Lights and Hopes

The doors of the joint hotel room burst open as a coyote and a rabbit were intertwined, clinging onto each other as they stumbled around not being able to see as their faces were pressed tight against each other's. Bunnie impulsively skipped work for the evening and Antoine knew Sonic wouldn't be back until later that evening. It was around late afternoon-early evening by this time as the two old lost friends were indulging in pent up bliss. The rabbit was frantically moving her hand through Antoine's hair as he was constantly rubbing her back in amongst their make out.

As they staggered around the room, they subconsciously kicked off their shoes. They reached a bed and let themselves free fall onto it as they landed on their sides, facing each other. "Ya have no idea." She started to say as their lips broke apart but she couldn't articulate more words than that to describe how she felt at that moment; loved. She let out a pant and a heavy breath as Antoine began wildly kissing down her neck.

But just a few hours later that evening, a hedgehog sat sulking in a bar on the other side of town doing the complete opposite.

"One," he hiccupped, "more, bar keep." He slurred as the bartender shook his head in disapproval but obliged to his request. Sonic took a heavy gulp and slammed the glass on the counter, spilling a little bit of the contents. He wasn't new to the bar scene and this was not the first time he had drowned his sorrows in the waters of life but this was definitely the worst. He felt like he was just an old newspaper, tossed out because no one once to read it. He was important at one point but now he was outdated and just blowing around in the wind. He took another drink.

Not only did he feel alone, but he felt completely disregarded by the one person who he thought would go to the ends of Mobius for him. He knew he would still go to the ends for her but she moved on. And she showed it in their meeting not too long ago. He had no idea about the break down she succumbed to when he left. But even if he did, the only difference it would make is the fact that they'd be there to comfort each other.

But Sonic's friends Jack and Jim were the only ones to stick by his side that evening. He prepped himself for the small unaccompanied toast he was about to perform. He raised his class to his mouth. 'One for my little bro. Hope you're not too beaten up over Mina as I am with Sally.' He thought during the first gulp of his chug. 'Rotor, sounds like you had a bright future and are off doing amazing things. Hope whatever problems you have will pass.' He said in his mind, not knowing the truth of Rotor's true social status. 'Amy. I wish things wouldn't have ended for you like they did. You were annoying at times but a friend none the less. You didn't deserve an early death.' Another gulp. 'Bunnie, I know you wanted to be all flesh again. I hope you got what you wanted and are living things up right now.' The drinking continued. 'Ant. I'd have been damned if it were you to be the one to get somewhere.' He smiled in his mind while his lips continued to hug the rim of the glass. 'You definitely deserve it.' He was almost done with his drink when he continued. 'And Sal. What could I say more than what I said to you tonight. I hope you're life with this Craig guy is great. But even more so, I hope you choose me tomorrow.' Then it was his turn. He began his self-appointed toast, 'Sonic the Hedgehog…' when his toast was cut short by an unsuspected gag. He pulled the glass away but it slipped in his hands and the glass fell on the ground, shattering and spilling what was left of the liquid all over the floor.

"That's it, I think you're done bum. Get the hell out of my bar." The bartender shouted as he pointed to the exit. Sonic pulled a dollar or two out of his pocket and slammed it on the bar, his small token for the broken drinking glass, and stumbled into the street.

Nearly falling on a garbage can outside the bar, he stopped for a moment to retain his balance then moved on down the street. He didn't know where he was going but just used this time to get trapped in his own thoughts. Thoughts that have reoccurred more than he would have liked them to have on this weekend getaway.

He continued walking down the street when the people started giving him weird looks. It was mostly because he was drunk which always raises an eye brow in public places but to Sonic and in his state, he didn't know why but he didn't like it. Maybe they all recognized him and knew how much he has fallen throughout his life, he thought. But he didn't let his fear show and just tried to look as casual as he could.

"Shut the hell up, stupid drunk." One of the passing pedestrians said as he bumped into Sonic. He must have thought Sonic was talking to himself or something as he passed but that wasn't the case. Sonic didn't notice until then that he was singing to himself. Not loudly but like soft mumbles, enough to be picked up by the passer. 'Where did you go wrong…' He didn't even care he was sing to himself despite how it would look to those passing by. He tripped a little in a divot in the sidewalk and stumbled on through. 'I'll just say I'm not the same.' He hiccupped and continued singing.

"Sonic!" He heard someone shout from a distance. He turned around to see Antoine walking casually with the bartender from the bar the other day. He felt even lower when he saw they were holding hands. Normally he would be happy for his friend but at this point, he just got more depressed that he was in such a lone state and lost Sally while someone else was living happily and found someone. Why couldn't that have been him?

