Sky: Another chapter… not my best but… I tried. As for the Amy part, don't judge it till you know what has happened. Enjoy if you can.

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Deception…

To some… it is impossible to deceive. For others, it takes years of practice, but even then there are still flaws. I however, am the God of Deception. It is as easy as lifting a finger to me. No one can escape from me.

"Wait, Wrath," I stuck out a clawed hand, stopping the hyper active god in his tracks. Sonic the Hedgehog was right down below. "I want you to read his thoughts, past and present. Do you see anything in his mind about you? I'm afraid I do not." I said as gentle as possible.

Emerl's bright blue eyes looked up at me, looking as if he had felt some horrible injury. He shook his head and looked down at the two hedgehogs he loved so much. This… This is where I prove my name.

As he began to jump into Sonic's mind, I dove in as well, making sure not to disturb the youthful god as he rummaged through my enemy's thoughts. All memories that Sonic had of Emerl, I blocked perfectly. All. I began to feel how desperate he was, the longing to find that he had been missed.

I made sure that Emerl would find nothing of the sort.

"I'm sorry," I said, throwing the god out of his trance.

It was such a great feeling… to see him squirm. I felt the excitement run through my circuits, an excitement I could never get enough of. "Amy! Amy couldn't have forgotten about me!" Emerl suddenly threw out his conscience again, diving into the pink hedgehog's mind.

I blocked all memories of him in her mind successfully as well. I loved the sight of seeing the robot begin to dig desperately through her most precious thoughts, for even a glimmer of hope, but he would never find that light. A greater power blocked out the sun, and that power was my own.

The plan worked perfectly.

I had to witness wretched the display of crying from him. Truly pathetic, that the God of Wrath would be thrown into such a state by a couple of hedgehogs. He was a disgrace to the name of Chaos. Fortunately, he had figured out who he was not long after. No longer Emerl the Robot, but Wrath the God.

After that, I ran off through the city, disguising myself as Shadow the Hedgehog. Now for the fun part… I released all of my controlled emotions and let my power flow through my arms like a graceful dance. Fire and dust flew at my performance, accompanied by the cheers, or screams, of my cowering human audience. My two special spectators, Sonic and Amy, came to see a special finale. Before their eyes, I annihilated a poor sick child.

I really was hoping that my first blood shed would be from Sonic the Hedgehog, but beggars can't be choosers. Besides, to see the look in his eyes as I betrayed his trust… I can find no words to describe it. His eyes no longer hid away his emotions. I saw the fear, the hurt, the embarrassment, and the despair, all in one. He truly loved my performance today.

I wasn't done after that. I sped through the city once again, finding the real Shadow not too far. Disguising myself again, I turned into a perfect clone of Sonic.

The plan went perfectly, he suspected nothing.

Afterwards, I told Wrath of his mission objective and departed to complete my own quest.

So very much to do, so very little time.

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The girl fell limp into my hands. Her name was Blaze. I didn't like it. I really didn't want to erase her memories. I'm sorry I did it, but I had to. Deception ordered me; I had no other choice…

Shadow limped slightly over to me, deathly afraid that he might fall into the dark water he was standing upon. "Emerl… is that all we needed to do? I can't take this place…"

Slowly, I put Blaze down. "No, we have a long way to go. This will be a hard journey for you two," I looked down at the sleeping cat. "Now, wake up." I whispered, the words echoed through the realm like a magic enchantment.

By my command, her eyes suddenly shot open. Blaze jumped to her feet, looking back and forth, already starting to panic as she saw herself standing on water. "Wh-where am I? What's going on?"

This stress wasn't good for her. I held out my palm to her, glowing white once again. "Calm," I whispered, voice seeming to increase as it echoed along with the dark whispers. Blaze suddenly lost the panic and fear in her eyes. "Your name is Blaze. You are a servant of Chaos, and we're traveling through the Master Emerald to find him. My name is Wrath and that over there…" I pointed to the black hedgehog. "…is Shadow."

She nodded. "Of course, I remember you guys."

Huh?

