THE SKY WAS BLUE, the birds were singing and romance was in the air of Knothole. The meadows were full of thousands blooming flowers each of a different color. Suddenly a blue flash crossed the meadow and ran through the town, passing a candy store; where the owner was about to put a box of chocolate in a shelf when blue lighting passed her, replacing the box with a few coins.
The blue ray ran out of the town and stopped in front of a mansion. Sonic the hedgehog was wearing a tuxedo with a rose in one hand and a box of chocolate in the other. He was waiting outside the door when it began to open then a white light appeared and from this came out a silhouette.
A pink hedgehog with green eyes wearing a beautiful red gown, jewelry sparkling as stars and a red hairband over her shorts spikes stood in front of Sonic and locked her eyes with his.
"Amy Rose." Sonic came and knelt before her, offering her gifts and giving a seductive look. "Are you ready for the best day of your life, with the hedgehog of your dreams?"
"Oh, Sonic." With her eyes shining with excitement, Amy Rose received the gift as Sonic took her other hand and kissed it. "I've waited so long for you to say that."
Sonic got up still holding her hand and looked at her deeply, they didn't need words for what was coming. His face began to approach hers and their lips were about to meet…
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"Amy? AMY!"
Amy opened her eyes and discovered that she was holding and kissing a ceramic frog. And that she wasn't in a mansion, but in the table of the kitchen having breakfast with her big sister, Peggy Sue.
"You are making up with the cookie jar." Her sister's grey eyes looked at her in amusedly as she reached for her coffee cup and took a sip. "Again." With that, Amy's cheeks turned pink as she groaned in disappointment.
Amy Rose is a hedgehog that lives with her older sister outside Knothole. The young hedgehog moved with Peggy after her parents went to the city for work issues. Amy didn't want to leave school, her friends nor the special guy who owns her heart; so her parents agreed she could stay with her older sister.
"Day dreaming?" Her sister teased.
"No! I just love cookies that's all!" Amy looked away trying to avoid the embarrassment.
"Mmph." Peggy finished his coffee and began to clear the table. "Then I'll make sure to buy more next time." Amy looked at her and stuck his tongue. Peggy barely bothered of her childish manners and continued to clean the table.
"Oh, well." Amy stood up of the table and run out of the kitchen as Peggy started to wash the dishes. "Thanks for breakfast! I'm off!"
"Wow! Wait a sec!" Amy stopped at the door when Peggy called her. "Where are you off to?"
"You know… Just to hang around. Kiss Kiss!" Amy said cheerfully.
"Wait! You haven't told me where-" But Amy shut the door before she could finish. " You are going." She sighted in despair and went back to wash the dishes. "I ask for a doll house and my folks bring me a sister."
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Amy was walking down the road to certain house, where she knew a certain blue hedgehog would be.
"Peggy just cannot understand my feelings for him." She clapped her hands thinking of the love of her life. "Sonic is the one for me. He is the most charming, strongest and bravest hedgehog in the whole world."
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"No! No please!" Sonic was kneeling holding his arms up in defense. "I beg you! Anything but that!"
Margaret held his wrist and applied medicinal aerosol on his injure arm. Sonic groaned and twisted in pain dramatically.
"Oh, Sonic. Knock it out." Margaret said warmly.
"Yeah! Stop complaining!" Jade replied in the other side of the living room as she took another tiny piece of metal off her hair with Omochao's help and threw it with the rest on the coffee table. "Not even Tails acts like that."
While Margaret took care of Sonic, Thomas was attending a scratch on Tail's face. "Ouch. Ouch. Ouch." Tails winced each time the cotton touched his face.
After discovering the strange jewel, Sonic went for Thomas and they came back with the pickup and a wagon to pick the Tornado. Once they got home, they put the unconscious girl on the couch so they could make sure there weren't more sneaking out. They also told them about the fight with the robot, Sonic's powered up with the ring and also of the weird jewel that was in the girl's bag. They had the emerald in the table to watch it over it too.
"I still can't believe you just went versus a killer robot." Thomas commented as he put another Band-Aid in Tails cheek. "You could've been killed."
"Maybe so." Sonic said confidently. "But it didn't happen, right?" He ended up being in the face with a cushion that sent him back to the floor. He recovered and turned to his attacker.
"No-Uh!" Jade yelled, been the one who threw the cushion disinterested. "We almost got killed because your girlfriend!" Then she turned and glared at the girl that was lying at the couch. "And when the hell she is going to wake up?!"
"Now, now Jade." Thomas said as he finish put a bandage in Tails arm. " Let's continue where we left. I need you to tell me again what happened again. Starting with the ring." They looked to the table where the ring that Sonic used and the other one that Thomas found in the rest of the metallic bird were. "I analyzed the ring that was inside the robot you fought last night, Sonic. And the energy was drained. Zero."
"I don't know what I did." Sonic answered thoughtfully. "I just held it tight and I powered up." He looked at his hand and made it a fist. "It felt amazing."
"I must know what this thing is made of." Thomas said as he held both rings.
"To be able to do that, the laboratory must get back in line." Said Omochao.
"I can help with that, Grandpa." Tails offered holding up his hand.
"Thanks, Tails." Thomas rubbed his head. "But it would be better if you stay put and rest."
"But I'm fine," Tails get off the sofa and smiled at him. "Just a few bruises and scratches." Thomas was about to protest but he saw the determination in the little fox's eyes and made him feel proud.
"Well what are we waiting for? Let's start right away!"
"Right behind you!" The little fox nodded in determination as Thomas stood up with both rings and practically ran to the garage with Tails right behind him.
"Sure…" Jade said after they left. "You two play with machines and we'll stay here staring at the walls!" It wasn't long until Sonic stood up as well and went to the door.
"And where you going?" Margaret asked.
"To take a little air." And he left too leaving the girls and the little robot alone.
"Boys." Jade said annoyed then she stood and glanced to a mirror. "I'm a mess. I need a bath urgently."
"Go ahead." said Margaret. "I will be doing laundry. Omochao?" The little robot's got closer when he was called. "Why don't you take an eye over our guest?" She indicated to the girl in the coach as she stood up. "Be sure not to make noise to not disturbed her."
"And make sure she does not get out through any window." It was the last thing Jade ordered him as she disappeared up stairs and Margaret went to the laundry room.
"Aye! Aye!" Answered the little robot. And then Omochao stayed with the girl sleeping peacefully.
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IN THE SINISTER BASE OF IVO ROBOTNIK…
A new robot was prepared. It was inside an elevator while mechanic extensions were checking the last details. The elevator stopped and opened its doors. It was a large red-violet robot with an all-round glass encasing the center. It had large construction digging claws for arms and feet, and one large green eye on its top.
"I think E-47 Pumpty would do." Dr. Ivo Robotnik said as he approached to his robot. "It's time to go."
