Training

I felt the warm sheets surrounding me, the soft plump pillow under my head and the sweet smell of pancakes coming from the kitchen. Was this all a dream? The entire year I thought I was fighting the army of the undead was it just a figment of my imagination? I slowly open my eyes adjusting my eyes to my new surroundings as my vision cleared I saw Sonic sleeping at the foot of the bed. His body in a sitting position while his head rested on one of the metal walls, I sighed. Nope it wasn't a dream. This was the first time in what seemed so long that I had gotten a good night's sleep and I couldn't of felt better. I had showered and a small rabbit girl treated to my wounds, and even washed my clothes so I wouldn't get any of my wounds infected. I placed my hair up in a high ponytail as I began to get out of bed. I tried to get out of bed slowly to not wake Sonic but it seems like my attempts failed. His eyes quickly bursted open and then made contact with mine. I felt a small blush began to form on my face. I never really had a guy sleep in the same room with me so this wasn't exactly the best situation for me; then on top of that I hardly knew him. His eyes went from seriousness to soft and warm, he then smiled warmly at me.

"How did you sleep?" He asked while stretching out his body, I heard the clicking of a few bones as he did so.

"I slept like a baby, I never thought I would be able to get a good nights sleep like that ever again." He chuckled lightly and nodded in understanding, "The only thing is that I felt a tad bit of discomfort from sleeping in pajamas." I was wearing on of Sonic's over sized shirts and even though it fit me like a dress it was still pretty short.

I saw as his muzzle began to run a bright shade of red, as eyes looked down to my legs then quickly looked away. "Oh yeah, I think your clothes should be done by now so let me go get them." He then sped out the door making my 'dress' go up. Luckily for me no one is in the room so the fact I wasn't wearing anything underneath didn't scare me. Just as I was about to sit down Sonic sped back in, with my clothes in hand. "Here you go." He handed them to me. Something was off about them so I eyed them suspiciously. "Oh Rouge replace your um.." Another blush formed on his face.

I held my hand up to stop him, "Tell her I said thank you." He nodded then left the room for me to change. I quickly threw off the over sized shirt and placed on the black lace panties and bra - luckily for me Rouge was my exact bra size. I slid into my leather jeans, white tank top and then placed on my black combat boots. I walked to the far end of the room where there was a lonely dresser, on top of it was my holster belt that held all my weapons I carried with me. I snapped it on and then placed the guns and knives in their place; I knew I would have to go back to my camp soon because even with all this it wasn't substantial for the entire time I plan spending here. I quietly slipped out the door and looked down the hallway, no one in sight. I heard laughing and yelling so I just followed the noise to come in sight of everyone sitting at a big table like a family would. It was as if for a second of time the world wasing rotting outside, like everything hadn't gone to hell, like everything was going to be fine. The scene was so warming, so welcoming...so fake it almost seemed real.

Sonic spotted me standing there in the doorway so he quieted down and then everyone soon followed. He smiled warmly at me while everyone else gave me blank stares as if I was some sort of creature. "Hey Amy we were just waiting for you to get breakfast started." He patted the seat next to him, "Sit by me will ya?" I nodded and slithered my way towards the seat and sat down. I looked around the table everyone's eyes still stayed on me.

I rolled my eyes at them, "I don't bite." I said sarcastically. It seemed like they thought I was going to hurt them.

The bat narrowed her eyes, "How do we know we can trust you."

"Rouge!" The cream colored rabbit with big innocent brown eyes next to her speaked. So that's Rouge..

I sighed, "You don't know, but what you do know is that I am just trying to get buy like all of you. I have no intention of hurting any of you as long as you don't hurt me."

Rogue's eyes softened up a bit, "Why would we hurt you?"

I shrugged, "I've had bad experiences with people I trusted." I looked at that small rabbit, "That wound you healed yesterday was made by a man I trusted, he stabbed me over food leaving me for dead." Everyone gasped. "I mean that's how people are here, you just can't be too sure but I am trustworthy I won't betray any of you unless you give me a reason too; but since we just met I understand why you can't so in time I will prove my loyalty." I needed them to trust me if I wanted them to let my sister and me stay with them, it would be our only chance of survival.

