Hi, my goodies.
Guess who's back. I finally found me strength to continue my translation history. I hope that you are happy. You're happy right?
And so, folks. Once you finish reading this through, be sure to tell us what you think about it. Your comments, suggestions and questions will be useful to me. If you're really interested in my story, of course.
Chapter VII – Preparation
Cafe in the center of Knothole. 14-35
In a half-empty cafe in the high building constructed around a high and thick tree, you can see how near one of the table Shadow was sitting near the building edge. He stared down, looking around the town and trying to find something interesting. But, as in most cases, he was mostly disappointed of the fact, that here was nothing interesting or dynamic. With his left hand fingers he drummed on the table. In his right hand he held a glass of cola. On his face was annoyed look. He was annoyed and displeased by the fact that he was sitting here for an hour, and still no one came. None of those with whom he is scheduled to meet here. Letting out the exasperated sigh, he put the glass with cola on the table, then pulled out of the pocket of his black jacket a pack of cigarettes. But once he lit a cigarette, he heard the familiar voice to him.
"Shadow!" a female voice called to him. The dark hedgehog arched an eyebrows, and then turned to her, with disapproving shaking of his head. The squirrel in the company of her friend hare went to the table, by giving to him tired look. She and Bunnie, sat on chairs before saying hello.
"Hi, Shadow!" Bunnie said apologesticaly, "I'm sorry for being late. It's just emerged one thing that had to be done urgently!"
Rolling his eyes, Shadow blinked and shook his head again as a sign of disapproval. Once he glanced back at the girls, he frowned and put his cigarette in an ashtray. Then he rose to his full height and folded his hands on the table.
"It happens!" he said serenely, "But, if you're late, send a message on a cell phone!" he looked around the cafe, "And where's the others?"
"Blaze is here." Sally said, "She stands near the bar counter, makes out the order." she sighed and half-eyed, "And the rest are faced with a certain small pink problem when we walked here and they were left to solve it."
Shadow frowned in response, "Why do we need her?" He asked in a tired voice, "She's just getting underfoot, and interfering with the operations!"
Sally arched eyebrows and smirked, "Because it was she who opened your eyes to your true origin." she said teasingly, "If it wasn't her, then Mobius would've been destroyed three more years back, and you would've died. Shadow. Why are you so ungrateful?", her words caused a little giggle from Bunnie and irritated growl from Shadow. The dark hedgehog rolled his eyes, then crossed arms on chest and turned head towards the bar counter, where the lavender feline was making an order, sitting on the chair beside the counter. The barman made a notes on his notebook, where there was all the orders the cat ordered to him. Once he finished his notes, he glanced back at the feline.
"Anything else, miss?" he asked her.
"And three chili-dogs, please!" Blaze told him with calm tone in her voice. The barman nodded to her before looking at the bookmark and do one more note.
"Three chili dogs." he muttered, "But ..." He looked at Blaze, "You'll have to wait for it."
But Blaze just shrugged indifferently, "It's okay." she said quietly, "It's not for me anyway."
The barman couldn't helped, but laughed at her words, finding it amusing. After he calmed down, he nodded to the cat with a smile on his face and turned away from her. He went to the kitchen to convey the orders to the cooks. As for lavender princess, after the barman disappeared behind the kitchen door, she rose from her chair, then took off her sunglasses and hung it on her T-shirt. She looked around the table to find a place where there were Sally and Bunnie. This cafe had few visitors. It was not even half filled, so for Blaze to find her friends there was no problem. And it happened. She quickly found a table where Shadow, Sally and Bunnie sat. And the dark hedgehog is staring at her at this very moment, by giving to her his trademark stern emotion on his face, that you won't be confused with anything else.
The cat couldn't, but giggled over his face. She always found his severity and emotions very sweet and, for some reason, it was something that always attracted her to him. Once she calmed down, and let out a sigh of relaxing, she approached the table to everyone else.
Near the table, Sally and Bunnie, led a conversation with each other, while as Shadow is not took his eyes from Blaze, staring at her all the time while she was walking from bar rack to the table.
"I would be able to understand all this, but you yourself know that it is simply impossible." Bunnie said confused about a robot that Sally caught a day earlier, when she arrived at Knothole, "You remember what happened when we wanted to reprogram one of them last year."
But Sally arched eyebrows as a sign of irritation, "Yes, Bunnie, I remember." she said wearily, and sarcastically, "But there is simply no other options that might come to mind." She crossed her arms, "I think, it was the squad, which arrived in Mobotropolis for three days ago. Maybe they're just looking for us." She shrugged, "Who knows?"
At this point, Blaze walked to the table and sat down on a chair next to Shadow, "Hello again, Shadow." she said to her dark companion, causing an indiferent nod from him. She nodded back, then glanced at the girls, "What is the conversation, girls?" she asked, looking at Sally. Squirrel turned to her.
"About our competitors." she said sarcastically.
