“I’m here, you son of a bitch.” Melinda spat the words as she stepped out of the shadows.

 

“I’d say I was worried, but I knew you care to much about the worthless mortals you surrounded yourself with. Especially the mutant brat you consider a son,” Isa didn’t bother standing up from the crate he sat on.

 

“Watch yourself, Isa,” She didn’t bother hold back her anger and her voice dripped with venom.

 

“Or what? I know you won’t attack and risk endangering those two brats,” Isa looked up and gave a wicked smile, and call me Frost. I’ve grown to like that name far more.

 

“If you’ve hurt him, I swear to God…” she clenched her fist until her knuckles ached.

 

“They’re fine, I assure you,” He finally stood up, “I figured I’d wait until you got here before starting the party.”

 

The rage continued to build away inside her as she watched him lean down and reach for something next to him. Her eyes were drawn to what at first appeared to be a pile of random junk covered by a cloth.

 

The realization of what it really was hit her as she saw something moving under it and she ripped it off the reveal MIles and Cream tied up, blindfolded, and gagged under it.

 

Miles was closest to him and he reached down and ripped the duct tape off his mouth.

 

“Mom, is that you?” His said, confused.

 

“Yes, I’m right here and I’m going to get you both out of here, somehow. Just hold in there.”

 

“You seem optimistic,” Frost finally stood up and stepped around behind them, ripping the tape from the girl’s mouth.

 

“Aunt Mel?” Her voice shook.

 

In one fluid movement he reached down and jerked the blindfolds off both of them, “Won’t be needing these anymore. I wouldn’t want to miss out on the show.”

 

Melinda locked eyes with the two children. Cream was obviously on the verge of tears and she could tell by MIles bloodshot eyes and uneasy expression that he had been crying as well, even if he tried to hide it.

 

“Let them go,” she stepped forward, only to have Frost quickly circle around and block her path.

 

“Ah, but I thought we could have a little fun first?” He beamed, “I just have so many ideas that I don’t even know where to start.”

 

A looked of realization spread over his face and he reached under his coat, drawing his sword. Melinda flinched as he approached her and placed the blade’s tip to her throat.

 

“I could start with you and make them watch,” he lifted his foot to step closer, but then backed off and turned around while rubbing the side of his neck, “I’m not giving you chance to try that trick again.”

 

With one fluid motion he spun around and sliced across her stomach, sending her to her knees gripping the wound, “maybe if you’re a good girl and let me have my fun, I’ll let them go.”

 

“Mom!” Miles shouted.

 

Cream merely held her eyes shut and sobbed.

 

Before Melinda could speak, Frost once again pressed the point to her throat and used it to force her to look up at him.

 

“You really do have such beautiful eyes. I know they say an eye for an eye, but I can’t bring myself to starting cutting on them,” He smirked and lowered his weapon.

 

“I swear, someone will come after you if you kill me. Especially if you hurt either of them,” blooded dripped from her mouth.

 

“Like they have a chance,” Frost kicked her square in the stomach, sending her sprawling on her side, “Besides, it just means I get to have more fun.”

 

Without warning he brought the sword down on one of her now out-stretched hands, impaling it.

 

“Damn you,” she hissed as he ripped it out.

 

“I’m sure that happened a long time ago,” He grabbed her hair and pulled her to her knees.

 

She felt the cold edge of the blade against the neck and fought back a tear as the realization of her fate hit her. The revelation that it would happen not 20 feet from Miles and Cream, and that they would be left to his mercy with her gone because the chances of him keeping his word were slim, yet he would also kill them if she fought back

 

She had failed them and played right into his hands.

 

“Please,” she almost whispered.

 

“What’s that, are you begging?” He laughed and and stepped aside where both her and the children could see each other.

 

“At least let them go and let me say goodbye,” tears began to stream down her face.

 

“Why should I, keeping you apart only makes it more fun. No last hug from mommy or auntie Mel to remember her by. Watching you dye as you beg me for mercy will the way they remember you” he pressed the blade closer, “although, these displays of emotion amuse me enough I guess I can let you live long enough to say goodbye from right here, so long you keep entertaining me.”

 

She looked up and noticed Miles barely holding it together while Cream buried her face in her hands and wept. Tears streamed down her face, but she forced a smile and spoke clearly despite the pain.

 

“Miles, I need you to listen carefully.” She said.

 

“Okay,” His voice shook.

 

“First I need you look up at me, please, Miles.” She hoped Frost was enjoying this enough to let her finish.

 

He looked up at her, and she locked eyes with him.

