Sonic came in with a frown on his face, even though he had the chaos emerald with him.

"Oh, Sonic! Good news! I finished the-" …he looked at me, obviously not wanting to hear it. Then he just sat down on one of the chairs in there and looked like he was starting to think about something. "Sonic, what's up? Did Amy Rose give you trouble again?"

"It's…" he started to tell me. Then he shook his head and said, "It's none of your business…" Now, this wasn't the Sonic I really new. He was usually a bit more lively. In fact, the only time he sat in one place that long before was reading that King Arthur book.

"See you around, Sonic. I'll place the Absorb Step right here in case you want them." And then I stepped outside the place to leave him be.

What would he be thinking about that was such a pressing issue? I thought about it for a moment… then I thought about it a little more… then I thought I'd invite Cream over.

So I hopped into the Tornado IV and flew over there. I would use the phone, but I needed to test run the plane badly anyway.

Cream the Rabbit, along with her mother Vanilla, were easily the greatest psychologists near to my place that I could think of. They were also good friends to Sonic and I. I thought they might understand what was so pressing to Sonic.

I rung the doorbell. Even though they're good friends, they're – ahem – they are kinda concerned about manners.

"Who is it?" That was Vanilla's voice.

"It's Tails! I came to ask Cream something!" I called. The door swung open, but it wasn't Cream that came out.

"I'm sorry, Tails, but Cream is still at school…" Vanilla said. I guess she knew why I came. If I had to come to her place without Sonic, it would probably be something about Sonic. "Maybe I could help you myself?"

"Sure, that works. At this point, anyone could help me and Sonic."

"Oh, that's wonderful, dear!" She walked out, closed the door, and locked it. Vanilla and Cream were also great with securing their small home.

"I'm sorry about this, but I took the Tornado 4 with me and I can't leave it here by itself."

"It's fine, we can use it. I'm kind of… afraid of heights, but we cannot leave it here, can we?"

Now I actually feel kinda guilty that I took the Tornado 4. When we landed, I noticed Vanilla was a bit airsick coming out, even though we were only 500 yards away.

I came in and said, "Sonic, I brought someone to see you."

His face beamed for a moment, but when Vanilla came in, it changed back to a frown. Vanilla sat down in one of the chairs and began talking. Suddenly, I noticed the Chaos Emerald beside Sonic was beginning to fade out slowly. It didn't seem like any of them noticed.

"I noticed that you smiled when you found out someone was coming. Were you expecting someone else?" Vanilla started.

"Eh… yes, I was." It seemed Sonic was a bit better than before, but it didn't help the fact he had something on his mind.

"Interesting… I want to know what happened when you were saving Gigalopolis City."

"You know the story, I fight Eggman's lackey, I beat him, he retreats, the city is saved-"

"Hold on, Sonic. Who was Eggman's 'lackey'?"

"…"

"Go on, Sonic. You can trust me."

"Another one of Eggman's mechs. One with diamonds plastered over a humanoid-like body."

"Anything else? You said you were expecting someone. Did you meet anyone on the way up?"

"Not really…"

"Then who were you expecting, Sonic?"

"Someone special…"

"Really? Who, Sonic?"

And the TV turned on. Another Eggman broadcast, I bet.

"…mysterious light flashes by the countryside around Kingdom Valley may be another attack from maverick robots-" Sonic turned off the TV, saying "Sorry, but I have to go!" to Vanilla before leaving for Kingdom Valley. He didn't even bother to look for the Chaos Emerald.

As Vanilla gave me a worried glance, I shrugged. That's Sonic for you, usually not bothering to finish some of his work…