Chapter Seven
Sorry for the wait but there's an explanation at the end.
The sun shined down on the court yard at Sonic's Castle, making the two figures below sweat buckets. Sonic and Knuckles stood in front of each other gasping for air as they held their fighting stances and wooden swords. Knuckles white shirt was completely covered in dirt just like Sonic's face. To their right was Tails, who was lounging next to the pond reading a book.
Sonic was poised ready for whatever Knuckles was going to throw at him. In a flash Knuckles lunged at Sonic with his sword aimed at Sonic's stomach but Sonic leaped out of the way second before it would have hit him. Even though Sonic got out of the way, something was off about him. He seemed a little slower than normal; and that's very unusual when it comes to Sonic.
While Sonic's back was still turn to him Knuckles took this chance to elbow Sonic in the back and shove him to the ground, causing him to drop his sword. Sonic went to reach for it but Knuckles kicked it out of the way and pointed his own sword at Sonic's face. "I win," Knuckles said with a grin. Sonic gave him a blank stare as Knuckles chuckled. Knuckles stopped laughing and reached out to give Sonic a hand but instead Sonic ignored him and stood up on his own.
His actions caused Knuckles and Tails to look at him in confusion as he picked up his sword and threw it at the wrack of wooden swords making them all topple over. With a frustrated groan Sonic sat on the bench next to the fallen wrack and buried his head in his hands.
Tails and Knuckles gave each other troubled glances and walked towards Sonic. Tails sat down next to Sonic as Knuckles stood in front of him leaning on his sword. "Sonic, losing a match isn't the end of the world you know." Knuckles said calmly.
Sonic shook his head as he wiped the stress from eyes. "No, that's not it." He lifted his head looked Knuckles in the eye. "It's been a week and Amy hasn't written back. Wouldn't the letter have gotten here by now?" Sonic asked worriedly.
Knuckles sighed, throwing his sword to the ground and placed his right hand on his hip. "Sonic, we told you what could happen. She might never write back." He didn't mean to sound rude but he couldn't help the growl in his voice.
Tails glared at him as Sonic sighed and dropped his gaze to the ground. "I thought we really hit it off that night." He said sadly. Tails was about to try and cheer him up but the sound of the clock chiming 10 times, letting everyone know it was 10 a.m. Sonic sighed as he stood up and walked away. "I have a lesson to get to." His head hung low as he walked up the steps to the second floor.
With a groan Knuckles picked up the swords and the wrack and set them back up. Tails stood up with his arms crossed and a worried look on his face. "I'm worried about him Knuckles. He's really beating himself up about this girl." Knuckles stood up with his back turned to Tails as he brushed the dirt off his shirt and put on his brown jacket.
"Everything will be fine. He'll mope for a few days and then he'll completely forget about her."
"I don't think so Knuckles, Sonic's not one to give up so easily." Tails said.
Knuckles started to walk up the stairs to the second floor with Tails following close behind with his book in hand. Knuckles just wanted to push this topic away and never think about it again. He couldn't even imagine the trouble they would be in if they were caught. "Hey Tails," Knuckles said smiling, hoping to change the subject. "Since Sonic has lessons how about we hang out at the market place for awhile?"
Tails sighed knowing exactly what Knuckles wanted and honestly he didn't want to dwell on the topic much longer either. "Okay, let's go."
Market place
Knuckles and Tails were sitting at the bar of a pub in the market place. Tails was on his second glass of beer, still reading his book, while Knuckles was on his fourth.
As they sat at the bar minding their own business when a purple mongoose with black hair walked up to them. She sat down on the stool next to Knuckles and gave him a sexy grin. He took a hard gulp of the beer that was already in his mouth when she sat down. Now, unlike Rouge, this woman really was a lady of the night. She wore a long brown dress that only covered half of her chest and when she sat down she pulled up the dress enough to show off her entire thigh. On her face she wore mascara, bright pink blush, and ruby red lipstick. She smiled and leaned forward a little, showing off even more of her chest. It took everything Knuckles had not to stare at them.
"Hello boys," she said in a low sultry voice. Tails glanced at her but unlike Knuckles, after one second he looked away as if she was nothing and went back to reading his book. "My name's Melissa; I'll just cut to the chase. How do you feel about coming out back and having a little fun?" she said as she rubbed his leg and got closer and closer to his groin.
But they were interrupted when Knuckles felt something like two soft pillows pushed against his shoulder. He turned to his left and came face to face with a pair of very large breasts. His face reddened as he looked up to see Rouge's smirk. "Hi honey," she said grinning at Knuckles. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pushed her breasts further into Knuckles as she glared at Melissa. "What are you still doing here? Scram tramp." Melissa glared before walking off with a 'hmff'.
