Maurice's p.o.v.

It was wonderful to wake up from a dreamless sleep and not have any nightmares bugging you. Even though I had one not to long ago, it doesn't feel like I ever had one. I guess that's what happens sometimes so your mind has time to clear any nightmares away but from what Ivo was telling me, he said that not all nightmares disappear and those ones stick with you just to haunt you. I never thought about it before but seeing as how something so small can turn into something so huge... well, it sounded so... oh what's the word... forgiving, forgotten, no... foreign? Yes! foreign. It sounded so foreign to me.

I would never expect to get a nightmare before but now cause of the other me, it would make sense one way or another. But... what would seem strange is not only what had happened but also who as well. Shadow, Ivo and Master... what does it all mean? I had killed both of them and didn't really think of Master as someone I would want to be bossed around by. I mean, sure there were a couple of times I would try to rebel but Master would always put me back in line. I didn't really care that he told me what to do but the thought of freedom has always sounded like a... luxury.

I didn't care for kindness nor did I care for gratitude but I knew the one thing I was made to do is to kill the ultimate life-form. But here he was, sitting with me and openly showing me the wonders life can have. The only one I thought who has ever cared for me was Ivo but now that has changed. Heck, I'm even calling Life-form Shadow and not gagging over it. Its strange that things can change but I guess that's what Ivo meant when he said that nothing will ever stay the same.

Though I'm still confused over those human-lovers. They said they can bring the other me back and yet, they aren't. They said that if I make a wrong move, this will end right on the spot... does that mean that if I do something wrong... will I go to sleep? Maybe... maybe that's what the dream was telling me... that the other me will return and... I will go back to sleep. The thought of that horrid colour climbing up my legs up to the rest of body still gives me chills. I never even thought of me being a separate hedgehog until Shadow showed me everything. I originally thought that the colour and heat from the experiment sent me back here but... I don't know what to say to that. And just thinking about that day has lead me to get a little worried about Ivo as well. How has those other humans been treating him? I know the other me isn't giving him the respect he deserves. Maybe Shadow can show me Ivo and we can get together again.

I opened my eyes at the thought but also groaned at how stiff my legs and arms were. I guess being able to stretch out my legs then going back into my curled up position can do that but I've done it so many times that I'm used to it.

"Maurice?" I hummed at Shadow's voice and looked up at him but why was his eyes full of worry? "Can I ask you something?" I yawned and stretched my arms out until I heard a satisfying pop and sat up beside him.

"Okay but I also want to ask you something too." he nodded and I watched him breath in then out.

"Well... its about your dream and I was just wondering what you were talking about." I stared at him then looked at the ground. 'I'm not bothered by that dream anymore so I guess its okay to tell him about it.'

"Where do you want me to start?" I flopped one ear to the side as I tilted my head and he rubbed his neck.

"Um... maybe the beginning?" his ask came out more of a question but I ignored it.

"Okay... well, when I woke up I was back in my cage. Then these two humans came and when we walked, I wasn't in my chains. I soon made it to Master but..." I didn't know why my voice got stuck but shook it off. "I saw you and Ivo there and... and I killed... both... of... you..." my breathing became heavy and Shadow wrapped his arms over my shoulders and I calmed down. "I was put back in my cage but escaped. I took off and could only see black everywhere but then this colour came up my legs and then I was back here." I looked up at Shadow as he looked from me to the ground. I took this time to get out of his arms.

"When you said colour-"

"It was blue." I cringed at the colour. Why exactly does the other me have to have that colour anyway?

"Uh-huh." he stroked his chin and while he was distracted, I took this time to sniff his neck to see if he went anywhere while I was asleep. His scent was musky but overall, it was the same. I could feel him tense under my nose and smirked at it. Just to play around, I nuzzled his neck and blew on it. He shivered and I laughed at his reaction. When I pulled away, he looked at me with wide eyes and I poked his nose.

"Funny like always Shadow." he blinked then shook his head.

"Maurice..." he stopped then looked at me confused. "And another thing, why are calling me Shadow? You've always called me Life-form before." I shrugged.

"After I killed you in my dream, I just felt like calling you that." he hummed. After a moments silence, I took up the courage to ask Shadow about Ivo. "Shadow?"

"Hmm?"

"Can I ask you something?" he tilted his head

"What about?"

"Can you take me to see Ivo?" he blinked and shook his head

"I don't think its a good idea." now it was my turn to tilt my head.

"Why not?"

"The doctor-er Ivo... well... he might not remember you." I huffed and before he could react, I pinned him to the wall.

"I want to see Ivo and you will take me to see him." I glared at Shadow and he glared back.

"No." I growled and tightened my grip

"Take me to see Ivo. NOW!" he growled

"My answer won't change." I snarled at him then threw him to the ground.

"Fine! If you won't take me to see Ivo then I'll go find him myself!" I yelled and jumped down to the ground.

"Maurice, wait! Its not safe outside!" I heard him jump down beside me and when I felt his hand grazed mine, I summoned my gun and pointed it at his head.

"Then you should have listened to me, Life-form." I dripped my words with venom and took off while he was stuck in a state of shock. I heard his rocket-boots behind me and took off faster. Whatever Sha-Life-form was trying to tell me about, I paid no attention and just focused on two things: getting away from Life-form and finding Ivo. I had to weave out of the way from trees and went in different directions just to try and get away. I felt a searing pain in my leg and yelped while falling to the ground. I huffed to try and stand up but It only lead me to fall back down.

"I didn't want to do that but you left me with no choice, Maurice." I growled at both him for doing the attack and myself for being so stupid to have let my guard down. "Please Maurice. You can't just go off on your own while you don't know how much danger you are actually in." I glared at him

"Then you should have taken me to see Ivo!" I yelled and he sighed.

"Fine." I blinked and he looked away. "But you have to promise me that you won't do this again." I huffed and sat up with a bit of difficulty.

"Why would I promise that to you?" he sat beside me

"Cause I care about you." I looked at my leg and huffed.

"Your saying that a lot."

"I know." I looked at his eyes and could see that he wasn't trying to hurt me but only wanted to talk.

"I'm not going to promise you anything until I see Ivo." he nodded and held a hand out to me. I took it and was able to stand up just fine.

"Just remember Maurice, things are a lot different then when you last saw him." I nodded and he led me to a silver building. We went inside and Shadow stopped me before he stepped into a room.

"Doctor."

"Ah! Shadow what brings you here?" I'm guessing that was Ivo's voice and it did sound different then when I last talked to him.

"I have something for you."

"For me? This better not be another trick."

"No tricks. Just something or should I say someone you might remember." Shadow walked out to me and waved me to follow. I stayed behind him until he stepped off to the side and I saw Ivo standing right in front of me. He really did look different then the last I saw him but either way, this was the same human all those years ago only, he's grown up.

"Hello Ivo." he took off his glasses and I could see his light blue eyes staring at me with disbelief.

"Maurice?"