WHOO! HAPPY 12-12-12!

Hahaha, finally after what...another month, my computer came back safely, finals ended, the semester's over and Christmas is coming. I finish another weird chapter, but it came out crappy for the reason what I didn't know what to put for here. Sorry for the latesies again and please I must say to you all who reviewed...be patient! And thank you for your thoughts. XD

AZZWiisonic: Aren't you the little happy type (:) All your questions will be answered. Just wait and see {

Hot Pink123- WHOA NOW TAKE IT EASY! :O You'd be lucky I even update! No need for snapping!}:o

Dovewing01- It's a good question, but who do you think will find out first?

I want to thank Amyfan234, the wonderful drawing you made, it was…soul warming ^.^

Chapter 19: Hope

Sonic paced back and forth from the garden road, his hand behind his back and a frown lingering on his upset face. Mina's green eyes followed him as he passed her a few times. Besides her stood Wave who held a yellow scroll on her hand. They both watched Sonic in movement. Wave bend to the side and whispered into Wave's ear, "Is he holding it tight there?"

Sonic continued his pacing back and forth, completely ignoring their existence. His face stared at the ground as he walked back and forth, his head off into a daze.

Mina leaned to her too. "I don't think he wants any messages from anyone right now, Wave." She found suggesting her friend.

"But they say it's important." Wave said looking at her now.

"Everyone says it's important and frankly none of us here care." She flipped her head, her words came out harsher than she had wanted to but she was as frustrated as Sonic and she sighed. "Sorry Wave, I'm just really scared. Shadow could invade us at any moment and we barley have defenses—"

Sonic's ears perked up and his deadly cold eyes found Mina's words coming out of her mouth and within her last sentence he was in front of her, eyeing her down. "Don't you even go there, Mina. I don't want you even thinking that way." he snarled.

Mina gasped but finished half of the rest by saying in a low squeaky voice, "Yes sir."

Emi came from around the corner and saw Sonic glaring at her good friend. "Sonic!" She called for him, to get his attention, which worked. When he saw her his eyes lit up and on a blink second was in front of her with a concern look.

"What the flowers say?" He asked rapidly.

Emi still held her angry look, but faded when she saw Mina smile, telling her it was alright. Her eyes blinked to meet his and frowned. "They say nothing but about an old tree." She explained.

"Old tree?" Sonic repeated in confusion.

Emi nodded and shrugged saying, "I don't know what they mean by old tree, but they won't tell me much more." She said. The frustration she had for the situation was evident and Sonic didn't want to pressure her any more than she was already. He saw the deep concern and fear in her eyes so wrapped his arms around her and brought their bodies together.

"Old tree," The voice of the queen was fragile than any other time, but still carried a tone of calm. The maids made way quickly so that Aleena could pass. "The only tree that survived the day of the attack,"

Sonic's mind worked with a whole lot of thoughts of relived, plans and hope. "Of course," He slammed his hand on his head and staggered back. "How did I forget?" He chuckled hopeless. He turned to Emi and grabbed her hand. "The old tree's near the lake! Quick, Emi follow."

Emi eyes grew wide and she shook her head. "Wait, hold up—"

Sonic dashed his way down the green grass to get over and to the other side of the bridge. Sonic wasn't running as fast that Emi couldn't keep up, but still she was no match for his quick feet. The blur left quickly, because she was in front of a tall tree in no time. It felt like she had been flown there by the wind only. Emi blinked and felt dizzy for a second, but Sonic kept her steady, holding her waist. "Thank you," She mutter to him and stood her ground. She fixed her quills and stared up at a large tall tree.

The tree was large. One of the largest trees in the garden and was thick on the trunk. It was a strong oak tree, with bright green leafs and a few flowers on it. The branches extended out long and it was large enough to give shade to almost twenty people. The tree's leafs blew softly with the wind and blew some out of the tree and down to where Emi was. Emi was dazed feeling somewhat a familiar sense of things. She shook her head after a while and looked back at Sonic.

"This is the old tree?" She questioned a little surprised.

Sonic grinned, hiding his hands behind his back. "It's been in my families' castle for generations now from what I know of." He explained.

