Chapter Two
Differing Opinions
A bit later after Rouge had gathered all of the clothes she was going to donate to charity, as well as after eating the breakfast prepared by Shadow and Omega, Team Dark was making their way out of Club Rouge to head for the nearest charity building in Station Square and afterwards head for the GUN HQ.
Rouge had changed into her usual attire along with a coat and was walking towards her car with the hood over her head.
Hearing metallic footsteps behind her, she turned and saw Omega following her, carrying a few bags in it's claws that were filled with her unwanted clothes.
"Sorry about asking you to do that for me Omega," the bat said as she approached her car. "But I do appreciate the help."
"Not a problem," Omega responded as it followed her to her car.
Rouge opened the trunk as well as back doors of her car. "We'll drop these off and then head to GUN HQ."
"Understood," the robot replied as it began to put the bags into the car.
A few seconds later, Shadow came out of the club carrying more bags filled with Rouge's clothes. Rouge looked over and she couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of the hedgehog carrying bags. 'Heh, there's something you don't see every day,' she thought to herself.
Shadow had on black jeans along with a red and black shirt and a hooded jacket as he walked over to the back of her car. "You sure went the extra mile in all the clothes you picked out," he said as he joined Omega in loading up the car.
"Yeah I did, didn't I?" she responded as she realized just how many clothes she had packed. "Well like I said, If I'm not going to wear those things why let them gather dust in the wardrobe?"
Shadow nodded in agreement and continued to load the car up with the bags until he had all of his inside. "Alright. That's all on my side."
"Mine as well," said Omega.
Rouge smiled as she closed the back doors and trunk. "Thanks guys. If that's everything, we'll go then."
"Yeah," said Shadow before he turned to Omega. "Omega, you know the location of where we're going right? How about you get a head start and meet us there?"
Omega moved its head in a nodding motion. "Affirmative." It began to activate its jet boosters on its back.
"We'll meet you there Omega!" Rouge called out to the robot just as it rose up into the air and she and Shadow got into her car.
After rising to a good couple of feet, Omega turned to the direction the charity building was in and flew off towards it through the rain. At the same time, Rouge started up her car and began to follow Omega through the wet and damp streets of Station Square.
Shadow stretched out a bit in his seat, taking notice of the ongoing storm. "We're certainly in for the long haul with this one," he said. "Wouldn't surprise me if it goes on all day."
"Looks like it!" said Rouge as she turned on the windshield wipers to make it easier to see where she was going.
Shadow relaxed back into his seat and sighed contently, enjoying the ride. "So, what'd you think of breakfast?" he asked with a smirk. "I'd say Omega and I did a better job than last time."
Rouge smiled as she remembered the incredible spread the two of them had come up with. "It was great! I have to say you both did a great job at not burning down the kitchen!"
"Heh, well you know how Omega can get when it comes to fire," Shadow chuckled. "He sometimes goes a bit overboard with his flamethrowers."
"Yeah, he can," Rouge grinned.
She and Shadow continued to converse with each other until they reached their destination - the local Salvation Army. "Ah, here we are," she said as she approached the building and saw Omega already outside. "There he is!"
Shadow looked and saw their companion as well. "Yeah."
Hearing the familiar sound of Rouge's car engine, Omega turned its head and saw it approaching.
Rouge pulled up in front of the robot and parked the car on the side of the street.
"Okay Shad..." she began as she turned her car off and looked at the rain. "Better be prepared."
Shadow nodded and made a move to get out of the car before remembering something. "Now that I think about it, didn't you say you kept an umbrella in here in case you ever needed it?"
"Yeah," Rouge answered, remembering as well and pointing behind him. "There's one behind your seat."
Shadow turned around and leaned into the back of the car, looking for and eventually finding the umbrella underneath the many bags. "Here it is," he said as he pulled back into the front of the car and opened his door. "Although we're already dressed appropriately, it never hurts to be too safe." He exited the car, closed his door behind him, and went over to the driver's side, waiting for Rouge.
Smiling in thanks at him, Rouge grabbed a couple of the bags from the back of her car and stepped out underneath the umbrella.
"Thanks Shadow," she said as she adjusted her coat more tighter on her body. "Okay, I got the bags. Let's get in!"
Shadow nodded before he noticed a few more bags in the car and he reached inside to get as many as he could before looking over at Omega. "Omega, there's a couple more inside. think you can get them?"
"Affirmative," the robot replied going to the car, opening the door, and taking the remaining bags.
"Thanks guys," said Rouge, locking her door after Omega got the bags and closes the door. "Come on, let's get in before we get soaked!"
Shadow and Omega nodded their heads and just as they did, a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, followed by a loud rumble of thunder. Not wasting any more time, Rouge hurried herself and her friends into the Salvation Army building.
"Whoa!" Rouge exclaimed once they were inside. "That lightning was pretty close!"
"Sure was," Shadow agreed as he closed the umbrella and turned back to look outside, seeing traces of the lightning bolt in the sky.
Omega went to look out the window and turned its attention to the sky as well, its eyes scanning the surrounding area. "Sensors indicate that had it not been for a nearby lightning rod, the lightning bolt would've touched ground."
