[WolfEx]

It is nightfall in the Life Sphere, nearly everyone is asleep in their apartment complexes as a cool breeze blows through the narrow streets of Brightwing Lane. Some apartment lights are still on, but most are completely out as the good creatures of the Life Sphere snooze away and dream of their homes and how many friends and family members they long to see again, they wonder, if they're even still alive. Tears on pillows, restless nights, exhausted hearts, this battle could not continue much longer. The agony of depression and hopeless sorrow fills the entire essence of the Life Sphere. The fear of Infected breaking through the force field and taking the minds of the innocent, it had to have filled everyone's nightmares, it had to have consumed them with such great displeasure that there was no way to be at peace. Truthfully, who really was resting well these days? How long...how long could this continue. How long could anyone bear to see another broken and lifeless creature alone in their thoughts, shivering in their terror. Children, the elderly, the cowardly, the brave, each one had their own troubles, their own pain, a hero had to step up, things had to stop. After their scare at The Point of Essence Mario and Sonic agreed to meet in secret in the streets of Brightwing Lane hidden by the skirt of the night sky and the kiss of moonlight. Sonic, being as fast as he was, was on time for the meetup, and waiting feverishly at a decorative fountain in the street for Mario to show.

His signature foot tapping had already commenced. Sonic was wrapped in bandages around his abdomen and his face was scuffed and scratched from his previous battle to escape the clutches of Black Shadow. Yet not a single part of him, had shown any sign of sadness, or discomfort. He was stone faced, and beyond the point of having the time or the know how to feel anything anymore. The moonlight radiates on his beaten face, accentuating his wounds and defining his blank expression. There was something different in his eyes, he was distant, he was battle damaged.

Guided by the moon and the flickering stars, Mario is seen bouncing rampantly from rooftop to rooftop across the apartment buildings trying to make his way as fast and as swiftly as he could to the fountain to meet Sonic without waking others up or making much noise. Unfortunately for him though, he was cursed with a sound effect every time he jumped which resembled that of a slide whistle or a beep. He hated that, but he continued to try to be quick and quiet on his way to Sonic. After hopping over a few roofs, jumping passed Rainbow Square and twisting over Sunshine Circle with finesse and style, he at last made his way to Brightwing Lane's landmark fountain and hopped down to Sonic landing on the cobblestone street in front of the hedgehog with a serious grimace upon his face. He was nowhere near the jokingly lovable Mario so many were used to seeing. The dragging darkness of these present days would not call for it, and he saw this in Sonic's face as well and respected that. Both of them had been through hell, and with Samus gone, something had to give. Mario wasn't as dirtied up or battered as Sonic, but he had seen some things and certainly taken some hits. Dark circles drooped under his once spirited and bright blue eyes, his overalls were stained with dirt and filled with tears.

His gloves went from a shiny white to an almost gray pitiful color. His shoes scuffed and worn out, his mustache was unkempt, and tangled up, not slick and clean cut. He even started to grow some stubble on his once flawless jaw frame. This was not a good look for him. With the light of the moon shining on both of them now, Mario initiates the meeting in a quiet murmur.

Mario: Ello' Blue Hog. It issa good to see you again. I know we have been througha alotta. But our people....they cannota suffer anymore. I see my beloved Toads, malnourished, worked to the bone, and the happiness and joy they once hadda, drained from them. I see the Yoshis, crying in the windows of their homes, giving up on freedoma. I see a city, drowned and drenched in hell. It hurts....I can't watch this happena anymore. I can't....

Mario wipes some tears from his eyes. He couldn't be strong anymore. He was broken. He was on his last legs for a solution to it all. Sonic showed sympathy with a slight frown, but it was quickly covered up by his serious and quick hitting words.

Sonic: Yeah I hear ya red man. I see my fellow Mobians, the few we have around here left, staring up at the sky trying to find our planet again, only to be let down because there is nothing up there, nothing left anymore. There are families that need our help, that need to be fed, that need hope. Eggman hasn't done much other than build machines and act mighty, I still wonder how much of a help he REALLY is. Not much I'd say. Psh. With Samus gone, and us barely makin it out alive, we gotta stop our fighting man, and we gotta decide to fix this, now.

