Chapter Text
The earth shook.
Scattered parts of the forest were on fire, and billowing clouds painted the sky in a veil of black and gray, casting rain that engulfed the area. The air was thick with smoke and ash, and the space was rife with frantic shouting from its residents who were cast in shadow. Some were carrying buckets of water, putting out flames that consumed the dense jungle brush, while others were rushing into practiced formations as if preparing themselves for battle.
The earth shook again.
Pieces of cracked marble tiles littered the grounds across a cloudy moat. Pillars that lined the stairs fractured and crumbled amidst the destruction. Sprawled atop the steps, near the peak, lay two blurred figures, one black and the other a pearly lavender. The latter wheezed tiredly and dragged themselves closer to their comrade, who was slouched, unmoving against the stone.
Everything was turning to ruin.
The lighter figure wetly swallowed a sob, “I won’t forget you.”
Their hands reached out, trembling as they inched closer to the still shadow.
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Amy jolted awake, her vision bleary from sleep. Her heart thumped against her chest like an incessant drum. She attempted to steady her breathing, taking one steady breath through her nose and out through her mouth; this was the fourth time she’d had this dream.
“Again?” Amy sighed in frustration and quickly turned from her side onto her back. Staring at the wooden ceiling, she threw her arms over her eyes to block the natural light. Hints of the morning sun’s rays trickled steadily into her quaint one-bed suite. The tropical air of Sacred River was thick and humid like the dewy summer mornings in Central City.
At first, she was terrified when the dream occurred, but now it felt like a puzzle- a dilemma she was struggling to piece together.
Amy felt a soft brush tickling the forearm covering her face. A second or two passed, followed shortly was a curious whisper.
“Did you say somethin’, Amy?”
Slightly annoyed, she used her other hand to swat what was probably a spotted tail out of her face. The brushing stopped but was no sooner replaced by heavy breathing, an undeniable presence merely inches from her face. Amy was definitely awake now. She cracked one eyelid open and was welcomed by a pair of bright brown eyes.
Enter Copper, a very young cheetah, crouching on the ledge of her window with a brown bag that was held tightly in his right hand. He was maybe 9, but no older than 11 years old.
“I brought you breakfast!” He handed over the paper bag to her. It smelled wonderful, delicious and sweet.
Amy yawned, tiredly pushed herself up, and took his offering, “I can see that.”
He watched as she placed it on her night table beside neatly stacked, opened envelopes with the sender label reading “From: Cream the Rabbit.” She crouches down and takes out her small duffel bag with her belongings from underneath the bed.
“You comin’ with me today?” Copper asked, watching her curiously as she rummaged through her things.
“I help you all the time,” Amy didn’t bother to look up at him.
“Then c’mon, we gotta get the day started!”
“Alright, alright,” Amy relents. She reached up, dimly grabbing the contents in the bag and offered him one of the mangoes inside. Something to occupy his time so she could at least coordinate her outfit without getting heckled further.
“You can always use the door to the Inn,” Amy says, eyeing him. She lightly scolds the boy. Her visitor has made it a habit of climbing the shabby pink walls of the inn. She rolls her eyes and smiles as he shrugs half-heartedly. Amy takes out her clothes and rushes across the bright tiled floors into the washroom to clean up and change.
Copper bit into the mango absently, swinging his legs, waiting for Amy to finish her business. They became fast friends when she arrived at the village. He bumped into her as he was making deliveries to two elderly frogs. He needed to make multiple trips to and from the market. She offered to help him out if he showed her around. They shook on it.
Amy then proceeded to carry the massive cart of groceries in one trip.
“You know it scares me when you enter through the window,” Amy smiled wryly. She came out of the bathroom ready for the day. She kept her red boots but opted for a red skort, with black tights and a red zip-up top. The pink hedgehog buckled her small white belt with a matching pouch to tie the look together.
“What took you so long?” Copper loudly slurped the last bit of meat from the mango pit. Amy grimaced; she was certain the residents across the courtyard could hear him.
“A lady must not be rushed.” She shrugged and gathered her things: tarot cards, a few rings, and the keys to her room. “Alright, Mister, where to first?”
“Clay and Dot’s.”
“Of course,” Amy approached the window and made a shooing motion with her hands. Copper giggled and scooted over to make room as she crouched down.
“Race ya!” She winked and gracefully backflipped off the ledge, bounced off the adjoining wall to the floor, and bounded through the courtyard exit.
A squeaky “That’s cheating!” in the distance echoed. Amy laughed and sped down the cobbled stone hill.
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“You’ve got to move faster than that!” Amy hollered behind her. Her movements were elegant and dynamic. Copper found it difficult to believe that someone could be so fast and yet so sturdy. It was hard to keep up with someone so quick for so long. What he found shocking……Was that she considered herself quite slow.
“Oh!” Amy skidded to a stop. “Do you have the list?”
With no time for quick maneuvers, Copper bumped into her and fell on his behind. She stood there unaffected. Winded, he groaned in pain; it was like ramming into a brick wall.
“Sorry!” Amy gave him her hand to help him up and smiled apologetically.
“How many times are you going to do that to me?” Copper winced. He miserably dug into his pocket, took out a crumpled list and gave it to her.
He muttered quietly, “I’ve already got bruises…”
Before Copper could carry on, he felt a gentle hand on the top of his head.
“I promise, I’ll stop,” Amy said tenderly. Copper couldn’t meet her warm and remorseful gaze. “We can ice it when we finish, how about that?”
Feeling self-conscious, Copper mumbled a “whatever” and carried on ahead of her down the red dirt path.
They turned toward the entrance of the marketplace. The business district of Sacred River was lush and vibrant. Vendors continued to set up their stalls with various fruits and household wares on the street’s downward slope that eventually led to thickets of tropical greenery. To the wayside, the serene Hazina, a vast river that residents used for major transportation of their goods that stretched across the Southern Region.
Amy, with the list in hand, walked toward a stall, "The Fruit Pit," and began collecting the recorded items, at least some of the fruits and vegetables that she recognized. The owner, Dean, a tall, lean jackal with an eyepatch and a pressed apron, began assisting her and gathered the items into a wooden crate.
“Who ya trekking these deliveries for today?”
“Clay,” Amy chirped, wiping the sweat from her brow. She glanced at Dean, who fashioned a pink and lime green tie-dyed apron. Dean had twin girls, and they had a penchant for decorating their father’s uniforms.
“I wanted to mention, I love the look,” Amy giggled. “Who dressed you this time?”
“May,” Dean chuckled while heaving a massive melon into the crate, “My baby angels are in a tie-dye phase, none of my clothes are safe.”