"Guys let's focus on the real problem here. What are we going to do about all the flesh eating monsters out there." A fox sitting across from me said said in a serious tone directing the conversation away from me.

"How many of you know how to shoot a gun?" If any of them plan on surviving they need to know how to shoot. I looked around the table waiting for someone to raise their hand or something but none of them did. My eyes widened in shock as I unfolded my arms, "You're kidding." They all shook their heads, I sighed. But then an idea struck me, "You guys each have a superpower don't you?" I already knew Sonic had incredible super speed, but if the rest had powers like him maybe we have a fighting chance.

"I can fly and I have a knack for finding things." Rouge said.

"I'm really strong." The bright red echidna with violet eyes spoke up.

The little rabbit raised her hand, "I can fly." Thank god she can do something, I would hate to see her be behind the rest of us because that's what gets people killed.

"I'm good with computers and tools. Anything you need I can build it." The golden yellow fox with icy blue eyes said, I wasn't really sure how that was a power but I knew it would come in handy.

I looked at Sally, "And you? What can you do?"

She narrowed her eyes at me and smirked, "Whatever it is; it makes me way better than you."

"Um Sally I think you should watch what you say." Sonic said butting in.

"I think you should stay out of this!" Sally barked.

I got up from my seat and took out my small pistol then sat back down. I slid it across the table - avoiding any plates of food - towards Sally. "Go to my camp outside, it's the tallest building right behind us. In the last room of the bottom floor is where all my supplies are; get all the weapons and bring them back here." I smirked, "Oh and one last thing; watch out for zombies." Her eyes went wide and her mouth was agape.

"You're crazy! I can't do that it's impossible!" Sally said pushing the gun away from her in disgust.

I raised an eyebrow, "But I thought you said you were better than me and I've gone there without a scratch millions of times."

The red echidna chuckled, "Ohhh she got you there Sally."

"Shut up Knucklehead!" Sally yelled at the boy then stormed out of the kitchen.

Sonic sighed in annoyance, "You didn't have to make her angry Amy."

"Sonic she has to learn to work with everyone and corporate. She's lucky that it was me she was talking back too because if it was anyone else they would just kill her and get it over with; no body has the time to deal with a brat especially not one who will slow them down."

Sonic nodded in understanding then went after Sally to calm her down, "Don't worry girl he has always very protective of Sally; trust me she gets on my last nerves too." Rouge said after Sonic had left the room.

I nodded and smiled, "Well anyway, I haven't properly introduced myself. I'm Amelia Rose but please call me Amy."

Rouge smiled brightly and her crystal blue eyes sparkled. "I'm Rouge and this is Cream." She motioned towards the cream rabbit sitting next to her who waved softly at me. She pointed to the fox with the icy blue eyes next, "That's Miles Power but he goes by Tails."

"Nice to meet you Amy." Tails said politely with a warm smile.

The bright red echidna smiled brightly as he knew he was next to be introduced, "And that red blob over there is Knuckles."

His face went all red - or redder? As he fumed with anger, I laughed at his hot headedness. "Watch your mouth batgirl!"

Rouge put a hand beside her mouth covering the side that was close to Knuckles, "As you can see he has a major temper." She said in a whispered teasing tone but loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Why you little -" Knuckles was about to pounce on Rouge but the Sonic came back into the room which caused him to sit back down but mumble insults under his breath.

"So how about we great breakfast started?" Sonic said in a cheerful voice. Everyone nodded and began to eat. I watched like a foreigner as they all laughed and playfully yelled at one another like a big family would. It was like I had been locked up inside for an entire year and this was my burst of fresh air. I smiled as I watched them all in awe; I think I was going to like it here.


"Rule number one. Never let your guard down, but I think you guys have experience with keeping your guard up so I know you will be fine." I handed Sonic and Knuckles each a gun, "Rule number two. Stay as quiet as you possibly can." I gave them some extra bullets incase they ran out, "Rule number three. Never and I mean never trust any bystanders."

