ARAAT5: Resurrection

~~~

A Rose And A Thorn 5: Resurrection

Co-Written by Harley Quinn hyenaholic and Froggy22651

~~~

Harley: Chapter Fifteen was mostly the last chapter, but that was because the ending of this was changed.

Froggy: We wrote this long before we changed chapter 15 and if you think I’m just going to waste a perfectly good sex scene, you’re wrong!

Harley: Last chapter was the last chapter. So was the chapter before that, getting the gayness out. This is also the last chapter. And there’s an epilogue too. Next chapter. Have fun!

~~~

Chapter Sixteen: The Deeper You Go

Midnight walked the empty city streets, his eyes searching, hoping to see the familiar form of Mirage. It was a big world; if she didn't want to be found, she could stay hidden. He could only guess why she left the hospital without telling anyone, and his best guess was her shard. His feet sounded heavy on the pavement; he could no longer be as stealthy as he once was. Maybe if he could graft rubber onto the bottom of his feet... He shook his head, "Where are you, Mirage?" he whispered.

Mirage herself was still sitting in somebody's rooftop garden, 30 feet above him. She was staring at the stars, remembering home. She had never had a home other than ARK. How did Shadow do it? How had he adjusted to life on Earth? Well, he'd started by trying to destroy the planet, but other than that, how had he done it? She remembered the past now. Not every part, but the important parts, and it seemed to her that all the important parts had Midnight in them. She took a deep breath of intoxicatingly foul city air, and then her ears picked up the sound of her name being called.

The blue echidna sighed, feeling the weight of his steel and the oppressive loneliness of the night pulling him down. Spotting a nearby bench on the sidewalk, he took a seat on it. Then he began to speak to himself, looking up at the stars, "I'm sorry, Mirage. I'm the one responsible for this mess. If only I had been thinking about what you wanted on the ARK, maybe this all wouldn't have happened. I was selfish, and I've paid the price. I just don't want you to pay it, too."

"Midnight?" Mirage leant over the edge of the roof and looked down at the sidewalk. After a few seconds she spotted him, a solid shape among the dark shadows, "Is that you down there?"

Blinking, hearing the familiar voice, Midnight looked all around, and finally faced her, looking up at the roof, "Mirage? What are you doing here?"

"Thinking about home," Mirage answered, "It is easier to do that when the stars come out. What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you!" he called back, "You left the hospital without telling anyone, remember?" The echidna crossed his arms over his chest, expecting an explanation.

"Well, I had to get my Shard," Mirage held out her Emerald Shard to show him, "Would you like to come up here to me? It is nice..."

Wordlessly, Midnight crouched down and leapt into the air, the jets on his feet automatically kicking in and carrying him up to the roof. Grabbing onto the edge and flipping onto the roof, the echidna grinned at her, "Sure thing."

Mirage glanced around at the rooftop garden, "It just... felt like home," she said, "Even if it is not really mine." She looked up at him, "I am glad you are back."

Midnight's smile softened, "It’s good to be back." Looking around at the garden, he could see why it would remind her of home. It was similar to the garden on the ARK, but this time, the sky was real, the stars twinkling above them.

"I missed you," Mirage sat down on a deckchair, "I... I have not understood things for a long while now but I know that... every time something good happens to me, something bad happens to somebody I care about and the something good is usually somebody to care about... it is like a curse…"

"That sums up my situation as well,” Midnight replied, sitting down next to her, "But more often than not, the bad stuff is my fault. I've really got to stop ruining people’s lives like that," Turning towards her, he added, "And I missed you too. Very much."

Mirage rested her head on his shoulder, “I suppose I should ask you what happened at Eggman's base," she said dreamily, "Tails has a tendency to be right, especially when people do not listen to him. So, did something go wrong?"

Smiling and gently nuzzling her, Midnight said, "Well, there were some unexpected complications, like Shadow clones and me being controlled by Eggman, but we overcame them and won."

