Chapter 26: Recognition

A few hours later, Sonny and his friends decided to meet Miles' and Amelia's parents downtown with Rouge tagging along. Meanwhile, the Chaotix Detectives went back to Eggman's base to continue their investigation and Chuck made his second attempt to get back to Angel Island. He wasn't able to the night before due to a sudden shift in the wind currents that made it difficult for him to glide all the way up there as Knuckles which forced him to turn back to South Island. After spending the night in the Chaotix Detectives' house, Chuck ran into Amelia and Miles by chance as they were heading for the beach and they asked him to join. Originally, he declined but after Amelia insisted, Chuck gave in and followed them.

The downtown area was small, but surprisingly packed as people were out shopping and/or dining in the various restaurants scattered down the main street. On the way there, Sonny and his friends walked by the South Island Middle School building which brought back many memories: first, there was the track/football field where Sonny had first activated the Sonic Phase that led to his eventual transformation into Sonic the Hedgehog when Dr. Eggman sent robots to attack the school; then there was the rooftop of the school building where Sonny and his friends had lunch together, and finally the gymnasium where Sonny and Miles saw Chuck demonstrate what he called the Knuckles Knockout against Nack Wesley during the final match of the South Island School Boxing Challenge.

"I wonder what happened to Zak, Zaz, and Zom," Sonny muttered out loud.

Miles flinched. "What brought that up?"

"I don't know," Sonny replied. "Seeing the old school building suddenly made me think about them."

"Well, they did try bullying me again after you and Amelia left but then this strange old man named Zik showed up. He seemed interested in Zak, Zaz, and Zom as he offered them to join his 'organization' in exchange for great power. Then after that, I never saw them again."

"That's weird," Amelia responded. "I wonder what the old man saw in those guys."

Miles shook his head. "I'm not sure, but at least I didn't have to deal with those three again."

"It seems there's more to South Island than I thought," Rouge said bemused. "First a mad scientist shows up with an army of robots and then an organized crime-boss comes to recruit some middle-school kids."

"What makes you think the old man was a crime-boss?" Miles asked.

"Don't be so naïve, kiddo," Rouge said. "If this old man was as shady as you claim, then he was probably using 'organization' as a euphemism for a gang or organized criminal group."

"I suppose," Miles replied.

"So what did you think of Chuck?" Amelia abruptly said.

Taken aback, Rouge asked, "Um, why do you ask?"

"I was just wondering," Amelia smirked.

After a brief hesitation, Rouge answered, "Well, he comes off as a short-tempered guy with no manners or brains but I do find his rugged loner vibe kind of attractive."

"Oh, I see."

"But Chuck's not the type of guy I would want to date anyway."

"Then what is?"

"I'd like someone who is good-looking, mysterious, and exciting to be with."

As the four approached the downtown area, Sonny noticed a familiar face walking towards them.

"Ms. Hare," Sonny said, getting the woman's attention.

"Sonny," Ms. Hare replied with a smile. She looked the same as she did three years ago, only her hair was longer. "Are you visiting for the holidays?"

"Well, I was supposed to meet my parents here, but they couldn't make it," Sonny answered with slight embarrassment.

"Oh, that's too bad. So where are you staying?"

"With Miles."

Ms. Hare looked at Miles. "Ah, yes, I remember you. You were the one who brought Sonny in while he was unconscious when Dr. Robotnik attacked the island."

"Yep, that was me," Miles said scratching the back of his head.

"And Amelia," Ms. Hare said turning to Amelia. "You've grown into quite a beautiful young lady."

"Why thank you, Ms. Hare," Amelia said blushing slightly.

Then Ms. Hare noticed Rouge and looked perplexed. "Were you in any of my classes? I can't remember."

"This is Rouge," Sonny said. "She's a classmate of ours from Station Square."

"The city that got flooded recently?" Ms. Hare gasped. "That must've been dreadful. Where are you attending school now?"

"In Central City, which is north from Station Square," Sonny answered. "So how have you been, Ms. Hare?"

"Oh, fine." Then Ms. Hare's eyes widened and she looked over her shoulder. "But first I would like you to meet someone."

Ms. Hare stepped aside to reveal a small girl with long chestnut-brown pigtails done in an upward direction wearing an orange dress with a blue ribbon and matching orange clogs.

"I would like you to meet my daughter Crème," Ms. Hare said. "Crème, this is Sonny, a former student of mine, and his friends."

"Hi!" Sonny and the others said cheerfully.

"Hello," Crème said quietly.

"What's that you got there?" Amelia said, pointing to a strange creature that was resting on Crème's back.

Crème looked behind her and pulled the creature off her back, revealing it to be some kind of stuffed animal with stumpy legs, a pudgy body, teddy-bear-like hands, a droplet-shaped head, a red bowtie around its neck, and small pixie wings.

"This is my best friend Cheese," Crème answered, showing the creature to Sonny and the others. "He's a Chao."

Sonny and the others looked at each other.

"Ah, what's a Chao?" Amelia said trying to hide her surprise.

"Tiny creatures that sing and play all day in hidden gardens," Crème answered with a straight face. "They're very friendly to animals and people, but they can easily get hurt."

"That's very interesting," Miles responded. Then he asked hesitantly, "Where did you find Cheese?"

"In a small grove on the island," Crème replied. "Near the lake."

"Were there other Chao as well?"

"Oh, yes! They all look like Cheese, but I gave him a bow-tie to make him stand out."

"I see."

"Well, we had best be heading on home," Ms. Hare said and took a hold of Crème's hand. "It was nice seeing you again, Sonny."

"Yeah, same here," Sonny replied.

As Ms. Hare walked away, Crème looked over her shoulder and said, "It was nice to meet you, Sonic—I mean, Sonny. Bye!"

Sonny initially flinched, but then he pretended to smile and politely waved at Crème as she and her mother disappeared around the corner.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Sonny whispered to Miles.

"Yeah, I think she's possessed by one of the 'spirits' Sonic knows," Miles replied quietly. "But I'm more interested in that garden Crème was talking about. Didn't Tikal mention the Chao before she left?"

"She did, but they must've been wiped out when the planet was destroyed and reformed. So how are they still around?"

"What are you boys whispering about?" Rouge asked.

"Uh, nothing, Rouge," Amelia said dismissively. "It's not important."

In response, Rouge folded her arms. "Now I know you're hiding something. Why else did that girl call you 'Sonic'? It couldn't have been accidental."

Before Sonny could come up with an excuse, his stomach made a sudden gurgling noise.

"Um, can we talk about this over dinner? I'm starving," Sonny said sheepishly.

Amelia and Miles nodded in agreement, and so Sonic took off down the street with his friends following behind him. Meanwhile, Rouge tried to keep up with them but the heeled sandals she wore made it difficult. So she resorted to walking, but kept a constant eye on Sonny and his friends as she called someone on her cellphone.

To be continued…