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27; New story. No flames please.

Knux; So, you picked me to go through relentless agony?

27; Well, it was either you or Shadow, but since he said he might kill me if i did...

Knux; What? You think i'm a push over or something?

27; Maybe...

Knux; grrr!

DISCLAIMER; I do not own Sonic the hedgehog or another other character


The day was far from over as Sonic celebrated long into the night. The animals that lived near were clouded in mystery as they wondered what was going on that could be so eventful. But to their content, the night was warm and the air moist. A cool breeze swept by and blew a candle out on the porch. There was no music invading the peaceful world but loud voices, the echo of laughter and the vigorous odour of food and smoke.
“HEY! I’LL BE OUT IN A MINUTE!” Shouted an angry voice behind the door in the bathroom that Tails had been wanting to use for the past four hours. They had apparently locked themselves in; perhaps drunk or pissed, Tails had yet to know.
The fox huffed impatiently, staring to cross his legs together in a futile attempt to hold it in. Sally drifted past him, giving him just enough time to smell her perfume.
“Not out yet is he?” She muttered dryly.
“I don’t even know who is in there!” Tails tried to make his point though Sally looked very bored and rather tired; “can you help me?”
“Maybe later.” Ignoring his plea, she continued her path down the old oak stairs.

“Now for some music!”
“No Sonic! I’m deaf enough as it is already!”
From the slight radio, the music came on, fast and loud. Amy detested it and had to cover her ears. Vector just laughed, paying little heed to Charmy Bee who was gobbling up all the food Amy had painstakingly made.
Sonic, ignorant and a little drunk, swayed to the songs. Suddenly Vector felt most peculiar, turned around and vomited on the table where all the food had been neatly laid out and where Charmy Bee was presently eating it all.
“It’s the same every year!” Amy sighed though she couldn’t even hear herself through the violence of the prolonging music. And Sonic wasn’t even into this sort of stuff! Why couldn’t Sonic’s birthday’s be more like hers, with simple balloons, presents, visits from her friends and having a quiet time?
Knuckles sat in the corner of the lounge, watching Sonic and the others shame themselves. He himself was not a party type. He had simply come along because he had been invited but coming here to enjoy himself was another matter. He just sat in the shadows and watched his rival enjoying himself. Sonic always had a positive outlook on life and never gave up on anything. He lived freely and was so immature at times. Knuckles tried not to envy the blue hedgehog too much but his emotions often tried to overcome him. He was jolted out of his thoughts however when Sonic staggered towards him.
“I’ve got some o’ that new drink we bought the other day!” Sonic sniggered, offering a cup containing a green liquid that smelt of binge.
“No thanks.” The crimson echidna shook his head. Sonic put the drink down and sat beside his friend.
“I feel great! And no badniks! No crime!”
“Yet.” Knuckles reminded him. “So, how old are you now, Sonic?”
“Fifteen!” He cried as if he wanted all to hear it. And then he got up again and wandered to the table.

Tails, who could hold it in no longer, was rewarded when Espio trudged out of the bathroom. Tails dived in straight away. And the constant vibrations of the music rattled the old wooden home.

When Amy thought she would leave, she heard a few knocks on the door. Though they could only just be heard over the prolonging music. She opened the door, revealing two angry villagers from the other side of the lake.
“Hello there, gentlemen!” Amy began but was cut off before she could continue.
“We’ve had enough of this confounding racket!” Crowed the larger bird like creature dressed in jeans, “you either turn it off or we’ll turn it off for you!”
“And we’ll call the cops.” Added the second who had the figure of a canine.
“Yes, all right. I’ll see to it. I’m terribly sorry for the disturbance!” Amy babbled, feeling guilty though she had not a part to play in Sonic’s loud way of celebrating on this brisk summer’s night.
“Good.” Replied the bird.
Amy shut the door and quickly found Sonic who was trying to chat up the plants in the tiny hallway.
“Sonic, turn the music off!” The pink hedgehog whined into his ear.
“Aww what the heck. You turn it off! Just that we’re playing a game and who ever finds the radio first wins an emerald.”
“What?”
“It was Knuckles’ idea.” He muttered, shrugging as if he should not be blamed for his own idea.
“Great!” She shouted, sarcasm in her voice. But then she thought. That should be easy. Just trace the sound! Knuckles may also have had too much to drink and so hid it in an easy place to seek out. It was so obvious anyway with it playing. What goof balls.
Swiftly passing Victor on the way she tried to find the source of the abrupt music. But her search seemed too hard. First the music travelled and echoed and bounced off the walls. She was fed up. With popped balloons and sweets crunching under her feet she found Knuckles sitting in his usual corner in the lounge, staring at anybody he chose.
“Knuckles!” She screamed, “where had you put the radio?”
The echidna smiled and winked, thinking that she was now part of the game also.
“Knuckles! This isn’t a game!” Her throat was getting sore, “tell me where it is or I’ll….” She fumed, “the neighbours are gonna call the cops on us! It’s too loud!”
‘Fine.’ The echidna mouthed and stood up. She noticed he was still wearing his battle shoes that were clumsy during occasions such as this one. Still, he hastily led her upstairs without further delay.
On the top floor, Knuckles opened the window and climbed out onto the roof. Amy rolled her eyes. Why did boys have to be so much like this? Arrogant, self-centred and their games totally meaningless. Still, they were the heroes of Mobius, and perhaps the planet and others before it.
Before long the music was switched off. A great silence washed over the hut. Amy groaned as she was now stuck with the content ringing in her ears.
Knuckles swung himself back inside and shook his dreadlocks from the fresh rainwater that was beginning to fall fairly rapidly. He then tossed the small radio to her and made his descent back downstairs.

