Beauty and the .EXE

Chapter Thirteen: Evermore

Maddie got downstairs where she was greeted by the coathanger. It bowed to her before lowering slightly, showing that it was sad that she was leaving. But soon the doors opened and Maddie made her way out, Cream watching from the stairs. Back in the West Wing, Sonic had put on a cloak and walked over to the rose. There was so little time left now. Unaware of what had happened, Shadow, Tails, and Rouge came to visit him. Cream had joined then but hadn't yet said what she saw.

"Well, Master, I have had my doubts, but everything is moving like clockwork. True love really does win the day!" Shadow said, actually happy about this progress

"I let her go," Sonic finally revealed

"You what?"

"Master, how could you do that?" Tails asked him

"I had to," Sonic explained simply.

"But why?" Shadow asked

"Because he loves her," Cream explained

"Then why are we not human?" Tails asked

"Because she doesn't love him," Shadow said, "And now, it's too late."

"But she might still come back," Rouge said, having hope that she would

"No," Sonic shook his head, "I set her free. I'm sorry I couldn't do the same for all of you. Now, go. Our time is almost past."

Saddened by this news, everyone left the East Wing. Sonic meant what he said. He wanted to free his staff from the curse he placed upon them due to his own arrogance. But, if Maddie didn't return the feelings, there was no way to break the curse. The rose was on its last petal. There was no trying again. Sonic would have to live like this all alone for the rest of his life. But at least he was able to learn something from all this

'I was the one who had it all. I was the master of my fate. I never needed anybody in my life. I learned the truth too late. I'll never shake away the pain. I close my eyes but she's still there. I let her steal into my melancholy heart. It's more than I can bear,' Sonic walked out to his balcony to watch Maddie leave with Philippe.

'Now I know she'll never leave me even as she runs away,' Sonic made his way up the tower, 'She will still torment me, calm me, hurt me, move me, come what may. Wasting in my lonely tower. Waiting by an open door. I'll fool myself she'll walk right in and be with me for evermore.'

Sonic continued making his way up the tower, 'I rage against the trials of love. I curse the fading of the light. Though she's already flown so far beyond my reach, she's never out of sight! Now I know she'll never leave me, even as she fades from view. She will still inspire me, be a part of everything I do. Wasting in my lonely tower. Waiting by an open door.'

Sonic finally made it to the highest tower to watch Maddie leave.

'I'll fool myself she'll walk right in and as the long, long nights begin I'll think of all that might have been waiting here for evermore!'

Maddie raced out of the castle ground on Philippe's back. Meanwhile, back in the village, a horse and carriage arrived to pick up Jet. Eggman was going to send him to a mental asylum. While his ravings of a .EXE was one thing, Eggman had convinced the villagers that it was beyond that to accuse him of murder. And the villagers believed him because he was famous in the town next to Maddie. Pere argued that Jet needed to go to a hospital for the injuries the three men had done to him, not to an asylum. Jet was not mad, yet Eggman had convinced someone that he was.

Jet was shoved into the back of the carriage, ready to be sent off. But Eggman had one last thing to say. Eggman informed him that he wouldn't last a week in a madhouse. But all this could be avoided if Jet gave Eggman his blessing to marry Maddie. Jet gave no plans to do that. So, Eggman closed the doors, ordering the coachman to take Jet away. But they didn't go far. Maddie had made it back to the village in time to stop the carriage from leaving. Maddie rode in front of the carriage, making the horses stop before they could hit her. Dismounting Philippe, Maddie went to the back of the carriage to see her father. Jet was so relieved to see that his daughter was alright.

"Let him out!" Maddie demanded the coachman, "He's hurt."

"We can't do that, miss," the coachman informed her, "But we'll take very good care of him."

"My father's not crazy," Maddie turned to Eggman, "Eggman, tell him!"

"You know how loyal I am to your family but your father's been making some unbelievable claims," Eggman told her

"It's true, Maddie," Jean spoke up, "He's been raving about a .EXE in a castle!

"I've just come from the castle and there is a .EXE!" Maddie told him

"You'd say anything to set him free," Eggman said, "Your word is hardly proof."

"You want proof?" Maddie turned to the mirror she had taken with her, "Show me the .EXE!"

Once Sonic was visible on the glass, Maddie showed the villagers the .EXE, Jet had been telling them about. Everyone gasped at the sight of him. Yet the only ones who didn't flinch were Pere and Knuckles. But everyone else thought the .EXE was hideous! But now they knew the .EXE was indeed real.

"There's your proof," Maddie declared.

"This is sorcery!" Eggman took the mirror from her, "Look at this .EXE! Look at his fangs! His eyes!"

"No. Don't be afraid! He's gentle and kind."

The villagers mumbled among themselves at this unbelievable claim.

"The monster has her under his spell," Eggman declared, "If I didn't know better, I'd say she even cared for him!"

"He's not a monster, Eggman. You are!" Maddie sneered, "The .EXE wouldn't hurt anyone."

"I've heard of the effects of dark magic but I've never before seen it with my own eyes! This is a threat to our very existence!"

Everyone but Pere, Knuckles, and Honey cheered in agreement.

"We can't have her running off to warn the .EXE. Lock her up too," Eggman told his goons

Maddie protested but she was dragged into the back of the carriage with Jet.