PoC: ChaosownsSonicdoesn'tmyPen. *powers down machine* "Chaos owns Sonic doesn't my Pen?" Ah…Stupid "Disclaim-on-the-go".
Silver: I didn't know they made something like that.
PoC: I had to cut a few corners to save time, okay? Anyway, did you get a chance to preview this chap?
Silver: I sure did, and I've only got one thing to say…
PoC: Okay shoot.
Silver: …
PoC: Silv? Go ahead.
Silver: …
PoC: Dude, what's the holdup?
Silver: Ib…
PoC: Wait a sec, Silver…
Silver: …lis
PoC: Don't even…
Silver: IbLIS-!
PoC: STOP!
Silver: TRIIIIIIIIGGER!
PoC: *ears bleeding* Grr…You just couldn't help yourself, could you?
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Confession of Fear
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A cold steel hanger in the middle of nowhere wasn't the ideal place to rest sore legs. Nevertheless, it did feel good to close the curtain on a very successful hunt.
Having swung herself out of the Eggmobile, Maria yawned and stretched out. Once her sleepy eyes focused, she could vividly see a number of dirt stains lining her favorite blue dress.
Wiping them off the best she could, the blond prodigy pouted "Note to self: Find some casual clothes for the next outdoor expedition."
It went without saying that a shower was in order. Gathering up what little cargo they had, Maria started to head for her room. It struck her about three steps in that she had better tell her cousin where she was going. He had a strange habit of fretting anytime she was out longer than ten minutes, without his consent.
"I definitely don't want him barging in to my room." she shuddered slightly at the thought.
Maria circled the outer edging of the Eggmobile to find her eccentric cousin. Her ears picked up the faint sound of, what she thought to be, a gurgling of sorts. The closer she came the more the noise sounded like grumbling, muttering, or perhaps whispering. Confused as to who he would be talking to, Maria stuck her head around the side of his ship. The red-bearded man was indeed talking, but not into a radio or device. He was rather carrying on a heated debate with…well himself.
Out of concern for his well-being, Maria moved to interrupt "Julian? Are you feeling okay?"
The doctor didn't startle like she was expecting. His breathing changed a bit, but that was the most she could get out of him.
"I'm going to my room for a while." she said, waiting for a response. Having gotten none she proceeded to say "Just letting you know." but still he said nothing.
Maria shrugged. She had told him, so she couldn't get in trouble this time. Walking off with a bag in hand, Maria was now excited to get back to her big plans.
"Like taking a shower and crashing in bed!" she said cheerfully opening her door.
Grabbing a towel and some extra clothes, she noticed a critical piece missing "Now where did I put my casual stuff?" she mused while tossing several articles of clothing every which way. She went through three drawers full of fancier clothes than ones she'd ruined.
"I know I have some casual clothes! I hope…" exasperated, she slid the last drawer open. Looking inside was a mixed blessing, as it did contain some informal attire, but it also had a few painful memories as well.
Trying to keep her eyes off the two gold rings and cell phone, Maria gathered up the clothes in a flash. She was very close to slamming the 'memory' drawer shut, so as to keep the past where it beloged.
After a minute had passed, she knew it was useless. It was over the second she saw those familiar rings. Picking one up, she cradled the lonely object in her petite hands. They had, not long ago, had an owner, and a strong one at that. She used to think he was invincible and small wonder why; he was the greatest scientific achievement of her beloved grandfather, Professor Gerald Robotnik. It was his experiment that had saved her life all those years ago.
But the experiment hadn't just saved her life; it had also given her a friend. Her isolation left her fearful of the world she so badly missed. But thanks to her dark guardian and her kind, but rather odd, cousin, Maria was able to enjoy the life she'd been robbed of.
"His existence gave me an ageless body as well." Maria said, looking at her palm "And I was alright with that, until he vanished without a trace."
A few stray tears strained the untarnished rings as the memories kept flowing "What'll I do once Julian is gone? Will I be alone again? Can't I at least die like a normal person before that?" she knew how angry he would be if he saw her wishing for death. It was his positive outlook on life that made her extended longevity bearable.
Sitting down, Maria curled up with the ring still clasped in her hands.
"Shadow…" she whispered "What happened to you?"
