a/n: Thanks.
06. Interval
4y 358d 14h
"Sir. You said the message was urgent."
Shadow stood at attention in the GUN Commander's office. Rouge lounged in the leather chair behind him, looking at her nails.
"I wanted you both to know first. I'm retiring, effective immediately."
"Because of what you couldn't do."
"Probably." The old man dropped his small pile of folders into a waiting box. "I want to think I could have done more."
"Could you?"
"No. This has long been out of my hands."
"You mean to say the President's responsible."
"I won't make any unfounded accusations," he replied with a knowing look.
"Of course."
"It's almost been a pleasure working with you two."
"Likewise."
"My replacement will be here within the next week or two. Show her around properly, I recommended you both as escorts."
"She sounds like a real peach," Rouge said lazily.
The old man put his box on the nearby desk. "She won't be what you're expecting. I'll tell you that. She also...has a small grievance with the President."
Rouge allowed herself a small smile. "Spicy. I'm looking forward to that, then. Don't be a stranger, sir."
"No promises. I'm flying out to Bermuda tonight. Technically it'll still be a business expense."
Shadow grunted. "Trying to game them one last time?"
The Commander chuckled as he picked up his box and left the office. "This was the nicest thing I could do for them."
"He's right, you know. I would have milked 'em for all they were worth," Rouge said.
"You're not already planning to do that?"
"I prefer calling those on the job perks. And what's wrong with building a retirement fund, mm? I won't be this spry forever. Well...not in the field, at least," she said with a wink towards her partner.
He shook his head at her comment. "Perversion aside."
"Prude."
"He didn't know anything either about Eggman. Not until he was told."
"This really goes further than GUN, then. Wonder what it is?"
"I have no idea. But what makes things worse is the boy's decision."
Rouge sighed and put her hands in her lap. "Kiddo went over to Soleanna. Still can't believe it. Would have been nice to have him here, if only to keep an eye on him."
"I think it was possible if Eggman wasn't around. It seems like a response to what GUN pulled."
"Does that make him our enemy?" she asked.
"Regardless of what our organization does, we are not enemies unless we choose to be."
"That sounds fair. How's Rosie taking it?"
"Rosie?" he asked with a brow raised.
"What? We're getting close, that's all. Beneath all the Sonic obsession, she's a nice gal. And it helps to have another woman keep an eye on her. Unless you wanted to..."
"What?"
"Be a stand in for Big Blue?"
"Absurd. I have no interest in her for those purposes."
"Oh?" He could see her mischevous smile from the corner of his eye. "Wonder who you're interested in, then..."
"Don't."
"If you're worried about any potential security cameras, I'm not. Surely the boys in surveillance would enjoy a good show..."
"Absurd doesn't begin to describe you, Rouge."
"Oh, but you love me to bits."
"Let's disperse. I have things I want to check out."
"Can we stop by that store I was talking about earlier? I want to get that leather jacket!"
"Rouge..." He sighed. "Fine. We're only retrieving that one item."
She jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Off we go, then," she said with a smile. He rolled his eyes and started out of the room with her in tow.
4y 356d 17h
In China, the orb of water rippled. It had descended to within a foot of the sword stuck in the stone.
4y 351d 12h
"Miles?"
"Why do you call me that?"
"Why not? It's your name, isn't it?"
"Everyone calls me Tails."
The woman with amber eyes looked at him curiously. She placed a hand briefly on her designer glasses; rectangular with thin rims around them. The wool sweater embraced her impressive bust, the expensive jeans her hips and long legs. Her bushy tail was copper coloured, and she sported long curled hair of the same colour that bounced with her movements.
"Stop following," he said as he noted the clicking of her heels. The lab was already too small as it was. He didn't need this fox woman smothering him.
"I'm keeping an eye on you, love."
"Don't call me that, either. In fact, don't patronize me at all."
"Patronize?" she asked curiously. "Dear me, I would never do such a thing."
"You're doing it now."
"Oh, poor dear. Do you think that's the case? Why? Because I'm a bit older than you?"
