Virtual campAIgn

by therandomone95

Summary:

The battle is over and Eggman won under everyone's noses, but the war is not over yet. After the nefarious Doctor Eggman took over the world using a new model of badniks capable of creating powerful AI-made illusions, Sonic and Amy struggle to fight back in a world consumed by paranoia and mistrust while trying to find their friends on the way.

Chapter 1: 152 days later!

Yeah, this is "another" Sonic story. What can I say? I'm on a roll.

And of course, it just HAD to be when I don't have as much time to write anymore. Guess that's just how life goes sometimes.

Well, this is just the introductory chapter either way. Short but sweet, a sign of things to come.

Hope you like this first chapter!

---

It had been about five months after "The Fall", and for the first time in what felt like forever, Sonic crested the hill overlooking what used to be Green Hill Zone, though calling it "Green Hill" now felt like a cruel joke.

The vibrant checkerboard ground, lush palms, and beautiful waterfalls were long gone, replaced by metallic scaffolding and lifeless, ash-gray earth. Eggman's signature industrial sprawl had choked the life out of the once-beautiful landscape, leaving it an eerie, smog-laden shadow of its former self. The sky, once bright blue and dotted with fluffy white clouds, was now a sickly orange hue, marred by the smog pouring from massive chimneys in the distance.

Sonic stood at the edge of the hill, his arms crossed as his eyes scanned the horizon. His usual cocky grin was nowhere to be found. Instead, his face bore a hardened expression, a mixture of determination and weariness. For a moment, he allowed himself to soak in the reality of what Green Hill had become.

Sonic lets out a sigh. "Oh, Green Hill... What has he done to you?"

The weight of it all pressed down on him. He had been to countless zones and fought Eggman more times than he could count, but Green Hill had always been a constant in his life, a place he could count on to feel like home, to remind him why he kept running. Now, it was just another conquered territory, its identity erased by the march of Eggman's machines.

Sonic shook his head, forcing himself to focus. "I can't think like this now. Someone could need help out there."

With that, he bolted down the hill, the familiar sensation of wind rushing past his ears grounding him, if only for a moment.

The ground beneath him felt strange as he ran. It was no longer soft and springy with grass but cold and metallic. His sneakers squeaked faintly against the smooth surfaces of Eggman's reinforced flooring, a sound that grated on his nerves. Every so often, Sonic would pass remnants of the old Green Hill, broken chunks of checkerboard-patterned terrain scattered like gravestones, or a lone palm tree, its trunk scorched and leaves shriveled.

He slowed as he reached the valley floor, his sharp eyes darting in every direction. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the faint hum of machinery in the distance. No birds, no rustling leaves, no distant chirping of birds, just the faint static of Eggman's omnipresent drones and the occasional clank of unseen mechanical operations.

It felt wrong. Too quiet.

Sonic came to a stop atop a small rise, surveying the area. His instincts told him to keep moving, to stay ahead of whatever traps Eggman might have laid, but he couldn't help hesitating. What if someone was here? What if they were hiding, scared to come out?

Sonic cupped his hands around his mouth and called out. "Hey! Anybody out there? It's me, Sonic! Not a trick, promise!"

His voice echoed back to him, hollow and unanswered.

The silence hung heavy in the air.

Sonic rubbed the back of his neck, muttering to himself. "Figures. Dunno what I was expecting anyways. Either no one's left, or Egghead's got 'em too scared to poke their heads out."

As he started moving again, a pang of doubt crept into his chest. What if there really wasn't anyone left? He'd been holding onto the hope that he'd a familiar face somewhere out here, but as time passed, that hope felt harder to cling to.

'Come on, you can't think like that yet.' He told himself. 'You've been through worse. Just gotta keep your head up and keep running.'

Still, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Eggman's tricks could be everywhere. Sonic had learned to question everything, every shape, every sound, every shadow. Even now, he couldn't be sure the ground beneath his feet wasn't some elaborate trick designed to mess with him. His gut instincts, once his greatest asset, now felt unreliable.

He hated that feeling.

Sonic paused by a ruined palm tree, leaning against it and catching his breath. His fingers brushed the rough bark, and he almost smiled. It was one of the few things here that still felt real. He stared off into the horizon, watching as the landscape grew more twisted and mechanical the farther it stretched. Somewhere out there, Eggman was watching, probably laughing to himself.

Sonic clenched his fists. "Keep laughing, Egghead. I'll find you, and when I do, you're gonna wish you stuck to the same old regular badniks and theme parks."

He pushed off the tree and started moving again, slower this time, his eyes scanning for any sign of movement. A broken bridge came into view, its planks charred and scattered like matchsticks. Sonic hopped over it with ease, his mind wandering once more.

What if Team Dark was still out there, just laying low while the situation becomes less intense? Should he try getting Knuckles's help despite how awfully that went last time? And Amy... was she even alive?

Sonic shooed away every thought that could remind him about Tails.

He hated how much doubt crept into his thoughts now. It wasn't like him to dwell on the negative, but this world didn't give him much choice. Eggman had rigged the game so thoroughly that even hope felt like a luxury.

