As Val slept she dreamed she was with her parents, "Mom?" Val called into the mist, "Valery?" a faint voice called, "Honey where are you?" a deeper voice said, "Mom? Dad?" the fox called desperately, then out of the mist came her parents, Val ran over to her parents and hugged them, they hugged her back.

"...Well, It worked, didn't it?" Shadow replied sharply.
But you couldn't have told me that you were just gonna ditch me like that?! Ghost snapped.
"I thought you liked working alone,"
That was before I 'died'!
"Why didn't you come after me then?"
You know I can't be far from a source of Chaos for long unless I'm tangible.
"Right. You're still bonded," Shadow remarked with a nod. "They're asleep; You could become tangible now if you wanted,"
No, Ghost shook his head. I don't wanna risk them waking up and seeing me. I'll stay like this for now. Maybe when we get to Angel Island... Maybe.
"You say 'maybe', but mean 'no'?" Shadow inquired.
You know me so well.



Holt mummbled something in his sleep, which caused the two to look at him. Ghost smirked. Well, G'night, He said before returning to the Emerald.

Suddenly her dream changed to a nightmare, Val's parents seemed to fade away, "Mom? Dad? What's going on?" she asked nervously, "I don't know." her mother said, then her face twisted in agony, she seemed to burst into flames, Val's father ran over to help but the fire spread to him, "NO!" Val howled, she woke up gasping for air, she was covered in sweat, her claws her out and dug into the ground, Val's eyes were wide with fright.

Ghost flashed in surprise, though Shadow and Holt slept through the yelp. Hey? You alright there? He asked, sounding concerned. You don't scream in your sleep suddenly for nothing...

Val's fur was standing on end, she didn't hear Ghost, she was blind and deaf in fear, "Mom, Dad." she said, her voice quivered in fear and sadness, tears welled up in her eyes, "They're gone." she whispered in a haunted voice.

Ghost remained silent for a moment. Kid... He started after a long pause. I'm sorry... He took up a visible form, a rusty-colored wolf pup, and curled up beside her. I'm not good at dealing with people, but I know what it's like to feel like you've lost your pack. In short, it stings. But... Ghost paused, not knowing what to say next. But I'm here. Me and Shadow know that pain. You can talk to us, okay?

Val looked at Ghost, "I lost them a long time ago, I barely remember their faces." she said softly hoping her voice didn't break, she sniffed and wiped her eyes.

(If you start putting the pieces together, you might be able to find out who Ghost is...)

Ghost twitched slightly, but otherwise didn't respond for a long time. I'm sorry... He repeated. I wish there was something I could do to put your mind at ease...

(Well he keeps turning into a red animal, so maybe Rookie or Knuckles)

Val looked down as her claws slid back in, "I hate it when people think that since I'm a girl I'm weak, but since I've lived on the streets for so long I can beat some sense into certain mobians." she said with a soft growl.

(Ghost can make his visible form whatever color he wants. He could be hot pink or neon purple if he wanted.)

Who said they thought you were weak because you were a girl? Ghost inquired, sitting up and tilting his head slightly. I've had a couple girls knock the living daylight outta me!