#-express herself and her love for people. But after the Eggman War there was some changes that made her less expressive about her love.

[piko-power]

My Personal Headcanon On Why Amy's Love For Sonic Died Down Lately (and their dynamic)

When they were younger, Amy's love for Sonic was pretty extreme, and Sonic was, understandable, uncomfortable for the most part. He knows she means well, but that girl needs to calm down.

She can fight, but sometimes her hammer could only stun her enemies for a while. (It took her a long time to get rid of that robot that has been chasing her around Station Square.) She wasn't fully independent yet, even if she fought on her own a couple of times.

She often follows Sonic and his friends around. She is part of the team, but she was not a strong as she is now at the time yet.

She admires Sonic. A LOT. And Sonic knows that. Obviously, he could only run away from something like that, since he is NOT ready for that kind of thing, and whether Amy takes the hint or stop, she still loves him.

...BUT, I think things were slightly starting to change between her and Sonic after Lost World.

Remember this line?

You remember that? Okay, okay. Here's another totally unrelated question:

Before the events of Lost World, when was the last time Amy said "I love you" to Sonic out loud?

...YEP. 😈 (Unless I'm missing something, let me know lmao)

As more games and adventures come out, the characters get slightly older, and Amy is 12 to 13 now, and she is most certainly at that age where her body starts to change, but especially on how she views Sonic.

She knows she loves Sonic, but it was this moment during her change where she actually wanted to admit that she loves him.

I believe that Amy was all about sharing her affection to him not through confessions, but through obvious hints. Sonic totally got it, and there was no need to confess. Sonic knows she loves her.

...But she never said it. And she almost did, but she never did again for a while.

I think this was the moment in her life where, oh, God, she actually loves Sonic. SHE LOVES HIM, WHAT.

And she was looking back at all the times she had with Sonic that she can now see were unpleasant to Sonic (At least that's what she thinks) and that's probably why she isn't so expressive about her love to him than how she used to back then.

She wasn't sure what to do with this realization, and sets aside it for a while, and nearly stayed as her casual, peppy self... until the Eggman War happened.

During the 6 months of being with the Resistance, fighting Eggman's army all day and all night, all she can think of was Sonic.

She dreams that he still with not just her, but with her friends. She just wanted to see Sonic again, she just wants to be with her hero again.

But I'd like to think that she was also thinking about how she used to treat Sonic back when they were younger, how Sonic would almost always run away from her whenever she asks him out, or always look so uncomfortable whenever she gets so close to him.

Cringing at those memories big time, she wanted to change and hopefully when Sonic is okay and comes back, she can be better for him.

...Or will he still find her uncomfortable regardless? Would he even be happy to see her at all if he did survive?

But, hold on! She can't just give up her love for Sonic! He made her who she is today! A peppy, nature-loving, hammer-swinging, confident, brave... loud-mouth... annoying... Sonic obsessed... weak... pathetic... lonely little girl.

If she gives up on Sonic, it'll be like she gave up on the one hedgehog who saved her life. If she didn't she'll still be the same ol' Amy.

I also like to think she had parents a long while before she met Sonic, and was even expecting a little sister, but a robot invasion happened from where she was and attacked her parents and instead of trying to save them, after getting hurt, she ran away, hoping that they'll come back okay. But they never did.

She was all alone, and needed someone, a friend, a new family, someone who will hold her hand, anyone, to be there for her. But she was ignored by lots, and at that point, she's better off by herself, but still longed for company.

Eventually though, her tarot cards told her her future hero, and there might be hope after all. She encountered Sonic, held onto the belief of the cards tight, and the rest is history.

So, with that headcanon in mind, not only did Amy loose her parents that she didn't save because of her cowardliness (she was only so little at the time that happened) and also Sonic, who she thought will be her only hope, but now gone.

She doesn't even care if he did come back, he'd probably hate her now after everything she did to him, always talking about their "future wedding" or forcing him to go to Twinkle Park.

For the last few months of the war, it was nothing but Amy mentally beating herself up for either refusing to change or moving on, and they are both not fine choices.

She loves Sonic, but he does not love her, and she finally, finally realized it. And it's probably for the best if no body loved her at all.

But of course Sonic did survive and all of her worries wash away in an instant, she's just not expressive about her love for Sonic AT ALL now, since she's still worried about it but rather not mention it to Sonic because it doesn't matter.

If Sonic doesn't love her, then her feelings don't matter to him, and according to Amy herself, that is okay.

But also, I'd like to think that Sonic was thinking about his friends a lot up in the Death Egg for the past months, sometimes it's Tails (worried for his safety), sometimes it's Shadow (because he's wondering why he would join Eggman.) At some point, for a few days, Amy was in his mind the longest, and he felt bad about how he thought he was rude and pushy to her.

He wondered if she's not thinking about it too much, and if she is, will she give up on him? Yeah, he doesn't feel the same and still not looking for a relationship, but it's so strange but interesting how anyone could ever like someone like Sonic the Hedgehog. Amy was never afraid to show that, and she probably might be now.

He couldn't help but feel guilty. They were kids when she was like this, but he was so... arrogant at the time too. Not a lot happened at the time yet. He'd always have trouble expressing how much he value his friends, until he shattered the Paradox Prism. (I'd like to think Prime took place before Forces. It makes sense.)

She is such a sweet girl, and he probably made her believe that he didn't care for her. Just because he doesn't feel the same, that doesn't mean he hates her at all.

He wished he never ran away from Amy... Worrying for his little bro and wishing to be a good person for Amy was when Sonic cried in the Death Egg for the first and only time.

Frontiers, in my opinion, is kind of confirming their dynamic now. Sonic is a lot more sincere and kinder to Amy and she is not all hyperactive and lovey to Sonic. There is probably a real reason for this now.

They are both hiding their feelings from them, and they are both unaware of this. Amy, hiding her mental issues from Sonic, and Sonic, hiding his guilt away from Amy.

None of those things are important now. Sonic is with Amy and Amy is with Sonic. They are here with each other. They can be finally be better for each other now.

They don't care if they'll ever be something more when they get older. None of that matters anymore. They are here with each other. They can be finally be better for each other now.

Maybe someday they'll both talk about it, but for now, the present is important. They care about each other too much to think about it right now.

It's the kind of love that is unbreakable. It doesn't even have to be romantic. It's just love. Love is important for everyone, in any form. It's something Sonic and his friends need. And especially Sonic and Amy.

Amy Rose is the living embodiment of love, and without her, a lot would go downhill for Sonic and co. Heck, if it weren't for her, Shadow wouldn't have never remembered Maria's promise, which lead him to save the world with Sonic, before he temporarily disappeared from their lives for a while.

She is always there to lend a helping hand for anybody, even bad guys like Metal Sonic, and despite what she had been through, both in Forces and headcanon wise, she still fights back, even without her hammer.

She will pick you back up on your feet, reminding you that you are important and that you are loved, and that you should never give up. It's pretty much the words of encouragement she herself needed also...

She is still the happy, hyper, butt-kicking hedgehog we all know and love, but she still need someone to pick her back up on her feet after so long. Thankfully, she has her friends and her blue hero. The hero who made her who she is today.

I think Amy has no idea how important she thought she is, but Sonic does. Sonic knows fully well how important she is to a lot of people. It's about time he returns the favor to her. It's his turn to remind her how much a lot of people love her.

How much he loves her.

And I feel like The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog was the moment where their dynamic really shined, but also the starting point of their relationship not only healing, but also the next chapter of what's to come for them.

Everyone, friends old and new, gathered around for a special birthday. A birthday for the confident, unshakable, and radiant Amy Rose.

It was such a special moment in Amy's life. After years of chasing and following the people she look up to, she is part of the team, but most importantly, she is part of the family.

She is fully realized as someone more than just a fangirl, but someone strong, courageous, creative, kind and a big inspiration for others.

I feel like this moment here...

-is where Amy is eternally grateful to call her friends her family. A family she thought she'll never have again. She's not alone anymore, and as long as they're by her side, she'll never will be again.

Her chasing days are over. She's finally caught up to them. She's finally home.

And it's all thanks to Sonic.

If it weren't for him, she'd probably be alone forever. Her past moments with Sonic might be embarrassing to look back on for a while, but they are good memories regardless, because they involve him.

Sonic saved her life in more ways than one, and despite everything, he's grateful to have her too.

He cares about her. He really does... And in her eyes, that all she needed to know. As long as Sonic loves her in his own way, she'll be happy.

Amy hasn't given up on Sonic. As long as Amy always supports him, he'll be happy.

Maybe sometime in the future, they can talk about their problems, but that's a story for another time. At this point, they need to. Right now, they are happy. They are okay.

They are here for each other. They are finally better for each other now.

"You guys won't ever leave me, right?"

"Wouldn't dream of it."

[alchemy-fic]

DELETED scenes from 88 and 89

The doorbell rang.

  “MARI, who is it?” Eggman called.

“It’s… it’s your mother and she looks very upset.” MARI answered. “Do I enter lockdown mode?”

“Uh, no.” He escorted the Mobians to the operating room to wash up. He ran to Sheptilah and took her hands in his. “Please. Please be nice to Mama. She’s very abrasive but the sooner you meet her the better. It’s like ripping off a scab. She’ll leave on her own when she gets bored.”

“How bad can she be?” Tilly asked.

Eggman pulled her into the elevator and got off on the ground floor. “Just promise me you won’t hurt her and you’ll be patient.”

“Of course, Ivo.” Tilly cocked a brow.

“MARI, I want all the robots to treat Mama with respect. She’s still family so no blasting her, got it? Just keep her happy.”

“Yes, sir.” MARI answered.

Eggman threw open the door.

Before him stood a shorter, heavy set woman with the same luxurious mustache as her son. Her pink and white dress did not match her oversized teal church hat or her black pumps. She had the same black sclera and red irises as her son and spoke with a deep, booming voice. Her lipstick was expertly applied as was her eyeshadow. In her hand she carried an old, beat up suitcase.

“Mama!” He said through a forced smile.

“Why didn’t you invite me to your wedding, you slime bucket!? Just when were you going to tell me you got married!? ” She hollered. “I had to find out in the Mobius Home For Really Bizarre Mothers from some river rat’s bubbie that you got hitched! Is this the girl?” The woman spat.

“Mama, this is Sheptilah, my wife.” He gestured at her.

“Why does she look like Cher but with the colors inverted? Did you marry some dirty hippie? You didn’t even ask my permission to marry someone! How do I know if she’s any bad for you?”

“Mama, you will be pleased to know that Sheptilah is a  queen .”

“Oh, that explains it. You married a  goth  queen. Who else would mix black lipstick, heavy black eyeshadow and  white hair?”

 “I’m wearing kohl.” Tilly crossed her arms. “It’s my custom, I’m not  goth . My people never invaded the Roman empire.”

 “... Not  visigoths , girl.” Mama looked at her with a furrowed expression, one eyebrow cocked. “It’s like you aren’t… from this time. Nobody calls it kohl anymore...”

“She’s a  real queen… It’s a nation near Iran.” Eggman interjected.

 “Oh,  great  . Why haven’t you taken over the world or gone to war? However many goats he traded for you it was  too many, little girl.” She blew past the couple and trudged into the kitchen to fix herself a snack.

Eggman looked at his wife apologetically.

“That is not abrasive.” She hissed under her breath. “That’s  virulent . Also, I’m worth many, many goats.”

“I’m sorry. I love you, but  please handle her until I’m out of surgery. I’ll make it as quick as possible.” He trotted after his mother.

Sheptilah took her time following them.

    “Mama, I’m about to go help perform surgery on someone upstairs. In the meantime my wife and the robots will take care of your needs.”

“I didn’t raise such a wuss. Go, do your  totally real surgery thing. I’m sure it’ll be all your robots and not your own handiwork.” She popped open a soda and guzzled it.

“Mrs. Eggman…” Sheptilah said, watching her husband leave the room.

Ivo winced and broke into a sprint.

“My name is Sylvia Robotnik! My slimeball of a son changed his last name years ago because he was ashamed of our family name.” She tossed the empty can over her shoulder.

“My apologies, Mrs. Robotnik.”

“You, girl, will call me Madam.” She piled on random ingredients to make a giant, disgusting sandwich.

“Right, sorry.”

“So if you’re a queen why do you live here in this dump?” She knocked the refrigerator door closed with her hip, making the appliance rattle.

“Truthfully,” she hesitated, “I am a five thousand year old queen and my kingdom doesn’t really exist anymore.”

“Of course you are. So why would my loser son marry you? Oh, no. Did he knock you up?”

“Ivo is not a loser,” Tilly grit her teeth, “And I am not pregnant.”

“He’s a loser, sweetheart; but you’re avoiding the question. Why would he marry  you? ”

“Because he loves me?”

“Ivo doesn’t know  how to love! I didn’t raise him to be sappy and sentimental! And what’s he trying to pull by being buff now?” She sat down to eat.

Sheptilah picked up the can and put it in the recycling bin.

“How are you even that old?” Sylvia practically ate the entire sandwich in one slobbery bite without chewing.

“I’m a  witch and I was kept in a crystal for five thousand years until Ivo stumbled upon me and brought me home.”

“Oh, I see. You don’t have much experience with men! That’s why you decided to tie the knot with my loser son.”

  “Madam, I think you don’t understand. He’s built himself an empire and controls almost every continent from right here in this lair with his Egg Bosses. He’s a  literal  emperor. He has a base on the  moon . The moon!”

“So? What has he ever done for his mother?”

Tilly groaned in frustration. She balled her fists then relaxed. “Do you just not like me because I’m  brown-skinned ?”

“What? No, I don’t like you because you’re a hippie! Look at you recycling and cleaning and whatever else it is you do. I bet that ugly garden out back was your idea.”

“Hmm…” Sheptilah mulled this over. She switched gears.

“What?”

“I think you would like something to eat, yes? I make great honey cakes.”

“How good of a cook can you be? You are a string bean.” Sylvia looked her over suspiciously.

Sheptilah summoned a plate of piping hot fried dough and a pot of honey. She drizzled the golden liquid over the cakes and slid it toward Sylvia.

“I am a woman of many talents, Madam.” Sheptilah then summoned gold coins into her hands and turned them into brilliantly cut gemstones. “Your son and I have plans for world domination, we are just busy with other things at the moment.”

Sylvia pushed the plate away. “Parlor tricks. Not very impressive. I’m growing bored with you, girl.”

“Well, what do you want to do?”

“I want to level this whole island to build a poorly designed parking lot with a ton of toll booths, for one. Then I want that stupid hedgehog caught and killed.”

“Are you talking about Sonic?”

