The grass and trees raced by as the train began to pick up speed.

"Hey, Pops", Amy says, her face glued to the window. Marsh's eyes remain closed as he turns to Amy, "Hmm?", he grunts. After a moment of hesitation, Amy speaks, "Trains are cool". "Yup", Marsh grunts and shifts back to his resting position.

Familiar footsteps approach as Alis walks closer to the groups cabin. "Hey Amy, lets stretch our legs for a bit", she says. Amy peels her face off the glass and turns to Alis, "Is Pops coming", she asks. A loud snore answers.

The sunset's orange light paints the train's interior along the train cars. A small gift shop catches Alis' eyes as she stops to browse the various knick knacks around. Alis pulls out some money and turns back to Amy, "Oh these are fun", Alis says, "have you ever used tarot cards before". Amy tilts her head, "I know how to play go fish…". Alis laughs and brings her back to the cabin.

The burning horizon begins to dim, welcoming the blanket of night. Alis begins to shuffle the cards and arrange them flatly on the table. Marsh's snoring muffles the clacking of train wheels as Amy watches the cards. Alis flips a few until only nine remain on the table, "Go ahead and pick one", she says. Amy watches carefully before reaching her hand out to choose one…

Chapter 6: Outfoxed

The elevator slowly descends from the dorms to the ground floor. The lights begin to dim, signifying the change from late night to early morning as tired pink hedgehog struggles to keep herself awake. Amy slaps her cheeks and focuses on the floor number decreasing ever so slowly.

"Less than a week later, and it's back into the oven", Amy says. The elevator dings twice before the doors open to the central stair case. Amy dashes from the stairs to the cafeteria to meet her comrades for the next mission. The aroma of coffee fills the cafe while the few students that remain are quietly sitting at their tables. Some listen to music or talk to their friends, but the overall mood is completely muted from the hustle and bustle of the morning crew. Amy's eyes scan the tables until she feels a slight tug against her chin turning her to the side. Amy's face is directed towards a booth in the back, Silver sits coated with his sea foam aura, one hand down and another towards Amy. Silver's aura relents as he smiles and waves Amy over to the dimly lit section. Silver slides over to give Amy some space as Blaze comes into her view, reading a book while sipping some coffee.

"Long time no see, Ms. Amy", Silver says as Amy takes a seat. Blaze puts her book down, "How are you faring this morning", she asks. Amy yawns and nods before returning her focus to Blaze. Silver smiles, "The early mornings may be a bit brutal on someone with so many night missions". Amy rubs her eyes, "I should be good after the caffeine kicks in", she says. Blaze closes her book and stands up, "Unfortunately we won't be able to debrief here, we will have to get to the train first", Blaze says. "We're crossing the ocean by train?", Amy asks.

"ACHOO!", the early morning air sends chills down Amy's body. Blaze and Silver stand together as the train arrives, the loud whistle piercing the quiet morning. A cloud of steam rolls throughout the station as people begin the board the large locomotive. Once inside, Amy pulls a blanket off the luggage compartment and wraps herself up to stop her shivering. Silver fiddles with the cabin TV until he comes up to a movie selection. Blaze closes the cabin door and places her coffee on the table, "This mission should be a nice change of pace for you", she says. No projections or transmission are necessary, Blaze places a single sheet in front of Amy and begins the brief.

"A chaos emerald has to be moved from Central City to Miracle Academy", Blaze continues, "While awaiting the emerald, we will receive a report on the analysis of the creature we fought last month". Amy scratches her head, "That seems kinda heavy for just the three of us", she says. "Large teams are more suspicious", Blaze says, "We can avoid drawing any unwanted attention and walk freely about the city". Silver turns away from the screen, "That means we will have three emeralds at the academy, max capacity". Amy turns to Silver, "I forgot about that rule", she says, "Why is there a limit on how many one academy can have", she asks. "It's seen as an act of war to horde such powerful things", Blaze says, "Although they just appear to be tremendous power sources".

"I've heard that they were used to power a super weapon", Silver chimes. Blaze sighs, "That's just ridiculous", she says, " Nothing could harness the power of three emeralds let alone all seven". Silver stands up and places his hands on the table, "There is definitely a weapon that was being developed to utilize all seven", he says. Blaze slaps her palm to her forehead and says, "No more conspiracy theories". Silver turns to Amy, " It could be true, right?", Silver asks. Amy nods while Blaze takes a sip of her coffee, "It's hard to imagine no one drafted a plan to utilize all seven emeralds". Silver leans in, "One day we may see something powered with all the emeralds, like a city or a spaceship".

