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The calm ripples of Never Lake reflected the clear sky as Amy Rose and Trip strolled along the water's edge. The soft breeze rustled through the trees, and the scent of fresh grass filled the air. Amy was beaming, her heart light as she led Trip through the familiar, serene landscape.
"This is where I met Sonic for the first time," Amy said, her eyes shining with a mix of nostalgia and warmth. She looked down at Trip, who seemed to take in every word, her curious gaze focused on her.
"At the time, I didn't know what to think," Amy continued, smiling to herself. "I was just a little girl, and I didn't really understand everything, but when I saw him... there was something about him. He was so fast, so free, like the wind itself. I knew I had to know him."
Trip, always a quiet observer, nodded thoughtfully, her bright eyes reflecting the quiet beauty of the lake. As a sungazer, he understood the magic of places like this, where time seemed to slow, and the world felt just a bit more connected.
Amy chuckled lightly, glancing down at her shoes. "I was so shy back then... Can you believe it? Me, shy? But Sonic... he was always so kind, even though he wasn’t really good at talking to me at first."
She paused for a moment, her smile softening. "Still, no matter what, he always came through when it mattered most. And that's what I love about him. He's always there, even when you least expect it."
Trip tilted her head, her mind always wondering about the strange, wonderful emotions that humans like Amy experienced. He didn't quite understand everything, but she could feel the sincerity in her words.
"I guess we all find our own heroes in different ways, huh?" Amy mused, looking out over the lake again, her gaze distant. "Sonic may not always understand how much I care"
Trip's curiosity was piqued, and she tilted her head slightly, her large, expressive eyes fixed on Amy as she spoke. "What happened next?" she asked softly, her voice a quiet echo against the sounds of the lake.
Amy's cheeks flushed a little as she looked at Trip, her eyes gleaming with the memories of past adventures. She sighed, her expression a mix of fondness and determination. "Well..." she began, gathering her thoughts, "I followed Sonic to Little Planet because I wanted to be by his side, to support him, but things didn’t go quite as I expected. I was so caught up in wanting to be a hero alongside him that... I got in over my head."
Amy paused for a moment, letting the memories flood back, and her tone became a little more serious. "When we got to Little Planet, everything seemed so... magical, but then Metal Sonic showed up." She shook her head with a soft laugh. "It wasn't the first time I'd had a run-in with him. He's such a creep, always trying to be just like Sonic, but with none of the heart."
Her smile faded slightly as she remembered the danger. "Anyway, Metal Sonic kidnapped me—trapped me in a cage—and for a while, it felt like I was just... stuck. But Sonic, being the amazing hero he is, broke through everything, saved me, and we defeated Metal Sonic together." She gave a small, nostalgic laugh, remembering how Sonic had always been so brave, never hesitating to risk himself to save his friends. "It was one of those moments where you realize... even if things look impossible, there's always hope, as long as you believe."
As she finished her story, Amy turned to Trip, who had been listening intently the whole time. Before she could even think about it, she leaned over and, on impulse, kissed Trip gently on the cheek.
Trip’s face went a little pink, her quiet, reflective nature mixing with the sudden, unexpected gesture. Amy pulled back, her own cheeks flushed now, her eyes wide with surprise at what she'd just done. "Oh—uh, I didn't mean to... I just—" Amy stammered, clearly embarrassed. "I just... you're really kind, Trip. And you listen so well."
Trip stood still for a moment, the kiss lingering in her thoughts. She wasn’t sure how to react—she wasn’t used to such gestures from others, especially from someone as warm and outgoing as Amy. But after a moment, she smiled softly, her usual shyness melting away in the quiet calm of the moment.
"It's... okay," Trip said, her voice soft but sincere. "Thank you, Amy."
Amy grinned, feeling a wave of relief wash over her as she saw Trip’s gentle smile. "Good! 'Cause you really are a great friend." She gave Trip a playful wink before turning her gaze back to the shimmering lake, the wind tousling her pink quills.
"Sometimes, it's nice to share these little stories, don't you think?" Amy said, her voice carrying a sense of peace now. "It’s like... a way of showing how much you care."
Trip nodded, silently agreeing. "Yeah... it’s nice."
And for a while, the two of them walked in comfortable silence, the bond of friendship growing just a little bit stronger under the fading glow of the sunset.