Alternate Mobius…

The Dragon Kingdom
Temple of the Golden Lotus

Monkey Khan was relived as he dismounted from his nimbus cloud and saw that indeed, the Temple of the Golden Lotus was still standing where it ought to be. Everything was the same since the Dragon Kingdom was liberated from the Iron Dominion, down to the last brick and detail. Still, Khan could sense something was off as he approached the temple gates.

"Nothing has changed," Khan said to himself. "But why is everything the way it was? Has the Iron Queen conquered the Four Ninja Clans again?" He walked inside to see the same beautiful structure of the Dragon Kingdom's revered shrine built in honor of the ancient Golden Lotus King.

That's when he saw a familiar face walk up towards him.

"Li Yuen!" Khan greeted the lion in blue Chinese clothing in front of him.

"A pleasure most rare, Your Highness," Li Yuen bowed his head in respect. Khan was positive this is the same Li Yuen, royal advisor to the King of the Free People. He was uneasy at first, but then again, he figured he could use this to his advantage.

Khan instructed, "I need historical records of recent events, as well the world's current structure."

"Ah, for the treaty negotiations with the High Councilor?" Li Yuen asked. "His envoys are expected to meet you at the castle."

Khan had no idea what Li Yuen was talking about, but nodded in agreement, "Why, yes. The treaty discussions." Anything that could help him understand would be useful.

"I'm afraid our resources are limited," Li Yuen admitted as they walked down the shrine's hallway. "Sonic has been less than willing to reveal his regime's inner workings."

"Sonic?!" Khan exclaimed in his mind. "He's this so-called 'High Councilor?!'" His thoughts returned to Li Yuen, "Tell me everything you know. Recount the events of his ascension." The royal advisor confusedly stared at Khan, but the King of the Free People made his comeback, "A thorough review might illuminate new strategies for negotiation."

"I am humbled, Sire," Li Yuen bowed sincerely. The two continued their walk further down the temple grounds.

Li Yuen began, "Five years ago, the scientist conqueror, Dr. Robotnik, deceived Sonic the Hedgehog into killing his wife and unborn children and simultaneously destroying New Mobotropolis. Consumed by grief, Sonic killed Dr. Robotnik."

"Sonic killed Robotnik? New Mobotropolis destroyed? He's already married?" Khan thought to himself in confusion. "And here, I thought he was still righteous and pure…" He then replied to Li Yuen, "Yes… We all remember where we were that day. Go on."

"Afterward, he showed no restraint," Li Yuen continued. "Judge, jury, and executioner, he and other like-minded Mobians quickly reined in the criminal element."

"Which made him quite popular," Khan guessed.

"This planet was desperate for strong leadership," Li Yuen replied. "Sonic consolidated his power and created the One-Planet Government. Democratic institutions were swept away."

"Sire?" A voice called.

Khan turned and gasped. It was Li Moon! But… why was the red-furred fox girl dressed in royal clothing?

"Your Highness?" Li Moon said. "Sorry to interrupt you, but the High Councilor's envoys await you in the throne room."

Khan sighed. He'd have to play along and hope that an alternate version of himself didn't come back soon. He could get more information at this rate.

The Royal Castle of the Free People
Throne Room

Khan entered the castle's magnificent shining throne room to discover two familiar faces awaiting him. Miles "Tails" Prower and Vector the Crocodile. However, Tails was wearing a red leather jacket and a new hairstyle, and Vector was wearing a black and red uniform, the headphones in his ears replaced by a hood covering his head. They look happy to see the King of the Free People approaching.

"Tails, Vector," Khan greeted with a smile. "Welcome."

Both envoys bowed in response. Tails was the first to speak, "Your Highness, it's an honor to meet you."

Vector added, "This is the first time I've ever been to the Dragon Kingdom."

"Yes," Khan responded. "We have important matters to discuss. The treaty."

Tails held a flat folder under his right arm as he took it out. "The final draft," he said. "We're all glad you've agreed to Sonic's terms, Your Highness."

"May I?" Khan held his hand out.

Tails handed the treaty as Khan opened it. At first, it was a simple deal of offering health and security benefits for the Dragon Kingdom. But as Khan reached the bottom, he suddenly noticed something completely unsettling. His expression changed into a frown.

"Is there a problem, Your Highness?" Vector observed Khan's uneasiness with Tails.

"This is complete subjugation!" Khan shouted with outrage, closing the treaty. "Sonic will rule the Dragon Kingdom!"