Emi turned back to the tree. "Well, it's very…quiet…" She approached the tree and Aleena and the other maids were barely arriving to Sonic's side. Wave jogged to Sonic's left side where Emi had stood and lifted the scroll up to his face. "Sir, a message, from the general of—"

"Not now, Wave." Sonic muttered softly, his eyes roaming to find hers for a quick second before turning back to look at Emi. Wave back away sadly, but Aleena placed a hand on her. "Write back on my account that now the general is on his own with this." Aleena ordered. Wave bowed down and smiled at Mina before leaving down the garden road.

The tree was hollow in voice and Emi could feel nothing coming out of this tree. Though something told her she had to start the talking first. She stopped in front of its trunk and looked up and down at it. The bark wasn't as old as it was supposed to be. Even after the war and the damaged it could have had, it wasn't in bad shape, which surprised her. She lifted her hand up and touched the trunk.

A hand went in a small pocket on his suit and took out a shiny golden necklace.

Emi shook her head, taking her hand back. The necklace, it was the opposite shape than hers. She looked down and saw it was still hanging there. She was right. The opposite piece from her, but why did she see it.

'So, you must be the one the flowers were talking about."

The voice was soft, unlike any other voice she's heard in her life. Breaking from her trance, Emi's eyes searched above her. The tree was talking to her. It was full of aliveness in it, then why did she not feel anything?

Emi placed her hand back on the tree's trunk. "Yes, that is I." She responded politely.

"You're much more talented that I thought. Your power is controlled and you understand me perfectly. Not many can do so."

Emi's eyes grew wide. The voice belonged to a female. She'd hope it be an old man specking, but this voice was young. 'And that is why I have come, to ask you a question great tree."

The winds blew her quills from her shoulder and Emi took a deep breath, sensing the presence of good energy. "And what is that, my child?"

"There's a traitor and she's been sneaking pass the guards. She's got the Shadow landers coming. How close would they be?" Emi questioned.

"Ah my dear, that isn't important here,"

Her words shocked Emi, like if she was telling her she didn't care about the lives of everyone in Apotos. Emi's breath nearly stopped and she gasped out loud her next words. "H-how c-could you say that?" She then took a breath finding Sonic eyeing her with a worry. She had said that out loud. She turned back and closed her eyes. "The very mobians who destroyed your garden are coming back."

"He is, is he? But I know exactly why. Don't do?"

Emi shook her head and pressed her hand harder against the tree's trunk. "I don't understand,"

"You've lost your memory, have you not? You don't know who your family was, who raised you, you don't even know who you are." She explained. Emi opened her eyes and looked to the side. She was right, but how did she know? "I do. I'm Emi!" She replied standing tall.

"Emi who? That isn't who you are. Shadow landers gave you that name. Where do you come from?" The firmness in her voice startled Emi. Why was this tree telling her these things?

"These things don't interest me right now. What does is the safety of my friends and this land." Emi muttered under her breath and looked up the tree to its branches. "Now please, tell me how close Shadow's army is."

There was a moment of silence. She heard nothing from the tree which really got her to worry. She felt like she had angered the great tree or that she was too rushed with her. She was about to retreat her hand back when the tree spoke, "He is near. One more night at travel and he will invade here. You still have time, my child, but use it wisely."

Emi gasped air out and her hand slammed against her chest. She smiled and turned to Sonic. The smile she gave her meant good thing, causing his lips to twist happily.

"You're meant for many great things, Emi. Remember what's really important. Your life depends on it." Then she was gone. She didn't feel her near anymore, but that was all she really needed. An answer to her question.

.:XxX:.

On a high hill, in the great grassy lands, a black hedgehog stood tall with his red stripes on his quills and arms. He walked up that tall hill and looked down the long valley. His eyes narrowed and a flash in his bloody eyes sparked then he turned around to his army. It stretched a mile or so, there armor pale gray and black. Their hands held strong 6-sided shields, hammered Axes, long swords, pointy pikes, all known to men. Some of the stronger buffer animals held the Mace, but Shadow had the dark purple glowing sword.

"Men!" Shadow yelled, making the whole crowd quiet. "Today we see Apotos just out distance!"

The army looked down the hill seeing just the peak of the castle's top.

