A/N: Just in case you missed it, I've written and released the first few chapters of a new story I've been working on, Adventures of the Freedom Fighters. It's more an action adventure story and the first three chapters of the first arc (Fall of the Freedom Fighters) have been released. Check it out and let me know what you think :)


Chapter 55

Protection

It's not like it was unusual for the girls of room one-one-seven to stay up late chatting but recently there had been raised tensions and surprising stress from the looming exams that all four girls would drift straight to sleep as soon as their heads hit their pillows. However, this night was different.

Cosmo, Amy, Blaze and Clove couldn't sleep. It could have been due to stress, or anxiety, or drama or a multitude of other possibilities but sleep was impossible to seek. Instead, the girls had begun talking.

"Alright, why don't we play Question Master?" Amy suggested.

"Why do we have to play some silly game? I was enjoying just having a nice talk with some girlfriends," Blaze replied.

"Wait, now, this could be interesting," Clove said. "It's been a while since our little dorm room has had a proper chat and so much has happened it could be a good way to catch each other up to speed."

"Sorry girls, but what's Question Master?" Cosmo asked.

"It's simple," Amy clapped her hands together. "We start with a test subject. The other girls decide who the question master is and they will be get to ask a question which the subject must answer truthfully. Then the subject becomes the question master and chooses a new subject and so on."

"This sounds like it will end badly."

"Only if you have something to hide."

"I'm an open book. Ask me anything," Blaze challenged.

"Goodie, we have our first subject," Amy grinned almost evilly. "First things first. What's the deal with you and Sonic?"

"Amy, are you sure you want to know the answer?"

"I'm the question master, not you. You'll get your turn."

"Well, truthfully, I don't know. I don't think we're dating but I do really like him and we have kissed before," Blaze admitted. Amy bit her tongue. She promised herself she would move on from Sonic and letting jealousy flare up inside her when she was still working things out with Manic wasn't going to help anything.

"I'm really happy for you," Amy said.

"Really?"

"Really. I've moved on from Sonic. Promise," Amy swore.

"Good."

"Do you want to date him?"

"You only get one question," Blaze whined.

"Yeah, so you don't have to answer. This is just a friend asking a friend, not a master asking her subject."

"Well, honestly, I do hope he asks me out. But he's in a tough place mentally at the moment so I don't want to rush things."

"Fair enough. Either way, I do hope you guys find happiness together," Amy smiled.

"Thanks, Amy. Now, my turn to be the question master," Blaze said. "And I choose Cosmo to be my subject."

"What would you like to know?"

"Do you love Jet?"

"Yes," Cosmo answered almost instantly, stunning the other girls.

"Oh… wow, that was quicker than I thought," Blaze blinked.

"I've spent too long trying to decide with my brain whether I did that I let my heart decide and now I can say with confidence that, yes, I do love Jet."

"That's great, Cosmo. I was rooting for you two," Amy offered her roommate a smile.

"Does this mean I'm the question master now?" The girls nodded. "Alright, Amy–"

"Aren't you going to ask me something? I'm feeling a bit left out here," Clove whined.

"We'll get to you, just be patient," Blaze said. Clove grunted.

"Amy, is it true that you and Manic are an item?"

"What? How did you hear about that?"

"So it's true then," Cosmo clicked her fingers.

"Well, I wouldn't say an item per se, but, yes, we have been sleeping together."

"What?" Clove and Blaze gasped in unison. "I thought he wanted nothing to do with you after what you said at Elias' party."

"Yeah, thanks for reminding me about that," Amy replied sarcastically. "That's why it's confusing. I really like him but I don't think he feels the same way."

"But he's still sleeping with you?"

"We get angry and things get heated… it's confusion."

"I'll take your word for it," Cosmo said.

"Clove, since you felt left out, I want you to be my subject," Amy pointed.

"Bring it on."

"Are you pregnant?"

"Amy?" Cosmo gasped.

"What kind of question is that? Of course she isn't," Blaze yelled.

"I didn't ask you girls. I asked her," Amy narrowed her eyes. Clove swallowed the lump in her throat but didn't answer.

"Go on, Clove, just tell her that you aren't," Blaze urged. Her mind was racing a thousand miles a minute, and Mighty's name kept crashing into the walls of her mind.

"Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I rarely am," Amy began. "I've noticed your behaviour has changed. You've stopped going on your runs, you haven't been sneaking drinks with the girls like you used to. You seem almost relieved that your boyfriend has gone and you keep wearing baggy, woolen clothes when it's boiling outside. I've noticed the signs."

"You really are too smart for your own good, Amy," Clove said.

"Wait, so you really are pregnant?" Blaze asked. Clove nodded.

"Who's the father?" Cosmo asked.

"You only get one question."

"C'mon, Clove."

"You have to tell us."

"Please."

"Alright, fine… I guess you girls should know, but you have to promise that anything we say never leaves this room," Clove said in a serious tone.

"Of course, that's part of the game," Amy said.

"Alright. The truth is… the father… is Mighty."

"Mighty!" Blaze practically screamed, the gears in her brain turning wildly.

"Shh, keep your voice down," Clove hissed. "But, yes, Mighty is the only guy I ever slept with. Ray and I haven't had sex yet. We've done other things but when we were finally ready to go all the way I realized I was pregnant and didn't want him finding out. That's when I started to become a little distant."

"What are you going to do?" Cosmo asked.

"Does Mighty know?" Amy added.

"Does Ray know?" Blaze said.

"I don't know, no and no," Clove sighed. "Only Tikal and you three know. I've just been so confused and, well, I think I might get an abortion," Clove admitted.

"An abortion?" Amy exploded. "No, Clove you can't. It's unethical. It's unfair. I won't let you. I forbid it."

"Amy, calm down," Blaze chastised her. "You can't act that way. Imagine how hard it is for Clove right now. It's her body and it's her choice."

"It shouldn't be a choice. That's a life you're killing. You can't get an abortion. It's not right!"

"I… I think I'd like to stop playing the game now," Clove answered finally.

"Clove, c'mon, she didn't mean it like that," Blaze said.

"Thanks Blaze but I'd like to get some sleep. I am feeling tired now. Goodnight."

"But Clove, I–"

"I said goodnight," Clove growled, interrupting Cosmo. Cosmo shrunk back into her blanket and bit her tongue. Blaze wanted to say more but decided against it and Amy stewed in her bed despite the death stare Blaze was shooting her. She knew she was right and if acting like that was the only way to help Clove see the error of her decision then she knew her friends would forgive her in the future after Clove's baby was born.

Recipe for a good night – Some beer, some tunes and a bunch of friends. A boys night was just the thing they needed to destress and take a breather on one of the last nights they could all take off. Sonic didn't feel up to it, Shadow couldn't be found, Ray was still in the city, Eclipse was too sick to leave bed and Scourge refused Silver's invitation. However, they didn't let their friend's absences ruin their night.

"This was such a good idea," Spike held up his red plastic cup and celebrated the organizers.

"We just figured we all needed a bit of a break," Knuckles smiled.

"Definitely," Manic nudged him with an elbow. "And we figured we could just chill with the guys. No girls allowed."

