Chapter 1 – Expansion
I couldn't believe it was gone. After I had spent so much of my time and effort to preserve it. My whole life had revolved around being guardian. Ever since I was four I had been the guardian. I almost lost it three times before and I had vowed never to let anything get in the way. But something had and it splits me in two. My friends are important to me but I am supposed to be guardian. Seeing it gone nearly tore me in half.
I don't remember much of what happened next. I remember being hit. I remember falling and then. Then an incredible pain. I remember screaming but not screaming. I was ripped apart. My atoms dispersed and destroyed. All that's left now is this. I'm not even sure what this is. My mind? My thoughts? My soul? I can't say. I constantly feel a dark weight around me. I hate it, I loathe it and most of all I despise it. Will it never end?
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"Go sugah! Give 'em what for!" yelled Bunnie.
"KI-YA!" cried Tails as he leaped forwards.
He spun, swinging his metal tails around him as he did. The blades in them sprung out and his tails collided with the target. The swatbot was completely shattered into pieces. Tails stopped and jumped backward dodging several laser shots.
"Sonia!" he cried.
Just then a pink coloured whirlwind shot out from an alleyway and collided with the two attacking swatbots. They were launched across the street, hit the opposite wall and exploded. The whirlwind stopped to reveal Sonia.
"Alright." she said.
"Nice one Sonia." replied Tails running over to her.
Bunnie jumped out from cover spot and jogged over to them.
"Ah think we should scoot." she said quickly.
"Right. We shouldn't break too many swatbots today." replied Tails.
Sonia sniggered but Bunnie rolled her eyes.
"Quite sugah." she said with a smile.
The three of them turned and ran down an alleyway. Sonia lifted her arm and switched on a small comm on her arm.
"Team one this is team two. How you doing?" she said.
There was a crackle and then an answer.
"Hi Sone!" said Miles' voice.
"Miles?" said Sonia puzzled, "Where's Links?"
"He's busy. You'll see."
Just then there was a deafening roar and a loud crack. A huge bolt of lightning shot across the sky and hit the ground causing a huge explosion.
"See?" said Miles' voice.
"Miles give me that comm." said another voice.
Another few seconds of static followed before a second voice came on.
"Hi sis." said Manic's voice.
"Having fun I see." replied Sonia.
"Yeah. Links just completely torched the power station. You see it?"
"Who wouldn't?!"
"Yeah I guess so. We're heading back now. Meet you at the rendezvous point. Team one out."
Sonia lowered her arm.
"Links' handwork I see." said Tails.
"Yeah." replied Sonia.
"He's certainly a big help." said Bunnie.
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Links didn't like using his powers. At least not for destruction. Since he had joined his nephew in the Freedom Fighter ranks he had found himself using his skill virtually everyday. He usually wouldn't mind but he was using his skills for destruction. He hated destroying things…even it was Robotnik.
Currently he was standing in a small clearing in the Great Forest with Manic, Miles and Sally. Miles was busy talking to Manic about Links' latest display and Sally was puzzling over Nicole. Links yawned and sat down on a log. He looked at his hands. They were both bright blue in colour. They would gradually fade back to their normal colour but it was taking longer now. Links never liked to show weakness but right now he wished that Alindel were still with him. She had been such a savour for him. She had shown him how control his powers after leaving Pholon. More than that they had loved each other and Links still felt a surge of sadness whenever he thought about her. He was so lost in his head that he didn't notice Sally walking up to him.
"Links? Hey Links? You alright?" she asked.
Links shook his head, snapping out of his thoughts, and looked at her. He nodded quickly and went back to looking at his hands. Sally sighed and walked away. She was worried about him. She had found him numerous times like this, looking at his hands. It also worried her that he wouldn't share his problem. Granted none of them knew anything about him really but they might be able to give him support. He always seemed so closed…….except to Lavender. For some reason the two of them got on really well. Maybe it was because of Links saving her last year or maybe it was something to do with their powers. She didn't know and she wasn't rude enough to ask.
Just then she heard footsteps approaching and Tails, Sonia and Bunnie emerged from the forest. Sally smiled. Everyone had come out all right again. Sonic and Amy were still robotisised but in time they would rescue them.
