I let out a small groan before opening my eyes. I was on some sort of hospital bed, and by the looks of the room, I was in one.
"Oh, you're awake!"
I looked to my left to see Rosie standing there with a smile on her face. She had something in her arms.
"How are you feeling?" She asked.
"Better then I did." I answered.
"That's nice to hear." Rosie said. "And I must say, I've never seen Sonic so frantic before."
"Sonic? Frantic? Over what?" I asked.
"When you blacked out he turned so white that I thought all the blood from his cheeks had dried up." Rosie explained.
"He was that worried about me?" I whispered.
"Of course he was. That was some fall, it was a miracle that you survived."
I guess she was right. A person would easily be killed from a forty-foot drop that had to be nearly half the size of the drop I survived.
"Dr. Quack did a scan and it shows that you're perfectly fine. Other then a little tired you should be just fine."
I simply nodded my head.
"Oh, and these are for you." And she handed me what was in her arms. "Princess Sally and Bunnie helped me make them. We figured you'd need something to show yourself a little better."
They were clothes: a T-shirt, and a pair of jeans.
"And we also got you these, they should fit you a little better." Rosie said, picking something off the floor. They were sneakers, a pair of orange red sneakers.
"Why don't you try them on, see if they fit." Rosie suggested.
I climbed off the bed, took the clothes and walked into the bathroom. It took me only a minute to get everything on and when I looked at myself in the mirror in surprise. I looked just like my OC, Shelby the Hedgehog. I know it's strange to name a character after myself but it was the closest way I could to an adventure. But I couldn't help smiling when I saw myself. I looked just like her, down to the last detail.
Blue fur, blue yes, long eyelashes, a white T-shirt with a loose yellow turtleneck collar, short sky blue sleeves, a sky blue heart decorating the middle, blue jeans, and orange red sneakers. I couldn't help but crack a smile, as a thought came to mind.
"I wonder…" I whispered and reached into my pocket. "No, I should have known."
I thought the Black Chaos Emerald was there. I knew there wasn't such a thing but I tried anyway. In my stories, it only allowed Shelby the Hedgehog to use it anyone else would be thrown across the room from a sudden blast of Chaos Energy or it just wouldn't work at all. With it, she could perform Chaos Control and only in extreme emergencies would she resort to that or Chaos Blast because they tired her out a great deal. With it, combined with the other seven Chaos Emeralds, she could do anything. But when needed, she would command the emerald to aid Sonic and the others to help them.
"Shelby, are you alright dear?" Rosie called.
"Yeah, I'm fine." I said as I walked out.
"Well, Sonic will be happy to hear that." Rosie said.
"Yeah, where is he anyway?" I asked.
"Robotnik came after a while but Sonic and the others managed to send him on his way." Rosie explained.
"That's good." I sighed.
"Yes but that was an hour ago. I think Sonic went somewhere after that." Rosie said.
"Did he say where?" I asked.
"Not a word." Rosie sighed before saying, "Sometimes I worry about him."
"Don't worry Rosie, if Sonic can survive a Doomsday weapon, I'm pretty sure he can survive anything." I said with a smile but I knew it wasn't true.
'The only thing he can't survive is that monster, Mephiles.' I thought bitterly. 'At least he's gone forever now.'
"Something on your mind dear?" Rosie asked.
I opened my mouth to answer but I was cut off…by a sonic boom.
"Oh, there's Sonic." Rosie said.
The door opened quickly, showing the blue hedgehog.
"Oh, Shell, you're awake." Sonic said.
"Yeah, is something wrong?" I asked.
"No, I just thought you might like some of these." Sonic said and held up a bouquet of flowers that were each a color of the rainbow with five round petals. I recognized them from one place: Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog.
"Mobisia Marvelosa Marigoldias? Sonic, how did you…"
I stopped talking when I saw that he was a real mess. He had slobber, exotic plants, and some of them were burnt, all over him.
"Sonic, did you go into a jungle to get these?" I asked.
"Well they do only grow one place in the entire world." He shrugged.
"You didn't have to-"
"But I wanted to. It's a get well present."
I couldn't help but blush Sonic was just a big sweet heart.
"Sonic, you're sweet." I managed to get out.
I could have sworn that I saw him blushing as well.
"Did everyone make it out okay?" I asked.
"Yeah, Charmy hit his head on some but other then that." Sonic said.
"That's good." I said.