"Hey, that's your kind of party, right Meph?" Mighty laughed.

"You're hilarious," Mephiles rolled his eyes as he sipped his drink quietly as Mighty fell into an uncontrollable fit of laughter.

"How much has he had?" Jet asked.

"Way too much," Mephiles said.

"He'll regret that in the morning. We have a physics practice exam at nine tomorrow morning," Silver laughed.

"Said by the king of morning regret," Espio jabbed.

"Dude, c'mon I thought we were cool."

"You also thought spreading nudes was cool."

"Woah, alright let's move on," Knuckles cut in to mediate the party.

"You're always the pacifist, Knux. I wish I listened to you back then."

"Listened to him? About what?" Espio asked curiously but before Silver could answer Mighty chimed in.

"I know just the thing to lighten the mood," Mighty said with a goofy smile plastered across his face as he ran a hand over the shell on his head and cued up a song on Knuckles' phone.

"You'd better hope it's a good one or we'll judge the shit out of you," Spike said. Slowly the first notes began blaring out of the speaker in the hidden clearing in the forest and all the boys' eyes lit up.

"What a tune!" Jet clapped.

"I wish I could be this good," Espio mentioned.

"Fat chance," Silver huffed.

"Dude," Manic elbowed him in the ribs. Mighty stood up, closed his eyes and began dancing like a lunatic through the circle as he belted out the out-of-tune lyrics.

"Coming out of my cage and I've been doing just fine! Gotta, gotta be down because I want it all," Mighty sang out.

"Is he always like this when he drinks?" Jet asked.

"Unfortunately," Mephiles rolled his eyes.

"Don't pretend you don't love it," Spike laughed. "If I recall back in sophomore year you and him were dancing on top of the tables to this song."

"Wasn't that the night Clove said she realized she was in love with him?" Espio asked.

"Somehow," Mephiles said.

"And it still took the guy months to ask her out after that. She made it pretty obvious she was into him too. How dense can you be?" Spike laughed.

"Ironic, coming from you," Knuckles jabbed playfully. "If what Julie said is true."

"Chest now, he takes off her dress now!" Mighty belted out. "C'mon guys, I know I sound like an angel but you have to join in too."

"Jealousy, turning saints into the sea. Swimming through sick lullabies, choking on your alibis!" Manic sung out. "What? If you can't beat them, join them."

"But it's just the price I pay," Espio shouted.

"Destiny is calling me," Jet added. Eventually almost all the boys were belting out the lyrics in a coherent mess.

"At least I'm not the only one against this," Mephiles said as he sat next to the equally silent hedgehog beside him. Silver was hesitant. Espio's comments had gotten to him and he didn't feel welcome anymore.

"Dude, c'mon just sing. Espio's still a bit sore but the rest of us all love you so hurry up and quit being a buzz kill," Mighty whispered drunkenly. Silver rolled his eyes but smiled nonetheless. Mighty was right, he needed to lighten up. He downed his drink and stood with his friends.

"And it's all in my head, but she's touching his chest now!"

"Seriously, you too?"

"C'mon Meph, our troops not complete without your angelic voice," Mighty taunted.

"I really hate you sometimes," Mephiles grunted.

"No you don't," Mighty threw his hands around Mephiles and gave him a big hug. "Now c'mon you baby, sing along." Mephiles paused as he saw the eyes of all his friends as they sung together.

"Jealousy, turning saints into the sea!" Mephiles sung beautifully. The rest of the boys all cheered.

"There he is, now show me a smile," Mighty draped an arm around Mephiles' shoulder as he swung from side to side singing with glee.

"I don't know why I ever liked you," Mephiles said but even he couldn't stop a smile from sliding onto his face.

The boys continued to drink the night away and sing together until one by one they all decided to retire back to the campus, promising to be quiet so Razor wouldn't catch them out of bed and bust them all. Eventually only Manic, Knuckles and Silver remained to hide the evidence – dozens of empty bottles.

"You didn't have to help clean," Knuckles said.

"Nah, I wa – hiccup – anted to," Silver said dopily.

"Sorry about what happened back there. Espio doesn't really hate you, he just holds a bit of resentment," Manic said.

"It's cool," Silver slurred. "Him and I haven't seen eye to eye in years anyway."

"Trust Mighty to save the joy," Manic said.

"I kinda feel bad for him, y'know," Knuckles said.

"Why?"

"I don't know, just that… well, did you see how quickly he had so many drinks," Knuckles shrugged. "He's still hurting. A lot. And I think he's drowning his sorrows in drinks and pretending to be happier than he is."

"True," Manic nodded. "And remember what Espio said about him and why he let him join the band."

"Oh well, Espio seems to be handling it. I'll talk to him about having another chat with Mighty. I think those two have become quite close recently," Knuckles said. "Hey, by the way, where'd Silver go?"

"Who knows?"

As Knuckles and Manic had been lamenting about Mighty, Silver had groggily slipped away into the forest. He swung back and forth as he walked heavy-footed back to campus. That's when he heard something. It sounded almost like crying. Silver followed the sound dopily until he came across somebody slumped against a tree with their head in their hands.

"Hello?" Silver asked. The figure quickly snapped up and looked at him with intense, intimidating eyes.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Fiona snapped as she quickly wiped the stray tears from her eyes.

"Why are you out here alone at night crying?" Silver asked.

"I wasn't crying. I don't cry," Fiona hissed as she dodged the question. "Why the hell are you out here?"

"Guys night," Silver said plainly. "S'over now. I was just going back home."

"Do you… do you need any help?" Fiona asked skeptically.

"No thanks I can–" Silver begun to say as he tripped over an exposed tree root and fell face first into the dirt. Fiona exhaled loudly.

"C'mon, let's get you up and back to school."

"Okay dokay," Silver giggled as Fiona draped an arm around him and helped him to his feet. He leant his head into the crook of her shoulder lovingly and smiled. "Thanks for doing this. I love you, Blaze." Fiona paused.

"You think I'm Blaze?"

"Of course, sweetie."

"Check your eyes, dweeb." Silver rubbed his eyes.

"Fiona, when did you get here?"

"You really are a doofus, aren't you," Fiona mocked.

"Wait, then why were you crying?"

"I already told you I wasn't crying," Fiona snapped defensively.

"Y'know, if you are feeling sad, I could always try and make you feel a little better. At least it's one thing I'm good at," Silver said.

"Are you seriously asking if…" Fiona trailed off. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. What kind of way is that going to cheer her up?

"Yeah, wanna fuck?"

"Wow, so smooth," Fiona said sarcastically.

"Just offering."

"Thanks so much, but, surprisingly, not all guys wanna fuck you just because you gave them permission, pig," Fiona scoffed.

"I know. Sorry. It's just, you're so pretty and smart and confident and I couldn't possibly think of a reason why you'd be crying and sometimes when I'm sad all I need is some pleasure."

"Guys are so predictable. But, do you really think I'm those things? Even after all I did for you."

"Of course," Silver hiccupped drunkenly.

"Well, alright, sure, let's do it."

"Wait, really?"

"Yeah."

"Awesome. I've really missed doing this with you, Blaze."

