No reviews? I anyone reading this? Well, I'll continue anyway. Review if you're reading this story please.  Oh and I do know that there's a part in the story To Rule a Kingdom by The Magic Pickle Fairy that features Sally playing Tetris on Nicole, and that I have the same thing here. I had that typed into my story  days ago. I didn't copy from anyone. It's just a coincidence.

While I'm at it, I don't own any characters. Harvest Moon: Back to Nature belongs to Natsume, Sonic and co belong to Sega, and those wacky Freedom Fighters are from DIC and/or Archie Comics.

Sonic woke up at 6 a.m. to the sound of crowing from the poultry farm.  It wasn't as loud as Omochao was yesterday, but it was loud enough.

After a quick breakfast, Sonic watered the plants and checked on the egg. He then went into the forest to gather some Bamboo Shoots.  Amy was right, he only found three.

The last one he found near the lake that he had found Amy at.

It was a peaceful area, with a small cave and a hot spa. The area was so green and healthy.  Sonic scoffed at the memory of what Eggman told him. How could someone build a factory in this great area? He thought.

He then noticed a flower near the water. "How pretty," he said as he picked it up. "I'll give it to Amy."

"Aww, thanks," said a voice behind him. Sonic spun around quick to see Amy and Cream.

"Sorry to scare you, Mr. Sonic. Amy and I always come here on nice days." Cream said.

Sonic's face was now bright red, but he managed to give the flower to Amy.

"Thanks, I love it!" Amy said as she pinned it under her headband.

Sonic decided to change subjects fast. "Cream, do you know if Tails is up yet? I need him to look at Omochao."

"Yes, he's already up," Cream said.

"Thanks. I'm gonna go see him." And with that, Sonic ran off.  Amy went over to the lake and looked at her reflection with the flower in her hair. She sighed happily.

Sonic ran home. He dumped the shoots into the shipping bin, picked up Omochao, and took off for the inn.

Tails was reading a Popular Mechanics when Sonic came in.

"I found the Omochao," Sonic said, "but I think it's broke."

"Ok, set him on the table," Tails said.

Tails then opened the back panel of the robot and started to look. "It looks like some of the wires dry-rotted and broke off." He replaced the wires with some new ones he had. He then turned it back on.

Omochao beeped for a few seconds and said "O.S. not found."

"O.S.?" Sonic asked.

"Operating System," Tails said.  "Somehow, his program got corrupt." He pulled out a laptop computer and turned it on. As it was booting, Amy and Cream came in.

"Any luck?" Amy asked.

"Well, Tails fixed the wiring part in no time at all, but I think it has amnesia," Sonic said.

Tails hooked a cable up to Omochao and his computer. He looked at the data on his screen.

"Well, I can't recover the operating system, but his memories are intact."

"That doesn't sound good," Cream said.

"I don't have a copy of the operating system, so we'll need to order a new copy," Tails said. He picked up Omochao and looked at a label on the bottom of it's left foot.

"For service and parts call…perfect!" He went over to the counter where the payphone was. He put in a coin and called the number.

"Hi, I need to order a replacement part... Yes, I'll hold…  Yes, I need an Omochao operating system, part number D527456-433… No, I don't want an extended warranty… Freedom Farm in Knothole Village… Thanks! Bye."

He walked back to the table. "It should be here in about 4 to 5 days. I'll back up Omochao's memory to my computer, just in case."

"Almost a week?" Sonic asked. "What do I do if I need some farming advice?"

"Well, there is the library," Cream said.

Amy started to scowl. "Oh, yeah, but it's run by that girl…"

"Who?" Sonic asked, sensing that Amy didn't like this person.

"A chipmunk named Sally," Cream said. "She has a bit of an ego. She pretends to have a high intelligence, but her handheld computer really does the work."

"She always has that 'I'm better than you' attitude, but will act sweet to any guy she thinks she can get" Amy said. "Her boyfriend's worse."

"Who's her boyfriend?" Sonic asked.

"A skunk named Geoffrey St. John. He only comes in during the summer and runs a restaurant at the beach. His food isn't very good, but Sally persuades people to go there," Cream said.

"Not the most popular people, are they?" Tails asked.

"Just ask Knuckles about it. He'll complain about St. John for days," Amy said. "Since he's only here for the summer, Sally tries to date other people during the rest of the year without him knowing."

Sonic got up. "I've only seen part of town so far anyway, so it's time I've seen the rest."

"I'll go with you," Amy said. "I can help you find your way around."

They decided to go to the library first. Sally was sitting at the corner, looking like she was working with her computer, Nicole. However, she was really playing Tetris on it.

When Sonic and Amy walked in, Sally jumped up and ran over to meet Sonic, almost knocking Amy over.

"Hi, I'm Sally! I've never seen you before."

"Uh, I'm Sonic. I'm taking over the old farm…"

"That's great! It's nice to have such a strong, handsome man getting that farm into shape."

"Yeah…do you have any books on farming?" Sonic asked.

