As soon as Amy entered the house with Dite; Cream immediately leapt up from her seat and ran to Amy's side. "Amy there you are! You just ran off are you okay?" Cream's eyes were bloodshot from all the tears and she looked exhausted but she didn't care. Right now Amy was important. She watched her best friend intently; watching her reactions and her movements for any signs that she may need help. Cream bit her lip as her question was met with silence.
Cheese watched on as Cream observed Amy, wondering if Cream was going to be okay.
"I'm fine." Amy finally responded making Cream sigh in relief. She took Amy's hand and began to pull her upstairs.
"You should rest! I heard about if from the others, you went through a whole lot didn't you?"
Amy followed Cream without saying a word; she was very obedient when she cooperated in her current state. But that could also be because she couldn't care less to react. She ended up bringing Dite with her, as she didn't bother to let go.
When the trio got up the stairs Cream dragged them to her mother's room where they were initially recovering in. She took Dite from Amy's grasp and tucked Amy in the bed; who just sat in it. Cheese flew and sat beside Dite on the bed to keep the fairy company.
"What ever happened to you Amy?" Cream asked quietly. She looked at the washed out hedgehog and frowned. She was still upset with what Amy had said to her but she knew it wasn't really Amy talking. The demon Inani was the reason for her behaviour and Cream had half a mind to give that meanie a piece of her mind! But first thing's first, she had to help Amy get her Heart Pearls again. She could have her best friend and sister back again. Cream stood still in silence, waiting for Amy's response to her question.
"Sonic."
Cream's ears perked slightly when she heard Amy speak. She couldn't help but feel as if Amy sounded very worn out for some reason. Either it was because of what happened to her, or there was something wrong. Amy still sounded apathetic and her expression always seemed to be one of boredom; but Cream could sense that there was a slight change in Amy.
"What about Mr. Sonic?"
"He talked with me."
Cream froze, "Amy, what do you mean?"
Amy shrugged, "He just, talked with me. I don't know. He listened to me talk, as if nothing changed between us. He talked to me as if I was still myself."
Cream stared at Amy, still silent. She began to wonder what had been going on with Amy since she woke, since she noticed she changed. Cream noticed there was something off about Amy since she came back, she crawled onto the bed and sat beside Amy.
"U-Uh how about Cheese and I go back downstairs?" Dite chuckled weakly, "I'll uh, see if there's anything I can help with—come Cheese!" Dite dashed out of the room while Cheese followed; closing the door behind them and leaving Cream and Amy to themselves.
Cream held Amy's hand in hers, "Amy, are you okay? Really okay?"
"Huh?"
"I mean, you just, don't seem like you are." Cream leaned closer to Amy.
"I'm fine." Amy turned away slightly. She wasn't sure how to feel. She remembered how she made Cream cry and yet here she was helping her out and fussing over her as if nothing happened. Cream was weird. Then again she remembered how Sonic said she was greatly cared about. She fell back into the bed and sighed, remembering the entire ordeal between her and Sonic once more. It was a strange thing. "Cream."
Cream blinked at the mention of her name, "Yes Amy?"
"Do you think, Sonic really wants me to feel things again?" Amy held herself up on her elbow, "To care about things again?" She had a serious expression but blinked in surprise when Cream began to laugh.
"Oh Amy of course he does!" She chuckled, "Mr. Sonic, Mr. Tails, Mr. Knuckles, Mama, all of us want to see you be yourself again." She crawled onto the bed and rolled beside Amy; lying on her back beside her. "We care about you very much and all we want is for you to be happy."
Amy groaned, "Ugh you sound like Sonic." She flopped back down and rolled so that her back was facing Cream.
Cream turned over with an interested expression, "How so?" She asked.
"I don't know..Sonic just wanted me to care again." Amy paused, "To know that I'm not empty and that I'm someone. That my life wasn't wasted on petty games and childish fantasies." Amy was silent for a while, waiting for Cream to speak and respond to her words. "It's not like it matters doesn't it?"
"It matters." Cream spoke, "How you feel about yourself is important." She sat up and stared at her feet, "We can remind you time and time again that we love you, but you're the only one who can convince yourself that you matter. You're the only one that can convince yourself that you're loved by us. Even if we show you if you don't believe it then there's no point." She crawled to Amy and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Do you not want to believe us?"
