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Chapter 9-

Sonic woke up to the sound of clashing metal that came from outside. While rubbing his head he got up from the couch, where he spent the night, and approached the window. He took a small peek outside and saw his friend working on a yellow plane. Curious he stepped outside and examined the plane in front of him. Tails, who was now aware of Sonic's presence, stopped what he was doing and smiled at his friend.

"You're up early. What are you working on?"

"Yeah... remember a few years ago when I was building a new plane that could run on Chaos Emerald power? We'll I've decided to try again. Now I know a plane can run on Chaos Emerald power, but I'll try to make it even better. Right now I'm just working on the outside. Gotta make sure I don't forget to add a landing gear," Tails happily explained. As the two were talking they failed to notice a presence a few meters behind them.

"So this is Sonic the Hedgehog…"

Shadow looked at her jade eyes and studied their expression. She's worried… He gently caressed her cheek and stood up. The last thing he needed was to see the one he cared about hurt. He pondered about her feelings. Reattributed his kiss she had indeed, yet he was unsure about her feelings. Amazed at his own reaction and impulsive actions he lowered his head.

Amy tried to decipher his thoughts and feelings as she lay on the couch observing him. She was worried about what had just happened. For a few days now she knew she cared for him in a special way. The hedgehog in front of her gave birth to a special feeling that she now cherished, but she also had feelings for her blue hedgehog. The feelings were different though, and she was well aware of that. When she danced with Sonic last night she felt happy, but when she danced with Shadow she felt overjoyed and wished the song would never end. Her feelings towards Sonic would never be inexistent, and neither would her past actions. He would always be a special friend to her, but she wanted more from Shadow; however, she doubted he'd give her that.

"Please… answer…" she asked, breaking the silence between the two.

"I… I'm not quite sure myself. I was impulsive. I should have thought about the consequences. The truth is, Amy, that I can no longer hide this from you. I care for you, more than a friend. I am aware though that you probably do not feel the same way. It is not on my nature, at all, to be saying these things so please don't tell anyone. Out of respect," he confessed. Way to go Shadow… you probably bored her with your lame speech.

"Shadow…" she responded almost in a whisper.

Quietly she stood up and walked closer to the ebony hedgehog. As he observed her actions his body tensed up. Wondering what to expect, a hug or a mallet on top of his head, he stepped back. Aware of his sudden movement Amy smiled and took out her hammer. Then she threw it on top of the couch. With a sigh of relief Shadow managed a grin, which was replaced by a small yell a second later due to Amy's sudden jump and tight hug.

"I care for you too!" Amy screamed in joy. Noticing her tight grasp around the male hedgehog she let go of him and smiled. Pondering on how to react he just stood there looking at her.

A few minutes later Sonic appeared outside once again with two mugs of coffee. When Tails stopped working he handed him one of the mugs. The two friends talked cheerfully about various things, such as Eggman, Cream, Knuckles and Rouge, and the situation at the ball. The presence left its hiding spot and walked over to where the two friends were chatting. Tails was the first one to notice and quickly stood up.

A brown hedgehog, wearing what seemed to be a green top and matching skirt, with violet eyes was standing in front of them with a wry smile that was rapidly followed by a grin once she noticed Tails's staring at her.

"Hello. My name is Itza and I come from the past."

"You only care about me, or is there more?" Shadow finally asked causing Amy's bright smile to vanish.

"Shadow… I care about you, more than as a friend… but…"

"It's that faker isn't it? You haven't completely forgotten him."

"Shadow… I hope you understand," she asked sincerely. Shadow nodded in comprehension and gave a small smile.

"I understand. Our friendship remains, if that is what you are going to ask next," he anticipated.

"Well… yes it was my next question. You don't know how happy I am right now," she cried louder than before making Shadow smile once again.

"Why are you- uh- here Itza?" Sonic asked her in disbelief.

"I came here to change your present. Back where I came from I have been warned of a terrible event that is yet to come. It will bring great evil and misery to everyone on this planet. I couldn't allow such a thing to happen and by some force I was able to come to the present and warn you. This way I can also assist you and try to change the sequence of events that will come," Itza slowly explained.

"What is it you came to warn us and change? What misery and evil?" Tails asked as he tried to swallow down the information he had just received.

"What I have learned goes like this: the night the emeralds will fall misery will crawl from its bed. The day the Chaos Emeralds power is consumed by the one the world will forever change. Chaos is power enriched by the heart, whether that heart is good or evil. We have to work together to stop this from happening. Someone is looking for the emeralds and will use them in an evil way. We must gather the emeralds first!" She exclaimed.

Sonic looked at Tails and shrugged. Both of them guessed Eggman would be behind such a scheme, but what that hedgehog told them didn't even sound frightening. Eggman had tried that before, thousands of times; what could be different now? Perhaps she's late and we already stopped this from happening… Sonic thought to himself. Just as he was about to ask her a question, Tails beat him to it,

"Itza, what you told us isn't enough. Are you sure you came at the right time and not too late? Because this sounds a lot like one of the adventures we had before against a certain genius, Dr. Ivo Robotnik, and we beat him every time. If he's the threat now there's no need to be so frightened."

"I'm afraid you didn't really understand. I do not know who is after the emeralds, but whoever is, plans on consuming their energy forever and using them for evil things. Whoever is looking for them is powerful and able to use the emeralds power in ways that are yet to be seen. You must believe me," she almost pleaded for their belief as she clasped her hands together and looked closely at them.

Tails shrugged and looked at Sonic, who was now grinning. Understanding what this meant Tails hurried into his workshop and in a few seconds reappeared with a small tracking device on his left hand and a phone on the other.

"Hurry and call Knuckles and Shadow. I'm going to see if this Chaos Emerald tracking device still works." Tails told Sonic as he handed him the phone.

"How am I going to call Shadow? I have no idea where he is…" Sonic mumbled to himself.

"Try Amy's house," Tails advised.

"Good idea. If he's not there then we'll just have to start without him."

Meanwhile Itza stood there looking at them with her full attention, observing every move as if memorizing it. So far, so good.