Important to read!!
Oh my goodness, HELLO AGAIN! Tis been forever, and I must be the one to say "PLEASE FORGIVE ME, I'M SORRY!!!" I'm not being a loyal writer. -weep- y.y
I should explain why chapter 6 isn't chapter 7. I combined chapters 3 and 4 due to them being so short that it bothered me. If you're confused, it's okay, just go back to read chapters 4 and. I re-edited them and also chapter 2 I rewrote Rouge's song so you may be familiar with it. ;)~
CHAPTER 5: THE 3 ENCOUNTERS
~First it was an accident, the second time was a coincidence, and the third time was destiny or just rubbing it in their faces that it just was meant to be-- whether they liked it, or not.~
Previously on "Singing the Right Note"-
Shadow zoomed out of the corner, and dashed forward in light speed, his eyes only targeted on his prey: Big mistake.
As soon as he was about to enter the store, he crashed right into a living obstacle. Before he realized it, he found himself right on top of a white female bat, who looked at him in a daze from the collision.
Shadow's eyes widened.
This bat underneath him looked so familiar. He knew he saw her before, but couldn't make it out. Maybe because she looked like a wreck, due to her spoiled cloths, smeared make-up and wrinkled face with dark bags under her eyes.
The bat only stared up back at him after regaining her sense of sight.
She really looked like, the famous singer, Rouge the Bat. That's who she was, was she?
After a couple moments, none of the two moved. Then, Shadow was the first to speak, sounding in disbelief.
"You…"
- - - - -
When Rouge's vision fully cleared, her eyes widened at the sight of the black hedgehog atop of her who just knocked her to the ground in front of everybody. She glared up at him for being a psycho and shoved him off lightly, not wanting to cause a scene in public, with the people already catching attention from the collide.
Shadow took no hard feelings from the push and quickly stood, offering her a hand for help as an apology.
She didn't take it. She stood herself, dusting her already wrinkled clothes in a formal manner. "How dare you try to rape a lady in public." she murmured to him.
Astonished, Shadow gave a gasp of disbelief. "You think I'm a rapist?" he was also keeping his voice quiet.
Rouge only took a step back from the crazy hog and folded her arms. "Sicko" she grumbled, turning her back and walking away. There was nothing else she could have done without the public eyes getting concerned.
Shadow just watched her in shock about that encounter, both being insulted by their mistakes. "Well, excuse me!" he called out to her, but not apologetically.
He turned the other way in a silent grudge with both that batty woman, and the Sonic who he was hunting for before her. But it seemed Shadow had forgotten all about his attempt to murder the blue idiot, having his mind on another subject.
Meanwhile…
"AAAAAAAAAAAAMYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!"
Amy heard her name being called in desperation from her blue hero, who just happened to barge in the store in total panic, with his hands flying in the air and him screaming her name like he was running from a vicious Santa Claus.
She tilted her head. "Sonic?" she asked just before he past by and hid behind her.
"What's going on?" she asked suspiciously. "Did you get Shadow in trouble again?"
"Hey, you're the one who quits every week." Sonic reminded.
"Because you're the one who's always getting someone in trouble." she added logically.
Sonic groaned, knowing this was meaningless. "But seriously, this time I didn't do anything!" he answered truthfully, peeking from behind her at the entrance.
Shadow didn't come in.
Sonic arched a brow. This was strange, he was sure that mad bastard was right on his tail a few moments ago.
"I think he probably missed you coming in." Amy purposed, scoffing at Sonic's scared behavior.
Some 'brave' guy he was.
Sonic stood, releasing Amy's dress that he was clenching on to dear life and slowly walked back to the door entrance. When he looked out the large, spacious window, his eyes narrowed. He placed his hands on the glass and pressed his face closer.
"Is that Shadow?" he asked himself, seeing the black hedgehog laying on top of a woman. "What the heck's he doen'?" he asked himself more excitedly.
Then he studied the female, and saw that it was a white bat who was pushing Shadow off of her and getting up, and his narrowed eyes enlarged when he realized who that white bat was, or could have been. "Rouge the Bat?" He couldn't believe that one of the most famous celebrities was in front of the store, not to mention in this sort of city! But could that really have been her?
Sonic's hopes spilled when he saw her walk away, with what he could make out; seeing Shadow just look at her walk off with a scowl much darker than usual.
"What? He let her go!" Sonic whined, looking back at Amy, who had no idea what he was talking about.
The electric door slid open with the dark punk entering. Sonic, forgetting that Shadow was coming to kill him, jumped behind him and smacked his back. "Dude! Was that really-- Who was that girl you just met!?"
Startled, Shadow remembered that he was about to strangle the pathetic blue boy, but he kept the last bit of patience within him and grit his teeth instead. It was his fault that he entered the music store without thinking straight in the first place.
And just as fast as he entered, he made his leave without a word, heading home to that small shabby trailer.
- - - - -
Wandering random streets and sidewalks, Tikal ignored her aching, blistering feet. She searched on her own long enough, and she knew this by checking her watch that the time had gone by quicker than she expected. She was starting to get worried.
"The day's almost over, and I still haven't found anyone for Rouge." she sighed, ashamed of herself. She was a terrible agent.
She turned around from the direction she was walking and started to head back to where she came from, to her boss.
Boy, Rouge was going to give her an earful when she saw her with no man in hand, and for that Tikal was scared. Scared of Rouge's fury, scared for getting fired, but most of all; scared to see Rouge unhappy, like how she was right now.
No. Tikal couldn't give up yet, she had to keep looking! She straightened up her slouching back and marched forward with her head held high, looking at every man she got. Every male had an opportunity, but Tikal had to be cautious with her choice, but also, to be sure just to get a good enough pick for her boss.
Finally deciding to make it quick, easy, and satisfied, Tikal sat on a street bench, with a sidewalk corner for a scenery. She made up her mind to just sit and watch for someone to catch her attention to appear from the other side of the corner. And that was how she would have done it. Brilliant. Maybe they shouldn't have searched for a man, maybe they should have waited until he came to them.
