This chapter came together pretty quickly, all things considered.
I had planned to release it some days later, but you know what? I'll release it now because the next week will be pretty busy for me.
Hope you like this one!
Rage, you bucket of bolts!
A few days later...
The morning sun filtered through the windows of Tails's workshop, casting streaks of light over a chaotic mess of tools, maps, and blueprints spread across the room. It had been a stressful couple of days, but the final preparations for the expedition were finally being made.
Sonic leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching as Tails packed a set of gadgets into his backpack.
"You ready yet, bud? Or are we gonna spend all day fiddling with wires?" Sonic teased, tapping his foot impatiently.
Tails shot him a look over his shoulder, adjusting the strap of his goggles. "These 'wires' are the difference between us getting out of there in one piece or getting stuck in some unstable ruins. Ancient civilizations don't exactly come with user manuals."
Sonic smirked but said nothing. He knew better than to rush Tails when he was in full genius mode, even if waiting around wasn't exactly his style.
Still, the thought of Amy and that mysterious crown weighed heavily on his mind. The way she'd acted, the way she'd shut them out wasn't like her. At least, not like the Amy he knew.
Tails zipped his bag shut and stood up. "Okay, all set. I've packed a laser cutter, mapping drones, and a few other tools we might need. Let's head out."
"Finally." Sonic said, stretching before zipping toward the door. "Race you there!"
Tails shook his head with a chuckle. "You know I don't stand a chance, but sure. Why not?"
The two stepped out into the warm morning air, the sound of chirping birds filling the quiet countryside.
Sonic turned toward the cliffside, ready to dash off, when a faint rumble reached their ears.
He froze, his ears perking up.
"Do you hear that?" Sonic asked, his voice low.
Tails squinted toward the horizon. "Yeah... Sounds like..." He stopped as his eyes widened in alarm. "Badniks!"
A cloud of dust rose in the distance, and the silhouettes of Eggman's mechanical army came into view.
At the head of the horde was Metal Sonic, his sleek, metallic form glinting in the sunlight as he led the charge with terrifying speed and precision.
Sonic raises an eyebrow. "Egghead is sending his forces out at this time of the day? Where do you think they're going?"
Tails looked at the direction the horde was headed for, and his eyes widened at the realization of their target.
"They're heading for... Amy's house!" Tails exclaimed, gripping his bag tighter.
Sonic's fists clenched. "Nope, not happening on my watch. Come on, buddy! Let's get them before they get to her!"
Tails's mind raced as they took off toward Amy's house. The pieces began to click together as he remembered Sonic's story from the other day.
"Sonic..." Tails called out, his voice urgent. "You said Metal Sonic was there the day Amy found the crown, right?"
"Yup." Sonic replied, his focus on the horde ahead. "Eggman's forces were digging around the cliffs, and Metal was overseeing the whole thing. Why?"
Tails's eyes narrowed as he put the puzzle together. "Think about it. If Eggman was digging there, it wasn't random. He must have been looking for something, something important. And if Amy found that crown in the ruins..."
Sonic's eyes widened in realization. "Eggman must've been after the crown all along."
"Exactly." Tails said, his voice grim. "And now that Amy has it, he's sending Metal Sonic and his forces to get it back. You've already seen what Amy has been able to do so far with the crown, now imagine what Eggman could do if he gets his hands on it."
Sonic growled, his pace quickening. "No way we're letting that happen. If Eggman thinks he can just take that crown and use it for some kind of scheme, he's got another thing coming."
The badniks were getting closer to Amy's house, their mechanical feet thundering against the ground. Sonic and Tails raced to intercept them, the urgency of the moment fueling their every step.
As they approached, Sonic glanced at Tails. "Got any bright ideas, pal? Because there's a whole lot of them and only two of us."
Tails grinned, pulling a remote from his bag. "Oh, I've got ideas." He pressed a button, and three small drones shot out from his backpack, buzzing to life. "These little guys will cause some chaos. We just need to keep Metal Sonic busy while I figure out a way to slow the rest of them down."
"Leave Metal to me." Sonic said, his grin sharp. "He and I have some unfinished business. Gotta pay him back for throwing Amy off a cliff."
