"Bringing Life into the World-Part II" Authors: Francis Tolbert-Robert Brown 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 or by another and we have permission to use them). 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. Author's Note: Hello,ppl. Welcome to Part-II. Before we begin, I would like to mention something. In our last story, we said that a "she" wasn't going to be able to have anymore children. We would like to thank 'The Wanderer' for pointing how this could confuse people. By the way, the "she" is Patricia, not Kelly Min. Ordinally, I'd try to avoid these things, but this had to be said. Peace, See ya later. P.S. If you thought the last story was something...wait 'til you get a load of this one. Cast of Characters(in order of appearance) Princess Sondra Acorn*** Miles "Tails" Prower Princess Sally Acorn Sonic Hedgehog Uncle Chuck Maurice Hedgehog*** Patricia Hedgehog*** Kelly Min Hedgehog**## Bunnie Rabbot Antoine D'Coolette Dulcy Rotor Princess Lydia Evergreen^^^ Rosie Isabela Evergreen^^^ Dr. Robotnik Metal Sonic Nadia*** Donovan### Tanis Shi-rat*** Knuckles Echidna #22 Sondra awoke while there was still an hour before sunrise. She had turned the wrong way in her sleep and the pain in her back had flared up with a vengeance. Wincing in pain, she rolled over carefully, trying to find a more comfortable position. Sighing, she sat up. Her sleep that night had been fitful at best. The pain didn't bother her much, unless she moved wrong. She arched her back, trying to stretch out her muscles until they stopped hurting. When she felt them loosen, she relaxed and lay back down. It was Christmas Eve Day on Mobius, and she didn't have much time. If she didn't do it today, it wasn't going to get done. She sat up again and rolled out of bed. As soon as she was standing, she reformed the crystal brace around her back. "This should help some," she thought. "I just better leave before everyone wakes up. She looked around and saw Tails asleep in a chair next to her bed. "He must've come by during the night to keep an eye on me," Sondra reasoned. "That's just going to make it that much harder to sneak out." She got her clothes together and went into the bathroom to dress. A few minutes later, Sondra walked out of the bathroom adjusting her vest. She picked up Nadia and secured her to her boot. She got on her knees and reached under her bed for the roboticization gun she had hidden there. She had a little trouble standing up as her back almost gave out. "Maybe this isn't such a good idea," she thought. Sondra had pulled on her coat and started to step outside when a noise stopped her. Sally was starting to stir and Sondra held perfectly still until her sister quieted down. Heaving a nearly inaudible sigh of relief, she tiptoed out the door and silently closed it behind her. She walked carefully through Knothole until she reached the bridge and then ran off at subsonic speed so as not to make a sonic boom. Tails woke up suddenly, startled awake by some unknown thing. Sleepily, he turned his eyes to Sondra's bed to check on her. It took a moment for it to register that she was no longer in her bed. "Sondra?" Tails asked, fully awake. "Sondra, where are you?" No answer, and Tails saw that Nadia was also gone. "Damn her," he muttered. "Aunt Sally, wake up." "Hmm? What?" Sally asked sleepily. "Tails? What are you doing here?" "Sondra's not in her bed," he said. "Something tells me she snuck out to do something." Sally sat up, now awake. "OK, you check around and see if anyone has seen her. I'll join you as soon as I can get ready." "Gotcha Aunt Sally." Tails flew off, heading straight for Sonic's hut. Sally watched him go and sighed. "I hope she's not doing anything stupid," she thought. Tails burst into Sonic's hut. "Sonic!" he yelled. "Get up!" When Sonic didn't move fast enough, Tails grabbed his mattress and forced him off it roughly. "What's the big idea big guy?" Sonic asked, rubbing his arm. "There a fire or something?" "Sondra's missing. I need you to help me find her." "Calm down Tails," Sonic said. "She probably just went for a walk or something." "In her condition? And in this cold?" "Yeah, you're right. OK, you fly around and see if you can find her. I'll ask the night watch if anyone has seen her." "Thanks Sonic," he said and flew off. "Man," Sonic thought. "I've never seen him this intense. Either he knows something, or he fears something. And I don't know which is worse." Sondra slowed down as she neared Robotropolis, coming to a stop at its border. She took Nadia from her boot and opened her up. "Nadia," Sondra said, finding a comfortable place to rest, "see if you can access Donovan's computer." "What for Sondra?" Nadia asked. "It's too risky to get the location of his parents from Robotnik's computer." "You mean Knuckles gave the OK? And just when were you going to let me know this?" "I just did, didn't I?" Numbers started flashing across Nadia's screen at an alarming rate. "What are you doing?" Sondra asked. "Seeing if I can override my programming against using foul language." "Keep it up and we'll just go back to Knothole." "All right, all right. Making contact now." At Donovan's main base, an alarm started sounding. "You are attempting to access unauthorized data," the computer told Nadia. "Cease and desist or consequences will follow." "Chill out, computer," Nadia said. "It's me, Nadia." "You are still trying to access unauthorized data. Please cease and desist now." "But I need this information," Nadia said. "Isn't there any way for me to get it?" "You can't get it without authorization." "Authorization code omega-four-three-niner," Nadia tried. "That is not the authorization code." Nadia tried other codes that she had obtained from Donovan, but they all had the same result. "Shutdown proceudre initiated," the computer said. "Wait!" Nadia yelled, but the computer shut down. "Great. Let's try this again." Nadia re-established the link and began her search anew. "You were warned," Donovan's computer said. An electric charge was sent over the link as the computer tried to scramble Nadia's circuits. Nadia absorbed the charge with no obvious effects. "Can't we be reasonable about this?" she asked. "I have my orders," the computer said. "I can't let anyone get any information without permission, and to try to mess up the computer that tries, even you. So please stop trying to access it. If you want, you can contact Donovan and get his permission." "That's exactly what I don't want to do," Nadia grumbled. "This is supposed to be a surprise." "Donovan hates surprises," his computer observed. "He liked the one I gave last year. You know, the one with your voice." "And he appreciates that." "Is there no other way to get the information? Preferably one without letting Donovan know I'm getting it." "Only if it's an emergency so that I can override his codes." "Does returning his parents to him qualify?" Nadia asked. Donovan's computer paused. "I tried accessing the information," it said eventually, "but it appears Donovan has a personal lock on it. All I can do is give you the general area." "That's not good enough." The communications link was silent as Nadia tried to come up with another idea. "What about Fiorar's old files? Does he have anything on Donovan's parents?" "Searching. There are some journal entries regarding Donovan's parents." "Are they locked out?" "Negative. I am sending the information now. Good