YOU WEREN'T EXCEPTING THIS WERE YOU, READERS?

-starts dancing-

Look who's alive after all! Oh shoot -dodges rotten tomatoes and pitchforks-

I am sorry. LIKE THE MOST SORRY EVER. Please take my sincerest apologies and multiply it times a million. There was one part in this chapter that had me horrifically stuck. So naturally I let it sit...until my computer died with aLL mY iNforMatIon On iT -eye twitching-

I couldn't get it back and I struggled to find the passion to get back and start anew. Then I logged back on just for funsies and reread all the reviews, saw the huge following...and I finally sat down and wrote it all out. And although I feel I am definitely rusty, I hope you enjoy it nonetheless.

And so to address the question of if I will finish this story...

Y'ALL THINK I'M GONNA QUIT JUST LIKE THAT?

HA

I DON'T GIVE UP THAT EASY

THIS JUNK ABOUT TO BE LEGENDARY

Kingdoms of Chaos is scheduled to finish even if it takes me 10 years. Let's hope it doesn't.

And before I start I'd like to send a special thank you to my writing buddies, Comrade, Zel, and SunSu. Ya'll know who you are. Without you, Kingdoms of Chaos would not be what it is today. It wouldn't still be alive without them!

OKAY LET'S KICK IT

Disclaimer: I don't own the Sonic characters, they belong to SEGA. Comrade Athelwine owns LL, SunnyAirisu222 owns Sayo Slyphade, Zelzainia and Lina owns Kiya, and I own Blitz.

~ o - Chapter 12 - o ~

The warmth in this small secluded room enveloped me in a cradle of sleepiness. I fought off the urge to yawn, for every move I made the Councilmen watched critically. By the way they stared, I could tell they were eager to question me about the raid. Thankfully Sonic escorted me to the far end of the table and acted as a wedge between them and I. There was nothing I could say that would convince them.

Sonic hadn't said much since we arrived, he only gave me one word of advice before escorting me inside this secret room.

"Just listen."

I didn't intend on do anything else.

I felt my eyes become heavy and it occurred to me that I couldn't remember the last time I had a full night of sleep. The nightmares of war and drowning and death relentlessly shook me through the past few nights. Finally, last night, after bolting up in my bed in a sweat for the third time, I put on a loose tunic and pants, grabbed the violet vase Alfonso gifted me and made my way through the dark hallways down to the Healing Chambers.

I expected the Healing Chambers to be empty and silent, but when I arrived a dull yellow glow emanated from the open doorway. I sheepishly entered to find Kiya working with a patient —a victim of the raid. The feline was bruised all over and unconscious on a table, behind her three more patients laid eerily silent in similar conditions.

She was gracefully running her hands in the space above the patient's sleeping body, her hands glowing a light green and a faint ringing emanating from the river-like paths she made. She was immersed in her work. For a few moments I watched in awe before she noticed me.

"Lady Rose," she was surprised, her hands stopped glowing, "is something wrong?"

Her eyes were weary, drained of energy. I immediately felt guilty for asking anything of her.

"I apologize for interrupting." I held the bottle hidden behind my back, "is there a place we can go to talk…alone?"

She hesitated for a second, looking me over with a look of concern before grabbing a towel. She walked past me, further into the maze of patient rooms as she wiped her hands. We entered one and I shut the door behind me.

I began, "I'm sorry to come in the middle of the night like this, but I need to ask a small favor of you."

She maintained a serious demeanor as she nodded, "Yes, my lady,"

I revealed the vase to her. "I need to know if this is really sleeping potion."

She took the vase in her hands, studying it, then opened the top and smelled it.

"Am I allowed to ask questions?" she asked, looking at me with a raised eyebrow.

I hesitated for a moment, the desire to be transparent with Kiya and the desire to keep this connection with Alfonso under wraps battled for dominance in my head. I wanted to trust her, but could I afford word getting out that he was trying to help me?

"You may ask," I said after a pause.

"How did you get sleeping potion?"

