This fiction is basically a mix of different Sonic medias. Anyway, Vanilla has found a pen pal! But who is it? (There are clues in here, but it's revealed at the end. Read and find out. ;) ) PS I am open to some constructive criticism, not rants.

Pen Pals

The world of Sonic the Hedgehog is vast, chaotic, but no less incredible. Something unexpected was bound to happen sooner or later. But they're not always bad things. There are good surprises in life, as well. One evening, during the second month of the year, we find ourselves at the Rabbit household. After a hearty, hot dinner of vegetable soup and biscuits, Cream and Gemerl helped Cream's mother, Vanilla, clear the table and wash the cooking dishes.

"Mom, may Cheese, Chocola, and I watch my video after we're done with the dishes, please?" Asked Cream as she dried another plate. Vanilla glanced at the clock, it was almost an hour before Cream's bedtime, luckily her video was only half an hour long.

"Alright, dear. But you three take your bath and get ready for bed first, okay?"

"Yes, Mom. Thank you, Mom." The little girl and chao chirped.

Vanilla was a very kind and generous soul. Always polite, and very considerate of her peers. And she always does her best to teach her daughter to be respectful and kind. But there are times where she felt…sad. While she loved Cream more than anything the world had to offer, and she herself had some good friends. Still, being a single mother can be lonely sometimes. Despite missing her late husband, Cream's father, Vanilla thought about maybe seeing new people...

Later on, as Cream and the two chao watched TV, Vanilla checked her emails to see if there were any updates from work. Nothing new, until she found one different letter. From the Freedom Fighter network. Because Cream is training to be a freedom fighter, and Cream's best friend Amy Rose is an actual freedom fighter, Vanilla took it upon herself to monitor any messages from the freedom fighters to her daughter. To see what they have to say.

However, while this user was unfamiliar, they sounded like they could use a friend.

1195.Boomer "To whom it may concern. Sorry to disturb you like this, but I'm pretty buggered from the rough day yesterday, and I could really use someone to talk to. My teammates are preoccupied for the moment."

At first, Vanilla wasn't sure to respond or not. But given how this must be a freedom fighter, they probably won't cause her any problems. As long as she was careful about what she said. Besides, she never was one to deny someone compassion, when they needed it. That and at least it's someone to talk to. Maybe she could humor this person a bit.

"Hello. I'm sorry to hear you've had a bad day. Is there anything I can do to help?"

Vanilla read what the user had to say, offered condolences and advice where she could. Until...

"Thanks for talking to me this morning. It was really great. Do you want to talk again another time? Next weekend, maybe?"

The female rabbit thought for a moment, and decided it couldn't hurt. So she agreed with the suggestion. As she wrapped up her conversation, Vanilla glanced at the clock. Already, it was Cream's bedtime. "Oh! How did it get so late?"

Vanilla looked out in the living room, to find Cream about to go upstairs for bed. "Hi, Mom. I was wondering if you could read me a story, please?"

Seeing how Cream remembered to go to bed on time by herself, Vanilla decided to acknowledge it. "Just a quick one, dear. It's time for you to go to sleep."

"Yes, mother." Usually, her mom would come out and sit with her when she was done checking her e-mails, but she took too long tonight. It's probably nothing.

Two months later...

Winter had passed and springtime came. The sun shined brightly, the air was warm and sweet. Buds swelled into blossoms, eggs hatched, and young are being born. Cream and Cheese were watching a new Flicky family eat their berries from her bedroom window. Until...

"Oh, it's almost 1:15 Cheese. The Freedom Fighter meeting is in 15 minutes. We better get going." Cheese made a noise in agreement.

"Cream, here's a treat for Princess Sally and her friends at the meeting today." Vanilla handed her daughter a square cake pan, covered in tin wrap. But what was inside had a rich smell of chocolate and coconut. "Thanks, Mom. It smells really good." The young rabbit put the pan into the back of her pedal car.

"Ride carefully, dear! And don't be late for dinner!"

"Yes, Mom! Bye everyone!" Cream waved to her mother and her robot companion, and she and Cheese were on their way.

Chocola chirped in questioning. As though saying 'How did you find out about that recipe?' Vanilla just chuckled and said. "That is a good question."

"Hi everyone. Look what my mother made for us today!"

"Ooh, Lamingtons. I've heard of them.' Amy replied. 'They're a favorite dessert Downunda."

"Down under what?" Cream asked, with her and Cheese looking under the table.

"Oh, she means Tralius." Tails pointed out. "Y'see Cream, Downunda is a nickname for Tralius because it's completely down under the equator of this planet." Tails used his fingers in gesturing his explanation. The little rabbit's eyes lit up in understanding.

"Oh. Okay."

"Speaking of Downunda. Nicole has found some new information. We'll need to contact the other Freedom Fighter groups, because Eggman is sending some cargo across the globe to his Egg Bosses. Whatever Eggman has in store, we need to be ready.' Said Sally Acorn before returning to the screen to face her AI bestie. 'Nicole, please send word for the other Freedom Fighters that the meeting starts in 5 minutes."

