Confined to Myself Ch. 1

Confined to Myself, A SonAmy Story

Chapter 1: Freedom Taken


Freedom.

That was it wasn't it? Enjoying the wind rush through his quills, seeing all the passing objects just fade into a blur, knowing that he could leave them all behind, feeling almost transcendent of his environment... this was what Sonic the Hedgehog lived for. This freedom, this liberty to just run his heart out, and the ability to go anywhere and do absolutely anything that he wanted, when he wanted to. In a word, it was thrilling.

He cherished every day, every second that he got to run. Sometimes he would just let his mind wander where it would as his feet pumped at ridiculous speeds, and let his instincts carry him to wherever he ended up. It didn't matter all that much where he went; Sonic had very few commitments or appointments with anything. Sure, if Eggman attacked, he'd show up in the nick of time to stop him, and every few hours he would stop to rest or chow down on a chili dog, but for the most part, Sonic wasn't tied down. To anything. And he wouldn't have it any other way.

Freedom.

Sometimes, on the very rare occasions that he did stop to really think and reflect on his life, Sonic almost pitied those that didn't have his gift of speed. But those times were few and far between, and normally didn't last more than a "Oh yeah, that really would be horrible," before he went back to exploring and trying to break his own records, oblivious to the rest of the slow, restricted world.

But along with his amazing, enviable gift came with sort of a curse: being so unhindered, Sonic had taken a casual, lighthearted outlook on life; he'd never really considered much else besides running and adventuring. He'd just assumed that whatever situation he found himself in, he'd be able to get out of it with his trademark quick reflexes and speed. Sonic felt indestructible. And that bred a confident, or as most would say, cocky attitude. For better or for worse.

But Sonic didn't care much about what people thought of him. He just kept on living and running, leaving any haters in the dust. Not that he had many haters; in fact, Sonic was quite well known and loved by many. Especially by one certain hyper, cheerful pink hedgehog, who, while being a good and loyal friend, could be a little... overwhelming, to say the least.

So it came as no surprise that when Sonic finally did come to a halt after hovering around Mach 3 for a few hours, requiring fuel for the journey, he found himself being assaulted.

"Sonic!"

Oh gosh it was Amy. Goodness, he couldn't even stop for one second without being attacked, could he?

Cringing slightly but quickly plastering on a pleasant expression, Sonic turned from the chili dog stand to face the dynamic pink hedgehog. She was running at him, her green eyes gleaming and her arms spread out, ready to hug him. Sonic shot a quick glance at the chili dog vendor, wishing he would hurry it up so he would have an excuse to get out of there. No way was he leaving without any food though.

Curse his hunger pains. He'd have to deal with her for just a minute...

"Hi Amy," Sonic said, trying to sound calm and backing away slightly, bracing himself for the bone-crushing glomp.

It was his lucky day, though, as Amy merely skidded to a halt in front of him, and didn't make any sort of contact at all. Her eyes, though, were incredibly shiny as they traced his face.

"Hi Sonic," she said giddily, joy evident in her tone. "You came out here just to see me, didn't you?"

Sonic bit his lip, but before he could say anything Amy squealed, "Oh that's so sweet of you!" and threw herself at Sonic, her strong arms squeezing the breath out of him, restricting his freedom.

"Uh..." Sonic managed to get out, now blushing just a little and trying to hide his annoyance. "Amy..."

She withdrew her arms but was still grinning like an idiot as she waited for his reply.

Having to swallow the lump in his throat, Sonic let himself smile just a little. "Amy... I.. actually I've never really thought of you that way," he said gently, honestly. "You've always been a good friend to me, but... nothin' more. Really, Amy, I don't like you... like that."

Instantly, Amy's face fell, and her disappointment and hurt was obviously reflected in her now dull and blank eyes and downturned, almost pouting lips. Sonic smiled at her softly, but when he turned to finally take the chili dog, he couldn't help but feel a stab of guilt in his heart.

