Lynkia, kimchi-tan, Blancis16, IT'S NO USE I'M OUTTA USE, Lady Sonamy, Groovy Jay, Amefloza13, Kyle Williams - SupersonicSpy1: You guys rock!

Keep in mind this was something I literally put together a few days ago, after Chapters 11 and 12 were already finished. I realized there were a few loose ends I didn't address in those chapters, and this would be a good way to bridge the gap between 9 and 11. There's plenty of important character development in here, and now I can't picture this story without it.

Also, you guys wanted more Candy POV, so I had to oblige ;)

Chapter 10: Revenge

CANDY

It turns out prison life isn't so bad. Yes, the food sucks, orange looks hideous on me, and there was no entertainment to speak of. So naturally, I had to make my own. I'd only been here a few days, and already persuaded one guard to let me put him in my own handcuffs. And I would have gotten away, too, if that damn black and red hedgehog hadn't stopped me. I had to admit I'd gotten a thrill when he'd thrown me against the wall - it'd feel even better when I did it back to him. I could see it in those deep crimson eyes, how much he secretly wanted me. He was no Sonic, but similar enough that I was having the same thoughts about him. But while my pet at least pretended he was free, this hedgehog practically was dripping with inner pain. I'd give him all the pain he ever wanted.

Shadow kept resisting my charms though. They always did at first. When he came to see me one day, all alone, and dragged me to the meeting room, I thought this might be my chance. Especially when he threw me down on the table and secured me tightly with handcuffs - so hot. But then he spoke the magic words.

"You have a visitor."

I perked up. I knew it! I knew it all along. Yes, finally. No one believed me, but my pet was finally here to see me. He just couldn't stay away. I could convince him to bust me out of here, too... we could run away together, just me and him again, and I'd take these cuffs and put them on him instead, and we'd live happily ever after.

"I told you he'd come see me," I smirked at the black hedgehog. "I hope you don't get too jealous… but if you do, you're welcome to join us."

He glared at me. "It's not Sonic. You're never seeing him again."

I drooped, but then raised my eyebrow at him. "Is it you then, you handsome devil?"

"No. It's someone you won't be happy to see. I'll be leaving you two alone. There won't be anyone here to protect you."

I snorted. "Hello, protect me? Please. You think I'm scared? I live for the pain. Everyone here has beaten me up, and what has a strong man like you done about it?"

He slammed my head down against the table. Spicy. "You have no rights here. And if you think I'm violent, if you think this hurts, just wait until you meet your visitor. You're on your own with her."

Her? I wasn't scared of another girl. Women recognized me as their queen immediately, as everyone knew I had a way with men. Shadow let me go and then skated off, closing the door behind him. I lifted my head only to roll my eyes as I waited for the door to open again. Who could it be...?

A creak. I glanced over - her figure was obscure at first, but when I saw the silhouette of a hammer in the dim lights, I knew. Of course. An odd smile grew up my face.

"Well if it isn't the infamous Amy Rose."

She walked up to me, slowly, much unlike the last time we met, when she charged at me with her hammer swinging. Now she was much more cautious, less fueled by passion, but more simmering with a quiet rage. I was a master at reading true emotions, and I could see it in her eyes - fury and unadulterated hate. She despised me, and that just made me grin more. She knew I still had control over "her" man.

"How are you, Mrs. Hedgehog? Has Sonic said my name in bed yet? Oh, that's right, he doesn't want to fuck you, I forgot."

She growled. "Shut up Candy. It's only me and you. I could kill you and no one would care. You're at my mercy. And I have absolutely none in my heart for you."

I laughed. "Ha! That sounds exactly like what I said to your Sonic - "

WHAM

Her hammer connected squarely with my side, and I would have gone flying if the handcuffs weren't strong enough to hold me to the table. Pain shot through my torso, causing me to lose my breath, and my whole body jerked from the whiplash of being pulled back into place. I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of hearing me cry out, though. Her hammer hurt like a bitch, but I'd already screamed the last time she hit me. I had to make her know she hadn't won.

