Sonic knelt in the snow and flipped the final switch on the tall metal conductor he had just buried deep in the ground. It wobbled slightly in the swirling wind but thankfully stayed put. Tails had taken the frequent snow storms of the ice zone into account when designing them and there was no way these things were going to blow over. Sonic shivered slightly as he looked towards the setting sun. Not much time left before the sun went down and when it did the cold would be fatal. He would be glad to get back to the others in Tundra village. With one last check that everything was in place the blue blur sped back through the mounting storm. With that last power conductor in place the village should be nice and toasty by the time he got back. Their main generator had been destroyed during the Zombot attack and since then the people of Tundra village had been reliant on back up generators. By the time they had reached out to restoration HQ Tundra village was in desperate need of supplies. Amy had risen to the challenge expertly and diverted resources and aid to the starving villagers. However she had quickly realized that a more long term solution was needed if the people were to survive. Due to the inhabitable climate that surrounded them the villagers of Tundra town had made their home deep underground. The only access to the town was through a large metal door which was sealed at nightfall to keep the fatal cold at bay. If the power were to run out it would spell disaster. Either the gate would be left open, exposing them to the elements or it would be forced shut sealing the villagers in their underground tomb forever. As far as Amy had been concerned there was only one person smart enough to solve the power issue and she had enlisted the expertise of Sonics best buddy Tails. The boy genius had been more than happy to help and had swiftly come up with a solution. Five solar power conductors would be strategically places around the Ice zone to gather energy. Once collected the power would be sent back to the new, more efficient generator. It was a source of renewable energy that could last the people of Tundra town an eternity. They would no longer just be surviving. They could thrive. Sonic had agreed to come along and help his buddy out. Since the aftermath of the Zombot invasion the blue hedgehog had found himself slightly bored and had leapt at the opportunity for a change of scenery. There was also the opportunity to see Amy again, although he kept that part to himself. In recent months Sonic had come to see her in a new light. Gone was the annoying brat who had chased him relentlessly. in its place was a strong and dedicated leader. A fierce fighter who stood up for the weak and a loyal friend who had always been there for him. Sonic needed little encouragement to help her and when she had burst into Tails makeshift workshop earlier that day Sonic had been keen to impress her. He had seen the desperate concern in Amy's eyes and felt an overwhelming urge to make things right. The generators had failed. With only five hours left until nightfall they were going to have to put the untested conductors up as soon as possible. Sonic had initially offered to put up all five but Tails and Amy wouldn't hear of it. They would take the nearest two conductors leaving him the other three. Tails had been adamant that it wouldn't take them any more than two hours per conductor and they would all be safely back before the gate closed at nightfall. Sonic had found the last conductor a bit tricky but even so he was heading back within time. As Sonic approached Tundra Village he saw that the gates were stopped half way down. A small orange figure was stood waiting at the entrance. Tails had kept the gate open for him. Sonic sped up and crossed the remaining distance in seconds. As he skidded to a halt inside the hangar area he turned to his foxy friend with a trademark thumbs up. Tails was staring at the horizon with a worried look on his face. When he saw his friend arrive the little Ginger fox hugged him happily. "You're back." Tails exclaimed. "For a moment I thought you wouldn't make it." Sonic laughed "You know I love to make an entrance. You can go ahead and close the gate now." Sonic winked at the guard on duty whose hand was hovering over a large red button. The guard looked apprehensively at Tails who had turned back to scan the horizon. Sonic felt his stomach drop. "Tell me she got back ok?" He breathed. Tails shook his head. He pulled out a small tablet which showed four small flashing dots. "Her conductors not on line either." He said sadly. "With the other four up and running we've got enough energy left to keep the village going overnight but… we're going to have to close the gates and try and get the last conductor in the morning." "We can't leave Amy out there." Sonic shouted. Tails looked miserable. "She told us to close the gates at sundown whatever happens. Everyone else could freeze to death." "Fine." Sonic said through gritted teeth. "Just give me five minuets. I'll get her." He started for the door but Tails held him back. "We don't know what's happened to her Sonic." The Fox said sadly. "Even if you find her you wouldn't make it back in time." Sonic shook him off. "I have to try." With that he zoomed off towards the setting sun in search of his friend. Sonic sped towards the site of the fifth conductor at break neck speed. He was loosing the light and the storm was getting heavier. Even so, through a sea of white Sonic saw a small pink dot crouched in the snow. His heart leapt as he made a beeline for her. As he drew closer he could see Amy desperately hammering a long piece of metal into the ground. She looked up as he approached. Far from being pleased to see Sonic her face fell. "No." She yelled over the swirling wind. "Go back. They'll be closing the gate any