"Blaze?"

"Fiona. I said Fiona," Silver said as he wrapped his arms around Fiona's waist and pinned her against a tree.

"That's what I thought. Chaos, why am I doing this?" Fiona asked aloud.

"Because you like me?" Fiona couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Maybe because I know it'll piss Blaze off to no end." At least, that's what Fiona was telling herself.

"Blaze?"

"Fiona," Fiona said.

"Fiona," Silver repeated in confusion. "Right, Fiona."

"Let's just get this done," Fiona said as she dropped her skirt and let Silver enter her as she leant back against the tree in the forest.

"All right, all right, slow down and let me get this straight," Shadow stopped Maria. The two still stood in the hallway in the wee hours of the morning. Shadow had complained when his roommates stumbled into their room drunk but now he was thanking his lucky stars that he hadn't gone drinking with them. He'd promised himself he'd lay off alcohol after his behaviour at Elias' party and thankfully he had full control of his thoughts for this conversation.

"What's confusing?" Maria asked.

"How can you be so blasé?" Shadow replied. "You just said there are people trying to kill you!" Maria nodded. "Start from the start. What happened to you? Why are they after you?"

"Alright," Maria took a deep breath. "It all started shortly after you came to live with us. I met this boy. It was love at first sight. I fell head over heels. I know it sounds dumb but the few years we spent together I felt invincible. He made me feel safe. He made me feel good. He made me feel wanted."

"He was a part of this gang. Or, at least I thought it was a gang. I didn't know much about that part of his life. He always kept it secret and separate from me."

"The Maria I know wouldn't have just let the man she loves keep secrets from her," Shadow interrupted.

"Normally no, but he was different. I'd have let him do anything. I was blinded by this powerful love I'd never felt before. Well, turns out this gang was more high priority than I thought. I don't know how high they were but they pretty much owned the city."

"One night he came to me flustered. He said he made some mistakes and we needed to go. I followed him blindly. I asked what he did but he when we went to his car, I noticed three black duffle bags. They were each filled to the brim with unmarked bills. Must have been a couple million easy."

"Where did he get that much money?"

"He stole it from his gang. We went to this warehouse to hide out but we were found. He took one of the bags and ditched me with the rest of the money and ran away and they captured me. They took me to their boss, this big burly guy, and he tried to get me to tell them where he ran off to. I didn't know. They were going to torture me, a young teenage girl. It was horrible."

"They tortured you?" Shadow almost yelled, he could feel his blood begin to boil. Maria shook her head.

"Thankfully I had a bad feeling before they found us and I contacted the Commander. They used my location to rescue me. But that guy, their leader, he told me I'd never be safe and he'd kill my friends and family. The Commander helped me escape, change my identity and hide."

"Why didn't you just tell me?"

"I knew you'd follow me." Shadow began to argue but stopped himself. He knew she was right. He wouldn't have stopped until she allowed him to help her. He would have done anything for her. "You'd just started a new school, you'd made new friends. Your whole life was abnormal and you finally belonged, something you always wanted. I couldn't take that away from you."

"But… I thought you left me," Shadow said weakly.

"I'd never leave you on purpose, Shadow. I wanted to tell you, but the Commander was right. I had to leave to protect you and to let you live the normal life you always wanted."

"I didn't want a normal life, I wanted a life with you."

"Well, I'm here now," Maria smiled through tears. Shadow couldn't help himself. He pulled her in tight and squeezed her again like she'd slip through his fingers and run away if he loosened his grip even a tiny bit.

"You know what the worst part is?"

"What?"

"If I ever saw him again, I wouldn't get mad. I wouldn't yell or blame him or anything. I'd forgive him. I'd ask him to take me back. It's dumb, I know. You think I'm pathetic."

"I don't think that about you."

"It's just… when you a love like that no matter how much they hurt you, you can't stop trying to help them."

"I understand more than you know," Shadow said silently as his mind wandered to Mephiles. "But you should have told me earlier, after I learnt about my past and about you. I would have stood up for you."

"Exactly! That's why I didn't want to tell you earlier. I didn't want you to get drawn into this whole thing and sacrifice everything you've built here."

"Why are you telling me now, then?" Shadow asked.

"Because… they've found out about my past. They found out about where I've been hiding and, Shadow, they found out about you. They know how much I care for you and they'll use you against me, probably kill you," Maria was almost in tears.

"Maria don't worry I know how to look after myself," Shadow soothed as he encased her in his tight grip. She nuzzled her head into the crook of her neck as she calmed her anxious breathing.

"You don't understand Shadow. These guys are the real deal. Have you noticed anybody new come to the school? Anybody suspicious?" Shadow shook his head. "Keep an eye out."

"I have to tell Mephiles about all this."

"No!" Maria practically shouted. Shadow was taken aback. Maria coughed and gathered her composure. "Sorry, it's just… you can't tell anybody."

"But I trust him with my life."

"Not even him. Shadow, please, nobody can know."

"But he already thinks something is going on between us two. If I don't tell him he could get the wrong idea. He could leave me."

"If he really loves you, he wouldn't leave you over something as silly as this."

"Things are… strained at the moment between us," Shadow admitted after he paused to search for the right words. "I have to tell him."

"You can't! Please, don't, for me."

"Alright," Shadow said finally. "For you."

"Thankyou. Here's the number of the burner phone I'm using," Maria handed him a scrap piece of paper. "Call me if you see anything."

"I'll see you around, Maria. Goodnight," Shadow said.

"I think there's one last thing you should know," Maria added before Shadow could close his bedroom door. Shadow looked back expectantly. "I've been calling them a gang the whole time because that's what I thought they were. But I've been doing some digging on my pursuers and who they are."

"And who are they?"

"Shadow, they're the underground Mobius mafia."

Cosmo wouldn't dare try it in her room; too risky. The bathrooms? Not a chance, not after last time when she was almost caught by Honey and Rouge. No, Cosmo decided to wait until cover of darkness to sneak out. She slipped out of her covers, made sure Clove, Blaze and Amy were all fast asleep, and then slithered into the hallway. She didn't stop until she was outside in the brisk night air.

The winds hit her immediately and chilled her skin but she pushed through vehemently on a set path like a girl possessed. She didn't stop until she'd slipped into a small alcove hidden behind two buildings. With the luminescence of her phone for light, she pulled out a small bag of white powder and got to work.

She took out her key and put a small bump of cocaine on the end of her key, opened her nostril and sniffed it up completely. With a contented sigh she let the drug take its course.

"So this is where you've been sneaking out to," a voice instantly alerted her and she stood up stiff as a board. She quickly whipped her head around to stare into Mephiles' unflinching eyes. "Clove was complaining about being woken up by you going to the bathroom every night but I guess that was just a lie."

"What are you doing here?" Cosmo asked defensively, her words agitated and her body language guarded.

"Just passing through," Mephiles shrugged uncaringly.

"At this time of night?" Cosmo pressed.

"Just came from the forest."

"Alone, or with others?"

"Am I the one on trial here? All I did was enjoy a nice stroll."

"And I am on trial?" Cosmo grunted. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"This is how I always look at people." Cosmo looked down at her hand where she still clutched the bag of cocaine and hastily stuffed it back into her pocket. "Don't judge me."