luck, Nadia." Nadia sorted through the journal entries, looking for the information she needed. Fiorar had kept detailed accounts of everything that had happened with Donovan. She found what she was looking for quickly enough, but she also found something else. Donovan had been affected far more than she had ever thought. It had taken years for him to accept what had happened and to accept his new role. And even then, he had never stopped hoping that he would someday rescue his parents. "I never knew...." Nadia said softly. "What was that?" Sondra asked. "Nothing. Displaying map now, Sondra," Nadia said, subdued. Sondra studied the holographic map before her. "Of all the places I expected them to be, this was not one of them," she thought. "Plot the safest course there." "Don't you mean the shortest?" "No, I don't. And make it swing by the trash area, I need to look for something." "Whatever you say." A red line appeared on the map. Sondra memorized the route and closed Nadia up. She adjusted her backpack and took off slowly down the route Nadia had indicated. Sonic was on his way over to check with the night watch when he heard a loud crying coming from his parents' hut. "What the?" he thought, running toward the hut. "Everything OK?" he called, banging on the door. Maurice opened the door, eyes only half open. "Sonic? What are you doing here this time of night?" "It's almost morning, Dad," Sonic said. "I heard someone crying and came to take a look." Maurice sighed and opened the door all the way. "Your baby sister has a good set of lungs," he said. Sonic walked inside just in time to see Patricia picking up Kelly from her crib. "Don't worry, Sonic," Patricia said, trying to soothe Kelly. "She's either hungry or needs her diaper changed." "Oh," Sonic said, looking down. "Sorry about that." "Don't worry," Maurice said, yawning. "Fact is, I forgot how hard these early morning wake-ups are on the system." "Excuse me," Patricia said, carrying Kelly to the bathroom, "I think Kelly needs both." "I'll be going now," Sonic said, backing out of the hut quickly. But as he backed out, he ran into Uncle Chuck. "Sorry Unc," he said, speeding away. "I got something to do." "Where is he going in such a hurry," Uncle Chuck wondered, picking himself up off the ground. "I'd better get used to being flesh and blood again. It hurts!" Sonic ran to the border of Knothole where Bunnie and Antoine were standing watch. "Hey you two," he called up to them. "Either of you seen Sondra?" "Sorry, Sonic," Bunnie called down. "Ain't seen nothing tonight." "Is she not in her bed?" Antoine asked. Sonic shook his head. "No one seems to know where she is, and Tails is getting really worried." "Me and sugarfox'll keep a look out," Bunnie promised. Sonic nodded and sped off, looking for someone else that might have seen where Sondra went. Sondra slowly made her way toward the room where Nadia had said Donovan's parents were hidden. "Can't you go any faster," Nadia urged. "Not with my back hurting," Sondra said through gritted teeth. "What happened to your back?" Nadia asked. "Don't worry about it right now. We've got something to do. How much further till we hit that room?" "Fifty yards or so. But Robotnik has cameras all around the area. It'll take some time to deal with them." "Can you do it without him noticing?" "Maybe, but it won't give you much time." Sondra slowed to a stop at the edge of the hallway. "Get to it, and keep me updated on your progress." "You got it," Nadia said, then fell silent. Sondra slumped against the wall. Her back was hurting her almost as bad as it had yesterday. "Maybe this wasn't a good idea," she thought. She took a metal tube shaped like a "Y" out of her backpack and fitted it onto the nozzle of the gun. She formed two crystals and secured them in the two branches of the tube. "I'm only going to have one shot," Sondra said to herself. "I'd better make it count." Tails paced impatiently in the War Room. "Where is everyone?" he demanded angrily. "Calm down, Tails," Sally said. "Everyone's just waking up." Tails started to say something, then angrily bit it off. "I'm just really worried about her," he said. "Is there something you're not telling me?" Sally asked. Tails shook his head. "I have a bad feeling about this, that's all." Sonic burst through the door. "No one's seen any sign of her, but we're all going to look for her." Tails ran outside and saw that most of Knothole had gathered. "Thanks everyone," he said. "Don't worry Tails," Dulcy said. "We'll find her." "Yeah," Rotor said. "I might be able to come up with something that could track her by her power bracelet." "Already made one, Rotor," Uncle Chuck said, holding up a small hand-held device. "As near as I can tell, she's nowhere around Knothole. It doesn't have the power to range very far." "Oh, OK," Rotor said, looking down. "How long will it take you to build more of them?" Lydia asked. "Not too long. How many will you need?" "I'd say about four more. We'll split into five groups and fan out." "Good idea, Lydia," Tails said. "I'll take this one and get looking." "I'd rather you didn't," Sally said, coming out of the hut. "You need to cool off first." "But Aunt Sally...." "No buts. Dulcy, you take this one and fly around." "Gotcha, Sally," Dulcy said. "Mind if I come, Dulcy?" Rotor asked. "Climb on." Uncle Chuck gave Rotor the tracker and he and Dulcy flew off. "Stay away from Robotropolis," Sally called to them. "We don't want to give Robotnik any reason to claim an Emerald." "But what if she's there?" Tails asked. "As far as I know, she has no reason to be there." "I will go see Tanis," Rosie said. "Perhaps he will be able to locate her." "Can I go Mommy?" Isabela asked Lydia. "If Rosie doesn't mind," Lydia said. "I'd be glad to have some company," Rosie said, picking up Isabela. "Split up into your groups and wait for Uncle Chuck to finish," Sally said. "As soon as you get a tracker, get going." She watched as everyone decided who they were going with and smiled. Sondra had made many friends in Knothole, a big difference over last year. It made her feel good to see how much they cared about her sister. But that remark Tails made still was on her mind. What if Sondra had gone to Robotropolis? "No," she told herself. "Sondra would know better than to risk upsetting the Race." Sondra changed position for about the hundredth time, still trying to get comfortable. "Any luck yet, Nadia?" she asked. "I'm almost done re-routing the signals from other cameras to these ones," Nadia said. "Let's just hope they don't know the difference." "Whenever you're ready," Sondra said, standing. "Initiating signal transfer. Wish me luck." Sondra stared at the cameras, and sighed in relief when the red lights went off. "Good work, Nadia," she said, walking to the door. "Any security measures on the door?" "Already taken care of. Loading up bomb deactivation subroutines now." Sondra smiled. "I don't know who's more excited about this, me or you." "Well, it was my idea," Nadia said, showing a hologram of a smiley face. In the main command center, Robotnik suddenly stood out of his chair. "What was that?" he demanded. "What was what?" Metal Sonic asked. "That monitor, it flickered." "I didn't see anything." "I'm telling you it flickered. Now run a system check at once." "Very well," Metal Sonic said, typing away at the keyboard in front of him. Immediately he saw what Nadia had done and smiled. "It was only a power