Alterations - A Sonic the Hedgehog Fan Fiction ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Written by: Aaron Lye ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE LEGAL STUFF Sonic the Hedgehog and related characters are owned and copyrighted by Sega of America, Sega Enterprises (of Japan), DIC and/or Archie Comics. All other characters used in this fan fiction are owned and copyrighted by their respective creators. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE CAST Sonic Tails Sally Tasha Tayla Bunnie and other characters ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TIMELINE: Two months after the events in "Touched by Darkness" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Fire...directed energy....explosions....crumbling....* Tasha woke up from the horrific vision she had witnessed. She breathed heavily, and walked shakily to the replicator, where she ordered a pseudo-alcohol wine. As she sipped the drink, she thought of what she had seen. She didn't want it to happen... but it had to. It had to come to pass... He would not learn of the dangers any other way.... ***** Tails was lying down in the grass surrounding the Power Ring pool, looking at the blue sky. So much had happened recently, and it had changed his life quite a bit. He was supposed to be practicing his sorcery at the time... and Tasha would be mad if she saw him lying down here. Reluctantly, he sat up, and proceeded to generate spells at random. The multi colored wave came first. Of all the spells he had learnt, it had grown in intensity and strength the fastest. Then came a wall of fire, a discharge of electricity. He had gone through another few spells, when Tails conjured up a strange one. It looked vaguely like a jagged hole, shimmering and pulsing... it looked like a form of transportation. Curious now, Tails ventured closer, only to have himself sucked into the hole by his own magic... ***** When he reappeared, he felt himself being flung into a pool of water, courtesy of the intensity of the pressure that had been pulling him. As he surfaced, he saw that he was actually inside the Power Ring pool. As Tails looked around, he noticed that something looked different. When he finally realized what was wrong, he gasped. The Power Ring apparatus was gone. ***** He swam out of the pool, conjured up a quick spell that returned his fur back to it's natural fluffiness, and headed back to Knothole. As he neared the town, he heard strange sounds emanating from Knothole. He quickly hid behind a bush and peeped at the town from his vantage point. His eyes widened at what he saw. He saw Sir Charles Hedgehog, Sonic's Uncle Chuck, holding a large blueprint, and directing a team of construction droids and normal workers, which were BUILDING Knothole. It was then that Tails realized what had happened. Like his brother, David, a few months back... he had been transported through time. ***** Tails kept low to the ground. He didn't want Uncle Chuck to see him. However, Tails was no good at camouflaging himself. It wasn't long before Charles spotted him, and yelled "Hey YOU! Stop!". Tails knew why, of course. Knothole was meant to be a top secret town, meant as a place where Mobian royalty could seek sanctuary in dire situations. No one was meant to know about it. Tails ran, with Chuck and a few others chasing him. Tails didn't even see Chuck and another worker get hit by a tree that had just been felled by a droid who had not noticed the group running to catch the intruder.... ***** Tails rushed in the direction of Mobotropolis. The young fox had never seen the city in his life, and he was astounded at what he saw. It was beautiful... and the fox had never seen anything like it. Just looking at the place made Tails wish that he had been born earlier... in time to witness this breathtaking sight.... It was then that Tails realized he had a chance to sort things out. He could solve Mobius's problems, right here, and right now. All those years of suffering... could be eradicated. He could get rid of Robotnik now... before he could have a chance to wreak havoc on the planet of Mobius.... ***** Tails sat down to think of his options. Was he in a position to do a thing like that? He was now more adept at sorcery than ever before... Robotnik / Julian would pose no threat... But it was the moral implications that held him back. What gave him the right to decide whether or not Robotnik should go? However, the fox knew his reservations were unfounded. He could save all those roboticized... all those killed.... He could save Sally's parents... And his parents.... Mobius would not have to go through it's darkest time.... The young sorceror got up and