"Way ahead of you, Sally." The holo-linx replied.

"Now for the first order of business, these lamingtons are really good." Sally said with a content smile. The others agreed, as Sally passed a piece to the coyote. "Here, Antoine."

"Ah, oui Sally. Merci. Zeese are simply magnifique." He said, before passing some tea to his fiance, Bunnie .

"They sure are. Cream, yer mom has done it again, Sugah." Bunnie replied.

"Thank you Miss Bunnie. Mr. Rotor, would you like seconds?"

"Thanks for the offer kiddo, but maybe later. I'm trying not to have too many sweets." The walrus replied, kindly. Despite having a naturally big appetite, being a walrus, Rotor didn't want to overdo it with sweets. Plus, being in his workshop most of the time won't do his body many favors.

"Okay everyone. It's time.' Sally quickly stood up, brushing any crumbs off. 'This is Sally Acorn of Knothole, checking in."

"Guntiver, checking in. Hello, Sally."

"Lanolin, reporting for duty."

"Hi, Sal!" Said Dulcy. When Sonia came on the next screen. "Hey, Sally."

"Hey everybody, Vector the Crocodile is in!"

"G'day, mates!"

Once every Freedom Fighter leader was online. Sally replied, being diplomatic and polite. "Hello, everyone. Thank you all for attending. I hope you're having a pleasant day."

As the meeting went underway, Cream's attention faded in and out, as she had a train of thought. It started to seem curious to her. Ever since winter, her mom's behavior has changed slowly but surely. Vanilla had been going to the computer once or twice a week with a very happy smile, giggling to herself, and getting desserts from another continent. She's usually so focused on her chores, but not so much anymore.

.X.U.

More time had passed, Cream grew more curious about her mother's behavior. However, she was hesitant to ask her mother what was going on. For starters, it wasn't really her concern to begin with. But her mother had been doing this every weekend or so, even when they had more time to be together. Were they not that important to her anymore? No, that can't be right...

Hmm, tomorrow is Friday...That time of week again. Cream, sitting on the swing with Cheese in her lap, figured her mom would be at her computer again. Vanilla looked up from the flower bed, when she noticed her daughter looking down in the mouth. Come to think of it, Cream had been looking a bit sad for a while...Maybe spending some time with Amy will cheer her up.

"Cream, would you like for Amy to come over tomorrow evening? As long as she isn't busy, I'm sure she'd love to have a movie night with you."

"Oh, yes! Please, Mom." Cream enjoyed having a movie night with Amy, it meant she and Amy got to make their own movie snacks. And she got to stay up a little longer. Cream's troubles were forgotten as her mom went inside, and called the pink hedgehog on the phone.

The next day, after an early dinner, Vanilla let the girls and chao watch the movie Amy brought over. Something both her and Cream would like. As the girls and Chao got settled in, Vanilla placed a tray of snacks in front of them. "I'll be in the next room, everyone. But I'll come get you when it's time for bed Cream, dear." Vanilla said with a happy smile.

"Don't you want to watch the movie with us, Mom?" Ask Cream, almost pleadingly.

"...Not tonight, sweetie. You all have fun, now." Vanilla then walked toward the den. A while later, when the girls and Chao were in the middle of the movie. Cream became a bit lost in thought.

"Y'know, those two remind me of Blaze and Silver." Amy said with a giggle. But Cream didn't return her enthusiasm. "Uh-huh." Amy caught on to her friend's sad voice.

"What's the matter Cream?"

"Hmm? Oh...I don't know Miss Amy…My mother's been going to her computer more often on weekends. But I'm not sure why."

"...Maybe she has a pen-pal. Pen-pals are friends you write to frequently. I have a pen-pal too." Amy smiled. Remembering her old friend, Tekno the Canary.

"A pen-pal? But I thought that we aren't supposed to talk to strangers."

"Affirmative' Gemerl replied. 'Strangers may pose a potential hazard to Cream and family."

"That's not wrong, Gemerl. But maybe she's just excited to have someone new to talk to, that's all. You have lots of friends, while your mom only has a few. Namely the us, and the Chaotix."

"I guess so but...'

"I know you must miss her. But, your mom is a person too Cream. And she has needs like everyone else, try to understand.' Amy patted her friends back.'When I was 8 years old I was really clingy to Sonic. I was really obsessed with him. And constantly relying on him to save me.. But that in turn, made him avoid me. After I turned 10, my neighbors Ebony and PJ, they taught me that everyone has their needs and what Sonic needs is respect. It took some time on my part, but I learned to respect his space and his feelings. And thanks to him and the rest of our friends, I learned about self-reliance."

Cream listened to Amy.

"Sonic will always be a hero to me, but learning to depend on myself is just as important. I became stronger and more confident in my abilities. You'll always love your mom, Cream. However, you can count on yourself to find happiness. And you're brave enough to go on adventures and missions with me, and the freedom fighters. But there's no shame in talking to your mom about anything bothering you. If you want to, you can go tell her what's on your mind right now. I'm sure she'll listen."

"Okay. Are you sure you don't mind?"

