CHAPTER II – HOME SWEET HOME
It was the same, old shit that she'd been hearing for the last couple of months. A colossal deal went south because some idiot criminal wasn't careful enough. There was also the part about Sonic coming in and stopping the bad guy and saving the day as per usual.
She couldn't help but be a little tense about the world she was now living in. She was the last one left. Her Fox family legacy was now in the crosshairs of the law for the first time in generations. And now they had to contend with a fast freak who could do no wrong. He might get roughed up along the way, but he always got his man.
Even though the vixen's old friend was having her time in the sun, she had to turn off the news and take another long drag. Shaking off the ash, she thought about how she suddenly had no more domestic partners. Lyric and her had buried the hatchet to do business so they could stay afloat. Now he was in custody, and that might mean that their next big deal was in jeopardy. Oh, well. She had another contact who might be interested in what she was selling if Lyric had to bow out. She'd be giving him a call shortly for her runway date.
Gone were the days that she wore gold and white jumpsuits (an odd fashion choice, even for high school in the early 2000s) and matching go-go boots. The naturally curvy fox was dressed more for intimidation these days anyway. A black leather belly-top with matching black pants and a belt that hung around her hips that was routinely one notch too many, making it hang to the side. Her naturally red fur complemented her black predilection, though the yellow bow that rested on her hair didn't go with the look at all. It was a callback to simpler times. Her father had given her that bow, and now it was her trademark. It still gave her that "bad girl" look that went along with her occupation.
She wished she didn't have to be the bad girl. She never wanted it. The picture on her desk from many years before was a reminder of the better times. Chaos, how she wanted those days to return, especially if it meant getting back her only friend. It killed her that they were on opposite sides of society's rules. Besides her dad, she was the only person that would ever hold a special place in her heart.
Grabbing the picture and studying it hard, she sighed. "Don't send him," she said to her pictured friend. "I mean it. (Fiona Fox: Halsey)"
She set the photo down and picked up her cell, dialing her second-in-command.
"What's up?" he asked when he answered.
"You see the news?" she asked.
"Yes. What does this mean for our appointment?"
"Lyric's out of the picture for good. Tell our friend in Soleanna that he's still in for a massive load if he's still interested."
The theme of hope rang out over the airwaves. People across the city knew what its glorious chime meant. It was now time for the most honest program in the city 25 years running. There was no doubt that the channel had gotten more popular in the last few months. Why wouldn't it? They broke the news story of the century four months prior. They had the premier news team, from the hosts to the field reporters. But the most defining thing? Though they would never admit it, the city's champion was the son of the news group's creators. Well, co-creators.
The Acorn Media Group had broken through to being more than the best place for honest news, but now they were expanding their footprint even more. It got to the point where Station Square and Central City were demanding the channel and their top-notch newspaper. Adding one of the world's greatest port cities and the United Federation capital? How could they pass up the opportunity?
Despite the growth, the AMG remained grounded in reporting the facts, no matter how dark it may be. They had one promised one thing to the people since day one: the truth.
The familiar jingle and the friends he knew he'd see were music to his ears, re-run or not. It was one of the only comforts he could afford at that moment. He needed some good news. And maybe an ego boost because he physically felt like shit. Lyric's "hug" did a serious number on him. That was why he was confined to a lumpy hospital bed, and it didn't matter what position he put the bed in: it wasn't removing any of the pain, even if he had enough drugs to put 20 elephants into a coma. This was going to be a rough night.
"Good evening, Mobotropolis," the hostess greeted. "I'm Sally Acorn. (Sally Acorn: Jennifer Hale)"
"And I'm Ken Khan. (Ken "Monkey" Khan: Troy Baker)" said the monkey. "We thank you for joining us tonight for the AMG Nightly News on Halloween night! We'll get to the city-wide trick-or-treat event in a minute, but we have some breaking news to report on first. Sally?"
