Chapter 1: A Normal Day

Winter had settled on the Mobian Refuge, but everyone was warm and safe within the walls. Smoke came from every chimney to warm the smallish houses and to cook wonderful meals. If you walked through this village now, you could still tell it was once an abandoned Renaissance Fair from some of the shops, castles, signs and the Pirate Ship building we use to house children that lost their loved ones. It didn't look like much, but it was safe and warm, and known as home to the Mobians.

I however, was not in the village right now. I was riding a black gelding called Dazzle with three other Mobians on patrol. Shadow, who was riding Flint, was armed with his pistol. Silver was riding Hope, and Trip the Weasel was riding a gelding called Ranger. He was armed with a bow and a quiver of arrows. I was also armed with a bow, but I also had a pistol just in case. We were patrolling the forests to ensure no one could find the refuge, and if someone was, we could get everyone to the Haven in time. I never exactly asked if I could use the fair grounds as a refuge, so a fear of mine was that the Mobians would be discovered by the Humans and would be shut down.

We came to a stop at an overlook of the village. I had to smile of at the peaceful sight. It looked like a painting that had come to life with the smoke curling from the chimneys and small specks that were the children playing in the fallen snow.

Silver smiled at the quiet scene, his breath showing in the cold air. "Think are looking pretty quiet, there was no sign of anyone hiking through here today."

"A nice change." Shadow replied.

I smiled. "Compared to the excitement of the summer anyway."

The Refuge had only been established for a few weeks when Ryan Weever had decided to send a robotic Shadow to wreck it. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but Silver and I were captured. I won't go into the details.

Trip looked behind us. "Didn't we want to check our stocks in Haven today?"

I nod at him. I wanted to check and see how we were doing on our food supplies. Haven was like a safe-house for the Mobians; it was an abandoned ranch that Knuckles, and several other Mobians fixed up. It was used as a storage unit and a place to hide the Mobians in case something happened in the Refuge.

"After that last blizzard we had," I answer him. "I'd like to make sure that the sheds are still in good condition."

The four of us turn our horses and ride toward Haven. We used the large barn and house for the Mobians, while there were sheds and a cellar we used to store our food.

We dismount the horses when we arrive and have a look around, the snow under our shoes crunching. The haven looked just as it did last week before the blizzard. Still abandoned, but not as lonely.

"We should check the sheds first." Shadow said, tying Flint to a post. "To see if they took any wind damage."

We also tie our horses and follow Shadow to the first five sheds. There was originally only three large sheds, but Knuckles insisted on building at least two more for the fruits, sacks of grain and sacks of seeds.

We walk in and Trip nimbly climbs the crates and boxes to the rafters. Silver follows him with the help of his telekinesis. He glowed like a lantern as he and Trip checked for leaks. Shadow and I stayed on the ground and checked for earthly mice.

"Looks alright up here." Silver reported, still floating amongst the rafters.

"And I'm not seeing any signs of un-wanted quests down here." I reply. "So far our first winter's looking good."

"We still have to check the other four sheds Em." Shadow reminded me. "And the cellar."

I nodded. I wasn't a big fan of the cellar, but I went anyway. It was the perfect place to store the deer meat from the bucks this fall, and it held the M.E. Seeds (Master Emerald Seeds) very well. He had them in the cold cellar in a plastic tub to keep them from germinating and growing in the cellar.

We finish in the shed and other four and make our way to the cellar. I guess the reason I didn't like it was because the cell Ryan held me in. I shivered at the memory; I still woke up in the night now and then thinking I'm still trapped. But I always catch sight of Metal's power light and calm down.

Shadow looked over at Silver. "Think you could light the way?"

Silver smiled, but I knew he didn't like the cellar either. "Sure," He answered, making his fur glow with a soft light blue color.

Shadow lead the way down and Silver looked at me, obviously noticing my hesitance. I look at him and nod with a somewhat forced smile. He smiled back and followed Shadow.