"I didn't say anything," Mephiles raised his hands skywards.

"If I wanted your opinion I would have asked for it," Cosmo snarled.

"I don't recall ever giving you my opinion on anything."

"Yeah, but the way your staring at me, it's annoying. I get it, you disapprove, whatever," Cosmo kept trying to defend herself from accusations that weren't being flung her way. Mephiles could tell he'd stumbled upon her doing something she didn't want anybody to know.

"It's cool. People can do what they want, I don't judge," Mephiles shrugged.

"Well, good. Let's keep it that way, and keep this to ourselves," Cosmo hissed almost threateningly. It was quite uncharacteristic and Mephiles took note but, again, said nothing.

"See you around," Mephiles said as he turned to stroll off almost as if he was never stopped in the first place. Cosmo huffed, but eventually calmed herself and enjoyed the rush that had been forming within her.

To say the phone ringing caused Eclipse to wake up would be a lie. The truth was that he'd never fallen asleep. It alluded him, forever just beyond his reach. Whenever he felt himself drifting off into its calming claws he'd be wrenched awake by a coughing fit or stabbing pains in his abdomen. Eclipse's neck ached and his muscles were sore. The small spots on his skin were multiplying and a rash began to appear along his arms. To say he was getting worse would be an understatement.

With a groan Eclipse managed to roll himself over to where his phone was plugged into the wall. The artificial light stung his eyes but through a squint he could read out the name of one of his best friends – Silver.

"What do you want?" Eclipse moaned.

"E, help, I fucked up," the voice on the other side of the line whispered.

"Can this wait? I really need to sleep," Eclipse said.

"No, dude, seriously I need to tell somebody," Silver said. It seemed he'd sobered up a bit but Eclipse could tell alcohol still roamed his veins. He could hear his friend curse over the line as he no doubt banged against something as he stumbled.

"Where are you?"

"I'm in the forest. I'm walking home. I just slept with somebody I shouldn't have," Silver admitted. Eclipse rolled his eyes even though Silver couldn't see it.

"Look, S, as bad as it sounds I don't really think sleeping with somebody is that big of a deal. I just broke up with Tikal, I'd kill for some action right about now so you're kinda falling on deaf ears."

"You didn't let me finish," Silver hissed as he tried to keep his voice down. "Fiona."

"Fiona?"

"I slept with Fiona." Eclipse was silent. He didn't know how to properly comprehend this. His head hammered and his neck pulsated in pain with each heartbeat. Dealing with more of his best friend's relationship drama was at the bottom of his priorities list. "Did you hear me?"

"Can we talk about this later. It's late and I need rest."

"Dude, this is serious? What do I do?"

"Nothing," Eclipse snapped angrily. "Oh no, I slept with a third girl, woe is me," Eclipse mocked.

"E, what's your problem?"

"Right now? You! I'm sick, I'm in pain, the love of my life dumped me and here you are complaining about scoring another chick. Fiona's fine as, who cares if she's a bitch it's not like your dating her. You just hooked up. Big whoop. Now please, do me a favour and let me sleep."

"But Eclipse, I –" Silver was met with a dial tone as Eclipse angrily hung up and threw his head back down on the pillow.

"What's his problem?" Silver sulked as he stumbled back to the dorm rooms as quietly as possible.

Mighty had gotten a lot better and became surprisingly adequate in such a short time. His fingers weren't nearly as nimble as they needed to be and his rhythm could still use work but his guitar playing was good enough to strum repetitive background chords. The band made sure not to give him any hard-instrumental moments in their songs until they were sure he could handle it – Knuckles played the complicated parts.

"That sounded awesome!" Manic cheered as he twirled his drumsticks around in his hands. "I really think we've got something here boys."

"I have to say you're sounding a lot better, Mighty," Knuckles smiled.

"I had a good teacher," Mighty said.

"Alright, enough jerking each other off, let's take a break," Manic laughed with a roll of his eyes. "Espio, can you chuck us a Gatorade?"

"Yeah, yeah, keep your pants on," Espio called back as he strolled over to the bar fridge and pulled out a couple bottles of the sports drink the tossed them across the room. The four of them lounged back and enjoyed the cooling liquid that poured down their throats and they quenched their famished thirst.

"Who knew just strumming some chords could work up such a sweat," Mighty commented.

"Just wait until you play live. The energy, the atmosphere… that's really get the blood pumping," Manic laughed. He looked over to Espio but noticed something was off with his friend. Something hadn't been quite right all practice. Espio had been off, and his eyes never strayed far from Knuckles. It was like he was watching him, studying him. "Espio, you alright? You've been in a haze all day."

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Now that you mention it, you have seemed distracted," Mighty added.

"I said I'm fine."

"Then how come you haven't stopped fucking me with your eyes all practice," Knuckles joked. Espio didn't crack a smile. "Dude, chill, it was a joke. But something is definitely up. If you have something to say to me, just say it." Espio didn't say anything. He just stood there, contemplating his next words.

"Did you know?" Espio finally said after a hefty silence. Manic and Mighty exchanged confused glances.

"Did I know what?" Knuckles asked. Again, another pause.

"The nudes. Did you know?" Espio clarified.

"Did I know what? That they were sent around? Of course I did, dude. Everybody knew."

"That's not what I meant and you know it. Something Silver said last night, the way you reacted…" Espio trailed off.

"Espio, what are you insinuating?"

"I think you knew Silver had the photo. The whole time I was trying to figure out who it was and nobody knew. The whole time I was being ridiculed and bullied, you were protecting him."

"That's crazy," Manic said. "Knux wouldn't have known. Right?" All eyes turned to Knuckles, but he stood steadfast, unblinking.

"I tried to talk him out of it," Knuckles finally said. Manic and Mighty gasped and Espio clenched his fists.

"You did know…"

"You wronged Rouge and I, too. He came to me telling me about his plan. I told him I wanted nothing to do with it and that he shouldn't send it. I was furious at him when I found out," Knuckles said.

"But you never told me. I asked you right to your face and you said you had no idea. In fact, now that I think about it, you became my only friend after everything went down. We only started this band because you were there to help me. Was that all built on a lie?" Espio asked.

"Dude, seriously you are overthinking everything. I tried to talk him out of it but promised him I wouldn't tell."

"And yet it took Tails, a real friend, to help me figure out who it was."

"Now I think everybody should just take a deep breath," Mighty tried to mediate the situation but Espio was far from calm.

"And you," Espio hissed. "When Silver let it slip you were the one to quickly change topic before I could get to the bottom of it. Did you know too? Were you in on it?"

"I didn't even know who any of you were when that nude was leaked," Mighty countered. "I only met you when you guys all transferred here. Seriously, Espio, what are you thinking?"

"I don't know what to think?"

"Espio, just let me explain."

"No, Knux, I just need some time to think," Espio took a step back.

"Espio, dude, c'mon," Manic called after him.

"No. No, this whole thing was built on lies. Would any of this have happened if you hadn't lied to me?" Espio's mind was racing and he just wanted to get away as fast as he could, regardless of the calling pleas from his friends. He needed time to be alone and needed time to think.

