I had done this one pretty quickly. It took me time. Though I feel I should get more credit for this, so I made myself a deal( that sounds weird) ,That i wouldn't update another chapter until I reached a 100 reviews. Which is not so far away XD

Anyway enjoy this chapter. It's cute.

Chapter 12: Surprise, Surprise

Emi recovered from her injury quickly. It didn't take her long to get up on her feet and began to work around the castle again. Everyone was completely admired by the strength and courage that she had. She had survived death and saved everyone. Even though some things were stolen, Sonic only cared about everyone's safety and everyone was ok. Emi didn't change the way she acted, she wasn't scared that around the corner a Shadow lander would attack her; traumatized. In fact, she remand the same.

Emi wiped the windows of a hallway in the upstairs hall. She was alone working calmly. Emi saw a faded thumb stain spot on the window and she gasped. Quickly, she wiped the cloth on the spot and bit her lip backing away. The white spot was gone and she smiled in accomplishment.

'Amy'

Emi's head jerked to the side. She only saw at the end of the hall a large door. It was faded golden and rusty. She carefully stared at the door. It was closed and still. Only the beam of the sun's light hit it.

Her brows narrowed and she frowned, questionlly. "How strange," She told herself. After a few more seconds, she shrugged and turned around to walk to the next window.

'Come on'

She flinched backwards and again saw no one, just the door that stood tall and strong at the end. She tilted her head to the side and blinked as she slowly stepped towards the door. She let go of the cloth, letting it fall on the floor and walked until she reached the door.

Sonic's old room, so she's heard. No body slept there now. It was like abandoned there, a lay away room. That was the only part of the castle Sonic didn't allow anyone to enter to. She placed her hand on the door and pushed it lightly. It was open. The door creaked a little bit and she took a peek, letting her head inside the room. It was dark and cold and she couldn't see anything. She did see a dark box, then another and another. She pushed the door all the way open and walked in. Her eyes adjusting little by little, she saw boxes piled up in stacks. She switched on the lights so she could take a better look at things.

There were lots of boxes, as if someone were packing to move away. She walked down the room. There was a lot of furniture that was wrapped in white plastic. Emi didn't understand why but that there was a feeling as if she'd been here before. She turned and went to a table that was full of dust. She moved her finger across the table and lifted it up to see her finger.

"Dusty," She said, disgusted.

She wiped the dust on her apron and her eyes soon were caught by a large white vase. It had cute designs of circles, color silver and small dots color gold with swans that were painted white with black headed faces. It stood out a lot, it's pretty designs brushing her fingers as she touched the dusty old vase. Her eyes closely looked at it and touched the dusty old vase. She suddenly saw a blue little hedgehog smile at her then disappear in thin air.

Emi shook her head a like if she never saw it and continued her walk down the room. As she walked she came across a mirror. She stopped to stare at it. She looked at herself for a while taking notice of the way her hair tangled down her shoulder and how the maid dress did not suit her well. She saw something shimmer in her maid collar. She dug her hand and pulled out a golden necklace with half diamond shaped on it. She stared at it then up in the mirror at herself while she held the necklace and suddenly she saw something behind her. Two small hedgehogs, one pink the other blue, were jumping in circles while holding hands, but the image faded quickly.

Emi gasped her chest tightening with fear rushing up her chest. She backed away and ran towards the open door. She ran out of the room and closed the door behind her, running down the halls and back downstairs.

Sonic and Tails were walking over to the throne room. They were chuckling at stuff they were talking about and just being good friends. It was a glorious afternoon and he was in the best mood.

Tails and Sonic made a turn down to the stairs. The stairs were curling down until it touched the first floor. On the walls up top there were picture frames that contained pictures of mobians who were once kings.

"Do you remember Knuckles?" Tails suddenly asked his tone serious.

"Yea, yea, that hot head is such a dope." Sonic replied through chuckles. "The way he gets mad when I would only point at his little master emerald of his. I swear, sometimes he acted as if that jewel was his girlfriend—"

"He went missing Sonic," Tails seriously interrupted him.

