Chapter 7 - To Each Their Own
The next morning saw most of the group waking up at the hotel. Tails was already gone and en route to the train station so he could head for the workshop to get to work on the TGM. As for Sonic, Sally, Knuckles, Julie-Su, and Amy, they were busy sharing breakfast in the main room. The conversation began to pick up as soon as Red Sonic, Lazer, Mina, and Rebecca joined them.
"Okay...well, we know Amy's going to stay here to keep an eye on Anth," Sonic said, "but what about the rest of us? This is one 'hog that does NOT want to stick around doing nothing."
"Well...I was planning on helping Meens with her running, since she needs all the help she can get with that," Red Sonic.
"RED!" Mina said, disdainfully.
"Hey, I didn't mean any disrespect, Meens," Red said. "I just figured you'd want to get your control under control."
"You'll be in good company, anyway..." Lazer said. "I was planning on polishing up my swordplay. Now that I can control the Wanrikken, I'd figure I'd better fine tune its use."
"In that case, I'd better stick with you in case you collapse like Anthony after a Final Power," Rebecca quipped.
"As for the rest of us..." Knuckles spoke up saying, "what say we cruise around town? I know I wanted to show Julie-Su the sights, since she hasn't been here before."
"Sounds like a good idea," Sally said.
"Well...let's get moving then!" Sonic said, standing up.
As the group began to move towards their respective locations, Mina turned towards Amy and asked, "Amy...are you sure you'll be alright up here by yourself?"
"I'll be fine, guys!" Amy said. "Besides...it's not like I'll be sitting idly around, waiting for Anthony to wake up!"
"Oh? What do you mean?" Red Sonic asked.
Amy smiled slyly and pulled out a Gameboy Advance from the pocket of her dress. "Let's just say I picked up one habit from Anthony that works out in this situation..."
The rest of the group laughed at that remark.
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The modest apartment of Ryan Perreault looked like the typical apartment of a bachelor...complete with a few clothes strewn about at random locations. As for Ryan himself, he was about to wake up and see about meeting up with the rest of the gang. However...he was about to receive a pleasant surprise as he found himself being woken up by a kiss on the lips.
Ryan smiled as he continued the kiss and began to embrace the person giving it. He then opened his eyes and found himself face to face with a female, purple quilled and very muscular hedgehog he knew and loved. This hedgehog was Bristy "Knife" Hedgehog, someone who served with him in Angel Island's Air Force, and who is now his fiancee.
"Hey...when did you get back from Neos?" Ryan asked after releasing the kiss.
"Just came in this morning," Bristy said as Ryan started to get ready. "Though I see you've been a busy boy the last few days!"
"Yeah...the papers probably have every last detail about the PHM and how a group led by a dashing young military trained echidna put them down for good," Ryan said as he put on his shirt.
"Funny...most of the news stories seem to focus on the Gamemaster," Bristy said, catching his bluff.
"Touche..." Ryan said, finally dressed and ready. "Maybe you'll get a chance to meet the man before he returns to New Mobotropolis."
"I hope so, but I'm more hoping we can meet up with Knux," Bristy said, holding up a paw which had a ring on the third digit. "So we can tell him the news?"
"Oh yeah...I was going to tell him about that," Ryan said. "But, in a way, it's great you're here! We can tell him together! Sally's here as well, so you can even ask her to be a bridesmaid, if you want!"
"Ryan...I couldn't do THAT!" Bristy said. "She's a princess!"
"Yeah...but she's also your friend, so it wouldn't hurt to ask," Ryan said. "Worst thing that could happen is she could say 'no'. Of course, best thing that could happen is she could convince her father to hold the wedding at the palace!"
Bristy giggled at that. "Great...even though Knux probably wants to hold it on the island?"
"Well...we'll decide later," Ryan said. "Right now, let's see to meeting up with them. But first..."
"What?" Bristy asked.
Ryan smiled and pulled Bristy close. "Let's just say I have some catching up to do since you were gone..." He then gave Bristy another kiss on the lips.
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"Well...you're here early..."
Teila opened the door wide to let Tails into the workshop. "Well...I wanted to get the TGM fixed before we head back to Mobotropolis," Tails answered back, "and the sooner...the better!"
"Well, hopefully you can fix it, kid..." Tyreke said. "Anth really did a number to it..."
"WILL YOU REQUIRE ASSISTANCE, TAILS?" Gamma asked.
"Sure...I wouldn't mind a couple of extra paws," Tails said, entering the main hanger and removing his gloves, placing them on a nearby bench. He then laid back on a gurney and wheeled himself under the TGM to continue his work.
Metal Sonic came in at that moment and walked over to where Tails was working. He then did a quick scan of the TGM. [Looks like external damage for the most part, Tails,] Metal said. [My scans do detect several severed cables near where you are looking.]
"Thanks, Metal," Tails said. "Can you hand me a pair of needle nose pliers?"
Metal grabbed a pair of pliers and handed them to Tails. Tails then began to fiddle with something in the TGM, and then Metal said, [Uh...Tails? That's not one of the cables, that's...]
"ARRRRRGGGGHHH!!!" Tails said, and then wheeled himself from beneath the TGM...once again, with a large blotch of oil covering his facial fur.
[...an oil line...] Metal concluded.
Teila and Tyreke both giggled at the sight, and then Teila said, "I'll get a towel..."
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Shadow was eating his breakfast slowly, deep in thought while Rouge was busy getting ready. Although he enjoyed the time he spent with Rouge on the beach, he still felt...incomplete, for some reason. Hopefully, he would feel a bit better after spending some more time with his friends.
His friends.
That felt a bit weird to him. At first, many of them were his enemies at first, a couple merely his allies...now they were more. It would take some getting used to, that was for sure.
When Rouge was finally finished, she noticed the thoughtful look on Shadow's face as she walked into the eating area. "Something on your mind, Shadow?" she asked him.
"Just trying to get used to all this," Shadow said. "It's strange having many friends after being alone for so long..."
"I understand..." Rouge said, sitting down next to Shadow. "I bet a lot of things are going to be strange to you."
Shadow nodded in agreement, and then turned towards Rouge. "So...what's on tap for today?"
"Don't know..." Rouge said. "Not sure what the others have planned after what happened yesterday..."