“I mean, it’s better than last week,” Amy said. The last time his apron was bedazzled in a variety of coloured rhinestones. Every time he bent over, they popped off the fabric. It was a messy event. Amy remembered how distressed he was about having to tell his girls that their designs weren’t working for him.
“Thank Chaos,” he said gruffly. “The floors looked like a unicorn shit rainbows everywhere.”
Amy laughed heartily in response as they loaded the last of the goods.
“Where’s your partner in crime?” Dean took the toothpick lying between his lips and tossed it in the trash. Amy sighed, slightly annoyed. When she peered briefly at the stall, there were boxes filled with fruits, obviously, but no Copper.
“Bet you he’s at Zim’s down the way,” Dean smirked, jutting his thumb in the direction further down the hillside.
“Stay here,” Amy said, exasperated.
“I ain’t going anywhere,” the jackal returned to sorting out vegetables to display. “A man’s gotta make a livin’.”
“…Right,” Amy was aware, the statement was a slip of the tongue.
“Happy huntin’,” Dean waved her off.
Amy walked down the sloping hill. Copper was unruly and comically aloof. His sudden absence was, at this point, not surprising, but it did make their deliveries take much longer than they needed to be. Fortunately, most of the residents seem to take their time with everything, including him. There was no rush, no hustle.
Amy found Copper at Zim’s “Potions, Elixirs, and Mojos,” the fourth stall “down the way.” Copper’s mouth was going a mile a minute, holding a flyer close to his chest. The young boy looked excited, while Zim, a vibrant pink flamingo wearing twice as ornate a scarf, was just as enthused in their exchange.
“There you are!” Zim eyed Amy, lips upturned. He has the presence of a cat who plays with his prey as she steps toward the counter. “Our friend was inquiring about my newest handiwork.”
If Amy could categorize her feelings toward Zim, he would be placed in ‘undecided.” He was shady. A man shrouded behind a curtain of sarcasm, veiled in politeness, but everyone in the village trusted him.
“You sure this can help me run faster?” Copper asked, shaking the mason jar with what looked to be green juice. The flamingo snatched it back quickly, removing the concoction from the young man’s innocent but scrutinizing stare.
“Of course, my dear,” Zim looked at him in mock offence and waved him off. He turned around to continue stocking his shelves. “I’ve shipped my drinks directly to Sonic’s personal address.”
He hasn’t.
“This is new and improved. This brew is packed with vitamins-” he spun around, wings spreading dramatically, “-that activate protein production directly in the leg muscle.”
It probably didn’t.
“It’s my recent masterpiece,” Zim exclaimed, tossing his scarf over his shoulder.
“Oh brother,’ Amy whispered. She was afraid that if Copper were to look at her, he would see how her eyes got stuck from rolling them so hard. He paid her no mind, thankfully; his eyes were securely trained on the flamingo in front of him.
“I want to be a hero just like him,” The young boy said, hugging the flyer closer. His voice turned timid and quiet. “He protects people- I want to be brave like that.”
Copper’s eyes flickered away briefly. At that moment, Amy could squeeze him. He reminded her of Tails when he was that age.
“Hey, “Amy gently ruffled the top of Copper’s head, “Why don’t you go back to Dean’s and give him the cash Clay gave you?”
“Speed Juice is on the house, kiddo!” Zim winked, handing it over to him.
“Really?!”
“Anything for my favourite customer,” Zim crowed. “Run along now. Work hard and you’ll reach the Blue Blur’s speed in no time.”
Copper’s eyes lit up as he took the mason jar. He tucked it away in his backpack and took off in a light jog.
“I’ll meet you at the cart, Amy!” He called back, waving frantically, “You’re the best, Mr. Zim!”
“Bye-bye, dear, say hello to your brother for me!” The flamingo waved back.
“So…” Amy leaned onto the counter, “what is it this time?”
“Hmm,” Zim hummed, and she frowned as she watched him warily. Taking a moment to consider his answer, he tapped his chin and began looking up in thought. Slowly, a grin broke onto his face, applying an air of mischief. “…A mixture of apples, spinach, and pineapples.”
“Zim…” Amy scowled, placing her hands on her hips.
“Oh, lover, be less disappointed, will you?” He handed her a jar, this time with a pink liquid with a white straw dipped inside. “The boy needs his nutrients.”
“You could just tell him the truth,” Amy said, taking a sip. It was delicious.
“I could, but look at how motivated he is!” Zim chuckled, moseying behind beaded curtains. With a dramatic flair, he continued, “We must continue to replenish and inspire the youth!”
“By lying?” Amy admonished, but her mood shifted as she watched Copper approach Dean’s in the distance. “Sonic has a way of inspiring others…”
“…Even when he’s not here,” she sighed, a warm breeze gently fanned her shoulders.
“Missing your beloved, Ms. Rose?” Zim said, amused as he reemerged with a small box in hand, and placed it beside her. A quiet fell between them for a beat.
She missed him terribly.
“What’s in the box?” Amy sipped the last of her drink, pushing the thought aside. She placed some money on the counter that Zim took rather quickly.
“It’s for the brothers,” Zim sat on his stool and took out his pipe. “Be a dear and give it to Zinc, will you?”
Before Amy could protest, she heard a squeaky yet raspy voice holler at her.
“Duty calls, Ms. Rose,” the flamingo struck a match and lit his pipe. “Of course, feel free to come by whenever.”
“Thanks for the drink, Zim.”
“My pleasure, lover,” the flamingo replied. Amy readied herself to make her way back up the hill. She had work to do. As she pushed herself from the counter, she felt an abrupt, tense shift in the atmosphere that froze her in place. Her shoulders grew heavy, as if metal plates weighed them down. Cold sweat dripped down her back.
“The shop can solve anyone’s problems, bring yours, and we can figure something out,” Zim said. His gaze was steely, and there was an edge to his voice that she was unfamiliar with. Her heart raced as his impassive stare bore into her.
“W-What?” Amy nervously looked toward Zim. In return, she was met with a haunted glare. It was as if he trapped her in place.
She felt the need to run.
“Oh yes,” Zim blew a few puffs and finally looked absently away from her. “This place has what you need to find what you lost.”
Without another word, she left. Amy felt exposed, as pangs of insecurity resonated in her gut to her fingertips.
She made her way up the hill with urgency.
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Sweat dripped down Copper’s forehead as he ran, making his way up the wide steps of the residential mountainside. He was thankful for the specks of shade the trees provided. Previously, Amy insisted on renting a jeep and driving the goods for deliveries, but Copper always declined, stating that it would be good for his training. With the midmorning sun beating down on them, he wasn’t sure why he opened his big mouth.
