XII. One Last Night
We sat around a campfire we had set up inside the cave. It was still pouring outside, rain completely covering the entrance, and we were still worn from our previous fight. Unfortunately, that climb turned out to be for nothing. Nega was nowhere to be found, and we were running out of ideas. So, we decided to rest for the night and start moving again the next day. As Silver helped me bandage some cuts I had, Chiron later got up to walk towards me, and just, stood there. As if to mock me, or something along those lines. But the next thing he did caught me, and even Silver, off guard.
"...Thank you," He extended his bandaged arm with an open hand.
Silver and I looked at each other, but I didn't think twice, taking his hand in return. He still had his serious look, but I earned more than that look that night.
"So the future's not looking so bright again?" I whispered to Silver.
"No. And it's getting worse. Eggman Nega's taken control, with Eggman working under him… He's abused both sets of gems... Sonic, it's… it's horrible... I don't know what to tell you, or where to even start."
"H-Hold on. What do you mean?"
"...I've, jumped between different time displacements. Over and over, to see if I could do, something. Anything, to change the outcomes… He's, insane…"
"What did he do?"
"...I'm, not supposed to tell you much. So listen closely… Nega merged both your and Blaze's dimensions, causing time and space to slowly break apart. He took advantage of the disasters he had created. I've tried stopping him myself, but… I, couldn't. Not on my own… So, I traveled far back, and decided to join up with you and the rest. But, every time… He'd always see us coming… We've failed, so many times. In so many ways… A-And… there's been so much, loss… I keep seeing you guys, again, and again… and, terrible things happen. I just, don't know how much I can keep this up… To tell you the truth, I… I-I'm, tired… Sonic… I-I've tried-"
"Hey, you're alright…"
He wasn't. Seeing Silver like that, and hearing his words on that night, had me worried more than ever. I couldn't worry for him, but the matter of fact was that things quickly went from bad, to worse. What could he possibly has gone through, I thought to myself…
"...Can I ask you something?" I tried to speak to him. "What, exactly, brought you here?"
"...There's been some sort of, singularity…"
"What do you mean?"
"...Something happened here, in this world. Or maybe, will happen… Something, that will change everything. For good, or bad… I just, don't know what it is."
"Hmm…"
"...And then, there's Nega… My only choice, was to come here. To this past... His reign began here… I thought, I could stop it, and-"
"Then that's what we are going to do."
"...Sonic-"
"I don't know how you do it… And, I can't even begin to imagine, what happened, or what will happen… And you, having to replay all of that, over and over… Silver, that can't be good for you. For anyone… But you do it because you're looking for that one time, we actually end up doing some good... In this time, I'm still here. Blaze is still here… You are too. And I know you haven't given up… But as much as you can use our help, we really need yours... Can we still count on you?"
"...You're right… Okay."
We sat in silence, staring off into the fire while the rain outside slowly began to slow down. In that silence, however, worry began to overwhelm me. Together, we had overcome so many odds, even when things seemed so hopeless. I had always tried to reassure everyone. Promise them that as long as we had each other, we could make it. But after hearing Silver, that night, I was left with more questions than anything else…
"...You guys had it rough," Silver quietly spoke. "W-Wait, hold on. How exactly 'are' you here?" he asked, turning to me.
"Well. It's, a long story."
"Eggman?"
"Eggman."
"Figures... Did he, send you here?"
"Not exactly... He found a way to travel through time, but I accidentally got sent here instead… Luckily, Princess Blaze came to the rescue."
"…Hey, Maia," Silver called to her, turning around to face her sitting in a corner of the cave. "How is she?"
"She's fine… Everything has taken a huge toll on her, however…"
After exhausting ourselves, Blaze came back to her senses and just, collapsed, in my arms. She was resting, with Maia watching over her. And hasn't been able to wake up ever since…
"…What do you think, was that…?" Silver asked.
"…What, do you mean?" Maia replied.
"You know… when, she..."
We looked at each other... None of us had any answers.
"…I, don't know," I admitted.
"...I'm sorry I couldn't arrive sooner." Silver apologized, shifting a few logs from the campfire with a simple stretch of his hand.
"Don't be… We owe you our lives," Maia replied, and she was right.
"Quite," Aquilo said afterward. "Allow me to guess… Are you also acquainted with our princess?"
