Chapter 1 – Whispers In The Night

A large blue dome surrounded her. She looked up and stared at it. She knew she had been here before she thought as she reached out and touched the wall. Her fingers tingled and she felt a strange surge of energy. She shuddered and let out a sigh before looking up again.

The dome rose straight up to a point high above her. The point glowed a green colour. She looked closer at the point. As she did it seemed to take on the form of a planet. She watched it for a few seconds more before looking down again. The walls of the dome still glowed blue but she suddenly started to feel cold. She could feel a presence somewhere around her.

She turned round but couldn't see anything. She suddenly began to feel nervous. Her mind was wracked with a strong sense of personal danger. She began to spin around, looking in random directions for the invisible danger. Beads of sweat started to form on her brow. Her breathing came in sharp gasps. Just then she felt something touch her shoulder. She jumped and spun round. Two large black figures stood there.

"Soon you will help us take this place apart." said one of them.

"Soon you will finally serve your purpose." said the other.

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Lavender bolted upright in bed. Sweat poured off her face and her palms were so clammy they virtually stuck to the sheets. She looked nervously around the room before reacting.

"MOTHER!!!!!" she cried at the top of her voice.

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"Another bottle of wine sir?" asked the waiter.

"Why yes!" said Tails.

"Tails!" said Amy, "Will you stop drinking!"

"Sorry Aimes…….I'm……..hick…..I'm too far gone to stop now." he replied.

"Honestly Tails! A while ago you never even touch the drink and now you drink like T2!"

"Well the best way to keep warm in that alternate reality was a large glass of whisky. I spent two weeks there remember so I got used to it."

"Well as long as you don't drink in front of Lavender."

Tails gave Amy a hard stare.

"Never in my life Aimes."

He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. Amy smiled.

"Well as you're having a little drink I think I'll have another glass too." she said.

Soon afterwards they were both sipping their glasses and talking again. Tails leaned back in his seat and yawned. The night was still fairly young but for some reason he was totally exhausted. Must be the wine he thought. Amy seemed to be in a similar situation.

"Tired Aimes?" he asked.

Amy blinked.

"Huh? What? Oh tired. Right." she replied.

"Aimes?"

"Ok you found me out. I've never been able to hold my drink. I don't actually get drunk I just fall asleep."

Amy yawned again. Tails looked at his watch.

"Well if we are going to spend the rest of the night doing stuff I think you shouldn't have any more." he said.

"You're right. I want to savour tonight. It's quite a benchmarks." she said.

"I'll say. Five years married to you!" Tails replied in a joking tone.

Amy gave him a 'oh brother' type of look and then laughed.

"Well you haven't been easy to live with either Mr I'm going to stop out until two in the morning playing with my racer!"

Tails groaned.

"Alright I give in." he moaned.

Amy laughed.

"I still remember the shy little ten year old who came to ask me out for a date." she said.

Tails nodded.

"That was a very exciting time. Actually asking you out was more scary than going up against Snively."

"Well I'm glad you did. I wouldn't have been without it Tails. You really have been the light of my life."

"Thanks Aimes."

They smiled at each other for a few moments. Tails looked outside. Night had closed in now and the centre of Mobotropolis was ablaze with lights. The restaurant they sat in was now fairly busy and the noise level was steadily rising.

"You want to go for a walk?" asked Amy.

"Why not?" said Tails looking back at her, "We've eaten and all."

About ten minutes later they left the restaurant together, making there way towards the river. The stars had come out now and although the bright lights blotted most of the out some still shone through. Amy looked up at the sky and sighed.

"I love the night sky." she said, "I wish I could go there."

"Someday maybe we will." said Tails.

Amy looked back at him. She put an arm around his neck and kissed him.

"Tails. Always the dreamer." she said.

"Well someone has to." he replied.

They made there way down to the river. The gentle sound of flowing water filled the air. They sat down on the bank and looked at the river. The moon was out and shining down on them. It glinted off the river creating a rippling light that filled the area with a soft glow. Amy sighed again.

"I love Mobius." she said, "Even with all the trouble we have had in the past, I love this world."

"More than me?" asked Tails.

Amy leaned over and kissed him again.

"Not a chance." she replied.

Just then there was a gentle bleeping. Amy furrowed her brow.

"You didn't?!" she said.

"Fraid so Aimes. Sorry." he replied.

Tails reached into his jacket pocket and took out a small comm unit. He pressed a button and answered it.

"Hello?" he said.

"Tails! Thank god I reached you." came a reply.

"Marian. What's…..what's wrong?" he asked.

Amy had become a little interested now and was listening closely.

"Lavender's had that dream again. She wailing for Amielle." replied Marian.

Amy snatched the comm off Tails.

"Mother." she said, "What is it?"

"Amielle you better get back to Little Planet as fast as possible. Lavender had the dream again."

"Be right there."

Amy switched the comm off and looked at Tails.

"We have to go." she said.

"So much for a peaceful fifth anniversary." said Tails, "Come on the Twister isn't far."

They both ran back into Mobotropolis. Amy was worried sick.

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Manic groaned heavily and virtually banged his head off the table.

"Guess I win this time." said Sonia.

"It would seem so." said Sonic.

