A/N: Yay! It's me, the Queen of Aces! I hope you guys have loved my chapters so far, and I would like to say I really worked hard on this chapter, but I didn't. I literally did this chapter over and over again, and I couldn't get it right, until I looked and thought: I will never be satisfied, I'm just gonna stop here before this kills me. So, you will now be enjoying: Chapter 5, attempt: 8, and the closest thing I could get to.

But whatta gonna do, huh? Whatever, enjoy. And please, feel free to review, it's good for the soul. Well...my soul anyway. Bye bye bye, changy-chang-she-bop.

Dedicated to Marianne

"No matter which road you take they all lead home. Know that now and it will make all the difference... then."

-Raphie Frank

There is a language being spoken here, in the abandoned house, among the old artifacts and material possessions. The little rabbit could hear the droning sound in her ears, the absence of sound was, in itself, a sound that was precious and whole and undisturbed.

There were so many things that caused the silent tears to fall, like the smell of her best friend, that made the air heavy on her small shoulders. The pictures on the walls were eyeing her, the statues on the shelves whispering among themselves, the floor shifted underneath her weight to try and discover just who it was that disturbed their peace.

She grabbed the picture of Amy sitting on the fireplace, and the sound exploded into her mind. She had broken the silence, and was now left with her own awkward grace, as she shuffled and walked through the empty air.

Cream closed her eyes, clutching the picture, crying slightly still. "Oh, Amy." She bent over, forehead and knees pressed against the carpet as she cried.

When she is done, she wipes her eyes fiercely, she looks around the house. She was supposed to find clues about their destination, but this house is only a shrine of her best friend. She coughs away her weak voice, and sets the photo back down on her way out.

Maybe, she thinks, I will come back later.

Nathaniel Oliver was twisting in his sleep, breathing quick as though he was running and frightened.

In his little mind, he could see blocks of icy glaciers, extending to the sky, tainted darkly. He could make out his sister's crying, and suddenly, an unthinkable coldness that jolted him from sleep. He began to cry, heart beating wildly.

But by the time he was comforted by his runaway 'mother', he had forgotten everything completely. Only feeling hunger as Amy leaned back, supporting his head and watching him drink.

He suckled, downing the whole bottle in no time before giving Amy a gummy, toothless grin. Pearly white milk seeped from his lips, and Amy ran a cloth over his face before it landed on her. He stuck his lips together and hummed, then, stopped, delighted by this new sound as well.

Amy giggled as she watched Nathaniel's astonished face. "Bye and bye," she sang. "By and by. The moon is half a lemon pie." Nathaniel raised his fists, giggling so hard he began to hiccup. Amy waited as he settled down, before singing again. Nathaniel was soon giggling in between hiccups that made his whole body jump.

Amy looked past the rising sun, as Nathaniel lay nestled in her arms, as he yawned, pacifier barely in his mouth, as his dull quills brushed against her skin. He was breathing softly, his little fists still curled around the fabric of her dress. His eyes fluttered until she found he had fallen asleep. Naomi slept in the open seat beside her, arms rising over her head as she slept flat on her back. Her brother was turned on his side in her arms, out cold.

They were invisible under the veil of the sky. She just hoped that they wouldn't catch up. She forced the thought of their escape out of her mind. Instead, she focused on the sleeping hedgebabe.

She marveled about how light Nathaniel was, despite his set shoulders and supposable powers. He was always cold to the touch, despite the warm air in the plane that kept circulating around. And his skin was so tan, that when he cried, his skin turned into a plum purple, instead of a salmon pink.

He cried out for no reason, usually scaring his sister and then stopping as soon as she picked him up. And those eyes, so odd, simply filled with green and brown, glistening when he cried.

But he had the cutest little way of smiling, mouth wide open, gums gleaming and eyes bright, that softened her heart. Now, she stroked his little spines, wondering how he could ever kill anyone.

He was so small, helpless, he needed her. Couldn't anyone see that? Couldn't anyone see that he was only a little boy? The thought of terminating him, made her sick, she clutched him tighter. She closed her eyes, petting his head and running her fingers through his
ruffled hair.

"I know you're not a monster," she tried, the only comforting words she could find. "I know. And someday, everyone else will too. We'll just have to run until they understand that." she mouthed, as Nathaniel seemed to relax in her arms, as if he understood. Amy breathed in, her words hopeful. "Maybe you'll find a way to do good. Maybe you're supposed to save us all."

Nathaniel went limp in her arms, as she set him back down by his sister. His head turned into her ear, as Naomi flinched, and Nathaniel's mouth parted in a quiet breath. As if he was telling his sister his newest hope, as if he could be anything other than what he really was.

It nearly breaks Amy's heart to shop at K-mart. She was a lady of class, to be reduced to buying the fake-diamond shades and jeans and shirts make her throat swell.

She buys a couple of packages of hair-dye, in case it ever comes to it. The jeans are alright, but the shirts are big and worn, but as she sneaks into the bathroom to change, she puts it on without question.

She wraps her hair in small little pigtails, wearing a red shirt that covers her small form, but in a way, flatters her. Amy slips on the sunglasses, before stretching the pants over her thighs.

Then, taking off her infamous boots, she grabs for a pair of sneakers. But she cannot find it in her to let them go. She stuffs them back on, and draws freckles on the bridge of her nose.

When she comes out, she looks completely different. She throws the clothes back into some piles, hoping they will be good for someone else.

When she buys the booster seats they came here for, and by the time she finds where Sonic has cloaked the X-Tornado, she is cold, and bitter about leaving her clothes behind. Sonic helps her into the passenger seat, the twins suckling on their thumbs as they watch. They are halfway into the air when Sonic looks at her.

