Chapter Two

Amy giggled as she answered the door. Sonic beamed back with a pink rose in his hand and an excited gleam in his eye.

"M'Lady." He said and handed her the rose.

She sniffed it and smiled gratefully back at him before turning aside to let the blue hedgehog in. Sonic shook his head.

"I thought we might dine alfresco tonight." He grinned.

Amy looked confused. Sonic knew she had been expecting a quiet night in and a take out but he had better plans. Before Amy had a chance to ask any more questions and ruin the surprise Sonic scooped her up in his arms. She was taken aback at first but soon rested her head comfortably against his chest as he ran. Sonic breathed in Amys perfume as he sped away up the mountainside and settled at a smooth patch of grass which overlooked not only the village below but most of the island. From here they could see the moon over the waves, the twinkling lights of the village and the endless diamond sky above. He heard Amy take a sharp intake of breath and knew at once that he had picked the right spot.

Sonic settled her down gently and Amy looked around at Sonics surprise. A small two man tent had been erected away from the cliffs edge and a fire was burning with a pot dangling above it. Inside the metal pot tonights dinner slowly bubbled away. Reheating away Sonic should say. He had not been confident enough to cook himself so he had ordered in and was warming Mrs Walrus' delicious home cooked chilli up over the campfire. All around Sonic and Amy a dozen candles lit the path from their little camp to the cliff side where they both stood taking in the spectacular view. Sonic smiled nervously.

"Do you like it?"

She didn't answer at first and just bowed her head. Sonic felt a moment of self doubt before Amy lifted her head and looked at him. Her eyes were sparkling with happy tears. She moved forwards and kissed him passionately. After a few moments she broke away.

"That's a yes then?" Sonic checked.

"Yes!" Amy exclaimed. "I can't believe you had time to put it all together."

"One of the many benefits of dating the fastest guy alive." Sonic pointed out. He guided her down the path to the fire where he had placed two comfortable looking cushions side by side. They sat down together and Sonic put his arm around Amys shoulders. As she lent her head towards him Sonic kissed the top of it and sniffed deeply. He loved the smell of her hair. They stayed locked in their happy embrace for quite some time, both gazing into the fire and not really feeling the need to break the silence. It was a peaceful quiet that the pair didn't often get to enjoy.

Eventually Amy turned to Sonic with a cheeky grin.

"I know we said no presents…" She said and reached into her pocket.

Sonic pouted and tried his best to look annoyed but he couldn't keep it up. He had also broken their 'no presents rule.' Sonic reached behind him into the tent and pulled out a crudely wrapped, small brown package. He felt slightly embarrassed as Amy passed him her own beautifully wrapped present. It was the same blue as his fur with white ribbons mocked up to look like the sports tape he wore around his shoes. Sonic opened his present quickly in the hope that Amy would do the same and not look to closely at the wrapping paper.

He tore open the wrapping and the small box inside. Nestled on some cotton was a golden ring. Sonic lifted it up curiously.

"It's from when we met." Amy said shyly. "Do you remember? I would catch your rings for you. I kept one back with me so that if we were ever apart again. Or there was ever a time I didn't think I'd see you again I would at least have that ring with me to remember you by. But now I know how you feel. Now I know that no matter what happens you will always come back to me. So I'm finally giving it back to you."

Sonic stared at her and Amy blushed. "It's silly I know.." She muttered. Sonic smiled.

"Open yours." He urged.

Still avoiding Sonics eye Amy tore the brown paper away to reveal a worn piece of blue metal on a chain. The metal had been crudely shaped into a heart. She lifted it closer to the firelight and examined it more closely.

"Is that..?"

Sonic nodded. "From Metal Sonic. Also from the day we met. After he kidnapped you and I smashed him into bits I picked up a part of his bodywork. I didn't know why at the time. I guess I thought that it was a good luck charm. Over the years I've come to realize that it wasn't the metal bringing me good luck it was you."

