Chili with Aroma of a Hedgehog
Chapter 21: An Important Conversation
I just realized that I forgot to add the preview enlisted in Chapter 19 into Chapter 20. So it's going to be enlisted here. Sorry about that folks xD
Sonic glared at Espio and soon found himself approaching Amy and Espio.
"Hello Amy."
Amy blinked in surprise when Sonic approached her, noticing that he was not happy.
"Good evening Mr. The Hedgehog."
Sonic cringed at the formality and turned to look at Espio.
"Who's your friend?"
"Oh! This is Espio! Espio, this is Sonic the Hedgehog," Amy said as she motioned to Sonic.
Espio gleamed, ecstatic with finally meeting the infamous Sonic the Hedgehog Amy so repeatedly talked about.
"I'm Espio Camaleonte, it's a pleasure to finally meet your acquaintance," Espio said as he extended his hand, which Sonic took hesitantly, confused as to why the strange chameleon wanted to meet him.
"Yeah... ditto. Can I steal Amy from you for a sec?" Sonic asked as Espio nodded and went toward the drinks.
Amy crossed her arms and mentally screamed at Espio for leaving her alone with the one hedgehog she didn't want to speak to.
"What?" she asked impatiently.
"Is that your boyfriend?" Sonic asked as Amy grinned teasingly.
"And if he was? What are you going to do about it?"
Sonic narrowed his eyes, both oblivious to Rouge and Sonia, who were eyeing the pair.
"See Sonia! I told you she was a husband stealer!"
"I don't know Rouge, it looks like they're arguing."
Rouge scoffed, "You'll see, one day Sal is going to catch those two being lovey dovey with each other and then we'll see who's talking. As a matter of fact, I'm going to call her."
"That won't be necessary."
Rouge and Sonia turned as Sally walked into the room with the dress that Sonia had bought her.
"You look stunning hun!" Rouge exclaimed as Sally smiled.
"What made you decide to come?" Sonia asked.
"It's like you two said, gotta keep an eye on my husband."
"Well you better start now because it looks like the husband stealer has gotten a head start," Rouge said as she motioned to Sonic and Amy.
"I still think you're exaggerating," Sally said. "But I'm going to go over there anyway."
Sonia nodded as Sally walked toward them, "Man I hope she manages to get to him."
"What do you mean?" Rouge asked.
"Sally is planning to get an Artificial Insemination in order to have a baby," Sonia responded, unaware of the fear that news brought to Rouge.
Rouge widened her eyes, an ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION!? SONIC AND SALLY WERE GOING TO GET THE FORTUNE!
"Please Amy!" Sonic said as he looked into her eyes. "Tell me the truth!"
"No Sonic! We're not dating! And even if we were it wouldn't be any of your business!"
"It is my business Rosy," Sonic whispered. "Let's run away."
"What!?" Amy exclaimed.
"Come with me Rosy, let's run away to The Grounds. Look at our surroundings, we don't belong here. We belong within the Chili Plants."
"Me... go with you?" Amy asked as Sonic nodded and their faces grew closer.
"Yes... please, accept."
"Accept what!?"
Sonic and Amy widened their eyes as they turned to Sally who was standing right in front of them.
"Sally!?" Sonic exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"What do you mean 'what am I doing here,' I'm here to accompany my husband on this very special event."
Amy cringed and mentally smacked herself, she ALMOST fell for it.
Get a hold of yourself Rose!
Sally turned to Amy and smiled, "Good evening."
"Good evening," Amy nervously repeated. "I hate to be so rude, but I'll have to excuse myself. I'll see you tomorrow Mr. The Hedgehog."
Sonic gave Amy an apologetic look as she turned and walked toward Espio.
Sally noticed this gesture and narrowed her eyes.
"Well!" she demanded as he turned to her.
"What?"
"Aren't you happy to see me? You look like you lost a chao."
Sonic sighed and faked a smile, but didn't answer the question.
"Have you greeted my family?" he asked as Sally nodded.
"I met up with them before I met up with you. What were you and your manager talking about?"
"Business."