Still, Sonic knew he couldn't let himself fall into that trap. If he gave up, Eggman would win. And if there was one thing Sonic couldn't stand, it was letting the evil genius win.

"Alright..." He said aloud, his voice breaking the oppressive silence. "No more sulking. Someone's out here. I know it. I just gotta find 'em and see if they need help."

With that, he picked up speed, darting through the ruins of Green Hill with renewed determination. As he ran deeper into Green Hill, the rhythmic hum of machinery grew louder.

Eggman's lackeys were close.

Sonic slowed his pace and crouched behind a chunk of broken terrain, his sharp eyes scanning the area. It didn't take long to spot them, a group of badniks patrolling in a loose formation. There were five in total: a couple of Motobugs rolling lazily along the metallic floor, a Buzz Bomber hovering above, and two Egg Pawns lumbering in the rear with their clunky arms swaying.

Sonic narrowed his eyes. His first instinct was to rush in, a blue blur of speed and destruction. He'd done it a thousand times before, smash a few badniks, free whatever little critters were trapped inside, and keep moving. It was second nature to him, like breathing.

But as he prepared to dash forward, something made him stop. His legs tensed, but they didn't move. His hands clenched into fists, but he didn't strike. Instead, he hesitated, a rare occurrence for the hedgehog who prided himself on his decisive, go-for-it attitude.

'What if this bunch weren't badniks either?'

The thought hit him like a gut punch.

He couldn't trust his instincts. Not in this new world. Not under these conditions. Not after what he'd done.

Memories flashed in his mind, unbidden and cruel. The faces of people, terrified, innocent people, warped by Eggman's tricks to look like badniks. He could still hear their screams, feel the sickening weight of realization after it was too late. He'd struck first, acted on impulse, and they'd paid the price.

The worst part? That was just one mistake in a long list of failures over the past five months.

It haunted him.

Every step, every decision, every move, he doubted it all now. Eggman's new tricks were unpredictable, he could create create entire landscapes, fake voices, simulate emotions...

Sonic's breathing quickened, and his fists loosened as doubt crept in. 'What if these aren't even there? Or worse, what if they're just people? I can't mess up yet again.'

He gritted his teeth and forced himself to analyze the situation. The badniks moved like machines, their movements stiff and predictable. But was that really proof? Eggman's illusions were convincing enough to fool even the most careful eye. He had to be sure.

"You're overthinking it again..." Sonic whispered to himself, though the words sounded hollow. He took a tentative step forward, his gaze locked on the group. "Come on, they're just badniks. They're always badniks... Right?"

But he didn't believe it. Not entirely. Not anymore.

The badniks seemed unaware of his presence, continuing their patrol in a methodical loop. The Motobugs circled a pile of debris, their treads grinding against the metal floor. The Buzz Bomber hovered near a cracked palm tree, and the Egg Pawns shuffled forward, their movements slow and deliberate. Sonic watched them for a moment longer, his mind a whirlwind of uncertainty.

Finally, Sonic decided to test them. He stepped out from behind the debris, standing tall in the open. "Alright, tin cans. If you're badniks, prove it. Come and get me."

The badniks froze in unison, their sensors locking onto him. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, as if triggered by some unseen command, they all turned toward him. The Buzz Bomber let out a high-pitched whine, its stinger charging with energy. The Egg Pawns raised their clunky arms, their red eyes glowing menacingly. The Motobugs revved their engines, their spiked wheels spinning faster.

Sonic's heart sank, though a small part of him felt relief. Machines don't hesitate. Machines don't hold back. These weren't people, they were just badniks.

"Alright, guess that answers that." He said, his tone lighter than he felt. He cracked his knuckles, forcing a smirk. "You guys just made a big mistake."

The badniks charged, but they never stood a chance. Sonic was on them in an instant, a blur of blue and red as he tore through their ranks. The Motobugs were the first to go, their metal bodies crumpling under the force of his spin attack. The Buzz Bomber fired a volley of shots, but Sonic dodged with ease, leaping into the air and smashing it with a well-timed homing attack. The Egg Pawns tried to put up a fight, swinging their oversized arms in wide arcs, but Sonic danced around them effortlessly, dismantling them piece by piece until their remains were scattered across the ground.

However, there was no satisfaction in the victory. Just emptiness.

Sonic stared at the scattered remains, his reflection distorted in the shards of metal. His fists unclenched, and he rubbed a hand across his face, his shoulders sagging. 'I'm getting worse. Now I hesitate every time... Every SINGLE time I see one of these things...'

Sonic stepped back from the wreckage, running a hand through his quills.

He hated every single aspect about this. He hated not being able to know. He hated not being able to trust. He hated not being able to be sure.

Sonic kicked a piece of scrap metal, sending it clattering into a pile of debris. 'Eggman's really outdone himself this time. Took the one thing I've always had and made me question it.'

He paced back and forth, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. 'Gotta hand it to him... I never would have thought he'd be able to make me second-guess myself this way. He royally messed me up for once.'

