Review Responses:
To AnT: Good eye, bro. That's exactly what I'm going with! Hopefully, you'll enjoy this chapter, too!
To Void Reader: Sonic may not be a scientist now, but that doesn't mean that he's not capable of learning. And while that isn't my intention for him to be a scientist, as Sir Charles' nephew, he'll inherent his research and be a leading expert in knowing how Chaos Energy works through experience. A person can change with time and by going through life. Remember, Sonic ages in real time in this universe.
Mobian Music Festival, Furville, Acornia
Princess Sally, Team Sonic, Amy, Cream (and Cheese), and Sonar crossed through a Warp Ring, finding themselves in the small town of Furville.
Now, the town of itself was fairly quiet, located in a suburban area with a population of little under five hundred thousand. The architecture seems to have been inspired by the Colonial period, but contemporary-styled buildings were placed around to keep up with the ever-increasing technology and progression.
The townspeople were mainly mild-mannered, hard-working, and polite. However, the newer generation of young people in Furville has a bit of a rebellious spirit, given that their cultures clash with the foundation their elders laid out for them.
Despite their differences, what brings everybody new and old together was their love for music.
Today, at a local amusement park, over ten thousand Mobians arrived with smiles of splendor and excitement on their faces.
Within this park were sections that ride like a Ferris wheel, several roller coasters, two merry-go-rounds, and a small race track for go-kart racing. Outside of those attractions, you have the typical overpriced food court. And of course, there was another section where the civilians lined up to meet the local or old retired artists to sign autographs on old or new merchandise. Lastly, there was a large stage with speakers for bands or other major artists to perform in front of the audience.
Upon crossing the small town, the gang walked up to the front of the park's gate.
"How weird, this place looks so peaceful," Amy said, looking around. "It's a major shift from big cities like Station Square."
"I know, right? And the air smells so clean," Cream skipped, taking in the oxygen from the freshly grown acorn trees.
"There is a coziness to Furville that I always like," Sonar said with nostalgia in her voice.
"You've been here before?" Tails asked, gazing at the fennec.
Sonar nodded positively.
"Yeah! Whenever I visited Acornia back in my…Raider days, I would grab coffee with a couple of friends while attending our book clubs." The former Desert Raider recalled.
Amy gushed, "Ooo~! That sounds like fun! You've got to let me join you sometimes!"
Cream added, "I would like to come along, too. I can bring my mother's homemade chocolate chip cookies."
"I'd be up to join as well, if you have room for one more." Tails commented.
Sonar felt herself blushing at all the attention she was receiving, holding her burning cheeks in the palm of her hands.
"Gosh… You guys are too kind. Of course you can come to the book club. Well, whenever we all have free time."
Before the group could proceed into heading to the ticket booth, Knuckles stopped as he felt a familiar pulse of energy from his feet that washed over his body.
'...This presence! I can feel it calling to me!' The echidna thought to himself.
"Hey," Knuckles cried, grabbing everybody's attention. "I'll catch up with you sometime later. I'm sensing another shard, and it's somewhere in this town."
"You're kidding! It's here?" Tails inquired out of bewilderment.
Sonic added, "Talk about coincidences. What are the odds?"
"It's okay, Mister Knuckles. We understand." Cream kindly empathized. "The Master Emerald needs to be patched up so that we can end the war and bring your island back into the sky. And we know how much your home means to you."
The others nodded with approval as Amy added, "Yeah, we can't afford to lose those."
"Just meet us at the fountain by the entrance of the festival when you're done," Sally instructed.
"Right," Knuckles nodded as he started to wander off. "Have a good time, guys."
"Bye Knuckles!"
After handing their tickets in for armbands, the gang (minus Knuckles) entered the festival.
While Sally and Sonar were more familiar with the area, Tails, Cream, Sonic, and Amy took their time to take in the sights of the site. Aside from the amusement park attractions and the sweet and savory aromas of churros and salted butter popcorn, Sonic and his companions gazed at the signs and musical posters that advertise guest appearances of artists that may or may not be familiar to the four.
Sonic looked around, then said, "So, uh, what are we doin' first?"
"Weeell~" Amy purred, stepped to Sonic's direction in a suggestive fashion. "There is a romantic boat ride through a tunnel that we can share together. What do you say to that, Sonic?"
Sonic felt his face shift into that of a deadpan expression, not amused by Amy's failed advances.
He turned his head with an attitude, saying, "I say, no way. I'm not interested in datin' ya. And all that lovey dovey stuff ain't my style. 'Sides, that ride sounds plain and borin'."
'B-Boring!?' Amy thought to herself as her face boiled in fury, feeling her right eye twitch.
"Oh, dear." Cream whispered as Cheese felt the girl wrap her arms around the young Chao.
"...This isn't going to well," Tails whispered to Sonar.
"W-What do you mean? What is Amy g-going to do?"
Reacting out of anger from Sonic's raw remarks, Amy summoned her Piko Piko Hammer, ready to force the blue hedgehog to rethink his choice.
Sonar flinched in fear at the burning red aura that emanated off of Amy. Tails and Cream shivered, knowing what's going to come next. Sonic, meanwhile, froze in place out of fear due to the horroric fury he had unleashed onto himself.
"Boring, am I? Oh, I'll show you who's boring!"
Sonic closed his eyes, awaiting the wrath of the Piko Piko Hammer…only for nothing to strike his head.
Much to the surprise of everybody but a pair of people, Amy found herself hitting a blue wall that protected Sonic from the collision of her hammer.
How?
Instead of Sonic being in front of her, the hand which erected the blue wall of energy belonged to NICOLE, who stood in her Mobian holo lynx form, fully materialized from Sally's ring on a handheld device.
"Woah! She stopped Amy!" Sonic and Tails gasped.
"What the–!?" Amy yelped before being pushed ever so slightly by the AI.
