As always, my heartfelt thanks to all who support this little piece as it begins to wind down. For those who mindlessly flame, my pity that you dont appreciate real effort. Oh well, lets continue.
Part Twenty-Six: Pressure
None of them had ever expected to see her bound from her bed with her normal exuberance and embrace them. As strong a wish as it was, the memory of recent war had stained and shattered that anticipation. But still, the scene that greeted the quartet of emotional opposites hit them with a wave of something more as they entered. To some it was the simple warmth of relief, amplifying the twin-tailed kitsune's smile tenfold and reassuring the ruby echidna that a darkened protector he once doubted really did know what he was doing. Even if he's still a cold-shouldered bastard once in a while.
Rouge herself could almost touch the sensation of doubt and suspicion as it exited her body. Just as her instincts had gambled, the young flower was right where Cale said she'd be, undisturbed and gently sleeping while her hands were latched over her newly-occupied womb. No other foul intent dared enter the area for now.
And then there was Sonic the Hedgehog. Still standing in the doorframe and eyes wide, like staring into the shattered mirror. His heart practically leapt from his ribcage and crawled into her tender embrace, just as she had tried to do so often before. Only the cobalt cruiser's mind and memory restrained it with the sharp reminders of what had just been discovered this night. Not only the fact that such an innocence slumbered inside her, but the truth of the matter that the blooming seed was not of his creation, or even remotely close. The vaporous form of that…FAKER!... was now firmly bonded next to the cherry flower's slender form, refusing to be dismissed. Part of Sonic had wanted to believe that all this was some sick joke or a gross mix-up of laboratory results. But deep down in his own soul, everything from instinct to the energies in the air bluntly told him that it was true, and the image and the future to come would forever be a reminder of what he had lost. Now, with that last leap of faith apparently destroyed, it was time to face the music.
The melody began with the whispering murmurs of a dreaming mind returning to reality as the sharp increase in the room's population seemed to stir her very spirit. Slowly, methodically, her jaden eyes creaked open to absorb the sudden arrival of four fresh faces.
"Mmmm…hey guys…whatsup?" Amy asked lazily, focusing her attention on the closer pair of Tails and Knuckles. Between the bouncing youth's tails and the echidna's broad crimson shoulders, she could not see Sonic.
"Amy! You're awake! I'm so glad you're okay! We were so worried about you!" the youngest warrior was nearly in frenzy as he was wrapped in the flower's delicate arms.
Her smile was just as warm, despite the fatigue refusing to depart "Awww, I'm glad you're safe too. All of you guys. I can't thank you enough for coming to save me."
"Eh, no worries Amy. It's the least we could do" Knuckles replied, coming in closer to wrap an arm around his ivory huntress.
"Besides, it's not like we can let some sick bastard toy with you like that" Rouge added.
As wonderful as it was to have so many friends by her side offering nothing but their encouragement, Rose could still feel a dampening chill in the air. It wasn't until then that her emerald eyes caught a familiar shade of blue still perched in the entryway despite the continuing chatter flooding her ears. Once her reborn gaze finally locked onto the speedster, it was very clear even to her awakening thoughts as to why Sonic held his ground. The way he was focused not on her smiling visage, but to her slender form snuggled carefully among the snow-white sheets spoke the volumes his voice dared not, paired with his distance and closed arms were all helpful hints that she had picked up on in many years of futile pursuit. Something was bugging the living hell out of Sonic, and there was only one secret she had left unsaid.
And in the speedster's mind, it was time for a tempo change. Biting back against the bile in his throat, he asked "Hey guys, do you think you could give Ames and me a minute?"
Both of the treasure hunters caught on instantly as to what it was that was about to transpire, and given what they knew about the long-running history between the hedgehogs, neither one really wanted to miss it. Still, respect demanded dignity "Sure thing hun. Come on, my little fox. Lets go get something sweet from the machine" Rouge answered, extending her free hand.
Tails cast back a look somewhere between a pout and confusion. Only when he read behind the cerulean eyes of the bat did his youthful mind put two and two together "Umm, okay. Sure." Before he wandered too far away from her warm hands, the kitsune gave one last look to the young healing flower and gave her a time-tested thumbs up, to which Amy only replied with an equally warm smile. Deep down though, she could feel the apprehension rise with every step they took out of the room. Her instincts were howling inside her, trying to forewarn that whatever was about to transpire would not be pleasant. Yet, Amy knew that this storm was unavoidable. After all, it would be nigh impossible to conceal the growing lives inside her womb for long. When added to long, colorful and torrential past these two had already shared, she felt that no matter what harsh words erupted from him, Sonic would still hold true to his noble nature.
With a slow, heavy approach completely out of character for the 'fastest thing alive', the chorus began as Sonic made his way to her side, a zone he once knew all too well. The questions he wanted to pose as soon as his ears had heard the news were lost to the rekindling of a lost fire.