Nack hadn't been slacking off. Ever since Cosmo revealed that she had a boyfriend he'd been doing reconnaissance around the school. It didn't take long for him to figure out who she was seeing. The whole school knew, and from the general consensus they seemed to all think the couple was adorable. It made Nack sick.

He waited around the corner of one of the hallways on the third floor of the main building for the right moment. He cradled a stack of textbooks between his grubby hands. As soon as he saw the boy in question leave a classroom he made his move.

"Thanks for all the help Mr. Ash. I really needed –" Jet waved goodbye to the smiling teacher when he turned back to look in front of him and collided head first into Nack. Books, binders and notes when flying everywhere and sprawled out along the ground. "Oh no, I'm so sorry I wasn't watching where I was going," Jet apologized as he dropped to his knees and tried to gather all Nack's things.

"Don't be silly. It was my fault," Nack said as he helped gather all the books. "Hang on, do I know you from somewhere?"

"Hmm, I don't think we've met before. It is a big school after all," Jet thought as he stared at Nack. Nack faked recollection and snapped his fingers. "Oh, you're Cosmo's boyfriend."

"You're a friend of Cosmo?" Jet asked.

"Something like that." Jet didn't like the tone Nack used but chose to ignore it as he picked up the last book and handed it back.

"Well, sorry again for walking into you."

"It's quite alright. By the way, since you're so close to Cosmo I hope you don't mind me asking, but, is she alright?"

"What do you mean?"

"We were supposed to hang out the other night but she ditched and didn't say why. She seemed off, like something was up. I just wanted to make sure she was alright."

"Thanks for your concern, but she's doing really well," Jet answered naively. "There's just this creepy guy who she's trying to avoid at the moment and I think he's really gotten to her. She seems really shaken up," Jet sighed.

"Wow, really? Why do you think that is? Has she said anything?" Nack probed.

"I wish I knew. I just hate seeing her like this." Jet, suddenly realizing where he was and who he was talking to shook sense back into him. "Sorry, didn't mean to just lay all that on you. I'm just worried is all," he laughed it off.

"Again, it's no trouble. If you ever need to talk I'm always here if you need. Maybe we bumped into each other for a reason," Nack shot Jet the biggest smiled he could muster.

"Yeah, talk about fate."

"Well, I'll see you around, Jet," Nack waved goodbye and turned to walk off when Jet called out. Nack froze and cursed silently to himself. So close…

"Hang on, how did you know my name? I never told you."

"I, uh, heard Mr. Ash call you Jet when you were saying goodbye," Nack lied. Jet didn't believe it.

"Cut the crap. I've already had somebody pretend to be a friend of one of my close friends to get information out of me, I won't let it happen again. So, spill, who are you?"

"My name is Nack the Weasel. Nice to meet you."

"Nack," the name dripped off Jet's tongue like poison. "You're the guy Cosmo was talking about."

"Glad to see she still thinks about me. Tell her I'm quite disappointed that she missed our little get together the other night."

"You stay away from her. She's still fighter her urges and the last thing she needs is you stalking around reminding her about her past."

"And what are you going to do if I don't?" Nack challenged.

"Don't test me," Jet clenched his fists. "I love her, and I'll protect her from you no matter what."

"If you say so," Nack grinned as he brushed past Jet. "Oh, and Jet…" Nack waited until he knew he had Jet's undivided attention. "Did she get any better in bed?" Jet felt his mouth unhinge and practically drop to the floor.

"Did she what?"

"At least you're enjoying my sloppy seconds. I'm glad somebody could enjoy her. She just never did it for me. See you around, Jet," Nack said as he slipped away down the hall leaving Jet in a stupor. Cosmo had said she'd never slept with anybody before him. She said she'd never even kissed a guy. If she lied about that, what else had she lied about? Jet was determined to get to the bottom of it, and quick.

Sonic still looked worse for wear. Shakes rippled through his body and it seemed colour would never reappear on his ghostly face. But right now he pushed aside his cravings and his pain. He had to because she needed him. She'd done so much to help him and, for once, it was time he tried to return the favour.

"Thanks for hearing me out," Blaze whispered finally as she let the sullen silence descend upon the two. She'd finally, properly opened up about her past, her parents and her father. She'd been avoiding Razor like the plague but after he gave her the bag of letters she'd been having second thoughts.

"So Razor just handed you all these letters out of the blue?" Sonic asked after he wrapped his mind around all that she'd revealed. He pawed at the bundle of still sealed letters. The envelopes were old, damp and musty but the words inside remained unread.

"He said that he tried to find me but couldn't," Blaze sighed. "Apparently he still wrote me a letter every birthday and Christmas when I was younger and sent them to my mother but she sent them back. When we moved and he didn't have an address, he continued to write them to me, seal them and keep them in the hopes that one day he could give them to me."

"I think that's sweet."

"That doesn't excuse his behaviour!" Blaze snapped. "He still left me and mum. I can't forgive him for that."

"I know it doesn't excuse anything, but surely it proves that he still did love you. Does love you," Sonic corrected himself. Blaze stewed but said nothing, too conflicted with thoughts. Another silence enveloped them like fog. Sonic stared at Blaze but her gaze was fixated on the small, overflowing bag of unopened letters.

Blaze was so confused. Part of her wanted to know what he said. Part of her wanted to forgive him and let him into her life; the part of her that secretly always wanted her father to return. But another part, the vengeful part, didn't want to forgive him – couldn't forgive him. He made the choice to leave her. He didn't seek her out in life and no number of letters could change that. Finally, as if reading her mind, Sonic spoke again.

"You're considering whether or not to read them, aren't you," Sonic noted. Blaze nodded silently.

"Do you think I should forgive him?" Blaze asked.

"That's not for me to decide."

"But your father left you. You know how I feel."

"Yes and no. My father did leave me, but he also knew exactly where to find me. He ran away from me to start another family. My father never loved me. Yours does. Razor did similar things to my father, but he still cares deeply for you, I think."

"Should I forgive him?"

"I think you should read the letters," Sonic said. "Only seeing what he wrote to you, what he wanted to say to you all those years ago, will help you decide whether or not to forgive him."

"Thanks Sonic. This means a lot," Blaze smiled. Sonic hopped off the bed and walked over to her. He placed a hand on her cheek and gently caressed her with his thumb.

"You helped me. This is the least I can do," Sonic said as he leant closer and pressed his lips against hers. Blaze draped an arm around his back and kissed back readily. As their lips touched and their tongues danced together, their two necklaces crashed against each other – a cracked amethyst and a silver star. Despite some differences, Blaze and Sonic were more alike than they thought, and through all their troubles they were finding away through the confusing darkness together.

Julie-Su was lucky. She never really knew heartache. Apart from her mother leaving when she was young, she'd had a very fortunate childhood. She got to go to a good school, she'd always been surrounded by a group of friends who loved her for her and excelled in most things she tried, particularly sports. And now, she was walking through the courtyards hand in hand with the girl of her dreams.