The cellar was locked, where I trusted Shadow with the key. He unlocked it and went in. The cellar was filled with plastic tubs of seeds and breads while the shelves were stocked with meats.

"Things looking good in here." Trip said, sniffing the air. "No mold in here… and I don't smell any mice."

Silver almost laughs. "Sometimes your sense of smell amazes me Trip."

Trip smiled and took a bow. "Thank you Silver."

I smiled at them. The two had become good friends since Trip arrived here in the fall with his family. He was the oldest of a family of seven and he liked providing for his siblings and mother.

"We should take some deer back to Robin," Shadow suggested. "He wanted to restock his shop anyway."

I nod and we pull down a side of deer. I had come to love venison. It was a sweeter meat than beef, and it had a nice juicy quality to it. Plus, dehydrated venison was perfect to take along on long patrols.

We leave the cellar with the meat and Shadow locks the door behind us again. I always thought how some of his habits where odd; hardly anyone would come into an abandoned cellar, but Shadow insisted on keeping it locked. Packing the meat into our saddlebags, we mount and ride back to the Refuge.

Sally had made me the leader of the Refuge since it was Earth we were using, my home world. But because I was still getting used to it, I asked Blaze if she could help me. She was happy to help, since she was a princess. She gave me pointers on how to settle arguments, how to stock up for the winter, and how to set up a guard to patrol the forests for unwanted company. I'm glad that she finally likes me, but Silver is still working at showing her who Christ is.

Soon we arrive at the Refuge, where we slow to a trot. Children were building snow forts and planning a snowball fight. And right in the thick of them was Sonic the Hedgehog, the biggest kid of them all. I stop Dazzle and make a snowball. Shadow watched and grinned when he figured out what I was doing.

I creep up on Sonic, trying not to make a lot of noise with the snow. Sonic was wearing a light jacket and a scarf, not needing much else thanks to his fur. I motion the kids to be quiet with a finger. They giggle a little, but don't tell Sonic I'm there. I creep closer until I'm right behind him and able to stuff the snowball down the back of his scarf.

Suddenly, Sonic whipped around and easily grabbed the snowball from my hand. And before I could blink, he was behind me stuffing my snowball down my coat.

"WHOA!" I shout, almost squeaking. I squirm away from him and try to get the now melting snow out of my coat.

Sonic was laughing. "That kids," He said, turning to face the crowd of children. "Is called the element of SURPRIZE! YAI THAT'S COLD!"

Sonic yelped as Shadow, who had also dismounted with my same idea, stuffed a larger snowball down Sonic's jacket and pressed it against his back. I had gotten the snow out of my coat and looked up to see Sonic dance away from Shadow, trying to get the snow out of his coat.

"And that children," Shadow said with a smile playing at his lips. "Is called a turn of events."

All the kids erupted with laughter as Sonic got the last of snow out of his jacket and laughed along with us. "Finally you're starting to have fun Shadow."

Shadow gave a small smile. "Perhaps."

Sonic smiled back before looking back at the kids. "Mainly kids, no headshots, Dr. Eli has enough dealing with you guys getting colds."

This made the children giggle a little.

"All in all, have fun, and play nice." Sonic finished raising his eyebrows and pointing at a young porcupine boy, who looked away with a mischievous smile.

I gather the horses with a smile as we walk over to the butcher shop where Robin was waiting. We deliver the meat and head back to the stable.

"So what brings you to the Refuge Sonic?" I ask as I take the saddle off of Dazzle. "Certainly not to teach Mobian children seeing their first real winter how to have snowball fight."

"Why not?" Sonic asked, taking the saddle from me and putting it in the tack room. "It's their first winter with actual snow. They deserve to know how to have a decent snowball fight. But no, that's not entirely why I'm here." He put the saddle down and pulled out a letter. "For you Silv, from Knuckles."

Silver put down the brush and opened the letter. "Actually, it looks like it's for both of us Em." He said.

I come over and read it with him.

