Good Morning!

This is really embarrassing, I haven't posted in... half a year?

ugh.

I still maintain my announcement, and I do not promise if I will be able to complete this story (sad as it is.)

I appreciate all of your posts, favorites and comments, they do mean alot to me.

But enough moping, On with the Chapter!

Sincerely,

Gate Keeper

Chapter 9: of Timing, Trials, and Terror

At Ivo's house

Midnight, The Witching Hour.

It was said, that when mortals sleep in this dark and ominous time, the Fey and the otherworldly creatures come out to spread their magic across the land. Curses and blessings, the enchanted world of children and the crumbly sand in the elder's eyes, are due to the dust that is spread in this unknown hour. A story of a compromise, between the lowly many and the immortal few, to keep a delicate peace.

Well, was.

Such legends were dispersed like the dust in the fall-out of the Gene Bombs.

And now the frail successors to the humans; Mobians, Overlander and others, still sleep. They avoid the night even without the stories told by their forerunners of mighty Oberon and fair Titania, the playful pixies and the dire spirits and ghouls and wights that haunt the deep night.

Well, except for one.

Ivo felt a chill in his bones. No wind ran through his main room, no winter's snow graced the window sill.

He knew naught why, as he pulled a blanket further around his shoulders.

There was a wrongness in the air, a deep, low whisper that speaks to the body, even if he mind never acknowledges it.

"I'm just having a bad night, that's all." He thought. He rose, curling the blanket around himself and shuffling slowly to the window, never gazing at the full moon and the night sky.

"I just don't want to look outside, I'll keep myself up more." Ivo shut the blinds, a unnoticed tension loosening from his body as darkness enclosed the room.

He thought he heard a tiny tinkling sound, like a silver bell rung from a distance, but shook his head. "I really need to get to bed." grumbled Ivo as he headed for the stairs

A sharp clack. "I think, Doctor, that you should really take a seat."

Ivo turned around, a sad smile on his lips.

"I suppose it would have happened sooner or later. Hello, Shadow."

A few minutes before...

Two black coated figures walked silently down the streets

They watched a lone house, far away from the street, and the open window on it's first floor.

As it closed, one of the figures strode forward.

The other spoke, "Shadow, we really should go together. Eggman is too strong for just one person, even you!"

Shadow turned, his red quills a dull highlight in the darkness. "I need to do this, Rouge. Alone."

Rouge huffed. "And you say you're better than Sonic, but this is exactly what he would do!"

A glint of chrome came from Shadow's hand. "Rouge, please. This is... family business."

"...Fine. But don't expect me to bail you out."

A ghost of the smile was seen by Rouge.

"Hmph!" and with a fiery little trail behind him, Shadow sped off towards the house.

With a little chuckle, Rouge contemplated what to do now

"I think I'll drop by Vanilla's, haven't seen her in a while. I wonder if she knows about Eggman?"

At Ivo's

Both Shadow and Eggman stood, each looking at the other to make the first move.

With a sigh, Eggman walked and plunked himself down onto a nearby chair in the room.

"So what do I owe the pleasure for the visit? It's not like I tried to make it easy for people to find me."

Shadow remained standing, red eyes glaring at the man. "you can thank your little mall trip and a paranoid bat."

Eggman sighed. "I knew that wouldn't end well. So Rouge found me out? I figured she would have at least wanted to pop in, so where is she?"

Shadow loosened up a little bit, but never left his spot. "I asked her to leave it to me."

Eggman quirked an eyebrow. "And she let you? I never thought I'd see the day when she..."

"I told her we had family business." Shadow interrupted.

Eggman grew somber. "I see. I don't think that requires a gun, right Shadow?"

A moment of silence. "Hmph." grumbled Shadow as he slowly walked toward a chair opposite of Eggman, dispensing the chrome pistol on the nearby end table.

"It's just in reach of Shadow" marked Eggman in his head. "Well we can't expect everything to just turn out perfect at a moments notice now can we?"

"...why are you here, Eggman?"