Julie smiled as she looked over at Sally. She wouldn't have believed it herself if she knew this is where she'd end up three months ago, but she wouldn't have it any other way. Julie leant over and gave Sally a quick kiss on the cheek, laughing as the intrusive crimson shadow crept over her girlfriend's face.

"What was that for?" Sally asked with an embarrassed smile.

"Just cause," Julie shrugged. "Do I need a reason to kiss you?"

"I guess not," Sally agreed. "But neither do I," she added as she turned Julie's head and crashed her lips against Julie's. Julie melted under the euphoria the wracked her body. Sally always knew how to make her feel good and the longer they spent together the more Julie fell under Sally's spell. It was almost childish just how quickly Julie had found herself falling for this squirrel beside her.

"Okay, okay, that's enough PDA," Julie pulled apart. "People are starting to stare."

"Let them stare. It makes it hotter."

"Alright, you are getting too heated. I've still have another study session I need to do today." Sally whined loudly. "I'll come see you tonight and we can have dinner together yeah?"

"Always," Sally gave her one last kiss goodbye before she watched Julie rush off into the bell tower. Sally sighed in contentment until a voice shook her out of her trance.

"It's nice to see her so happy," an elder woman said.

"Oh, how do you know Julie?" Sally asked politely, but the woman ignored her question.

"You must be very special to her. I can't remember ever seeing her this happy."

"I'm sorry, but who exactly are you?"

"My apologies, I forgot to introduce myself," the woman smiled. She was an echidna with peach skin, skin-tight pants, a sleeveless shirt and long hair with black braids. "My name is Mari-Su, and Julie is my daughter."

To say Sally was shocked would be an understatement. That was the last person Sally thought she'd ever run into. She'd been close to Julie and she knew about how her mother had abandoned her as a child.

"Why are you here?" Sally asked in a distant, bitter tone.

"To see my daughter, of course," Mari-Su smiled.

"Cut the crap," Sally hissed. "Julie told me all about you. She wants nothing to do with you. I'll do her a favour and make sure she never knows that you arrived if you promise to leave and never come back."

"Chaos, what lies has Julie been feeding you? I swear, whatever she thinks my reason for abandoning her are she's sorely mistaken."

"All right, humor me, why did you abandon your only daughter who, might I add, never even knew her own father." Sally didn't know why but she was filled with this unbridled rage that she couldn't understand.

"I had to. It was for her own good," Mari-Su answered solemnly. Sally couldn't help but scoff.

"Could you get anymore cliché? Look, I'll let Julie know you were here but if she doesn't want to see you then you need to leave, deal?" Sally offered.

"That sounds fair," Mari-Su frowned. "Thanks you – uh?"

"My name's Sally. I'm your daughters girlfriend."

"She has good taste."

"Whatever," Sally snorted as she turned to saunter off. She didn't want to give this woman the time of day, not after all the things Julie had told her about. Mari-Su exhaled a long sigh. That could have gone better.

"Excuse me, but I couldn't help overhearing your conversation," Manic intruded.

"Oh, sorry, were we being that loud?" Mari-Su asked.

"Not really, I just have good hearing. My name's Manic, Julie is a good friend of mine. Are you really her mother?"

"The very same," Mari stated proudly.

"Are you really the woman that abandoned her for a life of crime?"

"The very same…"

"I know you told Sally you had to, but could you elaborate. I feel like since you came all the way out here in the middle of nowhere then Julie must mean something to you. I'll let Julie know where to find you if you tell me why exactly you left her," Manic said.

"You'd really do that for me? Why?"

"Let's just say I know what it's like to have a parent who isn't there for you."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Us adults can be real dicks can't we?"

"You can say that again," Manic laughed. "So, how about we go get some coffee and you can tell me all about Julie? Your shout."

"My shout? That's quite presumptuous of you," Mari-Su sneered.

"Do you want me to help you see your daughter?"

"I guess you do have me in a bind, young man. You'll make quite the business man someday."

"Nah, I'd rather just play in my band and make music."

"You know what Manic, I think I'm going to like you," Mari smiled. Manic grinned back.

It was weird, being labelled a slut by a bunch of eleven-year-olds. Most people think kids don't become vicious until high school but let me tell you, the elder kids in primary school can be just as mean.

Things at home got a lot worse for me. I couldn't stomach my father. I avoided him as much as I could, which wasn't exactly hard because apart from some encounters I'd rather forget, he wasn't around much. I preferred it that way. However, when it came to school I wish he'd at least pack me a lunch in the morning.

I had to get food some other way; the only way I knew how.

"Hey Predator, your hair is looking so cool today," I sauntered up to the hawk sitting on the bench in the playground about to bite into a delicious-looking sandwich.

"Whoa, Mina, hey, what's up?" Predator tried to sound cool and deepen his voice.

"Oh, y'know, nothing much," I twirled a finger through my brown hair. I didn't die it purple until the ninth grade to stand out. Sometimes I still miss my old chestnut hair. "I was watching you playing tag at recess. You're so fast."

"Really?" Predator's voice hitched in his throat and came out as a squeak. He coughed and deepened his voice. "Y-yeah, I am pretty fast, I know."

"What are you eating there?"

"This? It's just a sandwich."

"Mind if I have a little bite," I whispered.

"Yeah, sure. Here, take it," Predator smiled at me.

"Thanks," I giggled as I swiped the food out of his hand and sauntered off without another word. Before Predator had time to register what happened I'd already waltzed off into an empty classroom to eat in peace.

"That wasn't very nice," a voice chided judgmentally.

"It was just Predator. He's a jerk anyway," I huffed but turned to look my accuser in the eyes – those baby-blue eyes I miss so much.

"Still, why have you resorted to stealing food from people?" Tails asked me in his young, innocent voice.

"You don't understand, Tails."

"What's happening, Mina? You've changed. You're being mean, you're flirting with every guy and…" Tails trailed off.

"And what?"

"And you never want to hang out with me anymore."

"I'm sorry." It was all I could say.

"Why? What's wrong, Mina? You can tell me. You know that, don't you?"

"I know, Tails, but I just don't want to talk about it."

"Why not?"

"I just don't want to."

"But you can tell me."

"I said no," I snapped. I know he was just trying to help and he was too young to understand, but I couldn't tell him. I didn't want him to worry, but more importantly I didn't want to appear weak. I didn't want my father to win.

A thick silence engulfed the classroom until Tails finally spoke up. "I miss you, Mina. I miss my best friend," he pouted. That did it. I couldn't even begin to start articulating my feelings, my living nightmare that my home life had become, but at least I knew I'd always have him. I rushed up to him and crashed into him, enveloping him in a tight hug as I began to cry. Tails didn't say anything. He just held me and let me cry until the bell rang.

I still wish I told Tails what was happening at home, but I couldn't. After the court case Isabella won custody of me again and sent me to boarding school out in the country where I met Breezie, a bunch of my friends and finally I began to enjoy life again. Finding Tails again after so long was just the cherry on top.

So why does he have to come back for me? Why now?

"And then if we add hydrochloric acid it will add H+ ions to neutralize the basic compound?" Sonia scratched her head as she tried to scribble down more of the formula.

"I don't know, maybe?"

"And the product of the reactants would be H2O and… what?"

