It's been a few weeks since Espio and Destinee retrieved the Golden Dragon artifact. The Chaotix had showed her their Detective Agency Office and even gave her a tour. A guest bedroom available was given to Destinee since she told them that after Shinokoku was burnt down, she had nowhere else to go.

Since then, Destinee started becoming more extroverted. Bit by bit. But she'll only do so around her fully trusted friends. Especially Espio and the rest of the Chaotix. Both chameleons had their free time to train to prepare to face the dark lord, though they never knew when it's time.

Right now, the Freedom Fighters, Destinee and the Chaotix were preparing for the one event. Thanksgiving. It was Sally who mostly organized the plan when it comes to preparation.

Amy, Destinee, Cheese, Chocola, Cream, Vanilla and Gemerl were in charge of food while the rest were in charge of the decorations and the party setup. And so, they all went to do their roles.

The girls, the chao and Gemerl went to Cream's house to help cook food for Thanksgiving, including the main part of the celebration: "the roasted turkey." Destinee helped with cutting vegetables, which led to making salad. Cream and Amy were making homemade apple pie. Vanilla was cooking roasted turkey while Gemerl made the rest of the food needed for Thanksgiving. As for the chao, they helped them when needed.

With Destinee, though she's cutting vegetables, she kept thinking about Espio and how they both got along. Ever since they retrieved the Golden Dragon, she wondered if she had feelings for him or if he's like a brother to her. Somehow, she felt like it was more than just a brother-friend and her guardian.

Without thinking, Destinee asked Amy, "What about Espio?"

"Oh, him? He's just helping the others with decorations and table settings, which are held in a place where we could actually celebrate Thanksgiving. Who knows? Maybe they'll tell us when we're done," answered Amy.

Destinee chuckled and blushed slightly, "Yeah. They will."

Meanwhile, the boys, Bunnie and Sally were at the park decorating the Thanksgiving event, setting the table and doing the rest of the plans. Vector was in charge of music. Tails and Rotor were in charge with all the technology and he was helping Vector whenever there's a problem.

Antoine was trying to help with the table setting, but Sonic used his speed to set the table quickly and got it done. Antoine thanked him as he headed off to help with decorations.

Then, he was seen balancing the bottom of the ladder leading Knuckles to decorate the lights properly. Charmy did his best to help others, but somehow ended up messing up with Espio's banner decorating. He sighed, but he didn't show how annoyed he felt. As for Bunnie, she was just putting the lanterns up on a few trees surrounding it and even on a hook put on each pole that stood between the light bulb banners. With her rocket boosters on her robotic legs. You can also see Sally checking if everything goes as planned. She was seen holding a clipboard on her left hand and a black ballpen in her right hand.

While they're all preparing, Sonic spoke to Vector, "Sounds like it was your idea to celebrate Thanksgiving in the park. Do you mind telling us a reason?"

"Actually, it was Espio's idea," answered Vector. "We asked him for a reason, but he's so nervous he couldn't talk."

Just then, Charmy swooped in finishing his answer, "And I could tell there's a reason by the blush on his cheeks."

"What do you mean by that?" asked Sonic.

"If I tell you, it wouldn't be a secret," answered Vector.

That's when Sonic's lips stretched out a teasing smirk with his fists on his hips. You can see his overall teasing expression on his face. "A secret, huh? Maybe I should ask Espio soon."

With that being said, Sonic zoomed off to Cream's house where food is prepared.

Then, Charmy flew to help Espio with the banner position. He tied the left side to the left trunk while Espio did the same on the other side.

After that, Espio spoke to him calmly,"Thank you, Charmy, but next time, try not to make a mess."

"Oh, sorry, Espio. I was just trying to help out with the decorations," replied Charmy as he flew to have a spot to help others.

If Destinee were around, things will be fine. But she's currently helping the girls, Gemerl and the chao with the food needed for Thanksgiving, he thought. Then, a blush crept on his cheeks. And ever since we retrieved the Golden Dragon, I've wondering if I care that much about her. I may be her guardian like the prophecy said, but I feel like it's more than that.

