Chapter 25: Nocturnal jinx

Begin dream

'Where am I?', Shadow wondered as he found himself standing in a strange room, cold and metallic. He tried to move, but realized he could not.

'My hands?' He was looking at his gloved hands as he stretched them in front of him and came in contact with a surface made of glass that went all around him. He was trapped inside a glass tube, a capsule. He briefly gazed to his left to see the emptiness of space. He pounded the glass with his fists but it didn't even crack. He looked around again and his sight fell upon a young blond girl who was pressing button on a console.

'What is she doing?' He stroke even harder still with no result. The girl looked at him

"Don't do this. Let me out, let me out of here.", Shadow shouted trying to persuade her.

The girl looked at him with weak and pale expression on her face still she managed to show a comforting smile. "Shadow, you must… wake up!!!" The girl's voice sounded different at the end of that sentence. Shadow was hearing Kristy's voice calling him to wake up.

"Come on, Shadow wake up!!!"

End dream

Shadow screamed out of his horrible nightmare. He looked around while he was puffing soaked with his own sweat and feeling very anxious. He noticed Kristy was there, sitting very close, staring at him shocked. She took a deep breath to calm herself down and said: "You're ok? You were having a nightmare."

"A nightmare…", Shadow mumbled to himself as he lowered his head trying to sort out his thought. 'Was it really a nightmare?', he wondered.

"It must have been awful. You were screaming almost like you were totally caught inside it. I called you several times already until you finally woke up."

'I was caught indeed, in that capsule and I couldn't help her.', Shadow thought with an absent look.

He looked up to see Kristy with her head leaned to her left trying to establish eye contact with him, just like when she first talked to him.

"Want to talk about it? It might help you feel better.", Kristy said with a smile. "Everything's alright, it's over now."

Right before she was able to instinctively lay her hand on Shadow's head to stroke him gently, he counteracted by slapping it away.

"Don't touch me!! It's far from over!!", he roared before taking off into his room. A few seconds later Kristy heard the door being slammed shut.

Now she was the one sank in worry. "Oh Shadow….", she whispered while rubbing her sore hand.

Next morning

"Ah nightmare…", Jake said through the videophone as Kristy, on the other side of the line, was telling him about what happened last night.

"Yes, and I don't think this is the first time.", Kristy said clearly worried. "On two occasions I woke up in the middle of the night after hearing a scream. I snuck to check on him but he pretends to be asleep, I'm sure of that. Last night was the worst one ever."

"There must be something causing those nightmares. Are you sure that sci-fi movie has nothing to do with it?", Jake enquired.

"It was just an adventure movie about people living and travelling in space with no ugly hostile aliens trying to suck your brains out or something like that. The most thrilling part is probably when everyone had to evacuate the space station, nothing else."

"Probably boring.", Jake assumed.

"Yeah, I fell asleep in less than an hour.", Kristy agreed. "This was the first time he came out of his bedroom to see a movie with me on Friday night."

"That's a good sign. Maybe he's finally giving it a chance in enjoying your company.", Jake said trying to cheer her up.

"Maybe... or, he was really interested in the movie genre."

"Not so negative, Kristy…", Jake told her as he already sensed Kristy's attitude of pessimism showing up again.

Suddenly they heard the doorbell ringing on Jake's side.

"Got to go now. I know for sure whom that is.", Jake said.

They said their goodbyes and Jake hurried to open the door before the bell rang for the fourth time. At the front door there was a tall man, in his forties, with long dark hair fully pulled back. He had a narrow and rough face with a short beard grow. His eyes were fierce and cold like a brave warrior marching into war. His attire consisted of dark brown pants; a shirt, no tie and it was completed with a trench coat that perfectly hid both guns in his shoulder holsters. Jake was quite used to this, yet tried to keep a friendly attitude toward his superior and supervising officer.

"Morning, lieutenant Mitsugi. You're just in time. The report you came for is ready. Please, come in.", Jake said as he stepped aside to invite him in.

"Morning. It's good to know you're prompt at doing your homework.", lt. Mitsugi said short as he walked in. They both went into the living room. Jake continued talking as he moved toward his desk to fetch a thick folder.