Amy sighed, "No. I feel empty when I don't." She admitted, "How I remember things, and how I feel about things. They're different. It hurts when I try to get them to agree. It made a hole in my chest that just kept growing bigger and bigger. But Sonic…" Amy turned and sat up, "Sonic filled the gap. You know what I said, he wants me to care again. He says that I want to care about how I feel."
"Hehe, for someone who says that their feelings for Mr. Sonic are pointless you sure talk about him a lot." Cream giggled, "What happened between the two of you?" She scooted closer to Amy, eager to hear the answer to her question.
Amy blinked at the close proximity between them. She sighed, Cream would find out sooner or later. She might as well just tell her what happened and get it over with. As Amy spoke she watched as Cream's expressions changed from awe to horror to relief and also to other expressions that Amy wasn't so sure of. But one thing Amy knew was that Cream had a look in her eyes when they were talking together normally.
Sure Amy still was pretty iffy about everything and was more annoyed with how Sonic just consistently bothered her when she wanted to just not care, but Cream couldn't help but be happy that she was holding a proper conversation with Amy. It seemed like ages ago that Amy told Cream to "suck it up."
"So Mr. Sonic's Heart Pearl and you are connected?" She couldn't help but laugh, what an odd situation. But yet the little rabbit was happy about it. "I don't know how that would work but that sounds romantic."
"Cream no." Amy muttered, "We're not connected like that. Sometimes I just get an sort of feeling from him."
"That's really sweet of him to say though, that he'll put in the effort. Although I wonder what exactly that means."
"I guess it means what you said. He'll try to put in all the effort he can to get me to see I'm worth it. I don't think it means he'll give up everything. Knowing how I used to be, I wouldn't want him to do that." Amy crossed her arms, "The previous me would've wanted Sonic to stay the way he is, because that's what I loved him for."
"It's just like you to know Mr. Sonic well." Cream smiled, "I'm honestly beginning to feel that you're Heart Pearls will return to you soon."
"What do you mean?"
"You just seem, lighter." Cream noted, "Less hateful."
Amy raised a brow, "Huh. Maybe I just don't care to do anything." She watched as Cream pursed her lips.
"I suppose. But you're beginning to care so I think that's a good thing!" Cream smiled and hugged Amy, "I don't want you to say things that you're pointless and all that. It makes me sad, sad because it hurts to see you feel that way. You mean a whole lot to me Amy."
"You say that a lot. It's not as if I said anything good to you either."
"Oh I don't care! I love you Amy! You're my sister and that will never change no matter what happens!" Cream held Amy tightly, wanting to use every ounce of her love in the hug to make Amy see.
Amy blinked as she felt a clenching feeling in her chest. Oh Cream. She was stubborn for still liking Amy despite saying thoughtless things. But yet, Amy felt the clenching feeling tighten. She felt relieved that Cream didn't hate her, that Cream still liked her. Maybe she really was important. If Cream and Sonic would persist, maybe the others would? Could she dare hope?
"Do you mean it?" Amy asked slowly, "I made you cry yet you're still helping me."
It was Cream's turn to blink in surprise, she pulled back to get a good look at Amy. Amy could see that Cream's eyes were heavy and she assumed she cried a whole lot after what she said.
"Oh Amy." Cream smiled softly, "Of course I mean it. I know what you said hurt, but I still remember all the good things. And Amy I know you're not really the type to say those things to me, and if you did you would apologise. I know you don't care about anything right now but I want you to remember that you cared. I'd be really sad if you continued to stay this way, it's not at all like you." She saw Amy's hesitant expression and held Amy's hands; clutching them closely to her. "I do mean it I really do! You're one of the most important people to me, I wouldn't know what I'd do if anything happened to you."
A wave of emotion overtook Cream and she found her eyes were brimming with tears, "I remember when we met, you were very friendly to me and I'm so lucky I got to get to know you. You're so cool always swinging your hammer proudly and always doing your best. You never gave up no matter what and you would use all your efforts to achieve your goals. You're so strong Amy, and braver than I could ever be." She startled Amy by crying, "Oh, oh! Why can't you see how important you are and that you're worth so much!" She wailed and clung to Amy once more. "I know it's not easy to believe, but won't you please try?"
