Chapter Text
It was a dark and stormy night…
Captain Sonic ran down the maze-like halls of Eggman’s basement. Holding his arm. I knew I shouldn’t’ve trusted him!
Earlier, Captain Sonic was invited to the “Influential Summit.” The rich mogul, lovingly known as Eggman, wanted to advertise a new product that would “change the world.” He would be selling his new Automatic Crepe Machine Extraodinaire, A.C.M.E, for short, which could make meals from his five-star restaurant and hotel, the Crepe Suzette, at home. No one but Captain Sonic knew their true purpose.
I have to get to Amy! She can help... Captain Sonic ran through the cold, metal halls. The lights flickered as thunder rolled outside. He hoped that they would stay on. He knew he would never get out of there blind.
He began to stumble. He found it hard to breathe.
He had to make it out of this maze. Before the poison took effect.
Finally, he saw the door he stumbled upon, barely ten minutes ago. He burst through, spooking an onlooker or two, but he didn’t care. He had to find Amy Rose.
There! Through the hustle and bustle of the crowd in front of him, he spotted her red dress, her blue feather boa. He stumbled across to her. Amy Rose crashed into him as she turned, she jumped when she saw him.
“Captain Sonic!” Her brow furrowed in worry. “Are you… feeling—“
Breathing heavily, Sonic grabbed her arms. She had to know how serious he was, but also, he was feeling a little dizzy. “Amy.. E-eggman…”
Before he could say anything. He fell to the floor. His pulse slowed to a stop. For all everyone knew. The famous Captain Sonic of the Cruiser Typhoon… was dead. And I… was the culprit.
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A long time ago… I, Amy Rose and my publisher, Vanilla, were invited to an all expenses paid trip to Eggman’s “Influential Summit.”
I was invited for my accolades as an award winning journalist and soon to be murder-mystery writer, and Vanilla, was a highly esteemed publisher and long time friend of mine. We each brought a plus-one.
Tails was my assistant editor and a fellow lover of mysteries.
Known for his never ending hunt for the truth, he was given the nickname “Tails…” although the two Tails he had been born with may have had an influence on that decision.
Cream was my publisher’s daughter. Normally, if Vanilla had an important job to head off to, I would babysit for her and watche her pet Chao, Cheese. While the blue goofball couldn’t com with them on their trip, Cream was still in high spirits. She was more than excited to go on a trip together with her best friend and idol, the lovely writer Ms. Amy Rose. Together, we all sat in a roomy taxi, provided by the Crepe Suzette, excitedly discussing the most important night of our careers.
The prologue of our lives’ true beginning.
Amy looked excitedly out her window. I can’t believe Eggman, of all people, would invite me! She watched as dark storm clouds blew in, blowing all sorts of trash everywhere, but was promptly picked up by Eggman’s workbots. Not even a storm could ruin Eggman’s illustrious “Eggman Land.” A tiny city built by and further supported by Eggman and his many business ventures, and was the site of his big event. The Influential Summit.
Vanilla caught Amy’s wistful gaze. “What’re you so excited about?” She joked.
“I still can’t believe that Eggman hand-picked me! It’s like a dream come true!”
Vanilla leaned forward, her silk gloves touched Amy’s red dress. “Well, it’s not a dream. You got here on your own hard work.”
“She’s right, Ms. Rose.” Tails said gazing up at her. “You’re great! I would know.”
Amy rolled her eyes. “I don’t know how you put up with my rough drafts.”
Tails shook his head. “I’d hardly call those rough, Miss. I barely have to touch ‘em before they head out the door.”
Amy looked down, blushing. “Thanks Tails.”
“Tails?” Cream asked. She held out a notepad and a pencil. “How do you spell… uh, ‘thunderstorm.’”
“T… h…u…”
Cream scribbled away as Tails talked. She wanted to be a writer, just like Amy. As of recently, she’d been getting into writing, everything. Literally everything she sees. Amy looked at her with approval. She’d make a great writer someday. Already an interest in the world around her.
The taxi tire’s screeched as the driver stopped. Amy looked outside her window. We’re here! She thought excitedly. Their driver sat back and flipped opened a newspaper. It seemed like everyone was talking about the Influential Summit. Amy hoped her piece wouldn’t get caught up in the clutter.
