Chapter 1 - Long Roads

Amy slowly shifted through one of her draws. For the last two months she had been doing this often. In the draw lay a pair of shoes, a gillet and a hat. She slowly took out the hat and sat down on the bed behind her.

"Oh Tails…." she sighed.

She clutched the hat to her chest and pressed her eyes together. She still couldn't believe he was gone. It had been enough dealing with his death not to mention the time afterwards. Although Amy managed to keep herself together in most situations her emotions were quite frail and events like this simple tore them apart. Presently there was a knock at the door. Amy looked up at the door and answered.

"Y…yes?" she said slowly.

"Amy! Glad you're in there, it's Sonia." came a reply.

"Door's open."

The door soon opened and Sonia walked in smiling slightly. She stopped as she saw Amy and her smile faded.

"Oh Amy not again!" she said.

"Again? Since when did I stop?" replied Amy.

"Amy you have to stop tormenting yourself like this. It may sound cruel but he's gone and you have to move on. There's nothing anyone can do about it."

"You don't know that Sonia! With my new skills I might have been able to save him! If only I was there when it happened."

"Amy I feel the same. I think everyone who was here when it happened thinks the same way. The truth is that we weren't and we have to accept it. Time to move on and get on with life."

"How can I get on with my life Sonia?! My everyday task is protecting the timeline of Mobius! Past, present and future all mingle into one and Tails is….was a part of my past and I wish he was still a part of my present. Even with my Acolyte heritage I can do naught to reverse what has happened."

Amy closed her eyes and dropped her head. Sonia slowly sat down next to her and put an arm on her shoulder.

"Amy I know what you're going through." she said.

"You do?" asked Amy looking up.

"Well kinda. I haven't had a husband to loose but I lost my mother when I was seventeen. I stung like hell and truthfully I'm still sad about it now."

Sonia stopped and took hold of both of Amy's shoulders. She spun her towards her and looked directly into her eyes.

"But I've used that feeling to motivate me. Think about how Tails would react if he saw you still mourning like this. That guy was never one for tears Amy. He wouldn't want you doing this. You gotta press on and keep going no matter what."

"I know but it's so hard."

"I know Amy, I know."

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"Why on Mobius did we have to go via the sewers?" moaned Chalk.

"You're spending too much time with Sonia." replied Manic with a grin.

"Oh knock it off." came a joint reply from Sonic and Miles as they walked past.

Chalk sighed and followed on behind them. Manic started to walk alongside.

"So Chalk what you think?" he asked.

"Of what?" she replied.

"Of this survey?"

"Oh the survey!"

Chalk continued to walk but fell into thought. She shook her head occasionally and made a few hand gestures before looking back at Manic.

"I…dunno really. It's just plain odd."

"I hear that. Yo Sonic! BRO!"

"Will you pipe down! We're still in danger even here." hissed Sonic.

Miles turned to look at them and gave them a playful scowl.

"Ok fine!" replied Manic, "Anyway any thoughts?"

"About why it's so quiet? Not a clue." answered Sonic, "It's not normal."

"Yeah its not." put in Miles, "It's like they left."

"I doubt that kid." said Sonic, "But it's a thought isn't it. What if they did leave?"

"Simply pull out and leave all their equipment here, like that's gonna happen." replied Chalk.

"We should be so lucky." said Manic.

"Ok you two knock it off." said Sonic turning round.

"Oh look the king of Mobius is ticked." teased Manic.

"Joy." replied Chalk with a yawn.

Sonic clenched his fists and looked straight at the pair.

"Look just shut up you two. I've got enough on my plate to deal with without you two bugging me like crazy."

"And you think we haven't?" replied Chalk suddenly looking straight at him.

"I didn't say that." replied Sonic.

"But you meant it. Just because you're king doesn't mean you're the only one with troubles! We're all worried sick about one thing or another."

"Hey leave off my dad Chalk! You don't know the half of his troubles!" cried Miles stepping forwards.

"Miles don't get involved." said Sonic.

"Why not?" protested Miles, "You're always saying I should stand up more and now I am and you're knocking me back down."

Sonic was now looking completely raged. Not only were his fists clenched but his eyes were heavily closed and his head slightly hung. His body shook slightly as he stood rooted to the spot.

"Look guys why not lay off this. We've had a hard day and…" started Manic.

"Butt out Manic. I'm getting tired of Blue Boy here thinking he has more troubles than everyone else. It's about time I told him so." snapped Chalk.

The young rabbit was equally as tense as Sonic but looked a bit more fiery. Her eyes were wide open and glaring at Sonic and her hands gripped her gun, Catrina, tightly. She started to walk towards Sonic.

"Think everything revolves around you eh? Ever stopped to think how others were feeling? You weren't the only one to be hurt by Tails death you know! What about Amy and Lavender? What about me and the others? What about…?"

