Finally got the first chapter up. There's a lot of talking and stuff like that, but I think the first few chapters will be introductory before getting into the plot. I hope you guys enjoy this au!
Chapter 1 : A New Venture
"Amy, hey Amy wake up." Sonic's voice purred into Amy's ear making her nuzzle him as she woke. Sonic chuckled lightly, shifting so that he was sitting upright; forcing Amy to sit up as she was previously leaning on him. He removed Amy's jacket from him and held it in his lap. "We're in Velo City." He smiled at his sleepy bandmate, "Are you excited?"
Amy yawned before rubbing her eyes, "We're here?" She muttered before kneeling on her seat to face behind them. She lazily reached over to tap Tails' head, "Wakey wakey eggs and bakey…" She groaned and buried her head in her seat; the sound of Sonic's laughter in her ears.
"Yeah. Maybe I should wake them up." He said, pulling Amy to her feet. "You get of first okay? The bus can't wait for us any longer." Sonic stepped into the aisle and pushed Amy gently so that she walked towards the door. He then made his way to where Knuckles and Tails were still fast asleep; an hour was really not enough rest for all of them. Sonic made his way to the seats behind the two and leaned over, shaking Tails slightly. He placed a finger over his lips as Tails woke and pulled him over the seats to where he was. He stepped into the aisle to allow Tails to leave the bus; Tails staring at him with a raised brow as he left.
Sonic pulled up his sleeves with a mischievous grin on his face; he sat behind Knuckles' seat before pulling both his legs back and slamming them roughly into the back of Knuckles' seat, making the echidna plummet face first into the back of the seat in front of him. Knuckles angrily pulled back and rubbed his face before turning behind him; but Sonic had already dashed off the bus. He grumbled before noticing that everyone's instruments and luggage had been left in the back storage compartment of the bus. He grabbed them and carefully took them out of the bus, much to the dismay of both Tails and Amy who apologised and helped him. When Knuckles finally stepped off the bus he was eventually met with the loud laughter of Sonic.
"Serves you right Knucklehead!" Sonic covered his mouth with his hand, trying to stifle his laughter.
"Shut it moron." Knuckles growled, "I'll just have to get back at you another day."
"I'd like to see you try."
"Guys!" Tails exclaimed, "Do you even know what time it is? I don't want our band to be notorious for disturbing the neighbours."
"What neighbours Tails?" Sonic gave a curious look, "Which part of Velo City are we even in for that?"
"The city central." Amy yawned and rubbed her bare arms, she was cold without her jacket. "I heard that's where all the buses from outside the city end up."
"Where's the nearest hotel, do you know?" Tails asked, looking around to see if there was a city map.
"I don't." Amy muttered, "But a place to stay for a while shouldn't be a problem."
"Oh?" Sonic raised a brow, "Does this have to do with that phone call from that Silver guy earlier?" He noticed that Amy was shivering slightly and he placed her jacket on her shoulders, earning a grateful expression from Amy.
"Who's Silver?" Knuckles asked, eyeing Sonic and Amy curiously.
"A friend of Amy's." Sonic replied. "Just a friend."
"Yeah. What Sonic said." Amy looked around before noticing a black van with tinted windows driving up to them on the side of the street. She eyed the van suspiciously before picking up her phone and dialling. "Silver?" She spoke, "Where are you?" She continued to watch the van with a raised brow, "You don't by uh, any chance have a black van do you?" Amy sighed. "Of course." She hung up her phone and walked up to the van, much to the confusion of her bandmates. She gently knocked on the window with an amused smile, "You realise that is the single most suspicious looking vehicle I have ever seen." Amy chuckled as the window was rolled down.
"Aw come on that's exactly what Blaze said." A silver coloured hedgehog myumon appeared behind the tinted window with a pout on his face and crossed arms. "And she's not in the driver's seat."
"Hi!" A racoon female leaned over Silver from her seat behind the wheel, "I'm Marine! That your band over there?" Amy noticed she had an accent.
She waved over her friends who glanced at each other before walking over, "These are my friends Tails, Knuckles, and..." Amy blushed slightly at seeing Sonic giving Amy a teasing look, "And Sonic." She laughed slightly, rolling her eyes.
"Nice to finally meet you guys." Silver waved, "I've heard a lot about you from Amy."