As the train approaches the ocean, the track dips into a transparent tunnel that goes under the water. Amy's face is glued to the window as fish swim past the tunnel. Silver begins to snore before his movie has finished and Blaze stretches her legs from the long trip. Blaze stretches her shoulders, "Hey Amy", she calls, "What are those cards that you keep with you". Amy looks back and points to her deck, "Tarot cards", she says. Blaze picks up the deck, "Ah destiny and future stuff", she says while looking through the deck. Amy sits down and pats the table, "Want me to read your fortune", she asks. Blaze hesitates and then sits across from Amy as the cards are shuffled and placed face down on the table. Blaze reaches her hand out and flips a card.

Temperance

"Oh that one means you are becoming balanced or patient, take the middle path and avoid extremes", Amy says. Blaze looks at the card, "Hmm, interesting", she says before a loud voice chimes in, "Oh Oh read mine!", Silver says. Amy takes the cards and reshuffles them before placing them down on the table. Blaze leans in, "You like this stuff that much, Silver", she asks. Silver smiles back, "There's something cool about knowing the future", he replies. Silver thinks for a moment before grabbing a card.

Magician

"It represents power and skill. Don't hold back, use your abilities to the fullest", Amy says. Silver smiles and lifts the table with his power, Blaze places her hand on the table and forces it back down. Amy gathers the cards again, "I think most readers use spreads and different reading techniques, but mom taught me the single card method", she says. Amy places her cards back in her bag as an announcement sounds on the intercom.

Attention all passengers. Attention all passengers. We are now approaching Central City. Please return to your cabins and remain seated until the train has come to a full stop

The announcement repeats as the group gathers their belongings and slide open the door. The people pour out of the train into the station. As the three reach the sunlight, the loud ambiance of city life reaches their ears. The quick bustling town filled with cars and jets soaring overhead overwhelms the senses as every street corner seems to speak in unison. The walk to their transport is short and the three depart for Central City police station.

A towering complex of stone and steel casts a shadow on the group as they approach it's doors.

"This place is a fortress", Silver says as the three stop near the entrance. Blaze looks at her communicator, "No signal out here". The station's doors slowly open as two guards stand by opposing sides. A wolf man with silver fur walks out and salutes, "Madame Blaze", he inquires. Blaze nods as guards approach the trio and take their belongings. "I will escort you to the chief", the man says. Through the front lobby and beyond the secretary's desk, the cubicles of fellow officers lie empty and papers litter the floor. Amy looks around, "Where is everybody", she asks. The wolf turns back, "Crisis downtown, every officer was dispatched". Amy turns her eyes forward as they approach the large armored room in the back.

A tall, thin weasel man sits behind the desk, his feet rest on the topside as he watches a video on his laptop. He sees the team enter and jolts upward, revealing his black striped purple suit and yellow tie. "Hey-o friends", the man says as he reaches his hand towards Silver, "You must be the leader", he says. Blaze furrows her brow and steps towards him, "That would be me, sir", she says. The man rubs his head, "Oh yeah, my mistake".

Amy's hair starts to stand up as she looks around, the two guards stand tall in their advanced armors silently watching. Amy looks around the office an notices the assortment of awards thrown on the ground. The chief walks towards the door, "Well lets give you that emerald", he says as the guards escort him towards the basement. Blaze places her hand on Amy's shoulder, "I've noticed", she says. The weasel turns with a hand in his coat, Blaze smiles and touches Amy's headband, "I noticed your hair is looking nice today". Amy replies with a nod and thinks, (Something is very wrong here). The chief exhales and pulls his hand out before turning to the hallway. The long hallway below leads to a large area, once again no officers stand, only armored guards.

The Lights hum above the hallway as Amy's eyes dart from side to side, (We're being led so low into the station, maybe Blaze and Silver are already planning something?). Amy coughs a bit and stops, "Excuse me, where is the restroom", Amy asks the guard. The chief stops and flexes his thumb towards the split in the hall, "Turd room on the right", he says with a grin. Blaze walks forward, "I need to be excused as well", she says as she rolls her eyes. The chief turns to Silver, "Women, am I right", he says as his elbow nudges Silver. Silver sends a weak smile and locks eyes with Blaze before waiting in the hall.

As Amy and Blaze enter the room, Blaze opens every stall door and inspects every corner of the room. Amy stands still for a moment before looking to make sure no one comes in behind them. Blaze runs her hand under the sink and then pulls Amy to the large stall at the end. Amy begins to open her mouth before Blaze covers it, "We know, and we will deal with it when the time is right", she says. Amy nods and breathes out slowly, "So we're walking into a trap". Blaze nods, "Once we walked in, there was no way out", she says, "But we need info on the emerald and the officers". Amy and Blaze exit the restroom and regroup with Silver. The three walk towards the final stretch of halls, coming face to face with the vault that holds the chaos emerald.

