The 4 appeared in the club, and Rouge instantly went behind the bar, and began mixing up some bits and pieces.
"So, what exactly happened back there?" Shadow asked.
"Mom..." Cream trailed off.
"Oh come on, you think that'll stop Vanilla?" Shadow asked. "Anyone who has the balls to throw the first attack against me isn't gonna..."
"That's enough, Shadow." Tikal told him. Rouge came over with some glasses.
"Vanilla would probably complain, but I think you need a nice hard drink." She said to Cream.
"Kweli... his jewel is like a threat detector... that's a pretty useful thing to have." Cream said.
"Here, drink, Cream." Rouge said, passing the glass to her.
"What is this?"
"It's your favourite, only strong." Rouge replied.
Cream takes the glass and slams the drink. "One more."
Rouge wonders off to get another drink, whilst Tikal and Shadow took one each themselves.
"So, Shadow, why is it you're not with Tails?" Tikal asked.
"She has a way to contact me if the need arises." Shadow answered.
"Wanted some 'me' time then?" Tikal asked.
"'Us' time in her case." Rouge said, bringing over Cream's second drink.
"So can anyone tell me how all of this was possible?" asked Cream.
"How do you mean?" Tikal asked.
"I don't know how."
"Vanilla pissed off a psychopath, what's not to understand?" Shadow asked.
"Where's my drink?" asked Cream.
"Here." Rouge hands over the glass. "You'll only get one more after this; we don't want you going out of control."
"CRAZY MEATBAG FINDS M.O.M. HEAD... PROBABILITY, 75%." notes Omega.
"I think it's about time we taught him he's not the only one to be fucked with." Shadow said.
"Tell me about it." said Cream before slamming the next drink.
"Shall we begin gathering then?" Rouge asked.
"I need another drink." Cream said.
"Last one." Rouge said, before fetching one final drink for Cream.
"Well, it's nice to know you got out of there okay." In walks Vanilla holding Kweli. "Oh, I guess Irum got lost along the way, that's not a good sign."
"And there she is." Shadow said. "So, how're you holding up?"
"Well, I'm a little pissed off... Rouge."
"What?" She says, passing Cream her last drink. "You can't be pissed at me for this." She said. "After all, Cream just saw you go ablaze." She then winked. "Besides, the power of suggestion is a wonderful thing."
"You jinxed me, woman. I demand restitution for this jinxing, because it will not stand."
"Geez, fine, free drinks for the next month." Rouge shrugged.
"Oh no, you can't butter me up with drinks. I'm gonna get you good."
"Mom, why didn't you tell me that Irum was programmed to kill?"
"Does this mean poor Muri's gonna get spankings too because she was the first one to 'jinx' you as you say." Rouge asked.
"She will get hers too."
Shadow looked at Vanilla. "I'm also curious to that thing, Vanilla. She's caused me enough damage as it is."
"Irum is related to Muri, and now that she's gone, I'll have to go through the process of obtaining her again."
"How the hell can they be related? The species are totally different." Shadow barked.
"What she probably means is...Are you saying Muri is supposed to be like Irum?" Tikal asked, cautiously.
"Who knows? Well, we had better go and find her." Vanilla said.
"From what he said, that creep has her too." Rouge said.
"Well, I still want to search for her anyway."
"How about starting where Cream left her?" Rouge suggested.
"AGREED." Omega responds. "LITTLE PEACH COLORED GRASSLAND CREATURE WILL LEAD THE SEARCH."
"Assuming she's recovered by now." Shadow said, looking at Cream. "Better yet?"
"I'll manage." Cream answered.
"I'm gonna leave this search to you guys, I'm going to make sure that guy doesn't try using Tails as a form of leverage over us." Shadow told them.
"Good luck." said Vanilla. And off Shadow warped. After this, the girls collected themselves and once Cream had recovered a little more, they were off to search for Muri.
Starting from where Cream had left Muri, the girls begin the search, though little showed anything of where she might be now, until one of them notices Kai exiting a clinic. "Well, look at who just showed up." said Vanilla.
"Wanna go say hi?" Cream asks. "If anyone knows where Muri is, he will."
"Why not?"
And the girls walk over to catch Kai, who doesn't seem happy to see them, but tries to be pleasant anyway. "Group outing?" He asks as they approach.
"In a sense." Vanilla answered. "Up for a chat?"
"Not really, but I doubt you'll give me the choice." Kai replied. "What do you want?"
"We're looking for Muri, have you seen her?" asked Rouge.
"No, I haven't." Kai said, suspiciously instantaneously.
"Really? You haven't seen her around?" asked Vanilla.
"Why should you care anyway?"
"I take it that you've forgotten who I am." Vanilla said, slightly agitated.
"On the contrary, if you cared, you wouldn't have let her scream her lungs out in a back alley, so heavily distraught she's unable to talk." Kai retorted. "Anything else?"
"Screaming in a back alley?" Vanilla looked toward Cream.
"Okay, I may have given her a tough love reality check over things," Cream began, "but given the circu-"
"I will deal with you later." Vanilla then addressed Kai. "As you can tell, I was unaware of this..."
Kai simply growls somewhat. "Fine...I'll take you to her, but I will force you out if she insists on not seeing any of you..." he replies.
"I like how subordinate and submissive you've become. Perhaps Muri's rubbed off on you." Vanilla said, half teasing and half assertive.
"Would you rather I not take you? I can be a complete asshole if you want me to be." Kai is not happy.
"Mom, don't ruin it for us." said Cream.
"You ruined things for yourself, young doe." Vanilla scorned her daughter. "And besides, you've probably noticed that Muri is without..."
"Without her son, to which she believes due to her lacking ability as a mother let die when your house went ablaze?" Kai asked. "Whatever, maybe this would at least bring her back...This way then." And Kai begins walking off in the direction of his apartment.
