Chapter Text
“Ah another sold-out show, phew I am beat!” Sonic exclaimed as he and Shadow made their way backstage after a performance with their fans screaming out to them.
“Hey, how about grabbing some chili dogs before we head home, Shads?” Sonic suggested.
“Ugh, spare me the taste of your unhealthy junk food,” Shadow replied.
Sonic chuckled, accustomed to Shadow's disdain for his favorite snack. "Suit yourself, but you don't know what you're missing," he teased, already picturing the mouthwatering chili dogs awaiting him at their favorite diner.
With a stubborn scowl, Shadow crossed his arms. "I seriously doubt that," he retorted.
Sonic shrugged, trying to appeal to tradition. "Then why not come with me? Going to Vanillas after every show is practically our ritual, after all."
Sonic's attempt at persuasion seemed to soften Shadow's resolve just slightly. He uncrossed his arms and sighed. "Fine, but only because I have nothing better to do," Shadow grumbled, begrudgingly agreeing to accompany Sonic to their usual spot.
As Sonic and Shadow were about to head out, their manager, a stern-looking woman named Ms. Steele, intercepted them. “Hold it right there, boys,” she commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Sonic and Shadow exchanged a puzzled glance, unsure why their manager was intervening.
“Before you two go off on your merry way,” Ms. Steele began, “you need to know that you have a crucial meeting tomorrow morning.”
Sonic groaned in frustration. “Can’t that be rescheduled? We could really use a breather.”
Ms. Steele fixed Sonic with a stern gaze, unmoved by his plea for rescheduling. “This meeting is non-negotiable, Sonic.”
Shadow interjected, his voice tinged with irritation. “We weren’t even aware of this meeting. Why wasn’t it on our schedule?”
Ms. Steele’s expression softened slightly as she replied, “It was just finalized today. But now that you know, I expect both of you to be there, no excuses, and don’t stay out too late.”
Sonic and Shadow exchanged resigned looks, realizing they had no choice but to comply with their manager’s demands, even if it meant sacrificing their much-needed break.
After a moment of silent acknowledgment, they decided to leave the venue discreetly, both donning hoodies and sunglasses to avoid being recognized by fans or paparazzi.
As they slipped out through a side exit, Sonic glanced at Shadow with a mischievous grin. “Time to grab some grub.” They walked briskly through the dimly lit streets, enjoying the anonymity their disguises provided. Despite the weight of their upcoming obligations, the prospect of indulging in Sonic’s favorite comfort food lifted his spirits. The neon sign of their favorite diner came into view, casting a warm glow onto the sidewalk. Sonic quickened his pace, practically bouncing with excitement.
Sonic grinned at Shadow. “Race ya there.”
“I’m not engaging in childish antics,” Shadow replied dryly.
“Fine then… LOSER PAYS FOR DINNER!” Sonic declared, before darting off, catching Shadow off guard. ‘That Bastard!!’ Shadow thought before chasing after him. Eventually, Shadow matched Sonic’s pace, stride for stride, as they dashed through the streets. Sonic’s laughter echoed in the night as they raced towards the diner.
As they reached the entrance simultaneously, both Sonic and Shadow stopped. “Looks like it’s a tie,” Sonic admitted, catching his breath. “Shut up, I definitely won.” Shadow retorted.
“As if!” Sonic shot back.
“Quite! You’ll attract attention!” Shadow admonished, yanking his hood down roughly.
Sonic chuckled. "Right, sorry. Let's just get inside."
Shadow nodded, his expression stern as he led the way into the diner, ensuring they attracted as little attention as possible. As Sonic and Shadow settled into their booth, the owner, a warm and welcoming older woman named Vanilla, approached them with a knowing smile.
"Back for more, I see," Vanilla said with a twinkle in her eye, her tone filled with familiarity and affection.
Sonic and Shadow returned her smile, feeling at ease in her presence. "You know it, Vanilla," Sonic replied with a grin.
Vanilla nodded, understanding the importance of their anonymity. "Alright, the usual it is," she said, before disappearing into the kitchen to prepare their order.
As they waited for their food, Sonic glanced at Shadow, a puzzled expression crossing his face. "Hey, have you noticed how tight-lipped Ms. Steele was about that meeting tomorrow? Wonder what it's about."
Shadow shrugged, mirroring Sonic's confusion. "Yeah, seems pretty important, but she didn't give us any details. Kinda strange, don't you think?"