- - - - -
Just exiting the doors within a split second, Shadow could already sense Sonic on his toes and hissed in violent irritation.
He headed to the right direction. The sooner he was home, the sooner he could dump the dumbass in the dumpster again, and make sure that he tied him up with a dirty diaper in his mouth to keep in shut once and for all.
"Shadow, wait!" Sonic called.
Shadow didn't wait, instead, he started to power walk and quickly butted himself into the nightly crowd of people, trying to blend, but of course he didn't. He was too unique.
Sonic would quickly find him and catch him on the run again. "We're not gonna play hide n' seek like last time are we?" he asked aloud, pushing through the crowds, right behind Shadow.
That was it. Shadow shoved the last of the people and began to run at lightning speed down the sidewalk, leaving Sonic in the dust and gusts of wind right behind his trail, making a sharp turn at the one and only corner, where a certain orange echidna catching a glimpse of his face before he dashed past, out of sight.
- - - - -
Tikal pushed her skirt down from blowing up by the sudden speed of the wind.
She had just seen the black hedgehog's face the instant her turned the corner, and then the sudden sense that he was the one. She could feel it in the marrow of her bones.
But, it was too late. At the speed his was going at, he would have been long gone across the entire city by now. She had just missed her one in a trillion chances to finally get a perfect partner for her boss. She was a terrible, terrible agent.
Tears started to swell up in her eyes as she knew that she was going to see Rouge shrivel from the news, and she buried her eyes in her hands.
"SHADOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!" A male voice called from the corner, and Tikal looked up to see a blue hedgehog. The exact resemblance of the dark one!
There was still a shard of hope left!
Not wanting to miss her second chance, Tikal shot up from the bench and chased down that running blue hedgehog. Boy was he fast.
"Excuse me!" Tikal called out to him, barely tapping his shoulder from behind.
Sonic skidded his stop and turned away to see her catching her breath, and then looked behind him. "Man, you made me lose em' again!" he whined.
Tikal straightened up. "I'm sorry sir, but I just had to speak with you since you have defiantly caught my interests."
Sonic gave a sly look. "Oh, so you're interested in me huh?"
Tikal, not knowing what he was getting to, nodded her head with glee. "Yes, and I would like to make a handsome offer to you, if you would like to accept."
"What kinda offer?" Sonic tilted his head, starting to get a little lost.
"Well, I need your answer as soon as possible, meaning, that I need a straight response."
Sonic nodded in confusion, beginning to think that him and this cutie were on the wrong pages. "Yeah, and?"
Tikal inhaled, hoping for a positive answer. "Would you like to be the new partner of Rouge the Bat?"
Sonic's eyes widened, not believing what he just heard. "WHAT!!!???"
- - - - -
Shadow knew that if he went back to his trailer, Sonic would no doubt come with it. He dropped the idea of re-dumping his scrawny ass in the dumpster because that punishment wasn't harsh enough for him.
So instead of heading home, he headed to a place he knew that would be empty with no one around during the night: The Park.
When he got there, he looked around to see no being in sight and took a breath of relief. "Thank God." he murmured, walking through he trail to find a bench to sit at.
When he saw a the only lighted lamppost next to a bench, he squinted, swearing that he saw somebody already sitting there, but wasn't quite sure. He continued to walk for a clearer view, and when he was close enough to make it out, his mouth became dry.
WHAT THE FREAK WAS THAT BAT FROM EARLIER DOING HERE!?
Was this some sort of joke? Was she the one who was being stalkerish? He stomped to her to find out what was really going on. Maybe she was some sort of spy to see why he was in debt. Damn the government for butting in with personal lives.
When he reached the bench, he saw that the white bat was sitting, but slumbering, resting her head on her arm that was placed on the arms on the bench. Shadow made a puzzled look. Didn't she know that it was dangerous for her to be alone in a place like this, and at a time like this? She was the psycho. He stood in front of her, wondering about this situation of why she was here and what for? The wrinkled cloths she was wearing told him that she was somebody who wasn't a hobo. She really could have been that celebrity singer that he was listening to the other night, but it would be hard to believe that "Rouge the Bat" would be in this condition, with no one guarding or following her.
He could see, after studying her a while longer, that she had sleepless nights with the heavy bags under her eyes, and wrinkled skin with her fur going paler. The poor thing was shriveling right in front of him.
Out of the microscopic kindness in his heart, Shadow quietly sat across the bench with her to watch over her defenseless soul while she slept, but made sure their bodies did not touch. He would sit there until she awakened. But when she got up, he knew that she'd beat the crap out of him, or sue him for just sitting right next to her. Jeez he was being a stupid softy.
"ALERT! ALERT! Sensing stranger! DANGER! DANGER!" Shadow jumped at the sudden echo behind him and swung around to see a red and black robot glower down at him with piercing yellow eyes.
"What the-- Ku!!!" The robot grabbed his neck before he could finish.
- - - - -
Tikal was walking back on the streets, slower than usual. She was doomed. All her hopes were lost, because the true blue hedgehog had turned down her offer. BUT WHY!? How can any man turn down an offer to be "Rouge the Bat's" newest partner?
"Hey! You!" a familiar voice called behind her.
She turned, and saw the blue hedgehog running to her. He came back! He changed his mind on the proposal!
Having a new smile on her cheeks, she waved at him when he came to a halt. "Did you have a second thought?" she asked innocently.
He smiled. "You can say that, but instead of me, I have a better idea."
"So you mean that it won't be you?" Tikal started to loose her smile.
Sonic's grin only got broader. "Well, I have this friend of mine…"
Meanwhile…
Rouge shot her eyes open by the sound of her robot bodyguard strangling a stranger.
She looked behind her, and saw who she least expected. "YOU!"
Shadow didn't even try to explain, he only struggled to loosen the grip of the muscular robot. The robot only tightened its grip on the intruder. Shadow didn't dare say a word of mercy or surrender. He had his pride.
The robot faced towards Rouge. "What are you're orders Miss Rouge."
