Not Yourself...?

Betrayal (17)

3rd POV

A potion? Tails thought to himself. Eggman injected a...custom...potion?
...
Amy...she...
"GUYS! We have to go find Amy! NOW!" Tails shouted as the two hedgehogs who sat on the sofa flinched and shared glances. They all ran to the door, running down the side walk and running out of breath. "Before all of this happened, a day before," Tails and the hedgehogs stopped their tracks and looked at Tails. "I remember Amy asking me what kind of things I make, if I make potions or spells." Tails began to state. "She told me how it would be "really cool" if I could make a love potion." Sonic eyes widened with anger as he stumbled back from the immense feeling of betrayal hanging over his chest.

Shadow teleported the brothers and him to Amy's cottage, they all searched the house and Amy was nowhere to be found. Sonic ran everywhere, desperately trying to find something that could serve him comfort. Shadow grabbed Sonic, causing him to stop running. Sonic's breath fastened and slight hiccups were heard from him, signaling he was crying.

Shadow pulled him close and held him as he looked at Tails with the same glare. "Give him some time. It's obvious he's been bottling up his emotions." Tails nodded as Shadow caressed his head and shushed him like a baby, still remaining a stoic look.

"I—I don't understand. Why...? Why would she...?" Sonic spoke with strained sobs, Sonic fell down to his knees as Shadow followed him down, still holding him, sharing his warmth with the blue one. Sonic's hands shook as he laid them in front of his eyes, trying to wipe the tears away, but his eyes couldn't help but feel like broken faucets since everything leaked and caused a mess.

"She would never...she- she wouldn't. She's not bad-" Sonic looked at Shadow, his eyes pleading for reassurance, but Shadow only stared at those sparkling eyes overflowing with tears in their rear ends. Shadow sighed as his lips trembled slightly, trying to find words only to find how lost they are in the back of his mind.

"I'll figure this out for you." Shadow whispered into Sonic's ears observing the cottage as he held Sonic closer. "Her purse is here, she didn't need it. Her keys are here too, she went by foot. And the living room is mess instead of tidy, how she normally keeps it, which proves she was in a rush. My question is, where could she have gone?" Shadow stated and asked.

Tails had gotten another call from the police.
"Eggman escaped!?"
Shadow and Sonic shot their eyes open, if not, wider. Their heads rose and Sonic let his last tears flow down as they ran dry.

"This can't be a coincidence right? Maybe Amy is at Eggman's lair." Tails suggested. "The police would've found him by then. Everyone one knows where his lair is, he just his way of bribing them. But what he- they did...was bad, that's why there's no exceptions this time." Sonic spoke as he sniffled after.

"Where could they be then?" Shadow muttered slowly as he cupped Sonic's face, very clearly indicating that he cares about Sonic, quite more than in a respectful manner. "I think I know where..." Tails said ominously as he picked up a poorly hidden wrinkled paper under a rug with an address.
——————
Date: 1/20
To: Eggman
From: Amy

We need to talk, meet me at this location.
**** *** ***** **
——————
The paper seemed crumpled up and torn. "Take a look." Tails said as he passed the paper to Sonic, Shadow peered over his shoulder to read what was said. "I think this was the day I was injected." Sonic said as he ran his fingers on the paper where the date was written. "I remember when I came here to help plan for Knuckles's party she was standing over the rug, that exact spot actually." Sonic continued, his tone dull but hurt. "I didn't think any of it until she asked me to get her some water. When I did and then came back she was walking to the couch." He eyed the couch behind Shadow as if he was reminiscing on and about when everything was okay, then he looked at Shadow.

"Let's go." Shadow helped Sonic stand as he did too and slid the piece of paper under his glove. He turned Sonic's face by grabbing his chin and then crossed his arms. "If we have to fight somehow, are you prepared for it?" Shadow asked the blue one as he did his casual stretch. "I have to be."

——————

When they arrived at the location, they came across an abandoned warehouse surrounded with vines and overgrown plants hovering over the entrance; the placed looked like it was about to break apart. "I'm going to scope the area, fox, do you still have that X-ray device?" Tails smiled as he pulled out the X-ray from out of his bag.

Shadow held the device carefully as familiar apparitions were shown on the screen. "There they are." Shadow pointed as he gave the device back to Tails. "I'll get us there close enough to see and listen." Shadow turned back to the two as they both nodded.

——————

After they were all inside, they crouched behind shelfs and desks stacked and trampled over each other, having a clear view of the two backstabbers sitting in front of a table in the center of the empty but wrecked warehouse. Amy sighed from afar, her sigh echoing slightly as she twiddled her thumb.

——————

"An escape so dramatic I thought you would get caught." Amy said quietly, the tone of nervousness clearly being displayed out loud. "I'm surprised you haven't. You know, with all you did to that rodent." Eggman snickered as he leaned back on a chair creaking and pleading to be put down. "I-I didn't do anything! You said it wouldn't hurt him!" The pink hedgehog stood up her seat and slammed her fists on the table in anger. "Oh? Did I? I just can't recall." Eggman opened his mouth in surprise to sarcastically mock Amy. "You did far worse than hurt him...you...you monster...!" Eggman wore a mischievous grin on his face as he sighed dramatically.

"The only monster in here is you, for suggesting such a selfish idea. Tell me, Rose, who exactly is more monstrous in this situation? Someone whose cruelty is expected, or someone who is cruel to gain benefit for themselves? Ooo! I'll give you some time to think about that!" Eggman cackled as he ran a finger through his luxurious mustache. "You know it only benefited me Amy Rose, he is finally on my side, and he is...no longer yours." Amy looked at him with hatred as he spat out the truth, the truth now ringing in Amy's ears as a form to block it.

"You wanted him to be all sappy for you, to brainwash him so you can hold on to the idea of him loving you. What an evil way of manipulation, it's genius! I wish I thought of it!You don't mind if I steal the idea don't you? After all, you did brainwash him without his consent." Amy's eyes furrowed but trembled as they saddened in guilt. "Maybe it is just now coming into realization to you, I'm a villain. I don't do favors without a catch. I want to be the most powerful in this place, and I'm doing whatever it takes." Eggman's grin formed to a serious scowl as his eyebrows furrowed.

"I...I-I didn't do anything. You were the one to actually hurt him." Amy raised her voice but still spoke quietly. "And you were the one to suggest it, I would've casually send my robots to attack, like I usually do if it weren't for you. It's all your fault." Eggman leaned in closer to Amy to intimidate her as a scare tactic. "No...no it's...not." Amy whispered as she looked down at the table, completely ashamed and filled with guilt. "The hesitation in your voice says otherwise...Anywho Amy Rose, I'll get going now, I have to purchase a disguise! And by "I" I mean my robots. Good luck on getting caught." Eggman took his leave throughout a hole in the wall, leaving Amy helpless and sunk in remorse of her own faults.