Their conversation veered towards speculation about the mysterious meeting, their curiosity piqued by their manager's cryptic behavior. Despite their lack of information, they couldn't shake the feeling that it held significant implications for their future as musicians.
As Vanilla returned with their food, interrupting their discussion momentarily, Sonic and Shadow exchanged a grateful glance, glad for the distraction.
“Here you go, boys. Enjoy,” Vanilla said with a warm smile as she placed their plates on the table.
“Thanks, Vanilla,” Sonic replied, returning her smile.
As they dug into their meal, the tantalizing aroma of chili dogs and fries filled the air, momentarily diverting their attention from the looming uncertainty of the upcoming meeting.
But suddenly, the chime of the diner’s entrance caught their attention.
The two hedgehogs barely registered it at first, but then two figures walked past their table. One was a towering red echidna, exuding an intimidating presence. However, it was the much smaller figure that was the closest to them. She was dressed in a baggy hoodie, shorts showing off her pink tone legs, and sunglasses to remain concealed, the figure emitted a faint scent of roses, intriguing Sonic and Shadow and it made Sonic glance back at her just for a moment before turning back.
===
“What brought us here again?” Knuckles inquired.
“Because I heard they serve the most amazing milkshakes!” Amy replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Knuckles chuckled, amused by Amy’s enthusiasm. “Just don’t drink too much or you won’t be able to sleep tonight.”
Amy pouted playfully, protesting, “Hey, I’m not a kid, you know!”
Knuckles grinned, his tone teasing. “Of course not, Amy. Just looking out for you, I’m still your bodyguard after all.”
Amy rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile. “Fine, fine. I’ll try to control myself.”
Finally, a server approached their table, ready to take their orders. “Hello, folks! What can I get for you today?” she asked with a friendly smile.
Amy perused the menu before her, her eyes lighting up as she made her choice. “I’ll have a bacon cheeseburger with the strawberry shortcake milkshake, please,” she said eagerly. Knuckles glanced over the menu, contemplating his options before settling on a classic choice. “I’ll have the club sandwich, please,” he requested with a nod.
The server noted down his order with a smile. “Sure thing, one bacon cheeseburger with a strawberry shortcake milkshake and a club sandwich coming up!” She said before walking away.
With their orders taken, Amy and Knuckles leaned back in their seats. “You know Knuckles, it’s really nice to have moments like this, makes me feel like I have a normal life.”
“I know what you mean, Amy. It’s getting harder for us to go out like this when you’re constantly in the spotlight.”
“Yeah…. Sometimes I wish I could go back.”
“Heh, but if you did, your incredible voice would go unheard,” Knuckles remarked, offering her a reassuring smile. Amy chuckled softly, appreciating Knuckles’ attempt to lighten the mood. “You always know how to make me feel better, Knuckles.”
Knuckles offered a modest shrug. "I'm just speaking the truth. Your talent is something that should be heard by everyone."
Their exchange was momentarily interrupted by the arrival of their orders. "Here you go, folks. Enjoy!" the server chimed in before departing once more.
As they indulged in their meals, Amy's mind wandered back to an earlier conversation she had with her manager. "Hey, Knuckles," Amy began, stirring her milkshake with a pensive expression. Knuckles glanced up and knew that something was on her mind. “Yeah?”
“Did Ms.Wool ever bring up this meeting I’m supposed to attend tomorrow with you?” Amy asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
“Meeting? Nah, I figured we were just gearing you up for more dance rehearsals,” Knuckles replied, his brow furrowing in confusion.
“Same here, but after our studio recording session, she suddenly sprung it on me, saying I have a super important meeting tomorrow that I can’t miss,” Amy explained.
“Hm, that’s weird, and she didn’t give you any info about it?”
“Nope, she just said that it was important that I “don’t miss it” and it “will be good for my future” whatever that means,” Amy replied with a puzzled expression.
Knuckles shrugged nonchalantly. “Ah, who cares anyway? Just another meeting to get through, and I’ll be there if you need anything,” he remarked casually, offering Amy a reassuring smile.
Amy smiled back at his reassurance. “Thanks, Knuckles, it’s nice to have you by my side.”
“Of course Rosy, we’ve been stuck with each other since we were little, nothin’ changing that now.” He replied with a smirk as they finished their meal.
