S. Chensu: Yeah, yeah, we're late as usual.
Luff: You should really expect this by now. It's all Chen's fault.
S. Chensu: What? Why?
Luff: Because you insisted on finishing the chapters for your three other stories before helping me with this…
S. Chensu: But I got them done, finally. I mean, I did start two of them in June…
Luff: No excuse! Anyway lovely readers, you may be pleased to hear that since we are nearing the end of the story, we're going through the beginning chapters and checking and adding little bits where they're lacking.
S. Chensu: Yep, we've got 1-3 and 20-29 done. There's not much change but hopefully when it's completed it'll look like the same amount of development's been spent on all of them.
Luff: But we won't worry about that now, onto replies! Lots of flattering, ooh…
Yugi and Mai- Mai, how can watching Beyblades be more important than our story? Ooh, little Yugi is sleepy, Chen would love to keep you company…along with Yami…heh. You shouldn't even attempt to imagine Eggman's arse in the air! And if you still don't understand the floating balls of light then you're an idiot! See, ratty boy can update on time but it's been hard trying to get this thing finished off along with schoolwork. Yes, that wonderful thing known as /school/… Which reminds Chen, what are you doing reviewing during such an important lesson? Tisk, typical…
the funk master- We're glad you found the monkey; it's one of a kind and took a lot of work! We hope the aliens didn't turn on you afterwards, that could have been painful. And if there are no bars on the cage then how will it see outside?
Jazzy887- Wow, new reviewer we think! Welcome! And thank you very much for the review! And yay, a Feeder fan! It's one of Chen's favourite songs ever; we just never want to imagine Eggman singing it…
xoticlightning- Ooh, don't, you're making us blush! Hopefully it'll be even better because we're rewriting the beginning bits. Keep on reading, we know updates don't come often but they will eventually arrive!
Snow-the-hedgehog- Thank you for another review! Sorry it wasn't up on Saturday, but as we said, we were out and didn't get the chance to finish it off. And Shadow/Rouge? We haven't read many sonic stories, are there any good S/R stories you can recommend?
DorkLotus- Thank you, thank you, thank you! Hopefully the rewrites will make it even better… And you're an intelligent reviewer! No one else has mentioned Gelest and Zelgan. Now we can't tell you anything, or it would spoil the plot but keep them in the back of your mind, they will make an appearance, very soon…
Captain Yasha and ALNhiei- Glad you're very excited and sorry about the long wait. And here is the next one and we think it's turned out ok. See what you think…
comnerd- Well, if you really want to use chapter 33 for getting high on then by all means. Fixes of the STREKS don't come very often though; you'll have to use the reposted ones instead… Are you British too?
S. Chensu: Why do we bother with the disclaimer? Next time either of us do a story, we won't make it this long, just because of it.
Luff: But now onto the story!
Episode thirty-four: The Final Rest
"What were you going to say?" Sonic asked once Shaylea had left the room. Well, they had more sprinted, something was happening sooner than it was supposed to obviously.
"Well, while you were asleep Shaylea told me something." Shadow started, choosing his words so he wouldn't put any unnecessary distress on Sonic. "She showed me the Book of Knowledge and it said…" He closed his eyes, trying to remember the exact words. "One day two will be captured, hedgehogs and brothers, not only by blood but by heart and soul too."
"Wait, did you say 'brothers'?" Sonic sat up straighter, the blanket sliding off him. "You're seriously saying we're related?" The events of the last few hours forgotten, this new bit of information had completely got Sonic's attention. "Wow, that's really weird. I mean, we're completely different. You're a lot older than I am and our markings are different…" He appeared to see Shadow in an entirely new light; this seemed to have answered some questions in his mind. "That's quite cool…"
Shadow stared at him strangely, not expecting him to make this last comment and he was even more perplexed when Sonic put the blanket back round him and appeared to doze off. How could he be so relaxed?
"Sonic, don't you think it's slightly bad that these things always manage to happen to you? You've been through so many things, life tries to make itself difficult just for you but you've just accepted it. How do you do that?" Sonic opened his eyes and frowned, pondering on how to answer this question.
"Well I used to think that, that life was out to get me and I'd never have any peace but one day I heard a song and it totally changed my outlook on life." He explained and now Shadow frowned.
