Leda yawned and sat up in bed. As her eyes adjusted to the small bit of sun coming through the blinds, she felt around on the other side of the bed with her hand. It was warm, but empty, "Damn!"

"Damn what?" Speed walked into the room with a large serving tray.

"I thought you left."

Speed chuckled as he placed the tray in front of her, "While you were sleeping?" He walked over and raised the blinds, "Try to give me a little more credit."

"Sorry!" She looked at the tray, "Eggs, bacon, toast, and juice. What brought this on?"

"I figured that if I am going to be gone for a little while, we should have the best day we could possibly have."

"Your still going?"

Speed walked over and sat down next to her. He placed his arm around her, "I don't want to go, Leda. But I have too!"

"Why?"

Speed sighed, "I can't tell you now. But I promise that I will be here when the baby is born. And when things die down, I will come for you and the baby." He stood up, "I just need you to trust me. This one last time."

Leda nodded, "Alright! But be careful!"

"I plan to be." He rolled his shoulders, "So what do you want to do?"

"Eat and maybe a walk in the park. Something quiet for once."

"That would be most enjoyable."

Sonic stood atop a lamppost in downtown Echidnatropolis. He was watching as the city residences started to wake up and begin their day. Sonic uncrossed his arms and stretched, "Its peaceful! Untouched by the fighting going on outside. I like it, but I can't help but to feel something is missing."

"Thrill perhaps?" Sonic turned his head and spotted a black hedgehog balanced on the lamppost ten feet away. Dressed in red running shoes, dark gray gloves, and a black belt with a blaster pistol in it's holster. The hedgehog had red eyes with black pupils. The hedgehog smirked, "This place is so boring. A hedgehog could go crazy here."

Sonic managed to turn around without falling, "What do you mean? And who are you?"

The other hedgehog bowed slightly, "My apologies! My name is Vega! I managed to escape the chaos of the outside world just before the shield was raised. And as for what I meant, just look around! This place was built for echidnas. A clam and strong race, but we hedgehogs were meant for adventure, action, and excitement." Vega through his arms out, "Even if you overthrow Robotnik and restore the family of Acorn to their rightful place, what will you do then? Sit next to your wife and live a life of mediocre."

"Hey! I love Sally!"

"I'm not debating that. But think hard! What does a future with her hold?" Sonic opened his mouth, but then closed it. Vega shook his head, "Thought so!" He spun around on his foot that was holding him up, "Catch me and I will show you your true destiny." He leapt off the lamppost and landed on a passing hover car. He landed so softly, that the driver didn't notice and kept driving.

Sonic smiled, "Sounds fun!" He jumped off the post and ran after the car.

As Sonic was nearing the car, Vega jumped off the car and started running, "That's it my little pawn. Soon I will have all of you at each other throats."

Shadow stood atop the stone barrier of the balcony on top of Sky Sanctuary. Rouge was still sleeping in the ruins nearby. The sun was shinning and the sky was clear. Shadow cracked his neck, "Nice day!" He looked back toward the ruins, "Rouge! I must push on without any weaknesses. I will be back for you." He leapt off the balcony. He smiled to himself, he had left a small ruby with a note attached next to her for her to find. He activated his robotizer and transformed into his mecha form. He activated his thrusters and landed on a cliff top near the bottom of the sanctuary. He clenched his metal fist, "Robotnik! Luxor! Soon I will tear you both apart and wipe your existences from the face of this planet. This I swear!"

Sonic chased Vega through out Echidnatropolis. He couldn't help but to be impressed at Vega's speed. They zoomed down alleys, up buildings, and across streets. After an hour, Vega ran up the side of The Counsel Building. Sonic followed and both stopped on the observation deck. They were standing on the tallest building on the island and Sonic loved the view, "So are you going to tell me or what?"

Vega laughed, "You technically didn't catch me, but I guess I can." Vega jumped at Sonic and grabbed his head. Blue energy arched from his hands and Sonic fell down. Vega smirked, "Your destiny is to save the world." He walked around the fallen hedgehog, "You started the fight with Robotnik, you formed The Freedom Fighters, and you have saved the planet countless times. But now you are being out shined by the likes of Shadow, Speed, and even Knuckles." He knelt down toward Sonic's head, "Your the hero! No one else!" Vega stood up, "Good luck, Hero!" He walked to the edge, "Soon my master will control everything." His body shimmered with dark light and he transformed into Knuckles, "Maybe a little domestic trouble is in order."

Sally sighed as she leaned up against a tree. She had wandered into the local park hoping to clear her head. The day was perfect, but she could bring herself to enjoy it. The world around her had come crashing down and she hated the fact she was safe on the island when so many others were not. She sat down on the cool grass. And it didn't help that Sonic was once again keeping his distance. She had spotted Speed and Leda walking hand in hand and she wished she was a close to Sonic as they were to each other. At least more often then once a month. Every time they seemed to close the gap, Sonic would find some excuse to back away. Sally laid onto the ground and enjoyed the shade of the tree, "What is the point of going on?"

"Life!" Knuckles walked up and sat down next to her, "Their is always a point in living. I just seems like it is pointless sometimes."

"I guess!" Sally closed her eyes and felt the wind gently blow through her fur, "I just wish I had someone to talk to. I try talking to Sonic, but he gets board and runs off."

"Not a very caring guy sometimes."

"He has a big heart, but he is too impatient. Sometimes I wonder if his brain runs as fast as his feet."

Knuckles chuckled, "He just doesn't know how to slow down and appreciate things when they come to him. He is always in a hurry to catch up with time." He stroked Sally's hair, "At this moment, time isn't abundant, but hurrying will make what time we have fleeting at best."

A pink echidna slowly crept through some bushes as she got into position to ambush her target. She had managed to get the day off from the security forces and she wasn't about to let the day go to waste. She had left her armor and weapons back at home. She figured she wasn't going to need them. Julie-su tied her dreadlocks back into a ponytail and crouched down, "He won't see this!" She lunged forward at a red echidna sitting on the ground. Knuckles's purple eyes quickly locked onto her and he grabbed her in mid air. He gently dropped her on the ground, "Get the day off?"

"One of these days!" Julie-su stated to sit up, but Knuckles pinned her down, "You want to play rough?"

Knuckles smirked, "Maybe!" He sat back down and laid her head into his lap, "But I was enjoying the peace and quiet."

Julie-su grumbled and moved her head around to make herself comfortable, "I was hoping to play."

Knuckles removed his gloves and gently rubbed her shoulders, "Calm your mind! Let the sounds of nature fill you."

Julie-su skin seamed to melt under his touch. She closed her eyes and let the sounds of the surrounding forest fill her mind, "This is nice."

"Peace has become rare on this island as of late. I remember when the days and nights on this island was quiet and lonely. Now it is crazy and crowded."

"Do you prefer the loneliness?"

"I did at first, but not anymore!"