"'Twan." Sonic jeered, able to hide his true feelings pretty well. "Nice hook up." He nudged him in the side. Bunnie's face scrunched in anger but Antoine kind of pulled her back to signal to her that she should let it slide. She complied.

"Sonic, what is ze matter!" The coyote said a bit concerned Sonic decided to get plastered and wander the streets. Never a good idea.

"I'm just enjoying my time back in the old hometown!" He said pretty sarcastically with a few cackles after the statement.

"Come on, let's get you back to the hotel." He suggested as they three began walking. Antoine and Bunnie keeping an eye on the stumbling washout.

"So what did you do today Sonic?" Antoine asked already having a good idea. It was pretty apparent what went on for the already broken hedgehog in that day and Antoine could have probably guessed it down to the words that were said.

"Went to see Sally." He said still in his fake and almost cynical cheery tone.

"Oh yeah?" The coyote played along. Bunnie just remained by Antoine's side, their hands interlocked, watching the wreck that was before her in saddened acceptance.

"Yup. She's doing great." He explained and almost sounding a bit happy for her but that too was a show. "She's getting married to some Craig douche."

"I'm so sorry Sonic." Antoine said wholeheartedly.

"Nah, it's cool. I don't need her anyway." He said, lying right through his teeth and he knew it. So did his audience. "Yeah, I'm Sonic the Hedgehog and I'm back in the game." But with that statement, even he couldn't fake it anymore. He stopped where he was, almost having Antoine and Bunnie run into him as they trailed him pretty closely, and plopped down on a conveniently placed bench on the sidewalk right by them. He buried his face in his hands and began to cry immensely.

Bunnie and Antoine looked at each other with pity. He finally broke down. They gently sat next to him and began comforting him. "It's not all lost sug." Bunnie said while rubbing a hand between the spines on his back.

"Everything's lost." He slurred in response. "At least for me." He mumbled and sniffled.

"Non. Like you 'ave said. You are Sonic ze hedgehog! How many times have you gotten back and never given up?" Antoine said a bit more aggressively yet motivational than his rabbit counterpart.

"It's not the same." He began to explain. "I see you two all happy together." He wiped his nose in his drunken stupor. "I feel like I'll be alone forever. I lost Sal and my life is going nowhere." He reiterated.

"Well either way, do y'all want all those people you saved those years ago to see you here on the street in such ah wrecked state?" Bunnie asked taking up more of Antoine's attitude seeing as it was more effective for the washed out hero than her gentle comforting.

Sonic seemed to get a bit of a grip of himself and looked around. If there was one thing he didn't want, it was to feel the shame of having people know where he was now despite who he used to be. He put on a straight face and stood up. "Let's go back to the hotel." Sonic ordered his remaining strength.

They journey was mostly in silence. They walked to a downtown parking garage and to the replacement rental car which Antoine and Bunnie drove from the hotel. Even in the car, Sonic just stared out of the window at the passing sights. They arrived at the hotel where Sonic just walked in and up to the room without waiting for the others. Antoine remained in the parking lot for a bit to give his salutations to Bunnie.

The two walked over to Bunnie's car. "Ah guess I'll see you in the morning. Got to head back and pack." She smiled but Antoine's face showed a bit of concern.

"Are you sure you want to do zis?" He asked and his concerned expression transferred to Bunnie.

"What do you mean?"

"Well this is as you say, on ze fly. You'll be leaving your job and breaking your apartment contract – leaving everything you have to follow me." He gave a light huff. "We've only just met practically."

"Sug." She gave him a seductive smile and placed her arms around his neck. "We've know each other since we were youngin's running around saving the world. Sure we had our time apart these past years but trust me. There ain't nothing that will stop me from making this work." She said giving him a small peck on the lips. "As long as you love me in return." She said almost questioningly. She may have always fancied him but it wasn't the same for him. But she was confident their 'friendship' would work out.

And Antoine was confident of the same thing. "Something I can manage." He smiled in return. Bunnie released Antoine from her loose grasp and they departed. Antoine went back into the hotel and Bunnie drove off to pack up all her belongings to follow Antoine back to the city and away from the life she grew to hate.

"Sonic?" Antoine called into the hotel room as the lights were off when he entered.