"I love it." Amy said sincerely. Sonic lent into her and they went tumbling backwards into the grass. They stayed there for quite some time until a burning smell filled the air and killed the mood.

"Dinner!" Sonic exclaimed.

With Amys help they were able to save the meal and ate it happily whilst chatting about their past adventures and gently teasing eachother. Sonic couldn't remember a time when he had been happier. Finally when the food was gone he lead Amy up to the edge of the cliff and the two of them sat staring up at the stars. Amy had brought a blanket from the tent so that they wouldn't get cold and wrapped it around both of their shoulders. It was cold away from the campfire but with Amy pressed up against him Sonic hardly noticed at all.

"I've been thinking." He said as the lights in the village below began to dim. "About us not telling anyone we're dating… I want to tell Tails."

He turned to face her. She was smiling.

"I've never thought we should have hidden it from him in the first place." She said. Sonic cocked his eyebrow and Amy sighed. "He's like a brother to you and he's one of the best friends I have ever had. I know he's young but neither of us give him enough credit for how much he's grown. He'll be pleased for us and I'm sure he'll be discreet for as long as we want him to."

"You're sure?" Sonic asked. "I just don't want Egghead or any of the other bad guys finding out. I can't risk losing you again."

Sonic turned his face away. Six months ago the hedgehog King taking Amy away to be his bride and it had been the most frightening experience of Sonics life. The king had quickly worked out that Sonic and Amy were the reincarnations of two ancient lovers and had been quick to exploit their feelings for eachother. Even before Sonic had been fully prepared to admit that he had any feelings at all. Sonic didn't expect for one second that any of his other enemies would shy away from using Amy as a way to hurt him. As much as Sonic wanted to shout his love out from this mountain top the risk was too great. But Amy was right. Tails could be trusted.

"Maybe you should spend a bit more time with him to." Amy said softly. "I love spending all of this time together but it's important for couples to spend time apart to. It's vital to mens mental health that they maintain meaningful friendships."

"Did you read that in a book?"

"Yes." Amy sighed. "But its true. I want you to be happy. Tails to. I don't want him getting lonely. There aren't many kids his age in the village and I know how much he looks up to you."

Sonic nodded. "Boys night it is!" He started to get excited at the idea of junk food and video games all night.

"You're the best girlfriend a guy could want you know?" He said and kissed Amys head again.

"Yeah. I know." She said quietly.

Amy stood up and took Sonic by the hand. She lead him down the candle lit path back to their tent. Down below the lights of hedgehog village were all but extinguished. One light remained on the outskirts of the village, burning long into the night.

x

Sweat poured from the small foxes forehead as Tails finally lifted his visor and admired his work. Some of the joints were a little rough and it might need a second coat of paint in the morning but for the most part he was pleased with it. Tails patted the small metal creation on the head.

"Good boy." He said softly. "We're going to be the best of friends. I can tell already. Goodnight Zip."

The little fox bounced off to bed, excited at the prospect of firing up his new invention in the morning. It was all going to be ok. He was never going to be alone again.

x

Outside in the dark the shadow moved quickly. Everything had changed. The huts were wood not stone. They were larger and closer together. There were weird signs all around. What on earth was a 'Meh burger?'

It moved closer and sniffed. A horrible smell filled its nostrils. Was this what they called food nowadays? No. The shape needed something else to sustain it. The shadow could smell it here in the village. Ever since it had been so rudely awoken by that oaf and the two metal men the Shadow had detected a scent on the wind. Fear. That was the shadows food.

Unseen by those stupid enough to be awake at this hour the creature licked the air. A passing possum shivered involuntarily. The Shadow felt his fear and drank deeply. It was going to like it here. But first it needed to find a vessel. It swirled through hedgehog village and made its way to the outskirts where a light had just dimmed in a strange looking building. There was some sort of contraption with wings attached outside. This was it… this is where the fear lived…