"Business? What kind of business?" Sally suspiciously asked.
"Look Sally you're starting to sound like Rouge, we were just talking about work that's all."
"What were you telling her to accept then!?" Sally interrogated.
"A vacation," Sonic shrugged. "She's been working herself too much lately and I told her to get a vacation, but she refused."
Sally narrowed her eyes but seemed to believe Sonic's excuse and dismissed the topic.
Maria and her family then walked into the room and Rouge spent the entire time glaring at her.
Shadow went to go greet them and pulled Maria to the side to confirm whether or not she'd be leaving to Apotos with him.
She said she was.
"They've been talking for the past five minutes!" Rouge growled as Sonia tried to calm her down.
"Relax Rouge, don't exaggerate," Sonia said as Shadow gave Maria a hug and walked toward her parents, leaving an opportunity open for Rouge.
"I'm going over there," Rouge said as she approached Maria despite Sonia trying to stop her.
"You," Rouge said as she pointed at Maria. "Get your clobby hands off my husband if you know what's good for you! He's mine! He doesn't love you and you're the reason why I lost my son!"
Maria blinked in shock at this accusation, she knew Rouge had lost a baby but she didn't think she'd be blamed for it.
"I beg your pardon?"
"What's going on between you and my husband!?"
"N-nothing..."
"LIAR!"
Shadow noticed Rouge had yelled and approached her.
"What the hell are you doing?" Shadow asked as he neared the two girls.
"I'm putting this husband grabber in her place!"
"Have you been drinking Rouge?" Shadow asked as he rolled his eyes, Rouge always over drank in these type of events, which explained why he didn't like bringing her.
"So what if I have!?"
Shadow shook his head as he escorted her away from Maria, shaking his head at Maria, signaling that he found Rouge annoying.
The rest of the night was spent with Amy and Espio spending a lot of time together while Sonic religiously keeping an eye on them, an act that was most definitely not missed by Sally.
Green Hill Zone (A Few Days Later)
Her mind was clouded.
Clouded with nothing but utter ANGER.
He had done it again, but this time he'd gone too far.
He took everything away from her.
Her dignity.
Her pride.
Her happiness.
Her virginity.
Her PURITY.
And maybe even her mental stability...
Her own FATHER was the cause of all of this, and she couldn't take it anymore.
That morning he had abused her for forgetting to put his beers in the refrigerator, he had pushed her, causing her head to fall onto a sharp rock.
She was currently in the restroom bandaging her head from the constant bleeding.
She was surprised she hadn't gotten a concussion... or worse... died!
She was sure that if she didn't stop this she'd end up in a grave.
Knuckles? Should she ask for his help?
No, he... wait... why was she feeling dizzy?
Her world was slowly blinking away.
Tikal...
HE was calling her, what did he want now?
Tikal!
She tried to respond, but couldn't, her world got darker.
TIKAL!
She collapsed onto the floor, and the last thing she saw was a red echidna holding a whip.
The world went black.
Station Square
Sally Acorn walked into The Corporation with confidence.
She was on a mission, and she wasn't here to see Sonic no no.
She was here to see someone else.
"Hello, Mrs. The Hedgehog, how can we help you?" Cream asked politely.
"I want to talk to Amy Rose."
Cream nodded and transferred her over, but couldn't help but be curious as to why Sonic's wife wanted to talk to the pink hedgehog.
Amy shuffled with her papers and felt her door open.
"There you are Wave, can yo..." Amy turned and widened her eyes as she noticed Sally close the door behind her.
"Hi, Amy right?"
"Y-yes..."
"My name is Sally Acorn the Hedgehog. I'm Sonic's wife. I need to talk to you, woman to woman."
"About what?" Amy asked nervously as Sally sat across from her.
"About Sonic," Sally sighed. "I need your help."
Amy blinked, stunned with the proposition. "Is he sick?"
"No no," Sally said as she shook her head. "You see, as his wife, I'm concerned that some woman may want to take advantage of him. He's not from the city, and he's a bit naive, I was just wondering if I could trust you in keeping an eye on him. I also want us to be friends Amy, I don't have many friends besides Rouge and she's hardly around. Since Sonic and I are going to be here for awhile it would be nice for me to make some acquaintances. Is that okay?"
