"Our adventure through the Miracle Planet has undergone a very drastic change. Murderous robots, mechanized landscapes, the constant smell of pollution… It makes me gag at the sight of it all. However, we gained an ally in this venture. And thanks to this ally, we now have an idea of what to do to fix the Miracle Planet and free it. Here's hoping we succeed… - Amy Rose, Future Archeologist/Part Time Hero"

Vespa: "Why are you writing in that book?"

Amy: "Hm?"

Amy looks up from her journal as Vespa and Tekno looked at her from where they rested. The trio had camped out in a cave in the Quartz Quadrant zone for the night. Their progress so far has been fairly quick, since security is much lighter in the "Present" than it is in the "Future". Amy closes her journal as she smiles at Vespa.

Amy: "I like documenting my adventures. It might make for an exciting tale. Assuming I ever publish this."

Vespa: "...I can see the benefits of keeping a log of events. History is defined by keeping such logs so we avoid repeating that history after all."

Tekno: "You can say that again. But that said, Amy. You could pick better times to write a journal. You did it on the boat ride, you did it while we were climbing the chain…"

Amy: "Sorry. I just want to write about these experiences while they are fresh in my mind."

Amy and Tekno share a laugh, though Vespa remains quiet. The two notice and look to her before deciding to strike up conversation.

Amy: "So Vespa. You're a robot, but you weren't created by this… Ivo guy, right?"

Vespa: "That is correct."

Amy: "Well… Why were you made, if you don't mind me asking?"

Vespa goes quiet before looking at the ground.

Vespa: "My creation was to act as the head of the Buzzer unit, but in actuality, my creation was initially to serve as part of the then S6 Squad."

Tekno: "S6 Squad? What's that?"

Vespa: "The Super Special Secret Superior Suppression Squad. It was Grounder's idea. The group consisted of myself, Coconuts, Grounder, and Scratch. I'll be the first to admit that we… were not the best chemistry together. If I recall, Coconuts was always very agitated towards Grounder and Scratch over their tomfoolery, while I was mostly just an observer."

Amy: "Well, what did you guys do?"

Vespa: "Our job was to suppress any criminal activity within West Island. But… That isn't really the case anymore. It started a few years ago, Grounder and Scratch decided to try and prank Coconuts using one of her own coconut bombs. I was nearby and saw them trying to do this ridiculous prank. But by the time I could stop them, Coconuts was hit by her bomb, which turned out to be a dud. Problem is that she thought I was the one that threw it. And so, rather than hear me out, she ramps up her usual scoldings with a lot of shouting and anger. My… memory banks of the event are fuzzy sadly, but the most I can recall is that some words were exchanged. I tried to explain that it was Scratch and Grounder, but rather than own up to their prank, they tried to double down on me getting into trouble. Needless to say, some unflattering words were uttered, leading to an already irate Coco to shout "We are through!" before abruptly disbanding our group… We don't talk much unless it's necessary at this point…"

Amy: "...Man, I hate when friends fight. Even if you guys are, from the sounds of it, robots."

Vespa: "When Lady Jenni designed us, she had the intention of making us as Mobian-like as possible. This meant trying to understand emotions. But try as we might, our data is limited, so we can only emulate emotions. We can't feel them or truly comprehend them…"

The trio grow quiet before Tekno speaks up.

Tekno: "Well… Since we're talking origin stories… How about I delve into mine? Believe it or not, while I am a Christmas Island native, I wasn't born there. I was actually born into a group of air loving pirates called 'The Battle Bird Armada'."

Vespa: "I have information on them: A large group of avian Mobians who claim the skies as their turf. They are often seen shooting down planes belonging to ground based Mobians due to their hatred for non-fliers achieving flight."

Tekno: "Yep. That's them. 'Born on the land, stay in the mud. Born in the skies, we rule from atop our perch', as Kukku would say as our pledge. Honest opinions, he's so full of himself. So much so that the Battle Bird Armada disbanded when someone started a coup against him. I dunno who it was exactly, but his son ended up inheriting a portion of the Armada's belongings."

Amy: "This Kukku sounds like a real jerk…"

Tekno: "His breath was even worse. Toothbrushes were invented for a reason, big bird."

Vespa: "Did you leave during this coup?"

Tekno: "Not quite. When I was around 5, I was put into the R&D department a month before the coup. It was there that I met an actually cool bird in the midst of a bunch of weirdos. Her name was Wave; the best way I could describe her is she's sweet if you don't insult her creations. Prideful but quick to anger. She actually made working for the Armada a bit better since she inspired me to broaden my horizons. Honestly, she's the friend I'll always keep close to my heart."

Amy: "Where is Wave these days?"

Tekno: "Dunno. When the Armada disbanded, she and I kind of broke contact. I could not tell you where she went in the huge ocean we call Mobius."

Vespa: "I see. And what about you, Amy? Any big origin stories you want to tell?"

