{"sf1_id":709012,"sf2_id":null,"title":"Sonic The Hedgehog: The Series - Part 1","author":"diosoth","words":24410,"posted_at":"2014-05-24T20:34:00.000Z","tags":["Bat","Cunnilingus","Fanfiction","Human","M/F","Romance","Sex","Sonic The Hedgehog","Supernatural","Yiff"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/709012-sonic-the-hedgehog-the-series-part-1","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/view/709012","image_url":"https://www.sofurryfiles.com/std/thumb?page=709012\u0026ext=.jpg","description":"","content":"Approximately twenty five years before Sonic first encountered Dr. Robotnik  \n  \n  \n------------------------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nIt was a simple machine. Collect a test tube, place it in the wooden  \nrack, collect a dirty test tube and place it aside for cleaning.  \nTiny arms, tiny wheels and a tiny circuit for a brain. It was all  \nthe robot needed to perform the task its creator had assigned.  \n  \nIvo Robotnik was content in his new position. It was quiet in this  \nlab, and all he was expected to do was let his imagination run wild.  \nImagination would lead to ideas, ideas would lead to invention and  \ninvention would lead to change.   \n  \nHe didn't hear the door open but he was expecting his friend.   \n\"Herbert,\" he greeted.  \n  \n\"I see they set you up with a nice lab. Your grandfather would have  \nbeen proud.\"  \n  \n\"Perhaps not enough, Herbert,\" Ivo remarked, \"not until I create  \nthings that will revolutionize the world itself.\"  \n  \nHerb sighed. \"It's never good enough as it is, right?\"  \n  \n\"Exactly.\" Shuffling his notes, pinning them to the cork board for  \neasier reference, Robotnik began to mark on them with precision.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Have fun. You'll be here...\" Herbert Westwood envied this place.  \nQuiet. Air conditioned. \"...and I'll be in the Sumerian desert,  \nbaking my skin off to help that cat find that rock. All because she's  \nsuperstitious about some dead king. At least the money's good.\"  \n  \n\"Yes, have fun indeed,\" Ivo commented. He didn't have the heart to tell  \nhis friend that it had been HIM who'd recommended Herbert for the  \nexpedition. After all, Doctor Ivo Robotnik had it easy finding work.   \nHe had the brains, his grandfather's legacy... Herbert Westwood had a   \nfailing treasure hunting track record and an interest in paranormal   \nstudies that seemed to border on skeptical. But they had been childhood   \nfriends and Ivo was not going to allow the man to be out of work.  \n  \nFinding himself alone once more, the doctor focused more on his  \ndrawings. The robot design was promising, if only there was a suitable  \nmeans to attach a water supply. It was a simple but efficient robot,  \nas were all his ideas. Two legs, bent backwards with wheels for  \noptional speed, with a single hand and a cannon. It was a fire fighting  \nmechanism, capable of spraying water as would a live fire fighter.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;But aside from a simple suppressive foam canister, it would not hold  \nenough water in the main canister. A hose would be needed. As to how  \na hose could be attached, tethering the robot to a truck and   \nmaintaining the free movement and operation, that was the issue.  \n  \n---------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nThe bright lights awoke him as the building's night system engaged,  \nautomatically turning on the lights in any occupied room. He'd fallen  \nasleep. Ivo Robotnik had fallen asleep. That was a sign that he had   \nbeen working too hard. The problems never solve themselves, but if  \nhe didn't rest more often and end this habit of missing sleep, soon  \nhe would find that the problems were never solved at all.  \n  \nPiling his papers into a neat stack, he spotted the package.  \nNo doubt delivered while he was in dreamland, curiously the scientist  \nopened the brown wrapping. Inside was a bound book with a note taped  \nto the cover. The handwriting simply stated, 'belonged to your  \ngrandfather. You will want to read this.'  \n  \nIt was unbelievable. Somehow, Gerald Robotnik's research manual had  \nbeen located and sent to him. The mystery was only enhanced by the   \nnoted lack of a return address.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Opening the book, Ivo began to read. No doubt the contents found within  \nwould change his life forever.  \n  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------------------  \n-------------------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nApproximately ten years before Sonic first encountered Dr. Robotnik  \n  \n  \n------------------------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nCrayons. That was her world. Crayons and paper. The child scribbled,  \ncircles and lines, filled with glorious color. A curved line to finish,  \nand scribbling the letters R-O-O-G, the child's artwork was done  \nin time for the door to open. Running to greet her mother, the girl  \nheld up the sheet. \"Mommy, I drew you!\"  \n  \n\"Whatever,\" the woman mumbled, heading for the nearest chair. Rouge  \nhad no idea why her mother did this. All the little girl wanted was  \nfor her mother to smile. Walking towards the chair, again to show  \noff the art made with love, she never got the chance as the phone  \nrang.  \n  \n\"Yeah?\" Maureen...\" Marron screamed out, \"no, I did NOT get that dress!  \nYou know fucking well why! They don't make them for bats! Our stupid  \nwings get in the way! I would have to be born some freak thing that  \nno one caters to...\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Saddened by the yelling, Rouge ran to her room and jumped on the bed,  \nhugging the stuffed bear she loved so much. She was afraid. Afraid of  \nher mother's angry screaming, afraid of being ignored. The bear was  \nall she seemed to have.  \n  \nHearing the old apartment door creak open, the little girl saw her   \nmother. \"Got this for you,\" she said, tossing a tiny green object   \nto the bed and walking away. Picking it up, Rouge was amazed by the  \nsight. A small, translucent object with points and solid lines,  \nrefracting the light.  \n  \nIt was the prettiest thing she had ever seen. Maybe her mother did   \ncare.  \n  \n----------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nMorning was a nasty time for Rouge. The eyes of a bat, especially a  \nchild were unable to handle the sun very well. Curtains stayed closed  \nall the time in the apartment. Stepping out, hoping her mother  \nMIGHT actually cook breakfast this time, she found the place empty.  \nThis was as it always was. Her mother would go to work, leaving her  \nown daughter alone with the door locked.  \n  \nGrabbing a bowl of fruit, carrying her bear into the living room,  \nshe switched on the television to cartoons. They held no real   \ninterest for, unfortunately. The rock her mother had given her was  \nall the little bat could think of. Her mother, the one who usually  \ndidn't seem to care, had given her something pretty. As Rouge looked  \nat it, all she could do was think. Think about owning more of these  \nsomeday.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;After all, hoping someone might love her seemed to be a distant wish.  \nIf her own mother wouldn't do that, why should she expect anyone  \nelse to do the same? The jewel would never leave her or talk back.  \nTo the child, this jewel was her only friend. Except for her toy bear,  \nthat is. The jewel wasn't soft to hug and it didn't smile. The jewel   \ncouldn't be everything.  \n  \nThe ideas were too much for her. Instead, she looked at the window.   \nIt was bright out and the windows bolted shut. The apartment was  \nsmall. But someday, Rouge would grow up and fly. She would fly in  \nthe freedom from this place, freedom from what little she knew.  \n  \nSomeday.  \n  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------------------  \n-------------------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nApproximately two years before Sonic first encountered Dr. Robotnik  \n  \n  \n  \n------------------------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nThe child was lonely. Birds and other small animals were his companions,  \nand occasionally a calming voice would speak from somewhere unknown,  \nbut the child was alone.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;His home floated above the sea, the edges dropping off into the   \nclouds. Blue below seemed to stretch out. It would be easy to leave,  \nto use the air under his quills and flee this place.   \n  \nKnuckles couldn't leave. He was the only one on this floating mass,  \nthe only one to protect the large emerald that stood on its pedestal.  \n  \nIt was unbearable at times. No one ever came here anyway. Knuckles  \nwasn't even sure if other people still existed. The echidna's only  \nsign that other beings may even exist was the voice that spoke to  \nhim, taught him language and survival skills. Without that voice, he  \nnever would have survived these years.  \n  \nMemories of parents were vague. Dreams, almost. Had they left? Had they  \nsimply stopped living? No, they wouldn't have left him here, alone,  \nwhen he was so young. They were gone forever.  \n  \nHunger was all he felt. It was time to go find food. Insects and  \nberries, as always. They were the only foods that the young boy knew  \nhow to eat. At least his home had plenty of clean water to drink.   \nKnuckles didn't like the taste of many of the bugs but they were   \nnecessary.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Wandering off as always, deep into the forests, the ground gave way  \nand he tumbled downward. His landing was smooth, the caves allowing his  \nbody to roll to a soft stop.\u0026nbsp; Standing up from the dust and rocks,  \nKnuckles noticed a stone table, flat and old, spared time's passage  \nin these hidden tunnels. Inspecting a pile of treasures placed upon  \nthe rock, Knuckles found a pair of spiked mittens and what looked like  \nthings that could be worn on his feet.  \n  \nThe gloves slid on as if nature intended the boy to wear them. The shoes  \nfelt good and would no doubt offer decent protection to his feet.  \n  \nHowever, Knuckles was trapped in this dark place. The only visible  \ncave leading out had crumbled long ago, leaving nothing but a pile  \nof rock barring exit. Even if he could move them, it was no  \nguarantee where the caves would lead.  \n  \nThe gloves seemed to awaken an instinct. The spikes were the key.   \nWalking towards the wall, punching forth, they dug in securely. Punching  \nhigher with the other hand, he found they gripped in tight, possibly  \nwell enough to even support the kid's body weight. The shoes were lined  \nwith rough bottoms which would aid in the climb. One by one, he punched,  \nwalking up the wall, upward to the surface.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Feeling a sense of strength this day, Knuckles resumed his quest for  \nfood. Would the voice tell him what he'd found? It didn't matter.  \nThe echidna had already learned their purpose. For now, that was  \nall that was important. If anyone ever did come to his island, he now  \nhad a better means to deal with the problem.  \n  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------------------  \n-------------------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nImmediately after Sonic's first encounter with Dr. Robotnik  \n  \n  \n------------------------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nUnbelievable. To have lost to some woodland animal with a sense of  \njustice. His first major offensive, his first plans, all ruined.  \nHe'd spent years building capital, founding businesses, gathering  \nresources and finally, is plans were in action. Using animals as  \nbatteries for his robots was a perfect plan and the mythical Chaos   \nEmeralds were almost in his reach, but that hedgehog ruined everything.  \n  \nHe'd run off, beaten. And if it wasn't enough, his old friend Herbert  \nWestwood was furious. Not that Herb had a clue what this was all  \nabout.   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Westwood had called him on the video phone only an hour before to  \nyell and scream. Robotnik was angry and was going to tell it to Herb's  \nface, like it or not. Hovering near the wooded property, Ivo needed  \na spot to set down his small flying craft. Herb's house was small but  \nthere wasn't much clear, flat space around to set down.  \n  \nAt the edge of the clearing, he thought he saw Herbert on the ground.  \nThe sight took seconds to register but it was painfully clear that  \nHerbert Westwood was injured. Blood was pooling quickly. Ignoring  \nlanding procedures, Robotnik jammed his flying machine to the ground,  \njumping out to find Herb barely conscious. The chainsaw was still  \nbuzzing, blade soaked in red. Gushing from his old friend's thigh,  \nthe wound was deep and wide.   \n  \nRipping his sleeve free, Ivo put his limited medical skills to use and  \ntied above the gash. Lifting the man's body slowly, he jumped into  \nhis aircraft and ignited the thrusters. Pointing towards the nearest  \ncity, Ivo Robotnik only prayed that he was not too late.  \n  \n------------------------------------------------  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;  \n\"He's stable but he's lost a LOT of blood!\" the nurse shouted, pushing  \nalong the medical gurney.  \n  \n\"We'll need immediate transfusions,\" the doctor screamed out. \"I need  \nto know his blood type!\"  \n  \nIvo knew he had a chance to do something useful. \"O negative, same as  \nmine!\"  \n  \n\"Good! Nurse, get him prepped for a transfusion and get what supplies we   \nhave. And do it five minutes ago!\"  \n  \n------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \n\"Well?\"  \n  \n\"You got him here in time,\" the doctor answered, \"for now. All we can do  \nis wait. Your friend lost a lot of blood and it will be touch and go for  \nthe next few days. His systems might have been sent into shock... look,  \nanother minute and he would have been dead. I can't make any guarantees.  \nand if you hadn't been a matching blood type he would definitely have  \ndied. Even if he recovers, he'll never walk again without a cane. Unless  \nhe wants a mechanical prosthetic...\"  \n  \nPulling a book from his coat, Ivo handed it over. \"If Herb wakes up, give   \nthat to him.\"  \n  \n------------------------------------------------  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;  \nThe week passed slowly. Robotnik had simply been too concerned with   \nhis old comrade's well being to revise his plans. At least now he was  \ncertain that Herbert would be okay.  \n  \nSitting upright in bed, he stared Ivo down. \"The saw slipped. I was  \ntoo mad at you, I shouldn't have been cutting wood. I wasn't paying  \nattention.\" Tapping the book, he continued, \"they killed Maria. They  \ndrove Gerald insane. WHY didn't you tell me?\"  \n  \n\"It wouldn't have mattered. I know you, there's no way you would have  \nhelped me.\"  \n  \n\"Probably not. But I owe you my life now. I'm not going to support you.\"  \n  \nTurning to the window, Ivo asked, \"so, what are you going to do?\"  \n  \n\"Look the other way.\" Tossing the diary back, he said, \"don't take this  \ntoo far. You don't want to become like the men who did this to your  \ngrandfather.\"  \n  \n\"They have to pay. The government, this planet...\"  \n  \nLeaning back, Westwood remarked, \"never the innocent ones. Don't punish   \nthe innocent ones. What now?\"  \n  \n\"That hedgehog got in my way. But I plan to obtain the Chaos Emeralds  \nagain and I believe I know of something connected to them.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Herbert was annoyed. \"Then go take care of your little plans for  \nworld domination. My leg hurts.\"  \n  \nGrinding his teeth, Robotnik inquired, \"did they offer you a new leg?\"  \n  \n\"New leg...\" He grimaced at the idea. \"That's for athletes and young  \npeople. I'm too old to get new body parts.\"  \n  \n\"Stubborn...\" Grabbing the book, Ivo Robotnik left. There were   \npreparations yet to be made.  \n  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------------------  \n-------------------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nImmediately after Sonic defeated Metal Sonic on Little Planet  \n  \n  \n------------------------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nThe little girl didn't know which was worse- that her meeting with  \nSonic the Hedgehog had been such a disaster or that her mother was so  \nangry. She didn't understand the problem. After all, Sonic had rescued  \nher.   \n  \nAmy sat on her bed. No radio, no television. She'd been grounded for  \nrunning off. Looking out the window at the birds, wishing for the  \nsame freedom, Amy Rose began to cry. In her little world, she could  \ndo what she wanted and her mother was being mean.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;But what was keeping her here? She should be more like the one she  \nidolized and be on her own. Grabbing a small backpack, the pink girl  \ngrabbed clothes and what money she had, unlatching the window  \nand jumping out. It would be at least an hour before either of her  \nparents brought dinner to the room, by then she would be on her way.  \n  \n-----------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nIt was incredible. The carnival seemed to be where Amy needed to be.  \nPurchasing more soda, the child wandered around, looking for new  \ngames to play. Handing tickets to the man, hammer in hand, she  \nswung down, the crash of the bell ringing above as the weight flew.  \n  \nTaking her prize, a blue shape in the distant crowd held the girl's  \ninterest. Running out to see, it was merely a kid in a blue coat.  \nThen again, why would Sonic even be here? He was probably running  \naround on an adventure. A carnival? Barely enough to entertain   \nsomeone like him.  \n  \nBack to the games. Back to the lights and music. She still had tickets  \nto use.  \n  \n------------------------------------------------------  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;  \nNightfall signaled the end of the games. Closed for the night, the  \ncarnival grounds were suddenly quiet. No people, no music, no machines.  \n  \nCleaning up and unplugging the mallet game, the game operator jumped  \nat the sight of a young girl, curled up asleep in a large shipping  \ncontainer. Feeling the urge to wake the child, the old man stopped.  \nHere she was, asleep. No one was here looking for her. 'Must not  \nhave anyone,' he thought. 'Poor thing...'  \n  \nGrabbing the large novelty mallet, the kindly old man set it beside   \nher and placed money in the backpack's side pockets. 'You'll need  \nthose.'  \n  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------------------  \n-------------------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nShortly before Sonic encountered Chaos  \n  \n  \n------------------------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nOf all the places in the world to have never been, the city of Night Babylon  \nhad to be one place most suited to the bat's very essence. The very nature of  \nthis little night spot was unusual. To this day, no one knew why the sun   \nrefused to shine. Unfortunately, the wonder of it all was of no consequence.