"So, why exactly did you leave her on her own if she's in such a bad condition?" Tikal asked.
"My twin is with her at the moment, I'm not so cruel as to leave her on her own when she is in need of care."
"I hope your twin isn't as hard-nosed as you are." Cream said.
"At least I don't leave my sister alone in a park, after having just ripped her to shreds verbally, leaving her to fall to pieces." Kai countered.
"I was trying to get her to build some-"
"Cream, you have to remember that Muri is a frail girl." Vanilla cuts her daughter off. "Not everyone had a loving livelihood as you did. And should things arise, you will apologize."
"Yes, ma'am." Cream's ears drooped.
"I hope you guys have some grub, because I'm getting hungry." said Rouge.
"Guess I'm cooking as well then..." Kai replied. As they come to a worn down building. Kai pushes the first door open and the flight of stairs was the next chore.
"Quaint." said Vanilla.
"Not everyone is the lead member of an international company and can afford nice housing..." Kai replied. "Besides, places like these are less conspicuous. I prefer it when people leave me in peace..."
"I'll buy you a dictionary, that way; you can know what 'quaint' means." Cream said.
"As if anyone would call this place 'quaint' and not mean it sarcastically." Kai replied. "And you better stop lipping me; I'm losing my patience as it is."
"It was meant to be polite. Now I may have appeared to be a bitch to you, we are firm believers of, 'Home is what you make it.' buster."
Kai reaches his door, pulls out his key and opens the door. "Hurry up and do your business, then get your lippy daughter out of my hair, before I really lose my temper..." Kai told Vanilla, taking off his shoes just after the door, walking into his place.
The inside of his place is surprisingly better decorated and fixed up than the rest of the building, and looks like it doesn't belong on the rest of the building. "And remove your shoes."
Everyone removes their footwear. "You forgot to mention which room is Muri in, kind host?" said Tikal.
"Keep following." And Kai enters his living room, inside Kylia is watching the television, and Muri is sitting at the far corner of the room, to the left of the door, on the fold out bed, curled up and seemingly out of reality.
Vanilla approached Muri while holding Kweli. "Hey there, Momma, someone wants to say hello." Vanilla said.
Muri gently looks over to Vanilla and Kweli, then snaps into reality, but huddles further into the corner, though she doesn't say anything, it's clear she feels ashamed to see them.
"And she's been like that since I found her." Kai said. "I went to get some medicine to help her throat, but..."
"You know, Kweli would love to be held by Momma again..." Vanilla continued reaching towards Muri.
Kylia looks around the room. "It's not like you to have guests, Kai..." She said. Muri buries her face into her legs and bursts into tears, though it's silent, Vanilla can see it through her movements and the tears streaming.
"You know, sometimes when things really aren't going my way, I start to cry." Vanilla began. "Crying isn't a bad thing, and people cry for many reasons: joy; sorrow; victory; reunion; we even cry to clean our eyes.
"Crying isn't a bad thing, everyone needs to cry every now and again, it means that we are... realistic, that we have souls and can even be comforted in this process."
Muri looks up at Vanilla, and tries to talk, but no sound follows. Meanwhile, Kai leaves them to it, calling as he leaves. "What do you want to eat then? Sandwiches or perhaps I should prepare a curry." He asks, going into the kitchen.
"Curry works for me." said Rouge.
Kai begins cooking, but Muri can't respond to Vanilla due to her inability to talk.
"So, girls, whilst things get sorted, take a seat? You might as well let your feet up." Kylia offers the others.
"Thanks. I'll try not to find my aunt on the couch." said Cream.
Kylia simply smiles. Muri looks at Cream a little, but her ears lower and she just looks ashamed.
"Got any games?" Tikal asked.
"There's a pool table in the other room." Kylia replies.
"I think I'll shoot some pool." said Rouge.
"I can go for that whilst Vanilla deals with Muri." Tikal replies as the two go to hit some pool. Meanwhile, Kylia looks at Cream.
"You look a little unhappy, dear. Something wrong?" She asked.
"Let's just say I screwed up big time in my attempts to be a better sister figure." Cream answered.
Muri looks at Kweli, who is happily reaching out for her, but her wavering mind of whether or not to take him haunts her.
"See, your son misses you." Vanilla said to Muri. "He won't hurt you, give him a hug."
Muri lips her words, slightly, Vanilla reads them as 'but I'm not fit to look after him.'
"Sure you are. You're just a new mother, and this is normal for new mothers."
After a hesitation, Muri holds her arms out for her son.
"You shouldn't let it bother you too much; perhaps learning from your mistake will make you a better sister in the future." Kylia told Cream.
"Hopefully she'll forgive me once all this is sorted out." Vanilla hands Kweli to Muri, who giggles in his mother's arms.
Kai walks in and goes over to the bag he brought back, taking out the throat medicine, taking it to Vanilla. "She should probably take some of this, it'll hurt to swallow I'm sure, but it should help. Might take a while for her voice to return."
"When you're up to things, try your medicine out." said Vanilla.
Muri mouths 'sorry'.
"You'll be okay." said Vanilla.
"Shall we leave her to her son for a moment?" Kai asked Vanilla.
"That would be best." Vanilla answered.
"Kitchen?" Kai asked, before going into the kitchen to resume the curry cooking.
"Need help?"
"No, but we can talk." Kai replied.
"I'm an open book, you know."
"I don't read books." Kai replied. "Besides, we need to talk about Muri."
"You should do more reading. But anyway, what's up?"
"What do you intend to do?"
"About?"
"Muri..."
"Keep going."
"...What?" Kai questioned. "I mean are you going to take her with you or leave her here with me?"
"Well, that all really depends on how she feels. Muri may not be ready to go."
"What do you make of her current condition?"
"She's going through things like a new mother would. I remember having similar issues with Cream."
"Speaking of Cream, didn't Muri look up to her at one point?" Kai asked. "Now, she can barely look at her."
