Okay, a new chapter and basically the start of the modern era for Sonic. How will it go? Let's just see.

Disclaimer: I do not own Sonic The Hedgehog or any of the characters, they are owned by Sega and Sonic Team.

December 30th, 2003.

Sonic Heroes, the return to form for the franchise, had finally been released.

As the cast anxiously awaited what the public would think of the film, Sonic was anxious about another matter.

Amy had received two more bouquets and numerous gifts from this unknown guy and after Sonic had told her that they weren't from him, Amy was both intrigued and paranoid.

"It's probably just an adoring fan." Amy thought, trying to convince herself not to be worried.

Sonic was more stern when it came to the situation, not liking this guy's intentions.

Amy always managed to calm him down, telling him that some fans were more expressive than others.

Sonic was no stranger to gifts either, but he still felt uneasy.

Deciding to let it go for the moment, Sonic called up Shadow to see how things were going at the Station Square premiere party.

"Hey, how is pleasing the crowd going?" Sonic teased him.

"Very funny, lucky for me, Rouge is here to handle the press, as for the fans, they're a lot easier to talk to." Shadow told him.

"Yeah, what did the audience think of it?" Sonic asked.

Sonic didn't hear any response for a moment, Shadow hesitating in answering his question.

"It went… well." Shadow told him, honestly.

"What do you mean by, well?" Sonic questioned further.

"The critics' opinions seemed to vary." Shadow said.

"Well, that's alright, there's still all the other people out there, going to the theaters to see our movie and I bet they'll love it." Sonic said.

"I hope so." Shadow said.

"By the way, I've been meaning to ask, do they ever stop to take a break from this franchise?" Shadow asked.

"Oh trust me, it used to be way more crowded." Sonic told him.

"Why do you ask?" Sonic asked him.

"They mentioned today that they wanted me to do a spinoff title." Shadow told him.

"Your own movie?" Sonic asked, in surprise.

He knew Shadow was a fan favorite character and had grown a huge following in such a short time, but he didn't think the studio would take such a gamble, especially after Knuckles' spinoff failed at the box office.

"Then again, that was almost a decade ago." Sonic thought.

"Yeah, they said they want to continue the storyline from Heroes, basically exploring my character and whether or not I am the real Shadow." Shadow told him.

"That sounds cool, this could be a big opportunity for you and your career." Sonic said.

"You really think so?" Shadow asked.

"Yeah, go for it." Sonic said.

"Thank you." Shadow said.

"No worries, and Shadow." Sonic said.

"Yes?" Shadow answered.

"Just ask Rouge out already." Sonic said.

Sonic ended the call before Shadow could reply, smirking as he did.

"What was that about?" Amy asked.

"Oh, I was just talking to Shadow." Sonic said.

"How's he holding up?" Amy asked.

"I think he's doing really well, he seems like he knows how to handle the fame." Sonic said.

"That's more than I can say for some of us." Sonic thought.

"Anyway, are you ready to go?" Amy asked.

"Yeah." Sonic said.

Later.

Sonic had made dinner reservations for the two of them, making sure they would have the restaurant all to themselves that night.

"Sonic, you didn't have to do that much." Amy said.

"I just wanted some privacy for the two of us." Sonic said.

That evening would be a memorable one.

But not in the way Sonic and Amy had hoped.

As they ate their dinners, the front doors had been slammed open.

"Security!" One of the waiters called out for help.

A hedgehog stormed into the restaurant, his face showing signs of stress and insanity.

His eyes were deranged, his fur was disheveled and he walked with a twitch.

"Amy!" He yelled.

"I'm here for you!" He screamed.

Sonic and Amy slowly started to sneak away, heading for the back door.

"Please don't see us, please don't see us." Amy thought, begging that they would make it out of there.

"Amy." He said, more softly.

"He saw us." She thought.

Sonic and Amy looked at the hedgehog, who had a disturbed grin on his face.

"Did you get the flowers I sent you?" He asked.

Sonic glared at him.

"I knew this guy was trouble." Sonic thought.

"Y-yes, they were lovely." Amy stuttered, worried for the both of them.

Out of the corner of his eye, Sonic saw someone calling the cops.

The hedgehog turned his sights to Sonic, returning the glare.

"You don't deserve someone as perfect as her!" The hedgehog screamed.

Within the span of just a few seconds, everything for Sonic went by in a blur.

A thudding noise was heard, the blinding light and piercing sounds of the sirens surrounded them and before he knew it, everything went dark.

Two days later.

Sonic awoke suddenly, with a gasp, darting his sight around the room in a panic.

Sonic realized that he was in a hospital bed.

Getting control of his breath, he looked around the room more carefully, noticing that he was all alone, the room only lit by dim green lighting.

"Amy!" He thought, with panic.

Throwing the blanket off of himself, he walked out the door, to find the hospital fully staffed, some of the doctors trying to keep the reporters away.

"Mr. Hedgehog, thank goodness you're awake." One of the nurses said.

"What happened?" He asked her.

"We found you two at the restaurant, don't worry, they arrested the hedgehog responsible." The nurse told him.

"You suffered an injury to the head, you've been out cold for a couple days, but thankfully it evidently wasn't a coma." The nurse told him.

"Where's Amy?" He asked.

The nurse placed a hand on his shoulder, looking at him with a sense of sorrow.

"She's in surgery." The nurse told him.

Sonic could barely breath, falling back against the wall for support.

"No." He thought.

"Don't worry, she's going to be alright." The nurse assured him.

Tears started to fall from Sonic's eyes, still not fully processing the whole situation.

"Can I see her?" Sonic asked.

"She's still there right now, she'll be in recovery for a while after too." The nurse said.

"I promise you, she's going to be okay." The nurse said.

This nurse seemed so passionate about the whole thing, like she had known the two of them as close friends.

"Thank you." Sonic said.

"You're welcome." She said.

"I have to get back to work, you get back to your room, I'll inform you of her condition as we go." She told him.

"Alright." Sonic said.

As Sonic got to the door, he looked over at her.

"Hey, what's your name?" Sonic asked.

The nurse smiled at him and answered.

"I'm Blaze."