Instead I looked her right in the eyes. "Enjoying this, aren't you? You're just like me - you like seeing others in pain, yeah? You're just perfect for - "

Another slam, then another, and another - my shoulder was aching from being jerked around by the cuffs, and I thought it may become dislocated with how much pressure she was striking me with. The pain was nothing though, I could take it, even if tears came out of my eyes, and my body broke down, I wasn't going to let this pink bitch think she won.

Amy paused for a moment to catch her breath, rage still burning in her eyes as she glared at me.

"You're a monster," she hissed, her hands on her knees. "You deserve to die."

How adorable. "Have you ever killed anyone, princess?"

She didn't answer.

I taunted her with a pout. "Of course not, you don't have the guts. Poor little Amy Rose. That hammer makes you feel so tough, like a real strong, independent woman, but we all know you do need a man. You're nothing without him."

Amy leaned on her hammer to lift herself back upright. "I know you've killed someone."

"Hello, no, I haven't. But I would if I had to. Unlike you."

"You killed Sonic."

What? She couldn't be serious. I already had TV privileges taken from me, but there was no way he was dead. If he'd somehow died, and Amy blamed me, she likely would have already killed me, given how obsessed she was with him. Crazy fangirls, amirite?

I gave her a sweet smile. "How is my pet?"

She growled at me, baring her teeth like an animal. "He's not your pet, you sick freak. Sonic is dead. And you're never seeing him again. In fact, you're never seeing anything again, because I'm going to kill you."

I chuckled. "Um, hello, no you're not? You'd honestly kill a poor defenseless woman while she was tied to a table? Please. And you call yourself a hero."

Amy swung her hammer again, but vertically this time, until it came down with huge force onto the handcuffs. They shattered in a million pieces, metal falling to the floor and filling our ears with metallic ringing noises. I stood up and rubbed my wrists, smirking the whole time as I raised them both above my head. Her rage was so delicious.

"Go ahead. Kill me," I provoked her. "And then you'll be right where I am. What will that gaudy ring on your finger mean if it's smeared with blood?"

She showed me the ring, and then flipped me the bird. "It means the same thing it always has, bitch. That Sonic loved me, and never you. He proposed to me within days of seeing me again."

I bobbed my head back and forth as if I had to think about it. "Hm, perhaps - but he fucked me for 10 years, so who's the real winner?"

She charged at me, and I braced myself. She pummeled me over and over into the wall, agony deeply bruising me all over as her hammer moved at unreal speeds against my flesh. Pain jolted through my body with every strike, and I had to let out a few cries. She took one heavy swing at my chest, then my jaw, and I found myself coughing up tons of blood, only for shockwaves of pain to spread through my esophagus as I heaved and emptied my stomach. Every part of me was sore and aching - I was going to go numb soon, or pass out. I was already feeling lightheaded.

But I knew what she wanted - just what I did when I was in her shoes. She wanted me to beg for her to stop, let her know I didn't want this, that it hurt, that she was powerful. I wasn't going to play that game with her. She wasn't my lover, but if she was this good at this at least she'd be good for him.

The beatings stopped for a moment, and Amy threw her hammer to the side, but stood over me tall and proud. I blinked at her, with what I'm pretty sure was only one good eye, as the other felt swollen shut.

"Can't... finish... the... job...?" I taunted her with a hoarse voice.

"No. I don't think I'm going to."

I half-laughed/half-coughed, spitting out more blood. "Told you… didn't have it in you… Coward..."

"No. You're the coward, Candy. Killing you would be a mercy, and I said I had none. I'm gonna let you heal up, only a little. But I'll be back one day to do this all again. You will pay for what you did to him. Over and over again."

"It's a date... sugarcakes..." I laughed again, spitting out blood. "You're so much like me it's no wonder he thinks he loves you."

She leaned down into my face, and then spat in it. "I am nothing like you."

"Hello, look at you - you're exactly like me."

I saw it - that glint of fear in her eyes as she realized she was looking in a mirror. She stood up, grabbed her hammer, and left without another word.

AMY

I stood right outside the visitor's lobby, my back against the door, breathing rapidly. What had I just done? That was the closest I'd ever gotten to actually killing someone. Killing someone. Murdering someone. Maybe she deserved it, maybe no one would blame me - but still. She was right. It was a good thing she'd spoken up, as if I'd finished the job I'd be even worse then she was. She may have killed Sonic's spirit, but he was still alive, and getting better everyday. I'd almost taken a life in my anger.