Upon looking at the AI, Amy whined, asking, "What's your problem!? I was trying to knock some sense into my Sonic! What right do you have to interfere?"
"Correction, Amelia Rose. You were attempting a possible crime via assault. That, in turn, causes a domestic disturbance." NICOLE stated in a monotone manner.
Amy then took the time to see that there were a couple of Mobian bystanders watching her out of awe, interest, and concern for whoever they believed that invoked.
"What are you looking at!? Buzz off, already!" Amy barked, causing the small crowd to scurry away to avoid the potential danger the pink hedgehog could be to their health.
Amy then set her sights back to NICOLE with an annoyed exterior as she pointed her left index finger at the holo lynx.
"Listen here, computer! I don't care if we're on the same team, this between me and Sonic! So stay out of my–!"
"–That's enough!"
Amy and the others directed their attention to Sally, who had her arms crossed with a scrutinizing and disappointing gaze.
"I've tolerated your antics long enough. I'm putting a stop to this right now." Sally declared strongly, taking a few steps to approach Amy. "Who are you to dictate what a person does?"
"Who am I? Missy, I'm Sonic's girlfriend–," Amy delusionally self proclaimed.
From the background, Sonic shouted, "Not true!"
"–And he has to listen to what I have to say. Second, I don't see how this has anything to do with you. Regardless if you're in line to inherit the whole nation, our relationship is none of yours–" Amy hauntingly sassed, only for the Acornian princess to cut her off.
"–Let me stop you right there," Sally, subconsciously exerting her authoritarian aura, which immediately shut Amy's tantrum down out of nervousness. "One. Don't forget who you're addressing, Foreigner. Not only are you a visiter in my kingdom, I'm your fielder leader as well. Two. You're considered a freedom fighter. Meaning, you represent me, my father, and Acornia as a whole. And these childish outbursts of yours are not becoming of a Freedom Fighter. How do you expect to be taken seriously if you're busy flailing with your hammer about not getting what you want?"
Sonic, Tails, Cream, and Sonar stood at the sidelines, absolutely stunned. Especially the first three, given their experience with Amy and her hot headed temper that rivals the likes of an enraged Knuckles.
Amy flinched at the gaze, but felt embarrassed at the verbal lashing that she was receiving.
"I'm not here to intrude on what you perceive your relationship with Sonic is, Amy, but you are on no grounds to force him or anybody to do what you want them to do against their wishes, on that matter. That's not what a friend does to another friend. Or have you forgotten that this is supposed to be a day of fun?"
Feeling an overwhelming guilt and shame bombard her consciousness and heart, Amy looked over to the ground while in thought.
Seeing that she was getting through to the pink hedgehog, Sally gently grabbed Amy's hammer toting hand and softly said, "Put the hammer down, okay? It's not the place or time for it."
Amy did so, bowing her head down as she apologized to everybody about her behavior. Nonetheless, Sonic and the others accepted her apology.
Cream then said, "I know how to cheer you up, Ms. Amy. There's a magic show that happens to involve tarot cards and a medium today."
While Sonar tilted her head in confusion, Amy's face brightened a little at the reminder.
"That's right! I heard that Mystic Mog Ebony will be part of the act!" Amy gushed. "I'd love to see that with you, Cream."
"W-Wait! Isn't Honey Monroe's autograph signing across Ebony's event?" Sonar questioned, placing a finger on her chin.
Gasping in awe, Amy said, "Oh, my, Chaos! Honey is going to be here?"
Cream, none the wiser, asked, "Who's this Honey person?"
"Honey Monroe is one of the most influential Mobians on the planet." Tails explained before Amy followed up with more information.
"She is a Westside Islander that was first known as one of the backup singers from her days with Breezie and the Songbirds." Amy explained, causing Sonic to cringe at the sound of the group's name. "Later on after Breezie and the Songbirds disbanded, Honey started her own official clothing business that took off almost instantly. Most of the money she gets is invested in charities for orphanages and the homeless. And sure, she's well known now, but I've been a patron who supported her before she went global."
"Wow! Honey sounds amazing, like an incredible person!" Cream said, with Cheese chirping in agreement. "Now, I want to meet her."
"Well, the magic show event will be starting in thirty minutes. Honey will be available fifteen minutes after the show." Sonar informed the two girls.
"That's northwest from the fountain. Approximately, a three minute and thirty second walk." NICOLE stated evenly.
"That sounds like a plan," Sonic grinned as he turned to Amy, "Why don't you take Cream, Cheese, and Sonar to the magic show and go see Honey? Meanwhile Tails, Sal, and I go and explore around for a while."
While Amy hated the idea of being separated from Sonic at all, Sally's words freshly rang through her mind. This wasn't about her and her desires. They were here to have a great time as a group.
Amy smiled a little, saying, "That's fine by me."
"I got a map on my phone in case we get lost." Sonar said, pulling up an image using her smartphone.
"Great!" Tails chirped. "Let's meet back here in about two hours."
"Okay/Alright," Everybody agreed before Amy's group broke off to go to the magic show.
-With Sonic, Sally, and Tails-
Tails and Sonic had started walking around the northeast of the festival with Sally (and NICOLE).
"Hey, Sonic?"
"What's up, Sally?"
"You said that Harvey Who was named you, right?"
"Uh huh. What about it?"
Sally wondered aloud, "I don't know. I mean, I get it, but it seems untraditional and strangely…specific. Why is that?"
"Didn't Old Man Owl name you Sonic because he believed that you could only break the sound barrier at the time?" Tails asked.
Sonic nodded, "Oh yeah, that's about right. Man, if only he and Granny Owl could see what we can do now."
"Yeah," Tails said sadly.
Changing the subject, Sally then asked, "And exactly how fast can you run?"