Her sad moment was broken by a sudden noise. Although it was not a noise anyone would normally have any fear of, Maria did. And for good reason too, for she knew she'd left her phone inside the ship, so she have it for the next trip. The fact that another phone was ringing was not nearly as off-putting as the tune it played.
"T-That can't be." Maria thought "I deactivated his phone a week after he went missing!"
Creeping up to the open dresser, Maria had grabbed a hairbrush for 'defense'. It was clear that movies had done her no favors when it came to situations like this. Suspecting paranormal activity, the blond girl used the brush to tap the phone as it rang. When nothing happened, she took a big gulp and reached for it. Of course, Shadow had been too cheap to get a 'real' cell phone, so it only displayed the number. Not able to recognize it, she debated just letting it ring.
"Doesn't the girl always get killed when she answers the phone?" she wondered "Or does it make the evil person mad when she doesn't?"
Coming to a decision, Maria drew in what little courage she had left and answered it.
Whoever it was, they didn't seem very eager to talk. The two remained quiet for an unspecified time, until Maria had enough guts to say "Hello? Who is this?"
"M-Maria?" the voice asked in return, revealing their identity in the process.
She set aside her fears, but now was filled with questions "Amy? Is that really you?" Maria was too excited to wait for an answer "It IS you! How've you been? No wait, why did you call? And on Shadow's phone of all things."
"W-Well um…" Amy stalled, as if struggling to find something to say "I wasn't expecting, I-I mean I didn't mean to be rude, b-but I…"
Maria smacked her own forehead "Great job, you ditz." she chastised herself "The first call you get in weeks and you blow it by overloading a ten-year-old with questions!"
Once she stopped her self-criticism, Maria tried again "Sorry Amy, I didn't mean to jump all over you like that."
"No it's okay. I shouldn't have called anyway…" Amy replied, sounding very dejected.
Upset that the conversation was ending so fast, Maria tried a desperate save "Amy? Hold on a second, please." she knew she hadn't been hung up on, so she continued "Um…S-Shadow isn't here right now, but…" Maria had to swallow a lump in her before finishing "I'd be glad help if you'd like."
Maria let her offer set in while straining to not speak. It was so nice to see Sonic and Tails the other day, even if under some turbulent circumstances, that she was left a little lonely since it ended.
At last she heard Amy say "Promise not to make fun of me?"
The question was baffling to a girl like Maria. Why would anyone make fun of someone when they ask for help? Naïve as this may've been, this has always been her logic, so she answered kindly "I would never, ever make fun of you Amy. Please, tell me what's wrong.
"…O-Okay. Um, it all started with this really weird dream." Amy began.
Pressing the phone as close to her ear as possible, Maria waited for the rest of her story.
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*Marina Village*
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The little fishing village would've been a lovely spot to get some time-off. Naturally this meant the population was equally laid-back and easygoing. These elements made a certain pair of anxious foxes stick out like a pair of sore thumbs. The two had been saying very little to one another, mainly due to their mutual concern over Sonic's delayed arrival.
Tails had his gut instinct to thank for his insecurity. Sonic's words had given him a firm sense of dread, despite his actual words being completely calm.
His overly occupied thoughts had downside of course. While trying to discover what the cobalt hero was trying to hide, he hardly noticed how worried his other companion was. His ignorance was understandable from a rational standpoint, but no one could tell Tails how irrational emotions could be.
And that's exactly what he thought Amethyst was being: Irrational.
She showed some warranted concern over Sonic, but not half as much as she did over the yellow vulpine. This was silly to Tails, who just simply failed to grasp her reasoning.
"Tails, why don't we find someplace to rest." the vixen suggested "I'm sure he'll be fine. Worrying isn't going to make him arrive sooner."
With arms crossed and a cold glare, Tails kept his eyes peeled for his otherworldly friend "We're not moving until he gets here. In fact, I half-think one of us should go look for him."
"You know I left my com-unit back at my apartment, Tails." she reminded "It wouldn't make sense to get both of you guys lost. Besides, why don't you try calling him? Doesn't he have his device still on?"
"No he doesn't." Tails said irately "And that's what worries me the most. Why on earth would he turn it off? It makes no sense at all."
Standing in his line of sight, Amethyst tried to get his attention "And wandering off with no direction does? Geez and you say I'm being silly!"