Sonic's smile faded and he turned to him and his eyes grew wide. Well that spoiled his mood. "He's missing?" he repeated in disbelief.

"The mobians say that the Shadow Landers took him. The Master Emerald's safe, but..."

Sonic lifted his hand to his mouth and began thinking as they reached the bottom of the stairs and walked to the entrance of the throne room. "And you barely tell me now?" Sonic suddenly said after a while of silence.

"I thought it was a good time to tell you," He said sadly. "You see, I was told of this the day after that attack you had here in the palace. They took him as prisoner and nobody knows if he's alr—"

Another interruption was made as he was about to explain the details, Emi ran down from another corner way and accidently crashed into Sonic's shoulder. Sonic huffed as they made contact and slightly was pushed back. Tails, which was besides Sonic, took hit too and was pushed back, but only by a little.

Emi moved back and gasping in seeing Sonic's glaring eyes glaze at hers.

"I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry!" She stuttered her voice cracking a few times and bowed down in an apologizing way. "I didn't see you both. I didn't mean any harm your majesties."

Sonic's anger faded slowly and calmed his nerves. He was about to pass it with an 'ok' but Tails spoke before she could.

"It's fine but, whoa did you give me a scare." Tails chuckled.

Emi bit her lip and turned to Sonic. He offered a small smiled and nodded. "It's ok," He said.

Emi went back a little and weirdly smiled. "Sorry, Sir. Good day," She bowed down and went off running to the throne room. Tails placed a hand on his hip and smirked. "She looked so jumpy. I wonder why," He said staring at Emi who disappeared. Sonic shrugged and sighed looking down.

"About the Shadow Landers, Tails" Sonic began changing the subject. "I know Knuckles, he's a good friend of yours and of mine, 'course, but I don't know what to do myself. I'm worried about my kingdom first." He explained. Tails noticed that they weren't moving anymore so decided to take the first step forward and walk to their destination before.

"I understand but I worry for Knuckles. Who knows if the Poor guy's being tortured by those nasty demons." Tails angrily growled his fists tightening.

"One by one, there go my childhood friends. First Amy now Knuckles. Who's next-?"

"Don't," Tails interjected loudly lifted his hand up like if he were saying 'Talk to the hand'. "Don't even think of it. You're not cursed."

Sonic shrugged. They reached the top of the throne and he sat down. Tails sat on the queen's seat next to him.

"I just wish I would have never left contact with Knux. He doesn't deserve this." Sonic said, looking at the maids who worked in front of him. Rouge cleaned up the frames with a cloth while Wave, who up in the high ladder helped Rouge by cleaning off dust with a feather duster.

Emi on the other hand, was below them wiping the desks around holding tea cups, small table cloth just under the frames. Emi allowed them to fix up the top. She didn't do high reaches anymore.

"Nobody deserves this, but apparently Shadow doesn't get that." Tails said.

"Shadow," Sonic said between his teeth. "That piece of—he's obviously psychotic," He said, holding his rage. It wasn't necessary to through his anger out. Not in front of him.

"Obviously," Tails agreed, evident of what he meant.

.:XxX:.

Two guards were leading against the wall. One of them was a white snowy fox, with spiky hair that traced backwards like a Mohawk. He had armor around his body and his head. The other was an orange lion, his puffy hair everywhere around his rounded head. He was a lot taller that the wolf and tougher.

They both snickered and chuckled as they checked out the girls who worked in front of them. They were eyeing Emi's curved body. She was a perfect size and very quiet, not to mention new. She didn't know very much about the castle and the mobians who worked there. She had only been working for a few days now, minus the moments she's been in the healing room.

She turned around hearing someone laugh. She saw that the two guards were standing across the room, like soldiers only grinning. They were checking her out and Emi grew anxious. Sonic's head jerked up seeing Emi's unevenness. She picked up her bucket of water and walked to where Rouge and Wave were. She knew that their eyes were still on her and that she wouldn't be able to work well with lustful eyes staring at her butt.

