Chili with Aroma of a Hedgehog
Chapter 12: Shadows and Roses
Yes! This Chapter is the beginning of a new quarter for the story. From here on out, everything will be interesting I PROMISE!
I feel like only 2 people are actually reading this, where my other readers at!?
Shadow: That's because you truly only have 2 people reading this.
Wow Shadow, thanks.
Shout out to Lilly and Captain!
Knuckles couldn't help but gain an overwhelming curiosity over the echidna at the ranch.
He'd spent days thinking about her and every time he ran into her, she'd become more intriguing.
There was something about that ranch that wasn't right.
That excuse for a father she has isn't the most trust worthy.
Overtime, she had learned to acknowledge Knuckles and she always seemed happy to see him, it warmed his heart.
"I'm telling you Sonic, she is something!" Knuckles exclaimed as he and Sonic supervised the factory.
"Could it be that Knucklehead is in love?" Sonic teased, causing Knuckles to blush.
"Look at your face Knucklehead, your face is redder than the Chili Peppers!"
"Shut up!" Knuckles scolded, receiving questioning looks from the scientists analyzing the paprika.
"Why don't you ask her out on a date?" Sonic asked, speaking lower than before.
"No way, with that over protective father of hers my chances of going on a date with her are as high as a snail's chance to slide at the speed of light."
"That bad?"
"Her father doesn't seem like a good person Sonic, Shadow and I both witnessed him mistreating her when I first saw her."
"What's his name?"
"Pachacamac the Echidna," said Knuckles, causing Sonic to widen his eyes.
"No way! My Dad and my Grandpa had problems with that guy once!" Sonic exclaimed. "Pachacamac accused them of being the reason his wife died, she was a chili picker."
- Flashback -
A young 10 year old Sonic, 8 year old Tails, and a 6 year old Manic played with their action figures while an 8 year old Sonia lied on the floor watching television.
"JULES! WHERE THE HELL ARE YA!? JULES! MAURICE!"
Sonic stood and looked out the window, noticing an echidna holding a gun.
"Sonic get down now!" Bernadette ordered as she quickly grabbed Sonic and took him from the window sill. "Rosemary, Amadeus, take the kids upstairs and make sure they don't come down."
Rosemary quickly grabbed Sonia and Tails while Amadeus got Manic and Sonic, taking them upstairs.
Bernadette quickly ran into the study and informed Jules, Elena and Maurice of what was occurring.
"Elena, Bernadette, stay here, we'll take care of them," Maurice ordered as the two walked outside.
Sonic witnessed from the window sill upstairs of what was occurring.
Maurice and Jules opened the door and Pachacamac immediately pointed his gun at them.
"Pachacamac, what is the meaning of this?" Maurice asked.
"Don't speak rationality to me Maurice the Hedgehog, my wife is dead and YOU TWO KILLED HER!"
"No no, that's not what happened, let us explain," said Jules.
"So you're saying you two didn't over work her!? You two didn't pay her enough and she overworked herself!"
"She was dehydrated," said Jules. "We offered her water many times and she never accepted a drink!"
"It's true. Trust me Pachacamac, my father died due to overworking himself. He died in my arms, I know what it means to overwork yourself, your wife was dehydrated and we did everything we could to help her!" Maurice added.
"LIES! You murderers... one day The Hedgehog Family will PAY for what they did to my wife! YOU WILL PAY!" Pachacamac yelled as he left the scene.
- End Flashback -
"Dang all of that happened?" Knuckles asked as Sonic nodded.
"He seems like a psycho," Knuckles said.
"He despises Sonia, Manic and I with such a passion it's not even funny. He tried kidnapping Sonia once, luckily Dad got there in time."
"Then Tikal is in more trouble than I thought..."
"Seems so, but it's kind of pitiful, his life went into a pit of alcoholism and sadness since his wife died."
Knuckles nodded, taking the information into account.
"Speaking of alcohol and wives, how have you been Sonic?"
"Same as always. My marriage is a living nightmare and I lost Rosy forever..."
"Don't say that, if your love was meant to be, you'll cross paths again someday."
"I hope so Knuckles... I hope so..."