It was at that point that they heard a knock on the door. Rouge opened it and found Sonic, Sally, Knuckles, and Julie-Su on the other side.
"Hey, Rouge," Sonic said. "We're planning on showing Julie here the sights, and wanted to know if you two wanted to join us. I'm sure Shadow could use a tour..."
Shadow, who had finished his breakfast and was placing the plates in the sink, said, "Why not? Rouge and I were wondering what to do today."
"Cool," Sonic said.
"So where should we go first?" Sally asked. "This city is huge..."
"How about the Chao Gardens?" Julie-Su suggested. "I've been wanting to see what those look like..."
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"See you later, Aunt Lisa!"
Kyle waved goodbye to Lisa as he ran towards where his friend, Cream, lived. As soon as Lisa reentered the studio and walked back towards the area where her living quarters were, she saw Aura finally coming down from her room, carrying both Hogi-San and Ryndar.
"I see you were given a Chao double cuddle," Lisa said, smiling a bit. "Feel any better from yesterday?"
"A bit..." Aura said, handing Hogi-San to Lisa. Hogi-San immediately wriggled happily in Lisa'a arms upon Lisa taking him.
As Lisa held Hogi-San, an idea popped into her head. "Perhaps...all you need a bit of a confidence booster..."
Aura looked at Lisa with a confused look on her face. "What do you mean?"
"Well..." Lisa said, cracking her knuckles. "I know quite a bit about magic. Perhaps I can figure out some other powers you might know. We already know about your transportation and lightning abilities...perhaps you know other abilities. If you're going to return to your Mobius to help stop Robotnik there, some other powers could help."
"Why not?" Aura said, setting Ryndar down on the ground. "It might be fun!"
"Alright," Lisa said, setting Hogi-San on the ground and directing Aura near an open spot near the floor. "Sit down..."
"On the floor?" Aura asked.
"Sure...that way there's plenty of room for whatever spell materializes," Lisa explained. Aura nodded in understanding and sat down near where Lisa was sitting, and Lisa continued. "Now...just calm your mind, and look deep within yourself..."
"You mean...like meditation?" Aura asked.
"In a way," Lisa said. "When I learned my magic, I studied a bunch of books on the subject. However, since we don't have any resources that cover what your powers are...sometimes the best way to find what powers you have is to let them come to the surface on their own."
Aura nodded in understanding, and closed her eyes so she could concentrate. Meanwhile, as Lisa kept watch on Aura, Hogi-San tugged at Ryndar's elbow, motioning for him to go into another room. As Ryndar tried to go back towards where his "mom" was, Hogi-San tugged harder, even shaking his head with a look of fear on his face...as if he was saying that they should not be there when whatever happens, happens.
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While he was still sleeping, Anthony found himself subjected to a dream...
He found himself back in Relm, the world within his own mind. It was then that he noticed a large glowing sphere of sorts near a open stretch of land. As he walked towards it, he sensed there was something familiar about it, but he couldn't figure out what. When he reached the sphere, he touched it, and sensed a large amount of emotion...anquish being the strongest of them.
"What...is this thing?" Anthony thought to himself.
It was then that he saw seven glowing lights approch him and the sphere. Anthony figured that they represented the Chaos Emeralds in some way, but couldn't understand why they were there. He then thought he heard one of them speak...
"Your full potential cannot be reached...unless you free what is in that sphere..."
"What?" Anthony said, addressing the voice. "What are you talking about?" However, instead of getting an answer, the lights disappeared.
Anthony looked at where the lights were in confusion for a while, and then turned his attention towards the sphere. "Did...I create this?" He then decided to destroy it, if possible. Creating a sword from pure thought, he struck at the sphere several times. However, the strikes did little or no damage. He then stopped and put his hand against the sphere.
"Have I been holding in more emotions than what I let on to the others?" Anthony thought to himself. As he sensed the feelings of anguish from the sphere, he suddenly realized what they were. "Oh my...I have...and they just got worse because of the Emeralds..." He then sighed and said, "No more...I want to let them go..."
He then watched as the sphere began to crack, and then explode into a bright light...
...and found himself awake in his bed, and beginning to show tears in his eyes.
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As the group which included Sonic, Sally, Knuckles, Julie-Su, Rouge, and Shadow began to file out of Rouge's apartment building, they began to talk. "I think you'll like the city, Shadow," Rouge said. "Even without the PHM or some other villian causing trouble, it can be a pretty exciting place."
"I'm sure it is, Rouge," Shadow said. "So...where is this, Chao Garden?"
Before Rouge could answer, the group heard a voice speak up. "Hey, guys!"
The six looked over towards the source of the voice and saw Ryan and Bristy running towards them. Sally's eyes widened upon seeing Bristy.
"Bristy?!?" she said, and then squealed in delight. She then gave Bristy a hug as she approached, as if Bristy were a sister she hadn't seen in ages. "Oh, Goddess, it's been ages! What have you been up to?" Sally asked after releasing the hug.
"A lot, Sally," Bristy said. "I just got back from Neos on a little business trip for Station Square, and before that..." She then showed Sally the engagement ring.
All eyes, save for Ryan's and Bristy's, went wide upon seeing the ring.
"No way!" Sonic cried.
"Ryan...why didn't you tell me?" Knuckles asked.
"With everything that's been going on? I didn't have a chance to," Ryan said. "Besides, this is a lot better, since we could both spring the news on you guys. Naturally, you guys AND your families are all invited..." He then shot a look towards Sonic. "...even if that does mean your brother's going to be there."
"You're STILL holding a grudge against Manic, Ryan?" Julie-Su asked.
"Hey...I'm still waiting for an APOLOGY from that guy!" Ryan said, voice slightly raised.
"Don't worry, Bat...I'll keep him on a tight leash," Sonic quipped. "Besides, I'm sure the guy is classy enough NOT to ruin your day..."
"Oh, and speaking of which," Bristy said, looking towards Sally, "Sally, I would be honored if you would be my Maid of Honor at the wedding, once we set up a date."
"Are you kidding? I'm the one honored!" Sally said. "We can even hold the wedding at the Palace in Mobotropolis!"
"No way! The Palace in Mobara would be much cooler, since it looks like a cathedral almost," Sonic said.
"Guys...thanks, but..." Ryan said, looking towards Knuckles, "I was hoping to have the wedding on Angel Island, home of the guy I want as my Best Man."
