Chapter Text
CLANK
CLANK
CLANK
"Anything yet?" His foot tapped.
"...No."
CLANK-CLANK
CLANK
CLANK
"What about now...!?"
"No, Sonic."
CLANK
CLANK
CLANK-CLANK
"NOW!?"
He sighed. "There's too much interference! I can't get a signal. The device got damaged with our fall, I'm doing what I can!"
"Well— Make it work!!" He arched his arms down.
Tails finally looked at him. "I'm trying, Sonic."
The pronounced frown on his cute little fox face just didn't felt right. Not at all.
It was that voice too, the natural cheer of it's high pitch had become dry and muted due to his frustration.
Sonic knew it. It was not fair to keep pushing the kid's buttons. But he found hard to fight his own emotions.
He couldn't help to get impatient, not with all they had at risk.
CLANK
CLANK
CLANK
It was dark, alright. Didn't help the mood.
The place was barely lit. But whenever one of those big round floodgates high off opened, as it happened just now, they could make some of their surroundings.
One single thing was for sure, it was big.
Sonic looked up. The circular opening reflected in his eyes, the light coming out of it distorted by the avalanche of metal scraps and discarded Metal troopers that soon came down to join the existing piles all around and underneath them.
CLANK-CLANK
CLANK
Once all thrown out, the gate closed.
He spoke again, eyes darting back to Tails. "Can't you at least fly us out of here!?"
The look the fox gave spoke loud enough to state he had already thought of that. Of course he had.
Nonetheless he sighed and opened his mouth to explain.
"Even If I found the strength to lift all three of you all the way there, those gates open and close too fast!" He pointed up, but his eyes remained on him.
"Even on my own I would struggle to get through! I'm not as fast vertically, Sonic...!"
CLANK
The Blue stepped forward. "But what other choice we have!?"
He really hated how harsh his voice came, but even more the sight of his friend not backing off. Was he really getting in an argument with Tails!?
"—If you can make it out, you could find a way to get all of us!"
Tails straightened, his frown pronounced deeper. "If I don't get immediately ambushed by the entire Metal army, that is!"
His tone was getting frantic too. "The only thing we've got right now to our advantage is the assumed notion Metal lost our track and doesn't know we end up down here!" He motioned around with his hands.
"The second we're out—! He'll be after our throats again, that's for sure! And I'm NOT leaving you guys behind. We ALL make it out or NOTHING."
CLANK
Sonic had never seen him so agitated, so madly frustrated. It didn't suit him at all, it was hurtful to witness.
Under his own concern he understood what his little bud was going through. Most of this was Tails' idea; it wasn't the first time one of his plans had failed, but the uncertainty of their circumstances and lack of alternative choices weighted as never before.
The way he was looking at him. He couldn't stand it.
He wanted to tell him everything would be okay. To encourage him, to cheer him up. But his own head was a mess and no good-sensible word came out of it.
CLANK
CLANK
"WELL— Think of something then!!" He raised his voice yet again, hands up. "We're running out of time!!"
CLANK
CLANK-CLANK
CLANK
"AND COULD YOU CUT THAT OFF ALREADY!? Is clearly NOT helping AT ALL!" He had turned to address Knuckles.
CLANK
...CLANK
............clank
The Red slowly turned to him. A serious expression drawn in his face, a hint of sorrow mixed on it. Didn't say nothing still; haven't in a while, as he too was unsure what to make of their current situation.
He had resorted to what came natural to him, punching his way out of it. To no avail this time.
Looking back to the wall, he had barely made a dent on the thick dark metal. He sighed with close eyes and lowered his head.
He was out of ideas.
"—TAILS." Sonic spat back.
"I KNOW. I'm trying! I just—" He grabbed his head, he shook and let himself fall on some metal box. "I know! The plan failed, I failed. You all trusted me and I FAILED. And I can't—
...I can't even tell were we are! Or wether this is a giant furnace or a trash compactor or just some basement—! I. DON'T. KNOW. Okay!?" He lifted his head to meet his brother's eyes once more, tears threatened to escape his own. "I don't know. Sonic...
...I don't know."
The hedgehog forced his features to soften as something came close to break inside him.
'Stupid.'