“Almost there,” Amy huffed from in front of him. She used to complain about how muggy it was. Now, she jogs up the stone steps, hefting overloaded fruit carts over her head.
They both rounded the corner and were thankfully met by a levelled street with multicoloured homes. They both eased into a walking pace. Copper reached into his backpack and took a small sip of his Speed Juice. His lungs felt like they were on fire and were about to explode. Luckily, Zim’s concoction will give him the boost that he needs. He recalled the flamingo saying, ‘drink it before and after you take off.’
It looked gross, but it tasted good.
“Amy, you want some?”
“Thanks,” Amy said, eyeing the brew in disgust as they walked, “but I’ll get some water a little later.”
That was good because he didn’t want to share it anyway, but his brother always told him that manners were very important.
They walked toward the end of the street, where they found a bright pink house with blue doors.
“Hello, dears!” shouted the elderly green turtle. She was watering purple hydrangeas, adorning a bright orange bucket hat and thick-rimmed glasses, and she popped her head over the balcony rails. “I’ll be right there…CLAY!”
Amy and Copper patiently waited by the door, staring idly at its blue paint. From outside, they could hear Clay’s wheezy voice grumbling.
“Look at what the cat dragged in,” Clay smiled, after opening the door. “No offence, my boy!”
He was an old turtle who wore floral shirts and brown slippers.
“I hope he’s not giving you too much trouble, Missus,” Clay said, ruffling Copper’s hair. “We know how busy-busy this young man gets.”
“He keeps me on my toes, that’s for sure,” Amy replied with an easy demeanour. She quietly laughed, enjoying the melodic quality of Clay’s voice.
“Puss!” A voice exclaimed, Clay, in response whipped his head back over his shoulder.
“Yes, Sweetness!”
“Get them babies inside before they get heat-drunk!” Clay opened the door wider, revealing his better half, Dot. Without warning, she reached over, pinching Copper’s cheek, fussed over his appearance, saying that he needed to have more meat and vegetables and turned to Amy with her arms wide open.
“There’s my favourite girl!” Dot said excitedly. Amy hummed contentedly and warmly received the embrace, gently squeezing Dot.
“Let’s get these insid- “
“-Clay will do it.” Dot kissed her teeth, waved off Amy’s offer, and pushed her and the boy inside. At the door, Clay looked at the large cart of groceries and slumped his shoulders.
“That old cruff needs to get his exercise,” Dot said dismissively. Amy and Copper seated themselves at the table. Amy quietly admired the interior of their home. The kitchen walls were painted a bright yellow, with knick-knacks cluttering almost any flat surface. Pictures of their travels covered their wall space; Amy couldn’t help but notice the small orange frame that held a picture of a younger Clay, rockets strapped to his back, and a much younger Sonic. Clay used to bring it up, saying that it was from his glory days when he and his crew fought Badniks in the Main Continent.
“Here you go!” Dot placed a plate of chilled pineapples; crystal cups filled with iced water. “I took out the good crystalware for you!”
“You don’t use the good stuff for me!” shouted Clay down the hall, still making his way. Amy and Copper laughed.
Copper scratched the back of his head. “I’ll go help him out!” He shoved a piece of pineapple in his mouth and left. Amy and Dot chatted comfortably as he periodically appeared to unload the contents of the cart.
“People in the River cannot stop chatting about you,” Dot revealed, sitting down at the table. “Hyacinth and Mabel told me you helped clear the north tributary from last week’s storm.”
“Well, ya’know,” Amy flushed, “I’m glad I was able to help!”
Dot smiled and peered at Amy over her thick square glasses, “You know, we have a spare room.” She reached over the table and grasped her hand, “you don’t have to sleep in that old inn…you’re like family.”
Copper entered the kitchen with more goods in hand. Overhearing the conversation, he gazed at Amy hopefully.
“I’ll be leaving by the end of the week,” Amy replied, her voice threaded with regret.
“You sure?” Clay chuckled, his voice distant from down the hallway. “I think you said that last week.”
“Oh- and the week before that!” Copper smiled, placing more items on the granite countertop and ran off.
Amy’s cheeks turned red from the embarrassment.
“Maybe two weeks before all that,” Dot egged the joke further. “Don’t feel bad, dear…”
“…The river has a charm. It calls to all types,” she continued. “Even had this fella come back from his hero business.”
“Because I had to visit my Sweetness,” Clay responded, putting some of their goods away.
“You know,” Dot started, “I didn’t always like him- all that glory from the main continent had his head up his ass.”
“Hey!” Clay replied indignantly, “Puss couldn’t resist my wiles!”
“I had the best pythons in Sacred River,” he added. Copper guffawed as Clay flexed his bicep, a melon snugly tucked in the other arm.
“You believe me, don’t you? Clay asked Amy, who was doing a poor job of hiding her laugh.
“Don’t drag me into this!”
“He did have a bodacious bod…” Dot chuckled, fanning herself with her orange bucket hat. “…And a big head.”
“So, what did you do, Clay?” Amy asked, Copper rolled his eyes and sat down to enjoy more pineapples. Reaching into his backpack, he pulled out a book, Earning The Road: The Lowdown on Running Mechanics for Newbies. He turned his attention to a dog-eared page, picking up where he left off. Copper heard the turtle’s love story more times than he could count.
“Listen, I used what I had in my arsenal to get this gyal,” Clay revealed, leaning his elbow on the counter. “From flowers on her doorstep, chocolates-”
“-They melted!” Dot interrupted, her gaze critical. “It’s a jungle, it’s hot!”
“Not my best idea,” Clay coughed awkwardly into his fist.
“So, what sealed the deal?” Amy inquired, deeply intrigued.
“I flew her from here to the border of the River and Tu’s Valley-” Clay said confidently.
Amy could see it: Clay with his rocket-powered rig jetting his beloved across the jungle. Just two turtles in love flying across the night sky.
“Oh, Puss…” Dot snickered, looking at him affectionately.
“It was romantic,” she admitted, taking her last sip of water. “When we landed in the valley, we talked for hours.”
“Behind the bravado, the rocket boosters, and fighting…he was so endearing,” Dot said while gathering the empty cups and plates. She carefully placed them in the sink.
“I’ve never met anyone quite like her, speaking to someone like that…” Clay said, scuttling to Dot’s side, “…it just felt right.
Clay placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and leaned his head against hers. They were entranced in a moment, occupying an intimate space just for them. What they had was built on years of mutual understanding maintained by lovable wit and trust.
They looked so happy.