"How can a song change your life like that?"
"Quite easily if you listen to what it's trying to say. Look, I'll tell you the words and you'll see." Sonic sat up slightly and Shadow nodded his head.
"Ok then."
"It goes a little something like this…" Sonic started. "Unemployment at a record high
People coming people going, people born to die
Don't ask me, because I don't know why
But it's like that and that's the way it is"
"Well, that makes sense I suppose…"
"People in the world trying to make ends meet
You try to ride car, train, bus or feet
I said you got to work hard you want to compete
It's like that, and that's the way it is"
"Huh?" Shadow was now slightly confused. "But Sonic, you don't work…"
"Money is the key to end all your woes
Your ups, your downs, your highs and your lows
Won't you tell me last time that love bought your clothes?
It's like that, and that's the way it is"
"Sonic, did you hear what I just said? You've never had to worry about money problems in your whole life!"
"Bills rise higher every day
We receive much lower pay
I'd rather stay young, go out and play
It's like that, and that's the way it is
"Huh?" Shadow was so dumbfounded he was now just making sounds. He wasn't sure about Sonic's mentality, especially as he was now putting a tune to this and it didn't sound too good.
"Wars going on across the seas
Street soldiers killing the elderly
Whatever happened to unity?
It's like that, and that's the way it is"
"Well at least he isn't talking about his non existent money problems anymore…" Shadow muttered to himself.
"Disillusion is the word
That's used by me when I'm not heard
I just go through life with my glasses blurred
It's like that, and that's the way it is"
"Sonic, you don't even wear glasses! How is this song relevant to you?"
"You can see a lot in this lifespan
Like a bum eating out of a garbage can
You noticed one time he was your man
It's like that, and that's the way it is"
"What? Why do people eat out of garbage cans? Sonic, are you trying to say you have an ex boyfriend who eats garbage now?"
"You should have gone to school
You could've learned a trade
But you laid in the bed where the bums have laid
Now all the time you're crying that you're underpaid
It's like that, and that's the way it is"
"Well I can understand that, Sonic really needs to go back to school, maybe that'll make him normal again." Shadow commented thoughtfully.
"Check this out:
One thing I know is that life is short
So listen up homeboy give this a thought
The next time someone's teaching why don't you get taught?
It's like that, and that's the way it is"
"What's a homeboy? And don't most boys live at home anyway? And Sonic, my life has been very long so far. And you should really listen to your own words too." Shadow was picking out holes in all of Sonic's words; didn't he listen to what he was saying? Ah, stupid question, of course not.
"If you really think about it times aren't that bad
The one that flexes with successes will make you glad
Stop playing; start praying you won't be sad
It's like that, and that's the way it is"
"Uhh…" Shadow couldn't think of anything to say to that, although he still wasn't persuaded.
"When you feel you fail sometimes it hurts
For a meaning in life is why you search
Take the bus or the train, drive to school or the church
It's like that, and that's the way it is"
"Yeah, makes sense." Shadow was starting to see Sonic's point of view now.
"Here's another point in life you should not miss
Do not be a fool who's prejudiced
Because we're all written down on the same list
It's like that and that's the way it is" Sonic took in a deep breath, signifying the end of the song.
"Too true…" Shadow murmured and Sonic smiled at him.
"See what I mean? You know it's like that, and that's the way it is because it's like that, and that's the way it is." Sonic shrugged his shoulders. "That's why I'm relaxed. It's how I view things. Maybe one day you will too."
"Yeah, maybe."
"Hey, where are we?" Tails asked when he finally was able to look around. He saw lots of rock shaped into a corridor and a large door in front of them, made out of the same material, cleverly hiding it from those who didn't look properly.
"We are standing in front of the room that contains your friends." Kensa explained, causing the others to start. Somehow it seemed odd that after all this time it would end so quickly.
"What's the catch?" Eggman asked, quite rightly in his opinion, who frowned when Shaylea giggled at his question.
"There is no catch, apart from the fact you can't open the door." They stared at her in increasing disbelief and she laughed once more. "Only people of this realm can. Like me for instance." She placed her hand on the door and there was a deep rumbling before a crack appeared in the stone, increasing until it was big enough for them to walk through.