"Why don't you guys get your stuff in the van?" Marine smiled, "Silver go help them." She playfully punched Silver who groaned and rubbed his arm. "Pinky can sit with me!"
"But I was the one who called shotgun!" Silver made a face before getting out and walking over to the boys who were picking up their things. He picked up a case before getting a cautious warning from Sonic.
"Careful that's Amy's bass. She'll kill you if anything happens to it." Sonic picked up the case to his own guitar while Tails picked up his keyboard. Knuckles; considering he played the drums, had to carry each part one by one. He was grateful when Silver came to help him after tucking Amy's bass neatly in the back of the van.
"I betcha wondering about the van huh?" Marine leaned on the steering wheel with a grin on her face. "It was Silver's idea; said that he felt we'd need the "privacy" when we get a record label and become famous."
"You guys don't have a record label too?" Knuckles; who was seated right behind Marine, stared in surprise. "Then again I don't think I've heard of your band."
Marine gasped placed a hand on her chest, "OH! I am hurt red, how could you!" She laughed, "Nah I know what you mean. That's what happens when you're an indie band. But emphasis on the "small and independent" portion of it. Makes it hard if you wanna enter the Emerald Music Fest."
"Tell me about it." Amy rolled her eyes with a laugh, "But that's why we try right?"
"You got it!"
Soon everything was carefully placed and everyone was seated. Sonic was seated with Silver at the very back, with Tails and Knuckles behind the front seats. He watched Amy as she was laughing with Marine. He felt that she was always good with socialising; just like him.
"Sooo are you and Amy a thing or?" Silver eyed Sonic with a smile on his face, only to back up with his hands up and ears folded back at Sonic's glare. "H-Hey I didn't mean anything by that." He chuckled nervously, "It's just that Amy talked about you a lot that I was wondering."
Sonic raised a brow, "What did she say about me?"
"Ah, nothing much I guess." Silver rubbed the back of his head, "She kept saying how cool you were and how amazing you are at the guitar. A little intimidating since I'm also the guitarist of my band but I won't lose! E-Eh I mean…you know, in a band." He muttered as Sonic laughed in amusement.
"Yeah I'm pretty great at it huh?" He teased, "Listen Amy and I are friends okay? You don't have to think anything by it."
It was Silver's turn to raise a brow, "Uh…huh…." He was very skeptical.
"How long have you been living in Velo City Marine?" Tails asked, not noticing the sort of conversation that was going on in the back.
"Not long really, maybe for about a couple of years. Maybe uh," Marine tapped her chin briefly before returning her hands to the wheel; she continued to look forward. "Maybe three? Yeah three. We've been a band around the same time. At first it was just Blaze and I in good ol' Solea; Silver was our friend for about a year or two prior. He went to Green Hills for the annual indie band event and then came back and started going on and on about how we should be a band."
"Oh! I see." Amy smiled, "So that's how it was."
"Yep! I'm guessing you knew because that was when you met Silvy?"
"Yeah. Our band Ring 50 had already been together for a year then, and we were there at the event to see what performances would be like; you know for experience? But I got lost in the crowds and that was where I met Silver. We ended up watching the entire event together in one of the stands. Stuff happened and we became friends." Amy turned back in her seat to check on Sonic and Silver, but the two hedgehogs were having their own conversation.
"What's it like here?" Tails continued to ask Marine questions while Amy was busy looking back; Knuckles had his headphones on and was staring out the window quietly.
"It's pretty cool! Much different from the silent little towns on the far side of the continent. Which I'm sure you guys know about coming from Green Hills." Marine shrugged, "But sometimes the busyness can really get to ya, which can really make you appreciate the quiet life."
"Do you miss Solea?" Amy turned to Marine, "I mean it's been years hasn't it?"
Marine was silent for a while, "Sometimes." She replied, "I mean it's natural to miss home isn't it? But I'm having fun. Being a band and going through all sorts of experiences that I'd probably never get if I stayed; it's amazing. It's an adventure in itself, and one day, golly one day we'll go on a tour across the continents. Maybe even Midi City in the eastern continent. You never know. Of course we'd have to level up our Melodisian Stones first or we'd never get there."
"That's true. Melodisian stones are very important in our music careers." Tails nodded, "Considering that they represent our sound energy. Sometimes I'm worried we won't have enough talent to absorb the positive energies from the crowd to purify and strengthen our stones."