As the scene unfolded, Amy began to feel a nudge in her stomach, which made her glance away from the couple. It wasn’t that she disliked their love story, but she felt slightly ashamed for not experiencing that kind of relationship after chasing someone she loved with all her heart for so long. Amy made great efforts to make peace with the idea that Sonic may not feel the same way, long before Starfall Island. Coming to grips and trying to find her own way was proving harder than she imagined.
No more dwelling, Amy thought. She abruptly pushed herself to stand, her chair nearly tipping backward, “I think it’s time for Copper and me to head out.”
Her outburst shocked the turtles. They both looked at her, concerned by her outburst.
“We’re going to grab some lunch!” she clarified with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Finally!” Copper shouted dramatically.
“Don’t be rude!” Amy scolded him.
“Oh, sorry,” the cheetah said, quickly putting his things in his bag and standing on his feet. “I can’t read all of this!”
“Who gave you the riveting material?” Amy asked, eyeing the hefty book.
“Big Bro!” Suddenly, Copper turned his gaze away. Red splotches emerge on his spotted fur, “-but I don’t know what all the words mean.”
“Aww, baby,” Dot glanced toward him and made her way to the fridge. “That book might be for grown-ups to read.”
“Hey, if Big Bro says I should read it, then I’m gonna!” Copper objected, passion returning to his voice.
“That’s the spirit!” Amy smiled brightly. She couldn’t help but admire his attitude.
“I know you’ll have it read in a month, son!” Clay raised his fists, looking at the young boy proudly.
“Alright, alright,” Dot rolled her eyes and smiled as she took out four neatly wrapped sandwiches and loaded them into a white paper bag. She handed it over to Copper.
“A little token of our appreciation,” Dot smiled warmly. “Lunch is on us.”
Turning herself toward Clay, she eyes him and aggressively clears her throat. She does it again, but in return, Clay, very confused, stares back. Amy and Copper looked between the two, knowing exactly what was happening from previous deliveries. Whatever was being communicated wouldn’t get received by Clay until a moment or two later.
“…Oh, right!” Clay reached into his red satchel that hung amongst the couple’s other outdoor items and took out several small rings.
“-Gotta pay my dues!” Clay said sheepishly while handing them over to Copper. “Sorry about that!”
“No worries, Clay!” Copper responded brightly. He tucked his earnings into one of the small pockets in his bag.
“I didn’t forget about you, Missus!” Clay approached Amy with a handful of rings in his hand. Taking a step back, Amy raised her hands, preparing to refuse but ready to accept the inevitable. This scene has played itself out more than a couple of times.
“…If you refuse, we’ll have Copper bring them to your room,” Dot said simply. Her stare could melt searing holes into the hedgehog’s forehead.
“Okay,” Amy sighed and bowed her head, not in defeat but in surrender. Clay handed her the rings and nodded sympathetically as she pocketed the cash. “Spend it on something nice, Commander.”
Copper grabbed her hands, clearly having had enough of the company, and rushed Amy out of the house. “We can take the travel rafts down to the Hazina.”
As the duo raced out of the doorway, Clay and Dot found their way back into each other’s arms and waved them goodbye.
“We’ll see you next week!” Dot called out.
Back into the sweltering heat, they made their way to one of the many residential tributaries.
“You wanna take the raft down the river?” Amy raised her brow, interrupting the silence. “What about your training?”
Copper smiled sheepishly in response to her teasing, scratching the back of his head. He replied.
“…Well, my feet hurt.”
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The Hazina gently carried their raft past the red clay roads of the market, to the thickets of dense jungle vegetation, to the open farmlands where the hillsides were divvied into watery terraces. Here, the boat traffic waned significantly. Mobians were scattered throughout, busying themselves harvesting, and some were at the riverside docks loading various fruits and vegetables into their boats.
Copper was halfway done with his second sandwich. Clay made the best sandwiches in his humble opinion. Dot always made them with an abundance of vegetables, she said it was good for him. He didn’t agree; any meal with that many tomatoes was gross.
He wiped his mouth with his sleeve and looked at Amy, who was sitting beside him, idly kicking her feet in the water.
“You know…” Copper snorted, his mouth full, eyeing her bare feet. “…Something is going to bite you one day.”
“Oh, don’t worry, I have a hammer,” Amy replied, a threat veiled behind a friendly smile. “If any of your fish bite me, then they’ll get it.”
Copper has seen Amy’s hammer a handful of times in person and plenty in the papers before she arrived in town. It looked heavy in photos, but when she used it to dislodge chunks of debris in the small residential river, it looked light as a feather. She would make it disappear into thin air. Amy was weird; however, Copper concluded that she was weird in a good way. He liked her, Zinc liked her, everyone liked her.
“She’s a little bossy and a lotta nice,” his brother would say.
His brother said that she was a commander of some sort. Whenever Copper asked her about the title, she would correct him, Ex-commander. Whenever he asked her about the hammer, she would shrug and laugh, “I use it mostly to break stuff.”
“How long are you going to keep that flyer?” Amy asked, her lips breaking into a grin. “There’s plenty around town. You can always get a new one.”
“I know,” he shrugged and continued munching at the remainder of his lunch, crumbs collecting on the paper.
The flyer situated on Copper’s lap had an old candid picture of Sonic posing with some of the crew from the Restoration. On it said, “Restoration Fundraising Event: Race to the Finish, Battle of the Fastest.” Amy was able to spot a couple of the flyers around. It sounded like headquarters had some big plans. Copper’s copy was well-loved, crumbled and creased from weeks of stashing it and removing it from his bag.
Dean said it would be the biggest event of the year. Copper couldn’t wait. Zinc mentioned that the hedgehog stopped by Sacred River before he was born. He wished he could have been there to see him. When he asked Amy about Sonic, she would tell him a story or two about their adventures. He really liked it when Amy spoke about him; she would get so excited and would go on and on, but then she would catch herself and get so red in the face.
“I’ll have to introduce you two one day,” Amy smiled and exhaled quietly, her gaze softening. She leaned her hand back onto the raft. Copper paused and looked up from the paper slowly.
He blinked once.
Then twice.
“You’d do that!?”
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I?”
“I-I didn’t think you’d want to,” Copper confessed, his gaze falling towards the crystal waters. Heat crept up his neck, and he felt flustered. “I’m just some kid.”
“I met him when I was ‘just some kid,” Amy replied. “We were both really young when we first met. It was fate.” Proudly, she patted her pouch that carried her tarot cards.
Copper fell silent, then opened and then closed his mouth. Shyly, he asked, “Do you think we were destined to meet, Amy?”
“Of course!” She answered loudly, earning a small yelp from the small cheetah. “I knew as soon as we met that we were going to be besties-”
I won’t forget you-
Amy’s breath hitched, her mind drawn back to her dream of the blurred figure dragging herself toward her companion. She felt a sudden sense of dread. Her heartbeat roared in her ears as her mind became a dense fog that she couldn’t steer through.
