Authors note:
Fan Fiction:
A fictional account written by a fan of a show, movie, book, or video game to explore themes and ideas that will not or cannot be explored via the originating medium;
A piece of fiction within a fandom utilizing characters and situations from a pre-existing work including (but not limited to) books, television programs, films, and comic strips.
Originality:
1 : the quality or state of being original 2 : freshness of aspect, design, or style 3 : the power of independent thought or constructive imagination.
Imagination:
1.
a. The formation of a mental image of something that is neither perceived as real nor present to the senses.
b. The mental image so formed.
c. The ability or tendency to form such images.
2. The ability to confront and deal with reality by using the creative power of the mind; resourcefulness: handled the problems with great imagination.
3. A traditional or widely held belief or opinion.
4. Archaic
a. An unrealistic idea or notion; a fancy.
b. A plan or scheme.
To all the naysayers, pro segasonic fans (and maybe some SatAM fans) and all the like you should look up these words.
The origins of this story started sometime back in a contest on a forum I participated in where the subject was inserting a segasonic/ archie/ fleetway/ etc character into SatAM.
The desert rose was my entry; it was a relatively decent story. It featured the SatAM version of Amy Rose as I envision her, Rouge, Knuckles, and others. I revised it now and have decided to expand the concept a bit, set between the first and second seasons it is anything but you expect. So here it is the first part of the trilogy, the others will follow soon, enjoy...
The Desert Rose Trilogy, by Tara Ikeda (Ladymecha)
Part One: The Desert Rose
Prologue:
The winds of the east desert blew heavy as sand and polluted dust moved its way across this barren land. Two green eyes looked ahead in both sadness and anger as a lone figure observed the barren lands before it.
It's hard to believe that not so long ago this was a fertile place, filled with plants and trees; but now it is a wasteland, a sad shell of its former self.
Robotnik's coup all those years ago started all this, by destroying the ecology and upsetting the balance of nature.
Only a few who live now remember this place for what it once was, including the lone figure who stood steadfast in this tortured land.
It was the one who guarded this land with an iron rod and fierce determination; the young warrior who hunted the metal demons who helped pollute this place.
Dressed in a tan robe with a hood around its head, this figure roamed the mighty desert keeping an eye out for the flying machines of the metal demons.
A whir came overhead of the figure; the figure looked up and saw something in the skies above it.
A smile came across the figures face, today was its lucky day.
It was a hovercarrier belonging to them, the agents of who made this place so dismal.
The figure waited as the carrier landed and out came two metal demons just as the figure hid itself under a sand dune.
They began to carry out large drums filled with toxic waste out of the carrier and the figure dashed in.
One of the metal demons detected the figure with its usual cry "priority one, detain freedom fighters"
But it was quickly silenced by a strike from the warriors large metal rod, its metal body smashed apart into a hundred pieces as the other metal demon tried to target its foe but it too fell to the power of the figure as the figure broke it as easily as it did the other.
The figure looked on at its handiwork and gave another smile.
"Another days work for the desert rose" said the figure as it walked farther into the desert, back to its hidden home in the endless wasteland.
Act I: Discovery
The treetops of Knothole forest waved as a strong gust of wind came into Knothole village.
It breezed through the village and into the open window of Princess Sally Acorns hut.
Sally felt it caress her face, though her mind was too distracted to take real notice.
Her mind was heavily at work, her brain filled to capacity with thought over what she saw.
A data readout flashed on Nicole's screen, Sally's mind could only guess what it meant.
"Heavy loss of forces in the east desert, unknown enemy at work. Freedom fighter activity suspected however it is unconfirmed."
"Wow" was all Sally could say; she had no idea there was a possibility of yet another freedom fighter group unknown to her or her father.
"It's inconceivable, all this new information we got from Robotnik's computers the other day was very interesting," she said, as she looked it over some more "if this is true it means there might be hope"
She rubbed her temple; she had a large headache that only added to her clouded thoughts.
"The price I pay for being a royal family member I guess," she said aloud
She sighed but soon Sally heard a familiar "whoosh!" coming toward her hut, Sally knew too well who was going to pay her a visit in just a few seconds.
