Author: Yes, it's me, I'm back! Sorry about the month long wait. Better late than never, right?

Shadow: (storms on stage) About friggin' time? Where have you BEEN?!?

Author: (scratches back of head uneasily) Well, I wanted to get a new chapter off before I go on vacation.

Shadow: VACATION?!? You owe more than this to the readers!

Author: Well, I might get another chapter off on Tuesday. You never know. On with the fic!

Chapter 4: Aboard the Ark

Sonick shuffled out of his room, yawning. Miles joined him, rubbing his eyes.

"Did you have nightmares as well?" asked Miles blearily.

"Don't sweat it, Tails. It was most likely that chowder we had last night," said Sonick, flashing him a weary grin.

Miles appeared puzzled. "Who is Tails?"

The grin disappeared from Sonick's face. "I do not know," he mused. "Why did I say that?"

Suddenly, Sonick looked up and snapped his fingers. "I think I called you that in my nightmares!"

Miles rubbed his chin. "Curious. It appears nightmares are plaguing everyone on this voyage."

Sonick shrugged. "Nervous tension, I suppose." He walked down the deck, leaving Miles there still deep in thought.

Eventually, Miles' stomach protesting prevented any further musings. He set off towards the galley, accidentally bumping into someone.

"I'm sorry, I-" Miles stopped when he took a look at who he bumped into. "Haven't I seen you before?"

Crème cowered, adamantly shaking her head. "I-I'm sorry, sir," she mumbled softly, "but Miss Amalee followed you aboard. She's had her heart set on that Sonick, sir!"

Miles bent down next to the rabbit girl. "You are Crème, Amalee's servant, yes?" She nodded.

He brushed a finger across her cheek, wiping away the tears. "I could not bear to see a pretty thing like you crying. I'm sure Geralde won't mind, just keep out of sight." He smiled warmly, causing her to blush.

"T-Thank you, Mr. Prower," Crème said softly. "Call me Miles," the fox said. "I am only a few years older than you."

He patted her on the shoulder, then continued down the hallway.

Crème shuffled into a storeroom, where Amalee was pulling open piles of food. "There is enough food here to accommodate us for quite some time. We have plenty of time to pursue my Sonick-" Amalee stopped and peered at Crème. "Is something wrong? You are all red!"

Crème jerked up with a squeak of fright. "N-No, miss," she faltered, "I-I just met Miles in the hallway. He was so gentlemanly, and he did not even alert the captain of a stowaway!"

Amalee folded her arms. "Miles? Since when have you been on first-name basis with anybody?" Her eyes lit up. "Crème, you fancy him!"

Crème blushed even more heavily and stared at her feet. "W-Well, he is quite handsome…" she whispered.

Amalee laughed and pulled the stunned rabbit girl into a hug. "I will help you get him, Crème," she whispered in her ear.

Night Shadow jerked upwards, clutching his sheets and panting.

One bed over, Maria stirred and lifted her head. "More nightmares?"

Night Shadow stared at the wall. "The strangest dream yet…" he muttered.

"I was in this bright multicolored place, it was wondrous! There was this metallic monster there, driven by someone I addressed as 'doctor'. He…He told me I have no past." Night Shadow faltered.

Maria threw off her covers and walked over to him. "That place sounds fantastical," she said, slipping an arm around his shoulders. "There is no way it could have been the New World."

Night Shadow still appeared shaken. "The things I have seen in these dreams…" he murmured. "I am not even sure I want to go back."

Rouja flattened herself against the back of several crates, keeping very still. She silently cursed her bad luck. Why did that hedgehog girl have to pick this room to hide in?

"Crème, I'll get some food," she heard Amalee say. Rouja began to panic. She's coming this way! I better hide in the rafters.

Rouja unfurled her wings, accidentally knocking a sack of fruit off a crate. She froze, hearing Amalee stop. "W-What was that, miss?" Crème asked.

"I don't know," said Amalee, looking concerned. "Hello? Is anyone here?"

There was silence, then Rouja walked out ashamedly. Crème gasped.

Rouja held her hands up. "Don't worry. I don't want to harm anybody. I'm a stowaway, just like you."

Amalee lit up. "Oh good, we can stay here together! This will be so much fun!"

Rouja let out a groan. What have I gotten myself into?

Sonick and Miles were jolted from their seats in the galley by a loud voice echoing throughout the ship. "Attention all passengers! Tropical storm sighted up ahead! Please return to your cabins and secure all valuables!"

Sonick looked at Miles. "This could be trouble."

Author: MWA HA HA! Cliffie! I'm so evil, aren't I?

Author: Aren't I?

Author: Alright, where's Shadow?

(vine snakes on camera and hands author card)

Author: (reads) "Shadow the Hedgehog is currently at the mercy of the almightly Number XI." Ohh...(sweatdrops) Looks like Marluxia's still sore about Isolated.

brand new hilarious oneshot by the author

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