring to, so clarification was not necessary.

"No… I suppose it showed there… I am just a bit disheartened that's all. Not a big deal…" Cosmo whispered in reply, reverting

to her old soft-spoken self.

"This is a big deal though; don't wave it away like it isn't Cosmo!" Amy retorted somewhat strongly, realizing she herself was

getting a bit irritated by Cosmo's habit of under-playing her problems.

"I wasn't waving it away! It's just… difficult; I don't want to burden you with my troubles, especially now that you have finally

managed to get Sonic to notice and appreciate you." Cosmo replied somewhat warmly, desperately trying to change the topic

of discussion. In any other circumstance, Amy would have fallen for that trick, but not now. Amy had to know what was

bothering Cosmo to such an extent that she was willing to go to the extreme of changing the subject to deflect her queries.

"Don't change the subject Cosmo… please. I'm your friend and I want you to know that I care about you, don't treat me like a

stranger." Amy informed Cosmo sweetly, as the Seedrian girl hid her head in shame. Amy put a comforting hand on Cosmo's

shoulder signaling it was all right, as she brought her head up to face Amy's gaze. Cosmo gave a wry smile as they both

continued walking along slightly behind both Sonic and Tails.

"You're right, I… just feel a bit bad. I wasn't able to tell Miles how I felt; it had more to do with me then him… I suppose… I'm

just a failure." Cosmo acknowledged dejectedly, her shoulders drooping as her eyes fluttered close. Cosmo had delved into a

state of great sorrow, her own instincts of self-blame kicking into high gear.

"You're not a failure, don't ever think that! You just seem to need some help with this matter; you remember my earlier offer

right? The offer still stands, and we could even start now if you so wished…" Amy offered reassuringly, trying her best to

dispatch the gloom that seemed to hover over her friend's head like a storm cloud.

"Thanks, I would like that. Yet, not today, perhaps we can try over the next weekend? I'm just a bit tired right now; I

sincerely appreciate what you are willing to do for me. Can we make this for next weekend then?" Cosmo asked, her earlier

gloom rapidly becoming replaced with her usual cheerfulness.

"Yes! Consider it a date…figuratively of course!" Amy ended with a laugh Cosmo politely chuckled as well. The ice now broken,

they both proceeded to chat quite amiably; a bit further ahead Sonic and Miles were starting their own discussion.

"Hey Tails, what's up?" Sonic asked Miles after he had gotten within hearing distance of his friend, the fox looked up at him in

surprise. His demeanor suggested he was thinking about something, and Sonic had interrupted that rather delicate train of

thought. "Busy?" Sonic asked Miles shook his head in acknowledgement.

"No, I'm not busy. I was just thinking, which seems to happen a lot now that you mention it." Miles light heartedly replied,

garnering a shrill chortle from Sonic.

"Yup, it sure does doesn't it? Thinking about Cosmo's earlier enraged statement?" Sonic inquired, expecting an interesting

conversation stemming from that topic of discussion.

"No… actually, I think she's just a bit stressed. That is understandable; I do not want to pry into her thoughts. Now that you

mention it, she was acting a bit odd inside Twinkle Park. I attributed it to fever, but maybe it was something else?" Miles

stated more to himself than Sonic. He scratched his head, searching for an answer. When none came to him, he shrugged his

shoulders in defeat. Sonic could think of some possible reasons, but decided it would be wiser to keep mum on the subject.

Lest his opinions turn out to be wrong, creating a substantial relationship rut between Miles and Cosmo. "I was thinking

about yourself and Amy actually. I have been pondering this question for a while now, what convinced you to become Amy's

boyfriend? To tell you the truth I thought you hated her; at least I did before our earlier conversation today. Why the sudden

change in heart?" Miles asked Sonic, in considerable confusion. His resuscitator seemed to match his emotions quite well at

that moment, spinning around him erratically, as was its nature.