"This was a very intriguing case, the officers working on it really must have had a hard time cracking it.", Jake said as he give the lieutenant the folder with quite a pack of papers in it.

"I'm sure there will be many more like that.", lt. Mitsugi said with a bit of unease in his voice. "That's all for now but there is one last thing, O'Donnell."

Jake was puzzled to what his supervising officer could probably be going to ask but when lt. Mitsugi turned around it became clear to him.

"Get her off me.", he said with an annoyed tone.

Little Suzie was clenched on the lieutenant's back like she was trying to hug him. Her face was filled with happiness and the ball on her head turned into a huge heart.

"Suzie… Where did you come from?", Jake said as he managed to remove the little chao who was struggling to keep a strong grip on Mitsugi's jacket.

"Tsugi-chan", she cheered and jumped excitedly in Jake's arms.

"Suzie, I thought I already told you not to bother the lieutenant when he comes over."

"How many times do I have to warn you to keep that pet of yours away from me?", the lieutenant enquired with contained anger.

"I'm really sorry, sir. She was upstairs. I thought she wouldn't notice you here.", Jake said. "I still don't get why she so fund of you. She doesn't act this happy to anyone else."

"If you ask me, she's just a little loony. I'm off… See you at the station this afternoon.", the lieutenant said while straightening up his jacket.

"Yes, sir."

He grabbed the folder, turned around to leave when he came face to face with Julie who was hovering on the level of his face. The two were staring angrily when Mitsugi said: "What are you looking at?"

"How dare you calling my sister a…."

"Julie!! Lt. Mitsugi was just leaving.", Jake chimed in.

Julie understood the warning and moved out of the lieutenant's way.

"Bye, Tsugi-chan!!", Suzie yelled as she waved him goodbye.

"I don't like it when he comes here. It's clear he doesn't like us, chao. ", Julie complained for the countless time. "I still don't know who's worse; that old grump or that little punk, Shadow."

"It's not like he comes by every day, but when he does I expect you girls to treat him with respect and that goes for you too, Suzie."

"Tsugi-chan needs lots of huggies.", she said cheerfully completely ignoring Jake's warning.

He sighed while shaking his head. "Good luck with that."

-- -- -- -- -- --

It was a regular evening shift for junior officer Jake. After work he went to a bar where most police officers hangout after late shifts, along with lt. Mitsugi. Although his cold and strict attitude, Jake did his best to get along with his superior officer, knowing that's a good tactic to ensure his career in the police corp. but also because he really admired him in a professional way rather than emotionally fanatical like Suzie does. Lieutenant Duncan Mitsugi, with the dozens of stories about his line of duty so far, he can be considered a living legend.

Long after midnight Jake and lt. Mitsugi were walking back to the car, parked a few blocks away. They were crossing the last street when the lieutenant saw something was going on in a nearby jewellery store. A street officer was standing nearby talking on the radio.

"O'Donnell… Let's check if that officer needs any assistance.", the lieutenant said as he changed his course toward the street officer standing on the other side of the street.

Jake followed without arguing about the fact that they were no longer on duty. The motto is that police officers are non-stop on alert. Lt. Mitsugi did all the talking and the patrolling officer told them he saw intruder wondering in the jewel store. He radioed for backup at the lead that the burglar might be an anthro.

From his many trainings Jake knew that the best way to deal with anthros was to have at least a team of four well-prepared officers in case they had to deal with hostility. Many anthros posses the strength of at least four men by which they are hard to deal with. Sometimes even the military had to jump in when things get out of control.

"Are you sure it's an anthro we're dealing with?", Jake asked his college.

"Sure and a very clever one too. It managed to enter without triggering the alarm and it's a flyer.",

"Not good.", Jake concluded.

"Let's go, O'Donnell.", Lt. Mitsugi said determent to take action.

"But, lieutenant, shouldn't we wait for backup?", Jake asked trying not to sound like he was scared.

"Nonsense, by the time they arrive the thief will be long gone after looting the store.", the lieutenant said. "Besides, it's a good time to try the new weapons."

