I know it's been like...four weeks, look, I'll update the other story I have to finish it, and start the new part of this one :) *Re-Edited*

Chapter 20: A Promise

Looking down at the crowd of people was terrifying for both of them. The crowd was looking up at them with joyful, excited looks, ready to hear their speech. Only, Amy didn't really have a speech to say. She never planned to talk because talking in front of crowds caused her to spin. She'd get nervous and not say anything at all. Sonic was her voice and she'd agree with what he had to say tonight.

"Good luck," She whispered. He turned to her and stuck his tongue out playfully and walked in front of her and stared at all the faces in front of him. Being in front of so many strangers and giving a speech suddenly made him nervous. 'Damn, I take it back,' Still, he forced up a smile and raised his hand.

"Hey," He lamely began waving a little. "Everyone,"

The crowd giggled but some replied with a small whisper of 'HI's'. Sonic felt his cheeks flush lightly. He had planned his entrance before; he'd come in with a big yell of 'hello' then get pumped by getting the crowd active like concerts do it. "By now you may know who we are." He said with a cheesy smile. "The legendary heroes," He chuckled nervously, but then it died down. He lowered his head down and avoided the looks from below. It was harder than what he thought it would be. He couldn't just say anything and have the full attention he'd always wanted if he had ever gone up a stage. This was imaged in Sonic's head for graduation, cheering at the crowd, fist pumping and his large speech of all the things he'd hated in high school and would leave behind and enter his future. Sadly, this was serious and it wouldn't be smart to say just anything.

He sighed, "I know this thing's serious and all, but it's also dangerous." He added in a low voice. "Yubala and her shadow people…being your lost family she took away from you." He looked up slowly seeing their faces no longer joyful, but upset and listing closely.

"I know you've all been scared and waiting for that special pair of warriors to come save your land, and the people in it, but they've all failed and haven't gone as far as you'd expected."

Amy slowly walked in back of Sonic as he continued, "I know you're all worried Amy and I won't make it to be able to save your land, but Amy and I aren't like the other heroes. We're different."

Amy stopped next to Sonic and smiled up at him. "Sonic and I are stubborn and won't let Yubala win. Not without a fight," Amy suddenly spoke, followed along loudly speaking to the crowd. The crowd began to gasp and look to their side buddy and whisper things. Amy noticed the words she spoke out and blushed covering her mouth.

Sonic glanced quickly down at Amy and he grin. Amy uncovered her mouth slowly and returned a small smile back and they both turned back around. "And that fight starts today!" Sonic loudly announced getting the attention of the whole crowd. They all hollered and cheered at them and made Sonic and Amy smile, feeling something in her chest jump.

Amy's grin widened and she jumped in front of Sonic "Sonic and I may not agree for some matters but we both agree Yubala must be stopped." More cheers. "We will retrieve that staff! We will end Yubala's rage and we will get Gemnissent back!" Sonic said with his full confident and hope now. "We will save Gemnissent. I promise!" Sonic ended.

The crowd jumped up in place and cheered at the two, while clapping loudly giving Amy and Sonic their full respect. Sonic was breathing hard out of nervousness and from speaking loudly. Amy was waving at the crowd openly and happily. Sonic laughed, seeing everything came out better than what he had expected. Amy send Sonic a weary smile and he simply smiled. "And we'll get out of here and go home." He said for only her to hear. "I know we will," He agreed.

The speech was short and quick for the two and then came the fun part. The celebration was outside. There, the people made a bonfire where there was music, dancing, food, and the whole village. The night sky was covered in clouds but in the sky only a few parts were open to the dark sky full of shining stars. Amy's jade eyes spotted a red shiny planet with craters that were visible through space. Her eyes flinched back and her mouth open slightly. She had never seen anything like it. The Planets were visible through the atmosphere; it was incredibly amazing.

"Cool, huh?" Sonic came by her side and sat down next to her. Sonic had an apple in his hand and was smirking.

"The party or you?" She sounded sarcastic but Sonic was unruffled.

"None, the stars, and the way you can see them so clearly. It's cool." He said simply, taking a big bite of the apple that was on its second bite already. Amy let go of her annoy with him and looked back at the sky, but as she did, a large cloud blocked the star. Amy sighed and uncrossed her legs and she lifted them up and pressed her chest against them by sliding her hands under and holding her legs. Her eyes landed on the fire that came up from the pill of wood in the middle of the whole thing. The people were jumping, and dancing around the large fire, very happily it made Amy want to do the same but she couldn't bring herself to do it. "Yea, I guess." She muttered.