Outside her hut a familiar blue hedgehog stopped by her window and gave her a wave
"Yo Sal!" said Sonic the hedgehog as Sally walked to the window
"Hey Sonic" she replied, "come in here for a sec"
Sonic nodded and soon he opened the door to her hut and came in
"How yah doin Sal?" asked Sonic
"Just fine Sonic, say why don't you and I make a nice trip to Robotropolis today"
"Why you got something new for us to ruin for ol' buttnik?"
"No, but the data we got from Robotnik's computer has my brain at work"
"What do you mean?"
"I will tell you later, but right now I think we should start heading off, the power ring pool should be ready by now anyway"
Sonic put his thumb up "way past cool Sal" as he dashed to the power ring pool.
He arrived there and waited, the power ring pool was always nine seconds slower then what Sonic wanted, to him those nine seconds might as well have been an eternity.
Then the pool glowed as it bubbled, then in a blaze of light a power ring emerged out of the pool,
Sonic grabbed it and said "good ol power ring pool" as he put it in his backpack
He then dashed back to Sally's hut and said, "The Sonic express is up and ready!"
"Alright let's go"
The two then rolled their hands into a fist, they then pulled their fists up their elbows, they then put their fists together twice as they said "lets do it, to it" in harmony as Sonic grabbed Sally's arm and he pair sped off to their destination.
Storm clouds loomed over the bleak city of Robotropolis, its metallic landscape lit only by the thunderclouds filled with demonic lightning.
Ten years ago, it was not like this, there was no Robotnik, there was no endless fighting for freedom but now dark days have come to its citizens.
Sonic and Sally knew this place all too well, they knew that everyone who "lived" here were mere robotic shells of their former selves trapped by the talons of the lunatic who ruled this place.
The pair were crawling up the air ducts of Robotnik's main tower once more to the main control room. For the last hour, they have been crawling up both the air ducts and Jefferies tubes inside Robotnik's main base.
They got to a section right under the command room and Sonic whispered "So Sal, what are we
doing here today?"
"Well according to that data we have there is information that says that Robotnik's patrols have been disappearing in the east desert. I want to see if there is another freedom fighter group out there and if we can ally with them." Said Sally flatly
"I see, but you still have not told me why we are here," said Sonic
"Well we got to get to the desert somehow, so I want to know when Robotnik's going to send out another patrol to that area so we can sneak aboard one of the patrol vehicles."
"I get ya Sal." Said Sonic
The two crawled up another Jefferies tube and another air duct to a place right above Robotnik's control area.
They saw him sitting there in his chair as Snively said "sir there is another interruption in the east desert; SwatBot patrols 1XXJA2 and 1XXJA3 have not reported back."
"Not again Snively, this is the third time this week."
"Yes sir, I am about to send out three SwatBot patrols to that area and see if we can draw out the attacker and if this happens again we can take more drastic action."
"Very well Snively, keep me informed."
"Yes sir" said Snively as he went to the control panel he then said, "SwatBot units 1XXJA4 through 1XXJB1 go to hangar D7 and head out to the east desert."
"That's our cue," said Sally with a whisper, she and Sonic started to crawl back into the Jefferies tube.
They took the same basic route they did to enter the building, but this time around they headed to hangar D7 which was ten decks below them.
The two made there way to the hangar and once they got there Sally opened the gate to the Jefferies tube and said "you first Sonic"
"Right on Sal" said Sonic, he ran on ahead of her and started to do his work, he ran about and distracted many of the SwatBot's as Sally followed him and hopped into one of the hovercraft's that was just about to leave, its SwatBot crew was on the other side blasting away at Sonic.
Sonic spotted Sally's arm waving at him from inside the hovercraft and Sonic knew what he had to do, he ran back inside the Jefferies tube as the SwatBot's ran after him.
They looked about and saw no sign of him; they walked back to their stations as Sonic came out of the tube once more, he darted and dashed behind crates and barrels to the hovercraft Sally was in and dashed into it.
For Sonic and Sally, the ride to the desert could not be any longer then it was, it was a nightmare staying quiet for all that time.
All the way the pair both feared that one of them would sneeze or do something to blow their limited cover in the hovercraft.