He sighed harshly and avoided the younger one's gaze. "—I know, I know." Hands to his face, he stretched it along.
"Argh... look, I—
...I'm sorry, pal. I shouldn't have yelled at you..."
Tails looked down, didn't answer.
Sonic sat down. "This isn't your fault. If anything— is mine, as always...!"
Sighed again, a hand to his nape. "I shouldn't have gone after Metal... I should've been able to tell the tin can wouldn't play clean and get all of you..."
"...No." Tails spoke once more. His voice weak and almost overtaken by the sound of falling scraps around.
"He gave you no choice. I should've called it. You were his target from the beginning! Of course he would go after you. And you still came back to save us...! All honest, we were very lucky to make it out..."
"I wouldn't call 'shoving you all into a dark pit' a save, bud..."
Knuckles finally approached again. Not doing better, he too sat down near the others. "You did what you thought best to keep us safe. It was a dire situation, there was no room nor time to sort choices..."
No response came to it. His voice raised once more.
"We have underestimated our enemy. We have been outnumbered and outsmarted. But we can't let this utter and shameful failure break our spirits..."
He... still needed to work on his pep talks.
Silence again. Other than the occasional vibrations caused by the falling metal pieces, the boys stayed still, heads down.
"...I'll think of something guys." Tails' voice came out again, fragile as ever. "I just— need a moment..."
Amy had stood further from the others in complete silence. The sight of her friends defeated like that made her heart ache.
Picking her fingers, she looked around for the umpteenth time. Hoping— Wishing, a solution for this would magically POP UP in front of her.
The frown on her face reflected her disappointment.
Nothing, once again, she had nothing.
Yet, she couldn't take it. Their faces pinched her chest, their silence stabbed her stomach, and in her worry she felt a tear coming up.
The three of them. Whom she had quickly grown to admire, love and respect deeply.
They had so willingly let her join in, not only their team, but their lives all together! Even when she was still pretty much a stranger...
The girl knew she had to do something, say something. Anything she could to help—!
'Think. Think. Think. THINK.'
The near round gate opened. She glanced above, taking in the little light it let through to give herself some hope.
Then, Amy took a deep, deep breath. Really letting out all the air she held in her lungs, then taking it back again.
Empty handed as she was, she puffed her chest and stepped forward on their direction.
Reaching out she took tight grip of the bottle of emergency confidence she kept in the back of her head for cases like this, and with the next steps she made...
...she chugged the whole thing in.
"WELL—" Amy clapped, getting the trio's attention, though they barely lifted their heads.
"I see the mood is a little down! So—!" She moved her hands behind her back. "You leave me with no other choice but to dig once more in my little bag of tricks to salvage the situation!"
They looked at her, but they really didn't. If she had a way out, why couldn't she just spill it out straight...!?
"You see—!" She kept going, her cheery tone came almost annoying on the boys' tired ears. "I happen to know a very good spell! Just what you all need!" And moved a fist along her chest.
...Just as they thought.
There she was again...!
This was nothing but —yet another— of her silly-magic antics...
She moved a finger up, her good mood was getting on their nerves, they couldn't tell how much she was forcing it.
"—When used correctly, it manages to clear the mind and restore one's energy!"
"Amy. I'm not in the mood for this." Sonic finally spoke.
"I assure you! It works! If you let m—"
"Amy." His voice shot sharp. Although he didn't meant to.
Just as he didn't want to take it out on Tails before, he didn't want to hurt her.
"Just don't. Please. Not no—"
"Zip it, Sonic." She shot back, pinching the air. Eyes wide and laid intense on his.
"You made me part of this team, correct? THUS!— Is within MY responsibility to give ALL I've got to help you guys out!
—So I expect you to SHUT UP and let me work my magic. Got that?"
He grunted, too tired to protest further.
Ahh...
The confidence juice was running out quickly.
Move faster, Pink!
Approaching Tails, she lifted him off his improvised seat by the shoulders and spoke clear. "Give me your hands." She motioned, extending her own, palms up.
He obeyed. Half-consciously, really.
"No-no, don't grab them. Just keep them over mine. —There! Just like that." He had done it, and she kept speaking.
"Baaaarely... touching, —yes! Keep them like that!"