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;On the corner sat the Sahara Club, tall Arabian spires adorning the sign and  \nthe blinking lights almost a siren's call for people to bring in their money.  \nPushing through the front doors, into the casino, Rouge The Bat kept her  \ncool. Only seventeen, barely a ranking field agent, it was no wonder such a  \nsimple assignment had been handed to her rather than a more skilled  \nindividual. Go in, listen, get a feel for any illegal activities that may  \nbe happening. Spy on a suspected criminal front and possibly enjoy the  \nmoment.  \n  \nEars kept careful listen to all sounds but maintaining her cover was also  \nno stretch. Slapping money down on the table, she waved for cards to be dealt.  \nSeven and queen. Her age, if only it could be a lucky number. \"Stay.\"  \n  \n\"Twenty. House wins.\"   \n  \nWith a bit of annoyance, Rouge slapped down more money, asking to be dealt  \nagain.  \n  \n------------------------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nTwo hours of random poker, slots, roulette. At this rate her given expense  \nmoney would be out. The life of a G.U.N. Agent, loyal yet poor. One more hour  \nof this nonsense and she could at least go home to the small yet proud   \ncollection of jewels. She had also regretted her choice of clothing. The pink  \nheart barely offered any real support, her chest bouncing as she walked. Rouge  \nwas also regretful of a decision to show off so much cleavage. True, the  \nbat was looking for love on the side but the sheer number of older men   \nstaring at her was almost creepy. But that heart. This clothing may have  \ndemanded a needed redesign eventually. Perhaps a hard plate instead.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Clicking money into the slots once more, those bat ears finally picked up  \nthe key. Faint yet still worth something, the bat girl turned slightly to  \nsee the casino's owner headed up the stairs. 'I won't hear anything like   \nthis...' she thought, casually making her way for the front door. Outside,  \nin the alley, flying up, Rouge The Bat suddenly felt thankful for unlocked  \nwindows. Slipping inside, keeping quiet, the spy heard everything.  \n  \nThese men were not merely criminals. They were planning to kill the President.  \nThe hope was that the aftermath would lead to war and a full demand for  \nweapons. Black market guns were big money, especially if sold to both sides.  \nWar could be very profitable for the right people.  \n  \nSlinking for the window again, the Agent felt cold steel at her temples. \"Ah,  \nshit...\"  \n  \nDragged into the open now, Rouge faced down her targets. \"Hi, uh... I was   \nlooking for a job.\"  \n  \n\"Is that so?\" As if psychic, the taller, older man reached into the bat's  \nwhite glove, tossing aside the communicator. \"Looks like you just lost your  \njob. Kill her.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Wrists grabbed tight, gun to her head, the leader said, \"no, wait... tie her  \nup and lock her in my bedroom. I think she might be useful to me before I get  \nridda her.\"  \n  \n\"Can we have her too, boss?\" one of the men asked.   \n  \n\"Perhaps. First, we have business.\"  \n  \nSpared her execution for the moment, Rouge was hardly prepared to be raped.  \nKilled, that was terrible. Raped and then killed, terrible and humiliating.  \nThe situation caused some sense of morality to shatter, snapped like glass,  \nall bets off. Stomping her captor's foot, grabbing for the pistol, Rouge  \nopened fire, two shots ot the stomach. Spinning and shooting again, two more  \nand her other wrist was freed. Dodging bullets and aroudn the corner, the  \nbat waited for an opening and shot into the air. Leaping across the open  \nmeeting room, making a play for the pile of weapons laying on a large wooden  \ntable, she'd had a rapid-fire automatic pistol. Spraying gunfire like crazy,  \nRouge took down three more men before the clip ran dry.  \n  \nPicking up another rifle and a shotgun, kicking the table flat, a heated bit   \nof metal punched through the table's shielding and barely grazed her skin.   \nPopping up, small body a small target, Rouge The Bat, a pissed off woman,  \nblasted four more guards with precision, throwing the weapon hard at a fifth.  \nIn the brief confusion, pulling the trigger of her machine rifle, the gang's  \nleader took several to the leg as the last of his hired men dropped.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Suddenly free of any danger, the seething hatred was all Rouge could feel.   \nStomping on the mob boss' wrist, she spat out, \"you wanted to fuck me first?  \nLike some little whore? Rape me then kill me?\" Feminine fury, burning like  \nmagma, the bat stooped down, sharp teeth biting into her opponent's ear,  \nripping the lope off as his painful scream echoed out. Blood poured out as  \nif a pipe had burst.   \n  \nThat burning rage had yet to subside. They had planned to start a war, to  \nkill the President, and the indignity of it all, to rape and kill her like   \nsome object. Grabbing a fallen bronze vase, swinging it down hard, swinging  \nagain, the metal dented with each ringing blow, cracking this criminal's  \nskull like an egg.  \n  \nAnger felt broken as the door swung open. Pointing her gun, Rouge saw a   \nhorrified fox in casino clothing. \"I'm a secret agent! STOP!\"  \n  \n\"They're dead?\"  \n  \n\"Who the hell are YOU?\" the bat demanded.  \n  \n\"I'm Victoria, floor manager... I'll call the police! Thank you.\"  \n  \nShaking now, gun trembling as it dropped, Rouge begged, \"you're thanking me?\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"I know what they were doing...\" the frightened fox mumbled. \"I'll call  \nsomeone.\"  \n  \nLeft alone now, mind suddenly mending the breakage and reason taking hold,  \nred blood soaked her clothing. White gloves stained red, pink heart stained  \nred. Her boots were splattered, skin and fur a mess. Worst of all, the taste.  \nHad she really bitten a man's ear off?  \n  \nRunning into the bathroom, scrubbing at the crimson stains, it barely washed  \naway. Shaking violently now, scrubbing so hard her skin hurt, Rouge looked  \naround as she tried to locate the communicator. Twelve men, all dead by her  \nhands.  \n  \n------------------------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nCoffee and a sandwich offered no consolation. The bat had murdered twelve  \npeople. Self defense, service to her government, call it what they could but  \nit was murder. Rouge wondered if the blood would ever wash out.  \n  \nMaybe if she's been quieter. Maybe if she's been more serious. Maybe if she's   \nnot taken this assignment. Maybe if her mother had been a better parent.  \nMaybe then this would never have happened.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;G.U.N. had been picking everything apart. The killings were justified. More  \nthan enough evidence could be found which spelled out their exact plans.  \nThose who had not been present would soon be found. The President's life had  \nbeen saved and Rouge would likely earn an unexpected promotion for this show  \nof bravery tonight.  \n  \nShe didn't feel very brave. She felt sick as if she could vomit only if there  \nwas anything left. The bat had already expelled it all. Dizzy, unclean,  \nlike she was about to collapse from the strain.  \n  \n\"Can I get you anything?\"  \n  \n\"Huh...?\" Looking up, she saw one of the lower-rank soldiers. For whatever  \nreason, a switch in her brain was flicked and an unknown instinct took hold.  \nPerhaps a self-preservation instinct or some need to forget all this, but  \nwithout warning, Rouge suddenly smiled. \"Well, I could go for some dinner...  \nmaybe if YOU would come with me...\"  \n  \n\"Uh... I'll pass.\"  \n  \n\"Shame, you're kinda cute!\" Feeling unusually happy now, Rouge The Bat left  \nthe scene, hoping to find some possible companionship.  \n  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------------------  \n-------------------------------------------------------------  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;  \nImmediately prior to Rouge's attempt to steal the Master Emerald  \n  \n  \n------------------------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nA bright, sunny day. Today of all days, she had to work. But it was  \nimportant, apparently important enough for the President himself to  \ncall on her for this assignment.  \n  \nThe mysterious island floated above the sea. The intel gathered so far  \nwas limited. The island had fallen to the sea only a month before,  \nrising into the air almost as suddenly as it had plunged. No doubt  \nit was related to the incident that leveled several blocks of Station  \nSquare.  \n  \nThe Chaos Emeralds. The grand prizes which Rouge the Bat would love to   \nown, but her employers had classified them as dangerous. But nothing  \nworth owning came without a price. And this Master Emerald? It was   \nbelieved to be on this island as well. A jewel almost as big as she was.  \nAnd it may very well be hers today.  \n  \nNot that she was sent to add to her collection, no, the President would  \nnever order something like that. However, it was suspected that  \nIvo Robotnik was on his way to the floating island to gather it for   \nhimself. The criminal doctor, the one spotted aboard the abandoned space   \nstation only hours before. She would be damned if he would have it.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;But the emerald's guardian concerned her G.U.N. superiors. Technically,  \nshe only had two superiors, but both of them were uncertain that  \nthe echidna would be suitable protection. What intel had been gathered   \nshowed him to be gullible and somewhat unpredictable. If Robotnik   \ncould trick this echidna into giving him what he wanted, who knew what  \nevil plan Dr. Robotnik would engage in?  \n  \nSimple orders. Collect the Master Emerald and leave. If she was allowed  \nto keep it for herself, it would be a bonus. Duty against greed, the  \neternal struggle.  \n  \nIt was the echidna that her mind focused on. What did the reports say?  \nBelieved to be the only one left alive. No doubt lonely. Perhaps  \nshe could charm him if the need arose. Although, if charm turned to  \na mutual interest, Rouge wasn't object to it.  \n  \nHer big date two nights before. Almost perfect until the jerk tried  \nto grab her chest. She had never broken someone's arm prior to that  \nincident. The sound still echoed in her ears. How could she describe  \nit? One of the witnesses in the restaurant compared it to a twig wrapped  \nin bacon.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Oh well, it had served the jerk right for not respecting her. He could  \nhave had it far worse, no doubt. Her G.U.N. training was top notch.  \nShe knew ways to kill a person that some people would never imagine.  \nTen ways that used a spoon, for example. And she had killed before,  \nthe crime lords that ran the casino. Her casino now. Killing. She  \nwas labeled a hero that day. Those crime bosses were going to kill the  \nPresident and she'd put an end to it. Awarded a top rank, a free  \ncasino and free reign to steal without her employers making a peep.  \n  \nAngling her flight downward, Rouge saw the pedestal, calling to her from  \nthe open. It was green and bright, inviting, gorgeous. The Master  \nEmerald may as well have had her name painted on it. Grab it and leave.  \nMere seconds.  \n  \nFingers floating above the surface, ready to snatch, she heard the   \ngrunt. It was the echidna boy in a defensive posture. \"That's not   \nyours!\"  \n  \n\"Is that any way to greet a beautiful woman?\" Smiling, leaning forward  \nto show off, Rouge could see her sex appeal was failing. 'Does this  \nguy even LIKE girls?' she thought, backing away.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Punching the air, the guardian glared at her. \"I said, That's NOT   \nyours!\"  \n  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------------------  \n-------------------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nShortly after the defeat of the Biolizard  \n  \n  \n------------------------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nEarth had been so distant the past few hours, a blue and green ball  \nbeneath her. Rouge hated the Space Colony ARK. The mission had been  \na success by the barest definition. The planet hadn't been blown  \nup, at the very least but every step felt like a failure. A chunk of   \nthe moon was destroyed. No doubt G.U.N. scientists were already hard  \nat work correcting the problem, looking for ways to repair the  \ndamage before the planet's gravitational forces were interrupted.  \n  \nShe did NOT envy the men and women already being sent to the moon for  \na proper damage assessment.  \n  \nHer job was in question. She had failed to obtain the Master Emerald  \nand despite new orders, she could have stopped Eggman at any time.  \nPrevented the cannon from firing, prevented the moon from being  \ndamaged, prevented it all. But she couldn't bring herself to kill  \nIvo Robotnik. The bat knew damn well that it had been her own   \norganization that killed the man's cousin and drove his grandfather   \ninsane. Fifty years ago, before her time, but still a stain on her  \ngroup's image.   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;In a way, she sympathized. Had she allowed Robotnik to do as he pleased?  \n  \nThen there was Shadow. She felt sorry for him the most. After all,  \nKnuckles had been a washout. He simply showed no interest, even in their   \nbrief talk aboard the space station after the Biolizard was destroyed.  \nWhat had the echidna done? Gathered his precious emerald and left.  \nDidn't even say goodbye to her.   \n  \nShadow. He's woken from his anger, saved them, and was most likely dead.  \nThere was no body, of course, but she didn't expect one. Atmospheric  \nre-entry likely burned his body to dust. Still, she prayed that his  \npower from the Chaos Emeralds lasted long enough to protect him. Not  \nthat anyone even had a clue where his body would have landed, although  \nknowing the President, he had teams out searching. It was a disturbing  \nthought- even dead, Shadow's body might still be useful, in purely  \nscientific terms.  \n  \nEnough of that. She was home. Her job was in doubt, her desire to steal  \njewels was practically gone, but she was home. Literally. The  \nold apartment she'd grown up in was intact, if perhaps no better  \nthan when she left. Hesitant, Rouge opened the doors and walked  \nup the stairway. The apartment door was like a mirror of nightmares.  \nShe knocked. No need to hold back.   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Swinging open, the door flew back. \"You're back!\" The old bat greeted.  \n\"You get any milk while you were out?\"  \n  \n\"Milk?\" Looking at her mother with anger, she shouted, \"I've been gone   \nfor years and you ask if I got MILK?\"  \n  \nMarron was drunk. She stumbled, shook and her breath reeked. \"Years?  \nHuh... time flies! Now, get in here, mommy's going out to get herself  \nlaid! You should get on something slutty, too! You got tits, show 'em   \noff to the boys! Flash your pussy! Short skirt and no panties,  \nguaranteed party every time!\"  \n  \nShuddering, the suggestions clung to her like filth. \"I am NOT going  \nto be a whore! That's-\" Gritting her teeth, Rouge was furious. \"There  \nis NO WAY I'm letting a man have my body until I'm sure he loves me!\"  \n  \nMarron laughed. It was a joke to her. \"LOVE? Yeah, right. Now, be a good  \ngirl and do as your loving mother tells you, I know what's best!\"  \n  \nShe mouthed, \"you know jack shit.\"  \n  \n\"HEY! I raised you!\" Head spinning from the whiskey, the bat grabbed  \nthe wall. \"I took care of you, now go out and make mommy proud!  \nMake some men real happy! They'll like you if you suck their cocks on  \nthe first date!\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Rouge wanted to scream. To use obscenities, to smack the woman,  \nanything. But restraint won and all the angry bat could do was turn  \naround and walk off, ignoring the screams from the doorway. They didn't  \nmatter, she wasn't going back. Her mother hadn't even missed her.  \n  \nTo the streets and through the back alleys, Rouge found the old  \nneighborhood jewelry store. Closed for the night, no doubt a decent but   \ninadequate security system. Adequate, perhaps, for a typical   \ncriminal, but not her. She'd been trained to break in to places  \nfar more secure than a store.  \n  \nScrew her new life and her promises. It wasn't as if Knuckles listened  \nto her anyway. Besides, she might be unemployed if the President  \nand her Commander needed to pin the blame on someone. She would need  \njob security. The casino rolled in money but that was boring. No, Rouge  \nthe Bat needed excitement. Tonight, this jewelry store would be picked   \nclean. Bigger targets would soon follow.  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------------------  \n-------------------------------------------------------------  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;  \nPresent Day- sometime shortly after the Black Arms attacked Earth  \n  \n  \n------------------------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nRouge the Bat, \"treasure hunter\", government agent, thief. The winter air was   \ncold, but she flew on. 'I can't believe this, under my nose this whole time, a   \njeweled necklace sitting in an abandoned house! This will be to easy,' she   \nthought. It was true, the winery only ten miles from Central City was   \nabandoned, and one of the owners had left behind an expensive necklace filled   \nwith jewels. \"Liberating\" such a treasure when no one even wanted it seemed to   \nbe the right thing to do as far as she was concerned. And being a winery,   \nmaybe a few bottles of expensive wine remained that she could sell.  \n  \nShe also wished she had worn something a bit warmer. This late on a January   \nnight, her wings were getting cold. But it didn't matter as the winery was   \nbelow. Entering the main house was no problem, the window wasn't even locked.   \nThe temperature wasn't much improved inside either. The heating system wasn't   \nrunning, indeed, the place seemed abandoned.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;It took her mere minutes to find the necklace. \"Come to mommy!\" she muttered.   \nA gold necklace with several smaller jewels, and a large blue gem at the   \ncenter. She admired it for a few seconds. \"Very nice... now, I wonder if   \nthere's anything else in this-\"  \n  \nThe light turned on. Momentarily stunned, she turned. A young man, perhaps   \nonly two feet taller than she was, stood in the doorway of the room. \"I- uh   \noh...\"   \n  \n\"Just take it and go,\" he said. The man turned the light off and walked   \naway.  \n  \nShe was tempted to take the advice, after all, she had what she came for. But   \nsomething nagged in the back of her mind. All reports said the property was   \nabandoned for the past six months. That, and the cold air outside had already   \nworn on her wings. Who was the man she'd seen? Had she seen him at all?   \nRunning through the house, she found him, sitting at the fireplace in the main   \nroom. He was looking at photos. She watched as he tossed them in the fire, one   \nby one. Curiously, she approached. He seemed to either not notice her, or not   \ncare. She picked up a loose photograph. It showed the man with a young woman.   \nThe two didn't look like a couple, or at least not a happy couple. \"Who is   \nshe?\" Rouge asked.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"My ex-girlfriend. She left me when the winery went out of business. She only   \nwanted me for the money anyway. Doesn't matter,\" he answered dryly. Rouge began   \nto understand somewhat.   \n  \n\"I didn't think anyone still lived here. What happened? This place was once a   \nfamous wine producer.\"   \n  \nHe explained, \"the land died. Nothing grows. The grapes lost their flavor and   \nthe vines died. We can't produce anything. The employees left, everyone left.   \nI inherited this land a year ago. I inherited nothing. Why are you still here?\"   \nHe hadn't once looked at her, he just threw the pictures away, one by one. Photos   \nof friends, employees, the history of the business.   \n  \n\"It's cold out,\" Rouge explained, or tried to. It was only partially true. \"My   \nwings... do you mind if I sit by the fire?\" He waved his hand at a chair.  \n  \nRouge felt sorry for this human. She knew why now. Shadow often had the same   \nlook on his face, a look of emptiness and despair, loss. Even his voice when   \nhe first spoke reminded her of Shadow. A lonely voice filled with uncaring.   \nHe acknowledged her presence and nothing more. Even so, she was shallow enough   \nto look at him. She couldn't help it, as much as she seemed to think men as a   \nwhole were useless, she still checked them out. This human, she thought,   \ndidn't look too bad. He was clean cut, shaved regularly, and wore nice   \nclothes, a remnant of his rich lifestyle. She could tell the hint of muscle   \nunder his clothes, likely from years of working here.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;But his face betrayed his good looks, his face showed that he had lost the   \nwill to live and functioned on a basic level. He was showing signs of under   \neating. He was asleep as well. 'Typical,'she thought. 'Too self-absorbed in   \nhis own self-pity to notice an attractive woman paying attention to him.' Not   \nthat she's ever seriously considered a human male before, but flirting was her   \nnature. Besides, between the hedgehogs, the echidna and others, crossing   \nspecies borders was nothing new to her, when it came to checking men out.  \n  \nShe sat by the fire until she was warm again. Even the fire felt minimal   \ninside this place, it was so cold. Feeling well enough to fly, she left. It   \nwas sometime after she was over Central City that she realized she'd left the   \nnecklace behind. 'Damn,' she thought. Her home in Night Babylon wasn't far,   \ncloser than flying back anyway. 'Still, it would give me an excuse to go back   \nthere. That human did intrigue me for some reason. Though I wonder if maybe   \nhe's ill? He didn't look too well.'  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;  \nIt had been three days. Rouge flew near Central City, bruised. GUN had ordered   \nher to help an archaeological mining team after a mine collapse. She needed to   \ncheck herself over for injuries. The Central City Winery wasn't very far, at   \nleast. She reached the house in a few minutes. In the daylight, she could see   \nthe land clearly. It was true, the land was decaying, the plants turned brown,   \nexcept nearest the house where only faint living plant life remained. She   \nthought it was a tragedy that such a business could fail because of natural   \ndisaster.  \n  \nShe found the young man in the main room, reading a newspaper. \"You should   \nlock your windows and doors,\" she greeted.   \n  \nHe looked at her. \"What happened to you?\"   \n  \n\"Oh, nothing... but I do need to check myself in a mirror.\"   \n  \n\"Second   \ndoor down the hallway,\" he said, returning to his newspaper.   \n  \n'That was odd,' she thought. 'He showed concern for me when he saw me. He LOOKED   \nat me, then went back to his newspaper.' She found the bathroom. Like the rest of   \nthe mansion, it was well decorated. The mirrored cabinet was the type in which   \nthe sliding mirrors could be removed. Taking one out, she stood it opposite the   \nother mirrors. Her initial inspection showed no injuries from the front. Her   \nback, however, was scratched. A sizable scratch between her wings. 'No wonder   \nthat hurts so much.' She found the man in his chair. \"I have a cut on my back.\"   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"...and?\" he asked.   \n  \n\"I need it cleaned and bandaged, what do you think?\"  \n  \nHis stupidity had not impressed her. \"Oh...\" he stood, following her to the   \nbathroom. She sat on the counter as he ran a washcloth under the sink. He   \ngently cleaned the wound. \"It's not bad. Probably won't leave a scar. This is   \ngoing to burn,\" he said, wiping the scratch with alcohol. Rouge winced. She   \ncould have turned around and smacked him, it burned terribly. She resisted the   \nurge to scream, but her eyelids shuddered and air slipped out from between her   \nteeth. The pain subsided quickly, however.   \n  \n\"That was... don't do that again. Can you look my wings over for any scratches?\"  \n  \nHe didn't say anything, but looked them over anyway. \"I don't see any. You have   \na tail. That's odd.\"  \n  \n\"You've never seen a bat before or something?\" she joked.   \n  \n\"Yes... small bats,\" he answered.   \n  \n\"I bet none of those little cave bats were as attractive as me, right?\" He looked   \nstunned. \"Oh... I'm sorry. It was just a joke.\" She had overstepped the comfort   \nzone. Aside from being a human, he had also left an unstable relationship.   \nFlirting probably made him angry, not to mention uncomfortable. She wasn't even   \nhis species, after all.   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Whatever.\" He left the bathroom.   \n  \nRouge followed. \"Hey, wait! I don't even know your name!\" He ignored\u0026nbsp; her. \"I'm   \nRouge,\" she said.   \n  \n\"Rouge... that's a... nice name. Tom.\" He had replied. \"I didn't mean to... no   \none visits. You're the first visitor I've had in a long time. I don't have any   \nfriends. I have nothing.\"   \n  \n\"That's not true,\" she replied. \"You still have a nice home.\"   \n  \n\"Why did you come here the other night? To steal that necklace?\"   \n  \nShe was a bit stunned by his change in tone. \"Yes. But it's not important.\"   \n  \n\"No, go ahead and take it, I don't need it. It's not worth much,\" he explained.   \n\"I'm very tired right now. But... if you want to come back, feel free. I'll   \nleave the windows unlocked so you can come as you please.\"  \n  \nHe was reaching out to her. \"I'll do that, when you're feeling better,\" she   \nsaid. He quickly fell asleep. Rouge left quietly, though she doubted any   \nnoise would wake him. It was evening, and the air would soon be cold.   \nCuriously, she picked a grape from one of the few remaining vines near the   \nhouse. Tasting it, she spat it out. 'Eww, tastes like ashes,\" she thought.   \nShe wasn't sure in the low light either, but the color of the vines seemed   \noff. And maybe it was the light playing tricks with shadows, but she was   \nalmost certain the trees were moving. There was no wind.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nShe's decided to poke around and find out more about the winery. The Central   \nCity Winery was owned by the Adriani family, until a year ago when Thomas   \nAdriani, the only child, inherited the land at age 20 after his parents died.   \nThe winery continued operation, until six months prior when the land began to   \nfail. Orders cut down until production halted. The winery shut down, the staff   \nleft, and for all anyone knew, the property abandoned. However, Tom had   \nremained behind, living reclusively. The wines held by the owners had all been   \nauctioned off recently. 'Why do I care about this? There's nothing in it for   \nme, aside from that necklace,' she thought.  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nIt had been a week since she'd met him. She sat by the fire. \"I don't like   \nwine. Funny that I'd inherit this. I don't like alcohol. I hate wine, it   \ntastes like rotten grapes. But it's been our family business. I worked here,   \nand I hate wine...\"   \n  \n\"Then why continue here? You could have sold the land,\" she said.   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"I hate wine, but there's a lot of money to be had in selling it. People pay good   \nmoney for rotten grape juice. I don't understand the rich,\" he answered. \"They   \nthink that paying lots of money for something makes it special.\"   \n  \nShe thought it an odd attitude for him to have. \"Aren't you rich?\"   \n  \n\"Technically,\" he replied. \"But I save my money, I don't spend it on luxuries.\"   \n  \nShe asked, \"what about that necklace?\"   \n  \n\"You're obsessed with jewelry. My old girlfriend wanted it, she begged for it. I   \nbought it, and when I tried to give it to her, I found a letter waiting for me.   \nShe was out of my life. I didn't care. I honestly didn't much like her. My   \nparents hooked us up. After a point, I started ignoring her hoping she'd leave,   \nand she finally did, but not because I wanted it... she left because I wasn't   \nmaking money. Why do you like jewels so much?\" he asked.   \n  \n\"OH! I- it's hard to explain. But, they're pretty. I like looking at them,\" she   \nreplied.   \n  \n\"Then why aren't you out collecting more? You're a treasure hunter, sitting here   \nwith a lonely, broken man doesn't get you what you want.\"   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;She became agitated. \"I'm trying to be   \nnice to you! If you don't like it, I can just leave right now!\"   \n  \n\"That's not what I-\" He looked her in the eyes, briefly. Turning away in   \nembarrassment, he continued, \"I think you have a heart. You try to hide it with   \na tight body suit, a flirty attitude, and your obsession with material goods.   \nYou want the world to think you're tough, but here you are... taking pity on   \nsomeone, expecting nothing in return. And I think you've done this before.\"   \nShe was amazed, he had looked through her. \"I'm tired. I don't hate you, Rouge.   \nDon't think I do because I yelled at you.\" He fell asleep.  \n  \nIt had been a month. Rouge had seen her new friend off and on. Things went   \nwell, as Tom seemed to show more interest in life now. He wasn't as depressed   \nas he was, although at times he still seemed to push Rouge away. A part of   \nhim still seemed to want to avoid her for some reason. She sensed this, his   \npushing away. He also seemed to be getting worse as time went. He was tired   \nmore and more, often falling asleep during conversations. Rouge was starting   \nto worry. It was then she noticed it, as she flew above the property. The   \ndeath of the plants seemed to form a ring. The worst centered around a well   \nat the edge of the property, near a river. It was odd, and perhaps too strange   \nto be unrelated. She had come to believe that whatever was making Tom sick was   \nrelated to the land.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;She needed to consult someone about this.  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nDr. Eggman didn't flinch as Rouge snuck into his base. \"What do you want, bat   \ngirl? I don't have any Chaos Emeralds for you!\"   \n  \n\"Very funny, Doctor!\" she insulted. \"I need your expertise on something.\"   \n  \n\"Oh? Are those idiots at GUN finally useless to you?\"   \n  \nShe gave him an angry look. \"Bring up the Central   \nCity Winery on your satellite view.\"   \n  \n\"Ah, I know the place,\" he said. \"Why you   \nwould want that brought up is beyond me- hmm, interesting. I knew that place   \nshut down because nothing grew, but am I seeing this? The death forms a   \nperfect ring around the well! That's not natural at all!\"   \n  \n\"And your opinion?\" she asked.   \n  \n\"I don't have one right now.\"   \n  \n\"There's more. The owner of the property is tired all the time. I tasted one of   \nthe grapes, it tasted like ash. And I think the trees are moving on their own at   \nnight without wind. I've seen it several times.\"  \n  \nEggman thought the evidence over. \"I have a friend I should consult on this.\"   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"You have a friend? That's funny!\" Eggman gave her a cold stare. \"It was a   \njoke, don't get psychotic on me!\" she said.  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nCentral City was home to a private investigation firm. an odd one at that. The   \nsign in the window read HERBERT KOLCHAK WESTWOOD PARANORMAL INVESTIGATOR.   \nHerbert was inside. It was after hours anyway, but he lived here. Stacks of   \nbooks, artifacts, and newspapers littered the small apartment. He was busy   \nworking on a broken lamp. \"Home is my heaven, home is my hell... why can't I   \nfigure out what's wrong with this stupid thing?\"  \n  \nHis video phone activated. \"Herbert! Are you even there?\"   \n  \nHerb grabbed his   \ncane, and made his way to the phone. \"Yes, yes, Ivo, what do you want?\"   \n  \n\"I have a small job for you,\" Eggman explained.   \n  \n\"A job, that means money. Okay, send one of your flying machines to pick me up,   \nbecause I'm sure I have no ides where your base is. Not that it wouldn't be   \neasy enough to find since you paint your logo on them!\"   \n  \nEggman wasn't appreciative of the comment. \"It will be there to pick you up   \nshortly.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;At Eggman's base, Herbert Westwood hobbled to the control room, walking   \nslowing as his right leg begged the cane's support. He noticed Rouge, and   \njumped back slightly. \"Ivo, there's a...\"   \n  \n\"That's Rouge. An annoyance, but harmless, I assure you,\" Eggman explained.   \n  \n\"Harmless...\" he stared at her with disgust. 'He doesn't like me at all, does   \nhe?' she thought.   \n  \n\"Look at the screen, what do you see?\" Herbert checked the image.   \n  \n\"That... isn't natural. No sir, not at all. Something is in the ground, sucking   \nthe life out. I've read of this before, but I can't off hand remember where. Is   \nanyone living there?\"   \n  \n\"Yes, a friend of mine,\" Rouge explained.   \n  \n\"Then you would do well to get that person away from there, as soon as possible!   \nNow, Ivo, you know where to send my money for this consult.\"  \n  \nRouge was walking away, the warning ringing in her mind. \"Then you would do   \nwell to get that person away from there.\" Her friend was dying and his land   \nwas killing him. However, she could hear the two men arguing. \"That... thing.   \nWith the wings. She's probably responsible for that in the first place.\"   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Oh, really, Rouge may be a thief and a spy but she's hardly-\"   \n  \nHerbert cut him off. \"I've studied things like her, humanoid creatures with   \nwings. Things that drain a man's soul for life. Listen or not, you still owe me.   \nI'm returning home.\"  \n  \nEggman sighed. Herbert had hobbled off. Eggman followed Rouge. \"I should   \napologize for that. He... he didn't mean to-\"   \n  \n\"I don't care what he thought. I have a friend who may be dying. I have to go,\"   \nshe said angrily.   \n  \n\"WAIT! Normally I don't take interest in such matters, but if Herbert feels   \nstrongly about something, well... I can't very well take over the world if it   \nends. I don't have a Chaos Emerald, but I know someone who does. That stupid   \nechidna Knuckles has one...\"   \n  \n\"And how would you now that?\" she asked.   \n  \n\"Because, my dear Rouge, I have been trying to pry it away from him for the past   \nweek! Stubborn fool doesn't understand science! Besides, I would assume that you   \nwould want that fool Shadow to help you. At least, I doubt you can carry an adult   \nhuman, especially if he doesn't want to go.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Eggman was right. If necessary, Rouge would have Shadow use Chaos Control to   \ntake him away. Rouge may be the closest Tom had to a friend, but he was   \nstubborn. \"Just who was that odd man you brought here?\" she asked.   \n  \n\"Herbert! Oh ho, he was an old childhood friend of mine. He's been a paranormal   \ninvestigator for 30 years. We have our... philosophical differences ever since   \nI took to my current hobbies, but he still works for me. He does research on   \nthe various older buildings I use, after all, if it's haunted, he'll know how   \nbadly. Now go. You don't have much time!\"  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nRouge headed to Angel Island immediately. It didn't take her long to find   \nKnuckles. He was sitting patiently over the Master Emerald. \"ROUGE!\" he   \nshouted. \"You're not taking the Master Emerald!\"   \n  \n\"Oh shut up, I'm not here for that. I'm here for the Chaos Emerald you have,\"   \nshe said. \"How'd you know-? Like I'd give it to you, you thieving bat girl!\"   \n  \nShe flew towards him. \"I don't need it for myself. I need it to help someone!\"   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;He grinned. \"Help someone? You? You'll say anything...\"   \n  \nRouge lost what shred of patience she had. Walking towards the echidna, she   \ngrabbed the quills on the sides of his head and pulled. \"I am in a hurry, and   \nI have had it with you! I have to save a life! Now give me that Chaos Emerald   \nor... or I'll tear these off!\"  \n  \nKnuckles was shocked. The anger was more than he'd ever seen out of Rouge,   \nand he was almost certain he heard a tinge of sadness in her voice. He pulled   \nthe Emerald out and handed it to her. She let go. \"I'll give this back when   \nI'm done with it.\" She turned.   \n  \n\"Rouge, wait, what's going on?\" She flew off without answering.  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nIt was night. Rouge found Shadow near Station Square. \"I need your help.\"   \n  \n\"Oh?\" he replied. She handed him the Chaos Emerald. \"You're giving away a   \nChaos Emerald? It must be important.\"   \n  \n\"I need you to help me save someone. A friend of mine might be dying. He-\"   \n  \nShadow cocked an eyebrow. \"He?\"   \n  \n\"Yes, my new friend is a man. He's not my boyfriend. Does this bother you?\"   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;He replied, \"why should it? If you want to date someone, it's no business of   \nmine.\"   \n  \n\"I just said we're not-\"   \n  \n\"Where is he now?\" Shadow cut in.  \n  \nIt was past midnight when they arrived at the winery. \"Nice place,\" Shadow   \ncommented. Even now, he could tell the land was decaying. The air and ground   \nwere unusually cold.   \n  \n\"He's inside, we should hurry,\" she said. They ran to the house. before they   \ncould enter, they heard the loud thud inside.   \n  \n\"What was that?\" Shadow asked. They found him. Tom was lying on the floor,   \nunconscious. He had fallen off the ladder in the library.   \n  \n\"No, we're too late!\" Rouge screamed out, horrified at the sight of Tom's  \nlimp body.  \n  \nShadow checked his pulse. \"No we're not. He's still alive. Barely.\"   \n  \nRouge stooped to check on him. \"He'll die here. I... I failed him.\"  \n  \nShadow reeled. Maria was in his mind again. Watching her die. He was certain   \nhe would never forget that. \"No he won't!\" Shadow said. \"I won't let him!   \nChaos CONTROL!\"  \n  \nIn seconds, the three were in Central City Hospital. They had startled the   \nstaff. Shadow looked one of the doctors in the eye. \"This man needs care.   \nNOW!\" Quickly, the staff had Tom to the emergency room. \"He should be fine.   \nLets go,\" Shadow said.   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Rouge turned away. \"I can't. I have to stay here.\" Somehow, Shadow understood. He   \nhad told her that her friend would be fine, but he didn't believe it. Even now,   \nhe wondered if they were too late. \"Find Eggman. He can help you now.\"  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \n\"There you are, doctor,\" Shadow greeted.   \n  \n\"Shadow... this had better be good, I'm busy!\"   \n  \n\"Rouge sent me. Her friend may be...\" Shadow explained.   \n  \n\"So you were too late,\" he replied. \"Or were you? He's still alive?\" Shadow   \nnodded. \"Not that I particularly care about Rouge's friend, but... I did some   \nfurther research. Wait one minute...\" He punched keys. In seconds, the vidphone   \nto Westwood's office came to life. \"WESTWOOD!\"  \n  \n\"Hyello?\" Herbert called.   \n  \n\"I found something interesting about the winery,\" Eggman said.   \n  \n\"Oh? And that would be, what, Ivo?\"   \n  \n\"A meteor fell there six months ago. The fireworks last July, to be exact. No   \ndoubt it was ignored because of the festivities, but my satellites recorded it.   \nIt made an impact dead center in the well!\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;In his office, Herbert stumbled around, looking for something. \"No... not   \nhere... where is it...\" He reached an unorganized cardboard box and drew out   \na large black book. Finding the page inside, he read. \"I knew it... it's   \nhappening. I'll be at that winery in ten minutes! Meet me there!\" He ran off,   \nhobbling on his cane. Down the stairs and to his van in the parking garage, he   \nsped off with a fury. \"Oh boy... oh crap, this isn't good...\"  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nHerbert Westwood wandered around the winery grounds. The air was cold, moreso   \nthan it should be. Stooping, he felt the ground. 'Yes,' he thought. Pulling a   \nradio form his overcoat pocket, he dialed into Eggman's communications. \"Ivo!   \nIT is happening,\" he said, emphasis on 'it'.   \n  \n\"We're on our way. My fortress is flying to you now, we should arrive in twenty   \nminutes.\"  \n  \n\"Dammit, Ivo! We're on borrowed time, and I mean BORROWED! Push the engines if   \nyou have to! I will need supplies. Something to capture this thing with. Nothing   \nglass or silicon,\" he said.   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"I have the perfect container,\" Eggman replied. \"A special box used for... the   \nmore dangerous specimens. Safe against radiation, sound, air leakage, anything.\"  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nRouge huddled herself on the chair inside Tom's room. He was still unconscious.   \n'Why do I care? Why does this hurt so bad?' she thought. He hadn't improved   \nsince they brought him here, and the doctors were unsure if he would. He was   \nmalnourished, and had fallen a good distance off the ladder. She couldn't   \nsleep.  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nEggman hovered his craft downward, a large metal box hanging from the tether.   \n\"Drop it near the well!\" Herb ordered. Shadow jumped down. \"Whatever this is,   \nit's down the well. A meteor of some sort. I can't go down there with this   \nleg,\" he explained. \"I'll go,\" Shadow replied. \"What are we dealing with?\"  \n  \nHerb answered, \"it's too horrifying to talk about right now. Feel the ground.\"   \n  \nShadow did so. Even through his glove, he could feel how warm the ground was.   \n\"The air is cold. why is the ground...\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Something flew down towards them. Small, red, and angry. \"Where is she? You   \nknow where she is, Shadow! I want my Chaos Emerald back!\"   \n  \n\"I don't answer to you!\" Shadow shot back.   \n  \n\"You... Rouge took that Emerald, and I want it back!\"   \n  \nHerbert was annoyed. \"WHO IS THIS\"   \n  \n\"This is Knuckles, a confused echidna. Rouge isn't here, and I don't know where   \nshe is right now.\"   \n  \n\"I don't believe you, Shadow, Rouge will do anything to- HEY!\"   \n  \nHerb poked him with his cane. \"You want any help? Then make yourself useful.   \nYou a digger?\"  \n  \nKnuckles nodded. \"Good. Get down that well and get the meteorite at the bottom.   \nI can't do it on this leg.\"   \n  \n\"What? Meteor? Do I look like- OW!\"   \n  \nHerbert poked him again. \"It's like talking to a ROCK! You heard me! We do not   \nhave time to argue, get going!\" Knuckles decided to go along. He ran to the well.   \nWestwood walked back to his van. \"Nice guy... needs a good smack upside the head,\"   \nhe commented.  \n  \n\"Knuckles isn't exactly a friend of mine. He usually associates with Sonic,\"   \nShadow explained.   \n  \n\"You're Shadow, correct? I highly doubt Sonic would be the one with Ivo. Rouge   \nmust be the bat. You and her...?\"   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Shadow shook it off. \"No. She's a business associate. Nothing more.\"  \n  \nWestwood opened a large case. Inside was a weapon. \"This, my boy, is an   \nelephant gun.\" He cocked open the weapon and loaded both barrels.   \n  \n\"Will this be enough?\" Shadow asked.   \n  \n\"Hardly enough to kill this thing, if it is indeed what I fear... but enough to   \nknock it back.\"  \n  \nNear the well, Knuckles noticed Eggman hovering in the sky. \"I knew it! You   \ntold Rouge about my Chaos Emerald!\"   \n  \n\"Shut up and get down the well!\" Eggman shouted.   \n  \n'Just great, a Chaos Emerald is missing, Eggman's here, and some weirdo's with   \nthem...' he thought to himself. Figuring he'd go along for now, he climbed down   \nthe well. It wasn't very deep, maybe 50 feet down. Embedded in the bottom he   \nfound the small meteorite. A bit larger than a Chaos Emerald, it was glowing an   \nunusual color. It was warm down here, and even through his thick gloves, the rock   \nfelt hot.  \n  \nPulling it from the stone, he tucked it under one arm and climbed out. Once at   \nground level, he dropped it. \"Thing's hot, what is it?\"   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"A horror from beyond the stars. Quickly, seal it in the box!\" Westwood waited   \nwhile Knuckles carried it to the large contained. The metal box waited, the flap   \nresting on the ground. All Knuckles had to do was toss the meteorite inside and   \nlift the panel to latch it.  \n  \nAn unearthly scream cut the night. Herbert welt flying back as something hit   \nhim in the jaw, his gun sent somewhere into the night. Stumbling, he yelled,   \n\"don't let it get away!\" Their opponent was barely visible in the dark.   \nKnuckles was sure he was hitting something, but what, he did not know. Shadow   \nlept into the air, curling into a ball and flying at the monster.  \n  \nWestwood found the elephant gun. He could barely see the monster, a faint swirl   \nof an unknown color, something beyond his own ability to recognize. Tracking   \nthe movement and noise, he lined up a shot with the box. The gun sounded like   \na cannon going off, sending the horror flying back several feet. 'Keep it   \nsteady...' Lining up again, he cocked the second barrel and fired. Whatever   \nthe creature was, it had been sent into the box by the force of the blast.   \n\"LOCK IT! LOCK IT NOW!\" Shadow and Knuckles did so, sealing the crate before   \nthe creature could escape.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Westwood forced himself up, using the gun for support. Shadow found the old   \nman's cane and handed it to him. \"You're bleeding,\" Shadow commented. Herbert   \nwas bleeding from the mouth. He spat something out.   \n  \n\"And I was hoping to get through life with all my teeth. All that dental care for   \nnothing...\" One of his molars had been knocked out. Pulling a tissue from his   \ncoat, he wadded it up and stuck it in the empty space.  \n  \nBreathing heavily, he dropped to one knee. He clutched his chest. \"There's...   \nthere's a bottle of heart pills in my van... now\" Shadow gasped, running to   \nthe van. He found two bottles. Grabbing them both, he ran back. \"The... blue   \npills...\" Shadow opened the bottle and took out a small blue pill. Herb   \nswallowed it. \"Thanks. I have a bad heart. I'm okay.\"  \n  \n\"What was that thing?\" Knuckles asked.   \n  \nShadow grunted. \"Who's watching the Master Emerald? Rouge might take it!\"   \nKnuckled cocked a worried expression as he ran of. \"Gullible fool.\"   \n  \n\"Yes, he is a bit slow. Strong, but slow,\" Herb said. He gave a thumbs up. Eggman   \ngrabbed the metal box with his craft's tether and carried it away. \"I didn't want   \nhim to see this,\" Shadow stated, pulling the Chaos Emerald out.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;In a flash of blue light, Herbert and Shadow arrived in Eggman's flying fortress.   \nThe metal box was aboard. \"I need to observe this thing in the light.\"   \n  \n\"Hmm, I may have something... YES! A blast chamber I use to dispose of bombs that   \ngo bad. Think of it as a large version of the metal box! Fully inescapable!\"   \nEggman explained.   \n  \n\"DO IT!\"  \n  \nEggman transported the box into the blast chamber. Once inside, he set the   \ntime release latch to open and sealed the chamber. The box opened. The cameras   \ninside fed them images of the monster. An odd hue moved across the screen.   \n\"I can't really see the thing\" Herb said.   \n  \n\"Allow me...\" Eggman replied, playing with the light filters. The altered spectrum   \nbetter showed the monster, roughly humanoid, several feet tall, if holding much   \nof a solid form.  \n  \nShadow set the empty meteor down. The inner layer was like the creature, a hard   \nsubstance composed of an element of an indescribable color. Herb asked, \"should   \nI tell him?\" Eggman nodded. \"Shadow, what we are dealing with is what I can   \nbest call a multi-dimensional entity. I've been in my business for 30 years or   \nso, studied small hauntings, various gods of our world... the Master Emerald,   \nyes, I remember, the god Chaos. So that little red doorstop guards that, does   \nhe? Anyway, to get back on track...  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"I used to find signs of greater entities, things beyond human understanding,   \nthings much older than anything we know of. Things that exist in numerous   \ndimensions at once. Lesser being, perhaps such as our captive, which pass   \nbetween worlds, and far greater horrors, so far beyond evolution that they can   \nexist simultaneously in several realities. Things that existed before time lines   \nsplit.  \n  \n\"Five years ago, Ivo built a special device which allowed me to travel to a   \nseparate Earth. Same planet as ours but with a different history. A different   \nsociety indeed... all humans, the other animals were unevolved. Hedgehogs such   \nas yourself were... well, small animals.\" Shadow looked curious. \"Think of it   \nthis way... we have small cave bats, and we have bats such as your friend. In   \ntheir world, they have nothing like your fried, just the small ones. Same as   \nwith all animals.  \n  \n\"I'm getting off track again. The important thing is, their world knew far more   \nabout these beings. I was able to study, and even bring back artifacts and   \nbooks to help me. And now... now, it has happened.\" He pulled a thick black   \nbook from his inner jacket. Shadow read the cover. H.P LOVECRAFT. \"An author   \nin their world, long ago, became connected to these entities and their doings   \non that Earth. Flip to page 92,\" Herb said. Shadow did so. The story was   \ntitled THE COLOUR OUT OF SPACE.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Lovecraft detailed similar events. A meteor impact let loose a creature on a   \nfarm, and drained the very life from the land and the residents like a   \nparasite. And I believe that we have now captured that very same entity.\" He   \nremoved his overcoat. \"I would suggest reading that story, it may tell you   \nmore... more than you ever wanted to know about our meaningless existence. I   \nbelieve my van will be fine down there. I will stay here tonight. It is...\" he   \nchecked his watch. \"1:30 in the morning. I haven't slept in three days. It's a   \nwonder I sleep at all in my line of work. Ivo, I'm sure you have somewhere on   \nthis flying crate to sleep?\"  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nKnuckles reached Angel Island. As he approached the Master Emerald, he noticed   \nsomeone. A human, perhaps, as it was far too tall to be Rouge. \"Hey! Get back   \nhere!\" He gave chase, but the individual was too fast. At the edge of the   \nfloating island, the stranger jumped on a waiting hang glider and took off.   \nKnuckles lost sight of his target before he could take off himself. \"That   \nwas...odd.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nThe next morning, Knuckles found Rouge in Central City. \"There you are! About   \nthat Emerald you forced me to hand over, can I have it back now?\"   \n  \n\"Get lost,\" she said.   \n  \n\"That's not gonna happen until I get that Chaos Emerald back!\"   \n  \nShe wanted to turn around and punch him. \"My friend is dying. If he lives, I   \npromise you, on my life, that I will never try to steal the Master Emerald again.   \nBut if he dies... if he dies I will do whatever I must to take it from you. You   \nhear me? If he dies, I will take what you have to make you as miserable as I will   \nbe, do you understand?\"  \n  \nKnuckles stepped back. He wanted to believe her. \"Nice trick,\" he replied.   \n  \n\"I'm going inside. Follow me and you'll be glad we're at a hospital.\" She went   \ninside, leaving the confused echidna to wonder what was going on.  \n  \nInside, Eggman met her in the waiting room. \"Ah, Rouge my dear bat girl, how   \nare you this fine morning?\" She gave him a nasty look. \"Ah, right... I thought   \nI should tell you that we found the thing that was making your friend sick.   \nAnd I have COMPLETE confidence that Herb can help your friend now!\" 'I'm going   \nto burn in the afterlife for that,' he thought.   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Why are you here, fat man?\" she asked.   \n  \n\"I, well, I was once in this situation, watching a friend dying in the hospital.   \nHe was much worse off, but came through fine. I'm sure your friend will be better   \nthan new very soon. I should go!\"  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \n\"Why does it look so strange?\" Shadow asked.   \n  \n\"Its color is beyond our ability   \nto see or understand. You're the 'ultimate life form? well, this thing isn't   \nreally alive. Not what we'd call life. These beings Lovecraft knew of were   \nbeyond our level of existence, so much that to merely look upon some of them   \nwould drive one insane.\" He turned to the black book again. \"This seems to be   \nall we have on this particular monster, my boy... I should stop calling you that,   \nyou're older than me! Anyway, in Lovecraft's account, the creature sucked the   \nlife out of the land and the people, and then fled into space. The land never   \nhealed.\"   \n  \nShadow asked, \"can we do anything?\"  \n  \n\"I don't know... maybe there's some incantation or something in my files that   \ncould help. I admit I have very poor cataloging of my research, what with all   \nthe books and such I have. It would take ten lifetimes. But if you want to do   \nthat trick with the light again, head to my office in Central City.\" He handed   \nShadow the key. \"There's a box labeled 'otherworldly research', dig through   \nand- no, just bring the whole thing. And some memory sticks beside my   \ncomputer, the little ones that plug right into the ports, you know those?\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Shadow nodded. \"Good, bring them. Be quick about it. If we have any hope of   \nsaving that man's life, timing is key!\"  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nHours had passed, and they still hadn't found anything useful. H.P. Lovecraft   \nhad written of hopelessness. The gods would arrive, do whatever it is they   \nwere destined to do, and leave. Nothing showed any evidence of being useful.   \nStrange music played from Westwood's radio. \"Nothing. Nothing at all helpful.   \nIt's as if the being has a mental hold on whatever it drains, even if   \nseparated from the victim.\"  \n  \n\"You've been listening to that awful music all day,\" Shadow said.   \n  \n\"Oh, that...\" he replied. \"A band called Aerosmith. They aren't from our Earth.   \nHey, if you're gonna go to a different Earth, you may as well bring back   \nsouvenirs. Different things. I brought back a lot of music and movies with me.   \nI like these movies called 'Columbo, a detective with the police. A bit like me   \nwithout the paranormal, I guess. Why did you join GUN?\"  \n  \nShadow considered the question. \"I wasn't alive at the time, but I know the   \nstories about GUN troops invading the ARK, and shooting that poor girl. Maria,   \nIvo's cousin. They kidnapped Gerald and drove him insane. It's why I forgive   \nhis plans, in a way it's his revenge against the world.\"   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Things change,\" Shadow answered.  \n  \n\"You only put up with Ivo because he's Maria's only living relative, don't   \nyou?\" Herbert asked.   \n  \n\"You could say that. But he also serves a use sometimes.\"   \n  \n\"Fair enough,\" Westwood replied. Reaching for the coffee pot, he shook around   \nthe few drops in the bottom. \"Coffee's empty. Probably time to get some   \nsleep, I won't be up much longer.\"   \n  \n\"You shouldn't be drinking all that coffee anyway, with your heart condition,\"   \nShadow replied.   \n  \n\"Probably not.\" He checked his watch. 3:12 AM. But the date caught his attention.   \n\"You have gotta be joking... oh god no.\"  \n  \n\"What is it?\" Shadow asked.   \n  \n\"It's the 14th.\" Shadow looked puzzled. \"February 14th! Valentines day! And your   \nfriend is watching someone die. The universe is a cruel joke, and I stopped   \nlaughing a long time ago.\"   \n  \nShadow asked, \"is that it?\"   \n  \n\"Yes, that's it. He will die. I have no way to help him. Nothing here   \nwill help him. I am utterly USELESS! Why... why understand the vast meanings   \nof the universe and the things that should not be, of knowledge of these   \nbeings is meaningless? I know what this disease is, and I have no way to help!   \nNo one can! We are all so useless, so meaningless in the vast meaning of all   \nthings! I don't care if we work for another 10 years! we will never find the   \nanswer, because it does not exist!\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Shadow grabbed the Chaos Emerald. \"Where are you going?\" Herb asked. Shadow   \ndidn't answer as the blue flash filled the room.  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nHe found Rouge in the hospital room. Tom was breathing thanks to a machine.   \nHe wasn't ready to die yet, but Shadow could tell he would die soon. \"What are   \nyou doing here?\" she asked.   \n  \n\"I wanted to see how he was doing.\"   \n  \n\"He's not going to make it, is he?\" He didn't answer. \"I don't know why I care,   \nShadow. I thought all I cared about was gems, but...\"  \n  \n\"You've helped me before. I believe you can care about more than trinkets,\" he   \nsaid.   \n  \n\"I... it hurts so much. I feels like there's a knife in my heart, and someone's   \nturning it. Is this... is this what it felt like when you watched Maria die?\"  \n  \n\"I don't know,\" Shadow answered.   \n  \n\"You wouldn't,\" she said. \"You watched her shot to death. She died quickly. I   \nhave to watch this slowly.\"   \n  \n\"You have feelings for him, don't you?\" he asked.   \n  \n\"I- maybe. But... Shadow, this could have been us. But you would never let me   \nclose to you. And now I know why. You lost Maria, and I am losing him. It must   \nhave left a hole in you that could never be filled. Maybe I should leave, maybe   \nif I don't watch him die, it won't hurt so much.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"NO!\" he yelled. \"That is the worst thing you could do! If you care about   \nhim... wait here!\" In a blue flash, he was gone.  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nShadow woke Herbert. \"Come with me!\"   \n  \n\"What? Where?\" he asked. \"Are you glowing?\" Shadow was glowing a bright red haze.   \nThey entered the room housing the blast chamber. The monster still remained   \ninside, huddled, waiting for escape.   \n  \n\"Open the door, and close it when I'm inside!\"   \n  \n\"Are you insane?\" Herbert shouted.   \n  \nShadow shot back, \"DO IT!\"  \n  \nHerb sighed. He opened the door. Shadow entered, the door locking behind him.   \n\"So, you're the one responsible for this. It's time to end this!\"  \n  \nWestwood watched on the monitor. Shadow floated, the Chaos Emerald hovering in   \nfront of him. A blast wave let loose, the camera feed cutting off. \"Holy hell,   \nwhat was that?\" Herb opened the door. Shadow stood where he had been. The   \ncreature withered in the corner, a faint scream of pain tearing away as its   \nbody crumbled into a fine pile of dust and flakes. \"What the-\"   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"I killed it. It should break the creature's mental hold on its victim. And if   \nnot, then it's still dead.\"  \n  \nHerb bent down and examined the remains. \"You just- just killed one of these   \nthings! That's incredible! I didn't think it was possible, people have banished   \nor sealed them away, but you- you are the ultimate life form to be able to do  \nthat!\" He chuckled, stomping his foot on the pile. \"That's for my tooth, you   \njerk!\"  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \n\"Rouge?\"  \n  \nShe was barely asleep. \"Where am I?\" the voice asked. Quickly, she shot up.   \n  \n\"You're...\" Running to the bed, she ripped off the mask so he could talk.   \n\"You're awake! I'll get the doctor!\"  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nMorning had come. \"Looks like you've made a full recovery! I want to run one   \nmore test to be sure, but I think I can discharge you today, Thomas!\"   \n  \n\"Thanks, doctor,\" he replied. Rouge had fallen asleep, the first comforting sleep   \nshe'd had in some time. She stretched on the waiting room couch, waking up and   \nheaded straight for Tom's room. \"The doctor wants to run one more test, then I   \ncan go,\" he explained.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"That's good. I don't think you should go home, though. I want you to go home   \nwith me, for now. I don't know if your house is safe to go back to yet.\"  \n  \nShe had told him that something poisonous was on his property and made him   \nill. Which, as far as she knew, was true, as no one had really explained to   \nher what was going on. \"I'll go to your home and gather some clothes while you   \nwait here.\"  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nRouge reached the winery mansion. Finding his room, she took a suitcase from the   \ncloset and began grabbing things. Shirts, pants, socks, stopping to pause a bit   \nwhen she found his underwear. 'Oh, embarrassing,' she thought. 'Oh well.'   \n  \n\"I take it your friend is doing well?\" At the doorway stood the strange man she'd   \nseen with Eggman before. \"You're Rouge. Herb Westwood. You really have to thank   \nShadow, he was the one who helped your friend.\"  \n  \n\"I see. What really happened here?\" she asked.   \n  \n\"Oh... well, it may be best you don't know. Just know that it's over.\" He stepped   \nto the window. \"I can see this better now. The dead plant life by the well is a   \ndried shell that crumbles. But the living stuff nearest the house, the color has   \nreturned. As has the flavor. The grapes taste like grapes. Shadow couldn't   \nresurrect the dead, but he performed a miracle. I have to apologize to you,\" he   \nsaid. \"I didn't have any right to treat you the way I did when I met you.\"   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"It's okay-\"   \n  \n\"NO, it's not okay...\" he shouted. \"I judged you because you have wings. I blamed   \nyou. And you sat by that man's side hoping he would be okay. You care for him,   \ndeeply. I guess humans still have prejudice. It's not right. If we can't rise   \nabove such primitive ideas, then what good are we? Certain things in my studies   \nhave had wings... and I grouped you with them because of how you look. And I hate   \nmyself for it.\"  \n  \n\"You're the one he was talking about,\" she said.   \n  \nHe asked, \"who?\"   \n  \n\"Eggman. He said he once watched a friend in the hospital, dying. You're his only   \nfriend. It was you, wasn't it?\"   \n  \n\"Oh, that,\" he answered. \"It was, well... it was right after he was first beat by   \nthe green hedgehog.\"  \n  \n\"You mean Sonic? He's blue, actually.\"   \n  \n\"Blue, green, all the same to me. I'm colorblind, literally. Blue is green to me.   \nI don't know what the color blue even looks like. Anyway, we'd been friends since   \nchildhood. He went into science, and I... didn't. But when he had his first world   \ndomination plan, we had a large disagreement over it. Back then I owned a large   \nhouse in the woods near Westopolis. I was cutting up a tree that had fallen in my   \nbackyard. And the chainsaw slipped. Took me in the leg, cut the artery. I'm a   \nvegetarian now. After seeing your own leg muscle sliced up like that, you lose   \ninterest in meat.\"   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"I wouldn't know,\" Rouge said. \"I'm a fruit bat.\"   \n  \n\"Yeah, I guessed as much,\" he replied. \"Vampire bats tend to be rather...   \nunpleasing to look at. Ivo had come by to argue with me and he found me bleeding   \nto death. He got me to the hospital in time. We're also the same blood type, his   \ndonation helped me live. It wasn't all perfect afterwards\" he explained, waving   \nhis cane. \"The wound was messed up. I have to take pain pills for it. I can   \nbarely walk without this. Ivo isn't all that evil, he has a conscience, even if   \nhe buries it behind an anger at the world. By the way, do you know a red echidna   \nnamed Knuckles?\"  \n  \n\"Yes, I do, unfortunately,\" she answered.   \n  \n\"he showed up the other night,   \nranting about that Chaos Emerald. I think he hates you,\" Westwood explained.   \n  \n\"Possibly,\" Rouge remarked, \"can you believe I had a crush on him? It wasn't   \nhis personality though.\"   \n  \n\"I sympathize. I don't like him.\"   \n  \n\"Prejudice?\" she asked.   \n  \n\"No, he's an idiot.\"  \n  \nShe continued packing. \"Still... I like Tom, but...\"   \n  \n\"But what?\" Herb asked.   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"He's a human, and I'm a bat. I don't know if it could be that way between   \nus.\"   \n  \nHerb paced a bit. \"I see. You didn't sit by his side in the hospital   \nbecause he's someone you play checkers with. You sat by his side because you   \nfeel strongly about him, and I think he feels the same. You wouldn't have been   \nvisiting him for a month otherwise. He did ask you to visit, right?\"   \n  \n\"He did,\" she answered.   \n  \n\"I'll put it this way. You're an attractive young woman with a body most men   \ncan't ignore. I'll admit, if I were younger... no matter. If he were to turn   \nyou away because of who you are, then he doesn't deserve you.\"  \n  \nShe was a bit startled by this. \"You're a person, like me. You're not a human,   \nbut you own homes, hold jobs, pay bills, and talk with us as equals. You are   \npeople. You should not be denied the same rights as us! Civil rights are...   \nwell, I've been to places where humans were the only people. And still, they   \nheld prejudice over skin color, heritage, religion, beliefs, and other things.   \nPrejudice is a poor personality trait that has to be overcome.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;He tapped his cane lightly. \"I, uh... a nice cat once had here eye on me about   \n20 years ago. It was the expedition into the old Sumerian kingdom.\"   \n  \n\"I remember that,\" Rouge said. \"The expedition to find the sacred gem once   \nbelonging to the king of that tribe.\"   \n  \nHe continued, \"Clara the Cat, an archaeologist who'd hired me to go along. Well,   \nthe expedition went south, and she blamed me for it. Said if she ever saw me   \nagain, she'd claw my eyes out. Then, as Ivo did, I married my work. You should   \nfinish packing. You found a place for him to stay, I assume?\"  \n  \n\"Yes,\" she answered. \"With me, for now.\"   \n  \n\"Good. I don't think anyone should stay here for some time, actually. I'll leave   \nyou- oh, right, I forgot.\" He pulled the Chaos Emerald from his coat. \"Shadow   \ntold me to give this back to you. Bloody thing, I should lock it up somewhere,   \nthese Chaos Emeralds are dangerous.\" She took it as he walked away.  \n  \nOutside, he noticed Shadow chasing after someone. \"Hey! HEEEY\" Shadow!\" It was   \nno good. Shadow kept chasing the man, who jumped on a motorcycle and sped off.   \nDown the road, Shadow followed, only for the bike to cut off into the woods.   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Damn!\" He raced back to the house.   \n  \n\"What was that, my boy?\" Herb asked.   \n  \n\"Someone was snooping around. I couldn't catch them.\"   \n  \nWestwood looked into the distance. 'This isn't at all good...'  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nThe cab let them off at the entrance of Club Rouge, the busy casino in Night   \nBabylon. Here, it was always night. \"It's only 10:30 in the morning,\" Tom   \nremarked. They went inside. A female fox in a black vest stopped him. \"Sorry   \nsir, you have to pay the cover charge before you-\"   \n  \n\"Move aside, honey, he's with me!\" Rouge ordered.   \n  \n\"Boss! I'm sorry, I didn't know!\" the fox apologized.   \n  \n\"It's okay. Treat him as you would me,\" she demanded.  \n  \nRouge led him upstairs. \"how do you like it?\" she asked.   \n  \n\"You... own this place?\"   \n  \n\"Every inch!\" she replied. \"The casino and this apartment! The whole second floor   \nis my personal space!\" Jewels lined the apartment. It was luxurious all over.  \n\"Make yourself comfy!\"   \n  \nHe sat down on the couch. \"Wow, this is soft,\" he exclaimed.   \n  \nShe sat beside him. \"There's... there's something I want to talk to you about.   \nIt's about the past month. I need to know what you think of me as,\" she told him.   \n\"You probably think I'm just a friend. I couldn't be more than that, I'm a bat   \nand-\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"You're an angel from heaven,\" he told her.   \n  \n\"What?\" she asked in disbelief.  \n  \nHe took her hand. \"I said, you're an angel. I don't care if your wings don't have   \nfeathers. You came to me when I was lonely, and you saved my life. My mind has   \nbeen hazy for months now, I almost lost everything, but you came along and made   \neverything better.\"  \n  \n\"I- I- that's the nicest thing I've been called. Humans usually insult me.   \nBut... I've had crushes on two men before. One doesn't like me, and the other   \nwill always be more like a brother to me. You're the... first who ever...\"   \n  \n\"I see,\" he replied. \"I would've thought you'd had several boyfriends. No   \noffense.\"  \n  \n\"I'll flirt with men to get what I want. I can distract them. But I draw the   \nline at trading my body for what I want. I won't do that\"   \n  \n\"So you're, I mean, you're-\"   \n  \n\"I've never been romantic with a man, no,\" she said. \"I don't like sex.\"   \n  \nHe replied, \"I see... I think.\"   \n  \n\"You don't understand. Sex is physical. No, that's not what I want. Love making   \ninterest me. I couldn't go that far with someone unless I loved him, and it's   \nnever... I'm not ashamed of my body. I know men look at me. I'll wear clothes to   \nshow off, but... they can look all they want, but if they want to touch...\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"I don't think our talks went this far,\" he said. \"But I haven't gone that far   \neither. You remember I told you about my ex, she was, well, my first date but   \nI never liked her anyway. And any woman who showed interest in me was after   \nthe family money. Not that... no, I know you aren't like that. You have these   \njewels, and this casino, you have money.\"  \n  \nShe forced herself closer to him. \"You look like you're about to cry, did I say   \nsomething bad?\" he asked.   \n  \n\"No. No, I'm not going to cry. I don't do that. I'm too strong to cry. But I   \nthought you were going to... I thought you were going to die and...\"   \n  \nHe pulled her closer. \"Let it out. I'm the only one who will know. No one else   \nwill see it. Let it out, don't hold it in or it will hurt you.\"  \n  \nShe began sobbing. Her tears soaked his shirt. He was right, she had bottled   \nup her sadness and it was wearing at her. He held her close to muffle the   \ncrying. No one but him would see, and he wouldn't think she was weak for it.   \nAfter a few minutes, she stopped. \"I'm sorry I made you cry. I know it must   \nhave been difficult.\" Rising, she looked him in the eyes. Acting quickly, she   \npressed her lips to his. She pushed herself into it, running her fingers   \nthrough his hair. He responded by pulling her towards him. After a short   \nwhile, they let go.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"You're... a ball of emotion right now,\" he said.   \n  \n\"I couldn't help it. I just... I- I- I think...\"   \n  \nHe pulled her close. \"I know. I love you too, my little angel.\"   \n  \nShe rose from the couch. \"You haven't eaten in days. We should go out and get   \nsomething. It's still early\" she said.   \n  \n\"I haven't eaten real food in days, actually. Or eaten well in some time, I   \nthink,\" he replied.  \n  \nHe stood, picking up the suitcase. \"You can put that in the bedroom. I have an   \nempty drawer I can keep your clothes in,\" she told him. He sat the case on her   \nbed, opening it. On top of his clothes rested the necklace, the one that Rouge   \nhad tried to steal when she met him. \"Oh... I guess I packed it without   \nthinking.\"  \n  \n\"You still love these things, don't you?\"   \n  \n\"Love? No... well, they are pretty, and I've always liked them. But, when you   \nwere in the hospital, I realized that... they can never love me. They can't talk  \nto me, they can't make me feel good. All they do is sit there and look nice. They   \naren't a companion. I've never watched someone close dying before. It hurt. I   \nwould have traded every one of them to save you.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;He slipped the necklace around her neck, fastening the catch. \"It's okay. I   \ntold you that it was yours now.\"   \n  \nShe removed her gloves and ran her hand over it. \"No one has ever given me   \nsomething like this before. Everything I have, I've taken, stolen... no one has   \ngiven me a gift like this before. I appreciate it, but.. I don't know if I want   \nit.\" She turned to him. A devious smile was on her lips and her eyes pierced him.   \nShe pushed him to the bed. \"I want you.\"  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \n\"You get what you want, when you want it, don't you?\" he said.   \n  \n\"I know,\" Rouge replied. \"This morning I thought I was going to lose you. Now, I   \nwant to keep you close. I just hope this wasn't awkward for you.\"   \n  \n\"No,\" he said, \"it was... just... unexpected. Although, the wings and tail were   \na bit- well, different. I was afraid I was going to hurt you.\"   \n  \nRouge was on her stomach. She stretched her limbs out. \"Don't worry, you were   \ngentle with me. My wings and tail are tough, you didn't hurt them,\" she said.   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"My back might be another matter,\" he explained.   \n  \n\"I should have thought this out better,\" she apologized. \"You are a good deal   \ntaller than me.\" \"I might not get the curve out. I don't think your lips left   \nmine the whole time.\" He checked the clock. 1:47 PM. \"Does this change anything   \nbetween us?\" he asked.  \n  \n\"Why would it?\"   \n  \n\"We did get intimate rather quick, I just don't want it to-\"   \n  \nShe squeezed his hand. \"It made us closer.\"   \n  \nHe rubbed one of her ears. \"I would have thought you'd have had some fur for   \nbeing a bat, but...\" he traced his finger down her spine. \"Your skin is smooth   \nand nice to touch. Just your head is covered in it... and your, uh... yeah. And   \nyour tail is cute. The wings give you a certain... bad girl look too.\"   \n  \n\"Oh? I thought I was your little angel?\" she remarked.  \n\u0026nbsp;  \n\"You are! A sensual angel,\" he kissed her, \"but an angel.\"  \n  \nPulling the covers down a bit, he looked at her back. You remember when you   \ncame to me with that injury?\" he asked.   \n  \n\"Yes, I remember.\"  \n  \n\"No scar,\" he explained.  \n  \n\"I remember that alcohol. It burned. I thought I was gonna pass out. But, you   \ntook care of me. There's something else...\" She briefly considered telling him   \nabout her employment with GUN.   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Curious, he asked, \"yes?\"   \n  \n\"It's...\" Thinking otherwise, she finally said, \"you need a bath. No offense.\"   \n  \n\"Well, no offense either, but you need one more than me. You'd been in those   \nclothes for a while. The boots especially could have been lethal.\"   \n  \n\"I'll smack you if you're not careful. But you're right. Lets get in the tub and   \nhit the town. Come on, loverboy, my tub is big enough for the both of us.