{"submission_id":"1561967","keywords":[{"keyword_id":"9534","keyword_name":"amy rose","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"8637"},{"keyword_id":"1911","keyword_name":"badger","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"3244"},{"keyword_id":"7905","keyword_name":"bandicoot","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"832"},{"keyword_id":"1147","keyword_name":"bite","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"954"},{"keyword_id":"2357","keyword_name":"creampie","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"12871"},{"keyword_id":"8539","keyword_name":"echidna","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"6949"},{"keyword_id":"123","keyword_name":"female","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"520771"},{"keyword_id":"2968","keyword_name":"fighting","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"2507"},{"keyword_id":"33","keyword_name":"fox","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"135554"},{"keyword_id":"1008","keyword_name":"hedgehog","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"47860"},{"keyword_id":"10788","keyword_name":"knuckles the echidna","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"2556"},{"keyword_id":"165","keyword_name":"male","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"640434"},{"keyword_id":"11507","keyword_name":"male/female","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"40284"},{"keyword_id":"1003","keyword_name":"m/f","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"22958"},{"keyword_id":"28051","keyword_name":"sonamy","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"1594"},{"keyword_id":"2116","keyword_name":"sonic","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"33806"},{"keyword_id":"115764","keyword_name":"sonic boom","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"1642"},{"keyword_id":"7252","keyword_name":"sonic the hedgehog","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"29069"},{"keyword_id":"364346","keyword_name":"staci the bandicoot","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"6"},{"keyword_id":"196592","keyword_name":"sticks the badger","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"841"},{"keyword_id":"16236","keyword_name":"straddling","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"235"},{"keyword_id":"37685","keyword_name":"tails miles prower","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"1168"}],"hidden":"t","scraps":"f","favorite":"f","favorites_count":"7","create_datetime":"2018-03-11 21:13:52.231117+01","create_datetime_usertime":"11 Mar 2018 21:13 CET","last_file_update_datetime":"2018-03-11 20:43:43.614902+01","last_file_update_datetime_usertime":"11 Mar 2018 20:43 CET","username":"Chinry","user_id":"447612","user_icon_file_name":"153322_Chinry_image.png","user_icon_url_large":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/usericons/large/153/153322_Chinry_image.png","user_icon_url_medium":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/usericons/medium/153/153322_Chinry_image.png","user_icon_url_small":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/usericons/small/153/153322_Chinry_image.png","file_name":"2217801_Chinry_ic10.doc","file_url_full":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/full/2217/2217801_Chinry_ic10.doc","file_url_screen":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/2217/2217801_Chinry_ic10.doc","file_url_preview":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/2217/2217801_Chinry_ic10.doc","files":[{"file_id":"2217801","file_name":"2217801_Chinry_ic10.doc","file_url_full":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/full/2217/2217801_Chinry_ic10.doc","file_url_screen":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/2217/2217801_Chinry_ic10.doc","file_url_preview":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/2217/2217801_Chinry_ic10.doc","mimetype":"application/msword","submission_id":"1561967","user_id":"447612","submission_file_order":"0","full_size_x":null,"full_size_y":null,"screen_size_x":null,"screen_size_y":null,"preview_size_x":null,"preview_size_y":null,"initial_file_md5":"40978e0a65a2fbec1ce61b7325be6686","full_file_md5":"40978e0a65a2fbec1ce61b7325be6686","large_file_md5":"","small_file_md5":"","thumbnail_md5":"","deleted":"f","create_datetime":"2018-03-11 20:43:43.614902+01","create_datetime_usertime":"11 Mar 2018 20:43 CET"}],"pools":[{"pool_id":"49514","name":"Internal Combustion","description":"My full blown story about the trials and tribulations of Amy and Sonic's early relationship. Boom based.","count":"14","submission_left_submission_id":"1554176","submission_left_file_name":"2205572_Chinry_ic8.doc","submission_right_submission_id":"1576313","submission_right_file_name":"2240544_Chinry_ic14.doc"}],"description":"The names of the girls are just a nod to the franchise. It's not literally them!\n\nOh blimey that was a long slog wasn't it? Sorry that this chapter is a little dull, it's very talky but it's important conversation. The point of this fic is that the characters are maturing at this point, so they have to learn to accept their faults and much as their plus points.\n\nThe Mary conversation feels out of place, and mostly that's because I came up with the bite theory AFTER Amy had spoken with her at the beginning. So basically, woops.\n\nTo try and keep you interested, a certain Blue hedgie is soon to be woodland bound.\n\nAlso sorry if it takes longer to update. I'm also working on the sequel (of sorts) to this fic and I'm finding it more complicated as it involves so much canon, namely the Archie story arcs. Man that shit got complex. ","description_bbcode_parsed":"The names of the girls are just a nod to the franchise. It's not literally them!
Oh blimey that was a long slog wasn't it? Sorry that this chapter is a little dull, it's very talky but it's important conversation. The point of this fic is that the characters are maturing at this point, so they have to learn to accept their faults and much as their plus points.
The Mary conversation feels out of place, and mostly that's because I came up with the bite theory AFTER Amy had spoken with her at the beginning. So basically, woops.
To try and keep you interested, a certain Blue hedgie is soon to be woodland bound.
Also sorry if it takes longer to update. I'm also working on the sequel (of sorts) to this fic and I'm finding it more complicated as it involves so much canon, namely the Archie story arcs. Man that shit got complex. ","writing":"\tSonic finally eased himself out of her, and lay on his back on the sofa, opening his arms out to indicate for her to join him. With her body still reeling from the shock, she gladly lay herself on his chest and listened to the steady decrease in his heart rate. He rubbed gently at the base of her spine, but while stroking her quills flat with his other hand he caught the wound on her back and she hissed sharply. \n\n\t“Care to tell me what that was?” she asked, still too tired to be angry. Or at the very least angry enough to clobber him. \n\n\t“So that was a surprise to you eh?” he asked, cautiously.\n\n\tShe thought back to Shadow biting down on his arm, but decided against bringing his name in to the moment. It wasn't like she needed to really, her back had been bare and Sonic knew it. Amy had nearly laughed when Sticks had told her a backless dress could tip the scales in Amy's favour. Why Sticks hadn't just told her the truth she would have to drag out of the badger later.\n\n\t“Surprise would be the nicest term I can think of,” she grumbled.\n\n\t“I guess it's a bit primeval,” he sighed.\n\n\t“Primeval? You nearly tore a chunk out of my back.”\n\n\tHe chuckled, “For the record, I'm sorry I didn't give you a heads up. I would have thought you knew, especially since Shadow is a hedgehog too. I think. I mean, it was clear he hadn't bitten you even though you two had...”\n\n\tHis name hung in the air momentarily, and she pushed herself up to look in his eyes.\n\n\t“That's another conversation for another time. Since no-one has cared to explain this to me...why did you do it?”\n\n\tHe smirked at her again, apologetically, “I didn't know how true it was. I have a cousin, y'know one of those kids who seems to know everything about things you shouldn't know when you're young? Think the neighbourhood parents thought he was a real scourge. Anyway, I think it runs right back to when we were a little more primitive than we are now. The least romantic side of it is...well you can't get away when I...you know,” he coughed awkwardly, “at the end there...”\n\n\t“You came in me. If you're going to do it you can learn to say it,” she breathed, feeling a little bashful all the same. “If that's the least romantic, do I dare ask what the romantic part is?”\n\n\tHe didn't reply right away, but she could hear the increase in his heartbeat. As much as he could be embarrassed about intimate conversation, emotional was even harder. Her own heart began to race in sympathy.\n\n\t“It didn't make sense when he told me years ago, but I get it now. I'm connected to you now, more than anyone I ever have been with. While that bite remains on your back, everything inside me tells me to stay by your side. Even if you don't need me to,” he laughed, “I will protect you from everything in the world.”\n\n\tShe buried her face in his fur, trying to hide the smile that spread like a wild fire. She tried to fight down the elation in her heart, so in true Sonic style she made a joke of it.\n\n\t“So you clubbed me over the head and dragged me in to a cave, so I could spawn your children?” she growled in to his chest. He laughed again.\n\n\t“Er yea I guess so. Well not while you aren't in season right? Didn't you wonder why you have that patch on your back? Don't you have female family members who would let you in on that?”\n\n\tShe scoffed, “Had I known it was for that do you think I would have left my back exposed like that? So what now? You lay claim, plant your seeds, and I'm yours forever?”\n\n\tHe fell quiet again. He scooped his hand under her chin and gently lifted it until she finally faced him again. She knew she was blushing. \n\n\t“Shadow knew he couldn't keep you. I was shocked when I didn't see a mark from him, but it meant that you were still free to be mine, no matter what happened between you and him. I'm not saying I can keep you, the bite will vanish if left to heal and you are free to do as you wish but...”\n\n\tShe sank her teeth in to the cleft of his neck. Not hard enough to draw blood as he had, but enough to shut him up and make her point. He gasped at the sudden act, but nuzzled her head to show he knew what she meant. She kissed the spot she had nipped.\n\n\t“I guess I can give you a trial run. See if I still want you around after I'm healed. Deal?”\n\n\t“You're a harsh Mistress, Miss Rose. Deal.” \n\n******\n\n\tShe woke up still buried in the fur on his chest. She was pleasantly surprised to find he hadn't run away, or that she hadn't dreamed the entire event. As she pushed herself up she felt the sting of his mark on her back. In a very twisted way, she liked the pain. \n\n\tHer blue hero was snoring loudly as his mouth was hanging open. She chuckled to herself. Even when he was a mess he was cute. Yawning herself she stroked her head and felt that her quills were all over the place, so she quickly showered to get herself presentable for the outside world. For a wonderful evening she had forgotten the village around her was scrutinizing her, analysing her every move for a sign of...something. The hot water washed away those thoughts momentarily and as she wrapped a towel around herself there came the smell of greasy food from the kitchen.\n\n\t“Oh darling,” she sighed dramatically as she walked over to Sonic, “you cooked us a nutritional breakfast.”\n\n\t“Reheating left overs is a form of cooking. Besides, I always eat a lot after a night of....”\n\n\tAs he trailed off she scrunched her nose and nodded at him that his decision to cut off was best. They couldn't ignore that they both had history with someone else forever, but she wanted to preserve this first morning.\n\n\t“Next time, let me prepare breakfast for us. Something with a bit more energy rather than just empty calories.”\n\n\t“So there will be a next time?”\n\n\tShe smiled coyly at him, suddenly very shy again. Sensing the change in the air, Sonic rubbed his ear awkwardly, and handed her a burger with an embarrassed cough.\n\n\tAmy had barely taken a bite before there was a hammering at her door. She gave Sonic a concerned look. He put a finger to his lips and ducked down behind the counter in the kitchen. She pulled her robe tight around herself and went to see who it was, prepared for whatever was on the other side. It was Knuckles.\n\n\t“Oh, morning! Everything okay?” she asked, beaming innocently at him.\n\n\t“I need to speak with Sonic.”\n\n\tAmy was a little taken aback with the aggression in his voice. Looking in his eyes she noticed he looked almost in pain.\n\n\t“He is...I mean...have you checked his hu....”\n\n\t“I know he's here Amy, I need him now!”\n\n\tShe took in a breath to try and protest, but Sonic appeared at her side. They both knew the tone in Knuckles voice was one they heard very rarely, and out of concern they ignored how the situation looked. Sonic followed Knuckles in silence, and Amy was left to watch them walk away, her mind screaming a thousand questions that she knew would have to wait.\n\n********\n\n\tSonic knew when not to lose his temper, and now was certainly the time to keep it in check. Knuckles wouldn't say a word to him but Sonic could feel the anger radiating off the bulky echidna. It had been a very long time since he had seen such a solidly, serious frown on his friends face and it left an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach. \n\n\tThey were walking toward the village square. It was there that Sonic noticed the place was an absolute tip. There seemed to be paper caught in every bush, pasted on every wall, sat on every seat at the currently still empty Meh Burger.