I Hedgehog by Jason B. Northage Chapter 1 Princess Sally stood outside her hut on a cold winter's morning, looking over the village of Knothole. She wore her brown parka, but left the hood down so she wouldn't mess her hair. Apparently Sonic had been up earlier, clearing last night's snowfall away from the huts and main walkways, and now she could hear him in the distance playing with some of the children, laughter mixing in with the occasional audible 'splat' of a snowball that found it's target. The sun had just appeared over the horizon and Sally had to squint to look in that direction. She descended her stairs and walked down her path. She was greeted cordially by the other inhabitants of the village, most with a smile and a 'good morning'. She looked over towards the power ring pool and saw two villagers trying to rouse Antoine, who again fell asleep on his guard duty. Sally shook her head, trying to remember when Antoine actually stayed awake during the night. She turned away and at once was inundated with a delicious smell. A slight rumbling in her stomach reminded her of impending breakfast, and started to follow the aroma. It led her to Bunnie Rabbot's hut. Bunnie was an excellent cook, and Sally couldn't resist asking her what she was making. She went up to the door and knocked softly on it. At once Bunnie's footsteps could be heard walking towards the door, and she opened it. "Why Sally girl, what brings you here this early in the mornin'?" Asked Bunnie, still in her nightgown. "I was passing by and smelled this wonderful smell coming from your hut. I couldn't resist asking you what you were making." Replied Sally. Bunnie moved away from the door. "Well come on in, and try some of Aunt Esther's famous Maple Sugar Oatmeal, made from a secret family recipe." She closed the door after Sally, and they shared a laugh over Bunnie's statement. Bunnie led her guest to her table, and offered her a chair to sit. Sally did so, removing her parka in the process and gently shaking out the light snow she accumulated on it. As she was doing so, Bunnie had ladled Sally some of her porridge, and placed it before her with a spoon. She had also poured herself a bowl and sat opposite Sally, spooning the oatmeal in her mouth with gusto. Sally was surprised at the excellent taste of the oatmeal, and told Bunnie so. Bunnie took this as an opportunity to get in some 'girl talk', as they were alone together infrequently. "So Sally, how's that hunky blue hedgehog these days?" Said Bunnie, lightly laughing. Sally looked surprised at her hostess. "Why, what do you mean, Bunnie?" Bunnie poked her spoon at Sally. "Aw, c'mon Sally girl, ev'rybody knows about you two, some kinda item or somethin'." Sally blushed and looked down at her oatmeal. "Well Bunnie, it's not that Sonic and I are an 'item', but I just feel he takes our relationship for granted." She sighed, remembering. "There was one time when we had discovered a new group of Freedom Fighters who lived underground. One of them, named Griff, gave me some flowers and Sonic started to make a scene. While Griff was just being polite to me, Sonic felt that Griff was moving on 'his territory', and I took exception to it. I told him I wasn't his girlfriend, but later on back in Knothole I started thinking about what I had said. I like Sonic, but.." "..but you want him to try a little harder, huh?" Finished Bunnie. Sally looked at Bunnie. "Well, yes. I don't want him to start thinking I'll run into his arms everytime he appears." Bunnie shook her head. "It seems to me girl, that this whole situation between you and Sonic is more than weird. Just go with it, and everything will work out, you'll see." Sally started to answer when there was a knock at the door. Bunnie went to open it, and Sonic and Tails were standing there. Bunnie ushered them in and closed the door behind them. "Hi Aunt Bunnie, hi Aunt Sally." Said Tails, hugging Sally. Sally kissed Tails on the nose. "Hi Honey." She said, over his giggling. Sonic sat at the table, and put his feet up. "Me and Tails were walking by and smelled your cookin'. While it's not chili dogs, it sure smelled good." Tails ran over to Bunnie, who was spooning oatmeal into two more bowls. "Yeah, what'cha cooking, Aunt Bunnie?" Bunnie looked down fondly at Tails. "Why sugar, it's Aunt Esther's ol' fashioned Maple Sugar Oatmeal!" She handed him a bowl, and placed another by Sonic, who had taken his feet down. He dove into his breakfast as Tails ate his. Sally looked at Sonic. "Oh by the way, Thanks for clearing out the snow, Sonic." "Hey, no problemo, when your the world's fastest snowplow!" Laughed Sonic. "So what's on the agenda for today, Sal?" Sally removed her small computer NICOLE from her vest pocket, and activated it. "Uncle Chuck sent me a message last night. It seems that the good Doctor Robotnik has some new plan up his metallic sleeve. He wants you, Sonic, to visit him today at his hidden lab so you can scout out this new plan. Here's his message." "Sally, this is Uncle Chuck. Discovered something in Robotnik's computer. Could be big, definitely interesting. Going to check it out. Send Sonic down for the data." Came Uncle Chuck's voice from Nicole's speaker. "No job's too big or too small when you're a hero." Said Sonic, absently spooning the last of the oatmeal into his mouth. Sally laughed at Sonic. "My, aren't we the modest one today." * * * Snively raced down the hallway towards the main control room. Robotnik had summoned him minutes ago, and he new better than to keep his master waiting. He ran into the room, sweating and panting heavily. He stumbled over to Robotnik, who was seating in his giant chair. "Yes, Sir?" He wheezed. "You wanted to see me?" Robotnik pointed his finger at Snively. "Have you finished the modifications to the special Swatbots yet? Project Genesis must commence at once!" Snively looked minorly annoyed. He had been on the verge of completing the modifications when Robotnik bellowed for him. "The modifications are almost complete, Sir. They will be ready on time." Robotnik swirled his chair around. "Good, Snively. I want them ready the next time that miserable Hedgehog comes into the city. That is all." "That is all." Snively mumbled under his breath, as he turned to leave. "What was that, Snively?" Asked Robotnik. Snively turned around, startled. "I said I'll give you a call, Sir." * * * Uncle Chuck worked long over his computer board deep within his secret lab that was hidden in the garbage piles on the outskirts of Robotropolis. He was Sonics Uncle, roboticized more than ten years ago by Robotnik, but recently had his own memories restored to him by Sonic and the rest of the Freedom Fighters. Uncle Chuck still resided in the big city, intent on being a spy for his friends, reporting in anything suspicious about Robotniks doings. Today, he was intent on breaking a code barrier Robotnik had put up surrounding his latest scheme. Uncle Chuck could not quite break the code to reveal the data involved. His metallic brow furrowed in thought as his fingers flew over the keyboard. Uncle Chuck did not have to worry about being caught at this activity, for he himself had set up blocks to prevent himself being detected by another computer, for he was a brilliant inventor, and this type of activity was like second nature to him. He had stood in the same spot for five hours now, and would stand there for another five hours if he had to, to break Robotniks code. Just then, the computer screen started flashing, he had finally done it! Unfortunately the screen only flashed two words at him. "Project Genesis." He said, thoughtfully. "Now what does that mean?" He pressed more keys, trying to get the computer to give up the information. Screen after screen scrolled by, all encoded with Robotniks secret code. Some words were not encoded, but not enough to make sense. Uncle Chuck stored all of this text in his computer to give to Sally to try and decode. After he was done he shut his computer down and looked at his wall clock. Sonic would be there shortly, so Uncle Chuck started up the steps to the front door, and looked into the periscope set into the wall. He didn't have to wait long as a blur raced past his eyepiece, then returned and stopped. Uncle Chuck released the periscope and opened the door. "Heya Unc. What's up?" Said Sonic, giving a small wave. Uncle Chuck smiled. "Hello Sonic. Come in and I'll show you." After shutting the door and making sure it was locked, Uncle Chuck led his nephew down the steps to his workshop. He