Tears of the Tormented

by Oni Goddess

A story of my character and her quest to find her young siblings, taken from her by Eggman... she meets Knuckels and friends and other people as well... will she let them help her?

4. Chapter 4 Nightmares of the Future

Tears of the Tormented

Chapter 4

"Nightmares of the Future"

Hey ya'll… eh…. I'm so dead tired, it's not even funny! I'm just sitting on my computer chair, with my fluffy pillow on my back, typing whatever the hell comes to mind on my beautiful new laptop oh yea… I just kind of woke up from a seven and half hour sleep… I came home at 9 am, fell asleep by 9:30, and woke up by 5…. Um… I just got back from Grad Night…. Disney Land was awesome… ok… here's the story, I'll use what brain power I have left, if this chapter turns out to be awful, tell me and I'll rewrite it.

"I'm dead tired!" talking

"I ate too much sugar foods!" thinking

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Hitomi put her fists up in defense as Ayame came at her with incredible speed, "I thought she said she'd hold back on her speed… oh well, I can deal with this."

Ayame nearly pounced Hitomi as she started to throw punches and kicks at the female echidna, to show her what she was made of. Ayame's fighting style, if you looked closely, was based on one of the strongest forms of martial arts.

Hitomi grinned as she dodged and blocked the attacks made at her, "She fights kung-fu style… she's pretty good." (A/N: Well, the most powerful fighting form in my opinion)

Hitomi found an opening through the array of attacks and gave Ayame one good punch to the stomach, knocking the wind out of the female hedgehog. Ayame may know a fancy style like kung-fu, but Hitomi knows the simple yet effective hand to hand combat technique: karate.

Hitomi smirked as she watched Ayame try to catch her breath from the one hit Hitomi got in.

Ayame gasped for air, "S-She hit me! How did she do that! I NEVER leave myself open! She hits hard too! I'll be lucky if she only gave me bruises! It's like she can smash walls with that punch!" (A/N: Scary thing is that she can, just like Knuckles!)

Ayame recovered as quickly as she could, and was about to go on the attack for a second time, but Hitomi had started to go on the offense, by swinging a kick at Ayame's head. Ayame used her speed to get out of the way in time, and took a few steps back to avoid the punches and the small craters that Hitomi was making in the ground every time she missed.

Hitomi growled, "I don't have time for this… it's obvious that we're quite evenly matched… even if I win, there's no way I'm making her leave… I could really use her help. I have to end this now with the Ancient Blaster…"

(A/N: Yes, she can use energy… I'm adding Dragon Ball Z like powers in there, but just being able to use ki is enough.)

Hitomi gave Ayame a good punch in the face, making the punker fly a good ten feet away, "Perfect distance…" Hitomi whispered to herself, as she felt herself gathering energy from within her own body and from the plants around her.

Hitomi felt a warm energy form in her hands. Hitomi looked down to find the golden orb of energy she rarely called on in a battle. As a guardian, it was critical that she learned to use the Ancient Blaster. It was used to wipe out any enemy that dared to attack Gosamu. But if used lightly, the Ancient Blaster could destroy the wielder. The energy that makes up the Ancient Blaster comes from the warrior's heart and strength, then from the Earth itself. The stronger you are, the more strength there is in the blast; the more heart, the more after effect it will have on the enemy, like a strong electric aftershock. If energy was ever taken from the Earth and into the Ancient Blaster, it would to depend on the heart of the warrior if they lived after using the powerful blast. The darker your heart, themost likely you will kill yourself, since the Ancient Blaster is to be used only by the good at heart. But of course, there were always dark people on this world…

Hitomi shook her head from her again random thoughts, "I just need to put more heart into it, I can't risk hurting, or worse, killing Ayame."

Hitomi took a second to gather her thoughts, and then got ready to fire the powerful weapon she had created.

Ayame had gotten back up and ran at Hitomi full speed, throwing away the promise to keep her speed down, "Why hold back if I want to win! If I want to prove myself, I've got to go all out!" Ayame then noticed that the echidna was holding something golden, "What's that?"

Hitomi grinned, "Let's end this! ANCIENT BLASTER!" Hitomi let out the golden orb into a powerful blast of golden energy.

Ayame grinned, "So that's what you have been hiding! Time to shake things up a bit then!" Ayame jumped into the air, spun in a tight ball of dark purple and shot herself through Hitomi's attack.

