Episode 18 The Truth Will Out

Shadow stood between Metalix and Super Sonic, considering his options. He hadn't expected to find them here, or even to see them again, and now had to think fast.

"What're you doing here anyway?" Shadow said, to buy more time, "Thought you'd still be livin' in the lap of luxury."

"Our benefactor, the good doctor, was assanated earlier today," Metalix informed him, "I thought it better to cut our losses."

"Had to get out!! Left Celestus!!!" Super Sonic babbled.

"You had one of the Emeralds?" Shadow shouted, "And you let it go? Amateurs."

"I don't see you with any of them," Metalix said, his voice level as always.

"I'm working on it. I plan to get my hands on the one that put me out of action. The fool who owns it is trying to ease his conscience, and invited me to stay to stay with him. I'll have plenty of time to steal it." This was Shadow's plan, but now he changed it slightly, "After it was mine, I was gonna return to the Kintobor building, and team up with you guys to find the rest."

"Two down, five to find," Metalix said.

"They attract each other. The more we find, the more we'll get," Super Sonic said, lucid for the moment.

Shadow had never seen Super Sonic like that, and was deeply shocked by the sound of his voice. Metalix saw this, and let out a hum that would almost pass as a laugh, before telling him,

"He predicts now and again, and hasn't been wrong so far. We need those Emeralds."

"In that case, you work on getting back into the Kintobor building, I'll start on those guys. Make this place your base camp, I need to be able to find you once I have Koukan."

Metalix nodded. He didn't trust Shadow, but knew all three of them wanted the Emeralds, so Shadow would be back. Shadow knew this too, but Super Sonic was to busy staring into space to notice.


"You what!?" Sonic was shocked, to say the least.

"I told Shadow he could stay with me," Ame repeated himself. He had calmed Sonic down, after the hedgehog-boy's earlier emotional episode. "I didn't think anyone would mind me trying to help out the guy I almost killed, then banished to only the gods know where, for so long." Ame was trying to keep his voice light, and failed. He smiled weakly.

"But that guy is the enemy."

"Was the enemy. I think he's just fallen in with a bad crowd. I'm sure he's a good guy, inside."

"He was part of a crime wave, he attacked me, attacked you, and you still say you think he's a 'good guy inside'?"

"I was hoping I could count on your support," Ame smile was stronger now, "After all, everyone deserves to be who they really are, and everyone needs someone they can turn to."

"But it doesn't always have to be you, Ame." Sonic realised that there was no way to change Ame's mind.

Ame walked to a window, shook his head, sighed, and said,

"No, it doesn't 'have' to be me, but it usually is, around here anyway." Sonic stood up, and hugged Ame.

"You care too much," Sonic smiled, "And I think you should help Shadow, for a while anyway."

"Thanks." Ame hugged him tighter, until, suddenly, Loki burst through the door, followed by D, Mina and Paz.

"Hate to break this up, but you seen this?" He hit a button on the remote, and the T.V. sprang into light.

On every channel were reports about Dr. Robotnik's death. Sonic and Ame watched for a minute, then Sonic said,

"Who'd want to do that? He was such a good man."

"I always thought he was creepy," Ame said absently, "A good man, but really creepy."

"Well Loki has a 'theory', based on his 'intuition'. Of course I think we should just let the police handle it." Mina was getting annoyed. No one had listened to her all the way back.

"I'm sure Horatio did it," Loki said, "I felt something, and so did Sigyn."

"FELICA!!" Felica shouted from here apartment.

"But I can't go to the police with a feeling, and even if they did believe me, he'd still get away with it, like he does with everything!" Loki's voice was full of rage, "We need to do something!"

D dusted her nose nervously, before saying,

"It's impossible to get into the Kintobor building without an appointment. Security is too heavy, and even if we did, Loki would have to go alone. Anyone else would just obey Horatio."

"We could use the Emeralds to get in," Loki said reaching into his backpack," And I wouldn't mind facing him alone."

"Too risky," Mina shook her head.

"She's right," Sonic, agreed with Mina, "We know Horatio want the Emeralds. If we lost, we'd be handing four to him."