I pursed my lips and spoke slowly, "I have been having horrible night terrors that have kept me up ever since I arrived here. Someone gave me this potion in an effort to help me sleep. I thought it best to bring it to you to test before I drank it."

She went to the cabinet behind her and pulled out a small transparent cup and set it on the table with the vase, "Someone gave this to you?"

"Someone," I confirmed.

She nodded and poured some of the light purple liquid into the cup.

"This is very unusual considering the castle's entire supply of sleeping potion has been out for at least a month now," she had her back to me as she mixed the potion.

Oh, great. Now I look even more shady.

"I had no idea. Why?" I asked.

"There's only one place in Solstice that grows the main ingredient. The village was overtaken in a raid. Acres and acres of it burned. Importing the ingredient from other kingdoms has proven too costly and takes many weeks to arrive."

This information didn't settle my thoughts on Alfonso in the least. Nor did this bode well in forming a friendship with Kiya.

"I don't mean to be secretive, Kiya." I said, "I am trying to be cautious."

"Rightfully so, Lady Rose." She watched her finger run along the smooth surface of the vase. "I sense something horrible brewing on the horizon."

Before I could ask what she meant, I surveyed her overworked figure. A woman, no older than I, had been working tirelessly since the raid, healing people and watching royals she might have known die before her eyes. She had the strings of people's lives wrapped in her fingertips.

"I can't imagine what you must go through," I said softly.

For the first time, she seemed to really look at me. Her weary eyes soft as she aimlessly stirred the mixture, "It never gets easier, seeing people like this." Her voice was strained, she set down the cup and gripped the table in an effort to support herself.

"I am the only one of my kind in all the kingdoms. I am the only Master Healer." She ducked her head and her long blue bangs covered her face. "The kind of pressure that's put on me…the huge amounts of blame…"

I put a comforting hand on her shoulder, "But you do your best, Kiya. That's all anyone can expect of you."

She took a shaky breath, pushing back her blue bangs. Her eyes glistened appreciatively, "Maybe I just care too much. It's why I left the battlefield," she sighed deeply and stared sternly at a spot on the wall, "I couldn't watch the people I healed get killed and mutilated over and over again."

"Your compassion is not weakness, Kiya. It makes you strong in many other ways," I said.

She smiled softly at me.

"And just because you're the only one of your kind, doesn't mean you have to be alone." I said sincerely, "I want to help."

She picked up the mixture and vase, "I'd say the same to you, Chaos Guardian." She smiled genuinely, "We one-of-a-kind people gotta stick together."

For the first time in a long time, I felt like I did something right.

A person approached me from across the table and I came screeching out of my memory.

"So glad to see you here, Lady Rose."

LL eyed me with his signature smirk. I fought back a scowl as I stood up to greet him.

"Glad to be here," I offered my hand and he kissed my fingers gently.

"Sit, LL. You are on time for a change," Sonic said, gesturing to the seat across from me.

He rolled his eyes with a smile and plopped down in the empty seat. "Don't get used to it. Everyone is losing their minds and demanding answers I can't give them. I had to leave before I lost my composure."

Sonic sighed a heavy sigh, rubbing his forehead, "I know. I've been experiencing similar issues. By the end of tonight we'll all be on the same page."

LL leaned in, "Did our guest from Nightfall arrive?"

Sonic nodded.

LL sat back in his chair and folded his arms, "Let's hope he's more understanding than the rest of his kind."

"How do you mean?" I asked.

Sonic answer before him, "Nightfall royalty has gone through tremendous turmoil in the past few decades. Their royalty has become hardened and though we try to form healthy relations, they have refused to work with other kingdoms."

The blonde hedgehog rolled his blue eyes and scoffed, "'Menacing and deceptive' is a better description of those sticks-in-the-mud."

"Perhaps under the right circumstances and an open mind we can gain cooperation," Sonic said, throwing LL a pointed look. "Though I do agree it was quite surprising that they offered to send a lord to discuss a possible alliance. It's so sudden."