 

“I know it’s hard, but please give me a smile. It would mean the world to me if that’s the last thing I saw,” she spoke with a soothing voice.

 

“I’m scared,” he barely spoke above a whisper.

 

“So am I, that’s why I need you do this for me.,” she took a uneasy breath, “Do it for me, okay?”

 

“I love you, mom,” A smile forced it’s way across his face.

 

It hurt her, it hurt her bad knowing this was the last time she’d ever see it. The last time she’d hear him say those words. She only prayed someone would show mercy on her and allow her soul to go free, so she could at least watch over him from the next world instead of being trapped inside this monster like some kind of sick prize.

 

“Miles I love you to. I love you more than anything and I always will. That’s why I want you to close your eyes, and remember me like this no matter happens, let me smiling at you right now and only crying because I love you so much be your final memory of me, just like I’m going to close mine and let your smile be my last memory of anything,” she watched for a moment for him to close his eyes tight, before closing her own and letting her head hang as the blade pulled away, “Goodbye, kiddo. Tell Cream goodbye for me and that her Aunt Mel loves her.”

 

She braced herself, but the strike never came and instead she heard pacing footsteps, causing to her open her eyes.

 

“Damn it, I can’t do it. My pride won’t let me,” Frost was visibly frustrated, “I need to know I can beat you.”

 

Melinda took a deep breath and let the relief wash over her before speaking, “I’ll only fight you if you let me turn them loose and send them to safety,” she said.

 

Frost barely held back the frustration in his voice. “fine, do as you want and meet meet in the hangar next door and we’ll finish this.”

 

She watched him leave and waited for the slam of the side-door before approaching the kids.

 

“Can I open my eyes?” Miles said, his voice still shaking.

 

“It’s clear, for now,” She crouched down and drew her knife, thankful Frost wasn’t smart enough to take her stuff, “hold still a minute.”

 

Being careful as to not cut him, she set to work cutting his hands and feet free of their bindings and then moved on to Cream.

 

“Aunt Mel,” she said quietly, tears still streaming down her face.

 

“I’m right here, honey,” she finished cutting the ropes and Cream quickly threw her arms around her.

 

“Why did he want to hurt you like that?” she sobbed, “Why do you have to fight him?”
Melinda fell silent and just sat there rubbing the girl’s back for a moment before finding the words to speak, “a long time ago I caught him hurting someone, a kid not much older than you named Max, and I fought with him over it because he wouldn’t stop”

 

“So you were trying to protect Max?” Cream sniffed. “Just like Mr Sonic and Tails protect people from Eggman and it makes him angry.”

 

“Yes, just like that.” she answered.

 

“So you have to stop from hurting anyone else, now?” Cream looked up at her.

 

“I have to try my best,” Melinda pulled away and patted her on the shoulder before turning to Miles and holding out her arm, “Come here a minute.”

 

MIles complied and scooted over her to give her a hug. She held him tightly and took a moment to breathe and enjoy the moment, like the calm in the eye of a passing storm.

 

“Oh God, I thought you were done for,” he finally said, breathing heavily.

 

“Don’t get too comfortable, you still have to get her out of here and somewhere safe,” Melinda said, rubbing his back.

 

“But I don’t want to leave you here,” he said.

 

“I know, and I know you’re scared but Kai’s waiting for you to at the church and she’s gonna need your help getting there,” Melinda said, “Holy Ground, remember?”

 

“Immortals can’t hurt anyone, there.” Miles’ answered.

 

“Right,” she nodded, “there’s also one last thing.”

 

Melinda carefully removed one of her arms from around MIles and reached out for Cream, coaxing her into the hug as well. Once again, she fell silent and just held them both for a few seconds before finding the words.

 

“No matter what happens, I want you both to know I love you, okay?” Melinda teared up a little as she spoke, “Miles, you know the drill in case..”

 

Melinda trailed off at the last sentence, the thought to painful for her finish. Even then, she could tell by his arm tightening around that he understood.

 

“Don’t think that way, Mom!,” He said frantically, “I know you’ll win, because you have to. You’re too strong to lose to someone like him.”

 

“There’s always a risk, and I just want to make sure you know that you can depend on your friends and that Kai will be there,” Melinda said.

 

“That doesn’t matter right now, though. It doesn’t matter because you’re gonna win and come back for us,” Miles said.

 

“Yeah, Aunt Mel, please promise us that you won’t..” Cream barely choked out even that much.

 

“I can’t lie to either to you and say I’m not in any danger, but I can promise you both that I’m going to give it my all and fight as hard as I can,” Melinda said, hugging them both tighter.