"Hmmm... Shadow clones," Mirage smiled, "It does not matter, I can deal with all of them - wait, you were controlled by Eggman?"

He nodded and raised his mechanical hand, "He had some sort of control mechanism built into me, but Tails smashed it before I could hurt anyone. Seems that a bit of Knuckles has rubbed off on the kid."

Mirage nodded, and sighed again, "I have to ask you something else," she said, after about a minute, turning to look at him, "Do you still... are you still in pain?"

"Always,” he answered gravely, "But it’s not so bad. I can deal with an ache or two with you around."

Mirage looked into his eyes, and saw that he was keeping the full truth from her, "I do not want you to be in pain," she said, "I think I can help now. But I would have to go inside your head, and if you do not want me in there I would never…"

Midnight frowned, "I'm sure the inside of my head is a scary place. I won't stop you from entering... I trust you, Mirage... but I'm warning you that you might not like what you see."

Mirage nodded, removing her Shard and placing it beside her carefully, "The inside of my head is worse, I assure you," she said. Then she turned to face him, almost sitting in his lap, and placed her hands on his forehead, "Now... this may feel odd..." Midnight watched as her eyes flared sky blue from edge to edge.

And then it was as if he was seeing himself from above, lying down with Mirage sitting almost on top of him, his body returned to its burnt, unhealed form, as if he’d just been injured, and he almost screamed at the sudden recollection of pain. As he watched, the images changed, starting with Mirage bathing his burnt body in ice cold water, washing off the blood and cooling the burns.

Midnight shivered and moaned softly, the feeling of ice water on burnt flesh agonizing to him. Closing his eyes tightly, he made no attempt at resisting, trusting Mirage to know what she was doing.

As his burnt arm became numb and the icy water slowly returned to room temperature, Mirage took his scarred right side and covered it in some sort of cool, soothing cream for burns, smearing it over the remains of his arm and leg. In his head, it felt much better as she wrapped his arm, leg and side in clean, cool bandages.

Midnight sighed softly, relaxing in his seat, feeling the pain leave him. He didn't know what she was actually doing, rebooting the pain centers of his brain, perhaps, but he did know that it was working, "Oh, that feels so much better..."

Mirage smiled in both the dream and in real life, and her hands began to move over the constantly aching muscles on his face, shoulders and hips, rubbing him slowly, easing them up, freeing them from the pain that the weight of the metal forced on him. Midnight was like putty in her hands, humming in pleasure and laying back limply, feeling totally devoid of pain for the first time in weeks.

With a soft sigh, Mirage ended the massage and began to unwrap the bandages. Instead of burnt, cauterised wounds, or even skeletal stumps, the bandages came away to reveal real, living flesh. It wasn’t real, but it didn't really matter since for the first time since Eggman had awoken him, Midnight found that his phantom pains had vanished.

The navy blue echidna smiled widely, looking down at his completely healed flesh. He knew it wasn't real, that he was still scarred for life, but the illusion was perfect for now. A single tear ran down his left cheek, "Thank you,” he whispered.

Mirage pulled out of his mind slowly, so as not to startle him. She blinked a couple of times, the blue glow in her eyes fading, and looked into his eyes as they both returned to the world of waking, "Do you feel any better?" she asked him with a small smile.

"Much better,” he told her with a smile. He looked down at his half-destroyed body, "It doesn't hurt anymore..."

Mirage nuzzled his cheek gently, "Well, that was the idea," she said, "It is amazing as to what a little suggestive therapy can do."

He nuzzled back softly, sighing, "That's quite the power you’ve developed,” he said softly, before kissing her cheek.

"I worked it out when I did not have my Shard," Mirage said, "It is nothing like as powerful as Ashura. He could force thoughts in. I can only enter if you let me in."

"You're always welcome in here,” Midnight told her, tapping one finger against his head. Then he wrapped his arms around the feline, holding her close.

Mirage nuzzled his cheek again, "All you have to do is ask," she said softly, and kissed him lovingly.