Copper looked at her worried, “Amy…”
She bit her lip, staring ahead. Her hands were hurting from gripping the wood from the raft’s edge. Piercing the heavy clouding, a voice rang like a beacon.
Come to me.
“Amy!” Copper shouted in panic. The pink hedgehog blinked absently. The pressure eased from her shoulders to her legs. She found Copper’s hand on her knees, conveying concern.
“Sorry!” She exclaimed. “The sun must have gotten to me.” Amy laughed it off, but Copper’s expression didn’t waver.
“Are you okay? I packed some water…”
“-No, no! I promise, I’m fine.” Amy smiled at him. He looked at her suspiciously but didn’t press any further.
“Okay.”
The treetops provided some cover from the evening sky that painted the water in hues of pink and orange. Copper’s expression shifted to concern as Amy fell into a daze. They both sat in uncomfortable silence as the raft carried them into Sacred River’s ruins. Steep, rocky cliffs surrounded the river. Crumbled temple structures pierced the waters.
“Umm, Amy,” Copper appeared nervous. He shook her, jostling her from her stupor.
“Sorry,” Amy said. She looked around, unable to recognize this part of the river, “Where are we?”
“I must have missed our exit.” Copper replied. “We shouldn’t be here.”
Judging by how escalated he was and the appearance of ancient, broken buildings, they were in trouble. She recalled him mentioning that boats hardly travel through the area because of how treacherous it was to navigate. The roots of the lily pads that floated in the waters caused tangles in oars, and underwater ruins would wreck boats, leaving passengers stranded.
No villager in their right mind would ever travel this way.
Notes:
Let me know what you think! I am open to critique, but BE GENTLE.
Ages of the Characters for this fanfiction. Just eyeballing it for now.
Amy 23-24
Rouge 27
Sonic 25
Knuckles 26
Tails 17
Cream 16
Copper 8-10ish
Zinc 23
Chapter 2: Chapter Two- Turning the Page
Notes:
Thank you for reading!
Chapter Text
“We should pull over,” Amy said quietly, her eyes searching for a way out. “Get our bearings.”
Copper and Amy try to maintain their balance as the raft abruptly skids along the perimeter of a lily pad. Copper keeps his eyes on Amy as her demeanour shifts to something more assertive and composed. Scanning the terrain, she thought the lilies may be strong enough to carry their weight…
…but issues would arise with climbing the surrounding cliffs.
Ahead of them was a collapsed ancient structure angled precariously out of the waters.
The current was carrying them toward it.
Amy’s eyes widened. “Pass me the oar,” she ordered. Alarmed by the undercurrent of unease in her voice, Copper obediently and quickly walks to the rear.
“If we bump into that thing, we’ll have to swim,” Amy says, taking the oar from the boy. “I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel like getting wet.”
The Hazina brings them closer. As they approached, Amy used the oar to push them, redirecting their boat carefully around the jagged edges of the ruined building. Copper helped with a second paddle to prevent scraping of the rear. Relief was felt for a moment. As they rounded the stone, they were ensnared by clusters of gigantic water lilies.
“Shit!” Amy spat. Her paddling became slower as a result of roots and vines gathering around the oar. Navigating to the bank was going to be more cumbersome than anticipated.
“Uh-oh,” Copper gasped. When Amy turned around, she found him on his knees, reaching over the edge of the raft. His oar drifted further away. Panic tightened her throat, and she moved before she could speak.
“WAIT”-
Copper tilted forward, Amy was certain he was about to fall in. Suddenly, she froze in terror as a large, clawed hand emerged out of the water and palmed Copper’s entire face, pushing him back onto the wooden surface.
“Wha-oh!” Shocked, the boy was given little time to collect himself as Amy wrapped her arms around him.
“Gosh,” relieved, Amy pulled him in close. Copper squeaked under the crushing embrace. His limbs flailed about, but the pink hedgehog, overwhelmed by emotion, took little heed. “You scared the daylights outta me!”
They were interrupted by a deep, even voice.
“Little boy, that wasn’t very smart.” The boat lurched, giving way to the weight of the clawed hand that saved Copper. He peered over Amy’s arms, finding his saviour, a black panther, pushing herself partly onto the raft. Her lower half was still underwater. She wore a gold, fringed necklace and a white halter top. Her Hazel eyes locked onto his, sharp and unimpressed.
“Hi Boa,” Copper flushed, “Sorry…my bad.”
“Aww, Boa, go easy on him,” Amy said, letting him go. Ignoring him while he gasped for air, she continued, “He was trying to help. We didn’t mean to get this far down the river.”
Amy felt unnerved as Boa continued to stare, blinking slowly.
Hoping to break the silence, Amy spoke up, “I would have gone after him-”
“…Then I would have two people to potentially save,” Boa retorts, her brows knitted together. Amy pursed her lip into a pout and grumbled under her breath.
Boa knew Copper wasn’t the strongest swimmer, and there were plenty of roots to get tangled in. If Amy could get him out of the mess beneath the surface, she would be thoroughly impressed.
Boa positioned her elbows on the raft and leaned her chin onto her palms. She watches as Copper shyly meets her gaze and slides his way closer to her. They’ve known each other for a long time, her sisters too. She remembers holding him in her arms when he was just a cub; he got into all sorts of mischief ever since he could walk. It was hard for even Zinc, as fast as he was, to catch up with him. Raising Copper was a community effort.
Amy leaned her weight into the oar and watched as the boy quietly and gently bopped his forehead onto Boa’s.
“You troublemaker,” Boa grinned. “Mind telling me what you guys are doing this far out in the river?”
“We were at Clay and Dots and decided to have lunch here,” He laughed nervously, idly scratching his face while looking away from her. “I got distracted and missed our turn.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah,” Copper’s eyes flickered briefly to Amy, and then he whispered conspiratorially in Boa’s ear. Amy frowned as Boa nodded in short segments, expression changing from neutral to intrigued. Her eyes never budged from Amy. She hummed in response to whatever the boy told her. Boa’s eyes widened, and slowly she smiled sympathetically.
“The heat got to you, eh?” Boa asked, turning her gaze away from a red-faced Amy. Diving below, she tore the roots that were tangling on her leg. Resurfacing, she added, “when we get back to the main village, you should get yourself checked out.”
“I will,” Amy exhaled, annoyed at Copper, who nervously chuckled and avoided her glare. “You tattle tale.”
“I’ll push you guys to the docks…” Boa offered. Amy and Copper swayed, feeling the force of Boa pushing their raft. “Any further and the sunken ruins will wreck your ride.”
