==============================================================
A/N: Thanks Toni for pointing out the mistake - it has been updated! :D Thanks again to everyone who has read and reviewed my story! You guys are way past cool! ;)
==============================================================
CHAPTER 9: Interview with a Hedgehog
I opened my eyes and tried to focus on my surroundings. Sonic and Tails were leaning over me, "What a great dream," I sighed, and suddenly found a splash of water hitting me. I immediately popped up and shook off the water. This was definitely real.
"Are you okay?" Tails said.
"Are you kidding! That was the best ride of my life!"
They both looked at me, and then at each other.
"Okay, maybe I exaggerated, but-" suddenly I realized that Electra and the SSSSS Squad were nowhere to be seen, "Where's Electra?"
"Who?" Sonic asked.
"And... Grounder and Scratch... and Coconuts?" I said, my eyes darting around for any sign of them.
"Oh, the dumb-bots," Sonic said, "Don't worry, they can't get you here."
I quickly stood up, still a bit shaky, "I gotta go back!"
"Whoa there!" Sonic grabbed my arm, "What are you talking about?"
"They're my friends! I just can't leave them!" I sputtered.
"Friends?" Tails said, "They're badniks!"
"Not anymore," I pleaded, "They want to find a home. I thought maybe you could take them to Scrap Valley."
"Why should I help them?" Sonic crossed his arms, "They've been nothing but trouble since the day they were made."
"They helped me escape from Robotnik! And they helped stop the bug-bots, remember?"
Sonic considered this a moment, "Yeah... so they did - but I don't trust them. Neither should you - those guys are dangerous," he paused a second, "Who are you anyway?"
"My name is Joanie. I'm from a planet called Earth in another dimension. Robotnik kidnapped me and has been holding me prisoner in his fortress."
"What does Robotnik want with you?" he eyed me with suspicion.
"My knowledge... I know everything about you guys..."
"What? How?"
"Well... In my dimension, you guys are in a cartoon show, called 'Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog'..." I explained as I saw Sonic's mouth drop open.
"Wow!" Tails exclaimed, "We're TV stars?"
"Well, that's not all - you guys are video game stars too. People from all over my planet know who you are."
Sonic was a bit taken aback by this to say the least, "Really?"
"People love you guys! You even have action figures... and a movie!"
"You're not making this up, are you?" he asked.
"If I am, his real name isn't Miles," I pointed to Tails.
Tails gasped, "Wow! I've only told Sonic that!"
"If you want more proof, it's at Dr. Robotnik's fortress - along with my ticket back home. He brought me here using his 'Dimensional Matter Displacer', and it's how he found out about me."
Sonic paced around and tried to figure this out. Tails approached me, "I wanted to thank you for saving my life - Sonic told me what happened."
"You're welcome," I smiled, "I'm a big fan."
"Well, it's getting too late to storm Doc Botnik's fortress," Sonic stopped pacing, "We might as well relax a bit tonight. We can try in the morning. Battling him twice a day is enough for me."
I looked and saw the red sun sinking over the horizon. Was it that late already? I really wanted to go and look for the bots right then, but I knew that Sonic wasn't about to let me, and that it would be difficult once it got dark. I prayed they were alright.
"I've gotta run some quick errands," Sonic said to Tails, "Watch out for yourselves, okay? I won't be very long."
"We will," Tails said, as Sonic sped off again, leaving a trail of dust behind him.
I took a seat on a rock placed around the flickering campfire. Tails added some sticks to it, sending sparks up into the air. He sat down beside me.
"How are you feeling?" I asked.
"A whole lot better now. The doctor Sonic took me to said I'm okay..." He sighed.
"I'm glad - you didn't look too good when Sonic left..."
"Joanie, what's your world like?" Tails asked, swinging his feet.
"Basically like yours," I said, "Though... animals can't talk... and robots can't either, and - well... I guess it is pretty different," I chuckled.
"Do you miss your family?"
"Yeah, I do," I tried to smile, "I even miss my little brother..."
"I wish I had a little brother," Tails remarked, a little sad.