 

“Okay,” Miles said, taking a deep breath, “I love you, Mom. Just please try to your best to come home safe.”

 

“Just try to stay calm, okay? It doesn’t do any good to worry about what might happen, just to be prepared,” Melinda directed her attention to Cream, “Cream, are you listening?”

 

“Yes,” Cream squeaked and hugged her tighter, “and I love, you.”

 

“You know Kai, right?” Melinda asked.

 

“Yes, he’s a friend of my mother. He’s really nice,” Cream answered.

 

“He’s also one of my friends, an immortal like me,” Melinda said.

 

“Is that why he’s so smart?” Cream asked.

 

“Something like that,” Melinda chuckled, “Miles is going to take you to the old church, he’s already there and he’ll protect both of you.”

 

“I’m scared, but I trust you and I trust Tails so I’m be okay,” Cream said, “I also know that Mr Kai is a good a person.”

 

Melinda held onto them for a while longer before finally loosening her grip, “You both ready?” Melinda asked.

 

“Yes,:” they both said almost in unison.

 

The three broke apart and Melinda suddenly had an idea as she noticed Miles’ still worried expression and remembered something he told her about the night of the car wreck. She shrugged off her coat and haphazardly folded it up.

 

“Here, hold onto this for me,” she handed the coat to Miles, who held it close to his chest, and leaned into to whisper in his ear, “Don’t be embarrassed to hug that thing like a teddy bear if that’s what it takes to stay calm. Your mental state is more important than your pride and Kai is the last person that would judge you.”

 

The coat was something she knew symbolized her to him because it was the one thing thing that always stayed the same no matter how much she radically changed her dress or appearance. It was the same coat she used to let him cuddle up under on the coach when he was little and they watched TV, and always remained a part of her because it was not only a way to conceal her weapon, but just as much of a security blanket to her because of those memories attached to it.

 

“Thanks,” he whispered back.

 

“Now come on, Mr. Hero, it’s time to go escort the girl the safety,” Melinda smiled and ruffled his head fur.

 

“Okay,” he smiled and began to help Cream up with his free hand, “Come on, Cream. I’ll hold your hand, would you like that?”

 

Melinda continued to smile as she watched them make their way to main door. Even on foot the church was only about 30 minutes away so she assumed they’d be fine.

 

The night was over for them, but she still had one last thing to finish before she could follow, and she prayed silently that whatever guardian angel watched over immortals would see her through the rest of the storm and deem her fight just.

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

“I’m here, let’s finish this,”

 

Melinda held her sword so tightly her hand ached and rubbed against the wood beneath the leather wrappings of the handle. She stood strong despite the fear gripping her, all doubt was erased from her mind and she silently promised that it would end here.

 

“You’re afraid, aren’t you? I can taste it in the air,” Frost took a step forward and drew a deep breath.

 

“Are you going to fight, or stand around talking all day?” She readied herself, spreading apart her feet and holding her sword in front of her body, ready to either strike or defend.

 

“I just want to savor it for a moment, enjoy the anticipation before I come in for the kill. Let the feeling build up to that final climax and surge of power,” he closed his eyes and spoke the words almost like they were a twisted form of poetry.

 

“You’re sick, you know that?” Melinda spat

 

“You still love to pretend you’re so different from me, I guess the little talk we had the other day fell on deaf ears, and I was so hoping you’d come around see things my way. Set yourself free like I have,” He said.

 

“Are going to shut up and attack me, or are you enjoying the sound of your own voice a little too much?” Melinda smirked.

 

“So eager to die, I wonder if a part of you enjoys your pain as much as I do,” he stepped forward and closed the distance.

 

“Who said anything about me being the one dying tonight?” She said.

 

In one fluid motion she stepped forward and struck for his good leg, but he dodged the blow with a quick jump back and countered by lunging forward and swinging his blade down, an attempt she easily blocked and and deflected by catching the blow against the flat of her own sword and and forcing it away.

 

An attempt to run him through easily side-stepped and and countered with a swing from the side towards her mid-section, which she easily flicked her blade up up to block once again before before twisted around behind him.

 

She followed up with a swing towards the back of his exposed shoulder, but he managed to shift his stance enough to reach up with his cybernetic arm and grab her blade.

 

“You know, these things aren’t for show and I guess I really should thank you for putting me on the waiting list. I never dreamed that someday we’d have this amazing technology that let me get replacements for the old ones that were better than the real thing,” He turned to face her and forced her back where he could stand right up against her and hold his sword to her neck, “losing your edge? Getting soft?”

