Hello everyone, welcome back to Crime Time Lover (Dimension 5). I'm glad that people are enjoying it. Well, let me get on with the daily news, & I'll let you get started on reading this chapter.

To bearvalley3365 (again, they wouldn't let me respond to your review, so I'm doing it this way & I hope your reading this chapter): Of course I can forgive you. Even though I like feedback from fans, I just appreciate people reading and liking my stories. And to answer that question, you may just PM me. It's just a bit revealing for the storyline. Even though I'm just starting to write out Chapter 12. Thank you for your review! :3

A/N: Glad my short, half & half chapter era is finished. Time for the big chapters. Hope your all ready to read like maniacs!

Disclaimer: I don't own Sonic. Belongs to Sega

I own Zera & company.

Please enjoy this chapter!


Chapter 7: A New Friend Brings A New Enemy

"So wait, are you telling us that you're...an alien?" Tails said in an interested tone as the grueling silence settled around them. Zera gave him a look of fake mild stupidity, but could only answer in a shrug.

"Well, I still am an anthropomorphic creature (by species I believe) like you guys, I would not count as one by blood...And there is also the fact that I came from another dimensional planet...So I would say, yes and no to that, little kitsune." She said, looking at Tails to see if he was satisfied with that answer.

"So, same group like us, just different planet. Yeah, your an alien in my book." Sonic said, giving a small smile. Zera smiled back at him. Rouge, on the other hand, had other thoughts, and stood up.

"Whoa whoa WHOA, what a minute guys, let's think this over now! We come back from Thanksgiving break, find this cute girl living with our echidna trouble brothers, no offense boys, and now she's saying that she is an intergalactic criminal who traveled through space who's trying to get away from an organization that is apparently connected to OUR G.U.N. Is anybody else finding this weird besides me?" She said, taking a needed inhale after that long speech, and sat back down. Knuckles patted her back as she snuggled her head in the crook of his neck. Everyone just gave identical glances at each other, then all eyes fell on the main subject: Zera.

"Please, I'm being honest with you all than I ever had in a very long time!" She paused, seeing as her voice was getting louder. She cleared out her throat. "Please, this is a matter of life and death, I need help, from all of you!" She felt her voice crack, seeing her throat hadn't completely healed yet. When no one gave her an immediate answer, she just put her head down in agony. She could always just find other people, or even take on Jade & her goons herself... Not until a husky, but quiet voice made her ears swivel upward.

"I believe you...So, I will help you." It was non-other than the dark silent hero, Shadow. Everyone, including Zera, had huge eyes of awe at him. You would expect the true blue hero Sonic to say that, not the one who would never whisper a word to anyone, Rouge was the most shocked out of all of them. She knew Shadow more than them could imagine.

"Shadow, are you mental? Why in the hell-"

"Rouge, trust in me this time." Shadow stared right into Zera's eyes, both of them showing deep innocence and purity. He was still saying words, but he didn't break his gaze on Zera. "She's telling the truth guys. We projects have a way with understanding situations with each other...we know." And for the first time than anyone, (especially Rouge), have become friends with the striped hedgehog had given the smallest and faintest of smiles in history. Knuckles gave out a small chuckle.

"Well I'll be damned! I guess this solves it all! Alright Zera, I'm in! I haven't gone on an exiting adventure in many months. This could get very interesting." He said in a proud voice, cracking his one abnormally large fist, while the other was wrapped around Rouge in comfort. The mood amongst everyone lightened into a more open, caring one.

"Sure Zera, you can always count on me! As long as you don't go after my Sonic. He's off limits for dating to you." Amy said, her tone not very threatening. Her eyes narrowed for a moment, then she looked away from her. Tails just rolled his eyes, as did Sonic, but more dramatically. They were glad that Zera didn't understand any of that. It would've been curtains for...well, actually Amy, seeing as that Zera might be the stronger female hedgehog.

"I want to help too Zera, with whatever it takes...But, just to be on the safe side, do you think can you come over to our house this afternoon after school & our clubs to go over some things?" Tails asked, his voice sounding soft and shy. Zera looked at Tails, then at Joey and Zeren. They glanced at each other, having an eye conversation, then back at Zera.

"It's fine, but I need to come with you...You know, in case there's trouble. Mum and even Ms. Vanilla said I had to watch over you anyway." Zera said. Zera nodded, till Joey slammed his hand on the table.

"Umm, hello dummy, I'm going with her! I am the eldest AND strongest, I should be the one to go with her!"

"No you doofbag, I am! I know her more!"

The brothers kept battling it out to protect their alien female friend/ new teammate. Rouge, being a better observer on people than any of them, now saw the real reason why they were fighting.

"This, is actually getting interesting, and quite cute...And that means I gotta meddle." She grinned ever so slightly in the trademark mischievous way she always did before having her fun. Glad the others were too distracted to notice it appear. She leaned off of Knuckles (much to his displeasure), and leaned forward, placing her hands under her chin slyly.