Mario nods silently trying to fight back his tears and stop his grieving. He was so hurt by everything that has happened over the years on Li and the Life Sphere, that when he spoke, his throat would hurt from lack of water and painful missions and conditions outside the Life Sphere, his eyes would hurt from his tears, and burn harshly. Everything was taking its toll on him, he felt close to useless with his energy so drained these days. Sonic couldn't comfort him, everyone was beyond comforting eachother, well beyond it now.

Sonic: We have to work together Mario. And I got somethin to make us both happy....that could save us all.

Mario was intrigued and perks up suddenly.

Mario: Oh? I likea what I amma hearing. What is it?

Sonic jumps up into a ball and lands on one of the higher apartment roofs. He points a finger to Samus's lab in Sunshine Circle and darts his head at the large gun at the top of it.

Sonic: Remember the gun we used to defend this place from a massive attack a long time ago?

Mario nods.

Mario: Sure sure. But why use thatta thing? It probably does not evena work!

Sonic shakes his head disappointed in the lack of faith by Mario. He jumps down to Mario to address his negativity and pats Mario on the shoulder trying to make him understand the principle of it all.

Sonic: If we can get E.Gadd and Eggman to let us detach it and lug it to the Point of Essence, we can destroy it! We can save us all and blast the center of this Infected crap disease to smithereens. We can then find a way to clear out the atmosphere and fix this dying planet. We are still gonna try to find a way off this hell hole ofcourse, but if we can get that gun, we can have a chance at ending this. No more endless missions, no more countless days looking at ourselves in the mirror and questioning how we are still making it. I'm tired of waiting, we have to do this!

Mario seems puzzled, but not opposed at the idea. He likes the suggestion, he likes that Sonic isn't just thinking of himself this time. This could actually work, but Mario does show at least some concern.

Mario: I seea. But that gunna is so heavy. How do we bring it to the extractiona pointa without us moving too slowa and taking in too much Infected aira?

Sonic raises a finger, wagging it at Mario already having a counter point to his argument as if he had thought this out quite a bit previously before having this little meeting with the plumber.

Sonic: We need E.Gadd and Eggman's genius to construct a tank of a vehicle that can fit a good group of us. And attach the gun to the vehicle somehow and drive to the Point of Essence and then blow it up! If it's what I think it is from first hand experience, The Infected have to have a weakness, something that can destroy them all without fault. Some kind of headquarters or something, and since there are so many at that area, it's gotta be there somewhere! We may not have had a chance to find the real answers with the little time we did spend over there so far away, but we know enough, and we know the dangers of that place. So let's be smart and take what we've learned to bring all of us to safety!

Sonic was talking so fast Mario could barely keep up, but he did make out a good chunk of the words and understood enough to deem the idea acceptable.

Mario: Hmm, wella hedgehogga. I think that's a greata planna. You are starting to growa on me like a mushroom in a pipea! We should collect gas masks, as much as we canna just in case if this planna works before heading out with the gun. I think we have a shotta at this.

Sonic smirks liking Mario for once, because for once he was actually being reasonable. This was a nice change.

Sonic: It took me a while, but after being sent out and trapped for so long something changed in me, ya know? I started to think more clearly. As ironic as that sounds due to the cruddy atmosphere, it's true. Let's reconvene tomorrow, and figure this out better. Then we can decide when to confront Eggman and E. Gadd.

Mario nods in agreement as the two share a collaborative clasp of hands, showing somewhat of a sign of friendship. Afterwards, Sonic throws Mario a peace sign and takes off in a dash of extreme speed leaving a cloud of smoke. Mario takes out a handheld Warp Pipe from his overall pockets and throws it on the ground as it extends into a full size pipe. He jumps in it and vanishes with the pipe.

Wait a moment....

Sonic dashes back to the fountain as if watching Mario leave the entire time and looks around cautiously as if hiding something, or trying to find someone. He sees a dark alley and a pair of eyes peek out at him. He walks over to the alley and a voice speaks to him.

: Is it done?

Sonic responds in a deadpan.

Sonic: Yes...it's done.

The voice doesn't say anything afterwards, and Sonic walks into the shadows of the alley vanishing.