"Revenge is never as sweet as you imagine it will be."

I looked over at Shadow, who held out a hand to offer me a towel. I wiped my hands, hammer, and dress clean with shaking fingers. Where had all this blood come from? It didn't seem like I made her bleed as much as bruised her. Still in shock as I stared at nothing in particular, my heart pounded in my temples and neck.

"You think you're getting even when all you're doing is sinking to their level. It rarely feels good."

I nodded, still wiping at my hands despite them being relatively free of red liquid.

"Give yourself some time. I know you had to do this."

I dropped the blood-soaked towel to the floor and kicked it away, as if it had absorbed all my guilt. If only.

"Would you have stopped me?" I asked him, unable to look up.

"No. I wanted this to be your decision, and yours alone. I merely set up this encounter and gave you the power to choose. I felt you deserved it."

Wow. Part of me was hoping Shadow would have intervened - but no, I really was on my own with her, just like he promised me. I let out a breath, slowing getting my other senses back. My mind was racing, but one thought just kept repeating itself, taunting me in her infuriating voice. 'You're just like me….' But, if I would have killed her, wouldn't that make me even worse? Was it true that Sonic only loved me because I had a violent streak in me, just like she did? I shuddered.

"Shadow... can you take me back to the hospital?" I asked, wanting to leave this horrid place.

He merely blinked at me, showing no emotion. "Are you sure you're ready to see Sonic again, so soon?"

"I've been away too long, I'm already worried about him. I know Knuckles, Tails, and Cream are there, but... he needs me."

He pointed to my dress. "You may wish to change beforehand - shall I take you home first?"

I looked down and winced at the blood smeared all over my clothes. "Probably a good idea."

Shadow gathered me into his arms, and I held on tight, closing my eyes as he used Chaos Control to teleport me home. I went inside my closet to change as he waited in my living room. My hands were still shaking as I undressed, and I couldn't look at myself in the mirror, afraid I'd see Candy staring back at me.

"I'm not her," I muttered. "I'd never hurt Sonic… I'm not her, right?"

I pulled on a Tshirt and jeans, not feeling particularly fancy at the moment, and headed back out to Shadow. He gave me a soft smile.

"Amy, let me offer you some advice. Whatever she said to you in there, disregard it. She is a master manipulator, and her goal is to make you doubt yourself, doubt your love, and most of all, keep herself in your thoughts. Don't let her get into your head, as that's all she wants. If you wish to see her once more I can make it happen, but it's probably for the best if neither of you visits her ever again. Be happy with Sonic, Amy. The best revenge will be you two happily married, and her a long forgotten memory."

He was wise, and so right. I knew he'd understand. "Yeah... thanks, Shadow."

"As I said, all I want to do is help. Let's get you back to your fiance."

I hugged him close as he activated Chaos Control again, and we appeared in the hospital outside Sonic's room. He let me go and started to leave.

"Wait, don't you want to see Sonic?"

"Hmph." He shrugged, not turning around. "I'll see him at the wedding."

"Okay, bye. Thanks again."

Shadow nodded and took off. I took a deep breath, but paused before opening the door. I forced a smile onto my face, stretching out my lips and baring my teeth painfully. I couldn't let anything that just happened affect me. Sonic deserved me at my best. I pushed the door open, putting on a happy face as I saw my friends. They were watching something on TV, but Tails immediately paused it when I entered.

"Hiya Amy," Knuckles nodded.

"Amy!" Cream got up and hugged me. "You're back!"

"Yeah," I tried to mask my inner turmoil as I hugged the rabbit. I looked over at Sonic, hoping he would be able to cheer me up. No way I could share what I just did with him. He looked in one of his better moods, so that was a relief.

"Do I not get a hug?" he teased me, his mellow expression calming me as I hoped it would.

