Mission One: Mines
(Amy's Pov)
By mid day break, I managed to reach Cliff's excavation site. He being a professional archaeologist, still digs up the ruins that were left by the Ancients. I first met him by exploring a bit of the island months ago, before the whole Lyric thing happened. He and I are good friends and I introduced him to Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles. I doubt Sticks has met him but she will eventually.
Walking through the dirt and followed the wooden fences. I met up with a few of his miners. Waving at them for a bit. His large tent was in sight and I leaped over a small cliff. Landing on the soft dirt and walked to him. His back was turned at me while talking to Q-N-C. The small robot that used to work with Lyric a thousand years ago. I don't know much about the little robot but he's a good friend of ours.
"Long time no see Cliff." I said. Grabbing both Cliff's and Q-N-C's attentions.
"Hello Amy, it's been a while." He said while lifting his hat a bit.
"Yes it has, a few months since Lyric was defeated." I said.
"I'm grateful knowing you and your team stopped him. Knowing that he'll be locked up for eternity lifts weight off my shoulders." He chuckles a bit.
"I personally wanted to turn that ancient reptile into a hand bag. He would look great with my clothes." I commented. We laughed at the silly thought.
"What brings you out here Amy?" Cliff asks.
"I've come back to return the chaos crystals." Holding out my hands and showing him one of them. "Since that over grown lizard isn't after them anymore, I wanted to return them back to there proper locations. We have no use for them and they're harmless to anyone." I made the crystal disappear once I was finished.
"I see but where are Sonic and others? Aren't they with you on this journey?" He questions.
"Actually I'm on my own. Sonic and Knuckles are on another part of the island repairing a damaged village, and Tails is off working on his many inventions." I had to lie on the Tails part. I promised him to not maintain his date, even though Cliff won't say anything.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Cliff asks.
"There are no robots after us this time and Eggman hasn't been seen since. I think I'll be fine Cliff." I answered.
"Okay Amy. Just be careful." He said.
"I will...Oh before I forget. Can I borrow that Ancient book you have Cliff?" I ask.
"Sure but what for?" He reply's.
"I've been looking into the Ancients lately and can understand there hieroglyphics. On this journey I wanted to examine the ruins and try to find out more information about their extinction." I said.
"Well I do say you're quite lucky." I look at him confused. "It's very difficult to understand their language. A thousand years ago that was their way of speaking and to this day is nearly impossible to understand. It's very rare to find someone like yourself who can read their language." He commented.
"I find it pretty easy to understand." I said.
Cliff chuckles and went into his tent. I hear him go through a few things inside till he returns with the book. "You can borrow the book Amy." Handing me the large thing.
"Just give it back to me once you've completed your mission. If I do see Sonic, I'll let him know that you stopped by." He said.
"Actually I'd prefer you didn't Cliff." He looks at me confused. "I wanted to do this for a while, collect more research on the Ancients and return the crystals. Besides Sonic's busy helping others at the moment. I don't want to stop what he's doing just for this." I said.
Knowing Sonic, he'll get bored. There's no Eggman to race after or robots to smash. They've all disappeared since Lyric's defeat. Not much excitement for him.
"Alright, I understand." He said.
"Thanks Cliff." I said while walking away, keeping the book in my arms.
"Good luck!" He shouted.
It seems that Cliff wasn't effected. Well he's like what in his late forty's? I doubt he'll be able to notice my problem. At least Cliff, Tails, and Knuckles aren't effected my this. Thank chaos. If I have to deal with more males after me, they'll get a good beating from my hammer!
I headed off to the first location, the mines. Sine we found the first crystal in an entrance way. It'll be easy to put away. I enter in one of the entrances into the mine. Following the railroad inside. Since we already pushed the proper buttons and used the energy beams. The area is the same as we left. Going through the corridor till the I reached the end. Using the energy beams that Tails made for us, I swing myself on the ledge. Seeing the small stand where the crystal appeared.
I made the Shock Crystal appear in my hands and placed it on the platform. It floats a few inches above the concrete. I walked around and found a button on the wall. Summoning my happier and wack it hard, it glows in a green color. I felt the ground vibrate and saw a statue appear. It rises from the ground and lifts the crystal in it's hand. Engulfing it in solid stone. The statues appearance is identical to Sonic. Having his signature quills and standing posture. The difference is its style of clothing and lack of facial features. It seems that the Ancients must look similar to Sonic. I remember the door from the tome, it had Sonic and Tails carvings on the doors. They must be part hedgehog since they resemble Sonic's features. I wasn't quite sure but keep that in the back of my mind.
With one locked away, I had seven more to go. I left the mines and summoned my device. Opening it up and pressed on the screen. Searching through it till I found the map. My next stop is Abandoned Ancients Factory. It was easier to walk out. Both Knuckles and I were side tracked by saving a few trapped miners. It felt good to help others in need. This time they learned to stay out of harms way and be more careful. I walk onwards to the abandoned factory. Finding the entrance to the locations and ran through the obstacles. It was a piece of cake.
I stand in front of the factory's entrance. I look at the map again and look deep into the building. Searching for the location to place the crystal back. I find it and close the device. It disappears from my hands as I enter the building. I sighed to myself, this is going to be a long day.
(Narration)
As Amy enters the factory little did she know, she was being watched. Eyes glue onto her like a hawk. Their full attention on the pink hedgehog as her silhouette disappears into the nature covered building. The figure turns away into the forest. Making no sound as it walks through the brush.