\n\n\t“Woah this place is a mess,” Sonic exclaimed, “but I didn't expect you to get to worked up about littering like this Knucks.”\n\n\tKnuckles turned to him, “I'd take a closer look if I were you.”\n\n\tSonic looked him up and down suspiciously, but with a shrug of his shoulders he picked up the nearest paper. It wasn't a piece of meaningless scrap at all, it was a poster. Crudely hand drawn and torn at the edges, but it's evil intentions were clear as day. Dead centre was a cartoonishly evil image of Amy, and written all around the edges were vile, slanderous words. The next poster he picked up was of himself, with similar wording. As near as he could tell every lose piece of paper caught in the breeze was a picture of either one of them, or both of them on the more creative pieces. \n\n\t“That psychotic bitch,” he murmured, knowing just who was to blame. He darted around the village as swiftly as he could, grabbing every scrap of paper he saw, hoping beyond hope that very few locals were up early enough to have seen the posters. After a few laps he was sure he had found them all and he ran back to Knuckles.\n\n\t“We need to get rid of these before anyone sees them. Not a word to Amy either!”\n\n\tKnuckles nodded, “Come with me, I've got a drum we can burn them in.”\n\n\tSonic sighed, “Great. Thanks buddy. Don't worry though, I won't let this bother me! Not like Staci has ever taken a break up well.”\n\n\tAll the walk to the secluded nook on the beach, Knuckles remained silent, picking up any paper Sonic accidentally dropped along the way. When they reached Knuckles current residence he already had a fire going, and Sonic eagerly dropped all the posters in the drum. He watched the childish drawings of his face curl and burn; the spiteful hate against Amy eradicated before they could hurt her.\n\n\t“That was a close one. Did you see her putting them out? I knew she'd take it badly but....”\n\n\t“But what do you care about the feelings of another girl you dumped?”\n\n\tSonic felt his jaw drop open. He felt his spines raise on his back and he no longer felt any need to keep his anger in check. He didn't like being caught off guard.\n\n\t“Where the hell did that come from?” he snarled.\n\n\tKnuckles didn't flinch at the sight of Sonic with his hackles raised. Buried in the sand by his foot was the piece of paper that had blown his way at sunrise and turned his world a little darker. He pulled it out and handed it over to Sonic.\n\n\tSonic whipped it from his hand and studied. There was no image on this poster, but there was a list of names. There were five in total and each was scratched out so they were barely readable. All except the last name which had been circled several times and a small broken heart had been drawn next to it.\n\n\t“You all think I'm dumb, and most of the time I am. But I'm going to guess that is a list of all the girls you've slept with and walked away from?”\n\n\tSally, Elise, Mina and Staci had all been written down and then scribbled over. The final name on the list, circled, with that foreboding broken heart next to it, was Amy. There was no way Staci could have found all this out in one night, meaning she had been spying on him for quite a while. But his fear and anger at that would have to wait. He could feel Knuckles eyes burning in to him.\n\n\tSonic sucked in a deep breath and looked up from the paper, “Yea, so? You knew Amy wasn't the first girl I....”\n\n\t“I thought Staci was! That made me mad enough. But putting Amy fifth? And you thought I was worried about you?”\n\n\tSonic could see that Knuckles was starting to shake, but there would be no backing away from this fight.\n\n\t“You're mad about Staci because you've always fancied the twins,” Sonic scoffed, “these other girls mean nothing to you, so what do they matter? None of them were even my own species until Amy...”\n\n\tKnuckles punched. Distracted by the list again Sonic was caught off guard and he was sent flying through the sand. He'd been caught in the same place Amy had socked him and the pain jolted through his skull like a lightning bolt. Knuckles had never hit him that hard before no matter how much they had squabbled over the years. That shock and the pain stopped him from getting back up on his feet. He howled through his teeth.\n\n\t“I am the last of my kind. Are you saying I will never have a strong and loving bond with another creature?”\n\n\tSonic cracked his jaw carefully, “I didn't mean it like....”\n\n\t“So these other girls...they could have meant something to you? Any one of them could have been just as important as Amy?” Knuckles probed with a deep, throaty voice.\n\n\tSonic was still trying to blink away the stars, his head pounding but his heart ready and on fire, “None of them could light a candle to her. Amy is special.”\n\n\tKnuckles walked over and grabbed Sonics scarf, pulling him up until they were nose to nose.\n\n\t“Special? Not enough for you to wait for her. Have you ever, once in your life, sat back and waited? Or are you just so used to being Sonic the Hedgehog that anything but getting your own way is unthinkable? You just have to have what you want.”\n\n\tSonic tried to pull himself free, but in upper body strength Knuckles had him licked. His feet were just off the floor and for a brief moment he considered how hard he would have to kick to get Knuckles to drop him. But he couldn't bring himself to do it.\n\n\t“I never knew what Amy wanted! She could close herself off at the drop of a hat! And no I'm not patient, but when I thought I'd lost her to Shadow for good...I just...,” Sonic took a deep breath, “what was so much better about him? How did he win her over in a matter of days, when I feel like I've been fucking up for years.”\n\n\tKnuckles dropped him. Sonic landed with a thud but the will to fight had gone, and he lay flat on his back in the sand. The simple piece of paper that had caused to much damaged was pierced several times by his spines. It was the first time, since he had left Sally that night a couple of years ago, that he felt a real regret for his actions. \n\n\tThe echidna stood over him. His expression softened a little but he did not offer a helping hand either.\n\n\t“Last night, Sticks told me and Tails what Amy went through to come home. We were all so interested in what she had done with Shadow that we didn't care to ask her about how she felt. We were wrong to do that.”\n\tSonic frowned up at him, “What she went through? What are you talking about?”\n\n\tKnuckles rubbed at his chin thoughtfully, “She didn't tell you?”\n\n\tSonic could feel his impatience growing again, “Tell...me...what?”\n\n*******\n\n\tShe was pacing. She knew she was pacing but she couldn't stop herself, so she lapped her table again and again to try and get her feet to rest. The guys had been gone for a couple of hours and her communicator sat silent. The look in Knuckles eye had positively frightened her, and he would be a strong fight even for Sonic. What if they were fighting, and if they were was it each other or was it someone else?\n\n\tIt couldn't be Shadow could it? No, he was nowhere near their village, she was sure of it. Even if they had found him he wouldn't have too much trouble fighting them off. Not that they had a reason to fight him. Well, Sonic maybe had a thing or two to say, but he had marked her as his now and she was happy with that.\n\n\tWas he happy about that? Was a mark like a binding contract and now he felt cornered? Was he planning to run, did Knuckles know? Was Knuckles helping him? \n\n\tWhen her phone rang she screamed in surprise. Feeling a little foolish she smoothed down her dress and picked up the receiver.\n\n\t“Hey sugar.”\n\n\tAmy sucked in a breath, “If you are looking for another fight I am ready for one!”\n\n\t“....well nice to know Staci hasn't upset ya too much doll.”\n\n\tAmy gasped, “Perci? Oh Perci I'm so sorry! I didn't mean you, I...”\n\n\tThere was a chuckle, “Y'all don't have to explain. I've been talking to Stace most of the night. She had some pretty words too.”\n\n\tAmy grimaced. Perci was a good friend, but she was also a twin. While Staci had failed most of her studies, Perci had thrived and was now away at University. Both girls were adept with a screwdriver but Perci was putting it to medical application. How twins who were so close, and in many ways so similar, be so different would forever be a puzzle to Amy. \n\n\t“What did she tell you?”\n\n\tThere was a pause at the other end before a long sigh, “I aint angry with you sugar. I know my sister, and I know that temper of hers. I gotta read between some blue lines here, but y'all took a trip recently huh?”\n\n\tAmy scrunched up her face, glad she couldn't been seen, “Yes. I've been...in training, with Shadow. I wanted to work on my combat skills and he could teach me things Sonic couldn't.”\n\n\tIt wasn't a lie, but she was hoping that Perci was taking what Staci had told her with a pinch of salt. If she played it smooth she could sweep the rest under the rug.\n\n\t“Oh, well sugar I always thought you were tough as old boots, but I guess we can all be just a little better. Gotta say I envy ya though, he is one fine piece of hedgehog. So like a shadow though huh? Dark and untouchable. Why I bet he aint ever even smiled.”\n\n\tAmy laughed lightly, “Oh you can get him to smile.”\n\n\t“Ooooh tell me more.”\n\n\t“.....oh shit.”\n\n\tPerci laughed, “Look sugar you give me five minutes with him or Blue and I would be a happy girl. But I know how you feel about Sonic, and Staci....Staci shouldn't have tried to jump in like that. Oh you'd swear she's a vulture under her fur. Since we were young 'uns she would always flash her underthings at the boys to stop them chattin with me. Sugar...I'm callin to warn ya. I tried to talk her down but she is mad as a hatter.”\n\n\tAmy gulped, “I did....I may have done her wrong. I may have done a few things wrong.”\n\n\t“Oh no, no no no sugar no! Blue has been a fool for going near any girl but you. Having your own fun is nothing to feel bad about! Staci doesn't love him, and I'll bet brass for buttons he didn't love her. She lost to you sugar beet. That is where this anger is comin from.”\n\n\tAmy could feel the tears welling up in her eyes. She didn't know what, or who they were for. Perhaps it was that she had neglected her friendship for so long. Perhaps it was in mourning for how simple her life with Sonic could have been. Perhaps even, a sense of regret.\n\n\t“Amy,” Perci said, breaking the silence, “be prepared for what she is going to try and do to you. Both of you. If you got your claws in to him now you gotta hold on for dear life.”\n\n\tA lump developed in Amy's throat that hurt to swallow, so before she broke she changed the subject.\n\n\t“So, tell me about University! What are your peers like?”\n\n\t“Where to start. Oh I just got a new room mate. Think she's a few years older. Beautiful thing though, such white fur for a bat...”\n\n********\n\n\tShe had only just put the phone down when her door opened and Sonic walked in. His eye, which had only just healed, was even more black and swollen than before. His expression was dark and her heart froze.\n\n\t“Sonic! What happened to you?” she cried, running over to him. He seized her hands before she could touch him.\n\n\t“To me?,” he snapped, “what does that matter?”\n\n\tHer heart began to race with a familiar panic and she fought to stop her voice showing it.\n\n\t“Was this an Eggman fight? Why didn't you call me to help? Don't just leave me on the sidelines like that! What's happened to Knuckles?”\n\n\tHe let go of her hands, and pulled out a piece of paper from under his left glove. Handing it to her he stepped away and faced the opposite wall. She caught whatever words were forming in the mouth and shut them down, before opening the paper he had given her. It was a list of names, girls names, scribbled out roughly but just about legible. She didn't know the first three, but the last two names were Staci, and her own. Amy was still untouched, but it was circled several times. Next to it was a rough doodle of a broken heart. As she scrunched the paper in to a ball it was clear what this was.\n\n\t“The city girls.”\n\n\t“Yeah,” he croaked, still looking away.\n\n\t“What is this? A checklist?”\n\n\t“That is probably the only homework Staci has ever done. Those names are accurate and in order. It can't have been easy for her, so she's been spending time on it.”\n\n\tAmy swallowed hard, “Why are you showing me this?”\n\n\tHe finally turned around, “You're there, at the bottom. The fifth name in my history. Not the first, but the fifth. And after you....after what you went through in those woods. You could have stayed with Shadow, you could have lived a new life, but you went through sheer hell and what have I done to deserve it?”\n\n\tShe didn't speak. She didn't move. She wasn't prepared to ask herself these questions yet, so she had nothing to give him. She had only talked about the incident in the woods with Sticks because she wasn't ready to talk further about it yet. Whatever expression she wore it couldn't have been the right one, as he threw open the door and dashed from sight.\n\n********\n\n\tTails view of love and romance was straight out of a film. When two people were fated to be together there was no force on the planet that could stop them. As far as he was concerned he and Zooey would grow up and grow old together, and as far as he could tell she felt the same way.