Chapter Six: The Sand of Sandopolis
Here we are at Sandopolis, where Shadow stops and parks his motorcycle. He was with Rouge at the same time.
"And here we are. Sandopolis." Shadow stated.
"Alright, so does it matter where the sand is to collect?" Rouge wondered.
"No, I don't think so, anyway. Just as long as it's the sand from Sandopolis, that's all that should matter, as it's still a part of Angel Island." Shadow mentioned.
"Alright, so, do we have anything to store them in?" Rouge asked.
"I have plastic containers in the back of my motorcycle. We'll use this, and collect just enough that Tails needs for his lie detector." Shadow added.
"Right, let's get to it then." Rouge acknowledged.
Shadow nods. And then after that, they both approached the motorcycle, and took the plastic containers from the back attached to it. Once they got the containers, they then approached the sand of Sandopolis, and pulled off the lids of the containers, and they scooped up as much sand as they could.
The sand sometimes had insects, like scorpions, and spiders, and centipedes. And this made Rouge squeal in fear. Shadow couldn't help but chuckle a couple of times at that.
"It's not funny, Shadow! That was terrifying, and I am not a fan of bugs!" Rouge complained.
"Scared over tiny insects, that you could easily crush beneath you." Shadow teased.
"Well, I'm not that mean, Shadow. I don't wanna kill them." Rouge told him.
"Well, anyway, I know this a bit much that we're collecting. But once we have filled all these containers, it should be enough for what Tails needs." Shadow mentioned.
"I'm just more surprised that these people around here aren't suspicious about this." Rouge thought.
"Well, it's not like we're doing anything illegal. It's just sand. There's like millions in this place." Shadow added.
"I guess so. But even so. If it was me who were those people, I would be very concerned about why they would do this." Rouge again mentioned.
"Well, they're not fussed about it, so it's nothing to really worry about." Shadow finished.
"Whatever you say, Shadow." Rouge smiled.
After another ten minutes, they collected as much sand as they could, until they were at their last container. They finished filling those up, and that was their mission completed.
"And with that. that is all we can collect." Rouge mentioned.
"Yep, so now, we should head back to the palace, and give these to Tails." Shadow stated.
"I think we should sit and take a break first. Don't wanna tire ourselves already. We've been picking up sand for ages around here." Rouge advised.
"I agree. We'll sit for about half an hour, then we'll leave." Shadow stated.
After that, both Shadow and Rouge walked towards a bench nearby, and they both sat down. They were under a tree, which gave them shade from the sun. Shadow drank water from a fountain, which was fresh.
"Shadow, about earlier?" Rouge started.
"What about earlier? What are you talking about?" Shadow wondered.
"Well, I saw you were crying earlier, and you said it wasn't important then, and you'd explain later. Is now a good time, now we're on this break?" Rouge asked.
"Well, I didn't think it'd be now, as in later, but, as we're here for half an hour, I may as well. I am just lost, Rouge." Shadow started.
"Lost? In what way, Shadow?" Rouge wondered.
"Well, I know it has been over fifty years since I have lost Maria on the ARK, and I have fulfilled every promise that she wanted me to do, but even after all that, I am still thinking there's something else that I need to fulfil, though I haven't got a clue what that is." Shadow though.
"Well, how do you feel, when you get like this?" Rouge asked.
"Well, my mind gets blank, because I'm confused, it makes me think of the love I had for Maria, which makes me cry, because love like that I can never experience again. She was like a sister to me, Rouge." Shadow stated, as a tear fell from his eye.
Rouge noticed the tear, and she gasped in surprise. She then softly grabs Shadow's head, and pulled him close. She then wraps her arms around his head for a comforting embrace. Shadow was confused by this action, but he shrugged off, and he wrapped his arms around Rouge's waist.
"It's alright, Shadow. I'm sure Maria would be very proud of you, no matter where she is." Rouge softly told him.
"I love her, Rouge. It should have been me they have killed, not her." Shadow sobbed.
"Here now, it's alright, Shadow. It's alright. Never think like that. The reason you were brought to this world, is because life has made a purpose for you to be here. There is a hint on how I could tell that." Rouge mentioned, as they release the embrace.
"What would that be?" Shadow wondered.
"Well, first of all, how long has your heart been beating like that?" Rouge smiled.
"You felt that?" Shadow thought.
"I felt that, as we embraced." Rouge mentioned.
"It does that from time to time. But the weird part is, it only does that, when I am in your presence." Shadow explained.
"Well, there's your answer, Shadow. You wondered why you're so confused, and didn't know what it was. Well, I know the answer." Rouge told him, confidentially.
"Really? What is it? Please, I need to know." Shadow demanded.
"The reason your heart is beating like that Shadow, is because, that indicates that you're in love." Rouge smiled, warmly.
"In... in love?" Shadow asked, in confusion.
"Yes, Shadow. And it beats like that around me, is because you're in love with me." Rouge stated, as happy tears fell from her eyes.
"But, I can't love another. I'd feel like this would be replacing Maria." Shadow sadly stated.
"But this is a different kind of love, Shadow. You say she was like a sister to you. But the love you feel for me is something else. It's more a romantic relationship, it is not the same kind of love you felt for Maria. So you don't need to worry about me replacing her. I don't want to replace her, but I can help you fill in the hole in your heart with a different kind of love." Rouge smiled.