"Siblings are going to act like one is subordinate than the other... I'm sure you and your sister had things like this."
"We have our differences, but..." Kai started. "Never mind, I'm sure her intentions were good, despite the state she left Muri in."
"And have you done stuff like that to her?"
"What do you mean?"
"How often have you been bossy with your sister?"
"Not to such extremes. We have our fights, but when my sister is unhappy, I try to cheer her up, not beat her further into the floor."
"Well, both of them did think I died."
"Wasn't that 'before' the attempted assassination?" Kai asked. "Once I found Muri, my first thought was to bring her to you, as you are her current guardian. Your house exploded as we began to arrive. Knowing it probably wasn't an accident, I took her here immediately afterwards, so don't try to give me that excuse..."
"Well, I don't know much on the incident, so you'll have to excuse me."
"Point of the matter is you weren't 'dead' before Cream verbally beat Muri. Not that I'm trying to get into an argument. You're Muri's legal guardian and..."
"If I didn't know better, I'd say you didn't enjoy Muri's company." Tikal walked in.
"Not that, I love having her around, it's just..."
"I think we can agree that we should wait and see how Muri feels before any measures should be taken." Vanilla offers.
"Fair enough. So...Any tips on how the bat takes her curry? Wouldn't want her to complain about it being too spicy or not spicy enough..." Kai asks.
"Feel free to ask her, I take mine with a side of soba noodles."
"What's her name?" Kai asked. "Yelling 'Hey, bat' seems rude, even for me."
"You mean Supertits?"
"Her tits aren't that great." Kai replies. "Bigger isn't always better, besides, I've noticed your rack is bigger than hers is."
"Take a grab, I don't mind."
"I don't think that's appropriate." Kai replies.
"I'm sure Rouge won't mind if you ask her."
"I don't really have interest in the bat." Kai tells her.
"He doesn't want to be unfaithful to his girlfriend Muri." Tikal giggles. Vanilla shook her head.
Kai looked slightly agitated, but said nothing. "I take it you're looking for a new father for your daughters then, Ms Rabbit."
"You want to marry me; I'm touched." said a shocked Vanilla.
"I don't think I'm your type..." Kai sweat dropped.
"I guess you prefer your women younger than."
"Not to say you're not stunning, Ms Rabbit, but I prefer girls who won't try to kick my ass in an argument." Kai replied. "Hiei does have a documented file on you, and I have read it."
"And what does Hiei have on file regarding Nazaruda?"
"Ask him for it, but you won't like it."
"Thanks for telling me you don't know. For now, let's wait for the curry." and Vanilla shrugs the argument off.
"He was a talented scientist, wanting to study medical procedures for the good of all, and met his future fiancée. During an attack form an outside party, she lost her life, and he lost his mind. He murdered the owner of the Rexchus Science Company, and took over; designing bio weapons to find the ultimate weapon to perform some incarnation mumbo jumbo to bring back his beloved and take revenge on the world..." Kai tells Vanilla. "Are you happy?"
"I'm content." Vanilla answered.
"Perhaps you should go on a date; you're like a married couple already." Tikal teased and went back to continue the game. "You finally stopped potting, have you?"
"This is really something else." Vanilla said, and then giggled.
Muri heard most of this and was trying to shout, but nothing, eventually she gave up and silently sighed.
"I think Muri wants something." Cream said.
Muri was going to reply to Cream, but decided against it, before Kweli began grabbing at her shirt on her chest and she took notice to this.
"Anyone have a blanket?" asked Cream.
Kai wonders in. "Why, what do you need it for?"
"Not for me, for Muri."
"...What for?" Kai asked. Muri looked at Cream also.
"Let's just say we aren't the only ones who are up for some grub."
"Well, you're all girls, save for the sprog, I'll just keep out of the way. The only blankets we got are drying." Kai replied.
"Um... could you get a blanket for Muri?" Cream asked Kylia.
"I'll go see if they've dried, if not, I'll check the towels..." And Kylia gets up and heads to look. Kai shrugs and goes back into the kitchen. Tikal walks out.
"Well, I'm not playing Rouge again...that was a ridiculous ass kicking...Least I wasn't seven balled..."
"Playing 8-ball or 9-ball?" asked Vanilla.
"8-ball, but Rouge can pot from the most ridiculous angles..."
"Math is a beautiful thing."
"To be seven balled is to have all seven of your colour still on the table by the time your opponent pots the black..." Tikal explained.
"Be lucky you weren't playing 9-Ball. Rouge has a habit of a constant breakace." said Cream.
Kylia returns with a blanket and a towel, heading to Muri with an impatient Kweli. "The blanket is a little damp, but it's barely noticeable, the towel is smaller but dry."
"Well, I guess Muri won't have to be embarrassed about routine mother stuff." said Cream.
Shadow knocks on Tails door. Hope she won't be mad...
"What's up?" Tails asked behind the door.
"Just checking in. Few issues back in the town, wanted to make sure you were safe." Shadow replies.
"Yeah, just keeping my feet elevated."
"Door open or shall I chaos control?" Shadow asked. "Or shall I leave you be?"
"Come on in." Tails answered.
Shadow lets himself in, closing the door behind him. "So, how's the peace, till I arrived?" He asked.
"Peace is nice, and both of us are enjoying it." Tails answered.
"Can I get you anything?"
"A glass of orange juice would be nice."
"Anything else?"
"No."
"Okay then." And Shadow goes to get her drink. "Iced?"
"Sure."
After getting her drink, he returns to deliver it. "Here you go, enjoy, Juice ala' Shadow." He grins slyly.
"Perhaps you'll open up a juice parlour..." Tails joked.
"Not really sure I'd survive business life." Shadow joked back.
"I see." and Tails sips her juice. "I have to wonder, what exactly is next for me."
"What do you mean?" Shadow asks.