\n\n\tHe had been upset with Amy for disappearing with Shadow. If she really loved Sonic then she never would have done that. As far as he had been concerned she had taken a pair of scissors to their red thread and attempted to cut her tie to Sonic. Sure Sonic had gone off with Staci but that was because he was heartbroken and Staci had pulled him in while he was weak.\n\n\tAt least, that was what he had thought. Staci had passed through and told Tails a painful truth about Sonic. It was the blue hedgehog that had betrayed the other first and he had done it in such secret that only Sticks, with her skill at spying, had known. Staci hadn't hung around long enough to explain how she had found out, but when a disbelieving Tails had gone to Knuckles, his worst fear had been confirmed. His hero was flawed.\n\n\tNow Amy was in his house, her poise weary and her face stone. She had called them all together, now she knew what they knew about the woods. Sticks had only told them because they were still so hung up on what Amy had done with Shadow. She said that, now Sonic and Amy had finally come together, it was time for them to accept some truths. At the time she had left out Sonics history with the other girls, but now Staci was on the warpath they needed to be prepared.\n\n\t“I'm sorry you found out that way Tails. You too Knuckles,” Amy sighed, “it can't have been much fun for either of you.”\n\n\t“You aren't the one who should be apologising,” Knuckles grumbled, “we should all be saying sorry to you. I could punch myself. But I punched Sonic instead.”\n\n\t“Knuckles is right Amy,” Tails chipped in, his voice crackling and quiet, “we should have had more faith in you...and less in him.”\n\n\tAmy shot her head up, “No! Not less in him. Sonic has not gone out there to hurt me. He hasn't gone out of his way to hurt anyone. All he has done is...well he's been Sonic. His feet had flown faster than his brain and by the time it catches up, he's already moved on to something else.”\n\n\t“But I thought you two...I thought you were bound for each other,” Tails croaked, unable still to look Amy in the eye.\n\n\t“It's a bumpy road Tails. But how you feel about Sonic now is why we need to shut that hussy up,” Sticks snapped, “the village needs their hero. They know he's an arrogant ass, but they accept that because he saves them so often. If Staci makes a martyr of him they might run him out of here and they are too stupid to realise that leaves them defenceless.”\n\n\t“We will still be here,” Knuckles piped up, bumping his fists together and puffing out his chest, “we four are a match for Eggman.”\n\n\t“There are bigger things out there Knuckles,” Amy sighed, “even if we are strong, we are stronger with him.”\n\n\tThere was a pause. The night had drawn in and they hadn't heard anything from Sonic since he had run away that morning. \n\n\t“What did you see, out there in the woods?”\n\n\tAmy turned to Tails and gave him a weak smile, “My fears. Loss, death, betrayal. The little horrors that sit in the recesses of my mind.”\n\n\t“Why would Shadow put you through that if you had got...close?”\n\n\t“I chose to face it! It was my final challenge. Shadow tried to talk me out of it. I know he has a bad history with us but he isn't the demon you think he is. He has beaten me in the past, and in a way I think teaching me to be stronger is his way of apologising for his misdeeds.”\n\n\t“You were never not in love with Sonic,” Sticks added in, stating it as a fact rather than asking for confirmation, “Forest ghosts don't understand love. Like pixies and sprites, they don't understand emotions that complex.”\n\n\tAmy sighed deeply, “I don't know where Sonic has gone, but I'm sure this is just a knee jerk reaction. He'll be back. In the mean time, Staci is our biggest enemy. Now you know what Sonic and I have both done she cannot hurt you guys again. But the village does not need to know. Preserve their faith in him. I am.”\n\n********\n\t\n\tShe hadn't lied to them, but doubt was whispering in her ear. Sonic would avoid raw talk about emotions if he could. Just how long he would run for this time it was hard to guess. Their main priority was keeping an eye out for psycho exes.\n\n\tIt was late when her phone rang, but she leapt for it anyway.\n\n\t“Hello?” she answered, not hiding the hope in her voice.\n\n\t“Miss Rose? It's Mary.”\n\n\tAmy drooped again, “Oh yes, hello Ms Concepción. How are you?”\n\n\t“I'm well child. I am sorry it's late, but your friend Sticks informs me you have copulated. Is that right?”\n\n\tAmy let out a noise of frustration. She couldn't wait until her sex life was no longer a topic for discussion. \n\n\t“Not that I would choose to use that word but yes. And actually while we are on the subject you....”\n\n\t“I didn't tell you about the the marking ritual. No I did not. This is why Miss Sticks has asked me to get in touch with you. She feels it's important you know more, but she herself only knows so much. Badger mating is a rough procedure you see, there isn't much romantic in their scars.”\n\n\tAmy settled herself in to her sofa, “Not to question your knowledge of your job, but why didn't you?”\n\n\t“Goodness child you are not the coy girl I met a matter on months ago are you?”\n\n\tAmy snorted, “It's been a pretty eventful time for me.”\n\n\t“I see. Well by my calculation you aren't in heat so at least you were able to make a logical decision. As you now know that first season is a very confusing time for your body AND your emotions. Did the one who marked you know why we do it?”\n\n\tAmy had no patience left to be polite, “So he can cum inside and mark me as his property.”\n\n\tMary was not phased, “Yes, and no. It is indeed, in it's primal sense, a way to carry on the species. But we have evolved beyond mindless animals Miss Rose. He is tied to you now. That bite marks a bond that he cannot break, at least not very easily. Obviously the intention is to impregnate you, and his basic code commands him to stay to protect you and his young. Until your next season anyway.”\n\n\tAmy considered this for a moment. Biologically it would make sense, and even as shocked as she was she had felt a protectiveness when he had cleaned her wound for her. \n\n\t“That doesn't explain why you didn't tell me. Why my Mother didn't. Why nobody did.”\n\n\tMary made a little hmm sound before she spoke, “Not every male is in it for the long haul. If you were expecting it to happen and it didn't, how would you have felt? In your emotional state it would be a devastating blow, and for someone with your fighting skill Miss Rose it had every chance of proving fatal.”\n\n\tAmy laughed at the thought of killing Sonic in the middle of him blowing his beans. She was tempted to kill him where he stood most days, so she could see where Mary was coming from. Her bond with her Mother had never been strong, and she was even less inclined to believe her parents were ever passionately in love. But she had been born, so at some point they must have been. Or at the very least her Father had stuck with her Mother to help raise Amy. She had sworn years ago she would never guilt anyone in to loving her. \n\n\t“What if he wants to bite, but doesn't?”\n\n\t“I don't get asked that very often. Anything I tell you will be speculation because I have never heard of it myself. I think it depends on the male. It could be he instinctually is unsure of the quality of his D.N.A. It could be he feels a bond but is unsure how his partner feels and does not want to pressure her in to uniting for a longer term. It is hard to say.”\n\n\t“One more question Mary, please.”\n\n\t“Yes of course.”\n\n\t“If it's rare in other species, does that mean they wouldn't mark anyone but a hedgehog?”\n\n\t“Oh no. It might be a trifle awkward but instinct is instinct. As I said I'm not here for dating advise, but that mark is in essence a 'love bite'. A male hedgehog can love a female of another species, or a male of his own and never mark them. But that bite cements the two of them. You have a curious mind about this.”\n\n\tAmy closed her eye, “That's what an eventful month will do to you.”\n\n\tShe mumbled through a goodbye, before clicking off the phone and collapsing backwards on to her sofa. She had asked so many questions but not one had soothed her. As a matter of fact, they had made her worse. On the surface, if Mary were to be believed, Sonic was fighting his baser instinct by running away from her whereas Shadow didn't dare believe he was good enough for her. It was deeper and more complicated than that, true, but she was already growing tired of fighting her own emotions. The woods would be sat there, waiting for her, for the rest of her days.\n\n********\n\n\tHer communicator jolted her from a fitful sleep. The early morning sun screamed in to her eyes and she threw a cushion over her face before she answered.\n\n\t“What,” she hissed.\n\n\t“Eggman is here, at the beach,” came Tails panic stricken voice.\n\n\t“Can't you take this one yourselves? I need a lie in.”\n\n\t“Staci is helping him.”\n\n\tShe ran so fast she hardly touched the ground. She made it to the beach in the blink of an eye, and sure enough stood next to the Eggmobile, balanced on a crude hoverboard, was a very smug looking Staci. As they locked eyes both girls gave each other a silent snarl, teeth bared and claws flashing. They were lionesses staring each other down over the rights to a carcass, only here the carcass was Sonic and his dead ass was nowhere in sight. \n\n\t“Ah Amy Rose, how nice of you to drop in on us. Have you met my new mechanic?”\n\n\tThe pink hedgehog snapped her fingers and called forth her piko hammer, “You know I have you oaf. How the hell did this happen? Bored of guys your own age Stace?”\n\n\tStaci squealed, “Oh ya'll can go suck a dick”\n\n\tAmy flicked her quills out of her eyes, “That's your speciality babe!”\n\n\t“I believe I was asked a question!” Eggman snapped, ignoring the danger he was putting himself in.\n\n\tWhile Amy and Staci didn't even break their staring match to blink, the Doctor carried in regardless, “Well when I heard someone had broken in to my lair I assumed it would be one of you lot, but I found Miss Staci here in the middle of stealing my Ballot Stuffing Bot. She said she was going to modify it in to a Letterbox Stuffing Bot. I asked her to prove it, and she did! Funny, I never associated her wearing a tool belt with fixing things. Why Starfox there wears goggles all the time and for what?”\n\n\tTails folded his arms, “Because I use dangerous machinery and I fly a plane.”\n\n\tEggman didn't even turn to him, “Look at her sick ride! She flew it over the ocean to get to me.”\n\n\t“That is a pretty sweet ride. Wish I had a hoverboard,” Knuckles pouted.\n\n\tAmy balanced her hammer on her shoulder, “So she broke in to your fort, stole and modified your creation without permission, but because you're impressed because it works that's okay? Or did she take her top off for you because that's an old party trick of her too.”\n\n\t“Up yours B cup. The Doc here knows a true talent when he sees it. In fact my baby is doing it's job right now. It's delivering a very important letter through each and every door in the village,” Staci snarled, glaring down at her. \n\n\tAmy scratched her ear nonchalantly, “Well not everyone has a letter box Staci. Not everyone has a door even.”\n\n\tThe bandicoot growled, “Under the door, through a doorway, it'll do that too.”\n\n\tAmy looked at Knuckles and Tails who merely shrugged at her. They still looked a little bewildered at the situation. Secretly Amy was too, but Perci had told her to be prepared. This was a little out of what they had expected, but Staci was adept at getting men to fall at her feet. Even middle aged, human men.\n\n\t“I'm not interested in what's under that tank top, even if it is softer than Orbot and Cubot. Since I can't persuade that two tailed fox to work for me, I was delighted to find a very skilled mechanic who was willing to give me a helping hand,” Eggman smiled triumphantly.\n\n\t“Yea she'll do that,” Amy sighed under her breath, “Egghead you do know who this girl is?”\n\n\t“I'm not that stupid! She told me all about her break up with Sonic. Now he's dumped both of you he deserves to be humiliated! I would have thought you'd be happy.”\n\n\tAmy laughed. It wasn't because she was happy.\n\n\t“See, I'm not the biggest idiot in the village,” Knuckles beamed.\n\n\t“And that's one of my prototype boards,” Tails interjected, “It might look sturdy and safe, but it couldn't sustain it's power for very long. In fact I would say...”\n\n\tWith an almighty squeal Staci plummeted to the ground. Luckily, or sadly, they were not very far from the ground and she landed with a fairly soft thud in to the soft sand. She screamed again and beat her fists in to the board. Then she froze, and smiled.\n\n\t“All I wanted was that robot, and I got it, it'll be finished by now and both you and that prick will never live it down,” she laughed, throwing her arms in to the air and falling flat on to her back.\n\n\t“Heh, prick, cause he's a hedgehog.”\n\n\t“Not now Knuckles. Actually Staci, you may be celebrating early.”\n\n\tThe bandicoot sat upright and flicked her lilac ponytail around her head, “That so?”\n\n\tIt started off quiet and distant, but soon the battle cries of one very spirited badger tore through the scene. In Sticks rode, atop the aforementioned robot, with her metal mace in her hand. As she kicked off the bot, she performed a clean flip, and smashed her mace in to the back of the machine. Upon impact it blew in to pieces, scattering dozens of envelopes in it's wake.\n\n\t“I can sniff new machinery a mile off,” Sticks grumbled, “especially when it reeks of your nasty perfume. I'm only thankful I don't have to smell it on...”\n\n\t“Oh come on, don't tell me I missed another fight?”\n\n\tAmy whirled around, and there he stood as if he had never been away. With Eggman and Staci still present she fought down all desire to run over to him. To kiss him or kill him she wasn't sure. Taking control of the relief in her voice, she smiled at him.