Chapter Four: Crème de la crème
Cream The Rabbit was the kind of girl almost everyone took an instant liking to. Whether by nature or nurture, Cream always had a way to treat everyone with kindness and to befriend those she met. She was cheerful, her joy contagious to almost all around her, and she possessed a burning optimism for the future. Contrasting her sweet persona was a surprisingly assertive and serious force of will, a mind of decisive action that enabled Cream to stand by and defend her family, friends, and principles when disaster or danger arose. At a little over two feet tall, Cream possessed a memorable figure, being a small lop-eared rabbit with cream fur, and brown eyes. A short fluffy tail that stuck out of her dress subtly swayed along with Cream as she skipped down the street saying good afternoon to every creature she passed. Even those who were down on their luck and largely ignored by society, Cream greeted them with a smile, wished them well, and rooted for them to do their best. Upon walking by a local park she stopped and admired all the other kids and parents out enjoying the beautiful day. The sun was warm and the air was blowing a cool breeze that many other kids like her were making memories. Cream, however, was not your ordinary child. Like her friend Mr. Sonic, Cream the Rabbit had an adventurous spirit and so Cream often tagged along occasionally on the less life threatening adventures. Her Mother, Vanilla, trusted Cream's friends to keep her safe, and by letting her go on adventures she could learn and grow to become her own Woman and live life whether as a child or eventually an adult, according to her own values and principles.
On this day Cream was on a path in Central City Park where many flowers had bloomed. Cream walked over and picked several flowers as she hummed to herself, excited to visit the Chao at the research center. Everyone was so nice and the Chao were always so fun to visit. She thought to herself, well, except for the Dark Chao that seemed to have a bit of an ego and superiority complex. Even then, they were still harmless and very cute. With enough flowers for the several people she had in mind, Cream continued on her way to the Research Center.
The Research Center was a massive fortress of steel and concrete. The building was so big Cream had never seen more than a small portion of the outside, to say nothing of the countless rooms inside she had never entered. The outside perimeter was largely to blame for Cream not even having seen much of the building's structure as the walls were twelve feet high and two feet thick. Dotting the top of the walls was barbed wire and below that were security cameras with tinted glass spaced evenly every ten feet. This seemed strange to Cream, what kind of mean monster would ever get satisfaction from hurting Chao? Regardless, she was happy the Chao got to live in such a well protected home with such nice people. Cream rounded the corner and came to a security checkpoint in front of steel barrier gates. She walked over to the concrete box and cheerfully greeted the security guard inside.
"Good afternoon Mr. Security Guard."
The tinted window opened and a Burly brute of a man wearing full combat gear, shades, a communication earpiece, and steel plated body armor looked down at the small two foot three rabbit girl.
"Hello Cream, what are you doing here today?" the tattooed man asked over the gentle roar of a miniature fan that helped keep him cool in his small concrete bunker.
"I wanted to visit the Chao and pick up my friend Cheese, but I also wanted to give you one of these..."
Cream offered a single sunflower to the Security Guard. "It's such a beautiful day I thought you should have a small piece of it. I hope it brightens your day and puts a big smile on your face." Cream said cheerfully.
The man's stoic facial expression faltered for a moment as he took the offered flower. The battle hardened Warrior with a near permanent blank expression now had his faith in humanity restored, if but for a moment. A singular kind action thus brightening his dark world. His voice and shaded expressions betrayed his genuine gratitude to the small rabbit, "Oh, wow Cream, that's so nice and thoughtful of you, but I'm really not supposed to let anyone in who… oh, screw it. On second thought, I'm pretty sure it's your day to visit anyway. Head on in Cream."
The security guard pressed a button and two massive steel barrier gates slowly swung inward creating a path further into the facility.
"Are you sure? I would hate for you to get in trouble because I was being selfish."
The Security guard waved his arm in disagreement, 'Oh don't you worry your cute little head about that little missy. I'll be alright, I promise. You have a wonderful day for yourself, Miss Cream.
"Thank you and you too. Goodbye!" Cream waved goodbye to the nice security guardsman as she entered the facility.