The vault door begins to whir and wind as the multiple mechanisms unlock. The door slowly opens to reveal a room full of people chained and shackled together. Electricity surges though the three as guards prod them with their weapons, "End of the line, twerps", the chief says. The guards skid back several feet as Silver begins to glow with telekinetic energies. The chief runs down the hall before being dragged back towards the vault by Silver's power. The guards begin to swing their weapons wildly at the trio, but a wall of flame halts their advance. Amy turn to the people in the vault and begins to unbind them. A key rattles on the floor behind Amy, Blaze gives a thumbs up and turns around to throw several bolts of fire down the hall.

The manacles clack and crash to the ground as each hostage is freed, several are weak and some don't have the energy to rise. Amy looks at the oldest of them, helping him up as he looks through his thick eyebrows, "Thanks, soldier", the old gray lion says. "You're the chief", Amy asks as the real chief begins to stumble out the vault, "Chief Mayne, that's me", he responds. Scorch marks cover the hall as more guard bodies begin to pile at the opposite end. Silver holds the weasel while using his free hand to direct a slew of electric spears down the hall. As the last of the officers shamble out of the vault, Mayne grabs the conman by the scruff of his shirt, "C-C'mon, Chief", the weasel pleads before being thrown into the vault, the door locking behind him. Mayne, turns to Amy, "We'll deal with him later", he says before picking up an electric spear. Upstairs, guards begin to retreat as Blaze blasts through the halls, stopping their every advance and melting though the locked doors and catching the loose papers on fire. Silver quickly follows behind, throwing the unhinged doors down the hall and barricading the forks around corners. Blaze snaps the flames away, "We need to get outside so we can report to the academy", she says as a slender red figure emerges from the main doors.

Guards begin to pour in from the front door as Blaze reignites her palms and stares down the central figure. The fox begins walking forward, her black coat and pants shine in the sunlight, creating a shining silhouette around her. Amy catches up and notices the guard armor, "Those are the guys from Knothole", she says to Silver. The vixen removes her sunglasses and looks at Blaze with a grin, "Here, Kitty Kitty", she taunts before a sudden feeling of atrophy washes over the trio. Blaze's flames spark and flitter before fizzling out into puffs of smoke, "What is…", Blaze says as the lady rushes her and swipes just shy of her chin. Blaze dodges back and takes a swing, but comes up empty handed as the fiendish fox leaps back and snaps her fingers.

Blaze slowly backs up behind the main door frame before a large desk is pushed in between her and the guards. Several officers stand beside her, spears in hand, ready to push back the opposing force. Blaze focuses her mind and once again sparks plumes from her hands before fizzling out. Silver walks behind her with two spears, "Our abilities are being jammed", he says as he tosses a spear to Blaze. Weapon in hand, Blaze readies herself and begins to jab at the guards climbing through the barricade. The desk begins to fracture as the guards charge in unison into the front lobby of the station. Officers charge and stop the bulk of the force from storming the station, but the guards retaliate and force their way through.

Mayne runs forward and disarms an officer, grasping the blade for himself. "The old man is pretty tough", Silver says before swinging forward. The old lion swings his new blade powerfully, shattering the armor of any foe that approaches him. Blaze and Silver stay side by side, each one covering the vulnerable side of the other. The flurry of swipes stands strong as the guards begin to concentrate all of their efforts on the two, causing them to slowly move back. Amy raises a spear and quickly swipes at a nearby guard, only to have the spear launch from her hands. An officer tackles her foe to the ground as Amy grabs the spear again, "I didn't realize they were so light", Amy says as she grips the handle and swings more carefully. The guards begin pinning officers down, as the vixen dashes through their lines and strikes the chief with her fist. The old man gasps and then headbutts at the fox before she slides between his legs. The old man turns, but his body is flipped and he slams into the ground. The vixen turns to Blaze and Silver, "Ok kids, enough playing around", she says, putting on her sunglasses.

The guards launch a small grenade at the duo, soon a bright flash fills the room. A loud ringing fills the air before Amy feels an intense pressure in her stomach, the vixen's fist firmly planted in her. Amy gasps and coughs, the pain radiating to her sides and her vision starting to blur. Blaze and Silver finally fall to the ground after the guards dogpile them. The vixen removes her sunglasses again and bends down to Amy, grabbing her quills and lifting her head. "You're the rookie, but I heard you were pretty dangerous", she says before letting go of Amy's quills. Amy shakily stands up and braces herself for the worst. The vixen laughs, "You're lucky I have a thing for breaking rookies", she says before swinging at Amy.

(I should be in shock, but my body feels so light), Amy thinks as she dodges backwards. Amy's dodge launches her backwards close to the wall. The vixen pursues as Amy effortlessly dodges past her punches, (I'm moving so quickly, with such little effort, maybe I've gotten stronger). "You're fast", the vixen says, "But no one in this life or the next is faster than Fiona Fox". Amy charges forward and stops short of the vixen's swipe before they lock eyes and swing.

