The Story of Amy Rose: The Capture

by Fallen Violet Rose

After three years physically and mentally healing, Amy Rose has found herself returning to the side of her friends after separating herself, although she was never alone. But at the first reunion, the team is attacked, the offender responsible claiming they came for the princess. Chaos ensues and the guys find themselves on a rescue mission to save their better halves.

10. And in her Hands the Cure

In third person

Italics = thoughts/ emphases

Chapter 9: And in Her Hands the Cure

"Argentine…"

He came down from his horse, walking the distance between them slowly as he spoke. His quills, vibrant against the sunlight, gave him a grace she could not place. He gripped his sword hilt, his back taut as he spoke elegantly.

"The signal the Oracle spoke of has come. Amelia, I know this whole endeavor mirrors the attributes of a folktale, but I can prove to you that even the prophecy is real," he explained with a faint smile, grabbing her upper arms. Their eyes locked and Amy found herself trapped in a trance induced by the excitement and desperation in his eyes.

The horses surrounding her huffed, their tails swishing in anticipation. She could feel it, the need for redemption, the taste and feel of victory on their fingertips. She looked around her. The soldiers that sat above her waited, smiles etched across their muzzles and their eyes covered by their helmets. Although they didn't utter a word, she could tell they were a moment away from shouting their war cries and riding for the fortress. She looked back to her brother, in a trance.

"These men… they're…" she began, trying to find the words.

Argentine grabbed for her shoulders gently, holding her at arms length. His warmth permeated her as she looked up into his crystal gaze. His head tilted to the left ever so slightly.

"They are our men, Amelia. The men I told you that were loyal to our family and our family only. I've assembled them now, for the moment we release mother and father, they will flood the fortress and rid the city of Riven's forces. We must make haste. Riven is mortally wounded from your assault and the Core Seven work vigorously to heal him."

Argentine tugged on her arms, begging her to come to his horse.

"Wait. My friends… I-"

Her brother ceased his tugging as a path was made behind Amy through the riders. Amy turned around, watching as Sonic, Sally, Cream and Knuckles walked between the horses legs to the center circle, followed by Tails, Rouge and Shadow. The blue blur smirked.

"You didn't think we'd let you have all the fun without us, did you, Ames?"

Amy shook her head with a blush.

"No, I … well…"

Knuckles walked to where Sonic stood, looking down at the rose with a brotherly smile.

"Amy, we're not leaving you to save a country by yourself. Any family of yours is worth saving."

Amy looked away from him, unsure.

"This isn't your fight. It's hardly even mine. Cream… Rouge. You've been through so much already and we're so close to making it off this planet and away from that Chaos forsaken prince. I can't let any of you stay and fight him. I will go with Argentine," she declared as her friends closed in. She made contact with all of them and at last, her gaze fell to Shadow.

His gaze was steady and unfaltering; it was almost enough to break her down all over again. She was trying to keep herself together until she and her friends were safely plummeting through space and away from this nightmare.

She blinked as their eye contact lingered. Her attention was averted as Rouge stepped into her line of sight.

"Hun, this country needs you. It needs us. It might seem like a death trap and we risk everything wasting any more time here, but we're here now and we have the upper hand. We should take it while we can."

Sonic appeared between Amy and her brother, snaking his arms around their shoulders with a smirk. Argentine stood unmoving, but looked to the blue blur with a slight raise of his eyebrow.

"Ames, we're Freedom Fighters, and our mission is to protect all Mobians. And since you grew up on Mobius, that makes you one of us. I don't see why we can't extend that rule to your alien parents."

Sally chuckled, all eyes turning to her bloodied form.

"Well, the original oath of the Freedom Fighters was to protect all life threatened by the hand of any evil, and from my perspective, it seems this place needs a Freedom Fighter's help. Amy, our mission is justified and it's destiny that we are here."

Tails shifted, typing on his wrist watch.

"She's right. We're all able-bodied right now and if we plan accordingly, we can easily get rid of this guy. I got a scan on Prince Riven's body through my autonomous scanning system and it looks like his power originates from his arms. With one arm out of commission, or at least injured, his potency is lowered by at least 46%. We have the upper hand for sure."

Argentine smiled, stepping forward.

"Good eye, sir. Yes, the dark Prince's power is regulated through his arms, which were blessed and cursed by the Core Seven. Amelia's shot renders that arm useless and in his current state, he will lack energy and focus as pain encases his body. The Core Seven, with all of their power, can only do so much, and they do not believe in relieving pain throughout medical procedures. Prince Riven will have exerted far too much energy to fight us all if we attack as a force together."

The rose discarded Sonic's arm for her shoulder and walked away from her cohorts a few paces.

"I don't know. He almost killed you all. I don't like the risk we take, no matter that we have the upper hand," she muttered, rubbing her upper arms.

"Rose."

She sniffed, turning around to see her brother and her friends all facing her, determination set. Shadow stood at the center, walking towards her.

"Even if we manage to make it of this planet and land safely on Mobius, we still risk our lives on a daily basis. Simply being a Freedom Fighter puts a target on your head. Risk is nothing new," he began as he reached her. He looked down to her, arms crossed. His eyes soften just a touch.

"And what we have all failed to consider is the possibility that this dark prince bastard might come after you once again. You obviously pose a threat to his plans and he will either come for you or all of us. He needs to be apprehended here or we risk bringing a terrible threat back to Mobius, which endangers all life on our home."

As Shadow explained, his statement hit her, lighting her face.

Cream bounded forward.

"Yes! We can't risk bringing Riven back! He knows exactly where we are, meaning he can get to us faster, or worse, he'll stop us on our way back," Cream voiced, looking up to Knuckles who nodded his head in agreement. Tails nodded, walking toward the rose and the ebony that both faced their friends.

"She's right. The ship can only take so much without major repairs. Another attack like the last and we might not make it back in one piece."

Amy nodded, breathing deeply as the only option was placed before her.

She sighed.

"I understand, but if we are going to do this, I want to do it without all of you getting involved. All we have to do is sneak into the fortress and release the king and queen, right? Then they can take care of Prince Riven and the mission is over. That shouldn't require all of us," Amy inquired, looking at Argentine. Disappointment flooded her face as the prince gave her a sullen shake of his head.

