Infinite Sadness

Tea with Amy Rose

In the darkness, a little light floats near a lifeless, jackal pup. It speaks in Tikal's voice.

"Hi little one, you may not ever remember me but I'm here to save you! Don't worry, you'll be okay."

The light touches the baby, causing Zero to hear a joyous, paternal voice.

"He's alive! The first born came back to life!"

"Oh look at you!" a motherly voice gasps. "Born in the darkness and risen all in one day! You'll be the leader of your pack, I'm sure of it!"

The fatherly voice concurs.

"What a scare, we thought you were a still born, little friend of ghosts."

The mother laughs with relief.

"Look at the stripe on his left eye lid. That little star gave him the cutest marking! Awe, he's a special one indeed! What should we name this precious, alpha boy?"

"Something untouchable and fearless!" the father shouts happily.

These proud parents can't be seen, but what love they exude into the atmosphere!

"You left your body, little one. Let us call you Zero," proclaims the mother.

"Zero? But that means nothing," the father points out.

"No it doesn't. It means he's blameless. Zero debt, zero blame."

Zero feels the soft nuzzle of his mother's face against his whole body. It's so comforting even though he can't see anything.

"He'll be the most resilient of our pups," she adds. "His four siblings will look up to him all their lives."

The father chuckles with delight.

"The last one that's standing, don't try to stand in his way! He'll outlive us all, I can feel it. Won't you, Zero? I couldn't be more pleased with you!"

Zero comes to, on a cot, in a corner, in Amy Rose's house. He laggardly sits up, incredibly confused. Amy tends to him with a bubbly smile.

"Oh wow, you have one cobalt iris and one yellow iris! Gee, how pretty! Haha, so hi there! Those were some big-time puppy dog sounds you were making, trying to wake up for the last hour. You okay?"

"How did I get here?" he asks.

"Shadow saved you," Amy replies with a sweet smile. "You guys friends?"

"Infinite... friends... with Shadow? Never."

"No?" Amy responds, surprised. "I find that hard to believe considering how concerned he..."

"I can't comprehend why he cares," Zero interrupts. "He should have let me die. And where's Tikal, huh?"

Amy bats her lashes with a giggle.

"You're pretty dark for someone so soft and snuggly."

"Excuse me?" Zero grunts.

"Speaking of Tikal, she's the one who told Shadow where to find ya. I happened to be near the doctor's office when Shadow zoomed by, carrying you. So, ya like tea? Everybody does!"

Zero slowly climbs out of bed as she fetches a pot of freshly steeped tea.

"Do you have any idea who I am?" he asks her.

"Tikal told me the whole story. You're Infinite the Jackal."

Puzzled, he joins her on the couch as she presents him with a dainty cup of tea. Chipper, she sips her tea then suddenly gasps dramatically.

"Holy cow!"

"Exactly! You should cower in terror before..."

"This tea is delicious! Wow, kudos to you, farmer's market on Main Street."

He face palms.

"Really though, try it," she insists.

He tries her fancy tea. Then he makes every effort to maintain an uninterested facial expression even though it's literally the best tea he's ever tasted.

"It's acceptable," he downplays, yet continues to sip as though he can't get enough.

"I'm glad you're alright," she tells him. "I'm Amy Rose by the way. Tikal said there's another Amy in your dimension. I can't speak for her but I promise you were in good hands these last few days. I take good care of my house guests."

"Um... thanks. This is my home dimension, by the way," he informs her.

"Ah! Well, there ya go. You should go outside. It's a perfect day. Who knows, maybe you can handle solids later. Feeding tubes are no fun."

"Feeding tubes?"

"We had you hooked up to all sorts of stuff, tough guy. You may have that emerald inside of you but ya still need to eat, drink, and sleep like the rest of us."

"Oh," he replies, embarrassed. "My powers truly are no more. I should throw in the villainous towel."

"Agreed. No offense but you don't strike me as the bad-guy type."

He chuckles.

"Oh what little you know, Amy Rose."

She rolls her eyes and sips more tea.

"Probably more than you do," she sasses. "Chaos Emeralds don't just embed themselves inside the chests of people the way that one did to you. They're only legends in our world. Someone's clearly chosen you for an important task."

"Is that so, Ms. Rose? And just what makes you so confident, hmm?"

"There was an old book in the public library about Chaos Emeralds. I checked it out if you wanna read it," she replies.

"Maybe," he tells her, seriously considering it might be helpful.

"It's on the table over there. Be sure to turn it in on time. Sonic's real bad about that."

He spots the book on the table, then turns his gaze out the window.

"It's too beautiful, this world."

"Awe!" Amy coos. "Go sniff the tulips then!"

"First a shower and something to make my teeth shine. My siblings would have told you I'm quite the bathroom hog."

"Vanity's in the corner. Shower's outside by the bird bath. Have a ball!"

"Hmm, your hospitality is indeed classy, Ms. Rose. You certainly are the gracious host."

Amy beams.

"Gosh, you're so polite! It's my pleasure."