\n\n\t“Not quite. Are you up for a spot of croquet?”\n\n\tHe caught her eye quickly before starting his spin dash. Now a speeding ball of death, she ran up behind Sonic and whacked him straight in to the Eggmobile. The Doctor and his machine were sent flying, nothing but a string of curses left in his wake. As battles went it was weak, but the focus hadn't been on him this time.\n\n\tAmy walked over to Staci. She grabbed the bandicoot between the shoulders and hoisted her to her feet, not an easy task when Amy was shorter than her. When Staci merely shrugged her off, Amy confirmed one thing. Sonic had not marked her. Staci seemed to weigh up her options and decided running away was the best choice. The thought of chasing after her and making bandicoot mincemeat out of her was appealing, Amy had more pressing matters. The whole team, Sonic included, were reading the letters that had nearly found their way to the villagers. Their expressions told her all she needed to know.\n\n\t“That bad?”\n\n\tThey all turned to her, but it was Sonic that spoke first, “Oh yea, she still can't spell for shit. Her grammar is all over the place and has she even heard of sentencing structure?”\n\n\t“Now I don't even know what that word means but I'm pretty sure Sonic doesn't have it,” Knuckles said, turning his head and the paper this way and that. Tails had already thrown his copy on the floor and was covering his eyes. Sticks was in the middle of eating hers.\n\n\tAmy didn't want to know what they said, but she did want them gone. Trying to ignore her proximity to Sonic she started to pick up all the envelopes strewn about in the sand. Staci did seem to be baying for Sonics blood, and even if it should have been a relief to Amy, she was bonded to Blue now and his problems were hers.\n\n\t“Hey Amy,” Knuckles called, “did you know that your back was bleeding?”\n\n********\n\n\tShe had him pinned to the sofa. She had practically thrown him down before clambering on top and straddling him. When her hands had grabbed his face so roughly he wasn't sure if he was going to live to see the next day, but instead she had kissed him. She kissed him with such ferocity and passion that for a wonderful moment they had both climbed to a higher plain of existence. She tasted so sweet he was enraptured and his hands circled her strong waist while her delicate fingers tangled themselves so carefully in to his spines. He wanted every last inch of her, but in his lusty haze he had forgotten to break in to the speech he had so carefully prepared. \n\n\tTrying to pull away from her stern grip wasn't easy. He barely managed to utter her name between kisses. Each time he released his lips she was on them again, greedily capturing his tongue before he could say a word. It was becoming too aggressive, as if a panic had taken over her, and with painful trepidation he took hold of her shoulders and physically peeled her away from him.\n\n\t“Ames,” he gasped, trying to regain his breath, “not that this isn't great, but give me a minute.”\n\n\tHer chest heaved as her arms raised in a defensive motion. She looked hurt, and angry, but he did not let go. Behind her frown he could see a frightened young woman and he knew he was to blame.\n\n\t“A minute,” she sighed, “is a long time when you can disappear in less than ten seconds.”\n\n\t“Is that was this is about? You're trying to pin me down?” he replied with a nervous laughter, but when she tried to fight out of his grip he realised this wasn't the time for jokes. He always tried to get a laugh out of others when he knew he shouldn't. \n\n\t“Well look what happens when I don't! Where have you been? I've been worried sick! Knuckles thought he had lost his friendship with you forever. Do you even think about these things or do you just...”\n\n\t“Woah Mr Hyde, can we have Dr Jekyll back? I think I want affectionate Amy to return.”\n\n\tShe looked away, “Yea, that Amy knows that's what keeps you keen.”\n\n\tHis hands released her, and she clambered off him, seating herself next to him instead. He felt a knife cut across his heart, cold and sharp. He deserved that, in fact he deserved so much more, and what he was about to tell her was only going to lead to more upset. Facing feelings, talking talks, he had such trouble with things that were second nature to her. But if he was going to go through this for anyone it would be for her, even at the risk of losing everything.\n\n\t“Where were you?” she asked again, softly this time.\n\n\tHe swallowed hard, “I went to the city.”\n\n\tThe air around her seemed to go cold, and in his peripheral vision he saw her hands dig in to the cushions. He waited for her to say something, but when nothing but silence followed he continued.\n\n\t“I er, I went to go see the girls. The girls I...”\n\n\t“I know what girls, Sonic,” she spat, “I have their names etched in to my memory forever.”\n\n\tHe tried to flatten his ears so the sound of distress in her voice. He wanted to reach out to her but her body had shrunk even further away from him. This wasn't going well.\n\n\t“Look, okay...see the thing is...I don't know where to start...thing is....”\n\n\t“You prefer to be with them,” she gasped, raising to her feet, “you marked me, you bonded yourself to me and it's freaked you out. You don't want love, you just want to come and go as you please.”\n\n\tHe jumped up and grabbed hold of her, wrapping his arms around her as she shook. He felt her resist at first but she fell limp in his arms, the tiniest of sobs escaping her throat. In the corner of his eye, for the first time in years, he felt a tear begin to form.\n\n\t“It killed me leaving you. Don't you ever, ever think otherwise. When you disappeared I reacted the only way I knew how...the wrong way. I was so...so scared that you had gone for good. That Shadow was your choice. That life without this village...without me...was what you wanted.”\n\n\tHer arms were pressed against his chest. He felt her grip at his scarf as she let out a whoosh of air. Calming herself down, he guessed. \n\n\t“I marked you because I don't want to lose you. The reason I left,” he sighed, trying carefully to express himself correctly for once, “was to try and fix my mistakes. Knuckles knocked some sense in to me. Not literally of course, if anything he knocked it out...”\n\n\t“Sonic,” Amy snapped, raising her face to look at him. She looked so vulnerable but the tension growing in her arms showed her strength fighting back. She was so amazing.\n\n\t“I went to see how each girl was doing. I guess I went to make sure they were okay. Just because I'm a complete ass, doesn't mean they deserved it. I thought...I dunno...if I made amends with them that you could all see...I'm trying.”\n\n\tAmy leaned her head against his arm, “They all miss you terribly?”\n\n\tThere was jealousy in her tone, but he was grateful for it now.\n\n\t“No. They didn't miss me. They didn't hate me. Elise didn't even remember me.”\n\n\t“Did you want them to miss you?”\n\n\t“No. Well...no, no I didn't want them to miss me. But...I've not been nothing before. It was good, to know nobody was hurt back there. It's here I messed up. I never noticed...but but I should have! I never noticed how wonderful it was knowing I was never nothing to you.”\n\n\tThere was nothing left in him. He closed his eyes and pressed his lips to her forehead, not letting her go but not stopping her from getting away if she wanted to. He breathed in her scent, the delicate peach of her shampoo mixed with an earthy, wooden scent of someone who spent their life surrounded by nature. All at once unearthly and yet grounded. They stood like that for what seemed like an eternity, a limbo between their ending or their forever. \n\n\tSlowly, so slow he wasn't at all sure it was happening, her hands traced their way around his torso, finally coming to rest on his back. \n\n\t“I don't think, in all the years I have known you, I have ever heard you say you were scared and actually sound like you meant it.”\n\n\tHe let out a quick breath of laughter, “Even Sonics get scared sometimes.”\n\n\tShe took a step back to look and her eyes fell on his. They were still glistening with tears but she held them at bay. The smallest of smiles played across her lips and he felt he knew her well enough to know if it was genuine. He could have cried with relief himself.\n\n\t“I faced my fears Sonic. I was not about to lose you after what I went though, and I refuse to give up on that now. I love you Blue, I'm always going to love you just as I always have, but if you run again...”\n\n\t“No! No no no no no nooooo I am not going anywhere.”\n\n\t“Even if Staci tries to make our lives miserable?”\n\n\t“She can try.”\n\n\t“Even if the village doesn't approve?”\n\n\t“I don't need their approval.”\n\n\t“Even if Sally runs all the way here from the city to declare her undying lo...”\n\n\t“I love you Amy Rose.”\n\n\tHer mouth hung open, the last of her words remaining stuck in her throat. He hadn't said it to surprise her, he hadn't said it keep her quiet. The reason he chose that moment to say those three, heavy words was because she was in the middle of being so very Amy. He walked over to her and closed her open jaw with one finger, planting a delicate peck on her little petal lips. He had meant what he said, the night he made her his. He would spend forever making it up to her.\n\n********\n\n\tStaci did continue to try and make their lives miserable of course. The villages approval of their relationship would have to wait a while. The bandicoot was making life difficult but Amy swore by what she had said. Sonic would not be made a martyr of. The villagers were fickle creatures and there was no telling what they would think of Sonic if word got out of both what he and Amy had done. There was a heavy chance they wouldn't forgive him for forgiving her.\n\n\tThere had been a few days of serenity. Staci went about her day as normal, Eggman didn't attack, and their friends acted as if nothing had happened. They too spent their days as if nothing had changed between them, saving their affections and desires for the nights, when they would bury themselves in each other. Sonics mark would remain for a while, so he was able to indulge looking at her face twist and turn in pleasure. He was stupid to think anything would compare to making the woman he loved buckle to his whim, to giving himself to the moment so completely. He tasted and tickled every last inch of her, and she in turn had brought him to his knees. It was hard to keep quiet when her mouth could work such magic.\n\n\tIt was then the whispers started. As Amy was buying groceries she could hear Lady Goat and Belinda talking in hushed tones behind her. When she turned to wave at them, they fell silent and looked away. At Meh Burger, Dave was smiling wide at her, which sent a chill down her spine. The rabbit girl took a less than subtle photo of her with her phone and immediately started typing.\n\n\tShe didn't tell her friends, but after a few days they were hit with the variety and depth of the rumours. They didn't just overhear the stories, they were actually questioned about them, only staying polite enough to do so out of Amy's ear shot.\n\n\tAssuming Tails would be the weak link, they went after him first, cornering him in his workshop or while he was working on his plane. \n\n\t“Tails, darling,” came a female voice, “Gunther just passed on a dirty little rumour he heard. Is it true that Amy likes to be flogged?”\n\n\tTails dropped his wrench on his toe, spinning round to face Diane, “What?!”\n\n\t“Oh I don't like to indulge in gossip, only...”\n\n\t“Then don't.”\n\n\tThis time when Tails turned to the new voice, he did it too sharply and landed in a heap. Zooey walked over to him and offered her hand which he took while blushing.\n\n\t“Zooey sweetie I'm just trying to find out the truth,” Diane replied, batting her eyelids innocently. Zooey was having none of it. In her sweetest, most polite manner she told Diane to leave Tails alone and to stop taking part in such horrid gossip. The aardvark merely shrugged in reply and left.\n\n\t“Thanks Zooey, she kinda caught me off guard there.”\n\n\tShe smiled and kept a soft hold of his hand, “She was trying to be mean about Miss Amy. I won't have my friends talked about like that.”\n\n\tTails looked at her dreamily, “Wow, you're so clever. How did you know Gunther and Diane were trying to start rumours?”\n\n\tZooey's smile dropped a little, “Oh, Tails, it isn't just them. The whole village is at it.”\n\n*******\n\n\tThanks mostly to Belinda's need for a juicy story or two, it was Charlie who chased down Knuckles. Much as he hated the echidna, he also knew he could confuse him in to giving him what he wanted. He usually wasn't one for gossip but Knuckles and his friends had made his life a misery more than once. Even if Amy was a fellow archaeologist, his villainy would come first.\n\n\t“There he is! The big man on campus!”\n\n\tKnuckles pouted, “No we're on a beach. Might want to get those glasses checked, old Dad who betrayed me.”\n\n\tCharlie halted as he watched Knuckles lift his own body weight with ease. Luckily what remained of Knuckles brain cells were even more useless when he was pumping iron. Flattery was his Achilles heel.\n\n\t“Oh I'll get right on that! Erm...very clever of you to notice. You must notice a lot, being a nomad. Spend a lot of time wandering around, seeing sights, hearing things.”\n\n\tKnuckles brought one hand to itch his chin thoughtfully, still holding the weight set above his head with one arm. Charlie gulped nervously. \n\n\t“Well I suppose I do hear things. But not a lot make sense to me so it's in one ear and in one ear.”\n\n\t“Out one ear.”\n\n\t“No I hear with both my ears. Sound goes in.”