"The Weight of the World"
Authors: Robert Brown and Francis Tolbert
Disclaimer: This story uses characters created and copyrighted by Sega of
America, Inc. and Archie Comics (except where noted, in which case
they were created and copyrighted by us). The authors hereby give
permission for this story to be downloaded and/or printed at 1 copy
per user as long as (1) no changes to the story are made without our
express written(not e-mailed) permission and (2) no attempt is made
to profit from this story. If either or both rules are violated,
it will be considered a violation of copyright law.
The poem contained herein, "My Friend?" was written and copyrighted
by Robert Brown. Reproduction of this poem is permitted as long as
the above conditions regarding this story are met, and that the
poem be accredited properly.
Author's Note: I have something to say before this Author's Note gets really
started. Francis and I, while not having any trouble writing the story, had
more than our fair share coming up with a title. I'm glad that we were able
to rely on our fans for help in this(you know who you are). The title was
ultimately offered by fellow fanfic author Dan Drazen. Other titles that came
out of this search may be used elsewhere, with the appropriate credit, of
course.
It has come to my attention that some of you may be offended by
the use of profanity in our stories. We try to keep it at a minimum. In fact,
except for one instance, it has been limited to the occasional outburst of
frustration by animals fighting for their lives and world. And that one
instance was talked about by those involved, which became an uncomfortable
situation because of the curse. For now, we will continue as we have. For
those offended by such remarks, you may edit out the curses, so long as the
main story does not suffer. Till next time, happy reading!
Cast of Characters (in order of appearance)
Princess Sondra Acorn***
Miles "Tails" Prower
Dorian Lexford***
Princess Sally Acorn
Sonic Hedgehog
Bunnie Rabbot
Antoine D'Coolette
Dulcy
Rotor
Snively
Metal Sonic
Donovan###
Alexi Kavenoff###
Maurice Hedgehog***
Patricia Hedgehog***
Uncle Chuck
#11
"Come on, Miles," Sondra yelled over her shoulder as she ran toward
Knothole. "We're late again!"
"Well, we wouldn't be late if you had watched the time more carefully,"
Tails answered, flying just above and behind her.
"You could've watched the time yourself!" Sondra snapped as they headed
toward the War Room.
"It's hard to watch the time when I'm kissing you!" Tails returned. "You
know time flies when you're having fun."
Sondra started to say something, but it wouldn't come out. "I hate when
you do that," she grumbled, coming to a stop.
Tails landed behind her as she opened the door to the War Room. Just as
they walked inside, Tails heard a noise from the bushes. "Did you hear that?"
he asked Sondra, peering into the bushes.
"Probably just the snow settling," Sondra said, pulling him inside.
As the door slammed shut, an almost inaudible sigh could be heard. Dorian
wiped his brow and pressed his ear against the wall of the hut. He had almost
been caught; next time he would be more careful. He could hear grumbling from
inside as the latecomers were welcomed.
"So glad you could join us," Sally said.
"Sorry, Sis," Sondra said apologetically. "Miles and I lost track of the
time."
"Sondra, when are you going to realize that you are a princess and..."
"I have to start acting like one," Sondra finished for her sister. "Yeah,
I know, I know. So, what's on the menu for tonight's raid?"
Sally activated the holographic projector Uncle Chuck had made. "Uncle
Chuck reports that Snively's new SWATbot factory is ready to go online, and I
want to stop it. We'll split into three groups and attack simultaneously.
Sondra, Tails, Sonic, and I will make up the first group. We'll try to insert
a virus into the main computer that will cause the SWATbots to explode when
activated."
"Does this mean I don't get to waste any SWAT-butts?" Sonic asked,
tapping his foot.
"Maybe later, Sonic," Sally continued. "Group two will attack the machine
that assembles the SWATbots and try to knock it out. That group will be headed
by Rotor and Dulcy. Bunnie and Antoine will lead the third group against the
convoy bringing in the raw materials to be processed."
"I still think I could do more good on one of those groups," Sonic
muttered.
"Are you questioning my authority?" Sally asked archly.
Sonic groaned and waved it aside. He knew better than to argue with Sally
when she was like this.
"I thought not," Sally said, smiling. "Leaders, choose your groups. We
meet by the power ring pool in one hour and go from there. And Sondra, try not
to be late this time, OK?"
"All right!" Sondra exclaimed. "You made your point, don't harp on it."
Dorian crept away as the meeting ended, careful to avoid being seen. The
notepad he held was filled with the details of the mission. He hated spying on
his fellow animals, but his honor demanded it. "A Lexford's honor is
everything," he repeated to himself in a low growl. "I owe him at least this
much."
One hour later, almost everyone was at the pool, ready to go. Sondra had
not yet shown up, and Sally was growing angry. "Five more minutes and we leave
without her," she muttered, checking her watch.
"Hey, ease up, Sal," Sonic said. "She's probably doing this to annoy you.
You know how she hates being embarassed like that."
"Sonic, she has to learn to take things more seriously. What would happen
if one day I get captured or killed? She'd have to take over."
"I don't like you talking like that," Sonic said darkly.
"I don't like thinking it, but I have to," Sally admitted with a sigh.
"After the incident where you got captured, I got to thinking about what would
happen if the same happened to me."
"Sal, that was almost a month ago. Aren't you ever going to let up on
that?"
"You know what I mean. With that gun Snively has, any of us could get
picked off at any time. We have to be ready. Sondra acts like everything
will turn out all right, just because we want it to. She also can't comprehend
that I might one day not come back! What kind of leader will she be thinking
like that? I'm not even sure she realizes what being a princess is all about!"
"Hey, calm down," Sonic said, hugging her. "Remember, the kid's only
twelve. We were like that too. It was only when Bunnie got caught and half
turned into a robot did we realize what we had to do."
"I just don't want Sondra to find out like we did," Sally said quietly,
hugging Sonic back.
"I'm here!" Sondra said brightly, walking up to them. "Let's get this
party started."
Sally started to say something, but Sonic put a finger across her lips.
She glared at him, but kept silent. Sondra looked from one to the other,
oblivious to what was happening.
Sally pulled away from Sonic and addressed the animals gathered there.