Amy smiled, "Of course! You can... count on me..." she said as her voice drifted off.
"Oh thank you Amy!" Sally said as she hugged Amy and rolled her eyes as Amy hugged her back.
Amy on the other hand felt a pang of guilt. Sally was so nice. How could Sonic not love her?
As they separated Sally offered that she and Amy should go have a cup of tea sometime, and Amy agreed, not wanting to be rude.
After a bit more small talk Sally left the room and left Amy with nothing but a chunk of guilt.
You see, this was Sally Acorn's strategy.
Rouge's way of getting women off Shadow's back was by threatening them, Sally on the other hand felt like that method never worked and instead tried to kill Amy with kindness. She made sure to make it clear in a very respectful way that Sonic was married and that she didn't want her all over him.
"Sally? What are you doing here?" Sonic asked.
"Nothing."
"Why were you in Amy's office?"
"I'm just trying to make friends Sonic, nothing wrong with that," she innocently said as she left the room.
Sonic narrowed his eyes suspiciously and entered Amy's office.
Amy looked up at him but made sure not to look at him in the eye, she had made a promise to Sally, and she was going to keep it.
"Rosy, what did Sally tell you?"
"She just came to chat," Amy simply said.
"About what?" Sonic asked in a desperate tone.
"Girl stuff," Amy shrugged as she passed by Sonic and headed toward the printing station.
Sally approached Wave's desk and tapped on it, "Hey, you're Wave right?"
Wave nodded and stood up, realizing that Sonic's wife was speaking to her.
"Rouge told me that you are a good confidant. I have a task for you, I want you to keep a close eye on my husband and his manager. Here is my number, report anything strange to me as soon as possible."
Wave slyly smiled as she gladly took the paper, "As you wish, Mrs. The Hedgehog."
Sally nodded and left the building while Wave hid the piece of paper in her notebook.
Apotos
Shadow and Maria dressed themselves and sighed in relaxation as they remembered the blissful night they had.
"What do you want for breakfast?" Shadow asked as Maria shrugged.
"Surprise me."
Shadow nodded as he headed toward the maid and asked for their breakfast.
"You don't have work today?" she asked as Shadow groaned.
"Now that you remind me, I have to make a call. I'll see you at the breakfast table."
Maria nodded and headed toward the dining room while Shadow took out his phone.
"Eggman, how did Dr. Pickle's exportation go?"
"It was a success. Chun-Nan rejected his product just as we predicted and now they are currently buying Spicy Pepper Chili. We are winning gold Shadow!"
"I'm glad," Shadow said, not realizing that Maria came back into the room with their breakfast. "I was starting to wonder whether or not these Irregular Exports of Chili were actually going to work."
Maria widened her eyes and dropped the food.
Shadow, startled, turned and noticed the mess on the floor, with a frightened Maria staring at him in shock.
"I'll call you back Eggman," Shadow said as he hung up.
"Shadow... you're involved in... black market!?" she exclaimed as Shadow shook his head.
"I wouldn't call it that, it's just business Maria."
"No Shadow... what you're doing... it's ILLEGAL! You could go to jail!"
Shadow rolled his eyes, "I'll be fine, I've got it all under control. But you need to understand Maria... Paprika Enterprise won't survive if I don't do this, it's for the best. Please babe, promise me you'll keep it a secret," he said as he kissed her lips.
Maria sighed and rubbed her temples, "Fine. I promise."
Shadow smiled and called the maid to clean the mess up.
But despite the fact that the day continued as if nothing happened, Maria still couldn't remove the thought of Shadow being involved in such a thing from her mind.
Station Square
"Amy we need to talk!" Sonic exclaimed as he and Amy stepped out of the building.
"We have nothing to talk about!" Amy said as she headed towards the taxi man.
Sonic scowled in frustration as he carried Amy and carried her to his car.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"
"YOU AND I ARE GOING TO HAVE A TALK! NOW!"