"Thanks, Ken." Sally turned to look at the camera. Beside her was an image of the great hero, although the image was of Sonic looking much healthier, not confined one after he got the snot beaten out of him. "In the last four months, crime has dropped to lows that the city has not seen since the early 1920s. While officially it could be attributed to MPD Commissioner Rouge the Bat's great work in turning around the police force and crime crackdown, our friend Sonic the Hedgehog must also be given a lot of credit. The duo have had an unofficial partnership since the Eggman debacle in June earlier this year, and the combined effort has paid off massive dividends.
"Before tonight, there were two of the Big Five Crime Lords of Mobotropolis remaining. Now, we can confirm that there is only one left. Boomer Schlange, better known as 'Lyric the Ancient,' was caught smuggling in young women from the likes of Chun-nan and Adabat tonight in the Industrial District. Lyric's name has been connected to several sex-slave circles, but we now have confirmation that he has been defeated by Sonic the Hedgehog and arrested by the Mobotropolis Police Department. For more details of tonight's events, we now turn to Amy Rose, who is live in the Industrial District with the latest. Amy?"
Sonic chuckled and smiled the moment the Rose's face came on the TV. "Thank you, Sally. I hope your Halloween's going alright!"
"It will be when you tell us the details. What do you know, Amy?"
"Well, Sal, Sonic and the MPD engaged Lyric in the complex just behind me a few moments ago. It was no ordinary fight as Lyric had armor bussed in from overseas to not only keep himself alive, but to eventually combat Sonic whenever he came calling. Lyric's suit was shipped with the young women from the East."
"Amy, it's Ken," the monkey began, "What happened during the fight?"
"Ken, the fight started in the hangar and eventually spilled outside. Officers were under instruction from Commissioner Rouge to back off and let Sonic handle Lyric while they held down the exits to the complex. With his metallic armor, Sonic and Rouge could not do much physical damage to the now-incarcerated crime lord. The snake had Sonic in his grip, and I mean that literally as Sonic was tightly bound by Lyric's tail, but Sonic escaped as was able to turn the tables by goading Lyric into breaking off his own arm and luring him under the super-magnet. For the coup de grâce, Sonic dropped the Lyric over 60 feet in the air where he crashed and broke the dome around his head. As Commissioner Rouge commanded her officers around, Lyric tried to bite the bat and inject her with his lethal venom. Sonic, however, was able to grab his largest fangs and lower jaw to stop him, though Sonic himself was gravely hurt by the snake's hold. To make sure he didn't hurt Rouge, Sonic snapped off Lyric's fangs before knocking him out. It all ended with Sonic being escorted to a nearby hospital and Lyric, finally, being incarcerated for his crimes."
"Quite the story, Rose. You said that Sonic needed to go to a hospital?"
"That's correct. Lyric was able to get a deathly grip on Sonic and squeeze the life out of him before somehow losing the hero. The tight bind made it harder to breathe for Sonic, so an ambulance was brought in after he beat the snake. He will be getting an x-ray and an MRI before the night is out to see the extent of his injuries or lack thereof. For his safety, the name of the hospital Sonic is recuperating in will not be mentioned over the air."
"Amy, it's Sally again. What about the young women that Lyric had shipped in from overseas? What will happen to them?"
"Commissioner Rouge has told me that all the girls are safe and are being kept at the MPD's Industrial District Precinct for the time being. Rouge called a few of her old G.U.N. contacts to come in and help the ladies return home and to their families. I should also add that Lyric's men will be interrogated further to determine the identities and locations of other adolescent women that Lyric brought in for his sex-slave 'business.' Although calling it a business is an insult to capitalism."
"Amy, thanks. We'll talk to you again at the bottom of the hour. See if you can dig up any more information for us."
"Will do, guys. Happy Halloween."
"Happy Halloween to you too, Amy. We here at the AMG want to wish Sonic a speedy recovery with what injuries he may be facing now. But we we'd also like to thank him and the entire MPD on a job well done and for doing their civic duty of keeping Mobotropolis safe. Thank you.