Chalk was suddenly sent flying backwards as Sonic's fist connected with the side of her face. She landed with a loud splash in the sewer water and rolled onto her stomach. She lifted her now dripping wet head and glared back at Sonic. He was now staring at her like she had been at him. Chalk glared back and for a moment there wasn't a sound. Manic and Miles had long since shut up and retreated slightly, they didn't want to get involved now at all.

"You have no freaking clue do you!" screamed Sonic.

Chalk wasn't listening though. She slowly propped herself up on her arms and felt her face. It was exceedingly tender from the strike and was bruising rapidly.

"Why you little…!" started Chalk.

"You have no freaking idea!" repeated Sonic, "You think Tails' death hit me like everyone else? He was my friend long before he met you or the others! I've seen how Amy has been acting lately, it's kinda hard to miss! And then there is the trouble with the EA and Sally and…"

Sonic suddenly stopped in mid sentence. Chalk's glare fell and was replaced by a questioning look.

"Sonic? What's wrong with Sally?" she asked.

Her tone was no longer angry but concerned. Sonic still remained silent and was now looking slightly nervous.

"Dad? What's wrong with mum?" asked Miles behind him

Sonic turned to see Miles standing next to Manic with a worried expression. Sonic quickly looked away and then sighed. He turned and walked past the pair not saying a word. Chalk quickly scrambled to her feet and raced after him. She grabbed his shoulder and spun him round. Sonic was now looking a bit ill and his emotions appeared to have gone from one extreme to another.

"Sonic tell us what's wrong?" she said.

"Just lemme go Chalk." replied Sonic.

Before he could react Chalk had slapped him hard across the face.

"That's for earlier and if you don't tell us what's wrong I'll give you another." warned Chalk.

Sonic absently rubbed the side of his face and looked at Chalk. He sighed and sat down on the thin strip of concrete between the sewer wall and the sewer itself. Chalk and Miles sat down on either side of him and Manic remained standing. Sonic sighed again.

"I dunno really. She just seems lost." he said.

"Lost?" asked Chalk.

"Like when we first evacuated Knotlake." replied Sonic.

"But she's been so energetic recently." said Manic.

"Only on the outside." replied Sonic wiping a hand across his face, "I'm worried sick about her."

"Now then sugah it's probably not as bad as you think it is. She's probably just a bit down because of recent events." said Chalk.

Sonic gave a small smile and looked at her.

"You're starting to sound like Bunnie." he commented.

Chalk suddenly blushed heavily and gave a weak grin.

"Come on we still got a long way to go." said Manic.

"You're right Manic. Come on folks lets get back to Little Planet before we're found."

Sonic quickly stood up followed by Miles and Chalk. Chalk quickly retrieved Catrina from the sewer and the group headed on along the sewer. Miles fell into step alongside Sonic.

"Dad?" he said.

"Yeah Miles." replied Sonic.

"What's wrong with mum….really?"

Sonic didn't reply, he just kept walking.

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"Ouuuuuch!" cried Alicia.

"There sugah nearly done. Just a few minutes longer." said Bunnie.

Bunnie dipped her cloth into a tub of slightly red water and brought it back to its task. Bunnie still couldn't look directly at the wound but she still did her job of cleaning it up. Saying that it was healing nicely now even if it still gave Alicia a lot of trouble. About two weeks ago Alicia had been amongst a group sent to investigate a new EA military base in the Aquatic Ruins. They had feared the EA would somehow find the remains of the ancient echidna space station and be able to reverse engineer any technology they found. Their mission had been survey and sabotage but, like always seemed to be the case, they had been detected. The group had made it out but Alicia had been caught in a blast from a defence cannon and throw into a pile of rubble. Sonia, who had been with them, had felt queasy for days afterwards. It reminded her too much of her injury in Knotlake village a few months ago. Alicia had a nasty wound on her left shoulder from where a jagged metal bar had pierced it. Bunnie and Alindel had been looking after her for the most part while the others were busy.

Bunnie slowly dabbed the wound, wiping off the little bits of cotton fabric from the previous bandage and small bits of fresh blood before she applied a new bandage and sat back.

"All done sugah." she stated.

"Aaah ah ha." replied Alicia.

The teenaged squirrel slowly sat up and put her right hand on the new bandage.

"Sugah don't touch it, even if it itches."

"I try Bunnie but sometimes I just want to rub it up against a cheese grater."

"Well that might cure the itch but nothing else darling. Just leave it alone and it'll heal in time."

"I still don't get why Amy won't just heal it."

"That girl is a bit preoccupied with other things Alicia. I'm sure she would normally but for now you're stuck with the old fashioned ways."

"That plain sucks."

"Then I've got something to take your mind off it." came another voice.

The pair looked round at the door to see a tall black and white cat walking into the room. In her hand was a tray with a pitcher of something and a plate of biscuits.

"Hi Alindel!" cried Alicia.

"Energetic as always sweetie. Thought I'd make us all some fresh lemonade and cherry cookies." replied the cat.

"Alindel you're a life saver." smiled Alicia.

"Ah could use a drink too I think." said Bunnie.

"Glad I made enough then." smiled Alindel.

