Prologue
Two blurs clash together with enough intensity to create a small explosion around them. The ground crumbles, electricity crackles, and the wind howls at their ferocity. The two are pushed back from their own power and both are visible as they stand, one a blue hedgehog in a white jacket, the other a black hedgehog in a red jacket. They look at each other, focused and ready to strike at any moment.
The room is a rectangular segment with barren ground and large white walls that tower above. The ceiling open, allowing sunlight and the blue sky to be visible overhead. One metal door stands as both the sole entrance and exit.
"You don't have to hold back against me", the blue hedgehog says, "You won't be able to control that power if you don't train with it". The black hedgehog looks at him and yells, "I won't need it if I get stronger".
Blue shakes his head and relaxes his stance, "It's a part of you and you can't realize your full potential unless you accept yourself".
Black chuckles to himself, "You're beginning to sound like the old man", his stance also relaxes.
Blue panics and looks at his watch, "Speaking of the old man", he says, "Oh crap, I'm late". Blue pats the dust off his sleeves and runs for the door. Black watches him and smiles, "Some things never change", he says as he walks slowly towards the door.
Chapter 1 A Rose in the Breeze
"I said, I hope the voyage was not too tiresome, Miss Rose" The blonde furred mink driver asks again.
Amy blinked and returned to reality, "Oh not at all" she says with a smile, "I just need to get my land legs". The driver nods and attempts to carry what little luggage his passenger has brought with her, only to find it won't budge from the ground.
"Oh there is a little trick to that", Amy says as she effortlessly lifts both of her suitcases into the open trunk of the driver's car. "A little security precaution for extended trips" she says.
The petite pink hedgehog closes the trunk as the driver holds the back door open for her. Amy looks inside the car and the around at the boat passengers walking off the ship. (Is no one else coming with me?)
"Am I the only one", she asks. The driver nods and Amy smiles back as she enters the car. Amy sighs deeply as the car engine starts and the driver heads towards the exit of the port town. Amy watches the nearby townspeople conversing and smiling as she exits the city. People on this side of the sea seemed so happy and content, even in these chaotic times. Amy couldn't help but find amusement in their happiness, it was an unfamiliar scene to her at her old school.
This school was supposed to be the best of the best, having the most successful missions of any other academy. Its students are held with high regard and their facilities are more advanced than any other. Amy wondered how she was lucky enough to get accepted with all the competition. Would she be able to live up to the high standards? Would she be able to adapt to the tough training? Will the students accept her? Will she realize she… is already here?
"Will you have to perform your magic trick for your luggage again?" The driver asks.
Amy once again returns to reality, "Oh no it should be fine", she replied. The driver removes the luggage from the trunk effortlessly and places it on the sidewalk.
The driver reaches into his coat pocket and provides a map for the young woman before tipping his hat and opening the driver door.
"I'm sorry I cannot escort you, I'm afraid I have quite of bit of work at the moment", he says as he sits in his car. Amy nods and turns towards the school, hearing the car's engine dissapear behind her. Standing in the massive shadow of the school made her regret daydreaming on the drive from the port.
At this distance, the school seemed to become it's own little continent, large and adorned with colorful gardens and fountains. Multiple gold ring structures surrounded the top of the school like halos rotating and absorbing the suns rays. The school's lower level was more round and dome like in appearance, its color scheme was reflected by the students' own outfits.
Amy looks over her uniform, A red shirt and black skirt along with yellow cuffs, collar, and bow to top off the whole package. This was the uniform of the Miracle Academy, the uniform tailor made for her that was sent with her acceptance letter. Amy grabs her luggage, straightens back and walks beyond the gate towards a series of turn-styles with red lights on them and turns to the turn-style attendant. The purple furred beaver turns to her, removing one of his ear-buds in the process.
"You gotta pass?", he asks lazily.
"Oh yes of course I have a pass right here", Amy places a laminated rectangular card in the clerk's hand. He looks at the card with a confused look and hands it back to Amy, "I don't think that's your pass".
Amy looks at the card before her face flushes red, "U-uh oh oh no I didn't mean to give you that, m-my card I swear I have one I know I brought it", she stammers as she rifles through her smaller suitcase, grabbing another laminated card with her information on it.