"I'm sorry that I didn't trust you before joining our gang, but I see I misjudged you." Rouge meant that. "I mean, with all the crazy things that have happened to us in the past, I'm sorta paranoid with anyone new.." She gave a slight chuckle. Rouge was being honest and apologizing, yes, but she was also saying this to get Zera to forgive her, and like her a bit more for better information. Personal wise AND mission wise. She might even wrap around her pinkie & do whatever she wanted her to do. But that would be wrong. "Plus, she might kill me when possible. Manipulating someone like her could be bad.. But if that could ever happen, I guess there would only be a few drawbacks..." Zera gave her a certain look, but shook the weird vibe anyway. Rouge smiled sweetly at her.

"Yeah, Rouge has a point. I mean, we've fought Egghead's robots, all sorts of weird creatures and people, including some in the past, future, and books plus stories. Even the Metarex! We even earned and lost an alien friend!..." Sonic stopped, knowing how Tails felt about any subject on Cosmo, and how pained he was losing her. Tails had his eyes down casted. Thankfully, he found the seed of Cosmo, and has been growing it ever since in his lab. He knows that one day she'll return, but until then, he didn't want to hear the mention of his past love. Sonic looked at his younger metaphorical brother. Tails felt Sonic's eyes on him, and looked at him. He gave Sonic that sad, but reassuring smile. Amy, finally glancing at the clock, & gave a small hoot.

"Joey, Zeren, stop playing with each other and listen up!" She commanded. Everyone except Zera and Shadow snickered a bit. The brothers stopped their useless battle (but Zeren won in the end), and their cheeks gained a glow. But, their eyes were blazing. They shrieked at her.

"AMY, DON'T SAY IT LIKE THAT!"

By then, most of everyone was laughing, then they all looked back at Amy.

"What I was trying to say was that lunch was almost over." She looked at Zera then. "Do you know where your next class is?"

Zera took out her paper once again, and scanned it over.

"Umm, I have freehand drawing, with Mr...um, is his name really Mr. Camo?"

"Yeah, but it's okay hun, he's a great friend of ours. Also apart of our older team, older than us. Most of us would be with them if it hadn't been for a certain blue goofball who just had to make most of us except our older department (including the Ultimate Lifeform) to go with him to Eggman's base to go destroy a timebar." Rouge said in an exaggerated tone, but a smile was given out to the slowly turning purple speedy hedgehog. Tails chuckled at his brother.

"Well, that's great! Cause me and Amy have him as well! C'mon, let's slip out early so we don't get caught in the crowd." Rouge said as she took one of Zera's hands with her own gloved one, and stood up.

"Just...be careful out there, ok? And don't blow your cover. Your just Zoey Allen to everyone else." Zeren said quickly, but was mainly looked at Rouge than Amy or Zera. Zera just nodded, while Rouge just rolled her eyes, but suddenly smirked as a great teasing idea came to mind.

"Yeah yeah Zeren, SHEESH! Your girlfriend here is under great wings, and I mean that pun so literally!" She laughed, walking away with Zoey, and Amy right behind them. Zeren's face was a complete wreck of blushing in embarrassment, and also in rage.

"RRRROOOOUUUUGGGGEEEE!" He yelled at the top of his lungs. By then, the lunch room had grown quiet for once, and all eyes fell on Zeren. Some giggles broke out amongst some students. Zeren just laid his head down on the table in complete humiliation as everyone went back to their own business.

"I'm gonna fricking kill that bat..." Zeren muttered coldly and dark under his breath. Joey just gave his brother a good pat on the back.

"Hey, don't worry about it kid. If 'Zoey' doesn't understand these things, chances are she'll still never know your crushing on her, or look at you all lovey-dovey like you do to her." Oopps, that was most obviously the wrong thing to say out loud. Zeren looked at his brother in complete horror. All their friends around them burst out in a chorus of amused laughter. Joey gave out a nervous chuckle, and gave his about to kill him brother an apologetic look. Shadow, also one who didn't like the subject but has grown a liking to Zeren, spoke up.

"Ok guys, stop picking on him. So what if he likes a girl? We should still be laughing at Knuckles." Knuckles shot Shadow a look at this comment. "Even though this may be the first time ever that Zeren had had these...women problems." This time Zeren gives the dark hedgehog a glowing glare. "But, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but we can help him. If he needs it and wants the help to win this girl over, we'll be his honorable wingmen. As that is the wingman code." Shadow explained, though he didn't make eye contact with anyone after that. It took a few moments, but finally Sonic started to clap slowly in awe, followed by Tails, then Knuckles, and Joey joined in. Zeren gave all of them crazy looks.

"Dude, that was the BEST wingman speech ever said!" Sonic said. Tails and Knuckles nodded in agreement. Joey was glancing down, but he had to nod as well. That, was a true man's poetry.

"Then I guess it's settled, bro, we'll help you with Zoey. We'll start later when you and her go to Sonic and Tails' house." Joey said. Zeren slowly let a smile stretch along his face. He really did the best and most loyal friends ever. And an annoying, but caring brother as well.

"...Thanks guys, that means a lot...And I know that all of you (besides Knuckles) aren't romance people, and to be honest, I wasn't the best, no matter how many girls I get-" He stopped. Tails made a continuing motion.

"And...?"

"Oh no, that was actually it. That was my point." Zeren said sheepishly. Thankfully, before anyone could comment, lunch was over. Zeren thanked the lord above him, threw out his trash, and ran like hell out of there, not wanting to face weirdness to his fellow guys. Guess that saying was true.