"Are you sure this is a good idea, doctor?" Decoe asked as he and Bocoe escorted their master to his vehicle; a semi-sphere floating machine with a red chair inside, thousand of button and switches, a pointy red stick from the base.
"Mmmmm… You are right." The scientist got into his vehicle and pushed a bottom. Another elevator opened reveling dozens of red robots; each one of them had a big nose and it eyes were two circle glasses looking like glasses. There were also flying bots over them, ready to take a peon and follow their master. "Now I am ready to go."
"But Doctor!" Bocoe exclaimed in despair. "If you go there! You'll expose yourself."
"We thought that you wanted to stay hidden!" Exclaimed Decoe.
"I wanted to keep a low profile until I was ready to show myself..." He stood up from his chair and pose. "AS RULER OF THE WORLD!"
The yellow and grey robots looked in disbelief at his master's drama, but not risking giving the Doctor reasons to disarm them, they remain in silence. They just saw how Ivo Robotnik took to the air, following by E-47 and the peons.
"But Doctor..." Decoe asked before the scientist took off. "What about the people of the village?"
"Last time I checked, dead can't talk," a creepy chuckled came out of his mouth as he and his troop flew directly to Greenhills.
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BACK TO THE BIRCH'S HOUSE…
The girl opened her blue eyes and once again she found herself alone in a strange place. Sitting up, she looked around the living room and spotted some pictures over the walls; many of them showed the hedgehog and the others guys with a pair of elders. Then her attention turned to the coffee table and she saw the green emerald. She couldn't believe they left it alone without protection, but instead of asking herself more questions, she reached it with her hand.
But when she took it, she spotted a weird little blue robot that was in front of her. She stared weirdly at the strange adornment but decided to ignore it. She took the rest of her stuff and quietly she went to the door. Her hand reached to the knob and froze. She had the sensation that someone was watching her. Looking back she didn't saw anybody, just the robot-adornment looking at her. She could swear that it was looking to the other side. But she just shrugged it off and left through the door.
After the girl left, Omochao's propeller started to spin and the blue robot left the living room. He flew up stairs directly to Jade's room. She just finished taking her bath, and at the moment she was wearing a bathrobe and was drying her hair with a hairdryer.
"Hi, Omochao!" Jade said cheerfully. "A long and warm bath was just I needed." She turned off the hairdryer and went to her wardrobe. "So, how is our mystery girl?"
"She left."
"WHAT!" Jade jerked around and held the little robot. "WHEN!?"
"Just a while ago." Omochao answered calmly, even though the teen was shaking him.
"And you just let her!? We told you to watch over her!"
"No. You told me to remain in silence and make sure she didn't left through any window."
"So?"
"You never said anything about the door."
Jade stared at him with anger and then she let him go. "You are so lucky to be cute."
Tails and Thomas were repairing the equipment of the laboratory. The little fox was fixing a computer with some tools while the old man was lying under a machine trying to fix its inside. Suddenly the door that connected to the house, slammed to the wall. Startled, Tails dropped his tools and Thomas stood up hitting his head.
"Darn it!" Thomas held his head feeling the bump that was forming. With tears in his eyes he turned to the door and saw Jade already dress up gasping for air and she was furious.
"She is gone!" She shouted and Margaret and Omochao were behind her.
"What? Who?" Thomas asked standing up.
"Who do you think? Our escapist guest." Jade said. "I'm starting to think she is Houdini's relative." She mumbled.
"How did she escape?" Tails asked perplexed.
"Thanks to him." Jade pointed to Omochao.
"Hey! Next time be more specific!" Omochao defended himself.
"That's enough!" Interfered Margaret. "Instead of discussing we should go and look out for her. She is hurt, tired and probably in danger. We must find her!"
"Alright, listen up!" commanded Thomas as everybody left the garage. "We'll split up. Grandma and I will take the pickup and check the neighborhood. You three go to the road that connects to the village. We'll search until we find her."
"OKAY!" Everyone shouted in union. And without other word, they began the quest. Not knowing that danger was approaching to Knothole.
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The girl was still in the neighborhood trying to find the right way to leave. She stopped and put her hands over her knees, gasping for air and groaned in annoyance, frustrated that she hasn't recovered 100%.
'Well…' She thought. 'After almost been killed by two robot in one day, it could have been worst.' Able to get balance, she glanced back to the house in the hill and thought in the people that took care of her and of the blue hedgehog. Closing her eyes, she shook her head and kept running. Though she didn't get far.
"OOF!" She collided with someone and ended falling back. She sat up and rubbed her back and saw a pink hedgehog in the same position she was.
"Ow... That hurt." The pink girl looked ahead as well, then she stood up in a second and glared at her. "Why don't you watch where are you going?" She complained.
"Me?" The girl responded calmly as she stood up and started to clean the dust off he clothes. "I was standing here. How come is that you didn't see me?" The hedgehog's cheeks became red.
"I… I was just…" She didn't want to say that she was daydreaming... again. "Why do I have to explain myself to you?!" She crossed her arms and look away from her.
"If that's the case, I will continue my way." The girl walked passing her.
Amy watched her go and she was about to continue with her own path when something came to her mind.
"Wait a moment!" Amy turned around and called the girl. "I never have seen you before. Are you new in town?"
But the girl didn't stop nor turned around. She continued walking hopping for the pink hedgehog to go and leave her alone, but to her bad luck Amy was more stubborn than she seemed.
"HEY! I am talking to you!" And Amy went after her.
The girl groaned again and held her forehead. "Isn't there anyone in this place that mess with their own business?" She mumbled to herself.
Suddenly a big shadow covered her and looking up she froze. Amy reached the girl when she noticed the shadow as well and panic when she saw a robot falling from the sky. Both girls ran as the robot landed where they stood, making the land shake lightly but enough to make the two girls fall to the ground. Before they knew, a big bulldozer bucket picked them up and the robot opened a gate from abode and swallowed them.
Thomas and Margaret were on the pickup searching for the girl after they separate from Tails and Jade.
"Do you see anything?" Thomas asked behind the wheel.
"Not yet." Replied Margaret looking through her window.
"Maybe Tails and Jade had more luck than we." He said while looking through his window.
"THOMAS! Look out!" Thomas turned his head ahead and saw a giant robot walking in the middle of the road.
"HOLLY COW!" Thomas turned the wheel to duck the giant robot; unfortunately the car went out of the road and crashed with a tree. Thomas groaned as his sense came back. Immediately turned to the passenger seat and checked his wife.
"Maggie! Are you alright?" She opened her eyes and greeted his worried husband with a warm smile.
"I'm fine, darling. Good thing we had the belts." With that, Thomas sighed in relief and both got out of the car seeing the robot walking away. They followed it to the road and they saw the inside of the robot. A human girl and a pink hedgehog were behind a crystal.
"Isn't that Amy?" Margaret said.
