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Chapter VIII
Midnight Rendezvous

Part I: Attraction

"Sonic? Sonic! Wait! I can't run that fast!"
"Don't worry. Just raise your head and run! Feels great, doesn't it?"
"Yes. I-I've never run so fast before..."
"Nothing starts until you take action. If you have time to worry, then run!"

.

Is that girl already crying again?! Standing on Elise's balcony, Sonic peered through a gap between her not quite drawn curtains. The princess was lying on her bed, half covered by her rumpled sheets, and pressing her face into a large pillow. He could see her writhing as if she were in pain, saw her tremble as she sobbed. Can't I leave her alone for even a minute? What's just going on here?! He tapped his finger against the window pane to get her attention.

The noblewoman raised her head and looked around as if she needed a moment to reorient herself. Then she turned her gaze to the windows. Strands of her cherry hair hung tousled in her face, and her reddened eyes were swollen from crying. An expression of surprise and relief seemed to flash across her face when she saw him through the windows. She grabbed her pillow and held it in front of her chest before she crawled out of her bed and went to the balcony door.

Only then he became aware that she was half naked, and that the sad remains of a green evening gown, which apparently must once have been a splendid sight, hung in tatters from her waist. She looked as if she had been through hell. He gnashed his teeth. If this is thanks to her father again, then...!

She opened the glass door while continuing to press the pillow against her upper body with her other hand. "Sonic! W-What are you doing here? Weren't we supposed to meet again tomorrow...?"

He actually knew it wasn't exactly appropriate at the moment, but he just couldn't help but make a stupid remark. It was simply in his nature. And maybe he even could get over that awkward situation with it and cheer her up a bit. "Well, I guess I'm a little early, and yet it seems I missed the main act." He put on a wry smirk and pointed both hands at her in a sweeping gesture. "Looks like the pillow fight at your slumber party got a bit out of hand at some point."

But she remained silent and stood just there. Even as he spoke, her eyes suddenly lost their luster again and became alarmingly blank. It looked as if she was staring right through him. He saw her begin to shiver in the cool night air and finally realized that she must be deeply disturbed and completely beside herself. Goodness, she's downright traumatized! The silly grin disappeared from his face as if wiped away. "Elise! You're freezing! Won't you let me in and tell me what happened?"

She blinked a few times and eventually focused her gaze on the Hedgehog again. "Uh... yes! Of course. Sorry, please come in." She stepped aside, and he quickly slipped past her.

But no sooner had she closed the balcony door behind him than she broke down in tears again. As if all strength was draining from her, she sank to her knees, arms wrapped around her pillow, and started to cry. Sobbing, she apologized to him for her improper behavior.

It almost tore his heart apart to see her like this. He approached her and grabbed her by the shoulders. "Listen, Elise," he said, putting as much warmth into his voice as he could. "There's absolutely nothing you need to apologize for, and even less to be ashamed of."

"Oh Sonic...," she whispered, crying bitterly. "If only you knew..." The sadness and desperation in her voice stabbed his chest like a knife.

A little hesitantly, he overcame the remaining distance between their bodies and took her in his arms, gingerly stroking her back with one hand. As if she had only waited for him to do so, she nestled her cheek against the side of his head, nuzzled her face into his fur, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

The Mobian closed his eyes. Yes, he had wished to be close to her again, to be able to hold her in his arms again. But not because of a situation like this. Not for a reason like this. He had imagined that quite differently. Now I've to comfort her for the second time already, within a few hours! What are they doing to her here? "Would you like to tell me what's been going on?" he asked her softly.

He felt her nod against his cheek, and suddenly everything burst out of her. She explained to him what had happened tonight while he listened in silence. She told him about the terrible dinner. About her father's guests and their behavior towards her. And about the things her father had said to her and done to her.

The story left him stunned. He almost couldn't believe what she had just revealed to him. "That's not the way to treat a girl! A princess! And that's definitely not the way to treat the own daughter! Not! At! All!" And most of all, that's not the way to treat the woman I've fallen in love with!

Elise sniffled one last time and wiped away her tears. Secure in Sonic's embrace, she had been able to get her grief off her chest, and she was already feeling much better. The fact that he had shown up so unexpectedly, that he was with her now, at her side, did her infinitely good. Still, she felt a bit ashamed. How embarrassing! Now he had to comfort me already for the second time today! What is he supposed to think of me? She glimpsed at him and was startled by the boundless indignation that suddenly blazed in the Hedgehog's eyes.