I let go of Cream and sat next to him on the bed, my arms around his shoulders as he hugged my waist. I kissed his forehead, studying his face. He looked to be in good spirits - I wasn't sure what to expect with him nowadays. He'd been put on some medication that gave him mood swings, and that included him being basically emotionless from time to time. According to his doctor, it was to help him process emotions rationally and control his panic attacks. The initial few days he was here had been pretty rough, with lots of scary moments, depressive periods where he refused to move or talk or eat, frustrated emotional yelling/crying, and attempted runs leading to crashes and destroyed equipment... but after 5 days in he was improving. Still, he wasn't strong enough to fully use his speed.

"Did you get your errand done?" he asked me.

I simply nodded and made a dismissive gesture with my hand. "Yeah it's taken care of. How did the counseling therapy go this morning?"

He shrugged. "Alright. It's getting easier to talk to him. Always a lot to think about."

"And how are you feeling physically?" I asked, studying his body. A few days ago he'd had some minor surgery to correct something, and his side was still bandaged. It was currently cushioned by a cute Chao plushie.

"Better now that you're back," he admitted.

"What are we, chopped liver?" Knuckles pointed to the TV. "You love this show!"

"Yeah but I love Amy even more," he said and squeezed me closer, prompting a real smile from me. How could he always make me feel so good?

"Awww," Tails and Cream cooed.

"You look great," I said, studying him once more. He was starting to get that shine back in his green eyes, and he wasn't nearly as jumpy. Part of it had to be the meds, but he hadn't had a single panic attack in days. He was getting stronger, too, able to get up and walk around on his own.

"I feel awesome," he said with his old grin. "In fact, I have some good news. Doc said I can try running today."

I gasped. "Sonic that's great! Even with your side how it is?"

He nodded. "Yeah, he just checked that, said I'm healing well, and running shouldn't bother it. But, and here's kinda the bummer, I won't be able to carry you yet. So I'll hafta do it alone."

"Aw, that's fine. You'll do great. But be careful, okay?"

"Me, careful? Psh, I'm always careful. C'mon."

"Sonic," I warned him playfully. "You're a living speed demon. I don't want you to hurt yourself again."

"He has been good," Cream stuck up for him. "He was waiting all morning for you to come back so you could watch him run again for the first time."

"Most patient he's ever been in his life," Tails gently punched his shoulder.

"Ow," Sonic grumbled.

"Probably because he's a patient, so now he has to be patient," Cream said.

"Okay, bad puns mean it's time to run," Sonic jumped out of bed and landed on his feet, spreading his arms to brace himself in case he fell. He landed with a grace that I hadn't seen in quite a while. "By the way, if I'm able to do this - doc says I'll be good to leave as well."

I gasped again. "Really? You'll be able to check out of the hospital?"

"Yeah. And you know what that means," He grinned at me, and I had to squeal.

"Yes, yes, yes, I do!" I hugged him tightly.

"Amy!" He gasped in pain.

I let him go - I'd momentarily forgotten he wasn't as strong as usual. "Sorry, sorry - I'm just so, so, so ready for us to get married!"

"Me too, Ames. Me too." He looked over at Tails and Cream, and I followed his gaze. They were both visibly sweating.

"That won't be a problem, will it? The wedding plans are going okay?" Sonic asked.

Tails and Cream put on obviously fake smiles and spoke with gritted teeth. "Perfect. Great."

"Rouge and I will be there," Knuckles promised.

"So if Sonic can do this, we're going to be married in two days?" I squealed.

"Yeah, everyone we invited has said they can make it, so it's gonna happen," Tails said, then muttered something under his breath, only for Cream to elbow him.

"You two don't worry about a thing," the rabbit assured us. "Sonic, you just focus on getting better, and Amy, you take care of him. We're handling everything."

"No thanks to Knux," Tails made a face at the echidna, who quickly made an offended face right back.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa… don't say I haven't done anything for Sonic and Amy. You wanna switch jobs with me?"

Tails shook his head violently. "On second thought, no, thanks."

"Hmph, that's what I thought. Planning a wedding is easy," Knuckles said and rolled his eyes.

"What are you talking about? There's a lot that goes into it!" Cream said.

"Please. I helped plan my wedding. That awesome food we had - all me!" He pointed to his chest.

"Yeah," I said. "While Rouge and I did literally everything else."

