Sonic eXcluded
I do not own Sonic, Tails, Amy etc. Douglas Smicktor is my character, so you no use.
Intro
"The new Emerald Coast resort sounds like the perfect place to get away from it all!" Amy said, looking at the leaflet in her hand as if it was one of the most important documents she'd ever received in her life. "You can hang out at the beach! Or float around in the crystal-clear ocean all day long! Then dine as you watch the spectacular sunset!"
The pink hedgehog sighed happily.
"It sounds absolutely romantic! I wish we were going to the opening party…" She said to the rest of the room.
The group were in Chuck's garage, preparing the Tornado X for the trip ahead. Cream and Cheese were helping Mr. Tanaka pack items into the Tornado X's cargo hold, while Tails readjusted some controls. Sonic was taking a rest on top of a metal storage crate, while Knuckles watched everyone with a look of confusion on his face. This idea of 'Taking a holiday' was very confusing to him. He preferred to stay here and stand guard for the Chaos Emerald in the C.R.A.P.
"We'll have fun at the Thorndyke's villa…" Cream said, looking at Cheese. "Are you ready Cheese?"
"Chao! Chao!" Was the reply from the Chao.
"I'm ready too guys!" Tails stated. "My flight plan will take us straight to the Emerald Coast."
"Just make sure that no ones sees you Master Tails." Tanaka stated. "The Tornado X has attracted a large amount of media attention."
"They'll be fine!" Chuck stated. "No one will see them as long as they stay in the grounds of the villa."
Suddenly, the side door into the garage opened up, and in stormed a very sour-looking and annoyed Douglas, followed by a concerned Ella, who was carrying a suit.
"I don't care!" Douglas stated. "I am NOT wearing that thing!"
"But Douglas!" Ella exclaimed, "This is a formal occasion!"
"I don't care if it's the damn Oscars! There is NO WAY I am going to be seen dead OR otherwise in that thing!"
"Douglas, you know this is an important resort opening!" Chuck scolded. "And since neither your father or mother can make it…"
"Step-Father and Step-mother!" Douglas corrected. "And don't try the guilt-trip with me! It doesn't work!"
"…They need you to go in their place." Chuck finished, ignoring the interruption. "I'm sure you won't have to stay long, and afterwards you can join the others at the villa!"
"Beaches. Yay for me." Douglas said sarcastically. "I hate fancy parties, I hate suits, I hate beaches…" He glanced at the people around him. "…And since you all seem to think that this is wonderful, I really despise you lot right now."
"Oh come on!" Chuck stated. "It's not that bad. You could even give Sonic a swimming lesion."
"You guys go on without me." The hedgehog said, looking at the other through half-opened eyes. "I'm staying right here."
The statement from the blue hedgehog shocked all of those in the room, bar Douglas and Knuckles.
"Sonic!" Amy exclaimed. "You mean you're not coming with us?"
In reply, Sonic jumped of the crate he was on. "Sorry, but I've gotta juice!" He said, before speeding out of the garage and down the road, leaving only a blue trail behind him.
"Guess Mister Sonic doesn't want to go the beach…" Cream said, a little sad.
"Wow." Douglas stated. "My respect for him has just gone up by one point."
"What's it on now?" Knuckles questioned.
"Three and a half points. Still two below that table I knocked over yesterday."
"That was you?" Ella questioned.
"Why doesn't Sonic want to go to the Emerald Coast with you guys?" Chuck asked.
"It must be because he's afraid of water." Amy suggested. "He won't go near the ocean because he can't swim.
"Oh yeah…" Douglas said, remembering the first time he met Sonic – saving him from drowning in the pool. "Almost forgot about that.
"But Sonic doesn't have to swim." Tails stated. "He could go running on the beach."
"It's not going to be as much fun without Sonic." Amy sighed.
Their thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the car honking. Outside the garage, Tanaka and Ella were in the car.
"Douglas!" Ella called. "We have to leave now or we'll be late for the ceremony!"
"Perish the thought." Douglas stated, rolling his eyes.
"Have a good time Mister Douglas!" Cream said, waving happily.
"Chao Chao-Chao!" Cheese added.
The purple-haired human sighed, shaking his head. He was going to hate today, and he knew it. "I'll see you guys later…" He grumbled.
"Okay!" Amy replied. "Don't be long!"
"See you later!" Tails said.
"And don't be nervous!" Amy added. "That opening party will be just fine!"
"…I hope you all suffer lingering and lonely deaths." Douglas stated, a sense of utter contempt for these animals now taking over, before turning and walking over the car and getting into the back seats.
"Uh, he didn't mean that!" Chuck quickly stated. "Now you guys better get ready to leave. Hopefully anyone watching us will be distracted by Douglas leaving."
"Okay!" Tails stated. "Everyone get ready!"
The Tornado X's engine's revved up, and its wings folded out, locking into place. Tails was strapped into the pilot's seat, with Amy behind him, and Cheese in the front of the rear passenger seats, with Cheese in her lap.
From the grass beside Chuck's lab, Knuckles and Chuck looked on. The 'retired' inventor pushed a button on a small control pad in his hand, which caused the palm trees along the side of the road leading up to the lab to tilt away from the road, leaving a clear pathway for the jet-plane.
"Next stop: Emerald Coast!" Tails announced. "Hold on tight!"
With that said, the Tornado X began to move down the makeshift runway, speeding down it. Even though they were safely behind glass inside the 'plane, all of the animals seemed to feel the force of the acceleration, with fur on their heads being forced to hand backwards as if caught in a strong breeze. This seemed to slightly worry Amy, Cream and Cheese more than Tails, who was used to it.
"Here we go!" Tails stated, pulling back on his control sticks, causing the Tornado to lift off the road, and begin to head skyward. The passengers looked out and down at the ground below them, enjoying the view.
"Guess it's just you and me." Chuck stated, looking at the Echidna.
Knuckles nodded in reply. "Unless that hedgehog comes back, which I doubt will be for a long time."
"…I say we raid the fridge." The elderly human announced, before quickly running towards the main house.
"HEY!" Knuckles stated, turning and chasing after him. "You better not touch those grapes!"
In the Thorndyke car, Douglas was listening to music from his CD player, while Mr. Tanaka drove, and Ella took up the front passenger seat. Or at least, he did for a moment, before he heard something other than rock music in his ears. Pulling out his earphones, he tried to identify the source of the sound. It didn't take long, as he looked behind him.
He followed the Tornado X, as it flew above the car, and then off into the distance. Douglas couldn't help but smirk at the sight.
"Master Douglas." Mr. Tanaka stated, a very serious tone in his voice. "Remember that you are representing the Thorndyke family on this trip."
"Yes Sir." Douglas replied, giving a mock salute. "Yeah, I'll represent…"
Sonic smiled, staring up at the sky. It had only taken him a few moments to arrive here, and he was already enjoying the peace and tranquillity of the isolated field he was lying in. Around him was thick, lush grass, beautiful wild flowers, mountains in the distance, and a small forest nearby.
"Who needs the ocean?" Sonic said to himself, picking up a small flower, and taking in its scent.
Episode 9 - Sun, Surf and Strife
Part 1
It had only been about half an hour since the Tornado X had landed at the Thorndyke Villa at the Emerald Coast, and already the furry crew were enjoying themselves and the swimwear especially bought for the occasion.
