Chapter 1: Getting Settled

It was a peaceful morning that day. The sun was shinning on the dewdrops and a robin was singing outside. My Parrot Naomi was already starring out the window at the sunrise and I was just waking up. I open my eyes and smile at the beautiful morning outside. Yawning, I sat up and stretched. My auburn hair was a mess as I ran my fingers through it. I put my arms down and look at the cot in the corner, where a robot with a blue metal hull slept. His spiked head and slanted eyes making him look menacing, but I knew he was truly a gentle soul.

Hearing me moving, the robot's bright red eyes flickered on and winked, simulating blinking. He sat up and looked at me, a cord still connecting him to a socket in the wall. "Good morning, Emily." He said, his metallic voice sounding almost alien and emotionless, but there was enough there for me to hear.

"Morning Metal." I replied. "What's the weather today?"

"We can plan on a clear and bright day that is only 75 degrees." Metal reported, undoing his charger and running through his wake up routine, checking all his joints and functions. "Though there will be a thunder storm this afternoon."

"My kind of a good day." I said as I step into the closet and dress. "I love listening to the rain. Did you sleep well?"

"My batteries are fully charged." Metal said, getting a cloth and polishing his blue hull. "And I am running at full compasity. What is your status?"

"I am refreshed and ready for whatever the Lord has for me." I answer, finishing my dressing and put on some music. Go figure is was a Sonic inspired song, but it was still a good song. I go to my desk and open my laptop. A picture catches my eye and I couldn't help but smile at it. It was a picture of me with the Team Sonic, Team Chaotix, and Team Dark on Angel Island. I loved that picture, it reminded me of the most impossible adventure I had this passed summer. Next to the picture was another one of Sonic, Shadow, and Silver. Silver was in the middle and I sat in front of them with my legs folded under me while I held Silver's hand. I missed my friends a lot, but at least they were still on Earth this time around.

My laptop wakes up and I continue where I left off in my hunt. Ever since I came home from my adventure in space, I've been searching for Dr. Ryan Cornelius Weever. I met him in Mobius while I was visiting Eli Sticker the Hedgehog. He had predicted that one of my friends would hurt me, even though I would never harm them. Turned out that Sonic had been exposed to a high dose of negative chaos energy, he was given two personalities, his own and another called Fleetway. I still had scars on my arms from fighting Fleetway. I wanted to be sure Weever wasn't on Earth causing trouble.

"Still searching for him?" Metal asked.

I nodded. "It bothers me that he knew my name, that I was a protector, nearly everything about me." I look at Metal. "He was like a living chaos emerald. He could use chaos energy, but it was more of a negative energy. And if he's here on Earth, he could cause a lot of trouble."

"I see," Metal replied. "I could run a few searches if that is your wish Emily."

"No, if he's out there I can find him." I answered. Standing up and closing my laptop again, I look at Metal and smile. "Lets head down for breakfast."

We walked downstairs and I smiled to see my folks and my siblings sitting around the table with plates of pancakes. My dad was in the kitchen making another batch and my mom was planning another leather carving.

"Morning," I said as I step in and pull up a chair.

"Morning sweetie," My dad answered. "Hungry?"

"Starved." I reply.

Metal took a seat in the living room and opened a book on human history. He wanted to learn more about Earth, how things worked here. So far he's learn more in a month than I did in a year in high school. He reads anything and everything that he could use in the future.

I ate my pancakes as a new report came on the radio.

"As of yesterday, a town in Brazil called São Paulo is saved by a blue hedgehog known as Sonic and his companions. No one really know where this hedgehog or his friends came from, but after a daring feat, we can say for sure that we are more than glad to have him standing between us and the Notorious Dr. Eggman. This is Scarlet Garcia signing out."

"So that's where the Blue Blur wound up." I said, taking a bite of my pancake.

It had been five months since I came home. The barn had been built and finished and Izzy was finally home. I loved riding her, but I also enjoyed using my shoes to get to church and back.