Rouge only stood from the bench and crossed her arms giving the hedgehog stalker a dark glare. "Loosen your grip on em' Omega, but don't release him." she commanded.
"Understood." and his grip loosened around the stalker's throat, but when he did, the dark hedgehog wasn't there.
He was gone!
"WARNING! Sensors indicate intruder! MISSING!" Omega quickly snapped his glowing eyes around the empty area. "Intruder is still within .300 kilometers in area."
Rouge kept her guard up. His guy was wicked.
"ALERT! ALERT! Intruder coming at--" Omega suddenly came to sleep mode.
"Omega!" Rouge shouted, becoming vulnerable.
"Sorry, but you made me do this." a dark voice said, with Shadow reappearing behind the unconscious bodyguard holding a connected wire from the robot.
Rouge took her stance. "You stay away from me!" she warned.
Shadow only scoffed. "Don't make me laugh. I wouldn't touch you if--"
Too late. Shadow found a boot to his face that made him fly across the park, landing in a nearby lake. Not good. He couldn't swim for the love of God and Jesus combined!
Rouge hurriedly dusted her boot and grabbed the hibernating robot, spreading her wings at full length and slowly taking flight, knowing that she would be safer in the air. She swore to herself that if she ever met that rapist bastard again, she would get a lot more serious than just a welcoming kick to the face.
- - - - -
Tikal found herself walking alongside the blue hedgehog who she now knew him as Sonic. She thought of him as an easy-going, honest guy who sure did know how to act smooth with the ladies, well, sort of.
"So, this Shadow person needs a job. Do you think he will be good enough for Rouge?" she asked him, walking on the streets.
Sonic gave a thumbs up. "He'll be more then satisfied when you tell em' this news! He's been lookn' for a job ever since I met the guy!" he told her. "Now, this isn't some sort of prank you're pulln' on me now is it?"
Tikal only giggled at his charm, even if he did ask the question more than what Shadow could take; which was about more than two dozen times. "Again, no it isn't I'm being serious. I really want Rouge to be happy with my choice, which I'm intrusting you with now."
Sonic nodded in understanding. "Alright, I'll buy that for now, but really, Rouge'll love this guy! I've been coming to his place every night, insisting that he find some sort of fitting job, and this is the best suggestion I'm giving him yet!"
Tikal started to get a good feeling about Sonic's suggestion. "So, why do you insist him for being a good partner for my boss?"
Sonic learned to her ear whispered lowly. "Don't tell em', but every time I came to his place, I'd hear him sing aloud and he sounded more than tight, he sounded FANTASTIC!" he complimented.
Tikal's face brightened all the merrier. "He sure is lucky to have a generous friend like you Mr. Sonic." she noted.
Sonic only shrugged. "Eh, he better be. But hey, quite with the formality and just call me Sonic k?" and he gave her a playful elbow to the shoulder.
Tikal could hardly wait to see this Shadow, Sonic had been talking about. Only fate would know if Rouge will accept this man or not.
- - - - -
Shadow had teleported from the depths of the dark lake to his "comfy" trailer, his fur soaked.
He quickly shook himself dry enough and bit his teeth to the point that he could hear it about to crack. "Damn that bitch." he growled. "That's the last time I'm helping anybody." and he stomped his foot down on that statement.
He lied on his couch and folded his arms. He had gone through enough trouble with the day so far, and all he wanted it to do now was end in quiet.
-KNOCK-KNOCK-KNCOK-
FOR THE LOVE OF MYLEY CYRUS CAN HE JUST HAVE A SECOND OF PEACE!?
He shot up from his couch and kicked the door open, already expecting who it was: Sonic. And as expected with every greeting, was a fist to the blue hog's face.
However, due to Sonic already getting used to his attacks, he quickly dodged the blow and caught his wrist. "Hold it Shads! Hear me out for the job offer this last time and I swear to your grave you won't kill me for this." he spoke, quite seriously that Shadow had to take his word for it.
Shadow looked at Sonic straight in the eye. "This have better be worth my hesitation for killing you…"
Sonic released his wrist and gave him a proud smile. "You bet ya! Yo, Tikal, it's safe now!" he called behind him, and out came a young female echidna.
When Tikal laid sight on the dark being, her eyes widened like never before. "Sh--Shadow?" she stuttered.
This was a dream come true.
Shadow only gave her a suspicious look. "Have we met before?"
Tikal could only put out her hand for him to shake as an honor, fascinated with the one before her. "I saw you earlier today, but I didn't have the chance to talk to you."
Shadow looked down at her hand and only nodded in acceptance, his muscles relaxing as he gave Sonic a look of warning, and motioned them both to enter his territory, for the very first time.
- - - - -
Rouge had landed back into the crowded city, trying to blend, but it was hard with her carrying an unconscious robot around.
"What did he do to you?" she asked him, knowing Omega wouldn't reply.
She only placed him far enough from the busy streets, and looked up at the dark night sky. She lifted her wrist to see her watch.
It was already half past 10:00.
She sighed to herself. It was impossible from the start to find someone suitable enough for her within a week. What was she thinking?
She could have probably extended the time for a few more days if possible, but it could not be so since she was booked all next week and the continuing months to come. That's what it was like being a famous celebrity. And she had to choose her vacation week to search for a replacement for Knuckles.
Stupid. She was being just plain stupid. But her strong stubbornness had led her to the edge, and she wasn't going to give up like that.
So, the hunt for the last few hours continues!
But… to help her further on the search, where was Tikal?
- - - - -
When Sonic and Tikal entered the "no man's land" of Shadow the Hedgehog, Sonic could only cover his mouth in hopes of Shadow not seeing of how he thought of his place, and Tikal, well, she was more than just shocked at this lifestyle.
Broken, worn out furniture, the air humid and smelling of spoiled cloths, the carpets dark yellow instead of white, grave cracks on the walls that led up towards the ceiling surrounding a twisted fan that looked as if it were to fall and cut off one's head if it were ever turned on… Oh yeah, they were shocked.
