Can Never Replace You

Disclaimer: None of the Sonic characters belong to me, but Florina is a fan character, so! And those two quotes below in Sonic Adventure 2! And the songs I use are from Sonic X the Japanese version!!!

Kero Guardian: Finally! An update!!!

Rouge: Memories!

Knuckles: Quality Time!!!

Both: (Turn away from one another.) Humph!!!

Kero Guardian: You guys!!!

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Chapter 7: Cherishing Memories

"Well...it seems this is where we head our separate ways again..." A certain bat murmured quietly, her deep eyes searching the echidna's, hoping, that something would change that night, but he simply nodded, averting his pupils away in shyness. So, she heaved yet another disappointed sigh, leaning gently on the tree behind her, lowering her eyelashes.

BGM: Sonic X – The Master Emerald

"Rouge?"

"Hm?" Her face perked up again, regaining her expectation. "What is it Knuckles-ku-ur...Knuckle-head?"

But the guardian wasn't even looking at her, instead, his gaze seemingly distant. "Did Espio seem different to you?"

Frustrated, Rouge gave a pout, replacing her hands on her hips, "what does that chameleon have to do with me and yo--" She covered her colored lips lightly with a gloved hand, "Me." Once again denying any feelings boiling inside her. Unlike Amy, this spy wanted the man to admit his love first, seemed to her, it was the best result.

However Knuckles didn't have her on his mind. His eyes hardened, and a serious frown crossed his usually panicking visage. "Is that girl...Maria, was it?" He paused to view the nod from the bat, shaking his head, he continued, "Is she really that close to Shadow?"

"Hmm...well, from what I remember on Ark, Shadow was always so melancholy. And everything he'd mumble about was about that blond, so...yeah. I guess he really does care about her." She suddenly grew quiet, memories about how sad the dark figure had looked aboard the Ark, and although not entirely admitting it, Rouge started to feel pretty guilty. 'I really should've considered his feelings before telling him, that his memories were fake.'

- You actually think that you're the real Shadow? Even your memories might not be real, you know.-

- Even if my memories are not real, it's still me...Shadow. And I must fulfill my promise to Maria, that's the only thing that matters to me now.-

Those words intruded into her mind, so in order to get them out, Rouge huffed, two sentences cramming into her mouth, and poured, before she could stop herself. "I mean how should I know?! I always thought Shadow's memories were fake! And why exactly are you asking me that?!? Don't tell me you like her too!!"

"No..."

Her composure nearly collapsed, 'why isn't he waving his hand at me, like he always does?'

"Knuckles...?"

The echidna continued to stare towards the ground. "Espio...he doesn't stand a chance, does he?"

"You don't know Shadow, like I do." Rouge heard the concern in his voice and tried carefully to pick the right words, also combining her own opinion without hurting the worried friend. "I don't know...but what I do know is that memories are always important, true, I kind have told Shadow that they don't make people who they are, but...when you do have them." She smiled sorrowfully, cradling a gift Knuckles had won for her, "They're always there. Even if the scene itself is gone, the feeling is still there."

Her eyes fluttered a moment, remembering her memories, like the time the echidna had saved her from her fall at Ark. "Memories...that's why Shadow's got an upper hand.."

Knuckles looked up at her, a small smirk appeared, "Well, you don't know Espio, Rouge. Although, it's true that people can't forget what's in the past, but new concepts can be made. Espio can also develop a relationship with Maria, if they spend enough time together. If Shadow was to win in the end, however, he could always still be there for her. You know...kind of like a close friend."

Widening his smile, he looked down at his glove, 'That's how we are, right Rouge? I hope you can come to like me...at least as a friend.'

"I guess, I'll take my leave."

"So soon?" Rouge pouted again.

"Yep..." He started to walk away, but paused. "Hey Rouge?"

She tilted half open eyes at him, the despondency clear in her voice. "Yes, what is it now, Knuckle-head?"

"I know I'm not always around and usually I'm guarding the Master Emerald...but I just wanted to let you know that...Sigh. Whatever you choose for yourself, I'll be up there on Angel Island whenever you need me and I" His eyes dropped again, and his voice became a grumble of words. "......well......I really do-...I, I just...I really am sorry."

Rouge stared at him, "Knuckle-head...what are you trying to say?"

Knuckles smiled, looking her in the eyes, "I..."

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BGM: Sonic X – Shadow #1 (Shadow's theme #1)

"Shadow!!"

The black hedgehog, turned his gaze from Eggman to an angry faced teen, after noticing the mechanic's sudden wince of fear. "You're...that chameleon...from the battle with Metal Overlord? What are you doing out in the middle of the night?"

"How dare you...after everything Maria's done for you...you believe you have the right to shove her aside and tell her to get a life?! You, foolish hedgehog is the one who needs to do so!!"