Tails stated, "It's what you agreed to. It's what we expect."

"Are you threatening me?" Khan glared, his thunder staff sparking furiously. "Tread carefully."

"We have our orders," Tails shook his head. "I'm sorry, Khan."

With that, Vector lunged to tackle him while Tails sent out a shock blast from his Buster Arm Cannon. Khan anticipated this and rolled from the blast, which instead hits Vector. Khan fired a blast from his thunder staff towards Tails with enough force to make him cry in pain and stagger back.

"You can tell Sonic…" Khan declared. "He will NOT have the Dragon Kingdom!"

STAGE 1: MONKEY KHAN VS. MILES "TAILS" PROWER (REGIME)

Tails fired a laser beam at Khan, who was able to deflect it with his staff. Khan boarded his nimbus cloud and performed an electrocuting dash swing, knocking Tails down. Before Tails could get back up, Khan stunned him with a thunder attack, grabbed him, and threw him over his head. Tails tried to get his second wind, but Khan kicked him through the door and into the hallway of the castle. As Tails recovered, a brawl of Arm Cannon blasts and thunder staff strikes ensued, destroying the exquisite hallway around them.

When the smoke cleared after many explosions and such, Khan swung his staff at Tails, forcing him to fly backwards towards the wall. Khan was about to finish him off when Tails fully-charged his Buster Arm Cannon and fired, shoving Khan back. Before Khan could recover, Tails punched him with a strong uppercut before throwing him to the ground and firing a stinger missile at his back.

Khan got back up, popped his nimbus cloud, and flew towards Tails, delivering a series of combos with his staff. The final swing was charged with lightning, crashing Tails back to the throne room, where he fell to the ground, exhausted.

Khan frowned, "I say to heck with your orders."

Vector popped back up and punched Khan in the chest, making him stumble back.

"Let's not make a big mess out of this," Khan tried to reason. "I just want to talk to Sonic."

"You don't talk to Sonic," Vector threatened. "You do what he wants! And you're gonna do what you promised!"

STAGE 2: MONKEY KHAN VS. VECTOR THE CROCODILE (REGIME)

Vector attempted to punch Khan, but the monkey swung his staff and crashed him to a nearby statue. Khan then released a torrent of lightning from his staff and lunged right at Vector, smashing him with a 10-hit combo. However, much to Khan's surprise, Vector endured the lightning that scorched his skin and uniform and kept up perfectly with the King of the Free People. Nonetheless, Khan continued to swing away at Vector, hoping to subdue him. Eventually, Vector punched him back as the two faced each other down.

"You're under arrest!" Vector shouted.

"The Four Ninja Clans couldn't hold me, so what chance do you have?" Khan retorted.

The two lunged at each other with Khan's staff colliding with Vector's fist. However, Vector was pushed back by the intensity of the thunder staff's lightning, meaning Khan got the upper hand. He charged his lightning staff, this time, firing a thunder-bolt shaped blast, electrocuting Vector and crashing him to another statue. Vector got up again, only to fall back down, defeated.

"You two are the worst excuse for diplomats I've ever seen," Khan retorted with a smile.

His confidence was put on hold when the throne room's doors thrust open, revealing another Monkey Khan. It was almost an exact duplicate, except his hair is black mixed with white, and his purple uniform has the flair of a Chinese Emperor with a red velvet cape. He was accompanied with an army of Yagyu ninjas surrounding his Mainstream counterpart.

"There he is, Sire!" one of the Yagyu pointed to Mainstream Khan. Regime Khan was not amused to see his duplicate.

"Well, then," Khan realized nonchalantly. "Parallel dimension it is."

Regime Khan demanded, "Who do you work for, usurper?! Regina Ferrum? Conquering Storm?"

Khan answered, "I am Ken Khan, King of the Free People and protector of the Dragon Kingdom! I answer to no one! Unlike you."

"Mind your tongue," Regime Khan glared.

"I see you've become one of Sonic's lackeys," Khan pointed out. "Did joining this so-called regime make you unworthy as a king?"

"It matters not!" Regime Khan responded. "I conquered all Four Ninja Clans and made them submit to my rule. Therefore, I am now the true ruler of the Dragon Kingdom!"

"Then you've become no different than the Iron Queen! Have you not learned anything?!" Khan's anger grew further.

Regime Khan never lost his cool edge, "On the contrary, the destruction of Sonic's home of New Mobotropolis taught me one thing; sacrifices must be made for the greater good. The people of this world cannot be trusted unless they are ruled by strong-willed leaders like himself."