Going over his notes on his own device, Tails answered, "The last time that I checked, I clocked his top speed at 11,505 miles per hour."
"Oh my gosh!" Sally asked in shock.
"That is at least fifteen times the speed of sound." NICOLE pointed out as she turned her holo lynx form towards Sonic. "Even managing to shatter the sound barrier once should destroy the body of the average Mobian. The Mach 15 feet sounds preposterous; an impossibility."
Sonic feigned being insulted, scoffing, "Tch! Who are you talkin' to? I live and breathe the impossible everyday."
Sally placed her hands on her hips, mildly unamused at her old friend's attitude.
"Sonic, all that NICOLE was saying is that normal Mobians have limitations. In fact, all living things do."
"Is that right?" Sonic challenged. "Well, I say that whoever came up with that is completely full of it. In my opinion, I ain't got no limit. In fact, I don't think anybody does."
"...You can't be serious," Sally said.
"Just hear me out, alright? When I was younger, I thought that I could only go as fast as the speed of sound. But time and time again, I broke my limits during dire times of my adventures. And that's through my need to help others, including the people whom I come to see as my friends." Sonic expressed, looking at Tails, who nodded gratefully. "That's when it dawned on me. As long as you have self doubt, you keep yourself from growing; from realizin' your full potential."
Sally and Tails smiled at Sonic's unwavering positivity and encouragement.
"I do not understand. From what I have documented, almost all sentient organisms have predetermined , you propose to willingly go against them. Why?" NICOLE inquired.
"Why? That's simple. At a certain point, we have the choice to choose who we want to be. To be more than what other people tell us what we are. So, to heck with the impossible! When you're hangin' with me, you'll come to find that the possibilities are never endin'."
The AI concluded, "...You are a strange creature, Oliver Cobalt."
"It's Sonic, but thanks I guess." Sonic said before turning to the chipmunk. "So what's the plan, Sal?"
"Hm… I'm guessing that roller coasters are out of the question," Sally thought aloud.
"Coasters? Come on, Tails and Cream are way faster than any of those rides. Ya might as well let me take you for a run." Sonic snorted as he placed his arms on the back of his head.
"Actually, I heard from Bunnie that there was going to be a famous South Islander artist to take autograph signings." Sally mentioned.
"Really?" Sonic said, with both himself and Tails interested. "Well, spill! Who is it?"
"Now, now, Ollie." Sally lightly teased while wagging her finger like Sonic's late mother. "That would be spoiling the surprise. How about I show you the way there?"
Tails chuckled at Sonic's little nickname and light blush before being lightly shoved by his older brother.
"Yeah, yeah. Just lead the way, Princess." Sonic moaned in mild annoyance.
Sometime later, Sonic, Sally, and Tails (with the holo lynx AI, NICOLE) found themselves standing in line. The two male heroes found their eyes glued to the poster.
The poster showed a female Mobian cat who seemed to be in between her late twenties to her early thirties. The dark blue furred cat wore a red collared shirt, dark green trousers with a brown leather belt with an oval golden buckle, and matching beige gloves and cowgirl boots that had spurs, mahogany colored heart-shaped tips, and mahogany colored heels.
"No way!" Tails gasped.
"Catty Carlisle!?" Sonic read incredulously before turning to a smiling Sally, who stood next to her holographic companion. "You knew that Catty Carlisle was coming!?"
"I didn't, but Bunnie did. I thought you'd be familiar with her."
Tails then told Sonic, saying, "Dude, we haven't seen her in ages."
"I know, right?" Sonic nodded. "The last time we saw her, we were finna take off after Eggman to Angel Island."
Several minutes later, Sonic, Sally (with NICOLE going back to the hardware), and Tails were in front of the line as they stood in front of the South Islander country singer.
"Mah, oh mah! Hifit isn't Sonic an' Tails!" Catty grinned as she stood up to greet the two. "Long tahm, no say boys."
"Hi, Miss Catty!" Tails waved friendly. "It's good to see you again!"
"Yeah," Sonic agreed. "You still lookin' good, too."
"Aw shucks, ya'll know how tuh make uh girl feel special. Ya'll dun gone an' grew up on may." Catty giggled in a blush as she turned to see Sally. "Iz shay with ya'll, too?"
"Yup," The Blue Blur confirmed. "Catty, this is Sally. She brought us over as a bit of a surprise."
"Hi, there," Sally greeted with a wave of her own. "One of my closest friends spoke highly of you and your music. She's a huge fan."
"Whut wuz her name?"
"Bunnie Rabbot,"
Catty, in response, took a photo of herself from a pile and wrote her signature on it before giving it to Sally.
"Hare ya' go, darlin. Make shore thet it gits tuh her, now."
"Gosh, thanks! Bunnie is going to flip when she sees this!" Sally smiled with excitement.
Catty tipped her hat to the princess before turning back to Sonic and Tails.
"Whacha boys gittin' into these days? Ahvn't heard uh peep bout ya since thet whole Nazo hoopla from four months ago." Asked the country singer.
"It's a long story, Ms. Catty," Sonic said. "We're here in the MA for business, but today's our day off."
"Ah say." The adult cat understood. "Y'all haven't changed one bit."
Sally curiously asked, "Excuse me. I don't mean to intrude, I was wondering how you've met Sonic and Tails?"
"Oh! It's naw hassle, darlin'. Wha, Ahv know this boy since hay wuz uh small youngin'. One day, Ah wuz mindin' mah own business as Ah wuz headin' to uh local studio the record mah next song. Then, the next thang Ah knew, Ah woke up in uh dark cramped capsule in Star Laht. People dun told may thet everybody's bein' dragged an' put into machines as slaves to uh mad Overlander, an thet our home will bay reduced to uh polluted factory. Oh, hope seemed lost, an' mah heart sank deeply in it. But then, way wuz freed. Saved by the courage o' uh certain quick liddel fellah. Thuh moment Ah saw this, Ah knew hay would bay thuh wun the stop thet mad man an' save thuh rest uh our island."
