;_; why? Why didn't anyone review? I wrote a good chapter didn't I?
*continues to sob*
Sally: ya know people she knows a lotta people read it but since no one reviewed she doesn't know for sure.
WWAAAAHHHH!
Sally: ya made her cry, see. Well if any of you notice any stains on this chapter, they're probably her tears
Oh, that's good, I gotta write it down *searches franticly for piece of paper*
Sally: well looks like the writer in her kicked in
Yeah, anyway I'd like to welcome back Starlet Angel, my most dedicated reviewer, and hope that she gets better soon. This chapter I hope she enjoys reading. Well, on with the fic.
************************************************************************
Knuckles was running out of the temple and through the jungle of Angel Island. Being used to the terrain he easily sped through the mud and brush. The rain splattered on his red fur causing his dreadlocks to rumple and for strands to stick out. He panted as he ran in heavy breaths that echoed with the rain. His huge spiked hands cut through the leaves and shrubs that blocked his way.
After a time he stopped and hid from the rain underneath the branches of a tree. He leaned his head against the trunk and let his breaths slow. He coughed, and to his surprise sneezed. He made a face and rubbed his nose with his index finger.
"Figures, you running off to it," said a voice. Knuckles jumped to his feet and put his hands in front of him. He prepared to fight the intruder. The brush slowly began to shake, then part. Knuckles instantly put his guard down when he saw who it was.
"Rouge, what're you doing here?" he asked with some surprise. "You felt it too," he said amazingly without the surprise of his first sentence.
"Of course, I'm just as much in tuned with the emeralds as you are," she answered with an edge of arrogance in her voice. (A/N I've only heard her voice on SA2 Battle and that's just about what it sounds like)
"Then why is it you came here. The source is down there."
"Well I couldn't tell exactly where it was. I'm sure you couldn't either."
"Yeah, I had to use Tikal's orb to see where it was coming from. What or whoever it was that caused it hid it well."
"Well what do you think it was?"
"Well we both know it wasn't the emeralds. I assumed it must've been from the emerald Sonic has."
"You trusted HIM with an emerald?"
"Figured nothing would happen as long as he had it."
"Yeah right."
"Hey, Sonic takes some things seriously, and he wouldn't make this big of a flux just playing around with it."
"Knowing Sonic, he could do anything."
"Well Rouge, you still haven't answered my question, why are you here?"
"I couldn't find the source on my own, so I figured maybe you'd lead me to it."
"Hmph, is that the only reason you're here?"
"Why else would I be caught dead in a place like this, except for maybe to steal the emeralds."
"Don't you dare get any ideas!" Knuckles said blocking her way back.
"Don't worry, this thing's got a lotta power, even more than the emeralds. I figure it might be more worth it."
"Yeah, and you also know it had to come from a jewel. You're just here to steal it."
"Whatever gave you that idea?" she said trying to sound innocent.
"Well you aren't following me if that's you're reason."
"Relax, after all this thing could be a lot. You might need my help."
The two stared at each other intensely. They studied each other, scanning for reasons for what they were about to do. For some reason to why they made their decision. Knuckles turned around turning his back to Rouge.
"Come on," he said without turning around.
The two made their way through the jungle at a walking pace. The temple that held the emeralds was at the center of it all, so it was thick in every direction. They made their way in complete silence only looking out in front so not to bump into trees.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sonic walked out to see Sally scribbling on a piece of paper. He looked over her to see what she was drawing. When he did she only moved her head to block his view. He tried looking over her shoulder this time. This time she looked up and blinked twice. Sonic looked back into her face.
"Whatcha doin' kid?" he asked.
"Drawing," she answered simply. "See?"
She moved out of the way showing Sonic her artwork. It was nothing more than a few scribbles of crayons of different colors on paper. There were different scribbles in different corners of the paper. They depicted random scenes that weren't at all linked, nor could they ever.
"Nice kid," Sonic said as nicely as he could. He casually walked away and over to Amy and Tails who were having breakfast. He yawned and stretched his arms out. He stared at his cereal bowl, which seemed to move and duplicate in front of his eyes. The bowls then began to spin in his mind.
"Sonic, ya gonna take the kid to the park today?" Tails asked not looking up from his bowl.
"Huh? Wha-?" Sonic said snapping out of his daze.
"You said you would take her to the park today. She promised to not leave your sight, remember?" Amy said.
"Oh, yeah. Do we hafta go now?" Sonic said rubbing his eyes. He then let out a yawn and stretched his arms out at the same time. He also had his feet on the table and leaned back on the table. The action caused him to lean too far and fall over.
"Maybe later then," said Amy with a sweat drop going down her face.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sonic, Amy, and Tails did as planned and Sally kept her end of the deal. After a day of following their orders they decided they could trust her enough to stay on a bench while they went to get hot dogs. They left Sally there to wait for them. Sally did exactly as she was told, not wanting to anger them again, and started staring up at the sky and trees.