"We'll have more coverage on Sonic's victory over Lyric the Ancient as the night goes on, but coming up next, we'll put a spotlight on the city-wide trick-or-treat event and talk to some lucky kids and parents about tonight's events."
Ken added, "Also, the Spectres hosted the Central City 49ers for Monday Night, and we have got highlights to show you. Did the Spectres stay undefeated, or did the Niners' rock-hard defense produce a nightmare for the Mobotropolis offense? Brett Rodgers will tell you all about it."
"And as always," Sally began, "your up-to-the-minute weather report with Dulcy the Dragon is up next! What are we going to see for our first day of November? All that and more, so stay tuned!"
The outro played, and the TV cut to commercial. Top-notch reporting per usual from those three as per usual.
KNOCK KNOCK!
He cocked an eyebrow as he turned to the door, muting the news as he did it. "Come in."
After a small click, an older otter came in with her sterile nurse outfit. With a friendly smile, she said, "You have a couple of visitors who would like to take you home."
Sonic smiled. He knew what that meant. "Sure. Send them in."
With a nod, she gave way to the hero's closest friends. One was on the other end of his earbuds from earlier in the night, a technological genius with double the tails and double the IQ. The other one had just gotten off of work. Her scared look went away when she saw him smile earnestly. Seeing him alive and with that familiar smile made her insides flip. As they entered, it looked like Tails had a plastic pumpkin with a goofy face on it while being held by a plastic string.
"It's not quite November yet," Tails began, "so eat up your Halloween candy before the witching hour. (Miles "Tails" Prower: Justin Timberlake)" Amy had to groan at her brother's pun.
"Thought it was past midnight," Sonic said as he took the plastic jack-o-lantern. He mindlessly grabbed one of the Hershey's bars and stuffed it in his mouth, taking the wrapper off before of course. "And what is it with candy and Halloween?"
"I think it dates back to the '50s or '60s. All you need to know is that it's more of a kids holiday than anything else, and what else do kids like better than getting a sugar-overdose at bedtime?"
Sonic chuckled and nodded to Tails in thanks. He needed the little pick-me-up. "Well, tell the '50s or '60s that I approve." He turned to Amy. "Your reporting was great as always."
"Thanks," Amy said with a blush. "But are you okay? CREAM showed me the film! (Amy Rose: Cindy Robinson)" Her tone went from kind to concerned in no time flat. On instinct, she touched Sonic's shoulder like a doting mother. Her small bit of affection was more than enough to make Sonic wince and groan in pain. "That bad?" she asked as she took her arm away quickly.
He scoffed. "Worse. I feel like I got hit by a truck."
"Or, more specifically, over 2,000 pounds of force that Lyric subjected you to by constriction."
That number caught the ailing hero's attention. "Over a ton of force?"
"Yes, it is a miracle that you're still breathing normally, thanks for asking."
Sonic shook his head at the scientist's ego. "Well, I guess the only thing I can do is thank you. Those gloves saved me."
"Whatever gives you the edge."
"Boys, this is all fine and dandy, but can we please go home?" Amy asked impatiently.
"Why's that?" Sonic asked.
"There's every media member in the city waiting outside the hospital doors."
Sonic's face turned sour. He sported a look of mild bewilderment. "I thought you said in your report that the hospital would remain a secret?"
"Apparently the paparazzi tailed me and believe you're here. And I don't think you're in any physical condition to blast past them."
Sonic took that as a challenge. He set the candy bucket to the side and took the covers off him. "Just watch—." Sonic swung his legs off the bed, earning another round of lovely full-body pain. "Ah!" he yelled holding his lower half.
"Told ya. That's why I asked Tails to pick you up some stuff. Look at the bottom of your jack-o-lantern."
Sonic looked back and started digging through it. At the very bottom was something pleasantly soft. And there were two things the size of a human's fingernail, concave and clear in their design. What were these—. Then it hit him like a ton of bricks.
"We couldn't fit the Air Shoes in, but we think people won't look at Shadow's feet. You can suit up in the elevator. Oh, and take this."