Back with the girls, Gemerl and the chao, after they're done preparing food, Amy noticed the blush on Destinee's cheeks. She then, walked up to her with a teasing smirk, "Well, someone's got feelings for a ninja."

Her face heated up and denied, "Wh-What?! N— I don't—! We're just friends."

"Sure you're just friends, but what if you're more than that?" asked Amy. "You two seem to be getting along really well."

"Well, sure, um..." Destinee trailed off embarrassed about what she's going to say.

"I know what you're feeling, Ms. Destinee. You two will be so adorable together," asked Cream.

"Chao-chao-chao-chao," each of the chao said.

Destinee sighed, looked down and guessed, "It seems like they want me to admit it."

"Yes. They can tell by how you've been acting around Mr. Espio," said Cream.

"Oh, come on, Des! Please tell us!" Amy convinced her.

"Tell us! Please!" each of the girls convinced Destinee.

After a while of convincing, Destinee warned them, "Alright, I'll tell you, but promise me not to tell anyone about it."

"Don't worry, Destinee. Our lips are sealed," said Amy as others nodded at her reply.

She sighed and admitted a moment later, "Since you insist, I do love Espio. We've been friends ever since we first met, but I've had that kind of feeling ever since we both retrieved the Golden Dragon. I'm not sure if I could tell Espio how I feel as I'm afraid that it might ruin our friendship."

"Don't worry, Des! We'll give you some advices!" Amy reassured her.

"Are you sure about this?" asked Destinee. "My family taught me that if you want to fit in, you have to be yourself."

"That's what I'm going to tell you, Ms. Destinee," said Vanilla. "You can't work this out if you want to be someone you're not."

"Affirmative. I know you two will work it out and you'll be there for each other no matter what happens," stated Gemerl.

This caused Destinee to smile warmly, lightly chuckle and turned at the others, "Thanks, everyone. You really mean a lot to me."

"You're welcome," they replied.

Now, they're starting to help each other clean up the whole kitchen. Right in the middle of the cleanup, they suddenly heard the doorknob turning. Their heads shifted towards the door being pushed open. And on the other side of the door was Sonic himself.

"Hey, guys. Thanks for helping with the food. If you wanna know where to celebrate Thanksgiving, it'll be at the park," he said as he used his speed powers to bring food to the table he set at the park. One at a time.

When he's done, the girls, the chao and Gemerl all looked at the door and how Sonic was bringing food to the park, then to each other surprised. Then, it went back and forth until he's done.

During that, Destinee made a thought to herself, The park. That's where I trained myself to become a ninja and where I first met Espio.

"So that just happened", said Amy.

Back with the others, Sonic already set the food on the table with his super speed and the setting of a Thanksgiving event is done (at least that's what he thought).

After that, Sonic turned to the others, "Looks like the party's all set. Now, the girls, Gemerl and our chao friends will come here and celebrate with us and discuss what we're thankful for."

"We're almost ready Sonic," said Tails holding up a plug on his left hand and a plug-like socket on his right hand. "We still need to light up the only decorations we have. Well, besides the banner of course."

With that being said, he put a plug on a socket and lights began to glow around the party. Everyone watched in awe as colors of red, yellow, green and blue glowed and appeared around the whole set up. Espio smiled warmly as the party went exactly as planned.

With that being said, they waited for the girls, Gemerl and the chao to arrive for a Thanksgiving celebration.

And while they're waiting, a curious question popped in Vector's head. With that, he walked his way towards Espio. "Hey, Espio. I see your face has been red after you hang up a banner. I bet it's about Destinee, isn't it?"

A blush immediately appeared on Espio's cheeks. The reaction of surprise and a bit of embarrassment popped up on the surface. He then, turned to Vector.

"No, Vector. We talked about this. It's best not to bring this up and let our relationship develop naturally."

"You gotta admit it! You two would make a cute couple!" said Charmy.

"I agree," said Sonic. "We all found that out ever since we heard you two work together to overcome the obstacles in the temple."

"And we've all been waiting to make your move for a week. And you' gotta admit it. You do love her that much, riiiiiiight?" Tails teased. "And plus, even Gemerl recognized it as a romantic attraction."