Rouge smiled at her job well done as she let Knuckles go. Knuckles and now Tails both looked at Rouge, as Cream stepped into view, with confusion. "What was that all about?" Knuckles said angrily but still had a scarlet blush.
But Rouge didn't answer him. Instead she slowly walked to the other stool next to Knuckles, swaying her hips with each step. Cream sat beside her, not as confident as Rouge though, with a light blush on her cheeks and trying not to look at Tails or Knuckles. "Hey," Rouge said calling the bartender over. "One beer and a water." The bartender nodded as he got what she asked for. She turned back to Knuckles and Tails crossing her legs, showing off her toned calves. Knuckles was about to question her again when the bartender slid her beer to her and she caught it without even looking. After taking a long swig as Cream got her water Rouge slammed the glass down, now half empty. Knuckles and Tails stared at her n shock; even Knuckles couldn't drink that fast. She smiled and started to explain why they were there. "We go your friend's letter." She said.
Knuckles and Tails seemed terrified as the dreaded subject was brought up again. "Fortunately for you Cream was the first one to see it and not someone else." She didn't have to specify who could have found it; they knew full well how many people could have seen it and how it could have been a completely different outcome. Rouge continued, "So before anything else I have to know, can we trust Sonic? We need to know this isn't some kind of joke or trick."
The guys were very shocked. They were expecting to be yelled at or even threatened. But they weren't expecting that question. Knuckles and Tails looked at each other questionably. Tails turned back to the girls first and said, "He's the most trust worthy person you'll ever meet and I can assure you that letter was not a joke." Knuckles looked at him like he had just given them the map to a secret treasure map.
"Tails, what are you doing?" Knuckles said trying his best not to go over a whisper. "They're our enemies; we're not supposed to trust each other. What are we friends now?"
"No," Cream interrupted shyly but she tried to look confident. "But Sonic wants to be Amy's and she actually wants to be his. We're here to make sure you're not going to cause any trouble and we want to make sure she won't get hurt. Rouge and I are willing to put our differences aside to make Amy happy and if you are really Sonic's friends you'll want him to be happy too." Cream got off her stool and stood in front of the boys. Knuckles stared at her in confusion while Tails looked at her with curiosity. Slowly she took out an envelope with a Rose Kingdom seal from her pocket and handed the envelope to Tails. Still staring into her eyes Tails took the envelope, gently brushing her fingers in the process and feeling a little warm when it happened. Cream's face was blank as she looked at the two. "We're willing to be civil if you are."
With that Rouge stood up as well after finishing her beer and leaving some money for the bartender. She stood next to Cream with her hand on her hip. "Don't open it yet; it's not polite to read someone else's mail." With that Rouge turned around and started towards the exit with Cream right behind her.
The two guys stared at the girls as they left in silence. "Well that was new." Knuckles said breaking the silence. Tails stared at the letter before turning to Knuckles.
"Do you think we should tell Sonic about this?" Before answering Knuckles finished his beer and placed it back on the bar.
"No," he simply before getting up and started walking out of the pub. Tails quickly got up and followed with his book and the letter in hand. "Knuckles!" he yelled as he followed Knuckles into the crowded streets. Knuckles walked quickly and with purpose, with his eyes straight forward; making it hard for Tails to catch up.
Tails cached up after running a couple feet and walked next to Knuckles. "Why shouldn't we, Sonic deserves to know." Knuckles didn't answer and just kept on walking. Tails glared at him and his voice got a little louder. "Knuckles, we can't keep this from Sonic."
"Shh…" Knuckles said, not slowing down. "Keep your voice down, someone could hear you."
Tails glared at him before quickening his pace and stood in front of Knuckles, staring him down. "Why can't we give him the letter?"
Knuckles sighed. "Because he'll get over it eventually, we don't need to give him the letter and fuel his insanity. If we don't give it to him, Princess Amy won't write again and everything can go back to normal." He said calmly, trying not to attract attention. Tails just looked at him a little shocked.
"Why are you calling her Princess Amy all of a sudden?"
"Because that is all she is, she's the Princess of the Rose Kingdom, nothing more. It's time that you and Sonic realized that." Knuckles said before he walked around Tails.
Tails sighed and followed slowly behind Knuckles occasionally looking at the letter. Unlike Knuckles, Tails didn't believe that Sonic would forget about Amy, and he didn't think that Knuckles completely believed it either. They seemed to click immediately and Sonic deserved to have someone to really talk to and who will understand him. And considering that Amy ran away from home for a day she must feel the same way as Sonic does, lonely and out of place. Tails could see why Knuckles didn't want to show Sonic the letter, but he deserved this, didn't he?