“Yes! That pest! Always interfered when I tried to help my son get ahead in life. Do I smell cookies?”

“Yes, right this way.” Tilly escorted her to the dining room. “I made this tea myself.”

“Brew a fresh pot! I don’t know how long this has been sitting out here; and I want more cookies!” She practically inhaled the plate of leftover madeleines. “Don’t get any of your gross hair in them, either.”

“Right away,” Tilly left for the kitchen with the teapot. She washed it out and gathered some ingredients for a different brew.

Lavender, bergamot, catnip and lemon balm were added and boiled to extract flavor. As she poured the strained, boiling tea into two cups she whispered into one.

“ This tea as it passes lips, shall cause exhaustion with each sip. Every flavor strong and steep shall

curse the drinker into sleep. ”

Faint sparkles appeared as she blew across the tea. They disappeared and both cups looked identical again. Sheptilah turned the cursed tea cup so that the handle pointed inward and she could tell the difference.

She used magic to summon new cookies and brought them to the table.

    Sheptilah placed the teacups on the table with a click and slid the cursed one to Sylvia.

The woman picked up the warm cup in her hands and inhaled deeply. “Smells awful!”

Sheptilah waited patiently for the woman to sip her tea but Sylvia lingered on her cup. “You’re a witch, right?”

“Yes.”

“Can you read tea leaves? I want you to read my fortune.”

“I can read tea leaves.”

“Well, go get some so you can do that!” Sylvia put her cup down but kept her hands on it.

Sheptilah groaned and got up. She retrieved some tea leaves in a slotted spoon and came back. She tipped the leaves into Sylvia’s cup and set the utensil aside.

“What’s in this junk, anyway?” Sylvia took a sip and yawned. “The aftertaste isn’t bad, at least.”

Sheptilah smirked. “Bergamot, lavender, you know… tea stuff.”

Ivo’s mother rested her elbow on the table and leaned her face against her palm, sloppily swaying the

cup back and forth as if she was aerating wine. She watched the tea leaves spin in the vortex she created.

“Feeling tired?” Tilly asked in a somewhat antagonizing voice. Sheptilah sipped her tea primly.

“Yes, it was a long trip up here.”

“That’s too bad.”

“It is, isn’t it?” Sylvia grinned mischievously and guzzled down the rest of the drink. “You’re too pretty for my son.”

 “Hmm?”

 “You’re too  pretty . You’re outrageously skinny, your hair is too long and you wear nice clothes. You’re too pretty for him.”

 “Do you mean to say I’m too feminine?”

 “Too fragile in looks but not personality.” She shot a pointed look at Sheptilah, a broad and evil smile drawn across her face. “I figured you’d try to poison me.”

Tilly stiffened up. She felt her chest grow warm and her eyes become heavy.

“I’m immune to all that from years of eating hospital food but I switched the cups  just in case .”

Sheptilah’s hands went numb. She dropped the cup and it shattered, spilling its cursed contents on the table. Sylvia stood and walked around toward the prone witch without letting the tea touch her.

“Ivo may be an idiot but he’s  my idiot and I know my idiots. I know he’d never settle for anyone who wasn’t as smart and conniving as him; but I’m disappointed with how weak you are. A garden, recycling, being clean and nice? It’s disgusting in all the wrong ways! If you really knew what you were doing you'd have cursed both cups.”

“I eviscerated Katella.” Sheptilah muttered. "I can and will kill  you , too."

“But you healed her and look what happened.” Sylvia pointed to the missing finger.

 “How do you…”

 “I have access to and read the EggNet, sweetheart.”

“How?” She struggled to stay awake.

“My son is predictable and never changed his passwords.” Sylvia gingerly brushed Sheptilah’s hair out of her face. “Are you dying?” The leaves stuck in her teeth made her smile look all the more menacing.

“No… It’s… sleep...”

“Too bad. Don’t worry,  I  won’t kill you.”

KORin entered the room. “Step away, Sylvia.”

“What the Hell are  you supposed to be?” Mama Robotnik rested her hands on her hips. “Some kind of maid bot?”

“I’m the bouncer. It’s time for you to go.” KORin fixed her eyes on the woman.

“Nah, no thanks.” Sylvia walked up to the robot. “Stand down, tin woman.”

“My orders are to protect the family. I am here to protect the empress. Leave.”

“See, that’s the thing. Who is higher up on the rung? The emperor or the emperor’s mother?”

“KORin… it’s okay.” Sheptilah shut her eyes. “It won’t last… long…”

“Are you sure?” The robot stared at the witch.

“Yessss...” She passed out.

“So? What are you waiting for?” Sylvia stomped her foot. “Let’s move the body and get started on world domination!”

 An hour into the surgery things were well underway and proceeding fine.

“Doctor Eggman?” Smiley looked up from his work when he saw the human move oddly out of the corner of his eye.

    The human swayed on his feet. “Maybe I was not ready to come back…” He sat on the floor away from the operating table and rubbed his temples. “Suddenly I’m exhausted.”

Lourdes jumped down and checked him over. “When did you last eat?”

“Not that long ago.” He answered.

“Stay here for a minute, okay? Until you feel better.” Lourdes went back to monitoring Maw’s vitals.

“This surgery is going to take at least five hours and I need you awake to supervise. Remember, if the cybernetics malfunction we could all get sucked in! That sounds terrible.” Smiley dug around in Maw’s gums.

Eggman shook it off and stood. “I’m fine, I think I just had some kind of blood pressure drop. It only lasted a spell.” He stretched until he heard the joints in his spine pop.

“Neurally mediated hypotension!” Smiley looked up. “You were standing still too long hunched

over and watching us. Walk around the room a bit, you’ll feel better.” The corgi went back to his work.

  “Wakey, wakey… your mother in law is ka-ray-zee.” Scourge shook the witch by the shoulders.

Sheptilah snored loudly.

“For God’s sake, lady! What happened?” He lifted her by her hair and slapped her face.

No reaction.

 “I wish I could sleep like the dead.” Scourge slapped his own forehead. “The living, I wish I could sleep like the living… Oh, fuck.” He noticed the cursed tea twinkled oddly in his vision.

“Fuck! Fuck. How do you break curses… shit.” Scourge wiggled his fingers in her direction. “Abracadabra!”

Nothing.

“Um... what did she fuckin’ say once?” He muttered to himself. “Hex breaking… it was some stupid bullshit…oh! Cayenne pepper! Anything fuckin’ spicy.”

Scourge floated into the pantry and knocked ingredients over haphazardly. When he found the pepper he grinned. Grabbing it, he tried to fly out of the pantry only to get stuck with the pepper not passing through the door.

    “Shit!” He struggled to pull it through, the bottle clanging against the metal. “Come. The. Fuck. On! Why does this work with people but not…”

The plastic bottle pulled through but without the powder inside inside it.

“Pepper. Right… that shit wards off ghosts. There must be no ghosts in fuckin’ Mexico...”

 He calmly opened the pantry and tried to scoop up the pepper but it simply passed through his fingers.

“This is so fucking stupid!” He howled.

He angrily floated to the table and picked up Sylvia’s unbroken teacup and poured it out onto the floor. He then went to the pile of pepper and tried to scoop it into the cup with the same fruitless results.

“Fine, we do this the hard way!” He grabbed Sheptilah by the underarms and dragged her to the pile and dropped her face directly into it.

He glowered when he heard Sheptilah snore loudly. After a second the witch sat up sputtering. She clawed at her face, tears streaming from her eyes and mucus from her nose. She vomited up the sparse contents of her stomach.

Scourge calmly walked to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of milk. He unscrewed the cap and doused Sheptilah over the head.

“What the Hell, Scourge!?” She choked.

“I just saved your ass, Sleeping Beauty. You’re a real idiot for trying to play the evil queen by cursing her tea. You should’ve cursed both cups and not drank from either!”

Sheptilah felt her way to the sink and washed her burning face. “I’m going to become a necromancer just to bring you back to life so I can slap you to death.” She sloshed some water in her mouth before spitting it out.

“The pepper got into my lungs!” She coughed deeply.

“You’ll heal. Listen… your mother in law is nuts! Nuttier than squirrel shit! Kick her out!”

“Scourge, I can’t breathe. I’m tempted to turn my lungs inside out and run them under cold water…”

“Wouldn’t that make you drown?”

“I can give myself gills!” She spat up a huge wad of phlegm straight into the sink and washed it down the drain.

“It’s the only way I was able to break the spell, ya ingrate.” He crossed his transparent arms.

“Thanks.” The burning began to subside. “What’s Sylvia doing?”

“Trashing the place. She’s already bossin’ Orbie and Cubey around and threw around a bunch of furniture; including the sofa.”

“The really big and soft one?”

“Yep.”

“I’ll have her head!” Sheptilah charged off, bumping into things with her eyes red and bleary. “Sylvia!” She called.

“I told you to call me Madam!” The woman shouted back. “I’m in the den, if you could call it that!”

    Sheptilah walked in to see Sylvia moving all the heavy furniture around with one hand.

Holy shit,  she thought.  That woman has the same strength as Ivo!

“So what happened to your kingdom, anyway? If you were a queen we should use this to our advantage.”

“Advantage for what? World domination?” Tilly crossed her arms. Scourge appeared next to her.

 Mama Robotnik let the sofa land with a hard thud. It was moved to the other side of the room blocking an exit.

“Giant parasites we sealed in the moon broke out when your son cracked said moon in half with his nonsense. They’re back and trying to kill everything but especially me. They’re causing all those wild earthquakes.”

“That’s your story?” The woman turned to Sheptilah and stared at her with disbelief.

“It’s true.”

“And how exactly has this prevented you two from taking over the world?”

“Well, we can’t take over a planet if something actively trying to destroy it is in our way. Once we get rid of those things we will decide what we want to do with the empire; but I won’t lie. I am considering expanding it.”

“By how much?” Sylvia cocked a brow.

“I want to convert my pyramid into a base and work on getting a large space station going.” Tilly nodded to herself.

“Small potatoes. Think bigger! Hold the sun for ransom!”

“He tried that once and it didn’t quite work out.”

“Moon for ransom?”

“He already tried that, too.”

“What about all the freshwater for ransom?”

 “Eh, pretty much did that.”

“The planet for ransom!”

“Yep. He did that. That one  almost worked.”

    Sylvia flopped onto the sofa with a disgusted sigh. “But the hedgehog got into the way.”

“Among other things.” Sheptilah stuck out her hip. “Ivo is smart but he often does things without thinking. It’s really not that hard to kill Sonic, he just doesn't want to.”

“See, that’s his problem! He has no killer instinct, but you seem to have a semblance of one.” Sylvia sat up and straightened her hat.

“I have personally executed six people.”

“One of which being the child ghost that is making faces behind your back?” Mama Robotnik smirked.

Sheptilah whipped her head around to see Scourge was acting cute and innocent. She squinted at him before turning back to face Sylvia. “I’m not proud of his death. He’s haunting me.”

“Neener neener nee-nee!” Scourge teased. “Nah, the haunting was revoked forever ago. I’m just here for fun now.”

Mama Robotnik stroked her sizable mustache. “Still, why would my son marry you? More importantly, why wouldn’t he tell me? ”

“Because it was supposed to be a  secret . We eloped. We’re not going public with the marriage until a later date. Trust me, he’d invite the world to come see his splendid wedding and get himself decked out and all that.”

Sheptilah sighed, tapping her upper arm with her fingers.

“We’re on thin ice with GUN because Shadow the hedgehog is my familiar, as you probably know.”

“Shadow? ” Sylvia thought this over. “ Gerald’s  Shadow? I remember when he was this big.” She held her hands apart by about a foot. “He was an ugly baby. He looked like a turd crossed with a raisin.” She grimaced.

Tilly chuckled. “Yes, that Shadow. I guess not everything is on the EggNet.”

“They executed Gerald, his creator, and Shadow works for GUN anyway?” Sylvia grit her teeth and her face turned red with fury.

“Yeah, after they kept him in stasis for fifty years, destroyed his memory and tried to kill him.” Sheptilah shook her head, “I have a feeling he won’t work for them much longer. GUN really, really hates that he’s my familiar but recognizes they can’t do anything about it.”

They stared at each other in silence for a while.

“So who is my son performing surgery on upstairs?”

“Maw the thylacine. He’s one of the Egg Bosses. His jaw is all messed up.”

    “Bah, when will he hire more humans? Who needs animals when you have human beings around? Besides you, of course. You barely count as a human; what with your alien magic nonsense and all that.”

Sheptilah rolled her eyes. “Well, it was nice having you for a visit but now you need to leave. We’re getting ready to bug bomb the place once Ivo’s done with the surgery and no living person can be here.”

“Oh, please! This place is spick and span! Clean as a whistle! It’s disgusting, really.”

“Madam... “

“Take my suitcase.” Sylvia threw it at Sheptilah. She barely caught it, the impact knocking the wind out of her. “And get the master bedroom ready. That’s where I’ll be sleeping. You and my moron of a son can sleep outside in your hippy garden.”

“He is not a moron.”

“He married  you , didn’t he?”

    Tilly adjusted her grip on the suitcase. “Scourge?”

“Yes?” The ghost smirked.

“Take this… and show her to her room.” She handed the spirit the luggage. Scourge understood and grinned at Sylvia.

“Right this way, Your Disgusting-ness!” Scourge bowed in a grand but obviously sarcastic gesture. He grabbed Sylvia with his free hand and dragged her through the walls and out of the lair.

“Don’t let her back in.” Sheptilah instructed MARI. “Please reactivate your and your sister’s bodies.”

“Thank God for you, mom.” MARI chirped.

Scourge came back, very proud of himself.

“Thank you, King Scourge. Fantastic work.”

“I love throwing people out on their asses.” he ‘dusted’ off his hands. “As long as spicy pepper isn’t involved I can do anything I want.”

“You may outgrow that cosmic ‘allergy’ as you get stronger.” Tilly giggled. “But you’ll always be affected by blessed salt.”

“I’m fucked if I ever go into a salt and pepper store.” He gestured like he was hanged with a noose.

 “MARI, how’s the wife doing?” Eggman said.

“She and Scourge just kicked your mom out.”

“It’s nice they’re getting along.” A pause, and then: “Wait, what?”

The lair rumbled.

“Jeepers creepers!” Smiley yelped. “Earthquake?”

“No, that would be my mother.” Eggman sighed. “Finish up with him; I’ll be right back.”

He hurried out of the room.

     “Sylvia!” The witch howled. “Put down the boulder!” She stood in front of MARI and KORin with her arms out protectively.

The hulking woman held the giant chunk of outcrop she broke over her head with little effort.

“No! You will learn some manners!” She broke the boulder in half simply by pulling it apart like stale bread.