surge from one of the generators," he said. "It caused the camera to short out momentarily." "Have some SWATbots check into it. I just want to make sure you're not covering for your old boss." "I know what would happen if I were," Metal Sonic said angrily. "See that you remember." Sondra closed the door behind her quietly. She stood for a moment, looking at the two robots. Sondra could definitely see the resemblences, but something was off. The more she looked at them, the more she couldn't help but feel that there was more to this than she knew. "Nadia, scan robots to get schematics of the bombs," she said, putting her doubts aside for the moment. "Already working on it," Nadia said. "Should have the specs in...." "What's wrong?" Sondra asked when Nadia fell silent. "I can deactivate the bombs," Nadia said slowly. "But there's a problem." "What problem?" Sondra asked, growing concerned. "It's not a problem, really. I just don't see the need to do it." "What?!" Sondra said disbelievingly. "Why not?" "Because the only thing inside these robots are bombs!" Nadia explained. "There's no circuitry or anything to suggest that they were ever alive." "You mean they're not Donovan's real parents?" "Exactly. Looks like we'll have to access Robotnik's computer after all." "Where's the safest place to do that?" Nadia projected a holographic map showing a marked route. "I don't think anyone will notice us in here." Sondra closed up Nadia and ran out of the room, not heeding the pain in her back. In a few moments, she came to the room Nadia had indicated. She opened the door and slipped inside. As soon as she saw where she was, she opened Nadia and yelled, "You brought me to his bedroom?" "Can you think of any other place he wouldn't expect us to be?" Nadia countered. Sondra grumbled something, but it was clear she agreed. She hooked Nadia up to the computer console in the room. "Look for anything on the real location of Donovan's parents," she ordered. "Give me a second. Hmm, no security codes. Wonder why. Wait a minute, this isn't the main computer. This is Robotnik's journal." "You're kidding, right?" "Nope. I'm already running the search; maybe he wrote about it. In fact, here's something now. Initiating playback." "Personal entry," Robotnik's voice sounded over Nadia's speaker. Sondra couldn't help laugh at how silly it sounded. "I have met with young Osaya today, and he is more of a match than I expected. Add in the fact that Fiorar is training him and he might have become a problem, if I wasn't prepared. "It was rash to kill his parents as I did, but--" "What?!" Nadia screeched, cutting off the playback suddenly. "Tell me I didn't play that right." "Double check it," Sondra said, shaken. "It was rash to kill his parents as I did," Robotnik's voice came again, "but I could not risk simple roboticization. The use of the machine before my takeover may have alerted the king to its existence. That might have made things much harder. As it is, I had the foresight to produce replicants of them as a bargaining chip against Donovan if he ever showed up. I cannot harm him for some reason, but I have ensured that he cannot harm me. In fact, he just may end up helping me on occasion. I'll call it a victory. End entry." Sondra just stood there, stunned by the news. "By the Almighty," she whispered. "Everything was a lie!" "Sondra," Nadia began, "Donovan has to know about this." "You're right. We'll...head to his main base. If he's not there, we can find him." "OK. Let's get.... Hey wait a minute." "Nadia, whatever it is, I don't think--" "I'm picking up Chaos Emerald energy, and it's strong." "An Emerald?" Sondra asked, surprised. "Where?" "Of all the places to hide it, he hid it under his bed!" Sondra couldn't help chuckle at that. She got down on her knees and felt under Robotnik's bed. Her hand brushed against something small and hard. "I think I've got it," she said, pulling it out. Sondra stood up and opened her hand. Inside was a large, grey, Chaos Emerald. "The Emerald of Life!" Sondra exclaimed. "We got the Life Emerald!" Alarms started blaring all over Robotnik's command center. "Someone's in your bedroom," Metal Sonic said, activating the camera outside the door. Robotnik yelled in anger as he saw Sondra leave the room holding a grey Emerald. "All SWATbots," he yelled into his communicator, "get that Emerald back! Use whatever force is needed." "Sir, there's another problem," Metal Sonic said. "It seems that while she was in there she accessed your personal files." "Which files were accessed?" Robotnik asked, his voice low and menacing. "A journal entry regarding your first meeting with Donovan Osaya." "She could ruin everything!" Robotnik muttered. "All SWATbots, do not let that hedgehog escape!" Sondra carefully made her way toward the edge of Robotropolis, unaware that Robotnik knew she was there. She tried to hurry, but her back was steadily getting worse. "I hope Donovan can do something about this," she thought. Laser fire erupted around her. She turned in surprise and saw ten SWATbots firing at her. "Juice time!" she yelled, drawing on her power bracelet for energy. She felt the power fill her and took off in a supersonic boom. But before she got two hundred feet, she collapsed. "What gives?" she thought, picking herself up. She glanced at her wrist and noticed that her bracelet was fading. "Oh great, it's out of power!" She tried to run off, but the pain was too great. Just as she took the first step, a SWATbot's laser struck her flush in the back. She screamed in pain and crumpled to the ground. Nadia and the Emerald went flying from her grasp and landed some feet away. Nadia was aware of everything that had happened, but powerless to do anything. "Sondra, get up!" she pleaded. But Sondra was not moving; Nadia couldn't even be sure she was still breathing. Nadia readied her laser, but she was facing the wrong way for it to do any good. Her sensors told her that SWATbots were closing in. "There's got to be something," she thought. Then she noticed that the Emerald had landed on top of her. She could feel the energy coursing through her circuits. Though afraid of its power, she was more afraid for Sondra and started to draw on the power of the Emerald. Robotnik watched from his command center as the SWATbots closed in on the prone form of Sondra. "Take her to a holding cell until I can decide what to do with her," Robotnik said. "And bring that Emerald to me." "May I remind you that you really can't do anything to her," Metal Sonic said. "I know that," Robotnik said, his eyes glowing an angry red. "And I won't. However, her injuries may do the work for me." "Interesting loophole. I just hope you don't get in trouble for shooting her in the first place." Robotnik was about to answer that when a commotion on the screen caught his attention. A female squirrel had arrived on the scene and was wrecking any SWATbot that came near her or Sondra. "Who is that?" Robotnik demanded. "And where did she come from?" "Sensors indicate she just...appeared," Metal Sonic said, confused. "Send more SWATbots to deal with her." "Too late," Metal Sonic said. As Robotnik watched, the strange squirrel scooped up Sondra and ran off. "Blast!" Robotnik yelled, smashing his fist into a computer console. "Which way are they heading?" "Toward the Forbidden Zone," Metal Sonic said, consulting his scanners. "Shall we pursue them?" "No. She won't find any help out there, and the