Shadow, already knowing what they were thinking, regretted ever letting them in and smacked his forehead for it. "Just sit down and tell me what this is all about." he said, showing them to the old, bumpy couch: his bed.
Sonic and Tikal both sat with uneasiness, and Shadow only sat on the three legged table, crossing both his arms and legs rudely, ready to hear what the shy echidna had to say.
"Um…" she began. "Since you're already aware of Sonic insisting of me meeting you, and I am more than satisfied with what I see--"
"Just jump to the point." Shadow interrupted anxiously.
Tikal straightened up more formally and with the excitement, started her conclusion. "Shadow, would you like to be--"
-RING-RING-RING-
Tikal was interrupted yet again with her cell phone going off at the worst of times.
"Oh, I'm so sorry for this! But may I? It's an important call." she humbly apologized, seeing that it was from her boss.
Shadow only scoffed in impatience. "Go on ahead." he motioned, him and Sonic getting up to make their leave.
When the two male hedgehog's had left the one room trailer, Tikal opened up her cell phone. "Hello, Miss Rouge?" she greeted her boss.
"TIKAL! Were the heck are you? I've been waiting for you for the past two hours! TWO HOURS! Do you know how much time you've cost me?" Rouge's voice was hollering from the other end of the line, and it was obvious that she was not happy.
Tikal cringed at the tone and volume of Rouge's rage. "Y-yes, I'm so sorry Miss Rouge! I had no idea that you--"
"Don't give me any excuses young lady! You get your butt here between A street and 5th in the next fifteen minutes or I'm going to--"
"I'M ON MY WAY RIGHT NOW!" Tikal screamed and hung up, not wanting to hear the word "fired", and dashed out the trailer door, passing the two silent hedgehogs.
"Hey, what're you goen'!?" Sonic called.
"I'm sorry for this!" Tikal responded, not wasting anytime on her rush. "But please meet me again at the Karaoke bar on Emerald Street as soon as you can! I promise to explain everything later!" and she was out of sight.
Shadow arched his brow. "Why a karaoke bar out of all places?" he asked, turning to Sonic for an answer.
Sonic, played it cool. "She told me she was new in town that that was the only place she knew of." but what he secretly thought was that Shadow was going to have a vocals test, singing with the one and only, 'Rouge the Bat'.
Well, he hoped that was bound to happen.
- - - - -
Rouge sat on the city bench, right next to the sleeping body guard.
"Miss Rouge!" Tikal's voice came up from the crowded night streets, and Rouge could see her waving and panting.
Her scowl only deepened with the glance of that girl's face. "You dare to keep me waiting on someone like you?"
Tikal stopped before her and bowed. "I'm sorry, but I was--"
"I told you no excuses! Jeez!" Rouge sat up and pointed to the useless robot. "I was at the park where you left me and I accidentally fell asleep. When I woke up, I found this crazy man trying to rape me, but luckily Omega was there, but the guy did something to him and left him like this." she explained. "Now get him fixed."
Tikal quickly examined the robot's wiring and rewired him with ease. During the progress, she decided to inform Rouge about her search. "Miss Rouge, I believe I have found someone suitable enough for your tastes when I was looking on my own."
This perked Rouge's interests. "Oh really? And where is this guy?"
Tikal hid a bright grin as she organized the last of the wires in Omega's system. "Don't worry, I scheduled a meeting with him at a Karaoke bar. I think he's just the man you've been looking for."
A smirk appeared on Rouge's lips. "He better be. You could have picked a better place than the Karaoke bar, but I guess we need to see how his voice works its wonders in public. When I see the lucky man, I'll give you my praise."
And that only made Tikal's loyalty towards Rouge grow stronger. Making her boss pleased was all she really wanted to accomplish for now.
Omega awakened with the glow in his eyes returned. "Activated." he said and he turned to Rouge. "What are you're orders."
Rouge placed her hands on her hips with satisfaction. "None for now. We're headed to the bar. Tikal, if you'll lead us to it."
And Tikal happily did as she was told.
- - - - -
Shadow and Sonic entered the doors of the bar were the orange echidna told them she'd be.
"I don't see her anywhere." Sonic mentioned.
"Maybe, because she's not here yet." Shadow suggested sarcastically to his stupid blue resemblance.
He persisted on going himself, but just as stubborn as Shadow was, Sonic seemed to always get his way with him. And that drove him up the wall.
Sonic pointed at an empty table and led Shadow to follow him. "Let's just wait at the booth over there."
The Karaoke Bar was crowded with drunk people having the time of their lives and releasing their emotions on the microphone. Dim neon and black lights made the whole Club glow in shaded shadows with every light color glowing at its reflections. It was loud, and wild, and the calmest place within the area was at the corner, where Sonic and Shadow both sat in utter silence, just staring at the drunkies having a blast with the microphone and screaming their voices in it: and they all sounded TERRIBLE!
'Shadow's a much better singer than these peeps." Sonic thought with a scheming smile. "I bet Rouge'll be blown away when she hears em' sing it all out."
After long moments, and no face of the orange echidna, Shadow started to grow impatient. "I don't think she's coming. We may just been though a setup."
Sonic, appreciating that Shadow was now starting to speak to him as an equal in a normal conversation, tried to hide his excitement. "No, Tikal's not that kind of girl. I've known her enough that she'd never do that."
Shadow leaned against the wall. "Pfft, you can never trust anyone these days. Why not you just tell me what she was going to advise."
Sonic somehow sensed the conversation heading to a "danger" direction, thus changed the subject. "Hey, I'm dried. Want anything?"
Shadow crossed his arms, looking at his acquaintance between the eyes. "You're up to something."
"Whadd'ya mean? Don't you want a beer?"
"I'll pass."
"Ah common party pooper. It'll be on me, as much as you want for all I care." Sonic tried to persuade him.
Now that made Shadow have a second thought. As a matter of fact, he couldn't remember the last time he had a drink at a bar, nor have an addiction to alcohol, however the taste was satisfying.
"Very well." he stated, taking advantage with free drinks, all he wanted. Who wouldn't?