He returned the kiss, running one hand through her quills, petting her. Yes, she was right. It did feel like home up here.

Mirage began to purr softly on reflex, her arms looping around Midnight's shoulders as her lips moved against his, breathing in his scent and taste - now with a slightly oily tang to it. She smiled into the kiss, and ran her fingers through his fur gently.

He hummed into the kiss, lightly scratching the base of her ears with one hand, his other leaving her furry quills to rub her back. His mechanical eye peeked out, making sure that there were no crazed scientists around to spoil their fun. Nope.

Mirage writhed slightly under Midnight's touch. Things were going to be difficult - losing half your body to metal would do that to a person - but it had always been difficult. They had no more to worry about now than they had 57 years ago, and she loved him just as much. Her hands moved over his chest, trailing over scars and fur, and her rough tongue pressed against his lips.

He opened his lips to let her in, enjoying the feel of her rough tongue, his embrace tightening around her. He laid the hedgecat down on the soft grass, climbing on top of her, doing so without breaking the kiss once.

Mirage's tongue explored his mouth as surely as her hands explored his body. Stroking his face lightly, she broke the kiss briefly, "I missed you, Midnight," she whispered softly.

"I missed you too, Mirage,” he breathed, caressing her sides. Being careful not to put his full weight on her, he leaned forward and took the edge of her ear in his mouth as one hand scritched her belly.

Mirage moaned softly, her tongue lapping at Midnight's neck. Her left hand rested on his cheek, and her lips caressed his neck, as her right hand trailed through the fur on his belly, her claws parting his fur gently.

He shivered at the feel of her claws and tongue, suckling harder on her ear, his hands clutching at her fur, rubbing up her belly towards her chest.

"Midnight..." Mirage moaned beneath him, her body shaking slightly. She shifted so that she was almost sitting up, shrugging her vest off her shoulders.

Midnight left her ear and lowered his face to her throat, wrapping his lips around it. His hand continued upward, gently pushing away the shard and rubbing her breasts, "Mirage,” he moaned back, licking her neck.

Mirage moaned again, enjoying the attention to her breasts, tilting back her head. Her hands slid down his body again, rubbing gently between his thighs. She buried her face in his neck, kissing him and breathing in his scent at the same time, her chest vibrating with deep purrs.

Midnight rumbled happily, and moved his face to catch her in another kiss, rougher than before. His hips shifted forward, pressing against her hand, his arousal growing with her touches.

As the kiss became more passionate, Mirage's touch became firmer and more intense. She didn't flinch at the feel of metal against fur, because this was Midnight, the man she loved with all her heart. And they were together... the whole world tried to stop them, but they were together again. The thought sent a thrill through her body as her lips moved against his.

Midnight ended the kiss, sucking on her lower lip as he did so. He smiled down at the hedgecat, bumping their noses together and nuzzling her before he crawled down her to kiss her breasts, his metal hand supporting him.

Mirage ran her fingers through his dreads as he did so. She took one of his real dreads into her mouth, licking and chewing on it gently.

Midnight groaned softly, nuzzling her chest, breathing in her scent, "Mirage..." he whispered, "I love you." He suckled on her breast as his warm, living hand slid down her side to her hips, rubbing and scratching the base of her tail.

Mirage's tail flicked, and wrapped around his waist gently. She nodded slowly, one hand rubbing just under his tail, the other stroking between his legs, slowly rubbing his arousal.

Midnight groaned again, his hips pushing forward again as he licked his way up her body, capturing her lips in another kiss, his fingers roaming lower, rubbing between her own legs.

Mirage whimpered in pleasure, another shudder running through her body as she felt herself begin to lube up inside slowly. Midnight's weight made her safe, and protected. And he was rough sometimes, and gentle sometimes, and he needed her, and she needed him. That was enough for her. It was all that was necessary for her to love him.

Slowly, Midnight ended the kiss and held himself over her, positioning himself so that his hard cock was nestled between her legs. He smiled down at her, looking into her eyes.