"And I did," Sonic casually added. "Then I saved Little Planet, and Westside Island after that with help from my best buddy. What can I say? I love to go on adventures."
Rolling her eyes, Sally playfully sassed, "Whatever. Mind your ego, Adventure Boy."
"By the tahm hay saved Westside Island, Ah wrote him uh liddel song as mah thanks. Ahv met Tails by then. We've kept in touch ever since."
Sally nodded, saying, "Okay."
"What about you, Ms. Catty?" Tails inquired. "What are you doing nowadays?"
"Oh, yawl know may. Ahv been tourin' around thuh globe. Since ya'll saved us from thet space colony, thuh Overlanders allow more uh us tuh visit sum uh thur territory. Ah managed to gain somewhat o' uh followin' over in Station Square. Wheyun Ahv heard uh thuh Music Festival wuz comin' up, Ah knew thet Ah had to bay thayure. So, hare Ahm." Catty explained.
"You've got a crowd in Station Square? That's awesome!" Sonic exclaimed. "Congrats, Ms. Catty."
"Whuh, thank you dear." Catty said before she went to her table and reached at the bottom of it to grab a hold of something. "Hold on. Ah actually got uh liddel sumpn for ya."
Sonic, Sally, and Tails watched as Catty took out what seemed to be a case which was shaped like a guitar.
While Sonic grabbed a hold of the case, Catty explained, "Ahv been meanin' to ship this awf to ya directly when Ah heard you've recently turned sixteen, but Ah couldn't git uh hold uh ya. Go on, now. Open her up."
Opening up the case, Sonic and his friends were now gazing upon a classical guitar with a white body with a red fingerboard, golden strings, and a dark blue headstock. Designed around the sound hole was a circular emblem with fifteen stars in it. On each side of that circular banner, an angelic wing was on each side that mirrored one another.
Sally whispered in awe, "Oh Sonic, look at this!"
"Woah…" Sonic gasped, with his mouth parted.
"It looks so cool!" Tails exclaimed with stars in his eyes.
"Tada! Happy late birthday, Sonic."
Grabbing a hold of the guitar, Sonic took the time to tune it and gently inspect each string, as if he hadn't delved into such a territory in years.
"Wow Ms. Catty…" Sonic said with a small grin that held mixed emotions under his exterior. "...I-I don't know what to say."
"Don't think too much bout it. It's uh gift. Besides, Ah heard thet you dabbled in uh liddel bit o' music playin' an' lyric writtin' from Tails. Ah figured you would lahk this."
Sonic kept his eyes on the guitar, but nodded all the same as he tried to hide the emotions that ran through him all at once.
"Thanks, ma'am." The hero whispered.
-With Amy, Sonar, and Cream-
Sonar, Amy, and Cream (with Cheese floating beside her) all had walked away from the magic show event, thoroughly satisfied with it.
"That was a spectacular show!" Amy said, doing a little spin in glee.
Sonar reciprocated "I know! Who knew that Ebony could turn her tarot cards into fireworks!"
"Yeah, and the way she shaped smoke into realistic creatures like dragons and ogres was incredible. Cheese thinks so too, right Cheese?"
"Chao!" The male Chao replied happily.
"Did watching that make you feel any better, Amy?" The former Desert Raider thoughtfully asked.
The girl turned around and gave the fennec a small nod of her own.
"Mhm! What made it better was that we all came together!" Amy smiled, causing the other girls and Cheese to smile right back.
"U-Um, Amy?" Sonar asked, fiddling with her index fingers. "I-I was wondering…"
Amy turned her head to the vixen's direction, saying, "Hm? What is it, Sonar?"
"...W-What makes you…you know, like-like Sonic?" Sonar questioned quietly, blushing on her cheeks.
Cream and Cheese blinked before loudly clarifying, "Oh! Are you asking why Ms. Amy loves Mr. Sonic?"
Amy herself began to blush, holding her heated cheeks.
"Gosh, what a sudden question to ask! Ooh! How embarrassing!" Amy exclaimed as she tried to calm herself down. "Oh, where do I even begin?"
Taking a deep breath, Amy explained, "I mean, what is there to say? Sonic's a kind, brave, strong, and heroic guy who never gives up. Oh! And he's, like, the hottest guy on the planet! Oh yes, he is the total package. Tee hee hee~!"
Cream giggled while also feeling a drop of sweat falling from the back of her head.
On the inside, Sonar felt as if Amy's answer was lacking in substance. And sure, Sonar could see where Amy was coming from. Sonic was an inspiration for the youth; a paragon for the right and freedom. But it seemed to the girl that Amy's fixation towards Sonic was shallow, to say the least. That didn't sit well with her. So, the fennec decided to dig deeper.
I-Is that the only r-reason?" Sonar pushed further. "I-I-I mean! It's fine if you think so! Honest! I thought there'd be more to it than t–"
Amy gently took a hold of Sonar's hands, saying, "–Hey, relax. I'm not going to hurt you for being curious. Of course I got plenty more reasons to love my hero. I'd be more than glad to tell you why."
"Ms. Amy, why don't you tell her the first you've met Mr. Sonic?" Cream suggested.
"You know what? That's a terrific idea!" Amy said with hearts in her eyes before turning to Sonar. "Would you mind lending me your ears for a sec before we go meet Honey?"
Eager for a story, Sonar nodded, "Mhm! Mhm!"
"Okay. When I was a little girl, I lived with my late father's older brother, Uncle Kingsley and his only son, Cousin Rob, in a small suburban village near a subtropical region. I lived a quiet uneventful life, with only my imagination to entertain me… But one day, I was taken to a town event called the Miracle Festival."