Alindel sat down in a large chair and set the tray down on a small table. Quickly pouring three glasses she handed them round and then offered the cookies. Alicia took about half of them but no-one minded. Bunnie wasn't that hungry and only took one and Alindel took a couple. The group sat, ate and drank for a few minutes in silence just enjoying the quiet. Finally Bunnie broke it.

"So any idea where Links and Knuckles were sent yesterday?" she asked.

"Not a clue." replied Alindel, "Links didn't tell me anything before he left. Jet neither."

"Jet was talking to me before he left." said Alicia, "He seemed really excited but he didn't say where he was going either."

"It's certainly odd. Sally sending them out like that. A small group and no details for anyone else. Makes you think something is up doesn't it." said Bunnie.

"Possibly but I know Links can handle anything." said Alindel.

"So can Knuckles." replied Bunnie.

"And Jet." put in Alicia.

For a moment there was a silence and then all three burst out laughing.

"Listen to us! We're all mad!" cried Bunnie through her laughs.

"So true." chuckled Alindel.

"Ouch!" cried Alicia.

Bunnie and Alindel looked over at Alicia. The newly applied bandage on her shoulder now had a large red stain slowly spreading across it.

"Oh shucks sugah! You ripped it again." groaned Bunnie.

"I'll get you some fresh water." said Alindel getting up.

"Thanks sugah. Now hold still Alicia."

"Oh man." moaned Alicia.

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"Petya? Petya darling? You awake?" asked T2.

He slowly rocked the wolf in her sleep and gradually Petya woke. Her eyes opened slightly and she looked around. The second she saw T2 her whole body went as stiff as a plank. T2 quickly let go of her and took a hold of her hand. He started to pat it slowly.

"Shh, it's ok Petya. It's me. It's T2." he said quickly.

Slowly Petya's body relaxed and she opened her eyes fully. T2 looked back lovingly as he continued to pat her hand.

"T2?" she said quietly.

"Yes Petya it's me." replied the fox.

Petya slowly moved towards T2 and practically wrapped herself around him. T2 let go of her hand to take her into a full embrace. He could feel Petya's shaking breath against his back and her muzzle pressed against his shoulder. Since Petya had come to about seven weeks ago she had been terrified of anyone and everyone. She had only just started trusting T2 recently but before that she had screamed at anyone who had come near her. T2 had been completely distraught during this time and was still worried for her now. Whatever she experienced on the Phantom must have scarred her exceedingly deep if she didn't even trust her friends anymore.

"Petya darling, how are you feeling today?" he asked.

"Scarred…" replied the wolf slowly.

T2 pressed his eyes together nearly crying as he did. He asked her this everyday and got the same answer. He kept hoping she would answer some other way. Even just an ok would be better than this but the same reply in the same scared voice was starting to make him loose hope. He knew it would take time but he wished it wouldn't. You could say that Petya had been completely broken, her spirit ripped from her and scattered across the darkness of space. Even the Deep Power Stone in her palm seemed to act strangely. It was always glowing a pale red colour and no matter how many times T2 touched it with his Power Stone it never changed. Even the Stone's power had been broken. T2 himself was also feeling bad during this time. Without Petya's half he didn't feel complete and the Power Stone kept on burning him and giving off odd pulses of energy. He couldn't use any of his skills he had discovered and was constantly feeling tired just like Petya.

"What did they do to you Petya? Just what did they do?" said T2 slowly.

"T2…" replied Petya.

T2 sighed, this was going to be a long road.

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Sally sat slumped in a chair in Amy's parent's house. An untouched cup of flat cold coffee sat on a table next to her along with a freshly made ham and cheese sandwich. Sally was leaning on one of her hands and looking at her knees. She wasn't thinking of anything specific, just flicking between various problems. Since the gathering two months previous things had picked up slightly. Under her command the entire group had launched a successful attack on a nearby EA base. They had captured a lot of technology and secured some interesting data during the time. It was this information that she was puzzling over now, a project named "Operation Sunscorch". There had been little info on it and it worried her. For a start she liked to know as much as possible and second the project name didn't sound friendly. Nobody knew why she had dispatched Links, Knuckles and Jet but in truth she was hoping to find out more about this project. She just hoped the trio was careful and made it back in one piece.

Her other problems were small by comparison to this worry but there was something else she was puzzling over. Recently she had started to have exceedingly vivid dreams. They had started a few weeks after the gathering and she had woken up sharply from them at first. Dreams about Tails and his earlier capers. She smiled as she remembered what the young fox had called her, Aunt Sally.

She stretched in her seat and continued to think. Later her dreams had turned inwards towards her own family. Sonic and the children and then to her father. She still held a sensitive spot for him in her heart even after all this time. Sally sat up and looked at the food beside her. She rolled her eyes and sat back down.

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"Can you feel it mother?"

"Yes Talyn I can feel it."

"Mother it's starting again."

"I know dear. Just be ready. This may be our one chance to contact her."

"I hope so, I want to see my sister."

"Don't worry if we do this right you will. I just hope she believes us."