As the badniks closed in on Amy's house, Sonic shot forward like a blur, smashing through the front lines with a spin dash that sent metal parts flying in all directions. Tails followed close behind, his drones zipping through the air and firing precise shots that disabled several badniks before they could react.
Metal Sonic, noticing the disruption, turned sharply toward them. His red eyes glowed menacingly as he let out a low, robotic growl.
"Hey, sparky!" Sonic called out, skidding to a stop in front of him. "Didja miss me, honey? You forgot to kiss me goodbye before leaving me the other day!"
Metal Sonic didn't reply, instead he charged at Sonic with blinding speed.
Sonic dodged at the last second, countering with a quick spin dash that sent Metal stumbling back.
Meanwhile, Tails's drones continued to wreak havoc on the badniks, but the horde was relentless. He threw a gadget towards the horde, which set off a mid-range E.M.P blast, slowing down their advance and buying himself a moment to think.
'This is certainly odd...' Thought Tails as he pulled out another gadget from the bag. 'Did Eggman know about the crown beforehand? Or did he find out about it after Sonic and Amy fought Metal Sonic off the other day?'
But then, a sound above him caught his attention.
Floating above the battlefield, a sleek, circular device with a blinking screen emerged, hovering in midair.
Sonic skidded to a halt, his fists raised in readiness. Tails landed next to him, his eyes narrowing at the sight.
The device's screen flickered to life, revealing none other than Dr. Eggman's grinning face, his thick mustache twitching with amusement.
"Ho ho ho! What a pleasant surprise! My two favorite pests, right in the thick of things!" Eggman's voice boomed through the speakers. "Though, for once, I must say, I'm not here to play games with you. This isn't about you at all, Sonic."
Sonic crossed his arms, his brow furrowed. "What's the matter, Egghead? Finally figured out you can't win against me, so you're giving up?"
Eggman chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, Sonic, your ego truly knows no bounds. But no, this isn't about you. For once, I have my sights set on something far more... substantial. A little trinket of unimaginable power, to be precise."
Tails stepped forward, his expression sharp. "You're talking about the crown, aren't you? How do you even know about it?"
Eggman wagged a finger at him, his grin widening. "Ah, Tails, ever the inquisitive one. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Yes, my radars detected a strange, unknown energy signature emanating from the cliffs a few days ago. A source so potent, so unquantifiable, that I simply couldn't resist investigating. And, wouldn't you know it, my dear Metal Sonic reported back about your little pink friend finding a shiny crown that apparently gave her strange new magical abilities."
Sonic's fists clenched at the mention of Amy. "You better not be getting any funny ideas, Eggman. That crown doesn't belong to you!"
Eggman's expression darkened, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous light. "Oh, but it doesn't belong to Amy, either. You've seen what that crown can do. Such raw, unbridled power in the hands of someone as... weak-minded as her? It's a disaster waiting to happen. No, no, no. A simple-minded buffoon like Amy's cannot handle that kind of power."
Tails glared at the screen, his tails twitching angrily. "And you think you can handle it? What are you planning to do with it, Eggman?"
Eggman threw his head back, laughing maniacally. "What do you think, you little fox? I'm going to harness that power and use it to finally create my ultimate utopia: Eggmanland! With the crown's energy at my disposal, the entire world will bow before my genius! Now step aside so I can retrieve the crown without any further issues."
Sonic rolled his eyes. "Ugh, same old story. Conquer the world, build your ugly capital with your face plastered all over it, yadda yadda. Don't you ever get tired of losing?"
Eggman's grin turned cold, his voice dropping to a menacing tone. "Oh, I won't lose this time, Sonic. Not with the crown on my side. And as much fun as it's been chatting with you, I believe our time is up. Metal Sonic, terminate them."
The screen blinked off, and the floating device zipped away just as Metal Sonic surged forward, a streak of silver and red cutting through the battlefield.
"Look out!" Tails shouted, but Metal Sonic was already upon them.
Sonic barely managed to sidestep the first attack, a blindingly fast swipe aimed at his chest.