"And our mystery girl." Thomas put a hand over his eyes to block the sunshine and looked closer. "We must go after it!" Forgetting the destroyed pickup, Thomas took his wife hand and chased the robot.
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Jade and Tails were running in the road searching frantically.
"Um... Why I'm running again?" Asked Tails. "I can fly and look for her."
"Forget it." She snapped. "If I run you run too. So deal with it."
"Ok. Whatever you say." Tails replied not wanting to argue with her in that mood, so he decided to change the subject. "You know… I'm wondering if the jewel has something to do with the appearance of those robots."
"We could have asked to our mysterious girl if someone hadn't let her go." Jade glared to Omochao.
"How many times I have to say sorry?" The little robot complained.
"I will tell you when is enough!"
Tails smiled at the arguing when suddenly his ears caught a humming. He stopped and looked at a meadow of flowers, and saw in center young rabbit with cream fur and patterns of light brown spots surrounding her eye, head top, and ear tips. By her side was a little creature with light blue color and had yellow markings at the tip of its head, hands, feet and tail, bulb-shaped head, dark blue eyes, a floating, yellow pom-pom ball hovering above the tip-top of his head and was wearing a red bow around it's neck.
"Look, Jade!" Tails exclaimed "Is Cream and Cheese."
Jade and Omochao halted and looked to the meadow. Indeed it was Cream the Rabbit. A polite and friendly five years old little girl, always accompanied by her dear friend Cheese, a little chao that Cream had since it was an egg. She lives in Knothole as well with her mother, Vanilla.
"Hey! Let's ask her if she saw our fugitive." Omochao suggested and the trio walked to meet the little rabbit.
"Hey, Cream!" Tails called her. Cream and Cheese turned around and smiled widely when she saw whom they were. She stood up with her arms filled of flowers.
"Good afternoon! Mr. Tails, Miss Jade and Mr. Omochao." She greeted them politely.
"Chao! Chao!" Responded the little chao as well.
"What are you doing here?" Asked Tails. "Aren't you a little far from home?"
"I know." she said shyly then recovering with smile. "But I wanted to surprise Mom with a crown of flowers. And this meadow has the most pretty flowers."
"Aww. How cute." Jade said tenderly but in only last a few seconds "Anyway, have you seen a girl passing by?"
"A girl?" Cream titled her head in thought. "No. I don't think so. How does she look like?"
"She is like my age, blue eyes, ... Using MY blue sweeter!"
"Jade! Would you knock it out with the sweeter?" Tails complained.
The red hair girl was about to reply when a shadow covered them. They looked behind and discovered a big red-violet robot covering the sun.
"WAAAHHH!" Jade and Tails screamed and began to ran. The teen grabbed Cream by the hand and pulled her along with her, making the little rabbit loose her flowers.
The Pumpty saw them run, but it didn't moved. It analyzed each one of them until his radar confirmed the redhead and the rabbit were girls. Aiming on the girls, he launched its long arm and caught Jade and Cream. It opened the gate again and swallowed them. Jade held Cream to protect her when they landed in the bottom.
"Oow… I know we are sweet but this is ridiculous." She sat and rubbed her head. "Good thing we fell on something soft."
"Not something! Someone!" The new prisoners looked down and realized that they were over Amy and the mysterious girl.
"What are you doing here, Amy?" Asked Jade perplexed.
"I'll be glad to tell you... If first you move over!" Amy screamed.
Jade and Cream stood up so the other girls could sat up, it was when Jade recognized her.
"YOU!" Jade pointed the girl. "What's the deal with you and this metallic things?"
"That is none of your business." She simply said.
"Well, guess what? We were eaten by one of your robotic friends! That makes it our business!" The girl didn't answered; she just looked away making Jade more furious.
"Jade?" Amy called after the redhead girl. "Do you mind to explain me what's going on?" She never had her answer because in that moment the robot decided to move forward making them fall down with a yelp.
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Outside, Tails saw in horror how the robot swallowed Jade and Cream.
"Oh no!" He exclaimed in disbelief and saw how the robot was looking for something. Once it finished, it continued its path. Tails yelped and moving his tails like a propeller he took fly so the robot didn't squash him like a bug.
"What is he doing?" Omochao asked as he and Cheese flew at Tails' side. Cheese was yelling in despair for Cream and Tails was trying to find out why the robot only took Jade and Cream.
"Tails!" The little fox came to his senses and looking down he saw Thomas and Margaret running towards them.
"Grandpa! Grandma!" Tails descended to meet them and the old couple halted to catch their breath.
"Tails, where's Jade?" Margaret asked worried.
"That robot took her and Cream too!" Tails pointed to the direction the robot went.
"Oh no…" Margaret said worry.
"It's heading to Knothhole!" Thomas confirmed. "Let's go!" The group followed the robot knowing that if the robot it got to the village, it would cause chaos.
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Sheriff Sy was making his patrol in Knothole like he does everyday. He was a tall man with western clothes and a cowboy hat. While walking in the streets, the mailman; a German shepherd; stopped his bike and greeted the chief of the police department.
"Morning Sheriff!"
"Morning Julian!" Sy answered in his western accent.
"How are we doing today?"
"Very good." The chief replied stretching his arms. "It's one of those days that nothing can't go wrong."
"Except for a gigantic monster coming into town."
Sy started to laugh but then he looked confused. "I don't get it."
"I'm not trying to make a joke!" The maildog yelled in panic and he pointed behind the Sheriff. The man turned and almost jumped at what his eyes saw.
"What is that thing?!"
A robot entered to the village and the when habitants noticed they froze at the intruder. The robot stopped in front of the crown and began to analyze each one of them. Then its scan locked in three young girls that where leaving a Café and suddenly the robot stretched its arm and took the girls before they could react and swallowed them. Soon panic dispersed among the villagers and they began screaming and running away from the robot.
The sheriff took a radio from his belt. "Milly! We have a big situation here! A robot is in town and kidnapping people!"
"And you want me to prepare the popcorns?" A female's voice sounded amused.
"I'm not talking about a movie! Bring all the station here! I want you to turn on the alert!"
"Are you serious?"
"YOU BET I AM!" Sy ended the transmission and began to evacuate the villagers.
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Tails and the others arrived to the edge of the village and stopped to catch their breath. "Thanks God for the 20 kilometers I do daily," Thomas said holding his chest. Soon they heard screams coming form the plaza and they knew the reason.
"HEY!" They saw the sheriff running to them. "You must take refuge! There is a big robot lose in the city! And I assure you, I'm not joking!"
"We know that Sy." Thomas said calmly.
"That thing took Jade and Cream." Tails informed.
"It also took Amy and a young girl." Completed Margaret. After listen to them, Sy turned to the village.
"Then we must hurry!" The group followed the sheriff.
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The more girls were falling inside the robot, the less space was left and that started to make Jade a little impatient.