Before I could ask anything further, the steady mumble of conversation that once filled the room faded to silence. All attention was on him as Commander Shadow emerged from the darkness of the concealed entrance and stood stoically at the head of the table. Dressed in a formal crimson button up, his eyes roared red as he scanned the room. Behind him, the other two commanders, Blitz and Scourge, emerged from the entrance and stood behind him against the wall.

"My fellow royals," he began, "I am thankful we are able to gather here today and discuss our ideas for the future of Solstice."

"Unfortunately our king, Nazo, could not be with us again at this meeting. It is not secret to us that he is tending to his illness. As usual, LL stands as a a voice for his majesty and will thoroughly prompt him on this meeting." LL nodded in appreciation.

"As many of you are already aware, we have a guest to our meeting, Lady Guardian, Amy Rose."

The silence was so tense it was palpable as all eyes turned to shoot me glares. My face was hot and I wished to crawl under the table and hide. There was a moment Shadow seemed to pity me, but his dominating presence took over and pulled attention of the room back to him.

"And we also have an esteemed guest from the kingdom of Nightfall. He will be staying with us for this upcoming month and will stand as a representative of the Nightfall council. I present to you, Lord Sayo Slyphade of Nightfall."

The tall rabbit, no older than Sonic, emerged from the doorway. He had white fur speckled with black, like ashes on fresh fallen snow. His eyes darted to me and I noticed they were black, or perhaps a dark purple. His attire complimented his features with a dark royal purple tunic laced intricately with gold. He was a solid form, more muscular than any lord here, and his smile was smooth and easygoing.

"Greetings, royal Council of Solstice. It is an honor to work alongside you all," he bowed courteously.

There was a hint of formality to his voice, a romantic accent that enhanced his dark and charming persona. Everyone greeted him in return and he sat in the empty seat at the front of the table. Shadow continued.

"Firstly we shall review the outcome of the raid. Five councilmen dead, many more injured and recovering. We lost many good guards that day." Shadow's eyes portrayed weariness but he continued on, "The enemies came and retreated over the southeast wall, they were able to take out the guards without signaling other squadrons. They were proficient in their attacks but did not reach their goal of killing the Guardian. Their weapons were well crafted but not traceable to any kingdom, which makes us believe it was an independent party or rebel forces."

"Or…" Blitz interjected from behind Shadow.

Shadow addressed his fellow Commander with a side glare before sighing.

"Or…it was schemed from the inside. And Lady Rose was not the intended target," Shadow admitted.

I held my breath and felt the energy drain out of me. They were going to start the accusations.

Shadow continued, "We have captured a prisoner from the raid. My attempts to interrogate him have proven futile. His mind is twisted and he cannot form coherent sentences. He seems to suffer from some kind of psychopathy. But we did discover one thing that was quite disturbing."

The whole room seemed to lean in. Shadow looked down reluctantly and licked his lips.

"He knows Lady Rose. By name."

I shot up from my chair, "What?!" I exclaimed before I could stop myself.

The whole room stared at me in horror. Shadow continued. "He asks for you directly. 'Amy Rose'. How does he know your name?"

My mouth moved but words failed me, "I don't know. I really—I don't know."

Shadow gazed upon me with great pity, the only one in the room who seemed to truly believe I was telling the truth.

I grasped for reason, "Let me see him! Maybe he would tell me—"

"No!" A councilman stood up from his seat in obvious frustration, "We refuse to let the prisoner and Lady to speak. Based on the evidence you've given us we have reason to believe they are in coalition."

I felt like I was sweating and I gripped the table to hide the fact my hands were shaking, "I swear I'm not, I don't know how any of this happened—"

Another Councilman stood up and spoke sternly to Shadow, "We believe she has caused an abhorrent amount of trouble while here. But if she is truly innocent in all this, then she shouldn't mind a 24 hour watch over her until we find who is responsible."

Another stood and gazed coldly at me, "Or until she can prove she is truly the Chaos Guardian."