Metal Sonic didn't pause, spinning on a dime and slamming into Sonic with a powerful shoulder charge that sent him skidding backward.
"Okay, sparky, you're faster than I remember." Sonic muttered, shaking off the hit. "Egghead must have upgraded you since you lost so horrendously to Amy and me. But still, you're not faster than me!"
Sonic dashed forward, aiming a spin dash at Metal Sonic's midsection. But Metal Sonic anticipated the move, leaping into the air with inhuman precision and countering with a downward kick that forced Sonic to break off his attack.
Meanwhile, Tails deployed his drones to assist, sending them to flank Metal Sonic. The drones fired rapid bursts of energy, but Metal Sonic moved like a phantom, weaving through the attacks with ease. In one fluid motion, he extended a razor-sharp claw and slashed through two drones, sending sparks flying.
Tails grit his teeth, recalibrating the remaining drone to target Metal Sonic's back. "He's faster than I expected... Sonic, we need to outmaneuver him!"
"No kidding!" Sonic shouted as he narrowly dodged another swipe from Metal's claws. He countered with a homing attack, but Metal Sonic raised an energy shield, deflecting the blow and sending Sonic tumbling to the ground.
Metal Sonic turned his attention to Tails, his red eyes glowing ominously. Tails's heart raced as the metallic foe launched toward him, claws outstretched. Thinking quickly, Tails dropped a flash bomb, the blinding light momentarily stunning Metal Sonic and giving him a chance to retreat.
"Sonic, we need a plan!" Tails called out as he landed beside his friend.
Before Sonic could respond, a sound coming from Amy's house froze them on their spots.
The front door of Amy's house creaked open.
Amy stepped out onto her porch, her hand resting on the doorframe. She was still wearing the crown, its red gem glinting ominously in the sunlight. Her gaze swept over the scene before her, broken badnik parts littering the ground, Tails's drones darting through the sky, and Sonic panting after trading blows with Metal Sonic. A deep frown creased her face.
"What in the world is going on out here?!" She called out, her voice cutting through the noise like a blade.
Sonic's eyes widened in alarm. "Amy! Get back inside! Eggman's after the crown!"
Tails nods. "It's not safe out here, Amy!"
Amy's hand instinctively rose to touch the crown, her fingers brushing over its smooth surface. However, before she could fully process her thoughts, a blur of silver shot toward her.
Metal Sonic, his red eyes locked onto the crown, tackled her with unrelenting force. The impact sent Amy stumbling backward, but she managed to stay on her feet, catching herself on the porch railing.
Sonic's shout echoed across the battlefield. "AMY!"
But as Metal Sonic charged at her again, something inside Amy snapped.
The sight of that machine...
The same one that had thrown her off a cliff days ago... The one who had kidnapped her when she'd met Sonic for the first time... The one that had reminded her how powerless she used to feel, lit a fire inside her. A fire that seemed to burn away all other emotions.
Now, it wasn't just her life he was after. It was her crown. The very object that made her strong.
Her grip tightened on the porch railing, the wood creaking under her fingers. A surge of energy exploded from the crown, a bright red aura enveloping her.
Amy's eyes blazed with the same crimson light as the gem, her expression hardening into one of pure, unshakable determination. "You think you can take this from me? Try it, see what happens to you."
With a flick of her wrist, a wave of energy erupted from her, sending Metal Sonic hurtling backward. He crashed into the ground with a metallic thud, sparks flying from his joints.
Amy stepped down from the porch, her movements deliberate and almost condescending as she approached the battlefield.
Sonic and Tails stared, stunned into silence. They had seen Amy fired up before, but this... this was something else entirely.
Amy didn't hesitate. The badniks that had been closing in on Tails froze in mid-step, their metal limbs jerking to a halt as if caught in an invisible grip. With a wave of her hand, she hurled them into the air, smashing them into one another in a spectacular explosion of sparks and twisted metal.
"Whoa..." Tails muttered, lowering his arms. "I've never seen her like this."
Sonic watched in disbelief as Amy tore through the remaining badniks with ease. Her movements were fluid, almost graceful, as she dispatched each enemy with a combination of raw power and precise control. She didn't even break a sweat.