"The fortress is heavily guarded and we may need back up. I can sneak in, but you aren't exactly innocent. You were the one that brought the dark prince down, Amelia. Riven's guard will be looking out for you, even if you are the princess. And now that all of our men are assembled, the prince knows of our treason and will be prepared to assault us the moment he sees all of us riding to reclaim what is ours. In order to do this safely and efficiently, our men will not come with us. They are not to attack the fortress until our mother and father are released, but they will be near by, waiting. You and your friends are the best defense until that moment," Argentine amended.

Amy's shoulders fell.

Damn you, Oracle.

"Okay. We save my parents and get rid of Riven. As soon as the country is safe, we leave this planet for good," she declared, looking in Argentine's direction.

"I'm assuming you have a plan?"

Argentine nodded, pulling a scroll from his pack on his horse. He kneeled to the ground, unrolling the paper along the grass. The Freedom Fighters huddled around him.

"This is the fortress layout. Prince Riven and the Core Seven are here, healing the Prince's wounds. The procedure will be done shortly. By my estimate, surely he will be done by the close of mid-sun."

"Mid-sun? As in lunch time? Damn, I could use some lunch," Sonic asked, scratching his quills.

Argentine looked his way.

"It is the end of our mid day meal and activity. Surely you have this on your Mobius, no?"

"I think we call that 'noon' on our planet, hun," Rouge intervened, patting Sonic shoulders and grinning at Argentine.

"Ah! This noon sounds fitting. What fascinating language you use on your planet."

"So noon? From the looks of the sun, it doesn't look like we have a lot of time," Sally voiced.

"Yes. From the severity of the wound, the Core Seven will have made preparations immediately and are at the close of their procedure. Prince Riven will be preparing to trail us the moment he can stand. Even if he cannot fight, he will order his men to subdue us at all costs."

"We can't let that happen. Those Core Seven scrubs have some freakish powers. They were able to stop Shadow in his tracks. If they can do that, I can't imagine what all seven of them could do at once. Plus, they can probably see us coming a mile away. They might easily overtake us," Knuckles explained.

"We need to know the extent of their powers or we might as well be fighting a losing battle," Tails added.

"Do not worry, my two tailed comrade, we have a few advantages we have yet to discuss."

Silence proceeded as all attention closed in on the lost prince.

"When the Core Seven take action to heal Prince Riven, no matter the severity, they use every fiber of their existence to not only heal it, but to make that limb or bone stronger so that he may one day become like steel," Argentine began.

"During the chaos, I intercepted a progress report on Prince Riven's injury. As soon as I was given the message, I left to gather our men and follow you."

"What did it say?" Amy asked.

"Well, let us say that your assault took Riven's arm out completely. They are going to detach the limb from his body."

A collective hum of light disgust flitted through the freedom fighters. Knuckles scoffed.

"Serves that bastard right," Knuckles muttered, crossing his arms.

"In addition, because he no longer has his arm, the Core Seven will have to use all of their energy to cauterize his wound. This will cause them to receded into their form of origin," Argentine continued.

"What does this form look like exactly?" Tails asked, tapping on his watch, taking notes.

Using his hands, standing tall with all eyes on him, he formed an orb shape at the center of his stomach.

"The Core Seven where originally nomadic spirits that traveled in spherical form. Unable to fly in their base form, they took to becoming weightless so that the Iredelian winds could take them where they will. This is the form they will recede to soon and the breeze will take them from the tower windows and propel them across the continent."

"When will they come back?" Cream asked.

Argentine kneeled down close to his scroll, eyes closed.

"I'm not sure, but it does not matter. We will only have a few minutes to distract the dark prince before he catches wind of our intentions. The plan is to send in everyone aside from me, Amelia and one other, into the tower to draw Riven's attention the moment he tries to leave his healing quarters. His injury gives us time, but if he's irritated to a rage, he will take all action to kill you," Argentine warned, pointing at the locations along the eastern tower they should position themselves.

"Sounds like nasty business,"Sonic muttered, "Who is this 'other' you're talking about."

"Amelia and I will need one other person to watch our back for a moment. The second Amelia is in sequence to release our parents, we will both be extremely vulnerable. We will need a lookout to warn us if the prince or any guard catches wind of our whereabouts. I'll also need help exterminating those pesky dungeon guards. They are like beanflies attacking your midday meal in record heat, if you will."

"Ohhh, smashing in the skulls of guards? Count me in," Knuckles growled playfully, patting his fists together.

Prince Argentine nodded in his direction before looking in everyone's eyes.

"The count down to freedom is nigh, my friends. Make combat your ally and technique your beloved queen and let no man pass you by. Let us ensure that dreaded prince regrets the day he set foot on Aumoris territory."

~aAa~

"Mmmm."

A low growl thrummed from the dark prince's chest as he sat straight, his good arm holding his burning abdomen. During his procedure, he'd tensed his stomach to keep from vomiting his morning meal. The Core Seven were powerful, but believed that strength was given to those who could pay the price while writhing in agony. They told him that the only way they would fix him was if he kept himself awake while they painfully removed his arm. Only then would they make him stronger.

With a sweat glistening his forehead still adorned with his crown, the prince slid his body off the stone operating table with a huff of muffled pain, his locks falling across his eye. His head spun and his breathing shortened as if he'd been running across an Aumorian field. He looked up and around him at the circular room, remembering how all Seven of those ethereal creatures had stood around him, arms outstretched, hoods billowing as their power reached into him.

With a shudder he remembered how one of them had pulled away from their circle of power and came toward his injured arm, slowly reaching into the wound and pulling out the small and strange projectile, the silver bean-like object that was lodged into his arm. The object that had shot toward him as fast as lightning, ripping into his arm like a charging horse. Prince Riven was sure his cries reached everyone on the continent in that moment.

The hooded creature had backed away and went into the hall, examining the projectile that had rendered his arm useless. Riven proceeded to produce hot sweats as they tortuously ripped his limb from his body. What the prince couldn't remember was what proceeded after. The hooded creature from the hall had returned and he'd bent over to do something to the cauterized socket where is arm use to be. The event was fuzzy in his memory as he struggled to stay on the surface. He'd been brought to reality when the cold cloth of his rob was slid onto him and a gust of wind came through all eight windows and took the Core Seven away.