"HEY!" She screamed and hit the glass. "We are starting to feel a little cramped here!" She complained as the other girls helped the new arrived to stand up.
"Ok! That's it!" Amy came by her side bringing out a yellow tube. Pressing a bottom a red hammer appeared in one side. "We are out of here!" And with all her strength, she began to hit the glass again and again. The glass vibrated with each impact, but it didn't even made a fissure. At the end Amy stopped, holding herself with the hammer as she caught her breath.
"Where she got that hammer?" The mysterious girl thought aloud.
"It's a long story." Answered Jade and then walked to the glass and hit it again. "And it didn't even made a scratch!" With that, the rest of the prisoners started to freak out.
"What are we going to do?"
"What this thing want?"
"What is going to do with us?"
"I'm scared…" Cream said hugging the mysterious girl's legs taking her completely by surprise.
Jade looked at the commotion and not standing the scandal, she put two fingers in her mouth and made a loud whistle calling the attention of the girls.
"Everyone, calm down!" Shouted Jade. "There's no need to panic! I'm sure that they have a plan to take us out of here."
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"I don't have anything!" Thomas said in panic. He and the others were far behind the robot watching it walk through the village.
Knothole was deserted. The villagers were able to take refuge from the giant intruder, however there were still some people that left their hideout whenever the robot got closer.
"Sheriff!" A chinchilla in her first month of pregnancy and a young man got closer and each one was holding a shotgun. "The station is doing their best to evacuated the villagers."
"Good job, Milly." Sy replied and the younger officer handled a shotgun to him.
"We are ready for you to make the signal." The young officer said and he prepared his gun.
"No! You can't!" Cried Margaret. "My kids are inside that thing!"
"So as many others." Sy said seriously. "We can't shoot without putting them in danger."
"Then what are we going to do?" The young officer asked.
Tails hold his chin and said aloud. "If we can't do something from outside," He thought and looked at the robot. "Maybe we can do something from inside."
"Huh?" Everyone turned to the little fox.
"We might have more opportunity if we are inside that robot." Thinking about it, the adults realized that he was right.
"OK, we have a plan." Said the sheriff. "I don't think that will be difficult."
A scream brought their attention back to the robot. The big robot spotted a man with a ponytail that was lying in the floor paralyzed with the fear.
"SCANNING… GENDER… MALE." As soon the scan finished, the Pumpty ignored the man and continued searching as the man was able to stood up and hide.
"That was weird." The younger officer said. "Why it didn't swallow him too?"
"Sheriff, " Milly commented. "There's a patron in its way of kidnapping." Reflecting on what she said and on the behavior of the robot, the answer came to them.
"It only has taken young girls!" Sy exclaimed.
"Then I will be the bait." Milly offered.
"Absolutely not!" Sy refused. "Not in your condition. We cannot risk a miscarry."
"Mmm…" Instinctively, Milly put her hand to her belly. "Then what are going to do?"
"Wait!" Thomas brought everyone attention to him. "I have a great idea!"
The group got closer and Thomas shared his idea with them.
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Inside the robot, the girls were trying to find their own way to get out.
"What's taking you so long?" Jade complained as she was kneeling with the mysterious girl over her back and Amy over her shoulders trying to reach the door of the compartment.
"I can't reach it!" Amy informed.
"Then... Off my back!" Jade screech. Amy hopped off he mysterious girl's shoulders and hopped down. As the tower dismisses, a canary saw at the glass and noticed something unusual.
"Who is that?" The group joined her and looking through the window they saw something that really freaked them out.
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"Yoo-hoo!"
The Tumpty halted and turned to see the origin of the voice. On top of a truck; wearing a long country dress, a hat and shaking a handkerchief; was Thomas. A few inches far hiding behind another truck, everyone was watching sadly to the 'Great Idea' of the old man.
"If that thing falls for it, I'll eat my own boots." Sy commented with embarrassment.
"Hi, big boy!" Thomas called trying to sound feminine. The robot stood static for a second but then it started to walk to him. "Here it comes. Are you ready, Tails?" He raised the bottom of the dress and Tails poked his head out.
"I'm ready, Grandpa!" Then Thomas let go the dress and continued his bad performance.
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"Isn't that your grandfather, Jade?" A girl commented. Jade stared in disbelief and covered her face with her hands.
"I will need therapy after this."
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The robot stopped in front of Thomas and without wasting any second, it grabbed him.
"Hey!" Thomas yelped still using an effeminate tone. "Careful with that hands, buddy!"
The robot started to open the gate. Tails peeked his head out of the dress and seeing the entrance, he jumped inside while the robot was distracted.
"SCANNING… GENDER… DOUBTFUL…"The robot tossed Thomas away like trash and kept walking.
Everyone watch the poor man scream as he flew through the sky and landed in a fruit stand. The people that were hiding close by ran to see if the old man was injured.
"Hey!" Thomas screamed to the robot shaking his fist. "That's not way to treat a lady!" The people looked at him in disbelief specially when they saw what he was wearing.
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"WHOA!" Tails screamed as he landed to the bottom startling the others prisoners.
"Tails?!" Jade, Amy and Cream exclaimed together and they ran to his side.
"Are you alright, Mr. Tails?" Cream asked.
"I'm alright" He sat up with a wince.
"Please tell me this wasn't the plan." Jade whined as she helped him to stand up.
"Just part of it." He answered.
"What is the rest of the plan? Make it sneeze?" Amy said sarcastically. But before he could answer, a scream from outside made them rush to the window again.
"Grandpa!" Tails and Jade scream in unison when they saw Thomas landing in a fruit stand. When they saw that he was all right, they sight in relief. Then but then they saw something in the sky getting closer.
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"Thomas!" Margaret and the officers ran to his side as soon as the robot walked away and the others villagers were helping him get out of the stand.
"Are you alright?" His wife got closer and hugged him tightly.
"I am, Maggie." He responded. Ending the hug, he took off the dress.
"Where's Tails?" Asked Milly realizing that he wasn't under the dress.
"He is inside the robot." Thomas responded as he tossed aside the dress and smiled proudly. "I knew this plan would work." They decided to keep following the robot but for some reason it stopped moving.
"What's it doing now?" The sheriff asked aloud.
"Guys…" They turned to the younger officer and they saw him pointing to the sky. Looking up is when everyone saw a man with glasses and big mustache on a weird aircraft floating over the robot.
"Well…" Robotnik flew down and got closer to the group of girls. "It's seems you had a good catch."
"Who is this weird- o?" Jade wondered.
"I know you are in there little thief!" He screamed angrily. "I'm tired of this game of hide and seek!"
"What is this guy is talking about?" Amy asked.
"You can't hide any longer! So be a good girl… AND GIVE ME BACK MY CHAOS EMERALD!" With those words, the mysterious girl stepped away from the crystal.
"Chaos emerald?" Tails repeated. "Does he mean that strange jewel?" He and Jade turned to the person who had the emerald from the beginning.