Tails just then looked at her. A tired frown on his face. "Amy... I don't think I-"
"Shushhhh!" She cut him. "No speaking! I need to concentrate."
The fox pressed his lips together and his frown pronounced further.
Amy stopped for a moment and let out a sigh. Then glanced up to confront the boy's gaze, letting just a bit of her worry slip, for him to see.
The tone she then spoke with was shy and brittle, nothing like he had heard from her before.
"Just... let me try this, okay...?"
Tails' features softened ever so slightly. He knew she was trying to help. But he felt tired and didn't quite catch much interest on— whatever this was.
Not like he had the energy to stop her, anyways...
And well... He didn't like the sight of her worried either.
Letting out a sigh, he looked down for a moment. In a way, some kind of nod. It was not much, but she took it as a sign to keep going.
"All right...! Now take a deep breath." Tails did, closing his eyes for a moment.
"—Focus on my voice and in our touch...
Now open your eyes and keep them on mine." Her gaze had softened, really making an effort to come off reassuring.
"That's it... keep breathing, just let all go for a moment..." She moved her fingers lightly, brushing his palms from underneath.
The other two observed, not to hopeful of the effects of this —so called— spell. But somewhat intrigued.
The fox let in and out air as he followed the Pink one's instructions. She matched his rhythm as she got mentally prepared for the next step...
—The complicated one.
The hedgehog let out a final long round of air, closing her eyes. "Ahh... alright! You ready?" She looked back at him.
Tails was about to speak. But she beat him to it. "No-no-no! Mouth closed. Keep your focus!" His frown softened, but his disbelief remained.
She spoke one last time. "Okay...!"
In a swift action, her hands moved around and suddenly had almost spawned above his. And then...
SLAP
"—AUCH...!" He yelped. Soon shaking his hands. Amy was fast to retrieve hers to her mouth.
The other two jolted. The sound of their little brother getting hurt wasn't one to receive nicely.
"H-HEY!" He spoke at last.
"What was THAT for!" Sonic too protested.
"Did it work!?" She jumped to speak. REALLY holding onto the last drops of confidence juice.
"What..?" Tails rubbed his hands.
"How do you feel!?" She continued, almost stumbling over her words.
Looking up, the boy studied her. She seemed anxious, she shook and hands remained close to her face, eyes wide open in guilty anticipation.
"...Betrayed." He stated, unamused.
But she noticed the slight mood change.
"But don't you feel a little lighter? Doesn't your mind seem a little less foggy..!?"
His lips parted, but then stopped himself from talking.
'Oh.' He thought, and almost scolded himself. He should've been able to tell what this was a mile away.
'Oh. Is one of those things...'
Some form of disappointment installed in his face as he glanced back at his friend.
Amy's big eyes plead, 'SORRY, SORRY, SORRY, SORRY, SORRY, SORRY'.
Ahh...
I guess you couldn't really blame the gal for choosing him as the test dummy for her little scheme. But he didn't want to humor her either!
Hey! He had his pride too!
Sonic stood up and she felt the scold coming. "Amy. This is not—"
"HAH!" Knuckles suddenly scoffed. Standing up as well. "Now THIS is the kind of magic I'm interested in!" They all looked at him.
"—I come next!"
He stood before the pink hedgehog and grabbed her hands to mimic the position she previously used for Tails. "Cast your spell on me! Miss Rose!"
Amy blinked and stared at him surprised.
Was he... helping her out...?
Or did he actually believe the spell had some real magic to it...?
In any case, it was more than enough to refill her confidence bottle to the brim. Feeling moved, a little smile formed with pressed, trembling lips.
"O-okay—!!"
She positioned herself. Palms hovered close together.
The girl's hands got completely lost under the echidna's. The downright comical size of them never failed to amuse her. Her gaze then met the large spikes poking out his gloves.
"Amm..." Taking a second guess, she gently grabbed his fingers and turned them over.
"—Palms facing up, for your dose...!" And soon placed her own down again, he didn't protest.
"Now take a deep breath...! Keep yourself focused...! Eyes on me...!" He did so.
The others stood close by. Sonic wore the more skeptical face. His frustration not close to draining off yet.
'Do we really have time for this...!?'
He didn't intervene still.
