Sonic the Hedgehog - "As the Wheel Turns" - by Aaron Lye E-mail: vicl@pacific.net.sg Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles Tails Prower and other related characters are based on the characters created by SEGA, Archie Comic Publications, and the Sonic the Hedgehog Saturday morning series created by DIC and Sega of America. Other characters that appear or are mentioned in this story are original creations of their respective authors. "Cast" of characters used in this story (in random order) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sally Sonic Tails Rotor Antoine David Prower - courtesy of Shawn Wolski Bunnie Ari Several other characters ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Miscellaneous Union of Allied Worlds - Joseph De laCroix ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NOTE: IF I HAVE CREDITED THE WRONG PERSON(S) HERE, DO LET ME KNOW AND THE MISTAKE WILL BE RECTIFIED. ALL INFORMATION ABOVE IS CORRECT TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ READ ON TILL YOU SEE THE WORDS "THE END", THE STORY'S INCOMPLETE UNTIL YOU DO Queen Sally Alicia Acorn looked out of the window. Ten years after their victory over Snively and his forces, the restoration of Mobotropolis and Mobius in general was about to be complete, with the de-roboticization of one last group of Snively's once-slaves. Mobotropolis was once again a sprawling city, where technology and nature co-existed peacefully. Atmosphere re-generators had purified the air that Robotnik, then Snively had polluted, and environmental units had repaired the damage to the surface of the planet. The computer beeped, bringing her out of her reverie. "Queen Sally, the Council awaits your arrival." Sally acknowledged the computer's message, then proceeded to the Council Chambers. She had kept the title of 'Queen' as a sort of flag rank, as a tribute to the past rulers of Mobius. For the planet was no longer ruled by a monarchy. By majority vote, the races of Mobius had petitioned against a monarchy, remembering how that form of government had failed them almost twenty five years ago. In its place was an alliance of the races: The Federated Races of Mobius. This government was headed by a president ( Sally ), along with a representative of each major race which had joined the FRoM Alliance. After the recent upheaval, it was only natural that Sally would want people she could trust in places of power. And who better to fill in those roles than the people whom she fought beside all those years.... The doors of the Council Chambers swished open leisurely, and Sally matched its pace, strolling in casually, yet regally, a trait she had not lost. Once in the room, she surveyed the people present. Seated around the retangular Council table, next to the majestic windows which offered a panoramic view of Mobotropolis sat the former Freedom Fighters: Sonic, representing the hedgehog race, Knuckles, representing echidnas, Bunnie Rabbot ( She kept the name even after her de-roboticization ), for the rabbits, Miles "Tails" Prower representing the reclusive Guardians, Antoine as ambassador of the fox race, Rotor for the walruses, Dulcy for dragons, Ari representing his race, David representing the cybernetic lifeforms, and representatives from the Wolf Pack, the lions, squirrels and ferrets. Several races had yet to join the alliance, but talks were underway. The meeting commenced soon after, with each ambassador giving a summary of the restoration work in their sectors. With that part of the meeting complete, Sally spoke, "Very good. By tomorrow, Mobius will finally be totally free of Robotnik's "legacy". By good fortune, that day coincides with the anniversary of Snively's defeat, and I want the celebration to be one the people of this planet will not forget for a long time." Antoine interrupted at this point. "Madame President, there ees one thing. We recieved a.... what do you call it.... a communique from the Union of Allied Worlds. They want a reply to their request that Mobius join their Union." Sally seemed a little uncomfortable about this topic, but she replied smoothly with a "I'll look into it." She continued, "Unless there is anything further, this session is closed. Go home, get some rest, and prepare for tomorrow's Liberation Day celebrations." The ambassadors left, either returning to their respective rooms in the Great Hall of the Council, heading to make preparations, or went to the recreation centers. Sally went back to her apartment to get something. She keyed in her security code and entered. She was greeted almost instantaneously with a "Mom? That you?", followed by the hedgehog-squirrel hybrid that was her daughter. "Yes, dear." "You finished at the meeting already? Where's Dad? I haven't seen him since this morning." Sally smiled to herself. Seven years old and Samantha was already talking non-stop. She answered her daugther. "Daddy's overseeing the preparations for tomorrow's Liberation Day party. Now, go back to your room, dear. Mommy needs to rest for a while." "OK." came the reply, as Samantha zoomed back to her room with the speed she had inherited from her parents. Sally went into her bedroom, took her wallet and walked to the elevator, where she told it to bring her to the lounge. The place was nearly empty at this time of the day, but she didn't mind. After all, she hadn't come here to talk. She ordered a small glass of a sweet Mobian wine, and proceeded to sit in a quiet corner seat. She played with her drink, swirling