 

“No, but you’re getting stupider to giving me this opening,” In one violent movement she drove her knee straight into his groin with all the force she could muster, sending him sprawling backwards and clutching himself.

 

“Son of a bitch,” he groaned in pain and attempted to straighten himself, “you sure fight dirty for someone that likes to play little miss guardian angel”

 

“I may try my best to play the hero, but I’m no saint and I have no delusions about honor being of any use against butchers and cowards like you. Honor is only for for friends and real warriors.” she lunged forward and and sliced him across the stomach before he could guard and sent him to the floor.

 

“You’re so much like me, maybe you’d be less bitter if you stopped denying it” He spat out the blood collecting his his mouth.

 

“I’m nothing like you,” Melinda swung for the kill, but he implanted his cybernetic foot into her stomach lifted her over his head, sending her flying with a powerful kick of his leg.

 

She caught herself and quickly rolled back onto her feet just as he jumped back up.

 

“You keep saying that, but you haven’t been able to give me one good reason to believe it,” he wiped his mouth with his sleeve and idly examined the blood staining the white fabric, “there’s something romantic about the way blood so quickly corrupts and stains the color white, don’t you think? It say’s something so poetic about how fragile and useless purity is.”

 

“Give me a break,” Melinda groaned.

 

“It’s true, it’s such a useless measure that’s changed so much from era to era, that’s I’m glad I stopped caring about petty human morality. I mean, isn’t so tiring watching the very concepts of good and evil change right before your eyes? Shifting so easily from saint to sinner in the eyes of this world?” Frost said, “It’s so much simpler just to live by your own rules and live for your own pleasure.”

 

“I’ve learned to find it quite inspiring, the mortals find a way to keep growing and learning right from wrong, bettering themselves with each passing generation as I grow alongside them. It’s comforting to see all the evils that were once encouraged by mankind's ignorance fading into distant memory,” Melinda stepped forward, ready to strike, “I also don’t deny my sins anymore than you do, but the first difference between us is that I’m ready to answer for them.”

 

“Like I give a damn, anyway. Keep holding on to your self-righteous delusions,” Frost lunged forward and threw a punch with his cybernetic arm, which she dodged and let narrowly slip by her head where she pinned his arm without letting go of her sword.

 

“You’re the only delusional one here, too blind to see that you’ve done nothing more than poisoned yourself with hate and sadistic self-indulgence” she drew her dagger and stabbed it into his stomach before twisting it and bringing her muzzle to his ear, “Which brings us to the second thing that what really separates us, I have a son that I love dearly, and friends that I love just as much. That means unlike you, I fight for love and that’s a kind of strength you could never understand.”

 

“Go to hell,” he spat as he fell to the ground.

 

“I hope I don’t, I have too many people waiting for me upstairs, and that’s what I pray to be forgiven for what I have to do,” she raised her sword over her shoulder and swung with closed eyes, landing the final the blow and listening as his body hit the ground with a thud.

 

A white mist drifted up from his remains and enveloped her as the static began to build in the air like the tension before a storm erupts, “I’m not afraid, you can’t consume me when I have so much giving me strength. No amount of darkness can snuff out love’s light.”

 

All at once the the room erupted with energy and she fell to her knees as the storm tore the room apart and her world with it. Light fixtures shattered into a rain of sparks and wooden crates splintered into flames as if consumed by hellfire.

 

“I won’t give in,” despite the lifetime of twisted memories rushing their her head she forced herself think of Miles, and to think of all her friends. Her memories fought to burn through his and she struggled her hardest to concentrate on them and the voices drowned out his hateful screams.

 

“Mom!, this is my favorite part of the movie!.”

 

“Aunt Mel! I finally baked something all by myself today!”

 

“Come on grandma, age before beauty,”

 

“Wow mom, you’re just like a real-life superhero!”

 

“Happy 29th birthday!”

 

“I guess now that we’re alone I should say happy 1100-and-something since we’re not sure on the whole year thing. I love you, mom.”

 

The conflict within her heart reached it’s peak as the sprinkler system finally cut loose and soaked her, like the apex before a storm ends and one final and recent memory floated the surface, one symbolizing the true extent of her love, his smiling face showing through the tears when she was using what she thought her last moments to comfort him.

 

“I love you, mom.”

 

“Miles I love you to. I love you more than anything and I always will. Goodbye, kiddo”

 

Just like that, it was over and and the world once again went silent save for the hissing of a few remaining fires being quenched. She just sat and thought about how oddly soothing the cold water was, almost like some kind of baptism washing away the last of her doubts.
It was finally over.