Sonic the Hedgehog

The Necklace

Somehow, to Tails's surprise, he managed to find a place to land. An empty parking lot belonging to a now-closed convenience store. The young genius doesn't have to worry about theft since no one but him can operate the controls, but since this is almost certainly illegal, he hopes that his plane doesn't get noticed and subsequently towed. But that's not where his main focus lies. Right now, he has Miles Electric in his gloved hands, steering his two allies in the direction of the third chaos emerald.

His two tails spin with the speed of a propeller, causing him to shoot through the crowded sidewalk of Grand Metropolis filled with confused and disgruntled pedestrians. Right behind Tails is Sonic who's running at a tenth of his full speed to stay behind his little buddy, and trailing a little behind is Knuckles whose running speed surprised the both of them. With his brawn and size, it may not look it, but the echidna can sprint incredibly fast for a Mobian.

Tails remembers when he learned this trick. Flying is something he was able to do since birth. Albeit, he wasn't good at it, but it came naturally to him as walking does an infant. However, it was that day in the Chemical Plant when Tails first saw him. Mobius's shining blue hope: Sonic the Hedgehog. The young fox couldn't believe his eyes when he saw just HOW fast the hedgehog was as he sped around the plant at lightning speed. He had heard rumors, but nothing compared to seeing it in person with his very own eyes. It was a sudden idea that clicked in his brain. Instead of using his tails' momentum to carry him upward, what if he steadied them in the opposite direction as he ran? That day, he knew what it was like to TRULY go fast and he never looked back.

It's funny, really. Tails has spent so long running after his idol, it's a strange sensation to have Sonic being the one running after HIM. As weird as it is, it makes Tails smile. His hero is relying on him to find this emerald. Sonic the Hedgehog needs Miles Prower. Such a thought makes Tails's heart weigh under pressure, but also lighten because of what a wonderful feeling it gives him. He hasn't felt this useful since he used his intellect to aid GUN during the war.

"Just to be clear, hedgehog," Knuckles begins as the three run. "Once I knock out Eggman and get my emerald- along with the others that have fallen into his filthy possession, they're coming back home with me. Don't expect any compensation for your aid."

Sonic laughs.

"Fine with me, Knuckle-head," he replies with a smirk. "But why do you think you'll be the one to K.O Robotnik? That honor goes to your friendly neighborhood War Hero: Sonic the Hedgehog."

Tails smiles, but his grin quickly fades once he notices something on Miles Electric that makes his heart stop.

"Guys, we have a problem!" Tails calls out. "The emerald is moving! Someone has it!!"

Nothing else needs to be said. Sonic grabs Knuckles's and Tails's arm, and he runs at an unseeable speed that just sends a chilly gust of wind through the crowds of people moving through the city. He weaves and jumps over the Mobians in his way as Tails and Knuckles hang on, having no clue what is happening yet. Sonic occasionally glances at Miles Electric and sees that the red dot is just over around the corner. He's ready for a fight.

Within two seconds, the hedgehog rounds the corner, which according to Miles Electric, is where their target awaits. But instead of finding badniks, SWATbots, mercenaries, or Robotnik himself, what Sonic sees is a teenage girl startled beyond belief. A pink hedgehog with short quills extending around her head, white gloves, a red headband, red blossom, red shoes, and a look of shock as she falls back, with her grocery bag flying into the air and spilling its contents.

Sonic catches the groceries and places them back in the bag before using his right arm to catch the girl before she hit the ground. Tails and Knuckles balance themselves, with both of them feeling disorientated and dazed.

"You need to give us a warning you fool!" Knuckles shouts as he holds his spinning head.

Sonic ignores Knuckles and hands the hedgehog her groceries.

"Sorry about that," he says. "Thought you were someone else."

The girl just stares at him, clearly baffled. She tries to regain her composure and gives Sonic a smile.

"No, you're fine," she says, a little embarrassed. "You kind of came out of nowhere and it freaked me..."

She trails off.

"Wait... are you... Sonic the Hedgehog?"

"Last time I checked," Sonic says with a cocky grin. "Though, some know me by my other alias: Sonic the conqueror."

Knuckles doesn't respond. Instead, he crosses his arms, agitated.

"You're really THE Sonic!" she says in disbelief. "I knew you looked familiar, but... oh my goodness... sorry, I'm a huge fan! You saved the world from Eggman! I never thought you'd be here in Metropolis- and the fact that you are and you're talking to me-!"

The girl sounds as if she's hyperventilating. Sonic at first just stands awkwardly before he notices something weird. A red light that at first, blended with the girl's clothes, before Sonic really noticed it. Could it be?

"Hey, miss...?"

"Rose!" She says excitedly before calming herself down. "Amy Rose. It's a pleasure to meet you, Sonic!"

"Same here, but if you don't mind me asking, what's that red light coming off your torso?"

"Oh, you mean my necklace?" Amy says as she pulls her white necklace outward.

The three boys have the same reaction. They each jump back in shock actually seeing it with their own eyes- its endless beauty dazzling in front of them. The chaos emerald they came in search of.

"It's a family heirloom," Amy says nonchalantly. "Do you think it looks pretty?"

"Oh, do I!" Sonic says, not noticing Amy blushing in front of him. "Do you know a safe place where we can talk?"

...