Sonic raised an eye brow and frown turning to her. "You guess? What's wrong?" he asked. The concern in his voice brought Amy back to reality, for she had spaced out. "Nothing," She immediately responded in defense.

"Nothing," Sonic repeated doubtfully. "Amy," His voice grew firm and worried.

She bit her lip and sighed. "I'm just a little…I've been thinking a lot." She finally admitted in defeat.

"'Bout?"

"About Dave," The sound of his name gave great shivers to Sonic. His ears pointed out like a dog's would when it found its target. "I feel like I somehow…know him." She explained looking down at the basket full of fruits in front of her.

Interested, but not quite, Sonic leaned closer to her. She only continued talking, "I feel like I've met him, if not here, back on earth. Like you know, most of our friends look a lot like the mobians here. Linda for example looks like your girlfriend. That vampire back at the grave yard looks like that echidna, Knuckles. Oh, oh, and Skye looks like your good friend—"Amy was looking up at him with a shock expression when he cut her off.

"Tails,"

Amy bit her lip and without looking grabbed an apple from the basket. She then turned and was staring at a round red apple. The last kind from the basket.

"Yea, when you saw Linda you thought she was Sally, so did I, but truly she was sweet and caring Linda." Sonic shook his head finding her facts true. "It's the same thing when I see Dave. Like I know him but I really don't." Amy whispered so only he could hear. Sonic sighed and bite the apple he was still holding. He then threw it to the side and wiped his mouth. He closed his eyes and lifted his chin up.

"You shouldn't worry," He said. Amy blinked in confusion and placed her apple back on the basket lightly. "As long as we don't mess with him he won't mess with us." He assured her while opening his eyes and looking back at her. His green eyes were emotionless and she couldn't tell whether he was anger or worried himself.

"Yea," Amy agreed, smiling. "Your right," She got up and stared down at him. Sonic got up too and looked around at the people and crazy animals. "Now have fun," His gaze returned to her.

.:XxX:.

Everyone jumped and cheered, celebrating around the bonfire. The people of Gemnissent were singing and dancing out of happiness. Sonic and Amy were on a few mats near the dancing circle in the front seeing the dancers. In front of the mats were all kinds of foods and treats. They were the guest of honor so they got front seats.

The dancers were twirling and bowing down to the rhythm of the music the musicians were playing. Some had light silky scarfs and whipped those around near the fire and send out some of its flaring flames. Amy was clapping along with some of the animals, cheering for the dancers. Sonic, sitting crisscross was only looking at the little show. He wasn't feeling the mood to dance or party. He instead ate and drank what was giving to him.

Amy turned to face him with a wide grin and instantly frowned when she saw he wasn't enjoying himself. Such serious face at a happy moment wasn't tolerated. "Hey," She softly said.

His eyes found her concern ones. "What?"

"You're not having fun." She pointed out. "Something bothering you?"

"No, I'm fine if that's what you were going for." He said reassuringly, the edge of his lip lifting up before the other side to make a smile.

"But you're not having fun and you're the crazy party one." She told him with a grin, bumping her shoulder lightly against his. He chuckled and returned her bump in the shoulder then looked at the dancers in front of him.

"I'm just chilling, you know, taking a breather for once." He explained. Amy pouted sadly looking a bit disappointed by the response. She followed his gaze at the bonfire, and said nothing back.

Minutes passed and the dancers had finished with their unique dancing skills. Then the animals began pulling the crowd in to dance as well. Those who were chosen danced weather they could or not. It looked funny too Amy and she began laughing. One of the animals, a slim leopard with silk robs and a thin thank top only belly dancers used, heard her laughter and rushed over to her. Amy's eyes rounded when she saw the leopard call her to get up. Sonic was grinning evilly at her punishment.

"No, I can't dance." Amy said diffidently. The leopard ignored her and grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet. Her grip was tight but not as much so it would hurt. She dragged her onto the circle where the rest were dancing and she stood there stiffly for a moment when the leopard began dancing and twirling. Amy smiled lightly and began following her steps slowly letting herself loosen up a little.

Sonic watched as she began to dance at her own will. Twirling and jumping with the rest of the animals around her. They all seemed to be having the time of their lives with no worries in hand. Sonic smiled in amusement at mostly Amy whom his never seen dance like this. He went into thought seeing her so lively like this. Her smile was something he remembered he hated so much, but now it seemed hopeless, because he didn't really hate her. His smile disappeared. He hadn't since they came to this land.