"What if they are in need of help."

"Leave them." I said sternly to Sonic. I knew this would be hard for him since he was a hero and all but there was no time to go around saving everyone.

"But -"

I gently took Sonic by the shoulders and looked into his piercing lime green eyes, "Listen Sonic I know it will be hard for you but we can't go around saving everyone. We need to focus on our group, if anyone asks you for help just leave them; because if they are bitten they will kill us all."

"What if it's a child?" Knuckles as curiously.

I sighed and took my hands off Sonic, "I'm not sure, I haven't come across a child for about eight months now. The military killed most of the children so that they wouldn't have to suffer through all of this."

"Then how do you know your sister is still alive?" I felt a knife go right through my heart. I didn't and I knew that the realistic part of me knew she was probably dead by now but I couldn't just stop looking even if it was hopeless.

I narrowed my eyes and held back tears. "She just is."

Knuckles nodded, "Sorry I didn't mean it that way..." He said apologetically. I knew he didn't but it just hits a nerve when part of you knows he may be right.

"It's fine." I walked towards the main door, and looked back at the boys. Rouge had offered to stay so she could watch over Tails and Cream not that they needed it since they were capable of watching themselves but you can never be too sure - and Sally was locked in her room. "Are you guys ready?" They both nodded in unison. I pressed the button on the right side of the main door and it quickly began to open. The horrid smell of the world I was accustomed too filled my lungs and the rays of the warm sun kissed my fur. I pointed towards the building behind us, "That's where we need to go, my camp is on the bottom floor so it won't be hard to reach."

"Why couldn't we just fly the ship there?" Knuckles asked annoyed.

"Because it would make too much noise and attract unwanted guests."

"Then why can't Sonic just speed through the building get your gear and speed out?"

"Because the entire place is booby trapped and it is good practice for you and Sonic to be out here on the battlefield. If things go wrong Sonic is going to pick you up and the weapons and run back towards the ship."

"What about you?" Knuckles asked worried.

"I think I can handle myself for the few seconds it takes him to do that." I chuckled at his concern. I knew everything was going to be fine, this trip wasn't foolproof but it sure as hell was one of the safest I have ever done. Sonic and Knuckles stayed quiet for most of the walk as they looked around the abandoned city in awe.

"What if they come?" Knuckles asked breaking the ice.

"There isn't an if Knuckles, they will come but they just take a while so we have enough time." Everything was fine as we got to the door, it was quiet for once; too quiet. So I turned around to come face to face with one of the undead, he slowly walked towards us as one foot dragged behind the other. His one arm outstretched as if he could reach us - the thing that did reach us was the stench. I walked in front of Sonic and Knuckles calmly, "Don't shoot it will make too much noise." They nodded in understanding, and then I proceeded to putting the poor thing to rest. I looked into its pure white eyes, I sighed as I lifted my machete at the nap of its neck then swung swiftly to cut off the head. Its body fell lifelessly against the ground and I proceeded to stabbing its brain.

"Amy come on you don't have to be so gruesome just leave it." Sonic mumbled in an uncomfortable tone.

I dug my machete into the head then pulled it back out with ease and bowed my head in respect of the deceased. Every chance I get I try to show my respects for the dead, they might have been trying to kill me but it was involuntarily; they were still people. "If I don't stab the brain it won't die Sonic." I said as I lifted my head to look at him, "You are going to have to kill one of these sooner or later so get use to this."

"Just give him time Amy." Knuckles butted in harshly.

"There is no time." I scolded him narrowing my eyes in anger. Does he not know what's at risk here? Does he really think we have time to adapt to this new world? How ignorant.

"Come on guys lets not fight." Sonic said sternly with a hint of annoyance.

Knuckles grunted in frustration as I pushed past both of them to unlock the door of the building. There was a long pause as Sonic and Knuckles stood there dumbfounded at what they saw, the ceiling lights were flickering on and off some even hanging from a single cord. Papers scattered everywhere on the floor, chairs and desks flipped over, the windows covered in wood as an attempt to keep out the undead but from the looks of all the blood painted across the floor and walls it didn't do much good. I turned around facing them, "So who will be guarding the door?"

