Look who's in town...

Two months pass, night has fallen, and Blaze is in town with Silver, looking for Sapphire as they find Amy and Knuckles, hanging out.

"Hey, Ames. Remember us?" Silver greets, asking

Amy comes closer, observing the two. Then…

"Hey, Blaze and Silver. What brings you two here?" Amy greets, asking

"We just came looking for Sapphire. Do you know where she is?" Blaze responds, asking

"Oh, she lives on the other side of town with Shadow. Do you want me to take you there?"

"Yeah, sure. What's the deal with you and Knucks?" Silver asks

Then, both individuals blush, lost for words and flustered.

"Ooh, looks like someone has a boyfriend." Blaze teases

"Alright, it's true. But don't say anything."

"We won't. Anyway, to Sapphire's place."

Amy and Knuckles then take Blaze and Silver to Sapphire's house, talking en route.

"So, what's the deal with you two?"

"Just friends, I'm with Mephiles and Blaze is still single." Silver answers

"Really, Blaze? I thought you'd be taken by now."

"Every girl I've liked was taken and straight. So, I'm still single and ready for someone new."

Without anyone's knowledge, a chipmunk named Sally Acorn is watching Blaze from behind a bush, admiring her body and dress sense. Then, Mephiles appears next to her.

"What're you doing here?" Mephiles asks, spooking Sally

"Will you quit doing that?!" Sally asks, irritated

"Apologies, your majesty. Back to my question."

"I'm watching Blaze, she looks really nice."

"You, a chipmunk, falling in love with a cat? I never thought I'd see the day."

"Will you shut up? You'll blow my cover."

As for Blaze, she hears someone speaking and leaves rustling. Curious, Blaze approaches as Mephiles disappears and she sees Sally, behind the bush.

"Hey there, Sally. What're you doing here?" Blaze greets, asking

"Erm… hey Blaze, how are you?" Sally asks

"I'm fine. Back to my question."

"Nothing, just chillin' as I do."

"Behind a bush? Alright, we're going to Sapphire's house. You can join us if you want."

Blaze joins Amy, Knuckles and Silver as Sally reluctantly joins them.

"Hey, Sally. What're you doing in these parts?" Amy asks

"Nothing much."

"Okay then, let's go."

The group then arrive at Sapphire's house and Amy knocks. As for Sapphire, she hears the door and answers.

"Oh, hey you guys. Come in, Sonic and Shadow are out bonding." Sapphire greets

The group enters Sapphire's house, admiring the surroundings.

"Love the house, Sapphire. How long did it take?" Blaze asks

"Ever since I moved to this world."

"How come Sonic's out with Shadow? I thought they didn't like each other." Sally asks, pointing out

"Sonic's been sentenced to six months serving me and Shadow. One of his tasks is to try and bond with Shadow."

"You really think they're gonna bond?" Amy asks

"I think so. Come to think of the time, what is it?"

Sally checks the time on her phone.

"It's coming up to 9:30. Why?"

"I do hope the boys are back soon, it's starting to get late."

As for Sonic and Shadow, they're in the flashy part of Mobius, drunk as anything. Then, Rouge finds them, stumbling in the streets.

"Hey, boys. What're you two doing here?" Rouge greets, asking

Then, Sonic goes to Rouge, hugging and kissing her as she catches a scent of his breath.

"Oh boy, you've been drinking. Right, you two are going home and I'm taking you."

"We can get… ourselves home, batty." Shadow responds

"Not with teleportation, you don't. Last time, you ended up atop of a volcano in an earth city called… Venice? Anyway, I'm taking you both home and you're getting sleep tonight."

Without further argument, Rouge puts her arms around Sonic and Shadow, taking them back to Sapphire's house. After an hour, Rouge arrives and knocks the door, for Sapphire to answer.

"Hey, Rouge… what happened to those two?" Sapphire asks

"Whilst out bonding, they drank too much. As you can see, they're drunk as bats. No pun intended." Rouge answers

"Oh, my word! Right, could you get Sonic to the spare bedroom? I'll deal with Shadow."

"What if they throw up?"

Sapphire then makes two buckets appear.

"Take this bucket with you and put it beside Sonic's bed. I'll put one beside Shadow's side of the bed."

Without further discussion, Rouge and Sapphire join forces to put Sonic and Shadow to bed, ensuring that they're closest to the buckets provided. Sapphire is with Shadow in her bedroom, as he's sitting up in bed and notices Sapphire.

