Act 8
Date Night Under the Sea
Soft chatter could be heard around them as the wait staff dressed in completely black uniforms served their tables. A piano could be heard in the background and there were delicious smells coming from the kitchen. The dark lighted room helped showcase the spectacular sea creatures on display. The cobalt hedgehog had barely even noticed the various brightly colored fish swimming in a display next to their table. He focus was on the pink hedgehog in front of him. That lime green dress she wore helped reveal her young, beautiful body that just days ago was running around in the sand at the beach. He had failed to realize earlier that her ears were pierced as sparkling green gems shown in each. His emerald eyes examined her long pink quills as they flowed with her movement as she spoke….
Shit, I was supposed to be listening…
"…and that's how my year has been going so far, how has yours been?"
Breaking from his trance, he met the lovely jade eyes of the hedgehog he was dining with.
"Oh, I've been good. Same old, same old."
She didn't seem pleased with his short answer but he couldn't help it. She was memorizing with blue light from the water dancing off her body. He shot her an apologetic grin as she rolled her eyes at him.
"How informative."
"I'm sorry Ames, I'm just enjoying the scenery right now."
She couldn't help but smile as he threw his trademark wink at her. The waiter approached their table, pitcher in hand.
"Refill on your drink, sir?"
"Sure, knock yourself out"
A bit taken back by the hedgehog's laid back response, the waiter quickly filled his cup at the table. She took this moment to study the distracted blue hedgehog talking with the waiter. She was careful not to let her jaw hit the floor earlier when he picked her up in that dark maroon button down shirt and black slacks.
Just when I thought he couldn't be anymore handsome, he has to prove me wrong.
He was just so collected, so cool sitting across from her. The blue light off the displays shining off him in the dark restaurant made him look almost like a sexy dream. It complimented him, giving him almost the appearance of having an aura. She kept fighting the irrational fear that this all was somehow just a dream.
So should I pinch myself now or later? How could a guy like that ever fall for me?
It's true, she had been on dates in the past with attractive guys but the way the cobalt hedgehog looked tonight blew them all away. He was simply in a league of his own. His emerald eyes caught her staring at him. She blushed and quickly looked away, pretending not notice. His eyes softened and a smile crept on his face.
"Ames, I'm happy you wanted to come with me tonight. You were right, this place is beautiful."
"Me too and I agree. You don't look too bad yourself."
That earned her a laugh from him as he straightened out his collar and winked.
"I'm always looking good, Ames. Fresh as it gets right here."
There it is, his ego
But it didn't bother her in the least bit that he was so confident about himself. In fact, it was one of the biggest reasons why she found him so appealing all those years ago. She may occasionally poke fun at it but she knew it stemmed from his moral code and belief in his own abilities. He had a heart of gold and a strong sense of justice, both highly coveted qualities. Not too mention he was arguably the most charismatic, headstrong person she had ever known.
"How's your leg healing up?"
"If you think that's bad, you should see the other guy."
Amy sighed hopelessly as he laughed at his own joke. Before she could say anything else, the waiter was back at the table with their food. Pumped, Sonic quickly picked up his fork and knife, ready to dig in. Amy watched him savor the first bite before taking a bite of her own.
This is excellent! Wow!
Both hedgehogs happily ate their food before attempting conversation once again.
…
The full moon was a sight to see over Emerald coast. A warm breeze blew through their quills as they walked along patio area of the restaurant. Sonic had his hands in his pockets as Amy had a hold of his right arm. They stopped to take in the view of the moonlight on the water.
"Everything here is so beautiful"
He looked down at the pink hedgehog, watching the wonder in her eyes. He could feel his heart flutter in his chest. Slowly, he took his hand out of his pocket and rested it on her lower back. He could tell this shot a sensation through her body as she turned to him.
"Thank you, Sonic… for everything."
"Ames, without a doubt, you are the most beautiful thing here. I'm lucky I guess"
She violently blushed and averted her gaze.
God, she's cute when she does that…
Suddenly, she put her hands up to his face and met his eyes. He froze, as she commanded his full attention.
"Sonic, you are the best thing that's ever happened to me…."
"Amy….I…"
He pulled her towards him, enjoying the feeling of having her warm, soft body against his. Slightly shaking, his hands slowly traveled to her hips as the two gazed into each other's eyes underneath the starlight. It was natural, almost instinctual the way he wanted her. Amy slowly slid her hands down from his face and wound themselves behind his neck and the cobalt hedgehog realized her heart was beating just as hard as his was. She nuzzled the side of face passionately as he closed his, breathing in her sweet scent.
