Last time on Sonic the Hedgehog, Rosie finally recovered from her injuries from the Kingdom of Acorn during Eggman's initial attack there. Now on her feet, she and Nicole - in a small portable computer - left for Metropolis, finding a riot occurring due to the overcrowding on West Island. A cat by the name of Agatha does put an end to the riot by offering the angered masses drinks with a faint aroma that calmed them down enough to scatter. After an irate Coconuts leaves, the traveling duo and Agatha leave for the latter's cafe.

Quite a walk down the street from where Rosie and Nicole met Agatha, the two entered a nice looking cafe. The design of the cafe gave off a very casual and vintage vibe to Rosie as she saw a variety of old items in frames on the tan and red walls, with the floors being flatwood with diamond carpet patterns etched into them. As Rosie sat on a stool, Agatha walked in with a tea set, pouring the woodchuck a cup of sweet smelling tea.

Agatha: "Ourobo Berry Tea. Ourobo being named after Ouroborus due to the strange nature of the berry's continuous and never ending cycle. The berries are often a starchy bitter type that many untrained tea makers avoid using in their ingredients, but under those trained in the art, the berries make for a fine supplement."

Rosie: "That's… a lot of info to give for such a simple looking cup of tea."

Regardless, Rosie bows in thanks before taking a sip of the drink. But she then pauses as her mind freezes, taking in the taste of the tea as her eyes go wide. Nicole's screen lights up as she begins to talk.

Nicole: "Rosie? What's up? Are you okay?"

Rosie: "This tea… is… perfect… The taste… The texture… The level of detail on every taste bud is…"

Rosie then starts chugging her cup empty, tossing all table manners out of the room as she quickly asks for more. Agatha chuckles nervously as she pours another cup while giving a warning to not drink more than her body can handle. As Rosie calms herself down from her momentary sanity slippage, Nicole's hologram appears over the screen of the miniature computer and turns to Agatha in order to speak.

Nicole: "Agatha. While I do appreciate your hospitality, I must ask some questions in regards to the riot that was ongoing when me and Rosie arrived."

Agatha: "As I stated to your monkey friend, I had no involvement in that beyond what you saw. I am a simple barista."

Nicole: "I get that and I would rather not accuse you of anything. But your sudden arrival and just how quick you resolved the situation was… convenient. Too convenient for my liking."

Agatha went quiet as she wasn't quite sure of what to say.

Nicole: "I'll try to avoid needless accusations. Just tell me what you were doing before you arrived."

Agatha: "Well, there isn't a lot to tell. I was simply getting my bearings on the new environment I was in. I was taken away from my home village on Caret Isle, a fairly small island, by that doctor and his metallic minions. The ruffian… He got the drop on me as I was protecting some kids that I knew - Ebony and Ivory, cats like me who have an interest in some… hobbies I am into."

Nicole: "What hobbies if I may pry?"

Agatha: "That is not relevant."

Nicole: "It is if it helps your case, Agatha."

Agatha: "I'm sorry, but I don't see how. It is none of your business."

Rosie then chimes in by tapping Nicole's computer.

Rosie: "Leave her alone, Nicole. She hasn't done anything bad to warrant any suspicions."

Nicole: "...Oh fine. I just hate secrets is all… Sorry… Please continue."

Agatha: "Thank you, miss Rosie. Ahem… I found myself taken to a strange space station where I felt my energy being drained as the station took off out of orbit. Thankfully, a blue bundle of friendliness came running in and saved everyone on the station. Afterwards, I ended up here on West Island, worried over those kids and my village. Nowadays, I just busy myself with my cafe, sometimes stepping out to buy supplies. Like today, just before the riot, I bought myself Snow Belle Flowers."

Agatha showed the seeds for Snow Belle Flowers, which describe an unbelievable tasting nectar.

Nicole: "I see… The story does line up with everyone else's story on ending up on the Death Egg. And I checked the files on any recent purchases at the Metro Megamall - really need to talk Jen into changing that name… - and found your flower seeds to be among them today. There are very little discrepancies in your story. Did you ever see if your kids were here in the city as well? We do have a system to ensure all family members are reunited."

Agatha: "Well… I did see them as among the prisoners on the space station, and they too were released… But I cannot find them no matter where I look…"

Nicole: "I see… Can you provide a description of them so we know what to look for?"

Agatha: "Well… One of them is a black cat like myself who also likes to wear purple - in a way idolizing me even if she won't admit to it. And the other is a white cat who wears bright pink. Neither are seen far from each other so I hope that helps."

Nicole: "It does. I will be sure to send for a search party."

Rosie: "We could help too. After all-"

As Rosie spoke, the trio hear the door open as a hedgehog walks in. A blue-green hedgehog with red business attire, and notable high heels. Rosie and Nicole had no clue as to who this was, but Agatha did.

Agatha: "...Hello, Breezie. Are you here to once again bother me about the island?"

Breezie: "Oh you make it sound like I've been pestering you. You know I'm just here for business~"

While Breezie was keeping up an obvious act, neither Rosie or Nicole were falling for it. Agatha less so as she glared at Breezie.

Agatha: "You can drop the act. And my answer - despite recent events - is still a resounding "No!"."

Breezie: "Well, why not? As I've stated, you get a lot more revenue and you can fix up that dingy ol' cafe of your's."