"Sonia, you're acting like I'm an expert at this. I think I'm struggling more than you," Espio complained.

"The exam is in two weeks and this is basic stuff. We need to know this."

"Well if somebody didn't distract me every lesson," Espio chided.

"C'mon, Zonic was so boring don't pretend this is my fault. You would have been sleeping if I didn't keep you awake," Sonia fired back.

"True, true, but – ugh! This is impossible," Espio rustled his hair.

"I think we need a break," Sonia decided.

"But we've only been studying for half an hour."

"And I think we've earned a break. We're clearly not going to understand anything in this mindset."

"Alright, fine, but you have to come to my tutor session with Shadow tomorrow, deal?"

"Deal. Now c'mon," Sonia smiled as she closed her textbook and shoved it back into her overflowing backpack. "Let's go get a snack. I've got some chocolate in my room that's just dying to be eaten."

Sonia and Espio exchanged insults and laughed the whole way to her dorm room. They never interacted much outside of class but ever since Zonic placed them together in his seating plan at the beginning of the term Espio and Sonia had forged a quick friendship. It was mostly built on distracting each other in class, but now that class was over they decided to continue studying together and promised that they'd help each other pass Chemistry.

"Knock, knock," Sonia called out as she unlocked her dorm door. "I've got Espio with me so make sure you're decent!" Even before Sonia opened the door they were assaulted by loud, obnoxious crying.

"Oh, Sonia, thank god you're here. Can you watch Max for a second? I'm busting to go to the bathroom but I can't get him to stop crying," Lumina lamented. She was sitting on her bed cradling her infant in her arms.

"You have a baby in your room?" Espio asked.

"Long story don't ask. Of course, Lumina, go," Sonia faked a smile.

"Thank you so much," Lumina thrust Max into Sonia's arms before she made a break for the open door.

"Alright, sorry, I'm lost. How long have you been keeping a baby in this room?"

"A couple days."

"And you haven't been caught yet?"

"We have, but Razor said we could keep him here until we find Void as long as everybody is okay with having him."

"And you live with Fiona?"

"Unfortunately."

"And she's okay with this?" Espio asked question after question. He knew Fiona better than most and knew there was no way she'd even consider putting up with this little crying thing.

"Well, not at first," Sonia snickered. "But she's actually taken quite a shine to little Maxy here. Don't ask me why, but I think she actually likes having him around."

Before Espio could open his mouth again Max let out another deafening wail. His crying had died down slightly when Sonia took him but now that he realized his mother was nowhere to be seen he broke out into hysterics.

"Shh, shh, shh," Sonia hushed fruitlessly. It only made his shrieks louder. "Espio, don't just stand there, help."

"I don't know the first thing about babies."

"Just try something," Sonia placed Max carefully in Espio's arms. He looked down at the crying infant with unease. He'd never held a baby this young before.

"Um, uh, rock-a-bye Maxy, don't you cry. Dry your tears and close your eyes. When you awake mother will be here, showered with love you've nothing to fear," Espio began to sing gently in a whispery voice. Max's cries began to quieten and his big round orbs looked up expectantly at Espio. Espio's gaze flicked to Sonia.

"Keep singing," she whispered.

"Baby is drowsing, cozy and fair. Soundly asleep, dreaming without care. Now little Maxy, shut your eyes tight. And mother will wake you at morning's first light."

"Wow, that was beautiful, Espio," Lumina said from the doorway. Espio tore his eyes away from the sleeping child cradled in his arms to Lumina as she leant in the doorway. "I've never seen him fall asleep so quickly."

"It was nothing. I was just making it up as I went along," Espio shrugged.

"Well whatever you said, it worked," Lumina smiled as she carefully extracted Max from Espio's grasp and laid him down gently in his makeshift crib. "I think he likes your voice. Although I don't know what I would have expected from such a gifted musician."

"Stop, you'll make me blush," Espio laughed quietly.

"Sonia, you're free to invite Espio over whenever you'd like."

"Good, because we're going to be studying a lot together over the next few weeks in our desperate attempt to pass Chemistry."

"And while you study, you can look after Max," Lumina smiled.

"I guess I could do that," Espio said. "He is quite cute."

"Perfect," Lumina beamed as she stepped closer to Sonia and whispered in her ear. "He's quite good with children. I think he's a keeper."

"Lumina, it's not like that," Sonia slapped her friend. "Besides, Knuckles and I are seeing where things are going."

"But…"

"But I do have to admit, he is good with kids," Sonia admitted as she watched Espio smiling down at the small child asleep in Lumina's crib.

Dinner times were a lot less scary for Sally now that she'd managed to overcome her eating disorder. The sight of mounds of food still made her anxious and she still ate a lot less than she did this time last year but she managed to finish a small meal without issue.

"Thanks for having dinner with me tonight Sal," Sonic offered a joyless smile. Sally knew his happiness was just a façade but seeing him smile was such a rarity she didn't mind.

"Anytime Sonic, but it's me. If you don't feel like smiling you don't have to. It's just us," Sally said. Sonic lowered his defenses and his mouth fell into a thin, emotionless line. "Still grieving?" Sonic nodded silently. "Want me to change conversation?" Another nod. "Alright, well, Julie asked me to be her proper girlfriend yesterday."

"That's wonderful news, Sal, I'm really happy for you."

"Thanks. How's your love life going?"

"I don't really have one at the moment," Sonic admitted. "But Blaze and I are getting really close."

"Blaze?"

"Yeah. We're kinda, sorta… dating." Sonic closed his eyes and braced for the flurry of anger he assumed would flow from Sally's mouth but she kept tight-lipped. "Okay, I thought that would be worse."

"Did you think I'd be angry?" Sally asked strangely.

"I assumed you'd hate her. I remember you vented to me about what she did when you found out."

"And what does that say about her, Sonic, if you just telling me about her made you think I'd disapprove. Do you think that's a good sign?"

"Is this your roundabout way of saying you don't approve of my relationship?"

"It doesn't matter if I approve or not."

"No, it doesn't, because you're not my mother," Sonic pouted like a child.

"But, the fact that you thought it was bad telling me must be a sign, right?"

"Sally," Sonic scowled. "I know you don't like her but that doesn't mean I have to hate her too. Look, let's do dinner. You can sit down and have a proper conversation with her and –"

"No."

"But –"

"I said no," Sally interrupted. "Sonic, look, I don't like her and regardless of your relationship with her that isn't going to change. I won't stop you, I wouldn't dream of saying that I should decide who you can and can't date, but I'm not going to have dinner with her. I just can't, not after what she did."

"Alright," Sonic sighed. "I guess that's fair. What about Julie?"

"What about Julie?"

"I don't really know much about her. We travel in similar circles but I've never had a change to have a proper chat with her. Why don't you and I do dinner and you can invite Julie?"

"Just the three of us?" Sally raised a skeptical eyebrow.

"Just the three of us," Sonic nodded. "We can go into town Friday night. It'll be nice. C'mon, say yes. I really want to get to know her."

"Alright, fine," Sally rolled her eyes with a smile. "You know I can never say no to that face."