“What kind of Mickey Mouse physics is that!? ” MARI cried.

“Girls, go back inside.” Tilly whispered harshly.

“No way!” MARI refused.

“You can’t do anything, MARI. It’s forbidden for you to hurt his family and unfortunately that’s family!”

“But we can still defend you.” KORin said.

“Do so from inside the lair. Maw’s still in surgery and he needs the protection. That’s an order!” Tilly ran in zig-zags, making it hard for Sylvia to aim the rocks. The robots lingered in the doorway before going inside.

    Mama Robotnik threw both stones at the same time, both just barely missing the witch.

Sheptilah looked up at the shadow darkening over her body. It was Mama Robotnik coming in elbow-first with a wrestling slam. Sheptilah, eyes wide, stared up for the split second it took for gravity to pull the massive woman downwards. All at once the air was knocked from Tilly’s lungs and she was seeing stars.

The acrid smell of sweat and cheap perfume was all she could sense. Mama Robotnik stood up and

trotted off to pick another boulder to hurl.

Sheptilah, dazed and unable to focus, was sure she was flattened like a piece of paper. She felt the back of her head, noting her skull was cracked open and chunks of bone floated in brain matter. Warm blood streamed from her nose. She touched her forehead with her fingers, feeling the indent caused by Sylvia’s elbow.

Another shadow descended upon her. She flinched, believing it would be another blow but instead nothing happened.

Small stones fell around her with an almost hollow clatter. She looked up and saw it was her husband who had just punched the boulder to smithereens.

“Mother!” He shouted angrily.

    Shadow teleported in with a massive headache. “Ti-ti! Sorry I’m late; I came as soon as I felt something was off.” He didn’t seem to be too shaken by the image of his witch with her brains out and about. She healed just as quickly on her own.

“Hi, Shads!” She said dreamily.

    “She was rude!” Sylvia said petulantly. “I had to show her who was boss.”

Ivo’s fist throbbed. “You need to leave, Mother.”

Shadow turned to Eggman. “Do you want me to kill her?” He started toward Sylvia.

“Maybe.” Eggman said. “Open a portal to some place far away, if you please.”

    Sylvia protested. Screaming nonsense, she charged at her only son.

Shadow slashed at the air and opened a knot to a mostly deserted beach.

Ivo picked up his mother, held her over his head and unceremoniously tossed her in. He chucked in her suitcase after.

Shadow closed the portal and helped his witch to her feet.

“Where’d you send her?” Ivo asked.

He shook off his headache. “Coney Island, New York.” Shadow smirked.

“This is the second time my brains were on your lawn, Ivo.” Sheptilah frowned.

Ivo looked at his aching fist and saw his glove was torn and bloody. He walked over to his wife and held her tightly. “Why weren’t you fighting back?”

“It’s hard when your brain is trying to reconstruct itself…” She shuddered. “Thank you for… saving my life.” The full horror of what occurred finally hit her and she stumbled.

    He caught her and kissed her cheek. “I’m so sorry I had to leave you with her. I should’ve just kicked her out at first sight. I won’t let her come back ever again. I just couldn’t let the two doctors sit with Maw for that long because the bombs are so delicate sometimes.”

“How did the surgery go?” Sheptilah felt ice cold and shivered.

“Hm? Oh, Maw is in recovery but I don’t care about him right now.” He rubbed her shoulders to warm her up.

“Recovery? Oh, his jaw.” Shadow pretended like he forgot. “You did that today? With your mother here?”

“My mother surprised me.” Ivo huffed. “Had to leave my poor wife with her for four hours…” He rocked her back and forth in his arms.

 “I’m okay, really. The lair is a mess but I can clean it up… I tried to curse her with sleep but ended up being cursed myself and while I was out she was rearranging things.”

“Just rest, honey. I’ll have the robots do that.” He ran his hand over the back of her head and cringed when he felt chunks of brain matter and bone. She was really hurt if the meninges tore that easily… what the Hell did my mother do? He thought. “Actually, I’m going to have Lourdes look you over.”

    “Should I stay?” Shadow asked her.

“Only if you want to, Shads.” She nodded.

“Call me if you need me.” He took a step back and teleported out. A ring of dust was left behind and blew away in the wind.

“I’m so sorry, Tilly.” Ivo hugged her tightly. “I never should have let her stay. I knew something like this would happen.”

“How did you survive your childhood?” Tilly looked up at him.

“I got myself into boarding school and left home at a very young age.”

She buried her face in his chest.

[sonicfanj]

Why do you prefer Amy over Sally?

I’ve taken to long to answer this question and would like to first thank you for your patience Anon.

So, I suppose a bit of an explanation for why I took so long is due as well. Mostly, it was a lack of time but also trying to find a way to define ‘why’. There are an awful lot of ways I could go about it as I am the type of person who is heavily invested in the details. Unfortunately the more I thought about it the harder it was going to get for me to really actually break it down. Fortunately, something recently reminded me of the role the Uncle Chuck plays in it and I can fortunately use him to transition into my history with the characters.

Now, I’ve been a Sonic fan for a long time, all the way back to 1991 actually with the original. As a US citizen naturally I saw SatAM and AoStH on TV as well. Where I get strange from what I see though is that I was quite the picky kid. I couldn’t understand why Sonic did not match his in game design, and had no idea what was wrong with Eggman. And yes, even back in the early 90s I was one of the few kids who knew the Japanese name was his original name, though I used them interchangeably back then. The thing is though, neither show ever looked like the games and that bothered me to no end. I recall that my older siblings and I preferred SatAM to AoStH for the more serious story and atmosphere, even likening it to the bad futures of Sonic CD. There in though is where the divide begins.

I was one of the very few kids who played Sonic CD back in 1993 and to this day it is still my favorite Sonic game, no less video game of all time. I actually did not play the higher praised by the fanbase Death Egg Saga games until Sonic Jam on the SEGA Saturn and that little collection did something for me that Sonic CD had also done. They showed me with the OVA trailer that Sonic and Eggman could be drawn properly. It showed me that Tails could be colored properly. They showed me that the wonder of the games could be captured in animation. It was glorious and to this day still leaves me yearning for a Sonic anime that actually captures it. Sonic CD on it’s own though was already killing SatAM for me.

A lot of people praise the Freedom Fighters. That quirky crew of rebels has brought so many people so much joy and I have nothing but respect for them for that. The thing is though, they were forgettable to me. When I turned my back on pretty much anything that was not the games that I knew I completely forgot about them until I finally got involved in the fanbase after Sonic Generations was announced and I had to do some major research to know what anyone was talking about. A game centric upbringing with only really main games as those I played will do that.

Amy meanwhile, despite CD being the only game I played that she was in until Adventure just struck me right. Her design, her on screen personality. These things just filled me with joy and it was very rare that I would not interreact with her in Palm Tree Panic as much as I could. I was actually so disappointed her design was changed for Adventure but her personality was exactly what I was expecting; a sweet bubbly girl with a lot of spunk and a love for Sonic.

So at this point I should come back around to Uncle Chuck as he will be necessary to explain why it took so long for me to even find anything in Sally worth enjoying, no less actually liking her come the 252 reboot. As I mentioned above, Sonic CD is my favorite game all time, but for as much as I loved Amy even back in 1993, Metal Sonic was my favorite character. Getting to Stardust Speedway and spending hours trying to beat him were the highlights with my playing back the until I finally beat him and cleared the game. That difficulty endeared Metal Sonic to me and left a very strong impression on me that still persists to this day. The thing is, Metal Sonic was my childhood and Uncle Chuck was a slap in the face.

You may recall that back in SatAM and a lot of early Archie, Uncle Chuck spent a lot of time roboticized. Now I know I did not see SatAM regularly because TV stations are questionable in their practices and I have parents who wanted the TV for their own shows. As a result I was unprepared for his introduction and in the cliffhanger where they simply showed a pair of red glowing eyes, little Metal Sonic fan that I was thought they were introducing Metal Sonic. When the next episode revealed it was a roboticized Uncle Chuck and not Metal Sonic, it was the last straw for the kid that was into Sonic for the games, and I only had access to two of them. Yet I turned my back on SatAM and everything made in the US that was not directly related to the games.

So because of Uncle Chuck my primary exposure to the cast were the main games and Sonic CD. Adventure finally let me play as Amy and the Freedom Fighters were a shoved aside memory from a wasted opportunity who never impressed themselves onto me. All of that changed come Generations as X showed me that even the Japanese could butcher the games I love and not draw Sonic right and as I joined the fandom through the US Sally should have had the chance to impress herself upon me. Unfortunately she was not given that opportunity because of her fans.

As is obvious, I’m an Amy fan. When I joined the fandom being an Amy fan in the US was not seen as a good thing and the war of hatred between Sally fans and Amy fans still has scars left over today throughout the Sonic community. When presented with Sally through the fans I interacted with, Sally was simply perfection incarnate and Amy should die in a fire while Sonic worships her for killing the hellspawn. It was not a good experience and offered no support for the games and the adventures I enjoyed and came to Sonic for. I also for a time came to despise the character solely for her fans which happened to me in recent years with the Tales of Franchise and the character Alisha. Unpleasant fans make it difficult to enjoy a character or even come to at least understand them. Fortunately I was willing to do some research of my own because I still felt like I needed the knowledge, and maybe the character could speak for herself. I was in for quite a bit of disappointment.

What my research turned up at the time was a character who was simultaneously useless, nothing more but an object of power for Sonic to worship like an indoctrinated thrall, and managed to match Tails in point of view at the time of dumbing Sonic down to where I felt in their presences he couldn’t figure out he was supposed to open his own mouth to eat if they weren’t there. This may be hard to believe but I actually disliked Tails quite a bit for several years as Sonic seemed to be constantly dumbed down so Tails could be useful rather than the kid who could keep up if he gave his all. Yet the OVA (subbed) saved Tails for me. Sally meanwhile continued to undermine Sonic with the Genesis Story during the events of Sonic 1 via the first Genesis Wave where she “helped” Sonic find the courage to enter the water in Labyrinth Zone and he found it not so bad because of her. It was one of the few times I found why people called her a Mary Sue.

What finally saved Sally for me was actually Amy. Though I never liked how aggressive and violent Amy had become compared to playful and mischievous from Sonic X on, and a coming reexamination of her character after learning she addressed Sonic a certain way in the Japanese manuals leading me to fully fall for Kazuyuki Hoshino’s vision of her, her conversations with Mecha Sally would turn the tide for Sally. Amy being Amy spoke of friendship and the friendship they had. While I never read the comics and could not examine their relationship, come the reboot in 252, from the get go the two were shown as good friends and I could finally see Sally’s character. She was wise tactically and cared for her friends, bit was also highly responsible and took her duties seriously. In Amy and her friends she found the comfort to unwind and just be another person no matter what was going on. Her and Amy’s chats while going around the world during the lead up to and during the Unleashed adaption made her fun and enjoyable, no less relatable. She was finally a character, a person, and not just an object that Sonic was chained to like a slobbering cartoon dog with their bone. It was refreshing and I enjoy the friendship between Sally and Amy so much that I still feel if the Freedom Fighters were to have been adapted to IDW for just a cameo that Sally would have been the perfect friend to hand the Restoration off to as she finally returned to her own adventuring ways. And that right there is the big difference point.

I come to Sonic for adventure, whimsy, and wonder. The sense of discover of meeting new people and seeing wonderous new locations. I love characters full of life and the love for adventure. Sally, unfortunately for her, does not represent that. Her role for years kept Sonic away from those adventures. Instead of supporting whimsy and constant new discovery, she supported stability and staying forever at home. By the nature of her role as a character and in universe, she just can’t be that type of character and that is not her fault. Amy meanwhile is a character designed to follow Sonic no matter where he goes. That she also is a girly-tomboy, one of my favorite character archetypes, but also bubbly and silly, playful and mischievous, and generally full of good cheer and limitless positivity (or used to be at lease) just always entertains me. That she also has the courage to open wear and express her emotions, including her love, is both entertaining on one hand, but also inspiring on another when you are raised in a society that hates honesty, emotions, and expressing that you love someone. Amy was refreshing, whereas Sally when I first looked into her, and her fans that I interacted with, represented oppression and that being you was the worst thing that could ever happen to the human race, something that Sonic and Amy both stand against. Fortunately Amy showed me there is plenty to like with Sally, and it’s a real shame her character was vaulted before that potential could finally be perceived. And yet, in the end, as I grew up on the main games and had my expectations born of them and further refined as I learned more and more of the Japanese lore for the games, Sally and the role she has could never provide me with what I come to Sonic for. Adventure, the whimsy that gives rise to it, the discovers that come from it, and the heroics at it’s climax. Sally by nature is not a whimsical character, nor should she be. It isn’t who she is and she deserves to be respected for that. And it’s thanks to her friendship with Amy that I finally saw that and can enjoy her character. But like Amy, I want to follow Sonic on his adventures, and her bubbly, playful, cheerful, optimistic, and mischievous personality makes following Sonic that much more enjoyable to me.

To simplify it here at the end, my love of Metal Sonic and Uncle Chuck prevented me from ever learning who Sally was. It was Amy’s friendship with her that finally changed that and I found a character who has a lot of potential and is quite enjoyable on her own. But Amy’s personality, whimsy, and propensity for adventure, or the the trouble that will take her on one, makes her the more enjoyable character for me. I know the whole explanation was a little long, but I hope it helps explains my preference for you Anon. Thanks for asking.

[ninjakasuga]

Sonsal Celebration Year Two, Day 3:

Onto prompt number three for the @boundforfreedomsonsal celebration! This one jumps in time even more than the last one, taking place sometime after the entire Mecha-Sally arc of the pre-reboot era has been handled. A few people told me they really enjoyed my usage of multiple characters beyond Sonic and Sally and I hope this one while only three characters in total are enjoyable to you all as well!

SURPISE!: As she adjusted her clothing, Bernadette Hedgehog smiled at her reflection in the mirror. A good night’s sleep, a fresh shower, clean clothes, and the matron of the Hedgehog household was ready to face the day. Turning from her mirror, she went over to her bed, tidying it up a bit, before a sniff told her, she should just go ahead and change the bedding. It wasn’t rank; it just, smelled very heavily of a certain act she and her husband partook… several times last night. A girlish giggle left Bernie along with a pink tinge to her cheeks as she stripped her bed of the sheets, pillowcases, and the comforter to haul to the laundry room.