"Coming from the myumon who hand created his own personalised keyboard with several sounds and functions? I honestly doubt you don't have enough talent."
Tails lowered his head bashfully, "Aw thanks Amy."
"Wow you made your own keyboard?" Marine exclaimed, "I can't even build my own drum set. Not yet at least."
"Well it's nothing much. It's easy when you're used to it I guess."
Marine pursed her lips, "True. I betcha make all the really cool stuff for your band huh?"
"Sometimes. I'm not allowed near the instruments. Everyone's too protective."
"As if I'll let you near my darling Piko Rose." Amy huffed, "That bass is my precious baby and I will be absolutely upset if anything happened to it!"
"Exactly what I mean." Tails chuckled as he shrugged, "Though Sonic is the only one that trusts me with his guitar from time to time."
Eventually the black van reached a sleepy section of Velo City; an area condensed with tall apartment buildings, but would sometimes occasionally hold a small office building and small shops along the street. They soon reached a rather large apartment building between a currently closed cafe called The Underground and a music tuition shop called Harmony Gardens. The van was parked by the apartment; where a lavender cat and a tall cream and orange rabbit were waiting.
Silver was the first to leave the van and greeted the two, "Blaze! Mrs. Vanilla! Sorry to have to bother you this late at night."
The rabbit smiled, "Oh it's not a problem dear. It's not much compared to how much you've been teaching my daughter."
"Aw shucks it's not a big deal." He then opened the doors to the van and allowed the Ring 50 members outside. "This is my friend Amy, the one I was telling you about." Silver beamed as he pointed to Amy who shyly waved.
"I'm Blaze, the bassist." The cat smiled and held out her hand, "I hope Silver hasn't been a bother."
"N-No it's okay." Amy chuckled bashfully and took Blaze's hand, "He's been quite helpful with our instruments. I'm a bassist too."
"Oh? Then I hope we get the chance to show each other our skills."
"Really? Sure yeah okay, yeah I'd like that." Amy returned Blaze's smile before turning to Vanilla.
"My name is Vanilla." She shook Amy's hand gently, "I'm a music tutor at Harmony Gardens." She gestured to the store, "I'm also the owner. I hope you kids enjoy your stay in Velo City."
"Thanks Mrs. Vanilla." Tails called out; all the boys were unpacking the instruments. "I'm Miles Prower, but you can call me Tails." He approached the talking group with his keyboard in his arms.
Marine and Silver were helping Knuckles with his drum kit; and the echidna approached the group. "I'm Knuckles." He muttered, trying to carefully hold a drum.
"Here let me." Blaze took the drum from him and held it perfectly.
"Thanks." Replied Knuckles; returning to gather the rest of his drum set.
Sonic then came up and nudged Amy, passing her the case to her bass. "And I'm Sonic!" He grinned with a wink, making Vanilla laugh and Blaze roll her eyes in amusement. "I'm gonna get my guitar Ames but uh, if you need me to carry your case call me!" He made a phone gesture with his hand as he walked back to the van.
Once all of the instruments were unpacked, Marine got into the driver's seat of the van. "I'll go park this baby while you guys head upstairs yeah?" She smiled and drove off into the night.
Vanilla went to pick up one of the drums from Knuckles' drum kit. "Right, shall we go inside? I'm sure you're all tired from your journey." She said, "We'll get you settled in okay?" Everyone nodded and picked up their instruments; Sonic and Amy strapping theirs on their back to help carry some of the drums. Silver, Knuckles, and Blaze also picked up a drum whilst Tails had to carry his keyboard; his case didn't have straps unfortunately. They temporarily left their luggage by the apartment entrance.
While it was assumed they were heading into the apartment building they were actually headed towards Harmony Gardens; which everyone noticed the lights were on despite the shop being closed. They were greeted by a small rabbit who opened the door. Vanilla approached with a confused look on her face.
"Cream? I thought you went to bed?" She asked, Cream laughed slightly.
"Mama I'm fourteen." She replied, "Do you need any help?" Cream gestured to a moving cart beside her, "I pulled it out just in case. It's pretty lucky you guys can keep your instruments here instead of inside the apartment." She grinned, "Though I'm not sure if the drum kit would fit up all those stairs."
