Bullet Nick, The Writer's Freedom Project, Alyssacookie, IHeartSonAmy, zeldaskeeper, Ghostkid33, Novus Umbra, poka, Samantha27, SherryBlossom, 01sonamy01, Funky Slushie, -MintCloud-: Thanks! Sorry for the wait, but I needed time to perfect this chapter; maybe the most important one of all. :3 I get the feeling some of you are getting a little bored and anxious yourself... I guess that's a good thing; it means I'm doing my job. Hehehe... anyway, here's a shiny new chapter for all of you... I hope this one moves the story along a little better.

...xxx...

Chapter 4: A Strange Need

...xxx...

Somewhere, faintly, as if it was far off in the distance, I could hear music playing. Straining my ears, I concentrated on the beats until they were getting louder, and I could make out the tune. Somehow, it was familiar to me, but I couldn't quite place it. Though I felt like I'd definitely heard it before. Odd.

Then, quite suddenly, my world of grays and blacks, shadows and darkness, started lighting up, and colors brushed across my vision. I opened my eyes - had they been closed? - and more light flooded them. It was almost overwhelming, the different variety, and I had to squint and wince as the lights stung my eyes. After my eyelids fluttered a few times, though, adjusting to the brightness, I was instantly able to make out where I was.

At a party, hanging by the snack table, on the edge of a rowdy dance floor.

For a minute, I surveyed the scene - I could see all of my friends getting down on the dance floor, frolicking around and swaying to the quick, catchy rhythms of the music. A smile played at my lips at seeing my good buddies enjoy themselves - and then I heard a gentle, sweet voice, from out of nowhere.

"Sonic, why aren't you dancing?"

Amy.

I don't know how I knew it was her - I just did. Instantly, I was able to pick her out of the crowd, dressed in a rather short but cute pale blue party dress, accentuating her light figure. Amy's pink quills brushed against her pixieish face as she stopped dancing herself. She lifted a gloved hand to sweep her offending bangs out of her shiny emerald eyes, so that our gaze was now completely unrestricted. Still... there were question marks dancing in those orbs as she tilted her head and smiled.

I grinned at her, and her eyes lit up even more at this gesture, if that was possible. "I was just waitin' for a good song," I quipped.

But, conscious of a sudden, urgent need to move, like I had been restrained for a long time, I wasted no more time in entering the multi-colored dance floor. The crowd soon parted for me, and I was in the spotlight. Feeling the music and needing to move, I let myself go and give into the beats, enjoying the freedom and the movement of dancing. Ah... it felt so good to be able to move...

"Go Sonic!"

I heard all my friends cheering me on, and this propelled me to go even faster, harder, stronger... I slipped into my favorite breakdancing moves, spinning and twirling myself around on the floor. I was dancing my heart out, succumbing to the quick beats and rhythms, letting my flailing yet controlled movements match the frantic pace. It was almost a game, trying to go in sync with the music.

But it soon became a race, a competition. And I was winning, as I always did in a test of speed. The music was too slow for me, much too slow, and I soon found myself making two or three movements per beat, instead of one. I was now twirling at an incredibly thrilling pace, and I just felt so... alive. And free. I felt awesome.

The room spun around me, blurs of vibrant colors that had no distinction. And yet, as I continued to twirl in a circle, almost on my back, breakdancing, there was one figure I could see clearly, one thing that I could make out and seemed stationary among the blurs of everything else moving. It certainly gave my mind and heart pause, and I used my hands to bring myself back upright but still kept up my frantic pace, though my attention was completely stolen by this one still figure.

It was her.

Glittering dark green orbs, a flowing blue skirt, rose hued quills and fur... Amy. She stood out like an unmoving beacon in the churning, uncertain, vague waters surrounding us both. Everything else was so vague, so soft... but I could see this pink hedgehog clearly and vibrantly. I could tell that she was having fun here, dancing just like I was... and yet... her eyes suddenly flew in my direction, and my heart skipped. She was watching me... wanting me.

I slowed down, almost involuntarily, until I matched her speed, now dancing at a less furious rate, curious as to why she stuck out to me among everything else. My eyes still locked onto hers, I lessened the distance between myself and her, our movements now in sync.

As I neared the girl, it was like she was glowing, almost. Our surroundings were still fuzzy, but at that moment... I really didn't want to see anything else - but her.

Her pink quills were still swaying, along with the ruffles of her little blue dress, and her smile was growing larger and larger the closer I came to her. She wanted me. I could feel that want, almost like it was tangible, hanging between us, inviting me to share in that want. But... I also noticed that the nearer I came, the more Amy slowed down, like she was uncertain of why I would notice her.

"Amy," I said slowly, as time itself was at a standstill. "Don't stop movin'."

