(A/N) He he, a late post. Sorry I haven't updated in a while. There's a little Sonamy in this chap. But don't read too heavily into it. Things can always change in the land of Fan Fiction. Oh, and if I don't get another opportunity to update this month, I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas.

"Sonic! Sonic are you here?" Tails quickly entered his workshop, tired from his manual trip. The distance between the island and here seemed to be double what it was in the Tornado.

"Sonic!" Tails jumped and maneuvered around the clutter of gadgets to Sonic's favorite resting spot. To his dismay, Sonic was nowhere to be found. The fox boy raised a wearisome sigh. What was he suppose to do? Should he return to the island or wait for Sonic to return? "Why can't you just be here?" Tails clenched his fist slightly annoyed and distressed. If something wasn't done soon, heaven only knows what could happen to Amy. And what about that mystic jewel? Could it be used for evil? Was it evil?

Tails turned to his desk to wait a while for Sonic. There wasn't much else he could do. He was too tired to try and run back right now, and without Sonic, well, he didn't have the courage to face what could be out there.

The minutes seem to pass like hours and Tails soon became restless. Tails groaned a bit as he looked up at the clock.

"Please Sonic," He quietly pleaded, "Get here."

"But Tails," The kitsune jumped at the voice that had sounded behind him. "I am here."

"How did you...When did you..?"

"The fastest thing alive, remember? Now what do you need." Sonic's over confidence made Tails feel a bit better. If anyone could handle this situation, it was Sonic. Tails stood to face the blue hero and relay the story as best he could.

"Sonic, Amy and Knuckles..."

"Amy and Knuckles, huh?" Sonic let a small grin grip his lips, "Let me guess, Amy fell into the well and 'Lassie' can't get her out." Sonic's laughter quickly faded as he noticed the distress in his friend's features. "Tails...?"

"This isn't funny Sonic, Amy has been kidnaped and the island has fallen."

"WHAT!"

"It's all due to this strange gem Amy..."

"What do you mean Amy's been kidnaped?" Not much of a surprise here, but definitely unwanted news.

"Sonic, you're really going to have to listen to everything I'm going to tell you."

"What else is there to know," Making sure Tails was following, and keeping up, Sonic started making his way back to the workshop hanger. "We'll stop Eggman in his..."

"Sonic, wait!"

Sonic quickly halted. "Amy wasn't taken by Eggman this time," Finally having his friends full attention, "She was kidnaped by some shadow like creature thing."

"Shadow?"

"No, shadow-like."

"As in, it wasn't Shadow that took her?"

"I Don't Know Who Took Her, but we need to get back to the island with Knuckles. And the Tornado's gone."

"I'm there." Sonic speed out the workshop door before Tails had a chance to blink.

Hold on Amy. Racing over the land that separated him from the island's position, Sonic allowed his mind to drift ever so slightly. Perhaps he should have listened to Tails fully, not that it mattered, he'd learn of it soon enough. Whatever was going on, he'd get to the bottom of it, and once again save the day and Amy...Amy. Its been quite sometime since he spoke to her last. Was she still upset about the whole park thing?

Sonic shook his mind clear of the thought and focused on the trail before him. It wasn't long, however, before that day in the park resurfaced itself to him.

For years Amy had been chasing him, calling him, hugging him randomly from nowhere. Today that might all end. It would end...

Sonic had asked Amy to meet him in Station Square City Park under the old oka tree. Such a stupid place to set a meeting, especially considering the conversation he hoped to have with her. Sonic walked the path leading to the middle of the park, head down, deep in thought.

Did he really want to say this? Part of him was ready to let Amy know she loved in vain, another part...well he wasn't sure what that part wanted, but it wasn't this.

He came in sight of his destination to see Amy waiting for him, swooning over him.

"Just go in there and say it Sonic." His own words of encourage felt empty and useless. But this was what he wanted wasn't it? Amy to leave him alone.

Not alone, but as a friend? That's what he wanted, or a part of him.

Sonic came up behind Amy to catching her giggle about initials carved in the tree in front of her. As her gaze met his, a small wave of panic over took him. Her smile faded.

"Sonic? Is something wrong?"