made his way to the computer terminal and removed a small disk which he gave to Sonic. "This disk contains some important, though encoded, information on Robotniks new plan called Project Genesis." He said. Sonic placed the disk in his backpack. "Cool Unc. What's it say?" Uncle Chuck shrugged. "I don't know, I said it was encoded. Maybe Sally can decode it with Nicole." He looked again at the clock. "Woop, it's almost time for my workshift. I'd better go before anybody gets suspicious." He walked up the stairs to the door. "I'll contact you guys later if I find out any more information." Sonic ran up the stairs and past his Uncle, and out the door. "Ok, Unc, be careful." He raced away. Uncle Chuck waved after him. "You too, Sonic." Chapter 2 Sonic ran through the city, to distance himself away from his Uncle, in case anyone was watching. It was a standard practice which Sonic thought was essential to the safety of Uncle Chuck. As he raced through alleyways, a mini spy camera, one of many which floated through the city, caught a glimpse of him and floated after him. After identifying him, the camera sent the picture directly to the monitors in front of Snively, in Robotniks main control center. Snively had returned there only minutes before, just having finished the modifications on the Swatbots. He started when he saw the screen. "Sir, Hedgehog alert, Monitor One." He said, waving to get Robotnik's attention. Robotnik swiveled in his giant chair, having lost his concentration trying the tighten Cluck's head. Cluck was Robotniks pet chicken that had been roboticized. "What?! Order the special team of Swatbots after him, Snively! We will implement phase one of Project Genesis immediately!" Snively turned back to his computers. "Yes, Sir." He spoke into a microphone. "Swatbot Special Team One. Begin phase one." Deep in the bowels of Robotnik's main headquarters, seven Swatbots who had been modified for Robotniks special plan, emerged from the building at a dead run. They all ran in the direction where Snively had last seen Sonic, but Snively, knowing that it wasn't enough to draw the Hedgehogs interest, activated all tower sirens and spotlights, and quickly the city rang with the shrill alarms and was lit with the giant spotlights. Sonic raced between the lights, laughing and thumbing his nose at the Swatbots who were emerging from the surrounding buildings. They fired their wrist- mounted lasers at him, but could not hit him. Then, one of the special Swatbots stepped in Sonics path, intent to grab him, but Sonic saw him and quickly went into a Sonic Spin, totally destroying the hapless 'bot. He didn't stop but kept on running until he reached the outskirts of Robotropolis, but here even more Swatbots were waiting. firing at him and trying to grab him. Sonic sped in between two of the special 'bots, but slipped momentarily on a patch of ice. One of the Swatbots grabbed him by his arm, but Sonic, off balance, managed to pull away. He received a small but deep scratch on his wrist, which made him angry. "Hey! That hurt! All right, Swatbot, you asked for it!" He pulled out his power ring which glowed brightly as it spewed it's energy all over Sonic before disappearing. Sonic used this extra boost to go into a Super Sonic Spin, totally demolishing the bots surrounding him. "Spin and win time!" He yelled, as the last Swatbot fell. He then zipped off into the Great Forest, towards Knothole. As Sonic sped off, a small figure detached itself from one of the buildings. Snively, in parka, boots and mittens, walked up to one of the special Swatbots and picked up a hand module. He shook it until a small clear object slipped out. Inside was the small tissue sample it picked up from Sonic after scratching him. Snively then noticed a very small, fine crack in the top. Shaking his head, and making a small 'tsk', he quickly put it in his pocket and he ran back towards the main building. * * * It started snowing lightly again when Sonic entered Knothole. It was peaceful and quiet, just as it always had been. He zipped past his friends, saying hello, as he made his way to Sally's hut. He stopped at the door and knocked, opening the door slightly. "Yo Sal. You in there?" He said, peeking around the door, but Sally was not home. Suddenly, he heard some noises behind him, so he turned and saw Sally and Rotor walking up the path. Sonic ran up to them. "Hey Sal. Mission accomplished." He said, tossing the disk to Sally. She caught it in midair. "Why thank you, Sonic. I was just discussing this with Rotor." She dug into her vest and produced her computer, then slipped the small disk inside. "Nicole, can you scan this disk?" She asked. The small computer blinked and made small noises. "Affirmative, Sally. Although the information contained on this disk is encoded, it will take some time to translate." Sally folded her computer and returned it to her vest pocket. It had gotten warmer as the day progressed and she had not worn her parka. Sonic turned away. "Well, it's time for my afternoon chili dog!" He said, rubbing his hands together. Sally grabbed him by the wrist and spun him around. "Just a minute, Sonic," She gasped as she saw his wound. "Where did you get that?" Sonic glanced at his wrist, which had stopped bleeding and left a track of red on his arm. "Oh that, a Swatbot was getting a bit friendly, that's all." Sally grabbed his hand and pulled him towards her hut. "You come with me and I'll clean that off for you, before it gets infected." She dragged him along, not hearing his protests. Rotor shrugged and waved. "Seeya guys." He walked back down the path, hands behind him, thinking about his inventions. * * * A few weeks later, all of Knothole was celebrating their holidays. Gifts were given out, songs were sung, the village was decorated and everyone was having a good time. Robotnik had been quiet for a while now, so everyone was enjoying themselves while they could. A feast was held in the Great Hall, where all the villagers turned out for a sumptuous meal, chatting with friends, singing, dancing, and the occasional stolen kiss. Sonic himself was stealing most of them, running up, kissing, and taking off laughing before the other person realized what was happening. Tails tried to emulate his hero, but he was too shy. Sonic pointed this out to Sally, who laughed and then snuck up on the unsuspecting fox, grabbing him up and planting a big kiss on his cheek. Tails tried to squirm out of her grip but was grabbed by Bunnie, who again kissed Tails. They both laughed as Tails turned beet red and tried to get away. Sonic doubled over with laughter, slapping his knee as he laughed at his friend's predicament. Soon, the party spilled over into the village square where Rotor put on a spectacular fireworks show. It was a night of carefree abandon, and everybody agreed the next day that it was celebration worth remembering. Chapter 3 The snow was never white in Robotropolis, Robotnik's huge machinery and factories saw to that. The smoke and ash his buildings poured into the air guaranteed that whatever fell to the ground would be dirty and lifeless. Of course Robotnik reviled in this. He stood looking out of one of his giant windows in his control room. "Ahh! Breathe that foul air! Soon, all of Mobius will look like this!" He exulted, spreading his arms wide. Snively walked up behind him. "A very laudable goal, Sir." Robotnik whirled at his slave's voice. "You have news, Snively?" He asked, eyebrows raising in anticipation. Snively nodded his head, evidently pleased with himself. "Oh, yes sir. Phase two has been implemented. We'll know the results in 12 weeks, Sir." Robotnik raised his arms in glee. "Excellent! It will be worth the wait!" * * * Spring blew into Knothole a few months later. The snow started to melt and all the spring birds returned to their nests, filling the air with their songs. Spring was an important time for the villagers, to ready the fields for planting, to take stock of their remaining winter stores, and also to clean up the village of the leaves and dirt the snow usually left behind. Sonic and Tails were working on repairing the wooden bridge that lead into Knothole, they were patching up some boards that had come loose. Tails held the boards while Sonic hammered the nails to hold them fast. Sonic was about to drive another nail into the board when Bunnie quickly came running up. "Sonic! Sally wants to see you, right now!" She said, puffing from the long run. Sonic frowned. "Can't it wait, Bunnie? I'm kinda