PROJECT: Nightmare
Chapter 2: The Aftermath
"Well?" Tails inquired. "What is it?"
"It's... well, it's Shadow."
"What about him?" Tails kept his tone quiet and concerned.
"Well it's just that, I... well, I miss him. He was a good person." Sonic sighed and glanced away. "I just... wish I could've gotten to know him better before he died."
Tails placed a hand on the blue hedgehog's shoulder. "I know what you mean Sonic, but what does that have to do with you jumping in the water?"
"I want to find his body. If I want to pay my true respects, he should have a proper burial. Know what I mean?"
"Yeah..."
Silence surfaced between them. Tails cleared his throat. "You know Sonic? Maybe you'd feel better if you went for a run."
Sonic tilted his head, still focused on the water. "You're right, Tails. A good sprint seems to lift my spirits." He stuck his finger in his mouth and held it up. "Hmm... a west breeze today..." He took a breath, geared up, and zoomed out of there.
Tails debated whether to follow not. "Right now he'd probably find me a nuisince..." He caught a glimpse of the burger/hot dog stand. "I'll go get some supper."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A lone red figure standing on the dock across town watched Sonic run by, carefree and seeming at so much ease. "Sonic doesn't know how lucky he is..."
Knuckles the Echidna sighed in deep melencholy. "I'd do anything have his free-willed spirit for one day." Alas, being free willed didn't work in the Guardian's favor, who had managed to lock up the Master Emerald to have some time down on the main earth. Secure as it was, he was still very nervous, and decided it was about time to go back.
As he made his way across the boardwalk, he had to notice the sun was setting. Such a lovely mix of orange, pink, red, green...
(Waitaminute. Sunsets aren't green... but that thing in the alley is!) Immediately suspicious, Knuckles carefully made his way over to the glowing object. He ducked behind a trash recepticle and looked on.
The glow stopped.
A black form emerged from the cloud. It walked into the alley, then darted out, and headed for the train station.
Knuckles' jaw hit the ground. That wasn't... but it was.... but it couldn't be...
Forget that; he was on the train headed for White Island. Knuckles decided he could investigate later; right now his curiosity was on what was in the alley that the black hedgehog went back for.
He jumped over a few trashcans and shoved a dumpster out of his path. "Man... whatever went on over here, it must've been a major battle. I wonder who--- ROUGE!"
With expert speed, Knuckles made his way to the back of the alley where the bat lay. He carefully lifted her head and gave her a gentle shake. "Rouge... say something..."
No response. He checked her breathing and pulse; normal. "Well, I can't just leave her lying here..." He sighed. What to do... he still didn't trust her completely, but she might die if left in the alley. "Chances are no one else would come back here...." With an annoyed groan, he hoisted her up. "Guess I'll have to take her back to Angel Island with me." He shifted her in his arms, and noticed that his glove was soaked in red liquid. Gasping, her held her and carefully took in all of the wounds on her body. "Oh yeah, I'm DEFINATELY not leaving her here."
But how in world would he carry her? He couldn't fly up with his arms full...
An idea occurred. He kicked over a trashcan and found some old clothes. He grabbed a belt and a few neckties and used those to tie her onto his back. He looked ridiculous, but at least this way he could safely catch the updrafts that would take him back home.
With a slight grunt, Knuckles ran back towards the dock. Rushing fast into the wind, he caught the updraft and flew home, hoping that Rouge would be alright when they got there.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
With a loud grunt, Nightmare slammed the door to his room. "Stupid people... no wonder the Doctor doesn't like me going outside." He pouted and sat on the bed. "Still... I can't just let them make a fool out of me. Maybe I should go back... then they'll remember my name forever!" He stood up, grinning wildly like a child. "Yeah! They'll learn who Nightmare is! I will become an infinate legand!!" He yawned. "Wah... I guess infinate legends need sleep, huh?" He yawned again and giggled madly before finally drifting off, full of sweet images of revenge.
Eggman listened to the whole thing intently, pondering Nightmare's words. "Already talking out loud to himself..." He grinned full of glee. "He's catching on so fast!" Carefully he crept away, careful not to wake his "son".
It had been just over a month, and Nightmare had already made some incredible developments. He was borne past the infancy stage, which suited Ivo just fine, since diaper changing wasn't his idea of a good time. But beyond that, he was maturing quickly, and what Ivo was concerned most with were his emotions. He wouldn't be a complete LifeForm without emotions, and now they would be nearing their peak. Ivo was concerned that Nightmare would question his creation, his past, and worst of all, his name.
