The clouds obscure the sky once more, thunder can be heard in the distance. The crow lady walks alongside Amy, the opossum man walks behind scratching the back of his head with his free hand and holding his rifle in the other.
"Miss Alis?", Amy says sheepishly
The lady turns to her, "Yes, dear?"
"Do you hate Mr. Marsh?", Amy asks.
Alis turns her head forward and smiles, "Of course not", she says, "Sometimes the people you care about can do careless things".
Amy turns her head to look at Marsh, catching her eyes he lets out a little wave. Amy smiles and looks forward. The clouds pass by slowly, revealing slivers of moonlight as the three march onward.
"When are you going to talk to him again?", Amy asks. Alis thinks for a moment before letting go of Amy's hand.
"I'm just need some alone time for a bit, you go keep Marsh company for a moment", Alis says as Amy walks back to Marsh.
Amy runs and grabs Marsh's large hand and walks by his side, Marsh smiles and leans down to whisper, "Amy what's wrong with Alis".
"Nothing is wrong", she says.
"AUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGH", Alis screams towards the sky
Marsh stops in his tracks as Amy whispers back, "She said she wants some alone time and then she will talk to you again".
"She said she likes you too", Amy says.
Marsh smiles while Alis turns slightly towards them. Marsh waves and Alis turns again, Amy giggles, "Yeah she said she cares about you, but you do careless things". Marsh looks at Alis for a moment before picking up Amy on his back. Alis begins to slow down and waits for the others to catch up.
"It feels nice to vent", Alis says casting a smile at Marsh.
In the middle of the clearing night sky, a shooting star catches Amy's eye
Amy rubs her eyes as the dream fades from her vision, the familiar scent of lavender fills the air. The dorm room had grown on her, especially after a suicide mission. Amy's vision returned as she got up from her bed, her night gown sitting comfortably on her shoulders. Her body felt like it weighed two tons, making it to the door was a trial in itself and if that wasn't enough, her ribs ached from the battle a week ago. Outside of Amy's room, Shadow sits on the couch, reading a book.
"You're moving around much better today", Shadow says with his eyes glued to his book
Amy straightens her posture and shambles towards the couch before flopping down next to Shadow. Shadow eyes Amy from the side of his book, "Have you been showering lately", he asks. Amy grimaces and lifts her arm to her face before sniffing. Shadow rolls his eyes, "I meant you should try soaking in a bath instead of showering, it might make you feel better". Amy's expression relaxes as she mumbles something that resembles a "alright".
As Amy shuffles to the restroom, Shadow remembers, "Oh do you have your things ready for the dance", he asks. Amy grumbles affirmatively and closes the door before starting the water. Amy's clothes are strewn across the floor as she dips her hand in the filling tub, watching the ripples bounce from her touch. The events of the week flash by as she daydreams, entranced the soothing water. The water reaches Amy's upper arm before she turns it off. The heat envelops her flesh and soothes her aching bones while steam clouds her mind. "Shadow has good advice sometimes", Amy says as she begins scrubbing herself.
Amy exits to an empty living room, noticing a plate of waffles sitting on the table, although the scent is tempting, she manages to flop onto her bed and get dressed first. No uniform today, just a white undershirt with a read top and a red skirt, some matching boots finish the casual wear for a comfy day. As Amy eats her final waffle, she pulls a card from her deck.
THE MOON
Amy puts away her things and locks the door behind her. The week was rough, but she recovered just in time for the school dance. Tonight there would be no missions or training or even studying, just the two of them together.
Chapter 4: The Pale Moonlight
Amy stood in the bright walkway to the auditorium, watching as couples and friends passed her on their way to the dance. She looks down and adjusts her rose broach before rehearsing the entire thing in her head, how she would ask Sonic to dance, how she would remember her dance steps, how she wouldn't trip over her own feet.
Ambient yellow lights shine brightly overhead as the enormous chandelier spins above the ballroom. The orchestra boomed the beginning of the waltz as couples grouped up and began to spin around the floor. Others stayed with friends and watched on ,sampling the food that had been arranged. In front of the punch table, Sonic stands as calm and collected as ever.
Amy navigates towards him, waving in return. Sonic smiles, "Looking good, Ames", he says before walking towards Amy and grabbing her hand. Amy freezes and stares at their hands together, "S-sonic I a-are you um",but her words can't come out. "Hey lets grab the end of this song", Sonic says leading Amy to the center of the room.