Sometimes it was still hard to believe that a mere few months ago, a way to restore her beloved husband Jules to flesh and blood without his old war injuries returning and killing him was discovered. Ironically the development came from the method used to restore Princess Sally to flesh and blood after she had been turned into Mecha Sally. As she put the bedding into the wash, and set it to run, Bernie’s happy thoughts soured a little at that thought. The deep depression her son suffered during that period made her heart ache for her son even now when all was well and over with. Nor had it been fun to see the poor Princess dealing with her own post-deroboticization trauma of all the things she was made to do. It wasn’t uncommon to see Sally spending time at their home with Sonic, or he with her at the palace. 

Suffice to say Bernie let a few of the few rules she and Jules insisted upon Sonic when bringing his girlfriend over, well slip into the cracks. More than once when she woke up in the middle of the night for some reason, she’d walk by her son’s (locked) bedroom door and hear the sounds of certain... activities that were requested to not happen under her roof. Neither Bernie nor Jules were prudes, but their home wasn’t a refuge for teenager frolicking of that nature. It was more a desire for discretion than forbidding Sonic and beloved from being intimate, after all out-of-sight, out-of-mind. Jules and she doubted Sonic wanted to stumble them making love. 

However, both had, let that rule bent some, so long as it didn’t get out of hand, since at the time, the two deeply, and VERY much needed one another. Since they were never loud enough to be heard from Jules and Bernie’s own bedroom or left any mess to be cleaned up, they let it slide. At least things were better now, Dr. Eggman was still a threat but his operations had been severely hampered losing his precious Death Egg, and a slew of victories the Freedom Fighters had won lately. The false-King Naugus and his agent, turncoat Geoffery St. John had been dealt with. Good riddance to both of them, Naugus could rot in whatever dimension he was stuck in, and St. John could rot in prison forever. Shaking her head, she lightly smacked her cheeks to clear her head; why should she focus on so much dread? She had every reason to be happy as happy could be today!

Walking back down the hallway connecting to the bathroom and bedrooms, Bernie on a whim went to her son’s room and tested the doorknock. Locked; which meant… he had company. Given Jules and she had already gone to bed when her son probably came home from his last mission; of course, he would sneak Sally in. Shaking her head, however, she smiled, rather wickedly rather than seem angry. While she had gladly bent the rules before for her son; at this point, he should be MUCH more open in inviting Sally over. A note outside his door would be nice, even a damn sock on the doorknob as tact-y that sounded would do the job.

Time for a little playful payback. Raising her balled hand, she rapped on the door normally and spoke in as much of a motherly ‘sing-song’ voice as she could manage. “Ooooh Sonic dear! Wakey, wakey sleepyhead!” Putting her ear to the door, she barely held back a giggle as she heard the sounds of ruffling from the bed, including the sound of someone falling out of said bed, onto the floor and cursing. There was a lot of muffled cursing, and she could make out two distinct someones’ scrambling about.

Her son’s badly disguised panic-voice called out to her, trying to sound as sleepy as he could. “B-be right out Mom! I just need to be presentable!”

Bernie rolled her eyes, waiting until she heard the sound of the window starting to open, then with a wide grin, she spoke aloud through the door. “Oh Sonic dear, please do let Sally know she’s invited to stay for breakfast!” Upon hearing two audible gasps and more under-the-breath cursing, she allowed herself a small fist-pump in her victory. “Jules and I already showered, and your Father’s out helping your Uncle, so I’ll be making breakfast just for us, and the shower’s free for both of you to use! Just don’t take too long!” Now she let herself giggle as she could envision the two’s blood-drained faces.

Sometimes, teasing your kids and their significant other was fun. Which is all this was, Bernie had no intent on reaming either of them. She supported them both, but, she wanted her son to remember this was his parents’ home, and well; you had to pay the piper when you kept bending the rules. Making her way to the kitchen, Bernie found her apron and put it on, and started working her magic. Soon the kitchen was filled with the smells of food being cooked; sizzling bacon, pancakes on the griddle, toast, hashbrowns, and simple scrambled eggs. After last night she could use some ‘power food’ and she had a feeling both kids could as well.

As she was finishing up the last of the food, she heard footsteps and looked toward the doorway leading to the main hallway, and smiled ever-so-pleasantly as both Sonic, and Sally appeared, freshly cleaned and showered, and blushing from their necks to their ears.“Good morning you two!”Running a hand through his head-quills, Sonic looked ever the child who had his hand caught in the cookie jar. 

“Mornin’ Mom…”

“G-good morning Mrs. Hedgehog…” Sally swallowed hard, twiddling her fingers together in a sheepish manner, mirroring Sonic’s own ‘hand in the cookie jar’ guilt expression. Looking at the Mother of her boyfriend, Sally summoned her courage, and humility as she spoke. “I’m sorry about us we… you know… in your home-.” Waving a hand, Bernie began to transfer the finished food items to the table. “Oh don’t fret about it, dear! You’re practically family now, I don’t mind if you stay over, you’re always welcome!” She waited for a beat as the two looked gobsmacked and then she grinned in a rather evil-manner their way. “You’re both old enough to mind your own affairs, and make love all you wish, but I still would like some notice when you bring Sally over son. Just continue to be discreet about the love-making and all will be hunky-dory, do I make myself clear?”

Both the fastest hedgehog alive, and squirrel-munk Princess nod their heads rapidly. “Yes ma’am!” They utter in unison, sufficiently cowed and humbled, which pleased Bernie.

“Good, my only other request is you don’t make me a Grandmother just yet.” Her plain smile hid the internal glee she had as both of them turned redder than tomatoes. “MOM!” Exclaimed Sonic who looked like he wanted to run out of the house, into the woods, and bury himself under the nearest big rock. Sally was no better, rubbing her face still tinged with pink as she tried to fight back all the thoughts both positive and negative that concept brought up. “M-Mrs. Hedgehog, we’re too young! Oh god, and my parents would have a fit if we weren’t married first...” “Okay, I had my fun, both of you have a seat, oh and Sally dear just Bernie will do.” Giggling, Bernie gestured for them to sit, and once they did, she seated herself. She felt a small amount of pity for them, but she still wished to remain firm in making this little incident a bit of a reminder lesson for the two on her house rules. Within minutes, they were eating and the good breakfast grub seemed to help ease any of the prior embarrassment, plus getting compliments for one’s cooking was certainly welcome at her table. Bernie couldn’t help but occasionally look up from her meal, smiling as the two were being cute without realizing it.

They would occasionally offer the other a bite of the others’ food, or their hands not holding a utensil would slide under the table, probably to handhold. The female hedgehog also would bet money if she glanced under the table, she’d see them locking their legs together. Then when Sonic got overenthusiastic and make a mess eating pancakes and getting syrup on himself; Sally would take her napkin and try and clear his face for him, and despite initial resistance, he would let her. It warmed her heart to no end. As she watched them, her own freehand not scooping food had moved down and rested on her belly which she panted before deciding now was a good time to spill some good news.

Clearing her throat, Bernie smiled at her son and Sally as they both looked her way, gaining their attention. “Well, now that we’ve had most of our meal, I feel I need to tell you both something important.”

“What sort of important thing Mom?” Her son inquired with a raised eyebrow, a slight unease on his features as he undoubtedly worried it might swivel back to the prior topic. Sally seemed to share his unease.

Which made Bernie all the happier to put those concerns at ease. Standing up, she flashed a beaming smile, every ounce of joy she’d been containing all morning flooding from her very being. “I’m pregnant!!”

Dropping his fork, Sonic’s jaw dropped and Sally slapped a hand over her mouth as the shock hit them both first. Shock slowly gave way to a brief period of processing. Sonic still seemed to be in the middle of processing as Sally’s shock fully gave way to giddy, joy. “Oh my gosh Mrs. Hedgehog that’s amazing!” Sally got up from her seat, rounding the table to give the woman a big hug.

Returning it happily, Bernie squeezed the young woman who was practically her daughter-in-law. “Just Bernie dear remember? No need for formality at this stage!” She laughed and rocked a bit with Sally as the two women basked in the joyous moment.

Once he finally processed what he had been told, Sonic got up from his seat, and like Sally, walked around the table toward his mother, still seeming to be mildly shocked. “You’re pregnant Mom? Really?” Giggling, Bernie released Sally and held her son. “Oh very much so! Don’t forget son I’m biologically still in my twenties instead of my forties. So my oven is still very able and primed for life!” She added a little eyebrow waggle, which made Sally giggle and Sonic make a mildly disgusted face.

“Um, okay, a bit too much information Mom.”

“Son, your parents still have sex, deal with it. It was going to be a thing once your father was flesh and blood again.” She playfully stated while patting his cheek. To which he turned his head and covered his mouth. “I really didn’t need to hear that…”

Sighing but sympathizing, Sally walked over and rubbed his right shoulder. “Well, I guess considering she’s overheard us, it’s karma.” She rationalized, knowing she’d feel the same in his shoes if it was her parents.

Pitying her son, Bernie cupped his face and planted a kiss to his forehead. “Sorry sweetie, I’ll knock it off. In all seriousness, I’m so…. Happy.” She wiped her eyes, as they misted over some. “I only just wish we could have given you your siblings when you were a child.”

That tidbit caught Sonic’s ear, “Siblings? As in, multiple?”

Smiling widely still, Bernie nodded with the same giddy energy as she replied. “Doctor Quack confirmed it, I’m having twins. Genders are unknown if it’s twins same-sex or boy and girl twins, but that’s half the fun in waiting to find out.”

“....I’m going to be a big brother.” Sonic finally murmured as he slowly sat back down in a chair, a smile slowly crawling onto his face. Looking up at his Mother he then asked. “Does Dad know?” “Oh yes I told him right away, we were going to tell you both this morning but your Uncle called, needing a hand so he went out after a shower.” Steepling her fingers together, Bernie bounced a little on her feet.

Sally knelt by Sonic to hug him, kissing him once on the lips. “Welcome to the sibling club, admission is free.” Petting his head quills Sally couldn’t help but smile more as she looked upon Sonic’s still happy expression; feeling joy for him and his family.

Flashing a cocky smile, Sonic slid his arm around her waist, keeping her close. “I technically am a member since Tails has always been my li’bro. I just now got a new li’ bro or li’ sis or doubles of each incoming.”

“Well, Tails is welcome to be a big brother to the new brood as well, family is family after all.” Commented Bernie as she laid a hand on her son’s shoulder and another on Sally’s. A sense of contentment filling her and seemingly the room.

Of course, with the state of the world, bringing new lives into a war-torn world was certainly an iffy prospect. However, Bernie wanted the new lives growing in her, to expand her family. She believed in her son, Sally, and their friends. Somehow, someway, they’d win this. Hopefully, her unborn children could enjoy a world without Eggman looming over the horizon.

All she could do was hope, and perhaps; her want of a world where all her children could walk, run and just live free would be a reality someday.

Author Notes: Welcome to my fanon method of making Sonia and Manik canon to Archie-Sonic!       

[thankskenpenders]

Yeah, this is the big one. Grab your popcorn

Sally finally gets a moment to talk to Sonic after being ignored all day, and tells him what’s up. With her being put in charge, and Sonic being her royal consort (basically, the guy who’s committed to marrying her someday but isn’t quite her fiance yet), Sally wants Sonic to stop going on away missions and lead Knothole by her side

Look. Let’s set aside all of our preconceived notions about what a Sonic comic should or shouldn’t be. Ignore the fact that we obviously want to see Sonic go on adventures. Forget it. Let’s look at it from Sally’s perspective for a second

Yes, this is the post in which I explain that “The Slap” isn’t that bad. It’s certainly not great, but it’s not The Worst Thing Ever like it’s been made out to be. I wish I didn’t have to spend my evening writing this, but 15 years of hyperbolic fan outrage (note: some Wikia rando added that “reception” section this year) have forced my hand

First of all, again, Sonic is formally committed to marrying her and ruling alongside her someday. This was established ten issues ago. He was already committed to this. Then, Sonic went and died. Sally still spent an entire year of her life thinking her basically-fiance was dead, and had to deal with shit in Knothole without him as things continued to get worse and worse. No one can just bounce back from that unscathed. After his return, she WANTED to help Sonic and go be a Freedom Fighter on the last mission, but her parents forbade her and the royal guards kept her in the castle. (That SUCKS, but is a whole ‘nother conversation.) She wants to fight by his side and keep him safe, but her parents are forcing her to stay home and be the princess, which only makes her more distraught. Last issue, she broke down into tears when she saw Sonic get shot by M over Eggman’s video feed, and her mother had to console her and reassure her Sonic wasn’t dead

Sally very clearly has PTSD over Sonic’s “death” a year ago. She doesn’t want to lose him again. She’s outright said as much

And also... when she says Sonic isn’t the only hero around, she’s got a point?Sonic barely did anything in the last arc! Tails was the one who outsmarted ADAM. Shadow dealt with Eggman. Bunnie did most of the damage to M and took out an entire fucking aircraft carrier on her own. Knuckles, the Chaotix, Rouge, and Amy took out the robot horde. All Sonic did was land the final attack on M--which, honestly, someone else could’ve done. And he got his arm injured in the process

Add on to this all of the chaos of the last few days. Sally’s barely had a free moment to see Sonic since she found out he was alive. They nearly got nuked by Eggman. They’re being harangued by the paparazzi. It sucks. And hell, it goes back WAY further than this! She spent years as a kid trying to save her parents, and now all they do is belittle her. She found out she had a secret older brother, and then her parents decided he was the more important child. She went through all sorts of relationship drama. She nearly died a few times herself. And now, her parents have decided to leave her in charge of their whole kingdom at a time of war, while she’s still a mess from the trauma of losing Sonic. The idea Bollers had was apparently that Sally had been bottling up her issues for years (which she totally had been), and this was just the breaking point

I know Sonic’s desire to keep being a hero is understandable. I know he’s right. That’s all he really knows how to do, and he feels useless in times of peace. And obviously, we the readers want to see Sonic go on adventures. But Sally’s concerns are valid. We don’t have to agree with her plan to have Sonic rule by her side for her emotions to be understandable

Sally’s been on the verge of a breakdown for who knows how long. She should be mad at her parents, but they’ve worn her down to the point where she thinks she’s unable to confront them. (It would be very, very easy to make a case arguing that Sally’s parents are emotionally abusive. Max especially.) She thinks that Sonic is the one person who will listen to her and have her back. They’re betrothed, after all. This is literally what he signed up for. After trying to get his attention ALL DAY, she finally gets a chance to talk to him. But he wants other things in life, and refuses. In front of a crowd, no less

So she lashes out at Sonic and slaps him

Then they both start yelling at each other and crying. Sally asks Sonic if she’s more important to him than fighting Eggman, Sonic can’t answer, and Sally runs away in tears. For all intents and purposes, Sonic and Sally are now broken up. (For now.)