"I'm honored, Ryan..." Knuckles said. "I'm sure I could get Athair or Tobor to hold the ceremony as well."
"Maybe you can get Amy to be your Flower Girl," Julie-Su said.
"Actually, we were going to have Cream be the Flower Girl, since she's the niece of your friend Bunnie, Sally," Bristy said. She then looked towards Rouge and Shadow. "Of course, you two are also invited as well."
Shadow was shocked. "I...I don't know..."
"We would be honored, Bristy," Rouge said, prompting Shadow to look at her. "Don't worry, Shadow...it's not like we have to do anything."
"Guess all we need to wait for is the date then," Sonic said.
"So...did you two want to join us?" Julie-Su asked. "We were going to show Shadow around town."
"Sure! I can even show you the dresses we have picked out for everyone," Bristy said.
The group then began to walk towards their first destination.
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After about a couple of hour's work, the TGM was beginning to look like it originally did when Tails first showed it to Anthony. As it happened, there wasn't that much internal damage to repair, and with Metal, Sonic, Gamma, Teila, and Tyreke helping, the work was finished in record time.
"Just one more..." Tails said as he worked on the final connection. "And DONE!" He wheeled himself out from underneath the TGM. He was practically covered with oil and grease over most of his fur, but he didn't seem to mind.
"SCANNING..." Gamma said, examining the TGM with his sensors. "ALL SYSTEMS NOMINAL. NO FURTHER REPAIRS NEEDED."
[That's good...] Metal Sonic said. [After what Packbell did, I'm surprised this thing wasn't totaled.]
"Well...the pilot's faced Packbell before many times, so that gave an advantage of sorts," Teila said.
"Hey, kid...why don't you go take a shower? You look like you took a bath in raw sewage," Tyreke said.
"Alright," Tails said, walking inside the living quarters and towards the bathroom.
As soon as Tails walked inside, Tyreke turned his attention towards Gamma. "Hey, Gamma...can I ask you something?"
"PROCEED," Gamma said.
"Well...how the heck can your original programming still exist?" Tyreke asked. "Last I heard, your programming was originally that of a bird that was placed inside your hull as an organic CPU of sorts."
"AFFIRMATIVE," Gamma stated. "THE BIRD WAS PLACED INSIDE ME AS AN EXPERIMENT IN USING AN ORGANISM'S MENTAL PROCESSES TO HANDLE MORE COMPLEX PROGRAM PROCESSING...THE SAME WITH THE OTHERS OF THE E-SERIES. HOWEVER...PRIOR TO WHAT WAS THOUGHT TO BE MY ORIGINAL DESTRUCTION, THE MENTAL PROCESSES OF THE BIRD SOMEHOW ENCODED ITSELF IN MY PROGRAMMING. ESSENTIALLY...ITS MIND BECAME MY PROGRAM."
[An engram...] Metal Sonic mused. [The Doc used something similar when he created me, essentially "copying" Sonic's biological and psychological information...his "life data", as it were...into me. Except in your case, Gamma, it was not by choice.]
"INDEED," Gamma said. "PERHAPS...THAT BIRD'S MIND WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO OVERRIDE THE PROGRAMMING."
"Just like a few of the Robians did during Robotnik's rule," Teila said.
"Okay...that makes sense," Tyreke said. After a while, he then looked towards whereTails had went and said, "Strange...I heard him take a short shower, he should have come back out here by now. I'll go check..."
As soon as he had left, Metal Sonic looked down towards the ground and let out a metallic sounding sigh. This didn't fail to catch Teila's attention. "Is something wrong, Metal?" she asked.
[You wouldn't understand...] Metal said.
"Try me," Teila said.
Metal looked towards Teila and said, [It's just...something I'm afraid of...]
"Afraid?!?" Teila said, a bit surprised. "I didn't think anything frightened you..."
[Not much does,] Metal said. [But...I still have a lot of Sonic's feelings and emotions inside me. Including...not wanting to die...]
"That makes sense, I guess..." Teila said. "No one wants to die, except of old age."
[But it's different for me...] Metal said. [When you organics die, your soul goes off to someplace called "The Beyond". I'm just a soulless robot...and if the people of Mobius decide to deactivate me for good, I'll be gone...] He then appeared to give an involuntary shudder and said, [I don't want to cease to exist...just like that...]
Teila covered her mouth with her paw in shock. She had never expected to see Metal act like this, and was actually concerned for him. She then did something unexpected...as she went over and hugged Metal.
[Wha...what are you doing, Teila?] Metal Sonic said, surprised at her actions.
"Comforting a friend..." Teila said, "because it looked like you needed some reassurance."
[I'm...a friend...to you?] Metal said, still surprised. For some reason, the gesture seemed to help him feel a bit better, and then he returned the hug. He even said, in a low volume, [Thank you...Teila...]
Almost as soon as Metal returned the hug, Tyreke walked back into the workshop and said, "Hey guys, you should see..." He then saw Teila hugging Metal and asked, "Did I miss something?"
Teila looked up towards Tyreke and let go of the hug she had on Metal Sonic. "Just trying to help a friend through his emotions...what's going on?"
"Oh...you should see this..." Tyreke said. "Classic Kodak moment...Tails apparently was so tired after working on the TGM, that after he dried off he collapsed on the couch in the sitting room and is fast asleep, using his towel as a blanket." He then looked at Metal Sonic and said, "Um...but first, did you want to tell me...?"
[IF...I feel like it, Tyreke,] Metal Sonic said.
"Uh, right..." Tyreke said, and then turned towards the door, leading Teila towards where he saw Tails.
Metal Sonic shook his head in disbelief and said, [E-Series...for the cybernetic life of me, I will never understand organics...]
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"Whoa..."
Sonic's statement mirrored the rest as they looked at the dresses that Ryan and Bristy had picked out for the bridesmaids and flower girl for their wedding. Since both Ryan and Bristy were with Downunda's military, they would be wearing their uniforms. But the dresses that were picked out even made the guys in the group get wowed out.
"Those dresses look gorgeous, Bristy," Sally said. "You even picked out a cute dress for Cream! Has she seen it?"
"She has...and I don't think she can't wait for the wedding," Bristy said, giggling a bit.
