DISCLAIMER: "Sonic the Hedgehog" and most other characters and situations in the following story are copyrighted trademarks of Sega Incorporated, Archie Comics and/or DIC Productions. Permission to reproduce this specific material may be granted by the author so long as you email first. (c)2008 velvetdcoolette .
CHAPTER 9And so Starla spent the evening with the Knothole Freedom Fighters. She drank, listening to Sonic and Sally's story and discussing a little of what had happened to them in Robotropolis. Starla was surprised to find that she actually enjoyed the social contact, couldn't help feeling sad. It was becoming clearer and clearer that Sonic and Sally loved eachother.
Sally grew tired very early. Before midnight had passed, the ground squirrel stretched and said something about a busy day tomorrow. Sonic agreed to walk her home. Bunnie and Rotor on the other hand had plenty more energy, and for that Starla was grateful. They continued to talk long into the night, about Robotnik and espionage tactics, about life in the village and the value of friendship.
Early in the morning they had a good laugh when Rotor brought out an odd little piece of technology he'd made: a pixellated companion. It was a small white block, and when he switched it on, a face lit up on the front. The walrus said nothing, grinning at the two girls as they puzzled over the strange device.
"So, what is it?" Starla eventually asked.
In response, the box's face mouthed her words. Bunnie, giggly and drunk, laughed at it, and the box duly mouthed along with her laughter. This set Starla into fits of laughter, with Rotor soon joining in.
Benny the Box (as they christened it) silently mocked their every word, though they each enjoyed getting their revenge: Rotor had built another function into Benny. In response to obscuring the light with one's hand or a piece of cloth, its face registered surprise, bafflement, delight, terror, thought, anger or sulkiness.
In response to some of these expressions, Starla accidentally snorted her cider through her nose and had to stand over the sink, blinking and coughing.
SONIC SATAM
Sunlight filtered through the windows of Rotor's crooked hut. A rogue beam crept from the floor, up the legs of an old worn chair and eventually to the pink fur of its dozing occupant. She shifted at the warmth of that light but didn't respond any further until it reached her face.
The pink female stretched, slowly opening her eyes. "What time is it?" she yawned.
The sofa creaked as whoever lay on it stirred. "It ain't early any more," Bunnie answered.
Starla squinted lazily around the room, wondering whether to get up and wash or stay curled up for a little while longer. I've got a headache. Bunnie crossed over to the bathroom. Okay, I'll wait. But I think I'll get a drink of water now.
She returned to the chair and sipped, looking around the room. Her eyes fell on a white box in the corner. Benny! Despite the slightly sick feeling in her body, she dragged the chair to the worktop Benny sat on. Sitting backwards on the chair, the hybrid regarded the box.
"Hey there," she said to a simultaneous response from the box. She grinned groggily. "Thanks for making me laugh this morning. You're funny!" She paused, and raised one wing to obscure Benny's supply of light. It looked baffled. "I think you made me laugh more than Phyre ever did," she continued and huffed quietly, then had an idea. "D'you wanna be my next man? I promise I'll wash all the dishes, and I'll listen to your problems!" she chuckled and Benny mocked her. She posed for the box, ran a hand through her hair as if seducing Benny. "So whaddaya say?" She blocked the light to the box. It registered delight. "You're so sweet!"
At that moment a door creaked open and Starla looked over to see Rotor emerge from his bedroom. The walrus offered Starla a wry look and she could only laugh. He looked like she felt - a little groggy. Is this what a hangover's like?
Despite his appearance, Rotor made an efficient start on organising Starla and Phyre's return back home. Soon, the others joined them.
SONIC SATAM
"Starla," Sally began when NICOLE was configured and Rotor had completed the hydrogen bottle, "do you want to call Phyre or would you like some help?"
Rotor and Bunnie had shared the story of Phyre's intrusion yesterday evening and she seemed aware that the male alien might be sulking. Starla thought for a moment.
"Uh... you know what? I think I'll go get him myself." I'm not so weak I can't deal with him!
Sally shared a glance with Rotor. "Well, if you're sure. See you in a few minutes. We'll set off for a SpaceTime pocket then!"
SONIC SATAM
Starla experienced an unpleasant thrill of anticipation as she knocked on the hut door. She looked around at the village, remembering Phyre's words yesterday: I'm gonna go cruisin', don't wait up!
