Infinite Sadness

Ghost Friend

As the jungle begins to reverberate it's nighttime symphony of critters and other spooky sounds, Zero follows Tikal into a mysterious cave. It's a geode-filled place, colorful and sparkly yet melancholy. She leads him deep inside, to a quiet spot.

"This is where the portal used to be," she tells him. "I retrieved you a few weeks ago before sealing it forever. I only remain because of Chaos Energy."

Zero sits on the ground. The Chaos Emerald pulses with his heart beat, creating a faintly flashing glow. Tikal sits in front of him. He looks away.

"Don't face me. Sit behind me," he commands.

She complies and repositions herself behind him. Then she begins running her fingers through his hair. Though, unless they're in Null Space, she can't actually touch him. He sits Indian style as she pretends to pet his locks.

"That was entertaining," he tells her, "nabbing that Egg Pod from Doctor Eggman. Thanks for the ride, kid."

"You're very polite," she remarks. "You say thank you quite often."

"So?" he scoffs.

"So, you present yourself well, but I know you must be tired... and hungry."

He is quiet.

"Are you ashamed to eat? To sleep?" she asks.

"Infinite never needed to eat or drink. Sleep was unnecessary. With this Chaos Emerald inside of me, I'm still a fighting machine. I don't require sustenance. I'm not hungry, I'm not tired."

Tikal can tell this is far from true and worries.

"You're mortal. I wouldn't expect anything else. Let me find you some food and a bed."

Though desperate for these things, Zero shakes his head against this idea. Then he repositions himself to face her, calmed by her nonthreatening demeanor.

"Why are you so interested in me, Tikal?"

She pretends to stroke his hair again.

"I've always been a guardian... over a portal or an emerald... or a person. It's one of the perks of being a ghost."

Surprisingly gently, he replies with...

"I see, a protector. Forgive me but death is something I'm very curious about. Could you tell me... how you died?"

"There was a war," she informs him.

"And I am a warlord. You know that, right? It's all a blur now." He sighs then pauses, pondering, before going on to say... "I ask this in all sincerity. Do you enjoy being a ghost?"

"Gosh, I don't remember how it feels not to be a ghost," Tikal replies. "There are only a few memories that matter to me from when I was alive."

"You're lucky," he says, "I'd be glad to be a ghost."

"No," she disagrees. "It's... lonely."

"I'm already lonely," he reminds her.

"Would you sleep and eat in Null Space?" she asks.

"Where no one can see me?" he replies, ashamed.

"I see. You're afraid of being judged. It's private in Null Space. I can play with your hair, you can rest your head in my lap. Would you like that? I would."

"You're so odd, concerning yourself with a villain like me. Silly but... I'd be lying if I said I want you to stop. Very well then. Let us return to the darkness of Null Space. I'm not afraid of the dark."

"And you needn't be afraid of me. I won't harm you, Infinite."

"My name is Zero. Call me Zero... like you did before."

"Zero," she repeats.

He warmly half smiles at her.

"That's right. Zero... friend."

"Friend?" she repeats, holding her hands over her heart.

He nods but seems frail now.

"Oh dear, what's wrong?" she gasps, as she tries to wipe a sudden flood of tears from his muzzle. Her ghostly hands go through his face. He can't afford to cry, his body needs the salt. He closes his bloodshot, raccoon-like eyes and shivers.

"Shadow imparted me this emerald as a form of torture."

"No, that's not true. He wants to help you."

"Eggman surely intends to double cross me yet again."

"You're safe from Eggman now. I won't let him hurt you."

"No one will remember my name when I'm gone."

Tikal is heavily concerned. She knows he's sleep deprived and starving to death. His ears droop as he finalizes with...

"What an exquisite tomb." Sigh.

Suddenly, to her horror, he limply drops right through her, becoming lifeless on the cold floor of the cave. She gasps!

"Zero!"