As Sally and Bristy talked, Shadow looked at the dress curiously. He then turned to Rouge and asked, "Rouge...what is a wedding?"
Rouge, surprised at Shadow's question, asked, "You've never been told what a wedding is?"
"No..." Shadow said. "Most of what I learned I learned from Maria, and she never got to that."
"Oh..." Rouge said. She then told Shadow, "Well...a wedding is a ceremony where two people who love each other, a boy and a girl who aren't in the same family, agree to become husband and wife. Essentialy, becoming members of the same family."
"I...see...I think..." Shadow said.
"Sorry," Rouge said. "I can't explain it too well. In the past, I wasn't what you would call the marrying type, since I couldn't find anyone I really loved."
"Oh..." Shadow said. "And now?"
"Well...maybe..." Rouge said, moving closer to Shadow. "But it's usually customary to get to know the person you care for first..."
"I see, and Ryan and Bristy know each other pretty well?" Shadow asked.
Rouge looked over towards Ryan and Bristy, who engaged in a liplock as the rest of the group looked over at some of the tuxedos that were picked out. Knuckles, who looked back towards his friend, wondered if he was going to come up for air anytime soon.
"I'd say they know each other pretty well," Rouge said, smirking a bit.
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The scene had not changed for the last hour. Aura was still concentrating and meditating while Lisa kept watch. Lisa was starting to get a little concerned, since when she usually meditated like this she usually found some new ability before now. She decided to take a chance...
"Anything, Aura?" Lisa asked.
"Well...I sense...something, but..." Aura began to say.
"Yes?" Lisa asked.
"It seems...a bit too powerful..." Aura said. "Not even my teleportation power seemed this powerful...though it feels similar to my lightning bolt ability."
"In that case...let's see it..." Lisa said, standing up. "Extend your paws and just release a little bit of the energy you sense."
"But...what if I hit something? You seem to have a lot of expensive things here..." Aura said, a bit worried.
"Don't worry," Lisa said. "If you just release a little bit of it, it should extend any further than a few inches past your paws."
"Alright, I'll try it..." Aura said, and then extended her paws outwards. She concentrated on releasing some of the energy she sensed within her and channeled it towards her paws, keeping a close eye on them to see what happens. Pretty soon, a small fireball materialized, creating a quick flash and causing Aura to yelp in surprise and jump back from her sitting position.
"Cool! You can use fire magic as well!" Lisa said. "That might come in..." She then noticed that Aura had a very scared look on her face. "Aura? Are you alright?"
"No...I don't..." Aura said, stammering as she spoke. She appeared almost paralyzed in fear. "Why...?"
"Aura?" Lisa said, still trying to get Aura's attention. "What's...?"
"NO!! I DON'T WANT THIS POWER!!!" Aura screamed, now in hysterics. She then began to cringe into a fetal position and continued to scream, "I DON'T WANT IT!!!"
"Aura! Calm down!" Lisa said, grabbing Aura by the shoulders and trying to comfort her, but with little luck. Aura continued to scream in hysterics as Lisa continued to yell, "Aura! Aura!!"
Hogi-San and Ryndar, confused by the screaming, peeked into the room and saw Lisa trying to calm Aura down. Both were just as confused by what was transpiring as Lisa was.
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Amy was the next to be confused by what was transpiring.
She decided to step out and grab some donuts since she hadn't gotten any breakfast. When she returned, she saw a sight that shocked her. Anthony was awake, but was sitting on the couch and appeared to be sobbing heavily. Amy could sense a high level of distress from Anthony, as if he was releasing a lot of anguish over something.
She quickly set the bag of donuts on the counter, and ran over to where Anthony was. "Anthony? Goddess...what's wrong?"
It was then that Anthony began to calm down...and Amy could sense the distress leaving him. He then looked up towards Amy and said, "I...I'm sorry you had to see that..."
"Anthony...what were you crying for?" Amy asked, confused by Anthony's behavior. "I thought you were over what happened!"
"I was...but I was releasing something I was holding in for a while..." Anthony said. "Something I've been holding in since day one..."
"Since...we first arrived on South Island?" Amy asked.
"No...since I first entered Arcadia..." Anthony said.
Amy was even more shocked. "Wha...what were you holding in...for that long?"
Anthony sighed and then said, "You'd better sit down. You...might not like this..."
Amy did as Anthony suggested, and then Anthony began to talk. "Ever since I first entered Arcadia, I was genuinely excited by the prospect of actually going to the worlds of my favorite games. But...as I saw how real the battles were as well, especially those on Mobius, I was beginning to wish it wasn't real. I was wishing that everything would just go away and disappear, and that I could wake up from whatever nightmare I was in." He then looked up at Amy and said, "But...because I knew it was all real, and that I couldn't wake up, I wanted to do what you just saw me do. Let it all out...every bit of anguish I felt inside at what was happening...every bit of guilt I had at wishing the friends I had made weren't real..."
Amy began to understand. "Oh...I see. You...didn't want us to know because of...how you'd think we'd react?"
Anthony nodded, and then bowed his head in shame. "I am honored to have great friends like you all...and I do like having you in particular as a member of my extended family now. But...it still hurts...so much..."
Amy nodded in understanding, and then sat closer to Anthony. She then placed a paw under Anthony's chin and lifted it so Anthony looked straight at her.
"What is it?" Anthony asked.
"You've let me cry on your shoulder many times when I needed it..." Amy said. "...now, let me give you a shoulder to cry on, so you can cry your last tears."
Anthony understood what Amy said, and then hugged her close. He then began to cry again, letting out what was left of his tears.
It was at that moment that Red Sonic, Mina, Lazer, and Rebecca decided to come up from where they were training. "You're getting better, Meens," Red Sonic commented. "Still need a little work though..."
"Well, I'm just glad I have you training me," Mina said. It was then that they noticed what was transpiring with Anthony and Amy. "Amy? What's wrong with...?"
"Guys...give us a moment..." Amy said, looking up towards the group.
"No...it's alright...I'm done," Anthony said, letting go of the hug he had on Amy and wiping the last of his tears away.
"Anthony, what's wrong?" Rebecca said. "I thought..."
"So did Amy..." Anthony said, knowing what Rebecca was going to say. He took a large intake of breath and then looked towards the group. "Don't worry...I'll tell you everything..."