The taxi door opened. A bellhop… or some other employee, slipped a small flight of stairs underneath the car door. They, a red quokka with dark red ears, bowed deeply. Amy squinted to get a look at their name tag… but was instantly befuddled by the handwriting. I can’t read it!
“Uh…” the quokka pulled out a small card. “Hello and, uh, welcome to… the Crepe Suzette!”
Amy held out her hand as she carefully stepped down. The quokka awkwardly grasped it. As she got closer, Amy was hoping she could get a better look, but their handwriting really was like chicken scratch. “Hello, um… Bar…ney…?”
The quokka winced. “It’s, uh, Barry.”
“Oh! Sorry!” Amy fluttered her hands awkwardly. “I must be pretty tired from that flight! I can barely read a thing right now.” Barry was obviously pretty awkward, Amy hoped that her performance was good, but Barry didn’t seem to react, he politely helped Vanilla, Cream and Tails down before setting the steps aside.
The trunk to the taxi popped open. A big, purple cat took their luggage and placed it on a cart. When he noticed Amy looking at him, he blankly stared back, and politely tipped his hat. Amy bowed and smiled up at him. Suddenly, his hat jumped. She could swear she heard a small “ribbit.”
Before she could ask any questions, she noticed she was getting left behind by her friends. “Wait for me!”
Amy pushed her way through the glass revolving doors and for the first time in her life walked into… the Crepe Suzette. It was huge, with tall archways that framed the white walls, decorated with tall, plastic plants. In the center of the lobby, there was a large statue of the influential power couple, Rouge the bat and Blaze the Cat. Their company would be financially backing the event. Out of the kindness of his heart, Eggman had a statue made in their honor.
Amy walked down the red carpet placed on the egg-cream, marble floors. Her jaw dropped when, at the hotel’s entrance, she saw… Eggman himself, personally greeting every guest, his daughter, and future successor of the “Eggman Empire,” Sage stood beside him, also greeting the guests.
A smile curled on Eggman’s face when he saw Amy and her entourage.
“Why… is that the beautiful Ms. Amy Rose I see?” He said, feigning surprise.
“Hello Mr. Eggman… sir…” Amy couldn’t find the words to say, she never practiced any lines!
Sage delicately grabbed the skirt of her dress. She curtsied before them. “Welcome…” she blushed, inching closer to her father. Clearly Sage was a bit shy. Her stark-white hair, covered half of her face, only revealing one red and yellow eye. It shifted around, unable to make eye-contact with Amy.
“You’ll have to excuse my dearest daughter Sage…” Eggman said, “She’s a little shy. I thought that tonight might help her… break out of her shell, y’know?” He chuckled at his own pun.
Vanilla waved her hand, laughing politely. “Please, you don’t have to apologize. My daughter, Cream, was the same way a little while ago, and now she’s quite the chatterbox.” Vanilla bent down. She waved at Sage. Sage waved back, still inching closer to Eggman.
Tails bowed his head. “Eggman.” He said politely.
“Tails.” Eggman returned in kind.
Cream curtsied energetically. “Thank you for having us, Mr. Eggman.”
“Thank you for joining us, Ms. Cream.” Eggman replied.
After saying goodbyes, Vanilla, Cream and Tails went to get their room keys. Amy stayed behind. In this lobby, were people that Eggman considered to be the most influential in the world. And Amy had first dibs on their interviews. Her piece would be an inside scoop on Eggman’s special event. The first guest that caught her eye. A blue beacon of hope to his fellow crewmembers, Captain Sonic, of the Typhoon Cruise.
As Amy walked up to him, he smiled warmly. “Hey, Amy.”
There it was~ that shining charisma that made her fall head over heels for him.
The day they met, Amy was planning on an interview with Captain Sonic, but spent more time following him around his ship than talking. His attentive attitude and kindness inspired her. Rather than an interview with the captain, it ended up being more of an appreciation for him and his crew. The company that owned the Typhoon Cruise were more than pleased. Thanks to her piece, people flocked in from everywhere, expecting the most comfortable cruise of their lives.
Amy gazed at Captain Sonic. He stood out. A blue in an ocean of white. His dark-blue coat contrasting with the Crepe Suzette’s cream-colored floors, his golden buttons glowed under the warm lighting. And here he was, talking to her on a first name basis as if they’d known each other for years. Everyone who knows Captain Sonic knows that everyone’s a friend of Captain Sonic… everyone… except for… Eggman.