"Each team will enter Robotropolis separately," she said. "Antoine, you and
Bunnie will lead your team in first from the west."
"As you wish, my princess," Antoine said, bowing.
"Sure thing, Sally-girl!" Bunnie added.
"Dulcy, think you can fly in your team right on top of the factory?"
Sally asked.
"No problem, Sally," Dulcy said. "It's just me, Rotor, and a couple of
others."
"Aw, Sally, do we have to fly in?" Rotor complained. "Last time you
didn't help Dulcy land I almost knocked a tooth out."
"Keep it up, wiseguy, and maybe I'll use you as a cushion next time,"
Dulcy joked, causing some laughter to break out.
"OK everyone, calm down," Sally said. "Us four will slip in, hopefully
unnoticed, and then slip back out. And be careful! Last time we went in,
we lost two good animals without warning. I don't want to lose any more."
"Lighten up, Sis," Sondra said. "We'll be in and out in time for a late
snack."
"Sondra, how many times..." Sally began, but bit off her words. Instead,
she said, "Let's go."
"Why are you being like this, Sondra?" Tails asked after they had all
set out.
"Because Sally has become so serious lately," Sondra said. "Since we
destroyed the Void, Sally has steadily grown more serious and less interested
in having fun. The weather's starting to get warmer, spring is barely a month
away. This is a great time of year! But all Sally's worried about is Snively
and Robotropolis and missions. She wasn't like this when I first showed up."
"Yeah, well, that was before Sonic got captured. That's always going to
be in the back of Sally's mind, until Snively is defeated. Also, remember I
told you that your father said he'd be back with the spring. She probably
wants to get this finished before he returns. You know I love you, but it
wouldn't hurt to take things a little more seriously."
"Hunh...." Sondra groaned, and sped up. Tails sped up to keep pace,
but kept quiet. What Tails didn't realize was that she was taking the missions
seriously, she just thought that everything would go like clockwork. She felt
that no matter what Snively did, they could handle it. After all, they had
destroyed the Void, rescued her father, and Sonic had even found his parents.
All in all, nothing had truly stopped them for long.
In short order, they reached Robotropolis. "Man, I don't remember there
ever being this many SWATbots," Sonic said, peering out from their hiding spot.
"Didn't Uncle Chuck mention that something big was going on last month?"
Tails pointed out.
"Yeah, but he couldn't find out what. Looks like whatever he was talking
about is going on now!"
"It's too risky," Sally concluded. "Sondra, send out the word to fall
back."
Sondra opened up Nadia to spread the word, but froze. A laser shot just
missed Sally's leg, and was immediately followed by another blast. Three AI
SWATbots had taken up position behind them and were trying to flush them out
with concerted laser fire. "Get going!" Sonic yelled, revving up his legs.
"Sonic, look out!" Sally yelled as he ran out, right into the path of a
laser beam.
The next few seconds seemed to slow for Sondra. She saw Sally run out
and push Sonic out of the way. She launched crystals at the SWATbots as the
laser beam inched closer to Sally. But no matter how fast her crystals flew,
the laser had already been fired. Sally dove out of the way, but the beam
struck her on her right thigh, sending her sprawling to the ground. Sondra's
crystals shredded the SWATbots, but she paid them no attention. She ran to
Sally, hoping against hope that everything would be all right.
"Sally!" Sonic yelled, running to her side and kneeling beside her. "Are
you OK?"
Sally looked into Sonic's eyes in fear and horror, and then the change
began. Metal began to replace flesh from the site of impact, covering her
lower body in seconds. "Sonic, get out of here," she whispered.
"No way I'm leaving you!" Sonic said, trying to pick her up.
Sally pushed away from him. Now only her head and arms remained normal.
"It's too late," she said, taking Nicole and giving her to Sonic. "You've got
to...get away."
"No, I'm not going!"
"Sonic...I can't...fight it much longer," Sally cried. The change was
slowing, but she would soon be fully robotic. "Sondra, Tails, get him out of
here!"
"Come on, Sis," Sondra said. "You're not leaving me."
"G...Goodbye..." Sally's voice trailed off as the change became complete.
"Sally?" Sonic said, shaking her. "Sally!"
Sally's eyes snapped open, the irises a harsh red. "PRIORITY ONE,
HEDGEHOG ALERT!" the robot droned, reaching for Sonic's neck.
"We gotta go, Sonic!" Sondra said, fighting to keep her tears back.
"She's turned against us!"
"No, not Sally!" Sonic said.
Tails grabbed him and pulled him away, but Sonic fought back. The robot
that had been Sally was rising to its feet, droning on about the "HEDGEHOG
ALERT", and Sondra knew she had to act. "Forgive me, Sonic," she said, jumping
at him and going into a Spin Attack.
She struck Sonic in the back of his head, knocking him instantly
unconscious. "Get him outta here!" she screamed to Tails, who nodded, flying
off.
"We'll be back for you, Sally," Sondra told the robot. "I promise." She
sped off, following Tails and not looking back.
The robot watched Sondra go, and something very like a tear fell from its
eye. Then it turned and marched toward the central command chamber.
Back at Knothole, everyone was waiting for Sonic's group to show up.
"Man, that was a bomb," Rotor said, pacing. "We barely made it out!"
"Us too," Bunnie agreed. "They almost nailed sugarfox. Fortunately I got
in the way and the laser hit my arm. I guess that gun don't affect what's
already robotic."
"Can you change it back?" Dulcy asked suddenly. "Maybe it made it
permanent again."
Bunnie tried to change her arm and legs back, and was visibly relieved
when they did. "Phew, thanks for pointing that out, Dulcy-gal," Bunnie said.
"Oui, I am so glad that I did not cause you any pain again," Antoine said.
"Are you still on that, sugah?" Bunnie demanded. "How many times do I
gotta tell you to let it go?"
Antoine smiled and nodded. "I will, soon enough," he thought. "But I
have to make sure, first."
"What are you thinking about, staring at me like that?" Bunnie asked.
"Oh, it is nothing," Antoine said vaguely. "Let us to be changing the
subject."
Bunnie didn't look like she would let it drop, but a blue and brown blur
exploded from the chute and into the hay. Tails popped out, carrying a still
unconscious Sonic. "Tails, honey, what happened?" Bunnie asked.
