Urban Flow – Episode 1
They flew during the darkest of night to reach the headquarters with the sun already climbing it's way up the sky. It had been a rough night. Yet however tired she felt, Rouge kept her eyes open. Over her head she wore a custom made helmet that blocked most of the sound of this twin rotored piece of machinery that was deafening to her sensitive sonar-ears. It was still torture. In an attempt distract herself, Rouge observed the crew around her within the Chinook-helicopter. Most of them were glancing in the space ahead of them, just outwaiting their airborne travel and trying to stay awake. In the far back Rouge took the 4 guarded criminals in. The prisoners were cuffed and strapped to the benches on the side, and made were delightful proof of a mission accomplished.
At last the Chinook dropped in height. Then a bump shook the crew in their place, but could still be considered as a smooth landing on the GUN-terrain before the backlatch of the Chinook opened up. A blinding stream of light entered the enclosed space. Rouge squinted against the morning sun who had just crept it's way up above the lower barracks surrounding the headquarters. The fresh air that filled her lungs meant one thing: freedom. Well, there were still some reports to write, but that would have to wait. Now she just wanted to get rid of the dust and dirt that had collected itself in her fur. Even her skinned wings looked pale from spending weeks of sneaking in uncleaned nooks and crannies.
While the prisoners and their guards stepped onto the terrain, Rouge followed shortly after, stretching herself out once her feet touched asphalt again. She was done, both with her mission and this day that had barely started yet. She relieved herself from the helmet that restricted her ears, tucking it under an arm before turning towards the rest of the crew who stepped out of the helicopter. "Alright boys, I'm off." Rouge spread her wings elegantly before her takeoff left the soldiers in a cloud of dust. While most of the men just glanced shorty at the flying bat, one kept ogling her until she vanished into the big complex.
In the closed off section for GUN-employees-only Rouge the Bat entered her name in the computer on the frontdesk. This noted her return from the mission and her retreat to her chambers in case anybody needed her. There was no-one behind the counter itself, although a half-empty mug beside the computer implied the missing clerk would return shortly. Good timing, Rouge thought to herself. She knew she looked tired and unkept. In such a state a some empty small talk with a random colleague was the last thing she Needed. With a smooth glide she ascended the main staircase to the 8th floor, her feet not touching a single stair. Before entering the hallway she automatically listened for commotion, but no one seemed to be there. Rouge slid into her room and locked the door behind her.
Ah.. privacy!
A delightful grin formed on her face while she walked over the gray carpet of her temporary bedroom. She put her helmet in a empty loungechair and sat down on the side of her bed. Unknown to others, the big pink heart on her chest was more then just a neat feature. From the side there was a small zip-closed entry, out of which Rouge carefully took a little wrapped package. She delicately lay it down on the sidetable of the bed, switching on the lamp right above it. Carefully she began unwrapping her present.
Out of the soft fabric came a brilliant viridian stone. The deep green caught the light of the lamp like fire, reflecting even the dim daylight that came through the half opened curtains. It was a near gemstone-quality Dioptase, the size of an egg. Rouge her last mission had been to eavesdrop and observe a wealthy arms-trader from within his mansion. On the very first day the spy discovered the criminal his gem-collection of unpolished stones. This one caught her eye immediately, but she couldn't take it until the last day, during the planned break-in of the GUN-forces. During the hectic scenery that unfolded Rouge snatched this little beauty away, tucked it away in her heart. No one of GUN would dare to touch her dare, and no metal detector could notice it. It was the easiest and most brilliant way to expand her collection.
After a last endearing stroke over the deep green she rewrapped the stone and put it away in her suitcase she had pulled from under the bed. During her free weeks Rouge wasn't staying here, in this boring building in which she heard too many whispers. To much gossip. Gossip that only got nastier since a certain cleaning-lady added salt to the table. It was an early morning when the woman entered Rouge her room unannounced, thinking the spy was away on a mission and it was the Cleaner her chance to tidy up the place. That turned out to be a morning after Shadow had spend the night... There was no proof that anything indecent had happened during that night, but the damage was already done… No point in locking the door when there were human individuals out there with skeleton keys… Ugh..