"Yes, on that shelf," Sally said, and walked over to a shelf.

Sonic found a book called "Farming For Dummies." He started to read a paragraph on seed growth rates when Sally interrupted his thoughts.

"You know," she said, "the Goddess Festival is two weeks away. Everyone will be there with a date. I'm still looking for one."

Sonic decided it would be easier to read the book at home, away from this chipmunk. "Well, I hope you find someone," he said.

"Oh, you've already got a date?" Sally asked.

Sonic thought quick. "Yup, right here," he said, putting a hand on Amy's shoulder. Amy just grinned.

"Ok," Sally said sadly as she got the book ready for checkout. "I just hope someone will ask me…" she started to cry.

"Good luck!" Amy and Sonic said together as they went outside.

Sally wiped her tears away, got a scowl, and continued playing Tetris.

"What a nut," Sonic said when they were a few buildings away. "I hope Omochao gets fixed soon." He then stopped. "I'm sorry about putting you on the spot back there. About the festival…"

"No problem," Amy said, cutting him off. "I didn't have a date yet anyway."

Sonic grinned. "Great."

They went to the market next to pick up more supplies. Rouge was counting money in the register. "Hey guys," she said.

"Hi. I'm back for more supplies," Sonic said.  He noticed a rucksack for sale, much bigger than the old worn-out one he had. He picked it up.

He also looked at the seeds. "I have the whole field ready for seeds, so I should get a lot."

Amy came over to him. "Don't forget that you have to water everything you plant except grass. With that old watering can, it'll take forever."

"Good point," Sonic said. "Do you have any large watering cans or something?" he asked Rouge.

"Sorry," she said, shaking her head. "For stuff like that, you need to talk to the blacksmith, Gerald Robotnik. He specializes in tools. He can upgrade your old can."

"Ok." Sonic said, picking up only a few bags of seeds. He paid for his stuff and walked out, putting the old rucksack into the new one to keep as a backup.

Their next stop was the hospital, run by Dr. Antoine D' Coolette and his nurse, Bunnie Rabbot. It was a short visit, as Sonic had a hard time understanding either one, since Bunnie had a southern accent and Antoine had a French accent.

They came to the church next, where a large purple walrus named Rotor was sweeping the patio. The last stop was the local ranch, run by a crocodile named Vector. Sonic thought about a cow, but he wanted to wait until his income was steadier.

The two stopped in front of the poultry farm. "That's the blacksmith," she pointed to the nearby building. "But it's closed on this day of the week. I've got chores to do, so I'll be going now."

"Ok, see ya, Amy," Sonic said. Amy went into her house, and Sonic took off for his farm.

When he got there, he found some money in the mailbox, just as Mighty said. It was getting dark, but Sonic still had enough time to plant the seeds. He didn't know if he could water it all before it got completely dark, when he felt water. It started to rain.

Sonic smiled to himself and went inside. After doing a few things, he went to sleep.

Sonic got up and ate a quick breakfast. Before he finished, he heard a knock at the door. Swallowing what he had in his mouth, he answered the door to see Vector, the animal-dealing crocodile.

"Hey Sonic," he said. "I'm running low on space, and wondered if you'd like a horse."

Sonic noticed that he had a horse with him. The horse was still young, but he looked strong.

"Wow," Sonic said as he petted the horse. "You know how to raise great horses."

"Sure do," Vector said with a grin. "He's truly amazing!"

"I'll take him!" Sonic said, excited.

"Make sure to feed him, talk to him, and brush him everyday."

Sonic blinked. "Brush him?" He ran into the house and ran back out. "I couldn't find a brush."

Vector chuckled. "You can buy a brush from the blacksmith."

"No problem," Sonic said, "I needed to see him about something else anyway."

"I'll take your horse to your stable," Vector said. "By the way, what did you want to name him?"

Sonic thought for a second. "I'll call him Tornado."

"Good name," Vector said. "When he gets bigger, you should enter him into the horse race."

"Ok," Sonic said. "Thanks."

Vector left, and Sonic checked on his plants. The turnips had started to grow, and the ground was still moist from the overnight rain. He didn't have to water today. A quick check on the egg and off he went to forage.

While foraging, Sonic ran across Amy and Cream by the lake. "Hey ladies," he called.

"Hi Sonic," they both said. Sonic walked up to them.

"Guess what? I got a young horse from Vector!"

"That's wonderful!" Cream said.

"Mind if we see him later?" Amy asked.

"Sure," Sonic said, "but first I wanted to see Gerald about some things."

"Ok, we'll be by later," Amy said.

Sonic went back to his farm and put the shoots in the bin. He grabbed his watering can and went to the blacksmith, which just opened for the day.

A black hedgehog was behind the counter, looking over some notes. "Hi, I'm Sonic. Are you Mr. Gerald?"

The black hedgehog looked up. "No, I'm Shadow. I'm an apprentice to the professor."

Sonic looked at Shadow questionably. "Professor?"

