-AT SONIC'S HQ-
Sonic: Well, Its been a long day... and, uh-*yawn*
I'm up for a nap...
You can stay here if you want, Aria.
Aria: Thank you, Sonic. *nods her head in a thankful bow*
Tails: Come with me then! I know where the guest rooms are.
Aria: Alright... *smiles*
-ARIA AND TAILS GO TO ONE OF THE BEST GUEST ROOMS-
Tails: Well, here we are!
Aria: ohh... Tails, its lovely! *shyly* Its more than enough for me...
Tails: I'm glad you like it! Cream and Cheese do most of the decorating around here...
Aria: *looks around curiously* They certainly do a good job.
*thoughtful* I'd like to meet them sometime...
Tails: They come over when Amy is around... *yawn*
I was surprized that she wasn't trying to barge through the door today. She likes to be around Sonic.
Aria: Ohh... *soft twinkle in her eye* Are they a couple?
Tails: I can't say... but Amy is sure crazy for Sonic xD... *yawn*
Aria: Oh Tails... It has been a long day for all of us... You should get some sleep...
Tails: Ok...
(more)

Tails: I'll see you tomorrow then, Aria! *He waves, then he walks out of the room*
-Aria settles down... and falls into slumber...
Meanwhile, in her dream...-
Ravus: We're going to get through this together, Aria! I promise...
Aria: I'll never betray you, that is my vow...
*He holds her close, as a dearly beloved bond shows...*
Ravus: We may be the only Luminous Angels left... But together, no one can stop us.
*suddenly a harsh and evil laugh interrupts them, they both turn their heads to the noise... Aria in fear, Ravus in recognition*
Nexas: HA! YOU CAN'T ESCAPE ME! No matter how hard you try...
Aria: *Bravely* We're not going down without a fight!
Ravus: Right! *fighting stance* Aria, stay close to me!
Aria: I won't stray!
-The battle blurs to its end-
Ravus: Stay away from her! *He shields Aria with a protective stance as Nexas charges*
Nexas: HAHAHAHAAAHAAAA!
I will have the ultimate power!
Aria: !- Ravus, please... we should flee! He's too much for us!
Ravus: ... Aria...
(more)

Ravus: Aria, let me handle him...
I need to protect you... *determined fist clench* Its all I could ever do...
*Yells at Nexas* RRrrrrgh! OVER MY DE.AD BODY!
Nexas: *he shouts back* That can be arranged!
*He comes at Ravus, lunging his claw through him like a spear... and in that second of blo.od and shock, time slows down...
the dream is ended by Aria suddenly waking up*
Aria NO!!!.... *breathing hard as she sits up*...
-... it, was... just a dream...
But it felt so real... like it happened all over again...
ohh... oh Ravus...
...
I... I need somewhere to think... *she unconciously looks out the window* fresh air...
-She quietly goes up to the roof...-
Aria: *sighs*...
""The breeze feels so nice... So gentle... So calming...""
?: ""Yeah...
I prefer nights like these.""
Aria: *she recognizes the thought pattern, but she turns to look to the side, seeing someone there*
Oh... Shadow... I wasn't expecting you to be here... You scared me...'''
I hope I'm not bothering you...
(more)

Shadow: Hmph. No.
Aria: ... Are you alright?... You seem tense... *ignoring her own problems*
Shadow: *looks off* I'm fine.
Aria: You left Sonic's place earlier because you had something to do...
Sonic said you might not be back for a while...
I heard you work for National Security...
Is it true?
Shadow: ...Yeah.
If they have requests, I carry them out without question.
Lately, however, I'm an agent during the night, specificly, on recon...
GUN doesn't know anything about Nexas, so I have to find out.
Aria: *tilts her head, acting innocent* ... It must be difficult then...
Shadow: ...No.
Aria: ... *awkward silence* ...
Shadow: I told you why I'm here...
So... what are you doing up so late?
Aria: *startled* I-
... *admits it* I just had a terrible dream... thats all...
Shadow: A dream, huh...
...You look tired.
Aria: ...It happens almost every night... Its hard for me to sleep...
I'm hesitant, to close my eyes...
Shadow: *he stretches* ... (more)

Shadow: *he gets up, walking towards Aria... he sits beside her*
So tell me...
Whats on your mind?
Aria: *softly repeats* on my... mind? *silence*
... If I told you... would you... understand?
Shadow: *blinks slowly* What is it?
Aria: ... I'm... scared, Shadow...
I feel that my destined path is sha.ttering... and that it will doom my world if I fail in this struggle... I feel like I'm fighting Nexas all by myself...
Everyone I've known and loved since I was young, they're all de.ad... All because of him...
And my sorrow surpresses my courage.
I'm having Nightmares...
I'm in a world I know nothing of... And... I just feel so alone... *she sobs as she cries in her hands*...
Shadow: Don't let it bother you...
Aria: I-Its hard not to think about the past and what the future holds...
Shadow: ... I know.
I'm tor.tured by the thought myself... Nevertheless...
I determine my own destiny.
*fist clench as he turns his gaze to her* Don't let it get to you... (more)

Shadow: Don't let him stop you from doing what you're meant to do.
Aria: ...I'm meant to protect the luminous emerald Kryos from those who intend to abuse it...
He's only trying to stop me from doing just that... by breaking me down...
piece by piece...
Shadow: Thats because he can't take you down with one shot.
Aria: w-what?
Shadow: You're strong, Aria...
I can feel it.
You underestimate yourself too much...
If you allow him to keep breaking you into pieces...
then nothing can stop him from crushing you in the palm of his hand.
Aria: *breathes* Shadow...
Shadow: I'm not the best one to tell you this...
But don't give up now... or else everything you've fought for... everything you've lost...
would have been for nothing.
Aria: ... *thinks about what he said* ...Its so obvious...
yet I could never see that truth... no matter how many times I've said this to myself in vain...
Shadow...
Thank you for reminding me...
That giving up, and letting go...
Is not an option. (a little more)

Aria: I... I feel so relieved that you've helped me realize that, before it was too late...
*tired swoon*...
Shadow: Don't mention it. You should get some rest now...
Aria: Yes... *woosy* I feel so sleepy... that I...- *she collapses, leaning on Shadow's shoulder, out cold*
-Shadow sighs, then he picks her up and carries her back to her room... laying her in her bed.
And she finally sleeps soundly...
for the first time in months...-

Yay!I Love this comic!For now on,I shall call you..............A Comic Artist!!!! :D