With one last glance at the ruined landscape, Sonic turned and ran, the familiar sound of his sneakers against the ground grounding him, if only for a moment. The world may have been against him, but he wasn't about to let it win. Not yet.

Sonic supresses a sigh as he runs across the ruins of Green Hill. 'Man... Where could I even go in case I don't find anyone here? Town Square might be the next best option, but it could also be the deadliest. Still, it's my best shot at finding someone who could-'

However, a hammer slammed into the ground in front of him, missing his head by a few inches and sending dirt flying everywhere.

Sonic skidded to a halt, his fists clenched in anticipation. "What the-?!"

Before he could finish, a familiar voice cut through the silencem sharp and accusing. "Stay there, faker!"

His eyes darted to the figure coming out from the bushes beside him. Pink fur, red dress, and that unmistakable fire in her eyes.

Amy Rose.

For a split second, relief surged through him, until he saw the wild look in her eyes.

"You've got some nerve showing up looking like him!" Amy hissed, summoning another hammer from her back. "I'm not falling for it again, you bucket of bolts!"

Sonic's expression hardened, his body tensing. "Amy? Is that really you? Or are you just another one of Eggman's cheap tricks?"

Amy's grip on her hammer tightened. "Shut up! I've heard that one before so don't even try to use it! You're just another rusty buckethead with a woodland creature inside who needs to be freed!"

"Funny how that works, isn't it?" Sonic shot back, his legs tensing in anticipation for an attack. "I was about to say the same thing about you. How DARE you use her face, huh, Eggface?"

Amy froze for a moment, her eyes widening before they narrowed again. "Don't you DARE turn this on me! You're the one who suddenly showed up here looking like him! I'm not falling for it again!"

"Yeah? Well, I'm not falling for your act either!" Sonic barked, dropping into a defensive stance. "If you think you can catch me, you've got another thing coming!"

Amy screamed in frustration and charged at him, swinging her hammer with deadly force. "Stop talking in HIS VOICE!"

Sonic dodged to the side, the wind from her attack whipping past his face. "Alright, fine! You wanna do this the hard way? Let's do this, faker!"

Sonic lunged forward, aiming a spin dash at her, but she sidestepped and swung her hammer, barely missing him. "Shut up! You're not Sonic! You're just another one of Eggman's lies!"

"And you're just another fake trying to get inside my head! As if I hadn't had enough of that already!" Sonic yelled back, darting behind her and grabbing a nearby rock to hurl in her direction. Amy smashed it out of the air with her hammer, her eyes blazing with fury.

They clashed again and again, their attacks comign faster and harder. Sonic's speed kept him ahead of her swings, while Amy's strikes were relentless. The forest around them bore the scars of their fight, trees shattered, the remaining grass torn apart and the air whipping violently. But as they fought, their words cut deeper than their blows.

"You think I don't know what you are?!" Amy spat, her voice shaking with anger as she clutched her chest painfully. "I've been chasing ghosts, illusions that looked just like you, sounded just like you, and it was a lie every single time!"

"And you think I haven't?!" Sonic shot back, his voice bitter and frustrated. "I've seen Amy's face a dozen times, and it wasn't her every single time! So forgive me if I'm not rolling out the red carpet!"

Amy swung her hammer again, but she was starting to feel tired, and this time her strength faltered. Sonic sidestepped her attack, his breathing heavy.

Amy whispers, her grip on her hammer trembling. "You... You're not real... You can't be real. Because if you are... then where have you been all this time?!"

The words hit Sonic like a punch to his chest. He stopped moving, staring at her with a surprised expression. "I... You..."

Amy looked like she was going to attack him again, but then, she stopped her attack mid-swing, her hammer shaking in her hands.

Amy drops to her knees, her hammer falling beside her and her voice breaking as she gives in. "I... I can't... I can't do this again... I don't care anymore... I've been alone for months, fighting, running, searching... and every single time I think I've found a friend, it's just another murderous machine that tries to kill me..."

Sonic feels the doubt, paranoia and fight in him drain in an instant. Sonic takes a hesitant step towards her, feeling a knot form in his throat. "Amy...?"

Amy looks down in a quiet acceptance. "I'm really tired... I don't care if I die anymore... Sonic might not even be alive by this point... at least if I die now, I'll see him again in some better place..."

That comment made Sonic's blood run cold.

When Sonic realized she didn't protest when he stepped towards her, he knelt in front of her, placing a hand gently on her shoulder. "Amy... It's me... I'm real."

Amy puts his hand away, feeling like she could start crying at any moment. "Stop it. You don't have to keep pretending. Just end it already. I want to see my Sonic again..."

Sonic feels his heart breaking at the sight of Amy looking so sunk in despair. Sonic stares at her in the eye with a firm, yet reassuring expression. "Amy, I'm really me. I'm sorry for attacking you just now... I was just..."

Amy looks at him, a few tears starting to form in her eyes. "How do I know you're not lying? How do I know this isn't just another trick to hurt me?"