We were now only a foot apart, max... and yet it felt too far. Her eyes lit up as I drew nearer, the emerald irises swimming with pure, unbridled happiness as a grin played at her lips. Whatever it was, that was causing my heart to pulse with the catchy hip hop music -it was contagious.

In the midst of all the partying and chaos around us... I was just aware of Amy. We had both been moving separately before this, but now we were moving together, in harmony.

The next thing I knew, her hands had suddenly sneaked their way up to my shoulders. My natural instinct to pull away was quelled by how gentle her touch was, her lovely green eyes, her contagious joy, and ... something deeper, some strange, inexplicable need tugging at my heart...

I... wanted to be close to her... I needed it, almost. It was strange, but I craved her like I craved breathing, running, sleeping. I wanted her like I'd wanted nothing before... to hold her, feel her in my arms...

Slowly, fighting a part of me that was screaming to run, to get away, I lifted my hands, aiming to place them on her delicate waist -

When she suddenly vanished in a poof.

I gasped and blinked, but upon opening my eyes, was just greeted with... nothing... but all too familiar darkness, coldness, silence.

She was gone.

A dream. I cursed under my breath.

With a start, I remembered where I truly was - in my rotten cell, with no light, let alone color; no sound, let alone music; and no company, let alone... Amy.

I shook my head violently, forcing myself off my knees and was back standing up in one motion, clenching my fists as my eyes fruitlessly searched the inky darkness. Just for kicks, I started pushing on the walls, hoping perhaps during my nap, they would've weakened somehow, but of course, the darn barriers held fast. Great. I was still stuck in my cell... and very much alone.

What a weird dream.

Ah... eh... uh... it really sucks that was all it was though... I mean, what I wouldn't give, to be out of here, be able to move and breakdance like that, and see color and hear music and... er, yeah...

We're back to square one, again. Just me and my prison... just me. Alone.

A deep sigh escaped my lips, for my desire to move was getting the best of me... especially now that I'd slept. Usually, when I woke up, no matter if it was a nap or not, the first thing I did was go on a run.

Feeling jittery, I abruptly started jogging in place, letting my legs work but not go anywhere. Not surprisingly, this did very little to quench my thirst for the open air, the rush and adrenaline that running brought. Because I wasn't going anywhere... just pointlessly spinning my wheels. Although it did help burn a little nervous energy. I stopped hopping, coming to rest once again in the cold, cruel darkness and silence, but my needs were still unfulfilled. There was a deep, painful ache in my heart, speaking of a deeper need than just to move and stretch. I placed a hand on my chest, but this did nothing to soothe the ache.

What was it I needed? Something told me it wasn't just to break the sound barrier.

...Continuing with my ritual, after a run, I would sometimes go visit someone. Usually Tails, or Knucklehead if I was feeling frisky. But... there's no one here, now, for me to talk to... but myself. And my mind that was beginning to lose its sanity, I'm sure.

I don't know why the fact of being by myself was bothering me so much, but it certainly was. I was truly without any sort of companionship in here. But why should that bother me? While I'm in no way a loner, I'm certainly not sociable. Usually I could get by alone, with just the wind, the earth, and my own speedy two feet as my only companions. There have been quite a few days where I would go without seeing anyone. And, one of my worst favorite things in the world to do is just sitting around and talking. Can you say boring? And yet... that ache in my heart. It spoke to me. I was feeling very lonely, for one of the first times in my life.

I wanted someone.

Someone... to comfort me. Or, at the very least, to pass the time with. It was strange... but my usually unwavering ego was cracking, just a bit. I.. normally didn't like admitting needs, but... that ache, it was just so strong, calling out, wanting to hear a call in return... wanting someone.

... what about Amy?

Oh, not this again! What about her? She's not here, is she? Both fear and hope flooded my heart at that prospect.

She was in your dream, Sonic. A dream that spoke of your deepest desires and what you truly want.

...I bark laughed. Ha!

You can't be serious. So I had a dream about her... so what? Dreams aren't things you can really control... they just sorta happen. Can I move on now? I mean, I woke up, no sense dwelling on the past...

And yet dreams come from your heart.

My heart.

Dude... no. Okay... just, no.

I don't know why I suddenly found myself biting my lip, sinking my little fangs into the soft flesh, fighting off a sudden wave of very unwelcome thoughts.

I said I wasn't going down that route, okay? How many freaking times do I have to tell you I don't have feelings for the girl before you understand that?

And how many times do you have to keep repeating that, to make yourself feel better?

Not liking where this was going, I rapidly turned on my heel, trying to escape, somehow get this, get her off my mind... but my nose was just met with another wall, another obstacle, preventing my escape. No matter how quickly or often that I turned, it was still the same old result: I was trapped.

Nowhere to run, Sonic. Nowhere to hide. You have to face this now.

Oh jeez, no... anything but... her face suddenly popped into my head, quite out of nowhere, out of my subconscious. I could see her green eyes, her sweet smile... I forced her image out of my mind, looking for something, anything to distract me... from that sudden want inside my heart...