Should Sally be lashing out at Sonic? No. Could this scene be done better? Oh, absolutely. This is not the direction I would want Sally to go in as a character, and if you ARE gonna have them fight, this wasn’t written with the care required to make fans sympathize with both parties. The fact that we’ve seen everything from Sonic’s perspective with barely any insight into Sally’s certainly doesn’t help. But as the several lengthy paragraphs above explain, this does not come out of nowhere. It’s easy to find lots of fans online calling Sally all sorts of names (sometimes very misogynistic or ableist ones) because they think she just flipped out on Sonic out of nowhere. But she didn’t. Sally having some sort of breakdown had been foreshadowed for several issues, and the reasons why make sense. No, she shouldn’t have lashed out at Sonic, but this isn’t just her going “Oh no, my period! Let’s nuke England!” as so many have made it out to be. (And hell, the comics already had a lengthy history of treating Sally even worse than this, with Gallagher making her the nagging girlfriend who bickered with Sonic all the time and Penders sympathizing more with her shitty dad.)

Again, this was supposed to be a turning point in which Sally bottling up all this crap and carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders finally leads to her breaking. It’s a dramatic low point to build back up from. The problem is that Bollers left the series only a few issues later, and Penders and “Chacon” never did much with this. So in hindsight, many view this as her randomly snapping “for no reason,” because the followup stories that would have explored how she’d been bottling up her feelings were never actually written. But it’s not hard to figure out what’s supposed to be going on in her head if you actually go back and look at the preceding Sally scenes

For the most part, this is just run of the mill relationship drama for Archie Sonic. You see this kind of shit all the time in serialized media. Characters date, but the writers need to keep things ~spicy~, so they break up, see other people... then inevitably end up back together, and the process repeats ad nauseum. You ever watch Scrubs? You know how JD and Elliot are obviously love interests from episode one, but they had to do that will they/won’t they shit for years and have flings with other characters to keep up ratings? Yeah, it’s just that. For Sonic, there’s also the added pressure from Sega, who never allowed Sonic to be in any stable relationship for very long. Several writers have talked about how this limited what they could do with Sonic and Sally. Do I like that this cycle of drama is the norm? No. But after over 200 of these comics, I’m used to it

(And hell, at this point in the comics, they had literally just broken up Bunnie and Antoine, and Rouge was starting to get in the way of Knuckles and Julie-Su’s relationship. Between Julie-Su and Knuckles’ first kiss and them actually dating, Penders had Julie-Su get mad at Knuckles and go out with some random other guy. They do this shit all the time)

The worst you can really say about this scene is that Jon’s art is a little too goofy and undermines the drama a bit. In his own words from his website’s FAQ: “I’m sorry. Like I said, I was an overeager noob and I drew what I was given.” But really, he had been drawing these sorts of exaggerated, frantic expressions throughout the entire issue. Not just with Sally. Look at all the panels of Sonic wigging out in the previous pages. I still think his work is fantastic. If anything, it was a bad call on Archie’s part to give this somber scene to a brand new artist with a very exaggerated, silly art style. He just drew what was in the script

You know what really blows about this whole thing, though? Jon Gray is still, to this day, over 15 years later, getting harassed for drawing The Slap

That is so utterly ridiculous and shitty. People have made up all sorts of conspiracy theories about the slap, saying that Jon had some sort of “anti-Sally agenda” and that it wasn’t in the script. (This is completely false.) People are so stuck in the past and bent out of shape over this one panel in a pretty run-of-the-mill Archie Sonic issue that Jon has to block people who come into his Twitter mentions accusing him of “sabotaging” the series on a regular basis. Y’all, Jon’s a good guy, and he doesn’t deserve to be treated like that

And lord. There’s so much nastier shit within this series. Penders hooking a 15-year-old Sally up with a dude in his 20s (and later saying that he wanted her to lose his virginity to said dude). Gallagher making Barby Koala have a creepy crush on Tails. Penders rephrasing a poem about the Holocaust to be about hedgehogs. Penders having Sally rationalize her dad’s attempt at genocide. (I could go on and on with Penders, can you tell)

This whole thing is just, so blown out of proportion. It’s not a great scene, but it didn’t “ruin” Sally’s character. Neither Jon nor Bollers had some sort of “anti-Sally agenda.” They weren’t out to ruin your fucking ship. And for god’s sake, quit yelling at them about it. This was 15 years ago and all parties involved have moved on. It’s just more melodrama in a series that’s always 90% melodrama

It’s a single panel in a comic about Sonic the Hedgehog. Can we move on

[mobius-prime]

273. Sonic the Hedgehog #200

Turn About is Fair Play

Writer: Ian Flynn Pencils: Tracy Yardley! Colors: Matt Herms

Welcome to the two-hundredth issue of the Archie Sonic preboot! It's another big milestone issue, but unfortunately, compared to some of the others it's a little… light on content, if you will. Most of it consists of pages and pages of fighting, some of it with very little dialogue other than "Ugh!" and "Oof!" and "Argh!" It honestly reminds me in a way of those old, early-era issues that were mostly just Sonic and Knuckles beating the crap out of each other in various locales with a few pages before and after to explain why they'd decided to get into a tussle this time - only now, the big fight is between Sonic and, of course, Eggman.

Right off the bat, Eggman makes kind of a weird comment, claiming that Sonic has been a thorn in his side for "fifteen years and more." I say it's weird because no matter how you look at the timeline, it doesn’t really seem to match up. It can't be referring to Sonic's age, because Sonic is seventeen here, and he certainly didn't start fighting Eggman when he was two - the coup hadn't even happened at that point. And it can't be referring to how long the war has been going on for similar reasons. Sonic's been actively carrying on the fight against Eggman and his predecessor for about a decade now, assuming that he and the others formed the core Freedom Fighter group when he was around seven, but that still leaves several years unaccounted for. The only thing I can think of to make this comment make sense is that Eggman is specifically thinking about his previous war with the Sonic of his home zone. We know that his history was virtually identical to Sonic Prime's up until the events of Endgame, during which he roboticized himself to avoid losing outright. We can assume the fight went on a couple more years from there, and after his long stint in space as a computer program (anyone ever think about how weird Archie Sonic lore is) Eggman has been waging war anew against the Prime Zone's Freedom Fighters, and we can assume this has gone on for nearly two years at this point as well considering Sonic's year in space. I suppose, considering all that, that it could technically add up to fifteen years, but it's still a weird comment to make. Then again, we know that Eggman has been kind of losing it lately, and Sonic's careless and mocking attitude certainly doesn't help.

As their battle begins, Sonic smugly begins checking off the list of every way Eggman has failed to keep his empire in order - how "a group of kids with no real training" have continuously thwarted him in every way, how his failures always translate directly into wins for the heroes, and how even in the times he has won, such as at Knothole, it's been temporary at best, with the heroes coming out even stronger on the other side. Eggman sputters in a fury as Sonic continues to list off his failures, how he doesn't even control nearly as much of the world as he claims and that even in the places he does control the people hate him and want him gone, and how in the end, Sonic is confident he can beat him again just like always. What follows is what I mentioned before, just pages and pages of fighting as Sonic continues to trash the Egg Spider and Eggman grows more and more apoplectic and incoherent until he's reduced to screaming about how much he hates Sonic. After a good bit of bashing and spindashing, the Egg Spider is finally reduced to scrap, and Sonic, feeling quite pleased with the way their final battle has gone, strikes a nice victory pose.

And then… this happens.

Yikes. We knew that Eggman was slowly losing his grip on reality, but this is just downright disturbing. Sally tries to report to Sonic on the team's success and the Legion's retreat, but finds herself distracted by Eggman's gibbering tantrum, asking Sonic what the hell he did to him. Sonic is equally at a loss to explain what's going on, but Snively's voice interrupts the both of them, grimly informing them that this final defeat has completely broken his uncle's mind in half.

I'll admit, the first time I read this I did not see this coming despite the lead-up - it almost seemed like too much, like something of this caliber wouldn't make it into a comic for kids (well, more like teens at this point - I feel like the storylines have long since gone beyond being for young children). And yet in the end, I feel like that's exactly why Ian is so beloved as the head writer - he was willing to take things seriously, include real stakes for the characters and write in plot developments like this that would completely change the status quo. Eggman has been consistently losing his way through every Sonic game, comic, anime, and every other piece of media for decades now, and at some point, in some canon, it was liable to break him entirely. Just, no one ever expected it to be this dramatic.

Everyone else bursts into the room, and they begin to celebrate wildly as they realize the war is over, though Sonic stands amid the chaos with a look of blank disappointment on his face. Sally recovers fairly quickly and begins crying from happiness, using Nicole's handheld to broadcast the message of their victory to the entirety of New Mobotropolis, where the citizens are celebrating wildly in the streets. As they make their way back out of the Eggdome, Tails and Amy excitedly get Sonic to recount the battle to them, but he's less than enthusiastic, missing his usual dramatic flair. When questioned on his attitude, or lack thereof, he frowns and claims that he's merely tired after the fight, which they accept without question.

I'm not surprised Sonic doesn't feel right about all this. I'm sure he thought the finale to the big showdown was going to be, well, epic, with Eggman angrily sputtering about how he'll get him next time only to have his ego taken down a notch by Sally's end-of-the-war speech. It can't feel at all good to beat your enemy so hard that he literally goes insane, even if he is a genocidal maniac. After all, Sonic isn't cruel - he doesn't fight for the express purpose of torturing Eggman, he fights to protect the people and the world he loves. Causing such extreme mental anguish just isn't something he's interested in, and yet his actions have led to it anyway, causing some serious emotional conflict for him. But hey, he's Sonic, and in the end he's able to pick up and carry on, satisfied that in the long run he's done the right thing. And hey, it is the end of the war! Time to enjoy, for the second time, a new era of peace and prosperity with no more dire threats to the world and his family and friends' safety! Right? R…right?

Of course not! Where would we be if there was no more conflict in this comic?! I mean, granted, there was an entire era in the past dealing with precisely that - how child soldiers deal with trying to live an ordinary life after fighting an adults' war - but it'd be kinda weird to try to just rehash all that a second time over. Plus, Sonic has grown up since then - I feel like if the story truly did end here and there were no more villains to face, Sonic would ultimately be able to adjust and live a happy and fulfilling life without all the constant hero work to keep him busy. But as it is, there is another situation brewing - don't tell me you forgot about Snively's little online romance! After securing Eggman in a straightjacket and padded cell within the Eggdome, Snively makes his way to the landing pad on top of the Eggdome, ordering all the Legion's members to meet him up there. He's ready to introduce them all to their new leader, who will be taking over the running of the Eggman Empire now that its namesake is, ahem, indisposed. And this new ruler just so happens to be…

T-the Iron Queen? You mean that one-off character from waaayyy back in StH#60? Yeah, see, I did hint at this back in my review of that issue. I think I've mentioned it before, but Ian is very fond of bringing back old, forgotten characters and concepts from the earliest days of the comic and breathing new life into them, finding ways to weave them back into the story to become much more interesting than they had been before. The Iron Queen, here, is a technomancer, and quite power-hungry (and apparently has a thing for tiny gremlin men, despite being married to a gigantic Mobian bull). I will admit that she's not my favorite villain of the series, but she's not a bad one at all, and indeed it's her arrival that catapults us out of the sixth era and into the seventh, as we get ready to face down the menace of her Iron Dominion! Man, so much for peace. Sonic never does get a break, does he?

[miserylovescompanyfanfic]

MLC Ch: 1

Summary + more tags + warnings here 

Chapter 1

When does one decide that they are happy with who they are? Is it a gradual course, or is it rather sudden? Do they just wake up one day and love who they are as a person? Or, does it take work, time, and patience? 

For Amy Rose the telling moment when she realized she didn’t like who she was when, during the final showdown with Eggman, their small group: Herself, Rouge and Knuckles, Tails, and of course Sonic himself came out of the flying airship. Everyone had bangs and bruises, maybe a couple broken bones but nothing detrimental. 

The mobian’s of New Mobotropolis came out of their bunkers cheering and crying, there were minimal casualties but casualties regardless-- but still, the mobian’s cheered for them. They cheered for them more than they mourned their dead. They cheered for the lives that were saved, that the nightmare was over, that Sonic saved them. 

Sonic was at the forefront, barely dirtied and scratched from the fight, Knuckles and Tails right by his side with a bit more bulk of the injuries, Knuckle’s ribs were patched up with parts of gauze and Amy’s dress; Tails’ had patches on his arm and over his eye. Rouge, firmly planted at Knuckle’s side with her arm around his shoulder, had the worst injury of all of them- a hole, clear through her left wing. 

Amy, she was behind the group, small compared to them even though her hammer was larger than any of them. She only had scrapes and bruises and a singed quill… that they knew of. She covered the deep gash on the back of her arm with only her gloves, she didn’t want to worry Sonic. 

Their pictures were taken, Sonic’s chest had been puffed out as he waved and graciously accepted the praise, receiving handshakes and crying people falling into his arms. 

And there was little Amy Rose, 16 at the time the picture was taken. Looking battered, scared, and at the back of the group peeking from over Tails’ shoulder. Her only concern in that moment was seeing Sonic. Making sure that Sonic was ok. 

That he didn’t get terribly hurt. 

That Amy Rose didn’t seem to care too much about the hole in Rouge’s wing, the crushed and cracked ribs on Knuckles, or the possibility that Tails’ might be blind in one eye. She didn’t care that she and Tails were children in this war. 

It was Sonic. 

It was always about Sonic. 

It was then, in that moment, that a little voice finally broke through the wall she put it behind however many years ago, screaming and fighting that she should be a lot more concerned about a lot more than fucking Sonic who doesn’t even seem to be concerned about her. 

Amy and the voice in her head fought for days, arguing constantly back and forth about how Amy needed to rethink her priorities, how she needed to be more concerned about her friends whose lives were on the line to save others and what was she doing? Fantasizing over Sonic, on how much he would have to love her if they won. If he only saw how strong she was, he would be head over heels for her. 

That Amy Rose was gone once, at the reception of their victory only weeks after Eggman’s defeat, she saw Sonic with Sally Acorn, leader of the Freedom Fighters. Arm in arm, him in a tux with a shiny black bowtie and a medal of Honor bestowed upon him by King Acorn himself and Sally in her pretty blue dress with a crown sat atop her auburn hair. 

They shared a kiss together, in front of everyone. Amy Rose wanted to cry, she wanted to die, she even fled to the bathrooms and cried her pretty little green eyes out and fuck did she feel pathetic. 