"Here Ant." He heard respond. The voice sounded a bit more controlled than the drunken tone he heard in the streets about half an hour earlier. He flicked on the lights to see Sonic lying in his bed with his back propped up against the wall, holding a half-finished bottle of water. "Figured I'd save myself a little bit from the torments of a hangover." He raised up the bottle and smiled then hiccupped, revealing he still wasn't sober but was a bit calmer at least.

"Don't think ze oceans could save you from what you've consumed." The coyote jeered maliciously.

Sonic returned the smirk and the joke, "Thanks, ass."

"How you feeling?" Antoine moved over to his bed and gently pulled up the wildly tossed sheets and laid them down orderly to make his bed a bit more presentable than it previously was and took a seat on it.

"Ashamed. I kind of broke down right then and there in public didn't I?" He asked hypothetically and took another swig of water.

"Yeah. But I think we got you out of there in time."

"Dang." He shook his head with a surprise slur. "Sorry buddy. I just feel so lost. Abandoned almost."

"Well you're not abandoned. Zat's for sure." He said comfortingly.

"Not from you guys. From life. So much uncertainty. So much broken dreams and lost hopes. We had eyes as big as the moon. If those eyes could peer on us now, how disheartened they'd be." Sonic began to explain. "How'd you do it Ant?"

"Do what?"

"Be successful, be happy." Antoine gave a little pause giving Sonic time to elaborate. "You got a good job, a meaningful life, and you picked up that barkeep pretty quickly. Why can't I have any of that? Why can't things go good for me? Why am I still alone…"

"Sonic. None of zis came to me on a silver platter." Antoine sounded serious and a bit insulted. "You think things 'ave just been so easily for me? I've had my hard times, my troubles, my nights alone."

"But still. You're someone. Think of the rest of us, Tails, Amy, Rotor, Bunnie, Sally. I mean, I'm a wash-out, Tails is divorced and lost his kids. Amy's dead."

"Rotor got kicked out of his program and is a gangster now and Bunnie, well…" He added more to fill in the already depressed hedgehog. He didn't realize until later that informing him of these things was probably not the best idea given his already tormented and distraught state.

"Oh god…" The hedgehog smacked his hand onto his face and wiped the tears that instantly formulated in his eye lids.

But Antoine again took the aggressive motivated approach which he found over his weekend with the old hero that that was most effective for him. "But none of that should matter."

"And why not?" Sonic slurred again.

"Because I've experienced ze same thing. Not only were they all my friends too but my life has been marred with death, betrayal and hardships."

"Hmph. I bet." Sonic said sarcastically and took a few large gulps, finishing the bottle. He reached down the side of the bed and pulled up another water bottle.

"My first year working in ze bloc, I knew a guy named Decatour. He was in ze ops division and without him, I would have probably crawled into a hole and let the world collapse over me. This guy was an expert and spent his time on a new guy like me to help me out. It wasn't in his job description but he saw me panicking one day by ze water cooler. He pulled me aside, complete stranger, and asked what was wrong. Since then he taught me, watched out for me, and helped me be good at my job. He became my best friend in ze scary new place I had to survive in." A few tears began to from in the coyote's eye and his voice began to whimper a bit. "About two years after I began, I got word he was killed by a drunk driver on ze interstate."

Sonic just sat and listened. He popped open the new bottle, after waiting for his stomach to signal to him that he could handle more intake fluids, and began drinking the water.

"About three years into work, I 'ad a research project with a guy named Horton. We worked together on this thing and made every checkmark on the development. When we finished ze project, he took all ze credit and ran off with a promotion, even giving me a bad review so ze higher-ups wouldn't believe me if I retaliated. And don't get me started on ze hardships. I got robbed at gunpoint my first day in ze bloc and was down $500 before I had a place to stay. Countless sleepless nights and coffee filled days. Endless failed projects and work place troubles." The tears began to arise again. "Don't remind me of the nights I cried to ze heavens for help but received none. But you know how I got through it?"

Sonic took a swig of his water. "How." He said almost non-interested. He really was taking in every word Antoine was saying but didn't want to hear what was coming. He knew what was coming but just didn't like it. He didn't want the truth.

"Because life is tough. Bad things happen to good people and nothing is how it seems. But I worked hard, got through it all and kept my head up. I 'did it to it' Sonic." He said, causing a small smile to arise on the hedgehog's face. "You have to accept things and move on. Let ze past go, live and let live. Things will happen out or your power but you just can't let zat get to you. Find another path and begin the journey again."

