Last chapter guys! But don't get all upset because I have an exciting announcement at the bottom of the chapter. Thanks for reviewing and I own nothing.
XVIII: Back to the Start
Sonic opened his eyes to see he was back at the bottom of the hill Sky had originally transported them from. All the lights were on in Tails' house in the distance and he could still hear the same song that was playing when he left blaring from the speakers.
"If my calculations are correct." Sky said. "You've only been gone for one second."
"Wow, I guess time travel is awesome." Sonic chuckled as he stared in amazement at how everything was exactly the way they had left it.
Sky giggled. "Yeah. Thank you for helping me."
"No sweat. It was a great adventure." Sonic said.
"Yeah, until I got captured. That was just embarrassing." Sky mumbled in horror as she scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"Hey don't worry about that." Sonic reassured her. "You were amazing."
Sky beamed at him and before Sonic could react she had wrapped her arms around him. Sonic stood there in shock for a few seconds before hugging her back. This was what it was like hugging his own daughter? He actually quiet liked it. She was soft and warm in his arms and he felt like he could stay there forever.
"Thanks again." Sky said as she pulled away and looked around. "Hmm, if I did go exploring he'd never know. Thank god for time travel."
Sonic watched the mischievous sparkle in her eye as she looked at the world around her.
"Yeah, but he'd remember if you did. I am here you know." Sonic laughed.
"Oh right, darn it!" Sky hissed. "Maybe time travel isn't so great."
"Is this goodbye then?" Sonic asked actually feeling sad to see her go. She was a funny kid and he would actually love it if she'd stay a few hours longer.
Sky smirked as she twirled the chaos emerald in her hand.
"Not goodbye." She replied. "Just until the future when I'm sure we'll meet again. At least we better anyway!" She suddenly barked out. "You are going straight in there and asking my mom out otherwise where will I be?"
"Ok ok chill!" Sonic begged trying to calm the angry little hedgehog in front of him. "Do me a favour and beat Alex in the race for me ok?"
"Wow dad, putting your kids against each other already huh?" Sky laughed.
"I'm not your dad…yet. Quit calling me that." Sonic cringed at the thought.
Sky rolled her eyes. "Get used to it. Apparently you fainted when mom said she was pregnant with me."
"Really?" Sonic said pulling a face. "Can't imagine why."
Sky sighed. "I guess I'll see you in the future."
"Yeah." Sonic smiled at her before giving her a thumbs up and running towards Tails' house. He stopped on the back porch to turn around and watch Sky leave.
They waved at each other one last time before she disappeared in a bright light. Sonic continued to watch the space she had vanished for a few moments before he heard the back door open behind him.
"Sonic?" The younger Tails asked as he saw Sonic staring into space. "What are you doing out here? Amy said she saw you leave."
Sonic snapped out of his thoughts. "Oh…yeah…I just needed some air." He explained turning to face his twin tailed friend and smiled.
"Happy birthday bro." He said pulling him into a hug much to Tails' surprise. "You're the bestest friend a hedgehog could ever ask for."
Tails stood there in shock. "Did you eat a dodgy chilli dog?"
Sonic released him and shook his head.
"Well…umm thanks, I really appreciate that." Tails replied a little awkwardly, but happily. "Are you sure you're feeling alright, you're acting kind of weird."
"I'm terrific." Sonic said as he headed back inside while Tails blinked at him in shock.
Sonic made his way back into the party and everything looked exactly the same. His friends all looked years younger and were dancing happily and innocently. Sonic was going to do everything he could to protect that happiness. He would change the future and make sure none of the bad things ever happen. Starting with keeping away from that tribe.
Sonic stood as far away from the people who were dancing as possible so he was out of the way and could be left alone to his thoughts. Knuckles looked like he had the same idea as he sat next to him and sipped at his drink.
"You're a great guardian Knuckles." Sonic said out of the blue causing Knuckles to nearly choke on his drink.
"What?" Knuckles choked out.
"You're a great guardian of the master emerald and no one would be better for the job." Sonic answered honestly.
"You're freaking me out Sonic, but thanks anyway." The red echidna replied as he slowly edged away from Sonic and made his way over to Tails where they both started discussing Sonic's sudden weird behaviour.
Sonic continued to gaze at the floor as he felt the presence of someone else sitting next to him.
"Are you ok Sonic?" He heard the bubbly pink hedgehog ask. "You seem a little out of it."
Sonic looked up at the younger Amy, her quills shorter, curse free and a worried look in her eyes as she looked at him.
Sonic cleared his throat. "Yeah I'm fine, just deep in thought."
Amy giggled sounding star struck again and Sonic rolled his eyes.
"So anyway," Amy began timidly as she traced patterns on the chair with the tip of her finger. "A new roller rink opened up in the city and I was wondering if you wanted to check it out with me?"
Sonic had to stop himself from groaning. Here she goes again.
But then Sonic stopped. He thought about what his future self had said to him; about giving Amy a chance. The few dates he'd actually agreed to, he'd missed due to his adventures and he'd never actually been properly alone with Amy to see the real her. He guessed it could hurt…
"Sure Amy." Sonic replied smiling at her and Amy did a double take.
"Really?" She asked in disbelief.
Sonic nodded and Amy squealed and Sonic resisted the urge to cover his ears. He really hoped that he wouldn't live to regret this.
Amy then calmed down and looked at Sonic with a sparkle in her eyes that made Sonic's stomach do a flip.
"Thanks Sonic." She said in a very sincere voice before skipping off to talk to Cream.
Sonic sat there in shock. No bone crushing hugs? No million kisses on his cheek? No marriage proposals? He guessed he really didn't know Amy as well as he thought he did. He thought about Amy in the future and the family that they had made together…could possibly have together. The way his future self looked at her…would he one day look at her like that?
Sonic sighed figuring it would be an adventure to find out.
Maybe there were parts to his future that he didn't want to change after all.
~ TO BE CONTINUED ~
Yup, that's right. There will be a sequel that will answer most of your questions as to what the hell some characters were talking about in this story. It will be called 'The Tribal Curse' which will be published later this week or early next week so keep an eye out for it. Feel free to also check out some of my other Sonic stories.
Thank you to everyone who has read this story and reviewed it, added it as a favourite etc. If you're still reading months later then still leave a review because I read every single one of them.
See you in the future guys ;)