===
Meanwhile, Sonic and Shadow were wrapping up their meal, pushing their plates aside once they were finished. Sonic reclined in his seat, a satisfied sigh escaping him. “Man, nothing beats a good meal after a show,” he remarked, flashing Shadow a grin.
“No argument there.” Shadow agreed with a nod.
As they prepared to leave, Sonic left a few bills on the table for the tip before rising to his feet. “Ready to bounce, Shads?” he asked, already heading towards the exit.
Shadow followed suit, pushing back his chair and nodding. “Yeah, let’s get going before that manager of ours sends out a search party,” he replied, falling into step beside Sonic.
As Sonic and Shadow made their way out of the diner, Knuckles and Amy finished their meals and got up from their seats before slitting the tip and placing it on the table. “We definitely have to come back here again Knuckles.”
“Sure, I think Rouge might like it here too.” He said nonchalantly as they strolled towards the door. With each step, they drew closer to Sonic and Shadow, who were just a few feet ahead, their silhouettes framed by the warm glow of the diner’s neon sign.
“You two have been together for a while now, any thoughts of asking the big question?” Amy teased, making Knuckles blush.
However, the sound of her voice made Shadow’s ear twitch, he wasn’t sure why this happened suddenly, but he maintained his composure and attempted to take a discreet glance backward. Yet, before he could do so, a sudden gasp filled the air, catching their attention.
“OH MY GOSH ITS YOU!” A customer exclaimed loudly, causing heads to turn as all eyes focused on her as she pointed excitedly towards the entrance.
Sonic let out a soft sigh. “Looks like our cover’s been blown, Shads,” he remarked, a smirk playing on his lips.
“Seems like it,” Shadow replied, a hint of annoyance in his tone.
“Now, don’t be grumpy. Let’s put on a brave face and give the people what they want,” Sonic encouraged, placing a reassuring hand on Shadow’s shoulder. Shadow groaned in response, reluctantly preparing to remove his shades…
Until…
“ITS AMY ROSE!!!” Another loud exclamation shattered the moment, causing both Sonic and Shadow to exchange puzzled looks.
‘Huh?’ Their thoughts mirrored the confusion they felt.
Amy flinched at the sound of her name being yelled.
“IT’S REALLY HER!”
“CAN I GET A PHOTO!?”
“WHEN IS YOUR NEXT ALBUM COMING OUT!?”
“CAN I GET AN AUTOGRAPH!?”
“I LOVE YOU!!”
With all of these questions, all the customers kept getting closer and closer to her, and each time she took a step back. “I… uh… um….” Feeling overwhelmed, she stumbled over her words, struggling to find a response.
But just then, Knuckles stepped forward, his presence commanding attention. “Back off,” he growled, his tone more intimidating than he intended. Amy reached out to him, “Kn- Knuckles, you’re scaring them.” her touch was a silent plea for calm, but her gesture didn’t go unnoticed by the crowd or the two hedgehogs discreetly observing everything.
“AWE SHES SO CARING AND CUTE!” one of the onlookers exclaimed, their admiration palpable.
Amy and Knuckles exchanged a knowing glance, realizing they couldn’t back down now. With determination in his eyes, Knuckles took Amy’s hand. “We gotta run.”
“What? Really?” Amy questioned, surprised by his sudden decision.
“Yes, these people are getting too pushy,” Knuckles replied, his grip on her hand firm as he led her towards the exit.
As they made their escape, the din of the diner faded into the background, leaving only the pounding of Amy’s heart and the rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins. Her gaze, once fixed on Knuckles as they fled the chaos, suddenly shifted, locking onto Sonic’s familiar emerald eyes.
In that moment, time seemed to stand still as their gazes met.
But just as quickly as it had begun, the moment passed as Amy looked straight ahead and continued to run.
Sonic, however, couldn’t tear his eyes away from her. Almost instinctively, his hand moved to reach out for her, driven by an impulse he couldn’t quite explain. But before he could act, the throng of fans surged forward, blocking his path as they pursued the pink pop star with relentless determination.
“Uh, Shadow, who was that?”
Shadow, his eyes still fixed on the dwindling figure of Amy in the distance, took a moment to respond. “Apparently Amy Rose.”
“Do you know how she is?” Sonic pressed, curiosity evident in his voice.
Shadow took a moment before answering. “…. No,” he admitted cryptically.