"Hey, baby. You look beautiful tonight." Shadow says

"Thanks, Shadow you're drunk and need sleep." Sapphire informs

Sapphire quickly moves back as Shadow throws up into the bucket, freaking Sapphire out. Shadow notices as he puts his head up.

"Sapphire, you okay?"

"Yeah, just please get some sleep. I'll be up later."

Sapphire quickly goes downstairs and sits on the couch, face in her hands. Amy notices, sitting down beside her.

"Are you alright?" Amy asks, rubbing Sapphire's back

"I expected them to bond; I didn't expect alcohol to be part of the equation." Sapphire responds, bluntly

"Do you want us to go home?" Sally asks

"Yes please, thanks Sally, everyone. Could you all try coming over tomorrow, or in a couple of days?"

"Sure, Sapphire. We'll see you later." Blaze responds

"See you later guys."

Soon after, Sally, Amy, Knuckles, Silver and Blaze leave for home as Rouge comes downstairs.

"Sonic's in bed, fast asleep. How's Shadow?" Rouge informs, asking

"I don't know if he's asleep; he did flirt before I left the room though." Sapphire answers

Sapphire and Rouge both listen, to hear silence.

"Could I stay here, for Sonic?"

"Yes, considering that he's your boyfriend, and wouldn't trust me with anything when morning comes."

"Do you have a spare bedroom?"

"Yeah, it'll be a bit of a mess, though. I'll show you where it is."

Sapphire then directs Rouge to the said bedroom, noticing the place spotless.

"Wait, this isn't how I remember the room being. Anyway, here's your room. Sleep well."

"You too, Sapphire. Where will you sleep?"

"Either downstairs or in the attic. I'll see you in the morning."

Rouge and Sapphire go their separate ways and turn in. Morning arrives, Shadow is the first to awaken, notice the other side of the bed empty and have a headache.

"Oh, what happened last night?" Shadow asks himself

Sapphire soon enters, with a glass of water and breakfast on a tray.

"You came back with Sonic, drunk as anything. That's what happened last night and you're hungover. Here's your breakfast, Shadow the Hedgehog." Sapphire responds, blunt and tired

Shadow is quick to hear his full name addressed.

"Are you alright, babe?"

"Yeah, just tired thanks. I didn't sleep at all last night. However, Rouge slept like a kitten. I'll leave you to your food."

Sapphire starts to leave the room, to be stopped, by a hand gently grabbing her arm. She turns to see Shadow next to her.

"Babe, I'm sorry about last night. I know alcohol makes you angry and tried to reject."

"Right, what happened before I blow a fuse?!"

"I tried to refuse a drink from Sonic before he forced it to my lips. Then, it just went too far."

"Okay, now eat your food. I didn't make you breakfast for it to be wasted."

Sapphire goes downstairs as Shadow does as instructed. Rouge sees Sapphire coming down.

"Hey, girl. How did you sleep last night?" Rouge asks

"I didn't, but thanks for asking." Sapphire answers

"Do you wanna rest at my place? I'll deal with the boys whilst you're gone."

"Yes please, thanks Rouge."

"Don't mention it, now get going."

Sapphire then teleports to Rouge's house, loving the surroundings and going upstairs. She notices Rouge's bedroom, all decorated and gemmed up. Sapphire then goes to bed and sleeps. As for Sonic, he goes downstairs and sees Rouge alone.

"Hey, bae. Where's Sapphire?" Sonic asks

"Hey, Blue. Sapphire's at my place, sleeping thanks to you and Shadow coming back drunk last night." Rouge responds, unimpressed

"We were only bonding, that's it."

"You both should know by now, that alcohol scares Sapphire to death. Let me tell you something, get Shadow down here as well."

As if on cue, Shadow comes down with his eating vessels, to notice Sapphire's absence.

"Where's Sapphire?" Shadow asks, ears lowered

"She's at my place, asleep. Don't leave, you two boys are needed here. I need to inform you of something." Rouge answers

Shadow quickly puts his things in the sink and sits on the couch.

"Right, one of you might know this already. Sapphire's extremely scared of alcohol; another thing, when I brought you both back last night Sapphire started getting stressed and scared. Therefore, she didn't sleep last night and is at my place."