"I better go check up on the others." Sonic said, getting up. "You might wanna get some more rest."
"I'm fine." I said, getting up and walking to the door.
"I'm serious, you should get back in bed." Sonic said, following me.
The whole time I was searching for the exit, Sonic was trying to get me back into bed.
"I wouldn't go outside if I were you." Sonic said as I reached for the door that led outside.
"Why not?" I asked, opening the door.
BIG mistake!
The second I turned to looked outside I was blinded with flashes.
"My eyes!" I cried, shielding them.
I looked beyond them to see the press reports of all kinds asking all sorts of questions, coming from all directions.
"Miss Hedgehog, how did you manage to survive that fall from before?" One asked. "Miss Hedgehog, is it true that you had escaped from the doctor's base previously but returned when you learned what would happen in Knothole?" Another asked. "Is it true that you are Sonic the Hedgehog's cousin?" A third asked. The next question took me off guard: "Is it true that you are Sonic's new girlfriend?" That did it.
"G-G-G-Girlfriend?" I choked.
That was too much. I started walking backwards, but they just closed in more. I wasn't going to be able to get away at this rate.
"ENOUGH!"
Everyone stopped to look behind me.
"Sonic?" I whispered.
"Where were you raised? A kennel? Back off!" Sonic ordered the reporters.
However, his plan backfired, terribly.
The reporters were now swarming him for info. They were talking so much, so fast that I could barely tell who was saying what. If we were to get out of there, we'd need a way to lose the reporters.
"Oh look! It's his majesty: King Acorn!" I cried, pointing behind the reporters.
They turned around in a heartbeat. A heartbeat was all I needed. I grabbed Sonic, ducked back into the medical hut, and slammed the door behind us.
"Sonic, the next time there are reporters outside, just tell me." I told him.
"Will do." Sonic said.
"What in the world is going on here?" Rosie asked.
"Reporters looking for interviews." I panted. "Is there a back way out of here?"
"I'm afraid not." Rosie said.
"Terrific." I groaned.
"Man, now what?" Sonic asked.
My sight then landed on a leather jacket hanging on a coat rack, a dress, a baby blanket, and a hedgehog baby doll.
"I think I have an idea." I smirked. "Think you're up to it Sonic?"
"What have you got in mind?"
"Okay, get this…" I then whispered my plan into his ear.
---
The doors to the Medical Hut slowly opened and the reporters got ready.
"Yo, what's going on?"
They were hedgehogs and they were blue but not the ones they wanted. The male wore a brown leather jacket, jeans and dark sunglasses over his eyes, with his arm around the female, who wore a blue dress, and in her arms, a bundle of blankets.
"Well, are you gonna get out of the way or what? I've gotta get my new daughter home don't I?" The male demanded in a surfer accent.
The reporters quickly made a path, seeing as to how they didn't want to disturb a baby.
"That's more like it." The male said, as he led the female through the crowd.
"Wait, how do we know you're not Sonic and the girl in disguise?" One of the reporters demanded.
"You're looking for those two? They went out the back." The male said.
The reporters wasted no time. They ran around the building in a heartbeat.
---
"Okay run." I said, dropping the accent.
Sonic and I broke into an all out sprint. Once we were a good twenty yards away, we ditched the costumes and stopped.
"Nice work, Shell. The accent was a nice touch." Sonic said.
"It was easy, I can make my voice sound like a lot of your friends from all sorts of series." I shrugged.
"Cool, who was that anyway?" Sonic asked.
"Manic the Hedgehog, from one of my favorites: Sonic Underground." I answered.
I noticed that Sonic shivered when I said "Manic" and "Sonic Underground". I knew the Archie Sonic had gone to that plain of reality in Crossover Chaos A.K.A. Sonic Super Special #10.
"Sonic, something wrong?" I asked.
"No, why do you ask?" Sonic replied in a shaky voice.
"You're shivering."
Sonic looked at me for a second.
"What were we talking about?" He asked extremely quickly.
"Nice try, Chicken Little." I said, crossing my arms over my chest.
"Chicken what?" Sonic asked.
"Never mind." I replied.
"Aunt Shelby!"
"Huh, Tails?"
I looked behind me to see Tails come running.
"I've been looking for you everywhere!" Tails said. "King Acorn wants to see you right away!"
That hit a cord.
"M-Me?" I asked, surprised.