It was then she noticed the bench creak. She turned to her side to see another person sitting next to her. He was a big man with a large nose. He had on glasses that were so dark they would've appeared one-way. He had a round body and long legs leading up to big feet. He wore a red jacket with blue pants and black shoes. He was mostly bald only he had clumps of hair that came out from the side of his head, he reminded Sally of a clown she had seen on TV. He sat casually on the bench with one hand propped on top of the bench and the other in his lap. He looked out onto the people, not looking at Sally, but it seemed that he wasn't paying attention to them.
He finally turned to face Sally. His jacket hid his mouth and his eyes didn't show. Sally had no idea what things were now being displayed on his face. She looked up back at him.
"Hiya mister," she said perkily.
The man looked at her. He leaned in to talk to her. Before he said anything he craned back up and looked around to see if anyone was watching, or if someone was there that wasn't supposed to be. After he had been satisfied that everything was fine, he leaned in toward her once more.
"Hello there little girl," he whispered in her ear. Sally pulled her ear away slowly and pondered over what she had just heard. She then turned back to him and scooted closer to him.
"Hiya mister!" she said louder than she had the first time. The man quickly put a finger to his lips and blew softly. Sally had never before seen the gesture, but she knew what it meant. "Hiya mister," she said more softly.
"So you new to this city?" he asked casually, but still in a whisper.
"Yup," she said normally.
"And do you take orders from Sonic?"
"Whadaya mean 'orders'?"
"Well, does he tell you what to do?"
"Yeah."
"Do you do it?"
"No."
"I see. I've seen that you're quite the strong one," he said fading from the whisper to a normal talking voice.
"Huh?" Sally said looking up from her swaying feet.
"I can make you more powerful, stronger, faster than you have ever dreamed. All you hafta do is do what I tell you to do."
"Um. . .," Sally, thought until she was interrupted when she saw someone familiar coming. "Hey Sonic," she called and waved. She went right around the man in front of her. The man froze and ran away in an instant. Sally could only stare and he hid right behind a tree, his round body popping out of the shape of the trunk.
"Hey kid. Was there someone next to you?" Sonic asked as he handed her hotdog to her.
"Nah, nobody really," she said as she munched down.
The man watched as they finished and walked around the park. All the while he watched them from behind trees clearly seen, though not to him. When they stopped he observed their conversation. Sonic appeared to be yelling at Sally for jumping over a water fountain and spraying innocent passer- byes with water.
"Why won't you do what I tell you to do? You listen to Shadow!" Sonic said turning into a ball with a head and his arms waving in the air. (A/N anime style remember?)
"That's 'cause Shadow's way more cooler than you," Sally answered simply crossing her arms. Sonic fell on the ground anime style.
It was then Robotnic got all the information he needed. Apparently she only took orders from one person, and that one person left the city for who- knows-where a few days ago. Robotnic snickered to himself from behind the tree, then faded from sight.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
As the gang was making their way home at the end of the day Sonic, Amy, and Tails decided to get some candy to show Sally when they got home. Wanting it to be a surprise to the little hedgehog they told her to stay put while they went. They had left Sally alone once again.
"Hello again," the man said friendlily. Sally turned around to see the same one leaning casually on a tree with one arm. He walked up to her.
"What is your answer to my preposition?"
"I guess. Shadow would've liked me stronger anyway. Ok with me I guess," she said innocently. "Ya do know you talk funny," she said trying to point out the obvious.
"Good then," said Robotnic as they shook hands. "Meet me on your balcony tonight, after the others have gone to sleep. I will take you back to my factory and you'll get what's promised."
"Okey-dokey," Sally agreed. Little did she know what she was getting into. She turned to see the gang coming back from the store. She turned back to see empty space next to her. She let out a confused "Hm" before turning back to the gang.
"Hey, kid. Look at what we gotcha," said Sonic holding up a plastic bag.
"Oooooh," Sally stared at that bag, her eyes going bigger. "Gimmie!" she yelled lunging for it.
"Uh, uh, uh," Sonic waved his index finger in the air in front of her face. He pulled the bag out of her reach just before she could reach it. "Not until we get home."
Sally made a pout face with her hands in fists down at her sides. Her face then perked up, indicating she had an idea. She grinned and put her hands behind her. She walked over in the same manner and took Sonic's hand. With a sudden jolt she pulled him hard and dragged him behind her while she ran at supersonic speeds. Sonic wavered like a piece of paper trailing behind her, his feet swaying up in the air. Amy and Tails looked at each other, shrugged, and followed behind the pair.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sally whipped back to apartment in a flash. She zipped through the door and threw Sonic onto the floor. He landed feet first, so the weight of his upper body compressed a bit until he popped back up like an accordion. He clutched his head for a moment while curlicues circled in his pupils.
"Now Sonic?" Sally asked annoyingly.