A fact that mattered not, for it was Amy who spoke first "I didn't get a chance to thank you for your help rescuing me that night. Just like old times, huh?"
The cobalt speedster could not help but grin "Yea, guess I always knew how to show a lady a good time."
Both chuckled at the factual irony before a curtain of silence overtook them, Sonic trying to soothe his quills and Amy focusing more on her fingertips. Only when the next sentence emerged from the male hedgehog did it snap, and they were the words that had been gnawing at his conscience since this ordeal began "Amy, I'm sorry."
Words that the young blossom had never really expected to hear with such heaviness and sincerity, especially from Sonic. Whatever reply she could form quickly fell apart, so she simply watched with intrigued eyes as he began to pace the room.
"I cant even begin to explain why I am the way I am, or why you put up with me so long, but something deep down told me everything would still work out in the end…"
"So…you asked Sally out? Yea, that was a step in the right direction" Amy finished the thought. Despite the expected amount of harshness, her tone was still somehow light and warm.
Still, the cobalt felt the briar and had to chuckle "Point taken. In fairness, she pretty much lured me in, hence why I was tossing back the drinks faster than anyone else that night. But that's no excuse for what I did, or didn't do."
Finally, Sonic stopped his nervous wandering and faced her glowing eyes. Even with all the anger and hurtful words he had expected to emerge in response, her face betrayed no negativity. Only quiet anticipation as the hero of so many battles fell to a knee and gently took one of her hands.
"That night, I was a coward and an idiot. And thanks to that, I've probably lost your regard forever. But even if you don't want to see me speeding past ever again, I just gotta say that I'm sorry."
"Oh, Sonic. Don't say that. You're not quite that terrible." Amy began "Though it took me a while to look past what happened that night, it did teach me one thing. It showed me that we just weren't meant to be."
Sonic had to focus most all his will to restrain the stinging hiss at that fact. It was a response she didn't deserve to hear.
"At the same time, that night showed me something I'd thought I'd never see. The one person who came to my rescue, who saved me from even myself, was closer to me than I thought. And now… I couldn't live without him."
Despite the awakening level of sincerity in her voice, the male hedgehog knew that Amy was hitting painfully close to the biggest question Sonic had come to ask. Now there was no use in evading it, so he simply asked "You really love him, don't you?"
The only delay in the young flower's response was the moment it took for her smile to broaden in its warmth and power "Yes, I do. With all my heart."
Sonic let that answer wash over his quills, bowing his gaze away from hers to try and buy a few critical moments reprieve. Well, that's it then isn't it? I guess I know where I stand now…alright Amy, if that's what you really want…
"Are you okay, Sonic?" her voice cut through his realization, concern riding upon every word like a wave.
Bringing his wide emerald eyes back level with hers, the blue blur locked that time-tested grin back on his lips to reassure her "Yea, no worries Ames. As long as you're happy, then I can't hold it against Shadow. Even if he still can't out-race me."
She couldn't help but chuckle at his wit, just as assured and cocky as ever. Squeezing her former affection hand ever so slightly, Rose responded "Thank you, Sonic."
Suddenly, the hallway came alive with pulsating red lights and accompanying sirens of distress. To the navy hedgehog, it was an annoying distraction in an already uncomfortable day, but to the cherry flower, there was something more in the disturbed scene. Anxiety didn't even begin to describe it, though one thought stood out above all else, it's dark ruby stripes glowing and eyes wide with energy.
Sonic cast a casual glance over his shoulder to make sure nothing was headed their way when the flash of canine and lab coat flew past them. That grabbed the hedgehog's curiosity "I'll be right back. I'm gonna go check with the doc and see whats going on. Don't go anywhere."
Try as she might, Amy quick smile did nothing to hide the worry that danced across her lips. It was a look she had worn many a time whenever he would rush into battle, making it that much easier for the cobalt cruiser to read her mind. Still, there was only one thing Sonic could do to ease those troubles now, so Sonic would see it done. Once he was outside the recovery room, the hedgehog found Dr Caimen easily enough as the canine was fixated upon a map display window near the elevator. And if Sonic didn't know better, the good doctor looked decidedly pale.
"Whats going on, doc? Sounds like a regular natural disaster in here!"
Cale's voice was hard to pick up on over the calamity of noise, so the physician had to bark aloud "Mr Sonic! We have an emergency on the isolation level, we may have to evacuate the facility!"
"Isolation? Is it serious" Sonic asked. It wasn't a matter of if the heroic hedgehog would help, only a question of what he needed to do.