"Those who are now in the Mystic Ruins?" Blaze asked curiously. Sally nodded her colleague, without saying a word. Feline gave her a questioning look, arching his eyebrows, then crossed her arms over her breasts.
"And you can be sure that they are not just another pseudo-group of fighters, created by Eggman to confuse us?" she asked suspiciously.
"That's what we have to figure out Blaze!" Shadow chimed in, causing all the girls to wide their eyes and turning to him. Dark hedgehog is looking into the eyes of lavender cat by giving her a stern, but at the same time serene look, "Once we define with those who'll go on a mission to Robotropolis, we will take a questions about our colleagues from Spagonia."
Blaze blinked several times, continuing to looking at Shadow with the questioning look on her face, "They're from Spagonia?" she asked, confused. Dark hedgehog nodded. It was enough to Blaze sighed in disbelief. She turned back to Sally, before shaking her head, "I don't like this strategy, Sally." she said sternly, "What if they betray us?"
"Blaze." Sally spoke sadly, "I understand your suspicion, and I have them as much as you, but we simply have no other choice." She leaned her head on his right hand, "We cannot know for sure whether they are friends or enemies." She frowned and looked at the Shadow, "And we don't even know who they are and what their names are. Shadow, you know everything. Enough to keep us in the dark. Unlock the mystery and share with us." she widened her eyes, "We're working together, for f..ck sick. For what all this circus?"
But the dark hedgehog rolled his eyes at her insistence and nervousness. He turned his gaze to the ceiling, before start talking, "Sally." he said, "I'll tell you about it only when all the rest will be here." He raised an eyebrow and looked at her, "And then. I am by myself don't know how fresh this information is. What if it appears that I'm wrong?" he crossed his arms, "Then you will blame me for what I gave you a false information."
Sally's eyes widened, "What?" she asked in wonder, "What are you talking about?" She frowned, "I was never accused you in this, Shadow!"
Shadow half-closed his eyes, "Oh, really?" he asked sarcastically.
"Yeah, really!" Sally protested harshly, "Yes, you drank back in the time, but when it came to information about the enemy, you have always been good with that. I've never ..." Pause, "Never!" more pause, "Never blamed you for giving us a false information." Shadow, however, didn't shared her words. He arched his eyebrows, still looking at the princess Mobotropolis with a look which seemed to say that he remembers everything. It was enough to Sally felt uncomfortable. She widened her eyes in surprise and confusion, making look, that she knows nothing, "Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked confused.
"Nevermind." Shadow replied indifferently, "Let's not clog our heads with this." He frowned, "How's Rotor, by the way?"
"He began to deciphering the data that was in memory of the robot." Bunnie answered to him, "If all goes well, soon we'll know all his secrets." she frowned, "Why do you ask? You think it's connected somehow with our colleagues from the Mystic Ruins too?"
"No." Shadow replied still indifferently, "Just when I was in his workshop, he complained to me about the data protection system." He arched an eyebrow, "I just wanted to know how he's doing, because I left before he finished it."
Bunnie giggled over his words, finding it funny. Once she calmed down, she grinned to the dark hedgehog, before saying, "Okay, I understand."
Shadow, however, did not even smile. Once again, he responded to joke with a neutral and indifferent nod, before he turned his eyes on Sally, "Okay." he said, then leaned his hands on the table and folded his fingers together, "I think about how to go to the Mystic Ruins tonight." the girl's eyes widened, "If the things go well, then three days later I will be back with the completion to your squad."
"Wait." Blaze spoke up in surprise and worrying, "You're leaving?"
The dark hedgehog turned his head toward her and nodded neutrally. the feline gave him a questioning look, then looked at each other with Bunnie and Sally, the faces were the same expression as that of the Blaze. For some reason, none of them wanted to dark hedgehog left. At least that could be expected by their faces. They all looked at him. Enough to Shadow sighed in irritation, before turning his eyes to the ceiling.
"What's wrong again?" he asked with a strong hint of irritation in his voice. Sally crossed her arms over breasts and frowned.
"Nothing bad, Shadow. But what about ..."
"Hello again, guys." It was heard tired and irritated Sonic's voice, interrupting the squirrels words. All four turned toward the source of the voice. And their eyes half closed. From the stairs to the table four persons was walking. It was Sonic, Rouge, Silver and Knuckles, who with a tired and irritated faces, much stooped, expressed the greatest dissatisfaction and irritation, which can be expressed. On the right of Rouge, you can see Amy hovered in the air, glowing with bright-blue and sitting in the lotus pose, with her arms crossed in the chest and frowning so deep, that it seemed her head will crack with the anger. Once Sonic and the company came to the table, Sonic, Knuckles and Rouge took the chairs from other tables, then sat on their seats. Silver, Rouge and Knuckles sat to the right of Bunnie and Sonic sat on a chair between Sally and Blaze. He looked at Blaze and nodded to her. Then he nodded to Sally, and then looked at Shadow.
"I'm sorry for us went so long." he said wearily, sarcastic and unhappy, "We had a little misunderstanding about the impending mission in Robotropolis."
