It was well into the night before the team arrived home and settled themselves. Cream and Cosmo fell asleep on the big living room lounge and Tails covered them both with blankets. He couldn't help but notice the tear residue on both their cheeks, how sad they had been earlier. He tried wipe a little away and then left them be.
The boys had gathered downstairs in the garage, trying to figure out their next move. They knew now for sure that Amy was doing this to protect them, probably from that huge machine. They knew it must have been something mighty powerful for things to get this out of hand. They also knew that the only way to overpower the beast that was confiding Amy was with something more powerful than a chaos emerald. More powerful than all seven. Did such a thing exist? Unless, of course, they used-
'THE MASTER EMERALD!' Knuckles exclaimed as he shot out of his seat, causing the others to jump.
'What about it, Knux?' Tails said through a yawn.
'I can convince it to control the other emeralds! When it sees they are being used for evil, it will retract their powers until it's confident they are in good hands!'
'That's genius! How did we not think of this before?' Tails said as he shot up out of his seat.
'You can't be sure it's going to work though? Plus if it doesn't and things go in reverse, we are well and truly beyond screwed.' Shadow said as he lean back in his chair and close his eyes.
'That can't happen when Knuckles is on the job though? Right?' Tails questioned, gesturing to Knuckles.
'I'd beg to differ.' Sonic mocked.
'Oh, shut up. You know as well as anyone else that I am the Master Emerald's guardian and it trusts me.' Knuckles snapped and Sonic shrugged.
'How can you even be sure it is going to work? It's a hell of a risk!' Shadow spoke up.
Before they knew it, they were in a heated discussion about the theory of using the Master Emerald's powers to save Amy. Sonic had a headache coursing through every cell in his brain and he rubbed his temple as he walked out of the garage and upstairs into the living room.
He walked past Cream and Cosmo on the couch and smiled a little before he continued to walk out onto the balcony. He rested his elbows on the railing and looked out to the horizon where the moon shone just above it. He let out a huge, exasperated sigh as he slouched over the railing.
'Shit, what am I going to do?' He mumbled to himself.
'Well, if that kiss didn't work, then I sure as hell don't know what will!' A voice came from behind him. He whirled around to see Rouge sitting up on the roof.
'I know you're a spy and all, Rouge, but you've gotta stop doing that!' Sonic exclaimed, unable to hide a slight giggle.
'Sorry, but I was here first.' She pointed out, causing them both to chuckle. Rouge then jumped down and walked up next to him, waiting for him to say something more.
'The things I'd give to get inside her stubborn head.' Sonic said.
'I know how your feeling but she knows what she's doing and for now we just have to trust her until we figure out a way to bring her home safely.' Rouge said firmly.
'I guess so. To be honest though, I thought that kiss would have worked.' Sonic said as he arched an eyebrow as he thought back at it.
'I still can't believe you did it.'
'What? Why? You calling me soft?!' Sonic protested.
'When it comes to this, yes.' Rouge admitted and Sonic bowed down from a fight he couldn't win.
'Did you mean it, Sonic?' Rouge asked him after a minute of silence fell over them.
'Mean what?'
'Don't play dumb. You know how Amy feels about you. Did you do that just to get her home or was there something else?'
Sonic opened his mouth to say something and then closed it again as he bowed his head, thinking about his response. He honestly wasn't completely sure he trusted Rouge with the truth, but then again he knew how angry she would be if he told the lie. Maybe it was time to stop being 'soft' and man up?
'Let's just say the opportunity was there, I saw it, and I wasn't going to let it slide.' Sonic blushed.
'I knew it.' Rouge smirked as she looked over the balcony.
'If you tell anyone, I swear I'll-'
'You won't do shit. But no, I won't tell anyone.' Rouge cut him off.
'Thank you.'
'Just as long as you tell Amy the whole truth when she gets home.' Rouge added.
'I don't have a choice anymore so there isn't really any point avoiding it.' Sonic said.
'I'm glad you see it my way.' Rouge said and they both began to laugh.
'I want her home, now.' Sonic admitted.
'I know you're worried about her, I am too. We all are! We'll get her home sooner than you think. I'm not worried.' Rouge shrugged.
'You're awful sure of yourself… about everything, come to think of it?' Sonic said as he narrowed his eyes at her.
'Well, yeah? I'm pretty awesome? Isn't that why Knuckles is so interested in me?' Rouge said as if she was confused about Sonic's statement.
'Yeah, that's it.' Sonic said sarcastically before they began to laugh.