Hitomi gasped when she saw this, "She's not just some random adventurer… she's a warrior! Only a warrior could go through the Ancient Blaster so easily!" Hitomi decided to put more strength into her attack, and let out a warrior cry.

Ayame shot through the second wave of the blast with a little difficulty, but made her destination, appeared in full form in front of Hitomi and shouted one thing that shocked Hitomi to no end.

Ayame put her hand in front of her, "Ancient Blaster!"

XCXCXCXCXCXCXCXCXCXCXCXCXCXCXCXCXCXCXCXCX

(Hitomi's dream)

Hitomi got up from the ground. Hitomi looked around… what was that hedgehog's name again? "Ayame?" Hitomi called out… nothing. Just like everything around her. There was nothing, just darkness.

Hitomi gasped in pain as she felt a sharp pain sear through her body, "AHH!" Hitomi fell to the ground, "Why does it hurt so much?"

"Ate-san!"

Hitomi looked up at the familiar voice and name, "Rina?"

There was Rina, but… older. Rina was not wearing her little white dress with red flower prints on them anymore. She was wearing a black and red assassin outfit. Hitomi felt tears fill her eyes, "What happened to you?" Hitomi then noticed something red on her baby sister's hands… it was blood! Time seemed to freeze for Hitomi. Endless tears fell down her cheeks, "Rina… what happened to you?"

Rina looked away and behind her. Ryukan appeared; he too had the look of an assassin and looked all grown up as well, "Come on Rina, we have to go. The doctor has another assignment for us."

Rina looked back at Hitomi, "Ryukan-kun, look…"

Ryukan looked at Hitomi and paused, "Hitomi-chan?"

Hitomi took a step toward her little siblings, "Ryukan, Rina…what happened to you two?"

Ryukan looked away, "We work for Robotnic now… we… get rid of his enemies… we've killed so many people… we're not your little siblings anymore… and Robotnic can't know you're alive! He'd kill you himself for sure… you have to get out of here!"

Rina nodded, "Yes please! We've already killed someone named Sonic and Ayame and their child, it was so horrible! I cried after Ryukan and I were done! We hate what we do! But we don't have a choice! Robotnic said he'd kill you and Knuckles-dono and that he'd use us to fuel the Master Emerald once he'd get his hands on it to take over the world!"

Ryukan hugged Rina, and then looked at Hitomi, "We've never forgotten the love you showed us Hitomi-chan! Rina and I have only gotten stronger at heart because of you! You don't know how much you mean to us! Please get out here, go to Knuckles-san and protect the Master Emerald! Don't let Robotnic have it! Even if it means our deaths, don't let Robotnic take over the world! We can't let him have it! We have to go now Hitomi… you should go too… we love you."

Rina wiped her face from the tears she silently cried, "Please be safe Ate-san… we don't know what we'd do without you."

Hitomi finally found her voice as she watched her no longer innocent siblings ran off into the darkness, "No wait! Come back! Rina- Ryukan!"

A dark and evil laughed filled the room. Hitomi turned around and was face to face with Dr. Robotnic who wore an ugly smirk of triumph on his face as he stared back at Hitomi, "How about a family reunion?"

Hitomi screamed in pure shock and horror as a cage morphed out the darkness and in it, were the dead bodies of Hitomi's little siblings, "RINA! RYUKAN, NO!" Hitomi tried to make her way to the cage, but got caught in a blast that started to tear away at her flesh, "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

/End Dream/

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"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" Hitomi screamed, waking up, scaring whoever was next to her.

"Hitomi, are you okay?"

Hitomi recognized that as Ayame's voice, "You're alive?" Hitomi looked at Ayame. Ayame frowned, "Uh, yea… thanks a lot."

Hitomi realized what she said may have had the wrong meaning, "No I meant… oh nothing… it was just a bad dream…" Hitomi looked at her surroundings. She was in what looked like a small house and there were other people there, who looked worried. "Who are these people?" Hitomi asked her self.

Ayame saw the sternlook on Hitomi's face and smiled, "These people helped us out Hitomi. I told them about our battle and why we were passed out in the middle of the plains… and the craters in the ground you made."

Hitomi growled slightly, "I didn't punchTHAT hard."

"Yea sure, that's why I had internal bruises and bleeding from your punches." Ayame looked and sounded cross.

