The next day had been set aside as a day of mourning in Knothole. Sonic nor Sally had come out of their huts all day, not even to eat. By the time lunch had come many had wondered what had happened to them. Dr. Osaka and Rosie made sure that the villagers were leaving them alone, knowing that those two were beating themselves up over what had happened. They agreed to talk to them and went to their respective huts. Before heading to Sonic's Dr. Osaka stopped by his hut. He removed the picture of all the Knothole Freedom Fighters from the wall and typed a passcode into the hidden panel. The wall panel moved to the side revealing a small alcove. He pulled out a long object wrapped in cloth and stared at it briefly.
"Old friend," he whispered to himself, "the time has finally come. Your son has chosen to follow in your footsteps."
Sally sat on the end of her bed trying to shake the feeling of guilt. This was her fault. The one time that she didn't take the Freedom Fighters at Cherrywood seriously just happened to be the time that they really needed their help. A knock on her door pulled her from her thoughts. "Who is it?" she asked.
"Rosie," said an aged voice. "We must talk, Princess." Sally walked to the door and let the elderly badger in. She sat back down on her bed and her nanny sat down next to her. "Dr. Osaka told me what happened," Rosie began. "It's not your fault Sally."
"But it is," Sally insisted shaking her head. "If I had taken the distress call seriously-"
"Then the village would've still been wiped out," Rosie said sternly. "From what the doctor told me their deaths were all within a ten-minute time frame. There was nothing you could've done. You would have had to know the attack was going to happen." She put her hand on Sally's. "If there is anyone to blame it is Robotnik for creating this weapon. The guards of Cherrywood are more than a match for regular or even the new SWATbots. Those brave animals would not want you to blame yourself for what happened. They would want you to take Robotnik down for them. Only then can their souls be at rest."
Sally was quiet. Her nanny was exactly right. This WAS Robotnik's fault, not hers. She kept blaming herself for everything and yet none of it was. She wiped the tears from her eyes and looked over at Rosie. "Thank you Rosie," she said. "That helps, but I'm still pretty torn up about losing the village. I just need some time to cope with this."
Rosie smiled. "It's good to hear that Sally," she said. "Now, let's get you something to eat. I know you haven't left your hut all day and you need something in your stomach." Sally nodded and stood up with Rosie. The two of them went in the direction of the dining hut when they saw Dr. Osaka and a cloth-wrapped object in his hand. When Rosie saw what was in his hand her eyes widened and then closed as she smiled.
"It is time then?" she asked the doctor.
He nodded. "I should have given him this a long time ago," he said looking at his hand. "I pray that he will forgive me for waiting so long."
"He will," Rosie assured him. "Those two are peas in a pod. I'm sure he'll understand."
Dr. Osaka smiled and continued on his way. Sally and Rosie continued as well as Sally turned to her.
"What was that about?" she asked. "What was he carrying?"
"Nothing," Rosie answered, patting the princess' hand. "Adrian is just keeping a promise to an old friend."
Unlike Sally Sonic was busy getting his things ready. He had made up his mind and nothing could change it. Not that it made it easier, it simply solidified his thinking. No matter what Dr. Osaka said Daryl had still been right. If there was even the remote chance that he could have prevented it...
If I simply had the proper training, Sonic thought. I will not allow any more tears to be shed because we did nothing. I promise to get stronger, then we can defeat Robotnik and end this war once and for all!
"If you're thinking what I think you are, you may be right."
Sonic turned towards his door and saw Dr. Osaka leaning against the wall. "You really should lock your door if you don't want people coming in unannounced," he suggested standing tall. "And while I may not agree with your decision I will support you in the only way possible."
"How...did you know?" Sonic asked.
"I've seen that look before," Dr. Osaka admitted. "Many years ago your father had the same look before joining the Royal Guard."
"My father?" Sonic said surprised. "You knew my old man?"
"Yes," Dr. Osaka said nodding. "We were friends long before the coup. We grew up together, went to school, even had our own little schemes as pranksters. As a matter of fact that's how he met your mother."
Sonic stopped packing. He remembered his parents and a few memories of them but little else. He had always wanted to know more but Uncle Chuck had never told him. "What were they like?" he asked finally.
"You get your sense of heroism from your father," Dr. Osaka said smiling walking over to Sonic. "He and your uncle were the most unlikely of brothers. While his brother got the brains, Eric got the skills. He became an incredible swordsman and was eventually appointed to second-in-command of the Royal Guard. I had heard rumors his skills were on par with that of the Captain of the Guard, Antoine's father. As for your mother, Alura, I have yet to see a more beautiful animal. You get your looks from her as well as your charm. I wouldn't have had a chance with her once she met your father, even if he had put her hand in warm water overnight."
The two of them laughed. "That was the most savage beating I've ever seen Eric take without fighting back," Dr. Osaka continued. "They were perfect for each other in every way. After you were born your mother gave up her career to raise you. It turned out to be a good thing once your speed developed."
"How is it that I have that?" Sonic asked his curiosity piqued. "Uncle Chuck said he didn't know."
Dr. Osaka was silent for a moment as his previous mirth faded. "It wouldn't surprise me that he doesn't know," he said finally. "We thought at first it was genetic but then both your father and uncle would have had it."
"What happened to them?" Sonic asked. "I heard they vanished before the coup happened and my mother left me in Rosie's care."
Dr. Osaka shook his head. "That I don't know," he admitted. "The King had given them some sort of secret order that Eric wouldn't discuss even with me. They left the week of the coup without a word and haven't been heard from since. I have tried contacting them through other Freedom Fighter bases but have had no luck." He finally held up the wrapped object and handed it to Sonic. "Before they left he wanted me to give you this. Think of it as your inheritance."
Sonic unwrapped it to reveal a sheathed katana. The saya (sheath) itself was jet black and the tsuba (guard) was shaped in a five-pointed star pattern. There was a back strap attached to the saya with the design and crest of the Royal Guard on it. The tsuka (hilt) was wrapped in a tightly bound red leather in a crisscrossing design. Sonic began to unsheathe it when the entire hut was filled with bright light. The edge was so white it almost glowed while the back only a few shades darker. Sonic's eyes began to water as what this was settled in.
"My dad's...sword," he said. "I remember he used to carry this around. No matter how many times I asked he would never show it to me. He would always say I was too young to be around a sword."
"Before he left with your mother he entrusted me with it," Dr. Osaka said sighing. "He said to give it to you 'when the time was right'. I didn't know what he meant then but now I think he meant when you begin to discover your own way in the world." The lynx sat down at Sonic's table, a great weight off of his shoulders. "I know that you intend to train with Daryl, Sonic," he admitted. "While I don't agree with your decision I know that I cannot change your mind. You must do what your heart says is right. If you follow your heart you can do no wrong. I know you can do this, Sonic." With that Dr. Osaka left Sonic to his own thoughts. The young hedgehog looked at him as left and then down at his father's sword, gripping the tsuka tighter before sheathing it.
"Thank you, Dad," he whispered and brushed a tear from his eye. He strapped the katana onto his back so that he could draw with his right hand. "I won't let you guys down. I promise."