"Yeah that looks like it", the attendant says as the turn-style light turns green and lets out a light clicking noise.
Amy giggles nervously and takes back her pass card and her other card as she shuffles through the turn-style and proceeds towards the central campus' main doors. As she proceeded towards the main campus, she spots several students simply jump over the turn-style without the attendant batting an eye. (I guess you can just do that huh), Amy thought to herself. Amy places her pass card in her back skirt pocket and looks at her other card, a tarot card, for a moment.
"My fortune said, I would have an important encounter today", Amy says to herself, " And it's the lover's arcana of all things…". Fortune telling was just a hobby for Amy, but sometimes the results would be eerily accurate. Amy stashes her card into her back pocket and gathers her luggage before proceeding through the large main doors of the academy.
Miracle Academy
Inside, the facility was just as green and lush as it was outside. Walkways had gardens alongside them, fountains were placed in the center of the walkways, and the large central elevators had vertically ascending fountains. It was an aesthetically pleasing marriage of nature and technology that made the school appear as a vacation resort over a place of learning.
"Whoa", Amy exclaimed, "this place is so big, I don't even know where to begin". Amy looked around at the many students passing by and conversing before covering her face with the school map. "The dorms aren't on this map, I guess I have to ask for directions" Amy thinks before peering over the top of the guide.
"U-um excuse me", Amy asks a nearby skateboarding student as they whoosh past her into the elevators.
"H-hello could you tell me where-", Amy manages to stammer out before a student rushes out of the elevator away from her
"Do you know where-", Amy says in almost a whisper to another student that walks by towards the side halls.
"I guess I can find it myself…I hope", Amy thinks to herself as she walks around the circular central atrium. Amy looks around and turns her vision upward, staring at the massive central elevator rising to the upper floors where class was being held. Just watching the high elevators makes everything spin and Amy falls over right onto…
Someone's arms catch Amy just as she falls back, "Are you okay", says the stranger. Amy catches her footing and turns around to see a blue hedgehog wearing a white jacket with shades lifted onto his head. "Uh yeah", Amy says as she watches the young man stare her down, "You wouldn't happen to be the transfer student, would ya?", he asks. Amy nods, "Yes! I am Amy Rose, I transferred here from Station Square Academy". Blue smiles at her, "Nice to meet ya, Amy. You seem a little lost".
"Yes yes I am so lost!", Amy blurts out, "This place is so massive I don't even know where to begin". Blue looks at her and smirks, "Hey hey don't worry, I'll show you the ropes", he says with a thumbs up. Amy's eyes glisten with joy, "Thanks! You're perfect!", she says before blushing, "I mean that would be perfect!". (Can I go one sentence without embarrassing myself?)
Blue takes a suitcase in one hand and Amy's hand in his other, "C'mon I'll give you the full tour", he says. Amy's blush does not fade as she simply nods and grabs her remaining suitcase.
"This is the infirmary, just in case you get hurt on assignment, or off it".
(An entire wing dedicated to healing? I guess it comes with the territory)
"This is the cafeteria, wake up early or you will miss out on the chili dogs, they go faster than me"
(Faster than me? Is that a lewd joke?)
"This is the training area, we have multiple environments simulated in here, you can also spar with other students"
(Fighting my fellow student, my fellow ELITE students? I'm not looking forward to that)
"This is the library…I don't really come here, but if you're into books we have them"
(I'm not really much for libraries either)
"This is the auditorium, it's mostly for school gatherings and events"
(They even have an auditorium here)
"And back here we have the dorms, they are in the separate building out the back".
(How was I supposed to find them way back here?)
Amy and Blue walk up to the fourth floor into a hallway of doors until they reach the one towards the end facing the window, Amy's room. Amy unclips her key chain off her bag and moves her fresh apartment key into the lock. As she inhales a deep breath, she hears a click and opens the door to her new home. Light shines through the back window and reveals the rather large living room and small kitchen counter.
"You don't have to live in the door-frame you know", Blue says. Amy snaps back to her senses and nods while nervously walking into the room. The decor was modest and the design was practical, however there was something a bit odd about this room. The coasters were out, cushions were shifted, and stray socks peeked from under the sofa as if the previous resident didn't finish moving out. Amy opened her mouth, but only a yawn emerged.