busy." Said Sonic, turning back to his hammering. Bunnie grabbed Sonic with her robotic arm and dragged him along with her. "C'mon, Sugar. This is important!" Bunnie and Sonic both ran to Sally's hut, and stormed inside. "What's wrong Sal?" Asked Sonic, a worried expression on his face. Sally looked up at Sonic and shook her head. "Sonic! I'm glad you're here! I have a major problem." "Major? Like what?" Sonic asked. "I have to see Uncle Chuck about this Project Genesis code. I haven't been able to break it for months!" Sonic unfolded his arms and sighed. "That's it? All right, let's juice. But first I gotta get a power ring. One should be up any second now!" He raced out of Sally's hut, dragging her behind him by her arm. Bunnie had to hold on to a table so she wouldn't be swept away. Sonic left so fast that Sally barely had time to pick up Nicole before she left. * * * Sonic raced down to the power ring pool, happy to see his pal Tails holding on to the golden power ring. Tails waved at them. "Hi guys! Here Sonic, I got if for ya!" He smiled as he lifted the ring. Sonic gave him a high five. "Way to go, big guy! Slip it in the ol' pack and we're outa here!" Tails complied, as Sonic lifted Sally into his arms. He looked back at Tails. "Tell the other guys that we'll be gone for awhile. We're going to the city." "Wow, the city!" Said Tails. "Can I go too? Huh?" Sonic shook his head. "Sorry l'il bro, no can do. I need you here to guard the village for me." Tails was dissapointed. "Ok, Sonic. Stay cool." He gave his hero a thumbs up. "You too, big guy." Sonic said, copying the gesture. He raced off, leaving Tails hanging on to a nearby tree to avoid getting swept up in his wake. * * * Sonic raced through the forest at top speed while Sally, still in Sonic's arms, was busy accessing Nicole. Sally turned back to her computer. "I still can't make heads or tails out of this code. Well at any rate, I hope Uncle Chuck can help with breaking it. I've never seen anything like it. Not even Nicole can break it." "Sorry Sally." Said Nicole. "This code is very difficult, and not one that's in my memory banks. I do not even know where to begin the decoding without the key decryption file." Sally looked at her computer. "Key decryption file? Explain please, Nicole." Nicole made small noises as she accessed her memory banks. "A key decryption file is a file made by the user who encodes a certain file. This key file often contains a specific word or words used to encrypt the file. When the key word is utilized, it allows the file to become unlocked, allowing someone to gain access to it and read it. I need this key file to open this encoded disk." Sally shook her head. "That might be hard to do. We don't even know who encrypted the file." The forest thinned as Sonic headed for the edge of the forest and the beginning of the desolate land that separated the Forest from Robotropolis. It was getting dark so they had little worry of being caught by any Swatbot or hoverunit patrol. Soon they made their way to one of the many garbage dumps encircling the city. They made sure they were not being watched as they made their way to a certain pile of garbage. Sonic pressed the hidden buzzer. "Yo, Unc. It's me, Sonic." He whispered. Soon, the hidden doorway opened and Sonic and Sally quickly made their way inside. The door closed behind them with a heavy click. They walked down the staircase to Uncle Chucks hidden lab. Uncle Chuck was at a computer console, working on what Sally recognized was the Project Genesis code. "Hi, Sonic, Sally." Said Uncle Chuck, turning around, smiling and waving. "Come and look at this." They stood beside the small roboticized Hedgehog. "Sally, this is the information on that coded disk about Project Genesis. I'm close to finding the signature file, the one that will tell us who encoded it." Sally placed Nicole in a small slot on the computer console. "Hopefully between the three of us, we can come up with something." "Yes, I hope so too." Said Uncle Chuck. Together, they inputted commands and typed out inquiries on the keyboards. Sonic left the lab and took a run around the city. He couldn't stand sitting still for a moment. During his run one of Robotniks spy cameras noticed Sonic and relayed his picture back to Robotniks control room. Robotnik, who had been watching the monitors intently, noticed him instantly. "There Snively! He's here! Commence with phase three!" Snively turned to his computer and punched in a few codes. "Phase three now in effect, Sir." * * * They worked far into the night, much to the dismay of Sonic, who was getting edgy standing in one spot for too long. He felt happier when they broke for dinner. His favorite, chili dogs, was the main course. After his tenth dog he got up again and raced out the door. Sally cried out from the computer system. "I think that's it! The signature file has been decrypted!" She said, overjoyed and relieved at the same time. "Yes, Sally. That was some fine piece of work you did." Congratulated Uncle Chuck. Sally swept her hair from her face. "Nicole, access signature file and report." Nicole hummed along with the larger computer. "Accessing. Signature file matches that of Snively, Sally." Uncle Chuck and Sally looked at each other. "Snively?" They both said. * * * Sonic once again raced around the city, intent on stretching his legs. Again, a spy camera caught sight of him and relayed the information back to Robotnik's computer. "Another sighting, Sir." Said Snively from the computer console. "Let's keep him busy, Snively, send two teams of Swatbots after him." Snively pressed some keys. "Yes, Sir." Below, ten Swatbots exited from the building and converged on Sonic. At once, they began firing on him. "Whoa!" Sonic said, dodging some very close beams. The 'bots repeatedly ordered Sonic to stop, but Sonic would have none of that. "Stop?" He said, laughing. "I'm about ready to turn it up!" And with that, reached into his backpack and brought forth his power ring. It performed it's duty loyally, covering Sonic with it's golden energy. Sonic immediately stopped and did an about turn, and drop kicked the nearest Swatbot. It backpedaled into the Swatbot behind it, and both went down with a crash. The other 'bots were waiting for a clear view to fire, but Sonic had started running around in circles very fast, creating a whirlwind which sucked in the nearest few Swatbots, sending them flying. They smashed into several broken pieces when they struck walls. The remaining 'bots Sonic took care of courtesy of a Sonic Spin. Soon many Swatbot pieces littered the street around Sonic, who took off laughing. He spotted one of the spycams eyeing him, so he stopped. "Hey chump, bring some more on! Lemme tell you a little rhyme I just made up. I'm as fast as fast can be, and you'll never catch me!" He said, and took off with such force the spycam was caught up in his backdraft and was dashed against a wall, where it exploded. Robotnik saw all of this on the monitor. He crashed his fist against he armrest. "How dare he call me chump! Snively! Activate all remaining Swatbots and direct them against the Hedgehog!" He roared. Snively swallowed hard as he turned back to his computer. * * * Uncle Chuck turned back to his computer. "Indeed. Well, now we know who encoded the files, all we need now is the encryption key." Uncle Chuck rubbed his chin. "Well, I can snoop around Snively and see if he accesses the file again, or we can let the computer try every word in the Mobian Dictionary." "Which would take forever." Said Sally. "No, we need that encryption key word, but we're not that desperate to put ourselves in a dangerous situation to get it. Uncle Chuck, do what you can here. I'll work on it in Knothole. Suddenly, Sonic appeared at the door. "C'mon, Sal. I got Swatbots crawling all over me! We gotta juice!" Sonic grabbed Sally up in his arms, and ran back up the stairway. Sally called down to Uncle Chuck. "I'll let you know if I come up with anything!" She had to yell, because Sonic had already raced away. They ran out of the landfill and into the forest. They were just about to travel down the secret path when they heard a commotion coming from nearby. Sonic detoured himself to check out the noise. When he broke into a clearing he saw a shadow of a small figure being chased by several Swatbots, who were trying very hard to blast him to bits. The shadow jumped up and down, and weaved side to side, barely avoiding the deadly laser blasts. Sonic set Sally down. "That guy needs help! I'm