Cream was having fun playing with Cheese in the water, who was in a Chao-sized rubber ring. Tails was having just as much fun using his swimming skills. Unlike Sonic, the kistune had no problems with hydrogen-two-oxygen, and was an accomplished swimmer. Amy was content with using a pair of swimming goggles, and was examining the underwater sights. The many fish swimming about were more than a little freaked out by the sight of the pink hedgehog.
Amy burst through the surface of the water, taking a big mouthful of air.
"This place is unbelievable!" Amy stated.
"It sure is!" Tails replied. "I'm really glad we came."
"And we'll have even more fun when Mister Douglas gets here!" Cream stated.
Not that far away from the Thorndyke Villa, at The Français Appelé Hotel, there was a large party atmosphere. The grounds just behind the hotel were full of men in suits, and women in expensive dresses. Some of the most influential, important, and well-known people in the country had been invited.
It was looking like this was the most important event of the year so far, with camera crews, photographers and journalists everywhere, taking all sorts of notes.
All the more reason for Douglas to be worried. However, he wasn't. In fact, he was actually enjoying himself. He'd never lied so much in his life, and gotten away with it!
"Oh you have no idea!" Douglas, dressed in a tuxedo with a purple shirt and blue tie, said, shaking the hand of the person he had just been introduced to. "I've always loved your work!"
"Oh, you are too kind Mr. Thorndyke." The man replied. "Please send my regards to your father."
"It would be a pleasure." Douglas said.
"Mr. Thorndyke!" Another voice called, to which Douglas turned to. "Please, allow me to introduce…"
"It seems Douglas is really getting into this." Ella stated.
"Just as long as we keep him away from the free wine." Tanaka stated.
"…I heard that you're a professional wrestler." A lady finished speaking.
"I do the odd match." Douglas joked. "I work for the Station Squared Circled company back in Station Square."
"Oh yes! That nice man Mr. Stuart was just telling me."
"…Really…" Douglas said, fearing the worst.
"That's him, over there." She pointed to a man standing next to a lady, both of whom were familiar to Douglas.
"Well, I must have a chat with them…" Douglas stated.
"I still say this is a bad idea." Topaz stated.
"What could possibly be wrong?" Stuart asked. "We've got some agents watching the villa, and we can keep an eye on Douglas here. It's perfect."
"I still don't like it."
"You're just mad because you have to wear that dress." Stuart stated.
"Duh." Topaz mocked. "Did it take you this long to figure it out?"
Stuart was dressed up in a dark suit, not all that different from what he usually wore. Topaz was, reluctantly, in a long blue dress, and had a disgusted look about her towards the whole event.
"Oh no." Topaz said.
"What now?" Stuart questioned.
"Douglas, that's what."
"…Oh." Stuart said, seeing that Douglas was heading towards them.
"What a surprise!" Douglas lied as he approached them. "And what brings you to this event?" He said, looking at Stuart.
"The, uh, the owner of S.S.C. couldn't make it, so I'm standing in for him!" He said, quickly making up an excuse.
"Oh really?" Douglas replied, unimpressed, before looking at Topaz.
"Of course! I mean, as the Chief of Staff, I have several duties…"
Douglas wasn't listening to him, instead turning his attention to the lady in the blue dress.
"Miss Topaz…" He said. "I didn't think you were the type for this kind of attire."
"I'm not, but Stuart insisted that for this occasion I put this on." She replied.
"Same here. Although I must say, you do you good in it."
She blushed, not expecting the compliment, but not rejecting it. "Uh… Yeah, well, you look good as well, Douglas."
He smiled, extending his hand. "What's you say about dumping creepy here and start having a good time?"
"Gladly." She smiled back, still blushing.
"…That's not mentioning all the paperwork that I have to work my way through on a daily basis, but I'm sure you were aware of that, right?" Stuart finally finished speaking. "Right?" He said, noticing that Douglas and Topaz were nowhere to be seen. "Huh? Where'd they go?"
If he'd been paying attention, he would have seen that they had walked off, together, far way from him.
Amy smiled, walking along the bright sand between the grass of the palm tree forest to her right, and the water of the ocean to her left. She'd decided to take a break from playing in the water with the others, and a leisurely stroll seemed to be just what she needed. Plus, it gave her a chance to try out her new pink sandals, a perfect match to her red top and skirt with yellow hearts on.
'Lovely…' She thought to herself, looking out at the calm sea. 'I just wish Sonic was here to enjoy this with me.'
She sighed; closing her eyes and thinking about all the happy moments the two could be having right now.
In her mind, Amy saw that having to chase after her love as he ran away from her as if she was plague incarnate was no longer the case. Instead, their chases would be fun games. The pink hedgehog imagined that she would help her blue hero overcome his fear of water. She'd help him learn to swim. She could see it now, pulling her beloved hedgehog along the water, as he was safely in a giant rubber ring to keep him afloat.
Oh yes, she could see it now…
The sunset was a thing of beauty to behold. The sun's dying glow lit up the water, giving it a golden glow, unlike anything seen before. It made everything look warm and pleasant. This only added to the romantic feeling in the air.
It was the perfect end to a perfect day for the pink hedgehog.
"Wasn't today just the greatest?" Amy asked, looking at the blue hedgehog sitting beside her.
"Alright, I'll admit it." Sonic replied. "I didn't think it would be as much fun here on the beach, but I was wrong."
"I told you so." Amy said, a smile coming across her face.
"I don't know how you talked me into it Ames." He said.
"It was nothing…"
"Actually, I do know." Sonic then said.
"Huh? Why's that?"
Sonic sighed, looking at his feet, before back at Amy. "Truth is…" He began to say. "I don't think I can ever really say no to you Amy."
"Sonic?"
"What I'm trying to say is…"
Amy looked, blinking, as her blue hero intended his hand to her.
"Amy Rose, I… I think…"
Amy gulped, slowly putting her hand into his. She had a feeling, but no, he isn't going to say what she hoped he would say, would he?
"I…" Sonic continued to try and say what he was meaning. "I think I love you Amy."
Amy blushed, the bottom of her eyes begging to well up with tears of joy.
"Sonikku…" She whispered.
She then saw Sonic was leaning towards her, his eyes half closed, not looking away from her for a moment. And before she knew it, she was lost in a world of absolute bliss, as their lips connected in the kiss she had always dreamed of.
And was dreaming of now.
"It would be so romantic!" She thought out loud, the visions of the kiss filling her mind as she continued to walk. "We'd be so happy!"
Amy wasn't so happy, when she was suddenly struck in the head, which caused her to fall flat on her face into the sand.
After a few seconds, she growled, turning her head to look at whatever had dared to do that to her. She found the culprit, a coconut, which had just fallen out a tree hanging overhead. The pink hedgehog got up, looking down angrily at it.
"You…" She said through gritted teeth, as she picked up the coconut. "You… YOU JUST RUINED MY FANTASY!" She roared, turning and throwing it across the ocean in frustration.
She then panted for a few moments, the anger seeping through her. Suddenly, she regained calmness, laughing to herself.
"Even thinking about my Sonikku can make me crazy!" She joked.
The coconut travelled over the water, before skimming across the waves. Something quite interesting then occurred. The coconut collided with something round and pink that sticking out of the water. The nut flew upwards from the impact, before falling down into the waves behind the obstruction. On the pink thing, a small bruise-like lump the appeared from it, exactly where the coconut had collided with it. Then the pink-thing, which also had a strange red porthole with green glass sticking out from it's top, dived beneath the waves, out of sight.