"Are you sure about that?" I laughed, "They can be a real pain."
"I guess... I'd just like someone to look up to me once in a while," he said, adding another stick to the crackling fire.
"So you can be the hero?" I smiled.
"Yeah," he blushed, "Kinda silly, huh?"
"No way... Tails, you don't have to be the hero for people to appreciate you. You're really intelligent and gentle too - people will notice that."
"You really think so?"
"I know so - It's not everyday I get to meet someone special like you!"
"Wow, thanks," he scratched the back of his head, "Look, here comes Sonic!" he pointed as a cloud came racing toward us.
Sonic screeched to a halt and set down a large shopping bag. He reached in and began pulling out some food items: hot dogs, cheese, buns, cans of chili... all for making chilidogs - their absolute favorite food.
"Hope you like chilidogs!" Sonic said, "Cause that's what I got!" He also pulled a blanket and a pillow out of the bag and set them down, "I also got you some sleeping gear."
"Thanks, Sonic," I took them for him and spread out the blanket on a clear spot.
"Mmm! You ain't lived 'til you've eaten one of my chilidogs!" he began cooking up a storm.
"Actually," Tails whispered, "He got the recipe from Robotnik!" he giggled. Then we broke into laughter.
"Hey! I heard that!" he turned around.
"Uh-oh!" Tails ducked behind me.
Sonic pointed a ladle at him, "You better watch it Tails, or no supper!"
"Okay," he replied half-heartedly, rolling his eyes.
I got up and stood by Sonic, "Did you really get it from him?"
"Yeah, I did," he admitted as he stirred the heating chili in a pot over the campfire, "The one decent thing about ol' Lardnik is that at least he knows how to cook."
* * *
When Sonic finally finished cooking, we had quite a feast. I was only able to eat two chilidogs before I was full, but of course Sonic and Tails kept on eating. Now that I was seeing it in person, I still couldn't believe how many they could pack away in their stomachs! As they snarfed on, we chatted about this and that - I hadn't had so much fun since the last sleepover party I had with my best friend, Sheila. I knew so much about them that I felt like I had always known them.
I brought up their different adventures that I could remember. They also enjoyed being able to reminisce, and added their greatest and funniest moments. Sonic and Tails even told quite vividly a bunch of new adventures they had gone on to me. I felt like I was walking on air. Here I was, talking with my all-time favorite heroes. I wished our conversation could've lasted forever.
I threw in a few jokes every now and then and did some pretty good impressions of my favorite moments. To my surprise, they loved the entertainment. At one point, I thought Sonic and Tails were going to bust a gut from laughing so hard.
Soon though, I had a memory flash of my own - at Dr. Robotnik's. I felt the need to tell Sonic about the information Robotnik had squeezed out of me. But how to tell him?
"Dr. Warpnik was the craziest of the bunch!" Tails said.
"But what about Dr. Quark - now there's a nutcase!" I argued trying to think of a way to change the subject, "Have you guys heard from him since he flew South?"
"Thankfully, no," Sonic sighed, "And good riddance too."
Now was as good a time as any, I told myself. I took a breath, "Sonic, I need to tell you something..." I started to sweat a little.
"Sure, what?"
"Well, When I was at the fortress...Robotnik forced me... I told him how to... defeat you."
"WHAT?!" I thought his eyes would bug out.
Oh, great - now I made him upset! "I'm sorry, but I-"
"You gave the most powerful dictator on Mobius info about me!" His face turned into a scowl.
"I didn't do it on purpose-"
"Wait a sec..." He leapt up and paced around, "It all makes sense now - you're one of Robotnik's robots! That's how you know so much about us and why you were so concerned about those dunce-bots!" Had he turned against me now? This hero that I had looked up to for so long was practically calling me his enemy. I couldn't understand.
"No! I'm not a robot!" I replied, leaping to my feet and confronting him.
"Sonic, lay off!" Tails said, coming between us. At least Tails believed me.
"Watch out, Tails! She could be dangerous!" Sonic pulled him back from me.