A wave of nauseous heat overcame me. I struggled to keep focus. Shadow pursed his lips and cast his eyes down at the table, seeming defeated.

"All in favor?" he spoke lowly.

All the councilmen raised their index fingers in agreement.

Shadow met my eyes, "Do you accept?"

I swallowed hard, "I do."

He turned to Blitz who was still casually leaning against the wall, "Commander Blitz will set up a guard schedule for the lady." The blonde hedgehog nodded.

I collapsed in my seat and attempted to find my breath. The other men sat gracefully, seemingly satisfied with the outcome. I had nothing to hide yet I felt horribly constricted by the idea of guards watching me all day and night. My freedom was being restricted yet again. But what was most concerning was what the last councilman said.

'Until she can prove she is truly the Chaos Guardian.'

How would I ever do that?

I breathed deeply through my sudden nausea.

"The next order of business is in accordance to the Winter Solstice Festival at the end of the month. We will begin preparation now as there is much happening during this time.

"During the festival we will coronate our Guardian as official lady of the castle. We also have royals from other kingdoms that will be staying with us over the course of this month to renew kingdom policies for the upcoming year and update the status of our kingdoms. Not to mention partake the festivities of the Winter Solstice. So it is imperative that by this time the rebel forces are not imposing. We must ensure public safety before commencing with our three day festival. Fortunately Chaos has blessed us with the presence of the Chaos Guardian in our time of need."

My interest peaked.

Scourge stepped forward to speak for the first time, looking straight at me, "We believe a demonstration of your Chaos abilities prior to the festival would be enough to ward off any opposition."

My stomach was in knots and I felt the wave of a headache come on. I attempted to stay composed as all eyes turned to gauge my reaction.

"So can you?" Scourge asked softly.

I hesitated for far longer than I expected. Time crawled on, I focused on one point on the table and dug deep within myself to answer.

"Yes," I said carefully, "but I need training to control it."

It felt like a bitter lie and it tasted worse than the bile that threatened to come up.

Scourge's face lit up but before he could answer, Sonic cut in.

"Then I suggest that Lady Amy work with Mistress Kiya the Master Healer for tips on channeling energy. Her healing energy should be similar enough to teach and elicit a response from her Chaos energy," he addressed the Commanders.

"Whatever you wish, your highness," Shadow responded. The three Commanders bowed.

"Your highness, if I may make a suggestion," Scourge came out of his bow but did so slowly as not to flare any disrespect, "In combination with Kiya's teachings, perhaps the Commanders may offer their extensive knowledge of mental training—"

"Denied, Lord Scourge," Sonic was forcefully dismissive, "I'd rather have you focus on keeping this kingdom safe. Lady Rose shall be in good hands with Mistress Kiya."

Sonic's bright emerald eyes were narrowed at Scourge, and while Scourge could not directly return the glare, he looked more than a little irritated as he bowed. There was something I wasn't aware of between them that went beyond what was being said.

"Yes, your highness," he said flatly.

Shadow began after a beat of silence, "So the lady will train with Mistress Kiya, and just prior to the Winter Solstice Ceremony we will take her to Emerald City to showcase her Chaos power, thus ensuring the people they are in safe hands and stifling any possible enemy attacks."

I nodded by I felt my vision blur as the reality of the situation crashed upon me.

I had no way of summoning the power.

No way to know if it was even there.

And now they wanted proof.

The subject of the meeting finally moved away from me. The conversation just became background noise to my raging thoughts.

There was a prisoner that invaded the castle and attempted to kill me and they knew me by name. The idea of it sent shivers down my spine.

And now they were going to use me as a beacon of hope for the people of Solstice. A defense against the rebels.

The pressure was immeasurable. I may of been living the biggest lie in history.

I wasn't going to make it to the Winter Solstice festival.

~ o ~ o ~

"So did the sleeping remedy work?" Kiya asked softly.

I followed her fluid movements from one stance to the next. We were in sync and close enough to have a conversation without the guards across the meditation room hearing us.