"This time he has gone too far! This time he crossed the line!" Sonic's voice vibrated with suppressed anger, and he was barely aware of his words. They simply burst out of him. "I'll get him! I'll have a little chat with him!"

She felt him trembling with rage and began to worry. "Sonic, no! Please don't. Please promise me you won't do anything to him. He's still my father, after all..."

"Elise! You can't just put up with that!" He returned her gaze, and his emerald irises sparkled with fury. "Don't tell me you're just going to let him get away with this! I won't let that happen!"

His emotional outburst puzzled her. She was surprised at how important it seemed to him to protect her. He's so determined. So passionate. Is this only because he's the hero he is, always caring about others? Or could it be... that... he's caring about me in particular? Do I mean something special to him? Just the idea that this could be possible made her feel dizzy, and the pillow almost slipped out of her hands. Anyway, it's amazing how familiar we've become with each other, even in that short amount of time we've only spent together. How close we have become...

All at once, the young woman became very aware of the Mobian's proximity, and Sonic's hands, still hugging and stroking her, suddenly seemed to send out jolts of electricity into her body. It was a very pleasant sensation, and she got goose bumps all over. The warm feeling of security inside her grew into a tingling heat of excitement that spread even to her loins. She was unable to fight it, and a part of her didn't even want to.

"S-Sonic... Please don't do anything rash," she pleaded in a shaky voice, that moment not quite knowing herself whether her words were meant to stop the Hedgehog from teaching her father a painful lesson or from further caressing her body.

Sonic, for his part, had the impression that Elise's skin suddenly felt much warmer than it had seconds before, even through the fabric of his gloves. He saw a fiery blush forming on her cheeks, and abruptly became aware again that the young heir to the throne of Soleanna kneeling in front of him was still half-naked, her bare chest covered by nothing more than a meanwhile rather crumpled pillow. His irises contracted into narrow stripes, and he blushed heavily as well, even all around his nose. He released her and took a step back. But all of a sudden his eyes went wide and shiny again. "I've got it!" He snapped his fingers. "Now I know what we should do! What will cheer you up right away! Trust me, you'll feel just great after that!"

The princess was still completely caught up in her surging emotions and could imagine only one thing the Mobian might be getting at. With an anxious yet excited glint, her eyes twitched from the thrilled Hedgehog to her bed and back again. "Sonic! I-I don't know... A-Are you really sure about this?"

"Yes, of course!" he stated resolutely, not noticing that his enthusiastic response immediately caused the girl to blush even more violently. He was all antsy and had to control himself not to run around in circles in her room. A brilliant idea had come to his mind when he had just remembered a certain place he had passed on his ramble this forenoon. "Come on, Elise! Dress something! We're going on a little trip together."

"Eh... what?!" Caught off guard by his supposedly sudden change of subject, she first had to rearrange her thoughts.

"Change clothes. Quickly! I mean... please! I wanna show ya something." Impatiently, he tapped his foot on the floor.

Undecided whether she should be relieved or disappointed, Elise finally grasped what he was really talking about. Well, why not, actually? But then again... what if someone sees us together? If father finds out about that... For a moment she was unsure what to do. But only for a moment. No! I' don't care about father's opinion anymore! "Okay," she agreed, nodding. Then she looked at him and waited. Waited a little longer. Eventually, she raised an eyebrow.

"Oh! Sorry!" Finally, Sonic comprehended what she was waiting for. He snickered and turned his back to her, directing his gaze to her balcony windows. Sheepishly, he rubbed his nose.

Feeling unobserved at last, the princess got up and went to her closet, smiling in amusement about the Hedgehog's bashful reaction. After rummaging in her closet for a moment, she decided on some clothes and placed them, along with the pillow she now no longer needed, on her bed. "Will you tell me what you're going to show me?" she asked curiously, starting to peel herself out of what was left of her dress.

"You'll see-" ...soon enough. He choked on the second half of his answer when he suddenly realized that he was still able to see her. He could see her reflection in the glass pane of her balcony door. The light in the room combined with the darkness outside had turned the windows into mirrors.