"It's... hard to explain. Back in Twinkle Park I got mad at Amy, heeding your advice was a lot harder than I thought it would

be. She ran away from me, crying in despair. In that moment, it was like… it all clicked for me. Those barriers I had

constructed, they all faltered and fell. I think I realized then what I had always known, what I was too scared or arrogant to

admit. I love her Miles, that may come as a shock as of late, but it is the truth. After so many years of attempts, she finally got

to me. My only regret is that I was too arrogant and prideful to have noticed earlier, the wasted years. But now were

together, and while we may be a bit… terse with each other at times; I sincerely care for her and won't let anyone harm her

ever again." Sonic gritted his teeth in determination over his final words, obviously intensely serious about this. He took a

quick glance behind him, noting that Cosmo and Amy were also having a conversation about something.

"I think I understand, thanks for clearing that matter up for me. While it is still a little surprising in its suddenness, I suppose it

all makes sense." Miles declared, relieved that his pondering was over.

"It looks like Cosmo and Amy have finished their conversation as well. They're coming back up here." Sonic noted. True to his

word, a few moments later both Amy and Cosmo had shown up beside them. Amy squeezed in somewhat uncomfortably

between Sonic and Miles, while Cosmo strayed a few feet away from the gaze of Miles.

"Hey Miles, can I… umm… talk to you for a second?" Cosmo shyly inquired, turning her head to face him.

"Of course, if it's about earlier though don't worry about it. You didn't hurt my feelings or anything." Miles answered back, as

he strolled over to her slightly isolated area away from the rest of the group.

"Really? Oh, that's a relief. I am sorry about that, just tired. We did a lot today; I am about ready to conk out on the floor. But

enough about that, so… are you doing anything next week?" Cosmo asked, as slyly as she could muster. Amy had devised a

cunning plan to combat their respective shy tendencies, but it all hinged on if Cosmo could lure Miles away from his various

inventions and go out with her next Saturday.

"Well, I was going to try to work out the kinks with the resuscitator..." Miles stated informatively, grasping the machine that

was hovering around him to illustrate his point. The machine shocked him, as he loosened his grasp with a yelp. "OW! That

hurt! Its a good thing I was wearing my gloves today, man… my invention really does sting! You know this same incident

happened earlier today, this thing actually managed to shock Sonic earlier; he attempted to touch it even after I told him not

to. I have known about this problem for a while, but haven't actually ever gotten around to fixing it. Which is why I think a

good place for me to start tinkering on its structure would be in its electrical discharge rate. I never really intended for it to

shock people, it still has a few bugs to work out in its frame." Miles mused, as he observed with some annoyance how serene

the resuscitator looked just buzzing around his form, perfectly content.

"Hopefully not to market it… right? You know my feelings about this" Cosmo inquired sensitively, a bit hurt that Miles was still

tinkering on the invention after her earlier grievances.

"No! No, just to study the stone; it is such an amazing stone. Within this small rock, contains a sort of light healing mechanism

that when amplified could potentially heal major injuries even revive the dead. However, I have told you all this before, this

stone just excites my natural curiosity. Besides, it's a bit calming isn't it? I rather like it for all the frames imperfections; you

really need to see its brilliant glow when activated. Quite beautiful, if I may attribute such a feature to a rock." Miles finished,

sheepishly grinning over his last comment.

"You make it sound so remarkable; I suppose it's actually rather cute." Cosmo affirmed his statement in reply; the machine

seemed to beep in content over these kind words.

"Sometimes; it's like the device has a mind of its own." Miles shook his head and laughed as the machine began beeping and

booping, almost as if it was ecstatic over the attention it was receiving. Cosmo chuckled as well, as the machine zoomed

around Miles faster than its earlier orbit. Cosmo looked up and caught Miles gaze; their eyes seemed locked for a few

moments. It felt like an eternity to both of them. They both turned away from this loving gaze quickly, each blushing madly.

I should tell her right now, those precious words I have recited in my head for months. I love you. Miles thought, his own

bashfulness impeding his attempts to recite those words.