Nightmare knew what a nightmare was, and so far, it was his dream to become one. Odd, but true. Ivo was pleased of the vengence and the evil that he had put into his creation. Yet, if Nightmare began to wonder WHY he was named that, he would learn of Shadow, and as things fell together, he might conclude himself to be a mere clone, and turn on Ivo for bringing him into the world to feel such pain.
No... as Nightmare's father figure, Ivo had to do everything in his power to manipulate Nightmare's will to think about such things. His focus had to always remain on his protection, his well-being, his will to survive. Survive... that's what he must do.
"I wonder how his trip to the city went....?"
He'd have to ask him tomorrow.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*clop clop clop*
The heels of Amy Rose's boots clapped against the wooden floor as she stepped out of the elevator and into her apartment. She jangled her keys for a moment and opened the door. God, what a day... but she got some really nice books from the library.
She locked the door and walked into her bedroom, flopping onto the bed. After sinking into the mattress for a moment, she rolled over and examined one of the books she borrowed. " 'Winds of Time'..." she read aloud. "Such a pretty name. I wonder what kind of stuff is really in here..." she flipped through the Table of Contents. "I had only skimmed it before."
Before too long, though, Amy grew extremely weary. (I'll save them for tomorrow. After all, I have three weeks to keep them!) Yawning, she changed into her pink nightgown and slid under the covers. Reaching for her homemade Sonic doll, she clicked off the light. "Goodnight, Sonikku." She kissed its nose affectionately and listend to the rain starting to fall. She dozed off soon after.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Knuckles panted rapidly, pushing his way through the winds. A storm had suddenly blown in, making it seem darker then it really was, and with Angel Island up as high as it was, pushing through the clouds - especially with extra weight - is not an easy task, even for someone as strong as himself.
He was never as relieved as he was the moment he set foot on the island. Rain had started to fall by this point, and it was getting heavier by the moment. Quickly Knuckles cut though the belt and ties. It would be easier to carry Rouge in his arms rather then to have her flopping on his back as he ran.
Within a few minutes, they had reached a small hut. It was raining buckets, and small hailstones were falling at the feet of the Guardian. (This is a really bad storm... God knows what would've happened to Rouge had she been left out in this.)
She was still unsoncious. Knuckles brought her inside and laid her down on his bed. He had to get her out of those wet clothes, but... he couldn't just undress her!! The least he could do was take her boots off, which he did, and wrapped her up on soft blankets to hopefully restore her normal body temperature. He didn't know if she was running a chill, but she was cold, so better safe then sorry.
It wasn't quite nine, but the sky outside told otherwise. Knuckles gently stroked Rouge's cheek. "Whatever hit her, it must've been tough. Rouge doesn't get taken out easily." He sighed and stroked her some more. "Don't worry... you'll be safe with me." He suddenly caught what he was saying.
(Why am I protecting her? This is the same girl who tried to steal my Emerald!) But, on the other hand, she was also completely helpless, and Knuckles... kinda-sorta-maybe liked her, and well, he DID save her life once... "It won't kill me to do it again, right?" He shook his head. He'd have to work out his emotions later. Right now, he neeeded to check on the Master Emerald. He stood up and headed towards the door.
Turning the lamp down to a dim setting, Knux took one last look at the sleeping bat beauty. He noticed that her expression had changed slightly, she mouth was turned up, as if she was smiling. Knuckles grinned in return. "You're welcome, Rouge. Sweet dreams."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
//Running...//
Faster than the Wind, his element.
//Running...//
Did that mean he had beaten himself?
//Running...//
No... it meant he was getting ahead of himself.
//Running...//
But where was he getting? Where was he going?
SLAM!
Sonic, not paying the least bit of attention, had smacked into the side of yet another mailbox. "Owww..." he moaned, rubbing his nose. "That's the third one today..." Why couldn't he focus? Maybe because it was so late...
(But it's only 8:30.)
He felt wet. Looking up, he noticed the sky had gotten extremely dark. Rain was starting to fall. Sonic shook his head out, and then started running. Perhaps a run in the rain is what the doctor ordered. Yes.. the rain could wash away his doubts, his fears,
his pain.
Why did he feel so pained about Shadow's passing on? It's not like they were in love. But Sonic did have a fondness for the black hedgehog, and he was sure he felt some respect... In a way, he looked up to Shadow. Shadow was fast, powerful, and sly. He did save Sonic from his space death; teaching him about Chaos Control.
Chaos Control.
That was it.
Shadow was alive.
He had to be.
When he fell into the atmosphere, he was still fused with the Chaos Emeralds. He should've been able to Chao Control to the surface! But... it's been over seven months since the ARK incident...
Sonic shook his head. No more bad thoughts. His friend had a chance of being alive; that's all that mattered right now.
