Author's Notes: Due to a change in work pattern I was delayed from the story. Sorry for the inconvenience and please R&R if you have any advice.
Chapter 10: On My Terms
X.x.x. Outskirts of New Mobotropolis, en route to Amy's house 6:00 a.m. .x.x.X
The crunch of gravel adds to the ambience of birds as Amy makes her way down a road she hasn't went down in a long time to her long vacant home. Along the way, a small war is raging her mind between the part of her that misses her friends and the cold persona she created to in her two months away.
I can do this, first it's wrong and second they are still our friends. I got to go back…
The persona scoffs
… And prove to the you are still the same girl they wanted to remove from the team. There's a reason you spent the past two months busting your ass to become a better you. You don't need the freedom fighters anymore, if thing go according to plan this will be the last week we ever have to see them again...
The mental argument is cut short as she is struck dumb with silence as she is amazed at the pristine state of her home. The small pink house looks as if the hands of time never touched the abode. From lawn to the gutters and even her flower garden is as well kept as the day she left. upon further investigation, she finds a clue as to how it was all possible. In the flower bed kneels a young rabbit accompanied by a chao.
Amy walks towards the rabbit who upon seeing it was her close friend Cream shines a smile so warm it melts the hardened heart of the pink hedgehog.
"AMY, you're back!" Cream hops up and runs to her close friend and hugs her tightly. "I knew you would come back."
"Yeah," Amy has mix of joy with the spectre of guilt "I'm back." She then looks to the well kept garden and is left in awe "Have you been coming over here every day?"
"Yep we sure have, Mr. Antoine and Mr. Rotor helped with the heavy stuff but Me, Cheese, and mama took care of your garden while you were gone." a sad look makes Amy dread her next question. "Why did you go away without telling us?" her eyes begin to well with tears "Without at least telling me?"
Amy struggles to speak until the voice of Vanilla, Creams mother, cuts her off.
"Cream, honey, we have to go soon, you have to be ready for..." she is caught by surprise at the sight of an Amy who has returned a different girl from when she left "Amy, my god, it has been a long time. I am so happy to see you are well." In the few seconds she took talking, Vanilla's motherly instincts kick as she reads the hidden look of distress from the young Amy.
"Cream, I think Amy needs some time to get herself established. We can come over and visit then, okay honey."
"Okay, I'll see you around Amy, take care." the rabbit then goes to get her chao. Before she leaves, Vanilla gives a knowing look to Amy.
"If you need anything, you know where I am. Do take care of yourself." then she turns to join her daughter. Now left with just her thoughts, Amy is left again with her own thoughts.
(Good goin' Amy, what a fine mess you got yourself into. How do you plan on fixing this.)
With a heavy sigh, the both physically and emotionally drained hedgehog finally enters her house.
X.x.x. At Freedom H.Q. Infirmary, 1 hour ago .x.x.X
Among the various conversations and infirmary ambience the faint ringing of the little black flip phone begins silence the group one by one. Sonic grabs the phone and prepares to throw it, but stops and takes a deep breath. After regaining his composure, he opens the phone and answers the call to meet the no longer auto-toned voice of the Slayer.
"What in the hell could you possibly want now."
A fit of laughter could be heard from the other end "Whew! good to know that fire wasn't stomped out. I was almost worried you were really hurt in our little..."
"WILL YOU GET TO THE POINT OR JUST SHUT THE HELL UP!"
"Sure thing, to make a long story short, I felt the fight went by way too fast." a light chuckle breaks his line of speech "To be honest, the fight kinda sucked." Sonic pulls from the phone and shoots a glare that could cut stone in half.
"Are you really just calling to say that..."
"Oh no way, to be honest, neither one of use really showed our true capabilities in that fight. I feel we could get a lot more out of us if we sit down and properly introduce ourselves. We will meet at..." Sonic interrupts with a cold laugh.
"YEAH RIGHT, do you take me for a fool. first, what makes you think I'll accept to meet you in first place? Second, what makes you think I dumb enough to meet you in secluded area for you to ambush me."
"Because not only, in your heart of hearts, I know you wanna look the guy who wrecked your night in the eye but because also the location has one of seven very important jewels that could ruin life as we know it on display at one of three museums." Sonic's blood runs cold "I don't think you want a thing like that in my hands, right hero ?" Sonic is caught dead to rights knowing he has no choice but to play along. With this in mind, Sonic takes a deep breath.
"Alright, Where?"
"The meeting will be at the Paradise Coast beach bar known as the 'Treasure of Paradise' cantina. I will meet you there at noon, the place has the best..."
"And if I don't show..."
"Oh, then I'll just treat it like any other Monday. I end up buying some good local food, drink several mojitos, and then I go steal a chaos emerald. but part of me knows I will see you then, Au Revoir." with silence now emitting from the phone, Sonic snaps the phone shut.
"How fast can we get to Paradise Coast ?" Sonic ask aloud.
Sally begins to smile "Give me til seven, we can be there by nine." As Sonic stands and begins to pull off the sensors the team begins to make the preparations for the next showdown...
X.x.x. Amy's House .x.x.X
A melodic chime snaps her from her memories. Amy pulls her phone out to see the caller wad Rouge. She takes a few seconds of battling with herself before finally answering.
"Hello, Rose speaking."
"Amy, it's Rouge, I have some important news. We just received word from the slayer." An uneasy feeling grows in her gut (How is he still standing after the hell I put him through.) suddenly she snap back into focus and responds.
"I heard you, what was said ?"
"He wants to meet Sonic face to face in a location he has picked. I am tasked with a different research and recon mission so I can't go. I was hoping to...
"Have me act as G.U.N's support and go with them." Amy pauses for a moment and steels herself. "Sorry, but I can't..."
"You mean won't, Amy please this team needs help, they need you."
"No Rouge, what needs me is this house. I have a lot of work to do so I'll see you around" with that she cuts the call and pulls the battery out of her phone. She the quietly goes to a closet and grabs a few supplies as she quietly begins the few task she had...
