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| In the Shadow | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Oct 1 2013, 11:55 PM (13 Views) | |
| Sonic | Oct 1 2013, 11:55 PM Post #1 |
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Played by Fallyn
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Posted by: Zonic the Zonecop Jul 28 2012, 02:28 AM *ZIPZIPZIPZIPZIPZIP* Oh whoa, what the…? The alarm! His alarm? An arm dropped from the bed, a large scaly hand tapping blindly the floor, until closing around a tiny rounded device, a yellow eye snapping open in the semi-dark. Nope, tsk. It was Zee’s alarm of course, he could see the flashing blue light bouncing on his wall from the other side of the room. The crocodile rolled on the mattress, ready to rant to the hedgie about shutting it already and get the fuck out of… Zector blinked. His room-mate was still curled up in his hammock, oblivious of the annoying thin sound, his little figure moving only for deep sleep-breaths. What the…? It took a good eye-squeezing to solve the mystery: headphones. The little thief had stole his headphones again! And had fell asleep with them on, the genius. Which meant he wouldn’t have heard a rocket coming his way. Which meant…that he had to get up and wake him up, instead. Ah! Yeah, right. Idiot could keep sleepin’ for all he cared… Just that, the alarm wasn’t going to shut himself. And more, if Zee set alarms, usually it was something pretty important. Something he needed to keep an eye on, end of the shift or not. Now that he thought about it, he hadn’t heard the little one coming in too, so likely he’d already spent more time working than scheduled. Everything hinted at something big going on : he’d been a little bit too much of a jerk not to warn him. And the Supervisor would have wanted both their skins. Oh man, why always him… A low mix between an hiss and a growl accompanied the crocodile’s wide roll off the bed, the sound full of unspoken curses. A couple of dragged steps were all it took for him to cross the distance of the narrow room, his tail sweeping the floor and sleep still clinging to his ankles and eyelids, making both heavy as hell. Been out on patrol all day, dammit, and still could not rest. A crackle of knuckles, as he readied his personal kind of alarm clock, fist rising. Humpf. There he was, instead, the little fucker, sleeping all peac- Just that, now that he could watch close, Zee’s sleep didn’t look peaceful at all. Curled tight on his side with both arms around the pillow, ears kept up by the headphones, and this little frown on his muzzle, kid looked like he had had to fight hard to get asleep, and was now doing his best to cling to that blessing numbness. A shadow passed on Zector’s face as his yellow eyes lifted up, scanning the nearby bracket that served as nightstand, his hand closing around the still flashing alarm and moving it to the side, revealing what he already expected to see: the alluminium package of a standard 3 day dose of sleeping drugs, one spot already popped and the pill missing. That stuff. Again. He needed to talk with Zanille. She couldn’t let him have those anytime he wanted like that. Sure, not like she got to decide, she was just a nurse, not a doctor, but in the name of everything that started with Z, what those guys got in their minds? Zee was… how much, 14? -For Ananke’s sake, kid…- his still clenched hand dropped on the tensed cloth of the hammock, making it wave. The little hedgehog jolted at the thump, but instead of sitting up he curled more with a whine , aqua green eyes opening over a still soundless world, wide and unfocused for few seconds before finally meeting with the familiar silhouette. -Z-zec?- the second he couldn’t hear what he’d just said, the kid winced, sitting up and removing the headphones from his ears, his breath getting faster and his gaze if possible more wide as finally he made out the alarm, the little boy stretching to grab the still blazing device and shut it muttering broken and barely audible words. -S-sorry Zec…I… headphones…I…I…s-sorry again, just borrowed them! I…- And then finally there was silence and darkness again in the room, broken by the hedgehog’s deep, wavering and anxious sigh. Kid was freaking out. Was he scared that he’d gotten him angry? -I’ll be happy the day ya won’t need me babysitting you for everything anymore, twerp…- the crocodile just snorted loudly in answer, waving an arm dismissively and heading back to his bed before giving in the temptation of actually punching him. A swing and a sound of metal hitting the floor told him that the hedgehog had hopped off the hammock now, and that he hadn’t even removed his boots to sleep. His little quick steps around the room as he got ready to go couldn’t cover completely how light and superficial his breath still was, too. Zector frowned, turning to look at him just when he’d been about to let himself slump on the mattress again. His tiny room-mate was immobile by the open door, and he could hear him playing nervously with the zipper hanging from the uniform’s turtleneck, while staring at the black corridor. The crocodile’s tail swung as he let out his voice. -You okay…?