Chapter 2: The Aftermath
"Well?" Tails inquired. "What is it?"
"It's... well, it's Shadow."
"What about him?" Tails kept his tone quiet and concerned.
"Well it's just that, I... well, I miss him. He was a good person." Sonic sighed and glanced away. "I just... wish I could've gotten to know him better before he died."
Tails placed a hand on the blue hedgehog's shoulder. "I know what you mean Sonic, but what does that have to do with you jumping in the water?"
"I want to find his body. If I want to pay my true respects, he should have a proper burial. Know what I mean?"
"Yeah..."
Silence surfaced between them. Tails cleared his throat. "You know Sonic? Maybe you'd feel better if you went for a run."
Sonic tilted his head, still focused on the water. "You're right, Tails. A good sprint seems to lift my spirits." He stuck his finger in his mouth and held it up. "Hmm... a west breeze today..." He took a breath, geared up, and zoomed out of there.
Tails debated whether to follow not. "Right now he'd probably find me a nuisince..." He caught a glimpse of the burger/hot dog stand. "I'll go get some supper."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A lone red figure standing on the dock across town watched Sonic run by, carefree and seeming at so much ease. "Sonic doesn't know how lucky he is..."
Knuckles the Echidna sighed in deep melencholy. "I'd do anything have his free-willed spirit for one day." Alas, being free willed didn't work in the Guardian's favor, who had managed to lock up the Master Emerald to have some time down on the main earth. Secure as it was, he was still very nervous, and decided it was about time to go back.
As he made his way across the boardwalk, he had to notice the sun was setting. Such a lovely mix of orange, pink, red, green...
(Waitaminute. Sunsets aren't green... but that thing in the alley is!) Immediately suspicious, Knuckles carefully made his way over to the glowing object. He ducked behind a trash recepticle and looked on.
The glow stopped.
A black form emerged from the cloud. It walked into the alley, then darted out, and headed for the train station.
Knuckles' jaw hit the ground. That wasn't... but it was.... but it couldn't be...
Forget that; he was on the train headed for White Island. Knuckles decided he could investigate later; right now his curiosity was on what was in the alley that the black hedgehog went back for.
He jumped over a few trashcans and shoved a dumpster out of his path. "Man... whatever went on over here, it must've been a major battle. I wonder who--- ROUGE!"
With expert speed, Knuckles made his way to the back of the alley where the bat lay. He carefully lifted her head and gave her a gentle shake. "Rouge... say something..."
No response. He checked her breathing and pulse; normal. "Well, I can't just leave her lying here..." He sighed. What to do... he still didn't trust her completely, but she might die if left in the alley. "Chances are no one else would come back here...." With an annoyed groan, he hoisted her up. "Guess I'll have to take her back to Angel Island with me." He shifted her in his arms, and noticed that his glove was soaked in red liquid. Gasping, her held her and carefully took in all of the wounds on her body. "Oh yeah, I'm DEFINATELY not leaving her here."
But how in world would he carry her? He couldn't fly up with his arms full...
An idea occurred. He kicked over a trashcan and found some old clothes. He grabbed a belt and a few neckties and used those to tie her onto his back. He looked ridiculous, but at least this way he could safely catch the updrafts that would take him back home.
With a slight grunt, Knuckles ran back towards the dock. Rushing fast into the wind, he caught the updraft and flew home, hoping that Rouge would be alright when they got there.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
With a loud grunt, Nightmare slammed the door to his room. "Stupid people... no wonder the Doctor doesn't like me going outside." He pouted and sat on the bed. "Still... I can't just let them make a fool out of me. Maybe I should go back... then they'll remember my name forever!" He stood up, grinning wildly like a child. "Yeah! They'll learn who Nightmare is! I will become an infinate legand!!" He yawned. "Wah... I guess infinate legends need sleep, huh?" He yawned again and giggled madly before finally drifting off, full of sweet images of revenge.
Eggman listened to the whole thing intently, pondering Nightmare's words. "Already talking out loud to himself..." He grinned full of glee. "He's catching on so fast!" Carefully he crept away, careful not to wake his "son".
It had been just over a month, and Nightmare had already made some incredible developments. He was borne past the infancy stage, which suited Ivo just fine, since diaper changing wasn't his idea of a good time. But beyond that, he was maturing quickly, and what Ivo was concerned most with were his emotions. He wouldn't be a complete LifeForm without emotions, and now they would be nearing their peak. Ivo was concerned that Nightmare would question his creation, his past, and worst of all, his name.