"Before all of this, I had a purpose, and now, I just don't know anymore."
"Things will change, yes, but your purpose is always there." Shadow replied. "It's not like you're alone to raise your baby. It's probably not much consolation, but I'll be there for you both. It's the least I can do for failing to protect you."
"Thanks..."
"You'll be fine."
"I want to do what I used to do..."
"What's stopping you?" Shadow asked. "Lavender will take up time, yes, but I can look after her as well. A baby is a lot of work, but that shouldn't stop you completely." Shadow told her.
"Let's say that building a proton accelerator isn't the idea activity for a pregger."
"Surely you can wait until at least after birth..." Shadow replied, before he pulls up a chair and sits beside Tails.
"I guess..." Tails said. "It's not like I have much of a choice anyway."
"Take your mind off of it." Shadow told her.
"I'm gonna have a nap. Could you rub my feet, please?"
"I can do that." Shadow said, smiling.
"That means a lot."
Shadow then shifts his seat, carefully taking Tails left foot first, and began massaging as instructed. "Do you have any other plans for the future, besides Lavender and inventing things?"
"I wish I knew." Tails answered.
"You know, you could always team up with that young rabbit mother, learn from each other as you learn to be mothers."
"Muri and I do have common ground, good idea."
Shadow switches foot. "Just never forget, you're never alone."Tails doesn't respond, but only nods.
Meanwhile, back with Vanilla and the group, it'd been a while, and Muri was still mute, but she'd seemed to warm up to everyone again, well, except for Cream, to whom she still showed signs of shame towards.
"Not to seem rude, but will you be taking or leaving Muri here?" Kylia asked.
"That's for her to decide." Vanilla answered.
Unable to speak, Muri simple takes a hold of one of Vanilla's sleeves.
Vanilla turns to Muri. "Is something the... Oh, hold on a moment." she then turns to Kai. "Do you have anything to write with and write on?"
"I'm sure i can dig something up around here." Kai replies.
"My bedroom drawers...centre right, and absolutely not the top middle one." Kylia told him.
"Yeah, yeah, everyone knows that's where you keep all your dirty sex toys." Kai replied.
"Kai!" Kylia fumed. Kai simply went to her bedroom, and picked up the notepad from her draw, and a pen from the side, taking it to Muri.
Vanilla simply laughed at the quarrel. Muri wrote down she was going to go with Vanilla on the notepad and showed her.
"I see." Vanilla said.
"So what's the verdict, people?" asked Rouge.
"She'll be coming with us, Rouge." Vanilla answered.
"I see." Rouge walks over to Muri. "Well before we go, I think I'll give you some billiard basics. We'll play rotation, and I won't burn you either."
"Hey, Mrs Rabbit. Hope you don't mind my asking, but where will you and your daughter stay, now that you're home is nothing but black dust?" Kai asked.
Muri looks up at Rouge, totally confused.
"Does that mean we can stay here for a while?" Vanilla questioned.
"There's not much room, we had to set up that bed there just for Muri encase she stayed a while." Kai told her. "I guess i can lie the pool table on the wall and throw out some futons, but are you sure you'd want to stay here? This is a nasty area of the city."
"It was just a momet of humor. Besides, I'm sure you wouldn't want to cross corners with Cream every morning." Vanilla said with a giggle. "Don't worry about me, I always have somewhere to go."
"I'm aware of your daughters seeming dislike for me, and honestly, I won't lose sleep over it." Kai told her. "I just wanted to make sure you at least had a roof over your heads, I'm not that heartless."
"Thanks for that." Cream said.
"Uh huh." Kai replied. "Well, I gotta go out now, Hiei has some things for me to do."
"I guess we'll wait until the girls are done, then move from here." said Vanilla.
Kai nods and takes his leave. Kylia looks at Cream. "Please don't feel bad of him, he's actually really nice when you get to know him."
"I may be stubborn at times, but I am grateful." Cream says.
"Of course." Kylia replied. After about an hour, the girls were ready to leave. Muri did seem to do her best to keep as far from Cream as she could.
The girls were walking down the street, chatting about things, except for Muri, who was concentrating on Kweli, playing with him as they walked. The peace was nice until...
"You're such an ignaramous!" Shade barked.
"You're the one who let him get away!" Knuckles barked back.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I was too busy taking care of the other thugs to stop the one who nabbed your precious emerald."
"I'm better off protecting the island on my own!"
"Then FINE! Protect it on your own, you asshole!" And Shade storms off from him. He grunts angrily and runs off in another direction.
"Wow..." Tikal said. "That was odd...things were fine for them yesterday..."
"Really now?" asked Rouge.
"Yeah. Though, i guess the sex died down recently..." Tikal replied. "Can we go check on Shade?"
"Why not? There is strength in numbers." Vanilla responds.
"Thanks." And the group head off to find Shade. Finding her in the nearby alley, but she wasn't doing anything but leaning against walls, she wasn't sobbing, but she still had some tears on her face.
"Shade, you okay?" Tikal asked, walking over.
"Well, I won't pesture you on it, but wanna hang with us? After that, I don't really want to leave you on your own?" Tikal told her. Muri tugged on Vanilla's shirt before showing her a note.
'I need the bathroom.'
"Pit Stop, ladies." Vanilla said.
Tikal turns to Vanilla. "Sure. Coming, Shade?" She asked.
"It'll be nice to wash my face." Shade answered.
"Okay." Tikal takes Shade by the hand, and leads her from the alleyway, before they all go to find the nearest bathroom.
Having arrived, Vanilla looks after Kweli as Muri goes to the bathroom, but Tikal follows Shade into the bathroom as she washes her face.
"So, are you sure you're okay?" She asked.
"There's a reason why our tribes had their differences." Shade said. "I guess I was foolish about trying to resolve things."