Ticked by her constant interruptions Tails said "First of all, how would I get lost? I'm the one that led us here for crying out loud! Secondly, why are you so intent on keeping me here? It's not like I'm the one that might be in trouble."
Tails passed on her left side only to have her get in front of him again "In that case, I say we wait a little while longer, and then go look for him together."
Tails' shut his eyes and shook his head "No, you'll stay right here where it's safe. I can't have you tagging along with me."
Amethyst got right up in the vulpine's face and countered "Oh I'd be 'getting in your way' is that it? Why don't you just say what you mean?"
Tails smacked his own face at her misunderstanding "That's not what I mean and you know it. Can you please stop twisting every word I say?"
While the two carried on, neither paid any attention to the person in the shadows. This spiny person in question was listening and scowling at the troubled pair. Sickened by how long it had gone on, the person stepped into plain sight with a threatening frown.
Both foxes shut up immediately at the sight of the very hedgehog they'd been waiting for. While the two wanted to speak, his uncommonly dark expression stunned them to silence.
"Okay if I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times: I'm no expert on 'relationships'. Even so, do you guys always go at each other's throats like this?" Tails' head sunk slightly and Amethyst turned away "I'm flattered that you two were worried about me, but come off it! You two are supposed to be closer than just friends! Is that how you talk to someone you like? Heck, I don't think I'm that rude to my enemies!"
Sonic tapped his foot at the shamed foxes "Well, I guess you'll have to put your spat on hold because our problems just got worse; a lot worse."
Tails, though red in the face, brought his head up first "Fill us in."
Amethyst finally had the courage to speak next "I've…talked to a friend who lives around here. He said we can use his house while he's away on a fishing trip. We can talk there if you'd rather."
Sonic gave the idea a quick ounce of consideration "Hm… Alright, but make it fast. The last thing we have going for us right now is time."
As the three headed off to the temporary residence, Tails stole a few glances at the now-depressed vixen and the frustrated hedgehog.
"I've been a real thorn in everybody's side lately." he internally kicked himself "I've been cocky and cold-hearted to both of them. And just when I start to treat Sonic better, I end up dragging Amethyst through the mire." he sighed in defeat, feeling his steps get heavier by the second.
"This Sonic is a much better hero than I'll ever be." he concluded.
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*An hour later*
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"So that's how it is." Sonic admitted everything, leaving no detail out "I'm a huge liability, and we can't use the fake emeralds to get Rouge back. Not to mention the three day time limit."
Amethyst, worried about the blue hero's confidence, made sure to say "Don't blame yourself; you can't help being from another world. It just means that we'll have to work twice as fast to get the emeralds."
"Don't worry, I'm way past hesitating." the hedgehog said with surety "But we don't know for sure if the emeralds are the solution to all our problems. If Maasawd gets his hands on all seven gems, I think we can kiss this place goodbye. On the other hand, if we keep them, he'll kill Rouge for sure."
"I'm sure one of us can come up with a plan." Amethyst looked over at Tails with hopefulness.
The vulpine, fearful of leading them astray, wasn't thinking clearly enough to give them a good reply "The target remains the same. We need to get a hold of those last Chaos Emeralds and contact Robotnik for his two." noticing the two pairs of desperate eyes on him, he included "I'll…need some more time to think about Rouge's rescue…sorry."
Sonic could feel the absence of strength behind his words. It was normal for his Tails to crack under pressure, but this one, up until now, seemed impervious.
Secretly wishing he hadn't come down so hard on him earlier, Sonic said "That's fine bud. I know we're asking a lot out of you, but I don't think we can get out of this without your help. Still, take your time, and I know you can make it work out."
Amethyst stood up and said "I've already uploaded the coordinates of the last two emeralds, so we should get what we can from this village, and head out right away."
Sonic agreed whole-heartedly, for no one could be sure what Maasawd meant by 'three days'. Getting his pack together, Sonic offered to gather up supplies for the road, while Tails worked on getting their technical gear ready. Amethyst decided to inform her friend of their short stay and prepare a different housekeeper in their place.
While Tails mindlessly performed his task, he was still trying to get the cloud over his head to leave. The mental block left his normally genius thinking slow, and closed off to new ideas. Knowing his latest decision would be the most vital, didn't solidify his currently shaky courage.