"Yeah. How'd you know?"
"The way you 'handled' the enemy somewhat gave it away… Say, do you also come from Sonic's world?"
"Well. I do, in a way. Just, from another time…"
"Another, time?"
"Sorry, but that's all I can say…"
"I, see. You said you've known Lady Blaze?"
"I have. Years ago, actually... I made a few wrong turns, and ended up seeking some refuge here. She was too happy about that though, the first time she saw me."
"That does sound like her all right," I agreed.
"But after some time, she helped me out with tying some loose ends... I actually learned a lot from her. She is one heck of a fighter."
"Of course," Maia said while Chiron grunted in agreement. "You shouldn't expect any less from our princess."
"That reminds me. How's Sol Kingdom doing?"
"It's doing quite well," Aquilo answered. "Except for the fact of Nega's return. We'd been in a long, prosperous period of peace, before his appearance a few days ago… We really thought he was gone for good… Until he cornered Lady Blaze, and snatched the Sol Emeralds away, that is… Fortunately, her beloved knight swiftly came to her aid, just in time."
"A knight?"
"A tamer of the winds… Why, he sits right beside you."
"...'Beloved knight?' And what's that about?" he asked me with a raised brow and a grin.
"I'll tell you some other time," I chuckled.
"You better," he laughed to himself. "Looks like I missed a whole… lot…"
"...What do you mean?"
Strangely, Silver stopped himself mid sentence…
"...Silver-?"
"Please, excuse us," Silver said while he grabbed my wrist and began taking me outside.
"Silver. H-Hey, what is it?" I tried to ask as we stopped outside the cave, where it was still somewhat drizzling.
"Sonic. There's, something you should know."
"...Silver?"
"Blaze, she… She never was with us."
Once those hit me…
"...What do you mean?"
…cold sweat began to run down. My stomach twisted itself in all sorts of ways.
"Silver…? What, what do you mean?"
And as I tried to understand the words coming out of him, I had already stopped breathing all together.
"What do you mean, she never was with us?" I urged him.
"When Nega arrived in our world… he did so… with, the Sol Emeralds in hand."
"...Blaze…?"
"I'm sorry… I wish I could know… All of this, happens about a year and a half from now, or so."
"…Did I, ever travel here...? At all?"
"That's the thing… You never did… Sonic, how exactly did you get here again? And when?"
"Eggman's new machine… I-I think about a month ago. It made some kind of, portal... We tried shutting it down, but the emeralds wouldn't budge and-"
"A month ago…? That's… that's it," he said, wide-eyed.
"What is it?"
"…I don't think you were sent here by accident… I think I just found my singularity… We still have a chance."
~Blaze the Cat~
As I slowly woke up, I took in the unfamiliarity around me. Darkness enveloped my surroundings, until my eyes met the moonlight shining across the floor. I was inside some sort of, cave. Where, from the looks of it, we had taken refuge in. Maia, Aquilo, and Chiron had taken off their armor and rested soundly beside a pile of burnt wood. And to my surprise, there was, Silver? I started to remember everything. Our climb towards the mountain, and then the battle against that sentry... Silver truly saved all of us. I was relieved for his return, but worried about what news he would bring…
I then began to remember something else. Something vague, but… cold. That experience, was, horrifying. Just thinking about it made me get off the ground and back on my feet. I walked towards the exit, trying to move away from those thoughts, and when I stood outside, I noticed the rain had stopped. There was a clear, dark sky accompanied by a full moon, its light reflecting against the large damp rock wall behind me. Then, I saw him. Sitting on the edge of the cliff, far above.
I had found the path that would lead me to the top, and what I would find up there would be, breathtaking. It was a clearing, with two magnolia trees sitting beside each other. It would stretch out far and wide, just to meet a grove in the distance. The view from up there was gorgeous, filled with a vast openness and a sense of freedom. From that height, one was able to see the kingdom, standing proud in the distance, but my eyes were set on something far more beautiful…
"...Sonic."
"Blaze," he replied, surprised as I got on my knees, my arms wrapping around him from his back…
"...You're okay," I relieved. "You, scared me."
"I know… I'm sorry."
"...I'm just glad Silver was there," I said as I sat beside him. "Are you alright? What happened to you?" I asked, looking at his bandaged arm.