That want to be with someone. No, not just anyone...it was a very particular want. To be with... Amy.

Now... part of me, most of me, actually, was wanting to flee in terror at the prospect of thinking about Amy, and was desperately scrambling for absolutely any other topic to occupy my thoughts... but a small part, a part I'd always ignored and pushed away, begged for attention. That part was wondering why on earth it was so hard for me to think about her.

...why was it? She was just a normal girl. What was it about Amy that made me want to flee in terror every time that I saw her? The things I was truly afraid of could be counted on one hand... but... was what I felt for Amy really only fear? If not, then what were all those strong feelings that rush into my heart upon seeing her? Feelings that I just... don't know what to do with, don't know what to call...

So I run. Cause at least that is familiar to me.

Oh... running from your problems, Sonic. You should know better.

But dude... she pretty much squeezes the air out of my lungs every time she even catches a glimpse of me! Wouldn't you run from a girl like that?

Sonic... do you think that when she comes to rescue you, she's going to do that?

Ugh... you better believe that she will! She'll probably want to hug me and say that she was so worried...

She just wants to comfort you, Sonic. She's not going to want to hurt you any more than you already are. She cares for you deeply.

I don't need comfort, okay? I just need one thing, and that's to run! As long as I can run, I keep my sanity. That's the only thing wrong with me! I just need to... move and get out of this darn, cursed box!

Are you sure that's it? What about that ache, Sonic?

That pain is just because I need to run, okay?

It's something deeper.

Her image flooded my mind's eye once again, but this time I heard her sweet voice, soothing me.

"It's okay, Sonic... you'll be out soon..."

Ah, was I hallucinating? Did this mean that I was dying? Oh dear lord... please just get me the heck out of here... please! Panic flooded my system, freezing my blood and sending my mind in a frenzy. The energy channeled to its natural outlet, my legs, and those appendages started twitching, itching to move, to escape.

And then her voice broke through.

"Sonic... don't worry. We're coming for you."

Please tell me you're coming soon! Please tell me that you're right outside my cell, about to open it and I can be free of this! Please, I'm begging you! I'm going crazy! I'm dying...

Please, Amy, come quickly!

Please, I need you...

... what was that? No... I... I...

Fear flooded my heart - at least I think it was fear. I didn't know, at this point, any of the roller coaster ride of emotions dancing in my chest, clenching my heart, and wringing it out. I didn't know... but it was something.

What are you so scared of?

What makes you think I'm scared? I snapped back, getting very annoyed at this voice, very frustrated that it seemed to be able to convince me of anything.

Why else would you run?

...So I like to run, so what?

And why do you like to run, Sonic?

It's how I was born, genius. It's the way I'm wired.

Could it be that you can escape your problems that way?

I don't have problems!

Then why are you so defensive?

I'm not-

ARGH!

I... I needed... to get out of here. But I needed more than that, I needed something to distract me, to get my mind off of this mess... I needed... someone to comfort me... I needed...

Amy... her face was so clear now... in my mind. I could see every feature, from her petite nose to her cute ears, so very clearly, while everything around me was just darkness and silence. Like my dream. She was clear; everything else wasn't.

I... needed...

No!

Yes.

I needed her. I needed Amy like I needed the wind and space to run. Maybe even more so. I wanted her face, her presence, her touch, her smile, her words, her comfort.

...Dang.

Why are you fighting it, Sonic? Why?

I just... I don't know. I...

Her face. The face that had made me want to stop dancing, that had given me pause. I craved her presence like I'd craved nothing else. I wanted her to be right here, beside me, helping me get through this nightmare. Comforting me.

Oh... why? Why me, why her? What was it about this girl that had me captivated, wondering, stopping? What was it about her that made me want to pause and take notice, that sparked my attention? Why was she so different to me?

It was strange... I'd never wanted to stop and think about her, as she represented everything that I just wasn't sure of. And I, Sonic the Hedgehog, do not like being uncertain of things. So I was... afraid, afraid of what it would do, where it would lead me... but now... I'd never wanted anything or anyone like I wanted her, right now. Just like in my dream, what I wouldn't give to be able to put my arms around her.

Sonic the Hedgehog, this prison has driven you insane. Wanting Amy? Are you out of your mind?

No... I'm more in my mind than I'd ever been before. And this is what I finally arrive at: thoughts, wants, and needs of Amy.

...Dang.

...xxx...

Ah... a bit of a juicy chapter this time! The dream idea was entirely Bullet Nick's and his inspiration was Daft Punk's song "Digital Love." I, however, added my own twists to it... ;D

Sonic being forced to think is revealing a lot... it shows what's deep inside his heart: he wants Amy. But he's still stuck in this prison. Still... how much longer can this go on? How much longer can Sonic take of this torture? Stick around, folks...