going in, Sal." He said. "Sonic, be careful." Sally called after him. She crept into the bushes to see the action. Sonic broke out into the clearing. "Hey, Swatheads, why don't you pick on someone your own size?" He said, hands on hips. "You guys are definitely out of your league here." The 'bots turned at the sound of his voice, and started firing on him, but he was way too fast, expertly dodging the deadly fire as he took out the Swatbots. The last one ended up a scattered pile of debris as Sonic spun into it. When the area was cleared, Sonic called out. "Ok guys. It's cool." Sally walked out of the bushes. "Good work, Sonic. Now let's see who we rescued." Sonic called out the shadowy figure, who was hiding in the bushes, shaking. "C'mon out, it's ok. The Swatbots are history." Still the figure did not move, so Sally activated Nicole's small light. She shined it on the figure who immediately shrank from the brightness. Sonic and Sally both gasped, it was another Hedgehog! Sonic stepped forward. The Hedgehog was entirely jet black, from head to foot. He wore red sneakers on his feet, and was cut and bruised in several places. Sally immediately checked him over with Nicole. "Come on, Sonic. We just can't leave him here." She walked over to the Hedgehog and lightly touched his arm. "It's all right. We're here to help you." The Hedgehog squinted at her. "H-help me?" "That's right." She said soothingly. "We'll take you with us, and look after you. What's your name, anyway?" "My name?" He said, as if trying to remember. "My name is..Scorch." Chapter 4 Dawn broke the next day, and found Sonic and Sally sitting by the bedside of the black Hedgehog named Scorch. Sonic had carried him back to Knothole, and placed him in the bed in the Medical Hut. They had called Rotor over and he had helped clean up Scorch's cuts and bruises. He too was shocked at the black Hedgehog, but Sally had told him to keep this quiet until they figured out some information on him. Scorch moaned as he started to waken. Sally placed a cold cloth on his head, to help cool him off. "W-where am I?" Asked Scorch, trying to focus in on the room. Sally readjusted his covers. "It's all right. You're in Knothole. Far away from the city. Do you remember anything?" Scorch furrowed his brow. "I-I don't remember much. I was running from some robots. I was hurt, confused. I didn't know where to run, then I saw a light, then I must have passed out." "Yeah, you did. Right after you told us your name. Where are you from, pal?" Asked Sonic, not entirely sympathetic. Scorch shook his head. "I don't remember. Everything is so blurry." "It's ok. It'll come back to you. Just take it easy. We're surprised to find another Hedgehog here. We had thought Sonic and his Uncle were the only ones left." Said Sally. She took out Nicole, and proceeded to scan him. "Everything checks out ok. You're probably still disoriented from your ordeal last night. Just try to rest and later on we'll check in on you." She got up and pushed Sonic ahead of her. She closed the door gently and walked down the path. Sonic zipped up beside her. "You say he's disoriented? I say he's got something to hide. I don't trust him." He said. Sally did not look at him. "Sonic, I can't believe how inconsiderate you were back there. He is a fellow Mobian, and he was in trouble. After what we saw in the forest, how can you discount that?" Sonic shrugged. "I don't know, but I know I'm right." * * * A few days later, when Scorch was strong enough to walk, Sally introduced him to the rest of the villagers and the Freedom Fighters. They were all courteous, instantly taking a liking to him, except for Antoine. He was dismayed now that there were two Hedgehogs. "Zis is too much. One Sonic I can take, but two? It is making my feet ache." He said. So for the next few weeks Scorch tried very hard to help out everyone. He helped Rotor with his inventions, and he helped Bunnie out in her kitchen. He was always around when Tails needed a playmate. It seemed to be a novelty to everyone to have two Hedgehogs around in the village. Everyone liked him, and he made it a point to mention that he liked everyone as well. He also took a strong liking to Sally. Everyday he would present her with a flower or a small gift, and everyday Sally would blush and say thank you, and they would walk off together. Sonic would watch this from the shadows, not daring to break in for fear of a chewing out by Sally, but everyday he grew more and more jealous of the black Hedgehog. * * * One day Sonic was watching Sally and Scorch sitting on a log by the power ring pool, talking and laughing. Then suddenly Sonic saw Scorch grab Sally's hand in his and then was talking to her, but his voice was so low Sonic couldn't hear what he was saying. Sally had blushed and then kissed Scorch on the cheek, and then said something to him that Sonic couldn't make out. Sally then got up and waved to Scorch as she left. Sonic wanted to go up to him and confront him for trying to steal his girlfriend, but instead he just slunked away. He walked up one of the paths leading back to the village when he saw Tails, carrying two fishing poles, walking towards him. "Heya Tails. Where ya goin'?" He asked. "Oh, hi Sonic. I'm going fishing." Said Tails, suddenly eager to be somewhere else. Sonic put his hand on Tails' shoulder. "Well I'll come with ya! I saw this big fish in the Great River the other day. It was as big as a house, maybe bigger!" He exclaimed, spreading his hands wide to emphasize the size. "Uh, well, I was gonna go fishing with Scorch and.." Said Tails, kicking the dirt with his feet. "Oh." Said Sonic, disappointed. "Well, have fun." Tails walked around Sonic and down the path. Sonic was stunned. His very own pal Tails would rather be with that black Hedgehog than him! He soon saw Tails and Scorch walking down another path towards the Great River. "I saw this big fish in the Great River. It was as big as a house, maybe bigger!" Exclaimed Scorch, spreading his hands out. "No way! Really? Gosh!" Squeaked Tails, as they walked out of sight. Sonic was furious. "All right! That does it!" He said, smacking his fist in his palm. He took off down the path so fast he left a small trail of flame behind him. Sonic burst into Sally's hut. Sally was sitting at her desk worrying over the Project Genesis data. "Sonic!" Exclaimed Sally. "What's wrong?" Sonic stood in the doorway. "I'll tell you what's wrong. The new guy. I don't like him. First he steals my friends, then he tries to steal my girl." Sally frowned. "Sonic, we've been through this before. I am not your girl. Maybe if you tried a little harder and maybe acted like Scorch everyone would like you more." "What do you mean, act like him?" Asked Sonic. Sally put down Nicole. "I mean he's kind, courteous, charming, helpful, shall I go on?" "Please don't. And what am I then?" Said Sonic. Sally smiled, thinking this was a joke. "Egotistical, stubborn, self- centered..." "Oh really?" said Sonic, anger creeping into his voice. "Yes, really." replied Sally. Sonic folded his arms in front of him. "So what exactly are you trying to say?" "I'm trying to say that maybe Scorch is a better Hedgehog than you!" Said Sally, clearly exasperated and very upset. "Oh, I get it!" said Sonic, raising his voice. "The villagers would rather have Scorch around than me. I guess you'd rather want Scorch around than me too. Fine. You can have him. I'm outa here!" "Sonic..wait.." Said Sally, aware of what she had done, but Sonic had already raced out the door, causing every loose item in Sally's hut to go flying. Chapter 5 In the fading daylight, Scorch stood up against a tree on the outskirts of the village. His plan was working perfectly. Not only had he penetrated the hidden village of Knothole, he had won the trust of the other villagers. It was too bad that he didn't really know the exact location of the village, thanks to the overzealousness of Robotniks Swatbots, but that wasn't important. His master, Robotnik, wanted him to bring the Freedom Fighters to him, one at a time. This was an impossible task, for there were over one hundred villagers, but that too wasn't in the plan. He would abduct a few of the villagers, causing some fear and panic. Then he would abduct the Freedom Fighters, starting with the brat, Tails. Soon Sonic would find out and come racing to the rescue, and Robotnik would then have his revenge. It felt good to him that he was carrying out his masters orders to the letter. He waited until it was completely dark. He