"I'm all right, it's just a cut… I, can't really seem to get some shut-eye; still on edge after what happened," he chuckled. "But don't worry about me, how are you feeling…? I'm glad you're awake," he said, gently cupping his hand on my face.
"I'm fine…"
"Hey… Are you sure?"
"...I, don't know… There was, a moment… Everything seemed so, obscure… It was terrible."
"I saw."
"I've never felt, like that before…"
"…I know the feeling."
"Y-You do?"
"…It, has happened to me a few times before…"
"I… did not know this."
"...It's not something worth mentioning, really-"
"Sonic, it is…! At least to me..."
"...I'm sorry… I'm not, exactly, too proud of it…"
He looked down at the grass, with a thoughtful expression that spoke many words… That, rage… That sense of loss, and ruin… I would have never thought Sonic, of all people, could be capable of such things… But, he was... Yet such things couldn't push me away from him. Nothing would. Instead, they would bring me much closer, and leaving me in wonder of the things that would bring him to such a state…
I cursed whatever would threaten to hurt him, or anyone else we held dear. Gently, my arms wrapped around him, startling him away from his thoughts. I kissed him softly on his forehead, and spoke to him…
"I understand… I hope I don't have to go through that again," I said to him as he leaned in. "But more importantly, that it never happens to you, too."
"...Fighting long enough makes you think you're unbreakable… But when you break… And you have nowhere to go…"
"You, start falling into an abyss, not many get to see…"
"Right…"
"...Please, forget what you saw."
"It's alright… We all have our moments… Take it from me."
We sat there in silence, close to one another. And admired the night sky, while we still could…
"Sonic… Why has Silver come?"
"Well… You can guess."
"Is the future in danger?"
"Right. And, it has to do with Nega," he said, as I began to silently look down in worry. "Hey. It doesn't change anything," he reassured. "We're still doing this."
"...Right."
"...Blaze… What's wrong…?"
"…The future, is at stake. Meaning that we, somehow failed-"
"That did not happen-"
"But-"
"Things are different now," Sonic reassured. "Thanks to Silver… Trust me. I'm worried too… I can't imagine, what we lost… But to be honest with you, I don't want to… He's gone through a lot, all by himself. Now's our chance, to make sure his efforts don't go wasted… And, maybe change things, for the better…"
He was right. Silver did shift the outcomes. We had a fighting chance, and a warning of what was to come. All we had to do, was find the rest of the gems before the doctor could do anything with them. I still had one of them close to me; one of the only things that reassured me on that journey. The other, well… was sitting right beside me.
I sighed, "I'm, sorry…"
"...For what?"
"I concern myself far too much, don't I?"
"It's okay. I promise. We'll figure it out, together," he spoke, holding on to my cheek as he placed a gentle kiss on my lips. "We've always had."
"...And, always will."
If his promising words wouldn't be enough to reassure me, surely his loving lips would. Even with worries clouding my mind, I couldn't help but smile.
"Can you, promise me one more thing...?" I whispered.
"Anything," he replied, holding onto my hands.
"Please, be careful," I asked, looking down. "...And stop diving head first into fires, will you?" I joked with him.
"Well someone has to be the brave one."
"...Hmm… Brave."
I couldn't help but jest with him… Just a little. I slowly, but surely, got closer to him…
"I enjoy the sound of that," I softly spoke to him. "Brave… And kind."
"…W-Well I-"
"…Gallant."
"I-uhh-"
"And quick-witted… Quite really."
He stood there, with cheeks flushed in red. Speechless, and looking at me with wide eyes. As my fingers traced his shoulder, all he did was remain still. I carefully moved forward, and…
"...If only you could see your face right now," I chuckled as I watched as his bashful expression turned into an unconvincing look.
"Well played, princess," he quietly admitted. "But, you are forgetting something."
Before I could ask, he had thrown himself on top of me, leaving me resting against the grass…
"O-Oh my."
"Two can play that game."
We laughed, resting on the edge of that clearing. The winds' whispers could be heard passing through the leaves, coursing through the tall grass, and taking all of our thoughts away as we laid there, smitten with one another. We didn't speak, or move; there was no need. We were happy just as we were, contemplating each other's warmth. As our foreheads touched as we closed our eyes, embracing such moments, I could feel our breaths swirling and dancing away to a silent song. My hands easily traveled from his chest, to his cheeks…
I'd never tire of that smile. Such a simple thing, meant everything to me…
"I keep forgetting you've changed a lot," he whispered. "I'm still getting used to that smile of yours…"
I chuckled at him, "You keep saying that… But, perhaps… I was like this, all along… All I needed, was you… You will never understand, how much life you bring into mine… Thank you…"
"No, thank you… For waiting for me, for so long… Chaos, I really don't deserve you… But, here you are."