Sonic places a hand over hers. "I... I still remember what we said when we last saw each other... We were hanging out, when Tails came to me, telling me that Town Square needed me. Before I left, you told me to stay safe, and I told you that... that there's no-"

"No fun in that...?" Amy finished, her eyes widening slightly as the memory surged in her mind. Amy stares at him, starting to feel like she could really trust him.

Sonic smiles softly, starting to feel a huge sense of relief and affection at the realization that the girl in front of him is not some trick or illusion. "Amy... I'm really me. I'm here again, and I swear I'm not going anywhere ever again."

Amy hesitated, her body tense as if expecting him to disappear. Then, slowly, she moved forward, wrapping her arms around him and burying her face in his chest. "You're... You're real..."

Sonic froze for a moment, the sudden contact catching him off guard, but then he relaxed, his arms wrapping around her in return. "So are you..."

Amy openly sobs, wiping her tears by rubbing her head on Sonic's chest, afraid to let go. "It's... It's really you... I thought I'd lost you... Please don't scare me like that ever again, you idiot..."

Sonic sniffles, feeling incredibly happy for the first time in months. "I promise I won't."

They clung to each other tightly, both trembling, both tearing up, and both happily snuggling into each other.

For the first time in months, neither of them felt alone.

Chapter 2: A needed conversation!

Here's another chapter because the first one was kinda short in every way.

Hope you like this one!

---

The night was still, save for the quiet crackle of the campfire in front of them. Wisps of smoke curled into the air, vanishing into the darkness above. Sonic and Amy sat side by side, their bodies close but their minds still distant, each weighed down by the months of isolation and paranoia.

Sonic stared into the fire, watching as the flames licked at the dry wood, devouring it bit by bit. The warmth was comforting, but it wasn't enough to chase away the cold pit in his stomach.

He turned his head slightly, glancing at Amy. She was hugging her knees, her gaze locked onto the fire, expression blank. She hadn't spoken much since their fight, and that silence worried him.

"So..." Sonic began, shifting a little closer.

"So...?" Amy responded, not quite looking at him just yet.

Sonic's voice was casual, but the concern behind it was evident. "You doing alright?"

Amy blinked at his question, then turned to face him with a small, tired smile. "Yeah. I'm fine."

Sonic frowned. It wasn't just the words, it was the way she said them. It didn't sit right with him. He'd known Amy for years, and he could tell when she was hiding something.

He nudged her lightly with his elbow. "Come on, Ames. You're not fooling me. Please talk to me."

Amy's smile wavered. She let out a shaky breath and looked away, as if she was debating whether or not to speak.

When she finally did, her voice was quiet, but heavy. "I... I really meant what I said back there. I'm tired, Sonic."

Sonic nods, looking down for a moment. "I know... Running around all day with no destiny is quite hard, and-"

Amy pulled her knees in closer, resting her chin on them. "No... That's not what I meant. I've been alone for five months. Five months of fighting, running, and searching. And every time I thought I found you..."

She trailed off, her grip tightening around her legs.

Sonic stayed silent, waiting for her to continue.

Amy inhaled deeply before letting out a trembling sigh. "I've found so many Sonics. Dozens. All of them looking just like you. Acting just like you. Talking just like you. At first, I wanted to believe. I needed to believe. But something always felt wrong. Sometimes it was something small, like the way they smiled, or the way they moved. Other times, they'd say something that didn't quite fit."

Her voice dropped to a whisper, barely audible over the crackling fire. "And when I called them out... their faces..." She shuddered violently, wrapping her arms around herself as if she was trying to hold herself together. "Their faces would just break."

Sonic's breath hitched.

Amy's eyes darkened, her expression haunted. "Their mouths would split open in ways that weren't possible. Their eyes would twist and stretch, their bodies warped into something... something that shouldn't exist. And then they'd come after me, screaming in voices that almost sounded like yours. Every single time, I had to fight them to survive. Every single time, I had to remind myself that they weren't real. But they looked so real, Sonic. They sounded so real. They felt so real..."

She finally turned to face him, and for the first time since they reunited, Sonic saw it clearly, the exhaustion, the pain, the quiet fear that still lingered in her eyes.

"Those... abominations won't leave my brain. Every time I close my eyes, I see them. Their hideous faces are burned into my eyes, their voices are still in my head." She exhaled shakily, forcing a weak chuckle. "Guess I'm kinda messed up now, huh?"

Sonic's chest tightened.

Without thinking, he reached out and placed a hand over hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"Amy..." He wanted to say something, anything, that would make this easier for her. But what could he say? That it would go away? That she'd be fine? He didn't know if that was true.

So instead, he did the only thing he could do.

"I'm sorry..." He said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry you had to go through all that alone."

Amy blinked, surprised by the sincerity in his tone.

Sonic gave her hand another squeeze. "You're not messed up, Ames. You've just been through hell. And I wish I could've been there sooner to stop it."

Amy stared at him for a moment before looking away, her expression unreadable. "It's not your fault. You went through just as much, didn't you?"