Lunch was the weirdest part of the day.

XXX

"Well, this is Mr. Camo's room. Pretty sweet, huh?" Amy commented as the girls entered the art room. The walls were covered in creative paintings and great drawings. Anything from animals to food, to self-portraits, to outdoor scenery, anything you can think of, was on the walls. Zoey was completely trapped in their beauty, how the colors flow gently over the paper and even how some colors smashed in together to give it good flavor. It was too much for the girl. Zera could only nod as she was lost in everything surrounding her.

"It's...it's amazing in here!"

"Why thank you, I do like to give my students great examples...Plus, the walls looked so blank and lonely, I had to do something." Said a voice from out of the blue. Zoey tensed up, though the others stayed very calm. Was it...Mr. Camo? She tried peering around the room, but didn't see anything...yet. Not until her eyes just barely saw a hazy form in front of the picture with the demonic angels. By then, her curiosity had gotten the best of her, and she walked slowly towards it. When she got closer, however, it seemed to have fade away.

That's when it was too late.

There was suddenly a burst of color in front of her. There was a purple chameleon with soft, but piercing hazel eyes staring at her. A beautiful large horn of yellow was also on his head. As much as this was a beautiful site, the sudden appearance frightened Zoey. Quick as a whip and without thinking, gave a yelp, and aimed to kick at his face. Luckily, he actually caught her foot before it made contact with him. Though, he was struggling trying to hold her foot. He gave a good squeeze, then released his hold on her. He looked at his hand, then at the girl.

"Good form, nice aim...I'm impressed with this." He said lightly. Zoey, on the other hand, was trying to keep her heart steady & was staring with small intent at the man before her.

"T-thank you, Mr. Camo.." She said, her voice becoming calm and collected again. Rouge and Amy came up to them.

"Sorry about that Espio, we didn't know she would react like that. She's...just not use to things like that." Rouge explained.

"Oh no, I can do that as well, I'm use to that...It was honestly just a reflex." Zera said in a sheepish tone. Espio glanced at the young hedgehogette. "Interesting how she can say that so bluntly.." Neither the less, things needed to be discussed before more students entered his classroom.

"Well, let's get on with this, shall we? As you may know, I'm Mr. Camo, the freehand drawing teacher. But, my name is Espio. I'm apart of the team, the more...elite group, as I can say." He gave a small smirk when he received angry glares from Rouge and Amy. "I had gotten a call from Jackie explaining everything last night. Now me and my other teammate, Vector, are more undercover than we have been since we came here. I would believe you have met him already, he mostly has morning classes." Zera nodded, remembering her big green crocodile English teacher.

"So, I welcome you to our team. If you need any help with fighting practice, and camouflage skills, I'm the teacher for it. I will be happy to work, and serve with you, Miss. Zera." Espio said with a final look, then walked away from the girls to his desk. Zera, getting a good feeling about him, then looked at her new friends.

"Don't let that nice guy act fool ya though. He can be just as quiet as Mr. Grump Stripes, being our invisible ninja as he is." Amy said. Rouge gave her a quick nudge in her ribs. She cried out a silent "oww".

"Amy has different opinions about everyone here on the team. Espio is our invisible ninja, yes, but he's also a great friend. Not as great as Zeren..." She hinted, her voice getting a bit louder. Zera, not really getting what Rouge was really saying, just nodded. By then, a few more students came into the room, sitting at their tables and chatting.

"Maybe we should take our seats now.." Amy implied. Rouge nodded, and waved a hand at Zoey to follow.

"C'mon Zoey, we have an open seat here for you here at our table, next to Carol. Hey Carol, how are ya?" Rouge said as she sat in her seat across from where Carol was. Carol looked up from her sketching, and smiled. She, though unlike Tails, was a one-tailed fox. Her fur was just as white as snow, but eyes as bright as the sun, for they were a pure kind of yellow. She wasn't an artic fox mind you, don't let that pelt fool you. She naturally gets her fur color like this when the weather gets colder. ALMOST like an artic fox.

She had on black jeans, and a blue shirt with a cupcake on it, saying "Bite me, I'll bite you." It was cute and funny in Zera's opinion. Amy finally took her seat next to the albino bat.

"Hey Rouge, great in fact! Had a good break!" She noticed the black hedgehogette staying in the shadows of the bat. "Yo, who's the newbie?" She asked. Rouge looked over her shoulder to see Zera behind her. Rouge tilted her head towards the lonely chair next to Carol at Zera. Seeing what she was explaining, Zera walked over and sat next to Carol.

"Umm, I'm Zoey...hi." Zoey said, trying not to make eye contact with anyone around her, or her break her act. She didn't know how much more she could take. But Carol just smiled sweetly at her.

"Well hey howdy hey girl! Name's Caroline, but call me Carol or Lyne. I'm guessing your new and shy, huh?" She said, her complete focus now aimed at Zoey. Zoey only nodded. Amy decided to step in.

"Yeah, she's Zeren's and Joey's cousin, and she'll be staying with them till...well, let's just say till things get for the better for her and her family..." Amy said, trying to not sounding too suspicious. Rouge set a look on her that clearly stated, "Don't give the slip, stupid!" Amy hung her head a bit, feeling a bit bad for almost spilling a hint about Zera's secret. But, Carol didn't seem to mind, and smiled at Zoey.