"Uh yeah, I guess," Sonic said in a loopy way as he handed the bag to her. He missed her open arms so Sally had to follow his to get the treats. Tails and Amy arrived to see her whisk the bag away to her room and put it next to the M&M's Tails had given her. When she put it down she reached her hand in, and pulled out as many bags of candy she could hold with just one. She ripped them open and shoved the contents into her mouth. After a loud crack she held her bulging cheek in pain. Sally hadn't realized they had also bought hard candy. She looked down at the M&M bag and finally opened it. She gazed inside at its colorful contents. An idea came to her when she remembered the picture she was drawing earlier that morning. She had sketched scenes she had seen, everything from the city, to her desert home. The rainbow orbs seemed to take different shapes, and reminded Sally of many things. She clutched the bag in her hand and toddled out her room. She came back into the living room to see two new creatures standing there talking to Sonic and the others. She quickly jumped back into the safety of the shadows behind a corner. She watched the creatures suspiciously, and with cunning you wouldn't expect her to have. She put the bag close to her and as she looked at the balls their colors reminded her of her friends. She clutched the bag even more tightly for fear the two new creatures would hurt them in any way. She peeked over the corner and listened as best she could.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"So what're you guys doing here?" Sonic asked the two.
"We detected something here. . .," Knuckles started.
". . . And we came to investigate," Rouge finished. Knuckles glared at her but she just came back with a smirk.
"What exactly?" Tails asked.
"I felt a surge of power," said Knuckles.
"As did I," Rouge said.
"According to Tikal's orb it came from here. She created that thing so we could detect fluxes and other things related to the emeralds or any big power."
"We thought it came from your Chaos Emerald. It's the only thing in the area but this surge was much more powerful, too powerful to be just your emerald alone."
"Even the Master Emerald couldn't give off that big of a wave unless in a time of need."
"So you guys thought it was me? Why, don't ya trust me?"
"No," everyone in the room replied. Sonic fell to the ground anime style.
"Geez, I know how to handle this kinda power. I'll show ya! Watch!" Sonic reached into his pocket (A/N ya know how animals just reach into their fur and a pocket shows up) and pulled out, nothing but air. Sonic looked at his hand with shock. He could've sworn that's where he had always put it. He put his hand back in, but still nothing came out.
"You're not going to find it there, Sonic," Sally said as she came out reluctantly from the shadows. She scanned the new visitors and never took her eyes off them, even when she was talking to Sonic.
"Whadaya mean?" Sonic questioned.
"Shadow took the pretty shiny thing," Sally answered innocently with her voice going up at different times.
"He what!"
"The day he left he took it from you while you were sleeping. I was there so he told me not to tell you until you came looking for it. He also said to pay real attention to your face, and he was right, it is funny."
Sonic's face became as red as a cherry as his cheeks puffed up as he inhaled air to stop from screaming. "SHADOW!" Sonic yelled thrusting his fists into the air as he screamed.
++++++++++++Somewhere in the jungle also somewhere++++++++++++++++++++++
Sonic's yelled echoed all over. Shadow was sitting on top of a treetop with his legs stretched out. "Looks like the faker finally found out," he sighed with satisfaction. "The kid really knows how to follow orders."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"I can't believe he took it, and right under my nose!"
"Well that just reassures why we can't trust you," Rouge said sarcastically.
"Oh, man. I wonder what Shadow's doing with it now. No wonder it gave such a big flux, it's in his hands now."
"Yeah, but the flux came from here," Knuckles reasoned. "If he left with the emerald then it must not be the one causing it. Something else must be here that's giving it off."
"Eggman probably. He's a city guy, right?"
"Yes, but the flux was more magical than mechanical."
"So what're we going to do you two, search the entire city?" Rouge demanded.
"It's the only choice we have. The power was so well hidden all the orb said was that it was in this city. Tikal will inform us if anything changes through the charm she gave me. Since she hasn't said it moved it must still be here. We'll just have to split up and search," said Knuckles.
"The city's huge! How do you expect us to find it?"
"Do you have any better ideas?"
Rouge remained silent. As much as she wanted to make the echidna eat his words, she couldn't think of a way to stuff them back in. She reluctantly let herself be defeated and stared out the window.
"So groups or individually?"
Knuckles smirked at his small win. It was nice to see Rouge get beaten for once.
"Sonic, who're your new friends? They look really strong, they kinda scare me," Sally cut in.
"This is Knuckles and Rouge. Knuckles guards the Master Emerald and the Chaos Emeralds and Angel Isle. Rouge hunts the emeralds and. . . other stuff I guess," Sonic answered.
"How can we be sure we can trust you?" Amy looked at Rouge suspiciously. "How do we know you won't turn against us again?"
"Because #1 I don't work for GUN anymore, it got a bit boring. #2 this thing is a lot more for just Knucklehead to handle."
"And #3 she wants the power for herself," Knuckles finished.
"Pffht. Listen I'll help, but the power's mine in the end. I won't turn against you until we stop it. Face it, you need my help."
"We don't even know what it is yet," Tails pointed out.
"Neither do we. I can only hope we can stop it," said Knuckles.
"Emeralds?" Sally asked when they stopped talking. "I don't get it."
"They're full of power and things like that. Things you wouldn't understand."
"Oh, ok then."
"Well enough talk. We've come a long way and need a rest," Rouge cut in running her hand through her ears.
"Yeah, it's a long way from Angel Isle," said Tails. "Knuckles can sleep on the floor of Sonic's room, and Rouge can sleep in Amy's room."
"I don't know," said Knuckles. "The last time I saw Sonic's room you couldn't even see the floor."