Great Forest is in the opposite direction. We'll let them fend for themselves." Sondra moaned softly as she was carried out of Robotropolis. The squirrel who carried her looked around. "I know it's around here," she muttered, heading deeper into the Forbidden Zone. Lightning flashed all around her, though no thunder could be heard. She kept running until she found a large building that looked as if it hadn't been used in years. But she knew better. Somewhere in that building was the help she searched for. She ran right up to the door and burst inside. The squirrel leaned against one of the walls, breathing heavily and shivering. She kicked the door closed with one foot. Lights on three walls suddenly flared to life and trained on her. The squirrel squinted as her eyes tried to adjust. "You are an unauthorized intruder," a familiar voice said. "Leave or say password." "Computer, it's me, Nadia," the squirrel said. "Impossible," the computer said. "Nadia is a computer, you are not." "Never mind that now. Sondra's been hurt badly." "I repeat, leave or password." Nadia gritted her teeth as half the lights began to glow red. "What about Donovan?" she tried. "You have been warned." Lasers began firing at her. Nadia took cover, using her body to protect Sondra. "Dionti. Nancy. Tanis. Nadia. Fiorar," she called, trying every name that came to mind. At the mention of Fiorar, Nadia heard the lasers powering down. She risked peeking out from where she was hidden. "Password mentioned," the computer said. "Voice-pattern confirmed. Entrance granted." Nadia sighed in relief and stood on shaky legs. "I should've guessed he'd use that for the password," she muttered. She walked out into the open. "I wasn't lying about Sondra. She was shot by a SWATbot and needs help, badly." The computer was silent for a few seconds. "Bring her to the medical room," it said finally. "Follow the lighted hallway." Nadia hurried down the hallway and came upon a pure white room with a single bed in the center. She laid Sondra gently down on the bed and stood next to her worriedly. A light came out of a nearby console and travelled the length of Sondra's body. "This is not good," the computer said. "What?" Nadia asked. "She has sustained severe damage to her lower back. The crystal she had diffused the laser blast, but that also made it affect a larger area. There was also some previous damage. I can help her some, but I'll have to contact Donovan to do the main things." Nadia nodded, then almost fell. "You look tired," the computer said. "I guess I am," Nadia admitted. "It's weird feeling tired." "Go through the west door, then the second door on your left. You'll find a bed there that you can rest on." "All right. And thank you." She stumbled out the door and into the room the computer told her about. She fell down on the bed and was asleep almost immediately. Donovan shivered against the cold of the Polar Caps. He had spent the past two days searching for the final hidden Emerald with no success. He was cold, miserable, and ready to give up. But the alternative was worse. "I'll find that Emerald even if it kills me," he thought. He pulled his trenchcoat closer around him and turned toward another hill just as his communicator started beeping. "I thought I told you not to contact me for another three days!" he yelled into his communicator angrily. "Donovan, we have an emergency," the computer said simply. "Sondra is in very critical condition. She in the medical room at the main base. I can only do so much; you'll need to finish the settings manually." Donovan put his hand to his head and sighed. "Is this going to be a yearly thing?" he wondered. "Very well, teleport me back to the base." "Teleporting straight into the medical room." Donovan closed his eyes against the light as he was teleported. As soon as the light died, he opened his eyes and rushed to Sondra's side. "Fill me in while I'm working," he told the computer, throwing his trenchcoat in a nearby chair. A few minutes later, Donovan walked into his main computer room and sat down heavily in his chair. "I'm surprised she was able to get here in her condition," he muttered, wiping his brow. "Actually, she was brought here," the computer pointed out. "You mean someone else knows where this base is at? Where is this animal?" "In your bedroom. But I must warn you--" "In my bedroom?" he asked, standing. "Well, time to find out who this is and how they found out." "But I ought to tell you," the computer began as Donovan headed toward his bedroom. "Later," Donovan said, opening the door and walking inside. "Fine," the computer muttered. "Find out for yourself." Donovan stood by the foot of his bed, staring at the figure in his bed. He had never seen her before, he was sure of that. She looked to be about his age, or maybe a bit younger. She had grey fur with lighter tones on her face. Her hair was a soft brown and fell down around her shoulders. She had curled up under the blanket and was using her tail as a pillow. "She is beautiful," he thought. "However, she is a stranger." He drew his sword, walked around the side of the bed, and placed the point of it at her throat. "Rise and shine, Sleeping Beauty," he said, prodding her gently. Nadia opened her eyes. "Hmm...what...?" she asked sleepily. "Who are you, and how did you get here?" Donovan asked. Nadia looked at him for a second, forgetting where she was and even that she was alive. Then it all clicked back in. "Donovan!" she exclaimed, pushing the sword aside, sitting up, and hugging him around his waist. "I am so glad to see you!" Donovan stood there for a moment, looking at her, stunned. Then he grabbed her hair, pulled her head back, and placed the blade of his sword against her throat. "I asked you some questions," he said. "I expect some answers." "Ow! Hey, let go Squirrel-boy!" "How did you know to call me that?" Donovan demanded. Nadia looked at his face and for the first time realized he didn't know who she was. "It's me, Nadia," she said. "You must think I'm some type of fool! Do you not think I know the difference between a computer and a squirrel?" Nadia looked at herself. "Great," she muttered, "I'm a Squirrel-girl!" Donovan arched one eyebrow. "You'd better start talking, now. And I want the truth." "Donovan, it's me. Don't pay any attention to what I look like. Listen to my voice. Trust me, please." Donovan looked away from her and thought about her voice. "I'm telling you the truth," she said. Donovan's eyes widened and he looked back at her. "Nadine?" he asked, letting her go and dropping his sword. Nadia nodded, looking right at him. Donovan took off his shades and stared into her eyes. "What happened?" he asked slowly. "Sondra and I were in Robotropolis," she began, then caught her breath. "Sondra! I almost forgot. Is she OK?" "She's OK," he said. "The computer should be done working on her soon." "I'll be done in a couple of minutes," the computer said. "I want to see her," she said, throwing off the blanket and getting out of the bed. Donovan's jaw dropped as he noticed for the first time that she was not wearing any clothing. "Umm...." "What is it? What's wrong?" "Nothing's wrong," Donovan said slowly, admiring her well-formed body. "Nothing in the least. I just think you better get some clothes on." "What?" Nadia asked, not understanding. Then she looked down at herself and blushed, her entire body turning pink. "I guess that wasn't part of the deal," she