_Chapter 2: New Friends and Old Friends_

Location: Planetary Defense Center, Planet Kerwan

…

"Are you Ratchet?"

"No, I'm just your ordinary everyday Lombax who just happens to have saved the universe a few times," he said sarcastically. "And who might you be?"

The creature did a quick back flip and said, "The name's Sonic, Sonic the Hedgehog, and they," he pointed behind him, "Are my friends, the Sonic Heroes." Twenty-three other creatures, each differing in their own way, stepped silently from the shadows.

"Oh, boy," was all Ratchet could say. He quickly regained his composure, and said, "Hi, nice to meet you all."

"Okay," Sonic began. "Now that we've all met, let's get down to business. As you probably know, our two worlds are merging with one another."

"Um, actually, I didn't," Ratchet stated. "But I did know something weird was going on. You can thank Tal for that."

Sonic continued, "Anyway, there is only one group of people I know of that has the right technological advancements to achieve this." He looked to one of his many companions. "If you would, Eggman…"

"Right," the strange man said as he pulled up a screen. "Now, tell me. Do you know any of these names?"

Ratchet looked at the list of ten names displayed on the screen. He did notice one familiar name and said, "Yes, I know one of them. Why do you ask?"

"Well, to give it to you straight, they're criminals."

Ratchet looked at Eggman with no emotion in his emerald eyes and said, "I know that."

"They're all Lombaxes."

"I know that, too."

"And all of them are still alive."

This actually swayed Ratchet slightly. "What?!" He exclaimed. "Mariah's alive?!"

"Ah, so you recognize number seven!" Eggman said.

"Oops," Ratchet murmured as he covered his mouth and let his ears fall. He remembered when he met Mariah Arinan, just after her escape. She had been a criminal at the time, but that never stopped him from loving her. He was glad to have his fur because he could feel his cheeks warm with embarrassment. I am so glad no one can read my mind!

Suddenly, he heard a giggle. "Your thoughts aren't as private as you think, furry one," a silver hedgehog said. Before Ratchet could speak, he said, "Yes, I can read your mind, so don't ask. Also, I have a psychic connection with him" -he pointed to Eggman- "So he knows your thoughts as well."

"Your feelings for Miss Arinan are quite interesting," Eggman said. "But I am afraid she will have to be taken into custody with the others…or worse…"

"Or worse?" Ratchet asked with concern, ears perked in alarm. A black-and-red hedgehog pulled a gun out and cocked it. "No, you can't. She changed. I know her. Before she disappeared, she was a completely unlike the person she was when I met her for the first time. She's different."

"Sadly, that is where you are wrong," Eggman said, fondling with his moustache. "How did you say she changed, Ratchet?"

"She changed." Ratchet murmured, looking away. "For the better."

"Look, Ratchet," Silver said. "I am a time traveler as well as a psychic. After you two got separated, she went a little nuts."

"Wait, you've seen her?!" Ratchet asked with astonishment. Silver nodded his head.

Suddenly, a cute little fox next to Sonic spoke. "Quark and I already have a deal for each team to go after one of each of the Lombaxes."

Ratchet froze. Then he shouted, "No! You leave Mariah out of this! I'll deal with her myself. I freed her once, and I'll do it again."

The small fox glared at Ratchet angrily and raced up to where his face was mere inches from the Lombax's. "Nice tails," was all Ratchet said condescendingly, noticing that the fox had two of them.

"Thanks. That's why they call me Tails," he said, his anger vanishing for only a second. Then his expression returned to anger. "Listen, you overgrown cheese-puff, if you get in our way, we will destroy you. And I'm not playing around."

"Who you calling cheese-puff, pipsqueak? I could beat you all any day," Ratchet said with confidence.

"Then hit me, oh golden one," Tails challenged.

"Oh no. I'm not gonna hit a little guy like you," Ratchet said.

Tails crouched, Karate style and said, "Try me." He paused so Ratchet could think. "Or are you too chicken?"

"I'm not chicken," Ratchet explained. "I just don't believe in picking on the little guys." He turned away from Tails.

"Alright, then, I guess I get the first swing." With that said, he jumped into the air, and using his tails, propelled himself to Ratchet and kicked the Lombax in the back of the head.

"What the-?" Ratchet started when he fell on his face. "Why you little! Now it's my turn." Ratchet charged at Tails, fist clenched as he said, "Say your prayers, puff-ball."

"Ah, ah, ah," Tails said. The fox grabbed Ratchet's fist, then flipped him over, and twisted his arms behind his back, driving him to his knees.

"Okay, okay, you win," Ratchet said quickly. Tails released the Lombax and let him stand. Ratchet looked the young fox over as he rubbed his shoulder. "And you are how old?"

"I'm ten," Tails replied.

"Damn! I was beat by a kid not even half my age!" Ratchet laughed. "My doubt has definitely decreased." He sat down with the rest of them. "I can't believe this. I am twenty-three years old, with over ten years of battle experience, and yet I was beaten by a ten-year-old that's not even half my size!" He fell silent, finished with his ranting, then said to Tails, "You do realize that I will eventually demand a rematch, right?"

"Aw." Tails sounded disappointed. "You don't want to try again now?"

"Thank you, but no thank you; maybe next time."

Just then, Sonic spoke up. "Ratchet, there is something you need to be informed of."

"And that would be?"

"Well. It would be easier to explain if I showed you. Eggman, could you bring up a picture of number seven?"

"Right away, Sonic." He pulled up a holo-screen with a picture of Mariah shown on it. Then he brought up a slightly different picture. "Do you see a difference, Ratchet? Other than the color."

"Yes."

"Tell us please."

Ratchet took a good look at the picture. "She is taller, slightly, but definitely taller. Also, her eyes aren't yellow, they're blue."

"Okay, tell us which one is the real Mariah."

"The silver one, of course. Mariah's colors changed after she was released. And her eyes were never yellow."

"Well done," Eggman said, clapping. "And to make it even better, it is the fake one we are after." Ratchet breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, and to make it even better, there is someone here to see you."

"Huh, who?"

Eggman stepped aside, and said, "Come on out, Miss…" Then he leaned over to Metal Sonic and whispered, "You are positive that this is the right one?"

"Affirmative," was the reply.

Silent as a sweet summer breeze, a silver Lombax girl stepped from the shadows. She wore a sati colored with fire red, black, and sunset orange, which matched her scarlet stripes. A red hibiscus was tucked behind her ear, pinning her hair away from her eyes.

"Oh, wow," Ratchet whispered.

"Greetings to you, Ahmi," she said quietly.

Ratchet immediately recognized the name she had called him. It was the same name Mariah had given him five years ago. It meant Wonderful Friend.

"M-Mariah?" he said hesitantly.

"Ratchet," she giggled slightly. Ratchet looked at her with mixed feelings of hope and uncertainty. Was it really Mariah? Or was it just a trick? "You doubt me, Ahmi."

"I-"

"Shh…I know. Here," she said softly. She lifted her right sleeve and turned her arm to where her palm faced up. On her forearm, as vivid as it always had been, was the brand that had been burned deep into Mariah's skin: the mark of Zordoom. When he saw the mark, Ratchet unconsciously gripped his arm where he had the same brand.

"You still have it, too, Ahmi," Mariah whispered. Ratchet nodded numbly, unsure of what to say. It was true; it really was Mariah. She had been found.

I do have an entire story about Mariah. She was actually the first character I created for fanfiction. No joking, I'm serious.

Anywho, hope you enjoyed!

Peace, laters, whatever y'all like to hear.

R & R please! I like reviews! I write better when I get them!