"So you would give away your kingdom, and your people, like they were worn boots? To a dysfunctional hedgehog?" Khan accused.

"The treaty requires Sonic to maintain Mobius's nations. And recognize our autonomy."

"But you're risking innocent lives! You'll put the whole kingdom at his beck and call!"

"A necessary compromise."

"More like appeasement!"

Regime Khan couldn't answer, as he is now irritated at his counterpart's remark. "I've had enough of this. Yagyu! Take him!" he ordered the ninjas.

First, a Yagyu tried to attack, but failed as Monkey Khan swung his staff and swatted the ninja away. The second Yagyu followed suit, but was also defeated. Then the third. Fourth. And the rest. None were a match for Mainstream Khan's ferocity and ability. With no guards left to assist him, Regime Khan decides to take down Mainstream Khan himself. They both end up into a hand-to-hand/staff-to-staff duel, which Mainstream Khan easily knocked him down.

"You know, I planned to offer you help," Mainstream Khan said, charging his staff. "I changed my mind."

"Enough of this!" Regime Khan growled, charging his own staff. "Are we going to fight, or are we just going to talk all day?"

"Yes," Khan nodded. "Let's do that."

STAGE 3: MONKEY KHAN VS. MONKEY KHAN (REGIME)

The fight began with a colossal clash of thunder staffs, the lightning furiously spreading throughout the castle. When the clash receded, Khan dashed forward with his nimbus cloud, smashing Regime Khan's chest with a charged staff attack.

Regime Khan growled and swung at his duplicate, but Khan jumped, generated a thunder spell from above, and smashed it to the forehead of his duplicate self. Regime Khan groaned as he recovered, before lunging at Mainstream Khan. However, Mainstream Khan jumped above his duplicate and smashed him through three castle walls. Before Regime Khan could respond, Mainstream Khan fired a thunder blast, scorching his duplicate's skin and causing him to scream in pain.

"You have no chance!" Khan taunted his Regime duplicate, swinging his staff and hitting him in the back. Another attack, but Regime Khan pushed him back as they prepared to clash.

"You dishonor the Free People!" Khan pointed out.

"I'm protecting the Free People!" Regime Khan retorted.

The two clashed, each of them striking the other's thunder staffs. The collision was strong enough to create a thunder-induced shockwave that destroyed a large part of the castle. Regime Khan was pushed back as a result, and Mainstream Khan seized this opportunity to finish his opponent off with his ultimate technique.

"Tumultuous Thunderclap of the Enraged!" Khan focused all of his energy into his staff, creating a tremendous charge of lightning that decimated his Regime counterpart, and destroyed another large part of the castle as a result, causing him to finally go down. Mainstream Khan stood in triumph.

"Now let's discuss a revised foreign policy…" Khan offered.

Before he could react, thousands of ninjas hailing from the Four Ninja Clans poured in.

"KILL HIM!" Regime Khan yelled.

As some of the ninjas were about to attack, a red glow suddenly formed everyone, except Khan, freezing them in their tracks.

"What the?!" Khan exclaimed. He waved a hand in front of one Yagyu, and even hit one to the point of falling down like a statue. Neither of them fazed.

Just then, a new figure appeared. He was a tall, brown-furred mammoth wearing a purple tuxedo and tie and holding a cane in his right hand. He spoke in a low, yet amused tone, "They do tend to fight first, don't they? Though I may have stoked the fires a bit…"

"Mammoth Mogul," Khan glared. "What are you doing here?"

"I feed on conflict and chaos," Mogul explained. "Until today, I've been starving. I sensed the return of aggression, and sought its cause."

Khan pointed out, "You did more than that. You brought us here."

"Me?" Mogul laughed. "No, King of the Free People. That was not me. But I can guess who did."

"Answer me!" Khan demanded.

"You dare to presume to command me?" Mogul's anger built up.

"I do," Khan nodded. "And you will obey!"

STAGE 4: MONKEY KHAN VS. MAMMOTH MOGUL (PARALLEL)

Mogul shot a blast of magical energy at Khan, who easily deflected it with his staff and then swung at him. However, Mogul teleported behind Khan and electrocuted him with a wave of green energy. Khan quickly recovered and lunged at Mogul, kicking his knee and catching the Ancient Mobian to fall to the ground. Khan charged his thunder staff and swung towards Mogul's chest, smashing it with a torrent of lightning and causing him to cry in pain.