Sonic clasped his hands with gratitude and waved his hand crazily to a passing waiter. "Two beers!" he called with the waiter nodding and walking away to return with their orders.
Shadow faced back at the blue hero with a suspicious glare.
"What?"
"You still haven't answered my previous question."
"And that would be…?" Then Sonic remembered, and he stretched out his arms, trying to play it cool and stall a little longer. "I can't tell ya Shads. I wanna see the expression on your face when she tells you about it. Oooooh boy, you're in for a surprise!" he exclaimed.
Shadow only glared at him. "First; don't start getting homey with me. And second; don't call me 'Shads'."
After that, the waiter came by, setting two full mugs on the table. Sonic snatched his glass and started to gargle down the golden alcohol with pleasure. Shadow, on the other hand, slowly brought the mug to his side and stared down at the swirling liquid and foam streaming down the glass. He took a sniff of strong scent and then a lick at the foam.
Damn it was strong!
Shadow made a face that Sonic noticed. "You've never had beer before?" he asked, wiping his mouth after finishing half of his drink.
Shadow snapped his eyes towards him. "Yes I've had it." he proclaimed too eagerly. "It's just been awhile that I forgotten how strong it was."
"Oh reeeeaaaaally…" Sonic lowered his eyelids, doubting Shadow's word. "I would have expected someone like you to be a regular at these kind of places…" he assumed by Shadow's lifestyle, but he seemed to be mistaken and closed his mouth before he said anything else.
Ignoring the blueberry fool, Shadow proved to Sonic that he indeed had drank before, by putting the mug to his lips and chugging down that entire glass that held twenty-four ounces of foaming alcohol.
Sonic watched in amazement as Shadow finished and slammed the glass down with pride, wiping his mouth aggressively. "I still have it." he murmured, licking his lips.
Sonic only smirked at his actions and raised his hand to a passing waiter. "Another round of beer!" he announced, and Shadow only went along with it, chugging down the next glass of beer empty once it was set in front of him.
- - - - -
By the time Rouge, Tikal, and Omega reached the Night Club, it was already a few minutes till 11:00.
"We need to hurry up before our flight gets here." Rouge reminded, entering the bar without a second thought of how much she disliked them.
Tikal couldn't agree more and followed her in the bar with Omega standing outside, keeping his watch. When both the girls entered the heavy crowds of the Night Club, they could feel the ground vibrating with the rhythm of the booming music, and see the dim lights of blue and purple cast rays on the crowds of people dancing, singing, flirting, drinking, talking; you name it.
Rouge only groaned at the populated area and turned to her agent. "Alright, show me where he is."
"Yes! Um…" Tikal tried to look over the heads of the party people, her eyes scavenging to every face. None recognizable to her memory.
"Tikal…" Rouge's tone brought up her short patience.
Not wanting to make her boss wait any longer, Tikal randomly pointed to a direction. "He's over there!" she cried aloud to be heard from the sonic booms, and dashed into the crowd, not looking already expecting Rouge to be right behind her trail.
"What? Hey, Tikal! Wait!" Rouge joined in the crowd, trying to catch up to her assistant.
Tikal had a tough time going through the thick groups of people much bigger than her petite size. She squeezed her way across the maze, looking to see where the two hedgehog's were. She spotted them, sitting at a booth and smiled widely, excited to have Rouge see her new partner. Well, she had her hopes high.
"Miss Rouge, there he is!" Tikal called, looking behind her.
She wasn't there.
"Miss Rouge?" Tikal called again.
They must have been separated from the giant crowd. She lost sight of her boss again. This had better not become a habit.
Sonic spotted the friendly girl and waved at her to come over. Hesitating, Tikal looked back one last time to not see her boss'. She'll find her later, for now, she had a proposal to ask of Shadow.
"Hello again! Sorry for the wait." Tikal greeted with a bow and sat next to Sonic.
"Now, where we left off…" Shadow motioned her to continue with another empty jug of beer in his hand.
"Yes, about that." Tikal cleared her throat to begin.
"Wait," Shadow interrupted. "Waiter! Another beer!" he shouted across the bar.
Sonic placed his third glass of beer on the table in defeat. "Okay Shadow, you win! I gotta say quits before I end up wasted." he groaned, feeling the spicy liquid swerve in his knotted stomach.
"Oh, and before you get to the part, how much are we talking about?" Shadow asked the polite girl, with the hint of him sounding a little tipsy.
"Ah, yes!" she dived into her purse and took out some applications, giving it the dark antihero.
Shadow only flapped it away without care. "I don't want to read the boring shit, just tell it to me straight."
Tikal fiddled with her fingers feeling a bit uneasy. "Alright. The cost per year is around…"
Meanwhile…
"Tikal!" Rouge called out from the crowd. "Tikal!" she cried again.
The sound of hip-hip music and people surrounding her in a tight area made Rouge hard for her to navigate freely. She finally gave up and shoved her way out of the drunk and dancing people and found herself an empty seat at the bar table.
Deciding to sit there until she could spot her agent, Rouge sighed and called up the bartender. "I'll have a margarita. On the rocks." she ordered.
Why not just relax for sometime? Tikal had found her someone, and whoever it was, if no one would report a good enough person from around the world in about an hour, Tikal's choice will have to do, and whoever it was, she would accept. No matter what the circumstances. Rouge only wished that Tikal had made a wise choice; for once.
When the bartender came back with a colorful glass of her order, Rouge happily took her drink and sipped it down, enjoying the mixture of flavor. It has been awhile since she had enjoyed anything, now that she thought about it, and this drink had broken that record. What paradise.
She turned her stool towards the happy people who were dancing and singing like there would be no tomorrow. She expected more than half of them drunk as fish out of water.
Her eyes carefully scanned the small area, and what she could make out was that every inch of the place had someone to cover it up. Though she couldn't find the certain echidna she was scanning for, and it was hard with people bouncing all over the place like grasshoppers.
Too lazy to take out her cell phone to call that lousy agent, Rouge carelessly twisted her seat back to the counter and took another sip of her drink, finishing it with a slurp.