Amy then tossed Sonic a small, white bag with black and blue print on it. He looked at it curiously, shaking the bag and hearing something rattle in it. "Prescription?" he asked, putting it in his jack-o-lantern.
"Painkillers that druggies would kill for. Need help getting up?"
He sighed once and got up. His pained knees were weak and his arms were heavy, but on the surface, he looked calm and ready… that was until he took one step and nearly fell over. His compadres were quick to his side, catching him before he could spill the candy on the floor. They slung an arm over his shoulders and stabilized him as he groaned in pain.
"Yeesh, you're heavy," Tails remarked.
"Hey, muscle is heavier than fat," Sonic defended.
"Maybe a wheelchair would be for the best."
"No," Sonic strongly said. He shrugged his shoulders, signaling them to let him go. With a sharp breath, he stood straight up with all his might. Amy and Tails had to respect his willingness to try it himself… that or he was too prideful to let them help. It was probably the former. "Let me try."
Amy looked at her brother and rolled her eyes. Better let him do it.
"Fine, but we'll be here if we need you."
"Like always."
That made them smile as Sonic took it slowly, putting one foot in front of the other. By the time he got to the door, he strolled through the hall, making all the nurses and doctors stop their idle chatter and look in shock and awe as the Sonic the Hedgehog, after a battle for the ages against Lyric the Ancient, was walking with his head up high. He was moving around like nothing could touch him. He was invulnerable, their champion, and he inspired those fortunate enough to watch to give it their all.
The ovation they gave him was a rousing round of applause. He smiled and lightly waved at everyone. It was at its end when he pressed the elevator's button. After the ding, he and his partners walked in, and he gave a two-fingered salute as the doors closed.
"Okay, Sonic. You're clear," Tails stated.
THUD!
Sonic painfully groaned the moment he collapsed on the floor. "Yeooooooooow!"
Amy went to his plastic pumpkin and fished out the Fluff and contacts. She held it against his strong chest and pressed it on. Tails was given the lenses and placed them on Sonic's eyes.
CLICK!
His pain was replaced with the odd feeling of millions of microbots crawling over his fur. Tails's own design, they could change fur color and emit a small charge that could flip hair or quills in any direction and slightly alter one's physical appearance, albeit slightly. His rounded eyes took more of a triangular shape, making him look more intimidating. His emerald green eyes transformed into a bloody red that was commonplace at grizzly murders. His royal blue fur turned black with streaks of red on his quills, arms, and around his eyes. Even his peach muzzle was changed to tan, making him look like he was kissed by the sun. In no time at all, Sonic the Hedgehog had now turned into Amy's assistant at the AMG: Shadow the Hedgehog.
"That was dumb," Sonic said. He hadn't altered his voice since it was still him and his friends. "That was very, very, very, very dumb."
"You already said that. Now c'mon, hero," Tails said with a laugh. The fox then threw an arm around Sonic and helped him up. Amy came to his aid shortly after, throwing her left arm around him after she had taken off his shoes and hid them in the jack-o-lantern.
"I thought you said no one'd look at my feet," Sonic mocked.
"I changed my mind," she said. "And could you please sound like Shadow?"
Sonic cleared his throat. "Like this?" he asked in a gravelly tone. It didn't sound like him at all. Sonic's voice was upbeat and sorta cheery. Shadow's was… mysterious. It sounded like he was always emotionally hurt. "Do I sound better? (Shadow the Hedgehog: Jason Griffith)"
"Much," Amy replied.
DING!
The trio's eyes were hounded with bright lights the instant the elevator doors opened. The press corps Amy had alluded to was in full force, taking every picture they could. The flashing lights blinded them, and they had to cover their eyes. However, since Shadow/Sonic/Sonadow didn't have a free hand, he took the brunt of it.
The reporters and paparazzi slowed it down when they realized that, while they got plenty of pics of Sonic's partners in Amy and Tails, the hedgehog they were with did not look like Sonic at all.
"Clear the way!" Amy yelled as she and Tails worked in tandem to gets their injured friend out of there. The less time they spent getting photo-hounded, the better. "Please move!" These guys were not making it easy to get out.