"Thanks uh, Cream." Sonic grinned, "I'm Sonic and these are my bandmates." He introduced his band and Cream smiled; helping them place Knuckle's drum kit onto the moving cart.
They entered the Harmony Gardens store where they found a neat reception desk and various instruments on display. Vanilla walked towards the hallway passed the reception desk as everyone followed, "These are the tuition rooms." She said, "It's where myumons can learn all kinds music from classical to pop to heavy metal if they wanted." Vanilla laughed to herself, "And at the very back are recording studios. There are some that are open to be rented by anyone at anytime, but there are some that are rented monthly by bands who need a place to practice and record music." She soon reached one that was at the very back of the store; the label Ring 50 was on it. "You can use this one in the meantime. But I'll have to start charging you once you are all properly settled in."
"No worries Mrs. Vanilla, we be paying you in no time flat." Sonic huffed proudly with crossed arms, much to the annoyance of Knuckles.
"Say that after we have jobs to pay her." He muttered, "I don't want to jinx anything."
"If you want you could always work here," Vanilla offered, "I don't mind having more hands to help teach."
"We all work here and it's fun." Silver spoke up with a smile, "I get to teach kids how to play the guitar while Blaze and Marine help with the instrument and recording studio management."
"Ages six to fourteen just so you know thanks." Cream replied with a pout, "I'm not exactly a kid you know?"
"Don't tell anyone but Cream's my favourite student."
Vanilla opened the door to the recording studio as the members went inside to place their instruments. As they were about to unpack Vanilla stopped them, "Why don't you do that tomorrow dears?" She suggested, "It is pretty late at night and I'm sure you're very hungry."
When Vanilla mentioned food everyone paused.
"Well…" Amy started.
"It has been a long journey." Tails added.
"Food would be great." Sonic muttered.
"Thanks." Knuckles finished and everyone was amused.
Cream clasped her hands together, "Great! Mama is a wonderful cook! We should all have dinner together at our apartment! Please mama?"
"Of course." Vanilla smiled, "A little get together to get to know each other. Blaze won't you get Marine so we could all eat? Silver you can bring all the luggage up to your apartment, would you need any help with that?"
"Nah I can do it myself." Silver grinned and took Blaze by the hand and running out of the store. Amy couldn't help but observe the two of them curiously, but was unaware that she herself was being observed.
Inside Vanilla's apartment on the third floor, everything was neat and tidied as if they were expecting guests twenty four seven. Cream was setting the tables while Vanilla was busy cooking dinner for everyone. Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy were seated in the small living room connected to the dining and kitchen area.
"I wonder if the place we're staying at is also small?" Sonic asked quietly, he made a noise when Amy elbowed him. "Ow hey!"
"Don't be rude." She hissed, "Also, Silver's apartment can house seven of us just fine. He kept talking about how Blaze managed to get them this whole suite bigger than what they expected." She then stood up, "I'm going to see if I can help." As Amy left, Sonic was left to stare at Tails and Knuckles who were across from him.
"What?" Knuckles asked with a raised brow, "You know I'm still going to get back at you for what you did earlier."
"Hey, I was just returning the favour."
"Can't we not argue for once?" Tails sighed, "Every single time you two are left alone."
"Not every time." Sonic replied, "Just when I feel ol' Knucklehead needs a bit of fun."
"Fun? I can have fun anytime I want." Knuckles scoffed, "You just ruin my fun."
"What fun? You're such a stick in the mud I'm convinced half the universe has been shoved up your—"
"GUYS." Tails raised his voice slightly, causing the two to freeze. "It's midnight, we're having dinner at a nice and friendly household, and we've been travelling all day on a bus with hard to get comfortable in seats. Can we just can the sass party for I don't know, tomorrow?" He held a hand on his forehead in exasperation.
Sonic and Knuckles sighed and leant back in their seats, leaving the atmosphere around the trio to be quiet. It was broken by a knock on the door.
"I'm coming!" Cream skipped over to the door and opened it, "Hey there you guys are! You sure took a while." She grinned as Silver entered with his band members, "Amy and I just finished setting the table. But Sonic and the others are in the living room."
"Thanks cutie." Marine returned the smile as Cream happily skipped back into the dining area where Amy was.
