' ' 𝙰 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚋, 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚖𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚔𝚎𝚎𝚙 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚗𝚘 𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚒𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚐𝚎𝚝. ' '

You never expected to see 'normal' in your life ever again. The thought of that was forced out of your war-torn mind long ago. Olive had graciously gifted you with ancient memories, unlocking a part of yourself you thought drowned in the deep grey of the prison cell.

The two of you were catching up while exploring nice places to set up your small room on the ship. There was enough space for a one-person bed, maybe a desk or chair, and then a closet for storage.

Your (favorite color) sheets had been cleaned off and refurnished to fit the mattress, and perfectly soft pillows rested on the headboard. A single stuffed animal topped it off, your favorite, a (favorite animal). You had gotten it at the zoo when you were around 14, and although you were growing out of the need for stuffed animals, this creature just spoke to you.

Your hands gently held it, and pet the faux creature. You had given it a name due to its chunky but adorable size: Meatball.

"You named it Meatball?" Olive gently laughed behind you, holding a hand to her lips as she didn't mean to make fun of your beloved plush.

"Well look how chunky he is." You held up the (favorite color) (favorite animal) to your friend.

"I suppose I see now." She shrugged and pat its head. "Do you remember pajama day, the first one of when we were in highschool?"

You thought about it- your school was a very much 'spirit' school, and had many occasions that allowed fun and silly dress up days during school. And then it hit you after putting your eyes on Meatball again. You and Olive had passed the poor creature around like a football through the halls... You started to laugh out loud, "Oh my g- YES!"

Olive had fallen right into her crush as she went in for a catch, but she was caught instead. Wink wonk. Now, it was something cute and funny to look back on.

You two laughed together, like old friends. With a final breath, you looked to your canine friend once again, "I still can't believe I'm back out of that prison- I wish it was for a better reason but..."

"But you're doing amazing (y/n). Look, you're smiling and laughing." Olive grabbed your cheek and shook it like an old woman would to a young child. You laughed in a slight pain at the motion, but it was all good intent.

"You're right, I'm just still getting used to it is all." Your shoulder head fell onto her shoulder, your tone quieting. Olive's chest huffed up and down in a slight giggle.

"You'll be fine (Y/n), really." Olive's arm reached over your back and pat your head from behind as she had to your (favorite animal plushie) that still rested in your arms. "We'll-"

"Attention All Units. All available Freedom Fighters on base are set for our next departure in 15 minutes. Please report to the Control Room for further instructions."

The loudspeakers of HQ made the announcement, and you huffed as you pulled yourself off of Olive. "Already?" You groaned.

Your companion chuckled, "No rest for the weary." She joked, sitting upright to exit the room.

As soon as you stood up, your stomach groaned as well. You hadn't eaten since you got out of the prison, and all this running around and fighting has taken a toll on your energy. Your tail, (if long enough), dragged on the ground.

The canine girl took notice and tilted her head, nodding for you to follow her, "Come on, I know a place. Do you like spicy food?"

"I don't know- I'm used to potatoes and thats really it." You remarked about your prison food. The diet was only to keep you alive, and wasn't satisfactory.

"You get to report, I'll make you something you can take on the way." Olive cheered, patting your shoulders and running off before you could object. Skipping backwards, she turned to you a final time, "Go to the Control Room!" and continued to run out of the small airship into another corridor.

You smiled at your friend's enthusiasm. Why couldn't you have that? Well why not? Your thought battled each other. You could be enthusiastic and fun, why not? So you too! Skipped into a run towards the Control Room.

Amy and Rouge were sitting at a computer with the reptile duo, plus Gante and his squad, discussing amongst themselves. The practically threw yourself onto the table. "I'm here, let's get started."

Amy nodded and snapped for everyone to quite down. "Alright everyone, we received intel that a smaller horde is moving into Floral Forest Village. If some of you can recall that's where-"

"Miss Vanilla!-" Vector blurted out. Everyone stared at him with a wide eyes and suspiciously smirked faces. You were confused when Rouge looked to you and wiggled her eyebrows to show you what they were reacting too, and you laughed to yourself.

"How cute." You added, the rest of the crowd gently laughing at their friend's little crush on the rabbit mom.

"-and Cream and her Chao." Amy continued, her laughter dying off much quicker. This was still a serious matter. "Sorry Vector, but you'll be staying here for the mission, same with Espio and Gante's team. We don't need you all out there."

The bigger reptile boys looked at Amy in disbelief at her decision, Vector more or less wanting the go save Vanilla, and then Gante wanting action.

"I've decided to send (Y/n) with Rouge as her escort with the smaller escape airship." Amy looked to you with a gentle smile, "I'm sure Olive's shown you your little- surprise?"

You smiled and nodded, "Yes, and I really couldn't believe it, thank you so much." With a neat bow you thanked the Freedom Fighters.

Amy walked over to your form and placed her hands together, "We made the decision because you'll be out and about so much. You'll need your rest and resources onboard."

You looked back up to see her wide green eyes again, happy to see some positivity radiating in the dark atmosphere of the control room.

"Now then, let's get to it!" Amy dismissed everyone and they went to their stations. Looking around, you spotted your big beefy black dragon walking away from the scene.

"Gante, hold up." You called after him, running up to his backside as he froze and turned around slowly. His usual monotone expression met yours. "You're not coming with us?"

It felt unusual for the commander to not be in your battles. He was there from the very start of your release, and even took care of you when your eyes looked a little upset and burned.

"No." Was all he said, and continued to walk away. Your eyes fell and your expression turned to a frown. You didn't chase it anymore due to the urgency to get moving to Floral Forest Village.

Olive was at your escort ship with a small to-go box. You thank her as she passed it off and disappeared behind a coorador. The ship took off, and you started to realize the feelings Vector and Espio felt when they lost Charmy. A feeling you didn't realize you wanted back.

Missing someone. It's a weird sadness.

Do you guys want more or less of big burly dragon man??

Chapter Length @1260 Words