Chapter 25 Bonds broken and friendships renewed.
Authors note, Ok guys thank you so much for the reviews and favorites/follows. Its so awesome to see you enjoy this story! Also we have just reached 5,000 views on this story. I am so excited, thank you all! Hope you enjoy and leave a review if you have time. Your feedback fills me with happiness! I only own my OC. Oh and one last thing, to Guest893. Jennifer's powers are most like the lightning benders from Avatar, but my main inspiration for them was from Storm on X-Men. With a few tweaks of my own of course, along with her enhanced speed. Now lets get on with the plot!
Jennifer's pov
I stood in front of everyone as they argued wondering what to say. I felt a nudge and glanced at Shadow seeing him nod at me. Taking a deep breath I stepped forward and let my eyes roam over my old friends. As my eyes connected with each person silence fell. I had hoped that seeing them would spark something, and everything would come flying back. I was severely disappointed when I felt nothing as I looked at each one. Nothing for the bat who glared at me with mistrust.
Not a thing when my eyes roamed over a pink hedgehog, who was hand in hand with a blue hedgehog. Both looked confused and wary. Still nothing when my eyes passed over the fuming echidna and a fox with two tails. Then my gaze dropped to the shortest and youngest of the bunch, she was holding onto a struggling dog. And I remembered this child, not much no but I remembered making flower crowns with her, and baking desserts. I remembered her cooing over a dress I had made.
She shrunk back under my gaze and I stepped backward with a tightlipped smile. "Well I suppose I should start at the beginning huh?" I said. And so me and Shadow explained the whole story and the new threat that loomed over us. It took a lot of convincing for a few, (cough, Knuckles, cough). But when Shadow put his foot down and began threatening them they seemed convinced. Or maybe it was because they were frightened of him, I hoped it was the former. When they brought me into the plane, I grabbed Shadows hand holding him back. Cocking a brow Shadow looked at me curiously.
"I remembered Cream" I spoke quietly. "That's great Jen did you?" I cut him off, "No, nobody but her." I threw my hands in the air letting out a huff, "Why can't I just remember!?" Shadow gripped both my hands now and looked deep in my eyes. "I'm sorry you have to go through this, but you are making very good progress Jen. Trust me I would know." "How do you know?" I asked. "I've had amnesia myself, I didn't remember anything or anyone. But I came through just like I know you will. Your strong and so very determined." he smirked.
I stared at him in wonder, my stomach in knots and warmth flooding my heart. Seeing the thinly veiled hope and adoration in his eyes, I only hoped that it was true. I felt butterflies fill my stomach at our close proximity. And then I didn't care that I couldn't remember much, in this moment I wanted to try and love Shadow the hedgehog. And I wanted him to show me what it felt like to be loved. That was until Sonic cleared his throat from the doorway and snapped the spell. I jumped away from Shadow blushing.
Then hating myself for feeling this way and rushed inside. Shaking my head I loathed myself, why was I so stupid? I was going to ruin our friendship over my dumb feelings. I mean who could love a broken girl? I was brought out of my musings when Rouge strolled up to me a frown on her face. I was very surprised when she abruptly hugged me, I hesitated before gripping her tightly. "I'm sorry I hurt you." I mumbled.
"Don't you worry hun it wasn't your fault! But you have to show me how you did that lightning thingy!" she exclaimed. I laughed in pure joy so happy I was believed. Holding out my hand I let sparks dance in my palm, creating small balls and bolts. I looked up to see I now had a audience. Everyone had gathered around gazing at the dancing sparks. Sonic was poking Amy excitedly, "Wow! Just think of the advantages we have now! Hey, can you blow up one of Eggmans machines in one shot?" he burst out.
I looked at Shadow confused, "Dr. Robotnik" he mouthed. "Oh, uh yes I have practiced on his robots before and at full power I could take out seven at a time. If they were close together." I added. Tails spoke up then, "Jennifer would you mind if we tested out some of your abilities?" Shaking my head I told him I didn't mind at all, anything I could do to help. Tails almost whisked me a ways right then and there but Shadow told him we all needed a good nights sleep. I then realized it was dark out and that I was in fact exhausted.
They all dispersed but not before a few of them hugged me and said how glad they were I was back. Knuckles left without a word and Cream seemed to afraid of me. After a moment it was just me, Shadow and the dog. I looked down at the creature vaguely remembering it from my dreams. I stroked it as I tried to recall its, no her name. Apparently seeing my struggle Shadow said Spunky. Glancing at him for a second I returned my attention to Spunky and cooed at her. She became super excited and began running around at high speed.
Laughing at her excitement, I looked over to Shadow who had a smirk on his face. "Come on I'll show you your old room." he said. Following him I was led to a row of doors, he opened the first one on the left. I walked in and looked around at my belongings. There was a suitcase full of clothes open on the bed, and the room was adorned with bookshelves all filled to the brim. I ignored the clothes as they wouldn't fit me anymore and instead browsed all the books. Running my fingers along the spines, none of the titles seemed familiar.
Picking one at random I ended up with a book called The Host by Stephine Meyers. Sitting on the bed I glanced at Shadow to see him leaning in the doorway watching me. Spunky ran through the door and hopped on the bed panting. Petting her with a chuckle I glanced back at Shadow smirking. He hesitated for a moment then stepped back into the hall, "I'll let you get some rest, good night Jen." I nodded, "Thank you Shadow, for everything." Shadow smirked and then turned to leave closing the door behind him.