Metal Sonic rose from the ground, his red eyes narrowing as he calculated his next move. He charged at Amy again, his claws aimed for her throat, but Amy didn't flinch. She raised her hand, and with a burst of psychokinetic energy, Metal Sonic froze mid-air, suspended by an invisible force.
"You're too slow..." Amy said, her voice dripping with malice.
Metal Sonic struggled, his servos whining in protest as he tried to break free, but Amy's grip was unyielding. She tightened her fist, and Metal Sonic's limbs were forced to his sides, his claws retracting as if he were being compressed by an invisible vice.
"What does it feel like to be on the recieving end, hm? Oh, wait. That's right, you don't feel because you're nothing more than a useless bucket of bolts." Amy taunted, a dark smirk curling her lips.
Sonic, still catching his breath, finally found his voice. "Amy... That was insane!"
Amy didn't look at him, her focus entirely on Metal Sonic. Her grip on Metal Sonic tightened yet again.
Metal Sonic's servos whined louder as his frame buckled under the invisible force constraining him. Sparks danced across his metallic body, and his red eyes flickered erratically as he struggled against the overwhelming power holding him in place.
Amy's expression shifted as she stared down at the helpless machine. What was once a hard glare in her eyes softened into something almost serene, her lips curled into a faint, unconscious smile. She lifted her hand slightly, and Metal Sonic was wrenched higher into the air, his limbs jerking under the strain.
Sonic, watching from a few feet away, felt a cold pit form in his stomach. "Amy... You're gonna break him at this pace. I think you've made your point. You can let him go now."
Amy didn't respond. Her gaze remained fixed on Metal Sonic, her smile widening as she tilted her head. "I still remember you... You were so fast, so strong back in little planet. Looking down on me... How does it feel to be weak now?"
Metal Sonic emitted a distorted screech, his body convulsing under the pressure. Metal Sonic stared at Amy with his usual, emotionless gaze. Although, Sonic and Tails noticed something in Metal Sonic's eyes.
For a moment, they thought they could see something in Metal that wasn't robotic coldness.
Was it fear, perhaps?
Tails stepped forward, his brow furrowed with concern. "Amy! Stop it! You're going too far! If you keep this up, you're gonna destroy him completely!"
Still, Amy didn't seem to hear them. Her fingers curled tighter, and Metal Sonic's limbs began to bend unnaturally. Small explosions burst from his joints, and the glow of his eyes flickered even more violently.
A low, muffled giggle escaped Amy's lips, her crimson aura flaring brighter. "Feels poetic, doesn't it? Maybe I should finish what you started when you threw me off that cliff."
Sonic's heart raced as he exchanged a worried glance with Tails. "She's not listening..."
The two moved closer, inching toward her like someone approaching a dangerous animal.
Tails reached out a hand hesitantly. "Amy, listen to us. This isn't you. You don't need to do this. Just... let him go."
Amy's smile faltered slightly, but her grip didn't loosen. Her voice was distant, almost dreamlike. "You don't get it, Tails. He deserves this. After everything he's done, everything Eggman's done, they both deserve this."
"Are you even listening to yourself?" Sonic said firmly, stepping closer. "You've already won, Amy. You don't need to-"
Suddenly, Metal Sonic's frame emitted a deafening crack, and his head sagged forward, the light in his eyes dimming.
The sound snapped Sonic into action. Without hesitation, he darted forward and grabbed Amy's shoulder. "Amy, stop!"
Tails joined in, grabbing her other shoulder and pulling her back. "Amy, let him go!"
The combined tug from both of them broke her concentration. Her eyes widened, and the red glow surrounding her flickered before vanishing altogether.
Metal Sonic dropped from the air and slammed into the ground with a heavy thud. He twitched weakly, his body riddled with dents and scorch marks, before his engines sputtered to life. Without a moment's hesitation, he activated his boosters and sped off toward the horizon, leaving behind a trail of smoke.
Amy blinked rapidly, her breath hitching as she stared at the empty space where Metal Sonic had been. Her shoulders sagged slightly, and she reached up to touch the crown as if checking to make sure it was still there.