Sonic looked at me. "Somehow I'm not surprised you planned their wedding, you've always been a big fan of romance." He suddenly gave me a crooked frown. "Sorry you didn't get to plan your own, though," he apologized.

"Nah, it's okay," I shrugged and smiled. "I'd rather we got married as soon as possible, and you're much more important to me than the ceremony itself."

"Aww - I better actually do this running thing before you make me blush," Sonic joked.

"Yay! We're waiting!" I said, trying not to jump up and down from the excitement.

"Okay, Yes. I'm gonna do it. Everyone ready for this?" Sonic asked us, and raised his leg, getting in a pose suggesting he was about to take off.

"Yes!" the four of us shouted.

"Okay, okay, here we go…" he hesitated. He'd had more than a few false starts the past few days, so I knew he was nervous. But I felt it in my heart it was time. "Okay… how to move legs…"

"You can do it!" I said with a smile and wink.

"Gotta go fast!" Tails said, giving his brother a fist bump.

"I believe in you!" Cream encouraged with a thumbs up.

"Time to get off your ass," Knuckles smirked.

"Okay," he said for the millionth time. "Here I go, 1, 2, 3 - "

A blue blur and a gust of wind. I gasped, and maybe for the first time in my life I was thrilled that Sonic ran away from me.

"Oh my gosh, he did it!" Cream shouted.

My eyes were welling up with liquid pride, and I brought my hand to my mouth. It was only yesterday he'd fallen out of bed and couldn't catch himself in time. But he'd come so far… it was almost strange to think that a week ago he couldn't stop running, and we were thrilled he could stop. Now he had trouble going fast, and we were thrilled he could run. We'd come full circle yet again.

"He's gonna come back, right?" Tails said after a moment.

"Of course. He's probably just enjoying being him again," Cream said.

"He'll be back any second," Knuckles said with a shrug. "He's been going stir crazy and I bet he's relieved he can finally stretch."

I couldn't speak, I was crying.

"Aw, Amy," Cream leaned in to give me a hug. "You really, really helped him."

"I know," I sniffled. "I'm so happy and proud of him…"

Another rush of wind, and Sonic was right in front of us again, grinning and giggling like a schoolboy.

"Haha, I did it!" He punched the air triumphantly. "I'm baaaack!"

He suddenly grabbed me under my arms. I yelped in surprise, but then giggled myself as he lifted me above his head and twirled me around in a circle.

"Guess who's gonna be my bride?" He laughed with pure joy.

"Meeeeeee!" I squealed, my eyes never leaving his gorgeous emeralds despite being rapidly rotated. I should have scolded him for exerting himself so much, but I didn't care. I was too damn happy.

He finally set me down, and we embraced gently. I was beyond proud of him.

"Congrats, man, you both deserve it," Knuckles wrapped us both in an embrace, Tails and Cream followed to make it a true group hug.

"Uh, thanks guys but I'm still a tiny bit claustrophobic…" Sonic wiggled and we all let go of him but patted him on the back.

The door opened and a nurse came in just then. "Well, Sonic, seems you're feeling better."

"Did you see that?" he grinned at her.

"I'm pretty sure the whole city did," Tails laughed.

"He's right," the nurse said with a smile. "I think the world knows you're back now. So you're good to check out. Let me just get the doctor's signature on some paperwork and you'll be all set to leave. Just try to take things slow at first."

Sonic snorted and rolled his eyes. "Slow, really?"

"Also, don't forget you do have a checkup in three days."

Sonic looked at me. "Uh, I'm gonna be on my honeymoon. So that's a no go."

"Oh, um…. Let me get the doctor then, he may wanna do some more tests on you in that case, if you're planning to travel…" The nurse left in a hurry.

Sonic panicked a bit. "Oh, no no no, they said I can run, I can leave, so we're going now. I'm not spending another second in here if I can help it… " He took my hand and we left the room together, our friends behind us. "Oh hallway, I so won't miss you…"

"You can't just leave," Tails said as he followed us. "You have to pay your bills and stuff."

"Heh, bills. Whatever, I can do that later. They'll have to catch me if they wanna stop me," Sonic smirked.

"How are we going to get out of here is the real question," Knuckles said. "When I got here, the crowd was gigantic. People seriously have no life."