Having tucked away her priced reward in the suitcase and taking out a fresh set of clothes Rouge went into the bathroom, clicking on the lights while entering. During her undressing Rouge noticed the blue toned bruises on her arms and legs. They were sensitive to the touch, and the result of trying to fit into small spaces that weren't made to fit in. Ha, but she did fit! And that was also the reason why GUN couldn't survive without her: none of their human spies were as good as she was, heck even the few other mobians they had in service stood in her shadow. Rouge's senses, her wings, her attitude. No wonder the president himself often requested her for important missions, having her number on speeddial. Rouge chuckled, but it fell flat in the echos of the empty bathroom. An empty bathroom of an empty room. It was a quite depressing room, really... Just a bed, a wardrobe and some tables with chairs. Nothing personal, just like a cheap hotel with a little bathroom for your needs. There weren't even queasy artistic paintings on the wall. Nothing but a slight gray tone, in everything! The only luxury was the additional bath instead of just a shower. This realization dampened Rouge's elevated mood.
"What?" With his face as thunder Shadow looked at the commander across the desk. "I am not a liability." He snarled.
She didn't look back at him. Commander Axis was commander Towers' successor of a few months. The former went on an early retirement into his grave. But while Towers had never liked Shadow, Axis' her attitude towards Shadow seemed even worse. At his moment her finger merely ran past words on the papers in front of her, seeking some excuses to deal with the angry mobian in her room. It wasn't a big room, but the illusion of grandeur was created by the big window behind the commander that showed an impressive view of the city, this morning cloaked by gray clouds. In the corners on both the commander's sides armed guards stood in wait, weapons in hand, ready to strike. Without looking the woman behind the desk spoke: "We have noticed an increase in collateral damage during your last missions. You do know humans and mobians are more… 'fragile' then robots, right?"
Her words sounded condescending, enraging Shadow even more. It was only when he saw the two guards eyeing his movements that the hedgehog took a deep breath before answering, sinking further back into his chair, his arms folded before his chest. "Off course." It is almost pathetic how weak, Shadow added in mind. "But when they use heavy equipment, I have to strike fast. Those groups keep raiding old Eggman lairs. The weapons they find are dangerous."
Finally the commander looked up to him, as if only now she noticed Shadow was actually there. "Yes, and that is why we want the equipment in one piece. Your task is to be fast and precise. Take out the organic beings with as little damage as possible and spare any weapons for our research."
Sure. Just research.
Shadow glanced at his upper arm where a long gash was visible. That wound was from weeks ago, closing up only yesterday. A few crooks of an infamous gang used some Eggman weapons they had found against the black hedgehog. In the heat of the moment he couldn't dodge it completely, having the beam barely grazed him. But that graze stung like hell and left a strange sensation in his arm. As a result, Shadow made sure the weapon was beyond repair. Just in case… Back at the GUN headquarters his worries however grew: the wound wasn't closing, not even after a day. With a knife Shadow made another wound on his arm, a clean cut just an inch below the graze. That one healed within hours… "I salvage what is possible during the missions. I do as asked. I…"
Briefly the commander put up a silencing hand. "We have had a meeting first thing this morning, and decided that it is better for now to remove you from the upcoming mission regarding the Copper Gang. You operate too unpredictable, and too intense. I would also like to schedule an appointment with our psychologist for when you are back."
Shadow's brain went into overdrive. Back from what? The mission withdrawn, but I have to go somewhere? They think I'm out of control? Will I be… researched? Contained? A smoldering panic grew rapidly within his core.
Without addressing the hedgehog his silence commander Axis grabbed another file from within her reach. It was an envelop for which she stood up slightly to bend over the desk to hand it over to Shadow. He in return reacted slowly, noticed the annoyance in the woman her face when he took it from her. "In this you will find you new assignment. You will leave tonight. I expect you to remain here on the premises of the building until then, in case the squad wants to leave earlier. We can't lose time searching while you mope somewhere on the top of a bridge. Or wherever you like to hang around. You can leave now. And read those instructions."
When he stood up Shadow felt his muzzle burning from embarrassment. He always answered his calls, and he was always on time. "Yes, Ma'am." His red eyes glowed angry while they bore into the woman her skull. She however had already moved her attention to other paperwork and ignored Shadow while he made his way out.
In little swirls the last bathwater drained away. The warmth of the water and the lingering heat in the bathroom soothed the stiffness of Rouge's muscles. With care she dried of her wings. While putting moisturizer on them the sound of shoes in the hallway caught Rouge her attention. Her ears moved like antennas, picking up on the individual who entered a room a few doors down from hers. She knew his gait, the weight of his step.
Shadow.