"Did you steal that thing from him?" Jade pointed her and then to the man outside.
The girl looked at them coldly. "As I told you before, that is not of your business."
"Why… you!"
"Don't fight! Please!" Cream begged.
"Cream is right!" Amy came between them to prevent a brawl. "This isn't the place or time!"
"YOU!" They heard the voice of the Sheriff and when they looked outside, they saw the Sheriff running outside from his hideout. "Are you the owner of that monstrosity?!"
"Why, yes. Indeed I am." The Robotnik responded calmly.
"In that case you are under arrest!" Sy aimed him with his gun. "Park and leave your vehicle with the hands over your head."
"Or what? You will give me a ticket?" The man mocked, then five armed persons joined their boss.
"If you don't release those girls it will be the less of your problems!"
"Oh, no! Who will save me?" He faked a desperate cry but it transformed into an evil grin as he pressed a bottom in the console. Several shadows started to form in the ground and when the officers looked up they saw the cause. Many red robots were falling while the airship that dropped them left the area. Screaming, the officers ducked before the red robots hit the land.
"I think my lawyers have something to say about it." Robotnik said.
The officers regroup and saw in awe and panic how three dozens of red robots were making a barrier between them and the giant robot.
"Um… S-Sheriff…" A rookie stammered. "I don't remember anything about deadly robots in the manual."
XXXXXXXX
"They will end up crush!" One of the girls screeched in terror as they saw in anguish how the robots started to walk closer to the officers.
"You are the responsible of all this!" Amy yelled to the thief. "Just give him what he wants, before someone gets kill!" But the girl stared neutral at them.
"I can't." Her cold answer left everyone stunned.
"Listen," Tails came closer to her and look her in her blue eyes. "I think you have your reasons, but they…" He pointed to the men that were confronting the robots. "They are risking their life to save us."
"Please." A little squirrel came closer in tears. "My dad is one of them."
The young thief looked to the fox and the rest of the girls. She could see fear and sadness on their eyes. But their expressions were more than she could stand so she looked away.
"I can't."
"How you can be so cruel?!" Jade shouted in her face.
"I can't." She replied a little more intense. "Because I don't have it," There was silence before she answered. "I lost my bag when this thing caught me." She informed. "And the emerald was inside it."
The last spark of hope vanished at hearing her. But only one of them had a bit of hope left.
"Sonic... Where are you?" Amy wondered looking to the sky.
XXXXXXXX
After spending his time running in the hills for a few hours, Sonic decided to go back to the Birch's house and see if Missy had awaken. While running, he spotted a bag lying in the middle of the road.
"This look familiar." He picked up the bag and when he checked its inside, he found a dagger and the green jewel. "How did this get here?" But his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of guns shooting in the distance. He run up to a hill and realized the gunshots were coming from the village.
"Sounds like party." He smirked. Putting the bag over his shoulder, he disappeared in a flash.
XXXXXXXX
The officers were trying to make robots receded, but the bullets bounced off the armor of the robots.
"It's not working!" A woman screamed in panic to see how the robots were still intact.
"Keep trying!" The sheriff shouted.
"I think it's my turn now." Robotnik snapped his fingers and robot pointed its gun at the officers and fired a laser that pointed to the revolvers and shotguns causing them to disintegrate into their own hands.
XXXXXXXX
"This is not good!" The chinchilla exclaimed in terror. Charging her own revolver, she prepared to aid her partners.
"Don't!" Margaret caught her arm before she left.
"I can't abandon them!"
"I know. But you must think on your baby!" Margaret said. Milly tight her eyes and hung her head in defeat.
"I saw him before." Both women turned to Thomas. He was staring at Robotnik from the moment he showed up.
XXXXXXXX
"This is taking too long." Robotnik flicked his fingers and all the robots brought up their arms, and began shooting.
The policemen dodged the attack and ran for cover. But the robots didn't just fire bullets; some started to shoot lasers and bazookas destroying Knothole.
"Ho Ho Ho!" The scientist laughed. "That will teach you not to mess with-"
"IVO ROBOTNIK!" The scientist was interrupted and looking down, he saw Thomas running to the war zone. Robotnik flicked his fingers to pause the fire.
"I must feel honored that someone recognizes me."
"I knew it! You are Robotnik!" Shouted Thomas pointing to him.
"Doctor Robotnik, if you please."
"Thomas!" Sy joined him. "You know this lunatic!"
"Not in person. As his grandfather, he was a brilliant scientist in machines. But years ago he disappeared with no trace. But why are you doing this? What do you want?!"
"It's very simple." Robotnik leaned over the edge. "I want my emerald back!"
"What emerald?" Replied Sheriff Sy. The doctor ignored them and turned to the prisoners.
"Are you ready to give me my emerald?" When there wasn't an answer, he fumed. "No? It seems you need a bit more persuasion." Flicking his fingers again, a robot aimed its bazooka to Sy and Thomas, and shot. The two men tried to escape but the missile was too fast. So they jumped to the ground and prepared for impact as the prisoners and the rest of the villagers watch in horror.
Before the missile reached them, a blue light run crossed the streets. Sonic ran and kicked the missile deflecting it from its course and making it hitting a building. The blue hedgehog stood tall with fist in his hips.
"Hey, there! What did I miss?"
"Sonic!" The name echoed in the whole village with joy. But Robotnik didn't felt the same. He filled with anger when he recognized the hedgehog.
"It's you!" The mad scientist pointed him. "You are the rat who was messing with my precious creations!"
"Those things were yours? You should watch where you put your toys." He suggested.
"A smart boy, huh? Perhaps some holes will shut you up." With that the robots started shooting the hedgehog, but he avoid them without problem but they did aim all around the village destroying everything. Sonic saw what they did to his home and that make him angry.
"Hey!" Sonic stopped in front of one robot. "No one mess with my town!" The peon aimed him but Sonic dodge the laser. "Over here!" Sonic now was standing in front of another and many shoot at him but they ended destroying their own mate. "You miss!" Now he was standing over the head of another. And as before, the others tried to shot him but ended destroying another robot. Sonic continued with that strategy and then he spin around attacking more robots.
XXXXXXXX
"Go for it, Sonic!" Jade cheered him up.
"I knew he would come to rescue me!" Amy said dreamily.
The girl couldn't believe the hedgehog actually would come to save them. It was admiring his persistence but irritating at the same time.
"If he continues playing like that, he's going to get himself killed." She said coldly.
"You don't have to be worry for Mr. Sonic." Cream told her with a kind smile.
"I don't care what happens to him. All I care is a way to get out of here."
"You are the worst!" Jade looked sharply at her. "This is the third time Sonic comes to rescue you, sister!"
"What do you mean with the third time!?" Amy's jealousy came.
"I never asked that hedgehog to rescue me." The girl said in Jade's face.