Amy: "Who? Me? Um… Well…"

Tekno: "Actually, I have been curious as to where your adventurous side comes from. When you and I met, you asked me to make your bracelets, but you never really gave a reason 'why' beyond 'for training'."

Tekno and Vespa lean in toward Amy, causing her to laugh nervously and shield herself with her hands.

Amy: "A-Alright. I'll tell. Just give me some room to talk."

Amy stands up and starts pacing, pulling out a stack of tarot cards which starts shuffling through.

Amy: "So in truth, I'm actually from a noble family. House Snow Rose. Our motto is 'Our beauty is divine, but our thorns are sharp'. Usually emphasized by our very picky way of going about things. My father, Edgar Rose, is the nobleman of the house and usually the one to attend Queen Aleena's meetings. They… argue. A lot. I dunno what about, but I never really cared about all that political nonsense. My mother, Iris Rose, on the other hand is a real sweetheart and the one I take after the most. She got me into tarot card readings and even helped me in magic materialization - which is how I create my hammer. She's my angel and I'll always love her. But the biggest influence… Was Sonic the Hedgehog."

Many years ago, at the Kingdom of Snow, Queen Aleena and a still alive Bernadetta were seen together at a park as Sonic, looking much closer to his Classic/Genesis look, plays a snowball game in the background. As the duo smile, they hear someone approach. Turning to face whoever was approaching, they see the Roses approach, with Edgar looking quite displeased.

Edgar: "Your majesty. I hope you are doing fine this day."

Aleena: "I was doing okay until you showed up. Edgar, if this is about that earlier meeting then it can wait until next week."

Edgar: "No. I was wondering if Amy was here. It's time for her to do her homework. Unlike someone's child, wasting his time on inferior children."

Bernadetta: "Oh shove it, Edgar. If you just stomped your way here to insult my son or his friends then let me introduce you to my boot."

Edgar: "Silence, wench. The adults are-"

Iris: "Edgar, please… Don't escalate this anymore than it has to…"

Iris pulls her husband back before approaching the queens, bowing apologetically.

Iris: "Forgive him, your majesties. And forgive me for not restraining him; I… should expect this behavior from him by now…"

Aleena: "It's no trouble, Iris. I'm used to his attitude by now. What's wrong with Amy?"

Sonic's ears flick as he starts to listen in, calling for a time out to his friends.

Iris: "She's not returned home yet. She said she was heading to Everwinter Fields to collect some rare flowers blooming there at this time of year, but…"

Bernadetta: "Everwinter Fields, huh? Well, it is a walk over there, but as long as she didn't stray too far to Everwinter Trench, it should be okay, right?"

Iris: "That's the thing though… The sun is going down and it's going to get cold. I'm really worried about her."

Aleena: "I'll alert the guards right away. We'll make our way to Everwinter Fields as soon as we can, no less than ten minutes."

Iris: "Really? Thank you, your majesty."

Aleena: "Sonic? You keep-"

Aleena turns to find Sonic gone, but a trail of split snow going away from where he stood, leading out of the city.

Aleena: "...How does he do that so silently?"

Bernadetta: "That's probably our cue to not waste time. Come on, Aleena!"

At Everwinter Fields, Sonic stops in front of the field, noticing some footsteps, leading away from the white flowers blooming in the field.

Sonic: "...No Amy. Not a good sign. And judging by the direction of those tracks, she strayed away from the fields…"

Sonic quickly ran his way in the direction of the tracks, soon coming up to the trench where he hears a girl's voice cry out for help. Peering down, Sonic catches sight of a younger pink hedgehog hanging by a branch. This version of Amy resembled her Classic design, much like Sonic did in this time.

Amy: "Someone, help me! Please! I… I can't see the bottom!"

Sonic: "Uh oh… Hold on, Amy!"

Amy: "Huh? P-Prince Sonic!? What are you doing here!?"

Sonic: "Being a hero of course! Anyway, just hold on tight for a little longer!"

Sonic then speeds away, getting a fair distance away from the cliff as he took a couple of deep breaths.

Sonic: "Alright, Sonic. Just like your mom taught you."

Sonic curls up into a ball before immediately speeding at the cliff, jumping off before clinging onto the wall opposite from Amy. Amy's fingers start to slip off the branch as she starts crying.

Amy: "M-My arms are getting tired! I-I want my mommy! Please!"

Sonic: "One blue hedgehog coming in hot!"

Sonic rushes onto the wall before jumping to the opposite and continuing his momentum, running by to catch Amy just as she was about to fall. The scared Amy, cowers a bit before realizing she was just caught by Sonic, who was now running on the walls.

Sonic: "I gotcha, Amy. And I am not dropping you."

Amy: "P-Prince…"

Sonic: "Ah, drop the title. Name's just Sonic. Sonic the Hedgehog."