disappeared in a blaze of yellow. ***** He reappeared inside the Palace, more specifically, inside the Office of the Minister of Defence. Tails found himself staring at a younger Robotnik, sitting at a large desk. He had two normal eyes, and didn't have his roboticized arm or legs. The two stared at each other for a moment, Robotnik too dumbfounded to do anything. Tails spoke, making himself sound as commanding as possible. "If only you could see the future, Julian. If you could... you would understand why I cannot allow it to come to pass..." Tails' paw glowed a bright yellow, and he continued. "I am sending you back to the planet from whence you came... Earth. There, you will be in no position to commit such atrocities as you will here..." Before Julian / Robotnik could say anything, a bright yellow pulse burst from Tails' paws, and enveloped the human. Shortly after, Robotnik disappeared. Tails smiled, and vanished into another conjured up shimmering hole. ***** He appeared back at the Power Ring pool. He walked back in the direction of Knothole, only to find the place deserted. Puzzled at first, the fox soon realized that with Sally in power, there would be no need to hide in Knothole. With this proof, Tails cheerfully made his way back to the city of Mobotropolis. ***** The Great Forest looked the same, with and abundance of fauna and flora. As he approached the rim, he saw in the distance the same breathtaking city he had gazed upon during his time travel. The young fox smiled. Things were definitely better. He approached the city gates, and was surprised to see two guards watching over movements to and from the city. Looking closer, he saw that the civilians were walking hurriedly, glancing warily at the guards. Something was wrong... He passed through the gates with the crowd, amd beheld the magnificence of Mobotropolis. Nature coexisting with technology.... it seemed perfect. Until he glanced at the population. They went about their business with a hopeless look on their faces, each walking about drearily, but hurriedly, constantly glancing over their shoulders at some unseen threat. Tails frowned. This was getting too weird. As he walked on, Tails saw the road leading up to a large park. He walked into the park, at the same time reading a plaque on a nearby wall stating 'Remembrance Garden '. The lush foliage surrounded him, giving a sense of serenity and safety. It would have been perfect, if not for the five large statues in center of the park. Tails immediately recognized who the statues represented: King Acorn, Queen Acorn, Sally Sandy, Sally's sister and Sonic. He noticed little plaques with inscriptions beneath them. Looking at them, Tails was shocked beyond words. "King Acorn - Former Ruler of Mobius. Killed defending Mobotropolis in the Uprising of 3259" "Queen Acorn - Former First Lady of Mobius Executed following the Uprising of 3259" "Princess Sally Alicia Acorn - Ex-heir to the throne of Mobius Killed during the Retake of the Monarchy - 3261" "Queen Sandy Acorn - Former Ruler of Mobius Assassinated by unknown agents - 3262" "Sonic Hedgehog Killed while defending the Heir during the Retake of the Monarchy - 3261" Tails could not believe his eyes. The people he knew... all dead. And it was his doing that caused it. Was this the better future he had provided Mobius with? He walked on without purpose, not knowing where he was going... until he bumped into a huge statue further down. Looking at it, he gasped. The statue was of a squirrel which looked exactly like Sally. The young fox quickly looked at the inscription. "King Jason Acorn - Ruler of Mobius Assumed throne after assassination of Queen Sandy Acorn - 3262" Sally had a brother? Tails asked himself, only to remember that it was possible that if the King and Queen had lived longer, they would have had another child. He left the Remembrance Garden, and continued walking.He saw a group of young badgers huddled next to one of the large buildings. Each wore tattered rags, and looked starved. Tails was overwhelmed with emotion. He cast a quick spell which placed a bar of gold in each of those badger's pockets. With that, he walked on. He must have not been paying attention, for the next minute he bumped hard into another person. Both fell, and Tails looked around for the person, wanting to apologize. Before he knew anything, he felt a sharp slap across his face, and felt himself raised off the ground. He saw a burly guard holding him by the front. Obviously, this was who he bumped into, and obviously, he didn't like it. The guard raised a huge paw to beat him again, but this time Tails reacted first. A small burst of magical energy knocked the guard out