-Tails P.O.V
I got up to the smell of eggs and ham. I looked at my watch, and yawned, "Nine thirty-six...guess I slept in longer than planned." I stretched a little as I sat up. Truth was, I had been planning on leaving at six o' clock so Sonic and Amy would try to persuade me to stay any longer. It wasn't that I didn't like them, but I had to get home and get back to normal, or as normal as possible anyway.
I turned to the window in the living room to check on my plant. It was peacefully standing there in its clay pot, soaking up the sun. Then I noticed a piece of paper by the plant. It was a note in Amy's hand writing. I scanned over it; it was brief yet interesting. I walked into the kitchen to see Sonic whistling to himself quietly as he made some eggs.
"Morning, Sonic." I said, yawning a little more. Sonic turned and grinned, he sure seemed extremely hapy this morning. Not that he was grumpy in the morning often, but I felt my sixth sense telling me something about today was different.
"Hey, Tails, good morning to you too. You want your eggs scrambled or sunny-side up?" he asked with a twirl of his skillet.
"Sunny-side sounds fine...you and Amy said you had news for me?" I asked with a inquisitive look. I handed the note to Sonic and he quickly read it and chuckled.
"Yep, we've got news allright. I think it would be better if Amy was here too though before you find out." Sonic said, turning back to the stove top and began to prepare my eggs.
Amy came down downstairs, her pink pajamas still on. She gave me a hug with a cheerful, "Good morning Tails!", then went over to Sonic who she kissed on the cheek. It was still a little strange to see this, but as long at least they were giving the whole relationship thing a chance. I wondered how far this would go though.
We all sat down, and ate our breakfast while talking about this and that...mostly Amy reminiscing about me and Sonic's time with her way back when. I was busy eating and looking at my plate that it took me a while to notice that Amy and Sonic had stopped eating. I turned to them from across the table only to see them staring at me.
"Something wrong?" I asked, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. I continued eating, trying not to look distressed.
"Tails, you know that news we had for you? Well, I think we can tell you now." Sonic said, turning to Amy. I noticed that she was looking at her left hand, blushing slightly. On her left hand was a diamond ring over her ring finger...a nice one too...wait a second, a ring!
I choked on my eggs, realizing what was going on suddenly, "You're engaged!" I said after chugging some orange juice to help me get down the eggs.
Amy suddenly noticed that her hand was exposed, "Awwww, well so much for the surprise. Yes, we are..." Amy answered with a red face and joyful smile.
I was silent for a minute, blinking. Sonic looked at my face, a worried expression forming on his own face. I noticed this and quickly said, "Well that's great! Congrats to you both!"
Amy and Sonic smiled, "Thanks bud, we appreciate it. Glad you're happy about it." Sonic replied.
"Well of course. This is wonderful news! So...when is the big day?" I asked.
"The first day of summer." Amy replied.
"That's...one, two...three weeks from now...wow, that soon? You have it all planned out already?" I asked.
"Tails, you forget, I had this day planned out years ago..." Amy laughed. I laughed, I forgot how Amy had always tried to get Sonic to marry her way back when.
They told a little about the plans, but what got my attention was what Sonic asked me, "So...Tails, I was wondering, would you care to be the best man at the ceremony?"
I was a little embarassed by the offer, "Me? Maybe Knuckles should, I mean-"
"No, no...I would really be happy if you had the honor Tails." Sonic argued.
"Sure, I guess. I don't know if I'd look good in a tuxedo though..." I sighed. I began feeling wierd, almost...bothered...
"Oh stop it. You'd look adorable in a tuxedo." Amy laughed.
"Yeah, adorable." I said a tone a little more rude than I intended.
"Hey, hey...what's with the attitude?" Sonic asked, getting a little defensive for Amy. Amy looked a little hurt by my comment.
"Nothing...um, I think I should get going. Thanks for everything Amy and Sonic. I'll stop by sometime soon, and you guys are more than welcome at my place..." I replied flatly.
"Tails, are you-"
"I'm fine...a little homesick I guess..." I said, not entirely sure what my problem was. I had lied, using homesickness as an excuse. Sonic paused, then shrugged.
I packed my stuff up, still feeling wierd. I headed for the X Tornado, the sun reflecting off the jet's windshield.
"Tails!" I heard the voice of Sonic call out.
I turned around, not in any mood for confrontation at the moment, "Yes, Sonic?" I faced him, one hand on the door handle of the X Tornado.