"Romantic connection? How is this even possible, when I am an artificial lifeform?" Shadow wondered, as tears still fell from his eyes.
"You have feelings, and emotion, Shadow. No matter what you are, that makes you more of a living being than you think." Rouge stated.
"I see." Shadow thought.
"And you know what else, Shadow? I am also in love with you. I have been for a very long time." Rouge smiled.
"You love me?" Shadow stated in shock.
"And I am not even lying, Shadow. You mean more to me, than any jewel in the world. You're the only jewel I ever need." Rouge stated.
"Well, that is something else." Shadow smiled.
Rouge took a hold of Shadow's hand, lovingly. All Shadow could do was hold onto her hand as tightly as he could, and look into Rouge's eyes.
.
(Shadow singing)
Late night
Butterflies
Tomorrow plays
Plays with my mind
As I count down the seconds
.
Keeping hold of Rouge's hands, he and Rouge then stand up from the bench, and they continued to look into one another's eyes, lovingly.
.
(Shadow singing)
Whiskey neat
To tame my nerves
Can't wait to see
The way they'll look at you
Answering the question
(Shadow and Rouge singing)
Please say you do
.
Rouge then places one of her hands on Shadow's shoulder, and Shadow places one hand on her waist. They began a slow dance around Sandopolis. The civilians of Sandopolis noticed this, and couldn't help buy smile at this.
.
(Shadow and Rouge singing)
Your love is one of a kind
Now I'm not alone anymore
And when I thought I was lost
I see your face and our whole lives changed
Your love is one of a kind
Even after we are gone
Our love will always live on
Would you dance with me while the choir sings?
Your love is one of a kind
.
(Sandopolis civilians singing)
Ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh
(Shadow and Rouge singing)
Now dance with me as the choir sings
.
They stopped for a second, and they both looked at the sky, and saw their future in the cloud. The cloud took shape of both Shadow and Rouge, at an altar, at a wedding ceremony.
.
(Rouge singing)
The fireside
Our favourite wine
These photographs
Of our years gone by
And I will not change a second
.
(Shadow and Rouge singing)
Right here with you
.
The clouds then viewed Rouge, and she was pregnant. She was telling Shadow the news that she was pregnant, and Shadow hugs Rouge close, and lifts her playfully, and swings her around, as he was excited that Rouge was pregnant, and he was going to be a father. The real Shadow and Rouge were continuing their slow dance.
.
(Shadow and Rouge singing)
Your love is one of a kind
Now I'm not alone anymore
And when I thought I was lost
I see your face and our whole lives changed
Your love is one of a kind
Even after we are gone
Our love will always live on
Would you dance with me while the choir sings?
Your love is one of a kind
.
(Shadow and the Sandopolis civilians singing)
Ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh
(Rouge singing)
Now dance with me as the choir sings
.
The clouds of Shadow and Rouge were now in the hospital bed, and Rouge gave birth to a baby hedgehog. The real Shadow and Rouge stopped their slow dance. Rouge looked at the clouds, and saw that moment. She sheds happy tears, while Shadow did the same.
.
(Rouge singing)
Look at our son now
He's has got your smile
He has your beautiful eyes
(Shadow singing)
If only Maria could see us right now
(Shadow and Rouge singing)
Oh, oh, oh
.
(Shadow singing)
Your love is one of a kind
Now I'm not alone anymore
.
Shadow and Rouge continued their slow dance. The civilians still admired this scenery.
.
(Shadow and Rouge singing)
And when I thought I was lost
I see your face and our whole lives changed
Your love is one of a kind
Even after we are gone
Our love will always live on
Would you dance with me while the choir sings?
Your love is one of a kind
.
Shadow and Rouge stopped their slow dance again, and Shadow has his arms around Rouge's waist, and Rouge had her arms around Shadow's neck. Their foreheads were against one another's lovingly.
.
(Shadow and Rouge singing)
So dance with me as the choir sings
.
"I love you, Shadow." Rouge told him.
"And I love you, Rouge." Shadow replied.
And after that, Shadow moves his face closer to Rouge's, and their lips got closer and closer. And once they couldn't get any closer, their lips finally pressed against one another's for a loving passionate kiss. The civilians applauded this action, and this made Shadow and Rouge break the kiss, and they turned their attention to the crowd.
"Alright, show's over!" Rouge chuckled. Shadow chuckled back.
"And besides, our half an hour has ended. We can't waist any more time. We need to get the sand back to Tails for the lie detector." Shadow mentioned.
"That is true. We better make it back. And once we get back home, Shadow, I can show you how else we can have fun, if you know what I mean?" Rouge teased, with a naughty wink.
"Well, that has me very intrigued to find out." Shadow chuckled.
After that, they wasted no time, and made their way back to the motorcycle. Shadow started the engine, and Rouge sat at the back, and wrapped her arms around Shadow. Shadow grunted in shock.
"What the fuck?" Shadow wondered.
"Ooh, Shadow! Getting excited, are you? Don't you worry. Later on, I will show you how to use this big boy later." Rouge teased.
Shadow chuckled. After that, Shadow then revved up the engine, and the motorcycle sped off at high speed, back to the palace.