"I know this already," Blaze shook her head. "I know we're here to see Chaos. Just… I'm not very fond of this place."

Well, the affect of the Master Emerald must be getting to her, how else could she know about Chaos already? Oh well, it just makes it easier. "That's good, Blaze," I looked towards her and Shadow. "We're all friends."

Shadow let out a weak smile to us. "Friends?"

Blaze helped Shadow up to his feet. "Friends," she smiled.

I felt it again. It was so long… I've missed it so much! I feel happy again. The sweet feeling running through my body, making my movements faster and more energized. It was true what Deception said. Emotion is power.

"Come on, we need to get going," I motioned for them to come over to me. "I want you guys to try your best not to listen to the whispers."

The two nodded, staying close at each other's side. I could tell they didn't want to admit it… but they were shaking. This place isn't for mortals; it would rip them apart if I didn't hurry. Blaze and Shadow knew nothing of each other, but the fear brought them together.

So the walk began.

The three of us walked across the dark ocean, stars sparkling in the sky, but leaving no reflection on the water. The crescent moon followed us slightly, making it nearly undetectable to everyone but me. Each step sent the usual exploding echo through the realm, and each time this happened, Shadow and Blaze cringed.

I really hope they'll be okay.

The scenery never changed. Always ahead of us was the dark sky, and always below us were the dark depths of the ocean. Not a single ray of light reaching in or out of it. Like a black hole, it swallowed everything that came inside of it, including the hopeful light.

For hours we walked. I kept my way forward, checking behind every so often to make sure they were okay. I don't know if they can make it anymore. Each looked battered and beaten, as if they had been fighting for centuries.

Both of them were exhausted, and both were holding onto each other tightly. It was truly sad to see. Each step seemed to cause them pain, a slight whine escaping their lips as they listened to it bounce off invisible walls. They didn't know each other, and they didn't care. Shadow and Blaze needed contact, or they would die simple as that.

"Emerl…" Shadow panted. "I can't… I can't take this. How do you know we're going the right way? Have we even gone anywhere? Look behind us!"

I'm sorry, Shadow… I know.

Behind us was the same exact ice glacier where we had started. The Master Emerald gave it the illusion that we had walked nowhere.

Blaze sighed heavily. "We have to keep going, Betrayal."

Shadow tilted his head at the new name. "Betrayal?"

What?

"What did you just call him?" I spun around quickly, looking into the cat's eyes. Inside the golden orbs I saw fear, fear of this place, and fear of me causing her pain. "Sorry, please, don't take it the wrong way."

"Betrayal…" Blaze repeated, looking over to Shadow. "That is his name isn't it?"

This was strange. How could she know that? Where did she get the idea that Betrayal was his name?

I shook my head. We needed to get through here faster. I walked over to the two animals, and put Shadow atop my shoulders, while placing Blaze in my arms. "Are you two ready? Try to cover your ears; I'm afraid this might hurt."

The two nodded shakily.

I hope this won't kill them. Right now, these great fighters have been reduced to trembling children. I don't want them to get hurt anymore. So… here goes nothing.

I leaped forward, running across the water as fast as my feet could carry, causing thousands upon thousands of explosions to escape from each step. Shadow and Blaze's grip tightened, and their faces contorted into pain. "It isn't much farther…" I promised, "Try your best to be okay."

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My name is Amy Rose.

I'm really just an ordinary pink hedgehog. Well, if that's what you call ordinary. My boyfriend is Sonic the Hedgehog, my hero, my knight in shining armor. Together, the two of us witnessed something horrible.

Shadow killed a child.

I looked out the window of the Station Square train, placing my elbow on the window sill. Sonic had left shortly after the death of the child, thinking he failed the city, thinking he failed me, and failed himself. In a way…

I sighed, seeing the dark cloudy sky fly by, still lost in my thoughts.

…in a way, I guess it was my fault.

If I wasn't always hogging Sonic, he probably could have been there faster; he probably could have saved the child, and probably could have saved Shadow. Sometimes I wonder if I'm hurting the entire city by being together with my blue love. No, no… it couldn't have been my fault. Right?