it around the glass, oblivious to her surroundings, deep in thought. She didn't even know why she took the blasted drink in the first place. The last thing she wanted to do was get drunk at two in the afternoon. A voice broke her train of thought. "May I join you?" Startled, she looked up to see the now-not-so-young Miles Tails Prower standing in front of her. She could not help but notice that Tails had not changed at all, other than his height, and seemed to be the same lively cheerful fox that he had been when he was just a kit. She also remembered how Tails, using the power of the emerald, had been instrumental in Snively's defeat. She motioned for him to sit down, which he obliged. Tails looked concerned when he said, "Sal, you seem disturbed." She smiled. Despite Tails now being in his twenties, he still had that cute boyish look about him. "Yes, Tails. I'm worried about this Allied Worlds matter. The council is split on whether we should join. Some representatives were vehement against the join, even to the extent of threatening me...some rubbish about compromising Mobius' integrity.... I'm sorry, why am I telling you this? You were there." Tails motioned that it was all right, at the same time signalling her to continue. She did so. "If the Council votes to join, the vehement members will surely cause trouble within FRoM, and dissent in our ranks is the last thing that I want. If the case is reversed, the Council remains strong, but should another dictator like Robotnik usurp control again, Mobius would not have the help of the galactic community. You can see my dilemma. What should I vote for? To join or not to join?" "I wish I could help, Sal" Tails replied, "but this is a decision you have to make." Sally continued, "I know. And that's what's making this even harder. I'm totally stressed out." She drained her glass. Tails spoke up. "People say that history will tend to repeat itself, if the people do not learn from past mistakes. This is quite true. However, there are some things that are beyond our capability to control." The two-tailed fox paused for a moment, as if deliberating over something, then continued, "Life can be like a wheel. It turns and moves, but like a wheel, it repeats itself over and over again. Things that have happened may occur again, and this is something you must take note of before you make any decision." Sally stared at Tails. Was he trying to pass her some hidden message? Just as she was about to ask him, Tails abruptly stood up and walked away. This talk had left her even more confused. A few hours later, Sally Alicia Acorn had made her decision. There was no way she would risk Mobius to the whims of another Robotnik. She would petition for Mobius' entry into the Union of Allied Worlds.... The celebrations on Liberation Day were spectacular. It started with a victory speech from the Queen, then the festivities began. The nightsky was filled with fireworks and laser effects. Mobians celebrated across the globe, celebrating being free, and life in general. Things were looking up..... Two days after Liberation Day, the Federated Races of Mobius Council had its next meeting. Sally walked in as usual, knowing that today they would be making the hardest decision they had made so far. She spoke, "This Council will now vote on the motion of Mobius joining the Union of Allied Worlds. Sonic Hedgehog, where does the hedgehog government stand?" to which Sonic replied, "Ms President, we support the motion." "How does the Guardian Council stand?" "Madame President, the Guardian Council..... abstains. (for younger readers, abstain means that they do not wish to cast a vote)" came Tails' reply. This continued, with several others, including David Prower and Dulcy, abstaining. In the end, the vote was three for, three against.... *... this is a decision you have to make* Sally remembered Tails' words. Hers was to be the deciding vote... She spoke, keeping the quavering out of her voice, hoping against hope that she would make the right decision. "I support the motion. Final tally: 4 for, 3 against. Mobius will join the Union of Allied Worlds." Before she could adjourn the session, Ari, and the representatives of the race of lions and the ferrets stood up and addressed the rest of the Council. "Our governments foresaw this outcome. In the event of it truly occuring, we were to read this statement. 'In view of the Council deciding to join the Union, our three governments have declared that we are formally splitting from the Federated Races and that we initiate war on the Federated Races as of today. There will be no peace in our time, as long as Mobius remains a member of the Union." With that, the three walked out of the chambers. All the remaining members, save Tails, looked shocked. Sally sat down, overwhelmed. This time, they would not be fighting Robotnik or Snively or their mechanical horrors. They would be at war with flesh and blood, like their own. They were literally fighting their kin..... She had failed. Failed to stop this from happening. Failed to understand Tails' warning..... *no peace in our time*.... The wheel had turned a full circle.... It had begun again.... The wars had begun again..... THE END (IF YOU DON'T INCLUDE OTHER STORIES IN THIS TIMEFRAME COMING SOON...) Note: Anyone who wishes to continue stories in this era are welcome to do so, though it would be nice if anyone wishing to make MAJOR changes could just let me know beforehand.... thanx! Happy writing! Aaron Lye e-mail: vicl@pacific.net.sg