"Yeah, he said it was important." Tails continued.
"O-Okay." I said, nervously.
"I'll catch you guys later, there's something I need to do." Sonic said and took off.
"Shelby, is every Sonic on your planet like that?" Tails asked as we started walking.
"No, some are, others sometimes are, but some would never be like that." I answered.
"Like which ones?" Tails asked.
"Well, most of the time the Sonic from the AoStH series is funny."
"Funny?"
"It was the first TV show, a great comedy if you ask me."
"What else is there?"
"Well, there's the Fleetway Sonic."
"Fleetway?"
"A comic book series, in that one, Sonic is a tad mean spirited. He calls you Pixel-Brain, but only to keep you safe from Robotnik."
"How would that keep me save?" Tails asked.
"Robotnik wouldn't kidnap you kill you if he thought it wouldn't put a dent in Sonic's spirit if he killed you. It's a clever plan, really."
"Wow, you're right. Did Sally come up with that?"
"Well, Sally isn't quite the same in that series and before you ask me how, don't."
"Okay, what about the others?"
"Well, the Sonic X, Sonic is normally quiet, and either sun bathing or sleeping on the roof. And no matter what, he always comes when he's needed most. He usually needs his privacy, and you don't know where he is half the time. But it doesn't matter where he is, because he's always able to find those in need, no matter where he goes. And if he doesn't find trouble, it'll find him, if not his friends will."
"Am I in Sonic X?"
"Of course you are, Sweetie. You pilot the X Tornado!"
"The X Tornado?"
"You're greatest plane EVER! It can also shoot out the Rings in that series, which are very small, and give Sonic a HUGE power boost. And in season three you were the one who created the Blue Typhoon, a huge, and I mean HUGE, battleship that could go out into Space!"
"They went into Space?"
"Yeah, to stop the Metarex, a race of evil robots who were out to put the galaxy under one rule, theirs'. The leader, Dark Oak, had fought Super Sonic for the Chaos Emeralds. Super Sonic gave everything he had but it still wasn't enough. So he did the first he could think of: get rid of the Chaos Emeralds. He sent them to the farthest corners of the galaxy, keeping them away from Dark Oak."
"Dark Oak. Strange name."
"Trust me, if you knew the whole story, it wouldn't be all that strange. And it was thanks to Cosmo some of the mystery was unraveled."
"Cosmo?"
"The first Plant Hybrid in any of the series. I have a picture of her in my backpack if you wanna see her."
"Why would I?"
"Well, in Sonic X, you two liked each other."
"What about Fiona?"
"She's not even in Sonic X."
"Oh."
"But if you ask me, Cosmo is WAY better for you. She's the same age, about the same height. She's a really sweet little kid, however…"
"What is it?"
"She gave her life to save the galaxy. Dark Oak was going to make a Planet Egg explode, by putting pressure on it with a powerful gravity field."
"What are Planet Eggs?"
"Planet Eggs are what give a planet the ability to nurture, and sustain live. The Metarex stole the Planet Eggs from countless planets for their plan, without the Planet Egg, a planet slowly loses its life, they just become cold bare rocks, just floating in Space. If a Planet Egg was crushed, then the entire galaxy could be destroyed. Even together Super Sonic and Super Shadow couldn't get past the gravity field. Sonic was willing to be blasted from the Sonic Power Cannon, a laser cannon that shot Sonic out as the laser. However, you were the one who pointed out that they had never done when he Super Sonic so they had no idea what would happen."
"What did happen?"
"It was pointed out that if Sonic was shot at the gravity field the pressure could be too much for his body to take, so there was a chance Sonic wouldn't even survive the attack. Amy was against it at once but Sonic was gonna go through with it. He wasn't going to let them destroy the galaxy, if it would stop them it was worth a chance. Then Cosmo heard her dead mother speak to her. She understood what her purpose was. Using the amulet her mother gave her, Cosmo went through a stunning transformation that allowed her to pass through the gravity field. Her friends meant everything to her that was why she gave everything up to save them. She planted herself on the planet and become the biggest Cherry Blossom Tree I've ever seen. In doing so, she was able to stop Dark Oak for only a moment. She didn't care about what would happen to her and told them to fire the Power Cannon."
"Then what?" Tails asked, a hint of worry in his voice.