"So we just sit back and let him get away with murder?"

"Nothing else we can do," Ame sighed.

In the background, the reporter was still talking,

"The city mourns the death of one of its foremost, and greatest citizens as Dr. Robotnik was....."


The body of Dr. Robotnik lay on an operating table, as several dozen scientists scurried around it. They sound nervous as brief snatches of their conversations can be heard,

"..... left it too late....."

"..... massive damage....."

each piece seems meaningless, but they work with a common purpose,

"..... can't be done....."

"..... impossible to sustain....."

these few have never met Horatio, and after today, hope never to in the future,

".....adjust it, we need....."

"..... holding, it's actually....."

completely loyal to Dr. Robotnik, they carry out his final wishes, though their work disgust most of them. They will make history if they succeed, and if they fail,

"..... complete in 10, 9"

No one but them will know,

"8,7,6,"

and each can return to their lives,

"5,4,3,"

safe in the knowledge that they have already been paid.

"2,1. Download complete. How do you feel?"

"Better now," Dr. Robotnik said, from his new body. The most powerful computer that these scientists, and the world, have ever seen. "My son will pay for this!"


The guys had returned from school, and assembled at Ame's for food, and Ame was waiting for the right time to tell them about Shadow, hopefully before he got back. From the moment he had walked in, Knuckles had kept giving Sonic nervous glances, and sticking close to Rouge. Sonic had noticed this, and was trying his best not to look and feel hurt. Tikal had picked up on both of these things, but was talking to Loki, or trying to. The cat-boy was giving everyone the silent treatment, a sure sign that something big was on his mind. The only people who weren't aware of any tension were Amy and Felica, who were too busy looking through the shopping Felica had done earlier.

"I need to say something," Ame finally announced, "About a month ago, when I first got Koukan, I did something awful. I attacked you, and really hurt someone. His name was, is, Shadow, And I've recently began to right my mistake. To fully make amends, I invited him to stay here."

"What were you thinking?" Knuckles blurted out.

"Isn't he one of the bad guys?" Amy asked.

"You can't be serious!" Tails and Klonoa said in unison, giggling slightly when they noticed what they had done.

"It's my obligation, not any more, and yes, very serious."

"Has it occurred to anyone else that he might just be after Koukan?" Paz asked.

"Yes, but he had a chance to take her this morning, and he didn't. I trust him, and," Ame took a deep breath, "none of you can change my mind."

The wolf-guy walked into the kitchen, to leave them to digest his news, and finish cooking. Amy had grabbed Rouge, so Sonic took this opportunity to sort things out with Knuckles.

"Gotta minute?" Sonic asked.

"Sure," Knuckles didn't resist as Sonic pulled him into Ame's room.

"About last night," Sonic began, "I want to say-"

"Forget about it," Knuckles cut him off, "We were both drunk, it didn't mean anything, right?"

"Maybe not to you," Sonic smiled weakly, "But it made me realise something about myself. I said you weren't the first guy I'd slept with......."

"This is going where I think it is, isn't it?"

"I'm gay," Sonic tried to smile. It felt good to admit it, "But don't worry, you're right. We shouldn't have done what we did. Friends?"

"Of course." Knuckles held out his hand, and Sonic shook it. "But Amy's gonna hate you," Knuckles laughed. Sonic couldn't help it, and joined in.

"She has Heero now. Just hope the rest of the guys are cool with this."

"When you planning on telling them?"

"No time like the present. Besides, Ame knows, and," he opened the door, and Rouge, Amy and Felica fell in.

"So what did you do, and who's the other guy?" Felica asked, as if not realising she was lying on the two other girls.


Fenrir had just got back from a press conference, saying that Horatio was too emotional to make comment. At this time, the emotion was anger. He had finally gotten rid of his father, but he still couldn't rest easy until the body had been recovered. On top of this, some of his best scientists were also gone. Fenrir wanted to calm his lover, and thought he knew how.

"Horatio, I've spoken to the press, and sorted out all funeral arrangements. How about now we have a little fun."

"I'm not in the mood for games," Horatio snapped at him.