- oh, he already knew the answer…. -…I’m fine- the reply’s tone was forcedly bored, the hedgie trying to sound annoyed at even having to answer that. Yeeaah. Why did he even bother, really. An heavy sigh, and he stepped quickly forward, grabbing the other’s shoulder before he could run off. Zee wasn’t expecting it, his perking quills brushing the scales on his bare arm, and he could almost hear the glare in the voice as he snapped out of his thoughts. -Zec! I got to go…- -Didn’t seem like you were just about to…- Zector shot back with a fangy grin. Soon as the little one felt that the crocodile had no intention to let go of his shoulder, he let a thin, meek sound, trying to wriggle himself free, a nervous hurry creeping back into his voice. -I got to go, let me…- Zector felt both those tiny hands close around his wrist, barely managing to circle it and still trying to pull away, and only squeezed tighter, the smile vanishing. Of course he knew what this was about, knew where the other had to go and to do what: they’d already passed through this. And just cause he knew he had to ask. Had to let him know that he could be sleepy and tired, but was still willing to listen. Still willing to help. -Zee. What’s up?- As all answer he got a frustrated huff and a muffled growl, a flash of white warning him that the hedgehog had bared his fangs, and was willing to bite to free himself, if needed. Oh he wouldn’t dare… -It’s work stuff I got no time to explain, Zec, back off…- He dared. The crocodile hissed, letting go but not before giving a good push, sending the other tumbling and bumping against the doorframe. Not that he’d bitten hard or anything, but it was just… infuriating. Every time the same thing! Little shit. Little stubborn, ungrateful shit. Before the hedgehog could recompose himself and stalk away, Zector bended and leaned forward, his long muzzle inches from the other’s chest, almost poking it, pinning him against the frame, his reptile-like pupils reduced to slits. -Fine, then go. But you know what? I had an hell of a day, and now, I am going back to sleep. And when you’ll be back...look at me!- so close, dark or not dark he could get that the other’s gaze was on the floor, and he whapped his tail heavily on it, like an hammer, the startle making the other’s lowered aqua green eyes to snap back up at him. -…when you’ll be back, I don’t wanna hear a thing. Got it? Do not wake the sleeping crocodile…- he ended in a threatening whizz. Zonic squirmed uneasily against the metallic edge, large ears flicking, the kid clearly fighting against the urge to glue them down against his skull like a scared kitten. But as finally those aqua green eyes stopped flickering everywhere and dared to look straight back at him, they were cold and bleak, anger dripping from the words he still barely managed to whisper instead than saying aloud, kind of failing at pull off the annoyed , unconcerned tone he was aiming for. -…yeah fine, just…let me go now?- And let him go he did, straightening up and turning away, listening at the sound of the other’s steps fading in the corridor and echoing through the stairs for a moment before vanishing, probably in an elevator. And he found himself standing there alone in the dark, like an idiot, his hand starting hurt. He’d bitten deeper than he’d thought. Oh yeah because he’d been just so mean at him…trying to help and all, what a jerk, really. Was it ever possible that he just didn’t get it? Bha. There was no making sense of that little shithead. Kid was gonna be his death one day, he just knew it: he’dchoked him in his sleep, or something. Shaking his head and rubbing his sore eyes, he made his way back to the bed, the mattress squeaking loud as he let all his weight down on it. Better sleep on this, and so long. Too tired to do anything else. What a day. A last huff and sound of rustling sheets, and in the room there was finally peace. **************************************** Stupid crocodile. Thinking he could boss him around like when he was ten! Screw him, he got no time for being angry at him. The screen room had called! He had to… He had to go look. The door flung open, the little zonecop stepping quickly inside without even bother turn on the light: there was no need. As soon as it sensed his presence, the system awoke the Screen Room with a music of bips. From the half-moon shaped motherdesk, the olo-pixels glittered alive, floating away like a swarm of tamed phyroflies and circling him, expanding in squares of dusty white light all around, flashing in syncopate rhythms. Stopping in the middle of the room, the young zonecop scanned his surroundings, holding out his hands. -Yeah guys…guys just gimme a second, okay…?