a/n: Feeling inspired today, sort of. Here's your matinee. Thank you for a whole lot.
"Resonance?"
Rouge looked over the data on Tails' laptop, understanding some of it while being perplexed by the rest.
"Yeah. You two have a resonance now."
Amy and Rouge looked at each other for a moment.
"What's that mean?" Amy asked from his left side. Rouge crowded him from his right, his cheek pressing against her lace brassiere.
"I'll explain," he said as he tapped the bat's shoulder.
"Oh, sorry hon." She mussed up his fur gently as an apology and he sighed.
"It's like this. The virus reacts to changes in atmosphere and physical condition. The weaker you are, the more likely you're going to succumb to it. Much like the flu. I analyzed the samples and it's pretty close to a retrovirus. Just that it's super aggressive...and our zombies aren't what you think."
"How so?" Rouge asked.
"This viral attack...it's like a DNA overload. Malfunctioning genetic code causing the body to destroy itself. The reason we have classic zombie fare like here is because the destruction isn't complete. It depends on the person. Some functions get shorted out, others don't."
Amy looked at her arm. "What about us?"
"The game changes when it comes to you two. I haven't got much, but it seems like whatever allows you to handle things like the Chaos Emeralds plays a part, as well as your incredible physical conditions in comparison to the rest of the victims. And the resonance I was talking about earlier. When you two did whatever you did on the way here, the viruses in both your bodies started to resonate with each other and reacted differently. Each of your opposing characteristics helps pacify the other. Amy's murderous urges settle because of Rouge's nature. And Amy, you help calm Rouge down."
"Symbiosis?" Rouge mused.
"Something like that. This isn't a normal virus...and I don't want to jump to any conclusions, but it might not be from Earth, either."
"Wow," Amy muttered. "Alien virus?"
"It doesn't play nice with UV radiation."
"Sunlight?"
"It probably agitates your blood. A defense mechanism, possibly."
"Kinda sucks the intrigue out of it all, eh?" Rouge said with a smile.
"Maybe. But we know how to stop it now," Amy said.
"Sonic already figured it out. He's making the last of his rounds. But there's also something else."
"The source," a voice called from ahead of the three. Sonic appeared with Omega stomping in behind him.
"Hey there, handsome." Rouge sauntered over and tapped her robot friend on the chest. "Doing okay?"
"Systems operational. Energy at 100 percent. Sonic has informed me that you are well."
"Feeling peachy, hon. Sounds like Big Blue's been taking care of you, eh?"
"Affirmative. He assisted me with recharging my energy stores to maximum." Omega flexed to prove his point.
"Look at you," Amy said with a smile.
"You pinpointed it, Sonic?"
He folded his arms. "Right on top of the water table."
Tails' eyes widened. "Wha...?"
"What's that mean?" Amy asked.
"It means that whatever this thing is, if those Chair Force dumbfucks nuke the city...it'll leech right into the damn soil, along with the radiation," Rouge said.
"I have no idea what nuclear radiation will do to it. But I'm not liking the odds of anything good happening," Tails said. He looked to the sky from his seat. "I'm sure the bodies will be destroyed by the blast, but we can't take any chances on this thing."
"How'd it even get here?"
"No idea," Sonic said. "But someone screwed up, and this whole city paid the price. Down there, where that thing is...lot of walking dead."
"What are you thinking?"
Sonic looked at Amy and Rouge. His emerald eyes betrayed something for enough of a moment that they both caught it before he closed himself up again.
"I gotta take it apart. Omega and I are going in."
"Don't give us that shit," Rouge said. "We're coming with."
"Yeah!" Amy chimed in.
"Sun's setting in the west as always," he continued. "Me and the metal man are heading out in an hour so we can take advantage of the afternoon."
"Don't!" Amy protested. "Sonic! You don't have to do this alone! You don't have to be the saviour!"
"Omega, you know where to find me," he said as he walked off. "Take care of them, Tails. I'll..." He paused a moment. "I'll just catch you later, buddy," he said without turning around.
Rouge glided up into the sky and came down in front of him. He drew his sword and pointed it at her.
"Move."
"What's with you? You're on a worse streak than Shadow," Rouge said.