Hitomi grinned, "Hey you challenged me so you can't really complain now can you?"

A pink, female hedgehog came up to Hitomi, "Well we're glad to see you woke up. You were out for3 weeks."

Hitomi gasped, "Oh good God no! Are you serious?"

Ayame looked at Hitomi, "What's wrong with being outfor 3weeks? I woke up just five hours ago… why does3 weeks of rest bother you so much? You've got a deadline or something?" Ayame's answer was a growl from Hitomi, "Yes…"

Ayame blushed, "Why do I always seem to piss you off so easily?"

Hitomi growled even louder, "Because you don't know how to close that chatter box you call your mouth!"

Ayame growled back, "Watch it red head, I'm not afraid to turn you pink!"

Hitomi snarled, "My little SISTER is pink…"

Ayame stared at Hitomi with a question on her face, "You have a little sister?"

Hitomi realized she said too much. Hitomi turned around were she lay and faced the opposite side of the bed, "What's it to you?"

Ayame sighed and sat on the bed, next to Hitomi, "Dude, if you want me to help you out on your mission thing, you're gonna have to fill me in so I know what I'm doing and so I can help you out."

Hitomi sighed, "Might as well…" "Can you get everyone out? I want to explain this to only Ayame."

A blue male hedgehog grinned, "Hey if you want, we can help you. We're fighters!"

The pink hedgehog girl nodded, "He's right. We've dealt with the evil Dr. Robotnic plenty of times, so anything else will be no problem."

"They've fought Dr. Robotnic many times? I knew he had enemies, but I didn't think the Earth had heroes… Maybe I can ask… right Mother and Father? I can use the help, anything to get Ryukan and Rina and whatever it takes so that that dream doesn't come true." Hitomi smiled softly, "I don't think it would hurt… I made a promise to my parents and to myself that I would do whatever possible to protect my little brother and sister."

Ayame grinned, "Ryukan and Rina right? You were crying in your sleep when you kept on whispering those names. They're your siblings?"

Hitomi nodded, a little embarrassed that she cried and screamed in her sleep. Hitomi knew she wouldn't be able to sleep well until she saved them.

The blue hedgehog smiled kindly, "Hey don't worry about your kid brother and sister. We'll help you get them back. What do you think Knuckles? You wanna help out buddy?"

"Knuckles?" Hitomi turned around and sat up to see a male echidna leaning against the wall near the doorway. His fur was flaming red and his eyes were a calm and cool violet. Hitomi could feel those dark violet eyes stare through her pale blue eyes and into her soul. Hitomi looked away, forcing all forms of emotions into the back of her mind, "He's handsome yes… but what's important is saving Ryukan and Rina… not my love life… so just forget it."

Ayame saw Hitomi's reaction and grinned, "I bet she likes him…"

Knuckles nodded, "I can help… I asked Vector, Espio, and Charmy to take care of the Master Emerald for me while I hang out with you guys."

The blue hedgehog grinned, "How did you get them to do that?"

Knuckles smirked, "I promised them that I'd help them fix up their house."

"You don't knowanything about construction."

"No, but I know plenty about destruction… they want me to flatten their house and then they'll rebuild it to their liking."

The blue hedgehog laughed. The pink hedgehog ignored them, "So what about your siblings, Hitomi?"

Hitomi looked at the pink hedgehog. Hitomi could tell that this girl has a pure heart, just by looking into her emerald eyes. Hitomi sighed, "My siblings… are being held captive by Dr. Robotnic himself. He came to my village recently and completely destroyed everything and everyone in it. My village was named Gosamu… it was the last village of echidnas… My siblings and I are the last ones… I am the last and most powerful guardian of Gosamu. In attempt to keep my siblings safe, I had them retreat to a cave that we call Emerald Cave. It was a safe haven for anyone who needed shelter. We even had food stored in there. After I took care of Robotnic's scrap metal-heads, he got away before I could even say anything to him. After that, I ran over to the Emerald Cave to find all of the food gone and eaten and a note from Robotnic that stated that he had Ryukan and Rina…yet… he did give me a choice on how to save them…and only one choice. I'm to give him the Master Emerald for exchange of my siblings. But… that's something I just cannot do. As a guardian of Gosamu that is loyal to the Master Emerald, I can do no such thing. With that, I plan to go ahead and save them without the Master Emerald. That's why I need help. If I die, my siblings will suffer; if I just stay here they'll suffer, if I give Robotnic the emerald they'll suffer… so I only have one choice… I need your help to save Ryukan and Rina…" Hitomi looked up at Ayame, Knuckles, and the other two strangers.