The next morning saw most of the group waking up at the hotel. Tails was already gone and en route to the train station so he could head for the workshop to get to work on the TGM. As for Sonic, Sally, Knuckles, Julie-Su, and Amy, they were busy sharing breakfast in the main room. The conversation began to pick up as soon as Red Sonic, Lazer, Mina, and Rebecca joined them.
"Okay...well, we know Amy's going to stay here to keep an eye on Anth," Sonic said, "but what about the rest of us? This is one 'hog that does NOT want to stick around doing nothing."
"Well...I was planning on helping Meens with her running, since she needs all the help she can get with that," Red Sonic.
"RED!" Mina said, disdainfully.
"Hey, I didn't mean any disrespect, Meens," Red said. "I just figured you'd want to get your control under control."
"You'll be in good company, anyway..." Lazer said. "I was planning on polishing up my swordplay. Now that I can control the Wanrikken, I'd figure I'd better fine tune its use."
"In that case, I'd better stick with you in case you collapse like Anthony after a Final Power," Rebecca quipped.
"As for the rest of us..." Knuckles spoke up saying, "what say we cruise around town? I know I wanted to show Julie-Su the sights, since she hasn't been here before."
"Sounds like a good idea," Sally said.
"Well...let's get moving then!" Sonic said, standing up.
As the group began to move towards their respective locations, Mina turned towards Amy and asked, "Amy...are you sure you'll be alright up here by yourself?"
"I'll be fine, guys!" Amy said. "Besides...it's not like I'll be sitting idly around, waiting for Anthony to wake up!"
"Oh? What do you mean?" Red Sonic asked.
Amy smiled slyly and pulled out a Gameboy Advance from the pocket of her dress. "Let's just say I picked up one habit from Anthony that works out in this situation..."
The rest of the group laughed at that remark.
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The modest apartment of Ryan Perreault looked like the typical apartment of a bachelor...complete with a few clothes strewn about at random locations. As for Ryan himself, he was about to wake up and see about meeting up with the rest of the gang. However...he was about to receive a pleasant surprise as he found himself being woken up by a kiss on the lips.
Ryan smiled as he continued the kiss and began to embrace the person giving it. He then opened his eyes and found himself face to face with a female, purple quilled and very muscular hedgehog he knew and loved. This hedgehog was Bristy "Knife" Hedgehog, someone who served with him in Angel Island's Air Force, and who is now his fiancee.
"Hey...when did you get back from Neos?" Ryan asked after releasing the kiss.
"Just came in this morning," Bristy said as Ryan started to get ready. "Though I see you've been a busy boy the last few days!"
"Yeah...the papers probably have every last detail about the PHM and how a group led by a dashing young military trained echidna put them down for good," Ryan said as he put on his shirt.
"Funny...most of the news stories seem to focus on the Gamemaster," Bristy said, catching his bluff.
"Touche..." Ryan said, finally dressed and ready. "Maybe you'll get a chance to meet the man before he returns to New Mobotropolis."
"I hope so, but I'm more hoping we can meet up with Knux," Bristy said, holding up a paw which had a ring on the third digit. "So we can tell him the news?"
"Oh yeah...I was going to tell him about that," Ryan said. "But, in a way, it's great you're here! We can tell him together! Sally's here as well, so you can even ask her to be a bridesmaid, if you want!"
"Ryan...I couldn't do THAT!" Bristy said. "She's a princess!"
"Yeah...but she's also your friend, so it wouldn't hurt to ask," Ryan said. "Worst thing that could happen is she could say 'no'. Of course, best thing that could happen is she could convince her father to hold the wedding at the palace!"
Bristy giggled at that. "Great...even though Knux probably wants to hold it on the island?"
"Well...we'll decide later," Ryan said. "Right now, let's see to meeting up with them. But first..."
"What?" Bristy asked.
Ryan smiled and pulled Bristy close. "Let's just say I have some catching up to do since you were gone..." He then gave Bristy another kiss on the lips.
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"Well...you're here early..."
Teila opened the door wide to let Tails into the workshop. "Well...I wanted to get the TGM fixed before we head back to Mobotropolis," Tails answered back, "and the sooner...the better!"
"Well, hopefully you can fix it, kid..." Tyreke said. "Anth really did a number to it..."
"WILL YOU REQUIRE ASSISTANCE, TAILS?" Gamma asked.
"Sure...I wouldn't mind a couple of extra paws," Tails said, entering the main hanger and removing his gloves, placing them on a nearby bench. He then laid back on a gurney and wheeled himself under the TGM to continue his work.
Metal Sonic came in at that moment and walked over to where Tails was working. He then did a quick scan of the TGM. [Looks like external damage for the most part, Tails,] Metal said. [My scans do detect several severed cables near where you are looking.]
"Thanks, Metal," Tails said. "Can you hand me a pair of needle nose pliers?"
Metal grabbed a pair of pliers and handed them to Tails. Tails then began to fiddle with something in the TGM, and then Metal said, [Uh...Tails? That's not one of the cables, that's...]
"ARRRRRGGGGHHH!!!" Tails said, and then wheeled himself from beneath the TGM...once again, with a large blotch of oil covering his facial fur.
[...an oil line...] Metal concluded.
Teila and Tyreke both giggled at the sight, and then Teila said, "I'll get a towel..."
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Shadow was eating his breakfast slowly, deep in thought while Rouge was busy getting ready. Although he enjoyed the time he spent with Rouge on the beach, he still felt...incomplete, for some reason. Hopefully, he would feel a bit better after spending some more time with his friends.
His friends.
That felt a bit weird to him. At first, many of them were his enemies at first, a couple merely his allies...now they were more. It would take some getting used to, that was for sure.
When Rouge was finally finished, she noticed the thoughtful look on Shadow's face as she walked into the eating area. "Something on your mind, Shadow?" she asked him.
"Just trying to get used to all this," Shadow said. "It's strange having many friends after being alone for so long..."
"I understand..." Rouge said, sitting down next to Shadow. "I bet a lot of things are going to be strange to you."
Shadow nodded in agreement, and then turned towards Rouge. "So...what's on tap for today?"
"Don't know..." Rouge said. "Not sure what the others have planned after what happened yesterday..."