"Oh hey it's Silver and his band." Sonic smiled, "What's your band name anyway?"
"SOL Flare." Replied Blaze, seating herself on one of the seats. "Sol all caps, star in-between it and Flare."
"Nice." Knuckles smiled, "Pretty cool name."
"Thanks red. Blaze was the one who came up with it." Marine beamed.
"Kinda reminds me of that band member from that one band in Midi City." Sonic noted as Silver laughed.
"Blaze was really into Trichronika at the time." He said, making Blaze turn away bashfully.
"Really? I remember Amy liking them. Though she always liked that one Eastern band with the really really long name." Sonic rubbed his cheek, "I could never get the name right."
"Tsurezure Naru Ayatsuri Mugenan, or just Tsurezure for short." Amy entered the living room, "They have a very unique sound."
"Are they even singing in the same language?"
"Music transcends even beyond language barriers." Blaze stated; Amy nodded in agreement.
"…Right."
"Anyway I'm here because Mrs. Vanilla wanted me to tell you guys dinner is ready." Amy pointed to the neatly set table behind her as Cream and Vanilla were emerging with plates of food. Everyone took to their seats as dinner was served.
Dinner was a pleasant affair, with everyone talking about themselves. It was discovered that Vanilla had originally moved to Velo City with her husband before Cream was a year old, the two had opened Harmony Gardens before Cream's father passed away shortly after in an accident. It was hard but Vanilla was able to stay on her feet and raise Cream at the same time by herself, though she was plenty grateful when the members of SOL Flare came to help her out. It was also discovered that Vanilla used to live in Green Hills, used to be Tails' old piano tutor. Tails was very surprised at the discovery and was incredibly happy to know that Vanilla was doing well. Everyone also discovered that Sonic had been to Velo City before but a very long time ago; before his time in the Never Lake orphanage. But Sonic wouldn't reveal the details.
After dinner it was suggested by Vanilla that everyone headed to bed; as the time was about two in the morning. Cream yawned as she took the plates away; being assisted by both members of SOL Flare and Ring 50. The two rabbits waved them off from their apartment as they all headed up the stairs towards the tenth floor; with small complaints as to the lack of elevators in the building only to be told that it was an old apartment building and was a lot cheaper despite being well taken care of.
When they reached the tenth floor, Silver pulled out his keys and opened the door to the apartment; everyone was surprised to see just how big and spacious it was. Sonic and the others eyed Blaze curiously, just wondering how she managed to get such a lush looking place.
Marine began giving them a tour of the place; showing them the kitchen the bathrooms and other important places. "Okay so, the room on the far right is Blaze; next to her is mine, and then next to mine at the very end is a guest room. That would be Amy's. Next then on the far left at the end is Silver's room, and then two guest rooms next to it. Now because of that two of you are going to have to share—"
"I'll go with Sonic!" Tails called out, startling everyone in the apartment. "U-Uh I mean I'll room with Sonic hehe…" He chuckled nervously.
"Alrighty then foxy." Marine clasped her hands, "You and blue will be next to Silver's leaving red with the last room. That good enough for ya?"
"Sounds good to me!" Sonic grinned and held a thumbs up before noticing all their luggage was in the middle of the living room. He watched as Knuckles and Tails took their luggages and said goodnight to everyone; mentioning how they were pretty exhausted. Soon Blaze and Marine were saying the same thing before retreating to their rooms.
"Guess I'll just see you guys tomorrow huh?" Silver chuckled, "We've been up long enough." He went to his room with a wave, "Night!"
Sonic turned to Amy who was the only one left, "Need any help Ames?"
"Oh no I'm good Sonic thanks." She smiled and took her luggage, "Think you'll be able to sleep well without me?" She raised a brow playfully.
"Ah you know you're always gonna be here and there." Sonic laughed quietly and pointed to his head and his chest making Amy return the laughter.
"You're a dork." She muttered under her breath before pulling her luggage to her room, "I can't believe we're really here." She spoke as she held her hand on her doorknob.
"Yeah I know."
"A new adventure." Amy breathed out, remembering her conversation with Marine in the van.
"A new adventure." Sonic repeated, giving Amy a wide smile.
"Sleep well Sonic."
"Pleasant dreams Amy."
They entered their respective rooms, with soft beds waiting for them to get their well deserved rest.