"Well, that isn't exactly true." Tikal replies. "I mean, look back on how many times the Dark Legion was swayed due to Knuckles, eventually they had to give in and joined the rest of us in Albion. So, you're going to give up with him?" She asked.
"If only it were that easy."
Tikal tilts her head. "What do you mean? I guess you really liked him, hm?"
"I can relate to how he feels."
"What do you mean?"
"It's a loner thing." Shade finally splashes water on her face. "No matter, I just need some cool off time."
"I just can't believe it went so horribly wrong, I mean, you two seemed really close, even if you denied a lot of it to us." Tikal said. "Well, you still have me at least, right?" She smiles.
"Yeah..."
"Come on, we're going to go to Rouges to take your mind off of this, okay?" Tikal smiles at her. Muri flushes and leaves the cubicle, looking at them.
"You okay?" asked Shade. Muri nodded, then washed her hands.
"Good, lets go." Tikal smiled, before the girls leave the bathroom. Muri takes back Kweli and the other girls have their business, before they head off again.
The group arrive at Rouges, and before long, Rouge is behind the bar ready to serve drinks. Muri sits in the corner with Kweli, who fell asleep.
"Well, it's nice to know that things are starting to come back to normal." Rouge said while wiping a glass with a white washcloth.
"Can we get a couple of hard drinks?" Tikal asked. "I'd think Shade'd need one about now."
"Any specific drinks you had in mind?"
"Not really." Tikal replied. "What would you reccommend?"
"That depends, hard drinks vary." Rouge explains to Tikal. "Some hard drinks are smooth while others put hair on your chest, and the rest will bowl you under a table if you aren't ready for them."
"I guess something to take away the pain of a breaking heart?" Tikal said, trying to be sensitive on the issue.
"One heart easer, coming up." and Rouge starts mixing a drink.
"I think I'll take this round, if you girls would like something too." Tikal tells the others.
No thanks." Vanilla answered.
"I'm not thirsty." Cream answered, she was on the other side of the club.
Tikal looks between Cream and Muri and sighs. "I don't like seeing this tension between them." She says.
Vanilla continues to be lost in thought. "Feel free to play peacekeeper." Rouge suggests.
"I wouldn't know where to begin." Tikal replies.
"Begin somewhere."
"I guess I...I just don't know..." Tikal sighs.
"Now where did I put that mixture..." Rouge trails off.
"So, what will you do now, Shade?" Tikal asked.
"I dunno, probably just wait it over, then talk to him." Shade answers.
"Okay, i'll come too, I don't want you to fight."
"Thanks."
Meanwhile, Sonic knocks on Tails door. Eventually, he checks the door, finding it open and lets himself in. "Anyone home?" He asked, walking and closing the door. Sonic wonders around, ending up going into the hanger. The lab was still in the condition it was in before the workshop was destroyed, and he was astonished to find what he did. "So, that's what Tails was working on before the incident." He said, still looking about. Eventually he returned out into the halls. "Hellooo..."
"Are you comfy?" a voice asks. Sonic blinks, and stays silent, looking around for the voice owner. Shadow suddenly appears next to Sonic. "I take it you don't want anything to drink?" he questions.
"Not really, just checking in." Sonic said. "Where's Tails?"
"She's sleeping soundly in her room." Shadow answers.
"You seem to be making yourself comfortable with her, Shadow." Sonic grins.
"Tails isn't hard to co-exist with... though I can't say the same about you."
Sonic puts his knuckles on his hips, narrowing his eyes. "And what's that supposed to mean?"
"It doesn't matter. Why else are you here?"
Sonic responds in a goofy, mocking voice. "I'm sorry Mr bodyguard sir for wanting to check on my best bud." He then speaks normally. "Seriously, chill out. What exactly do you think I'm gonna do?"
"Nothing stupid, I hope."
"Seriously, Shadow, chill out." Sonic shrugged. "I'll sit around and wait for her to wake up I guess. Wanna play a game?"
"Fine, did you bring a console?"
Sonic dashes off, 20 seconds later he's back. "Now I did." He said, holding a 360 box.
"So what's to play?" asked Shadow.
"My version of Mario Kart." Sonic grins. He then sets up the console in a flash, and begins the game.
"Sonic Kart?" asked am unimpressed Shadow.
"Sonic and All Stars Racing, duh!" Sonic says. "Can't say I'm happy that most of the other class isn't our friends. Unfortunately, you made the cut too, Shad." He grinned.
"Fine, I'll play as Billy Hatcher." Shadow said, "I do want to read the instructions first though..."
Sonic tosses over the game book. "Don't you wanna play as you're 'girlfriend'?" Sonic jokes.
"Fine. I'll play Tails and you play Amy." Shadow teases.
"That's a low blow, man..." Sonic was not impressed.
"You went for the balls first."
"So, someone calling Tails your girlfriend is insulting to you?" Sonic replied, narrow eyed. "Well, excuse me, and here I thought you wanted some fox-tail. Or was it that you'd get it and run?"
"At least I'm honest with Amy, and don't use her ass."
"Not honest enough... until recently." Shadow shrugged. "Then again, you were probably afraid of the hammer."
"Better than being afraid of 'Oh, woah is me, what if she rejects me, boo hoo.' Yeah, I heard about that one." Sonic countered.
"Will you two shut the fuck up..." Tails wasn't happy, behind them.
"See what you did?" Shadow scorned Sonic.
"Hey, don't blame me man..." Sonic defended himself, this caused Tails to tug on both their ears.
"You're both like children! Sonic, you haven't grown up a bit since you were four years old, and you're just as bad Shadow for countering it." She complained.
"Ack, easy on the ear, Tails!" Sonic complained back.
"I'm done, Momma's gonna hear from me." Shadow said. Tails lets them both go, still unimpressed. She sighs and heads into the kitchen for a drink.
"Hey, Tails...nice blimp you got downstairs, it is a blimp, right?" Sonic asks.