"No! I'm not dangerous," I pleaded, "I'd never do anything to hurt you!" My mind wandered. Maybe he had a right too. I gave into Robotnik. I was no friend.
"Yeah right," he said, "Robots are evil - through and through." Visions of the robots helping me flooded my mind. How could he say that?
"No, they aren't! Robots can be good too!" I said.
"Ha! So you admit that you are one!" he retorted.
"No! For the last time - I'm not! I'm a human!" My eyes began to water up, "Why won't you believe me?"
"Sonic, she's telling the truth!" Tails broke away and stood by me, Sonic had a puzzled look on his face, as Tails continued, "Look, maybe we've been wrong about Scratch and Grounder and all them... Maybe they aren't as bad as we think. They helped out Joanie... Maybe... Maybe they've changed."
Sonic turned away and didn't say anything else. I couldn't take his rejection anymore. If he didn't want me around, then so be it. I turned around and started down the hill.
"Joanie, wait!" Tails called as I kept walking away. Tears began to fall down my face as I broke into a sprint. I ran as fast as I could go - which was about the speed of a snail compared to Sonic. I didn't even know where I was going; I was too depressed to care.
After a few seconds, I couldn't run anymore and tumbled onto the ground. I sat up and sobbed, catching my breath as I gazed up at the stars just beginning to twinkle in the sky.
Long ago, when I used to dream about meeting Sonic for real, I thought everything would be perfect. I imagined us meeting and having a great adventure. I then remembered vividly the huge crush I had on him and how at times I wished with all my heart that he was truly real.
It was foolish - but it was a wonderful dream nevertheless. The puppy love had rekindled itself now that I actually had the chance to live out my dream. But now he rejected me. I felt as low as the bluish-green grass beneath me. No, I was even lower than that.
"Could this day get any worse?" I mumbled to myself. I then realized by saying that, I probably just cursed myself to have even more awful things happen - not that it mattered to me anymore.
TO BE CONTINUED
==============================================================
A/N: Don't worry, I'm not going angst on you guys. :D The next chapter will clear things up! ;)
==============================================================
A/N: Thanks Toni for pointing out the mistake - it has been updated! :D Thanks again to everyone who has read and reviewed my story! You guys are way past cool! ;)
==============================================================
CHAPTER 9: Interview with a Hedgehog
I opened my eyes and tried to focus on my surroundings. Sonic and Tails were leaning over me, "What a great dream," I sighed, and suddenly found a splash of water hitting me. I immediately popped up and shook off the water. This was definitely real.
"Are you okay?" Tails said.
"Are you kidding! That was the best ride of my life!"
They both looked at me, and then at each other.
"Okay, maybe I exaggerated, but-" suddenly I realized that Electra and the SSSSS Squad were nowhere to be seen, "Where's Electra?"
"Who?" Sonic asked.
"And... Grounder and Scratch... and Coconuts?" I said, my eyes darting around for any sign of them.
"Oh, the dumb-bots," Sonic said, "Don't worry, they can't get you here."
I quickly stood up, still a bit shaky, "I gotta go back!"
"Whoa there!" Sonic grabbed my arm, "What are you talking about?"
"They're my friends! I just can't leave them!" I sputtered.
"Friends?" Tails said, "They're badniks!"
"Not anymore," I pleaded, "They want to find a home. I thought maybe you could take them to Scrap Valley."
"Why should I help them?" Sonic crossed his arms, "They've been nothing but trouble since the day they were made."
"They helped me escape from Robotnik! And they helped stop the bug-bots, remember?"
Sonic considered this a moment, "Yeah... so they did - but I don't trust them. Neither should you - those guys are dangerous," he paused a second, "Who are you anyway?"
"My name is Joanie. I'm from a planet called Earth in another dimension. Robotnik kidnapped me and has been holding me prisoner in his fortress."
"What does Robotnik want with you?" he eyed me with suspicion.
"My knowledge... I know everything about you guys..."
"What? How?"
"Well... In my dimension, you guys are in a cartoon show, called 'Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog'..." I explained as I saw Sonic's mouth drop open.