Jake knew right away what he was talking about. After the lieutenant gave the street officer instruction to deactivate the alarm so they can catch the burglar red-handed, Jake assumed his position at the back of the store to block the alternative exit.

Meanwhile inside the store the cat burglar was enjoying a moment of delight by trying on the most valuable pieces of jewellery available. The title of 'cat burglar' was in figurative sense as the burglar was not a cat but a familiar bat, Rouge. To compensate her failed attempt in stealing the Master Emerald she decided to adorned herself with necklaces, bracelets, tiaras and brooches and was posing in front of a mirror on an illuminated spot thanks the street light coming from outside. She was almost fully absorbed in the glitter and glamour of diamonds and other precious stones when her sensitive hearing alerted her of someone sneaking into the store.

'Got company already?', she wondered without looking around. 'He's a good one too. He managed to come this close before I even noticed him. I will let him think he got me of guard for now.'

Lt. Mitsugi was indeed closing in on Rouge who was still standing in front of the huge mirror. With gun in his hand he jumped from his hiding spot and yelled: "Police, you're under arrest."

In a split second Rouge was gone. Mitsugi could barely begin looking around when the bat dashed down kicking the officer across his face. The kick was strong enough to get him out the way making him crash against one of the wooden jewel case breaking the glass, but not strong enough to make Mitsugi pass out or break his jaw.

"A brave humans, but still no match for my mighty legs. Ta-taa.", Rouge mocked as she flew off.

She was almost at the front door when she heard police sirens nearing the store.

'Not good. Better take the celebrity exit.', Rouge thought as she turned around going to the back door.

"There are probably a few cops guarding the backdoor. Nothing I can't handle.", Rouge whispered confidently.

She kicked the iron door with huge force smashing it straight again the wall of the next building. Inside the smoke of dust she saw one officer pointing a gun at her. The cop fired once, a special net come out instead of a bullet, but Rouge dodged it with ease.

"Miss me!!", Rouge said before kicking him out of her way, sending him against the wall where he hit his head and pass out.

"No time for autographs, handsome. So long…", Rouge said before she finally felt free to escape.

"Don't forget about me.", a voice said before another gunshot was heard. Rouge didn't realize someone else was there.

As she turned around she was immediately caught in a net. As soon as she tried to break it an electric shock was unleashed through her entire body stunning her completely. She plummet to the ground halve conscious.

"Darn, how much bad luck can a bad girl have?", she mumbled before passing out.

Jake came closer looking down at the bat on the ground.

"Well done, O'Donnell.", lt. Mitsugi congratulated him.

"Thanks you, sir.", Jake replied. "How's the other officer doing?"

"He'll life to experience one mean headache."

Jake looked down at the special gun in his hand. "These web gun are really handy and this female bat is unlike the other anthros we normally encounter.", Jake concluded. Normally, one or more police agents end up in the hospital after an arrest of this kind.

"They are all the same, O'Donnell. All the same.", lt. Mitsugi said as he walked away when the police cars were arriving in the alley.

After the successful arrest, things went from hard to unbearable. Rouge was pissed off for being restrained in tight handcuffs and being interrogated by lt. Mitsugi made things even worse. It went so far that the lieutenant walked out of the interrogation room and said: "She is impossible. O'Donnell you take care of the police report. I need an aspirin."

Jake obediently took over the interrogation. He filled to cup with water and took a deep breath before entering the room. Rouge was standing in front of the window gazing at the nocturnal view outside. As soon as Jake walked in she looked around focusing her eyes on him, examining him carefully.

"I'm police officer Jake O'Donnell. I'll be taking lt. Mitsugi's place filling the police report. He has a little headache right now.", Jake said calmly as he placed each cup on one end of the table and sat down with the report in his hands.

"I already told that stiff-neck. I will not answer any questions unless I can make a phone call.", Rouge said with the same calm attitude as Jake.

"Well, if you answer this couple of questions I'm sure you'll be allowed to use a phone. You have my word.", Jake promised.