"Sonic returned to the cannon, soon followed by Shadow, making the blast twice as powerful. It took the energy of both the Blue Typhoon and Eggman's ship for this blast. And it was up to you to fire the cannon. At first, he couldn't, but then Cosmo spoke to him, and I quote: Trust me Tails, you have to fire, it's the only way to save all of us. Tails told her he trusted her but she meant a lot to him, and he didn't want to lose her. She then told him that he'd have destroyed the Metarex, and spread the seeds of her clan through the galaxy. With those words of encouragement Tails said and I quote: I believe in you. Your friendship's meant a lotto me, and I wish we had a chance to spend more time together, but I understand that this is the only chance to bring your back. I'm your seeds will a new place to grow and make a new home. Good luck Cosmo, and goodbye."
"Whoa! You sounded just like me there!" Tails said.
"Yeah, I can throw my voice to sound like a few of you guys, really. But that's beside the point. You fired the cannon and it his head on. Cosmo thanked you and said she'd never forget you. And before she disappeared, what's believed to be her spirit came before, and kissed you on the lips."
"Really?"
"Uh huh. Sonic soon turned, with a single white seed, which is believed to be Cosmo. Shadow used Chaos Control to hold the blast in place forever, but Eggman said that it might have been too much for his body to take. The Planet Eggs that the Metarex stole started returning to their planets, were they belonged."
"So we lost two friends to the Metarex?" Tails asked.
"Yeah." I sighed.
"But, why did Cosmo kiss me?"
"Because, you two were in love."
"We were?"
"Yeah, two certain incidents happened, and well, you fell in love. However, neither of you got the chance to tell the other, because of, you know."
"Oh." Tails said sadly. "Well, there's the castle."
The castle was like something out of a fairy tale.
"Nervous?" Tails asked.
"Very nervous." I replied.
"Don't worry, King Acorn is very nice, I'm sure my parents will vouch for you."
"If you say so."
As we got closer, I noticed two very large guards at the gate.
"Allow us passage, King Acorn wants to see her." Tails told them.
They allowed us to enter, but that didn't change the fact that they were staring at me.
"Tails, why is everyone staring at me?" I asked.
"Beats me." He replied.
Tails led me through the halls to the throne room. I was a nervous mess. Not just because I was coming on the, behave of a king, but because I'd probably end up meeting, Tails' rebellious father, Amadeus Prower.
Because of his actions, Tails and Sonic would get into a fight, and as the cover said: Sonic vs Tails: Friends no more.
"Something wrong, Shelby?" Tails asked.
"It's…It's nothing." I said.
I knew I had to say something otherwise…my favorite heroes would become enemies. I knew that if that happen, I might end up in the very middle of it all, being used as a rope in tug-a-war battle. If that happened, I wouldn't know how to side with. It was always like this with me: a fight breaks out and if I choose one side, I'll regret it, but it'll happen no matter whom I sided with.
If I went with Tails, I'd have turned my back on Sonic, the Freedom Fighters, and the entire House of Acorn. And if I sided with them, I'd lose one of my new friends, and possibly, one of my heroes. I wasn't sure if my heart could take it. One side would go with Sonic the other half would go with Tails. It was one of those decisions that you were stuck between a rock and a hard place with no way out.
"There's the throne room." Tails said, breaking me from my thoughts. "You ready?"
"I hope so." I said.
"C'mon then." Tails said and opened the double doors.
The throne room of the castle was HUGE! It was without a doubt one of the most beautiful places I had ever laid eyes on. I walked a few steps behind Tails, incase I had to do something important I could just copy Tails.
When we were about fifteen feet away from the throne, Tails got down on one knee, and I quickly followed.
"Arise." A male's voice said.
I stood up, to see Sally's older brother, King Elias Acorn. Next to him was his wife holding their child, nearby was his mother, Alicia, and his father, the former king, Maximillian Acorn. Sally was no, where in sight.
"So, you are the girl I have heard so much about from Sonic and Sally. Tell me, is what they say about you true: You being from another world, I mean." Elias said.
"It is." I said, trying to stay calm.
"Yes, I saw you in the Egg Grape Chamber, you were the one who saved Charmy very impressive, if I do say so myself."
"Thank you, your majesty."
"Tell me: What is your name?"
"Shelby, Shelby Workman."
"Yes, now please, step forward."
I did as Elias commanded. He told me to halt when I was near the throne. He turned to his father, who held out a small box. Elias opened it and pulled something out. He then turned to me and I stood up straight.