Their eyes seemed to pop out of their heads, "W-What?" They said simultaneously.

"Who wants to guard the door." I said slower so that they would understand.

"You mean we would have to stand here alone?!" Knuckles said in shock.

I rolled my eyes, "I can't hold your hand all the time Knuckles."

"Fine I will stay. Just hurry up." Knuckles said bluntly as he walked back towards the door to keep watch cursing under his breath.

Me and Sonic began to slowly walk down the hallway towards the very last door, I make sure to stand close to Sonic so that he doesn't step on a booby trap I left for the zombies. It was silent as we walked down the hallway and to me it was uncomfortable; I knew every time it was silent something or someone was just waiting to pop out at you. I looked to my side to see Sonic wasn't there so I quickly looked behind me and felt my heart quicken in pace. I tackled Sonic to the ground. We both laid there for a few seconds in a daze; me on top of him. I quickly got up from the position we were in blushing like a fool, he looked at me in anger and confusement. "What the hell was that for?!"

I pointed to the tile on the ground next to us, "If you stepped on the tile you would have exploded and it would have blown the walls off the place since it is hooked to other bombs." I walked towards the walk to demonstrate the wire that was connected to the tile.

He slowly got back up with gun in his hand, "Thanks but next time..." He stopped mid sentence, his eyes seemed paralyzed by something. I quickly turn around to see what he was looking at and it was another zombie. She was a girl; a hedgehog to be specific. Her short dark hot pink quills were all over the place and her punk style clothing torn and tattered along with missing patches of her fur along her arms. I calmly began to walk towards the girl and hold up my machete in order to cut off her head but Sonic stopped my arm in the process. "Don't."

"We can't just leave her." I spat as I ripped my arm away from his tight grip.

"Please just go around her." Sonic said desperately.

Thats when I realized there was something more than the fact that he was uncomfortable with death by the look on his face; he knew her. I softened my tone, "Who is she."

His gaze went to the floor and he sighed, "Does it matter?"

"Yes."

"She's my sister." I looked back at the girl who was getting closer to me but not at a dangerously fast paste. Her arms were still stretched out and swinging in desperation to grab us; I knew I had to kill her.

"Sonic I have too.."

His gaze met mine, "What if this was your sister?"

His question took me off guard. What if it was my sister? It wouldn't be. Serena knew how to get around without getting bitten or grabbed, she knew how to shoot to kill and how to use a knife. It wouldn't be her. Suddenly I was yanked backwards by my hair, I dropped my machete in the process.

So this was how it felt to be grabbed...

The feeling of fear and adrenaline running throughout y

our body; the feeling of your life slipping away. I held in my scream so I wouldn't attract more zombies but since I dropped my machete I only had one choice; shoot her which would make as much noise as me screaming. But just as I reached for my gun, someone had already beat me to the punch. I looked directly at Sonic in disbelief and my mouth agape. He had his gun still pointed in my direction - not at me but what was behind me. We held each others gaze for a few moments until he broke it - I knew he broke it because he didn't want me to see the pain in his eyes, or the tears that were so eager to come. I sat there for a few minutes just staring until I finally got the courage to speak. "Sonic.."

He held up his hand to stop me, "Lets go get the weapons and get the hell out of here."


I sat across from Sonic that night at the dining table, I watched as he picked at his food with his fork and his other hand resting against his cheek giving his head leverage. His eyes weren't full of spunk like when I first saw them; they were cold, solid, and distant. I wanted to talk about what happen back at my camp site but I knew it wasn't my place to say anything if he didn't want to talk about it.. But wasn't it better to talk about something that upsetting than just holding it in? Before I could stop myself I asked the question that had been running through my mind that entire day, "Sonic are you okay?" Everyone went silent as they realized that Sonic really wasn't acting like normal - I haven't known him for a long time but from what everyone has told me he is usually cocky, larger than life, and untamable. But here was a quiet, distant, and tamed.