With another grunt, the prince turned toward the door to his small chamber, the hems of his rob grazing the ground as he assessed his next move. Two of his guard stood on either side of the doors. They stared at him, at attention.

"S-status report."

The guard on the right walked toward him mechanically, looking down to him. As the prince huffed, staring through the guards helmet, a silent message pulsed through them.

"Damn her! Princess Amelia WILL regret the day she ripped my arm from me! Had I known that strange memento that black monstrosity gave her was a weapon, I would have taken it and hung him first. No matter. I will not make the same mistake again."

The prince took a moment to stand straight and let his bones shift back into place with a cold sweat. As he regained his posture and poise with a stretch and pop of his neck, he glared at both guards.

"It seems the peasants loyal to the old king have begun an uprising in light of their princess' blatant rebellion. One of you prepare our men to defend the fortress at all costs. Order them to kill any rebel and take no prisoners. Oh, and if the princess decides to engage in the uprising, make sure she is the only one captured alive. I want to torture her myself," he ordered with a glow of his eyes.

One guard left, leaving the other to stare at his highness. The mid day sun lit the space as the particles in the sunlight stood at a stand still. The wind had stopped breathing.

"I want you to assemble a small force of seven men to locate the princess. Part of her wants to stay and reclaim the throne, but I am sure she is heavily inclined to leave this planet and cast a blind eye to it. If she comes for the throne, we can restrain her then, but given she may be plummeting through space at his very moment, our defense may be in vain. Take your crew and search for her ship. I'm sure they have taken out the guards that I left there, for they have yet to respond to me. If it is missing, go after them. No matter where you find that ship, destroy it. Try to take the princess alive, but if she burns with the ships remains, I will excuse you."

The last guard left, leaving him alone as the door shut.

With another grunt, the prince gripped his wounded shoulder with his good arm to massage the throbbing side, when a hard structure under his robe caught his attention. A hint of surprise caught his gaze as he looked down at the empty sleeve that seemed vacant, but did not seem as vacant as he'd originally thought.

His mild curiosity grew into grotesque greed as he chuckled, a sickening grin encasing his muzzle as he rolled his shoulder.

"The Core Seven really do make those who are worthy stronger."

A clatter outside his door interrupted the prince's pleasure.

"If that is a guard, surely he does not wish to feel the consequences that come with mindless horseplay."

~aAa~

Severed head of the guard came clattering to the ground, following his emptied body armor, the sound echoing through the top-most corridor of the easter tower. The soul of the guard left his body as his assailant made an about left and glided to his hiding spot at the start of the perpendicular hall. He pressed his back to the wall, breathing a calming sigh, but remaining focused and determined. A small beep from his ear drew his attention as he looked around the corner where he had taken out the guard only a few feet away from the wooden door on the other side of the corridor.

"Shadow, what the hell? I could hear that noise from ten stories below you and I'm sure it echoed. So much for being discreet."

He glared at the door, although if his former partner were right in front of him, his glare would be directed to her..

"I heard the prince giving the guard orders to find us and destroy our ship. I did us a favor. Besides, it's in our best interest to take out any of Riven's guard."

Rouged sighed on the other end.

"Just try to keep the damage at a minimum, hun. We don't want the prince to come at us in this 'rage' Argentine was talking about, trying to kill us."

Shadow's ear twitch as he picked up movement from the other side of the door.

"The prince is already in a rage from what we've done. We will have to deal with it whether we like it or not."

"Alright. Just don't expect me to cry at your funeral."

The ebony ignored the sassy bat in his ear and watched the door closely, waiting for the prince to step out.

The doorknob clicked as it turned.

Shadow hid his face behind the wall, staring at the ceiling, waiting and listening. The click of the prince's heel sounded.

"Hmm, I wonder who could have taken you out at such a short notice, my dear guard."

Shadow relaxed, breathing out as he stepped in the sight of the prince.

"Sorry you had to see that, your highness."

The moment the sun glinted of the ebony's shoes and the prince caught sight of those pointed quills, his face contorted into a snarl.

"YOU!"

Without hesitation, the prince pulled his good arm back and propelled it forward. Before the ebony knew to dodge the attack, he felt his fur stand on end and his pupils dilated as he realized what was going to happen.

"DIE!"

The ebony rolled to the hallway to the left of him, landing with one knee to the ground as his heart palpitated. He looked behind him where he stood, examining the dark patch that could have been him.

Lightning.

The patch was covered by a quickly growing shadow on the ground and the ebony turned back to the hallway and propelled himself forward, initiating the chase.

"Where are you going, puny black rat? Let me turn you into dinner!"

Shadow looked back to see the prince merely fast walking down the hallway, but he stopped, preparing to throw his good arm out once again.

The ebony skated faster and right as the corridor lit up in a flash of purple light and the ground shook, he'd rounded the corner to another hall, throwing himself on his back with a slide. His heart came through his chest as he hissed a breath, picking himself up and skating down the next corridor.

"Shadow, what's happening? The tower is shaking and you're off schedule."

Rouge's voice reminded him that he'd made the wrong turn.

"Just a short detour. Give me a two and a half more minutes."

At the next turn, the ebony hid behind the wall, awaiting the stalking prince. The click of heels made his ears twitch was he neared.

"Playing, rat? You know I'll find you."

Green light grew around the corridor as the prince halted, eyebrow raising in mild curiosity. Shadow stepped out from the corner, releasing the energy encased in his hand.

"Chaos blast!"

The tower shook as Shadow watched his blast hit his target. He waited as the smoke cleared to see the damage. A wind billowed the dust and cloak of the prince as his arm came down from blocking the blast. With a flash of his eyes, he glared at the ebony, nostrils flared. His face was scratched and his arm was bruised where the blast had ripped his royal robes, but he was still intact.

Ruby orbs shook as the ebony furrowed his brows.

Tougher than I thought.

"Trying to take my life, black rat?"

"It's not my destiny to end you," Shadow growled as he charged another blast.

The prince did the same, smirking.

"And how would a lowly, backwater plebeian know a thing about the prophecy? You aren't even relevant enough to have a destiny!"

As the ebony shouted his incantation, both men released their energy, forcing them both back.