\n\n\tCharlie shook his head with frustration but held his temper in place. He needed to get that gossip or Belinda would be mad, and she was the scariest creature around.\n\n\t“But you also see your friends a lot too. They must trust you with a lot of information. I mean, you're practically their leader aren't you? Being the strongest and all.”\n\n\tKnuckles dropped the weights casually to his feet and stuck out his chest, “Strongest by far. They all need me.”\n\n\tCharlie nodded approvingly, “So I suppose you know where Amy Rose disappeared to?”\n\n\t“Of course I do. I'm her big brother. Well...not really...but she's always yelling at me so she's like my sister.”\n\n\t“Well as a big brother you must have been concerned that she was helping Shadow kidnap other girls to keep in his torture dungeon.”\n\n\t“I was concerned she was with Shadow but...wait, what?”\n\n\tCharlie was practically drooling with anticipation, “Luring them in with promises of friendship, only to turn them over to Shadow, in return for sexual favours.”\n\n\tKnuckles looked bewildered, “I don't know what you're...”\n\n\t“That's why she's come back isn't it? He's upped the ante and now he wants to get to Sonic and the only way is to get Amy to persuade him to join in? A power hedgehog threesome?”\n\n\tThere was a high pitched wail, and charging towards them with her staff held high came Sticks. With a calculated swipe she knocked Charlie's glasses clean off his face, barely gleaning his nose. Without his mech suit he was no fighter, and Sticks had no off button, so he grabbed his fallen eyewear and bailed.\n\n\t“Bye bad Dad,” Knuckles called after him.\n\n\t“You idiot,” Sticks snapped, “what did you tell him?”\n\n\t“I didn't tell him anything! He was telling me about Amy kidnapping Sonic. Did you know she was doing that? Is that why he's at her place every night?”\n\n\tSticks slapped a hand to her forehead, “That was gossip. The village is rife with it. Mike the Ox just asked me if Amy is really in to...you know what...nevermind. It's safer not saying these things out loud, never know if your technology is bugged.”\n\n\tHe looked over at his gym equipment, “There are no bugs on my gear. If there were I'd charge them to pump iron just as I do everyone else.”\n\n\tShe jumped up on his shoulders, and wrapped her arms around his neck, “Listen up Knuckle head, whatever you hear about Amy is gossip and rumour. It's spreading like wildfire and it's not going to help matters if you can't remember what the truth is.”\n\n\t“You mean, they're trying to hurt her?”\n\n\t“No, they're too stupid for that. Staci is trying to hurt her, everyone else is just a pawn.”\n\n\t“Oh I like them in a cocktail.”\n\n\t“Pawn! Not...uuugh forget it. If anyone says anything to you about Amy, you tell them they're wrong. You got that, bub?”\n\n\tHe reached up and patted her head, “Remember when you attacked Sonic cause you thought he slept with Amy? You were as angry as you are now, except now you're angry because you're happy they have.”\n\n\tShe slumped down and rested herself in a piggy back position on his back. In a small act of self defeat, she clung her arms around his neck a little tighter. For once it was not to strangle him. She needed her own little moment of reassurance, a hope that everything would be okay. Amy really did still care what the village thought of her, and there was no way these Chinese whispers would not work their way back. There was only so much she could do, only so many truths she could threaten to uncover. Staci had the upper hand. At this rate, Amy might run again, even with Sonic subtly holding her down every night. \n\n\tIn the end, two unlikely sources saved the day, and more than one heart was rescued.","writing_bbcode_parsed":"\tSonic finally eased himself out of her, and lay on his back on the sofa, opening his arms out to indicate for her to join him. With her body still reeling from the shock, she gladly lay herself on his chest and listened to the steady decrease in his heart rate. He rubbed gently at the base of her spine, but while stroking her quills flat with his other hand he caught the wound on her back and she hissed sharply.
\t“Care to tell me what that was?” she asked, still too tired to be angry. Or at the very least angry enough to clobber him.
\t“So that was a surprise to you eh?” he asked, cautiously.
\tShe thought back to Shadow biting down on his arm, but decided against bringing his name in to the moment. It wasn't like she needed to really, her back had been bare and Sonic knew it. Amy had nearly laughed when Sticks had told her a backless dress could tip the scales in Amy's favour. Why Sticks hadn't just told her the truth she would have to drag out of the badger later.
\t“Surprise would be the nicest term I can think of,” she grumbled.
\t“I guess it's a bit primeval,” he sighed.
\t“Primeval? You nearly tore a chunk out of my back.”
\tHe chuckled, “For the record, I'm sorry I didn't give you a heads up. I would have thought you knew, especially since Shadow is a hedgehog too. I think. I mean, it was clear he hadn't bitten you even though you two had...”
\tHis name hung in the air momentarily, and she pushed herself up to look in his eyes.
\t“That's another conversation for another time. Since no-one has cared to explain this to me...why did you do it?”
\tHe smirked at her again, apologetically, “I didn't know how true it was. I have a cousin, y'know one of those kids who seems to know everything about things you shouldn't know when you're young? Think the neighbourhood parents thought he was a real scourge. Anyway, I think it runs right back to when we were a little more primitive than we are now. The least romantic side of it is...well you can't get away when I...you know,” he coughed awkwardly, “at the end there...”
\t“You came in me. If you're going to do it you can learn to say it,” she breathed, feeling a little bashful all the same. “If that's the least romantic, do I dare ask what the romantic part is?”
\tHe didn't reply right away, but she could hear the increase in his heartbeat. As much as he could be embarrassed about intimate conversation, emotional was even harder. Her own heart began to race in sympathy.
\t“It didn't make sense when he told me years ago, but I get it now. I'm connected to you now, more than anyone I ever have been with. While that bite remains on your back, everything inside me tells me to stay by your side. Even if you don't need me to,” he laughed, “I will protect you from everything in the world.”
\tShe buried her face in his fur, trying to hide the smile that spread like a wild fire. She tried to fight down the elation in her heart, so in true Sonic style she made a joke of it.
\t“So you clubbed me over the head and dragged me in to a cave, so I could spawn your children?” she growled in to his chest. He laughed again.
\t“Er yea I guess so. Well not while you aren't in season right? Didn't you wonder why you have that patch on your back? Don't you have female family members who would let you in on that?”
\tShe scoffed, “Had I known it was for that do you think I would have left my back exposed like that? So what now? You lay claim, plant your seeds, and I'm yours forever?”
\tHe fell quiet again. He scooped his hand under her chin and gently lifted it until she finally faced him again. She knew she was blushing.
\t“Shadow knew he couldn't keep you. I was shocked when I didn't see a mark from him, but it meant that you were still free to be mine, no matter what happened between you and him. I'm not saying I can keep you, the bite will vanish if left to heal and you are free to do as you wish but...”
\tShe sank her teeth in to the cleft of his neck. Not hard enough to draw blood as he had, but enough to shut him up and make her point. He gasped at the sudden act, but nuzzled her head to show he knew what she meant. She kissed the spot she had nipped.
\t“I guess I can give you a trial run. See if I still want you around after I'm healed. Deal?”
\t“You're a harsh Mistress, Miss Rose. Deal.”
******
\tShe woke up still buried in the fur on his chest. She was pleasantly surprised to find he hadn't run away, or that she hadn't dreamed the entire event. As she pushed herself up she felt the sting of his mark on her back. In a very twisted way, she liked the pain.
\tHer blue hero was snoring loudly as his mouth was hanging open. She chuckled to herself. Even when he was a mess he was cute. Yawning herself she stroked her head and felt that her quills were all over the place, so she quickly showered to get herself presentable for the outside world. For a wonderful evening she had forgotten the village around her was scrutinizing her, analysing her every move for a sign of...something. The hot water washed away those thoughts momentarily and as she wrapped a towel around herself there came the smell of greasy food from the kitchen.
\t“Oh darling,” she sighed dramatically as she walked over to Sonic, “you cooked us a nutritional breakfast.”
\t“Reheating left overs is a form of cooking. Besides, I always eat a lot after a night of....”
\tAs he trailed off she scrunched her nose and nodded at him that his decision to cut off was best. They couldn't ignore that they both had history with someone else forever, but she wanted to preserve this first morning.
\t“Next time, let me prepare breakfast for us. Something with a bit more energy rather than just empty calories.”
\t“So there will be a next time?”
\tShe smiled coyly at him, suddenly very shy again. Sensing the change in the air, Sonic rubbed his ear awkwardly, and handed her a burger with an embarrassed cough.
\tAmy had barely taken a bite before there was a hammering at her door. She gave Sonic a concerned look. He put a finger to his lips and ducked down behind the counter in the kitchen. She pulled her robe tight around herself and went to see who it was, prepared for whatever was on the other side. It was Knuckles.
\t“Oh, morning! Everything okay?” she asked, beaming innocently at him.
\t“I need to speak with Sonic.”
\tAmy was a little taken aback with the aggression in his voice. Looking in his eyes she noticed he looked almost in pain.
\t“He is...I mean...have you checked his hu....”
\t“I know he's here Amy, I need him now!”
\tShe took in a breath to try and protest, but Sonic appeared at her side. They both knew the tone in Knuckles voice was one they heard very rarely, and out of concern they ignored how the situation looked. Sonic followed Knuckles in silence, and Amy was left to watch them walk away, her mind screaming a thousand questions that she knew would have to wait.
********
\tSonic knew when not to lose his temper, and now was certainly the time to keep it in check. Knuckles wouldn't say a word to him but Sonic could feel the anger radiating off the bulky echidna. It had been a very long time since he had seen such a solidly, serious frown on his friends face and it left an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach.
\tThey were walking toward the village square. It was there that Sonic noticed the place was an absolute tip. There seemed to be paper caught in every bush, pasted on every wall, sat on every seat at the currently still empty Meh Burger.
\t“Woah this place is a mess,” Sonic exclaimed, “but I didn't expect you to get to worked up about littering like this Knucks.”
\tKnuckles turned to him, “I'd take a closer look if I were you.”
\tSonic looked him up and down suspiciously, but with a shrug of his shoulders he picked up the nearest paper. It wasn't a piece of meaningless scrap at all, it was a poster. Crudely hand drawn and torn at the edges, but it's evil intentions were clear as day. Dead centre was a cartoonishly evil image of Amy, and written all around the edges were vile, slanderous words. The next poster he picked up was of himself, with similar wording. As near as he could tell every lose piece of paper caught in the breeze was a picture of either one of them, or both of them on the more creative pieces.
\t“That psychotic bitch,” he murmured, knowing just who was to blame. He darted around the village as swiftly as he could, grabbing every scrap of paper he saw, hoping beyond hope that very few locals were up early enough to have seen the posters. After a few laps he was sure he had found them all and he ran back to Knuckles.
\t“We need to get rid of these before anyone sees them. Not a word to Amy either!”
\tKnuckles nodded, “Come with me, I've got a drum we can burn them in.”
\tSonic sighed, “Great. Thanks buddy. Don't worry though, I won't let this bother me! Not like Staci has ever taken a break up well.”
\tAll the walk to the secluded nook on the beach, Knuckles remained silent, picking up any paper Sonic accidentally dropped along the way. When they reached Knuckles current residence he already had a fire going, and Sonic eagerly dropped all the posters in the drum. He watched the childish drawings of his face curl and burn; the spiteful hate against Amy eradicated before they could hurt her.
\t“That was a close one. Did you see her putting them out? I knew she'd take it badly but....”
\t“But what do you care about the feelings of another girl you dumped?”
\tSonic felt his jaw drop open. He felt his spines raise on his back and he no longer felt any need to keep his anger in check. He didn't like being caught off guard.
\t“Where the hell did that come from?” he snarled.
\tKnuckles didn't flinch at the sight of Sonic with his hackles raised. Buried in the sand by his foot was the piece of paper that had blown his way at sunrise and turned his world a little darker. He pulled it out and handed it over to Sonic.
\tSonic whipped it from his hand and studied. There was no image on this poster, but there was a list of names. There were five in total and each was scratched out so they were barely readable. All except the last name which had been circled several times and a small broken heart had been drawn next to it.
