Seven years pass, our protagonists are in their early teens and as a fight breaks out in the streets.
"What're you doing here?!" Max, Topaz's brother, shouts
"I'd ask the same thing, you flea-bitten tramp!" Sonic, Emerald's cousin, reacts
After ten minutes, a violent fight breaks out as the townspeople gather. After an hour, the authorities jump in.
"Hey, you two; break it up!" The officer shouts out
Sonic and Max are quickly broken up as the group of townspeople disbands. As for Emerald, she's fourteen and looking for love. To be pitted against many eligible bachelors; much to her dislike.
"Mother, I've told you. I'm not interested in men." Emerald informs
"Which are you interested in then?" Sapphire asks
"Don't you remember? I'm into women, that's all."
"Oh, right. We'll host a ball, two days from now and you'll find your perfect woman there. Bachelors, leave you're not needed here."
The men refuse to leave as Emerald sighs in relief; phew, no more men.
"Thank you, mother."
"You're welcome. I don't know if your father will be okay with it; he's just recently been educated on bisexuality."
"I think he'll be fine with it; then again I could be wrong."
"What's this about?" A voice asks, it's Shadow the Hedgehog, Emerald's father
The men scarper as Shadow enters the hall.
"Father, I'm... I'm..." Emerald stutters nervously
"A lesbian?" Shadow asks, guessing
"Wait, how did you...?"
"You have a lack of interest in men, constantly admire girls that walk down the street, try to flirt with the maids and shrug the men off as friends. I also remember when we all lived in the human world and had women chasing you."
"How do you know about my lack of interest in men?"
"I may have read a page, or two, of your diary."
"Father!"
"You've been hiding from everyone a lot, upset and writing in something."
"Oh, right..."
"I accept you for who you are and so do your mothers. You don't need to be afraid anymore."
"You both know that I'm a hybrid, like you both. That's gonna be a determining factor on whether I find someone or not."
Emerald turns her head, in shame. Sapphire notices.
"Are you okay, Emerald?" Sapphire asks
"Everyone I've tried making friends with, word gets out that I'm a hybrid and they all run away from me."
"Why didn't you tell us, sweetheart?"
"I was afraid that you two, along with Amy, would do the same and run away; like they did."
"We'd never do that to you, Emerald. You're the best and only daughter we'll ever have."
"Then, how is Sonic my cousin? We're not even blood related."
"You both have that cousin-like bond; you've been self-proclaimed cousins ever since that bond formed." Shadow answers
"Also, he's dating you three. What would make him want to live with someone like me?"
"Because you're the best, most caring cousin I could ever ask for. No-one can ever replace you, Emerald." Sonic responds as he enters the hall, covered in scratches and bruises
Emerald looks up, speechless and reaching tears from Sonic's words
"You heard?" Emerald asks, crying
"Yes, I did. I don't care about your orientation; you're still my cousin, either way."
Emerald soon runs into Sonic's open arms, crying. Sonic quickly starts coughing, in pain each time.
"Sonic, you're sick!"
"I'll be fine, after some rest."
"Have you been in a fight with that Cat again?" Shadow asks, unimpressed
"Yeah, I'll be fine with time." Sonic answers
"You're also ill; stay out of the streets for a while."
Sonic's coughs and splutters worsen as the pain of his wounds intensifies. Emerald starts crying again, running to Shadow as Sapphire helps Sonic to bed.
"Nurse, I need a nurse now!" Sapphire calls as nurses run to her aid
"Father, please; I want this to stop!" Emerald cries
"I'll put a stop to this; don't worry." Shadow responds, petting Emerald's quills