and the young fox was dropped hard on the ground, followed close by the sound of the guard following likewise. Tails stood up, just in time to be stunned by the guard's partner's directed energy rifle... ***** Tails came to in a large lavish room. The large throne at one end of the room gave away where the fox was immediately. He decided not to make any rash moves, especially since he was flanked by an entire squad of guards aiming nasty looking rifles at him. The fox stood up slowly, just as a door on the far left opened, to reveal a squirrel dressed in royal robes. The squirrel proceeded to sit on the throne, and Tails was nudged forward. The squirrel eyed Tails for a moment, and spoke in a voice only slightly deeper than Sally's. "So... what have we here? A Guardian. I thought we were rid of all of you by now." The similarity between this squirrel and Sally was quickly fading. This one did not have the warmth and sincerity of the squirrel he knew, and Tails found himself wondering how Sally could have a brother like this. Tails had removed one tyrant, only to have another take his place. It had to turn out this way... only this time it was worse. This period of time in Mobian history had to be this way.. under the yoke of a tyrant. Jason continued, " What is your name?" "Miles Prower." The squirrel frowned, "Is that some kind of joke? What kind of name is Miles Per Hour?" Tails repeated his name, this time slower. Jason spoke, "Very well, Miles. You have a choice. Either you agree to serve the monarchy, or you will be handed over to one of our Guardians to be terminated." Before Tails could reply, the main door of the throne room opened, revealing a guard dragging a walrus. As they got closer to the throne, Tails got a good look at the walrus... The guard spoke to Jason, "Your highness, we caught this engineer with classified blueprints of Project Alpha." Jason stared at the engineer. "What do you have to say for yourself, Rotor?" The walrus in question kept silent. The squirrel king dismissed the guards and Rotor. "Take him to a holding cell. Execute him tomorrow." With that, the guards stunned Rotor and dragged him out of the room. Tails didn't know what to say. Jason turned his attention back to Tails, and repeated his offer. "What is your decision?" Tails stood up straight. "I will not serve under a tyrant like you. You.." The minute he said that, Jason snapped his fingers, and a cloaked figure appeared in a blaze of yellow. The figure took hold of Tails, nodded at Jason, and Tails disappeared along with the mysterious figure. They reappeared in a small cavern, with no apparent exit. Tails watched the figure warily, waiting for it to make the first move, when the figure removed it's cloak. Tails found himself looking at his mentor and friend Tasha. ***** Tasha spoke with a bemused tone, "So, Ah suppose ya like what ya've done with the place?" Tails was puzzled. "You know me?" To which the rabbit replied, "Ah'm the Tasha from your reality. The Tasha here doesn't know you. In fact, the Tasha here is dead. Killed by that excuse of a king, in the same way he wanted to kill you. Fortunately, Ah made a surprise visit to his Guardian executioner, and she won't be waking up for a long time..." Tails questioned, "A guardian actually agreed to work for him? Who?" Tasha looked down, "You know her, Tails... your former teacher, Angela." ***** Tasha snapped her fingers, and a blaze of yellow appeared, revealing Rotor. The walrus was puzzled. "Who are you?" Tails smiled. "Friends, Rotor. I'm Tails, this is Tasha." Rotor looked relieved, "You're Tasha? But, I thought Jason had you killed." Tails sighed. "It's a long story." Tasha looked at Rotor, "Ah've been in hiding. Bring us to the Resistance. Like you, I've found some information about Project Alpha." Rotor nodded grimly. ***** Rotor walked to the back of the cavern and depressed a small button. A cleverly concealed trapdoor appeared in the ground and Rotor led them through it. They climbed down a short ladder, and through a small dank tunnel. This Resistance didn't have the same beautiful base of operations as his own Freedom Fighters did. They soon reached the end of the tunnel, and Rotor slipped a small access card into a slot next to the door at the end of the tunnel. The door made a loud click, and it rolled open slowly. The first thing they saw was Bunnie sitting at a small table, watching the entrance. Tails observed that this Bunnie had no cybernetic implants, but had a more battle-hardened, menacing look about her. When she saw the door open, she whipped up an energy rifle and aimed it directly at them. After seeing Rotor, she relaxed, and put down the weapon. It was then