\t“You all think I'm dumb, and most of the time I am. But I'm going to guess that is a list of all the girls you've slept with and walked away from?”
\tSally, Elise, Mina and Staci had all been written down and then scribbled over. The final name on the list, circled, with that foreboding broken heart next to it, was Amy. There was no way Staci could have found all this out in one night, meaning she had been spying on him for quite a while. But his fear and anger at that would have to wait. He could feel Knuckles eyes burning in to him.
\tSonic sucked in a deep breath and looked up from the paper, “Yea, so? You knew Amy wasn't the first girl I....”
\t“I thought Staci was! That made me mad enough. But putting Amy fifth? And you thought I was worried about you?”
\tSonic could see that Knuckles was starting to shake, but there would be no backing away from this fight.
\t“You're mad about Staci because you've always fancied the twins,” Sonic scoffed, “these other girls mean nothing to you, so what do they matter? None of them were even my own species until Amy...”
\tKnuckles punched. Distracted by the list again Sonic was caught off guard and he was sent flying through the sand. He'd been caught in the same place Amy had socked him and the pain jolted through his skull like a lightning bolt. Knuckles had never hit him that hard before no matter how much they had squabbled over the years. That shock and the pain stopped him from getting back up on his feet. He howled through his teeth.
\t“I am the last of my kind. Are you saying I will never have a strong and loving bond with another creature?”
\tSonic cracked his jaw carefully, “I didn't mean it like....”
\t“So these other girls...they could have meant something to you? Any one of them could have been just as important as Amy?” Knuckles probed with a deep, throaty voice.
\tSonic was still trying to blink away the stars, his head pounding but his heart ready and on fire, “None of them could light a candle to her. Amy is special.”
\tKnuckles walked over and grabbed Sonics scarf, pulling him up until they were nose to nose.
\t“Special? Not enough for you to wait for her. Have you ever, once in your life, sat back and waited? Or are you just so used to being Sonic the Hedgehog that anything but getting your own way is unthinkable? You just have to have what you want.”
\tSonic tried to pull himself free, but in upper body strength Knuckles had him licked. His feet were just off the floor and for a brief moment he considered how hard he would have to kick to get Knuckles to drop him. But he couldn't bring himself to do it.
\t“I never knew what Amy wanted! She could close herself off at the drop of a hat! And no I'm not patient, but when I thought I'd lost her to Shadow for good...I just...,” Sonic took a deep breath, “what was so much better about him? How did he win her over in a matter of days, when I feel like I've been fucking up for years.”
\tKnuckles dropped him. Sonic landed with a thud but the will to fight had gone, and he lay flat on his back in the sand. The simple piece of paper that had caused to much damaged was pierced several times by his spines. It was the first time, since he had left Sally that night a couple of years ago, that he felt a real regret for his actions.
\tThe echidna stood over him. His expression softened a little but he did not offer a helping hand either.
\t“Last night, Sticks told me and Tails what Amy went through to come home. We were all so interested in what she had done with Shadow that we didn't care to ask her about how she felt. We were wrong to do that.”
\tSonic frowned up at him, “What she went through? What are you talking about?”
\tKnuckles rubbed at his chin thoughtfully, “She didn't tell you?”
\tSonic could feel his impatience growing again, “Tell...me...what?”
*******
\tShe was pacing. She knew she was pacing but she couldn't stop herself, so she lapped her table again and again to try and get her feet to rest. The guys had been gone for a couple of hours and her communicator sat silent. The look in Knuckles eye had positively frightened her, and he would be a strong fight even for Sonic. What if they were fighting, and if they were was it each other or was it someone else?
\tIt couldn't be Shadow could it? No, he was nowhere near their village, she was sure of it. Even if they had found him he wouldn't have too much trouble fighting them off. Not that they had a reason to fight him. Well, Sonic maybe had a thing or two to say, but he had marked her as his now and she was happy with that.
\tWas he happy about that? Was a mark like a binding contract and now he felt cornered? Was he planning to run, did Knuckles know? Was Knuckles helping him?
\tWhen her phone rang she screamed in surprise. Feeling a little foolish she smoothed down her dress and picked up the receiver.
\t“Hey sugar.”
\tAmy sucked in a breath, “If you are looking for another fight I am ready for one!”
\t“....well nice to know Staci hasn't upset ya too much doll.”
\tAmy gasped, “Perci? Oh Perci I'm so sorry! I didn't mean you, I...”
\tThere was a chuckle, “Y'all don't have to explain. I've been talking to Stace most of the night. She had some pretty words too.”
\tAmy grimaced. Perci was a good friend, but she was also a twin. While Staci had failed most of her studies, Perci had thrived and was now away at University. Both girls were adept with a screwdriver but Perci was putting it to medical application. How twins who were so close, and in many ways so similar, be so different would forever be a puzzle to Amy.
\t“What did she tell you?”
\tThere was a pause at the other end before a long sigh, “I aint angry with you sugar. I know my sister, and I know that temper of hers. I gotta read between some blue lines here, but y'all took a trip recently huh?”
\tAmy scrunched up her face, glad she couldn't been seen, “Yes. I've been...in training, with Shadow. I wanted to work on my combat skills and he could teach me things Sonic couldn't.”
\tIt wasn't a lie, but she was hoping that Perci was taking what Staci had told her with a pinch of salt. If she played it smooth she could sweep the rest under the rug.
\t“Oh, well sugar I always thought you were tough as old boots, but I guess we can all be just a little better. Gotta say I envy ya though, he is one fine piece of hedgehog. So like a shadow though huh? Dark and untouchable. Why I bet he aint ever even smiled.”
\tAmy laughed lightly, “Oh you can get him to smile.”
\t“Ooooh tell me more.”
\t“.....oh shit.”
\tPerci laughed, “Look sugar you give me five minutes with him or Blue and I would be a happy girl. But I know how you feel about Sonic, and Staci....Staci shouldn't have tried to jump in like that. Oh you'd swear she's a vulture under her fur. Since we were young 'uns she would always flash her underthings at the boys to stop them chattin with me. Sugar...I'm callin to warn ya. I tried to talk her down but she is mad as a hatter.”
\tAmy gulped, “I did....I may have done her wrong. I may have done a few things wrong.”
\t“Oh no, no no no sugar no! Blue has been a fool for going near any girl but you. Having your own fun is nothing to feel bad about! Staci doesn't love him, and I'll bet brass for buttons he didn't love her. She lost to you sugar beet. That is where this anger is comin from.”
\tAmy could feel the tears welling up in her eyes. She didn't know what, or who they were for. Perhaps it was that she had neglected her friendship for so long. Perhaps it was in mourning for how simple her life with Sonic could have been. Perhaps even, a sense of regret.
\t“Amy,” Perci said, breaking the silence, “be prepared for what she is going to try and do to you. Both of you. If you got your claws in to him now you gotta hold on for dear life.”
\tA lump developed in Amy's throat that hurt to swallow, so before she broke she changed the subject.
\t“So, tell me about University! What are your peers like?”
\t“Where to start. Oh I just got a new room mate. Think she's a few years older. Beautiful thing though, such white fur for a bat...”
********
\tShe had only just put the phone down when her door opened and Sonic walked in. His eye, which had only just healed, was even more black and swollen than before. His expression was dark and her heart froze.
\t“Sonic! What happened to you?” she cried, running over to him. He seized her hands before she could touch him.
\t“To me?,” he snapped, “what does that matter?”
\tHer heart began to race with a familiar panic and she fought to stop her voice showing it.
\t“Was this an Eggman fight? Why didn't you call me to help? Don't just leave me on the sidelines like that! What's happened to Knuckles?”
\tHe let go of her hands, and pulled out a piece of paper from under his left glove. Handing it to her he stepped away and faced the opposite wall. She caught whatever words were forming in the mouth and shut them down, before opening the paper he had given her. It was a list of names, girls names, scribbled out roughly but just about legible. She didn't know the first three, but the last two names were Staci, and her own. Amy was still untouched, but it was circled several times. Next to it was a rough doodle of a broken heart. As she scrunched the paper in to a ball it was clear what this was.
\t“The city girls.”
\t“Yeah,” he croaked, still looking away.
\t“What is this? A checklist?”
\t“That is probably the only homework Staci has ever done. Those names are accurate and in order. It can't have been easy for her, so she's been spending time on it.”
\tAmy swallowed hard, “Why are you showing me this?”
\tHe finally turned around, “You're there, at the bottom. The fifth name in my history. Not the first, but the fifth. And after you....after what you went through in those woods. You could have stayed with Shadow, you could have lived a new life, but you went through sheer hell and what have I done to deserve it?”
\tShe didn't speak. She didn't move. She wasn't prepared to ask herself these questions yet, so she had nothing to give him. She had only talked about the incident in the woods with Sticks because she wasn't ready to talk further about it yet. Whatever expression she wore it couldn't have been the right one, as he threw open the door and dashed from sight.
********
\tTails view of love and romance was straight out of a film. When two people were fated to be together there was no force on the planet that could stop them. As far as he was concerned he and Zooey would grow up and grow old together, and as far as he could tell she felt the same way.
\tHe had been upset with Amy for disappearing with Shadow. If she really loved Sonic then she never would have done that. As far as he had been concerned she had taken a pair of scissors to their red thread and attempted to cut her tie to Sonic. Sure Sonic had gone off with Staci but that was because he was heartbroken and Staci had pulled him in while he was weak.
\tAt least, that was what he had thought. Staci had passed through and told Tails a painful truth about Sonic. It was the blue hedgehog that had betrayed the other first and he had done it in such secret that only Sticks, with her skill at spying, had known. Staci hadn't hung around long enough to explain how she had found out, but when a disbelieving Tails had gone to Knuckles, his worst fear had been confirmed. His hero was flawed.
\tNow Amy was in his house, her poise weary and her face stone. She had called them all together, now she knew what they knew about the woods. Sticks had only told them because they were still so hung up on what Amy had done with Shadow. She said that, now Sonic and Amy had finally come together, it was time for them to accept some truths. At the time she had left out Sonics history with the other girls, but now Staci was on the warpath they needed to be prepared.
\t“I'm sorry you found out that way Tails. You too Knuckles,” Amy sighed, “it can't have been much fun for either of you.”
\t“You aren't the one who should be apologising,” Knuckles grumbled, “we should all be saying sorry to you. I could punch myself. But I punched Sonic instead.”
\t“Knuckles is right Amy,” Tails chipped in, his voice crackling and quiet, “we should have had more faith in you...and less in him.”
\tAmy shot her head up, “No! Not less in him. Sonic has not gone out there to hurt me. He hasn't gone out of his way to hurt anyone. All he has done is...well he's been Sonic. His feet had flown faster than his brain and by the time it catches up, he's already moved on to something else.”
\t“But I thought you two...I thought you were bound for each other,” Tails croaked, unable still to look Amy in the eye.
\t“It's a bumpy road Tails. But how you feel about Sonic now is why we need to shut that hussy up,” Sticks snapped, “the village needs their hero. They know he's an arrogant ass, but they accept that because he saves them so often. If Staci makes a martyr of him they might run him out of here and they are too stupid to realise that leaves them defenceless.”
\t“We will still be here,” Knuckles piped up, bumping his fists together and puffing out his chest, “we four are a match for Eggman.”
\t“There are bigger things out there Knuckles,” Amy sighed, “even if we are strong, we are stronger with him.”
\tThere was a pause. The night had drawn in and they hadn't heard anything from Sonic since he had run away that morning.
\t“What did you see, out there in the woods?”
\tAmy turned to Tails and gave him a weak smile, “My fears. Loss, death, betrayal. The little horrors that sit in the recesses of my mind.”
\t“Why would Shadow put you through that if you had got...close?”
\t“I chose to face it! It was my final challenge. Shadow tried to talk me out of it. I know he has a bad history with us but he isn't the demon you think he is. He has beaten me in the past, and in a way I think teaching me to be stronger is his way of apologising for his misdeeds.”
\t“You were never not in love with Sonic,” Sticks added in, stating it as a fact rather than asking for confirmation, “Forest ghosts don't understand love. Like pixies and sprites, they don't understand emotions that complex.”