"It's your fault all this happened in the first place!" Another girl complained.
"You brought that lunatic to our village!" Another spoke. Soon all the girls were fighting each other.
"There!"
The voice of Tails made them stop arguing and saw the little fox kneeling in front a big motor that was in the middle. Tails took off a piece of metal and reveals lots of cables and microchips.
"How did you do it?" Jade asked.
"I used my screwdriver." He smiled showing his tool.
"So that was the plan since the beginning?" The thief asked.
"Hmm-Hmm." Tails nodded.
"I have to admit I'm impressed." The girl said admiring Tails.
"You are great!"
"Good kid!"
"So smart!"
Soon the group of girl began to praise him making the little fox to blush.
"Not big deal, girls." Tails scratched his cheek and he turned back to the cables. "Now I just have to figure out how is this thing wire."
"We don't have time for this, Tails! Step aside!" Tails turned and saw Amy holding her hammer. "I'll fix that robot!"
"NO!" Tails held his hands out in panic and the others saw in fear her intentions.
"AMY! DON'T!" The others tried to stop her, but it was to late. Amy smashed the motor making sparks of energy coming out. The fugitive covered Cream and with the rest they went down to cover themselves until the motor finally exploded.
XXXXXXXX
Robotnik turned to the sound of the explosion and almost jumped from his vehicle when he saw what happened. The villagers watch in horror the explosion as well. Margaret wanted to run out but Thomas held her back. Sonic heard the explosion too so he stopped attacking and looked where the sound came from.
The explosion made a hole in the glass and smoke was coming out from it. Then, Tails' head popped out of the hole coughing and soon the girls also came out.
"Way of go, pinky." Coughed the girl.
"Look what you done!" Robotnik flew closer. "You break my robot. And it wasn't even unsure!"
Sonic saw his opportunity and run in super speed to the giant robot and broke its legs making it fall backward. The girls and Tails let go a screech as the robot hit the ground.
"It seems that your robots aren't that though, Eggman."
"W-WHAT?!" The mad scientist choked for the way the hedgehog called him. "How did you call me?"
"What? The great egg can't stand a little joke?" Sonic shrugged.
The face of Robotnik became red with fury and fumed by the ears. "HOW DARE YOU! I WILL NOT ALLOW SUCH DISREPCTECT FROM A LITTLE-"
XXXXXXXX
As Robotnik was yelling, Tails and the girls were recovering from the fall. The robot was lying on its back so the hole was over the prisoners. Amy was the first to stand up and noticed Sonic not far from there. And with a big smile she came closer.
"Son-!" A hand covered her mouth. Amy realized that the new girl was holding her.
"Be quiet." The girl whispered. "This is our chance to get out of here." She let Amy go and looked back to the others. "Come on."
The first to get out was Jade and Tails. When she jumped to the ground and looked back up.
"Hurry up." Jade whispered. Tails helped the other girls to get out one by one. From inside, the fugitive was helping to lift them up and soon only her and Cream was left.
"You are next." She said to Cream.
"But what about you?" Cream asked worried.
"I can climb out of here easily, that is why you must go before me." Without saying anything else she lift her up. Tails took Cream's hand and brought her out.
XXXXXXXX
"You will regret for crossing paths with me, blue boy! You will surrender if you don't want these ladies to suffer-" Robotnik cut himself off when he saw Jade catching Cream. "WHAT THE-?!" He screeched and pushed a bottom of his panel.
Tails went to help the girl get out but the robot started to move and the girl fall back in. Immediately, Jade took Cream and ran with Tails flying close behind them. The robot stood up again using his arms as legs. Its eye went inside, and its bottom, that now was above came out a green eye.
"My robot maybe was down, but not defeated!" The mad scientist grinned evilly.
"What do you want?" Sonic asked. "I'm sure you didn't came for a souvenir."
A vein in the baldhead formed. "How many times do I have to say it? I. Want. My. Chaos Emerald!"
"Chaos Emerald?" Sonic searched inside the bag and brought out the bright jewel. "You mean this thing?"
Robotnik's mouth dropped. "M-m-my precious Chaos Emerald! Take it!" He commanded.
Two of the remaining red robot went after Sonic. And when he noticed them, he jumped making the peons to collide each other leaving them out of service. Then the blue hedgehog continued to destroy the rest of them.
"Grrr!" Robotnik was furious of how this guy kept destroying his creations, but suddenly he calmed down and grinned. "Hey! You!"
Sonic used a spin attack in a robot and stopped and looked up. "You are talking to me?"
"Exactly! Your name is Sonic, isn't it?"
"That's right," He stood tall and pointed his thumb to himself. "I'm Sonic The Hedgehog." He said proudly with a cheerful grin.
"Alrigth, Sonic the hedgehog. Why don't we make a deal?"
"A deal?" Sonic looked suspiciously.
"Just give me my jewel," The man pointed to the emerald. "And I will leave this place forever. What do you said?"
"Mmm…" Sonic became serious and crossed his arms. "That simple, huh?" What he said made sense. He could just give him the stone that was the source of the problem. But there was something on that man he didn't trust.
XXXXXXXX
Still inside the robot, the girl recovered from the shake and she heard the offer that Robotnik gave to the blue hedgehog.
"Don't believe him, hedgehog!" She shouted and Sonic looked at her. "As soon as he get's the emerald, he'll destroy everything!"
"Quiet!" the scientist shouted to the girl. "You have nothing to do said about- " When he looked better at the girl, he recognized her in the instant. "You are the one who stole my emerald!" He growled.
"Eggman!" Robotnik turned back to Sonic and he held the emerald up, waving it. "If you want it, then come and get it!" Then hedgehog ran through the street to outside the village.
"Don't you just stand there!" Robotnik screeched to his robots and pointed to the direction where Sonic went. "After him!" The last peons went after Sonic, while the Pumpty activated rockets from its new feet and with Robotnik they left Knothole.
As the robots and their creator left, the villagers got out of their hiding spots and relatives ran to their daughters, nephews and grandchildren.
"Jade! Tails!" Both turned around and saw their grandparents running to them with Cheese and Omochao.
"Hi!" Jade said with a smile as she put Cream down, in time for her grandfather wrapped her in bear hug as Tails and Cream were hugged by Margaret.
"My little Pumpkin!" He said in relief and let her go her. "You almost give me an heart attack!"
"I'm glad you made it in one piece." Commented Omochao flying around Jade and then she hugged him.
"I'm just glad that everyone is fine." Margaret said as she hugged her granddaughter and Thomas rubbed Tails' head while Cream was hugging Cheese.
"There's not time to waste!" Everyone looked to Amy. "That maniac went after my Sonic! We have to go and help him!" Yanking her hammer she prepared to go after them but the Sheriff held her hammer.
"Not so fast, young lady! You are staying right here!" Sy said firmly.