"Alright!" The girl continued. Like so, same as before, she moved her hands quickly to slap Knuckles palms.
"Was that IT...!?" He blurted out.
"—I barely felt something...!" He lifted a brow and shook his hands to her. "Cast it on me again! Harder!"
Amy blinked and stared for a moment. Looking to the side with pressed lips she placed her hands again.
SLAP
"Is THAT all you've got!? Come on! Give it to me!"
She gave him another look.
SLAP
"HARDER! Come on, She-hedgehog! I can take it!"
Okay, she was loosing her patience a bit. She lifted her shoulders along this time.
S L A P
"HARDER! —LAY YOUR MAGIC ON ME, WOMAN!"
She gave him a look again, eyes almost rolling.
Tilting her head and parting lips, the girl took a step back and lift her hands over her head, stretching her body to her whole extent, she stood on her tip toes for a moment.
Teeth showed as she bent over full speed and put just about all her strength to her hands.
S L A P
The sound of it so loud it echoed throughout the whole place. Everything around trembled, and the others jumped loosing balance.
Knuckles contained a wimp and kept his hands down for a moment. But soon enough laughed again. "HAH HA—! YES!"
He lifted his fists. "—I can feel it! My energy restoring! I'm back to my full capacity!"
Her own palms hurt a little, but seemed content nonetheless.
The Red suddenly turned an pointed to Sonic. "Your turn, hedgehog!"
Sonic didn't want to admit it, but he had become mildly entrateined by their little show. The call to action caught him off guard, though.
"Ah...!" And suddenly all eyes were on him.
"—No, thanks. I think I'll pass." He crossed his arms.
"Ohhh...! Come on, Sonic!" Tails spoke, suddenly in a much better mood. "It's only fair!"
"You could use a dose of it! This spell will do you good!" Knuckles added.
"Sure thing..." the hedgehog wasn't too convinced.
"You know what?" Tails crossed his arms and balanced in one foot. "—I think it actually IS somewhat effective! Why don't you give it a try!"
Amy looked between them touched, hardly containing her new found hope and joy.
Her eyes then met Sonic's. Widening in anticipation.
'What are you gonna do, Blue?'
At last, the boy rolled his eyes and faced to the side, yet something close to a smile formed in his muzzle, he 'tsk'-ed it away a second after.
"Alright, alright...!" He moved his hands around as he approached the girl. "Let's get this over with."
Hands on hands, Pink and Blue hedgehog stood front to front.
Same again.
"Take a deep breath—"
"Skip the bit, Amy. I've heard it twice already." He cut her.
She looked at him, but soon moved her head and kept going. "Alright, then...!"
Hands moved around to met his. Only this time they hit nothing but air. Looking up, Sonic had lifted his palms last second.
"Oh!" He looked at her. "Sorry! I wasn't ready!" He spoke in —some tone—. "Here. Let's try it again...!" And moved his hands down.
Hands back under his. She shifted, only to meet air once more.
One hand on his hip, the other rubbing his tear duct. "Ah— sorry. I think I got something in my eye."
A little frown had formed in her pretty face. He didn't seem to care as he spoke again, nonchalantly. "—There we go...! Now I'm ready!"
The face she shifted into let him know she knew exactly what game he was playing.
Too bad for him! She was not backing off.
She tried once more, faster. Nothing again.
Sonic had faked a yawn. "Oh! You did it already? Yeah, I don't think is working..." He placed his hands again.
'Clown.'
Beginning to loose her patience, (close to forget why she was doing this on the first place!), she gave him a look. He had set a challenge with the one he gave back, and she was taking it.
She tried again. Nothing.
Again. Air.
Again. Air again.
"Woah...! Wait— How this keeps happening!? Must be some kind of natural reflex!" As he placed his hands over hers once more, he finally showed the smug grin he had been hiding.
"Gotta be faster than that." And lifted a brow.
The pink hedgehog squinted and pouted, pressing her lips harder together.
A duel had been established and the other two observed with amusement.
'What are you gonna do, Pink?'
Amy closed her eyes, retrieving one hand to pick her chin. She looked to the side and spoke collected.
"Hmm... it seems like a regular spell won't work on ya'...!"