Anger, burning hot anger welled inside her. Not at Sonic, no-- she could never be mad at Sonic. No, it was at herself. Herself, for being so pathetic and so naïve and so god damn selfish. She knew Sally loves Sonic and vice versa, but still she left the Freedom Fighters to fight with Sonic directly, hoping to steal his heart from Sally who held it since they were children. Amy Rose hoped beyond hope that Sonic would break Sally’s heart and come flocking to her, come bestowing flowers and confessing his undying, undeniable love to her but just couldn’t say anything sooner until Eggman had been defeated. 

Her nails bit into her fists and her teeth bit into her lip, drawing blood from both. 

She didn’t rejoin the party. 

It had taken Amy days to finally leave her house, striking a deal with herself to rejoin everyday normal life. Going to school like normal kids her age, visiting her friends in the hospital, picking up a new hobby. 

Rouge was doing better, Knuckles was in recovery, and Tails… well, Tails unfortunately lost his right eye. But, he was optimistic as Amy expressed an interest in his inventions and technology-- and even after having a few detailed discussions with him, he offered for her to help him design a new optical implant. She even took over the main construction of it while he oversaw it, seeing as he was lacking… depth perception. 

Turns out, she was pretty good at it-- the whole building aspect and incorporating technology into it. Little tweaks here and there but there was a working prototype oculus implant by the end of 4 months with Amy having found a new passion in life that could actually help people. 

Of course Amy was no doctor and only a novice when it came to the technology, but with Tails’ help she was well on her way to becoming an apprentice, but when it came time to put the implant in, Amy could only wait. In fact, Tails’ and Amy traveled to Empire City for the operation to happen. 

While Tails’ was in recovery, sporting his new first generation implant, Amy explored the city. Among the twinkling lights, expansive park, bustling life that didn’t seem to be touched by the horrors of war, a college sat unassuming towards the edge of town. Apparently some of the oldest buildings in the city resided on the campus. 

Amy didn’t realize in that moment that she enjoyed architecture, it had never really held any significance in her life beforehand. Though now, gazing at the intricate weavings of some buildings, one even looked like a gothic mansion that a vampire would reside in, she could appreciate it. Was one able to fall in love with a building? She felt like it as she gazed up at it, walking along the paved way as mobian’s wandered aimlessly around campus. She didn’t fit in, but she didn’t stand out either. 

It was then that the realization that Amy never put much thought of going to school stared her straight in the face, would she even enjoy college? What would she want to go for? Amy sat in a gazebo behind the mansion-like building and overlooked what could only be a court yard with other buildings surrounding it. She contemplated then, not sure what she wanted to do with her life. 

Would she be happy in a structured schooling environment? In fact, when was the last time Amy was in school? Aside from the times Tails had helped her study or they learned something together… Amy hadn’t been since she was just a young hedgehog. 

It was a decision for another day.

Though the campus and the city had been behind the two of them for weeks, months even it still sat heavily on Amy’s mind. What was there for her? Days continued to pass by, most of them spent with Tails during his recovery and tweaking the implant now that it was usable. 

Though what really solidified the idea of Amy moving away, starting over in a new life was when Sonic came a few weeks after Tails had surgery while Amy was there but in the back of Tails’ home in the indoor work area; Tails was taking a snack break since Amy brought over cookies she made that morning when Sonic had knocked on the door. Tails had a cane to help him while his implant was with Amy, and she heard him banging around before getting to the front door. 

“Sonic!” Tails was of course excited to see his best friend, while Amy… she had stilled in her movements, but ended up shocking herself with an instrument to test currents through the device. She decided to finish up what she was working on. 

“How are things going?” she could hear Sonic’s voice even though it was muffled. Tails said something but she tuned it out, instead focusing on the sparks flying and the sound they were making. 

She was at a good stopping point, but sat on the stool in the workroom as she could hear Tails and Sonic continuing to chat. She didn’t want to get up, she would rather hole herself up in that room forever and just continue to tinker if it was allowed. 

“Not loving him anymore doesn’t mean you hate him.” She reasoned with herself, because it was true. She could never hate Sonic, but she could be uncomfortable at seeing him again. 

She sighed the breath she was holding, instead she scooted back from the workstation, removed her face mask, and emerged finally. 

Sonic and Tails were sitting at the table in the middle of the kitchen, worn and knobby legs barely held the poor thing up but it had yet to collapse despite the clutter on it. Though Amy noticed that Tails had at least cleaned out a spot for her plate of cookies. 

“Amy!” Tails was excited to see her, grinning ear to ear as he sat facing her; Sonic though had his back to her. He turned slowly, before standing up to give her a surprised look but a smile regardless. 

“Ames, I didn’t know you were here.” Sonic said easily, smiling and scratching his cheek. He stood with a rigid back and a pinch to his eyebrow, and Amy knew enough to tell he was uncomfortable. 

“Yeah,” she smiled easily instead, leaning against the door frame with arms crossed. “I’ve been helping Tails out with his new implant.” 

“Really? Like, just cleaning up and stuff?” Sonic asked casually, scratching his nose as he looked around the home closely this time. Amy’s brows pinched as she tilted her head in confusion. 

“No?” She was going to ask him what he meant, but Tails spoke up before she could finish. 

“Actually Sonic-- Amy has been a big help with the designing of the implant along with the first generation of actually designing the mechanics of it. She was just finishing up some of the modifications I had asked for during our initial test of it since I have the doc already implanted in my head, so removing the device to make modifications is super easy.” 

Sonic looked at Tails like he grew two heads but still only had the one eye; Sonic looked between Tails and Amy, finally looking at Amy’s oil spotted quills, dirty overalls, ruined and cropped shirt, and the bandana holding her bangs out of her face. 

“Yup, I’ve been helping Tails for 6 months… But, who’s counting.” She shrugged. Sonic was still looking at her with a suspicious look on his face. 

“What’s wrong, Sonic?” Amy asked him, trying to keep her voice even though she wanted to snap at him. 

“I never figured you for the technology kinda gal,” he shrugged, rubbing a finger in his ear. Amy’s nose twitched with a slight disgust. Had he always picked his ear or his nose when having conversations? “Kinda always figured you were the more ‘at home’ type, you know cleaning, tending to the garden…” he cast a glance at the cookies on the table before lifting his eyes back to her. “... baking.” He shrugged, looking disinterested now with the conversation. Amy tried to calm her expression but her shoulders tensed and her hands tightened around her arms. 

“Well, I like those things too, Sonic.” Amy said in a clipped tone. “There’s nothing wrong with having a clean, beautiful home, or baking sweets for my friends.” She emphasized the word, the daunting realization that the gap between Sonic and her had been larger than she ever knew. All the sweets she baked for him gone uneaten; while the plate of cookies sitting between them was nearly gone. 

He rubbed the back of his head, casting a glance back to Tails. Amy sighed, moving up to the table. There was a tense and awkward silence between them as she stared up at Sonic, who tried to give her a bored and disinterested look but she could see the pulse in his neck, she broke the contact first by leaning by him and grabbing her own cookie. She pulled her goggles from around her neck back up to her eyes and went back into the back room. 

A pit was in her stomach, writhing like worms in the mud since she felt so much like dirt. Here she was so blinded by how she felt by him, obsessed with him, that she didn’t even realize how… uncomfortable she made him. Suddenly her concern was not about him not being a good friend… but instead on how she wasn’t a good friend, either. 

That was the final nail in the proverbial coffin; Amy decided then that not only would she commit to her studies, but she would get Tails to help her more so with technology. Ultimately she wanted to help people, and she wanted to leave. 

She just couldn’t get Empire City out of her head, even as she focused once again at the replica of Tails’ blue eye and watched as the pupil dilated; Amy completely forgot that Tails could still see out of the eye even as it was detached due to the data it was able to transmit back to the main doc that was implanted in his head as well, so she didn’t realize that he could see her lip quivering and tears sliding down her cheeks. She didn’t realize he could see her as she ripped her goggles off of her head, threw them off to the side and held her head in her hands as she tried her best not to sob too loud. 

The cookie sat abandoned on the bench next to the eye, forgotten for the time being. 

With Tails' help, and he didn’t comment on her tear-stricken face or half eaten cookie, the updated oculus implant was finished late into that evening. He helped his dear friend to the couch for sleep, too drained from the day to make the drive home; he was unaware of the decision she made to throw herself into her studies, and then to leave… 

For Empire City

[cutegirlmayra]

Heya! I dunno if your taking still request for prompts... But here's an idea! How about a propmt where after sonic forces, when they restauring the cities. In sonic's house they found a photo with their brothers and mother, and they go to visit them! Like theyre gonna meet Amy and tails, 'cause they already know knuckles. Can it be a scene like "oh hi! You must be sonic's girlfriend-" "SONIA!"

(Special thanks to @shiido-r  for her Preview image! Please support her as well!)

Prompt:

While rummaging through the old ruins, now that the area was safely secured under the protection of the Freedom Army—also known as the Forces—Amy followed Sonic and Tails as they began digging up his family’s old home.

Amy snuck by detection with expert skill, keeping her distance but hearing an awful lot of what they were talking about.

“What happened to them?” she had just come in on the conversation when Tails spoke up, finally close enough behind a half shaven down wall to hear it properly.

She carefully leaned her body against it, spreading her arms out to hold herself up while she tilted her head to their voices.

Sonic had asked Tails to come with him… she was little jealous he asked only Tails to accompany him, and no one else.

“They were the first people I evacuated, Tails.” Sonic’s voice was slightly cheery, and for the setting, it didn’t quite fit right. But Amy figured Sonic was always… usually happy, anyway.

“Ah. I never have met them.”

Amy tried to scoot closer to the wall. She heard someone toss something back to the ground, a grunt of defeat it seemed.

“Then go and met them. Ah… none of this stuff is salvageable… my mother will be furious.”

Amy mouthed the words, ‘MOTHER?!’ before leaning too eagerly against the weak wall and having it tumble with a loud crash as she stumbled away from it.

As the wall fell to pieces, the two boys turned in surprise before lowering their eyelids in annoyance at seeing Amy had been spying on them.

She lifted her foot up and tried to huddle into a ball while standing up, wanting to withdraw out of embarrassment. All she could muster was some light chuckling… as Tails shook his head.

“Haha… Couldn’t stay away, could you?” Sonic smiled, taking it very lightly and just continued to look around. “While you’re here, stick your nose around and find anything useful! Might as well, right?” he turned from the two and continued to search the rubble for anything valuable.

Tails turned to Sonic, not too amazed he was letting this slide, but sighing at the fact that he wasn’t going to say anything.

“Should I scold you?” Tails looked back to Amy, giving her a joking expression. “Or should we have just assumed this would happen?” He chuckled to himself, also being in light spirits and continuing to search. “This is Sonic’s family’s home. He’s been asked to look for anything that wasn’t destroyed. We’re having some trouble with it though…”

As they moved things, Amy quickly felt apologetic. “I’m sorry.” She bent her ears back, stepping carefully through the debris and beginning to crouch down and start digging too. “I just wanted to help…”

“Help? Or know?” Sonic turned back, giving her an eye. “Haha! You know, curiosity isn’t always a good thing, but boy-“he got up, holding a frame in his hand and looking as if he’d smelled something good as he spoke. “It’s hard to resist~”

“You say that as if you love being curious.” Now Tails and Sonic were off having a lovely conversation while Amy was excluded once more.

They laughed and joked like good old friends do… while Amy lifted boards off of broken tea sets and had them fall against drums… feeling unwanted but still here… still wanting to be closer to Sonic in anyway she could.

She had no idea he had living relatives… it almost made her cry to think that they may not have known Sonic was presumed dead, or worse, never heard the good news…

It was then that Amy looked to the fireplace, a big and well-set chimney still halfway holding on to its majesty.

It’s as though it demanded the war to give it respect.

She was amazed by it, standing up and looking at how massive it was, and how lucky it must have been to have survived Eggman’s invasion.

She then noticed something on the ground. Picking it up, a field of dust hung over the picture frame, keeping it from view as she blew on it and saw a beautiful, purple haired woman’s face.

She was taken aback by the astonishing beauty of the elder woman, and began wiping the frame with her gloved hand, trying to see more.

A green-haired boy… looking nothing like Sonic, but having his quills stick out in thin lines like a rocker. He looked more similar to her than Sonic…

Then a girl next to Sonic, her quills were styled like a mohawk. She draped the first, brushed out pack of quills into a regular hairdo but kept Sonic’s iconic three quills in the back. She let nothing hang down on her sides like Amy did, and honestly, Amy thought the picture looked more like a concert signed flyer than a family photo.

However,…

She traced her finger against the elegant woman’s face. How she held herself, it looked refined and kind… like a queen.

“Are these…” she turned towards the joking two. “Your family?”

Sonic and Tails had their arm around the other’s shoulder, still laughing about something before they stopped, and Sonic smiled over to Amy.

He let Tails go and walked over to her, “Yeah… Yeah, that’s them.” He took a deep breath in as he held a hand out for the frame, and Amy stepped aside so that only one of her hands could hold the other side too.

“Your mother’s lovely.” She voiced, looking tenderly to her. “I always wanted to be a woman like that.”

Sonic blinked his eyes, turning to Amy with a look of surprise. “No kiddin’.” He stated.

“I would love to meet them.” She swayed her body cutely, daydreaming as she stared longingly towards the family photo, tucking her other—free arm—behind herself.

“Well, well. Sonic always said he’d only marry mother.”

Sonic’s quills stood on end, turning around and hunching down when he recognized who it was. “When did you guys get back..?”

“Oh, don’t act like you’re not happy to see us!” the girl in the photo swiped her hand out in a bit of a ghosted snap, and then held her arms out to Sonic, walking over to him.

“Ahh~ Look at you! Alive and well!” she didn’t hug him though, just turned her open arms into a shrug. “What? You think you can go off and die without asking our permission?” she teased as Sonic rolled his eyes.

“You know I never would.” He grinned.

She leaned her head in, “What? Die or ask permission first?” she raised an eyebrow and then ruffled Sonic’s forehead quills. “You’re still as stubborn as the day we let you lose on the world!”

“I believe I did that.”

Amy was confused by the girl’s presence before she turned to see the purple woman in her photo.

She was being helped by the green-haired boy, who was using his hand and arm to give her stability as they crossed the debris to get to everyone.

“Is she okay?” Tails flew to them, also willing to help. “Nice to meet you, you must be Sonic’s mother.”

“What a kind gentleman.” She smiled sweetly, and also took his hand as she walked along the debris. “My, my… and I only cleaned just yesterday.” She looked around before her eyes rested on Amy, also looking curiously to her.

“What a beautiful young lady.” His mother spoke out, and Amy’s face all at once grew bashful.