"Sondra knocked him out," Tails said, crying.
"Whatever for?"
Sondra exploded from the chute. "I have grave news," she said, her tears
flowing freely as she rolled out of the hay. "Miles, take Sonic to his hut.
The rest of you, spread the word. Sally, Princess Sally Alicia of the House of
Acorn, first in line to the throne of Mobius, my sister, has been..." Sondra's
voice broke.
"Has been what?" Dulcy asked.
Sondra cleared her throat. "Has...been roboticized," she finished, then
broke down.
Everyone just stood there silently, letting it sink in. "No, it can't
be," Bunnie said, voicing everyone's thoughts.
Sondra just nodded, unable to say more. "How did it happen?" Rotor
asked quietly.
Sondra was still unable to reply, so Nadia did. "Sonic ran out into the
path of a roboticization beam. Sally pushed him out of the way, but was
unable to get out of the way herself," she explained.
They all bowed their heads. "I think we all could use some sleep,"
Bunnie said, crying. "We'll talk about this in the morning. You gonna be OK,
Sondra?"
Sondra waved them away, just wanting to be alone. She ran to her hut, the
one she shared with her sister, and threw herself on the bed. She cried all
night long, finally falling asleep some time after midnight.
A silence fell over Knothole as word spread of Sally's fate; a silence
occasionally punctuated by the cry of a lonely hedgehog. Sonic slept fitfully
at best, haunted by nightmares. The nightmare he had suffered over a year ago
returned in force. "Sonic, where were you when the brains were handed out?"
Sally's voice kept demanding as her roboticization replayed itself over and
over in his mind.
"NOOO!" he cried out in his sleep. He thrashed around on his bed,
pulling the sheets off and falling to the floor. But sleep he did, for he
could not wake up.
Snively was sleeping in Robotnik's old bed around the same time as Sonic
was having his nightmares. He had personally seen to the placement of the
AI SWATbots before retiring and was confident that the raid would be crushed.
A loud and rapid knocking on the door woke him. "This had better be
important," he sneered.
The door opened and Metal Sonic burst in, talking as fast as he could run.
Snively covered his ears. "Quiet!" he yelled. "Now, start over, and go
slow."
"The raid was crushed, just as expected," Metal Sonic said, smiling.
"You woke me up for that?" Snively demanded.
Metal Sonic shook his head. "Nope, something better. Seems your
roboticization gun has claimed its first major victim."
Snively sat up, instantly alert. "Well, who is it?"
"Presenting the Princess Sally," Metal Sonic said, stepping aside as she
stepped into view.
"Yes!" Snively exclaimed, jumping out of bed. "Warm up the neural
scanner. I want to know everything that's in her mind."
"Of course, sir. Come along, Princess," Metal Sonic said, leading Sally
away by the hand.
"Oh yes, I have done it! I wonder what my uncle would think if he saw
this. No matter. Soon all the Freedom Fighters will be nothing more than
worker-bots."
Sondra awoke before dawn. The eastern sky had just begun to lighten, and
she could detect a faint dampness in the air. She rolled out of bed, almost
stepping on Nadia. "Hey, watch it," the computer yelled.
Sondra smiled briefly, then her sad expression returned. "Sorry, Nadia,"
she whispered. "I didn't notice you there. Sorry I didn't turn you off last
night."
"I'm surprised you can notice anything in your state of mind. How're you
feeling?"
Sondra just shrugged. She reached under her bed and pulled out the book
of poems Tails had written her. "I'll be back," she said, opening the door.
"Don't do anything foolish," Nadia said as she left. "Hmmm...forgot to
turn me off again. Well, let's see if I can put this time to good use, before
I need to change my battery."
Sondra walked quietly to the power ring pool, the only place where there
was enough light to read by at this time. Reading Tails' poems often helped
her feel good, but she had never felt this down. She flipped through the
pages, looking for one she would enjoy.
She paused on the page with the poem "My Friend?" and looked at it. Most
of the poems Tails had written were typical of the lovestruck kid he was, but
this one was different. He had told her that he had written that soon after
leaving the Void. He had been looking in a mirror one day when he was seized
with the need to write. She didn't understand what he meant by the poem, but
it always left her in a thoughtful mood, and maybe that was what she really
needed.
"My Friend?"
i see you there
watching me as i watch you
Waiting...Watching...
trying to be like me
but not quite
succeeding
or is it i
who try to be
like you
and cant
Forever Waiting...Always Watching...
never making contact
because we dont
know how
or maybe we dont
want to
Who knows? i dont
and im sure that you
my friend
(if I can call you such)
dont either
Sondra looked up after reading the poem, a tear in her eye. She walked
to the pool and looked at her reflection. Suddenly it dawned on her what he
meant. When animals looked at him, they saw a strong, capable fox that was
sixteen years old. But inside, he was still the same scared, impulsive eleven-
year-old that he had always been. And by realizing that, she saw herself in
the same way.
On the outside, she was a princess, a leader, strong, sure of herself,
everything that they saw in Sally. But inside, she was a scared young girl of
twelve who was always doubting herself, never doing anything until forced by
time or circumstance. She had learned of her duties as a princess, but never
really taken them to heart, using them only when it served her purposes. No
one but Tails knew of the nights she had spent by the power ring pool, crying
out of fear and loneliness. But that was only part of it.
More to the point, there seemed to be no connection between the two sides
of her personality. These two sides were as alien to each other as she was
to Snively or Metal Sonic. She realized that she would never reach her full
potential until she accepted who she truly was, and brought all aspects of
herself together.
She strode back to her hut, full of new determination. "Sally is gone,"
she said to herself. "Sonic will be a wreck for a long time. Only I can lead
them now, but I must first deal with my own situation. I am Princess Sondra,
and I must accept that."
She slammed and locked the door to her hut and started toward the
bathroom, but stopped when she noticed something peculiar on Nadia's screen.
She took a closer look and saw an unusual wave pattern travelling on the
screen. "What is that?" she asked, picking her up and setting the book on her
bed.
"I recorded this last night while your sister was being roboticized,"
Nadia explained. "Her body gave off this wave pattern as it was being changed.
I thought it might come in useful."
