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Surge was pretty sure that rent existed only to torment her and no one else. Think about it; does Amy Rose pay rent? Whisper? Rouge? She was pretty sure the answer was no. Heroes don’t pay bills or do taxes or complain to their landlords about the water pressure. They kick butt! The other stuff just works itself out or something.
Of course, it wasn’t working itself out here. From atop Surge’s top bunk, she could see all the little issues that she and Kit were dealing with. The frail purple walls that learned quickly just how hard Surge can punch things. The internet modem who treated their apartment like it was a few miles under the sea rather than in the middle of the city. The fridge who knew what it was like to be full about as well as Surge knew restraint. (For more on that, see: the wall.)
You signed up for this, a voice in her mind told her. It sounded haughty and annoying and prideful; not in the way that she was, but in a distinctly ‘mad scientist that plays with genetics like a kid with building blocks’ kind of way. You turned against me. I kept you fed, I kept you housed, I kept you--
“--Controlled.” The word escaped Surge's mouth in a growl. She shook her head, pressing a hand to her temple. Sparks lashed out from her fingers; to anyone else, it would've at the very least made their fur stand on end. Not her. Her body didn't react in the slightest to that kind of shock.
She fell flat onto her bed. Knock it off, she told herself. He's not here. He's gone. You're in charge now. Nobody gets to tell you what to do anymore…
Her thoughts were cut off by a beeping in her pocket. She fished a phone out of it. Nothing special--just a black touchscreen without any unique characteristics. Not even a case. Her time in the Restoration meant she needed a way to call people, so she and Kit were given these for free. She would've replaced it with something a little cooler by now, but it turns out phones are expensive. Who knew?
Speaking of expensive… The first thing that popped up when Surge swiped her thumb across the screen was an old message from her landlord. She didn’t fixate on it--she already read it a few times and decided it wasn’t worth the headache just yet. Maybe when it gets closer to the end of the month. Until then, she moved to her other messages and opened the latest one.
Hey! I’m at your place. Your apartment is the third one on the second floor, right?
Surge grimaced. Even her texts were bright and cheerful. Didn’t this girl have an off button? She typed back a reply of, yea. doors unlocked. dont break anything
The response she got back was a heart emoji, which only served to convince Surge that her soon-to-be house guest needed to dial it back about four notches. Not long later, she heard a knock at the door. “Don’t need to knock, Pinky. You already told me you were here.”
The door opened to reveal a rather annoyed Amy Rose, carrying a cardboard box in her hands. The box itself was sizable enough that it could’ve been used to send her to Soleanna for a few stamps’ postage.
Amy scowled, then roughly set down the box in the center of the room. “Call me that again and you’ll get a taste of my hammer.”
Surge hopped off the bed so she was on the same level as Amy. She had a cocky smirk as she said, “You think I’m scared of that hammer? You won’t be able to catch me if you tried.”
Amy narrowed her eyes. She was about to make a retort, but then her gaze moved aside, drawn to a hole next to the top bunk. Her lip curled into a wry smile. “Sure…But I can catch your walls. Think your landlord will be fine with a hole about three times the size of that one?”
It was Surge’s turn to scowl now. “Whatever. Let’s just get this thing over with.” She pried open the top of the box, revealing a number of things inside; a few simple household appliances, some canned food, and other assorted things that could stave off a bank account from its impending execution.
Using only one hand, Amy pulled out the microwave and held it up, using the other hand to grab a blender. She didn’t show the slightest amount of strain in doing so. “I got some kitchen stuff to help you two with food, and some non-perishables. I also packed a nice cookbook I put together on cheap, simple recipes that go well with a tight budget.”
Surge’s eyes scanned the box, looking for anything…Well, interesting. Practical stuff was alright, but it did bore her that it was just that. Mundane, useful things. What hero has to do kitchen prep? “Uh-huh,” she said with a bored intonation. “I’ll ask Kit to put this stuff together later. He should get how it works.”
Amy frowned and glanced about the room. “Where is he, anyway? Usually he’s right next to you.”
Surge gestured at the floor. “Talking to the lady who runs this place. He thinks he can get the water pressure to suck less. If that doesn’t work, then I might have to convince her myself.”
Amy shot Surge a half-lidded glare. “And how do you plan to do that?” Her tone made it clear that she expected a certain kind of answer.
Surge chuckled. “Not gonna beat her up if that’s what you think. I’m a hero now, remember? I was just gonna tell her she won’t get any rent out of me until she fixes it.”
Amy’s glare gave way to a small, relieved smile. “Well, if she doesn’t get around to it, let me know. I’ve learned a thing or two about dealing with annoying landlords.”
“Oh yeah? I thought you lived with your pals in the Restoration?”
She shook her head. “Nope! I live in Central City. Before that, I had an apartment in Station Square. That’s why I figured I’d bring all this over; I know how tough it can be to live in your own place for the first time. I wanted to make it as easy as possible for you two.” Okay, fine, maybe she did pay rent. But that’s besides the point.
Something about Amy’s upbeat and kind words felt like a dagger plunged straight into Surge’s chest. She couldn’t tell which she hated more, the idea that Amy was trying to butter her up so she could use her like everyone else, or that she genuinely was this nice. The latter felt simultaneously impossible and way too uncomfortable.
Surge scoffed, then reached into the box and started pulling out what she could. A massive bag of rice, various canned vegetables, and some dishware were the first to come out and greet their new home. Surge presumed it was less like greeting a friend and more like meeting the person about to mug you for your money.
“Don’t get why you think we can’t take care of ourselves,” she muttered. “We got along just fine before you came along.”