"Define a bit. You're practically middle-aged."
"Goodness. You're terrible, Miles."
"I told you to stop-"
"No matter how much you keep saying it, I won't go away. I'm drawn to you already."
"..." He went quiet as she hovered over him.
"I think you feel the same."
"I'm just a kid. You're sick."
"I know I am," she purred. "But you chose me knowing all of that. Her Highness already told you. Didn't she?"
"I picked you for your expertise, Mildred."
She pouted. "Now you're the one calling people by the wrong names. It's Milly. I hate that old-fashioned name."
Tails scribbled notes down on a blank piece of paper. "Maybe I'll keep using it and make you upset enough to go away."
"You're breaking my heart. Here, love. The figures you wanted."
"You work fast," he said as he took the papers from her. "And you're a genius in your own right. That's why I chose to work with you."
"You're sure? You could dump me off at any time. Or put me in my own office. It's already been a while."
"..."
"Are you sure you don't want me for...something else?" she asked quietly.
"..."
"What makes me yearn for you the most is how brightly your eyes shine," she said with her hands on his shoulders. "I like how they burn. That spark, it makes you look so...powerful."
"That's just darkness. You're mistaken," he replied.
"You already said I was sick. I don't see things like the others do. Why don't you use me?"
"I already am."
"You know what I mean."
"I'm not interested in that." He pulled away from her and went to the computer on the far side of the room.
"I'm not going to give up on you, you know."
"...I don't expect you to."
She looked at him from across the room.
"I don't expect to keep running away. Eventually...you'll catch up. I won't resist you then, Milly."
"..."
"I'm gonna go down to the propulsion lab. There's something I want to collect."
"I'll make us lunch soon. When you get back."
"...yeah. Thanks."
He threw on a lab coat and pushed the oversized sleeves back over his hands. Adjusting the ID badge on the front, he grabbed his stack of papers and left the room.
"..."
Milly ran a hand through her hair and looked at his desk. The picture he had always cherished was still there, as always.
"He thinks of you constantly, you know. I don't want him to forget you, but...I want him to look at me, too. Maybe you wouldn't approve...I am preying on a younger boy, after all. But I'll take care of him in your stead. No matter how I might act...I promise."
She turned away and went to finish her work.
4y 346d 9h
"It should be no trouble getting you a loan, Miss Rose. You are one of the heroes of Station Square, after all."
"I appreciate that, but I don't want you to make any exceptions for me."
The human woman nodded and gave her a smile as she typed information into a computer. Amy Rose took one of the mints from the desk in front of her and placed it into her mouth.
It was refreshingly cool on her tongue.
4y 345d 23h
A penthouse suite in downtown Station Square.
In the darkness of the master bedroom, a lone figure put on a mask. The outside lit up with futuristic lines and patterns. A metallic breath sounded from the inside.
"Sonic is dead. But justice lives forever."
4y 344d 15h
Her blonde hair was soft, seemingly like a cloud as some of it rested on her shoulders and spilled downwards at her back. Her eyes were cool and green, her nature unassuming.
She was unreadable and attractive. A neat red blouse and white skirt made her fade into the background. She wore flat shoes with white rubber soles. Her voice was soft and quiet as she spoke to security.
Her steps were light on the way to the elevator. She politely greeted the other employees with the box in her hands.
The human woman walked to a certain office, noting the door was open and the lights were on. As she looked inside, she saw that it was already furnished; the old occupant didn't have much of anything removed. It was as she requested. She liked the look as it was. His old chair was only recently bought, and as she sat in it she liked the feel.
A light knock on the door brought her out of her thoughts.
"Please come in."
A white bat and black hedgehog walked in, standing in front of her desk. The bat was...Rouge, if she remembered properly. And she knew the hedgehog very well.
"Rouge and Shadow, isn't it? I'm happy to meet you both."
"Same to you, ma'am," Rouge said with a friendly smile. Perhaps just a touch too friendly, she noted. But that might have been first day nerves.
"Welcome to GUN, ma'am." Shadow was firmer, sharper. Professional, as her predecessor noted.