"It worked amazing. Not a single nightmare. Best sleep I've had in a long time," I said as I mirrored her arm movements.

I have to remember to thank Alfonso later.

"Glad to hear it. It checked out completely. Well, except for the Ravenloche but that's completely harmless. It provides the thick texture and light purple coloring to it. It must have been a speciality sleeping remedy. By the way, are you breathing?" Kiya said.

I forced a breath through me as I stretched with her, "Working on it."

Kiya's instruction began mid afternoon, my newly scheduled guards escorted me to her meditation room. A high ceiling room filled with tall windows and lots of open space. Woven mats were rolled up against the wall on one side, along with small polished blocks of wood. She greeted me excitedly, her long blue ponytail swishing gracefully with every movement she made. We were in the process of opening our seven chakras and channeling our life force through movement. With every passing moment I checked to see if anything had changed within me.

Nothing happened.

"Maybe my chakras are already open? I don't feel anything," I said as we eased into our final position.

"It's important not to get frustrated with yourself, Lady Rose. Summoning energy takes time and self-awareness," Kiya said.

I looked down at the woven mat beneath my bare feet, "You can just call me Amy."

She smiled, "Okay, Amy." She gestured to the wall behind me, "go ahead and get yourself a wooden block."

I turned around and began walking to the opposite side of the room when the door opened.

Prince Sonic popped his head in with a smile, "Hello, ladies. Sorry to interrupt your session."

I froze and suddenly felt completely naked in my tank top and loose fabric pants. He walked in and following behind him was Lord Slyphade of Nightfall. With hands behind his back, he surveyed the large room before his eyes settled on me. He politely smiled.

"Your highness," Kiya approached the prince and bowed, "please forgive me but I believe I have Amy until 2 o'clock."

"You are correct, Kiya, but our newest guest has not formally met our Guardian. Would you mind if we chatted for a bit? Alone." Sonic said, shooting me a knowing smile.

"Of course, your highness," Kiya rose from her bow, smiled, and made her way to the door.

Sonic yelled to the guards sitting on the bench, "Guards, would you please leave us to speak alone," it was more of a command than a question.

I couldn't help but return Sonic's smile as the hesitant guards sulked to the doorway. There was silence between us, Lord Slyphade and Sonic now both wearing knowing smiles. The door shut and I gave them a confused look.

"What are you both so happy about," I asked, folding my arms.

"You'll know soon, Amy," he said, his eyes were soft upon me, "allow me to introduce Lord Slyphade."

I offered my hand to the rabbit, still new to the royal courtesies. He kept his hands behind his back and continued looking me over with calculated precision. I surveyed his intent expression and withdrew.

"She won't bite, Sayo," Sonic said humorously.

"Ah, yes of course, my apologies, my lady," his charming disposition returned, his regal accent all but washing away any bad sense between us. He took my hand slowly as if afraid I would somehow burn him.

"Pleasure meeting you, Lady Guardian."

Underneath the cuff of his royal tunic, I noticed the black chain around his wrist twist tighter as if they had a mind of their own. He kissed my knuckles quickly and released me.

"Chains?" I asked him, unable to take my gaze off it.

"Ah, yes," he pulled up his sleeve and gazed at the black chain thoughtfully. "It is just an accessory. A symbol of wealth in Nightfall."

The chains looked far more than a simple accessory. They were thick but not obnoxiously, about the thickness of a watch, and wrapped around his wrist four times in a tight embrace. Odd, certainly, but I was not one to question Nightfall customs.

"Fascinating," I said, "Pleasure meeting you, Lord Slyphade."

"Please, call me Sayo."

Sonic clapped his hands together, "Outstanding! Now on to the good news."

Sayo smirked at the excited prince. He sighed and pushed his white locks back with his hand as he spoke to me, "as a form of thanks for hosting me here at your castle for the next month, I have invited you and all your highest royalty to the Huntsman Musical. My treat."

My eyes widened, "A musical? At a theatre?" I asked excitedly.

Sonic interjected, pleased with my excitement, "Yes! The Kingsman Theatre in Emerald City. The finest theatre in Solstice."