Sonic hesitated. Yeah. He had. He still remembered the dozens of fakers trying to impersonate Amy that had tried to earn his trust. He still remembered their bodies and faces twist into unimaginable nightmares each time he'd call out their bluff... And he still remembered the fear he'd felt each time he had to fight a deformed familiar face.

He shifted a little closer, keeping his hand over hers. "You're not alone anymore. We're in this together now."

Amy let out a soft breath, her shoulders loosening just a little. She didn't say anything, but after a few moments, she turned her hand palm-up and gave his a small squeeze in return.

The couple spent a couple of moments in silence, before Amy decided to ask something that had been on her mind. "Sonic..."

"Yeah?"

"Have you found anyone else?" Amy asked, her voice quieter than usual.

Sonic could hear the hope buried in her tone. He exhaled, stretching his legs out in front of him. "Depends on what you mean by 'found.'"

Amy tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

Sonic hesitated for a moment before answering. "I tried to see Knuckles some time ago. Figured if anyone could keep their head straight in a world like this, it'd be him."

Amy raises an eyebrow. "So?"

He let out a short, humorless chuckle. "Turns out, I was dead wrong."

Amy frowned. "What happened?"

Sonic rubbed the back of his head, his expression darkening. "The Master Emerald's gone."

Amy's eyes widened. "What?"

"Yup." Sonic muttered, staring at the fire. "When I got to Angel Island, I thought maybe I'd have a safe place to regroup, y'know? But Knuckles... he wasn't having it."

Amy sighs, remembering the hotheaded echidna's temper. "Oh, Knuckles..."

Sonic clenched his jaw, remembering the encounter all too well. "He wouldn't even let me on the island. Said the Master Emerald was still there, that it hadn't gone anywhere. I offered to help him find it, but he shut me out. He thought I was messing with him. Either that or Egghead's tricks got to his head before I got to the island."

Amy's expression darkened. "So he's paranoid?"

Sonic nodded. "Big time. He told me to get lost. Said he wasn't letting anyone near the shrine. And when I tried to talk some sense into him, he got... aggressive. I've fought Knuckles before, but this was different. It wasn't just about keeping me off the island, it was like he genuinely believed I was a badnik in disguise."

Amy hugged her knees, processing the news. "So... you had to leave him there?"

Sonic sighed. "Didn't have a choice. He wasn't listening, and I didn't want to waste time fighting someone who wasn't the real enemy. Besides... I don't think I could've convinced him even if I tried. You know how stubborn he is."

A heavy silence fell between them. Amy didn't press him further, and for that, Sonic was grateful.

After a moment, she shifted slightly. "What about Shadow, Rouge or Omega?"

Sonic shook his head. "Haven't heard a thing. No sightings, no rumors, nothing. And trust me, I've looked. If anyone could survive this mess, it'd be them. But for all I know, they could be anywhere, lost out there just like the rest of us."

Amy frowned. "They wouldn't go down that easily."

Sonic smirked, but there was no real humor in it. "No, they wouldn't."

The fire crackled between them, casting shadows over their tired faces. Sonic could feel Amy's eyes on him, as if she were debating something.

Then, hesitantly, she asked. "...What about Tails?"

Sonic flinched.

It was small, barely noticeable, just the slightest tensing of his shoulders, but Amy saw it.

He didn't answer right away. Instead, he stared into the flames, his expression unreadable.

Amy waited, hoping he would say something. But the longer the silence stretched, the more she realized that he couldn't.

"Sonic?" She asked softly.

He closed his eyes. "Please don't." His voice was low, strained, carrying a weight that made Amy's chest tighten. "Please, Amy. Not right now."

Amy's stomach twisted. Tails had always been Sonic's closest friend, the little brother he never had. If Sonic couldn't even talk about him... then something was seriously wrong.

She swallowed the lump in her throat, nodding. "...Okay."

She didn't ask any more questions. Instead, she shifted closer, pressing her shoulder against his in quiet solidarity. Sonic didn't move at first, but after a moment, he leaned into her touch just slightly.

Amy sighs. "Sonic... How did things go so wrong? I mean, Eggman's plans have always been kinda scary with all the world domination goals and the big mean robots staring us down, but it has never been anything we couldn't handle... And yet, how did we let this happen?"

Sonic sighed, resting his arms on his knees. He had asked himself the same question more times than he could count. Even after five months, the answer still made his stomach churn. "We didn't let it happen. Egghead was just ahead of us when it all went down."

Amy looks down. "But... It was so sudden... I remember I was picking flowers around Green Hill when suddenly everything around me transformed into a labyrinth of ghosts and misdirection. It was like the whole world changed in a single day..."

"... It wasn't just one thing." Sonic admitted. "Eggman didn't take over the world in a day. He must have spent years setting this up right under our noses."

Amy turned to him, her eyes searching his face. "What do you mean?"

Sonic hesitated, but there was no point in hiding what really happened. Not from her.

"Eggman found something." He said slowly. "A gemstone. Not Chaos Emerald-level, but something... different. Something rare. Something dangerous."

Amy's brow furrowed. "A gemstone?"