"DO NOT EVEN TRY TO GO WITHOUT ME, SONIC!" Amy cries were heard. The other members of the company turned to an angry hedge-girl by giving her disapproving and tired eyes, "IF YOU'LL DO THIS, THEN YOU CAN FORGET ABOUT ..." Amy continued to scream and complain about Sonic, except for one thing. The sound has disappeared. It was pretty clear as she bares her teeth, screams and wails, but not a single word was not heard. For this reason, on the Sonic's face appeared most happy smile in the universe. He turned his head forward, then closed his eyes and lifted his head up, before taking a deep relaxing breath. Amy noticed this and immediately went silent, before raising an eyebrow questioningly, still staring at her "boyfriend" and watching his actions. As for Sonic, he continued to grow in the air to the lungs for a few seconds before he opened his eyes and, with a satisfied and gentle "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ...", he released his lungs from the big portions of air. One had the feeling that he had just had sex. He looked at Silver with a smile of gratitude and love, causing a nervous look from the silver-white hedgehog.
"What?" Silver asked in confusion.
"Da Silva!" Sonic said with a tone of love, "I love you!"
It was enough to everyone who was here made a loud laughter. Heck, even Shadow smirked and laughed quietly, unable to contain his mirth. It's continued fot the next three minutes. They simply couldn't calm down and continued to laugh loudly and happily, before it all settling down. The only one who didn't laughed at this moment, was Silver, who blinked so fast that it seemed that he had a nervous tic. Blaze turned to Sonic, giving him mocking look.
"I can not believe in what I just heard that." she said jokingly, get his attention, "Did you just confessed your love to a living person, or I simply had hallucinations?"
"Yes, you're right, Blaze!" Sally agreed, also looking at Sonic with a smirk, "Seriously. Even to me, you said these words so rare that I managed to forget the meaning of this." She crossed her arms and grinned even more, "Is your Zero-moment finally has come?"
To everybody's surprise, Sonic portrayed an apologetic look, showing it to Sally, "I'm so sorry, Sal." he said jokingly, plaintive tone, causing a slight chuckle from his ex, "I've been thinking about this question, but I needed a long time to understand me, my feelings and my impressions. And only now I understand." He looked at Blaze, "Girls." he glanced at Rouge, "I am gay!"
Rouge, Bunny, Blaze and Sally began to laughing out loud like crazy on his "confession". Knuckles also make a light remark laugh over his red friend looked at Shadow as soon calmed down. He raised his right hand and rubbed a finger, making it clear that he needed the money. Shadow eyes half closed before to get out of the inside pocket of his jacket a few red bills and give it to Knuckles. Echidna took the money in the right hand, then counted it to make sure that Shadow is not cheating on him. Grinning, once he realized that everything is in place, he put the money into the pocket of his jeans and looked at Sonic.
"Hey, Sonic!" he called out, causing Sonic to turn to him, still grinning, "If anything, I'll be your best man at the wedding."
The girls giggled once again over the echidna's remark, before they turned to Silver. The silver-white hedgehog was staring into nowhere from what he had just heard, completely unable to utter at least a single word. Over his behavior a certain white bat laughed again, then mover closer to him and put her right hand on his left shoulder. Silver blinked several times, once felt her hand on his shoulder and looked at her. And blinked three times more. Rouge, by giving him a seductive smile, waved her eyebrows, causing him to blush slightly.
"I never thought you're capable to such things, sugar." she said playfully, "Of course, your style from the outset gave you out, but ..." pause, "I thought you're hetero. It's even sad to be honest."
Silver frowned in a sign of resentment, again, then removed her hand from his shoulder, "Oh, come on!" he said irritably and offended, before he met his eyes with the others, "Do you really have nothing to do but to trolling me? This is no longer f...cking funny!"
"What's the matter, Silver?" Sonic called him. Silver's eyes widened, before he turned his gaze on his blue colleague. The blue hedgehog with a trollface, leaned his elbows on the table and with his head resting on both hands, "You don't love me anymore?" sad attractive face, "Please, you and I have so many things to come." The girls laughed again. Silver arched his eyebrows, then shook his head from side to side, knowing that he's completely helpless. But he won't leave it just like that. He looked at Sonic, by continuing to give him a disgruntled look.
"Ha ha ha ..." he moaned with a strong groan sarcasm and resentment, "Very funny, Sonic." he suddenly grinned, "Write yourself a note. I don't like the blue guys."
Sonic's eyes widened as soon as he said that, before show mournful glance, "What?" he asked in a fake plaintive tone, "But why? I thought that we have everything seriously."
Silver made an important expression on his face and crossed arms over the chest, by straightened up, "I'm sorry, Sonic." he said sarcastically, "But I can't help you with this."
Sonic covered his face with his hands, then his words, then began to portray crying. Blaze and Sally shook their heads, and then sat down closer and put her hands on his shoulders to calm him down and help him recover.