And with that, he heard the truth. The truth that Sonic failed. It was his fault and there was nothing else or no one else to blame. Sonic let out a weak smile but knew it wouldn't change anything. Antoine's advice was clear, but Sonic didn't know if he had the capability to do it. A younger, less broken version of him would totally, but not his current self. He has been tamed. He chugged the rest of the water and threw the empty bottle on the ground. "I'm going to crash." He said getting up to head to the bathroom one last time.

Antoine sat in thought remembering and keeping to heart the stories he told Sonic, just a few of many, and the morals they taught him. He too had a troubled life but never let it get to him.

Sonic left the bathroom and crawled into his bed and was out in a matter of seconds. "Hey, Ant?"

"Yeah Sonic?" The coyote responded, already under the sheets of his bed.

"I'm not going back to the city with you tomorrow."

"What?" He snapped up quickly and sat up in the bed. Sonic didn't budge.

"Nope. I'm going to try and make things right. I told Sally to meet up with me at Fastnight Park." Antoine didn't respond simply out of pity. "I asked her to drop everything she worked up to, and to leave this Craig guy and to continue her life with me by her side. So I'm going to be a dumbass and think she's take up the offer."

Antoine figured it was still the alcohol speaking and didn't respond. He sat for a few more short moments before turning off the lights and tucking himself in for the night.

*o*

The two got up the next morning, getting ready to head back to their lives; whether they liked it or not. The weekend was over and their memories were refreshed. They worked in silence as they packed up their things and tidied up the room.

They checked out quickly and hit the road. But early on, Sonic noticed they weren't heading toward their intended location. "Where are we going Ant?"

"Uh…" He hesitated. "You know zat women from last night?"

"Bunnie?"

Antoine gave him a quirked look. "How did–"

"Come on." He smiled. "I was drunk last night, but I'm sober now. I can connect the dots at this point."

"Ah. Well…she's coming back to ze bloc with me." He said a bit shyly.

Sonic gave him a smile, happy for his friend. "Good for you buddy." He said coolly.

"Oui." Antoine was blushing, a bit unusual how to feel explaining their sudden commitment to Sonic. "Thanks." He then continued. "So we are going to pick her up on ze way. It es not far."

And he kept his word because within a few minutes, the car pulled up to an apartment complex where Bunnie was standing in front of one of the buildings with only a couple bags. "Hey suga'twan. Hey suga'hog." She said to the two faces in the now rolled down windows as she approached the car.

"Hey Bunnie. How's it going?" Sonic said lowly, reflecting his mood entirely through his tone.

"So ah see you've told him?" She smirked at Antoine.

"Eh, not exactly." He said smiling back. He got out of the car and went to help her. He opened up the back as she lifted the suitcases in. "Is this everything?"

"Nah. I'm having a friend send the big stuff things later, just to be safe and after ah get settled and such." She went to the passenger side of the car and got in the back seat. Antoine closed up the back and returned to his spot as well. They were soon out on the road again.

"Hey, Ant?" Sonic asked.

"Yeah Sonic?"

"You're taking me to Fastnight remember?" He asked, wondering if he remembered their conversation the night before. In fact, he was surprised he remembered himself that he told him his plan.

"You're actually going through with that are you?"

"I am." He responded solemnly. "It's all I got at this point. I have a chance to make things right. To change, to be happy. I just need one other person to help me with that."

Antoine knew it was foolish to let him go but he himself was taking a big risk bringing Bunnie back with him. "What about you're flight, and job?"

"Well now Bunnie will have a definite seat." He looked back at her. She didn't know exactly what he was talking about but she had a good idea and an even better idea about who else would be involved. "I can fly stand-by sometime." He urged. But that wasn't enough for the coyote. At least not until the hedgehog beckoned him. "Please."

And with that, he knew he had to do what he had to do. He saw how damaged the hedgehog was this weekend and knew this may be what he needed. Even if there was a good chance it was for a failed effort. But if one thing about Sonic that hasn't change, he was still a risk taker. "I understand."

No more words were exchanged the rest of the car ride. They were in too much thought. They came back to their old town, their old home, and everything had changed. The faces in their memories stayed the same.

They saw who they used to be in the faint reflections of the closed windows while driving. Who all the Freedom Fighters used to be. They were kids. Best friends and heroes. They overcame the odds and did the impossible. After that it was time to live their fruitful and opportunity filled lives. They had dreams, hopes, aspirations and means to succeed but that never happened. For the most part at least, and eventually let go of the rest.

They continued driving, letting the drone of thoughts fill their heads. They heard themselves say things they'd take back, saw them take actions they regretted but also do things that made them smile. They wished they could retell the good parts of their lives and of their childhood and make them last into the present. But that's not who they would always be. Deep down they were still those bright children, happy and carefree with a future ahead of them but in reality, they were adults now. Complete with responsibilities and dreaded memories of better times and lost chances.