moment." "What happened?" Sonic had demanded. He pointed to the spike which was bent. Amy gave it another slam with her Piko Piko hammer and the spike dug deeper into the ground. "I managed to get it up before but the wind blew it down and the spike got damaged it." She called over the roar of the wind. "I tried to straighten it with my hammer but this was the best I could do." Sonic could hear the desperation in her voice as she fiddled with the buttons and dials on the side. "Please go back now before it's too late." She called. Sonic shook his head. "Tails said the village has enough power for tonight from the other conductors." He said. " We can try again in the morning. Come on." He reached for her hand but Amy batted it away. "What if they fail though?" She asked. Amy didn't wait for his answer. "I can't risk it Sonic. I have to do this. You go back." Sonic looked up at the dying light of the sun. His five minuets were surely up now anyway. If he was honest even if Tails had given him an hour there was no way Sonic would leave Amy behind. He dropped onto the snow beside her and started helping her flick the switches and dials to activate the conductor. After a few minuets the lights came on and it started to blink. Amy smiled to herself but then as her eyes met Sonics the magnitude of what was about to happen hit her. Amy's eyes widened in fear and her mouth formed a small 'o.' She looked towards the horizon. "Run." She had urged Sonic. "You can make it quicker on your own." Sonic took her hand in his and smiled sadly. It was too late and they both knew it. Amy sank into the snow and beat the ground with her fist in frustration. Sonic felt a blast of cold ice. The quicker the sun had disappeared the faster the temperature had dropped. The villagers really hadn't been exaggerating when they said the cold would be fatal. Sonic had to think quickly. The storm was drawing in and there wasn't much time left. Staying put was a certain death. Their only hope was shelter. Sonic thought back to the second conductor he had planted. It had been outside a cave. It was a long shot but right now he would do anything to keep Amy safe. Without explanation he scooped her into his arms and ran. The fur trim of her hood tickled his chin as he swept through the storm heading in the opposite direction to Tundra village. Finally he saw the flicking light of the second conductor calling him like a beacon. He raced into the cave and settled Amy softly on the ground. It was still cold inside but compared to the storm it was heaven. He looked down at Amy with a smile expecting her to look relieved. Far from it. She had turned her face away Her fists were balled and her shoulders squared. Sonic was taken aback. "What did I do wrong?" He demanded through chattering teeth. He took a step towards her and Amy turned her head away again. She was shaking through a mixture of cold and anger. Sonic opened his mouth to snap again but stopped himself. He could see the pink hedgehogs cheeks were as blue as his quills. She sighed heavily and turned to face him. Sonic could now see the reason she had been hiding her face from him. Frozen tears had crystallized on her cheeks. He immediately softened and rushed to her side. He placed an awkward arm around her and looked into her eyes. "You should have left me there." Amy insisted. Her voice was trembling. "There was no sense in both of us dying." "No one's dead yet." Sonic said firmly. He could feel her shaking and placed his other arm around her and pulled her into his chest. "We just have to make it until dawn. Thanks to you the village is safe. As soon as they can open the doors Tails will be out looking for us. I'm sure of it." "You shouldn't have risked your life like this." Amy said softly. "You're too important to everyone." "So are you." Sonic replied. Amy gave a hollow laugh. "Anyone could do my job." She said dismissively. "I just organize things. Make sure everyone is doing their work. You're the real hero. You save the world." Sonic cocked his head so that he could look her in the eyes. They sparkled brighter than the master emerald. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Don't you realize how special you are?" He whispered. "You make sure the world is worth saving. I might fight the big battles but its the little everyday battles that change the world. It's the communities that you help restore. It's the hope that you give people. That's what's bringing everyone together. You encourage people to be better than they are. You have no idea how important that is. Amy you make this world worth fighting for." She blushed and tried to turn her head away. He gently cupped her chin and pulled her gaze back to his. "You've grown so much right in front of my eyes. You're a strong, capable leader. I don't know anyone who puts others before themselves the way that you do. It's just one of the things I love about you." The words were out before Sonic realized what he was saying. He tuned away quickly so that she wouldn't see how embarrassed he was. After a moment Sonic felt her hand slip into his and squeeze gently. Amy shifted her position and sat next to him with her head on his shoulder. After a few moments he rested his head on top of hers. Her quills smelled sweet. He nuzzled into them and kissed the top of her head. It was pitch black outside the cave now. Amy shivered and Sonic wrapped her in his arms again. "We'll be ok." He promised. Amy shook her head. "This isn't something you can outrun." "Who's running?" Sonic asked. "We're together and when we're together I know I can get through anything." Amy snuggled in closer. They sat in a comfortable silence. Soon Amy's breaths slowed to a soft rhythm. Sonic breathed her scent in. He desperately hoped it wouldn't be the last time. Then the hedgehog closed his eyes and drifted off into a dreamless sleep.