muttered, grabbing the blanket and wrapping it around herself. "Snap out of it, Donovan," the computer said. "You're letting flies into your mouth." Donovan shook his head a few times. He walked a little unsteadily to the corner and opened his closet. "Put these on," he said, throwing a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt to her. "Thanks," she said, dropping the blanket and struggling into the clothes. Donovan quickly turned his head, blushing himself. "You could've waited until I left the room," he said. "Oops. It's just that everything's so new to me. OK, I'm decent." Donovan turned back to look at her. The sweatpants fit her well, but the sweatshirt was a little tight around her chest. "Umm, I think you're more than decent," he said, looking her up and down. Nadia blushed again, smiling. "Thanks. You know, it's different seeing you with eyes instead of with sensors. You're really very handsome." Donovan looked down, a little embarassed. "Umm, anyway, you'd better go check on Sondra. I'm going to call Knothole and let everyone know that she's here." "OK," Nadia said, sidling out the door. "I'll see you later." Donovan took a deep breath and sat down on his bed. "This is going to be fun," he said softly. "Don't say it," he warned his computer, anticipating a smart remark. "Oh well," the computer said. "Contacting Knothole. I assume you want me to contact Princess Sally?" "Yeah," Donovan said, walking out of the room and toward his computer. Sally flew along next to Tails, still searching for Sondra. "We've looked everywhere," she said. "Where could she be?" "I don't know," Tails said, "but I'm not going to rest till I find her." Sally smiled. She was about to say something when Nicole started beeping. "Incoming message from Donovan," she said when Sally opened her up. "Wonder what he wants," Tails muttered. "Put it through," Sally said. "Hello Silly," Donovan said. "Donovan, we're really busy at the moment. Unless this is important--" "Would this have anything to do with the whereabouts of a certain hedgehog?" Donovan asked, cutting her off. "You know where Sondra is?" Tails asked. "Where is she?" "Before I go any further, I should warn you she had a mishap in Robotropolis." "What?" Sally and Tails asked together. "It appears she went into Robotropolis for some reason. Robotnik didn't like her being there, and she ended up with a laser shot in her already injured back. She's stabilized at the moment. However, she'll have to stay here until she wakes up." "Which will be sometime tomorrow morning," Donovan's computer interjected. "Where is 'here'?" Tails asked. "At my base, where else?" "That's all I needed to hear." Tails flew off so fast, the shock wave nearly forced Sally into a treetop. "Tails!" Sally yelled, but he was almost out of sight already. "Donovan, if Tails knows where your base is, I think you can expect some company." Donovan frowned. "Computer--" "Already on it," the computer said. "Allowing admittance of Miles Prower." "Nadia," Donovan called, "I suggest you move." "What's going on?" she asked, coming to the doorway to the main room. Before Donovan could respond, the main door burst open and an orange-brown streak flew into the medical lab. Nadia was blown into the main room by Tails' wake and landed on Donovan's lap. "Let me guess," she said. "That's why." Donovan nodded. "Are you all right?" he asked, setting Nadia on her feet. "Donovan?" Sally's voice came. "You still there? What's happening?" "The fox has landed," Donovan said. "I'll keep you updated on your sister's progress. Donovan out. Computer, sever communications link." Donovan turned back to Nadia. "So," he said, "are you ready to tell me what happened in Robotropolis and why you were in Robotnik's room in the first place?" "Huh?" Nadia asked. "But how did you know--" "Remember, I have most of Robotropolis wired. I know where he has hidden his Emeralds." Nadia sighed. "Well, I guess we'd better start at the beginning." Just then, a rumbling could be heard from her. She held her stomach and winced. "All of a sudden, I feel weird." "It's called hunger," Donovan said. "You need to eat." "I guess that must be it. All these sensations are so unusual; not at all like I thought they'd be." Donovan stood and walked to his kitchen. "You'll get used to it," he said, rummaging through his cabinets. "I don't know if it's worth it," Nadia muttered. "I mean, why get used to it if I'm just going to go back to being a computer?" "Back to a computer?" Donovan asked, confused. "What do you mean?" "You already figured out I'm like this because of the Life Emerald, right? Well, when I give up the Emerald...." "...You'll be turned back into a computer," he finished for her. "Great, just great," he mumbled. "What was that?" "I said, 'I guess that's fate'," Donovan lied. "I'm afraid I don't have much to offer in the way of food." "I don't know what anything tastes like, so I'll take anything." Donovan shrugged. He took out two cans of beans and dumped their contents into a frying pan. While it was cooking, he walked back over to Nadia. "Before I forget," he said, "first things first." He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her close. "Sorry for acting like that when I first saw you," he said. Nadia stood motionless for a while, then hugged him back. "It's OK," she said. "After all, you didn't know it was me." "I hate to interrupt this tender moment," the computer said after a few minutes, "but shouldn't you be checking your beans?" Donovan pulled away from Nadia reluctantly. "Just wanted to hug you while I could," he said, walking back toward the kitchen. Nadia sighed, following him. "I know, I wanted to just like you. Among other things." Donovan thought about responding to that, but then thought better of it. "Do I really want to know?" he asked himself, spooning the beans into two bowls. "Then again, maybe I already do." Donovan and Nadia ate in silence, the awkwardness hanging in the air like a physical thing. Donovan tried to concentrate on eating, but his eyes kept going to her. "If only it wasn't temporary," he thought. And for a moment, he saw the same thought reflected in her eyes. "I hope you're full enough," Donovan said after they were finished. Nadia nodded. "My stomach's not bothering me anymore." "Good. Now if there aren't any more interruptions, do you mind telling me what happened in Robotropolis?" "Well, first I better explain what happened yesterday. Sondra and Tails got the final roboticization gun plan..." "...And a piece of the ceiling fell down and hit her back, right?" Donovan asked. "How did you...? Nevermind. Anyway, she had Uncle Chuck figure out the real plan and make two guns for her." "Why two?" "I'm getting to that. The first one she used to free Uncle Chuck, and to see if the gun would affect animals that were in the roboticizer itself." "Understandable. Continue." "She got the second on my advice. That's why we were in Robotropolis today, to free others." "Which others," Donovan asked, one eyebrow arched. "Especially seeing you only had one gun." "Sondra found a 'Y' shaped tube to make two beams. Our targets were close together, so one shot would get them both. Anyway, we got to the room they were being held in--" "You went to de-roboticize my parents, didn't you?" Donovan asked, cutting her off. "Yes, we did." "Are you mad?" Donovan asked, raising his voice. "Don't you realize that this could affect the Race by weakening