With a deep shuddering sigh, I forced myself to hold back any tears. I had to be strong for Sonic, there would be no more crying. I held out my hand and looked at the yellow Chaos Emerald in my hand. Sonic had given it to me after he left to go think to himself. 'Think of it as a good luck charm, Amy. Be safe while I'm gone.' I heard his voice echo in my thoughts.

Was it right to have Sonic be my boyfriend? I was endangering the very city by doing this! I mean… I pretty much forced Sonic to love me didn't I?

Shaking my head, I sat against my cushioned seat. The train was practically empty today, not many wanted to see Angel Island I suppose.

Even though the clouds blocked out the sun, it was still beautiful outside. The ocean was still sparkling, and that Egg Carrier was still floating right in it. I giggled slightly, remembering the times with it. Who would have thought that we don't have to worry about Eggman? Sure, we had Metal Sonic to worry about as well, but that was only just weeks ago. It'd be impossible for him to come back already.

"Mystic Ruins! Last stop, Mystic Ruins!" the man in blue called out at the door.

I snapped out of my thoughts, and jumped out of my seat. I gave a smile to the man at the train's doors, and he gave a smile to me. "Hello, Miss Rose, off to visit that strange echidna?" he asked.

I frowned. "His name is Knuckles, he's not strange. He's really a nice guy."

The man chuckled. "Sorry for offending you. Try to come back soon; your boyfriend is the hero of Station Square after all. People will get ideas I'm sorry to say."

With a nod, I agreed. "Some of those people are just begging to get dirt on me," I sighed. "Just because I got together with Sonic…"

The man began to get ready to leave. "Don't think like that, Miss Rose. They're just jealous I'm sure." The train started to rumble to life. "Well, I have to get going! Goodbye, Miss Rose!" He waved his hand, and closed the steel doors, while the train moved out.

The wind blew hard against my bare skin, causing me to shiver abruptly. I locked my arms together, and started my walk through the Mystic Ruins. It wasn't a long walk, but I was freezing anyways. I made sprint to make it to Angel Island.

In a few minutes or so, I made it to the shrine of the Master Emerald, seeing the jade glow from across the bridge. "No! This is the last time!" I heard someone roar. "Leave the shrine at once!"

I looked forward, and saw Knuckles charging straight for me. I winced as he came close, but, it seemed he didn't attack. "Huh? Amy?" he said in a gentler tone. "What are you doing here?"

I couldn't hold it back anymore. It was an impossible longing that couldn't be fought. I jumped forward and wrapped my arms around the guardian. "Oh, Knuckles…"

He seemed confused by my actions. Unsure of what to do, he timidly put his arms around my cold body as well. "Amy? Is there something wrong?"

"I needed to see you, Knuckles." I choked out, feeling myself about to cry.

Knuckles felt the sadness inside me, and quickly took me up the bridge. He was obviously worried sick about me, seeing how I couldn't stop shivering. "Amy, what's the matter? Why are you so upset?"

There was so much going through my mind now. Shadow's attack, Sonic's love… and the fact that it was my fault all this was happening. I looked over at Knuckles, seeing he had a few bruises across his body. "What happened to you?" I asked.

Shaking his head, his violet eyes left mine. "I got attacked… but it doesn't matter, I'm fine now. What about you?"

I felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness. I was so confused. I felt how alone Knuckles was feeling as well. Sitting down on the grass with him, I put my arms around the echidna again. "It's hard to talk about…"

And so, Knuckles and I spent hours together on Angel Island. The clouds were beginning to disappear, and so was my despair. I never knew that Knuckles was such a sweet caring guy. He stayed by me the whole time… and I stayed by him. This… this way I didn't hurt anyone. If I wasn't with Sonic, I wasn't endangering anyone's life. With Knuckles… I would be safe, and so would he.

The clouds were gone now, and the sun was beginning to set.

"Knuckles…" I said gently. "I never knew how sweet you were."