"Something's not right," Khan thought to himself. "Mammoth Mogul is a nearly omnipotent being as they say, yet I can beat him easily."

Khan was ready to strike again, but the Ancient Mobian's eyes suddenly glowed green as he gave off a bright green light, and had an unsettling grin on his face. Before Khan had time to react, three more versions of Mogul appeared. They all proceeded to punch and kick Khan around to each other, until they all pointed their fingers at him, and unleashed a powerful combined magic blast on the King of the Free People. The other three Moguls disappeared as the Ancient Mobian dashed in for another attack, but Khan blocked and pushed him back.

"Why prolong your suffering, monkey?" Mogul asked with a smirk.

"You're the one who's going to suffer first," Khan replied.

The two dashed towards each other as Khan's thunder staff collided with Mogul's fists. Khan won the clash and executed a 15-hit combo until the Ancient Mobian finally collapsed.

"You're weak, Mammoth Mogul," Khan pointed out. "What happened to you?"

Mogul explained as he got back on his feet, "It all began after Dr. Ivo Robotnik tricked Sonic the Hedgehog into slaying his own family, and with it, his home city, and everything he cared about. I admit, I was intrigued by Sonic's suffering… but as I watched it grow, I realized the path he took was… inconvenient for me. Ruling undisputed as High Councilor, Sonic's reign has nearly eliminated conflict. Left me virtually powerless."

"So, if you didn't bring us here, who did?" Khan asked.

Mogul answered, "Those who would end Sonic's rule. The Insurgents."

"Heroes?" Khan asked again.

"Only three," Mogul corrected. "All other heroes who challenged Sonic have been eliminated."

"He killed them," Khan guessed, stroking a chin. "And the only ones left are those who joined him?"

Mogul added, "Along with a small cadre of former villains, whose loyalty was bought… or coerced."

"I need to join my friends," Khan pleaded.

Mogul explained, "They're with the Insurgents as we speak."

Khan walked up to the Ancient Mobian, "Send me to them."

The Insurgency HQ

Espio the Chameleon's eyes darted the light blue pill in-between his fingers. He was about to ingest it when Monkey Khan appeared in a bright green flash.

"How'd you get here?" Knuckles asked.

"Mammoth Mogul," Khan replied, much to everyone's surprise. Knuckles was about to say something before Khan elaborated, "Not our Mogul."

"We know," Amy understood. "Meet 'Not-our-Shadow-and-Hope-Kintobor.'"

The doors opened and out stepped Shadow and Hope, five years older than the ones Amy and her friends knew. Additionally, Shadow's body was wrapped in bandages, his fur scarred, his right eye patched, and his ring bracelets cracked.

"It's good to finally get you here, Monkey Khan," Insurgency Shadow said. "I was wondering how to retrieve you from the Dragon Kingdom."

Khan nodded and turned to Espio, who ingested the pill. "Headache?" he asked.

"Trying to prevent one," Espio told him.

"It's a durability enhancer," Shadow explained. "C-4-A-08."

"How can a pill allow—" Khan began, before Shadow cut him off.

"The power of the Chaos Emeralds combined with nanotech as a result of the planet's most brilliant minds," Shadow explained. "It increases the tensile strength of bone and tissue structures by a factor of several thousand, giving anybody who takes it additional superhuman strength and durability."

Amy added as they all took seats around a table computer, "Apparently, Shadow 'borrowed' the recipe from Sonic, who's a total jerk in this world and not the dreamy hedgehog I've always fallen in love with." She sighed dreamily at mentioning the hedgehog of her dreams, before she focused, "Sonic usually gives this stuff to his flunkies."

Khan nodded, "Yes. I've met a couple of our evil twins."

"They're not evil," Shadow corrected. "Most of them obey Sonic out of fear, or have lost perspective and believe he's doing the right thing."

"So you and Hope are the only ones left?" Knuckles asked.

"No," Khan shook his head. "Mogul told me there were three."

"And here I am now…" Another familiar voice echoed.

Everyone with the exception of Shadow and Hope spun their heads around. They were heavily surprised to see the figure of Dr. Finitevus approaching them.

"Dr. Finitevus?!" Espio exclaimed shockingly.

"How are you even alive?!" Knuckles shouted angrily.

Shadow assured, "It's alright. He's with me." Finitevus nodded his head.

But Espio was having none of it. He angrily drew his kunai directly at Finitevus's throat, screaming, "He's with you?! Why does a villain like him have to be on your side?! He is the one who created Enerjak!"