When the smoke cleared, the ebony reached for the wall of the hall, using it to bring himself up. As he caught his breath, he squinted his eyes to see the prince at the other end of the hall, stalking toward him, his robe still somewhat in tact and a demented look covering his face as he struggled to breathe. His glare embedded itself in his mind as the ebony looked down to the robe sleeve. It was the sleeve that was suppose to be empty, as his arm had been removed, but from that angle, it looked faintly occupied.

The ebony's head darted up as the dark prince threw another attack. The ebony raced down the next corridor, headed for the stairs.

"Come back, you peasant! I knew I should have hung you first."

As Shadow continued his pursuit, a beeping made his ear twitch.

"Shadow, what happening? Are you still alive?"

Shadow huffed as he reached the stairs hopping onto the railing and taking it down ten stories.

"Rouge, the prince doesn't look like he's had his whole arm removed. Something's not right."

"What do you mean?"

As he reached his destination, he stopped at the opening to the next hallway and turned back, grabbing the railing and looking up the stairs that spiraled the walls of the tower. The silence could kill.

And in an instant, a flash of purple lightning came down, narrowly missing the ebony that sped out of the way. With a glare, he looked up in just enough time to see the prince jump from the top floor and falling with a sickening show of his teeth. The ebony backed away as he saw the prince grab the railing of the floor he was on, slowly climbing over it as his body dangled.

"Miss me, black rat?"

Shadow spat on the prince and darted down the next hall, hearing a roar of fury as he skated away.

At the end of that hall was a large room. One large window and a wooden table with flowers graced the wall as the afternoon sun passed through the curtain. Shadow looked up at the high ceiling, nodding at the dazzling chandelier that hid in the dark above him. He race to the other end of the room, turning toward the hall entrance, waiting in a fighting stance.

Purple electric shocks flickered from the hall as the prince stalked into the room, furious as he eyed the ebony with a silent rage.

"Ready to die? I think before I do that I'll castrate you!"

Shadow stood, making it seem like he was cornered. The prince charged another attack, allowing the shock to make his hair flicker and eyes glow sharply.

"End of the line!"

His attack shot forward as Shadow waited a second longer than he wanted before rolling to the left, shooting his own attack directed.

"Argh!"

Shadow's eyes widened ever so slowly as the sleeve of the Prince's robe melted off and metal contraption reflected in his ruby eyes.

"Is that a mechanical arm?"

Rouge's voice sounded incredulously through his ear as the ebony watched the prince recoil from the blast he failed to dodge. The mechanical arm rested limply an his shoulder, but Shadow kept a weary eye on it as he circled the fuming prince. Glowing purple eyes turned on him.

"You'll regret that, rat!"

Shadow was instantly thrown back into combat, deciding to get up close and personal. He threw a few punches and bent low as he dodge the Prince's dangerous martial arts jabs with his good arm, agile and swift and keeping up with the ebony easily.

"It doesn't look like he knows how to use his arm yet. I think we still have the upper hand."

Shadow roundhouse kicked the prince in the face, the first unexpected blow he'd manage to make since he'd gotten close and used his momentum to backflip into his corner as he allowed the prince to shake it off. He grumbled under his breath.

"Rouge, his mechanical arm was not in the plan. It will be a major setback if he finds a way to use it and we don't know its capabilities. For all we know, that arm could take this whole fortress to the ground."

The prince darted toward him as the ebony chose defense. His arms went up and he took to dodging lightning fisted attacks.

"Wait. I think I have an idea."

Rouge went silent as Shadow backed into the table. As he bounced forward from the impact, he jumped back on top of the table, using his foot to bring a pot of flowers into the air, before using it as a projectile and lodging it toward the prince.

The prince stopped where he was, bringing his arms up as the vase broke around him and soil covered the ground.

"Sorry peasant, I don't take flowers as a peace offering."

Shadow threw the others, keeping the prince in place.

"Shadow! Bring the prince into the center of the room."

As Shadow threw the last pot, he nodded slightly at his partners command. Using his weight, he stood at the front edge of the wooden table, tilting it. As it began to fall forward, Shadow propelled himself in the air, landing behind the toppled table and lifting it up, using it as his new shield.

With a grunt, Shadow charged the prince and as the table collided with his body. Riven was sent back a few paces.

"I think not, rat!"

Riven pushed back and they were equal in force. Shadow kept him there, but he needed him to go back just a little further.

He held his breath and let the prince's force overtake him for a moment, letting the prince push him away. Shadow embedded his shoes into the floor as he screeched to a stop and lifted the table, throwing it with all his might back at the unsuspecting prince.

"What?"

The table shattered as the prince was thrown onto his back at the center of the room. Shadow began circling him again.

The prince shook as he stood up, electricity flying about him.

"Now I aim for your heart, peasant."

Right as he consolidated his energy to charge a blast, a shadow raced toward the prince from above him. Before he could raise his head to look at the assailant, two booted feet perched onto his shoulders, making him drop his charge to grab the arms that covered his eyes.

"Rah!"

The prince flailed about as he tried to dislodge the bat. While keeping her balance, she used her wings to stay airborne and on his shoulders, pulling his head back to disorient the prince.

Shadow circled them as the prince spun and Rouge let go with one hand and used the other to grab a fist full of the prince's hair, pulling it back as she lowered herself onto the prince's back. All in one motion, she wrapped her legs around the prince's waist, pulling his hair to keep him busy, while she used her other hand to bring out a small gadget hidden beneath her bra.

"Let go of me, you heathen!"

The prince went to grab behind him to throw the bat, but Shadow would not have it. In an instant, Shadow was in front of the prince, throwing blows once more. The prince danced with the ebony, easily dodging while being ridden like a horse. Even with his heavy swaying, he could not dislodge the bat. She was glued to him as she began fiddling with his mechanical arm.

"Almost there."

Metal pieces began to clatter onto the ground, alerting the prince. He growled, his heartbeat quickening.

"Enough!"

He threw a lightning blast that shook the walls, forcing Shadow to dodge out of his line of sight in an instant. Unfortunately, the ebony came right back, but the prince had more for him. Thinking quickly, as he could feel the mechanical arm loosening, he threw his good arm out, three swings that the ebony dodged easily, but with a short grunt, the prince leaned back and threw his leg out wildly, kicking the ebony back.

.

As Shadow slide back, Rouge shifted to complete her work as the prince hunch over, seeming to strain to do something.

