Penny huffed as she ran through the Egg Death, looking for Sonic. The human girl had managed to escape the guards using her Wispon. (thankfully Knuckles taught her how to use it properly)

Hearing something smash behind her, the human girl turned around to see robots surrounding her. Penny gasped and quickly took off, trying to get away. She tripped over a loose board in the ground, skidding across the smooth surface. Her Wispon slid across the ground, away from her grasp.

Penny groaned, putting a hand on her head and looked up, and her brown eyes shrunk.

Three robot guards surrounded her, cornering her against the wall, weapons at ready.

Since her Wispon was out of commission, she curled in a ball and tried covering herself from the robots in her spot and squeezed her eyes shut, yelling, "SONIC, HELP ME!"

Sonic had been dashing through the halls, making his escape attempt when he heard a familiar voice yell his name, and his emerald eyes widened. "Penny!"

The blue hedgehog sped towards her cry and ran up a corner. The first thing he noticed was his young friend being cornered by three guards. He gritted his teeth and sped faster, smashing the guards as he ran. He smashed each guard one by one and they fell down, sparking. Smirking pridefully at his success, the blue hedgehog skillfully landed on his two feet and turned to the human girl. "Hey, you're safe."

Penny moaned and struggled to get up, causing Sonic to frown at her in worry. He kneeled down to her level and held out his hand. "Penny? Are you okay?"

The human girl glanced at Sonic, shocked to see her best friend all in one piece. She stared at his hand, not sure if it was real or not. She began stuttering, not sure if she was hallucinating or not.

"Penny?" Sonic frowned, waving a hand in front of her face. "Hey, you still in there?"

The girls' eyes widened, and tears started pooling out of them. It was him. He was safe, and alive.

She lunged towards Sonic and hugged him, sobbing. "SONIC!" She hiccupped, burying her face in his shoulder. Sonic tensed up a bit, and then smiled, returning the hug, comforting her.

"What are you doing here?" Sonic asked when they parted.

"I joined the Resistance once I realized you were alive!" Penny answered, wiping the tears from her eyes with her hoodie sleeve. "Knuckles has been teaching me how to fight, and I've been getting better!"

Sonic frowned. He was about to say something of his own when Penny's walkie talkie beeped, and Knuckles' voice came through the radio.

"Hey, Rookie, are you still in one piece?"

Penny quickly took her walkie talkie from her pants pocket and answered it. "I'm fine, Knuckles."

"Oh, sure." Sonic said sarcastically. "don't even bother to ask how I am."

"SONIC!"

At Amy's voice, Sonic quickly jumped back, glancing up in the air, his arms outstretched. When she didn't jump into his arms like he thought, he shrugged at Penny and she let out a happy giggle.

"I'm so glad!" Amy continued.

"Hold up, Amy," Knuckles' voice now came over the walkie talkie. "We're all happy that Sonic's alive, but he won't be for long if he doesn't get off that eff in a hurry."

Sonic glanced at Penny, and she recognized the question without him speaking it out loud. She pointed to a shuttle ahead of them, and Sonic smirked back, nodding. He turned back to the com. "Your concern is touching, Knuckles."

Sonic scooped Penny up in his arms and he zoomed up to the shuttle. The door closed, and the shuttle took off.

Knuckles smiled at Sonic as he and Penny walked into the Resistance room. "Sonic, finding you alive is the best news we've had in months." The echidna said, putting a hand on Sonic's shoulder.

"It really is." Penny grinned, putting her hands through her hoodie's front pocket.

"Here's the bad news." Knuckles said.

"Ugh, way to bring the happy feeling down, Knuckles." Penny sighed, slumping.

Knuckles shot the human girl a warning look and continued. "And here's the bad news. Our intel indicates Eggman's got a weapons factory in Green Hill, pumping out munitions for this war effort."

"A factory?" Silver frowned. "We can't take out Eggman's base in Metropolis if he's got a factory supplying him."

"No kidding." Knuckles shook his head and turned to Sonic. "Look, Sonic, I know you just got back but we're spread thin. Can you take care of this? We need that factory in Green Hills destroyed. Take the Rookie with you." He glanced at Penny, purple eyes scanning the human girl up and down.

"M-me?" Penny asked in surprise.

Sonic frowned. "Knux, are you sure about this?"

"Look, if she got you back alive, I'm certain she could do this as well." Knuckles said.

"From the looks of it, Penny was shaking like a leaf the whole time when we were at the Death Egg." Vector frowned, glancing at his human friend in worry.

"That's because it's cold in space!" Charmy pipped up. "The factory is nice and warm!"

"Yeah, like he said!" Penny said quickly, trying to get Sonic to wipe that look he was giving her off his face. "I was just cold! Not scared at all! Factory was really warm inside."

"It will be when it's burnt to the ground!" Knuckles smirked. He turned to Sonic. "Sonic, you take the lead." The echidna then turned to Penny. "Rookie, just make sure to take good notes."

The human girl nodded. "Will do. And will you please stop calling me Rookie?"

"Sorry, Rookie," Knuckles snickered a bit. "It suits you through a time like this. Plus, you're the new recruit."

Penny sighed. He was right, after all.

"I've got six months of payback I'm just dying to spend." the blue hedgehog said. "This sounds like a good start!" He looked over at Penny, who looked like she was having one of her panic attacks.

"What's up?" The hedgehog asked. "You were so energetic earlier. What's troubling you?"

"Sonic, what if..." Penny glanced at him with worry. "What if...I loose you again?"

"You won't." Sonic gently told her, cupping her cheek in his hand. "I'll be sure of it."

She smiled, leaning into his touch, instantly calming down. "You make me hope that's true..."

"Sorry to interrupt your little talk," Amy said suddenly, poking her head in between them. "But I've got something important and urgent to share with you, Sonic."

"What is it?" Sonic asked.

Amy stepped in front of Sonic, pushing Penny away. The human girl stumbled but quickly straightened herself, glaring at Amy as she began. "So, you know how Silver just left a while ago to investigate the Mystic Jungle?"

Sonic nodded. Penny glanced around the room in surprise. When did he leave? She shook her head and turned her attention back to Amy, who was close to panicking. "Something is attacking inside the Mystic Jungle! Silver is fighting him...or it, or whatever. Just hurry!"

"Guys, it's him!" Silver's frantic voice was heard over the com, and explosions soon followed afterward.

"Silver..." Penny's eyes widened.

Sonic narrowed his eyes. "I'm looking forward to a second round with this guy!" He turned to Penny. "Let's go!"

"Right!" Penny said.

Sonic grabbed her in his arms and took off. As he ran, one thought traced through Penny's mind.

"Hang in there, Silver. We're coming."