Paralyzed by surprise and fascination, the young Mobian couldn't help but stare at Elise's mirror image as she undressed, slipping the remnants of her tight-fitting gown off her body while moving her hips back and forth. As if remotely controlled, almost against his will, his eyes wandered over each of her feminine curves, captivated by her slender hourglass figure, on which every proportion seemed to be perfect. An angel, made by gods.

She was so different from him, and yet she radiated an attraction to him he simply wasn't able to escape. She had enchanted him. She's so incredible beautiful! Almost like out of this world...

Underneath her dress she wore nothing but a white, downright dangerously skimpy thong. Little of her body remained hidden to him, and again he felt a seething heat rising inside him, the same tingling he had experienced a couple of hours ago when he had tended to her bruised ribs with the bandage she was still wearing. Finally, he found the strength to avert his gaze, intent on avoiding any embarrassment this time. He also felt quite guilty for having watched her undress so shamelessly. "E-Elise... I'll wait outside, if you don't mind."

"Sure. I'll be right with you." The sound of rustling clothes accompanied her words.

Fortunately, she doesn't seem to have noticed anything, he thought. He stepped out onto her balcony and closed the door behind him without turning around. Chilly night air embraced him and cooled him down at least a bit. He walked to the balustrade and leaned his forehead against the cold stone of its railing, imagining a hissing sound like that which occurs when something hot is quenched in cold water. Absentmindedly, he stroked over one of the balusters, traced its feather-like shape with his fingers. I should confess my feelings to her. And I should do it as soon as possible, preferably this very night. She deserves to know the truth, deserves to know how I feel about her. And no matter what her reaction is, I have to come to terms with the result. But I just can't go on like this. Not without knowing if she... if we...

Or if not. His mouth suddenly felt like parched, and he swallowed dryly. Maybe she can't even imagine being with a Mobian! At the thought of the very likely possibility that his feelings would not be reciprocated and that she might reject him, that he could lose Elise again just after he had found her in the first place, made him dizzy, and he clung to the column for support. And then there's still that little problem with those dreams... So far they've only finished me off, but from then on they'd kill me! He heard the balcony door open behind him and turned around.

She was wearing a simple yet figure-hugging combination of dark denim pants and a black cotton top, and her feet were in plain, functional sneakers made of dark suede. Although she had selected ordinary, unremarkable clothes, she still looked breathtaking in them.

He had to smirk seeing her dressed all in dark colors, because she had probably decided that way in order to avoid being spotted or recognized too easily tonight. "Ninja mode, huh? All that's missing is a mask, then I'd say you're all set for that bank robbery I'd planned to pull through with ya."

A grin settled on her lips as well. "That's only for your own protection. Kidnapping princesses in the middle of the night is considered a major crime in this country, you know?"

But it did not escape him that there was a sad expression in her eyes that even her smile could not cover up. "Are you okay, Elise? You can still change your mind if you want to."

She shook her head, a bit surprised that he had seen through her so easily. "It's only because of the dress. It once belonged to my mother. She passed away when I was very little, and unfortunately there aren't too many things of hers left to me. And when I saw it lying on the bed just now, so ripped and ruined..." She heaved a sigh.

"I see. Then I think we should finally hit the road and get your mind off things," Sonic suggested, holding out both his hands to her.

But suddenly the princess hesitated when she finally realized in what way he was planning to take her on that 'trip'. Seriously? What was I thinking? She looked at him skeptically, but he only returned her gaze with big, expectantly shining eyes.

As if he had read her thoughts again, he gave her a wink. "Just trust me. I'm going to be very careful, too."

Well, okay... He surely knows what he's doing, she thought. Those weird dreams or memories aside, he has already carried me once today, after all, and even ran across water with me! Elise took heart and nodded. Then she turned her side to him and squatted slightly.

Gently, he slid one of his large paws under her thighs, supported her back with the other, and lifted her up bridal style. His Mobian strength gave the lie to his size and made it look as if she was as light as a feather. Once she was safely in his arms, he leaped down from her balcony in a high arc, which elicited a surprised squeak from her. But when they landed about sixty feet below, the girl suddenly expelled her breath in a hiss, even though he had skillfully cushioned their fall. With her face contorted in pain, she looked at him reproachfully.

Shoot! I'm such a fool to forget her bruise! And only seconds ago I told her I'd be careful! "So sorry!"