"Hey Sally." yelled Tails.
Sally nodded at him. Tails was coping well with his decision. When he had refused de-robotisation until Amy had been rescued Sally had nearly been sick. She had come to accept it like him though. Tails was actually a very strong fighter now. Not that he wasn't before of course. Granted he couldn't fly anymore but his tail blades were a formidable weapon. Charles had analysed them and found that they were coated with a form of diamond glass like Robotnik used in his robotisisers. They were so sharp they could slice through half-meter solid steel as if it was paper. Sally noticed Links getting up from his seat.
"Well done Tails." said Links.
"Hey it's you who deserve the credit." smiled Tails.
Links nodded once slowly.
"So what now Sally girl?" asked Bunnie.
"Back to Knotlake. Robotnik will be having the whole area searched right about now. We need to go." replied Sally.
"Allow me." said Links.
"Way past!" shouted Miles, he knew what was coming.
Links raised his staff and a giant whirlwind sprung up around the group. A few seconds later it was tearing through the forest back towards Knotlake.
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Robotnik slammed his metal fist down on the console in front of him. He was mad. He spun back to face the room and roared again. His headquarters were running on reserve power now after Links had torched the primary power station. Robotnik couldn't believe how his luck was running. Since a year ago when Sally and Tails had been rescued and Links had joined the Freedom Fighters, Robotnik had had a hard time. Everytime he tried something new it was beaten back. He was just glad Sonic and Amy hadn't been captured. At least some things were going his way.
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In Knotlake T2 and Petya were sitting next to the lake holding hands. A soft yellow glow surrounded them.
I see they've done it again.
It would seem so T2.
Links is certainly a helpful person.
He is.
T2 opened his eyes and looked over the lake. He sometimes forgot they were fighting a war. He felt Petya awaken next to him and looked over at her. Her eyes were half-open and she sighed as she looked out over the lake. T2 leaned over and planted a kiss on his cheek. She looked at him out of the corner of her eye and smiled before returning to looking at the lake. T2 let go of her hand and slid off the rock they were sitting on. He walked into the village a little way before he heard laughter. He decided to investigate. He followed the sounds and finally found the source. He almost laughed himself. Alicia and Lavender were sitting there playing cards. This wouldn't have been anything special if Lavender hadn't been the card table. Lavender had turned herself into a small card table and was using two of her nine tails to hold her cards. T2 continued to watch. Lavender was getting very good at imitating things now and sometimes she was a laugh. T2 decided not to disturb them and turned away. It was then that he noticed a power approaching. He recognised it as Links' mark. He quickly made his way to the edge of the village to find Petya already there. A small whirlwind approached, expanded and then dispersed. Out of it came Links, Sally, Bunnie, Tails, Manic, Sonia and Miles. They all shook themselves before moving.
"Ah swear that gets rougher everytime Sally girl." said Bunnie as they walked towards T2 and Petya.
Sally turned and looked at Bunnie. Her ears were stuck out at an odd angle and looked rather scruffy along with her hair.
"You might want to tidy yourself up Bunnie." said Sally with a laugh.
"Huh?" replied Bunnie taking a small mirror from her pocket.
She opened it and stared at herself for a moment before reacting.
"ARGH!" she cried, "Ah'm a walking disaster!"
"Sorry." said Links looking over at her.
"No worries sugah. I'll just have to tidy maself up."
"I see you all had fun." said T2 breaking into the conversation.
"Yep!" said Miles smiling broadly.
"Well that should slow Robotnik down for a while." said T2.
"Ah think a little party is in order. If your up to it T2?" said Bunnie.
"Err….did you say if?" replied T2 looking at her funny.
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A few hours later Knotlake was alive with activity. As always T2's flair for parties was unchallenged. Everyone was enjoying themselves. A large crowd of people had gathered to hear the story of today's mission, which Manic was happy to give. He loved being the centre of attention but always gave others credit where it was due. Bunnie and Sally sat to one side exchanging jokes, T2 was busy looking after things, Sonia and Petya were keeping a watchful eye on the children and Tails and Chalk were helping Manic with his story telling. Charles wasn't there, he said he had too much work to do.
