Chapter 2-

It was 7:30 in the morning and Amy was up covered in a soft blue towel staring at her wardrobe. The truth was that she had no idea what to wear for her… first day at work? From the looks of it she should wear something that allowed her to run and kick properly, so skirts and dresses were out of the question. Yet she felt like she should wear something a little formal due to the way she saw the man yesterday. He was a little formal. With a huff Amy picked out a pair of black skinny jeans and capri jeans. Then she picked out a red sleeveless turtle neck and new underwear. She quickly put on her undergarments and then looked at the two jeans. She decided to try on the capri jeans first. She put them on followed by the turtleneck and looked at the mirror. Hmm… somewhat formal thanks to the turtleneck. If I wear red high heels I'll look good enough. I like the way these capri's fit me. She quickly took the capri's off and substituted them with the black jeans. Hmm… now if I put on the black high heeled boots. Yeah like this, on top of the jeans. Well I like the way it looks, but I think it's too much for today. I'll just go with the first outfit! Quickly she put the capri's back on, grabbed her pair of shiny red high heeled shoes (the heel had at least 6 centimeters) that had a small peep toe (an opening at the end of the shoes, fairly small, that showed a little of her toe), and put them on. She looked at the mirror in her room in approval and carefully brushed her hair. She placed her favorite red headband on her hand and her golden bracelets.

Fully dressed now she entered the kitchen and prepared a cup of coffee. She was more into teas but a cup of coffee once in a while was just what she needed. The warmth the strong liquid gave her… it's taste lingering a while in her mouth after the liquid being drank. It was 8:05 am when she grabbed her black handbag and opened the door to her apartment. She locked it and headed down. Walking was something she enjoyed doing. She preferred walking to the address written on the folder than taking a taxi for two reasons. First, she was early, second the air made her feel well. When she was three blocks from home a realization hit her. Cream! She frantically looked for her cell phone inside her handbag and once she found it she immediately dialed her best friend's number. Beep…

"Amy! I was so worried yesterday, what happened?" Cream's voice showed slight panic but mostly preoccupation.

"I'm so sorry Cream, really. Something unexpected happened. I was walking towards the park when I heard strange noises and went to check it out… I ended up helping a child from being killed by some jerk! I went to the police office with her and waited for a while when I got a strange phone call. A man called me claiming he wanted to talk to me, so he told me to meet him in front of the train station," Amy tried to explain. Somehow her words didn't reassure the small rabbit.

"You didn't go… right?" She almost pleaded.

"Aw Cream… I've changed. You know I'm stronger than before. I helped the little girl and kicked the jerk's behind! I decided to go and something incredible happened… the man asked me to join the SSIP. Station Square's Inv—" Amy began.

"INVESTIGATIVE POLICE?!" a voice interrupted yelling from the other line. Amy let out a short giggle.

"Is Tails with you Cream?" Then it hit her. Another person knew. Two people knew her 'secret'. They have to keep quiet.

"Yes. He's asking for the phone. But before I give it to him… nothing bad happened right? And I'm glad you helped the girl Amy! You're amazing!" The rabbit cheered.

"Hehe. Don't worry, nothing happened. Thank you Cream! Listen this has to be a secret, ok? I'm only going to tell a few people. Ah, and I accepted the job."

"Promise. I'm passing to Tails."

"Hey Amy? Or should I say Inspector Amy? I can't believe they asked you in! They only ask for the best of the best. Their technology is beyond most! Sometimes I think they're even more or as advanced as GUN. What will you be doing?" The fox excitedly let out.

"Whoa calm down! I'll be investigating, similar to a detective. Bet you'd like to check out the labs huh?" Amy teased.

"You bet! It must be huge. When do you start work? You really need to be careful. You'll be out finding criminals!"

"Don't worry, I'll take care. I'm heading towards the headquarters now. In fact I should be arriving. And Tails? Once I'm comfortable enough I'll try to allow you in and show you all 

the labs! Oh, one more thing. No telling, please," the pink hedgehog's voice was also showing enthusiasm.

"No worries. See you later Amy!"

And she hanged up after saying good-bye. She was in front of a tall building that had a small bridge leading to another building. She knew for a fact that the first three floors of both buildings were apartments- she looked for an apartment there before. That left the other ten floors as the SSIP headquarters. She was to present herself to the ninth floor in building A. Here it goes.

The heels created a clinking sound with each step she took. Head turns to acknowledge her presence; a few faces showed amusement or surprise once they saw her un-human form. The floor she entered was decorated in sophisticated black and white tones and for one second she wished she had brought her black jeans. That was until she saw a female, about thirty years of age and with a nice smile, nod at her and pointed at her capri's and shoes.