Somehow Rouge was slightly impressed by this young agent. He sounded a lot more pleasant than the higher officer. "Well, if you put it that way I might cooperate.", she said with an even calmer tone.

From there Rouge collaborated as much as she could until Jake came to his final question.

"Do you have any specific statement about… why you broke into that jewellery store?", Jake asked trying to sound casual rather than curious.

Rouge was standing next to the window. Although both her wrists and ankles were in special handcuffs she was still able to walk making small steps. "Well, to be honest, I love jewels. The glamorous sparkle always makes me feel special. Girls like me need to feel special from time to time and unfortunately there is no one there to do just that."

"That's a bit hard to believe.", Jake noted with true honesty. "You look like a charming, strong and smart bat girl. Hm, now that I think about it, you remind me a lot of Julie."

"Your girlfriend?", Rouge asked curiously.

"Actually my chao.", Jake responded with a smile.

She looked away trying to hide the frustration on her face as an unpleasant memory came back to her mind. 'Ugh, great, just what I need. First I'm humiliated by a miniature version of knucklehead and now I'm being compared with some girl chao.'

Even so Jake noticed her sudden discomfort. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No…", Rouge said in a rush before she turned back to him. "I was just thinking. You seem to be a really nice guy who appreciates a strong and smart girl like me." She was strolling confidently toward him filled with curiosity to know a little more about the young police officer.

"I…" Jake was starting to feel a bit muggy.

"Relax, officer. I won't hurt you. Being a 'bat' girl caused me enough trouble lately.", she said as she hopped on the table staring deep in his eyes. "Besides it looks like you're already taken. You know, I have a sixth sense for this kind of things."

There was a light blush on his face as he denied this unfounded guesswork. "No, I'm not …"

Rouge was a little surprised by this response. She blinked a few times with a puzzled look on her face before closing her eyes and smiled. "Whatever you say… In that case lonely hearts should seek comfort in each other, don't you think?"

"Well… I…", Jake stammered nervously as he was trying to find the right words to get out of this awkward situation.

Rejecting a girl acting all affectionately toward him has always been his worst ability, even with a female anthro it was double uneasy. Luckily, he was saved when lt. Mitsugi stormed in and roared: "O'Donnell!! How long is it going to take for you to fill a simple report?"

He jumped to his feet, gathering all the paperwork in his hands. Rouge looked at the ranting officer with a careless gaze.

"Actually, I'm done sir.", Jake said in a rush. "I promised her she could make a phone call after we're done."

"She has five minutes.", he said with contained anger.

"I'll only need two.", Rouge managed say right before the lieutenant slammed the door as he left.

"Sheesh, he has the same attitude like a certain echidna I know.", she added afterward.

Rouge made her phone call and less than half an hour later a black and luxurious car arrived in front of the police station. Two men in suits came in and identified themselves as government agents. After presenting a special order Rouge was released to their custody. They were heading back out as Rouge came across Jake once again in the corridor.

"Glad I could see you once more before leaving. Thanks for cheering me up, handsome.", she said giving a wink as goodbye.

"No time for chitchat, Rouge. Let's go.", one of the agents said as they were escorting her.

"No goodbye kiss for you, sourpuss.", Rouge said coldly to lt. Mitsugi before she walked out the front door. The lieutenant responded with a gaze consisting of a mixture of anger and frustration.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

"What took you guys so long?", Rouge complained a few minutes after the car drove off. She was sitting on the backseat facing a high rank agent sitting in front of her.

"At the moment, the high command is more busy than usual.", the agent said coldly. "Besides, they don't like to deal with petty larcenies."

"It never happened before, it won't happen again.", Rouge stated with a serious, slightly irritated tone. "Besides, helping their star agent out of jail is the least they can do."

"Whatever…", the agent said as he handed over a document.

Rouge glanced through the first pages and said: "So, this is what they're all busy with; shooting stars."

"The last meteor shower left our scientists pretty concerned due the abnormalities they detected."

"Really?? I pretty much enjoyed the night show. Make a special wish, you know?", Rouge said showing no concern to what the scientists were all worried about. "Now I must rush to the middle of nowhere and bring back a meteor sample just to put their worries to rest. How tedious."