tiptoed out of his hut, and sneaked down the path. He was looking for a particular hut, and when he found it, he snuck up to the door and quietly opened it. It creaked a little when it opened, and Scorch winced and waited. Nothing but snores emanated from the darkness. He walked up to the occupants bed and looked down. His first victim would be Rollo, the porcupine. Rollo was sleeping on his stomach because his quills would have damaged the bed. Scorch unscrewed the cap off the bottle of ether he had been carrying, and applied it to a small rag. He then placed the rag over Rollo's nose and mouth, ensuring a long and deep sleep. He then carefully picked Rollo up and draped him over his shoulder, being careful of his sharp quills. He left the hut after checking to see he wasn't being watched. He quickly made his way down a path leading out of Knothole. He trotted down it for a few miles, then stopped. He didn't want to loose his way since he really didn't see the first time the route to the village. He thought about this for awhile and then decided. He leaned up against a tree and with his quills left a gouge in it. Now he would be able to find his way back by looking for that tree. Satisfied, he ran off towards Robotropolis. * * * Two other villagers disappeared that night, causing quite a commotion in the morning. Several people pounded on Sally's huts door. "Some of the villagers are missing!" Cried an elderly raccoon. "My boy has disappeared!" Wailed another. Sally couldn't believe her ears. "What? How?" Bunnie had run up. "Sally girl, we've got some people missing?" Sally had glanced around. "Where's Sonic? We need him." Bunnies eyes went wide. "Sonic's gone too?" Just then Scorch came running up. "What's the commotion?" The villagers at the door turned to him and told him. "We should check their huts for any clues as to what happened to them." Offered Scorch. So Scorch, Sally, Bunnie, and the grieving villagers walked over to Rollo's hut. Sally and Scorch went inside. "I smell ether." Said Sally, sniffing the air. "Now that you mention it, so do I." Said Scorch. They checked Rollo's bedroom but didn't find any clues. The checked the other huts and found the same conditions. "Who could have done this?" Asked Sally, back in her hut. Bunnie and Scorch sat in chairs around her table. Scorch scratched his chin. "Three people in one night. Maybe they just got up and walked out." "No, I don't think so. Rollo, maybe. But a seven year old boy? Little boys do not just get up and walk out in the middle of the night. I definitely suspect foul play." Replied Sally. Scorch lifted himself out of his chair. "I'll get some search parties into the forest and look for them right away." He said, exiting the hut. * * * Several hours later, after a fruitless search, they reconvened back at Sally's hut, joined by Rotor. "Someone had broken into my lab and stole a bottle of ether." Said Rotor to the group. Scorch nodded. "That would explain the smells in the huts." "Why would someone want to use ether for?" Asked Bunnie. Rotor steepled his fingers. "Well, ether is a powerful anesthetic. It can knock you out for a long time if you directly breathe it in. If someone were to use it in that way, they might want to conceal their identity from their victim, or maybe to cover up where the kidnapper was taking the victim." "So what you're saying is that the kidnapper would be known to the victims, and the ether was used to knock them out before they saw him?" Said Sally. "Exactly." Said Rotor. Sally nodded. "This is starting to make some kind of sense. Someone in the village kidnapped Terence, Rollo and Penelope, knocked them out, and brought them, where?" "Not just where, why. Someone who knew where my ether was, because nothing else in my lab was touched." Put in Rotor. "And someone who knew who was in each hut." Said Bunnie. "And another thing," Said Scorch. "Three people in one night. If one person is responsible, then that person would have had to bring them wherever one at a time. It's a long way to Robotropolis from here." "Why would y' say they had been taken to Robotropolis?" Asked Bunnie. Scorch looked at Bunnie. "My search parties combed the entire forest and found not one thing. The only other place they could have gone is Robotropolis. Why? I don't know that. I'm only suggesting." "But why Robotropolis?" Broke in Rotor, "why not in a cave or up a tree somewhere?" Sally snapped her fingers. "Because if one of us were the kidnapper, then that person would know that we would search the forest." "That doesn't explain how one person moved three people in one night." Said Rotor. "We have no ground or air vehicles capable of traveling that fast." "Well, who's the only other person then capable of traveling very fast?" Suggested Scorch. "You can't mean.." Said Rotor, incredulous. "I refuse to believe that." Said Sally, firmly. "That's not like Sonic at all." Bunnie laid her hand on Sally's arm. "But there's been no sign of Sonic for hours now." She said, sadly. Sally sighed and looked out the window. "Oh Sonic, where are you?" She thought. * * * Later on that evening, Sonic climbed down from his tree top hiding place. He had gotten bored sitting up in the tree, sulking. He had only climbed down one other time to fetch the daily power ring that floated out of the pool. He couldn't let the ring go to waste, he might have need of it. So he snuck down to the pool and waited for it to appear. When it did, he managed to snag it with a long tree branch. With some pretty tricky maneuvering, he had managed to slip it into his backpack without touching it. Afterwards he had immediately gone back to his secret place. He had watched several people from the village searching the forest later that day, but he didn't know what for. He had learned hours later when two of the villagers who were resting under the tree were talking about what they were doing. Well, he figured, Scorch can always help out, he thought. Still, when they started talking about Terence, the small boy who was taken, Sonic couldn't help but get involved. He had climbed down and zipped through the forest at super speed but couldn't find the missing people. He missed his friends an awful lot, and decided it would be better to go back to Knothole. The sun had completely set, so Sonic started off. * * * Snively, still at the computer station, muttered some words into his microphone. He had gotten a report from a team of Swatbots in the Southwestern region about a victory over a ragtag group of Freedom Fighters. They had reported success in destroying the group, and were on their way in with a prisoner. Snively relayed this information to Robotnik. "Very good! Finally I can move into the Southwestern region unopposed. That group has caused me quite a few problems as of late." Rumbled Robotnik. "Yes, sir. They also report that they are bringing a prisoner. Ami Chobei." Robotniks eyes went wide. "The leader of that group? Governor Arhk Chobei's own daughter? Oh this is a sweet victory indeed, Snively." He settled back into his chair. Soon a team of Swatbots arrived in Robotniks control room with their prisoner. She was a female deer, a doe, with black hair, currently disheveled, with blue eyes, and grey fur. She eyed Robotnik and his guards with hatred and distaste. Her hands were bound behind her with some kind of energy bonds. Her clothes were dirty and ripped, and she had a small cut under her left eye. "Well, well. Look who we have here, Snively." Said Robotnik. "Ami Chobei! I hope you will be my guest for a while." He said with a nasty smile. Ami said nothing, but continued to stare into Robotnik's eyes, making him start. "Yes, well. It seems your pathetic little band of resistance has finally been beaten. Now I can move into the territory with no resistance." He continued. "Where is my father?" She asked vehemently. Robotnik put his hand on his head. "Oh, your father. Let's see. Currently he has 'volunteered' to work in my silver mines." He laughed. Ami ground her teeth. "So help me, I'll get you for this." "Such violent talk coming from such a one as you. Don't worry, you'll be joining him soon enough." Said Robotnik. One of the Swatbots had produced a bundle to Robotnik, who accepted and opened it. Inside was a long gleaming sword. It was a foot and a half long, with an ornately carved hilt and handle. The handle was wrapped in blue leather. The hilt had a large jewel set in it, it was blue as well. The jewel seemed to glow with an inner light. The weapon itself was single