Sondra looked at for a second, then an idea dawned on her. She opened
Sally's closet and took out the roboticization gun she had taken from Snively.
"Nadia, record frequency of this laser," she said, firing at the ground.
"Wave patterns match," Nadia said, confirming Sondra's suspicions. "Are
you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"I hope so. Get to work on it immediately. I have something else to do.
And contact Donovan," she added. "Tell him to get here as quickly as he
can." She walked to her closet and opened it. She took out a box that had
started to collect dust since she had gotten it at Christmas. She laid it on
her bed and went to the bathroom, her course of action laid out clearly in
front of her.
"Blast!" Snively exclaimed, staring at his screen. The words "ACCESS
DENIED" flashed on his screen over and over.
"Still won't let you in?" Metal Sonic asked.
"I don't understand it. She's been roboticized, so how can she resist
the scan?"
"I've identified the point of impact as her right thigh," Metal Sonic
said. "It was probably a glancing blow, so she probably still has some of
her will intact, and she's concentrating it all on protecting the location
of Knothole."
"I see. Either that or it's due to the power she absorbed from the Deep
Power Stones during my uncle's failed Doomsday Project. Well, we'll just have
to break her will," Snively said cruelly. "Keep trying to gain access. She'll
crack eventually."
"As you wish," Metal Sonic said, turning up the power to the scanner.
Donovan was on one knee, straining to rise against this unknown skunk who
had attacked him. Their swords were locked together, and the skunk was using
his tremendous size and strength to bear down on him. He didn't seem to care
about pain. In fact, he seemed to feed on it. Everytime Donovan had struck
him, he had just laughed and attacked that much harder.
His breath came in short gasps now. His bruised and battered body
trembled under the strain. The skunk pulled away and Donovan fell on his face.
"You play the game well," the skunk taunted, "but you have lost." He raised
his runesword high for the final strike.
Donovan rolled out of the way just as his sword came down. "The game's
not over yet," he said, panting heavily. He struggled to his feet and prepared
to attack again.
"Come in, Donovan," Nadia's voice came over his communicator. "Sondra
needs you in Knothole now."
"I'm really busy at the moment," he said, ducking behind a tree. "I'm
sort of fighting for my life."
"Whatever that's worth," Nadia mumbled. "Look, Squirrel-boy, cover your
ears for five seconds, OK?"
"What..."
"Just do it!"
Grumbling, Donovan dropped his sword and covered his ears. His
communicator started vibrating with an unheard sound. Exactly five seconds
later, it stopped.
Donovan uncovered his ears and peered around the tree. The skunk was
lying on the ground, limbs twitching. He seemed to be in a great deal of
pain, and some blood came from his nose. But he looked like he was enjoying
himself. "I can't believe the pain!" he cried. "I can't move, my head feels
like it's going to explode. Oh, I have to share this misery with someone,
or my name ain't Alexi Kavenoff!"
"What did you do to him?" Donovan asked, recovering his sword.
"It's called 'black sound'," Nadia explained. "I'll tell you more about
it after you get here."
"Device one, activate," he said, and shakily flew off for Knothole. "Any
idea what's going on?"
"When you get here," Nadia said again. "Nadia out."
Knothole started the morning on a somber note. The loss of Sally had
sapped the will from most of the animals, and they went through their morning
routine as if in a daze. Tails walked to Sondra's hut and knocked on the door.
"Sondra, want some breakfast?" he called.
"Not now, Miles," came her reply. "But I need you to do something for me.
Send Rosie to fetch Tanis, and get Uncle Chuck here. Then have everyone gather
in front of this hut; I have something to say to them."
Tails brightened a bit. "What? What's going on?" he asked hopefully.
"You'll find out when everyone else does," she said. "Please hurry, we
don't have a moment to lose."
Tails flew off to do as Sondra had asked. Something about the way she had
spoken to him gave him hope. She was planning something, something big, and he
would help in every way she asked.
As Tanis appeared in Knothole with Rosie, Donovan crash landed near
Sondra's hut. "Donovan!" Tanis exclaimed, hurrying to his side. "What
happened?"
Donovan could only moan; much of his energy had been spent on the flight.
Tanis held his hands and began chanting, imparting some of his own energy to
help restore Donovan. When Donovan was able, he sat up and looked around.
"Didn't think I'd make it for a second," he admitted.
"You almost didn't," Tanis said, smiling. He tried to rise, but sagged to
the ground.
Rosie caught him and supported him. "You did it again," she scolded. "I
keep telling you not to give so much of yourself that you don't have enough for
yourself."
Tanis smiled weakly. "And I keep not paying attention," he murmured.
Donovan was about to say something, but a loud crash stopped him. "Looks
like Sonic's awake," Rosie remarked.
Donovan looked toward Sonic's hut and saw animals being thrown out of
windows and the door. "What's his problem?" he asked.
"Then you haven't heard?" Rosie asked.
Donovan shook his head, and Tanis smiled. "I only learned myself a few
moments ago. It seems Sally has been roboticized."
"What?" Donovan asked, not believing what he had just heard.
"It was on their last raid," Rosie explained. "SWATbots were waiting for
them, and Sally pushed Sonic out of the way. She got caught by the beam meant
for him, and he's not taking it too well."
Donovan reached into his vest pocket and pulled out his canister of sleep
gas. "Are you sure that will be strong enough?" Tanis asked jokingly.
Donovan stared at Tanis, then at his canister. He reached into another
pocket and pulled out a syringe. He injected the contents of the syringe into
the canister and shook it. He stood up and walked to Sonic's hut.
As he got near the front door, Maurice came flying out. He hit the ground
rolling and got up to his feet in time to catch Patricia who had come out the
same way. "Let's get back in there," Maurice said, running in just as a few
other animals got tossed out.
Donovan shook his head and entered the hut. Maurice grabbed Sonic's legs
and Patricia grabbed his hands. "Calm down, Sonic!" Patricia yelled.
"Let me go!" Sonic screamed. "I have to go save Sally!"
"No dice, Son," Maurice said. "You ain't going anywhere."
Donovan calmly walked up to Sonic and sprayed the entire contents of the
canister in his face. Sonic fought it, going out just as the canister emptied.
Donovan let out his breath and stepped away.