Amy did not notice this, as her attention was drawn to the sounds of laughter not that far away from her. She turned to look ahead, and saw some human couples were sitting on some rocks just a little away from her.
"Oh, you're so wonderful Henry!" The female of the couple that had been laughing said.
"No, you are Eileen." The male replied.
Hearing this only made Amy sad, as she wished she could be happy with Sonic.
"SONIKKU!" She called out to the ocean. "WHERE ARE YOU?"
Of course, no reply came. The only sounds she heard back where the squawks from the seagulls flying above the ocean.
Deflated, Amy decided to continue walking along the beach, but with less of a spring in her step than before. By doing this, she heard more of the conversation between the two humans.
"It's so nice to get away from the city out here…" The human called Henry said.
"I know what you mean." Eileen replied. "Especially from that boring apartment…"
"It wasn't so boring when Walter…"
"I thought we agreed not to talk about that?" She interrupted, a playful scolding look on her face.
"Sorry Miss Gavin…" He replied jokingly.
"Henry, I made something for you…" Eileen said, as she reached into her pink handbag, which Amy, who was now hiding behind the rock just next to the couple.
"For me?" Henry replied, sounding very surprised.
"It's nothing really, but I want you to have it…" She said, holding out her hand. "It's a lucky charm, for when you go into the water."
Amy could see that the charm was a piece of woven string, which had little pink shells all around it.
"Wow… Thank you!" The man replied, taking it. "I'll always ware it, and think of you…"
Seeing this triggered an idea in Amy's head. All she needed to do was find some string and some shells…
"No, everything's fine here Knuckles." Tails said, speaking into the 'phone. "What about you? … What's that? … You've ordered out for more Grape-Juice and grapes, and Chuck's ordered a case of wine? … Don't you guys think that it would be better not to do that? … Knuckles, all I'm trying to say that is you tend to get a little, 'giddy', after you've had a lot of grapes! … Huh? Oh, Douglas is still at the party thing, and Cream and Cheese have been building a sandcastle down at the beach in front of the villa. … Amy? She's been busy making something…" Tails said, looking over the barrier and down at the patio below.
The twin-tailed fox could see the pink hedgehog sitting on a sun-lounger, as she had been for the past half-hour since she got back from her walk along the beach. She was holding up a bracelet thing she'd made herself out of string and shells, and was examining it in the light.
"…I dunno, maybe it's a girl thing." Tails stated. "Okay, I'll talk to you later. Let me know if Sonic gets back." He added, before hanging up, and heading downstairs to see what was up.
"I wonder what Sonic would say…" Amy thought out loud, while looking at her work.
"Who's that for Miss Amy?" Cream asked, as she and Cheese suddenly popped up in Amy's line of sight.
"Uh…" Amy quickly put the charm behind her back. "Oh, nobody…"
"You didn't make that for Mister Sonic, did you?" The rabbit asked innocently.
"No! Of course not!" Amy stated.
"Hey guys!" Tails greeted, walking onto the patio.
"Hello Mister Tails." Cream's attention suddenly switched to the kitsune.
"Chao-ao!" Cheese greeted.
"Uh, hi Tails." Amy said, still trying to hard the charm.
"What'cha got there Amy?" Tails asked, noticing Amy was hiding something.
"Miss Amy made a pretty bracelet for Mister Sonic!" Cream answered for her.
"Ah." Tails said. "Should've guessed that myself."
"What do you mean?" Amy asked, a little annoyed at the tone Tails used.
"Who else would you make something for?" The fox stated, shrugging his shoulders. "It's obviously going to be for Sonic."
"I don't just do things for Sonic!" Amy said.
"But the things you DO for him matter more, right?"
Amy had no reply for that. Tails hit the target with that one.
"Figures." Tails said, turning away.
"Why did you make that for Mister Sonic?" Cream asked.
"Well, I guess…" Amy started to explain, before something caught her attention.
'Tails?' Amy thought. 'Did I just hear Tails sigh?'
None of the furries had time to think about anything else. A huge thunderous noise grabbed their attention.
"CHAO!" Cheese called out in alarm, pointing into the distance.
The rest looked to where the Chao was motioning to, and saw the source of the sound.
Over in the distance, at the hotel where the opening party was being held, a huge tower of smoking was coming up from the ground.
The explosion was large and scary, and sent many of the guests running for their lives from the smoke that was rising from the ground.
"What was that?" Douglas said, very concerned at what had just happened.
"This can't be good." Topaz stated.
She was right, as through the thing that had caused the smoke emerged. A large, pink sphere with green 'porthole' eyes, and blue tentacles with sharp red spears on the ends. Someone quite familiar to Topaz and Douglas accompanied this. He was hovering above the creature in his Egg-Pod.
"Eggman!" Topaz and Douglas exclaimed.
"You people had the nerve not to invite me to this fancy party did they?" The Doctor announced. "Well, that's fine by me! With the help of my E-38, I intend to transform the Emerald Coast into MY kind of resort! All right Octoron! Show these people how we put the 'ON' in demolitiON!"
With the command given, E-38 sent out one of its speared tentacles out, striking into a nearby by boat, innocently moored up by the hotel. The spear created a large hole in the boat, visible as the tentacle quickly pulled out, only to strike another hole, before it pulled out again, before crashing down onto it. The boat splintered in half, sinking below the waves.
This was enough to send the rest of the guests into a complete panic, as they rushed to flee from the carnage that ensued. This wasn't helped by the fact that Octoron sent another boat flying upwards and over the party area, crashing into the side of the hotel.
"They don't teach us to handle this in Army Camp." Topaz stated, shocked by what she saw.
"You're in the military?" Douglas asked.
"Master Douglas!" Tanaka called, as he and Ella ran up to them. "I suggest that a honourable retreat is in order!"
"Sounds good to me!" Douglas replied.
"Wait! Where's Stuart?" Topaz asked.
"Hello base!" Stuart said, speaking into the radio of his car, which he had gotten into moments after hearing the first explosion go off. "We have a serious level Code Red situation at the Emerald Coast! I believe Eggman is attempting an assault!"
"Copy that…" A voice on the other end of the radio replied. "What is your and Topaz's situation."
"I am currently fleeing, uh, I mean, making a tactical retreat to another location, as not to jeopardise my position."
"And Topaz is with you, yes?"
"…" Stuart suddenly realised something. "AH! SHE'S NOT HERE!"
"…Sorry, I didn't quite catch that…" The radio said. "Could you please repeat…"
"Topaz has been captured by the enemy, repeat! She's been captured by Eggman!"
"Uh… So… We can assume that… Smicktor-Thorndyke has also been captured then?"
"…DEAR GOD! THIS IS WORSE THAN WHEN I WAS IN CHARGE OF COUNTING THE FLORIDA VOTES FOR THE ELECTION!"
"Alright!" Eggman said, pleased at the work his E-38 was doing. "It's time to bring out my Eggman Corporation E-39 Deconstruction crew!"
Directly out of the water came a legion of robots. Each was of a red square shape, with a single wheel for movement. They had four arms, the lower of which had a tool on the end – a hammer on the lower left, and a drill on the lower right. The upper arms both had claws on them. These robots were also decorated with a white workers 'hard-hat', which only let small sensor eyes show from underneath them.