"Oh, Sonic." Sally said softly, "Don't cry, please. It will pass." She grinned and looked at Silver, "Silver, you're just a bastard. How could you break his heart?"
Silver, continuing to give her look big, just shook his head, "I'm sorry, Princess." he said it is also important, "But I cannot return his feelings."
Sally chuckled softly at his words, then winked at him and looked back on the Sonic, which continued to "cry."
The only one who didn't get the joke and didn't understand that it's all was a circus, was Amy, who continued to hover in the air beside the table. Her face was shocked, which made it clear that she was at least surprised. And as a maximum. Well, you know. Moments later, she frowned fiercely and bared teeth of the fact that Sonic and Silver is a "couple".
"YOU JERK!" she yelled furiously, causing everyone to wide their eyes. Even Sonic rose his head and looked at her with a surprising look on his face. "HOW DARE YOU? SO THIS IS TO WHOM YOU EXCHANGED ME!" the members of the company half-eyed all as one and turned to her, "INSTEAD OF REALIZING YOUR FEELINGS TO ME..."
"Amy." Sonic called her, trying to shut her up.
"... YOU STARTED TO DATING GUYS!" Amy continued her complains, with the expression of increddible rage, "THIS IS NOT FAIR!"
"Amy, we're just kidding!" Rouge told to her, hoping it will helps to silence her. But the pink hedge-girl didn't stoped and continued her complains.
"I GAVE YOU THE BEST YEARS OF MY LIFE, FOR YOU TO REALIZE YOUR FEELINGS TO ME..."
"Amy, please, calm down!" Silver called her out.
"It was just a circus! We're just wanted to make some fun!" Knuckles joined to him.
"... FOR YOU OPENED YOUR HEART AND REALIZED YOUR DESTINY! OUR DESTINY!"
Sonic buried his face in hands, feeling an increddible shame. While Shadow, who was watching at the pink hedge-girl with tired eyes, simply rested his head on right hand.
"AND YOU..." Amy continued to yell, "... INSTEAD OF ALL THIS JUST TOOK A COMPLETELEY WRONG WAY?" she made a mourfull look, "Sonic, please, enough to hide your feelings! Open your heart. Be with me…"
"SHUT UP!" Shadow shouted furiously. Enough to all the members of the company jumped in fright. Amy turned to the dark hedgehog, by giving him a shocked emotion. Severe G.U.N. agent, finally tired of her eternal complaints about the fact that 'Sonic is not aware of his feelings' is drove him to the edge. He glared at Amy, with his hands clenched into fists and his eyes are burning in rage.
"If you say at least one word not having related to the case, I'll arrest you!" He growled in irritation. Amy gasped in fright, after he plugged her, and then nervously nodded to him several times. Shadow closed his eyes, then took a deep breath to relax and calm his nerves. Opening his eyes again, he returned his gaze back at Amy, who continued to stare at him frightened.
"Thank you." he said neutrally, "We have an important conversation! And that pseudo-romantic sh..t that you're talking about is a very serious obstacle!" He half closed his eyes, "And pisses off! If you want to talk, then talk. But only about what is directly relevant to the job and to what is happening now."
Amy realized that she had no choice. She let out a deep breath, then nodded to the dark sad hedgehog by making it clear that she calmed down. Shadow nodded back, then, as if nothing has happened, glanced at Princess of Mobotropolis.
"Let's discuss the things for which we are gathered here today." he said neutrally, "We cannot pull this for long."
Sally blinked several times, as she, like all those who sat at the table looked at him with wide eyes and a blank stare. Once she returned to the ground, she frowned, looking straight into the eyes of the dark hedgehog.
"Allright!" she said confidently, before looking at Silver, "Silver. Can you let her go?"
Silver arched an eyebrow, then glanced at the pink hedge-girl, "What do you say, Amy?" he asked calmly.
Amy just took a deep breath, then lowered her head and pouted "Okay. I won't be cling to him during the conversation!" she said with an offended tone. Silver nodded back, then let go of it on the floor. Amy sighed again, then sat down at the chair next to Rouge. She took an important look, then frowned, looked at Sally and nodded. Sally nodded her back before her eyes turned to the dark hedgehog.
"So, once again about the mission in the Mystic Ruins." squirrel spoke confidently and sternly, "As I said before, I would be more happy if you stay here, Shadow."
"May I ask why?" Shadow asked in disbelief.
Sally gave him a sad look, "Because you'll be healthier, if you lead a squad on a mission to Robotropolis." she said softly to him inadvertently angry, causing a few questioning glances from the rest, "You've been there more often than all the ones I know. You'll be able to lead the rest of the group through secret passages. And you can give the best fight back."
Shadow crossed his arms, "And who do you think can make contact with a group in the Mystic Ruins?" he asked sternly.
"I agree." Sonic chimed in, drew everyone's attention to him, "It may sound strange, but Shadow the hedgehog knows their names and what they do. Besides ..." Sonic smirked and crossed his arms, "Besides, we already decided that I will lead the group to a Robotropolis mission."