The black hedgehog sighed. "That's what I call Gerald, as he likes to make various devices when business is slow. Would you like me to get him for you?"

"Yes please."

Shadow disappeared into the back. Sonic looked at the tools and items that hung from the walls, when Shadow came back with Gerald. Gerald looked like an older, kinder version of Eggman, wearing an apron and a tool belt.

"Greetings, I'm Gerald Robotnik. Shadow tells me you wanted to see me?"

"Yes, about two things actually," Sonic started. "Vector gave me a young horse, and he said I could get a brush from here."

Gerald chuckled. "Ah yes, grooming is important for healthy livestock." He pulled a brush out of a box under the counter. He rang it up and Sonic paid for it. "And what else can I do for you?"

Sonic put the brush in his rucksack and pulled out the watering can. "I was told you could upgrade this. I need to find a faster way to water."

"Ah, I see," Gerald said, taking the watering can. After examining it, he handed it to Shadow. "Shadow, what do you think?"

Shadow knew that Gerald was testing him, so he looked over the can carefully.  "Using some silver ore, we could upgrade the can to hold twenty percent more water and triple its output range."

Gerald laughed. "That's exactly correct, my boy! You'll make a fine blacksmith." Shadow grinned.

"Silver ore?" Sonic asked.

"The metal we need to reinforce the can's structure, and forge a new nozzle," Shadow said.

"Unfortunately," Gerald said, "we don't have any ore on hand. You can find some if you dig in the mine by the lake." He showed Sonic a color photo of what the ore looks like.

"Ok," Sonic said. "I'll be back."

Sonic left the blacksmith, cut through his farm, and went into the cave by the lake. To his surprise, someone was already there.

"Tails?"

Tails looked up from his digging. "Oh, hey Sonic. What're you doing here?"

"I was about to ask the same thing," Sonic said, "but I'm here looking for silver ore."

"I'm looking for gemstones," Tails said. "If I find one or two more, the blacksmith can turn them into a necklace."

"A necklace? What for?"

"Well, Cream's birthday is coming up soon and..."

"Say no more," Sonic said. "I'll keep an eye out for any gems."

Sonic then started digging. After finding a bunch of junk ore, he came across a couple shiny gems. He picked them up.

"Hey Sonic!" Tails called. "Look what I found."

"I found something too," Sonic said. He showed Tails the gems.

"Here's what I found," Tails said, holding up some silver ore.

"Trade ya!" Sonic said.

Sonic took the silver ore. Now he could get that watering can upgraded. He walked out of the cave with Tails.

Tails looked at the gemstones. One of them was different than the others.

"Sonic, this one jewel you found," Tails started, "it looks like an emerald, but it's red."

"Weird," Sonic said. "I thought all emeralds were green."

"So did I," Tails said.

They walked into the blacksmith.

"Welcome back," Gerald said. "Oh, I didn't know you both knew each other. Did you both find what you were looking for?"

"Sure did," Sonic said, showing him the ore. Tails showed him the gemstones.

"Hmm, two jobs. This could take a while…Wait, I know! Shadow!"

"Yes professor?" Shadow said, coming out of the back.

"We've got work to do. Could you work on the watering can while I make the necklace?"

"Of course, I'll get started right away," Shadow said, taking the watering can and the ore.

Gerald took the gemstones. "What an unusual emerald," Gerald said, holding up the red emerald.

"Will it be usable in the necklace?" Tails asked.

"Of course. It'll make a fine centerpiece for the necklace," Gerald said. "We should have both tasks done in about three days."

Sonic and Tails left the blacksmith. "Hey Tails, wanna see my new horse?" Sonic said.

"Ok," Tails said.

"Wait for us!" they heard Amy call. They turned around and saw Amy, Cream, and Knuckles just leaving the poultry farm.

They arrived at the farm. "Wait here," Sonic said, and ran over to the stable. He opened the door.

"Come on out, Tornado," he said in a soothing voice. Tornado came out nuzzled against Sonic. Sonic laughed and patted the horse. He then led tornado over to the others.

"Guys, meet Tornado," he said proudly.

"He's pretty," Cream said, petting Tornado.

"I'm sure you'll raise him just fine," Knuckles said.

"Yeah, he's too small to ride, but he'll get strong in no time," Sonic said.

After a while, they said goodbye to Sonic and Tornado and left. Sonic then brushed Tornado and put him back in the stable. Mighty dropped by and collected the shoots, paying Sonic.

Sonic then went inside and checked the weather, drinking a can of soda. Tomorrow was going to be sunny.

Now what do I do to water the plants? Sonic thought as he finished his soda. He turned off the lights and went to sleep.

Meanwhile, in the blacksmith, Gerald and Shadow had gone to sleep. On one of the work tables was the old watering can, the silver ore, a stone pot for melting the ore, and some metal shaping tools. On another table sat a beautiful gold chain, the gemstones, and some more tools.

The red emerald started to glow brightly…