"Miracle Festival? What's that about?" Sonar questioned with an eyebrow raised.
"That's a festival where we celebrate our town's history." Amy answered quickly. "Anyway, Uncle Kingsley knew how much I love magic since he would read me old folktales about knights, princesses, and dragons, so he took me to a real fortune teller. She happens to be an elderly sheep. When I asked her if could tell me my fortune, she did so by using tarot cards."
"Really? What was her prediction?"
"She said that in my future, I was destined to meet a young hero that would change my life forever. And the best part, she said that our destinies will be intertwined together!" Amy gushed before squealing like a school girl. "Doesn't that sound romantic?~"
Not knowing whether or not to feel happy for Amy or scared for Sonic's sake, Sonar cracked a wearily awkward grin as she said, "Y-Yes, it does! Please, c-continue."
"Oops! Sorry, I got a little carried away there," Amy giggled sheepishly as she refused her story. "A couple of years later, I found myself skipping around the palm trees of the rural area where I saw a blue streak whisk passed me beyond the naked eye. When I looked who was behind me, I knew who I was looking at. My knight and shining armor, my darling Sonic."
"Okay…so what did you–"
"–I chased after him, of course! He and I are made for each other. So, I thought I would present myself to him as his soul mate…well, at least introduce him his as so-to-be new girlfriend. But, being as shy as he is, Sonic up and ran away. I had to chase him all the way over to that mechanized forest Eggman inhabited to get him to notice me." Amy explained as she huffed in annoyance at remembering the event. "And while I eventually got Sonic to do so, unfortunately, it had to be at the expense of my well being."
"Hold on! At the expense of your well being?" Sonar echoed. "What happened?"
"Ms. Amy got kidnapped by Metal Sonic!" Cream answered.
"Metal…Sonic? Is that a– " Sonar repeated.
"–He's exactly what he sounds like. A killer robot knockoff of Sonic created by Eggman. And yes, Metal held me hostage. Thankfully, my beloved came to my rescue in my time of need. He beat Metal Sonic in an epic race, defeated that Egghead, saved Little Planet, and carried me off to safety. And yeah, he scurried off to follow that nasty doctor. No surprise there. Normal people would find it annoying, but his carefree attitude and his compassion to help others no matter who it is makes him all the more alluring. And its thanks to him, I was able to grow super strong, strong enough to come into my own as a friend, a fighter, an adventurer, a heroine, and as a person. What else can I say that hasn't already been said? He's my Sonikku, and he'll always be my hero~!"
"Aw~! That was a sweet thing to say, Ms. Amy." Cream said, clasping her hands together.
While Sonar agreed with a nod, she pitied Amy given that Sonic seemingly does not reciprocate the same feelings as the pink hedgehog.
Looking at her phone, Sonar slapped one of her cheeks, saying, "Yikes! Girls, we've got two minutes to get to the line over at Honey's table!"
Whipping her head around, Amy's hyper focused expression came in full force.
"Then what are we waiting for!? Let's go!" Amy said with passion in her tone before charging headfirst towards the direction of the group's desired location.
"Amy/Ms. Amy, wait!" The girls cried out as they jogged after the pink hedgehog.
Amy's hyperactive daydreaming of her meeting Honey the Cat and asking for fashion tips had currently occupied her mind, temporarily blinding the pink hedgehog from reality and what was in front of her.
Thud!
Amy found herself on the ground, holding her forehead
"Ow! My head…" The girl moaned before being cut off by a mature, classy, feminine, yet irritated voice.
"Watch where you're going!"
Looking up, Amy stared at a young female hedgehog that was not far off from her age. Perhaps a year or two older than Sonic himself.
The female tan-skinned hedgehog who was in her late teens had light teal fur. And while the girl wore a red head scarf to hide them, her quills that acted like hair gave off a bluish-green hue. She wore a scarlet sleeved wrap dress over a black jacket, black leggings, and a pair of red platform boots. For accessories, she wore two golden wrist bracelets, not unlike Amy, black sunglasses with red frames, a pair of round earrings, and a familiar brilliant cut dark blue gemstone worn around her neck.
The young woman stood over the hammer wielding adventurer, holding four shopping bags in her right hand with an unamused expression.
Gasping, Amy frantically sprung up while bowing in embarrassment.
"Oh my gosh! I am so sorry, ma'am! I wasn't paying attention to where I was going! Are you okay?" Amy apologized profusely.
The older hedgehog lightly slung her bags over her right shoulder sassily.
The young woman huffed, saying, "Geez, kid. Calm down. I'm not going to blow a fuse. Now, if you managed to take me with you to the ground and dirtied my dress, well, we would have a much different conversation."
Amy sighed in relief, saying, "Whew! Thank goodness…"
Amy's mind went back to cloud nine in her mind when she noticed the scarf-wearing hedgehog's necklace.
"...Hold on. That looks an awful lot like a–"
"Amy/Ms. Amy!"
The two hedgehogs turned around to see Sonar, Cream, and Cheese running (or flying in the Chao's case) up to Amy.
"Ms. Amy, are you okay?" Cream questioned, noticing the slightest bump on the girl's forehead.
Amy smiled back at the concerned ten-year-old bunny rabbit, patting her head.
"I am a-okay, Cream." Amy reassured the rabbit. "I got lost in fantasy again, that's all."
Sonar then added, "You can't just go and rush ahead like that and not pay attention, Amy. You have to be more careful."
The younger hedgehog rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly with an awkward smile.
"Sorry, guys. I guess I've been hanging around Sonic for so long, his tendencies have rubbed off on me…" Amy giggled.
The name of Mobius venturous vigilante caught the ears of the glasses wearing hedgehog, who found herself forming a smirk of her own.
'Oh? I thought I'd seen her before. She's one of his friends. Today has gotten a lot more interesting.'