Sally grinned back at him, "Not anymore!" she said with a coolness in her voice, causing Sonic to shock. Bunnie, who was also surprised to hear, raised an eyebrow, before she spoke, "Sal." she called out, "Are you sure about that? After all, it was Sonic, who always headed all the important missions."
"More than sure, Bunnie!" Sally replied confidently, "Shadow recently returned to the squad after a year's absence and brought to us some very important information."
"But Sally." Sonic called her resentfully, "This is my duty. It was me, who went to such tasks. It has always been."
"It's true." Amy agreed, "Can you tell me why Shadow instead of Sonic?"
"Shadow uses a weapon, whereas Sonic is not. Shadow can control the chaos-energy. Shadow will not run through Robotropolis, attracting everyone's attention." Sally said confidently, before turning to Sonic, while frowning, "I'm sorry, honey. But I won't let you framed your ass under heavy fire. At this time, the case is not in a miserable bunker and no one will save you, like six months ago."
Sonic rolled his eyes toward the ceiling, as a sign of irritation and his own ego, "I'm tired of repeating to you ..." He looked at the others, "I am tired of repeating that it was an accident. I just didn't expected for it."
"Nobody expected, Sonic." Silver put in a few words, "But agree, that you were the only one who left standing in the open coridor, right in the direction of flying bullets and lasers."
"Shut up, Silver!" Sonic snapped before looking over the others, "Allright, we heard Sally's point of view, but what about the rest of you." He grinned, "Maybe it'll be corny, but hands up those who think that I have to lead this mission."
Amy raised her hand with a smile on her face. What was quite surprising. Even Sonic felt no joy, and half closed his eyes, after resting his head on right hand, "Who else?", However, no one raised a hand. Rouge, Bunnie, Blaze, Silver and Knuckles, just sat in silence, by exchanging an awkward glances. Shaking his head and sighing in disappointment, the blue blur spoke again, "You are ungrateful bastards!" he said sarcastically, causing a slight laugh from the rest, then turned his face to Sally, "Alright, Sal, you're the boss."
Sally triumphantly bended her right arm at the elbow, "Yes!" she said complacently, then crossed her arms, "Don't worry, Sonic. I think you'll be able to pull diplomatic mission in the Mystic Ruins." she looked at the dark hedgehog, "What do you say Shadow? Are you ready to return to duty?"
With a deep sigh Shadow arched eyebrows, looking at a squirrel with a tired look, "Only if you'll trust me." he said sarcastically. This contributed to an even wider grin on Sally's lips, who realized that something epic is planning. She looked around the rest of the group before continuing.
"And so. I hope that everyone agrees with my decision." she said confidently.
"I would say a couple of kind words." Sonic said with displeasure and annoyance, "But I'm tired of you carry on with endless disputes, Sally." He sighed, then straightened up and looked at Shadow with an indifferent look on his face, "Okay, Shadow. Though I do not like it, but I have no choice anyway. What are these people who suddenly decided to compete with us?"
"Their missions are largely unknown." the dark hedgehog spoke as he gazed at his blue counterpart, "However, with multiple personalities of this command, you, like all of you are already familiar with." he crossed his arms in the chest, "Here I must tell you do not agree to a duel are in any case and had behaving yourself calmly, because I know you too well, Sonic." He frowned, "When you saw Babylon Rogues last?"
In Sonic's eyes widened once he heard the familiar words. He could not believe it, "Babylon Rogues?" he asked in amazement, "You mean Jet, Wave and Storm?" Shadow nodded silently and calmly, "And who else is a member of this group? Do you know that?"
"Yes, Sonic." Shadow said, "When we're done, I'll give you the files you know and you'll see who it is by yourself."
Sonic looked at all of the participants at a time, with a shocked look on his face. He did not say a single word, still in a state of surprise and shock. After all, Babylon Rogues, it's just a gang of mercenaries, who always work for their own benefit, helping to save the world extremely reluctant. After his eyes met with Knuckles, Sonic dared to speak.
"Babylon Rogues may be good souls, but they are assholes who always work for the money." He frowned, "In addition, Jet will never be able to gather his own team, because of his ego." He looked at Shadow, still frowning, "As far as I know you, you decided to hide the most interesting thing for last." He grinned like a badass, "I wonder who is this mysterious person who has managed to attract Babylon Rogues into a team? And what he promised them, that mercenaries have agreed to become members of the team?" he crossed his arms again, "I'm starting to find this mission interesting."
"Are you familiar with a person named Sonia Delpheus?" Shadow asked a trick.
Sonic dramatically expands the eyes, then he jumped from his chair and leaned with both hands on the table, "WHAT?" he yelled loudly, causing everyone to jump in fear. Except for Shadow, of course, cause he managed to remain an absolute tranquillity.
"Sonia?" Sonic keeps asking, "Sonia herself?" he grinned, then sat back in his chair and crossed his legs, "You must be kidding me."