"What did you do to my son?!" Patricia demanded, grabbing Donovan and
throwing him up against the wall.
"I suggest you restrain him," Donovan advised. "I gave him enough sleep
gas to put Robotnik out for an hour, but I don't know how long it will affect
him in his state of mind."
"Easy Patricia," Maurice said, pulling her off Donovan. "He's just trying
to help."
Patricia took a shuddering breath and backed away slowly. "I'll get some
rope," she said, stalking out of the hut.
"Forgive her, she gets very protective around our son," Maurice explained.
Donovan looked at Maurice as if just noticing him for the first time.
"Excuse me, but who are you?"
"The name's Maurice. Maurice Hedgehog. I'm Sonic's dad."
"His dad?" Donovan asked.
Maurice nodded. "That was Patricia, his mother," he said, pointing after
his wife.
"I'm sure this is an interesting story, but I don't think we have the time
for that now," Donovan said slowly.
Tails came running up and grabbed the two males. "Come on," he said
impatiently, "Sondra wants everyone gathered by the hut."
Once everyone was gathered, which took some doing and a lot of grumbling,
Tails knocked on the hut's door three times. "Everyone's here, Sondra," he
said.
"Everyone?" she asked through the door.
"Well, everyone except Sonic and those who are tying him to his bed."
"That will do, then." The door opened and Sondra stepped out.
Every animal there, no matter what their original intent, stood in silent
shock when they caught sight of her. She was dressed in the dress she had
received from Sally and Rosie as a Christmas present. She also wore the tiara
they had given her, shining brilliantly. She now looked every bit the princess
she had always professed to be.
"As most of you know," she began, shifting the gaze of her crystal blue
eyes from face to face, "my sister has been roboticized. As my father has not
yet returned, I am the only member left of the House of Acorn. As such, I will
lead you if you will have me.
"Before you give me your answer, know that I do not intend to let Snively
off for taking my sister from us. I have developed a plan that may allow us to
get her back and restore her. It's nothing definite yet, and it may not work.
If it does, I will need all your help because we will get only one chance at
this. Will you stand with me, or will you choose another to lead you?"
A soft murmuring swept through the crowd. Sondra looked at them with
growing apprehension, an eerie reminder of the last time she had addressed all
of Knothole.
Finally, Antoine stepped through the crowd and stood in front of Sondra.
He drew his sword, looking at his blade for a moment before plunging it point
first into the ground. "My princess, I am here to serve," he said, dropping to
one knee and bowing his head.
The crowd stood motionless for a moment, then, one by one, each and every
animal dropped to one knee. "What do you be wishing of us?" Antoine asked.
Sondra mouth broadened imperceptibly into a smile. "Thank you, Antoine,"
she whispered. Aloud, she said, "Rotor, Donovan, Sir Charles, and Miles; I
have need of you inside the hut."
"Yes, Princess," they said together.
"Excuse me, Sondra," Bunnie said, "but I think there's somethin' you
oughta know. The roboticization gun hit my left arm when it was robotic, so I
think it can't affect what's already metal."
"More to the point, Princess," Donovan added, "the beam cannot pass
through any inorganic object solid enough to absorb the beam. Most clothing,
for instance, will not provide protection, neither will your crystals. Solid
metal, on the other hand, can guard against the beam."
"This is welcome news," Sondra said gladly. "Antoine, Bunnie; lead a team
into Robotropolis and get as much scrap metal and spare parts as you can carry.
Does anyone here have any experience in blacksmithing or metallurgy?" A few
hands went up, including Antoine's. "When they get back, see if you can turn
the metal into servicable shields. The rest of you get ready. As I've said,
we'll need everyone we can spare." She turned without another word and walked
inside the hut.
Quickly, everyone went about their business. "That was a very brave and
noble thing you did, Antoine," Bunnie said, smiling.
"Noble, perhaps. But do not think of it as brave," Antoine said. "For
years, everyone had discounting my abilities, with good reason. However, all
Sondra has done is prove herself to us times and again. If she is needing our
support, I must give it as I would to Sally."
"I understand," Bunnie said, kissing his cheek. "By the way, since when
do you know how to blacksmith?"
Antoine nervously cleared his throat. "Umm...my family has always to be
knowing this," he said, his accent starting to get bad. "For generations we
have been each making swords for our sons. I merely am studying the book my
father used."
Bunnie smiled a half-smile. She knew he was lying about something, but
now was not the time to push the issue. After all, more pressing business was
at hand.
Sondra waited until all those she had asked to come inside had entered
and shut the door. "Thank you all for helping," she said.
"Hey, you know we'll always help you," Tails said. "All you gotta do is
ask."
"So, exactly what do you need from us?" Uncle Chuck asked.
"Nadia, display holograph robot1."
"Displaying now, Sondra," the computer replied.
"What is this?" Rotor asked when the unusual wave pattern was shown.
"Nadia recorded this wave pattern coming from Sally's body as it was being
roboticized," Sondra explained. "If we can find a way to invert the pattern,
we might be able to de-roboticize my sister."
"How do you propose we do that?" Donovan asked.
Sondra held one hand out in front of her and a crystal formed in it.
"From what I understand, crystals can affect wave patterns in certain ways. I
believe that I can create a crystal to do what we require. Rotor, you and Sir
Charles get Nicole from Sonic and calibrate her to recieve wave pulses that
come through the crystal. Donovan, you and Nadia will come up with a series of
standard pulses that I will try to invert with my crystals."
"What's my part in this?" Tails asked.
Sondra smiled. "You have to help me out. I don't know when I'll come
upon the correct crystal, so it could drain me. I'll need your support to keep
me going."
"That I can do," Tails said, smiling himself.
"We'll be back in a couple of minutes," Rotor said, walking out with
Uncle Chuck.
"While we wait," Donovan said, "how about you do what I keep warning you
about?"
Sondra looked puzzled at first, but Nadia caught on. She changed her
hologram to read, "Scanning for unauthorized personnel now." The hologram
shifted to a greenish arrow which swept around the hut.
"Any progress to report?" Snively asked Metal Sonic.
"I have made some progress, sir," Metal Sonic said. "But I still haven't
been able to access her memories on Knothole."
"Well, what have you been able to access?"