"Those people who killed the king of the Shadow lands are just sitting around that kingdom, mocking us." Shadow scoffed and following agreeing roars and yelling. "Look at it men! Look at what will be ours in only a couple of hours!" The army cheered loudly raising their weapons high. "Look at what we will destroy and avenge The Great Robotnik!"

The army cheered once more, raising their weapons higher than before.

"To Apotos!" Shadow raised his sword high and turned to the distance. His eyes narrowed till they couldn't anymore and a sly grin formed on his lips.

.:XxX:.

Sonic shook her head vigorously his eyes as wide as ever could be. Emi had explained how the tree had seen the Shadow Land's army coming and how it wouldn't say anything else. She had kept what the rest of the tree said a secret. She felt it wasn't necessary for her to say all that.

"He's a night away," Sonic mused rubbing his chin and looking down. "Tomorrow's the festival."

Emi looked to the side and looked at Aleena. She stared back at her with a blank stare. It bothered Emi to the point where she had to turn around. She didn't think it was polite to stare at anyone hopelessly especially when there was a strong crisis in their hands.

"It's that simple." Sonic said suddenly lifting his head, a serious frown upon his lips. "The festival'll have to be cancelled."

Aleena, Mina and Emi gasped in shocked. "What?" Mina retorted.

Sonic turned around and walked down the grass to head to the bridge leaving the rest in shock behind him. Emi shook her head and ran up to his side. "B-b-but the preparations, the people—"

"My people are in danger," He snarled turning to her with glaring eyes. She felt his two green orbs almost pierce through hers and she backed away feeling uncomfortable. "If we leave the festival running a lot of mobians will die." He ended his last words firm and hard. Emi's breath stopped and she gasped trying to say something back. His eyes softened seeing her feared face and he backed down. He extended out his hand but stopped half way. He shook his head and faced sideways.

Sonic turned to Mina. "Call the council down for a meeting." He ordered then walked to the castle's entrance direction. "I'm ending this now,"

"Yes sir," Mina replied bowing down.

Emi sighed and looked down hopelessly once he was gone. Mina walked up to her side and touched her arm. "He didn't mean to explode that way. He's just…worried." She muttered.

"That,"— Aleena approached their side looking down the direction he went off— "or he is about to do the unexplainable."

"Meaning?" Emi and Mina turned to Aleena alarmed.

"War,"

The Throne room was loud and noisy. All the different types of animals were already arguing with each other about the plans to protect the kingdom. Sonic sat in the throne with his mother on his right side and Tails on his left, standing there. The guards had Cherry in chains; stand in the lower side of the stairs while the council talked over one another.

A Blue Rat cleared his throat then claiming, "The loss of the expenses of the festival will cost us."

"We can't do much about it; we must call of the festival." said a Rhino.

"We've wasted half our budget just to be told now that there will not be a festival?!" Someone yelled from the top chairs in the sides.

"There are men coming on their way to kill us and you're worried about your stinking money!?

"That was well paid money if you ask me," Someone else shouted.

"Enough!" The queen rose from the throne. "Such foolery is unnecessary at this time of hour."

"But your highness, the people will throw a fit hearing the news. Can we not send our warriors down west to battle them?" asked one of the highest councils in the group.

"That's actually not a bad idea, but it could be a trap for all we know." Tails proclaimed.

"We head the warriors to fight while the festival goes on. Nobody will know and there won't be any problem from the villagers." A council suggested, completely ignoring Tails' saying.

"The shadow landers are as dumb as solid rock itself. I doubt they planned anything smart." A Badger with a Scottish accent insultingly yelled while looking at Tails, obviously hearing his statement.

Emi was hiding in the corner of a doorway just hearing the conversation. She was put in garden duty, but she didn't find anything wrong with knowing what plans they all had. Maybe if the right time came in response, she could help. So far, all was pure chaos.

"Tell us, Shadow lander, what does your king have in store for us?" One of the council's mobians asked Cherry politely.

"I'll never tell, I'll never say anything to abandon my people." She snarled at the turtle, her sharp teeth chattering together.

"Shadow abandoned you. How can you still be protecting him?" Tails cried out in shock.