Nightmare knew what a nightmare was, and so far, it was his dream to become one. Odd, but true. Ivo was pleased of the vengence and the evil that he had put into his creation. Yet, if Nightmare began to wonder WHY he was named that, he would learn of Shadow, and as things fell together, he might conclude himself to be a mere clone, and turn on Ivo for bringing him into the world to feel such pain.
No... as Nightmare's father figure, Ivo had to do everything in his power to manipulate Nightmare's will to think about such things. His focus had to always remain on his protection, his well-being, his will to survive. Survive... that's what he must do.
"I wonder how his trip to the city went....?"
He'd have to ask him tomorrow.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*clop clop clop*
The heels of Amy Rose's boots clapped against the wooden floor as she stepped out of the elevator and into her apartment. She jangled her keys for a moment and opened the door. God, what a day... but she got some really nice books from the library.
She locked the door and walked into her bedroom, flopping onto the bed. After sinking into the mattress for a moment, she rolled over and examined one of the books she borrowed. " 'Winds of Time'..." she read aloud. "Such a pretty name. I wonder what kind of stuff is really in here..." she flipped through the Table of Contents. "I had only skimmed it before."
Before too long, though, Amy grew extremely weary. (I'll save them for tomorrow. After all, I have three weeks to keep them!) Yawning, she changed into her pink nightgown and slid under the covers. Reaching for her homemade Sonic doll, she clicked off the light. "Goodnight, Sonikku." She kissed its nose affectionately and listend to the rain starting to fall. She dozed off soon after.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Knuckles panted rapidly, pushing his way through the winds. A storm had suddenly blown in, making it seem darker then it really was, and with Angel Island up as high as it was, pushing through the clouds - especially with extra weight - is not an easy task, even for someone as strong as himself.
He was never as relieved as he was the moment he set foot on the island. Rain had started to fall by this point, and it was getting heavier by the moment. Quickly Knuckles cut though the belt and ties. It would be easier to carry Rouge in his arms rather then to have her flopping on his back as he ran.
Within a few minutes, they had reached a small hut. It was raining buckets, and small hailstones were falling at the feet of the Guardian. (This is a really bad storm... God knows what would've happened to Rouge had she been left out in this.)
She was still unsoncious. Knuckles brought her inside and laid her down on his bed. He had to get her out of those wet clothes, but... he couldn't just undress her!! The least he could do was take her boots off, which he did, and wrapped her up on soft blankets to hopefully restore her normal body temperature. He didn't know if she was running a chill, but she was cold, so better safe then sorry.
It wasn't quite nine, but the sky outside told otherwise. Knuckles gently stroked Rouge's cheek. "Whatever hit her, it must've been tough. Rouge doesn't get taken out easily." He sighed and stroked her some more. "Don't worry... you'll be safe with me." He suddenly caught what he was saying.
(Why am I protecting her? This is the same girl who tried to steal my Emerald!) But, on the other hand, she was also completely helpless, and Knuckles... kinda-sorta-maybe liked her, and well, he DID save her life once... "It won't kill me to do it again, right?" He shook his head. He'd have to work out his emotions later. Right now, he neeeded to check on the Master Emerald. He stood up and headed towards the door.
Turning the lamp down to a dim setting, Knux took one last look at the sleeping bat beauty. He noticed that her expression had changed slightly, she mouth was turned up, as if she was smiling. Knuckles grinned in return. "You're welcome, Rouge. Sweet dreams."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
//Running...//
Faster than the Wind, his element.
//Running...//
Did that mean he had beaten himself?
//Running...//
No... it meant he was getting ahead of himself.
//Running...//
But where was he getting? Where was he going?
SLAM!
Sonic, not paying the least bit of attention, had smacked into the side of yet another mailbox. "Owww..." he moaned, rubbing his nose. "That's the third one today..." Why couldn't he focus? Maybe because it was so late...
(But it's only 8:30.)
He felt wet. Looking up, he noticed the sky had gotten extremely dark. Rain was starting to fall. Sonic shook his head out, and then started running. Perhaps a run in the rain is what the doctor ordered. Yes.. the rain could wash away his doubts, his fears,
his pain.
Why did he feel so pained about Shadow's passing on? It's not like they were in love. But Sonic did have a fondness for the black hedgehog, and he was sure he felt some respect... In a way, he looked up to Shadow. Shadow was fast, powerful, and sly. He did save Sonic from his space death; teaching him about Chaos Control.
Chaos Control.
That was it.
Shadow was alive.
He had to be.
When he fell into the atmosphere, he was still fused with the Chaos Emeralds. He should've been able to Chao Control to the surface! But... it's been over seven months since the ARK incident...
Sonic shook his head. No more bad thoughts. His friend had a chance of being alive; that's all that mattered right now.