"Hey, it's not that bad!" yelled Sonic.
Amy snickered and led Rouge to her room. Sally watched them carefully. Even if Sonic and Amy trusted these people, didn't mean she had to. She was just beginning to when she heard the word 'emerald'. Somehow it triggered a memory or a bit of knowledge from deep within her. She knew there was something about them that even they didn't know, but she did.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
After everyone had settled in and gone to sleep Sally crept out. She was given only a small closet so no one but her could find it cozy. Creeping out she creaked open the doors of Amy's and Sonic's rooms checking to see if the party was dozing. After hearing deep breaths and snores from each body, she crept out onto the balcony. The moonlight flooded out upon her. She had to shield her eyes from the change of light compared to the dark apartment. She shivered slightly as the wind blew her pigtails slightly. She stared up at the sky, counting the stars. She knew each of them by name. She had watched them her entire life, and to her they seemed timeless. Through her life the stars were the only ones that were always there, the only ones that stayed long enough to always be.
She was started from her thoughts when a machine pulled up to the balcony. It resembled a hover car and floated from the railing. The door opened revealing the man at its controls. He offered his hand toward her like a gentlemen. She took it and climbed aboard. She enjoyed flying over the city a second time through the one-way windows. She pressed her hands to the black glass.
The hover car flew over the city and to an abandoned factory. Eggman's factory where he had devised many plans, and created the things to carry it out had been destroyed. He salvaged the remaining equipment he had and moved to an old factory near the edge of town. It was in this same factory he was contacted by the figure.
The jets on the bottom of the car slowed. With a final press the car descended and landed. The doors opened like a regular car, and Sally hopped out. He led her over to the wall and pressed a brick. The covering of the brick came up revealing some gizmo that took up the rest of the brick with a green glass circle in the middle. Eggman walked up and opened his eye in front of the circle. A small light scanned his pupil. This was the only time he lifted up his glasses to reveal his brown eyes. After the scan was complete he pushed against the wall causing it to spin like a bookcase hiding a door. He gestured his hands inside, and Sally obeyed. She skipped into the darkness without a second thought. Eggman followed behind her. As he stepped in the door swung back into regular position. Outside there was an empty hover car, but nothing else to suggest anything other than a drive had happened.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Once inside the lights went on exposing the hallway they were traveling on. Sally looked up at the inside lights with wonder. Eggman went in front of her, and led her around. They went straight and followed the hallway. Sally could only wonder what the many side doors held. They followed the hallway through its turns and straights. They finally came to one of the rooms of the factory. It was a big room that contained the old conveyor belts, which were now rusty, and dull. The room was mostly dark except for the lights on the ceiling. The old equipment had been taken apart and sharp pieces lay in piles around the room. The darkness of the room, the light coming only from the ceiling, and the moonlight shining in through the high windows gave the impression of protruding shapes instead of the piles. They resembled arms reaching up in the shallow light. The only place that was clear was in the center. In the center was a lone display case that seemed to be the center of importance. The piles of twisted metal retracted from the shadows around it, as if they halted in its presence and revered it.
The display case was very neat. It had a pure black base with a clear glass top. It was rectangular in shape. Inside it seemed to something red, Sally still had no idea what they were.
Eggman walked up to the case and rested one hand on the top. He leaned on it casually as he faced her. Even though Sally couldn't see his face, she could tell he was very pleased with himself, and even more pleased that he could show someone his fantastic invention.
"This is my most recent and greatest invention," he said waving his hands in front of it. "They will give you speed, force, and even flight if you learn to control them."
"Ooooh," Sally let out as she stared at the case. It reflected the light so she couldn't see inside so well. The clear glass was also higher than she could see. "What are they?"
"Well. . .," he lifted up the case and took the glass off. Reaching his hands in he lifted them up, one in each hand. They fit precisely in his palms and he handled them like precious stones.
He then turned to show them to Sally who also couldn't be without awe. Her eyes went big, and sparked as they did. Sally then knew this was the greatest gift she would ever get.
************************************************************************
Well, wadya think?
Sally: not bad, at least I get lotsa gifts in this chapter
Yeah, at least I'm getting better at the cliffhanger thing. Now what did Robotnic give you?
Sally: oh yeah, they were really neat. I get to do some cool stuff thanks to them.
Well in the next chapter you'll see what Sally got and how she's gonna use them. Robotnic will also have her do something for him as her end of the deal.
Sally: forgetting something?
Oh, yeah. Sonic the hedgehog and all other characters belong to Sega. The only things that I own are Sally, Sally's attacks and equipment, and Star's stuff. She won't appear until the later chapters near the end. Also the song in the last chapter was "Get a Clue by Sir Simon and Milo (they're some Disney singers or something) and I heard the song on my little sister's radio station and decided it fit. Listen to it and you'll really get a good feeling on how the mall wreck came about.
Sally: you forgot?
At least I put it in the next chapter. Also Rouge and Knuckles were introduced.
Sally: yeah, and they still scare me. Just try looking at them as a little kid.
That's exactly why YOU think they're scary, and older kids think they're cool
Sally: huh?