Blaze, who was looking at Shadow with a questioning look, turned to Sonic, before moving to ask her question, "Sonic." she called out, "Who's that? Your old team mate?"
"You can say so!" Sonic said, turning to her, "We met in New Mobotropolis six years ago. She and her brother Manic auditioned in a local recording studio." He crossed his arms, "The same studio where I auditioned. We met and became friends of the conspiracy, and decided to play together. But we haven't played for a long time, you know for what reason." he grinned and turned to red echidna, "Knuckles here had special feelings for Sonia one time." These words caused another giggle from the girls. While as Knuckles frowned as soon as Sonic reminded him about the past. Crossing his arms around the chest, the echidna snorted and bared his teeth.
"F...ck you, Sonic!" he growled with displeasure by causing another giggle.
After they calmed down, Sonic took a breath, then glanced at Shadow, "Okay!" he said, "I agree to a permutation of places. But just because I'll be happy to see Sonia again."
"Good!" Shadow said, then put on the table a few red pieces of paper to pay the bill for cola, and rose from his chair, "I have to drop to the base to pick up one thing. I'll meet you at the object B in fifteen minutes." dark hedgehog walked towards the exit of the cafe. All those who remained seated at the table, watched at the exit, while Shadow disappeared out of their sight, before their eyes have met again. At this point, the waiter walked over the table and put the dish orders on the table. After he walked away, the team members continued the conversation.
"Maybe he has become more sociable after quit drinking, but for all the mystery and secrecy didn't dissapeared anywhere." Bunnie noted about Shadow's behaviour.
Rouge nodded in agreement, "If Shadow will lead this mission, I should make the company to him that he did not do something silly." she said, frowning sternly, "It will not be easy, but I will try to do everything as best as possible." She sighed and looked at Sally, "Although after what happened eight month ago, you could do this way much better, Sally."
"You want to offer a place for me?" Sally asked, then shook her head, "I can not leave the Knothole, Rouge. After the incident with the robot, I'd better not stick out, to be safe." She looked at Sonic who ate chili dogs, "Whom do you want to bring along, Sonic?"
Sonic ate his chili dog, before looking at his ex and answer, "Knuckles, of course." he said, matter-of-factly, "I am confident that him will be enough to me." He glanced at echidna, taking second chili dog, "What do you say, Knucklehead?"
"If you do not troll me, then I'll think about your question." Knuckles said with displeasure and angry voice, Sonic remembered his words about Sonia.
Amy frowned as Sonic did not mention her, "Hey, and what about me?" she asked aggressively, "If this Sonia beautiful girl, I won't let you go without me, Sonic!"
Sonic rolled his eyes to heaven and groaned in exasperation, "Ohhh ..." He frowned and looked at Amy, "That's why I do not take you with me, Amy." He crossed his arms, "Because you happen to another bout of jealousy and you spoil everything."
Amy's eyes widened, "What?" she asks, "That's not true!"
"The truth is, Amy." Sonic said sternly, and wearily, "You go crazy like you always do, and destroy everything we have worked for. So you stay here."
After these words, hedge-girl bared her teeth, fiercely looking at Sonic, by being extremely dissatisfied with this fact. She raised her right hand and prepared to click her fingers to summon a hammer. But then she glowed bright blue, and soared into the air. Again. She gasped, then he looked back at Silver. He gave to her a dirty smile, while slowly shaking his head from side to side.
"Should I say it?" he asked mockingly.
Amy glared at Silver "SILVER! YOU SCUM!" she yelled, "BASTARD! JERK! I HATE YOU! I ..."
The sound was gone. What she is saying next you just might be guess by the movements of her mouth, that she began to swearing dirty. After that, Sonic grabbed his fourth chili dog. He looked at Silver by showing him a trollface, and waved his eyebrows.
"Maybe you still think of my suggestion?" he asked playfully.
"Sonic, I told you already." Silver said sarcastically, "I'm not attracted to guys like you."
All members of the company laughed again. Except for Amy, who kept screaming and twitching of hatred. She seemed not noticed that Sonic stood up, ready to go.
"Okay, gang!" the blue blur said, "See you at the base. I need to talk to someone you know." He headed for the exit. The other members of the company looked at the way he leaves on and on. Amy, who noticed Sonic leaves of the cafe, immediately stopped her screams and began to look at him. But once the blue hedgehog started down the stairs, she bared her teeth again and started to screaming and twitching even stronger than before. Enough to the other members of the company made a simultaneous weary sigh of disappointment. They began to exchange glances.
"How long can this go on?" Bunnie asked, looking at Blaze.
"I dont know." the cat said, then turned to Knuckles, "Knuckles?"
"The last time da Silva kept her that way for thirty minutes until she calmed down." the echidna said neutrally.
Sally shook her head, before you look at her silver-white partner, "Don't you geting tired of keeping her?"
Silver smiled and confidently shook his head as if saying, "No!". Sally grinned back, before all the members of the company began their meal.
Tails' Workshop, twenty minutes later.