Hey Silver, Em,

Silver, I think it's time to get you accustomed to the Master Emerald in your training. You've learned how to use the Emeralds pretty quickly, so I think you're ready.

And Em, since you're his fellow protector, you might as well know too. I know using the Emeralds still hurt, but you did almost go super one or twice. Plus, you and Silver balance each other out.

I sent Sonic to get you guys, so I think you guys should be here in an hour or two. See you two then.

~Knuckles

Silver seemed to read through the letter again before looking at me. "You folks will be alright with you going back to Mobius right?"

"I'm hardly home as it is Silv," I said. "But I'll still give them a heads up, that way they don't worry."

"Well I'm ready whenever you two are." Sonic said. "So Trip, Shadow and I can finish here with the horses while you two get ready. I'll meet you guys at the Portal in…" Sonic trailed off as he looked at his watch. "See you guys there at eleven-twenty. Don't be late."

I smile at him, recognizing the line from when Sonic was once teasing Shadow and Rouge. "Same to you Sonic." I reply as I head back to my house.

Sonic had reserved a spot for me to live in the refuge with the Mobian people so it would be easier to lead them. My family visited often, and they seemed to really like the Refuge, but had asked for a name change. You had to admit, The Refuge was a little too original for a Mobian refuge.

I walk in my house and see that Metal had cleaned up a lot since I left that morning. The kitchen was in great shape and even the fire was going on a clean hearth.

"Metal!" I called, taking my wet shoes off so not to mess up the floor. "I'm back!"

Metal came around the corner and smiled. The new form he had was more of an android than a robot now, allowing him to have and show emotions. It surprised me now and then to see Metal's 'mouth' move while speaking. And his hull had been repainted a darker blue with white stripes on his quills. I personally liked this look better than the black and yellow paint job.

"Greetings Operative Emily." Metal said, his voice not holding the metallic, monotone sound from before. "How was the Patrol?"

"Thankfully quiet." I reply. "We checked our stocks while we were out, and it looks like we'll make it through our first winter. There's one problem though,"

"And what is that?" Metal asked, catching the slight tease in my voice.

"I'm gonna have to start paying you if you keep cleaning the house like a house maid." I told him.

Metal chuckled, but it reminded me that he was once a robot, but he didn't reply.

I walk into the living room with him and sit in my favorite Egg-chair. I found it in a store and just had to get it. Metal had helped me move it to my home away from home. I open my laptop and call home. Skype only rang a couple of times before my brother answered.

"Hey Em! Hi Metal! " He said. "How's it been?"

"Cold." I answer. "That snowstorm hammered us, but our stocks are still good and no real damage was done. Is Mom or Dad home?"

"Yeah, Mom's here and Dad's in the shop," He answered. "Want me to get Mom?"

"That would be great." I said and watched Steven walk out of the frame.

Metal watched thoughtfully. "He has grown since we last saw him."

I laugh. "I think that's all that boy does now."

A few minutes later, my mom came into view. And for a sec, it looked like I was looking in a mirror. People always said my mom and I looked alike, and some even mistook me for her, much to my enjoyment. I always found it funny when people say I look like my mom; we both had the same shaped face, auburn hair and brown eyes. The only thing was, her hair was easier to manage. Mine had a crazy flip that was difficult to tame at times.

She smiled when she saw I was on the screen. "Hey Emily. How are things at The Refuge?"

"Cold." I answered. "That snow storm really hammered us. My skype wouldn't work while it was going through so that's one reason I'm calling."

"Well good." My mom answered. "We were starting to worry you blew away."

Metal then smiled. "Thankfully that is not the case. The trees in the area kept most of the wind at a minimal."

My mom smiled, I'm sure it still surprised her that I had a robot. "A good report Metal. Managing to keep Emily and Sonic out of trouble?"

Metal actually chuckled. "When I can. When they can both move as fast as sound itself, it can be a challenge to keep up with them."

