Author's Note: Okay a lot of firsts here. This is my first fanfiction, and first major piece of creative writing. So I thought what better way to start than with Sonic the Hedgehog. This story takes place between StH 50 and 51, a sort of what if scenario.
Legal Disclaimer: I do not own Sonic the Hedgehog, the Freedom Fighters, or any other SATam/Archie characters.
Chapter 1
For over a decade the planet Mobius had been oppressed by the evil dictator Dr. Ivo Robotnik. The majority of its citizens robotosized, the task or freeing Mobius fell to the Freedom Fighters, a small band of resistance fighters, determined to remove the deranged dictator. For years the Freedom Fighters conducted guerilla strikes into Robotropolis, Robotnik's capital, from their headquarters Knothole, a small, hidden village within the Great Forest. Princess Sally Acorn, the leader of the Freedom Fighters, and heir to the rightful ruling House of Acorn, successfully led her band to victory over Robotnik. This victory came in no small part from Sonic the Hedgehog, hero of the Freedom Fighters, Fastest Thing Alive, and Robotnik's personal adversary. Locked in combat, Sonic defeated Robotnik, as he was vaporized by his own super weapon, the Ultimate Annihilator. At long last the citizens of Mobius could finally enjoy freedom. However, peace can never last, much like the calm before the storm...
The Great Plains of Mobius stretched for miles uninterrupted, a sea of flat, open range where the sun gently warmed the lush green grassland. A perfect place for a hedgehog, that is if the hedgehog can run faster than the speed of sound. Sonic the Hedgehog raced across the plains at the leisurely pace of Mach 1, enjoying the blast of warm air in his face. There wasn't a cloud in the sky revealing an endless blue that seemed to stretch on forever. Sonic couldn't remember the last time he had been able to run like this, without a care in the world. Most times he was dodging laser shots or making a distraction for Sal and the rest of the gang when there was mission into Robotropolis. Ironically, ever since Buttnik had bit the dust, Sonic had found himself a little bored. Not that he was complaining, no, ol' Egghead could stay dead and buried.
Sonic continued running on the Great Plains, scouting for anything Robotnik had left behind. He yawned. There just wasn't anything out here. "Bummer, and here I thought I'd find some bots to trash." Sonic looked to the sun; it was moving towards the horizon. Sal would probably start to get worried if he didn't show up his "recon" mission out on the plains. She worries too much, Sonic thought. He knew that Sally was only looking out for him, but he couldn't help but wonder if there was some other reason she had that look of relief on her face whenever he came back from a mission. There was something between them, especially after Sally had nearly died. Sonic shook his head. Stuff like that always gave him a headache. "Better pull on out before I get into some really deep thinkin."
Skidding to a halt, Sonic placed his hand to his brow and scanned the horizon. With the exception of a few stone arches protruding from the sea of grass, nothing stained the endless plains for miles. "Looks like theirs nutin' out here, time to juice on to ol' Knothole." With that, Sonic spun on his heel and rocketed off in one motion, his body a blur, leaving a trail of dust clouds in his wake.
The sun was beginning to set on the horizon, as another day passed for the now free inhabitants of Knothole. Freedom had swept away the gloom that had pervaded the minds of Mobians for the last decade, all of whom were now enjoying themselves immensely. Everyone, save for one. Princess Sally Acorn, heir to the House of Acorn, leader of the Freedom Fighters, and acting ruler, sat at her desk looking over plans for the umteenth time. For hours now she had sat at her desk, trying to figure the best way to move back into Robotropolis. First they would have to gather all the essential supplies, make their way to the city, then attempt to find a way of even living in the polluted city, not to mention trying to figure out where all the Robians were going to stay... Sally sighed, running a hand through her auburn hair. "This is going to take a lot of time" she mumbled to herself, leaning back in her chair.
Time was something they did have for once, now that Robotnik had been defeated. Ironically, the dictator's demise did not bring the relief Sally thought it would. I guess I'm still used to being tense all the time, with the resistance and all. Suddenly there was a knock at the door, startling Sally from her thoughts. I'll worry about that later.
"Enter."
