Massive thanks to: TheMidnightShadow, The High School Hero, Stormyx, Chaotic hedgehog, Yasmine155, Savvy0417, dbzamywinxchic, RealDove-Staar, ShadowsAngel1, Steve993, Fables-and-FairyTale, Mobius Freak, Introverted Geek Girl, Eli Swafford and Guest! I really, really appreciate your reviews and you guys are awesome!

TheMidnightShadow - He has got it coming, at this point xD

The High School Hero - Aw, thank you very much, HSH! Yeahhh, Scourge hasn't changed much in his ways! Cosmo is very much in a difficult position, atm! Hahaha, oh no, maybe it's time for me to turn the tension down just a little bit, haha!

Stormyx - He is, in this story! I hope you enjoy this chapter! And agh, yeah, they always drove me crazy!

Chaotic hedgehog - Happy birthday! :D HAHAHA! It's love triangles galore, isn't it? Aw, gotta love some Sonic and Shadow banter!

Yasmine155 - That's so sweet, thank you!

Savvy0417 - You better believe it!

dbzamywinxchic - She does, but I think whacking him/ burning him alive is the last resort

RealDove-Staar - Hahahaaha, I love that reaction x'D OCs may be used, if I need characters for lectures and things, but they will very much be side characters, as this story is about the main gang :) Hahahaa xD

ShadowsAngel1 - Aw, thank you! :D

Steve993 - Thank you very much! Hahahaha!

Fables-and-FairyTale - Dayum! x'D

Mobius Freak - Ahh, but the so-called King brings in so much juicy drama! xD Haha, aw, I'm sorry, but I'm very happy to hear that you're getting so passionate about the story! Drama from all sides!

Introverted Geek Girl - That is so lovely — thank you very much and I am so glad that you're enjoying it!

Eli Swafford - Things might get rough for Tails, Cream and Cosmo :(

Guest - Eeeeek, thank you ever so much! :3

Chapter 5: Love and Hate

(Amy)

Scourge was looming closer and closer, malevolently smirking. My eyes flickered over to the doorway, towards my room, where I kept my Piko Piko hammer, but it was too far away for me to get to. I'd have to use fists.

But he suddenly grunted and stumbled forwards, hands flying to his head. I gasped and pulled my towel closer, but he spun on his heel and growled at the person facing him. I looked up, shocked, and watched as Sally Acorn lowered her leg, from where she'd delivered a roundhouse kick to Scourge.

Sally was breathing heavily out of her nose, "Time to go, Scourge."

He obeyed, swinging the door open, fuming. He growled, "You'll regret that," before disappearing out of the flat.

"Well," Sally pulled the hem of her waistcoat, straightening it up, "That was a close one."

I was speechless. But Rouge had plenty to say.

"Sally Acorn," The bat hissed, marching up to her, "What the fuck do you think you're doing?"

But Sally ignored her, and instead turned to me, "Are you alright, Amy?"

I feebly nodded.

"Then my work here is done," The chipmunk said, side-stepping Rouge and also heading towards the door. But Blaze quickly blocked her path.

"No. You can't do that. You can't come in here and help us, like everything is fine, after everything that you've done. What do you want?"

"Nothing," Sally sounded sincere, "I'm trying to put things right."

Rouge snorted, "Yeah. Right."

She turned, "It's true! You have to believe me! I want to fix things with you all. I know I was wrong, and-"

Cream took a step forward, "Yes, you were wrong! You were wrong to force Sonic to do things; you were wrong to make Amy's life horrible; you were wrong to make trouble for the rest of us! It will always be wrong! Now get out!"

Sally flinched, not used to hearing Cream yell. Though we were all surprised - she'd never gotten so angry before. Even Rouge looked like the floor had been pulled out from underneath her.

Shooting a weak smile at me, Sally nodded, resigned, and calmly walked out of the room. I felt a pang of guilt in my heart. She had saved us from Scourge, and that was how we'd treated her. Maybe she was different.

Or maybe that was what she wanted us to think. I needed to talk to Sonic.

(Sonic)

As Amy related to me what had happened earlier, I wondered what this might mean. Of course, I wanted it to be true. Sally had been my best friend - aside from Tails - before everything had happened. But I couldn't understand what would have made Sally change between then and now.

"What do you think, Sonic?" Amy looked at me, the moonlight playing on her face. I had picked her up from her room and raced us over to a nice restaurant in town, before we travelled to a nearby lake, sitting on the grass and watching the light dance on the water.

I glanced down at her hand, which was entwined with my own, "I think the best thing to do is to go about as usual. And, I dunno about you, but I just want to concentrate on you tonight."

