Thanks for the 'whoa' from one of my reviewers. Still don't own STH.
Sonic waited impatiently by the clock tower. He paced up and down, checking his watch (is counterpart did have one). It was almost 2:15am. Tails was late. Sonic didn't know how much time he had. He could switch any second without learning anything. His battered suit and bloodied cheek was drawing quite a few strange looks from the late night wanderers. A thought struck Sonic; if he was switching with other Sonics, did that mean that other Sonics were switching with him? Were the Tails, Knuckles and Amy being subjected to the womanizing Sonic of this reality? What would happen if when he returned? Would he ever return?
Sonic shook his head of this disturbing thought. There was no point in worrying himself. He would hook up with the Tails from this reality and they would sort this out. Or he would switch and try to find a way back from there.
"Sonic! There you are!"
Sonic turned and saw the singer from the club running across the square towards him. She ran up to him and took him by the arms.
"I talked to my father. I told him that I'm old enough to make my own decisions. He wouldn't listen, but I just told him I wanted to perform, and there was nothing he could do about it." She embraced him. "Oh Sonic, I'll be a star, won't I? Just like you said."
Sonic took her by the arms and looked at her in the eyes.
"Listen… Roxy. I was wrong. I shouldn't have encouraged you to do that. It was wrong."
Roxy looked at him, puzzled. "But… but all those things you said before… about me going all the way…"
"Well, forget about all that. I was stupid. I shouldn't have taken advantage of you like that."
"But I wanted…"
"No." Sonic put a finger on her lips. "You see what happened to Amy? She chased after the same thing you are, and look at her."
"But she couldn't go all the way." Roxy released herself from Sonic, and stepped back looking confused and hurt. "You taught me that I have to do anything to get what I want. And I know what I want. You said that you would help me." Sonic could see tears forming in the young girl's eyes. "I gave up everything..."
"Listen… Pauline." Sonic stepped forward again. "I should not have done that. And now you can get that stuff back before it's too late. If you keep going with this life you'll regret it." He took her hand. "I'm so sorry."
Pauline smiled and embraced Sonic again. "I forgive you." She whispered.
"Am I interrupting something?"
Sonic looked over Pauline's shoulder to see Tails. He was standing there, smoking a cigarette, and dressed in a torn and grimy lab coat. He had a sunken look about him, and his voice was husky and parched.
"Tails," Sonic unlocked himself from Pauline and too a step towards him. A smell of alcohol mixed with cigarette smoke hit him like a rock. Whatever this Tails was, Sonic didn't like him.
Tails himself was eyeing Pauline up and down. "Is this what you wanted me for?" He smiled. "I must have had a satisfied customer." He took a step towards her, but she stepped back, looking uncomfortably at Sonic.
"Who is this?"
"This is Tails." Sonic hurriedly stepped between them. "Listen, Tails… I need your help. Have you ever heard of quantum realities?"
Tails frowned. "Don't know what you're talking about. But first things first," He stepped past Sonic and grabbed hold of Pauline (His forehead barely touching her chin) and kissed her forcefully. Sonic immediately grabbed him and pushed him away.
"Leave her alone." He growled. He was feeling suddenly protective of the young girl.
"All right!" Tails brushed himself off calmly. "Off-limits. I get it. Now, quantum whatsamajiglet?"