"Sonic wait!", Amy protested, but it was too late, Amy was already on the ballroom floor. Amy looked into Sonic's eyes as he twisted around and grabbed her hands.
"Put your hands on my shoulders", Sonic says with a smirk
Amy took a deep breath and shakily moved her hands to his shoulders, feeling his broad muscles as he placed his hand on her waist. Suddenly Amy realized that both she and Sonic were swaying in rhythm, she looked at his chest, occasionally looking up to see him looking back at her.
"Having fun", Sonic asks. Amy nods shakily before getting twirled by Sonic. Amy could barely breathe, her heart was pounding so quickly, her stomach was in knots. When she was with him, she felt her whole body reacting, could she be-
The music began to die down, Sonic's hands let go of Amy and he began to look around. Amy looked up at him, "Is something wrong", she asks. Sonic glances back, "No I just have some…business to take care of", he says. The distance between the two hedgehogs grows with Amy's gaze lingering on Sonic. Amy was still in shock from what she just did, she fled to the punch bowl and took a large cup full. Gulping down the punch she quickly sobered up, and realized that she just danced with Sonic.
The night had just started and Amy had already completed her mission. She walked with confidence back to the dance floor to search for any of her other friends, Shadow was missing, but she did catch Silver and Blaze, not dancing, but talking to each other on a bench. Vector and Espio were eating at the table as Charmy filled a bag with a variety of treats. Tails and Knuckles were talking on the side of the dance floor laughing so hard they spilled their drinks.
Amy felt invigorated by this new surge of confidence in her body. Amy couldn't stop smiling at the thought of everything working for once, life was good. The music began again, this time a slow song. Amy walked to the door to see if Sonic was back, but before she made it to the door, she saw him dancing with another girl. Amy stopped and it felt like the world had stopped except for Sonic and the girl in the black dress. The stranger rested her head against Sonic's shoulder, her lips were still moving. Whispering in his ear, holding him tightly, resting on him, every thought began to hurt as Amy's stomach completely tied itself in knots.
Tears began to form, whether from anger or sadness, Amy did not know. Amy began to breath erratically, she knew she had to get out of here so she quickly walked to the balcony, holding back her tears behind a smile and looking at the floor along the way.
The yellow lights began to fade behind Amy, her view filled with the dark of the night sky. She didn't stop for a moment, her face still feeling hot as she approached the balcony. Running past the fountain and plants, she grabbed the side of the rail and hung her head over the side. The music began to muffle as Amy's thoughts grew louder and louder.
(I'm so stupid)
(Why would he like me like that)
(I never had a chance)
Amy's thoughts begin to overwhelm her as she holds back the tears, (You let yourself fall for him so quickly, you idiot)
(You are such an idiot, a weird stupid idiot, a big dumb weird stupid-)
"Rose"
"Rose, are you alright", A familiar voice breaks through her cascading mind. Shadow stands on the balcony next to Amy, holding onto the side rail and staring at her. Breathing deeply, Amy quickly composes herself and turns to Shadow, "Yeah, I'm just getting some air", she replies. Shadow turns to stare at the sky, "I'm not fond of large crowds and loud music either", he says. Amy turns to the sky and exhales as she stares at the stars above. Amy inhales sharply and…
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHGH"
Shadow looks onward at the stars with his face wavering, his eyes closing and his mouth opening wide. "W-what on earth was that", he manages while holding back laughter. Amy catches her breath and begins laughing, "I just got so fed up with sitting here, I couldn't help it". Laughter escalates as Amy starts to lose her balance and Shadow covers his mouth to muffle his own laughter.
The music shifts again to a slower melody as Amy composes herself and puts her hand on Shadow's shoulder. "Do you dance", Amy asks, Shadow looks at her and moves her hand off his shoulder, "No, I don't". Amy moves her other hand to his shoulder, "C'mon, I can't take just sitting here". Shadow sighs, "One dance, very short", he says while moving his hand to Amy's hip.
The two sway to a slow rhythm and begin to turn in circles, never breaking eye contact.
(It's different with Shadow), Amy thinks as she looks into Shadow's eyes. There was no anxiety and no turbulence, she could dance with ease out here. Shadows eyes were tense, his brow furrowed, and his eyes seemed to be focused on something. "What's bothering you", Amy asks. Shadow looks into her eyes, "Where did you learn to fight", he asks. Shadow spins Amy with one hand causing her to twirl under his arm. "If you want me to reveal my secrets, I expect you to do the same", she says, as Shadow nods, she places her hand in his.