Amy, I need you…
Here it was, the greatest adrenaline rush he had ever felt in his life. Nothing got to him the way she could, something he sensed even years ago. The young hero felt as if he was on fire. He could stay still like this with her forever for all he cared. He softly cradled her chin and found her lips with his own. It was electric, just like the night before. Hungrily, the two lovers kissed and time seemed to stand still.
Amy, I love you…
Screams broke the serene moment as people started running out of building. Sonic was the first to break the embrace, alert and searching for the cause of the panic.
"What the—"
Chunks of the building were falling off as the ground started to shake violently. Completely taken off guard, Amy screamed as she lost her balance close to railing that overlooked the ocean.
"SONIC!"
Within a second, Sonic had her in his protective arms. He picked her up and sped away from the falling debris as steam started to rise from the waters below. She noticed a flash of pain sweep over his face as he ran with her to safety.
"Sonic, your leg—!"
"No big deal, Ames, I've got you"
Long, rubber like tentacles shot up around the railing as a monstrous machine started to rise from the water. Reaching a safe distance, Sonic placed Amy on her feet and stole a glance at the destruction. The pink hedgehog watched his hands clench into fists.
"Eggman!"
A familiar villain emerged from the water as well, a glass sphere covering his hovercraft. It reclined back as the Doctor laughed menacingly amid the noise.
"Well, well, well if it isn't my two favorite hedgehogs. Funny running into you two here… what's this? On a date, perhaps? How adorable!"
A familiar smirk appeared on Sonic's face as he made his way towards the deranged scientist. The worry was apparent on Amy's face.
"Sorry Egg-head, not big on people cutting in. Guess I'll have to teach you a lesson."
"On the contrary pest it is YOU that needs the LESSON!"
The large octopus-styled robot had emerged on what was left of the patio where the two hedgehogs once stood. People were trapped along the sides of the vast area as the doors to the restaurant had been blocked by the wreckage. Without warning, the dangerous looking octo-bot shot its black rubber like tentacles towards the cobalt hedgehog. Fear had caused the pink hedgehog's body to shake as she shouted a warning to her date.
"Sonic, look out!"
Though a bit slower, Sonic managed to dodge the tentacles aimed for him as he built up speed for a homing attack. The octo-bot, sensing this, recoiled to the far ledge, doing its best to halt the cobalt hedgehog's incoming attack. Eggman was clearly enjoying the spectacle as he loomed closer to Amy.
"Well my dear, don't you look delightful tonight. Enjoying the show so far?"
"Are you serious right now? People are getting hurt because of you and that's all you can say?"
"Bwahahahahaha, don't worry sweetheart, it's going to get a lot worse than this once my AI equipped octo-bot is through with your blue boyfriend. It's nice to finally have another mind when it comes to dealing with you rodents."
"Enough!"
Summoning her piko hammer once again, the enraged pink hedgehog leaped towards Eggman. He barely had time to dodge her hammer when she followed up with another strike, this time striking the side of the mechanized aircraft. Sparks and smoke exploded from it as Eggman flew clumsily off to a safe distance.
"You crazy pink hedgehog, I'll remember this! A parting gift just for you!"
Two mechanized balls shot out from the undamaged side of the carrier, each landing within a foot of the hammer wielding hedgehog. She was horrified to see both quickly emerge into chainsaw wielding bots, each with a central glowing red eye.
"Shit!"
"Amy, hold on!"
The cobalt hedgehog did his best to get to her through the debris and tentacles. Just as he was almost clear, the octo-bot released a force field around itself and the fleeing Sonic. He hit the side of the red shield and was thrown back.
"Sonic!"
"Ames, get out of here now!"
His pained expression met hers as the villainous bots closed the distance between their targets. She turned towards the chainsaw bots, a look of determination clear on her face. She cocked her hammer back as the two bots advanced on her.
"Amy, run NOW!"
"Not without you, Sonic!"
Desperate he searched for an opening in the force field but quickly had jump away from the incoming tentacles from the octo-bot. Furious, he ignored the pain in his leg and built up an amazing amount of speed.
"Get some, you hunk of junk!"
He threw himself at the base of the machine, doing his best to break through the main hardware that allowed the thing to function. His aim was true as the octo-bot immediately recoiled and seemed to lose some of its capabilities. The machine went limp after Sonic smashed into it again. Satisfied, he turned to help the pink hedgehog just as she was bringing the full force of her hammer on the head of the remaining chainsaw bot. Sparks and metal scraps flew everywhere as the headless bot keeled over. A victorious smile spread across her face as she pushed her quills back over her shoulder with her free hand. She straightened dress and winked at the stunned blue speedster.