Well until then, ttfn!
Sally: ya know people she knows a lotta people read it but since no one reviewed she doesn't know for sure.
WWAAAAHHHH!
Sally: ya made her cry, see. Well if any of you notice any stains on this chapter, they're probably her tears
Oh, that's good, I gotta write it down *searches franticly for piece of paper*
Sally: well looks like the writer in her kicked in
Yeah, anyway I'd like to welcome back Starlet Angel, my most dedicated reviewer, and hope that she gets better soon. This chapter I hope she enjoys reading. Well, on with the fic.
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Knuckles was running out of the temple and through the jungle of Angel Island. Being used to the terrain he easily sped through the mud and brush. The rain splattered on his red fur causing his dreadlocks to rumple and for strands to stick out. He panted as he ran in heavy breaths that echoed with the rain. His huge spiked hands cut through the leaves and shrubs that blocked his way.
After a time he stopped and hid from the rain underneath the branches of a tree. He leaned his head against the trunk and let his breaths slow. He coughed, and to his surprise sneezed. He made a face and rubbed his nose with his index finger.
"Figures, you running off to it," said a voice. Knuckles jumped to his feet and put his hands in front of him. He prepared to fight the intruder. The brush slowly began to shake, then part. Knuckles instantly put his guard down when he saw who it was.
"Rouge, what're you doing here?" he asked with some surprise. "You felt it too," he said amazingly without the surprise of his first sentence.
"Of course, I'm just as much in tuned with the emeralds as you are," she answered with an edge of arrogance in her voice. (A/N I've only heard her voice on SA2 Battle and that's just about what it sounds like)
"Then why is it you came here. The source is down there."
"Well I couldn't tell exactly where it was. I'm sure you couldn't either."
"Yeah, I had to use Tikal's orb to see where it was coming from. What or whoever it was that caused it hid it well."
"Well what do you think it was?"
"Well we both know it wasn't the emeralds. I assumed it must've been from the emerald Sonic has."
"You trusted HIM with an emerald?"
"Figured nothing would happen as long as he had it."
"Yeah right."
"Hey, Sonic takes some things seriously, and he wouldn't make this big of a flux just playing around with it."
"Knowing Sonic, he could do anything."
"Well Rouge, you still haven't answered my question, why are you here?"
"I couldn't find the source on my own, so I figured maybe you'd lead me to it."
"Hmph, is that the only reason you're here?"
"Why else would I be caught dead in a place like this, except for maybe to steal the emeralds."
"Don't you dare get any ideas!" Knuckles said blocking her way back.
"Don't worry, this thing's got a lotta power, even more than the emeralds. I figure it might be more worth it."
"Yeah, and you also know it had to come from a jewel. You're just here to steal it."
"Whatever gave you that idea?" she said trying to sound innocent.
"Well you aren't following me if that's you're reason."
"Relax, after all this thing could be a lot. You might need my help."
The two stared at each other intensely. They studied each other, scanning for reasons for what they were about to do. For some reason to why they made their decision. Knuckles turned around turning his back to Rouge.
"Come on," he said without turning around.
The two made their way through the jungle at a walking pace. The temple that held the emeralds was at the center of it all, so it was thick in every direction. They made their way in complete silence only looking out in front so not to bump into trees.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sonic walked out to see Sally scribbling on a piece of paper. He looked over her to see what she was drawing. When he did she only moved her head to block his view. He tried looking over her shoulder this time. This time she looked up and blinked twice. Sonic looked back into her face.
"Whatcha doin' kid?" he asked.
"Drawing," she answered simply. "See?"
She moved out of the way showing Sonic her artwork. It was nothing more than a few scribbles of crayons of different colors on paper. There were different scribbles in different corners of the paper. They depicted random scenes that weren't at all linked, nor could they ever.
"Nice kid," Sonic said as nicely as he could. He casually walked away and over to Amy and Tails who were having breakfast. He yawned and stretched his arms out. He stared at his cereal bowl, which seemed to move and duplicate in front of his eyes. The bowls then began to spin in his mind.
"Sonic, ya gonna take the kid to the park today?" Tails asked not looking up from his bowl.
"Huh? Wha-?" Sonic said snapping out of his daze.
"You said you would take her to the park today. She promised to not leave your sight, remember?" Amy said.
"Oh, yeah. Do we hafta go now?" Sonic said rubbing his eyes. He then let out a yawn and stretched his arms out at the same time. He also had his feet on the table and leaned back on the table. The action caused him to lean too far and fall over.
"Maybe later then," said Amy with a sweat drop going down her face.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sonic, Amy, and Tails did as planned and Sally kept her end of the deal. After a day of following their orders they decided they could trust her enough to stay on a bench while they went to get hot dogs. They left Sally there to wait for them. Sally did exactly as she was told, not wanting to anger them again, and started staring up at the sky and trees.
