Memorial Park at midnight. The moon is full, casting pale shafts of light through the trees. The white granite monument, that pitiful rememberance of people long dead, glows slightly in the low light.

He ground his heel into the stone and spat upon it. To cling so tightly to the past, that was these beings' weakness. Looking back would show you nothing but failure and supposition. It also keeps you oblivious to the annihilation yet to come.

The hedgehog was confidant the boy would show up. It had taken surprisingly little effort, merely a message stating simply, "I have her." Three simple words was all it took to pull at those pathetic heartstrings. The boy would know what he was referring to. He couldn't afford not to come.

Wind strode through the park entrance at an even pace, trying his best not to appear in a rush.

'No sleep for the wicked I guess.'

His steps betrayed him. It didn't take him a full minute to go from the gate to the memorial tucked away in the lush park. He stopped just a few yards from the memorial, facing the hedgehog's back. Wind dug his fistss a bit deeper into the pockets of his long coat as a twinge of anger shown across his mug.

"Oye, I got your message. Dick Dastardly I presume?"

"You'll forgive me for not engaging in your attempts at wit. I'm on a rather strict itinerary."

He falls to the ground weightlessly, making nothing but a scrape against the concrete.

"You know why you're here. You obviously believe what I said, or you wouldn't have bothered. I also know you want your woman back, that you would do anything to get her back. I am prepared to offer you a chance for that. Of course, if you are not interested, I will be on my way. But you must answer now."

Wind ran a hand through his mop of black and white hair. The night air chilled his body as he drew in a breath and sighed. This was going to be one of those kidnappings. He pulled his hands from his pockets and began to crack each knuckle individually.

"What's worse is you act like I actually have a choice here."

Crack!

"Sure, I could just leave her and be on my way..."

Crack snap!

"But I can't do that. I love her and there's no way I'm turning back now."

Snap, crackle, pop!

"Plus I'd hate myself in the morning if I just left."

Crick, snap, pop, crackle!

"So what do I have to do, Dastardly?"

He steps closer to Wind, but shadows still cover most of his features.

"There is a family you know well, the Evangels. They are in possession of many artifacts, enough that any treasure hunter or archaelogist would become rich from acquiring them. One of these is a device from the ancient period, used by the medeival Echidna race, that will detect Chaos energy. You will enter their house and steal it."

"Are you crazy?" Wind shot back. "Antipode is my friend, I'd never just rip him off!"

"Need I remind you about the stakes here," Dredge replies coldly. "They will never miss it; as I said, they have so many relics they cannot keep track of them all. He is planning a gathering at his home to take place in two weeks' time. Entering the basement reliquary during this event will be simple, even for you.

"Using this device, you can then locate the Emeralds of Chaos that have been scattered throughout the city. A search is being planned for them, so that too will not seem out of place. After you collect the Emeralds, return them to me, in exchange for your woman."

"Fine, I'll do your dirty work. Just keep waiting, Dastardly, I'll bring you your emeralds."

The elf spun on his heel, hurrying out of the park as fast as he could. The whole thing disgusted him to no end, but like he said before he didn't have a choice. He just hoped 'Pode and Nyte would forgive him someday. Something told him a fruit basket just wouldn't do it.

"This will enable you to pass through whatever defenses they have around their precious artifacts. There is no way you could approach them otherwise."

He leans in close, his blue eyes gleaming malevolantly at him in the moonlight.

"I don't think I have to warn you about what happens if you tell anyone of your errand. You will only see her again, if you do everything as I say."

"Oye, you should look into being a tatoo artist instead of a psychotic bastard."

Wind pulled his sleeve down to the wrist and smirked. It felt like the only defense he had left was his jokes.

"Fine, I won't talk to anyone about it. Anything else I need to know before going in? Or can I be on my merry way?"

He steps back.

"The rest is up to you."