Mirage smiled back up at him, shivering at the feel of the hot, hard shaft between her thighs, fully aware that he wasn’t going all out because of the lingering fear of hurting her, “There is no need to hold back, Midnight,” she told him, her voice a low purr, “I like a bit of rough and tumble.” She placed her hand on his broad chest, her claws extended, and trailed it down through his fur to his belly.

Midnight closed his eye and rumbled softly, the raking claws somehow making his arousal harder than before. Truth was that he was afraid of hurting her. An accident with a mechanical limb could snap her in two. If he did this right, though... aw, the hell with it. Smirking mischievously, his eye still closed, the echidna gripped Mirage tightly and forced his way inside her with one, powerful thrust, groaning loudly. He rested there within her as he bit down on her neck and licked the bruised flesh, scratching up and down her side.

Mirage cried out sharply as Midnight entered her. It had been 57 years since she'd last had sexual intercourse, and it hurt, but it felt good too. Her hand clutched at his side, and her claws dug into him, drawing little trickles of blood. Her other arm wrapped tightly around his back tightly, holding him close so that she could feel his heart beating next to hers.

Midnight rumbled again, almost a growl as he felt the hot sting of claws tearing skin. He licked his way up her cheek and again wrapped his lips around the edge of an ear, biting down gently. The echidna pressed himself heavily on top of her, feeling their combined heartbeat, and he thrust hard into her again. Oh, he had missed this, had missed her. If it wasn't for his injuries, he could believe that the last 57 years were just a horrible nightmare he was waking from, still by her side.

Mirage set to making him forget everything but her, her rough tongue lapping at his neck. Another thrust, another cry of pleasure. Her fingers knotted tightly in his fur, her claws trailing through it. Midnight filled her inside, and every movement made her moan in ecstasy, if she didn't scream first.

There was no sweeter sound in the world. Midnight urged her to make it again, building a slow, powerful rhythm, rocking her body with each thrust, his own moans joining hers. The heat between them drove away the coolness of the night, their passion filling the void that had been within them since they parted. He cried out her name before covering her face in little licks again, his tongue sliding against hers. He playfully nipped her neck as his fingers dug hard into her fur, clutching her to himself.

Mirage moaned and gasped, silenced briefly as their lips met, then cried out again as he pushed deeper into her. She spread her legs as wide as they would go, bracing them against the rooftop and lifting herself to press up against him, still panting.

This time, he did growl lustfully in her ear, pumping his shaft into her slick insides, panting for breath like her. Supporting himself on one hand, the other clutching her shoulder, his thrusts grew faster and harder, and he tugged on the clump of fur in his grasp.

Mirage cried out again, her voice a mixture of pleasure and pain. Feeling Midnight's shaft move back and forth deep inside her, she felt her entire body give a shudder of anticipation, and pressed her lips against his again.

Midnight accepted the kiss hungrily, sucking on her lips and tongue, exploring her mouth with another low growl. His grip on her tightened, his heart racing and beating against her chest, and his hand slipped down her back, scratching her spine and the base of her tail, gripping her rear and aiding her own thrusts.

Mirage pushed herself up against him harder, moaning louder with each thrust. She cried out his name, breathing in his intoxicating scent, whimpering in pain as his metal hand tightened on her shoulder, crying out in pleasure as their bodies came together harder and faster. She bit on his good shoulder, gently at first, and then her sharp teeth drew blood.

Midnight hissed in pain, the sound becoming a low moan, him thrusting even harder, as fast as he could manage, moving feverishly over and inside her body, gasping to draw breaths filled with her scent. He clutched her bottom tighter, squeezing and pushing in time with his movements.

"Oh... yes!" Mirage cried out as Midnight pulled her up against him harder, her moans becoming breathless cries. Sweat was pouring down her forehead, and she held onto him tightly, her cries becoming feverish gasps for breath, "Mid... night!"

