Chapter Ten

Metal blinked, could Sonic had figure out his little secret? The only one he told was Amy, who promised to keep it a secret. She was with him all day, so she wouldn't tell anyone else.

Tails managed to catch up to Sonic as he landed behind him. "Sonic, there he is!" The fox called out.

"What are you getting at?" Metal questioned.

"Look, I know that you're actually Metal Sonic!" Sonic replied. "and somehow you turned into a real hedgehog..Heh. Can't you see no matter what, I'll always be the real Sonic?" The hero taunted.

While that comment struck a nerve, Metal refused to attack, as badly as he wanted to. He felt his rivalry instincts kick in whenever he saw the one he despised. "I don't know how you figured, hedgehog...but I have no interest in destroying you at the moment. So I suggest you back off, before I change my mind."

Sonic smirked, preparing himself for a brawl despite being on Amy's property. "Then what are you waiting for?"

"STOP!" Called out a familiar voice.

"Amy?" Tails called out.

Both male hedgehogs turned around, to find Amy standing a few feet behind them. If she didn't stop the two, the pink hedgehog would possible get into an accident.

The pink hedgehog approached the two males and stood in between the middle, defending Metal much to Sonic's surprise. "Sonic, what do you think you're doing?! Or what were you going to do?!" Amy demanded.

"Amy,we know your little secret!" Sonic said. "Why would you bring him here like that?! You know this is our home! He could attack any of us!"

"Sonic, I found out today myself!" She replied.

The pink hedgehog sighed."I know that's how it looks but he hasn't attacked anyone since I brought him here. Now that he's not under Eggman's control, he really wants to change for the better!" Amy explained. "and it kills me to say this..to the one I love but...I won't let you harm him!"

"But Amy...after all he put us through? Little Planet? Trying to take over the world?! Doesn't that mean anything to you?!" The blue hedgehog asked.

"Amy he's right...for all you know, he could be spying for Eggman." Tails warned, trying to calm everyone down. "Or have some other agenda."

Amy and especially Metal remembered the incidents when Metal antagonized the heroes. The navy blue hedgehog felt a sense of remorse, remembering wanting to one up the hero by doing all sorts of horrible things. Sure, most of the time he was under Eggman's control, but he still felt the guilt. The fact that Amy took him in made Metal realize how much pain he had done and didn't deserve to be given a second chance.

"Amy…" Metal whispered sadly.

The pink hedgehog smiled. "Don't worry...I said I was going to help you and that's what I'm going to do." She affirmed, leaving the navy hedgehog speechless.

"She really is willing to help someone like me…" Metal noted mentally.

Amy then turned her attention towards Sonic, "I'm sorry Sonic, but I really can't let you hurt him." She spoke up.

"Seriously, Amy knock it off and get out of the way!" an annoyed Sonic ordered. "I forbid you two from hanging out together like this! He's our enemy!"

"Forbid? Ha! Who are you, my dad?" Amy defended. The pink hedgehog felt herself feeling hurt as well as upset. "You think I'm playing?! Sonic, I'm serious about this! I'm tired of you talking to me as if I'm a little kid, I'm only three years younger than you, ya know!"

"Then stop acting like one!" Sonic barked. She rarely had seen Sonic this angry, which frightened her.

"S-Sonic please..." Amy stuttered.

"Damn!" Sonic cursed under his breath, frustrated at the whole situation. So many emotions ran through the hero's mind, it started to bring the worst out of him.

"Amy, how could you be so stupid to let him in Knothole?! This has to be the dumbest thing you've ever done!" Sonic barked out loud, causing everyone around him to become speechless, including Sonic himself after realizing what he had said.

"Uh...Sonic...that was kinda harsh.." Tails said in concern.

Amy felt her world shutting down at the spot. Her eyes looked lifeless as she bowed her head down, not wanting anyone to see the tears on her face.

"Amy…" Metal whispered in comfort.

The navy blue hedgehog growled, seeing how Sonic made her feel. The navy hedgehog clenched his teeth as he stepped in front of Amy, preparing to fight him at this very spot. Judging by how Sonic stood there completely still and shocked, he believed he deserved whatever was coming to him.

Amy then placed a hand on Metal's shoulder, stopping him from attacking the one she loved...and her biggest mistake. "Metal...lets go…" She spoke.

Metal's eyes widened. "W-Where are we going…?" He asked.

"Wait, you're leaving?!" Tails asked.

Sonic then began to approach the pink hedgehog. "Ames...I'm sorry..let's get talk about it-"

"NO! I WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG!" Amy cried out. Before Sonic could reply in an apology, Amy immediately grabbed Metal's hand and began running with him. With no care of direction, the pink hedgehog only ran and desperately attempted not to cry...as tears left her eyes which blew in the wind.

Tails turned towards his older brother figure and attempted to comfort him. He saw the point Sonic tried to make but at the same time, the fox saw how harsh he was being.

"Sonic...are you okay?"

"What have I done…" Sonic wondered as he only watched Amy and Metal run away quickly. As much as he wanted to go after her, the blue hedgehog found himself only standing there...reflecting on the hurt and words Amy has spoken.

Tails began to comfort Sonic, saddened that he lost a friend as well. "Sonic…"

"Let's just go home..." Sonic replied sadly, walking away from the fox and back into his home.

While running with Amy, Metal felt one of her tears land on his cheek. He first wondered if Amy was leaking and wondered if sentiment beings do leak? He knew they performed basic bodily functions such as using the bathroom, however the liquid drops were coming from her eyes.

"I wonder what is occupying her mind...to make her run like this…" Metal wondered.

Meanwhile Amy refused to look backwards as she planned on parting from the Freedom Fighters and of course Sonic. While she knew those like Cream would miss her dearly, the pink hedgehog believed it was for the best, however she hoped for her friends to be well and live wonderful lives, even the one who hurt her.

"I don't need Sonic...I don't need him at all! I'll help turn Metal into a good guy without anyone's help! He'll get the chance to turn his life around!" Amy chanted in her mind, slowly turning her sadness into confidence.

The pink hedgehog then had an idea to help Metal. He would need a job and a way to have job opportunities. It was time for them to move to the big city and start new lives together. While the idea was intimidating, it would be a brand new experience.

"Metal."

"What is it, Amy?"

"We're going to Station Square...you know where that is right?" Amy asked.

Metal Sonic smirked, "Hold on.."

Metal then immediately picked up Amy bridal style and felt his own speed ability run through his body as he began to run a speed that rivaled Sonic's.

"Hey, you got your running back!" Amy cheered. "How did that happen?"

Metal chuckled at her praise, which was something he rarely did.

"I'm just that perfect." He bragged.

To be continued…