"Eh." Tails answered.
"You know, if me and Shadow finished it up, we could probably take it to see those who don't know about your baby." Sonic told her. "You can instruct us of course."
"Granted you two can actually get along for this sort of thing and you can understand tech speak?" asked Tails.
"Shadow can deal the tech, just tell me where to put stuff and I'll do it." Sonic replied. "If not, I can always get some others to sort it. What about Cream, she loves helping you with this sort of thing."
"Meaning that you aren't gonna back up your own idea?"
"Tails, that hurts." Sonic was offended. "You know I always keep my promises."
"If you can't work the tech alongside Shadow, then what's the point of helping?"
Sonic felt defeated. "Fine...I try to do you a favour and get kicked in the ass for it..." And he goes to take his leave.
"It's so easy to find bad help... Shadow, I'm going back to sleep. Try not to wake me up unless it's for something urgent."
Sonic was really offended this time. "You know what, fine. Have if your way, Tails. Have your precious Shadow. I know what I'm not wanted. Catch you later, stranger!" And he bolts.
Shadow shook his head. Someone can't deal with pregnancy mood swings. thought Shadow.
"I'll call him later and apologize, but now really isn't the time." Tails said.
Meanwhile, back with the girls, Muri and Cream were still on opposite ends of the room, Tikal and Shade were taking their drinks, until Shade had to rush into the bathroom, which surprised most, because they thought she'd handle her drinks better. And Vanilla was nattering to Rouge.
"O-kay... perhaps I used too much sugar." said Rouge.
"Seems fine to me." Tikal said, drinking happily away.
"In a sense, it almost reminded me of how Tails was all those weeks ago." Vanilla said.
Tikal looked at her. "What do you mean?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
"Not really..." Tikal blinked. "The only implication I'd get from it would be..." and after a long pause, she puts her cup down. "You don't really think..."
"I don't really think what?"
"Are you suggesting Shade is pregnant?"
"Either that or Rouge put a hammer in her drink."
"I didn't 'hammer' anything." Rouge said.
Shade comes back out of the bathroom.
"Shade, do you and Knuckles bareback sex?" Tikal asked.
"No, I made sure he always had a condom on." Shade replied.
"Who made those rubbers?" asked Rouge.
"I dunno, I think it was a NMPC brand or something." Shade replied. "Why, what's the big sudden invasion into my private life?"
"Shade, I've always wondered what your blood type is." said Vanilla.
"AB." Shade responded.
"Really, well then I guess you don't want a test..."
"What for?"
"Calorie count, blood cell count, I mean, when was the last time you've seen a doctor?"
"Not since I came back I'll tell you that." Shade replied. Muri walks over to Vanilla and hands her a written note.
"It's good to see you're up and about." Vanilla said. well let's see what's up." It is here that Vanilla views the note. "Hmm, interesting. Congratulations Shade, you are a proud anarchy Sack receiver."
Shade lifted a brow. "Excuse me?"
"Muri's heard of your NMPCs, or No Mess Pregnancy Condoms."
"Bum bum buuuuuuuuuum!" Rouge makes sound effects speech.
"So, what Shade just experience, really was pregnancy sickness?" Tikal asked.
"Anarchy Sack... I didn't know men did this ordeal too." Vanilla said.
"You're just shitting me." Shade wasn't happy.
"Translation: I am confused." Tikal added.
"Hey!" Shade protested.
"I read this book." Rouge said. "Pretty much, this women found out her man was cheating on her with another woman. Now she found out he was going for a booty call later with this alleged woman, so before he went, she took a pin and poked holes in all of his condoms. He ended up knocking the girl up and the other women found out about the first."
"And that's just one example of Anarchy Sack." Vanilla said.
Shade was pissed. "I did not do that! I was the one who insisted we wore protection! He was all carefree about bareback, but I said no."
Tikal sighed. "And can I assume 'he' brought the condoms?"
"Yes."
"So, does this not explain why he chose 'this' brand?" Tikal questioned, Shade going quiet.
"I guess he like you after all..." Rouge said.
"W-Wait...what?" Shade was begining to lose it.
"He perposefully chose condoms that would ensure you got pregnant...obviously not expecting this fallout." Tikal told her. Muri gave Vanilla another note. 'Perhaps he wanted to ensure his heir as guardian was 'powerful'. Ms Shade is a very powerful girl from what Cream told me once.'
"Very true, Muri. Shade is a strong girl, perfect gene pool for a young echidna." Vanilla said. "But I guess he's called it off with Julie-Su."
Tikal looked at Vanilla. "They broke up years ago, when Knuckles went all 'guardian crazy'. He cut her off so much she gave up and left him."
"Well Shade, with the role that I weild, you do have options." Vanilla said.
"What options?" Shade was going pale, she was slowly taking in the fact she could be pregnant.
"Adoption for one." Rouge answered. "Interestingly enough, how would a Knuckles/Nocturnus tribe echidna turn out."
"That's not an option." Shade protested.
"Well, think about it."
"There's nothing to think about. I'm not pregnant, and even if I was, I'd never give my child away," Shade complained. Meanwhile, the door went and footsteps were heard, mainly cause they were heavy, either by a large person or someone in a bad mood.
I wonder who this could be... thought Rouge.
Sonic storms in, looking pretty pissed. "Rouge, gimmie the strongest drink you got, I wanna be unconcious in 20 minutes." He said, almost demanding.
"Sounds like you knocked someone up." Vanilla said. "Who's the lucky girl?"
"Probably not Amy." said Rouge.
"Shut up!" Sonic barked. "I am NOT in the mood! I need to get laid though."
"Touchy..." Shade narrowed her eyes.
"What happened?" asked Rouge. "And I ask so I can get an idea on how strong to make this drink of yours."
"Had a fight with Tails. Forget her, she can have that two-bit faker all to herself, and forget she ever knew me!" Sonic said in rage.