"And so you finally arrive at the place your friends are being kept…" Kensa said, allowing them to go first.
They stared in amazement at the sheer /height/ of the room, the ceiling unknown to their eyes. They then saw the two hanging objects in the room, the light seeming to fall on them, like two statues. The glow allowed them to see the two hedgehogs, the friends they had been searching so long for…
"SONIC, SHADOW!" Tails screamed, running forward, his neck craning as he tried to get a better look at them. Were they hurt?
"Tails!" Sonic said cheerfully, reassuring them that they were ok.
"Hey guys, come over here!" Shaylea said excitedly and puzzled, they did as she said and she smiled to herself before putting her hands out in front of her. The ground shook slightly before being ripped away and they were now flying into the air, screaming at the sudden movement.
"What's going on?" Rouge yelled and Shaylea grinned as they came to a halt. "What was that for?"
"Look behind you." She did so and saw that they were now at the same level as Sonic and Shadow.
"Wow Shaylea! Thank you!" Kensa opened the doors and Rouge instantly rushed forward, pulling both of them into a hug.
"It's so good to see that you're ok!" She gushed while Sonic and Shadow struggled for breath.
"They won't be ok if you don't let them go Rouge! Calm down!" Eggman commented and she did so, blushing slightly.
"Uh, sorry about that…" She muttered, standing back so the others could greet them properly.
"Don't worry about it, I'm sure Sonic's had worse things happen to him…" Shadow said, not noticing the look of utter horror on Sonic's face as he shuddered slightly.
"Yeah, lots of worse things…"
"Right, now we've all said hello etc etc we really should get going." Kensa said business like and the group frowned at her.
"Why?" She didn't say anything and Shadow frowned. "Tell us what's going on…"
"Well, the master /does/ know everything that's going on here. Therefore, he knows you're here and no doubt he's going to try and do something to change that…" Kensa said a little nervously and Sonic sighed.
"Oh well, I suppose this was going to happen sooner or later." He stepped forward and out of the cage, opened previously by Kensa. "Let's go and face our destiny Shadow…"
"What?" Tails voiced the opinion of the group in general and Sonic smiled sadly at him.
"This was always going to happen, it's been foretold…"
"Hey, where's Gregg gone to? We haven't seen him in ages." Shaylea commented, not realising that she had interrupted something important. Tails scowled slightly but Sonic just shrugged his shoulders.
"No, Gregg's completely disappeared as far as we know…" Shadow said instead.
"Hmm…" Kensa closed her eyes, trying to sense anything nearby which might have been him.
A flash of bars and figures behind them, rows upon rows and the one thing Kensa could sense was misery, seeping out of every pore and she instantly shook the image away from her head, disturbed by what it might have been trying to tell her.
"Hey, did you see anything?" Shaylea asked while the others looked on in confusion.
"I think It knows, It knows what's happened, everyone's locked away…" Kensa breathed quietly and Shadow quickly made the connections.
"You mean they've locked Gregg away?" Kensa nodded her head and he considered this. "We should get everyone out of here before it gets too dangerous." He suggested and Sonic agreed, understanding what Shadow was trying to say.
"Can you get us there?"
"Yes, I know where it is now but it might be dangerous…" She glanced over at Marie who had remained quiet diligently but puffed up when she saw the look on her face.
"Oh no, you're not going to leave me behind! I've proved myself as much as the others have, don't even think about it!" Surprised by her outburst, Kensa immediately shrugged her shoulders.
"I wasn't thinking about you in particular…" She said in a soothing voice. "Come on, we'd better get going."
They set off out of the room, striding in newfound confidence since they had found Sonic and Shadow and knowing that they had the help of these two seemingly powerful people too. They remained quiet, Knuckles and Rouge holding hands as Kensa led the way, her face set and body stiff with tension. Shaylea knew her well enough to not try and get her to relax, it's not like she would have listened anyway. She merely wondered how they were going to get everyone out without someone noticing…
"Gregg will help them…" Kensa murmured and Shaylea shot a slightly quizzical look.
"Have you been reading my mind again?"
"No, it's just that it's prominent in my mind too. But I think Gregg will know what to do, he always does." Kensa smiled in reassurance and Shaylea nodded her head in agreement.
