Rouge had cleared up the cups of tea she and Sonic had drank a few minutes prior. She could tell that Sonic had felt better after talking, especially after opening his wounds so they could heal properly. She's not a doctor, not a medical professional in any sense and Rouge wouldn't waste her time ever trying to pretend she is one.
Though it is undeniable that after the years of living unhappily and trapped in his thoughts with his brother and world pulling at his strings - Sonic's mental health took a drastic hit.
His situation had been so akin to Shadow's own distraught and troubles that Rouge still can't believe how similar the two hedgehogs are. Except, again, they were very similar up until a certain point.
She's glad she could be of help in both situations with both hedgehogs. Rouge learned a lot from Shadow as she helped him and Rouge is certain that with kindness and open arms she can help Sonic as well. He was just a kid when the world swallowed him up, drowning in a despair that nobody could see or hear because they didn't want to, or they didn't look hard enough.
While she cleans a frown overtakes her face. Sonic... he deserves better than this. He's held the weight of the world over his shoulders for years like a selfless hero. Only wanting to help and put everybody and everything above his needs and wants.
As did Shadow.
Rouge can recall instantly the moments where Shadow felt like he couldn't keep going on. Thinking that his purpose had been fulfilled and that there was nothing left. But he was wrong. Everybody's here for different reasons, and everybody is here for more than just one.
Because Shadow was told in the beginning of his life what his purpose was, he didn't think he had any other choice. It led down to self-destructive behaviors, horrible depression, and zero trust in anybody for what seemed to be ages.
Well.
Rouge's lips quirked up into a smile, rare to have in times like this.
Shadow did not trust or love until a little ol' bat got inside his heart. Then a sentient robot. And lastly an energetic blue hedgehog.
Rouge's telecom watch made a soft beep, as it has been doing more often in the past hours. Which slightly irked her enough that with a swipe of her fingers, a list of notifications came popping up.
And her grip on a teacup became iron strong, eventually shattering the cup into glass, crumbling all over the floor and table in tiny shards. And Rouge could hardly care about that mess, it was nothing compared to the storm coming in the horizon. A holographic version of a newspaper hovered in front of her. The bold headlines nearly giving her a headache just from the title alone.
In her vision is Mobius Daily News, and today's global news is all about the events transpiring with Blue. Correction. What was assumed to be going on. She narrows her eyes, teal glinting dangerously.
The assumptions had made Team Dark out into the villains, even getting dangerously close into personal GUN business that Rouge is sure to have the Commander pissed.
She read every word, drinking it up with a bitter taste all the while ignoring the pain in her hand. The tiny shards coming from the broken teacup had managed to sink their ways through her glove and cut like little razors.
Her fingers stopped scrolling towards the bottom and she sees 'authentic journalist' pictures taken of Sonic and Shadow, the two looking shocked at the flashing cameras and her her anger disappears at their taken images.
Shadow held a dark look on his expression, in the first few he was at Sonic's side and eventually cameras took pictures of the ebony hedgehog standing protectively in front of Sonic, covering the younger up from the hungry and greedy eyes. If looks could kill, every single one of those paparazzi wannabe journalists would be dead just from the intense glare in Shadow's eyes.
The expression on Sonic's face had been haunting. There was no mask on his face hiding his emotions, no, his emotions were laid out in front of the entire world to see.
Rouge flew out of the kitchen faster than a bullet, her heart sinking when she found the living room empty of everybody. Even the notebook had been taken. Frantically she turned her head in every spot of the room, searching with a sinking feeling growing in her chest.
Where was Sonic?
Where was Tails?
And then it clicked into place, a puzzle she didn't even know had suddenly been finished. Her calm and level-headed outward appearance contradicting the panic and fear within her heart, though it didn't stop Rouge from coming to a conclusion that left her feeling foolish. No matter how much of scolding I can give, it won't be enough to get through his thick skull. Tails heard it, but it's obvious he didn't like to hear that he's wrong.
"Where's Sonic!?" Rouge could hardly catch her breath, all the air seemed to be sucked out like a vacuum leaving her in an emotion akin to fear. Who wouldn't? Tails must've convinced Sonic to go with him. And it was fairly obvious why.
Tails likes to be in control. Practically thrives in it. He likes to be in the spotlight, only if it's under his terms though. And when Sonic gets out of place, he'll get manipulative. Though she's unsure where Tails will draw the line, it must be a far line since he's got no qualms in controlling his brother.
Rouge flew around the house, looking for the two Mobians and coming up with no results. Her heart picking up it's pace and thumping heavily against her chest like the beatings of drums. Sonic is with Tails. They're together and Tails must have manipulated Sonic again.
How far will Tails go for the pride, ego, and shameless greed of fame in exchange for Sonic's happiness and wellbeing?
Her teal blue eyes narrowed in disgust. Not far apparently.
I went out on a soul search. Trying to find my spark and motivation that slipped away from me. It took a long time and I'm genuinely proud to say that I no longer feel trapped within the past and I'm able to let go. Many thanks for the concern in my reviews and pm's from all of you. Your words helped guide me to find myself and I can never thank any of you enough. I hope this story will do. I'm back and I'm prepared to take us on a journey through words. Happy Holidays!