Sighing I curled up on the bed hugging a pillow to my chest. Spunky snuggled up by my feet and we both quickly fell asleep. It seemed just a moment later when I was awoken by sunshine. Blinking away sleep I got up getting ready and decided to take a walk outside. Quickly finding out that no one was awake yet, as it was only about seven I tip toed out the door. I had just arrived back at the plane when I heard raised voices.
"You see she found out where we are and went to go report it back to Eggman! She isn't Jennifer she has you all fooled. Jennifer is dead!" "She is not dead, Robotnik told me himself what he did! That hedgehog is Jennifer, he took her memories, he took her body!" a voice I recognized as Shadow bellowed. "That's insane she was human Eggman tricked you and now you have brought this spy back with you!" She brought us the emeralds, and freed me from his prison! She is on our side Knuckles!" Shadows deep voice yelled back.
"Oh really then where is the lying traitor?!" Knuckles thundered. I quickly jogged to the front, and was just in time to see Shadow tackle Knuckles fist flying. "What is going on here?" I shouted. Everyone's heads jerked towards me in shock while Shadow jumped off Knuckles. Coughing Knuckles sat up looking at me in surprise, "I thought you left." he mumbled. I frowned they thought I had betrayed them, Well Knuckles did at least. "I did leave, but I just went for a walk. I'm sorry I'll tell someone next time, so I don't freak people out." I said as I rubbed my arm in shame.
"No, I'm sorry." I looked at Knuckles in confusion. "I was being a jerk, and accused you of still working for Eggman. I was wrong, maybe you really are Jennifer." he said quietly. I gave him a small smile before he picked himself up and quickly strode away. Ignoring the others stares I walked up to Sonic. "Hey Sonic, I was wondering do y'all have somewhere to practice your fighting skills?" "Ya there's a small clearing about a mile away. I'll take you there after breakfast if you like?" he replied.
Nodding I opened my mouth to thank him when Amy interrupted me. "Why don't we all go? I'm sure everyone wants to see Jennifer's new powers." a few muttered agreements were heard from the others. Tails seemed most excited and I recalled he wanted to run some tests on what I could do. I shrugged my shoulders, "I don't mind." Soon after breakfast we gathered in the small clearing. I noticed they didn't have any targets set up, confused I asked Shadow if we were practicing on the trees.
Shadow smirked at me, "We spar with each other, your going to practice on one of us." I stiffened in shock, shaking my head I turned to go back. No way was I fighting one of them, I was not going to accidentally hurt someone. Shadow grasped my hand yanking me back. "Don't be afraid, show them what you can do." he spoke. I shook my head in disbelief how did he always know what I was thinking? I took a deep breath to calm down, and stepped to the middle of the clearing. Sonic was the first to step forward a cocky grin on his features.
"Well Jenny, we know who's going to win here but give me your best shot." he laughed. I raised a eyebrow glancing at Shadow, "Is he serious?" I asked. Shadow shrugged, "Sonic has a distinct lack oh humility, teach him a lesson will you?" and then he winked at me. I think my whole body stopped functioning for a full five seconds. I was sure I was bright red as I turned to face Sonic. When he went into a fighting stance I immediately shut down all thoughts, except defeating my opponent. Did I mention I had a huge competitive streak? And Shadows words just made me want to win more.
I stood comfortable and cool, waiting for him to make the first strike. Suddenly he snapped into action using his speed to surprise me. I wasn't able to block in time and took a hit to my jaw. Now I used my own speed to swirl behind him doing a roundhouse kick. He grabbed my leg before it hit him, and swung me around before letting go. I hit the ground getting the breath knocked out of me. Sonic stalked towards me and I swung my legs out. I managed to trip him and as he fell, I simply grabbed his ankle and shocked him.
He fell to his knees, his fur sticking out everywhere. Taking this to my advantage I punched him twice. He fell to the ground and I pounced on him, flipping him on his stomach. Straddling him I kept him pinned until he stopped struggling. "Ok ok I give." he groaned. Getting off him, I realized I won. Cheers rung through the clearing and beaming I helped Sonic up. Giving me me a toothy grin he patted my shoulder. "You got lucky Jennifer I demand a rematch!" he chuckled. "Just tell me when and where." I replied.
Knuckles walked up next and I ended up losing the fight when he landed a hit on me. I went out like a light because of his sheer strength. Shadow didn't want me fighting after that, so I sat and watched the others spar. Occasionally showing off some of my powers by shooting sparks and bolts at nearby trees. At the end of the day we were all exhausted and went to bed as soon as we returned to the plane. As Shadow walked me to my room we talked about the days events.
Shadow chuckled as he congratulated me again on beating Sonic. "Its no big deal, I got lucky." I said modestly. Shadow grabbed my hand squeezing it. "I think you won because your skilled not because you got lucky." he said. "You doubt yourself too much." I shrugged blushing as we reached my room. "Thanks for standing up for me today." I whispered. "No problem." he replied.
I then noticed he hadn't realised my hand yet. "Well I better turn in, good night Shadow." I said nervously. Shadow squeezed my hand before releasing it. "Good night Jenny sleep well." then he turned and left. I stared after him before shaking my head and going in my room. I tried to stop the hammering of my heart as I went to sleep. My dreams were of a pair of ruby red eyes that night.