a/n: Something to live by. #herewego

Revolutionary Operation, Type Zero

Kinetic Sky

13. Focal Point, Act 2

"So?"

"Mm?"

"Don't be so coy. C'mon."

Rouge nudged Amy once as they walked together. The towering lights sent white cones down onto the streets, illuminating the group as they walked through them. Everyone took an even pace as they went through the darkness of the city and past the ruins of vehicles. Save for the varied sounds of footsteps, it was silent.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Amy said with a smile.

"Amy..."

"Fine, I'll stop teasing. We haven't talked like this in a while anyways."

"Right. So...?"

"So...he really put the honey in honeymoon, is all."

"That so?"

"Definitely so. I felt things...in places...I didn't know I had," Amy said dreamily. "Worth it."

"Sounds like you had a good old time."

"Understatement. Besides...you know, all of that stuff, he showed me a good time. I mean, money can't buy happiness, but it helps."

"Sure does. So you've been going steady for a year now, eh?" Rouge asked.

"Mm-hm."

"Anything not to your liking?"

"No, not even close. He's...I mean, he's just about perfect. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it's the truth." Amy sighed and brushed some of her hair back. "What about you? Are you two...you know."

"Me and him? No...well, I mean..."

"You want to," Amy finished.

"...yeah. If I had to be honest. I wouldn't mind us being...a thing," Rouge said softly. "It's not even him, it's me. I really do care, but there are just these walls. He wants to get close and I push him away, and then he's got all of these complicated things going on...it's just exhausting sometimes. You know what I mean?"

"Yeah, I get it."

"Yeah."

"So you and Knuckles...?"

"Him? No. I mean, we did have a thing going but he's too...too..."

"Stubborn? Dense?"

Rouge shook her head. "No, that's not it. I didn't mind those things. He's just too...himself."

"Mm." Amy thought for a moment.

"What I mean by that is he means well, but he's just straightforward and nothing else. Everything can be solved by way of shortcuts with him. I'm not that simple. I can't be. I've tried in the past." She looked over at Amy. "You think he hates me?"

"I think he resents what happened between you."

"I'm trying to avoid getting him sparked up."

"I know. To be honest, Sonic and I were talking about it. He..."

"Gets distracted easy. I know," Rouge said. "I did date the oaf once."

"You gonna be okay?"

"I'll be fine. I'll keep it professional...though that might tick him off too. How about I just play it by ear?"

"Sounds fine to me."

"Great. And I won't be teaming up with him for this whole thing. I'm sure we'd be good, but...he just asks too many questions. He wants to open up all the doors I have closed, but it's not possible. I've thrown away the keys to a bunch of them already. And if he just goes in like an idiot and knocks them down, I don't know what it'll do to me. I don't...want to hurt him. He probably thinks he's hurt now, but that's nothing."

Amy placed a hand on Rouge's shoulder and rubbed it gently.

"Sheesh. I didn't think I'd be talking about this crap with Sweet Lil' Amy Rose," Rouge said with a small smile. "You've really grown up, you know?"

"I know. I have you to thank for some of it, Rouge."

"I don't deserve much credit. You were already on your way...a clever girl in her own right."

"Rouge?"

"Yeah?"

"One day soon, you need to talk to him. Tell him how you feel."

"I..."

"I know it'll be hard. But he wants to be there for you. He will be there for you, no matter what. The way you look at each other...I know that you can make it work."

"..."

"You'll be okay. I promise, Rouge."

"Thanks...Amy, I mean it. Thanks a lot."

"Anything for you, Rouge," she said with a warm smile.

Further ahead, Sonic walked with Kiriko at his side.

"So you've been out training with Shadow, huh."

"Yes, Ca-I mean, Sonic. Yes," she said with a nervous blush.

"Haha. You're always like that around me. Old habits die hard, eh?"

"I suppose. But...I can't help it. You were the one that gave me this life, Sonic. My name, my identity...everything. I owe you so much, and you really are just amazing in every way. I know I sound..."

"Just like Amy."

"Like...Miss Amy?"

"Sure. She was a bit more obsessive, but eventually, we clicked. Besides, showing your tender side to the ones you love is totally fine. I like that in you, 'Riko."

"Th-thank you..."

"It's no problem. City treating you fine?"

"Yes. I've been able to make my way. Learning was surprisingly easy for me. But...I miss the days with you and Miles."

"Those were some good times, yeah," Sonic said with a smile. "I won't forget those days. "

"Neither will I. Sonic, I..." She felt herself blushing. "I'm sorry. Maybe this will sound weird, but I've always loved you. Not in the way Miss Amy does, but...maybe as a servant loves her master."

"Yeah?"

"Yes," she said with a nod. "I'm not ashamed to admit that...thank you for everything so far. For allowing me to become the young woman that you see before you. I want to grow even stronger still, for your sake. And the first step will be stopping that Metal Sonic from taking over the Earth."

"Right. Kiriko?"

"Yes?"

"I feel the same way, you know? I really love you too, a whole lot. And Amy feels the same. Just take care of yourself, and remember that I'm always a call away if you need anything. Got it? Don't try to take on the world alone."

"I'll remember. Thank you, Sonic."

"Hehe." He placed a hand on her head gently, making her smile. "Any time, kiddo."

Tails casually sat on one of Omega's bulky shoulders, manipulating data on the holographic screen in front of him. His ears twitched occasionally to catch the mutterings going on between the pair ahead.

Knuckles gave Shadow sidelong glances on occasion as they walked ahead of the rest of the group.

Becoming annoyed, Shadow turned his head to look at the echidna.

"What is it you want?"

"What?"

"Did you think I couldn't see you? You obviously have something to say if you keep looking at me like that. Unless you're just-"

"Hey. You're beginning to sound like Sonic."

Shadow's eyes narrowed. "I'll let that insult slide. We don't need infighting."

"Fine by me."

"So what is it you want?"

"Nothing."

"A well crafted lie. They don't call you a master of deception for nothing," Shadow said dryly. "It's about her."

"What?"

"Are you playing dumb, or is this your neutral state?"

"Hey, watch it."

"If you want to know, she's fine. I won't speculate about her thoughts regarding you."

"That's a relief."

"...but if I had to say anything, it seems like she's over you."

Knuckles glared at Shadow.

"Don't worry. It's not you, it's her. She has a complex web of emotions to untangle. I doubt any man is up to the task," Shadow plainly said.

"How would you know?"

Shadow gave Knuckles an incredulous look and continued. "She has to accept parts of herself before she can truly commit to any relationship."

"So you haven't made a move on her?"

"We're comrades. Nothing more."

"I'll buy that. And a herd of flying pigs, while I'm here."

"You jest, but I am serious."

"Whatever. I bet you've been waiting for this opportunity."

"You're jealous."

"Hardly."

"So...you're jealous."

"I am not," Knuckles said firmly.

"Then we can cease this line of questioning?"

"Go right ahead."

"Wonderful."

They were silent for a long while before Knuckles took a breath in.

"No," Shadow interrupted. "She isn't dating anyone. Hasn't for a long while. For your own sake, Guardian...leave her be. If it is meant to be, it will be."

"What, you mean like Sonic and Amy?"

"They defy reality," Shadow said. "You are rooted in it, and so is she."

"..."

"And for the record, we're just friends. Comrades. You have nothing to worry about from me." Shadow started to say something else, but shook his head. "That's all there is to it." He walked further on, leaving Knuckles to trail behind him.

Tails let out a breath and shook his head. He tapped a holographic button.