It was at that point that they heard a knock on the door. Rouge opened it and found Sonic, Sally, Knuckles, and Julie-Su on the other side.
"Hey, Rouge," Sonic said. "We're planning on showing Julie here the sights, and wanted to know if you two wanted to join us. I'm sure Shadow could use a tour..."
Shadow, who had finished his breakfast and was placing the plates in the sink, said, "Why not? Rouge and I were wondering what to do today."
"Cool," Sonic said.
"So where should we go first?" Sally asked. "This city is huge..."
"How about the Chao Gardens?" Julie-Su suggested. "I've been wanting to see what those look like..."
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"See you later, Aunt Lisa!"
Kyle waved goodbye to Lisa as he ran towards where his friend, Cream, lived. As soon as Lisa reentered the studio and walked back towards the area where her living quarters were, she saw Aura finally coming down from her room, carrying both Hogi-San and Ryndar.
"I see you were given a Chao double cuddle," Lisa said, smiling a bit. "Feel any better from yesterday?"
"A bit..." Aura said, handing Hogi-San to Lisa. Hogi-San immediately wriggled happily in Lisa'a arms upon Lisa taking him.
As Lisa held Hogi-San, an idea popped into her head. "Perhaps...all you need a bit of a confidence booster..."
Aura looked at Lisa with a confused look on her face. "What do you mean?"
"Well..." Lisa said, cracking her knuckles. "I know quite a bit about magic. Perhaps I can figure out some other powers you might know. We already know about your transportation and lightning abilities...perhaps you know other abilities. If you're going to return to your Mobius to help stop Robotnik there, some other powers could help."
"Why not?" Aura said, setting Ryndar down on the ground. "It might be fun!"
"Alright," Lisa said, setting Hogi-San on the ground and directing Aura near an open spot near the floor. "Sit down..."
"On the floor?" Aura asked.
"Sure...that way there's plenty of room for whatever spell materializes," Lisa explained. Aura nodded in understanding and sat down near where Lisa was sitting, and Lisa continued. "Now...just calm your mind, and look deep within yourself..."
"You mean...like meditation?" Aura asked.
"In a way," Lisa said. "When I learned my magic, I studied a bunch of books on the subject. However, since we don't have any resources that cover what your powers are...sometimes the best way to find what powers you have is to let them come to the surface on their own."
Aura nodded in understanding, and closed her eyes so she could concentrate. Meanwhile, as Lisa kept watch on Aura, Hogi-San tugged at Ryndar's elbow, motioning for him to go into another room. As Ryndar tried to go back towards where his "mom" was, Hogi-San tugged harder, even shaking his head with a look of fear on his face...as if he was saying that they should not be there when whatever happens, happens.
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While he was still sleeping, Anthony found himself subjected to a dream...
He found himself back in Relm, the world within his own mind. It was then that he noticed a large glowing sphere of sorts near a open stretch of land. As he walked towards it, he sensed there was something familiar about it, but he couldn't figure out what. When he reached the sphere, he touched it, and sensed a large amount of emotion...anquish being the strongest of them.
"What...is this thing?" Anthony thought to himself.
It was then that he saw seven glowing lights approch him and the sphere. Anthony figured that they represented the Chaos Emeralds in some way, but couldn't understand why they were there. He then thought he heard one of them speak...
"Your full potential cannot be reached...unless you free what is in that sphere..."
"What?" Anthony said, addressing the voice. "What are you talking about?" However, instead of getting an answer, the lights disappeared.
Anthony looked at where the lights were in confusion for a while, and then turned his attention towards the sphere. "Did...I create this?" He then decided to destroy it, if possible. Creating a sword from pure thought, he struck at the sphere several times. However, the strikes did little or no damage. He then stopped and put his hand against the sphere.
"Have I been holding in more emotions than what I let on to the others?" Anthony thought to himself. As he sensed the feelings of anguish from the sphere, he suddenly realized what they were. "Oh my...I have...and they just got worse because of the Emeralds..." He then sighed and said, "No more...I want to let them go..."
He then watched as the sphere began to crack, and then explode into a bright light...
...and found himself awake in his bed, and beginning to show tears in his eyes.
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As the group which included Sonic, Sally, Knuckles, Julie-Su, Rouge, and Shadow began to file out of Rouge's apartment building, they began to talk. "I think you'll like the city, Shadow," Rouge said. "Even without the PHM or some other villian causing trouble, it can be a pretty exciting place."
"I'm sure it is, Rouge," Shadow said. "So...where is this, Chao Garden?"
Before Rouge could answer, the group heard a voice speak up. "Hey, guys!"
The six looked over towards the source of the voice and saw Ryan and Bristy running towards them. Sally's eyes widened upon seeing Bristy.
"Bristy?!?" she said, and then squealed in delight. She then gave Bristy a hug as she approached, as if Bristy were a sister she hadn't seen in ages. "Oh, Goddess, it's been ages! What have you been up to?" Sally asked after releasing the hug.
"A lot, Sally," Bristy said. "I just got back from Neos on a little business trip for Station Square, and before that..." She then showed Sally the engagement ring.
All eyes, save for Ryan's and Bristy's, went wide upon seeing the ring.
"No way!" Sonic cried.
"Ryan...why didn't you tell me?" Knuckles asked.
"With everything that's been going on? I didn't have a chance to," Ryan said. "Besides, this is a lot better, since we could both spring the news on you guys. Naturally, you guys AND your families are all invited..." He then shot a look towards Sonic. "...even if that does mean your brother's going to be there."
"You're STILL holding a grudge against Manic, Ryan?" Julie-Su asked.
"Hey...I'm still waiting for an APOLOGY from that guy!" Ryan said, voice slightly raised.
"Don't worry, Bat...I'll keep him on a tight leash," Sonic quipped. "Besides, I'm sure the guy is classy enough NOT to ruin your day..."
"Oh, and speaking of which," Bristy said, looking towards Sally, "Sally, I would be honored if you would be my Maid of Honor at the wedding, once we set up a date."
"Are you kidding? I'm the one honored!" Sally said. "We can even hold the wedding at the Palace in Mobotropolis!"
"No way! The Palace in Mobara would be much cooler, since it looks like a cathedral almost," Sonic said.
"Guys...thanks, but..." Ryan said, looking towards Knuckles, "I was hoping to have the wedding on Angel Island, home of the guy I want as my Best Man."