"Pick up a new wardrobe while you were in there?" And although he says it teasingly, it breaks through Amy like a knife, as she suddenly begins to cry. Sonic reaches out to her. "Amy, what's wrong?"

Though she had been completely strong for the first three hours of their adventure, the realization hadn't hit her till just now. The prophecy, the children, leaving her friends,
knowing that life would never be the same.

Sonic just holds her as she buries her head in his chest, one hand on the small of her back, and one on the steering wheel. He whispers to her. "It's going to be alright." he tells her. "Please stop crying. Everything will be alright."

She quiets down. Then, the darkness falls from her face. And Sonic finds his breath taken away as she smiles in the way that only belongs to her. Beautiful, dazzling, unique in all the world.

Sonic cloaks the plane in the cover of the forest, before they approach the hotel with a sign that no longer lights up.

When they ask to rent a room, he pays the manager to keep them a secret. Though he is old and blind, he takes the money and promises. Amy's mouth works around the words. "Thank you for your hospitality," but her own voice coming tense and annoyed.

Sonic smiled still, as he led them to the room. Amy set the twins on the first bed, before joining Sonic, sitting down beside him. She was so tired, he could see it when she looked at him, the skin under her eyes bruised and tender, and the way she seemed smaller than usual. But as he had snuck glances at her in the back seat, she was taking care of those children, as if she couldn't wait to tend to their every need.

"You're experienced with children." he stated, as Amy titled her head to him, blinking those jade eyes as her cheeks turned red. She looked away, clearly not wanting to tell him. Sonic bit his lip. "How do you know so much about children?" he asked, as Amy closed her eyes.

"I...um..."

Nathaniel suddenly jolted awake, screaming, the sudden noise shocked Naomi into frightened tears. Amy sighed, preparing to go to them, when Sonic held her back. "Let me take care of this." he tried, as she sat back, curious. She sat back down, as Sonic sat down on the other bed, grabbing the wailing Nathaniel first. Then, with one free hand, gave Naomi the pacifier.

But his little eyes had seen it first, and soon he was balling. Sonic watched, trying to calm him down. "That's not fair, come on, there's only one pacifier," but he was screaming so loud that he could hear people shuffling underneath them.

Finally, he took it from Naomi, cleaned it off, and handed it to him. But as soon as his little fist had closed around it, he threw it at Sonic's face. Hitting his forehead, it tumbled down onto the floor. Then, Naomi began to cry, hurt by the loss of her little pacifier.

Nathaniel was giggling, clapping his hands and giving Amy that same smile that she loved so much. She suppressed her laughs, watching as Sonic sighed, before giving it to Nathaniel again. And again, all he did was throw it back. Sonic looked at Amy, his eyes wide. "Okay," he squeaked. "I need some help."

Amy giggled. "Sing to him."

"What?"

"He loves music. Sing to him."

"I don't sing."

"Fine." She sighed, getting up and facing Nathaniel, who paused out of wonderment.

Suddenly, she began to clap, before she began to sing. "Sweet little bumble-bee, I know what you want from me. Doo ba doo ba doo da da." The rhythm was upbeat and beautiful as she swayed slightly, elbows on her knees and hands clapping as she bent over in front of the baby.

Amy laughed. "Doo ba doo ba doo da da." To Sonic's amazement, Nathaniel smiled so wide his cheeks turned red, and he began to attempt to clap along with her. "Sweet little bumble-bee, more than just a fantasy. Doo ba doo ba doo da da. Doo ba doo ba doo da da!" she stopped, seeing her work was done.

Nathaniel was clapping along, gurgling out. "Ba ba boo ba boo ba ba!" he giggled out, as she rubbed their noses together. His light giggle filled both of the runaway hedgehog's hearts. Naomi had even stopped crying to listen, and was now trying to clap along with her brother.

Sonic looked at her. "How did you do that?"

"He loves music," she repeated. "No matter what's wrong with him, all you have to do is sing, and he'll be rolling." They were close now, faces almost touching, but Amy turned away sharply, face burning. "Um..." she mumbled. "I can take him, if you want."

Sonic shook his head. "I haven't held him before," he replied as she stared. "Not really."

"How does it feel?"

Sonic looked at the pink maiden, at her soft eyes and silky sakura blossom hair, and was temporarily mesmerized. "It's amazing." he whispered, and let the words fill the gaps in between.

"Cream?"

The little rabbit turned. "Yes, Tails?" she addressed, politely. The fox looked at her.

"You can't possibly side with everyone else," he reasoned. "You have to be against...all of this."

Cream stared at him for the longest time, before she coolly replied. "I might not find this right," she spoke as if she was trying to convince herself. "But I'd rather be with you, than against you." She blinked, those eyes peering into his.

She was pretty enough; with her whiskey eyes and straight hair, but at that moment she looked tired. She held onto Cheese, her mouth a tight line. "I would never want to make my friends, my enemies."

"But you lost your best friend."

Cream laced her fingers through the fur on her chao. "So did you," she concluded. "And you're still here." She closed her eyes and departed, not allowing herself to cry.

After all, facing the end of the world, she couldn't afford to act like a child.

Not anymore.

A/N: Now we're back to azngirlchibi! So... yeah... hope you all liked it. The Queen of Aces lost a lot of sleep over this... she's really tired now... (attempting to guilt people into reviewing)

Ah, just kidding with you.

Thanks for reading!

Anonymous Reviews:

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The Queen of Aces

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