"Hello Ma'am, I hope this sunflower brightens your day." Cream said loudly over the blare of a talk show an old human lady was listening to at her desk. Cream extended a gloved hand that held a single large sunflower. The receptionist woke up from a dazed stupor with a sense of melancholy. Upon noticing Cream and the offered flower she looked at the rabbit as if she had been interrupted by a ghost and kept from attending a particularly significant daydream. Upon seeing Cream beaming diabetes into her body she painstakingly fiddled with an old picture frame with a shaky hand before taking the sunflower, looking at it bitterly, then dropping it into a nearby trash can. The old Woman met Cream's cheerful gaze with a mournful expression of her own as she looked at cream with apprehension and disdain.
"Just what do you think you are doing here little girl? You're not scheduled to visit the Chao Garden until later this week."
Cream clasped her hands in front of her as she held the last sunflower and pleaded with her eyes as well as her words, "I have a Chao friend here named Cheese who asked to be picked up today and taken home with me. I know it's not my day to visit but I thought I could visit with all the Chao while I'm here if it is not a problem? I'm sure they would love having an extra visitor playing games together. Do you think you could ask Dr. Nagato if it would be alright?
"I think it would be best if you went home to your mother." The receptionist said matter of factly.
"Oh please let me visit them. We'd all have so much fun together and it would make all of us so happy, I'm sure if you asked Dr. Nagato he would be okay with us visiting."
The receptionist's right eye twitched, "Listen you little harelot. I don't know what you think we're doing here but this isn't some daycare or tea party. We're doing very important things here and we can't have foolish children running around this facility like it is some billion dollar playground."
"I- I know, but-"
The phone rang. Both Human and Rabbit stopped talking. The receptionist was about to let it awkwardly ring and go to voicemail when she noticed it was a call from inside the government facility. She begrudgingly picked it up.
"Hello sir. No, it's just a guest who is leaving soon. No- well yes but she was just about to leave... but sir she is not scheduled today. Would that not compromise your data? Are you sure? … My sincerest apologies, I only meant to suggest- yes I do like my job. No sir. Yes sir, I will keep my scientific opinions to myself from now on. Yes. Yes sir. I will send her up to see you right away."
The old woman slammed the phone down on the receiver then said a word Cream had only ever heard Mr. Shadow use.
"The old man said he would like to see you upstairs. Floor Ten, can't miss it."
"Um, was there a room number I should look for?"
"Take the elevator to the Tenth floor, then like I said, you can't miss it."
Cream curtsied, "Th- thank you. I hope you have a great rest of your day."
As Cream entered the elevator and pressed the number ten button, the receptionist mumbled something under her breath as she looked back at her picture frame longingly then slowly closed her eyes in the hopes of dreaming again.
As the elevator opened, Cream stepped out to see an intimidating blast door in front of her and security cameras in each corner of the large room she found herself in.
The door had several laminated words and phrases posted on it:
LABORATORY
NOTICE: AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY.
ALL VISITORS MUST HAVE AUTHORIZATION FROM THE UNITED FEDERATION DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE (OR) THE LEAD SCIENTIST OF THE CENTRAL CITY RESEARCH CENTER AS PER SEC. 31 OF THE INTERNAL SECURITY ACT OF THE UNITED FEDERATION.
TRESPASSERS BEYOND THIS POINT WILL FACE FELONY CHARGES.
REFUSAL TO SURRENDER TO AUTHORITIES WILL RESULT IN DEADLY FORCE BEING UTILIZED.
NO SMOKING.
Cream approached the sole doorway and nervously pressed the doorbell. Cream noticed a Camera next to the door subtly observing her and the surroundings. Suddenly there was a loud buzz and an artificial voice spoke, "ten seconds until the blast door closes. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six..." Cream rushed through the door before it could close. Once seemingly locked inside she came across yet another door. This door had a unique eye and facial scanner. Suddenly Cream heard static coming from a nearby integrated speaker system before a familiar voice spoke to her.
"Hello Cream, go ahead and scan your eye and face at the door right there."
"Oh, okay Mr. Nagato."
Surprised and startled, Cream stepped toward the device integrated into the steel door frame and let it scan her eyes and face. After a confirmation tone Cream looked at the screen and saw that it read, SYSTEM BYPASS.
The door opened and Cream slowly walked inside only to have the door slam shut behind her and lock seconds later.
Cream nervously walked forward and came to a third door. This door was made of simple wood. Cream gently knocked three times.