"Into the veins, Rouge." Tikal told Rouge.
"You sure that wasn't just her mood swing, or you didn't aggravate her?" asked Vanilla.
"I suggested an idea, going out of my way to do something for her, and she turns around and basically calls me useless!" Sonic was still pissed. "Just gimmie the drink."
"Mood swing." Rouge and Vanilla answered.
"Anyway, back to my problem? Let him wither in his own idiocy for all I care..." Shade told them.
"Whatever, I'll go talk to Cream..." And Sonic wonders over to Cream's area. "S'up, Cream?" He asks.
"I messed up big time." Cream said. "In my attempts to toughen up Muri, I ended up giving her a nervous breakdown. It caused her to run off and we found her. Sure, recent events didn't help either, but now she just tries her best to stay away from me. Some sister I turned out to be, huh?"
"You're talking to a 'big brother' who basically just told his 'lil' sis' to go fuck herself. You're doing better than I am." He pat her on the head. "Let's go talk to her, shall we? Not gonna resolve nothing over here."
"I want to wait until she no longer hates me. I remember having a similar fight with Tails... once she comes back around, things will work out for you two just like they did for us."
"If I recall, the reason you and Tails patched things up was because one of you swallowed pride and confronted the other. And...I don't think Muri has that confidence." Sonic told her. "You're gonna have to be the one with the patch this time, Cream. I gotta grovel to Tails if I ever want to talk to her again."
"Fine, let's go give this a shot."
"Wait here." And Sonic goes over to Muri. "Hey, Muri. You okay?" She gives a gentle nod. "Mind coming and speeking to me and Cream?" Her responses is only to lower her head a little. "She is sorry you know, come on. You can't avoid her forever, you live together..." Sonic explained, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "Come on..." Slowly he managed to get Muri over to Cream, but she still seemed distant and ashamed to be near her.
"So, girls. What started the little argument in the first place?"
"Someone trying to kill mom." Cream answered.
"Huh...seems I missed out on something again."
"I tried getting Muri to toughen up, but it only made her cry." Cream continued. "Like I said, it was a bad situation." Muri just sat there, listening.
"Nothing to say Muri?" Sonic asked, not knowing of her newly developed condition. She wrote on some paper. Sonic read it. "She says you hurt her, and made her feel useless as a mother..." Sonic told Cream.
"That wasn't what I meant." Cream explained. "Sooner or later, you have to face your problems, not run away from them. I only wanted to toughen you up in case something really drastic happens... but instead, I only made things worse."
Muri writes down. 'You made me feel horrible as a person and a mother, you ripped at me and broke me down piece by piece and left me there like a shattered glass.' she put.
"Mom was right, you are a frail girl. However, it still didn't mean that I should've did what I had done. You'll probably hate me forever and I don't blame you. But when you calm down from hating me, I would like to try and repair the shattered glass." and Cream went back to the other side of the club.
Muri silently sighed. Sonic pat her on the head. "Well, I did what I could. It's up to you and her now, okay?" Muri just nods. Sonic smiles and heads over to Cream.
Shade was trying to relax at the bar "So, I take it you aren't into that test of Vanilla's?" asked Rouge.
"What test?" Shade replied. "Why should I get my blood tested?"
Tikal put her hand in her bag. "Now, don't ask why I have this." She pulls a pregnancy test. "But go and use it." She hands it to Shade, who takes it.
"Well, I guess my choice of places are rather limited." Vanilla said. "The majority of places would prompt another attack, so this will truly be a challenge."
"You mean a new place to stay?" Tikal asked.
"I think I have an idea where I will go."
"Care to tell?"
"Nope, not this one."
"Geez, thanks for making me feel like I'd go tell your would be murderer..." Tikal looked a bit hurt.
"You know I can always stay with you."
"They'd have a hard time finding you on Angel Island." Tikal had an idea. "What about New Mobotropolis? You'd be plenty safe there."
"Nice considerable choices."
"You also have Knothole."
"I've thought of that too."
"Don't forget to consult the girls too though."
"Of course."
Shade goes to the bathroom.
Vanilla decides to follow Shade into the bathroom, if only to be sure that she's okay. I wonder why Knuckles would do such a thing, this isn't like him. She thought.
Shade goes into a cubicle, unaware that she was followed as she sits down on the seat to read the instructions on the box.
"Shade, is everything all right?" Vanilla asked.
"Huh? Oh, yes. I'm just gonna use this contraption Tikal handed me." She replied.
"I see."
"Did you need something?" Shade asked.
"Spoon with me for a bit while you handle your business..."
"You are joking..." Shade responded.
"Not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean?"
"Talk of course. What happened with you and Knuckles?"
"I don't wanna discuss it..." Shade replied. "We had a fight and I told him to stuff it, nuff said."
"Is he bad in bed?" Vanilla jokes.
"That's nothing to do with you." Shade countered. "And if he was, would I be in this situation?" A flush is heard as she comes out with her 'pee stick'. "I still want to know why Tikal had this..."
"No idea."
"Well anyway, since it's a choice between this and making jokes. Some army like guys attacked the shrine, I ended up beating a lot of them down to defend the master emerald, but someone made off with it when me and Knuckles were busy. He blamed me for letting him get away; you saw it, didn't you? His egomaniac yelling at me."
"Knuckles is known for having a stubborn mindset." Vanilla explained. "For a long time, he figured that he was the last one left... then not only does he find other echidnas, he then comes across another tribe from back in the... what, 4000 years that you're from?
"The point is simple: Knuckles will always be stubborn and he's used to doing things on his own. That's just Knuckles... now Tikal knowing things is something I may never understand."
"What do you mean by that?"
"By what?"
"What you said about Tikal."
"She runs a talk show, who knows..."
"Ah, that. Who is this 'Julie-Su' that was mentioned?"