Slowly, she turned to face Sonic and Tails, her expression a mixture of confusion and frustration. "What did you just do?"
Sonic frowns. "We stopped you from doing something you might have regretted later, Amy."
"He got away!" Amy exclaimed, her voice laced with annoyance. "Why did you stop me? I could've ended him right there. Do you have any idea how much trouble that would've saved us?"
Sonic and Tails exchanged a wary glance. Tails was the first to speak, his tone careful. "Amy... You were out of control. You weren't just trying to stop him, you were trying to destroy him."
Amy crossed her arms, her brow furrowing. "And what's wrong with that? He's one of Eggman's most dangerous weapons. If I'd finished him off, we wouldn't have to worry about him showing up again."
Sonic hesitated, then stepped forward. "That's not the point, Amy. You were... different. Angry. Like, really angry. That's not like you."
Amy's frown deepened, and she looked away. "I don't know what you're talking about. I was just doing what needed to be done."
Sonic shook his head. "Come on, Ames. We both know that you're not serious. You didn't even hear us trying to get through to you. You were completely lost in whatever the crown was making you feel. We care about you, Amy. That's why we're doing all of this. We're worried about you, about what the crown might be doing to you. That's why Tails and I were planning to check out the cliff where you fell."
Amy blinked, caught off guard by the admission. Her hardened expression faltered for a moment, replaced by one of surprise. "You were... planning to explore the cliff?"
Tails stepped forward, nodding earnestly. "Yeah. We thought if we could learn more about the crown, where it came from, what it's capable of, we'd be able to help you. That's all we wanted, Amy. To help."
Without a word, Amy raised her hand, and a faint red glow surrounded it. Sonic and Tails barely had time to react before a sudden burst of energy surged outward.
Sonic turned just in time to see all of their supplies, the carefully packed gadgets, tools, and equipment Tails had spent days preparing suddenly collapse into a heap of twisted metal and shattered glass. The drones, the laser cutter, the mapping devices, all of it lay in ruins, as if crushed by an invisible force.
Tails's jaw dropped, his heart sinking as he stared at the wreckage. "What the-?! Amy... Why would you do that?!"
Amy lowered her hand, her expression unrepentant. "Because you don't need to go to the cliff. There's nothing wrong with me."
"Nothing wrong?!" Sonic repeated, his voice rising. He stepped forward, his frustration bubbling over. "You just destroyed everything we've been working on for DAYS! How is that supposed to convince us you're fine?!"
Amy's eyes narrowed, and she stepped toward him. "I feel better than I ever have, Sonic. I'm faster, stronger, more confident. I'm finally in control of my own life. And you two can't stand it, can you?"
"What are you talking about?" Sonic asked, bewildered. "That's not true at all! We're just trying to-"
"To what?" Amy interrupted, her voice sharp and cutting. "To take the crown away from me? To put me back in your shadow where I've always been? Is that what you were planning with your little 'expedition'? To find a way to strip me of the one thing that makes me special? To find out how to destroy the one thing that made me feel like I was worth something for ONCE?!"
At some point unbeknownst to her, a single tear had rolled down her cheek. A single, blood-red tear.
Sonic and Tails froze, stunned into silence.
Her words hit like a punch to the gut, leaving them both struggling to respond.
Tails stepped forward hesitantly, his voice gentle but shaky. "Amy... That's not-"
"Don't lie to me, Tails!" Amy snapped, her eyes flashing with anger. "I'm not stupid. I see the way people look at me, like I'm some kind of problem child way in over her head that needs to be fixed. Well, guess what? I don't need fixing. I've never been more sure of myself than I am right now."
Sonic opened his mouth to speak, but the look in Amy's eyes stopped him.
It wasn't just anger he saw there, it was pain. A deep, lingering hurt that had been there for a long time.
"Amy..." Sonic began, his tone softer now. "We're not trying to take anything away from you. We just want to make sure you're okay."
Amy stared at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then she shook her head and took a step back, her movements sharp and deliberate.