Sonic's Palace
Sonic wanted all this uncertainty to end. Did she not like him, did she not get the letter, did she ignore it, did her father get it, and, were they getting ready to attack because of him? All this was running through his head as he shot another arrow at the target painted on the wall. It pierced the wall right next to the last one in the middle of the bull's-eye. He relaxed his right arm and went to grab another arrow when he heard a knock at his door.
Sonic put down his bow and arrow and relaxed himself as he opened the door. He was a little shocked to see his mother standing in front of him with a small white box. "What is it Mom?" Sonic asked trying to sound natural and not show how upset he was.
Aleena gave him a small smile before walking past him and into his room. "I want to talk to you Sonic." She said as she sat down on the end of his bed placing the box beside her and patted the seat on the other side of her for Sonic to sit down. Sonic obeyed and sat next to his mother, never once looking at her. Aleena gently placed her arm around Sonic and held him close. Sonic was a little shocked at the sudden attention from his mother. "I want to talk to you about Sally." And now not so much.
Sonic sighed in annoyance and pulled away from Aleena. Aleena's smile dropped and she settled for gently rubbing Sonic's back. "I know how you feel about this Sonic but it's our way of doing things. And I just want to make sure you have someone after your father and I are gone." Aleena said, her voice becoming sadder with each word. Sonic felt a little sad talking about not having his parents but he tried not to show it.
"Mom I wouldn't be alone, I'd have Tails and Knuckles." Sonic said flashing her his usual cocky smile. Aleena sighed, a sad smile gracing her face. She gently stroked Sonic's cheek and even though Sonic knew she just wanted to calm him and try and convince him to marry Sally, he was actually enjoying the rare motherly love he was receiving.
"I know Sonic but I mean a woman to love you and for you to love. I just want you to feel what I feel for your father." Sonic knew the story of his parents. They met at a ball where his father was to find his queen and in one glance he fell for Aleena and soon she fell for him. And yes, Sonic would be lying if he said he didn't want what they have.
Sonic sighed and stood up and faced his mother. "It's not the same thing Mom. You and Dad fell in love but I don't love Sally." For a moment they sat in silence before Sonic remembered the box Aleena came in with. Sonic eyed the box before he kneeled down in front of Aleena. "What's that?" Sonic asked nodding at the white box.
Aleena turned to the box with a smile as she picked it up and placed it on her lap. Slowly she opened it to reveal a gold necklace with a heart made of pure jade. And engraved in the jade is the words 'True Love'. Sonic looked at it amazed. Slowly Aleena lifted it up and placed the necklace in Sonic's hand. "That is the wedding gift Jules gave me on our wedding night." Aleena said with a small reminiscent smile on her face when she thought about it. Aleena took Sonic's empty hand into hers. "Sonic I don't care what princess you marry, as long as you love her. And when you find her I want you to give her that."
Sonic smiled but it quickly fell. "How will I know though, if it's the right girl I mean?"
Aleena, with a smile on her face, gently took Sonic's face into her hands. "You'll know when you are willing to do anything to be with her."
"Thanks Mom." Sonic said before he gently kissed his mother's cheek. Aleena stroked his cheek again and kissed his forehead before hugging him close. "I just want you to be happy Sonic."
Suddenly there was a knock on the door. With his smile still on his face Sonic pulled away from his mother. "Come in."
Knuckles and Tails entered the room as Sonic and Aleena stood up. "Sorry, did we interrupt anything?" Tails asked.
Sonic was about to answer but Aleena talked first. "No I was just about to leave." She gave Sonic a quick smile and walked out the door.
After Aleena walked out Knuckles noticed the necklace in Sonic's hand, "What's that?" he asked pointing at the necklace. Sonic looked down at it and shook his head. "It's nothing," Sonic said before putting it in his desk drawer.
"So, where were you guys all day?" Sonic said as he sat down in the chair in front of his desk. Suddenly Tails became nervous and Sonic could see it. Knuckles realized too and was quick on his feet, making up a lie. "We just hung out in the market and had a couple beers so we're a little drunk." Sonic gave him a skeptical look before standing up and walking towards Tails. Once Sonic was right in front of Tails he furrowed his brow, making Tails sweat a little. Sonic knew Tails was horrible at lying and he usually broke easily under pressure. "Tails," Sonic said slowly. "What did you two do."
Sonic noticed Tails looking past him at Knuckles and Sonic turned right as Knuckles stiffened. His brow rose before turning back to Tails. "Tails you know you can tell me anything. If you did something wrong I won't be mad."