Does he love me? He is blushing madly… but he turned away so quickly… I should just ask him. I mean, if he did not love me why

did he blush when our eyes me? Then again, if he did why did he turn away from it? Is he ashamed? Is he ashamed… of me?

Cosmo wondered, her own self-doubts ravaging her mind. They both walked along in rather muted silence for a while, each

lost in their own thoughts. Cosmo broke the silence, uttering an invitation. "So will you come along with Amy and I to the

roller rink next Saturday?" Cosmo asked, carefully wording her query.

"Hmm? Oh ya! Sure! I can worry about my resuscitator later. A bit of fresh air every now and then would do well for my

general health." Miles hastily answered, the flushness of his cheeks having dimmed out earlier.

"So… you are you going to see the new Steven Spielberg movie?" Cosmo asked tentatively after a long lull in the

conversation, drumming up a topic for conversation. They both chatted amiably, as Sonic and Amy stealthily observed them

from afar.

"Well, I think Cosmo got Miles. Hook, line and sinker" Amy announced rather loudly with a snicker. Sonic replied with the

universal quiet sign. "Hehehe, sorry. " Amy whispered in reply, this time taking care not to raise an alert from the other two,

who were both so caught up in their conversation that they had not noticed Amy's earlier slip. "Just a bit excited, this is like

low-grade spy stuff ya know?"

"Ha, ya I feel like the low-rent version of James Bond. If I could think of a witty pun based on his name I would say it aloud,

alas I cannot at the moment." Sonic mused, as they both continued their small stakeout in hushed tones of voice. " I really

wonder sometimes what goes on inside Tail's big head. Why doesn't he notice Cosmo's blatently obvious infatuation? Is he

really that bad with women, or is he just dense? As intelligent as he is in the realms of technological marvels, he has an

almost crippling lack of relationship intuition." Sonic pointed out rather intelligently, jutting his fingers in the direction of Miles

to better illustrate his point.

"Well, I do seem to recall a certain someone also being incredibly dense. Mostly in the realm of noticing your's truly." Amy

expressed, a small bit of anger flaring in her tone.

"If I find this someone, I'll be sure to tell him." Sonic quipped sarcastically, Amy silently stewed at his somewhat callous

remark. In a way that was to be expected of him, the same old Sonic. The only noteworthy difference being his newfound love

of Amy. She supposed she liked him better that way, better that then some gooey-eyed romantic. In some odd way, she

figured she rather liked his callous and off-hand statement. The expected answer, sounded hollow to her now. So, she

decided to for give Sonic. Instead of bringing out the hammer, she plunged directly into her plan of action for hooking up Miles

and Cosmo.

"So anyway, I have devised a cunning plan to finally get those two love-birds together. Bring them both to the roller rink, and

set them both up with those roller-blades. Then its as simple as letting them roller off, I'll ask Miles later how he really feels.

Using a tape recorder I can tape his confirmation, then send it over to Cosmo who will hopefully be empowered enough by

the recording to finally admit her love to him! And then…" Amy trailed off, clasping her hands in a sort of dreamy state filled

with ecstatic glee. Pink hearts seemed to bounce off her body, normally this was the time Sonic began to back away quickly.

However, as it stood now he didn't mind her random bouts of supreme joy. In fact, he thought he might even learn to enjoy

them.

"So anyway, Tails and Cosmo's crippling lack of self-esteem non-withstanding…" Sonic began innocently, not realizing what a

potential mine-field his words had brought him too.

"SONIC!" Amy shouted in blind furor, her eyes turned a fiery tint as Sonic began to step away. That little comment went too

far with her, it was indeed, hammer-time.

"Wait! Uhh, Amy it was just a joke! Cmon I've known Tails for years, I was just being light hearted!" Sonic pleaded for mercy,

Amy grinned at him evilly. A wide toothy grin. Sonic didn't like that smile, luckily he was saved from whatever that smile

contained when Miles gave a shout from afar.

"Are you two alright? We could hear you both yelling all the way over here!"