Sonic nodded. "He calls it 'The Phantom Ruby'. It messes with the mind. Feeds people false information, tricks their brains into seeing things that aren't there, into believing anything the gemstone wants them to believe. It doesn't just create cheap illusions, Amy. It's like it almost rewrites reality for anyone caught in its influence."

Amy's breath hitched. "So... it's not just cheap visual effects?"

"No." Sonic said, shaking his head. "It screws with your visual and depth perception, your sense of direction, your instincts. You could be standing in front of a cliff and think you're still on solid ground. You could see an entire city that doesn't exist."

His expression darkened. "Or worse... you could be fighting someone you swear is a badnik, only to find out too late that you've been swinging at an innocent person the whole time."

Amy's hands balled into fists, but she said nothing.

Sonic continued. "Eggman took the Phantom Ruby and reverse-engineered it. He couldn't replicate its full power, but he didn't need to. He just needed it to be good enough. So, he created lots and lots of artificial copies, not as strong, not as versatile, but still powerful enough to screw with people's minds completely. Then he put them in his machines."

Amy swallowed hard. "His machines? Hm... That explains the small rocks inside some of the fakers I've destroyed..."

"Yeah." Sonic muttered. "But it gets worse. He built an entire fleet of small, almost undetectable badniks and shoved those gemstones into them. And once they were ready, he sent them everywhere, cities, forests, battlefields. Some of them just hovered around unnoticed. Some latched onto buildings or trees like parasites. Others followed people without them even realizing."

His voice dropped lower. "Then, all at once, he activated every single one of them."

Amy's breath came out shakily. "So... is that...?"

Sonic nodded grimly. "Yeah, that was 'The Fall'. That's how he won."

She stared at him, waiting for him to continue, but Sonic had already drifted back into his own thoughts.

He remembered the day it all happened, the moment the world fell apart.

One second, everything had been fine. He had been mid-fight, taking down a squad of Eggman's usual scrap metal goons. Then, in the blink of an eye, everything changed.

The sky shifted colors, between blue and red. The ground beneath his feet distorted, stretching and bending like a funhouse mirror. His enemies morphed, one second they were badniks, the next, they were people he knew. His heart had nearly stopped when he saw Amy's face, staring at him in horror.

He hesitated. Just for a second.

And that second had cost him dearly.

Because Eggman's army didn't hesitate.

By the time Sonic had figured out what was happening, by the time he realized he couldn't trust his own eyes, Eggman had already seized control. His forces had overwhelmed entire cities, wiping out anyone who resisted. Heroes were divided, led into ambushes, misled by fake calls for help. People turned against each other, unable to tell friend from foe.

Everything collapsed.

And when the dust settled, Eggman stood at the top, laughing.

Sonic clenched his jaw. Even now, five months later, the memory made his stomach churn. He had spent his entire life beating Eggman's plans into the ground. But this time?

This time, the doctor had been ten steps ahead.

Amy finally broke the silence. "I don't understand... How do you know all this? Why hasn't anyone found a way to stop it? Or a way to tell illusion from reality?"

Sonic let out a bitter chuckle. "He told us himself, because Eggman just couldn't resist gloating about his master plan after the world fell apart. There was no point in hiding his plan once it had been completed anyways. The illusions aren't just random tricks made by any old badnik, Amy. They adapt. Every time you think you've figured them out, they change. Eggman has a very advanced AI in charge of his forces, learning from everything we do. The second anyone tries to find a weakness or a way to tell illusion and reality apart, they erase it and improve on its flaws. It's not like fighting any of his other robots. We're not just up against regular machines. We're up against something that thinks and improves as the days pass."

Amy shivered, wrapping her arms around herself. "So that's why we're so alone."

Sonic nodded. "Everyone's isolated. No one trusts anyone. The moment you let your guard down, you're done. It's the perfect nightmare, huh?"

Amy nods. "Geez... How did technology get to this point? Would things have been different if AI hadn't improved this much?"

Sonic shrugs. "Who knows? But wanna know the worst part?"

Amy looked at him. "What?"

Sonic's expression turned grim. "Eggman didn't even mean to do this to me."

Amy blinked. "What?"

"This whole mess? It wasn't personal." Sonic let out a hollow laugh. "He wasn't trying to break me specifically. He just wanted to win. I was just another casualty along the way."

Amy stared at him, shocked. Sonic, the unshakable, unstoppable Sonic, was admitting that Eggman had outplayed him completely. "Sonic... You're not a casualty. You're still here..."

He leaned forward, resting his chin on his hands. "Sure doesn't feel like it. He got me good, Ames. He broke something in me I didn't even know could break. And... I don't even know if I'll ever get it back."

Amy felt her chest tighten. She had never heard Sonic sound so... defeated.

She hesitated for a moment before placing a hand over his. He didn't pull away.

"Then... we'll take it back." She said firmly. "Together."

Sonic glanced at her for a moment, something unreadable in his eyes. Then, he chuckled before turning to the fire in front of them again. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Amy."