"I wonder how he likes it there," I wondered out loud. "He hasn't messaged me in over a week."

"Maybe he got busy saving that town." My little sister Sara suggested.

"Maybe," I said. "I almost wish I was with him."

"Be glad of the adventures you've had so far." My dad said.

"I guess so." I said. "But still, I miss being a Freedom Fighter."

Metal had been listening to the conversation and finally decided to say something. "Sonic still regards you as a fellow Freedom Fighter. Consider yourself a unit at rest, when you are needed again, you will be reactivated."

I smile at the robot. He had an odd way of looking at things, but I liked that about him. "Thanks Metal."

I put my plate away and I get ready for the day. I didn't have much planned, and that was my problem. I missed the everyday action, and I wanted something interesting to happen.

"Hey Metal, I'm heading to the store to pick up a few things, you don't mind hanging here for a while do you?"

"Not at all." Metal replied. "Steven had promised to show me how to play Black Ops with him on your Wii Gaming system."

I couldn't help but laugh a bit as I wave and walk out the door. "Alright, have fun!"

Back in Mobius, Sally was leaning over a map of Knothole. It hasn't been easy lately; three villages have been mysteriously attacked, leaving at least 400 survivors with nowhere to go. The Freedom Fighters had offered the refugees a place to stay in Knothole, and now they had run out of room. Sally was working around the clock trying to find a place to squeeze in the refugees, but it was stressing her out.

"There's no more room," Sally said to Shadow, who was standing in the war room with her. "How can there be no more room in Knothole?"

"Still no word on what attacked the villages?" Shadow asked. He and Rouge had been assigned to this case and had posted themselves in Knothole for now.

"Nothing," Sally said, running her fingers through her auburn-red hair. "The villagers saw nothing, so we have no clue who or what caused this."

Shadow looked out the window at knothole. It was bursting at the seams as the last of the tents were set up. Refugees roamed Knothole; some going to the church where the wounded were being cared for by Eli, Silver and Espio, and others were simply walking, possibly trying to fight the trauma.

Shadow's eyes wandered to the church that had been named Knothole Refuge. Sonic had started that church after returning from the Valley of Shadow. Sonic had been the first freedom fighter to become a Christian, and had led several people to Christ. Shadow was one of those New Faith Mobians.

This train of thought led Shadow back to Earth, when they first met Emily Bridgestone. She had become a close ally in the time she spent in Knothole as a Freedom Fighter.

"Shadow?" Sally asked, seeing that distant look the ebony hedgehogs' eyes.

Shadow looked at Sally and smiled a rare smile. "Do you think Emily might have a place for them?" Shadow asked.

"I don't think so Shads," Sonic said as he came in the door. "Em's place could barely fit us when we were there. In fact we were blessed no one saw us for as long as we were staying there."

"I mean she might know a place to hide them." Shadow explained. "Like a forest until the villages are rebuilt and we stop whoever is behind these attacks."

Sonic looked at Sally and shrugged. "It'll be safer for them in the short run. If she knows a place we can use that is."

Sally sighed. "I'll call her then."

"That's alright Sal," Sonic said, already opening his communicator. "I'll call her."

That night at dinner, I bit into my ear of corn. I loved my dad cooked the corn until it had a juicy crunch. My dad had made steak on the grill with corn and mashed potatoes. The steak was medium rare and had sautéed mushrooms. It was my favorite kind of meal other than seafood.

Metal was plugged in and charging in the living room. After they were done playing, Steven showed Metal how to control Netflix on the Wii, so now he was scrolling through the lists and looking up more information on each movie.

"Mmm!" I said after biting into the steak. "Dad you did it again. This steak is amazing!"

"I'm glad you like it Em." My dad replied. He looked over at Metal, who had a movie option on the TV screen. "Metal, what are you doing?"

"I am searching for a film that is consistent with this family's likes and tastes." Metal replied. "And I have found one that will suffice."