Blue smiled, "Your bedroom will be over here on the right". Amy began to slow down as she pushed through the door, the accumulating stress and fatigue was finally hitting her, and it was hitting hard. She dropped her bags on the side of her bed and plopped right onto the sheets. The softest bed in the world enveloped her as the darkness filled her vision.
"Orientation will be tomorrow, so you should definitely check that out, let them know that Sonic sent you", he says as he walks around the room. "Mmm Sonic…", Amy manages to mutter in her slumbery state. "But first I need to ask you how your fight-", Sonic stopped as snores began to fill his ears. Amy was face down, fast asleep with her legs hanging over the edge of the bed. Sonic scratched the back of his head, "You will be hurting if you sleep that way" he said. Sonic sighed and walked over to Amy, (Is she the type to accuse me of something if I tuck her in…), Sonic thought for a moment before turning her over and sliding her feet onto the bed. After flipping her sheets over her, Sonic looks closely at her sleeping face, her warm vibrant face almost hypnotized him into a daze before he realized he had been staring. "Ah well, I guess I will see you tomorrow", Sonic says as he walks to the door, closing it behind him.
The sound of running water echoes through the dorm, a light yawn and stretch give little energy to Amy. "Did I fall asleep?", Amy asks before shambling to the living room, the sunlight being replaced with a much dimmer light filling the room. Amy looks out the window to see students lounging in the outdoor park area, or studying at the picnic tables. Amy begins walking back to her room when the bathroom door opens in front of her. A tall dark figure in a towel emerges from the restroom and begins to dry his quills with a second towel. His body is well toned like an athlete, but not as large as a body builder and covered with scars large and small.
The dark figure turns his attentions towards Amy and continues drying his quills, "You must be Amy Rose, my new roommate". Amy breaks free from her gaze and stares at the half naked figure before her, "Roommate?", she asks, "But you're a boy". The young man walks towards her, "And you are a girl, and we are roommates", he says as he walks to the other side of the living room. Amy opens her mouth but is cut off by the stranger, "I'm Shadow", he says. Amy nods, "Nice to meet you, Shadow", she hesitates, "I look forward to rooming with you". Shadow flashes a small smile before entering his room.
Amy begins to walk towards his door as a towel flies out of the frame. Turning around, Amy says, "S-so Shadow, have you been here long?". Shadow continues getting dressed and responds, "Yes". "So you would be a good guide to someone new like me", Amy says as she peeks at the door frame with the corner of her eye. "I'm not much for babysitting", Shadow says as he finishes dressing and walks into the living room. Amy sighs and turns towards Shadow now wearing a suit that resembles a motor cyclist uniform, it is red with pads on the knees, shins and elbows. "May I ask where you are going?", Amy asks. Shadow continues out the door, "Training Area". Amy walks out the dorm room into the hall, "Mind if I join you?", she asks. Shadow continues down the hall without turning around, "I'm not much for babysitting", he says as he continues down the hall. Amy's sigh transforms into an audible grunt as she follows behind Shadow.
The elevator lobby shines as brilliantly at night as it did during the day, students still populate the halls even at this late hour. "There are some real night owls at this school, huh?", Amy says. Shadow continues walking ahead of her with no intention of responding. Amy frowns and follows him into the elevator. Amy had learned her lesson and stayed quiet on the ride down, silently following Shadow towards the training area while taking in the new night time lighting along the corridor.
At the end of the corridor, Amy and Shadow arrive at a large vaulted door with six heavily armed robots in front of it. A guard pulls his arm up and types an access code as Shadow approaches the now opening door. A golden walkway becomes visible as the door begins to open, flora also decorates the sides of the road. The doors fully open revealing the large domed interior, the walkway winds around and branches into separate areas. Shadow continues walking onto the road to one of the side areas, Amy follows more closely than ever. The interior doors contain a terminal with various gauges attached, but Shadow adjusts them swiftly and enters the room.
Amy begins to follow as Shadow turns around sharply and stares at her, "You can observe from the deck, but don't get in my way" he says. Amy began to prefer the silence, at least she wasn't being insulted. Amy heads to the deck and unclenches her fists as Shadow takes a ready stance below. A siren beeps and a door opposite of Shadow begins to open, A large metal wolf like creature emerges.