Why... c'mon man, ya gotta be honest with her. You really don't like her that way... and she deserves to know the truth.

Before either hedgehog could say anything more, a distant crash stole their attention and broke the awkward silence. Sonic's ears swiveled in the direction of the sound before the rest of his body followed suit.

Plumes of smoke billowed into the air, filling the space with dirty dark gray clouds, and showing that the building from which it came must have been attacked by something. Already, the piercing alarms of fire trucks filled the air as the vehicles rushed to the scene.

"Eggman," Sonic muttered and then stuffed the whole chili dog into his mouth in one bite before taking off to fight his greatest enemy, leaving a disconsolate Amy Rose without a second thought.

He arrived at the burning building the next second, his eyes scanning the skies and looking for the villain. C'mon, ya big fat lump, show yourself.

The trademark yet still annoying laughter hit his ears, and Sonic couldn't help but smirk as he saw the doctor come into view.

"Here to fail at taking over the world again, Eggman?" Sonic said, cocking his head and oozing his cocky attitude.

"No, Sonic, it is you who will fail today. Because I have created the perfect way to not only defeat you, but the whole world!" he said triumphantly.

Sonic snorted. "Yeah, that's what you've said the past fifty times... that you've lost."

Eggman raised a finger and wagged it at the blue hedgehog. "Now, Sonic, don't be so harsh to me. I merely want to impose a better order to this world... and you are the one who ruins everything."

"Yeah, I 'spose I'm the real bad guy, huh? Now, are you gonna fight? Or are ya just feeling chatty?"

"Oh, I'm just taking the time to say hello to one of my greatest enemies," Eggman continued to babble. "It's not often that we get to talk is it?"

Sonic narrowed his eyes. "If it was up to me, we wouldn't talk at all, Eggbutt!"

Eggman exaggerated a pout. "And everyone says that you're such a nice hedgehog..."

Sonic was about to reply that he'd better get the fight on, but Amy's sudden scream stole his thunder.

"Sonic!"

Oh, did she have to insist on following him everywhere? Amy's voice, coming from behind him, caused Sonic's ears to swivel, but he ignored her for the time being. She was probably just upset at him, as always, and he had to deal with Eggman-

"Look out!" she suddenly cried again, but by the time Sonic had turned to see what she was screaming about, three darts hit him squarely in the back, causing painful pricks as they dug into his back fur.

The sudden, intense pain caused the blue hedgehog to fall forward, sinking to his knees. But even those normally strong joints couldn't hold his weight, and he collapsed onto his stomach. Trying to fight the throbbing pain, Sonic desperately tried to crawl back to his feet, but was suddenly unable to move, as his legs were just not cooperating.

He let out a small moan, wondering why his legs weren't working. Could have something to do with the darts? Was there a drug or something in them? He managed to raise his eyes up to see Amy tearfully running towards him as well as the robot that must have fired the darts. But before Amy could reach him, Sonic suddenly felt his whole body being encased by a sharp, metal claw that then lifted him up into the air. Feeling some of his control come back, Sonic started squirming and trying to get free, but the claw held him so tightly that he couldn't even curl himself into a spin dash.

Still feeling sluggish but fighting it, Sonic managed to move his legs very slightly, but the little pathetic kicks were just fruitless pushing against nothing but air, and he made no headway.

He'd been caught. Shoot.

Amy cried his name again and was about to pull out her hammer, but the robot had taken flight, carrying Sonic up into the sky and away from her, and so the girl could do nothing but watch.

"Amy... go get... Tails!" Sonic managed to yell down to her, despite being crushed. "And... Knuckles!"

"I don't want to leave you!" she insisted, tears almost choking her.

"Go, Amy! Now! Don't be dumb!" he demanded fiercely, knowing there wasn't anything the girl could do alone.

Her sad, tearful face was suddenly jerked from his vision and Sonic was forced to face Eggman. He narrowed his eyes at the cackling doctor as the two flew through the air side by side.

