Chapter 7
Under Your Nose
"Shadow?"
"Stay back! Ahh!" The black hedgehog stood frozen and defenseless.
"Mission Completed."
The ship rumbled, it made Rouge wake up, "Ugh, I must have dozed off." She sat up, it was dark but her sight was better than most. She could see the Chaotix huddled together in a corner of the room, Amy and Sonic were huddled as well, Cream and Tails, even Knuckles snug tight next to her. She looked around for the so called Éleos. He was sitting on the opposite side of the room.
The room wasn't too big, not too small. It had its own kitchen and other supplies to last them a few weeks. This gave the stranger room for privacy. The bat got up, lightly setting Knuckles' head down. He mumbled something obscure as she did. She walked over to the mysterious hedgehog.
"Whatcha got there stranger?" She whispered. She noticed Éleos was grasping a shiny red stone. It was the size of his thumb. She wondered if she could get it from him, still not knowing what it was. The stranger jumped.
"Ah, good morning, Um. I don't think I've had the pleasure of meeting you." He inquired politely.
"It's Rouge, and good morning to you too." She returned the pleasure not looking anywhere else but at the stone.
Éleos looked back at his hand, "Oh, this old thing. Someone, uh, special, gave this to me."
"You don't say." Rouge's eyes were transfixed, and then disappointed when he put the stone away.
"Have you one of those?"
"Hm, what?"
The stranger smiled, "I mean do you have someone special?"
The bat thought of Knuckles, and then thought of Shadow. "Yeah, something like that." She told him sarcastically and yet with mild seriousness.
"The ship shakes and yet I do not sense them anymore. The creatures of shadow I mean. Perhaps it is time." As soon as the stranger got up Rouge followed, they took the elevator in the wall. As the elevator took them up Rouge waited for the stranger to spring something on her, she was ready for it. No one's that good and doesn't want something in return. When the doors opened they peered out only to see nothing. The Typhoon was just as lifeless as before. Both Rouge and Éleos checked the reactor room, and adjacent rooms, still nothing.
"Maybe we should tell the others," the bat spoke.
"Agreed, just to be on the safe side though, I'll check the rest of the ship." Rouge nodded and went back in the elevator. She pressed another button, then another rumble, maybe the ship was settling, if there was such a thing. I can't believe Eggman left me with these losers. She looked over to Knuckles and smiled, especially this one. She noted that they were all still sleeping, except for the bunny girl. She was clutching the now-not-dying fox. Cute. At that she rested her head on Knuckles and folded her hands neatly on her chest. She dozed off again.
"You don't understand. She is out there, I've seen it."
"Who's going to protect us? What about me?"
"This is much bigger than you and me right now. I have to do this for me and for Maria! I will know who I am by the end of this."
"Promise me, p-promise you will come back."
"Wake up."
"Why help us then?"
"In truth, I was charged to protect the Inventor," Éleos pointed at Tails, who was next to Cream, sitting on the captain's chair, in the bridge.
"You keep using this word "Inventor", yeah we all know he is. And by who exactly?"
"It's whom Knuckie," Rouge corrected.
"Oh you can drive me so batty sometimes."
"Ha. Ha. Don't make me laugh."
"That is what we call him. We are a political sect of extremists, we care for all beings' rights holding them responsible for their actions. I am only here to make sure that he is safe from harm's way."
Being the mouthful that it was, it took a second for it to be taken in. "I know it can be confusing, but in due time all will be revealed. In fact there are others your people should have met with. I believe he goes by Wisdom in your tongue." The response was more confused glares.
"We don't know anyone by that name."
"But how can this be? Something must have gone wrong." Éleos looked down and mused. "I must find him as soon as possible."
"Don't worry, we'll help you find your friend." It was Sonic.
"Thank the heavens. I knew these were the adventurers talked about in writing."
"You can't! You just can't! Please, you, you're going to make it I promise."
"No... Ngh! It's, too late for me. Y-you know, I was wrong about -."
"Stop it please!"
"She can stop him..."
"What?! Who?!"
Both Sonic and Knuckles inspected the crime scene, and at the rubble that was the Master Emerald.
"Other than that creature who ran from me, there's something I still don't understand Knux."
"What's that?"
"Why would they not even touch the Master Emerald?"
Chris and Tails had finally set a course for the Typhoon, and finally it was moving towards the nearest, safest planet they knew they would be able to find help. And hopefully some fuel to make it back to Mobius.