A Shadow brought himself upright, he saw the hunched prince flexing his arm and the mechanical one began to twitch.

Damn it.

"Argh!"

The mechanical arm came to life and the prince use both woking arms to grab the bat from behind him and throw her over his head into the air.

"Rouge!"

The bat flew through the air, but mid flight turned her weight and landed on all fours near Shadow, unharmed with a smirk on her face.

"Never gave a girl a piggyback ride before, hun?" she muttered with a wink. The prince heaved as he hunch over from the exertion, his mechanical arm hanging on its last limb on his shoulder, twitching with life.

"You both die here."

As he charged Shadow first, Rouge moved out of the way and let the two collide, arms interlocking as they wrestled. Rouge analyzed them from her perch, looking between the two, before improvising once more.

"Shadow, smash and dash!"

As his nostrils flared, Shadow used his strength to throw the prince back as Rouge seemed to disappear. Shadow brought out his emerald, green power growing around him menacingly as he glared at the prince, concentrating.

"Oh no you don't!"

The prince charged up another attack, preparing to neutralize him.

"Chaos spear!"

As Shadow threw his attack, the prince shot his out to meet him. As the impact blinded him, Shadow jumped away from the prince and in another leap, reached the blinded prince. The moment her turn to the ebony, Shadow had punch the prince in the face four times before grabbing his neck and head butting him. Shadow backed away, headed toward the hall as he waited up for his partner.

As the prince recoiled, Rouge materialized on the other side of the disoriented prince, roundhouse kicking his side to tilt him before grabbing the other end of his arm and pulling with all her might.

"Come on, baby, budge!"

As a sweat appeared on her head, she quickly threw her leg up where the arm connected to his shoulder and shoved her heel into it.

With the sound of breaking metal, the prince fell to the ground surrounded by burning flower pot soil.

As the dirt settled, his rage made his vision red as he saw the ebony and the bat running out of the room and down the hall, his mechanical arm in tow.

"ROT IN THE NETHER HELL, YOU PEASANTS!"

Rouge and Shadow made a beeline fore the stairs, Shadow riding the rails once more as Rouge glided down on outstretched wings, a smirk on her face.

"I can't believe we have a military code titled 'smash and dash.' You'd think we were adolescents," Shadow huffed.

Rouge laughed as they reached the next level of their plan, turning to run down a corridor larger than the rest, a breezeway that got them to the other front end of the castle.

"I'm the one that came up with it; no need to think any less of the G.U.N. military goons from the past."

"You're a child."

"No, just a comedian, hun."

Shadow skated at the pace she was flying down the hall to look at her. She was in high spirits and had minor bruises. Knuckles had retrieved some of her clothes for her and she had adorned a new spy suit before commencing with the mission. Designed by Tails, it was built to allow her to sustain major damage without hurting her internal organs. She would be fine.

"We should use his arm as leverage. I'm sure if we play hot potato with his arm, he'll keep following is. We can destroy afterward," Rouge explained, cradling the arm.

"Very well. I need to get to surface level. Will you be okay?"

"I'll be right behind you once I get this baby across the hall."

Shadow nodded and stopped midway in the hall, climbing onto the ledge of a window and jumping down. Rouge reached the end of the breezeway and stopped to catch her breath.

"H-hope the prince didn't get sidetra-," Rouge began, but was interrupted by a flash of purple. She hid behind the next corridor wall and held her breath. As the foot steps grew closer, she wave the mechanical arm around the corner.

"Yoo-hoo! Over here, your highness."

Rouge made a dash down the hall, lightning hitting the spot she once stood. She was almost there.

At the end of the hall was a small clearing, looking around. A room door creaked open and she saw Cream peering through it at her.

"Rouge, are you okay? Where's the Prince?" She asked, coming out and looking around herself. She'd also grabbed a change of clothes, adorning jeans, tennis shoes and a long sleeve. Tails had given her a new headset to communicate with him and a small dagger in case she had to get close. She had the knife unsheathed as Rouge approached, but tucked it away as she rushed up to the bat, alert.

"On my tail. Here, take this arm."

As Rouge dropped it into her outstretched hands, Cream belted under the weight, struggling to lift it up.

"Be careful, hun. The prince shoots lightning apparently and this arm was suppose to be his replacement, but I ripped it off him and he's not to happy about it."

"You want me to take this with me?" Cream asked, curling the limb over her shoulder.

"Yes. Pass it on. It'll keep the prince focussed on us." Rouge explained, walking to the other side of the space, heading toward a door.

"Remember, don't get close. Stay airborne and zig zag. I'll meet you at the bottom."

"Okay!" Cream smiled as Rouge opened the door and took a dark path of stairs.

The hallway lit purple and shook with volume as the prince stomped down the corridor. Cream didn't want to wait for him to see her, but she had to. She was afraid, she could tell by the pulsing of her heart, but she stood her ground.

As the prince rounded the corner, he stopped, lightning ceasing and face making a blank as he looked at the rabbit.

"You do not look like you pose a threat to me in the slightest, peasant."

Cream's brow furrowed in distaste as she frowned.

"However, you've survived this far and succeed in helping Princess Amelia escape. I should not take you lightly!"

The prince charged.

With a squeal, Cream crouched low, rolling under the prince's legs, dashing down the hall before taking flight on her ears.

The prince pursued the chase, a wolf after its hunt. Cream began to panic when she felt the prince gain on her, but she saved herself by darting quickly to the right at the next corridor and proceeding to zigzag her flight pattern as irregularly as she could.

"Stop moving, girl, so I can get a good look at you!"

A flash of purple lit her vision and her heart caught in her throat as she decided to bring her ears to the sides of her head and dive for the ground. With a squeal, she braced herself, rolling on the ground and clutching the arm. She lifted her head, on her hands and knees as she looked behind herself, seeing the prince halfway down the hall.

With a small gulp, she looked up and saw what could have been her.

A half of a grand chandelier had been destroyed as parts of the ceiling began to hit the flooring. From the looks of it, the last half of the ornament wouldn't last long up there.

"This time I won't miss."

As the rest of the chandelier came down behind her, Cream looked forward, seeing the end of the hall a few paces in front of her. Getting her feet under her, she jogged to the exit and saw the spiral of stairs. A lightning shock flashed behind her, the fallen chandelier saving her tail.

