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.