What if he's not here? What if he spent the night in another hut? How will I find him then?
A rustling filtered through from the room inside. "What?!"
"It's me," Starla called. "You wanna go home?"
There was a pause, then footsteps pounded and the door opened. "What?! You could get us back all along? You-"
"No, durr-brain! Sally and-" Will he want to meet Rotor again? Probably not. She coughed to try and disguise the slip-up. "...Sally can. So are you coming with me or not?"
"Screw you!"
Starla fumed with frustration. What do I say now? She wondered how to shift him. Then she had it! "What, and miss your chance with Naomi?"
Phyre looked uncertain for a moment, then scowled once more. "To hell with that!" he blustered, then brooded for a moment. "What is this creepy place anyway? Everybody's so..."
Starla exhaled. She wasn't enjoying this conversation, but kind of knew what Phyre was talking about. "Boring? Quiet? Nerdy?" she offered. Phyre said nothing. "Yeah, I know. You kinda get used to it. But they know how to get us back where we belong, and if you don't want the same crap from your parents as I'm gonna get from mine, then we'd better get back as soon as we can."
Phyre seemed to think of something. "Oh yeah, and that's another thing! What we gonna tell the guys at school? We just disappeared, Starla! What they gonna think? Huh? That we just ran away?"
"Yeah, possibly! Welcome to my world, Phyre!" the two hybrids eyed eachother, both angry yet uncertain how to continue this conversation. Eventually Starla said, "So what do you want them to believe?"
This seemed to catch Phyre off-guard. "Uhh..."
Starla leaned on the door frame. "We could tell 'em the same story."
"Like what?"
Starla shrugged. "We both ran away together sounds better than just me by myself."
Phyre shook his head. "No way! Why would I run away with you, Starla?! Anyway, Naomi saw what happened, you dumbwad! She knows we didn't run!"
Starla's fury rose, but she fought to control it. "Oh, and you've got a better idea?"
Phyre looked as if trying to come up with one, but eventually shrugged and looked away.
Starla exhaled. "Look, here's what we do. We go back, we say we ran away together, and if Naomi says anything different, we just say she's lying. How's that to you?"
"Whoah, sister!" Phyre exclaimed, making a T sign with his hands. "I ain't callin' Naomi a liar! I got chances there, you know that?"
Starla rolled her eyes. Don't rise to it... Don't rise to it. "Then come up with somethin' else! Now, I'm gonna find Sally. Are you coming with me or are you gonna stay here?" Starla turned and walked away in the direction she'd come.
After a pause, Phyre followed. Yes! You did it, girl!
SONIC SATAM
Rotor stood alongside his companions, waiting for the two aliens. Everything was ready: Sally had NICOLE primed and ready to scan for SpaceTime, he had a bottle of hydrogen gas in one hand. In the other, he held a present for Starla, wrapped in old paper. Soon enough, Starla appeared around the corner, closely followed by a very sour-looking Phyre.
Rotor shared a glance with Sonic - he and the others had related the story of Phyre's unwelcome intrusion yesterday evening. Sonic and Sally had both been surprised, more so when they learned from Starla that he was like this all the time. So far as the Freedom Fighters were concerned, Phyre had outstayed his welcome. Sally and Bunnie had already pooh poohed the idea that Phyre would have any luck with the Knothole girls, though Starla's look of affected indifference hadn't fooled anyone. Rotor sensed Sonic step a little closer to Sally.
Looking at Starla now, Rotor was pretty sure she'd resolved most of her feelings about Phyre. She approached with quiet confidence, without looking back at her former partner. Rotor decided he was pleased for the girl.
Sally smiled as the aliens came within speaking distance; only Starla smiled back. "Hi guys, are you ready?" the ground squirrel greeted.
Starla nodded in response; Phyre didn't react.
"Okay, let's go." Starla seemed content to follow as Sally began to walk, NICOLE held up. Bunnie walked on. Rotor and Sonic turned to Phyre, who stood cross-armed and sulking.
"Yo, Phyre," Sonic snapped, "get with the programme."
The alien scowled, and the two freedom fighters looked at eachother. Rotor moved forward to nudge Phyre in the girls' direction, but he flinched and went by himself. Watching the hybrid closely, Sonic and Rotor flanked him.