"No, everything he does has a reason to it. He never abandoned me! He would never!" Cherry responded savagely.

"Boy, it seemed pretty clear to me." Tails muttered distantly, a confused look taking place.

"Tell us now, Cherry. Save the non-sense for people who'll pity you." Sonic said finally, annoyed.

Cherry growled at him and wiggled herself, trying to get off the guards grip but it was useless. Emi covered her mouth with one hand and she nervously looked at her.

"Eat my dirty dust," She grumbled.

Sonic stood up and glowered at her. "Say that again Cherry, I dare you!"

"This is getting us nowhere!" sighed Tails slapping his head while his head. He walked in front of Sonic and opened his mouth, but suddenly seeing Emi peeking through the doorway. His head turned and quickly Emi hid.

"Tail?" Sonic questioned.

Tails turned around to Sonic. "Yea, um, I was saying, we have to evacuate the people for safety." He said turning back around to the councils.

Emi slowly moved her head to look out again. Tails was now standing next to Sonic, but he had his eyes in clear shot of her. As Sonic and the rest of the room argued, Tails lip-talked Emi, 'What are you doing?'

Emi caught on quickly lipping, 'I can help,'

Tails looked around nervously and then looked back at her concerned. His look was hard and he shook his head slowly trying not to look like he was talking to someone else. Emi knew he was telling her 'no', that it wasn't a good time, but then when would it be?

"Shadow will avenge his loss! You will die Sonic!"

Emi's eyes whipped to Cherry's wrath. Her eyes didn't even look blue anymore. Tails bit his lip his eyes traveling from Sonic to Cherry to Emi. Backing away she glimpsed at Sonic whom also found her standing near the doorway. He didn't look anger for being there, but like his mother, held that blank stare.

"Shapadopo wipilpl rupulepul apallpa anpandpa tapekepe bapeckpe Apemipe!" Cherry roared.

Emi flinched back and gasped.

"Lock her back up!" Sonic ordered pointing to the side.

The guards and councils all began muttering to each other about what had happened. Tails found the opportunity to run down the stairs and to the doorway where Emi was. He entered the doorway and Emi covered her mouth, gasping.

"You aren't supposed to be around here. The councils are strict about letting non-royalist around meetings like these." Tails warned her with caution.

"I'm terribly sorry Tails, but I had to come. I had to know what plans Sonic had." She muttered.

Tails looked back out the room and back to her. "You should go, it's not safe to be around here anyway, or they'll bring you into the conversation." He said.

"I think of that to be a fine ideal plan. See, I can help out Tails." She pleaded out to him.

"I know, but, the council may think of you as an enemy too, considering you came from those lands." He explained feeling bad for saying so, but he wanted to keep her from being harmed in any way.

"But I'm not! I can help out. I know what Cherry said just now. I know Shadow Landers. I have a plan to defeat them." She suggested cheerfully.

Tails wanted to say something, but couldn't find the right words to tell her back. Tails' ears bend down and he sighed loudly. "I-I don't know Emi."

"Please Tails. You can help me take the first step." She begged her voice sounding tired and scared.

Tails sucked in her air and let it out roughly, blowing out to the side. "Ok, fine. I'll help you."

Emi's lip curled into a large grin. She bit her lip out of happiness and then got closer to Tails. She didn't know if he'd be totally into her plan, but she knew exactly what to do, and she was ready to defeat Shadow. "Ok, first you'll need to get a certain friend back."

.:XxX:.

Sonic stopped in front of Emi's room a frowned with an unpleasant look. He sighed loudly and took a long shaky breath. He closed his eyes and knocked on her door. He opened his eyes and looked down at his feet. Nothing was heard and nothing of light could be seen. When nobody responded he grew nervous. He turned to his sides and back knocking once more.

"Emi?"

Still, he heard nothing of voice inside but maybe she was busy and couldn't respond. "Emi, open the door I need to speak with you."

When she didn't answer back he got jumpy, tapping his foot impatiently. He sucked in his breath and nervously knocked on the door. "Emi open the door!"

"Uh,"

Sonic turned finding the one mobian he was looking for, standing there staring at him with those round eyes. She blinked nervously. "Sonic?"

