Chapter 17: Losses and hope

Sonic couldn't believe his eyes. Standing right in front of him was a person he cared for. A person who died many years ago. A person who murdered and tortured his own friends.

"Who are you" he said at last.

"I'm very real Sonic" she replied back.

"But I saw you die!"

"Your metallic double used an advanced type of nanites to bring me back. He gave me your speed, Knuckles' strength, Shadow's healing factor, and shape-shifting powers. All for one purpose: to kill as much of his enemies as I could."

"You've actually done this! Tails. Vector. The Rogues. Your own teammates. Don't you even realize what you're doing!?"

"Of course I do! I'm getting back at everyone who abandoned me to die!"

"Abandoned you!? Amy there was nothing we could do-"

"Don't try to play games with me Sonic! The nanites recorded all of my memories. I know you did nothing to save me. I loved you and you didn't feel the same!"

"Amy you were my friend. You'd know I would never do anything bad to you. Metal Sonic must have used the nanites to-"

"Shut up! I don't care what you have to say! We're ending this now!"

Sonic was shocked. He just got back the one person he lost, only for her to reveal herself as a monster. Sensing Espio nearby, Sonic was quick to grab Amy's former Piko Piko Hammer on display, and swing her to the other side of the palace. The following battle pitted hammer against sword. While Espio grabbed Cream and Tails' corpse, Sonic was in the fight of his life. Their strengths rivaled each others, and he couldn't find the nerve to strike hard.

"I loved you" hissed Amy, "I would've done anything for you! But now I hate you. I hate you for never noticing me. I hate you for leaving me to die. And I hate you because no matter how many times I try I can't fall out of love with you!"

She then struck harder until the hammer was out of Sonic's hands.

"Whatever I did. I did it to make you notice me. Have you noticed me now!? Have you!?"

Forcing Sonic on the floor, Amy was prepared to slit his throat before he sadly said "I always did notice you Amy Rose. From the first moment we met I've noticed you. But I didn't know you would feel so angry when I didn't tell you how much I cared about you. The truth is I always did. And I'm truly sorry I couldn't save you."

Sonic's worlds seemed to got through to Amy before she took his throat in her hands.

"I don't want your apology. I want you dead!"

Realizing the Amy he valued was gone, Sonic said "MP activate layer hatch. Password: Rose!"

In a flash the floor opened up to reveal a pit leading to the Lava Reef Zone. Pulling the two in. Sonic believed he was done for as well when Charmy arrived, grabbing hold of him, and out of the pit. Looking back, Sonic saw Amy falling to her final demise.

He then said, finally at last "Rest well... beloved."

Dropping Sonic off near the Earthquake, Charmy said "We took Cream to the hospital. She should be fine."

"Thanks."

As Charmy left, Sonic got out his radio to dial Cream and said "Charmy said you would be fine kiddo. How do you feel?"

"I'll be fine. What about Amy?"

"I couldn't save her or the rest of our friends again."

"It wasn't your fault Sonic. I feel bad about what happened to them two, but we can't blame ourselves. We just have to move on."

"Yeah. I guess you get sentimental when you're old."

"At least we have a tomorrow. Thanks to you."

"Thanks to all of us."

"You are the brother I've never had and I love you Sonic."

"Likewise."

Six months passed and things were changing for the better. The SIA was recalled, and a new, more benevolent president was elected. Shadow and Rouge were finally living the happy life they wished for with their daughter and unborn child. The Chaotix was reformed with Espio as leader. The magical objects returned to their rightful Guardians. Sonic spent these moments visiting the monument built to honor those who gave their lives for the revolution. And for the first time in twenty-three years he was finally at peace.

The End