It was then she noticed the bench creak. She turned to her side to see another person sitting next to her. He was a big man with a large nose. He had on glasses that were so dark they would've appeared one-way. He had a round body and long legs leading up to big feet. He wore a red jacket with blue pants and black shoes. He was mostly bald only he had clumps of hair that came out from the side of his head, he reminded Sally of a clown she had seen on TV. He sat casually on the bench with one hand propped on top of the bench and the other in his lap. He looked out onto the people, not looking at Sally, but it seemed that he wasn't paying attention to them.
He finally turned to face Sally. His jacket hid his mouth and his eyes didn't show. Sally had no idea what things were now being displayed on his face. She looked up back at him.
"Hiya mister," she said perkily.
The man looked at her. He leaned in to talk to her. Before he said anything he craned back up and looked around to see if anyone was watching, or if someone was there that wasn't supposed to be. After he had been satisfied that everything was fine, he leaned in toward her once more.
"Hello there little girl," he whispered in her ear. Sally pulled her ear away slowly and pondered over what she had just heard. She then turned back to him and scooted closer to him.
"Hiya mister!" she said louder than she had the first time. The man quickly put a finger to his lips and blew softly. Sally had never before seen the gesture, but she knew what it meant. "Hiya mister," she said more softly.
"So you new to this city?" he asked casually, but still in a whisper.
"Yup," she said normally.
"And do you take orders from Sonic?"
"Whadaya mean 'orders'?"
"Well, does he tell you what to do?"
"Yeah."
"Do you do it?"
"No."
"I see. I've seen that you're quite the strong one," he said fading from the whisper to a normal talking voice.
"Huh?" Sally said looking up from her swaying feet.
"I can make you more powerful, stronger, faster than you have ever dreamed. All you hafta do is do what I tell you to do."
"Um. . .," Sally, thought until she was interrupted when she saw someone familiar coming. "Hey Sonic," she called and waved. She went right around the man in front of her. The man froze and ran away in an instant. Sally could only stare and he hid right behind a tree, his round body popping out of the shape of the trunk.
"Hey kid. Was there someone next to you?" Sonic asked as he handed her hotdog to her.
"Nah, nobody really," she said as she munched down.
The man watched as they finished and walked around the park. All the while he watched them from behind trees clearly seen, though not to him. When they stopped he observed their conversation. Sonic appeared to be yelling at Sally for jumping over a water fountain and spraying innocent passer- byes with water.
"Why won't you do what I tell you to do? You listen to Shadow!" Sonic said turning into a ball with a head and his arms waving in the air. (A/N anime style remember?)
"That's 'cause Shadow's way more cooler than you," Sally answered simply crossing her arms. Sonic fell on the ground anime style.
It was then Robotnic got all the information he needed. Apparently she only took orders from one person, and that one person left the city for who- knows-where a few days ago. Robotnic snickered to himself from behind the tree, then faded from sight.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
As the gang was making their way home at the end of the day Sonic, Amy, and Tails decided to get some candy to show Sally when they got home. Wanting it to be a surprise to the little hedgehog they told her to stay put while they went. They had left Sally alone once again.
"Hello again," the man said friendlily. Sally turned around to see the same one leaning casually on a tree with one arm. He walked up to her.
"What is your answer to my preposition?"
"I guess. Shadow would've liked me stronger anyway. Ok with me I guess," she said innocently. "Ya do know you talk funny," she said trying to point out the obvious.
"Good then," said Robotnic as they shook hands. "Meet me on your balcony tonight, after the others have gone to sleep. I will take you back to my factory and you'll get what's promised."
"Okey-dokey," Sally agreed. Little did she know what she was getting into. She turned to see the gang coming back from the store. She turned back to see empty space next to her. She let out a confused "Hm" before turning back to the gang.
"Hey, kid. Look at what we gotcha," said Sonic holding up a plastic bag.
"Oooooh," Sally stared at that bag, her eyes going bigger. "Gimmie!" she yelled lunging for it.
"Uh, uh, uh," Sonic waved his index finger in the air in front of her face. He pulled the bag out of her reach just before she could reach it. "Not until we get home."
Sally made a pout face with her hands in fists down at her sides. Her face then perked up, indicating she had an idea. She grinned and put her hands behind her. She walked over in the same manner and took Sonic's hand. With a sudden jolt she pulled him hard and dragged him behind her while she ran at supersonic speeds. Sonic wavered like a piece of paper trailing behind her, his feet swaying up in the air. Amy and Tails looked at each other, shrugged, and followed behind the pair.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sally whipped back to apartment in a flash. She zipped through the door and threw Sonic onto the floor. He landed feet first, so the weight of his upper body compressed a bit until he popped back up like an accordion. He clutched his head for a moment while curlicues circled in his pupils.
"Now Sonic?" Sally asked annoyingly.