"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else…"
"...Then, I promise. I'll keep you close… I wish things were better, but… I want you to be happy... And as long as you are, I will be too."
"Sonic, your presence alone, is enough for me…"
Our eyes were set from each other's lips to our eyes, back and forth, silently begging for a tender embrace. And as soon as our lips brushed, we gave in to each other. They had cupped perfectly, pulling away into the stillness of the night. We were so close. So bonded, so connected, our hearts would beat against one another, yet in perfect unity.
I wanted more of him. But slowly, every kiss we would share would sting me more and more…
"S-Sonic-"
"I-I'm sorry, did I do something?-"
"No, no, you're fine… You're, wonderful… The greatest joy, I've ever had… I love you… I'd stay like this, forever…"
As I hugged him, his ears lowered, taking notice of the tears running down my cheeks.
"…I miss you, so much already…"
"I know… I do too… I've, been thinking… I should stay… Here. With you."
"Sonic, you know you can't… What about Tails, and the others?"
"I…"
"Don't worry… I'll wait for your return, I swear."
"…Will you still love me when I'm gone?"
"Of course I will," I chuckled at such a silly question. "…Will you?"
"Hey. I love you now. I'll love you when I'm gone. And when I come back, I'll love you even more… I'll find my way back to you."
Our lips met again, sealing away his vow. In his hold, my doubts and worries would slowly fade. That time, nothing could take that moment away. That precious night was ours, and what only mattered then, was that small halcyon we had made. My arms were over him, pulling him closer to me as much as I could, as his hands cherished my back down to my sides, giving out sensations all around me. We kept on pressing against each other, trying to fit even more together, and with each kiss, I could feel that spark deep inside, filling me with a euphoric sensation. Each gesture made us crave more, falling deeper and deeper into one another. We were left with nothing else to hide, he and I. Everything was all so intoxicating, and so divine. Our souls seemed to follow in kind, and our hearts were so intertwined that neither of us could exist without the other. All that mattered, was him. Us. In between the gentle dark.
Our trade was slow and delicate, yet with a sense of hurry. We were both too eager to lose ourselves in each other's embrace, not wanting to waste any more time. Engulfed in nothing but warmth, and bliss. Desperate, to exchange those kind feelings and sweet nothings with one another. However, our passion would grow, only to find ourselves in need of breath.
Our mouths hung open, with our breaths hitching and trembling with pure emotion. For moments, we stared. Panting for air, and smiling at each other with a loving gaze. I took my time looking at him, studying every single feature he had. Those eyes that held nothing but beauty and devotion in them. Those soft and tempting lips that would speak caring words, and express kinder desires. His quills, carrying not only gentle winds, but the hopes of many, including mine. And his chest. A kind vessel of a gorgeous heart, beating in harmony with my own. For we knew, we belonged with one another.
Suddenly, he lifted himself and stood on one knee. He surprised me by scooping and carrying me away in his arms, but I did not object. Instead, I rested my head against his chest, taking in the sounds of his essence. The strong beating would be at odds with the soft and sincere expression on his face. I looked, and noticed where he was taking us. We walked through the grove, passing through moonlight broken by the trees above us. But his eyes were trained on mine the whole way—a sight I'd melt to…
We stopped, arriving at a small grassy clearing, with the stars watching over us. He gently laid me down, and slowly came up to me. I was overwhelmed by this sense of anticipation, yet he hugged me tightly, bringing such calm. I could see him, looking deep into me, and enjoying my fingers tracing through his quills. A moment of silence rested between us, one that I wished would last forever. His eyes shone in the moonlight, with a warm emotion behind them. I reached out and cradled his face in my hands, planting a kiss on his nose, which would make him quietly laugh. His eyes fell shut as he relaxed, leaning in closer to my touch.