Captain Sonic stared at him from afar. On his cruise ship, his team required the highest in state-of-the-art technology. Despite the glowing reviews from Eggman’s products, Sonic avoided them like the plague. Even if he had been invited, which it was a surprise he was, no one would expect him to come. It was a surprise he did. Amy would be the first to know why.
Amy took out her notepad and pencil. “So, Captain Sonic.” She started breezily. “What brings you here?”
Captain Sonic didn’t answer. He stood still, watching Eggman.
“Uh… Captain Sonic?”
His eyes lit up, “Oh, sorry. Did ya’ say something?”
“I was just asking, um… why are you here?”
Captain Sonic put his hands in his pockets. “My crew’s been freakin’ out about that A.C.M.E…or A.C.N.E… or whatever that thing’s called.”
“The Automatic Crepe Machine Extraordinaire?”
“Yeah! That! ” Captain Sonic turned his head to glare at Eggman. “I still don’t trust ‘im. Something just seems… fishy about ‘im.” He sighed. “But, if my crew needs help, I’ll get ‘em help.”
Amy blushed. So thoughtful!
“So…” Captain Sonic started, “I hear you’ve been writing novels lately.”
In her mind, Amy swooned. He knows? About my books?! Outside she spoke coolly. “Who told you?”
Silently, Captain Sonic pulled a small book out of his pockets. It was one of Amy’s novels. Amy almost had a heart attack. He’s reading my books! She turned her head away. He would see that her face was as red as her dress.
“I like ‘em.” He continued. “I’m not much of a reader, but they do make slow nights go a bit faster.” He said with a wink and a smile.
Amy’s heart exploded. “Uh, thank you!” She said as she hurriedly walked away.
Waiting for her head to cool down, she turned to watch Eggman. She wasn’t sure of exactly why Captain Sonic didn’t trust him, he was so polite when she met him… but she did have a hunch. A warm smile sat on Eggman’s face, but his eyes, the true window to his soul, stayed hidden.
Eggman was known as a wealthy businessman, but he was also an inventor. A scientist. His full title, was Dr. Eggman. He wore the same blue safety goggles with his red, coattailed, gold-buttoned, business suit as he did in the lab. Two blue discs that, perhaps, hid the true intention of his actions.
Staring warily at Eggman, Amy continued onward.
Sat underneath the statue built in their likeness, framed by the large, fake plants that littered the lobby, were Rouge and Blaze.
The statue, a glorious glass figure representing their relationship. Rouge dipped Blaze, their eyes locked, forever in love with the one they married. Giant gemstones sat on the statue’s fingers representing their wedding rings. Nowhere near as notable as the real deal. A water fountain, with animated waterspouts sat underneath it.
Rouge and Blaze sat close together, their hands locked, lost in conversation with each other. Amy still couldn’t help gaping at the wedding rings Rouge bought them. You could hardly notice the gold band underneath the giant diamond sat on top. Imagine… Amy thought, Captain Sonic on bended knee, opening a case and that pops out!
“Hello, Blaze. Rouge.” Amy said politely.
Rouge raised an eyebrow. “Do we know you?”
Suddenly Blaze’s face flashed with recognition. “It’s her.” She told Rouge. “The one that wrote that sweet article on your proposal.”
Amy still felt embarrassed about that one. She was writing newspaper ads at the time, and she still felt like writing for that… tabloid magazine was beneath her. If the paper didn’t meet her standards, she would make it! She put her heart and soul into that one, it was the first thing Vanilla read from her.
Rouge’s proposal wasn’t exactly surprising. The young business prodigy had her eyes on her crown jewel for years. Amy focused on their history… and also a lot of gushing on that ring.
Suddenly, Rouge snapped her fingers. “Oh! I remember you. Blaze was obsessed with that article for months.” Rouge leaned in to whisper. “She still has it y’know?”
Blaze blushed, she heard her perfectly. “ Rouge.”
“You know you loved that thing.” Rouge laughed. “Had me fallin’ for me too.” She crossed her legs as she angrily thought back. “Can you believe it, though? All the other discount gumshoes after ya’ were not worth listening to at all. Honestly, one of them brought a bulletpoint list of all my past dates!”
There was that other controversy. Rouge was known for her many, many dates . Rumors started coming out that she was practically allergic to commitment. At least when it came to lovers. Most believed their marriage wouldn’t last a month. And yet, here they were all these years later.