"I've found some plans for future raids, as well as the fact that Sonic's
parents have returned."
"Indeed? I must remember to ask my friend about that. But I know what
he'll say. He'll say, 'I only provide what you ask of me.' It has been a
while since I asked if anything had happened."
"Why do you keep him around?" Metal Sonic demanded.
"The same reason you can speak to me in that tone of voice," Snively
answered. "Try to gain access for another five minutes. If you have not
by then, I have other plans for our princess."
"As you command."
Donovan watched as Nadia's arrow swept around the hut. As it passed by
one window, the green shifted to red momentarily. The arrow continued, but
then stopped and backtracked. "Is this what you're looking for?" Nadia
asked.
"Everything's in readiness, Sondra," Uncle Chuck said, walking into the
hut with Rotor close behind.
"Thank you, Sir Charles." She held a finger to her lips, looking each one
in the eye.
Donovan drew his sword and leapt through the window. A yelp of surprise,
followed by the sounds of a brief struggle. Donovan marched back into the hut
holding a dog in his early twenties by his arm. "He was sitting outside the
hut," Donovan said, tossing a notepad on to the table.
Sondra studied the dog's face. His brown fur was speckled with black,
with a streak of white down the middle of his face. He wore a white jacket
wet with snow, as if he had used it as a camouflage. "I know most animals of
Knothole by face, but I am sure I have not seen you before," she said. "What
is your name?"
The dog looked away and refused to answer. Donovan placed his sword
against the dog's throat. "If you want to live, answer her questions."
The dog glared at Donovan with his dark brown eyes. "I am Dorian
Lexford," he said gruffly.
Sondra's face contorted in sudden anger. "I know that voice," she said,
her voice low and menacing. "You are the one who has been stirring up dissent
because of me, aren't you?"
"Not only that," Tails said, reading the notepad, "it seems he has been
listening in on our plans and giving the information to someone. Two guesses
who his boss is."
Sondra strode up to Dorian and grabbed him by the throat. "You have five
seconds to tell me everything or I will turn you into a crystal statue."
Dorian sighed. "I owe Snively," he said.
"What could you possibly owe him to spy on us?" Rotor demanded.
"My life, and the lives of my family," Dorian answered.
Sondra released him. "This better be good," she warned.
"Two years before the coup, I was doing the inventory of a shipment that
had arrived from the Northern Provinces when a stack of boxes tipped over. I
would have been crushed beneath them, but he shoved me out of the way. We
became friends after that, and I vowed to return his favor someday.
"When the coup occurred, my family and I were captured and put in line
to be roboticized. He saw us and immediately ordered SWATbots to place us
in a holding cell. At his first opportunity, he came by and released us,
smuggling us out of Robotropolis. I pledged him my life and my service, if
he should ever have need of it. Then we made our way here to Knothole.
"When he came to power, he had me captured during one of the raids. He
told me that he was now keeping me to my oath, asking me to spy for him and
let him know of any future raids to Robotropolis. I agreed, with some
reservations, but a Lexford's honor is everything."
"Why didn't he just ask you to tell him where Knothole was?" Uncle
Chuck asked.
Dorian smiled a bitter smile. "When I made that oath, I told him that
I could choose one thing to refuse him, and that was it."
Sondra stepped back and thought for a moment. "Assuming what you say is
true, I cannot fault you for your actions," she said. "But I also cannot allow
you to go free. Miles, you and Rotor escort Mr. Lexford to his hut and arrange
for guards to be put on him. Then I want you two back here. If you are an
animal of honor, as you say, then you will not cause any problems until your
punishment can be decided."
"Very well," Dorian said, bowing. He turned and walked out of the hut
flanked by Rotor and Miles.
"Let's get everything set up," Sondra said. "I want to start the second
they get back."
In his hut, Sonic was just coming to. He had a splitting headache, and
didn't seem to be able to move. He forced himself to lie still until his head
cleared and surveyed his situation. His wrists and ankles were tied securely
to corners of his bed. Glancing outside his window, he saw his parents
standing guard.
He tried to loosen the ropes, but whoever had tied them knew what they
were doing. He looked around for anything he could use to get free. A power
ring lay on a nearby table, just out of reach. He strained against his bonds
until he felt his wrists becoming raw. He laid there, fuming in frustration.
Then an idea occurred to him. He jerked his body forcefully toward the
table and felt his bed move a little. He did it again and felt his bed move
a little more. Like that, he inched his way toward the table, keeping an eye
on his parents.
"Still nothing, sir," Metal Sonic reported.
"Very well," Snively said. "Detach her from the scanner."
Metal Sonic cut the power and released Sally. Sally stood up and looked
around. "Who do you serve?" Metal Sonic asked.
"I SERVE SNIVELY," Sally droned.
"Excellent," Snively said.
"Shall I have her assigned to a workstation?" Metal Sonic asked.
Snively considered. "No, I want to keep her nearby, to avoid any chance
they may have of rescuing their princess. Put her in a holding cell until I
decide what to do with her."
"This way, Princess," Metal Sonic said, leading her out.
"Wait a minute, I think we got something!" Rotor exclaimed excitedly.
"Nicole reports full inversion."
Sondra wiped her brow. "OK, but that's just a normal sinus wave.
Donovan, have Nadia emit a more irregular pulse."
"Will do," Donovan said. Sondra held her breath, hoping it wasn't what
she thought.
"Damn," Rotor muttered. "It's not inverted, only shifted half a
wavelength."
Sondra sighed. She tossed that crystal in a corner where a small pile
was forming. She made another crystal slightly different form the one before
it and set it in front of Nadia. "Let's try it again," she said wearily.
"How're you holding up?" Tails asked.
Sondra shrugged. "I'll be OK," she lied.
Tails shook his head. "You're not going to be any good to Sally if you
overexert yourself. Maybe we should take a break."
"We may not have to," Rotor said. "Nicole is showing full inversion of
the irregular pulse."
Sondra took in a deep breath and let it out slow. "Nadia, emit pulse
robot1."
"Umm, isn't that dangerous?" Rotor asked. "I mean, I'm right in the
line of fire, so to speak."
"No it ain't," Nadia said. "In order to actually roboticize someone, the
pulse has to be combined with a specific power source."