"It's unlocked. You may enter."
Cream took a deep breath and opened the door and stepped inside and immediately wished Tails could be alongside her. There were all numbers of scientific devices and computer systems that Cream knew not what they did or what they were called. The entire wall in front of Cream was one large computer screen. It had dozens of different camera feeds and footage from all over the facility, though most of the cameras were of the Chao Garden. She even saw old footage of herself playing with the Chao. Cream was starting to get nervous and wondered why Dr. Nagato wanted to see her, especially in such a private and secure location.
"H-Hello? You wanted to talk to me, Dr. Nagato?"
The scientist had his back to cream as he looked forward and watched one of the video feeds on the giant screen as the video recording looped. An adult Chao, or rather, as adult as the colorful creatures could look, was enveloped in a bright pink cocoon and then after six seconds of video the cocoon barrier faded away leaving a single egg. Another looped video recording showed the same Chao happily hugging a small animal then spontaneously growing matching ears and a tail. Then Cream heard that old and tenderhearted voice once again of Doctor Nagata suddenly speak as he turned and faced Cream.
"I should hope it goes without saying… if anyone discovers what I say and do here or that you can now use your biometrics to enter any part of the facility this would result in not just the loss of my position as lead researcher and the United Federations Department of Science, nor my top secret clearance, but both our lives will become at risk by foreign or domestic powers. Understand this, it is dangerous and illegal for you to share the information I am going to give you with anyone. This includes your friends and family. With all that said, do you still wish to speak with me? To see what I have to say? It is not too late for you to leave."
Cream thought for a moment, then nodded her head. Mr. Nagato had always been very nice to her and always listened to her advice on how to help the Chao to be more happy and comfortable. She was sure he had something important to share.
Dr. Nagata brushed his chin and pondered, "Where oh where to start... Some of my peers believe that the Chao hold the secret to immortality. Others see them as a tool to revolutionize our understanding of genetic engineering. From a purely scientific perspective they are not wrong."
Cream swallowed nervously, as she fidgeted with her fingers, "Are the Chao in danger?"
Dr. Nagato stared at the ground. A look of guilt and regret permeated his face. He then turned in his swivel chair and stared into Cream's eyes.
"I work for the Government Cream. Despite the States best intentions it is at the end of the day an abstract entity that cannot be controlled, inevitably it forgets or discards its noble intentions in a zealous pursuit of power and control. I'm tired of listening to naive and power hungry addicts in the Government and Academia casually entertain the idea of playing God. They are like children with their parent's guns. Ignorant and delusional. They have not the experience or knowledge of what power they are playing with. What harm they are capable of unleashing on the world through their so called civil service. If you could spend but a minute with them Cream... you would be sick to your stomach. They look and speak of the Chao as if they are less than cattle… more akin to a sacrifice they are all too eager to make for humanity's alleged benefit."
"That's... horrible." Cream, aghast, covered her open mouth with a gloved hand.
"I make sure they are treated well but the Government will outlive the both of us. That's why I am glad you are here today. I've been wanting to speak with you in private for some time. Not to alarm you Cream, but I have been watching and observing you and your friends… visits... to this facility as well as your time with the Chao. I have come to a moral conclusion and I would kindly like to ask for your help. First, I ask that you promise to protect the Chao if I were to suddenly disappear."
"Of course. But what could I do? Wouldn't you be better off asking Mr. Sonic or Mr. Shadow?"
"To be frank, I do not trust them, particularly Shadow, and I have far more faith in you Cream. No one shares your compassion. I've read your file in the G.U.N. database. I have every confidence in you. Before I get to my next topic of importance I had a question to ask you, and I want an honest answer."
Cream nodded her head.
"Did the receptionist give you a hard time again? I don't know how she got that Job, I'd fire her if I could but between the unions and politics." The scientist trailed off. "I digress. It's simply not right how she treats you. That woman is a real b- well, she's a poo poo head as my two year old grandson would say."
Cream looked at the ground with an expression of sadness that was plainly visible to the Doctor, "I don't let it bother me. She seems like she has had a hard life."