The young Mobian woman's eyes behind the sunglasses set its sights on Sonar. More specifically, her handbag.
On it were the images of Honey Monroe, another female Mobian who was a vixen with yellow and white fur, and what seemed to be the older hedgehog woman herself. The three of them were wearing full on dresses, holding microphones while colorful musical notes and stars were decorated around the handbag.
"That's a nice handbag you got there," The teal hedgehog complimented, which had got Sonar's attention.
"O-Oh. Thank you! This is one of my favorite bags. I got it from a Songbird concert that was held in Shamar." Sonar explained.
"Is that so?" The hedgehog asked with her head tilted to the side. "Well, I happened to be a bit of an enthusiast for bags and purses. Would you mind if I take a look at it? I'm a sucker for rare material."
Sonar hesitated for a moment, but relented, handing her Songbird handbag to the older female hedgehog.
While the older girl was gazing at the handbag, Amy asked her, "So, what brings you out here?"
The teal hedgehog answered, "Me? I'm out here on vacation. I heard that an old colleague of mine was coming out here in the Mobian Alliance territory. I thought I'd drop by as a surprise visit."
Taking out a marker, the older hedgehog girl proceeded to casually write her signature, much to the shock of Cream, the horror of Sonar, and to the astonishment of Amy.
"Oh no!" Cream gasped.
"What the heck are you doing!? You're ruining her handbag!" Amy demanded.
Alas, the deed has already been done.
Sonar had her bag returned to her, now stained with the signature of the mystery woman.
"Here you are. Congrats, now that bag is officially considered priceless." The teal hedgehog casually stated.
"Priceless? Lady, my friend just opened up to you about one of her most precious possessions and you vandalized it!"
"Please calm down, Ms. Amy! We don't want to cause another scene!" Cream said, running in front of her best friend.
Sonar was about to go into shock about her ruined bag when she decided to look at the damage. However, the name that read had made her jaw drop.
"Oh my gosh!" Sonar blurted out as she pointed at the hedgehog with a shaking index finger. "Y-You're…!"
Amy calmed herself when she saw the odd actions of the fennec.
"Sonar? Sonar! What's wrong?" Amy said as she jogged to the girl to check how bad the teal hedgehog messed up her handbag. "How bad is the dam…age…?"
The jade eyes of Amy Rose had dilated when she read the name of the older girl's signature.
'No. Nononono. I'm reading this wrong. That can't be right…can it?' Amy thought to herself.
Looking at the lead singer, then at the scarf-wearing young woman, and finally, the signature, everything clicked together in her mind.
"Oh my gosh! You're Bree-" Amy squealed, only for Breezie to cover the younger girl's mouth at speeds that would make Sonic proud.
"Hush!" The disguised Breezie said hastily as she whispered to Amy and her friends seriously. "What do you have in your ears, cotton? Didn't you hear me say that I was on vacation? The last thing that I need is an army of fans, paparazzi, and disgusting degenerates ensnaring me and cutting in the only free time that I have. I'd appreciate that you three keep my name on the down low, understand?"
Sonar, Cream, and Amy nodded, prompting the teal hedgehog to let go of Amy.
"Good," Breezie smirked in a casual manner as she turned to Amy herself. "You're Amy Rose, correct?"
Amy confirmed, "Y-Yes! How do you know my name?"
"I tend to read quite a lot of books and magazines whenever I'm not working with other current music artists or signing new ones. And I must say, you have quite the impressive resumé. It's not everyday where you can say that a girl your age has gone to space to help save the world." Breezie said, prompting Amy to blush.
"Oh my! I didn't think anybody would notice me!" Amy said, holding her cheeks again. "The boys usually get the credit."
With her smirk returning with full force, Breezie continued, "Speaking of boys,
I was wondering. Did any of those other friends of yours happen to tag along with you? I've been dying to meet them in person."
"Mr. Knuckles left to look for something important, but Tails and Mr. Sonic are here at the festival." Cream explained.
"Yeah. If you want, we can take you over to them. We don't mind, right Amy?" Sonar said, who had stopped gushing about her autographed handbag.
Not suspecting a thing, Amy agreed, saying, "Not at all! Sonic and the others are going to freak out when they realize who've we ran into!"
'Perfect.' Breezie mentally smirked.
"Wait! What about Ms. Honey? Weren't we supposed to see her?" Cream pointed out.
Bending her knees to meet Cream at her eye level, Breezie said, "No need to worry. Honey's a longtime business partner and personal friend of mine. I can pull a couple of strings to make sure that the three of you can get a chance to see Honey at her next event while staying at a luxurious hotel, free of charge."
Cream and Sonar gasped in awe and excitement at the older hedgehog's hospitality.
Amy said, "Oh gosh! That's so generous of you. N-Not that I'm complaining or anything! B-But why would you–"
Holding her hand out, Breezie explained, "Don't think too much of it, dear. I'm taking up your time with Honey, and I do not like to be in debt to anybody. So I plan to return the favor. Besides, you saved the world. A world which I and my business thrive in. Consider it my way of thanking you."
"Wow! I don't know what to say…" Amy said, trying to not get emotional.
"Then don't say anything about it, Rosey," Breezie said as she began walking forward. "If you can find people easily like what the rumors say, then we're bound to run into the rest of your group. We can pass the time by swapping stories. And I've got quite the tea from backstage to spill."
Turning to look at Amy's group over her shoulder, "So… Care to go on a walk with me, girls?"
Amy, Cream, and Sonar nodded with stars in their eyes.
With that, Breezie tagged along with Amy's group to find Sonic and her other friends. While Amy recounted her adventures in Station Square, Breezie kept her mind focused on her true intentions.
The teal hedgehog thought, 'Ha, this is too perfect. Now you have nowhere else left to hide. Ready or not, I'm coming to see you again, Maury.'