In stepped Bunnie, Freedom Fighter and one of Sally's best friends. Bunnie had been rescued from the roboticizer, but not before the malicious machine had altered her from the waist down, as well as her left arm. She didn't let her altered body stop her though. Bunnie was instrumental in helping take down Robotnik.
"Hi there Sally-girl, watcha up to?", said Bunnie, using her nickname for Sally, her southern accent clearly audible.
Sally rose from her seat. "Hi Bunnie. I was just going over plans for our move back to Robotropolis."
Bunnie glance past Sally to the large stack of papers on Sally's desk. "All that? You work to hard Sally-girl."
"Can't afford not to Bunnie. I have everyone depending on me to return us home. First we have to gather supplies, travel to Robotropolis, search the city to make sure its safe, and then we really don't even know if we can live there again..." Sally had stared pacing, numbering off the numerous to-dos, a somewhat frenzied look on her face. Bunnie interrupted Sally in mid rant.
"Um, Sally? Are you okay?"
Sally looked toward Bunnie, blank stare on her face, Bunnie's voice pulling her from her thoughts again. "Oh, I'm sorry Bunnie", composing herself, "I'm just a little tired that's all."
"You sure?"
"Yeah I'm fine. Really." Sally flashed her most convincing smile. "Was there something else you wanted to tell me?"
"Oh my, I durn plum almost forgot! Just wanted to tell ya that ol sugah-hog is on his way back."
Sally frowned. "He was supposed to be back hours ago!"
You know how he is Sally-girl. He just likes to have a lil' fun."
"Yeah. And aggravate me", Sally said flatly.
Bunnie laughed. "Aw, you know he means well Sally-girl. He's got a soft spot for ya."
It was something Sally didn't talk about much, but she knew what Bunnie was talking about. "Erm...yeah." Sally looked embarrassed, even if she was talking to her best friend.
Bunnie laughed again. "You need a break Sally. We're having a get together tonight, at the Ring Pool, just the Freedom Fighters. That means you have to come."
"But-."
"No buts Sally-girl. You need this, trust me."
Sally smiled. "Always looking out for me, huh?"
"When haven't I?"
"Okay, okay, you win. I'll be there."
"Good. See you tonight!"
Bunnie left, leaving Sally with her thoughts again. "He just likes to have a little fun." Sally repeated Bunnie's words, walking to her paper strewn desk. She sat down, placing her elbows on the tabletop, resting her chin in her hands. "Maybe a little fun wouldn't be so bad..." she mumbled, glancing out the window. Sally had fought for freedom her whole life, and now that she had it, perhaps it was time to enjoy it. "If only I knew how", she laughed lightly at the sad realization. It had been so long since she had enjoyed herself, hung out with her friends, not worrying about responsibilities or what might happen the next day. Again Sally looked to the work she had become so accustomed to. She stood up, pulling NICOLE from her boot. "Nicole"
"Yes, Sally?", the miniature computer's screen blinked.
"Save the work I've done for now, I'm finished."
"Yes, Sally." Nicole's screen blinked again. "Progressed saved Sally."
"Thank you NICOLE." Sally closed NICOLE, placing the computer back along her boot.
Sally ambled towards the door, just a little fun, she repeated again in her mind. She would still have to deal with responsibilities and stress, but for once Sally felt like she didn't have a care in the world. She opened the door and made her way through Knothole, and out towards the Great Forest. It was time to see Sonic.
Sally walked along the dirt ridden path, her shadow cast long behind her as she walked towards the setting sun. A warm breeze blew through the forest, rustling the trees. Even the forest seemed to know that things had changed for the better on Mobius, Sally mused. Up ahead Sally spotted the watch tower, used by the Freedom Fighters as an advance warning, and a usual meeting spot from missions. Sally moved toward the tower, leaning against one of the it's legs. Along the way Sally had thought about what she wanted to say to Sonic. While things were different now, that didn't mean that the rules could just be ignored. Not that Sonics ever gone by the rules very much, Sally thought. But she was still leader of the Freedom Fighters, and once again, she would have to lecture Sonic about the rules. She sighed, "Some things never change I guess."