"Don't worry, Espio. We won't tell anyone about your feelings," Sally reassured Espio.

The others nodded agreeing with her.

After a while of convincing, Espio admitted, "Okay, you got me. I do have feelings for Destinee, but don't tell everyone else about it especially her."

"Don't worry, Espio. Your secret's safe with us," said Vector.

The others nodded in agreement as they continued waiting for the girls, Gemerl and the chao to arrive for a Thanksgiving celebration.

Time skip to when Sonic and the gang celebrate Thanksgiving

They're all eating dinner (except Gemerl, who was on a lookout 'cause obviously, they're robots) and everyone discussed what they're thankful for. Some were about making friends and having help from them. Others were about going through tough times when others support them. On and on until eyes were on Destinee.

"So what are you thankful for, Des?" asked Sonic.

"I like to be thankful for having great friends like you. I've never made any since I lost my family and friends. I also like to thank the Chaotix for backing me up on a quest to retrieve the Golden Dragon. Especially a best friend, who's always been there for me in times of trouble."

As she said this, Destinee's head went down while her eyes turned to Espio, her cheeks becoming pink. Espio felt like blushing at the compliment, but then again, he didn't notice. Unknown to both of them, the others snickered about them knowing that they're meant to be together.

Before anyone can say anything, they heard an unfamiliar voice, "Do you think you have the time to celebrate in victory?"

As they heard it, everyone stood up and headed near the table to look around in awareness, but some especially Cream looked around in fear.

"W-What is that?" asked Tails looking around in secret fear.

"I don't know, but whatever it is, it must've crashed the party," answered Sonic.

"Oooooh, look at this. Someone knows my plan, but I'm only here to defeat the Kogansetsu Ninja, so that the prophecy will be no more," an unfamiliar voice said.

You can see Espio swooping in front of Destinee to protect her like the prophecy had said, though she's also looking cautiously for any sign of that voice. Fortunately for them, nobody noticed because their eyes and mind were focusing on the sound.

Cheese and Chocola hid behind Cream. Most of the others found the voice creepy. Gemerl readied his battle stance.

Now, Cream was trembling in fear, so she asked Vanilla, "What are we going to do, mother?"

"Don't worry, Cream. As long as we have friends on our side, there's nothing to be afraid of," Vanilla reassured her.

"Really, now?" the same voice said as Tails walked backwards a bit. "Then, how's this for not being afraid?"

As it said this, Tails turned to see a dark gas with orange eyes and he doesn't have a mouth. As he saw it, he jumped in fear, drew back and fell down. This grabbed everyone's attention and they turned to see the dark gas. Bright, green, glowing eyes popped out of the gas.

Destinee's glaring eyes launched to the dark gas. "Who are you?"

The dark lord made an evil laugh and introduced himself, "I go by no name, but Blake the Dark."

"Blake the Dark?" Charmy asked in confusion. Then, his eyes widened in realization. "Wait—" Then, he turned to Blake with glaring eyes launched directly towards him. "You're not the one, who destroyed Destinee's home, don't you?"

Blake let out a mix of evil chuckle and evil laugh. "Perhaps. I might be partly responsible for all the hardwork I did to the kingdom of Shinokoku. It was all thanks to someone I put mind control on."

"Mind control..." Sonic and Sally muttered to themselves.

As the Freedom Fighters mentally put two to two together, their eyes widened in realization. Then, they all shot their death dagger glares at Blake.

"You again?!" asked Sonic.

"But how?!" asked Tails. "Intellizo defeated you with the help of Mystic Melody!"

"You're ze one who started ze digital zombie apocalypse," said Antoine.

"Oh yes. I caused all this. So, how am I brought back? Well, let's just say I came here prepared," said Blake.

"You'll never get away with this, Blake," Destinee told him.

"But I already have," he said as he attempted to strike Destinee by using dark-powered spears, but she dodged and blocked them with her katana (or at least she tried to). A moment later, she was struck by one of them sending her flying backwards, then on the ground.

Everyone especially Espio gasped and yelled in despair, "DESTINEE!!!!!"