Amy wasn't so sure how to deal with the crying rabbit. She searched her memories before awkwardly patting Cream on the back. If she was herself she would know what to do but alas, even if she said anything it wouldn't mean it if she didn't feel what she would say. Amy sighed, she didn't like that she actually didn't care. The girl Sonic said looked up to her; who loved her dearly and was like a sister, she didn't care about. Amy rolled her eyes. Sonic was wrong she was heartless. But within her she could feel Sonic trying to prove her wrong. She felt he was poking at her heart trying to stir some kind of emotions from it, but all he could really stir was the emotions he wanted her to have; to care about herself.
She thought about Cream's earlier words. Only she was the one who could convince herself? Please, she didn't even know how she felt. Then again she supposed Cream did have a point. All she ever talked about was how she didn't care. Maybe if she tried to care something would happen. If she did nothing there was a chance that nothing would change. Amy could feel Sonic agree with her at that point. He would probably tell her that she needed to put her own effort if she wanted something to happen. But then what exactly did she want. Did she only want to just care about things again or did she want to return to herself?
"I'm a terrible person." Amy muttered.
Cream looked up and gave Amy a teary, horrified look. "Amy no! You're not!"
"Look, it's not about all that." Amy started, "I just, I don't care. Whether I like it or not I don't really feel anything."
"But you said you wanted to care."
"Sonic was the one who said I wanted to care."
Cream sniffled, "How do you feel about that?" She asked.
"What?"
"How do you feel about Mr. Sonic saying you want to care?"
"Uh…" Amy paused. What did she actually feel about it? Did she feel nothing as usual? But if she didn't feel anything from it why was she here with everyone who was trying to get her Heart Pearls back? No one would've really forced her if she just didn't care. Even Sonic despite what he did, if she was straight with telling him he probably would've left her alone. Amy cried out, "Ugh this is so frustrating!"
Amy pushed herself away from Cream and huffed, "I hate this, I know how I felt when a piece Sonic's Heart Pearl became a part of me. I know how I felt when he kept persisting to try and help me. I know how I felt but why don't I know how to feel now?" She clutched her head, "Maybe I do want to care, maybe I do want to go back to how I was. At least I was happy, at least I didn't have to be confused as to why I don't feel anything when I should. Why can't I care!"
"Then let us help you care!"
Amy turned to see Cream with the same expression of despair on her face as hers.
"Please stop pushing us all away! Please stop trying to convince yourself that you don't care and try to let us in. You're struggling to open up because you're closing yourself off at the same time! Didn't you say you felt empty when you didn't care? Didn't you say Mr. Sonic helped you fill the gap and knew you wanted to care again? Amy please, stop saying you don't care when really you do! You're confused and frustrated because it bothers you; you care. Please see that!" Cream rushed to Amy's side and held her from behind, "Please accept how you feel about things. Don't keep saying you don't care or you really won't care in the end."
Amy could feel her chest clench once more, she could feel tears beginning to form in her eyes. It surprised her. "I want to care…" She muttered, "I do care." Amy gasped as her chest clenched tightly before bursting. The sensation of everything exploding within her was felt and Amy began to breathe deeply. She clutched her chest, making Cream let go and race to face her.
"Amy? Amy are you okay?!" She ran to the door and called out, "Someone help please!" Cream turned to watch as Amy collapsed onto her mother's bed, gasping and clawing at her chest. What could be happening to Amy? Was it a Heart Pearl? But she didn't have any Heart Pearls in her except for the piece from Sonic's. She dashed to Amy's side and tried to tuck her in the bed; holding her close as she frantically worried for Amy's state. Cream felt an aching pain in her chest, she didn't like having to see Amy in that state. She silently hoped that she didn't have to continue seeing it but she knew that if she had to she would be with Amy all the way.
Sonic was the first to arrive to Vanilla's room, followed by Dite. He ran to Amy and took her from Cream's arms, searching her for answers. Dite went over and climbed onto the bed, looking at Amy and examining her.
"It looks like she's reacting to something." She stated, patting Amy's arm in concern. "She must be fighting it though. It's not supposed to be like this."
"Amy please don't fight it!" Cream cried; holding onto Amy's hand tightly. "Remember what I said? Please accept how you feel."
"I do…accept…" Amy muttered as she gasped, trying to sit up but Sonic refused to let her.
