-Chapter 1-

*2 Years Later...*

Mobius had certainly seen a change after the war with Eggman was over. The Kingdom of Acorn had expanded to where it now ruled over two-thirds of the whole planet. Princess Sally was now referred to as 'Queen', which automatically put Sonic in charge of the Knothole Freedom Fighters by default, as the blue-eyed squirrel's time was dominated by the affairs of state. Although peace should have been emanating throughout the lands, the recent strings of attacks on Acorn territory outposts which left no survivors nor any evidence of who or what caused it, drew apprehension amongst the populace.

It also caused alarm for the Kingdom of Acorn and its allies. The Freedom Fighters were working round the clock and to the bone to try and uncover this frightening mystery.

Meanwhile, back at home, life seemed to move on, but it was somewhat chaotic. And Amy Rose seemed to be getting the worst of it.

In spite of greatly maturing these past years and proving her worth in battle the sakura hedgehog found herself suddenly being sort of regarded as a child again. At first, she just thought that the atmosphere of recent events was prompting all the negativity in people. After all, anything like what had been going on would make about anyone edgy. However after a while, Amy started to suspect that there might be another reason. Almost a year ago, after a long hard day of work, Amy had politely asked Sonic if perhaps he would like to go out to dinner on her tab. But the cerulean speedster gruffly refused her invitation.

"Sorry Amy, I don't have time for that." Sonic had said rather coldly in a sort of lashing out tone.

Amy was quite taken aback at his attitude, but felt that maybe he had a much harder day than her and just needed his space.

"Well, alright." she had replied softly. "I won't push it if you don't want to."

Since that afternoon, it seemed all the respect and recognition Amy had earned throughout the years went slowly out the window for some reason.

Offer a nice invitation to a friend and look what happens.

The only other people who seemed to treat Amy civilly more or less were Knuckles and his Chaotix team. The cherry-pink female had actually told the guardian and his soulmate, Julie-Su of the incident, not intending to cause any trouble. Knuckles replied that she needn't worry about it and suggested that she refrain from invitations even if her intentions were good as they were in a semi-state of conflict.

As much as Amy had tried not to let it bother her, she couldn't help but notice a change in the air.

Now, she was given only small, meaningless jobs and duties. No longer fighting in the field, the young flower kept radio contact with the other outposts and checked inventory from time to time. Wanting to prove herself again, the sakura hedgehog made a huge effort not to make a mistake in any of her assignments. She didn't want to give Sally, Sonic, or any of the other Freedom Fighters an excuse to rag on her, or something. Amy even went as far as not speaking personally to Sonic again. Her efforts appeared to pay off when Bunnie, Rotor, and even NICOLE were opening back up to her. On the other hand, she didn't quite know if she had her hard work to thank for that, or not talking to Sonic. Or maybe both. It hurt to think that the only time she ever spoke to him was about business especially since she had a great love for him. But as time wore on, that love was dwindling away by the day as the cherry-pink female began to move on. Plus, she was starting to get homesick for Mercia.

One night, Amy decided to put in a call to her cousin, Rob'O the Hedge. He was the King of the young flower's home country and the leader of its branch of Freedom Fighters.

"I don't really know, Rob." Amy had said. "Maybe I'm wrong, but I feel like I'm being slowly pushed out of the group or something."

"But dearest cousin, you're just as brave, and well of a fighter as the others." the pine green hedgehog protested. "Perhaps I should speak to Queen Sally."

Amy's throat went nearly dry.

"No...I don't think that'll be necessary, Rob." she murmured with a heavy sigh.

The last thing she wanted right now was Sally hearing that the young flower was complaining.

"It'll be alright, Rob." Amy continued. "Maybe I'm just overblowing the whole thing."

"If you insist, Rose." Rob'O replied.

"Anyway, is everything alright back home?"

"Only just. You should be aware that Mari-An is expecting again."

"Yes I know. She'll be having the new member of the family soon right?"

"Very."

"How's Lil' Jon doing?"

"Very well. He's begun training a full moon ago now."