Glancing at Sonic through the tinted lenses of his shades, Shadow observed the curiosity flickering in his eyes. “You seemed intrigued,” he remarked, noting Sonic’s unwavering gaze fixed on the spot where Amy had disappeared.
Sonic finally shifted his attention to Shadow, a bemused expression lighting up his face. “It’s a bit strange seeing someone else steal the spotlight from us, isn’t it?” he remarked with a chuckle, a hint of amusement in his tone.
“Heh, I’m surprised that you don’t feel threatened by her, I know you can barely stand sharing the spotlight with me.” He added. Shadow raised an eyebrow at Sonic’s playful jab, “Oh please, I barely give a shit about being in the spotlight.”
“Right, Suuure.” Sonic smirked, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. “But I have to admit, there’s something about this girl that just…..”
“That just what?” Shadow prompted.
“I… I don’t know,” Sonic confessed, shrugging nonchalantly. “Maybe I’m just rambling,” he added, dismissing the thought with a wave of his hand.
The two musicians started their way back to their temporary residence at the Emerald Hotel.
Meanwhile, Amy struggled to distance herself from the crowd, retracing her steps back to the diner in search of Knuckles. ‘How did we get separated?’ she thought to herself in frustration, her gaze scanning the bustling streets. ‘Hopefully, we both thought of meeting back at the diner.’
Hurrying along, Amy stole a quick glance over her shoulder, ensuring she had put ample distance between herself and the crowd. Unbeknownst to her, the two male hedgehogs were walking towards her, completely unaware of her presence.
In her distraction, she collided with none other than Shadow. Caught off guard by the collision, both Amy and Shadow lost their balance, tumbling to the ground in a tangled heap of limbs and knocking off her sunglasses.
“Oof!”
Sonic was surprised to see his friend suddenly tackled to the ground, instinctively tensing in a fight-or-flight response. “You okay, Shads?!”
Amy let out a small whimper as she sat up on Shadow’s lap. “Mmm ow, that hurt.”
Shadow, frustrated, began to sit up as well. “Well, you should watch where you’re go—” His sentence halted as his eyes locked with hers.
In an instant, the world seemed to pause, illuminated by the shimmering moonlight reflected in her eyes.
“Oh…”
Amy immediately scrambled off him. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!”
Shadow then recognized her voice. “It’s you.”
Sonic raised an eyebrow, glancing at Amy before realizing who she was. “Oh, you’re that Amy Rose chick those customers were chasing.”
Amy, looking a bit nervous and shy stood back a bit. “Y-yeah, that’s me,” she stammered, fidgeting with the hem of her hoodie. “I didn’t mean to cause any trouble. I was just trying to get away from the crowd.”
Sonic, noticing her discomfort, softened his tone. “No worries. We’ve been there too,” he said as he took off his glasses to reveal himself and offered her a reassuring smile. “Crowds can be pretty overwhelming.”
Amy’s eyes widened once she saw his face and let out a gasp. “Oh my gosh, you’re Sonic the Hedgehog!”
“Heh, the one and only,” Sonic replied with a grin.
“Oh wow! I can’t believe I finally get to meet you!” she exclaimed, her excitement palpable. She then turned to look at Shadow, who was still brushing himself off. “Wait, that must mean you’re Shadow the Hedgehog!”
Shadow stood up fully, giving a small nod. “Yeah, no relation,” he said dryly, his expression softening just a bit as he took in her genuine excitement.
“Oh gosh! I’m so sorry that I bumped into you!”
“It’s alright you already apologized,” Shadow said. He then noticed that she still seemed a bit worried, her eyes darting over him as if checking for any signs of injury. “But what about you? That was kind of a nasty fall. Are you okay?” he asked, stepping closer.
“Oh, um, yeah, I’m fi—” she started nervously before being interrupted by a familiar voice.
“AMY! THERE YOU ARE!” Knuckles called out.
Amy turned to see Knuckles approaching, relief washing over her face. “Knuckles!”
Knuckles swiftly approached Amy's side, his eyes scanning her for any signs of harm, gently adjusting her position to check for injuries. “Are you alright? Any injuries? Did someone try to harm you?”
Amy shook her head, still slightly flustered from the collision. “No, Knuckles, I’m okay, really,” she reassured him with a smile.