Off in the distance, a faint rumbling sounded. Sally ears perked, suddenly aware of the growing sound. Off on the horizon what seemed to be large dust devil violently tore across the Great Plains outside the Great Forest. The rumbling grew into a high pitched fwisshing sound, until at its peak, a sonic boom. Sally gripped at her vest, bracing against the wind, an unsurprised look on her face. She waited as the dust and wind subsided, crossing her arms. At the end of a massive skid streak stood Sonic. "You're late", Sally stated, eying Sonic with a steely gaze.
"Whoa, hey Sal, nice to see ya too!", Sonic responded sarcastically.
"Sonic you were supposed to be back two hours ago!" Sally shifted her feet, placing her hands on her hips.
"Aw com'on Sal, it was only a recon, and there was no danger, and b'sides, even if there was, I would have taken care of it in sonic-second." He flashed a cocky grin.
"Sonic, how was I supposed to know you weren't in danger? What if you had been captured, or killed?" Sally moved toward Sonic, voice rising slightly. "You were all by yourself, with no way to contact us. I can't lose you when we've just won everything!" Sally ended on what almost sounded like a plea, bottled emotion bursting out.
Sonic stared at Sally, awestruck at her sudden tirade. And then he smiled. "You can't lose me, huh?"
Sally quickly averted Sonic's gaze, embarrassed at her last statement. She had actually surprised herself with what she had just said. "I...I mean...What I meant..."
Sonic walked over to Sally placing his hand on her shoulder. "Listen Sal, I'm not going anywhere. We beat Robotnik, its over. Everything is going to OK." Sonic stared down at Sally, as if to make sure what he said was received. Sally looked up.
"You're right. I guess it really hasn't sunk in, Robotnik being gone I mean." Sally started walking towards Knothole, Sonic falling in step next to her.
"Everyone is still getting used to Buttnik being gone. Heck, I was bummed when there weren't any bots out on the plains."
"So there was nothing at all?"
"Nope, nothing out there. Just don't send me out there again. I mean it was great for a run, but boring!"
Sally chuckled. "Fair enough. Just as long as we know Robotnik's forces aren't out there."
"Don't worry about where the bots are Sal, I'll take care of them. Their the hedgehog's specialty." Sonic beamed at his self-compliment.
Sally rolled her eyes. "Of course."
They continued walking, side by side, as the sun finally dipped below the horizon. Fireflies appeared, winking on and off in the distance, faintly illuminating the path ahead.
"Sonic?" said Sally, breaking the silence.
"Yeah?"
"I'm sorry about snapping at you earlier, I know you probably get tired of me nagging about the rules and all."
Sonic feigned shock. "Wait, I must not have heard right, did Sally Acorn just apologize to me?!"
"Sonic, I'm serious!"
Sonic laughed. "I believe ya Sal. And hey don't sweat it, bout the rules an stuff, you wouldn't be the Sally I know if you didn't."
Sally felt strangely comforted by Sonic's reply. "Thanks."
"Ya just need to chill Sal, with Buttnik gone, you should be having some fun."
Sonic's words suddenly caused Sally to jump. "Oh no, I almost forgot!
"Something wrong Sal?"
"Come on, Sonic! We're late!" Sally gripped Sonic's hand, dashing forward towards the ring pool.
"Whoa!" Sonic barely had time to keep from tripping over. "Late? Where we going?"
Sally looked back over her shoulder. "To the Ring Pool." No sooner had she finished speaking, Sally felt herself being lifted up from behind. "Sonic...!"
"Just thought we'd get there a little faster. Hope you don't mind."
Sally smiled, resting her arms around Sonic's neck. "No, not at all."
Together they sped off through the Great Forest as a full moon rose to take its place among the stars, flooding the great forest in a soft silver light.
Sonic raced through the trees of the Great Forest, wondering what could be so important at the Ring Pool. Sal seemed to think that it was urgent, but she wouldn't tell him what it was.
"You sure you don't wanna tell me Sal?" He turned his head slightly, eyeing the princess.
"Don't worry Sonic. You'll see." Sally said in a suave tone.
Sonic's eyes narrowed as they approached the ring pool. "Sal...what's going on?"