"Don't worry, I got ya. So, it's family problems, huh? Yeah, I know what you mean..." Carol's tone dropped a bit, and that cheerful smile vanished. Zera gave her a sympathy smile. "I guess your life was more insane than mine, right?"

Zoey had to smirk at this. "Heh, you have no idea..." Thankfully, the final bell rang for the students to get in their classes now, or get immediate detention. Espio finally looked up from his paperwork to the clock, then eyed his students, glad they're all present. He kept his eyes longer on a certain table, with a certain number of girls. He especially stayed focus on a certain tan skinned and dark furred female hedgehog.

"Good afternoon class." Mr. Camo said. Most of the students muttered the usual "good afternoon Mr. Camo." He felt a sweat drop forming on his head, seeing the dead and dull eyes of most of his bored students. He cleared his throat, then pointed to Zoey.

"We have a new artist joining our crowd today. Please make a good welcome to Zoey Allen." He said. Some students that haven't seen or even heard of the girl, suddenly had eyes full of life, and all interested on Zoey's figure.

"Why does everyone keep looking at me like that? It makes me feel so...exposed..." Zera's eyes began to get a hard coloring in them from all the very unneeded and unwanted attention. She's fine with Carol, but everyone else just chafes her. She wondered if she would be able to move fast enough to rip apart a boy's arms on the other side of the room, and use his bones as small daggers, and take out the rest of his table...hmmm, the possibilities for such fine destruction. This made her make a small smile of pleasure.

Espio, feeling the sudden presence and danger in his mist, slowly turned his attention to Zera. As soon as he saw the color in her eyes had grown a bit darker & were narrowed, he acted fast.

"Zoey is one to not like attention on herself, so I must tell you all to stop making goo-goo eyes at her!" He explained. Some students, mostly females, averted their eyes from her. But the males...only let their eyes glow with an unhealthy lust as their eyes still scavenged her body. Zera felt sick to her stomach, with rage glowing and growing more inside of her. As smart as she may seem, she only has a mind of a young dangerous child...she didn't understand their looks, or why they were only aimed at her. She was getting fired so badly, you'd swear that you saw steam pouring out of her ears. Espio was REALLY not liking the atmosphere turning into a deadly one.

"I'm serious guys, that is enough. You may talk or look at her later, not when it's on MY class time." He regretted letting his eye lay on Zera's pissed form. Her eyes were practically on fire. He felt the death that might happen soon if he didn't calm down the deadly child. Thankfully, the hormone-filled boys sighed, and let their eyes cast on their chameleon teacher. He had a look of complete relief, and strode past the girls' table. Before leaving them though, he made a sudden stop at Zera. He leaned down, and whispered in her ear.

"Keep those emotions under control Missy. I don't want to send you to detention for murdering fellow students...no matter how much it was needed." He added quickly with a smirk, before walking away to talk about the objective of today. A ghost of a smile was on Zera's face, but it vanished as fast as it appeared at that statement.

"With that...disturbing moment done, let's talk about our new lesson: Contour lines. They are the neater version of line gesture." Mr. Camo kept continuing his talk about his knowledge of contour lines, and drawing examples of the drawings as well, Zera was a very absorbed into this. In fact, this was just about her favorite class all day!

"Why does Zeren, Joey, and everyone else find this place a hell house? This place is wonderful!...Well, besides the people, and the bathrooms, which need desperate help in cleaning..." She shuddered at the memory, when earlier today she used the bathroom, and found...the oddest thing floating inside the toilet bowl. She nearly hurled at the scene.

"Ok class, your turn to try this. Hopefully you'll all get one before we leave here...And that means you too Ralph, stop texting your mother and work." He added to a certain student named Ralph. You could hear a slight groan escape his mouth,while others around him started to snicker. Everyone knew Ralph only texted his girlfriend (and honestly his mom) 24/7. He sent one last message, shoved his phone into his pocket, and finally started drawing.

Zera had already began to draw like a machine. Carol gave her a look of complete amazement.

"Wow, that is pretty impressive...and on your first try too! Are you a homeschool child? Had a mom of artistic skill?" She asked, not knowing how much that question meant to Zoey. She stopped shading her artwork, and gave a soft, sad look.

"Sure, you can say that. I haven't been to a real school in all of my life, I learned things on my own...at...home..." She pouted for only the slightest second, and continued to work. Carol saw it though, and had a face of regret.

"I'm still, very sorry Zoey, I didn't mean to-"

"It's fine Carol, it's really fine." Zoey said, a smile finally appearing on her face once again. Carol let out a sigh of relief, then glanced at the clock.

"Oh, Mr. Camo, school is about to be dismissed. Can we pack up now?" Espio looked over his paperwork, eyes slightly glistening at Carol. Her heart gave a little pound, feeling nervous of being under the eye of her admittedly cute teacher.

"Thank you Carol, I wasn't paying attention to the time. You heard the girl everyone, let's pack it up!" He said, going back to his own paperwork. No one dared to disobey their teacher or Caroline, and began to clean up. Someone came around and collected the baskets that held all sorts of pencils. Granted, no one reminded their quiet teacher about their folders. Not that it was that necessary.