"Where's Sonic?!" one reporter screamed.
"Who's the guy?! A boyfriend?!"
"Has Sonic proposed to you yet, Amy? When's the wedding?! I want an invite!"
"Tails, is it true your IQ is greater than the late Dr. Robotnik?"
"Is Darth Vader Luke's father?"
"Amy, what're you doing here?!"
"Can you tell the extent of Sonic's injuries?"
"Where is Sonic?! The public has a right to know!"
"Black hedgehog guy, who the hell are you?!"
A lady can only take so much attention. Guys, please take note of this.
"Shut up!" Amy barked, silencing everyone but the camera shutters and the microphones in her face. "Sonic is not here! I'm here to help my coworker and friend Shadow! He was—."
"Are you and him sleeping together?" Oh… that was it. Amy dropped the injured hedgehog and stormed to the idiotic paparazzo.
"Oww!" Shadow barked as his help suddenly left his side. His aching knee met tile floor, sending a jolt of pain up his body as Tails tried to help him up.
"I know, we'll call your pairing 'ShadAmy!'" the reporter continued. "Amy, how long have you been hooking up?" This reporter didn't know when to quit. Amy, on the other hand, knew that he should be done talking.
"Will you be quiet?!" she begged, though it sounded more like a demanding scream.
"Your outburst won't look good for the AMG! They'll probably fire you in the morning!"
"ENOUGH!" Shadow couldn't take the insanity for much longer. It was his turn to silence the masses. "Amy, I appreciate you dropping me like a ton of bricks to defend me, but can you please help me?"
She walked back to him and did as he asked. "Sorry about that."
"It's okay," he groaned. Then he turned to the cameras. "Don't you have anything better to do than stalk a woman?"
"Where is Sonic?!"
"Not here," Tails said.
"But why are you here, Amy?" the same heckling reporter asked.
"My friend here was in a car crash earlier tonight. He's very sore from the accident, and I would like to get him home."
"What's he to you? Someone you share—?"
"WE ARE NOT SLEEPING TOGETHER, PERVERT!" Shadow and Amy screamed.
"He's my assistant and partner at the AMG!" Amy added on emphatically.
"But are you—?!"
"SHUT UP!" This time, it wasn't just Amy, Tails, and Shadow. It was everybody else, press corps included.
"No more questions," Tails said strictly as he and Amy helped Shadow out. That didn't stop the reporters from peppering them with more question as they got to Amy's Camaro. The silver and black beauty would soon have to go into storage for the winter season, but it was gonna get a workout tonight.
They loaded him into the car as the cameras flashed like obnoxious fireworks. Shadow shielded his eyes from the brightness as Tails and Amy piled into the roadster. Amy turned the ignition and peeled out, leaving a cloud of dust and burnt rubber for the tiresome reporters.
Amy let out a huge sigh. "That could've gone better," she said with a little venom in her voice.
"At least you didn't start swinging," Tails said. Then he turned his attention to the backseat where the ailing hero laid in agony. "You okay, Sonic?"
"I feel like a million bucks," he forced out as he deactivated the Fluff, returning him to his normal self. "And by that, I mean I feel like a million bucks that got shot through the lungs with a rifle. Ugh… I appreciate you defending me, Ames, but did you really have to drop me?"
Her ears lowered in embarrassment. "I said I was sorry."
"It's okay, it's okay. It just… hurts a lot." He took in a sharp breath and tried to relax. Amy knew that the faster they went home, the more distance they'd make with the flashing cameras. And home sounded good right about now. The cooler weather would probably force Tails to whip up some of his patented hot cocoa for everyone to share. Well, sans CREAM. Still, everyone needed a relaxing beverage after what happened earlier, especially Sonic. He'd have to ask his best friend to make his a double.
