Your heart was beating as you sat outside the rundown room, shifting uncomfortably in the plastic chair as you waited to meet the leaders of the Resistance. You had joined the day after you helped the Chaotix clean the mess Eggman left, and helped civilians escape.

It was funny, once you was able to eventually tell Espio you wasn't actually a part of the team, he insisted that you join the big guys of all people. After all, the courageous act of destroying Eggman's ship deserved to be acted upon.

You still can't believe you did that, both the 'courageous act' and talking to another person. You could say you was shy, but your not sure. Before Eggman took over the world, you would never shut up, but...

You guessed witnessing war and death does that to a person...

Your ears lowered at the thought of all the people that have fallen to the Masked Villain already, and how many more would fall in the future. The images of your colleagues and friends limp and emotionless was still plastered in your mine.

Ears twitching, you looked up, someone was walking down the hall. It was the red echidna, the only echidna. Knuckles.

Your throat went try as he walked over, looking down at you.

"So... You're the Rookie?" He asked, tilting his head.

You nodded slowly, daring to look up at the famous hero. He offered a smile.

"Thank God, we've been needing new recruits. You're like a miracle." He pat your shoulder, "What's your name?"

"Uh... (Y-Y..." Your throat closed up and your ears lowered in embarrassment.

"Oh I see, the shy type? That's okay, mind if we call you Rookie? Until you're ready to give us your name that is."

You lowered your head, nodding. He was really nice, which was strange. You had always heard that he was angry and always ready to fight anyone. You guessed war does a lot of different things to people.

"Great! I'll introduce you to everyone soon, okay? Just stand by the door, I'll let you in when we're ready." He walked towards the metal door, it slid open and closed as he walked passed.

"Knuckles! What's the sitrep, Commander?" A voice piped up from behind the door, sounding relieved to see the red echidna.

"Happy to see you're all still alive." Knuckles responded, "Eggman's forces have chewed through our defences as Green Hill, and the resistance in the city is reporting that whatever it is that finished Sonic..."

He stopped, there was a sorrowful silence from the room, before he continued,

"Sorry, I'm still not used to saying that... Whatever it has got them running in fear."

Your (f/c) ears lowered and you stared at the ground. The thought that such a famous hero, a strong one at that, was brought down by the Masked Villain... It's the reason people have little hope. Taking a breath, you shook your head, before standing and heading to the door.

The echidna's voice changed emotion, going from sad to informative, and without warning, the doors opened in front of you, causing you to lower your head at the bright light.

"All except this brave kid, who survived the battle and made it here in one piece. Meet our newest recruit."

Raising your head slowly, you looked around the worn-down room. Vector and Espio to the side, smiling at you, Charmy giving you a little wave from behind a computer. A silver hedgehog with oddly shaped hair looked over you. He nodded, not showing much emotion, before he turned back to the computer. The pink one next to him didn't look up, her eyes scanning the computer in front of her. They all looked exhausted, it was a surprise they looked so... Good?

Is that the right word? Energised... Well mannered? Something like that. You weren't sure.

Stepping into the room slowly, you glanced at all the faces, and eventually the pink hedgehog looked up, staring at you in confusion. Knuckles walked over, chuckling as he hit your back. The force made you stumble forward and your cheeks warmed in embarrassment.

You definitely weren't strong.

Charmy flew over, giggling as he looked over you, "Hm... Doesn't look like much."

You huffed at him, he said that on purpose. The amusement in his eyes said it all. He buzzed around your head, before Knuckles grabbed a hold of his wing to stop him.

"Neither do you Charmy, but I still manage to find a use for your pointy butt." The echidna shrugged, a lop-sided smile on his muzzle.

The bee giggled more, rubbing his head. Knuckles shook his head, before he grabbed a familiar looking gun. The red rounded weapon made you step back slightly, but he pushed it into your hands.

"Here, kid. Take this. We're depending on you."

You saw Charmy move away, flying behind Vector as if to protect him from you shooting him again. You couldn't help but smile as the crocodile shook his head.

"Okay, let's get going, everybody! The world's not gonna save itself!" Knuckles raised his hand, everyone nodded and followed suit.

The Chaotix walked over, and you saw Espio nod in approval, "I see you made it in. Good job Rookie."

"Hey, what IS your real name?" Charmy tilted his head.

You lowered your gaze slightly, "I-It's... Uh..."

"Easy on the kid." Knuckles walked over, "She's a bit shy. She'll give us her name once she's ready."

The three 'Ooo'ed, before Espio stepped forward.

"Well I thank you for talking to me before. It was very well done of you."

"Espio leave her be." The crocodile rolled his eyes, "She can still talk you know. Now, lets introduce you to everyone, that way you'll be familiar with us all."

He lead you to the computer, where the pink and silver hedgehogs looked too focused to even offer a welcome. Neither looked too interested to meet you anyway. However the pink hedgehog offered you another glance, before she smiled, shutting the computer down. The silver one gave an annoyed groan.

"Hi there, I'm Amy! What's your name?" She asked, stepping around the desk and taking your hand, "Wow! You have such pretty (e/c) eyes!"

You stared at her, not sure what exactly to say. She giggled, shaking your hand in her own.

"Well? I'm waiting for your name."

"She's shy!" Charmy said from behind you, and your ears lowered a little.

"OH? I'm sorry, I wasn't aware..." She apologised, dropping your hand, "Well anyway, thank you for joining us. We really need another friend right now."

"Another soldier." The silver hedgehog walked up to you, "It's better to keep it that way anyway... In case... you know."

"Silver! She's not going to just drop dead!" The pink hedgehog turned to him, "She is our friend! Even if she didn't want to be."

You chuckled slightly as you saw him flinch at her yelling before he rubbed his head, "Right... Sorry. It's just, after Sonic..."

The sorrowful silence took over the room once again. You looked around at all the sad expressions and you swallowed.

"I'm sorry..."

Their heads snapped up at you and your cheeks turned red.

"It's not your fault. But we can use your help. Welcome to the team and... Sorry about before." Silver held his hand out. You nodded and shook his hand.

"My gosh! Was that your voice?" Amy held your arm, "You have such a pretty voice!"

Your cheeks reddened and you shrugged.

"Amy, you're embarrassing her!" Charmy laughed, before pulling her arm, "But come on! We need to get you to training. That way you won't shoot anyone else in the stinger!"

You smiled and nodded, before following the Chaotix out of the room.

This was it...

You were finally one of them, you was a part of the Resistance.