"Do you want to talk? You seemed upset back in the house." he asked, pushing on the door to keep me from opening it.
"Sonic, I'm fine. Don't worry about it." I lied again.
"Okay, now try answering my question again," Sonic said, raising an eyebrow. He knew that something was bothering me, "You never were a good liar Tails. Just tell me what's wrong."
I frowned, then let go of the door handle. I guess it would be better for me to tell him now than have him hound me about it for a week, "I'm not entirely sure what's wrong...you nad Amy getting married is great and all, I truly mean that, but...I...I just have the feeling that you guys are going to forget about me sooner or later. I mean, you have a new life and all, and I live quite far from anyone else."
Sonic seemed a little surprised, "Now why would I ever do that to you? Amy would never do that to you. Tails...you're my little brother, regardless if we're not truly related by blood. Amy thinks the same too. Sure, things will change in my life, but I'll still be here for you."
I smiled at these words, it was good to hear that he wasn't a completely new guy now that he was engaged. Good for Amy as well.
"You have to understand Tails, Amy means alot to me. I care for her in a different way than I do for you and the others. I'll always be your friend though, so don't worry about that." Sonic added with a grin.
I felt better now. I gave Sonic a brotherly hug, then got into the X Tornado, "Hey Sonic, we won't have to douse ourselves in cologne at the wedding, right?"
Sonic shrugged. I laughed; it seemed Amy would be deciding that too. I looked to the house to see Amy waving. I waved back, then fired up the engines.
"Take care Tails, I'll see you agains soon, okay?" Sonic yelled over the roar of the engines. I nodded and gave him a thumbs up. Then I started to take off down the dirt road. I turned around to see my plant securely strapped in the back seat. I pulled back on the steering handles, and the jet slowly arched upward.
"Well, time to see what I can write up for a wedding reception speech...great, public speaking, not my strong point." I groaned with a laugh. I couldn't think about screwing up though, no matter what, it would be a great day, regardless of what happens.
I landed the X Tornado outside the hangar, and walked inside my house. Things looked as they were when I left...except that I didn't have peanut butter and jelly on the counter with an opened bag of bread next to the jars.
"Hello?" I called, ready to defend myself.
"In here," replied a familar, low, quiet voice. I looked in the living room to see Shadow sitting in a chair eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and reading a book.
"Shadow, why are you here?" I asked, unsure whether to smile, or yell at him.
He looked at me and smirked, "Yeah, sorry. Knuckles and Rouge wanted some time to themselves, so apparantly Angel Island isn't big enough for three people at the moment. You're the only guy I know who wouldn't be mad if I grabbed a bite to eat."
"Well, I guess I'm glad you left everything out; walking into the living room and seeing you suddenly without me knowing would have scared the living daylights out of me." I answered.
Shadow continued reading, then set the book down. He finished the sandwich, then got up from the chair.
"Well, thanks for the food...even though I didn't ask or get offered any...um, I guess I'll be leaving." Shadow said, pulling out his green Chaos emerald.
"Leaving already? You're welcome to stay longer if you want." I offered, kind of hoping he would hang out for awhile.
"...Heh, sure, why not? Thanks Tails." he nodded with a smirk.
"No problem! Come on, I'll show you my inventions I'm working on! Maybe you could help?" I asked.
"Sure, I wouldn't mind doing some work with a wrench." he replied.
I showed him the interior of my garage and hangar. He seemed fairly impressed with it all.
"How did you ever manage to find the time and energy to make all this?" he inquired, specifically referring to the Blue Typhoon.
"What, the Blue Typhoon? Well, I just have my inspirational moments, then start on the idea. As far as energy...I eat alot of sugar...I get a little twitchy, but still, I get things done." I explained.
Shadow laughed. It wasn't like Sonic's or Knuckles' laugh. It had a rougher edge to it, and sounded like it had not been used that often...then again, Shadow didn't have much to laugh about in his life.
Shadow helped me fix and make updates on the Blue Typhoon, though I knew I probably wouldn't use it again for ages unless the need for it was desperate. Shadow did most of the heavy lifting, I did the technical stuff. He seemed fairly interested in how I operated and programmed everything, though he didn't completely follow it. He had more computer savvy than Sonic or Knuckles, so explaining things to him wasn't as difficult.
"Shadow, could you hand me that welding torch?" I asked, pointing behind me as I repaired and adjusted the landing gear.