\tAmy sighed deeply, “I don't know where Sonic has gone, but I'm sure this is just a knee jerk reaction. He'll be back. In the mean time, Staci is our biggest enemy. Now you know what Sonic and I have both done she cannot hurt you guys again. But the village does not need to know. Preserve their faith in him. I am.”
********
\t
\tShe hadn't lied to them, but doubt was whispering in her ear. Sonic would avoid raw talk about emotions if he could. Just how long he would run for this time it was hard to guess. Their main priority was keeping an eye out for psycho exes.
\tIt was late when her phone rang, but she leapt for it anyway.
\t“Hello?” she answered, not hiding the hope in her voice.
\t“Miss Rose? It's Mary.”
\tAmy drooped again, “Oh yes, hello Ms Concepción. How are you?”
\t“I'm well child. I am sorry it's late, but your friend Sticks informs me you have copulated. Is that right?”
\tAmy let out a noise of frustration. She couldn't wait until her sex life was no longer a topic for discussion.
\t“Not that I would choose to use that word but yes. And actually while we are on the subject you....”
\t“I didn't tell you about the the marking ritual. No I did not. This is why Miss Sticks has asked me to get in touch with you. She feels it's important you know more, but she herself only knows so much. Badger mating is a rough procedure you see, there isn't much romantic in their scars.”
\tAmy settled herself in to her sofa, “Not to question your knowledge of your job, but why didn't you?”
\t“Goodness child you are not the coy girl I met a matter on months ago are you?”
\tAmy snorted, “It's been a pretty eventful time for me.”
\t“I see. Well by my calculation you aren't in heat so at least you were able to make a logical decision. As you now know that first season is a very confusing time for your body AND your emotions. Did the one who marked you know why we do it?”
\tAmy had no patience left to be polite, “So he can cum inside and mark me as his property.”
\tMary was not phased, “Yes, and no. It is indeed, in it's primal sense, a way to carry on the species. But we have evolved beyond mindless animals Miss Rose. He is tied to you now. That bite marks a bond that he cannot break, at least not very easily. Obviously the intention is to impregnate you, and his basic code commands him to stay to protect you and his young. Until your next season anyway.”
\tAmy considered this for a moment. Biologically it would make sense, and even as shocked as she was she had felt a protectiveness when he had cleaned her wound for her.
\t“That doesn't explain why you didn't tell me. Why my Mother didn't. Why nobody did.”
\tMary made a little hmm sound before she spoke, “Not every male is in it for the long haul. If you were expecting it to happen and it didn't, how would you have felt? In your emotional state it would be a devastating blow, and for someone with your fighting skill Miss Rose it had every chance of proving fatal.”
\tAmy laughed at the thought of killing Sonic in the middle of him blowing his beans. She was tempted to kill him where he stood most days, so she could see where Mary was coming from. Her bond with her Mother had never been strong, and she was even less inclined to believe her parents were ever passionately in love. But she had been born, so at some point they must have been. Or at the very least her Father had stuck with her Mother to help raise Amy. She had sworn years ago she would never guilt anyone in to loving her.
\t“What if he wants to bite, but doesn't?”
\t“I don't get asked that very often. Anything I tell you will be speculation because I have never heard of it myself. I think it depends on the male. It could be he instinctually is unsure of the quality of his D.N.A. It could be he feels a bond but is unsure how his partner feels and does not want to pressure her in to uniting for a longer term. It is hard to say.”
\t“One more question Mary, please.”
\t“Yes of course.”
\t“If it's rare in other species, does that mean they wouldn't mark anyone but a hedgehog?”
\t“Oh no. It might be a trifle awkward but instinct is instinct. As I said I'm not here for dating advise, but that mark is in essence a 'love bite'. A male hedgehog can love a female of another species, or a male of his own and never mark them. But that bite cements the two of them. You have a curious mind about this.”
\tAmy closed her eye, “That's what an eventful month will do to you.”
\tShe mumbled through a goodbye, before clicking off the phone and collapsing backwards on to her sofa. She had asked so many questions but not one had soothed her. As a matter of fact, they had made her worse. On the surface, if Mary were to be believed, Sonic was fighting his baser instinct by running away from her whereas Shadow didn't dare believe he was good enough for her. It was deeper and more complicated than that, true, but she was already growing tired of fighting her own emotions. The woods would be sat there, waiting for her, for the rest of her days.
********
\tHer communicator jolted her from a fitful sleep. The early morning sun screamed in to her eyes and she threw a cushion over her face before she answered.
\t“What,” she hissed.
\t“Eggman is here, at the beach,” came Tails panic stricken voice.
\t“Can't you take this one yourselves? I need a lie in.”
\t“Staci is helping him.”
\tShe ran so fast she hardly touched the ground. She made it to the beach in the blink of an eye, and sure enough stood next to the Eggmobile, balanced on a crude hoverboard, was a very smug looking Staci. As they locked eyes both girls gave each other a silent snarl, teeth bared and claws flashing. They were lionesses staring each other down over the rights to a carcass, only here the carcass was Sonic and his dead ass was nowhere in sight.
\t“Ah Amy Rose, how nice of you to drop in on us. Have you met my new mechanic?”
\tThe pink hedgehog snapped her fingers and called forth her piko hammer, “You know I have you oaf. How the hell did this happen? Bored of guys your own age Stace?”
\tStaci squealed, “Oh ya'll can go suck a dick”
\tAmy flicked her quills out of her eyes, “That's your speciality babe!”
\t“I believe I was asked a question!” Eggman snapped, ignoring the danger he was putting himself in.
\tWhile Amy and Staci didn't even break their staring match to blink, the Doctor carried in regardless, “Well when I heard someone had broken in to my lair I assumed it would be one of you lot, but I found Miss Staci here in the middle of stealing my Ballot Stuffing Bot. She said she was going to modify it in to a Letterbox Stuffing Bot. I asked her to prove it, and she did! Funny, I never associated her wearing a tool belt with fixing things. Why Starfox there wears goggles all the time and for what?”
\tTails folded his arms, “Because I use dangerous machinery and I fly a plane.”
\tEggman didn't even turn to him, “Look at her sick ride! She flew it over the ocean to get to me.”
\t“That is a pretty sweet ride. Wish I had a hoverboard,” Knuckles pouted.
\tAmy balanced her hammer on her shoulder, “So she broke in to your fort, stole and modified your creation without permission, but because you're impressed because it works that's okay? Or did she take her top off for you because that's an old party trick of her too.”
\t“Up yours B cup. The Doc here knows a true talent when he sees it. In fact my baby is doing it's job right now. It's delivering a very important letter through each and every door in the village,” Staci snarled, glaring down at her.
\tAmy scratched her ear nonchalantly, “Well not everyone has a letter box Staci. Not everyone has a door even.”
\tThe bandicoot growled, “Under the door, through a doorway, it'll do that too.”
\tAmy looked at Knuckles and Tails who merely shrugged at her. They still looked a little bewildered at the situation. Secretly Amy was too, but Perci had told her to be prepared. This was a little out of what they had expected, but Staci was adept at getting men to fall at her feet. Even middle aged, human men.
\t“I'm not interested in what's under that tank top, even if it is softer than Orbot and Cubot. Since I can't persuade that two tailed fox to work for me, I was delighted to find a very skilled mechanic who was willing to give me a helping hand,” Eggman smiled triumphantly.
\t“Yea she'll do that,” Amy sighed under her breath, “Egghead you do know who this girl is?”
\t“I'm not that stupid! She told me all about her break up with Sonic. Now he's dumped both of you he deserves to be humiliated! I would have thought you'd be happy.”
\tAmy laughed. It wasn't because she was happy.
\t“See, I'm not the biggest idiot in the village,” Knuckles beamed.
\t“And that's one of my prototype boards,” Tails interjected, “It might look sturdy and safe, but it couldn't sustain it's power for very long. In fact I would say...”
\tWith an almighty squeal Staci plummeted to the ground. Luckily, or sadly, they were not very far from the ground and she landed with a fairly soft thud in to the soft sand. She screamed again and beat her fists in to the board. Then she froze, and smiled.
\t“All I wanted was that robot, and I got it, it'll be finished by now and both you and that prick will never live it down,” she laughed, throwing her arms in to the air and falling flat on to her back.
\t“Heh, prick, cause he's a hedgehog.”
\t“Not now Knuckles. Actually Staci, you may be celebrating early.”
\tThe bandicoot sat upright and flicked her lilac ponytail around her head, “That so?”
\tIt started off quiet and distant, but soon the battle cries of one very spirited badger tore through the scene. In Sticks rode, atop the aforementioned robot, with her metal mace in her hand. As she kicked off the bot, she performed a clean flip, and smashed her mace in to the back of the machine. Upon impact it blew in to pieces, scattering dozens of envelopes in it's wake.
\t“I can sniff new machinery a mile off,” Sticks grumbled, “especially when it reeks of your nasty perfume. I'm only thankful I don't have to smell it on...”
\t“Oh come on, don't tell me I missed another fight?”
\tAmy whirled around, and there he stood as if he had never been away. With Eggman and Staci still present she fought down all desire to run over to him. To kiss him or kill him she wasn't sure. Taking control of the relief in her voice, she smiled at him.
\t“Not quite. Are you up for a spot of croquet?”
\tHe caught her eye quickly before starting his spin dash. Now a speeding ball of death, she ran up behind Sonic and whacked him straight in to the Eggmobile. The Doctor and his machine were sent flying, nothing but a string of curses left in his wake. As battles went it was weak, but the focus hadn't been on him this time.
\tAmy walked over to Staci. She grabbed the bandicoot between the shoulders and hoisted her to her feet, not an easy task when Amy was shorter than her. When Staci merely shrugged her off, Amy confirmed one thing. Sonic had not marked her. Staci seemed to weigh up her options and decided running away was the best choice. The thought of chasing after her and making bandicoot mincemeat out of her was appealing, Amy had more pressing matters. The whole team, Sonic included, were reading the letters that had nearly found their way to the villagers. Their expressions told her all she needed to know.
\t“That bad?”
\tThey all turned to her, but it was Sonic that spoke first, “Oh yea, she still can't spell for shit. Her grammar is all over the place and has she even heard of sentencing structure?”
\t“Now I don't even know what that word means but I'm pretty sure Sonic doesn't have it,” Knuckles said, turning his head and the paper this way and that. Tails had already thrown his copy on the floor and was covering his eyes. Sticks was in the middle of eating hers.
\tAmy didn't want to know what they said, but she did want them gone. Trying to ignore her proximity to Sonic she started to pick up all the envelopes strewn about in the sand. Staci did seem to be baying for Sonics blood, and even if it should have been a relief to Amy, she was bonded to Blue now and his problems were hers.
\t“Hey Amy,” Knuckles called, “did you know that your back was bleeding?”
********
\tShe had him pinned to the sofa. She had practically thrown him down before clambering on top and straddling him. When her hands had grabbed his face so roughly he wasn't sure if he was going to live to see the next day, but instead she had kissed him. She kissed him with such ferocity and passion that for a wonderful moment they had both climbed to a higher plain of existence. She tasted so sweet he was enraptured and his hands circled her strong waist while her delicate fingers tangled themselves so carefully in to his spines. He wanted every last inch of her, but in his lusty haze he had forgotten to break in to the speech he had so carefully prepared.
\tTrying to pull away from her stern grip wasn't easy. He barely managed to utter her name between kisses. Each time he released his lips she was on them again, greedily capturing his tongue before he could say a word. It was becoming too aggressive, as if a panic had taken over her, and with painful trepidation he took hold of her shoulders and physically peeled her away from him.
\t“Ames,” he gasped, trying to regain his breath, “not that this isn't great, but give me a minute.”
\tHer chest heaved as her arms raised in a defensive motion. She looked hurt, and angry, but he did not let go. Behind her frown he could see a frightened young woman and he knew he was to blame.
\t“A minute,” she sighed, “is a long time when you can disappear in less than ten seconds.”
\t“Is that was this is about? You're trying to pin me down?” he replied with a nervous laughter, but when she tried to fight out of his grip he realised this wasn't the time for jokes. He always tried to get a laugh out of others when he knew he shouldn't.
\t“Well look what happens when I don't! Where have you been? I've been worried sick! Knuckles thought he had lost his friendship with you forever. Do you even think about these things or do you just...”