"OK, fire ahead." Nadia emitted the pulse. "Yes! Full inversion!"
Rotor yelled.
Sondra smiled. "We did it," she said. But when she picked up the crystal
she frowned. "I don't like how this thing is vibrating. Maybe we should run a
couple of tests to make sure."
Just then, the hut was rocked by a loud sonic boom. Everyone rushed to
the window and saw a gaping hole in Sonic's hut. "He must've gotten his hands
on a power ring," Uncle Chuck said. "We've got to go after him."
Sondra nodded. "OK, just give me a chance to get changed." She picked
up the roboticization gun and put the crystal in its barrel. "You're probably
the best shot we have," Sondra said, handing it to Donovan. If you see your
shot, take it."
Donovan's hands trembled as he held the gun. "You put too much faith in
me," he said quietly.
"This is no time to doubt yourself!" Sondra snapped. "Wait outside; I'll
be there shortly. Get together whatever shields have been made, and gather
everyone together."
Sonic ran toward Robotropolis, putting demands on his body he never had
before. He left a few uprooted trees in his wake as he tore a path straight
to Robotropolis.
A fast-moving blip appeared on the radar screen. "We got company!" Metal
Sonic called.
Snively walked over and observed the screen. "I knew that hedgehog would
try to save his princess," he muttered. "Go get the princess; I think I've
just discovered the best use for her."
Metal Sonic nodded, grinning. He ran to the holding cell and was back
with the princess in a few seconds. "What now?"
"We wait, and prepare. Assemble a battalion of AI SWAtbots; I don't want
him escaping."
"Everyone ready?" Sondra asked, emerging from her hut. She was dressed
in her usual outfit again.
"I wish I had a little bit of more time," Antoine was saying. "Only four
shields have been made."
Sondra nodded as she accepted hers. "It'll have to do. Will you need a
shield, Donovan?"
Donovan shook his head. "I'll need both hands for the gun."
"Then I guess it'll just be me, Miles, Donovan, Bunnie and Antoine."
"Wait a minute!" Patricia interrupted. "That's my son who's in danger.
I'm coming, shield or no shield."
"That goes double for me," Maurice added.
Sondra sighed. "No time to argue."
"No need, Sondra-girl," Bunnie said. "They can have our shields."
"Oui, we would better be serving by staying here and guarding the
traitor," Antoine agreed.
"Word travels fast," she muttered. "All right, let's go!" she said,
grabbing Tails and lifting her bracelet. Patricia grabbed Maurice as he lifted
a power ring. A bright flash of light, and then they were gone.
Sonic made the circuit of Robotropolis, checking every known area where
worker-bots were held. But he could not find Sally. "Maybe Snively's got her
in the command center," he thought. He juiced over in that direction.
A metallic leg stuck out from the side. Sonic was going to fast to stop
and tripped over it, sliding face-first into a slushy pile of snow. He jumped
out and whirled to face his foe.
Metal Sonic stepped out from a side passage. "Welcome, bro," he said,
grinning evilly. "So glad you could join us."
"Where is she?" Sonic demanded, advancing on his robotic counterpart.
"Oh, do you mean the princess?" Metal Sonic asked off-handedly. "Why,
she's right here." He reached into the passageway and pulled out Sally.
"Sally!" Sonic ran to her, intending to grab her and get her out of
there.
Metal Sonic grabbed Sonic as he came within range, throwing him into a
wall. "Did you really think it would be that easy?" he taunted. "Besides,
I don't even think she wants to go back."
"What?"
Metal Sonic grabbed Sally and kissed her. Sonic was driven half-mad at
the sight. With a primal yell, he launched himself at Metal Sonic. But the
robot had been waiting for that. He shoved Sally out of the way and punched
Sonic in his midsection. He grabbed Sonic by the quills and forcefully brought
a knee up, striking him in the forehead.
Sonic staggered back and tried to cover up. Metal Sonic kept after him,
raining down punches on his stunned opponent. Sonic fell back against a wall,
just trying to defend himself.
Sally just stood there, watching. Her mind screamed at her body to go
and help Sonic, but it would not obey. All she could do was watch, wait, and
hope.
"I gotta go help him!" Patricia said from cover, standing up.
"Get back here!" Sondra ordered. "You'll do no good rushing out there."
"Then what do you expect me to do? Just stay here and watch my son get
pummeled?"
"Actually, looks like the tide is turning."
Patricia looked and saw that her son was now on the attack, battering the
robot with a metal pole. Metal Sonic was being forced back, but it looked like
Sonic wasn't really doing too much damage. Most of his swings either missed or
hit glancingly, but the robot acted as if they hit flush. From her angle,
Patricia could not guess why.
But another animal could see, and his hands tensed. Donovan remained in
his crouch, but he was seized with indecision. He had a clear shot at Sally,
and he knew he should follow orders. But he saw from his elevated position
that a robot was creeping up behind Sonic, metallic claws raised for a mortal
blow.
Donovan realized that this robot was the same young girl that had been
roboticized in front of him when Snively showed off his roboticization gun. He
couldn't leave her like that, especially when he considered it his fault. But
he had his orders. He aimed the gun and fired. "Forgive me," he whispered.
A yellow beam shot from the rifle, whizzing by Sally and striking the bear
flush in her chest. The robot screamed once and dropped to her knees.
Everyone stopped to look at the robot, and even Snively, who had been waiting
in the passageway, came out to view this.
At first, nothing happened. But then, metal starting being replaced by
flesh until the whole bear was back to normal. She slumped to the ground,
unconscious.
Everyone there was speechless. The gun in Donovan's hands started to
vibrate. He threw the gun down, and it exploded before it hit the ground.
The explosion seemed to jar everyone in movement. "All SWATbots, open
fire!" Snively screamed. About six or so AI SWATbots came out and started
firing.
Sonic dodged the beams, knowing he should retreat, but unwilling to leave
Sally. From there hiding spot, the four Freedom Fighters ran out, attacking
the SWATbots.
Some SWATbots turned to face them, firing. The shields the animals
carried did indeed protect them from the beams, and for a moment the SWATbots
were at a loss. Sondra took advantage of that and cut down two of them with
her crystals. Maurice and Patricia rushed into another two, sending them
flying into each other with their shields. Tails ran toward Sonic to protect
him, but was intercepted by Metal Sonic.
