Chapter 1: The Pink Crystal

Sonic sped along the streets of Station Square.

" Man! There's nothing to do anymore!" he sighed as he come to a complete stop." Ever since I stopped Eggman from destroying Earth on Space Colony ARK, things have been a tad too quiet"

True, things have been rather peaceful in Station Square. Eggman hadn't made any world domination attempts since their encounter on ARK, and the quiet atmosphere triggered Sonic's suspicion. None of Eggman's robots have been spotted, or any signs of a fortress.

" He's up to something," Sonic growled." I just know-" His words were cut off when the ground below him began to shake violently!" What the!" He managed to keep his balance." What was that!"

Sonic looked around expecting one of Eggman's robots to come out from behind a building and open fire on the city, nothing.

"That was very strange," He whispered to himself." Wonder what started that minor quake?"

"Sonic!" Called a voice.

Sonic flinched; he knew who was calling his name…Amy Rose. He reluctantly turned around to see Amy's smiling face coming towards him.

" Didja see it, Sonic?" She asked him.

" See what?"

" A shooting star, silly!" Amy giggled." I crashed near Emerald Beach!"

"Emerald Beach?" Sonic repeated." That's not too far from here"

Immediately Sonic dashed off towards the beach, leaving Amy in his dust.

"Sonic!" Amy yelled." Wait for me!" She too ran as fast as she could after her hero.

Emerald Beach

" Sonic, why are you so interested in this comet?" Amy asked when she finally caught up with him.

" Because it was strong enough to shake the earth, that's why" Sonic explained as he started to walk down the shores of the beach.

" Well," Amy began to blush." Even if you can't find it we can still hang out here. Just you and me and the stars above us"

" I guess" Sonic said, not sounding interested at all.

" Really!" Amy squealed with delight.

" No way!" With that Sonic took off running down the beach.

" Sonic!" Amy screamed." You get back here!"

Amy tried to catch up with him but only tripped and landing face-first in the sand.

" Shoot!" She growled and spat some sand out of her mouth." I would've had him if I hadn't of-"

Amy looked back to see what she tripped over. To her amazement, she saw a glittering pink rock buried deep in the sand. She sat on her knees and began to dig around the pink stone.

" I wonder what it is" She smiled to herself.

She wrapped her fingers tightly around the top and pulled her small treasure out of the sand. Amy found out that it was a gem.

" Wow!" she gasped." Is… is this a Chaos Emerald?"

She shook her head." No, I can't be! I never saw a pink Chaos emerald before!"

Suddenly the gem began to glow a bright light that almost blinded the young hedgehog. Amy was soon surrounded by white light. "What's happening! SONIC!" but her voice only echoed into a soft whisper.

Sonic forgot about Amy by the time he searched the entire cost of Emerald Beach.

"Rats!" He stomped his foot in disgust." I thought for sure I'd find something here"

He looked around, hoping to find Amy. "Hey! Where's Amy?" He saw Amy by the edge of the sea on her knees, he ran over to her. "Amy?" no response. "Amy?" He thought she was playing the 'I'm not talking to you' game' "Come on, Amy! I didn't mean to run off on you like that, really!" She still didn't move. Sonic walked around her to see if she wasn't sleeping, he saw her starring deep into a large pink gem that was glowing brightly, Amy's face was full of shock, fear, and Amazement "Amy!" She still didn't respond." AMY!"

When Amy opened her eyes, she found herself in a giant castle made out of Crystal. "Where am I?" her voice echoed through the walls. She picked herself off the floor. She felt alone in the room. There were large windows on each side of her with large purple drapes flowing down the sides of the windows; small diamonds glistened in the light on the sides of the curtains. There was a soft red carpet under her feet that stretched from underneath her to a large brown door, Amy looked behind her to see a large throne made out of silver.

"Are you sure about this, Nike?" A female's voice asked.

Amy looked across the large room to see a purple female hedgehog in a large purple dress with a golden crown on her forehead talking with a red female echidna that wore a short pink vest with a darker pink trim around the edges, a bubble gum pink tube top with a silver zipper down the middle, white gloves with Blush Pink rings, long light blue jeans with a pink belt and a silver moon belt buckle, long thick pink boots with steel toes, and a pink bandana tied around her two front quills.

" I'm sure of it, Queen Venus" Nike's voice was very soft. " The people of the Forbidden City and the Iron Skulls have taken too many lives, I must find some way of leading them away from the people of Lunar City!"