"Sure thing, just a second." Shadow replied, walking over to the counter.
I began to weld and fix the Blue Typhoon. Shadow watched intently, unblinking as the sparks flew.
"You know Shadow, you might want a welding mask like the one I have on...staring at the torch isn't good for the eyes." I said, stopping momentarily.
"I'm fine Tails, it doesnt' bother me really. I mean, I was created to endure almost anything. The torch doesn't really hurt my eyes, to be honest." Shadow answered. Again, the black and red hedgehog amazed me.
So we continued for another hour, then called it a day for working in the hangar. I ate some left over ramen, then went outside. Shadow was leaning against my house, an expressionless look on his face. One thing that I guess contributed to Shadow and me getting along was that we enjoyed peace and quiet so much.
"You have a nice place here Tails. How long have you lived here?" Shadow asked me.
"Hmmmm...about...four to five years, give or take." I replied, rubbing my chin.
"You built it by yourself?" he asked.
"Well, Sonic and Knuckles helped a little. Most of it was done by me though." I answered.
"Amazing...um...sorry for this random question, but how did you end up so intelligent? It just amazes me at how someone your age is so intellectual." he continued.
"I've asked myself the same question for years. Truth is, I don't know. My memories before I met Sonic are few and far between. I think I could solve and formulate trigonometry problems at three years though, but I'm not certain." I replied.
Shadow shook his head with disbelief, "No wonder Eggman took you so seriously when you piloted the Blue Typhoon or when you used other technology."
"Heh heh...thanks Shadow." I smiled.
Shadow nodded, then turned to face the horizon, "You have quite the talent Tails...you're one of the few people I trust on a personal level. Just remember that if you need anything, I'm always availabe to help. I mean that."
"I appreciate it Shadow, that means alot ." I responded. He then gave me friendly punch on the shoulder. I tried not to show the pain; he wasn't trying hurt me, but he was more powerful than Knuckles at regular power at least.
"Don't mention it Tails. Well, I'm going to head out now," he turned around, but stopped, "If you need me, use that emerald and concentrate on calling me...wherever you are, I'll be there before you know it." then he sped off with a burst of his jet shoes in a yellow streak of light.
I walked back inside, and booted up my computer. I checked up some data on the Chaos emeralds I had uploaded months ago. I spent a good two hours updating the information, as well as deleting obsolete information.
"Well...now what to do?" I pondered. Then an idea came to mind. Why not run some tests on myself?
I strapped some monitoring instruments to my arms, legs, chest, temples, and forehead. I turned on the monitoring equipment, and went onto a treadmill. I ran for a while, then picked up speed. I went into a similar run that I did with Sonic and Amy sometime back. After six minutes in an all-out sprint, I tired myself out a bit, so I stopped for a while. I turned of the machinerary, then took a half hour break.
When I felt my strength come back, I hooked up everything again. I began to run, but this time I held the white Chaos emerald in my hand. My endurance lasted longer it seemed. I continued my full sprint for a good twelve minutes; it seemed that the Chaos emerald had doubled my strength. I was panting heavily, and took a drink of water. I scanned the data, and dropped the glass of water. It clanged against the floor.
"I-impossible..." I stuttered. According to the data, I had been only twenty-six miles per hour under breaking the sound barrier. I had built the treadmill for Sonic, so going at such speeds was no problem for it. Still...only twenty-six under...how?
"It's got to be the emerald." I confirmed to myself, then scanned the data further. According to the energy output, my body had only gained more strength and endurance from the emerald, but not any speed. I found myself think about that run with Amy and Sonic, then to what Shadow had said a while back, that it wasn't the emerald's power, but my own natural abililty. I wasn't that fast or athletic, was I?
I walked over to a mirror, and examined myself. I looked a bit taller, maybe a little more built. My overall appearance hadn't changed since we left the planet to fight the Metarex though.
"Hmmm...interesting. If I'm able to run that fast, then maybe I can learn how to fight better. Sonic, Shadow, and Knuckles could teach me. I'll wait until tomorrow to call Sonic." I thought aloud. I went outside to take a walk through the Mystic ruins.
"I wonder just how powerful I can become." I pondered. The only way I would know was to find out through experience.
I never felt so eagar to spar with the others in my entire life.
end of chap.11 Sorry for the long wait. Yeah, things are busy right now, glad everyone likes the story so far! Thanks!