Lavender was enjoying herself immensely. She stared down at the large piece of cake in front of her. She didn't know why she did this. All she wanted to do was eat it yet she made herself sit there and stare at it for several minutes. Maybe she was testing herself subconsciously? She finally gave in and launched into eating her cake. She looked up and scanned the crowd. Everyone was having a good time and she was happy herself because of it. After she had become the guardian of the Vault of Forever she had started feeling strange things. She now knew what most of them were though. Because she controlled the energy of the planet itself she felt ripples in it caused by different things. One such thing was happiness. A large feeling of joy and happiness in one area bent the energy of the planet in a certain way. Lavender was feeling this now. It was almost as if she was wrapped in a warm blanket.
Just then she noticed something. Someone was missing. She stood up on her seat and looked again. Links was definitely missing. She got off her seat and wandered off into the village. Links should be here she thought. He was on today's mission.
She went on a little further but still couldn't find him. She sighed, closed her eyes and concentrated on Links. She felt a surge of energy from her right and followed it. She left the village and made her way down a small hill and into a clearing. Sat at the edge of the clearing was Links. His staff was laid across his knees and he had his head in his hands. He was staring upwards at the sky and didn't notice Lavender.
"Links?" said Lavender slightly unsure of what to do.
Links seemed to snap out of whatever trance he was in and looked at her. He nodded and went back to staring at the sky. Something's wrong Lavender thought to herself. She walked over to him and sat down next to him.
"Links?" she said again, "What's wrong?"
Links didn't answer. Lavender nervously placed a hand on his arm. For some reason she had really formed a good bond with Links. She didn't really know why though. She knew he was once part of Pholon and part of her still found it hard to trust him but the rest of her did. Maybe he could pick this up or maybe he could feel her thoughts through the planets energy, but for whatever reason he knew what she was thinking. Links looked over at Lavender and sighed.
"You wouldn't understand." he said.
Lavender felt slightly hurt at this statement. She understood him more than anyone.
"I would." she replied.
Links gave her half a smile.
"You are too young yet to understand my pain."
"No I'm not!" protested Lavender as her mental age reared its head, "Tell me. Please Links. We're friends. If I can I'd like to help you."
Links looked down at the small kitsune. She was right of course. Lavender was the closest friend he had ever had and she did care about him and him for her. He sighed.
"I've lost many things in my life Lavender." he said, "Too many things to count. My parents, my brother, places, things…….too many things. But none of them seem important when I think of my greatest loss."
Lavender was now holding Links' arm with both of her hands. She was looking up at him and her eyes were wide and focussed on him. Links continued.
"My greatest loss. The one thing, the one person who kept me going all those years after leaving Pholon. Her name was Alindel. Alindel Tiberius Lorien to be exact. A glowing beacon of light."
Lavender realised where this was going.
"What…….what happened to her?" she asked slowly.
"She was killed." replied Links sadly.
Lavender didn't want to push him. She knew this was hard for him. Links always seemed to be so strong.
"H…How?" she asked softly.
"She was shot. Shot while fleeing enemies with me." said Links as he gritted his teeth.
He closed his eyes tight and a single tear welled the corner of his eye.
"I…..I wanted to go back. I wanted to save her….but……..she told me to go. I didn't want to but she insisted. I ran. I ran and I left her to die!"
Links swallowed hard and stared at the sky again. Lavender tightened her grip around his arm.
"I wasn't your fault Links. If you had stayed you would have been killed too." she said.
"You don't know that!" said Links spinning round, "What if I could have saved her by staying! She would be here right now!"
Lavender suddenly became very nervous. She hadn't seen Links act like this before. The yellow glow at the end of her tails dimmed slightly and her mental age dropped away. Links saw what he had done.
"God I'm sorry Lavender!" he said quickly and turned to hug her.
Lavender let him and hugged him back. Just then Links started to sob. Lavender was astounded. Links never got upset about anything. He was always so calm, so collected. She tightened her hug around him and wrapped her tails around him.
"God Lavender. I miss her so much." said Links slowly through his sobs.
