Amy kicked and squirmed, being held perfectly horizontal in the clutches of the giant robot.
Sonic, below, was losing his patience… Everyone could see it; how his teeth clenched, his eyes narrowed, even the dilation of his eyes made them realize this was no light matter to him.
He hunched slightly, and as if his very emotion could control wind, it slightly picked up speed around the team.
The robot, silent without words, gave a clear message as it held Amy higher up, straightening itself up.
One move…
It only took it's scanners a half-a-milisecond to see movement.
One move… and they could squish her, drop her, anything to get a point across.
Sonic hung with a tightened body.
Previously, Amy had stated her independence, demanding to be treated less like a girl and more like an adult.
However…
"I can take care of myself..!"
Her eyes… were vicious.
She had left to try and state her own abilities to save herself.
A fact… that Sonic took as a direct hit.
To him, this meant he was useless.
If Amy could defend herself, what would she need a hero for?
She continued to fight, but finding her efforts futile, she looked down.
Her expression was of frustration, but she only looked away a moment, before back with a look of- 'Come on!'.
Sonic's eyes widened, seeing her jerk her head to him.
"Augh!" when he still didn't seem to get the message, though it was clear he wanted her to say it first, she finally groaned in annoyance and shouted out.
"Don't just stand there!
Get him!"
With that, it was like he morphed with wind. His being flashed out of physical sight, and suddenly the robot was looking through it's lens as it went berserk with confusion.
Question marks and scans kept popping up in it's eyes as it looked around, stumbling backwards, unable to detect where it's target had run off to-
Sonic darted all around the robot's body, before emerging with explosions from it and gripping Amy as she fell from it's hand.
They spun a moment, before he got her in bridal style, and the look on his face took Amy's breath away.
She had almost forgotten…
How wonderful it was…
To see him so serious about protecting her life…
They landed as the giant robot went down single-handedly. Before then, Sonic and no other could do that on their own.
He rolled to break the harsh landing before gripping her open-back, pulling her closer, as if having to make sure she was there… in his arms… taken care of.
"Sonic… Why did you hesitate?" Amy, with glossy eyes, held him back, feeling the tug his hand on her back pull her closer. It was a comfort, honestly.
"Why-…?" She asked again. "Did you wait for permission..?"
Sonic squinted his eyes shut, before taking deep,… low breaths.
"Because… you said you didn't need hero…"
Such pain came from a silent whisper… such horrible loss of worth emanated from the very sentence that it was almost tangible; his breath over her shoulder… the warmth that only mixed with the fires of destruction all around them.
And now,… the destruction of their bond?
"No, Sonic…You misinterpreted me."
She moved away a moment, but the action sent a longing back in Sonic, not wanting her to part just yet.
He couldn't bare to have her walk away from him again.
His eyes opened, but skipped around the roof where they knelt, as not daring to look her in the eye.
She softly placed a loving hand on his cheek, bringing his face up to her, as his eyes darted around, still trying to avoid eye-contact, swallowing…
"I'll always need you." She smiled.
Finally, he could look at her.
Understanding flooded over him in a wave of relief, and physically made itself present with a quick release of a fast sigh, easily escaping the small space cracked open by his mouth.
His eyes relaxed too, before suddenly growing in worry when Amy began to totter.
"Amy..?"
He held out a hand.
almost fell over, but he caught her instantly; for a second, fright skimmed his eyes, before he realized how exhausting getting shaken from such heights and in such ways by a large robotic hand must feel.
He couldn't help but chuckle, not in humor, but just in surprise.
"I've got ya." He gently whispered, "You can let go… it's okay. I won't."
The reassurance allowed Amy to close her eyes, going limb, as Sonic hoisted her up in his arms, gazing down at her.
Seeing she was starting to try and rest, he turned back to the battle, looking over it… realizing he couldn't bare to leave her right now.
He looked back, also realizing he had too.
Setting her down somewhere he supposed was safe enough, he found it hard to get up, hard to take his eyes off her now.
Her slow breathing, peaceful demeanor as she lay comforted him in a sense.
She would be fine.
He turned back to the battle at hand. To the war of forces.
He took a deep breath, his mouth a tight line, his eyes closing.
He was making oaths.
Taking vows.
Renewing old convictions and adding new resolves.
He turned back to her with his usual kind smile, but a new humility slightly founded in it as well.
"Wait for me, Amy." He nodded, "Wait for me."
Then, he was back to his old self. running on the side of abandoned skyscrapers, he took off towards the battle. A cocky grin, a happy-go-lucky speed.
He was right back to being, what Amy knew to be anyway,…
Her hero.