"Sweet. I'll see you then," Sonic said as he stood up and rushed off. Sally looked on with confusion. That was rude, she thought. Little did she know that Sonic was rushing off to make dinner plans with Blaze that Friday night. He wanted the two most important women in his life to get on and if he had to be sneaky about it, so be it.

"This isn't fair!" Shadow slammed his palms down on the principal's desk. "That room isn't Nack's."

"Last time I checked, it wasn't Tails' either," Razor fired back. "That was a spare room that I intended to stay spare, that is, until you found it."

"Tails needed it. He was struggling, and the room was helping him," Shadow countered.

"How so?"

"How so? Sir, you can't be serious. We're talking about the student who… who's dead now," Mina countered. After she'd found Nack had not only inhabited the room but destroyed Blanketopolis she went straight to Shadow. Together, the two of them decided Razor would help them sort out this mess. Unfortunately, he was proving less than helpful.

"An unfortunate, heartbreaking tragedy to be sure, but that doesn't mean he deserved the room," Razor stayed impartial.

"But he did, and he made a fort in it and Nack just tore it down," Mina grumbled.

"That room became the last resting place of a dead student, and one of our best friends, and he disgraced it just like that," Shadow roared. "It's an injustice that can't go unpunished."

"What should I do about it?"

"What should you do about it?" Shadow could hardly believe how spineless his principal sounded. "Kick him out. Make him go back to the room you assigned him."

"How dare you tell me how to run my school," Razor shouted. "You are a student, just like he is, Mr. Hedgehog and you will do as I say. Nack is a new student here under special circumstances and as such I think allowing him to have his own room is necessary."

"Oh, now he finds his backbone," Mina rolled her eyes. Both of them were fired up. They both knew how much Blanketopolis meant to Tails and the fort had become somewhat of a shrine of memories for the two of them since Tails had passed.

"This is inexcusable."

"I agree. Students trying to barge in here and demand things of me is quite inexcusable," Razor said. "If you aren't out of my office in the next ten seconds it's detention for both of you.

"I thought you were supposed to be on the student's side. You're as bad as Claire," Shadow snarled.

"C'mon Shadow, let's get out of here," Mina pulled him away. Razor waited until the door was slammed shut and the sound of footsteps echoing grew silent before he let out a long, pained exhale.

"Good principaling, Razor," Nack smiled as he stepped into the office. "I heard every word."

"Are you happy now?" Razor growled.

"Very. You're quite a good actor. I'll put in a good word for mummy and daddy. Just stick to your guns and there shouldn't be any issues and you'll get what was promised," Nack smiled his conniving, vicious smile. Razor grunted but said nothing. He knew when he was beat.

"And that's the gist of it," Silver sighed as he pushed his uneaten potato around his plate with his fork. Rouge was shocked. She'd been captivated by every word. She couldn't believe all the things Scourge had kept hidden from her.

"So, you guys used to be best friends and he came to live with you after his abusive father murdered his caring mother in front of him?" Rouge repeated, unable to believe the words unless she said them out loud again.

"Basically," Silver nodded. "That's why he used to act so weird around me. I think I remind him of his past."

"Used to?"

"Does, I mean. Why he does act so weird around me," Silver repeated. Scourge didn't want people to know about the rekindled friendship and if Scourge wanted it that way Silver would respect his wishes.

"But that doesn't explain how he ended up like he is now," Rouge pondered. "It explains the scars and the strange behaviour around you but how did he turn from a nerd into the hunk he is today." Silver rolled his eyes at Scourge being called a hunk. "You said he didn't live with you for long. Where did he go afterwards?"

"That isn't for me to say," Silver said. "I've already said too much."

"But I'm his girlfriend. Don't you think I deserve to know?"

"It's not up to me. Why don't you ask him yourself?"

"Maybe I will," Rouge huffed.

"But Rouge, please, don't tell him I told you any of this."

"I won't."

"Promise?"

"Cross my heart," Rouge traced her finger over her heart. "But Silver, thanks for telling me. I really appreciate it. He means a lot to me."

"I can see that. He means a lot to me, too," Silver said. Rouge nodded in understanding. She stood up to leave now that Silver upheld his end of their agreement but paused to look back.

"Oh, and I'll continue to keep an eye on Eclipse. I don't know why you thought I'd be the person for that job, but I think I might be exactly what he needs."

"I know. That's why I came to you. I just have a sense for these things," Silver smiled. Rouge smiled back before she fled the cafeteria in search of her boyfriend leaving Silver alone again.

Fiona had got the message at nine that night. She knew he was the best in the business but she didn't realize he would have been that quick to get the job done. She waited in the parking lot that windy Wednesday night in her short skirt and black leather jacket as the car rolled through the gates at the exact time his message said to meet him – eleven.

"Perfect timing," Fiona said as the man, her private investigator, stepped out of his inconspicuous car.

"My timing is always perfect," he countered. "Do you have the rest of the money?"

"Of course I do. Did you find him?" Fiona asked.

"I found him, and I can do you one better," he said. Fiona was intrigued. He led her around to the boot of his car and opened it. Fiona was shocked.

"Hello? Who are you? Please, I don't know you. Whatever I did, I'm sorry," somebody was tied up in the investigator's boot with a bag over their head.

"I told you to find him for me, not tie him up and kidnap him," Fiona snapped.

"Hang on," the boy in the boot said. "I know that voice."

"Claire told me up and told me you'd throw in an extra two-hundred if I grabbed him and took him here."

"Of course she did," Fiona rolled her eyes. "That bitch," she hissed as she pulled out her wallet and took out an extra two-hundred dollars and stuffed it into the envelope she then handed him.

"Pleasure doing business with you. If you ever need my services just call," he smiled as he hoisted the boy out of the boot, shut it and drove off into the night without another word.

"Please, who are you? What did I do?"

"Stop being so pathetic," Fiona grumbled as she untied him and pulled off the bag that covered his head.

"F-Fiona?" the boy gasped as he rubbed his eyes.

"We have a lot to discuss, Void."


A/N: I feel like all of these author's notes start with me apologizing for how long it's been since the last chapter, and I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to be so long but I started another story and I've been having a blast planning it all out and writing the first couple of chapters. If you want to check it out please do so :) It's different to anything I've done so far so I'd love to know if you liked it. Anyway, I promised I'd get this out before the new year and I intend to keep that promise. And Merry almost Christmas for those who celebrate it!

Anyway, Void is finally back in the picture. But if you want to know what he's been up to you'll have to wait until next time, which hopefully won't be long but knowing me you won't find out until February. I'll endeavor to get the next one out in January but no promises. This is, again, one of the longest chapters again so I hope that's at least a consolation prize. Don't forget to read and review!

QotD: I don't really have a question this time so I'll throw it over to you. What's your biggest current question about any character or plot line or mystery yet to be explained?

Next time on SH:EL

Amy and Tikal fight over whether Clove should get the abortion or not

Espio's finally ready to share Tails' final message with Sonic

Mighty vs. Scourge, Mighty finally wins?

Razor confronts Nack about his parents

...And Fiona finally confronts Void for abandoning Lumina and his kid (again)

All this and so, so much more, next time on Chapter 56: Torment