that she saw Tasha. She gasped. "Aunt Tasha?" The rabbit smiled. "Yes, dear. Ah'm not dead. Jus' been in hiding for some time." Bunnie was elated beyond words. The younger rabbit then looked at Tails, who shifted uncomfortably under the rabbit's gaze. She asked, "Who's this little guy?" Rotor replied, "His name is Tails. Tasha says he's a Guardian." "Is he now? Well, you'll make a fine addition to the Resistance, Tails." Rotor interrupted hurriedly, "Bunnie, gather everyone. We have some vital information. Jason's up to something again, and it doesn't look good." Bunnie nodded, and led them into the main room. ***** Tails looked around at all who had gathered. He knew them, but they didn't know him... at least the ones in this reality. Tails found himself wondering what had actually happened to him in this reality... Dulcy, Tayla, Lupee, Ari, Bookshire... all of them were here. Even Knuckles. All of them sitting. Watching and waiting. The young fox whispered to Tasha, "What are we waiting for?" The door creaked open, revealing another Resistance member. Tasha replied, "For him..." Of all the shocks Tails had had today, this one crowned the lot. Tails found himself gazing at Antoine. Not his pompous, horridly-dressed Antoine, but a totally different one. He had his head-fur styled in a more up to date manner, as well as his clothes, all of which unrecognizable to Tails... except for the vest he wore over them: Sally's vest. At first, he wondered why Antoine was cross-dressing, then realized his mistake. The vest was a status symbol, even in this reality. Antoine was the leader of the Resistance.... ***** He spoke without that French accent that Tails had problems understanding, and fluently too. This Antoine's behavior seemed similar to Sonic's, yet he seemed more rational than the blue guy. "OK, let's get on with it. What did you find out, Rote?" Tails glanced at Tasha, and saw her gaping at Antoine too. Rotor stood up, and spoke. "Jason is working on a device called Project Alpha. He is planning to use it to wipe out all the resistance on Mobius in one fell swoop. Apparently, over 60% of the population is now unhappy with Jason, and he plans to use Project Alpha to 'persuade' them otherwise." Antoine interrupted, "How's he going to do this?" Rotor continued, "He plans to make an example of three of the Rim villages around the Great Forest." Antoine spoke, "I see. And if it doesn't work?" "He will use Project Alpha to wipe out all who oppose him." The walrus continued, "Frankly, Project Alpha is a weapon, the most powerful we've ever seen. Here are the schematics." As Tails glanced at the blueprints, he felt a sense of deja vu. Something about the shape and size of Alpha looked familiar. He gasped as the truth hit him. He was staring at the Doomsday Project.... ***** There was no question about it. Other than a slight configuration change, and improved weaponry, Alpha was identical to Doomsday, the weapon that Robotnik had unleashed on them several years ago. It was then that he saw everyone in the room staring at him. Antoine asked him, "Is there a problem?" Tails nodded, "I know this... thing. We destroyed it before... Sonic and Sal.. oops." He could see Tasha shaking her head out of the corner of his eye. Antoine perked up, "What about Sonic and Sally?" Tails stuttered, "Um...uh...I.." and looked pleadingly at Tasha. Tasha then spoke up, "Ah think it's time we told you the truth." They related their story, to the amazement of the Resistance. Antoine sat down, "If what you've said is true, then we have no chance. We don't even know where the Deep Power Stones are, and we don't have Sonic or Sally." It was then that the ceiling came crashing down on them. ***** Tails came to a second later, only to came face to face with a rifle. He saw himself staring at a guard, flanked by a cloaked figure,no doubt a Guardian. He stood up and looked around the room. A squad of guards and a dozen Guardians were in the room, and the Resistance members were all in the same situation as he. A familiar voice spoke, "When we found Angela unconcious, we knew something was wrong. Fortunately, our guardians can locate other guardians easily..." Tails stared at Jason, but the squirrel did not have Tails' attention. What the fox was focusing on was the person behind Jason. To be more exact... the HUMAN behind Jason.... ***** Tails, Tasha and Antoine were shocked. Tails and Tasha whispered simultaneously. "Robotnik." Antoine had a menacing look on his face. "Julian. Didn't think you'd have the guts to show up on one of your raids. You must be slipping in your old age, butt-head..." That remark promptly earned the fox a stinging blow on his cheek. Jason