Approaching Rouge, Emi said a few things that neither of them could hear but then she walked away to a doorway that headed to the ball room. She was able to catch a glimpse of the wolf who eyed her. He waved at her with a lustful look, but she ignored him and continued walking.

The wolf smirked and turned to his partner. "I'll be right back." He said and casually walked to where she was going.

Rouge turned around with her cloth in hand. She narrowed her eyes and frowned a deep scowl seeing that Ice, a very slick mobian known for winning girl's hearts then throwing them in the curve, was headed for Emi. "Oh no you don't," Rouge flew away from the wall and she was about to fly to stop him but Wave got in her way with her sky glider.

"No, Rouge," Wave extended her hands out. She looked behind her and they both saw Sonic getting up from the chair and walk casually to the doorway Emi and Ice had gone through.

Rouge's eyes widened. She flew backwards a little and her frown dropped.

"Well, ya look at that," Rouge began, her hands on her hip. Wave smirked as Sonic disappeared around the corner. "I'm guessing she has herself a little admirer,"

"I don't know Rouge. I think he wants to stop Ice from catching her onto one of his tricks." Wave suggested with an uneven smile.

Rouge then frowned and sighed. "If only we could have seen." She said hopelessly.

Wave turned back to the thrones up in the top staircase. Tails sat on the throne chuckling. Wave's smirk widened to a grin. "We'll get details," she concluded.

.:XxX:.

The ball room was beautifully fixed, now. Its golden walls and ceilings polished, the floors waxed, decorations everywhere, Emi was impressed that it was done in a matter of days since she's been here. She restlessly stared around with her hands behind her back, strolling. She looked around trying to find anything to fix up.

"Amy,"

Emi gasped and whirled around only to be face to face with that lustful Wolf. He was leaning very close to her face and she pulled backwards.

"Hey," He flirtatiously began.

Emi's hands parted from behind her and she looked to the side. "Hi," She muttered.

"I'm Ice, Ice Caveron, and you are?" He asked.
"Emi," She said without hesitation.

He grinned. "Emi…" He repeated, standing there for her to answer to more, but she replied, "Just Emi," Getting that he was hoping for her last name.

Ice chuckled and moved closer to her. "You know, Emi. There's a bedroom upstairs that need working," He suggested. "You should go,"

"I just went upstairs earlier to check all the room. There all sparkling clean," She stated.

Ice lit his eyes half-way and sweat a drop, clearly getting that Emi was not getting the point. He was about to explain something else when a voice, soft as a cub's roar and yet had a manly edge to it, spoke.

"You shouldn't be flirting around with the maids when you have a job to do, Ice,"

The way he said his name send shivers up Ice's spine. His chest burned with fear flowing through and he turned around. Sonic was walking to them and he had a skeptical smirk.

"Sir," His voice cracked and even Emi noted, but said nothing. Sonic reached Ice and Emi and stopped. "Good, you understand." A creepy smile rose up but it wasn't what they both thought it was. "Now get back in line," He said under his breath.

The wolf nodded nervously and walked back to the hall he had come from.

Sonic's eyes shifted to Emi who stood their looking stupid. When she saw Sonic's gaze she immediately took reaction.

"I'm sorry Sir. I'll go to my place too," She walked passed him but He grabbed her arm before she could leave. "Hold up," He pulled her back in her spot and said, "I don't think it's a good idea to work around that guy. He has a reputation." He said in a low voice. Emi winced but again said nothing.

"I'd rather you work with the rest of the girls in the kitchen. I wouldn't want you to feel uncomfortable around that guy. Emi smiled seeing he was only there to protect her. "O-ok," She bowed down, her hair dangling down her shoulders. "Thank you."

She took her steps on the ball's dance floor and to a door way that lead to the kitchen. Sonic eyed her as she walked away from him. She didn't turn back to see him but he didn't let his gaze drop. He couldn't stop but notice that she was so young and innocent. He didn't really look at her as dangerous or not worthy to trust anymore. She had gotten to him. In fact, she had gotten to everyone. Friendship grew when Emi would meet anyone and Sonic could see it.