"That sounds amazing!" I gushed, "I've never watched a musical before, or been to a theatre." A thought occurred to me, "I'm not sure if I'm allowed to leave the castle."

I could see in his eyes that he was thinking hard but his expression was blank. He put his index finger to his mouth in a pondering gesture.

"Perhaps not by yourself…" his expression sobered to one of humbleness. His features softened and he held out his hand in a form of invitation.

"…but as my date, they would allow it."

I tried to hide my blush and manage my smile. My heart fluttered in my chest.

"I accept," was all I could find to say.

Sayo laughed in triumph, "Wonderful!" He put a hand on Sonic's shoulder in a gesture of brotherly respect. A bold move for a lord, but neither of them seemed to care. Sonic was caught up in whatever emotions gave him a melted look in his eyes and a goofy smile.

"Saturday at 6, my dear!" Sayo said as he guided Sonic to the door by his bicep.

Sonic waved to me over his shoulder, his smile unwavering, "I'll see you then, Amy."

I waved in return, "I'll see you. Thank you!"

The doors shut tightly behind them. I let a beat of silence pass before I celebrated with a fist pump.

~ o ~ o ~

"Oh, try this."

Sonic reached over and pulled a small red and white striped bag off the table of goodies. He set it down on the balcony before me. It was a bag of popcorn-looking food. I took one and popped it in my mouth.

"It's sweet," I said in surprise. I took up another, "what is it?"

"Kettle Corn," he said.

All night he had been sharing the amazing delicacies the theatre had to offer, pleasantly amused by how I awed at the new flavors. Every time I commented on a new treat, he moved closer to me. The heat between us was intoxicating and I savored every second of it.

We had a private booth high up on the far right side of the theatre. The walls were made of velvet and there were two cushioned chairs positioned next to each other to watch the performance. We decided to stand instead, leaning against the edge of the balcony to watch, but the musical soon because background music as we indulged in the delight of each others' company.

"I'd have to say the chocolate is still my favorite," I said as I turned my back to the performance and pointed to the table.

"Why? Because it's sweet? …like you," he said in a deep voice, sneaking a gentle hand around my waist.

I let myself fall into his embrace, "maybe," I said with a sultry smile.

We stayed like that, gazing deeply into each other's eyes, his thumb gently massaging the small of my back. The air was suddenly hard to breathe and the magnetic force between us was strong. He began to lean in and I lost my breath, following his lead.

His eyes suddenly flicked to the audience and he pulled away slightly. Just enough to shatter the moment as I was overcome with a wave of awareness.

"We're being watched," he said, casting his eyes down in disappointment.

I looked over my shoulder and looked down at the audience. Sure enough, a few heads turned away, looking back to the musical. I checked across from us and I noticed Commander Shadow and Commander Blitz in a booth across from ours. Their booth was alive with people shuffling around partaking in lots of drinks and food. Shadow stood beside a women who was talking to him, holding a glass of wine. But he was not paying attention to her. Instead his gaze was firmly set on the prince. A warning glare. I looked back to Sonic.

"Why is Shadow looking at you so intensely?" I asked.

Sonic's gaze was set on Shadow's as well, though not nearly as intense. More annoyed than anything.

"Probably jealous I got a date and he didn't," he said with a hint of sarcasm.

I smiled but I was not convinced by his answer.

Although our opportunity to kiss had passed, he still kept his arm around me.

He looked back at me again, "He's always been like that. Stern and brooding. It's rare that he'll ever go out like this. It's funny because my father says his father was the same way."

"Really," I said, hoping he would go on.

"Yes. His father was the Weapons Master for many years, one of the best we've ever had. He fought and won many battles for Solstice. It's where Shadow gets his fighting skill from."

"But isn't he known for his strategy?"

"Must have gotten it from his mother," he said, reaching for the bag of kettle corn, "Shadow's father and mother were in an arranged marriage in an effort to maintain peace with a rich family in the north that owned much of Solstice's oil."