Glancing at Shadow and Sonic, Knuckles seemed unfazed. “And who are these guys?” he inquired, eyeing them warily as he positioned himself protectively in front of Amy.
Excitedly, Amy stepped forward, eager to introduce her newfound acquaintances. “Oh, Knuckles, I actually bumped into Sonic and Shadow The Hedgehog! Can you believe it!?” she exclaimed, gesturing towards the two males.
“Uh huh….” However, Knuckles seemed unimpressed, offering little reaction to their celebrity status. Sonic extended his hand for a handshake, but Knuckles just stared at his hand before looking back at him. “Nice to meet you,” Sonic said, the awkwardness palpable as he withdrew his hand.
Quickly changing the subject, Knuckles suggested they head home. “It’s getting late, Amy. We should head back.”
Amy nodded in agreement. “Alright. It was nice meeting you two!” With a final wave, she followed Knuckles back to his car, leaving Sonic and Shadow behind.
“Yeah…. Nice meeting you too…” Sonic said as he gave a small wave back.
"So, that was Amy Rose, huh? She seems nice," Sonic remarked with a smile as he observed Amy and Knuckles departing. "Though that echidna didn't appear to be too thrilled. Could be her boyfriend," Shadow speculated, also observing the pair.
"Hmm, could be. But I feel a bit guilty. She knew who we were, and we just found out about her a few minutes ago," Sonic admitted with a sheepish grin.
"I wouldn't blame ourselves. Our schedule is packed; we only have time to go out at night. Mornings are a nightmare with the paparazzi and fans tracking us down. We barely have time to live," Shadow asserted.
"Well, you're not wrong there," Sonic conceded. "But I wouldn't mind bumping into her again," he admitted with a soft smile.
Shadow glanced down and spotted Amy's fallen glasses. He picked them up, examining them thoughtfully. "Hm, something tells me this won't be the last time we encounter Ms. Rose."
===
“I can’t believe I actually met Sonic and Shadow The Hedgehog!! I certainly didn’t expect that! What do you think Knuckles?”
“Overrated.” Knuckles' response was brief and to the point.
Amy's excitement deflated slightly at Knuckles' indifferent response. "But Knuckles, they're like the biggest musicians in the world! Meeting them is a big deal!"
Knuckles shrugged. "Eh, they might seem so great to you but they're just like everyone else. Just because they're famous doesn't mean they're any different."
Amy sighed, recognizing she wouldn't elicit much excitement from Knuckles about her encounter. "You're no fun," she mumbled, her disappointment evident. Deciding to shift the conversation, she continued, "Anyway, at least we made it back without too much trouble."
Knuckles grunted his agreement, his thoughts wandering elsewhere. "Yeah, I suppose," he replied absentmindedly, his focus drifting. Despite his subdued reaction, Amy couldn't suppress a smile, her mind lingering on their encounter with Sonic and Shadow. “I wonder if they’ll remember us,” she mused quietly, more to herself than to Knuckles.
===
“Night Shads!” Sonic called out before disappearing into his hotel room, conveniently situated next to Shadow’s.
Shadow merely grunted in acknowledgment before retreating into his own room, the door closing behind him with a soft click.
Sonic quickly shed his disguise, feeling the relief of being out of the stifling outfit, before climbing into his bed with a contented sigh. The day had been eventful, to say the least, and he was grateful for the chance to finally unwind.
As he settled into bed, his thoughts involuntarily drifted back to her. The encounter with Amy had left a lingering impression on him, stirring up a curious mix of emotions. Despite the chaos of the day, her presence had stood out to him in a way he couldn't quite explain. He found himself replaying their brief interaction in his mind, wondering about the girl who had collided with him in such a serendipitous moment. There was something about her, something intriguing and magnetic, that tugged at the corners of his consciousness. Sonic couldn't shake the feeling that their paths might cross again, and the thought intrigued him.
‘I want to learn more about her,’ he thought, a sudden realization dawning on him. ‘Wait! Of course! The internet!’
Excited by the idea, Sonic reached for his phone, eager to learn more about Amy. Quickly typing her name into the search bar, he scrolled through various articles and images, hoping to uncover more about the pink pop star. As he delved deeper into the search results, he found interviews, music videos, and fan pages dedicated to Amy, each offering glimpses into her life and career.
“Wow…” Sonic murmured to himself, captivated by what he was discovering.
He clicked on one of the articles and began to read:
HOT NEW SINGER AMY ROSE RISING TO FAME!!!