"Of course we are!" Amy yelled in affirmation, wrapping one arm around Sonic's neck quickly in a mutual symbol of

camaraderie. They both chuckled rather weakly; Amy unhooked her arm from Sonic's neck as they both made a dash towards

Cosmo and Miles location. It didn't take them long to reach the others.

"Yes, we are both perfectly A-ok!" Amy revealed, putting on a cheery smile of reassurance.

"Hey, where's your other ring? I can only see the one!" Cosmo pointed out, Amy looked over her arms and realized that

Cosmo was telling the truth. Instinctively, Amy began to panic. Those weren't just ordinary rings; they were her lucky golden

rings! She began to shift her eyes in various directions, trying to catch a glimpse of that familiar golden glow somewhere on

the ground.

"How do you think you lost it?" Miles offered, trying his best to bring direction to this search.

"I don't know! Wait… When I was chasing Sonic earlier… I must have lost it then! It's probably back somewhere in front of

Twinkle Park! I'll go see if I can find it." Amy announced, however Sonic piped in with his own offer before she could begin her

frantic search.

"Let me find it, after all that's what boyfriends are for right?" Sonic expressed somewhat triumphantly.

"Once again, it seems I'm the archetypal damsel in distress. Oh well, go find my ring then hero!" Amy shouted rather

triumphantly with a small cheer, Sonic already beginning to run off, searching for the missing item.

Meanwhile, within the broken down apartment building, the two assassins were calling it a day. "Damn, if only he had been

alone!" Robert morbidly expressed, angry his dreams of wealth had been post-poned for another day.

"As it stands now there were too many witnesses, we'll get another chance later Robert. That's how this job goes sometimes,

patience Robert." Ben replied, trying to soothe the anger that was now emanating from Robert very pores. Robert was

beginning to pack way his rifle, when out of the corner of his eye he saw to his astonishment; Sonic.

"Wait a second Ben, Sonic's alone! I see him now! It looks like he's searching for something!" Robert shouted with glee to his

partner. Ben sprinted quickly over to Roberts's location, and confirmed his story.

"Okay then Robert, make the shot. I can't watch this though, so if you'll excuse me I'm going to go sit silently in the corner;

pondering the fate of all my morals and values while I'm at it." Ben dryly expressed, leaning against the creaky wall to the

opposite of Roberts position.

"Suit yourself Ben." Robert emotionlessly replied, setting his target in the rifle's scopes. He patiently awaited the right

moment to fire.

Damn where is that ring? Sonic thought as he continued his fruitless search. He checked the alley-ways already, now the only

logical place he had not searched was at the fore-front of Twinkle Park. All he could see was an endless sea of grey concrete

before him, the flickering street lights not helping his search. Wow, the moon looks rather good today. Fuck I hate Eggman. Sonic

still remembered how Eggman had managed to blow a fairly sizeable chunk out of the moon a few years earlier. Suddenly, as

if in response to his kindly thoughts, moonlight began to pour over the area. In the glimmering luminescence, Sonic saw the

ring, glowing faintly in the newfound light. He made a dash for it, scooping it up cleanly in his hands. He appraised the ring

with his eyes, scanning it for dust which he wiped off rather easily with his hands. In the distance he could see Amy jumping

for joy, apparently having seen his triumph. In response to that he shoved his clenched fist into the air, the ring glowing

brightly in his out stretches hands. To his surprise, the ring fell out of his hands; hitting the grey floor with a small dink. He

quickly bent over to pick it up; an odd sound filled his ears just then. A distinctive sound, as if a gun of some sort had been

fired. His quills prickled in realization of what that sound was, leaping out of the way he quickly turned his head and saw a

bullet speeding down the street; narrowly missing him. He could see the looks of horror on his friends' faces; they all were

realizing someone had shot at him. He made a dash for them, screaming the whole way back.