Agatha: "...I built that 'dingy ol' cafe' of mine with my own hands, blood, sweat, and tears. You insult it, then you insult me. And as I've said before as well. I built my cafe with the sole purpose of giving people a good time after a hard day at work. Not to make a lick of coin. You have no perception for the very culture my home island represents. How it feels to work for your ownership of a location. You claim to know, but if that was the case, you'd actually help people instead of seeing dollar signs."

As Agatha talked, Breezie's facade broke, causing her to glare a vicious glare as the two got even closer. Rosie grabbed Nicole as she stepped back, worried this would turn into a fight.

Breezie: "I have a lot of reasons to just tear down your stupid cafe and just place my establishment in its place. But as per the laws, I have to ask for your permission first."

Agatha: "And you won't get it. Ever. Now unless you want coffee or tea right now… You. Will. Leave."

Agatha's patience was well and truly eroded as she was scratching the wood of her counter with her claws, leaving a dent in it. Breezie glared more before turning and walking away. Agatha soon poured herself a cup of tea, drinking the cup as if to calm herself down.

Agatha: "Of all the stupid timings, her's is by far the worst…"

Rosie: "Um… We have… a lot to ask…"

Agatha: "Yes, I suppose you would…"

Agatha says without even looking at Rosie, clearly annoyed as she pours herself another cup and drinks it.

Agatha: "That was Breezie. The name sound familiar?"

Nicole: "I have heard of her. She's the president and face for Breezie Industries, a multi-million dollar company and industry that makes designer clothes and hosts several malls and businesses. I didn't think she was in our city, let alone captured by the Death Egg."

Agatha: "Well you know more than I did when I first met her… It was about a month ago… Breezie came to our island, my cafe, trying to bargain with me to build a new mall on our little island. Her reasoning being that it would attract plenty of customers to our 'sleepy little island'. She only thought about filling her own pockets, this much I knew… So I declined her offer. Multiple times. And she refuses to give up on it too. It's gotten to a point where we get into spats like the one you just witnessed. This wasn't her worst one, by the by; the one we had just before we got captured was a lot more physical."

Rosie: "Oh my… I'm so sorry…"

Agatha: "Anyway, she's the least of my concerns. She can keep asking, and asking, and asking until her lungs give out, but my answer is and forever will be N-O."

Nicole: "I see… Why are you against the idea, if you don't mind me asking?"

Agatha: "It's just how we've been. Most like the peace and quiet. My cafe is but an example of my free way of thinking - "Just have a drink and relax". Building a mall would just cause trouble for the village. Leading to materialistic corruption as supply and demand become rampant. This… isn't a commentary on today, but I have seen why wars start. Resources become scarce, greed becomes the norm, evil hearts corrupt innocent minds. A single mall becomes something far worse if left unchecked. I'm not against advancement… I just don't think every island should have it."

Rosie: "Hmm… I see… Well, we should get going. We still have more to explore and we should try to help the new populace. If we find your kids, we shall let you know."

Agatha: "Ah. Thank you, you two. Feel free to come again. And apologies for you having to listen to my ramblings."

Rosie: "Oh we'd listen again! Take care!"

Rosie waves as she leaves, taking Nicole out as she starts to speaking once they were down the street.

Rosie: "Hey, Nicole. What do you think of Agatha?"

Nicole: "Personally? I think she's only telling half truths. No lies per say, but certainly not the whole truth."

Rosie: "About?"

Nicole: "Her opinions on technology. Or rather her opinions on advancement. She sounded way too personal than she let on for being a simple 'cafe barista and owner'."

Rosie: "Are you saying she can't be trusted?"

Nicole: "I'm not saying that. We should keep her at arm's length until we know more, but I think we can at least trust her that Breezie might be a worse person."

Rosie: "What about her kids…?"

Nicole: "I checked any recent files and there were two kids, both age 14, registered fitting her description to a 'T'. So I don't think she lied about that. What catches me is her wording of just 'kids' and not 'her kids'. Almost like she had no direct relationship beyond her 'hobbies'. Everything about her is suspicious…"

Rosie: "Should we investigate her?"

Nicole: "Perhaps another time. Let us continue our patrol first, then decide what to do later."

Rosie: "Batteries running low?~"

Nicole blushes on her screen before turning away, with Rosie giggling as she walks down the street.

As Agatha cleans up her cafe, she takes a moment to sit and think back at the conversation she had and the questions she was asked. A guilty look coming over her face as she sighs.

Agatha: "I am sorry, Rosie and Nicole… But if I told you anything of my dark past… Would you still be so kind to me? I doubt it… The lives I've taken, the years I've been alive to regret my decisions… All of it weighs heavily upon my heart…"

As Agatha sat there, a letter gets slid under her front door, catching her attention. The shadow of a figure is seen running away after the letter is dropped off. Agatha simply shakes her head.

Agatha: "Another secret admirer? I may look young, but rest assured that I am not looking to remarry."

Agatha chuckles herself before grabbing the letter and opening it. But the smile quickly drops as her eyes go wide. She then quickly rushes out her door as she looks around frantically for the one who dropped off the letter. When she found no one, her hand slips as the letter drops to the ground.

"We have your kids…"

To be continued…