“Oh geez~ You’re too kind!” Amy’s hands immediately went up to the sides of her blushing cheeks, turning left and right, not sure what to do with herself but deeply thankful for the compliment. Especially by someone… as pretty as the woman was. “You’re a real knockout yourself, miss!”

“Oh my, even calling me miss, you sure make quite the friends, Sonic dear.” She winked to Sonic, before being helped to sit against the part of the wall that didn’t fall over from Amy’s spying…

“So, this isn’t Knuckles.” Sonia placed a hand on her hip, “How is he, by the way?” she smiled to Sonic.

“He’s Knuckles.” Sonic folded his arms, but looked happy to see his family again. “And that’s Tails. My best friend.”

“Ah, no. You mean you voted me out?” the green-haired hedgehog shook his head low, looking to his brother as if he’d been betrayed, placing his hand to his heart after his mother was gently placed on her seat. “I’m heartbroken.”

“You’re my brother. But you can send me a postcard when you get over it.” Sonic and him walked over to each other, clasping fist and bro-hugging—coming together, patting the other’s back, and then parting just as quickly.

“What have you been up too? Besides dying, anyway.” The brother was just as sarcastic as his sister, and Amy finally understand where Sonic got it from all these years.

“Both of you, enough with that.” The mother seemed sorrowful and uneasy with those jokes, lovingly holding her arms out for Sonic. “I know you’re not one for open displays of affection, but a mother’s love can’t be limited. Come here…” she gestured him over, pleading almost, but in a way that melted your heart into giving her all she desired.

Sonic walked over and allowed her to cradle his head between her two hands, tugging him gently over to her face so she could kiss his cheek. “Don’t scare me like that again. I know you must do what you feel is right, but feel that letting your mother grow old knowing your happy and well as being right.”

Sonic mouthed the words, ‘Sorry’ and she smiled and kissed his forehead again, finally letting him go after his own hand returned the affection and held her hand a moment upon his cheek.

He bent down and did something so honorable that it even made Amy gasp somewhat.

He looked deep into his mother’s eyes, still pressing her hand kindly against the side of his face and bowed his head to kiss the hand as he removed it.

“I didn’t mean for you to worry.”

His mother’s eyes lowered in absolute love for her son and nodded. “I know you must be placed in harm’s way to protect those that can’t defend themselves. You’re a hero now. And I’m proud of the man you’ve become and are still becoming.” She then looked, with a tad bit of humor, towards her green-haired son. “You all still have a lot to improve, but at least one of you has a job.”

“Mom!”

Everyone laughed.

“I’m hoping to marry.” Sonia shrugged, “So mom doesn’t bother me much, haha!”

“I’m a lead drummer! What more could you want!?” the green-haired boy pleaded, but his mother just shook her head and rolled her eyes.

Sonic got up and nodded to her before walking back over to Tails. “Anything?”

“Nothing. I’m sorry, Sonic. But everything’s been blasted away and left to pieces.” Tails shrugged.

Sonic’s mother just shook her head, “Tails, was it? I understand that we’ve lost everything… but seeing my children are safe and alive… that’s all that really counts.” She then looked to Amy, still dumbfounded by the loving gesture Sonic demonstrated just then. “And we’ve been neglecting this poor girl for too long. What’s with the dropped jaw?” she tilted her head, “Not very lady-like…” she placed her hand up to her mouth, wondering what was wrong with Amy.

Embarrassed, Amy closed her gapping mouth and stood upright, “I=I’m Amy Rose!” she announced as Sonia giggled, walking up to the side of her.

“Is that all? No… defender of the world? Warrior princess—no fancy titles?”

“Let it go, Sonia.” Sonic warned her with a playful look in his eyes, leaning his head to her as she suddenly waltzed over to him, taking the challenge.

“Ohh~ Look who’s talkin’ for the girl…” She stuck her face as close as only a sister could to his own, making him smirk as he saw the fire in her eyes up close and personal. “Something tells me you should let the girl fight her own battles.”

“I would… if it weren’t for the fact that it’s you.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“It’s a ‘leave her alone’, Sonia.”

“Or what? I want to know what she’s made of.”

“The same kinda stuff you are. Flesh and bone.”

“I think you mean titanium and steel.”

“Or just pink fuzz.”

“Take it back, boy.”

“Or what? Gonna ‘90s keyboard me into a music video?”

“Alright, you two. That’s enough.” The mother gave them a look and they pulled away, still nudging the other and giving each other sneaky looks.

“But mom was right, you are pretty.” Sonic’s brother placed a hand to his chin, looking Amy up and down before moving closer. “I’m sure you’ve heard of Sonic’s dashing brother before.” He swiped his hair up and ran his fingers through it, twisting a strand in a flirtatious manner before putting his arm around Amy, keeping her in place.

Amy gasped again, but giggled at his light tease before Sonic stepped forward.

“I can’t take you two anywhere.”

“What? So touchy…” He removed his hands.

“And… you are?” Amy weakly pointed to him, scooting just slightly away, but having a huge smile on her face.

“Babe, you can call me Manic on the Dance Floor.” He struck an old disco pose and thrusted his lower torso out, “Uh-uh-uh-uh~”

“That’s embarrassing.” Sonic laughed.

“You’re literally scaring her away.” Sonia face-palmed herself, shaking her head.

“Manic, do behave yourself.” Sonic’s mother looked back to Amy. “I’m sorry, they’re really good kids, they just like to joke around a lot.”

Amy nodded back to her politely, “I don’t mind! It helps to see where Sonic came from, and where his personality might have started.” She giggled as his mother joined in.

“I’m Aleena.” She offered Amy her hand and Amy quickly rushed over to shake it.

“It’s a pleasure!” Amy politely stated.

“Are you Sonic’s friend too?”

“Or do you want to be more than that?” Sonia stuck her nose into the conversation, leaning forward with a cheeky look in her eyes.

Sonic pulled her back and the two started rough-housing… in their old house, which was in rough shape…

Manic walked over, looked around, saw his old drum set, and started patting a beat on it.

The two reached up and pulled him into the fight, crying out, “I’m a pacifist! I pass-a-fist!” He shot a hook at Sonic and then grabbed his sister’s head into a lock, wrestling with them but not going at it as hard as they were previously fighting before.

Tails shook his head, watching the three. “Are they always like this?”

“Oh no, sometimes they ‘jam out.’”

The two looked at the mother.

Aleena laughed and laughed. “Get it? Like, out of the house? Jam into each other? Oh nevermind.” She looked disappointed that the two didn’t get it and looked to Amy. “Sweetie, could you-um… do your best to break them up?”

“…The band?” Amy sincerely wondered.

All of the sudden, the entire group paused and broke out laughing.

Amy just giggled to be safe, but was amazed at how she never had experienced Sonic’s family life before.

[ninjakasuga]

Sonsal Celebration Year 2, Day 7

On the seventh day of the Sonsal celebration hosted by @boundforfreedomsonsal we have the prompt of peace. Something I’m sure many of us would have loved to have seen the Freedom Fighters get to enjoy when their respective series came to an end. Sadly the screw-ups of Archie Comics, Ken Penders well being Ken Penders, and a little of Sega’s own mishandling caused us to never truly see Sonic, Sally and Co. have their day of peace canonically. Luckily we fans can fix that.

PEACE: 

“...It brings me great pleasure to formally announce the end of the war started by Julian Kintobar, aka Dr. Robotnik, and perpetuated by his counterpart Dr. Eggman. Any and all allies of the two Empires created by these evil men have also been dealt with, leaving no one seeking to resume their mantle. Not only has this long, and difficult conflict finally over-.” Pausing in her speech, Sally took a lungful of air, but her smile never waned, as she also purposefully dragged out the pause to reign in the audience more. “All the nations of Mobius, be they any species of Mobians, or Humans have signed a hopefully lasting peace accord to not only end any potential future conflict but bring all the peoples’ of Mobius together as they never have before.” Despite prepping herself to keep her emotions in check, Sally found her eyes moisten but she kept a straight face, save for the smile widely forming as she couldn’t hide her joy. “We don’t have to live in fear anymore, and our world is truly free from tyranny. Everyone gathered here or not, thank you for your contributions. Now… LET’S CELEBRATE WE ALL EARNED IT!!”

At Sally’s last words, the crowds gathered before the stage in front of Castle Acorn hollered and cheered. After ten-plus years of living in fear of an evil scientist and his armies; the planet Mobius was free at last. Watching her people be happy made Sally’s heart glow with a warmth she didn’t know she needed. Bowing her head she turns from the podium and walks over to where her friends waited for her; especially a certain Hedgehog with a matching wedding band on his finger just like hers. As she wiped her eyes Sonic took a few steps to meet the distance, instantly his arms were around her for a hug and their lips met for a quick, but sweet and loving kiss.

Once it broke, her dear childhood friend, lover, and husband all rolled-into-one flashed one of his well-known grins. “Way past speech Sal.” “I started to nearly cry at the end.” She giggled, rubbing her eyes some more. “You’d think after all my practice I could have nailed it better.”

A familiar hand rested on Sally’s shoulder, with a soft southern drawl reaching her ears. “Aw heck Sally-girl, so you started to mist a little. Nobody will blame ya’ I mean fer’ Pete’s sake you did just announce the end to a nearly thirteen-year war we’ve been fighting since we were kids.”

Bunnie’s husband, Antoine moving to stand beside his wife, and as always holding her hand, gave a nod with his own smile. “Oui, as my dear beloved put it, no one would be zee upset at you being over the joy with the war’s end.”

Moving over a young two-tailed fox wrapped his arms around Sally’s waist, giving a squeeze before looking up so his gaze could meet Sally’s. A smirk mirroring Sonic’s adorning his face. “I think what we’re getting at Sally is, you did great, so don’t think you messed up the speech for getting misty-eyed.”

With a loud, merry chuckle Rotor merely crossed his arms as he walked closer himself, the old gang gathering once again. “I think I’m going to have to stand by the others in saying you did great Sally. Personally, even after my stint as a council member, I’d have choked up half-way through that.”

Unable to help herself, Sally giggled, enjoying the banter as she looked at her husband and friends with a playful smirk. “What is this, pick on Sally after her speech day?”

As if on cue, Nicole materialized from a nearby emitter, and reached over to pet Sally’s head. “Maaaaybe, we all just love you and wish you still are too hard on yourself. Your speech was lovely, to the point, but also if I may add, the start of the tears I think helped the audience accept this was ‘finally’ over.”

Looking at the faces of her dearest friends, Sally internally acknowledged they were right, and simply held her arms out. “Freedom Fighters… one last group hug? As a team?”

Without a word, the band of friends all formed a group hug with Sally at the center. A multitude of emotions coursing through each of them as their bond as friends and Freedom Fighters held them together and steered the course of their lives as much as the war that forced them to grow up so fast. One by one, not an eye was dry as happy tears began to leak from everyone and their mutual holding of one another tightened but never enough to cut off oxygen.

“D-do you think now that the fighting’s over we won’t see each other much anymore?” Murmured Tails in a soft voice as the thought crossed his mind. It was one that briefly flared when they first thought they won after Robotniks’ defeat. Of course, now things were so different than it was back then. He had his parents whom he was still making up for lost time with. Rotor still had family in the Tundra waiting for him. Sonic, Sally, Bunnie, and Antoine were married and could now start their own lives. Nicole was probably gonna be busy since she now had a bio-nanite living body and could have her own life beyond the administrator of the city and the nanite colony.

Reaching over, Sonic ruffled the head-fur of the fox he deemed his little brother affectionately. “Heck to the no there li’ bro. We all might do our own things for a bit but we ain’t gonna just treat the other like strangers.” Eye twinkling he eased from the group hug to wrap his arms around Tails and give him an affectionate noggie. “Plus don’t forget you’re big brother to Manik and Sonia. That means you’ll see us plenty since Sal and I are also on tap babysitters from time to time like you are.”

This seemed to assure the fox while smiled and wiped his eyes, his expression much cheerier now. “Heh, good point, us big brothers gotta help teach the li’ sibs right?”

“That’s the spirit!”

Giggling, Bunnie smiled at the scene of brotherly love and looked over to Antoine, a crafty, yet loving gaze sent his way. “Now that we know no boogie-man is gonna pop outta th’ ground. I’m all for enacting our plans for extended second-honeymoon Sugah-Twan.”

At the mention of this idea, the coyotes’ eyes twinkled as he held up his wife’s hand and kissed her knuckles. “Oui, oui  my love, I am how do you say..? ‘All-in’ on this idea.”

The rabbit’s own eyes sparkle with love and plans, lots of future plans. “Maybe we could start planning for our own li’ brood?” When her husband’s only response was to blush but nod his head vigorously, Bunnie laughed and leaned in to kiss him. “I love you, ya’ you big sweetie!”

“Going for kids already?” Inquired Rotor with a raised eyebrow, and a smile.

“We’ve been discussing it a lot, and frankly being a Mom is something I wanna be, so why not?” Bunnie giggles, her cheeks flushed as she rubbed her belly longingly. “I got all mah parts flesh again, and we don’t gotta fight, so dreams and rest of our lives here I come!”

“Speaking of extended honeymoon’s…” Sally walks over and hugs Sonic from behind. “That sounds like a wonderful idea.”

Nodding, Sonic rested his hands over hers around his waist. “Yeah, we didn’t exactly get to have one. Just a long weekend to ourselves.” Rubbing his chin, Sonic began to ponder on where they could go. With the planet free now, sans any areas in need of rebuilding the sky was the limit.

Then a thought hit him, with a grin he urges Sally to follow him. The two make their way over to another group of friends who were like they had been, celebrating. “Yo Knux’!”

Hearing his nickname, Knuckles the Echidna looked away from the discussion he was having with Vector and Julie-Su. Spying the Hedgehog and Squirrel-munk coming his way. “What’s up Sonic?”

“Can Sal and I borrow your island for our proper honeymoon?”

“Excuse me?” His spines bristled mostly on reflex to anyone mentioning doing, well anything with his island.

Knowing how easy it was for Sonic to antagonize Knuckles without trying, Sally interjected. “What he means Knuckles, is could we visit Angel Island and just… have our honeymoon there? We’d stay out of the way, we’ve just never, been there without some crisis going on. All the different biomes and vistas just scream to be explored and enjoyed.”

“Plus given it flies over the planet the views off the edge are gorgeous.” Quipped Sonic, who now clapped his hands together and bowed his head humbly. “C’mon Knux it’s the perfect place for newlyweds to get lost and have a good time.”

Covering her mouth, Julie-Su snickered. “Oh, you bet it is.”

Picking up on this, Sally smirked widely. “Oh? Maybe you can give us some tips?”

