Before Eggman's next assault, Sonic underwent several radical changes. He started wearing dark clothes and listening to metal while building his strength at the gym. Every so often, he would pause during runs to admire the scenery. After a few weeks of cementing this new routine, he decided it was time to pay a certain pink counterpart a visit.

Sonic knocked gently on Amy's door, unsure whether she was home. To his surprise, she answered moments later.

"Sonic? Is that you?"

"Hey, Ames."

"Wow. You look so...Different..."

"I've had a lot on my mind. That's why I'm here. I thought we could talk."

"Um...Sure."

"If it's a bad time, I can come back later."

"No, it's fine. Come in."

Amy stepped aside, granting Sonic entry into the cottage. He plopped on the couch by the coffee table. Amy settled herself across from him.

"What did you wanna talk about."

"Us - where we stand in our relationship."

"Finally came around, huh?"

"I never really understood the importance of romance until I had nowhere left to turn."

Amy's face twisted in concern.

"You feel lonely!?"

"Yeah...I think I do..."

Not once in a million years did she expect such a response. Sonic was the hero who always saved the day. He was always surrounded by people who admired and adored him. How was it possible for him of all people to feel this way?

"Think about it, Amy. If I wasn't here to stop Robotnik at every turn, how many people would even think about me, let alone acknowledge my existence?"

"But you are."

"Eggman's been inactive for weeks. Not a single person has stopped by to check on me. I'm not saying it to make you feel bad. I'm just saying there's a notable pattern when nothing's goin' down."

"I...I never thought..."

"Hey, don't feel bad. It took me a while to notice, too. It's not very often we get as much downtime as we've had. Guess old egghead got fed up and decided to take a vacation or somethin'."

"So...Why now?"

"Because I'm done running away. I understand now why you longed for me to love you. I understand because I feel the same way. I want someone to love me - someone to be there for me when no else can be. Maybe it's even more than that. Maybe I need it..."

"Sonic..."

"I sit before you now a broken man, with only the strength to ask for your love in return."

Sonic reached out his hand.

"Amy, will you be my girlfriend?"

The silence was deafening - empty enough to hear a pin drop. For so long, Amy dreamt to hear those words. Now that she had, it was all so surreal. This wasn't the Sonic she fell for during their first meeting. This was someone new...Someone stronger...

"Who are you...?" she wondered.