Ayame frowned, "I can't stand that…"

The pink hedgehog looked at Ayame, "Can't stand what?"

"That he took Hitomi's family and forced her to betray her own beliefs and village! What kind of a sick jerk is he? Who just takes someone's siblings and threaten them? Ryukan and Rina aren't kids are they?" Ayame asked Hitomi.

Hitomi nodded, "They are… Ryukan is eight and Rina is six…"

Knuckles raised a brow of pure curiosity, "How old are you?"

Hitomi looked at him in surprise, "Seventeen…"

"Ah…" Knuckles looked away with what looked like a slight blush, "So she's my age? I didn't know about Gosamu at all… it's depressing how it's gone now… maybe if I knew about it earlier, I would have helped to protect it… I wouldn't have been along for so long… maybe I could have met her earlier in life… I can tell she's devoted to protecting her family…maybe I'll ask her to stay with me when all of this is over. I can stop bugging Vector and his friends about helping me out with the Master Emerald… maybe she can help me keep Rouge away from the Master Emerald as well… stupid bat…"

Hitomi smiled at Knuckles, "Knuckles, is it? Are you the Guardian of the Master Emerald? I heard you talking about it earlier with your friend…"

"Sonic, the name's Sonic." Sonic grinned, his emerald eyes sparkling with agitation, "I'm really sorry about your siblings Hitomi. Egg-head has gone too far this time!"

Hitomi looked down, "Thank you…"

Knuckles walked over to Hitomi, "I am the guardian of the Master Emerald. Thank you for not wanting to use the Emerald to get your siblings back."

Hitomi grinned, "I could never do that to the Master Emerald… and I'm too stubborn to give in to Dr. Robotnic's demands. I'd rather die before I even think about it."

Knuckles grinned back, "Same here… so are you feeling better now Hitomi?"

Hitomi blushed at the change of topic, "Is he concerned for my well being? NO! Don't pay attention to his looks… his eyes… wow, his hands are huge… I wonder if they're soft… NO! You don't have a love life! You have your siblings to care for! Ryukan and Rina is your main objective! Save them and live happily ever after! No love life! Ugh! No LOVE LIFE!"

Hitomi looked away and softly answered, "I'm feeling better thank you…" "You're so weak… how can you answer like… like you're just smitten with him… even though you just met him?"

Knuckles gently grabbed Hitomi's hand, "Can you get up? Bet your hungry… Amy, could make something for Hitomi to eat?"

Amy smiled brightly, "Of course, what would you like Hitomi?"

Hitomi thought for a bit, "I really don't know…"

Amy smiled brighter, "Well then, how about I just cook random things and you can eat what ever you like? I'll be done in about an hour tops. Knuckles, can you help her up? Ayame, can you show Hitomi were the bathroom is? Every girl likes the feeling of being refreshed!" Amy ran off to the kitchen to start cooking.

Ayame smiled, "She's a nice girl, Amy… hey Hitomi, lets get you to the showers. You've had a hard 3weeks, so just relax a bit. I can tell we'll save your sibs in no time and with no problem!"

Hitomi looked away, "There's no such thing as relaxation for me until Ryukan and Rina are safe with me again… but I can use a brake…"

Ayame nodded, "I understand… I had a family once too…"

Sonic looked at Ayame, "once?"

Ayame started to walk out the door to get Hitomi's shower items ready for her, "Yea… they were killed in crossfire by Robotnic's army six years ago. My family sacrificed themselves to save my life… I was only ten…Robotnic was on his 'Imma take over the world' rampage… my city just 'happened' to be in the way… so yea… I'll help… if you promise me one thing Hitomi." Ayame stopped in the door way.

Hitomi looked at Ayame, "Yes…" She never knew that Ayame had such a hard past… so that's why she's so understanding… "Ayame… I've been suffering for3 weeks and even in my dreams I suffer for the fear of my siblings… but you have been lamenting over the death of your family for six years… now that's a pain I'll never understand… to lose everyone in my family… I'm lucky…Ayame… by helping me, you're family will be avenged, I'm sure of it."