"I'm honored, Ryan..." Knuckles said. "I'm sure I could get Athair or Tobor to hold the ceremony as well."
"Maybe you can get Amy to be your Flower Girl," Julie-Su said.
"Actually, we were going to have Cream be the Flower Girl, since she's the niece of your friend Bunnie, Sally," Bristy said. She then looked towards Rouge and Shadow. "Of course, you two are also invited as well."
Shadow was shocked. "I...I don't know..."
"We would be honored, Bristy," Rouge said, prompting Shadow to look at her. "Don't worry, Shadow...it's not like we have to do anything."
"Guess all we need to wait for is the date then," Sonic said.
"So...did you two want to join us?" Julie-Su asked. "We were going to show Shadow around town."
"Sure! I can even show you the dresses we have picked out for everyone," Bristy said.
The group then began to walk towards their first destination.
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After about a couple of hour's work, the TGM was beginning to look like it originally did when Tails first showed it to Anthony. As it happened, there wasn't that much internal damage to repair, and with Metal, Sonic, Gamma, Teila, and Tyreke helping, the work was finished in record time.
"Just one more..." Tails said as he worked on the final connection. "And DONE!" He wheeled himself out from underneath the TGM. He was practically covered with oil and grease over most of his fur, but he didn't seem to mind.
"SCANNING..." Gamma said, examining the TGM with his sensors. "ALL SYSTEMS NOMINAL. NO FURTHER REPAIRS NEEDED."
[That's good...] Metal Sonic said. [After what Packbell did, I'm surprised this thing wasn't totaled.]
"Well...the pilot's faced Packbell before many times, so that gave an advantage of sorts," Teila said.
"Hey, kid...why don't you go take a shower? You look like you took a bath in raw sewage," Tyreke said.
"Alright," Tails said, walking inside the living quarters and towards the bathroom.
As soon as Tails walked inside, Tyreke turned his attention towards Gamma. "Hey, Gamma...can I ask you something?"
"PROCEED," Gamma said.
"Well...how the heck can your original programming still exist?" Tyreke asked. "Last I heard, your programming was originally that of a bird that was placed inside your hull as an organic CPU of sorts."
"AFFIRMATIVE," Gamma stated. "THE BIRD WAS PLACED INSIDE ME AS AN EXPERIMENT IN USING AN ORGANISM'S MENTAL PROCESSES TO HANDLE MORE COMPLEX PROGRAM PROCESSING...THE SAME WITH THE OTHERS OF THE E-SERIES. HOWEVER...PRIOR TO WHAT WAS THOUGHT TO BE MY ORIGINAL DESTRUCTION, THE MENTAL PROCESSES OF THE BIRD SOMEHOW ENCODED ITSELF IN MY PROGRAMMING. ESSENTIALLY...ITS MIND BECAME MY PROGRAM."
[An engram...] Metal Sonic mused. [The Doc used something similar when he created me, essentially "copying" Sonic's biological and psychological information...his "life data", as it were...into me. Except in your case, Gamma, it was not by choice.]
"INDEED," Gamma said. "PERHAPS...THAT BIRD'S MIND WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO OVERRIDE THE PROGRAMMING."
"Just like a few of the Robians did during Robotnik's rule," Teila said.
"Okay...that makes sense," Tyreke said. After a while, he then looked towards whereTails had went and said, "Strange...I heard him take a short shower, he should have come back out here by now. I'll go check..."
As soon as he had left, Metal Sonic looked down towards the ground and let out a metallic sounding sigh. This didn't fail to catch Teila's attention. "Is something wrong, Metal?" she asked.
[You wouldn't understand...] Metal said.
"Try me," Teila said.
Metal looked towards Teila and said, [It's just...something I'm afraid of...]
"Afraid?!?" Teila said, a bit surprised. "I didn't think anything frightened you..."
[Not much does,] Metal said. [But...I still have a lot of Sonic's feelings and emotions inside me. Including...not wanting to die...]
"That makes sense, I guess..." Teila said. "No one wants to die, except of old age."
[But it's different for me...] Metal said. [When you organics die, your soul goes off to someplace called "The Beyond". I'm just a soulless robot...and if the people of Mobius decide to deactivate me for good, I'll be gone...] He then appeared to give an involuntary shudder and said, [I don't want to cease to exist...just like that...]
Teila covered her mouth with her paw in shock. She had never expected to see Metal act like this, and was actually concerned for him. She then did something unexpected...as she went over and hugged Metal.
[Wha...what are you doing, Teila?] Metal Sonic said, surprised at her actions.
"Comforting a friend..." Teila said, "because it looked like you needed some reassurance."
[I'm...a friend...to you?] Metal said, still surprised. For some reason, the gesture seemed to help him feel a bit better, and then he returned the hug. He even said, in a low volume, [Thank you...Teila...]
Almost as soon as Metal returned the hug, Tyreke walked back into the workshop and said, "Hey guys, you should see..." He then saw Teila hugging Metal and asked, "Did I miss something?"
Teila looked up towards Tyreke and let go of the hug she had on Metal Sonic. "Just trying to help a friend through his emotions...what's going on?"
"Oh...you should see this..." Tyreke said. "Classic Kodak moment...Tails apparently was so tired after working on the TGM, that after he dried off he collapsed on the couch in the sitting room and is fast asleep, using his towel as a blanket." He then looked at Metal Sonic and said, "Um...but first, did you want to tell me...?"
[IF...I feel like it, Tyreke,] Metal Sonic said.
"Uh, right..." Tyreke said, and then turned towards the door, leading Teila towards where he saw Tails.
Metal Sonic shook his head in disbelief and said, [E-Series...for the cybernetic life of me, I will never understand organics...]
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"Whoa..."
Sonic's statement mirrored the rest as they looked at the dresses that Ryan and Bristy had picked out for the bridesmaids and flower girl for their wedding. Since both Ryan and Bristy were with Downunda's military, they would be wearing their uniforms. But the dresses that were picked out even made the guys in the group get wowed out.
"Those dresses look gorgeous, Bristy," Sally said. "You even picked out a cute dress for Cream! Has she seen it?"
"She has...and I don't think she can't wait for the wedding," Bristy said, giggling a bit.