To the workshop, which is located on the coast of the ocean, a huge black and red motorcycle rode up, on which you could see our good old GUN agents. Shadow came closer to the stairs that led up to a small one-story house, located on a very tall hill. Once he stopped near the stairs, he put the motorcycle on the side stand, and then put his feet on the ground. He straightened up before take off the helmet and shook his head to straighten his hair. After that Shadow cut the engine, before pulled the key from the ignition and put a bunch common in pocket of his brown leather jacket. He raised his eyes and put a helmet on the knees. Leaning on the helmet with right hand, Shadow looked up.
He fixed his gaze on the old and broken-down railway line, that was about twenty seven feet above the ground. The rails are long since become rotten and became could see the marks of bullets and lasers on the constructions of the railway bridge, on which the rails were laid. Dismal and depressing picture. To the right of the hill, near which stood our hedgehog, seven hundred meters, was visible the old and abandoned station building. Beside her stood a derailed train, which obviously will never take passengers anymore. The dark hedgehog narrowed the eyes dramatically, before getting off the bike. He put the helmet on the seat, then looked at the ocean. Beautiful and unforgettable view of the sea horizon. But in general, nothing special. Our agent also did not notice anything special, then he just started up the stairs.
Not hurrying up, he walked to the old house of his former team-mate and pal. For obvious reasons, his face was not an expression of happiness. However, behind this dramatic emotion, you could see something else. Maybe even guilt. It was impossible to say for sure, because of his an impenetrable gaze was impossible to see anything. After rising to the top of the hill, he reached the entrance to the workshop, and then he raised his head and looked at his blue counterpart.
The blue hedgehog was standing near the entrance, leaning against the wall, by hiding his hands in the pockets of his jeans. His eyebrows were furrowed, what was quite unusual for him if not a phenomenon. It might seem that someone replaced him, or sent clone. However, Shadow did not check to decide. Maybe his eyes didn't showed this, but in his heart he felt a slight excitement.
Two old rivals stood like statues, each in his place, not even moving. None of them dared make a move or say a word. Perhaps they didn't wanted to scare each other. Turning his gaze toward the front door, Sonic has decided to break the silence.
"You too have an irresistible urge to open the door?" he asked in a cold, dark and slightly sad tone.
But Shadow said nothing to him. He closed his eyes, before making a deep breath and turn his head to the right. Opening his eyes on his face appeared a sad emotion, which was also a very rare sight. Outside, the house seemed small. At least no more than the usual one one-storied hangar or garage. However, the main charm is hidden inside. Few people succeeded to see it. Shadow was one of the few, a long time ago. But now the house is closed to him, as for all others. Batting once urchin dark eyes closed, having sat down deep in his thoughts.
"Shadow!" Sonic called him.
The dark hedgehog opened his eyes and looked at his counterpart. He met with still severe and confident look that was on Sonic's face. Without changing expression, Sonic walked slowly close to Shadow. Two froze in place, fixing their eyes on each other. Over the past three years, the dark hedgehog significantly outgrown the blue hedgehog, and because of this side can give the impression that a son talking about something with his father.
"I asked a rhetorical question." Sonic spoke cold, seemingly an eternity later, "These questions does not require a direct response."
"I know that this is a rhetorical question, Sonic." Shadow said, keeping his voice cold and neutral, "I got you." He frowned, "There is no need to look at me like I'm just doing my job just as well as you!"
Sonic moved slightly back, exposing his teeth and clenching his fists. One had the feeling that he was ready to attack him. However, it was just feeling. Taking two steps back, he stopped, still looking at Shadow's face and giving him a fierce and focused look. But Shadow continued to stand in one place, quietly staring into his eyes, as though not giving attention to his behavior. Shadow was one of the few who knew the true Sonic's face, the blue hedgehog tried to hide behind the mask. Behind all this image of buffoonery, clownish behavior and the image of the dumb.
Instead of frivolous, positive, and frankly foolish guy here today was harsh and mighty warrior and a great leader, who is ready for action. Obviously, Sonic wanted to tear him apart, because I thought the dark hedgehog direct culprit that their things went awry. But he managed to hold back the rage, knowing that now there are more important things than their personal dislike for each other.
He drew himself up to his full height and much relax before speaking again.
"Sonia does not like to working with us ever since her brother Manic was in the hospital three years ago. That was the day when one of the debris from a comet that you destroyed, collided with Mobius in the area of Empire City." he said coldly, confidently and with a strong tone of severity in his voice, "In order to qualify for an audience, you need to provide something that will not leave her no choice. And something tells me that you have that something."
"Exactly! Espio brought me one very interesting information that I checked this morning in Rotor's workshop." Shadow replied, with a calm tone in his voice, "If Sonia refuses categorically ..." He pulled from an inside pocket of his jacket CD, "... just show it to her."
Sonic raised both eyebrows, seeing this item that dark hedgehog in his hand. He came close to his rival, then took it in his left hand. He fixed his gaze on this disc, trying to understand what could be important there. Glancing at Shadow, he decided to ask his concerns.