"92nd floor, sealed room 7, access code 1395," Fenrir said, without checking.

"What?" Horatio was curious.

"The exact location of your father's Chaos Emerald, plus the security code to access the room."

A wide smile crossed Horatio's face. In all the excitement of his father's murder and disappearance, he had almost forgotten his secondary reason for doing away with the older Robotnik.

"You always know what to say to cheer me up," Horatio said kissing Fenrir, and leading the way to the elevator. It wasn't long before they were standing outside the room, and Fenrir had to enter the code. The door slid noiselessly aside, and they stepped in. The room was empty, except for a large screen, and a glass pedestal, that was bare.

"It's gone!" Horatio ran to the centre of the room, "My father must have taken it when he left!"

"Calm down," Fenrir was slightly worried about Horatio, "It takes a keyword."

The cat-boy walked to the screen, and said,

"Keyword: Ovum." It flickered into life, and they were greeted by Dr. Robotnik's recorded image as Celestus descended to the pedestal.

"Greetings. Since this is being played, Horatio, you must have opened Celetus' vault, for all the good it'll do you. I've had that thing for twenty-two years, and I haven't been able to use it. I really doubt that I'll be alive when you get here, and since it is a Robotnik trait to finish off their partners, I'll assume I didn't die of natural causes. So let me warn you. I'll not go to my grave so easily!!" Suddenly he was shouting, "By now my body should be missing! That is stage one of project Phoenix!!" The doctor laughed as Horatio blanched. He knew his father wouldn't bluff, and that something was coming.


By the time Shadow got to Chao Towers, the only people in the apartment were Ame, Tails and Klonoa.

"Sorry I'm so late," he said, apologetically, I used to move around a lot, so it took a while to get my stuff." His stuff consisted of another leather jacket, and two changes of clothes.

"S'okay," Ame smiled, "Saved you a meal." He walked into the kitchen, shouting back, "Make yourself at home, Tails and Klonoa should just be watching T.V."

Shadow walked further in and saw the two boys on the couch. Both gave him an evil look.

"Er.. hi," Shadow said, nervously, "I'm Shadow, and I'm staying here for a while."

"We heard," Klonoa said coldly.

"You realise that we stay here too, plus Ame's boyfriend, Luc." Tails told him pointedly.

"Sounds like a full house," Shadow joked, a smiled frozen to his face.

"It's a big place," Ame said carrying a plate of food. "I hope these two are making you feel welcome."

"We're off to bed," Klonoa said, dragging Tails to his room.

"See you in the morning," Ame called after them, then to Shadow, "They're just a little over protective."

"They sure seem like a nice couple," Shadow said, dryly.

"Just let them get to know you."

"None of you know me. This is really something you shouldn't do. I could be a murderer."

"You're not though. When I held you in that spirit claw, I picked up a little about you."

"Like what?" Shadow asked, trying not to be nervous.

"You have no family, and you haven't since you were five. You lived mainly by stealing, and you don't trust anyone. You found out about the Chaos Emeralds by accident, and you want to use their powers to make sure no-one suffers like you did."

Shadow hung his head and nodded,

"So far so good, anything else?"

"Loneliness, but I don't need empathy to see that." Ame stood up, "The couch folds out, the blankets are under it. Luc should be back at three, but he knows you're here, and won’t disturb you. I'm off to bed."

"Wait!" Shadow called out, even though he had a chance to get to Koukan, he still wanted to talk, "I feel awful just staying here, is there anything I can do to pay you back, or maybe we could just talk?" Shadow realised he actually felt a connection with Ame.

"Sure, we can talk." Ame smiled, sitting back down.


Tikal and Loki lay in bed together, neither one tired.

"So what's wrong this time?" Tikal asked playfully.

"You don't have to say it like that," Loki frowned, "But as always, it's Horatio."

"Well, forget about him," Tikal smiled, then kissed Loki on the lips, "It's a good day."

"How’s that?" Loki asked, slightly puzzled.

"Everyone's happy, well, content at least. We have someone new to talk about and too, an I think I'm, well, ready."

"Ready?" Loki asked.

"To take our relationship to the next level." Tikal was blushing now.