Quickly Rouge shook her head to get rid of the foolish excitement she felt. This bat was used to being on her own. During her missions Rouge was mostly by herself, hiding away, alone. It was how she preferred it, but there was comfort in knowing she didn't have to keep up her guard at all times. By being alone together. With Shadow. She still wondered when exactly they transitioned from being colleague's to… more. To the point that the same warmth spread through her insides when she hugged him as when she touched the master emerald. Their different yet similar energy, their power, the sensation..! She doubted her flushed face was still from the heat within the bathroom. But first, she decided, she would finish her grooming. After that past mission, she deserved some self-pampering.
Dressed in sweatpants and a tight top Rouge shoved her feet into a pair of pink loafers, grabbing her keys from where she dropped them on the bed. She made her way down the hall, halting in front of room number 4. Rouge listened. No sound came from inside the room, while she hadn't heard the occupant leave neither. Knock-knock. "Shadow?"
No response.
The doorhandle gave way when Rouge tried it, the door already unlocked. Peeking through the opening she saw a dark room, dimly lit by what bleak sunlight made it's way through the fabrics of the curtains. They waved softly in a unseen breeze, the window behind it open. While Rouge her eyes were still adjusting to the dark, a white tuft of fur stood out in a lounge chair in the corner opposite to the window. "Well isn't this a gloomy setting, mister Hedgehog." Rouge said. An attempt to break through the silence.
"I didn't know you were back." His voice sounded concerningly neutral.
Getting used to the lack of light Rouge could make out his silhouette, but this was no way to have a conversation. Besides that, her tiredness was ten-folded by the idea of it being night already. Locking the door behind her Rouge strode through the room.
"I landed a few hours ago. The eventual raid went a bit out of hand. They did a killing-the-hostages-threat, which turned out to be just the co-perpetrators who acted along. But where they listening to me when I pointed that out? No. Apparently they thought I wanted to wrap it up quickly, so they went along with the whole circus until it turned I was right..! That whole act made it take hours longer then necessary, so it became a latenighter." With a single tuck Rouge opened one curtain far enough to erase the deepest shadows from the room. Outside it had started to rain. Drops were blown inside by the wind, leaving specks on the windowsills. "This is brooding at a whole other level. What happened to being outside? You didn't want to get wet?" Rouge joked, but her attitude quickly changed to concern when she turned around and saw Shadow still staring at nothing. His shoes were off and stood by the door, his gloves laying neatly on top of each other on the sidetable next to the made bed. He wasn't planning on leaving in a hurry.
"Are you just going to sit there?" Her attempt fell on deaf ears, for Shadow didn't even glance at her. Rouge looked away. The disappointment stung. Here she was, tired but willing to endure it for him, and he gave her nothing in return. "… I have to go to bed. I'll try to make you talk when I'm rested." But her teasingly smirk wasn't persuasive.
"Rouge." Shadow stood up quickly to prevent her from leaving. "I'm being send off overseas." He saw Rouge stiffening, her eyes widening. "Not permanently, just… it is a covert mission. If all goes well it should take merely a fortnight, and I'll be leaving this evening."
The white bat was well aware of what was happening 'oversees'. "They're sending you to that war?"
A grim look came over Shadow his face. "They need me to take out this guerrilla military group that is holding their ground. Casualties are 'preferable'…"
In response Rouge softened up. "That should be no problem for you, handsome." But her reply only made Shadow back down.
"I have become nothing more then a tool. I am made to defend the planet, that is my purpose. But since Eggman's death there hasn't been a threat to the world for which I was needed. What is my purpose anymore? GUN is keeping a leash on me like I'm some sort of danger, and now they send me of against actual people in a war. When Black Doom wanted me to kill soldiers, GUN tried to stop me. And now they demand me to do the same! Mephiles was right, humanity will be the end of me, but it had nothing to do with Solaris. It was always going to happen…" During his words Shadow had turned away, faced the outside world which endlessly rained inside. Slowly but steadily he noticed a decrease in the frequency of missions her was allowed to do for GUN. Before everything changed, he would barely have free days between them. Then came the time it could stay silent for weeks. And now there was the switch from 'common' missions to war related? Was he degraded to a killing machine? Until his use was over and they would cage him away? Should he run, escape before it was too late? But Shadow never ran, or turned away from a threat, leaving that an impossible option.