"Remember how you said I should be having some fun?"
"Yeah..." Sonic trailed off, as he and Sally blasted into clearing near the ring pool. Surrounding them were the rest of the Freedom Fighters.
"I decided to give it a try."
Sonic looked around. All the Freedom Fighters, his friends, were enjoying themselves. Across the clearing by the fire sat Tails, a two tailed fox and Sonic's best friend. Next to Tails sat Antoine, in his uniform like always, desperately trying to put out a charred marshmallow. Rotor and Bunnie were there too, trying their best not too laugh at Antoine.
"Sonic."
"Yeah Sal?"
"You can put me down now"
"Oh, ...Right." Sonic smiled sheepishly.
"Sonic! You made it!" Tails rushed over to Sonic and Sally. "What took you so long?"
"Hey little bro! Just got back from a mission. What's going on?"
"We're having a party!" Tails jumped up and down.
"Way past cool!" Sonic said, placing a hand on Tails head. He turned to Sally. "You're idea Sal?"
"Actually it was Bunnie's idea. She figured we needed a break, a chance to cool off since Robotnik was defeated."
"Had to get you outta yer hut some how Sally-girl." Bunnie called from the fire.
"Well you can't have a party without the hedgehog!" Sonic grinned. "Isn't that right Sal?" Sonic waited for the usual sarcastic reply, but it never came.
"You know, Sonic, I think you're right." Sally said loftily, as she started walking towards the fire.
Sonic stood dumbstruck for a split second, then smiled. Sal enjoying herself. Everything really is going to be OK, he thought. With that, Sonic jogged over to join his friends, enjoying the laughter and fun they had all so sorely missed.
The sun rarely shone there, ancient smog permeating throughout the vast old city. It was in ruins, one of steel girders and broken concrete, and its eternal darkness, not like the artificial one of Robotropolis, seemed to warn the living that the dead were not to be disturbed. Old Megaopolis was not to a place to tread on lightly. On the surface, the ruins of skyscrapers were barren of activity. But beneath the city, past the twisting and winding sewers, something that was dormant began to stir. Though not among the dead, it couldn't exactly be among the living either.
At the end of a pitch black tunnel, a massive steel vault door, covered in grime and dirt, closed off the chamber to the waking entity. Within the chamber it was entirely dark, as it had been for many years. Suddenly a small LED light protruding from the ceiling began to flash a faint red, the streams of light spilling into the room, illuminating hazy outlines of abandoned machinery, old circuitry that ran along the walls, and masses of wires dangling from the ceiling. All of these seemingly useless pieces of hardware converged in the center of the room, into the only operating machine, a lone glass cylinder, housing what seemed like a shadow. Abruptly, the room began to hum and vibrate, as if in response to the flashing LED. A hidden generator came on line, disturbing the dust from the ceiling. Slowly the glass cylinder rose vertically, pressurized gas and air releasing from piping around the capsule. There was a dull "thud" as the moving mechanisms of the capsule came to a halt. The room was eerily quiet, the sounds of escaping gas and air having slowly come to a stop. Suddenly another sound filled the void in the room. Unlike the crude and inefficient generator, this hum was pure, powerful, and it had an almost menacing aura about it. The powerful sound emanated from the black, shadowy shape that resided within the now open cylinder. Slowly the sound began to grow in size, until the beast like scream could be heard throughout the entirety of the ruined city, threatening to disturb the slumber of the dead.
The flashing LED suddenly ceased, and with it, the horrific sound, receding to its casual hum. Immediately, two blood red slits activated at the summit of the shadow, a killing nature apparent in their cold gaze. Slowly the figure descended from the capsule, the weight of the metallic steps resounding with loud hard "clanks". The figure stopped at the now open vault door. "SPECTRE ONLINE. SYSTEMS FUNCTIONAL. DIRECTIVES DOWNLOADED. PRIMARY TARGET: KINTOBOR, SNIVELY." The machine spoke in a deep, dark, metallic and almost raspy voice. The machine's direction clear, the robotic figure blasted out of the chamber, with a speed known only to one other being on Mobius.