"Grandpa taught me how to fight", Amy says. "That's a military grade hand to hand skill you have", Shadow replies. "He was in the military", Amy says, "Ok my turn, what's that teleporting thing you did at the city".
"Chaos Control, usually needs a large power source, I've manged without, but it takes a toll", Shadow says, "What's with the cards you always bring around". "Fortune telling is my hobby, and the fortunes are surprisingly accurate", Amy says, "What did you mean on the beach about abandoning me again". Suddenly Shadow stops and Amy bumps into his chest.
Shadow stands quietly, looking down at Amy before closing his eyes, "I wasn't strong enough to save my friend". Shadow's eyes open as he feels Amy's arms wrap around him. Shadow hesitates, "It's a painful memory, but that's all it is, a memory", he says as he watches the moon. Amy holds Shadow tightly for a moment, goosebumps on her skin from her own painful memories. "You are the most proficient gravity mage I have ever witnessed", Shadow says. Amy looks up at the large moon reflected in Shadow's eyes, "That didn't sound like a question", she says. "It was, but its also a compliment", Shadow says while Amy releases him and turns to the railing.
The music shifts to a faster tune as the two stand alone on the balcony beneath the night sky. Amy takes a breath and stares at the horizon, "I don't know why I have it, but I try to push my limits regularly". Shadow joins her and leans against the railing, "I ask because-", Amy turns to him, "Because no one else has been known to use this power in the modern age", she finishes. Amy sighs and turns to Shadow, "I don't know why I have it, but I do know my parents had it and now they're gone". Shadow places his hand on top of Amy's as the two sit silently on the balcony for a moment.
"It feels nice to vent", Amy says as she begins to walk back to the ballroom. Shadow turns to her for a moment before sitting down near the fountain. As Amy reaches the doorway, she looks back, "Thanks for tonight, Shadow", she says before returning to the ballroom. Shadow smiles to himself saying, "That Sonic is a lucky guy".
Amy passes through the emptying room and briefly looks around at the couples leaving for the dorms, some needing to be carried by friends in their inebriated state. Although she doesn't see Sonic, the feelings of despair nearly vanish as she once again confidently walks across the dance floor, back to her own dorm.
Frilly clothing is displaced in a trail directly from the living room to Amy's room as she sits in bed tossing and turning from the night's excitement. Amy twists and turns thinking about Sonic, but Shadow makes her feel calm and relaxed. (Maybe I was going to fast), she thinks, (Maybe a friend is what I need right now). Amy begins to drift off to sleep mumbling, "I'm luck to have a friend like Shadow".
"Have a nice night", Sonic asks with his usual grin. Shadow sighs, "Longest night of my life", he replies as Sonic hands him a clipboard with a form. Shadow narrows his gaze as he looks over the form. "This one shouldn't take too long", Sonic says with a yawn. Shadow reviews the form, "Short notice, low pay, and the target has a small army", he scratches his head and looks at Sonic, "How did we accept this", Shadow asks.
"I'm a sucker for pretty girls", Sonic says. "Except the one in front of you", Shadow replies. Sonic looks at him with an inquisitive stare, "You don't mean…". Shadow glares back, it is the kind of glare that makes you feel like the dumbest person on the planet. Sonic stays quiet for a moment before rubbing the back of his head, "I wish I knew how to respond to her", Shadow looks up, "Tell her yes or no and stop torturing her". Sonic sighs, "I would if I could, but I honestly don't know how I feel just yet", he says, "I know I like her, but do I like like her". Shadow hands the clipboard back to Sonic before opening his door, "Now that you know, be more cognizant of your actions before you start dancing with other girls", Shadow says.
Sonic thinks for a moment before panicking, "Wait did she see the client and think she was my…oh boy" Sonic paces for a moment trying to think of an explanation, and a way to apologize to Amy. The door closes and Shadow walks into the living room catching a trail of discarded clothing. Shadow begins picking up the clothing, socks, the dress, gloves, even underwear was strewn on the floor. "Rose, I may be your friend, but leaving such things lying around when your roommate is a guy…", Shadow shakes away his blush and throws the items into a hamper before returning to his own room.
The clouds cover the moon, putting an end to the exiting night of the school dance.
Next Episode Preview
It feels like she has fallen, but with Sonic and Shadow by her side, Amy feels as if she can always get back up. The three are sent to a nearby resistance in order to capture a local tyrant, but isn't the leader a little familiar?
With new friends comes new enemies