"Sonic sir!" a scientist exclaimed.
"Yes?"
"There has been a problem with the exportation of the third case of Paprika that we sent three days ago, apparently it was detected that we didn't send Holoska the amount they asked for."
"What!?" Sonic exclaimed. "They are our best client, we can't afford to lose them!"
"What do we do!?" exclaimed Knuckles.
"There's only one person in charge of the exportations, Bean, go get me my cellphone. I have a certain hedgehog to call at a certain Corporation."
Station Square
Amy was serious about this job.
She used some money saved up from working at the hotel to by a red business formal outfit.
She wore a white dress shirt and a red pencil skirt, topping it off with a red blazer and black pumps.
"Rosy you look so... fancy!" Angela exclaimed in joy as Amy twirled.
"I'm so nervous for this interview!"
"Rosy... are you sure you still want to follow through with this. Sonic the Hedgehog may have been an easy going boss but Shadow the Hedgehog is a COMPLETE different story!"
"I'm sure mom! Wish me luck!" Amy said as she kissed her mom's cheek and headed toward the Corporation, leaving Angela to only pray.
Green Hill Zone
"Please... stop..." Tails cried as Sally kissed his neck.
"No this is way too fun! Enjoy yourself Tails, quit being such a stick in the mud."
"THIS ISN'T RIGHT!" Tails exclaimed as Sally put her finger on his lips.
"Shhh, someone can hear you," she said as she continued to kiss his neck. "You'll be begging me for this one day, trust me."
Tails shook his head abruptly, disagreeing.
"Tails! Where are you son?" Amadeus asked from a distance.
Sally immediately got off of Tails and straightened herself out, with Tails doing the same.
Amadeus walked into the stalls.
"So just please make sure to have the horse ready for my husband by that time. It's really important," Sally said as Tails nodded.
"Yes ma'am," he said as Sally walked away while greeting Amadeus on her way out.
"What did she want?" Amadeus asked as he approached Tails.
"Oh, um, Sonic is going for a ride later on and she just wanted to remind me to get the horse ready."
Amadeus nodded, and observed Tails, narrowing his eyes.
"What?"
"What's going on?"
"What do you mean?"
"You've been acting very weird these past few months."
Tails shrugged, "Life has been busy. It's also been kind of boring without Rosy or Angela."
"Now that is something I agree with you on. Those two always brought life to the party," Amadeus said as he smiled. "See, all this nostalgia made me forget why I even came here in the first place."
"Let me know when you remember, I need to get the horse ready."
"Yes yes," Amadeus said as he approached Tails and put a hand on his shoulder. "You know you can trust me right Tails?"
Tails looked at this father in confusion at the randomness of the question. "Yes?"
"Just making sure," Amadeus said as he walked away, Tails releasing a sigh of relief.
Station Square
Amy stared in awe at the Corporation, it was bigger than she imagined.
She stepped into the office and was equally in awe with the inside.
"May I help you miss?" a sweet voice asked as Amy looked at the receptionist.
How odd... this girl looks like a younger version of Vanilla...
"Yes, I am here for the Interview for the new Secretary."
"Oh yes, just go straight ahead to the Director's office, there is a line of more interviewees waiting as well."
Amy thanked her and walked into the waiting room, where there were many women who held their resumes and were talking to themselves as if practicing how they'd approach the interview.
"Wow... tough competition..." Amy muttered.
"And I am also very organized and very responsible and..."
"OKAY Ashley, I get it!" Shadow scolded, annoyed with the girl's rambles. "We'll give you a call."
Ashley nodded and stood up, blowing a kiss at him and walking out the door.
Shadow rolled his eyes, that girl wasn't even pretty.
"You have a great panel of potential secretaries Shadow," Silver said as he started laughing.
"Shut up! I asked you to help me interview, not to mock it." Shadow scolded. "I'm getting tired of this, is there not a girl in this office who is actually in it to get stuff done!?"
"Permission to enter?" a yellow raccoon asked.
"Permission granted," Shadow stated with a monotone.
The raccoon sat down, her skirt too short for comfort.
"What is your name?" asked Silver.
"Molly Rachele."
"Why do you want to work here Molly?" asked Shadow.