"Ames just breathe," He said, "Breathe."
"You…make…it…sound…like…I'm…" Amy gasped, "Giving…birth…" She gave Sonic a questioning expression.
"Don't look at me like that. I'm just saying because you seem to be having a hard time."
Cream chuckled despite her worries when she saw Amy stick her tongue out at Sonic. "Do as he says Amy."
Amy fell silent and stopped gasping, instead she tried to breathe steadily. She could feel something inside her pulse but that was it. She didn't feel as if she was calling out to anything, she didn't feel as if anything was responding. She just felt something pulse as if it was growing.
"What is she reacting to?" Sonic asked, "She looks like she's in pain."
"I'm not sure." Dite muttered, placing a paw on Amy's chest, "But I can feel the emotion you gave her growing." She continued to look on at Amy, trying to discern what was going on with her. Dite wondered if anything happened between her and Cream. She hadn't had much of a chance to talk to her yet, considering that she needed her help she should. She couldn't help but feel a bit selfish though, but she really did want to help Amy for reasons other than she was needed to save the world from Inani. Dite closed her eyes and remembered when Amy saved her. Amy had no idea how much her words meant to the little cupid fairy.
"Growing?" Sonic raised a brow.
"Yes. You know, like when a person's heart grows in size. The piece of your Heart Pearl is influencing the action." Dite gave Sonic a look, "I'm sure you must've felt it."
Sonic gave Dite a knowing look. He did know about it, or at least he guessed that he knew. He had a feeling Amy was doubting herself and he couldn't help but feel the need to try and get her to think otherwise. He didn't think that his emotions would influence hers. Were they connected in some way? Considering what Dite said, that was probably the case. It explained at the very least why he felt her thoughts earlier.
"I care..I care…" Amy breathed out. It looked as if she was drifting in and out of consciousness.
Cream wiped the quills from Amy's face and stroked her head gently. "Yes Amy we know, we know you care it's okay." She whispered.
Suddenly Tails burst into the room, earning a glare from Sonic.
"About time you showed up." He said.
"I'm sorry but we have a situation." Tails replied, gesturing to the window. "Inani's energy is back."
"So soon?!" Cream's head shot up, "Why?!"
"Amy's energy is pulsing." Tails pulled his device and showed them the screen, "Whatever's going on with Amy, it's attracting Inani."
"We have to get out of here!" Sonic scooped up Amy into his arms, holding her tightly as he sped out of the room.
"But mama!" Cream jumped off the bed in fear she ran to Tails who held a hand on her shoulder.
"She's at the Tornado with Knuckles and Cheese. I can't believe I didn't land the darn thing closer." He groaned before grabbing Cream's hand. "Sonic's right though, we gotta go!"
Cream grabbed Dite and held onto her tightly. She did her best to catch up as Tails raced down the stairs and out of her house. Her eyes widened as she saw the smoke from before, rapidly emerging from the horizon. The sky was dark and she could feel the darkness seeping into her heart. How could he have come back so soon? Didn't Amy's Heart Pearls chase him away from them? What about her mother, she was at the Tornado but who's to say she would go with them? The thought was painful for her to bear, and Amy; why did Inani have to go after Amy? Why did her family have to get involved in such a horrible thing? Cream just wanted everything to end.
"Don't let it get to you it's going to be okay!" Dite called out to Cream, snapping her from her thoughts. "That's how Inani works. He takes the darkness and weaknesses of your heart and fuels it to try and take over. Cream it really is going to be okay!"
"Dite's right Cream! We've faced many things like this in the past." Tails looked back at her as they ran through the flower patches and across the fields, "That doesn't mean we're going to lose." He winked at her, "You know how it is with us. We always win."
Cream gave Tails a small smile, "You're right Mr. Tails. Mama would say that too."
Tails returned the smile, "Let's fly, we can get there faster." He began to spin his tails as Cream flapped her ears with a nod. The two lifted into the sky still hand in hand as they headed as fast as they could to the Tornado.
When they finally reached, they saw Knuckles waving at them from the ground below.
"Hey! Hurry up!" He called, watching as Tails and Cream landed; Dite still in Cream's arms.
"Mama!" Cream called out, rushing to find her mother seated in the backseat of the Tornado with Amy in her arms. "Mama?!" She exclaimed.