These were two of the top three agents in the service. Eclectic, but highly effective.
"Where is your third?" she asked gently.
"Destroying worthless consumer models," the two said in unison.
"O-oh. Um...please, start our tour, then. I would like to get acclimated as soon as possible. I hope I'm not interrupting-"
"Ma'am," Shadow interrupted. "You are the Supreme Commander."
"He means you have the run of the place," Rouge said with a wink. "Whatever we've got to do is low priority. The big boss always comes first."
"I see." She relaxed a bit and smiled before getting up. "Understood. Agent Shadow, Agent Rouge. Begin our routines."
"Yes, ma'am."
4y 340d 20h 17m
A knock sounded on the door. The room was small, oppressively so. Barely any room between the bed, sink, and toilet. The walls were cracked and chipped. There was one dim light on the ceiling.
"Mister Hedgehog?"
The woman carrying the tray of food stepped aside. A guard unlocked the door and let her in.
Sitting on the floor, leaned against his bed was the prisoner in question. He had one knee bent and the other flat on the ground, his head tilted downwards. One arm rested on his raised knee, the other limply on his opposite leg.
He did not stir even as the woman approached.
"Mister Hedgehog? Sonic?"
"Tryin' to sleep."
She kept herself from being startled as he spoke. "The bed is..."
"I wouldn't sleep on that piece of trash and you wouldn't either. Leave the food. I'm fine."
"..." She set down the tray and walked out. He intended to go back to his nap, but more noise came from the door. There were extra guards now. The metal door slammed shut.
"Tryin' to sleep. What is it?"
He felt something splash onto him. From the smell, it was definitely grape juice.
"Ruined my duds. What's up with that, eh?" he said groggily.
"Get the fuck up, inmate."
"You made a mistake coming in here. Your first and your last."
Sonic slowly rose to his feet, facing down the big, burly guards as they looked at him.
"You actually thought I gave a flying fuck about what would happen if I fought back."
4y 340d 20h 16m 31s
Sonic unlocked the door and headed outside, the chains around his wrists and ankles rattling.
"What the hell..." A guard ran down the hall towards him. "Oi, prisoner! What are...you..."
Sonic held up his hands, matted with blood. "Came out here to find one of you. You're gonna have to get my cell cleaned. Oh...and a medic for those guys in there would be nice. Thanks, buddy."
"W-where..."
"Stretching my legs. I kept telling you guys that I was tryin' to sleep."
Sonic shook his head, yawning before starting to whistle as he strolled down the hall. The guard stood watching, frozen in fear.
He didn't know if he could last until next year.
4y 340d 20h 15m
"You...you can't let go. Not now. Not when we're so close. I only meant to use you as a vessel until-"
"My time passed long ago. You being here was only a gift, one that I didn't deserve."
"I-"
"I know that you don't want to lose anyone else. And you won't lose me, even if I do disappear. Forever in your heart...and forever by your side. This I promise."
"...I'm sorry."
"You are ambitious, but not as cruel as the legends made you out to be. I'm glad." The girl smiled. "Will you grant me one wish?"
"Anything."
"Please tell me your name. Your true name."
The goddess spoke, and the girl felt joy.
"It's a secret that I've come to know. Precious..."
"Elise. I...I love you. I wanted nothing but the best for you."
"I'm more than happy. I was just a container for Iblis until you saved my life. Thank you, Goddess of Fire. Thank you for giving me life. Please use this body of mine for your justice. Whatever you choose it to be."
"I want to see your dream come to pass. By any means."
Elise closed her eyes and smiled. "Then let it be so...Queen Elise."
"I am thou..."
"...and thou art I."
"Now and forever."
"Amen."
The girl called Elise opened her eyes. Tears spilled over from them.
They were bright and blue.
4y 339d 23h
Knuckles watched the planet from his perch on the island.
"Time...is beginning to move."
He disappeared back into the cave behind him.
4y 339d 22h.
Time remaining until Sonic's release.
Galactic Shackles
end.