The fire flickered between them, casting long shadows across the ruined landscape. The warmth barely reached through the chill of the night, but Amy didn't mind. Not when she had finally found him. The real him. Even if he wasn't in the best state of mind right now, he was still there.

Sonic wasn't looking at her, his gaze fixed on the flames, his arms resting over his knees. The weight of the past five months hung over him like a storm cloud that refused to pass. His usual energy, his cocky smirk, the unshakable confidence that made him Sonic the Hedgehog, all of it was subdued, like the embers of a once-blazing fire.

But he was still here. That was what mattered, right? She just hoped she could make him see that.

Amy studied him for a moment before speaking. "You know... despite all that's happened, you're still you, and that makes me happy."

Sonic let out a breathy chuckle, but there was no humor in it. "You sure about that?"

Amy nodded without hesitation. "Yeah. No matter what's happened, you're still Sonic. That's what counts, right?"

Sonic shook his head, finally tearing his gaze away from the fire to look at her. "Amy... I appreciate the sentiment, but... I don't think I am."

Amy frowned. "What do you mean?"

Sonic inhaled deeply, as if steadying himself. "You know how I fight, Amy. How I live. I've always trusted my instincts. I never needed to stop and think, I just knew what was real, what was right, and what I had to do. I could feel it in my gut. It's what kept me ahead of Eggman. It's what let me dodge a hundred missiles without breaking a sweat."

Amy nods. "I know, and it's one of the things that make you so amazing."

Sonic clenched his fists. "But ever since Eggman pulled this trick on us, I can't do that anymore."

Amy went silent, letting him speak.

"I can't trust my own senses. I can't tell if I'm running toward an actual person or another one of Eggman's pawns in disguise. I can't be sure if the path ahead of me is even real or just some AI-generated trick leading to a cliff the second I let my guard down." His voice lowered. "And because of that, I've made so many mistakes, Amy. I've hurt people who didn't deserve it. I've let people die because I hesitated at the wrong time. And worst of all? I've run myself ragged chasing apparitions because I thought I finally found someone real, only for it to be another one of Eggman's damn fabrications."

Amy's chest tightened, but she let him continue.

"Every time I think I have it figured out, Eggman switches things up. I've spent five months second-guessing every move I make, every thought I have. And you know me, Ames, I can't fight like that." His voice wavered, the frustration and exhaustion finally cracking through. "I used to be so sure of myself. So sure of everything. But now? I don't even know who I am anymore."

Amy's heart ached at the vulnerability in his voice.

Sonic, the hero who always laughed in the face of danger, the one who could outrun anything, the one who never let Eggman break him, was tired.

And for the first time, he was scared.

Amy swallowed hard. Then, without another word, she leaned in and wrapped her arms around him.

Sonic stiffened slightly at first, as if caught off guard. But after a moment, she felt him relax into her embrace, his body losing just a fraction of its tension.

Amy closed her eyes. "You might not feel like yourself, Sonic... but I know you. And I still believe in you."

Sonic looks at her with a solemn expression. "You... You do?"

Amy squeezed him tighter. "I do. No matter what's happened. No matter how many mistakes you've made. You're still my Sonic. You're still my hero."

Sonic let out a shaky breath. "Even after... all this?"

Amy nodded against his shoulder. "Even after all this. And no matter what happens, you'll always have me by your side."

Sonic exhaled, his hands slowly coming up to return the hug. He held onto her, as if anchoring himself in place, as if making sure she wouldn't disappear like all the illusions he'd encountered before her.

For the first time in five months, he didn't feel alone.

"I missed you, Ames... So much..." He murmured.

Amy smiled softly. "I missed you too."

They stayed like that for a long while, just holding each other, soaking in the warmth of the fire and the comfort of knowing that, despite everything, they weren't alone anymore.

Sonic pulled back slightly, just enough to meet her eyes. "Y'know... I don't feel like I say this enough, but... " He offered a small, tired smile. "I really appreciate you and everything you do, Amy. You've got this... way of lifting everyone's spirits, of easing the pain, of getting through to everyone, of making people do the right thing, of making sure everyone feels loved..."

Amy's breath hitched. "Sonic..."

Sonic's smile widens slightly. "I'm so glad I found you again. I'd be lost without you."

Amy goes quiet for a moment. She had always chased after Sonic, always looked up to him, always believed in him. But hearing him say something like that?

She hugged him even tighter, her heart swelling.

"You don't have to be lost anymore." She whispered.

Sonic let out a quiet chuckle, resting his forehead against hers. "I won't be... as long as I've got you."

The couple snuggle into each other some more before finally falling asleep, relieved because they finally had something real to hold onto.

---

The morning air was crisp, the sky a dull shade of gray as the first light of dawn crept over the horizon. The fire from the previous night had burned down to smoldering embers, faint wisps of smoke curling into the air.

Sonic stirred, his body still exhausted from months of running, fighting and doubting. But for the first time in what felt like forever, he had actually managed to sleep peacefully, and he was grateful for it.

That is, until he realized something was wrong.

Amy was gone.