She turned around the corner and his small smile faded. He sighed and looked at the other doorway that went to the throne room. He had to somehow get those men to stop flirting with the maids. They won't get things done. Sonic dashed away.

.:XxX:.

Cherry was squirting in some chili sauce out of a can in a round bowl in the counter table of the kitchen. Everyone was doing some chopping or mixing around there. Emi entered the room with a happy smile on her lips and saw Cream chopping chilies with a sharp knife. Her eyes immediately grew wide. She rushed over to her said. "Cream, be careful!" She placed her hands on top of hers pushing them down. "You're too young to use a knife," She stated.
Cream raised her eyebrows. "This isn't the first time I use a knife, Emi" Cream pulled her hand out and Emi back away. "Sorry," She whispered.

"Ahhh!"

Someone yelled loudly breaking Emi's concentration. Cream leaned over to see who it was with an eye raised.

"Dios!" A voice hissed. . An old black cat was on the floor, on her back, picking up chilies that had fallen to the door. She didn't understand what she had said but by the looks of it, it wasn't good.

"Oh," Emi didn't waste time to go help this old lady. "Are you ok?" Emi asked.

The black cat smiled at seeing Emi. "No, noI'm fine. It's just, I'm very clumsy." She admitted. Emi picked up a few chilies and placed them into the bowl. "Tell me about it," She jokily stated.

The cat stood up once all the chilies were on the bowl.

"Need help?" Emi asked. The cat nodded, "I'm Ms. Catt. I've been working here for a very long time." She began. Emi and Ms. Catt walked back inside the kitchen. "Really?" Emi asked in disbelief.

"Yes, I've taken care of the king since when he was five," She chuckled.

"Emi!"

Emi flinched and turned slowly at the sharp similar voice. Cherry walked in so quietly she didn't even hear her.

"What are you doing? Are you here to help?" She asked looking around at everyone else who stared.

"Yes," was all Emi said.

"Oh, well. Get to work and start making those Chili dogs," She said her voice lowering.

"Is that all he eats?" Emi blurted out.

"Don't question the king and his food likings. Get going!" Cherry loudly ordered with her anger coming back.

Emi winced and walked over to a counter. She regretted making Cherry anger. She liked her better when she was calm. She sighed and stared down at the bowl with half-done mixer of chili and other peppers in it. In the side laid a piece of paper with scratched writing of 'How to Make Chili Dogs'. Emi scrunched up her nose in total disgust at seeing what she saw.

A medium onion, chopped,

2 cloves garlic, chopped,

1 medium jar ketchup, about 2 1/2 cups,

2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard,

Can of chili beans,

1/2 cup grated Cheddar

She closely examined the words as she rubbed her chin and when she did, she shook her head. It wasn't right. She didn't understand how Sonic could stand eating this. She whirled around and stalking towards to the kitchen's upper cabinet. She opened its both door's wide opened and her eyes began searching for what she was looking for. When she found it.

Chili powder, one tea spoon.

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

She ran to the fridge once she placed the table salt and peppers on the counter. She yanked the fridge open and immediately saw the other thing she looked for.

1 pound lean ground beef

She smirked and got everything on her counter. Nobody seemed to care what she did at all. Only that she was working. Cream, on the other hand, saw what she was working at. She looked so full of energy and vigorously rushed her hands from side to side. She said nothing only watched her in secrets.

"All-beef hot dogs need beef balls," She told herself and her hands began working at their motion.

.:XxX:.

"Order up!"

Sonic's eyes shined with hunger and his mouth twisted into a smile, his tongue coming out and licking his lips. Tails sat properly next to him, a napkin in his neck and his fork and knife in each hand; ready to be use.

Cherry walked to him with a covered tray. She walked up to Sonic's side and opened the tray's cover. There were six chili dogs. Sonic drooled over good food and Tails only chuckled.

"Here you go my king," She said soothingly. Sonic's hands extended to reach out for the chili dogs.