Finally after what seemed like forever his eyes made contact with mine, the intense sadness took me off guard. Looking into them even made me want to break down and cry... "I'm fine." he said emotionlessly and then went back to his food.

"Sonic I think you should -" But before I could finish he got up from his chair and walked out of the room ignoring me. I sighed, I couldn't even imagine how he was taking this. When I killed for the first time it was a complete stranger, sure it took a toll on me for quite a while but Sonic had to kill his own sister...

"Nice going, you upset him." Sally said as she glared at me.

I rolled my eyes and went to follow Sonic, I found him sitting at the window of his room gazing outside towards the outside world - we were in the air so there was no need to board them up. "I'm still in shock you know..." He said just above a whisper.

I sat on the edge of the bed close enough to hear him but far enough to give him his space. "What do you mean?"

He still didn't look at me but spoke softly, "I mean that I could still remember when this world was so full of life, when I enjoyed looking over the beautiful city but now that I look at it I see nothing but pain."

I sighed, "It's better not to look, after awhile I stopped."

There was a long brutal silence until finally his lime green eyes made contact with mine, "How did you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Get over the fact that everything you loved, everyone you knew was gone."

I calmly walked towards him and sat on the ledge of the window space in front of him, I rested up against a pillow then gazing at the world below me. "I never did. But when you are faced with the choice to live or die you kinda just don't think about it, you just think about keeping the people who still are alive safe."

"I'm just not cut out for this Amy, I am suppose to be the hero. The person who saves the weak but in this new world I landed into I have to abandon them - I'm just not a killer. "

Our eyes locked once again, and I could see that the pain he was trying to hold back was starting to unfold. I placed my hand over his and caressed it softly, "You don't have to be a killer Sonic, you can still be the hero."

"Amy don't bullshit me." He said sternly taking his hand away, "If I didn't shoot my sister she would have killed both of us.."

"Sonic you can't kill someone who is already dead, and besides you did her a favor."

He looked at me in shock with a mix of anger, "Killing her was a favor?!"

"Sonic like I said you didn't kill her, what killed her was that bite she had on her arm; and yes you did her a favor. Do you think she would have wanted to walk around this earth as one of those flesh craving zombies?" He stayed silent. "Sonic don't think about it as ending their lives, think about it as helping them move on. If you had been bitten and had to choose between becoming a zombie or ending your own life what would you choose?"

"I'd end it, I wouldn't want to become a monster."

"They aren't monsters Sonic, they are people who didn't get a choice to end it for themselves. They are the lost souls that are wondering on this planet and it is up to us to help them move on."

"So that's why it's so easy for you to kill..." He mumbled under his breath.

"It's not easy for me either Sonic, but you have to do what must be done. My way of thinking just helps me get through and keeps me from going insane from all the bloodshed i've seen..."

"You mean some people actually go crazy?"

"I mean wouldn't you? Being surrounded by death and fear everyday gets to some people Sonic, and those are the ones that are the true monsters. Those are the ones who kill everything and everyone on spot; dead or alive."

"How do I know you aren't one of those?"

"Because you wouldn't be sitting here speaking to me."

"But I'm not a zombie."

"But you have shelter, food, running water, and everything that someone would need to survive."

He sighed, "This world really is fucked up isn't it?"

I nodded, "But as long as we all stick together we can all make it through. If I can do it so can you Sonic, just be strong."

He let out a loud sigh and then a small warm smile formed onto his lips as he stared back out into the world we once knew, "I know nothing is going to change or get better, but I am glad that you are here leading the way Amy; my team would be lost without you."

I smiled softly, "Sonic whenever you need to talk just let me know. I've been through my share of struggles from all this so I can help if you ever need it." I knew we still needed to talk about what had happened back at the campsite but I thought it would be better for him to bring it up to me instead of the other way around; either way I'd always be there for him or anyone else on this ship who needed it. These people gave me some sense of hope that things will get better even if the world outside is crumbling as the days pass, and I will do whatever it takes to protect them..