The robots quickly moved out of the water, towards the hotel. Instantly on arrival, they began to work. Not just at the bottom of the building, but because of the special traction on their wheels, they were able to move up the walls to work of the higher floors.
Drills broke into the thick material of the foundation pillars. Hammers cracked open brickwork and patio tiles. Claws smashed through doors and windows as if they didn't exist.
Barely minutes passed, before the hotel began to shake as a large could of dust formed at the base. It wasn't long before the building began to sink downwards, collapsing from the 'work' done by Eggman's machines.
"Oh man…" Douglas said in a whisper. "This is messed up…"
"What can we do?" Topaz whispered back.
"We've gotta find a way to contact Sonic…"
Before either Topaz, Ella, Tanaka or Douglas could react; they were surrounded by a pack of the E-39 robots.
"AH!" Eggman said, bringing his Egg-Pod down to look at the humans. "My first guests have arrived! And I see my Quizons also double as an excellent welcoming party! Well, may I be the first to formally welcome you all to 'Eggman's Scream Park!' Where your first vacation is guaranteed to also be YOUR LAST!" Eggman roared, adding a sinister tone to his voice.
"You want a piece of me Eggman?" Douglas challenged, standing in front of Topaz protectively. "How about you come down here and get some?" He added, before pulling out his brown leather 'fighting gloves' out of his trouser pocket.
Just as Douglas was putting them on, it was at that moment that Mr. Tanaka stepped forward, in front of Douglas, and extended his arms wide.
"What are you doing?" Douglas asked the butler.
"I must ask you to stand back Douglas." Tanaka said, closing his eyes in concentration. "As your father's loyal and trusted servant, it is my duty to protect you. Even if it means sacrificing myself."
Tanaka's eyes snapped open, staring up at Eggman with a look of determination in his eyes.
"It is time for both of us to face out fate." He stated.
Without warning, Tanaka suddenly took up a martial-arts stance, accompanied by his voice, which made an 'OOOOO-OAAAHHH' sound. This was unexpected, and caused the robots to roll back a little. Eggman simply looked confused, as did Douglas and Topaz, who was clinging onto the purple-haired man's arm. Ella looked unimpressed.
Tanaka then switched into a different stance, moving his arms to another position, with an even louder 'OOOOO-OAAAHHH' noise. It was at this point Ella reached over and grabbed Tanaka, pulling him away from in front of Douglas.
"Easy now!" She said. "Tanaka, you aren't even strong enough to lick a stamp!"
"That's true." Douglas said.
"We're outnumbered." Topaz said, looking around her. "I don't think an offensive manoeuvre would be a good idea right now."
"I guess you're right." Douglas replied.
'That means we'll have to hope Sonic gets here before something serious happens…" He added as a thought.
"Hey!" Sonic greeted to the room, pushing the door open and waving the flowers in his hand.
The hedgehog was greeted by the sound of utter silence, as the living room of the Thorndyke mansion was completely disserted.
'Oh yeah…' Sonic thought, while scratching the back of his head with his free hand. 'Everyone's out at the beach except for me…'
Not feeling that discouraged, Sonic walked over to the table in the middle of the room, and placed the flowers he was holding into the yellow vase on it.
'I bet you couldn't find beautiful flowers like these on the sea-shore!' The hedgehog thought.
"The mountains are FAR superior!" He said aloud, putting on a posh accent as he said it.
The door from the outside suddenly opened, and in the door way stood and annoyed looking Chuck, and a rather happy looking Knuckles.
"Ah! Sonic!" Chuck said, entering the room. "You decided to show up I see!"
"Uh, yeah." Sonic said, not understanding why Chuck was mad.
"SONIC!" Knuckles said in a higher pitch then he usually spoke in, as he stumbled into the room. "Where's ya been buddy?" The Guardian asked, grabbing a hold of the hedgehog and pulling him into a hug.
"ACK!" Sonic exclaimed, not expecting this. He had enough problems with Amy hugging him.
Knuckles let go, before leaning against Sonic. "You knows, yous is my bestest friend in the whole world!"
"Hey, that's uh, cool, you know." Sonic said, a little concerned as to where this newfound emotion had come from.
"Listen man, you HAVE to try some this grape-juice that they've got here!" The Echidna said, holding up a carton of the juice. "This planet has sure got some gooooooooooooood grapes!"
"Ah!" Sonic said, understanding. "You been on the grapes have you."
"Yeah…" Knuckles said, nodding his head, before falling off Sonic and collapsing onto the sofa. "Oooh… Pretty roof…"
"Take a look at this!" Chuck said, switching on the TV.
The TV turned onto an image of an aerial shot of what appeared to be the ruins of some hotel, surrounded by many little moving squares and a big pink blob.
"This Scarlet Garcia reporting live from the Emerald Coast!" The TV reporter's voice announced. "What you are seeing now is the result of a gang of terrible, destructive machines, who have been destroying hotels and resorts all along the Emerald Coast! The situation is growing more and more dangerous by the hour, and this reporter has been told that the military are taking all the necessary precautions to shut down the surrounding area. This includes immediate evacuation orders, as well as…"
The reporter's voice was suddenly cut off, as the image off a laughing Doctor Eggman appeared.
"Eggman!" Sonic exclaimed.
"Where? WHERE?" Knuckles said, attempting to stand up, but only managing to fall back onto the sofa whilst swinging punches into thin air.
"The owners of the Emerald Coast didn't invite me to their little opening event!" Eggman said. "So I took it upon myself to make sure that there'll be no more parties, or anything at all! I've decided to open up my very own vacation destination, and I like to call it: 'Eggman's Scream Park'!"
"Hey Sonic!" A voice suddenly said from behind the blue hedgehog, which caused him to turn around. Sonic found that it was none other than Bokkun, who was reaching into its satchel. "I've got a special delivery just for you! It's a personal 'Very Unimportant Person' pass for 'Eggman's Scream Park'! Your friend Douglas is already there, and I'm sure he's having a great time! You should stop by, you'll have a real blast!"
With that, Bokkun pulled out a bomb out of the bag, and placed in Sonic's hands, before quickly flying out of the door, laughing all the way. Sonic looked at the bomb for a moment, confused. Even Chuck had to look over to see what was going on.
"Hey…" Knuckles said, his voice and words slurring. "Don't those things supposed to go boom in your face?"
The bomb exploded, engulfing Chuck and Sonic in a cloud of smoke for a moment.
"Hehehehehe!" Knuckles giggled. "I win!"
The cloud settled, and the upper half of Chuck and Sonic's bodies were coated in the dust from the bomb. Sonic blinked, before quickly shaking off the dirt, returning his body to its fully blue self.
"Oh well…" Sonic said, shrugging his shoulders. "I guess I have to go to the beach after all…"
Sonic then took off out through the door to the outside, and then into the distance. This left Chuck, still partially coated in grey, standing in the living room, realisation still hot reaching him yet. Knuckles on the other hand, was drinking down the rest of the carton, lost in his own little grape-filled world.
Flip Card 1 – Bokkun
Full Real Name: E-Messenger Ver.00 'Bokkun'
Nickname(s): Annoyance, bomb-boy
Gender: n/a for robots
Age: Not nearly old enough
Likes: Getting attention, using bombs, delivering messages
Dislikes: Being ignored/rejected/annoyed/ i.e. anything bad
Identifying features: A small purple robot, with a jetpack on its back, wears a mailbag with 'EGG' printed on it.