edged, and was very heavy. "The Sword of Sharda. I've heard about this magnificent sword. Forged two hundred years ago, and passed down generations from Chobei to Chobei. Your father last had this sword, and had given it to you a few years ago. He modified it with a special battle computer made to look like a jewel." He pointed to the blue gem on the sword. "This special little computer analyzes any battle situation you are in, and inputs instructions to the jewel worn on the necklace that is around your neck now. The impulses control your muscles and to some small extent, your brain and nervous system. The sword actually takes control of you and augments your abilities to fight. Very ingenious." Ami looked deflated. "How did you know all that?" She asked, already dreading the answer. "Oh, your father was very informative before he was roboticized. You would be surprised what my machines can do to someone." He smiled. "I also think you might be a better asset to me the way you are now, instead of being roboticized. Take her to a detention cell." The Swatbots led her away. Robotnik raised himself out of his chair, fingering the sword. "What are you going to do with that sword, Sir?" Asked Snively. Robotnik looked down at his hapless minion. "I'm going to do some modifications to this battle computer. Not only will her fighting skills be augmented, she will also obey only me." He smiled again. Chapter 6 Sally couldn't sleep. She was worried about the villagers who had gone missing, and worried about Sonic. She came to the abrupt realization that she couldn't bear anything happening to her Hedgehog. It was then she finally admitted to herself that she was for him, and he for her. They cared about each other so much, it ached to be apart for any length of time. To take her mind off of her troubles, she went back to work on the Project Genesis code. She felt close to breaking it this time, she was so sure. "Ok, Nicole, let's try a new sequence of codewords." She sighed. This was going to take forever. Nicole beeped and hummed tirelessly. "Working, Sally. Now accessing all words starting with the letter S." Sally put Nicole down and put her head on her hand. She was having a hard time concentrating. She still couldn't understand what Sonic was telling her earlier when he had ran into the hut. He had always played the hero, saving them all again and again. No one would turn their backs on him. It had to have been the appearance of Scorch. Having someone new around was always fun at first, then of course things just settled down. She thought about him, he was nice enough, but no one could replace Sonic in her heart, not even another Hedgehog. That day on the log he had been absolutely charming, but Sally had no choice but to tell him that Sonic was the only one for her. He of course felt bad but Sally had kissed him and told him he was very sweet, and had left him sitting by the pool. She started thinking about how much like Sonic Scorch was. Almost too much like him...almost as if they were...Then she had an idea. "Nicole, enter the word 'twin' into the code." "Working Sally. Code accepted. Now decoding information." Said Nicole. Sally was overjoyed. She had finally done it! Now she waited for Nicole to finish her processing. "End function." Said Nicole. "Information contains both audio and visual code, Sally. Shall I replay both?" "Yes, please Nicole." Said Sally, eagerly. A holographic image of Snively appeared in front of her. "Project Genesis. A new plan designed to take advantage of the cloning procedure. Day One. We have experimented with several lower life forms in the cloning technology. As you can see, the subject floats in a suspension tank while the computer takes several readings. The information is processed by the computer who grows an exact duplicate. Several tissue and blood samples are taken to ensure one hundred percent cloning. Growth period for any clone is exactly twelve weeks." The image skipped forward. "Day four. Some minor glitches in the computer have been worked out. Phase one of Project Genesis has commenced with success. We have obtained the Hedgehogs DNA. Unfortunately the sample was contaminated by air. Any effects this will have on the clone are unknown as yet." Sally thought back to last winter, when Sonic had come in with a scratch on his arm! He had said a Swatbot had gotten a little too close for comfort! That's how they got Sonic's sample! Snively was speaking again. "Day ten. The Hedgehog clone has almost reached maturity. Except for a slight discoloration of the skin, the cloning process was a success. Mental education shall begin shortly." The scene showed Scorch floating in the tank, with a breathing mask attached to his face. The tank had many wires and leads running from it's stainless steel skin. She had seen enough, but Snively wasn't finished speaking. "The Hedgehog's education has been constructed by Dr. Robotnik. When he emerges from the tube, the subject will have no knowledge whatsoever that he is a clone. He will have been programmed with false memories to make him think that he is an original. He will have the intelligence of an average woodland creature, with an extra program inserted by Dr. Robotnik." Then Robotniks voice sounded. "You will put on the disguise of a Hedgehog in trouble, and hopefully get the attention of Sonic. The details on this will be given soon. After, if you can get into Knothole, you will gain the trust and support of the villagers there. When they have accepted you, you will begin the fourth phase of the project. You will abduct enough villagers to put fear into them, and then having done this you will kidnap the Freedom Fighter known as Tails. Hopefully accomplishing this task will get the attention of Sonic, and he will follow you. You will bring him here, completing the final phase of the project." Sally shot up out of her chair. Tails was in danger! She ran out of her hut and down the path to Tails' hut. She flung open the door and gasped. Tails was gone! She looked around frantically, and ran out of the hut. She was frightened beyond belief, and started down the path towards Robotropolis. * * * Around the same time, Sonic was about halfway back to Knothole. He was using the main path, the quickest route back to the village. He rounded a corner and heard somebody coming up the path towards him. He quickly jumped into some bushes and waited. He thought he heard something zoom by him but when he raised his head to look whatever it was had vanished. He moved out of the bushes and started running back down the path. The moon, which was full and bright tonight, was hidden for a few minutes behind some low flying clouds, leaving Sonic in absolute darkness. A few minutes later he did bump into someone, and they both fell into the dirt. Sonic couldn't see who it was, but he felt it. He was hit in the face twice, and his vision blurred for a second, but he grabbed the other person's hands in his, holding them away from his face. The moon came out from behind the clouds, full and bright again. He found he was holding Sally down on the ground. "Sally!" Exclaimed Sonic. He immediately got off of her and pulled her to her feet. "Sonic! I thought you were Scorch!" Said Sally, dusting herself off. Sonic frowned. "Why? So you two could have a midnight rendezvous?" Asked Sonic, clearly hurt. "No! Scorch has been abducting villagers and bringing them to Robotnik. You were right, Sonic. Scorch is up to no good, and we have to stop him." Pleaded Sally. Sonic folded his arms. "We? Oh, so now I'm included?" Sally touched Sonics arm. "You were always included. Sonic, I need you. We need you. You're our hero." Sonics face softened. "Yeah? Well, since you put it that way." He scooped up Sally in his arms. Sally looked into Sonic's eyes. "This is where I always belonged. I just never wanted to accept that, Sonic." Sonic said nothing as he raced up the path. * * * Scorch rocketed up the path towards Robotropolis, carrying Tails on his shoulder. He wasn't certain if he had gotten Sonic's attention, since the rodent hasn't been seen for awhile. He didn't know if he had passed him or even gotten within visual distance. He couldn't return to Knothole now, everyone would know what he had done. He was coming up to the city now, out of the forest and crossing the deforested area between the city and the Great Forest. He stopped for a second, to collect his bearings. This was a mistake because Sonic had been hot on his heels. Sonic stopped a few feet away. "All right