My parents looked at each other before looking at me in confusion. I couldn't help but laugh. They were still getting used to Metal's language.

"He says he think he found a movie that we might like." I translated.

"I do not think you will enjoy this film." Metal replied. "According to my numbers there is a 95% chance that your family will enjoy this film."

I look over my shoulder at Metal. "You know, I've never heard you say 100%."

"That is because there is no 100%." Metal replied in his 'Matter of Fact' tone. "There is always an opposing chance."

I roll my eyes and continue eating my dinner. Metal and I were always debating, but he usually won. I would win a few times, but I think Metal let me have those. Metal had certainly become part of the family in the past five months; he had insisted that he stay in my room with me, and I didn't object. He liked playing on the Wii with my brother and I would bring him to work every now and then, mainly on Order Day when he can check in items.

Suddenly, my iTouch buzzed in my pocket, making me jump and drop my fork. It was sent clattering to my plate as Sara, Steven and Alice started laughing.

"Oh ha, ha." I said, getting my iTouch out to see who was calling. I smiled to see it was Sonic. I accept the call and smile as his face came into view. "Hey Sonic, we heard on the news this morning that Eggman's butt got kicked again."

Sonic chuckled. "It sure did. Wish you were there to kick it with me."

"Same here." I said. "So how's Brazil?"

"Bright and sunny for winter." Sonic said. "But I like it, the weather is almost always nice enough for a run. I'm back in Knothole right now."

Though Sonic's voice stayed even and cheerful, I saw in his eyes that something was up in Mobius. And whatever it was, it wasn't good. "Sonic?" I asked. "Is something wrong?"

He was quiet for a moment before answering. "We're in trouble in Knothole. Right now three villages have been mysteriously attacked, leaving tons of refugees practically homeless. Sally's doing her best to fit everyone into knothole, but it's wearing her out. And Silver, Epio and Eli are working around the clock with injuries."

Listening to Sonic's usually happy voice take such a serious tone was almost as surreal as the news. In my last adventure on Mobius, I had seen several villages and met lots of friendly people. I couldn't believe that such a disaster had struck and I wasn't there to help.

"All of our spare huts and tents have been filled and now Knothole is literally bursting at the seams." Sonic continued. "We were wondering if there was a place you know of on earth that might help. At least until the villages can be rebuilt."

"Well," I said. "There's an abandoned renaissance fair that's pretty isolated. No one goes there anymore and a ton of stuff was left there."

"Sounds promising," Sonic said. "But maybe we should send you, Silver and Shadow to check it out. After that, Tails can set up a portal to get everyone there if the cost is clear."

"Want me to come pick them up?" I asked. "I can use Metal's dimensional engine."

Sonic was quiet for a moment, but smiled when he answered. "I think that's a good idea. Just so we can go over it with Sal."

"Alright, let me finish my dinner and I'll be right there." I said. "See you guys soon, tell Sally not to worry."

I hang up and look at my folks. "I have to get going," I said, finishing my dinner and putting my plate away. "I'll be back soon. Metal, are you charged enough to make a jump to Mobius?"

"Affirmative." Metal replied, unplugging himself and standing.

"I want to go too!" Sara said, almost jumping to her feet.

"Not this time hun," I said, getting my backpack and putting my hover shoes on. "Sonic said that Eli, Silver and Espio are busy with injuries. Those three are the best healers I know in Knothole, and if they're busy with injuries, I have a feeling that it won't be a pretty sight in knothole."

"And you're going?" My dad asked.

"Sally needs help." I replied. "And I'm still considered a Freedom Fighter. I'll let everyone in Knothole that you guys said hi. Oh, and can you set up some extra cots for Silver and Shadow? I need to show them the abandoned ren fair in the morning."

"Alright," My dad said. "Be careful."

"Will do," I replied. "Ready Metal?"

"Affirmative." Metal answered.