Shadow crossed his arms while Rouge let out a small sigh of relief. "Thanks for that information Omega," she said before looking around and seeing that along with the employees she saw inside, they were the only ones there.
Motioning for Shadow and Omega to come with her, she lead them to the front desk.
Standing behind the desk was a female grey badger with black eyes and black hair. Looking up, she saw Team Dark approaching her and greeted the three of them with a smile. "Oh, good morning you three! It's been a while since you last came here! What have you got for us today?"
"Hi there Alexis!" Rouge greeted back, returning the smile. "The guys and I were just dropping off some clothes that I don't wear anymore." She placed the bags she had on the desk. "Hope you can find them useful!"
Shadow placed his bags on the counter too, as did Omega. "And there's quite a few of them as well," said the hedgehog.
"Oh, how wonderful!" said Alexis as she looked at the bags, taking note of how many clothes were in them. "Wow, that is a lot! Having a clear out, eh Ms. Bat?"
"I guess you could say that, stuff you don't wear anymore, why hang onto it, eh?" Rouge answered, grinning.
Alexis nodded before turning to face the back of the room. "Bianca, we've got some new clothes!"
"Coming!" a female voice called out. A few moments later, a young female brown possum with brown eyes and brown hair walked up to the front, seeing Team Dark.
"Oh! Hey you guys!"
Rouge greeted her with a smile and wave whereas Shadow and Omega gave her nod of their heads.
Bianca looked over at the desk and it was then that she noticed all of the clothes in bags. "Whoa! That sure is a lot!"
Alexis chuckled. "I know! That's what I said!"
"I'll get right to work on getting these put up," said Bianca as she began to do so.
Alexis nodded her head and turned back to Rouge. "Thank you Ms. Bat. We really appreciate this."
Rouge grinned. "I'm glad I was able to help."
Shadow saw that Bianca was taking all of the bags herself so he decided to give her a helping hand, going over and helping her take the bags of clothes to the back. Rouge saw this and she couldn't help but smile at her friend's gentlemanly behavior.
"Thank you Shadow," Bianca said with a smile, grateful for his help.
Shadow nodded at her, giving her a rare smile that he usually never gave to anyone else other than Rouge and Omega. "No problem at all."
While Shadow helped Bianca carry the bags to the back, Rouge chatted a bit longer with Alexis and Omega went to look outside the window at the raging storm outside, scanning for any possibilities of it worsening or letting up.
Soon, the manager of the building - a female brown otter with black hair and brown eyes - walked up to the front and saw Team Dark.
"Ah, we have visitors!" she said before turning her attention to Rouge. "Rouge! It's great to see you again!"
"Hello Courtney!" Rouge greeted. "It's nice to see you too! How are you?"
"All has been well," Courtney answered, smiling at the bat. "The same as all other days - all of us doing our part to help support those who can't support themselves."
She looked and saw Shadow and Omega. "Oh, and you've brought company with you."
Rouge smiled and nodded.
"Yeah. Well, I couldn't carry everything to the car and over here myself. I'm grateful they were there to help."
Courtney watched as Shadow continued to help Bianca with the bags. "It truly is amazing that individuals such as yourselves would take the time to do this," she said with a smile. "It means so much."
"Like you said..." Shadow began as he picked up more bags. "We're just doing our part to help in any way we can."
Rouge nodded. "Exactly. And if it helps, then great!" A smile came to her face as she flipped her hair over her shoulders. "Well, I hope you find them useful."
"We certainly will," said Courtney. "So, where are you three off to this morning? Especially in this weather."
Shadow helped Bianca take the last of the bags to the back before walking back to the front of the room.
"We were originally on vacation," he said, moving his arms around a bit after carrying the bags. "But hey, when duty calls, we gotta answer."
"Indeed," said Rouge before she checked her watch. "And we'd better head there now."
"Totally understandable," said Courtney before smiling at Team Dark. "On behalf of everyone here, thank you again so much. I'm sure that these clothes will benefit someone in the future."
"You're very welcome!" Rouge responded, smiling back at her.
Courtney nodded at her. "The three of you be careful out there. The weather is really nasty!"
"It sure is," Shadow agreed. "Don't worry. We will." He looked over at Omega, who was watching the storm the entire time. "Omega, it's time to go."
Omega nodded its head before focusing more on the storm, a few monitoring beeps coming from its body. "It would appear the storm is going to get worse," it said. "30% chance of hail. Heavy winds imminent."
'Great, just great...' Rouge thought to herself. "Again, thanks for the info Omega," she said out loud. "Okay boys, let's hurry to the car and get to the headquarters before we're all blown away!"
After bidding everyone farewell, Rouge hurried Shadow and Omega outside and once they were, Omega activated its booster jets and took off into the sky for the GUN HQ, followed closely behind by Rouge and Shadow after they'd gotten into her car and sped off down the street.
Waving goodbye to them as they left, Courtney looked over at Alexis. "Truly amazing lot those three, no?"
"Indeed they are," Alexis said, smiling. "I have to say though, that hedgehog is handsome. Rouge is a lucky girl."
