Amy neither Sonic had any idea what happened to that bush, as they were taking a stroll through the city. Even Eclipse was more chatty as the joke lifted his mood. The young hedgehog was telling them about one awesome auto-mechanic named Rotor the Walrus.

While he was boasting about him, Amy noticed the ring-powered cars were roaming the streets in greater number. She had found it fascinating, as she was for the last three years cut from the world. Well, Master Tikal took her on some trips, but that was only to test her abilities, so she had no time to think or notice any changes around her.

The blue speedster was more than happy to inform her about the newest trends as long it wasn't concerning fashion and other girly stuff. The rings were the most common energy source, but only the last year discovery sped up the production and allowed recharging the used ones. They were made smaller, having more energy and thus lasting longer. Not just that, new companies were founded, and a number of them started introducing new ways how to use them.

"Oh my gosh, it's SR model 22.8!" Sonic suddenly exclaimed and dashed on the other side of the street, leaving a cloud of dust behind, gluing his face on a shopping window. Amy was sure he was drooling given his reaction. The rest of the group followed him, crossing the street in a proper manner.

"A board?" asked Amy confused when she looked over Sonic's shoulder. What could so amazing about it? It was slim with metallic coating colored in blue, green, and yellow with occasional red stripes. At most, it reminded her shorter and rounder surfing board.

Eclipse was standing next to her, and despite having no idea what that thing was, it was making him more curious than the newest fashion. He wondered if it was because this was supposed to be meant for boys and not for girls since Amy took him on a few shopping trips and all were about clothes, shoes, and some stuff he considered to be girly thingy.

The blue hedgehog unglued his face from the glass, frowning at his friend. "Your absence is the only excuse here, young lady." He tried to sound like an old guy, making the girl snicker. He cleared his throat, standing like a column, explaining, "ExGears are the most awesome boards. They hover above the ground and are powered by rings. You can do all sort of cool tricks on them." His eyes started to shine, and it was obvious that was the best thing about them.

He quickly continued, "They are fast too and many cities, including this one, are having local competitions. There are always several categories like finishing the course in the shortest time or doing the most tricks!" He clenched his fists, looking back at the goodies. "I so want one!" He sounded like a girl seeing the newest fashion. He was so full of energy he was running in one place.

"But aren't you super fast on your own?" asked Eclipse, tilting his head. He had a hard time imagining there can be anybody or anything faster than Sonic. Meaning, there was no need for the blue hedgehog to move slower than at his top speed, right?

The blue, hyperactive hedgehog stopped moving and stood still with a slight blush on his face. "I know, but I want to prove I'm the fastest in the air too!" He scratched his muzzle before tightly clenching his fists, adding, "There is this guy... Get... Bet..." He rolled his eyes, trying to remember this person's name but he soon gave up, continuing, "... the Sparrow or something, claiming to be the fastest guy on the board! No way I can stay calm with him around!"

Eclipse answered with muted sound as this seemed like a valid reason. Amy was watching the blue boy with an amusement. He hadn't changed at all. He was still cheerful, fun to listen to, and overconfident but with a speed to back it up. She closely looked at his face, as she noticed his sparkling emerald eyes. 'I think he turned out quite handsome too,' she thought without thinking, resulting in redness. She quickly shooed it away before asking, "So, what about this person Rotor you mentioned before?"

"Ah, right, he is a super mechanic, I'm telling you." Sonic showed her thumbs up, not noticing her slightly blushing cheeks. He was too absorbed in his telling to pay something like that any attention, much to Amy's happiness. Only Eclipse noticed it in her smell, but he decided not to ask about it and followed the duo down the street.

After about ten minutes, they arrived in front of a big garage named Rotor's Motors. The pink lass giggled upon reading it. The name had a nice ring. The whole shop was just this one building, and it might seem to be small to some people since many companies had multiple garages where they provided services.

Sonic assured them, Rotor is an awesome person able to fix anything. He had met him about half of the year ago when he crashed into a pole with his rickshaw. Amy was at first worried, but then she was frowning as Sonic admitted he crashed because he wasn't paying attention. Since then, they formed a friendship, and Rotor was in charge of repairing his small vehicle.

The demon cringed his nose, as he smelled a lot of stinking things. His snout was sensitive, and some smells were making him a bit dizzy. Even when he was still hunting mortals, he avoided certain areas. He looked around never seeing a similar place before.