"That's wonderful. Give him my love won't you?"

"Of course, dear cousin."

xxxxxx

A few months later, it was official. Sally and Sonic were going out again. Most people were happy that they were an item once more, Amy meanwhile wasn't the least bit surprised. But she wasn't upset. AS long as Sonic was happy, she was happy. It was pretty pointless to pursue him now. With this turn of events, the young flower had hoped that the tension between herself and a few of the other Freedom Fighters would ease up. Not quite.

Sonic was sort of still treating her like a doormat, and she got little help out of Sally. Amy still had unimportant jobs and duties to perform and couldn't even remember the last time she was on the battlefield.

To make matters worse, the lingering peace was shattered when the attacks on outposts almost became a daily occurrence. Panic ensued, and the Freedom Fighters certainly had their work cut out for them. The yellow alert was now red.

XXXXXXX

Presently, Amy was doing her usual routine of checking inventory. The sakura hedgehog triple checked that everything was in order. She didn't want any of her friends without the necessary tools in case of another outpost attack.

"Okay then..." she muttered to herself while going over a check list. "Rations, check...shield generators, check. Definitely gonna need 'em."

Amy was so wrapped up in her work, that she didn't even notice Julie-Su coming into the warehouse.

"Amy?" the lavender echidna called out.

"Laser cartridges ammunition..." Amy continued.

"Amy!"

The cherry-pink female suddenly jumped when she finally heard her sparring partner.

"Jeeze, Julie-Su..." she rasped, clutching her chest.

"Sorry, I know you're busy." Julie-Su apologized. "But there's something I need to tell you."

Amy turned around and went back to where she left off.

"Okay, you talk, I'll listen." she told the female echidna.

"...This is important, Amy." the Chaotix member gently told Amy, placing her hands onto the young flower's shoulders.

Amy saw in Julie-Su's eyes that whatever she had to say was actually really serious.

"What happened?" Amy asked.

"The Crazy Critter Freedom Fighters were conducting an exercise when they...unfortunately got into some trouble."

Amy's face went pale. That was the cell of Freedom Fighters that her cousin was in charge of.

"What kind of trouble?"

"Well, we're not quite sure if was an ambush, a trap, or just simply an accident, but there was a minefield planted where they were doing their exercise."

Now the sakura hedgehog look as if she were ready to faint.

"...Rob?"

"He and a few others were injured but they're expected to make a full recovery. But the rest..."

Julie-Su didn't even have to finish her sentence for Amy to comprehend the situation. There was a brief moment of silence before the cherry-pink female could collect her thoughts.

"I need to go to Mercia...right away..." she rasped. "But then I'd have to get clearance from..."

"Don't worry about it, Amy." Julie-Su assured her. "Knux is already looking into it. And besides, Rob'O the Hedge personally requested a transfer."

Amy frantically ran a hand through her bangs. If her own cousin was specifically asking for her, then things must be really bad. Especially since her cousin-in-law, Mari-An was expecting their second child. With Rob'O's injury, he wouldn't be able to help her to raise their newborn for at least the first few months.

Julie-Su, sensing the young flower's distress, took her by the hand.

"C'mon, I'll help you pack."

XXXXXXX

An hour later, Amy emerged from her cottage in New Mobotropolis with an overnight bag and a clearance card. She already bid her farewells to mostly everyone and was ready to depart to Mercia. On her way to the transport station, the sakura hedgehog ran into none other than Sonic, was sort of there to see her off.

"Oh, hello Sonic." Amy greeted.

"...Hey." the Blue Blur mumbled.

Amy sure felt pretty awkward right about now.

"So you're really leaving, huh?" Sonic asked.

"Of course." Amy replied. "I have to..."

"I see. I guess I'll catch ya on the flip side, then."

And with that, the royal blue hedgehog left. Amy stared after him feeling a little annoyed. Was that all he could say to her?

'Whatever...' the cherry-pink female thought. 'I've got more important things to worry about...'

She boarded the airship and took one last look at New Mobotropolis before it took off.