But she was already smirking again. "Gosh, Sonic! That jump was amazing!" She wrapped her arm around his neck and brought her lips very close to his ear. It made him all tingly again. "Just be a bit more cautious, please, you hear?" she whispered.

"Promise!" he vowed. Then he started moving, slowly at first, but soon he sped up and raced into the forest with her.

While he picked up speed, she fearfully clung to him with all her might, almost strangling the running Hedgehog. Every muscle in her tensed as she nearly panicked, and she was on the verge of regretting that she had let him talk her into this. "Sonic? Sonic, wait! P-Please, n-not so fast!"

He laughed. "Don't worry! Just raise your head and enjoy!"

Squinting her eyes firmly shut, she felt the speed rather than she saw it while her carrier got faster and faster. The wind brushed over her face, swept her hair into her nape, and all at once the situation reminded her of an event from her childhood, when she had once visited an amusement park, many years ago. Her so-called friends had goaded her into a vicious dare, claiming that she wasn't a true princess and would never even become a real duchess if she couldn't muster the courage to sneak onto a roller coaster ride all by herself. It was stupid and dangerous, downright suicidal, because she had been far too young and way too small, but her pride had been bigger than her reason, and so she had done it. Never in her life had she been so scared, and yet at the same time so much fun. At least until her father had gotten his hands on her again and spanked her royal butt.

This feeling was now reawakening in her, and she became more and more excited. Altough her rib cage still ached a little, not least because Sonic was bobbing slightly as he ran, Elise gradually began to enjoy the sensational ride he was giving her. Finally, she dared to open her eyes and immediately clung to him even more tightly when she became aware of the breakneck speed at which they were really dashing through the forest. Her heart drummed wildly as adrenaline began to rush through her veins, and she couldn't fight that broad, silly grin that formed on her lips. Seeing the Blue Blur on television, where most of the footage had to be replayed in slow motion to even get him in the frame, was one thing. Experiencing his pace in real life was quite another.

He sensed the change in her body tension and turned his head towards her, noticing her smile and the glint in her eyes. "Feels great, doesn't it?"

Boy, look ahead! "Y-Yes! I've never moved so fast before," she confessed in a trembling voice. Solaris, save me! Make him look ahead!

"If you have time to worry, then run, I say," Sonic continued, to her relief directing his gaze back to the path again. "Nothing starts until you take action!"

The trees flew past them left and right. At first, he mostly stayed on the wide beaten path that led almost straight ahead through the forest. But at a certain point he turned off, slipped through the rows of trees, and ran cross-country through the woods with her. The forest became increasingly thick, and only occasionally did the moon still peek through the dense canopy of leaves.

Elise had to admit that it was astounding how confidently the Mobian navigated through the nearly pitch-black nightly forest, despite his incomparable speed and his sometimes not exactly undivided attention. No root made him stumble, no twig came too close to them. And then she understood what she basically had known all the time. Speed... That's his unique gift. It's his life, his way of living, and what he's living for. He's the fastest thing alive, as they say. Moving like this is probably as natural to him as simple breathing is to me.

Finally, she felt able to relax completely, and her smile grew even wider. Her worries suddenly seemed to be far away and almost forgotten. The grief for her mother, the fear of her father, the terrible evening – all that faded into the background. As long as Sonic was with her, als long as she was in his arms, everything was just fine. What did he say? If you've time to worry, then run? There might be some truth to that. She looked at him. "Sonic, hold me tight, will you?"

"Always," he assured her with a wink. Forever, he added in his mind.

And all of a sudden, she let go of him. Throwing her arms in the air, she squealed and laughed like a little girl who was enjoying a thrilling ride on a roller coaster. She felt the wind on her skin, the tingle of speed in the pit of her stomach, and screamed out loud with pleasure and excitement. "Wheee!"

When he saw Elise at last having fun on their trip together and obviously able to forget her worries, at least for the moment, Sonic laughed, too. Keeping a firm grip on her, he accelerated one last time, becoming just as fast as he dared considering her injury. They had actually almost reached the place he wanted to show her, but now that she was enjoying the ride, he decided to make a small detour to delay their arrival a little further.

Together they darted through the forest, chasing the moon, outpacing the wind, and shouting their joy into the night in unison.