"You don't get it, do you?" She said quietly, her voice trembling slightly. "You've never gotten it."
Without another word, she turned and walked inside her house, slamming the door behind her.
Sonic and Tails stood in silence, the weight of the confrontation pressing heavily on them. The wreckage of their supplies lay scattered around them in deafening silence.
They stood there for a while longer, the quiet hum of the wind the only sound around them.
Then, without a word, Sonic turns around and speeds off into the distance. Tails didn't try to stop him, as he felt like he needed some time alone as well.
Sonic didn't know how far he had run or where he was going. He only knew that he needed to get away, to clear his head, to think.
He finally came to a stop on a grassy hill overlooking a wide, open plain. The wind ruffled his quills as he dropped to the ground, crossing his arms over his knees and resting his chin on them.
Amy's words echoed in his mind, each one sharper than the last.
"To take the crown away from me? To put me back in your shadow where I've always been? To find out how to destroy the one thing that made me feel like I was worth something for ONCE?!"
Sonic clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. He didn't want to admit it, but part of him knew she was right.
He had taken Amy for granted for as long as he could remember. She'd always been there, cheering him on, trying to keep up with him, doing whatever she could to be noticed. And what had he done? Brushed her off, joked at her expense, left her behind without a second thought.
He thought back to all the times she'd gone out of her way to show how much she cared for him. The handmade gifts, the heartfelt words, the relentless determination to prove herself, not just to him, but to everyone. And how had he responded? With a casual wave, a teasing comment, or, worse, complete indifference.
But as much as he wanted to take responsibility for his actions, or lack of them, he couldn't ignore what had just happened.
Amy's anger, her hostility, the way she'd completely lost control when she had Metal Sonic in her grasp... That wasn't the Amy he knew.
The memory of her cold, cutting tone sent a shiver down his spine. For as long as he'd known Amy, she'd always been fiery, sure, but her anger had never been cruel. It had always come from a place of care, of passion, of wanting to help. But this new anger, the kind that made her smile while crushing Metal Sonic, that made her accuse them of trying to tear her down, was different.
And it scared him.
Still, as much as he wanted to blame the crown, Sonic couldn't shake the gnawing guilt in his chest. He thought back to the moment she accused them of planning to take the crown away from her. The hurt in her voice had been real, raw, and it made him realize just how deep her frustrations went.
'Am I... to blame for all of this?' Sonic thought to himself. 'I mean, she's not wrong, is she? I've always run away. From her, from how she feels, from everything. I run because that's what I do best. But maybe... maybe she just wanted me to slow down and appreciate her a little more...'
He sighed, running a hand through his quills. The truth was, Amy had every reason to be upset. He'd never taken the time to really listen to her, to understand her. And now, with that crown bringing up buried wounds and opening them, all of that anger and frustration was spilling out in ways he didn't know how to handle.
But even so, there was a line, one Amy had never crossed before. And seeing her cross it now, with such ease, was like watching a stranger in her place.
'How did it come to this?' Sonic thought. 'If I hadn't been such a screw-up, would Amy have felt like she needed that crown in the first place?'
He closed his eyes, the wind tugging gently at his fur as he tried to sort through the whirlwind of emotions inside him.
He felt guilty, hurt, confused, and, most of all, helpless. He wanted to help Amy, to help her come around again. But how could he do that when she wouldn't even let him in? When she didn't trust him enough to believe he was on her side?
"She's right to be mad at me." Sonic said finally, his voice resolute. "I've let her down too many times. But... this isn't just about me anymore. That crown is definitely doing something to her. And if I don't do something... The Amy I know could be lost forever. Enough running away. Time to run in a different direction for once."
The quiet hum of the late evening enveloped Amy's cozy living room, the soft amber glow of the table lamp casting long shadows against the walls. Amy sat on her couch, her legs tucked under her, staring intently at the crown resting on the coffee table in front of her. The gem at its center glimmered faintly, as though it were alive, pulsing in time with an invisible heartbeat.
She let out a heavy sigh, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her mind replayed the events of the day, the image of Metal Sonic suspended in the air, crushed under her power, burned vividly in her memory. She remembered the screeching of his servos, the way his limbs twisted unnaturally, the flickering of his cold red eyes.