The guardian blushed, and put a hand behind his head. "Oh, well, I'm not that sweet you know. You're a really nice girl after all, Amy. I just never got to know you I guess. I'm really glad we got to spend this time together…"

He looked into my emerald eyes and I looked into his violet ones. I saw how much he wanted to be with someone, someone to give him company while he watched the Master Emerald. This… this has to be the right choice. I feel it in my heart.

"I love you," I weakly mumbled, turning my head away.

"You, what?" Knuckles took a step back.

I looked back at him. "I love you, Knuckles!" I said louder now. "You're such a nice guy… I want to stay here with you." I leaned in closer to his face.

"Amy…" Knuckles leaned closer unconsciously. "You'd really do that?"

"Of course…" I whispered, putting a hand on his shoulder, brushing his cheek slightly. "I know this is the right thing to do… don't you?"

He seemed nervous. "I…I don't know… I really do like you, Amy… maybe even love you, but you're with Sonic," Knuckles' eyes looked towards the ground.

No, this is the right thing to do. I had to.

"It doesn't matter, I love you," I gave him no second chance. Our lips pressed together, and I could feel his lonesomeness fade.

"I love you too, Amy," he finally let out, kissing me again.

While in the kiss, I pulled out a silver Chaos Emerald from his pocket.

Suddenly, a scream entered our ears. "Wh-what are you doing!"

Our lips departed and we turned to see Sonic the Hedgehog standing there in the orange glow of the sun. "Amy, how could you?"

I said nothing. I showed signs of fear, and disappeared. I ran, and ran, until I reached a cliff to watch Sonic and Knuckles from above.

Sometimes, I get far too into character.

I smirked, and my body began to ripple like water, still holding the Chaos Emerald in my hand. Out of that disgusting girl's form, I came back into my true blue armored self.

I'll watch the show first before I leave…

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'I can't take this!' Shadow screamed inside of his head, the pounding of the echoes burning into his skull. To add to that, the whispers became louder and louder, those of who he never knew, and those of the people on ARK. Why did he agree to come here? This couldn't be worth it! This torture couldn't be worth it!

Shadow tightened his grip around Emerl's shoulders, gritting his teeth together until it began to chip his own teeth slightly. No longer could he keep his own eyes open, he winced as the barrage of explosions continued to hit his ears, never ending.

They finally stopped.

Emerl had stopped moving and Shadow could feel such a deep peace wash over his entire body. The black hedgehog slid to the ground below, wanting to feel the warm flesh of anyone against his own.

Blaze's… crawling across the ground he felt Blaze's warm fur against his arms. It was a wonderful feeling… like being against a well-lit fire place. It didn't matter he knew nothing about her, it didn't matter that he loved Maria, he just needed someone to hold onto.

She must have been feeling the same way. Before he knew it, Shadow could feel the warm hands wrap around his body, in an affectionate embrace. Together, they pulled each other close, not even opening their eyes. Shadow nuzzled his face against Blaze's, feeling the fiery peace of the girl. It wasn't long before he could feel her heartbeat against his chest, both with each arm's wrapped around each other.

The realm was definitely affecting them.

"You two… okay?" Shadow could feel Emerl's shadow hanging over them.

Shadow didn't know what was going on. All he knew was that whoever this person was, he needed to be closer to her, he needed to feel her soul, know that he wasn't alone.

Blaze loved the feeling as well. The pain was gone, and all she could feel was the soft fur of someone else, someone else who went through the same pain as she did, someone she could trust actually. There was no reason to stop, if they were to die…

Shadow and Blaze's lips met.

"All right, this place is really making you two crazy," Emerl separated them from their bliss, holding each of the animals by the furry scruff of their necks. "Shadow, get a hold of yourself, Blaze, concentrate on the mission!"

No, no… They needed that warmth again. It was so cold, so very cold without one another. There was no more logic inside the two's heads anymore, only wants.

Shadow never opened his mouth, struggling to get free of his capture's grip. Blaze, he needed Blaze. Anyone! Not this cold soulless robot!

A slap slammed across the black hedgehog's face. "Don't you ever call me a soulless robot," Emerl's venomous tone rang into Shadow's head. "You will snap out of it right now, understand?"