Ayame turned to look Hitomi face to face, "Promise me that… that you'll make me a part of your family… I'm tired of wandering around the world, knowing that I don't have a home to go to. I'm tired of being alone… sure I'll still zip around the world, but I just… want a family to come home to…" Ayame looked away and walked out as her eyes met Sonic's.

Hitomi frowned slightly, "Ayame… of course I'll let you be a part of my family… nobody as kind hearted as you should be alone for so long…"

Knuckles smiled softly, "Perhaps if she heard you say that, you might get a reaction…"

Hitomi chuckled, "I'll tell her later… Sonic can you ask Amy if she can make whatever Ayame's favorite food is? I want Ayame to be happy… no one deserves to suffer for six years… not like that…"

Sonic nodded with a small smile and walked out of the room and winked at Knuckles, giving him a smirk.

Knuckles glared at Sonic as he walked out, "Sonic knows I like Hitomi… makes sense, I never help anyone out this much… He better not tell anyone! I swear I'll kill him if he does."

Knuckles helped Hitomi out of bed, "Can you walk?"

Hitomi put her feet on the carpeted floor and stood up, with Knuckles' support. She's been out for3 weeks, so Hitomi wasn't sure if she'd fall on her fist step.

Hitomi walked around the room to get used to the weak feeling in her legs. "I guess this is why I don't use the Ancient Blaster so often…then again, I've never had it fired back at me before… which reminds me… I need to ask Ayame how she was able to use the Ancient Blaster and so well! It took me a month to perfect it, not a second!"

XCXCXCXCXCXCXCXCXCX

Ayame walked out of the house as Hitomi took her shower. Ayame watched Sonic, a bird, and a gazelle race. The bird and gazelle didn't even stand a chance. Ayame smiled, "I wonder how fast he really is…"

Knuckles, who was sitting next to Ayame, watched Sonic school the two who foolishly challenged Sonic to a relay race, "Sonic is the fastest hedgehog there is… he's actually famous for it. He loves the attention, but he would rather stay here with us. He loves the fans… but he really doesn't care much for riches or material possessions except for the shoes on his feet."

Ayame looked down at her black boots that had buckles all over it and white skulls spray painted on them, "He's not the only one who's fast. These boots may look impossible to walk in, but I run in these… and I'm fast… people I've met over my six years alone call me Speed of Death."

Knuckles looked at Ayame in shock, "Speed of Death?"

Ayame nodded sadly, "I never liked it… they called me that because the races I ran were based on gambling yourlife. I got into those races because those kinds of people found me. I never lost, of course. I would even try to turn down the challenge… but the creeps always threatened to hurt an innocent life, so I had no choice. After a while, I started getting used to the concept of death races… I even got used to the concept of ending a life… that's why I'm called Speed of Death, you race me, you die…"

There was a long silence until Ayame continued, "But I've always had this one wish… that I could race someone just for the hell of it, and not worry about titles, names, and death… just race… for fun… to see if I'm the fastest… and hopefully get beaten and have a rival, or be on par with some one! I just want to be normal again… like I was back then… when I was young… and had a family… when I used to have fun and would race every day for fun with my cousin… I want that back… that's why I want to be a part Hitomi's family… I want to be like her sister… I want her sibs to call me Aunt Ayame or something… you know… be normal…"

Knuckles looked at Ayame, "Wow… you know… if you want to race someone… ask Sonic… I'm sure he can make you feel like you can race for fun. It's what he does for a living… if he's not racing… he's eating chilly dogs."

Ayame laughed, "Yea he told me already he likes them. They're my favorite too. Amy said she'd make some for us. What about you? What's your favorite food?"

Knuckles shrugged, "I'll eat anything."

Ayame grinned, "Cool… well, watch and see Speed of Light go on stage… I've always wanted to be called that instead of Speed of Death."

Knuckles smiled as he watched Ayame walk up to Sonic and the two strangers, "She's a lot like Sonic…"

Ayame smiled at Sonic, "Hey Sonic, I wanna challenge you to a race."

Sonic was about to reply when the bird laughed, "A girl! You've gotta be kiddin me!"

The gazelle smirked, "We couldn't even bet Sonic, what makes you think YOU can?"

Sonic frowned, "Hey you guys, be nice to Ayame! And don't say those things! I'm sure she knows what she's doing."

Ayame decided that Speed of Death was in need, "Have you two ever heard Speed of Death?"