He had lost all hate for the girl and he couldn't believe it. How could he hate a girl like her, so sweet and nice, full with compassion? He never understood her and never met her true side until this very month. Now he liked being around her, like if she was a friend. And she was.

After the time the two had been here he noticed that he had gotten a little too sweet with her by flirting with her at times. It seemed disgusting for him at first but as he saw her dance along with the different people he began to see he was developing some kind of strange feeling.

…

"Me fall for that thing? Oh this is funny," Sonic laughed wiping a tear off his eye. "No, that will so never happen." Amy finished.

A frown appeared on Professor Pickle's lips. "Never say never because it just might come true. Matters will become even more difficult and complicated."

…

Professor Pickle's words roam around his head like a spinning vortex. He remembered each and every word he had told him once, and he never took it seriously nor believed it. Now he was facing the fact that…

"Sonic, Sonic!"

His thoughts were washed out through the sound of her voice. Amy was coming to him, waving both her hands to him. She quickly got his hands when she arrived in front of him. "Get up and dance. I know you've been out to clubs before, so this is no difference. C'mon and show me your moves." She gleefully wheedled.

Sonic shook his head nervously and moved back a little. "N-no, I'm goo-Ah Amy!" Sonic was pulled to his feet and to the grounds of the bonfire. Amy jumped around him and dragged him to the side of the fire. Sonic was stun and was nervously staring at her. He didn't want to dance with her. It'd be weird.

When everyone saw Sonic they began wooing and clap louder making him even more awkward. Amy noticed and leaned forward to him. "Just relax," She whispered, and stopped jumping tom stand still. "Let out all of the things you couldn't let out on earth and have fun here." She advised him.

Sonic was startled by her saying and couldn't reply back for she grabbed his hands and twirled him around once more. More and more people crowed in the circle to see the two danced. "No, Amy please," Sonic whined but Amy let him go.

She spun in circles away a few feet. Sonic stood there staring at her in a daze. She looked so happy; she couldn't be controlled and it surprised him. Sonic's lip twisted upward slowly and couldn't admit out loud, he liked this Amy. When they weren't trying to practically strangle themselves, they both made an awful odd team.

His eyes were dazzlingly and she chuckled. Was it really happening? Could this be what he was feeling before?

Amy stopped dancing and looked at the crowd with her lovely smiled. Her quills smoothly went to her shoulder before returning to its natural state.

Was he falling in love with Amy Rose?

Everything around Sonic just disappeared, but Amy whose smile suddenly faded slowly and she began backing away. He blinked a few times when she turned to him, never really clearly seeing the fearful look she had.

'Sonic'

His vision came back seeing in the corners of his eyes, the people running and a few tents with the neat torches fall a create flames. "SONIC!" Amy yelled again and Sonic's thoughts came back. He heard the fast loud screaming of the people and the piercing sounds of cries. Around were a few black swift shadows turning the little celebration into a flaming kingdom. Sonic gasped and when he turned around Amy came by his side.

"Yubala's troops are attacking!" A voice in the crowd yelled.

Amy's head whirled upwards and saw the clouds coming together and creating thunder and slowly rain began to sprinkle on her face. A darker smoke of cloud appeared in front of her and there was someone on top of the flying cloud.

Sonic turned to look at Amy but she when her eyes grew wide he followed her gaze and to his shock he saw the one mobian he'd never thought he'd fear.

"Rouge?" Amy screeched in fear, her mouth opening into a large 'o'.

The bat had no eyes scaring Sonic. The weird part about it was she was staring right at them. She evilly smiled but her mouth was stitched together and it looked like she had no mouth at all. She then laughed, the sound of her raspy voice echoing throughout the whole land. Her hand rose and she yelled with excitement. "Get them!"

Thunder roared loudly and it cause Sonic to act. He quickly grabbed Amy's hand tightly onto his and raced towards the village along with many others who ran there too. The people around him were yelling warnings but he ignored them only having one goal and that was to find a way to get out.

Linda stood just a few steps from Sonic and when she called out there name. Sonic ran immediately to her. Linda gasped and cupped Sonic's cheeks. She then moved over to Amy and moved her wet quills to the side. "Are you two okay?" She quickly asked.

"Yea," Sonic said and Linda then replied, "You two will have to head to Yubala's layer alone. When you get there, find a round magical ball then take it to Polkka, get the staff and save our land." She explained.

"Wait, then what'll happen to you?" Amy asked, her eyes pleading for an answer.

Linda smiled sweetly at her, but it looked like it pained her. "Don't worry about me. I'll see you soon, now go." She ordered, pointing at the village behind him.