Boa maneuvered them around lily pads and piles of rubble with little effort. She made short stops to detangle her legs from the roots.
“What you got there, sis?!”
Amy froze.
Copper froze.
Boa heaved a deep sigh, her eyes rolling. She continued to push through the water. In the distance, a mysterious figure was perched on a column protruding from the portside of their rig.
Boa could see it; she stopped swimming, “Hold on tight.”
Copper groaned, “Oh no.”
Worried, Amy watched as Boa lay her gloved hands flat on the boat; the fabric on the tips of the fingers were frayed, and sharp claws dug into the wood. The gleam from Boa’s vambraces made her squint. The pink hedgehog took Boa’s wrist and hugged Copper tight.
“Brace for impact,” Boa warned.
A lioness launched herself from the column and dived toward the three like a cannon. The impact of her landing nearly capsized the raft, tipping it severely to one side. The force propelled the boat to the right, leaving large waves in its wake.
Unfortunately, Amy and Copper were both drenched from the drama. Copper looked shaken and exhausted. Amy, with her wits about her, noticed that they were not in Boa’s arms, but instead they were slung on the shoulders of one of her sisters.
The lioness was tall and muscular and exuded a playful confidence. She wore a beautiful red layered necklace and silver vambraces on her forearms. Boa was the youngest of five sisters. Amy was sure this one was Lily…maybe Iris.
“Ivy…you play too much,” Boa acknowledged her sister coolly. “Where are the others?”
Ivy ignored the panther, turning her attention to the people in her arms, smiling, “Hi, Copper.”
“Hi Ivy,” he croaked quietly. She shifted her gaze to Amy.
“Hi Amy.”
“It’s good to see you again,” the pink hedgehog’s voice pinched from Ivy’s shoulder digging into her stomach. She’s met the sisters a couple of times in the village. They were rough and…
…theatrical.
Boa huffed, “Ivy-”
Finally responding, Ivy teased, “-We’re down the way.” She pointed in some general direction that Boa knew wasn’t correct. Silence enveloped the group. Copper and Amy hung over her shoulders, continuing to drip like wet laundry.
Boa nodded, looking at her sister with an air of casual scrutiny. Her feelings wedged between disbelief and amusement, “Down the way?” her brows pinched, “Don’t piss me off.”
Squinting, Ivy scanned the cliff sides. She knew that there was a shorter drop-off close by. Boa probably did too. Ivy suddenly pointed, finding their exit.
“Move up closer to that ridge. We can get to solid ground faster over there,” Ivy ordered and then faced her sister. “We’re still at the Sacred Grounds by the way.”
“…I thought you said you needed a breather?” Ivy continued, gently setting her passengers down. A soggy Amy and Copper muttered a “thank you” under their breath. “You’ve been gone for over an hour.”
“You know how dad gets,” Boa sighed, pushing the raft closer to the cliff. Damp and miserable, Copper wrung his blue shirt, the water collecting in a small puddle. Amy clutched her skirt and looked around, feeling a tad uneasy. While she was relieved about having some support, she felt as if she was intruding on a conversation that she wasn’t supposed to hear.
The Rangers were a family business; they protected the village. From her time spent in Sacred River, she found they were hot-blooded and rowdy. They loved hard and fought hard. It was as if fighting was in their nature. They trained often, and Taipan had high expectations of his children.
Ivy’s jovial expression softened as she gazed at Boa. They reached their destination, atop the layered rocky sediment, where vibrant green moss tapered to a grassy expanse and old trees.
“We’re gonna jump up,” Ivy exclaimed, eyes examining the ridge. “It’ll be faster. We’re losing daylight.”
“I was going to bring them to the docks at the farmlands,” Boa said awkwardly, looking away from her sister. Ivy knew that paddling against the current to the docks would take hours.
Ivy shook her head and heaved a sigh, “…You can’t avoid your problems forever.”
Amy started to feel Copper tremble. The cliffsides looked big from a distance, but now that they were up close, they were enormous.
“We know heights aren’t your thing,” Boa said with understanding. Her eyes then became stern but certain. “We won’t let you go.”
“We can always toss you up,” The lioness smirked. “I have a great throwing arm.”
“Not gonna happen,” Amy glowered, moving her body in front of him.
“Just kidding,” Ivy raised her hands in mock surrender.
“I-It’s o-okay!” Copper’s hand shook, tightening the straps of his backpack, “I-I got it.”
“You sure?” Amy asked, her voice full of concern.
“Y-yeah.”
Boa stopped treading water and hoisted herself onto the raft. Quickly, Ivy grabbed Amy by the waist and jumped the clearing, earning a stifled yelp from the girl. The raft shook from Ivy’s brute strength. When Boa shifted toward Copper, he looked as though his bones were rattling through his body, his breathing was fast and unsteady.
“I have you,” Boa scooped him up, almost cradling him, pressing him close. She hoped the pressure would be reassuring enough to give him some reassurance. The boy was still so small despite his age. He nodded in response.
“Close your eyes,” Boa watched him shut his eyes hard and…
She launched.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ivy cackled in response to Amy’s elated squealing. She landed on the soft earth of the forest floor and jumped high above the canopy.
“This is awesome!” Amy screamed, raising her hands in the air as if she were on a carnival ride. Ivy found her reaction to be delightful. She and her sisters were often used to the terrified screaming of the villagers they carried during rescue missions.
“We’re almost at the grounds!” Ivy loudly said over Amy’s hollering. She replied with a thumbs up and then giggled hysterically as she briefly floated out of Ivy’s grasp due to the lack of gravity during their descent. Hurriedly, Ivy grabbed onto her waist.
Ivy landed and jumped once more, the air wicking the sweat from her face. This small woman was a handful. She has spotted Amy and Copper running through the market streets during her routes. Copper wasn’t a boy who was short of energy. Still, anyone who could manage to shepherd the cheetah on a near-daily basis had to be impressive.
“You know, I use my hammer to jump high…” Amy began, looking below as they cleared the tree tops. “…But this is on another level.”
Amy watched as a light blush coloured Ivy’s cheeks.
Ivy peeked over to her charge, and her mouth formed into a grin, “You flatterer.”
“Just being honest,” Amy shrugged and smiled back.
“You’re too cute,” Ivy remarked and then looked ahead. “We’re here.”
They made it past the trees and slowly descended upon a clearing with wooden boardwalks, tropical trees, and leafy shrubbery that flanked a small, still river leading to a stone building.
Amy squinted, seeing a group of three people in a stone courtyard. It was the remainder of the Rangers. Ivy landed on the top of the ruined structure, then onto one of the cracked pillars surrounding the stone square. Ivy’s sisters looked thoroughly entertained by the scene as they lounged on top of boulders below.