Flip Card 2 – Cheese –
Full Real Name: Cheese the Chao
Nickname(s): n/a
Gender: Male
Age: n/a for Chaos
Likes: Cream the Rabbit, sweet treats, anything Cream likes
Dislikes: Anything Cream dislikes, scary noises
Identifying features: A Chao that wears a red bow-tie, usually seen near Cream the Rabbit
Part 2
"Miss Amy…" Cream said, cowering behind the pink hedgehog. "I'm scared…"
Amy didn't say anything. Instead, she raised the binoculars up to her eyes and looked through them, examining the source of the smoke that was in the distance. She gasped at what she saw.
"It's Eggman!" She said.
Amy saw the Doctor in his Egg-Pod, hovering over his robot minions, as they seemed to be tearing down and removing all the metal parts of structures. They were also constructing some very crude looking and twisted versions of fairground rides.
"Get out of the way!" Tails' voice announced.
Cream, Cheese and Amy looked around to see Tails bringing the Tornado X up to where they were. They stepped aside to let him come up.
"What are you doing Mister Tails?" Cream asked, concerned.
"We've gotta do something!" The kitsune replied. "Douglas is out there, and I've gotta save him!"
Before Tails could press the controls of his craft, his attention was suddenly diverted to the binoculars coming towards him. Tails just managed to catch them. The next thing he knew, Amy was climbing up the side of the Tornado X, and was sitting in the passenger seat behind him.
"Amy!" Tails exclaimed, surprised at the sudden movement. "What are you doing?"
"Sonic's going to show up…" Amy stated, a serious look in her eyes. "…But if he doesn't, then Douglas is going to need all the help he can get."
Tails gulped. He'd never seen Amy as serious as this before. He also knew that there was no way he could say no to her.
"Okay." Tails said, turning his attention back to his controls. "Here we go!"
The glass around the furries came down, locking into place. The engines of the Tornado X then flared up, and in an instant the craft rushed along the beach, before taking off into the sky, heading to battle Eggman.
This left Cream clutching on tightly to Cheese, as she stood on the sand, watching them leave.
"I hope Mister Tails and Miss Amy make it back safely…" She said.
"Work faster!" Eggman roared, shouting down at the many E-39 class robots. "Don't use too many nails and bolts! Get all that metal into the underwater transporters, and don't forget to water down the cement! I want these rides to be the most dangerous in the universe!"
Strange looking structures had been made, some resembling roller-coaster rides, while others looked more like torture equipment. One particularly worrying sight was that of a mountain that had Eggman's face on it, so it looked like a hybrid sphinx.
"The situation appears to be worsening." Tanaka stated, watching the construction with Ella and Topaz. "This would not have occurred if Sonic had joined us."
"I hope the others are okay at the villa." Ella said.
'Where's the backup?' Topaz thought, glancing around her. 'Stuart better have a very good reason for not being here when I catch up with him.'
The sound of a cork popping off then caught Topaz's attention. Turning around, she saw Douglas, holding a newly opened bottle of champagne, sitting on the ground against an upturned table.
"What are you doing?" Topaz asked, walking over to him.
"I found a crate full of this stuff." Douglas explained. "Seems a shame to let it all go to waste."
"You're thinking about drinking at a time like this?" Topaz was confused at how anyone, considering the circumstances, could be so calm right now.
"Please…" He said, before taking a mouthful. "Sonic and the others will be here at any moment and save the day, just like always."
It was at that moment a blue flash suddenly came out of nowhere, and seemed to rush past a tower being worked on by Quizons. A second passed, then the tower began to buckle, before collapsing with an almighty crash into the ground, leaving only a cloud of smoke where it once stood.
This caught everyone's attention, as they looked to the cloud. When the dust settled, broken robots were all over the ground. As was a smirking blue hedgehog.
"Told you so." Douglas said, standing up and glancing at Topaz, before taking another drink of champagne.
"Well well." Sonic said, looking around him. "Seems like someone's been a party crasher."
"Go get him Sonic!" Douglas shouted out.
"Will do Doug!" The hedgehog replied, flashing a thumbs-up at him. "I just thought I'd drop and visit…"
Sonic was interrupted by the sound of crashing metal behind him. Turning around, he was confronted by the sight of the E-38, and Doctor Eggman.
"You fell right into my trap Sonic!" Eggman announced with an arrogant smile. "It's a well known fact that you can't swim, so I just HAD to lure you to the ocean!"
Sonic gritted his teeth, taking up a fighting stance.
"Octoron! GET HIM!" Eggman roared.
Instantly, E-38 launched two of its tentacles towards the blue hedgehog. Sonic ran forward, preparing to meet the incoming attack. Sonic dodged the right tentacle as it lunged towards him, and jumped high over the left. Once airborne enough, Sonic spun around in the air, curling up into his familiar ball shape. He headed downwards, homing in on Octoron. The hedgehog was positioned to come crashing down onto the pink body of the machine.
E-38 pulled back its tentacles, and lifted one of them upwards. Sonic saw this and smirked. He would simply smash through it and continue on to hit Eggman's machine. So the hedgehog did not change his attack plan.
The battle then turned in Eggman's favour.
Instead of breaking through the tentacle, Sonic found himself only bending it. The thick, rubbery material had absorbed the blow, and remained intact.
'Huh?' Sonic thought. 'No way!'
It was only getting worse for him, as the tentacle then wrapped itself around his body, binding him. Sonic struggled, pushing against the tentacle's grip, trying to free himself.
Eggman laughed.
"You won't get away!" He said.
"Oh yeah?" Sonic responded, still trying to escape. "Just watch me!"
"As much as I'd LOVE to do that, I've waited long enough to put an end to you." Eggman said. "Octoron! Give this rodent a 'bath' he'll never forget!"
"No!" Sonic exclaimed, but it was too late.
E-38 plunged its tentacle down into the ocean, taking the blue hedgehog under the water's surface. Sonic screamed out in the water, thrashing about and kicking with all his might. He was trapped in his greatest fear, and if he didn't find a way to break free soon, he was going to die. He knew that was guaranteed.
"SONIC!" Douglas exclaimed, dropping the bottle to the ground and running towards Octoron. He was held back by Ella, Tanaka and Topaz before he could get anywhere near the machine. "Let me go!" He demanded, trying to get past them. "I'll save him!"
"No Master Douglas!" Tanaka said. "It's too dangerous!"
"I don't give a damn!" The purple-haired man replied. "I'm not gonna let no friend of mine die!"
Eggman continued to laugh heartily, taking much enjoyment out of watching his blue nemesis suffer.
"Bring him up Octoron! Let's see what he has to say."
E-38 then brought its tentacle out of the sea, and brought it up high, so that the hedgehog and the doctor were level.
"So hedgehog! How do you like the sea?" He taunted.
Sonic coughed and spluttered, spitting out water from his mouth. He gasped for breath, looking at the Doctor with eyes full of anger.
"It's delightful…" The hedgehog sneered.
"Good!" The Doctor said. "I'm giving you a choice Sonic: You can either forfeit the fight, or you can forfeit your LIFE!"
Sonic was caught in an extreme Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict situation. If he surrendered, it would give Eggman the victory, and the world would be his. By doing that, Sonic would be letting down his friends, his family, and everything he stood for. If he didn't surrender, then he would face almost certain death by drowning. That would quite possibly be the worst possible demise he could ever face.