"Emi," he whispered, then noticed he said that out loud and blushed nervously. "Uhh yea," He chuckled, "I j-just came around hoping we could talk. You know, I thought maybe you felt lonely and so I came." He stuttered rubbing the back of his neck.

"What happened?" She asked her voice soft and low.

He no longer held a nervous look. He knew Emi wasn't dumb so a frown appeared and he looked down. He was quiet for that moment hoping he could get the right words out of his mouth. Emi approached him slowly and he looked up at her. "Emi," He began slowly, "The councils are pressing up ideas about you. They think—" He never finished what he was going to because she gasped loudly and cried out, "No Sonic, I'm not one of them!"

"I know, but they said Cherry was talking about you being a traitor." He explained softly.

"No, I am not a traitor; I was never on their side! Please tell me you don't believe them!" She cried out, fearing that he would not believe her and treat her badly like he had once before.

Sonic opened his mouth but nothing can out. She looked so scared, so vulnerable, he couldn't stand it. She had proven so much for him and didn't deserve to be looked down upon when; she was now a part of the kingdom. He closed his mouth and smiled warmly at her. He moved his hand to her cheek. "I don't,"

Relived, Emi rushed to hug him tightly in her embrace. He chuckled, hugging her back. "I love you Ames, and I promise to do everything I can to protect you." The fervor in his tone made Emi feel secure and safe. "I won't let them harm you."

Emi parted from Sonic with an eye brow raised and stared right at him. "Why do you call me Ames?"

Sonic laughed. "What, can't I call you cute names?"

Emi blushed a crimson pink and looked to the side. "I guess you can."

Sonic leaned in to kiss her nose and then smiled deeply. "You should go on ahead and get some rest. Tomorrow will be a very…challenging day." He claimed the worry clearly in him.

Emi bit her lip and then closed her eyes. Speaking with Tails, earlier, felt easy, but trying to let it out with Sonic felt differently hard to do. Her mind telling her 'No don't trust him' but her heart giving her all the rights to do so. "Sonic,"

"Yea?" he said.

"I need to tell you something."

His eyes' size widened and he looked down at her with his serious eyes. Emi met his and she grew nervous. Not only did Sonic give her shivers every time he looked at her, but he always did have that effect with her. "I don't know how to explain this clearly to you, but it has to deal with tomorrow's battle."

Sonic flinched back still keeping his full attention towards her.

The villagers grabbed the news hand-outs that were stuck to their doors early in the morning. Looking at the papers gave great fear to their hearts for seeing in writing that the festival would be cancel was a dreadful sight. Crying out in sadness seeing that they all had to take cover in the afternoon to noon. Sonic was informed to be honest with his people so breaking the news to them was more than what they would ever take. The morning was full of villagers' packaging and moaning that the Shadow landers were going to invade Apotos.

Sonic, Tails, Aleena and all of the councils were in the throne room ready forming battle stratagems. While in the room Emi was outside with Cream walking around hoping to get some calm. Cream felt horrible knowing the whereabouts of Shadow and his army, she need peace to think just like Emi.

"I worry for King Sonic. It must feel scary to be in charge of protecting the whole land." Cream mused while playing with her fingers.

Emi touched each rose as she passed by their patch. Hearing Cream made her turn to her with little confidence. "I'm sure Sonic is a strong hedgehog. He can pull us through." She tried cheerfully saying, but ended up crisped.

"I know, but even power like his can't be sure to succeed. He could only do so much as to pull a few more vines and still win this war, but there aren't many left if you know what I mean. He barely even has enough men to battle." Cream explained feeling rather hopeless now.

Touching a rose suddenly gave her chill. Emi stopped and she looked straight forward. 'He could only do so much as to pull a few more vines' The roses repeated the same line she said over and over, giving her a headache as it overlapped her brain. Emi's vision got dizzy and blurry for that moment as they talked to her. Flashes of large vines coming out from the ground appeared in her visions. Dark skies full of vines covering a land filled her eyes and mind but it was all soon over.

"Emi?"

Emi blinked turning to Cream. Cream placed a hand on her arm. "You okay?"

"Vines...Tree vines," Emi mumbled, looking down as to Ponder.