"Well class, time sure does fly when your creating. It kinda felt shorter. And as for your work today, place them on my desk." Espio said, going off to the art closet in the back. One by one, everyone placed their work on Mr. Camo's desk. Some had looks of doubt on them, while others didn't have a care. "See you all tomorrow. Hope you all enjoyed your break."

By then, the bell had made her final yell to set the students free from this prison. Everyone began to file out slowly, thankful of the end of the day, but too tired to get out quicker. This wasn't his favorite undercover mission, dealing with ungrateful teenagers. But, every mission came with a good purpose, & a good pay. "Maybe it isn't that bad..."

Espio came back to his desk, and frowned when he saw the pile of drawings he asked of his class. He sighed, already seeing the first one was not very promising. He went through all the future F's, c's and B's like they were cookies, until he laid his surprised eyes on one certain picture.

"Such fine details, prime pencil-ship,...who did this?" He wondered quietly, trying to find this artist's signature.

If he wasn't surprised then, he was choked now.

It was Zoey Allen.

He glanced at the door where this super student just left, then back at her work.

"I don't remember if I said this already but...This girl...is going to make this place so much more interesting..." He stated with a glowing smile.

XXX

"Where are those fools, they should be here by now!" Rouge asked as she checked her communicator for the 10th time. Rouge, Amy, and Zera had been waiting for Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles to come out of the school already. It was almost 5, most of the clubs should have been over by now, but there was no sign of blue, yellow, or red furries anywhere. Sonic had a track and field meeting, Tails had a math lab class, (As an assistant teacher of course), and Knuckles had a wrestling meeting. The girls had waited at an ice cream shop across the school. They had some ice cream, till Amy & Rouge got full on Oreo ice cream. Though Zera, now just experiencing ice cream for the first time & felt like she really hadn't eaten lunch, consumed almost 7 cones of Rocky Road. They then got bored there after awhile, and have been waiting around the school grounds for at least 20 minutes. Rouge had been sending messages to all of them every ten minutes. The sun was slowly merging into the horizon, turning into a beautiful sunset. Amy sat up from under their tree, and looked at the main doors.

"Hey, there they are!" She said happily. The girl turned to see the guys coming out of the main doors. Sonic and Tails where talking to each other, while Knuckles was behind them going through his duffle bag. Rouge sighed with great but bored relief.

"What took you so long? Your past your usual time! I was worried!" Rouge whined, walking right into the embrace of strong, yet soft, bright red arms.

"The meeting got held up a little longer, I'm sorry to keep you waiting." Knuckles apologized to her in a soft husky voice. Rouge remained silent, being completely absorbed into the hug. She blushed, burying her embarrassed face into his damp chest. The musk smell of the forest, and the sweet smell of the Master Emerald. The scent she loved so much.

"Damn you Knucklehead." She wanted to say. She was the one that always teased him. She was the one to make him off focused and flustered. But, when she's in his hold, she was the one that was all shy.

She hated it. And she loved it.

"It's fine Red Boy. Now, where's our orange echidna?" She asked. Everyone finally took note of a certain echidna not amongst them. He was either held up at practice, or in detention.

They assumed the second choice.

"Aww, why Rouge, I didn't think you cared about my well being." Said a voice. Amy and Zera turned around to see a pale grinned Zeren walking towards them. Rouge started to grow a sly smirk on her face.

"Oh, of course I would hun! But, my job lies within my Knuckie. YOURS, lies within someone else." She stated, indicating to Zeren with her eyes that laid on Zera's occupied form. Zeren blushed, and let a hiss escape his lips softly. Rouge still continued to smirk at this small victory.

"Hey buddy, where's your brother and our silent dark friend?" Sonic asked, seeing the little feud go on between the bat and echidna. Zeren only replied in a shrug.

"Who knows, maybe they went home, or chill at the diner. You guys know how our seniors are." He answered. If Shadow's bike was not present in the parking lot, he was positive that they were at The J's Diner, probably cuz Mum would give them free pie, for it was free Pie Day there.

Yeah, you heard me.

Jackie worked at a diner 20 minutes away (by vehicle) from the school. She loves to cook, especially for others. She's worked there since Joey was 2, and Zeren was just born. Even through the planet switch, Mr. J, the owner of the diner made a new one here on Marnt so all of his employees still kept their job. Jackie obviously did. And she'll keep that job for as long as she can. She had it in the worst times in her life. Zeren snapped out of his train of thought, not wanting think about the dark parts of his cold, dead childhood.

"Umm, Zeren, are you okay? C'mon, we need to get going if we want to get Zera's tests done." Tails said, patting Zeren's shoulder. Zeren casted his eyes out. Rouge, Knuckles, and Amy already left in a surprising fast flash. All who stayed was Sonic, Tails, and Zera. The speedster and the opposed speedster where chatting by the gates. But, Zera wasn't looking at Sonic.

She was looking at him.

Her eyes where wide, and held terror in them. And so was something else caught in between both eyes.

Tears?

He swore he heard Zera always being frustrated with her weakness to crying. But, there they were, held in by force. He couldn't piece together why.

"Y-yeah let's get going...Come on you two, let's be on our way." Zeren walked past Zera and her stare. Tails kept in pursue after the young echidna. Sonic started to walk as well, but broke into a great grin. He faced Zera yet again.