"Oh Sonic, that was almost too easy. I thought you would've at least put up a fight. Why, did you lose your speed for a minute, there?"

A growl escaped Sonic's throat. "Gr, you better let me go!"

"Oh no, I couldn't do that, Sonic," Eggman continued gleefully, practically dancing as he flew in his hovercraft next to the robot carrying Sonic. "Have you not figured this out yet? The whole reason that I attacked was to get your attention and then take you as a prisoner. You see, Sonic," he lowered his voice, even though they were a couple hundred feet above the ground and no one was around, "I have big plans for you."

A pelt of fear hit Sonic as the possibilities flooded his mind, but he swallowed it easily enough. "Oh yeah? What makes you think that I'm going to let you do anything to me, Egghead?" he spat, trying to maintain his morale and pep. Heck, this was nothing, he'd been through worse, much worse... besides, for sure his friends were working right now to find a way to free him...

The doctor never faltered. "Because, you are now my prisoner, Sonic. And I plan to break you down, leave you scarred and just a shell of yourself." He paused to let his words sink in, as they started descending towards his base. "But don't worry... I'm not into physical torture. It's too easy, too common, and usually doesn't do the job. You're much too valuable to just kill off. Oh no, I have much worse plans for one such as you."

So Eggman was going to do what to him, then? "Oh? I'm still not scared of you Eggman," Sonic muttered, though at this point, feeling as weak and sluggish as he did right then, he was feeling a bit... anxious as to what the evil doctor was planning on doing to him... after all, it was Eggman.

"Oh, the night is yet young, Sonic."

Not even bothering to respond, Sonic just waited as patiently as he could as the robot that was holding him landed with a thud on the outside of the base. Its tree trunk legs carried it way too slowly throughout the halls. Sonic said nothing, and just watched the fading gray paint on the walls pass him by. So dull, so slow.I sure hope those guys come soon... or maybe I'll find my own way outta here. It's not like I can be kept in a cage or anything.

The trip finally ended as the carrier robot descended a small flight of stairs that led down to a dark, musty smelling basement. Sonic blinked, trying to let his eyes adjust, but was only greeted by a pale, dim light in the corner, illuminating cobwebs and floating dust particles. It also revealed in the very center of this underground room, there rested a small, steel box about three and a half feet tall, and no more than about a foot or so wide. It really wasn't all that much to look at, but still... it didn't look all that cozy of a hangout.

"What's this? Where you keep all your midnight snacks?" Sonic asked, still squirming inside the robot's claw.

Eggman sneered. "No, Sonic, this... is your worst nightmare."

He had to pause to let out an evil laugh, and Sonic was too uninspired to interject another witty comment. "This... is where you will be spending the rest of your days: in a cold steel box, with no light, no sound, no escape. And worst of all? You won't be able to even move, let alone run anywhere. You'll be entirely confined to those four walls, with absolutely no outside stimuli, and no freedom whatsoever. Forever."

Oh crap.

"You think you can keep me in there?" Sonic jeered, trying to get his confidence back and not let the sheer terror of that scenario take over his mind.

Eggman tilted his head. "I see your will and attitude is still so very strong. It's almost admirable. However... we will see just how long that lasts after just a few minutes inside this cage."

Without warning, the robot extended its claw and tossed Sonic inside the box, letting his body slam against the side of the wall. If Sonic hadn't still been lethargic from the drug, he would've leaped out as fast as his feet would take him, but found most of his energy and ability sapped, and he remained still. Still... oh what an awful word...

"Have fun in there Sonic... while I take over the world!" Eggman cackled and then slammed to door to the box shut, leaving just a crack of air for the hedgehog to be able to breathe. Oh gee, thanks...

All of a sudden, everything was quiet and dark, and Sonic couldn't see an inch in front of him. Eggman had left him to rot inside this prison.

He was alone. He was without any sensory input. And he was trapped.

Wonderful.


...xxx... To Be Continued ...xxx...