Sonic ran to Sally, trying to get her out of there. At that moment, a
SWATbot aimed at him and Sondra had to act. She reached into her pocket where
a spare inversion crystal was and ran at the SWATbot. At the same time, Sally
summoned all of her will and shoved Sonic out of the way, using her robotic
body to cover his. Sondra jumped on the robot from behind, jamming the crystal
into the gun's barrel just as it fired.
A yellow beam enveloped Sally. She screamed once, then collapsed as the
change took place. Flesh replaced metal once more and Sally fell forward,
unconscious. Sonic grabbed her in his arms, scooped up the still unconscious
bear, and took off for Knothole as the SWATbot's arm exploded. The others
followed, even though Tails needed some help getting away from Metal Sonic.
Snively fumed as he watched them go. He turned and entered his command
center with Metal Sonic close behind. "So, they have a way to counter my gun.
Easily taken care of," he thought.
Back at Knothole, Sonic lay Sally on her bed just as she was waking up.
"Sonic?" she asked sleepily. "What happened?"
"Easy, Sal," he whispered. "Just rest."
Sally sat up, despite Sonic's urging that she lay down. "What happened?"
she repeated. "Was it all a dream?"
"More like a nightmare," Sondra said, running into the hut with everyone
close behind. "Glad to have you back, Sis!" she said, hugging her.
Sally returned the hug. "But how?"
"You can thank your sister for that," Rotor said. "She figured out a
way to invert the wave pattern of the roboticization gun with her crystals.
Man, you shoulda seen her take charge!"
"You did all that?" Sally asked.
Sondra nodded, suddenly shy. "Well, I had to," she said. "It's not like
I wanted to be the leader on a permanent basis."
Sally hugged her sister tighter. "You've really proven yourself today."
She got up, a little unsteadily, and walked out of the hut. Everyone backed
out and made room for her. Sonic lay the bear on Sally's bed and juiced
outside.
"Today we have scored a great victory," she said, to a rousing cheer. "We
have found a weakness in our enemy's greatest weapon, and I am back. We owe it
all to Sondra; without her, we may have been defeated once and for all."
"Three cheers for Princess Sondra!" Tails yelled. "Hip hip hooray!"
"Hip hip hooray!" went up the cheer from the crowd three times. Sondra
just smiled. For the first time, she felt truly loved and accepted by them.
At last, this was her home.
"But what are we to be doing about him?" Antoine asked, dragging Dorian
in front of the two princesses.
"Who is this?" Sally asked.
"A spy, and a traitor," Sondra answered. "But an honorable one. Dorian
Lexford, you have been charged with treason. How do you plead?"
"I am guilty, Your Highness," he said, managing some dignity.
"What should we do?" Sondra asked her sister.
Sally shook her head. "Oh no. You started this, you finish it."
"Kill him!" someone yelled from the crowd, a yell that was taken up into
a sort of chant.
Sondra raised her hands for silence. "No," she said. "I have a different
punishment in mind. Dorian Lexford, you are hereby banished from Knothole.
Take care never to show your face here or to any other Freedom Fighter group.
I will personally contact all of them to tell them about you. In return for
giving you your life, I trust you will keep our location a secret still.
Antoine, escort him to the edge of Knothole and make sure he leaves."
"As you wish, Princess," he said, bowing. He dragged Dorian roughly to
the edge of the village.
"Can he be trusted?" Sally asked worriedly.
"I believe so," Sondra said. "I'll fill you in on the details."
A groan from inside the hut interrupted them. Sally, Sondra, and Sonic
rushed inside to see that the bear had regained consciousness. "Wh--Where am
I?" she asked.
"Take it easy," Sally said. "You're in Knothole. I'm Sally."
"Sally? Princess Sally? How'd I get here?"
"Long story," Sondra said. "Do you remember anything?"
"I...remember being captured, and then I was a robot, but I'm not anymore.
Why?"
"Like I said, it's a long story. Maybe after we get you settled...."
"Oh, but I can't stay," she protested. "I have to get back to my Freedom
Fighter group. My fiancee must be so worried about me."
"Fiancee? Then you are engaged?" Sally asked.
The bear nodded. She held up her hand where her ring was still in place.
"I hope he hasn't done anything foolish."
"We'll get you back," Sally promised. "Sondra, go get Dulcy. Sonic,
you...Sonic?" she asked, noticing that he was no longer there. "Now where'd
he get to?"
Meanwhile, Sonic was walking through Knothole, looking for two animals.
He found the first, Uncle Chuck, just as he was about to head back off to
Robotropolis. "Did you make those things I asked for?" he asked his uncle.
"I got them at my hideout, why? Do you need them now?"
Sonic nodded. "OK, bring them back here as soon as you can. Now I gotta
go find Ant."
"Antoine? Why him?"
Sonic sighed. "Like it or not, he's the only one who can help me set this
up."
"I think I see what you're up to now," Uncle Chuck said slowly. "Good
luck, Sonny-boy."
"Thanks, Unc." Sonic headed off, still walking.
Somewhere in the Great Forest, Donovan flew toward the site where he had
fought that skunk. Alexi, he had called himself. But when he got there, no
trace of their battle remained. He grumbled something unintelligble.
"Come in, Donovan," Nadia's voice came over his communicator. "Sally
and Sondra would like you to come to Knothole to be thanked."
"For what?" Donovan demanded. "If anything, they should be trying to
hunt me down for disobeying orders.
"Look, Donovan, what would have been the point of saving Sally only to
lose Sonic? From what I heard, you made the right choice. I may not like you
all that much, but I do have a grudging respect for you."
"The feeling's mutual. Both of them."
"Glad we understand each other," Nadia said dryly. "Anyway, give yourself
some credit."
Donovan shook his head. "You know what, you're right. Thanks, Nadine."
"No prob, Squirrel-boy! Nadia out."
Donovan put away his communicator and set about trying to track Alexi.
(
geocities.com/televisioncity/satellite/6616/sonic) (
geocities.com/televisioncity/satellite/6616) (
geocities.com/televisioncity/satellite) (
geocities.com/televisioncity)