A Black and Red Rose (Revision) [Shadamy]

28

"Believe me, I don't want to be here. I was going to enjoy my time at the café. But the urgency you left in had me curious."

"Somehow I don't believe you," Amy replied, rolling her eyes.

"Believe me or not—"

"Do whatever you want," Amy continued, summoning her axe. "Just don't get in the way or end up as a C.I.D."

Heechul opened his mouth to ask what it meant when the bat swooped in front of him. "Civilian in danger. Now, can we get back to it? I think another wave is coming. Most have been cleared, others are hiding in the splash zone."

"Princess, did the boys send their location?"

Sally looked down at her communicator. "They're closer. About ten minutes off."

Amy ran into the fray, looking back at her friends. "We're just as capable of beating robot ass as they are!"

She jumped onto one, distracting it from attacking another person.

Sally looked at Amy in awe. She'd always looked up to her for her unwavering strength, but there were times when even Amy herself doubted her inmobian strength. In the time she had been away from the team she grew a lot.

Meanwhile she had been doing what? Doting on Sonic all this time, getting heartbroken the way Amy had. She closed her eyes. I deserve this pain I'm feeling! I...

"...ly!"

The chipmunk slightly opened her eyes. "Hm?" Her eyes widened as she realized a bot was coming for her. "Ah!" Her arms came up slightly as she took a step back.

"Sally!" Amy's voice seemed far off. Rouge was destroying other bots. The human also seemed busy. Was this the end?

Time seemingly passed slow as the robot inched closer. Something tapped her wrist. Her blue eyes traveled down, eyes widening in realization she did had a means to protect herself.

"Princess!" This time it was Rouge.

She bit her lip and flicked her wrist, activating her ring blade. "Ugh!" She grunted as they made contact. Red beady eyes whirred as they focused on her.

I'm not weak. I have been part of the freedom fighters and of the team for a long time. I've proven myself a worthy fighter. "You may think you've beat me, but a princess never loses a battle!" She pushed against the robot, cutting into the metal. Sally activated her left ring blade and jammed it into the robots side. "I refuse to lose!"

Then the chipmunk proceeded to slice off the robots head, jumping back as it exploded.

Amy and Rouge smiled a bit. Sally the freedom fighter was finally back.

-cCc-

"You know, Sonic. For being the fastest being alive you are slow getting to mission spots!" Knuckles ground out. "The girls need our help!"

At one point Knuckles lifted Sonic, and ran with him complaining.

"Let me down Knuckle-head! I have two feet!"

"Those feet seem to be incapable of taking you fast enough to the girls though," Knuckles grunted. The squirming stopped, as well his pleading to be let down. "If I didn't know you any better, I'd say you're avoiding the princess and Amy."

Sonic stiffened at that. Green eyes peered at the back of the echidna's head.

"But I do, so I know you are."

"You don't know how they both looked at me. I felt... horrible. I don't deserve to be around them." Sonic clenched his fists. He still felt horrible. It had been two weeks.

Two weeks of avoiding them.

"Where are you guys?" Tails piped up through the communicators.

"Getting closer to you guys now that I have Speedy here. Don't wait up."

"Roger!"

"You're right," Knuckles said after a small pause. "I don't know how they both looked at you. That's something you'll only ever know. But I know both of them and I know you. Things will only remain as they are or get worse if you don't talk to them and come to a resolve."

"But—"

Knuckles growled, stopping and throwing Sonic to the ground. "Ow— What the hell, Knuckles?!" He rubbed his sore behind, eyes scrunched up as he let out a groan.

"Will you listen to yourself?" Sonic paused, looking up at the echidna. He froze, seeing his purple eyes ablaze. "You sound pathetic. The Sonic I know wouldn't sit there and do nothing. He wouldn't let a friendship go to waste. Are you a hero? Or a coward?"

"I—"

Knuckles continued, ignoring the fearful look in his friend's eyes. "I don't care what the hell went on between all three of you. But you cannot let that come between your duty as a hero! Snap out of it! Did water stop you from rescuing Amy all those years ago? Did you let your love for Sally stop her from fighting? Do you really want the relationship between all three of you to be ruined for ever?!" Knuckles grabbed Sonic by his shoulders, giving him a hard squeeze.

Sonic felt ashamed. Could he really face both of them? Rescue them again? Give them the aid they need?

"Do you think that they want to see you right now? Even with everything unresolved? A bastard like you?"

Sonic's eyes widened, remembering words both girls said to him.

"That was revolting and disgusting. I never knew you were like this."

"How could you? How could you?! That's low, even for you Sonic!"

Sonic in turn growled, baring his teeth. "No. Shut up if you know what's good for you."

Knuckles felt Sonic's quills prick him through his gloves. Feeling he finally got through his thick skull, he let go and straightened out. "No. You'd better speak up if you know what's good for you."

The echidna began to runaway, Sonic turning around fast. "Where are you going? Who's running away now, coward?!"

Knuckles looked back at him. "I'm no coward, I could easily beat you up. However, I want to help my friends. What will you do about that?" And soon, the echidna let the blue hero to himself.

Sonic breathed slowly, trying to calm down. He hated to admit it but Knuckles was right. He had to get his act together and apologize to both of them.

He felt the ground shake and saw people running to him from Twinkle Park.

"Dammit."