"Hey Zera, you want to have a little friendly competition? From here, to our house. You dig?" He had on an exited smile on as Zera's eyes filled with joy at this announcement she's been waiting to hear from Sonic since she met him. She grinned as well.

"I accept your challenge Sonic. Just don't complain when I win."

"Ohh~, your asking for a beat down girlie." Sonic teased, getting into position. She grimaced at the new nickname, but also started to get into position as well. Tails stood right in front of them, along with Zeren.

"Just wait for us by the road, okay you two? Have fun!" He said as he shifted his figure out of their way.

"And be safe." Zeren whispered to them, but mainly at Zera. Sonic rolled his eyes at his over protective friend, while Zera could only nod.

"Oh, and so you don't get lost, our house is like, a left, left, and a right, and a final left. We're stopping at the right to wait for those two slowpokes." Sonic indicated to the blonde fox, and orange echidna. Zera smiled, then nodded, already having the coordinates locked in her head like a photographic memory.

"Ready? On your mark, get set..." Sonic was arching his back upward. Zera took a good inhale of air.

3...2...1...

"GO!" He shouted, heading out the gates like the speedster he is. Zera was barely a beat behind him. Impressive, since no girl could ever catch up to him like that. Only Shadow could ever be side by side with him in a race. Glad he had met another opponent this time that was the opposite sex. He swung his arms behind him like he always does. Zera was pumping her arms up and down at her sides.

"And...LEFT!" She thought, skidding to the side of the road like a skater does when he's racing on the rink in a race. Sonic was mighty impressed, but wasn't about to give up.

The fresh, crisp fall air felt cool, refreshing, and clean against her face. But mostly clean. She had never felt, nor even tasted the sweetness of actual clean air. Not where she came from, clean air was like a myth. The air there...was like a nightmare. But HERE, it felt like freedom. It was blowing freely in her quills. She was enjoying every second of it. Sonic could see that in her eyes. That was his reason for loving running. Just that great feeling of the breeze in your face. The taste of freedom, no one cutting in on it. That's what it felt like to run. Freedom.

The trees, with fresh bright orange, red, and yellow leaves where ripe to fall and play in. Thanks to them, they blew most of them off the trees. Even when a middle aged dog was raking his leaves into a perfect pile in his front yard, till they ran past, and the leaf pile practically blew up with their powerful force of wind. The man was starting to freak out.

"HEY YOU KIDS! I JUST FINISHED RAKING ALL THAT UP! IT TOOKE ME HOURS TO MAKE IT PERFECT LIKE THAT! GET BACK HERE & FIX IT YA HOODLUMS!" He continued to scream his little rant, which was very sad in fact. To be honest, Sonic and Zera where chuckling at the man's childish behavior. But, they knew what they should do the right thing.

"SORRY!" They both shouted over their shoulders. But to be fair, they really couldn't turn back to help him. They were already behind schedule as it is. They pushed on down the street.

When the next left turn was fast approaching, Zera had an amazing idea. One that would please her, and amaze her opponent. He was just starting to break out in sweat on his body, while Zera was still all high and dry.

Just when Sonic was breaking the sound barrier, he felt a shadow hover over him. He quickly looked above him.

His breath was just taken away.

Zera had actually been able to jump over him, Sonic , King of Speed, at his top speed and get ahead of him.

But, he noticed something.

Her entire body was covered in an aura. A bright gray, almost silver aura. As much as he was amazed by this beauty, he was also terrified. Besides his friends, mostly Shadow of all people, everyone was use to freaky things.

But nothing like this.

As they where nearing the said finish line, Zera's aura was getting brighter, her eyes darker. But the worst part of all...

She was still ahead of Sonic.

Ever since that magnificent leap over Sonic's fast form, she had pulled ahead of him inch by inch, and was becoming very pissed off at this. He never lost, he couldn't lose! The ONLY time you see lose in a sentence with Sonic's name in it is, " Sonic could never lose." But it looks like that will change soon. But, he wasn't going to give up just yet! He has 1 more trick up his sleeve. With one final burst of energy, he actually started pulling ahead of the hedgehogette. He could finally taste the sweetness of victory yet again, the taste he always loved. He was gonna win.

Well, at least he thought so.

What he thought was victory, was actually a fluke.

Thankfully, Zera's aura had finally vanished from sight, and had tucked back into her. But, that was just a bad thing for Sonic. With it gone, her legs pumped faster than they did earlier again ahead of the blue hedgehog.

And she made the final turn.

Zera had won the race, and gained an even better accomplishment as well.

She had just beaten the greatest racer on the entire planet. The one and only, Sonic the Hedgehog.

Who, sadly, stopped beside her only 5 seconds later. Sweat was all over Sonic's head. He was panting harshly, hands on his knees. His eyes where full of shock and disbelief. Zera, was barely breaking a sweat, & was only panting by very little.

"OK, WHOA! THIS , is unbelievable! How did...How did?..." Sonic was so confused, he was trembling while he spoke. He was just as bad as that old dog they passed. Zera had a plain face at his reaction. She was amused by it, but kept her emotions hidden. She shrugged.