And for the first time, she thought she saw something else in those eyes, a faint glimmer of something that almost resembled... fear.
Amy frowned, her chest tightening at the thought. Metal Sonic was just a machine, wasn't he? A mindless tool of Eggman's, designed to destroy. He wasn't supposed to feel fear, wasn't supposed to feel anything.
Still, the memory lingered, gnawing at the edges of her mind. She shook her head, trying to push it away, but it refused to leave her alone.
And then there was Sonic and Tails. She could still see the looks on their faces, the way their expressions had shifted from worry to something that felt uncomfortably close to fear. Their voices, pleading with her to stop, echoed in her ears.
'Amy, you're going too far!'
'This isn't you.'
'You can let him go now.'
She bit her lip, her fingers digging into the fabric of her skirt. 'I didn't mean to scare them. I just... I wanted to protect them, and myself. I wanted to prove that I'm strong enough to handle things on my own...'
Her gaze drifted back to the crown, the gem's glow reflecting faintly in her eyes.
It was beautiful, mesmerizing, and powerful... SO powerful.
With it, she could do things she'd never dreamed of. She could keep up with Sonic, surpass him even. She could make Eggman's forces tremble, crush his plans before they even began. She could finally be the person she'd always wanted to be: confident, capable, unstoppable... aknowledged.
But today... today things had taken an unexpected turn. For a moment, she hesitated, her hand hovering above the crown.
'Are Sonic and Tails right? Am I really changing?'
"No." She said aloud, her voice firmer now. She clenched her jaw, banishing the doubt from her mind. "I'm fine. There's nothing wrong with me. I just need to clear my mind."
With that, she reached forward and picked up the crown. She hesitated for only a moment before placing it back on her head.
The instant it settled into place, a surge of energy coursed through her, banishing the heaviness in her chest and replacing it with a heady sense of strength and clarity.
Amy sighs happily before standing up, her movements fluid and deliberate as she crossed the room to the mirror on the wall. She stared at her reflection, her eyes glowing faintly with the crown's energy, her pink quills catching the light. Even though she could notice a faint trace of a red liquid on her cheek, she brushed it off.
She tilted her head slightly, examining herself. "This is me. This is who I'm supposed to be. I'm not weak. I'm not a helpless little girl chasing after someone who never takes me seriously."
She straightened her posture, her hands resting on her hips as a small smile tugged at her lips. "I'm stronger than that now. Stronger than I've ever been. Sonic and Tails just need some more time to get used to this new me. Right now, they're just... scared. Scared that I won't need them anymore."
She reached out, brushing her fingers against the mirror's surface, her reflection staring back at her with an intensity that almost startled her. "Metal Sonic is just another badnik that needs to be put down. I'll get him eventually. And Sonic and Tails? They must still see me as some kind of problem child that needs to be protected."
The bitterness in her voice surprised even her, but she didn't try to suppress it. She ran a hand through her quills, her smile returning as she straightened her crown.
"Well, it doesn't matter anyways. I'm fine." She said to her reflection, her voice calm and assured. "I'm more than fine. I'm amazing. I just need to adapt. Sonic and Tails were just scared because of how I handled Metal Sonic today, right? So if I can gain total control over these powers, they'll understand I'm perfectly fine the way I am. Once I figure out how to control this crown completely, I'll be perfect. And then... then they'll see."
With a satisfied nod, Amy turned away from the mirror and walked out of her house.
She took a deep breath, savoring the crispness of the evening, and began to walk, her movements light and graceful. "Perfect. I can practice more freely with no one around."
But deep down, Amy knew that wasn't the whole truth. She didn't just want to test the crown. She wanted to feel the energy coursing through her, to take in the world as she'd never seen it before. Everything seemed sharper, clearer, more vibrant. The stars sparkled like diamonds, the rustling of leaves sounded like a symphony, and even the faintest breeze felt electric against her skin.
"This is what it means to truly be alive." She murmured to herself, a small smile tugging at her lips. She lifted off the ground effortlessly, floating above the rooftops as she gazed out at the world below.