They could not talk or whisper, any noise would alert the SwatBot's to their presence.
It took at least an hour to get to the desert, the hovercraft finally landed and the SwatBots got out.
Sonic turned to Sally and said, "Let me handle these two"
He then leapt out of the hovercraft and then took out the SwatBots by crashing right into them with his spin attack.
Soon Sally came out of the craft and said, "Well done as usual Sonic"
"Thank you, thank you," said Sonic as he took a few bows
"Now get down, the area is still filled with enemy craft," she said
Sonic then ducked as he and Sally hid behind a sand dune, another hovercraft came into the area to inspect the one below it.
"Great, its gonna notice no ones home in there" said Sonic
"Hopefully whatever is causing so much trouble for Robotnik out here will interfere before anything happens" said Sally
The hovercraft then landed and its occupants came out, at least four SwatBots came out to inspect the other craft.
"Possible freedom fighter activity, investigate" said one
The four bots then moved out as Sally said, "they can be here at any minute"
"We can handle them," said Sonic
"But Sonic they are too close to the other hovercraft, they can easily send for help if just one of them gets away"
"You're right, well might as well prepare a party for em" said Sonic
Just then, the pair spotted something in the distance, a tan robed cloaked figure make it's way toward the SwatBot's.
It then dashed at them with great speed as it pulled out a large metal rod and knocked one of the
SwatBot's down, the other SwatBots saw it and started to shoot it. But the figure dodged their shots and came in to deliver a fatal blow to one of them.
"That is wicked," whispered Sonic as he watched onward
"Priority one, detain freedom fighters" said another SwatBot as it too was sliced down by the figure
The final one tried to get to the hovercraft but before it could, the cloaked figure knocked it out as well.
"Did you see that? That cloaked warrior took them down in no time!" cried Sally quietly
"Even I am impressed," said Sonic "whoever did that was like lightning"
The figure then started to walk away as Sonic said, "Let's go and talk to whoever this is"
Sally was taken aback "Sonic we don't know if this is an ally or not"
"Don't worry Sal; I am going to give em the ol hedgehog charm!"
"Sonic, wait!" cried Sally, but she was too late
Sonic ran to the hooded figure and said, "Hi I am Sonic, pleased to meet ya"
The figure turned about, but then began to trust away at Sonic with its long rod
"Hey, wait a sec!" cried Sonic as the figure swung at him
It lunged at him with great force, it then began to dash about at speeds Sonic thought only he could do.
"Can't we talk about this?" asked Sonic
The figure jabbed at him again and said, "No, get away from me!"
It threw some more blows at Sonic as he grabbed the figures rod
"Hey I don't want to hurt you, I am a friend!"
"Like I believe that blue boy," said the figure as it came at him again, it pulled back on the staff and fell on the ground, it slowly got up but its hood fell off.
The face of a female pink hedgehog looked up at Sonic as he said, "Hey, you're a girl!"
"Like duh, I am Amy Rose Hedgehog leader and protector of the east desert nomads. But you can call me the desert rose!"
She swung her staff once more at Sonic as he cried "but I am not an enemy, I hate Robotnik as much as you probably do!"
"Perhaps, but you still have not proved a thing!"
Amy swung again, but this time Sally interfered by grabbing onto Amy's rod. Amy looked in her direction and looked at the princess right in the eye.
"Why its you..." said Amy in disbelief as Sally quickly replied, "Yes it's me Amy, long time no see."
Amy slowly calmed down "thank goodness its you Princess"
"Yeh I am glad to see you too Amy" replied Sally
"Thanks" said Amy "so how are things on your end then Sally, I heard your group is doing quite well"
"Yes indeed, but can you please stop attacking Sonic before we reminisce?"
"You mean this is the rambunctious hedgehog you used to tell me about, my apologies then." Amy pulled her weapon back as Sonic looked puzzled
"You know this crazy girl Sal?" asked Sonic
"Yes I do, she is the heir to the Rose crest legion, a secret branch of my father's security service that only my family knew about. She used to live in a town here and my father always took me to see her when he was with her father."
Amy nodded and said, "Yes, sorry for attacking you but things have been terrible here. Sally my town is gone, Mallikad is no more."