Whatever choice he made, there would be no good coming from it. But he knew in his heart, that no matter the circumstances, he would never surrender. Especially not to Eggman.
"Do your worst." Sonic challenged.
"Gladly." Eggman replied. "Let's see how long you can stay under."
Once again, E-38 brought the tentacle holding the hedgehog down towards the water. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration hit the hedgehog. Just as Sonic was level with the ground above the water, he managed to get a foot on it. That was all the hedgehog needed. With a burst of speed, Sonic ran with all his might against the strain of the tentacle.
Even though Sonic didn't break through it, he was still out of the water. He still ran with all his might, and seemed to be gaining some ground, as Eggman's machine was gradually being dragged away from the water.
"DON'T LET HIM SLIP OUT OF YOUR GRIP!" Eggman roared down at E-38. "HAUL THAT HEDGEHOG BACK INTO THE WATER, AND THIS TIME DON'T LET HIM UP FOR AIR!"
With the command given, Octoron reached back with the rest of its tentacles into the ocean. The machine pulled itself back into the waves, tilting on the edge just above the water. Then, E-38 moved back into the water.
Sonic glanced behind him, and saw that the machine was now gradually pulling him back, heading towards the ocean. Determined not to let Eggman win, Sonic pushed himself even harder, sweat beginning to form on his head.
"Oh come on Octoron!" Eggman said. "Flex those tentacles! Finish him off!"
"There's Eggman!" Amy said, pointing down at the small hovering Egg-Pod around the pink machine in the water.
"It looks like that machine has got someone…" Tails started to state, before Amy cut him off.
"SONIC!" She exclaimed, pushing the glass around her up.
"AMY!" Tails called in alarm. "WAIT!"
The pink hedgehog ignored him, jumping out of her seat down towards the ground.
"LET HIM GO!" She demanded, pulling out her Piko-Piko Hammer, and holding it ready to strike out.
She continued to head downwards, now focused on the black tentacle that was holding her hedgehog hero.
With an almighty war cry, Amy brought the hammer down hard on the tentacle, snapping it in half. The end that was connected to the machine now created a whiplash effect, snapping back and striking Octoron. The impact of this was sufficient to send it toppling backwards into the ocean, disappearing in a large splash.
"NOOOOOOOOO!" Eggman exclaimed in disbelief, clutching his head with both hands. "THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!"
"Keep your rotten robots away from my Sonic, or you'll be sorry!" Amy said, still holding her hammer, looking up at the Doctor
Sonic easily broke free from the now lifeless tentacle that held him. He spun out of it, and continued running, this time towards a green ramp.
"Thanks Amy!" He called over his shoulder, before running up the ramp way, and along the partially completed loop that it leads to. Jumping from the end of the loop, Sonic was able to head high into the air, and head back in the direction he had just been in.
Rotating in the air, Sonic now looked forward. He saw the Tornado X in the distance. A hatch opened on it, and something fired out of it. The hedgehog smiled. He knew exactly what Tails was sending him. A gold Power Ring
Sonic reached out with both of his hands as the ring came towards him. This made it very easy for him to catch it, and grip it in his hand. In flash of light, the ring's energy rushed through him. Soon enough, Sonic was spinning rapidly in a ball, hurtling downwards in the Spin Dash Attack.
The tentacles still left on E-38 shot out of the water, their pronged ends digging into the ground. These helped pull the machine out from under the surface. Unfortunately, Octoron would have been better off staying in the drink.
Swiftly, Sonic crashed into the pink main body of E-38, crashing a hole deep into it, before crashing straight through the other side and up into the air. It wasn't long before Sonic against punctured through the robot's outer shell. This time Sonic did not instantly break out of it.
Like a pinball bouncing off bumpers, the hedgehog began slamming into the walls of Octoron, causing the round body to poke out where it had struck. Sonic attacked so quickly that the machine seemed to swell up to more than double its original size, before Sonic burst out once again.
This was too much for the machine to take, as it toppled backwards back into the sea, and sank below the surface, dragging its tentacles with it. A few brief seconds passed after E-38 disappeared under the water. Then an explosion tore up through the waves, signalling that Octoron was no more.
"NOOOO! NO NO NO!" Eggman screamed in anguish, thumping a closed fist onto the side of his Egg-Pod. "I HAD HIM BEAT!"
"You see that?" Douglas said, jumping up and pointing at the explosion. "You can't even drown him! He keeps going!"
"Now that is something." Topaz whispered under her breath.
"It means our dry-cleaning will be sky-high." Tanaka stated flatly.
Sonic spun out of his ball shape, and landed squarely on the ground, looking up at the Doctor with a victorious smile on his face. He glanced at his hands, seeing the glow of the ring's energy fading away. He also noticed some drop of water on his gloves, so quickly shook his whole body free of water.
'By the Walkers…' Sonic thought once he'd finished drying himself. 'That was WAY too close!'
"SONIKKU!" Amy called out happily, grabbing the blue hedgehog and hugging him tightly.
"ACK!" Sonic exclaimed, trying his best to gently push her off. "Lighten up, yuk!"
"You won this time!" Eggman called down to the two hedgehogs, causing them to look up at him. "But I'm not beaten yet!"
With that said, Eggman took his Egg-Pod away from the see, over the smoke where the explosion had been, and away over the sea.
"Yeah, right!" Sonic said with a knowing smirk, watching the Doctor escape. He then turned his attention to the pink hedgehog, which had released her grip of him thanks to the distraction of Eggman. "Ames, what you did there was crazy!"
"I know…" Amy replied, with a dreamy glint in her eyes. "But you make me do crazy things!"
Sonic laughed uneasily at this, a strange stereotypical sweat-drop of worry appearing on his head.
"Uh… Yeah, well, thanks anyway…"
Sonic was saved from the uncomfortable (but only to him) situation when Tails brought the Tornado X down to land on the now open space where the hotel was before. Jumping out of the craft, Tails quickly ran towards the two hedgehogs.
"What's that?" Topaz asked, pointing to the Tornado X.
"Oh, just Tails' new shaft-shifting hyper-speed jet-aircraft called the Tornado X." Douglas said. "Faster than a blink of an eye don't 'cha know."
Topaz' jaw hit the ground. "Did… Did you say… Shape shifting?"
"Hey guys!" Tails said when he reached the other furries. "You okay?"
"Yeah, no problem." Sonic replied. "Thanks for the ring bud'!"
"No worries." The kitsune said.
"Well, I'd better get going. I don't want to hang around all this water for any much longer…" Sonic stated, turning away from Amy and Tails.
"Hey, wait!" Amy called, causing Sonic to look over his shoulder at the pink hedgehog.
Amy reached into a pocket in her dress, and pulled out a small bracelet of string, decorated with pink shells. She held it out in her hands.
"Sonic, this is a bracelet I made for you to protect you in the water." Amy said.
The blue hedgehog blinked, turning around and looking at what Amy was holding.
'Oh yeah, it's REALLY not for Sonikku…' Tails thought as he rolled his eyes.
Sonic was confused. He hated the water; everyone knew that, so why would he ever need something for when he was in it? Plus, it was pink. Not exactly his favourite colour. What would be more useful would be some kind of anti-falling-into-water device.
'But I can't just turn this thing down…' Sonic thought. 'It would break her heart. Maybe I can find some way out of having to put it on…'
"You made this all by yourself?" Sonic asked.