"Well no one really knows for certain why we're here Shadow. Some people say we are here by chance, other by the will of some higher being..."

"I meant why are you here in Metropolis!" huffed Shadow, banging his arm on his chair.

"... well, I suppose it's because I don't wish to be Eggman anymore." Stated Eggman

Silence.

"But you are Eggman." Insisted Shadow

"And yet I do not want to be him." Eggman retorted

"That doesn't just release you from what you've done!" Shadow pointed a finger at Eggman.

"I know it doesn't but I am willing to try at least!" Eggman spread out his arms, exasperated.

"And how does that mean anything?! You have always been Eggman!" Shadow started to rise from his chair.

"That doesn't mean I am him now!" Eggman rose, mirroring him.

"What makes you think that you'll actually change?!"

"I have been changing ever since I got here!"

"You have always been a villain, and that is all you will be!" Shouted Shadow.

"AND WHAT DOES THAT MAKE YOU, SHADOW!" Roared Eggman. "DOES IT MAKE YOU A HERO, AN OUTCAST? YOU, WHO WAS MADE BY MY GRANDFATHER! YOU, WHO HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN THAT GREY AREA BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL! WELL, I AM NOT YOU. I AM WILLING TO CHANGE PERMANENTLY!"

Eggman collapsed in his chair again

"I just... I just want to be normal. All my life I've been hunted down and searching for something. Whether it was my family or Sonic or you, someone has been watching me. Whether it was power or glory or the Emeralds I've been searching for something. And now, after just one of many defeats, I find myself unwilling to go back."

"I... know what it's like to be invincible. I've lived as a king, I've survived as a outcast. I've betrayed and been betrayed by those close to me. I've devoted so much of myself to defeating Sonic, I don't even know what it's like to be...normal."

"I'm tired of being Eggman; the bogey-man, the looming shadow over Mobius. I've been at the dark end of the line and look what it got me: a dead nephew and a kingdom made of dolls" Eggman said bitterly. "So, when I got the chance and some help to disappear, I took it. I knew I had to face you someday, somehow but I didn't think it would be for a long time. And then I came here, and you know who the first person I walk into? I walk into Cream and Vanilla the Rabbits."

Shadow looked surprised, eyes wide as he softly plopped down in his chair again.

Eggman chuckled. "I know how you feel. That was my same reaction when I realized who they were. Anyways I... well, that's not my story to tell is it? You should ask Vanilla next time you see her." Eggman smiled, looking off to the distance "She's a good mother, and a good friend to have, I hope you know that."

Silence.

"So, I believe the question now, Shadow, is what happens now? Do you wish to reveal this to everyone? I can't really stop you, even though I certainly tried!" Eggman laughed

A small smile came to Shadow, and disappeared as quickly. "I won't tell anyone of this, Eggman. I can't promise Rouge won't though, she's probably off telling someone right now."

"Possibly. Who do you think it is?"

"I'd say someone who she trusts implicitly to keep things quiet until she's ready."

"So... the Rabbits?" Eggman queried.

Shadow chuckled "The irony would be a little thick, wouldn't you think?"

Eggman cracked a smile. "Just a little bit. So, instead of addressing me as Eggman, would you kindly say, Mr. K or Ivo Kintobor?" He reached out a hand.

After some hesitation, Shadow shook it. "I could manage with that, Ivo."

Ivo put himself at ease. "Thank you, Shadow. Now, I will be off to bed. See you later!" And he rose from the chair and turned around to go up the stairs.

As he reached the first steps, he heard Shadow speak "Rouge, you alright? Yes, he's right here, why do you..."

After a minute of silence, Shadow spoke up. "Ivo?"

"Yes?"

"I need you to be Eggman, one last time."

Ivo's eyes hardend "After everything I said, you want me to...?!"

Shadow glared at the doctor. "Rouge just got to the Rabbit's house."

...

"Vanilla is gone, and there's a note addressed to you from 'The Boss'"

The temperature of the room dropped instantly

Eggman whispered "Let me get my suit."

"We have no time to waste."