SONIC SATAM
They must have been in luck, for no longer than 15 minutes passed before the group found what they were looking for. Sally tapped NICOLE who projected a faint red light over the SpaceTime pocket. She stepped back to give the hybrids space. "Well, you know what to do, Starla," she prompted.
The pink female nodded and walked into the space. Phyre just scowled, arms folded, although he did look grudgingly curious about the patch of red air. "What is that?"
"Come on, Phyre," Starla tutted. She gripped the male's wrist and yanked him into the red space. He grunted with pain but seemed determined not to show it hurt.
Starla reached out to take the bottle. "Okay," she began, flicking her hair. "What we do is stand in this space-" she indicated the red air for Phyre's benefit. "-wait for the guys to get real far back..." she raised her eyebrows at Sonic, who made to move, but Rotor beat him to it.
"Starla, I got you somethin'!"
She paused uncertainly. "You did? What?"
He stepped forward, offering a wrapped-up package. "This!"
She frowned in confusion, then gripped the bottle between elbow and waist to scrutinise the contents of the paper. From this distance, Sally barely saw the corner of a white box.
Starla looked up with a laugh. "Aww, shucks, Rotor! Thanks!"
Phyre craned his neck for a view but Starla hurriedly wrapped it again and playfully held it away. "Anyway," she said, picking up the narrative again, "we wait for Sonic to get the guys away, 'cuz if they don't, they'll come through with us. Sonic?" she prompted, and the hedgehog nodded.
"Good luck, Starla," he said, and the pair smiled at eachother. "And you, Phyre," headded, sounding a little gruffer.
Phyre said nothing.
"Okay, line up guys," Sonic declared, and the tem linked hands, ready to escape. "Juice and jam time!"
SONIC SATAM
"What is that?" Phyre persisted, trying to get at the package. But Starla wasn't at all interested in revealing the gift.
"Wait and find out later!" She hid the package behind her back, but Phyre reached around to grab it.
SONIC SATAM
From the periphery of the village, Bunnie and the gang watched the two hybrids fight and wondered if they'd end up messing up their return. Starla hid the mysterious package behind her back, Phyre reached around to grab it only for Starla to grip his waist with one arm. With the male trapped, she brought the bottle up to her jaws, wrenched the cork out, and the duo disappeared in a flare of blinding light. Both of the aliens were gone.
"Well, I guess that's it," Sally said, and the animals parted company. Sonic took Sally's hand and headed for the river, and Rotor began the walk back home. After a moment's thought, Bunnie decided to tag along with him.
"So what was in the paper?" She asked.
Rotor glanced at her and then chuckled. "Starla seemed to like Benny."
"The box!" she laughed, understanding. "Oh, Rotor, you gave her the box!"
"Uh huh!" he replied. "Well, it's gotta be better than Phyre!"
As they went into his house to ride out their hangovers, the pair stifled another chuckle.
TWO WEEKS LATER
Antoine dropped his suitcase onto the top step with a heavy thud. The return trip had been long and frustrating and he was tired. After a few seconds' rest, he fished a key from his pocket and unlocked the front door. It swung open to reveal his home, dark and familiar...
Then he noticed a line of string threaded from one side to the other, loaded with pieces of paper spelling: W-E-L-C-O-M-E-B-A-C-K-A-N-T-O-I-N-E-!
Sonic and Sally, Bunnie, Rotor and Tails leapt out from behind the furniture with a cheerful cry. "SURPRIIIIIIISE!"
Antoine was briefly lost for words. "Ah... but zank-you, my... my very good friends!"
"No biggie, Ant!" Sonic exclaimed and approached with a bottle of cider, closely followed by Bunnie.
"Welcome back, Sugartwan!" the rabbit sang, and hugged him.
Tired as Antoine was, he couldn't resist her infectious enthusiasm and hugged back. He looked around at the bowls of food laid out on the surfaces.
"You did all zis... for me?"
"Hell yeah, Sugah!" Bunnie replied.
Antoine let out an embarrassed laugh. "You are too good for me!"
"Hey, great to see ya again, Antoine!" Rotor joined in. "And man, have we got a story to tell you!"
THE END.