interrupted. "Take all of them to holding cells. We will have a public execution first thing tomorrow." Julian/Robotnik countermanded. "Belay that. I want to interrogate that fox." Jason turned towards Robotnik. "Antoine isn't going anywhere, Julian... there's plenty of time to..." "NOT ANTOINE, you fool! That other fox... the small one with two tails!" Jason shrugged. "OK... do as he says" he ordered the guards. ***** Robotnik and Tails stared at each other. They had been sitting in Robotnik's office for ten minutes, and Robotnik had not said a word, not to Tails, nor to the two Guardians who were flanking Tails. Finally, he said something. "Who are you?" Tails sighed, "I've told you. My name is Miles Prower." "Not good enough, fox. I remember you. You appeared in this office over a decade ago, saying something about the future... and then I was sent to Earth, with nothing! Those years were extremely terrible for me. Fortunately, I found a rift called the Void, which helped me return here, where I belong. I want to know why...." Robotnik paused for a moment, "I always thought I was destined to be powerful. Now, look at me. I work for a SQUIRREL! You did something to change the way things turned out, and YOU are going to change them back again." Robotnik leaned closer. "Or I will kill you. Right here, and right now." ***** Tails thought furiously, weighing his options. Was this reality any better than the one he knew? The more he thought, the more he knew which was better. Sally and Sonic were alive in his reality, but not here. His reality destroyed Project Doomsday, this one had no way of doing away with Project Alpha. Here, Robotnik is alive. In his, all they had to contend with was Snively. There was only one choice. The timeline had to be restored... ***** "I'll do as you say. But, I'll need help. I need Tasha, the rabbit you had imprisoned." Robotnik nodded to the Guardians. A second later, Tasha appeared in the room. Tails told her what had happened, and the rabbit mentor seemed pleased with Tails. Apparently, he had found the right path at last. Tasha conjured up the swirling rift, and just before they entered it, she told Tails, "Before we go back to fix this, I want to show you something." They entered the rift, and reappeared surrounded by explosions, directed energy blasts, and rubble. They were however still in Robotnik's office. They saw a crumpled body lying under the desk, and knew at once it was Robotnik. Tasha spoke softly, "This is what happened two days after Project Alpha was activated. The system controlling the project went berserk, and Robotnik lost control over the weapon. The result: We are the only living things left on this planet at this time. Other than us, and Project Alpha, the planet has been totally destroyed. Project Alpha will learn as it lives, and soon it will discover FTL transport, and the surrounding worlds will suffer the same fate as this planet." They re-entered the rift, this time appearing inside the Throne Room of Mobotropolis's palace. They saw Sandy sitting on the throne, staring at a portrait of Sally. Sandy didn't notice a cloaked figure sneak up behind her. Didn't notice the figure take out a small energy pistol. Didn't see him shoot her seven times at point-blank range.... After she had been shot, another person entered the room. Tails was shocked to see Jason walking in. The cloaked figure rushed to meet him, and Jason shook his hand, and handed a small disc over to the figure, who nodded and quickly left. Jason followed suit. Tasha didn't have to explain. Tails knew what had transpired. Jason had paid someone to assassinate his older sister, so he could rule the planet. ***** For a third time, they entered the rift, this time five minutes before Tails transported Robotnik to Earth. It was easy to persuade himself not to go through with it, and as soon as he had managed to get the other Tails to agree, Tails suddenly felt light-headed. Without warning, he lost conciousness.... ***** The young fox woke up,once again next to the Power Ring pool. He looked next to him, and saw Tasha lying there, still unconcious. He took a look inside the pool... and was relieved to see the Power Ring apparatus safe and snug inside it's watery haven. ***** The two Guardians walked slowly back to Knothole. The minute they were spotted, Sally and Sonic rushed over to meet them. Sonic looked at Tails, "Didn't your parents teach ya not to wander off... oh, that was our job." Sally had a reprimanding look on her face. "Where have you two been? We've had search parties roaming the Forest for the last 24 hours!" Tails smiled wearily and replied, "Through a badly cracked looking glass." THE END