The gazelle shivered, "Yea, I heard that he wears black boots with skulls on them."

The bird twitched, "Yea, I heard that Speed of Death is so fast, that anyone who races him is killed if he wins, and I've heard he's never lost."

Ayame growled, "I'M NOT A GUY! I'M A GIRL! WHO EVER GOT THE STORY SCREWED UP ABOUT SPEED OF DEATH BEING A MAN IS BS! BESIDES, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE BEING SPEED OF DEATH! I HATE THAT NAME!"

The bird and the gazelle looked at Ayame's shoes, "I-It's Speed of Death!" "OH MY GOD RUN!" "WE'RE SORRY!" They took off with out another word.

Sonic looked at Ayame, "Speed of Death"?

Ayame looked away, "I'm not exactly proud of it you know… please don't ask. I already told Knuckles my life story… I don't feel like repeating my self. Can I tell you later?"

Sonic sat down in front of Ayame, "I'll race you if you tell me about yourself… I want to know why they call you Speed of Death."

Ayame looked away, "Knuckles told me to race you if I wanted to feel free… I haven't felt that way since I was a child… please let me race you…" Ayame faced Sonic, "Please race me Sonic! I want to know what it feels like to run with out any cares, with out worrying my opponent's well being. I just want to run… please?" Ayame sat down on the ground when she didn't get an answer. Ayame looked at the ground, failing to hold back her tears, "All I ever wanted was to run without a care in the world… I just want to be free from the title of Speed of Death… I don't want to be feared any more. I want to live a normal life."

A tear fell from Ayame's face, but was stopped by a hand. Ayame stared at the hand. The hand cupped Ayame's chin and lifted her face to look into Sonic's emerald eyes. Ayame could feel herself blush, "Sonic…"

Sonic hushed Ayame by removing his hand from her chin to her lips, "Its ok…"

Ayame felt her tears come even faster. Why was she still crying? Ayame knew she was hurting. All of those years of being feared by everyone and never having a friend to go to, Ayame had shoved all of the loneliness and lack of family in the back of her mind. But now it was all coming out in an explosion of emotions. Ayame leaned into Sonic and cried for the first time in six years.

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Hitomi sighed in complete satisfaction. She ate what ever she had gotten her hands on. She hadn't eaten since breakfast that morning her village was attacked and the food Amy made was top of the line awesome.

There were some food items that she had never seen before, such as pasta or pizza. Hitomi ate it all, not caring for what it was called at the moment. All she knew was that it tasted good. She really loved the pies too. Hitomi was sure Ayame would love Amy's pies. Speaking of Ayame…

"Where's Ayame?" Hitomi asked Knuckles, who just walked in and sat down to eat what Hitomi hadn't raided.

"She's out side with Sonic. They were going to race, but now they're talking about something." Knuckles knew he shouldn't tell everyone about Ayame's past. Knuckles really wasn't a fan of gossip anyway.

Hitomi stood up, took a small swig of juice, and headed for the door.

"Hitomi, I'm sure Sonic and Ayame are just fine." Amy stated, with a hit of jealousy evident in her voice.

Hitomi looked at Amy, "You like Sonic?"

Amy blushed and poked at her food, "I've known Sonic for a long time. He knows I like him, but neither of us has said anything. I've given up on him, but there's a part of me that will always be attached to Sonic."

Hitomi smiled softly at Amy, "It seems like there's someone else out there for you."

Amy smiled, "Maybe…"

(A/N: It's gonna be Shadow, but how do to that, I don't know yet! XD)

Hitomi nodded, stood up and headed toward the door. Hitomi was about to open the door when it swung open and smacked her in the face.

"Man I'm hungry! Get ready Sonic, I'm going to beat you!"

"We'll see about that!"

Ayame and Sonic raced in and started inhaling all of the chili dogs that Amy had set aside for them.

Knuckles helped Hitomi up, "Are you okay?" Knuckles chuckled a little when Hitomi pretended to wring Ayame's neck.

"DONE," Ayame and Sonic placed their plates and their napkins on the table and raced outside.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Ayame settled herself in the bed that Amy had prepared for her. Ayame and Sonic had been racing all day to see who was faster than the other. Ayame smiled; she and Sonic were on par with speed. Ayame had no doubt that Sonic was strong was well.

Ayame smiled wider, "I'm glade Sonic is fast like me, and I'm glade that he understands me now."