She pushed it away and studied the drink menu in front of her, calling the bartender once again. "I'll have a Bloody Mary." she made her second order, wanting to try something new.
She never had a Bloody Mary before.
- - - - -
Shadow's eyes widened as big as saucers, staring speechlessly at the pretty orange echidna. "What?" was all he could say.
Tikal, uncertain if she were speaking loud enough, raised her voice above the noisy Club. "I said: The cost is around seventy-grand a year!"
Sonic was just as speechless as the dark one. "Damn Shads! That's more than half a million!"
Shadow grabbed the papers from Tikal's hand and quickly signed his signature sloppily on every empty line. "I'll take it!" he roared, even though Sonic and Tikal were right across from him.
"But, you still need to read the paperwork." Tikal informed. "I still have to explain the offer."
"I know right!" Shadow screamed, lifting his mug. "But who cares, I gotta job that gots' the greatest pay! This calls for another round! Waiter!"
Sonic grabbed Shadow's hand and gently pulled it down. "I think you had enough for the night." he told him, feeling the acid in his stomach rise up to his intestines. He could feel the overdose of alcohol coming up. "I think I'm gonna be sick." he grumbled, sitting down slowly, caressing his tight stomach.
Tikal made a worried look. "Oh my, Sonic. How much did you both have?"
"Three." Sonic burped. "Shadow had--"
"Seven baby!" Shadow finished, now sounding very drunk. The beer was getting to him.
He tossed the papers at the echidna. "Say, what's the job?" he asked, before he took another gulp of his mug.
Without hesitation, Tikal told him straight out. "You're going to be a singer, and you will be singing as Rouge the Bat's newest partner."
With saying that, Shadow suddenly shot all the liquid in his mouth at the sick blue hedgehog who was sitting in the sidelines for the time being. "WHAT!?"
- - - - -
Rouge just finished her second glass of her newest favorite: The Bloody Mary.
Damn it was so good, that she pounded the counter and demanded a third glass.
But as she waited for her forth order, Rouge still had her agent to look for. She quickly spun around in her stool once again and searched the area that looked less populated now.
Still no site of her.
The bartender came back with another full glass of the bloody drink.
Rouge looked at its glow in amazement. The color of the liquid was the exact same color as her cheeks, she was starting to feel the kick of the side effects buy MAN did it feel good! She never felt so free, so alive, so-- awesome!
Oh just screw the hangover, she just gulped that baby down like purified water and slammed that glass with satisfaction.
It never felt so good to be alive.
Meanwhile…
Sonic couldn't stand the facts that were obvious: Partly wasted, having the worst ache to the gut, and now beer and saliva oozing down his ocean colored fur.
He quickly got up and raced to the back of the bar, where the restrooms were.
"Sonic!" Tikal cried, getting up to follow him, but turned around to excuse herself.
Shadow only waved 'bye-bye', still having the idea of working with Rouge the Bat as his new job in his hazy mind. Too hazy to even think straight and effortlessly forget about it in just a few seconds. Who cares, at least he'll be out of debt in less than a month without worry. This caused for a celebration; again!
Shadow; too weak and dizzy to lift up the empty glass of beer, slowly raised his hand like a student. "Waiter." he managed to say in between his twisted mouth that seemed like he couldn't control.
The music and people were too loud that not even a person right next to him could hear. Shadow could see with his three-dimensional vision, that the waiter was at the bar table, seeming to take orders from another group of people.
How dare he take care of those bastards before him. He wanted a beer, NOW! He needed a beer, NOW!
"Waiter…" he called again but ended in a whispering slur. The strong fluid of alcohol probably scratched his throat when he was gulping his mugs of beer down. But which mug was that? His forth, maybe fifth?
The waiter still had his useless body across the bar with his useless back turned against him taking useless orders from those useless people instead of his awesome self: Shadow the Hedgehog.
"Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer…" he slurred, becoming impatient and stood up, wobbling to the bar table.
However, Shadow had great trouble getting to his destination, being pushed and knocked over more than a dozen times by the crazy people who were still dancing like maniacs.
But he managed to get there, in one piece.
- - - - -
After slowly gulping down her forth glass of that juicy Bloody Mary, Rouge set her jug down. "That's all Im'ma havin' aaaah…" she couldn't think straight anymore.
A black and red hedgehog came up to the bar table slowly, his legs wobbling uncontrollably with his poor judgment of balance right now. He grasped the edge of the counter desperately, trying to regain his loss of the sixth sense and with his weak legs, used all his might to just jump up to the stool and sit right next to the white bat, who took notice and gave him a lighthearted smile seeing his silly actions and efforts.
"Waiter…" he repeated for the third time with another slur to end it. "Beer, more beeeeeeeeeer…"
The bartender or waiter seemed to not have noticed or heard the hedgehog's request, and continued to do there usual routine when free.
With her acute, yet drunk ears, Rouge could make out the grumbles the black hedgehog was making and then her lowered eyes shot up, partly awakened, realizing that the dark being beside her looked like--
"Yous…"
Shadow heard her speak to him and tilted his head over. "Whaaaa?"
"Don't I knows yous from places round here?" she asked drunkly.
Shadow studied the bat a little longer, and his half closed eyes slightly opened with her resemblance to--
"Batty girly?" he responded.
The bat lifted her hand in remembrance. "Ah! You da one who tried to rapist me before!" she then started to laugh. "You failz at rape. FAILZ!"
Shadow only swapped her away with a lazy hand, soft and playful. "I wasn't tryn' to rape yous go-geoz. (gorgeous)" he explained and started to laugh along, for what god knows, no one knew.
Rouge only slapped his back in return, teasingly. "Yous hilarious honey! Watta your name?"
"Bitches first girlfriend!" Shadow responded, swerving side to side.
Rouge boldly held up her hand for him to shake. "Im'ma Rougey-pougey da Batzy babes!"
Shadow shook her hand wildly, and she went along with the ride. "Shads Hedgey-hoggy, smexular!" he introduced.
"Smexular-y- wa!?"