Finitevus didn't flinch; instead he gently pushed the kunai away. He addressed, "Yes, it is true. I created the hex around the Master Emerald as the basis to transform Knuckles into Enerjak, but only when I was kidnapped and forced by the Dark Legion to perform the dangerous experiment. They sought to use Enerjak as a means to conquer Mobius. I feared my research would bring harm to anyone, especially Knuckles, who I mean no harm."

Knuckles tried to ask, "What are you talking—"

Finitevus interrupted as he continued his story, "Unlike your Dr. Finitevus, I've never indulged in crime or world domination. But yes, I was exposed to a massive surge of Chaos Energy during the crisis in Albion. Despite the vast amounts that mutated my body, I retained my sanity and free will. And deciding I can use my new powers for good, I gained mastery over the Chaos Force and attached Warp Rings to my arms and legs as a means of faster travel."

He took a seat, "As soon as my research saw much success throughout Mobius, I was praised as one of the planet's most brilliant minds. I married a female Echidna and had children. And though I was aware of the disastrous results my research could bring, my faith in Mobius and its people is strong."

"So great was my genius intellect and my field on the Chaos Force that Sonic was compelled to recruit me as the One-Planet Government's chief funder and scientific advisor. But like others, I did not see Sonic's reign as a force for good. The way I see him, the former hero of Mobius has been reduced to a tyrant… much ruthless than Dr. Eggman ever was. He thinks he's a god. He thinks he's invincible." His voice grew with disgust, unable to stand Sonic. He motioned to Shadow and Hope, "Sonic doesn't suspect that his 'best friend' is funding the Insurgency."

"Dr. Finitevus's involvement is a secret," Shadow added. "Anyone critical against Sonic disappear. Government officials, activists, reporters…"

"Well, now that we're all here, can you give us the rundown on why you brought us here?" Amy asked, as Shadow and Hope took their seats. "And why you didn't ask us before? We were kinda busy."

"The nuclear bomb? It didn't go off in your world," Finitevus explained. "Your transfer prevented it, and we made sure of that. You see, we've been monitoring your world from quite some time. A few of you, specifically. I created a wormhole device using fair amounts of Chaos Energy to bring you here."

"What for?" Amy asked curiously.

"G.U.N. had a plan that requires you Freedom Fighters," Shadow said. "Before the organization was destroyed, they managed to create a weapon to take down Sonic. A Master Emerald-powered laser than can…"

The Mainstream heroes were shocked about this. Amy most of all, "Wait a minute! A Master Emerald-powered laser?!"

Knuckles added, "If you kill him, you're no better than he is."

"I didn't say 'kill,'" Shadow replied. "It'll incapacitate him, nothing more. The weapon's in the abandoned G.U.N. headquarters. I'm going to need a Freedom Fighter's DNA to unlock it."

New Mobotropolis
One-Planet Government Headquarters

Outside the One-Planet Government's headquarters, built ten times larger than the previously destroyed Castle Acorn, a news report details the public execution of a criminal who stole money for his family's welfare in the streets of New Mobotropolis. The ceremony was arranged by none other than the Regime version of Amy Rose, not dressed in her usual pink skirt, but a glittering sleeveless pink gown with a high collar and pink cape, and her hair is tied in a braid.

Regime Amy declared, "Citizens of Mobotropolis! The criminal, Michael the Porcupine, has been found guilty of stealing money from various stores, including my personal favorite store from Station Square. The sentence: death!" She turned to the captured criminal strapped to a stockade with a sly smirk, "It's time for you to accept the consequences of your crime. You think that stealing is right. How wrong and foolish you were. You're on the wrong side of the law, and that side doesn't belong in our world. Any last words?"

Michael the Porcupine turned to his family standing within the audience, who watched the scene unfold with a mixture of sadness and grief. With tears streaming his eyes, he said his final words, "Myra… Elisa… Mark… Take care of yourselves, and take care of your mom. Don't forget that I love you all… You're a very loving family… Good-bye."

And thus, Regime Amy pulled out her weapon of choice; not the Piko Piko Hammer, but an absurdly large spiked mallet similar to what Rosy the Rascal held in Moebius, the Anti-Mobius. With a single swing, Michael's head was mashed into a puddle of blood, which is too gruesome to see for the gathering of people. His family took it the hardest.