Suddenly, the ebony ultimate life could feel his senses running back into his head. He was here to see Maria! Not to get his own animalistic self pleasures! He was reminded of his surroundings, the dark black ocean beneath his feet. Emerl dropped Shadow down, in front of a strange looking hole.

Above the ocean's invisible surface was an obvious tear. It was big enough to fit one person at a time, perfectly symmetrical, light showering out from its depths as if a whole sun was kept down there. A mystical feeling emanated from it.

"Now…" the god of wrath sighed, "Are you two gonna be good?"

Shadow suddenly realized that he had just kissed the female cat standing right in front of him. He nodded quickly, face turning red, and she did the same.

"Sheesh…" Emerl looked down at the hole, but still kept his attention on the animals. "It's like I'm watching over two teenagers who can't keep their hands off each other."

Maria… sorry.

Blaze, of course, had felt utterly foolish as well. She didn't know what had come over her! She had just… felt so lonely…

Emerl's voice broke into their thoughts once again. "Don't worry about it, this place isn't called 'Pathway of Insanity' for nothing!" he pointed down the bright hole. "You guys ready? We're going down there."

Shadow and Blaze both had a quick thought, a shiver, as they looked down its depths. Somehow, it had a look of light and dark. Light flew out of the hole, while darkness seemed to fill it.

Emerl had read their minds, knowing that quick thought they had. "Yes," he answered gently. "You two are afraid, of course you can hold onto each other's hands."

Fear really can make people do crazy things.

Shadow and Blaze wordlessly clasped their hands together, both giving timid glances at each other. They were brought together by that fear, an emotion that will glue two people close until that glue finally begins to fade.

"I'll go first," Emerl's bright azure eyes burned into theirs. "Be ready." He said no more, jumping over the light escaping the black hole.

Shadow and Blaze gasped as the light immediately disappeared. The god's body floated in mid-air for a moment, as dark hands began to worm themselves up from that strange void.

The pure darkness hands grew until they began to feel over Emerl's body, grabbing and touching every place they could, giving him no free space. He made sure not to flinch. The arms made their way up to Emerl's head, wrapping their inky black skin across his body, before pulling him straight down into the hole in one slow and disgusting movement.

Soon, he was completely engulfed by the darkness, and the light began to run out of the hole as if nothing had ever happened.

Crimson met gold as the two slipped another quick glance at each other.

Don't want to stay here anymore…

No more Chaos…

No more of these whispers…

It was decided. Each heard their thoughts, knowing they wanted out. The only way was to dive into darkness. Keeping their hands held tight, they jumped over the hole, feeling the sensation as gravity no longer had a say in their actions.

Shadow tried not to look at the hands below, he kept his eyes closed as their fingers made their way across his fur, feeling his muscles, feeling his body, their cold dark fingers doing as they pleased. Blaze no doubt was feeling the same thing.

Soon the arms wrapped around the two, dragging them down into the darkness, the cold freezing darkness.

The only warmth they felt was their hands enclosed together, never even thinking of letting go.

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After that drop into the hole of darkness, my feet touched a sandy floor. I waved my hand out in front of me to see bubbles hurry up to the black surface above.

It looks like we're at the bottom of the ocean now.

Shadow and Blaze toppled down to the floor, kicking up some sand as they hurriedly got back to their feet. Shadow quickly let go of Blaze to put his hands over his own neck quickly, feeling the air already escaping.

Shadow then could hold back no longer, his lungs were crying for air, and he opened his mouth taking in a large amount of water. His eyes widened, and he found that he was breathing.

Blaze quickly found this out as well.

The water down below… might I say… was scary.

There was a strange light that showed us where we were, but the source of the light was impossible to find. Sand was all to be seen as far as my eyes could see into this dark hell hole. A few boulders lay in the waters with us, but that was about it.

It's a good thing we don't have to swim, because Sonic never taught me to. So once again, the three of us set out through the darkness, nothing but a tiny glimmer of light in the ocean of the shadows. Our motives, unjustified, are we good or are we evil? Or are we nothing at all?
Deep in the ocean of shadows…
Light follows us…
...but that light cannot be found.