BREAKING NEWS
Doctor Ivo 'Eggman' Robotnik dies, age unknown.
The doctor's body was found amongst the ruins of his base after explosions were reported late Tuesday night in the forest 70 miles east of the city. Investigators conclude the explosion was caused by a combination of flammable gases and an electrical fire.

She read the few short sentences over and over again in her head, still trying to make sense of it all. She didn't even know what she was still doing with the newspaper, it had been published months ago. Even still, she hadn't completely wrapped her head around it. She sat on the edge of the lounge, leaning over the article splayed out on her coffee table, just staring at the words. The fuchsia hedgehog's eyes burned before she finally tore away her gaze and sat back, rubbing her face with her gloved hands.

She eventually got to her feet and walked over to a set of drawers, taking the paper with her and dumping it in the bottom of a drawer. She silently wandered into the kitchen and turned on her kettle, leaning against the bench as she watched it begin the boil. Something caught her eye out of the kitchen window, causing her breath to hitch. She looked around, hoping against hope it was… no, it couldn't be. It wasn't yesterday, or the day before… or the day before. It was just a breeze picking up some leaves and drifting them past her.

She mentally scolded herself through a sigh before turning back to the kettle, watching the steam release as it finished boiling. She poured herself a tea and began to slowly sip at it, not moving away from the kitchen bench. She looked down at herself and brushed away invisible dirt from her day's attire. She had recently started mixing up her wardrobe, casual but very beautiful. Today, she wore red flat shoes, black high waisted ankle-biter jeans with a white button up top that she tied up at the front, showing and little mid-rift and rolled up sleeves. Her quills hung loosely above her shoulders, having ditched her red head-band these days.

She was snapped out of her hazy trance when she looked up at the time, almost burning her mouth on her tea. She poured it down the sink before grabbing her bag and running out the door. She ran the whole way down the dirt path until she finally reached the train station, jumping on as the doors were closing. She caught her breath as she found an empty seat and made herself comfortable. She watched the scenery of trees and small bushland pass her by before everything went dark as the train went through a tunnel. On the other side, all she could see were buildings and skyscrapers for miles, having arrived in the city.

She got off at her stop and made her way to a university, one of the most prestigious within the entire city. She made her way into a class room and snuck into an empty seat, trying to tune into the beginning of her lecture. It appeared she hadn't missed much, merely a review of what they had gone over in the last lesson. She hadn't been studying long, but she had always had such an interest in archaeology, and she figured that now was as good a time as any since… well, since things had changed.

.

Hours passed and she was finally finished her classes for the day. She trudged out of the university and slowly made her way through the city and towards the station. She ran her nails through her quills as she thought about the newspaper article she'd been reading this morning – as she often did. The past few months seemed like a lifetime ago. As she absent-mindedly got on the train and took a seat, letting the outside world flash before her eyes as she sped away from the city, she thought about the gang. They didn't hang out the way they used to anymore… in fact, it had been a few weeks since she had seen any of them at all.

When she stepped off the train and made her way off the platform, she wondered if maybe she should drop in to see someone. She started walking down the dirt path home, her stomach in knots knowing that she could potentially call in and see Tikal, who lived the closest, but suddenly she was nervous. Why? She swallowed her nerves and picked up the pace towards the peach coloured echidna's home before she changed her mind. Her breath became unsteady the closer she got, her palms sweaty as she arrived at the front door and knocked three times.

'Amy! What a nice surprise.' Tikal beamed when she opened the door.

'Hey! Sorry to just drop in, but I was on my way home and I thought-'

'No, no, I'm glad you did.' Tikal cut her off, 'Come on in, I'm making tea'

Amy smiled a little and followed behind her towards her living room. She took a seat as Tikal went into her kitchen and came back out with tea, taking a seat next to her. They smiled at each other, happy to be in each other's presence, but there was a strange silence. It was like making a conversation was suddenly difficult or strained. But for absolutely no reason.

'So, how-'

'What have-' They both began at once, cutting each other off awkwardly.

'It's been a while.' Amy began again simply.

'Too long.' Tikal agreed, almost sadly.

'What have you been up to?'

'Not a lot these days, to be honest. I've been doing a little teaching – I came across a few kids that were seemingly discovering they had powers like mine but they didn't know how to control them so I've been guiding them, I suppose.' Tikal explained as she stirred her tea.

'That's amazing. It must be so rewarding.' Amy smiled as she stirred her own tea.

'It really is, I'm enjoying it…' Tikal trailed off, lost in thought for a moment. 'But, how about you?'

'Me? Oh, uh… I'm studying. Archaeology. I'm really enjoying it.' The fuchsia hedgehog stammered out.

'Really? I'm so happy for you, I know you've always wanted to do that.'

Amy thanked her and they both smiled at each other before taking a sip of their tea. It was awkward. Painfully awkward. But for no apparent reason other than their friendship dynamic had changed so much in just a matter of months. They were hurting, watching their conversation crumble before them when it used to be just so easy. They both finished their tea and just stared down into their cups, fiddling with the handles.

'Do you hear from the others much?' Tikal asked with her gaze still in the cup, much to Amy's surprise.

'Not really. Not since… well, you know.'

'Eggman?'

'Yeah.' Amy nodded, silence filling the room again.

'I hear Rouge and Shadow are forever at work, G.U.N taking up every second of their time. I see Knuckles whenever I go to the Master Emerald. Silver and Blaze went back to their world… I guess, there is just less keeping them here now.' Tikal shrugged to which Amy nodded a little, 'What about you?'

'Do I hear from anyone? Cream sometimes. I see her and her mother every now and then. Tails spends every waking minute inventing – I heard he's been hired for some huge tech company to invent new gadgets.'

'And Sonic?'

Amy jerked her head up to look at the peach coloured echidna at just the mention of his name. It was like the sound of his name filling the room made him here somewhat. Like those gusts of wind that picked up the leaves or the rustles in the trees… all could have been him. But they weren't, and she knew that. She didn't know where he was, but she knew he wasn't here.

'I'm sorry, I shouldn't-'

'No, it's ok.' Amy cut her off, 'Uh, last time I spoke to Tails he said Sonic just travels and travels. Never stops.'

'When was the last time you saw him?'

'I guess… the last time we were all together. The day after Eggman died.' Amy shrugged, Tikal nodding and let silence fill the room again.

They both bowed their heads and stared into their laps, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Amy lifted her gaze a little and noticed a picture frame on the window sill, causing her to stand up and walk over to it. She smiled when she got close, her back to her friend. She picked it up and brought it closer, turning around to lean against the sill as she examined the picture.

It was the whole gang, dressed up and celebrating. Everyone was laughing and either looking at the camera or at each other. The bubble-gum hedgehog stared at herself in the photo, she was looking at the camera. Sonic's arms were wrapped around her from behind, squeezing her. She could almost feel it again. He was looking at her, laughing. They all looked so happy.

'Your 22nd birthday, I think that was.' Tikal commented, watching Amy look at the photo.

'That was only 7 or 8 months ago.' Amy breathed out in disbelief.

'Amy?' Tikal said after a few seconds silence, causing Amy to look up, 'do you think we're all drifting? Like the only thing that kept us together was protecting people? But now that the biggest threat is gone…'

'I think…' Amy trailed off, wondering what to say. 'I think we all just to make more of an effort for each other.'

They smiled a little at each other, both seeming satisfied with that response.