"Mirage!" he cried back, placing kisses, licks, and little bites on her throat between gasps, his movements become more desperate as he neared the peak of their passion.

Mirage felt her body tremble inside as she held onto Midnight tightly, looking into his eyes breathlessly. Tears began to trickle slowly down her face as her hands tightened on him, and her claws dug into him that much deeper.

Midnight looked back, gazing into those crimson eyes of hers, watching the tears trickle down her face. She wasn't seeing a deformed freak, but the man she loved, and that made him feel that he wasn't so alone. He closed his eyes and lowered himself onto her, his breathing gasps as he went for the final stretch, holding her tightly. Pleasure rocked his body, and the echidna cried out into the night as his orgasm hit and he climaxed hard inside her. He silenced his cries, biting down on her throat, his loud moans vibrating against her as he shook and thrust a final few times, a lone tear dripping down onto her fur, mixing with the blood he had drawn from her.

Mirage cried out, one last prolonged moan of pleasure as her own orgasm shuddered throughout her body. Her claws retracted as she continued to moan softly, stroking his face lightly, trembling in the aftermath of passion, "Midnight..." she moaned softly.

"Mirage..." he moaned back, nuzzling into her hand and smiling down at her lovingly. In that moment, the whole world could be falling apart around them and he wouldn't have noticed.

As Mirage's breathing slowed to a more regular pace, she began to purr softly again, nuzzling his cheek lightly, her chest vibrating slightly.

"Mmm..." Midnight hummed happily, basking in the warmth of their embrace, nuzzling back and lightly kissing her lips, "I'm home,” he whispered, and slipped out of her gently.

Mirage giggled softly, "Yes, I noticed," she said, returning the kiss slowly and lovingly. They lay there together for several minutes, before she spoke again, "So... I really do not think you can surprise me anymore. Well... not often..." she rubbed his sides meaningfully, "What are you going to do? Where are you going to go?"

Midnight blinked, surprised by the question. If the truth be told, he hadn't thought much about that, "I'm not leaving you,” he assured her, "I'll never do that again. But... I'm going to need to stay hidden for a while, somewhere remote. I was thinking we could go to the Mystic Ruins."

Mirage nodded, "I do not want to lose you again," she said, "I do not think I could bear it a second time. It hurt so much the first time."

"You won't. I promise,” he whispered, caressing her cheek, "I've made some bad mistakes, but I've learned from them. I love you."

Mirage's eyelids lowered and she blushed, her tail wrapping around Midnight's, "I will always be right beside you... chastising you each and every time you screw up," she said with a tiny grin, "Even my destiny cannot stop me from doing that."

He chuckled softly, giving her another kiss, "Good. Because gods know I need that," more seriously, he added, "And I'll always be here to help you stay on the right path, and I'll always love you like no one else could."

Mirage looked up at him, "I have a personality attributed to most sociopaths... do not you ever worry that I might turn into my father? That I will cross the line from sociopathic anti-hero to power-crazed evil bastard?"

Midnight frowned, thinking for a moment as he brushed a few quills out of her face, "A little,” he admitted, "But I'm hoping that you value me over power, because I'll only allow you to pick one."

"When I do change..." Mirage continued to look into his eyes, "When I play games with people as the pieces... when I charge all they have and more... when I enjoy their pain... when I decide that evil is what is necessary... would you end it? Would you be the one to come after me, fight me, take me down, and swing the axe?"

Midnight's face paled at the thought. He looked into her eyes, searching for something, his mouth opening and closing as he searched for the right words. Finally, softly, he answered her, "If the Mirage I love is ever replaced by such a monster... I will destroy the shell that was left behind."

Mirage sighed and looked into his eyes, "Promise?" she asked him.

Before Midnight could answer, the sky turned red, and monsters began to fall from the heavens.

~~~

Harley: Yes, I know it was a bit pointless. But we wrote it and why waste it? Just an epilogue left. What? What happened to Shadow? Meh, we’ll deal with that some other time, or you could just play the game yourself.