Shadows raced down the grassy plains to chase after the people on Yubala's command. The people scattered down the village's market place and into houses for safety.

Sonic turned to see Linda fly down to confront Yubala, but he didn't want to see what would happen. They had to get out of here. He turned around and raced back to where he was headed in the first place. When he went under the town's large sign of Belleinds, instantly he saw the town was catching fire and people running out of their houses. Amy shook her head and began pulling on her wrist. "Sonic, the people are in trouble. We've got to help them!" Amy cried out.

Sonic turned her around fully and grabbed both her wrist. "Amy, listen to me." He began hastily, looking deep into her eyes with full panic. "We have to get out of here. We can't help them as much as we have to or else we'll die."

Amy's stomach dropped and her eyes came to hurt. Sonic felt bad for her but he had no choice. He dropped one hand and suddenly he got a danger sense. He turned to see a dark shadow coming for them. "Run!" Sonic pushed Amy forward and himself to run behind her. The shadow passed through where Sonic was supposed to be and growled seeing them run off behind a house.

Sonic and Amy had to rush down each alley and run-through in the town. The sprinkles turned into rain and it dropped lightly on to them. Lightening slashed through the night sky giving a bit of light to the dark alley Sonic and Amy ran through. They panted down seeing fire rising in the houses above them. Amy saw a window with a mobian inside screaming. She then saw a shadow appear and jump onto her.

Amy gasped and ran fast, tears prickling in her eyes. Sonic stopped in front of a two passage way. He looked both ways and turned to find Amy. She had barley arrived at her side and stopped. "Why are we stopping?" She gasped between breaths.

Sonic grabbed her hand, curling them around his fingers. "Follow me,"

He went for the alley in the left and in no time both were out of the alleys and back into the village streets. Fire was high in the skies and the village's screams were heard strong, getting to Sonic and Amy's hearts hard. The pain they must have been in.

He came out of the village and down the small hill to the stream bank near where the corn fields were. It was a struggle to run down safely without falling or slipping down the wet grass. When they got to the river bank, Sonic grabbed Amy into his arms and jumped high above it, landing lightly and gracefully on the other side.

He placed Amy down and they ran into the long large crops on the field. The rain began hitting hard on their faces and it got cold as the wind hit Amy and she started aching from her feet for the flats she had been wearing were not comfortable. Sonic pushed himself through the crops, pushed the crops aside to make way for them to pass. Amy turned around and looked back at the village. The flames were smaller and smoke rose from it. The rain was heavy and her dress was soaked, everything was. Amy's eyes looked at the river and there she saw somewhat of a figure, trying to cross the river. A shadow, she thought.

"Sonic!" She yelled down at him. He turned around. "What!?"

Amy ran to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "A shadow is following us," She warned him.

Sonic looked from her up to the brook. He saw some kind of figure crossing over it and his eyes grew wide. He grabbed her hand and jumped deeper into the crops. Amy gasped the crops closing the view to the figure when falling back to place. "Get down," He whispered firmly then bend down to the mud and pulled Amy down with him.

The white dress she wore reached the mud and she whined a small cry watching it get mud all over the white cloth. Sonic heard her and placed his finger on his mouth telling her mentally to be quiet. Amy nodded her head. Sonic stiffened instantly. He sensed something nearby and he turned and whipped his head around quickly hoping he could see danger. Amy got closer to Sonic and nervously looked around. All was still, silent; all that could be heard was the sound of the rain hitting the plants. After a while Amy wondered what the danger was and why nothing was happening.

"Is it gone?" She blurted out into a whisper.

A growling sound emerged from inside the corn crops and pounced at Sonic sending him down to the mud.

"Sonic!" Amy loudly gasped.

Sonic struggled under the mysterious figure, but before Sonic could push him off, it pinned him to the ground, his head lightly pushed on grass and his feet stuck on mud.

Amy clapped her hands together and lifted her hands up and sending them back down on the male's back. The male groaned and released Sonic, allowing him to push it off him. It rolled across the crops and quickly got up.

Amy got to Sonic's side and helped him up. "Sonic," She cried, but then something else came up in her eyes. Her vision cleared and her mouth opened.

Her eyes opened and she saw a pair of blue eyes, dark blue eyes. They stared directly at her, murder filling in them.

"Who are you?!" She insistently asked, feeling déjà vu. This wasn't new, she had drempt of this before, but something felt different. She didn't feel scared but confused. The green hedgehog smirked and both his hands went to his hips.