She ran to the rail, not wanting to hesitate, climbing over it as best she could, balancing as she stood tall, ready to jump.

"Suicide is not an option today."

Now that he had seen her, she jumped, using her ears to glide down ten stories. She could hear him growl as he began his descent down the steps.

As Cream floated down, she looked around her, no longer hearing the prince's foot steps. Her heart came out of her chest.

Oh no. Where did he go?

As she turned to glide to the railing of the next floor below her, a flash caught her eye and she turned right as a figure jumped at her mid-air.

Her eyes widened.

"Got you, peasant!"

Cream turned to glide away from him, but just as she moved, his arm grabbed her ankle. As his weight began to bring her down quickly, she reached out, grabbing the rail just in time.

"Ahhh! No!"

She could only hold on to the rail for a minute as the prince's weight was too much for her arm. Her fingers instantly began to slip.

"Please, let me go!"

A she looked down, sweat mixing with the tears of pain that formed at the corners of her eyes, she began kicking at the prince's hand.

"Do not test me peasant! I will take you down with me!"

She lifted her free leg with a small cry and forced it down on her ankle, hearing a small crack.

"No!"

She didn't look down as the prince's fingers slipped, curling around her shoe and taking it down with him as he began falling.

As soon as the weight left her, she grabbed the mechanical arm with a struggle, throwing it over the railing and quickly grabbing the rail with her other arm. With a deep breath and a few heavy flaps of her ears, she brought herself over the rail with both arms and safely onto the flooring. She collapsed on the ground for a moment, heaving and shaking, dropping the arm.

A burning smell filled her nostrils and the rabbits heart rate instantly shot up.

She stood up straight, looking over the railing to see the distant figure of the prince slowly ascending from below, a blast of purple propellent a blazed below his rising figure.

"You are not rid of me yet!"

Cream wasted no time in getting her feet under her and grabbing the arm, tossing it over her shoulder as she cleared the hall and propelled herself into the next corridor.

"Ah!"

As she made it halfway down the hallway, she began to limp. She hadn't imagined that cracking sound earlier.

She use her free hand to grasp the wall, looking down at her shoeless foot. It was pulsing.

"Found you!"

She whipped her head around, seeing the prince charging her from behind. Using her bare foot, she endured the pain as she kicked her other shoe of, limping to get some speed and used her ears to semi-glide and keep the pressure off her injured foot.

"Got you!"

Cream could feel his arm grab for her as she threw herself to the ground to avoid his reach, sliding into the next hallway. The prince missed her by an inch and tripped, taking a second to catch himself and go after her once more. Right as he turned, a beam hit his face, sending him back.

"Argh!"

As she gathered herself and got her feet under her, she looked up and smiled sadly.

'Tails!"

The kitsune was running toward her from the other end of the hall, ray gun in hand.

"Cream, get down!"

Before she could react, a hand took a fist full of her hair and yanked her head back. Tears formed in her eyes as she dropped the mechanical arm.

"Ahh!"

"No!"

Tails stopped in front of them, teeth clenched, fighting stance ready, but on the fence. The chest of the prince rose and fell heavily as he held the rabbit at arms length by the hair. Cream clenched her eyes as she reached up to grab his hand.

"If you want her alive, you'll drop that contraption and surrender yourself."

He yanked at her hair, bringing her head forward as she cried out. Tails eyebrows furrowed and his eyes shook as he watch her.

"Tails, n-no!"

Right as he yanked her hair once more, she growled, reaching into her pocket and jabbing her knife into the prince's torso.

"Ack!"

In return, he released her and as she dropped to the ground, she reached for the arm, using all her strength to swing the metal nuisance right around into the prince's face.

The prince saw white after impact and he teetered back as he reached for his face with his only good arm.

"Let's go!"

Tails gathered Cream and the arm in his grasp and began dragging her down the hall. Almost there.

"Tails, we need to keep the arm! Rouge said it was his replacement and we're using it as leverage," Cream huffed as she limped along side him. She was slowing him down, but worked to keep up.

Tails stopped, throwing the arm over his shoulder and lifting Cream up by the waist as best he could onto his hip. Using his twin tails, he began to make his way down the last hall before the next clearing as he heard the stomping of the prince behind them.

"PUNISHMENT AWAITS YOU, CHILDREN!"

Sunlight shined through he balcony window to their left as the reached the next cleaning, next to the last stairway in their descent. Sonic waited at the stairway railing, leaning back. As soon as he saw them, he dashed over, reaching for Cream as she struggled to stand.

"You okay, buddy? Cream, what's wrong with your leg?"

"No time. Take the arm and use it as leverage," Tails rushed, shoving the arm into his hand and picking Cream up, heading toward the balcony.

"Gotcha."

As Sonic took his place, he watched Tails reach the balcony and jump on the ledge, making Cream squeal.

"Hold tight."

With her heart in her throat, they began to free fall.

~aAa~

"Rah!"

The sound of armor being ripped open echoed through the lower chamber as they made their descent.

"Hhmp!"

The clashing of swords rang around her as the rose crouched low behind the corridor wall, waiting for them to clear the dark room.

"All clear."

Knuckles voice sounded from above her as she looked up. He gave her his hand, helping her up as she examined the room. The purple souls of the guards floated around their empty armor in circles looking for refuge.

"Where do their souls go? Riven's men, I mean," she asked as Argentine sheathed his sword after flicking dark liquid from its edge.

"I'm not so sure. Some say they linger, others say they retreat back to the homeland, waiting for the prince to provide them new bodies to possess. Either way, they do not die."

Amy nodded as they continued to run through the grimy dungeon. She followed behind Argentine's faint outline, while Knuckles took her back flank. She caught up to her brother, running at his side. She felt light as she was free of her dress, adorning a simple tee-shirt, jeans and boots. Shadow had admitted to teleporting into her home to retrieve a change of clothes for her. She blushed at the thought, but shook away the butterflies a moment later.

The trio squinted their eyes as a piercing blue light broke the darkness.

They slowed their run to a walk as they shielded their faces.

"Wow."

As they entered the room, Amy watched as the room before them seemed to invite them. The floor was made of flawless white stones stained blue with enchanted light and at the center of this glorious room was a solid blue beam of crystal, glowing behind a series of bars reaching from ceiling to the ground.