Espio suddenly dashed over to his side and swung at him, but the hedgehog teleported to a nearby rock in time to dodge the assault, catching the top with his palm, before flipping into a sitting position. "What is the matter with you?" He blinked peacefully, drawing a leg under his arm and leaned backwards on his other hand.

The emotionally disoriented detective saw this to be an insult. 'Casual, are we?' He threw a quick glance at Eggman, who started backwards. "You have always been mocking everyone...Our Client, Rouge, Sonic. And Maria...Maria...You just don't give a darn, do you?!"

Shadow lightly brushed the insults aside, hopping off the stone, and placing a fist on one hip, in his natural posture. "I'm afraid I have no idea what you are talking about."

Espio drew in a stuttering breath, trying to open his mind, which was being fried by the heating rancor he felt towards the animal, completely ignoring the genius' presence.

Managing to relax, he collected his composure and traced a hand just in front of his hand, folding two fingers down, a foot forward, and a fist by his waist. "Live in Darkness, drown in it. I don't care what Maria says afterwards, I promise to destroy you."

"?!?" Shadow withdrew his green emerald. "Very well."

"Eeeeeee!!!" Poor Eggman squeaked.

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"I really do lo..." Knuckles whispered softly.

KABOOM!!!

"What was that?!?" The red echidna exclaimed just before his face hit the dirt from the impact. "Uff!"

"Chaos Spear!!!"

"Shadow?!?" Rouge gasped.

"Disappear!"

"Espio?!?" Knuckles picked himself back up, tossing his hair from his face, then looked towards the nervous bat. "...dang it...I never thought it would come to this..."

The words were completely erased from his mind, as the guardian raced ahead of the still surprised nocturnal creature.

"Wait!! Knuckles, come back!! What were you going to say??!??!!!" She hollered after him, gliding upon her wings, all she heard was a "not now!" "Darn it! I was sooo close!!! Oh, Shadow owes me one...not just one, but two diamonds!!"

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BGM: Sonic X - All Right!

White cloth swept across the glassy floor, and leathered shoes, creating clicks, echoing throughout the abandoned sanctuary. Once an obsessive grandfather, wrecked on getting revenge, Gerald was now transformed back into a kind, elderly man, hoping to bring joy to humanity, much like his relative. Amidst his thoughts, there was still the slightest hint of jealously for his creation, though. "It would seem my granddaughter loves him more than I thought."

He stroked his whiskers, smiling, "No matter, I've got everything laid out and it's rolling along perfectly. The chameleon is simply a punishment for my Ultimate Lifeform, is all. And the outcome will result. ?"A whimper snapped the now feline out of his thoughts, and adverted to the shivering figure behind him. "You. What's wrong now?"

"I never thought you so mean, Neko-chan..." Florina's bottom lip curled over the other, tears almost glistening in her eyes.

"For the last time, it's Gerald."

"Meanie Gerald!!! I'm going to tell lizard that I pretend to be Ultima! And not Shadow who do that!!!" The angel turned to leave, but was held back by the flustered scientist's grip on her wrist. "Leg 'go!!" In her obscure child-like mind, she became angry, causing her to throw a rash fist towards his chest, which was avoided simply. Her feet came out from under her, and she would've hit her adorable little head, if not for the cat's reflexes. He simply caught her by the shoulder, claws unintentionally digging into her upper arms.

When he heard her yelp, he quickly withdrew, and she fell to the polished, cold floors. She coughed, gasping, trembling, and not daring to look back at her captor, as she struggled with the slippery floor to stand up and run again...but froze when he placed a firm grip on her injured shoulder.

"Florina..." He spoke quietly, using his grandfatherly voice, "Everything's going to be all right, I promise."

She stopped, kneeling, disbelief wrote her face, as fresh tears began to form. Gerald bent over her, taking her under the arms trying to lift her back up. She allowed him to, but her feet slipped underneath her, causing him to snarl in seeping anger. Ah, what else is new? He wasn't one of the most patient people in the world.

"I'm scared."

Despite the confusion bubbling inside the old man, there was a hint of slight pity, and his angry face, was erased by a tender smile. "Of what?" She reminded him of Shadow, when she was but a small child, like the one in front of him. He didn't hate Shadow, simply couldn't get over the fact that Maria had slipped from his grasp. "I only want to discipline you..."

Florina blinked at his whisperings. Her mind slowly processed that Gerald was talking to the hedgehog and not her.

Speaking of that animal, however... "Ultima, going to be okay?"

"You finally understand?" That caused Gerald to look up in a start, the girl had actually asked an intelligent question. "I'm sure he can take care of himself, and we will see who will better for Maria."

He turned to a stained window, "My beloved granddaughter..."

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Kero Guardian: I've got darn it, and dang it, going on, hope it doesn't bother the PG part...

Charmy: It does.

Kero Guardian: You're the one to talk, Charmy! You cuss in most stories!!! You've been hanging around Vector and Espio too much!!!

Vector: I failed...

Kero Guardian: (Biting random cloth.) I'm really going to have trouble when those two face off!