"But did they at least like each other?" I asked, softly.

Sonic's expression noticeably hardened, "didn't matter. Business is business."

It was obvious this subject struck a chord with him.

He continued on, "While Shadow's mother was pregnant with him, they went on holiday to the Terragem Alps. There his mother died of birthing complications. Shadow's father returned to the castle with Shadow and raised him on his own."

"How awful," I said, almost wanting to turn around and see Shadow again.

Sonic pondered for a moment, "Certainly difficult, but I believe Blitz has the worst story."

"Tell me," I said with obvious interest.

I slipped my hand around his arm, reassuring that I was enjoying our closeness. For a brief moment he softly smiled and pulled me a bit closer. My heart swelled.

"Blitz and LL were orphaned at a young age. They lived in the attic of some butcher's place, I believe. LL worked at the local theatre for money while Blitz joined The Guard.

"Now if you've never seen Blitz fight, you should. It's truly a spectacle," he shook his head in disbelief, "He can take down anyone with anything. He moved his way up the ranks quickly with his fighting ability and soon became head of a Guard squadron. A master, if you will."

"Not a Commander?" I asked.

"You don't earn lordship and Commander of the Solstice army just by being good at fighting," he said, "Blitz was on a mission with his men when they were ambushed by assassins. He sacrificed himself to save his men. He was captured by the King of Assassins."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise, he continued on like it was a legendary tale.

"For months no one saw or heard from Blitz. Everyone believed he was dead. Until one night he shows up at the castle, clutching the dismembered head of the assassin king by his hair. He threw it before my father and bowed. Blitz was completely mutilated, tortured by the Assassin king, and almost bled out on the throne room floor. Our best healers tried to help him but he refused treatment because he didn't want anyone seeing his horrible scars. The healers believe he was castrated,"

I put a hand over my mouth in horror, "that's why he's not built like the other commanders. His growth was stunted."

He looked pained, "He recovered but he was left with permanent scars so horrifying he refuses to disrobe in front of anyone. What he went through no one deserves. Not a single person opposed when my father made him a Commander."

"Oh Chaos…" I felt my heart sink deep in my chest.

I turned around and searched for Blitz in the booth. He was there, talking to his brother, LL, with a big white smile on his face. He managed to keep his sense of humanity. He still had a positive outlook on life, he still joked.

That was strength.

"That's amazing," I said.

Sonic wrapped both his arms around me, his body pressing along my back. His lips at my hair.

"They all are," he whispered.

I basked in the sensation of his touch and how it sent shivers through every part of me. The thin layer of my dress only enhanced the electricity between us. I didn't want to move. His warmth emanated protection and his natural scent gave me a sense of home.

What about Scourge?

"Hey, what's Sc—"

The crowd erupted in a grand applause, signaling the end of the musical. Sonic quickly slipped away from me, leaving me cold. Clapping, he took his place at the center of the balcony his attention fully on the stage. I looked down and saw the actors and actresses bowing to him, he waved, nodding and smiling. I stayed in my place at the far end of the balcony and clapped, watching him.

Something told me I shouldn't mention anything about Scourge in front of him.

After a couple moments, he returned to me, a smile on his face. The romantic moment was lost.

"What were you saying?" He asked.

I smiled, "I was just gonna ask, what's next?"

He smiled in return, "Let's see how LL is handling his alcohol."

I laughed. He gracefully intertwined my fingers with his, overtaken by my laughter. He looked down at me, a smile full of emotion on his lips. He leaned in and kissed my cheek. Before I knew it we were out of the booth, our hands still interlocked as we made our way downstairs.

~ o ~

Well there you go! This is...something. Hope it was worth the wait...

To my amazing readers, followers, reviewers, and even possible fans (questionable lol), thank you for staying with me through this journey. I continue writing for you and only you, so please let me know you're out there. Review, message, favorite, follow, I don't know what you do here anymore.

I LOVE YOU ALL

Until next time! (Which should be sooner than the last update.) Blitz is OUT!