"You're serious, aren't you?" Loki held Tikal while she nodded.

"That is if you want to."

"What bought this on?"

"Everyone seems to be growing, or maturing. Pogue and Knuckles know what they mean to each other, Sonic had accepted who he is, and everyone else is taking on more, or doing something. It made me realise that I'm mature enough to want to do this, and I want my first time to be with someone I really like."

"I feel the same, I mean, I want my first time with you to be better than anything I...." Loki stopped.

Tikal kissed him again, passionately this time. She didn't want to hear any more. Loki pulled her close to him, and held her for a moment. Tikal pulled away, and lifted her nightshirt over her head, and threw it aside leaving her in just her panties. Loki stroked her small breasts gently, almost nervously, before pulling off his t-shirt. It joined Tikal's on the floor, then he embraced his girlfriend again, their bare bodies touching. Tikal slid off her panties as Loki removed his shorts, both getting more nervous with each second, until Tikal asked,

"Do you use protection, I mean," She reached into a draw and pulled out a small silver packet.

Loki took it from her, and ripped it open. Tikal took the condom from him, and put it on him, while he fondled her breasts, feeling her nipples harden under his thumbs. He took it in his mouth, and it became firmer as he nipped and sucked it. Tikal let out something that was half gasp, half moan, and Loki returned to her lips, to quieten her, and slid his tongue inside her mouth. Tikal parted her legs, allowing Loki to take up a position between them; the she slowly guided him inside her. She moaned at this new sensation, and her eyes clenched shut. She felt Loki's lips on her again, then down to her throat, back up, slowly working onto her cheek, as he pushed into her. Tikal's hands explored Loki, timidly at first, but gaining confidence as she felt his hands on her, all the time she felt Loki thrusting into her, heard his gasps and moans mixing with hers.

Suddenly she felt him shudder against him, and crushed herself to him, as her own orgasm gripped her. Neither was under their own control for seconds that lasted long enough to leave them both exhausted.

"I think we woke Amy," Tikal giggled.

"It was worth it," Loki said, kissing Tikal, then, after removing and binning the rubber, he curled against Tikal, not caring that she was already asleep.


Echidnopolis stretched out before her, restored to how Tikal knew it should be, even though she was sure she had never seen it, but each time the certainty of this drained away a little more. She looked around, and knew every building.

"How do I know this place?" she asked of no one, "And why does it feel like home?"

"Because it is," Horatio said, stepping from behind a pillar.

"What?" Tikal wasn't surprised by his appearance, "This can't be my home."

"It is, but only on a genetic level. You're an Echidna, so can probably trace your line all the way back here. It's something to do with resonant memory."

"Then why are you here, and why have I never seen Knuckles?"

"Your friend must come from a different family line. Both you and I have the blood of the rulers of this once great city in our veins, your friend doesn't."

"You have Echidna blood?"

"Yes. We could even be distantly related."

"That can't be!" Tikal knew it was true, even as she denied it.

"Have you ever noticed that every time you come here, you know more, and it all makes more sense?" Horatio asked as if not hearing her. "Soon we could both realise all the secrets."

"Secrets?"

"If I got you started, they wouldn't be worth it." Horatio said, smiling before he disappeared.

"I hope I can remember all this," Tikal sighed before wandering her city.


Luc awoke to an empty bed the next day. This was normal, as he slept late, but the apartment was empty too. He had seen their latest 'guest' early that morning, and hadn't approved as soon as he had recognised him. After a quick search, he found a note in Ame's scrawl saying he had taken Shadow shopping for new clothes.

"And here I was hoping to spend the day together," Luc muttered to himself. He was fixing himself something to eat when Paz walked in.

"Morning," he smiled.

"Afternoon," Luc corrected.

"Really? Wow!" Paz was very out of it, "In that case I need to catch up on my day's activities."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out several roll-ups, put it to his lips, and reached for his lighter, when he noticed Luc staring at him pointedly.

"Sorry, you want one?" he offered Luc a choice of three, "Pot luck."

"Sure," Luc said taking one, "But I was just gonna say not in here, Ame hates cigarette smoke."