-With Sonic, Sally, and Tails-
Sonic, Sally, and Tails had long since left Catty Carlisle's table, with Sonic now holding his new classical guitar while Tails carried the case for his friend.
When they found a suitable and barren area with a bench, the trio sat down.
Sonic never made eye-contact with neither his best friend, nor his old childhood friend. No, his emerald green eyes were firmly set on the guitar. His fingers slowly plucked at each string, allowing for his ears to listen to each note.
"Sonic?" Tails spoke. "Hey, Sonic. Are you alright, buddy?"
Sonic snapped out of his daze, turning to the young fox, saying, "Huh? What? O-Oh! Yeah, I'm good. What's up, guys?"
"Sonic, you've been silent ever since we got back from Catty's table." Sally said with concern in her tone.
"I have? I didn't notice a thing. Huh, I guess my mind's been wanderin' about." Sonic said, looking up at the sky.
"Wandering? What's going through that mind of yours?" Sally asked, with her and Tails focusing on the Blue Blur.
"Sorry… It's just, I haven't held a guitar, or any instrument in ages." Sonic smirked in a bit of a bittersweet manner.
"Oh, right. You used to practice all the time a long time ago until you completely stopped one day." Tails brought up while he scratched his left temple using his left hand.
"Really? I didn't peg you for a musician, Sonic." The princess said, now fully invested in learning more about her old friend.
"A musician? That's underselling it." Tails smiled brightly. "When we were little, Sonic used to write lyrics to songs like crazy. We even thought about forming a band later down the line with a few of the neighborhood kids."
"Aw~! How adorable~!" Sally cooed as she pressed forward with a question for Sonic. "What were you gonna call your little band's name? Come on. I gotta know."
Sonic smacked his lips, shaking his head while he groaned in embarrassment.
"Ugh!" Sonic sighed in exasperation. "Alright… Sonic Underground."
Sally snorted, trying and failing to keep a straight face.
"... Sonic Underground?" Sally said, raising an eyebrow.
Tails explained, "We imagined ourselves moonlighting as secret rock stars early on."
"I had a really bad case of stage fright as a kid, so Tails had the bright idea to disguise ourselves and to only play at certain late night hangs. Of course, Granny Owl was havin' none of that. So, we were bound to only practice in the garage." Sonic added.
"Didn't she spank you for using her makeup as face paint that one time, Sonic?"
"..."
She eventually broke down to complete laughter, holding her sides.
Sonic's eyes darted to Tails with a half glare. Tails didn't pay any mind to him, keeping a sly foxy grin on furred muzzle.
Tails mouthed, "Got you back."
Sonic rolled his eyes as a response.
Once Sally settled down, she then asked, "Okay, okay. …I-I think I'm good, now. What got you to stop being inspired by music to write songs and play?"
Sonic found his guitar to be more interesting than the princess' question, falling silent as a means to avoid answering altogether.
Sally and Tails glanced at each other, clearly worried about Sonic's strange attitude.
"Oliver?" Sally spoke once more, using Sonic's real name.
Sonic cryptically answered, "...I've met a little Flicky one day. She was lost, lonely, and had nobody to flock to. I wanted to make her happy, so I taught her how to sing. That sad lonely little Flicky grew into a beautiful bird. Heck, she ended up becomin' my muse." Sonic chuckled nostalgically before sighing bitterly. "And yet, even after takin' care of her and settin' her free to brave the world, that Flicky gon' and snatched my voice from me. Taking the music and my passion for it right along with her. Things haven't been the same between me and music."
"A Flicky took…your voice?" Tails asked, not completely understanding the subtext of Sonic metaphor.
"It's a metaphor, Miles." Sally whispered to the young fox. "I have a nagging suspicion that there's something more to it than a mere bird."
Shifting his attention back to Sonic, Tails asked, "Can't you say more? Maybe we can help you with whatever you're going through."
"Don't sweat it, Tails. Really," Sonic insisted. "No use worryin' about milk that spilled ages ago. I jogged through most of that mess no problem. Now, its just a little speed bump down on memory lane."
"I hardly consider a memory that rendered you semi mute for a couple of minutes, little," Sally said, narrowing her eyes at the hedgehog before her expression softened. "Sonic, you can't expect to resolve every issue in your life by running."
"What'cha mean? I do that all the time! It's literally my entire schtick!" The hedgehog argued back.
"Easy, Sonic! We're on your side, remember?" Tails said, holding his hands up defensively. "Sally was trying to say that bottling up your feelings and not talking about them is not good for you. Sometimes, you have to talk things out."
Sonic cynically said, "Even if I were to tell you guys exactly what happened, there ain't much that you could do about it. Not that it would do much good."
"We can only help you if you'd just let us in." Sally implored.
"Let's just drop this, okay? I don't wanna keep on talkin' about this no more," Sonic said, disregarding the situation altogether with his usual upbeat smirk. "That was then, and this is now. A gift is a gift, so I'm keeping the guitar. Besides, it's not like we've got time for jammin' sessions these days. We've got a rotten egg to scramble and a wizard to bring down."
The other two Freedom Fighters frowned at this behavior, not liking the fact that Sonic was disregarding his own emotions or the offers for help, but decided to press any further out of respect for him.
Suddenly, a series of digital beeps coming from two sources rang through the three mammals' ears.
"What's up with that noise?"
"NICOLE's picked something up from her radar." Sally answered as she took out her handheld computer and opened it up. "...Oh my gosh! Sonic, Tails! There's a Chaos Emerald located here!"
Tails was busy pressing buttons on his Tempest Bracer, saying, "Hey, you're right! And it's approaching our way, too!"
"Wait, what?" Sonic blurted out of shock.
"Oh SOOONIC~!" A familiar girly high pitched voice.
Sonic groaned mentally, 'Oh great.'