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The next day in Knotlake the atmosphere was still buzzing. Only this time it wasn't a left over feeling from the party last night. It was something different today. Today was the day that Tails would finally show them all what he had been working on for the last few months. A large crowd had gathered outside of his workshop. The workshop had been built into the side of the mountain next to Knotlake. Everyone was there including Links and Lavender. They stood next to each other not talking. Lavender had decided to keep what Links had told her to herself. It didn't seem right to tell anyone if he didn't really want to talk about it. Just then someone tapped her on the shoulder. She turned to see Miles standing there beaming at her.
"Hey Lav. You any idea what Tails has in there?" he said.
"Nope." replied Lavender shaking her head, "He's kept it secret from me as well."
"Must be pretty big then." replied Miles.
"Yeah." said Lavender.
Just then Tails left the workshop grinning.
"Won't be a second folk. Just have to get something ready out here." he said raising a control pad.
He pressed a few controls and there was a rumble but nothing happened.
"Tails? What did that do?" asked Sally.
"You'll see." replied Tail, "Look over there."
Tails pointed towards the left. At the edge of Knotlake village the mountain fell away quite steeply to the valley below. It was almost a sheer drop. The edge had been cordoned off for safety. Everyone looked this way now. There was another rumble and a section of the cliff lowered. Out of it extended a large metal slab that extended again on rams. There was a sudden groan from the crowd and everyone looked back at Tails. He was blushing slightly.
"A runway sugah?" said Bunnie with a fake irritated tone.
"Erm….yep." replied the metal fox.
"Then you've been building…." started T2.
"…a plane yes." finished Tails.
Everyone stared at him for what seemed like an eternity.
"You're obsessed." said Petya finally.
Tails just grinned at her.
"Well since the Tornado and Tornado 2 were in Mobotropolis they were lost, my racer went too and so did the Twister. I've been itching for something to do so I built a new plane." he said.
"Way past!" cried Miles, "What you call her?"
"The Hurricane." replied Tails.
"Going for a new storm now eh?" said Manic.
"Yes. New look too. Follow me. I'll show you." said Tails.
He turned and walked back into the workshop. Everyone followed him. Inside everything was a mess. Mechanical parts and tools lay all over the place. Everyone had to be careful where they trod. At the far end of the room was a large object covered in a sheet. Tails waited until everyone was present and then tugged at it. The sheet fell away and everyone gasped. The plane was certainly impressive. The fuselage was about fifteen meters long and had a standard fin configuration on the tail. The wings were set halfway along the body of the plane pointing backwards. Under them a number of rocket pods were mounted. Two laser guns were mounted into the fuselage on either side of the cockpit and two large jet engines hugged the bottom of the plane. It was made of plain grey metal and had no identifying marks.
"Looks impressive." said Sonia.
"I designed her for now. I wanted to build another biplane but right now we need something tough and durable. The Hurricane is just that." said Tails with a nod.
Everyone looked at Tails. They all knew why he was so determined. They all looked back at the plane.
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A stealthbot flew at low altitude over the western ocean on a regular patrol. Suddenly its radar detected something approaching fast. It was too late by then though. The bot was hit by a huge field of energy and exploded violently. The wave continued on, unhindered by the small distraction.
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Charles had just got back to his hut. He had broken off his work to go and see Tails' new plane and had been impressed. Of course it wasn't as powerful as the Tornado 2 had been. That thing had run on the power of the last power ring but none existed now. It was a conventional plane but still not to be sneered at. They could now take on Robotnik's stealthbots in a toe-on-toe fight. Charles smiled to himself as he poured himself a cup of coffee. Just then a computer behind him started bleeping frantically. He spun quickly and ran over to it.
"My god!" he said quickly as he surveyed the display.
He looked up as a flash of panic shot across his face. He spun and ran from his hut at a speed that would have impressed Sonic.
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A loud buzzing noise made Robotnik spin and growl slightly for the interruption. He walked over to a console and his expression changed.
"WHAT?" he said.
He looked at the console again. The displays showed a number of gauges and charts. They were all slowly filling up and increasing. Robotnik put him hand on a control and flicked it. A large screen filled up with static. He pressed it again and the screen still showed static. Robotnik was stunned.
"It's not possible. I just can't be happening. It's expanding!"
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The group left the hanger and made its way back into the village.
