A/N: I'll most likely take my nap after I write this chapter. Those who have my read story before I made the changes, even though the story is serious, I'm keeping that little funny part.

Re-edited: May 11 2011. If you have read this story before, you'll notice that I made a very significant change. So it's very good that you're rereading this part otherwise you will be confused when you read the other edited chapters and upcoming future chapters.

Disclaimer: I only own the girl, Ruby, and Goldy. Everyone else belongs to Sega.

Chapter 3: Changes

Now this is more like it. No intruders, no badgering in my ears, no missing emerald, and no world disaster.

It was another sunny day. Since my island was tropical, it was never cold up here. So even though it was fall, the weather was nice and warm up here.

The birds were in the air chirping, the Chao were up and about. Sometimes pulling my dreads. Especially Ruby and Goldy. The Master Emerald was in its rightful place, it was paradise.

Well, almost. I refuse though. To see reality. I'm staying up here on my island. There's no point to leave it and see what those...nothing happens. Forget it. There's no need to think about it.

I started to feel a slight tug on my head. I opened my eyes; a female Gold Hero Chao was tugging on one of my dreadlocks.

"Chao, chao!" I smiled a bit.

"Okay Goldy, I'll get your lunch now."

She started bouncing around, cheering with joy.

I slowly got up, stretching my arms and legs. I've been taking a nap all morning and man were my legs numb. After stretching, I ran off to the jungle to find some fruit. After a while, I came back with my arms full of grapes and Chao Fruit.

Immediately a Chao stampede occurred, my face in the dirt.

Next time I'll be in a tree.

All of the Chao were chowing down their fruit. This is how it should be. Me worrying about myself, these Chao, and the Master Emerald.

I'm sorry Rouge. But I can't leave my island. Not when my fists are no longer a help to anyone.

~Change of POV~

It was that time. One of the most dreaded of all time. 3:30 in the afternoon. The busiest time of the day. Everyone's rushing to get home or back to work, some of them picking up their kids.

I was used to it. I slipped through the crowds and made it to the park.

My friends and I always met here at least once a week.

Up ahead sitting on a bench was a female Pink Hedgehog. She had long, wavy quills that reached her knees, Emerald Green eyes, Peach skin on her arms, face, and within her ears. She was also a couple inches taller than me. She wore a long sleeved red sweater with blue jeans and red high heel shoes. Her name was Amy Rose, my best friend's girl friend and a friend of mine.

"Hey Amy. Where's Sonic?" She sighed and rolled her eyes.

"He's racing Shadow, again!"

"And Rouge?"

"Hair salon."

"Cream?"

"I called earlier and found out she caught a cold."

"That sucks."

Over the years, we had to cooperate more frequently with Shadow and Rouge. Eventually, everyone slowly became friends. Occasionally Sonic and Shadow would have an argument of who was the best.

Not only that, Vanilla got married to a rabbit named Faith. We heard he was a football coach and a nice person. We haven't seen him yet since he was always with the team.

Rouge has started to flirt with Knuckles more often. Strangely, he became more distant lately. We're going to be visiting him today to try to cheer him up.

I've changed as well. I've grown out of my childish phase and a bit more mature. Not only that, I can see why Sonic ran away so much when it came to girls. When they know nothing about you but stalk you to have a date…it was moments like that Sonic was lucky to have Amy as a safeguard. As a result, I'm still a single guy like Shadow. Oh well, that's life.

"Look Tails, here they come."

I turned to where Amy was pointing and saw two blurs, a blue one and a yellow one. Stepping to the side, the blurs stopped with a cloud of dust and dirt in the air. Both Amy and I started coughing, thinking of ways to torture the two.

"Ha! See! Told ya I'm the fastest!"

"Sorry faker but I'm the one who was first."

When the dust cloud cleared, there were two male Hedgehogs glaring in each others' faces.

To my left was a Blue Hedgehog with Peach skin on his muzzle and within his ears and Light Green eyes. He wore a Dark Blue jacket with jeans and the same old gloves and shoes he had for years.

Thank goodness he actually cleans them.

He was Sonic the Hedgehog, my best friend. Still hard to believe that he became Amy's boyfriend. On his free time he likes to practice his electric guitar, having me join in sometimes. Although he pretty much is still the same old adventurous and carefree Sonic I used to idolize when I was a kid.

To my right was a Black Hedgehog with Red streaks, Light Brown skin on his muzzle and within his ears, and Red eyes. His outfit was a dark red button shirt with black slacks. He also wore the same old gloves and shoes, which he also washes. He still was a bit of a loner and would put down Sonic from time to time, but that's the way he is.

"Unh, guys? It was a tie…again." Amy rolled her eyes again after she said that. "Now can we get going already?"

"Yeah Sonic! Besides, do you and Shadow ALWAYS have to do this?"

They looked at each other real quick and replied with a yes.

Sighing and shaking my head, I started off to the train station with the trio of Hedgehogs.

We had to get on a train to the Mystic Ruins where my workshop was. There, my planes were kept. We'll be using one of my new ones, the Whirlwind. It was for traveling purposes, able to carry a decent amount of people.

We all got on after purchasing our tickets and took a couple seats near the door. While we waited for the other passengers I looked around, and stopped.

A girl rushed past me, muttering an apology when she bumped into me. I watched for a moment as she hurried off the train, shrugging the incident off.

Taking my seat, I yawned as I stretched my arms. Slightly bored, I listened as Amy tried to fill the silence.

"Don't you guys just think back on the old days? When Eggman would always come up with some dumb plan and announce it to the world? Sure, it's great that it's more peaceful these days. But don't you wish sometimes that there was something to do?"

Sonic and Shadow voiced their views, while I kept mine to myself. The glory days are over; we're just another group of anthropomorphic animals living a normal life just like everyone else. It really does feel nice to just relax and let the police handle the situation.

"Excuse me, but have any of you seen a necklace? It has a pendant attached to a worn piece of string.. The young lady here believes she lost it in this car."

A worker was standing in the doorway, a girl standing beside him. Blinking, I realized it was the same one who just rushed off.

Seeing the train wouldn't be leaving, I sighed and got up along with my friends. Amy had taken to looking on the left side, Sonic and Shadow going to opposite ends. I was left to look on the right side, glancing inside the chairs as well.

"I don't see it over here…"

Hearing the guys grunt, I was about to agree when I saw a glint. Crouching to the floor, I spotted a worn out pendant attached to frayed piece of string. Picking it up I headed to the entrance, the worker stepping aside.

She was shy, that was for certain. Her long hair covered up her face, although it wasn't doing a good job hiding her revealing clothes or bulging belly.

I quickly returned my gaze to her…face. No matter what, it's rude to stare at a girl.

I handed over the…necklace of sorts, hearing a muttered thank you.

She ran off, the employee letting his co-workers know the problem was solved.

Heading back to my seat, I laid my head back as Amy continued her discussion. Sonic and Shadow occasionally nodding with a few words here and there.

Like I thought, it's another day. Boring, yes. However much better then fighting everyday…

Although it wouldn't hurt for Sonic or Knuckles to pop the question to the girls.

A/N: This chapter was left practically untouched. Only changes were for Knuckles. Nothing else.