"But Sonic-"
"We already know that he can take care of those things by himself. Besides, you need to be checked by a doctor after such explosion. That goes to everyone else who was inside the robot!" He release Amy's hammer and yelled to the rest.
Amy looked sadly to the direction where the battle was going to unleash and prayed that Sonic would come back alive.
XXXXXXXX
Sonic was running slower than usual so the invaders could reach him. When he saw the lake he made a loudly yelp and tried to stooped ending slipping in the dirt giving a half twist, seeing the robots reached him. Looking up, he also saw Robotnik and the Pumpty, with the girl trapped inside.
"Stop with the games!" Yelled the scientist. "Give me my emerald!"
"Sorry pal. Can't do." Sonic shrugged.
"WHAT!?"
"Movies taught me that giving shining things to evil scientist isn't a good idea." Sonic responded tossing the emerald into the air and catching it.
"What makes you think I'm evil?" Robotnik tried to look innocent.
"Kidnapping, attacking innocent people, destroying my village…" Sonic counted with his fingers.
"Alright! I had more than enough! Get him!" He ordered his peons. They went after Sonic but he started rolling and in super speed he destroyed the remaining ones. Then he attacked the legs of the big robot once again, and made it fall at its side. He turned back and saw the girl hoping out of the robot and fell in her kneels.
"Hey! You okay?" Sonic asked her as he went by her side.
"Do I look fine?" She snapped coldly.
"You are welcome, Missy." Sonic smiled and helped her stand up. The robot stood up as well making the hedgehog and the girl distance from it.
"This thing just doesn't quit, huh?" Sonic smirked at the last robot.
"I wouldn't underestimate it." The girl said.
"Oh, come on. What can he do? No arms and no weapons." Suddenly from the corners of the glass the spheres that looked like adornment turned, showing little cannons.
"Oh… He does have weapons." The blue hedgehog said with a nervous smile. And with the element of surprise at its favor, the robot attacked. Trying to protect herself, the girl run and hide behind a big rock as Sonic ran around the place. He jumped very high and used another spin attack to destroy one of the cannons.
"Agh!" Robotnik was getting even more desperate. The girl peek from the rock and watched amazed the strength of the hedgehog.
"Is that the best you have, Eggman?" Sonic landed in front of the robot and it opened a compartment down the file of canons, revealing missiles ready to launch. "I must to stop saying that." He sweatdropped.
Chaos began with hundreds of missiles were shutting everywhere and the cannon blast went crazy as well, destroying trees and rocks. Sonic was having a very hard time ducking the attacks, a couples of times it almost touch him. Knowing that he needed a plan, he hided in the same spot where the girl was.
"Phew... A little more and I would have ended like gruyère cheese!" He said cleaning the sweat off his forehead.
"We might still end like that if that thing don't stop!" The girl wince as another missile exploded close by.
"What do you suggest then?" Asked Sonic as another pile of dirt cover both of them.
"The weak spot must be the motor inside it!" She shouted, covering of another explosion. "The pink girl hit it with her hammer and it made a short circuit. If you destroy it-"
"That thing will have a ticket with no return to the junkyard!" Sonic pulled off the bag and tossed it to her. "Stay here and cover yourself! I'll be right back!" With that Sonic returned to open field.
XXXXXXXX
"Hmph. It seems like the hedgehog has a dead wish." Robotnik said from abode when he saw the hedgehog facing the robot again. "That works for me!" He smiled cheerfully.
XXXXXXXX
Sonic kept running and ducked each attack. He was waiting for the robot to remain in the right position and when the robot turned around, Sonic saw the hole in the glass and his chance. Running at full speed, Sonic jumped and went through the robot destroying the motor as he landed gracefully in the other side as the robot fall to never stand back.
"NOOOO!" Robotnik screeched holding his baldhead. "It's not possible!"
The girl came out of the rock and with eyes very wide in amazement she stared at the hedgehog.
"Oh! You bet it is," Sonic replied. "Ready to admit defeat?"
"Never!" The doctor was practically shaking in fury. "This isn't over! I will back! You haven't heard the last of Dr. Eggman!" He covered his mouth when he realized what he just said.
Sonic stared at him and exploded in laugh. "You see! The name just fix perfectly!" He had to hold her tummy as the laughers increase.
"GRRRR! This isn't the end!" With nothing else to say, the Eggman growled in desperation and flew away disappearing in the sky.
"Oh, boy!" Sonic was able to compose himself as he clean a tear off his eye. "Talking about happy endings."
So distracted by the moment, Sonic didn't notice that the robot was cumulating too much sparks, but the girl did noticed it and she knew what it meant.
"Hedgehog!" But when Sonic looked back, the robot exploded and the explosion sent them both to the lake.
XXXXXXXX
Inside the water, the girl opened her eyes. She was a bit dazed for the explosion, but she came to her senses and swam to the surface. Jerking her head out of the water and gasping for air, she swam to the shore of the lake.
With difficulty, she got out the water and rested over her hands and kneels trying to catch her breath. Suddenly, she felt like something was missing. Looking around she didn't saw the blue hedgehog anywhere. Turning her head back to the lake, she saw bubbles coming out of the surface. The hedgehog was still under the water. But she didn't move at all.
"Is not my problem," She told to herself and standing up she started to walk away. Suddenly a light came out from her bag, looking inside she took out the emerald and saw it's beautiful glow. Strangely, the memory of the hedgehog saving her, even when she didn't ask him to came to her. Holding very tight the jewel, she sighted heavily and made up her mind.
XXXXXXXX
Sonic for his side, wasn't having the same luck. He was sinking like a rock. He looked up and tried to run to the surface moving his legs widely, even moving the arms like he would do if he were running in land. But he was under water so his movement didn't get him anywhere. Giving up, he stopped moving frenzy and crossed his arm looking up to the surface, seeing the sun and it's sunshine moving through the water, he just let himself sink.
Before it was over, a figure crossed through the light taking him by surprise. Swimming towards him, Sonic recognized the girl. She stretched her hand and grabbing his wrist, she took him to the surface.
When they finally got out of the water, the girl dragged Sonic to the shore. Lying on the dirt, Sonic coughed until his lungs were free of water and the girl was catching her breath, again.
"Are you alright?" The girl asked not quite looking at him.
"Yeah..." Sonic turned to her with appreciation in his face. "Thanks a lot."
"I can't believe you." The girl sat up and looked at him. "You can run faster than the light, fight robots…" She raised an eyebrow. "But you can't swim?"
Chuckling, Sonic sat up as well and cleaned off the water of his eyes. "I'm not perfect, you know?"
The girl snorted with a smirk. "I could see that." She took off her bandana and wringed it. "I guess this make us even, hedgehog."
"Would you quit with 'hedgehog', Missy?" Sonic said a bit annoyed.
"Then how should I call you?"
"Just Sonic."
"I will..." She glared him firmly. "If you stop calling me, Missy."