- finally aqua green eyes found what they were looking for, the boy grabbing his chair. -…let me sit down…- he muttered, letting himself on it backwards, before pushing with his foot so to make the little wheels spin and the chair roll right at the motherdesk, the boy spinning on it and stopping himself with his boot on the edge in a single smooth movement right before crushing against it. There. Drawing both his legs back, he adjusted himself better on the still oversized chair, before detaching the rounded palmar from his belt and leaning over, slapping it into its plug on the motherdesk, the device clicking open and coming back alive of blue and yellow dots of light. Okay. Ready! Resting his elbows on the metallic surface, he cupped his face in his hands, rubbing the last of sleep-tears away from his eyes with a shaky breath. In the darkness, the lights of the blank screens blinked at him, in wait, at the same quick pace of his heartbeats. Okay. Ready… -ANANKE, show Mobius 42, Universe R.2.M. coordinates 30.20.12.08.45 P.M.– =Loading= the system’s response scattered the screens against the far walls of the room, a single one remaining and expanding above the desk, aqua green eyes reflecting the curved, rectangular surface of impalpable energy. The light flickered yet for another couple of seconds, making him blink, then finally the screen darkened, clearing in an extremely realistic and defined image. -Continue registration file: EndGame 4- The palmar embedded on the desk bipped in acknowledgement of his command. Leaning with his back against the plastic stuffing, the young zonecop narrowed his gaze, trying to study the situation and understand what he’d missed in the hour he’d been sleeping. He’d been following Robotnik’s 42 plan to unfold for days now. It wasn’t the first time he stumbled in that kind of pattern, so he’d been able to predict most of the outcomes and time his watching, but what mattered weren’t the analogies, but the differences, and those he had to register and note with the maximum care. The Ultimate Annihilator was a machine potentially very dangerous, meant as it was to scatter matter between zones. A wrong malfunctioning could have required immediate intervention to re-establish inter-zonal barriers. And then there was the Balance. Out of the 2 previous End-Game-like events, the outcomes had already balanced themselves 2 for Robotnik and 1 for Sonic. And even that one…that one had…killed… The little wave of unease at the thought was almost strong enough to snap him out his detached concentration. Stay. Focused. Precedents meant nothing! He didn’t know how things would end, it was still 50-50 of chances. Statistic didn’t care for Balance. Okay so…what we got here? 42 was making it to Robotnik’s control room. The boy’s eyes followed the spiky blue ball overcharged of chaos energy to smash through traps and swatbots. A check to the timer, and he knew that this Sonic was 4 minutes too late. Like 74. Which meant that, like 74, he wouldn’t even made it in time to the Doctor before the Annihilator activated. Unless… Robotnik 74 had been about to lower the defenses and let him arrive to him… A tap on the desk, and the screen split, showing the madman pondering pensively in front of the classic button. Aqua green eyes hardened in a glare, ears perking straight in anticipation. Seemed like the overlander was taking his time. Come on, you big sack of fat, frigging make up your stupid but super-intelligent mind alrea- Okay, he’d clicked it. The little hedgehog drew his legs against his chest, with a quick steadying breath. The doors opened. The Game went on. 42 got his chance. He looked…he looked just like all the others that had made it that far through the EndGame: different from himself. To Zonic’s trained look every single bruise on that body, sparkle in the eyes, flinch of the expression, clench of fists or of teeth was like the line of a book talking about an heart that had broken, all his warmth bled away leaving only cold fury and hate. Immobile, like frozen on the chair by that chilling feel of destructive thoughts coming from his twin, the little hedgehog followed the developing fight, waiting for the next crossing point. The robot. The robot…found his demise relatively easily. It was still weird to see the mechanical head, so realistic, being torn apart and tossed away, but at least, it hadn’t been the other way around… like in 51’s