There were two cars parked next to each other with about two meters wide gap between them. Except for recognizing green and dark blue colors, he had no idea why mortals kept making this thing in different shapes when all functions stayed the same. He also glanced various tools hanging on the wall, but before he could examine them, he switched his focus toward the standing cars, as he smelled someone was behind the first one.

"Hey, uncle Rotor! How's my rickshaw doing?" called him Sonic with a playful voice.

From behind the green car stood up a purple-skinned walrus, and he replied, "Sonic! I was thinking when you are gonna show up!" On his head were sitting yellow goggles. Over his torso was hanging a belt with pockets for various tools and he put a screwdriver into one opening, before wiping his hands into a cloth, stuffing it afterward into a small handbag attached to his belt. Just at the first sight, anybody could tell he was a nice guy, as his eyes were shining just like his smile. "You even brought your friends." He took down his yellow gloves that bore marks of being used and shook hands with them.

Eclipse hesitated only for a second. He was still taken aback a bit when confronting such open person. Usually, people were wary around him even with his demonic features hidden. The other didn't notice it, as the young mechanic was looking at Amy making curtsy.

"Nice to meet you, my name is Amy," she introduced herself. "And this is my friend Eclipse. Please, excuse him, he is shy around new people."

Her familiar nodded, realizing he was supposed to introduce himself.

"No worries," Rotor replied, waving his hand in a friendly gesture

She kept the conversation going, "Sonic told me you are awesome."

Rotor blushed, scratching his head. "I dare to say, I'm good at least." He gestured them to follow him into the corner of the garage on the other side of those cars. There was standing a small two-wheeled vehicle powered by one's legs.

Amy recognized it, as she saw something similar on an island she visited with Master Tikal. She was surprised seeing people pulling those small carriages for one or two people. She thought only horses were used to pull them. Her Master explained to her the horses were very expensive for these people. At that time she felt stupid not knowing it, and she decided to study more to be able to help everybody.

Eclipse came closer inspecting it. It had two-wheeled passenger cart with red collapsible hood. He touched the pillows on the seats, feeling their softness and noticing there was a storage space below the passenger's seats. His eyes wandered toward the big wheels with a blue coating. He crouched, tilting his head to see the chassis and a thick pipe that was under it preventing the vehicle from toppling down. Sonic stood next to him and scanned his vehicle too, noticing a few changes.

"What have you done with it?" he asked, kneeling down, touching the wheel seeing it was in perfect shape.

"I tuned it up a bit," said Rotor, looking proud, "Now it should keep up with your speed better."

"Cool, thank you!" He gave him thumbs up.

"And that's not the best part." The walrus grinned, making the blue boy curious. "Do you see that circular gap on the wheels?"

Sonic circled the opening with his fingers, and Amy was looking over his shoulder, nodding. "Is that a new design?" the blue speedster asked.

The purple walrus grinned. "No," he chuckled. "You just put this there." He took an energy ring and fit it in the gap, filling it. "Now run with it, and you can recharge them at the same time."

"Way past cool!" Sonic jumped into the air. This way he could save a lot of money on buying charged rings he was using in his home.

"Just keep checking their level so they won't overheat. I tried to make sure it won't happen, but your speed is something extra, and I have made only a few tests so far."

"Don't worry." He winked at him. "I'll be careful."

Rotor then proceeded to explain him more. He made sure to tell him about all the small details he had made, including a small indicator on the handle to show how much each ring was charged.

"This is truly fascinating!" Amy exclaimed. "I had no idea something like this can be possible." She had limited knowledge of cars and industry, but she could tell this might make a big evolution for rings, making them cheaper. She smiled at the young mechanic, saying, "By the way, do you have a contract with Rose family? Such improvements would be beneficial for their delivery business."

Rotor shook his head, looking nervous. "No way! I'm too small to ask such huge company for a contract." He scratched his head.

"But if you would get a chance to contact them, would you take it?" she continued to ask, looking into his eyes. There was a slight shine in her blue eyes, indicating she was using her soul reading powers. Anybody, except for Eclipse, would think her eyes have a shine in them. She hadn't told her friends about it yet.