"But" Venus paused." How are you going to do that?"

Nike looked down at the floor; Amy decided to come a little closer.

" They're after the Star Crystals" Nike whispered. Venus game a small gasp.

" Star Crystals?" Amy repeated.

" Greed drives them to kill others," Nike said, her lower lip trembled." If I lead them away from the City with the Star Crystals, maybe they'll leave the people alone and come after me"

"But you'll only be running away from them forever," Venus explained." You'll never have a chance to rest!"

Amy was confused by the conversation between the two women. "Excuse me?" She reached out a hand to the Echidna, but her hand only went through Nike's leg. She gave a loud gasp and retracted her hand. "Am I dead!"

" I'll leave the planet then!" Nike announced." I wouldn't take them long to figure out that the Star Crystals aren't on Azora!"

Venus grabbed Nike's shoulder." Nike, please don't do that! Think about the consequences! If you leave Azora with the Star Crystals, you'll lose your memory of everything you own or done on Azora! Reconsider!"

Nike shook her head and swept Venus' hands off her shoulders." I can't, Venus." She said calmly.

Amy looked up at Nike and saw that she had large watery pink colored eyes that made her eyeballs look light pink. Nike also had long hair that was combed to keep two large strands of hair to the side of her face and three larger strands slightly in the air, but only one strand of hair hung between her eyes.

" Besides, if I do leave, all my memories will be absorbed into the crystals themselves" Nike explained." And if an outsider touched any of the eight crystals, they'll see what I have gone through!"

" So that explains everything!" Amy sighed." I'm not dead after all, this is only an illusion"

Amy's surrounding began to glow that same bright light earlier. She shielded her eyes from the light; in the background she heard Nike's echoing voice. " It's for the good of the planet! It's better that I die then everyone on Azora!"

"Amy?" Sonic repeated.

Her eyes finally blinked as she gave a large gasp realizing that she was back home. She saw Sonic in front of her.

"Sonic!" She gasped." I saw the most amazing thing in the world!"

" Y' mean besides me?" Sonic Chuckled, but Amy ignored the comment.

" I saw a conversation between two aliens!" Amy explained." One of them had to leave her home planet because of a war!"

Sonic listened.

" The war started because of these crystals, I don't know why tho'" She held the gem in front of Sonic to see.

" It looks like a Chaos Emerald" Sonic reached out to touch it but Amy retracted her arms.

" They're called Star Crystals!" Amy snapped." Nike said so!"

" Who's Nike?" Sonic Asked.

" She's one of the two Alien girls I saw" Amy's eyes began to water as she explained to Sonic every detail she saw about Nike, her appearance, what she wore, how she talked, and what she had to do.

" She must be here, Sonic!" Amy said." Why else would the Star Crystals be here?"

Sonic nodded. " She must be," he agreed." But where could she be?"

Amy shrugged, so did Sonic. "Guess we should met up with Tails at his workshop and start looking for her"

" Oh I wouldn't bother worrying about her if I were you, Sonic the Hedgehog" Called a voice.

Both Amy and Sonic winced around to see Eggman in his Egg Walker. His walking machine full of up-grades, his Laser Blaster pointed directly at the two Hedgehogs. Amy was the first to notice the newest up-grade to his Walker. Behind the evil doctor was a large transparent, pill shaped container strapped horizontally to the side of the machine. Inside the container was the unconscious body of the female echidna she saw in her vision. She also noticed the large purple bruise on the side of her head.

Sonic, on the other hand, noticed the small neon green gem on the control deck under a glass case.

" So, Eggman," Sonic said taking a step forward." Where did you get that Crystal?"

An evil smile appeared on the doctor's face. " Funny you should ask that, hedgehog"

Six hours ago

"A Chaos Emerald?"

Eggman bend down and picked up the glistening gem from the ground. Upon a closer observation, he found that the rock wasn't emerald at all, it transparent but at the same time beamed a strong shade of neon green.

" No, it's just a crystal" he confirmed. " Yet, why do I feel a rush of energy in my"

Eggman was cut short, as the gem in his hand began to glow a blinding flash. He shielded his eyes from the light as the color, neon, surrounded him!

When the light faded, Eggman found himself in an underground cavern. The walls that surrounded him were made of stone, and moss covered the tile near the roof. It looked almost like a castle that was forgotten years ago, and left for the animals and bird to live in. It was beautiful, but at the same time scary for it was quiet…too quiet. Not even the birds were singing, not only squirrel bothered to make a sound. As Eggman stood there, he heard a voice. It came from a corridor that was straight ahead of him.