case. Triggered by the present image, the memory flashed in his mind for a second, unwanted and unwelcomed, making his guts give a flip-flop, the boy wincing and shaking his head, missing some seconds of the battle. It was okay, that…that was over. That wasn’t now! Had to focus on now, focus on 42. When he steadied himself again, smoke clouding the room was all he could see. This wasn’t new, either, his heart making a jump in his chest in the same moment the Doctor too realized the charged spindash aimed at him, and then… And then he just held his breath. Was it…was it going to happen again? The stuffing of the chair squeaked, as he reeled more against it, the kid’s quills’ stiffening in tension as for a long terrible eternity of few breaths it seemed like he was going to see another of his twins turn in a murderer… But he stopped. He stopped! And he couldn’t stop himself, instead, the little hedgehog leaning forward once again, his blue-gloved palm touching the surface of the olo-screen as if wanting to protect him from what he could already see coming, the madman’s metallic hand closing around his still shocked twin. -Fourty-two!- Zonic could see but not hear the madman’s mouth spitting and screaming while he lifted the blue hedgehog up, and then slammed him down, his hand balling in a fist on the screen. What was he saying? What was he about to do? -ANANKE, audio on!- And the audio turned on in the unnaturally silent room, right on a sickening crack of broken bones that made him snatch his hand back as it had been his fingers to be snapped by that merciless grip of steel. But it was Robotnik’s hand to explode instead, in a shower of sparkles. And Sonic was free, but his leg…he couldn’t move, couldn’t avoid the kick. His blood colored the wall as he hit it, this time the the bonk echoing in the room as realistically, as it had been those same walls to be hit. But as the Doctor spoke, creeping closer, and he tried desperately to get up, Zonic knew that not half the pain on his twin’s face was from his body. _Really? You could not kill me? I slaughtered your people, robotized your only parent, destroyed your home and last but not the least, killed your most precious friend....and you still could not kill me? It is almost insulting! Here I thought I was against a real threat, something to be afraid of! But instead I have been fighting a child, who can't even bring himself to win when he has the chance!_ A large, dramatic swipe of the arm, and then the madman delivered his last blow: _You failed! You failed your uncle, every single mobian who has fallen under my reign, and most of all, you failed your precious Princess Sally Alicia Acorn! You could had done it, you could had finished this! But instead, you were too weak and pathetic to do it! It is over, rodent! I won, and you allowed me to do it!_ It sounded all so logic, didn’t it? And he was so used to listen to logic that his blood froze. Because he’d seen the other option, too. He’d seen what had happened to…to that other Sonic that had…no, that could not be the right thing. It could not be the only way. His eyes after he’d done it, he…he didn’t want remember those eyes now, so unsettlingly identical to a thousand others, and to his own, and at the same time…broken. Alien. Emptied. So he focused on those other eyes right in front of him, on 42’s chaos green irises clouded by tears. And again it was like reading his thoughts on his face. But he couldn’t say anything. He couldn’t do anything. He was a gazillion of zones away, and…and even if he had the power to cross them all in a blink he…he coulnd’t. He wasn’t supposed to. This was his twin’s battle. All he could do was to pray. Beg him to show him that there was another way. _No_ The word was spoken so softly that for a second Zonic wondered if it hadn’t been his imagination. But then came the others, one more steady and loud than the other. _I'm not weak. I'm stronger than a murderer like you could possibly understand_ Aqua green eyes blinked, and he felt his blood running again in his body, warmed up by his twin’s sparkle. All the cold that had scared him seeming to melt in front of that simple truth, only a little chill remaining, the consciousness of being so much less than that. So dull, compared to that flame. Robotnik however, was untouched. _I'm certain that Sir Charles would be glad to know that your childish beliefs outweighed the lives of every person on this planet in importance_ The doctor’s black-booted foot rose, prepared to smash 42’s skull. _Give the princess my regards_ Zonic knew that 42 was going to dodge even before seeing him doing it, the miracle actually happening. But if Robotnik would have been able to read the other’s expression like he was, he wouldn’t have been surprised. He’d understood that Sonic had already found the strength to do what he was going to do in the moment he’d closed his eyes. Be as it was, the overlander missed. 