The man fidgeted a bit, answering nervously, "Well, I can't say no. I would be proud and happy, knowing my adjustments can help to deliver the important stuff." He shrugged his shoulders. "But that's just a dream. I started my business less than a year ago, there is no way I can be noticed or asked by such big company for a contract. I have nothing proper to show them."

Amy put her hands behind her, slowly taking a walk around the cars. "Don't say that. Your adjustments to Sonic's rickshaw are amazing."

"Yeah, it was challenging and fun to do," he admitted. "But there can't be anybody else who can use it to charge rings."

She playfully smiled. "That may be true, but what about watermills? Doesn't flowing water have enough energy to do it?" There was her usual spark in her eyes, showing she was getting excited just from talking about this.

He pondered about it, mumbling something regarding them, before saying, "That could be possible." He gestured with his hands. "If we can get a proper level difference, it could be possible to charge them at a steady speed." His face was bright, showing he was at the bring of geeking out, but that was soon gone as he continued, "But that would require quite a sum of money to build just the test machinery."

"Come on, Rotor," Sonic nudged him in the ribs. "Don't tell me you don't have an idea or two already."

His friend snickered, "Can't say no to that."

"Then there is no problem. Can I borrow some paper and pen, please?"

The walrus mechanic directed her to his table, puzzled what she wanted to do with it, but the answer was soon clear when he got the paper.

She put it in his hands. "Go to this address, show it to the guards, and they will let you in. I'm sure you will be able to fulfill your dream."

Rotor was dumbfounded, winking at her, checking the paper. "Are you, young lady, perhaps in close contact with the Rose family?" He wasn't able to believe his luck, or he wasn't sure if it was luck; however, this was an unimaginable situation for him.

The girl in front of him did curtsy, saying with a wide smile, "Yes, I'm Amy Rose the only daughter of Rose family."

His jaw dropped, and his hands grabbed Sonic's shoulders, shaking with him, mumbling, "She is-! She is-!" He didn't stop looking at her.

"I-I-know-know-!-!" he stuttered with his head rocking back and forth.

The walrus let him go, deeply bowing. "Lady Amy, I can't thank you enough!"

"Please, Miss Amy is enough, and you are welcome."

After this, they talked about cars and other mechanic things. They were having a lot of fun, not noticing Eclipse was standing away from them. Part of it was because of various smells that made his snout itchy. However, the biggest reason behind it was the pulsating feeling inside of his head. It was coming at random times, nagging him for seconds or minutes, and he had no idea how to make it go away faster. He could only hope it wouldn't become so strong he would stop controlling himself.

Thankfully, the feeling was gone by the time they finished their chat. Amy would like to stay, but they had to continue to Mr. Brian's house. Sonic took the rickshaw outside, and the pink hedgehog lowered the roof, letting the sun inside. She hopped inside, and Eclipse took the place next to her. The seats were quite comfy. Once Sonic made sure they are seated, he started to run, and soon they left the city behind only then the blue hedgehog sped up.

"Rotor is awesome!" he shouted after a while. "This model is lighter than the older one!"

"Sonic," called him his friend, "why do you have rickshaw?" The wind was taking her words away, so she shouted.

"I thought it would be useful for deliveries and transporting people," he shouted back.

Then they were silent, enjoying the wind in their quills. They saw the destined city in a matter of two hours. If they used a train, it would take them at least half of the day. Thanks to meeting Sonic they had a ton of time for dinner, and a new companion to join them.

The hedgehog sped up, having not enough speed, wanting to go faster and faster. Amy looked at a big mansion built on a small hill, towering above the whole city. She could tell it was old and quite nice looking, but there was a feeling of depression around it. She wondered why was that, but her thoughts were cut short as Sonic out of the blue stopped.

"Hey, are you okay?" the blue hedgehog asked a kid who ran into his path from the bushes along the path.

The child was shaking and trembling. It must have been caught in a game it stopped paying the surrounding any attention. It slowly nodded.

Sonic let out a deep sigh. "Thanks--" His sentence was cut by a sound of breaking glass. He looked around, but there was nothing broken. "Hey, Amy, did you--!" he wanted to ask her, but she was gone. Even Eclipse was nowhere to be seen. His fur bristled, as the feeling of a great danger engulfed him. His green eyes wondered toward the city, noticing one window of the mansion was broken.