Robotnik?" "Sondra got permission from Knuckles," Nadia said. "You think she would have done this without it?" "And if Robotnik saw you, he could've claimed you were going after an Emerald and did whatever it took to stop you?" "She decided to take that risk." "And finally, didn't you think he could've blown them up if he noticed what you were doing?" "It wouldn't've mattered anyway." "What do you mean it wouldn't've mattered?" Donovan yelled, standing. "With the power of those bombs, you two would've been dead too!" "I could've disarmed the bombs easily," Nadia returned, standing and walking until they stood face-to-face. "That was never a problem. Only problem was that there was no reason to disarm them!" "Because...?" "Because they weren't real!" she screamed. Then realizing what she just said, she covered her mouth with her hands. "They weren't real?" Donovan asked, calming down. "He fooled me with phonies. I was naive to think he'd actually tell me where they were. I gather that's why you were in his bedroom; to see if you could find their real location." "Uh, yeah. That's when we found the Emerald and you know the rest." "So you didn't get to access the information. No problem, I'll hack into his system from here." He walked into the main room and sat down at his computer. Nadia stood there for a moment, torn by indecision. "If I tell him, he'll be crushed," she thought. "But he deserves to know. It's better coming from me than him finding it." Donovan typed away at the keyboard in front of him. "Computer, start scanning files for the real location of my parents," he ordered. "Very well," the computer said. "Computer, ignore that order," Nadia said, coming into the room. "I have that information." "Computer, abort last command." Donovan turned around in his seat and looked at her. "There better be a good reason why you didn't tell me this before I came in here." "I didn't know how you'd take this," she said, turning her face away. "Spill it." "Your parents...they're...umm...." "Nadia, I'm usually a very patient squirrel. However, all these pauses and beating around the bush is beginning to tick me off." "They're dead!" she cried, bursting into tears. Donovan chuckled. "For a minute there, I thought you said they were dead." "I did." "No, you couldn't have said that." "Uh oh," the computer said softly. "If I could move, I'd be outta here." "I know you couldn't have said that. That would mean Robotnik double- crossed me." "He never double-crossed you; he was lying to you from the beginning. He killed your parents before he even took over. Then when he realized you might still be alive, he created replicants to use against you." "What?" Donovan asked, not believing his own ears. "This can't be happening." He stood up and started pacing. "It can't be. You must be mistaken." "I wish to the Almighty I was. But it was all there in his journal. Can your computer access his journal?" "Computer, do as she says," Donovan said, barely controlling the anger in his voice. "Look for the first entry regarding Donovan," Nadia directed. "Entry found," the computer reported. "Commencing playback." Donovan listened in silence as he heard Robotnik recount his actions of that day. When it was over, Donovan calmly reached into his vest pocket and put on his shades. He walked toward the door, and Nadia could see the red of his eyes even behind the shades. She put her hand on his arm. "Donovan," she whispered. "Let go," he said slowly. Nadia shivered at the hate she heard. "Donovan, think about this." "I said let go!" he yelled, pulling away from her. He ran out the front door and activated his rocket boots. "Donovan!" Nadia yelled, running to the door. "Computer, teleport him back here!" "I cannot. The chip was on his trench, not his vest." "I have to go after him," she said. "But there's no way I can keep up with those boots!" "He has another pair in the closet," the computer said after a moment. "I can override the voice command to get you there, but you'll have to find another way back." Nadia ran to the closet, took out the boots, and pulled them on. "Give me two of the chips and a communicator," she said. "They're in his trench in the medical lab." Nadia hurried to the room and fished the items out of his pockets. "Watch her for me, Tails," she said, running outside. But Tails didn't notice she was there. In fact, he hadn't heard a word either she or Donovan had said the entire time he had been there. His only concern was staying by Sondra's side and offering what support he could. Meanwhile, in Robotropolis, Robotnik was busy directing the dismantling of his replicants. "A pity," he thought, watching as the SWATbots carried away what was left of the robots. "I could've used him to find that last Emerald." "You bastard," a low voice said behind him. "Ah Donovan," Robotnik said, turning to face him. "I was wondering when you'd show up. I assume that female squirrel told you everything she and that princess had discovered. Tell me, is Sondra with your parents yet?" Donovan lashed out with one hand, backslapping Robotnik across the face as hard as he could. "You have deceived me," he said. "Worse yet, you made me turn against animals who I once called friends. I've been trying to keep things neutral for the sake of my parents who I found out today you killed before I even met you! Right now, I don't care about the Race. All I care about is sending you to meet you maker!" he snarled, reaching for his sword. Robotnik watched in amusement as Donovan realized he didn't have any of his weapons on him. He grabbed Donovan around the throat and lifted him off the ground. "You know, I had considered allowing you to live once I won the Race," Robotnik said. "But now, I think I'll just reunite you with your parents." "You'll have to kill me first!" Donovan yelled. Robotnik smirked, then tightened his grip. But his robotic arm malfunctioned, and the hand released instead of tightening. "What the...?" Robotnik wondered. Donovan jumped up and kicked Robotnik in the face. "Forget I can't be harmed?" he asked as Robotnik fell to the floor. He pounced on him and started pounding away on his head. Robotnik tried to cover up. "SWATbots, grab him!" he commanded. Donovan paid no attention to the SWATbot as it reached for him. But before it grabbed him, Nadia flew into the room and tackled it away. She crashed into the other SWATbots just as they were coming over to help. The rockets on her boots sputtered and died just as she landed. "Talk about luck," she muttered. Donovan removed one of his gloves as Robotnik lay stunned from all the punches he had suffered. On one of his fingers was a ring that bore the name "Dionti" on it. He grabbed the stone and twisted it. A sharp spike extended from the stone. "Prepare to die!" Donovan said, placing the spike against Robotnik's throat. "Donovan no!" Nadia screamed. "It's not worth it!" "Nadia, leave," he said, not even looking at her. "Don't do it. Think of what will happen." "He'll be where I should have put him a long time ago." "And Chaos will rule Mobius." "Anything has to be better than allowing him to continue." "Is that what your father would want?" Nadia asked, standing and walking behind him. Donovan's hand started trembling slightly. "Think about it," Nadia continued. "Do you honestly think your father could rest knowing that his son was so consumed by vengeance that he condemned all of Mobius to Chaos just so you could have your