QAN: Hi everyone, apologies for not having updated in some time. My exams are driving me crazy and I unfortunatley didn't get time for writing. :( Anyways, Chapter 39 is up and running, so 40 should be up very soon. :)

Feel free to leave a review and hope y'all are enjoying this so far!

Chapter 39: Tender Sugar

After what seemed like an hour of exploring the basement, we only found a small amount of suppiles. We still had the occasional threat of monsters lurking around, including this extremely weird one with two faces, but the good thing was that we were there to help each other out if we needed it. All the while, I was hoping that our assailant from earlier wasn't after Manny and the Herd. They could handle themselves well in a fight, and that was one of the things I admired about them. But again, I wondered if they were okay whilst exploring rooms up on the higher floors.

Well, sooner or later, we'll be able to find out.

During so, my friends had begun to notice some of the injuries I gained way before our journey started, especially my broken nose. Looking back on that, I ... kinda wish I fought a lot harder than I did to get the 'Queen' of my school away from me. But, I was frightened at the same time so ... maybe if she targets me again, I'll be able to stand up for myself a lot better. I guess I kinda changed a lot since then and perhaps that was a good thing. My friends seemed to think so after I told them what happened, heh, heh.

But still, it's always nice to have them around. To be honest, I actually don't know what things would be like if my journey went differently.

I knew I didn't have time to think about that, nor what could happen to us if we succeeded and made it out with my family. I had to save those thoughts for later, as I had something much more important to focus on. Tails and Shadow seemed really nice; the latter told me that he went through a similar struggle when he forgot his memories. Having played Adventure 2 and Shadow's video game when I was 12, I felt sympathetic for him due to what he had to go through. Although just like Mephiles, Black Doom was nearly at the top of my scary character list. The reason why is that both villians would give me nightmares 24/7 because of what they did to Sonic, Shadow and the others. Nowadays, the risk of having them was rare but they really put me off when I was a kid.

Anyways...

The five of us had just climbed up a rather tall ladder to find ourselves back on the third floor again. But this time, we were in the room that was behind the cells we explored when we first arrived. I was the first to reach the top, closely followed by Tails, Elise, Sonic and Shadow. The three adults decided to chat amongst themselves about what we were going to do next, whilst my new fox friend went to join me.

"Well, looks like we're back again." I muttered as I quickly re-adjusted my ponytail.

"Yeah," Tails agreed as he offered a friendly smile, which I returned. "How are things with you, Megan?"

Hearing this, I innocently shrugged. "I'm kinda running on fumes, but I'll live."

The two-tailed fox knew that I was referring to the injuries I gained more recently back in the subway station and forest. Thankfully most of them were healing nicely, which was good. But every once in a while, I can't help but wince in pain whenever I do things like fighting physically or bending down.

Argh ... Once I get out of the otherworlds with my parents and friends, I really need to get myself together.

"Elise told me and Shadow about what happened back in our apartment building. And.., I just want to thank you for saving my big bro." Tails suddenly revealed, smiling softly at my shocked expression. "I really mean it."

For a moment, I was really suprised. My pre-historic friends were there at the same time, so they jumped in to assist me. I mean, shouldn't they get some credit too?! "I ... Y-You're welcome..." I stammered, trying to choose my words carefully. "But ... it wasn't just me. The Herd were there too..."

I returned Tails' smile to show that I wasn't mad, and he seemed to be alright with what he heard. I'm the sort of person who ... doesn't really like to be put first before others when compliments arrive, especially if another person or group is involved in the good deed. Again, it's just a part of who I am and I loathe the idea of being the sort of person who yells 'Look at me! I'm so cool!'. It ... It just doesn't sit well with me, you know...

"I've already thanked the Herd." Tails said after a while, sending relief flooding through me. "They seem like quite nice animals."

Hearing this, I smirked and allowed a small chuckle to escape my mouth. "What do you think of Manny, then?"

Tails sighed in slight furstration. "One thing I don't understand is that he's distant around beings he doesn't know. I mean, it's always nice to meet new people, right?"

"Yeah, you're right." I agreed, nodding to show that I believed him. "But.., he isn't always distant. When someone gets to know him, Manny's actually a really nice and caring guy. It ... just takes a while for him to get to that stage."

All the while, we had no idea that Sonic, Elise and Shadow were watching us with genuine amused smiles upon seeing us interacting with each other and bonding. Apart from Peaches and Louis, Tails was the only other animal my age who I encountered on our journey. It felt really nice talking to him, and our conversations just came naturally.

Things seemed to be going well here... Pretty damn cool, if you ask me.

M-E

Upon seeing Megan and Tails spending time with each other, both Sonic and I couldn't help but grin at the sight. It was almost like ... they became friends instantly, even though I knew it would take a while for the young girl to grow more at ease around new people. Shadow seemed pleased too, wearing the smallest of smiles as he folded his arms in thought.

"So, what should we do now?" I asked, breaking the silence. "I mean, we had a look around the basement. Should we go back to our friends.. or continue on?"

"Well, it depends on wether they got there before us." Shadow answered, referring to the cell we exited from. "It's the only option I can think of, so I think we should go back."

Sonic nodded to show he agreed with the black and red hedgehog. "I'm with Shads on that one. But if we beat the Herd first, then we should probably head outside to find them." He then glanced at Megan (who was still happily chatting away with Tails) with gentle concern gracing his features. "Hopefully we might get some answers.."

I knew exactly what my blue friend meant. The man was still lurking somewhere in the prison and due to his speech earlier, he knew where Megan's mother was. I didn't want things to become worse and ... the thought of our young friend ... losing those she held close was terrifying. Her father was trapped here with us and even though we didn't know his whereabouts, I hoped that he was okay too.

..But hey, maybe he was somewhere in the prison, looking for his wife and daughter...

"Hey Tails! Megan!" Sonic shouted, catching their attention and snapping me back to reality. "Time for us to go!"

"Okay!" The two kids repiled, sending each other friendly grins as they joined up with us. Soon we were back down in the basement, this time, heading back to our meeting point. Unfortunately, the Herd weren't there so we braced ourselves for what we had to do next. One by one, my friends and I stepped outside into the cold fog and began the search for our pre-historic companions, knowing that there was a risk of getting ambushed by our assailant.

..Still, we may find some answers for Megan. I hope we do...