"Of course not. I'll pause the movie and wait."

"Thank you Miss Amy. And thank you for listening."

"You're welcome." Amy smiled.

Gathering her courage, Cream hopped off the sofa and went to the doorway of the den. There was her mom, sitting at the computer, smiling and laughing softly at a funny story she read. Something about a crocodile and a computer. "Oh dear, don't ever tell that to Vector." She didn't want him raving about computer rooms, again.

"Uhm...Mother, may I ask you something?"

"Hmm? Oh. Yes Cream. Come in from the doorway first, please.' Vanilla said, turning away from the computer to face her. Cream stepped up to her mother. 'Is something wrong, honey?"

"Mom, I've noticed that since Winter, you started going to the computer more often on weekends. You don't seem as focused on stuff as you used to. And you started making desserts common in Tralius. Not that they weren't good. But...how come?"

Vanilla was surprised, but not entirely. During her freedom fighter training, and of course being friends with detectives, Cream has learned to become perceptive.

"That's very perceptive of you Cream. To tell you the truth darling, I did make a pen-pal. From Tralius."

"What does 'perceptive' mean, Mom?"

"Perceptive means to show sensitive insight. You were able to pick up on what I was doing, sweetie."

"Oh. And a pen-pal is a friend you write to, right?"

"That's right."

"I thought we're not supposed to talk to strangers."

"We're not. But I think that it wouldn't hurt to talk to someone over the computer, as long as you don't give them any valuable information. Such as where you live, or your sources of necessities."

"I guess the reason I asked is because... I've been feeling a little lonely. "

"Oh, Cream, dear. I never meant to make you feel that way. But try to understand, it can be lonely for me sometimes, even though I have you, Cheese, Chocola, and Gemerl. And all of our friends. I would love to make new friends about my age when I can. But, no matter how many new friends I make, not one of them will ever take your place in my heart. Just try to remember that. Okay?"

Cream smiled. "Okay. Making new friends is always nice."

"And I guess I have been a bit distracted lately. I'm sorry, my darling."

If Amy can depend on herself for happiness and reliance, then maybe she can too. "It's really okay. If I can play with my friends, then you should be with your friends too."

Vanilla smiled and kissed her daughter's head. Then she heard a chime from her computer.

"Oh. My pen-pal just responded. Would you like to sit with me for a little while, Cream? We can write my replies together."

"Okay." The little rabbit smiled. She was curious about who this pen-pal was.

"Come sit in my lap dear. Oh, just wait until you hear about him." Him? Well, this is different. But not in a bad way. Her mother sounded so happy to hear from this guy. From the way Vanilla described him, he sounded brave and yet friendly, like a lot of her friends. Maybe, by chance, she and her mom will get the chance to meet him someday...

Meanwhile, far away on Tralius, outside the Red Outback Zone, a dark orange furred male walked in the den of his headquarters with a bounce in his step. He unfolded the laptop at the desk.

"Alrighty, let's see what she has to say…"

The bloke opened the page with his and PasteryQueen's conversation with a fond smile. As he read the letter, warmth coming to his muzzle. It was getting to be a treat to hear from his pen-pal. It wasn't always easy being the leader, especially in his line of work. While he knows he can talk to his team, there are some things that are handled better by someone more calm.

And she sounded like a calm, polite lady. Much different from some of the other sheilas residing in Trailius, who tend to be rough around the edges. Though to be fair, he didn't have much of a social life outside his teammates. Not too much time for one.

Back on topic, it looked like there was a visitor in their chat today. His pen-pal did say that she had a daughter. And from the way she wrote, sounds like Queen raised her right. So, she's good with kids, that's so nice.

"I'm really glad to hear from your daughter, Queen. She sounds like a sweet kid, and she's got the makings of a good freedom fighter. You raised her quite right."

PasteryQueen2k3 "Why, thank you. She really appreciates the compliment. So, apart from the other day, how was your week?"

He started with that and continued the rest of his letter with conversation, with a flick of his long, thick tail. How the week went, a small story from his past, and a joke here and there. Whoever Queen might be, he'd really like to meet her one day, if given the chance. Later, when he and his pen-pal were just finishing for the day, a young, yellow furred wombat came to the doorway. "Oy, Boss. Sorry to bug ya, but we's need ya fer a meetin'. Barby n' Bill got some new meat on Maw's delivery from the Death Egg, mate. Guru's comin' but he's gonna be late."

"Alright Stu, I'm on my way." Once he signed off with a polite "G'day mate. See you next time", Walt Wallaby hopped out of his chair and made a beeline for the door to join the rest of his team of Freedom Fighters.

Well, what can I say? We've all had some interesting ideas for the Sonic franchise, shipping or otherwise. (Some stranger than others.) But this idea grew on me after a while. I mean, it's likely to me that Vanilla and Walt are about the same age. I thought that the latter could use some love. Not many people, if any, remember the Downunda Freedom Fighters.

Sally, Walt, and the rest of the freedom fighters belong to WildBrain, and Archie Comics.

Amy, Cream, Vanilla, Tails, Gemerl, and the Chao belong to SEGA.