Sonic the Hedgehog

Sky Chase

When they first arrived, the streets of Grand Metropolis were pact full of citizens and ongoing traffic. Now, to Tails's observation, the city looks like a ghost town, with mostly everyone having found some sort of shelter to take from the random explosions. He and Amy currently stand outside of her apartment building, and they're not the only ones. They can both hear the smoke alarm to Amy's apartment from here along with the other residents who await in the parking lot for the fire department to arrive.

If there's a place to meet up, this has to be it! Tails hopes. I don't know where Sonic is but I hope he's alright! It shouldn't take him this long to bust up one of Eggman's robots. And where is Knuckles? What happened to that black hedgehog?

Underneath all of the kid's burning questions lies a sinking feeling of dread for when they get answered. Once Sonic comes back, he'll have to explain to him how he froze and cowered in front of Eggman's mercenaries. How they took the emerald off him- the person Sonic trusted to protect them- without any resistance. How he let his hero down.

Tails blinks and when he opens his eyes, he jumps back at seeing Sonic standing in front of him with a unconscious Knuckles over his shoulder. What startled the fox the most was the state of the two. Knuckles looks exhausted, with parts of his fur being black with burn marks. And Sonic- he looked just as bad. There are bruises and skid marks all over his body, with the biggest injury being his black left eye.

"I'm glad you're okay, Tails," Sonic says. "You too, Amy."

The pink hedgehog clasps her hands over her mouth in horror at the sight of Sonic's injuries.

"What ha-?" Is all Amy says before Tails cuts her off.

"They have the emerald," he gets out, keeping his eyes welded shut to prevent any tears from coming out. "They took it, I-"

"None of that matters!" Sonic says, catching Tails by surprise. "Because we can get it back if we hurry!"

"I'm coming!" Amy declares.

"No, Amy, you stay here," Sonic says. "It's too dangero-"

"It's my home they destroyed!" Amy says, stomping her foot. "Nothing is going to stop me from getting some payback... if that's okay with you, Sonic."

Sonic rolls his eyes. Realizing there's no time to argue, Sonic reluctantly says:

"Fine."

He grabs Amy's hand with his free arm, and with a quick nod to Tails, the two dash off in the direction of the Tornado.

All around, the group can hear sirens that wail throughout multiple parts of the city. It seems the police have finally reacted to the flying robots, multiple explosions, and destruction that have been caused by Eggman's forces. Knuckles stirs around while on Sonic's shoulder- a sign he seems to be coming out of his half-conscious state.

"What happened to him?" Tails asks.

"I have no idea," Sonic admits. "I found him behind that apartment building completely knocked out. I bet it was that look-a-like... well, the other one."

"Speaking of which, what happened to that metal version of you?"

"It got blown away," Sonic answers. "I don't know by who or what, but it's the only reason I managed to escape. I don't think it was enough to stop that hideous creation though so don't let your guard down."

I've never seen Sonic act this way before. Tails notices. He seems... scared.

As the two talk, their words don't make it to Amy's ears. Nothing does or can. In her world, what can only be described as the perfect dream is unfolding before her unworthy eyes. Sonic the Hedgehog has her in his grasp and she is going at his level of speed. Sure it's in the air and not on her legs, but that somehow makes this moment even more special. All she can see are the night lights of the city she's so used to speeding by in a blur as the only thing that's in focus is the back of her hero.