"My word for you baby!" he answered, tilting his body with his foggy mind not knowing what the hell he was doing: he placed his head on her breasts, his body leaned all the way towards her just to reach it. "Yous sexy, smexy, muscular!" he could feel her heart beat with the booming music.
"Even boobs have muscles!" Rouge was beginning to scream with teary laughter, that it started to catch attention around the bar.
- - - - -
Sonic came out of the men's room, the blue fur washed, but his face looking quite green.
fTikal went up to him with a worried expression. "Sonic?" she spoke softly, not wanting to annoy him.
Sonic only took a few breaths and stood up straight with a thumbs up. "I'm a lot better now. I shouldn't have drank past my limit." he joked, signaling her to follow him back to the bar.
When they got back to their table, Sonic saw that Shadow wasn't there. "Where the hell did he go off to?"
And that's when they both heard their comrade's voice, booming through the microphone.
I feel pretties!
Oh so pretties!
I feel pretty and witty and gaaaaaaaays!
Sonic's eyes widened in horror, slowly looking behind him, past the crowd to see Shadow; holding the microphone.
Tikal was in a state of shock. "M- Mr. Shadow is singing!?" she never expected someone like Shadow to sing "I Feel Pretty" song.
Sonic raced past the crowd towards the drunk, singing hedgehog and swiped the mic from his loose grasp. But for Shadow, he didn't need it, he continued to sing the gay song with his own twisted tune.
I feel charming…
Oh so charming!
I feel charming and warming and gaaaaaaa--
"Shadow!" Sonic smacked his mouth shut to keep from singing, humiliating himself.
"Heyaaaas! I was enjoying that stuff." a white bat interrupted, poking her head out for Sonic to see.
Sonic glanced at the drunk bat. "Are you that bat who--"
Tikal finally caught up at the other end of the bar. When she looked up, she covered her mouth in disbelief and gasped, "Miss Rouge!"
The bat only tilted her head and stared down at the orange echidna. "Oh!" she remembered her agent's face. "Ti-Ki!" she chirped her new nickname for her assistant. "I was looking all over for yas! I wanna ya meet this dudy-dude." she pointed at Shadow's forehead. "He's the rapist dude, guy who tries to rapist me from earlier."
Sonic could feel his heart skip a beat. "Wait, so you were that bat who Shadow accidentally tackled earlier?"
Tikal couldn't believe it herself. "And he's the one you were mentioning about putting mega to sleep?"
Shadow only looked at the bat with drowsy eyes. "I tolds ya before go-goez (gorgeous). I waz not tying to rapes yous! Watta have you been telling those dopes?"
Rouge only giggled, twirling his chest fur flirtatiously for response.
Sonic and Tikal just stood in the background of the whole, "drunk, dramatic, romantic" scene.
"This is their third time meeting each other coincidentally in a day…" Tikal noted to herself.
Sonic overheard her. "No der Tikal. That's just creepy."
Tikal smiled brightly as she looked up at the blue hero. "This is a miracle Sonic!"
"What is?"
"Haven't you heard in a legend? When two people meet each other three times unexpectedly in a single day, that means their fate is bonded together for eternity." she explained in excitement. "And Rouge has finally found the more than perfect partner; she has found her other half!"
Sonic slowly backed away, trying to take this 'myth' thing all in. "Okay, I don't know if you're pulling my leg here but--"
"Keep it downs over therez!" Rouge called back, grabbing Shadow's numb hand and dragging him out of his stool. "Common' Shadowz. We needs some privacy." and having trouble walking straight, she led him out of the noisy bar, with Sonic and Tikal following and observing, and Sonc slamming down a hundred doller bill on the counter, paying for everything.
When they all reached the outside entrance, Rouge tumbled over her own feet and fell over to the ground gleefully, if that's what her face read. And Shadow only tumbled down with her, feeling his legs coordinate poorly.
Omega, who stood watch outside, saw the two klutzy beings and picked them both up, scanning Shadow to automatically realize his identification. "WARNING! Exact identification of intruder. Identical match."
"It's okay Omega." Tikal clarified. "Rouge and him are well acquainted now."
Sonic stared up at Omega in amazement. "Whoa! You guys have robot bodyguards?
Omega only avoided the blue hedgehog's comment. "Time is running short. We must return to quarters immediately." he warned, turning around and starting his engineered legs towards their private transportation, Tikal and Sonic soon following.
And on their way, Shadow and Rouge were screaming on the top of their scratchy drunk voices, loving the "Disney World" ride of a lifetime, in the robot's arms.
- - - - -
When Omega carried half and led the other half of the group to their transportation, Sonic whistled, impressed with the aircraft before him.
"Sweet ride ya got here 'Ti-Ki'" he mocked.
Tikal only blushed at the comment. "Thank you. Would you like to take a look inside?" she invited, with the blue hedgehog responding by dashing past her and up the stairs of the huge jet plane. She took that as a yes.
Sonic's eyes widened at the spacious area. "You could have a twenty people party in here!" he complimented, walking down the wide open lanes and admiring the fine leather seats.
"Good evening!" someone greeted, popping out of the pilot's seat and holding out a friendly hand towards Sonic. "You must be the lucky new partner for my boss!"
Sonic had to look down to see the owner of that voice to realize it was a boy fox… with two tails. "Hey lil' buddy." he laughed, taking his hand. "Nah, not me, I'm just a friend of the lucky bastard. Sonic's the name."
The fox looked up with a pleasing smile. "That's too bad. You're a lot better than most of he celebrities guys we meet along the road."
"Havin'fun with da pilot eh Soni---ku?" Shadow's voice entered the aircraft, with Omega setting the two beings down on a couple of seats, right next to each other.
"More wine to party with my news boyzfriend!" Rouge ordered the twin-tailed fox.
"Yes ma'am!" the boy responded, but made a happy salute to his new blue friend. "I'm Miles Prower, but people call me 'Tails'." and he turned on his way to leave for the beverages, until Tikal popped her head in.
"Wait Tails, don't do it! Miss Rouge is already too drunk to even know what she's saying." she warned.