"Of course he will! Everything's going to be cool!" She said cheerfully and Kensa couldn't help but smile at her unfaltering optimism. She always managed to cheer her up…
"Yeah…"
Her voice died away as she saw the room in front of her, her vision flashing once more before her eyes and she knew without a doubt she was in the right place. Although the large number of cages confirmed her thoughts anyway.
"Can you find Gregg?" Shaylea asked faintly.
"I imagine you just have to follow the smell." Kensa said and it took Shaylea a few moments to realise what she had said.
"Wait, did you just say something that was supposed to be taken as a joke?" She slapped Kensa's forehead with her hand, closing her eyes as though deeply contemplating this. "Hmm, you don't feel hot…"
"Humph, I know how to joke!"
"Oh really? If so, then tell me a joke right now!"
"Now is not the time to joke around!" Kensa snapped, clapping her hand over her mouth when she realised what she had just said. "Oh crap…"
"Uh huh, you cannot fool me! Kensa, you will never be able to joke." Shaylea said seriously and then brightened up. "Well, I suppose we'd better get the old sour puss then eh?"
"Don't let him hear you call him that!" Sonic said, glad that there was someone else who was able to joke like him.
"Well there's not much he can do about it, seeing as he's stuck behind bars."
"Hey, I think he's over there!" Shadow yelled, trying to get them back on track. They followed his finger and lo and behold, one dwarf skeleton in a cage.
"Oh yep, that's him all right."
The group trekked over to the cage quickly after first checking there were no Arcs nearby. As they got closer, they saw Gregg talking to a small red hedgehog, black streaks staining his fur and Marie frowned, recognising him from somewhere. Then the name came to her.
"STREEK!" He turned around, hearing his name and frowned when he saw her.
"Marie, what are you doing here?" He then noticed the others and wondered how she had managed to get involved with them.
"We've come to rescue everyone! Come on, we have to get you out of here!"
"Hey, what's going on here? What have you two done this time?" Gregg said in his usual friendly fashion and Shaylea giggled.
"We haven't done anything, it seems to have all started by itself! We're here to rescue you but you're going to have to get them out yourself, we've got to deal with the master." The other prisoners watched on with amazement, wondering who these strange people were. And did they say they were going to get them out?
"Yes, that is now obvious to me. Let a few of us out and we'll deal with the others."
"That would be best, then we can go and find the master."
Soon Gregg, Streek and two indescribable creatures were standing together and Gregg sent them off to start opening the rest of the cages before turning back to the group.
"Good luck everyone, fortune is on your side. Just remember if you don't accept defeat you cannot be defeated." And with that Gregg turned away, leaving them to contemplate his words.
"Well that was cheerful of him. He's right though, we should get going." Sonic said and once more Kensa led the way, all thoughts seemingly gone from her mind.
"Really subtle isn't he?" Rouge said distastefully as they stood in front of what could only be described as a shrine, steps leading up to a plateau with large pillars on either side, rock seeming to hang like a pair of curtains on either side.
"Well you probably wouldn't have actually seen it if it wasn't for us." Shaylea said quietly as they made their way up the stairs.
"Thank you for being here with us Shaylea and Kensa. I'm not sure how we would have got here without you." Eggman suddenly said, causing the two girls to blush.
"I'm sure something would have happened anyway…" Kensa muttered.
"I agree, you have helped us so much and we don't even know anything about you. When we're done with this, you'll tell us won't you?" Sonic asked but they didn't reply, instead stopping about ten feet away from the door, and their final challenge.
"Everyone ready?" Kensa announced and the others stood in battle poses, eyes focused on the door before stepping forward, ready to face their end, whichever way it would go. "Your greatest fear…" Shadow recognised those words and an image passed through his mind of the person who had said them. He tried to ask them but it was too late, they were already walking through the door…
S. Chensu: Yep, the ending is crap.
Luff: Our time keeping is crap too, this episode is /so/ late!
S. Chensu: But we've been so tied up with schoolwork that whenever we get to this we're just too tired to do anything.
Luff: But we're only a few episodes away until the end so hopefully you'll continue to stick with us.
S. Chensu: So until the next time (whenever that is, hopefully by the end of the month), please review!