"I parked the HeavenRush out front. If we can get to it…" Tails trailed off.

"Can we all fit?" Sonic asked.

"Oh, most def - I guess I haven't shown you the expanding seats yet."

"But how will we get to it through the crowd? Tails and I can fly, Knuckles can glide, but Sonic can't carry Amy, so…?" Cream pointed out. "The crowd will overwhelm you two."

"Oh c'mon guys, it's us," I said. "Just follow my lead."

We'd made it to the doors, and I pulled out my hammer once I saw the gigantic crowd Knuckles had just described. Damn. Tons of media types that had haunted our every step for the whole week were all aiming their cameras at the door, waiting for us to leave.

"Oh god I can't go out there - " Sonic took off for a second, then yo-yo'd back to where he'd just been. His face was painted with full terror. "But I can't run away from this, cuz I don't wanna lose my speed again."

"Hey, hey, it's alright," I reassured. "You wanna stay here a few more days, or do you wanna get outta here?"

"No, I definitely I wanna leave, but…" he gulped. "I can't face everyone yet. They all know..."

"You don't have to face them alone, Sonic. Remember, you don't have to do things by yourself anymore. Here." I took his hands and put them on my shoulders, then turned around so his chest was to my back, his hands still on me. "Just hold on, keep your head down, and follow me. You guys, go behind us."

We exited the building in formation, Sonic in the middle, walking with his ears folded against his head. I extended my hammer in front of me to clear a path, Sonic followed right on my heels, Tails and Cream hovered over us, and Knuckles walked with his arms out, keeping everyone off of us from behind with his sharp namesakes. We were immediately bombarded with camera flashes and questions after questions, most so disgusting I didn't want to repeat.

"Back away, or I will use this," I threatened, waving my weapon around. "We're not answering your questions, so get out of our way!"

"This is so awkward," Sonic grumbled to me. "I think I'd rather just run past them."

"We're almost there."

Finally, the curbside. Tails and Cream got in the front seats of the HeavenRush and Tails immediately started the engine. Sonic hopped in, me right behind him, and Knuckles jumped in last.

"Wait!"

Tails turned around to look at Sonic from the driver's seat. "What, forget something?"

The crazy hedgehog rolled down the window and stuck his head out.

"What are you doing?" I demanded. After all I just did to protect him, and now he wanted to talk?

"Hey, media types, I got something to say to you!"

Oh god. This wasn't good. I gulped as they all gathered around us. I gently touched his arm. "Sonic please come back inside."

He ignored me and kept yelling. "You ready for a photo op, because I got one for you. Ready?"

I pulled a bit harder on his arm, but he wouldn't budge. "Sonic…"

Then to my shock, he extended his middle fingers and pointed them both out the window. "Fuck all of you for ruining my life because you thought it'd be a good story. But now I can outrun you again, so good luck catching me! Bye!"

"Tails, please…" I begged. He was losing control.

"I'm going, I'm going…" the fox grumbled as we started to ascend. My stomach lurched a bit as the weightlessness kicked in, but I managed to reach over to pull Sonic back inside the plane once we got several feet in the air.

He gave me a sheepish grin. "Was that too much?"

I said nothing, and just leaned into his arms to hug him once more. I was just glad we'd gotten out relatively unscathed. He kissed my forehead and gently rubbed my arms. I suddenly chuckled.

"What?"

"It was actually pretty funny," I had to admit. "I almost wish I'd flipped them off, too."

"Yeah. Just wanted to taunt them and give those motherfuckers some revenge," he swore.

His use of that word gave me pause, and reminded me of something Shadow told me. "You know…" I looked up at him. "I don't think your life is fully ruined, right? I mean, yeah some things suck, but… your friends are all here, you're out of the hospital, you can run again - and I'm here with you. Things aren't so bad. And we're getting married in two days," I squealed by instinct.

"You're right," he agreed. "I'm totally ready to leave my past behind me."

"A wise hedgehog once said, living well is the best revenge. So let's live our best, Sonic. We'll show them all by being the happiest couple ever."

He slipped his hand in my mine and leaned in to kiss my lips. "In that case, we already have 'em all beat."