"I'm here to praise you Shadow! I'll give you massages and any..."
"NEXT!" Shadow interrupted, causing Molly to get up and start crying.
"Sheesh Shadow, way to lay it easy on them."
"If you're gonna come here to flirt with me, at least make sure you're good looking!" Shadow argued. "I don't feel like doing this anymore."
"We have one more girl though, come on, maybe this one is the one."
Shadow groaned, "Fine, bring her in."
"Permission to enter?" Amy asked.
"Permission granted," responded Silver.
Amy walked in and Shadow and Silver were immediately impressed with her choice of clothing.
This was the first girl who wasn't showing cleavage and didn't have her skirt shorter than a crop top.
Shadow nodded in approval, regaining back some patience.
"Name?"
"Amy Rose."
"Why do you want to work for me Amy?" Shadow asked as he glared into her eyes, Amy suddenly feeling intimidation.
Shadow is NOTHING like Sonic...
Suddenly Shadow's phone rang, causing him to groan.
"Turn that off," Shadow ordered to Silver.
"Um Shadow... it's Sonic."
Amy widened her eyes as her heart skipped a beat.
Sonic...
"Ughhh, I apologize Miss. Rose. I have to take this," Shadow said as Amy waved him in dismissal.
Shadow put the phone to his hear, "WHAT DO YOU WANT!? I'm in the middle of something!"
Amy blinked, dang... Shadow sure didn't play.
"Sorry to interrupt Shadow, but we have a problem," Sonic said from the other line.
"What could be SO important that would cause you to interrupt me during office hours!?"
"It has to do with the exportations to Holoska, apparently they didn't get the whole order."
"THEY WHAT!?" Shadow exclaimed as he stood up. "They are our best customers! NO NO NO DON'T PIN THIS ON ME FAKER, your Chili Pickers probably aren't putting in as much effort!"
Amy took a breathe and tried to let that slide, she more than anyone knew how hard the Chili Pickers worked to get everything done.
"What do you mean you lost two of your best Chili Pickers? IDIOT THAT'S WHY WE DIDN'T GET THE WHOLE ORDER THROUGH! Why didn't you replace them?!" Shadow scolded, causing Amy to shift uncomfortably in her seat.
Crap... they're talking about my Mom and I...
"Don't yell at me, don't yell at me, DON'T YELL AT ME! Look Sonic, I'll ask the Shipment department to try to butter up our Holoskan customers. You tell those Chili Pickers that they need to pick EXTRA now. Holoska will only continue working with us if we give them double of what they originally asked. I DON'T CARE IF THEY GET OVERWORKED!"
Yup... Shadow was NOTHING like Sonic...
"THEN HIRE MORE CHILI PICKERS IDIOT IF YOU DON'T WANT THEM TO OVERWORK SO BADLY! Of course, you'd have to cut their salary if you do and I don't think they'll want that. I DON'T KNOW SONIC I ALREADY GAVE YOU ALL MY IDEAS! TAKE THEM OR LEAVE THEM, I'M BUSY!" Shadow yelled as he hung up and threw his phone on the table.
"Problems with Sonic?" asked Silver.
"That idiot's naive heart of gold pesters me sometimes," Shadow responded. "He doesn't want the Chili Pickers picking more chilis because they'll 'overwork themselves,'" Shadow mocked. "And when I told him to hire more but with the expense of cutting their salaries he got all defensive saying that it wasn't fair or some crap like that," he said. "I'm so glad Sonic didn't get the Corporation, he would've drowned us to the ground. He's not cut out for business."
Amy silently listened to every word, taking in everything.
Sonic hasn't changed at all...
In some ways that was relieving, but it was also frustrating, because now It'd be harder to get over him.
"Anyway back to this," Shadow said as he turned to Amy. "I'm sorry you had to see that Amy, my cousin is a bit of an idiot."
Tell me about it... Amy thought.
"So why do you want to work for me?"
"It's always been my dream to work for The Hedgehog Family, this Corporation has put smiles to people's faces and I've always wanted to make others happy through knowledge of my specialty. Chili."
"Oh so you know Chili?" asked Silver.