As Sally and Bristy talked, Shadow looked at the dress curiously. He then turned to Rouge and asked, "Rouge...what is a wedding?"
Rouge, surprised at Shadow's question, asked, "You've never been told what a wedding is?"
"No..." Shadow said. "Most of what I learned I learned from Maria, and she never got to that."
"Oh..." Rouge said. She then told Shadow, "Well...a wedding is a ceremony where two people who love each other, a boy and a girl who aren't in the same family, agree to become husband and wife. Essentialy, becoming members of the same family."
"I...see...I think..." Shadow said.
"Sorry," Rouge said. "I can't explain it too well. In the past, I wasn't what you would call the marrying type, since I couldn't find anyone I really loved."
"Oh..." Shadow said. "And now?"
"Well...maybe..." Rouge said, moving closer to Shadow. "But it's usually customary to get to know the person you care for first..."
"I see, and Ryan and Bristy know each other pretty well?" Shadow asked.
Rouge looked over towards Ryan and Bristy, who engaged in a liplock as the rest of the group looked over at some of the tuxedos that were picked out. Knuckles, who looked back towards his friend, wondered if he was going to come up for air anytime soon.
"I'd say they know each other pretty well," Rouge said, smirking a bit.
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The scene had not changed for the last hour. Aura was still concentrating and meditating while Lisa kept watch. Lisa was starting to get a little concerned, since when she usually meditated like this she usually found some new ability before now. She decided to take a chance...
"Anything, Aura?" Lisa asked.
"Well...I sense...something, but..." Aura began to say.
"Yes?" Lisa asked.
"It seems...a bit too powerful..." Aura said. "Not even my teleportation power seemed this powerful...though it feels similar to my lightning bolt ability."
"In that case...let's see it..." Lisa said, standing up. "Extend your paws and just release a little bit of the energy you sense."
"But...what if I hit something? You seem to have a lot of expensive things here..." Aura said, a bit worried.
"Don't worry," Lisa said. "If you just release a little bit of it, it should extend any further than a few inches past your paws."
"Alright, I'll try it..." Aura said, and then extended her paws outwards. She concentrated on releasing some of the energy she sensed within her and channeled it towards her paws, keeping a close eye on them to see what happens. Pretty soon, a small fireball materialized, creating a quick flash and causing Aura to yelp in surprise and jump back from her sitting position.
"Cool! You can use fire magic as well!" Lisa said. "That might come in..." She then noticed that Aura had a very scared look on her face. "Aura? Are you alright?"
"No...I don't..." Aura said, stammering as she spoke. She appeared almost paralyzed in fear. "Why...?"
"Aura?" Lisa said, still trying to get Aura's attention. "What's...?"
"NO!! I DON'T WANT THIS POWER!!!" Aura screamed, now in hysterics. She then began to cringe into a fetal position and continued to scream, "I DON'T WANT IT!!!"
"Aura! Calm down!" Lisa said, grabbing Aura by the shoulders and trying to comfort her, but with little luck. Aura continued to scream in hysterics as Lisa continued to yell, "Aura! Aura!!"
Hogi-San and Ryndar, confused by the screaming, peeked into the room and saw Lisa trying to calm Aura down. Both were just as confused by what was transpiring as Lisa was.
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Amy was the next to be confused by what was transpiring.
She decided to step out and grab some donuts since she hadn't gotten any breakfast. When she returned, she saw a sight that shocked her. Anthony was awake, but was sitting on the couch and appeared to be sobbing heavily. Amy could sense a high level of distress from Anthony, as if he was releasing a lot of anguish over something.
She quickly set the bag of donuts on the counter, and ran over to where Anthony was. "Anthony? Goddess...what's wrong?"
It was then that Anthony began to calm down...and Amy could sense the distress leaving him. He then looked up towards Amy and said, "I...I'm sorry you had to see that..."
"Anthony...what were you crying for?" Amy asked, confused by Anthony's behavior. "I thought you were over what happened!"
"I was...but I was releasing something I was holding in for a while..." Anthony said. "Something I've been holding in since day one..."
"Since...we first arrived on South Island?" Amy asked.
"No...since I first entered Arcadia..." Anthony said.
Amy was even more shocked. "Wha...what were you holding in...for that long?"
Anthony sighed and then said, "You'd better sit down. You...might not like this..."
Amy did as Anthony suggested, and then Anthony began to talk. "Ever since I first entered Arcadia, I was genuinely excited by the prospect of actually going to the worlds of my favorite games. But...as I saw how real the battles were as well, especially those on Mobius, I was beginning to wish it wasn't real. I was wishing that everything would just go away and disappear, and that I could wake up from whatever nightmare I was in." He then looked up at Amy and said, "But...because I knew it was all real, and that I couldn't wake up, I wanted to do what you just saw me do. Let it all out...every bit of anguish I felt inside at what was happening...every bit of guilt I had at wishing the friends I had made weren't real..."
Amy began to understand. "Oh...I see. You...didn't want us to know because of...how you'd think we'd react?"
Anthony nodded, and then bowed his head in shame. "I am honored to have great friends like you all...and I do like having you in particular as a member of my extended family now. But...it still hurts...so much..."
Amy nodded in understanding, and then sat closer to Anthony. She then placed a paw under Anthony's chin and lifted it so Anthony looked straight at her.
"What is it?" Anthony asked.
"You've let me cry on your shoulder many times when I needed it..." Amy said. "...now, let me give you a shoulder to cry on, so you can cry your last tears."
Anthony understood what Amy said, and then hugged her close. He then began to cry again, letting out what was left of his tears.
It was at that moment that Red Sonic, Mina, Lazer, and Rebecca decided to come up from where they were training. "You're getting better, Meens," Red Sonic commented. "Still need a little work though..."
"Well, I'm just glad I have you training me," Mina said. It was then that they noticed what was transpiring with Anthony and Amy. "Amy? What's wrong with...?"
"Guys...give us a moment..." Amy said, looking up towards the group.
"No...it's alright...I'm done," Anthony said, letting go of the hug he had on Amy and wiping the last of his tears away.
"Anthony, what's wrong?" Rebecca said. "I thought..."
"So did Amy..." Anthony said, knowing what Rebecca was going to say. He took a large intake of breath and then looked towards the group. "Don't worry...I'll tell you everything..."