His face displayed an unidentifiable look. He wasn't pleased, that was for sure, but he wasn't upset either. He was torn. Something in him did like Amy, not because of the attention she gave him or her pretty looks. He liked her for her friendliness, her compassion, her cute temper, well almost cute, and her smile, the one he just took away.

"Amy," Sonic broke the silence as he stepped toward her. How was he going to tell her. She really did care for him, but the feeling just wasn't mutual. He loved her more as a sister, a platonic love, nothing more. Right? A sister. She couldn't mean more to him then that. He wasn't a hopeless romantic, because he had Amy...wait that's not what he meant, because he didn't need her...

He didn't want to hurt her this way, but she was getting just a bit too attached to him. This made him rather uncomfortable and uneasy with the thought of one day snapping at her.

"I know what a good friend you really are. And that's how I'd like to keep it, friendship, but know I...I'm here for you, and that I do care about you."

Amy didn't take the news like he'd hoped. Anger, maybe a few tears, but what she said next was totally unexpected.

"I'm a fool for ever liking you."

The waters were approaching fast. The wind blowing past her, making it almost impossible to see her wet fate. Even if she did survive the impact, the island was sure to crush her below.

Terror clung to her. Too frightened to scream, too hopeless to believe there was a way out of this. Tossing in the air, the shadow of the island cast over her, Amy lifted a silent prayer as she readied herself for what surely would be her last moments.

Suddenly, as if time were standing still, Amy felt her body stop in mid-fall. She was being suspended in air, but by what? Amy opened her eyes. Everything had stopped.

From below her, the corundum was glowing, illuminating the water, and apparently holding her and the island still in time. Slowly gravity began to take hold again and Amy easily drifted down to the waters below. Angel Island followed the same pattern, allowing Amy time to swim from out under it. The island, nevertheless, caused decently high waves to form. Amy was thrown violently by the rough waters.

Just now arriving on the scene, Sonic watched as Amy struggled to keep her head above water. A pain like no other gripped Sonic's heart as he watched her battle the only enemy he couldn't take on.

"AMY!"

Sonic observed as Amy went down, she never returned to his sight.

She could hear it. His call. So raw with emotion. Sonic. Was he crying out for her?

"I'm Coming, Amy!" Without a moment's hesitation, Sonic found himself diving into the water after Amy. Nothing was going to stop him from getting to her. He gave his all to make his way to were she sank.

The sea quickly took its toll on Sonic. Never did he image of making it this far without drowning. The water over took him as he lowered himself. He could see almost nothing, not to mention the burning from the salt. Before being forced to shut his eye, Sonic caught a glimpse of the light radiating off the gem. Paddling, stroking, and flopping, Sonic fought his way to Amy. Nothing mattered more then saving her at this point.

Reaching out in blindness, Sonic finally took hold of something. Amy's wrist! She as well knew what had taken hold of her and pulled herself close to the one she loved.

Not truly knowing up or down at this point, Sonic felt disoriented and confused. His oxygen was running out, and doubtlessly so was Amy's. Sonic began swimming, well more like flaring about in desperation.

This situation was all too familiar to Amy. Wrapping tightly around Sonic's middle, Amy began to aid him by kicking for him. The two picked up speed for what hopefully was the surface. Braking though the liquid, Sonic and Amy filled their lungs with much needed air.

Coming onto the sea and the fallen island, Tails was horrified to see Sonic struggling in the water.

"Hold on Sonic!" Tails rapidly spun his tails to reach the friend he so loved. As he got closer, Tails could now see Amy trying to help Sonic swim back to the island. Tails came in and scooped up Sonic.

"I'll be back for you, Amy." He called over his shoulder. Tails felt slightly torn for choosing between two friends, but he knew Amy could swim and had a better chance to keep above the water.

Once reaching land, Tails gently placed the waterlogged Sonic down. Knuckles ran up to join him.

"I'm going back for Amy." Tails speed off back over the water leaving Knuckle to give Sonic a good look over.

"I feel like I've been flushed down a toilet."

"Be glad that's all you feel like, you could have drowned."

"Has Tails got Amy yet?"

Knuckles looked back out over the sea.