"Wheeeeee!"

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-===XXX===-
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Tails startled out of his sleep and shot up in his bed. What was that? He thought he had heard a furious scream, followed by a loud thud. Came that from above? Staring into the semi-darkness of his hotel room, he perked up his ears and listened for a moment, not sure if he had just dreamed it. But then there was another violent crash in the apartment above him, so intense that he could feel the vibration in his guts. The ceiling lamp, not much more than a light bulb hanging down on a cable, began to swing back and forth.

Is that Amy? What time is it actually? He blinked a few times to clear his vision and looked at the clock radio on his nightstand. Its illuminated digits read just before one in the morning. Alarmed, he struggled out of his bed as fast as he could, but got tangled in the blanket and hit the ground flat on his face. How can people sleep like that? He hurriedly got up again and dressed, while the commotion above him continued.

All of a sudden, the door to his bedroom was yanked open, and Knuckles came rushing in. He punched the light switch and brought the bare bulb to flickering life. Tiredness had drawn dark circles around the Echidna's eyes, but his dreadlock-like spines were raised with agitation, framing his grim-looking face like drooping palm fronds. "Miles, do you hear that? Somebody's tearing down the fuckin' hotel!"

"I think it's coming from Amy's room!" Tails had finally finished dressing. "Sounds like a fight! Maybe she needs help!" As if to confirm his words, another thunderous bang from upstairs almost shook the entire building, and plaster trickled down from the ceiling. Then they heard the desperate cry of a woman. It was definitely the Hedgehog girl's voice.

The two Mobians hurried to the stairs, and Knuckles charged up the steps, taking three at a time. Still, it was the amber-furred Fox who arrived first at the upper floor. He jumped on his two tails, and used his supernatural Mobian agility and strength to catapult himself up the stairwell with them as if they were two powerful springs. On television it was often portrayed as if he could fly by spinning his tails like rotor blades, but that was such a nonsense that he had to laugh every time the subject came up. However, he was indeed capable of controlling the direction of his wide jumps to some extent even in midair by quickly moving and shifting his fluffy extremities. He suspected that there had to be people who got that mixed up somehow.

On the floor on which Amy's room was located, about a dozen other hotel guests had already gathered in the hallway. All of them were humans, some of them still dressed in pajamas. Obviously tired and annoyed by the nighttime disturbance, they apparently tried to find out who was responsible for all the noise.

Tails ignored them for now and knocked on the girl's door. "Amy? Is everything all right?" But the only response from inside the room was the sound of shattering glass and another shrill scream of her.

Miles became more and more worried. He pressed the door handle, but her suite was locked. "Amy?" He rattled the door. "Amy!"

On the other side of the door, the female Hedgehog started a rant. "Did he really think he could just sneak away in the middle of the night without me noticing? Did he really think I wouldn't know to where he was going? To whom?" It sounded as if something in her room was being smashed with brute force. "And of course she let him in as soon as he showed up! And of course she was half naked again! And of course they immediately started making out again!" Each 'of course' was accompanied by a loud crash, as if she was punching something in her rage as she spoke.

What?! Tails had no idea what she was talking about, but it slowly dawned on him that she wasn't in a fight but in a fit of rage. And that it had to have something to do with Sonic and another woman. Sonic dating a girl? In the dead of night? Stop kidding me! But then again... where is he anyway? Why hasn't he shown up yet? "Amy, whatever happened, I'm sure we can sort it out. Peacefully. So please calm down and open the door," he tried to talk some sense into her.

In the meantime, Knuckles had caught up with him. When he saw all the people standing around gawking in the hallway, his eyes narrowed in anger. He planted himself next to his friend threateningly, causing most of the onlookers to fearfully take a few steps back.

Amy continued to curse in her room. "Does she ever wear any clothes at all? All the time she's holding her tits in his face! Really seems to need it, that fucking bitch," she yelled at the top of her lungs.

Knuckles pushed the little Fox aside. "Let me try." He banged his fist on the door a few times. His way of knocking. "Amy, open the freakin' door! And do it right now!"

The guests in the corridor became increasingly impatient, and the two Mobians could hear them whispering something to each other. Something about how anthros were always causing trouble, wherever they showed up.

The Echidna turned to them and raised his fists menacingly. "Fuck off and mind your own shit, assholes! Or I'll make you!"