Sonic skimmed through the article, which detailed Amy’s journey from a small-town girl with big dreams to a rising star in the music industry. It highlighted her unique voice, charismatic stage presence, and the rapid growth of her fanbase. The more he read, the more impressed he became.
Then he clicked on her music video. The screen lit up with vibrant colors, and soon, Amy’s voice filled the room. Sonic’s eyes widened in surprise as he listened. Her voice was powerful and full of emotion, effortlessly capturing the essence of the song.
“She….. really got something special,” he muttered to himself.
Meanwhile, in the adjacent room, Shadow placed Amy’s sunglasses on his desk. He stared at them for a moment, his mind wandering. His eyes then shifted to his laptop, its screen dark but inviting. He glanced back at the sunglasses, the memory of their encounter lingering in his mind.
Shadow sat down at his desk, fingers drumming thoughtfully on the wooden surface. He stared at the sunglasses for a moment longer, then at his laptop, the two objects drawing an inevitable connection in his mind. A slight frown creased his brow as he contemplated his next move.
‘Should I really bother?’ he thought, conflicted. Curiosity gnawed at him, though. Finally, with a resigned sigh, he flipped open the laptop and powered it on.
The screen lit up, casting a soft glow across his face. He hesitated briefly, then typed “Amy Rose” into the search bar. The results loaded quickly, revealing a plethora of articles, images, and videos. As he skimmed through an article, he couldn’t help but be impressed by her determination and talent.
“Interesting,” he muttered, leaning back in his chair. He scrolled further until he saw a video thumbnail with her name on it. Shadow hesitated for a moment, then clicked play.
Instead of a music video, an interview began. Amy appeared on the screen, seated on a plush chair opposite a well-known talk show host. She looked composed yet vibrant, her demeanor exuding a mix of confidence and warmth.
“So, Amy,” the host began, “you’ve had quite the journey to get here. Tell us about how it all started.”
Amy smiled, her eyes lighting up. “Well, I’ve always loved music. Growing up in a small town, it was my escape, my passion. And one day my cousin encouraged me to start performing at local events, and eventually, I got noticed by my manager. It’s been a whirlwind ever since.”
Shadow leaned in, intrigued. Her voice was even more captivating in this candid setting. The interview continued, delving into her struggles, her inspirations, and her plans for the future. She spoke with such genuine enthusiasm that it was hard not to be drawn in.
‘So this is Amy Rose,’ he thought, glancing once again at the sunglasses.
===
“I told you two not to stay out too late!” their manager scolded as she stood in Shadow's hotel room.
“We didn't,” Sonic replied with a yawn, while Shadow made himself a cup of coffee.
“Then why do you both have bags under your eyes?”
“We'll have makeup fix that. I just couldn’t get much sleep last night.”
“Right. And you, Shadow, what’s your excuse?”
Shadow took a slow sip of his coffee before answering. “Same. Just had trouble sleeping.”
Their manager sighed in frustration. “The meeting starts in an hour. Vic will drive you two to the studio. I’ll be there to greet our guests, and I expect you to be on your best behavior!” With that, she left the room.
Sonic let out a heavy sigh and flopped down onto Shadow’s bed, only to be promptly nudged off. “Hey, what’s the deal?”
“Use your own bed,” Shadow retorted, shooting him a glare that clearly said 'get out.'
“Alright, fine,” Sonic grumbled, realizing he had no choice but to vacate the room. “Might as well get ready for this stupid meeting.”
===
"So, what do you think of the dress?" Honey inquired.
"It's fantastic, Honey. You've really outdone yourself," Amy praised before turning to Knuckles. "What's your take on it, Knuckles?"
Knuckles glanced at her, admiring the pink bowknot lace dress she wore, with its short sleeves elegantly draped off her shoulders.
Knuckles nodded approvingly. "Looks good on you, Amy."
Amy beamed at his response, grateful for his input. "Thanks, Knuckles. I wanted to make a good impression at this meeting."
Honey clapped her hands excitedly. "Well, you're sure to turn heads in that outfit!“ She beamed.
Suddenly, their manager entered the room and let out a soft gasp. “Wow, look at you, my little star. Those boys will love you.”
Knuckles furrowed his brow. “Boys?” he questioned.