"On the behave of the Kingdom of Acorn, I award thee this Medal of Honor, for your aid of helping the kingdom in its greatest time of need." Elias proclaimed as he held up a golden medal on a blue ribbon.
He stepped towards me, holding out the medal. I bowed my head, mostly out of respect. Elias placed the medal around my neck and stepped back. I looked up, to see him, smiling proudly.
"Thank you, your majesty." I said, bowing my head again.
"It seems my little Bean wasn't lying about how polite you are." Maximillian said.
Bean was what he called Sally when she was little.
"Amadeus, please lead our guest to the door please, I have something I wish to discuss with my son." Alicia said.
"Of course, your highness." A new voice said.
I looked to see Tails' father, Amadeus.
"Hi Dad." Tails chirped.
"Hello son, it's nice to see you're alright after Robotnik returned." The brown fox said. "Now, is this her?" He gestured towards me.
"Yep, she's the one who helped us all!" Tails said. "Her name's Shelby!"
"Shelby is it? A fine name for such a young woman." Amadeus said, walking towards me. "That was quite an act you did out there, and I must admit, I'm quite impressed. I've never seen anyone charge head first into a fight like that, nor anyone come out alive from that fall."
He extended out his hand. I took it, not taking my eyes off him.
"My name is Amadeus, but if what my son says is true, you already know that." He said.
"Yes, it's true." I said.
"Well then, it is indeed an honor. Now, please follow me." He said, pulling his hand back.
I followed Tails' father, trying my best not to be distracted by the amazing work of the castle.
"First time in a castle?" Tails asked.
"Yes, and I must say: I'm glad that this is my first one." I said.
I looked down to the medal had gotten. I grabbed it and turned it, so I could just what it looked like. On it was a star and inside of it was an acorn. I had truly served the Kingdom of Acorn. It felt like…I can't explain. I don't even think I was feeling anything I was so amazed.
"Wait 'til Sonic sees it, he's gonna flip out!" Tails said.
"Nice to see you two getting along again." I said.
"Why's that?" Tails asked.
"Well, there's been a lot of tension between you two. It's impossible to not notice it. I guess I'm just worried something will happen between you two, that's all."
I wasn't planning on telling them about the fight in issues 178 and 179. But all of this had happened so fast, then maybe it was sooner then I thought, just like it had been earlier.
"Shelby, did the comic books ever show the future?" Amadeus asked.
"Uh, what do you mean?" I asked.
"Do we win this war, or not?" He asked.
"Amadeus, if I told you that, I'd be tampering with space and time. Terrible things happen if someone does that. Telling you could very possibly change the entire future. Or if someone were to go into the past, they could end up messing up the present to a degree." I explained.
"Oh really, and how do you know this?"
"Trust me, I've seen this sort things before, other then in Sonic the Hedgehog series. Go into the past, you could end up sending the present into an all out war!"
"Really, could you give me an example?"
"Okay, say-Wait a minute." I stopped dryly. "Nice try."
"Worth a shot." Amadeus shrugged.
"What was worth a shot?" Tails asked.
"Your dad was trying to get me to tell about the future." I simply explained.
"Dad!" Tails said.
"I was just curious." Amadeus implied.
"Sorry, but you'll have to wait, just like everyone else." I said.
Amadeus chuckled and continued leading us outside. Once there, I looked out from the hill Nicole had placed the castle on. I suddenly felt sad.
"Something wrong, Aunt Shelby?' Tails asked.
"It's just, New Mobotropolis reminds me of my home. A quiet, peacefully place, full of plants and people you know, just like home. Just like Amherst."
"Is that the name of your hometown?"
"Yeah."
"Well, Sally once told me that, in ancient times, 'Amherst' meant: peaceful home."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Hm. Suits my town perfectly, except at night."
"Why's that?"
"Because Amherst is located next to a city call Lorain, and there, it's just a mess of a town. Guns are as common as cell phones, and they're shown just as often. People say that it's worth fighting for, but from what I've seen, it's one of the lowest places you could fall."
"Why's it like that?"
"Dunno, but from what I can tell, it's somehow tied to the steel mills. They still dive me the creeps. Sometimes I can't tell which is worse: Robotropolis or Lorain."
Tails nodded.
"But you know, I think I'm going to like living in New Mobotropolis, while I'm here anyway."
"Yeah, I bet you'll like it too." Tails agreed.