"Mephiles just tried to get into your head. He wanted to use you…" Rouge started, stepping closer, reaching her hand to touch his arm. She felt his warm fur under her fingertips. It was then she noticed the freshly closed wound.
Shadow remained silent. Back then when facing Mephiles, Shadow was convinced he would keep fighting on, even if the world turned against him. His purpose, keeping the people of earth save, stood above everything else. Yet Shadow never thought about what would happen if there was no longer a clear evil to fight against. That he was no longer needed.
"The world has changed for the better since Eggman is gone. And we can adapt too. Missions are just tasks you fulfill to keep a roof over your head. It isn't up to us to decide whether the mission is right, or wrong. You just do it, and meanwhile break some rules for the trouble it costs you." Her mind went back to the gorgeous gem in her suitcase.
"Maybe that works for you." He growled at her, making Rouge grab his arm tightly. Shadow flinched when she put pressure on that slowly healing piece of skin, surprised that even though it was close, his flesh hadn't returned to its former resistance.
"I do what is needed." She hissed, after which Rouge recollected herself, loosening her grip on him. She saw Shadow staring at her from the corner of his eye. "The conflict you feel, I get that. It is just… You have to stop caring. What others want, or need. Their battles are their own. When I was at my deepest, there was no one for me. Now I no longer need them. I help out when I can, but it is because I want to. Not because I need to."
"That is not true." He corrected her casually.
Rouge daringly put her hands on her hips. "Oh, does the master brooder think he knows better?"
"It is just a facade. The end justifies the means, but you always pick the right ending. The good ending. You have never been against me because some mission demanded it."
A slight awkwardness rose within the bat, while she knew what happened back at the ARK while Shadow lost his memory afterwards. "Not since we actually teamed up, handsome." And she quickly changed subject. "What did you do today to get such a scratch?"
Shadow knew which wound she meant. "Nothing. This happened just after you left." Then his gaze ran over the bat her exposed arms, brushing away her worried looks. "I see you haven't returned untouched neither."
"Any mission that doesn't make me end in a hospital is a good one." Rouge stated, being rewarded with a smile from Shadow.
"That is true."
Her slight smirk faded away when the topic at hand came back to her. Rouge took her time to weight the right words. An argument to aid Shadow in his troubles. "You know, about the war… What if helping out finishes the conflict earlier so there are less casualties? That is a… 'good' end to work towards."
The hedgehog cocked his head a little, taking in what he heard. "I love how you twist my words to reach that good ending."
His tone was teasing, but Rouge didn't care, her ears perking up when that one word crossed his lips. Even though it wasn't at her directly, she couldn't recall him ever used 'love' for anything. In a daring move she slipped in front of him, her back to the outside world "Or a happy ending?"
"That too."
Rouge barely contained her laughter when Shadow replied so seriously that she guessed he missed the clue.
"What?" He asked confused.
"You're naivety is endearing, darling." To which she heard a slight chuckle coming from the back of his throat.
Without thinking Shadow closed the gap between him and Rouge, swiftly embracing her. Rouge her top was low cut, making room for her wings and Shadow his hands to feel the velvety fur covering her back. "I am glad you are back." Burying his face Rouge her neck, her hair still damp for the bathing. While the rest of Shadow's life seemed to spin out of control, Rouge was always there. And no matter how things were unfolding, she would be by his side.
With her head on his shoulder Rouge barely noticed the ticking of the rain anymore. She had her arms folded around the man's waist, pulling herself even closer into him. During that silent embrace they felt like one.
"Shadow?"
"Mmh.." He murmured into her neck, acknowledging her.
"You don't have to constantly save the world in order to be worthy of living. We don't need the world." She spoke softly, breathed deeply to take in his scent. The slight musk, and a deep warmth that reminded her of fresh tobacco. Within her the warmth grew like wildfire. "I have my stones, and I have you. Can I be enough for you too."
His gentle strokes along Rouge her spine stopped. When the man loosened his grip to slightly back away, a slight terror came into Rouge her mind. Did she say something wrong? No. The face she looked into was gentle. Soft while serious, his gaze moving over her face. Shadow his hand touched her muzzle, stroking the soft hairs of her cheek. Rouge felt herself weakening. Warming up. Feeling alive.
As if it took a long time to find the words, Shadow spoke just a single one.
"Always."