"If you wear it, it'll bring you good luck." Amy replied.
"…Really?" Sonic said, obviously sceptical.
Amy simply nodded in reply, closing her eyes and looking away. This didn't hide the obvious blush on her cheeks.
"Uh…" Sonic said.
'Oh, this is uncomfortable!' Tails thought, sensing that Sonic wasn't going to want to accept this gift from Amy.
As it turned out, Sonic wouldn't need to, as a sudden jolt ran through the ground, causing Amy to fall forward into Sonic. The blue hedgehog was able to catch her, but not the bracelet, which went sailing up into the air, and onto the ground away from the furries.
"The bracelet!" Amy said, reaching out to get it. But Sonic, sensing something dangerous was about to happen, held her back.
The hedgehog was right, as suddenly one of the Quizon came crashing down into the ground, smashing the bracelet and causing its shells to scatter across the ground.
Amy looked distraught. "I… I can't believe this!" She said.
"What is that?" Tails said pointing at the Quizons.
One after one, E-39 robots locked onto the one below it, forming a vertical chain or machines. After the robot had become almost as high as the hotel that had been destroyed, the last robot clicked into place, and four extra long arms formed out of it. The top two arms had large claws on the end, and the bottom two had a large drill on one, and a heavy-looking hammer on the other. Out of the top of the robot tower also came a thin head on a long neck, with two pincers on it for a mouth.
The Egg-Pod returned into view, hovering next to the new machine.
"I told you I wasn't through with you…" Eggman announced. "Didn't I Sonic? My Quizons have formed up to create Serpenter, and it's ready to take you out!"
In response, Serpenter began moving its body from side to side, almost like a snake.
"Impressive, isn't it Sonic?" The Doctor gloated.
"Well, that thing is pretty tall…" Sonic said, unimpressed. "But I bet in a battle it comes up short!"
Amy wasn't paying attention, simply standing and staring at what was left of the bracelet she had made for Sonic.
"Oh really?" Eggman said. "Ha! You'll need much more than speed to survive this robot!"
"Oh yeah?" Sonic replied. "Yo, fang-face!" He shouted up at the robot, clapping his hands. "Let's see how quickly you can slither!"
Sonic then jumped away from Tails and Amy, and away from the newly formed robot.
"After him Serpenter!" Eggman ordered, pointing to where Sonic had jumped to. "Eliminate that blue bozo!"
Following the order, Serpenter began turning its body, before moving towards where its blue hedgehog target was.
"Come on Slow-Poke!" Sonic taunted, jumping up and down while clapping his hands over his head. "I'm right here! Come get me!"
"I hope Sonic knows what he's doing…" Tails thought aloud, before he noticed something out of the corner of his eye.
Amy was kneeling down, picking up the remains of what was left of the bracelet. Only some of the shells remained intact on the broken string, the others were smashed into tiny pieces. She scooped it up into her cupped hands, and held it. Tears were forming at the bottom of her eyes. She was on the verge of crying.
"I guess…" Amy whispered to herself. "My charm wasn't so lucky after all…"
She had really hoped that this would work. That this little bracelet was a key to unlock the door into Sonic's heart. Now it was nothing, much like how the pink hedgehog was feeling just now.
It was then Amy broke down completely, tears breaking through her closed eyes, falling down her cheeks. Some tiny drops even fell into her hands, lying next to the bracelet.
"Amy…" Tails said, coming beside her and kneeling next to her. "What's wrong?"
Just as suddenly as she had started crying, Amy stopped. Tails was about to ask her again, when he noticed her clench her fists, tightly holding the pieces of bracelet. Her eyes then opened. Although they still showed the glaze of tears, the kistune saw something.
There was a fire there. A burning in her eyes.
"I'm fine Tails…" Amy whispered, but in a tone unlike any the fox had heard her use before. "Just fine…"
Tails had a feeling Amy was going to do something, so wisely backed away from her.
"All right Serpenter!" Eggman said. "You know what to do! Put the squeeze on Sonic and then toss him into the sea!"
"Ha!" Sonic replied. "I'd like to see you try!"
"Now…" Amy said, pulling out her Piko-Piko Hammer. "NOW YOU'RE GONNA PAY!"
"…Huh?" Eggman said, looking down over his shoulder at the angry pink hedgehog.
"…Wha?" Sonic said, confused.
"DON'T MESS WITH ME!" Amy screamed, taking a run towards Serpenter. She jumped up into the air, raising her hammer high, before bringing it crashing down with an almighty thud onto the 'tail' of Serpenter.
The machine seemed to give out a robotic cry of pain in the form of gears whirring, as it reared its head back.
"…Whoa…" Was all Sonic could say.
"Oh my!" Eggman said, looking distinctly worried about what was happening.
"Hell hath no fury…" Douglas whispered, watching the scene unfold.
Serpenter turned its attention to the pink hedgehog that was standing on its tail. It raised it weapon-arms up, preparing to attack. Amy growled, swinging her hammer around her, smacking dead centre into the vertical segment level to her. The force of the blow was enough to send the segment flying out from the robot, and cause all the parts above to fall downward and lock into place to fill the gap.
Amy swung again, taking out another segment. Then again, and again, and again. Piece by piece, Serpenter was very quickly being felled, losing its height advantage as the hedgehog wielded her weapon.
Everyone around this scene could only watch in shock as Amy viciously attacked the robot.
"Oh no!" Eggman exclaimed, sensing all was lost. "I'd better get out of here!"
Amy paused for a moment, seeing that she had now brought the head of the robot level with her. With a final powerful blow, Amy brought her hammer down on it, flattening Serpenter's head. The pink hedgehog followed up by jumping onto the head and stomping on it.
Unable to take anymore, Serpenter's head suddenly popped off, propelling Amy up into the air. Although shocked for a moment by this, the pink hedgehog saw an advantage, turning around and looking up.
Eggman knew this wasn't good news when he saw a very pissed-off pink hedgehog coming towards him wielding a hammer. Worse was to come, when they got level, and Amy swung her weapon with all her might into the Egg-Pod, sending the Doctor screaming downward into the water.
After hitting the ocean, the Doctor disappeared for a moment. He reappeared however, when the Egg-Pod uncapsized itself. Now Eggman had an unhealthy meeting with the sea, as he coughed and spluttered.
"My Egg-Pod!" He exclaimed. "I just had it washed this morning… Uh oh…"
Eggman noticed that Amy was now heading downwards towards him, with her hammer poised to strike out. He could only scream in alarm, before the two connected.
Back on the shore, everyone, including some of the original party guests, now returning to see what was going on, was now by the water's edge, staring out at the large splash of water that appeared from Amy connecting with Eggman.
"Amy!" Sonic said.
"Someone help her!" Ella exclaimed.
"What, in this suit?" Douglas stated.
"Master Douglas has a point." Tanaka said. "Dry-cleaning can be very expensive."
Sonic looked down, staring at the water. He knew what he had to do here, but he just couldn't do it. He almost died a few minutes ago in that stuff…
"AMY!" Tails finally roared, unable to take any more waiting, as he dived into the water.
"Huh?" Sonic said, surprised at the action. "Tails?"
"I can't believe it…" Topaz said. "That fox can fly, invent new kinds of 'planes, AND swim?"
"Awesome, isn't it?" Douglas said, smiling. "YOU GO TAILS!"