"Why is she sleeping there?" Sonic asks

"Not only did you both scare her with your drunkenness, you both pissed her off. I'm saying not to head to my house, because Sapphire would've brought up an electrical force field, using magic and I don't want either of you getting hurt. Neither will Sapphire, so stay here."

"So, she doesn't want to be near us, thanks to last night?" Shadow asks

"Yes. Also, Sapphire told me that she didn't expect alcohol to become part of your day out bonding. Look, scaring my friend is one thing: pissing her off is taking it too far. Knowing you Shadow, I've gathered that you've already apologised. As for you, Sonic you need to apologise when Sapphire's willing to see both of your faces again."

As for Amy and Knuckles, they're at Amy's house snuggling and watching TV as they begin talking. They talk for a while as they both fall asleep. As for Blaze, she's out with Sally, getting to know her.

"So, what are you into Sally?" Blaze asks

"I enjoy going out on the town. Although, I tend to like spending more time at home, reading. Nothing special, yourself?" Sally responds

"I don't know really; I like a lot of things."

"Aren't you living with Silver?"

"No, he lives with his boyfriend Mephiles."

"So, you live alone?"

"Yeah, pretty much. Who do you live with?"

"I live alone, since my former girlfriend left me for someone else."

"Who needs someone like that, anyway?"

"Yeah, I know right?"

Blaze and Sally keep talking, becoming more comfortable with each other's company. As for Sapphire, she wakes up and takes the force field down. Now refreshed, Sapphire teleports back to her house, to notice Sonic in the kitchen as Shadow approaches and hugs her.

"Hey, babe." Shadow greets, kissing Sapphire's cheek

"Hey, Shads. What's with Sonic?" Sapphire asks

"He wants to apologise, for what happened last night. When he finally realised that he started the whole thing, he asked which biscuits you like most."

"So, Sonic's in the kitchen, baking shortbread biscuits. Mainly, to start off his apology." Rouge responds

"They're my favourite! Did he say how he's finishing the apology?"

"No, but I'm guessing he wants it to be a surprise."

Sapphire then looks to Sonic, approaching him.

"Hey, Sonic." Sapphire greets

"Hey, Sapphire. Sorry about last night." Sonic apologises

"You're forgiven, both you and Shadow. Erm… those shortbreads are done, by the way."

Sonic then takes the biscuits out of the oven, putting them on a cooling rack.

"So, wanna go out for a walk?"

"Sure, why not."

Sapphire and Sonic head out and stroll around the village square.

"Why are we strolling, anyway?" Sapphire asks

"I want to show you something." Sonic answers

Sonic then takes Sapphire to a location, for her to like the new surroundings.

"What is this place?"

"This is somewhere I used to go to, when I needed time away from my friends and to reflect on things. Since you need it more than me, I want you to have it; to finish off my apology."

Sapphire quickly senses the sentimental value this place has to Sonic. Then…

"It's a lovely gesture, but you're closer to this location than I'll ever get. So, I don't want this place. You verbally apologising and the biscuits are enough and that won't change."

Sonic nods, looking out at the view.

"I'm gonna go home now, so come back when you're ready, Speedy."

Sapphire then teleports home, sitting down next to Shadow and kissing his cheek.

"Hey, baby. You're lookin' stellar today." Sapphire greets, complimenting

"Thanks, Sapphie. You're lookin' amazing yourself." Shadow responds, nuzzling into Sapphire's neck

Sapphire quickly chuckles, liking the gesture. Then, Sonic enters with lowered ears. Rouge notices, approaching him.

"Are you alright, bae?" Rouge asks

"Yeah, I'll be alright. I'll be… just fine." Sonic responds

Rouge then hugs Sonic, working out what he's hiding.

"Are you thinking of your brother and sister again?"

"Yeah, you could say that."

"Why don't you come round mine tonight? You need less activity around."

Sonic is the first to leave as Rouge soon follows.

"See you later, Rouge." Sapphire says

"See you around, Sapphire." Rouge responds

Rouge then takes Sonic to her house for the night. As for Amy and Knuckles…

"Ames, I don't think we're meant to be. You and Scourge are a much better-looking team." Knuckles admits

"You're right, I think we're just meant to be friends and nothing more. I don't think I liked you from the start, anyway." Amy admits

Amy and Knuckles shake hands, remaining as friends and parting ways. Amy then goes to Scourge's house and knocks the door. Inside…

"Who could that be?" Scourge asks himself

Scourge answers the door, noticing Amy with lowered ears.