Reluctantly, he walked towards the hall, a tight grip on the crystal in his hand. The farther he walked down the pitch-black hall, the voice became loader. It was a woman's voice, when she stopped speaking there was a soft chiming sound. Once the chimes stopped, the woman spoke again.

" I don't know what to do" the voice paused." The people of the Forbidden city are coming for you, as well as the creatures of the Iron Skull Nest"

Eggman finally entered a lightened room, two more doors, spit into two long hallways. He heard the chimes again; it came from the hall on his right.

" How can you possible think of music at a time like this? The city is in a panic!"

Chimes again.

" I understand" There came a heavy sigh." If I rid my mind of the turmoil, I'll be able to think clearly"

With discuss, Eggman felt like he went in a complete circle. The finally room he entered was a large courtyard. The large castle walls towered over him, birds flew in from the bright blue sky and landed on some of the pink blossom trees that grew there. There were many varieties of butterflies that fluttered amount the flowers, and small particles of light danced among the air as the soft sound of a harp filled the air.

Eggman saw a young red female echidna sitting under the large blossom tree that towered over the walls. She held in her arms a small white harp that had two long Chinese dragons form a large U; in their paws they held a pink gem, on the bottom of the gem eight black strings flowed down the base and connected to the bottom of the harp. The girl plucked a few strings, and began to hum the same tune she was playing. The evil doctor stood there, stunned by the song the girl played. It was beautiful, he never heard such a pleasant tune in his entire life, and for the first time, he felt peaceful

" You there!" He called out to the girl." Whom were you talking to earlier?"

The girl didn't respond, as soon as she stopped playing she set her harp down on the ground and got into a praying position.

" I am the Vessel, which can transfer large amounts of power into a magical force, and with the power of Chaos, that force becomes a wish" She chanted." Power, Flight, Impulse, Speed, Knowledge, Luck, Stealth, and Dark. These are the powers the Star Crystals transmit. And I am their vessel. Only I can grant this wish"

" A wish?" Eggman repeated." Star Crystals?"

Again his surroundings changed, and when he blinked again, he found himself back on the Sunset Hill where he found the neon green Star Crystal. An Evil smile appeared on his face as he looked at his gem, then slowly he began to laugh menacingly.

" So that's what you have planned!" Sonic snapped." You plan on collecting the crystals and the Chaos Emeralds so you can wish for your Eggman Empire, huh?"

" You're only half right, Sonic" Eggman chuckled." You see, in my vision, Nike is the only on who can endure the power of the Chaos Emeralds as well as the Star Crystals. Once they combined their powers into Nike's body, she'll grant the first and only Wish she hears!"

" But was it necessary to knock her silly?" Sonic asked.

"A bit drastic, yes. I found the little rat wandering around Mystic Ruins. Apparently, she could tell I was evil, so I have to knock some sense into her" Eggman explained.

Amy pushed herself pasted Sonic and confronted Eggman.

"Let her go!" She demanded.

Eggman narrowed his eyes. " Make me!" He said in a low voice.

Amy reached behind her back and pulled out her hammer. Sonic stood next to Amy, he held up his arms and glared at Eggman.

" Alright, then" Eggman said." I'll just take that Crystal from your cold, DEAD hand!"

Sonic made the first move. He quickly dashed forward, and rammed the Egg Walker with his body. The Walker rocked a little but quickly found its footing. The cannon on the walker aimed for the blue hedgehog and fired a couple of quick shots; Sonic simply performed a few cartwheels and dodged the shots.

" Is that all you got, egghead?" Sonic Chuckled.

Eggman growled and shot a couple more times at Sonic, again and again he missed, Sonic lead Eggman farther from Amy.

Now's my chance, she thought to herself as she planed her moved on how to get Nike away from the evil doctor. She found out exactly how to do that. She slipped the Pink Crystal into her pocket.

" Hey, Eggman!" She called out.

Eggman turned his attention away from Sonic and looked over his should at Amy. She quickly dashed with her hammer in hand and swung it with all her might. Eggman tried turning away from her blow, but fell into her trap. The hammer smashed into the end of the capsule and sent it flying out of its hinges in to the air.

"Sonic! Catch the capsule!" She called to her 'boyfriend'.

" Gotcha!" Sonic sped forward and leaded into the air and caught the air born capsule." Score!" He cheered triumphantly.