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Amy," said Sally
Amy nodded and said "let's go to my hideout, I will show you around my place."
"Okay, come along Sonic," said Sally as she and Sonic moved off into the desert with their newfound companion.
Act II: The Ruined Kingdom of Mallikad
Princess Sally Acorn and Sonic could only look on in horror and wonder at the sight before them, the ruins of the once great kingdom of Mallikad stood there in front of them like a ghost from a sad past.
Sally could only remember what it looked like before; this was once a beautiful city that rivaled even Mobotropolis in its grace and splendor.
But now it was a sad husk of its former self, once the site of a beautiful city it is now a reflection of the wasteland around it.
Its former white spires were now blackened, the former great palace now torn to shreds.
Signs of war were all over the place, every building, spire and tower was ripped apart by both the wind and Robotnik's armies.
"There it is; the remains of Mallikad my home." said Amy
"My goodness, look at it, even Robotropolis is in better shape then this," replied Sally
"Yeh this place is mondo wrecked" chimed Sonic
Amy's eye then shed a tear as she said "yes, this place was once a kingdom too, an ally of King Acorn. The Rose crest was mainly from here, when we allied with King Acorn we swore to protect him at any cost. During the Great War, the two kingdoms became one and we beat the enemy back to where they came from. Mallikad stood as a city of peace, but then Robotnik came. He laid waste to this land after he took everybody to Robotropolis. There are a few survivors here including me and four others, and man it's been rough."
"We can see why, but how do you live in this place after what happened?" asked Sally
"You will find out very soon" replied Amy "Come I will introduce you to my allies."
Amy pulled out a small device and clicked a button, before them the ground opened up as Amy said
"Well get on in"
Sonic and Sally followed her into the complex and looked about.
It was basically a sewer tunnel, cleaned out and modified for this purpose, the door closed behind the group as they walked farther into the tunnel.
"This is quite a place you have here Amy," said Sonic "Robotnik must hardly bother you down here."
"Yes, but lately his patrols have gotten more and more erratic here and we have grown concerned. For the last week I have had to take out several patrols that threatened our security here, it's been real rough."
"I bet," said Sally as the two came to the end of the tunnel to what looked like a dead end.
Amy put her hands out and said "Mallikad"
The tunnel opened and the group walked into a very large room and before Sonic and Sally stood a village of metal, a complete contrast to the naturalistic looks of Knothole.
Buildings were made out of sewer pipe and metal and for Sonic and Sally; it looked almost like
Robotropolis though one could tell there were live people occupying this place.
"Welcome to New Mallikad, it is not much I know but it is home for my group and I" said Amy "I know you may find it unusual but we had to improvise quite a bit."
"I understand," said Sally, but before they moved forward someone landed in front of them, a female bat dressed in red that Sally knew was the uniform of the rose crest.
"I see you brought us some guests eh Amy?" said the bat
Amy nodded and said "Sonic, Sally meet Rouge my chief of staff and fellow rose crest member."
"Hello" said Sonic and Sally together
Another figure came up to them, a male red echidna that looked quite tough
"Hey Amy, who are these two may I inquire" he said in a distrustful tone "you know I don't like strangers."
"Don't worry these two are allies" said Amy "this is Knuckles another fellow guardsman, he doesn't trust anyone so don't take him offensively"
"Alright" said Sally
They moved farther into the town and another figure appeared a large sized male cat.
He came to the three and said "Hello Amy, you have some new fighters to join us?"
"Yeh in a way Big, these two are Sonic and Sally from the outside"
"Hi" said Sally
"Hello yourself" bellowed Big
Amy nodded and said, "He has no real name so we call him Big, we found him unconscious in the city after Robotnik's attack. He has no memory of who he is but he's good muscle"
"Well nice to meet you big guy" said Sonic
Big nodded as Amy moved out in front of the two and said, "There is one last person I want you to meet, but you may not like what you are going to see."
The three made their way to a large shack and Amy opened the door, inside was a cell with a small female rabbit Workerbot inside of it.
Amy came up to the cell and said, "This is Cream, someone we took from Robotnik's mines. I know her because we took her in after the destruction of Mallikad. But one day on a mission, she got captured and was made into the robot you see before you. Out of pity we took her back here but so far we have been unable to free her."