\"  \n  \nPulling a sheet around his waist, Tom began to crawl out of bed. Playfully, Rouge   \ntugged the sheet away, revealing his naked body. \"Don't be so shy, no one's gonna  \nsee you... except me!\" She eyed him seductively. She'd never been close to a man  \nbefore, given herself away, and as much as she loved Tom right now, the desire  \nto stare was overwhelming.  \n  \n\"Besides,\" she said, tossing her own covers aside, \"I'm naked too... and we'll have   \nto be to get in the tub!\"   \n  \n\"Fair enough, can't say I have some hunk body though, so- hey, is that...\" Tom's   \neyes were fixed on a red stain on the mattress. \"Did I hurt you?\"   \n  \n\"No... do you know much about female anatomy?\" she asked, her eyes turning upwards  \nto meet his.   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;He answered, \"not much, no...\"   \n  \n\"Women of some species, humans... bats... they have a certain... I'll explain it   \nwhen we're in the bath, okay?\" Taking his hand, the bat led her lover into the   \nbathroom. The tub was nested in the corner, not very high. It wasn't made for a   \nhuman, but the basin was wide. Easily large enough for both, assuming Tom lie   \nsomewhat flat.  \n  \nRunning the water, Rouge grabbed her favorites soaps, pouring them into the splash  \nfrom the faucet. \"The soaps and bath oils I use might soften your skin, not very...  \nmanly, I'm afraid.\"   \n  \n\"I don't really mind,\" Tom replied, slipping into the bath. The water was hot,   \nsoothing. Easing in herself, Rouge activated the hot tub jets, turning down a   \ndimmer switch beside the bath.  \n  \n\"There... you like this?\" \"Yeah... very nice, Rouge. You know how to live in style.  \nNow, about that red stain... you were saying?\"   \n  \nTracing a finger down his chest, she continued, \"women of some species have a   \nmembrane in their vaginal openings. It's called a hymen... and when you and I made   \nlove, you took my virginity... do you understand now?\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"I think so,\" he replied. \"So, when you and I... did it hurt?\"   \n  \nResponding, \"yes, a little. But only for a second. It's gone now, I gave myself to   \nyou, to no one else... my virginity. That matters to me. I'm not letting you go   \nnow.\"   \n  \n\"A woman's life has a lot of pain, doesn't it?\" he commented.   \n  \n\"Yes,\" she responded, \"deflowering... childbirth... heartache, conflicting   \nemotions, our periods... oh, the periods, I can be a bit moody and unbearable   \nduring my period. Say things I don't really mean... but enough about that. I'm   \nhappy now, you're here, alive, healthy...\"  \n  \n\"Thanks for not dumbing it down for me, huh? I mean, about the blood stain.\"  \n  \nShe nuzzled him gently. \"I'm not ashamed of my body, or talking about it. Not with   \nyou. You need to know,\" she said. He replied, \"you didn't even flinch when you told   \nme. That shows guts, to talk about that so honestly, without trying to make it   \nsound like it was nothing. Never feel you have to lie to me or sugar-coat   \nsomething, okay?\"   \n  \n\"This is still new to you... but you're an adult. It's still a bit strange  \nto me, too,\" she stated, pressing her forehead against his. \"You'll find I have...  \nwell, when it comes to certain topics, I have no shame.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Turning the lights up, Rouge rose slightly from the water.\u0026nbsp; \"Now that we're lovers,  \nwe didn't get much chance to enjoy the first time, all that emotion in the  \nway... do you like my body?\"   \n  \nThe light reflected off her breasts, almost to taunt him. \"You have an amazing...   \ncan I?\" he begged, stretching a hand forward.   \n  \n\"Go on...\" she responded, inviting him to touch.  \n  \nFeeling her breast, Tom eased his hand forward, thumb playfully grazing the nipple.  \n\"Still a bit shy... first time feeling up a woman?\" Rouge asked, enjoying the touch.  \n  \n\"Yes...\"   \n  \n\"There's something else. It's the species difference, right?\" Slowing his  \ngrab, he looked her dead in the eyes.   \n  \n\"Well,\" he replied, \"in a way... to hell with it though! You're beautiful, you're   \nmature, and we love each other. We're adults, species be damned!\"  \n  \nPulling her close, Rouge barely had time to react as Tom kissed her passionately,  \nfondling her bosom harder, the other hand making a reach for her butt, squeezing  \nfirmly. She moaned through the kiss as her lover gently stroked her tail. As the  \nkiss broke, Rouge remarked, \"you have a pervert buried in you... I like it! You   \nmind?\"   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Not at all, fair is fair...\" he said, inviting Rouge to touch him. Her finger   \nslid under his foreskin, gently playing around the head.  \n  \n\"I've never felt up a man this way... and humans, you poor things, your   \nreproductive organs are aways on the outside... just like bats. Not like those  \nother, fur-covered men who don't need pants.\"   \n  \n\"I'm not very big for a human, am I?\" he said. \"Probably just average.\"   \n  \n\"Oh, I wouldn't say that... your penis...\" she giggled slightly saying the word,   \n\"... it fits fine. Proportions to species... tell me, how did it feel being inside   \nme?\"  \n  \n\"Amazing. I didn't want it to end.\" \"Good, very good,\" Rouge said back, smiling.  \n\"I liked the way it felt, too. So... forceful, but so gentle, too. Touching nerves  \nI didn't know I had, in ways I never could touch myself... now then, we need to  \ntalk about a few simple rules if we're gonna be making love, okay?\" He shook his  \nhead. \"Okay, first, no anal. You are NOT putting that up my ass! Second, I'm a   \nfruit bat, and that means I can't digest or process protein. So...\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Sperm is protein... that much I do know,\" Tom said. \"Don't worry, I wouldn't want  \nyou risking or harming yourself for me.\" Running a finger through the fur, he  \ncontinued, \"I won't miss it. But don't expect me to lick up my own stuff, okay?  \nThat's not gonna happen!\"   \n  \n\"Fair enough,\" she replied, \"but one day soon, I'll get you licking me, okay?   \nThird rule, I'm not making love to you when I'm on my period. I don't feel good   \nthen, and I won't be in the mood.\"  \n  \n\"Eww, blood... gotcha. Anything else?\"   \n  \nShe thought. \"No... that's all, really. Now then, one more thing to do.\" Sitting   \non the edge of the tub, her legs spread. \"Men are a bit simple, unlike women.   \nWe're more complex. So... the vagina is more difficult to please than what you   \nhave. So, I'm going to show you what's there so you can better understand it. You   \nready?\"  \n  \n\"Oh, wow... school was never this fun!\"   \n  \n\"Glad you like the show,\" she said, smiling at him.   \n  \n\"You have such pretty eyes...\" Staring back for a moment, she finally broke off   \nthe glance. \"Hey, gentleman, my reproductive bits are down here!\" In a way, she   \nwas flattered that he would look her in the eyes at a time like this. Pulling back   \nskin, she began her tour. \"This is my clitoris... you'll get to know her well...\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nHerbert paced in Eggman's lab. He had been pinning papers to the noteboard,   \nwith tape holding yet more on. Shadow was watching curiously. \"What is he   \ndoing?\" Eggman asked.   \n  \n\"I don't know,\" Shadow answered. \"He's been obsessing over those for hours.\"  \n  \nEggman approached him. \"Really, Herb, the case is over!\"   \n  \n\"No, it's not.\" He paced the collection. \"Someone was snooping around the winery.   \nIf I had to take a guess... when that thing, the Colour out of Space as Lovecraft   \ncalled it, entered our universe six months ago, it no doubt left hole between the   \ntime lines. And there is a cult in our world which worships these old gods. This   \nisn't over.\" He waved the cane, pointing to a picture of a being with wings.   \n\"This is just begun. And I can guarantee you, this is gonna be a party to   \nremember! An end of the world bash to go out on! Because the big green guy is   \ngonna be the main guest if he wakes up.\"  \n  \n\"What in the world are you talking about?\" Eggman asked.   \n  \nHerb waved his cane again, stumbling briefly. \"The name that haunts me. The image   \nthat haunts my dreams. A being beyond us. Dead but dreaming. A name that fills me   \nwith fear and dread just to think it...\" Eggman and Shadow glanced each other   \nnervously.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Cthulhu.\"  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nHERBERT WESTWOOD. So, GUN did have a file on this guy. Shadow read the data.  \n  \nFULL NAME: HERBERT KOLCHAK WESTWOOD  \n  \nAGE: 47  \n  \nHEIGHT: 5' 11\"  \n  \nKNOWN RELATIVES: None living  \n  \nKNOWN MEDICAL CONDITIONS: Right leg injury in chainsaw accident. Permanent use   \nof cane. Must take regular pain medications. Heart condition, must take regular   \nheart medications.  \n  \nNOTES: \"Paranormal\" investigator for 30 years. Known ally with Dr. Ivo   \nRobotnik. Suspected in numerous robberies but no substantial evidence. Also   \nsuspected of assault numerous times. Professional business rival with the   \nChaotix  \n  \nBelieved to be mentally unstable.  \n  \n  \nThe last line caught his notice. Westwood had been right, so far. Eggman   \nnoticed Shadow at the terminal. \"Doctor... is your friend crazy?\"   \n  \nEggman took offense. \"Of course not! He's a bit... eccentric, but who wouldn't   \nbe studying what he does? And he did save that man's life, with your help,   \nanyway. And mine,\" Eggman said.  \n  \n\"What is Cthulhu? He mentioned it,\" Shadow asked.   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"I'm not fully versed, but... Cthulhu is believed to be a god so great that   \nnothing can stand against it. Nothing human, anyway. Cthulhu wants to rule Earth   \nand regards us as pests. He was sealed away long ago, but waits to wake once   \nmore. Aside from that... I don't really know.\" Eggman left.  \n  \nShadow switched off the terminal. Herb was asleep in his pile of books. He   \nwoke with a start. \"GAH! Oh... I'm still here. What the hell time IS it?\" He   \nchecked the desk clock. 2:11 PM. \"Oh, man, I hate sleep, all I have are   \nnightmares. Shadow?\"  \n  \nShadow cocked an eyebrow. \"You mind if I ask you something? Well, answer if   \nyou want, but... why help that man if Rouge liked you?\"   \n  \n\"I told you, we had a business relationship, nothing more\" \"I see,\" Herb   \nreplied.   \n  \n\"She didn't give me that impression. You could have let that man DIE, and been   \nwith her yourself. Why?\"  \n  \nShadow punched the wall. \"I can never be the lover Rouge would want. And I've   \nseen how Knuckles treats her. That damn echidna... he might... I've been   \nafraid if she were to ever be with him, he might hit her. He has anger   \nproblems. And I never want you to talk that way again! I will not allow an   \ninnocent to die!\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"I'm sorry,\" Herb responded. \"But you must hate that man for what he has.\"   \n\"No, I don't,\" Shadow said. \"I envy him for having what I will never know. But   \nI don't hate him. I will protect him as I would her!\"   \n  \n\"Would you do anything it takes then?\" Westwood inquired. \"Because if Cthulhu   \nrises, my boy... will you help me stop this? You have the attitude I need. If   \nyou had said you would have let that man die, I wouldn't have a use for you. I   \nwould have sent you away. But you said you would protect a stranger who has   \nbecome close to a woman who once liked you. You're mentally stable, and it will   \nhelp you! Cthulhu can't taint your mind!\" He stood, hobbling on his cane.  \n  \n\"You are a weapon, yes, but you are in control of what that weapon is used   \nfor! NO ONE ELSE! I cant make you do this, it will be your decision!\" Herbert   \nheld out his left hand. \"Tell me I have your support, because aside from Ivo,   \nno one will believe me! How can I tell the president, or GUN, or anyone else   \nthat our world, our lives, our SOULS are in danger if I am alone?\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Shadow took his hand and shook it. \"Thank you. I have faith. You defeated the   \nBlack Arms, you chose your own way in life! You have a soul, a good one!\"   \n  \n\"Maria... if I could forget her, maybe-\"   \n  \n\"NO!\" he shouted back. \"You think that if you could let that go, you could lead   \na normal life, but if you ever forget her, then you will have lost your soul!   \nYour ability to care about someone binds your soul to the side of good! You're   \nimmortal, and you will watch your friends die... but as long as you remember   \nthem, as long as you CARE... they don't go away!\"  \n  \nThe screen on the wall flipped on. \"Herb, you're awake! You may want to see   \nthis!\" Eggman explained as the screen changed.   \n  \n\"-again, earlier today, a Chaos Emerald was taken from the Westopolis Museum as   \na terrorist explosion-\"  \n  \nHerb paced. \"A Chaos Emerald... if that was taken by your friend, I will   \npersonally eat my cane. And I can guarantee you that she didn't. An explosion?   \nNo professional thief will blow up a place to steal something! I know, I used   \nto be a good thief, probably better than bat girl anyway. I can guarantee you   \nthat it was the cult of Cthulhu, as I said.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \n\"I wish you could see this more often,\" Rouge said. The small automated   \naircraft carried them towards Angel island. \"Don't worry, this won't take   \nlong,\" she explained. \"I just have to deliver something and we can leave.\" The   \njet touched down.   \n  \n\"I've never seen something like this,\" Tom explained.   \n  \n\"This was once the home of the ancient Echidna tribe. Only one resident remains.   \nWhy don't you go look around while I take care of this?\" He took off to see the   \nisland.  \n  \n\"Knuckles?\" she called out. No answer. She looked around. The Master Emerald   \nwas sitting in its base. \"Don't you dare!\" he shouted. She sighed.   \n  \n\"I told you I wouldn't take it. Here,\" she said, holding out the Chaos Emerald.  \n  \n\"It had better not be a fake!\"   \n  \n\"I'm giving your damn rock back like I promised! Now take it back you stubborn   \nfool!\" she shouted, quickly becoming irritated.  \n  \nKnuckles grabbed it. \"It's... real. Who's that HUMAN with you? He the one who   \nwas here the other night?\"  \n  \nShe gave him a nasty look. \"How dare you! How DARE you? He was in the   \nHOSPITAL! DYING! And you still... he's my boyfriend.\" He was shocked. \"What's   \nwrong? You had your chance! I flirted with you, I even almost liked you, maybe   \nI could have even been close to you and ignored that emerald, but... you just   \ndon't get it. You're not any better than I am, obsessing over a jewel! Can you   \neven love someone? Your tribe almost wiped itself out because you're all   \nstubborn! And you're the last one, the last of a legacy of idiots! War and   \nhate seems to be all you male echidnas know!  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"It must get to you that I love someone for who he is and not a jewel he had!   \nThat he loves me back! Enough to MAKE love! To be intimate! To be gentle! All   \nyou worry about is your muscles and your task in life! I gave you your stupid   \nrock back! Is nothing good enough for you? I never want to see you again, and   \nI never want you to talk that way about Tom or I will-\"  \n  \nHe shoved her. Cocking back a fist, a look of fear overtook Rouge. \"NO! Don't,   \nplease I-\"   \n  \nThe punch never came. Tom had grabbed Knuckles' arm. \"You... what's wrong with   \nyou? She sat in the hospital by my side, she cared for me when no one else was   \nthere to be my friend! You DARE lay a hand on her and I will...\" He wrung Knuckles   \naround, tossing him to the dirt.  \n  \nKnuckles' expression turned from anger to fear. \"Rouge? I- I- I'm sorry, I   \ndidn't...\" Breathing heavily, he ran off.   \n  \n\"Rouge? ROUGE?\" She looked up at Tom. \"You okay?\"   \n  \n\"Yes, yes I think-\" she was breathing hard. Her heart was racing.   \n  \nHe stooped down and embraced her. \"It's okay, he's gone.\" He felt her pulse. \"You   \nsure you're okay?\"   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;She felt his heart rate. \"What about you?\"  \n  \n\"Yeah, I think he would've kicked my butt, actually. He weighs a lot for his   \nsize! I'm surprised I threw him down,\" he said.   \n  \n\"He threatened someone you care about. The adrenaline probably-\"   \n  \nHe placed a finger to her lips. \"Don't think about it. Let's get you home.\"  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \n\"Eat something, my boy!\" Shadow took the bowl of chili. \"Finest diner in   \nCentral City, at least after the Black Arms attacked,\" Herb said.   \n  \n\"It's... acceptable,\" Shadow commented, taking a bite.   \n  \n\"They took a Chaos Emerald! In the middle of the day, with a bomb, and no regard   \nto lives lost. That's messed up! That is seriously messed up!\" Westwood grabbed   \nthe cracker bowl and filled his chili with them.  \n  \n\"Tell me more about Cthulhu.\"   \n  \n\"Got a few hours?\" Herb joked. \"Well, the basic summary, Cthulhu came to earth,   \noh, 200 million years ago, give or take a few millennia. 50 million years ago,   \nhe was sealed away by a group called the Elder Gods. Cthulhu was part of a group   \nknown as the Great Old Ones. The Elder gods were good, and the Great Old Ones...   \nwell, good and evil didn't have the same concept then. Cthulhu and his kind are...   \nwhat's the best word?\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;He snapped his fingers. \"AMORAL!\" The diner patrons looked at him. \"Anyway...   \ndo you think about any ants step on when you run? I don't when I walk.\" Shadow   \nshook his head 'no'. \"Cthulhu is highly evolved. Humans, to him, are tiny   \ninsects. He doesn't hate us, but he doesn't like us walking around. We're   \npests. And we taste good.\" Shadow widened his eyes.  \n  \n\"That is, Cthulhu doesn't eat us. He eats our souls. Our life force. But 50   \nmillion years ago, the Elder Gods sealed Cthulhu away in his city of R'lyeh   \nunder the ocean. But even their seal wasn't meant to last. It seems that a   \nconstellation would appear in the sky one night that would undo the seal and   \nCthulhu would rise. Lovecraft recorded one such event in a story he called...   \nwell, the Call of Cthulhu. But the bond hadn't broken long enough for Cthulhu   \nto remain and he was sealed away again.\"  \n  \n\"What does this have to do with our world?\" Shadow asked.   \n  \nHerb sighed. \"You remember I said something about multi-dimensional? Cthulhu   \nexisted before time lines split. In many worlds which followed a similar path,   \nCthulhu, all of them, they have a stronger bond to. Our world, not really. Until   \nnow, when the color from space found its way here. And now a pinprick between   \nthe realities has opened. Cthulhu has always had some minor reach into our world.   \nArtifacts and evidence remain. And even here, a cult exists.