Her eyes met his again, jade on emerald, matching his tease. "Mind if I try something different...?" And she curved up her lips.
"Ohhh...?~" He was getting cockier by the second. "Do I get special treatment now...?"
She scoffed. "Give me your other hand." Said while motioning with her own.
"—Your left one to your back like so...!" She showed him, moving her left leg along, taking half a step back. He followed through, never taking his eyes off of her.
"Now lean a little closer.
—Stand still.
—Eyes on me." She smiled.
Right hand on right hand. His grin grew an inch. Eyes squinted. Whatever this girl was up to, he was ready for it!
"Now easy there...! This is the most powerful spell I know! —But I had never actually used it on someone."
The girl moved her head around a little, but her eyes never moved away from his for more than a few seconds. "Is rather... experimental."
And she leaned closer ever so slightly before speaking once more, almost a whisper. "You sure you can take it?"
Sonic smirked back. Wiggling his fingers behind his back, before forming a fist again.
"Try me."
She closed her eyes for a moment, tilting her head one last time. "—Okay! You asked for it...!"
Before he knew it, she had taken hold of his fingers. He darted down, smile abruptly gone as he looked up again, catching on her playful expression. And he could have sworn he saw her wink.
Completely aback, Sonic had no time to process anything as the girl suddenly closed her eyes and dived down and forward, pulling his hand up and over to her as she—
Smooch
...pressed her lips to his fingers.
She had moved fast and her grip was firm, yet her touch came and went almost mockingly soft and tender.
The boy, of course, had no time to reflect on it. An almost frightened gasp escaped him. Eyes shot wide open as he yanked his hand and jolted back several (several) steps.
Shock soon replaced with a new form of anger. Heat abrupt to meet his face.
His voice stuttered before he could even think of a proper word.
"—HEY!!!" He blurted out at last.
Amy was winking now, for sure! She playfully bit her tongue, peace sign lift up to her cheek.
"Did it work?" She spoke shamelessly.
OH THE DARE OF THIS YOUNG LADY.
"You..." He grunted. Making his best effort to ignore the funny looks the others were giving him.
"Why, there...?~ You didn't like my spell?" She batted her eyelashes, arms clasped behind her back.
Although, honestly? If you squinted you could see some guilt in her eyes. Not like Sonic could notice.
He pouted, the stupid heat still very present on his face.
"...That was no spell." He muffled, averting her gaze. "You tricked me...!"
"Heeeey...! You could've just let me slap your hands! Is not my fault you got all cocky!" She crossed her arms and moved her head around.
She knew she was getting close to a line she shouldn't cross, specially if she wanted to keep her chances with the guy.
Thus—! She backed off, she had a laugh already.
A little jump and two hands pointed back at him. A smile cheeky, yet sincere adorned her beaming face. "You can question my methods, but not my results!!"
With open arms, she addressed everyone now. "Is nice to see you in a good mood again...!"
Sonic gave her a face, but softened still.
'Alright...! You win this round, hammer-girl...!'
Long ago they had figured out what their pink friend was pulling off. And they almost didn't want to admit it had worked.
Then again, could they really help it? The girl's energy was contagious, and her tomfoolery was hard to keep a straight face to!
Amy spoke again, fists closed before her. Some of her initial worry slipped as she softened her voice. "—Come on, Team! We're not beat yet! We can make it out!"
They all came a little closer. Small, gentle smiles drawing on their faces.
"There's gotta be a way! I know there is!!" She looked around, moving her hands in a big circle.
"We have the power of four GREAT minds combined...!" She now looked directly at Tails. "—And there's the other three of us, too!" She pointed at the others, herself as well.
The fox snorted.
"Come on, guys! I don't wanna see your long faces! Put yourselves together!!" Her fist closed tighter.
Tone becoming firm, encouraging. She dared to lift her voice.
"What'cha say!?" She opened her arms. "Can we face the robot menace, KICK IT in it's shiny little BUTT and save the future...!?"
"Yeah...!" Tails suddenly hopped.
She met each of their faces, gathering them closer with her arms. "—Can we hold each other's backs and STICK TOGETHER till the very END...!??"
"YEAH...!" They all exclaimed this time. Fists up, smiles wider.