"Sonic, please. You don't have to be this way. Look, we're gonna be okay," Amy said. "We're gonna be fine."
"What happens if you both slip at the same time?"
They froze.
"What happens if for a second, Rouge has a hunger attack, or your bloodlust seeps out, Amy? What happens if you get agitated by the light and slow down? What happens if...something goes wrong...and I'm not right beside you?" he asked, his sword still pointed outwards.
"Sonic...listen-"
"There's nothing left to say. You're both out of the woods, so stay out. This is a fight I have to finish on my own, because I'm the only one who can. You don't have much time. When I come back, we'll be able to figure something out."
"Why don't you trust us?"
Amy's voice cut into him.
"Sonic...why don't you trust us now?"
"It's not you. The one I don't trust is myself," he said, his hand trembling. He sheathed the sword and stood quietly with his hand on the grip. "This is all I can do. This is all I have left right now. This city...needs this mercy."
"If you're guilty about-"
"Just leave me alone. Alright? I'm done talking."
He walked off, leaving Amy and Rouge alone in silence.
"Hey."
"Mm?" Amy sighed and shook her head.
"You okay?"
"Mm."
"Omega...what's your job in all this?" Rouge asked, her hand going across one of the robot's bulky arms. "He says he needs you, yeah?"
"Affirmative."
"So?"
"..."
"C'mon, hon. You can tell us," Rouge purred.
"Yeah, Omega. Please? We both love him very much, and...we don't want anything to happen to him. Please, help us," Amy pleaded. The robot looked over both of the lifeforms standing in his vision. His head swiveled towards Tails, who took a moment to look up. He put an arm into the air and gave a thumbs up.
Omega's head swivelled back towards the girls.
"I will disclose the mission details as requested."
"Oh, you're the best!" Amy squealed.
"Thank you. Compliment will be stored for further use."
"So, give us the details, hon."
"In approximately fifty five minutes, forty five seconds, I will proceed to the R Express Line Tunnel, seven point five blocks west of our location. From there I will proceed with Sonic on foot underground towards the locale. We will destroy the surface above to allow sunlight in. Then, for a period of twenty four minutes I will charge a recently installed ultraviolet element inside of my shell. At the peak of its charge I will then proceed to fire the weapon in a radial burst. The approximate area covered will be thirteen point six blocks. All organic life will experience extreme pain and possibly death. All organic life assimilated by the current viral infection will be summarily obliterated."
Omega pointed his arms at Amy and Rouge.
"This is the reason he has barred you from participation. He has not completely suppressed his emotions."
"If we...go down there. It won't be just the undead," Rouge said.
"We'll probably die one way or the other," Amy said.
"His desire..."
They looked up at Omega.
"Is for you to have a chance to live. And to die in peace, if circumstances should permit it. I shall make my way to the rendezvous point."
They both were silent as he walked off.
The clouds were completely gone from the sky.
It was warmer now. The sun was shining.
Amy raised her head and saw darkness. That familiar breathing.
The masked one held the sword upright, like it weighed nothing.
She held it out to Amy.
"I...I want to..."
She took the handle. It felt heavy.
But she wanted that power badly.
She felt it lighten in her grip. And when she looked at it next, it was something else.
"..."
The dirty Ginsu knife with the still shining blade. Guaranteed sharp for life.
Her head turned back to the masked girl.
"One more time...let me turn away from the sun. One more time."
The masked one nodded and stepped aside.
"Rouge."
"I want it too."
"Do you really?"
"Yes. Even if we do die...it's bigger than ourselves this time."
They grasped each others hands as the masked one looked on.
"Is this what you want?" Amy asked her.
Her hands reached back towards her head and a small snap was heard. Then another. Then one more.
Light started to bleed out from her boots until it swallowed up the place they were standing in.
With one last breath, she removed the mask.
She smiled with ruby red lips.
"My desire...my lust...my hunger. It all belongs to you. It always has."
"Who are you?" Amy asked, looking at the woman in front of her.
Another wily smile.
"Do you even care?"
Amy stared into Rouge's eyes. She smiled a wicked smile, and the bat shot one back.
They pressed their lips together for a long moment.
The world was instantly replaced.
"We've got fifty minutes to find that stupid son of a bitch. Amy, when this is all over...you can slap him first."