Blaze sighed wistfully. “I don’t usually pick up tabloids, but I heard your writing was pretty good.” Blaze leaned close to her wife. “It really was. I think you gave me a pretty… skewed idea of those magazines. The rest weren’t like you at all! ”
Amy turned her head. “Sorry.”
Rouge smiled. “Don’t be. It’s a compliment!” She noticed Amy’s notepad. “Ya’ got any questions?”
“Oh! Yeah… so… what’re you two lovebirds doing at this event?”
Blaze giggled at Amy’s comment. Rouge answered. “You probably already know. We’re backing this event.” Rouge looked back at the giant statue of her and her wife, awkwardly scratching her head. “The statue’s Eggman’s though. We had nothin’ to do with that.”
Blaze looked up at the statue too. “It is a bit much, isn’t it?”
Suddenly, Rouge’s face lit up. She rummaged around in her purse and pulled out a card. “If ya’ ever need anything, call me.”
Amy gaped at the business card. Rouge and Blaze were practically business royalty. She felt like she’d been knighted or something. “Uh, wow! Thank you!” She took the card and said her goodbyes.
Who’s next? She bumped into what looked like some kind of crocodile. She dropped all of her stuff. “Sorry! I wasn’t looking where I was going…” she looked up. It wasn’t just any crocodile, it was Vector. Her arch-nemesis. Amy scoffed. What is he doing here? Soon, the rest of the “detective agency,” Espio and Charmy, appeared.
Vector glared down at Amy. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
Amy finished gathering her things. She crossed her arms, glaring back at him. What could Eggman have possibly seen in them?
The Chaotix “Detective Agency” was lead by Vector. A self proclaimed “ace detective” and also fellow lover of mystery novels. He always wrote scathing reviews in the papers, complaining about how predictable Amy’s writing was. The worst part about it was that Amy was suspicious it was true. She worked hard to make sure her mysteries were air-tight. Somehow, worse still, she might have to thank him!
Suddenly, a hotel guard walked by, Vector quickly ran away and threw himself into the fountain, dragging Charmy with him. Rolling his eyes, Espio blended in with the potted plants. The guard whistled by, tipping his hat to Amy, before walking off. It seemed like he hadn’t noticed anything.
Vector exploded from the water gasping for air.
“Hey! What was that for?!” Charmy yelled.
Vector shushed him. “Keep it down Charmy! Ya’ might blow our cover!”
Of course. They weren’t supposed to be here.
Espio wandered by Amy. He kept his voice low, and covered his mouth so that no one could read his lips. “We got a tip that something suspicious might happen tonight. Be on your guard.”
Amy raised an eyebrow. “Okay…” she watched as Vector, covering Charmy’s mouth, suspiciously crept behind a staff door.
Amy rolled her eyes. She stood back and peered through the lobby. It didn’t look like there were many other noteworthy people, so she headed towards Vanilla who had only just gotten her keys. A black and red hedgehog handed them to her, angrily. “Here.”
Vanilla tried to stay polite. “Thank you… Shadow.”
Shadow didn’t respond.
Amy grouped up with her friends. She looked angrily at Shadow. “I’ve been gone for almost an hour!” Why did it take so long to get their room keys?
“Apparently… all of the keys went missing earlier.” Tails whispered to Amy. “They had to call the locksmith last minute to give them new ones.”
And he did not look happy about it. He packed up his equipment and stomped away.
Amy and her friends stood in the elevator. Vanilla handed Amy her key. Her and Vanilla would be staying in their own separate rooms since they were invited separately. Amy together with Tails. They said their goodbyes. Planning to meet each other during their grand event.
Amy opened the door to her room. It was huge. It had its own living room, a small kitchen and a bedroom with two, comfy, queen sized beds. Gold traced the framed doorways, the walls were a vibrant red, the furniture, white and the floors, black carpet. The living room specifically, a black carpet with a red silhouette of Eggman’s logo. His toothy grin.
The bellhops left a cart of Amy and Tails’ luggage on the floor. Amy, more than anything, wanted to sleep. Hopefully she could take a nap before the big reveal of Eggman’s A.C.M.E. She yawned as she laid in her bed. Rain, hitting the glass windows, thunder rolling from far away. She couldn’t wait for the best night of her life.