42 was on his feet, ready to get his chance again. And he did it. And for a blessing moment, it seemed like the end. But it was just the start. It weren’t Robotnik’s screams, to make his guts tie in a knot. It were the words that came after that vent of rage. It was the look those crazy eyes shot to the harmless, completely out-powered blue hedgehog collapsed on the ground. It was that promise: _You are going to pay for that, hedgehog. I'm going to make you die in most horrible way possible_ The young zonecop couldn’t curl more than he already had. Couldn’t press himself against the chair more than he already had. Couldn’t hide, couldn’t protect himself too, in any way. And the worst was just about to start. It took all his discipline to not make him just shut his eyes and turn the audio off. ******************* The torture seemed to last forever. He’d seen others, but few had been so furious, so rage-driven, so…utterly sadistic. The Overlander seemed like child of his race, highly displeased by a toy that had spoiled his fun with his faultiness, and now decided to find that fun into smashing it in the most abstruse and entertaining ways. But it wasn’t a puppet’s body the one that got kicked around and stomped on. That got his ribs pulverized, and his flesh torn by electrified, stunt metal fingers. It wasn’t a puppet. It wasn’t a puppet. It wasn’t a puppet… Again and again his mind kept cruelly reminding him that, not allowing him to fool himself, to escape from that reality not even from a second. And was…was it even real? Could a living body feel all that pain take all that damage without ending? Yes. 42 was a Sonic. They…they could take it. So other people could…could live and… But he couldn’t accept that. He couldn’t accept that, in front of what he was forcing himself to watch. It was unfair. It was unfair, and if he’d had a voice he’d screamed it to the whole frigging Multiverse. He didn’t want him to suffer that way. He didn’t want his twin to die to save the world. Just that, what he wanted didn’t matter. Had never mattered. Would never matter. But he’d begged if he could. He’d begged for the whole Muliverse to stop making sense, if it had to make sense in such a cruel way. And in his soul, he did, without words, kneeled on his chair, bended on the desk with his arm crossed, hiding his face in them for a second: he begged the madman to stop, right there and right now. And stop he did. He did, when Sonic started laughing. When his twin delivered his last challenge. Yes, he stopped. And the second later, Zonic whished he hadn’t. Because when he looked up again, Robotnik had left Sonic alone, yes. But had started repairing the Annihilator, in turn. Wire after wire, screw after screw, the overlander whistled his tune of victory, making all Sonic’s had suffered till now vain. Rubbing it in his face, too, just before launching the sequence of activation. Ten seconds, and it would have been over. And in those ten seconds waiting for the destruction of millions of lives, Zonic realized how low had been that prayer. How blind. How stupid. And still, it had come just from the heart. So that was it: he had a weak, selfish, petty little heart. _FIRING_ The light was blinding, but he didn’t look away. Couldn’t, or he’d missed it. The moment the screen would have flicked black. The moment his twin… But the light remained, and dimmed, without never letting place to the black nothingness of death. Something else happened instead, something he wouldn’t have expected, not even in his prayers. Zonic barely registered the alarms and the warnings ANANKE was giving him about Robotnik’s atoms being scattered between dimensions, causing multiple zone breaches all over the Multiverse. He felt emptied, tired and sick. All he truly registered was that Mobius was safe. And 42 was alive. And that would have been all that'd ever truly mattered. ************************** Still, he kept working. It took yet another hour of going back through registrations, of asking feeds from the Control Rooms, before he managed to make sense of what he’d seen, and understand the origin of the Annihilator’s malfunctioning. It took another hour to write his report. Mostly because his hands kept shaking, and his eyes wanted to close, but he couldn’t close them. So it was exactly 3 hours later that he was back into his room. Only 2 hours before the morning shift. Was it really even worth it to risk disturbing Zec? But the corridors were dark. And empty. And his eyes wanted to close. Wanted to close and not to see anything… |
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7:55 AM Jul 13