"Part of the 'other echidna' crew, and the one he considered a partner... but seeing as things have just happened, odds are he isn't interested in her."
"So I really have lost him then...I give up on men..." Shade sighed, before looking at her pregnancy test, seeing it and jumping, dropping it to the floor. "N-no, it's faulty!" She cursed.
"You haven't lost him if he's willing to knock you up."
"I am not pregnant! I didn't want this!" Shade turns away from her. "Why would he do this? I told him I wasn't ready for this and that's why we were using protection!"
"Is something the matter?"
Shade doesn't say anything or do anything, thoughts running through her mind, as the pregnancy test lie on the floor inches away from Vanilla.
"So what does it say?"
"It's faulty..." Shade lied to herself.
"Sounds like you're egg hatching." Vanilla said.
"I hope I read it wrong, you look..." Shade told her.
"Want me to take a look?" Vanilla picks up the test and looks at it... seconds later; she lowers the test to her side. "No, it isn't faulty." she explains to Shade. "I can give you a more accurate test if you prefer..."
"I'm gonna kill him!" Shade fumed. However, this was enough to get the others attention as Tikal walked in.
"Is something wrong?" She asked.
"Shade wants a second opinion." Vanilla explained.
"It was positive?"
"Ask Shade."
"That tells me enough." Tikal said.
"I want to leave now." Shade says.
"Fine, let's leave." Vanilla concedes. "As for what happened here, nothing is said unless Shade speaks on it, okay you two?"
"Sure." Tikal says, but Shade doesn't reply, she only leaves the bathroom, followed by the other two.
"Here's my card if you want a more sure instance, Shade." Vanilla says, while holding her card out towards Shade.
Shade takes it and continues out the door.
Tikal smiles. "Deep down, I'm sure she's happy about it."
Let's hope so. Vanilla thought.
It was getting late and people were beginning to come into the club for the night, which made Muri clearly uncomfortable.
To try the whole amends thing again, Cream approached Muri. "I guess you'll need some piece and quite, so come with me." she said while extending her hand.
Muri nodded, though only because she was afraid of all the soon to be drunken men coming in, took Cream's hand and followed her.
Cream is ready to lead Muri into Rouge's back room, but before this happens, the two rabbits are confronted by Vanilla, Tikal and Shade. "It's nice to see you two are on more pleasant terms." Vanilla said.
"We're working on that." Cream says with a sweat drop.
"Tikal, I think we need a trip back to your old place." Vanilla addresses Tikal.
"You want to go to the old mystic ruins?" Tikal asked.
"Yes."
"As you wish, Rei might enjoy the company." Tikal smiled. "Join hands then." She offers both her hands.
"Leaving, huh? Can I come?" Sonic asked.
"Sure, if these girls are happy with it." Tikal smiled.
"Not this time, but I will have Tails call you." Vanilla answered. "Let Rouge know that we left and try not to be so mad."
"Forget it then." Sonic huffed and walked off.
"I have plans for the girls, please understand." Sonic simply waves and walks on to the bar.
"Seems Shade left completely." Tikal said, looking around.
"I guess, but let's head off now." Vanilla shrugs. With all connected hands, Tikal turns them to light and they vanish.
Appearing in the old Mystic Ruins. "Let me know if there is anything you want me to generate here." She says.
"There is something I want to ask," Vanilla began, "where would the sparring grounds be?"
"I don't have one, but I can create one, what for?" Tikal asked.
"Training purposes."
From the air, Rei comes down. "I heard the word Training." She said.
"Well, vision what you want Vanilla and..." Tikal looks around. "It'll form in that area." She points to a small open area, with some forest.
"You forgot that Tikal is the peacekeeping echidna, eh Mom?" asked Cream.
"Cute." Vanilla answered. "The ironic thing is that you and Muri will be sparring with it first."
"Say what?" Cream exclaims. Muri shakes her head violently and wonders off a short distance.
"I think we better call it a day." Vanilla said with a sigh.
"You intend to train Muri? You realise she is potentially the most dangerous weapon you currently have, right?" Rei said to her.
"That doesn't matter." Vanilla answered. "Training is a good way to handle many situations, especially burning off pregnancy weight."
Rei looks at Muri. "She seems to have recovered well from it as it is." She said. "It would be interesting to spar with you though, Ms Rabbit." Rei said to Vanilla.
"All will come in time, Rei. But first will be Muri and Cream."
"I do believe Cream will beat Muri into nothing, she looks like she hasn't trained a day in her life."
"Not really, this is only sparring and not a death match."
"I guess I don't know the difference." Rei shrugged. "Still, Muri won't hold her own. If this were a betting game, mine would be on Cream."
Vanilla approached Muri. "There will come a day where you will be unable to run," she explains, "and when that day arrives, you need to be ready to defend yourself. Attackers will have no pity on a trapped girl who will only break down and cry. Do you understand?" Muri could only reply in expression, and she was worried.
"Knowing how to control your own situation is vital to every woman, especially young women."
Muri writes on her paper. "What do I do?"
"You stand and defend yourself. There is something about you that you're afraid of and with proper training, you won't fear that part of you anymore."
"If they're going to fight, can we make it fun and dress them like gladiators?" Tikal giggled.
"Combat attire would be in order..." Vanilla said with an impressed look on her face. "For now, think about the sparring grounds and rest. And tomorrow, it will be put to use." and Vanilla took her leave. Muri looks even more worried, eyeing Cream a few times.
Rei follows Vanilla. "What are you planning?" She asks.
"You will see." Vanilla answered. "By the way, take caution, Muri can read your mind."
"And why should I worry about that?"
"Think about it."
"She's only likely to learn what I know about herself, which she probably already knows, if she can mind read, I have little say in what she learns."
"Good, now have a good rest and think of the grounds also."
"Enjoy yourself." Rei walks off. Vanilla continues to her quarters and finally get off of her dogs.