He leaned in for the kiss they both longed for. Rouge pulled him back against, their bodies connected. Shadow his hand left her face, running both down her body until he pulled her up from the floor. She folded her legs around him, a strong 'hug' in which Rouge passionately demanded more. Behind his back she agilely stripped her loafers of with her toes. Only when they toppled on the bed together their mouths departed, Shadow making his way down to her neck, to her shoulder, further to her…
He came back up to her face, both hands beside Rouge on the bed to keep his balance. "Rouge, you… kinda have to let me go." Her legs were still tightly locked around his waist, making any progress pretty complicated.
"Not yet." Rouge her voice filled with honey. Shadow his lower stomach was heating her in just the right place. Rouge felt the pulsing of arteries under his skin, his very core under her control. "I want you right here." And with both hands Rouge pulled Shadow's face back to hers. While their mouths were locked again, her fingers found his ears, softly massaging the thin skin. Rouge felt the slight trembles the hedgehog made when she touched just the right spots, making her smile under Shadow his kisses. His excitement made her smolder even more.
Suddenly Rouge unlocked her legs, letting Shadow escape out of her embrace. With her back curved elegantly she stroke one foot along the inside of his thighs. "Unwrap me, Shadow."
The use of his name felt deeply intimate, and with his face heated up and a body tingling with desires Shadow just did as asked. Rouge her casual attire came off easy, and revealed she wore nothing underneath it. Then it stopped. Rouge came up from her back and amusingly watched how Shadow took the time to fold her clothing and lay it on the table. He even picked up her shoes to put underneath it. "Your self control is beyond believable." She sighed.
"There is no rush." Shadow smirked as he returned, pushing her gently back on the bed. He softly squeezed her breasts, bringing kisses down at the soft tissue and delicate temples while he felt gentle strokes on his head.
"Are you sure?" Rouge whispered, remembering that he had to leave tonight.
She felt the clammy warmth of a deep exhale on her chest, followed by a soft "Don't." Shadow moved himself up to see her eye to eye. Rouge didn't wear any make-up, Shadow noticed now the soft daylight highlighted her features, lighting up her eyes as viridian gems. "Do you even have what it takes to keep up that long?" He laughed at Rouge her insulted look.
"How dare you!" She pouted jokingly and softly slapped him on the shoulder. "You go do your job, hedgehog!"
"With pleasure."
Aided by their touches and strokes, both were buttered up by the time Shadow reached Rouge her inner thighs. Every second that passed made their beings turn more into one, their physical language and huffs enough to completely understand the other. The bat reached her hand down to guide his chin and himself back up, implying the next step.
Rouge hooked her heels behind his legs when Shadow spread her up to enter with care. His movements began slow, building up in strength and speed. The bat bit her lip at first, but relaxed the more her body gave way, recognizing the invader as only love. More and more she moved with him, both gaining in power. Their pleasure rose. Shadow tried to elongate it, making the most of it. But the huffing and moaning of his partner made it hard to not give in as well. He felt how her fingers buried themselves deeper between the quills on his back.
Intoxicated by the rush they no longer cared about the noise they made, each encouraging the other to be louder by not holding back themselves. Even though he came first, Shadow kept going by mere willpower until he felt Rouge melting away below him.
"Oh my." She huffed flustered when they laid down together, him still inside her. Once more she had kept him in place by locking her legs around him, feeling his rapid pulse. "Let's do that again."
"I need a moment.." Shadow had to catch his breath. It still surprised him how even he, the ultimate lifeform, was worn out by such excitement. Lucky for both of them he also regained his energy like no other.
A bright stream of sunlight touched their legs. The golden sun reflecting of Rouge her white fur while Shadow felt the intensity warmth it carried. With his pillow against the wall the hedgehog sat on the bed, Rouge curled up against him. Her face was snuggly placed in his chesthair. He heard her breath, deep from being asleep. Shadow tried to enjoy just being there, with her. To stop thinking, just for once.
Do as Rouge told him.
Obey.
Whatever GUN wanted him to do, Shadow would do it. He had too. But could he really? Put aside who he was because a missions is just a mission? Even when you are send out to murder those who might or might not be the good side? Overwhelmed with despair he rubbed with his hand over his closed eyes. Shadow felt torn inside, but recollected himself when looked down at Rouge sleeping against him. She lay there in all her purity. Soft, beautiful and lethal all in one package. Softly brushing his finger over her arm he peered out of the open window, barely visible between the curtains. For the first time in his life Shadow really hoped that, yet again, some violent aliens would descend from the sky. That would be a great birthday gift to temporarily solve all his problems.