Amy's fist connects instantaneously, (I barely felt that, maybe my punches are weak without my powers). Amy pulls her hand back and prepares for a follow up, just as the vixen's eyes glaze over and her body collapses. Drool pools at Fiona's face while Amy stands in surprise. A group of officers manage to free Blaze while pushing towards the chief. The guards swarm Amy as she is assaulted on all sides, soon succumbing to intense strikes on the back of her head before a decisive blow catches her right eye. Amy grasps her eye, feeling the weight of the soldiers piling her and shackling her hands as the world turns dark.

Amy…

Amy…

It's time to get up, Amy

Amy rubs her eyes and scoots to the side of the bed, her legs dangling over the edge. A shifting shadow looks at her, "It's time for breakfast, Amy", it smell of pancakes fill the air as Amy walks to the door frame. Amy stands next to the frame where several marks have been made, "I think I got a bit taller", she says. With a grin she races to the kitchen to grab her breakfast. A shadowy figure sits at the table, "How many pancakes can you eat". Amy nods, "I'll take two". The figure morphs into a larger shape and glides towards the stove, a plate with two pancakes is placed in front of her. Amy reaches for her fork, but she can't seem to see it. She can't see anything on her right side, her legs are suddenly so heavy she can't move.

The shadowy form lingers over Amy on all sides, "I don't think I feel so good", she says as her breathing becomes more intense and her head begins to pound. "We'll be back soon", the shadow replies. "It just feels so heavy, and I…can't…breathe", Amy begins to slow down and grasp her chest.

Am I gonna die?

"NO!, I WON'T LET YOU GO THIS TIME!"

Amy looks up to see Shadow reaching his arm out to her, Amy tries to reach out, but she can't feel her arms.

"Hey, lets grab the end of this song"

Sonic reaches his hand out to Amy, but her arms just won't reach either of them.

Amy yells out to them and then…

"Piss off", a familiar voice hisses. The world consists of darkness, rattling, and a light ringing noise in her right ear. Amy begins to lift her head and sees four small blue walls, Silver sleeping and Blaze staring back at her. Her arms are bound behind her and her right eye cannot seem to open, her uniform has several scratches and cuts from the siege at the station. Blaze looks at Amy and scoots closer, "I'm sorry I didn't account for this", Blaze whispers as Amy's eye starts to focus as she looks around.

"Where are we", Amy asks. Blaze looks around, "The back of some vehicle". Amy looks and sees Fiona's ears in the passenger side, a bag of ice being held to her head. "Amy, I'm so sorry this happened", Blaze repeats. Amy shakes her head, "It's not your fault", she says, "Nobody could have guessed this would happen". Amy looks at Blaze and then grimaces, "My right eye is killing me". Blaze moves closer and takes a look, "It's still in there, but it's very swollen right now", she says. The truck stops abruptly and the trio shifts to the wall.

The back doors open with two guards and Fiona standing together at the exit. Fiona reaches into the back and grabs Amy by the quills, dragging her out to the sidewalk, Amy looks around and sees bright lights flashing along with loud music and the strong smell of wine before her head is covered with a bag and the world goes darker. Through the bag, Amy could still see the lights and hear the clacking of footsteps around her. Soon Amy feels her stomach turn as she rapidly ascends in what feels like an elevator. Amy falls over when she is pushed onto the cold floor and her bag is removed.

A woman sits before her, atop a large red and gold throne. The woman wears a large elegant blue dress and a golden mask covers her face, surrounded by her golden hair. Fiona snaps and holds her hand out, "Two hedgehogs and a girl", she says. The woman sighs and leans her face into one of her hands, "You always disappoint me", the woman says. Fiona steps past Amy and grits her teeth, "I did everything you wanted", she yells, "how are you still not satisfied". "The black and blue hedgehogs were the ones I wanted", she says, "you only brought me the girl, and for that, I am very disappointed in you". Fiona clenches her fists and charges the woman in blue, only for a split second does Fiona stay in air before being launched back by a large red creature with a swirling purple aura, a black head and horns . The creature crosses his arms, "Know your place, worm". Fiona struggles to get up and looks at Amy, "Tch", she scoffs before turning around and leaving the room.

Amy scans the room and doesn't see Blaze or Silver around. The woman approaches Amy before releasing her from her bonds. Amy looks at the creature in the corner, "That aura", she says. Amy slowly stands up as the woman looks down at her, the golden mask reflecting Amy's beat up face. The woman leans down brushing her hand over Amy's eye, "Can you sing", the lady asks. Amy looks into the mask, "No", she replies. The lady stands up and calls the red creature over. "Well that won't do", the lady says as a shadow is cast over Amy. "If you can't sing…"

"How will they ever find you"

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"Something is pulling me"

"I feel the gravity"

"Of it all"