(Ayla's POV)

It's been a few weeks since Knuckles came back from his, what I like to do call, "journey of self-discovery" it was a new day in Green Hills. I was fast asleep in my bed, in the basement. Just then, my alarm went off on my phone at 6 am. I sat up, turned off my alarm, then stretched*

Ayla: Happy birthday to me.

That's right. Today was my 15th birthday. And I had a hunch my family was going to give me a big surprise. how do I know, may you ask*

(Flashback - A few weeks ago)

*Well, for the past several weeks, I've noticed Tom Maddie whispering about something. I'm not much of a lip reader, but I'm pretty sure I caught the words "birthday" "surprise". I had also noticed signs of a surprise. A few weeks ago, when we went shopping for groceries, I noticed Sonic, Knuckles, Tails sneaking off towards the card party supplies departments. I also noticed Tom Maddie sneaking burgers hot dogs in the cart while I was looking at the teen magazines. but I didn't say anything, because I didn't want to ruin the surprise*

(Present Time)

The first thing I did was jump out of bed, change out of my pajamas (a white tank top purple shorts), then ran upstairs to the kitchen*

Ayla: Good morning, everyone! *but to "my surprise", nobody was there* Uh . . . Tom? Maddie? Sonic? Tails? Knuckles?

Just then, I saw a dome food plate cover on the dinning room table. Next it was an envelope. I opened it read the note inside*

Dear Ayla

Happy birthday, little sis. I know you're probably wondering right now where we all are. But don't worry, we're all okay and we can't wait to celebrate with you. Anyway, for your birthday, I brought back the game Longclaw used to play with us when we were little. Tom, Maddie, Tails, Knuckles, and I wrote a riddle for you to solve and they will lead to your presents and party. Now, here is your first riddle:

I am a dark and dreary place where the only sound that can be heard is the drip, drip, drip of water from the stalactites.

What am I?

Hopefully, this one will be pretty easy for you. Good luck. See you at the party.

Sonic

P.S. Maddie wants you to eat your breakfast first before you go anywhere.

I smirked*

Ayla: So, they want to test me, huh? Well. I'd be happy to show them became I've already solved the riddle, which was way to easy. But first . . . *I took the dome off the plate, revealing my favorite breakfast. Two chocolate chip pancakes with maple syrup whipped cream on top with a big cup of milk, sausages, a bowl of fresh blueberries* Oh, Maddie. You know me so well.

I sat down started eating*

After breakfast, I got on my hoverboard headed into the woods, towards the cave Sonic I lived in before we moved in with Tom Maddie*

Ayla: Now this brings back memories. *I went inside looked around, even though all our stuff wasn't in here anymore, I could still remember where everything has been all the fun we had those first ten years on Earth. then I noticed something on a rock in the middle of the cave. it was a box, messily wrapped in blue wrapping paper with a lightning bolts on it a messy blue bow. I giggled at my brother's poor attempt of wrapping presents. Then I saw the note next to it* Aha! Now, let's see what I've got.

I opened the note read it*

Dear Ayla.

Happy birthday. I hope your ready for your next riddle, because this one's going to be a bit harder.

I am a mass of rock that rises very high and is almost vertical, or straight up-and-down. I hang over oceans valleys for all to see what lies below.

What am I?

Good luck solving this one. Can't wait to see you at the party.

Tails

I rolled my eyes. Harder my foot. I've already figured it out. I put Sonic's present in my bag hurried to the next destination*

I made may way to the ledge that overlooked the town. I took a few minutes to enjoy the view before I went to look for Tails' present. Then I found it in a hollowed tree stump along with another note. Tails present was wrapped than Sonic's had orange wrapping paper with suns on it.

Ayla

I am wishing a very happy celebration on the day of your birth. When Sonic told me about this game,

I'm not a road, but have my own stripes, smooth for travels of the spherical types. What am I?

What am I?

Good luck figuring out this riddle. I know this one will utterly confuse you.

Knuckles

I giggled. Knuckles is really bad at riddles. This one was way too obvious. I packed up Tails' present headed off*

I went toNeon Nightz Lanes, where Knuckles Wade go every Wednesday night to "train", which really means they just play bowling all night. I found Knuckles' present in the dumpster behind the building. Once I got past the smell, I picked up a big brown paper bag with a note attached to it*

Ayla: Man, this one's heavy.

Then I read the note*

Dear Ayla

Happy birthday, sweetheart. I can hardly wait for you to find us so we all celebrate together. Hope you're ready for your riddle. Here it is.

I'm not a gem, but I have bases and lines, and players run around me under the sunshine.

What am I?