"Why, I'm Scourge." He said slyly, evil ending his sentence.

Amy blinked rapidly and was, again, staring at the same green hedgehog. He evilly laughed and Sonic's eyes grew. The rain got louder and stronger making seeing things clearly a little harder, but they had already seen it all.

"Scourge," Amy hissed.

"So you do know me," It wasn't a question, it was a statement and the way he had said it meant business. "I see your talent's grown strong I should have never underestimated you."

"What do you want us for?" Amy asked, almost a yell. Sonic got up and looked at Dave— or now would be Scourge.

"Not me, my master," He darkly replied.

Sonic clenched his fist tightly his glove screeching from the tightness. Amy mouth opened slightly and glared when she saw him holding something in hand. A card, with a skeleton and blood falling hard to the floor, Scourge smiled wickedly.

"You work for Yubala," Sonic stated, his voice hardening. "And you two will help her retrieve that staff." He let the card dropped. Amy grabbed her necklace and gasped. That's why he wanted the necklace off her. The necklace's faith was true, she was protected and with the death card she picked out, it meant business.

"No, you want to use us and then kill us after she gets that staff," Amy automatically said to herself, loud enough that Scourge heard her. "Hmm, yea, just like that,"

Sonic suddenly jumped and spin dashed towards him, but Scourge was quick and caught his ball form and threw him to the side where he landed on mud. Amy gasped fearing for Sonic. His clothes were ripped and he was full of mud. The rain, although, was cleaning him slowly.

"Now, Come to my Amy. Take off that necklace." He softly said, walking to her.

Amy was stiff in place. She couldn't figure out how to escape from this one, and she was the cleaver one. The closer he got the faster she ran out of ideas, but something caught her attention. The icky wet goo the floor was making.

"Amy run, get away!" Sonic yelled from the floor.

Amy smirked and quickly bend down and grabbed the dirty mud and threw it to Scourge, hitting his chest. Scourge was surprised and looked at his chest. She got more and threw it to him, hitting his face a few times, hard.

"Amy what are you doing?" Sonic yelled getting up. Amy ran to his side and picked him up while Scourge struggled in place to get the mud off his eyes.

"What you did to me in the 5th grade," Amy responded, making Sonic grin like crazy. She got him up and they ran down the corn crops.

Scourge finally wiped his eyes, but with mud on his head and the rain hitting it back to his eyes, it was hard to see where the two had gone. "I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS!" He roared, lifting his fist into the air.

...

The rain was flowing lightly and the breeze was slow. The clouds were darker than they were before and fog began to come in. Sonic and Amy had escaped to a far big hill. Around that hill were trees small and medium ones. They hid behind on of them until they rain had soften. They were heavily panting while holding hands, both still shocked by the attack that they saw.

Sonic looked over to stare at Amy and she did the same. Their faces: pail-skinned. Never did they seek this day to be.

"You okay?" Sonic's voice cracked.

Amy nodded without a word; she couldn't find the right words to say yes to, because in reality, she wasn't okay.

Sonic squeezed her hand and released it, tilting over to see what was behind them. Amy followed him and to their sad surprised, they saw the village. Smoke rose like a streaming pot would, the fire was gone, and the houses were torn down, now ashes. The place was totally destroyed. Everything and everyone was gone.

"Rouge destroyed everything." Amy muttered.

"No, Yubala did." Sonic corrected her. "And it's now our job to keep going and find Yubala's lair to get that staff back."

Amy turned and hugged Sonic. She began sobbing while Sonic wrapped his warm arms and around her and held her tightly. He rubbed her back smoothly to keep her from breaking down and kept silence for a while so she could let her cry it all out.

Sonic looked back at the village, his face serious and firm. He felt more determent to save the land and to punch Yubala in the face. He didn't know how many people died or who survived but he was going to make up for it.

'Linda couldn't have handled his crazy sister to long' He though, then he pulled away from the hug and stared down at Amy's teary face. He offered a sweet smile and wiped a tear from her face. "Stop crying, we'll get them back. Remember, I promised." He said.

"But there dead, there all dead. And all because we couldn't save—"

"Shh," He cupped the back of her neck and smiled even bigger. "A promise is a promise. We'll save this land. We're not giving up that easily 'member."

Amy nodded and sniffed. She smile back and hugged Sonic again for warmth and comfort. They turned and walked away from the land down the smooth land, not looking back.

"This war has gone too far and has only began, though it will be stopped by us," he assured Amy. "I promise,"

Dun Dun DUN! UNtil next month for the 2nd part of this.