a/n: Thank you for your support. Let's try another.
She looked up.
The darkness had swallowed up everything else. The ground she walked on was glistening with wetness, cold against her feet.
There was the sound of breathing, muffled.
The red eyes adjusted.
A gas mask.
The other her stared back with her head tilted up in the same manner, looking through the mirrored surface. Drops of water fell upward.
She could not see the eyes beneath the mask. There was only the same breathing.
She wanted to ask who it was.
She wanted...
She...
The infected arm burned and white blood flew upwards, landing against the surface where the masked one looked on.
Amy blinked.
The masked one was in front of her.
With gloved hands, she reached out.
"Amy."
The world was instantly replaced.
"You alright?"
She looked over at Rouge. The bat woman looked wearied.
A tender smile. Unusual.
She felt her heart melting.
"It's okay, hon. You can talk to me."
"There was another world."
"Another world?"
Amy looked towards the ground for a moment, trying to remember. It came back vividly.
"The shadow self."
She looked back towards Rouge as she spoke. Her heart sank.
"You too..."
Rouge smiled somberly and placed a hand on the young girl's cheek.
"Me too."
Amy looked down to the rolled up pant leg and the bandages. They came into slow focus.
"We're going to die. That's right, isn't it?"
"I don't want to yet."
She found herself distracted by those red lips. They looked lush.
"Are you ready to die?" the white bat asked.
"No. But I know it will happen."
"Let's go on ahead," Rouge said without a beat.
"I don't want to hurt him," Amy said. "I can't do it."
"Tails is there. He's analyzing the blood. Since we haven't turned, we can help."
"You too? Do you also..."
"No...it's not the same. It can't ever be the same. Let's get you to those two."
"The dark self. What is it? What is yours?" Amy asked. Rouge paused and looked at her, shaking her head. Amy stepped forward.
"What is it for you...tell me. Please tell me," she asked, her voice trembling.
Rouge cast a look towards the ground. Amy caught her breath.
"It drives me to consume."
"..."
"It makes me hungry...it makes me want."
She looked up at Amy, her bright eyes shimmering with pain.
"We have to go. Please."
"Will you..."
"Amy."
"Will you eventually...to me as well?" she asked gently.
"We have to-"
Amy dropped the knife and hugged her tightly.
"Don't," Rouge pleaded.
"You too, Rouge."
"Amy..."
"Just as I am...be brave."
Rouge closed her eyes. "You shouldn't be with me."
Amy let go and picked up the knife again.
"We're going to meet with Sonic. We're going."
She turned on a dirty foot and ran ahead. Rouge watched her go for a moment before spreading her wings. She jumped and started to fly.
Omega hovered above the streets below.
An eerie silence.
"Anything yet?"
"No...not yet."
"Who was the call from?"
"Rouge. She and Omega found Amy."
He plucked the last shard of glass from his hand and bandaged it. The damaged white glove went on next. He flexed the arm.
The sword he picked up next. Its original owner never got to use it.
He was given a merciful death as he turned.
A wet cloth went over the blade and took away the dried blood. He flicked the water away from the edge with his wrist, tossed away the cloth into the darkness.
"Is she okay?"
"Rouge said...her too."
"..."
"Sonic..."
"Shadow is handling quarantine. But we won't let it get that far, Tails. I've watched too many die already. But not her. I won't lose her."
Tails closed his laptop and shoved it into his bag. He shouldered it quickly as Sonic sheathed the sword on his side.
Emerald eyes, stained with fury. Scanning the area once more.
Nothing but corpses, resting quietly.
"You're okay with this?"
"Yeah. Level it."
"Right."
"We're going to Casinopolis. Out front. Finish the uplink," Sonic ordered.
"Roger. Meet you there in ten."
"Yeah."
The spotlight went out, and everything started to stir at once. Tails fished out a remote as he took off into the skies. Sonic jogged slowly through the streets.
"They're on the move."
Rouge spoke calmly as the building collapsed downward, sending smoke and dust rolling through the streets ahead.
The three came to a stop.
"Let's conserve our strength." She looked to Amy. "Avoid any triggers. It'll drain you if it happens too much."
Rouge sniffled once as Amy looked on sadly. She holstered her pistol and walked towards the cloud of dust. Omega followed.
"..."
Amy put the knife snugly in one of her back pockets.
She walked forward.