I playfully push Metal. Ever since Tails gave him this new hull and had been upgrading his hardware similar to an android's, he's been able to smile, show and have emotions, and even joke around. He's even asked Tails if there was a way for him to be more like an 'Organic Being.' Tails had told him he'd look into it, but it was unlikely and that only God could create life like that.

"Anyway, what the other reason for calling?" My mom asked.

I look back at her. "Well, Knuckles had asked Silver and me back to Angel Island for more training. I didn't want to disappear on you guys again so I called to give you all a heads up."

"Can I come?" Steven asked.

"I don't think so," I answer. "You know how Knuckles is about new comers."

"Aww!" Steven moaned.

I smiled. I know it was mean, but teasing my brother was oh so much fun.

My mom seemed to think it over. She knew what my role as Protector with Silver involved. She just wondered if it was a good idea or not. "Alright." She finally said. "But Metal is to stay close to you and stay with Silver."

I smiled at her. It was a good thing she was worried. It showed me she cared. "I promise mom. Try to keep Steven out of trouble?"

"Hey!" I heard my brother shout.

"I'll try anyway." Mom replied. "Stay in touch."

"Will do. See ya!"

"Goodbye sweetie." My mom said with a warm and loving smile before ending the connection.

I smile and close my laptop. I look up at Metal, his blue hull gleaming a bit. "Well… I'd better get packed."


A half hour later, Metal and I were packed and ready. Since Metal had earned my full trust, I gave him his own bag to carry things he needed to keep himself running. It was a small bag, but it only held his charger, a cleaning cloth, and a small bag of tools to repair himself if the need comes.

Silver was already at the Portal with Sonic and Tails. His white fur made it a little hard to see where he was exactly, but his golden eyes always stood out. He smiled and waved at Metal and me. "Hey guys! Ready?"

"Yep." I said. "It'll be nice to see a warm day again."

Tails was working with the controls on the Portal and smiles. "Well, I have it set to go directly to Angel Island, so be ready for warm weather."

"You're coming too Tails?" Metal asked.

"Yeah," Tails said. "Jonathan gave me a new project to do, and Knuckles said I could set it up on Angel Island. Plus I wanted to upgrade Metal with one or two things."

"What's the project?" Silver asked.

"It's a project Jonathan's been working on for a while." Tails explained. "He wanted to see if he could open portals to other worlds like ours and Ash's."

This caught my attention. "Ash? Who's Ash?"

Sonic looking up from what Tails was doing and grinned. "You'd know him from Pokemon. Jonathan opened a portal to his world and we got to meet them."

"One of these days I'd like to meet this Jonathan." I said. "And This Flavio you're always talking about."

"Maybe after Knux is done with you two I'll take you two down there." Sonic said.

"That I wouldn't mind." I replied.

Soon, Tails closed the control panel and smiled. "She's ready to go."

Silver nodded and gripped my hand, letting a blue glow settle over me. This was his way of keeping the chaos energy from hurting me. We did this often when on Angel Island training; we would keep the chaos off me while I acted like an anchor for when he worked with the emeralds.

We walk through the portal, the energy inside pinching my lungs a bit, but not as bad as when Silver isn't helping. Next thing we knew we were back on Angel Island. The warm sunlight and thick air was welcoming. I take off my sweater and smile.

"There you guys are." Knuckles said. "What took you?"

"We had to inform Emily's family that she was returning to Angel Island." Metal said.

Knuckles looked at Metal for a while and smiled. "Those upgrades look good on you Metal."

This made Metal smile. He liked getting compliments on his upgrades. I smile at him. "Careful Metal, that head of yours might start growing if you're not careful."

Metal looked at me and raised an eyebrow, another upgrade. "My head cannot grow larger than this size Operative Emily."

This made all of us laugh. Sonic put a hand on Metal's shoulder. "It's an expression. When someone thinks to highly of himself, it's called being vein or having a big head."

We all laugh more as we walk up to Knuckles hut, where we would be staying for a while. Tails stayed behind, eager to start his project. But I couldn't help but wonder if having the portal here, in the middle of monsoon season, was a good idea or not.