"Uh yeah, I guess," Sonic said in a loopy way as he handed the bag to her. He missed her open arms so Sally had to follow his to get the treats. Tails and Amy arrived to see her whisk the bag away to her room and put it next to the M&M's Tails had given her. When she put it down she reached her hand in, and pulled out as many bags of candy she could hold with just one. She ripped them open and shoved the contents into her mouth. After a loud crack she held her bulging cheek in pain. Sally hadn't realized they had also bought hard candy. She looked down at the M&M bag and finally opened it. She gazed inside at its colorful contents. An idea came to her when she remembered the picture she was drawing earlier that morning. She had sketched scenes she had seen, everything from the city, to her desert home. The rainbow orbs seemed to take different shapes, and reminded Sally of many things. She clutched the bag in her hand and toddled out her room. She came back into the living room to see two new creatures standing there talking to Sonic and the others. She quickly jumped back into the safety of the shadows behind a corner. She watched the creatures suspiciously, and with cunning you wouldn't expect her to have. She put the bag close to her and as she looked at the balls their colors reminded her of her friends. She clutched the bag even more tightly for fear the two new creatures would hurt them in any way. She peeked over the corner and listened as best she could.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"So what're you guys doing here?" Sonic asked the two.
"We detected something here. . .," Knuckles started.
". . . And we came to investigate," Rouge finished. Knuckles glared at her but she just came back with a smirk.
"What exactly?" Tails asked.
"I felt a surge of power," said Knuckles.
"As did I," Rouge said.
"According to Tikal's orb it came from here. She created that thing so we could detect fluxes and other things related to the emeralds or any big power."
"We thought it came from your Chaos Emerald. It's the only thing in the area but this surge was much more powerful, too powerful to be just your emerald alone."
"Even the Master Emerald couldn't give off that big of a wave unless in a time of need."
"So you guys thought it was me? Why, don't ya trust me?"
"No," everyone in the room replied. Sonic fell to the ground anime style.
"Geez, I know how to handle this kinda power. I'll show ya! Watch!" Sonic reached into his pocket (A/N ya know how animals just reach into their fur and a pocket shows up) and pulled out, nothing but air. Sonic looked at his hand with shock. He could've sworn that's where he had always put it. He put his hand back in, but still nothing came out.
"You're not going to find it there, Sonic," Sally said as she came out reluctantly from the shadows. She scanned the new visitors and never took her eyes off them, even when she was talking to Sonic.
"Whadaya mean?" Sonic questioned.
"Shadow took the pretty shiny thing," Sally answered innocently with her voice going up at different times.
"He what!"
"The day he left he took it from you while you were sleeping. I was there so he told me not to tell you until you came looking for it. He also said to pay real attention to your face, and he was right, it is funny."
Sonic's face became as red as a cherry as his cheeks puffed up as he inhaled air to stop from screaming. "SHADOW!" Sonic yelled thrusting his fists into the air as he screamed.
++++++++++++Somewhere in the jungle also somewhere++++++++++++++++++++++
Sonic's yelled echoed all over. Shadow was sitting on top of a treetop with his legs stretched out. "Looks like the faker finally found out," he sighed with satisfaction. "The kid really knows how to follow orders."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"I can't believe he took it, and right under my nose!"
"Well that just reassures why we can't trust you," Rouge said sarcastically.
"Oh, man. I wonder what Shadow's doing with it now. No wonder it gave such a big flux, it's in his hands now."
"Yeah, but the flux came from here," Knuckles reasoned. "If he left with the emerald then it must not be the one causing it. Something else must be here that's giving it off."
"Eggman probably. He's a city guy, right?"
"Yes, but the flux was more magical than mechanical."
"So what're we going to do you two, search the entire city?" Rouge demanded.
"It's the only choice we have. The power was so well hidden all the orb said was that it was in this city. Tikal will inform us if anything changes through the charm she gave me. Since she hasn't said it moved it must still be here. We'll just have to split up and search," said Knuckles.
"The city's huge! How do you expect us to find it?"
"Do you have any better ideas?"
Rouge remained silent. As much as she wanted to make the echidna eat his words, she couldn't think of a way to stuff them back in. She reluctantly let herself be defeated and stared out the window.
"So groups or individually?"
Knuckles smirked at his small win. It was nice to see Rouge get beaten for once.
"Sonic, who're your new friends? They look really strong, they kinda scare me," Sally cut in.
"This is Knuckles and Rouge. Knuckles guards the Master Emerald and the Chaos Emeralds and Angel Isle. Rouge hunts the emeralds and. . . other stuff I guess," Sonic answered.
"How can we be sure we can trust you?" Amy looked at Rouge suspiciously. "How do we know you won't turn against us again?"
"Because #1 I don't work for GUN anymore, it got a bit boring. #2 this thing is a lot more for just Knucklehead to handle."
"And #3 she wants the power for herself," Knuckles finished.
"Pffht. Listen I'll help, but the power's mine in the end. I won't turn against you until we stop it. Face it, you need my help."
"We don't even know what it is yet," Tails pointed out.
"Neither do we. I can only hope we can stop it," said Knuckles.
"Emeralds?" Sally asked when they stopped talking. "I don't get it."
"They're full of power and things like that. Things you wouldn't understand."
"Oh, ok then."
"Well enough talk. We've come a long way and need a rest," Rouge cut in running her hand through her ears.
"Yeah, it's a long way from Angel Isle," said Tails. "Knuckles can sleep on the floor of Sonic's room, and Rouge can sleep in Amy's room."
"I don't know," said Knuckles. "The last time I saw Sonic's room you couldn't even see the floor."