"You seem to forget I'm not exactly helpless anymore."
You crazy, beautiful girl!
Laughing, he picked her up and twirled her around. Giggling, she threw her arms around his neck as he rested his head on top of hers.
"Amy Rose, that was incredible! Keep it up and you'll almost be as good as me, haha!"
She turned to smile at him when she noticed the octo-bot was no where to be seen. Sensing a sudden change in mood, Sonic looked questioningly at her.
"Sonic, where is the robot you just destroyed?"
Puzzled, the cobalt hedgehog also looked around.
"What? It was just lying over there—oommmppff"
He gripped his leg tightly as the pink hedgehog helped him to the ground. He removed his slacks and his torn shirt.
"Guess I won't be wearing these again"
The wound had opened up again, deeper than before. Concern flooded Amy's face.
"I'm fine, Amy, really"
"Don't tell me that! That's bad Sonic, we need to get you medical attention now!"
Doing his best to hide his pain, he rolled his eyes in an attempt to play it off. She was not buying it however.
"Just a scratch. I've had worse."
"Sonic, I swear sometimes you are impossible!"
In the midst of their arguing, a small voice was heard pleading in background. The two hedgehogs stopped and listened closely as they started to make it out. It was coming from the ledge next to the water.
"Help! Someone! Help!"
Alarmed, Amy started towards the noise when Sonic grabbed her arm.
"Hold up, Amy, I'll look too"
"Chill out Sonic, you need to sit here and rest. I'm just going to look around for him real quick."
"But-"
"No buts!"
Sonic struggled to stand up before a sudden shot of pain caused him to plop back down on the concrete patio, frustrated. She peered over the side and saw nothing but water crashing into the side of the cliff. The voice had stopped?
"I don't see anyone… Where could that kid be?"
The blue hedgehog groaned as he pulled his leg up to his chest, uselessly attempting to stretch his injured leg.
"He probably made it back Ames that or someone else rescued him. I need to call Tails and Knuckles to help find that machine or what's left of it."
Scanning every bit of the water with eyes, Amy sighed as she turned to face the cobalt hedgehog. He shot her a smile.
"Don't worry, I'm sure the kid's fine"
"I know but…."
"You are something else, Miss Amy Rose"
Her eyes sparkled as she smiled back at her blue hero. A wave crashed against the ledge behind her, throwing sparkling spray everywhere as she gazed at him. While he enjoyed the sight before him, his attention quickly turned to a long black tentacle coming up over the ledge. As she took her first step a chilling thought crossed his mind.
Wait, there weren't any kids here earlier….
"Amy lo—"
The young hedgehog screamed as the mechanized tentacle wrapped itself around her waist, pulling her towards the ledge.
"Oh my God, Sonic! Help me please!"
Her eyes were wide with fear as she felt herself being drug towards the ocean. Sonic felt his heart jump in his chest as he willed himself to sprint to reach her, to save her.
"Sonic, please! Ahhh!"
His gloved hand reached out and grabbed hers as she slid off the edge.
"I've got you Amy!"
Thinking quickly, he grabbed a sturdy piece of the railing that was left with his free hand. Both hedgehogs grimaced as they strained to hold onto one another. The tentacle increased its pressure, causing Amy to cry out in pain. The look of terror and desperation was clear on Sonic's face as he attempted to pull the young girl from the bot's grasp. Clinging to her hero's hand for dear life, the pink hedgehog looked up at him pleadingly.
"Sonic, it is going to pull me in!"
"No, I've got you Amy! Just don't let go!"
"Ahhhgg, it's crushing me! I can't breathe! Sonic!"
"Amy!"
Below her, the sinister machine had begun to rise out of the water. It focused its attention on the two struggling hedgehogs. A low, intimidating voice rang out from the machine.
"NOW I WILL CAUSE YOU PAIN HEDGEHOG"
A bolt of charged energy shot up the tentacle gripping the helpless pink hedgehog. An intense pain surged through both of them as they desperately gripped the other's hand. Clenching his teeth, the cobalt blue hedgehog refused to let of her, fighting to keep himself from screaming out with her.
"SOOOONNNNIIICCCCC-"
He felt her hand go limp in his. Sonic watched helplessly as she passed out in the octo-bot's vice-like grip.
"NO! AMY!"
From out of nowhere, a tentacle smashed Sonic across the patio straight into the wreckage. His vision faded to black as he watched the tentacle drag the unconscious pink hedgehog over the ledge and into the water.
…..