Satisfied with her work, Regime Amy retreated back inside the Regime's headquarters. She mercilessly killed a criminal by her own hands, and she will gladly kill more if needed. The citizens departed and resumed their daily lives. No one ever dared question the authority of the One-Planet Government, and the price for doing so would be their lives.

Inside…

Sonic the Hedgehog, the leader of the One-Planet Government and self-appointed High Councilor of Mobius, eyed his latest prisoner with gladness. Earlier today, his forces had succeeded bringing in Chaos Zero, the guardian spirit residing within the Master Emerald on Angel Island. It took a while to salvage the liquefied spirit from the Master Emerald, but Chaos Zero was easily brought in, just like anyone else who resisted Sonic's regime.

With the exception of the Insurgency, of course. But Sonic was confident that the resistance will be captured, and the rebellion will end soon enough.

Sonic could have easily destroyed Chaos Zero, but he soon realized he could prove much more helpful if a greater threat ever emerged. Instead, Sonic ordered the One-Planet forces to restrain and drug Chaos Zero for the last nine hours. In that time, Dr. Finitevus managed to use his intellect in the Chaos Force to alter and control Chaos Zero's mind, turning the liquefied monster into a mindless puppet. In addition, Finitevus fed Chaos Zero all seven Chaos Emeralds, transferring all of their negative energy into his body and transforming him into Perfect Chaos, the ultimate form. In order to keep Perfect Chaos's powers in check should they spiral out of control, Finitevus created a Chaos-powered prison to restrain his gigantic watery body.

Sonic finished checking the remote on Perfect Chaos's prison given to him by Finitevus, confirming everything worked perfectly. "Wonderful," he said to himself.

At that moment, Regime Amy entered his room, greeting Sonic, "Greetings, High Councilor. I apologize for the delay. I had to host an execution ceremony, and duty calls." She eyed Perfect Chaos in his prison, "Dr. Finitevus's device is working? That's great! 'Convincing' Chaos Zero to join our cause isn't going to help."

Sonic nodded, "Uh-huh."

Amy continued, "I came to report that Knuckles—"

Sonic cuts her off, "…was on his way in? He's already here." He couldn't be more wrong as Enerjak (Alternate Knuckles) entered his office with a courteous smile.

"High Councilor Sonic," Enerjak greeted. He turned to Amy, "Nice look, Assistant High Councilor Amy."

Both smiled at Enerjak's comment; Amy blushed while Sonic nodded silently. And speaking of Amy's position as Assistant High Councilor, she is the High Councilor's second-in-command and in charge of the One-Planet Government's clandestine operations.

Enerjak spoke in a normal tone, "We have a problem. I… ran into Amy's twin…" Sonic and Amy were confused. "Someone who looked a lot like Espio… And someone who looks almost exactly like me."

Sonic's eyebrows raised in concern. Something was off if there was anyone masquerading as his Regime followers. He turned to Enerjak with a serious expression, "Find them, and any others that might be out there. I need to know everything. If you see anyone resembling you or Amy or anyone else, you and the others have permission to arrest them on sight. Report immediately when you do."

Enerjak nodded and walked away from Sonic's office. The two hedgehogs are now alone.

Amy looked to see Sonic wearing a multicolored sleeved uniform where lines were drawn at the center and painted silver, and the One-Planet emblem was slightly larger on his chest. His suit also sported nano-fiber patterns, and like Amy, he is wearing a cape, but colored blue.

"Permission to speak freely, sir?" Amy asked slyly.

Sonic let out a soft chuckle, "Go on."

She sat on Sonic's desk, trying to flirt with him. The room was silent for quite some time. "Are you okay with this? With us?"

Sonic looked away. Amy knew he was still reeling, even after five years. She decided to get to the point, "Sonic, I know I'm not Sally, and I never will be. But the explosion Eggman caused five years ago… it's changed my perspective too. It made me realize how right you are and how you can be at times. I know it's wrong to say, but…"

Sonic suddenly caught her off-guard by grabbing her into his body and kissed her on the lips. The kiss was so tender. The two hedgehogs sweetly caressed the flavor of their lips until they pulled away.

"There's no need, Amy," Sonic smiled. "And you're right. Perhaps I do need something else in my life now."

Amy smiled back, caressing a hand on Sonic's cheek, "Thank you for understanding, sweetie."

"Shall we continue this in my quarters?" Sonic asked flirtingly.

"Oh, yes. Let's," Amy agreed with a sly grin.

Sonic took Amy in his arms as she kissed him on the cheek. The two sped into Sonic's quarters and locked the door behind them.