"I don't know, I can't get a hold of anyone below us!" the wolf replied. He turned to meet the hedgehog's query, only to see the faint echo of his silhouette. Cursing under his breath, Cale took off after the speed demon, for the canine knew exactly what had happened. And that truth filled his belly with dread They found him after all! If I don't stop them here and now, they could destroy everything!
I only hope Shadow is still alive…
"Hold it right there, hedgehog. You're not going anywhere except with us" the closer agent snarled through his voice emitter. A sound most unwelcome to Shadow's ears, especially if it was a voice unfamiliar. Like a wall, the two new suits swept in closer to apprehend the midnight warrior. Quickly, Shadow leapt back from their grasp, almost back into his previous cell and into the confused embrace of the trio behind him.
"And just who the hell are you two?" the leader of the protected physicians asked.
"Nothing you need to concern yourself with, Dr Maxwell. Just step back into the isolation room and that young wife of yours won't have to become a widow" came the reply, in a tone beyond sinister. Even with his back turned to them, Shadow could feel the cold tremor of fear shoot up the doctor's spine, his comrades also complying with a pace backward. Confirming that these two sentries had indeed done their homework.
Yet Maxwell still stood his ground behind the hedgehog as the government drones moved in closer "I'm afraid it's not that simple. This is a hospital and the creature before you is under my care. Until that changes for better or worse, you two can take you badges and your blackmail, and shove them right up your…"
Only the silenced whisper of the three chirps marked the gunshots. Yet in a split second, a trio of lives were snuffed out, each bearing a minute blood-spilling hole in their sternums. Even the stunned crimson eyes of the hedgehog barely caught the muzzle flash as the nine-millimeter weapon suddenly appeared into the palm of the unspeaking agent and applied its lethal trade. Now the gun shifted its gaze to Shadow and his vulnerable ribcage, all too eager for a repeat performance.
"We asked you nicely rodent. 'Ultimate Life-Form' or not; next time, I'm dragging your carcass outta here. In pieces if necessary."
Shadow folded his arms across his chest in trademark manner and sneered "Looks like some things really never change. Killing witnesses is a nice new touch though, but I never thought G.U.N would be so reckless."
"It's a trait we picked up from your fine example. And if need be, this entire building and everyone inside it will be rubble inside of a minute. Now, be an obedient science project and come with us."
The threats and scathing tone appeared to wash over Shadow without effect, as the hedgehog stood his spot with crossed arms and focused eyes. Deep down though, this ultimate and newly refreshed mind was scrambling to sort the incoming pieces to this enigma Sounds like they're dead set on dragging me out of here. But why did it take them all this time to get here? And why the hell threaten the entire building? G.U.N. would never go to such extremes…unless…
Unless there's something more they're trying to cover up, something extreme. Which means I'm probably not walking out of here either way, and neither is anyone else.
"Then tell me this," the midnight hedgehog addressed his blockade, "how many more of you worms are there tonight?"
The response came as another burst from the silenced pistol screaming right for his bandaged torso. A move that signaled that his captor's patience had worn out. And a move that Shadow had anticipated. For as soon as the agent's finger had tensed down upon the trigger, the crimson-splashed patient leapt into the air, kicking off the neighboring wall and crashed into the pair with a well-aimed roundhouse. Though with a force weakened by his healing state, Shadow's attack was still enough to crack through the helmet of the more vocal sentry and send him spinning into his quieter partner, sending both backwards into the ground. But even more critical than that, it sent the pistol clattering away, allowing a hastened retrieval once Shadow landed back on his feet. By the time either of the enforcers could try and lift themselves away from the sterilized floor, both were staring down the flickering crimson irises of an angered hedgehog and their former nine-millimeter ally.
"Wrong answer. Now, I'm willing to bet there's at least one more round in this clip, so you have one more chance to answer my question. How many operatives did G.U.N send?" Shadow growled.
The grounded spy's response came as a matching stony glare. Years of academy training had prepared him for all sorts of interrogations and forceful inquiries, so he intended to remain mute long enough to allow his unbound partner to disarm the hedgehog with a well aimed lunge. "Go to hell, hedgehog!"
Flashing a hardened sneer, the blood-splashed loner could feel his finger tightening on the trigger, begging him to snuff out such insolence. Though that moment was interrupted as the second agent sprang into action and tried to level their former comrade. Another move that Shadow had already counted on, twisting his body to only catch a grazing blow, then grabbing the human projectile by the hip fabric and hurling him further forward into the chamber wall. The force drove the living javelin through the reinforced glass of the airlock, thoroughly shattering the construct. On cue, the piercing wail of alarms cried out though the wing, which was definitely not the reaction Shadow was counting on Shit! Now every agent in the city will head this direction! I've got to get Rose out of here!
Yea, I know, I was dancing the OOC line a litle bit. Thats what happens when writers block hits over drive. (grumble grumble)
Reviews are welcome!