"I always fail when it really counts." he held his head in pain "What if I can't save Rouge, just like I couldn't save the other Sonic? How could I ever atone for that?"
Seeing Amethyst in the corner of his eye, Tails made himself a promise "When the time comes, I'll gladly trade my life for theirs. At least then, I can finally face Sonic and Shadow."
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End of Chapter Nineteen
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Sorry, writer's block hit me halfway through this chapter. I was going to have more revealed about Maasawd's thing against Tails, but then decided to add a little more Maria instead. Sorry for the second dang late-night update! And I also apologize for any errors made in my midnight stupor. Gah! I'm going to be apologizing 'til it's written on my gravestone (no Halloween pun intended)! That reminds me…HAPPY, belated, HALLOWEEN! XD
DanceDream: Thank you XXXD! Yup Silver's keeping him in check (for now that is XD). Yeah, I wanted Amy to be an energetic, but lovable kid. Sonic had gotten stronger since he came to this world, I wanted to show his growing conviction (trust me; he's going to need it). One thing: Thank…you…so…MUCH! I wanted Tails to be 'different' but still the Sonic-knowing (last chapter) slightly unsure of himself (this chapter) guy we all love! Beautiful, huh? Aw…thanks, I was hoping someone would like that :). Maasawd is a strong, but divided fellow. He seems to be following two conflicting agendas, wouldn't you say? XD P.S. I know you can do it! Take your time, and keep me informed! As for the prayer? No problem. I'll keep doing so until you're finished.
Ghostkid33: You noticed? Sweet! I thought that detail would be kinda swept aside when I threw it in! Poor kid's doing the best she can, and that's why I gave her a good listener like Maria (since Sonic's got his hands full XD). Maasawd is in turmoil, needless to say. As stated by the said character, he may not fully understand why he does what does. XD Rouge is a tough nut to crack. No villain's going to take her down easily. But, like you said, whether it's this world or the other, Rouge doesn't change that much!
Serenity: No doubt about it! This chap shows though, Sonic'll need his new friends if he hopes to save her! Sad for Amy indeed, but at least she's got a good friend to talk to now :)
Infamousplot: Thanks so much! I should've added Amy back in a little sooner, but I had too many characters to work with (and now the count has risen again)! No revelation on what she saw…yet. But I can't very well leave it out of the next chapter, can I? I'm glad you liked that line, it really was rather nice to finally describe him the way I truly see him. And of course you can use it! Actually, I'm quite flattered that you liked it that much! :D P.S. I did the visuals right? Heck YEAH! I really busted butt on those so I'm glad you said something (a compliment from you on 'visual' writing = instant win for me XD)!
KoTwz10z: I won't tell, but you're free to take a guess (and a low risk-one at that). Tails is awesome because no matter what world he's in, he'll always be his heroic self (I've always considered the little guy a hero). Poor Amy indeed. Sadly, you guesses are not far off (in regards to her visions). I should have you know though, character death isn't normally my thing (this time is no exception). I'm glad you thoroughly enjoy my work (it makes it all the more worth it)! I believe I said something to that effect earlier, but I have limited ways to descried how much I appreciate your support :)
Kindra Mckleen: I'm happy to know that detail counts for something :). I had hoped her old-fashioned ability would be a nice touch for such a…unique story (good or a bad thing? I'll let you be the judge XD). Yup, yup, you know Rouge. She wouldn't hesitate to use her, ahem, 'charms' on a man. Still, with a guy like Maasawd, who knows? Reviewers: "We don't know, but the Pen knows!" (pardon my old fashioned reference).
Sierra Zanimalini14: Forgive me a repetitive "thank-you", but…well…thank you! XD Those skits may count as a sort of one-shot/drabbles if I were to compile them! Anyways, your support is much appreciated (as is your story [no flattery intended]).
TehGoatGoesBahh: Maasawd is fun to write because of his internal conflict! He's got a crazy future ahead of him. As for Sonic? Thank you! I love it when I write something and it just…clicks (like it was meant to be or something XD). Sad that Amy was trying to call Shadow :,( . But hey, at least she gets to talk to Maria!
Until next time!