"He's almost got her." Knuckles rolled his eyes to the look of relief forming on Sonic's face. It was so obvious the two had feelings for each other, why Sonic tried to deny it was beyond him.

Tails had now taken up Amy and was bringing her back to the others. Once back on the island, Amy couldn't help but give a cheerful cry for Sonic's safety.

"I'm so glad your okay!" Amy rushed to hug Sonic and was surprised to get a small squeeze back. But as quickly as she had found his warm embrace, Sonic had pushed her away.

"Water, eh? You really need to find a safer way of getting into trouble, Ames." The oxymoron brought a smile to her face. Sonic did care. He had to care. He's done so much for her, always there when she needed him. That day in the park, it couldn't be how he really felt, could it?

"Amy, how did you get away from that thing?" Amy snapped out of her thoughts at the sound of Tails' voice.

"Well, he kinda just dropped me off in front of the Master Emerald."

"Who did?" Sonic cut in.

"I'm not sure."

"How can you not know who kidnaped you?" Knuckles folded his arms and grunted.

"He didn't kidnap me," Confusion was apparent on every face. "I willingly went with him."

"I don't get it." Knuckles unfolded his arms and started back for the writings he indicated earlier. "You guys can head back to the altar, start a fire or something."

"Where are you going?" Tails questioned.

"To look for some writing." Knuckles ran off without another word.

Sonic looked over at Amy. She was shaking a bit, most-likely cold from the water. "Let's get that fire started, then you two can tell me whats going on around here."

Once the fire was started and the three-some were settled in, Amy began to relay her story in full. From the news report to the island losing control, Amy told everything. Well, all but her feelings for Sonic. She didn't want him to know how torn inside she was from their last meeting. She also left out some of the information about the person. She gave the best description she could of him, but left out how she seemed to know him.

"Hmm," Sonic pondered the story. Something about the whole situation seemed awkward. He wanted to get this guy, especially for taking Amy. Yet, it didn't seem to make sense how the darkened figure was doing what he was.

Tails, too, was befuddled by the events. "Do you think he could be using a form of chaos control, Sonic?"

"I don't think so."

"Could the gem be another stone with magical powers?"

"Maybe, but how come we've never seen one until now?" Sonic rose from his seated position. "Well we'll never find out just sitin' here."

"But Sonic," Amy protested, "We can't even get to the gem, it sank remember?"

"How could I forget." Sonic took off for the newly formed coast of the island, Tails and Amy followed suit.

Beating the other two, Sonic looked out over the waters that had tried to claim him. It was getting late. And though not dark, the sun was beginning to set. The ray of colors danced on top the water causing Sonic to sigh. "Beautiful."

Shaking the desire to day-dream, Sonic's eyes skimmed the water trying to pin-point the location of the fallen gem. Soon, Amy and Tails arrived at the beach slightly out of breath.

"Its gotta be out there somewhere." Sonic stated as his friends joined him at his side.

"Yeah, but how are we going to find it?"

"And in the dark?"

Sonic fixed his sights out. "Tails, think you could fly out there and try to spot in from above."

"Sure thing."

Sonic watched as his young friend, mainly a brother, headed out. If the mysterious gem was still glowing, they may have hope of finding it.

Amy's stare, though worried about Tails and the gem, was fixed on Sonic. What did he think of this mess? Did he really care about her? Amy let here gaze fall. How she just wanted to spill how she felt about him. Why couldn't he just love her? What did she lack? Was it because she wasn't good enough, she always found trouble, couldn't keep his interest or entertain him?

Sonic could feel a bit of discomfort between them, but didn't know what to do to ease it. There was some kind of wedge between them, that was for sure. A part of him wanted to make Amy feel better, and yet another wanted to portend this moment wasn't happening. He wanted to hold her, yet push her away. Speak to her, but ignore her annoying cries. Shun her , redo that day in the park when he hurt her. Didn't hurt her, just told her how I felt.

Sonic side glanced at Amy to see her saddened face. She was now focusing on Tails' mission, but it was apparent she was internally upset.

Perhaps he could try to say something, anything, just to lighten the mood. After all, she had been through a lot the past couple of weeks. He at least owed her that.