Chapter 5: More Each Day
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	I soon got to know the city I was in, Dakota. It was pretty peaceful. I 
thought about setting up our band sometime. Dakota was bigger, that meant trends 
start slower. I knew that Amy would do it; Tails might if he wasn't working on 
something. Sonic was a different story. He already has problems at Station 
Square. Everyday someone is chasing him. Oh well. If the rest of us are going, 
he is gonna have to join. As soon as everyone (including poor Sonic) got here, 
it was time to rock. Unexpectedly, our concert was sold out. The moment we were 
on, we gave the crowd what they came for, to hear 4Ever, More Than Heroes. 
Everyone was screaming because they liked our band so much. I hope that I won't 
be chased tomorrow. 
				.................
	The next day, I had to leave. Not because I didn't want to get chased, but 
to do a bit of shopping. I couldn't believe how fast time flew! It seemed as 
Halloween was yesterday, now Christmas was in a week! I was so much in a hurry, 
I didn't see if Sonic, Tails, or Amy has left. 
"I see you're in a hurry. And the reason is?"
"I'm going Christmas shopping," I guess Shadow already did his, or he doesn't do 
it. 
	"............. All right, I'll come with you. Only to see what you do when 
you go 'Christmas shopping'" That concluded my guess, he doesn't know. Station 
Square might be small; but it is a good place to have a shopping spree. Once 
Shadow knew what it was, he was into it. The stuff I got were: a pair of hover 
shoes for Sonic (I can't believe that they had them in his size!), a new hammer 
for Amy since hers is getting old, Tails a new wrench [his melted in the 
explosion (see page six)], and Shadow a Poke'mon (it would be a good friend for 
him). I thought carefully about each thing. Shadow seemed pretty lonely after 
the "incident". I had to think carefully, since there were many choices. I 
finally chose a Hoot-hoot. A Poke'mon of the night and Shadow, a mysterious 
hedgehog, seemed like a match to me.
					....................
	"Aaak!" A flyer just flew right into the middle of my face. Great. I 
really hoped that there was nothing on my face. Even if there was, I wouldn't be 
able be able to see what it was
	"Hmm?" There must have been either something that interested Shadow on the 
flyer, or some gum got on my face (eeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwww! That is really, really, 
nasty!). "Wait a minute. It says something about a race," I read it thoroughly. 
This is what it said (without the flashy commercial sayings):
	At 7:00 am, there will be a battle of the racers. The winner gets to go on 
a vacation on a cruise ship for a month of their choice.
The cruise ship I wouldn't be interested in, but the race is what I'm about. 
Going around a track at a fast pace, the wind in my hair; that is paradise for 
me.
				...............
	It was the day of the race. Tails, Amy, Paprika, Chris [ask Sonic about 
him (how should I know him? I was busy running from the bus {see page 29})] and 
Prelude were in the stands. The race was about to start. On the field, Sonic 
Shadow (I didn't know he liked to race), and I were getting ready. There weren't 
many people running in the race, knowing that we were in the race. I hummed my 
favorite song. It reminded me of races. 'It doesn't matter who is wrong or who 
is right' I hummed the words gaily. A race was another hobby to me. I was sure 
of the same for Sonic and Shadow. I knew that this would be a race that would 
prove who of the three of us were faster.
	"Ready, Set, GO!" And we were off. Neck to neck to neck. I was in the lead 
then Sonic came by which made run faster. Then Shadow was in the lead. Then 
Sonic. Then me. I closed my eyes to think. I can usually tell when I was going 
to bump into something, so I knew I would be fine. I knew that I would have to 
use all that I am in order to win. I wanted to prove what I was. Not a girl who 
is a crazy fan of the two hedgehogs. Not a fox who always needed someone by her 
side. A person who has a heart for what is right, against what is wrong. Ruby 
Prower. That was who I am. I knew I had to try. Even it means defeat. I opened 
my eyes to see that I left Sonic and Shadow in the dust. I couldn't believe it! 
I left the world fastest hedgehogs in the dust! I couldn't get too cocky. The 
race isn't over until I reach the goal.
					............
	"The winner is Ruby!" I smiled. The end of the race was close. Sonic was 
in second, leaving Shadow in third.
					..............
	Poor Sonic. He was driving me nuts because of his aquaphobia. Sheesh.
	"Sonic, why don't you chill in one of the cabins?" When I peeked up, he 
was a little green. Not jade. Sick green. I went back to sleep as I continued 
tanning. Well, he's going to be that green for a month, whether he liked it or 
not. Amy enjoyed the pool, Tails enjoyed the peacetime in his room, Prelude was 
finishing up her "little snack", Paprika was enjoying floating around in her 
inner tube, Shadow was chilling on deck (he's handling his aquaphobia better 
than Sonic), and Poor Sonic was barfing over the edge [which makes him barf more 
(yuck!)]. The least he can do is chill in a cabin.