I know you'll figure out this one quick. You're very smart. Have fun.

Maddie

I smiled. I was so lucky to have someone like Maddie in my life*

I made my way to the baseball diamond, where I found Maddie's present on home base. It was wrapped in purple wrapping paper with a pink bow. I read the note that was attached to it*

Dear Ayla

Happy birthday, Princess. I'm really excited for your party tonight. Everything's ready. Just two more riddles to go. So, here you go.

I live alone outside of the town. I'm certifiably insane. I call both you and your brother Blue Devil and Guardian Angel. And I'm waiting with your present and final clue.

Who am I?

Hope to see you soon, sweetie.

Tom

I giggled. This one wasn't hard to figure out. I packed up the present headed to my next destination*

The sun was going down as I went to where Crazy Carl had parked his trailer. I saw him sitting outside with a note in his hand*

Crazy Carl: Hey, Ayla! Happy birthday!

Ayla: Thank Carl. *I looked around* So . . . Where's my present?

Crazy Carl: Sonic told me to tell you, that Tom told him, your present was too big to carry all the way here. But he did give me this to give to you.

I took the note read it*

Dear Ayla

Congratulations on finding your final riddle. Now, just one more riddle you'll make it to your party. Hope you're ready, cause here it is.

I'm not a houseplant, but here I grow; flowers and veggies in rows they go.

What am I?

Just figure out where this is you'll be at your party. And hurry it up. I'm getting hungry and Tom says we can't start without you.

Sonic.

I laughed as I read it. My brother the bottomless pit*

Crazy Carl: Bye, Ayla! Have fun at your party!

Ayla: Thanks, Carl!

I made it back to the house then went to the back of the house. There, I found Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Tom, Maddie, Ozzy, Wade waiting. The whole backyard was decorated, Tom has the barbecue going with hamburgers hot dogs, Maddie had a cake on the table*

All: Happy birthday, Ayla!

Ozzy barked*

Ayla: Aw, you guys!

Sonic: Well, she's here, Tom. So, now can we eat? I'm starving!

Tom*chuckle* Yes, bud. Now we can eat.

And so, we started with burgers, hot dogs, tater tots. Then it was time for cake, which was my favorite. Chocolate fudge cake with rainbow sprinkles on top. Along with 15 candles*

Maddie: Make a wish, sweetie.

I thought for a moment*

Ayla*in her mind* But . . . What's there to wish for? I already have the coolest brother, the greatest foster parents, and the best friends anyone could ask for . . .

I continued to think until I made up my mind. Then I blew out the candles*

All: Yay!

Tails: What'd you wish for, Ayla?

Ayla: Sorry, I can't say. Otherwise it won't come true.

Sonic: Aw, come on. At least give us a hint.

Ayla: Nope.

Knuckles: I demand that you -

Tom: Okay, okay. Enough with the interrogation. Let's have some cake and then presents.

After we each had a slice of cake, I began opening presents. I started with Wade's present. Inside was a sparkly purple bowling ball*

Ayla: Thanks, Wade. This is so cool.

Wade: Now you can come bowling with me and Knuckles.

Then I opened Sonic's present. I opened it found a 48 piece tool kit*

Ayla: Oh, wow! Just want I needed! Thanks, bro.

Sonic: Well, nobody knows my sister like I do.

Then I opened Tails' present. Inside was a pair of purple headphones, fitted to match my ears (look up "Mobian Headphones" by "FinikArt" on "DeviantArt")*

Ayla: Aw, Tails! These are so cute!

Tails: I thought they could help with your radio show.

Then I opened Knuckles' present. Inside was a pair of red dumbbells*

Ayla: Oh, Knuckles . . . How . . . Thoughtful.

Knuckles: Just make you use them often when you train.

Than I opened Maddie's present. Inside was a stuffed panda doll*

Ayla: Aw, adorable! Thanks, Maddie.

Maddie: I know you're probably a little old for stuffed animals. But it's always been a tradition in my family that girls always get stuffed animals on their 4th birthday.

I turned to Tom*

Ayla: Where's your present?

Tom: Well, remember how Crazy Carl told you your present was too big to carry? *I nodded* Well, you'll find it in there.

He pointed to a big box next to the table. I opened it & my eyes went wide. Inside was a guitar (look up "guitar #1" by "mrOrlandoMagicFan200" on *Deviantart")*

Ayla: Wow! Tom, this is amazing!

Tom: Well, nothing's too good for my little girl.

Note: Yep. Ayla is now Tom's little girl.

I smiled pulled everyone into a group hug*

Ayla: You guys are the best.

All: We know.

This was definitely my best birthday ever*