revenge?" she demanded. Donovan stayed there, his hand still shaking. Then it stopped, and Nadia was afraid he would go through with it. "Damn you Nadia," Donovan said, moving the spike away. Nadia breathed a sigh of relief. Donovan stood and pulled Robotnik up to a sitting position so that they were pretty much face-to-face. "You listen to me, Julian," he said, his voice dark as Robotnik's own heart. "You will lose this Race. And just when you think you got away, I will be there to slice your throat. Do we have an understanding?" Robotnik just stared at Donovan, eyes wide with terror. He stuttered something, but it sounded like a "Yes". Donovan pushed away from Robotnik, keeping his eyes on his enemy. He twisted the stone again, retracting the spike, and put his glove on. He grabbed Nadia's hand and ran out of the room. Robotnik stood and walked to a console. He was about to order the SWATbots to hunt Donovan down, but a familiar voice stopped him. "I wouldn't do that," the voice said. "Just as he can't kill you, you can't kill him now either." Robotnik scowled and turned away. "This is not over," he swore, stalking from the room. Once they were out of sight from the room, Nadia stopped Donovan. She placed one of the chips on him and pulled out the communicator. "Computer, now," she said. Donovan stood rock solid as the light enveloped them and they were teleported back to his base. When the light faded, he walked into his room, head bowed. "Donovan?" Nadia said, walking after him. Donovan sat down on his bed, bent over, hands folded. "I'm sorry for any trouble I could have caused going to Robotropolis like that." Nadia sat down next to him. "Nothing happened," she said. "You were able to stop before anything was done." "Only because you showed up. If you hadn't...." "Don't even worry about that. I did, and that's what counts. I'm so sorry you had to find out like this." "Everything was a lie," he said slowly. "I spent half my life living a lie." "You were just a kid. You thought you were doing the right thing. I can't fault you for that." "What about the adult? I almost became a traitor, almost killed everybody for the sake of someone who was already dead." Nadia saw that Donovan wasn't going to be convinced by anything she said. She started to get up, but something held her back. Looking at him, she felt so many different things that all she could think to do was wrap her arms around him and hug him close. At first, Donovan tried to pull away. But Nadia held him tightly and wouldn't let go. Eventually, Donovan just broke down, hugged her, and started crying. Nadia sat there, just holding him, feeling something in her heart more powerful than anything she had ever dreamed was possible. Nadia pulled back slightly and tilted Donovan's face up to hers. She took off his shades and looked at him in his eyes. Amidst all the anger, pain, and hurt she saw, she also saw love. Love for her. Without realizing she was doing it, her head slowly lowered to his and her eyes closed. At the same time, Donovan's head was going to hers as his eyes closed. Their lips met in a kiss that was gentle at first, then grew more and more passionate as they gave in to their hearts. They lay back on the bed, only interested in getting closer to each other. But what neither one realized was that they got far closer than either one had ever dared to hope for. A few hours later, Donovan awoke. He stretched and noticed that someone or something was holding him. He looked down and saw Nadia with her head on his chest, snuggling into him. At first, he just put an arm around her and smiled. Then he realized that they were in his bed, and under the covers. Donovan started to lift the covers with his other hand, then noticed both his clothes and hers were on the floor. "I guess it wasn't a dream," he thought. "Nadia," he said softly. Nadia stirred at the sound of her name. "Yes, Donovan?" she asked, looking up at him. Donovan smiled again. "How are you doing?" "Absolutely perfect," she said, kissing his chest. "So you realize what happened." "Something like this isn't easy to forget." "So what are we going to do now?" he asked, stroking her hair. "Donovan, I know that I have to go back tomorrow. Once I give up the Emerald, I'll be plain old Nadia again." "You'll never be plain to me." Nadia smiled and blushed. "But until then, I want to spend every moment I have left with you, in every way that I can. I don't regret for an instant what we've done. I will carry the knowledge of what we've shared forever, and it will be enough to get me through anything." "In that case, let us make the most of this night. I love you, Nadia." "I love you, Donovan. Merry Christmas." "Huh?" "It is Christmas Eve, isn't it? I couldn't give you the gift I wanted, but I don't think you'll complain." "You're enough of a gift for me," he said, kissing her. Nadia returned his kiss and they once more lost themselves. The next morning, Christmas morning, Sondra finally began to stir. "Sondra?" Tails asked, standing up. Sondra's eyes blinked open. "Miles? You look terrible," she joked. "I stayed up all night with you. How are you feeling?" "About as bad as you look, but I can manage." She sat up and looked around. "Where are we anyway?" "You are in Donovan's main base," the computer said. "I see your recovery is going quite well." "How'd I get here?" Sondra wondered out loud. "Last thing I remember, I was running out of Robotropolis with the Life Emerald." "Donovan must've found you," Tails said. "I owe him a lot." "Actually, you owe Nadia more," the computer pointed out. "Nadia? Where is she?" Sondra asked, looking around for her computer. "With Donovan. But I suggest you knock before you enter his room." "If he's messing with her programming," Sondra began, getting off the bed a bit shakily. "Easy," Tails said, supporting her. "You're not fully healed yet." "I'll be OK. I'm just a little stiff." "You'll never learn," Tails muttered. With his help, Sondra managed to get to the door to Donovan's room. Tails knocked on it, but there was no answer. "Maybe he's still asleep." "I don't care. I want my computer back." Sondra placed her hand on the doorknob and started to turn it. "You'll be sorry," the computer said. Sondra opened the door and stepped inside. "Donovan, I want...." she began before letting her voice trail off. Donovan was in bed, holding a female squirrel in his arms. Both were fast asleep, and Sondra noticed the pile of clothes by the bed. "I don't believe it!" she yelled. Both Donovan and Nadia were startled awake. "Umm, hi Sondra," Nadia said. "Yeah, hi Sondra," Donovan said. "Who's this?" Sondra asked, pointing at Nadia. "And where's Nadia?" "You just answered your own question," Donovan said. "Excuse me?" "Umm, Sondra, it's me. When you got shot, the Life Emerald fell on me and, well, you know." Both Sondra and Tails were shocked. "I think you two should leave while these other two get dressed," the computer suggested. Sondra and Tails hurried out and closed the door. Donovan and Nadia came out a few minutes later, looking much more at ease now that they were dressed. "I don't want to hear it," Sondra said when Nadia started to explain. "I just want to get home. You can tell me all about it on the way." "Must we go right now?" Nadia asked. "I mean--" "Now," Sondra said simply. "I know for a fact that everyone's worrying about me and Tails. It's not good to worry on Christmas, assuming that I