“Way to stick the landing, and with precious cargo,” Iris yelled, stretching before standing up.
Lily and Ren stood up as well and approached the pair. Amy hardly saw the Rangers together in their splendour. The quadruplets were as tall as Vector and brawny, adorning single-coloured layered necklaces, which perhaps were worn to help the villagers differentiate the warriors.
“Did you enjoy the princess treatment, Ms. Rose?” Lily, in yellow, asked. Amy nearly jerked her head back when Lily’s claws reached her face. Lily calmly proceeded to correct Amy’s windswept bangs. “Ivy doesn’t carry just anyone, you know.”
“Oh, I did!” Amy exclaimed, using one hand to hold onto Ivy’s shoulder as she set her down. “It reminded me of flying in my friend’s plane.”
“Sounds like a good time,” Ren, in green, responded. She cast Ivy a side-long glance. Her mouth broke into a sly grin, and she “lightly” shoved Ivy. “Sounds romantic. Me next, okay?”
Ivy frowned, rolled her eyes and pushed her back, “Shut up.”
Amy nearly jumped when Ren rammed into Ivy in retaliation. They landed in a heap, kicking, scratching, screaming. Amy frantically looked between the two, unsure how or, better yet, if she should break them up.
“Are you kidding?” Iris, who wore blue, sighed loudly and pushed the stupefied Amy back and out of the way behind her. “Sorry about this, Commander…close your mouth, they’ll be fine.”
Amy couldn’t find it in herself to correct her. Her mouth gaped when Ivy grabbed Ren around her waist and threw her backward. Amy shuddered as the women landed hard on the stone floor. Despite the amount of time Amy spent in the village, their roughness continued to shock her.
The other two casually watched as if what was unfolding was normal. It probably was.
“…V, did you manage to find our wayward sister?” Lily asked, her eyebrows cocked upward. She grew more irritated when she was met not with silence but the ambient noise of a sibling brawl. “Knock it off already!”
Amy turned to Lily, bewildered. Ivy was clearly preoccupied.
Amy thought that the seemingly random scraps Shadow and Sonic had were ridiculous. Still, something about watching the sisters—something about watching Ivy trip Ren into the ground and hearing them screech —made her thankful that she was an only child.
Ivy’s answer was muffled from her sister pressing her cheek into the dirt, “She’s right behind you.”
The fighting stopped, and everyone turned around, finding a rather bored-looking Boa standing there with Copper nestled in her arms.
“Stop, children are present.”
“You can open your eyes now,” Boa said to Copper. As soon as Amy stepped forward, she saw that he was closing his eyes tightly. When he opened them, he blinked slowly, trying to adjust to the light. He reminded her of an owl.
“I knew you could do it,” Amy said gently. “I was so worried.”
Copper blushed and avoided her vibrant gaze. For some reason, he felt quite embarrassed.
“Boa made sure I covered my eyes so I wasn’t scared,” Copper looked toward Boa brightly. “Thank you!”
Amy witnessed, for a brief second, a break in Boa’s cool façade, and it melted into something warmer. She carefully put him down.
“It was my pleasure,” she patted the young boy’s shoulder. “You were very brave.”
Amy wished she had her camera with her. Copper’s face went red like a tomato.
“C’mere!” Ren lifted him up and knocked her forehead against his, like he’d done with Boa before, but nowhere near as gently. The lionesses hovered over him. Aggressively, they showered the poor boy with love and affection. He likely won’t be complaining about Amy accidentally bruising him anytime soon.
Amy felt her heart squeeze. Seeing their lively interactions and the chummy exchanges…
…made her miss home.
“Where have you been?”
Silence fell. The jovial atmosphere dissipated instantly. Everyone turned their heads toward the baritone timbre. A large lion leaned underneath the stone archway of the building. The verandah, as deteriorated as it was, cast enough darkness to conceal his form. From what Amy could make out was his imposing figure and the gleam of his bared teeth.
Taipan, the guardian of Sacred River and leader of the Rangers.
His stare was intense, and when he moved from his spot, everyone else stood at attention.
Copper shuffled quietly by Amy’s side. Worry etched into his soft features.
Taipan walked with a sense of purpose, slow and commanding. His robotic arm shone a dull flash of light. He stood over Boa; his form was broad, and a large scar etched over his lip. “You missed training this afternoon.”
She answered promptly, “I did.”
“You will do double the drills at dawn. You will be supervised.”
“…Sir, she saved our lives,” Amy offered. Her voice was low as if she weren’t trying to intrude. Still, she felt that she needed to say something, “We would have been stranded.”
“Don’t make excuses for her. I won’t hear it.” Taipan bristled, his glare switching briefly to the hedgehog. “I expect you, of all people, to understand.”
“Dad, I-”
“-I will not have you half-ass the work we do here,” Taipan growled. “We are required, no, you are required to do your job and do it well. We must be prepared.”
“For what!?” Boa stopped herself. “You see how they look at me. A cursed child.”
She glared back at her father, but couldn’t stop herself from glancing at his arm. When she looked at him, she saw a man who had to rebuild himself and his home.
“…Does this community mean that little to you?”
Boa broke away from her father’s glare. She didn’t know what to think of the village. Her feelings were at a constant crossroads for a long time. The fire wasn’t her fault. Her father knew that. Everyone knew that.
Under their breath, they called her a child born from disaster. A child of a deserter. A bad omen. Still, Boa tried to be obedient and do what was required of her as a Ranger. She completed her shifts, patrolled the streets, broke up fights, and mediated disputes. She did what was asked.
Amy fidgeted uncomfortably as the two glared at each other for a moment longer.
“You will be on guard duty at the temple,” Taipan said, crossing his arms. There was no room for argument. As he turned around to leave, he shot her one last glance, “I expect you to be ready to train in the morning.”
He walked the short distance into the building. His dominating figure disappeared through the blackness of the open entryway.
The sisters visibly winced after he left. They rotated patrol routes occasionally. No one liked guard duty at River’s End. There was nothing to do but pick grass from the steps and throw stones in the river.
Amy truly felt bad for Boa. From what she’s seen, Boa has been diligent and attentive toward the villagers during the odd times she’s bumped into her patrolling the market. Always composed, professionally distant, yet some residents called her names when she wasn’t looking, or gave nasty looks when she greeted them. It wasn’t right.
In the timespan that she’s been here, this was the first time she’s seen Boa look so frustrated.
Her thoughts were interrupted when a small weight fell against her back. She felt soft, slow breathing against her fur. Copper must have fallen asleep.
