The Prophecy (Part One) (re-editing)

Chapter 12 - The Burning Castle

~Amy~

"Why am I stuck with you?" The black and red hedgehog growled as he walked ahead of me.

"I'm not so fond of you either," I mumbled, crossing my arms over my chest. I wasn't so sure why he had been so hostile towards me more so than usual, but it was starting to get on my nerves. 

Shadow stopped and turned to me. "I can probably recon better if you're not here slowing me down."

I felt my face grow hot as my fists clenched. "Why have you been suddenly hating on me and Sonic? I thought you were turning nice, but ever since yesterday you've been back to your rude self, times two. You shut the door in my face this morning, you made it all tense in the car, and you even talked about Sonic to Eggman behind his back last night. Saying how he's no hero, how he's gone soft and all..."

"My, what awful things I've done," He said in a flat, sarcastic tone.

I turned away, then glanced back to him when a thought hit me. "Are you.. Maybe jealous of me and him?"

He scoffed. "No thank you."

"Then what is it?"

"Fluff off." He said sharply, turning to walk away. He was being strangely irritable, and I didn't like it one bit.

"That's it," I growled, pulling out my hammer. Just then, a hand came over my mouth and I was pulled backwards. Not knowing what else to do, and with Shadow ignoring my muffled screams, I bit the hands.

There was a girlish squeal as I was let go and pushed forward. Reacting quickly, I caught myself on my hands and jumped up, spinning around with my hammer to knock whoever had grabbed me. There was another squeal as the head of the hammer collided with the figure, and as they toppled to the ground, I looked to see who it was. My eyes widened.

"Valentine?"

"Amy!" The cat sat up, rubbing the side of her head. "Ow, that really hurt.. Oh, Amy, what're you doin' here?"

"The question is what are you doing here?" I grabbed her hand and helped her to her feet. I couldn't think of a single reason, no matter how exotic, of why she could be here in such a place. She was the last person I had expected to see here.

"I'm..." She had started, but trailed off as she looked at me warily. "Wait, are you part of this, Amy?"

"Part of what?"

She stepped away from me, still eyeing me cautiously. "I'm against these people here. Are you part of them?"

I shook my head vigorously. "No! We're here because they have our friend! That, and Sonic has a thing to settle with them."

"Sonic? Is that him?" She pointed past me. I looked over my shoulder to see Shadow standing behind me with an annoyed look.

"No, that's Shadow."

"Why does nobody recognize me, but they recognize Sonic?" Shadow asked flatly. "We're two different colors, for God's sake."

"Ohh," she sighed in relief. "I heard y'all arguing and he looks all.. blehh.. so.."

"And just why do you mean by that?" He stepped forward.

"N-Nothin', really.. geeze you're scary." She backed away, obviously frightened.

"Ignore him, he's in a bad mood." I said, waving him away. "But.. I'm confused, why are you here?"

She gave me the most serious look and took my hands in hers. "We have a common enemy. Help me and I'll tell ya everything ya wanna know."