"That's pretty sad, roboticizing a small child," said Sally
"Well we could always try the power ring on her," said Sonic
"You mean that you have something on you that can free her?" asked Amy
"Yeh sorta" said Sonic "we used it on my Uncle and it works for the most part but it doesn't work for long. But we can give it a shot I guess"
Amy nodded and said, "Alright, go for it."
Sally took the power ring out of her carrier and gave it to Sonic, he then came up to the cell and said "Amy I think you should come here, this works better when someone this girl knows is around."
Amy nodded and came along side of Sonic
The robotic rabbit came up to them and cried "Priority one, detain freedom fighters!"
It reached out as Sonic put the power ring in her hands; Amy came up to the robotic rabbit and said
"Cream, it's me Amy your friend. Please come back to us! "
The robotic rabbit began to blink its red robotic eyes and looked at Amy; she looked up and said
"Amy, I... I'm... I'm free, I'm free!"
Cream was jumping for joy clapping her metallic hands with glee.
Amy smiled "Cream it is so good to have you back."
She unlocked Creams cell and the robotic rabbit came out
Amy hugged her as Sally said, "just be careful, and keep an eye out on her. She can revert to a robotic state at any time"
Amy nodded as they walked out of the captivity area.
Back in Robotropolis Snively came up to Robotnik; he was very worried, as he knew he had some bad news for his cruel uncle.
Snively really hated doing his dirtywork, but until the time was right, Snively just did what his hated uncle asked.
He came to Robotnik's chair and said, "Sir, SwatBot units 1XXA9 and 1XXB1 have returned but the others are missing"
"So our desert foe strikes again. Snively I want you to send out a battalion of twenty hovercrafts armed to their maximum."
"but sir, the sandstorms are too strong for us to send anything in. the hovercraft that carried SwatBot units 1XXA9 and 1XXB1 did come back but it had severe damage from the sand storm, it may not have made it back at all if the SwatBots left later then they did."
"Very well, prepare to start our assault as soon as the sandstorms halt"
"As you wish sir," said Snively as he then began to monitor the area with one of Robotnik's weather satellites...
A half hour had passed, Cream was doing okay for the most part but most of her friends were keeping close to her, especially Knuckles though he seemed happy to see Cream being her old self again.
Sonic and Sally were in another part of the town looking out at the desert outside from a shielded window. A sandstorm had started outside as the two observed the activity outside.
"So another sandstorm has come about, that should keep Robotnik away from here for a bit." Said Amy
"I guess this is why Robotnik doesn't come around here that often," said Sally
Amy came next to her and said, "It's more than what you think, Robotnik is quite relentless here."
"I guess even a desert can't keep Robuttnik from making people miserable" said Sonic
Amy nodded and said "yes, but I have noticed that Robotnik's patrols have increased. I think he is going to invade here once more, and this time we may not hold out. Our force is too small to keep them out."
"Is there any way to keep them out?" asked Sally
"I am not sure," started Amy "there was a cannon here but it no longer functions, it requires two people to operate but so far we have been unable to make it work."
"Maybe Nicole and I can help," said Sally as she pulled out the small computer from her pocket "if I can take a look at the cannon I am sure Nicole and I can make it work."
"Alright, but we must hurry the sandstorms won't last forever" said Amy
Sally nodded as they made their way to the site of the cannon.
The cannon was massive, about the size of a large observatory telescope. It looked old and battered but relatively good condition.
"Man would you look at that thing, I thought only Robotnik had those kind of weapons" said Sonic
"This cannon was originally intended for the Great War, its construction was overseen by my father and Lord Claw"
"What happened to Lord Claw by the way?" asked Sally
"Roboticized, he was once one of the greatest warriors of the Great War and now he is reduced to a mere robotic slave in Robotnik's miserable mines or factories."
"That is a real shame," replied Sally
"It doesn't matter who it is that gets in Robotnik's way" said Sonic "rather it be a warrior or an innocent child Robotnik doesn't care who he makes into a robot."