Lily approached Boa, wrapped her arm around her, and pushed the panther’s head into her shoulder. Iris, Ivy, and Ren followed, patting the top of Boa’s head, providing any comfort they could. Their father was always the hardest on her.
“Thank you,” Boa muttered miserably. She gently pushed her sisters off. “Okay, okay. That’s enough.”
Boa wasn’t by any means small, but being the shortest of her sisters meant getting crowded by them when they ganged up on her. It was overwhelming.
“It’s late,” Amy spoke up, patting Copper’s back. The lanterns began lighting up the boardwalks as night approached. “I gotta get this guy home. Zinc will start to worry.”
“I’ll bring you,” Boa said, breaking away from her sisters.
“Take one of the jeeps,” Iris ordered, pointing in the direction of the wooden walkway where the vehicle was parked. “You’ll get to the residential area easier that way. Spare you the energy.”
Boa nodded in return and faced Amy, who lifted the boy in her arms, “You and Copper get comfortable in the car. I’ll get the keys from inside.”
“Appreciate it.” Amy offered a polite smile to the sisters. “I will see you guys around.”
“Oh yeah, one day we gotta see you swing that hammer!” Ivy flexed her bicep.
Iris chuckled, “Maybe you can train with us one day.”
“We’ll see,” Amy replied apprehensively and then walked toward the vehicle.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The ride back was quiet and contemplative. They pass overgrown palm trees and bushes in the balmy night. Lanterns sporadically located along the dirt roads provided flickers of light. What happened felt heavy, and Amy assumed that Boa was still digesting the event. She hadn’t said a single word for the entire drive.
They slow down to one of the many staircases of the residential areas. The iridescent stone steps illuminated the saturated yellow concrete walls.
The rumbling of the car stops when Boa parks. Quietly, Amy exits and walks to the back seat to find Copper sleeping. A large hand pressed against her shoulder, lightly pushing her back.
“I’ll take him, Ms. Rose,” Boa offered. “I didn’t forget that you need to see a doctor.”
“I got him,” Amy responded. Boa’s brow quirked as Amy yawned. Realizing that she was being watched, she shook her head and frantically waved her hands. “Really. I’m fine!”
Without another word, Boa reached inside, unbuckled Copper and picked him up.
Boa smirked, “Easy. I got him.”
Amy, who was about to protest once more, found her limbs were heavy from exhaustion. She looked up the lengthy flight of stairs and thought against it. They started climbing. A quiet fell upon them both, more comfortable this time.
“Hey,” Boa began. She met Amy’s jade-coloured eyes, whose gaze was soft and curious. “About what happened back there…I’m sorry.”
Feeling flustered, a gaggle of words caught up in Amy’s mouth, “Oh, you don’t have to apologize I-”
“- and, thanks.”
“Oh!” Amy wasn’t sure why she felt so shocked by her sincerity. “You’re welcome.” She only knew Boa for a short period, capturing brief glimpses into her daily routine. They had brief, polite exchanges when she was out with Copper.
Amy frowned, annoyed by the thought of the villagers’ bad behaviour, “…you don’t deserve it, you know.”
“You don’t know me-” Boa said, slightly shocked by the outburst.
“-It’s not fair!” Amy huffed. “What the hell even is a cursed child!?” Boa sore she heard Amy grumble, “You’re a grown woman.”
“…You’re a funny girl,” Boa’ chuckled. “A weird girl.”
“Good, weird?” Amy’s mouth smiled slowly. Boa’s laugh rang pleasantly in the night’s air. It had a deep quality that Amy liked.
“We’ll see.”
Boa has heard of Amy’s work with the Restoration and her accompanying Sonic on world-saving adventures. The lady sounded impressive. Yet, she wasn’t sure what to expect when she heard the news of Amy’s arrival in town. When Boa first bumped into her, she was cordial, quite energetic, and….pink. They kept running into each other sporadically, with Copper on Amy’s heels. There was a particular situation where they met in front of a stall owned by a nasty opossum, Sterling, who sold ceramic drinkware.
He had muttered insults at Boa under his breath, and unfortunately for him, Amy heard every word.
The opossum was reamed out; the kind of verbal licking that would have him think twice about crossing her. Boa was left speechless. If you were to listen carefully, you could hear Amy cussing as she walked away from his stall. Every time Boa patrolled, the opossum would nod to her stiffly and go about his business.
Ms. Rose had a short fuse, and it was a little funny.
They make it to the lit platform and round the corner. Copper’s home was located two houses down. It was bright orange, and wild hibiscus sprouted along the steps to his front door. Boa knocks.
Zinc answers.
“Ma’am?” His eyes widen in surprise to find the Ranger and Amy at his entryway. His little brother slung over Boa’s shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
“Zinc,” Boa replied casually.
“Is Copper okay?” He looked at the pair with slight alarm.
Before either of them could answer, they were interrupted by the sound of Copper snoring. The sound quality was equivalent to a lawnmower… Maybe a motor belonging to a chainsaw.
Amy couldn’t help but let out a short laugh,“…We had a long day.”
Zinc visibly relaxed. He took a glance at Amy and then leaned his shoulder against the door frame, crossing his arms.
“Doc, the heat may have gotten to Ms. Rose. Mind checking her out?” Boa asked.
“Can do,” He nodded and grinned toward Amy, “I can’t wait to hear about what happened today.”
“Yeah, I guess we have some explaining to do,” Amy scratched the back of her head idly.
“I’m just glad you’re both okay,” Zinc’s eyes softened. His easy attitude provided Amy with some comfort. He wasn’t one to get angry easily. “Let’s get you guys inside. You must be starving.”
Boa looked at Zinc and then Amy, “I have the night shift.”
“No worries,” Zinc gaze cut to the panther. He thought he heard Boa whisper, “uh-huh,” but he was met with her neutral expression. He looked at her suspiciously and then turned his attention to Copper.
Zinc firmly grasped the boy’s ankle with one hand and yanked on his tail with the other. Copper choked on his next inhale and squawked. He blinked tiredly, his eyes bleary. Boa placed him on the floor, and he stood there looking miserable. He patted Boa’s arm firmly, then gave Zinc a deadly glare- lethal and unbudging as he walked inside.
“Jerk.”
Kariminal on Chapter 1 Wed 27 Aug 2025 06:15PM UTC
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Leafygreens789 on Chapter 1 Wed 27 Aug 2025 08:39PM UTC
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Kariminal on Chapter 1 Wed 27 Aug 2025 09:14PM UTC
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SnowyMoon656 on Chapter 1 Thu 28 Aug 2025 03:21PM UTC
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Leafygreens789 on Chapter 1 Tue 02 Sep 2025 04:33AM UTC
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