Rouge was pretty much annoyed for getting this lousy assignment, but her superiors didn't seem to care.

"That's pretty much it. Are you up to it, agent Rouge?"

"Ever said no to a treasure hunt?" She clearly had the hunter's spirit for every mission no matter what.

-- -- -- -- -- --

"I'm sure we're close to the crash side of that meteor."

"We have to find it.", Knuckles said to Tails, eager to find the meteor.

On the night of the meteor shower Knuckles' attention was caught by a single shooting star radiating a disturbing energy. Tails spotted the strange meteor too with his high tech telescope and took a few pictures he kept reviewing and analysing to the point of making even TJ worried. Tails didn't want to talk about his findings with his chao, as he knew he would probably become curious and insist in tagging along in the expedition. The young fox wasn't sure what exactly they were dealing with, so he didn't want to risk the danger.

Knuckles unexpected call when he and the chao were at the park confirmed his suspicions. That meteor shower was certainly no ordinary shower or it was a show from outer space concealing something unusual, so now they both went to check it out. Even if the crash spot was in the middle of a dense jungle, they moved quickly until they reached a huge crater.

"Here it is.", Knuckles said standing on the edge of the crater looking down into it.

Tails was hovering with his twin tails next to him. "Let's check it out.", he said as he immediately began to descend into the crater. "This is the strangest meteor I've ever seen."

"I don't think it's truly a meteor.", Knuckles said as they were staring at a round object with a huge hole on the side that made the inside visible.

"It looks like something came out of it.", Tails noted surprised. He started to push some buttons on his scanner to analyse it. "It's absolutely not a mineral from this planet and all this time since it landed here I can still detect a faint energy residue."

Tails than began collecting all the information he could find.

"Well, well, if it isn't foxboy and knucklehead.", a voice from above chimed in.

Knuckles and Tails looked up and saw Rouge landing on the other side of the meteor, right in front of them.

"What are you doing here, batgirl?", Knuckles immediately shouted.

"Relax… I'm not out looking for trouble today. I'm on a good girl scout mission."

Knuckles didn't fall for that lame answer. "Yeah right, I don't see any ruins with hidden jewels around here."

Rouge rolled her eyes. "How is going with that troublesome chao of yours?", she asked mockingly.

"Fine, not thanks to you.", Knuckles replied with contained anger. "Now quit the chatter, batgirl. You're here because of this meteor."

"Bingo!!", Rouge replied confidently, no longer paying attention to Knuckles' rude attitude.

"Did this meteor caught your attention too?", Tails asked her.

"Not exactly mine, but I'm here to find out if there is anything bizarre about it.", she said without actually revealing who assigned her.

"Well, I can't say for sure yet but I think someone travelled inside this meteor and after it crashed, the being definitely organic, came out of it and left. It's probably a life form from outer space.", Tails explained.

Knuckles and Rouge were dumbfounded after hearing this.

"But where did this alien go?", Rouge wondered.

"I don't know.", Tails said thoughtfully as he continued analysing the meteor. "This being didn't leave any traces behind. The only abnormal signal I'm reading in this entire area is coming from this empty shell."

"We don't even know the intentions of this alien by coming to our planet. Now it's running around free who knows where. How are going to find it?", Knuckles said frustrated at the conclusion that they might have reached a dead end.

"Maybe it landed here by accident and wants to find a way to leave again.", Tails commented. Both Rouge and Knuckles were staring at him with clear disbelief on their face. "But than again, such assumption would be too naive.", Tails said as he lowered his head.

"All we can do is wait. Keep eyes and ears open for when anything unusual happens.", Rouge concluded.

Knuckles gave a nod agreeing. "Our search and research here is done. Let's get out of here, Tails.", Knuckles said before climb jumping out of the crater.

"So long, Rouge.", Tails said short before rushing behind Knuckles who already left.

"Uh, at least one has good manners.", Rouge whispered, than shrugged.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

A/N: Tam-tam-tam. OO Bizarre things are beginning to reveal themselves. Stay tuned…