buddy, hold it right there." Said Sonic, letting Sally down. "It's time you and I hashed things out." "Forget it, rat. I take my orders from Robotnik." Said Scorch, setting Tails down. "Let's rumble!" They ran towards each other at super speed. Sonic tried to punch Scorch but Scorch had zipped overtop him. "So you have my speed, so what?" Said Sonic, surprised. "I have other tricks up my Hedgehog sleeve." He went into a Sonic Spin, but so did Scorch, and they bounced off one another. "Pretty neat trick. Try this one." Said Sonic. He started into another spin, but stopped and launched himself straight at Scorch. Scorch couldn't duck in time and took both of Sonic's fists on his chin. He fell backwards. "Cute." Said Scorch, rubbing his chin. He stood up and began to drill himself underground. He was instantly lost from sight. Sonic looked around, trying to guess where Scorch would come up. He came up right underneath Sonic, and was tossed hard to the ground. They stood apart from another, each eyeing the other warily. "Stop you guys! Don't you see what's happening?" Said Sally, coming between them. "You can't beat each other. You can't beat yourself." "What are you talking about, Sally?" Asked Sonic. "Remember last winter when that Swatbot scratched you? It was programmed to take a DNA sample from you. This sample was used to create a clone of yourself. You, Scorch." She said softly, turning to the black Hedgehog. Scorch was beside himself. "What? That's crazy! I'm not a clone!" Sally shook her head slowly. "Yes, unfortunately you are. You are a tool of Robotnik, and here is the proof. Sally showed him the entire series of events that led to his creation. When it was done, Scorch hung his head. "I'm nothing but a clone, a copy of the original." He looked up to the moon, with tears in his eyes. "My whole life has been nothing but a lie. A lie!" He yelled, as he sank to his knees. He hung his head. "What have I done? What can I do?" Sally went over to him and put her hand on his shoulder. "You can start by living your own life and not follow someone else's." She said soothingly. Sonic had gone over to Tails, who was just starting to wake up. "Huh? Sonic? How did I get out here in the woods?" Sonic laughed. "It's a long story, kid. Come on, we gotta get moving." He said, lifting him up. "I'm so sorry." Whispered Scorch. He got to his feet, making his hands into fists. "Robotnik will pay for this. I swear I'll make him pay." He said, looking into Sally's eyes. Sonic walked over to them. "You can start by helping us rescue the villagers from Robotnik." Said Sonic. Scorch nodded. "Yes, yes I will help. I will undo the damage I did. Let's juice!" Sonic already had Tails in his hands so he scooped up Sally and together they raced towards Robotropolis, to confront Robotnik. Chapter 7 Sally, Sonic, Scorch and Tails hid behind some canisters on the edge of the city. Sonic was trying to peer through the darkness ahead of him. Sally sat behind the makeshift wall with Scorch trying to figure out a way to rescue their friends. Scorch had showed them the building he took them to, but it was well guarded with Swatbots. They needed a plan to draw the Swatbots away from it. "Maybe I can get them away, make them chase me or something." Suggested Scorch. "In the darkness, they won't know who I am." Sally nodded. "That sounds like a very good idea, although I think Sonic should be the one to draw the 'bots away. I'll need you to show me the layout of this building, if we're going to find the villagers." "It's just a simple one story building, with large glass-like cages on each wall. A door at each end, and that's it." He said. Sally rubbed her chin. 'Hmm...well I think Sonic should still be the one. After he gets rid of the Swatbots, he can join us inside." Sonic turned back from his vigil. "Ok guys. This is it. Good luck." He said, giving them all the thumbs up. He raced around the wall and towards the Swatbots. He stopped in front of one guarding the door. "You know something, Swathead. I'll bet that all of you put together couldn't operate a can opener." He said. He took off just as the Swatbot looked down at him. When the 'bot realized who it was, he motioned for his fellow 'bots. "STOP HEDGEHOG! PRIORITY ONE APPREHEND!" Said the 'bot. They ran after Sonic, who had a decent head start. The other 'bots around the building joined the first. When the building was cleared, Sally, Scorch and Tails ran to the doorway. Not surprisingly, it was locked. "Nicole," Said Sally, holding her computer up to the door lock. "Can you unlock this, please?" Nicole hummed happily. "Lock has been deactivated, Sally." She pushed open the door, and the lights sprang on automatically. Sally gasped. In two rows on each side of the wall, stood tall glass-like tubes. Only three were occupied, the rest stood empty. Sonic rushed back beside Sally. "Those Swatbots are history!" He laughed. "Whoa.." He said, as he beheld the giant tubes. * * * "Sir, they are in the detention building now." Said Snively, waving to get Robotnik's attention. Robotnik stood up and walked behind him. "Excellent, Snively. Turn up the volume." He said. Scorch turned to Sally. "There they are, Sally, just like I told you. Come on, I'll help you free them." Robotnik frowned. "What's this? My wonderful creation is actually helping those Freedom Fighters? No matter. I'll destroy him as well. Snively, trap them inside and then send in my new 'secret weapon'." Snively turned to his computer. "Yes, Sir." * * * They moved into the building, and behind them, the door swung shut and locked behind them. "What the.." Said Sonic A small monitor screen in the upper corner of the wall sprang to life. Robotnik's face appeared to them. "Welcome Freedom Fighters. I'm so glad you could join me here." He laughed menacingly. "Because you are never leaving!" Scorch pointed at the screen. "You won't get away with this, chump! We'll stop you!" Robotnik growled under his breath. "Why, Scorch, I'm shocked. Here I went to all this trouble to create you and now you turn against me?" "So you actually admit it?" Said Scorch, indignant. Robotnik chuckled. "Of course. It took quite a while to grow you from the rodent's cells. It was a brilliant piece of work I did, and an ingenious foolproof plan, until now. But that's another matter entirely. You leave me with no choice, I'll just have to destroy all of you. Unless you want to change your mind?" Scorch ground his teeth together. "I swear to you that now and forever I will be your enemy. I will hunt you down no matter how long it takes!" Robotnik sighed. "I thought you might say that. Brave sentiments, but foolishly wasted. I took the liberty of creating a new tool for me to use." At that moment the door on the opposite wall opened, and in the doorway stood Ami Chobei. She stood motionless, dressed in a sleeveless type of jumpsuit, with her sword strapped to her back. Her eyes were glazed over, seeing but not seeing, and unblinking. "Say hello to my newest 'secret weapon'." Sally whispered to Sonic. "That's Ami Chobei, leader of the Southwestern Freedom Fighters. I recognize her from some pictures. What is she doing here?" Sonic scowled, "I don't think she's here to sell us cookies, look at her eyes." "I'm a man who appreciates good irony. So I will let this creature destroy you. Then after that I will raze the entire Great Forest to the ground and expose and destroy Knothole once and for all!" He said, cackling. Sonic was about to retort when Ami suddenly launched herself at them, drawing her sword. She moved so quickly that they barely had time to react. Sonic pushed Sally out of the way and backpedaled as Ami's sword swished by him. Scorch had run in the opposite direction, dragging Tails along with him. "Try and work on those cages, Sal. I'll keep her busy." Said Sonic, standing up. Sally motioned at him. "Be careful, Sonic. Don't hurt her." She said. "Hurt her? I think she's trying to hurt me!" He said, leaping out the way of another sword swing. Scorch had come up behind her to try an attack, but she quickly leapt straight up and over him. He barely avoided her blade. "All right lady, you're starting to make me mad!" Said Sonic, and reached back into his pack and pulled out his power ring. He held it up at arms length, but Ami, with a one handed swing, knocked the ring out of his hand. It bounced a couple of times before landing at Scorch's feet. He looked down at the glowing ring and bent to pick it up. As he lifted it, the ring exploded with golden brilliance and