Bocoon returned to the Eggbase to find Eggman and Amy looking over all of his smaller robots working on the new machine. He flew over to them to inform them of the good news, that they were freaking out and the message exploded. Amy tried to keep her chin up and ignore their laughter and snide comments. When Bocoon flew away, Eggman noticed Amy's silence.
'What is the matter, my Empress?'
'Don't call me that.' She replied, turning even more away from him if that was possible.
'Oh, come now.' He said as he took a step closer.
'You can't beat him!' She exclaimed without thinking, causing Eggman to get right up in her face.
'I can promise you now, Amy Rose, I can and I will. Sonic the Hedgehog will be the death of you.' He whispered before backing off and turning to face production again.
'Besides, you were never going win that pest over anyway.' Eggman snickered, causing Amy to stare at him.
'You're better off here, my dear.' He said again before cackling.
'You're a pig and a monster and such a-'
'What, Miss Rose?' Eggman cut her off.
She couldn't find the words, there were too many to choose from. She ran out the double doors before bursting into tears. She just wanted to go home to her friends, to Sonic…
Sonic returned to gang in a state of panic. He began spluttering out words that no one could string together to make any sense, Tails tried to calm him down, Cream gave him a glass of water but it was Shadow's tactic that really worked.
'Stop your shit and tell us what happened!' He yelled after he punched Sonic in the face. Usually Sonic would retaliate and hit him back but this was something unreal. Sonic shook off the effect, took a breath and finally strung a sentence together.
'Amy! She's not at home, she's gone!'
'We know.' Tails said as he bowed his head.
'What do you mean you know?!'
'Bocoon just left. He brought a message from Eggman which-'
'which exploded in my face!' Knuckles cut Rouge off to which she rolled her eyes.
'WHAT IS GOING ON?!' Sonic exclaimed causing everyone to jump.
'Eggman has her, Sonic.' Cosmo spoke up.
'What? Well we have to go and save her!' Sonic said before he was about to speed off. Cosmo grabbed his arm and made him face her.
'The message from Bocoon wasn't that he has kidnapped her. She is on his side now. There were videos of her over seeing production on his new weapon.'
'Which is powered by all the chaos emeralds.' Tails added.
'Yes. Eggman is building up the Empire once more and he said that… that…'She trailed off.
'That Amy will run it alongside him as his Empress.' Shadow finished for her.
Sonic took a step back, as if the shock has physically pushed him backwards, almost making him fall on his behind. The stabbing pain of nerves, panic and worry were rising up in his chest once again, only this time it was a million times worse. He's really messed up this time. Sonic let these words seep into his head, 'his Empress'? Not now, not ever, would he let anyone take Amy away, especially Egghead. Not now, not ever, would he let someone take her away from him. Not that he was about to admit to anyone…
'It's not true.' Rouge broke the silence, her back facing the gang and looking at the horizon.
'What do you mean, Miss Rouge?' Cream questioned, trying to stop the tears streaming down her face.
'Amy wouldn't do it willingly-'
'Did you not see the video?!' Knuckles cut her off.
'Let me finish, Knucklehead! Unless she was being blackmailed. You all know as well as I do that Amy loves and cares about us all too much to do that, especially to you Sonic.' She said as she turned to face the cobalt creature.
'Eggman has tricked her into joining him. She was crying in that video and she mouthed an apology to the camera. She isn't doing this for real. My guess is Egghead is using the power of the emeralds against her, threatening to hurt us or something if she doesn't go along with him.'
'But why would he want Amy?' Tails asked.
'Probably using the fact we trained her against us.' Knuckles sighed.
'It wouldn't be just that. He would be using a weakness against her as well.' Shadow added.
'Which is?' Cosmo questioned.
'Me.' Sonic said as he bowed his head, causing the gang to turn and look directly at him.
'My money is on the fact he threatened to hurt you guys but probably fatally injure or maybe even kill me. Even after she lost her cool at me she is saving me, because she cares and because she's proving her point.'
'Two birds…' Rouge said.
'Exactly.' Sonic nodded.
'Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go get her!' Knuckles questioned.
'Are you crazy, Knuckles?' We need a plan!' Tails exclaimed.
'Here's a plan. Land ship away from base, find Amy, see what's happening, leave with her. Done? Great, let's go.' Shadow said and everyone nodded.
'But… Oh, fine.' Tails rolled his eyes and followed everyone into the garage.