Omega only avoiding the whole conversation of the five beings, and walked to his corner to charge. "It is time to make our leave." he reminded the group before setting himself off.
"Alright then, since you guys are going your way, guess I gotta get off now." Sonic said, and exited the airplane, walking down the stairs.
"Wait," Tikal called back. "you're not going to come with us?"
"Nah, Shadow's good on his own this point on. You can handle em' right?"
"…" Tikal didn't answer.
Then Tails poked his head out. "You should come with us! Be Shadow's agent!"
Sonic only shook his head and chuckled. "Sorry lil' buddy, but I gotta stay here. Besides, I bet he won't agree with that. You take over and watch Shads for me k?" and with that, Sonic zipped down the stairs and out of the runway in his sonic speed.
Tails and Tikal watched as the blue streaks of light disappeared from sight, and sadly closed the door of the plane, with the blue hero being left behind.
"I'll get ready for takeoff." Tails announced, sitting himself down at the pilot's seat.
Now, as for Shadow and Rouge, who seemed to be having too much fun hearing their slurring voices, didn't pay attention to the dramatic scene of he blue one taking his leave, leaving Shadow in Rouge's pilot's hands for now on.
When the plane had taken off, Tikal had seated herself beside the young fox, steering the plan up towards the sky, heading south-west, towards Hollywood, California.
"So," Tikal started to start a friendly conversation. "Sonic entrusts you to take care of Shadow."
Tails nodded in reply. "Yep, but I think he should reconsider. Rouge's partner needs an agent doesn't he?"
"Yes he does, but you can be his assistant for now. We'll look up one when we get back."
"Say, why did you pick that guy?" Tails looked back at the half dozed hedgehog. "I'm not against it or anything, but wouldn't you consider Sonic?"
Tikal only giggled heartily. "You have a point there. But I'm not sure, I just felt a strong feeling when I saw Shadow, like you know…"
"He was the one for our boss."
"Right."
A scream from Rouge was heard and they both snapped back to see what went wrong.
"Miss Rou--" Tikal called , but paused as she say that it was just "drunk Shadow" tickling her all over the place. "Miss Rouge, please quiet down! You're going to disturb the pilot."
Of course, Rouge was too drunk to even listen, but Shadow handled that. He pushed his trembling finger up her mouth to shush her in a sloppy, wrong way.
"Shut ups babies." he whispered, laying his head atop of hers.
And Rouge placed her head down on his shoulder, nearly falling into a slumber at the coo of Shadow's low voice that sounded like a lullaby. They both did, almost did, without their consciousness realizing what they were doing, after all this time.
Tikal only smiled after awhile of watching them getting all warm with each other, but she had a feeling that Rouge and Shadow were both going to be screaming rigorously at her when they both awakened and start to argue about how things have been ending up.
And for some reason, she had a feeling that this new relationship may turn out just as sour as the previous one.
Chapter 5 Theme: "Don't Trust Me" by 3oh!3
Black dress with the tights underneath,
I got the breath of the last cigarette on my teeth,
And she's an actress (actress),
But she ain't got no need.
Shes got money from her parents in a trust fund back east.
T-t-t-tongues always pressed to your cheeks,
While my tongue is on the inside of some other girls teet,
T-tell your boyfriend if he says hes got beef,
That I'm a vegetarian and I ain't fucking scared of him.
She wants to touch me (Woah),
She wants to love me (Woah),
She'll never leave me (Woah, woah, oh, oh),
Don't trust a ho,
Never trust a ho,
Won't trust a ho,
'Cause a hoe won't trust me.
X's on the back of your hands,
Wash them in the bathroom to drink like the bands.
And your setlist (setlist),
You stole off the stage,
Had red and purple lipstick all over the page.
B-b-b-bruises cover your arms,
Shaking in the fingers with the bottle in your palm.
And the best is (best is),
No one knows who you are,
Just another girl alone at the bar.
She wants to touch me (Woah),
She wants to love me (Woah),
She'll never leave me (Woah, woah, oh, oh),
Don't trust a ho,
Never trust a ho,
Won't trust a ho,
'Cause a hoe won't trust me.
Shush girl shut your lips,
Do the Hellen Keller and talk with your hips.
I said, Shush girl shut your lips,
Do the Hellen Keller and talk with your hips.
I said, Shush girl shut your lips,
Do the Hellen Keller and talk with your hips.
Woah, woah, woah...
She wants to touch me (Woah),
She wants to love me (Woah),
She'll never leave me (Woah, woah, oh, oh),
Don't trust a ho,
Never trust a ho,
Won't trust a ho,
'Cause a hoe won't trust me
A.N.- FINALLY! Shadow and Rouge are drunk for their third encounter, how awesome is that? When Rouge and Shadow wake up with a BAD hangover, how is she going to react when she sees him; AGAIN!?
I'm sorry for those who like my bonus commentaries, but since this chapter is over 20 PAGES, and due to my brother "X-treme" being away all the time now, I won't do one for this chapter. I'm sorry. -weeps- But I can reply to the anonymous reviewers. Yay!
"White Rose" (chapters 4-5)- thank you so much for spporting this! And I'm glad you like my bonus commentaries, but sin X-treme is away gone, it's hard to get anyone anymore. Poop... -.- lol.
"Sasha"- Yes Sasha! I FINALLY UPDATED! ARE YOU HAPPY WITH ME NOW?! I'm happy. :D lol, I hope you think this is long and good enough a chapter, read the next one, it sould be better; hopefully.
"Jessi" (From a looong time ago.)- My golly, Sonic has been pounding away hasen't he? But now... HE'S GONE! No way! Don't worry, he'll be back, someday. I'll try updating sooner!
misc- 13 -- Hello misc! Yes, I have continued! I'm sorry for no bonus but at least I get to reply to you. Hope that;s good enough... is it? Oki, well I hoe you liked this LONG chappie! It took a week and all all-nighters!
REVIEW and let me know how this was for you! Oh, and if you good people can, send me some ideas for songs I can add in this story, I'd be delighted if you do.
~Supreme