Ms. Wool could sense Knuckles’ concern and quickly reassured him. “Worry not Knuckles, these boys are known for being respectful, They wouldn’t dream of making Amy uncomfortable,” she assured him. “Now then, I’ll be waiting in the limo. Join me when you two are ready.” With that, she exited the room, leaving Knuckles and Amy to prepare for the meeting.
“Don’t worry Knuckles, you’ll be with me, so I feel perfectly safe,” Amy reassured him.
“Yeah, I know. But sometimes I wish she’d clue us in on what we’re getting into. It’s unsettling,” Knuckles replied.
“I understand where you’re coming from,” Amy nodded in agreement as she remembered something similar happened with her cousin.
As they finished getting ready, Knuckles and Amy made their way to the waiting limo outside. The anticipation of the meeting ahead hung in the air, leaving both of them with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
The limo pulled up to the bustling studio lot, where a hive of activity surrounded the entrance. Amy and Knuckles stepped out, greeted by the sight of cameras flashing and reporters buzzing around. It was a whirlwind of energy, and Amy couldn't help but feel a surge of nerves. She glanced at Knuckles, who offered her reassurance as he put his hand around her shoulder before they made their way inside the studio.
Upon entering the studio, Ms. Steele warmly greeted them, her smile radiant with enthusiasm. "Ah, Ms. Wool, it's wonderful to see you again!" she exclaimed, the two managers exchanging a warm hug. "And it's lovely to see you too, Steele," Ms. Wool replied as they released each other. Ms. Steele then turned her attention to Amy, her eyes alight with excitement. "And you must be Amy Rose! It's such an honor to finally meet you!" she exclaimed, enveloping Amy in a hug, slightly surprising her. "Oh, um, hi, it's lovely to meet you too," Amy responded, returning the embrace.
Knuckles subtly surveyed the studio, seeking the presence of the "boys" referenced by their manager. "Is it just you here?" he inquired, his tone cautious.
"Yes, for now. But my clients should be arriving shortly... I hope," Ms. Steele replied. Turning her attention to Knuckles, she asked, "And you are?"
"This is Knuckles," Amy interjected with a smile. "He's not only my childhood friend but also serves as my bodyguard."
"How delightful," Ms. Steele remarked warmly. “Now, let’s head into the office and prepare for the meeting.”
“Okay, but could I possibly get some insight into what this meeting entails?” Amy inquired as they walked towards the office.
"Ah, dear Amy, I'm afraid it would be more suitable if Ms. Steele's clients were present before we delve into the specifics," Ms. Wool explained gently as they entered the office. "But rest assured, it's nothing to worry about. Just a few…. Propositions to iron out."
‘Propositions?’
After a few minutes of waiting, Knuckles noticed Amy's growing nervousness and leaned in closer to her. "Hey, you alright?" he whispered softly, mindful of the managers engrossed in their own conversation.
Amy glanced at Knuckles and gave him a small nod. "I'm just a bit anxious, not knowing what this meeting is all about," she admitted quietly.
Knuckles placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Hey, don't worry. Whatever it is, I’m sure you got it," he reassured her with a reassuring smile. "And if things get too overwhelming, just give me a nudge, and we'll make our exit, no questions asked."
Amy chuckled softly. “Thanks, Knuckles.”
The door swung open abruptly, unveiling Sonic and Shadow as they strode into the room. "You're late," Ms. Steele stated firmly, her tone tinged with disapproval.
"Don't blame me; he insisted on grabbing a chili dog before we came," Shadow retorted, shooting Sonic a pointed look.
"What? I needed my breakfast," Sonic defended with a sheepish grin, trying to diffuse the tension with humor.
Amy glanced up, her curiosity piqued as familiar voices echoed through the room. and was surprised to see the same two hedgehogs she had encountered the previous night.
"But we're here now, so let's get this meeting over wit-" Shadow continued, his voice cut off as he found himself locked into Amy's eyes once again.
Sonic, noticing Shadow’s abrupt pause, followed his line of sight and found himself locking eyes with Amy once again. His surprise was evident in the widening of his eyes and the slight parting of his lips as he took in her presence once more.
‘Fate?’
The two male hedgehogs fixed their gaze on Amy, their expressions reflecting surprise, yet Amy's astonishment was tinged with excitement. As they locked eyes, a moment of silence ensued, broken only by the rapid churn of their thoughts, before they simultaneously exclaimed,
"It's you!"