"Yes, at my university in France. I majored in Agricultural Science and Business Administration. For my senior project we had to research a specific plant and conduct a research report on the topic. I chose Chili, and I've fallen in love with the science of it all since."
Shadow and Silver nodded, impressed.
"What are three of your best qualities Miss. Rose?" Shadow asked.
"Determination. Perseverance. Open-Minded."
"As you noticed from Shadow's... outburst just now... you should know that if you get hired you're going to have to put up with that..." Silver said, causing Shadow to glare at him.
"That's not a problem. I have experience working as a receptionist at a hotel and let's just say I've learned how to sustain my patience."
Silver nodded, "Well I'm done, Shadow?"
"One more question Miss. Rose, or more of a comment. My wife is VERY jealous and we all must acknowledge that you aren't ugly. How serious are you about your work?"
"Very serious. I'm only here to get the job done sir."
Shadow nodded, "That's enough for me. Wait for us outside for a few minutes. We have some discussing to do."
Amy nodded and walked outside.
"I liked her," said Silver. "Hire her."
"I thought she was good too, but Rouge is going to go haywire."
"You heard her. She's here to work."
"True... screw it. I'm hiring her, Miss. Rose please come in!"
Amy walked in again.
"You got the job, you start Monday, congratulations," Shadow said.
"Oh thank you! You won't be disappointed!" Amy said as she shook both their hands and left the office.
"She is very pretty, Rouge is going to kill me."
"Don't get any ideas Shadow."
"Nah, not her, I'm getting the vibe that she's an honest person and even I have some sense," Shadow rolled his eyes as he got a water bottle.
"What are we going to do about Sonic?"
Shadow scoffed, "We'll let the idiot figure that out."
Green Hill Zone
"What do I do Knuckles?" Sonic said as he paced back and forth. "I can't just overwork them, and I can't cut their salaries either."
"You gotta do something Sonic, this can really hurt the Industry."
"I know that Knuckles."
"Why don't you talk to the Chili Pickers and tell them what's going on?"
"That's a good idea! I'll have them decide what's best for them next week," Sonic said as Knuckles nodded.
Station Square (Monday Morning)
Amy arrived early to the office and was stopped by a swallow.
"You're Shadow's new secretary right?"
"Yes. I'm Amy Rose," Amy said as she extended her hand.
The swallow kept her arms crossed, "I know why you're here and let me tell you that I will not allow the likes of you cause another discussion between Shadow and Rouge."
"Okay?"
"Hmph," the swallow said as she walked away.
"Don't mine Wave, she's close friends with Rouge," the rabbit receptionist said as Amy turned.
"Yeah, thanks. Hey I never asked for your name," Amy said.
"Cream the Rabbit!" Cream excitedly stated.
"CREAM!? As in Vanilla's daughter?"
"You know momma?"
"Oh my gosh yes! She saved my life! I'm Amy Rose!"
"Wait! AMY ROSE! Momma told me about you!"
"She did!? Goodness what a coincidence! I didn't think this was the Corporation you worked in."
"Yeah, The Hedgehogs pay well so it was a great opportunity."
"We have to have lunch together!"
"Cafeteria at noon?" Cream suggested.
"Done, see you there Cream," Amy said as she walked toward her desk.
Amy looked at the desk placed outside of Shadow's office and set her things down.
"Huh? Looks like Shadow isn't here yet."
It all felt so surreal to Amy.
First, she worked for Sonic and Jules, now she works for Shadow and Charles.
It was all happening so fast!
"Yes baby I promise to be there during lunch," Shadow said as he and Rouge walked into the room.
"You better!" she said as she turned to Amy and eyed her up and down. "Who's this?"
"My new secretary, this is Amy Rose."
Amy shyly waved as Rouge glared at her.
Yikes... tough crowd...
"Shadow you go on inside, I'll see you during lunch," she said as she kissed him.
Shadow nodded and put a stack of papers on Amy's desk, "Stack those alphabetically in a file and then give them to me."
Amy nodded as Shadow headed on inside.
As Amy got started Rouge pounded her hand on the stack of papers.