He came over and gripped my wrist. It was still an odd feeling having his metal against my flesh. And though he held it gently enough, I could still feel how strong he could be and knew he could break my arm if he wanted to.

His engine whirred to life and a second later we were standing in Knothole. Since Metal didn't use chaos energy for his jumps it didn't bother my back on bit, but it always sent butterflies through my stomach.

I look around Knothole and my eyes widen with shock at what I saw. The fairly large village was packed with Mobians and tents, each tent barely holding ten people. Nearly every mobian had an injury, either treated or still waiting for treatment. Several seemed to be broken limbs, and I guessed the ones that were worse off were already being treated.

"Em! Metal! Over here!"

Metal and I turn to the voice and see that it's Tails. He was flying toward us with his twin tails working like a propeller. He landed in front of us and I saw that he looked distraught and tired. It must have been hard for him to see so many people and so much destruction.

I smile at him, hoping to cheer him up a bit. "Hey Tails, Sonic called saying he needed a hand. Where is he?"

"He said that you two would be coming soon," Tails said. "He's in the war room with Sally and Shadow. He told me to wait for you guys."

"Well then lead the way," I said.

Tails lead us through Knothole, and there were more tents and homeless Mobians than there were in the square. My heart tightened as I met eyes with young white fox with light blue highlights in his hair. His piercing grey eyes looking older than they should have been, but a gentle smile showed me he still held hope. On his lap was a ferret-looking creature with brown fur, long ears and a long fluffy tail. The boy's right arm was in a sling and I guessed he had a bad shoulder.

"How are you and Silver holding up in all of this?" I finally asked.

"I'm doing alright." Tails replied. "It was hard at first, but not as bad now. I think Silver is doing okay, he hasn't talked much since the first village was hit though so I'm not sure."

Finally, we make it to the war room, and Sonic, Shadow and Sally where leaning over a map of knothole. I guessed they were trying to find more room. I looked at Sally, and by the look on her face, I knew she was exhausted.

"Hey guys," I said, getting their attention. "What in world happened?"

Sonic looked up and smiled. "Thanks for coming. To fill you in on the details, so far three villages have been hit by an attack. The total of survivors so far is around 400."

"Survivors?" I asked, coming over to the map as well. I saw that not only was there a map of Knothole, but also a map of all of Mobius, and there was an 'X' over three villages. It was Sally's way of keeping track of what village was attacked and her way of finding a pattern in the attacks. "Are there casualties?"

Sally sighed and ran a finger through her auburn-red hair. "Almost 140." She replied, her voice sounding heavy.

I felt goose-bumps rise on my arms. To hide this, I cross my arms and look down in though. "This doesn't sound like Eggman," I said. "He usually just gives warning after warning and never harms a hair."

"It wasn't the doctor this time." Shadow said. "He called Sally after the second village was hit asking if we knew what was happening."

"Wait a sec," I said, not really believing what I was hearing. "HE asked US what was going on?"

Sonic nodded. "We were pretty surprised too, but I still hold him as a suspect. But as for the refugees, we gave up all of our spare huts, rooms and tents. So now we're literally out of room. If another village is hit, the survivors won't have anywhere to go. So you see why we called you for help."

"Well, as I said," I explained. "There's an abandoned renaissance fair I know of. They built the booths so they're like a village. And most of the venders left their goods there."

"Any idea on why they left?" Shadow asked, mainly out of curiosity.

"Some kind of shooting I think." I replied. But I don't know for sure or why they left their goods. But the structures are still in good condition, and Knuckles' harvest might be able to help feed them."

"Sounds like a plan." Sally said. "But just to be sure, lets send you, Shadow and Metal to check it out first."

"Got it Sally," I said. "I can take Shadow home with me and check it out in the morning."

"Alight," Sally said, smiling for the first time that day. "You two be careful.

"Of course," I said as Shadow and I take one of Metal's hands. "Oh, my family says hi. And tell Silv I said hey."

"We will." Sonic said as Metal starting his dimensional engine and whisked us away again.