He flashes his trademark smile at Amy before running faster, climbing his way up as he runs before jumping off the wall and on the other side of the trench. Once the two have landed on solid ground, Sonic puts Amy down gently onto the ground.

Sonic: "Hey, you okay?"

Amy: "U-Um… I-I think so… Thank you, Prin- I mean, Sonic…"

Sonic smiles before looking over to the other side of the trench. He thought about just leaping over with Amy, but considering her near-death experience just now, he opted to just go around.

Sonic: "Hey, your parents are worried about you. Let's go around and-"

Amy: "No! I'm not going…"

Amy glares at the other side of the trench, which makes Sonic raise an eyebrow.

Sonic: "Why not?"

Amy: "My dad… He's too pushy… He just wants me to be his poster girl… But I don't want that…"

Sonic: "...Well, what do you want?"

Amy: "...I'm not sure yet… But anything's better than whatever my dad wants."

Sonic started to fit the pieces of what happened in his head as Amy turned away, putting some distance between her and Sonic. Sonic, though, closed that distance fast as he places a hand on her shoulder.

Sonic: "And what about your mom? Don't you care about her?"

Amy: "...Yeah…"

Sonic: "Don't you think she'd be real sad if she saw you like this?"

Amy: "...Y-Yes…"

Amy started to get teary eyed as she turns and starts crying onto Sonic's chest. Sonic simply lets her as he pats her on the back. But he then notices snow starting to drop, indicating the drop in temperature.

Sonic: "Time to go, Amy. Best we don't make both our moms very sad, hey?"

Amy opens her eyes, tears still in her eyes before nodding. Sonic lifts her off her feet and runs around the trench, taking him only a few seconds to come back to the Everwinter Fields, just in time to see the search party arrive.

Iris: "Amy!"

Amy: "Momma!"

Sonic puts Amy down as she runs up to her mother and hugs her closely. Edgar though looked very disapprovingly at her.

Edgar: "Now I hope you had time to cool off. It's time to come home."

Amy glares at her father, but does reluctantly agreed to join her family for home. That is until Iris stepped in.

Iris: "Actually, Queen Aleena. I think Amy needs to calm down a little more after this slight adventure. Being around someone her own age might help; would you allow her to stay with you and Sonic?"

Edgar: "WHAT!?"

Amy: "R-Really!? Can I!?"

Aleena: "Oh, I'm not…"

Aleena then stopped herself as she realized what Iris was doing. With a slight smirk, she immediately changes her tune.

Aleena: "Alright. But only on the condition Sonic helps her with her homework tonight. And he treats her nicely."

Sonic: "You got it, Mom! Hey, Amy? You like comic books?"

Amy: "I-I like reading, if that helps."

Sonic: "Good enough for me!"

Sonic grabs Amy by her hand, causing her to blush a bit, before speeding off towards home. Edgar growls at Iris, who simply ignores her husband as she walks away with Aleena and Bernadetta.

Bernadetta: "Nice save, Iris. We may make you a rebel yet."

Iris: "Oh don't kid yourself, Bernie. You know I'm far too gentle for that~"

As the women laugh, they return home themselves, an irate Edgar joining them as he huffs angrily.

The scene returns to the present day as a wistful Amy sits across from her friends, finishing her tale as she smiles.

Amy: "Ever since that day, I just longed to be more adventurous. An explorer like the ones I read in these old books. Maybe even become a legend like them one day."

Vespa: "Achieving that goal is… admirable. Yet I feel like you could strive for higher."

Amy: "Yeah, maybe. But it's what keeps me going."

Tekno: "Do you… harbor any feelings for Sonic? And what happened to Mr. Rose?"

Amy: "I told my mom what happened at Everwinter Fields and the divorce was quick and absolute, with Queen Aleena stripping my dad's status as a nobleman on the spot. My mom did remarry to a better man who I see as my actual dad these days. As for my feelings for Sonic… Well… When he started dating Sally, I had to put those feelings aside. I'd rather my hero be happy. But when I'm feeling down, he's always there to bring a smile back on my face."

Vespa: "...I'm a robot. And even my artificial heart is going very 'thump-thump' over that. That was… so very heartfelt."

Amy stretched before yawning.

Amy: "Oof. I am tired. Telling that story got me emotionally drained."

Tekno: "Yeah, we probably need to get our sleep. Bright and early and we clean up this planet and go home in time for tea."

Vespa: "Very well. You girls get some rest. I will keep watch and wake you once the sun is up."

Amy: "Thanks Vespy. Good night…"

Amy and Tekno start to fall asleep as Vespa stares at the duo. She then began to process the information she was given about Amy.

Vespa: "Able to bring a smile to her face even when she is down, eh? Is that why Lady Jenni is so fond of Sonic?"

Vespa simply shakes off the thought before standing guard just outside their little hideout, protecting them from any danger that may come.

To be continued…