"Wait," Cream loudly announced.

Sonic woke up from his trance and Tails and Cherry turned. Cherry had the same tray with a blue cover on, not gray. She skipped to Sonic's other side and opened the tray's cover. "Sonic, I recommend you to eat these please," She said. Sonic's eyes rose. "It's like nothing you'll ever try again," She pleaded for him to try it, in her best persuasion.

Sonic shrugged and ignored Cherry's dogs moving to Cream's. he picked on up and slowly moved it to his mouth. He chewed it a few time as Tails reached over. "May I?" He asked polity.

"Go ahead, Prince Miles," She giggled.

He looked flushed and nervously smiled at her. "I prefer the name Tails," He corrected.

"Sweet love of Chaos!?" He shouted and stood up from his chair. Everyone flinched but Tails who was barely taking a bite of it.

Chewing it off Tails' eyes grew wide. "Who did this?" He asked

Emi came back into the kitchen, wiping her hands. She had left the kitchen to head to the bathroom; she had to go badly, and when she returned, every one of the maids that were cooking were in the door way. She dropped her apron and stared quizzically at them all.

"What's going on?" She asked.

Everyone turned, startled by her voice, other than the discussions outside in the dining room.

"Emi!" Amy "Come here!" Ms. Catt called, her old voice barely hanging the excitement. Emi shook her head and walked to her side and peeked outside the doorway.

"H-h-how did-W-who did-?" Sonic staggered.

"Cream, who made this?" Tails asked. Cream smiled sweetly and replied, "Emi,"

Emi gasped and backed away. Sonic heard the gasp and his eyes shifted upward finding Emi with the crowd.

Cream saw her too and with her hand mention for her to come with her fingers curling over and over. Emi walked pass the maids and into the dining room. "S-Sonic, I didn't make it Cream did," She lied.

Cream's eyes widened and she quickly turned to him. "No, I did no such thing. I only cut the vegetables. I can't cook to well." She explained.

Emi began sweating from all the eyes that stared at her. "I-I-I-" She nervously looked around. Sonic chuckled and walked to Emi. He placed his hand on her shoulder. "Relax, You didn't do anything wrong. It's good," He stated. Emi nervously looked at him as she stepped back. Sonic knew why, but said nothing. He smiled and raised the chili dog to his mouth. He bites it chewing it with desire.

"See, it's good." He spoke, with his mouth full. Emi bite her lip, still looking unsure.

He leaned the chili dog to her. "Don't worry, I won't make you eat it like a pig," He assured her with a wink. Cherry boiled with steam at seeing Sonic winking at her. Emi nodded and looked at Cream.

She rose two thumbs up with a cheesy smile. Emi could not help but smile at the rabbit who stole her bowl to show it off to the King. Smart.

"Ok, Everyone! Thank you for dinner. Were good for now." Sonic announced and the maids slowly moved back into the kitchen.

Sonic turned to Emi who stood in her spot. She gave him a quick smile and turned to head back to the kitchen.

Sonic smirked at her but it quickly wiped off, seeing something. Something shiny. He didn't know how it shined, with the light of the room or just the way his eyes caught it, but he saw a small golden chain that hide behind her maid collar. Somewhat familiar, but she had her back to him.

"E-" His hand reached out for her, but Tails called him. "Sonic, hurry back to your seat or I'll eat all you chilies and you know how much you hate," Tails taunted him playfully.

Sonic hesitated but he stepped back assuring he'd ask her later. Ask her about what was in her necklace.

Emi walked back into the kitchen where the half-diamond shined brightly on her neck.

EkkkkkkK! Memories! *hearts hearts*

Ok. Who here loves Emi's innocence, because I would've recommended a slap for that Ice dude, hehehe, cause he's such a dork xD.

Aaaaallso,

I got inspired to make this chapter by a guess a fanfictioner made some time ago. She also happens to be a great Sonic artist I found in deviant art years ago. Thank you, Aamypink :D

You saved me from total confusion of what to write next. Until next time everyone.

Review review please. Help me get inspired to write for.