Amy's heart swelled with joy as she soared higher, her laughter ringing out across the empty streets. For the first time, she felt completely untethered, free from the constraints that had held her back for so long.
As she floated above a quiet park, her keen eyes spotted a group of badniks patrolling a nearby pathway. There were about six of them, their mechanical limbs clanking softly against the pavement as they moved in unison. The sight of them made Amy's smile falter, her expression hardening.
"More of Eggman's toys, huh?" She muttered, her tone dripping with disdain. Her aura flared slightly, casting a red glow over the park as she descended silently onto the pathway ahead of them.
The badniks paused, their sensors locking onto her immediately. Their cold, mechanical whirs filled the air as they analyzed her presence, their weapons shifting into a ready position. To Amy, their movements seemed slow, almost clumsy. She tilted her head, a predatory glint in her eyes.
"Well, aren't you all a sight to behold?" She said, her voice smooth and mocking. "Out for a midnight stroll, are we?"
The badniks didn't respond, of course. They simply adjusted their stances, their red optics fixed on her as they prepared to engage.
Amy didn't flinch. Instead, she took a step forward, her smile returning, this time with an edge of cruelty.
"Come on, then!" She said, beckoning them with a flick of her wrist. "Give me your best shot! Let's see what you're made of!"
The badniks charged as one, their metal feet pounding against the ground as they raised their weapons.
Amy didn't move. She simply stood there, her arms crossed, waiting. The first badnik reached her, its claw-like arm swinging down in a powerful arc.
But before it could make contact, Amy raised her hand lazily, and the badnik froze mid-swing. A red aura surrounded its body, holding it in place as it jerked and twitched helplessly. Amy turned her head slightly, her eyes narrowing.
"Pathetic tin cans. All you're good for is spare scrap parts and recycled metal." She muttered, and with a flick of her wrist, the badnik was hurled into a nearby tree. It shattered on impact, its pieces scattering across the ground.
The remaining badniks hesitated for a moment, an odd sight for machines programmed to follow orders without question.
Amy noticed their pause, and her smile widened. "Oh, what's this?" She said, her voice dripping with mockery. "Are you scared of little old me? Don't worry, I'll take my time with you."
Her words seemed to spur them into action, and the remaining badniks rushed forward, firing beams of energy and swinging their weapons.
Amy dodged effortlessly, weaving through their attacks with a grace that almost seemed like a dance. She grabbed one badnik mid-charge, lifting it into the air with her psychokinesis. It squirmed and struggled, sparks flying from its joints, but Amy only chuckled.
"Look at you, squirming like a worm on a hook." She said, her tone light and teasing. "You almost look adorable. Almost."
She slammed the badnik into the ground, its body crumpling like a soda can. The remaining badniks continued their assault, but Amy was relentless.
She picked them off one by one, disabling their weapons, ripping off their limbs, and tossing their remains aside like trash. The red glow of the crown grew brighter with each passing moment, illuminating her face and casting eerie shadows across her sharp features.
The more of their limbs flew off their bodies, the more Amy smirked to herself. The more their mechanicap parts screeched in the dark, the more vigorized she felt. The more they tried to fight back uselessly, the more gleeful she felt.
As she finished off the last badnik, she took a step back, surveying the carnage she'd left behind. Pieces of metal and wires littered the pathway, and the faint smell of scorched circuits filled the air. Amy stood in the center of it all, her chest rising and falling as the adrenaline coursed through her veins. Her expression was calm, almost serene, but there was a flicker of something darker in her eyes.
"Weaklings. They never stood a chance to begin with." She murmured, her voice tinged with satisfaction. "I can truly do anything I want."
She floated into the air once more, the crimson aura surrounding her like a halo. As she rose above the park, she felt a surge of exhilaration.
With a burst of speed, Amy soared higher into the night sky, her laughter echoing through the empty streets. She felt unstoppable, invincible, alive.
As she scanned the horizon, her eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Let's see what other challenges the world has to offer. I can do this all night!"
And with that, she disappeared into the darkness, the faint red glow of her aura the only trace of her presence.