Amy beamed, "Same here."

I noticed that a strand of Amy's hair had fallen in front of her eyes, so I reached over and brushed it back. Before I knew it, she took hold of my hand and moved forwards, pulling me in for a kiss. I instantly moved with her.

Placing my hands on her waist, I brought her closer to me, as she wrapped her arms around my neck. I could feel her dress brushing against my torso, as we tightened our embrace. I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else in the world right now.

Amy looked so beautiful. That had been my first thought, when I'd picked her up for our date. She was wearing a flowing blue dress, all the way down to her ankles, with ruffled layers all in different shades. A sapphire headband was wrapped into her hair. Her make-up was coordinated in blue, as well.

The kiss deepened, as we both shifted and Amy ended up sitting in my lap, legs folded on either side of me. Jostled by the movement, we broke apart and caught our breathes, but the fresh air was there for only a moment before we kissed again.

Amy ran her hands down my arms, sending shivers up my spine. Slowly, I broke away, still feeling the sensation of her kiss on my lips. I opened my eyes and watched as hers fluttered open, demurely. She looked a little dazed, as a small frown appeared on her face.

"What's wrong?" She whispered.

I shook my head, smiling and pulling her closer to me, "Nothing. I just don't want to get too carried away, or I'll never leave."

Amy giggled, "I know what you mean. But this probably isn't the best place for a rendezvous."

"You got that right," I shook my head and quietly laughed. Then I tapped Amy's side, hinting for her to let me up, and she stood, holding her hand out to me and pulling me up too, "We should probably head back. It's getting late."

She nodded, "You're right. Besides, Cosmo wanted me to take a look at her latest piece of sheet music."

Something crossed my mind, "Hey, Ames. Why was she crying today?"

"Oh. Well, uh-"

"Listen," I held both of her hands in mine, "You don't have to tell me. I just want to help Cosmo, if I can. She's my friend too."

Amy considered this, "I can't tell you fully. But I suppose I can help you figure it out."

"Okay," As I waited, I swept her up, bridal-style.

She clung to me, as we zoomed off into the dark, and I took the path between occasional trees, "Have you noticed Cream acting weirdly, lately?"

I hadn't. But I would be keeping an eye out, now.

(Amy)

In no time at all, we arrived back at the university accommodation. Sonic walked me back to my building, pausing in the lobby to say his goodbyes, before I'd head up the stairs to the girls' flat.

"Well, here we are," I smiled. However, Sonic seemed lost in his thoughts.

"Huh?" He blinked, confused, "Did ya say something, Ames?"

I giggled at his obliviousness, "Goodnight, Sonic."

Leaning forward, I kissed him on the cheek and broke him out of his trance. Bliss lit up in his eyes, and his mouth curved into a goofy grin.

"Night, Ames."

Laughing, I climbed the stairs onto the landing with my flat front door on it. To my surprise, Jet was standing there, leaning against the wall. He was smirking.

"Night Ames!" He teased, putting on a deeper voice which didn't really match Sonic's at all.

I glared, "What's your deal, Jet?"

"My deal? Nothing, really. Just keeping an eye on Sonic, so I have the full advantage when I thrash him in our race," Jet cackled, slowly winding me up.

I didn't know what I would have said in response, but two birds suddenly sped up the stairs, towards us. One was a purple swallow, and the other was a large, grey albatross.

The swallow was glaring, "Jet! You're such a time-waster! We could be practicing, but instead your stalking this girl!"

Jet's grumbling at the scolding was quiet.

The albatross was staring at me. I glanced over at him, questioningly, but he seemed ignorant to my confusion, before he thundered over to me and held out his hand.

"I'm Storm," He said, waiting for me to shake his hand. Gingerly, I shook it and, to my shock, he kissed my hand.

"Uh, I'm sorry, but I'm with someone else," I mumbled, awkwardly.

Storm just looked at me, and I wondered if he'd actually heard me. I pulled back my hand, as the swallow groaned and hid her head in her hands, shamed.

"We're going," She hissed at Jet, before turning to me, "I'm Wave. You're...?"

"Amy. Amy Rose."

"Amy. That's a pretty name," Storm seemed to be looming closer to me. I froze, unsure of what to do and how to avoid this situation. I couldn't rely on Wave to sort it out, as she was busy arguing with Jet.

"Hey, dude, back off a bit, would you?" I stepped back, holding my palms up between us.

"Oh, right! I'm too forward. Would you, um, like to go on a date, sometime?" Storm asked, completely missing my point.

"I told you. I'm with someone else!"

Storm frowned, "Who?"

"That would be me."

