(EDITING) Sonic Rift

Chapter Twenty Six : Sweeter Than Honey

Third Person's POV

No one liked Amy's plan. She pleaded with the other Freedom Fighters, "Guys, it's the easiest thing in the world compared to what we just did! It's only for one afternoon!"

"It's too easy," Knuckles grumbled. "That cat's hiding something up her sleeve." Amy crossed her arms at him. The morning after she spoke with Honey, she told the group about it. They didn't agree. Even she had to admit, knowing Honey's alarming slyness, it was sketchy. Yet, it was still worth a shot.

"You won't be doing anything," Amy argued, "Oz is the only one who has to go!"

Oz was barely focusing. He sat in his hospital bed, trying to flex his fingers in vain. "I don't like the idea of dressing up like a doll, but it's not a bad plan. I'll do it if you need me to."

Amy was surprised by his modesty, supposing he wasn't as admittedly egocentric as her beloved blue hero. She was flattered all the same. She said triumphantly, "Thank you, Oz! Does anyone else agree?"

"I suppose it could work," Espio said, sitting up in his bed. Vector was at his side as both reptiles were going through sheets of track records and reports, not that they would do any good in Casino Park. Espio said, "There's nothing particularly evil from her past, nothing nefarious to be seen on our end."

Vector concluded, "It's just as easy as it looks. There's nothing to lose."

"Did you forget you two are bad at gambling? There's a lot more at risk," Rouge hissed, hands on her hips. "You're playing right into her hand. You can't trust a girl from Casino Park."

"We trust you, don't we?" Knuckles quipped.

"Noted," Rouge said flatly before continuing, "Besides, it's not like you can go, or did you also forget that Whisper and Tangle are hot on our tails about seeing the Acorns?"

"That's true," Knuckles said, "Even if you two went, which you can't, the wolf and her friend out there would stop you."

"Whose side are you on?"

"My side."

Amy interrupted by summoning her hammer and leaned it on her shoulder. With a cute wink and determined grin, she told them, "Then I'll stop them!"

"Don't try it, unless you want more than one broken rib," Rouge warned. Amy cursed that she found out about that.

Rouge explained, "They're elite GUN soldiers. The wolf's a Diamond Cutter, and her partner was personally trained by Shadow. Trust me. You won't stop them." With that, Amy's once determined mood dampened.

"We could explain the situation, I mean, they were in the tournament too!" Tails said, now up and about. The fox had a point. He stated, "I know we're a step above animals, the fight's in our blood and all, but can we try being civil for once?"

The others looked him over before agreeing, with Knuckles being the most hesitant. The bat sighed audibly, realizing there was no stopping them. She bemoaned, "I'll speak to them, but just in case, you two sneak out."

"Really?" Amy said, enthusiastic again.

"I'll try," Rouge affirmed, albeit sharply. "I'll even call Shadow if I have to, throw around some ranks. Boring civil stuff."

"Boring but effective!" Tails cheered, before holding his head in pain. "Ack!"

The echidna patted the orange fox on his shoulder, sighing at his own defeat. "You're not going anywhere. It's only Oz and Amy, this time."