Another deafening bang sounded from Amy's room and made the floor shake beneath their feet. "Together with me he doesn't want to watch the sunrise at the harbor, but together with her he goes for a night walk into the forest," the Hedgehog girl cried desperately, and at the last words her voice failed her.

"To hell with that! I've had enough!" Knuckles took a swing, about to smash the door.

The Fox ducked down. "Amy, watch out! Get away from the door!"

But suddenly the door flung open and Amy stood before them, her green eyes flickering with madness and rage. She was completely out of breath and panting heavily. Her clothes were messy, even stained in places, and her head spikes stood off in disarray. Her formerly white gloves were covered with dirt and torn open at the fingertips, revealing her bare claws. In her hand was a giant sledgehammer, its head almost as large as an anvil and its handle longer than her entire body. She held the massive tool as if it weighed nothing.

Over her shoulder, Tails and Knuckles could see that the suite behind her was totally devastated. The sight rendered them speechless with surprise and horror.

Tails was the first to recover his voice. "A-Amy... Holy crap..."

As if in slow motion, the girl directed her piercing gaze at the little Fox, who instinctively took a step back. Her lips twisted into a maniacal grin as she began to whisper in a toneless voice. "She destroyed everything. Ruined everything. But if that filthy whore really thinks she can just waltz into my life and fuck it up that easily, she's got another thing coming." She emitted a lunatic cackle before continuing. "She's taking my love? Fine. Then I'll take her life."

Before the two males were able to react, she suddenly squeezed past them through the gap Tails had opened and jumped over the staircase railing. A few seconds later they heard her landing on the tiles of the ground floor and running away.

Tails and Knuckles looked at each other stunned, still trying to process the situation. They were already used to some drama and hysteria from Amy, but this time she had outdone herself. Cautiously, they entered her suite and surveyed the destruction she had left behind.

The small room was completely wrecked. Every piece of furniture had been smashed, apparently with the help of the hammer she had with her. Her bedding had been torn into strips. The closet and a wall cupboard had been turned into kindling. The floor was littered with splinters of wood, broken dishes, and shards of glass. Even the window was shattered. Cold night air poured into the room, inflating the tattered curtain like a sail.

Knuckles cleared his throat. "Now that's what I call a job well done. The hotel keeper will be impressed."

An exited murmur sounded from behind them. Some of the other hotel guests had given in to their curiosity and crowded at the door, staring wide-eyed at the mess in front of them. Knuckles spun around and slammed the door in their faces.

Overwhelmed with the situation, the young Fox was close to a heart attack. "I-I just can't believe this! W-We have to do something!"

"Well, what can we possibly do?" The Echidna turned in a circle and let his gaze wander around the room.

"We have to follow her!" Tails threw his hands up in horror.

"Follow her?" Knuckles snorted. "She's not Sonic, but she's still a Hedgehog. You're welcome to try, but I'd rather save my breath."

It was beyond Miles' comprehension how his friend could remain so calm. "What on earth was she talking about anyway," he asked anxiously. "And the way she looked! She was completely out of it. What if she's really going to kill somebody?"

"Then she definitely has the right tool at hand. Have you seen that badass hammer, dude?" The red-furred anthro laughed. "Wonder where she got it from."

Finally, Tails gave it up and shook his head in despair. "We have to inform Sonic about this! Or ask Shadow for help! Or both! As soon as poss-" Suddenly he noticed something lying on the ground, almost hidden beneath all the rubble. Debris crunched under his shoes as he walked towards it and picked it up. "Knuckles! Look..." His voice trembled.

Together they stared in disbelief at the item Tails had recovered. It was Amy's favorite picture, a snapshot of her and Sonic, which the Fox had once taken by chance while testing out his new camera some years ago. The photo showed her lunging at the Blue Blur in an unprepared moment and actually managing to pull Sonic into a hug. A rare occurrence. It was her sanctuary, her most precious treasure, and she took it with her wherever she went. She hadn't even wanted to leave it at home for their week-long trip to Soleanna.

The picture had been thrashed out of its frame, and the protective glass was nothing but a cobweb of shards. It looked as if Amy had been working on it for minutes with that massive hammer.

Knuckles frowned. "Maybe you're right, Miles. Maybe Sonic should know about this."

...