"Felica too, so to the roof!" Paz said leading the way.

"What does 'pot luck' mean anyway?" Luc asked after a couple of drags while in the elevator.

"It means that if you're lucky, you get one with pot in it," Paz grinned.

"You mean these have marijuana in them?" Luc gasped, but continued to smoke.

"Only some, and in varying amount," Paz tried to sound innocent.

Luc took another drag as the doors opened, and said, with mock distain,

"Ame would kill us both if he found out."

"He's not the boss of me," Paz told Luc, in a firm voice.

"Me either!" Luc agreed.

"But you won't tell him, right?"

"No, and don't you."

"Tell Ame what?" Loki asked them. He had been up there since Tikal had left for school, tending to her garden.

"Let me explain-" Luc started.

"Here, you want one? Pot luck?" Paz smiled.


Amy was walking around, surrounded by the cheerleader squad, trying to keep up with the gossip, but distracted by Sonic's announcement. On one level she couldn't believe that the guy she had been chasing for so long was now even more unattainable. That thought made her feel like crying. However, on another level, she realised that the fact he wasn't interested in her had nothing to do with her as a person, and she could finally move on and focus on her relationship with Heero. The final thing that had been keeping her occupied was that she wanted an honest relationship, so that meant she had to tell him her original reasons for asking him out in the first place, as the sooner the better.

Finally, having decided, she began to look for him, steering the girls towards the soccer field, and, as expected, finding him there.

"Need a sec, bye!" she told the girls before hurrying over to him.

"Hey, Amy," he waved. He was sitting with Sonic who just smiled.

"Heero, I need to talk to you, privately." She dragged him off to a secluded area, and then tried to think of the best way to start. Heero beat her.

"You're dumping me, right?"

"Huh? No, why'd you say that?"

"No-one talks in private for good news," Heero sighed.

"I just need to tell you something," Amy smiled, "I have to say, that when I asked you out, I was really just using you to make Sonic jealous. I thought it would make him like me more. I'm sorry."

"I know," Heero smiled, "I just figured I'd win you over."

"You knew?" Shock registered on Amy's face, "Well, anyway, now I realised I do really like you, and I want to see you seriously. Don't worry, Sonic is totally out of my mind now."

"'Cus he likes boys?" Heero was still smiling, "I picked up on that too."

"How?" Amy was almost shouting with surprise.

"I'm not as dumb as I let people believe. Now, we still on for tonight?" Amy nodded before jumping into Heero's arms.


Ame walked into his apartment, expecting to find Luc, but seeing it empty. Shadow followed him in, carrying a few bags.

"Where can I put these?" he asked.

"I cleaned out some closet space," Ame smiled, "Just let me check the room's empty. Seeing that Luc was up and out, Ame nodded at Shadow, and then frowned to himself.

"S'matter?" Shadow asked, hanging up his new clothes.

"Can't think where Luc would be. I was supposed to be spending the day with him, but I lost track of time when we were out."

"Why not ask if anyone's seen him?"

"Felica might have," Ame said leaving for Felicia’s place.

He knocked on the door, and Paz answered, a blank grin on his face.

"S'up bro?" Ame didn't answer, "You want something?"

"Just wondering if I'll get any sense out of you, or should I come back later."

"Hey, I still know what’s going on, well, mostly."

"You seen Luc?" Ame's patience had ended.

"Shit, Luc! I knew I forgot summit. He's on the roof, I was supposed to be right back with more papers!"

"Forget it,. I'm going up, you stay here. And sit down before you fall down."

"Don think I'm good for much else." Paz swayed slightly, still grinning.

Ame was already at the elevator as Paz said this, and pressed the up button, hoping that Luc wouldn't be passed out or too high. He shook his head, knowing that if Paz was rolling them, Luc was probably smoking them. The doors slid open, and he stepped out.

"Luc! Sorry about today, I'll..... What the hell is going on here!!" Ame had rounded the corner, and found Luc and Loki locked together in a passionate kiss, that neither seemed intent on breaking, even though Ame's voice had been heard on the floor below.


good, bad, ugly? please tell me

Ame

E-mail Ame.

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