"Then— gentlemen...!" A pointer finger up, she closed her eyes. "—I have one last thing to say...!"
Everyone looked at her expectantly.
Amy stomped and straightened. Sticking out her hands, palms down, before them.
"—LAY IT ON ME!!!"
The boys exchanged a look, a tad aback, but grins soon returned twice as big as they knew exactly what they had to do.
Then, in unspoken coordination they all lifted an arm up. And as the girl shut her eyes in anticipation, they all got her at once.
S L A P
Too much?
Probably...! Yet they couldn't help it, they got excited!
...and she sorta deserved it.
"EEP—!" She squealed.
Bending over, her hands remained down. She trembled and whined.
"—OOooooff...! Yeap!" She shook her hands.
"That's a— that's a STRONG spell right there...!" Voice coming out high pitched. "Haha...! Works every time!"
A tear almost escaped her eye, she was smiling though, so it was alright.
"Okay, guys! You heard the lady!" Sonic clapped. "Let's get moving!"
New found motivation illuminated everyone's faces. They all straightened up as their leader spoke.
"—First thing's first! We need to find a way out this dump!"
As one of the near by round gates above opened again, another pile of broken down Metals came through. They all looked up.
"One thing is for certain..." Knuckles spoke. "There is only one way out...!"
"Up." Amy finished. She then looked at Tails. "Hey—! There's plenty of stuff in here...! Sure there must be something we could use, no?"
The boy held his chin and sink in thought. The look on his face, Sonic knew well.
"You're cookin' something, aren't ya', bud...!?"
Tails closed his eyes before lifting his head again. "The robots...! If they're not too damaged we could use their propellers to rocket us out...!"
He spoke firm and clear. Did he kept a bottle of emergency confidence, too? Amy wondered. Or maybe he had taken a sip of hers...! Nonetheless she beamed.
"That's it!!" Sonic perked. "Just tell us what to do!" He winked.
"Okay—!" Tails stepped forward.
"Sonic. I need you to scout around and pick up a few of them, the lest beat-up, the better!"
"Aye-aye, captain'!"
"And— I might need some of your..."
The Blue had already reached out to poke one of his quills out. "All the ones you need, bud!"
Tails grabbed it and then turned to the others.
"Knuckles, Amy. I need you to build a tower or ramp kind of structure...!" He gestured with his hands. "I can't trust the state of the motors of these things, so the higher ground we can get as a starting point, the better!"
They nodded in unison and he continued. "Make it big and tall. You can start with one of the existing piles, but make sure it's sturdy!"
"You got it, Tails!" Knuckles smirked. He punched his fists together. With a new clear task on hand, he felt more motivated than ever.
Amy just nodded once more, a bright smile on her face.
Summoning her hammer, Pink and Red exchanged a look and promptly parted.
Tails lifted his device again, carefully put the quill to it and soon the screen, cracked and dirty as it was, still lit up bright. It's blue light painting his face.
"And then... what." Sonic asked.
Tails looked at him. "We retrieve. Our best chance it to get back to the ship. I have some more weaponry there.
—Besides, we can't risk them finding it and get the final Time Stone."
"Is well hidden! They'd had to break down the thing piece by piece to find it!"
"And so they could. We can't risk it! If they get it, is game over!"
Sonic nodded. It was good to see his little brother had regained his cool and wit!
"—We could always try again the first plan...!"
This surprised the fox.
"Maybe we were too greedy the first time...!" Sonic continued.
"Maybe we don't need to try and hack our way into their whole mainframe! —Sure! Taking control of the whole army could come handy...! But— for real? Any extra hand we can get and they can be left without will do!"
Tails thought about it. "Hmm... maybe if we target the lower tier models...? They should be easier to intervene, some of the drones too...! If we can get our hands in even some of their packs, we sure could get a better chance to face Metal...!"
"Sweet!!"
"—But we still need to get to the ship. I need all my tools!"
Sonic gestured with his hands. "Getting out, get to the ship! Sounds like a plan!"
"We still could get immediately ambushed the second we're out of here. So we'll have to move fast!"
"NOW you are speaking my language, buddy!"
They exchanged reassuring, brotherly smiles and power bumped.
Yeah, they got this.
"Okay. Get going, then!" Tails spoke.