Steve viewed the event with rage, having been startled out of his sentry-like duty by the gun-shot. To his own growing horror

he realized he couldn't pinpoint the location of the bullets departure. How different this tale would be if he was on any other

building, alas he was too caught up in his own thoughts to hear the various shouts and accusations' that were occurring right

below the worn concrete his own feet stood on.

"NO! NO I WONT FAIL THIS! SONIC DIES TODAY!" Robert shouted in an insanity laced glee. He had waited too long for this

moment, such a perfect shot lined before him. This time he would make the mark, and the millions would be his!

"ROBERT STOP, YOU PROMISED ONE SHOT AND WERE DONE!" Ben shouted in retort, scrambling over to Roberts location as

they both fought viciously over the gun. Hands gnarling against one another, Robert tried to line up a shot. Out of the clear

blue, a voice spoke to Robert then; drowning out the various shouts and yells of the enraged Ben. It spoke to him, and like a

child in a school room, he listened intently. Do not let anyone get in your way, Ben is foolish. This is your time for glory, think of it,

the money, and the infamy. Kill Sonic, murder him in cold blood. That is your destiny, and destiny will provide for you. The voice

murmured, snaking around inside his skull like some venomous serpent. A poisonous influence that tainted his thoughts, the

nameless voice seemed to corrupt his mind. His conviction resolved, he grabbed the rifle fiercely away from Ben, pushing his

wisened partner away as he launched a second more deadly shot. The bullet began its speedy descent down the street,

heading directly towards its masters target.

Sonic shoved Amy into the alley, she fell with a yelp of pain as she hit the rusty old dumpster; the sheer force of the blow

temporarily knocking her out. Sonic's mind was panicked, clouded with shock and to a much greater extent, fear. He had to

save his friends. Miles and Cosmo stood dumb-founded shocked at the recent events. He made a grasp for them both, but

managed to only snag Miles as he hurled him into the adjacent alleyway. Cosmo instantly snapped out of her paralysis,

chasing after Miles to see if he was injured.

The bullet whizzed by Sonic, prickling his neck as time seemed to slow for a split second. He turned his head, perhaps due to

his panic, the bullet seemed to subtly change course in mid-air. He let loose a scream, a warning as he turned around to help

Amy frantically trying to wake her up; foolishly thinking the bullet had missed a mark. Cosmo turned for a split second,

gauging the direction of the scream. She turned around again, trying to find Miles. Their eyes locked for a second, as

Miles gazed at her in shock. His face pale, as the color seemed to drain from him like a faucet on the highest setting.

Cosmo stumbled dazedly onto him. Her head spun and she felt incredibly dizzy all of a sudden, she slipped in her attempt to

get off of Miles. To her terrified shock her hands drew blood, her blood, as she attempted once again to stand back up. She

collapsed on him once more, her eyes finally noticing the blood that was coating her dress; seeping onto the grayish concrete

and creating a murky crimson pool. Her face white as a sheet; realizing what had happened, she had been shot. Even as she

thought this; she also realized she was slowly bleeding to death.

Steve observed these events with terror, all of his carefully laid plans were falling to pieces before his very eyes. Everything

he had worked so very hard for, it was all being shattered. Such a blow sent him reeling, as he fell to the floor. Then to his

astonishment, he could hear voices below through the weak concrete; Arguing and cursing, a heated debate of some kind.

Then it clicked within his mind, how foolish he had been. The assassins were right below his own two feet the entire time. He

had failed in his task, and right below him the assassins must be mocking his failure he reasoned. A rage filled his body, an

emotion he had grown very accustomed too over the years. The assassins would pay for this travesty, to dare interfere with

his meticulously crafted plan. The stairs loomed behind him; slowly he lurched up. He proceeded to stroll over to the thick iron

doors, guarding an entrance to the building's interior. A single lock dangled between the two door knobs, the kind one might

find in a general store for five dollars at the very most. In one quick motion Steve had managed to pick the fragile lock, the

device fell to the ground with a small thud. He swiftly slipped inside, awaiting his prey with an all consuming hatred

possessing his form.