I smiled, and took in the feeling of soft kisses on my jaw, my cheeks, my eyes. I wrapped my arms around his neck, trying to encourage him, as he finally lowered his eyes to my lips and gently leaned in. As my lips seemed to part on their own accord, I felt myself shiver, pulling into each other in a longing embrace. It was so easy to get lost in it all, completely entangled in each other. And every moment of his love left me yearning for more, wanting to savor those wonderful moments while they lasted.
Every taste was sweeter than the last. Each touch, a caress straight from the heavens above. And every single heartbeat, the most beautiful melody imaginable. His warmth was enough to give me a feeling of serenity; it was impossible to imagine myself without it. We weren't just two enkindled souls, who seemed to solely rely on the warmth, the comfort, and the passion for one another. We were an entire world unto ourselves that had no borders whatsoever. Only then, when our lips locked, did the stars above us rejoice. On that night, that grove became sacred, full of beauty and sincerity. On that night, we loved.
Although we slowly became erratic, we were most peaceful. We took our time, even though our moments were filled with sweet passion, almost obsessive. I enjoyed such a feeling, however, more than anything else. And as our breathing became heavier, our hearts became bolder. My teeth found his, and we both began to giggle in between kisses. I pulled him into me with my hands on his lower back, hearing how his breath would shift. His hands took their time, carefully coursing through my hair and down my back. His touch was tender, reassuring, and everything that I hoped for. Because it came from him.
We wanted that night to last, as much as it could. Time itself was irrelevant, and would pass by as we indulged ourselves in one another. His lips would travel from mine, to my neck. And I would shake at the touch, feeling as if they would brush against me. I'd just let him take me and let go of everything else, enjoying being under his warm care. However I couldn't be selfish. I took him by surprise, burying myself in the crook of his neck. His shaky moans and unsettled breaths came through my ears and rippled along my back. I'd make sure to cover every spot I could find with my warmth, before returning to his loving lips once more.
As his hands continued to wander me, my heart kept beating uncontrollably. Not due to dismay, but rather to the sheer desire that was flowing through me. And yet, it was soothing… To have someone I could call dear, and could always return to. Someone who would bring me close, want me, and cherish me with everything they had. Laying together, I silently thanked him. For his strength, through trials that weren't even meant for him to suffer from. For his patience, although our past times have been somewhat discordant. For his humility, even if it was something I couldn't share in return back then. For his regards, keeping me in his thoughts, even when oceans seemed to be between us. And for his love, which he kindly let grow, allowing it to bloom into something more. Something pure. Something… true.
I had never asked for, or deserved, someone like him. But there he was, carrying me in his arms, instead. Under the soft light of the full moon. Giving me blessings only he could give. Taking me into his life, and holding me with everything he had. And I would give anything, to return it all, tenfold. With him, my heart would always overflow with nothing but joy and adoration—a feeling I would never tire of. To love him, and be loved by him, was the most blissful gift I could ever have. A gift that would chase away our fears, and replace them with the purest and best of emotions.
"H-How do you do it…"
"...Do what?"
"Make me feel so…"
"...Hmm?"
"I don't know… Sublime…"
"Well… I could ask you the same thing…"
"Is that so...?"
"…You'll never know how happy I am, that I found you again…"
"Y-You did… Sonic, you found me… At long last, we're together again… And yet, I still can't believe that you're here… Everything feels so, unreal. Like, a distant dream."
Gently, he lifted my hand, and placed it on his chest.
"...Do you feel that…?"
"...I do."
"What I have here, feels real to me."
And it did. More real, than anything else…
We held onto each other close, falling together into the sweet silence that engulfed us. The beauty of sharing these moments with him is something that just can't be explained. I looked at him closely, and remembered how far we'd gone. How, despite everything we had experienced, we'd always find a way back to one another. I used to trust his judgment, after the things we had gone through. But I would never have thought that I would be able to trust him, not only with my life, but my heart; I was blessed.
Under the night, we remained. Embracing moments that belonged to us alone. Holding on to each other, as much as we could, as if our worlds would begin to tear us apart at any given moment. In silence, we rested there, listening to each other's breathing, hoping that the full moon above us would grant us one last night. Long enough for his warmth to linger, and become a part of me. And for my love to follow him, wherever he'd go.
On that night, our souls intertwined in a way that would defy all reason, weaving threads of emotions that would go beyond even the boundaries of time and space. For such is the pure nature, of love.