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"What does this cult want with Cthulhu, if he will devour the souls of man?\"   \nShadow asked.   \n  \n\"The cult is misguided. They believe that the loyal ones will be   \nspared and allowed to reign alongside him. The truth is, they will be wiped   \nout regardless. But still... they want the Chaos Emeralds to try and force the   \nconstellation of unbinding. And it may be possible. And with the Chaos Emeralds   \nin... their... poss... oh NO!\" He ran out of the diner. Shadow followed.  \n  \n\"What's wrong?\"   \n  \n\"I gave that emerald to your bat friend like you asked! She's in danger, we have   \nto-\" The two found Knuckles sitting on a bench. He seemed worried. \"YOU? What's   \nwrong, my boy?? Herb asked.   \n  \n\"Rouge... I...\"   \n  \nHerb stooped. \"ROUGE? What happened?\"   \n  \n\"I- I almost punched her. She said something and I... oh god...\"   \n  \nShadow grabbed him. \"YOU WHAT?\"   \n  \n\"Shadow, I didn't mean to, I just lost control! I thought the human she was with   \nwas the one who-\"  \n  \nBefore Shadow could lash out, the cane thrust between them. \"Human?\" Herb   \nasked. \"Let him go, Shadow. DO IT!\" Shadow released his hold.   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Yes, a human was on my island the other night, I think he was trying to take   \nthe Master Emerald! I chased him off but... Shadow, I'm sorry, I didn't...\"  \n  \nWestwood was worried. \"Knuckles, listen to me very carefully. Terrorists   \nbombed a museum today and stole a Chaos Emerald. That group may have been   \ntrying to take the Master Emerald. As I understand, it can be used to locate   \nthe Chaos Emeralds, right?\"   \n  \n\"Thats right,\" Knuckles replied.   \n  \nWhat are you doing here then?\" Herb asked.  \n  \n\"I- her friend stopped me and I ran. I was scared of what I was going to do   \nand-\"   \n  \n\"Nevermind that!\" Herb shouted. \"The Master Emerald, go back you your   \nisland and make sure it's still there! I'll have Ivo collect it, it's not safe   \nthere.\"   \n  \nKnuckles shouted, \"I'm not giving the Master Emerald to Eggman! That's cra-\"   \n  \n\"Dammit boy, these people will KILL YOU if necessary to get it! Neither you or   \nthe emerald are safe there! They bombed a museum to get a Chaos Emerald! Go! We   \nhave to find Rouge and get her emerald back before they target her or worse-\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Rouge? Oh...\" He pulled the Chaos Emerald out. Herb's eyes widened as he   \nlooked to the sky and mouthed a 'thank you'.   \n  \n\"How'd you get this?\" Shadow asked.   \n  \n\"She bullied me into giving it to her the other day. She brought it back. I guess   \nshe really does care about that man, to give this back as she promised?\" Shadow   \ndidn't respond.  \n  \n\"No matter, get to your island, you don't have time to stand here! GO\" Knuckles   \nscaled the nearest building and glided off when had proper height. Westwood   \npulled his phone. \"Ivo. IVO!\"   \n  \n\"Yes, what is it? Eggman asked.   \n  \n\"Get to the red echidna's island, NOW! He's waiting for you, get the emerald and   \ntake it to your base! And don't steal it! This is the apocalypse here, I don't   \nhave time for your goals right now!\"  \n  \n\"Okay, fine, I get it! Eggman out!\" he shouted.   \n  \n\"What now?\" Shadow asked.   \n  \n\"We get my van and get to my office. I have more things to collect. Ivo has   \nbetter computers than I do, I can work best there!\"  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nRouge stepped into her apartment. \"You're still shaken, aren't you?\"   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;She looked up at him. He was almost two feet taller than she was, and she   \nreached his midsection when standing. \"Yes, a little.\"   \n  \nHe sat on the couch, taking her hand. He placed the other on her pink chest   \nplate. \"I can still feel your heart through this. You sure you don't need a   \ndoctor?\" he asked.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\"NO! I'm... fine... really. Knuckles never threatened me like that before.\"  \n  \nHe pulled her close. \"He was one of the men you had a crush on?\"   \n  \n\"What? Oh...\" she looked away. \"Yes.\"   \n  \nTom gently brought her head back up. \"It's okay. He must not like me very much.   \nHe's probably jealous.\"   \n  \n\"I said some things to him, personal things. I told him we made love. I taunted   \nhim when I shouldn't have. It was my fault,\" she said.  \n  \n\"No, it wasn't. He had no excuse to do that, even if he was jealous,\" he   \nreplied.   \n  \n\"Thank you. I... I couldn't bear the thought of you having to sit in a hospital   \nif I was hurt.\" She brushed the thought away.  \n  \nHe thought about what had happened. \"Those gloves he wears, they had spikes? Will   \nhe come HERE and try something? He's kind of a brute if you ask me.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"No, she assured him. \"Knuckles isn't that... and if he does, security will   \ndeal with him.\"   \n  \nHe checked the clock. 6:40. Pulling her onto the couch, he rested her head against   \nhis shoulder. \"Get some sleep. I'll be here. Nothing will hurt you. At least,   \nI'll do my best. I'm not some tough guy but...\"   \n  \nShe placed a hand on his chest. \"I know.\" She considered her future with GUN. She   \nhadn't even told him that she worked for them.  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nShadow hated Westwood's office. It smelled of old books and coffee. The front   \noffice was tidy, if dusty, but the living space was a mess of fast food   \nwrappers, candy wrappers, and a thick layer of dust. His bed was just the   \ncouch. Most of the space was dedicated to storage of books and artifacts with   \nlittle dedicated to a home.  \n  \n\"Why did you stop me?\" Shadow asked.   \n  \n\"Stop what?\"   \n  \n\"You stopped me from injuring Knuckles,\" Shadow reminded him.   \n  \n\"Oh... as much as he needs it, I believe that your friend- or whatever you prefer   \nto call him- may have been influenced already.\" Shadow forced a slight look of   \ninterest. \"Cthulhu reaches out to people in their sleep, through their dreams.   \nKnuckles displayed an unwarranted outburst of anger. Cthulhu drives men insane,   \nand his outburst was the first sign.\"   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"So,\" Shadow said, \"he is going insane.\"   \n  \n\"Maybe not,\" Herb stated. \"If we can get to him in time, train his mind, we can   \nsave him. He's a braggart, a tough guy, and socially awkward. An easy target for   \ndriving nuts.  \n  \n\"I really shouldn't have parked in the garage. Can you drive it out front for   \nme? I have more things to pack!\" Shadow nodded. Westwood tossed him the keys.   \nShadow found the van in the underground parking garage. It was the only   \nvehicle. After all, Westwood was the only one in the entire building. Shadow   \ngot in and turned the key.  \n  \nHerb loaded the cardboard box with more papers. Shoving smaller books, papers,   \nand computer sticks in his pockets, he heard the explosion. Running downstairs,   \nhe found the remains of his van. \"SHADOW!\"  \n  \nIn the wreckage, Shadow sat, unharmed. \"Good thing you had that Chaos Emerald!   \nWhat happened?\"   \n  \n\"I turned the key. The car exploded. That's what happened,\" Shadow said, almost   \ndisinterested.   \n  \n\"Cars don't explode like that. We've been here...\" He checked his watch. \"20   \nminutes. Enough time for someone to sneak in and wire a bomb to the ignition.   \nThey blew up my car. This is... bad and great. They see me as a threat. ME!   \nThey're actually scared! This is good! I means they know-\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Shadow heard something. Without thinking, he ran. He picked up Herb, using   \nmomentum to carry the old man out of the garage as the office exploded. He   \nstopped when they were a safe distance. Herb shielded his face against the   \nheat. \"MY HOUSE!\" he yelled. The entire first floor was gone in an inferno.  \n  \n\"I don't believe this... DAMN! Damn damn damndamndamn!\" he was tapping his   \ncane against the sidewalk. \"I survived the Black Arms invasion, and now this!\"   \n  \n\"It's not safe here!\" Shadow reminded him. Herb hobbled away as fast as he   \ncould. \"This is Shadow,\" he said into his communicator.  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nSome time later, firefighters were dealing with the blaze. GUN troops had been   \ncalled in to sweep the area. \"Blow up my car to kill me, that's business. Blow   \nup my HOUSE... that's personal.\"  \n  \n\"You're taking this well,\" Shadow sighed.   \n  \n\"That's- that's a joke, right? You do have a sense of humor! I can't replace   \nthose books, those artifacts! I can't replace all those songs and television   \nshows I took from other Earth, not now! We can't involve Rouge, not now, not   \never, you understand me? You stay away from her, or they may hurt, kidnap, or   \nkill her to intimidate us! As far as they know, you know no one named Rouge   \nthe Bat!\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"I understand,\" Shadow answered.  \n  \nHerb said, \"but we will need help. Maybe if we can condition Knuckles' mind...   \nwe need Sonic the Hedgehog. You hear me? We must find Sonic!\"  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nRouge was curled up in the hospital room, sitting silently in the chair. She   \nwas watching him die. No. She heard the long wailing beep from the monitor. His   \nheart had stopped. Thomas Adriani was dead. She ran to his bed. \"Tom? TOM! NO!   \nWake up! LIVE! You can't die on me...\"  \n  \n\"It's over,\" the voice said. Shadow stood in the doorway. \"Now I can be yours.\"   \n  \n\"What? Shadow, he's... he's dead. Don't you care?\" she yelled.   \n  \n\"Why should I?\" he replied. \"You've been staring at me for some time. You want   \nme. You think I'm handsome and attractive. Forget him and come with me. It's   \nwhat you want. You don't really have a choice now.\"  \n  \n\"NO!\"  \n  \n  \n  \nShe woke up. No hospital room, no Shadow. Just her apartment. The lights were   \noff, the illumination from the city's nightlife the only highlights in the   \ndark. \"Tom? Wake up!\" He woke as she shook him.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"What's wrong?\" he asked, still half asleep.   \n  \n\"Please,\" she said, \"please touch me. Just... let me know this isn't a dream.\"   \nHe took her hand. With his free hand, he stroked her ear. She placed her hands   \non his chest.   \n  \n\"You don't look so good, what happened?\" he asked, confused.   \n  \n\"It's... nothing.\"  \n  \nHe stared at her and said, \"no, something happened. You had a bad dream, didn't   \nyou?\" She nodded her head. \"It was that... red guy. He freaked you out too bad,   \nI swear I'll... tell me about it.\" She shook her head 'no'. \"It can't have been   \nthat bad. Tell me.\"  \n  \n\"You were in the hospital... but you died. You didn't wake up... and-\"   \n  \n\"It didn't happen! I'm here! I'm not dying. Whatever was wrong with me,  \nthe doctors said I'm fine. I know how it feels... I had to watch my father die   \nof liver failure from his wine habit. My mother died of a heart attack from the   \nstress. I know death is painful, but I'm not dying. I don't know... you must   \nhave been in a living hell watching me in there, but it's over! You're through   \nthat, now... think good, happy thoughts. Stop thinking about the pain, its over.   \nWhy don't we go to bed? I'll help you get those boots off and we'll lay down in   \nthat nice bed and get some real sleep.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Standing, he tried to pick her up. \"Umm...\" he struggled slightly, finally   \nhoisting her. \"OW!\" He set her back down.   \n  \n\"What's wrong?\" she asked. \"It's...\" he rubbed his right shoulder. \"I think I   \nhurt my arm throwing red guy to the ground. It's funny, I used to be able to   \nlift crates of grapes and bottles all day without hassle, now... I guess I let   \nmyself go,\" he said.  \n  \n\"I'll get something for that,\" she responded.   \n  \n\"Wait.\"   \n  \nRouge asked, \"what is it?\"   \n  \n\"Can I ask you something?\" Tom replied.   \n  \n\"Of course.\"   \n  \n\"It's... am I inconveniencing you somehow? It's just, I've noticed you've   \nchanged your personality. You gave up your interest in jewels, and I- no, it's   \nstupid, forget it.\"  \n  \n\"No, it's okay,\" she replied.   \n  \n\"Well, you have become a bit more... submissive. I mean, you had a certain...   \ndominative personality when I met you, and you've softened a lot. I know you took   \ncharge last night when- and I enjoyed it- but I don't want you to think you have   \nto change who you are to make me happy. I like you as you are. And I like the   \nattitude you wear. It's very sexy.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;She sighed. \"I guess I do put on a certain demeanor around most people. But I   \nfeel different when we're alone. I guess I have been forcing myself to be a bit   \nnicer though. I was that way with Shadow, too. But you're right, I should be   \nmyself,\" she said.   \n  \n\"That's what I wanna hear! I'll get some ice or something for my-\"  \n  \nShe pushed him back down to the couch and gave him a hard kiss. \"Sit down and   \nshut up. I'll take care of you,\" she softly spoke.   \n  \n\"That's what I-\"   \n  \nshe kissed him again to silence him. \"I said sit down and shut up. Be a good boy.   \nSpeak again, and it won't be a kiss.\" She gave him a sly, almost evil smile as   \nshe headed to the kitchen.  \n  \nRouge located the pain medications. NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION in big letters   \nalmost ruined her mood. Opening the freezer, she found the cold pack she'd used   \nbefore, after many GUN missions and thefts. Taking it to him, she wrapped it   \naround his shoulder. \"You can talk now.\"  \n  \nHe kissed her back. \"I like you being dominant and all... but I'm not totally   \nsubmissive. I'll give as I get,\" he explained.   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Well, you do have a bad side after all. I can see this relationship won't get   \nboring,\" she responded.   \n  \n\"Not tonight though. This glacier on my shoulder is killing the mood.\"   \n  \n\"I understand,\" she said. \"I'm not putting out for you every night, either, as I   \nsaid, I don't have sex. I make love. I want you to be in the proper mood.\"  \n  \nHe shouted, \"yes, ma'am! And after last night, who wants something quick? I   \nliked it, three hours of emotional bliss.\"   \n  \nShe took his hand, leading him to the bedroom. \"It's late. This tight suit isn't   \nvery... sleep-worthy. I'll change and we can get some real sleep.\" She grabbed a   \nsmall shirt. \"Hmm... no, I'll change right here.\" Rouge gave him a sinister look.   \n\"And we're starting you on a workout program. I'll build your muscles back up.   \nFor you, and... for me. Eye candy, yummy!\"  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nKnuckles found the older gentleman. \"It's past midnight, shouldn't you be   \nasleep?\"   \n  \n\"SLEEP!?\" Herb yelled. \"I'm too wired to sleep! They blew up MY HOUSE! I'm not   \ngonna sleep for a week! I'm gonna read over what I was able to salvage tonight,   \nthen in the morning, I have to hit the bank and take out all my money. THEN, I   \nhave to go to a store and buy new clothes, because I am WEARING every stitch I   \nnow own! Then... someone else about business.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;He grabbed his cane and paced the room. \"I didn't get much but it's enough... I   \nhope. Where's Shadow?\"   \n  \nKnuckles replied, \"wandering around. He's been a bit distant with me.\"   \n  \n\"That's understandable. He was in a car explosion, which he took rather well I   \nthink. That, and you did admit to trying to punch out a friend of his. Be   \nthankful to be ALIVE at this point in time, my boy. He'd have killed you for   \nthat if I hadn't stopped him.\"  \n  \nKnuckles shook his head. \"He told me what was going on. I... I want to help!\"   \nhe shouted. \"I- I can't sleep thinking about what I- I could have seriously   \nhurt her! I never trusted her but still, she was being sincere this time and I   \njust...\"  \n  \nHerb tapped his cane to silence the echidna. \"You want my help. Your body is   \nstrong but your isolation has left your mind weak. You have a good heart, an   \nhonest soul, but you don't interact with others very well. They tried to take   \nthe Master Emerald once and you stopped them. They targeted you through your   \ndreams and made you more violent than normal.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"You are arrogant, untrained, unleashed, and that, my boy, is your failing. If   \nyou can face what you are, face what you will become, and challenge yourself,   \nthen you can be saved. I can only do so much for you. They cannot taint those   \nwho have a strong will. Give me time, do as I say, and I can strengthen your   \nmind and preserve your soul!\"  \n  \n\"I'll do it!\" Knuckles shouted.   \n  \nHerb said, \"good! You have the will to break from the influence of this great   \nevil! Give me your gloves. They're your dependence, you rely on them too much.   \nGive them to me. when you are ready, you can have them back.\"   \n  \n\"My gloves?\"   \n  \n\"YES BOY!\" Herb screamed. \"You do without them. You should use them to supplement   \nwhat you are, rather you use them to define yourself! I told you to trust me! If   \nyou aren't willing to face yourself then you will lose!\"  \n  \nKnuckles pulled his gloves off and threw them down. \"Good. Ivo has books on   \nthis flying heap. You do know how to read, right?\" Herb asked. Knuckles nodded.   \n\"Good. Find a book. Any book, and read it. You have worked your body, now work   \nyour mind. Read it, understand its meaning. GO!\" Knuckles ran off.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Westwood tapped the button on the comm-panel. \"Ivo! I'm out of coffee!\"   \n  \nThe reply took some seconds. \"What? I was asleep, was this necessary?\"   \n  \n\"You have a flying battleship loaded with robots and guns, you have to have more   \ncoffee too! I'm out!\" Herb shouted.   \n  \nIvo was furious. \"No. I'm not giving you more coffee. All that caffeine isn't   \ngood for you! I'm not letting you kill yourself! I'm going back to bed, you do   \nthe same!\"  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nThe door kicked open as the cane strode across the floor. \"Westwood! Didn't   \nexpect to see you!\" Vector greeted.   \n  \n\"We heard about your office last night. Hard to believe,\" Espio remarked.   \nWestwood stopped at the desk. A wad of bills landed dead center as Vector's   \neyes widened.  \n  \n\"Someone tried to kill me. They blew up my house and my car. They'll try again.   \nFind whose responsible, and I want NAMES!\" He turned away.   \n  \nEspio asked, \"got any leads?\"   \n  \n\"Just one,\" Herb replied. \"They took that Chaos Emerald in Westopolis yesterday.   \nOh, and your lives may be on the line if you take this case, just so we're clear   \non that. If you can get that Chaos Emerald back from them, it'll be worth extra.