"I'm sorry dear but I insisted that I came along this time." Vanilla replied. She held Amy protectively. "After seeing you in tears, and then Amy in this state." She stroked Amy's quills, "There is no way I'm letting my girls go into danger like this. I know I originally wanted to stay behind but…" She held her hand out and Cream flew to Vanilla's side, "I want to make sure you girls are safe."
Vanilla gave Cream a determined look, she knew that she would usually stay in the sidelines praying for everyone's safety. But when she watched her daughter ran out of the room in tears, when she consoled her daughter and saw how full of love and dedication she was to saving Amy, when she saw Amy's lifeless form and loveless heart, when she saw Sonic suddenly by the Tornado with Amy who was breathing in pain, Vanilla was frustrated. How could she just sit by and watch as the girls she grew to love be in pain? How could she watch as the boys who risked all to save the world time and time again without much thought? Sure Vanilla knew they were capable they even saved her and Cream all those years ago, but they became her family; her extended group of children that she wanted to keep safe. She knew she couldn't do that by the sidelines. She had to learn to fight for them or they would be in more danger.
"Mama." Cream gave Vanilla a teary smile before turning to Amy, "Is Amy going to be okay?" She saw that Amy's breathing was much steadier, but her eyes were closed and she wondered if she was still conscious or not.
"She'll be okay Cream." Vanilla smiled, "I'll be around to make sure of it too." To her, there was a time for being a mother who daintily did her job and taught her child proper manners, and there was a time for being a mother who would do all she could, risk everything in her being, all for the safety of her children so that they could come home and know that there is a tomorrow for them. Vanilla knew, the time for being that mother with a fighting spirit was now.
"Vanilla was very persuasive about coming along." Knuckles gave a shy laugh, "Never mess with a mother's love I guess." Little did he know Amy could hear what was being said.
"I'm afraid you might have to stay on the wings Cream." Tails rubbed the back of his head, "I can't fit that many people in the seats, and I need the space in the cockpit."
Cream then moved to the space between the backseat and the tail of the Tornado; still holding Dite in her arms, "I can stay here just fine Mr. Tails." She beamed, "I'll be okay."
"If you need help holding on just let us know okay?" Sonic gave an amused smile as he climbed onto the wing, "We better hurry and go though, no time to just sit and chat."
"Yeah for once I agree." Knuckles got onto the opposite wing, "You ready Tails?"
"Yeah!" Tails jumped into the cockpit, "Hold on tight cause here we go!" He started up the plane and they began to set off; rising into the air as soon as they could and flying towards the opposite horizon.
"So where are we headed bud?" Sonic asked, holding tightly to the wing.
"According to my scanners there's an energy signal similar to Amy's by the Mystic Ruins. Since my workshop happens to be there we can crash at my place until Amy is better and conscious again. Hopefully we can get her first Heart Pearl at the same time."
"Two birds with one stone? I like that idea." Knuckles grinned, "But what are we gonna do if we run into Inani or something?"
"We kick ass of course!" Sonic laughed, "I look forward to it!"
"Can we just get to the Mystic Ruins already? I know you're excited but not everyone is prepared for any kind of battle." Knuckles rubbed the back of his head, giving a glance at Vanilla and Amy.
"Yeah well, okay fine." Sonic pursed his lips slightly, "But I call dibs on first hits."
Sonic only huffed, he didn't want to admit that Knuckles was right. He glanced back at Amy, he couldn't tell whether she was doing okay or not. But whatever happened, he had to save her and help her fight Inani. He couldn't help but smile, he was on an interesting adventure. He wondered if this was how everyone felt when they helped him save the world.
Dite watched as everyone talked with each other, it was an intriguing sight to see how different they all were yet they got along so well. Maybe time was a factor in that, and experiences. Dite smiled yet felt a sting in her heart. There were people she missed terribly and couldn't help but feel envy once more. It must be nice to have friends; a circle of people who loved and cared for one another. Even if they had the funniest way of showing it. She was content however, content with watching and enjoying everyone's company. She silently wished in her heart that one day she could feel the same affections that everyone had for each other. The closeness, the comfort, the freedom to speak their mind without fear. Dite found such relationships wonderfully complicated. Maybe one day she could explore those feelings for herself.