"Hey, it's not that bad!" yelled Sonic.
Amy snickered and led Rouge to her room. Sally watched them carefully. Even if Sonic and Amy trusted these people, didn't mean she had to. She was just beginning to when she heard the word 'emerald'. Somehow it triggered a memory or a bit of knowledge from deep within her. She knew there was something about them that even they didn't know, but she did.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
After everyone had settled in and gone to sleep Sally crept out. She was given only a small closet so no one but her could find it cozy. Creeping out she creaked open the doors of Amy's and Sonic's rooms checking to see if the party was dozing. After hearing deep breaths and snores from each body, she crept out onto the balcony. The moonlight flooded out upon her. She had to shield her eyes from the change of light compared to the dark apartment. She shivered slightly as the wind blew her pigtails slightly. She stared up at the sky, counting the stars. She knew each of them by name. She had watched them her entire life, and to her they seemed timeless. Through her life the stars were the only ones that were always there, the only ones that stayed long enough to always be.
She was started from her thoughts when a machine pulled up to the balcony. It resembled a hover car and floated from the railing. The door opened revealing the man at its controls. He offered his hand toward her like a gentlemen. She took it and climbed aboard. She enjoyed flying over the city a second time through the one-way windows. She pressed her hands to the black glass.
The hover car flew over the city and to an abandoned factory. Eggman's factory where he had devised many plans, and created the things to carry it out had been destroyed. He salvaged the remaining equipment he had and moved to an old factory near the edge of town. It was in this same factory he was contacted by the figure.
The jets on the bottom of the car slowed. With a final press the car descended and landed. The doors opened like a regular car, and Sally hopped out. He led her over to the wall and pressed a brick. The covering of the brick came up revealing some gizmo that took up the rest of the brick with a green glass circle in the middle. Eggman walked up and opened his eye in front of the circle. A small light scanned his pupil. This was the only time he lifted up his glasses to reveal his brown eyes. After the scan was complete he pushed against the wall causing it to spin like a bookcase hiding a door. He gestured his hands inside, and Sally obeyed. She skipped into the darkness without a second thought. Eggman followed behind her. As he stepped in the door swung back into regular position. Outside there was an empty hover car, but nothing else to suggest anything other than a drive had happened.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Once inside the lights went on exposing the hallway they were traveling on. Sally looked up at the inside lights with wonder. Eggman went in front of her, and led her around. They went straight and followed the hallway. Sally could only wonder what the many side doors held. They followed the hallway through its turns and straights. They finally came to one of the rooms of the factory. It was a big room that contained the old conveyor belts, which were now rusty, and dull. The room was mostly dark except for the lights on the ceiling. The old equipment had been taken apart and sharp pieces lay in piles around the room. The darkness of the room, the light coming only from the ceiling, and the moonlight shining in through the high windows gave the impression of protruding shapes instead of the piles. They resembled arms reaching up in the shallow light. The only place that was clear was in the center. In the center was a lone display case that seemed to be the center of importance. The piles of twisted metal retracted from the shadows around it, as if they halted in its presence and revered it.
The display case was very neat. It had a pure black base with a clear glass top. It was rectangular in shape. Inside it seemed to something red, Sally still had no idea what they were.
Eggman walked up to the case and rested one hand on the top. He leaned on it casually as he faced her. Even though Sally couldn't see his face, she could tell he was very pleased with himself, and even more pleased that he could show someone his fantastic invention.
"This is my most recent and greatest invention," he said waving his hands in front of it. "They will give you speed, force, and even flight if you learn to control them."
"Ooooh," Sally let out as she stared at the case. It reflected the light so she couldn't see inside so well. The clear glass was also higher than she could see. "What are they?"
"Well. . .," he lifted up the case and took the glass off. Reaching his hands in he lifted them up, one in each hand. They fit precisely in his palms and he handled them like precious stones.
He then turned to show them to Sally who also couldn't be without awe. Her eyes went big, and sparked as they did. Sally then knew this was the greatest gift she would ever get.
************************************************************************
Well, wadya think?
Sally: not bad, at least I get lotsa gifts in this chapter
Yeah, at least I'm getting better at the cliffhanger thing. Now what did Robotnic give you?
Sally: oh yeah, they were really neat. I get to do some cool stuff thanks to them.
Well in the next chapter you'll see what Sally got and how she's gonna use them. Robotnic will also have her do something for him as her end of the deal.
Sally: forgetting something?
Oh, yeah. Sonic the hedgehog and all other characters belong to Sega. The only things that I own are Sally, Sally's attacks and equipment, and Star's stuff. She won't appear until the later chapters near the end. Also the song in the last chapter was "Get a Clue by Sir Simon and Milo (they're some Disney singers or something) and I heard the song on my little sister's radio station and decided it fit. Listen to it and you'll really get a good feeling on how the mall wreck came about.
Sally: you forgot?
At least I put it in the next chapter. Also Rouge and Knuckles were introduced.
Sally: yeah, and they still scare me. Just try looking at them as a little kid.
That's exactly why YOU think they're scary, and older kids think they're cool
Sally: huh?
Well until then, ttfn!