Amy nodded "Yes, anyhow this cannon is in need of repair. If you can Sally, please fix it"
"I will do my best Amy," said Sally
"That is all I ask," replied Amy
"Well how about I go look at this place while you fix this thing alright?" said Sonic
"Go ahead" said Sally
"I will give you the grand tour," said Amy as she walked ahead of him
"Sounds like a plan" said Sonic as she led him onward.
She took him about, there was not a lot to look at but they had some areas of interest.
Amy took Sonic to her "home" a large pipe decorated by a large rose crest
"This is my place," she said as she lead him in
It was cramped and only had enough room for at least two people at a time. The walls of the pipe were covered by a mix of both girlish and militaristic objects.
"I walk a fine line between my feminism and my military upbringing," she said as she sat on her small bed in the back of the pipe "it's a nice place to rest despite its looks, and boy do I need to rest up after all the stuff I did today"
"Well how about you take your rest while I take more of a look around this place for myself?"
"Sure, just make sure that Knuckles isn't too uptight okay?"
Sonic nodded as he then walked off to explore some more.
"And how does that weather report look now Snively?" asked Robotnik impatiently as Snively monitored the weather satellites
"Sir the sandstorm is still going, by my estimate it should be done within an hour. I have set up the system to detect if the weather is suitable for our hovercrafts."
"Snively I am loosing patience, that threat must be found otherwise I cannot complete my mission there."
"And what is that mission sir?"
"I have heard that the Mallikad guard is still alive and well, thanks to some interrogation on Workerbot 13891 formally Lord Claw I have found that maybe the lost heir to the Rose crest is still alive.
That foolish King Acorn thought he could hide them from me but as usual, he is wrong...
You see Snively I have worked out new methods to grab the memories of the Workerbots, but it is limited. But if my information is correct they are still around and they hold a key to my ultimate plan"
"I see my lord, but rather if they are alive or not won't matter if our hovercrafts can't navigate in this horrific weather."
"I know Snively. But my patience is getting very thin"
"Yes sir" said Snively as he then gave a loud sigh
"Soon one day you are going to be very sorry you pompous jerk," he said under his breath
"What was that Snively?"
"I said I am going to do a lot of work," said Snively again nearly slipping in front of his leader.
Another hour passed and Sally finished hooking up Nicole to the cannon's main computer and
Nicole looked over the data from it.
A few seconds had passed as Nicole said, "scan complete Sally"
The data from the cannon came up on Nicole's screen, as Sally looked it over Amy and Sonic came back to the cannon room and Amy said "so how does it go?"
"Well it looks like there a glitch in the power system. I think I can tell you how to fix it."
"Alright, Rouge I want you to do the repairs"
Rouge came over and said, "Alright what do I have to do to fix it?"
Sally pointed at a panel above them and said, "The problem is in this section, there is a corroded wire in there that needs to be replaced. After we repair it, the power generator needs thirty-five minutes to power the cannon up and then two operators must press the fire buttons at the same time, but this thing could blow. I never seen anything like this configuration so I am very unsure of what will happen"
"Then whoever is in this thing may die then" said Amy
"Possibly" said Sally
"Well I guess we can't ignore the risks but I know it has to be done. Rouge get to the repairs and get this thing ready as soon as possible"
"Right" said Rouge as she flew up to make the necessary repairs
Amy walked over to a window nearby and said, "The Sandstorm is going to let up soon, about three minutes or so. But I know that Robotnik will be here in under a half hour so I think we may have to run a diversion"
"Don't worry, I will handle that part" said Sonic
"Then its settled" started Amy "lets get ready. Sonic I will come along side of you when you run your diversion."
"But you would be left behind" said Sonic
"No need to worry. It's just that it's my duty to protect this place and I will do it till the day I die"
Sonic gave a nod "I can respect that"
"Then lets prepare," said Amy as the sandstorm outside began to quiet.
Act III: The Battle
At his station Snively looked at his weather monitor, he was getting very nervous, as it seemed the storm would never let up.
"Come on you, work for me already," he thought, "I don't want to look out the opposite end of the roboticizer!"
He looked on impatiently, it seemed that time was just freezing up on purpose just to make him angry.
Then finally a beep began to sound, relieved Snively looked at the signal from the weather satellite and said "Sir the sandstorms have let up."