"When your already fast enough to break the sound barrier, then experimented on with weird toxins and chemicals from your early life till now, you might get past that. You should try it sometime." She said, a small sad smirk plastered on her muzzle. As much as she was joking, her voice sounded a bit serious about that statement. Sonic finally felt strength to stand up, and fully face Zera. He wasn't done asking her questions just yet.

"But-but, back there! You had an...an aura, or a magic shield voodoo thingy! Something not normal here! The closest you could get to that is that red glow around Shadow before he does Chaos Blast. Either way, girl, you looked like a magician from ancient times. Or Sorceress, I think that's the correct word for a female wizard. Anyway, that's what you looked like." He explained. Granted, she kinda is with her few, ''certain gifts'', she had. He, nor did anyone else, have any idea, or need to know that...perhaps for the time being...

"That's just...Wow! You really are out of this world!" Sonic said, a smile on his face. The conversation was cut short when they heard a shout.

"Sonic, Zera!" It was Tails. He was hovering using his cute twin tails as a propeller, Zeren jogging behind him. Zera was at a small moment of shock.

"He can fly...with those tails?"

"Heh, your not the only freak show around here Zera!" Sonic joked. Zera nodded, and gave a small smile. She waved as the two came closer. Zeren skidded to a halt next to Zera while Tails landed softly next to Sonic.

"Sorry we took so long guys, we had to help this dog rake his leaves. Apparently two hedgehogs blew it away.. I wonder who they could be." Sonic and Zera shared similar, almost identical looks, and broke out in the same smile at Tails' suspicious look & tone. Tails rolled his eyes, but chuckled either way.

"Well anyway, looks like you guys had fun, seeing Sonic has sweat all over him. So, who won?" Tails was expecting Sonic to say, "She put up a real good fight, but she just couldn't beat the best!" with his usual cocky grin.

But he never heard it.

Tails, and even Zeren, both gave concerning looks to their blue racer. Sonic was avoiding their stares. He couldn't help but let his cheeks glow. He couldn't say it. She wouldn't say it either. She seemed to see the situation of the pride thing, so she didn't say squat to embarrass him by saying so.

But Tails was a genius and knew his brother better than anyone. He smiled a bit.

"Ohh~, don't tell me now, but I'm guessing Zera won, didn't she? My, this is a shocker to us all." He snickered. Sonic was a tomato.

"5 SECONDS! SHE BEAT ME BY 5 SECONDS!" He exploded, then got sheepishly quiet. Zeren and Zera stayed silent at this. Tails dialed it down, but not by much. He still had his teasing smile.

"So, how did she beat you old man?" This time, Sonic gave a cold stare at Tails, then at Zeren who was trying to sneak a chuckle under his gloved hand.

"She used this, this magic shield thingy!" He said sound like he wasn't the crazy talking hobo from down the street. Too bad it wasn't working. Tails slowly turned to face Zera now. It was a mixture between fascination, & horror.

"You used an-"

That's when the ground began to shake.

Zera and the guys looked around frantically, trying to find the source of all of this. Earthquake? Landslide? Sonic's ear twitched at a familiar feeling, a sense if you will. No, it wasn't a natural disaster. Sonic looked up just in time to hear a horrible chuckle of someone in a large machine. This guy was the cause.

And he was ugly.

"Eggman." He spat the name acidly in disgust.

" HA HA HA HA HA! Well, hello again hedgehog. It's been awhile, hasn't it?" Eggman said in a sinister voice. Tails, Zeren, and Zera looked up to see Eggman in his latest machinery.

"Too long Eggy, thought you forgot about me." Sonic said in a teasing voice. Eggman's smile only grew more hideous.

"Why, I could never forget my greatest foe! And of course his little sidekick of a fox." Tails gave a glare at Eggman. "And also adding that new pet echidna. Makes me miss the old stupid one I loved to manipulate...Oh well, winners can't be choosers, and your close enough in brain power anyway Zeren."

Finally, his dark rimmed glasses laid on a new subject. A new form of hedgehog. He licked his lips in interest.

"My my, who's the girl with you there? New girlfriend?" Eggman asked in an odd laugh. Zeren defensively stood in front of Zera, teeth bared in a venomous snarl. Eggman saw this action, and a horrid grin broke out once again.

"Oh~, I see, she's yours. Well then, I guess I should introduce myself to the young lass. I am Dr. Eggman, evil mad scientist AND genius of Earth, and here on Marnt. It will be fun to fight you, mysterious one." Eggman said as he gave a small bow & a cocky grin in his cockpit. Zera came out from behind Zeren.

"Well then Doctor, it will be a pleasure and honor to be destroying you and your contraptions." Zera said with a smirk. Eggman laughed again.

"HO HO HO, this girl is a hoot! She thinks that she has a chance against me! Alright then girlie, try to defeat me with my latest invention! The Egg-Destroyer 2-V5!" Eggman gave an insane laugh. Zera stared plainly at the Doctor's large, four wheeled green killing machine, then at her friends.

"Does he always give his machines such weak names? Especially after himself?" She questioned. Sonic gave a loud laugh.

"See? She just met you, and she already thinks your lame!" Sonic had to slap his knee at this. Eggman gave a low growl, small veins pulsating in anger on his forehead.

