Disclaimer: I do not own the Sonic characters. Simple as that.
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Knuckles crossed his arms as he leaned against the wall of Tails' workshop, closing his eyes, " I just don't know, guys. Something about her doesn't sit right with me. "
" I agree totally, Knuckles. " Sonic rolled his eyes at Amy's comment. She was only saying that because she was jealous of the fact that Sonic returned with Rea.
Speaking of Rea, she was currently with Rouge at her house. It was obvious that Rea's current outfit just wouldn't work.
" Look Knuckles, we all hear what you're saying. It is possible that she'll maybe destroy us all, therefore it's best if we keep her close to watch her. It'll be easier to stop her if that ever happens. " Tails stated. His logic just seemed impeccable.
" You gotta admit it makes sense, Knuckles. " Knuckles growled a bit in irritation at Sonic's remark.
Amy sat on the couch next to Sonic's slouched form, " Sonic, do- "
" For the last time Amy, no. I don't have any feelings whatsoever for Rea. "
Amy seemed to finally feel reassured, then took a chance, " What about me? "
Sonic sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose as he shut his eyes, " Amy- "
" We're back everyone! "
Everyone turned to see Rouge walk in, with Rea slowly following. Instead of her skimpy outfit before, she now wore a black long sleeved shirt that stopped a little below her breasts. Two green lines started at the bottom of the top and ended at the ends of the sleeves. She had the same silver dragon necklace on, and wore form fitting black pants with thin green lines along the sides. Her quills were tied back in a low ponytail with two quills framing her face. She wore a grey belt that went through the pant loops on her left side, but hung on the right. There was a small pack on the hanging side of the belt.
Sonic guessed that was where she was keeping the emerald. She refused to let any of them have it, which striked suspicion in Knuckles while the rest of them just blew it off.
Rea looked off to the side, feeling uncomfortable with everyone staring at her with either awe or accusation. Rouge looked at her with pride for the work she had done on her.
Rea shifted a bit, not knowing what to do. Sonic finally caught on and broke the tense silence, " So um, Tails, do you know where the other emeralds are? "
" I can answer that. " Everyone turned to look back at Rea pulled out the sky blue emerald from the belt pack and held it up to her face. ( a/n: I know before I said it was green, but I decided to change it. Please don't be angry. )
Sonic blinked as she closed her eyes and concentrated. A few seconds later, the emerald began to dimly glow, bathing the room in a blue light slightly, " The emeralds all have a signal that each can pick up. The closer they are together when used to search for them, the brighter their glow. " Rea opened her eyes as she looked off toward the west, " The closest is in that direction. "
" Then that's where we're heading. " Sonic said as he stood and stretched.
Knuckles cracked his knuckles as he pushed off the wall, " I'm coming too. "
Rouge stretched her leathery wings, " Count me in. I'm up for some excitement. "
Tails got off his swivel chair, " I'll come too. "
" I wanna come too! Please Sonic? "
" No Amy, it'll be too dangerous. "
Amy crossed her arms, " Come on! I have my Piko Piko Hammers to defend myself with! Besides you owe me since you made me stay last time you left! "
" Ok, ok! You can come, just stop yelling already! " Sonic shouted as he rubbed his temples, Amy's yelling giving him a slight headache. Rea couldn't help but momentarily smirk at that.
" It's decided, then. I'll lead the way. " With that, Rea and the others walked out, with the exception of Tails who went to get his Tornado.
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Shadow sighed as he watched Eggman's screen. It was now showing little blips that represented the emeralds and the one Rea had was now moving toward the others.
Eggman walked in shortly, rubbing his back a bit, " I must remember to adjust the seat in my Egg Carrier next time I upgrade it. " Shadow shut his eyes disgustingly as an image of the doctor's exposed gut entered his mind, " She's leading them to the emeralds, doctor. "
Eggman seemed to perk up as he smirked evilly, " Ah, what a good girl she is. Soon those idiots won't know what hit them. "
" Hmm.." Shadow opened his scarlet eyes to watch the screen again. Eggman was right, but he was apprehensive about how the aftermath would end up.
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" How much longer is this going to take? We've been at this for hours! "
Rea's eyebrow twitched in irritation as she continued to run in the direction of the second emerald, holding the blue one in front of her like a compass. The light had brightened a little, but not much. Meaning they still had a ways to go yet.
And quite frankly, she was getting annoyed with the pink hedgehog, " It'll take as long as it takes, now shut your mouth before I do it myself. "
" Hmph! I'd like to see you try! "
Rea shut her eyes and took a deep breath to keep herself from just jumping up to Tails' Tornado airplane and strangling the life out of Amy. It would have been futile since Rouge and Knuckles were flying on either side of the plane in which Tails and Amy were situated, and Sonic was running beside her.
Sonic glanced over at Rea, sympathizing with her, " So um, how long until we reach the emerald? "
Rea opened her eyes and looked over at him, then at the emerald, " Hmm..we should be reaching it soon. " The blue emerald was now steadily glowing brighter.
Right when the emerald started to glow brightly enough to rival a neon sign, Rea stopped. A good thing too, since she was standing at the edge of a cliff, " Hmm.."
Rouge and Knuckles landed beside Rea and Sonic as Tails set the plane to hover mode. Rea held up the chaos emerald as a beam of blue light shined down on a spot in the middle of the cliff, " Must be embedded.."
" I'll get it. " With that Knuckles jumped down, turning his body and digging his spiked knuckles into the rocky side of the cliff, climbing down toward where the beam was pointing. Knuckles soon reached it and soon disappeared into the rubble.
Rea lowered her hand as they waited for Knuckles to reappear with the emerald, looking around slightly. Sonic noticed this, " Everything alright? "
" Yes.., " She then started to walk back into the forest they had just been running through, " I just thought I heard something. I'll be right back. "
Sonic blinked, watching her leave, " Uhh, ok. We'll wait for ya. " Man, she's even at the same level of mysteriousness as Shadow! Maybe Knuckles' is right..nah, just coincidence.
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Rea looked around as she entered a secluded meadow, then closed her eyes as she stopped, " Contacting me a little early, aren't you? "
" Hmph, i'm only doing what the doctor tells me. "
Rea couldn't help but smirk, " I thought you were more rebellious than this, Shadow. "
" Just hurry up. You're taking too long. "
" Hey, it'll take as long as it takes. "
Rea heard a growl before silence took over. Rea shook her head as she started to walk back, figuring Knuckles would have gotten the chaos emerald by now. She just hoped Shadow's contacts wouldn't become too frequent.
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Shadow opened his eyes as he lowered the ruby chaos emerald he had just used to talk with Rea through hers. It was another secret power of the emeralds he knew about. What Rea had said about him bothered him. Sure, he hated taking orders, but he had no choice this time.
Damn it all...I can't let her distract me..It'd be..too risky.
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Ok, this chapter ended up weird, I know.
As a side note, i'm already thinking for a sequel or two for this story, focusing on Rea. That's all i'm saying though.
Please review, thanks.