Courtney laughed a bit. "I don't think they're even together or if a relationship has even crossed their minds. You know how they can be." She placed a finger to her chin as a thoughtful look came to her face. "But you're right - that Shadow is quite the looker."
"Hehe, he sure is," Alexis chuckled.
Courtney and Alexis shared another laugh before another thought came to the otter. "You know, now that I stop and think about it..." she began. "Who would've ever thought that those three would become who they are now? We know about their pasts, and with that being said, the fact that they've become agents of GUN and are doing all they can to help make Mobius safe for all of us is really something."
Alexis couldn't help but agree. "You got a good point there. Well, it doesn't matter about who they were or where they came from, they're helping keep Mobius safe and that's what matters."
Courtney nodded and she and Alexis continued their conversation. However, two other workers, a male green lizard and a female brown raccoon, were talking amongst themselves and had different opinions about Team Dark.
"Tsk," the lizard said, rolling his eyes. "Deirdre, did you hear that?"
"Yeah, I heard it Eric," she answered with a scoff. "What're they talking about? Team Dark? Good guys? Pleeeaaase!"
Eric nodded and his eyes narrowed as he continued to put up the clothes he and Deirdre had. "I'm telling you, what short term memories everyone seems to have these days," he muttered. "Have they completely forgotten who those three are?"
"Yeah," Deirdre responded as she helped him. "A terrorist, a jewel thief, and a destroyer robot. And GUN hired them, why?"
"Hell as I know," Eric shrugged. "They must've been real desperate to even think about letting those three in."
"Yeah! Really desperate..." Deirdre agreed, glaring at the door Team Dark made their exit from.
Eric did the same, his eyes narrowing even more in pure disgust as he thought about Team Dark. To tell you the truth, we all would've been better off if those three would've never been born, or in that robot and bastard hedgehog's cases, made."
Courtney overheard the two of them talking and a frown came to her face as she began to approach them.
"Couldn't agree more," said Deirdre. She turned her head, saw Courtney coming towards them, and spoke in a hushed tone to Eric. "Oops! Shush! The manager!" She then stood to attention, facing Courtney.
Eric cursed mentally and did the same.
Courtney crossed her arms as she looked down at them. "Is there anything you two would like to share?"
"Erm, no ma'am," Deirdre answered, hoping that the otter hadn't heard her and Eric.
"Nothing at all," the lizard added, thinking the same thing Deirdre was.
Courtney was having none of it and decided to put the two of them in their place. "Don't even. I heard what you both were talking about. How can you bring yourselves to even think that way about three individuals who have given their lives to protect not only you but everyone on Mobius?"
Eric began to keep quiet and not say anything, but he decided against it and spoke his mind. "With all due respect Ma'am, there were many times when they were the cause of Mobius being put in danger!"
"Yeah!" Deirdre added, following Eric's lead. "Have you forgotten that!?"
Alexis and Bianca heard what Eric and Deirdre were saying as well and had heard enough.
"No! We haven't!" the badger yelled. "But they put things right again!"
"That's right!" Bianca piped in. "You shouldn't judge them because of things they did in the past! It's just that - the past!"
Eric couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Put things right again!? Come on, how blind are you!? The three of them have done nothing but makes things worse! Think of all the incidents that have happened - The Ark Incident, Dr. Eggman's robot Metal Sonic running amuck, when the Black Arms aliens invaded, and that whole incident with the Dark Brotherhood! Those three were involved in some shape, form, or fashion and they didn't make any of those situations any better!"
"Yeah!" Deirdre agreed.
Soon, a full argument broke out over the workers and Courtney, having heard enough, decided to put an end to the fight before it got any worse than it already had.
"Alright, that's enough everyone!" she yelled out, clapping her hands loudly.
Almost instantly, the yelling stopped and Courtney turned her attention to Eric and Deirdre. "Regardless of how you both feel, those three have done all they can to help make this planet a safe place to live for everyone, including yourselves. They're not saints but then again, no one is. We've all done things we're not proud of and work to ensure they don't happen again. That's exactly what those three are doing."
Deirdre placed a hand on her hip and sighed in an irritated fashion while Eric crossed his arms and had a scowl on his face.
Courtney took a deep breath, calming herself before continuing. "Now then, if everyone here is calm and collected, we all have jobs to do."
"Right on boss," said Alexis.
"Yes ma'am," said Bianca as she went back to work.
Eric and Deirdre were both silent before an agitated sigh came from the lizard.
"Whatever you say boss."
Courtney nodded and watched as Eric and Deirdre went on about their business tending to the store and she in turn made her way towards her office.
While walking with Deirdre to continue working, Eric leaned over to her and said in a hushed tone, "It doesn't matter what she says. Those three are, was, and always will be nothing but trouble,"
"You got that right," said Deirdre, agreeing all the way.
So Rouge has donated her unwanted clothes, but it seems not everyone is happy to see her, Shadow or Omega. Seems some people can't let go of the past.
Hope to have another chapter up hopefully sooner! But until then enjoy this chapter! :)
Love Bloodrayne666 and Rirureddo