"Good, prepare the attack force Snively," said Robotnik
"Yes Sir" Snively replied as he turned on the communications network.
"Attention all SwatBots, units 1XXJB3 through 1XXJD9 go to your hovercrafts and head out to the east desert. All SwatBot factory Workerbots work triple your workload, same with hovercraft factory Workerbots. All mine Workerbots prepare to mine for more metals, all other priorities are to be ignored."
Robotropolis then began to work overtime, in the factories all the Workerbots sped up as ordered as they rushed about putting new SwatBot's together.
Two of these Workerbots was Lord Claw and Sir Charles hedgehog.
They raced along one another as deep inside their tortured metal bodies they knew something big was going to happen, but they just obeyed as their programming rushed them forward.
Soon a force of twenty hovercrafts sprang loose and headed out for the desert.
Amy Rose looked troubled as she stood in place, Sonic grew curious and then asked
"What's wrong Amy?"
"Do you hear that?" asked Amy
"Hear what?" asked Sonic in return
"That's the point, the sandstorms have stopped." she replied
"That means ol buttnik is going to come," said Sonic
"Yes, and I am expecting a very large force of his robots to come here" Amy replied
"That's not good, if Robotnik attacks again he could easily uncover this place" came Sally
"Well I am ready to kick some robo butt, how about you Amy?"
"I am ready to fight too. I can't loose this place, not now, not ever. I want to return Mallikad to its former glory, to take down Robotnik and make him pay"
"Sounds like my kind of gal" said Sonic
"I'm flattered but now is not the time, everyone get that cannon fixed Sonic and I are going to head out"
"But Amy don't you want me along too, I really don't trust this blue hedgehog" said Knuckles
"No, he and I will go out there alone. I cannot risk anyone getting in the way, I know of Sonics abilities and I trust him. You should trust him too" said Amy
"Very well, but protect her alright blue boy?"
"No problem man" said Sonic
"Alright lets move Sonic," said Amy as she lead the way, the pair then reached the main door and then to the outer tunnel.
"So what is his problem anyhow?" asked Sonic
"He loves me," said Amy "he and I are sort of an item; I bet it's the same with you and Sally."
"Sort of" said Sonic
"I see, well I can see why. You are both incredibly stubborn."
"But look at you, you are stubborn as well" replied Sonic
"I know" started Amy "but it is a virtue, a warrior must fight no matter what."
"You are quite admirable," said Sonic
"Thank you" said Amy as the two then came up to the outside door, it opened and the pair came outside.
"You know I am kind of jealous of Sally," said Amy "I could really use you"
"Well I have a home with her, and I have a lot of friends back at Knothole," replied Sonic
"I understand," said Amy as the pair began to wait for the action to begin.
Soon the time of battle had come, by now Sonic and Amy were outside dressed in desert attire; they looked on in search of Robotnik's force as the wind swept at them.
Amy came close to Sonic and said, "Well I bet you are just itching for action."
"Yeh, I am really hyped up for this," said Sonic
"You know what is funny though, in another lifetime I think I could have been someone who would follow you around like some love crazed leach."
"You serious?" asked Sonic
"Well yeh sorta, I feel I have a connection of some kind to you even though we have just met."
"Its kinda weird but I feel the same way," said Sonic
"Well enough of this idol chitchat, we have work to do. Look over there!" said Amy as she pointed to the distance.
Sonic looked over and saw the large battalion of hovercrafts
"Woa that is quite a force" said Sonic
The hovercraft's came in closer as Amy pulled out her comm. link and said, "Rouge how is the cannon doing?"
"Almost ready, the charge is up to 89 and it will be ready to fire in at least three minutes from now."
"I got you," said Amy as she turned off her comm. and said, "Let's get ready for em"
"Here I got a better way to do that," said Sonic, he rolled his hand into a fist and said
"Make your hand like mine and pull it up to your elbow and say lets do it to it and we touch fists together twice"
Amy nodded and did as Sonic said, and then together they cried, "Let's do it to it" as the two nodded and made their way out to make their diversion.
Sonic ran ahead as Amy followed, she pulled out her staff and leapt into the battleground.