Argentine walked forward.

"There they are."

Amy watched her brother move forward in a trance, sucked in by the crystal.

"A-Argentine."

He stopped, looking back, tears in his eyes.

"Amelia, this is it. Finally, we can reunite with our mother and father and take back what is ours."

Amy gulped as she saw how genuine he was. She looked up at the crystal, feeling uneasy by its mere presence. She looked back at Knuckles.

He nodded, mouth tight as he crossed his arms and stood watch at the entrance.

"I've got your back."

She turned back to Argentine, making her way into the center of the room. Argentine had stopped midway, watching her as her heels clicked on the stone.

She looked at him and stopped, beckoning with her eyes.

"What's wrong? Aren't you going?" she asked. He shook his head.

"This is as far as I go."

He gestured for her to move along.

The silence was met with the sound of slow clicking as she neared the wall of bars. She grabbed onto one, looking hard beyond the barrier and into the crystal. There was nothing there.

She sighed, looking at the ceiling.

"What do I do?"

Her voice reverberated through the space as silence followed and she lowered her head, feeling helpless.

I don't even know why I'm here. I don't possess anything that could release my parents, if they're even in there.

Then her voice echoed back, five times louder and with varying tones, as if different versions of herself were repeating her. Her ears perked up.

"Amelia, look."

A growing wind, colder than the winds of the poles, lifted her clothes and ripped her hair back. She looked up into the crystal once again and gasped.

Amelia, my precious baby girl.

Now she could see it, two figures within the crystal, one white, the other pink, like her. The white creature had long, billowing locks that surrounded the couple as if to protect them and at the center was an intricate staff.

This is so surreal.

Amy reached through the bars, walking forward. She closed her eyes, expecting to be stopped by the bars, but was instead felt the cold breeze get stronger, whipping her hair upward. She opened her eyes to see she had phased through the bars like a ghost, as they were now behind her and she was inside.

She looked back to see Knuckles mouth in a light 'o' as he watched in awe, his eyes wide, reflecting the light. She looked at Argentine, but his eyes were glossed over, staring at the crystal. She turned back going closer. The closer she got, the harder the wind pushed her back, but she did not struggle. The dust that had settled over the years flew about, clouding the pace as the wind howled around her. She stood firm, looking up into the crystal.

I… I want to help you.

As she reached the crystal, she rested a and on the surface and gasped as the wind lifted her into the air.

She was lifted to the eye level of the two figures and looked into their faces.

And I want to hold you again, my child.

Her heart leaped from her chest as the white figure's head turned toward her behind the blue and her eyes opened, filled with white power and nothing else.

I am here, child. We are here…Amelia.

Two voices murmured her name simultaneously and a rush came through the rose. Suddenly she had the urge to cry like she'd been holding back pain for a millennia.

"Mother! Father!"

She reached out for them, the wind pushing her back as she leaned forward. Her tears collected at her eyes, but strangely, they began to float in front of her, collecting in a pool in front of her vision, but she did not notice them.

Her tears solidified and former a crystal rose and as she reached for her mother, the rose began to shake.

I release you.

The rose shattered and the wind graced the room as raw power flooded the room.

Knuckles shielded his eyes, but squinted through his arms to see a a white light overtake Amy and Argentine and as it reached him he held his breath.

"Ahhh!"

Knuckles surfaced as he realized he was under water and the room they were in was now flooded with it.

A flowing sound made him look at the center of the room as he saw a crystal blue waterfall trickle from a hole in the wall, and standing on top of the water, were three figures, huddled together.

He looked at Argentine, who was back from his blowy-eye trance, and proceeded to watch the scene.

Amy was smothered in a cool embrace, as the white locks blanketed them. Tears escaped her eye lids as she held the woman close.

"Mother."

She opened her eye, looking up into warm emerald eyes.

"Welcome home, Amelia."

She sniffed, looking to her right, where the dark pink man stop tall, holding his hilt where a broad sward, sheathed in gold watched her. She looked into blue eyes and smiled.

"Father. I r-remember you."

"I'm glad, Amelia."

The dark pink man, King Amelius, looked over, gesturing to his son.

"Come to me, Prince Argentine."

He bowed, walking over to his father regally. As he stood in front of him, he got on one knee, bowing again, humbly.

"There is no need for that," the king mumbled.

As Argentine looked up in question, the king brought him into an embrace.

Knuckles looked on in curiosity, but looked away as he heard armor chink in the hall behind him.

"Erm.. umm. I hate to interrupt, but we need to get to the surface.

Amy nodded, releasing her mother and stepping back. Argentine did the same.

"Mother, father, we have released you as the prophecy has told. Now it is your turn to rid the kingdom of those who do not belong."

King Amelius stepped forward, walking on water as the rest of his family. He unsheathed his sword as his wife, Queen Argentina gripped her staff, power circling her like a typhoon.

"Yes, let us take back what is rightfully ours."

~aAa~

Prince Riven turned the corner, thirsty for blood.

"Where are you, children?!"

He stopped in his tracks, seeing the empty hallway occupied by none other than the blue blur. He was whistling, leaning on the railing of the final stairwell, throwing the mechanical arm into the air and catching it. He pretended like he'd just noticed the dark prince.

"Oh, hey, it's you. What's up, buddy? Looking for something?"

The prince growled loudly and rush him with a fist in the air.

Sonic dashed to the side, nonchalant.

"Oh, you don't look too happy. We're you looking for this?" Sonic asked, dodging a strike of lightning.

"Sorry, but my friends and I are playing an extreme version of hot potato with this thing, so you'll have to wait."

Sonic did an olympic jump to dodge the next lightning strike and proceeded to throw the arm down the stairwell.

"Hot potato, Sal!" he shouted down the way as his voice echoes through his cupped hands.

"See?" he grinned at the prince who breathed steam from his nostrils.

"You'll pay for that, you blue rat!"

Sonic dashed away, headed down the steps.

"Sorry, pal. Left my wallet on Mobius. Do you take e-money?"

The prince followed, once again jumping down the center of the spiraling stairway. He could not visually keep up with the blue blur, but as he fell, he saw brown hands catch his mechanical arm and he knew which floor he needed to land on.

"Childish fools. You'll all rue the day you set foot on my land!"