Getting up from the bench, Sonic's group were greeted by Amy's group. Amy, being Amy, ran up to her hero and pulled him into a great big hug.
"A-AMY! Y-YOU'RE CRUSHING MY R-RIBS HERE!"
"Oops, sorry! Bad habit." Amy apologized as she let the adventurer out of her grasp and turned to Sally and Tails.
"Did you guys enjoy the magic show?" Sally questioned.
"Yeah, how was it?" Tails added, wanting to know.
"It was fantastic!" Cream cheered in a delightful tone. "Ms. Ebony's magic was unlike anything I've seen before! She can move objects with her mind, create living things out of smoke, then turn the house of tarot cards into fireworks! It was so beautiful!"
"We've all had fun watching it together." Sonar agreed.
Sonic's attention then turned to the newest person in Amy's little group, who happened to make eye contact with him. There was something about her smirk that drew him to the female hedgehog. He had recognized it from somewhere. Looking past her neck, Sonic instantly noticed the gemstone hanging from her neck.
"A Chaos Emerald!" Sonic whispered. "Where the heck did she find one?"
Tails, watching Sonic staring at the wan, then asked Amy, "Hey, Amy? Who is this? Is she a friend of yours?"
"Oh, right!" Amy said as she walked up to the teal colored hedgehog with an excited and smug expression. "You guys would not believe who this happens to be."
"I'm sorry, but I'm having trouble following along. Are we supposed to know her?" Sally inquired, crossing her arms while not being kept in the loop.
"I wouldn't put it past most of you for not knowing. I've just met you people." Breezie said, walking slowly towards Sonic with a bit of a flirtatious aura surrounding her. "But out of everybody else in this world, I expect you to recognize me right off the bat, Sonic~."
The voice immediately gave away the woman's identity, causing him to mentally panic.
'...Shoot, it's Breanna! D-Does she know it's me? Chaos, please don't tell me she figured it out.'
Sonic took a step back, stuttering with a nervous grin, "U-Um! Sorry, lady. I-I haven't seen you a day in my life!"
Realizing what was going on, Breezie smiled brightened.
"Oh, I see what's going on. You haven't told them a thing about us, huh? That's typical of you, always hiding things from the people that matter most. To think that you would have learned by now." Breezie said, shaking her head disappointingly.
'Us?' Tails, Sally, Sonar, and Cream parroted in their mind.
Not liking where this was going or being left in the dark, Amy demanded, "Now hold on! I don't know what's going on, but someone's got some explaining to do! Now start talking? How do you two know each other?"
As she took off her sunglasses, Breezie then calmly brought Sonic two options.
"Hey, it's not a big deal for me. Either you tell them, or I will. Your choice, Maurice."
Sally's ears caught the name, causing her brows to cock an eyebrow.
'Maurice? Since when did he use that name?'
"...Damn it, Breanna! Alright, alright!" Sonic groaned. "Guys, this is Breanna Simone, you guys know her better as Breezie the Hedgehog. And—"
"—We used to date." Breezie said, dropping the bombshell.
Unfortunately for Sonic and the rest of the inhabitants nearby, they were forced to endure the thunderous screech of bewilderment that rang all throughout the festival. This was courtesy of the wrathful Amelia Rose.
"YOU USED TO WHAAAAT!?"
To Be Continued…
Author's Note: Hey guys, I'm back.
Before I continue, I want to clarify my intentions with the characterization of Amy Rose in this continuity. Amy's character here is closely related to her game counterpart. But, I also decided for Amy to have the tendencies of her Sonic X counterpart as a means to show that while she has had some level of growth when it comes to saving the world, she still has a lot of growing up to do as a person. Amy's not meant to be unlikeable to the point where the readers wish that something bad happens to her. Remember, she's a fourteen-year-old girl who's head is in the clouds while following a prediction that she may have taken to an extreme.
And please, this isn't a shipping war between SonAmy and SonAlly. I don't wish to start that here, nor is Sally's lecture intended to come off as such. What I am to tackle is something much more mature that has substance. I want to develop Amy as a young lady, a person who isn't just some yandere fangirl chasing people based on fantasies.
Amy and Sally are friends and comrades that respect each other, and I intend to keep it that way.
Now that's out of the way, let's go over some lore.
Firstly, Ebony and Honey are in this universe. The reason why both did not make an appearance is because it doesn't serve a purpose in this arc.
Robert and Kingsley Rose are the RESURGENCE counterparts to Rob O' Hedge and King O'Hedge. In this continuity, they are residents of a village near Palmtree Panic on Little Planet. Robert and Kingsley are responsible for creating Amy's Piko Piko Hammer using three natural Power Rings and enchanting the weapon so that it's bound to Amy and her will alone.
However, Catty Carlisle is another story. I decided to introduce Catty to expand on Sonic's history and to segway to bring up Sonic's old interests as a person.
This obviously leads to the Sonic Underground reference. As to who would have been a part of it, I'm not sure. It just came to be as I wrote this.
As for Breezie, she is a mix of Mina Mongoose and a version Breezie that is from the Archie Comics. She used to be a part of a trio of singers called Breezie and the Songbirds, with Zooey the Fox (a character originally from the Boom universe) and Honey the Cat. Once they went solo, Breezie ended up starting her own record label, Breeze Music Records (BMR). With the backing of her large social network, her company immediately took off as it is now one of the largest music companies in the industry. Now, she puts other aspiring artists and rising stars on the map.
Anyway, that's all for the lore dumping. Let me know your thoughts on the arc so far. Who's your favorite character(s). Who is your least favorite(s)? What moment stuck to you the most? What do you like about the story so far? I'd like to know what your thoughts are. Please, leave a comment, ask questions, voice your concerns and criticisms by reviewing the chapter. I'll see you guys next time!
-DarkShadowGames451