Dr. Nagato raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"
"She is always looking at a picture on her desk of a little girl. I think it is her daughter or granddaughter. She looks so sad and fragile when I see her staring at it. I try to brighten her day but it only makes her look at me with even more anger and sadness. I think she is in a lot of pain, I wish I could help her not feel so sad and alone. I just don't know what to do to help her. Being kind… hasn't worked. So I am out of ideas."
Nagato looked at the small rabbit in awe, "You are too good for this world Cream, you know that? Any doubt in my mind about placing my faith in you has thus been shattered."
"What do you mean?" Cream asked.
Ignoring her, the Doctor Nagato continued, "Over here, I want to show you another interesting discovery. Tell no one of this or It might well be the end of me."
Cream's gaze nervously followed the Doctor as he walked over to several television screen monitors and pressed a button. One of the large central screens switched to a new video feed.
Shadow The Hedgehog was suddenly on the screen.
"This is occurring in real time. If he finds out I showed you this I'm a dead man. I mean that."
There were twelve Chao playing in the garden. One black and red Chao, with bright red highlights on its body, purple bat wings, and blue eyes, was sleeping peacefully when it suddenly woke up. It sat up, stretched, and let out an innocent yawn. It casually glanced around the garden until its gaze glided along the ground to where Shadow was standing with a stoic expression. The little Chao's eyes became the size of dinner plates. In a heartbeat the Chao stood up and ran as quick as its little feet allowed it- until it tripped. It got up and continued running, giggling, and smiling as it ran to the irate looking Hedgehog that maintained a domineering gaze as he stared across the Garden for danger and threats. Shadow ignored the ecstatic Chao, and as the Dark Chao pondered what to do to get the hedgehog's attention it got an idea. It then started singing. Two other Dark Chao heard the song and walked over, and joined in singing for Shadow who suddenly walked away without acknowledging them. Shadow continued walking to the artificial pond at the other side of the Garden. The three Dark Chao pondered what to do to get his attention so they in unison decided to skip and follow Shadow. For a whole minute the Chao joyfully skipped behind Shadow as the latter walked around. Another Chao, this one with a white and blue coloration, and pink wings, crawled over and jumped in the water and attempted to swim, only to then proceed to drown in the two foot deep manmade pond. Shadow bent over and picked up the Chao and put him on dry land again. The Chao then, none the worse or wiser, crawled off.
Cream, having seen all this and in an absolute state of shock shouted, "Mr. Shadow is here?"
"He is indeed. Though, you shouldn't trust that one Cream. He is dangerous."
"Mr. Shadow isn't dangerous. I've met him before and even beat him in a couple races. He acts tough but deep down his heart is in the right place."
Dr. Nagato stared at Cream, his face aghast, "Cream… there… I don't know how much you understand about Shadow's past or what he has done, but there is no way in my opinion that he could have done what he did and not have killed anyone. Before, he was a, well, not even a terrorist, he was a Maniac whose goal was to destroy the world."
Cream's ears drooped slightly at the words but then her ears were pinned backwards as she retorted, "Mama said Shadow was pardoned by the president after he saved the world... twice."
Doctor Nagato pressed further, "Yet twice he acted in a manner that endangered the world and all life within it. I am of the view that one doesn't get credit for fixing a problem you helped to create. All I am saying is that at the end of the day he has at least twice been aligned against or at the least not with the World. At the end of the day he is either a lapdog of G.U.N. or a wildcard acting out his whims as it suits him in the present moment. I have seen his kind before."
Cream clenched her fists and glared at Dr. Nagato, "And what kind is that?"
"A dangerous weapon, that once dulled will be cast aside and forgotten."
"Your wrong, Mr. Nagato. It makes me sad that you can't see the good in him. Everyone makes mistakes in life. What matters is if you apologize and work to make things right."
"For the world's sake, I hope you are right, Cream, I really do."
Cream, still miffed at the attack on Shadow's Character, was not done with the conversation just yet, pouting her lips Cream said, "Shadow is good to the Chao. Look at how much they love him."
"Yes, well, the Dark Chao seems to like him at least but I don't know if he is the best influence for them. Regardless, this is all part of the data we collected. Shadow and the Chao he influenced has proved a fruitful control group. As have you and your other friends."
"What exactly have you discovered? If you don't mind me asking, Dr. Nagato?"