As soon as Ayame's head touched the pillow, Ayame fell what she thought was going to be a dreamless, peaceful sleep.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

(Ayame's Dream)

Ayame was leaning against a brick wall in an alley way of the city, waiting for someone.

"Ayame…"

Ayame looked up to see Hitomi, "Hey there. What took you so long?"

Hitomi smiled, "I got the chaos emerald we were looking for. A black hedgehog had it."

Ayame smirked, "What did you do to get it?"

Hitomi revealed her fist, which was covered with blood, "I gave him fair warning, but as usual, I had to make him had over the emerald, just like that bat girl yesterday."

Ayame laughed coldly, "Yea, that Rouge sure wasa firecracker. Too bad we had to kill her. She should have joined us to help save your sibs."

Hitomi sighed, "I'm giving up on that."

"What!" Ayame looked at Hitomi in shock, "But Ryukan and Rina are counting on you to free them! Don't let all of this killing go in vain! All of the chaos emeralds we've collected! I even gave up to be with Sonic to help you out get your siblings back and you want to give up?"

Hitomi looked at Ayame, "No, I'm not giving that up… I hinting towards having another person joining us… in fact, I think it best if I go alone… you've done well Ayame… now you can join your family… IN HELL!" Hitomi's eyes flashed evilly as she hurled her fist into Ayame's stomach.

Ayame screamed in pain, "Hitomi, what are you doing?"

Hitomi did not answer; she only held her hand and nonchalantly muttered, "Ancient Blaster!"

Ayame knew she did not have enough time to get away, "Hitomi, no! Don't do it! Hitomi I thought we were best friends! HITOMI!"

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX (End Dream)

Ayame bolted up screaming, "NO, DON'T DO IT!"

Sonic was the first to burst through the door, "Ayame, what's wrong?"

Hitomi followed in next, "Ayame, are you okay?"

Ayame looked at Hitomi, a little shocked, "Hitomi… I had a horrible dream…" tears started to flood down Ayame's face.

Hitomi looked at Ayame, "She must have had a dream where she was killed, just like I did last night…"

Sonic walked up to Ayame, "Are you okay Ayame?"

Ayame stared at Sonic, "I… I need to talk to Hitomi alone Sonic… I'll let you know about it later."

Sonic nodded, "Sure thing…" Sonic looked at Hitomi and then left, "Take care of her Hitomi, call me if you need anything."

Hitomi watched Sonic leave. When the blue hedgehog was out of the way, Ayame had explained her dream to Hitomi. Hitomi was in total shock, "Ayame, I would never hurt you! Of course we are friends, as much as you annoy me… but I guess that's part of what being friends is… it's going to be okay Ayame. You have no idea how much help I'm going to need getting Ryukan and Rina back."

Ayame smiled, feeling better, "Thank you Hitomi-chan… if that's okay."

"Of course, we're friends… Ayame-chan, I need you to come with me tomorrow to do some training. Amy said I have one whole week until we start finding Robotnic... we're planning to inflitrate the doctor's base and save Ryukan and Rina, and I want to spend that time getting ready for what may be the biggest battle the both of us will ever face." Hitomi looked at Ayame with a serious face, but with a kind smile.

Ayame smiled, "Of course Hitomi-chan, I'll help ya out. Maybe Knuckles and Sonic can train with us. Amy too, I heard she's a bit of a fighter."

Hitomi smiled, her face relaxed, "That's doesn't sound too bad at all. See you in the morning?"

Ayame smiled and got back into bed, "Yea, see ya in the morning."

Hitomi smiled and closed Ayame's door and went to bed herself. Tomorrow was going to be the start of one hell of a fun and hectic week.

CXCXCXCXCXCXCXCXCX

YIPPE! I finally finished the fourth chapter!

Sonic: it took ya long enough

Shut up or I'll make you eat veggie chili dogs!

Sonic: EWWWWWWWWWWWW! (Runs away)

Amy: that was a horrible! How could you threaten Sonic like that!

Shadow: Even I have some sympathy compared to you… what's your name now? You changed it again...

Yami No Baiken-sama!

Shadow: whatever…

Umph… well now, watch out for chapter 5! I'll try not to make it so friggin long next time. It took me five days (when I gave it my attention) to complete. It's summer now, so I have no excuses… unless I'm doing errands or taking my summer class starting late July. Getting ready for college! EP!