\t“Woah Mr Hyde, can we have Dr Jekyll back? I think I want affectionate Amy to return.”
\tShe looked away, “Yea, that Amy knows that's what keeps you keen.”
\tHis hands released her, and she clambered off him, seating herself next to him instead. He felt a knife cut across his heart, cold and sharp. He deserved that, in fact he deserved so much more, and what he was about to tell her was only going to lead to more upset. Facing feelings, talking talks, he had such trouble with things that were second nature to her. But if he was going to go through this for anyone it would be for her, even at the risk of losing everything.
\t“Where were you?” she asked again, softly this time.
\tHe swallowed hard, “I went to the city.”
\tThe air around her seemed to go cold, and in his peripheral vision he saw her hands dig in to the cushions. He waited for her to say something, but when nothing but silence followed he continued.
\t“I er, I went to go see the girls. The girls I...”
\t“I know what girls, Sonic,” she spat, “I have their names etched in to my memory forever.”
\tHe tried to flatten his ears so the sound of distress in her voice. He wanted to reach out to her but her body had shrunk even further away from him. This wasn't going well.
\t“Look, okay...see the thing is...I don't know where to start...thing is....”
\t“You prefer to be with them,” she gasped, raising to her feet, “you marked me, you bonded yourself to me and it's freaked you out. You don't want love, you just want to come and go as you please.”
\tHe jumped up and grabbed hold of her, wrapping his arms around her as she shook. He felt her resist at first but she fell limp in his arms, the tiniest of sobs escaping her throat. In the corner of his eye, for the first time in years, he felt a tear begin to form.
\t“It killed me leaving you. Don't you ever, ever think otherwise. When you disappeared I reacted the only way I knew how...the wrong way. I was so...so scared that you had gone for good. That Shadow was your choice. That life without this village...without me...was what you wanted.”
\tHer arms were pressed against his chest. He felt her grip at his scarf as she let out a whoosh of air. Calming herself down, he guessed.
\t“I marked you because I don't want to lose you. The reason I left,” he sighed, trying carefully to express himself correctly for once, “was to try and fix my mistakes. Knuckles knocked some sense in to me. Not literally of course, if anything he knocked it out...”
\t“Sonic,” Amy snapped, raising her face to look at him. She looked so vulnerable but the tension growing in her arms showed her strength fighting back. She was so amazing.
\t“I went to see how each girl was doing. I guess I went to make sure they were okay. Just because I'm a complete ass, doesn't mean they deserved it. I thought...I dunno...if I made amends with them that you could all see...I'm trying.”
\tAmy leaned her head against his arm, “They all miss you terribly?”
\tThere was jealousy in her tone, but he was grateful for it now.
\t“No. They didn't miss me. They didn't hate me. Elise didn't even remember me.”
\t“Did you want them to miss you?”
\t“No. Well...no, no I didn't want them to miss me. But...I've not been nothing before. It was good, to know nobody was hurt back there. It's here I messed up. I never noticed...but but I should have! I never noticed how wonderful it was knowing I was never nothing to you.”
\tThere was nothing left in him. He closed his eyes and pressed his lips to her forehead, not letting her go but not stopping her from getting away if she wanted to. He breathed in her scent, the delicate peach of her shampoo mixed with an earthy, wooden scent of someone who spent their life surrounded by nature. All at once unearthly and yet grounded. They stood like that for what seemed like an eternity, a limbo between their ending or their forever.
\tSlowly, so slow he wasn't at all sure it was happening, her hands traced their way around his torso, finally coming to rest on his back.
\t“I don't think, in all the years I have known you, I have ever heard you say you were scared and actually sound like you meant it.”
\tHe let out a quick breath of laughter, “Even Sonics get scared sometimes.”
\tShe took a step back to look and her eyes fell on his. They were still glistening with tears but she held them at bay. The smallest of smiles played across her lips and he felt he knew her well enough to know if it was genuine. He could have cried with relief himself.
\t“I faced my fears Sonic. I was not about to lose you after what I went though, and I refuse to give up on that now. I love you Blue, I'm always going to love you just as I always have, but if you run again...”
\t“No! No no no no no nooooo I am not going anywhere.”
\t“Even if Staci tries to make our lives miserable?”
\t“She can try.”
\t“Even if the village doesn't approve?”
\t“I don't need their approval.”
\t“Even if Sally runs all the way here from the city to declare her undying lo...”
\t“I love you Amy Rose.”
\tHer mouth hung open, the last of her words remaining stuck in her throat. He hadn't said it to surprise her, he hadn't said it keep her quiet. The reason he chose that moment to say those three, heavy words was because she was in the middle of being so very Amy. He walked over to her and closed her open jaw with one finger, planting a delicate peck on her little petal lips. He had meant what he said, the night he made her his. He would spend forever making it up to her.
********
\tStaci did continue to try and make their lives miserable of course. The villages approval of their relationship would have to wait a while. The bandicoot was making life difficult but Amy swore by what she had said. Sonic would not be made a martyr of. The villagers were fickle creatures and there was no telling what they would think of Sonic if word got out of both what he and Amy had done. There was a heavy chance they wouldn't forgive him for forgiving her.
\tThere had been a few days of serenity. Staci went about her day as normal, Eggman didn't attack, and their friends acted as if nothing had happened. They too spent their days as if nothing had changed between them, saving their affections and desires for the nights, when they would bury themselves in each other. Sonics mark would remain for a while, so he was able to indulge looking at her face twist and turn in pleasure. He was stupid to think anything would compare to making the woman he loved buckle to his whim, to giving himself to the moment so completely. He tasted and tickled every last inch of her, and she in turn had brought him to his knees. It was hard to keep quiet when her mouth could work such magic.
\tIt was then the whispers started. As Amy was buying groceries she could hear Lady Goat and Belinda talking in hushed tones behind her. When she turned to wave at them, they fell silent and looked away. At Meh Burger, Dave was smiling wide at her, which sent a chill down her spine. The rabbit girl took a less than subtle photo of her with her phone and immediately started typing.
\tShe didn't tell her friends, but after a few days they were hit with the variety and depth of the rumours. They didn't just overhear the stories, they were actually questioned about them, only staying polite enough to do so out of Amy's ear shot.
\tAssuming Tails would be the weak link, they went after him first, cornering him in his workshop or while he was working on his plane.
\t“Tails, darling,” came a female voice, “Gunther just passed on a dirty little rumour he heard. Is it true that Amy likes to be flogged?”
\tTails dropped his wrench on his toe, spinning round to face Diane, “What?!”
\t“Oh I don't like to indulge in gossip, only...”
\t“Then don't.”
\tThis time when Tails turned to the new voice, he did it too sharply and landed in a heap. Zooey walked over to him and offered her hand which he took while blushing.
\t“Zooey sweetie I'm just trying to find out the truth,” Diane replied, batting her eyelids innocently. Zooey was having none of it. In her sweetest, most polite manner she told Diane to leave Tails alone and to stop taking part in such horrid gossip. The aardvark merely shrugged in reply and left.
\t“Thanks Zooey, she kinda caught me off guard there.”
\tShe smiled and kept a soft hold of his hand, “She was trying to be mean about Miss Amy. I won't have my friends talked about like that.”
\tTails looked at her dreamily, “Wow, you're so clever. How did you know Gunther and Diane were trying to start rumours?”
\tZooey's smile dropped a little, “Oh, Tails, it isn't just them. The whole village is at it.”
*******
\tThanks mostly to Belinda's need for a juicy story or two, it was Charlie who chased down Knuckles. Much as he hated the echidna, he also knew he could confuse him in to giving him what he wanted. He usually wasn't one for gossip but Knuckles and his friends had made his life a misery more than once. Even if Amy was a fellow archaeologist, his villainy would come first.
\t“There he is! The big man on campus!”
\tKnuckles pouted, “No we're on a beach. Might want to get those glasses checked, old Dad who betrayed me.”
\tCharlie halted as he watched Knuckles lift his own body weight with ease. Luckily what remained of Knuckles brain cells were even more useless when he was pumping iron. Flattery was his Achilles heel.
\t“Oh I'll get right on that! Erm...very clever of you to notice. You must notice a lot, being a nomad. Spend a lot of time wandering around, seeing sights, hearing things.”
\tKnuckles brought one hand to itch his chin thoughtfully, still holding the weight set above his head with one arm. Charlie gulped nervously.
\t“Well I suppose I do hear things. But not a lot make sense to me so it's in one ear and in one ear.”
\t“Out one ear.”
\t“No I hear with both my ears. Sound goes in.”
\tCharlie shook his head with frustration but held his temper in place. He needed to get that gossip or Belinda would be mad, and she was the scariest creature around.
\t“But you also see your friends a lot too. They must trust you with a lot of information. I mean, you're practically their leader aren't you? Being the strongest and all.”
\tKnuckles dropped the weights casually to his feet and stuck out his chest, “Strongest by far. They all need me.”
\tCharlie nodded approvingly, “So I suppose you know where Amy Rose disappeared to?”
\t“Of course I do. I'm her big brother. Well...not really...but she's always yelling at me so she's like my sister.”
\t“Well as a big brother you must have been concerned that she was helping Shadow kidnap other girls to keep in his torture dungeon.”
\t“I was concerned she was with Shadow but...wait, what?”
\tCharlie was practically drooling with anticipation, “Luring them in with promises of friendship, only to turn them over to Shadow, in return for sexual favours.”
\tKnuckles looked bewildered, “I don't know what you're...”
\t“That's why she's come back isn't it? He's upped the ante and now he wants to get to Sonic and the only way is to get Amy to persuade him to join in? A power hedgehog threesome?”
\tThere was a high pitched wail, and charging towards them with her staff held high came Sticks. With a calculated swipe she knocked Charlie's glasses clean off his face, barely gleaning his nose. Without his mech suit he was no fighter, and Sticks had no off button, so he grabbed his fallen eyewear and bailed.
\t“Bye bad Dad,” Knuckles called after him.
\t“You idiot,” Sticks snapped, “what did you tell him?”
\t“I didn't tell him anything! He was telling me about Amy kidnapping Sonic. Did you know she was doing that? Is that why he's at her place every night?”
\tSticks slapped a hand to her forehead, “That was gossip. The village is rife with it. Mike the Ox just asked me if Amy is really in to...you know what...nevermind. It's safer not saying these things out loud, never know if your technology is bugged.”
\tHe looked over at his gym equipment, “There are no bugs on my gear. If there were I'd charge them to pump iron just as I do everyone else.”
\tShe jumped up on his shoulders, and wrapped her arms around his neck, “Listen up Knuckle head, whatever you hear about Amy is gossip and rumour. It's spreading like wildfire and it's not going to help matters if you can't remember what the truth is.”
\t“You mean, they're trying to hurt her?”
\t“No, they're too stupid for that. Staci is trying to hurt her, everyone else is just a pawn.”
\t“Oh I like them in a cocktail.”
\t“Pawn! Not...uuugh forget it. If anyone says anything to you about Amy, you tell them they're wrong. You got that, bub?”
\tHe reached up and patted her head, “Remember when you attacked Sonic cause you thought he slept with Amy? You were as angry as you are now, except now you're angry because you're happy they have.”
\tShe slumped down and rested herself in a piggy back position on his back. In a small act of self defeat, she clung her arms around his neck a little tighter. For once it was not to strangle him. She needed her own little moment of reassurance, a hope that everything would be okay. Amy really did still care what the village thought of her, and there was no way these Chinese whispers would not work their way back. There was only so much she could do, only so many truths she could threaten to uncover. Staci had the upper hand. At this rate, Amy might run again, even with Sonic subtly holding her down every night.
\tIn the end, two unlikely sources saved the day, and more than one heart was rescued.","pools_count":1,"title":"Internal Combustion: 10","deleted":"f","public":"t","mimetype":"application/msword","pagecount":"1","rating_id":"2","rating_name":"Adult","ratings":[{"content_tag_id":"4","name":"Sexual Themes","description":"Erotic imagery, sexual activity or arousal","rating_id":"2"}],"submission_type_id":"12","type_name":"Writing - Document","guest_block":"t","friends_only":"f","comments_count":"15","views":"195","sales_description":null,"forsale":"f","digitalsales":"f","printsales":"f","digital_price":""}