"Let's get something straight here Pinky. I had problems with our last secretary because she was trying to slobber herself over my husband, that's why she was fired. I just want to make it clear that he is my property and I want your relationship with him to be STRICTLY work related. Got it!?"
"That was my intention in the first place Mrs. The Hedgehog, you have my word," Amy said as she held her right hand up.
Rouge glared at her, "I'll be watching you."
With that Rouge left the office and Amy released a sigh of relief.
"Sonic... you never told me your family was THIS crazy..." she muttered as she continued doing her job.
"I did it Grandma! I got my degree!" Sonia explained as she approached Elena and hugged her.
"Oh I'm glad! And I'm also glad you're here, The Hedgehog Council is meeting this Friday to discuss the future of the industry."
"Yes! My first order of business!" Sonia laughed as she and Elena hugged.
"There is more good news!" Elena said. "Manic is coming here to live with me too!"
"They transferred him again!?"
"Yes! Isn't it great?"
"Finally, all of us will finally be united again!"
"What do you mean by finally?" Manic said as he walked in with his suitcase.
"Manic you're here!" Sonia exclaimed as the two hugged.
Elena was overjoyed with having Manic and Sonia living in the house with her since it got lonely sometimes.
"I couldn't help but overhear. Is everyone going to the Council meeting?" Manic asked.
"Everyone but Sonic, he's busy with the Grounds."
Manic pouted in disappointment. "Dang it he's the only one that makes those things fun."
"Manic!" Elena scolded.
"I'm just kidding Grandma!" Manic said as he hugged Elena. "So I'm assuming the meeting is going to be at the Corporation?"
"Yes, and only The Hedgehogs can opinionate. Since Rouge, Silver and Cocoa are not The Hedgehogs by blood, they can only witness, but not comment," Elena explained.
"Rouge and Aunt Cocoa not saying their opinion? That'd be a miracle," Manic said as he rolled his eyes, receiving a playful punch by Sonia.
Shadow walked out of his office for lunch time and approached Amy.
"You're finished already?" he asked.
"Yep, and I also organized your meetings chronologically on your calendar and organized the file cabinets," Amy said as she handed him the files.
"You're really handy..." Shadow said. "Oh! I almost forgot to tell you that you are in charge of organizing a family council meeting that will take place this friday. My family will be in attendance and I want the meeting room to be ready."
Amy widened her eyes, "Y-You're entire family?"
"Everyone but Sonic. So make sure to have enough seats for myself, my wife, mother and father, my grandma and my cousins Silver, Manic and Sonia."
Amy nodded, silently relieved, "Yes sir."
Shadow nodded and left the office.
Sonic's entire family? Here! But without Sonic! Oh boy...
"Amy, you comin?" Cream asked as Amy nodded and took her bag to the cafeteria.
"So what's this whole deal with Shadow? It's like none of the women trust me to keep a platonic relationship."
"I probably shouldn't say this since he's my boss..." said Cream. "But Shadow is a womanizer."
Amy looked at Cream in shock.
"What!?"
"That's why Blaze was fired, he hit on her until she finally gave in and his wife caught them in the act. At least that was Blaze's side of the story... and most of his victim's side of the story. He told Rouge that Blaze kissed him and she tried to take advantage of him."
"Seriously?" Amy was shocked. Once again, Shadow was NOTHING like Sonic.
"Yes but don't tell anyone I told you. We all tend to mind our own business. What Rouge and Shadow deal with at home isn't our concern. Just be careful."
Amy nodded, "Thanks for putting me in the loop, now I understand."
Crap... what did I get myself into!?
There we go guys!
Next chapter we'll have the family council meeting!
What will Amy think of Sonic's family?
What's going on between Tikal and Knuckles and how will Sonia react?
Will Sonic see Amy again?
REVIEW AND FIND OUT!
Next Time on Chili with Aroma of a Hedgehog...
"Don't mind Rouge and Cocoa, I promise not all of us are insane," Manic said as he laughed.
Amy smiled, Manic was so easy going.
"But I wish you could have met my brother Sonic. He's also an endangered The Hedgehog Family member that isn't on the board of insanity." Manic said as he laughed again, causing Amy to shift uncomfortably.
"Heh.. yeah, can't wait to meet him one day..."