The muscle car came to a complete stop, and Sonic forced himself into an upright position. He reached for and opened the door, nearly spilling out of the Camaro in the process. But he regained his footing and was able to walk up to the door without any help. Color Tails and Amy impressed. But maybe it wasn't so much Sonic's strength that came up. More than likely, it was his ego. He didn't like for everyone, especially friends, to see him hurt. He was supposed to be some iconic hero of the people. The last thing they needed, in Sonic's mind, was a hurt hero.
The moment he walked into the living room, he broke down in cozy recliner, letting out a huge sigh of pleasure. His body still screamed, but the leather-bound chair felt like sitting a marshmallow. Tails was busy in the kitchen, whipping up some of cocoa goodness, so he'd be getting a marshmallow double dose.
From across the room, Sonic could hear the faint whirring of a hidden camera. He chuckled and said, "Hello, CREAM."
The robotic rabbit that Dr. Robotnik had created as Sonic's and his brother's mother figure was currently residing inside of Tails's supercomputer as his AI in the secret lab downstairs. She worked with Tails to help Sonic and Rouge in the field. She was incredibly adept at reconnaissance work, tapped into every known form of camera system in the city (with a little help from Tails and his hacking programs, of course).
"Here you go," Tails said as he offered Sonic a small plate with a cup of hot cocoa and a pair of earbuds on the side. Sonic chuckled. CREAM would definitely want to talk.
Slipping the 'buds in and taking a sip, Sonic greeted, "Did you miss me, CREAM?"
"I should be really barking at you for being so careless with Lyric. You could have died! (CREAM the Rabbit: Tara Strong)"
"But… I didn't," he said as he took another creamy sip.
"Sonic… oh, I'll talk to you more about this in the morning."
"CREAM, if you're gonna lay into me, lay into me. I'm already hurt, so just get it over with."
She sighed. "Okay, but you asked for it."
From the kitchen, Amy and Tails watched as Sonic reacted to the bunny's harsh words. Don't get the wrong idea, CREAM was a very lovable AI and very motherly, but this was one of those times where she had to be the parent and chew out Sonic. Tails had his earbuds in and couldn't stop chuckling. Amy wasn't, but she could guess from her brother's incessant tittering exactly what CREAM was saying.
DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG!
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST, 2016
"How bad is it?" Amy whispered.
"Ohhhh, it's bad!" Tails whispered back, unable to stop the tears of joy from running down his face.
"What's she saying?"
"I don't think I've ever heard her swear this much! CREAM! Swearing up a storm!"
Amy shook her head and took another sip of her cocoa. It was plenty early to think about Christmas, but it was no longer Halloween, and she already stuck a candycane in her drink for a splash of mint. Kind of tasted like she was drinking an Andes candy.
Sonic plucked the earbuds out and groaned as he put them aside. He immediately darted his eyes at Tails, still unable to hold back his laughter. "I hope your next experiment mutates and eats you whole."
"As long as it washes me down with black coffee," he arrogantly replied.
"Ughhhhh," he groaned as he slammed the rest of his cocoa and got up. Wincing from his aching, he set the saucer and cup on the countertop and headed up the stairs.
"You need help?" Amy offered.
"I'll be fine," he said as he clung onto the railing. The foster siblings looked at each other with a little uncertainty. Tails motioned to his sister to help him up and replied with a nod. About halfway up, Sonic's sore body was taking its toll. He started to slip, but Amy stopped him from sliding down belly-first like a toddler. Chaos knows that would've felt wonderful. A fur-less, barren chest sliding down a carpeted staircase? That's the kind of abrasion that make men curl up in the fetal position.
"Come on, slugger," she said helping him back up.
He groaned—in pain, not because his ego was getting knocked—and began to continue his walk. Eventually, they got to the second floor where Sonic opened the door. Amy continued to assist him in. But the moment he got to the bed, Sonic crashed and laid face-first on the blanket. He sent out another groan, but this sounded more pleasurable, like a masseuse had just gone to town on the knots in his back. He slowly but surely got himself under the covers and sighed peacefully.