Amy raised an eyebrow. She looked at the TV that was probably older than the both of them, the crumby blankets, and the barely-stable bunk-bed frame. She looked like she wanted to say something more pointed, but instead she took a breath and said, “Yeah, you did. And I want to help because I care about your safety. If you and Kit were hurt, I’d feel horrible about it. Doubly so if I could’ve stopped it.”
Another pang in her chest, another fear that Amy’s generosity might actually be real. She could feel walls grow around her heart, putting distance between her and any genuine friendship that could form between her and…Well, anyone. “And how much does your bleeding heart cost, exactly? ‘Cause if you expect to make us owe you when we didn’t ask for it, you’ve got another thing coming.”
Amy rolled her eyes. “It’s a gift, Surge. That means it’s free. I don’t expect anything back.”
“Nothin’, huh?” Surge’s words were laced with skepticism. She tapped a foot against the box, where the star-shaped symbol of the Restoration’s predecessor--the Resistance--was drawn. “‘Cause it feels like you’re trying to recruit me again.”
“The Restoration is all about helping people recover from disasters. Starline counts in lots of ways.” Amy pulled a box of kitchen utensils from the box as she went on, “Besides, I think there’s something important about finding your own path in life. It’s something I’ve been really focused on lately.”
As Amy spoke, Surge grabbed a plastic plate from the box and began spinning it on her finger. “Oh yeah? Why’s that? Don’t tell me you’re tired of playing nice all the time.”
Amy chuckled. “I know how to be mean when I want to, but that’s not the point; what I mean is that I’ve been thinking about reinvention a lot lately. It’s been a sort of recurring theme in my life. So when I saw you and Kit wanted to change things for yourselves, I figured it was only right to support you, just like I want people supporting me.”
Surge rolled her eyes, then flung the plate on her hand away, where it fell into the kitchen sink. When she spoke, her tone was more annoyed than anything else. “Last I checked, you’re not part robot, and you weren’t made so some idiot could build his perfect world, so don’t go saying we’re all that alike.”
Amy held up her hands. “I get that, I just mean…I know how it feels for people to judge you. And how sometimes when they do that, you start to want to fix yourself so they like you more.” She looked at one of the bracelets on her arm, letting out a sigh. “I spent a lot of time changing myself so other people would like me. Then when I was done, I realized I didn’t like me. I’ve been trying to fix that ever since.”
She clasped her hands together and looked Surge in the eyes. “I know it’s different, and I know you don’t like or trust me--you have good reason for that! But I always wanted to be a hero of my own, without other people looking down on me for being in someone else’s shadow. I want the same thing for you, and if there’s any way I can help, I will…Even if it’s just giving you some housewarming gifts.”
Surge hated the way Amy was looking at her. She was pitying her like the former was a cat caught in a rainstorm. She wanted to lash out, yell at her, criticize her for thinking she was being so helpful…
But she hesitated. Because to some degree, it was nice to hear someone relate, even if it was in a weirdly tangential way. This wasn’t like Sonic’s high and mighty ‘Everyone deserves a second chance!’ shtick. She genuinely saw herself in Surge. She thought they were similar. Even if Surge disagreed, it felt different for someone as nice as Amy to think there was something connecting the two of them. It felt good, kinda.
Surge was quiet for a moment, stewing in her emotions. She had half a mind to ignore these more complicated feelings and just yell at Amy to get out. Instead, she just groaned. “Don’t get too mushy on me, Rose; I don’t want to vomit before seeing if this stuff is worth trying.” She hesitated, then looked away. “...But thanks, I guess. I’ll take a vote of confidence over whatever your other friends are throwing at me.”
Amy giggled, a musical sound that was far too energetic for Surge’s current mood. “Thank you. And since I know you’re looking for chances to show off…” She pulled out her phone--decorated with a pink case and enough accessories to qualify as a medieval flail--and held it out to Surge. “There’s a mission I thought you’d be interested in.”
“I thought you didn’t want me working for your Restoration?”
“You wouldn’t be working for anybody; think of it like freelancing. You help, you get paid, you stay independent, and everyone gets to see how much of a hero you are. It’s a win-win!” Amy’s smile could have lit up Null Space; even Surge couldn’t help but ignore her own misgivings.
Surge’s eyes scanned the phone, taking in the details of the job. “Turtleshell Island, huh?” She considered it for a moment. This seemed to be some kind of check-in to make sure the town there was alright. Not exactly glamorous, especially if nothing fun would end up happening. But Amy did promise she’d get to show people what she can do, and being paid is always nice…
Surge leaned back and shrugged, feigning disinterest. Despite that, she did feel a tinge of anticipation. “Sure, whatever. Send it to Kit, he’ll get the details. If there’s any problems, we’ll deal with them. Just don’t blame me if I upstage your friends.”
Amy smirked. “I’ll count on it.” She made her way over to the door, turning to Surge one last time as she opened it. “Seriously, I’m really excited to see you do all this.” She raised a hand. “Call me if you want anything, alright?”
Surge held up her hand in a lazy wave. She ignored how weirdly nice it felt to have someone outside of Kit at least act like they’re in her corner for once. “See ya.” She watched Amy leave, then turned her gaze to all of the supplies she had been given. Her mind wasn’t really focused on that, though.
That girl can’t be serious, she thought to herself. There’s no way she actually believes in me like that…Right? She shook her head to dismiss the thoughts. Surge didn’t want to fixate on things like that. She preferred to live in the moment; and this moment, right here? She was being given a chance to prove herself to everyone that she didn’t need Sonic’s forgiveness or the Restoration’s do-gooder attitude to be a hero.
She reached into the box, where she pulled out a pair of phone cases; one green and one blue, decorated with lightning bolt and raindrop pictures respectively. She held the former against her phone case with a frown.
And if, along the way, it turned out Amy was being genuine? Maybe that wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe, just maybe, she could learn to stand her. Weirder things have happened.
Maybe this could be the start of things really turning around.