"So Tails, what you going to do now?" asked Sally.
"Continue on as ever Sally." replied the metal fox, "Continue as ever."
Sally put an arm round Tails' shoulder and smiled.
"We'll rescue her soon enough Tails." she said.
Tails nodded at her and then sighed.
"Mum I'm hungry." said Alicia tugging on Sally's jacket.
"Alright Alicia give me a moment." said Sally, "I'll have to go Tails. Miles!"
"Yeah mum?" replied Miles looking up from his conversation with Chalk.
"Dinner time!" replied Sally.
"Oooh." said Miles as he appeared at Sally's side in less than a second.
"Miles stop using your speed over short distances. It gives me a heads ache." said Sally as she walked away from the group followed by Miles and Alicia.
Tails watched them leave. Just then a hand landed on his shoulder. He jumped slightly and then turned round. Chalk had come up behind him.
"Chalk don't do that." he said.
"Sorry." said Chalk looking after Sally and the kids, "Those two are so grown up in some ways and still kids in other ways."
"I'll say. Miles was apparently brilliant yesterday in Robotropolis….but then he can't even make his own dinner yet." said Tails.
"Give em a break though. They were royalty until three years ago. They've come a long way."
"Yeah I suppose so."
Just then a rather tired looking Charles shot out from behind a hut shouting.
"Tails! I'm glad I've found you. We have trouble." he said quickly as he stopped.
"Woah there Charles take it easy." said Chalk holding out an arm for Charles to steady himself on.
He looked totally exhausted. Charles was pretty old now but he still surprised everyone by the amount of energy he still had.
"What is it Charles?" asked Tails looking worried.
"It's the Chaos Zone! It's expanding!" said Charles quickly.
"EXPANDING!" screamed Tails, "Oh my god. Chalk, quickly, go get Sally and try and round up T2, Petya and Bunnie! I'll find Sonia, Manic, Lav and Links."
"You got it." said Chalk quickly as she sprung off.
Tails shot a quick glance back at Charles.
"How bad are we talking here?" he said.
"Bad. Really bad. It's expanding in bursts. The last one was recorded at eight miles and hour."
"EIGHTY!" cried Tails, "We have to hurry."
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Chalk virtually barged the door to Sally hut down as she charged in. The door flew open and crashed against the wall. Sally screamed and dropped the pan she was carrying. Luckily there wasn't anything in it.
"CHALK! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" screamed Sally picking up the pan.
Miles and Alicia were at her side in a second as Chalk recovered and then spoke.
"We got trouble Sally." She said, "The Chaos Zone is expanding."
Sally's anger faded and she stared at Chalk. Seconds later she was past her and out of her hut heading for the central area of the village. Miles, Alicia and Chalk quickly followed her.
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Lavender screamed and collapsed to the ground shaking. Links was at her side in a flash. The small kitsune was curled into a tight ball and was gasping violently. The tips of her tails had turned from yellow to purple and the mark on her forehead was pulsing with energy.
"Lavender? LAVENDER! What is it? Say something." said Links shaking her.
"Shock! Pain……from the past………….it's……..it's……DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRGH!" screamed Lavender.
"LAVENDER!" cried a voice.
Links looked up to see Tails fly round a corner at a run. He almost fell over at the sight of Lavender.
"What happened Links?" he said as he collapsed to the ground next to Lavender.
"I don't know. One minute she was fine and the next she collapsed." replied Links slightly worried.
"Lavender? It's Tails. What's wrong?" said Tails shaking her.
Lavender seemed to respond slightly to Tails touch. She managed to uncurl slightly and look at him.
"Paaaaaaaaaain!" she said before curling up again.
Tails looked at Links.
"That's all she's said." said Links, "Something about pain from the past."
"I've only seen Lavender do this once before." said Tails, "I was afraid of this."
"What is it?" said Links.
"The last time she did this was when Robotnik shattered the Master and Chaos Emerald creating the Chaos Zone. The energy that was lost from the Vault of Forever was so immense it almost killed her."
"What does that have to do with this?" asked Links.
"The Chaos Zone is expanding again."
Links face fell. Just then Lavender gave another cry.
"We have to get her inside." said Tails.