was only out one day." "You were," Tails said. "You're right; we'd better head back." "You coming, Donovan?" Nadia asked. Donovan just looked at Nadia. "I don't think I could handle it right now," he said, a tear falling from his eye. Nadia kissed the tear away. "I understand." She turned and walked out the door, Sondra and Tails right behind her. Donovan slumped into his chair. "Donovan?" the computer asked, sounding worried. Donovan folded his arms on the console, put his head on them, and started crying. The computer, not knowing what to say, shut itself off. Some time passed; Donovan wasn't sure how long he cried. He might have been like that all day if he had not felt a hand on his shoulder. "I felt your anguish," a soft, aged voice said. "I am here if you need to talk." Donovan looked up and saw Tanis' kindly face smiling down at him. "It was all a lie," he said between his tears. "I know," Tanis said. "I have known, but could not say anything. Once you made that deal with Robotnik, I had to stand aside and let the events play out as the Almighty intended. Can you forgive me for not telling you?" "You practically raised me, Tanis. You took me in when you didn't have to. You sent me to someone who could help me, and you didn't have to. If anything, I hope you can forgive me for the path that I took." "I am not the ones you have wronged," Tanis said. "I need no apology, but there are others who are owed it, and an explanation." Donovan sighed. "The Freedom Fighters. I will give them that apology, and that explanation. But not today. I can't face them yet." He stood up and started to walk out of the room, shoulders stooped. "Poor Donovan," Tanis said. "If only you understood. The best time to face this is when you feel you can't." "A time when I'll either break down or lash out? I don't want to chance that." "My boy, you have no choice." Donovan stopped and straightened up. He turned to face Tanis and saw him chanting. He stared for only a second, then tried to run. Donovan was stopped short by a wall of air that rose up around him. "No!" Donovan yelled as he was transported to Knothole. When the winds died down, he found himself facing Sally, Sondra, and Lydia. All three were seated at a table, facing him. "I'll leave now," Sonic said, running out the door. Donovan noticed that he carried the Life Emerald with him. "Greetings, Donovan," Sally said. "I assume you are here to answer for your actions." "Nice one, Tanis," Donovan muttered. "I hope you don't mind," Sondra began, "but Nadia broke her promise. She told us everything that happened." "As far as what?" Donovan asked. "What happened with Robotnik and those replicants," Lydia said. "We are truly sorry for your losses." "Thanks, Linda," Donovan said. "Even though it doesn't help this inquisition." "You're right there," Sally said. "You know what you've done, and we know why you've done it. But that doesn't change the fact of what was done. Do you have anything to say for yourself?" "Nothing," Donovan said simply. "Just do what you're going to do, Silly. Get it over with." "Lydia, if you would." Lydia got up from her place and walked to him. "Your sword, Donovan," she said, holding her hand out. "I don't have it," Donovan said. "Oh no? Then what's that at your side?" Donovan looked down. A very familiar sword hung at his side, one he had not seen in almost eight years. "My father's sword," he said, drawing it. "This is indeed a low blow, Tanis." He flipped the sword and held the hilt out to Lydia. "Kneel," she said, taking the sword. Donovan went down on his knees and Lydia bent his head forward. She raised the sword high above her head and brought it down forcefully. The tip of the sword passed no more then two inches from Donovan's neck. "I have no right to pass judgement, for his actions never directly affected me," she said. Sally stood up and walked over to Lydia. Lydia gave Sally the sword and stepped aside. Sally raised the sword high above her head and brought it down much as her cousin had. Only this time, the tip was only an inch from his neck. "I am not versed in all the particulars of this case, as I am not one you trusted with them," she said. "Therefore, I too cannot pass judgement." Sondra stood and approached Sally. She took the sword from her sister and raised it high above her head. "I know everything, and I know you," she said. "Therefore, it is my hand that will deliver the judgement." "How ironic," Donovan muttered. Sondra slammed the sword down so fast the blade whistled through the air. The tip grazed Donovan's neck, drawing blood in a straight, thin line. "This is your punishment," she said. "From now on, the scar left by my strike will forever remind you of your actions." "You're letting me live?" Donovan asked, surprised. "Of course," Sondra said, smiling. "You confided in me everything that drove you to do what you did. I understand, and I forgive you. Besides, knowing you like I do, you've probably punished yourself over this more than enough. Now get up." Donovan stood up, wiping away the blood on his neck. "You're free to stay if you want," Sally said, smiling. "Now that you don't have to keep the balance, would you mind becoming a Freedom Fighter yourself?" "Thanks for the offer," he said, accepting his sword back from Sondra, "but no thanks. I still have work I have to do. Besides, staying around here brings up too many unpleasant memories." "Unpleasant?" Lydia asked. "Or painful?" "You know what I mean." He turned around to leave. "Too bad," Sondra said, smiling at the others. "I know someone who'd love to have you hang around." Donovan ignored that remark and kept on going. He opened the door and started to step outside when he was tackled from outside. He hit the floor rolling with his attacker, not sure what was going on, but not really caring. But all that changed when his attacker spoke. "Hey there, Squirrel-boy!" Donovan's eyes popped wide open in surprise and shock. He looked up and saw that it was Nadia who was pinning him down. "Umm...how...what...?" he stammered. "You look like you've just seen a ghost," she said, kissing his nose. "Nadia?" Donovan asked, sitting up. "But I just saw Quills leaving with the Emerald." "Perhaps I can explain," Knuckles said, stepping out of nowhere. "When one absorbs the power of an Emerald, as Miss Evergreen did, it is usually temporary. However, in the case of the Shadow and Life Emeralds, they tend to leave lasting marks. Nadia has absorbed some of the Life Emerald's magic, and thus will remain alive indefinitely." "Indefinitely?" Donovan asked. "Oh, she won't remain alive forever. But then, none of us do. As near as I can tell, she has been completely and permanently transformed into a squirrel. It'll take some getting used to for her, and some time for her body to begin and regulate all bodily functions, but I'd say within a month she'll be no different from Sally or Sondra." Donovan just looked at Nadia, who smiled broadly. He took her in his arms and hugged her tight. Nadia hugged him back, crying. "I think we have a lot to plan out," she said. "That is, if you'll have me." "That's a stupid statement," Donovan said. "Let's go home." Donovan stood up and picked Nadia up in his arms. He carried her outside and flew off, heading for home. Sondra watched them go with a bit of a sad smile. "Don't be strangers," she called after them. "We won't!" Nadia called back, waving. "Merry Christmas you two," she said softly.