"Wow!" Tails exclaimed, "We're TV stars?"
"Well, that's not all - you guys are video game stars too. People from all over my planet know who you are."
Sonic was a bit taken aback by this to say the least, "Really?"
"People love you guys! You even have action figures... and a movie!"
"You're not making this up, are you?" he asked.
"If I am, his real name isn't Miles," I pointed to Tails.
Tails gasped, "Wow! I've only told Sonic that!"
"If you want more proof, it's at Dr. Robotnik's fortress - along with my ticket back home. He brought me here using his 'Dimensional Matter Displacer', and it's how he found out about me."
Sonic paced around and tried to figure this out. Tails approached me, "I wanted to thank you for saving my life - Sonic told me what happened."
"You're welcome," I smiled, "I'm a big fan."
"Well, it's getting too late to storm Doc Botnik's fortress," Sonic stopped pacing, "We might as well relax a bit tonight. We can try in the morning. Battling him twice a day is enough for me."
I looked and saw the red sun sinking over the horizon. Was it that late already? I really wanted to go and look for the bots right then, but I knew that Sonic wasn't about to let me, and that it would be difficult once it got dark. I prayed they were alright.
"I've gotta run some quick errands," Sonic said to Tails, "Watch out for yourselves, okay? I won't be very long."
"We will," Tails said, as Sonic sped off again, leaving a trail of dust behind him.
I took a seat on a rock placed around the flickering campfire. Tails added some sticks to it, sending sparks up into the air. He sat down beside me.
"How are you feeling?" I asked.
"A whole lot better now. The doctor Sonic took me to said I'm okay..." He sighed.
"I'm glad - you didn't look too good when Sonic left..."
"Joanie, what's your world like?" Tails asked, swinging his feet.
"Basically like yours," I said, "Though... animals can't talk... and robots can't either, and - well... I guess it is pretty different," I chuckled.
"Do you miss your family?"
"Yeah, I do," I tried to smile, "I even miss my little brother..."
"I wish I had a little brother," Tails remarked, a little sad.
"Are you sure about that?" I laughed, "They can be a real pain."
"I guess... I'd just like someone to look up to me once in a while," he said, adding another stick to the crackling fire.
"So you can be the hero?" I smiled.
"Yeah," he blushed, "Kinda silly, huh?"
"No way... Tails, you don't have to be the hero for people to appreciate you. You're really intelligent and gentle too - people will notice that."
"You really think so?"
"I know so - It's not everyday I get to meet someone special like you!"
"Wow, thanks," he scratched the back of his head, "Look, here comes Sonic!" he pointed as a cloud came racing toward us.
Sonic screeched to a halt and set down a large shopping bag. He reached in and began pulling out some food items: hot dogs, cheese, buns, cans of chili... all for making chilidogs - their absolute favorite food.
"Hope you like chilidogs!" Sonic said, "Cause that's what I got!" He also pulled a blanket and a pillow out of the bag and set them down, "I also got you some sleeping gear."
"Thanks, Sonic," I took them for him and spread out the blanket on a clear spot.
"Mmm! You ain't lived 'til you've eaten one of my chilidogs!" he began cooking up a storm.
"Actually," Tails whispered, "He got the recipe from Robotnik!" he giggled. Then we broke into laughter.
"Hey! I heard that!" he turned around.
"Uh-oh!" Tails ducked behind me.
Sonic pointed a ladle at him, "You better watch it Tails, or no supper!"
"Okay," he replied half-heartedly, rolling his eyes.
I got up and stood by Sonic, "Did you really get it from him?"
"Yeah, I did," he admitted as he stirred the heating chili in a pot over the campfire, "The one decent thing about ol' Lardnik is that at least he knows how to cook."
* * *
When Sonic finally finished cooking, we had quite a feast. I was only able to eat two chilidogs before I was full, but of course Sonic and Tails kept on eating. Now that I was seeing it in person, I still couldn't believe how many they could pack away in their stomachs! As they snarfed on, we chatted about this and that - I hadn't had so much fun since the last sleepover party I had with my best friend, Sheila. I knew so much about them that I felt like I had always known them.