"A dozen robots with extra fries, comin' up!" He saluted and soon enough was gone.
Tails looked back at his device. A signal had finally reached it, and he saw before him the map he had modeled of the whole Metal complex. A smile drew in his face as he now had a better idea of where they were.
"I'm getting you guys out...! Promise!" He spoke to himself.
Sonic had quickly found a few machines in good enough shape. A feet up in one of the piles, he tugged to get another out of it.
His face reflected on it's black cracked visor. The sight of one of his metallic clones really brought everything back to him.
The size of the army they were not even close to match in strenght or number, their beat downs and close calls. The silent yet unnerving cold stare of his ugly counterpart and it's wicked plan to extinguish all life.
Everything that was on the line, the high stakes of it all.
But his determination didn't frail one bit this time.
If anything, he felt dumb he had let his frustration get to him. Some leader he was!
He should've known by now there was always a way! And to keep his head cool when everyone needed him.
Right hand reached over the thing's head to get a better grip. His eyes met the back of it. Where Amy's spell had been casted on...
...and somehow still lingered.
He stopped. And suddenly the moment replayed in his head, almost in slow motion.
The warmth of her face. The gentle press of her muzzle against his hand and her firm yet tender hold of his fingers...
He recalled the slight touch of her nose in his knuckles, and the light —brief— ticklish brush of her eyelashes when she closed and opened her eyes near him.
Even through the fabric of his glove, he had felt it...
...all of it.
"...A spell, huh?" Spoke suddenly, resuming his work.
He knew very well the girl found enjoyment on teasing him. And he wasn't a fan.
Then again, he had to admit teasing her was something extremely fun.
The image of her unserious angry face made him chuckle.
"—Her little pout...!"
Amy Rose.
Heh. It was crazy to think she had joined the team just a few days ago.
Heck! It was even crazier he had MET the girl just a few days ago!
Like, seriously! Hasn't she always been there...!?
She had showed him so much of her in that short time, it was almost as he had known her his entire life...!
And, deep down... he wished that were the case.
Being alone, he allowed himself to think about it for a minute.
When Tom and Maddie let him stay with them, he was sure he had everything he could ever ask for.
Then Tails and Knuckles showed up, and just like that, he was proven wrong! But sure THERE he thought he had it all!
But THEN—
This girl.
This GIRL!
—Had quite LITERALLY fell out of the sky, RIGHT into his face and into his life to prove him wrong, YET AGAIN!
'Amy Rose...'
She was... like a puzzle piece. One he didn't even knew he had an empty gap for...!
Then again, when she arrived. Oh—! it was almost like that gap had always been there, waiting for her to fill it in!
And she just... did.
She fitted right in there.
Completing an image that kept on growing in his head and...
...in his heart.
He didn't noticed, but he was smiling.
—MAN!
He really wanted all this to end up already, so they all could go out and do something fun! He SO needed a break! (And a BIG plate of chillidogs!)
He was looking forward to get back home! To see Tom and Maddie (and Ozzie!) again. To spend time with his friends and...
...with her!
OH—! The movies he had to make her watch! The places he wanted to show her! There was a lot to do!!
Ideas kept popping up in his head as he kept taking robot pieces out of the pile. His mind somewhere else, smile growing in his face, almost dumb.
"...Amy ...Rrrrose~"
Who cares about the weird-inconvinient-uncool way they had meet! They had the rest of their lives to make up for it!
GAH! His excitement was hard to contain.
He was even biting his lip at this point. Did he really not notice...?
He stopped again. Back to a still face.
'Why, though?'
Why even the thought of her made his heart make (cool) backflips in his ribcage, and fill his body with a warm sort of...
'...shiver?'
Did that even make any sense...!?
He shook his head. 'Eyes on the mission, hedgehog!'
Sonic had gathered a good pile. He grabbed some and made way back to Tails.
"I'm gonna beat down that Terminator-wannabe. Just wait and see! —We'll be back home in no time!"
A hint of unmistakable pink glinted across his eyesight as he ran by.
The back of his fingers tingled a bit. He ignored it.
Even so, his smile had widened.
Heh...
Maybe she had casted some kind of spell on him, after all...
Yeah...
"That must be it..."