"Well, if I knew your name..." Sonic looked at her with one eye making a point. It was clear he would not give up until she gave up her name.
She sighted in defeat and replied softly. "Jochebed."
"Jochebed! Right..." Sonic laughed nervously and rubbed the back of his neck. "Something easier?"
"… Jody."
"Jody." Sonic repeat the name and winked at her. "Perfect. Nice, short and easier to remember." And for the first time since he met her, Jody smiled.
XXXXXXXX
"OK, people. Keep moving!" Sy shouted. "Let's try to finish before sunset!" The villagers were working hard to clean the mess that Robotnik left and other where checking the people who were injured.
"Look all this mess…" The rookie came a side the sheriff. "Our beautiful town ruined. It will take us weeks to fix it." He said sadly.
"Buildings can always be replace, lad." The man said wisely as he saw many families reunite with their girls, among them were Amy, Cream and the Birch. "But never a life."
"I'm fine, Peggy!" Amy was trying to get free of the wrap of her sister.
"Amy…" Peggy finally released her and stood up. "You are grounded... Forever!"
"But it wasn't my fault…!" Amy decided not to argue any longer remembering that Sonic wasn't returned. "Can we go now and look for Sonic?"
"I'm with Amy!" Replied Tails. "We must go and find him!"
"I don't think that will be necessary." Omochao said floating over their heads and he pointed to the entrance of the village. Sonic and the girl were standing a few meters close. With a big smile the group run to them and the first to reach them was Amy.
"Oh, Sonic! Sonic!" She screamed in glee and launched hugging his neck very tightly making him grunted. "You are Ok!"
"Take it easy!" Sonic grunted.
"For a while I though I will never see you again." She said with tears in her eyes without letting go.
"Amy! Please let me go!" He begged.
'Didn't see that coming' Jody thought after seeing how the pink hedgehog struggle the blue one. Sonic was able to push Amy away but without letting go of his arm.
"Sonic!" The trio turned to see how others with the villagers ran to them. The whole village yelling in joy happy that the two kids were safe and sound.
"You are ok!" The next to launch was Tails giving his friend a nice hug.
"Of course I am. What did you think?" Sonic said patting his back and suddenly a fist knocked his head. "Ouch!"
"When will you ever grow up?!" Jade scolded him. "We were worried!"
"Oww…" Sonic rub his bump with a smirk. "So you really care."
"Don't make me really hurt you." Jade smiled and joined the group hug.
"Sonic?" Tails let him go and stared at Sonic and Jody. "Why are you two wet?"
"And what happened to Robotnik?" Thomas asked.
"It's a funny history." Sonic chuckled.
XXXXXXXX
THAT NIGHT IN THE BIRCH'S HOUSE…
" … Then the piece of junk exploded sending us to the lake. I would be a goner if Jody here wasn't there." Sonic finished his 'funny' story. After hearing that the Eggman left, they decided the story could wait until they helped to clean the village. It took them the rest of the day, but the gang was finally sitting in the living room hearing the tale.
"Jody? Is that your name?" Amy turned to her. Jody decided to go along with them at their place. Not like they gave her an option.
"That's her nickname, her name is..." Sonic tried to remember but ended with a sweatdrop. "How was that again?" Jody standing a side the furniture stared at Sonic and rolled her eyes.
"Jochebed."
"Yeah! That!" Sonic exclaimed.
"What kind of name is that?" Jade commented aloud.
"That's not polite, Miss Jade." Cream corrected her sitting aside Amy with Cheese in her legs.
"The important thing is that everything went well." Thomas said. "But to make sure nothing else goes wrong, we'll lock the emerald in the laboratory."
"I checked twice the system and everything is in order and ready for a lock down." Omochao informed as he entered to the room.
"That's great! I will analyze it and the rings first thing in the morning." Thomas said in excitement.
"There is something I still don't understand." Tails thought aloud catching the attention of everyone. "Why did you took the emerald from that Robotnik guy anyway?"
Everyone glanced to Jody. She crossed her arms and looked to the window thinking on what to tell them. When they though she wasn't going to answer she sighted and looked back to them. "Because that jewel has a power beyond than everyone can imagine."
"So you took it so that bad man couldn't use it?" Cream asked and Jody looked away.
"You could say it in that way." Everything stayed silence after her answer. Nothing that girl said made sense. What was the emerald and why Eggman wanted it? In fact, why did she want it? But before anyone could keep asking, Margaret entered the room holding folded clothes.
"I'm glad to tell you that dinner is ready." She walked towards Jody and offered her clothes. "These are yours. I put them in the laundry because they were dirty." The girl looked at her all perplexed at the kind gesture and she received them.
"Thank you." She mumbled without looking at her.
"You are welcome, dear." Maggie responded warmly. The girl looked to the clothes she was wearing and then to Jade.
"I suppose you want your sweater back." Jody told her. She was surprised when smiled at her.
"You can keep it. It isn't my size anyway."
"Then why did you buy it?" Tails asked her.
"It was in offer." The gang groaned at Jade's respond. "Changing subject! What's for dinner, Grandma?"
"In honor of our hero," She indicated to Sonic. "Today is night of Chilidogs."
"Woohoo!" Sonic jumped in joy off the couch fists high up and before anyone could react he rushed to the kitchen.
"Sonic! Wait for me!" Amy stood and ran after him followed by everyone else if they wanted to have some Chilidogs left. Cream and Cheese stopped when they noticed Jody wasn't following them.
"Aren't you coming?" Cream asked.
"I will in a second." She responded simple and Cream smiled tenderly to her.
"Ok, Miss Jody." Then the little rabbit with the chao ran to the kitchen.
Jochebed stayed alone in the living room hearing the joyful noise that was coming from the kitchen.
"Sonic! Eat one at the time!"
"Sorry! I just love Chillidogs!"
"Unless use a plate!"
She couldn't help but to smiled and she laughed quietly. 'What an unusual group.' She thought and a warm feeling filling her body. But then a memory came to her mind and that feeling fade away. She looked down depressed knowing what would happen next.
XXXXXXXX
The celebration ended until midnight in the Birch's house, so Margaret suggested Amy and Cream to spend the night with. And after a quick call to their homes, Sonic and the gang decided to call off the night.
Sonic spend the night at Tails' room while the girls stayed with Jade's. Jade and Amy shared the bed as Cream, Cheese and Jody slept over a mattress on the floor and Omochao was in sleep mode over Jade's table.
The sun was hours away and everyone was sleeping in peachy and soundly… With the exception of Jochebed. She was lying over the mattress staring at the dark. She sighted and sat up looking at her side, Cream was deep in sleep. And very careful she stood up and continued changing in her clothes. When she finished she took her bag and walked to the door and opened it. She froze for an instant and looked back, watching the calm face of the girls. She hated to do it, but she had to. With a heavy sight she went through the door and closed.