I sighed in relief, as Sonic sped between me and Storm. The albatross flew back, frantically slapping at Jet's arm, to get his attention.

"You okay, Ames?" Sonic asked me.

"Yeah, thanks to you," I slid my hand into his palm. His fingers locked around mine, protectively, as we stared at each other.

"Hey, lovebirds!" Jet yelled, "We interrupting?"

Sonic glared at him, "Yeah, Jet. You kinda are."

"Good. Now let's get down to business," Jet stepped forward, squaring up to Sonic, "I'm getting tired of you, Sonic the Hedgehog. You keep ruining my fun."

"Your fun? So it's fun to stalk and annoy my girlfriend, and wind me up? You sound like a certain green hedgehog I know!"

Jet growled, "Bite me."

"No, thanks, but I'll happily teach you a lesson," Sonic challenged, smirking at him. Jet moved into a confident fighting stance; however, Wave grabbed him by the shoulders.

"You idiot!" She screeched, "You're not fighting him! I thought you were racing him! You might be the fastest thing alive, but you're not the best fighter alive! Sure, this blue hedgehog might not look like much-!"

"Hey!" Sonic protested.

"-but I've heard that he is a good fighter! You've heard of Scourge the Hedgehog, right?"

Jet nodded.

"Meet his arch-nemesis," Wave gestured at Sonic, forcing Jet to look at him. The hawk sighed, frustrated.

"Mark my words, Sonic the Hedgehog," Jet said, "There will be a day when we race and I will win! I'm the fastest thing in the universe! Remember that!"

Jet and Wave took off, but Storm was still gawking at me. I shivered and moved closer to Sonic, who shot a glare at the albatross.

"Hey. Buddy. She's not interested. Give it a rest already."

Storm glared at Sonic, but he headed downstairs. He shot me a sheepish smile, before heading after his friends. Sonic blew out a whistle and I feebly giggled.

"Looks like I'm not the only one who thinks that you're gorgeous. Shadow, Scourge, now Storm..."

"Maybe it's something to do with the letter 'S'?" I joked, making him laugh, "No, Scourge doesn't like me for me. He just wants to cause trouble for you. Because I love you, Sonic the Hedgehog."

He blushed, "I love you too, Amy."

"Now, I really have to go! Night, Sonic!" I pulled away, still smiling brightly. I rushed inside, towards our front door, and began to set my stuff down in the kitchen. No one else was around, so I presumed that they'd already headed off to bed. Just as I was making myself some tea, there was a knock at the door. I went to answer it, wondering if Sonic had left something.

When I opened the door, two girls were standing in front of me.

"Uh, can I help you?" I asked. They both looked at me, surprised, which confused me.

"Oh, I'm sorry! We thought our friend lived here," The first girl said. She was a yellow mongoose, wearing a black vest top and brown canvas shorts. Her ears were pierced with hoop-earrings, and her feet and hands were covered by blue gloves and boots.

"We'll just head off, ya know!" The other girl smiled, warmly. She was a rabbit, which reminded me of Suki from school, but I didn't know her. Her outfit was slightly metallic: her top-half was a pink vest top, with a brown leather jacket hanging on top. She wore light blue jeans, with big, metal, clunky boots reaching her thighs. A brown cowgirl hat was placed neatly on her blond hair, which was scraped back into a plait.

"You're Amy Rose, right?" The mongoose asked.

I frowned, "Yeah. Do I know you?"

She shook her head, "Nope. I've just heard of you. You're dating Sonic the Hedgehog, aren't you?"

I nodded, "I am. What's your name?"

"Mina. Mina Mongoose," She smiled and turned to her friend, "Do you hear that? She's dating Sonic."

The rabbit laughed, but it wasn't entirely warm, "Sonic sure does get around, don't he?"

Something seemed off, "Who are you?"

"I'm Bunnie Rabbot!" The rabbit placed one hand on her hip, "So, how is the Speedster?"

I was confused, "How do you know Sonic?"

"Oh, Sonic didn't say?" Mina tossed her hair over one shoulder, "We knew him from his school before Mobius High."

I wonder why Sonic had never told me about these two, I thought. Did he know that they were here? Did he want to see them again?

Suddenly, someone appeared behind them. The two girls turned and faced Sally's cold glare. She folded her arms, "Leave her alone. You've already caused enough trouble for Sonic the Hedgehog."

Mina took a step away from her, "We were just chatting! What's wrong with that?"

Sally looked even angrier, "You know what's wrong."

Mina and Bunnie were slightly surprised, but they headed off out of the corridor without another word. I looked Sally up and down.

She'd defended me, again. Was this becoming a habit?