Amy spun her hammer around and smacked the Walker with all her might. Eggman went flying high into the air, high above Sonic's head, above the cove of Emerald beach and over the vast sea! Amy let out a large gasp, she never knew she had that much strength before.

" I'll be baaaaaaaaaaccccccckkkkkk!" Eggman yelled before he disappeared over the horizon.

With a gapping mouth, Amy allowed the handle of her Piko Piko hammer fall out of her hand and only the warm sand. She stood still for a while before she smiled and turned to Sonic.

" Sonic," She whispered." Did you see that?"

Sonic set the capsule on the ground." Remind me to keep on your good side" He chuckled.

Amy helped Sonic open the capsule. She unscrewed the bottom, and Sonic slide the body of Nike out onto the sand.

"Nike," Amy shook her shoulder." Nike, are you alright?" Nike didn't respond.

" She must be very weak," Sonic announced." Let's get her to the Hotel Pool and find someone with a First Aid Kit"

Sonic bent down a picked up Nike, he allowed Amy to wrap her arms around his neck before he ran as fast as he could towards the Hotel.

" Sonic," Amy started." I think this pink Crystal made me powerful"

" What gives you that idea?" Sonic asked.

" I never was that powerful in the past, nor was I that brave" Amy admitted." I think this Crystal gave that strength and bravery"

"Might be," Sonic nodded." Maybe Nike here can answer that question"

Station Square Hotel Poolside

Sonic slowed down to a light walk, Amy stayed by his side. He looked around for the nearest fold out chair. When he found one, he gently laid Nike out on the chair.

" Where are you going to find a First Aid Kit, Sonic?" Amy asked." The Hotel Manager only gives those to the guests, and I don't live here"

" Not the Hotel, Amy" Sonic said and he pointed towards the road that was still busy with cars." Taxies always have First Aid Kits, and I'm sure the driver will be more then happy to help out a damsel in distress" Sonic chuckled as he nodded his head to Nike." You stay here with Nike, Amy. I'll go get a kit"

Amy nodded. Sonic took a quick short cut through the hotel to the side street of Station Square. He stood on the cement watching the cars go by, hoping a taxicab would come by. He needed to act fast since he didn't know if Nike's injury was serious or not. Finally, a bright flash of yellow paint caught Sonic's eyes. It was a taxicab all right, driven by a familiar face as well, Harry the Dingo.

" Yo, Harry!" Sonic called out, immediately the cab came to a stop. Sonic ran up to the cab." How's it going?" Sonic asked.

"Fine, 'till you should up" Harry said sarcastically.

" Listen, did you pass in First Aid?" Sonic asked.

Harry raised an eyebrow." I guess" he raised his brown cab a little higher to see if Sonic was injured or not, he didn't see any scratches or bruises.

"Great!" Sonic said grabbing the sleeve of Harry's blue jacket." 'Cause we got a lady down!"

After one long explanation

" Are you sure she's an Alien?" Harry repeated for the third time as he finished tying a bandage around Nike's head.

" Positive!" Sonic said." Amy said she saw this same exact girl in a vision"

" So those Crystals give ya psychic powers if ya touch 'em?" Harry asked as he closed the lid on the first aid box.

" Not really" Amy said." They just allowed me to see what happened in the past before Nike came here to Earth"

" Strange" Harry sighed. " Anyway, she should be waking soon, you just need to keep some ice on that bruise of hers. Might need a place to rest as well"

Sonic and Amy froze; they didn't have a place from Nike to stay. Sure Amy had an apartment, but her extra room was taken by Cream, and she didn't have any room for an extra guest. Sonic didn't even have a place to sleep; he just slept wherever he pleased! They both hand an idea, they looked at Harry. Harry seemed to know exactly what they were thinking.

" Don't even think about it, mates," He said." There's NO way I'm getting' involved with this!"

" Please, Harry?" Amy begged.

" Whut if Eggman finds out?" Harry said.

" He won't!" Sonic smiled." He doesn't even know you… yet!"

" 'Yet'?"

"And Nike needs a place to stay, my apartment is already full of guest!" Amy pointed out.

"You live alone, in fact, you're not even married!" Sonic joked.

" Please Harry, Nike needs your help!"

Harry sighed deeply and shook his head." Fine!" He said." I'll let her stay with me"

Amy let out a large cheer and laughed.

" Thanks, Harry" Sonic said." Nike will understand once she wakes up"