I brought up their different adventures that I could remember. They also enjoyed being able to reminisce, and added their greatest and funniest moments. Sonic and Tails even told quite vividly a bunch of new adventures they had gone on to me. I felt like I was walking on air. Here I was, talking with my all-time favorite heroes. I wished our conversation could've lasted forever.
I threw in a few jokes every now and then and did some pretty good impressions of my favorite moments. To my surprise, they loved the entertainment. At one point, I thought Sonic and Tails were going to bust a gut from laughing so hard.
Soon though, I had a memory flash of my own - at Dr. Robotnik's. I felt the need to tell Sonic about the information Robotnik had squeezed out of me. But how to tell him?
"Dr. Warpnik was the craziest of the bunch!" Tails said.
"But what about Dr. Quark - now there's a nutcase!" I argued trying to think of a way to change the subject, "Have you guys heard from him since he flew South?"
"Thankfully, no," Sonic sighed, "And good riddance too."
Now was as good a time as any, I told myself. I took a breath, "Sonic, I need to tell you something..." I started to sweat a little.
"Sure, what?"
"Well, When I was at the fortress...Robotnik forced me... I told him how to... defeat you."
"WHAT?!" I thought his eyes would bug out.
Oh, great - now I made him upset! "I'm sorry, but I-"
"You gave the most powerful dictator on Mobius info about me!" His face turned into a scowl.
"I didn't do it on purpose-"
"Wait a sec..." He leapt up and paced around, "It all makes sense now - you're one of Robotnik's robots! That's how you know so much about us and why you were so concerned about those dunce-bots!" Had he turned against me now? This hero that I had looked up to for so long was practically calling me his enemy. I couldn't understand.
"No! I'm not a robot!" I replied, leaping to my feet and confronting him.
"Sonic, lay off!" Tails said, coming between us. At least Tails believed me.
"Watch out, Tails! She could be dangerous!" Sonic pulled him back from me.
"No! I'm not dangerous," I pleaded, "I'd never do anything to hurt you!" My mind wandered. Maybe he had a right too. I gave into Robotnik. I was no friend.
"Yeah right," he said, "Robots are evil - through and through." Visions of the robots helping me flooded my mind. How could he say that?
"No, they aren't! Robots can be good too!" I said.
"Ha! So you admit that you are one!" he retorted.
"No! For the last time - I'm not! I'm a human!" My eyes began to water up, "Why won't you believe me?"
"Sonic, she's telling the truth!" Tails broke away and stood by me, Sonic had a puzzled look on his face, as Tails continued, "Look, maybe we've been wrong about Scratch and Grounder and all them... Maybe they aren't as bad as we think. They helped out Joanie... Maybe... Maybe they've changed."
Sonic turned away and didn't say anything else. I couldn't take his rejection anymore. If he didn't want me around, then so be it. I turned around and started down the hill.
"Joanie, wait!" Tails called as I kept walking away. Tears began to fall down my face as I broke into a sprint. I ran as fast as I could go - which was about the speed of a snail compared to Sonic. I didn't even know where I was going; I was too depressed to care.
After a few seconds, I couldn't run anymore and tumbled onto the ground. I sat up and sobbed, catching my breath as I gazed up at the stars just beginning to twinkle in the sky.
Long ago, when I used to dream about meeting Sonic for real, I thought everything would be perfect. I imagined us meeting and having a great adventure. I then remembered vividly the huge crush I had on him and how at times I wished with all my heart that he was truly real.
It was foolish - but it was a wonderful dream nevertheless. The puppy love had rekindled itself now that I actually had the chance to live out my dream. But now he rejected me. I felt as low as the bluish-green grass beneath me. No, I was even lower than that.
"Could this day get any worse?" I mumbled to myself. I then realized by saying that, I probably just cursed myself to have even more awful things happen - not that it mattered to me anymore.
TO BE CONTINUED
==============================================================
A/N: Don't worry, I'm not going angst on you guys. :D The next chapter will clear things up! ;)
==============================================================