Running with the topic, Julie kept on still smirking widely if her cheeks were now a bit pinker. “Well, not per se Knuckles and I’s make out spots but I can recommend some. Although one mutual spot I must, ‘must’ recommend is this tiny waterfall that has a small spot where an overhanging rock creates this gap big enough for two people to stand inside without being constantly pelted with water. Hmmm..” Her cheeks brightened and her body fidgeted with the memory. “Nothing like standing under the falls with your man behind you, wailing-.” Putting a hand over his ears, Vector turned away, loudly and in a very grumble-y voice chanted. “La-la-la-la I can’t hear youuuu!”

“Walkers alive Julie!” Knuckles exclaimed his muzzle beat red as he gently grasped his girlfriend by the arm. “I don’t think anyone needs to know those details!”

Both Sally and Sonic snicker, and yet also mentally filed away this idea and would get the exact location from Julie later. Refocusing, Sonic reached over to pat Knuckles on the shoulder. “So joking aside, whaddya say Knux? It’s your call but it’d be a way-past cool favor. You know we won’t disturb anything nor go where we shouldn’t.”

“Please? We’ll owe you and Julie.” Sally added, trying to sweeten the deal with the cute-eyes routine and a pouty lip.

After just staring at the two with his usual impassive expression, Knuckles let out a long sigh but then smiled. “What the heck, sure. Consider it a done favor anyway since you guys helped bail me and the island out a number of times-OW!” At a sudden pinch, he looked at Julie. “What was that for?”

“They were gonna owe us a solid and you dismissed it? Knuckles, honey, my one and only…” She cups his face, and pinches his cheeks. “You always accept being owed a favor back! Think about the possibilities!”

“Ow, ow, ow sorry!”

Laughing, Sonic waved a hand. “Consider the favor still on, and thanks a million!” He insisted, figuring he should offer if to help Knuckles out of his situation with Julie in thanks for letting them stay on Angel Island.

“You won’t even know we’re there! Promise!” Sally quipped, giving both Echidnas a hug. “Thank you so much!”

Rubbing his nose, Sonic couldn’t help but smile as he looked around at his friends and the gathered crowds all celebrating. It took a long time, and probably more sacrifices than he would have liked, but finally, they had peace.

He closed his eyes, saying a silent prayer to the fallen, those he knew and those he didn’t. He wasn’t a religious sort but the departed were owed respect. He hoped they could rest easier now, just as those still alive could now truly live their lives to the fullest.

[mobius-prime]

202. Sonic the Hedgehog #134

Uh oh, that cover page doesn't bode well…

Home: Epilogue (Say What You Will)

Writer: Karl Bollers Pencils: Jon Gray Colors: Jason Jensen

Everyone please welcome our newest penciller, Jon Gray! I wouldn't normally go out of my way to announce a new artist, but Jon Gray has perhaps one of the most heavily stylized and recognizable art styles of any other artist for this comic. You'll see what I mean almost immediately once I start showing panels. Anyway, a lot of this issue is devoted to Sonic simply catching up with family and friends, now that the immediate danger to Knothole is over and he can fully relax. When he and the others get back to the village, he's sent to Dr. Quack for treatment of his shoulder, and while there Quack scans him and notices the implant the aliens gave him to understand all forms of speech. Apparently it's bonded permanently to his nervous system, and Sonic panics a bit when he hears this, accidentally agitating his injury… which causes him to actually swear.

It wouldn't even be a big deal as the panel is fairly humorous and cartoony, but this actually makes Sonic one of only five characters in the entire comic who ever swear, at least that we ever see. Monk is one, Espio is another a few issues from now, and the fourth and fifth we have yet to properly meet. Anyway, yes, Dr. Quack lost an eye during the war while Sonic was away, and he's back to being a regular doctor, despite us never actually having seen him as a frontline medic. Sonic exits the hospital and meets with his family and Sally plus the queen, who inform him that there's going to be a huge celebration tonight to welcome him back to the land of the living. They exit the hospital and part ways with Sally and her mother, and are immediately blinded by a multitude of camera flashes from a press mob, all clamoring to ask Sonic a million questions about his year away. Somehow they manage to extricate themselves and head home, where Sonic is happy to see his old room exactly as he left it, his parents sadly explaining that after they thought he was dead they couldn't bear to change anything. He flops into bed for a nap while his mother fixes dinner, and wakes up to see his favorite pup, greeting him at the foot of his bed.

Sonic rushes out to confront his parents on why they didn't tell him such an important detail as Muttski learning to speak while he was away, but then realizes that his alien implant must be what allows him to understand his dog. Wait, so does this mean that Sonic can now understand any ordinary animal's speech? This is an amazing superpower! I would kill to have my own version of that. Sonic explains something else that he learned during his journey that he just remembered. Apparently, as he broke Ceneca-9009 out of prison, he had asked her why she deroboticized every Robian except for Jules, and she explained that due to the nature of Jules' injuries before his roboticization, reversing the process would bring back the same state of his body at that moment in time and ultimately kill him. This would explain why it took so much longer for him to be returned than the others - clearly Ceneca-9009 tried for a while to find a way to deroboticize him without killing him, but was ultimately unsuccessful. After dinner, Sonic heads to Knothole's airstrip knowing he will find Tails there, and they take a moment to catch up one on one before the party. It's not purely a social visit, though - Sonic has some important news for Tails as well.

This kid has never known his own parents, remember. His father disappeared the same day he was born, and his mother followed shortly afterward. Even when everyone else was getting their roboticized family back, he never looked for his parents, never seemed to expect to see anybody. Now he knows that he has two living and loving parents on the other side of the galaxy, waiting for him - and one day they'll be able to reunite once more. Something to look forward to, eh?

That night, the entire village celebrates, with Mina and her backup band performing for the crowd amidst flashing, colorful lights. Sonic takes the chance to hang out with all his friends, especially Sally, with whom he's resumed his budding relationship as though he never left. The king interrupts the festivities for a brief moment after Mina's set concludes, with an important announcement for the populace.

Mina happily runs to Sonic to hug him (with Sally looking slightly jealous behind them), informing him that in the course of the war she'd completely lost her stage fright and become a veritable pop star, singing and performing to keep morale up. As she introduces him to her stage manager (and boyfriend, as he gruffly informs Sonic) Ash the Mongoose, Sally's parents look at her from the edges of the party, with her mother expressing some concern about leaving Sally in charge while they're gone due to her seemingly fragile emotional state, evidenced by how she reacted when she saw Sonic take a hit during the battle. However, King Max says that he trusts her, as Elias never wanted to be king while Sally was born and bred to be a ruler from birth. Sally, for her part, seems to be eager to speak with Sonic about something, but they keep finding themselves interrupted by the arrival of more friends, this time including Knuckles and the Chaotix. Knuckles explains more fully why he's here, that while Sonic was gone Eggman invaded and captured Angel Island and he and his crew have been forced to stay here for a while as a result, helping the king in the war effort.

Rotor arrives with a rocket, and while he sets it up he explains to Sonic that he's since retired from active duty on the front lines to focus on inventing and science back home. Honestly, I always got the impression that Rotor was at least several years older than the others - like in his mid-20s or so - but apparently no, he's like eighteen, so "retired" seems like a bit of a strange word to use in this instance. But eh, whatever - he shoots off the rocket and it lights the sky with a barrage of colorful fireworks, including a special one that changes shape, taking the form of Sonic and Sally kissing and holding each other. Seems a little gaudy if you ask me, but Sonic is pleased, as is the crowd. Sonic then congratulates Geoffrey and Hershey on their impromptu wedding, and they say they're leaving Knothole for a while, to go on a secret mission for the king which will also double as their honeymoon. Fair enough for two people who live for the life of a spy, I guess! Sonic then gets to chatting with Bunnie, and asks her why she and Antoine broke up and where he got the facial scar from.

Ouch. That's not the Antoine we know and love. I'm sure we'll get more answers later on, though. After one last interruption, from a reporter looking for a photo of the royal couple, Sally is finally able to pull Sonic aside onto the now-empty stage for a talk. She informs Sonic that since she'll be acting ruler while her parents are away, she wants Sonic to stay away from the fighting and rule at her side while they're gone, ultimately retiring himself from the life of a front-line fighter. Sonic is surprised at the request and begins to try to argue, but Sally suddenly snaps at him, saying that she doesn't want him risking his life anymore if they're going to be together. Her outburst gets the attention of everyone at the party, who are now staring at them up on stage. Sonic seems sad as Sally reminds him of how she already lost him once, but firmly sticks to his guns, telling her he simply can't stop fighting while they're in the middle of a war. And thus, we have our lead-in to perhaps one of the most infamous panels of the preboot.

And with that, Sally runs away sobbing, yelling that Eggman can have Sonic all to himself.

Now, I definitely have some things to say about The Slap and everything that surrounds it. The reaction of basically every fan I've ever seen is that this is totally out of character for Sally, and one hundred percent a result of bad and biased writing on the part of Karl Bollers. I both agree and disagree, to an extent. Let me defend my position. I do agree that this is out of character for Sally, and not at all like what the Sally we've always known from before Sonic's space adventure would act like. However, I don't think that this is necessarily a case of bad writing as a whole. See, grief will make people do strange things, things they would normally never do. Please keep in mind that Sally, at this point in time, is all of sixteen years old, and, on top of what you would expect from teen mood swings, is dealing with the immense pressure of being a princess, and being ruled over by her parents after eleven prior years of being mostly free to be herself. And then, to add to all of that, she lost her closest childhood friend just as they finally admitted their long-standing feelings for one another that they'd repressed their entire lives, and proceeded to watch him die in front of her eyes. After almost an entire year, he's made a miraculous comeback, only to appear to die once more, again in full view of Sally who was in no position to be able to help. She's had the voice of her parents in her ear for this past year telling her that she mustn't put herself into danger anymore as the kingdom's future ruler, and likely been estranged to some degree from the other Freedom Fighters as a result. Yes, this is not how Sally Acorn would act - but I think that's the point. A running theme in this arc is that given time, people change, and not always for the better - and that's ultimately exactly what we're seeing here.

Furthermore, all that aside, I also think that this works from a plot standpoint in general. Think what you will about "will they won't they" type plotlines, but they're popular for a reason - they create drama between characters. Normally I myself am not a fan of that type of dynamic, but I do think it works in Sonic and Sally's case just because they're such different people from each other, so opposite in personality in so many ways that I can definitely see them struggling to find a balance as they work through their teenage years and try to figure out where they'll ultimately stand with each other. I mean, think about it - it would be a bit bizarre if they just stayed together from here on out, never disagreeing or having difficulties resulting from Sonic's stay in space, and there were no more avenues to explore regarding romance and relationships. We can't just have a happy ending where Sonic returns from space, reintegrates right back into his social circle without any problems, and continues his engagement to Sally without a hitch. The story and the world simply wouldn't work properly that way - it would feel too sugar-coated, too easy. One of the things I've always loved about the story that's told in the Archie Sonic preboot is that nothing is ever truly okay - at its core, the story of the comic differs so greatly from the stories in the games and anime because it's the story of a war, and how the youth of this world react to living in one. Even when things look like they're going well, there's always something else, something that once again shatters the fragile stability that everyone has worked so hard to build. Having everything be hunky-dory once Sonic gets back just wouldn't fit the type of story that's being told.

So ultimately, as much as I know a large portion of the fandom disagrees with me, I don't have a problem with The Slap. I feel that taking everything that has happened in the story up till now into context, it makes sense for Sally to start breaking under pressure like this, and leaves the story open to further character interaction and conflict that we otherwise wouldn't get to see if they stayed together. (Keep in mind as well that I am a big fan of Sonic and Sally as a ship, so this isn't coming from a selfish place of not wanting to see them together or something - it's more a case of me thinking it wouldn't make sense yet.) Ultimate I think there much better (or worse…?) examples of instances in the comic where characters behave out of character due to bad writing. Such as…

Mobius 25 Years Later: In Transit

Writer: Ken Penders Pencils: Steven Butler Colors: Jason Jensen

…this abomination of a story arc! Seriously, this is one instance where I totally agree with the rest of the fandom on how bad it is. Granted, today's story isn't as egregious as some of the ones in the past or other ones to come, but even so. We open right where we left off, with Knuckles and Rotor discussing serious matters of world annihilation and such while two horny teenagers listen in. They accidentally cause a twig to snap, and Knuckles whirls around to find the source of the noise.

Now, see, this is actually an interesting plot point! Science has advanced enough in this world where if one loses an eye, they could easily have it replaced through cloning, and yet Knuckles has willingly chosen to forego such an option in favor of keeping his cybernetic eye instead. And surprisingly, I actually find this totally in character for him. I think Knuckles, in any canon, if he lost an eye, would likely choose to keep a cybernetic replacement in favor of cloning himself another organic eye - if not for the enhanced vision it could give him, then as a point of pride, perhaps feeling that he should live with the cybernetics as a reminder of past mistakes and failures that can spur him to keep moving forward. But we don't get to focus on the eye! Instead, Knuckles takes his leave of Rotor for now and heads to Haven Two, which is (obviously) the replacement for Haven after it was destroyed in the past. He greets his fellow Guardians and asks them a favor - to fire up the ol' hidden camera system across the island so he can follow the two teens who were spying on him and Rotor in the park. Apparently, he promised Julie-Su in the past that he would never spy on family, so he's never made much use of Haven's surveillance system, and this is something that Spectre feels he's being foolish about given who Julie-Su's half sister is. And, as it turns out, that's exactly who we're going to be spying on today! Knuckles tunes in in time to see Rutan and Salma being confronted by Lien-Da about their late-night excursions, and Knuckles explains Rotor's suspicions about the weather to the others while Lien-Da gets ready to scold her son after they take Salma back home.

Well well now! So Rotor and Cobar have intercepted the feed from Haven, huh? That's quite a feat - and quite suspicious of them, at that. Rotor then makes a comment about all this likely not surprising King Sonic… as apparently, Sonic doesn't like echidnas, and especially not Knuckles!

…what?!

So this is a really stellar example of what I was talking about earlier, about having better examples of out of character behavior! Apparently, in this timeline, Sonic and Knuckles actively dislike each other, going so far as to refuse to speak to one another and resenting having to interact for even short periods of time. This is so far off the mark that I'm kind of stunned at just how wrong Penders has managed to get these two's relationship. I mean, just, what? Sonic and Knuckles regularly butted heads when they were younger, sure, but in every canon they both exist in, the two always end up as good, if volatile, friends, who would trust each other with their lives! I seriously can't imagine a future where the two would end up hating each other. We're going to be seeing the exact specifics of why they hate each other in future issues, too, so strap in guys, cause this is gonna suck.