Amy argued as he quickly got onto the driver's seat and started the car.
"Where are we going!?"
"I'm driving you home, and you're going to tell me what Sally told you."
"NOTHING SONIC! She told me nothing that concerns you!"
Sonic stopped the car at a stop light and turned to her, "Well Rosy I don't know if you noticed but I'm unfortunately married to Sally Acorn and I know how sneaky she can be. The fact that she came to talk to YOU of all people is VERY CONCERNING! WHAT DID SHE TELL YOU!?"
"We're not dating anymore Sonic! I don't have to be giving you an update on my conversations with others, or do I?"
"You know what? THAT'S A GREAT IDEA! Here's your homework, I want you to go home and document everything you've been doing these past few months on a monthly report form. Please and thank you!" Sonic argued sarcastically as he scowled and began driving again.
"I WOULD LOVE TO! But the monthly report form isn't necessary because I could just tell you from the top of my head. These past few months have been one thing for me, one thing only. A LIVING NIGHTMARE BECAUSE I FELL IN LOVE WITH A TRAITOR WHO BELIEVED A BUNCH OF RUMORS THAT WEREN'T EVEN TRUE AND ENDED UP MARRYING SOMEONE ELSE!"
"THAT'S FUNNY! BECAUSE I'VE BEEN LIVING A NIGHTMARE TOO! I FELL IN LOVE WITH A GIRL WHO LOVES TO PLAY WITH MY FEELINGS, always flirting with all the Chili Industrialists and some stupid purple chameleon!"
Amy burst out laughing, "AWWWW, ROCK A BYE BABY ON THE TREE TOP! THE BOY FEELS LIKE HIS FEELINGS ARE BEING PLAYED WITH AWWWW POOR BABYYYYY! SHUT UP SONIC BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT ENTITLED TO BE ACCUSING ME OF ANYTHING! I'm single! I can do whatever the hell I want! YOU ON THE OTHER HAND HAVE A WIFE! A wife who loves you very much, respect her!"
"I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT SALLY UP AGAIN! NOW YOU CAN TELL ME WHAT SHE TOLD YOU!"
"No! It's NONE of your freaking business! And if you keep interrogating me I'm going to QUIT The Hedgehog Chili Industries!"
"JOKES ON YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE A CONTRACT WITH US! YOU CAN'T QUIT!"
"Fine! Then I'll just have to file a complaint to the Mobius Department of Labor and see what they have to say!"
Sonic growled as he turned on the radio, only to have Amy turn it off.
"THAT'S WHAT I GET! THAT'S WHAT I GET FOR ACCEPTING TO STAY AND WORK AT THE CORPORATION FOR YOU! I defied the memory of my father and my grandfather, I should have never left The Grounds!" Sonic said as Amy rolled her eyes.
"Fine! Let me get off then so that I can throw myself onto the street. Maybe that way, a car can run over me and you won't have to deal with me anymore!" Amy yelled as she tried to open the door, only to have Sonic grab onto her arm and put her back into place.
"Get the hell back into your seat have you gone insane!? Don't worry though, I'm going to accelerate and go as fast as I can so that we can get you back home as soon as possible!" Sonic spat out as Amy nodded and clapped her hands.
"That's the best thing you've said since we've reunited! That way, I won't be tormenting your precious little rich boy life anymore! As a matter of fact, LET'S END THIS NOW! LET'S GO TO YOUR HOUSE SO THAT WE CAN TELL YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY WHO I AM! THAT I'M NOT ONLY AMY ROSE BUT ALSO ROSY THE RASCAL, THE CHILI PICKER YOU SEDUCED AND ABANDONED! Is that what you want? Do you WANT to continue ruining my life? Imagine what your family is going to think."
"I COULD CARELESS WHAT THEY THI..." Sonic yelled as he stopped, realizing that he did care about what they thought of Amy.
Sonic sighed as he shook his head, "Look Rosy, I'm acting like this out of jealousy. I still love you, I never stopped. You have no idea how much it enrages me when I see you with some other dude. Especially the chameleon, don't think I haven't noticed how much time you two have been spending with one another. You've also changed Rosy, you're not the same girl I met two years ago," Sonic said as he parked in front of Amy's apartment.