Tails sighed and looked away. "We were at the Market Place and we did go to the Pub yes, but we didn't do anything bad." Tails said in a soft timid voice. Sonic looked at him a little confused as he took out an envelope that was sticking out of his book and handed it to Sonic. But when he saw the rose on the front of it his confusion was replaced with amazement as he gawked at it. At that same moment Knuckles groaned in annoyance. "Tails!" he yelled, "We said we weren't going to tell him!"
"No," Tails said pointing an accusing finger at Knuckles. "You said we weren't, I thought we should tell him the truth."
But Sonic didn't listen to their argument as he slowly sat back down in the desk chair as he looked at the letter as if it were a gift from God. "Where did you get this?" Sonic asked softly, looking over at Tails. With a sigh Tails averted his eyes away from Knuckles and to Sonic. "Amy's ladies in waiting gave it to us while we were in the Market Place."
Sonic smiled, just that simply knowledge let him know that it was indeed for him and that the worst did not happen. He opened the letter and took a second to gaze at Amy's beautiful hand writing. With a deep breath Sonic read the letter to himself.
Dear Sonic,
Believe it or not I was very happy to get your letter and I would love nothing more than to talk to you and be your friend; I've never had a friend before. And I will promise you right now that my ladies in waiting and myself are the only ones who know about you. We will try our hardest to keep this secret for as long as possible, which I hope will be a long time. And I pray that by some miracle we can meet again.
And since you told me about all the things you liked about me I found it only fair that I tell you everything I found interesting about you. I thought you were funny, exciting, refreshing, different, sweet, and…handsome. I am so blessed to call you my friend. And to kick off this friendship, I figured we needed to start on getting to know each other. So I'll start by saying my birthday is August 19th, my middle name is Lynn, my favorite color is red because it's the color of my favorite flower, a rose, and I am incredibly afraid of fire. That's just a few things about me and more to come.
Thank you again for the letter and I hope to hear back from you soon.
Sincerely, Amy Rose
Sonic had a permanent smile on his face as he reread the letter a hundred more times. He stood back up and looked at Knuckles and Tails, his smile growing bigger by the second. "She actually wants to talk to me," He started to pace the room a little, with too much excitement it was hard for him to contain it. "Hell, she want s to see me again." Sonic stood still for a second thinking to himself before making his thoughts known. "I wonder if there's a way to sneak out of the castle for a few hours."
"No!" Knuckles said standing in front of Sonic in a second and staring at him like you would a guilty child. "No one is sneaking out anywhere. Are you crazy?"
Sonic didn't let Knuckles outburst ruin his mood as he kept smiling. "Maybe I am." Sonic said shrugging his shoulder.
Knuckles sighed in frustration has he rubbed his tired eyes. "Ok, I know I can't stop you from talking to her. But can we at least wait awhile to build up some actual trust with her before we start putting our necks on the line for her."
Even though he didn't want him to be, Sonic knew Knuckles was right so he nodded in agreement. "Ok, I'll stick with just writing her for now. So her ladies in waiting gave you the letter?"
"Yeah," Tails said, "They gave it to us in the bar and asked us if they could trust you. I told them yes, they gave us the letter, and then they just left."
Sonic bit his cheek a little as he thought to himself. "Maybe that's how they want us to send the letters to each other." Knuckles and Tails looked each other confused before turning to Sonic with the same questioning looks. "Instead of sending them and have a huge risk of someone else seeing it, you guys being the messengers keeps the secret between the six of us. It's perfect." With that Sonic turned back to his desk ready to write Amy back as soon as possible.
"Wait," Knuckles said turning the chair back around so Sonic was looking at him. "How will we know that Rouge and Cream will be in the Market Place?"
"I guess we'll just have to hope that they had the same idea or that you just happen to run into them." With that Sonic turned around and started to write the letter.
Knuckles gave up and just walked out of Sonic's room. Tails on the other hand smiled at Sonic before patting his back and walking out. And just like Amy Sonic kept writing and rewriting his letter.
Hey guys, again sorry for the wait but let me explain, a lot of shit has been happening to me. First I wrote the chapter but I didn't like it so I rewrote it, then my computer crashed and I lost it. So I wrote it again on paper and I loved it, it was perfect…then I lost the mostly finished chapter seven and had to start over again. And by that time I had exams going on so I didn't have time. Then I wanted a week to relax the first week of summer. THEN I got writer block and had a half-finished chapter for weeks. On top of that I am in something called Greer Idol so my time has been mostly put into practicing my music. But luckily 4thof July week I had off so I didn't really have mush too worry about besides my mom's birthday present. But now I have to get back to the Greer Idol stuff so I don't know how much time I'll be able to put into the story. I'm also going to be trying out for American Idol in a few days so I'm going to be really busy. Let's pray I have some time to work though. Thanks for those of you who were very patient.