Sonia reached forwards and pulled the small pile of chips towards her. She looked at her pile. It wasn't too shabby now. Nothing could compare to Sonic's pile though. He had virtually two thirds of the chips in play. Sonia bit her lip as she looked at Manic's pile. He virtually had nothing. She sometimes felt sorry for him but he never gave up which was commendable.

"So what now?" she asked.

"I say we turn in." said Sonic, "It's getting pretty late."

"And I'm getting pretty beaten." said Manic.

"Oh stop complaining." said Sonia.

"You stop winning!" cried Manic.

"You stop complaining!" cried Sonia.

Sonia and Manic were standing now and yelling at each other. Sonic leapt from his chair and shot between them. He held out his arms and kept them apart. He hated it when they did this.

"Ok enough of this you two." he said.

Sonia and Manic calmed down. They both stood and looked at each other. They hated it when Sonic did this.

"I definitely think it's time to turn in." said Sonic.

"Yeah whatever bro." said Manic.

Sonia just made an irritated but agreeing sound. They both left the room. Sonic groaned.

"Now where's Sally?" he said to himself.

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The sun was only just starting to set on the Floating Island. Echidnapolis was as lively as it had ever been and the island was very much a relaxed place to be. However, not everyone felt this. A red object darted through the trees. He stumbled and then started to run again.

"Knuckles come back here!" cried a voice.

Knuckles took a quick look over his shoulder and then continued to run. A few seconds later he made it out into a clearing. In the middle of the clearing stood Espio. He looked up as Knuckles darted out of the undergrowth.

"Hey buddy!" he called, "What up?!"

"Stop her. Just stop her." called Knuckles as he shot across the clearing and disappeared into the wood on the other side.

Espio just stared after him and then at the direction he had come. He took a few steps back and vanished from view. A few seconds later a very tired and bedraggled looking rabbit emerged from the undergrowth. She stopped and looked around her. She gave a sigh and collapsed to her knees breathing heavily.

"Bunnie!" cried Espio as he appeared again.

Bunnie looked up and nodded at him. Espio walked over to her. For some reason she didn't seem the same. As he got closer he could see she had tears in her eyes.

"Bunnie? You ok?" he asked.

Bunnie just shook her head and continued to look at the ground.

Espio became concerned. Bunnie was usually so full of life and energy. It wasn't like her to be this upset. It must be something big.

"Bunnie. What is it?" he asked.

Bunnie slowly got to her feet and went to sit on a small rock. Espio joined her. Bunnie wiped the tears from her eyes and then looked at Espio.

"Why did he run?" she asked.

Espio didn't have a clue what she was talking about. His expression gave it away.

"You won't know." she said, "Let me explain."

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Sally walked out into the Royal Gardens. Although it was getting late she really liked the gardens at this time, they were quite and still. A gently breeze blew across the gardens. It filled her nose with the smell of flowers and fruit. She sighed.

"I see you like the gardens at this time too." said a voice.

"Petya." said Sally as she turned round.

The grey wolf walked up the path behind her and stopped beside Sally. She seemed to reach out and feel the whole garden.

"So how's T2?" asked Sally.

Petya looked over at Sally.

"He's been in Knothole for a few days. We have talked." replied Petya.

Sally knew what she meant by 'talked'.

"I sometimes feel envious of you and T2." she said, "All these amazing skills and powers."

"Yes. It is a great gift but then it is also a great responsibility. We have seen what our powers can do."

Sally nodded. She knew what she was talking about but there was no need to bring it up. Sally let out a groaning sigh.

"I think I'll turn in." she said.

"I will stay here for a while longer." said Petya.

"Ok then. I'll see you in the morning Petya."

Just then Sally felt a soft glow in her mind. The feeling irradiated from her mind and filled her body with a gentle warmth. The feeling slowly passed and Sally looked back at Petya.

"Good night my queen." said Petya with a smile.

Sally gave a small nod and smiled back.

"Good night Petya."

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Espio finally found Knuckles leaning against a tree next to the lake. He went over and sat down next to his friend. It was a few moments before Knuckles actually noticed him.

"Oh hi Espio." he said.

"Knuckles." replied Espio.

They sat there in silence for a few moments before Knuckles spoke again.

"I never knew how she felt Espio. Never." he said.

"Hmm."

"I mean. I knew she had some feelings for me. She does for just about everyone. She's that kind of person."

Knuckles sighed and looked out at the lake. Echidnapolis glowed brightly on the far shore. It was so bright it lit up the area even at this time of night.

"In my life I've always been alone. Well I had you and the other but I still felt alone. Until recently I had always accepted the fact that I would be alone. And then that happened."

Knuckles indicated to the glowing city on the opposite shore.

"I never thought I'd see my parents again and them BAM! And now this."

"What can I say Knuckles." said Espio.

"Nothing I guess. I have never been comfortable around girls."

Espio gave a small laugh.

"That's rich. You've spent more time with Bunnie in recent years than everyone else put together."

"I know. I don't mind socialising but………..ACK! I have never been good at relationships."

"You really hurt Bunnie by running like that."

"You spoke to her?"

"Yep. She explained everything to me."

"And?"

"It's not my place to say. I think you should go and see her yourself."

Knuckles grimaced slightly.