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Espio sighed. \"Where can we reach you?\"   \n  \nHerb tapped his cane lightly. \"Ivo Robotnik's flying fortress. It's the safest   \nplace for me right now.\"   \n  \nVector slammed the desk. \"Eggman! That cheapskate STILL owes us for a job!\"   \n  \nHerb turned his head. \"Oh? Funny, he's never skipped paying ME for the jobs I   \ndid... I'll see what I can do.\"  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nThe four met on the bridge. Westwood asked, \"any luck finding your friend?\"   \n  \n\"No,\" Knuckles answered. \"But I believe he was racing the Babylon Rogues.\"   \n  \n\"Doesn't matter, we can't find him,\" Eggman sighed.   \n  \nHerb thought it over for a second. \"From what I understand, Sonic is a hero and   \nan adventurer. But also predictable. I guarantee you, Ivo, if you make a scene   \nhe'll beeline right for you. Oh, and Ivo, I promised the Chaotix you'd pay them   \nwhat you owe. I'd do it. We're business rivals, but I don't want to get on the   \nbad side of that crocodile. Keep them happy. They'll try to get the stolen Chaos   \nEmerald back for us.\"  \n  \n\"Are you positive this... Coo-loo cult is behind this?\" Knuckles inquired.   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Shadow corrected, \"Cthulhu.\"  \n  \n\"I don't care if you call him Nancy!\" Herb shouted. \"NO! No, I am not sure. For   \nall I know, the Chaos Emerald theft and my apartment blowing up are unrelated!   \nI've certainly ticked off my fair share of people in 30 years! But it FITS! A   \nhorror from space crashes in a well. It drains the life from the land. It matches   \nPERFECTLY with the story from a book I found on another Earth with a different   \nhistory! It has to be the same entity! And I... I've never...\"  \n  \nHe sighed. \"Shadow, I need to meet with the President about this, outline what's   \ngoing on. I doubt much he'll believe me, but... can you get me a meeting?\"   \n  \n\"I'll see what I can do.\"  \n  \n\"Good,\" Herb replied. \"Ivo, start planning a way to get Sonic's attention. Make   \nit noticeable. And resist the urge to hurt him. I know it'll stress you out,   \nbut we need him. Not like I can stop you if you don't listen to me...\"  \n  \n\"And what's that supposed to mean?\" Eggman shouted.   \n  \n\"This... this is not what you wanted out of life!\" Westwood fired back. \"You   \ngrew up wanting to be like your grandfather. You wanted to be a good scientist,   \na man people looked up to! This... now you're an aging criminal who lives on a   \nflying death ship because he's wanted by the governments of the world!\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Eggman was mad. \"As if you got what you wanted out of life, old friend.\"   \n  \n\"FINE! No, I did NOT get what I wanted! I had ambitions in life too! I wanted to   \nbe a race car driver! Also wanted to be a dinosaur when I was five, but... no, I   \ndidn't get what I wanted. I became a lonely man with no life who chases invisible   \nthings for money! But I don't complain like you did, old friend! I lived with the   \ncards life dealt me, and I do what I do well! Knuckles, you stay here and help...   \nEggman plan his surprise. And see if you can get the Master Emerald to find the   \nChaos Emeralds while we still have a chance. Shadow, come with me!\"  \n  \nWestwood stomped off, Shadow following. Knuckles looked around. \"Who is that   \nguy, anyway?\"   \n  \n\"Oh, Herbert... we were childhood friends in school, long ago. We... maintain our   \nprofessional differences. I guess he is right, in a way... no matter. Where are   \nyour gloves? I didn't think you ever took them off!\"  \n  \n\"Oh,\" Knuckles pouted. \"He took them from me, said he'd give them back when he   \ncan TRUST me... guess I can't blame him.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nRouge stopped Tom at the clothing store. \"You need new clothes. Not those   \nbusiness suits you have, some real clothes. Good shirts, some pants... sweat   \npants. Better athletic shoes. Umm... we'll worry about tight jeans when I get   \nyou on a decent workout program.\"   \n  \n\"What?\" he asked. \"Are you staring at my-\"   \n  \n\"No!\" she shouted, blushing. \"Now, you get shopping. I have some of my own   \nshopping to do, I'll meet you in a half hour.\"  \n  \n\"Why are we in the capital to go clothes shopping?\" he asked.   \n  \n\"Well, I thought you needed some sun. And I have a day planned for us. Besides,   \nI know a good clothing store here that caters to... my kind of buyer.\" \"You have   \nlots of good clothes already,\" he stated. \"Yes, but...\"   \n  \nShe gave him a wink. \"It's... for you, tonight. Now get going, a half hour!\"  \n  \nHe entered the store. As he left sight, she tugged at the envelope in her   \nglove. In ten minutes, she reached the White House. Shadow sat in the waiting   \narea. \"Shadow?\"   \n  \n\"Oh, Rouge...\" he muttered.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"What are you doing here?\"   \n  \nHe looked at her. \"Westwood wanted a meeting with the President. I arranged it.\"   \n  \n\"Oh? Where is he?\" she asked.   \n  \n\"He had to use the restroom. I could ask the same of you, but something tells   \nme... you never told him you work for GUN.\"  \n  \n\"That's right,\" she muttered. \"I'm resigning. Today. I won't endanger myself,   \nI won't... put him through the same thing, or worse.\"   \n  \n\"You're changing your life for him, then?\" Shadow remarked.   \n  \n\"No. He told me not to do that. He likes me being in charge. And... our personal   \nlife isn't your business. But, we're equal. This is my decision. Tell me, Shadow,   \nwhat do you think of this? Do you envy Tom? Would you...\"  \n  \nHis expression turned. \"What? No, why would I? I DID save his life at the risk   \nof my own, when I had no business doing do. Maria would never have forgiven me   \notherwise. I wish both of you the best. That's why I'm here.\"  \n  \nShe smiled. \"I heard about the explosion. Is this... that bad?\"   \n  \nHe nodded. \"You would be best to stay out of this if you don't want to get hurt.   \nWestwood wants you out too. And for what little it's worth... Knuckles is sorry   \nfor what he did to you.\"   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;She asked, \"Knuckles?\"   \n  \n\"Yes, he's helping us. Westwood doesn't trust him, but he said he can help   \nKnuckles. I think he IS jealous, but he'll have to deal with it. After all,   \nhe had numerous chances to be yours, as I understand.\"  \n  \nShe checked her watch. 1:30 \"I have to go. Thank you, Shadow. And whatever   \nyou're doing... good luck.\"  \n  \nShe entered the office. \"Agent Rouge. On time, I see. This sounded important,\"   \nhe said.   \n  \nShe tossed the envelope on his desk. \"My resignation from GUN.\" Pulling the   \ncommunicator from her glove, it joined the letter on the table.   \n  \n\"Why? I'm not sure I understand...\"  \n  \nShe looked away. \"I've found someone special. And I can't put myself in danger   \nanymore.\"   \n  \n\"I see.\" The President took the envelope and tore it up. \"What are you doing?   \nThis isn't negotiable!\"   \n  \n\"I'm not accepting your resignation... I'm going to do something better. I'll   \nmark you as an inactive agent. You won't be called upon for anything, but you   \nwill retain access to information files, in case you need them. And you will   \nhave the full support of this nation if you are ever in any trouble. I wish you   \nand your special someone luck. You were a good agent.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;She closed her eyes and breathed in. \"Thank you. Can you do one more favor for   \nme?\"   \n  \n\"Of course,\" he replied.   \n  \n\"Shadow the Hedgehog is meeting with you. Please, listen to what he has to say.\"   \nShe opened the window and flew out.  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \n\"YES! We did it!\" Herb shouted as their craft entered the flying fortress. \"I   \ndon't know why but the president listened to us! And he agreed to help!\" Herb   \nwas almost dancing. \"Well have full access to GUN files, and in the event of   \nsomething big, GUN military forces! Shadow, my boy, you did it! Oh, and Ivo...\"   \n  \n\"Yes?\" Eggman asked.   \n  \n\"I got the president to agree to something. A full pardon and deletion of all   \ncrimes on record. IF, and I man IF, you play along. No taking over the world,   \nno littering, no NOTHING! You have to play this one honest, old friend. The   \nPresident wasn't too happy with you for threatening to blow up his country, you   \nunderstand, so don't mess this one up. I can't help you if you mess up!\"  \n  \n\"We have our plan ready to lure Sonic out!\" Eggman shouted.   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Good\" Herb answered. \"I'll notify the president of our plan so he won't unleash   \nthe dogs on us... let's get going!\"  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nRouge sat with Tom at an outdoor cafe in the capital. Tom was sucking down a   \nwell done steak. \"Tom... I know you haven't been eating well, but cool it a   \nbit, huh? You need to gain some weight, but I'm not letting you get fat!\"   \n  \n\"Oh?\" he smirked. \"You've had three pieces of cherry pie already!\"   \n  \nShe looked down at her plate, frowning a bit. \"So I have...\"  \n  \n\"If you want my butt to look good in a pair of jeans, I expect yours to look   \ngood in a bikini! I give as I get!\"   \n  \nShe dangled the shopping bag from her finger. \"Don't you worry about that, I've   \ngot something here you'll love. Speaking of which, I assume you took my advice?\"  \n  \n\"Yes,\" he replied. \"Nice easy clothes. Pants that don't need a belt. My   \nparents, they... they led a rich lifestyle. They didn't like comfy clothes,   \nthey wanted to look the part.\"   \n  \n\"You had issues with them, didn't you?\"   \n  \nHe pushed his plate away. \"They were a bit strict.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Oh... but I thought you liked me being assertive?\" She dangled the bag again,   \nlooking at him with a sly expression.   \n  \n\"This is different,\" he pointed out. \"You're assertive, but you let me do the   \nsame. With them, it was their way! But you...\" He leaned in close to her, and   \nwith a faint whisper, \"for example, your ears are so sensitive, I can whisper   \nall kinds of dirty things to you and no one will even now.\"  \n  \nHer teeth showed through her devilish grin. \"Bad boy... I'll have to punish you   \nfor that.\" He closed his eyes for a brief moment. Pulling a small box from his   \npocket, he handed it to her. She opened it. \"Is this...\"   \n  \n\"You wear those gloves a lot. I thought a bracelet might look better,\" he   \nexplained. \"You don't have to give up jewels. They look nice on you. You've   \nbeen wearing my necklace a lot, and...\" She pulled her gloves off and slipped   \nthe bracelet on. \"I know I can't get you earrings because piercings might mess   \nwith your flying, so I got you something just as nice.\"  \n  \n\"Oh, Tom...\" she admired it. \"You didn't have to...\"   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"I know. But I wanted to.\"  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \n\"There he is!\" Tails shouted, his Extreme Gear flying above the ground.   \n  \n\"Wonder what Eggman's up to this time?\" Sonic wasn't sure, but it was sudden.   \nLeaping form his board, Sonic tore into a robot. It fell apart quickly. \"Hey,   \nwhat the...?\"   \n  \nAmy pushed one of the robots over. \"These robots aren't even real,\" she commented   \nas the head rolled off.  \n  \nThe three turned to face Eggman. \"What? Shadow, Knuckles? What's going on?\" Sonic  \nasked, bewildered.  \n\u0026nbsp;  \nWestwood stepped forward. \"Sonic the Hedgehog. I finally get to meet you.\"   \n  \n\"Who are you, and what are you doing here with Eggman? Why the fake robots?\"  \n  \nHerb tapped his cane, turning to Eggman. \"Less than an hour.\" He approached the   \nthree. \"Sonic... and you must be Tails, the boy genius.\" He looked at Amy with   \nan expression of confusion. \"I don't know you, I'm afraid.\" She seemed to take   \nvisible offense.  \n  \nSonic wasn't having it. \"Eggman! Shadow... will someone tell me what's going   \non?\"   \n  \n\"Of course,\" Eggman muttered. \"We need your help, and thought this the fastest   \nway to get in touch with you.\"   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Yes,\" Herb muttered. \"Knuckles and Shadow have agreed to help, I would hope you   \ndo the same. We need to save the world. I know you and Ivo have teamed up before   \nin the name of the greater good. This isn't about your rivalry, this is about the   \nworld!\"  \n  \n\"Eh, I don't know...\" Sonic looked the newcomer over suspiciously.   \n  \n\"Fine. I thought you would be up for the adventure of your life, but I guess I   \nwas wrong. I'm sorry to have wasted your time. Come on, men, lets go. Leave   \nSONIC to whatever he was up to. He doesn't want to help an old man.\" He turned   \nand started walking away.  \n  \n\"Hey, wait!\" Sonic was anxious to find out what was going on.   \n  \n\"This is IMPORTANT, Sonic!\" Knuckles shouted, frustrated with the hedgehog's   \nattitude.   \n  \nSonic sighed. \"Okay, I'll play.\"   \n  \n\"Me too,\" Tails stated.  \n  \n\"I'll go too!\" Amy shouted.  \n  \n\"Good, good...\" Herb turned to them. \"Well, I don't know about you,\" he said,   \npointing at Amy. \"I'm not sure I should involve a kid.\"   \n  \n\"Hey, I'm a kid!\" Tails pointed out.   \n  \n\"Er, right... I guess in the situation we face, I'll take all the help I can get.   \nCome on, we're going to Ivo's flying fortress, it's the safest place for us right   \nnow!\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nRouge grabbed Tom's arm and dragged him to the door. \"Come on, that movie I   \nwanted to watch is gonna be on soon!\"   \n  \n\"Oh, right... we should be in time!\"   \n  \nOpening her apartment, Rouge led him in, the two sitting on the couch. She   \ngrabbed the remote, flipping through channels until she found it. \"It hasn't   \nstarted yet. I'll get us something to drink!\"  \n  \nGrabbing two sodas and glasses, she joined him in front of the television.   \nHanding him a glass, she said, \"you don't HAVE to watch this with me... I don't   \nknow if you're into old romantic films...\"   \n  \n\"I don't mind,\" he replied.  \n  \n\"You seem agreeable to everything I want to do...\"   \n  \nPlacing his glass on the table beside the sofa, he explained, \"It's my parents.   \nThey... all they ever did was fight. Both of them. I... I'd heard they were an   \narranged marriage. Money and land between the families, as it was. I think the   \nonly time they ever... well, you know... was when I was conceived. They put on   \na good face for the business, but behind closed doors... BAM! It was like a   \nwrestling match between wild bears every day in that house!\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"I understand,\" she replied gently. \"You don't want to fight with me. I   \nappreciate that, but still, I'm not going to get mad if you don't want to do   \nsome little thing with me! I've seen this movie twenty times... tomorrow.   \nYou'll pick what we do. I won't help you decide! I said I was going to make   \nyou stronger. Muscles, and mind... You're the best jewel I have, but you're   \nstill rough. I can polish you.\"  \n  \nPulling her close, he rested her head on his shoulder. \"Okay, okay... your   \nmovie's starting, you gonna look at me all night? We can get lost in each   \nother's eyes later!\"   \n  \n\"That's a little better,\" she replied. \"Speaking of which, you don't have to   \naccept my requests to make love every time, you know... I know I probably ask   \nit a lot, bats are just like that, and I know humans aren't like us, so-\"   \n  \n\"Rouge... think what you want, but I would have to be INSANE to turn you down!\"   \nhe shouted. \"It's the one thing we can both really enjoy and both put some real   \neffort into it to make each other happy!\"  \n  \nShe commented, \"you definitely aren't lazy when it comes to that...\" \"Shhhh...   \nyour movies starting, naughty talk later!\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;-------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \nIn the sky, the group gathered in the main room. Herb worked the view screen.   \nThe first picture was of the winery. \"This is the Central City Winery, where   \nthis began. A creature from another dimension invaded here. Shadow and I defeated   \nthis abomination.\" He clicked the screen. \"This is the Westopolis Museum. A cult   \nassociated with this evil stole a Chaos Emerald in broad daylight with   \nexplosives!\" The screen clicked again. \"My apartment. They blew it up to get rid   \nof me. Shadow saved my life.\"  \n  \n\"Okay, so...\" Sonic was confused.   \n  \nHerb clicked the screen again. A painting of a green winged monstrosity loomed   \nover them. \"This, my boy, is Cthulhu. A great evil, beyond your imagination.\"   \n  \nSonic eyed the picture. \"Ha, doesn't look so tough to me! Looks like Rouge on a   \nbad makeup day!\"   \n  \n\"HEY!\" was shouted in unison by Westwood, Eggman, Shadow, and Knuckles.   \n  \n\"Fine,\" Westwood replied. \"Imagine all life on Earth ending to this horror.   \nImagine all happiness, all emotion, every dream, every desire, every precious   \nmoment in our lives ending suddenly in a torrent of hatred and madness as mankind   \nclaws itself apart! I don't need your smart mouth, my boy!\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Sonic was embarrassed. \"Sorry about that. Go on...\"   \n  \n\"A cult is trying to awaken this monster, and if they succeed, we are all going   \nto die. Or only hope is to stop it. They have a Chaos Emerald. I do not know how   \nmany they will need, but assume all seven!\"  \n  \nKnuckles stepped forward. \"We have one ourselves, plus the Master Emerald! I   \ncan null the Chaos Emeralds if necessary, but we should try and obtain as many   \nas we can ourselves to make sure they fail!\"   \n  \n\"Right, Knuckles. Have you had any luck?\" Westwood asked.   \n  \n\"Not much,\" the echidna apologized. \"Something is blocking my ability to track   \nthem. I located the one we already have, and one more.\" Knuckled pointed to a   \nworld map. \"There, a small island two hundred miles south of my island.   \nUninhabited. We need to get there before anyone else!\"  \n  \nWestwood tapped his cane. \"I'm afraid that island is NOT uninhabited. An   \nechidna society lives there.\"   \n  \n\"What? Why didn't you tell me earlier?\" Knuckles was showing his anger.   \n  \n\"I would have but they are a private people. They splintered from your tribe   \nlong ago, ashamed of what your tribe did. They favor technology. They don't   \nhave a chief, but rather an elected leader. I studied with them about the history   \nof the Chaos Emeralds, Chaos, and the Chao at one point...\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;He cleared his throat. \"I fear I must take partial responsibility for the Chaos   \nincident, Ivo had hired me... no matter. I know the current mayor of the tribe.   \nWe will have safe passage into the island.\"  \n  \nKnuckles shook his head. \"So... I'm not the last one...\"  \n  \n\n"}