"What is it?"
Shadow again crossed his arms and gave Sonic sarcastic and surly look, "It's called compact disc!" he said with a strong tone of sarcasm.
The blue hedgehog took his sarcasm without enthusiasm. He narrowed his eyes wearily, before continuing.
"F...ck you with your jokes!" he said absolutely without pleasure, "I'm not that old to not know what it's called." He frowned, "What is recorded on that disc?"
"Something that will help you gain favor with Sonia." Shadow replied coldly, "I recommend to review the information before going to Mystic. And it is better not to delay it. The faster you go, the better. It's unknown how long Sonia and her gang will stay there."
Sonic nodded to him before to hide the compact disc into the inside pocket of his coat. He went on without a word toward the stairs that lead down. He did not give a single glance at the empty house of his best friend. Maybe he just did not want to be distracted.
Shadow looked at how Sonic goes before look toward the sea. He made a weary sigh, before you approach the edge of the cliff on which the house stood. He narrowed his eyes, fixing his eyes on the endless horizon of the sea, over which shone a bright midday sun.
"Hey, Shadow!" Sonic's voice was heard behind him. Shadow instantly looked at him over his right shoulder. Blue hedgehog walked right up to him, still frowning.
"I want to ask you something. You can refuse if you want, but I'm still going to ask."
Shadow gave him a questioning look, slightly intrigued by the fact that his old rival is now asking him about the service. He was about to deny him with this, for obvious reasons. But he decided to listen to him. He is completely turned to Sonic and nodded confidently. Blue blur nodded at him before crossing his arms in the chest and arching the eyebrows.
"I want you to take Amy with you!" he said confidently and severely, causing Shadow to make his eyes wide.
"What?" dark hedgehog asked, "Are you crazy? You want us to be dead because of her?" He frowned, "No! No! No f..cking way!"
"Well, then you can assume that I'll spend my time wasted, Amy will appear out of thin air and attack Sonia in a fit of rage!" Sonic gave him a reason that has left Shadow without a choice, "You know that it will run to Mystic for me despite any instructions. You know that no one can keep her from it. Shadow, I rarely ask for your help, but you know that when I ask, I am doing this for obvious reasons!"
Shadow defeated sigh issued after The man said it. He knew what Amy Rose is able to understand and that it will be able to destroy all what he was working on and what Espio worked. He confidently nodded, before saying even more confident:
"Allright, I'll take her in Robotropolis." He arched an eyebrow, "But what makes you think that I will keep her?"
"Because you've managed to shut her up in the cafe when she screamed at me." Sonic said, still confident, "In recent years, even I can't do that. From this we can conclude that she will listen to you and will not make anything stupid. And yet, all members of the squad are knows that you and Amy Rose in a very bad relationship right now. You will have time to make peace. Nothing unites better than a mortal danger, right?"
Shadow nodded to him, but gave him a look that was filled with suspicion.
"You're god damn right!" he said, dark and cold, "But it seems to me that this is not the only reason why you're asking me about it." He frowned, "You just want me to keep her away from you as far as I can."
Sonic fiercely bared his teeth, then walked over to the Shadow quite closely. So close that now between them was little more than a few inches. They looked into each other's eyes as yesterday during their first meeting, as if they wanted to kill each other right now. But it was only the resistance of the obvious fact that blue blur resisted for a long time. But he could not resist anymore and had to admit it.
"Yes!" was the only work that flew out from blue hedgehog's mouth with even more harshly and coldly tone than his colleague. It sounded even like a treat. But after that he didn't said anything. He just turned away from him, then headed toward the stairs. He did not stop, did not look back and do not say anything in conclusion. He just came to the stairs, then quickly disappeared from Shadow's sight.
As for the dark hedgehog, he continues to stand in one place for a while, fixing his eyes on the stairs that led down to the road leading to Knothole. He pondered of Sonic's request to which he agreed. Amy Rose. The girl, who was a pain in Sonic's ass over the past six years. And if earlier Sonic was somehow took her even as a friend (using the Chaos Emeralds to run away from her), but now he wants to get rid of her. Why? Stupid question. He knew that no one's patience can not last forever. And it seems that Sonic's patience exploded like an atomic bomb.
Shaking his head, he walked toward the stairs. As he passed by the house where a certain double-tailed fox once lived in, he stopped and looked at the door. But only to shake his head and going down to the stairs. Now in his mind there was only one thought.
"How do I get Amy Rose to go to the Robotropolis?"
A/N
So, guys, the long-awaited ninth chapter is finally over. Now peacetime life ends and begins the action. Those of you who like a good TV series, probably saw the references which I have set up here. I hope you liked this chapter, and I hope that you will accept my story as it should. I ask you to say in Review what you think about it.
As you can see, soon there will be new characters familiar to you. Why do I do it? To keep the balance and to disrupt blunt barrier between different products.
I hope that you take this project to combine different Sonic products into one big universe. I count on your support and count on the fact that you will not stay indifferent.
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