Sally had caught the arm last minute after hearing Sonic shout, not sure what he meant until she saw the light glint off the falling metal. She saw the prince had jumped down after it and she was off.

She instantly ran down the last hall, headed for the thrown room.

One more turn and one last stretch.

As she came up to the last turn, her fur stood on end as something hot flashed purple at her left side.

"Ah!"

Electricity pulsed and hit the mobian-sized flower pot at the corner. The debris hit her dead on as she shielded her hand with her free arm and took to the ground on her stomach. Her head spun as her injuries from the earlier that day seemed to reopen.

The prince caught up to her, watching as her back was to him and she got on her hands and knees, breathing heavy.

"Give up and let me dress your whole body in red, my dear!"

Sally glared at the prince before grabbing a chunk of the broken flower pot and aiming right for the prince's face.

"Argh!"

As the prince coddled his throbbing eye, Sally raced for it, running the last stretch.

As she reached the end, she turned right, seeing the large double doors of the throne room. As she approached, lightning intercepted her path and she back away, shielding herself as she saw the prince emerge from her right, coming form a seeming shortcut she'd missed.

"It ends here, red."

The prince stalked up to her, bending electric shocks in between his fingers, when Sally backed away as if being corner, but instead charged him, throwing the mechanical arm over his head.

"What?"

He watched the arm go above him and when it was behind him, he looked back as Sally came up to him, not sure on what she was trying to do.

As she neared, he put his arm up to block, but she simply jumped over him, using his shoulders to aid her mid air back flip with her hands and landed on her knees behind him, sliding forward as the arm fell right back into her grasp. The prince did a 180, anger flaring as Sally got her feet under her and made a made dash for the double doors.

The prince followed her into the throne room, slowing his pursuit and shooting a shot of lightning, sure that he would fry her alive.

Smoked filled the space where Sally had been, but the prince drew a look of confusion when he did not hear a cry of agony.

The smoke cleared and Sonic held Sally further away from the blast, standing on top of the thrown room chair, looking down to the prince.

"Looks like you're the monkey in the middle."

Sally chucked the arm as far as she could above the prince's head for the last time. He reached for it, but he failed to graze it as he turned behind him and watched the arm fall right back into the hands of the ebony hedgehog.

Shadow gripped the arm, glaring at the prince. The prince flared his nostrils, flashing with purple shocks.

"You demon."

"Follow me and I'll show you how demonic I can be."

The prince charged one last time and Shadow gave way to chase. He ran out of the throne room and turned right, gliding up a distinct small set of stairs before busting through a set of doors onto a large balcony made of stone.

The prince caught up, seething and rippling purple, ready to explode. He slowly began to approach the ebony as he waited on the other side of the grand balcony, arms crossed, mechanical arm in hand. The evening sun died the sky red and the prince could taste the fresh drawn blood at the tip of his tongue.

"No more games, peasant!"

Shadow frown.

"Right, no more… games," Shadow affirmed, tossing the arm to the prince.

The prince caught the arm, looking down on it before a demonic smile crept along his muzzle.

"You've made a mistake in coming here, demon rat! Either pick suicide or be prepare for eternal, medieval tortures."

Shadow raised an eyebrow.

"I think you should take your own advice."

Before he could ask, a sinking feeling fell into the pit of the dark prince's stomach as a crisp, ancient power seemed to creep from the door behind him. He dared not to look at who waited there.

"If you're looking for a fight, I'd love a rematch."

The grand voice of the king resonated through the clearing. Riven gulped and looked behind him, his eyes opening far beyond their limit.

"No…. this cannot be!"

His gaze fell to the queen, her hair billowing, staff in hand as she looked into his eyes as is if to condemn him. His eyes shifted to the king beside her, sword drawn, directed at him, a fierce glare that pierced his soul with some sort of frightening enchantment. Amy came from behind her mother, looking at him with a desolate expression, holding one of her arms.

"No. The prophecy. How did she-?"

His eyes fell on the lost prince, the one who was proclaimed dead.

"Y-you… you live?"

His whisper seemed to come from his last breath.

"We will listen to you no more, Prince Riven of Adrelis. Leave us, and never come back."

Prince Argentine's voice was demanding and King Amelius used his own to back it.

"Leave, or I shall spill your blood in front of my family."

Prince Riven backed away, from the royal family and the ebony that drew near him. As they closed in, he could feel the mechanical arm in his grasp surge with power. He chuckled sickeningly.

"This isn't over!"

With a grunt, he pressed the end of his arm into his bare shoulder. Dark purple ropes pulsed out of his neck and coiled around the arm to keep it in place as the arm twitched to life, taking on a boom black aura.

"I have been given immense strength! You cannot destroy me!"

The king stood in front of his wife as Argentine charged Riven. He swung his sword with precision, but the dark prince kept up with sharp blocks from his new impenetrable arm.

"You can not fight me, puny prince!"

Right as Argentine moved to strike, the metal arm scratched at his arm, pushing him away and drawing blood.

Riven stopped, arms at his side as he looked up, basking in the strength that flooded into him.

"Yes! I am… WORTHY!"

The prince stilled, as if possessed by a strange and haunting force.

And with wide, quivering eyes, he shook, trying to get control of his frozen body.

He brought his gaze down, looking between the injured prince and the protective king.

There, Queen Argentina stood next to her daughter as they both held that enchanting staff, directing it at him. Amy's eyes met is. Her face tightened.

As he broke eye contact, his neck struggled to turn his head to his mechanical arm as he felt what was to come.

"No…"

The arm creaked and shook. All the fine details and screws began to fly off, propelling themselves into the sky. The dark spirals receded back into his body as the arm hung on its last limb.

"NO!"

The arm crunched in on itself and a broad flash of white covered the clearing.

When everyone came to, the prince was quivering, crouch on the ground, one limb missing once more.

And from the heavens, a small silver bullet hit the stone in between them as the wind died down as silence encased them.

"You are no longer welcome, Riven of Adrelis. Out with you, or I will do far more then that."

The voice of the queen was finite as she stepped forward, staff pointed in his face as he looked up at her. The king looked shocked as he witnessed his queen, his sword sheathed but slowly coming down with gravity.

"As. You . Wish."

And with that, the dark prince turn rashly and jumped from the balcony into the chaos.

~aAa~