"ENOUGH FOOLISH TALK! MISSILES GO!" Eggman hollered as he pressed a button on his control panel. Two large cargo bays opened up on either side of him. Glowing red heads of missiles where staring right at them. 24 in all. 12 on each side.

And four of them were closing in fast on them.

Quicker than anything, Sonic and Zera sped of to the sides while Tails sprung his tails and flew above them, Zeren dangling at his feet and holding on tightly. Eggman was snickering in his seat, happy that he was scattering them. He took hold of his steering controls, and pushed the Egg-Destroyer 2-V5 forward at a fast charge.

"DIE PATHETIC VERMON, DIE!'' He screamed at them, his glasses glowing with evil and hate. Sonic and Zera where running around this huge tank with an idiotic name, avoiding and dodging all the fire Egghead was sending at them.

"DANCE HEDGEHOGS, DANCE!" Eggman kept pounding them with all the weaponry he had. Guns, missiles, lasers, anything that could end these hedgehogs & their companions forever, he had it.

Zera was not happy of being shot at yet again in her life. She only had a few days of this kind of freedom. Zeren could tell very well that Zera was getting pissed.

Eggman dimed it down a bit after his star crazy shooting time. He was looking around to see if he could fine any shredded or blood splattered remains of blue, black, orange, or blonde fur.

All he got was a face full of fist.

To everyone's surprise, Zera had seemed to have made a giant leap over the Egg-Destroyer 2-V5 and punched through the glass that was protecting Egghead, and punched him hard, right in the sniffer. Eggman let out a large loud howl of pain as Zera jumped down and landed next to everyone. Eggman held his nose in great agony as it began to bleed. He sent daggers at the girl.

"Why you little-YOU SHALL PAY FOR-"

"Oh, just shut your lonely kissing hole Doctor! TIME TO DIE YOURSELF!" Zera said, letting her body be engulfed by her powerful aura once more.

Everyone, including the scared scientist, stared in complete horror as the glowing female hedgehog charged at the 'no one cares if it has half of your name in it' machine with a true warrior yell.

"Damn, when Zera means business, she doesn't joke around. Remind me never piss her off with my teasing."

"Sonic, I don't think you could forget after seeing her like this."

All the guys watched with horror, and amazement as Zera took apart Eggman's huge machine piece by piece. [In Zeren's case, seeing a woman as strong as Knuckles and Shadow combined destroying a mad lonely man's machine, was turning him on fast. And his bulge in his pants had proven so].

Eggman, was completely frozen in fear. This...child. This...small girl tearing apart his work like it was butter. Sonic just used homing attacks until it exploded. This girl was making sure there wasn't even a scrap of metal left! He had to get out of there before she tore him apart as well. He pushed a green button on his machine, and Eggman popped out in his escape mini pod.

"Until next time hedgehogs! And YOU!" He shouted as he pointed his finger at the rage filled female hedgehog. "I got my eye on you." He said with a sinister sneer. Zera let out a ferocious growl.

"GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE, YOU FAT FREAK!" She screamed just as she threw a huge disconnected piece at Eggman. Lucky for Eggy, he dodged just in time be scaved on the side of the pod. He jiggled at the harsh impact, feeling a jolt of fear go through his spine. He muttered unclear words as his pod buzzed away.

Zera was panting harshly as her aura began to fade away. The guys still couldn't keep their eyes off of the black hedgehogette before them who looked like a pea , compared to all the burning destruction that she caused.

Her eyes were coming back to their normal state, and she finally faced Sonic, Tails, and Zeren.

"Umm...too much?" She said, her pale cheeks becoming flushed. All they could do was nod.

"Too much? Zera, that was overkill!" Sonic said. Zera hung her head in shame. Now they think she is an insane murdering freak, and never help her...Sonic saw this action, so he stood beside her and patted her shoulder. "Hey now, don't worry about it, that was totally a hardcore way to destroy Egghead's machine! More than I would've done!" He complimented. She slowly lifted her head and looked at Sonic's emerald eyes. She smiled.

"Come on Zera, I really want to do those tests on you." Tails said, sounding like a real interested doctor instead of a curious kid one. He took Zera's hand, then looked up at Zera's face. "Zera...your hands...They're...cold." He whispered. That was odd. She was up & trashing well. How could she be cold if she was just burning? Zera's whole body looked paler now, did they all realize. She didn't even try to look at them. To everyone's astonishment and horror, Zera went limp and fell forward. Thankfully, Zeren quickly took action, outstretched his arms, leaned forward, and caught the weak hedgie before she could hit the street.

"H-Help...me..." She murmured as her eyes slowly slid shut.

This just got a whole bunch more serious.

XXX


And there you go, a 36 paged chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. It was personally one the author's favorites. I'll let you all think about it.

Well, until next week then! [It's almost 4 in the morning, & I need some sleep. Again, I don't stop working until the chapter is perfect...-yawn-...].

R&R please. I would really like to enjoy seeing more reviews. Getting feedback let's me know that you guys want something more from this story, & I would like to give it to you.

Oh wait! Quick thing. I know that this story is kind of cliché, with a high school setting. It just seemed to fit it's way into the story. & If no one likes Espio's scholar name, then I deeply apologize.

So, again, I expect to see you all & hopefully more here next weekend.

Ta-ta! ~Ari