bathed the black Hedgehog with it's energy. He felt more energetic than he ever did before! As the ring dissolved he looked over at Ami and Sonic fighting in the corner, and quickly turned to join the fray. He went into a Super Spin and managed to knock Ami off of her feet, but she quickly recovered and flipped over back to her feet. A backkick from her sent Scorch flying, and landing hard on his back. She then performed a jumping roundhouse kick that knocked Sonic silly. While Robotnik's attention was focused on the battle, Sally consulted with Nicole. "Nicole, can you shut down the power to those glass cages?" "Working Sally. It will take a few minutes." Said the computer. Sally looked up as a shadow came over her. Ami had her sword over her head and was bringing it down when Sally felt herself being picked up. Tails had come down from flying overhead when he saw Sally in danger. "Thanks, honey. Put me down over there." She pointed to a computer console. Tails set her beside it. "You'd better stay with me. Things are very dangerous around here." Tails nodded and hid under the console as Sally worked with Nicole. The battle was very furious. Sonic and Scorch had not been able to land a blow on Ami. Her vicious swipes with her sword prevented them from doing so, so the two Hedgehogs were unable to do anything but duck and cover. "The power has been cut from the cages, Sally. Also, I am detecting the presence of another, more powerful computer nearby." "Where, Nicole?" Asked Sally. Nicole showed a small holographic map of the sword Ami was wielding. "From this area here, Sally." A small ring appeared, highlighting the jewel. "This jewel is actually a very powerful battle computer. Which has a small neural interface in the necklace Ami is wearing." "The sword controls Ami?" Asked Sally, puzzled. Nicole beeped. "In a way, yes. The battle computer seems to provide information on outside conditions, such as position, distance, speed, etc of objects, and relays them to the neural interface which tells the body where to turn, how much force is needed and so on. It also provides the brain with that information and somewhat controls the muscles and to a lesser degree, the nervous system." She replied. "Could Robotnik be controlling her somehow through this system?" She asked, ducking a crate which had come flying her way. She shrank back behind the console. "Yes, it is possible." Replied Nicole. Sally nodded at this information. "Is there a way to deactivate this control?" If a computer could smile, Nicole would have. "Yes, Sally. The solution is simple. Remove the necklace." Sally peered out from the console. Ami had both Sonic and Scorch pinned up against the opposite wall, covering both with her sword, The room was a mess with debris everywhere. Robotnik was laughing on his monitor screen. "Finish them off now, my slave!" He yelled. Sally yelled from the console. "Sonic! Scorch! Remove the necklace! Robotnik's controlling her with it!" Robotnik heard Sally's cry from his monitor. "No!" He yelled. "Finish them now!" Ami drew her sword back to deliver a killing blow. Sonic jerked his body to his right, causing Ami to look at him. When her attention was on Sonic, Scorch reached over and snapped the necklace off her neck. She stood still for a moment, then collapsed in Scorch's arms. He laid her gently on the ground. Her eyelids fluttered open. "Where-where am I?" She asked, in a faltering voice. "It's all right, you're among friends." Said Scorch. Robotnik howled from the monitor. "Nooo! This can't be happening! Snively, activate the self destruct! Blow that building to pieces!" Sally's eyes went wide when she heard Robotnik. "We've got to go, guys! This building is going to explode!" She grabbed Tails and ran across the room, jumping over the pieces of debris on the floor. Sonic quickly opened up the cages and the three villagers jumped out. Several small explosions shook them to the ground. They soon found themselves surrounded by fire. "This building is gonna come down!" Yelled Sonic. "Everybody out!" He drilled a hole through the wall, and ushered the villagers through it. "C'mon, Sal! Get Tails out of here!" Sally ran through the hole, Tails following close behind her. Sonic turned back to Scorch as another explosion shook the building. Heavy beams and pieces of ceiling crashed down around him. "Scorch!" He yelled into the fire. "C'mon, we gotta juice!" He tried to peer into the fire and could barely make out his form. He was standing in the middle of the floor, carrying Ami in his arms, and was surrounded by impenetrable debris and a huge circle of fire. His face and body were harshly lit by the orange light. "You go ahead, Sonic. I'm trapped here." He said, in an oddly calm voice. Sonic shielded his eyes with his hand. "No way, man. Freedom Fighters stick together! I'll get you out of there." He said, looking for some way to penetrate the debris. "You've done enough for me, Sonic. You've given me something very important, and I'll never forget it, or you." He said, still not moving. "It's too late for us! Get out before you get hurt!" He yelled, as more debris from the ceiling fell around him. A heavy beam almost toppled Sonic as he reluctantly backed away. He went into a Sonic Spin that carried him out of the path of the falling beam. The building exploded seconds after he left it, lifting Sonic off of his feet to be tossed to the ground a few feet away. Sonic regained consciousness a few minutes later. He found himself with his head in Sally's lap looking at the remains of the burning building. Sally was crying quietly. "They didn't make it out." She said in between her tears. "They're both gone." Sonic didn't say anything. He just stood up and watched the fire burn itself out. He wanted to go and search the ruins but Sally held him back. "We have to go. The Swatbots will be here any second now. She took Tails and the other villagers, who were brimming with questions, down the path. Sonic shed a single tear for the 'brother' he treated so badly. "One day, Robuttnik," He whispered to himself. "You're gonna pay. You didn't just gun down another Mobian, you gunned down a Freedom Fighter." He took a long last look at the remains of the building, now being backlit with the already rising morning sun, and rocketed off down the path. Epilogue That afternoon, after writing down her journal reports and communicating the recent events to Uncle Chuck, Sally went out to search for Sonic. She checked his hut, and when she found that he wasn't there, she checked his usual haunts. When she failed to find him, she headed down towards the power ring pool. There he was, sitting on a log by the pool, the very same log she and Scorch had sat on earlier, she noted. She walked up and sat down beside him. "You're still pretty upset, huh Sonic?" She asked. Sonic sighed deeply. "Yeah." Sally put a hand on his shoulder. "Maybe this will cheer you up. I was talking to Uncle Chuck earlier, and he had mentioned that the cleanup crew didn't find any bodies in the rubble." Sonic turned his head. "No lie?" He said. "No lie." Said Sally. Sonic grunted and peered at the pool. "You know," he said, after a few minutes. "You were pretty great last night." Sally smiled. "What about yesterday?" She asked. "What about yesterday?" Sally brushed her hair back. "Wasn't I great yesterday?" Sonic chuckled. "So so." Sally pretended to be shocked. "So so?" "Is there an echo?" Asked Sonic, laughing. Sally laughed as well. "Well, what about the day before yesterday?" "I don't remember." Said Sonic. They both shared a laugh over this back-and-forth. "Come on, Sonic. It's almost time for lunch. I'll make you your favorite." Said Sally, standing up. "You go ahead, Sal. I'll be right along." He said, watching her walk up the path. When she had dissapeared from view, he turned back to the pool which had just started to churn. In another minute, the churning water boiled up, discharging a golden power ring. It hovered in the air for a few seconds, and then slowly began to sink back to the water. Sonic watched the ring as it touched the water, then vanish from his sight. He made no move to grab it. The ring was under water now, ready to be reabsorbed by the mysterious power stone that sat on the bottom of the pool. "That one's for you, Scorch." Said Sonic softly, "wherever you are." He stood up and slowly walked up the path. The End By: Jason B. Northage July 23, 1996 email: nvu565@freenet.mb.ca homepage: http://www.freenet.mb.ca/~nvu565 (Mauser's Furry Home Page)