"Rosy the Rascal is dead Sonic. I killed her, the person you're looking at now is Amy Rose. I can't believe I made so many mistakes in such little time. If I would have known that Sonic the Hedgehog would become such a toxic part in my life, I would have NEVER gotten near you," she said as she stared at Sonic in the eye angrily.
"I was lied to Rosy."
"SON..."
"NO! WE BOTH COMMITTED AN ERROR ROSY! I SHOULD HAVE NEVER BELIEVED THOSE RUMORS ABOUT YOU AND YOU SHOULD HAVE NEVER GONE TO EUROPE TO LOOK FOR ME!" Sonic angrily said. "We lost our child Rosy, our baby. We lost a beautiful romance..."
Amy's eyes began watering as she said, "Maybe it was for the best though..."
"You're right," Sonic agreed. "Maybe we were never destined to be with one another in the first place... staying here was pointless. Our story, a time where I was the happiest, our story has now become a memory."
Amy's tears finally started rolling down her cheeks.
"Look," Sonic said as he grabbed her chin. "I don't want to become a barrier in your successes. You've worked hard to get to where you are, don't let me be the reason you stop... I'm sorry Rosy. I really am. If one of us has to leave the Corporation then it would have to be me, I love you too much that it would hurt to cause you more harm."
Amy cried and shook her head as her anger drifted away.
"Oh Sonic... I'm sorry for losing our baby!" she said as she exploded in tears. "I should have been more responsible! I should have never gone to Europe in that condition. I tried to protect it with my life, the sex traffickers wanted me to get an abortion Sonic!"
Sonic widened his eyes, "What!?"
"Yes, I had thought they were a modeling business and once I found out it wasn't I went to go tell Fiona, the head mistress and when I told her I was pregnant she ordered me to get sent to a room where they conduct abortions!"
- Flashback -
Amy's eyes teared up, "You don't understand! I'm one month pregnant!"
Fiona's eyes widened as she eyed Amy's stomach, "Oh no we can't have that! You can't face the clients tonight I'm afraid, guards! Send this girl to Room 101, ask Dr. Freddy to commence the abortion."
"ABORTION!?" Amy said as she clasped her stomach protectively. "No! I won't allow it!"
- End Flashback -
Amy cried as she shivered at the memory, "I fought my way out, I had to knock out a few guards and I managed to escape by using a bunch of blankets as rope. The next few days were a living hell Sonic, I didn't have any Euros so I couldn't buy any food. I was famished, hungry. I spent an entire day without eating. But one day I ran into a nice Mobian who owned a restaurant and picked me up when I had collapsed on the floor from hunger, he fed me and even paid for my flight to England and told me how to get to your university. I am in debt with that man. Once I followed his instructions I eventually did find you. But right as I was crossing the street and calling your name, I was hit by a car, and a nice woman tended to me until I recovered and came back. The rest, well, you already know."
Sonic felt a tear run down his cheek as he laid onto the seat of the car. "That must've happened at the same time my parents passed away... don't apologize though. The only mistake you made was going to Europe without having a clue of where to go, I forgive you though."
"Truly Sonic, I'm sorry about your parents. Jules and Bernadette were great individuals."
As Amy brought up Sonic's parents Sonic banged his head on the wheel and burst out crying.
"I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE! I CAN'T HIDE MY EMOTIONS! I'm overwhelmed, I'm exhausted, I feel suffocated and trapped! Ever since my dad died I haven't had any guidance! That's why I've been doing everything wrong! Understand me Rosy please! MY MOTHER AND FATHER DIED A FEW DAYS BEFORE I HEARD THOSE RUMORS ABOUT YOU! I wasn't thinking, I wasn't processing anything! My heart ached for not only my parents but for you too! I entered a depression that I couldn't get out of for awhile. Shadow was actually the one who suggested I should marry Sally to forget about you."
Amy gasped as she finally began to understand.