Things were all different now. Everyone was split apart, hurt, damaged, broken and even lost. Some moved on, some didn't. They would never be the group of friends they once were, they would never see each other with the same smiling faces, and they would never be as happy as they were then. They tried to suppress these facts but it just made things worse. They tried to change and tried to ease the pain, but nothing worked. New lives, changed identities, drugs and alcohol, abuse in exchange for success, or even deserting society entirely. None of these things helped ease the pain all of the old Freedom Fighters were feeling.

Their time as kids couldn't end it seemed. But when it did, they were not prepared. They stood tall with all the world in their hand and the chance to truly be something great. But they tripped and dropped the world as they came falling to the ground. Sonic and Antoine came back to see where everyone was at and how things were back in Knothole. They didn't like the truth of what they saw. They let each other go and let themselves go.

Sonic wanted just one thing to go right.

The approached Fastnight Park and entered, stopping by the curb and not bothering to park in a parking spot. They wouldn't stay long; not Antoine at least. They got out of the car, Sonic grabbed his things, and they gave their goodbyes.

"I guess zis is so long, non?" Antoine asked, scratching the back of his neck in shy anxiety, concerned for the outcome of the already damaged hero. He partly felt the fate of all the broken Freedom Fighters rested in Sonic's hands as they had many time before, even if Sonic saw it as the complete opposite – they rested in Antoine's hands as he was the only 'successful' one, bring Bunnie up to a better life with him.

"Yup. This is it." Sonic said in almost the same tone. He suddenly grappled the coyote in an embrace. "Thanks buddy. You have no idea how much it meant to me for you to be here and do this for me." Small beads of salty water were being soaked into Antoine's shoulders. Sonic pulled apart and joked, "I mean, I wish you didn't!" He smiled. "This weekend has hurt more than anything but now I have some insight. And if anything, a chance." Sonic pulled him in again for a quick pat on the back. "You and Bunnie have a good life, alright?" He demanded.

Antoine smiled. "Thanks. You too Sonic."

Now it was Bunnie's turn. She looked as if she was about to cry too as her mouth was scrunched up and her eye brows were furrowed upward. "Oh suga'hog." She whimpered as she dove onto the hedgehog like he did to Antoine. "Ah hope to all that is good things'll get better." She gave a final squeeze and let him go. "You have a good life too."

And they all went their separate ways, all taking their shot at a second chance. Sonic moved over to a bench and watched as Bunnie and Antoine hopped back into the replaced rental car and headed off on their new lives. He hoped things would work for them, he really did. But even though he was happy for the two, he was disheartened. He wished he had what his old French friend had for his chance with Sally was out of his hands. He felt she would show. He knew she would show. But this was for the Sally he once knew and loved – still loved. The only thing he worried about was a common attribute of the chipmunk; her sense of duty. She had moved on and did what had to do and now he hoped she didn't think of him as a question of liability. But she also was good at answering with her heart. It was all up in the air now.

It was still early afternoon and the appointed time wouldn't arrive for another few hours but he didn't mind. He did what he did more than he probably should have done this past weekend. Think. The scene was a beautiful one though. It was a beautiful day, the breeze, the sun, the green grass and smell of nature of the park. Much more refreshing then the rest of what the old city came to be. He saw people walking by happily, smiling with friends and lovers, enjoying all that could be enjoyed. It brought a bit of peace of mind to see this site and it even gave him hope for the future.

The hours passed as he sat there patiently on the bench in contemplation. Things had to work out. Maybe it was his high hopes or maybe it was something else, but he could feel that it would work out. The time was getting close as he looked at his watch regularly. Ten minutes until five.


Author's Note:

Finally finished this, hopefully without too much redundancy throughout the entire story. I just treid to emphasize the emotion in each character and through the whole story. Like I said, been in a funk and I actually included a lot of story's/events/occurances that I have experienced/felt (explaining why I've been in a funk) but I feel a bit better and will hoepfully be able to move on full swing once I'm done with this internship and before classes start up again.

Another thing - 2 updates? What? - Yes, I also threw up the final portion of Chapter 9 of Heroes. I finished that one not too long ago but this chapter was actually done for a while now. Just finished some editing that I wanted to do before uploading.

I hope you enjoyed this story and I wouldn't mind hearing your opinions on what happened with that cliffhanger at the end. Did Sally show up?

Thanks and REVIEW