Back downstairs however, Sonic was dismayed that his guests were leaving, one by one. The hours were late now and he did feel very tired.
“Must leave you now, Sonic.” Vector exclaimed quite happily, “had a great time. But we are on duty tomorrow.” And those who left with him were Charmy and Espio.
“But we haven’t had a race yet!” Sonic said firmly, “and we haven’t tossed the apple!”
“You raced us nine times today!” Knuckles dourly commented as he stood by Sonic’s side, “and you won every time.”
“Obviously!” Came the remark.
Knuckles sighed. “Well, I’d better be going now too. I have quite a way to go until I return home.”
Now Sonic and Knuckles were best friends. They had stood by each other’s side and had created an overwhelming force against Doctor Robotnik and his minions. They had come even close during the past few weeks after their encounter with the humans and had stormed Robotnik’s factories.
“No, Red, you can stay here tonight.” Sonic said almost too kindly.
Knuckles tried to look disappointed. He hated being around others for too long and he didn’t want to be a burden on anyone, however he did enjoy the blue hedgehog’s company any time.
“All right,” Knux said, “but just for tonight. I have a lot to catch up on. There’s the old emeralds, they need replacing, and the people…”
“Yeah, yeah, heard it all before.” Sonic said, wrapping an arm round Knux’s neck. “Now let’s race!”

Sonic’s home was in a mess, and that was an understatement. Amy was too tired and too upset to help put it right. Sonic had done nothing mature and he had neglected everything in the house. Even Tails had left without helping and he lived here. So, she was not in the best of moods.
Slipping on her coat, as she knew it was raining and chilly outside she opened the front door and stepped outside. Already she felt calmer. When she got some sleep and Sonic had apologised to the neighbours, then she would help.

Sonic and Knuckles were the only ones left in the house. Sonic was fast asleep in his bed upstairs while Knuckles napped downstairs on the old sofa. They slept for a few, peaceful hours. Red was curled up, quite warm and satisfied when the communicator let out a shrill call from the kitchen.

Fidgeting in his sleep, Sonic dreamed of onions, badniks and Trees. He wasn’t having very restful dreams. And they were getting worse. He was running through a forest, carrying something he couldn’t make out in his arms. The wind was strong and the trees groaned like an ancient monster. Very soon he ran over blood, replacing the once, fresh grass under his feet. He finally stopped and came face to face with the master emerald and the ground was covered in pink flowers, but what did it all mean? Then he heard a stern voice, demanding and loud.
“Sonic! Sonic, wake up you lazy hedgehog!”
He was being shaken awake by the echidna who looked very apprehensive. “Red?” Sonic half yawned, now coming to terms with his present situation.
“We’ve got to hurry,” Knuckles’ voice was persistent and almost excited, “get up at once!”
Sonic checked his watch on his wrist. “But it’s four in the morning.”
“And? This is no time to be sleeping! I’ve got a distress call from the Marble Zone. They need our help!”
Sonic sat up, stretched and yawned again. He rubbed his eyes and set them on his crimson partner. Now alert he cried, “Knuckles! You’re in my room! Get out! Now!”
“Why?” Knux cocked his head in confusion.
“I’m naked! And I’m in bed! OUT!”
Knuckles couldn’t help but smirk as he left the room.


TBC