"Not at all Cream," The Doctor continued, "The Chao are remarkable creatures. To get to the point, we have discovered three types of Chao classifications currently: Hero, Dark, and Neutral. Depending on who interacts and bonds with the Chao and for how long, a Chao's DNA and physiology undergo mutation and rapid alteration. Do you know what type the Chao you spent the most time with evolved into?"
Cream, taken aback by everything she was learning, simply shook her head at a loss of words.
"A Hero Chao, unsurprisingly. Though, some incorrectly call them Angel Chao based on the similarity to an Angel's halo the Hero Chao have. The personality of a Hero, Dark, and Neutral Chao does not change after it undergoes metamorphosis, but most everything else about it does change. Some politically connected theologians are questioning if Chao are not proof of a higher power. If they are not like children, a pure being, without anger or hatred or sin whose only shortcomings are those wrought upon them by the evil of Mankind. I used to think they were fools. Now I am not so sure anymore..."
Dr. Nagato walked to the end of the room and pressed a hidden button on the wall. A panel and biometric verification system was revealed from behind the wall that the Doctor then entered a code into and then proceeded to scan his eyes. A hidden passage was revealed and the doctor disappeared into the darkness. A minute later he returned with a small box that he gently put on the table, but instead of letting go of the box he held onto it. His brows furrowed as he contemplated the magnitude of the decision he was making before releasing the box from his grasp.
"Open it."
Cream opened the lid of the box to reveal a Chaos Emerald.
"I believe this to be the best proof on the planet of a higher power. If there is in fact a higher omniscient power… then aside from the two of us, only it and G.U.N. knows the Emerald is here. The box is designed to mask its presence. The Chaos Emeralds, building off of Mr. Prowers findings, defies all understanding of modern physics. The Emerald has yet to be even scratched, never mind destroyed, by anything less than that of a nuclear weapon. Nor could it be melted. One would have thought a laser heating the Emerald and the metal surrounding the Chaos Emerald to three-point-six million degrees fahrenheit would have done the trick but alas, physics be damned, not even its reflective shine was ruined. Last but not least, its ability to spontaneously generate energy is incalculable with modern technology. This is the real philosopher's stone Cream, and if the top secret files on the "Super Sonic" "Super Shadow" and the "Chaos" of Station Square are any indication, we have not even cracked the surface of its power... or its potential danger to humanity."
Dr. Nagato was silent. Letting all he said sink in. After a moment of silence passed he said one final statement that gave Cream chills all across her body.
"Cream, I want you to take this Emerald and hide it. Protect it. Keep it out of Evil's hands."
Cream immediately panicked, she flailed her arms in front of her as if to push the idea away from her presence, "T-there is no way. I couldn't hide this from my Mother let alone Eggman or the Government."
"Cream, I don't trust anyone in the world but you with this. The Government will in time demand to control all seven of the Chaos Emeralds, G.U.N. will inevitably use them in some unholy weapon to project power and control over the world no different then how Doctor Eggman might. I fear the Chaos Emeralds are too dangerous to be entrusted to anyone. Anyone… but you, Cream.
He slammed his hand on the table loudly for emphasis, startling Cream.
"This isn't a game or a joke Cream, countries will go to war, happily sacrificing millions to obtain just one of these Emeralds that possess unlimited power and even the ability to affect time and space. Worse yet, the alien attack on Central City by the Black Arms proved that humanity is not alone in this universe. Now Cream... I have had a long and blessed life. I even got to meet my grandson, Shota. With that said, we cannot allow this Emerald to fall into the wrong hands. I am prepared to give up my career, even my life for this endeavor."
"I- I can't. I'm not strong enough. I'm not like Sonic or Shadow. I-"
"-That doesn't matter. You can get stronger. You have the biggest heart of anyone I have ever seen and you are stronger than you give yourself credit for."
Cream sat in silence. She reached out as she held back tears and picked up the Emerald. It felt heavier than it looked. The weight of responsibility the Emerald carried with it no doubt made it feel heavier than it actually was.
Doctor Nagato looked at Cream as he waited for her answer while the latter stared into the Emerald until she seemed to have come to a decision as to what she would do.
"So Cream… what do you say?"
Cream held the Chaos Emerald for a moment more. Before gently putting it back in the box.
Then, Cream announced her decision.