"Want to know why I keep saying my life is a living hell Rosy? You think you've had it bad? When my grandfather died he wrote in his Will that whoever between Shadow and I fathered a male child first would become the official heir to his entire fortune."
"Really?" Amy asked as Sonic nodded.
"Ever since then, life has been a living nightmare for me. My sister Sonia and I recently got into an argument because I refuse to have a baby with Sally."
"I get it, if Shadow and Rouge have a boy, then their side of the family gets the fortune, and vise versa."
"Exactly. That's why my family hates you Rosy. Shadow and his side of the family dread the day I could ever find you because they're afraid that you may potentially give birth to the baby. Meanwhile my side of the family, with the exception of Manic, despise you because they want me to stay faithful to Sally. But Sally knows my conditions, she agreed to get married despite the fact that I warned her there wouldn't be any intimacy between us."
Amy frowned but listened intently.
"Despite the constant pressure from my sister and Sally, I also have to ensure that Sonia and Manic get all the benefits and money they need. I also need to manage The Grounds from all the way over here AND direct a stupid Corporation that I was never meant to direct. Not to mention the fact that Sally's father is practically bankrupt, so I need to maintain them too... I not only have to be a 'husband' but also an older brother/parent. Manic and Sonia have no one to guide them so I have to be there for them. Manic recently came out of the closet, he's bisexual, and he's been doing great since. But Sonia, I try so hard to be the best brother I can be but it's never enough for her. It's just so much on my plate! Sonia even told me that I wasn't even half the man my father once was... and that hurt Rosy! It hurt! I'm trying my best to be the best hedgehog I can be but everyone keeps telling me I'm doing it wrong! I'm lost and I always wish my dad and my grandpa were here to guide me, I don't know what I'm doing! I'm lost..."
Amy at this point had tears flowing down her face as Sonic covered his face with his hands and started crying.
Her ears drooped as she pulled Sonic into a hug. "Oh Sonic... I forgive you. I'm so sorry for not listening to you before, I was so busy throwing myself a pity party that I never stopped to hear your side of the story... let me help you though. I love you too and I want to help you!"
Sonic sighed as he turned to look at her, "All I ask of you is to have patience, hear me out, I'm working on my divorce with Sally. I'm sure she'd give it to me. Please Rosy... wait for me."
Amy slowly nodded as the two hedgehogs looked at each other in the eyes.
Sonic wanted to kiss her, but out of respect for her morals, did not. "It's late, you should head in..."
Amy blinked in surprise as she nodded and opened the door.
"I'll see you tomorrow Sonic," Amy said as she approached the door. "I love you..." she added quickly before she got in.
Sonic, in surprise, smiled, "I love you too..."
Sally paced around the room and waited for Sonic to come home.
She had gotten a phone call from Wave saying that Sonic and Amy had left in the same vehicle.
Something fishy was going on here.
"No, I'm being paranoid," Sally told herself. "The only girl I need to worry about is Rosy the Rascal."
Suddenly a knock was heard and Sally quickly opened it.
"Sonic! I thought you'd neve..." Sally stopped as she noticed an elegant mink standing before her.
"Hello neighbor, my name is Sir Bartleby MontClair of Dresdin, my phone disconnected back at my place and I was wondering if I could make a quick call on yours," he asked as he smiled arrogantly.
Ladies and gentlemen! I introduce to you, BARTLEBY! ANOTHER ANTAGONIST IN THE STORY!
I think he was the last main antagonist that I needed to introduce.
But anyway, wasn't Sonic and Amy's conversation moving!? I felt like they needed a chapter to talk about what they felt over the course of their separation. Glad that's cleared up.
But tell me! What do you suppose Bartleby's roll is going to be in this?
REVIEW AND STAY TUNED!
Next Time on Chili with Aroma of a Hedgehog...
"WHERE IS SHADOW THE HEDGEHOG!?" Dr. Pickle demanded as he bolted into Sonic's office.
Sonic and Amy confusedly looked at each other and looked back at Pickle. "Is something wrong?"
"SHADOW STOLE MY CHUN-NAN CLIENTS! MY CORPORATION IS BANKRUPT!"