~~~ Very quick note; I wrote this chapter and A/N in like, April~~~
It had been months since the war ended. Months since the Resistance had stood up against Eggman and took the world back from him. Months since (Y/N) had joined the team, saved the world, and left. Months since the (a/t) had seen Sonic; since they had spoken on that cliffside.
The (f/c) (a/t) had not seen her former team since she had left, and she thinks it was best that it stayed that way. The emotions she felt had been far too strong, to overwhelming, stressful. Though she had to admit, in all the rush, she had really grown out of her shell. She spoke now, not afraid to ask people on the streets questions; like where her family was.
(Y/N) had tried to return home after the fighting, but when she had arrived, all that was left was rubble, the simple residential house having been destroyed in the battle. All she could confirm was that her family hadn't been caught in it, and they had, in fact, gotten out. So that's what she had been doing the past few months, searching the city for her family, asking any stranger if they had seen them. The (a/t) had recovered a photo from the wreckage, showing it to anyone that would look at her. Most people would shake their heads and say they hadn't seen them.
But that hadn't deterred the (a/t), and as more and more people returned to the city, returned to find their homes smashed and start the huge cleaning process; she wouldn't hesitate to ask them if they saw these people on their travels.
However, it was all the same, with people saying they hadn't seen them, or that they had their own problems to deal with, or even things like 'why would I have? I was on the run, not looking for some stranger's family.'
Today seemed no different, as the clouds floated through the sky, slowly pushing the red glow of dust and dirt away and making room for the familiar blue. There was a breeze that moved through the city, the first cool day in a long time, a day that felt like change. The (a/t) may have lost some hope, but she wasn't giving up just yet.
While families cleaned their homes, helped neighbours, rebuilt, (Y/N) strolled through the streets, looking out for anyone new to ask for any help. In her mind, her family should have returned by now, and it was very suspicious that they hadn't, so any signs that they had gotten away would be a boost for the (a/t)'s disappearing hope.
And then she came across a family, a rat and his two children. When showing him the picture, he nodded and told the (a/t) that he had seen her family helping others in the next town over, they had even helped him and his children. (Y/N)'s ears perked at this and her tail wagged. She thanked the kind rat, before asking which town it was in. He shrugged, saying he was in such a rush he couldn't remember, but that the town was west of here.
The (a/t) thanked them, making her way through the town with her head now held high. It was a start, though she wasn't sure where exactly she was going, she knew which way west was, and that was a better start than nothing.
On her way through the ruins, she made sure to stop in and grab a few things from the Resistance's H.Q. After all, she was a part of them. Now stocked with food and her grappling hook by her side, the (a/t) was ready to go find her parents. She left the H.Q, without running into anyone she knew. And (Y/N) was glad for that. She wasn't sure how awkward it would be if she ran into anyone again, especially Sonic of all people.
(Y/N) couldn't help but dwell on it as she left the building, walking past the cliff face they had spoken at months ago. She hadn't allowed herself to think about it since she had left but being there brought up some very strong emotions. So much had happened during the war, so much that she was burying away.
Of course, she had grown as a person, from being a silent shy stuttering mess to a slightly more confident person. She had learned to stand up for herself and her friends. She had become a hero. And she had found love. But that's why the cliff face brings her such pain, as the words Sonic spoke rang through her mind.
"I really like you, a lot and... Well... That's a bad thing..."
The (a/t) closed her eyes tightly, the words as clear as day in her mind, as if Sonic stood right next to her. She understood why, but even now, months later it still stung. She huffed to herself, nearing the cities edge. Why after all this time did that still hurt? Surely, she had moved on from then. She had to have. She had told Sonic she would keep moving forward.
She shook her head, before thinking about the rest of the gang. Amy and Knuckles, Tails and Silver, the Chaotix, they had all welcomed her and befriended her, and they didn't push her when she wouldn't speak. They had been such kind friends, and (Y/N) was still admittedly sad she had to leave. She should be with them now, helping with the clean up of their city.
But she had a reason for leaving, and she knew her friends would understand. They were great people like that. Her family was just as important to her as hero work, and now that the danger was gone, she had her own problems to face.
It was just lucky Sonic had decided to leave as well. The (a/t) couldn't begin to imagine how awkward it would feel if he was still in the same city. Though the thought of him leaving straight after made her feel icky. She couldn't understand why.
Perhaps she'll run into him in the next town over. It's highly unlikely, considering how fast he is. He's probably on the other side of Mobius by now.
-No- (Y/N) shook her head, -Don't think of him, stop it. All that matters is finding your family, hugging them once more-
She was now a few hours away from the city, the (a/t) coming across a sign that told her the next town was a few days walk. She took a deep breath, wondering what the town would be like, whether it would be in ruins much like this one, or if it had been unphased by the war. (Y/N) doubted it, but you never know.
The journey was quiet and lonely; sometimes the (a/t) would come across other travellers, people heading home, also looking for loved ones, travelling while it was safe. She would often get lost in her own mind, wondering what would have happened if she stayed with the Resistance, if she would have been any help at all. She imagined what could have been, she may have cracked a joke with Knuckles and Silver, may have been able to have a girl talk with Amy, or learn some new things from Tails. Perhaps even get to know the Chaotix better, they seemed like a bunch of characters.
Any time the (a/t) thought of Sonic, she would try to distract herself. She'd think of her family, of her little sister, hoping she was okay; of her parents, wondering how they were handling everything that had happened.
The days passed, and finally she arrived at the town. To her dismay, it had in fact been affected by the war. Buildings looked damaged even from afar, and smoke rose in the distance. The (a/t) had to rest, she sat down below the 'Welcome to Daisyville' sign and pulled out the last remaining bit of food. Her stomach growled and she munched on the pre-made sandwich with Knuckles' name on it, chuckling to herself as she imagined the echidna blaming someone else for his missing lunch.
But as she swallowed her first bite, the (a/t) noticed something.
More smoke had started to rise from the town, and she saw a large shadow move through the still standing skyscrapers. One of the tall buildings then crumbled, something red and shiny reflecting the sun, and what looked like a crab-like robot emerged from the dust.
The town was under attack.
Hi guys! Woo boy am I glad to finally have this story planned and ready to share! I hope you're all excited for the sequel for Sonic X Reader; Behind the Scenes (A Sonic Forces Fanfiction). I've been wanting to write this since the first story ended, and it's finally here!
Now, idk how this chapter went, as I've been having a few problems with writing recently but I really hope it made sense and wasn't TOO repetitive... (IMPORTANT NOTE: I WROTE THIS THE DAY AFTER EASTER, IN WHICH I HAD BEEN STRUGGLING WITH WRITING FOR A FEW MONTHS – I HAD FINISHED PLANNING THE BOOK AT THE END OF FEB ;_; I DO NOT KNOW WHEN THIS IS BEING UPLOADED, SO IF IT'S JULY OR SOMETHING LATER I AM SO SORRY à It took me writing 2 original short stories to get back into writing -if you want to read them let me know-)
Anyway, whether this was written terribly or not, I hope it was enjoyable, and I hope ya'll are keen for this adventure! Because I really am!
Haven Out!!!