"NOOOOO!" Miles shouted in both terror and sorrow. She was bleeding all over him; he could see the wound where the bullet

had punctured directly through her ribcage. Bits and pieces of shattered bone flew turbidly out of the gaping wound on a tide

of her crimson fluids. He tried to apply pressure to her wound, to no avail as the blood and bone easily seeped past his

fingers. Coating himself with her crimson tears, she was dying; his mind couldn't register this thought as he began to cry.

Tears flowing down his face, as his life fell apart before his very eyes. "You can't die… no… you can't… YOU PROMISED!" He

shouted, more to himself then her. "YOU PROMISED YOU WOULDN'T LEAVE ME ALL ALONE!" He shouted incoherently,

smashing a fist against the steel dumpster to his side. "You promised… please…" He pleaded; having a kind of hope his words

would somehow heal her wounds. Those words he had recited for months popped into his head, a kind of desperate hope

filled his despairing body. "I love you!" He expressed, hugging her body closer to him as his tears fell on her limp form. "I

LOVE YOU DAMNIT!"

Cosmo's eyes were blurred, the form before her, was fading away from her sight. She could make out he was screaming,

screaming something. She couldn't hear him. All she knew was that she was cold, terribly cold. She shivered terribly in his

arms, her thoughts finally beginning to form some sort of coherence. She opened her mouth to speak, to reveal her final

words. Yet to her despair, only blood choked disgustingly out of her mouth. Dribbling out of her mouth and coating her love

with new blood, she tried so hard to speak but the closest she got was a disgusting gurgling noise. Even now her demons

worked against her, her unresponsive body, holding her back as she tried to express her final thoughts. Through her glazy

eyes, she could see him weeping openly. She had once again failed, her earlier promise smashed to dust before her. Even

now, her conscience seemed to taunt her. "I won't leave you all alone to fend for yourself." That was what she had told him.

She realized she was nothing but a liar, her sorrow further clouding her thoughts. She made one last desperate move, raising

her hand slowly to his fearful form. She was trying desperately to comfort him with her last remaining strength. Her eyes went

blank, a darkness enveloping them. Her hand trailed down his chest, blood lining him as it rubbed off herself. Her hand

dropped limply to the ground, as she awaited the inevitable. All that would never be for her, a happy life, and dreams of a

little family perhaps; smashed to little pieces before her.

She lay in the saturated pool, unaware of the various shouting voices around her. Before the void enveloped her mind, she

thought of her own family. She was the last of her race, and a lone tear slipped across her dying eyes. It slipped across her

face to the floor, a small droplet of clear blue in the sea of red that enveloped her. It was quickly lost in the tide of blood. Her

feelings changed again, she thought of a field; an amber sea of grain. To the opposite side just a few yards away, Miles

stood; a childish fantasy began to be created within her minds last gasping moments. Like some epic romance scene, she ran

to him as he ran to her. As the world dissolved around her, she held that one moment the longest in her mind. Trying

desperately to clutch at the fading figure before her, they shared a final embrace. The fields whistled with the wind, a grey

enveloping all that was before her. That one final happiness; gone. The void enveloping her body as her pulse stuttered to

a halt. Leaving behind a man that desperately needed her.

And as she left the world, a cry rang out. A cry of pain, a cry of sorrow, it echoed throughout the various buildings and streets

within Station Square. People began to swarm to the site in droves, ambulance and police sirens blared off in the distance;

far too late to be of any help. To catch a harrowing glimpse of the Prower child clutching the still bleeding form of Cosmo in his

arms. Sonic and Amy ran to help him, Amy clutching onto Sonic as she couldn't hold back the flood of tears that were wracking

her body. Sonic's mouth agape in unbridled horror at the sight of Cosmo's corpse; still held lovingly in the shaking arms of his

terror stricken friend. His eyes tearing uncontrollably, as his legs wobbled disconcertingly below him; seeming to barely make

contact with the ground. Miles finally collapsed to the floor unleashing a desperate wail of sadness. As twilight dawned, on his

one true love.