Shadow the Hedgehog

Hope made her way over to a shooting game and shouldered the gun. ------ "Let's hope it doesn't come to that Red."

"I shan't let you down Red. I do have a reputation to keep after all."

"You won't be, don't worry."

"Yeah. It's a good thing, most likely." ---- "Of course. I plan to do as little dying as possible," joked Crowley.

"Yeah, last I saw he was on a racing game with another boy. It's across the arcade." ------ "What I mean is it's a choice Red. I'd go stir crazy if I had nothing to do."

"I'm sure. Just be sure to tell me where you're going so I can catch up." ---- "I know I have a right to it Red. I'm just not likely to exercise said right."

"If you want you can go on ahead and I can meet up with you? I won't be long, and honestly my input won't be of much use helping you decide what to get," replied Hope.

Hope's face dropped as she got shot down. "So much for my high score." --- "Though that is true, the fact is things are more eventful on the ground. And a peaceful life is not possible for me. I think you'll manage just fine."

"That was an off chance occurrence. The simple matter is that unless you seek out such things, you're unlikely to experience them up here. The real world is back down below."

"Given I'm still employed I'm sure I'll still have plenty of action. Unfortunately, I doubt your new life will be as exciting as your old one."

"Yes it was rather exciting. As was the celebration of our success," said Crowley.

Hope chose the next level, a desert base, after she took a quick glance over to Skye. She was across the arcade form him, but could make out him playing a racing game with the boy from earlier. ------- "Yes, hopefully we won't have to repeat that experience."

Hope let out a small 'woop' when she defeated the boss, progressing to the next stage. ---- "Excellent. Come on Red, let's clear out the House."

"A casino? With your luck we might win big." suggested Crowley. ------ Hope was now fighting the giant plane boss, barley dodging the barrage of projectiles on screen.

"Very well then. Give me a moment to think," said Crowley. ---- "It's so nice to have this place to ourselves. By the looks of things it's gonna turn into some freakish couples' retreat when they get back. Only people who aren't acting like that are me, you, Melody, Hope and the Moebian you. No surprise there," said Rouge. "Can't argue there. Hope won't crack; there aren't even any humans here to begin with. I doubt Melody will go all soft, and Crowley's basically me. And we're not exactly, how did they put, 'wuvvy'," replied Shadow before handing Rouge another glass, shuddering at the expression. Rouge spotted an unopen bottle of champagne behind him. "You really are sure we're gonna have something to celebrate, aren't you?" she asked with a little laugh. "Of course. Miles will surface any time now. We drop in, knock him around and deport him back to Moebius. All with complete legal authority thanks to Section 57." Shadow then clinked his glass with Rouge's.

"Too... many.... misiles," muttered Hope as she tried to weave around the oncoming missiles, a colossal plane coming closer to the foreground of the screen.

Hope walked over to a flight combat game and jumped into the seat before starting up. --- "It's up to you Red."

Hope hit the hyperspace button to save herself from an incoming asteroid, but was taken out by a UFO when she reappeared. "This is one hard game," she said as she entered her high score and looked for a new game.

Hope looked up from her game to briefly to notice Skye playing with a random kid. She didn't think much of it and quickly focused her attention back on clearing the level.

Hope walked over to an older machine and inserted some coins. She was soon playing a game similar to Asteroids.

"There it is. I wonder what I should go on first." pondered Hope.

"I'm sure you'll find something you like," said Hope as she got up to head towards the arcade.

"Exactly, it's not all shooters, racers and retro games. You'll probably like the dancing games," said Hope. ---- "So be it. It was a good game."

"Yeah. Let's move shall we?"

Hope decided not to wade into the discussion. --- "Indeed. But my victory is still assured," he replied before getting another strike.