Sonic breathed a sigh of relief, taking a few steps back from the water.
'Yeah…' He thought. 'Go for it Tails.'
Amy was sinking below the water's surface, all of her energy now gone from attacking Eggman.
'Is… Is this it?' She thought. 'At… At least I did all I could… Even though I never did give him this bracelet…' She held onto the piece of bracelet tightly in her hand. '…Wait…'
Her ears picked up something through the water. Something was swimming towards her. She half opened her eyes, trying to make out who or what it was.
Through the bright light of the sun shining through the waves, she could only make out a shadowy outline heading towards her.
'Is it… My hero?' She thought, before she closed her eyes again.
It was a dream, a golden fantasy. They were both laughing, as they ran along the warm sands of the beach. Sonic ran ahead, looking over his shoulder at Amy, who was giving chase. Unlike the usual times, they were playing a game of chase.
So it seemed anyway, until it was apparent that Sonic was getting away from her.
"Hey!" Amy called out. "Sonic! Wait up!"
Sonic glanced over his shoulder and smirked, before turning his attention to the path ahead.
"Hold on!" She called out again.
Before Amy knew it, the blue hedgehog was gone, leaving only a trail of dust behind him. Amy stopped, looking at the sand ahead. She sighed. He'd run away again…
"Amy…" A voice said behind her.
She turned around, and smiled at the speaker.
"Hiya Tails." She said, trying to mask her sadness.
"Sonic ran off again, didn't he?" Tails asked, guessing from the look on her face.
"Yeah…" Amy replied, looking down at her feet. "I just don't know why. Is it because I'm a bad person?"
"No! No, of course not!" The kitsune answered, taking a few steps towards her. "You're a wonderful person! I mean, you're charming, caring, and obviously loving! It's like what I've told you before: Sonic's a fool not to see who you really are!"
Amy smiled, a slight blush coming to her cheeks at the twin-tailed fox's words.
"Tails, you are best friend a person could have." The pink hedgehog stated.
"It's nothing really…" Tails said, looking at his feet now. "I'm just telling the truth…"
"Aww, come here you…"
Amy pulled Tails into a hug, and the two embraced. Amy could always count on Tails being there for her, even if it was just for a little heart-to-heart.
Something in that moment surprised Amy though, as she had never noticed it before. She didn't know if it was just because of the way the sun was setting, or the fact that it was only them on the beach, but something about this hug seemed very… Special…
"Miss Amy! Are you awake?"
"Miss Amy! Are you awake?"
Amy opened her eyes, being brought out of the dream by the familiar soft voice. She blinked, trying to understand what was going on at that moment.
"Everyone!" Cream announced. "Miss Amy is awake!"
"See?" Douglas, who was now wearing clothes he was more used to wearing, said, walking over with Topaz, equally regularly dressed, to the sun lounge Amy was on.
"I still say a hospital would have been better." Topaz replied.
"…Where am I?" Amy asked, still looking at the sky.
"You're back at Mister Douglas' villa." Cream answered.
"Yeah, we brought you here after you're suicide dive into the water." Douglas answered.
Amy sat up, looking at the rabbit and two humans.
"Who brought me?" Amy asked.
"Me, Tails and Topaz here." Douglas stated, wrapping an arm around Topaz's shoulder.
"That's right." Topaz added, wrapping her arm around Douglas' waist. "In the Tornado X of course."
"Is… Is Sonic okay?" Amy asked, concerned.
"Yes, but he went back home." Cream said, a little sad.
"Oh…" Amy said, disappointed.
"He said something about 'not wanting to see an ocean for the rest of his life'." Topaz explained. "Not surprising really."
"Don't worry about him." Douglas said. "He's probably ordering out for Chilli-Dogs as we speak."
Another thought suddenly occurred to Amy, and she looked at her hand. It was empty.
"The bracelet…" She said. "It's gone…" She closed her eyes, looking as if she was about to cry. "I made it just for him, and now it's gone…"
"What was it Miss Amy?" Cream asked.
"It… It was a good luck charm… To protect him in the water… But I guess he had good luck anyway…"
"Wait… Did you mean that thing with the pink shells?" Topaz asked.
"Yes!" Amy exclaimed. "Where is it?"
"Tails had it last." Douglas said, thinking. "Yeah, he said you were holding it when he pulled you out…"
"What?" Amy said. "Tails did what?"
"Oh please!" Douglas said. "You don't think it was Sonic who saved you, do you?"
"Well…"
"Sorry to disappoint you…" Topaz explained. "But Sonic's fear of the water took a hold of him. He didn't step into it."
"Oh, but our boy Tails represented!" Douglas said smiling. "He jumped in like swimmers at the Olympics!"
"Mister Tails is the bravest!" Cream stated.
"Tails… Tails saved me?" Amy asked, surprised.
"Totally!" Douglas answered. "The kid's a real hero! Hey, there he is now!" He said, pointing up at the roof on the villa. "Yo Tails! Amy's awake!"
Amy looked up, and saw the twin-tailed fox. He was looking out across the sea, over to where the hotel used to be. There was something about him that was far different to anything that she'd seen in him before.
There was a confidence about him, a sense of accomplishment.
"Thank you Tails!" Amy called up to him.
Tails looked down at her, and smiled, giving a thumbs-up.
"No problem Amy." He said. "Anytime."
It was then that Amy noticed something else. More appropriately, something on him. Tied around his wrist with another piece of string to secure it, were the remains of the pink-shell bracelet that Amy had made.
Amy couldn't believe it. Someone actually wanted it; even through it was meant for Sonic.
'I guess it's more use to Tails…' Amy thought. 'Since he's in the water way more that Sonic ever will be…'
It seemed amazing to her that Tails, someone who wanted to be just like Sonic, could actually be that, and then more! She kind of always figured that Tails could do that, she just didn't know when.
'Wow…' Amy thought, still staring up at the kitsune, who had now turned his attention back to the ruined hotel. 'I never realised that Tails could be so amazing… As well as cute…'
Amy quickly blushed, covering up her mouth, even though she hadn't said anything verbally.
'I didn't just think that, did I?' She thought to herself. 'Why did I think that? I mean, it's true though, but I don't mean it… Do I?'
Tails smiled, as he looked over to the remains of the resort.
'Congratulations Miles…' He thought to himself. 'Today, you've taken one step closer to being what you've always wanted to be…'
He then looked at the bracelet on his wrist.
'Maybe even a step closer to her…'
Next Episode Preview – Voice-over by Douglas
"Tails has found a Chaos Emerald at the Baseball Stadium! The only problem is, Eggman's grabbed it! Now we're in for the game of our lives, with the emerald as the prize! But how can our unlikely baseball team possibly beat Eggman's robots? And can we trust this new furry 'mercenary'?
Next time on Sonic eXcluded: A Proper Ball's Up. Don't miss it!"
Author Notes: Once again, I present another episode of what will be the most diverse adaptation of Sonic X since anything! At least that's what I'm hoping for. This episode was to do just to change and add stuff in. Plus, it now means we are nearing the endo of the current storyline!
Julayla - The other Freedom Fights will appear. Sleet and Dingo might go in, if I can find a use for them. Nic will not be appearing, that's a fact. But Fang aka Nack... Well, stay tuned for the next episode...
mariarobotnik- Thanks for the support, and I hope you liked this episode.
Right, I'm off to force myself to do revision for a History exam! See you next time!