Sonic's eyes snapped open completely, his breath hitching. His head turned in every direction, scanning the ruins around him.

His gut twisted. 'Did she leave? No, no, she wouldn't have left without telling me. Did something happen to her?'

His ears twitched at a faint noise that sounded like... pained breathing?

He turned sharply toward the sound, and his blood ran cold.

Amy was there, just a short distance away. But she wasn't standing.

She was on her knees, her arms restrained behind her back in an iron grip. Her head was lowered, her face twisted in pain.

And holding her captive, standing tall with his claws pressed against her throat, was Metal Sonic.

Sonic's entire body tensed, his heartbeat thundering in his ears.

No.

Metal's crimson eyes glowed menacingly as he tightened his grip, making Amy wince. Metal tilted his head, as if mocking Sonic for his failure.

Sonic's breathing quickened. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to act, to move, to save her.

But something felt off.

Metal's movements were too exaggerated, his features a little off, like something straight out of a nightmare. And Amy...

Something was wrong with her eyes, arms and hands.

A chill ran down Sonic's spine. 'This is a trick.'

"Nice try." He muttered. "But I'm not falling for it."

Metal's claws suddenly tightened and dug into Amy's arm and throat, making her gasp in pain.

Sonic's entire body jolted.

That looked real.

That sounded real.

His hesitation wavered.

Amy let out a strangled cry as Metal twisted her arm, some tears of pain leaving her eyes as she writhed on his grip, uselessly trying to get on her feet.

Sonic tried to look away, to convince himself that this wasn't real.

However, his blood ran cold once he saw Metal digging his claws into Amy's throat and arm, creating fresh cuts on her skin and eliciting a scream from her.

Something inside Sonic snapped. 'You... YOU...'

In a blur of motion, he launched forward, his anger overriding his doubts. "GET AWAY FROM HER OR I'LL TEAR YOU LIMB FROM LIMB!"

But just as he was about to strike, a pink blur shot past him.

There was a loud crash, followed by the sound of metal being torn apart.

And then, the world around him shattered.

Like broken glass, the scene dissolved. Metal Sonic, the wounded Amy, the ruined landscape, it all fractured and faded into nothingness, replaced by the real, desolate ruins of Green Hill.

And standing there, gripping a smoking, sparking machine in her hands, was the real Amy Rose.

She threw the destroyed badnik to the ground, its core still crackling with residual energy as she planted her heel on top of its head.

"Took you long enough to snap out of it." She muttered, dusting off her gloves before crushing the badnik's head under her boot.

Sonic blinked, his heart still racing. He turned to where the fake Amy had been and saw nothing. Just empty space, where an illusion had played out a scene designed to break him.

Amy crossed her arms, looking at him knowingly. "Egghead's troops almost got you with that trick too, huh? Glad I'm not the only one who's experienced stuff like that."

Sonic exhaled sharply, running a hand down his face. "I hate him."

Amy scoffed, kicking the remains of the illusion-casting badnik aside. "Yeah, tell me about it."

Sonic looks at her. "So...?"

Amy then turned to face him fully, her expression serious. "Look... I know things have been hell. Believe me, I know. I've spent five months getting tricked, chased, hunted by things that aren't real. But you know what?"

Sonic stayed silent, listening.

Amy clenched her fists. "I refuse to let him win. These past five months have been the worst of my life, but they also made me stronger. I had to fight alone. I had to get better, had to learn how to tell what's real and what isn't. And now that I've finally found you? I am not letting anything separate us again."

Sonic stared at her, taking in her words. "Amy... I am... You..."

Amy's expression softens. She cups his face in her hands, her gaze never leaving his. "I've learned a lot, Sonic. How to fight for myself. How to stand beside you. I've learned to protect myself, and I'll protect you too, just like you've always protected me. I won't let anyone take you from me ever again. I'll crush anyone who tries to tear us apart, you hear me?"

Sonic smiles, placing his hands over hers.

Amy had changed.

She wasn't just the hopeful, lovesick girl who followed him everywhere. She was a fighter. A survivor.

And, despite everything, she was still Amy.

Sonic felt something warm in his chest, something that had been buried under exhaustion and paranoia for too long.

He gave her a small smile. "You really are amazing, Ames."

Amy chuckles, rolling her eyes. "Tell me something I don't know."

Sonic takes her hand off his face, softly holding them with his own. "I'm never leaving you alone ever again. How does that sound?"

Amy smiles, tightening her hold in return. "Good. I wasn't gonna let you anyways."

The two of them stood together for a moment before turning back to the path ahead.

Sonic releases his hold on her hands to look at her with a small smirk. "Ready?"

Amy returns his smirk. "I've been running after you for the longest. I'm more than ready."

Sonic's smirk widens. "Then let's see if you can still keep up!"

With that, the couple run off in the distance, not knowing what the future holds, but not really caring either. The road ahead was daunting, and the odds seemed impossible. But for the first time in what felt like forever, Sonic didn't feel completely alone and Amy felt her resolve hardening again.

And that was enough to keep them moving forward for now.