"Hey, Ames. Are you alright?" Scourge asks

"Yeah, I'll be alright… Can I stay here tonight?" Amy responds, asking

"Yeah, sure. Come in."

Scourge invites Amy in as she looks around and starts crying. Scourge hears and goes to Amy's aid.

"Are you alright?"

"Me and Knucks have broken up, it didn't work out." Amy answers

"Are you both friends though?"

"Yeah, we're still friends. Have you got ice cream, chocolate, anything I can eat?"

"I'll get you some ice cream, I've plenty of that."

Scourge goes to the freezer as Amy lies on the couch, looking up to the ceiling. Scourge goes to Amy with a bowl of ice cream, with chocolate sauce.

"Here you are, Ames."

"Thanks, Scourge. How do you manage to deal with this sort of situation?"

"I've learned from the amount of girls I've seen break up, eating ice cream and wondering what went wrong. Some knowing that it just didn't work out, others thinking it's their fault. I'm used to comforting others that have just broken up."

"What happened to causing trouble?"

"I rarely do that now. Although, I still get a kick out of it."

"I bet you do, knowing how you were some years ago."

Amy and Scourge are soon chuckling, continuing with their conversation. After a while, noticing that night has fallen, both turn in for the night. Amy on the couch and Scourge in his bed.

As for Sapphire, she's walking in the mountains and looks up at the night sky. Remembering Felicity and her father, she lowers her ears. Then...

"Felicity, father, sorry for leaving earth for another world. I just didn't feel welcome and needed somewhere new to grow my relationship with Shadow. You probably hate me, you've every right to and I accept that. I love you both, that'll never change." Sapphire says

Sapphire then starts crying, reminiscing about the times with Felicity and her father, going down to her knees.

"Just forgive me, please!" Sapphire cries out

Soon after, Sonic wakes up and senses something wrong with Sapphire. Rouge then comes upstairs, noticing Sonic wide awake.

"Are you alright babe?" Rouge asks

"Something's up with Sapphire. I'm gonna go and find out." Sonic responds

"Okay babe, please cheer her up. I don't like Sapphire being upset."

Sonic nods as he races to the mountains, to find Sapphire on her knees and crying. He goes to Sapphire's aid.

"Sapphire, are you alright?" Sonic asks, concerned

"Sonic, please, take me home. I don't wanna be up here anymore..." Sapphire requests, still crying

Sonic nods, taking Sapphire into his arm and taking her home. Sonic knocks on the door, for Shadow to answer and see Sapphire upset, quickly becoming furious.

"What did you do?!" Shadow asks, pissed off

"I didn't do anything, I found Sapphire on the mountains, crying and on her knees. Sapphire requested that I take her home. Nothing else." Sonic answers

Remembering what Rouge said, he lowers his ears. Shadow then takes Sapphire, allowing Sonic to come in as well.

"Sonic, sorry about my reaction. Also, thanks for bringing Sapphire home. Could you stick around here? Something's telling me that this will happen again."

"Sure thing, sir. Damn, why do I keep doing that?"

"It might be part of this punishment thing. Anyway, I'm gonna take Sapphire to bed. I'll be down soon."

Shadow takes Sapphire to bed, for her to quickly get under the quilt.

"Are you okay, baby?" Shadow asks

"Just missing Felicity and my father. That's all..." Sapphire answers

"Have you been to that part of the mountains?"

Sapphire nods, starting to cry again; she then sits up and hugs Shadow tightly, crying into his chest fur.

"I'm so sorry, Shadow. I couldn't avoid it; I was out walking."

"I know, babe, I know."

"Stay with me, please. Invite Sonic too, please."

As if on cue, Sonic enters the bedroom and sits next to Sapphire, opposite to Shadow.

"Why Sonic?"

"He misses his brother and sister; he has a location he goes to for remembering them. That's why."

"Sonic, can't you go back to visit them?"

"No, they've moved back to earth, in a city called New York. We can't contact each other, so missing each other is all that's left..." Sonic answers, lowering his ears

"And earth is too far away to travel with conventional means. Anyway, enough about that. I think it's time we all got some sleep." Sapphire responds

After a while, the trio falls asleep, hoping the best for the future.