A secretary, or at least she acted like one, stood up from behind a desk and accompanied Amy down the hallway. They passed at least five doors until they reached one at the far end of the hallway. On the left there was a tablet with the word Rosso written on it. Amy nodded at the secretary and knocked on the door. A strong 'come in' was heard from inside, so Amy opened the door and closed it after her.

"Welcome. Take a seat. I hope you read the folder carefully since most of the information you need is in it," he began slowly and once he saw her nod he proceeded, "you will be working as an investigator but before you actually become one a few tests will be made. Your skills, going from intelligence to physical skills, will be tested in the testing rooms two floors below. Tomorrow you will be join articles, files and books that deal with investigation. Seeing that you've been around Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles Prower, and Knuckles the Echidna I'm guessing you have some investigation experience. However, in these books and files you will learn our rules, methods, and still free criminals. You will obviously start with small crimes though," he kept explaining.

Amy kept her attention fixed on his words and explanation. When he was done she was shown the door and was about to leave when he called out,



"Amy, or should I say Investigator Amy in the labs and on crime scenes… there will be times when you'll act under disguise. You'll still be yourself but you won't be known for your deeds if you've been asked to solve a crime under cover. SSIP will be take the congratulations publicly while in here you'll be recognized. When you do go under cover you'll have a code name."

"Like what you have?" She asked.

"See you soon, Agent Safira."

"Safira," she mumbled as she opened the door. When she was about to close it she heard,

"Sapphire, in another language. Due to your green sapphires, or should I call them eyes?"

The room was huge. It occupied the entire floor, which wasn't necessarily small. One of the walls had a giant glass case against it. Inside the case a variety of weapons; going from guns to knives, daggers to swords, and bows with arrows Amy admired them all. She found the guns too violent, daggers and knives too brute, but found the swords and bows with arrows different. Though she knew she wouldn't use either to fight since no one walked around with a sword or bow. She would refuse to use a gun though. A man that was walking behind her instructed her to choose a gun, any kind. Although she complained and claimed to be against them he told her she'd need to complete the test. If she used one when she went out investigating was up to her. Reluctantly she picked up a small handgun, pointed at a target (a doll) at least 100 meters away from her and let her fingers do the trick. The sound was almost unbearable to her fragile ears. Never in her life had she heard the 'bang' so loud, and never did she want to again. Yet when her body and mind calmed down she took a second to see the doll. She had aimed for the heart that was signaled by an X, yet the bullet hit under. Large intestine? She didn't really know where it would hit.

"Not the best of aim… but could have been worse. By the way your ears flinched and your eyes turned wide and then shut after the shot I believe you're not a big fan of guns. I'll give you some advice. A gun would be helpful in this type of job. Protective. You never know 

when you'll need to defend yourself and a gun will hurt more and be handier than… a sword," he had a squeaky and annoying voice, but he seemed confident.

"I'm no fan of guns alright. I wouldn't like to use one. Hand to hand combat would do, along with my weapon. The Piko Piko hammer. Besides I wouldn't want to kill my enemy," she bluntly answered.

"I see… sometimes you don't have a choice though. And a gun is certainly more intimidating than a hammer. If used logically and strategically it can be handy," he tried to persuade her.

"I won't use one. Sorry."

"Very well then… maybe we can give your hammer a few upgrades. Make it stronger, more efficient. Maybe add a few spikes in case they are needed?"

"No spikes, blades or bullets. Other upgrades sure," she pressed on. Her eyes fell on a long sword with a pretty golden handle decorated with symbols she knew not the meaning to.

" 'Eternity and chaos go hand in hand and there are few who can break the chain. May you be one of them,' " his voice spoke out, a lot softer now.

"What?"

"The inscription. It's what the symbols mean. Few ever look at that sword and the few who do use it brilliantly and artistically. Why don't you join me in a sword fight, Inspector. We could test your abilities and improve your skills. I'm sure you and this sword will work as a good team. Or are you against these blades as well?"

"No… actually. As long as they don't pierce a heart, cut a throat or any limb. Self defense and only scratches," she explained.



"So you accept my challenge?"

Amy looked at the ceiling and repeated the words inscribed on the sword in her head. They didn't seem familiar, but they seemed warming, welcome. Like she knew what they meant. As long as there's eternity disorder and other conflicts will rise. That's just how the world works. Still she wasn't a fan of vengeance, blood, crime. She hated those things, in fact. Which is why she disliked Eggman as well… and now she was out to fight it. Yes, she'd like that. Fight against the wrong, but not using their means. Not spilling innocent blood and enjoying the view. And the sword… the situation. What harm could it bring?

"Sure, why not."