The hovercrafts began to fire at the pair as Sonic and Amy dodged and darted in front of them.
"I only hope the cannon will be ready soon," thought Amy as she began to dart back and fourth on the sand dune along side of Sonic
Rouge and Knuckles were ready to climb into the control center of the cannon, the two prepared themselves but soon the two were knocked out from behind.
Big the cat and Cream then came in ahead of them and made their way to the cannons control room...
Outside of Mallikad, Amy and Sonic were getting tired; even for Sonic, this battle worked its toll on him.
Sweat poured down their bodies, the desert heat scorching their fur and flesh. The brutal desert had it's way with them as fatigue made its way through them.
"We can't do this forever," said Amy "there is just too many to deal with!"
"How long till the cannon is ready?" asked Sonic
"At least a minute" said Amy as she dashed about
"No problem for me" said Sonic as he rushed in way ahead of Amy and began to dart like crazy, the hover units chased after him as the deadline of the cannon drew near
Amy took out her comm. unit and as she was just about to call in back home, a voice cried
"Amy, Cream and Big are in the cannon! Knuckles and I were just about ready to get ready to fire the cannon when they knocked us out!"
Then another buzz came in and Big's voice rang in "I am sorry Amy, but Cream and I have decided to take the risk of firing the cannon."
Cream's came in next as she said, "Don't be mad Miss Amy, but Big has no memory of who he is and I can go back to being Robotniks slave at any minute. We want to do this for you Amy, please let us do this."
"Alright" started Amy "but please come out of this alive"
"We will try to," said Big
Amy then turned off her comm. link and then started to distract the hovercrafts once more.
Inside the cannons control room Cream and Big sat in the control chairs as Big said "the cannon is ready, 100 power. We shall press the activation button on the count of three okay?"
"Okay" said Cream
Big began to count down "One, two... Three!"
The two pressed the fire buttons and the cannon began to fire a massive beam of energy at the hovercrafts and it dissolved them all as it struck.
"They did it!" cried Sonic as he covered his head
Amy's comm. link began to buzz as she picked it up and Big's voice came on it.
"Miss Amy, did we get them?"
"Yes you did, good shot Big!"
"Yes but we have some bad news, this thing is going to blow and we can't get out of the hatch of the control room" said Big
"No!" cried Amy as she looked at some flashing coming from where the cannon was
"Don't worry, we were ready for this" said Cream "but we are happy to go this way"
"No, you two can't leave me like this!"
"Don't worry Amy" started Big "at least now I remember my real name, it's..."
But before Big could give out his name, the cannon exploded as Amy began to cry a loud "NOOOOOOOO!"
Amy and Sonic quickly dashed back into the complex and Amy climbed up to where the cannon was but Rouge and Knuckles blocked their way.
"Let me back there!" cried Amy
"No, it's too late. The place is totaled," said Knuckles
Amy bent down and cried; as she knew what Knuckles said was true.
A short time passed and Sonic and Sally were ready to head back to Knothole, Sally turned to Amy and said, "So what will you do now?"
"I don't know; the death of Big and Cream was very bad for us. I think I am going to move to another place with Rouge and Knuckles. I am sure we can find somewhere to go"
"Then come with us to Knothole" said Sally
"No thanks, we are a wild bunch and we mostly live by our own rules." Said Knuckles
"Very well then" started Sally; she turned to Sonic and said, "Let's go home"
Sonic nodded and the two walked back to their captured hovercraft and left the area.
"So do you think we will see her again?" asked Sonic
"I hope so," said Sally "she is too valuable to loose"
"I really liked her" said Sonic "we had so much in common."
"Well if you fall in love with her don't worry I won't get mad at you" said Sally
"No, I don't think we will get very far. Besides I have you to occupy me," replied Sonic
"I am glad I can satisfy you," said Sally
"So what do we do with this hovercraft anyhow?"
"We will use it for something I guess," said Sally "let's go home"
Sonic nodded as the hovercraft headed off
Below the hovercraft, Amy and her friends walked into the desert and into destiny, and as Amy looked on at the departing heroes, she smiled.
"See you around pal," she said, she then put her hood back on and the desert rose was ready to sprout once more.
End of part one