Amy quickly left so she could grab him a cup of water. She didn't mind waiting on Sonic too much, just so long as it within reason. This was a bit of a different story because of how shitty he felt. He labored getting up the stairs he was so banged up for crying out loud.
"Don't worry about work tomorrow," she began as she re-entered his room and set the cup on his nightstand. "Max and Alicia will understand that Shadow got into a car accid—." The she realized that he wasn't listening. Hell, he wasn't even conscious. He was—BOOM—out like a light. Poor hero probably passed out from all the pain and exhaustion.
Amy lightly laughed and got down on both knees, taking in his sleeping face. He looked so ridiculous as he snored softly. Looking back to make sure she wasn't being watched, she turned back to him and gently stroked his quills, admiring the peaceful man. She loved how he was able to do things that he could do. She loved how he seemed to save everyone. Chaos knew he had saved her a time or two. She hated how prideful he was to do almost everything himself in the field, but she loved that he would always thank his partners for the help. He was making a difference in this city, and for that, she was thankful, but she was even more thankful that he had wandered into her life. This hero that every woman in the city wanted was under his roof. And just like those women, she wanted him too. He was her friend, teammate, and confidant. She dreamed that he felt the same way about her.
But now was not the time for any of that. He needed to rest, and her feelings for him could wait another day. "Rest up," she said. Before getting up, she quietly leaned in and kissed his cheek. His warm face made the peck feel like it was something more, and that was enough for her.
On that, she got up, walked out of the room, and shut the door. She needed shuteye too, and besides… it was her turn to buy coffee for the team in the morning.
But after the coast was clear, he gently opened his eyes and smiled as he saw her shadow disappear from the bottom of the door, all while his face turned bright red.
However, Sonic wasn't the only one to see that exchange. Someone was peeking through the window on the other side of the street. And the grin that came across his face the moment she left….
"So… it's like that, huh?"
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Y'know, I just realized I made a typo in the description on the fan-fiction-dot-net version of this story saying that this chapter would be out the 7th when in reality was always supposed to be for the 6th. Sorry about the confusion, everyone!
So there is a reason I tabbed Halsey as Fiona's VA. There are 2 reasons for that. First, it is because one of my more frequented reviewers for SP1 planted the idea into my head (she had it where the singer voiced another character), and after listening to a few of her songs, I saw the appeal. That doesn't make me a fan of her music (I'm more of a fan of 80's and 90's rock and pop), but I can easily say that she has a lot of talent that she's putting to good use. The second reason is... well, there's a chapter named after one of her songs that'll explain it better later. I won't go further into detail lest you want spoilers (and I won't spill the beans anyway).
And before you ask if this site has a rule about involving real-life people, there is. However, when I uploaded SP1 and introduced the characters and their VA's, no red flags popped up on my end. I think it's because I don't have said actors/actresses explicitly doing specific things (like a specific actor eating a piece of pizza, for example). So until then, the names will stay in unless I'm told otherwise. On a small tangent, the reason I tabbed Patric Zimmerman to voice Lyric was solely because he'd always shout [Solid] Snake's name in the Metal Gear Solid games. One of the many references to that series sprinkled into SP1 and SP2.
Anyways, onto other matters. I cannot imagine how it feels to get wrapped up by a big ol' snake and have the life squeezed out of you. When I try to imagine it, my head goes to the old Disney version of The Jungle Book when Kaa has Mowgli in his clutches. Did I just spoil a 1967 movie for you? Sorry, got side-tracked. I can't imagine what kind of painkillers he'll need to be on, but they better be some of the potent variety.
Anyways, that's all I got for you today. Chapter 3 will be up in a week-and-a-half (2/16) with the 4th coming up in three weeks (2/27). Oh, wait! There is one more thing left. I want to thank Jurassicdinodrew, Flydaze, Singingtheblues, uglyygurl22, NarutoNikeNinja21, and NeckBreak for the reviews on the chapter 1!
As always, the characters used in this story are the property of SEGA, Sonic Team, and Archie Comics. Everything in the story is being used strictly for entertainment purposes. And as always, I will talk to y'all later.