"What?"

"Tree vines! Cream that's Brilliant!" Emi exclaimed, jumping up to her and grabbing her hands.

Cream stood there looking confused but opened her mouth. Nothing came out and that's when Emi turned to the roses and smiled. "Thank you all as well."

"Wait, what did they tell you?" Cream asked suddenly understanding what was happening. Emi turned to face the confused rabbit. "No time to explain. I need to tell Sonic." She said running suddenly down the garden.

"Wait!" Cream shouted, flapping her ears and lifting up to the sky to follow after her.

"I say she becomes our bait."

"No! Emi can help us." Tails said.

"A traitor as one says, help us? That is absurd!"

Sonic narrowed his eyes and stood up tall from his chair. He angrily had to retort these councils saying, "She has done nothing but help around here. She hasn't caused harm."

"There hasn't been a war in ten years! That girl comes along and the Shadow republic starts attacking us!"

"That girl is the reason why you all aren't dead. She's a talent." Sonic defended.

"She comes from those lands!"

"No, she was stolen." Aleena corrected.

"And how would one be sure?" A council asked.

"She wouldn't have run away from that land. Shadow Landers stay on their homelands. Emi was never one of them." Aleena defended.

"Besides, she is part of this kingdom." Sonic added.

"She has every single right to help us out on this mission." Tails replied soon after.

Emi stopped in front of the doorway panting. Hearing them yelling from down the halls meant something big was happening. Maybe about her or about Shadow, but they didn't seem like good things. She still walked inside the throne room. Catching her breath in an instant when being spotted by the many mobians in the room, she made eye contact with Tails first seeing him smile. Sonic then cleared his throat and walked down to meet with her.

"Hey," he muttered when he approached her.

"Sonic, I know this isn't a good time but I've just got something to inform you of." She muttered so only he could hear. She looked at the councils whom gave her dirty looks. Not all of them were rude, others stared in interest.

"I know," He turned around to face the councils. "Emi here told me of a plan yesterday. It was a risky plan, but I have faith in her. You all should too."

Emi shook her head and nervously looked from him to the councils. "S-sonic,"

"She explained about sending our men down to fight him. Then with our powers combine it with our weapons and take down Shadow." Sonic explained.

"No, Sonic," Emi said.

Everyone's eyes followed her.

Emi grabbed Sonic's hand and brought it close. "I know what I told you yesterday was a good plan. Get the people out, we ambush them in this ghost town, but it wouldn't work. They are smarter than what you think." She turned to the councils up high. "Smarting then what we all think."

"I don't get it?" Sonic said shaking his head one brow raised high.

"I have a better plan. This one will work, because it's a power they've feared since I can remember." She claimed, looking out at the crowd and speaking so that the room could hear her.

"A power? What exactly do you mean, Miss?" A rhino inquired.

"You all have to listen closely because all of us have a job to do for this plan to work. We all are gears to a working machine. If a gear fails to function, everything won't work." Emi explained full of information and details that caused the room to gasp.

Sonic bit his lip hard but she gave him a comforting smile telling him it was going fine. He nodded and grabbed her hand to the throne up the stairs. As the councils decided a few things Aleena and Tails were proudly smiling. "Perfect speech, totally got my attention." Tails cheered.

"It got all our attention." agreed Aleena.

"Thank you, but I must say it wasn't totally my plan, but the roses' and Cream's." She said slowly.

"Cream's?" Tails wondered.

"The roses'? What did they say now?" Sonic asked.

Emi clenched her fist and she grinned freely for the first time with confident and courage. She had no fear for anything at the moment and was feeling stronger than ever in her heart. "They have a way to help Apotos as well,"

"Alright!" A lead council exclaimed raising his hand up high. "We have decided on what should be done." They all looked at Emi and the lead council smiled warmly at her his hand lowering. "You were saying about you plan?"

...done...?

What do you all think? I thought the ending was fine, but then again it's _...XDD Well this will be the last one of the month, have to work on my new other ones XP leave you all in suspense for the last chapter which will come next year Mwahahahaha! *Erm* Please review and give me you wonderful thoughts ^0^ Until weeks Pass. Have a Happy Christmas and New Year's BYE!