Before Amy can blink, it charges Shadow and bears its fangs. Shadow flows around it and delivers a swift kick to its side. The creature flies into the wall, denting both in the process. The wolf stretches out its legs and howls loudly, as two more metal wolves emerge from the still open door. All three surround Shadow and watch him closely, Shadow stands still with his eyes closed and his arms crossed. Amy holds her breath watching Shadow completely off guard awaiting attack. A slight twitch is all it takes for the wolves to pounce and completely miss their mark. Shadow stands to the side, his movements too quick to process as he punches one wolf and grabs another, the third wolf leaps towards him. Shadow turns and uses the grabbed wolf to block the pouncing wolf before pushing both to the ground.
Part of Amy hated how easy Shadow was making this look, but another part was exited to see an academy student with such power and grace. Amy gripped the rail of the deck tightly and watches as Shadow easily incapacitated the two wolves before setting his sights on the final wolf. Recovering from Shadow's punch, the wolf stood on all fours and howled once more, this time the wolf's sides opened, revealing a type of clockwork interior that began to glow. A golden aura surrounded the wolf as its howl dissipated, Shadow was unphased.
Amy leaned closer over the rail as the wolf opened its mouth, a loud noise sounded increasing in frequency until a large orb of energy appeared. The dark purple orb fixed itself in front of the wolf's jaws while Shadow assumed his usual stance of crossing his arms. The ball fires and rips through the air, impacting hard enough to shake the arena walls and provide a ripping gust that shook the plants even outside the arena. Shadow had already moved behind the wolf and disabled it with a strong chop, the impact causing the wolf to release a second, weaker blast that still shook the walls.
Amy gasped in shock as the shock-wave rattled her over the rail and off the edge, the observation deck was getting farther. She was frozen absolutely locked in a daze, she knew the ground was coming fast, but words couldn't even escape her lips. Amy closed her eyes, and thought to herself, (These students are on a different level, how could I ever compete? But seeing him fight makes me want to fight even harder). Amy's eyes opened as she clenches her muscles, preparing to land on her feet.
Everything stood still, Amy was no longer falling, but she wasn't on her feet either. Amy lie parallel to the ground suspended in the air and very confused, "You need to work on your reaction time", Shadow said. Amy slowly turns to see Shadow looking down at her, and he was very close…too close. Amy's body froze as she put the pieces together, Shadow had raced to her side and caught her. The pink hedgehog's face turns a few shades pinker as she slowly rolls out of his arms and onto her feet, "Thank you very much for catching me", she manages to say in the tiniest of whispers.
Shadow turns and walks to the door, "I'm not taking responsibility for the new student getting injured", he says as he gestures to the exit. And just like that, Amy's respect for Shadow plummets, "Fiiiiiiiiiiine", she groans. The door seals behind her as Amy walks back to the dorm room. The walk back is just as quiet as the walk there, leaving Amy with her thoughts and her growing fatigue. As Amy enters her room, she once again plops onto the bed and sighs loudly, "You think you are so cool, but you're just a snooty jerk!", she says to no one in particular. Amy's consciousness begins to fade as she lets her mind wander, "You're not cool like he was…" she mutters as sleep once again takes her.
In the training area
Shadow finishes off another large mechanical rhino before catching his breath. "Did you meet your roomie yet", a voice says from the doorway. Shadow speaks without turning around, "She's annoying, but very polite". The figure steps out of the shadows to reveal his white suit matching Shadow's in design. "I think she is going to work out just fine", Sonic says, "I just get this feeling that she's going to be something special". Shadow assumes his fighting stance as the alarm sounds again, Sonic stands by Shadow and readies himself as the door begins to open. "Sounds like you've taken a liking to this girl", Shadow says. "If you give her a chance, I'm sure you will too", Sonic says as a roar fills the arena.
Next Episode Preview
After meeting Sonic and Shadow, Amy must be evaluated in the training facility. Amy is no stranger to combat, but Shadow isn't going easy on her. It seems like every trick she pulls is countered by one of his own! But when it looks desperate, Amy goes all out to make her mark on her fellow students.
Will she be able to impress Sonic or will Shadow stop her in her tracks?